bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bile duct basement membrane thickening in primary sclerosing cholangitis
Authors: Colling Richard , Verrill Clare , Fryer Eve , Kartsonaki Christiana , Wang Lai M , Chapman Roger , Rajabally Naayil , Fleming Kenneth
Published: September 2015

Aims

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is characterized histologically by portal inflammation, bile duct injury and regeneration and concentric periductal fibrosis. Although seen commonly in our experience, the significance of histological thickening of the bile duct basement membrane on periodic acid Schiff (PAS)‐positive, diastase‐resistant (DPAS) staining has never been analysed formally. In this paper we provide an evidence‐based assessment of basement membrane thickening (BMT) reproducibility and diagnostic accuracy.

Methods and results

A total of 128 archived medical liver core biopsies were retrieved and blinded for review by two independent histopathologists. BMT was assessed and designated as absent or present with a grade (G) of G1–G3. The sensitivity of any BMT for PSC was good at 77%, with moderate specificity at 61%. When only G3 BMT was considered positive, the specificity was high at 95% but the sensitivity was poor at 16%. The interobserver agreement (0.69) and consistency (0.72) were good.

Conclusions

Basement membrane thickening is a reproducible predictor for PSC with good sensitivity and specificity. The presence of G2 and especially G3 BMT showed high specificity and could be regarded as highly predictive of PSC. The presence of more than G1 BMT should be reported and the possibility of PSC should be raised in the differential diagnosis.
Resistance to vertical root fracture of root filled teeth using different conceptual approaches to canal preparation
Authors: Prado M. , de Lima N. R. B. , de Lima C. O. , Gusman H. , Simão R. A.
Published: September 2015

Aim

To evaluate the resistance to vertical root fracture of root filled teeth using different root canal preparation concepts: apical stop and continuously tapering preparation, with different foraminal enlargement. In addition, the effect of filling associated with these different concepts was assessed.

Methodology

Ninety single‐rooted premolars were used. The crowns were removed to standardize the root length at 11 mm. Ten roots were not instrumented and not filled (control group). The other roots were divided into four groups (n = 20): apical stop to finishing file size 25, 0.08 taper; apical stop to finishing file size 45, 0.02 taper; continuously tapering preparation to finishing file size 25, 0.08 taper; and continuously tapering preparation to finishing file size 45, 0.02 taper. Afterwards, 10 roots of each group were root filled using Gutta‐percha and AH Plus. A continuous wave of condensation was used as the filling technique. The roots were evaluated as regards resistance to vertical fracture using a universal testing machine. The data were evaluated using the Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney tests.

Results

No significant difference in performance was observed between continuously tapering preparation size 25, 0.08 taper and apical stop size 45, 0.02 taper groups. Lower resistance values were found in continuously tapering preparation size 45, 0.02 taper group and the highest in apical stop size 25, 0.08 taper group. After filling, a significant increase in resistance values was observed in all groups. In addition, the continuously tapering preparation size 45, 0.02 taper group had values comparable with those of the control.

Conclusion

The different canal preparation techniques reduced resistance to fracture when compared with the control group; however, after root filling, there was a significant increase in resistance.
Incidence of dentinal cracks after root canal preparation with ProTaper Gold, Profile Vortex, F360, Reciproc and ProTaper Universal instruments
Authors: Karataş E. , Gündüz H. A. , Kırıcı D. Ö. , Arslan H.
Published: September 2015

Aim

To assess the effect of root canal preparation using ProTaper Gold, Profile Vortex, F360, Reciproc and ProTaper Universal instruments on dentinal crack formation.

Methodology

Ninety mandibular central incisor teeth with mature apices and straight canals (<5°) were selected and stored in distilled water. Fifteen teeth were left unprepared (control group) and the remaining 75 teeth were assigned to the five root canal shaping groups (n = 15): ProTaper Gold, ProFile Vortex, F360, Reciproc and ProTaper Universal. All the roots were sectioned perpendicular to the long axis at 3, 6 and 9 mm from the apex with a low‐speed saw under water cooling. The slices were then viewed through a stereomicroscope at 25×  magnification. The presence of dentinal cracks was determined by photographing all samples using a digital camera.

Results

All the experimental groups, except F360, produced significantly more cracks than the control group (P < 0.05). No significant difference was observed amongst the groups at the 6 and 9 mm levels (P > 0.05). The ProTaper Universal group produced significantly more cracks than the control, ProTaper Gold, ProFile Vortex, F360 and Reciproc groups at the apical section (3 mm) (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

All the systems that were tested produced dentinal cracks. There was no significant difference between the control and F360 groups in terms of dentinal crack formation.
Nosema ceranae alters a highly conserved hormonal stress pathway in honeybees
Authors: Mayack C. , Natsopoulou M. E. , McMahon D. P.
Published: September 2015

Nosema ceranae, an emerging pathogen of the western honeybee (Apis mellifera), is implicated in recent pollinator losses and causes severe energetic stress. However, whether precocious foraging and accelerated behavioural maturation in infected bees are caused by the infection itself or via indirect energetic stress remains unknown. Using a combination of nutritional and infection treatments, we investigated how starvation and infection alters the regulation of adipokinetic hormone (AKH) and octopamine, two highly conserved physiological pathways that respond to energetic stress by mobilizing fat stores and increasing search activity for food. Although there was no response from AKH when bees were experimentally infected with N. ceranae or starved, supporting the notion that honeybees have lost this pathway, there were significant regulatory changes in the octopamine pathway. Significantly, we found no evidence of acute energetic stress being the only cause of symptoms associated with N. ceranae infection. Therefore, the parasite itself appears to alter regulatory components along a highly conserved physiological pathway in an infection‐specific manner. This indicates that pathogen‐induced behavioural alteration of chronically infected bees should not just be viewed as a coincidental short‐term by‐product of pathogenesis (acute energetic stress) and may be a result of a generalist manipulation strategy to obtain energy for reproduction.
Multi‐decadal trends in spring arrival of avian migrants to the central Arctic coast of Alaska: effects of environmental and ecological factors
Authors: Ward D. H. , Helmericks J. , Hupp J. W. , McManus L. , Budde M. , Douglas D. C. , Tape K. D.
Published: September 2015

Warming in the Arctic has caused the transition from winter to summer to occur weeks earlier over the last half century, yet little is known about whether avian migrants have altered their timing of arrival on breeding areas to match this earlier seasonal transition. Over a 50‐yr period, we examined trends in the timing of the first arrival for 16 avian migrant species at the terminus of their northward migration along the central Arctic coast of Alaska and compared these trends to factors potentially influencing migration phenology. Date of first arrival occurred an average of 0.12 d yr−1 or 6 d (range = 3–10 d) earlier across all species and did not differ significantly among species between 1964 and 2013. Local climatic variables, particularly temperature, had a greater effect on a species first arrival date than did large‐scale climatic predictors. First arrival date was 1.03 d earlier for every 1°C annual change in temperature, but there was nearly a 2‐fold difference in the range of responses across species (0.69–1.33 d °C−1), implying that some species did better than others at timing their arrival with changing temperature. There was weak support for an influence of foraging strategy, migration distance, and flight path on timing of first arrival. Our findings, like others from temperate latitudes, indicate that avian migrants are responsive to changing environmental conditions, though some species appear to be more adaptive than others.
Among the S100 proteins, S100A12 is the most significant marker for psoriasis disease activity
Authors: Wilsmann‐Theis D. , Wagenpfeil J. , Holzinger D. , Roth J. , Koch S. , Schnautz S. , Bieber T. , Wenzel J.
Published: September 2015

Background

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease with deregulation of proteins in the immune system. These proteins include members of the heterogeneous S100 family, which have been discussed as potential biomarkers for disease severity.

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of S100A7, S100A8, S100A9 and S100A12 as possible markers for disease activity in patients with psoriasis skin disease.

Patients and Methods

S100A7, S100A8, S100A9 and S100A12 mRNA expression was determined in the skin of patients with psoriasis and controls (N = 341) by gene expression analyses. In addition, S100 serum levels were investigated by ELISA in an independent cohort of psoriasis patients (i) untreated, with different manifestations (skin/joints), (ii) under treatment (etanercept) and (iii) healthy controls, (N = 55).

Results

All S100‐subtypes included are significantly upregulated in psoriasis skin lesions when compared with atopic dermatitis, lichen ruber and healthy donors. In untreated psoriasis patients, S100A12‐serum levels showed the closest association with disease activity (PASI) (r = 0.542; P < 0.01). Serum levels decreased under treatment with etanercept (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Among the investigated S100‐proteins, S100A12 showed the closest association with disease activity and therapeutic response and might therefore provide a valuable biomarker for psoriasis.
Consumer involvement in mental health education for health professionals: feasibility and support for the role
Authors: Happell Brenda , Bennetts Wanda , Platania‐Phung Chris , Tohotoa Jenny
Published: September 2015

Aims and Objectives

To explore factors impacting on the feasibility of academic and educator roles for consumers of mental health services. The supports required to facilitate these roles from the perspectives of mental health nurse academics and consumer educators/academics will also be explored.

Background

Involving consumers in the education of health professionals is becoming more common. Frequently this strategy is viewed as important to influence the attitudes of health professionals towards consumer participation in mental health services. There remains a paucity of research about these roles and the factors which promote and support their feasibility.

Design

Qualitative exploratory.

Method

In‐depth telephone interviews were undertaken with 34 nurse academics and 12 consumer educators or academics. Participants included nurse academics coordinating undergraduate and postgraduate mental health subjects, and consumer academics and educators involved in teaching mental health nursing components. Interviews were 20 – 45 minutes in duration. Data were analysed thematically.

Results

Four subthemes were identified under the broad theme of feasibility and support: Reliability, support, vulnerability and seen to be griping.

Conclusions

Significant barriers were identified by nurses and consumers to effective consumer involvement, largely reflecting the impact of mental health challenges. Despite this, there was little evidence of structured support being available to enhance the viability of these positions.

Relevance to clinical practice

Involving consumers in the education of health professionals through teaching, curriculum development, assessment and evaluation, is likely to enhance consumer participation in mental health services and ultimately improve service delivery. This involvement needs to be genuine to be effective. Consumers are often viewed as unreliable, vulnerable and using education to voice their own negative experiences. These issues and lack of support provided pose major barriers to successful roles, strategies to overcome barriers and maximise the effectiveness of roles require investigation and implementation.
Pythium aphanidermatum Causing Pythium Rot on Lampranthus spectabilis in Korea
Authors: Park Mi‐Jeong , Han Kyung‐Sook , Kim Jin‐Won , Park Ji‐Hyun , Shin Hyeon‐Dong
Published: September 2015

Pythium aphanidermatum was found to be associated with rotting of leaves and stems in Lampranthus spectabilis in the summers of 2013 and 2014. Infected plants were initially characterized by water‐soaked and discoloured tissue, which are soon covered with cottony aerial hyphae. Subsequently, infected tissues wilted, leaves and stems appeared desiccated, and infected plants died. Pathogenicity of a representative isolate was proved, fulfilling Koch's postulates. Sequence of the internal transcribed spacer region of ribosomal DNA from the isolate shared 100% identity with that of P. aphanidermatum. To our knowledge, this is the first report of P. aphanidermatum causing leaf and stem rot on L. spectabilis in Korea.
Measuring Involvement of a Network of Customers in NPD
Authors: Lynch Patrick , O'Toole Thomas , Biemans Wim
Published: September 2015

The new product development (NPD) literature is rife with suggestions to involve customers in the innovation process, and many firms collaborate with customers. But the extant literature does not offer much guidance concerning the nature and quality of involving such a network of customers. This paper contributes to the extant literature on customer involvement by identifying a comprehensive set of metrics to measure the involvement of a network of customers in NPD. It introduces metrics describing three aspects of customer involvement: (1) the rationale for involving a network of customers in NPD, (2) the network of customers involved in NPD, and (3) the interaction process between manufacturer and customers at the level of individual customers. These metrics help to understand the roles of customers, the timing of their involvement at each stage in the development process, the type and number of customers that are involved, as well as the frequency and intensity of their involvement.

The use of these metrics is illustrated by a study of customer network involvement by Irish business‐to‐business companies. Forty‐six percent of the sampled firms (n = 1400) were actively involved in NPD, but very few of them involved customers in the early stages (n = 77). The involvement of customers in early NPD stages is significant, although manufacturers tend to go back to the same customers repeatedly. The intensity of customer involvement is also extensive, but even more so during the later NPD stages, especially for new products as opposed to product improvements.

By incorporating a network perspective, the proposed metrics for customer network involvement provide a new approach for researchers to study the involvement of customers in NPD.
Macroecological patterns of archaeal ammonia oxidizers in the Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Sintes Eva , De Corte Daniele , Ouillon Natascha , Herndl Gerhard J.
Published: September 2015

Macroecological patterns are found in animals and plants, but also in micro‐organisms. Macroecological and biogeographic distribution patterns in marine Archaea, however, have not been studied yet. Ammonia‐oxidizing Archaea (AOA) show a bipolar distribution (i.e. similar communities in the northernmost and the southernmost locations, separated by distinct communities in the tropical and gyral regions) throughout the Atlantic, detectable from epipelagic to upper bathypelagic layers (<2000 m depth). This tentatively suggests an influence of the epipelagic conditions of organic matter production on bathypelagic AOA communities. The AOA communities below 2000 m depth showed a less pronounced biogeographic distribution pattern than the upper 2000 m water column. Overall, AOA in the surface and deep Atlantic waters exhibit distance–decay relationships and follow the Rapoport rule in a similar way as bacterial communities and macroorganisms. This indicates a major role of environmental conditions in shaping the community composition and assembly (species sorting) and no, or only weak limits for dispersal in the oceanic thaumarchaeal communities. However, there is indication of a different strength of these relationships between AOA and Bacteria, linked to the intrinsic differences between these two domains.
Multilocus analysis of nucleotide variation and speciation in three closely related Populus (Salicaceae) species
Authors: Du Shuhui , Wang Zhaoshan , Ingvarsson Pär K. , Wang Dongsheng , Wang Junhui , Wu Zhiqiang , Tembrock Luke R. , Zhang Jianguo
Published: September 2015

Historical tectonism and climate oscillations can isolate and contract the geographical distributions of many plant species, and they are even known to trigger species divergence and ultimately speciation. Here, we estimated the nucleotide variation and speciation in three closely related Populus species, Populus tremuloides, P. tremula and P. davidiana, distributed in North America and Eurasia. We analysed the sequence variation in six single‐copy nuclear loci and three chloroplast (cpDNA) fragments in 497 individuals sampled from 33 populations of these three species across their geographic distributions. These three Populus species harboured relatively high levels of nucleotide diversity and showed high levels of nucleotide differentiation. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that P. tremuloides diverged earlier than the other two species. The cpDNA haplotype network result clearly illustrated the dispersal route from North America to eastern Asia and then into Europe. Molecular dating results confirmed that the divergence of these three species coincided with the sundering of the Bering land bridge in the late Miocene and a rapid uplift of the Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau around the Miocene/Pliocene boundary. Vicariance‐driven successful allopatric speciation resulting from historical tectonism and climate oscillations most likely played roles in the formation of the disjunct distributions and divergence of these three Populus species.
Inequality of Income and Wealth in the Long Run: A Kaldorian Perspective
Authors: Ryoo Soon
Published: September 2015

The paper examines the determinants of income and wealth inequality in a Kaldorian model. The approach is different from both the mainstream approach that stresses properties of production function and the Kaleckian approach that emphasizes the long‐run adjustment of utilization. The analysis identifies several developments that may have increased inequality since the 1980s, including the shift of the power relation in favor of top managerial pay, the decline in the retention rate, increasing share buybacks, rising indebtedness of lower‐income households and stock market booms. In contrast to Piketty's explanation, the decline in the natural growth rate reduces inequality in this Kaldorian framework.
Altered expression ofTaRSL4gene by genome interplay shapes root hair length in allopolyploid wheat
Authors: Han Yao , Xin Mingming , Huang Ke , Xu Yuyun , Liu Zhenshan , Hu Zhaorong , Yao Yingyin , Peng Huiru , Ni Zhongfu , Sun Qixin
Published: September 2015

Polyploidy is a major driving force in plant evolution and speciation. Phenotypic changes often arise with the formation, natural selection and domestication of polyploid plants. However, little is known about the consequence of hybridization and polyploidization on root hair development.

Here, we report that root hair length of synthetic and natural allopolyploid wheats is significantly longer than those of their diploid progenitors, whereas no difference is observed between allohexaploid and allotetraploid wheats.

The expression of wheat geneTaRSL4, an orthologue ofAtRSL4controlling the root hair development inArabidopsis, was positively correlated with the root hair length in diploid and allotetraploid wheats. Moreover, transcript abundance ofTaRSL4homoeologue from A genome (TaRSL4‐A) was much higher than those of other genomes in natural allopolyploid wheat. Notably, increased root hair length by overexpression of theTaRSL4‐Ain wheat led to enhanced shoot fresh biomass under nutrient‐poor conditions.

Our observations indicate that increased root hair length in allohexaploid wheat originated in the allotetraploid progenitors and altered expression ofTaRSL4gene by genome interplay shapes root hair length in allopolyploid wheat.
The control of mitochondrial DNA replication during development and tumorigenesis
Authors: Lee William T.Y. , John Justin St.
Published: September 2015

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number is strictly regulated during development and tumorigenesis. Pluripotent stem cells and cancer stem‐like cells use glycolysis for energy metabolism, as they possess low mtDNA copy number, which promotes cell proliferation. As pluripotent stem cells can differentiate into all cell types of the body, they establish the mtDNA set point during early development, maintaining mtDNA copy number at low levels but enabling differentiating cells to acquire the appropriate numbers of mtDNA copy to meet their specific demands for OXPHOS‐derived ATP, as they become specialized cells. This process is mediated by changes to DNA methylation at exon 2 of the catalytic subunit of the mitochondrial‐specific polymerase, POLGA. Cancer stem‐like cells, however, are hypermethylated and maintain low mtDNA copy number, resulting in their dependence on aerobic glycolysis. Their hypermethylation at exon 2 of POLGA also promotes their multipotent state. As a result, cancer cells are unable to increase their mtDNA content and differentiate into specific lineages unless they are treated with DNA demethylation agents or partially depleted of their mtDNA. This review describes these processes in depth and argues that DNA methylation of POLGA is instrumental in the fate of pluripotent stem cells and cancer cells.
A finite element analysis of the maxillary first molar PDL with maxillary protraction in a mixed dentition Class III malocclusion
Authors: Tanaka O. M. , Araújo E. A. , Oliver D. R. , Behrents R. G.
Published: September 2015

Structured Abstract

Objectives

To analyze the stress distribution on the PDL of the maxillary first molar in a mixed dentition Class III malocclusion, using a Hyrax‐type appliance and maxillary protraction.

Setting and Sample Population

A Class III malocclusion in the mixed dentition was reconstructed based on CBCT images.

Material and Methods

The 3D FEM comprised the maxilla, alveolar bone, right first permanent molar teeth, and PDL and consisted of 1 133 497 nodes and 573 726 elements. Maxillary protraction force was applied to a hook positioned close to the deciduous canines with 600 g and at 15°, 30°, and 45° downward angles to the maxillary occlusal plane.

Results

Analysis was carried out from the top and buccal view of the sagittal plane. The magnitude of the stresses at 15°, 30°, and 45° of protraction angulation resulted in the highest stress magnitude being in the region between the distobuccal and palatal roots, as well as on the distal surface of the mesial root. The vector direction in this area showed traction and mesial movement. With 30° and 45° protraction angulations, the stress was located only between the distobuccal and palatal roots, and the vector direction was more extrusive at 15°.

Conclusions

The suggested orthodontic movement is in the mesial direction with a small amount of extrusion with 15° angulation and greater extrusion with 30° and 45°.
Differentiating between niche and neutral assembly in metacommunities using null models of β‐diversity
Authors: Tucker Caroline M. , Shoemaker Lauren G. , Davies Kendi F. , Nemergut Diana R. , Melbourne Brett A.
Published: September 2015

The β‐null deviation measure, developed as a null model for β‐diversity, is increasingly used in empirical studies to detect the underlying structuring mechanisms in communities (e.g. niche versus neutral and stochastic versus deterministic). Despite growing use, the ecological interpretation of the presence/absence and abundance‐based versions of the β‐null diversity measure have not been tested against communities with known assembly mechanisms, and thus have not been validated as an appropriate tool for inferring assembly mechanisms. Using a mechanistic model with known assembly mechanisms, we simulated replicate metacommunities and examined β‐null deviation values 1) across a gradient of niche (species‐sorting) to neutrally structured metacommunities, 2) through time, and 3) we compared the effect of changes in assembly mechanism on the performance of the β‐null deviation measures. The impact of stochasticity on assembly outcomes was also considered. β‐null deviation measures proved to be interpretable as a measure of niche or neutral assembly. However, the presence/absence version of the β‐null deviation measure could not differentiate between niche and neutral metacommunities if demographic stochasticity were present. The abundance‐based β‐null deviation measure was successful in distinguishing between niche and neutral metacommunities and was robust to the presence of stochasticity, changes through time, and changing assembly mechanisms. However, we suggest that it is not robust to changing abundance evenness distributions or sampling of communities, and so its interpretation still requires some care. We encourage the testing of the assumptions behind null models for ecology and care in their application.
Pubertal timing and a family history of hypertension: Prospective cohort study
Authors: Zheng Wei , Suzuki Kohta , Sato Miri , Yokomichi Hiroshi , Shinohara Ryoji , Yamagata Zentaro
Published: September 2015

Background

Hypertension is heritable, and genetic factors likely exert an effect from childhood. Puberty is an early life milestone that may relate to adult hypertension. Therefore, this study examined whether there is an association between a family history of hypertension and pubertal growth.

Methods

The participants were children from a prospective cohort study called Project Koshu, who were born between 1991 and 1998 in Japan. Data on family history of hypertension, maternal characteristics, birth and early life factors were collected from the questionnaire administered to the mothers at the time of pregnancy registration or medical check‐up. Child age at peak height velocity (early or non‐early) was calculated from the anthropometric data collected during annual school check‐up.

Results

Data on 919 children (479 boys and 440 girls) were included in the analysis; 478 participants had a family history of hypertension. After adjustment for potential confounders (birth month, maternal body mass index, maternal work status, maternal education, and paternal education), early age at peak height velocity was found to be associated with a family history of hypertension (OR, 1.52; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04–2.24; P = 0.03) and specifically, with having at least one maternal hypertensive relative (OR, 1.81; 95%CI: 1.23–2.68; P = 0.003).

Conclusions

Together with previous reports on the relationship between puberty and adult hypertension, the present results suggest that the timing of pubertal growth is involved in the process of hypertension development in people with a family history of hypertension. Further confirmative studies are needed.
In Vivo Spectrum of UVC‐induced Mutation in Mouse Skin Epidermis May Reflect the Cytosine Deamination Propensity of Cyclobutane Pyrimidine Dimers
Authors: Ikehata Hironobu , Mori Toshio , Yamamoto Masayuki
Published: September 2015

Although ultraviolet radiation (UVR) has a genotoxicity for inducing skin cancers, the skin may tolerate UVC component because the epidermal layer prevents this short wavelength range from passing through. Here, UVC genotoxicity for mouse skin was evaluated in terms of DNA damage formation and mutagenicity. UVC induced UVR photolesions and mutations remarkably in the epidermis but poorly in the dermis, confirming the barrier ability of the epidermis against shorter UVR wavelengths. Moreover, the epidermis itself responded to UVC mutagenicity with mutation induction suppression, which suppressed the mutant frequencies to a remarkably low, constant level regardless of UVC dose. The mutation spectrum observed in UVC‐exposed epidermis showed a predominance of UV‐signature mutation, which occurred frequently in 5′‐TCG‐3′, 5′‐TCA‐3′ and 5′‐CCA‐3′ contexts. Especially, for the former two contexts, the mutations recurred at several sites with more remarkable recurrences at the 5′‐TCG‐3′ sites. Comparison of the UVC mutation spectrum with those observed in longer UVR wavelength ranges led us to a mechanism that explains why the sequence context preference of UV‐signature mutation changes according to the wavelength, which is based on the difference in the mCpG preference of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD) formation among UVR ranges and the sequence context‐dependent cytosine deamination propensity of CPD.
The overexpression of the pine transcription factor PpDof5 in Arabidopsis leads to increased lignin content and affects carbon and nitrogen metabolism
Authors: Rueda‐López Marina , Cañas Rafael A. , Canales Javier , Cánovas Francisco M. , Ávila Concepción
Published: September 2015

PpDof 5 is a regulator of the expression of glutamine synthetase (GS; EC 6.3.1.2) genes in photosynthetic and non‐photosynthetic tissues of maritime pine. We have used Arabidopsis thaliana as a model system to study PpDof 5 function in planta, generating transgenic lines overexpressing the pine transcription factor. The overexpression of PpDof 5 resulted in a substantial increase of lignin content with a simultaneous regulation of carbon and nitrogen key genes. In addition, partitioning in carbon and nitrogen compounds was spread via various secondary metabolic pathways. These results suggest pleiotropic effects of PpDof 5 expression on various metabolic pathways of carbon and nitrogen metabolism. Plants overexpressing PpDof 5 exhibited upregulation of genes encoding enzymes for sucrose and starch biosynthesis, with a parallel increase in the content of soluble sugars. When the plants were grown under nitrate as the sole nitrogen source, they exhibited a significant regulation of the expression of genes involved mainly in signaling, but similar growth rates to wild‐type plants. However, plants grown under ammonium exhibited major induction of the expression of photosynthetic genes and differential expression of ammonium and nitrate transporters. All these data suggest that in addition to controlling ammonium assimilation, PpDof 5 could be also involved in the regulation of other pathways in carbon and nitrogen metabolism in pine trees.
DS14 is more likely to measure depression rather than a personality disposition in patients with acute coronary syndrome
Authors: Ossola Paolo , De Panfilis Chiara , Tonna Matteo , Ardissino Diego , Marchesi Carlo
Published: September 2015

It has been suggested that Type D Personality is a risk factor for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and the DS14 has been developed for its assessment. However, some of the items on the DS14 seem to evaluate depressive symptoms rather than personality features. Therefore, the present study aims to verify whether an overlap exists between the constructs of Type D Personality and depression. Three‐hundred‐and‐four consecutive patients who were both presenting their first ACS and had no history of major depression completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the DS14 to assess Type D personality at baseline and have been re‐evaluated at 1, 2, 4, 6, 9 and 12‐month follow‐ups. Out of 304 subjects (80.6% males), 40 were diagnosed as depressed. An exploratory factor analysis of HADS and the DS14 in the second month revealed that four out of seven items on the depressive subscale of HADS (HADS‐D) and six out of seven items on the Negative Affectivity (NA) subscale of the DS14 segregated on the same factor. Results were verified by a Partial Confirmatory Factor Analysis performed at the twelfth month when most of the patients achieved complete remission from the depressive episode. Temporal stability was poor for NA and Type D Personality and these construct co‐vary with HADS‐D over time. Our data suggests that NA and depression are overlapping constructs, supporting the idea that the DS14 measures depressed features, rather than a personality disposition.
Transnationalism, emotion and second‐generation social mobility in the Filipino‐Canadian diaspora
Authors: Kelly Philip F.
Published: September 2015

Through the case of Filipino‐Canadian youth experiences, this paper examines socio‐economic mobility among the children of immigrants in the context of transnational social fields and emotional engagements with the diasporic homeland. The Filipino‐Canadian experience is distinctive in terms of immigration patterns, settlement trajectories, policy frameworks and the historical and contemporary construction of ethno‐racial identities. Using educational attainment as a proxy for a wider process of social mobility, the paper shows that outcomes among Filipino youth have been anomalously poor. The explanations for this situation are multiple, but this paper draws particular attention to the ways in which negative emotional engagements with the Philippines as a diasporic homeland may shape self‐esteem and aspirations among Filipino youth in Canada and thereby play a role in social mobility.
The investigation of the skin biophysical measurements focusing on daily activities, skin care habits, and gender differences
Authors: Hadi H. , Awadh A. I. , Hanif N. M. , Md Sidik N. F. A. , Mohd Rani M. R. N. , Suhaimi M. S. M.
Published: September 2015

Background

Skin, as a protective barrier to exogenous substances, can be modulated by various internal and external factors that can affect its functional state. In order to prevent the early symptoms and signs of diseases of the skin, frequent skin health assessment should be performed. The aims of the study were to evaluate four skin properties of transepidermal water loss (TEWL), hydration, elasticity, and pigmentation using a non‐invasive skin assessment tool, DermaLab Combo®, and also to determine possible factors that may influence skin condition.

Methods

DermaLab® Combo was used to measure TEWL, hydration, pigmentation, and elasticity on the forearm of volunteers by using different probes. In this study, four parameters were observed to reflect the health of the skin in 100 volunteers.

Results

There were significant differences (P < 0.05) between TEWL, hydration, pigmentation, and elasticity in different genders on the same anatomical site of the forearm. Female subjects have a higher average value of TEWL, hydration, and elasticity compared to male subjects. The differences may be due to an individual's daily activity and use of skin care products as well as environmental factors. The use of moisturiser and drinking lots of water may keep the skin hydrated and delay the process of skin ageing as shown by the better hydration and elasticity observed (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

In this study, it can be concluded that DermaLab® Combo is a reliable skin analysis instrument that offers high precision, accuracy, and reproducibility for all the measuring parameters. It has also been found that daily activities and habits influence skin condition as reflected by the measurement of these biophysical skin parameters.
Ammonia emissions from cattle slurries applied to grassland: should application techniques be reconsidered?
Authors: Huijsmans J. F. M. , Schröder J. J. , Mosquera J. , Vermeulen G. D. , Ten Berge H. F. M. , Neeteson J. J.
Published: September 2015

Ammonia is easily lost after land spreading of livestock slurries. Low‐emission techniques entailing injection and trailing shoes have therefore become compulsory in the Netherlands on grassland. There is an argument that the emission of ammonia after surface application is overestimated and that the emission of various other nitrogen (N) compounds, following the prescribed low‐emission techniques, is underestimated. Opponents also claim that injection in particular decreases grassland yields due to its negative effect on soil quality and biodiversity. They state that a similar reduction in ammonia emissions could be realized via low‐protein dairy cow diets and slurry spreading under favourable weather conditions. This study evaluates these claims and concludes that low‐emission techniques reduce the loss of ammonia effectively and increase the availability of N to grassland. There are no indications that low‐emission techniques per se have negative effects on soil quality, the productivity of crops and biodiversity. It has also been demonstrated that the efficacy of proposed alternatives is limited.
Ammonia emissions from cattle dung, urine and urine with dicyandiamide in a temperate grassland
Authors: Fischer K. , Burchill W. , Lanigan G. J. , Kaupenjohann M. , Chambers B. J. , Richards K. G. , Forrestal P. J.
Published: September 2015

Deposition of urine and dung in pasture‐based livestock production systems is a major source of ammonia (NH3) volatilization, contributing to the eutrophication and acidification of water bodies and to indirect nitrous oxide emissions. The objectives of this study were to (i) measure NH3 volatilization from dung and urine in three seasons, (ii) test the effect of spiking urine with the nitrification inhibitor dicyandiamide (DCD) on NH3 volatilization and (iii) generate NH3 emission factors (EFs) for dung, urine and urine + DCD in temperate maritime grassland. Accordingly, simulated dung, urine and urine spiked with DCD (at 30 kg DCD/ha equivalent rate) patches were applied to temperate grassland. Treatments were applied three times in 2014 with one measurement of NH3 loss being completed in spring, summer and autumn. The NH3‐N EF was highest in spring, which was most likely due to the near absence of rainfall throughout the duration of loss measurement. The EFs across the experiments ranged between 2.8 and 5.3% (mean 3.9%) for dung, 8.7 and 14.9% (mean 11.2%) for urine and 9.5 and 19.5% (mean 12.9%) for urine + DCD, showing that ammonia loss from dung was significantly lower than from urine. Aggregating country‐specific emission data such as those from the current experiment with data from climatically similar regions (perhaps in a weighted manner which accounts for the relative abundance of certain environmental conditions) along with modelling is a potentially resource‐efficient approach for refining national ammonia inventories.
Two forward genetic screens for vein density mutants in sorghum converge on a cytochrome P450 gene in the brassinosteroid pathway
Authors: Rizal Govinda , Thakur Vivek , Dionora Jacqueline , Karki Shanta , Wanchana Samart , Acebron Kelvin , Larazo Nikki , Garcia Richard , Mabilangan Abigail , Montecillo Florencia , Danila Florence , Mogul Reychelle , Pablico Paquito , Leung Hei , Langdale Jane A. , Sheehy John , Kelly Steven , Quick William Paul
Published: September 2015

The specification of vascular patterning in plants has interested plant biologists for many years. In the last decade a new context has emerged for this interest. Specifically, recent proposals to engineer C4 traits into C3 plants such as rice require an understanding of how the distinctive venation pattern in the leaves of C4 plants is determined. High vein density with Kranz anatomy, whereby photosynthetic cells are arranged in encircling layers around vascular bundles, is one of the major traits that differentiate C4 species from C3 species. To identify genetic factors that specify C4 leaf anatomy, we generated ethyl methanesulfonate‐ and γ‐ray‐mutagenized populations of the C4 species sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), and screened for lines with reduced vein density. Two mutations were identified that conferred low vein density. Both mutations segregated in backcrossed F2 populations as homozygous recessive alleles. Bulk segregant analysis using next‐generation sequencing revealed that, in both cases, the mutant phenotype was associated with mutations in the CYP90D2 gene, which encodes an enzyme in the brassinosteroid biosynthesis pathway. Lack of complementation in allelism tests confirmed this result. These data indicate that the brassinosteroid pathway promotes high vein density in the sorghum leaf, and suggest that differences between C4 and C3 leaf anatomy may arise in part through differential activity of this pathway in the two leaf types.
Cross‐Border Mergers and Upstreaming
Authors: Beladi Hamid , Chakrabarti Avik , Hollas Daniel
Published: September 2015

Global forces of fragmentation continue to distance (upstream) a product's conception from its end use. A concurrent flow of cross‐border mergers and upstreaming, by multinational corporations, dominates the fashion of doing international business. We investigate if there is any link between cross‐country variations in upstreaming within firms, apparent in international data, and mergers between firms across borders. Our empirical analysis reveals a significantly positive association between country upstreamness and cross‐border mergers. We build on Neary as well as Beladi et al. to provide a theoretical explanation of our findings in terms of the incentives in business strategic decision‐making to realise the gains from cross‐border mergers and upstreaming through the pricing mechanism of intermediate inputs in a vertically related oligopolistic industry.
Economic Integration, Corporate Tax Incidence and Fiscal Compensation
Authors: Exbrayat Nelly , Geys Benny
Published: September 2015

Higher corporate taxes are often argued to depress wages (a tax incidence effect), while higher wages may require compensation via lower corporate tax rates (a fiscal compensation effect). Yet, existing empirical evidence ignores that (i) both effects are likely to occur simultaneously (necessitating a joint estimation approach), and (ii) capital mobility might play a critical moderating role for the strength of both effects. Using a panel data set comprising 24 OECD countries over the period 1982–2007, we address both these deficiencies. This clearly illustrates the simultaneous existence of tax incidence and fiscal compensation effects. Moreover, capital mobility (and the ensuing relative bargaining power of economic agents) has a significant influence on both the prevalence and strength of these effects.
Feline discrete high‐grade gastrointestinal lymphoma treated with surgical resection and adjuvantCHOP‐based chemotherapy: retrospective study of 20 cases
Authors: Gouldin E. D. , Mullin C. , Morges M. , Mehler S. J. , de Lorimier L.‐P. , Oakley C. , Risbon R. , May L. , Kahn S. A. , Clifford C.
Published: September 2015

The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the outcome of cats treated with surgical intervention for a discrete intermediate‐/high‐grade gastrointestinal lymphoma prior toCHOP‐based chemotherapy. Variables including sex, breed, haematocrit, white blood cell count, serum albumin concentration, clinical stage of disease, gastrointestinal obstruction and peritonitis were assessed for their effect on survival. Twenty cats met the inclusion criteria with three cats still alive at the time of data analysis. The overall median survival time (MST) was 417 days (range: 12–2962 days). The disease‐free interval (DFI) was 357 days (range: 0–1585 days) with six cats still deemed in remission prior to death. Only clinical stage had a significant effect on bothMSTandDFI. Cats with discrete intermediate/high‐grade gastrointestinal lymphoma that undergo surgical resection followed by adjuvantCHOPchemotherapy may achieve acceptable overall survival times.
Development of the Rate-Controlled Constrained-Equilibrium Method for Modeling of Ethanol Combustion
Authors: Nicolas Ghassan , Metghalchi Hameed
Published: September 2015

The rate-controlled constrained-equilibrium method (RCCE) has been further developed to model the combustion process of ethanol air mixtures. The RCCE is a reduction technique based on local maximization of entropy or minimization of a relevant free energy at any time during the nonequilibrium evolution of the system subject to a set of kinetic constraints. An important part of RCCE calculation is determination of a set of constraints that can guide the nonequilibrium mixture to the final stable equilibrium state. In this study, 16 constraints have been developed to model the nonequilibrium ethanol combustion process. The method requires solution of 16 differential equations for the corresponding constraint potentials. Ignition delay calculations of ethanol oxidizer mixtures using RCCE have been compared to those of detailed chemical kinetics using 37 species and 235 reactions. Agreement between the two models is very good. In addition, ignition delay of C2H5OH/O2/Ar mixtures using RCCE has been compared with the experimental measurements in the shock tube and excellent agreement has been reached validating the RCCE calculation.
Enhancement of Fuzzy Controlled Photovoltaic–Diesel System With Battery Storage Using Interleaved Converter With Hybrid MPPT for Rural Home
Authors: Manimekalai P. , Hari Kumar R. , Raghavan S.
Published: September 2015

Hybrid energy systems normally comprise photovoltaic (PV) modules, diesel generator, a DC–DC converter with maximum power point tracking (MPPT) control, a DC–AC inverter with pulse width modulation (PWM) controller and storage system. In this paper, interleaved converter with an hybrid perturb and observe (P&O) fuzzy MPPT technique was proposed to enhance the effectiveness of the hybrid system. The enactment of unipolar sinusoidal pulse width modulation (SPWM) technique and proportional integral (PI) controller enhances the performance of bidirectional H-bridge inverter by getting rid of lower order harmonics, which leads to least possible switching losses, thus improves the inverter efficiency.
Moving-Inertial-Loads-Induced Dynamic Instability for Slender Beams Considering Parametric Resonances
Authors: Sun Zhi
Published: September 2015

This paper investigates the moving-inertial-loads-induced dynamic instability limit for transverse bending vibration of slender beams considering both simple and combination parametric resonances under disturbances on multiple modal coordinates. The vibration system is described in the modal domain using ordinary differential equations with periodic parameters. Straightforward expansion is conducted to analyze the possible resonance regions. The impulsive parametric excitation method is employed to compute the monodromy matrices. System dynamic stability is evaluated and the transition curves are computed. Numerical studies on single-span clamped–clamped and clamped–hinged beams considering the first two modes are conducted. The computed dynamic instability maps verify the analytically derived resonance occurrence conditions and present the following observations. The initial disturbances on multiple modes will induce variation of the parametric resonance instability region and create new resonance tongues. Among all resonance tongues, principal simple and sum combination resonance tongues are the most important. For the mitigation of combination resonances, damping measures are required to be applied on all related modes.