bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cell‐autonomous signal transduction in the Xenopus egg Wnt/β‐catenin pathway
Authors: Motomura Eriko , Narita Tomohiro , Nasu Yuya , Kato Hirotaka , Sedohara Ayako , Nishimatsu Shin‐ichiro , Sakai Masao
Published: October 2014

Wnt proteins are thought to bind to their receptors on the cell surfaces of neighboring cells. Wnt8 likely substitutes for the dorsal determinants in Xenopus embryos to dorsalize early embryos via the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway. Here, we show that Wnt8 can dorsalize Xenopus embryos working cell autonomously. Wnt8 mRNA was injected into a cleavage‐stage blastomere, and the subcellular distribution of Wnt8 protein was analyzed. Wnt8 protein was predominantly found in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and resided at the periphery of the cells; however, this protein was restricted to the mRNA‐injected cellular region as shown by lineage tracing. A mutant Wnt8 that contained an ER retention signal (Wnt8‐KDEL) could dorsalize Xenopus embryos. Finally, Wnt8‐induced dorsalization occurred only in cells injected with Wnt8 mRNA. These experiments suggest that the Wnt8 protein acts within the cell, likely in the ER or on the cell surface in an autocrine manner for dorsalization.
DUBIOUS AND DUBIOUSER: CONTINGENT VALUATION AND THE TIME OF DAY
Authors: Dickinson David L. , Whitehead John C.
Published: October 2014

We collect contingent valuation data from 524 student survey respondents over a 3‐day, 72‐hour period. Data analysis of a hypothetical campus referendum focuses on time‐of‐day effects on willingness to pay for a renewable energy project. We find that subjects responding to the survey during the night‐time hours (i.e., between 12 a.m. and 6 a.m.) do not display the law of demand, offering theoretically invalid responses to questions with important policy implications. Results from this research may have serious implications for the contingent valuation method (CVM). In short, just like your father said, nothing good happens after midnight when using the CVM. (JEL Q51)
The relationship between species richness and biomass changes from boreal to subtropical forests in China
Authors: Wu Xian , Wang Xiangping , Tang Zhiyao , Shen Zehao , Zheng Chengyang , Xia Xinli , Fang Jingyun
Published: October 2014

Diversity‐manipulation experiments suggest a positive effect of biodiversity on ecosystem properties (EPs), but variable relationships between species richness and EPs have been reported in natural communities. An explanation for this discrepancy is that observed richness–EPs relationships in natural communities change with environment and species functional identities. But how the relationships change along broad‐scale climatic gradients has rarely been examined. In this paper, we sampled 848 plots of 20 × 30 m2 from boreal to tropical forests across China. We examined plot biomass with respect to environmental factors, tree species richness and functional group identity (FGI, i.e. evergreen vs deciduous, and coniferous vs broadleaf). Variation partitioning was used to evaluate the relative effects of the three classes of factors. We found that, most of the ‘effects’ (percentage of variation explained) of richness and FGI on forest biomass were shared with environmental factors, but species richness and FGI still revealed significant effects in addition to environment for plots across China. Richness and FGI explained biomass mainly through their shared effects instead of independent effects, suggesting that the positive biodiversity effect is closely associated with a sampling effect. The relative effects of richness, FGI and environment varied latitudinally: the independent effects of environment and richness decreased from boreal to subtropical forests, whereas the total effect of FGI increased. We also found that the slope of richness–biomass relationship decreased monotonically from boreal to subtropical forests, possibly because of decreasing complementarity and increasing competition with increasing productivity. Our results suggest that while species richness does have significant effects on forest biomass it is less important than environmental gradients and other biotic factors in shaping large‐scale biomass patterns. We suggest that understanding how and why the diversity–EPs relationships change along climatic gradient would be helpful for a better understanding of real biodiversity effects in natural communities.
Multi‐causality and spatial non‐stationarity in the determinants of groundwater crustacean diversity in Europe
Authors: Eme David , Zagmajster Maja , Fišer Cene , Galassi Diana , Marmonier Pierre , Stoch Fabio , Cornu Jean‐Francois , Oberdorff Thierry , Malard Florian
Published: October 2014

The recognition of multi‐causality and spatial non‐stationarity in the determinants of large‐scale biodiversity patterns requires to consider the role of multiple mechanisms, their interactions, and how these mechanisms vary in strength relative to each other across geographical space. Here, we challenge the view that historical climate stability primarily drives European patterns of groundwater crustacean diversity by testing also the role of spatial heterogeneity and productive energy. First, we predicted that the three mechanisms would be equally important at continental scale when analyzed separately, but that the importance of historical climate variability would weaken in joint analyses due to co‐variation with the two other mechanisms. Second, we predicted that the three mechanisms would exhibit predictable latitudinal changes in their relative strength. To test these predictions, we selected predictors representing each mechanism and analyzed separately and jointly their effects and interactions using global regression models. We further mapped the independent and overlapping effects of mechanisms across Europe using partial geographically weighted regressions. When analyzed separately, the three mechanisms explained the same amount of variation in species richness, but in the joint analysis, the influence of historical climate stability became hidden in the variation shared with the other mechanisms. Topographic heterogeneity interacted synergistically with actual evapotranspiration and habitat heterogeneity on species richness. Spatial non‐stationarity in the independent and overlapping effects of the three mechanisms was the most plausible explanation for the hump‐shaped latitudinal pattern of crustacean species richness. Productive energy and spatial heterogeneity were important predictors at mid and southern latitudes, whereas historical climate stability overlapped with the two other mechanisms in northern Europe and productive energy in southern Europe. Multi‐causality and spatial non‐stationarity provide a broader perspective of groundwater biodiversity determinants that revives the importance of spatial heterogeneity and the strong dependence of subterranean communities on food supply from the surface.
Competition, facilitation and environmental severity shape the relationship between local and regional species richness in plant communities
Authors: Michalet Richard , Maalouf Jean‐Paul , Choler Philippe , Clément Bernard , Rosebery David , Royer Jean‐Marie , Schöb Christian , Lortie Christopher J.
Published: October 2014

Understanding the relative contribution of local and regional processes to local species richness is an important ecological question and a subject of controversy between macroecologists and community ecologists. We test the hypothesis that the contribution of local and regional processes is dependent on environmental conditions and that the effect of regional processes should be the highest in communities from intermediate positions along environmental severity gradients due to the importance of facilitation. We used the recently developed log‐ratio method to analyze the relationship between local species richness (LSR) and regional species richness (RSR) for 13 plant communities from 4 habitat types of France (coastal sand dunes, oceanic heathlands, alpine grasslands, lowland calcareous grasslands). Each habitat type was split in 3–4 communities using multivariate analyses to identify the relative importance of stress, disturbance, competition, and facilitation functioning within the 13 communities. We found that the LSR/RSR relationship was highly dependent on environmental conditions with saturated communities occurring more frequently than unsaturated communities highlighting the relative importance of local drivers on species richness. We argued that competition was most likely the main source of community saturation whilst facilitation likely contributed to enhancing the importance of the regional species pool for all habitat types. However, the effect of facilitation might be stronger in the disturbed than in the stressed systems because unsaturated curves were only observed in the former conditions. In extreme conditions of disturbance LSR was only controlled by the intensity of disturbance. This effect was not observed in extreme stress conditions. Our study provides support for the emerging balance theory that both local and regional processes are important in nature with their relative contribution depending on environmental conditions. Additionally, this synthesis strongly suggests that facilitation contributes to an important process – the influence of regional species pool on local species richness.
Ecological niche models of mammalian glacial refugia show consistent bias
Authors: Davis Edward Byrd , McGuire Jenny L. , Orcutt John D.
Published: October 2014

Ecological niche models (ENMs) are crucial tools for anticipating range shifts driven by climate change. As hypotheses of future biotic change, they can be difficult to test using independent data. The fossil record is the best way to assess the ability of ENMs to correctly predict range shifts because it provides empirical ranges under novel climate conditions. We tested the performance of ENMs using fossil distributions from the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM, ∼21 000 yr ago). We compared hindcast ENM LGM distribution hypotheses for five species of small mammals, drawn from the published literature, to the known LGM fossil record for those species and found a consistent southern prediction bias in the ENMs. This bias urges caution in interpreting future range predictions, and we suggest that the Pleistocene and Holocene fossil record should be used as an additional resource for calibrating niche modelling for conservation planning.
Academic achievement in school‐aged children with active epilepsy: A population‐based study
Authors: Reilly Colin , Atkinson Patricia , Das Krishna B. , Chin Richard F. C. , Aylett Sarah E. , Burch Victoria , Gillberg Christopher , Scott Rod C. , Neville Brian G. R.
Published: October 2014

Objective

To provide population‐based data on the performance of school‐aged children with epilepsy on measures of academic achievement and factors associated with this performance after controlling for IQ.

Methods

Eighty‐five (74%) of 115 children with “active” epilepsy (experienced a seizure in the past year and/or on antiepileptic drugs [AEDs]) underwent psychological assessment including measures of IQ, aspects of working memory and processing speed. Sixty‐five of the 85 were able to complete subtests on the Wide Range Achievement Test–Fourth Edition (WRAT‐4). Paired sample t‐tests were conducted to compare subtest scores. Factors associated with academic performance after controlling for IQ were examined using linear regression.

Results

Seventy‐two percent of the children, who could complete subtests on the WRAT‐4, displayed “low achievement” (1 standard deviation [SD] below test mean) and 42% displayed “underachievement” (1 SD below assessed IQ) on at least one of the four WRAT‐4 subtests. The mean scores on the Math Computation subtest and Sentence Comprehension subtest were significantly lower than scores on the Word Reading (p < 0.05) and Spelling (p < 0.001) subtests. Younger age at seizure onset was associated (p < 0.05) with decreased scores on three of the four WRAT‐4 subtests after controlling for IQ. Difficulties with auditory working memory were associated with difficulties on reading comprehension (p < 0.05), and parent‐reported difficulties with school attendance were associated with decreased scores on the Spelling and Word Reading subtests after controlling for IQ (p < 0.05).

Significance

Difficulties with academic achievement are common in school‐aged children with “active” epilepsy. Much of the difficulties can be attributed to lowered global cognition. However, specific cognitive deficits, younger onset of first seizure, and school attendance difficulties may contribute to difficulties independent of global cognition. There is a need to screen all children with “active” epilepsy for difficulties in school achievement, to identify contributory factors and to identify efficacious interventions for ameliorating such difficulties.
NMDA receptor‐deficient mice display sexual dimorphism in the onset and severity of behavioural abnormalities
Authors: Milenkovic M. , Mielnik C. A. , Ramsey A. J.
Published: October 2014

N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor‐deficient mice can be used to understand the role that NMDA receptors (NMDARs) play in the pathophysiology of neurodevelopmental disorders such as schizophrenia. Genetically modified mice with low levels of NR1 subunit (NR1 knockdown mice) have reduced receptor levels throughout development, and have robust abnormalities in behaviours that are relevant to schizophrenia. We traced the onset and severity of these behaviours at three developmental stages to understand when in development the underlying circuits depend on intact NMDAR function. We examined social behaviour, working memory, executive function, locomotor activity and stereotypy at 3, 6 and 12 weeks of age in NR1 knockdown mice and their wild‐type littermates. We discovered that each of these behaviours had a unique developmental trajectory in mutant mice, and males showed an earlier onset and severity than females in several behaviours. Hyperlocomotion was most substantial in juvenile mice and plateaued in adult mice, whereas stereotypy progressively worsened with age. Impairments in working memory and sociability were sexually dimorphic, with deficits first detected in peri‐adolescent males but only detected in adult females. Interestingly, executive function was most impaired in peri‐adolescent mice of either sex. Furthermore, while juvenile mutant mice had some ability to problem solve in the puzzle box test, the same mice lost this ability when tested 4 weeks later. Our studies highlight key developmental periods for males and females in the expression of behaviours that are relevant to psychiatric disorders.
Multimodel ensembles of wheat growth: many models are better than one
Authors: Martre Pierre , Wallach Daniel , Asseng Senthold , Ewert Frank , Jones James W. , Rötter Reimund P. , Boote Kenneth J. , Ruane Alex C. , Thorburn Peter J. , Cammarano Davide , Hatfield Jerry L. , Rosenzweig Cynthia , Aggarwal Pramod K. , Angulo Carlos , Basso Bruno , Bertuzzi Patrick , Biernath Christian , Brisson Nadine , Challinor Andrew J. , Doltra Jordi , Gayler Sebastian , Goldberg Richie , Grant Robert F. , Heng Lee , Hooker Josh , Hunt Leslie A. , Ingwersen Joachim , Izaurralde Roberto C. , Kersebaum Kurt Christian , Müller Christoph , Kumar Soora Naresh , Nendel Claas , O'leary Garry , Olesen Jørgen E. , Osborne Tom M. , Palosuo Taru , Priesack Eckart , Ripoche Dominique , Semenov Mikhail A. , Shcherbak Iurii , Steduto Pasquale , Stöckle Claudio O. , Stratonovitch Pierre , Streck Thilo , Supit Iwan , Tao Fulu , Travasso Maria , Waha Katharina , White Jeffrey W. , Wolf Joost
Published: October 2014

Crop models of crop growth are increasingly used to quantify the impact of global changes due to climate or crop management. Therefore, accuracy of simulation results is a major concern. Studies with ensembles of crop models can give valuable information about model accuracy and uncertainty, but such studies are difficult to organize and have only recently begun. We report on the largest ensemble study to date, of 27 wheat models tested in four contrasting locations for their accuracy in simulating multiple crop growth and yield variables. The relative error averaged over models was 24–38% for the different end‐of‐season variables including grain yield (GY) and grain protein concentration (GPC). There was little relation between error of a model for GY or GPC and error for in‐season variables. Thus, most models did not arrive at accurate simulations of GY and GPC by accurately simulating preceding growth dynamics. Ensemble simulations, taking either the mean (e‐mean) or median (e‐median) of simulated values, gave better estimates than any individual model when all variables were considered. Compared to individual models, e‐median ranked first in simulating measured GY and third in GPC. The error of e‐mean and e‐median declined with an increasing number of ensemble members, with little decrease beyond 10 models. We conclude that multimodel ensembles can be used to create new estimators with improved accuracy and consistency in simulating growth dynamics. We argue that these results are applicable to other crop species, and hypothesize that they apply more generally to ecological system models.
How climate, migration ability and habitat fragmentation affect the projected future distribution of European beech
Authors: Saltré Frédérik , Duputié Anne , Gaucherel Cédric , Chuine Isabelle
Published: October 2014

Recent efforts to incorporate migration processes into species distribution models (SDMs) are allowing assessments of whether species are likely to be able to track their future climate optimum and the possible causes of failing to do so. Here, we projected the range shift of European beech over the 21st century using a process‐basedSDMcoupled to a phenomenological migration model accounting for population dynamics, according to two climate change scenarios and one land use change scenario. Our model predicts that the climatically suitable habitat for European beech will shift north‐eastward and upward mainly because (i) higher temperature and precipitation, at the northern range margins, will increase survival and fruit maturation success, while (ii) lower precipitations and higher winter temperature, at the southern range margins, will increase drought mortality and prevent bud dormancy breaking. Beech colonization rate of newly climatically suitable habitats in 2100 is projected to be very low (1–2% of the newly suitable habitats colonised). Unexpectedly, the projected realized contraction rate was higher than the projected potential contraction rate. As a result, the realized distribution of beech is projected to strongly contract by 2100 (by 36–61%) mainly due to a substantial increase in climate variability after 2050, which generates local extinctions, even at the core of the distribution, the frequency of which prevents beech recolonization during more favourable years. Although European beech will be able to persist in some parts of the trailing edge of its distribution, the combined effects of climate and land use changes, limited migration ability, and a slow life‐history are likely to increase its threat status in the near future.
The Price Impact of Lending Relationships
Authors: Stein Ingrid
Published: October 2014

This study analyzes the impact of bank relationships on a firm’s borrowing costs. We find that a firm’s borrowing costs decrease with relationship strength, proxied by the share of bank debt provided by the lender. Borrowing costs, however, rise with relationship length. While the increase over time is weak on average, bank-dependent borrowers face a substantial premium after several relationship years. Switching the lender initially leads to only a small price discount on average. However, the discount is considerable for borrowers that switch and had a strong relationship with their previous lender. Our results suggest that close lending relationships lead to benefits for the firm, but may also imply hold-up costs in the long term.
The emergence of ethnic entrepreneurs in Seoul, South Korea: globalisation from below
Authors: Koh Minkyung , Malecki Edward J
Published: October 2014

In a globalising era, there have been many attempts to explain the processes of globalisation in urban studies. Beyond a global/world city hypothesis which mainly deals with macro‐actors and top‐down processes, this paper explores a grounded globalisation with the emergence of ethnic entrepreneurs who are rarely considered in global city research. We analyse business activities of Nigerian and Pakistani entrepreneurs within the district of Itaewon in Seoul, South Korea by examining two specific points: first, the division of ethnic entrepreneurs into two types: export‐oriented and import‐oriented, and second, the local‐based transnational connections between home and host countries. We argue that the spontaneous transnational connections by ethnic entrepreneurs are an example of globalisation ‘from below’. In contrast to the homogenising Asian global cities, globalisation from below is crucial to understand the various forms of Asian global cities.
Reduction in catheter‐related infections after switching from povidone‐iodine to chlorhexidine for the exit‐site care of tunneled central venous catheters in children on hemodialysis
Authors: Paglialonga Fabio , Consolo Silvia , Biasuzzi Antonietta , Assomou Jolanda , Gattarello Elisabetta , Patricelli Maria Grazia , Giannini Alberto , Chidini Giovanna , Napolitano Luisa , Edefonti Alberto
Published: October 2014

Only a few studies have investigated the optimal exit site management of tunneled central venous catheters (CVCs) in pediatric patients on chronic hemodialysis (HD). The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of chlorhexidine solutions and a 5% povidone‐iodine solution on the incidence of CVC‐related infections in children on HD. The incidence of exit‐site infection (ESI), tunnel infection (TI), and bloodstream infection (BSI) was assessed in two groups of tunneled CVCs. The iodopovidone group consisted of 14 CVCs used between 1 January 2011 and 30 June 2012 in 10 children, whose median age at the time of CVC placement was 11.8 years (range 1.2–19.2): 5% povidone‐iodine was used for CVC exit‐site care. From 1 August 2012 to 31 January 2014, 0.5% chlorhexidine gluconate/70% isopropyl alcohol was used for the exit site, and 2% chlorhexidine gluconate/70% isopropyl alcohol spray for the hub in 13 CVCs was used in 10 patients (chlorhexidine group), whose median age at the time of CVC placement was 10 years (range 1.2–19.2). Ten episodes of ESI were diagnosed in the iodopovidone group (incidence 3.4/1000 CVC days), and only one in the chlorhexidine group (incidence 0.36/1000 CVC days, P = 0.008). One TI was observed in the iodopovidone group (0.34/1000 CVC days), and none in the chlorhexidine group. The incidence of BSIs decreased from 1.7/1000 CVC days (5 cases) to 0.36/1000 CVC days (1 case, P = 0.06) after switching to chlorhexidine. Two CVCs were lost due to CVC‐related infections in the iodopovidone group, whereas no CVC was lost due to infections in the chlorhexidine group. In comparison with 5% povidone‐iodine, the use of chlorhexidine gluconate was associated with a reduction in the incidence of ESI, TI, and BSI in children on HD.
Home hemodialysis and conventional in‐center hemodialysis in Japan: A comparison of health‐related quality of life
Authors: Watanabe Yusuke , Ohno Yoichi , Inoue Tsutomu , Takane Hiroshi , Okada Hirokazu , Suzuki Hiromichi
Published: October 2014

Health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) is an important measure of how disease affects patients' daily life. Conventional in‐center hemodialysis (CHD) patients have been found to have decreased HRQOL. Recent study reported that at‐home hemodialysis (HHD) improved the long‐term HRQOL compared with CHD; however, there have been no data from Japanese HHD patients. A sample of 80 Japanese hemodialysis patients (46 HHD and 34 CHD) was matched for age, sex, and cause of end‐stage renal disease. Patient HRQOL was measured using two health surveys: Medical Outcomes Study 36 Item Short Form Health Survey—Version 2 and Kidney Disease Quality of Life—Short Form. HHD patients reported better scores on seven out of eight domains (all domains except general heath) of the Medical Outcomes Study 36 Item Short Form Health Survey—Version 2, as well as better Kidney Disease Quality of Life—Short Form scores with respect to symptoms and problems, effect of kidney disease, and work status. No significant differences were observed for burden of kidney disease, cognitive function, quality of social interaction, sexual function, or sleep. More than 65% of HHD patients stated that they were not bothered at all by limitations on food and water intake. Japanese HHD patients demonstrate significantly higher HRQOL scores. However, while their HRQOL and employment rate were high and they were able to enjoy fewer dietary restrictions, kidney disease remained a great burden.
Effect of Nano‐Zirconia on the Mechanical and Biological Properties of Calcium Silicate Scaffolds
Authors: Shuai Cijun , Feng Pei , Yang Bo , Cao Yiyuan , Min Anjie , Peng Shuping
Published: October 2014

The calcium silicate (CaSiO3) scaffolds added with 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 wt% nano‐zirconia (nano‐ZrO2) with controlable porous structure were fabricated via selective laser sintering. The effects of nano‐ZrO2 content on the microstructure, crystalline phase, and mechanical and biological properties were investigated. The results showed that the compressive strength and fracture toughness of the scaffolds were enhanced by the addition of nano‐ZrO2, and the phase transformation of monoclinic phase (m‐ZrO2) into tetragonal phase (t‐ZrO2) occurred, which was favorable for the reinforcing ability of ZrO2 due to the stress‐induced phase transformation toughening mechanism. However, the excessive amount of nano‐ZrO2 would cause undesired agglomeration, poor sinterability, and weak apatite‐forming ability. In vitro results showed that there were bone‐like apatite layer formation and MG‐63 cells attachment on the surfaces of the scaffolds, indicating the scaffolds possessed good biological properties.
Factors influencing Korean nurses’ attitudes towards hospice care
Authors: Park K.S. , Yeom H.A.
Published: October 2014

Background

While the need for hospice care is increasing in Korea, there is limited research describing the way hospice care is understood by hospital ward nurses who may have relatively limited opportunities for hospice education in their workplace.

Aim

This study aimed to describe Korean nurses’ attitudes towards hospice care and to examine the relationships between nurses’ attitudes towards hospice care and their demographic and work‐related characteristics.

Methods

This was a cross‐sectional descriptive study. A total of 348 registered nurses recruited from six general hospitals were surveyed using a structured questionnaire. Measurements included general and work‐related characteristics and the Frommelt Attitude Toward Care of the Dying Scale.

Results

The mean score for nurses’ attitudes towards hospice care was 2.52 out of a maximum of 3.0. More positive attitudes towards hospice care were associated with older age, married status, a higher level of education, working at a hospice unit, a higher job position, more years of work experience, having previous experience caring for dying patients and having received education in hospice care. Factors predicting nurses’ attitudes towards hospice care included the number of years of work experience and working at a hospice unit in a hospital, with an explanatory power of 22%.

Limitations

The study was conducted in tertiary care hospitals in Seoul metropolitan area; results may therefore differ in other geographical regions.

Conclusion

Education on hospice care should be targeted to less experienced, younger staff nurses who have no previous education on hospice care or have not worked in a hospice unit.

Implication for Nursing and Health Policy

Tertiary hospitals need to provide more opportunities for their nurses to obtain continuing education on hospice care or increase the number of courses available at the institutional level in order to enhance their nurses’ attitudes towards hospice care.
TTA Rapid: Description of the Technique and Short Term Clinical Trial Results of the First 50 Cases
Authors: Samoy Yves , Verhoeven Geert , Bosmans Tim , Van der Vekens Elke , de Bakker Evelien , Verleyen Piet , Van Ryssen Bernadette
Published: October 2014

Objective

To (1) describe a modified technique for tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA) in dogs with cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture and (2) report short term outcome and complications.

Study Design

Prospective clinical study.

Animals

Dogs with unilateral CCL rupture (n = 50).

Methods

TTA was performed with a novel implant to achieve advancement of the tibial crest. The technical protocol, specific implants and instrumentation, and the short term outcome are described.

Results

Various breeds (mean ± SD weight, 31.9 ± 13.3 kg) were included. Mean age at treatment was 64 ± 30.6 months. Minor complications occurred in 30% and major complications in 4% of the cases. Forty‐eight (96%) dogs had a good to excellent outcome 3 months after surgery.

Conclusion

The modified technique is a viable alternative to other osteotomy techniques.
Surface Electromyography of the Vastus Lateralis, Biceps Femoris, and Gluteus Medius Muscle in Sound Dogs During Walking and Specific Physiotherapeutic Exercises
Authors: Breitfuss Katharina , Franz Michaela , Peham Christian , Bockstahler Barbara
Published: October 2014

Objective

To analyze the muscle activity patterns of the vastus lateralis (VL), biceps femoris (BF), and gluteus medius (GM) during walking and specific physiotherapeutic exercises in clinically sound, healthy dogs without lameness.

Study Design

Observational study.

Animals

Clinically sound dogs (n = 10).

Methods

Surface electromyography was performed during walking and exercises (11% incline and decline, walking over cavaletti) within a defined study area. The maximal, minimal, and mean muscle potentials reflecting activity during each motion cycle were compared among the exercises.

Results

During swing phase, maximal VL activity was higher during cavaletti walking compared with walking over ground or incline. Cavaletti walking had an earlier occurrence of the maximum VL activity than did walking over ground or decline. Compared with walking over ground, incline walking had higher minimal GM activity during the 1st half of stance phase and an earlier occurrence of maximal activity during the 2nd half of stance phase. Cavaletti walking had earlier maximal GM activity in swing phase than did walking over ground. Differences between decline and incline walking were seen in all 3 phases of the motion cycle; namely, higher minimal and mean activities occurred during incline walking, and higher maximum activity occurred in the 1st half of stance phase during incline walking. Compared with decline walking, cavaletti walking showed higher minimal and mean activities in the 2nd half of stance phase and higher maximal and mean activities in swing phase.

Conclusion

Cavaletti and incline walking exercises increases the VL and GM muscle activity.
Permanent liminality: The impact of non‐standard forms of employment on workers' committees in Israel
Authors: NISSIM Gadi , DE VRIES David
Published: October 2014

Workers' committees in Israel are adapting to the neoliberal economy, and the resulting changes in the labour market, by increasingly accepting various non‐standard forms of employment. At the same time, however, they are resisting this reconfiguration of the capitalist economy, in an effort to safeguard workers' rights. Torn between the two positions, workers' committees find themselves in a state of permanent “liminality”, their role reduced to merely seeking compromises and ad hoc solutions. As a result, opposition to the adverse effects of non‐standard employment remains localized and fragmented, thereby consolidating such employment arrangements.
Do labour market reforms reduce labour productivity growth? A panel data analysis of 20 OECD countries (1960–2004)
Authors: VERGEER Robert , KLEINKNECHT Alfred
Published: October 2014

Based on comprehensive regression analysis, the authors find that weak wage growth and a smaller labour share of national income significantly reduce labour productivity growth. They conclude that supply‐side labour market reforms have contributed to reducing labour productivity growth: this cannot be explained by a deregulation‐induced inflow of low‐productivity labour as proposed by OECD researchers. They also discuss why deregulation, easier firing and higher labour turnover may damage learning and knowledge accumulation in companies, notably by weakening the functioning of the “routinized” innovation model (“Schumpeter II”). Finally, their findings raise doubts about the relevance of Baumol's law and Verdoorn's law.
Decay Behavior in Ce3+‐doped La3Si6N11 and Lu3Al5O12 Phosphors
Authors: Park Woon Bae , Kwon Tae Hyun , Sohn Kee‐Sun
Published: October 2014

Ce3+‐activated light emitting diode (LED) phosphors have been extensively examined for photoluminescence, and have been the focus of many detailed structural studies. However, reports of the decay curves of Ce3+‐activated LED phosphors are rare. Although we have reported the decay behaviors of several Eu2+‐activated LED phosphors such as Sr2SiO4, Sr2Si5N8, and CaAlSiN3, we have never conducted an in‐depth study into the decay behavior for Ce3+‐activated LED phosphors. For this study, we investigated the decay curves of well‐known Ce3+‐activated LED phosphors such as La3Si6N11 and Lu3Al5O12. Similar to Eu2+‐activated LED phosphors, the decay behavior of Ce3+‐activated LED phosphors was sensitive to the Ce3+ concentration and to the detection wavelength. There was active nonradiative energy transfer between the Ce3+ activators located at different sites.
Low‐Temperature Synthesis of Nanocrystalline NbB2 Powders by Borothermal Reduction in Molten Salt
Authors: Ran Songlin , Sun Huifeng , Wei Ya'nan , Wang Dewen , Zhou Niming , Huang Qing
Published: October 2014

Nanocrystalline NbB2 powders were successfully prepared by borothermal reduction in molten salt at 800°C–1000°C. Due to the more homogeneous mixing and more rapid diffusion of species in the liquid state than in the solid state, the synthesis temperature of pure NbB2 phase was greatly decreased by the presence of molten NaCl/KCl salt. The NbB2 powders synthesized at 1000°C had the largest specific surface area of 27.09 m2/g and the lowest equivalent average particle size of 32 nm, respectively.
Prevalence of Masked Hypertension in African Americans
Authors: Larsen Timothy R. , Gelaye Alehegn , Waanbah Barryton , Assad Hadeel , Daloul Yara , Williams Frances , Williams Michael , Steigerwalt Susan
Published: October 2014

Masked hypertension (MH), the presence of normal office blood pressure (BP) with elevated ambulatory pressure, has been shown to correlate with organ damage. Population‐based studies from Europe and Asia estimate a prevalence of 8.5% to 15.8%. Two small studies in African Americans estimate a prevalence >40%. Therefore, the authors utilized ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) to identify the prevalence of MH in our African American population. Pressure was recorded every 30 minutes while awake and every 60 minutes while asleep. Patients with 24‐hour average BP ≥135/85 mm Hg, awake average BP ≥140/90 mm Hg, or asleep average BP ≥125/75 mm Hg had MH. Seventy‐three participates had valid data. The mean age of the patients was 49.8 years, mean body mass index was 31.1, and 39 patients (53%) were women. Thirty‐three patients (45.2%) had MH. Patients with MH had higher clinic systolic BP and trended toward higher BMI values. The authors corroborated the high prevalence of MH in African Americans. ABPM is critical to diagnose hypertension in African Americans, particularly in those with high‐normal clinic pressure and obesity.
Effect of Canagliflozin on Blood Pressure and Adverse Events Related to Osmotic Diuresis and Reduced Intravascular Volume in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Weir Matthew R. , Januszewicz Andrzej , Gilbert Richard E. , Vijapurkar Ujjwala , Kline Irina , Fung Albert , Meininger Gary
Published: October 2014

The effects of canagliflozin, a sodium glucose co‐transporter 2 inhibitor, on blood pressure (BP) and osmotic diuresis– and intravascular volume reduction–related adverse events (AEs) were evaluated using pooled data from four placebo‐controlled, phase 3 studies in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM; N=2313). At baseline, 1332 (57.6%) patients were taking an antihypertensive medication. Canagliflozin 100 mg and 300 mg provided reductions (95% confidence interval [CI]) from baseline in systolic BP (SBP) compared with placebo (−4.3 mm Hg [−5.0 to −3.5], −5.0 mm Hg [−5.8 to −4.2], and −0.3 mm Hg [−1.2 to 0.5], respectively) and in diastolic BP (DBP; −2.5 mm Hg [−2.9 to −2.0], −2.4 mm Hg [−2.9 to −1.9], and −0.6 mm Hg [−1.1 to −0.02], respectively). Placebo‐subtracted reductions (95% CI) in SBP with canagliflozin 100 mg and 300 mg were −4.0 mm Hg (−5.1 to −2.8) and −4.7 mm Hg (−5.8 to −3.5) and reductions in DBP were −1.9 mm Hg (−2.6 to −1.2) and −1.9 mm Hg (−2.6 to –1.1), respectively. Compared with the overall population, patients with elevated baseline SBP (≥140 mm Hg) had numerically greater absolute SBP reductions (95% CI) with canagliflozin 100 mg and 300 mg and placebo (−12.8 mm Hg [−15.2 to −10.5], −14.2 mm Hg [−16.4 to −12.0], and −6.8 mm Hg [−9.1 to −4.5], respectively). Numerically greater DBP reductions were seen in patients with DBP ≥90 mm Hg at baseline (−5.9 mm Hg [−8.2 to −3.6], −9.0 mm Hg [−11.1 to −6.9], and −7.4 mm Hg [−9.6 to −5.1], respectively). In patients with elevated SBP at baseline, placebo‐subtracted reductions (95% CI) in SBP with canagliflozin 100 mg and 300 mg were −6.0 mm Hg (−9.1 to −2.9) and −7.4 mm Hg (−10.4 to −4.4), respectively. Placebo‐subtracted changes in DBP were 1.5 mm Hg (−1.6 to 4.5) and −1.6 mm Hg (−4.5 to 1.2), respectively, in those with elevated DBP at baseline. Canagliflozin 100 mg and 300 mg were associated with increased incidence of osmotic diuresis–related AEs (eg, pollakiuria [increased urine volume] and polyuria [increased urine frequency]) vs placebo (6.7%, 5.6%, and 0.8%). The incidence of intravascular volume reduction–related AEs (eg, orthostatic hypotension and postural dizziness) was low across groups (1.2%, 1.3%, and 1.1%). In summary, canagliflozin was associated with reduced BP in patients with T2DM across a range of baseline BPs, with increased incidence of AEs related to osmotic diuresis but not intravascular volume reduction.
Diuretics and Bioimpedance‐Measured Fluid Spaces in Hypertensive Patients
Authors: Tapolyai Mihály , Faludi Mária , Dossabhoy Neville R. , Barna István , Lengvárszky Zsolt , Szarvas Tibor , Berta Klára , Fülöp Tibor
Published: October 2014

The authors examined the relationship between thiazide‐type diuretics and fluid spaces in a cohort of hypertensive patients in a retrospective study of 60 stable hypertensive patients without renal abnormalities who underwent whole‐body bioimpedance analysis. Overhydration was greater in the diuretic group, but only to a nonsignificant degree (5.9 vs 2.9%; P=.21). The total body water did not differ in the two groups (41.8 L vs 40.5 L; P=.64). Extracellular fluid volume (ECV) (19.7 L vs 18.5 L; P=.35) and intracellular fluid volume (ICV) spaces (20.8 L vs 21.3 L; P=.75) were also not significantly different in the two groups. The ratio of ICV:ECV, however, appeared different: 1.05 vs 1.15 (P=.017) and the effect was maintained in the linear regression–adjusted model (β coefficient: −0.143; P=.001). The diuretic‐related distortion of ICV:ECV ratio indicates potential fluid redistribution in hypertensive patients, with ICV participating in the process.
Association of Isolated Systolic, Isolated Diastolic, and Systolic‐Diastolic Masked Hypertension With Carotid Artery Intima‐Media Thickness
Authors: Manios Efstathios , Michas Fotios , Stamatelopoulos Kimon , Koroboki Eleni , Stellos Konstantinos , Tsouma Iliana , Vemmos Konstantinos , Zakopoulos Nikolaos
Published: October 2014

Masked hypertension (MH) is associated with advanced target organ damage. However, patients with MH constitute a group of individuals with heterogeneous characteristics concerning their ambulatory blood pressure (BP) status. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of isolated systolic MH, isolated diastolic MH, and systolic/diastolic MH with carotid artery intima‐media thickness (CIMT). A total of 101 patients with MH underwent carotid artery ultrasonographic measurements. The patients were divided into three groups according to office and daytime BP values: isolated systolic MH, isolated diastolic MH, and systolic/diastolic MH. Patients with isolated systolic (n=36) (0.771 mm) and systolic/diastolic MH (n=37) (0.775 mm) had significantly (P<.05) higher CIMT values than those with isolated diastolic MH (n=28) (0.664 mm), even after adjustment for baseline characteristics and risk factors. Patients with isolated systolic and systolic/diastolic MH presented significantly higher CIMT values compared with patients with isolated diastolic MH.
Differential effects of exercise on brain opioid receptor binding and activation in rats
Authors: Arida Ricardo Mario , Gomes da Silva Sérgio , de Almeida Alexandre Aparecido , Cavalheiro Esper Abrão , Zavala‐Tecuapetla Cecilia , Brand Serge , Rocha Luisa
Published: October 2014

Physical exercise stimulates the release of endogenous opioid peptides supposed to be responsible for changes in mood, anxiety, and performance. Exercise alters sensitivity to these effects that modify the efficacy at the opioid receptor. Although there is evidence that relates exercise to neuropeptide expression in the brain, the effects of exercise on opioid receptor binding and signal transduction mechanisms downstream of these receptors have not been explored. Here, we characterized the binding and G protein activation of mu opioid receptor, kappa opioid receptor or delta opioid receptor in several brain regions following acute (7 days) and chronic (30 days) exercise. As regards short‐ (acute) or long‐term effects (chronic) of exercise, overall, higher opioid receptor binding was observed in acute‐exercise animals and the opposite was found in the chronic‐exercise animals. The binding of [35S]GTPγS under basal conditions (absence of agonists) was elevated in sensorimotor cortex and hippocampus, an effect more evident after chronic exercise. Divergence of findings was observed for mu opioid receptor, kappa opioid receptor, and delta opioid receptor receptor activation in our study. Our results support existing evidence of opioid receptor binding and G protein activation occurring differentially in brain regions in response to diverse exercise stimuli.

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We characterized the binding and G protein activation of mu, kappa, and delta opioid receptors in several brain regions following acute (7 days) and chronic (30 days) exercise. Higher opioid receptor binding was observed in the acute exercise animal group and opposite findings in the chronic exercise group. Higher G protein activation under basal conditions was noted in rats submitted to chronic exercise, as visible in the depicted pseudo‐color autoradiograms.
Psychopathy and Personality: Advances and Debates
Authors: Miller Joshua D. , Lynam Donald R.
Published: October 2014

Nine original articles comprise this special issue of the Journal of Personality addressing personality‐based perspectives of psychopathy. In this introduction to the special issue, we review five advances and areas of agreement that are highlighted across the articles, including the utility of trait perspectives to psychopathy, the emergence of a prototypical trait profile of psychopathy, the importance of recognizing earlier developmental manifestations of psychopathy, the ongoing study and revelation of the basic neural underpinnings of psychopathy, and the important theoretical and empirical association between psychopathy and antisocial behavior. At the same time, several important debates remain, which are also highlighted in the special issue's articles. These debates center around the necessity and sufficiency of certain psychopathy traits, the role of traits alternatively labeled stable Extraversion, fearless dominance, or boldness, and the validity and utility of separating psychopathy from Machiavellianism as is done in research on the Dark Triad.
Orthographic influences on the word‐onset phoneme preparation effect in native Japanese speakers: Evidence from the word‐form preparation paradigm
Authors: Kureta Yoichi , Fushimi Takao , Sakuma Naoko , Tatsumi Itaru F.
Published: October 2014

A central issue in recent psycholinguistic research is whether phonological planning units in word production are language‐specific. Evidence from some Indo‐European language speakers contrasts with recent studies of native Chinese and Japanese speakers, who did not exploit word‐onset phonemes in the word‐form preparation paradigm. In the present study, we first replicated our earlier finding that no preparation effect for word‐onset phonemes occurred when target responses were learned from commonly used Japanese orthographies, including kanji and kana. We then asked participants to learn target responses presented in romanized Japanese, known as romaji, and found a significant phoneme preparation effect. However, we failed to find a similar effect for auditory presentations of the target responses during the learning phase. These results suggest that Japanese speakers, who do not essentially base their speech planning on phonemes, can prepare phonemic segments in special circumstances in which the orthographic representation of romanized Japanese is first activated.
Subjective socioeconomic status and departmental identity interact to reduce depressive tendencies and negative affective responding for female undergraduates
Authors: Nakashima Ken'ichiro , Yanagisawa Kuniaki
Published: October 2014

How do subjective socioeconomic status (SES) and departmental identity promote the mental health of female undergraduates? We conducted a questionnaire study (Study 1) and an experimental study (Study 2) with undergraduates enrolled in a women's junior college to examine whether subjective SES and group identity have an interactive effect on mental health. Results indicated that in participants with high subjective SES, increased identification with their reference in‐group (the academic department) was associated with a decreased tendency for depression (Study 1). These individuals also showed reduced negative affect when responding in situations of social exclusion (Study 2). These effects were absent, or had a reduced intensity in participants with low subjective SES. In sum, subjective SES and departmental identity interact to reduce depressive tendencies and negative affective responding for female undergraduates. Individuals with higher subjective SES may gain more benefits from group identity. We have discussed the implications of these findings.