bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Habitat hotspots of common and rare tropical species along climatic and edaphic gradients
Authors: Xu Han , Detto Matteo , Fang Suqin , Li Yide , Zang Runguo , Liu Shirong
Published: June 2015

Understanding coexistence in high biodiversity ecosystems requires knowledge of how rare and common species share the multidimensional environmental space. Climatic and edaphic conditions can provide a plethora of habitats, supporting different compositional and structural communities where species can adapt and differentiate.

We used a large data set consisting of 580 tropical tree species sampled in 163 25 × 25 m quadrats along an altitudinal gradient covering an area of 160 km2 of tropical rain forest in Jianfengling reserve (Hainan Island, China). For each plot, the data include tree species and abundance, altitude and six soil properties from which a two dimensional environmental space was constructed.

With this extensive data set, we tested the hypothesis that different combination of environmental factors can generate multiple hotspots on three axes of diversity: species richness, Shannon‐equivalent species richness and habitat preference, a measure of evenness in the distribution of individuals across an environmental gradient.

We found that humid and cool areas with more nitrogen availability were occupied by richer and more diverse communities of wide range species. Rare (in terms of number of individuals) and range‐restricted species instead, tended to prefer minor habitats, generally warmer with high potassium, calcium, magnesium and, in particular, phosphorous. As a result, wide and range‐restricted species were segregated across the environmental space.

Synthesis. Our findings indicate rare species tend to occur more frequently where common species are less abundant. A clear pattern of species richness and diversity was driven by a combination of several environmental factors (soil properties and climate). The complexity of the environment not only explains the different species distribution along each habitat, but also determines the relative abundance of each species in the entire community. Although some habitats have low species richness and diversity, they are highly preferred by rare species; therefore, biodiversity conservation efforts should consider protecting these fragile ecosystems.
Edible Filamentous Fungi from the Species Monascus: Early Traditional Fermentations, Modern Molecular Biology, and Future Genomics
Authors: Chen Wanping , He Yi , Zhou Youxiang , Shao Yanchun , Feng Yanli , Li Mu , Chen Fusheng
Published: June 2015

Monascus spp. are filamentous fungi famous for their fermented products, especially red mold rice (RMR), a traditional fermented food in East Asian areas with a very long edible history documented back to the Han dynasty (BC 202‐AD 220) in China. Nowadays, RMR and its related products involve a very large industry from artisanal traditional fermentations to food companies to medicine manufacturers, which are distributed worldwide. Modern studies have shown that Monascus spp. are able to produce abundant beneficial secondary metabolites, such as monacolins (cholesterol‐lowering agents), γ‐amino butyric acid (an antihypertensive substance), dimerumic acid (an antioxidant), and pigments (food‐grade colorants), and some strains can also secrete citrinin, a nephrotoxic metabolite. Monascus‐related studies have received much attention because of their wide applications. However, to our knowledge, no systematic review on the progress of Monascus research has ever been published. In this review, the progress of research on Monascus is summarized into 3 stages: Monascus fermentation, Monascus molecular biology, and Monascus genomics. This review covers the past history, current status, and future direction of Monascus research, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of Monascus research progress.
Earnings Management: Do Firms Play “Follow the Leader”?
Authors: Bratten Brian , Payne Jeff L. , Thomas Wayne B.
Published: June 2015

In this study we examine whether the reported performance of one firm affects the discretionary reporting behavior of another firm. We do this by identifying the leader within each industry, defined as the first large announcing firm. We find that the discretionary performance of followers (those firms announcing after the leader) relates positively to the leader's reported performance. Specifically, when the leader misses analysts’ expectations, followers report lower discretionary accruals, have fewer income‐decreasing special items, and are less likely to meet analysts’ expectations. In contrast, when leaders report good news, followers report higher discretionary accruals and are more likely to meet expectations (although we do not find evidence of a positive association between leaders’ good news and followers’ income‐decreasing special items). Overall, the results are consistent with managers of followers perceiving that earnings news of the leader will affect investors’ and others’ performance expectations for their firms.
Bats like vintage: managing exotic eucalypt plantations for bat conservation in a Mediterranean landscape
Authors: Cruz J. , Sarmento P. , Rydevik G. , Rebelo H. , White P. C. L.
Published: June 2015

The transformation of native habitats into forest plantations for industrial purposes frequently has negative consequences for biodiversity. We evaluated the impact of eucalypt plantations on native bats in a Mediterranean area, taking Portugal as a case study. We compared the overall bat activity, species richness and Kuhl's bat Pipistrellus kuhlii (the most abundant bat species in the area) activity between eucalypt plantations and native montado habitat, and examined the influence of stand, landscape and survey variables within plantations on the response variables. A set of 11 plantation stands, three landscape and two survey variables were employed as predictor variables using a zero‐inflated Poisson generalized linear mixed model. Hawking and generalist bats of the genus Pipistrellus were the most frequently detected species. Bat activity, species richness and P. kuhlii activity were higher in native montado than in any of the eucalypt stands. Mature eucalypt plantations showed the highest bat activity, while clear‐cut areas showed the lowest. Generally, within eucalypt stands, complex high‐level vegetation structure, from the ground level up to 3 m high, and proximity to water points were associated with higher levels of bat and P. kuhlii activity and species richness. The results suggest that in order to promote bat diversity and activity in exotic eucalypt plantations in the Mediterranean region, it is important to provide a high density of water points, maintain plots of mature plantations and promote understorey clutter.
Pathophysiological mechanisms of exercise‐induced anaphylaxis: an EAACI position statement
Authors: Ansley L. , Bonini M. , Delgado L. , Del Giacco S. , Du Toit G. , Khaitov M. , Kurowski M. , Hull J. H. , Moreira A. , Robson‐Ansley P. J.
Published: June 2015

This document is the result of a consensus on the mechanisms of exercise‐induced anaphylaxis (EIAn), an unpredictable and potentially fatal syndrome. A multidisciplinary panel of experts including exercise physiologists, allergists, lung physicians, paediatricians and a biostatistician reached the given consensus. Exercise‐induced anaphylaxis (EIAn) describes a rare and potentially fatal syndrome in which anaphylaxis occurs in conjunction with exercise. The pathophysiological mechanisms underlying EIAn have not yet been elucidated although a number of hypotheses have been proposed. This review evaluates the validity of each of the popular theories in relation to exercise physiology and immunology. On the basis of this evidence, it is concluded that proposed mechanisms lack validity, and it is recommended that a global research network is developed with a common approach to the diagnosis and treatment of EIAn in order to gain sufficient power for scientific evaluation.
Semiparametric Estimation in the Proportional Hazard Model Accounting for a Misclassified Cause of Failure
Authors: Ha Jinkyung , Tsodikov Alexander
Published: June 2015

Misclassified causes of failures are a common phenomenon in competing risks survival data such as cancer mortality. We propose new estimating equations for a semiparametric proportional hazards (PH) model with misattributed causes of failures. Unlike other methods, the estimator does not require any parametric assumptions on baseline cause-specific hazard rates. It is shown that the estimators for regression coefficients are consistent and asymptotically normal. Simulation results support the theoretical analysis in finite samples. The methods are applied to analyze prostate cancer survival.
Improving problem solving in primary school students: The effect of a training programme focusing on metacognition and working memory
Authors: Cornoldi Cesare , Carretti Barbara , Drusi Silvia , Tencati Chiara
Published: June 2015

Background

Despite doubts voiced on their efficacy, a series of studies has been carried out on the capacity of training programmes to improve academic and reasoning skills by focusing on underlying cognitive abilities and working memory in particular. No systematic efforts have been made, however, to test training programmes that involve both general and specific underlying abilities. If effective, these programmes could help to increase students’ motivation and competence.

Aims

This study examined the feasibility of improving problem‐solving skills in school children by means of a training programme that addresses general and specific abilities involved in problem solving, focusing on metacognition and working memory.

Participants

The project involved a sample of 135 primary school children attending eight classes in the third, fourth, and fifth grades (age range 8–10 years).

Method

The classes were assigned to two groups, one attending the training programme in the first 3 months of the study (Training Group 1) and the other serving as a waiting‐list control group (Training Group 2). In the second phase of the study, the role of the two groups was reversed, with Training Group 2 attending the training instead of Training Group 1.

Results

The training programme led to improvements in both metacognitive and working memory tasks, with positive‐related effects on the ability to solve problems. The gains seen in Training Group 1 were also maintained at the second post‐test (after 3 months).

Conclusions

Specific activities focusing on metacognition and working memory may contribute to modifying arithmetical problem‐solving performance in primary school children.
Regeneration inducers in limb regeneration
Authors: Satoh Akira , Mitogawa Kazumasa , Makanae Aki
Published: June 2015

Limb regeneration ability, which can be observed in amphibians, has been investigated as a representative phenomenon of organ regeneration. Recently, an alternative experimental system called the accessory limb model was developed to investigate early regulation of amphibian limb regeneration. The accessory limb model contributed to identification of limb regeneration inducers in urodele amphibians. Furthermore, the accessory limb model may be applied to other species to explore universality of regeneration mechanisms. This review aims to connect the insights recently gained to emboss universality of regeneration mechanisms among species. The defined molecules (BMP7 (or2) + FGF2 + FGF8) can transform skin wound healing to organ (limb) regeneration responses. The same molecules can initiate regeneration responses in some species.
Prenatal Diagnosis of Fetal Interrupted Aortic Arch Type A by Two‐Dimensional Echocardiography and Four‐Dimensional Echocardiography with B‐Flow Imaging and Spatiotemporal Image Correlation
Authors: Zhang Dongyu , Zhang Ying , Ren Weidong , Sun Feifei , Guo Yajun , Sun Wei , Wang Yu , Huang Liping , Cai Ailu
Published: June 2015

Background

Fetal interrupted aortic arch (IAA) is a rare cardiac anomaly and its prenatal diagnosis is challenging. The purpose of our report is to evaluate the use of two‐dimensional echocardiography (2DE) and 4D echocardiography with B‐flow imaging and spatiotemporal image correlation (4D BF‐STIC) in detecting IAA type A (IAA‐A).

Materials & Methods

Twenty‐three cases of confirmed IAA‐A identified by fetal echocardiography were involved in the study. The fetal echocardiography image data were reviewed to analyze the ratio of right ventricle to left ventricle (RV/LV) diameter, the ratio of main pulmonary artery to ascending aorta (MPA/AAO) diameter, and the correlation of RV/LV diameter ratio and size of ventricular septal defect (VSD). 4D BF‐STIC was performed in 21 fetuses using the sagittal view (4D BF‐STIC‐sagittal) and the four‐chamber view (4D BF‐STIC‐4CV) as initial planes of view. An additional 183 normal fetuses were also included in our study. RV/LV and MPA/AAO ratios were calculated and compared with that of IAA‐A fetuses. Fetal 2DE, 4D BF‐STIC‐sagittal, and 4D BF‐STIC‐4CV were used to visualize the aortic arch and its associated neck vessels. Six subgroups were evaluated according to gestational age.

Results

Fetal 2DE, 4D BF‐STIC‐sagittal, and 4D BF‐STIC‐4CV made the correct prenatal diagnosis of IAA‐A in 19/23 (82.6%), 14/21 (66.7%), and 19/21 (90.5%) of patients, respectively. A significantly enlarged MPA combined with symmetric ventricles was found in the IAA‐A fetuses, while the size of the VSD was negatively correlated with RV/LV ratio. 4D BF‐STIC‐sagittal and 4D BF‐STIC‐4CV were better than traditional 2D ultrasound in detecting the aortic arch and neck vessels between 17 and 28 gestational weeks and 29 to 40 gestational weeks in normal fetuses.

Conclusion

It is demonstrated that IAA‐A could be diagnosed by traditional fetal echocardiography, while 4D technique could better display the anatomic structure and the spatial relationships of the great arteries. Use of volume reconstruction may promote its clinical usage and help prenatal diagnosis.
Gastric impaction associated with displacement and volvulus of the large colon in seven mature horses
Authors: McGovern K. F. , Suthers J. M. , James F. M. , O'Meara B. J. , Parker R. A. , Foote A. K. , Bladon B. M.
Published: June 2015

Gastric impaction associated with large colon volvulus (LCV) was identified in seven horses. Right dorsal displacement of the large colon and suspected nephrosplenic entrapment was identified in 2 of the 7 horses as well asLCVwith concurrent gastric impaction. All horses underwent surgery forLCVand none survived. Five horses died or were subjected to euthanasia intraoperatively or in recovery. One horse was subjected to euthanasia post operatively due to persistent gastric reflux, following resolution of the gastric impaction. One horse was subjected to euthanasia post operatively due to a suspected gastric rupture, which was confirmed onpost mortemexamination. It is hypothesised that a large mass in the cranial abdomen, such as a gastric impaction may disrupt the normal anatomical large colon alignment or may cause colonic motility or microbiota alterations, and thus increase the risk of large colon displacement and volvulus.
Post‐translationally‐modified structures in the autophagy machinery: an integrative perspective
Authors: Popelka Hana , Klionsky Daniel J.
Published: June 2015

Autophagy is a self‐cleaning process that occurs at a constitutive basal level, and is upregulated in response to stress. Macroautophagy (hereafter autophagy) is the most robust type of autophagy, where cargo (specific or nonspecific) is engulfed within a double‐membrane structure termed an autophagosome. This process needs to be tightly regulated to maintain normal cellular homeostasis and prevent dysfunction; therefore, a fuller knowledge of the mechanisms of autophagy regulation is crucial for understanding the entire pathway. The autophagy‐related proteins are the primary components that carry out autophagy. Many of these proteins are conserved from yeast to humans. A number of significant discoveries with regard to protein functional domains, protein–protein interactions or post‐translational modifications of proteins involved in autophagy have been reported in parallel with, or followed by, solving the NMR or crystal structures of autophagy proteins or their protein domains. In the present review, we summarize structural insights gathered to date on the proteins of the autophagy machinery that are modulated by a post‐translational modification, specifically phosphorylation, acetylation, ubiquitination and/or SUMOylation. For each protein, we link the reported results with information on the propensity of the corresponding amino acid sequence toward order/disorder. This integrative approach yields a comprehensive overview for each post‐translationally modified protein, and also reveals areas for further investigation.
Comparative evaluation of cyclic fatigue resistance of D‐RaCe and ProTaper retreatment instruments in curved artificial canals
Authors: Topçuoğlu H. S. , Topçuoğlu G. , Aktı A.
Published: June 2015

Aim

To compare the cyclic fatigue resistance of D‐RaCe and ProTaper rotary nickel–titanium (NiTi) retreatment files when used in curved artificial canals.

Methodology

A total of 120 new D‐RaCe DR2 and ProTaper D3 retreatment files were tested in stainless steel artificial canals having 45° and 60° angles of curvature. Thirty instruments of each of the file systems were tested in both angles of curvature (n = 30). The retreatment instruments were rotated until fracture to calculate the number of cycles to failure. The length of each fractured fragment was recorded. Data were analysed by independent sample t‐test. Fractured surfaces of the instruments were analysed by scanning electron microscopy.

Results

In the canal with 45° angle of curvature, no significant difference was observed between the retreatment systems (P > 0.05); on the other hand, in the canal with 60° angle of curvature, D‐RaCe DR2 instruments had greater cyclic fatigue resistance than ProTaper D3 (P < 0.05). No difference was observed between the retreatment instruments regarding the lengths of fractured fragments (P > 0.05). The fracture surfaces of the instruments had morphologic characteristics of ductile fracture.

Conclusions

D‐RaCe DR2 instrument exhibited greater cyclic fatigue resistance than ProTaper D3 only in root canals with 60° angle of curvature.
Effects of Deposition Inclination Angle on Microstructure and Electrical Properties of Al‐Doped ZnO Coating Films
Authors: Li Tse‐Chang , Han Chang‐Fu , Chung Chung‐Jen , Lin Jen‐Fin
Published: June 2015

A flat plate in the deposition stage is designed to be tilted flexibly to form an inclination angle (θ) between an ion beam and the direction normal to a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate. Five kinds of PET/aluminum‐doped zinc oxide specimens were prepared to examine the effects of inclination angle on the microstructures, crystals, chemical compositions, and electrical properties. An increase in the inclination angle results in X‐ray diffraction peak intensity variations in ZnO and a reduction in the composite d‐spacing. As the measure of the oxygen vacancies, the O2‐peak intensity ratio (IRO2) obtained using the X‐ray photoelectron spectrometry (XPS) is evaluated. The IRO2 value increased with increasing the inclination angle, and it is proportional to the porosity integration over the visible light wavelengths. An increase in IRO2 is favorable for the reduction in composite grain size (gComposite). A smaller composite grain size (gComposite) of ZnO particles and a larger energy gap (Eg) can be obtained from applications of nonzero inclination angle. An appropriate nonzero inclination angle increases hardness and reduced elastic modulus and decreases the carrier concentration and carrier mobility of the specimen significantly.
Apelin promotes diabetic nephropathy by inducing podocyte dysfunction via inhibiting proteasome activities
Authors: Guo Caixia , Liu Yu , Zhao Wenjie , Wei Shengnan , Zhang Xiaoli , Wang Wenying , Zeng Xiangjun
Published: June 2015

Podocyte injuries are associated with progression of diabetic nephropathy (DN). Apelin, an adipocyte‐derived peptide, has been reported to be a promoting factor for DN. In this study, we aim to determine whether apelin promotes progression of DN by inducing podocyte dysfunction. kk‐Ay mice were used as models for DN. Apelin and its antagonist, F13A were intraperitoneally administered for 4 weeks, respectively. Renal function and foot process proteins were analysed to evaluate the effects of apelin on kk‐Ay mice and podocytes. Apelin increased albuminuria and decreased podocyte foot process proteins expression in kk‐Ay mice, which is consistent with the results that apelin receptor (APLNR) levels increased in glomeruli of patients or mice with DN. In cultured podocytes, high glucose increased APLNR expression and apelin administration was associated with increased permeability and decreased foot process proteins levels. All these dysfunctions were associated with decreased 26S proteasome activities and increased polyubiquitinated proteins in both kk‐Ay mice and cultured podocytes, as demonstrated by 26S proteasome activation with cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) or oleuropein. These effects seemed to be related to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, as apelin increased C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) and peiFα levels while cAMP or oleuropein reduced it in high glucose and apelin treated podocytes. These results suggest that apelin induces podocyte dysfunction in DN through ER stress which was induced by decreased proteasome activities in podocytes.
The synergic and antagonistic activity of Cry1Ab and Cry2Aa proteins against lepidopteran pests
Authors: Azizoglu U. , Ayvaz A. , Yılmaz S. , Temizgul R.
Published: June 2015

Cry1Ab and Cry2Aa were overexpressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3), and their proportions were determined for evaluating their synergic and antagonistic interactions on Ephestia kuehniella and Plodia interpunctella. Results indicated antagonistic interaction on both lepidopteran pests, and it was concluded that 1 : 1 combination of Cry1Ab:Cry2Aa should be avoided in control programmes for these larvae.
Outcomes of endo‐radiological approach to management of bile leakage after right lobe living donor liver transplantation
Authors: Chok Kenneth SH , Chan Albert CY , Sharr William W , Cheung Tan To , Fung James YY , Chan See Ching , Lo Chung Mau
Published: June 2015

Background and Aim

Bile leakage is a major complication after right lobe living donor liver transplantation (RLDLT). It can result in significant morbidities and, occasionally, mortalities. Endo‐radiology is a non‐surgical means that has been used to manage this complication. This study reviews the outcomes of the endo‐radiological approach to the management of bile leakage after RLDLT with duct‐to‐duct anastomosis (DDA) at a high‐volume center.

Method

A retrospective study was conducted on all adult patients who received RLDLT at our center between January 2001 and December 2013. There were 496 RLDLTs performed during the study period. Only patients who had DDA as the only bile duct reconstruction method were included in the study.

Results

Twelve (3.7%) out of the 328 study subjects developed bile leakage after RLDLT. Six out of these 12 patients were successfully treated with the endo‐radiological approach without the need for laparotomy. They had endoscopic retrograde cholangiography with stenting followed by percutaneous drainage of biloma. One of the 12 patients died from recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma 37 months after transplantation. The remaining 11 patients are all alive.

Conclusion

The endo‐radiological approach should be the first‐line management for bile leakage for selected patients with DDA as the bile duct reconstruction method.
Dabigatran‐induced esophagitis: The prevalence and endoscopic characteristics
Authors: Toya Yosuke , Nakamura Shotaro , Tomita Kazumitsu , Matsuda Nozomi , Abe Keinosuke , Abiko Yukito , Orikasa Shunsuke , Akasaka Risaburo , Chiba Toshimi , Uesugi Noriyuki , Sugai Tamotsu , Matsumoto Takayuki
Published: June 2015

Background and Aim

There have been some descriptions of dabigatran‐induced esophagitis in the literature. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence and endoscopic characteristics of the disease.

Methods

We reviewed the endoscopic database and medical records of 91 patients with dabigatran internal use who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. The frequency of dabigatran‐induced esophagitis and its endoscopic findings were retrospectively analyzed. In addition, the clinical characteristics were compared between patients with dabigatran‐induced esophagitis and those without the disease.

Results

Dabigatran‐induced esophagitis was found in 19 of 91 (20.9%) patients. Of the 19 patients with the esophagitis, 18 (94.7%) showed longitudinally sloughing epithelial casts in the mid and/or lower esophagus, which may be characteristic endoscopic findings of this disease. Symptomatic patients were more frequent in patients with dabigatran‐induced esophagitis (68.4%) than those without (37.5%, P = 0.02). Other factors including age, gender, coexistence of hiatal hernia, gastroesophageal reflux disease, or concomitant other medications did not differ between the two groups.

Conclusions

Dabigatran causes the esophageal mucosal injury in approximately 20% of patients. Longitudinally sloughing casts in the distal esophagus are characteristic of dabigatran‐induced esophagitis.
Grampian migmatites in the Buchan Block, NE Scotland
Authors: Johnson T. E. , Kirkland C. L. , Reddy S. M. , Fischer S.
Published: June 2015

Rocks exposed along the Scottish coast between Fraserburgh and Inzie Head contain information critical to understanding the evolution of the Buchan Block, the type locality for low‐P, high‐T regional metamorphism, and its relationship with the rest of the Grampian terrane, one of the major tectonostratigraphic components of the Scottish Caledonides. The ~8 km long section traverses a regional network of shear zones and, at the highest grades around Inzie Head, passes into the core of the Buchan Anticline, a large‐scale open fold that is commonly regarded as a late structure, post‐dating metamorphism. The metasedimentary rocks increase in grade from upper amphibolite to granulite facies and preserve unequivocal evidence for partial melting. The diatexite migmatites around Inzie Head, along with other gneissose units within the Buchan Block, have been regarded as allochthonous Precambrian basement rocks that were thrust into their current position during the Grampian orogenesis. However, field observations show that the onset of in situ partial melting in metapelitic rocks, which was associated with the formation of garnet‐bearing aplites and associated pegmatites, occurred around Fraserburgh, where shear fabrics are absent. Thus, the rocks preserve a continuous metamorphic field gradient that straddles the shear zone network. This observation supports an alternative interpretation that anatexis was the result of mid‐Ordovician (Grampian) metamorphism, rather than an older tectonothermal event, and that the Inzie Head gneisses are autochthonous. Using an average mid‐Dalradian pelite as a plausible representative protolith, phase equilibria modelling satisfactorily reproduces the observed appearance and disappearance of key minerals providing that peritectic garnet produced with the first formed melts (represented by the garnet‐bearing aplites) depleted the source rocks in Mn. The modelled metamorphic field gradient records a temperature increase of at least 150 °C (from ~650 °C near Fraserburgh to in excess of 800 °C at Inzie Head) but is isobaric at pressures of 2.7–2.8 kbar, suggesting the Buchan Anticline developed synchronous with partial melting. The Buchan Anticline is likely an expression of crustal thinning and asthenospheric upwelling, which produced voluminous gabbroic intrusions that supplied the heat for Buchan metamorphism.
Dendritic cell chimerism in oral mucosa of transplanted patients affected by graft‐versus‐host disease
Authors: Pérez Claudio A. , Rabanales Ramón , Rojas‐Alcayaga Gonzalo , Larrondo Milton , Escobar Alejandro F. , López Mercedes N. , Salazar‐Onfray Flavio , Alfaro Jorge I. , González Fermín E.
Published: June 2015

Objective

Graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) is one of the main complications after haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Clinical features of GVHD include either an acute (aGVHD) or a chronic (cGVHD) condition that affects locations such as the oral mucosa. While the involvement of the host's dendritic cells (DCs) has been demonstrated in aGVHD, the origin (donor/host) and mechanisms underlying oral cGVHD have not been completely elucidated. In this study, we intend to determine the origin of DCs present in mucosal tissue biopsies from the oral cavity of transplanted patients affected by cGVHD.

Methods

We purified DCs, from oral biopsies of three patients with cGVHD, through immunobeads and subsequently performed DNA extraction. The origin of the obtained DCs was determined by PCR amplification of 13 informative short tandem repeat (STR) alleles. We also characterised the DCs phenotype and the inflammatory infiltrate from biopsies of two patients by immunohistochemistry.

Results

Clinical and histological features of the biopsies were concordant with oral cGVHD. We identified CD11c‐, CD207‐ and CD1a‐positive cells in the epithelium and beneath the basal layer. Purification of DCs from the mucosa of patients affected by post‐transplantation cGVHD was >95%. PCR‐STR data analysis of DCs DNA showed that 100% of analysed cells were of donor origin in all of the evaluated patients.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrate that resident DCs isolated from the oral tissue of allotransplanted patients affected by cGVHD are originated from the donor. Further research will clarify the role of DCs in the development and/or severity of oral cGVHD.
Inter‐relationships of the chronobiotic, melatonin, with leptin and adiponectin: implications for obesity
Authors: Szewczyk‐Golec Karolina , Woźniak Alina , Reiter Russel J.
Published: June 2015

Obesity and its medical complications represent a significant problem throughout the world. In recent decades, mechanisms underlying the progression of obesity have been intensively examined. The involvement of both the behavioral aspects, such as calorie‐rich diet, low physical activity and sleep deprivation, and the intrinsic factors, including adipose tissue deregulation, chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and chronodisruption, has been identified. The circadian disturbances of the adipose tissue endocrine function have been correlated with obesity. Leptin and adiponectin are adipokines strongly associated with glucose and lipid metabolism and with energy balance. Their synthesis and secretion display circadian rhythms that are disturbed in the obese state. Hyperleptinemia resulting in leptin resistance, and hypo‐adiponectinemia have been linked to the pathophysiology of the obesity‐related disorders. A deficiency of melatonin, one of the consequences of sleep deprivation, has also been demonstrated to correlate with obesity. Melatonin is a pineal secretory product involved in numerous actions, such as regulation of internal biological clocks and energy metabolism, and it functions as an antioxidant and as an anti‐inflammatory agent. There exists a substantial amount of evidence supporting the beneficial effects of melatonin supplementation on obesity and its complications. In the current review, the results of studies related to the interactions between melatonin, and both leptin and adiponectin are discussed. Despite the existence of some inconsistencies, melatonin has been found to normalize the expression and secretion patterns of both adipokines. These results support the concept of melatonin as a potential therapeutic agent for obesity and related disorders.
Habitat differences do not explain population declines of sable antelope in an African savanna
Authors: Asner G. P. , Owen‐Smith N. , Loarie S. R. , Davies A. B. , Le Roux E. , Levick S. R.
Published: June 2015

Sable antelope, Hippotragus niger, populations have declined substantially in Kruger National Park, South Africa despite large‐area protection from land use and poaching. Since Africa's large mammal populations are restricted to protected areas, understanding how to manage parks for biological diversity is critically important to the sustainability of faunal populations into the future. To better understand the drivers of sable decline, we analyzed landscapes where herds persist in the Pretoriuskop region of Kruger – identified by GPS collar telemetry data from eight individuals in five herds remaining in this area, and compared them to landscapes where sable herds have recently disappeared. We mapped these landscapes with satellite‐based spectral data on vegetation greenness and fire frequency and Carnegie Airborne Observatory LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) data on 3‐D vegetation structure. Within their home ranges, sable herds consistently selected areas with high fire frequency, high tree cover and low shrub cover. However, there were no consistent differences in habitat features between the home ranges of current sable herds and areas formerly supporting herds. Locally deteriorating habitat conditions were therefore not responsible for the decline in sables in this region of the park. Our study also illustrates how multi‐sensor, 3‐D mapping of ecosystems provides a means to assess causes and consequences of changing animal habitats over time.
Response to Pienemann's Critique of Zhang and Lantolf (2015)
Authors: Lantolf James P. , Zhang Xian
Published: June 2015

We respond here to Pienemann's critique of our study that appeared earlier this year in the Language Learning Special Issue entitled “Orders and Sequences in the Acquisition of L2 Morphosyntax, 40 Years On” and guest edited by Jan Hulstijn, Rod Ellis, and Søren Eskildsen. Pienemann objected to our claim that the Teachability Hypothesis is a corollary of general Processability Theory; to our use of elicited imitation, one of the three tasks in our study, because only spontaneous speech can generate data that are relevant for assessing the predictions of Processability Theory and Teachability Hypothesis; and to our alleged departure from the requirements of Processability Theory with regard to what counts as evidence of a stage having been attained or not. We also address the issue of the relationship between morphological and syntactic development raised by Lenzing.
Rare zoonotic infection with Microsporum persicolor with literature review
Authors: Krzyściak Pawe , Al‐Hatmi Abdullah M.S. , Ahmed Sarah Abdalla , Macura Anna B.
Published: June 2015

We report a case of dermatophytosis caused by Microsporum persicolor in a 38‐year‐old male from Poland. Direct microscopic examination revealed high amounts of fungal hyphae from the right elbow material. The mould recovered in multiple cultures was identified as Microsporum persicolor by molecular identification based on partial of β‐tubulin gene (BT2), internal transcribed spacer, partial small ribosomal subunit (SSU) and large ribosomal subunit, partial translation elongation factor (TEF1) and RNA polymerase second largest subunit (RPB1) loci sequence data. The patient was treated with terbinafine. Clinical and mycological cure was achieved with this regimen and the patient was subsequently followed for 1 year without relapse. Microsporum persicolor is a very rare causative agent of dermatophytosis worldwide. The source of infection for the patient remained unclear and zoonotic transmission could not be confirmed.
‘They have to abide by our laws … and stuff’: ethnonationalism masquerading as civic nationalism
Authors: Fozdar Farida , Low Mitchell
Published: June 2015

The long established distinction between civic nationalism and ethnonationalism is useful heuristically to understand different dimensions of nationalism and perhaps track a movement from ethnic forms to civic allegiances, though some have challenged its empirical veracity and others question the normative implications of such a distinction. This paper demonstrates the ways in which the two are elided in everyday discourses about migrants in Australia. We argue suspicion of cultural difference, identified more than three decades ago as the new racism, has given way to talk of the need for migrants to ‘follow the law’. This serves rhetorically to reinforce the notion that migrants, often implied to overlap with the category ‘Muslims’, are insisting on breaking the law and/or changing it and are therefore culturally incompatible with a modern liberal democracy. We argue that since ethnic nationalism, like racism, is out of favour normatively, ethnic nationalist arguments are now superficially concealed beneath the acceptable language of civic nationalism. The manner in which this occurs is mapped discursively using data from a corpus of twenty seven focus groups conducted around Australia.
Impact of oil price fluctuations onIndian economy
Authors: Gupta Priyanshi , Goyal Anurag
Published: June 2015

Indian economy has been facing the twin issues of mounting trade imbalance and persisting inflation. Oil constitutes one‐third of the country's total imports and is considered to have wide‐ranging impact on its economy. This paper empirically examines how oil price fluctuations impact Indian economy through various channels, viz. real sector, monetary policy, external trade, exchange rate and investment. The results of cyclical correlation analysis suggest that oil is pro‐cyclical to output, price level, stock market, gold, interest rate and foreign exchange reserves, while it is counter‐cyclical to money supply, net exports and exchange rate. Also, it is found that oil Granger causes output, general price level and net exports. The study employs vector auto‐regression (VAR) analysis and examines variance decomposition to capture the linear inter‐dependencies among the variables. The structural stability tests demonstrate that there is no evidence of structural break in theVARmodel, confirming the reliability of estimated relationships under theVARmodel.
Chemokine levels in serum of children with atopic dermatitis with regard to severity and sensitization status
Authors: Ahrens Birgit , Schulz Gabriele , Bellach Johanna , Niggemann Bodo , Beyer Kirsten
Published: June 2015

Background

Many infants with atopic dermatitis (AD) are sensitized against food or airborne allergens. The severity of AD, using the SCORAD, seems to correlate with elevated serum levels of TARC/CCL17. Other chemokines, such as CCL20 or CCL25, have been described in the context of allergic inflammation. The aim of this study was to analyze whether chemokine serum levels differ within a cohort of infants suffering from varying severities of AD with or without allergic sensitization.

Methods

Chemokine serum levels (CCL8, CCL17, CCL20, CCL25) as well as food and airborne allergen‐specific IgE were analyzed in infants with AD.

Results

About 60.9% (78/128) infants with AD (median age 8.8 months, 49 (38%) girls and 79 (62%) boys) showed a positive screening test to common food allergens and 26.6% to common airborne allergens. There was a strong correlation between serum levels of CCL17 and SCORAD in food‐sensitized infants (rs = 0.646, p = <1e‐04) and airborne‐sensitized infants (rs = 0.587, p = 0.00065) in contrast to non‐sensitized ones. Moreover, food‐sensitized infants showed significantly higher levels of CCL25 compared to non‐food‐sensitized ones (p = 0.007).

Conclusion

The strong correlation between TARC/CCL17 and SCORAD in infants with specific sensitizations may be accounted for by the impaired skin barrier. As TARC/CCL17 has been found mainly in the (inflamed) skin but not in the gut, the detection of significantly higher levels of CCL25, ligand of CCR9, localized primarily in the gastrointestinal tract, suggests its impact on food allergen‐induced inflammation processes in food‐sensitized infants.
Australian deceased donor kidney allocation protocols: Transplant waiting and graft quality for children and adolescents
Authors: Le Page Amelia K. , Johnstone Lilian M. , Kennedy Sean E.
Published: June 2015

DD kidney allocation protocols may influence timing of transplantation and graft quality for pediatric recipients. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of these protocols, including pediatric priority, on waiting time on dialysis, transplant type, donor age, and HLA matching according to state of transplant in Australia. De‐identified information on patients <15 yr of age who commenced RRT in NSW, Qld, and Victoria from 2002 to 2011 was retrieved from the ANZDATA. Transplant type, donor age, and HLA mismatching were compared between states, with competing risk regression used to examine the time to transplant. There were significant differences in waiting time to DD transplantation between the three states. Children in NSW and Qld waited a median of 14 and 11 months vs. 21 months in Victoria. The ratio of LD to DD transplants was lower in NSW and Qld. Differences correlated with DD pediatric priority in NSW and Qld. DDs in NSW were older than in the other states. HLA matching did not differ. DD kidney allocation protocols with pediatric priority in Australian states were associated with shorter waiting times and increased DD proportion.
Identification and Purification of the CPD Photolyase in Vibrio parahaemolyticus RIMD2210633
Authors: Su Zehong , Lian Gaojian , Mawatari Kazuaki , Tang Ping , He Shuya , Shimohata Takaaki , Wu Yimou , Yin Weidong , Takahashi Akira
Published: June 2015

Photoreactivation is an error‐free mechanism of DNA repair, utilized by prokaryotes and most eukaryotes and is catalyzed by specific enzymes called DNA photolyases. Photoreactivation has been reported in Vibrio parahaemolyticus WP28; however, information on photolyases in V. parahaemolyticus (V.p) strains has not been reported. This study examined the photoreactivation in V.p RIMD2210633. The photolyase responsible for repairing cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD) in DNA was identified, and the corresponding gene was determined as VPA1471. The protein was overexpressed in Escherichia coli and was purified for functional assessment in vitro. The mRNA level and protein expression level of this gene increased after ultraviolet A (UVA) illumination following ultraviolet C (UVC) irradiation. In vitro experiments confirmed that the protein encoded by VPA1471 could reduce the quantity of CPD in DNA. We designated the corresponding gene and protein of VPA1471 phr and Phr, respectively, although the function of two other photolyase/cryptochrome family members, VPA0203 and VPA0204, remains unclear. UV (ultraviolet) irradiation experiments suggest that these two genes possess some photorepairing ability. Therefore, we hypothesize that VPA0203 and VPA0204 encode (6‐4) photolyase in V. parahaemolyticus RIMD2210633.
Regulating Public Services: How Public Managers Respond to External Performance Assessment
Authors: Döring Heike , Downe James , Martin Steve
Published: June 2015

Performance management systems have become a key component of contemporary public administration. However, there has been only limited analysis of the social construction of performance by public managers who are subject to them. This article examines the ways in which public managers create, maintain, and disrupt performance management practices. The authors find that managers make external performance assessments perform for themselves by constantly negotiating boundaries in ways that combine bureaucratic and managerial rationales. The authors argue that the ways in which organizational boundaries are constructed are fundamental to understanding the success or failure of performance management systems and the transformation of managerial ways of thinking about performance into a logic of improvement through which contemporary public sector reforms become embedded.
Causal Inference with Longitudinal Outcomes and Non-Ignorable Dropout: Estimating the Effect of Living Alone on Cognitive Decline
Authors: Josefsson Maria , de Luna Xavier , Daniels Michael J. , Nyberg Lars
Published: June 2015

We develop a model to estimate the causal effect of living arrangement (living alone versus living with someone) on cognitive decline based on a 15-year prospective cohort study, where episodic memory function is measured every 5 years. One key feature of the model is the combination of propensity score matching to balance confounding variables between the two living arrangement groups—to reduce bias due to unbalanced covariates at baseline, with a pattern–mixture model for longitudinal data—to deal with non-ignorable dropout. A fully Bayesian approach allows us to convey the uncertainty in the estimation of the propensity score and subsequent matching in the inference of the causal effect of interest. The analysis conducted adds to previous studies in the literature concerning the protective effect of living with someone, by proposing a modelling approach treating living arrangement as an exposure.
Service Deregulation, Competition, and the Performance of French and Italian Firms
Authors: Daveri Francesco , Lecat Rémy , Parisi Maria Laura
Published: June 2015

This article reports estimates of the impact of service regulation reform on the productivity of French and Italian firms in retail, transports and professional services over the period 1998–2007. We implement a two‐stage least squares estimation: the first‐stage instruments mark‐ups, a financial measure of rents, with barriers to entry and the second stage estimates the impact of instrumented mark‐ups on total factor productivity (TFP), a real measure of firm efficiency. We find that entry barriers lower firm productivity by raising mark‐ups and rents. These estimates imply that, if French and Italian regulators had adopted the OECD best practices in terms of entry barriers, firms in these sectors would have increased their TFP level by five percentage points. We do not find any robust evidence of a non‐linear relation between mark‐up and productivity.
Single-Phase Cascaded Grid Connected Multilevel Inverter for Interfacing Renewable Energy Sources With Microgrid
Authors: Gerald Christoper Raj I. , Kaliamoorthy M. , Rajasekaran V. , Sekar R. M.
Published: June 2015

In this paper, a novel single-phase cascaded grid connected multilevel inverter (MLI) is proposed for feeding power to microgrid from renewable energy sources (RESs). The proposed inverter is capable of feeding power to microgrid with low total harmonic distortion (THD). The proposed inverter consists of two H bridge inverters connected in cascade, namely, upper and lower inverters. The upper inverter is fed from photovoltaic (PV) array through a DC–DC boost converter, whereas the lower inverter is fed from wind turbine (WT) coupled to permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) through an uncontrolled rectifier and DC–DC boost converter. The upper inverter operates at high frequency, whereas the lower inverter operates at fundamental frequency. To extract maximum power from the WT and PV array, a sliding mode control based maximum power point tracker (MPPT) is used. The proposed inverter is connected to the single phase 230 V, 50 Hz grid, and the control algorithm is implemented in the SPARTAN 3A digital signal processor (DSP) board. The proposed inverter is simulated using matlab/simulink, and detailed experimental results are presented to show the efficacy of the proposed inverter under different environmental conditions.