bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Methylocapsa palsarum sp. nov., a methanotroph isolated from a subArctic discontinuous permafrost ecosystem
Authors: Dedysh Svetlana N. , Didriksen Alena , Danilova Olga V. , Belova Svetlana E. , Liebner Susanne , Svenning Mette M.
Published: July 2015

An aerobic methanotrophic bacterium was isolated from a collapsed palsa soil in northern Norway and designated strain NE2T. Cells of this strain were Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, non-pigmented, slightly curved thick rods that multiplied by normal cell division. The cells possessed a particulate methane monooxygenase enzyme (pMMO) and utilized methane and methanol. Strain NE2T grew in a wide pH range of 4.1–8.0 (optimum pH 5.2–6.5) at temperatures between 6 and 32 °C (optimum 18–25 °C), and was capable of atmospheric nitrogen fixation under reduced oxygen tension. The major cellular fatty acids were C18 : 1ω7c, C16 : 0 and C16 : 1ω7c, and the DNA G+C content was 61.7 mol%. The isolate belonged to the family Beijerinckiaceae of the class Alphaproteobacteria and was most closely related to the facultative methanotroph Methylocapsa aurea KYGT (98.3 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity and 84 % PmoA sequence identity). However, strain NE2T differed from Methylocapsa aurea KYGT by cell morphology, the absence of pigmentation, inability to grow on acetate, broader pH growth range, and higher tolerance to NaCl. Therefore, strain NE2T represents a novel species of the genus Methylocapsa, for which we propose the name Methylocapsa palsarum sp. nov. The type strain is NE2T ( = LMG 28715T = VKM B-2945T).
The ash heap of crystallography: restoring forgotten basic knowledge
Authors: Nespolo Massimo
Published: July 2015

A critical analysis of some basic notions often overlooked in crystallographic education is presented to correct some common oversights occurring both in the literature and in textbooks. The crystal forms (face forms), defined in terms of their geometric eigensymmetry, are 47 in number, not 48 as often found in the literature. The split of the dihedron into dome and sphenoid calls for the consideration of the physical properties of the faces building a form; in that case, however, the same criterion should be used for all forms. By taking the handedness of the faces as representative of the physical properties of the faces, the occurrence of 130 crystallographic face forms (97 affine face forms and 33 enantiomorphic pairs) is demonstrated. Next, the correct use of non-coprime Miller indices when a centred unit cell is adopted is shown, and the inconsistent multiplication of Miller indices in the Bravais–Friedel–Donnay–Harker law is pointed out. A geometric derivation of the reflection conditions is reviewed. Finally, the inconsistent presentation of metric restrictions imposed by the structural symmetry is pointed out and corrected.
Edible Active Coatings Based on Pectin, Pullulan, and Chitosan Increase Quality and Shelf Life of Strawberries (Fragaria ananassa)
Authors: Treviño‐Garza Mayra Z. , García Santos , del Socorro Flores‐González Ma. , Arévalo‐Niño Katiushka
Published: July 2015

Edible active coatings (EACs) based on pectin, pullulan, and chitosan incorporated with sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate were employed to improve the quality and shelf life of strawberries. Fruits were washed, disinfected, coated by dipping, packed, and stored at 4 °C for 15 d. Application of EACs reduced (P < 0.05) weight loss and fruit softening and delayed alteration of color (redness) and total soluble solids content. In contrast, pH and titratable acidity were not affected (P > 0.05) throughout storage, and ascorbic acid content was maintained in pectin‐EAC coated strawberries. Microbiological analyses showed that application of EACs reduced (P < 0.05) microbial growth (total aerobic counts, molds, and yeasts) on strawberries. Chitosan‐EAC coated strawberries presented the best results in microbial growth assays. Sensory quality (color, flavor, texture, and acceptance) improved and decay rate decreased (P < 0.05) in pectin‐EAC, pullulan‐EAC, and chitosan‐EAC coated strawberries. In conclusion, EACs based on polysaccharides improved the physicochemical, microbiological, and sensory characteristics, increasing the shelf life of strawberries from 6 (control) to 15 d (coated fruits).
Recent Research Trends on the Enzymatic Synthesis of Structured Lipids
Authors: Kim Byung Hee , Akoh Casimir C.
Published: July 2015

Structured lipids (SLs) are lipids that have been chemically or enzymatically modified from their natural biosynthetic form. Because SLs are made to possess desired nutritional, physicochemical, or textural properties for various applications in the food industry, many research activities have been aimed at their commercialization. The production of SLs by enzymatic procedures has a great potential in the future market because of the specificity of lipases and phospholipases used as the biocatalysts. The aim of this review is to provide concise information on the recent research trends on the enzymatic synthesis of SLs of commercial interest, such as medium‐ and long‐chain triacylglycerols, human milk fat substitutes, cocoa butter equivalents, trans‐free or low‐trans plastic fats (such as margarines and shortenings), low‐calorie fats/oils, health‐beneficial fatty acid‐rich fats/oils, mono‐ or diacylglycerols, and structurally modified phospholipids. This limited review covers 108 research articles published between 2010 and 2014 which were searched in Web of Science.
Pseudomonas spp. and Serratia liquefaciens as Predominant Spoilers in Cold Raw Milk
Authors: Machado Solimar G. , da Silva Fernanda L. , Bazzolli Denise M.S. , Heyndrickx Marc , Costa Paulo M. de A. , Vanetti Maria Cristina D.
Published: July 2015

The storage of fresh raw milk at low temperature does not prevent proliferation of psychrotrophic bacteria that can produce heat‐resistant proteolytic enzymes contributing to the reduced shelf life of dairy products. This study aimed to identify the dominant psychrotrophic proteolytic enzyme‐producing population of raw milk from Brazil. Raw milk samples collected in 3 different cooling tanks in Brazil were stored at optimal (45 h at 4 °C followed by 3 h at 7 °C) and suboptimal (45 h at 7 °C followed by 3 h at 10 °C) conditions to simulate farm storage and transportation allowed by Brazilian laws. The highly proteolytic enzyme‐producing strains isolated from stored cold raw milk were characterized by repetitive sequence‐based Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) analysis. This clustering resulted in 8 different clusters and 4 solitary fingerprints. The most proteolytic isolates from each rep‐cluster were selected for identification using miniaturized kit, 16S rDNA and rpoB gene sequencing. Serratia liquefaciens (73.9%) and Pseudomonas spp. (26.1%) were identified as the dominant psychrotrophic microorganisms with high spoilage potential. The knowledge of milk spoilage microbiota will contribute to improved quality of milk and dairy products.
Trace DNA from insect skins: a comparison of five extraction protocols and direct PCR on chironomid pupal exuviae
Authors: Kranzfelder Petra , Ekrem Torbjørn , Stur Elisabeth
Published: July 2015

Insect skins (exuviae) are of extracellular origin and shed during moulting. The skins do not contain cells or DNA themselves, but epithelial cells and other cell‐based structures might accidentally attach as they are shed. This source of trace DNA can be sufficient for PCR amplification and sequencing of target genes and aid in species identification through DNA barcoding or association of unknown life stages. Species identification is essential for biomonitoring programs, as species vary in sensitivities to environmental factors. However, it requires a DNA isolation protocol that optimizes the output of target DNA. Here, we compare the relative effectiveness of five different DNA extraction protocols and direct PCR in isolation of DNA from chironomid pupal exuviae. Chironomidae (Diptera) is a species‐rich group of aquatic macroinvertebrates widely distributed in freshwater environments and considered a valuable bioindicator of water quality. Genomic DNA was extracted from 61.2% of 570 sampled pupal exuviae. There were significant differences in the methods with regard to cost, handling time, DNA quantity, PCR success, sequence success and the ability to sequence target taxa. The NucleoSpin® Tissue XS Kit, DNeasy® Blood and Tissue kit, and QuickExtract™ DNA Extraction Solution provided the best results in isolating DNA from single pupal exuviae. Direct PCR and DTAB/CTAB methods gave poor results. While the observed differences in DNA isolation methods on trace DNA will be relevant to research that focuses on aquatic macroinvertebrate ecology, taxonomy and systematics, they should also be of interest for studies using environmental barcoding and metabarcoding of aquatic environments.
China and the Great Doubling: Racing to the Top or Bottom of Global Labour Standards?
Authors: Whitfield Edward
Published: July 2015

This article draws from the wealth of literature surrounding China's role in global markets. In particular it focuses on the debate regarding China's Lewis turning point and burgeoning market share. This article constructs a theoretical framework surrounding globalisation theory and Richard Freeman's ‘great doubling’ thesis, and assesses the implications of China's reserve‐labour surplus for global labour standards. It reviews a wide range of the literature on related topics, assessing the validity of the data therein. Market signals suggesting the depletion of China's reserve‐labour surplus are distorted due to state policy known as hukou, which itself may cause China's Lewis turning point to be pushed further into the future. There is evidence that China can catch up with advanced economies in terms of capital intensive production (although they remain some way from doing so) and that China's crowding out of neighbouring economies’ market shares might be seen more accurately as redirection, rather than outright displacement. Finally, this article highlights evidence of a race to the bottom.
Biologic mesh versus synthetic mesh in open inguinal hernia repair: system review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Fang Zhixue , Ren Feng , Zhou Jianping , Tian Jiao
Published: July 2015

Background

Biologic meshes are mostly used for abdominal wall reinforcement in infected fields, but no consensus has been reached on its use for inguinal hernia repairing. The purpose of this study was to compare biologic mesh with synthetic mesh in open inguinal herniorrhaphy.

Methods

A systematic literature review and meta‐analysis was undertaken to identify studies comparing the outcomes of biologic mesh and synthetic mesh in open inguinal hernia repair. Published studies were identified by the databases PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library.

Results

A total of 382 patients in five randomized controlled trials were reviewed (179 patients in biologic mesh group; 203 patients in synthetic mesh group). The two groups did not significantly differ in chronic groin pain (P = 0.06) or recurrence (P = 0.38). The incidence of seroma trended higher in biologic mesh group (P = 0.03). Operating time was significantly longer with biologic mesh (P = 0.03). There was no significant difference in hematomas (P = 0.23) between the two groups.

Conclusions

From the data of this study, biologic mesh had no superiority to synthetic mesh in open inguinal hernia repair with similar recurrence rates and incidence of chronic groin pain, but higher rate of seroma and longer operating time. However, this mesh still needs to be assessed in a large, multicentre, well‐designed randomized controlled trial.
Public Diplomacy: Why is it Rudimentary yet Relevant to Vietnam's Politics?
Authors: Lam Vu
Published: July 2015

There is such a rekindled interest in public diplomacy (PD) that elevates it to the status of a catchword among diplomacy practitioners. Yet mainstream literature in international relations has predominantly focused on PD in Western democracies, and to a lesser extent, in other emerging powers like China and India. To enrich the current scholarship on PD, this article analyzes the PD practice by Vietnam. This authoritarian state's distinctive political system has resulted in three defining characteristics of its rudimentary PD, namely, the domestication of PD, extensive interference of propaganda, and far‐reaching control of the state. Since PD is domesticated, it has been utilized as part of the package solution to strengthening the regime's legitimacy. Therefore, as underdeveloped as it is in its state of affairs, the practice is more relevant to Vietnam than ever, considering the regime is facing both external and domestic pressure that warrants better coping mechanism.
Institutional Change Under Neoliberal Pressure: Japanese Regulatory Reforms in Labor and Financial Markets
Authors: Richard Watanabe Hiroaki
Published: July 2015

This article examines why the Japanese government eventually introduced greater market mechanisms in the labor and financial markets despite experiencing different political processes of regulatory reforms. The article claims that, while socioeconomic factors such as globalization and economic crises and international factors such as policy diffusion were important catalysts for neoliberal institutional change, the political resources of and power relations between market‐oriented reformers and nonmarket coordination‐oriented anti‐reformers affected regulatory reform processes and decided their characteristics. In the labor market reform, the government of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) promoted deregulation by establishing cabinet committees, whose members acted as neoliberal policy entrepreneurs by representing employers’ interests. In the financial regulatory reform, LDP senior members and financial bureaucrats resisted reform as veto players by informally coordinating with the financial sector. However, market‐oriented reforms were eventually introduced by LDP and opposition reformers, whose policy entrepreneurship was crucial to market‐oriented institutional change.
The Ethics of Continued Life‐Sustaining Treatment for those Diagnosed as Brain‐dead
Authors: du Toit Jessica , Miller Franklin
Published: July 2015

Given the long‐standing controversy about whether the brain‐dead should be considered alive in an irreversible coma or dead despite displaying apparent signs of life, the ethical and policy issues posed when family members insist on continued treatment are not as simple as commentators have claimed. In this article, we consider the kind of policy that should be adopted to manage a family's insistence that their brain‐dead loved one continues to receive supportive care. We argue that while it would be ethically inappropriate to continue to devote scarce acute care resources to such patients in a hospital setting, it may not be ethically inappropriate for patients to receive these resources in certain other settings. Thus, if a family insists on continuing to care for their brain‐dead loved at their home, we should not, from a policy perspective, interfere with the family's wishes. We also argue that healthcare professionals should make some effort to facilitate the transfer of brain‐dead patients to these other settings when families insist on continued treatment despite being informed about the lack of any potential for recovery of consciousness. Our arguments are strengthened by the fact that patients in a persistent vegetative state, who, when correctly diagnosed, also have no potential for recovery of consciousness, are routinely transferred from hospitals to nursing homes or long‐term care facilities where they continue to be ventilated, tube fed and to receive other supportive care. We also briefly explore the question of who should be responsible for the costs of such treatment at the long‐term care facility.
Sport participation, screen time, and personality trait development during childhood
Authors: Allen Mark S. , Vella Stewart A. , Laborde Sylvain
Published: July 2015

This investigation explored the contribution of extracurricular sport and screen time viewing (television viewing and electronic gaming) to personality trait stability and change during childhood. Two independent samples of 3,956 young children (age 6) and 3,862 older children (age 10) were taken from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children. Parent‐reported child sport participation, screen time, and personality traits were measured at baseline and again 24 months later. Young children who were more active recorded more of a decrease in introversion, less of a decrease in persistence, and less of an increase in reactivity, than those who were less active. Older children who were more active recorded less of an increase in introversion and more of an increase in persistence than those who were less active. In addition, young children who continued participation in extracurricular sport had greater intra‐individual stability of personality for introversion. These finding suggest that an active lifestyle might help to facilitate desirable personality trait stability and change during childhood.
In search of the ‘Aha!’ experience: Elucidating the emotionality of insight problem‐solving
Authors: Shen Wangbing , Yuan Yuan , Liu Chang , Luo Jing
Published: July 2015

Although the experience of insight has long been noted, the essence of the ‘Aha!’ experience, reflecting a sudden change in the brain that accompanies an insight solution, remains largely unknown. This work aimed to uncover the mystery of the ‘Aha!’ experience through three studies. In Study 1, participants were required to solve a set of verbal insight problems and then subjectively report their affective experience when solving the problem. The participants were found to have experienced many types of emotions, with happiness the most frequently reported one. Multidimensional scaling was employed in Study 2 to simplify the dimensions of these reported emotions. The results showed that these different types of emotions could be clearly placed in two‐dimensional space and that components constituting the ‘Aha!’ experience mainly reflected positive emotion and approached cognition. To validate previous findings, in Study 3, participants were asked to select the most appropriate emotional item describing their feelings at the time the problem was solved. The results of this study replicated the multidimensional construct consisting of approached cognition and positive affect. These three studies provide the first direct evidence of the essence of the ‘Aha!’ experience. The potential significance of the findings was discussed.
Palaeoceanography of the Barents Sea continental margin, north of Nordaustlandet, Svalbard, during the last 74 ka
Authors: Chauhan Teena , Rasmussen Tine L. , Noormets Riko
Published: July 2015

We investigated gravity core HH11‐09GC from 488 m water depth at the northern Svalbard margin in order to reconstruct changes in Atlantic Water (AW) inflow to the Arctic Ocean. The study was based on the distribution patterns of benthic and planktic foraminifera, benthic and planktic oxygen and carbon isotopes, lithology and physical properties of the sediments. The core contains sediments from Marine Isotope Stages (MISs) 5a to 1. MIS 4 was characterized by glacial conditions and at c. 65 ka the Svalbard‐Barents Sea Ice Sheet (SBIS) advanced. Polynya was formed in front of the SBIS at c. 62 ka. During late MIS 3 (32–29 ka) and MIS 2 (22–20 ka), a strong influence of AW resulted in high productivity of both planktic and benthic foraminiferal faunas. During 23–22 ka, the SBIS advanced to the shelf edge. The last deglaciation began at 18.5 ka and at 16.9 ka ‘a peak’ influx of meltwater from the retreating SBIS caused a weakening of the ocean circulation. At the start of the Bølling‐Allerød interstadial at c. 15.5 ka, inflow of relatively warm AW probably intensified the release of meltwater at 14 and 12.8 ka. This probably led to expansion of sea ice cover during the Younger Dryas stadial. The late Holocene from 3.7 ka was characterized by the presence of seasonal to perennial sea ice cover and a slight warming of the bottom waters. The sea ice cover decreased for a short period at 1.5 ka owing to the advection of relatively warm AW. Correlation with results from the northwestern Svalbard margin shows that the patterns of ice retreat and advance correlate closely with changes in inflow of AW and were regulated by meltwater discharge, sea ice export and insolation.
Sixteenth‐century German woodcut of a male infant with possible disorganization
Authors: Heyne T.F. , Robin N.H. , Lin A.E.
Published: July 2015

History has preserved a beautiful 16th century woodcut print, which depicts an infant with several malformations. The German inscription describes the infant's hypotonia and ectopic growths, and the image itself shows a child with an ectopic accessory third lower limb, a large papilla, and an omphalocele‐like growth. The ‘case’ bears striking similarity to reported human cases of the disorganization (Ds) syndrome. This article describes the woodcut, describes Ds, and then explains how the image may represent the earliest depiction of Ds in history.
A global plastid phylogeny of the brake fern genus Pteris (Pteridaceae) and related genera in the Pteridoideae
Authors: Zhang Liang , Rothfels Carl J. , Ebihara Atsushi , Schuettpelz Eric , Le Péchon Timothée , Kamau Peris , He Hai , Zhou Xin‐Mao , Prado Jefferson , Field Ashley , Yatskievych George , Gao Xin‐Fen , Zhang Li‐Bing
Published: July 2015

The brake fern genus Pteris belongs to the Pteridaceae subfamily Pteridoideae. It contains 200–250 species distributed on all continents except Antarctica, with its highest species diversity in tropical and subtropical regions. The monophyly of Pteris has long been in question because of its great morphological diversity and because of the controversial relationships of the Australian endemic monospecific genus Platyzoma. The circumscription of the Pteridoideae has likewise been uncertain. Previous studies typically had sparse sampling of Pteris species and related genera and used limited DNA sequence data. In the present study, DNA sequences of six plastid loci of 146 accessions representing 119 species of Pteris (including the type of the genus) and 18 related genera were used to infer a phylogeny using maximum‐likelihood, Bayesian‐inference and maximum‐parsimony methods. Our major results include: (i) the previous uncertain relationships of Platyzoma were due to long‐branch attraction; (ii) Afropteris, Neurocallis, Ochropteris and Platyzoma are all embedded within a well‐supported Pteris sensu lato; (iii) the traditionally circumscribed Jamesonia is paraphyletic in relation to a monophyletic Eriosorus; (iv) Pteridoideae contains 15 genera: Actiniopteris, Anogramma, Austrogramme, Cerosora, Cosentinia, Eriosorus, Jamesonia, Nephopteris (no molecular data), Onychium, Pityrogramma, Pteris, Pterozonium, Syngramma, Taenitis and Tryonia; and (v) 15 well‐supported clades within Pteris are identified, which differ from one another on molecular, morphological and geographical grounds, and represent 15 major evolutionary lineages.
Comparison of bone morphogenetic protein‐2 delivery systems to induce supracrestal bone guided by titanium implants in the rabbit mandible
Authors: Wen Bo , Kuhn Liisa , Charles Lyndon , Pendrys David , Shafer David , Freilich Martin
Published: July 2015

Objective

To compare the ability of three non‐glycosylated/rhBMP‐2 (BMP‐2) delivery systems to induce supracrestal bone.

Material and methods

Thirty‐six custom SLActive dental implants were partially embedded in transverse orientation into the posterior mandibles of 18 adult rabbits with the head of the implant located 3 mm supracrestal. Delivery of BMP‐2 (30 μg) from the following materials was studied: (1) Ti implant + BMP‐2 with hydroxyapatite (HA)‐coated collagen (Col/HA) scaffold, (2) Ti implant with Col/HA infused with PEG hydrogel + BMP‐2, or (3) Ti implant with HA/β‐TCP/PEG hydrogel scaffold + BMP‐2. Scaffolds were secured with a metal “umbrella.” Non‐BMP‐2 contralateral controls were included. MicroCT imaging and histological analysis was performed after 10 weeks to assess new supracrestal bone formation. In vitro BMP‐2 release studies were conducted.

Results

All treatment groups displayed new supracrestal bone formation. Ti + BMP‐2 with Col/HA (3.0 ± 0.2 mm) and Ti with Col/HA/PEG hydrogel + BMP‐2 (2.7 ± 0.4 mm) had significantly greater (P < 0.05) outcomes than without BMP‐2. Maximum bone volume occurred in the Ti implant with HA/β‐TCP/PEG hydrogel scaffold + BMP‐2 group.

Conclusions

The use of an implant system composed of a partially inserted Ti implant, adjacent scaffold and scaffold stabilizer resulted in the formation of new supracrestal bone across all test groups with and without BMP‐2. Delivery of BMP‐2 directly from the Ti implant increased bone height, BIC and bone volume as compared to no BMP‐2 when a Col/HA was used, but did not improve performance of the HA/β‐TCP/PEG scaffold.
Effects of fishing rope strength on the severity of large whale entanglements
Authors: Knowlton Amy R. , Robbins Jooke , Landry Scott , McKenna Henry A. , Kraus Scott D. , Werner Timothy B.
Published: July 2015

Entanglement in fixed fishing gear affects whales worldwide. In the United States, deaths of North Atlantic right (Eubalaena glacialis) and humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) have exceeded management limits for decades. We examined live and dead whales entangled in fishing gear along the U.S. East Coast and the Canadian Maritimes from 1994 to 2010. We recorded whale species, age, and injury severity and determined rope polymer type, breaking strength, and diameter of the fishing gear. For the 132 retrieved ropes from 70 cases, tested breaking strength range was 0.80–39.63 kN (kiloNewtons) and the mean was 11.64 kN (SD 8.29), which is 26% lower than strength at manufacture (range 2.89–53.38 kN, mean = 15.70 kN [9.89]). Median rope diameter was 9.5 mm. Right and humpback whales were found in ropes with significantly stronger breaking strengths at time of manufacture than minke whales (Balaenoptera acuturostrata) (19.30, 17.13, and 10.47 mean kN, respectively). Adult right whales were found in stronger ropes (mean 34.09 kN) than juvenile right whales (mean 15.33 kN) and than all humpback whale age classes (mean 17.37 kN). For right whales, severity of injuries increased since the mid 1980s, possibly due to changes in rope manufacturing in the mid 1990s that resulted in production of stronger ropes at the same diameter. Our results suggest that broad adoption of ropes with breaking strengths of ≤7.56 kN (≤1700 lbsf) could reduce the number of life‐threatening entanglements for large whales by at least 72%, and yet could provide sufficient strength to withstand the routine forces involved in many fishing operations. A reduction of this magnitude would achieve nearly all the mitigation legally required for U.S. stocks of North Atlantic right and humpback whales. Ropes with reduced breaking strength should be developed and tested to determine the feasibility of their use in a variety of fisheries.
Selective hypertrophy of the quadriceps musculature after 14 weeks of isokinetic and conventional resistance training
Authors: Matta Thiago Torres , Nascimento Francisco Xavier , Trajano Gabriel S. , Simão Roberto , Willardson Jeffrey Michael , Oliveira Liliam Fernandes
Published: July 2015

One of the fundamental adaptations observed with resistance training (RT) is muscle hypertrophy. Conventional and isokinetic machines provide different forms of mechanical stress, and it is possible that these two training modes could promote differing degrees of hypertrophic adaptations. There is a lack of data comparing the selective hypertrophy of the quadriceps musculature after training with a conventional knee extension machine versus an isokinetic machine. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the selective hypertrophy of the quadriceps musculature and knee extension maximal isometric torque after 14 weeks of conventional versus isokinetic RT. Thirty‐five men were assigned to three groups: control group and training groups (conventional and isokinetic) performed three sets of unilateral knee extensions per session with a progressive loading scheme twice a week. Prior to and following the intervention, maximal isometric knee extensor torque was measured using an isokinetic dynamometer, and muscle thickness (MT) of quadriceps femoris muscles was assessed via ultrasound. The results indicated non‐uniform changes in MT between the muscles that comprise the quadriceps femoris group. For the conventional group, significantly greater increases in rectus femoris thickness were evident versus all other quadriceps muscles (14%). For the isokinetic group, increases in RF thickness (11%) were significantly greater in comparison with the vastus intermedius only. Although the muscle thickness did not increase for all the quadriceps femoris muscles, the relative rectus femoris adaptation suggested a selective hypertrophy favouring this portion.
Heterogeneous Market Beliefs, Fundamentals and the Sovereign Debt Crisis in the Eurozone
Authors: Tamborini Roberto
Published: July 2015

The unprecedented sovereign debt crisis across the eurozone has prompted a new generation of models with ‘self‐fulfilling’ attacks on public debt. The model presented in this paper shows that multiple equilibria arise as investors have no direct information, and form heterogeneous rational beliefs, about the government's sustainable limit of the solvency primary balance. If beliefs of insolvency are sufficiently large, then the government is bound to default, although initial solvency conditions are satisfied. Several issues are discussed concerning the role of initial conditions, fiscal shocks and the policy options to escape from the default domain.​
Maternal serum osteocalcin at 11–14 weeks of gestation in gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Papastefanou Ioannis , Eleftheriades Makarios , Kappou Dimitra , Lambrinoudaki Irene , Lavranos Demetrios , Pervanidou Panagiota , Sotiriadis Alexandros , Hassiakos Demetrios , Chrousos George P.
Published: July 2015

Background

Recent studies support that osteocalcin (OC), apart from its skeletal role, is implicated in glucose homoeostasis. Aims of this study were to examine the first‐trimester maternal serum concentrations of OC in pregnancies that developed gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and to create a first‐trimester prediction model for GDM.

Design

Case–control study in a prospective cohort of pregnant women. Maternal serum levels of OC were measured in 40 cases that developed GDM and 94 unaffected controls. First‐trimester biophysical parameters, biochemical indices, maternal–pregnancy characteristics, and OC concentrations were assessed in relation to GDM occurrence.

Results

In the GDM group, first‐trimester OC serum levels were increased compared to the control group (mean = 8·81 ng/mL, SD = 2·59 vs. mean = 7·34 ng/ml, SD = 3·04, P = 0·0058). Osteocalcin was independent of first‐trimester biophysical and biochemical indices. Osteocalcin alone (OR = 1·21, CI: 1·02–1·43, P = 0·023) was a significant predictor of GDM [Model R2 = 0·04, area under the curve (AUC) = 0·61, CI: 0·55–0·72, P < 0·001]. The combination of maternal and pregnancy characteristics with OC resulted in an improved prediction model for GDM (Model R2 = 0·21, AUC = 0·80, CI: 0·71–0·88, P < 0·001). The combined model yields a sensitivity of 72·2% for 25% false‐positive rate.

Conclusions

First‐trimester maternal serum levels of OC are increased in GDM pregnancies. Osteocalcin combined with maternal and pregnancy characteristics provides an effective screening for GDM at 11–14 weeks.
Hybridization and the spread of the apple maggot fly,Rhagoletis pomonella(Diptera: Tephritidae), in the northwestern United States
Authors: Arcella Tracy , Hood Glen R. , Powell Thomas H. Q. , Sim Sheina B. , Yee Wee L. , Schwarz Dietmar , Egan Scott P. , Goughnour Robert B. , Smith James J. , Feder Jeffrey L.
Published: July 2015

Hybridization may be an important process interjecting variation into insect populations enabling host plant shifts and the origin of new economic pests. Here, we examine whether hybridization between the native snowberry‐infesting fruit flyRhagoletis zephyria(Snow) and the introduced quarantine pestR. pomonella(Walsh) is occurring and may aid the spread of the latter into more arid commercial apple‐growing regions of central Washington state,USA. Results for 19 microsatellites implied hybridization occurring at a rate of 1.44% per generation between the species. However, there was no evidence for increased hybridization in central Washington. Allele frequencies for seven microsatellites inR. pomonellawere more ‘R. zephyria‐like’ in central Washington, suggesting that genes conferring resistance to desiccation may be adaptively introgressing fromR. zephyria. However, in only one case was the putatively introgressing allele fromR. zephyrianot found inR. pomonellain the easternUSA. Thus, many of the alleles changing in frequency may have been prestanding in the introducedR. pomonellapopulation. The dynamics of hybridization are therefore complex and nuanced forR. pomonella, with various causes and factors, including introgression for a portion, but not all of the genome, potentially contributing to the pest insect's spread.
Effects of Passive Intensity on Aggregate Price Dynamics
Authors: Ehsani Sina , Lien Donald
Published: July 2015

We find that passive intensity (PI), measured by the passive‐linked share of total stock market trading volume, is strongly related to the overall pattern of stock price movements. A one‐standard‐deviation increase in PI is associated with an 8% higher price synchronicity. We further investigate the channels through which this relation is established by separately analyzing its impact on aggregate systematic and idiosyncratic volatility of stock returns. PI has a positive effect on systematic volatility and a negative impact on firm‐specific volatility. Consistent with the effect of passive trading on price dynamics, we find evidence that PI is negatively associated with mutual funds alpha dissimilarity. After controlling for market and idiosyncratic volatility, a one‐standard‐deviation increase in PI corresponds to a 0.20% decrease in fund dissimilarity. Our findings are robust after controlling for various macro and corporate factors known to affect systematic or firm‐specific volatility.
Spatial difference in elemental signatures within early ontogenetic statolith for identifying Jumbo flying squid natal origins
Authors: Liu Bi Lin , Chen Yong , Chen Xin Jun
Published: July 2015

Signatures of trace elements and isotopes in the parts of hard structures formed in the early ontogenetic stages can be used as potential natural tags of adult cephalopods to trace their origins. The Jumbo flying squid, Dosidicus gigas, is widely distributed in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Fourteen detected elemental signatures (7Li, 23Na, 24Mg, 39K, 43Ca 55Mn, 59Co, 60Ni, 63Cu, 66Zn, 88Sr, 137Ba, 208Pb and 238U) were determined in the nuclear zone (N), representing the embryonic stage, and the postnuclear zone (PN), representing the paralarval stage of statoliths for adult D. gigas collected off the Costa Rican, Peruvian and Chilean Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS). All measured signatures were significantly different between embryonic and paralarval statoliths, except for Sr, Ba and Pb. Over the three regions, a significant difference was found for Na and Ba within embryonic statoliths and Zn and Ba within paralarval statoliths. A high Ba/Ca ratio in statoliths obtained from Costa Rica was because of the prevalence of strong upwelling in the area. Elemental signatures, especially Ba/Ca, in early ontogenetic statoliths could be used as a proxy for distinguishing different geographical groups and identifying natal origins. However, elemental signatures in embryonic statoliths tended to be a better natural tag than those in paralarval statoliths indicating that paralarvae with the same origin had distinct dispersal pathways. Additionally, stepwise discriminant analysis (SDA) showed there were at least two migration‐based groups: ‘northern’ and ‘southern’ in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Overall, the derived results can improve our knowledge of the population structure, connectivity and life history of D. gigas.
Development of a biotic index using stream macroinvertebrates to assess stress from deposited fine sediment
Authors: Murphy John F. , Jones J. Iwan , Pretty James L. , Duerdoth Chas P. , Hawczak Adrianna , Arnold Amanda , Blackburn John H. , Naden Pamela S. , Old Gareth , Sear David A. , Hornby Duncan , Clarke Ralph T. , Collins Adrian L.
Published: July 2015

Detrimental impacts of excessive fine‐grained sediment inputs to streams and rivers are well established. What is less well understood is the susceptibility of different elements of the freshwater biota to such perturbations and how such knowledge of their susceptibility could aid in identifying where excessive fine‐grained sediment is impairing ecological condition.

Following the collection of biological and sediment data from 179 streams across England and Wales, representative of a range of river types over a gradient of fine sediment loading, objective statistical approaches were applied to establish relationships between the macroinvertebrate assemblage and fine‐grained sediment inputs to river channels.

Having factored out that portion of the biological variation associated with natural environmental gradients, a model comprising mass of organic sediment in erosional areas of the stream bed [predominantly associated with the first axis of the partial canonical correspondence analysis (pCCA)], and mass of fine‐grained sediment in the surface drape of depositional areas and % organic content in erosional areas (associated with the second axis of the pCCA) as explanatory variables best accounted for the residual variation in the macroinvertebrate assemblage.

The relative position of taxa along both axes of the pCCA, provided a ranking of taxa in relation to the two gradients of fine‐grained sediment and provided the basis for a new empirically derived diagnostic index for fine‐grained sediment stress in rivers. Two sub‐indices were derived to capture the assemblage responses to both the gradient of organic sediment in erosional areas and the gradient of total fines in depositional areas. The two sub‐indices were then combined to derive the new combined fine sediment index (CoFSIsp).

The index was tested on an independent test data set (comprising 127 samples from 83 sites) and was found to provide a robust indication of benthic fine‐grained sediment conditions (Spearman's rank correlations ρ = −0.519 to −0.703). The strength of correlation with the total fine‐grained sediment gradient was always greater than that for other routinely used indices, confirming that CoFSIsp offered additional explanatory power when assessing this stressor of aquatic environments.
Knee flexion contracture treated with botulinum toxin type A in patients with haemophilia (PWH)
Authors: Daffunchio C. , Caviglia H. , Nassif J. , Morettil N. , Galatro G.
Published: July 2015

Introduction

Knee flexion contracture (KFC) remains a common complication of haemoarthrosis in children and young adults with haemophilia. If the KFC is not treated properly it produces disability, postural and gait abnormalities.

Objective

Evaluate the effectiveness of conservative treatment of KFC with Botulinum toxin type A (BTX‐A) in PWH.

Methods

Seventeen patients were treated, with 21 affected knees. Mean age was 26 years. The mean follow up was 12 months. We evaluated flexion and KFC pretreatment BTX‐A and up to 12 months posttreatment. BTX‐A application was in hamstring and calf muscles. To evaluate the function, a questionnaire about different activities was made, and it was checked 3, 6 and 12 months after BTX‐A. According to the degree of KFC, knees were divided into 3 groups: Group 1: −10° to −30° (n = 10), Group 2: −31° to −45° (n = 6) Group 3: −46° or more (n = 5).

Results

The average KFC improved from −38° to −24°. The improvement was 14° (P < 0.001). The average KFC improvement was 9° in group 1, 17° in group 2, and 23° in group 3. There was a high correlation between the improvement in KFC and the total score of the questionnaire R = 0.77.

Conclusions

Treatment of KFC with BTX‐A improves knee‐related functional activities, with the advantage of being a low‐cost procedure and easy to apply.
Efficacy of interferon‐beta plus ribavirin combination treatment on the development of hepatocellular carcinoma in Japanese patients with chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Ikezaki Hiroaki , Nomura Hideyuki , Furusyo Norihiro , Ogawa Eiichi , Kajiwara Eiji , Takahashi Kazuhiro , Kawano Akira , Maruyama Toshihiro , Tanabe Yuichi , Satoh Takeaki , Nakamuta Makoto , Kotoh Kazuhiro , Azuma Koichi , Dohmen Kazufumi , Shimoda Shinji , Hayashi Jun ,   The Kyushu University Liver Disease Study (KULDS) Group
Published: July 2015

Aim

Although there is much evidence of an antitumor effect of pegylated interferon (IFN)‐α‐based treatment, limited data is available about that of IFN‐β‐based treatment. Our goal was to evaluate the impact of IFN‐β plus ribavirin (RBV) treatment on the suppression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods

This retrospective, multicenter study consisted of 124 chronic hepatitis C patients who were treated with IFN‐β plus RBV treatment, including 61 with advanced fibrosis and five with pretreatment HCC. All participants were followed for a median of 2.8 years (range, 2.2–3.2) after the end of their antiviral treatment. The data of 112 patients who finished the treatment were available for analysis. Cox proportional hazard analyses were performed to determine factors significantly associated with HCC development. Cumulative incidence curves for HCC were plotted using the Kaplan–Meier method and differences between groups were assessed using the log–rank test.

Results

The 2.9% rate of HCC development of patients with sustained virological response (SVR) was significantly lower (P = 0.027) than the 15.9% of non‐SVR patients. Interestingly, no significant difference was observed between the rates of HCC development of patients with and without advanced fibrosis (P = 0.733), even though the SVR rate of patients with advanced fibrosis was significantly lower than that of those without advanced fibrosis (P < 0.001). Stepwise multivariable Cox analysis extracted that only SVR was significantly associated with HCC development (hazard ratio, 0.20; 95% confidence interval, 0.03–0.84, P = 0.027).

Conclusion

SVR was significantly associated with a lower risk of HCC development after IFN‐β plus RBV treatment.
Efficacy of automated tumor‐feeder detection software using cone‐beam computed tomography technology in transarterial embolization through extrahepatic collateral vessels for malignant hepatic tumors
Authors: Miyayama Shiro , Yamashiro Masashi , Nagai Keiichi , Tohyama Jun , Kawamura Kenshi , Yoshida Miki , Sakuragawa Naoko
Published: July 2015

Aim

We evaluated the performance of automated tumor‐feeder detection (AFD) software using cone‐beam computed tomography technology in identifying tumor‐feeders of extrahepatic collaterals.

Methods

AFD was prospectively used in superselective transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) or embolization (TAE) of extrahepatic collaterals for 29 hepatocellular carcinomas and one liver metastasis (mean tumor diameter ± standard deviation, 28 ± 15.6 mm) in 25 patients. The detectability of extrahepatic tumor‐feeders with non‐selective digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and AFD was evaluated and compared using a χ2‐test. Tumor response of target lesions in each patient at 2–3 months after treatment was evaluated using the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors. Complications were also evaluated.

Results

Of 46 tumor‐feeders, non‐selective DSA and AFD could identify 26 and 44, respectively (P < 0.001). Regarding the origin of tumor‐feeders, both non‐selective DSA and AFD could identify 14 of 15, six of seven and two of two tumor‐feeders of the right inferior phrenic, omental and right renal capsular artery, respectively. In the cystic and left gastric or right colic artery, AFD could identify 13 of 13 and nine of nine tumor‐feeders but non‐selective DSA could identify only three of 13 and one of nine, respectively (P < 0.001). Complete response was obtained in 15 patients, partial response in six, stable disease in three and progressive disease in one. No severe complications developed except for right pleural effusion after embolization of the right inferior phrenic artery.

Conclusion

AFD has a sufficient ability to identify extrahepatic tumor‐feeders and may improve the safety and local effects of TACE/TAE of extrahepatic collaterals.
‘I just don't want to get bullied anymore, then I can lead a normal life’; Insights into life as an obese adolescent and their views on obesity treatment
Authors: Reece Lindsey J. , Bissell Paul , Copeland Robert J.
Published: July 2015

Background

Adolescent obesity is a complex condition involving social, emotional, behavioural and cultural issues.

Design

One‐to‐one interviews and small focus groups with overweight and obese young people were conducted. Qualitative research is an appropriate method to explore the complexity of this issue.

Setting and participants

Overweight and obese adolescent's attending a community weight management intervention in South Yorkshire.

Main variables studied

Interviews aimed to explore the experiences of obese adolescents and their perspectives towards obesity treatment.

Results

Adolescent's provided detailed accounts of their perspectives on weight gain, alluding to disordered patterns of eating and overeating, reported as being triggered by social and emotional factors, and in particular, bullying. Avoidance of bullying and a desire to integrate socially with peers were key drivers to seek treatment. Young people reported what they should do to lose weight, yet responsibility for successful weight loss and lifestyle change was repeatedly attributed to the treatment received, as opposed to viewing this as a combination of self‐motivation coupled with support provided by friends and family.

Conclusion

Weight loss programmes need to consider the complex experience of obese young people in their design, focusing on how to implement long‐term lifestyle changes.