bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exhaustive Training Leads to Hepatic Fat Accumulation
Authors: da Rocha Alisson L. , Pinto Ana P. , Teixeira Giovana R. , Pereira Bruno C. , Oliveira Luciana C. , Silva Adriana C. , Morais Gustavo P. , Cintra Dennys E. , Pauli José R. , da Silva Adelino S. R.
Published: September 2016

Recently, we demonstrated that an overtraining (OT) protocol for mice based on downhill running sessions increased the hepatic phosphorylation of 70‐kDa ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1 (S6K1; Thr389), a downstream target of the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1). In liver, the overactivation of the Akt/mTORC1 pathway induces lipogenesis via regulation of the action of sterol regulatory element binding protein‐1 (SREBP‐1) at multiple steps. Herein, we verified the effects of three running OT models with same external load (i.e., the product between intensity and volume of training), but performed in downhill, uphill and without inclination, on the proteins related to the mTORC1 signaling pathway, the protein content of the SREBP‐1, ACC, and FAS, and the morphological characteristics of C57BL/6 mouse livers. In summary, the downhill running‐induced OT model up‐regulated the levels of major proteins of the mTORC1 signaling pathway, the protein levels of SREBP‐1 (p125 precursor) and induced signs of cell swelling accompanied by acute inflammation. The other two OT protocols performed uphill and without inclination did not modulate the most analyzed molecular proteins, but induced hepatic morphological alterations, suggesting an acute pathological adaptation. The three OT models induced hepatic fat accumulation. J. Cell. Physiol. 232: 2094–2103, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cayley Graphs of Diameter Two from Difference Sets
Authors: Pott Alexander , Zhou Yue
Published: September 2016

Let and be the largest order of a Cayley graph and a Cayley graph based on an abelian group, respectively, of degree d and diameter k. When , it is well known that with equality if and only if the graph is a Moore graph. In the abelian case, we have . The best currently lower bound on is for all sufficiently large d. In this article, we consider the construction of large graphs of diameter 2 using generalized difference sets. We show that for sufficiently large d and if , and m is odd.
Applications of Hajós‐Type Constructions to the Hedetniemi Conjecture
Authors: Broere Izak , Matsoha Moroli D. V.
Published: September 2016

Hedetniemi conjectured in 1966 that if G and H are finite graphs with chromatic number n, then the chromatic number of the direct product of G and H is also n. We mention two well‐known results pertaining to this conjecture and offer an improvement of the one, which partially proves the other. The first of these two results is due to Burr et al. (Ars Combin 1 (1976), 167–190), who showed that when every vertex of a graph G with is contained in an n‐clique, then whenever . The second, by Duffus et al. (J Graph Theory 9 (1985), 487–495), and, obtained independently by Welzl (J Combin Theory Ser B 37 (1984), 235–244), states that the same is true when G and H are connected graphs each with clique number n. Our main result reads as follows: If G is a graph with and has the property that the subgraph of G induced by those vertices of G that are not contained in an n‐clique is homomorphic to an ‐critical graph H, then . This result is an improvement of the result by the first authors. In addition we will show that our main result implies a special case of the result by the second set of authors. Our approach will employ a construction of a graph F, with chromatic number , that is homomorphic to G and H.
The noradrenergic locus coeruleus as a chronic pain generator
Authors: Taylor Bradley K. , Westlund Karin N.
Published: September 2016

Central noradrenergic centers such as the locus coeruleus (LC) are traditionally viewed as pain inhibitory; however, complex interactions among brainstem pathways and their receptors modulate both inhibition and facilitation of pain. In addition to the well‐described role of descending pontospinal pathways that inhibit spinal nociceptive transmission, an emerging body of research now indicates that noradrenergic neurons in the LC and their terminals in the dorsal reticular nucleus (DRt), medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), spinal dorsal horn, and spinal trigeminal nucleus caudalis participate in the development and maintenance of allodynia and hyperalgesia after nerve injury. With time after injury, we argue that the balance of LC function shifts from pain inhibition to pain facilitation. Thus, the pain‐inhibitory actions of antidepressant drugs achieved with elevated noradrenaline concentrations in the dorsal horn may be countered or even superseded by simultaneous activation of supraspinal facilitating systems dependent on α1‐adrenoreceptors in the DRt and mPFC as well as α2‐adrenoreceptors in the LC. Indeed, these opposing actions may account in part for the limited treatment efficacy of tricyclic antidepressants and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors such as duloxetine for the treatment of chronic pain. We propose that the traditional view of the LC as a pain‐inhibitory structure be modified to account for its capacity as a pain facilitator. Future studies are needed to determine the neurobiology of ascending and descending pathways and the pharmacology of receptors underlying LC‐mediated pain inhibition and facilitation. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Variations of nutrient concentrations and contents between summer and autumn within tree compartments of European beech (Fagus sylvatica)
Authors: Ulbricht Matthias , Göttlein Axel , Biber Peter , Dieler Jochen , Pretzsch Hans
Published: September 2016

The paradigm of sustainable forest management was initially aimed to ensure continuous wood supply but has gradually been extended for many functions and services of forest ecosystems, including the aspect of nutrient sustainability. The current tendency towards harvesting all year round and whole‐tree export for energy purposes raised the question of how the input : output balance of nutrients depends on site conditions, tree species, and harvest intensity. Possible differences in nutrient export between harvesting in autumn and summer have been more or less neglected. Based on compartment‐wise analyses of biomass and nutrient (Ca, K, Mg, and P) concentrations of adult European beeches (Fagus sylvatica[L.]), nine compartments were sampled in summer and nine in autumn. We found, for the majority of the compartments (especially in branch wood), increased levels of nutrient concentrations: 81% (Ca), 54% (K), 90% (Mg), and 96% (P) in autumn compared to summer. Upscaling our results to stand level revealed up to 10.0% and 1.6% less mineral nutrient exports of Ca and Mg, respectively, for whole‐tree harvest in forest stands when carried out in summer instead of autumn. Nutrient removal was increased by 0.8% and by 13.0% for K and P, respectively, in summer. Despite lower nutrient export, many ecological, logistic, and technical reasons discourage harvesting in summer. Our findings, however, deliver an additional yet so far missing mosaic piece for a better understanding and assessment of the frame conditions for sustainable nutrient management in beech forests.
Morphology and flow effect of microinjection‐molded plastic microgears
Authors: El Otmani Rabie , Kandoussi Khalid , Kamal Musa R. , Derdouri Salim , Boutaous M'Hamed
Published: September 2016

Interest in the microinjection molding (μIM) process has grown as the demand for microparts increased for various electronics, transportation, communications, biomedical, and other applications. Recently, we have conducted an intensive research program to understand the details of this process and the material–process–property relationships for various polymers. In the present study, a microgear micropart was presented, in order to investigate the effects of processing conditions on microstructure, mechanical properties, and thermal properties; microtomed and examined using polarized light microscopy; and differential scanning calorimetry for investigation of morphology. Various microstructural features, such as morphological layer thickness and crystalline polymorphs, were observed and analyzed in light of the thermomechanical history. A skin‐core region was observed, with spherulites predominating the core region, and highly oriented lamellae appeared in the skin layer. Numerical simulation of filling phase of microgear gives us a detailed description of the thermal history and flow, in which contribute to better understanding on the origin differences in the morphologies among the layers across the part thicknesses in view of the prevailing process conditions. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Grafted polymer membranes with extractive agents for the extraction process of VO2+ ions
Authors: Kamal Oussama , Eljaddi Tarik , Atmani El Houssine EL , Touarssi Imane , Lebrun Laurent , Hlaïbi Miloudi
Published: September 2016

To conduct experiments related to the facilitated extraction phenomenon and recovery of vanadium ions VO2+, two grafted polymer membranes were prepared; containing respectively cholic acid and azithromycin as extractive agents and the obtained membranes were characterized. All experiments for the facilitated extraction phenomenon of these ions were carried out. Kinetic and thermodynamic models, based on the interaction of the substrate S (VO2+) with the extractive agent T, and the diffusion of the formed entity (TS) through the membrane were developed, to determine the macroscopic parameters, permeability P and initial fluxes J0, and the microscopic parameters, association constants Kass and apparent diffusion coefficients D*, related to the formation of entities TS and their diffusion. A clear evolution of these parameters, depending on various factors (substrate concentration C0, extractive agent concentration and feed and receiving phases temperature), and high permeabilities for this extraction phenomenon of VO2+ ions were observed for this membrane type. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Donders revisited:Discrete or continuous temporal processing underlying reaction time distributions?
Authors: Bao Yan , Yang Taoxi , Lin Xiaoxiong , Pöppel Ernst
Published: September 2016

Differences of reaction times to specific stimulus configurations are used as indicators of cognitive processing stages. In this classical experimental paradigm, continuous temporal processing is implicitly assumed. Multimodal response distributions indicate, however, discrete time sampling, which is often masked by experimental conditions. Differences in reaction times reflect discrete temporal mechanisms that are pre‐semantically implemented and suggested to be based on entrained neural oscillations.
Update of literature from cystic fibrosis registries 2012–2015. Part 6: Epidemiology, nutrition and complications
Authors: Salvatore Donatello , Buzzetti Roberto , Mastella Gianni
Published: September 2016

Patient registries provide useful information to afford more knowledge on rare diseases like Cystic Fibrosis (CF). Twenty‐two studies originating from national CF registries, focusing on demographics, survival, genetics, nutritional status, and non‐pulmonary complications, were published between December 2011 and March 2015. The purpose of this review article is to examine these reports, aiming attention to the clinical characteristics of CF patients included in the registries, current, and estimated future epidemiological data, the role of gender gap, the increasing survival in different countries. Some studies offer insights into pubertal growth and non‐pulmonary complications, such as liver disease, nephropathy, and cancer. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2017;52:390–398. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Physician driven variation in the care of children with spinal muscular atrophy type 1
Authors: Oskoui Maryam , Ng Pamela , Liben Stephen , Zielinski David
Published: September 2016

Background

Increasing numbers of families are requesting active supportive management for their child with spinal muscular atrophy type 1 (SMA1), leading to longer survival and greater prevalence of affected children. Strong opinions exist among physicians for and against the provision of care measures prolonging life. Objective: To describe current practice in the care of SMA1 in Canada, and explore the factors underlying inter‐physician variability. Methods: A cross‐sectional survey of Canadian hospital‐based pediatric neurologists and pediatric respirologists was performed in 2015. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated to compare proportions between groups. Results: There was a 54% completion rate (99 physicians). Over half of participants believed that a disease modifying therapy was likely within 10 years. Quebec respirologists were 50 times less likely to offer long‐term non‐invasive ventilation (NIV) than respirologists in other provinces (OR 50.6, 95% CI 2.4–1075.3), and 20 times less likely to discuss tracheostomy with families (OR 20.4, 95% CI 2.0–211.8). High raters of perceived happiness of affected children were more likely to find NIV an acceptable measure for acute (OR 6.7, 95% CI 1.7–26.0) and chronic (OR 13.7, 95% CI 4.0–46.4) respiratory failure and prophylactic use (OR 5.8, 95% CI 2.2–15.6). Conclusion: Physician knowledge, opinions, subjective perception of child happiness, and regional factors, all influence physicians’ practices and the shared decision‐making process. Parents may not be informed or offered all the services available to their child. Knowledge translation initiatives are needed to enhance SMA1 care. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2017;52:662–668. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Poxvirus uracil‐DNA glycosylase—An unusual member of the family I uracil‐DNA glycosylases
Authors: Schormann Norbert , Zhukovskaya Natalia , Bedwell Gregory , Nuth Manunya , Gillilan Richard , Prevelige Peter E. , Ricciardi Robert P. , Banerjee Surajit , Chattopadhyay Debasish
Published: September 2016

Uracil‐DNA glycosylases are ubiquitous enzymes, which play a key role repairing damages in DNA and in maintaining genomic integrity by catalyzing the first step in the base excision repair pathway. Within the superfamily of uracil‐DNA glycosylases family I enzymes or UNGs are specific for recognizing and removing uracil from DNA. These enzymes feature conserved structural folds, active site residues and use common motifs for DNA binding, uracil recognition and catalysis. Within this family the enzymes of poxviruses are unique and most remarkable in terms of amino acid sequences, characteristic motifs and more importantly for their novel non‐enzymatic function in DNA replication. UNG of vaccinia virus, also known as D4, is the most extensively characterized UNG of the poxvirus family. D4 forms an unusual heterodimeric processivity factor by attaching to a poxvirus‐specific protein A20, which also binds to the DNA polymerase E9 and recruits other proteins necessary for replication. D4 is thus integrated in the DNA polymerase complex, and its DNA‐binding and DNA scanning abilities couple DNA processivity and DNA base excision repair at the replication fork. The adaptations necessary for taking on the new function are reflected in the amino acid sequence and the three‐dimensional structure of D4. An overview of the current state of the knowledge on the structure‐function relationship of D4 is provided here.
Population‐Based External Validation of the Updated 2012 Partin Tables in Contemporary North American Prostate Cancer Patients
Authors: Leyh‐Bannurah Sami‐Ramzi , Gazdovich Stéphanie , Budäus Lars , Zaffuto Emanuele , Dell'Oglio Paolo , Briganti Alberto , Abdollah Firas , Montorsi Francesco , Schiffmann Jonas , Menon Mani , Shariat Shahrokh F. , Fisch Margit , Chun Felix , Graefen Markus , Karakiewicz Pierre I.
Published: September 2016

OBJECTIVE

To externally validate the updated 2012 Partin Tables in contemporary North American patients treated with radical prostatectomy (RP) for localized prostate cancer (PCa) at community institutions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We examined records of 25,254 patients treated with RP and pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) between 2010 and 2013, within the surveillance, epidemiology, and end results database. The ROC derived AUC assessed discriminant properties of the updated 2012 Partin Tables of organ confined disease (OC), extracapsular extension (ECE), seminal vesical invasion (SVI), and lymph node invasion (LNI). Calibration plots focused on calibration between predicted and observed rates.

RESULTS

Proportions of OC, ECE, SVI, and LNI at RP were 69.8%, 18.4%, 7.4%, and 4.4%, respectively. Accuracy for prediction of OC, ECE, SVI, and LNI was 70.4%, 59.9%, 72.9%, and 77.1%, respectively. In subgroup analyses in patients with nodal yield >10, accuracy for LNI prediction was 76.0%. Subgroup analyses in elderly patients and in African American patients revealed decreased accuracy for prediction of all four endpoints. Last but not least, SVI and LNI calibration plots showed excellent agreement, versus good agreement for OC (maximum underestimation of 10%) and poor agreement for ECE (maximum overestimation of 12%).

CONCLUSION

Taken together, the updated 2012 Partin Tables can be unequivocally endorsed for prediction of OC, SVI, and LNI in community‐based patients with localized PCa. Conversely, ECE predictions failed to reach the minimum accuracy requirements of 70%. Prostate 77:105–113, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synergistic mortality between a neonicotinoid insecticide and an ergosterol‐biosynthesis‐inhibiting fungicide in three bee species
Authors: Sgolastra Fabio , Medrzycki Piotr , Bortolotti Laura , Renzi Maria Teresa , Tosi Simone , Bogo Gherardo , Teper Dariusz , Porrini Claudio , Molowny‐Horas Roberto , Bosch Jordi
Published: September 2016

BACKGROUND

Neonicotinoid insecticides have been identified as an important factor contributing to bee diversity declines. Nonetheless, uncertainties remain about their impact under field conditions. Most studies have been conducted on Apis mellifera and tested single compounds. However, in agricultural environments, bees are often exposed to multiple pesticides. We explore the synergistic mortality between a neonicotinoid (clothianidin) and an ergosterol‐biosynthesis‐inhibiting fungicide (propiconazole) in three bee species (A. mellifera, Bombus terrestris, Osmia bicornis) following oral exposure in the laboratory.

RESULTS

We developed a new approach based on the binomial proportion test to analyse synergistic interactions. We estimated uptake of clothianidin per foraging bout in honey bees foraging on seed‐coated rapeseed fields. We found significant synergistic mortality in all three bee species exposed to non‐lethal doses of propiconazole and their respective LD10 of clothianidin. Significant synergism was only found at the first assessment times in A. mellifera (4 and 24 h) and B. terrestris (4 h), but persisted throughout the experiment (96 h) in O. bicornis. O. bicornis was also the most sensitive species to clothianidin.

CONCLUSION

Our results underscore the importance to test pesticide combinations likely to occur in agricultural environments, and to include several bee species in environmental risk assessment schemes. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Estimating the reliability of repeatedly measured endpoints based on linear mixed‐effects models. A tutorial
Authors: Van der Elst Wim , Molenberghs Geert , Hilgers Ralf‐Dieter , Verbeke Geert , Heussen Nicole
Published: September 2016

There are various settings in which researchers are interested in the assessment of the correlation between repeated measurements that are taken within the same subject (i.e., reliability). For example, the same rating scale may be used to assess the symptom severity of the same patients by multiple physicians, or the same outcome may be measured repeatedly over time in the same patients.

Reliability can be estimated in various ways, for example, using the classical Pearson correlation or the intra‐class correlation in clustered data. However, contemporary data often have a complex structure that goes well beyond the restrictive assumptions that are needed with the more conventional methods to estimate reliability.

In the current paper, we propose a general and flexible modeling approach that allows for the derivation of reliability estimates, standard errors, and confidence intervals – appropriately taking hierarchies and covariates in the data into account. Our methodology is developed for continuous outcomes together with covariates of an arbitrary type.

The methodology is illustrated in a case study, and a Web Appendix is provided which details the computations using the R package CorrMixed and the SAS software. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Seamless precipitation prediction skill comparison between two global models
Authors: Wheeler Matthew C. , Zhu Hongyan , Sobel Adam H. , Hudson Debra , Vitart Frédéric
Published: September 2016

The prediction of precipitation by two ocean–atmosphere ensemble systems is compared with observations and each other over a broad range of time‐scales. The systems are the 2015 version of the Australian Bureau of Meteorology's Predictive Ocean–Atmosphere Model for Australia (POAMA) with a T47 atmosphere, and the 2011 version of the European Centre for Medium‐range Weather Forecasts' (ECMWF) monthly system with a variable atmospheric resolution of T639 to T319. To facilitate the comparison across a seamless range of time‐scales, verification against observations is performed using data averaged over time windows equal in length to the forecast lead time, from 1 day to 4 weeks. In addition to this ‘actual’ skill, potential skill is computed by taking one ensemble member as truth and computing how well the other members forecast that member.

Overall, ECMWF shows higher actual skill than POAMA across all time‐scales and in both the Tropics and extratropics, as expected given its greater sophistication. ECMWF is particularly more skilful than POAMA in the Tropics for the shorter leads. Consistent between the two systems, however, is that as lead time and averaging window are simultaneously increased the near‐equatorial skill remains approximately constant, whereas it drops in all other latitude bands. As a result, both systems show much higher skill in the Tropics than extratropics for the 1 week time‐scale and beyond, with that skill concentrated over the equatorial Pacific.

Although potential skill in both systems is almost everywhere higher than their actual skill, there remains a strong similarity in the spatial patterns of potential and actual skill for the longer time‐scales. Within‐model comparisons of potential and actual skill show largest differences for POAMA in the Tropics at short lead times, and largest differences for ECMWF in the Southern Hemisphere high latitudes (50–70°S). The implications of these findings are discussed.
Cholane and Lanostane Derivatives: Antimicrobial Evaluation
Authors: Cateni F. , Zacchigna M. , Procida G. , Zilic J. , Cordone A. , Zanfardino A. , Varcamonti M.
Published: September 2016

Bile acids lithocholic acid (LCA) and ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) together with trametenolic acid (TMA) were used as starting materials for the preparation of new derivatives bearing a guanidine moiety in their side chain. The derivatives were synthesized through modification at the oxygenated carbon C‐3/C‐7 and at the carbonyl carbon C‐24/C‐21. The reactions showed yields ranging from 40 % to 96 %. The structures of all compounds obtained were identified on the basis of their spectral data (IR, MS, 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR).

The activity of bile acids, trametenolic acid and derivatives was evaluated against the growth of S. aureus, B. subtilis and M. smegmatis. The derivative 3α‐hydroxy‐23‐guanidino‐5β‐cholane showed the best activity, with MIC values of 12.5 μM against S. aureus, 5 μM against B. subtilis and 50 μM against M. smegmatis. The cytotoxic activity of bile acids, trametenolic acid and derivatives was also evaluated against HT‐29 cell line.
Why do captive pied tamarins give birth during the day?
Authors: Price Eluned C. , Payne Catherine , Wormell Dominic
Published: September 2016

Diurnal primates typically give birth at night, when it is presumed that they are safer at a very vulnerable time, and this is reflected in an overwhelmingly nocturnal pattern of delivery in most species of Callitrichidae. However, over half (51.1%) of 88 births to pied tamarins (Saguinus bicolor) at Durrell Wildlife Park occurred during the day (0800–1700), almost always in the afternoon. Nearly three quarters of breeding females (17/23) had at least one diurnal birth, including females from all generations in captivity from wild‐caught to fifth captive‐born generation, and from all six matrilines represented at Durrell. The proportion of diurnal births has remained relatively stable over time despite management changes. We used generalized linear mixed modeling to investigate several factors that we hypothesized could affect time of birth: maternal experience, season, female rearing history, and whether or not the group was on public display. We fitted all possible models to the data, but none explained more than 7.5% of the variation. Daytime delivery had few statistically significant detrimental effects, although infant survival was somewhat lower and parental rejection increased in diurnal births. Pied tamarins do not seem to fit any of the hypotheses previously put forward to explain exceptions to the typical primate circadian pattern of delivery. Zoo Biol. 35:487–494, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Correlation of blood biomarkers with age informs pathomechanisms in succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency (SSADHD), a disorder of GABA metabolism
Authors: Jansen E. E. , Vogel K. R. , Salomons G. S. , Pearl P. L. , Roullet J.‐B. , Gibson K. M.
Published: September 2016

We hypothesized that blood levels of γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) and γ‐hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), biomarkers of succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency (SSADHD), would correlate with age. GABA and GHB were quantified in plasma and red blood cells (RBCs) from 18 patients (age range 5–41 years; median 8). Both metabolites negatively correlated with age (P < 0.05). Plasma and RBC GHB declined with age, reaching a nadir and approximate steady state by 10 years. Declining plasma GABA achieved this approximate steady state at 30–40 years of age. These biomarker relationships may reflect further GABA‐ and GHB‐ergic neurotransmission imbalances that correlate with the onset of adolescent/adulthood neuropsychiatric morbidity and epilepsy in SSADHD.
Features and procedures of a unified and unabridged Korean dictionary, ‘Gyeoremal-keunsajeon’
Authors: Han Yong-un
Published: September 2016

Language is an integral part of what constitutes the culture and identity of a given society, interacting with various sociocultural, political and economic aspects of the society. In this respect, a particular language system is a whole complex reflective of multiple facets of the society and should be situated within a dynamic social framework. Likewise, language and related system and policy are social constructs, which can be exemplified by South and North Korea who originally shared the same language heritage, but have been showing increasing discrepancy in language, orthography and everyday words as a result of different social and ideological systems that divided two Koreas in the first place. Rather than moving forward in a direction of closing the gaps between two Koreas, lack of interchange and hostile relations in recent years are further deepening their differences. Despite this challenging circumstance, two Koreas have been engaging in various meaningful communication for the ultimate goal of reunification. A Unified and Unabridged Korean Dictionary is part of these efforts that seeks to resolve language differences between two Koreas through compiling the first unified and unabridged Korean dictionary. Through collaborative works between lexicographers from South and North Korea, the dictionary seeks to close language gaps between two Koreas and, ultimately, to provide a basis for a long-term goal of reunification. This paper explores defining features, procedures and present status of A Unified and Unabridged Korean Dictionary. Especially, the paper closely examines the principles behind the selection of entry words, description of entry words and microstructure of the dictionary.
Differential effect of liquidity constraints on firm growth
Authors: Quader Syed Manzur
Published: September 2016

Differential quantitative effects of internal finance on growth among firms facing different degrees of financial constraints are found in this paper using an unbalanced panel data on 1122 UK firms listed on the London Stock Exchange. The generalized methods of moments (GMM) estimation results are consistent with financial constraints arising from capital market imperfections and indicate a substantially greater sensitivity of growth to cash flow for firm years facing the most binding financial constraints. Furthermore, these firms can actually expand their size more than the extent of increase in cash flow they may have which supports the leverage effect hypothesis. The estimated impact decreases monotonically thereafter as financial constraints become less binding allowing the firms to finance successively bigger portion of their growth through external financing.
Emergency Preparedness for a Mass Gathering: the 2015 Papal Visit to Philadelphia
Authors: Paras Emma , Butler Matthew , Maguire Brian F. , Scarfone Rich
Published: September 2016

In September 2015, Pope Francis visited Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and led outdoor events over the course of 2 days. As a result, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) was faced with the challenge of planning for and responding to a mass gathering that was anticipated to be one of the largest in US history. As a result of unprecedented traffic restrictions, it was anticipated that patients, staff, and vendors would have severe challenges accessing the hospital, along with impaired communications from widespread cell phone service disruption. Previous mass gatherings have proven a need for early, detailed planning with multidisciplinary stakeholders, but little has been published on the impact of mass gatherings on area hospitals. This lack of data makes it difficult to predict the extent to which demand for hospital services would be increased and which services would be most affected. Early, coordinated planning allowed CHOP leaders to delegate responsibilities to those with specific expertise, prioritize needs, prevent duplication of efforts, and ensure engagement and accountability from key stakeholders. Emergency preparedness-led efforts including housing almost 1000 employees for 3 consecutive nights and assisting families with access allowed our hospital to maintain operations. The planning strategies shared here will provide emergency preparedness planners with a blueprint for future mass gathering preparedness. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2017;11:267–276)
IN MEMORY OF A GREAT SINOLOGIST: NOEL BARNARD (FEBRUARY 23, 1922–FEBRUARY 14, 2016)
Authors: Kwong-Yue (Alex) Cheung
Published: September 2016

The primary expertise of Noel Barnard, who died on February 14, 2016, was in bronze casting, Chu silk manuscripts, and their associated research, and he was internationally renowned for his knowledge of Chinese history and archaeology. Barnard's most important academic works included his ground-breaking Metallurgical Remains of Ancient China, with Satō Tamotsu, published in 1975, and Rubbings and Hand Copies of Bronze Inscriptions in Chinese, Japanese, European, American, and Australasian Collections 中日歐美澳紐所見所拓所摹金文彙編, with Cheong Kwong-yue. His three-volume book manuscript, Inscriptions of Chin and the San-Chin, on which he had spent almost twenty years before its completion, will be published soon. In this obituary, the author recalls his experiences, friendship, and collaboration with him.
Reorientation of a single red blood cell during sedimentation
Authors: Matsunaga D. , Imai Y. , Wagner C. , Ishikawa T.
Published: September 2016

The reorientation phenomenon of a single red blood cell during sedimentation is simulated using the boundary element method. The cell settles downwards due to a density difference between the internal and external fluids, and it changes orientation toward a vertical orientation regardless of Bond number or viscosity ratio. The reorientation phenomenon is explained by a shape asymmetry caused by the gravitational driving force, and the shape asymmetry increases almost linearly with the Bond number. When velocities are normalised by the driving force, settling/drifting velocities are weak functions of the Bond number and the viscosity ratio, while the angular velocity of the reorientation drastically changes with these parameters: the angular velocity is smaller for lower Bond number or higher viscosity ratio. As a consequence, trajectories of the sedimentation are also affected by the angular velocity, and blood cells with slower reorientation travel longer distances in the drifting direction. We also explain the mechanism of the reorientation using an asymmetric dumbbell. From the analysis, we show that the magnitude of the angular velocity is explained by two main factors: the shape asymmetry and the instantaneous orientation angle.
The effects of synbiotic supplementation on markers of insulin metabolism and lipid profiles in gestational diabetes: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Ahmadi Shahnaz , Jamilian Mehri , Tajabadi-Ebrahimi Maryam , Jafari Parvaneh , Asemi Zatollah
Published: September 2016

To the best of our knowledge, data on the effects of synbiotic supplementation on markers of insulin metabolism and lipid concentrations in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are scarce. The aim of the current study was to determine the effects of synbiotic supplementation on markers of insulin metabolism and lipid profiles in GDM patients. In total, seventy patients with GDM aged 18–40 years were assigned to two groups – the synbiotic group (n 35) and the placebo group (n 35) – in this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Patients in the synbiotic group received a daily capsule that contained three viable and freeze-dried strains: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei and Bifidobacterium bifidum (2×109 colony-forming units/g each) plus 800 mg inulin for 6 weeks. Fasting blood samples were collected at the beginning and week 6 to quantify related markers. After 6 weeks of intervention, compared with the placebo, synbiotic supplementation led to a significant decrease in serum insulin levels (−1·5 (sd 5·9) v. +4·8 (sd 11·5) µIU/ml, P=0·005), homoeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (−0·4 (sd 1·3) v. +1·1 (sd 2·7), P=0·003) and homoeostatic model assessment for β cell function (−5·1 (sd 24·2) v. +18·9 (sd 45·6), P=0·008) and a significant increase in quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (+0·01 (sd 0·01) v. −0·007 (sd 0·02), P=0·02). In addition, synbiotic intake significantly decreased serum TAG (−14·8 (sd 56·5) v. +30·4 (sd 37·8) mg/dl, P<0·001) and VLDL-cholesterol concentrations (−3·0 (sd 11·3) v. +6·1 (sd 7·6) mg/dl, P<0·001) compared with the placebo. Overall, the results of this study demonstrate that taking synbiotic supplements for 6 weeks among patients with GDM had beneficial effects on markers of insulin metabolism, TAG and VLDL-cholesterol concentrations.
Interrelationship between family history of alcoholism and generational status in the prediction of alcohol dependence in US Hispanics
Authors: Chartier K. G. , Thomas N. S. , Kendler K. S.
Published: September 2016

Background

Both a family history of alcoholism and migration-related factors like US v. foreign nativity increase the risk for developing alcohol use disorders in Hispanic Americans. For this study, we integrated these two lines of research to test whether the relationship between familial alcoholism and alcohol dependence changes with successive generations in the United States.

Method

Data were from the waves 1 and 2 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC). Subjects self-identified Hispanic ethnicity (N = 4122; n = 1784 first, n = 1169 second, and n = 1169 third or later generation) and reported ever consuming ⩾12 drinks in a 1-year period. A family history of alcoholism was assessed in first- and second-degree relatives. Analyses predicting the number of alcohol dependence symptoms were path models.

Results

Alcohol dependence symptoms were associated with a stronger family history of alcoholism and later generational status. There was a significant interaction effect between familial alcoholism and generational status; the relationship of familial alcoholism with alcohol dependence symptoms increased significantly with successive generations in the United States, more strongly in women than men. Acculturation partially mediated the interaction effect between familial alcoholism and generational status on alcohol dependence, although not in the expected direction.

Conclusions

Familial alcoholism interacted with generational status in predicting alcohol dependence symptoms in US Hispanic drinkers. This relationship suggests that heritability for alcoholism is influenced by a higher-order environmental factor, likely characterized by a relaxing of social restrictions on drinking.
Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, severe psychological distress, explosive anger and grief amongst partners of survivors of high levels of trauma in post-conflict Timor-Leste
Authors: Silove D. M. , Tay A. K. , Steel Z. , Tam N. , Soares Z. , Soares C. , dos Reis N. , Alves A. , Rees S.
Published: September 2016

Background

Little is known about the mental health of partners of survivors of high levels of trauma in post-conflict countries.

Method

We studied 677 spouse dyads (n = 1354) drawn from a community survey (response 82.4%) in post-conflict Timor-Leste. We used culturally adapted measures of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), psychological distress, explosive anger and grief.

Results

Latent class analysis identified three classes of couples: class 1, comprising women with higher trauma events (TEs), men with intermediate TEs (19%); class 2, including men with higher TEs, women with lower TEs (23%); and class 3, comprising couples in which men and women had lower TE exposure (58%) (the reference group). Men and women partners of survivors of higher TE exposure (classes 1 and 2) had increased symptoms of explosive anger and grief compared with the reference class (class 3). Women partners of survivors of higher TE exposure (class 2) had a 20-fold increased rate of PTSD symptoms compared with the reference class, a pattern that was not evident for men living with women exposed to higher levels of trauma (class 1).

Conclusions

Men and women living with survivors of higher levels of trauma showed an increase in symptoms of grief and explosive anger. The manifold higher rate of PTSD symptoms amongst women living with men exposed to high levels of trauma requires replication. It is important to assess the mental health of partners when treating survivors of high levels of trauma in post-conflict settings.
EDUCATING THE NATION: III. SOCIAL MOBILITY
Authors: Mandler Peter
Published: September 2016

This address asks how much has education contributed to social mobility in post-war Britain and considers other factors that may have contributed as much or more: labour-market opportunities, trends in income inequality, gender differences and ‘compositional effects’ deriving from the shape of the occupational hierarchy. Even where these other factors proved much more powerful – especially labour-market opportunities and compositional effects – democratic discourse both among politicians and among the electorate remained fixated on educational opportunities and outcomes, especially after the decline of the Croslandite critique of ‘meritocracy’. That fixation has if anything been reinforced by the apparent end to a ‘golden age’ of absolute upward mobility for large sections of the population, not necessarily because education is an effective antidote but because the alternative political solutions are so unpalatable both to politicians and to voters.
WHO WAS SIMON DE MONTFORT, EARL OF LEICESTER?
Authors: Maddicott John
Published: September 2016

This paper surveys the political career and personal life of Simon de Montfort. Derived largely from the author's biography of Montfort, it lays stress on his initial position as an outsider in English politics whose military abilities, diplomatic usefulness and personal charisma fostered his rise to power at the court of Henry III, but who subsequently fell out with the king and eventually became his fiercest opponent. It describes his position as lord of the honour of Leicester, from which town he expelled the Jews, and it goes on to assess the paradoxical and contrasting elements in Montfort's character, which combined deep piety and religious fervour with avarice and a self-seeking desire for his own and his family's advancement. It argues that personal differences, based largely on a strong sense of grievance and reflecting some of these character traits, rather than constitutional principles, lay behind his opposition to Henry III. It concludes by reviewing Montfort's role in the period of baronial reform and rebellion, 1258–65, and by describing his legacy, both to Henry III in his later years and to Edward I.
TALL HISTORIES: HEIGHT AND GEORGIAN MASCULINITIES
Authors: McCormack Matthew
Published: September 2016

Height is rarely taken seriously by historians. Demographic and archaeological studies tend to explore height as a symptom of health and nutrition, rather than in its own right, and cultural studies of the human body barely study it at all. Its absence from the history of gender is surprising, given that it has historically been discussed within a highly gendered moral language. This paper therefore explores height through the lens of masculinity and focuses on the eighteenth century, when height took on a peculiar cultural significance in Britain. On the one hand, height could be associated with social status, political power and ‘polite’ refinement. On the other, it could connote ambition, militarism, despotism, foreignness and even castration. The article explores these themes through a case-study of John Montagu, earl of Sandwich, who was famously tall and was frequently caricatured as such. As well as exploring representations of the body, the paper also considers corporeal experiences and biometric realities of male height. It argues that histories of masculinity should study both representations of gender and their physical manifestations.
Occurrence of human respiratory syncytial virus in summer in Japan
Authors: SHOBUGAWA Y. , TAKEUCHI T. , HIBINO A. , HASSAN M. R. , YAGAMI R. , KONDO H. , ODAGIRI T. , SAITO R.
Published: September 2016

In temperate zones, human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) outbreaks typically occur in cold weather, i.e. in late autumn and winter. However, recent outbreaks in Japan have tended to start during summer and autumn. This study examined associations of meteorological conditions with the numbers of HRSV cases reported in summer in Japan. Using data from the HRSV national surveillance system and national meteorological data for summer during the period 2007–2014, we utilized negative binomial logistic regression analysis to identify associations between meteorological conditions and reported cases of HRSV. HRSV cases increased when summer temperatures rose and when relative humidity increased. Consideration of the interaction term temperature × relative humidity enabled us to show synergistic effects of high temperature with HRSV occurrence. In particular, HRSV cases synergistically increased when relative humidity increased while the temperature was ⩾28·2 °C. Seasonal-trend decomposition analysis using the HRSV national surveillance data divided by 11 climate divisions showed that summer HRSV cases occurred in South Japan (Okinawa Island), Kyushu, and Nankai climate divisions, which are located in southwest Japan. Higher temperature and higher relative humidity were necessary conditions for HRSV occurrence in summer in Japan. Paediatricians in temperate zones should be mindful of possible HRSV cases in summer, when suitable conditions are present.
English language education on-line game and brain connectivity
Authors: Hong Ji Sun , Han Doug Hyun , Kim Young In , Bae Su Jin , Kim Sun Mi , Renshaw Perry
Published: September 2016

The HoDoo English game was developed to take advantage of the benefits attributed to on-line games while teaching English to native Korean speakers. We expected to see that the improvements in the subjects’ English language abilities after playing the HoDoo English game would be associated with increased brain functional connectivity in the areas of the brain involved in the language production (Broca’s area) and the understanding (Wernicke’s area) networks. Twelve children, aged nine and ten, were asked to play the on-line English education game for 50 minutes per day, five days per week for twelve weeks. At baseline, and again at the end of twelve weeks of game play, each child’s English language ability was assessed and a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scan was conducted. The on-line English education game play effectively improved English language skills, especially in terms of non-verbal pragmatic skills. Following twelve weeks of on-line English education game play, the children showed positive connectivity between Broca’s area and the left frontal cortex as well as between Wernicke’s area and the left parahippocampal gyrus and the right medial frontal gyrus. Changes in pragmatic scores were positively correlated with average peak brain activity in the left parahippocampal gyrus. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report an improvement in English ability and changes in brain activity within language areas after on-line language education game play.
Approaching History as Cultural Memory Through Humour, Satire, Comics and Graphic Novels
Authors: TWARK JILL E.
Published: September 2016

Recent empirical research into humour and memory attests to the fact that people remember better when they perceive a word, phrase or image to be humorous. When the proximity of multiple ethnic groups engenders jokes displaying diverse perspectives and what Henri Bergson described as ‘corrective’ satire, such jokes can help remedy racism and fear of the other. Taking a humorous or satirical stance allows artists and writers to explore alternatives to contemporary reality and to uncover truths overlooked or consciously elided by government and mass media discourse. Such is the case with the recent publications on humour discussed here. Although they vary widely by topic and time period, all focus on how power struggles, oppression and violence are represented by means of humour and satire, as well as by the not necessarily jocular but nevertheless related genres of comics and the graphic novel. Recent historical research demonstrates how these creative genres not only critique political events and figures but also preserve, in a sophisticated cultural format, their readers’ short-term everyday working memory and long-term cultural memory of prejudice, subjugation and mass murder. In these texts the authors spotlight how the primary source creators commented on historical events, incorporated historical artefacts in their works and generated countercultural memories that fill gaps in historical narratives from other sources.