bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trust me: the keys to success in cooperative collections ventures
Authors: Jakubs Deborah Lynn
Published: December 2015

Purpose

– Cooperation among research libraries is a venerable pursuit with a long history. The purpose of this paper is to examine three collaborative tools and programs ranging from the late 1970s to the present to identify the promise of each as well as the challenges, the factors that both facilitate and interfere with true cooperation, highlighting the lessons learned.

Design/methodology/approach

– The author analyzes the development and functions of the Conspectus of the Research Libraries Group, the Global Resources Program of the Association of Research Libraries, and the Triangle Research Libraries Network in the state of North Carolina, USA.

Findings

– While the goals of collaborative collections initiatives are laudable, it is often difficult to accomplish true, balanced, and lasting cooperation that results in both expanded access and financial reallocation.

Originality/value

– The study is a first-hand, inside look at the methods and mechanisms of cooperative collection development that offers suggestions for future partnerships on either a small or a large scale.
Bacterial predation: 75 years and counting!
Authors: Pérez Juana , Moraleda‐Muñoz Aurelio , Marcos‐Torres Francisco Javier , Muñoz‐Dorado José
Published: December 2015

The first documented study on bacterial predation was carried out using myxobacteria three quarters of a century ago. Since then, many predatory strains, diverse hunting strategies, environmental consequences and potential applications have been reported by groups all over the world. Now we know that predatory bacteria are distributed in a wide variety of environments and that interactions between predatory and non‐predatory populations seem to be the most important factor in bacterial selection and mortality in some ecosystems. Bacterial predation has now been proposed as an evolutionary driving force. The structure and diversity of the predatory bacterial community is beginning to be recognized as an important factor in biodiversity due to its potential role in controlling and modelling bacterial populations in the environment. In this paper, we review the current understanding of bacterial predation, going over the strategies used by the main predatory bacteria to kill their prey. We have also reviewed and integrated the accumulated advances of the last 75 years with the interesting new insights that are provided by the analyses of genomes, predatomes, predatosomes and other comparative genomics studies, focusing on potential applications that derive from all of these areas of study.
An Economic Analysis of Attendance Demand for One Day International Cricket
Authors: Sacheti Abhinav , Paton David , Gregory‐Smith Ian
Published: December 2015

The future of One Day International (ODI) cricket has come under scrutiny following increasing competition from other formats of cricket. We identify trends in attendance demand by examining over 540 ODI matches played in Australia and England between 1981 and 2015. We use fixed effects and Tobit random effects models to isolate key determinants of attendance demand for ODI cricket and, in particular, the impact of uncertainty of outcome. We find that team strength has little independent effect on ODI attendances, but the uncertainty of the match outcome, as measured by the relative strengths of the teams over a long period of time, increases demand for ODI matches in England. Further, organising the ODI as a day/night (floodlit) game has a large positive impact on attendance in Australia.
On Britain's Return to the Gold Standard: Was there a ‘Pigou–McKenna School’?
Authors: Arthmar Rogério , McLure Michael
Published: December 2015

It is common to refer to the ‘Keynes–McKenna school’ in opposition to Britain's return to the gold standard. However, after considering A.C. Pigou's reading of Sir Reginald McKenna's testimony to the Chamberlain–Bradbury Committee and the influence of that reading on Pigou's draft of the Committee's report to the British government, the case is made for the ‘Pigou–McKenna school’ as a policy school that was supportive of a return to the gold standard but against doing so prematurely. This is perhaps more meaningful than reference to the ‘Keynes–McKenna school’, which incorrectly implies that McKenna was opposed to Britain returning to gold.
Strong HRM processes and line managers' effective HRM implementation: a balanced view
Authors: Gilbert Caroline , De Winne Sophie , Sels Luc
Published: December 2015

Exploring a unitarist and pluralist Human Resource Management (HRM) perspective, we propose a more nuanced view on Bowen and Ostroff's (2004) concept of strong HRM processes. More specifically, we investigate whether strong HRM processes contribute positively or negatively to line managers' effective HRM implementation. The results of a multi‐level model with data from 125 line managers and 899 employees of five organisations show a complex picture. In line with unitarist thinking, we find a positive indirect effect of strong HRM processes on HRM implementation effectiveness via line managers' ability. In accordance with pluralist thinking, we find a negative direct relationship between strong HRM processes and HRM implementation effectiveness. We discuss the tensions in HRM that might explain these ambiguous findings.
Imagining a good life in Malaysia and China: Cultural beliefs among Mainland Chinese, Malaysian Chinese, and Malay University students
Authors: Bonn Gregory , Tam Cai Lian
Published: December 2015

This study investigates beliefs about a good life among Malays, Malaysian Chinese and Mainland Chinese university students as a follow up to earlier findings. Three hundred and sixteen participants – 95 Mainland Chinese, 123 Malaysian Chinese and 98 Malay were asked to evaluate 30 descriptors of a good or worthwhile life that are commonly cited across cultural groups. Results show significant between‐group differences for seven of the 30 criteria. Consistent with earlier findings, differences among Asian groups emerged along a theoretical dimension related to practical concerns on one side as compared to moral and spiritual concerns on the other. In this study, consistent with previous findings, Mainland Chinese tended to prefer more practical criteria, while Malays were similar to South Asian groups in their preference for more spiritual criteria. Malaysian Chinese participants’ preferences, in general, fell between those of Mainland Chinese and Malays. Also consistent with previous findings, all three groups in this study rated close interpersonal relationships as central to determining whether life is worthwhile.
The Role of the Peruvian Guerrilla in Che Guevara's Continental Guerrilla Project
Authors: LUST JAN
Published: December 2015

The Peruvian guerrillas of theEjército de Liberación Nacional(ELN, National Liberation Army) played a key role in Che Guevara's continental guerrilla project. When Guevara left from Africa, his idea was to strengthen this organisation that was supposedly fighting in the department of Ayacucho. After the defeat of this guerrilla in 1965 he turned his eye on Bolivia. The Peruvian guerrillas of the ELN maintained their importance in Guevara's project as evidenced by their attempts to build a guerrilla force nearby the border of Bolivia. This article sheds light on the role of the Peruvian ELN in Che Guevara's continental guerrilla project.
The Concise Guide to PHARMACOLOGY 2015/16: Enzymes
Authors: Alexander Stephen PH , Fabbro Doriano , Kelly Eamonn , Marrion Neil , Peters John A , Benson Helen E , Faccenda Elena , Pawson Adam J , Sharman Joanna L , Southan Christopher , Davies Jamie A ,   CGTP Collaborators
Published: December 2015

The Concise Guide to PHARMACOLOGY 2015/16 provides concise overviews of the key properties of over 1750 human drug targets with their pharmacology, plus links to an open access knowledgebase of drug targets and their ligands (www.guidetopharmacology.org), which provides more detailed views of target and ligand properties. The full contents can be found at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.13354/full. G protein‐coupled receptors are one of the eight major pharmacological targets into which the Guide is divided, with the others being: G protein‐coupled receptors, ligand‐gated ion channels, voltage‐gated ion channels, other ion channels, nuclear hormone receptors, catalytic receptors and transporters. These are presented with nomenclature guidance and summary information on the best available pharmacological tools, alongside key references and suggestions for further reading. The Concise Guide is published in landscape format in order to facilitate comparison of related targets. It is a condensed version of material contemporary to late 2015, which is presented in greater detail and constantly updated on the website www.guidetopharmacology.org, superseding data presented in the previous Guides to Receptors & Channels and the Concise Guide to PHARMACOLOGY 2013/14. It is produced in conjunction with NC‐IUPHAR and provides the official IUPHAR classification and nomenclature for human drug targets, where appropriate. It consolidates information previously curated and displayed separately in IUPHAR‐DB and GRAC and provides a permanent, citable, point‐in‐time record that will survive database updates.
Intergenerational Transmission of Aggression: Physiological Regulatory Processes
Authors: Margolin Gayla , Ramos Michelle C. , Timmons Adela C. , Miller Kelly F. , Han Sohyun C.
Published: December 2015

Children who grow up in aggressive households are at risk of having problems with physiological regulation, but researchers have not investigated physiology as a mechanism in the intergenerational transmission of aggression. In this article, we posit that physiological regulation, particularly during stressful interpersonal interactions, may shed light on sensitivity to conflict. It can also inform our understanding of associations between childhood exposure to aggression in families of origin and aggression against partners in adolescence or adulthood. In support of this model, we highlight findings showing that childhood exposure to family aggression relates to physiological regulation across the life span, and that reactions to physiological stress concurrently relate to aggression against intimate partners. Emerging evidence from research on biological processes during stressful interpersonal interactions raises questions about what is adaptive for individuals from aggressive families, particularly as past family experiences intersect with the challenges of new relationships.
Thyroid dysfunction and anaemia in a large population‐based study
Authors: M'Rabet‐Bensalah Khadija , Aubert Carole E. , Coslovsky Michael , Collet Tinh‐Hai , Baumgartner Christine , den Elzen Wendy P. J. , Luben Robert , Angelillo‐Scherrer Anne , Aujesky Drahomir , Khaw Kay‐Tee , Rodondi Nicolas
Published: December 2015

Objective and background

Anaemia and thyroid dysfunction are common and often co‐occur. Current guidelines recommend the assessment of thyroid function in the work‐up of anaemia, although evidence on this association is scarce.

Patients and methods

In the ‘European Prospective Investigation of Cancer’ (EPIC)‐Norfolk population‐based cohort, we aimed to examine the prevalence and type of anaemia (defined as haemoglobin <13 g/dl for men and <12 g/dl for women) according to different thyroid function groups.

Results

The mean age of the 8791 participants was 59·4 (SD 9·1) years and 55·2% were women. Thyroid dysfunction was present in 437 (5·0%) and anaemia in 517 (5·9%) participants. After excluding 121 participants with three most common causes of anaemia (chronic kidney disease, inflammation, iron deficiency), anaemia was found in 4·7% of euthyroid participants. Compared with the euthyroid group, the prevalence of anaemia was significantly higher in overt hyperthyroidism (14·6%, P < 0·01), higher with borderline significance in overt hypothyroidism (7·7%, P = 0·05) and not increased in subclinical thyroid dysfunction (5·0% in subclinical hypothyroidism, 3·3% in subclinical hyperthyroidism). Anaemia associated with thyroid dysfunction was mainly normocytic (94·0%), and rarely macrocytic (6·0%).

Conclusion

The prevalence of anaemia was higher in overt hyperthyroidism, but not increased in subclinical thyroid dysfunction. Systematic measurement of thyroid‐stimulating hormone in anaemic patients is likely to be useful only after excluding common causes of anaemia.
Daily salivary cortisol patterns in midlife women with hot flashes
Authors: Reed S.D. , Newton K.M. , Larson J.C. , Booth‐LaForce C. , Woods N.F. , Landis C.A. , Tolentino E. , Carpenter J.S. , Freeman E.W. , Joffe H. , Anawalt B.D. , Guthrie K.A.
Published: December 2015

Objective

Diurnal salivary cortisol patterns in healthy adults are well established but have not been studied in midlife women with hot flashes. We hypothesized that frequent hot flashes are associated with aberrant cortisol patterns similar to sleep‐deficient individuals.

Design

Cross‐sectional.

Participants

A total of 306 women, ages 40–62, randomized to a behavioural intervention for hot flashes.

Measurements

Baseline comparisons of cortisol geometric means (nmol/l) from four daily time points averaged over two consecutive days plus other calculated cortisol measures were made between groups defined by baseline: (i) mean daily hot flash frequency tertile (≤5·5, N = 103; >5·5–8·8, N = 103; >8·8, N = 100) and (ii) selected characteristics. Repeated‐measures linear regression models of log‐transformed cortisol evaluated group differences, adjusting for covariates.

Results

Women were 67% White and 24% African American, with 7·6 (SD 3·9) hot flashes per day. Salivary cortisol geometric means (nmol/l) among all women were as follows: 75·0 (SD 44·8) total, 8·6 (SD 5·6) wake, 10·0 (SD 7·5) wake +30 min, 3·7 (SD 3·3) early afternoon and 1·6 (SD 1·8) bedtime. Wake + 30‐minute values showed an 18% median rise from wake values (interquartile range −24 to 96%), and means varied by hot flash frequency tertile, from lowest to highest: 11·4(SD 7·3), 10·3 (SD 6·5) and 8·6 (SD 7·8), respectively, P = 0·003. Beside the early afternoon value (P = 0·02), cortisol values did not vary by hot flash frequency.

Conclusion

Taken together, these findings suggest that high frequency of moderate‐to‐severe hot flashes may be associated with subtle abnormalities in cortisol concentrations – a pattern consistent with chronic sleep disturbance.
Desmoplastic melanoma: an updated immunohistochemical analysis of 40 cases with a proposal for an additional panel of stains for diagnosis
Authors: Plaza Jose A. , Bonneau Peter , Prieto Victor , Sangueza Martin , Mackinnon Alexander , Suster David , Bacchi Carlos , Estrozi Bruna , Kazakov Dmitry , Kacerovska Denisa , Falconieri Giovanni , Suster Saul
Published: December 2015

Desmoplastic melanoma (DM) is histologically characterized by a proliferation of spindle melanocytes dispersed in a collagenous stroma that can be mistaken for a variety of neoplasms. The purpose of this study was to analyze 40 cases of DM with a comprehensive panel of immunohistochemical markers (KBA.62, p16, Ezrin, WT‐1, MITF‐1, SOX‐10, CD117, SOX‐2, nestin, PNL2, p75, MART‐1, gp100 and S100p) to obtain a more complete understanding of the potential use of these antibodies in the diagnosis of DM. We found that all cases of DM expressed p16, WT‐1, SOX‐10, nestin and S100p and 95% of cases expressed p75. There was variable expression with Ezrin, SOX‐2, KBA.62, MART‐1 and HMB‐45. Most DMs did not express MITF‐1, PNL2 and CD117. Conditions that may enter in the histologic differential diagnosis of DM, including dermal scars, fibromatosis and dermatofibromas were also studied. Nearly all control cases also stained positive for p16 but were negative for WT1, SOX10, nestin, p75 and S‐100p, as well as for most of the other markers tested. We conclude that a panel of S‐100p, WT1, SOX10, p75 and nestin may constitute the optimal panel with the most sensitive and specific combination of immunostain available for the diagnosis of DM.
Surgical fusion of early onset severe scoliosis increases survival in Rett syndrome: a cohort study
Authors: Downs Jenny , Torode Ian , Wong Kingsley , Ellaway Carolyn , Elliott Elizabeth J , Izatt Maree T , Askin Geoffrey N , Mcphee Bruce I , Cundy Peter , Leonard Helen ,   the Rett syndrome spinal fusion group
Published: December 2015

Aim

Scoliosis is a common comorbidity in Rett syndrome and spinal fusion may be recommended if severe. We investigated the impact of spinal fusion on survival and risk of severe lower respiratory tract infection in Rett syndrome.

Method

Data were ascertained from hospital medical records, the Australian Rett Syndrome Database, a longitudinal and population‐based registry, and from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare National Death Index database. Cox regression and generalized estimating equation models were used to estimate the effects of spinal surgery on survival and severe respiratory infection respectively in 140 females who developed severe scoliosis (Cobb angle ≥45°) before adulthood.

Results

After adjusting for mutation type and age of scoliosis onset, the rate of death was lower in the surgery group (hazard ratio [HR] 0.30, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.12–0.74; p=0.009) compared to those without surgery. Rate of death was particularly reduced for those with early onset scoliosis (HR 0.17, 95% CI 0.06–0.52; p=0.002). There was some evidence to suggest that spinal fusion was associated with a reduction in risk of severe respiratory infection among those with early onset scoliosis (risk ratio 0.41, 95% CI 0.16–1.03; p=0.06).

Interpretation

With appropriate cautions, spinal fusion confers an advantage to life expectancy in Rett syndrome.
Prediction of 10‐year vascular risk in patients with diabetes: the AD‐ON risk score
Authors: Woodward M. , Hirakawa Y. , Kengne A.‐P. , Matthews D. R. , Zoungas S. , Patel A. , Poulter N. , Grobbee R. , Cooper M. , Jardine M. , Chalmers J. ,   on behalf of the ADVANCE Collaborative Group
Published: December 2015

Aims

To formulate a combined cardiovascular risk score in diabetes that could be useful both to physicians and healthcare funders.

Methods

Data were derived from the Action in Diabetes and Vascular Disease: Preterax and Diamicron Modified Release Controlled Evaluation Observational (ADVANCE‐ON) study, a randomized controlled trial (mean duration 5 years) with a post‐randomization follow‐up (mean 4.9 years), that included 11 140 high‐risk patients with diabetes. The outcome analysed was the occurrence of either fatal or non‐fatal macrovascular or renal disease. A Cox regression model was used to determine weightings in the risk score. The resultant score was recalibrated to each of three major global regions, as covered by the ADVANCE‐ON study.

Results

Over a median of 9.9 years, 1145 patients experienced at least one component of the combined outcome event. The resultant score, the AD‐ON risk score, incorporated 13 demographic or clinical variables. Its discrimination was modest [c‐statistic = 0.668 (95% confidence interval 0.651, 0.685)] but its calibration was excellent (predicted and observed risks coincided well, within disparate global regions). In terms of the integrated discrimination improvement index, its performance was marginally superior, over a 10‐year risk horizon, to existing risk scores in clinical use, from a restricted version of the same data, for macrovascular and renal disease separately.

Conclusions

The AD‐ON risk score has advantages over the existing vascular risk scores in diabetes that used data from the original ADVANCE trial, which treat macrovascular and renal diseases separately. These advantages include its simplicity of use and global application.
A functional circadian clock is required for proper insulin secretion by human pancreatic islet cells
Authors: Saini C. , Petrenko V. , Pulimeno P. , Giovannoni L. , Berney T. , Hebrok M. , Howald C. , Dermitzakis E. T. , Dibner C.
Published: December 2015

Aim

To determine the impact of a functional human islet clock on insulin secretion and gene transcription.

Methods

Efficient circadian clock disruption was achieved in human pancreatic islet cells by small interfering RNA‐mediated knockdown of CLOCK. Human islet secretory function was assessed in the presence or absence of a functional circadian clock by stimulated insulin secretion assays, and by continuous around‐the‐clock monitoring of basal insulin secretion. Large‐scale transcription analysis was accomplished by RNA sequencing, followed by quantitative RT‐PCR analysis of selected targets.

Results

Circadian clock disruption resulted in a significant decrease in both acute and chronic glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion. Moreover, basal insulin secretion by human islet cells synchronized in vitro exhibited a circadian pattern, which was perturbed upon clock disruption. RNA sequencing analysis suggested alterations in 352 transcript levels upon circadian clock disruption. Among them, key regulators of the insulin secretion pathway (GNAQ, ATP1A1, ATP5G2, KCNJ11) and transcripts required for granule maturation and release (VAMP3, STX6, SLC30A8) were affected.

Conclusions

Using our newly developed experimental approach for efficient clock disruption in human pancreatic islet cells, we show for the first time that a functional β‐cell clock is required for proper basal and stimulated insulin secretion. Moreover, clock disruption has a profound impact on the human islet transcriptome, in particular, on the genes involved in insulin secretion.
Insulin degludec does not increase antibody formation versus insulin glargine: an evaluation of phase IIIa trials
Authors: Vora J. , Seufert J. , Solberg H. , Kinduryte O. , Johansen T. , Hollander P.
Published: December 2015

We examined insulin antibody formation in patients with type 1 (T1D) or type 2 diabetes (T2D) treated with once‐daily insulin degludec (IDeg) or insulin glargine (IGlar) to evaluate the impact of antibody formation on efficacy and safety. Insulin antibodies were measured using subtraction radioimmunoassays in six phase IIIa clinical trials using IDeg (n = 2250) and IGlar (n = 1184). Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to evaluate associations between cross‐reacting antibodies and change from baseline glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and insulin dose. IDeg‐ and IGlar‐specific antibodies remained low [<1% bound/total radioactivity (B/T)] and with low levels of antibodies cross‐reacting with human insulin in patients with T1D (<20% B/T) and T2D (<6% B/T). Spearman's correlation coefficients between insulin antibody levels and change in HbA1c or insulin dose were low in both treatment groups. No clinically meaningful differences in adverse event (AE) rates were observed in patients with >10% B/T or without an absolute increase in antibodies cross‐reacting with human insulin. IDeg treatment resulted in few immunogenic responses in patients with T1D and T2D; antibody formation was not associated with change in HbA1c, insulin dose or rates of AEs.
Loss of c‐Kit and bone marrow failure upon conditional removal of the GATA‐2 C‐terminal zinc finger domain in adult mice
Authors: Li Haiyan S. , Jin Jin , Liang Xiaoxuan , Matatall Katie A. , Ma Ying , Zhang Huiyuan , Ullrich Stephen E. , King Katherine Y. , Sun Shao‐Cong , Watowich Stephanie S.
Published: December 2015

Heterozygous mutations in the transcriptional regulator GATA‐2 associate with multilineage immunodeficiency, myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The majority of these mutations localize in the zinc finger (ZnF) domains, which mediate GATA‐2 DNA binding. Deregulated hematopoiesis with GATA‐2 mutation frequently develops in adulthood, yet GATA‐2 function in the bone marrow remains unresolved. To investigate this, we conditionally deleted the GATA‐2 C‐terminal ZnF (C‐ZnF) coding sequences in adult mice. Upon Gata2 C‐ZnF deletion, we observed rapid peripheral cytopenia, bone marrow failure, and decreased c‐Kit expression on hematopoietic progenitors. Transplant studies indicated GATA‐2 has a cell‐autonomous role in bone marrow hematopoiesis. Moreover, myeloid lineage populations were particularly sensitive to Gata2 hemizygosity, while molecular assays indicated GATA‐2 regulates c‐Kit expression in multilineage progenitor cells. Enforced c‐Kit expression in Gata2 C‐ZnF‐deficient hematopoietic progenitors enhanced myeloid colony activity, suggesting GATA‐2 sustains myelopoiesis via a cell intrinsic role involving maintenance of c‐Kit expression. Our results provide insight into mechanisms regulating hematopoiesis in bone marrow and may contribute to a better understanding of immunodeficiency and bone marrow failure associated with GATA‐2 mutation.
Retinal lesions induce fast intrinsic cortical plasticity in adult mouse visual system
Authors: Smolders Katrien , Vreysen Samme , Laramée Marie‐Eve , Cuyvers Annemie , Hu Tjing‐Tjing , Van Brussel Leen , Eysel Ulf T. , Nys Julie , Arckens Lutgarde
Published: December 2015

Neuronal activity plays an important role in the development and structural–functional maintenance of the brain as well as in its life‐long plastic response to changes in sensory stimulation. We characterized the impact of unilateral 15° laser lesions in the temporal lower visual field of the retina, on visually driven neuronal activity in the afferent visual pathway of adult mice using in situ hybridization for the activity reporter gene zif268. In the first days post‐lesion, we detected a discrete zone of reduced zif268 expression in the contralateral hemisphere, spanning the border between the monocular segment of the primary visual cortex (V1) with extrastriate visual area V2M. We could not detect a clear lesion projection zone (LPZ) in areas lateral to V1 whereas medial to V2M, agranular and granular retrosplenial cortex showed decreased zif268 levels over their full extent. All affected areas displayed a return to normal zif268 levels, and this was faster in higher order visual areas than in V1. The lesion did, however, induce a permanent LPZ in the retinorecipient layers of the superior colliculus. We identified a retinotopy‐based intrinsic capacity of adult mouse visual cortex to recover from restricted vision loss, with recovery speed reflecting the areal cortical magnification factor. Our observations predict incomplete visual field representations for areas lateral to V1 vs. lack of retinotopic organization for areas medial to V2M. The validation of this mouse model paves the way for future interrogations of cortical region‐ and cell‐type‐specific contributions to functional recovery, up to microcircuit level.
Dopamine increases NMDA‐stimulated calcium flux in striatopallidal neurons through a matrix metalloproteinase‐dependent mechanism
Authors: Li Yan , Partridge John , Berger Carissa , Sepulveda‐Rodriguez Alberto , Vicini Stefano , Conant Katherine
Published: December 2015

Dopamine (DA) is a potent neuromodulator known to influence glutamatergic transmission in striatal medium spiny neurons (MSNs). It acts on D1‐ and D2‐like DA receptors that are expressed on two distinct subpopulations. MSNs projecting to the substantia nigra express D1 receptors (D1Rs), while those projecting to the lateral globus pallidus express D2 receptors (D2Rs). D1R signalling in particular can increase excitatory transmission through varied protein kinase A‐dependent, cell‐autonomous pathways. Mechanisms by which D1R signalling could increase excitatory transmission in D2R‐bearing MSNs have been relatively less explored. Herein, the possibility is considered that D1R agonists increase levels of soluble factors that subsequently influence N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA)‐stimulated calcium flux in D2R neurons. This study focuses on matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and MMP‐generated integrin binding ligands, important soluble effectors of glutamatergic transmission that may be elevated in the setting of excess DA. It was observed that DA and a D1R agonist, SKF81297, increase MMP activity in extracts from striatal slices, as determined by cleavage of the substrate β‐dystroglycan. Using mice engineered to express the calcium indicator GCaMP3 in striatopallidal D2R‐bearing neurons, it was also observed that SKF81297 pretreatment of slices (60 min) potentiates NMDA‐stimulated calcium increases in this subpopulation. Effects are diminished by pretreatment with an antagonist of MMP activity or an inhibitor of integrin‐dependent signalling. Together, results suggest that DA signalling can increase excitatory transmission in D2R neurons through an MMP‐dependent mechanism. Future studies may be warranted to determine whether D1R‐stimulated MMP‐dependent processes contribute to behaviours in which increased activity in striatopallidal MSNs plays a role.
Delivery and evaluation of recombinant adeno‐associated viral vectors in the equine distal extremity for the treatment of laminitis
Authors: Mason J. B. , Gurda B. L. , Van Wettere A. , Engiles J. B. , Wilson J. M. , Richardson D. W.
Published: December 2015

Reasons for performing study

Our long‐term aim is to develop a gene therapy approach for the prevention of laminitis in the contralateral foot of horses with major musculoskeletal injuries and non‐weightbearing lameness.

Objectives

The goal of this study was to develop a practical method to efficiently deliver therapeutic proteins deep within the equine foot.

Study design

Randomised in vivo experiment.

Methods

We used recombinant adeno‐associated viral vectors (rAAVs) to deliver marker genes using regional limb perfusion through the palmar digital artery of the horse.

Results

Vector serotypes rAAV2/1, 2/8 and 2/9 all successfully transduced equine foot tissues and displayed similar levels and patterns of transduction. The regional distribution of transduction within the foot decreased with decreasing vector dose. The highest transduction values were seen in the sole and coronary regions and the lowest transduction values were detected in the dorsal hoof‐wall region. The use of a surfactant‐enriched vector diluent increased regional distribution of the vector and improved the transduction in the hoof‐wall region. The hoof‐wall region of the foot, which exhibited the lowest levels of transduction using saline as the vector diluent, displayed a dramatic increase in transduction when surfactant was included in the vector diluent (9‐ to 81‐fold increase). In transduced tissues, no significant difference was observed between promoters (chicken β‐actin vs. cytomegalovirus) for gene expression. All horses tested for vector‐neutralising antibodies were positive for serotype‐specific neutralising antibodies to rAAV2/5.

Conclusions

The current experiments demonstrate that transgenes can be successfully delivered to the equine distal extremity using rAAV vectors and that serotypes 2/8, 2/9 and 2/1 can successfully transduce tissues of the equine foot. When the vector was diluted with surfactant‐containing saline, the level of transduction increased dramatically. The increased level of transduction due to the addition of surfactant also improved the distribution pattern of transduction.
Use of taxonomy to delineate spatial extent of atlas data for species distribution models
Authors: Niamir Aidin , Skidmore Andrew K. , Toxopeus Albertus G. , Real Raimundo
Published: December 2015

Aim

The use of atlas data in combination with a variety of modelling approaches has become a common practice in species distribution studies. The spatial extent over which species distribution models (SDMs) should be fitted (i.e. the spatial extent) is often arbitrary and coincides with the extent of the atlases. In order to develop reliable SDMs using species atlas data, we propose an approach that incorporates the taxonomy of species and therefore delineates the spatial extent for SDMs.

Location

Mainland Spain.

Methods

We used atlas data to generate taxonomically delineated datasets for 365 terrestrial species. The presence records in the datasets were identical to those in the atlas, while the absence records were delimited to the presence of at least one species in the same family or order. We also generated two randomly delineated datasets that were the same size as the taxonomically delineated datasets. We assessed the predictive performance of the SDMs specifically by studying the model calibration (Miller's statistic) and discrimination capacity (area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic plot), along with the geographical similarity pattern of the predicted maps.

Results

The models that were trained using the taxonomically delineated datasets produced significantly improved models in terms of calibration, while their discrimination capacity was no greater than that of the models trained using the atlas dataset. The improvements to the calibration of the taxonomically delineated datasets were significantly greater than those with random absence sets.

Main conclusion

Delineating the spatial extent using taxonomical information leads to a significant improvement in the model performance of SDMs. This restriction can reduce the effect of environmental events beyond the species history during model parameterization, thus allowing the models obtained to more precisely depict the potential distribution of the species. We therefore recommend considering the delineation of spatial extent using species taxonomy when atlas data are employed in SDMs.
Recovery of renal function after radical nephrectomy and risk factors for postoperative severe renal impairment: A Japanese multicenter longitudinal study
Authors: Kawamura Naoko , Yokoyama Minato , Fujii Yasuhisa , Ishioka Junichiro , Numao Noboru , Matsuoka Yoh , Saito Kazutaka , Arisawa Chizuru , Okuno Tetsuo , Noro Akira , Morimoto Shinji , Kihara Kazunori
Published: December 2015

Objectives

To investigate longitudinal changes in renal function after radical nephrectomy, and to explore risk factors of postoperative severe renal impairment in a Japanese multicenter cohort.

Methods

The present retrospective study included 701 patients who had no metastasis, end‐stage kidney disease or bilateral kidney cancer, who underwent radical nephrectomy and who were followed up for at least 1 year. The longitudinal change in postoperative renal function during a 10‐year follow‐up period was evaluated according to the presence or absence of potential risk factors including greater age, chronic kidney disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. A slope of annual change in estimated glomerular filtration rate was analyzed using a linear mixed model. Associations between the potential risk factors and a >50% estimated glomerular filtration rate decrease were evaluated using a multivariate Cox regression model.

Results

Overall, the postoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate recovered over time with a significant positive slope of 0.34 mL/min/1.73 m2/year. Renal function did not tend to recover in patients with chronic kidney disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus or cardiovascular disease. The multivariate analysis showed that greater age and diabetes mellitus were independent risk factors for severe renal impairment.

Conclusions

Overall, patients who had deteriorated renal function immediately after radical nephrectomy recovered over time. However, patients with chronic kidney disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease did not tend to recover renal function postoperatively. Greater age and diabetes mellitus were independent risk factors for a >50% decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate.
Fiscal Consolidation Policies in the Context of Italy's Two Recessions
Authors: Figari Francesco , Fiorio Carlo V.
Published: December 2015

Italy experienced a double‐dip Great Recession: after the start of the global financial crisis, Italy had a second serious recession in 2011 as a result of the sovereign debt crisis. The reaction of Italian governments was minimal at the beginning but more serious action has been taken to address Italy's fiscal problems since the start of the sovereign debt crisis in 2011. The policies adopted have helped to move the public finances to a more sustainable position, but household real incomes decreased by 13 per cent, with this reduction being quite unevenly felt across the household income distribution. The medium‐term outlook is still uncertain: a great deal depends on the capacity of the Italian economy to reduce the level of public debt and to return to sustained economic growth, which has been very weak for more than a decade.
The Moral Case for Intelligent Speed Adaptation
Authors: Smids Jilles
Published: December 2015

Speeding is a major problem in road safety. Intelligent Speed Adaptation (ISA) is a potential solution, but the moral acceptability of ISA has been called into question both in the popular media and in academic discussions. In this article, a moral case is made for making warning and limiting versions of ISA obligatory in all cars. The practice of car driving involves frequent speeding, which imposes unacceptable risks of harm on other road users. In this article, I argue that ISA can therefore be justified on the basis of the harm it prevents, as is the current criminalisation of speeding. I defend obligatory ISA against three objections. First, ISA is likely to introduce some additional risk for drivers. However, drivers should accept these risks to reduce the risks from driving for other parties to an acceptable level. Second, although limiting ISA reduces drivers' options for moral agency and exercising self‐restraint to some extent, this consequence is defensible. Third, accepting ISA does not commit us to accepting an entire range of other behaviour‐regulating technologies.
The influence of geological movements on the population differentiation of Biston panterinaria (Lepidoptera: Geometridae)
Authors: Cheng Rui , Jiang Nan , Yang Xiushuai , Xue Dayong , Liu Shuxian , Han Hongxiang
Published: December 2015

Aim

East Asia is known for its exceptionally high levels of biodiversity, which is connected to its high level of species differentiation. Geological movements are the most important factor promoting the species differentiation in East Asia. In this paper, we choose Biston panterinaria, a moth species widely distributed in East Asia, to study the relative contributions of geographical isolation and glaciation cycles to its current genetic constitution.

Location

East Asia.

Methods

Phylogenetic analyses were based on three data sets. beast was used to estimate the divergence time and reconstruct the maximum clade credibility tree. Mismatch distribution and Bayesian skyline plots (BSP) were used to infer historical population fluctuations. maxent was used to predict the potential species distributions during two periods: the present day and the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM).

Results

The phylogenetic tree and the median joining network strongly supported four reciprocally monophyletic lineages: northern, Yunnan‐Tibet, southern and Yunnan‐SE. The estimates of divergence time suggested that three differentiation processes occurred at approximately 1.17, 0.76 and 0.67 Ma. Within the northern and southern lineages, lineage divergence occurred at approximately 0.17 and 0.16 Ma. Mismatch distribution and BSP suggested that the northern and southern lineages experienced one expansion after the LGM, and this result was consistent with the result of the ecological niche model.

Main conclusions

Our results suggested that B. panterinaria experienced three fragmentations of wide‐ranging ancestral populations, and that mountain barrier isolation induced by geological movements is the main driver of lineage differentiation. Climatic oscillations during the Pleistocene affected the population differentiation within both the northern and southern lineages. The distribution of the four lineages of B. panterinaria is generally consistent with the zoogeographical regionalization of China. This study provides direct evidence for the importance of mountain barriers in promoting population differentiation.
The Provision of Relative Performance Feedback: An Analysis of Performance and Satisfaction
Authors: Azmat Ghazala , Iriberri Nagore
Published: December 2015

This paper studies the effect of providing relative performance feedback on individuals’ performance, under two incentive schemes. In a laboratory setup, agents perform a real‐effort task. We show that relative performance feedback increases performance when performance is related to pay (piece‐rate) but has no effect on performance when pay is independent of performance (flat‐rate). These effects are independent of the agent's relative position. Subjects are also asked to rate their satisfaction during the experiment. We find that under flat‐rate, feedback has no effect on agents’ satisfaction, while under piece‐rate, feedback about relative position affects satisfaction.
Long‐term epidemiological survey of Kudoa thyrsites (Myxozoa) in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) from commercial aquaculture farms
Authors: Marshall W L , Sitjà‐Bobadilla A , Brown H M , MacWilliam T , Richmond Z , Lamson H , Morrison D B , Afonso L O B
Published: December 2015

Kudoa thyrsites (Myxozoa) encysts within myocytes of a variety of fishes. While infected fish appear unharmed, parasite‐derived enzymes degrade the flesh post‐mortem. In regions of British Columbia (BC), Canada, up to 4–7% of fillets can be affected, thus having economic consequences and impacting the competitiveness of BC's farms. K. thyrsites was monitored in two farms having high (HP) or low (LP) historical infection prevalence. At each farm, 30 fish were sampled monthly for blood and muscle during the first year followed by nine samplings during year two. Prevalence and intensity were measured by PCR and histology of muscle samples. In parallel, fillet tests were used to quantify myoliquefaction. Infections were detected by PCR after 355 and 509 degree days at LP and HP farms, respectively. Prevalence reached 100% at the HP farm by 2265 degree days and declined during the second year, whereas it plateaued near 50% at the LP farm. Infection intensities decreased after 1 year at both farms. Blood was PCR‐positive at both farms between 778 and 1113 degree days and again after 2000 degree days. This is the first monitoring project in a production environment and compares data between farms with different prevalence.
Identification of Cardamom Encapsulated Alginate–Whey Protein Concentrates Microcapsule Release Kinetics and Mechanism during Storage, Stew Process and Oral Consumption
Authors: Zandi M. , Dardmeh N. , Pirsa S. , Almasi H.
Published: December 2015

In this paper, cardamom (CM) encapsulated alginate–whey protein concentrates microcapsule was fabricated using emulsification/internal gelation technique. Release profile was obtained at different conditions, including storage, stew processing and simulated mouth situations. Release kinetic was investigated by various kinetic models, and then diffusion coefficient was obtained for all conditions. Finally, release behaviors of CM through microcapsule were investigated via the agent‐based modeling in NetLogo platform. It was found that the release media temperature, pH and shear force were significantly affected by the release rate and diffusion coefficient. The CM release data fit well to the First‐order model, Korsmeyer–Peppas model and First‐order models at consumption, storage time and stew process conditions, respectively, with correlation coefficient values greater than 0.93. Our findings corroborated that classical Fickian diffusion is the main mechanism for CM release at all conditions. Results also showed that we can easily use designed agent‐based model for flavor release.

Practical Applications

Cardamom has antiviral, antispasmodic, analgesic, antibacterial, anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant and antifungal activities; it is used for flavoring, drug or perfume. Because the availability and stability of cardamom essential oils are affected by processing, storage and consumption condition it is important to encapsulate cardamom essential oil in order to increase the stability and limit the degradation. The ultimate purpose of this research is to investigate the CM release from microcapsule at the special product (especially black tea, sour tea, green tea, cowslip tea, etc.) during a stew process or drug delivery. In summary, this research suggested that this microcapsule can protect cardamom essential oil for a long time in aqueous phase; on the other hand, the better release of CM occurred at above temperatures.
Development of A Real‐Time PCR Assay for the Detection ofTrichinella Spiralisin Muscle Tissue of Swine and Derivatives
Authors: Quintana S. , Recavarren M. , Scialfa E. , Viera I. , Rivero M. , Krivokapich S.
Published: December 2015

Trichinellosis is an emergent zoonosis in several regions of the world and it is considered a public health problem. Trichinellosis represent one of the most important zoonotic diseases in Argentina. The purpose of this study was to develop a real‐time PCR assay with internal control to detectTrichinella spiralisDNA in samples of swine muscles and its derivatives. PCR amplification of DNA from muscle samples was performed by real‐time PCR with an internal porcine DNA amplification control. The developed PCR assay specifically detectsT. spiralisshowing no amplification with otherTrichinellagenotypes and showed an estimated sensitivity of 0.024 larvae per gram in swine muscle samples. From the 21 samples analyzed, five samples negative by enzymatic digestion were positive by real‐time PCR, which demonstrates that this technique is capable of detectingT. spiralisin cases when enzymatic digestion cannot. In this work, a new molecular assay with internal control forT. spiralisdetection was successfully developed.

Practical Applications

Trichinellosis is considered a public health problem in Argentina and also represents an economic problem in porcine animal production and food safety. Due to the predominantly zoonotic importance of infection, the main efforts have focused on the control ofTrichinellaor the elimination ofTrichinellafrom the food chain. In our country, most human infections are caused byTrichinella spiralis, which is transmitted mainly by the ingestion of raw or undercooked infected swine meat or its derivative products. New controls in order to improve food safety for consumers should be developed. This new real‐time PCR assay with internal control shows a substantial increase in diagnostic sensitivity in comparison with muscle artificial digestion and the possibility to avoid false negative results. This specific PCR forT. spiralismay be useful for detection of infection at early stages in humans and food animals.