bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic diversity of upper Lake Constance whitefish Coregonus spp. under the influence of fisheries: a DNA study based on archived scale samples from 1932, 1975 and 2006
Authors: Gum B. , Geist J. , Eckenfels S. , Brinker A.
Published: April 2014

This investigation examined changes in the genetic diversity of pelagic upper Lake Constance (ULC) whitefish Coregonus wartmanni population before and after the alteration of fishery methods and management from 1932 to 2006. The study spans a period of pronounced changes in trophic status of the lake and transitions from traditional relatively unselective pelagic seine (Klusgarn) fishing to highly size‐selective nylon gillnet techniques. In addition, supportive breeding and stocking became most popular during the phase of eutrophication in the 1970s. The main hypothesis is that size‐selective fisheries and breeding lead to an overall decrease in genetic variability over time. A total of 215 archived C. wartmanni scale samples from 1932, 1975 and 2006 were analysed by genotyping 11 microsatellite loci. A comparison of population genetic parameters, including allelic richness, observed and expected heterozygosities, and estimates of effective population sizes, suggests that the genetic diversity of C. wartmanni population has not decreased. The appearance of new alleles in the gene pool in 1975 and 2006 may be indicative of admixture with other forms in the lake or with stocked allochthonous forms. Overall, the fisheries management practice in ULC, including the effects of size‐selective fisheries, supportive breeding and stocking, have not significantly altered the genetic diversity of Coregonus spp. over an 80 year period.
Introduced American eels Anguilla rostrata in European waters: life‐history traits in a non‐native environment
Authors: Marohn L. , Prigge E. , Hanel R.
Published: April 2014

This study investigated growth, condition and development of American eels Anguilla rostrata that were introduced into a European river to estimate their competitive potential in a non‐native habitat. Results demonstrate that A. rostrata develops normally in European waters and successfully competes with the native European eel Anguilla anguilla. In addition, A. rostrata appears to be more susceptible to the Asian swimbladder nematode Anguillicola crassus than A. anguilla and could support the further propagation of this parasite. Detected differences in fat content and gonad mass between Anguilla species are assumed to reflect species‐specific adaptations to spawning migration distances. This study indicates that A. rostrata is a potential competitor for the native fauna in European fresh waters and suggests strict import regulations to prevent additional pressure on A. anguilla and a potential further deterioration of its stock situation.
Probabilistic flood hazard maps for Jakarta derived from a stochastic rain‐storm generator
Authors: Nuswantoro R. , Diermanse F. , Molkenthin F.
Published: April 2014

Generally, the methods to derive design events in a flood‐modelling framework do not take into account the full range of extreme storm events and therefore do not take into account all aleatory uncertainties originating from rainfall intensity and spatial variability. The design event method uses a single simulation in order to represent an extreme event. The study presents a probabilistic method to derive flood inundation maps in an area where rainfall is the predominant cause of flooding. The case study area is the Jakarta Basin, Indonesia. It typically experiences high‐intensity and short‐duration storms with high spatial variability. The flood hazard estimation framework is a combination of a Monte Carlo (MC)‐based simulation and a simplified stochastic storm generator. Several thousands of generated extreme events are run in the Sobek rainfall–runoff and 1D‐2D model. A frequency analysis is then conducted at each location in the flood plain in order to derive flood maps. The result shows that in general, design events overestimate the flood maps in comparison with the proposed MC approach. The MC approach takes into account spatial variability of the rainfall. However, this means that there is a need to have a high number of MC‐generated events in order to better estimate the extreme quantiles. As a consequence, the MC approach needs much more computational resources and it is time‐consuming if a full hydrodynamic model is used. Hence, a simplified flood model may be required to reduce the simulation time.
Comparison of viral burden and disease progression in Chinese‐origin rhesus macaques infected with common experimentally applied chimeric virus: SHIV‐1157ipd3N4, SHIV‐162P3, or SHIV‐KB9
Authors: Wang Wei , Cong Zhe , Jiang Hong , Chen Ting , Jin Guang , Xiong Jing , Qin Chuan , Wei Qiang
Published: April 2014

Background

Little is known about the comparative susceptibility and differential pathogenic characteristics of Chinese‐origin rhesus macaques upon infection with the chimeric SHIVs most commonly applied in experimental research.

Methods

In vivo infectivity, viral replication, and disease progression related to SHIV‐1157ipd3N4, SHIV‐162P3, and SHIV‐KB9 infections were assessed after intravenous inoculation of Chinese‐origin rhesus macaques (n = 10 each).

Results

SHIV‐KB9‐infected monkeys had higher plasma viral loads than those infected with SHIV‐1157ipd3N4 or SHIV‐162P3 (P < 0.05). The SHIV‐KB9 group had a member that progressed rapidly to simian acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and was moribund at 155 days post‐inoculation. SHIV‐KB9 and SHIV‐162P3 showed reverse trends in the effects on levels of memory T‐cell subpopulations.

Conclusions

This study provides foundational data for future efficacy testing of candidate vaccine and antiviral therapy using a Chinese‐origin rhesus macaque system.
CITIES, TASKS, AND SKILLS
Authors: Kok Suzanne , Weel Bas ter
Published: April 2014

This research applies a task‐based approach to measure and interpret changes in the employment structure of the 168 largest U.S. cities in the period 1990–2009. As a result of technological change some tasks can be placed at distance, while others require proximity. We construct a measure of task connectivity to investigate which tasks are more likely to require proximity relative to others. Our results suggest that cities with higher shares of connected tasks experienced higher employment growth. This result is robust to a variety of other explanations including industry composition, routinization, and the complementarity between skills and cities.
A rapid and sensitive UFLC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous determination of gentiopicroside and swertiamarin in rat plasma and its application in pharmacokinetics
Authors: Feng Bo , Zhu Heyun , Guan Jiao , Zhao Longshan , Gu Jingkai , Yin Lei , Fawcett J Paul , Liu Wenshu
Published: April 2014

Objectives

R adix  Gentianae is a traditional Chinese medicine derived from medicinal plants of the family Gentianaceae. Its pharmacological effects have been primarily attributed to the presence of a number of secoiridoid glycosides, in particular gentiopicroside and swertiamarin. In this study, a rapid and sensitive method based on ultrafast liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry has been developed for the simultaneous determination of gentiopicroside and swertiamarin in rat plasma using paeoniflorin as internal standard (IS).

Methods

After liquid-liquid extraction with ethyl acetate-isopropanol (95 : 5, v/v), separation was achieved on a Shim-pack XR-ODS C18 column (75 mm × 3.0 mm, 2.2 μm) with a mobile phase consisting of methanol : 0.1% formic acid (30 : 70, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.4 ml/min. Detection on an API 3200 QTRAP mass spectrometer equipped with an electrospray ionization source operated in the negative ionization mode was performed by multiple reaction monitoring of the precursor-to-product ion transitions of gentiopicroside, swertiamarin and IS at m/z 401.0 → 179.0, 419.0 → 179.1 and 525.1 → 121.0 respectively. The calibration curves were linear over the concentration range of 20–10 000 and 2–1000 ng/ml for gentiopicroside and swertiamarin with corresponding lower limits of quantification of 20 and 2 ng/ml. The limits of detection were 4 and 0.5 ng/ml for gentiopicroside and swertiamarin, respectively. The intraday and interday precisions were below 11.9% for gentiopicroside and below 9.5% for swertiamarin in terms of relative standard deviation, and the accuracy was within ±8.3% for gentiopicroside and within ±10.2% for swertiamarin in terms of relative error. Extraction recovery, matrix effect and stability were satisfactory in rat plasma. The method was fully validated and applied to a pharmacokinetic study involving oral administration of a Radix  Gentianae extract to groups of male and female rats.

Key findings

Results showed that in female rats, both compounds were absorbed to a greater extent and eliminated more slowly than in male rats, although the rate of absorption was similar in the two groups.

Conclusions

There were remarkable differences in pharmacokinetic properties of gentiopicroside and swertiamarin between male and female rats. The results will provide helpful information for the development of suitable dosage forms and clinical references on rational administration.
Comparison of urine and bladder or urethral mucosal biopsy culture obtained by transurethral cystoscopy in dogs with chronic lower urinary tract disease: 41 cases (2002 to 2011)
Authors: Sycamore K. F. , Poorbaugh V. R. , Pullin S. S. , Ward C. R.
Published: April 2014

OBJECTIVES

To compare aerobic bacterial culture of urine to cystoscopically obtained mucosal biopsies of the lower urinary tract in dogs.

METHODS

Retrospective review of case records from dogs that had transurethral cystoscopy at a veterinary teaching hospital between 2002 and 2011. Dogs that had culture results from cystocentesis obtained urine and transurethral cystoscopically obtained mucosal samples were included in the study. Pathogens identified were compared between sampling methods.

RESULTS

Forty dogs underwent transurethral cystoscopy for lower urinary tract disease on 41 occasions. There was significant (P = 0 · 0003) agreement between urine and mucosal biopsy cultures. Both cultures were negative in 66% and positive in 17% of dogs. There was a 17% disagreement between the sampling methods. Although not statistically significant, more mucosal samples than urine cultures were positive forEscherichia coli.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

There was a good agreement between pathogen identification from urine and lower urinary tract mucosal cultures. These results do not support the utilisation of transurethral cystoscopy to obtain biopsy samples for culture in dogs with urinary tract infection and positive urine culture. Individual cases with possible chronic urinary tract infection and negative urine culture may benefit from transurethral cystoscopy to obtain biopsies for culture.
Application of Ultrasound to the Evaluation of Rheological Properties of Raw Asian Noodles Fortified with Barley β‐Glucan
Authors: Hatcher D.W. , Salimi A. , Daugelaite D. , Strybulevych A. , Scanlon M.G. , Page J.H.
Published: April 2014

An ultrasonic technique (1 MHz) was employed to investigate the capability of ultrasound to evaluate barley β‐glucan (BBG) supplementation (0%, 2.5% and 5%) on the mechanical properties of raw noodles. The noodles were subjected to a 20% strain using a texture analyzer in which a custom holder for ultrasonic transducers enabled stress relaxation and ultrasonic propagation to be observed over 300 s. Ultrasonic velocity and attenuation increased and decreased, respectively, with an increase in noodle BBG content. Similarly, the longitudinal storage modulus M′ increased, while the long‐time values of the longitudinal loss modulus M″ decreased, as the BBG content was increased. The stress relaxation parameter %SR20s decreased significantly, while Peleg's K1 and K2 values increased with increasing BBG content, supporting the ultrasonic findings that the noodles displayed an enhanced resistance to deformation with an increase of BBG content. The ultrasonic technique discerned changes in the mechanical behavior of functional food products.

Practical Applications

This research describes the use of a relatively inexpensive ultrasonic technique to discriminate and quantify desirable improvements in raw Asian white salted noodles on the basis of their fundamental rheological parameters. The test is rapid and allows the calculation of multiple parameters to highlight the texture benefits of adding BBG to noodle flour.
Impact of Drying Processes on Strawberry (Fragaria var. Camarosa) Texture: Identification of Crispy and Crunchy Features by Instrumental Measurement
Authors: Alonzo‐Macías Maritza , Montejano‐Gaitán Gerardo , Allaf Karim
Published: April 2014

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of hot air drying, freeze drying and swell drying (which is a coupling of hot air drying to instant controlled pressure drop DIC) on strawberry to compare and contrast its quality in terms of texture, such as crunchy and crispy features, correlated with the expansion ratios and the microstructure's modification. The obtained results showed that swell‐dried strawberry had a high crispness behavior. Also, its relative expansion ratio was thrice more than air‐dried samples. Moreover, it was observed that saturated steam pressure of DIC texturing operation compared with the thermal holding time had a significant effect on the maximum penetration distance and the average of microruptures force on crunchiness and crispness, respectively. Hence, these structural changes provide a versatile swell‐dried strawberry as highly functional snack that was able to be evaluated instrumentally by puncture test.

Practical Applications

Puncture test is an instrumental measurement that helps to describe the crispness of snacks, biscuits, extruded products, etc. Swell‐drying process is defined as instant controlled pressure drop (DIC)‐assisted hot air drying. The thermomechanical effects of DIC are mainly induced by the abrupt pressure drop toward a vacuum (about 5 kPa) after shortly subjecting the material to saturated steam pressure (from 0.1 up to 0.6 MPa). The abrupt pressure drop rate (ΔP/Δt > 0.5 MPa/s) causes an autovaporization of product's water, promoting instant cooling of the product, which immediately decrease the product's temperature under its Tg allowing to cross the glass transition Tg, which immediately stops the thermal effects avoiding any resulting degradation. The impact of DIC on strawberry can be observed in expansion ratio and much better through texture content as crispy and/or crunchy snacking. Hence, it is necessary to instrumentally describe the mechanical behavior of such a brittle‐dried strawberry. The texture measurements allow using it as one of multicriteria optimization of DIC texturing processing parameters.
Sweeping the house clean: burrow architecture and seasonal digging activity in theEastAfrican root rat fromTanzania
Authors: Katandukila J. V. , Chimimba C. T. , Bennett N. C. , Makundi R. H. , Le Comber S. C. , Faulkes C. G.
Published: April 2014

We investigated changes in burrow architecture and fractal dimension across seasons and between the sexes in the solitaryEastAfrican root ratTachyoryctes splendensover an entire calendar year. The basic burrow system comprised a main tunnel reticulating into foraging tunnels, a nest consisting of food store chamber, latrine and sleeping area, and a bolt hole. Main tunnel length was strongly affected by sex, and contrary to expectations, it was longer for females than for males (during both the dry and the wet seasons). The number and the length of foraging tunnels were affected by both sex and season, with females' burrows having more foraging tunnels than males in both the dry and the wet seasons. Females also had burrows with higher fractal dimension than males, while fractal dimension increased with burrow length for both sexes. We suggest that unlike the solitary bathyergid mole‐rats, maleT. splendensdo not construct larger burrows than females in the search for mates, but rather females have larger burrows with more foraging tunnels resulting from the increased need for provisioning of their young.
A Role for Chunk Formation in Statistical Learning of Second Language Syntax
Authors: Hamrick Phillip
Published: April 2014

Humans are remarkably sensitive to the statistical structure of language. However, different mechanisms have been proposed to account for such statistical sensitivities. The present study compared adult learning of syntax and the ability of two models of statistical learning to simulate human performance: Simple Recurrent Networks, which learn by predictive computation, and PARSER, which learns chunks as a byproduct of general principles of associative learning and memory. In the first stage, a semiartificial language paradigm was used to gather human data. In the second stage, a simulation paradigm was then used to compare the patterns of performance of the SRN and PARSER. After the human adults and the computational models were trained on sentences from the semiartificial language with probabilistic syntax, their learning outcomes were compared. Neither model was able to fully reproduce the human data, which may indicate less robust statistical learning effects in adults; however, PARSER was able to simulate more of the adult learning data than the SRN, suggesting a possible role for chunk formation in early phases of adult learning of second language syntax.
The Old Jim Crow: Racial Residential Segregation and Neighborhood Imprisonment
Authors: Burch Traci
Published: April 2014

This article examines the impact of racial residential segregation on imprisonment rates at the neighborhood level. Key to the strength of this enterprise is block‐group level data on imprisonment, crime, and other demographic factors for about 5,000 neighborhoods in North Carolina. These data also include information on county racial residential segregation from the Population Studies Center at the University of Michigan. Hierarchical linear models that control for neighborhood characteristics, such as racial diversity, crime, poverty, unemployment, median income, homeownership, and other factors, show that neighborhoods in more segregated counties have higher imprisonment rates than neighborhoods in less segregated counties. On average, neighborhoods in counties with segregation levels at the minimum of 41.4 are expected to have imprisonment rates of 0.186 percent, while neighborhoods in counties with segregation levels at the maximum of 95.6 are expected to have imprisonment rates more than twice as high, or about 0.494 percent.
IgG4‐Related Prostatitis Impairs Objective Urinary Function as with Benign Prostate Hyperplasia: A Case Report Successfully Treated with Transurethral Resection
Authors: KAGAWA Makoto , TAKESHITA Hideki , MORIYAMA Shingo , ADACHI Akiko , CHIBA Koji , NORO Akira
Published: April 2014

Case

We report a case of IgG4‐related prostatitis successfully treated with transurethral resection of the prostate (TUR‐P). A 47‐year‐old man with a history of autoimmune pancreatitis and sclerosing cholangitis presented with lower urinary tract symptoms. Because ultrasonography revealed a mildly enlarged prostate and uroflowmetry showed a severely diminished flow curve, benign prostatic hyperplasia was diagnosed. Despite the administration of α1‐blockers, the patient's condition did not improve, and TUR‐P was performed in accordance with his wish.

Outcome

Pathological examination showed dense lymphoplasmacytic inflammation with no evidence of synchronous malignancy. On immunohistochemical staining, a large number (>40/high‐power field) of IgG4‐positive cells were observed in the lesions showing the inflammation, confirming the diagnosis of IgG4‐related prostatitis. The patient's urinary function dramatically improved postoperatively, and good urinary function has been maintained for 3 years without additional treatment.

Conclusion

Recognition of the impact of IgG4‐related prostatitis on objective urinary function will help in appropriately treating patients with this condition.
“I Didn't Feel Like I Was a Person Anymore”: Realigning Full Adult Personhood after Ostomy Surgery
Authors: Ramirez Michelle , Altschuler Andrea , McMullen Carmit , Grant Marcia , Hornbrook Mark , Krouse Robert
Published: April 2014

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in the United States. For some CRC patients, cancer treatment involves creating a permanent or temporary intestinal ostomy. Having an ostomy often results in complex social and physical concerns—including unpredictable and at times publicly noticeable bowel output. In this article, we discuss findings from 30 in‐depth interviews with female CRC survivors with ostomies in the western United States. We highlight how having an ostomy disrupts culturally sanctioned practices of continence that mark the attainment of full‐adult personhood. We discuss how survivors reclaim a sense of full personhood after ostomy surgery through a process of realignment that entails both learning how to manage ostomy equipment to conceal bowel activity and reappraising their illness and suffering. We suggest that the anthropological categories of personhood and personhood realignment be incorporated into research and interventions aimed at increasing support among cancer survivors living with bodily impairments.
Unique genome replication mechanism of the archaeal virus AFV1
Authors: Pina Mery , Basta Tamara , Quax Tessa E. F. , Joubert Alexandra , Baconnais Sonia , Cortez Diego , Lambert Sarah , Le Cam Eric , Bell Stephen D. , Forterre Patrick , Prangishvili David
Published: April 2014

The exceptional genomic content and genome organization of the Acidianus filamentous virus 1 (AFV1) that infects the hyperthermophilic archaeon Acidianus hospitalis suggest that this virus might exploit an unusual mechanism of genome replication. An analysis of replicative intermediates of the viral genome by two‐dimensional (2D) agarose gel electrophoresis revealed that viral genome replication starts by the formation of a D‐loop and proceeds via strand displacement replication. Characterization of replicative intermediates using dark‐field electron microscopy, in combination with the 2D agarose gel electrophoresis data, suggests that recombination plays a key role in the termination of AFV1 genome replication through the formation of terminal loops. A terminal protein was found to be attached to the ends of the viral genome. The results allow us to postulate a model of genome replication that relies on recombination events for initiation and termination.
Species identification and likely catch time period of whale bones from South Georgia
Authors: Sremba Angela L. , Martin Anthony R. , Scott Baker C.
Published: April 2014

Skeletal remains of baleen whales killed during the onset of 20th century commercial whaling lie scattered across the shores and abandoned whaling stations of the subantarctic island of South Georgia. Here we report on genetic species identification of whale bones collected from South Georgia using standard historical DNA protocols. We amplified and sequenced short fragments of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region from 281 available bone samples. Of these, 231 provided mtDNA sequences of sufficient quality and length (174–194 bp) for species identification: 158 bones were identified as humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae), 51 bones were identified as fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus), 18 bones were identified as blue whale (B. musculus), two bones were identified as sei whale (B. borealis), one bone was identified as a southern right whale (Eubalaena australis), and one bone was identified as a southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina). The prominence of humpback, fin, and blue whale bones in the sample collection corresponds to the catch record of the early years of whaling on the island of South Georgia (pre‐1915), prior to the depletion of these populations.
Immunohistochemical analysis of cyclooxygenase‐2 and brain fatty acid binding protein expression in grades I‐II meningiomas: Correlation with tumor grade and clinical outcome after radiotherapy
Authors: Kang Hyun‐Cheol , Kim Il Han , Park Charn Il , Park Sung‐Hye
Published: April 2014

This study was done to evaluate the association of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX‐2) and brain fatty acid binding protein (BFABP) with tumor grade and outcome of grades I‐II meningiomas treated with radiotherapy. From 1996 to 2008, 40 patients with intracranial grades I‐II meningiomas were treated with radiotherapy. Immunohistochemical staining for COX‐2 and BFABP were performed on formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded tissues. COX‐2 expression was significantly associated with BFABP status and both COX‐2 (P < 0.01) and BFABP (P = 0.01) expression were stronger in the grade II meningiomas than in grade I tumors. Among the clinicopathologic factors, age and COX‐2 status were prognostic in progression‐free survival. Patients with moderate or strong COX‐2 expression had worse outcome than those with negative or weak COX‐2 expression (P = 0.03) after controlling for potential confounders. Our results suggest that the molecular biomarker COX‐2 has prognostic significance in intracranial grades I‐II meningiomas following radiotherapy.
Systematic review of health‐related quality of life in older people following percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Soo Hoo Soon Yeng , Gallagher Robyn , Elliott Doug
Published: April 2014

People aged over 60 years represent an increasingly high proportion of the population undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. While risks are greater for older people in terms of major adverse cardiovascular events and higher mortality for this treatment, it is unclear if the benefits of health‐related quality of life outcomes may outweigh risks. A search of the PubMed, PsycINFO, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Excerpta Medica, and Cochrane databases was conducted for the period from January 1999 to June 2012 using key words “percutaneous coronary intervention”/“angioplasty,” “older,” “elderly,” and “quality of life”/“health‐related quality of life.” Using a systematic review approach, data from 18 studies were extracted for description and synthesis. Findings revealed that everyone regardless of age reported better health‐related quality of life, primarily from the relief of angina and improved physical and mental function. Age itself did not have an independent predictive effect when other factors such as comorbid conditions were taken into account. Assessment of older peoples’ health status following percutaneous coronary intervention by nurses and other health professionals is therefore important for the provision of quality care.
DESIGNING CONTRACTS FOR COMPLEX SERVICES
Authors: MALATESTA DEANNA , SMITH CRAIG
Published: April 2014

In this article, we employ transaction cost economics and the contingency stream of organization theory to answer two related questions. First, when contracting for complex services, do governments design contracts for flexibility? Second, is the contingency perspective relevant to understanding contract design? Examining 130 professional service contracts awarded by state government agencies in the USA, we find that task complexity and task unpredictability, two dimensions of task uncertainty, increase the probability of flexible governance. This research highlights for managers the important fact that the potential for opportunism and task complexity are different sources of uncertainty that pose different challenges and call for different governance solutions. The study enriches our understanding of transaction costs by probing the conditions under which task uncertainty matters most (and least), and further shows the utility of integrating transaction cost economics with contingency theory to better understand contract governance.
Marker‐assisted introgression of lpa2 locus responsible for low‐phytic acid trait into an elite tropical maize inbred (Zea mays L.)
Authors: Sureshkumar S. , Tamilkumar Paramasivam , Thangavelu Arumugam U. , Senthil Natesan , Nagarajan Pothiraj , Vellaikumar Sampthrajan , Ganesan Kalipatty N. , Balagopal Ramachandran , Raveendran Muthurajan
Published: April 2014

Maize is an important food and feed crop worldwide. Phytic acid (PA), in maize kernel, is an antinutritional factor. PA chelates mineral cations and causes mineral deficiency in humans and phosphorous deficiency in animals. The undigested PA excreted by monogastric animals causes phosphorous eutrophication. Therefore, development of low‐phytate maize is indispensable. The low‐phytate locus (lpa2 allele) has been transferred from low‐phytate mutant line ‘EC 659418’ into an elite inbred UMI 395 through marker‐assisted backcross breeding (MABB). The MABB involved three backcrosses followed by two selfing steps, including ‘foreground selection’, that is, selecting lines with lpa2 allele with the help of a codominant SSR marker ‘umc2230’ and ‘background selection’, that is, selecting plants having genetic background similar to that of the recurrent parent using 50 codominant SSR markers. Two low‐phytate lpa2 lines with genome similar (>90% similarity) to that of recurrent parent have been identified. These lines can be used as parent in future hybridization programmes for obtaining low‐phytate high‐yielding maize hybrids.
Mechanisms of pathogenesis in allergic asthma: Role of interleukin‐23
Authors: Li Yanchun , Hua Shucheng
Published: April 2014

Asthma is a chronic airway inflammatory disease characterized by intense leukocyte and eosinophilic infiltration accompanied by mucus hypersecretion and tissue hyperresponsiveness. Recent evidence suggests that T‐helper (Th)2 cells and their cytokine products orchestrate the pathology of asthma. In addition, Th17 cells are implicated in the pathogenesis of antigen‐induced airway inflammation. The Th17 related cytokine interleukin (IL)‐23 plays important roles in many immunological diseases, such as experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease. Several reports describe the role of IL‐23 in the pathogenesis of allergic asthma in both human and mice. IL‐23 leads to neutrophil infiltration in the airway of asthmatic mice, which is characteristic of severe asthma resulting from Th17 development and subsequently IL‐17 secretion. IL‐23 can also promote eosinophil infiltration in the airway, which is a hallmark of allergic asthma. These studies suggest that IL‐23 could be a promoting factor in the development of allergic asthma and likewise would be a target for asthma therapy. In support of this view, trials of anti‐IL‐23 therapy have been attempted in human and mouse asthma models with encouraging outcomes. This review presents the role of IL‐23 in asthma according to recent clinical trials and animal model studies. The proposed mechanisms of IL‐23‐induced airway inflammation and the agents currently being tested that target IL‐23 related pathways are discussed.
Bayesian Inference for Transportation Origin–Destination Matrices: the Poisson–Inverse Gaussian and Other Poisson Mixtures
Authors: Perrakis Konstantinos , Karlis Dimitris , Cools Mario , Janssens Davy
Published: April 2014

Transportation origin–destination analysis is investigated through the use of Poisson mixtures by introducing covariate-based models which incorporate different transport modelling phases and also allow for direct probabilistic inference on link traffic based on Bayesian predictions. Emphasis is placed on the Poisson–inverse Gaussian model as an alternative to the commonly used Poisson–gamma and Poisson–log-normal models. We present a first full Bayesian formulation and demonstrate that the Poisson–inverse Gaussian model is particularly suited for origin–destination analysis because of its desirable marginal and hierarchical properties. In addition, the integrated nested Laplace approximation is considered as an alternative to Markov chain Monte Carlo sampling and the two methodologies are compared under specific modelling assumptions. The case-study is based on 2001 Belgian census data and focuses on a large, sparsely distributed origin–destination matrix containing trip information for 308 Flemish municipalities.
Is the Carli Index Flawed?: Assessing the Case for the New Retail Price Index RPIJ
Authors: Levell Peter
Published: April 2014

The paper discusses the recent decision of the UK’s Office for National Statistics to replace the controversial Carli index with the Jevons index in a new version of the retail price index—RPIJ. In doing so we make three contributions to the way that price indices should be selected for measures of consumer price inflation when quantity information is not available (i.e. at the ‘elementary’ level). Firstly, we introduce a new price bouncing test under the test approach for choosing index numbers. Secondly, we provide empirical evidence on the performance of the Carli and Jevons indices in different contexts under the statistical approach. Thirdly, applying something analogous to the principle of insufficient reason, we argue contrary to received wisdom in the literature, that the economic approach can be used to choose indices at the elementary level, and moreover that it favours the use of the Jevons index. Overall, we conclude that there is a case against the Carli index and that the Jevons index is to be preferred.
Analysis of Income Inequality Measures on Human Immunodeficiency Virus Mortality: a Spatiotemporal Bayesian Perspective
Authors: Aktekin Tevfik , Musal Muzaffer
Published: April 2014

Social, economic, environmental and behavioural factors impacting health are well recognized in the literature. We consider the use of various income inequality measures in addition to a poverty measure and investigate their effects on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) mortality. In doing so, we make use of models that can capture zero inflation and spatiotemporal effects. The research is motivated by the lack of studies from an inference and modelling perspectives in explaining HIV mortality by using measures that take into account socio-economic status as well as time and location. Such a study can help policy makers to identify cases of environmental injustice and areas of outstanding health risk to assist in resource allocation problems. In our numerical example, we make use of mortality data obtained for the state of New York, estimate model parameters from a Bayesian inference perspective and discuss the implications and interpretations of various income inequality measures. The methodological novelty of our study is the introduction of a zero-inflated Poisson model that can account for both spatial and temporal effects across 5 years (2000–2004). The practical novelty of our study is its attempt to find inequality measures which can improve our understanding of HIV mortality risk. Our results indicate that, for the data at hand, if inequality is calculated on the basis of county-specific income shares rather than the whole state, HIV mortality can be better explained. In addition, accounting for temporal and spatial effects was found to contribute to our understanding of HIV mortality risk.
Towards personalized treatment of depression: A candidate gene approach
Authors: Landrø Nils Inge
Published: April 2014

The causal pathways leading to depression involve a combination of genetic and environmental risk factors and the relative contribution of these factors differ across patients. In addition, patients vary in the way they respond to treatment. The aim of this article is to discuss a candidate gene approach (5‐HTTLPR) in the treatment of depression and how it may be implemented to individualize treatment plans for patients. First, we examine the role of 5‐HTTLPR polymorphisms in biased emotion processing and in the interplay between emotion regulation and cognitive control. An intriguing finding is that the low expression short allele variant of 5‐HTTLPR is best conceived as a gene that affects malleability or plasticity rather than specific vulnerability to depression. A shift from vulnerability to susceptibility has the potential to translate into new perspectives on individualized treatment of depression. The interplay between therapeutic intervention and genotype is a special case of gene‐environment interactions (GxE). Within this new field, recently named “therapygenetics,” a small number of studies have so far provided preliminary but provocative evidence of an association between the low expression 5‐HTTLPT short allele and response to psychological treatment. Future research should expand into randomized controlled trial (RCT) designs to examine the likelihood of response to psychotherapy versus pharmacotherapy in the individual patient.
Identifying the ideal body size and shape characteristics associated with children's physical performance tests in Peru
Authors: Bustamante Valdivia A. , Maia J. , Nevill A.
Published: April 2014

We used allometric models to identify the optimal body size/shape characteristics associated with physical and motor performance tests in Peruvian schoolchildren. The sample consisted of 3624 subjects (1669 boys and 1955 girls) aged 11–17 years from 31 public schools belonging to four cities located in the three natural regions in central Peru. Motor performance included 12‐min run, standing long jump, grip strength, curl‐ups, shuttle run, and sit and reach. The reciprocal Ponderal index (RPI), a characteristic sometimes referred to as the somatotype “ectomorphy,” was found to be the most suitable body shape indicator associated with 12‐min run, standing long jump, curl‐up, and shuttle run performance. A positive maturation offset parameter was also associated with greater standing long jump, grip strength, shuttle run, and sit‐and‐reach performances. With the exception of the sit‐and‐reach flexibility, sex differences are pervasive in all tests favoring boys. Rainforest schoolchildren are best performers in the power and flexibility tests, whereas those from high altitude were superior in the 12‐min endurance test even after taking their much lighter body size characteristics into account. This latter finding suggests that living at high altitude in Peru benefits children's endurance performance both before and even after controlling for differences in the confounding variable of body size/shape.
Half‐time re‐warm up increases performance capacity in male elite soccer players
Authors: Edholm P. , Krustrup P. , Randers M. B.
Published: April 2014

This study investigated the acute effects of a half‐time re‐warm up on performance and movement patterns in soccer match play. Using a crossover design, 22 professional male players performed traditional passive rest (CON) or a low‐intensity re‐warm up (RW) during the half‐time period of two soccer matches. Before and after the first half and before the second half, maximal sprint and jump performance were evaluated. Time–motion analysis of the first 15 min of each half was conducted. Sprint and jump performance were reduced (P < 0.05) by 2.6% and 7.6%, respectively, during the half‐time period in CON, whereas sprint performance was maintained and the decrement in jump performance (3.1%; P < 0.05) was lower after RW. No significant interaction for high‐intensity running was observed, but less defensive high‐intensity running was observed after RW than CON (0.14 ± 0.06 vs 0.22 ± 0.07 km; P < 0.01). Moreover, RW had more possession of the ball in the beginning of the second half. In conclusion, traditional passive half‐time rest leads to impaired sprint and jump performance during the initial phase of the second half in professional soccer players whereas a re‐warm up effectively attenuates such deteriorations. Less defensive high‐intensity running and more ball possession were observed after RW, indicating a game advantage at the onset of the second half.
The phylogeny and revised classification ofMachaerotidae, the tube‐making spittlebugs (Hemiptera:Auchenorrhyncha:Cercopoidea)
Authors: BELL ADAM J. , SVENSON GAVIN J. , CRYAN JASON R.
Published: April 2014

Machaerotidae (Hemiptera:Auchenorrhyncha:Cercopoidea) is a taxonomically small but morphologically diverse family of spittlebugs with approximately 115 described species in 31 genera and an exclusivelyPalaeotropical distribution. Results are presented of the first molecular phylogenetic investigation ofMachaerotidae, examining relationships among the currently recognized subfamilies and tribes, as well as determining the phylogenetic placement of the generaEnderleiniaSchmidt,NeuromachaerotaSchmidt,LabramachaerotaBell &Cryan, andKyphomachaerotaBell &Cryan.DNAnucleotide sequence data from eight loci (12srDNA,16srDNA,18SrDNA,28SrDNA,histone2A,histone 3,winglessandNADH Dehydrogenase subunit 4) were analysed to reconstruct the phylogeny. The evidence generated in this study supports the following systematic conclusions: (i)Machaerotidae is a monophyletic family; (ii)Machaerotini,Hindoloidini (with the new inclusion ofKyphomachaerota), andEnderleiniini (excludingKyphomachaerotaandApomachaerotaSchmidt) are monophyletic tribes; (iii) the genusApomachaerotawas recovered as the most anciently diverged lineage of extantMachaerotidae, and a new subfamily (Apomachaerotinaesubfam.n.), is proposed on the basis of its phylogenetic placement as sister lineage to all other extantMachaerotidae.
Two samples for blood transfusion: single centre experience
Authors: Thomas W. , Davies J. , Asamoah A. , Scott‐Molloy C. , Sansom V. , Kerr J.
Published: April 2014

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the introduction of two‐sample policy for transfusion at our hospital and reduction of the risk of ABO incompatible transfusion.

Background

ABO incompatible transfusion can be a fatal but avoidable event. Wrong blood in tube is a cause of ABO incompatible transfusion and there are various strategies available to try and expunge this event.

Methods

Survey of policy/practice before and after the introduction of a two‐sample policy.

Results

Staff training is inadequate in reducing the risk of ABO incompatible transfusion. A two‐sample policy was introduced and does not significantly increase workload or use of group O blood and does not compromise patient safety by causing delay in blood provision. Post hoc analysis confirms good understanding of the policy by medical staff. Observation of medical staff taking transfusion samples demonstrated consistent deviation from policy, enforcing the need for confirmatory samples.

Conclusion

A two‐sample policy adds an extra layer of safety to transfusion practice and can be introduced without creating new problems.
Determination of Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Extraction Parameters for Quercus infectoria Galls and the Effects on Extraction Yield and Antioxidant Activity
Authors: Md Salleh Liza , Mohd Nasir Hasmida , Yaakob Harisun , Che Yunus Mohd Azizi
Published: April 2014

Currently, finding alternative ways of extracting medicinal plant gain more interest from the researchers.  Quercus infectoria, a medicinal plant, is rich with bioactive compound being extracted using supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) extraction which helps to maintain the quality of the product as well as green environment. CO2 is widely used as solvent due to moderate critical conditions, nontoxic and easily removed from the products. This work was performed to determine the optimum extraction parameters of SC-CO2 extraction and their effects on the total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of Q.infectoria extract. Hence, two different parameters have been investigated which were extraction time and CO2 flow rate (2, 3, 4 ml/min) while pressure (P) and temperature (T) were fixed at highest density (P = 30 MPa, T = 40oC). The results obtained from this study show that the solvent flow rate of 2 ml/min gives the highest percentage of yield (0.3652%) and the complete extraction of the sample was achieved at 80 minutes. Better quality of the extract was shown at 2 ml/min as resulted in high amount of phenolic compound in the extract presented as gallic acid equivalent (GAE) (2.04×102 mg GAE/g sample). The extracts were screened for possible antioxidant activity by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assays. In this study, the best result obtained for antioxidant activity was at flow rate of 3 ml/min with inhibition percentage of 96.97%.
Influence of Multiwall Carbon Nanotube on Polyethersulfone/ Polyvinyl Alcohol Blend Membranes
Authors: Mohd Khairuddin Nur Farahah , Idris Ani , Ahmed Iqbal , Mohd Yusof Noordin
Published: April 2014

This paper investigates the influence of multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) on the morphology and properties of polyethersulfone (PES) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) blend membranes. Several membranes were prepared by blending 0.5 wt% MWCNT , 18%wt PES and 1.5wt% PVA of various molecular weights (60, 145 and 200 kDa) in  dimethyl acetate (DMAC) solvent. The membranes were then evaluated in terms of its morphology, contact angle, water flux rate and porosity. The results revealed that MWCNT nanoparticles have decreased the contact angle and increased the flux rate of PES/PVA blend membranes. The presence of MWCNT in the PES/PVA membranes have promoted the formation of fingerlike pores in the membranes structure and thus increased the porosity of the membranes. Besides that, the use of higher molecular weight PVA helped to reduce the contact angle of the membranes reflecting to their hydrophilic nature. However, the use of lower molecular weight PVA was found to enhance the increased of flux rate and porosity of the membrane.
Zinc Chloride-activated Waste Carbon Powder for Decolourization of Methylene Blue
Authors: Ahmad Zaini Muhammad Abbas , Chiew Ngiik Ting , Kamaruddin Mohd. Johari , Mohd. Setapar Siti Hamidah , Che Yunus Mohd. Azizi
Published: April 2014

Waste carbon powder from pyrolysis of discarded tyre was converted into activated carbon for decolourization of metylene blue (MB). The precursor was activated using ZnCl2 (ZC), recycled ZnCl2 solution from the earlier activation (RC), and irradiated water (MC). Activated carbons were characterized according to surface area and morphology. The values of surface area were recorded as 288, 104 and 113 m2/g for ZC, RC and MC, respectively. The decolourization of MB was observed to have the following order: ZC>MC>RC. The maximum adsorption capacity of MB by ZC was found to be 154 mg/g. Adsorption data for all activated carbons studied obeyed Redlich-Peterson isotherm for which the process could be described as mixed features of Langmuir and Freundlich models. The kinetics data were well-fitted to pseudo-second-order model, suggesting the chemisorption process.
Reactive Dye Removal from Simulated Wastewater using Tetrabutyl Ammonium Bromide as an Extractant
Authors: Othman Norasikin , Mohd Aziz Noor Sa’ida Nafisah , Harruddin Norlisa
Published: April 2014

Dyes caused serious environmental pollution and health problem in many ways. Many dyes have toxic effects on aquatic life and also on humans. Liquid-liquid extraction process is one of the alternatives for dye removal from wastewater. Removal of remazol red 3BS from simulated textile wastewater using tetrabutyl ammonium bromide has been studied at room temperature with total operation time of 18 hours. Several parameters have been studied such as pH, diluents, initial dye concentration, extractant concentration and stripping agents toward the extraction process of the dye. The results show only small effects of pH on the extraction percentage. The best diluent for the extraction is dichloromethane with the percentage of 98%. The percentage of extraction is maximum (97%) at 0.07M of TBAB concentration with the distribution ratio of D= 34.65. Salicylic acid in Na2CO3 with the ratio of 1:2 gives the highest percentage of stripping process. It shows a good performance for liquid-liquid extraction of remazol red 3BS for both removal and recovery processes.