bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Guided cobalamin biosynthesis supports
Dehalococcoides mccartyi
reductive dechlorination activity
Authors: Yan Jun , Im Jeongdae , Yang Yi , Löffler Frank E.
Published: March 2013

Dehalococcoides mccartyi
strains are corrinoid-auxotrophic Bacteria and axenic cultures that require vitamin B
12
(CN-Cbl) to conserve energy via organohalide respiration. Cultures of
D. mccartyi
strains BAV1, GT and FL2 grown with limiting amounts of 1 µg l
−1
CN-Cbl quickly depleted CN-Cbl, and reductive dechlorination of polychlorinated ethenes was incomplete leading to vinyl chloride (VC) accumulation. In contrast, the same cultures amended with 25 µg l
−1
CN-Cbl exhibited up to 2.3-fold higher dechlorination rates, 2.8–9.1-fold increased growth yields, and completely consumed growth-supporting chlorinated ethenes. To explore whether known cobamide-producing microbes supply
Dehalococcoides
with the required corrinoid cofactor, co-culture experiments were performed with the methanogen
Methanosarcina barkeri
strain Fusaro and two acetogens,
Sporomusa ovata
and
Sporomusa
sp. strain KB-1, as
Dehalococcoides
partner populations. During growth with H
2
/CO
2
,
M. barkeri
axenic cultures produced 4.2 ± 0.1 µg l
−1
extracellular cobamide (factor III), whereas the
Sporomusa
cultures produced phenolyl- and
p
-cresolyl-cobamides. Neither factor III nor the phenolic cobamides supported
Dehalococcoides
reductive dechlorination activity suggesting that
M. barkeri
and the
Sporomusa
sp. cannot fulfil
Dehalococcoides
' nutritional requirements.
Dehalococcoides
dechlorination activity and growth occurred in
M. barkeri
and
Sporomusa
sp. co-cultures amended with 10 µM 5′,6′-dimethylbenzimidazole (DMB), indicating that a cobalamin is a preferred corrinoid cofactor of strains BAV1, GT and FL2 when grown with chlorinated ethenes as electron acceptors. Even though the methanogen and acetogen populations tested did not produce cobalamin, the addition of DMB enabled guided biosynthesis and generated a cobalamin that supported
Dehalococcoides
' activity and growth. Guided cobalamin biosynthesis may offer opportunities to sustain and enhance
Dehalococcoides
activity in contaminated subsurface environments.
Why are chlorinated pollutants so difficult to degrade aerobically? Redox stress limits 1,3-dichloprop-1-ene metabolism byPseudomonas pavonaceae
Authors: Nikel Pablo I. , Pérez-Pantoja Danilo , de Lorenzo Víctor
Published: March 2013

Chlorinated pollutants are hardly biodegradable under oxic conditions, but they can often be metabolized by anaerobic bacteria through organohalide respiration reactions. In an attempt to identify bottlenecks limiting aerobic catabolism of 1,3-dichloroprop-1-ene (1,3-DCP; a widely used organohalide) inPseudomonas pavonaceae, the possible physiological restrictions for this process were surveyed. Flow cytometry and a bioluminescence reporter of metabolic state revealed that cells treated with 1,3-DCP experienced an intense stress that could be traced to the endogenous production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during the metabolism of the compound. Cells exposed to 1,3-DCP also manifested increased levels ofd-glucose-6-P1-dehydrogenase activity (G6PDH, an enzyme key to the synthesis of reduced NADPH), observed under both glycolytic and gluconeogenic growth regimes. The increase in G6PDH activity, as well as cellular hydroperoxide levels, correlated with the generation of ROS. Additionally, the high G6PDH activity was paralleled by the accumulation ofd-glucose-6-P, suggesting a metabolic flux shift that favours the production of NADPH. Thus, G6PDH and its cognate substrate seem to play an important role inP. pavonaceaeunder redox stress caused by 1,3-DCP, probably by increasing the rate of NADPH turnover. The data suggest that oxidative stress associated with the biodegradation of 1,3-DCP reflects a significant barrier for the evolution of aerobic pathways for chlorinated compounds, thereby allowing for the emergence of anaerobic counterparts.
Mutations in haemagglutinin that affect receptor binding and pH stability increase replication of a PR8 influenza virus with H5 HA in the upper respiratory tract of ferrets and may contribute to transmissibility
Authors: Shelton Holly , Roberts Kim L. , Molesti Eleonora , Temperton Nigel , Barclay Wendy S.
Published: March 2013

The H5N1 influenza A viruses have circulated widely in the avian population for 10 years with only sporadic infection of humans observed and no sustained human to human transmission. Vaccination against potential pandemic strains is one strategy in planning for future influenza pandemics; however, the success of live attenuated vaccines for H5N1 has been limited, due to poor replication in the human upper respiratory tract (URT). Mutations that increase the ability of H5N1 viruses to replicate in the URT will aid immunogenicity of these vaccines and provide information about humanizing adaptations in H5N1 strains that may signal transmissibility. As well as mediating receptor interactions, the haemagglutinin (HA) protein of influenza facilitates fusion of the viral membrane and genome entry into the host cell; this process is pH dependent. We have shown in this study that the pH at which a panel of avian influenza HA proteins, including H5, mediate fusion is higher than that for human influenza HA proteins, and that mutations in the H5 HA can reduce the pH of fusion. Coupled with receptor switching mutations, increasing the pH stability of the H5 HA resulted in increased viral shedding of H5N1 from the nasal cavity of ferrets and contact transmission to a co-housed animal. Ferret serum antibodies induced by infection with any of the mutated H5 HA viruses neutralized HA pseudotyped lentiviruses bearing homologous or heterologous H5 HAs, suggesting that this strategy to increase nasal replication of a vaccine virus would not compromise vaccine efficacy.
‘Favourable’ IL28B polymorphisms are associated with a marked increase in baseline viral load in hepatitis C virus subtype 3a infection and do not predict a sustained virological response after 24 weeks of therapy
Authors: Bucci Cristina , von Delft Annette , Christian Annabel , Flemming Vicki M. , Harrison Abby , Halliday John , Collier Jane , Manganis Chris , Klenerman Paul , Irving William , Barnes Eleanor
Published: March 2013

IL28B host genetic make-up is known to play a critical role in the outcome of genotype 1 hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in the context of both primary infection and therapy. However, the role of IL28B in subtype 3a infection remains unclear, and has not yet been assessed in the UK population where subtype 3a is dominant. In this study, we evaluated the role of the IL28B single-nucleotide polymorphism rs8099917 in 201 patients recruited from two well-defined cohorts (from Nottingham and Oxford), treated with the standard-of-care therapy of pegylated interferon and ribavirin for 24 weeks. We showed that the ‘favourable’ IL28B gene was associated with a rapid virological response to therapy at 4 weeks (P<0.0001), but not with a sustained virological response to therapy. The median viral load at baseline, before therapy, was markedly increased in people with the ‘favourable’ IL28B genotype [median viral load for the TT allele, 925 961 IU ml−1 (range 2200–21 116 965 IU ml−1), and for the GT or GG allele, 260 284 IU ml−1 (range 740–7 560 000 IU ml−1); P = 0.0010]. Our results suggest that the host genetic response plays an important role in early viral clearance of subtype 3a virus from the blood. However, significant reservoirs of infection must persist, as viral relapse is common, even in those with the favourable host genotype.
Establishment of Vero cell RNA polymerase I-driven reverse genetics for Influenza A virus and its application for pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza virus vaccine production
Authors: Song Min-Suk , Baek Yun Hee , Pascua Philippe Noriel Q. , Kwon Hyeok-il , Park Su-Jin , Kim Eun-Ha , Lim Gyo-Jin , Choi Young-Ki
Published: March 2013

The constant threat of newly emerging influenza viruses with pandemic potential requires the need for prompt vaccine production. Here, we utilized the Vero cell polymerase I (PolI) promoter, rather than the commonly used human PolI promoter, in an established reverse-genetics system to rescue viable influenza viruses in Vero cells, an approved cell line for human vaccine production. The Vero PolI promoter was more efficient in Vero cells and demonstrated enhanced transcription levels and virus rescue rates commensurate with that of the human RNA PolI promoter in 293T cells. These results appeared to be associated with more efficient generation of A(H1N1)pdm09- and H5N1-derived vaccine seed viruses in Vero cells, whilst the rescue rates in 293T cells were comparable. Our study provides an alternative means for improving vaccine preparation by using a novel reverse-genetics system for generating influenza A viruses.
Information seeking behaviour of astronomy/astrophysics scientists
Authors: Sahu Hemant Kumar , Nath Singh Surya
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine different aspects of information seeking behaviour, and specifically the information seeking behaviour and information needs of Indian astronomy/astrophysics academics, including the relationship between various variables such as academic, rank‐wise statuses, age‐wise of characteristics, and methods for keeping their knowledge up‐to‐date.

Design/methodology/approach

A stratified random sample survey was used for gathering data. However, to support and authenticate the data quantitative and qualitative approaches were used. The questionnaire was mailed and was also available online. Some 400 academics from 12 astronomy and astrophysics information centres and libraries were surveyed using the questionnaire and were interviewed. The questionnaire response rate was 72 percent (288/400).

Findings

The study findings show: differences in information seeking behaviour and needs for various academic is sub‐fields of Indian astronomy/astrophysics, and highlights the value of information seeking behaviour to scientists working in astronomy/astrophysics. The study concludes that astronomy/astrophysics academics were making use of Astrophysics Data System followed by their use of e‐archives for education and research. Astronomy/astrophysics academics work in a unique setting with specialized needs. The study findings underscored the need to continue accessing specialized needs to find innovative solutions. There are challenges and opportunities for exciting new initiatives.

Originality/value

This is the first in‐depth study in India exploring the information seeking behaviour and information needs of astronomy/astrophysics academics. It also gives the latest account of information seeking behaviour of information users in astronomy/astrophysics discipline. The study is also expected to guide other information service organisations to cope with their users' needs, by adopting survey methods, tools, protocols used in this study.
Forecasting a scenario of the fresh tomato market in Italy and in Germany using the Delphi method
Authors: Bazzani Claudia , Canavari Maurizio
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The research presented in this paper aims at giving a forecasting scenario of the fresh tomato industry in Italy and in Germany, through the analysis of the different drivers which influence the trends of the fresh tomato market.

Design/methodology/approach

The Delphi method was applied in order to obtain judgments of different experts regarding the driving forces of the fresh tomato industry in Italy and in Germany. A total of 14 experts of the fresh vegetables market participated in a three‐rounds survey; a qualitative analysis of experts' judgments drew to a possible future of the fresh tomato industry.

Findings

From the results it is possible to conclude that the service in the offer of the products will mostly influence the trend of the fresh tomato industry; this includes marketing, communication, quality certifications, special packaging (as ready to eat products). Furthermore variety selection and typicality of the product will play, as well, a fundamental role in the market trend of the fresh tomato.

Research limitations/implications

The research is based on a small sample of experts, using a qualitative approach. Therefore these findings may strongly depend on the choice of the subjects.

Practical implications

The results may offer useful suggestions to managers and practitioners on the most promising strategies for the future.

Originality/value

On the methodological side, this study represents a useful contribution to qualitative food research, since the Delphi method approach was rarely used in the past. In addition, it has not been previously used in forecasting a possible scenario in the fresh vegetables industry.
Customer‐centric corporate social responsibility
Authors: Rashid Mamunur , Abdeljawad Islam , Manisah Ngalim Siti , Kabir Hassan M.
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate customer‐centric corporate social responsibility (CSR) in Islamic banks of Bangladesh, Malaysia and the Arabian Gulf Region. The new framework is found from the incomplete link between managerial motivation and their actual involvement with CSR activities.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses annual reports of 16 Islamic banks from three regions. Using content analysis method, the study produces an ethical identity index on eight dimensions. The average index scores are ranked to get a view of the importance given by Islamic banks to the path of social responsibility.

Findings

In this study, the customer‐centric CSR framework assumes that there are two layers of CSR involvement in Islamic banks. The upper layer assures the commitment towards Allah (SWT) by operating under Islamic Shari'ah. The bottom layer ensures the commitment towards customers, employees and society. The reports of Islamic banks show that the selected banks are too customer centric and efficiency driven. However, that efficiency is targeted at the cost of sacrificing Shari'ah norms. Their commitments to basic Islamic rules fall far behind the average.

Research limitations/implications

The study uses content analysis of the annual report to identify CSR involvement of the Islamic banks. There are various issues related to CSR and corporate management that are not reported in annual reports. Moreover, disclosure norms and regulation also have an influence on reporting standards. Thus, this study is limited to what is found in the reports only.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the existing literature on customer‐centric CSR and customer‐centric marketing. There is evidence that the findings from this study are consistent with other studies. Islamic banks are becoming customer centric because of the competition from conventional banks. However, they must not forget the very essence of the establishment of these banks which is the spiritual freedom based upon sole submission to Allah (SWT).
A robust algorithm for weld seam extraction based on prior knowledge of weld seam
Authors: Ye Zhen , Fang Gu , Chen Shanben , Dinham Mitchell
Published: March 2013

Purpose

This paper aims to develop a method to extract the weld seam from the welding image.

Design/methodology/approach

The initial step is to set the window for the region of the weld seam. Filter and edge‐operator are then applied to acquire edges of images. Based on the prior knowledge about characteristics of the weld seam, a series of routines is proposed to recognize the seam edges and calculate the seam representation.

Findings

The proposed method can be used to extract seams of different deviations from noise‐polluted images efficiently. Besides, the method is low time‐consuming and quick enough for real time processing.

Practical implications

Weld seam extraction is the key problem in passive vision based seam tracking technology. The proposed method can extract the weld seam even when the image is noisy, and it is quick enough to be applied in seam tracking technology. The method is expected to improve seam tracking results.

Originality/value

A useful method is developed for weld seam extraction from the noise‐polluted image based on prior knowledge of weld seam. The method is robust and quick enough for real time processing.
Results sky high: “DAMN”ing marking forever
Authors: Lewin Claire
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to stimulate further discussion on divergent institutional and academic needs for effective marking processes to evaluate student work in Australian universities. This is in specific response to institutional stated goals and emerging policies under current economic realities. After identifying the three significant areas of marking that must be addressed: content, consistency and cost; the author proposes that the use of the AERO‐dynamic model of marking will reduce academic workloads and provide institutions with an effective marking process to meet corporate budgets.

Design/methodology/approach

This conceptual paper is a synthesis of researcher participation and discourse interpretation. It is based on a cynical response to changing realities and resides in the arena of the “Theatre of the Absurd”.

Findings

The AERO‐dynamic model of marking was found to be highly cost effective for institutions with large student cohorts and ever diminishing budgets. Critical analysis identified areas of concern in marking consistency and assignment content and recommends specific actions to address these but also identifies that no process will be perfect and that some tradeoffs between cost, consistency and content need to be made. The role of the academic within this marking process is redefined and the implications of this for both institution and individual acknowledged.

Originality/value

This paper offers a starting point for further debate into the widening gap between student expectations on assignment marking and institutional resource allocation and support.
The effects of contingency factors on perceived values of casual sportswear
Authors: Chi Ting
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose and empirically examine a consumer perceived value (CPV) formation model in the context of the US casual sportswear market. The effects of investigated contingency factors on perceived values are empirically determined.

Design/methodology/approach

CPV was measured by four dimensions: price, quality, social and emotional values. The investigated contingency factors included gender, age, race, income level, and retailer type. The primary data were gathered by a nation‐wide survey of US consumers and the applied statistical techniques were exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and multiple regression analysis.

Findings

The statistical analysis of 4,949 eligible survey responses shows that four value dimensions accounted for 77 percent of CPV variance. For the effects of contingency factors, race did not significantly affect the formation of any perceived values. In contrast, gender, income level, and retailer type significantly affected perceived price and emotional values, while perceived quality value was significantly affected by all contingency factors except race, and perceived social value was only significantly affected by age and income level.

Practical implications

Incorporation of gender, income level, and retailer type information in developing marketing strategies can help companies more effectively convey price and emotional values to consumers. In contrast, information relating to gender, age, income level, and retailer type should be considered in marketing quality value to consumers, while age and income level information is more critical for properly marketing social value to consumers.

Originality/value

Companies need to know, more than ever, about how consumers are redefining their values, as the current economic crisis has dramatically changed consumer preference. This study responded to this emerging need and provided timely empirical evidence.
Analysis of propagation delay and power with variation in driver size and number of shells in multi walled carbon nanotube interconnects
Authors: Singh Duksh Yograj , Kaushik Brajesh Kumar , Sarkar Sankar , Singh Raghuvir
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the effect of driver size and number of shells on propagation delay and power for multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) interconnects at 22 nm technology node.

Design/methodology/approach

An equivalent circuit model of MWCNT is used for estimation and analysis of propagation delay and power. The delay and power through MWCNT and Cu interconnects are compared for various driver sizes and number of MWCNT shells.

Findings

The SPICE simulation results show that the MWCNT interconnect has lower propagation delay than Cu interconnects. The delay ratio of MWCNT to Cu decreases with increase in length for different driver size and number of MWCNT shells. However, the delay ratio increases with reduction in number of MWCNT shells. The ratio of average power consumption (MWCNT/Cu) also decreases with the variation in driver size and numbers of shells with respect to the length of interconnect. The theoretical study proves CNTs to be better alternatives against copper on the ground of performance parameters.

Research limitations/implications

Several challenges remain to be overcome in the areas of fabrication and process integration for CNTs. Lowering of metal nanotube contact resistance would be vital, especially for local interconnect and via applications. Moreover, rigorous characterization and modeling of electromagnetic interactions in CNT bundles; 3‐D (metal) to 1‐D (CNT) contact resistance; impact of defects on electrical and thermal properties; and high‐frequency effects are being seen as additional challenges.

Originality/value

This paper investigates, assesses and compares the performance of carbon nanotubes (CNT) based interconnects as prospective alternatives to copper wire interconnects in future VLSI chips. Multi walled CNTs assure for long/global interconnect applications.
Increasing public healthcare network performance by de‐hospitalization
Authors: Ignone Gianfranco , Mossa Giorgio , Mummolo Giovanni , Pilolli Rosa , Ranieri Luigi
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to support public decision‐makers in a local healthcare agency (LHA) in evaluating the effects of different de‐hospitalization strategies and the potential for outsourcing clinical services.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach adopted is based on the “patient pathway” perspective. Starting from the identification of specific care pathways, all the feasible care paths in a given LHA in Italy are investigated in order to evaluate the practicability of the de‐hospitalization of some phases with a particular focus on co‐ordination of hospitals and territorial services. A heuristic approach based on discrete‐event simulation modelling is proposed. The methodology and the simulation model have been validated with reference to field data derived from a full‐scale case study carried out within a LHA in southern Italy.

Findings

The results show where, in terms of care pathways, de‐hospitalization is practicable, valuable in terms of better resource utilization, and eligible for outsourcing. The outsourcing option appears to be more sustainable from a social point of view. It specifies that there would be no dismissal of employees, and that there would be recruitment of specialized workers such as nurses and doctors, employed under more flexible conditions. Savings in overheads would be achieved by means of patient de‐hospitalization.

Originality/value

The existing scientific literature, to the best of the authors' knowledge, deals with patient flow management at the hospital level. However, in the European countries, the public healthcare system is generally organized in terms of the territorially based allocation of service centres. Given the scarcity of public resources, the main difficulty seems to be a mismatch among actions needed to improve territorial and residential care for outsourcing, and the interventions needed to contain hospital costs.
Examining the effect of TV advertising appeals on brand attitudes and advertising efforts in Iran
Authors: Feiz Davood , Fakharyan Meysam , Reza Jalilvand Mohammad , Hashemi Marzieh
Published: March 2013

Purpose

In recent years, increasing competition in communicational network of Iran has led to attracting more attention to marketing and particularly, advertising activities. The aim of this paper is to examine the effect of TV advertising appeals of communication companies (in this study, MTN Irancell Company) on customers' attitude towards their advertising efforts and their brand.

Design/methodology/approach

The aim was achieved through an empirical study involving a survey. Of 400 questionnaires sent out, 384 were returned. The dataset from the sample underwent series of statistical analyses, i.e. reliability test, factor analyses (exploratory and confirmatory) and structural equation modelling (SEM).

Findings

Factor analyses extracted seven dimensions, i.e. one‐sided appeal, two‐sided appeal, humour appeal, fear appeal, comparative appeal, attitude toward advertising and brand attitude. All related indicators manifested their constructs, respectively. The results show that there is a positive, direct, and significant relationship between: advertising appeals and attitude towards advertising; advertising appeals and brand attitude; and attitude towards advertising and brand attitude.

Originality/value

The paper empirically justified the interrelationship among advertising appeals, attitude toward advertising and brand attitude in an integrated model. Communication companies may find this paper useful as perceptual measures can be empirically substantiated using SEM.
Living with a child whose behaviour is described as challenging
Authors: Davies Kerri , Honeyman Gemma
Published: March 2013

Purpose

Families of those with intellectual disabilities and challenging behaviour often do not receive the practical support, training and information they need. As a result living with a child with behaviour described as challenging can be a profoundly hard and isolating experience. This paper aims to discuss the impact of challenging behaviour on families who have a child with intellectual disabilities.

Design/methodology/approach

The experiences of three families are used to highlight the impact of challenging behaviour and this is supported by existing literature.

Findings

Difficulties families experience include physical and mental health problems, sleep disturbance, social isolation, financial hardship and unemployment. Strategies families use to overcome difficulties are explored including seeking information and practical support and building family resilience. Positive aspects of living with a child whose behaviour is described as challenging is a topic that is often neglected in the academic literature, but caring can result in becoming a stronger family unit, increased personal growth and forming new friendships.

Practical implications

The paper concludes with practical implications for professionals supporting families who live with a child whose behaviour is described as challenging. Families need information, training and practical support to fulfil their caring role effectively while maintaining the wellbeing of the family unit.

Originality/value

The paper stresses that all have a role to play in supporting families, all can make a positive difference, and that people must be more proactive in identifying and meeting the needs of families.
Acicular, but not globular, titanium dioxide nanoparticles stimulate keratinocytes to produce pro‐inflammatory cytokines
Authors: Hiroike Mizuho , Sakabe Jun‐ichi , Kobayashi Miwa , Shimauchi Takatoshi , Ito Taisuke , Hirakawa Satoshi , Inoh Akinori , Tokura Yoshiki
Published: March 2013

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles, widely used for daily products, are believed to be biologically inert, but they may cause adverse effects on cells, presumably depending on the particle size and shape. One of the critical targets of TiO2 particles is epidermal keratinocytes, and their initial response to TiO2 may be production of pro‐inflammatory cytokines. We therefore investigated the effects of four types of TiO2 particles on cytokine expression/production by real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and enzyme‐linked immunoassay. The TiO2 particles included three acicular types, FTL‐100 (length, 1.68 μm; diameter, 130 nm), FTL‐200 (2.86, 210) and FTL‐300 (5.15, 270), and one globular type, PT‐301 (diameter, 270 nm). Normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK) were cultured with each of the TiO2 particles. During cultivation, the acicular forms of TiO2 were seen by scanning electron microscopy to be internalized by NHEK. The three acicular particles increased the mRNA expressions and supernatant productions of interleukin (IL)‐1α, IL‐1β, IL‐6, tumor necrosis factor‐α and IL‐8 in particle number‐dependent manners, whereas globular PT‐301 had very weak activity. Thus, TiO2 particles may induce skin inflammation depending on the size and shape, providing knowledge on their health usage.
Strong radial variation in wood density follows a uniform pattern in two neotropical rain forests
Authors: Hietz Peter , Valencia Renato , Joseph Wright S.
Published: March 2013

Wood density (WD) affects plant biomechanics, drought and decay resistance. As a consequence, WD is an important functional trait related to plant demography and ecosystem processes, which is also used to estimate tree biomass. Radial variation in WD (changes from the centre of the stem to the cambium) affects the strength of the entire stem, but also reflects any changes in wood functional properties that might occur during a tree's lifetime.

To understand how WD and radial WD gradients, which were defined as the slope of the relationship between WD and distance to the centre, are related to demographic traits of species, we investigated WD in 335 tree species from a Panamanian moist forest and 501 species from an Ecuadorian rain forest and radial density gradients in 118 and 186 species, respectively, and compared WD with tree growth, mortality and size.

WD was negatively related to tree growth and mortality. WD tended to increase towards the outside in trees with low initial density and to decrease towards the outside in trees with high initial density. Radial WD gradients were largely unrelated to tree size and demographic traits, but some families had higher or lower WD gradients at a given inner WD.

Inner WD was by far the best predictor of radial WD gradients (r2 = 0·39 for Panama and 0·45 for Ecuador) and this relationship was indistinguishable between the two rain forests. This suggests a broadly uniform function of WD variation, likely responding to mechanical requirements during ontogeny. We discuss the factors potentially driving radial increases or decreases in WD and suggest ways to elucidate the relative importance of tree mechanics, hydraulic safety or decay resistance.

We also discuss that not accounting for radial WD gradients may result in substantial errors in WD of the whole stem and consequently biomass estimates, and recommend sampling density gradients when obtaining density data from tree cores.
Effects of ibuprofen, diclofenac, naproxen, and piroxicam on the course of pregnancy and pregnancy outcome: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Nezvalová‐Henriksen K , Spigset O , Nordeng H
Published: March 2013

Objective

To investigate the individual effects of ibuprofen, diclofenac, naproxen, and piroxicam on pregnancy outcome.

Design

Cohort study.

Setting

Norwegian population.

Population

A total of 90 417 women and singleton child pairs.

Methods

The Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study and Medical Birth Registry of Norway data sets were used.

Main outcome measures

Infant survival, congenitalmalformations, structural heart defects, neonatal complications, haemorrhage during pregnancy and postpartum, asthma at age of 18 months.

Results

One or more of the four nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were used by 6511 pregnant women (7.2%). No effect on rates of infant survival, congenital malformation, or structural heart defects was found. The use of ibuprofen in the second trimester was significantly associated with low birthweight (adjusted OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.3–2.3), and ibuprofen use in the second and third trimesters was significantly associated with asthma in 18–month—old children (adjusted OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.2–1.9; adjusted OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.1–2.1). The use of diclofenac in the second trimester was significantly associated with low birthweight (adjusted OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.1–9.0), whereas diclofenac use in the third trimester was significantly associated with maternal vaginal bleeding (adjusted OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.1–3.0). No associations with other neonatal complications were found.

Conclusions

The lack of associations with congenital malformations is reassuring. The significant association between diclofenac and ibuprofen use late in pregnancy, and maternal bleeding and asthma in the child, respectively, is consistent with their pharmacological effects. The increased risk of low birthweight may partly have been caused by underlying inflammatory conditions, and was reassuringly similar to the expected baseline risk of low birthweight.
Cost‐Based Anti‐dumping as a Repeated Game
Authors: Dong Baomin
Published: March 2013

In this paper, we consider anti‐dumping (AD) duties as a tool to facilitate collusion between a domestic and a foreign firm in an infinitely repeated differentiated Bertrand game, where prices are publicly observable and each firm receives a privately observed i.i.d. cost shock in each period. We consider second‐best scenarios, where market‐share or production arrangement with sidepayments is not allowed. We show that there exist equilibrium‐path reciprocal ADs. The collusive (trigger) price is distorted downward compared with complete information benchmark as a trade‐off between diminishing the incentive to deviate and ensuring off‐schedule deviation gains when private cost shocks are highly favourable. The model differs from Green and Porter () and Rotemberg and Saloner () in that it is the private cost shocks as opposed to public demand shocks that necessitate modifications of collusion. In conclusion, AD policy may encourage collusion, and therefore, unless the source of market imperfection is carefully examined, laissez faire might be a better choice.
Evaluating the capacity of plant DNA barcodes to discriminate species of cotton (Gossypium: Malvaceae)
Authors: Ashfaq Muhammad , Asif Muhammad , Anjum Zahid Iqbal , Zafar Yusuf
Published: March 2013

Although two plastid regions have been adopted as the standard markers for plant DNA barcoding, their limited resolution has provoked the consideration of other gene regions, especially in taxonomically diverse genera. The genus Gossypium (cotton) includes eight diploid genome groups (A–G, and K) and five allotetraploid species which are difficult to discriminate morphologically. In this study, we tested the effectiveness of three widely used markers (matK, rbcL, and ITS2) in the discrimination of 20 diploid and five tetraploid species of cotton. Sequences were analysed locus‐wise and in combinations to determine the most effective strategy for species identification. Sequence recovery was high, ranging from 92% to 100% with mean pairwise interspecific distance highest for ITS2 (3.68%) and lowest for rbcL (0.43%). At a 0.5% threshold, the combination of matK+ITS2 produced the greatest number of species clusters. Based on ‘best match’ analysis, the combination of matK+ITS2 was best, while based on ‘all species barcodes’ analysis, ITS2 gave the highest percentage of correct species identifications (98.93%). The combination of sequences for all three markers produced the best resolved tree. The disparity index test based on matK+rbcL+ITS2 was significant (P < 0.05) for a higher number of species pairs than the individual gene sequences. Although all three barcodes separated the species with respect to their genome type, no single combination of barcodes could differentiate all the Gossypium species, and tetraploid species were particularly difficult.
Mulberry Leaf Diet Protects Against Progression of Experimental Autoimmune Myocarditis to Dilated Cardiomyopathy Via Modulation of Oxidative Stress and MAPK‐Mediated Apoptosis
Authors: Arumugam Somasundaram , Mito Sayaka , Thandavarayan Rajarajan A. , Giridharan Vijayasree V. , Pitchaimani Vigneshwaran , Karuppagounder Vengadeshprabhu , Harima Meilei , Nomoto Mayumi , Suzuki Kenji , Watanabe Kenichi
Published: March 2013

Aim of the study

To examine the protective effects of dietary administration of Mulberry leaves (ML) on postmyocarditis dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) focusing on oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stresses and adverse myocardial remodeling.

Materials and methods

In this study, we used a rat model of cardiac myosin‐induced experimental autoimmune myocarditis to test the effects of ML diet (MLD) (5%) on various markers of cardiac remodeling and function. After 4 weeks of immunization, the rats were fed with 5% MLD for 4 weeks. By the end of the study, echocardiography was performed to assess the myocardial dimensions. The heart tissue was used for histopathology and Western blotting analyses.

Results

Our study showed that the postmyocarditis rats exhibited increased oxidative stress when compared with the control rats. MLD supplementation suppressed this change, compared with vehicle treatment. In addition, postmyocarditis rats showed significant elevation of the endoplasmic reticulum stress markers, which were prevented by the MLD supplementation. Similarly the vehicle‐treated rats suffered with the adverse myocardial remodeling in the form of fibrosis as evidenced by the Azan–Mallory staining and immunohistochemistry for collagen‐III levels, compared with the control rats. However, MLD treatment not only markedly attenuated cardiac fibrosis, but also improved the left ventricular ejection fraction and fractional shortening. Interestingly, the myocardial levels of endothelin‐1, activated members of mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were significantly attenuated by MLD, indicating that the antihypertrophic effects of MLD are partially mediated via endothelin‐1, MAPK, and VEGF pathway.

Conclusion

Collectively, these results suggest that supplementation of rats with 5% MLD has the ability to regulate cardiac remodeling and improves cardiac function and hence contributes to prevent the development of postmyocarditis dilated cardiomyopathy.
Does the effect of revealed private information on initial public offering (IPO) first trading day return differ by IPO market heat?
Authors: O'Connor Keefe Michael
Published: March 2013

By IPO market regime, I decompose the effect of revealed private information on the initial return of IPOs (initial public offerings) into adjusted and unadjusted private information and find (i) investment banks partially adjust the offer price in return for revealed private information in all but the non‐hot IPO market; (ii) the economic importance of private information associated with IPOs (and hence agency costs) is procyclical; and (iii) industry information spillovers between IPOs occur only in the hot and very‐hot IPO markets.
Does fundamental indexation lead to better risk‐adjusted returns? New evidence from Australian Securities Exchange
Authors: Basu Anup K. , Forbes Brigette
Published: March 2013

We investigate the claims of superiority of fundamental indexation strategy over capitalisation‐weighted indexation using data for Australian Securities Exchange listed stocks. While our results are in line with the outperformance observed in other geographical markets, we find that the excess returns from fundamental indexation in Australian market are much higher. On a rolling 5‐year basis, the fundamental index always outperforms the capitalisation‐weighted index. Our results suggest that superior performance of fundamental indexation could not be entirely attributed to value, size or momentum effects. The outperformance persists even after adjusting for slightly higher transaction costs related to turnover.
Cross‐region and cross‐sector asset allocation with regimes
Authors: Dou Paul Y. , Gallagher David R. , Schneider David , Walter Terry S.
Published: March 2013

Cross‐region and cross‐sector asset allocation decisions are one of the most fundamental issues in international equity portfolio management. Equity returns exhibit higher volatilities and correlations, and lower expected returns, in bear markets compared to bull markets. However, static mean–variance analysis fails to capture this salient feature of equity returns. We accommodate the nonlinearity of returns using a regime switching model across both regions and sectors. The regime‐dependent asset allocation potentially adds value to the traditional static mean–variance allocation. In addition, optimal allocation across sectors provide greater benefits compared to international diversification, which is characterized by higher returns, lower risks, lower correlations with the world market and a higher Sharpe ratio.
Alterations in the rate of binge ethanol consumption: implications for preclinical studies in mice
Authors: Linsenbardt David N. , Boehm Stephen L.
Published: March 2013

The rate at which alcohol (ethanol) is consumed has direct impact on its behavioral and subjective effects. For this reason, alterations in the pattern of ethanol consumption as a function of drinking history might be critical to the development and maintenance of alcoholism. Furthermore, because pharmacological interventions aimed at disrupting the motivation to consume ethanol are dependent on the brain/plasma concentrations present when an individual is most likely to engage in consumption of this substance, characterizing temporal drinking patterns might be useful to determine the timing of such treatments. The primary goal of the present study was to evaluate alterations in the timecourse of daily binge (drinking‐in‐the‐dark; DID) ethanol consumption. We gave 14 daily 2 hour DID ethanol or water access sessions to male C57BL/6J (B6) mice using a state of the art volumetric drinking monitoring device. We then, primarily as a proof‐of‐principle, used the GABAB allosteric modulator GS39783 (GS) to determine how this compound influenced the timecourse of binge‐like ethanol intake. The rate of ethanol consumption increased dramatically over sessions with the majority occurring in the first few minutes of the final session. Additionally, ethanol consumption occurring immediately following access was almost completely abolished in mice pre‐treated with GS; an effect which was ethanol‐specific only at this early time interval. These data characterize progressive alterations in the rate of ethanol intake using the DID model and suggest that careful consideration of prior ethanol history and timing of drug administration are warranted when interpreting results of pre‐clinical drug administration studies.
A prospective study of neurocognitive changes 15 years after chronic inhalant abuse
Authors: Cairney Sheree , O' Connor Nicole , Dingwall Kylie M. , Maruff Paul , Shafiq‐Antonacci Ruxanna , Currie Jon , Currie Bart J.
Published: March 2013

Aims

In a previous study, neurological and cognitive deficits reflecting central nervous system (CNS) disruption from chronic inhalant abuse showed substantial recovery after 2 years' abstinence. Functional recovery was progressive, with recovery rates dependent on the degree of impairment prior to abstinence, and severity and duration of initial abuse. Persistent deficits occurred in those with previous ‘lead encephalopathy’ from leaded petrol abuse. The current study examined recovery in the same cohort 15 years after baseline.

Design

Prospective cohort design.

Setting

Two remote Aboriginal communities in Arnhem Land, Australia.

Participants

Using baseline group classifications, 27 healthy controls, 60 ex‐chronic inhalant abusers and an additional 17 with previous lead encephalopathy were assessed.

Measurements

Standard neurological, ocular‐motor and cognitive functions and blood lead levels.

Findings

Chronic (non‐encephalopathic) inhalant abusers showed elevated blood lead levels and abnormal scores on most tasks at baseline. At 2 years' abstinence, blood lead was reduced but remained elevated and most scores had normalized. By 15 years, blood lead and all performance scores were equivalent to healthy controls for this group (P > 0.05). The encephalopathic group was more severely impaired on all scores at baseline and showed little improvement, if any, across all tests after both 2 and 15 years' abstinence. Blood lead for this group declined, and was not significantly different to controls after 15 years.

Conclusions

Some inhalant abusers experience severe and persistent neurological deficits, suggesting irrecoverable damage attributable to lead encephalopathy. In the absence of this encephalopathy long‐term abstinence from inhalants may allow recovery of normal brain function.
The ACACA gene is a potential candidate gene for fat content in sheep milk
Authors: Moioli B. , Scatà M. C. , De Matteis G. , Annicchiarico G. , Catillo G. , Napolitano F.
Published: March 2013

No major gene has yet been reported in sheep that explains the variation of milk fat content. The coding region of the acetyl‐CoA carboxylase alpha (ACACA) gene, which plays an important role in de novo fatty acid synthesis, had been investigated, but no non‐synonymous mutations have been reported. In this study, the genomic regions encoding the three promoters of the ACACA gene were directly sequenced in 264 sheep of three different breeds, and 10 SNPs were identified. Allele frequencies of most SNPs significantly differed (P = 0.05–0.0001) between breeds. The SNPs that potentially altered either gene regulatory elements or putative binding sites of transcription factors were made evident through in silico analysis. The association analysis with milk traits, performed for one SNP of PIII (GenBank AJ292286, g.1330G>T), showed a significant allelic substitution effect (+0.33%, P < 0.0001 and +0.35%, P < 0.01) in the Altamurana and Gentile breeds respectively. Because this SNP was located in the binding site of the paired box protein transcription factors, which was shown to function as an efficient promoter element, and because PIII transcripts are expressed in the mammary gland, the SNP in PIII of the ACACA gene might affect the variation of fat content in sheep milk.
Are Policy Entrepreneurs Really Decisive in Achieving Policy Change? Drought Policy in the USA and Australia
Authors: Botterill Linda Courtenay
Published: March 2013

In his work on policy development, John Kingdon discusses the role of “policy entrepreneurs” in advocating particular solutions to policy problems. This article discusses a group of policy entrepreneurs in the US who have been actively seeking to shift drought policy away from a crisis response towards an approach based on risk management. The case is discussed by comparison with the development of Australian drought policy which has taken a risk management approach since 1992. Drought policy in Australia has largely been developed in a top‐down fashion while in the US policy advocacy has been more bottom‐up. This case highlights a key point that Kingdon and others have made, that policy entrepreneurs cannot succeed alone in achieving policy change, and raises the question as to whether the concept of “policy entrepreneurs” is useful beyond being an appealing descriptor of influential but not decisive agents in the policy process.