bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
George Edward Pelham Box. 10 October 1919 — 28 March 2013
Authors: Smith A. F. M.
Published: September 2015

George Box was a British industrial and academic statistician who made seminal contributions to theory and practice in the areas of quality control, time-series analysis, the design of experiments, and Bayesian inference, and was the recipient of many awards and honours. He left school at the age of 16 years and, following his early interest in chemistry, found employment as the assistant to the chemist who managed the local sewage treatment plant. While working at the plant, he enrolled for a chemistry degree course with the University of London's External System, but soon after the outbreak of World War II he joined the army and ceased working on the degree. While in the army he was tasked with conducting biochemical experiments relating to the effects of mustard gas but came to realize that the real expertise required was that of a statistician rather than a chemist. After the war he enrolled at University College London and obtained a BSc in mathematics and statistics. From 1948 to 1956 he was employed as an industrial statistician at Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI). While at ICI he took a year's leave of absence in 1953 to serve as a visiting professor at the North Carolina State University at Raleigh. He then returned to ICI but in 1956 accepted a post at Princeton University as director of the university's Statistical Techniques Research Group. In 1959 he left Princeton for the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where in 1960 he founded the University of Wisconsin's Department of Statistics, retiring as an emeritus professor in 1991. He was a man of great personal humour and warmth who cared deeply about his colleagues and was much loved in return by his many students and collaborators.
Fast nastic motion of plants and bioinspired structures
Authors: Guo Q. , Dai E. , Han X. , Xie S. , Chao E. , Chen Z.
Published: September 2015

The capability to sense and respond to external mechanical stimuli at various timescales is essential to many physiological aspects in plants, including self-protection, intake of nutrients and reproduction. Remarkably, some plants have evolved the ability to react to mechanical stimuli within a few seconds despite a lack of muscles and nerves. The fast movements of plants in response to mechanical stimuli have long captured the curiosity of scientists and engineers, but the mechanisms behind these rapid thigmonastic movements are still not understood completely. In this article, we provide an overview of such thigmonastic movements in several representative plants, includingDionaea,Utricularia,Aldrovanda,DroseraandMimosa. In addition, we review a series of studies that present biomimetic structures inspired by fast-moving plants. We hope that this article will shed light on the current status of research on the fast movements of plants and bioinspired structures and also promote interdisciplinary studies on both the fundamental mechanisms of plants' fast movements and biomimetic structures for engineering applications, such as artificial muscles, multi-stable structures and bioinspired robots.
Aerobically respiring prokaryotic strains exhibit a broader temperature–pH–salinity space for cell division than anaerobically respiring and fermentative strains
Authors: Harrison Jesse P. , Dobinson Luke , Freeman Kenneth , McKenzie Ross , Wyllie Dale , Nixon Sophie L. , Cockell Charles S.
Published: September 2015

Biological processes on the Earth operate within a parameter space that is constrained by physical and chemical extremes. Aerobic respiration can result in adenosine triphosphate yields up to over an order of magnitude higher than those attained anaerobically and, under certain conditions, may enable microbial multiplication over a broader range of extremes than other modes of catabolism. We employed growth data published for 241 prokaryotic strains to compare temperature, pH and salinity values for cell division between aerobically and anaerobically metabolizing taxa. Isolates employing oxygen as the terminal electron acceptor exhibited a considerably more extensive three-dimensional phase space for cell division (90% of the total volume) than taxa using other inorganic substrates or organic compounds as the electron acceptor (15% and 28% of the total volume, respectively), with all groups differing in their growth characteristics. Understanding the mechanistic basis of these differences will require integration of research into microbial ecology, physiology and energetics, with a focus on global-scale processes. Critical knowledge gaps include the combined impacts of diverse stress parameters on Gibbs energy yields and rates of microbial activity, interactions between cellular energetics and adaptations to extremes, and relating laboratory-based data to
in situ
limits for cell division.
Admixture between native and invasive populations may increase invasiveness ofMimulus guttatus
Authors: van Kleunen Mark , Röckle Michael , Stift Marc
Published: September 2015

Self-fertilization and admixture of genotypes from different populations can have major fitness consequences in native species. However, few studies have addressed their potential roles in invasive species. Here, we used plants ofMimulus guttatusfrom seven native North American, three invasive Scottish and four invasive New Zealand populations to address this. We created seeds from self-fertilization, within-population outcrossing, between-population outcrossing within the same range, and outcrossing between the native and invasive ranges. A greenhouse experiment showed that native and invasive plants ofM. guttatussuffered to similar degrees from inbreeding depression, in terms of asexual reproduction and biomass production. After outcrossing with plants from other populations,M. guttatusbenefited from heterosis, in terms of asexual and sexual reproduction, and biomass production, particularly when plants from native and invasive populations were crossed. This suggests that, when novel genotypes ofM. guttatusfrom the native North American range will be introduced to the invasive ranges, subsequent outcrossing withM. guttatusplants that are already there might further boost invasiveness of this species.
No deep diving: evidence of predation on epipelagic fish for a stem beaked whale from the Late Miocene of Peru
Authors: Lambert Olivier , Collareta Alberto , Landini Walter , Post Klaas , Ramassamy Benjamin , Di Celma Claudio , Urbina Mario , Bianucci Giovanni
Published: September 2015

Although modern beaked whales (Ziphiidae) are known to be highly specialized toothed whales that predominantly feed at great depths upon benthic and benthopelagic prey, only limited palaeontological data document this major ecological shift. We report on a ziphiid–fish assemblage from the Late Miocene of Peru that we interpret as the first direct evidence of a predator–prey relationship between a ziphiid and epipelagic fish. Preserved in a dolomite concretion, a skeleton of the stem ziphiid
Messapicetus gregarius
was discovered together with numerous skeletons of a clupeiform fish closely related to the epipelagic extant Pacific sardine (
Sardinops sagax
). Based on the position of fish individuals along the head and chest regions of the ziphiid, the lack of digestion marks on fish remains and the homogeneous size of individuals, we propose that this assemblage results from the death of the whale (possibly via toxin poisoning) shortly after the capture of prey from a single school. Together with morphological data and the frequent discovery of fossil crown ziphiids in deep-sea deposits, this exceptional record supports the hypothesis that only more derived ziphiids were regular deep divers and that the extinction of epipelagic forms may coincide with the radiation of true dolphins.
DivergentMLS1promoters lie on a fitness plateau for gene expression
Authors: Bergen Andrew C. , Olsen Gerilyn M. , Fay Justin C.
Published: September 2015

Qualitative patterns of gene activation and repression are often conserved despite an abundance of quantitative variation in expression levels within and between species. A major challenge to interpreting patterns of expression divergence is knowing which changes in gene expression affect fitness. To characterize the fitness effects of gene expression divergence we placed orthologous promoters from eight yeast species upstream of malate synthase (MLS1) inSaccharomyces cerevisiae. As expected, we found these promoters varied in their expression level under activated and repressed conditions as well as in their dynamic response following loss of glucose repression. Despite these differences, only a single promoter driving near basal levels of expression caused a detectable loss of fitness. We conclude that theMLS1promoter lies on a fitness plateau whereby even large changes in gene expression can be tolerated without a substantial loss of fitness.
Effects of reference databases’ refinements on the validity of molecular definitions of 15,371 candidate human-specific regulatory sequences
Authors: Glinsky Gennadi V.
Published: September 2015

Thousands of candidate human-specific regulatory sequences (HSRS) have been identified, supporting the idea that unique to human phenotypes result from human-specific changes to genomic regulatory networks (GRNs). The sequence quality of reference genome databases is essential for the accurate definition of regulatory DNA segments as candidate HSRS. It is unclear how database improvements would affect the validity of the HSRS’ definition. Sequence conservation analysis of 15,371 candidate HSRS was carried out using the most recent releases of reference genomes’ databases of humans and nonhuman primates (NHP) defining the conservation threshold as the minimum ratio of bases that must remap of 1.00. This analysis identifies 3,793 regulatory DNA segments that lack evidence of human-specific mutations and represent regulatory sequences highly conserved in humans, Bonobo, and Chimpanzee. Present analysis revealed a major database refinement’s effect on the validity of HSRS’ definition and suggests that human-specific phenotypes may evolve as a results of integration into human-specific GRNs of both conserved in NHP and human-specific genomic regulatory elements.
Two-phase natural convection flow of a dusty fluid
Authors: Siddiqa Sadia , Hossain M. Anwar , Saha Suvash C
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to conduct a detailed investigation of the two-dimensional natural convection flow of a dusty fluid. Therefore, the incompressible boundary layer flow of a two-phase particulate suspension is investigated numerically over a semi-infinite vertical flat plate. Comprehensive flow formations of the gas and particle phases are given in the boundary layer region. Primitive variable formulation is employed to convert the nondimensional governing equations into the non-conserved form. Three important two-phase mechanisms are discussed, namely, water-metal mixture, oil-metal mixture and air-metal mixture.

Design/methodology/approach

– The full coupled nonlinear system of equations is solved using implicit two point finite difference method along the whole length of the plate.

Findings

– The authors have presented numerical solution of the dusty boundary layer problem. Solutions obtained are depicted through the characteristic quantities, such as, wall shear stress coefficient, wall heat transfer coefficient, velocity distribution and temperature distribution for both phases. Results are interpreted for wide range of Prandtl number Pr (0.005-1,000.0). It is observed that thin boundary layer structures can be formed when mass concentration parameter or Prandtl number (e.g. oil-metal particle mixture) are high.

Originality/value

– The results of the study may be of some interest to the researchers of the field of chemical engineers.
Effect of random surface roughness on squeeze film damping characteristics in damper of linear rolling guide with a fractal-based method
Authors: Li Linlin , Yang Jiajun , Liu Wenwei
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the effect of surface roughness characterized by fractal geometry on squeeze film damping characteristics in damper of the linear rolling guide, which has not been studied so far.

Design/methodology/approach

– The stochastic model of film thickness between rail and damper is established by using the two-variable Weierstrass–Mandelbrot function defining multi-scale and self-affinity properties of the rough surface topography. The stochastically averaged Reynolds equation is solved by using the variables separation method to further derive the film pressure distribution, the damping coefficient, the damping force and squeeze film time. The effect of surface roughness on squeeze film damping characteristics of the damper is analyzed and discussed through simulation.

Findings

– By comparing cases of the rough surface for different fractal parameters and the smooth surface, it is shown that for the isotropic roughness structure, the presence of surface roughness of the damper decreases the squeeze film damping characteristics. It is found that roughness effect on the damping coefficient is associated with the film thickness. In addition, the vibration amplitude effect is negligible for the damper of the linear rolling guide.

Originality/value

– To investigate the random surface roughness effect, the rough surface topography of damper of the linear rolling guide is characterized by using the fractal method instead of the traditional mathematical statistics method.
National Football League faces hedge fund manager fraud: implications for professional associations and investors from the case of international management associates
Authors: Muhtaseb Majed
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– To describe the fraudulent activity of investment manager Kirk S. Wright and to discuss its implications for investors and professional associations.

Design/methodology/approach

– Describes how Mr Wright established and built his fund business, how he solicited investors, how he falsified financial reporting to investors, how investors discovered his fraud and filed lawsuits, how the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) took disciplinary action, and how National Football League (NFL) players unsuccessfully sued the NFL and its players’ union for recommending Mr Wright’s firm. Draws lessons from the story for investors and associations.

Findings

– Since hedge funds are not as strictly regulated as other investment vehicles, investors need to take extra steps to not fall prey to unscrupulous fund managers.

Originality/value

– Detailed, informative case study.
Parties push to enforce statutory time limits on SEC enforcement actions
Authors: Neaderland Benjamin , Cohen Jared
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– To alert companies and individuals subject to regulation and investigation by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of potential arguments to enforce time limits on enforcement actions that have heretofore commonly been ignored.

Design/methodology/approach

– Analyzes two cases - one recently decided and one pending - in US Courts of Appeals, explains significance of issues at stake.

Findings

– The Courts of Appeals for District of Columbia Circuit has recently reviewed, and the Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit will soon decide whether statutory timing provisions effectively remove SEC power to bring enforcement actions past their deadlines, at least in some circumstances.

Practical implications

– Depending on the outcomes of the cases, companies and individuals may gain a new procedural defense or two against SEC enforcement actions. They may also expect the SEC to respond by more actively seeking tolling agreements, and/or being more cautious in issuing Wells notices.

Originality/value

– Guidance based on pending decisions interpreting US securities law, may bring regulatory adjustments to agency practice and procedure.
Increasing physical activity in a secure psychiatric service for women
Authors: Long Clive , West Rachel , Rigg Samantha , Spickett Rebecca , Murray Lynne , Savage Paul , Butler Sarah , Stillman Swee-Kit , Dolley Olga
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness of measures designed to increase physical activity in women in secure psychiatric care.

Design/methodology/approach

– A range of interventions (environmental and motivational) designed to increase participation in physical activities were introduced on two secure wards for women. A pre-post design assessed frequency, duration and intensity of physical activity, attendance at physical activity sessions, exercise motivation, exercise-related mood, attitudes to exercise and health and biological indices. Measures collected over a three-month baseline period were repeated six months post-intervention.

Findings

– Significant changes occurred in both attitudes to exercise and health, exercise motivation and exercise behaviour following change initiatives. With the exception of resting pulse rate and perceived exertion, the increased level of activity was not reflected in changes in body mass index, body fat or body muscle.

Practical implications

– Management led, multi-disciplinary interventions to increase physical activity can have a positive impact on both lifestyle behaviours and physical health.

Originality/value

– This study adds to a small literature on increasing physical activity in women in secure psychiatric settings where obstacles to change are formidable.
The impact of a randomised trial on TC environments
Authors: Autrique Mieke , Pearce Steve , Vanderplasschen Wouter
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the possible impact of a randomised controlled trial on the therapeutic environment of participating therapeutic communities (TCs).

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors compared the environment in four democratic day TCs involved in a randomised trial (experimental TCs) with a similar democratic day TC not involved in the trial (the control TC) by administering the Community Oriented Environment Scale (COPES) to 28 TC members.

Findings

– TC members’ views of the real psychosocial environment at the experimental TC and control TC showed similar high levels for spontaneity, autonomy and personal problem orientation and similar intermediate levels for practical orientation and staff control. The TC members at the experimental TC rated significantly higher levels for order and organisation and clarity, while members at the control TC rated a significantly higher level for involvement.

Originality/value

– The study provided no evidence of a significant adverse impact on the culture of democratic day TCs due to participation in a randomised trial. This finding answers one of the most common arguments in the debate on the ethics of RCTs in TCs.
Contractibility and Transparency of Financial Statement Information Prepared Under IFRS: Evidence from Debt Contracts Around IFRS Adoption
Authors: BALL RAY , LI XI , SHIVAKUMAR LAKSHMANAN
Published: September 2015

We outline several properties of IFRS that potentially affect the contractibility or the transparency of financial statement information, and hence the use of that information in debt contracts. Those properties include the increased choice among accounting rules IFRS gives to managers, enhanced rule‐making uncertainty, and increased emphasis on fair value accounting. Consistent with reduced contractibility of IFRS financial statement information, we find a significant reduction in accounting‐based debt covenants following mandatory IFRS adoption. The reduction in accounting covenant use is associated with measures of the difference between prior domestic standards and IFRS. Because IFRS adoption changed financial reporting in many ways simultaneously, it is difficult to trace the decline in accounting covenant use to individual IFRS properties, though we report larger declines in accounting covenant use in banks, which have a higher proportion of assets and liabilities that are fair‐valued. Our findings are better explained by reduced contractibility than by increased transparency, which would predict reduced nonaccounting covenant use as well, whereas we observe increases. Overall, we conclude that IFRS rules sacrifice debt contracting usefulness to achieve other objectives, such as provision of accounting information relevant to valuation.
A case series and review of Poncet's disease, and the utility of current diagnostic criteria
Authors: Sharma Aman , Pinto Benzeeta , Dogra Sunil , Sharma Kusum , Goyal Palvi , Sagar Vinay , Dhir Varun , Sharma Shefali , Singh Surjit
Published: September 2015

Aim

Poncet's disease is a well recognized form of reactive arthritis in the presence of extra‐articular tuberculosis. There are very limited case reports even from countries where tuberculosis is common and there are no accepted diagnostic criteria for Poncet's disease. In the present study we are describing clinical features of Poncet's disease from a tuberculosis‐endemic region along with a proposal of a new diagnostic criteria.

Methods

All patients diagnosed as having Poncet's disease were included. The clinical details, demographic features, pattern of joint involvement, investigation findings, treatment details and clinical outcomes were recorded on a structured pro forma.

Results

Twenty‐three patients with Poncet's disease were identified during the study period. Thirteen patients had oligoarthritis and the rest had polyarthritis with ankle joint involvement being most common. The duration of joint symptoms varied from 3 days to 6 years. All patients had non‐erosive and non‐deforming arthritis. Systemic symptoms were absent in 48% of patients. Mantoux was positive in most cases (81%). Tuberculosis was extrapulmonary in most cases, lymph node tuberculosis being most common. All patients had complete resolution of joint symptoms with anti‐tubercular treatment. All the factors contributing to eventual diagnosis of Poncet's disease were carefully analyzed and diagnostic criteria are proposed. In the proposed criteria, there are two essential, two major and three minor criteria. According to these criteria 19 patients had definite and three had probable Poncet's disease.

Conclusion

The most common presentation of Poncet's is in the form of oligoarthritis. The proposed criteria can be used for diagnosing Poncet's disease.
Accuracy of caregivers’ recall of hospital admissions: implications for research
Authors: Burakevych Nataliia , McKinlay Christopher Joel Dorman , Alsweiler Jane Marie , Harding Jane Elizabeth ,   for the CHYLD Study team
Published: September 2015

Aim

To determine the accuracy of caregivers’ recall of hospital admissions in early childhood.

Methods

Prospective cohort study of babies born at risk of neonatal hypoglycaemia at Waikato Hospital, New Zealand, a regional public hospital and sole provider of acute inpatient care to over 100,000 children. Caregivers’ recall of children's hospital admissions up to 4.5 years was compared with medical records. Accuracy of recall was related to neonatal and socio‐demographic characteristics.

Results

Of 267 children, 179 (67%) visited hospital and 106 (40%) were admitted at least once. The most frequent reasons for admission were for respiratory (29%) and gastrointestinal (18%) problems. Of 106 children admitted to hospital, 27 (25%) caregivers did not recall the admission and only 37 (35%) accurately recalled the number of admissions. The accuracy of recall was lower for gastrointestinal (38%) and surgical (40%) problems, while recall of respiratory (64%) and ear, nose and throat (60%) admissions was more accurate. Low socio‐economic status and multiple admissions were associated with less accurate recall of number of admissions.

Conclusion

Caregivers do not accurately report hospital admissions. Questionnaire data about use of hospital facilities should be interpreted cautiously and may not be sufficiently accurate for use in research studies.
Young people and debt: getting on with austerities
Authors: Horton John
Published: September 2015

This paper draws on five successive, comparable studies of English young people's experiences and opinions of debt, conducted between 2004 and 2014. The paper makes three main contributions to conceptualisations of geographies of young people and economic change. First, I evidence how multiple forms of indebtedness have become increasingly commonplace, taken‐for‐granted, normative, efficacious constituents of many young people's everyday geographies in England over the last decade. Second, I argue that young people's narratives of debt have increasingly been infused with a particular sense of the inevitability of future debt, especially in a ‘current climate’ of ‘austerity’. Third, I explore some day‐to‐day narratives, practices and dispositions through which young people ‘get on with’ presently experienced and anticipated future debts. In particular, and in distinction to much extant research on young people and debt, I highlight the constitutive presence of anticipated, ‘inevitable’, future indebtedness in many young people's everyday geographies. I suggest that the recognition that young people frequently, and increasingly, figure future debts – and their inevitability – as burdensome, problematic presences within present‐day geographies necessitates a conceptual widening of normative understandings of young people's participation in contemporary economic geographies: beyond formulations of ‘student debt’, beyond a commonplace focus on young people as consumers and beyond assumptions of young people as passive victims of economic change.
Influence of repeated ochratoxin A ingestion on milk production and its carry‐over into the milk, blood and tissues of lactating cows
Authors: Hashimoto Yasushi , Katsunuma Yu , Nunokawa Masahiro , Minato Hajime , Yonemochi Chisato
Published: September 2015

An experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of repeated ingestion of ochratoxin A (OTA) on milk production of lactating Holstein cows over 28 days, and the carry‐over of OTA from the diets into the milk and tissues of the cows. Nine cows were divided into three groups, labeled OTA5, OTA50 and OTA100, and fed a diet containing 5, 50 and 100 µg OTA/kg of dry matter, respectively. Body weight, feed intake and daily milk yield in cows were not different among the three groups during the OTA‐intake period. OTA residues were neither detected in the tissues, such as liver, kidney, muscles, fat and jejunoileum, nor in the milk of any cows in the OTA intake groups. In contrast, a small amount of OTA (0.1 µg/kg) was detected in the blood plasma of one sample in the OTA50 group and multiple samples in the OTA100 group. The results of this study show that the ingestion of diets containing up to 100 µg/kg of OTA over 28 days does not affect feed intake or milk production of cows, and the dietary OTA is not carried over into milk and edible tissues such as the liver, muscles and fat. © 2015 Japanese Society of Animal Science
Attacking invasive grasses
Authors: Keeley Jon E.
Published: September 2015

In grasslands fire may play a role in the plant invasion process, both by creating disturbances that potentially favour non‐native invasions and as a possible tool for controlling alien invasions. Havill et al. (Applied Vegetation Science, 18, 2015, this issue) determine how native and non‐native species respond to different fire regimes as a first step in understanding the potential control of invasive grasses.
A pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic model for intrathecal baclofen in patients with severe spasticity
Authors: Heetla H. W. , Proost J. H. , Molmans B. H. , Staal M. J. , van Laar T.
Published: September 2015

Aims

Intrathecal baclofen (ITB) has proven to be an effective and safe treatment for severe spasticity. However, although ITB is used extensively, clinical decisions are based on very scarce pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic (PKPD) data. The aim of this study was to measure baclofen CSF concentrations and clinical effects after administration of various ITB boluses in patients with spasticity and to create a PKPD model for ITB.

Methods

Twelve patients with severe spasticity received four different bolus doses of ITB (0, 25, 50, 75 μg and an optional dose of 100 μg), administered via a catheter with the tip at thoracic level (Th) 10. After each bolus, 10 CSF samples were taken at fixed time intervals, using a catheter with the tip located at Th12. Clinical effect was assessed by measuring spasticity with the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS). These data were used to develop a PKPD model.

Results

All patients achieved an adequate spasmolytic effect with ITB doses varying from 50 to 100 μg. No serious side effects were observed. CSF baclofen concentrations, as well as the clinical effects, correlated significantly with ITB doses. The PK model predicted a steep spinal concentration gradient of ITB along the spinal axis. The clinical effect could be predicted using a delayed‐effect model.

Conclusions

ITB is an effective and safe therapy with, however, a steep concentration gradient along the spinal axis. This means that the administered baclofen is staying mainly around the catheter tip, which stresses the importance to position the ITB catheter tip closely to the targeted spinal level.
Rejoinder to “Reader Reaction: A Note on the Evaluation of Group Testing Algorithms in the Presence of Misclassification”
Authors: Hudgens Michael G.
Published: September 2015

This article is the rejoinder to:
Transcription factors regulating B cell fate in the germinal centre
Authors: Recaldin T , Fear D J
Published: September 2015

Diversification of the antibody repertoire is essential for the normal operation of the vertebrate adaptive immune system. Following antigen encounter, B cells are activated, proliferate rapidly and undergo two diversification events; somatic hypermutation (followed by selection), which enhances the affinity of the antibody for its cognate antigen, and class-switch recombination, which alters the effector functions of the antibody to adapt the response to the challenge faced. B cells must then differentiate into antibody-secreting plasma cells or long-lived memory B cells. These activities take place in specialized immunological environments called germinal centres, usually located in the secondary lymphoid organs. To complete the germinal centre activities successfully, a B cell adopts a transcriptional programme that allows it to migrate to specific sites within the germinal centre, proliferate, modify its DNA recombination and repair pathways, alter its apoptotic potential and finally undergo terminal differentiation. To co-ordinate these processes, B cells employ a number of ‘master regulator’ transcription factors which mediate wholesale transcriptomic changes. These master transcription factors are mutually antagonistic and form a complex regulatory network to maintain distinct gene expression programs. Within this network, multiple points of positive and negative feedback ensure the expression of the ‘master regulators’, augmented by a number of ‘secondary’ factors that reinforce these networks and sense the progress of the immune response. In this review we will discuss the different activities B cells must undertake to mount a successful T cell-dependent immune response and describe how a regulatory network of transcription factors controls these processes.
Mixed meal ingestion diminishes glucose excursion in comparison with glucose ingestion via several adaptive mechanisms in people with and without type 2 diabetes
Authors: Alsalim W. , Tura A. , Pacini G. , Omar B. , Bizzotto R. , Mari A. , Ahrén B.
Published: September 2015

Aims

To study the integrative impact of macronutrients on postprandial glycaemia, β‐cell function, glucagon and incretin hormones in humans.

Methods

Macronutrients were ingested alone (glucose 330 kcal, protein 110 kcal or fat 110 kcal) or together (550 kcal) by healthy subjects (n = 18) and by subjects with drug‐naïve type 2 diabetes (T2D; n = 18). β‐cell function and insulin clearance were estimated by modelling glucose, insulin and C‐peptide data. Secretion of glucose‐dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) were measured, and paracetamol was administered to estimate gastric emptying.

Results

In both groups, the mixed‐meal challenge diminished glucose excursion compared with glucose challenge alone, and insulin levels, but not C‐peptide levels, rose more than after the mixed meal than after glucose alone. β‐cell function was augmented, insulin clearance was reduced and glucagon levels were higher after the mixed meal compared with glucose alone. GLP‐1 and GIP levels increased after all challenges and GIP secretion was markedly higher after the mixed meal than after glucose alone. The appearance of paracetamol was delayed after the mixed‐meal challenge compared with glucose alone.

Conclusions

Adding protein and fat macronutrients to glucose in a mixed meal diminished glucose excursion. This occurred in association with increased β‐cell function, reduced insulin clearance, delayed gastric emptying and augmented glucagon and GIP secretion. This suggests that the macronutrient composition regulates glycaemia through both islet and extra‐islet mechanisms in both healthy subjects and in subjects with T2D.
Trade Openness and Economic Growth: Panel Data Evidence from Sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Brueckner Markus , Lederman Daniel
Published: September 2015

This paper uses an instrumental variables approach to estimate the relationship between trade openness and economic growth in Sub‐Saharan Africa. Instrumental variables estimates show that economic growth has a significant negative contemporaneous effect on trade openness, while trade openness has a significant positive effect on economic growth. A 1 percentage point increase in the ratio of trade over GDP is associated with a short‐run increase in growth of approximately 0.5% in a given year; the cumulative long‐run effect on the level of GDP per capita is larger, reaching about 2%.
Guided endodontics: accuracy of a novel method for guided access cavity preparation and root canal location
Authors: Zehnder M. S. , Connert T. , Weiger R. , Krastl G. , Kühl S.
Published: September 2015

Aim

To present a novel method utilizing 3D printed templates to gain guided access to root canals and to evaluate its accuracy in vitro.

Methodology

Sixty extracted human teeth were placed into six maxillary jaw models. Preoperative CBCT scans were matched with intra‐oral scans using the coDiagnostix™ software. Access cavities, sleeves and templates for guidance were virtually planned. Templates were produced by a 3D printer. After access cavity preparation by two operators, a postoperative CBCT scan was superimposed on the virtual planning. Accuracy was measured by calculating the deviation of planned and prepared cavities in three dimensions and angle. Ninety‐five per cent confidence intervals were calculated for both operators.

Results

All root canals were accessible after cavity preparation with ‘Guided Endodontics’. Deviations of planned and prepared access cavities were low with means ranging from 0.16 to 0.21 mm for different aspects at the base of the bur and 0.17–0.47 mm at the tip of the bur. Mean of angle deviation was 1.81°. Overlapping 95% confidence intervals revealed no significant difference between operators.

Conclusion

‘Guided Endodontics’ allowed an accurate access cavity preparation up to the apical third of the root utilizing printed templates for guidance. All root canals were accessible after preparation.
Effect of delayed scanning on imaging and on the diagnostic accuracy of vertical root fractures in two photostimulable phosphor plates digital systems
Authors: Nascimento H. A. R. , Visconti M. A. P. G. , Ferreira L. M. , Suarez M. A. , Haiter Neto F. , Freitas D. Q.
Published: September 2015

Aim

To evaluate the influence of delayed scanning on images obtained with two PSPs digital systems and on the diagnostic accuracy of vertical root fracture (VRF) by means of objective and subjective analyses.

Methodology

Forty single‐rooted human teeth were divided into two groups, one without VRFs and another with VRFs induced by a universal testing machine. Two digital systems (VistaScan® and Express®) were used to radiograph all teeth, and the resulting plates were scanned at four time‐points: T0–immediately, T1–30 min, T2–2 h and T3–4 h after exposure. An aluminium (Al) wedge was used to evaluate the change in mean grey values as each scan was delayed. Three observers screened all images for VRFs, and one‐fourth of the sample was revaluated after thirty days. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, sensitivity, specificity and accuracy values were compared by anova.

Results

Intra‐ and interobserver agreement ranged from moderate to substantial and fair to moderate, respectively. There was no significant difference amongst scan delays with regard to sensitivity, specificity and accuracy; however, there were significant differences in the area under the ROC curve, with the 4‐h delayed scan being associated with lower values compared to the others (P = 0.019). As for objective analysis, there was a significant difference amongst all different scanning time‐points for the two systems (P = 0.001), except between the 30‐min and 2‐h delayed scans in the VistaScan® system.

Conclusion

Whilst delayed scanning caused changes to the density of images acquired with the systems studied, it did not seem to interfere with VRF diagnosis except when scanning was delayed for 4 h, which should therefore be avoided.
Discharge educational strategies for reduction of vascular events (DESERVE): design and methods
Authors: Lord Aaron S. , Carman Heather M. , Roberts Eric T. , Torrico Veronica , Goldmann Emily , Ishida Koto , Tuhrim Stanley , Stillman Joshua , Quarles Leigh W. , Boden-Albala Bernadette
Published: September 2015

Rationale

Stroke and vascular risk factors disproportionately affect minority populations, with Blacks and Hispanics experiencing a 2.5- and 2.0-fold greater risk compared with whites, respectively. Patients with transient ischemic attacks and mild, nondisabling strokes tend to have short hospital stays, rapid discharges, and inaccurate perceptions of vascular risk.

Aim

The primary aim of the Discharge Educational Strategies for Reduction of Vascular Events (DESERVE) trial is to evaluate the efficacy of a novel community health worker-based multilevel discharge intervention vs. standard discharge care on vascular risk reduction among racially/ethnically diverse transient ischemic attack/mild stroke patients at one-year postdischarge. We hypothesize that those randomized to the discharge intervention will have reduced modifiable vascular risk factors as determined by systolic blood pressure compared with those receiving usual care.

Sample size estimates

Given 300 subjects per group and alpha of 0.05, the power to detect a 6 mmHg reduction in systolic blood pressure is 89%.

Design

DESERVE trial is a prospective, randomized, multicenter clinical trial of a novel discharge behavioral intervention. Patients with transient ischemic attack/mild stroke are randomized during hospitalization or emergency room visit to intervention or usual care. Intervention begins prior to discharge and continues postdischarge.

Study outcomes

The primary outcome is difference in systolic blood pressure reduction between groups at 12 months. Secondary outcomes include between-group differences in change in glycated hemoglobin, smoking rates, medication adherence, and recurrent stroke/transient ischemic attack at 12 months.

Discussion

DESERVE will evaluate whether a novel discharge education strategy leads to improved risk factor control in a racially diverse population.
The Influence of Guides on Alcohol Consumption among Young Tourists at a Nightlife Resort
Authors: Tutenges Sébastien , Jæger Mads M. , Hesse Morten
Published: September 2015

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess how participation in party activities with guides affects alcohol consumption among young tourists at an international nightlife resort.

Methods: Prospective survey of 112 Danish tourists in Sunny Beach, Bulgaria, who were asked about their drinking and activities with guides on three separate nights out.

Results: Participation in party activities with guides, such as drinking games and Pub Crawls, were associated with heavily increased drinking compared with nights out without guides, but not in a dose–response type relationship.

Conclusion: Participating in party activities with guides increases drinking among young tourists who are already drinking large amounts of alcohol during their vacation. Further studies are needed to measure, describe, and change the role played by guides at nightlife resorts. (Am J Addict 2012;21:S72–S76)
Cannabis Psychosis: Examining the Evidence for a Distinctive Psychopathology in a Systematic and Narrative Review
Authors: Baldacchino Alexander , Hughes Zoe , Kehoe Michael , Blair Hannah , Teh Ying , Windeatt Stacey , Crome Ilana B.
Published: September 2015

Background: The term “cannabis psychosis” has become ubiquitous in the psychiatric literature. Few authors have described the precise psychopathology of this potentially distinct subtype of psychosis. Specifically, little attention has been paid to exploring whether cannabis psychosis is characterized by a psychopathology which is different from that of other types of psychosis.

Objective: The purpose of this paper was to systematically review the literature for evidence of a specific constellation of symptoms which are consistently characteristic of cannabis psychosis within an inpatient psychiatric setting and to determine whether these combine to create a psychopathology which is distinct from that of other types of psychosis.

Method: Systematic review using Meta‐analysis Of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines.

Results: 13 studies of the 439 identified met the inclusion criteria. Only eight studies had sufficient internal and external validity to allow comparison in a narrative format of the psychopathology present, compared with controls. Of these eight selected studies, seven reported at least one significant difference (p < .05) in the psychopathology of the cannabis group to the control group used as a comparator.

Discussion and Conclusion: This study should be interpreted with great caution and conclusions should not be generalized. These findings do not suggest that “cannabis psychosis” does not exist, only that from a psychopathological perspective it may not be qualitatively any different from other forms of psychosis. Future research in this area needs to focus on clarifying the definition or description of “cannabis psychosis” and the use of standardized robust experimental and/or observational designs to eliminate heterogeneity that may lead to inconclusive results. (Am J Addict 2012;21:S88–S98)
Sexual Risk‐Taking Mediates the Association between Impulsivity and Acquisition of Sexually Transmitted Infections among Hazardously Drinking Incarcerated Women
Authors: Hayaki Jumi , Anderson Bradley J. , Stein Michael D.
Published: September 2015

Background: A growing literature has identified associations between impulsivity and negative behaviors such as sexual risk‐taking among high‐risk and/or vulnerable populations, but few studies have linked impulsivity to biological outcomes of sexual risk‐taking. The main purpose of this study was to document associations among impulsivity, sexual risk‐taking, and biological measures of sexually transmitted infection (STI+) in a sample of hazardously drinking incarcerated women.

Methods: Two hundred forty‐five hazardously drinking incarcerated women self‐reported alcohol consumption and consequences, impulsivity, and sexual behavior.

Results: Biological testing revealed a 22.9% prevalence rate for STI+. In this sample, sexual risk‐taking fully mediated the association between impulsivity and likelihood of STI+. In addition, individuals reporting sexual activity with multiple partners were significantly more likely to test STI+ than those reporting sexual activity with a primary partner.

Conclusion: These results support previous research on impulsivity by demonstrating that impulsivity leads to STI+ through risky behavioral choices. These findings also extend prior work by documenting this association using biologically confirmed measures in a vulnerable female population that carries multiple risk factors and thus warrants increased research attention. (Am J Addict 2012;21:S63–S71)
Perceptions of young adults with sickle cell disease concerning their disease experience
Authors: Matthie Nadine , Hamilton Jill , Wells Diana , Jenerette Coretta
Published: September 2015

Aim

To describe the perceptions of young adults with sickle cell disease concerning their disease experience.

Background

Sickle cell disease is a lifelong, genetic condition with both acute and chronic painful exacerbations. Little is known of the experiences of young adults with sickle cell disease.

Design

This study used a qualitative, descriptive design with semi‐structured, life review interviews.

Methods

Between August 2010–September 2012, purposive sampling was used to recruit participants with a known sickle cell disease diagnosis who were ages 18–35 years, were being seen in an outpatient sickle cell clinic and were English speaking. Participants provided demographic information and responded to two interviews. A content analysis was then used to interpret participants’ narratives of their experiences of living with sickle cell disease.

Results/findings

A sample of 29 young adults with sickle cell disease consisted of 79·3% females, 35·6% employed full‐time or part‐time, 71·6% single/never married and 57·8% with sickle cell anaemia. Their mean age was 25·8 with 13·2 years of education. Four major interview themes were identified: (1) struggles to maintain or achieve good quality of life or life satisfactions; (2) strategies to maintain self‐care; (3) interruptions to family, work and social roles; and (4) difficulties accessing needed health care.

Conclusion

Young adults face many challenges while living with sickle cell disease. With a better understanding of their disease experience and how it influences their quality of life, researchers can begin tailoring appropriate interventions to improve health outcomes in this vulnerable, minority population.
A gain‐of‐function mutation in Msl10 triggers cell death and wound‐induced hyperaccumulation of jasmonic acid in Arabidopsis
Authors: Zou Yan , Chintamanani Satya , He Ping , Fukushige Hirotada , Yu Liping , Shao Meiyu , Zhu Lihuang , Hildebrand David F. , Tang Xiaoyan , Zhou Jian‐Min
Published: September 2015

Jasmonates (JAs) are rapidly induced after wounding and act as key regulators for wound induced signaling pathway. However, what perceives the wound signal and how that triggers JA biosynthesis remains poorly understood. To identify components involved in Arabidopsis wound and JA signaling pathway, we screened for mutants with abnormal expression of a luciferase reporter, which is under the control of a wound‐responsive promoter of an ethylene response factor (ERF) transcription factor gene, RAP2.6 (Related to APetala 2.6). The rea1 (RAP2.6 expresser in shoot apex) mutant constitutively expressed the RAP2.6‐LUC reporter gene in young leaves. Along with the typical JA phenotypes including shorter petioles, loss of apical dominance, accumulation of anthocyanin pigments and constitutive expression of JA response gene, rea1 plants also displayed cell death and accumulated high levels of JA in response to wounding. The phenotype of rea1 mutant is caused by a gain‐of‐function mutation in the C‐terminus of a mechanosensitive ion channel MscS‐like 10 (MSL10). MSL10 is localized in the plasma membrane and is expressed predominantly in root tip, shoot apex and vascular tissues. These results suggest that MSL10 is involved in the wound‐triggered early signal transduction pathway and possibly in regulating the positive feedback synthesis of JA.