bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
William Lawes, ‘Treasurer at Warr’
Authors: Pinto David , Ring Layton
Published: April 2013

Amongst estate papers in the Letterbook of Walter Powell (National Library of Wales) are six letters or receipts by William Lawes, five of them holograph, dated December 1644 to March 1645 – only six months before his death in battle. Transcription and annotation give a chance to list exhaustively life-records or contemporary testimonia for him, as well as to examine his normative writing hand and in the light of a now better-definable army service, gauge whether outbreak of civil war in England in autumn 1642 marked the end of his composing career, or what minor exceptions there could be.
Sanpodo seals precursors’ fate
Authors: Short Ben
Published: April 2013

Study reveals how a membrane protein boosts Notch signaling in some daughter cells while suppressing it in others.
In vivo NCL targeting affects breast cancer aggressiveness through miRNA regulation
Authors: Pichiorri Flavia , Palmieri Dario , De Luca Luciana , Consiglio Jessica , You Jia , Rocci Alberto , Talabere Tiffany , Piovan Claudia , Lagana Alessandro , Cascione Luciano , Guan Jingwen , Gasparini Pierluigi , Balatti Veronica , Nuovo Gerard , Coppola Vincenzo , Hofmeister Craig C. , Marcucci Guido , Byrd John C. , Volinia Stefano , Shapiro Charles L. , Freitas Michael A. , Croce Carlo M.
Published: April 2013

Numerous studies have described the altered expression and the causal role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in human cancer. However, to date, efforts to modulate miRNA levels for therapeutic purposes have been challenging to implement. Here we find that nucleolin (NCL), a major nucleolar protein, posttranscriptionally regulates the expression of a specific subset of miRNAs, including miR-21, miR-221, miR-222, and miR-103, that are causally involved in breast cancer initiation, progression, and drug resistance. We also show that NCL is commonly overexpressed in human breast tumors and that its expression correlates with that of NCL-dependent miRNAs. Finally, inhibition of NCL using guanosine-rich aptamers reduces the levels of NCL-dependent miRNAs and their target genes, thus reducing breast cancer cell aggressiveness both in vitro and in vivo. These findings illuminate a path to novel therapeutic approaches based on NCL-targeting aptamers for the modulation of miRNA expression in the treatment of breast cancer.
Use of a Computer Decision Support System and Antimicrobial Therapy Appropriateness
Authors: Filice Gregory A. , Drekonja Dimitri M. , Thurn Joseph R. , Rector Thomas S. , Hamann Galen M. , Masoud Bobbie T. , Leuck Anne-Marie , Nordgaard Curtis L. , Eilertson Meredith K. , Johnson James R.
Published: April 2013

Objective.

To determine whether antimicrobial (AM) courses ordered with an antimicrobial computer decision support system (CDSS) were more likely to be appropriate than courses ordered without the CDSS.

Design.

Retrospective cohort study. Blinded expert reviewers judged whether AM courses were appropriate, considering drug selection, route, dose, and duration.

Setting.

A 279-bed university-affiliated Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital.

Patients.

A 500-patient random sample of inpatients who received a therapeutic AM course between October 2007 and September 2008.

Intervention.

An optional CDSS, available at the point of order entry in the VA computerized patient record system.

Results.

CDSS courses were significantly more likely to be appropriate (111/254, 44%) compared with non-CDSS courses (81/246, 33%, P = .013). Courses were more likely to be appropriate when the initial provider diagnosis of the condition being treated was correct (168/273, 62%) than when it was incorrect, uncertain, or a sign or symptom rather than a disease (24/227, 11%, P< .001). In multivariable analysis, CDSS-ordered courses were more likely to be appropriate than non-CDSS-ordered courses (odds ratio [OR], 1.83; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13–2.98). Courses were also more likely to be judged appropriate when the initial provider diagnosis of the condition being treated was correct than when it was incorrect, uncertain, or a sign or symptom rather than a disease (OR, 3.56; 95% CI, 1.4-9.0).

Conclusions.

Use of the CDSS was associated with more appropriate AM use. To achieve greater improvements, strategies are needed to improve provider diagnoses of syndromes that are infectious or possibly infectious.
Effect of an Annular Closure Device (Barricaid) on Same-Level Recurrent Disk Herniation and Disk Height Loss After Primary Lumbar Discectomy
Authors: Parker Scott L. , Grahovac Gordan , Vukas Duje , Vilendecic Milorad , Ledic Darko , McGirt Matthew J. , Carragee Eugene J.
Published: April 2013

Study Design:

A prospective cohort study.

Objective:

To evaluate whether an annular closure device could be implanted safely to reduce same-level recurrent disk herniation, or attenuate disk height loss and improve the outcome after lumbar discectomy.

Summary of Background Data:

Same-level recurrent disk herniation, disk height loss, and progressive degeneration are common complications and sequelae after lumbar discectomy. Techniques to reduce these consequences may improve outcomes.

Methods:

Forty-six consecutive patients undergoing lumbar discectomy for single-level herniated disk at 2 institutions were followed prospectively with clinical and radiographic evaluations at 6 weeks and 3, 6, 12, and 24 months (control cohort). A second consecutive cohort of 30 patients undergoing 31 lumbar discectomies with implantation of an annular closure device was followed similarly. Incidence of recurrent disk herniation, disk height loss, the leg and back pain visual analog scale (VAS), and the Oswestry Disability Index were assessed at each follow-up.

Results:

Cohorts were well matched at baseline. By 2 years of follow-up, symptomatic recurrent same-level disk herniation occurred in 3 (6.5%) patients in the control cohort versus 0 (0%) patients in the annular repair cohort (P=0.27). A trend of greater preservation of disk height was observed in the annular repair versus the control cohort 3 months (7.9 vs. 7.27 mm, P=0.08), 6 months (7.81 vs. 7.18 mm, P=0.09), and 12 months (7.63 vs. 6.9 mm, P=0.06) postoperatively. The annular closure cohort reported less leg pain (VAS-LP: 5 vs. 16, P<0.01), back pain (VAS-BP: 13 vs. 22, P<0.05), and disability (Oswestry Disability Index: 16 vs. 22, P<0.05) 1 year postoperatively.

Conclusions:

Implantation of a novel annular repair device was associated with greater maintenance of disk height and improved 1-year leg pain, back pain, and low-back disability. Recurrent disk herniation did not occur in any patient after annular repair. Closure of annular defect after lumbar discectomy may help preserve the physiological disk function and prevent long-term disk height loss and associated back and leg pain.
Defending public interests in private lands: compliance, costs and potential environmental consequences of the Brazilian Forest Code in Mato Grosso
Authors: Stickler Claudia M. , Nepstad Daniel C. , Azevedo Andrea A. , McGrath David G.
Published: April 2013

Land-use regulations are a critical component of forest governance and conservation strategies, but their effectiveness in shaping landholder behaviour is poorly understood. We conducted a spatial and temporal analysis of the Brazilian Forest Code (BFC) to understand the patterns of regulatory compliance over time and across changes in the policy, and the implications of these compliance patterns for the perceived costs to landholders and environmental performance of agricultural landscapes in the southern Amazon state of Mato Grosso. Landholdings tended to remain in compliance or not according to their status at the beginning of the study period. The perceived economic burden of BFC compliance on soya bean and beef producers (US$3–5.6 billion in net present value of the land) may in part explain the massive, successful campaign launched by the farm lobby to change the BFC. The ecological benefits of compliance (e.g. greater connectivity and carbon) with the BFC are diffuse and do not compete effectively with the economic benefits of non-compliance that are perceived by landholders. Volatile regulation of land-use decisions that affect billions in economic rent that could be captured is an inadequate forest governance instrument; effectiveness of such regulations may increase when implemented in tandem with positive incentives for forest conservation.
Understorey fire frequency and the fate of burned forests in southern Amazonia
Authors: Morton D. C. , Le Page Y. , DeFries R. , Collatz G. J. , Hurtt G. C.
Published: April 2013

Recent drought events underscore the vulnerability of Amazon forests to understorey fires. The long-term impact of fires on biodiversity and forest carbon stocks depends on the frequency of fire damages and deforestation rates of burned forests. Here, we characterized the spatial and temporal dynamics of understorey fires (1999–2010) and deforestation (2001–2010) in southern Amazonia using new satellite-based estimates of annual fire activity (greater than 50 ha) and deforestation (greater than 10 ha). Understorey forest fires burned more than 85 500 km
2
between 1999 and 2010 (2.8% of all forests). Forests that burned more than once accounted for 16 per cent of all understorey fires. Repeated fire activity was concentrated in Mato Grosso and eastern Pará, whereas single fires were widespread across the arc of deforestation. Routine fire activity in Mato Grosso coincided with annual periods of low night-time relative humidity, suggesting a strong climate control on both single and repeated fires. Understorey fires occurred in regions with active deforestation, yet the interannual variability of fire and deforestation were uncorrelated, and only 2.6 per cent of forests that burned between 1999 and 2008 were deforested for agricultural use by 2010. Evidence from the past decade suggests that future projections of frontier landscapes in Amazonia should separately consider economic drivers to project future deforestation and climate to project fire risk.
The DURAMAZ indicator system: a cross-disciplinary comparative tool for assessing ecological and social changes in the Amazon
Authors: Le Tourneau François-Michel , Marchand Guillaume , Greissing Anna , Nasuti Stéphanie , Droulers Martine , Bursztyn Marcel , Léna Philippe , Dubreuil Vincent
Published: April 2013

During the last 20 years, the Amazon region has been at the same time a place of massive ecological and social change and a laboratory of experiments aimed at promoting sustainable development. Policies and project initiatives involving diverse social groups and environmental contexts have been implemented across the region. They have resulted in mixed outcomes and trade-offs between social and environmental dimensions, making their impact at the local level difficult to assess and their successes difficult to generalize. The objective of the DURAMAZ research project was to provide a better understanding of these impacts. It produced a multi-dimensional indicator system designed to allow a holistic view of sustainable development at local and subregional levels and a comparative perspective across 12 research sites, from an isolated indigenous village to smallholders and agribusiness areas in Mato Grosso. The results of the first observation campaign (2007–2009) show that despite the claim of promoting sustainable development, no project was able to untie the ‘Gordian knot’ of development in the Amazon. Communities continue to face the old dilemma of either enjoying a preserved ecosystem but enduring adverse life conditions, or enjoying better living at the expense of forest cover. Another finding is that the subregional context is very important in shaping the impacts of regional policies. Thus, the same policy will not always have the same effect, depending on in which context it is applied. Finally, we found that cultural factors and a sense of place play a more important role than economic factors when it comes to the way people evaluate their own situation. This research provides the basis for a second phase of the project (2012–2016) in which we will continue to expand our sample and to refine our methodologies with the goal of transforming the initiative into a network of observatories of sustainable development in the Amazon.
Can robots help to feed the world?
Authors: Bogue Robert
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the potential of robots to contribute to producing food for the growing global population.

Design/methodology/approach

Following an introduction which provides an historical background to agricultural production and strategies, this paper considers today's use of robots in traditional agricultural practices. It then introduces precision farming (PF) concepts and discuses the potential role of robots in PF and cites a number of recent research activities. Finally, conclusions are drawn.

Findings

This paper shows that robots have so far played a minor role in traditional agriculture but new families of small, intelligent and autonomous robots could conduct a range of PF tasks. These would boost productivity and also yield economic and environmental benefits and contribute to more sustainable food production practices.

Originality/value

This paper puts forward the case for the use of small, intelligent robots in PF and argues that they could contribute significantly to global food production.
A software framework for agricultural and forestry robots
Authors: Hellström Thomas , Ringdahl Ola
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe a generic software framework for development of agricultural and forestry robots. The primary goal is to provide generic high‐level functionality and to encourage distributed and structured programming, thus leading to faster and simplified development of robots. A secondary goal is to investigate the value of several architecture views when describing different software aspects of a robotics system.

Design/methodology/approach

The framework is constructed with a hybrid robot architecture, with a static state machine that implements a flow diagram describing each specific robot. Furthermore, generic modules for GUI, resource management, performance monitoring, and error handling are included. The framework is described with logical, development, process, and physical architecture views.

Findings

The multiple architecture views provide complementary information that is valuable both during and after the design phase. The framework has been shown to be efficient and time saving when integrating work by several partners in several robotics projects. Although the framework is guided by the specific needs of harvesting agricultural robots, the result is believed to be of general value for development also of other types of robots.

Originality/value

In this paper, the authors present a novel generic framework for development of agricultural and forestry robots. The robot architecture uses a state machine as replacement for the planner commonly found in other hybrid architectures. The framework is described with multiple architecture views.
Realization of turn‐over‐wok movement for cooking robot
Authors: Yan W.X. , Fu Z. , Zhao Y.Z.
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the realization of turn‐over‐wok movement for a cooking robot.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the authors introduce the cooking robot's movement mechanism and its realization methods and then analyze the movement geometric of the movement mechanism. The authors conduct the force analysis of the material in the wok motion and suppose the moving situation of mass point m when turning over the wok and shaking the wok.

Findings

The problem of the cooking robot simulating the special cooking motion made by a chef is solved.

Practical implications

The robot is applicable to being a cooking robot for Chinese dishes.

Originality/value

The paper shows how to optimize the effect of material moving track and satisfies the requirements of wok motion of cooking robot.
Autonomous unmanned vehicles take over on land, sea and in the air
Authors: Bloss Richard
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the most recent AUVSI unmanned vehicle show, with emphasis on the new robot innovations and applications on display.

Design/methodology/approach

In‐depth interviews with exhibitors of unmanned vehicles.

Findings

Unmanned vehicles are being coming more autonomous and addressing an ever‐increase range of applications in military, law enforcement, and commercial applications such as agriculture, fishing and rescue operations.

Practical implications

Customers will have to begin thinking of unmanned vehicle robots and able body helpers in all kinds of applications.

Originality/value

The paper presents a review of the latest innovations that one might have seen if they had been on the exhibition floor at the Las Vegas unmanned show.
Institutional analysis to understand the growth of microfinance institutions in West African economic and monetary union
Authors: Ashta Arvind , Salimata Fall Ndeye
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The extent to which microfinance succeeds varies greatly even among countries. The paper aims to look at why microfinance develops in some countries rather than others. It aims to identify institutional factors that can be introduced to enable microfinance to succeed in a country.

Design/methodology/approach

A small‐sample comparative approach is used, combined with correlation analysis. The research methodology was dictated by the need to find countries that are culturally similar and have the same regulation in order to be able to study other elements.

Findings

The authors find that the success of microfinance is linked to its economic performance, in terms of both levels of per capita income and growth, as well as regulatory and public governance, with the amount of remittances being received in a country and with life expectancy at birth.

Research limitations/implications

Different sources provide different data. So, the findings may not be robust but it is the best available data.

Practical implications

The data shows a high correlation between aid and the development of microfinance and also more so between remittances and the growth of this sector. This has some implications for policies aiming at developing entrepreneurship through microfinance.

Originality/value

Most papers when looking at the success of microfinance across regions have failed to take into account differences in cultures and regulations; thus there is a residual bias. The paper's originality stems from the fact that it explains the success of microfinance while controlling for cultural and regulatory factors, and also goes into public governance indicators. This kind of comparative institutional analysis has not been performed for this region.
Creating shared value as a differentiation strategy – the example of BASF in Brazil
Authors: Spitzeck Heiko , Chapman Sonia
Published: April 2013

Purpose

This paper aims to create empirical evidence regarding shared value strategies recently propagated by Michael Porter and Mark Kramer.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors analyze a single case study of a collaboration between BASF, André Maggi Group and Fundação Espaço Eco in Brazil. The objective is to evaluate whether the applied strategy can be considered as a case of shared value creation.

Findings

The case study on the collaboration between BASF, FEE and the André Maggi Group does qualify as a shared value strategy, more precisely as a case of redesigning productivity in the value chain.

Research limitations/applications

This single case study creates some evidence for shared value strategies; however, more research is needed to generalize the results.

Practical implications

The socio‐eco‐efficiency analysis offered by Fundação Espaço Eco creates a differentiation strategy for BASF in Brazil. The work enables BASF's clients to reduce negative impacts while increasing their financial, social and environmental performance.

Originality/value

This paper is the first empirical verification of the shared value concept. It demonstrates that shared value strategies do enhance financial as well as socio‐environmental performance and build stronger client relationships.
Enabling healthcare services for the rural and semi‐urban segments in India: when shared value meets the bottom of the pyramid
Authors: Esposito Mark , Kapoor Amit , Goyal Sandeep
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The access to high quality, a reliable and affordable basic healthcare service is one of the key challenges facing the rural and semi‐urban population lying at base of the pyramid (BoP) in India. Realizing this as a social challenge and an economic opportunity (shared value), there has been an emergence of healthcare service providers who have bundled entrepreneurial attitude and passion with available scarce resources to design and implement cost‐effective, reliable and scalable market solutions for the BoP. The purpose of this research paper is to understand the underlying operating principles of these self‐sustainable business models aimed at providing healthcare services to the BoP segment in India.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical context involves the use of case study research methodology, where the source of data is published case studies and the company websites of four healthcare organizations who have made a socio‐economic difference in the lives of the rural and semi‐urban population lying at the BoP in India.

Findings

The analysis and findings reflect the key operating principles for sustainable healthcare business ventures at the BoP. These include focus on 4A's (accessible, affordable, acceptable and awareness), local engagement, local skills building, learning by experiment, flexible organizational structure, dynamic leadership, technology integration and scalability.

Research limitations/implications

This research study has focused mainly on the published case studies as source of data.

Originality/value

The intent is to understand and bring forth the learning and guiding principles, which act as a catalyst for the future researchers and business ventures engaged in BoP context.
CSR in industrial clusters: an overview of the literature
Authors: Lund‐Thomsen Peter , Pillay Renginee G.
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The paper seeks to review the literature on CSR in industrial clusters in developing countries, identifying the main strengths, weaknesses, and gaps in this literature, pointing to future research directions and policy implications in the area of CSR and industrial cluster development.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review is conducted of both academic and policy‐oriented writings that contain the keywords “industrial clusters” and “developing countries” in combination with one or more of the following terms: corporate social responsibility, environmental management, labor standards, child labor, climate change, social upgrading, and environmental upgrading. The authors examine the key themes in this literature, identify the main gaps, and point to areas where future work in this area could usefully be undertaken. Feedback has been sought from some of the leading authors in this field and their comments incorporated in the final version submitted to Corporate Governance.

Findings

The article traces the origins of the debate on industrial clusters and CSR in developing countries back to the early 1990s when clusters began to be seen as an important vehicle for local economic development in the South. At the turn of the millennium the industrial cluster debate expanded as clusters were perceived as a potential source of poverty reduction, while their role in promoting CSR among small and medium‐sized enterprises began to take shape from 2006 onwards. At present, there is still very little conceptual and empirical work that systematically investigates the linkages between industrial clusters and CSR in developing country contexts. Hence, the authors recommend that future work in this area should focus on conceptually developing and empirically testing “cluster and CSR” impact assessment methodologies in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. This will provide insights into whether joint CSR interventions in clusters bring about their intended consequences of improving economic, social, and environmental conditions in the South.

Originality/value

This article is likely to be the first systematic review of the literature on industrial clusters and CSR in developing countries.
A framework of conscientious corporate brand – a South African validation
Authors: Bogaards Marlene , Mpinganjira Mercy , Svensson Göran , Mysen Tore
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to validate previous research in ethical branding by testing a conceptual framework on corporate branding using “the conscientious dimension”.

Design/methodology/approach

This article tests a framework for conscientious corporate brands (CCBs) by investigating environmental and climate change issues as well as internal and external corporate codes of ethics as CCB dimensions. The empirical context is based upon South African business‐to‐business relationships.

Findings

The findings indicate that four distinctive conscientious corporate brand dimensions exist.

Research limitations/implications

This current study contributes to the better understanding of and more knowledge on conscientious corporate brand values. Opportunities for future research are provided as the study has explored new aspects of corporate branding.

Practical implications

This study offers managerial implications particularly for practitioners located in emerging markets such as South Africa.

Originality/value

This study validates the multidimensional nature of CCBs.
Portfolio selection: does corporate governance matter?
Authors: Lassoued Naima , Elmir Ali
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine whether corporate governance has an impact on portfolio selection within the usual mean‐variance framework, the idea being that by reducing agency conflicts, corporate governance increases the value of the firm.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a sample of 460 American firms between 1995 and 2004, the authors first determine the optimal mean‐variance portfolio. The authors then test whether governance characteristics explain the optimal portfolio weights.

Findings

The results show that the optimal portfolio weights are sensitive to internal control mechanisms, ownership concentration, managerial entrenchment and incentive compensation.

Originality/value

The results are relevant to academicians and investors concerned with portfolio selection. In fact, they underline the importance of including governance characteristics in their portfolio selection.
Rethinking the primacy of board efficacy for governance: evidence from India
Authors: Gill Suveera
Published: April 2013

Purpose

If proficient boards result in better governance, as the literature on the subject generally suggests, engaging independent directors and having in place an effective audit committee would certainly facilitate productive corporate functioning and enhanced accountability. Motivated by such a viewpoint, the purpose of this paper is to unravel the reporting quality and performance of the Indian central public sector enterprises (CPSEs) and its private counterparts.

Design/methodology/approach

The well premeditated propositions of the study resulted in a final sample comprising 47 CPSEs and 30 peer companies. The auditors' report on financial statements was scanned to determine the quality of company's accounting and financial reporting systems. The BSE‐500 Index companies were ranked on select financial parameters to gauge relative performance of the sample companies.

Findings

An analysis of the CPSEs shows that non‐compliance with the corporate governance provisions with regards to the required number of independent directors on the board did not have any concomitant effect on their performance. Further, an examination of auditors' report revealed that the CPSEs provide a better insight into books of accounts, unlike the private sector.

Originality/value

The study is timely and relevant, given the expanded role of the state and renewed interest in boards. A case for collaborative engagement between the government and the corporate sector is proposed to address legal as well as regulatory lacunae for building trust and fostering good corporate governance. To ensure better compliance and enforcement of financial regulations it envisions an integrated accounting/auditing and taxation administration platform.
Effects of local densities and abiotic microenvironments on reproductive outputs of a biennial, Lysimachia mauritiana var. rubida
Authors: Suzuki Ryo O. , Kachi Naoki
Published: April 2013

To understand the relative importance of density‐dependent and density‐independent factors on plant fitness, we examined the effects of local densities and surrounding ground surface conditions on the reproductive output of a monocarpic biennial plant, Lysimachia mauritiana var. rubida in a natural population. Observations were conducted during five successive years in open dry habitats on rocky coastal cliffs of the subtropical Bonin (Ogasawara) Islands, Japan. Local density and ground surface conditions, categorized by gravel size, were remarkably heterogeneous in the study population. Therefore, we hypothesized that number of flowers per plant was affected by local density, ground surface condition, and their interaction. During 3 of 5 years, the number of flowers per individual L. mauritiana var. rubida plant was only negatively affected by the local density around the plant. The interaction effects of local density and ground surface conditions were observed in two years. Taken together with the results of previous studies, these results suggest that density effects are dominated survival in the early growing season and reproduction, while the effects of ground conditions are important for seedling recruitment and survival in the late growing season. Thus, interactive effects between density‐dependent and density‐independent factors on the life cycle from germination to reproduction regulate populations of L. mauritiana var. rubida in spatially heterogeneous habitats.
A shift in energy metabolism anticipates the onset of sarcopenia in rhesus monkeys
Authors: Pugh Thomas D. , Conklin Matthew W. , Evans Trent D. , Polewski Michael A. , Barbian Hannah J. , Pass Rachelle , Anderson Bradley D. , Colman Ricki J. , Eliceiri Kevin W. , Keely Patricia J. , Weindruch Richard , Beasley T. Mark , Anderson Rozalyn M.
Published: April 2013

Age‐associated skeletal muscle mass loss curtails quality of life and may contribute to defects in metabolic homeostasis in older persons. The onset of sarcopenia occurs in middle age in rhesus macaques although the trigger has yet to be identified. Here, we show that a shift in metabolism occurs in advance of the onset of sarcopenia in rhesus vastus lateralis. Multiphoton laser‐scanning microscopy detects a shift in the kinetics of photon emission from autofluorescent metabolic cofactors NADH and FAD. Lifetime of both fluorophores is shortened at mid‐age, and this is observed in both free and bound constituent pools. Levels of FAD and free NADH are increased and the NAD/NADH redox ratio is lower. Concomitant with this, expression of fiber‐type myosin isoforms is altered resulting in a shift in fiber‐type distribution, activity of cytochrome c oxidase involved in mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation is significantly lower, and the subcellular organization of mitochondria in oxidative fibers is compromised. A regulatory switch involving the transcriptional coactivator PGC‐1α directs metabolic fuel utilization and governs the expression of structural proteins. Age did not significantly impact total levels of PGC‐1α; however, its subcellular localization was disrupted, suggesting that PGC‐1α activities may be compromised. Consistent with this, intracellular lipid storage is altered and there is shift to larger lipid droplet size that likely reflects a decline in lipid turnover or a loss in efficiency of lipid metabolism. We suggest that changes in energy metabolism contribute directly to skeletal muscle aging in rhesus monkeys.
USA300 methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Norway
Authors: Fossum Moen Aina E. , Tannæs Tone Møller , Leegaard Truls Michael
Published: April 2013

Moen AEF*, Tannæs TM, Leegaard TM. USA300 methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Norway.

Community‐associated methicillin‐resistant S. aureus USA300 is known for its ability to disseminate and colonize and the clone has been detected globally. We studied the most populated area in Norway in search for the strain and for signs of endemic establishment. Strain typing techniques such as spa‐, SCCmec‐ and dru‐typing, pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis and detection of USA300 molecular markers, lukS/F‐PV and arcA, were performed. USA300 has been present in the study area since 2003 and has increased in incidence in parallel with the total MRSA incidence. Most USA300 isolates were found in the community, but isolates were also detected in health care institutions.
A meta‐analysis of adult‐rated child personality and academic performance in primary education
Authors: Poropat Arthur E.
Published: April 2013

Background

Personality is reliably associated with academic performance, but personality measurement in primary education can be problematic. Young children find it difficult to accurately self‐rate personality, and dominant models of adult personality may be inappropriate for children.

Aims

This meta‐analysis was conducted to determine the validity of the Five‐Factor Model (FFM) of personality for statistically predicting children's academic performance.

Sample

Literature search identified 12 reports, with cumulative sample sizes ranging from 4,382 (19 correlations) to 5,706 (23 correlations) for correlations with Emotional Stability and Conscientiousness respectively.

Method

Hunter–Schmidt random‐effects meta‐analysis was used, and moderators were tested using sample‐weighted regression.

Results

When compared with self‐rated measures, adult‐rated Conscientiousness and Openness were more strongly correlated with academic performance, but adult‐rated Agreeableness was less strongly correlated. Q‐set‐based assessments had lower validity, which appeared to explain moderating effects of rating source. Moderating effects were not found for age, year of education (grades 1–7), or language within which the study was conducted.

Conclusions

Conscientiousness and Openness had two of the strongest correlations with academic performance yet reported, comparable with previous meta‐analytic correlations of academic performance with instructional quality, cognitive ability, and feedback. The FFM appears to be valid for educational research with children. Openness, which has no counterpart in models of children's temperament, should be further researched with children. Future research should examine the measurement of childhood personality, its relationship with intelligence, the extent to which it is malleable in primary education, and its causal relationship with academic performance.
EGFP Tags Affect Cellular Localization of ATP7B Mutants
Authors: Zhu Min , Ni Wang , Dong Yi , Wu Zhi‐Ying
Published: April 2013

Aims

Wilson's disease is an autosomal recessive disorder of copper metabolism due to mutations within ATP7B gene. Clinical investigations indicate that ATP7B truncations are associated with an early age of onset when compared to its missense mutations. In vitro studies show that mislocalization of ATP7B mutants is involved in disease‐causing mechanisms. Enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) tags are commonly used in in vitro studies of cellular localization of ATP7B mutants. However, there is still much unknown about cellular localization of ATP7B truncations.

Methods

Here, we subcloned full‐length human wild‐type, a missense mutation (T935M), and four truncating mutants (E332X, Q511X, Q547X, Q819X) of ATP7B into pEGFP‐C1, pEGFP‐N2 and pCMV–myc, and transfected Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) and SH‐SY5Y cells with them, respectively.

Results

ATP7B truncations all showed a diffuse and homogenous distribution pattern within the cytosol of CHO and SH‐SY5Y cells, whereas its wild‐type proteins and T935M mutation were clustered in the Golgi apparatus. Furthermore, we found that EGFP tags at N‐ or C‐terminal would severely affect cellular localization of ATP7B truncations, and EGFP tags at N‐terminal also have an influence on T935M localization.

Conclusion

EGFP tags may not be suitable for the detection of cellular localization of ATP7B mutants.
Recommendations for the Use of Prolonged‐Release Fampridine in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Authors: Preiningerova Jana Lizrova , Baumhackl Ulf , Csepany Tunde , Czaplinski Adam , Deisenhammer Florian , Derfuss Tobias , Fabjan Tanja H. , Fazekas Franz , Fuchs Siegrid , Havrdova Eva , Ledinek Alenka Horvath , Illes Zsolt , Jazbec Sasa Sega , Klimova Eleonora , Komoly Samuel , Kurca Egon , Linnebank Michael , Lisy Lubomir , Mares Jan , Prochazkova Lubica , Csilla Rozsa , Szilasiova Jarmila , Stourac Pavel , Talab Radomir , Turcani Peter , Vachova Marta , Vecsei Laszlo , Vodusek David , Zapletalova Olga , Berger Thomas
Published: April 2013

Prolonged‐release fampridine (fampridine PR) is a potassium channel blocker that improves conductivity of signal on demyelinated axons in central nervous system. Fampridine PR has been approved to improve speed of walking in patients with multiple sclerosis. This statement provides a brief summary of data on fampridine PR and recommendations on practical use of the medication in clinical practice, prediction, and evaluation of response to treatment and patient management.
Research priorities in 2012 for the effective management of childhood obesity
Authors: Taylor R. W. , Robinson A. , Espinel P. T. , Baur L. A. , Wake M. , Sabin M. A.
Published: April 2013

In 2010, the Management Stream of the Australasian Child and Adolescent Obesity Research Network (ACAORN) undertook a Delphi survey asking ‘What research questions remain to be addressed in the effective management of child and adolescent obesity?’ Members of ACAORN, the Child and Adolescent Obesity Clinics of Australasia Network (CAOCOA‐Net) and attendees at the Child Obesity symposium at the annual scientific meeting for the Australian and New Zealand Obesity Society (ANZOS) contributed to three rounds of survey development. Although reasonable concordance in ratings was evident for all 10 questions, ‘determining the best strategies for long‐term weight management’ and ‘how best to support the primary healthcare system to achieve these strategies’ were clearly identified as the highest research priorities. Other priorities included ‘how best to identify the right children with whom to intervene’ and ‘managing factors which impact on service delivery’. Identifying priority research areas from those working in the field offers the opportunity to stimulate research collaboration and provide justification for funding applications.
Enhanced Cardiac Perception Is Associated With Increased Susceptibility to Framing Effects
Authors: Sütterlin Stefan , Schulz Stefan M. , Stumpf Theresa , Pauli Paul , Vögele Claus
Published: April 2013

Previous studies suggest in line with dual process models that interoceptive skills affect controlled decisions via automatic or implicit processing. The “framing effect” is considered to capture implicit effects of task‐irrelevant emotional stimuli on decision‐making. We hypothesized that cardiac awareness, as a measure of interoceptive skills, is positively associated with susceptibility to the framing effect. Forty volunteers performed a risky‐choice framing task in which the effect of loss versus gain frames on decisions based on identical information was assessed. The results show a positive association between cardiac awareness and the framing effect, accounting for 24% of the variance in the framing effect. These findings demonstrate that good interoceptive skills are linked to poorer performance in risky choices based on ambivalent information when implicit bias is induced by task‐irrelevant emotional information. These findings support a dual process perspective on decision‐making and suggest that interoceptive skills mediate effects of implicit bias on decisions.
Predicting biological invasions in marine habitats through eco‐physiological mechanistic models: a case study with the bivalve Brachidontes pharaonis
Authors: Sarà G. , Palmeri V. , Rinaldi A. , Montalto V. , Helmuth B.
Published: April 2013

Aim

We used a coupled biophysical ecology (BE)‐physiological mechanistic modelling approach based on the Dynamic Energy Budget theory (DEB, Dynamic energy budget theory for metabolic organisation, 2010, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge; DEB) to generate spatially explicit predictions of physiological performance (maximal size and reproductive output) for the invasive mussel, Brachidontes pharaonis.

Location

We examined 26 sites throughout the central Mediterranean Sea.

Methods

We ran models under subtidal and intertidal conditions; hourly weather and water temperature data were obtained from the Italian Buoy Network, and monthly CHL‐a data were obtained from satellite imagery.

Results

Mechanistic analysis of the B. pharaonis fundamental niche shows that subtidal sites in the Central Mediterranean are generally suitable for this invasive bivalve but that intertidal habitats appear to serve as genetic sinks.

Main conclusions

A BE‐DEB approach enabled an assessment of how the physical environment affects the potential distribution of B. pharaonis. Combined with models of larval dispersal, this approach can provide estimates of the likelihood that an invasive species will become established.
Mating system does not predict permanent sperm depletion in black widow spiders
Authors: Modanu Maria , Michalik Peter , Andrade Maydianne C. B.
Published: April 2013

Variation in sperm production is strongly influenced by mating system across taxa. Recent work in spiders suggests that males of some species show termination of spermatogenesis before their adult molt and thus an inability to produce sperm after maturation. This permanent sperm depletion (PSD) has been hypothesized to co‐occur with monogyny, genital mutilation, or sexual cannibalism because the maintenance of continual sperm supplies is not necessary for species where males can expect only one mating opportunity. Here we test this hypothesis in two congeners exhibiting genital mutilation: the sexually cannibalistic, monogynous Australian redback spider Latrodectus hasselti and the polygynous Western black widow Latrodectus hesperus. We report that PSD does not occur in adult males of either species, and show that males transfer sperm into their copulatory organs multiple times as adults. These data suggest evolutionary links between mating system and investment in sperm production may be more complex than currently appreciated.
Adenosine A1 and A2A receptor‐mediated modulation of acetylcholine release in the mice neuromuscular junction
Authors: Garcia Neus , Priego Mercedes , Obis Teresa , Santafe Manel M. , Tomàs Marta , Besalduch Nuria , Lanuza MªAngel , Tomàs Josep
Published: April 2013

Immunocytochemistry shows that purinergic receptors (P1Rs) type A1 and A2A (A1R and A2AR, respectively) are present in the nerve endings at the P6 and P30 Levator auris longus (LAL) mouse neuromuscular junctions (NMJs). As described elsewhere, 25 μm adenosine reduces (50%) acetylcholine release in high Mg2+ or d‐tubocurarine paralysed muscle. We hypothesize that in more preserved neurotransmission machinery conditions (blocking the voltage‐dependent sodium channel of the muscle cells with μ‐conotoxin GIIIB) the physiological role of the P1Rs in the NMJ must be better observed. We found that the presence of a non‐selective P1R agonist (adenosine) or antagonist (8‐SPT) or selective modulators of A1R or A2AR subtypes (CCPA and DPCPX, or CGS‐21680 and SCH‐58261, respectively) does not result in any changes in the evoked release. However, P1Rs seem to be involved in spontaneous release (miniature endplate potentials MEPPs) because MEPP frequency is increased by non‐selective block but decreased by non‐selective stimulation, with A1Rs playing the main role. We assayed the role of P1Rs in presynaptic short‐term plasticity during imposed synaptic activity (40 Hz for 2 min of supramaximal stimuli). Depression is reduced by micromolar adenosine but increased by blocking P1Rs with 8‐SPT. Synaptic depression is not affected by the presence of selective A1R and A2AR modulators, which suggests that both receptors need to collaborate. Thus, A1R and A2AR might have no real effect on neuromuscular transmission in resting conditions. However, these receptors can conserve resources by limiting spontaneous quantal leak of acetylcholine and may protect synaptic function by reducing the magnitude of depression during repetitive activity.
Effects of Enterococcus faecalis lipoteichoic acid on receptor activator of nuclear factor‐κB ligand and osteoprotegerin expression in periodontal ligament fibroblasts
Authors: Zhao L. , Chen J. , Cheng L. , Wang X. , Du J. , Wang F. , Peng Z.
Published: April 2013

Aim

To investigate the influence of Enterococcus faecalis lipoteichoic acid (LTA) on the key bone resorption‐regulating proteins, receptor activator of nuclear factor‐κB ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) in human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PDL cells).

Methodology

Periodontal ligament cells were subjected to various concentrations of LTA. Cell viability was then determined by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay, whilst the expression levels of RANKL and OPG were investigated by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blotting. The effect of the inhibitors [IL‐1 receptor‐associated kinase (IRAK)‐1/4, p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) (SB203580)] on LTA‐stimulated RANKL/OPG activation was examined. Cell viability and RANKL/OPG ratio in PDL cells were also analysed by MTT assay and Western blotting. Data were analysed using one‐way anova or t‐test at a significance level of P = 0.05.

Result

Cell viability was reduced significantly in the LTA group in a dose‐dependent fashion (P < 0.05). In addition, LTA was found to upregulate the protein expression of RANKL, OPG and their relative ratio in PDL cells (P < 0.05). The optimal concentration of LTA used in PDL cells was determined to be 10 μg mL−1. Following IRAK1/4 and p38MAPK inhibition, LTA‐stimulated increases of RANKL/OPG ratio were significantly reduced (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Enterococcus faecalis LTA could upregulate the expression of RANKL and OPG at different rates, suggesting a potential role for LTA in the bone resorption process of refractory apical periodontitis through the regulation of RANKL and OPG. In addition, IRAK1/4 and p38MAPK signalling involving RANKL/OPG may contribute to inflammatory responses from PDL cells.
Microstructure and Anisotropic Properties of Textured ZrB2 and ZrB2–MoSi2 Ceramics Prepared by Strong Magnetic Field Alignment
Authors: Wu Wen‐Wen , Sakka Yoshio , Suzuki Tohru S. , Zhang Guo‐Jun
Published: April 2013

Dense, highly textured ZrB2 and ZrB2–MoSi2 ceramics were fabricated via a strong magnetic field alignment method followed by spark plasma sintering. Unlike with the previous studies, which only focused on the alignment of single‐phase particles, both ZrB2 and MoSi2, which exhibited a magnetic anisotropy, have been aligned in this study. The alignment of MoSi2 in the same direction of ZrB2 enhanced the degree of orientation of ZrB2, decreased the grain size, but increased the aspect ratio of the platelet ZrB2 grains. The microstructure and anisotropic mechanical properties as well as the oxidation resistance in different directions were discussed.