bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Na+/Ca2+ Exchanger 1 (NCX1) Variant 3 as the Major Extrusion System in Renal Distal Tubular Transcellular Ca2+-Transport
Authors: van der Hagen Eline A.E. , van Loon Ellen P.M. , Verkaart Sjoerd , Latta Femke , Bindels René J.M. , Hoenderop Joost G.J.
Published: September 2015

Background/Aims: Fine-tuning of renal calcium (Ca2+) reabsorption takes place in the late distal convoluted and connecting tubules (DCT2/CNT) of the kidney via transcellular Ca2+ transport. Here, Ca2+ enters the cell at the apical side via the epithelial Ca2+ channel transient receptor potential vanilloid 5 and is subsequently extruded at the basolateral side by the concerted actions of the plasma membrane Ca2+ ATPases and the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger 1 (NCX1). NCX1 is responsible for ∼70% of basolateral Ca2+ extrusion. The aim of this study was to determine the predominant NCX1 variant in the kidney and its role in Ca2+ transport. Methods: DCT2/CNT specific tubules were used to show the abundance of NCX1 specific isoforms. Renal NCX1 variants were cloned from mouse kidney tissue. Human Embryonic Kidney 293(T) cells were transiently transfected with NCX1.3, and Fura-2 measurements and 45Ca2+ uptake assays were performed to determine several characteristics of NCX1.3 in the reverse mode. Results: NCX1.3 was demonstrated to be the predominant NCX1 variant in the DCT2/CNT, next to NCX1.2 and NCX1.7. NCX1.3 could be inhibited by SN-6, an NCX-specific inhibitor, whereas stimulation of the cAMP/PKA or PKC-mediated pathway did not affect Ca2+ influx as measured in the reverse mode. Lowering intracellular Ca2+ concentrations resulted in a decreased Ca2+ uptake. Conclusion: NCX1.3 is the predominant NCX variant in the DCT2/CNT tubules. Its function is dependent on intracellular Ca2+ concentrations.
End-Stage Kidney Disease Due to Fibrillary Glomerulonephritis and Immunotactoid Glomerulopathy - Outcomes in 66 Consecutive ANZDATA Registry Cases
Authors: Mallett Andrew , Tang Wen , Hart Gareth , McDonald Stephen P. , Hawley Carmel M. , Badve Sunil V. , Boudville Neil , Brown Fiona G. , Campbell Scott B. , Clayton Philip A. , Johnson David W.
Published: September 2015

Background: Fibrillary glomerulonephritis (FGN) and immunotactoid glomerulopathy (IG) are uncommon and characterised by non-amyloid fibrillary glomerular deposits. The aim of this study was to investigate characteristics and outcomes of patients undergoing renal replacement therapy (RRT) for end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) secondary to FGN and IG. Methods: All ESKD patients who commenced RRT in Australia and New Zealand 1 January 1990 to 31 December 2010 were included. Outcomes were assessed by Kaplan-Meier, multivariate logistic-regression analysis and multivariable Cox proportional-hazards survival analysis. Results: Of 45,216 individuals with ESKD, 55 (0.12%) had FGN and 11 (0.02%) had IG. The median survival of FGN patients on dialysis (5.63 years, 95% CI 3.31-7.96) was not significantly different from patients with other ESKD causes (median 4.01 years, 95% CI 4.34-4.47; log-rank 1.32, p = 0.25), but was significantly longer than that of IG patients (median 2.93 years, 95% CI 0.00-6.17; log-rank 4.8, p = 0.03). Thirteen (24%) FGN patients received 13 renal-allografts, 4 (36%) IG patients received 4 renal-allografts and 11,528 (26%) other ESKD patients received 12,278 renal-allografts. FGN patients experienced comparable outcomes to other ESKD patients for both 10-year patient survival (100 vs. 84%, p = 0.93) and renal-allograft survival (67 vs. 76%, p = 0.06). For IG, the median follow-up was 3.66 years with 75% patient survival and 100% renal-allograft survival. One (8%) FGN patient and 1 (25%) IG patient experienced recurrent FGN and IG respectively in their allograft. Conclusion: Patients with FGN have comparable dialysis and renal transplant outcomes to patients with other causes of ESKD. IG patients have inferior survival on dialysis, although renal transplant outcomes are acceptable. Disease recurrence in renal-allografts was low for both FGN and IG.
A RELAÇÃO ENTRE GOVERNANÇA CORPORATIVA E GERENCIAMENTO DE RESULTADOS EM EMPRESAS BRASILEIRAS
Authors: Edwards Sr. Marcelo , Soares Rodrigo Oliveira , Lima Gerlando Sampaio de
Published: September 2015

Este estudo teve como objetivo investigar a associação entre Governança Corporativa e gerenciamento de resultados contábeis em empresas brasileiras de capital aberto. A amostra do estudo é composta por 108 empresas listadas na BM&FBOVESPA nos anos de 2008, 2009 e 2010. Como aproximação para a Governança Corporativa, utilizou-se o índice amplo proposto por Leal e Carvalhal da Silva (2005). Como proxy de gerenciamento de resultados, utilizaram-se os accruals discricionários estimados a partir do modelo proposto por Kang e Sivaramakrishnan (1995). Como variáveis de controle para associação ao Índice de Governança Corporativa, utilizaram-se as variáveis: tamanho, alavancagem financeira e desempenho. Considerando que a discricionariedade da gestão como resultado da separação entre propriedade e controle, e o conjunto de motivações associadas ao oportunismo, a hipótese subjacente do trabalho foi de que mecanismos Governança Corporativa comportem-se como inibidores do gerenciamento de resultados contábeis. Ao nível de significância de 1%, observou-se que a intensidade de gerenciamento de resultados é menor em empresas que apresentam presença mais marcante de atributos de Governança. Tais resultados corroboram as discussões sobre a presença de um trade-off entre estruturas de Governança Corporativa e escolhas contábeis direcionadas a gerenciar resultados contábeis.  
PERCEPÇÃO DOS DISCENTES DA DISCIPLINA DE CONTABILIDADE INTRODUTÓRIA: UMA ANÁLISE POR MEIO DA ENTROPIA INFORMACIONAL EM DIFERENTES CURSOS DE GRADUAÇÃO
Authors: Beuren Ilse Maria , Cunha Paulo Roberto da , Theiss Viviane , Cordeiro Adilson
Published: September 2015

O objetivo deste estudo é verificar qual a percepção dos alunos da disciplina de contabilidade introdutória em diferentes cursos de graduação, aplicando-se a entropia informacional, uma medida de dispersão dos dados. Pesquisa descritiva, com abordagem quantitativa, foi realizada por meio de survey, com um questionário fundamentado em Paswan e Young (2002), contendo informações sobre o envolvimento do professor em sala de aula, interesse do aluno, interação professor/aluno, demanda da disciplina e organização da disciplina. A população compreende sete turmas e 172 respondentes. Trata-se de alunos que cursaram a disciplina de contabilidade introdutória ou equivalente nos cursos de Administração, Ciências Contábeis, Ciências Econômicas, Tecnólogo em Comércio Exterior, Turismo e Sistemas de Informação de uma Instituição de Ensino Superior de Santa Catarina. Com a utilização da técnica de entropia informacional foi possível identificar as questões que apresentaram menor entropia, e, portanto, maior dispersão nas respostas obtidas. Com a utilização de estatística descritiva foi possível identificar o curso que mais contribuiu para as dispersões de dados que se mostraram mais elevados. Conclui-se que o uso da entropia informacional contribuiu para identificar oportunidades de investigação de forma pontual, bem como melhorias na disciplina de contabilidade introdutória nos diferentes cursos de graduação da IES investigada
ATITUDE EMPREENDEDORA NA PERCEPÇÃO DE EMPREENDEDORES INDIVIDUAIS E SOCIAIS
Authors: Barros Izabel Cristina Ferraz , Madruga Lucia Rejane Da Rosa Gama , Ávila Lucas Veiga , Beuron Thiago Antonio
Published: September 2015

O empreendedorismo vem se consolidando como um dos pilares para o desenvolvimento do país, por meio da geração de renda e empregos para a população. No entanto, o empreendedorismo não está centrado somente no mundo dos negócios. No contexto atual emerge uma nova vertente de empreendedorismo, conhecida como empreendedorismo social, cujo foco principal é a missão social. Inserido neste contexto, o presente estudo descritivo com abordagem quantitativa teve como propósito identificar as relações entre a atitude empreendedora de empreendedores individuais e sociais. A população foi composta por 136 gestores de empresas associados na Associação de Jovens Empreendedores Santa Maria e 36 gestores das organizações sociais cadastradas na Organização Parceiros Voluntários. Para a coleta de dados foi aplicar um questionário estruturado. Os resultados evidenciaram correlações positivas, de moderadas a altas, entre a atitude empreendedora e suas dimensões. O Teste de Mann-Whitney apontou diferença significativa entre os grupos na dimensão social. As demais dimensões apresentaram resultados estatisticamente não significativos para os dois grupos.
A EFETIVIDADE DOS INSTITUTOS SUPREMOS DE AUDITORIA E DOS LEGISLATIVOS NA TRANSPARÊNCIA FISCAL
Authors: Zuccolotto Robson , Teixeira Marco Antônio Carvalho
Published: September 2015

Este trabalho teve por objetivo identificar a efetividade dos Institutos Supremos de Auditoria (SAIs) e dos Poderes Legislativos na transparência fiscal dos países. Além disso, buscando testar empiricamente a teoria, foi analisada, como a transparência melhora a accountability e como elas, em conjunto (transparência e accountability) se relacionam com o nível de democracia de um país e com a percepção de corrupção. Para realizar os testes propostos foram utilizados modelos de regressão linear múltipla pelo método dos mínimos quadrados ordinários e os dados foram obtidos de relatórios oficiais de transparência, democracia e corrupção como Open Budget Partnership, Transparência Internacional, Economist Inteligent Unit’s Index e Index Mundi. Os resultados demonstram que países onde os Poderes Legislativos e as SAIs possuem mais independência, constitucionalmente determinada, existe também, maior transparência orçamentária. Contatou-se, ainda, que países mais transparentes possuem mais e melhores mecanismos de accountability e, consequentemente, maior nível de democracia e menos corrupção, evidenciando a importância da transparência no processo de consolidação democrática.
DESEMPENHO ACADÊMICO INFERIOR DOS ALUNOS DO “FUNDÃO”: MITO OU REALIDADE?
Authors: Miranda Gilberto José , Vicente Jausson Monteiro , Freitas Sheizi Calheira de
Published: September 2015

Internacionalmente, a relação e consequências da localização em sala de aula para o aprendizado e desempenho acadêmico discente vêm sendo estudadas com o fito de verificar a necessidade de adoção de estratégias de ensino ou ações voltadas para garantir o melhor aproveitamento da classe como um todo, independentemente da posição ocupada pelos discentes. Por sua vez, estudos brasileiros salientam o estereótipo negativo existente entre os alunos que se posicionam no fundo da sala. Na área contábil, o desempenho discente vem recebendo cada vez mais atenção em estudos científicos no Brasil, entretanto tais pesquisas ainda não enfocaram aspectos relacionados à ocupação do espaço em sala de aula. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo investigar, de forma exploratória, se existe correlação entre o desempenho discente no curso de Bacharelado em Ciências Contábeis e a localização escolhida pelos discentes em sala de aula. Para atingir esse objetivo foram utilizadas duas técnicas estatísticas, Teste t e Regressão Múltipla, em dados coletados a partir de um questionário elaborado para esse fim e aplicado a uma amostra de 102 alunos e egressos de uma instituição de ensino superior brasileira. Os testes revelaram que se sentar mais próximo do docente na sala de aula apresentou uma correlação positiva com o desempenho acadêmico dos discentes, ou seja, a “turma da frente” apresentou melhor Coeficiente de Rendimento Acadêmico (CRA) que a “turma do fundão”. Esse resultado sugere a necessidade de atenção especial aos alunos que se sentam ao fundo da sala, bem como à formação dos docentes para lidar com essa situação. Além disso, os resultados apontam para a necessidade de realização de pesquisas sobre as causas e consequências para o aprendizado da ocupação dos diferentes espaços da sala de aula pelos discentes dos cursos de Ciências Contábeis.
CARACTERÍSTICAS DO COMITÊ DE AUDITORIA E O GERENCIAMENTO DE RESULTADOS: UM ESTUDO NAS EMPRESAS LISTADAS NA BM&FBOVESPA
Authors: Cunha Paulo Roberto da , Hillesheim Thifany , Faveri Dinorá Baldo de , Rodrigues Junior Moacir Manoel
Published: September 2015

O estudo teve como objetivo verificar se características do Comitê de Auditoria refletem no Gerenciamento de Resultados (GR) das empresas brasileiras listadas na BM&FBovespa. Foram analisadas 31 empresas em 2010 e 33 empresas no ano de 2011. A população corresponde as empresas listadas na BM&FBovespa, totalizando 415 empresas. Foram excluídas as instituições financeiras e as empresas que não possuem Comitê de Auditoria, restando um total de 61 empresas. Desse total foram excluídas as empresas que não possuíam as características estudadas, tamanho, expertise e independência, e aquelas que não possuíam informações completas para o cálculo do gerenciamento de resultados pelo modelo Jones modificado, restando à amostra de 31 empresas em 2010 e 33 empresas em 2011. Os resultados apontam que a maior parte dos Comitês de Auditoria são compostos por até três membros e com até dois membros considerados independentes. No que tange a expertise constatou-se igual distribuição de frequência para empresas com um e dois membros formados na área contábil ou em áreas afins da área financeira, o que totaliza aproximadamente 50% das empresas. Na relação do GR e as características do comitê de auditoria, no ano 2010 constatou-se que apenas três variáveis, alavancagem, auditoria e setor contribuíam significativamente para o modelo inicial. Averiguou-se que apenas a variável alavancagem apresentou influência sobre a variável dependente. Já o ano 2011 demonstrou que nenhuma das variáveis independentes estudadas apresentou relação com a variável dependente denominada GR. Concluiu-se que nenhuma das características do Comitê de Auditoria estudadas apresentaram influência sobre o GR.
VARIABILIDADE DOS ÍNDICES DE ENDIVIDAMENTO EM RELAÇÃO À ADIÇÃO DOS PASSIVOS CONTINGENTES NA ESTRUTURA PATRIMONIAL DAS EMPRESAS LISTADAS NA BM&FBOVESPA
Authors: Scarpin Jorge Eduardo , Macohon Edson Roberto , Dallabona Lara Fabiana
Published: September 2015

O estudo objetiva analisar se há variabilidade nos índices de endividamento em relação à adição dos passivos contingentes no grupo do passivo não circulante das empresas listadas nos diferentes níveis de governança corporativa da BM&FBovespa nos períodos de 2010 e 2011. A pesquisa se caracteriza como descritiva e documental conduzida por meio de análise de conteúdo em notas explicativas. Quanto à abordagem do problema caracteriza-se como pesquisa quantitativa, com aplicação da estatística descritiva e Teste t para amostras emparelhadas. A pesquisa contemplou os seguintes índices de endividamento: Quantidade da Dívida, Qualidade da Dívida, Grau de Endividamento e Endividamento Geral. Os índices foram calculados sob duas circunstâncias, a primeira, conforme dados publicados no Balanço Patrimonial. A segunda tomou-se por base os valores dos passivos contingentes identificados nas notas explicativas. Na sequência os referidos valores foram adicionados ao grupo do passivo não circulante de cada empresa. Desta forma, possibilitou-se a análise da variabilidade dos índices de endividamento nas circunstâncias da evidenciação ou não dos passivos contingentes no Balanço Patrimonial das empresas. Os resultados demonstram diferenças estatísticas significativas da variabilidade dos quatro índices analisados. Apenas índice Grau de Endividamento no ano de 2010 não apresentou variabilidade estatística significativa. O Endividamento Geral apresentou menor correlação comparada aos demais, presume-se que não sofreu alterações significativas com adição dos passivos contingentes. Percebe-se, no entanto, que a assimetria informacional é relevante no que concerne a ausência da evidenciação contábil dos passivos contingentes no Balanço Patrimonial.
VALOR DE MERCADO E VALOR CONTÁBIL E SUA RELAÇÃO COM OS RESULTADOS ANORMAIS NO MERCADO DE CAPITAIS NO BRASIL
Authors: Sant'Anna Dimitri Pinheiro de , Louzada Luiz Claudio , Queiroz Edson , Ferreira Bruno Perez
Published: September 2015

Este estudo analisa a relação entre o Price/Book (P/B) das ações negociadas na Bolsa de Valores e os Resultados Anormais. O conceito de Resultado Anormal (residual income) utilizado neste estudo baseia-se no Modelo de Residual Income Valuation de Ohlson e fornece o arcabouço teórico para se valorizar/avaliar as empresas a partir de seus resultados contábeis, relacionando, consequentemente, os resultados anormais com o Price/Book apresentado pelas ações das empresas. Testou-se, a partir de duas carteiras de ações (uma com os maiores P/B e outra com os menores P/B para cada ano entre 1996 e 2011), se as empresas que apresentavam os maiores P/B seriam aquelas empresas que geravam os maiores resultados anormais. Os testes indicaram que realmente as carteiras de maior P/B foram as que apresentaram os maiores resultados anormais, pelo menos para treze dos dezesseis anos pesquisados, já que para três anos os resultados não puderam ser considerados estatisticamente diferentes a um nível de significância de cinco por cento.
Objectively Measured Sedentary Time and Cardiometabolic Biomarkers in US Hispanic/Latino Adults
Authors: Qi Qibin , Strizich Garrett , Merchant Gina , Sotres-Alvarez Daniela , Buelna Christina , Castañeda Sheila F. , Gallo Linda C. , Cai Jianwen , Gellman Marc D. , Isasi Carmen R. , Moncrieft Ashley E. , Sanchez-Johnsen Lisa , Schneiderman Neil , Kaplan Robert C.
Published: September 2015

Background—

Sedentary behavior is recognized as a distinct construct from lack of moderate-vigorous physical activity and is associated with deleterious health outcomes. Previous studies have primarily relied on self-reported data, whereas data on the relationship between objectively measured sedentary time and cardiometabolic biomarkers are sparse, especially among US Hispanics/Latinos.

Methods and Results—

We examined associations of objectively measured sedentary time (via Actical accelerometers for 7 days) and multiple cardiometabolic biomarkers among 12 083 participants, aged 18 to 74 years, from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL). Hispanics/Latinos of diverse backgrounds (Central American, Cuban, Dominican, Mexican, Puerto Rican, and South American) were recruited from 4 US cities between 2008 and 2011. Sedentary time (<100 counts/min) was standardized to 16 hours/d of wear time. The mean sedentary time was 11.9 hours/d (74% of accelerometer wear time). After adjustment for moderate-vigorous physical activity and confounding variables, prolonged sedentary time was associated with decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (
P
=0.04), and increased triglycerides, 2-hour glucose, fasting insulin, and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (all
P
<0.0001). These associations were generally consistent across age, sex, Hispanic/Latino backgrounds, and physical activity levels. Even among individuals meeting physical activity guidelines, sedentary time was detrimentally associated with several cardiometabolic biomarkers (diastolic blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting and 2-hour glucose, fasting insulin and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance; all
P
<0.05).

Conclusions—

Our large population-based, objectively derived data showed deleterious associations between sedentary time and cardiometabolic biomarkers, independent of physical activity, in US Hispanics/Latinos. Our findings emphasize the importance of reducing sedentary behavior for the prevention of cardiometabolic diseases, even in those who meet physical activity recommendations.
Adenosine Attenuates Human Coronary Artery Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation by Inhibiting Multiple Signaling Pathways That Converge on Cyclin D
Authors: Dubey Raghvendra K. , Fingerle Jürgen , Gillespie Delbert G. , Mi Zaichuan , Rosselli Marinella , Imthurn Bruno , Jackson Edwin K.
Published: September 2015

The goal of this study was to determine whether and how adenosine affects the proliferation of human coronary artery smooth muscle cells (HCASMCs). In HCASMCs, 2-chloroadenosine (stable adenosine analogue), but not N
6
-cyclopentyladenosine, CGS21680, or N
6
-(3-iodobenzyl)-adenosine-5′-
N
-methyluronamide, inhibited HCASMC proliferation (A
2B
receptor profile). 2-Chloroadenosine increased cAMP, reduced phosphorylation (activation) of ERK and Akt (protein kinases known to increase cyclin D expression and activity, respectively), and reduced levels of cyclin D1 (cyclin that promotes cell-cycle progression in G1). Moreover, 2-chloroadenosine inhibited expression of S-phase kinase–associated protein-2 (Skp2; promotes proteolysis of p27
Kip1
) and upregulated levels of p27
Kip1
(cell-cycle regulator that impairs cyclin D function). 2-Chloroadenosine also inhibited signaling downstream of cyclin D, including hyperphosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein and expression of cyclin A (S phase cyclin). Knockdown of A
2B
receptors prevented the effects of 2-chloroadenosine on ERK1/2, Akt, Skp2, p27
Kip1
, cyclin D1, cyclin A, and proliferation. Likewise, inhibition of adenylyl cyclase and protein kinase A abrogated 2-chloroadenosine’s inhibitory effects on Skp2 and stimulatory effects on p27
Kip1
and rescued HCASMCs from 2-chloroadenosine–mediated inhibition. Knockdown of p27
Kip1
also reversed the inhibitory effects of 2-chloroadenosine on HCASMC proliferation. In vivo, peri-arterial (rat carotid artery) 2-chloroadenosine (20 μmol/L for 7 days) downregulated vascular expression of Skp2, upregulated vascular expression of p27
Kip1
, and reduced neointima hyperplasia by 71% (
P
<0.05; neointimal thickness: control, 37 424±18 371 pixels; treated, 10 352±2824 pixels). In conclusion, the adenosine/A
2B
receptor/cAMP/protein kinase A axis inhibits HCASMC proliferation by blocking multiple signaling pathways (ERK1/2, Akt, and Skp2) that converge at cyclin D, a key G1 cyclin that controls cell-cycle progression.
Cerebrospinal Fluid Hypernatremia Elevates Sympathetic Nerve Activity and Blood Pressure via the Rostral Ventrolateral Medulla
Authors: Stocker Sean D. , Lang Susan M. , Simmonds Sarah S. , Wenner Megan M. , Farquhar William B.
Published: September 2015

Elevated NaCl concentrations of the cerebrospinal fluid increase sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) in salt-sensitive hypertension. Neurons of the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) play a pivotal role in the regulation of SNA and receive mono- or polysynaptic inputs from several hypothalamic structures responsive to hypernatremia. Therefore, the present study investigated the contribution of RVLM neurons to the SNA and pressor response to cerebrospinal fluid hypernatremia. Lateral ventricle infusion of 0.15 mol/L, 0.6 mol/L, and 1.0 mol/L NaCl (5 µL/10 minutes) produced concentration-dependent increases in lumbar SNA, adrenal SNA, and arterial blood pressure, despite no change in splanchnic SNA and a decrease in renal SNA. Ganglionic blockade with chlorisondamine or acute lesion of the lamina terminalis blocked or significantly attenuated these responses, respectively. RVLM microinjection of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA
A
) agonist muscimol abolished the sympathoexcitatory response to intracerebroventricular infusion of 1 mol/L NaCl. Furthermore, blockade of ionotropic glutamate, but not angiotensin II type 1, receptors significantly attenuated the increase in lumbar SNA, adrenal SNA, and arterial blood pressure. Finally, single-unit recordings of spinally projecting RVLM neurons revealed 3 distinct populations based on discharge responses to intracerebroventricular infusion of 1 mol/L NaCl: type I excited (46%; 11/24), type II inhibited (37%; 9/24), and type III no change (17%; 4/24). All neurons with slow conduction velocities were type I cells. Collectively, these findings suggest that acute increases in cerebrospinal fluid NaCl concentrations selectively activate a discrete population of RVLM neurons through glutamate receptor activation to increase SNA and arterial blood pressure.
Impact of 2‐Weeks Continuous Increase in Retrograde Shear Stress on Brachial Artery Vasomotor Function in Young and Older Men
Authors: Thijssen Dick H. J. , Schreuder Tim H. A. , Newcomer Sean W. , Laughlin M. Harold , Hopman Maria T. E. , Green Daniel J.
Published: September 2015

Background

Although acute elevation in retrograde shear rate (
SR
) impairs endothelial function, no previous study has explored the effect of prolonged elevation of retrograde
SR
on conduit artery vascular function. We examined the effect of 2‐weeks elevation of retrograde
SR
on brachial artery endothelial function in young and in older men.

Methods and Results

Thirteen healthy young (23±2 years) and 13 older men (61±5 years) were instructed to continuously wear a compression sleeve around the right forearm to chronically (2 weeks) elevate brachial artery retrograde
SR
in 1 arm. We assessed
SR
, diameter, and flow‐mediated dilation in both the sleeve and contralateral control arms at baseline and after 30 minutes and 2 weeks of continuous sleeve application. The sleeve intervention increased retrograde
SR
after 30 minutes and 2 weeks in both young and older men (
P
=0.03 and 0.001, respectively). In young men, brachial artery flow‐mediated dilation % was lower after 30 minutes and 2 weeks (
P
=0.004), while resting artery diameter was reduced after 2 weeks (
P
=0.005). The contralateral arm showed no change in retrograde
SR
or flow‐mediated dilation % (
P
=0.32 and 0.26, respectively), but a decrease in diameter (
P=
0.035). In older men, flow‐mediated dilation % and diameter did not change in either arm (all
P
>0.05).

Conclusions

Thirty‐minute elevation in retrograde
SR
in young men caused impaired endothelial function, while 2‐week exposure to elevated levels of retrograde
SR
was associated with a comparable decrease in endothelial function. Interestingly, these vascular changes were not present in older men, suggesting age‐related vascular changes to elevation in retrograde
SR
.
Cloning of a serine protease gene from the nematophagous fungus Esteya vermicola and expressed activity of the recombinant enzyme against Bursaphelenchus xylophilus
Authors: Wang Xuan , Guan Tinglong , Zhang Long , Li Hongmei
Published: September 2015

A serine protease geneEvspwas cloned from the nematophagous fungusEsteya vermicolawith strong virulence againstBursaphelenchus xylophilus. The full-length cDNA ofEvspcontains 2280 nucleotides with a 1656 bp ORF encoding a protein with 551 amino acids. The genomicEvspincludes two exons (396 bp and 1260 bp) separated by an intron (207 bp). There is only one copy ofEvspgene in the fungal genome. The deduced amino acids sequences ofEvspshowed highly homology with the catalytic domains in subtilisin serine proteases. Phylogenetic analyses based on the protein sequences revealed thatE. vermicolais separated from nematode-trapping fungi but close to other nematophagous and entomopathogenic fungi. The recombinant serine protease rEvsp was induced inEscherichia coliwith expression vector pET28a(+). The tests of protease and nematicidal activities for the purified and refolded rEvsp indicated it is possibly involved in the fungal infection process againstB. xylophilus.
Steinernema papillatum n. sp. (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae), a new entomopathogenic nematode from Venezuela
Authors: San-Blas Ernesto , Portillo Edgar , Nermuť Jiří , Půža Vladimír , Morales-Montero Patricia
Published: September 2015

Surveying the biodiversity of entomopathogenic nematodes in Zulia and Falcón states, north-western Venezuela, two populations of a newSteinernemaspecies were isolated from soil samples. Morphological, morphometric and molecular data indicate that the new species belong to the ‘bicornutum-group’ ofSteinernema. The new species can be separated from the other species of the group due to the size and shape of their spicules, which are the shortest within the group, and the presence of prominent deirids in the male of both generations at basal bulb level. Lateral field with eight ridges at mid-body of which submarginal ridges are less distinct, but the third and sixth ridges eventually become wider posteriorly to form the last two ridges. Female possesses small but distinct double epiptygmata and anal swellings present in 50% of the specimens. Phylogenetic analyses of thebicornutum-group based on both ITS and D2-D3 regions showed a clear separation of the new species from all other species. We describe these two populations and designate them asSteinernema papillatumn. sp.
Effects of seed-gall nematode, Anguina tritici, on bread wheat grain characteristics and yields in Turkey
Authors: Tulek Adnan , Kepenekci Ilker , Cifticigil Tugba Hilal , Ozturk Irfan , Akin Kemal , Seidi Melis , Yildirim Mustafa , Dababat Abdelfattah A.
Published: September 2015

The effects of Anguina tritici on wheat yields and agronomic components were investigated at Thrace Agricultural Research Institute, Turkey, during the 2013 and 2014 growing seasons. Evaluations during 2013 focused on the wheat cv. Pehlivan, which is widely cultivated in Turkey. In this cultivar, A. tritici led to a grain infection in infected spikes of 0-100%, with an average of 61.8%. In 2014, yield losses caused by A. tritici were investigated in four wheat cvs, Pehlivan, Selimiye, Gelibolu and Kate-A. Results indicated that there were significant yield losses averaging 55% in plots infested with A. tritici (average yields = 3.74 t ha−1), as compared to control plots (average yields = 8.38 t ha−1). Yield losses in the four wheat cvs Kate-A, Pehlivan, Selimiye and Gelibolu were estimated as 51.3, 53.2, 56.6 and 59.6%, respectively, with seed infection levels by A. tritici of 21.4, 20.9, 24.4 and 18.3%, respectively.
‘What is a Beautiful Body?’
Authors: Yıldız Murat C.
Published: September 2015

This article examines the emergence and spread of the ‘sportsman’ genre of Ottoman photography in late-nineteenth and early-twentieth-century Istanbul. The ‘sportsman photograph’ depicted young men posing shirtless or wearing tight-fitting athletic attire, flexing their muscles and exhibiting their bodies. These images were embedded in a wider set of athletic and leisure activities and constituted novel social and photographic practices. By tracing the deployment of ‘sportsman’ photographs in sports clubs and the press, I argue that they cemented homosocial bonds, normalized and popularized new notions of masculinity, confessionalized the male body and reconfigured the ways in which Ottoman Muslims, Christians and Jews performed and conveyed their commitment to middle-class notions of masculinity and the self.
Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis and its relatives, with one new species and one new genus (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)
Authors: NAKAHARA STEVE , O’DONNELL CHERYLE A. , MOUND LAURENCE A.
Published: September 2015

Heliothrips similis sp.n. is described as a close relative of the greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis. This is the third species recognized here in the Neotropical genus Heliothrips. A pest species described from South Africa as Heliothrips sylvanus is transferred to a new genus, Neoheliothrips gen.n., as Neoheliothrips sylvanus (Faure) comb.n.
Contribution of Increased Agulhas Leakage to Tropical Atlantic Warming
Authors: Lübbecke Joke F. , Durgadoo Jonathan V. , Biastoch Arne
Published: September 2015

The upper tropical Atlantic Ocean has markedly warmed since the 1960s. It has been shown that this warming was not due to local heat fluxes and that the trade winds that drive the coastal and equatorial upwelling have intensified rather than weakened. Remote forcing might thus have played an important role. Here, model experiments are used to investigate the contribution from an increased inflow of warm Indian Ocean water through Agulhas leakage. A high-resolution hindcast experiment with interannually varying forcing for the time period 1948–2007, in which Agulhas leakage increases by about 45% from the 1960s to the early 2000s, reproduces the observed warming trend. To tease out the role of Agulhas leakage, a sensitivity experiment designed to only increase Agulhas leakage is used. Compared to a control simulation, it shows a pronounced warming in the upper tropical Atlantic Ocean. A Lagrangian trajectory analysis confirms that a significant portion of Agulhas leakage water reaches the upper 300 m of the tropical Atlantic Ocean within two decades and that the tropical Atlantic warming in the sensitivity experiment is mainly due to water of Agulhas origin. Therefore, it is suggested that the increased trade winds since the 1960s favor upwelling of warmer subsurface waters, which in part originate from the Agulhas, leading to higher SSTs in the tropics.
EnKF and Hybrid Gain Ensemble Data Assimilation. Part I: EnKF Implementation
Authors: Hamrud Mats , Bonavita Massimo , Isaksen Lars
Published: September 2015

The desire to do detailed comparisons between variational and more scalable ensemble-based data assimilation systems in a semioperational environment has led to the development of a state-of-the-art EnKF system at ECMWF. A broad description of the ECMWF EnKF is given in this paper, focusing on highlighting differences compared to standard EnKF practice. In particular, a discussion of the novel algorithm used to control imbalances between the mass and wind fields in the EnKF analysis is given. The scalability and computational properties of the EnKF are reviewed and the implementation choices adopted at ECMWF described. The sensitivity of the ECMWF EnKF to ensemble size, horizontal resolution, and representation of model errors is also discussed. A comparison with 4DVar will be found in Part II of this two-part study.
Proximity Soundings of Severe and Nonsevere Thunderstorms in Central Europe
Authors: Púčik Tomáš , Groenemeijer Pieter , Rýva David , Kolář Miroslav
Published: September 2015

The environments of severe and nonsevere thunderstorms were analyzed using 16 421 proximity soundings from December 2007 to December 2013 taken at 32 central European stations. The soundings were assigned severity categories for the following hazards: hail, wind, tornado, and rain. For each of the soundings, parameters were calculated representing the instability, vertical wind profile, and moisture of the environment. The probability of the various hazards as a function of CAPE and 0–6-km bulk shear (DLS) is quite different for each of the hazards. Large hail is most likely for high CAPE and high DLS, a regime that also supports severe wind events. A second severe wind regime exists for low CAPE and very high DLS. These events are mostly cold season events. Storms with significant tornadoes occur with much higher DLS than storms with weak or no tornadoes, but with similar CAPE. The 0–1-km bulk shear (LLS) does not discriminate better than DLS between weak and significant tornadoes. Heavy rain events occur across a wide range of DLS, but with CAPE above the median for nonsevere thunderstorms and are most likely when both absolute humidity in the boundary layer and relative humidity in the low- to midtroposphere are high. LCL height does not discriminate well between the intensity categories of tornadoes, but higher LCL heights were associated with a higher probability of severe hail. Storm relative helicity shows similar results to DLS, but with more overlap among intensity categories.
Which Worksite Supports for Healthy Weight Do Employees Use?
Authors: Tabak Rachel G. , Hipp J. Aaron , Marx Christine M. , Yang Lin , Brownson Ross C.
Published: September 2015

This article explores factors associated with employee use of available supports for improving nutrition and activity behaviors. A cross-sectional telephone survey assessed presence and use of available program, facility, and policy supports. Logistic regression was used to explore associations between job characteristics (e.g., supervising others) and use of available supports, adjusting for demographic characteristics. After adjustment, most supports were associated with at least one job-related factor. Participants supervising others were more likely to utilize eight supports, including personal services for fitness, indoor exercise and shower facilities, and flextime for physical activity. The programs and facilities associated with the most factors were health fairs (e.g., increased likelihood with increased hours worked per week) and indoor exercise and shower facilities (e.g., increased likelihood with increased flexibility at work), respectively. Policies were associated with fewer factors. As use of many programs and facilities differed based on job-related factors, employers might target supports based on job-related factors.
The interrogation game
Authors: Johnson David Blake , Ryan John Barry
Published: September 2015

While there is widespread debate about techniques for obtaining information from non-cooperative sources, there is little research concerning the efficacy of different methods. We introduce the ‘Interrogation Game’ as a simple model of the information a source will provide when faced with either (1) an interrogator using coercive techniques or (2) an interrogator offering rewards. The model demonstrates that coercive interrogation results in a very slight increase in accurate information from knowledgeable sources, but much more inaccurate information from ignorant sources. In short, when ignorant group members refuse to provide information, this increases the inequality of payoffs among group members under coercion while the same behavior – truthfully revealing ignorance – decreases the inequality of payoffs under reward. If ignorant detainees have concern for the payoffs of their other group members, they will admit their ignorance in reward, but not coercion. We test the model with a group-based experiment. As the model predicts, coercion leads subjects to provide more inaccurate information. Contrary to the model’s expectations, however, accurate information is almost equally likely in the coercion and reward treatments.
The Association Between Soap Opera and Music Video Viewing and Fear of Crime in Adolescents
Authors: Custers Kathleen , Van den Bulck Jan
Published: September 2015

The potential impact of mass media has been virtually neglected in the study of adolescent fear of crime. This is remarkable, given adolescents’ heavy media consumption and developmental vulnerability. Music videos and soap operas have been completely overlooked in the TV-fear association, even though they have a large adolescent audience and contain a lot of violence. An online survey of 3,372 adolescents aged 12 to 18 years found that the relationship between exposure to soap operas and music videos on the one hand and fear of crime on the other hand was mediated by perceived personal risk of criminal victimization, perceived ability to control crime, and perceived seriousness of crime. Exposure to soap operas and music videos was associated with these cognitive factors of fear. Some relationships differed by age and sex. Our findings suggest that the age of 14 to 15 is pivotal for the development of media-induced fear.
Descriptive Norms and Involvement in Health and Environmental Behaviors
Authors: Lapinski Maria Knight , Zhuang Jie , Koh Hyeseung , Shi Jingyuan
Published: September 2015

The theory of normative social behavior (TNSB) describes the moderators of the descriptive norm-behavior relationship. Although specified in revisions to the model, the role of involvement as a moderator has not been fully explored. As such, this article predicts that different forms of involvement (i.e., value-, impression-, and outcome-relevant involvement) function in different ways as moderators of the descriptive norm-behavior relationship and determines whether this relationship varies by health and environmental behaviors. This article presents data on three behaviors examined in prior social norms studies: drinking alcohol, fast food consumption, and recycling. Data indicate that the nature of the relationship among the study variables is dependent on the focal behavior. For fast food consumption, the descriptive norm-behavioral intention relationship is moderated by value-relevant involvement and behavioral identity. For recycling, the descriptive norm-behavior relationship is moderated by behavioral identity. Other main effects are evidenced in the data.
The Corrupted Industry and the “Wagon-Wheel Effect”
Authors: Berkovich Izhak
Published: September 2015

The present study addresses a topic neglected by the public administration literature: government corruption and its effects on public service systems. Specifically, the study focuses on the institutionalized form of government corruption and offers a framework to explain how corrupt industry operates. The results indicate that in countries with a high level of corruption, a higher ratio of public expenditure on education is associated with less effective educational outcomes, supporting the “wagon-wheel effect” (i.e., policy aimed to promote public service quality leads to its deterioration). The implications of the results for the administration of public service systems are discussed.
Backscatter-difference Measurements of Cancellous Bone Using an Ultrasonic Imaging System
Authors: Hoffmeister Brent K. , Smathers Morgan R. , Miller Catherine J. , McPherson Joseph A. , Thurston Cameron R. , Spinolo P. Luke , Lee Sang-Rok
Published: September 2015

Backscatter-difference measurements may be used to detect changes in bone caused by osteoporosis. The backscatter-difference technique measures the power difference between two portions of an ultrasonic backscatter signal. The goal of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of using an ultrasonic imaging system to perform backscatter-difference measurements of bone. Ultrasonic images and backscatter signals were acquired from 24 specimens of human cancellous bone. The signals were analyzed in the frequency domain to determine the normalized mean backscatter-difference (nMBD) and in the time domain to determine the normalized backscatter amplitude ratio (nBAR). The images were analyzed to determine the normalized pixel value difference (nPVD), which measures the difference in average pixel brightness between regions of interest placed at two different depths in the image. All three parameters were found to increase with bone mineral density. The signal-based parameters, nMBD and nBAR, correlated well with bone mineral density, yielding linear correlation coefficients that ranged from 0.74 to 0.87. The image based parameter, nPVD, performed somewhat less well, yielding correlation coefficients that ranged from 0.42 to 0.81. These results suggest that ultrasonic imaging systems may be used to perform backscatter-difference measurements for the purpose of ultrasonic bone assessment.
The politics of human shielding: On the resignification of space and the constitution of civilians as shields in liberal wars
Authors: Gordon Neve , Perugini Nicola
Published: September 2015

In this paper, we use Israel/Palestine as a case study to examine the politics of human shielding, while focusing on the epistemic and political operations through which the deployment of the legal category of human shield legitimizes the use of lethal force. After offering a concise genealogy of human shields in international law, we examine the way Israel used the concept in the 2014 Gaza war by analyzing a series of infographics spread by the IDF on social media. Exposing the connection between the re-signification of space and the constitution of a civilian as a shield, we maintain that the infographics are part of a broader apparatus of discrimination deployed by Israel to frame its violence post hoc in order to claim that this violence was utilized in accordance with international law. We conclude by arguing that the relatively recent appearance of human shields highlights the manifestation of a contemporary political antinomy: human shields have to continue to be considered protected civilians, but since they are considered an integral part of the hostilities they are transformed into killable subjects.
Assisting the bereaved: A systematic review of the evidence for grief counselling
Authors: Waller Amy , Turon Heidi , Mansfield Elise , Clark Katherine , Hobden Bree , Sanson-Fisher Rob
Published: September 2015

Background:

Supporting people after bereavement is a priority area for many health services. Investment in bereavement care must be supported by a rigorous evidence-base.

Aim:

To examine the (1) relative proportion of descriptive, measurement and intervention research in grief counselling and (2) quality and effectiveness of intervention studies.

Design:

Systematic review of studies published in the area of grief counselling.

Data sources:

MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library and PsycINFO databases were searched for studies published between 2000 and 2013. Eligible papers were categorised into descriptive, measurement, review, commentaries and intervention studies. Intervention studies were assessed against the Cochrane Effective Practice and Organisation of Care methodological criteria, and papers meeting criteria were assessed for quality. The impact of interventions on grief, psychological morbidity and quality of life was examined.

Results:

A total of 126 data-based papers, including 47 descriptive, 3 measurement and 76 grief counselling intervention studies were included. Only 59% ( n = 45) of intervention studies met Effective Practice and Organisation of Care design criteria. Overall, study quality was poor, with the majority of interventions showing a risk of bias in several key areas. The three studies that met all criteria showed mixed effectiveness.

Conclusion:

Grief counselling interventions require a strong rationale for design, and a systematic approach to development and evaluation. Descriptive research efforts should inform this process, focusing on homogeneity in sample, identification of risk factors for complicated grief and the impact of extraneous factors on intervention effects. Interventions should include comparisons to usual care, as well as replication to confirm positive findings.
Investigating Chrematistics in Marketing Systems
Authors: Kadirov Djavlonbek , Varey Richard J. , Wolfenden Sally
Published: September 2015

Contributing to the analytical capacity of critical thinking in macromarketing, we develop a research framework that would enable researchers to investigate chrematistics in marketing systems. Chrematistics refers to regulative influences on marketing systems’ structure and operations of market action perpetuated by actors with power/dominance. We outline the research framework consisting of a seven-step process that helps to scrutinize the transformative effect of chrematistic practices on the design and regulation of marketing systems.
The impact of sound presentations on executive control: Evidence from eye movements
Authors: Strukelj Alexander , Brännström K. Jonas , Holmberg Nils , Mossberg Frans , Holmqvist Kenneth
Published: September 2015

To examine the influence on performance of sound presentation considered more or less disturbing, distracting, and intrusive, an antisaccade task was used to assess executive control over reflexive eye movements. By examining the latency and proportion of correct eye movements in eight sound presentations for 32 participants (15 female), the effect of disturbance from sound was measured. The only effect found for latency was a significant increase during the Mozart violin concerto, suggesting an unconscious speed–accuracy tradeoff. Participants inhibited reflexive eye movements in favour of correct responses, which were marginally better than the silent control condition. The mean number of correctly launched saccades was significantly lower during three sound presentations which were all social in nature, namely playing children, crying baby, and babble noise. These were also classified as highly disturbing by participants. This suggests that certain sounds can have a large effect on executive control. Finally, the sound presentation with children playing affected females significantly more negatively than males, as seen in lower mean numbers of correctly launched saccades.