bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
What versus Where: Investigating how Autobiographical Memory Retrieval Differs when Accessed with Thematic versus Spatial Information
Authors: Sheldon Signy , Chu Sonja
Published: July 2016

Autobiographical memory research has investigated how cueing distinct aspects of a past event can trigger different recollective experiences. This research has stimulated theories about how autobiographical knowledge is accessed and organized. Here, we test the idea that thematic information organizes multiple autobiographical events whereas spatial information organizes individual past episodes by investigating how retrieval guided by these two forms of information differs. We used a novel autobiographical fluency task in which participants accessed multiple memory exemplars to event theme and spatial (location) cues followed by a narrative description task in which they described the memories generated to these cues. Participants recalled significantly more memory exemplars to event theme than to spatial cues; however, spatial cues prompted faster access to past memories. Results from the narrative description task revealed that memories retrieved via event theme cues compared to spatial cues had a higher number of overall details, but those recalled to the spatial cues were recollected with a greater concentration on episodic details than those retrieved via event theme cues. These results provide evidence that thematic information organizes and integrates multiple memories whereas spatial information prompts the retrieval of specific episodic content from a past event.
Co-occurrence frequency evaluated with large language corpora boosts semantic priming effects
Authors: Brunellière Angèle , Perre Laetitia , Tran ThiMai , Bonnotte Isabelle
Published: July 2016

In recent decades, many computational techniques have been developed to analyse the contextual usage of words in large language corpora. The present study examined whether the co-occurrence frequency obtained from large language corpora might boost purely semantic priming effects. Two experiments were conducted: one with conscious semantic priming, the other with subliminal semantic priming. Both experiments contrasted three semantic priming contexts: an unrelated priming context and two related priming contexts with word pairs that are semantically related and that co-occur either frequently or infrequently. In the conscious priming presentation (166-ms stimulus-onset asynchrony, SOA), a semantic priming effect was recorded in both related priming contexts, which was greater with higher co-occurrence frequency. In the subliminal priming presentation (66-ms SOA), no significant priming effect was shown, regardless of the related priming context. These results show that co-occurrence frequency boosts pure semantic priming effects and are discussed with reference to models of semantic network.
Formin-mediated actin polymerization at cell–cell junctions stabilizes E-cadherin and maintains monolayer integrity during wound repair
Authors: Rao Megha Vaman , Zaidel-Bar Ronen
Published: July 2016

Cadherin-mediated cell–cell adhesion is required for epithelial tissue integrity in homeostasis, during development, and in tissue repair. E-cadherin stability depends on F-actin, but the mechanisms regulating actin polymerization at cell–cell junctions remain poorly understood. Here we investigated a role for formin-mediated actin polymerization at cell–cell junctions. We identify mDia1 and Fmnl3 as major factors enhancing actin polymerization and stabilizing E-cadherin at epithelial junctions. Fmnl3 localizes to adherens junctions downstream of Src and Cdc42 and its depletion leads to a reduction in F-actin and E-cadherin at junctions and a weakening of cell–cell adhesion. Of importance, Fmnl3 expression is up-regulated and junctional localization increases during collective cell migration. Depletion of Fmnl3 or mDia1 in migrating monolayers results in dissociation of leader cells and impaired wound repair. In summary, our results show that formin activity at epithelial cell–cell junctions is important for adhesion and the maintenance of epithelial cohesion during dynamic processes, such as wound repair.
A Dual-Color Imaging System for Sugarcane Smut Fungus Sporisorium scitamineum
Authors: Yan Meixin , Cai Enping , Zhou Jianuan , Chang Changqing , Xi Pinggen , Shen Wankuan , Li Lingyu , Jiang Zide , Deng Yi Zhen , Zhang Lian-Hui
Published: July 2016

The life cycle of the sugarcane smut fungus Sporisorium scitamineum is a multistep process. Haploid sporidia of compatible (MAT-1 versus MAT-2) mating types fuse to generate pathogenic dikaryotic hyphae to infect the host. Within the host tissues, diploid teliospores are formed and induce a characteristic sorus that looks like a black whip. The diploid teliospores germinate to form haploid sporidia by meiosis. In order to monitor fungal development throughout the whole life cycle, we expressed the green fluorescent protein (GFP) and red fluorescent protein (RFP) in S. scitamineum MAT-1 and MAT-2 sporidia, respectively. Observation by epifluorescence microscope showed that conjugation tube formation and sporidia fusion occurred at 4 to 8 h, and formation of dikaryotic filaments was detected at 12 h after mating. The resultant teliospores, with diffused GFP and RFP, underwent meiosis as demonstrated by septated hypha with single fluorescent signal. We demonstrated that GFP- and RFP-tagged strains can be used to study the life cycle development of the fungal pathogen S. scitamineum, including the sexual mating and meiosis events. This dual-color imaging system would be a valuable tool for investigation of biotic and abiotic factors that might affect the fungal life cycle development and pathogenesis.
Application of Genomics for Understanding Plant Virus-Insect Vector Interactions and Insect Vector Control
Authors: Kaur Navneet , Hasegawa Daniel K. , Ling Kai-Shu , Wintermantel William M.
Published: July 2016

The relationships between plant viruses and their vectors have evolved over the millennia, and yet, studies on viruses began <150 years ago and investigations into the virus and vector interactions even more recently. The advent of next generation sequencing, including rapid genome and transcriptome analysis, methods for evaluation of small RNAs, and the related disciplines of proteomics and metabolomics offer a significant shift in the ability to elucidate molecular mechanisms involved in virus infection and transmission by insect vectors. Genomic technologies offer an unprecedented opportunity to examine the response of insect vectors to the presence of ingested viruses through gene expression changes and altered biochemical pathways. This review focuses on the interactions between viruses and their whitefly or thrips vectors and on potential applications of genomics-driven control of the insect vectors. Recent studies have evaluated gene expression in vectors during feeding on plants infected with begomoviruses, criniviruses, and tospoviruses, which exhibit very different types of virus-vector interactions. These studies demonstrate the advantages of genomics and the potential complementary studies that rapidly advance our understanding of the biology of virus transmission by insect vectors and offer additional opportunities to design novel genetic strategies to manage insect vectors and the viruses they transmit.
Population Structure of Phytophthora nicotianae Reveals Host-Specific Lineages on Brinjal, Ridge Gourd, and Tomato in South India
Authors: Chowdappa P. , Kumar B. J. Nirmal , Kumar S. P. Mohan , Madhura S. , Bhargavi B. Reddi , Lakshmi M. Jyothi
Published: July 2016

Severe outbreaks of Phytophthora fruit rot on brinjal, ridge gourd, and tomato have been observed since 2011 in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu states of India. Therefore, 76 Phytophthora nicotianae isolates, recovered from brinjal (17), ridge gourd (40), and tomato (19) from different localities in these states during the June to December cropping season of 2012 and 2013, were characterized based on phenotypic and genotypic analyses and aggressiveness on brinjal, tomato, and ridge gourd. All brinjal and ridge gourd isolates were A2, while tomato isolates were both A1 (13) and A2 (6). All isolates were metalaxyl sensitive. In addition, isolates were genotyped for three mitochondrial (ribosomal protein L5-small subunit ribosomal RNA [rpl5-rns], small subunit ribosomal RNA-cytochrome c oxidase subunit 2 [rns-cox2], and cox2+spacer) and three nuclear loci (hypothetical protein [hyp], scp-like extracellular protein [scp], and beta-tubulin [β-tub]). All regions were polymorphic but nuclear regions were more variable than mitochondrial regions. The network analysis of genotypes using the combined dataset of three nuclear regions revealed a host-specific association. However, the network generated using mitochondrial regions limited such host-specific groupings only to brinjal isolates. P. nicotianae isolates were highly aggressive and produced significantly (P ≤ 0.01) larger lesions on their respective host of origin than on other hosts. The results indicate significant genetic variation in the population of P. nicotianae, leading to identification of host-specific lineages responsible for severe outbreaks on brinjal, ridge gourd, and tomato.
Season-Long Dynamics of Spinach Downy Mildew Determined by Spore Trapping and Disease Incidence
Authors: Choudhury R. A. , Koike S. T. , Fox A. D. , Anchieta A. , Subbarao K. V. , Klosterman S. J. , McRoberts N.
Published: July 2016

Peronospora effusa is an obligate oomycete that causes downy mildew of spinach. Downy mildew threatens sustainable production of fresh market organic spinach in California, and routine fungicide sprays are often necessary for conventional production. In this study, airborne P. effusa spores were collected using rotating arm impaction spore trap samplers at four sites in the Salinas Valley between late January and early June in 2013 and 2014. Levels of P. effusa DNA were determined by a species-specific quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay. Peronospora effusa was detected prior to and during the growing season in both years. Nonlinear time series analyses on the data suggested that the within-season dynamics of P. effusa airborne inoculum are characterized by a mixture of chaotic, deterministic, and stochastic features, with successive data points somewhat predictable from the previous values in the series. Analyses of concentrations of airborne P. effusa suggest both an exponential increase in concentration over the course of the season and oscillations around the increasing average value that had season-specific periodicity around 30, 45, and 75 days, values that are close to whole multiples of the combined pathogen latent and infectious periods. Each unit increase in temperature was correlated with 1.7 to 6% increased odds of an increase in DNA copy numbers, while each unit decrease in wind speed was correlated with 4 to 12.7% increased odds of an increase in DNA copy numbers. Disease incidence was correlated with airborne P. effusa levels and weather variables, and a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis suggested that P. effusa DNA copy numbers determined from the spore traps nine days prior to disease rating could predict disease incidence.
Does Screw Configuration or Fibular Osteotomy Decrease Healing Time in Exchange Tibial Nailing?
Authors: Abadie Bryan , Leas Daniel , Cannada Lisa , Malm Peter , Morwood Michael , Howes Cameron , Zura Robert , Healy Kaitlin , Avery Matthew , Schlatterer Dan , Miller Anna N.
Published: July 2016

Objectives:

This multicenter study was designed to evaluate whether tibia fracture nonunions treated with exchange nailing proceed to union faster with dynamically- versus statically-locked nails, or with fibular osteotomy versus no fibular osteotomy.

Design:

Retrospective, chart-review, multicenter study.

Setting:

Multicenter review of 6 level 1 trauma centers.

Patients/Participants:

Patients who had a tibia fracture treated with an intramedullary nail that progressed to nonunion, and were subsequently treated with exchange nailing, were identified. All patients that met inclusion criteria and subsequently progressed to union were included in the study.

Intervention:

Patients underwent tibial exchange nailing to repair nonunions, with screws in either a dynamically- or statically-locked configuration with or without fibular osteotomy.

Main Outcome Measures:

The primary outcome measure was a comparison of time to healing of tibial nonunion comparing different screw configurations and fibular osteotomy.

Results:

Fifty-two patients underwent an exchange nail procedure and their outcomes were used for the primary analysis. Patients with dynamically-locked nails proceeded to union 7.9 months after revision surgery compared with 7.3 months for those with statically-locked nails, but this was not statistically significant (P = 0.68). Patients with fibular osteotomy proceeded to union 2.9 months faster than those without fibular osteotomy, and this trended toward significance (P = 0.067). Obese patients healed on average 8.8 months after surgery compared with 6.8 months for nonobese patients (P = 0.27). Closed fractures healed after 6.4 months compared with 7.7 months for open fractures (P = 0.40).

Conclusions:

There was no significant difference in time to union between patients who had a dynamic screw configuration compared with a static screw configuration for their exchange nail. Patients who underwent fibular osteotomy proceeded to union faster than those without an osteotomy.

Level of Evidence:

Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Are Early Career Orthopaedic Trauma Surgeons Performing Less Complex Trauma Surgery?
Authors: Gire Jacob D. , Gardner Michael J. , Harris Alex H. S. , Bishop Julius A.
Published: July 2016

Purpose:

There has recently been an increase in the number of fellowship trained orthopaedic trauma surgeons, raising concerns that the surgical experience of early career surgeons may be diluted. We sought to evaluate the change in complex trauma case volume of orthopaedic trauma surgeons sitting for Part II of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons certification examination.

Methods:

The case log data from all surgeons taking Part II of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons examination over a 13-year period (2003–2015) was evaluated. Any surgeon who examined in the trauma subspecialty was included. We defined pelvis, acetabulum, and periarticular fracture surgeries as complex trauma procedures and evaluated changes in case volume over time.

Results:

We included 468 candidates who examined as trauma subspecialists and performed 90,261 procedures. The number of candidates testing in trauma per year ranged from 15 to 65 and increased significantly over time [β = 4.05 (0.37), P < 0.0001]. Their case volume was stable over time [β = −1.7 (1.1), P = 0.16]. The number of acetabulum fracture surgeries performed decreased significantly over time from a mean of 10.1 cases in 2003 to 5.2 cases in 2015 [β = −0.34 (0.08), P = 0.0015]. There was no significant change in the number of pelvic fracture surgeries [β = −0.1 (0.1), P = 0.285]. There was a trend toward less periarticular fracture surgeries [β = −0.3 (0.1), P = 0.072].

Conclusions:

Although pelvic ring and periarticular fracture case volume have remained stable, early career surgeons have experienced a significant decrease in acetabular fracture case volume. The implications of this decreased surgical experience warrant careful consideration as the orthopaedic trauma workforce evolves.
Suprapatellar Nailing of Tibial Shaft Fractures in Total Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Woyski Dustin , Emerson Jason
Published: July 2016

Fractures of the tibial shaft in patients with ipsilateral total knee arthroplasty are rare but difficult to treat. Nonoperative treatment of these fractures with casting or bracing limits weight bearing for an extended period and can result in unacceptable malalignment. Operative fixation with plate and screws also limits early weight bearing and requires healing of soft tissue that is of poor quality. The authors present a method of internal fixation that uses a standard intramedullary tibial nail and suprapatellar instrumentation. This method can easily be performed, avoids the tibial baseplate, and does not require alteration of the instrumentation or intramedullary nail.
Tumor Size Has a Time-Varying Effect on Recurrence in Cervical Cancer
Authors: Chang Chung , Chen Jiabin , Chang Wen-Yi , Chiang An Jen
Published: July 2016

Objective

This study analyzed the risk factors for their possible association with overall survival and progression-free survival in cervical cancer, with a flexible model that allowed time-varying effects.

Methods

Information about patients with cervical cancer from 2002 to 2012 was collected in the Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital. All available biological and clinicopathologic factors were tested for the assumption of the Cox proportional hazard model, that is, whether they had time-varying effect on survival. The factors were also analyzed in univariate and multivariate statistics to identify independent risk factors. The multivariate analysis was performed with an extended Cox model so that those factors that failed the assumption test were allowed to vary with time.

Results

Approximately 797 patients were included in the final analysis. Most factors tested passed the Cox assumption test, except tumor size and body mass index in the event of recurrence and preoperative CA125 values in the event of death (P < 0.05). Univariate and multivariate analysis identified tumor size, stage, and lymph nodal metastasis as independent significant risk factors for both recurrence and death (P < 0.05), with tumor size being a time-varying factor for recurrence.

Conclusions

Patients with larger tumor size, higher FIGO stage, and lymph nodal metastasis are faced with higher risk of recurrence and death. A larger tumor size poses increasingly higher risk for recurrence initially, and its importance declines as the patient survives longer without disease progression. These findings may be helpful to gynecologists when assessing tumor risk of patients with cervical cancer and in patient consultation.
Current State and Future Perspectives of Energy Sources for Totally Implantable Cardiac Devices
Authors: Bleszynski Peter A. , Luc Jessica G. Y. , Schade Peter , PhilLips Steven J. , Tchantchaleishvili Vakhtang
Published: July 2016

There is a large population of patients with end-stage congestive heart failure who cannot be treated by means of conventional cardiac surgery, cardiac transplantation, or chronic catecholamine infusions. Implantable cardiac devices, many designated as destination therapy, have revolutionized patient care and outcomes, although infection and complications related to external power sources or routine battery exchange remain a substantial risk. Complications from repeat battery replacement, power failure, and infections ultimately endanger the original objectives of implantable biomedical device therapy – eliminating the intended patient autonomy, affecting patient quality of life and survival. We sought to review the limitations of current cardiac biomedical device energy sources and discuss the current state and trends of future potential energy sources in pursuit of a lifelong fully implantable biomedical device.
Distinct Effects of Left or Right Atrial Cannulation on Left Ventricular Hemodynamics in a Swine Model of Acute Myocardial Injury
Authors: Esposito Michele L. , Shah Nimish , Dow Sam , Kang Sandra , Paruchuri Vikram , Karas Richard H. , Kapur Navin K.
Published: July 2016

Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) and the TandemHeart left ventricular (LV) assist device are increasingly employed as mechanical circulatory support devices during acute LV injury. We examined the effects of right atrial to femoral artery (RA–FA; VA-ECMO) bypass versus left atrial to femoral artery (LA–FA; TandemHeart) bypass using a centrifugal pump (Cardiac Assist Inc, Pittsburgh, PA) on LV hemodynamics in a swine model of acute LV injury. In eight male swine, the RA–FA bypass group employed a 21 Fr inflow cannula in the right atrial (RA) and a 17 Fr FA outflow cannula. The LA–FA bypass group employed a 21 Fr inflow cannula in the LA and a 17 Fr FA outflow cannula. Both pump configurations were activated at 3,500 rotations per minute (RPMs) followed by balloon angioplasty-mediated occlusion of the left circumflex (LCx) artery. After 30 minutes of LCx occlusion, RPMs through the centrifugal pump were increased from 3,500, 5,500 then to a maximum at 7,500 RPMs. At 7,500 RPMs, RA–FA and LA–FA bypass generated 3.5 ± 0.1 and 3.6 ± 0.2 liters/minute (LPM) of flow, respectively. At maximum flow, RA unloading increased LV end-systolic pressure and estimated wall stress, whereas LA unloading reduced LV end-diastolic pressure, end-diastolic volume, and native stroke volume without changing estimated wall stress. Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation acutely increases mean arterial pressure (MAP) without unloading the LV, whereas the TandemHeart maintains MAP and unloads the LV. These findings indicate that RA versus LA cannulation for circulatory support have distinct acute hemodynamic effects on the LV.
In Vivo Evaluation of a Pneumatic Extracorporeal Ventricular Assist Device for up to 90 Day Support
Authors: Conger Jeff L. , Grace Brian W. , Van Noy Kelsey L. , Handy Kelly M. , Costas Gil G. , Rodriguez-Sierra Carlos A. , Trejo Alejandro , Pinzon Javier , Cohn William E.
Published: July 2016

In a previous study, we showed that the Vitalmex Extracorporeal Ventricular Assist Device-Pneumatic (EVAD-P)—a low-cost, pneumatically actuated, pulsatile blood pump—is easy to implant and safe for short-term in vivo support (30 ± 5 days). In the current study, we included additional 30 day experiments and assessed the safety and durability of the EVAD-P for up to 90 days of support. Using the same surgical procedure as in the previous study, we implanted the device into 14 healthy sheep. Group I subjects (n = 7) were evaluated for up to 30 days, and group II (n = 2) and group III (n = 5) subjects were evaluated for up to 49 and 93 days, respectively. After a system redesign, two of the five sheep in group III reached the scheduled end-point without device-related problems at a fixed beat rate of 56 bpm, a stroke volume (SV) of 58.0 ± 2.3 ml, and a flow of 3.5 ± 0.2 L/min. This study shows that the EVAD-P can provide safe pulsatile mechanical circulatory support (MCS) for up to 93 days. To further confirm that the system can consistently provide MCS for this duration, additional studies are recommended.
Safety of Long-term Use of Lamotrigine for the Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders
Authors: Sogawa Rintaro , Mochinaga Sakiko , Inaba Takayoshi , Matsushima Jun , Mizoguchi Yoshito , Kawashima Toshiro , Fujito Hiroshi , Monji Akira
Published: July 2016

Objectives

Lamotrigine (LTG) is a drug commonly used to treat epilepsy and can also be used to manage mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder. One of the most dangerous adverse effects of LTG is skin rash, which can make early cessation necessary. Here, we examine the adverse effects associated with long-term use of LTG for the treatment of mood disorders.

Methods

Data were obtained from the medical records of 101 psychiatric patients who were prescribed long-term treatment with LTG. Patients were retrospectively divided into those who discontinued treatment within 6 months and those who continued for longer, and the groups were compared for adverse effects. We also compared the incidence of adverse effects in high and low doses.

Results

Fifty-four patients continued LTG treatment for 6 months or longer; 47 discontinued within 6 months. A history of allergy was more prevalent among the patients who discontinued treatment early than in those who continued. Of the patients who continued treatment for 6 months or longer, only 2 later discontinued treatment because of adverse effects. Lamotrigine monotherapy showed no difference in the incidence of adverse effects for different doses of LTG (>200 mg = 4.8% vs >100 mg, ≤200 mg = 7.7%; P = 1, vs >50 mg, ≤100 mg = 0%; P = 1 vs ≤50 mg = 0%; P = 1).

Conclusions

Clinicians must be mindful of the adverse effects occurring early during the titration phase. However, long-term use of LTG was very well tolerated, even at high maintenance doses.
Distinct effects of inflammation on preconditioning and regeneration of the adult zebrafish heart
Authors: de Preux Charles Anne-Sophie , Bise Thomas , Baier Felix , Marro Jan , Jaźwińska Anna
Published: July 2016

The adult heart is able to activate cardioprotective programmes and modifies its architecture in response to physiological or pathological changes. While mammalian cardiac remodelling often involves hypertrophic expansion, the adult zebrafish heart exploits hyperplastic growth. This capacity depends on the responsiveness of zebrafish cardiomyocytes to mitogenic signals throughout their entire life. Here, we have examined the role of inflammation on the stimulation of cell cycle activity in the context of heart preconditioning and regeneration. We used thoracotomy as a cardiac preconditioning model and cryoinjury as a model of cardiac infarction in the adult zebrafish. First, we performed a spatio-temporal characterization of leucocytes and cycling cardiac cells after thoracotomy. This analysis revealed a concomitance between the infiltration of inflammatory cells and the stimulation of the mitotic activity. However, decreasing the immune response using clodronate liposome injection, PLX3397 treatment or anti-inflammatory drugs surprisingly had no effect on the re-entry of cardiac cells into the cell cycle. In contrast, reducing inflammation using the same strategies after cryoinjury strongly impaired cardiac cell mitotic activity and the regenerative process. Taken together, our results show that, while the immune response is not necessary to induce cell-cycle activity in intact preconditioned hearts, inflammation is required for the regeneration of injured hearts in zebrafish.
Overwintering evergreen oaks reverse typical relationships between leaf traits in a species spectrum
Authors: Harayama Hisanori , Ishida Atsushi , Yoshimura Jin
Published: July 2016

The leaf economics spectrum has given us a fundamental understanding of the species variations in leaf variables. Across plant species, tight correlations among leaf mass per area (LMA), mass-based nitrogen (Nm) and photosynthetic rate (Am) and leaf lifespan have been well known as trade-offs in leaf carbon economy. However, the regional or biome-level correlations may not be necessary to correspond with the global-scale analysis. Here, we show that almost all leaf variables in overwintering evergreen oaks in Japan were relatively well included within the evergreen-broadleaved trees in worldwide temperate forests, butNmwas more consistent with that in deciduous broadleaved trees. Contrary to the universal correlations, the correlation betweenAmandNmamong the evergreen oaks was negative and the correlation betweenAmand LMA disappeared. The unique performance was due to specific nitrogen allocation within leaves, i.e. the evergreen oaks with later leaf maturation had lowerNmbut higher nitrogen allocation to photosynthetic enzymes within leaves, to enhance carbon gain against the delayed leaf maturation and the shortened photosynthetic period due to cold winters. Our data demonstrate that correlations between leaf variables in a local scale are occasionally different from averaged global-scale datasets, because of the constraints in each biome.
A new method for reconstructing brain morphology: applying the brain-neurocranial spatial relationship in an extant lungfish to a fossil endocast
Authors: Clement Alice M. , Strand Robin , Nysjö Johan , Long John A. , Ahlberg Per E.
Published: July 2016

Lungfish first appeared in the geological record over 410 million years ago and are the closest living group of fish to the tetrapods. Palaeoneurological investigations into the group show that unlike numerous other fishes—but more similar to those in tetrapods—lungfish appear to have had a close fit between the brain and the cranial cavity that housed it. As such, researchers can use the endocast of fossil taxa (an internal cast of the cranial cavity) both as a source of morphological data but also to aid in developing functional and phylogenetic implications about the group. Using fossil endocast data from a three-dimensional-preserved Late Devonian lungfish from the Gogo Formation,Rhinodipterus, and the brain-neurocranial relationship in the extant Australian lungfish,Neoceratodus, we herein present the first virtually reconstructed brain of a fossil lungfish. Computed tomographic data and a newly developed ‘brain-warping’ method are used in conjunction with our own distance map software tool to both analyse and present the data. The brain reconstruction is adequate, but we envisage that its accuracy and wider application in other taxonomic groups will grow with increasing availability of tomographic datasets.
Evidence of protein-free homology recognition in magnetic bead force–extension experiments
Authors: (O’) Lee D. J. , Danilowicz C. , Rochester C. , Kornyshev A. A. , Prentiss M.
Published: July 2016

Earlier theoretical studies have proposed that the homology-dependent pairing of large tracts of dsDNA may be due to physical interactions between homologous regions. Such interactions could contribute to the sequence-dependent pairing of chromosome regions that may occur in the presence or the absence of double-strand breaks. Several experiments have indicated the recognition of homologous sequences in pure electrolytic solutions without proteins. Here, we report single-molecule force experiments with a designed 60 kb long dsDNA construct; one end attached to a solid surface and the other end to a magnetic bead. The 60 kb constructs contain two 10 kb long homologous tracts oriented head to head, so that their sequences match if the two tracts fold on each other. The distance between the bead and the surface is measured as a function of the force applied to the bead. At low forces, the construct molecules extend substantially less than normal, control dsDNA, indicating the existence of preferential interaction between the homologous regions. The force increase causes no abrupt but continuous unfolding of the paired homologous regions. Simple semi-phenomenological models of the unfolding mechanics are proposed, and their predictions are compared with the data.
Algebraic method for constructing singular steady solitary waves: a case study
Authors: Clamond Didier , Dutykh Denys , Galligo André
Published: July 2016

This article describes the use of algebraic methods in a phase plane analysis of ordinary differential equations. The method is illustrated by the study of capillary–gravity steady surface waves propagating in shallow water. We consider the (fully nonlinear, weakly dispersive) Serre–Green–Naghdi equation with surface tension, because it provides a tractable model that, at the same time, is not too simple, so interest in the method can be emphasized. In particular, we analyse a special class of solutions, the solitary waves, which play an important role in many fields of physics. In capillary–gravity regime, there are two kinds of localized infinitely smooth travelling wave solutions—solitary waves of elevation and of depression. However, if we allow the solitary waves to have an angular point, then the ‘zoology’ of solutions becomes much richer, and the main goal of this study is to provide a complete classification of such singular localized solutions using the methods of the
effective
algebraic geometry.
SMRT Genome Assembly Corrects Reference Errors, Resolving the Genetic Basis of Virulence inMycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Elghraoui Afif , Modlin Samuel J , Valafar Faramarz
Published: July 2016

The genetic basis of virulence inMycobacterium tuberculosishas been investigated through genome comparisons of its virulent (H37Rv) and attenuated (H37Ra) sister strains. Such analysis, however, relies heavily on the accuracy of the sequences. While the H37Rv reference genome has had several corrections to date, that of H37Ra is unmodified since its original publication. Here, we report the assembly and finishing of the H37Ra genome from single-molecule, real-time (SMRT) sequencing. Our assembly reveals that the number of H37Ra-specific variants is less than half of what the Sanger-based H37Ra reference sequence indicates, undermining and, in some cases, invalidating the conclusions of several studies. PE_PPE family genes, which are intractable to commonly-used sequencing platforms because of their repetitive and GC-rich nature, are overrepresented in the set of genes in which all reported H37Ra-specific variants are contradicted. We discuss how our results change the picture of virulence attenuation and the power of SMRT sequencing for producing high-quality reference genomes.
Reconstruction of interfaces of periodic multilayers from X-ray reflectivity using a free-form approach
Authors: Zameshin Andrey , Makhotkin Igor A. , Yakunin Sergey N. , van de Kruijs Robbert W. E. , Yakshin Andrey E. , Bijkerk Fred
Published: July 2016

Grazing-incidence X-ray reflectivity (GIXRR) is a widely used analysis method for thin films and multilayer structures. However, conventional so-called model-based approaches of structural reconstruction from GIXRR data lack flexibility when dealing with very thin structures (down to the nanometre scale), becausea prioriassumptions have to be made about the interface composition and structure. This makes it very difficult to extract reliable information about such structures. In this work, a custom free-form approach is presented, which solves this task without the need fora prioriassumptions on layer or interface parameters. As a proof of principle, an optical constant profile reconstruction and GIXRR curve matching for simulated data are demonstrated. The developed approach is used to analyse the structures of multilayer LaN/B Bragg reflectors designed for the extreme UV range. The performed analysis allowed the difference in optical constant profiles of these structures produced with different processes to be revealed. The uncertainties of structural reconstruction are also discussed.
A new one-dimensional strontium vanadium tellurite, Sr7V4Te12O41
Authors: Kim Sun Woo , Emge Thomas J. , Greenblatt Martha
Published: July 2016

Vanadium tellurites display a rich structural chemistry with interesting physical properties, such as second harmonic generation (SHG). Tellurites,i.e.Te4+Ox, are often observed in unusual structures and form various structural motifs, including isolated clusters, chains, layers, and three-dimensional networks. Similarly, vanadates,i.e.V5+Ox, show rich structural features, such as VO4tetrahedra, VO5square pyramids or trigonal bipyramids, and VO6octahedra. Strontium vanadium tellurite, Sr7V4Te12O41, was obtained from the melt of the solid-state reaction of SrTeO4and VO2in a sealed quartz tube as it cooled from 973 K. The crystal structure exhibits a one-dimensional latticework along theaaxis comprised of paired Sr3Te3Oxunits, namely Sr6Te6O2x+1, with corner-shared TeO4polyhedra – and specifically the Te lone-pair electrons – facing outward in thebcplane. The Sr6Te6O2x+1latticework is helical and is layered in theb-axis direction against sheets of corner-shared VO4tetrahedra, and is linked in thec-axis directionviaindividual corner-shared SrO8square prisms.
Marketing orientation, strategic orientation and their synergistic impact on business performance
Authors: Chahal Hardeep , Dangwal R.C. , Raina Swati
Published: July 2016

Purpose

The main purpose of this study is to examine the synergistic impact of marketing orientation (MO) and strategic orientation (SO) on business performance (BP) and to explore role of entrepreneurial qualification (moderating) and SO (mediating) in MO and BP relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Nine hundred small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) owners/managers operating in Jammu District, North India, are contacted during October 2013 to February 2014.

Findings

The study identifies and confirms MO (marketing strategy, customer philosophy, operational efficiency and integrated marketing) and SO (defensive, proactive, analytical and risk-averse) as multi-dimensional constructs. Although both orientations have positive impact on SMEs performance, however, their synergistic impact is weak. In addition, the study also reveals that MO has direct and indirect impact (through SO) on BP. Lastly, there exists moderating role of entrepreneurial qualification between MO and SO.

Research limitations/implications

The major limitation of the study is the focus on SMEs. Based on the strength of the relationships among the dimensions and sub-dimensions of the MO, SO and BP, replication and validation of research in service sector across the country and globe is required to generalise the results and to develop stronger theory.

Originality/value

This is the first empirical study to investigate the synergistic impact of two well-established notions – MO and SO. It provides empirical evidence for the claim that synergistic impact of marketing and SO on BP is weak, unlike their respective strong impact on BP. This study also clarifies roles of entrepreneurial qualification and SO in MO and BP relationship.
Entrepreneurial marketing behaviours: impact of firm age, firm size and firm’s founder
Authors: Kilenthong Pitsamorn , Hultman Claes M. , Hills Gerald E.
Published: July 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically test whether a systematic relationship exists between firms’ level of entrepreneurial marketing (EM) behaviours and firms’ characteristics, including firm age, firm size and firm’s founder.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper quantitatively investigates EM behaviours from data collected from 752 business owners through structured interviews. The data analysis applied was multi-group confirmatory factor analysis (multi-group CFA).

Findings

Results from the analysis show that not all of the firms’ characteristics determine firms’ level of EM practice. The level of EM behaviours has a systematic relationship with firms’ age but not with the founding status of the firms’ manager. The impact of firm size on the level of EM behaviours is evident only when the firms’ age is taken into account.

Research limitations/implications

This paper concludes that relationships between EM behaviours and firm characteristics are more complicated than anticipated. Firms’ characteristics alone may not be a good measure for identifying the level of a firm’s EM. EM cannot be conceptualized solely in relation to the activities of small firms, young firms or founder-operated firms.

Originality/value

This paper examines EM behaviours in a large survey and uses multi-group CFA to examine firms’ EM practice through latent variables, instead of observed variables. The findings should complement knowledge regarding the EM concept generated from existing literature.
It’s uphill all the way to the top, regardless of mountain size
Authors: Ensign Prescott C. , Robinson Nicholas P.
Published: July 2016

Purpose

This case aims to illustrate the hurdles that a young venture might experience in the early stages of its life cycle and showcase how managers must use ingenuity to climb over obstacles.

Design/methodology/approach

The case is based on interviews with the founders and additional secondary data.

Findings

RepositBox, a Canadian-based provider of credentials verification solutions, is a new venture coping with the challenges posed by the introduction of its innovative new product to the marketplace.

Originality/value

The case is suitable for use in undergraduate or graduate courses in new venture creation, entrepreneurial marketing and launching a technology-based enterprise.
Integrating research using animal‐borne telemetry with the needs of conservation management
Authors: McGowan Jennifer , Beger Maria , Lewison Rebecca L. , Harcourt Rob , Campbell Hamish , Priest Mark , Dwyer Ross G. , Lin Hsien‐Yung , Lentini Pia , Dudgeon Christine , McMahon Clive , Watts Matt , Possingham Hugh P.
Published: July 2016

Animal‐borne telemetry has revolutionized our ability to study animal movement, species physiology, demography and social structures, changing environments and the threats that animals are experiencing. While there will always be a need for basic ecological research and discovery, the current conservation crisis demands we look more pragmatically at the data required to make informed management decisions.

Here, we define a framework that distinguishes how research using animal telemetry devices can influence conservation. We then discuss two critical questions which aim to directly connect telemetry‐derived data to applied conservation decision‐making: (i) Would my choice of action change if I had more data? (ii) Is the expected gain worth the money and time required to collect more data?

Policy implications. To answer questions about integrating telemetry‐derived data with applied conservation, we suggest the use of value of information analysis to quantitatively assess the return‐on‐investment of animal telemetry‐derived data for conservation decision‐making.
Dynamic Stochastic General EQUILIBRIUM ‐ BASED Assessment of Nonlinear Macroprudential Policies: Evidence from Hong Kong
Authors: Funke Michael , Paetz Michael
Published: July 2016

In the wake of the 2008–2009 global financial crisis, the macroeconomic discussion has returned to the topic of proactive macroprudential policies. The use of loan‐to‐value (LTV) policies to curb booming property markets has long been used by Hong Kong's monetary authorities to actively manage the potential fallout from housing price bubbles. In 2013 the Hong Kong authorities supplemented the LTV policies with property transfer taxes. Here, we also analyse the merits of these tax‐based macroprudential policies in the dynamic stochastic general equilibrium framework. Furthermore, we calibrate the impact of both countercyclical macroprudential policies employed in conjunction with forward guidance. We conclude that both policy approaches can limit the pace of housing price increases. As regards the comparison of LTV and tax‐based measures, it turns out that property acquisition taxes are more effective.
Elevated Glutamate Levels in the Left Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex Are Associated with Higher Cravings for Alcohol
Authors: Frye Mark A. , Hinton David J. , Karpyak Victor M. , Biernacka Joanna M. , Gunderson Lee J. , Geske Jennifer , Feeder Scott E. , Choi Doo‐Sup , Port John D.
Published: July 2016

Background

Quantifying craving longitudinally during the course of withdrawal, early abstinence, and relapse is essential for optimal management of alcohol use disorder (AUD). In an effort to identify biological correlates of craving, we used proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H‐MRS) to investigate the correlation between craving and glutamate levels in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (LDLPFC) of patients with AUD.

Methods

Participants underwent 1H‐MRS of the LDLPFC with 2‐dimensional J‐resolved (2DJ) averaged PRESS. MRS data were processed with LCModel and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)‐corrected to generate metabolite concentrations. The Penn Alcohol Craving Scale (PACS) and the 30‐day time line follow‐back (TLFB 30) were used to quantify craving for alcohol and drinking patterns, respectively.

Results

There was a statistically significant positive correlation between CSF‐corrected glutamate ([Glu]) levels and PACS scores (n = 14; p = 0.005). When PACS scores were dichotomized (< or ≥median = 16), [Glu] levels were significantly higher in the high‐ versus low‐craving group (p = 0.007). In addition, there was a significant negative correlation between CSF‐corrected N‐acetyl aspartic acid ([NAA]) levels and mean number of drinks per drinking day in the past month (n = 13; TLFB 30; p = 0.012). When mean TLFB 30 was dichotomized (< or ≥median = 7.86), [NAA] levels were significantly lower in subjects that consumed more alcoholic beverages. There was no significant correlation between [Glu] and [NAA] levels with other measures of drinking behavior and or depression symptom severity.

Conclusions

While limited by small sample size, these data suggest that glutamate levels in LDLPFC are associated with alcohol craving intensity in patients with AUD. Further study with larger sample size is needed to replicate this finding and evaluate the merits of glutamate spectroscopy as a biological correlate of alcohol craving intensity and a guide to treatment interventions.
Factors associated with postpartum psychiatric admission in a population‐based cohort of women with schizophrenia
Authors: Vigod S. N. , Rochon‐Terry G. , Fung K. , Gruneir A. , Dennis C.‐L. , Grigoriadis S. , Kurdyak P. A. , Ray J. G. , Rochon P. , Seeman M. V.
Published: July 2016

Objective

We aimed to identify factors associated with postpartum psychiatric admission in schizophrenia.

Method

In a population‐based cohort study of 1433 mothers with schizophrenia in Ontario, Canada (2003–2011), we compared women with and without psychiatric admission in the 1st year postpartum on demographic, maternal medical/obstetrical, infant and psychiatric factors and identified factors independently associated with admission.

Results

Admitted women (n = 275, 19%) were less likely to be adolescents, more likely to be low income and less likely to have received prenatal ultrasound before 20 weeks gestation compared to non‐admitted women. They also had higher rates of predelivery psychiatric comorbidity and mental health service use. Factors independently associated with postpartum admission were age (<20 vs. ≥35 years: adjusted risk ratio, aRR, 0.48, 95% CI 0.24–0.96), income (lowest vs. highest income: aRR 1.67, 1.13–2.47) and the following mental health service use factors in pregnancy: admission (≥35 days/year vs. no days, aRR 4.54, 3.65–5.65), outpatient mental health care (no visits vs. ≥2 visits aRR 0.35, 0.27–0.47) and presence of a consistent mental health care provider during pregnancy (aRR 0.69, 0.54–0.89).

Conclusion

Certain subgroups of women with schizophrenia may benefit from targeted intervention to mitigate risk for postpartum admission.