bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Directed and persistent movement arises from mechanochemistry of the ParA/ParB system
Authors: Hu Longhua , Vecchiarelli Anthony G. , Mizuuchi Kiyoshi , Neuman Keir C. , Liu Jian
Published: December 2015

Significance

Cells typically use processive motor proteins or the growth/shrinkage of cytoskeletal filaments to power directed and persistent movement of cellular structures. What if there are no motor proteins or filaments? Here, we establish a third mechanism of processive motility exemplified by the ParA/ParB system, which faithfully segregates low-copy number plasmids during bacterial cell division. The DNA cargos recruit ParB, which binds to and stimulates the ATPase activity of ParA bound to the nucleoid. ATP hydrolysis dissociates ParA from the nucleoid. The transient tethering arising from the ParA–ParB bonds collectively drives forward movement of the cargo and quenches lateral diffusive motions, producing a strikingly persistent trajectory. This operational principle could be important in early evolution and conserved for many systems.
Spatial response of coastal marshes to increased atmospheric CO
2
Authors: Ratliff Katherine M. , Braswell Anna E. , Marani Marco
Published: December 2015

Significance

Coastal marshes provide numerous ecosystem services, are an important carbon sink, and are exposed to drowning as sea-level rise accelerates. Using a meta-analysis of the available observational data, we model the coupled marsh vegetation and morphological dynamics. We find that the fertilization effect of elevated atmospheric CO
2
significantly increases marsh resilience to drowning and decreases the spatial extent of marsh retreat under high rates of sea-level rise. While this direct CO
2
fertilization effect has so far been neglected in marsh modeling, we find it is central in determining marsh survival under the foreseeable range of climatic changes.
Increasing aridity reduces soil microbial diversity and abundance in global drylands
Authors: Maestre Fernando T. , Delgado-Baquerizo Manuel , Jeffries Thomas C. , Eldridge David J. , Ochoa Victoria , Gozalo Beatriz , Quero José Luis , García-Gómez Miguel , Gallardo Antonio , Ulrich Werner , Bowker Matthew A. , Arredondo Tulio , Barraza-Zepeda Claudia , Bran Donaldo , Florentino Adriana , Gaitán Juan , Gutiérrez Julio R. , Huber-Sannwald Elisabeth , Jankju Mohammad , Mau Rebecca L. , Miriti Maria , Naseri Kamal , Ospina Abelardo , Stavi Ilan , Wang Deli , Woods Natasha N. , Yuan Xia , Zaady Eli , Singh Brajesh K.
Published: December 2015

Significance

Climate change is increasing the degree of aridity in drylands, which occupy 41% of Earth’s surface and support 38% of its population. Soil bacteria and fungi are largely responsible for key ecosystem services, including soil fertility and climate regulation, yet their responses to changes in aridity are poorly understood. Using a field survey conducted in drylands worldwide and DNA-sequencing approaches, we found that increases in aridity reduce the diversity and abundance of soil bacteria and fungi. This study represents an important advancement in our understanding of soil microbial communities and their likely responses to ongoing climate change.
Palmitoyl acyltransferase Aph2 in cardiac function and the development of cardiomyopathy
Authors: Zhou Tielin , Li Jing , Zhao Peiquan , Liu Huijuan , Jia Deyong , Jia Hao , He Lin , Cang Yong , Boast Sharon , Chen Yi-Han , Thibault Hélène , Scherrer-Crosbie Marielle , Goff Stephen P. , Li Baojie
Published: December 2015

Significance

The etiology of heart disorders remains poorly understood. In this paper, we show for the first time to our knowledge, that protein palmitoylation plays a critical role in heart structure and function. We demonstrate that Aph2 (Ablphilin 2) is a palmitoyl transferase and identify phospholamban, a cardiomyopathy disease gene, as a substrate. Some of the heart defects of an
Aph2

−/−

mouse can be rescued by phospholamban ablation. In addition, the present study reveals critical roles for protein palmitoylation in embryonic/postnatal survival and eye development.
BRD4 is a novel therapeutic target for liver fibrosis
Authors: Ding Ning , Hah Nasun , Yu Ruth T. , Sherman Mara H. , Benner Chris , Leblanc Mathias , He Mingxiao , Liddle Christopher , Downes Michael , Evans Ronald M.
Published: December 2015

Significance

Liver fibrosis and cirrhosis are chronic liver diseases, resulting in life-threatening conditions with no FDA-approved therapy. Here, we identify bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) as a critical regulator for enhancer-mediated profibrotic gene expression in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). In support of this notion, we find BRD4-loaded enhancers are associated with multiple profibrotic pathways in HSCs and that pharmacological inhibition of BRD4 blocks HSC activation into myofibroblasts. Furthermore, small molecule inhibitors of BRD4 are not only protective against, but can limit the fibrotic response in CCl
4
-induced fibrosis in a mouse model. Thus, our studies implicate BRD4 as a global genomic regulator of the fibrotic gene regulatory network and suggest bromodomains as potential therapeutic targets to treat fibrotic complications in patients.
When to think like an epistemicist
Authors: Mosdell Matthew
Published: December 2015

Epistemicism is the view that seemingly vague predicates are not in fact vague. Consequently, there must be a sharp boundary between a man who is bald and one who is not bald. Although such a view is often met with incredulity, my aim is to provide a defense of epistemicism in this essay. My defense, however, is backhanded: I argue that the formal commitments of epistemicism are the result of good practical reasoning, not metaphysical necessity. To get to that conclusion, I spend most of the essay arguing that using a formal system like classical logic to manage seemingly vague situations requires practical principles to mediate between the formalism and what it aims to represent.
Are Psychopathic and Borderline Personality Disorder Distinct, or Differently Gendered Expressions of the Same Disorder? An Exploration Using Concept Maps
Authors: Viljoen Simone , Cook Alana N. , Lim Yan L. , Layden Brianne K. , Bousfield N. Kate , Hart Stephen D.
Published: December 2015

Research findings on gender differences in prevalence and clinician gender bias in the diagnosis of Psychopathic Personality Disorder (PPD) and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) have led some to suggest that PPD and BPD are not distinct disorders, but rather differently gendered expressions of the same disorder. This paper explores gender differences in conceptualization using prototypicality ratings of PPD and BPD symptoms from the Comprehensive Assessment of Psychopathic Personality (CAPP; Cooke, Hart, Logan, & Michie, 2004 , 2012 ) and the Comprehensive Assessment of Borderline Personality (CABP; Cook et al., 2013 ). Findings indicated that symptoms of PPD and BPD are gendered, but did not appear consistent with the view that PPD and BPD are differently gendered variants of the same disorder. Unfortunately, the implications of our findings for clinical practice are not clear at this time. Future research should explore effective methods to mitigate clinician bias and/or explore the development of gender-fair measures.
Selective impairment of sensorimotor representations following short-term upper-limb immobilization
Authors: Meugnot Aurore , Agbangla Nounagnon Frutueux , Toussaint Lucette
Published: December 2015

In the present experiment, we examined whether short-term upper-limb immobilization would selectively affect the representation of the immobilized limb (using a hand laterality task) or whether the effect of immobilization would extend to another body part (using a foot laterality task). A rigid splint placed on the participants’ left hand was used for immobilization. A control group did not undergo the immobilization procedure. We compared the participants’ performances on the hand and foot laterality tasks before (T1) and after (T2) a 48-hour delay, corresponding to the immobilization period. For controls, response time analysis indicated a benefit of task repetition for the recognition of both hand and foot images. For the immobilized group, a slowdown of performance appeared in T2 for hand images, but not for foot images. The reduced benefit of task repetition following left-hand immobilization appeared for both the immobilized and non-immobilized hand images. These findings revealed that the general cognitive representation of upper-limb movements is affected by the decrease in input/output signal processing due to the left-hand immobilization, while the cognitive representation of lower-limb movements is not.
The nonvanishing hypothesis at infinity for Rankin-Selberg convolutions
Authors: Sun Binyong
Published: December 2015

We prove the nonvanishing hypothesis at infinity for Rankin-Selberg convolutions for

G
L

(
n
)
×

G
L

(
n
−
1
)

{\mathrm {GL}}(n)\times {\mathrm {GL}}(n-1)

.
Innate-like function of memory Th17 cells for enhancing endotoxin-induced acute lung inflammation through IL-22
Authors: Sakaguchi Ryota , Chikuma Shunsuke , Shichita Takashi , Morita Rimpei , Sekiya Takashi , Ouyang Wenjun , Ueda Tomomi , Seki Hiroyuki , Morisaki Hiroshi , Yoshimura Akihiko
Published: December 2015

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) is known as a mouse model of acute respiratory distress syndrome; however, the function of T-cell-derived cytokines in ALI has not yet been established. We found that LPS challenge in one lung resulted in a rapid induction of innate-type pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-α, followed by the expression of T-cell-type cytokines, including IL-17, IL-22 and IFN-γ. We discovered that IL-23 is important for ALI, since blockage of IL-23 by gene disruption or anti-IL-12/23p40 antibody treatment reduced neutrophil infiltration and inflammatory cytokine secretion into the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). IL-23 was mostly produced from F4/80+CD11c+ alveolar macrophages, and IL-23 expression was markedly reduced by the pre-treatment of mice with antibiotics, suggesting that the development of IL-23-producing macrophages required commensal bacteria. Unexpectedly, among T-cell-derived cytokines, IL-22 rather than IL-17 or IFN-γ played a major role in LPS-induced ALI. IL-22 protein levels were higher than IL-17 in the BALF after LPS instillation, and the major source of IL-22 was memory Th17 cells. Lung memory CD4+ T cells had a potential to produce IL-22 at higher levels than IL-17 in response to IL-1β plus IL-23 without TCR stimulation. Our study revealed an innate-like function of the lung memory Th17 cells that produce IL-22 in response to IL-23 and are involved in exaggeration of ALI.
Resistance to Crown and Root Rot Caused by Phytophthora capsici in a Tomato Advanced Backcross of Solanum habrochaites and Solanum lycopersicum
Authors: Quesada-Ocampo L. M. , Vargas A. M. , Naegele R. P. , Francis D. M. , Hausbeck M. K.
Published: December 2015

Phytophthora capsici causes devastating disease on many vegetable crops, including tomato and other solanaceous species. Solanum habrochaites accession LA407, a wild relative of cultivated tomato, has shown complete resistance to four P. capsici isolates from Michigan cucurbitaceous and solanaceous crops in a previous study. Greenhouse experiments were conducted to evaluate 62 lines of a tomato inbred backcross population between LA407 and the cultivated tomato ‘Hunt 100’ and ‘Peto 95-43’ for resistance to two highly virulent P. capsici isolates. Roots of 6-week-old seedlings were inoculated with each of two P. capsici isolates and maintained in the greenhouse. Plants were evaluated for wilting and plant death three times per week for 5 weeks. Significant differences were observed in disease response among the inbred tomato lines. Most lines evaluated were susceptible to P. capsici isolate 12889 but resistant to isolate OP97; 24 tomato lines were resistant to both isolates. Heritability of Phytophthora root rot resistance was high in this population. Polymorphic molecular markers located in genes related to resistance and defense responses were identified and added to a genetic map previously generated for the population. Resistant lines and polymorphic markers identified in this study are a valuable resource for development of tomato varieties resistant to P. capsici.
Posttraumatic Tibiofibular Synostosis After Treatment of Distal Tibiofibular Fractures in Children
Authors: Jung Sung Taek , Wang Sung Il , Moon Young Jae , Mubarak Scott J. , Kim Jung Ryul
Published: December 2015

Introduction:

Posttraumatic pediatric distal tibiofibular synostosis is a rare complication following fracture. This is a retrospective, multicenter case series of synostosis of distal tibiofibular fractures in children. The purpose was to evaluate the incidence and pattern of posttraumatic distal tibiofibular synostosis in children.

Methods:

Of the 604 pediatric distal tibiofibular fractures, 20 patients (3.3%) with synostosis after treatment of distal tibiofibular fractures were identified at 3 tertiary referral centers. There were 12 boys and 8 girls, with a mean age of 8.4±2.0 years (range, 3.7 to 11.5 y) at the time of injury. Medical records were reviewed, and serial radiographs were analyzed to determine fracture configuration, pattern of synostosis, and changes in the relative positions of the proximal and distal tibial and fibular physes and in the alignment of the ankle.

Results:

The time from the occurrence of fracture until the recognition of the synostosis ranged from 2 to 6 months (mean, 2.8 mo). The most common fracture configuration was oblique tibial fracture combined with comminuted fibular fracture. There were 12 focal types and 8 extensive types. The proximal tibiofibular distance was decreased in 13 patients. Proximal migration of the distal fibular physis developed in all cases. Five patients exhibited ankle valgus of 10 degrees or greater with moderate or severe distal fibular shortening. Eight patients were symptomatic after synostosis and 12 patients were asymptomatic.

Conclusions:

We identified 2 patterns of synostosis after the treatment of pediatric distal tibiofibular fracture: focal and extensive. The focal type was more prevalent than the extensive type, which was more likely to occur due to high-energy injury. When a tibiofibular cross-union develops, it creates growth abnormalities that warrant observation and potential treatment, as it may lead to progressive deformity or ankle pain.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV.
Neural Responses to Physical Characteristics of a High-velocity, Low-amplitude Spinal Manipulation
Authors: Reed William R. , Long Cynthia R. , Kawchuk Gregory N. , Sozio Randall S. , Pickar Joel G.
Published: December 2015

Study Design.

Electrophysiological recordings were obtained from proprioceptors in deep lumbar paraspinal muscles of anesthetized cats during high-velocity low-amplitude spinal manipulation (HVLA-SM).

Objective.

To determine how thrust direction of an HVLA-SM affects neural input from back musculature.

Summary of Background Data.

A clinician's ability to apply the thrust of an HVLA-SM in a specified direction is considered an important component of its optimal delivery. However, previous biomechanical studies indicate that the shear force component of the thrust vector is not actually transmitted to paraspinal tissues deep to the thoracolumbar fascia because the skin–fascia interface is frictionless.

Methods.

Neural activity from muscle spindles in the multifidus and longissimus muscles was recorded from L6dorsal rootlets in 18 anesthetized cats. After preload to the spinal tissues, HVLA-SMs (100-ms thrust duration) were applied through the intact skin overlying the L6lamina. Thrusts were applied at angles oriented perpendicularly to the back and obliquely at 15° and 30° medialward or cranialward using a 6 × 6 Latin square design with three replicates. The normal force component was kept constant at 21.3 N. HVLA-SMs were preceded and followed by simulated spinal movement applied to the L6vertebra. Changes in mean instantaneous discharge frequency (ΔMIF) of muscle spindles were determined both during the thrust and spinal movement.

Results.

ΔMIFs during the HVLA-SM thrust were significantly greater in response to all thrust directions compared with the preload alone, but there was no difference in ΔMIF for any of the thrust directions during the HVLA-SM. HVLA-SM decreased some of the responses to simulated spinal movement but thrust direction had no effect on these changes.

Conclusion.

The shear force component of an HVLA-SM's thrust vector is not transmitted to the underlying vertebra sufficient to activate muscle spindles of the attached muscles. Implications for clinical practice and clinical research are discussed.

Level of Evidence:N/A
Reorganization in Secondary Somatosensory Cortex in Chronic Low Back Pain Patients
Authors: Hotz-Boendermaker Sabina , Marcar Valentine L. , Meier Michael L. , Boendermaker Bart , Humphreys Barry K.
Published: December 2015

Study Design.

A cross-sectional comparative study between chronic low back pain (CLBP) patients and healthy control subjects.

Objective.

The aim of this study was to investigate reorganization in the sensory cortex by comparing cortical activity due to mechanosensory stimulation of the lumbar spine in CLBP patients versus a control group by using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

Summary of Background Data.

LBP is now the number 1 condition across the world in terms of years living with a disability. There is growing evidence that maladaptive changes in the processing of sensory input by the central nervous system are central to understanding chronic (back) pain.

Methods.

Nonpainful, posterior-anterior (PA) movement pressure was applied manually to lumbar vertebrae at L1, L3, and L5 in 13 healthy subjects and 13 CLBP patients. The manual pressure (30 N) was monitored and controlled using sensors. A randomized stimulation protocol was used consisting of 51 pressure stimuli of 5 seconds duration. fMRI data analysis was performed for the group activation within the primary and secondary sensory cortices (S1 and S2, respectively) and the representation of the individual vertebrae was extracted and statistically analyzed.

Results.

Nonpainful PA pressure revealed no cortical reorganization in S1. In contrast, the extent of S2 activation in the CLBP group was significantly reduced in both hemispheres. In the control group, a somatotopy was identified for the lumbar vertebrae between L1 and L3, respectively, and L5 in S2 of the right hemisphere. Most importantly, a blurring of the somatotopic representation of the lumbar spine in S2 was observed in the patient group.

Conclusion.

Together, these maladaptive changes suggest a reorganization of higher-order processing for sensory information in CLBP patients that might have implications for a decreased sensory acuity, also related to body perception and subsequent altered functioning of the lumbar spine.

Level of Evidence: 2
Cultural Beliefs and Attitudes About Breast Cancer and Screening Practices Among Arabic Women in Australia
Authors: Kwok Cannas , Endrawes Gihane , Lee Chun Fan
Published: December 2015

Background:

Arabic women have been consistently reported as having remarkably low participation rates in breast cancer screening measures in their home countries and after migration to Western countries. Little is known about the screening behaviors of Arabic women in Australia.

Objectives:

This study aimed to report breast cancer screening practices among Arabic women in Australia and to examine the relationship between (1) demographic factors and (2) the Arabic version of the Breast Cancer Screening Beliefs Questionnaire (BCSBQ) score and women’s breast screening behaviors.

Methods:

A descriptive cross-sectional method was used. Both English and Arabic versions of the BCSBQ were administered to the 251 Arabic Australian women 18 years or older who participated in the study.

Results:

The majority of participants (62.9%–92%) had heard of breast awareness, clinical breast examination, and mammography. However, only 7.6% practiced breast awareness monthly, 21.4% had undergone clinical breast examination annually, and 40.3% had biannual mammography. Length of stay in Australia, being retired, and being unemployed were positively associated with the recommended performance of breast awareness and mammography. In terms of BCSBQ scores, women who engaged in the 3 screening practices had significantly higher scores on the attitudes to health check-ups and barriers to mammography subscales.

Conclusion:

Attitudes toward health check-ups and perceived barriers to mammography were important determinants of breast cancer screening practices among Arabic Australian women.

Implications for Practice:

To fully understand barriers discouraging Arabic Australian women from participating in breast cancer screening practices, efforts should be focused on specific subgroup (ie, working group) of Arabic Australian women.
Evidence of a molecular boundary lubricant at snakeskin surfaces
Authors: Baio Joe E. , Spinner Marlene , Jaye Cherno , Fischer Daniel A. , Gorb Stanislav N. , Weidner Tobias
Published: December 2015

During slithering locomotion the ventral scales at a snake's belly are in direct mechanical interaction with the environment, while the dorsal scales provide optical camouflage and thermoregulation. Recent work has demonstrated that compared to dorsal scales, ventral scales provide improved lubrication and wear protection. While biomechanic adaption of snake motion is of growing interest in the fields of material science and robotics, the mechanism for how ventral scales influence the friction between the snake and substrate, at the molecular level, is unknown. In this study, we characterize the outermost surface of snake scales using sum frequency generation (SFG) spectra and near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) images collected from recently shed California kingsnake (Lampropeltis californiae) epidermis. SFG's nonlinear optical selection rules provide information about the outermost surface of materials; NEXAFS takes advantage of the shallow escape depth of the electrons to probe the molecular structure of surfaces. Our analysis of the data revealed the existence of a previously unknown lipid coating on both the ventral and dorsal scales. Additionally, the molecular structure of this lipid coating closely aligns to the biological function: lipids on ventral scales form a highly ordered layer which provides both lubrication and wear protection at the snake's ventral surface.
Evolution arrests invasions of cooperative populations
Authors: Korolev Kirill S.
Published: December 2015

Population expansions trigger many biomedical and ecological transitions, from tumor growth to invasions of non-native species. Although population spreading often selects for more invasive phenotypes, we show that this outcome is far from inevitable. In cooperative populations, mutations reducing dispersal have a competitive advantage. Such mutations then steadily accumulate at the expansion front bringing invasion to a halt. Our findings are a rare example of evolution driving the population into an unfavorable state and could lead to new strategies to combat unwelcome invaders. In addition, we obtain an exact analytical expression for the fitness advantage of mutants with different dispersal rates.

PACS numbers: 87.23.Kg, 05.60.Cd, 64.60.-i, 87.23.Cc
Genetic diversity on the human X chromosome does not support a strict pseudoautosomal boundary
Authors: Cotter Daniel J. , Brotman Sarah M. , Wilson Sayres Melissa A.
Published: December 2015

Unlike the autosomes, recombination between the X chromosome and Y chromosome often thought to be constrained to two small pseudoautosomal regions (PARs) at the tips of each sex chromosome. The PAR1 spans the first 2.7 Mb of the proximal arm of the human sex chromosomes, while the much smaller PAR2 encompasses the distal 320 kb of the long arm of each sex chromosome. In addition to the PAR1 and PAR2, there is a human-specific X-transposed region that was duplicated from the X to the Y. The X-transposed region is often not excluded from X-specific analyses, unlike the PARs, because it is not thought to routinely recombine. Genetic diversity is expected to be higher in recombining regions than in non-recombining regions because recombination reduces the effect of linked selection. In this study, we investigate patterns of genetic diversity in noncoding regions across the entire X chromosome of a global sample of 26 unrelated genetic females. We observe that genetic diversity in the PAR1 is significantly greater than the non-recombining regions (nonPARs). However, rather than an abrupt drop in diversity at the pseudoautosomal boundary, there is a gradual reduction in diversity from the recombining through the non-recombining region, suggesting that recombination between the human sex chromosomes spans across the currently defined pseudoautosomal boundary. In contrast, diversity in the PAR2 is not significantly elevated compared to the nonPAR, suggesting that recombination is not obligatory in the PAR2. Finally, diversity in the X-transposed region is higher than the surrounding nonPAR regions, providing evidence that recombination may occur with some frequency between the X and Y in the XTR.
Crystal structures of [Ln(NO3)3(μ2-bpydo)2], whereLn= Ce, Pr or Nd, and bpydo = 4,4′-bipyridineN,N′-dioxide: layered coordination networks containing 44grids
Authors: Stromyer Michael L. , Lilly Cassandra P. , Dillner Adam J. , Knaust Jacqueline M.
Published: December 2015

Three isostructural coordination networks of Ce, Pr, and Nd nitrate with 4,4′-bipyridineN,N′-dioxide (bpydo) are reported, namely poly[[tris(nitrato-κ2O,O′)cerium(III)]-bis(μ2-4,4′-bipyridineN,N′-dioxide-κ2N:N′)], [Ce(NO3)3(C10H8N2O2)2], poly[[tris(nitrato-κ2O,O′)praeseodymium(III)]-bis(μ2-4,4′-bipyridineN,N′-dioxide-κ2N:N′)], [Pr(NO3)3(C10H8N2O2)2], and poly[[tris(nitrato-κ2O,O′)neodymium(III)]-bis(μ2-4,4′-bipyridineN,N′-dioxide-κ2N:N′], [Nd(NO3)3(C10H8N2O2)2]. All three compounds are isostructural to the previously reported La analogue. The asymmetric unit of [Ln(NO3)3(μ2-bpydo)2] contains one lanthanide cation, two bpydo ligands, and three nitrate anions. Both bpydo ligands act as end-to-end μ2-bridges and display nearly idealcisandgaucheconformations, respectively. The bpydo ligands link the ten-coordinateLnIIIcations, forming interdigitating 44grid-like layers extending parallel to (-101), where interdigitation of layers is promoted by C—H...O interactions between nitrate anions and bpydo ligands. The interdigitated layers are linked to sets of neighboring layersviafurther C—H...O and π–π interactions.
Mixed approach in creating a university union catalogue
Authors: Boberić-Krstićev Danijela , Tešendić Danijela
Published: December 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present the software architecture of the university’s union catalogue in Novi Sad, Serbia. The university’s union catalogue would comprise the collections of 14 academic libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

– The basis of this paper is a case study of developing a software solution for the union catalogue of the University of Novi Sad in Serbia. The solution principles of object-oriented modelling are applied to describe the software architecture. Specifically, the unified modeling language (UML) component and sequence diagrams are used. The database model is described by using a physical data model.

Findings

– Through the research of related papers and, taking into consideration the problem of creating a university union catalogue, it is concluded that the best approach is to combine the idea of a virtual and a physical union catalogue. Records are stored in one physical union catalogue, while the holdings data are stored in the local library management systems (LMSs) organized in the form of virtual union catalogues. Because academic libraries often use LMSs from different vendors, interoperable communication between those LMSs and the union catalogue is provided through the usage of standard library protocols for information retrieval (Search and Retrieve URL [SRU], SRU Record Update and NISO Circulation Interchange Protocol [NCIP]).

Research limitations/implications

– The development of a union catalogue for the University of Novi Sad is in its test phase, and, at this moment, only a software solution supporting the functionalities of a union catalogue has been created.

Practical implications

– By introducing a university union catalogue, students would be able to search the collections of all the university libraries by using a single portal. Their results would indicate whether a book is available and from which library it is available to borrow.

Originality/value

– Originality of this software architecture lies in the usage of standard library protocols. The described architecture enables the addition of new members to the university union catalogue, regardless of which LMS the library uses.
Electronic library services acceptance and use
Authors: Awwad Mohammad Sulieman , Al-Majali Sawsan Mohammad
Published: December 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to apply the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) model in the context of electronic library services in public Jordanian universities. This study investigated the determinants of use behaviour (UB) regarding electronic library services, and the moderating effects of age, gender, experience, education level and academic discipline on the relationships between the determinants and behavioural intention (BI).

Design/methodology/approach

– Quantitative data were collected, through a questionnaire instrument from a sample of 575 students. Statistical analysis of the study’s model was conducted using the structural equation modelling technique.

Findings

– Empirical examination of the model’s hypotheses indicated that students’ “intention to use” electronic library services is dependent on performance expectancy (PE), effort expectancy (EE) and social influence (SI), while students’ “use behaviour” is dependent on facilitating conditions (FCs) and intention to use. The effect of PE on BI was significant for younger, undergraduate and social sciences discipline students, while EE was significant for older and applied discipline students.

Practical implications

– Library directors should design promotional campaigns directed to younger, undergraduate and social academic discipline studentsto promote the efficiency of electronic libraries. Faculty members can be targeted with these promotional campaigns to exert influence on the desired effect on students’ intentions toward using the electronic library. Easier-to-use technology and training courses for older and applied academic discipline students are necessary. It is important to ensure that the physical facilities and technical support provide students with needed assistance. Online help should be available.

Originality/value

– This study empirically validated the UTAUT model in the context of electronic library services within an Arab culture. The study also investigated the moderating effects of students’ characteristics, including age, gender and experience, in addition to education level and academic discipline, as new affects.
The validity of Bradford’s Law in academic electronic mailing lists
Authors: Faba-Pérez Cristina , Cordero-González Ana-María
Published: December 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper was to check the validity of Bradford’s Law in the contemporary world of academic electronic mailing lists.

Design/methodology/approach

– The present research study applied Bradford’s Law to academic electronic mailing lists to determine: whether, on the Internet, mailing lists and the posts sent to them follow the same distribution as scientific journals and the articles published in them with respect to the original form of Bradford’s Law; and whether the behaviour of the Bradford distributions differs depending on the type of academic discipline (social studies or sciences) and subject category (documentation and education, medicine and life sciences) to which the list belongs. As a prior step, the utility of mailing lists was analysed during the 10-year period of 2002-2011, together with their expected future in terms of ratifying the applicability of the Law.

Findings

– The results showed that, in general, electronic mailing lists are continuing to be used, and that Bradford’s Law is indeed satisfied, especially in the science subject categories, coherent with the fact that Bradford’s Law in cybermetrics holds only for fairly narrow (closed) and well-defined (homogeneous) environments.

Originality/value

– The originality of the present research study was to check the validity of the historic Bradford’s Law in the contemporary world of Internet.
Development and evaluation of the mobile library service system success model
Authors: Huang Yueh-Min , Pu Ying-Hong , Chen Tzung-Shi , Chiu Po-Sheng
Published: December 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to develop and analyse the usage status, level of satisfaction and success model of a mobile library service system in Taiwan. The research results could serve as a reference for the development, evaluation and improvement of libraries’ mobile services.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study designed a mobile library service system and used the informational system success model to evaluate its use status and level of satisfaction and, thus, to develop a success model for a mobile library service system.

Findings

– Results showed that students’ level of satisfaction with the mobile library service system had a positive correlation with the usage status indicated that the system could help them to improve their work efficiency, such as by reducing time spent searching for books and cost of obtaining electronic resources. The students also expressed a willingness to continue using the mobile library service system.

Practical implications

– In general, the students thought that the mobile library service system could reduce the time needed to search for book-related information, but that the service quality should be improved. Therefore, this study suggests that the education and training of system service personnel should be enhanced and that easy-to-use functions be provided to promote the users’ level of satisfaction and willingness to use the system.

Originality/value

– This study developed a mobile library service system and invited students studying in the National University of Tainan, in southern Taiwan, to be the subjects in an experiment, with a goal to evaluate the success of a model mobile library. The findings showed that the overall explanatory power (R2) of this model was 55 per cent and, thus, that the findings of this work have practical significance.
Sustainability, materiality, assurance and the UK’s leading property companies
Authors: Jones Peter , Comfort Daphne , Hillier David
Published: December 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide a brief for property occupiers who look to monitor trends in sustainability reporting. The paper offers a preliminary examination of the extent to which the UK’s leading commercial property companies are embracing the concept of materiality and commissioning independent external assurance as a part of their sustainability reporting processes and some wider reflections on materiality and external assurance in sustainability reporting.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper begins with a review of the characteristics of materiality and external assurance and an outline of the drivers for, and challenges to, sustainability for property companies. The information on which the paper is based is drawn from the leading UK property companies’ corporate websites.

Findings

– The paper reveals that approximately half of the UK’s leading property companies had embraced materiality or commissioned some form of independent external assurance as an integral part of their sustainability reporting processes. In many ways, this reduces the reliability and credibility of the leading property companies’ sustainability reports. Looking to the future, growing stakeholder pressure may persuade more of the UK’s leading property companies to embrace materiality and commission external assurance as systematic and integral elements in the sustainability reporting process.

Originality/value

– The paper provides an accessible review of the current status of materiality and external assurance among the UK’s leading commercial property companies’ sustainability reporting. As such, it will not only interest occupiers but also professionals, practitioners, academics and students interested in sustainability in the property industry.
Caesarean hysterectomy for placenta praevia/accreta using an approach via the pouch of Douglas
Authors: Selman AE
Published: December 2015

Placenta praevia/accreta is associated with significant maternal morbidity and mortality and is a common cause of obstetric hysterectomy. This paper describes posterior retrograde abdominal hysterectomy, a new surgical technique for caesarean hysterectomy, in 11 women with placenta percreta, increta or accreta There were no intraoperative or postoperative maternal complications, and only one fetus required admission to the neonatal unit, for prematurity. Our technique in placenta praevia/accreta allows easy identification of the vagina and early uterine devascularisation, as well as safe resection of the involved urinary bladder in women with placenta percreta showing bladder penetration. Analytical studies are needed to confirm our findings.

Tweetable abstract

Posterior retrograde abdominal hysterectomy in women with placenta praevia/accreta may enable safer surgery.
Neonatal complications associated with use of fetal scalp electrode: a retrospective study
Authors: Kawakita T , Reddy UM , Landy HJ , Iqbal SN , Huang C‐C , Grantz KL
Published: December 2015

Objectives

To estimate the incidence and risk of complications associated with a fetal scalp electrode and to determine whether its application in the setting of operative vaginal delivery was associated with increased neonatal morbidity.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Twelve clinical centers with 19 hospitals across nine American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists US districts.

Population

Women in the USA.

Methods

We evaluated 171 698 women with singleton deliveries ≥ 23 weeks of gestation in a secondary analysis of the Consortium on Safe Labor study between 2002 and 2008, after excluding conditions that precluded fetal scalp electrode application such as prelabour caesarean delivery. Secondary analysis limited to operative vaginal deliveries ≥ 34 weeks of gestation was also performed.

Main outcome measures

Incidences and adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals of neonatal complications were calculated, controlling for maternal characteristics, delivery mode and pregnancy complications.

Results

Fetal scalp electrode was used in 37 492 (22%) of deliveries. In non‐operative vaginal delivery, fetal scalp electrode was associated with increased risk of injury to scalp due to birth trauma (1.2% versus 0.9%; adjusted odds ratios 1.62; 95% confidence intervals 1.41–1.86) and cephalohaematoma (1.0% versus 0.9%; adjusted odds ratios 1.57; 95% confidence intervals 1.36–1.83). Neonatal complications were not significantly different comparing fetal scalp electrode with vacuum‐assisted vaginal delivery and vacuum‐assisted vaginal delivery alone or comparing fetal scalp electrode with forceps‐assisted vaginal delivery and forceps‐assisted vaginal delivery alone.

Conclusions

We found increased neonatal morbidity with fetal scalp electrode though the absolute risk was very low. It is possible that these findings reflect an underlying indication for its use. Our findings support the use of fetal scalp electrodes when clinically indicated.

Tweetable abstract

Neonatal risks associated with fetal scalp electrode use were low (injury to scalp 1.2% and cephalohaematoma 1.0%).
Childcare Assistance: Are Subsidies or Tax Credits Better?
Authors: Gong Xiaodong , Breunig Robert
Published: December 2015

We evaluate price subsidies and tax credits for childcare. We focus on partnered women's labour supply, household income and welfare, demand for childcare and government expenditure. Using Australian data, we estimate a joint, discrete structural model of labour supply and childcare demand. We introduce two methodological innovations – a more flexible quantity constraint that total formal and informal childcare hours are at least as large as the mother's labour supply and the explicit inclusion of maternal childcare in the utility function as a proxy for child development. We find that tax credits are more effective than subsidies in terms of increasing average hours worked and household income. However, tax credits disproportionately benefit wealthier and more educated women. Price subsidies, while less efficient, have positive redistributional effects.
Analysis of Naturally Occurring Fluoride in Commercial Teas and Estimation of Its Daily Intake through Tea Consumption
Authors: Peng Chuan‐yi , Cai Hui‐mei , Zhu Xiao‐hui , Li Da‐xiang , Yang Yun‐qiu , Hou Ru‐yan , Wan Xiao‐chun
Published: December 2015

The aim of this study was to determine the levels of fluoride in commercial teas and to estimate the contribution of tea consumption to the fluoride recommended daily allowance. A total of 558 tea products in 6 categories, green tea, black tea, oolong tea, pu'er tea, white tea, and reprocessed tea, were collected in the period from 2010 to 2013. The levels of fluoride in infusions of these teas were determined by a fluoride‐ion selective electrode. The mean fluoride level in all of the tea samples was 85.16 mg/kg. For each category of tea, the mean fluoride levels were 63.04, 99.74, 52.19, 101.67, 159.78, and 110.54 mg/kg for green tea, black tea, white tea, pu'er tea, oolong tea, and reprocessed tea, respectively. The fluoride content of tea from 4 tea zones in descending order were Southern tea zone (111.39 mg/kg) > Southwest tea zone (78.78 mg/kg) > Jiangnan tea zone (71.73 mg/kg) > Jiangbei tea zone (64.63 mg/kg). These areas produced teas with lower fluoride levels than available foreign‐produced tea (161.11 mg/kg). The mean chronic daily intake (CDI) was 0.02 mg/(kg•day) or 1.27 mg/kg. Generally, consuming tea from these 6 categories does not result in the intake of excessive amounts of fluoride for the general population.
Robustness of Meteorological Droughts in Dynamically Downscaled Climate Simulations
Authors: Ganguli Poulomi , Ganguly Auroop R.
Published: December 2015

We examine the robustness of a suite of regional climate models (RCMs) in simulating meteorological droughts and associated metrics in present‐day climate (1971‐2003) over the conterminous United States (U.S.). The RCMs that are part of North American Regional Climate Change Assessment Program (NARCCAP) simulations are compared with multiple observations over the climatologically homogeneous regions of the U.S. The seasonal precipitation, climatology, drought attributes, and trends have been assessed. The reanalysis‐based multi‐model median RCM reasonably simulates observed statistical attributes of drought and the regional detail due to topographic forcing. However, models fail to simulate significant drying trend over the Southwest and West. Further, reanalysis‐based NARCCAP runs underestimate the observed drought frequency overall, with the exception of the Southwest; whereas they underestimate persistence in the drought‐affected areas over the Southwest and West‐North Central regions. However, global climate model‐driven NARCCAP ensembles tend to overestimate regional drought frequencies. Models exhibit considerable uncertainties while reproducing meteorological drought statistics, as evidenced by a general lack of agreement in the Hurst exponent, which in turn controls drought persistence. Water resources managers need to be aware of the limitations of current climate models, while regional climate modelers may want to fine‐tune their parameters to address impact‐relevant metrics.
Identification and SNP association analysis of a novel gene in chicken
Authors: Mei Xingxing , Kang Xiangtao , Liu Xiaojun , Jia Lijuan , Li Hong , Li Zhuanjian , Jiang Ruirui
Published: December 2015

A novel gene that was predicted to encode a long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) transcript was identified in a previous study that aimed to detect candidate genes related to growth rate differences between Chinese local breed Gushi chickens and Anka broilers. To characterise the biological function of the lncRNA, we cloned and sequenced the complete open reading frame of the gene. We performed quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to analyse the expression patterns of the lncRNA in different tissues of chicken at different development stages. The qPCR data showed that the novel lncRNA gene was expressed extensively, with the highest abundance in spleen and lung and the lowest abundance in pectoralis and leg muscle. Additionally, we identified a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at the 5′‐end of the gene and studied the association between the SNP and chicken growth traits using data from an F2 resource population of Gushi chickens and Anka broilers. The association analysis showed that the SNP was significantly (P < 0.05) associated with leg muscle weight, chest breadth, sternal length and body weight in chickens at 1 day, 4 weeks and 6 weeks of age. We concluded that the novel lncRNA gene, which we designated pouBW1, may play an important role in regulating chicken growth.
Chronic spontaneous urticaria and internal parasites – a systematic review
Authors: Kolkhir P. , Balakirski G. , Merk H. F. , Olisova O. , Maurer M.
Published: December 2015

Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is defined as persistent wheals, angioedema, or both lasting for >6 weeks due to known or unknown causes. Some epidemiological studies and case reports suggest that internal parasite infections (PI) can cause CSU. Here, we provide a systematic overview of published findings on the prevalence and relevance of PI in CSU and we discuss possible pathomechanisms. The prevalence of PI in CSU was investigated by 39 independent studies and comorbidity reportedly ranged from 0 to 75.4% (two‐thirds of these studies reported infection rates of 10% or less). The prevalence of PI in adult and pediatric CSU patients ranged from 0% to 75.4% and from 0% to 37.8%, respectively. CSU patients were more often diagnosed with protozoa and had a significantly higher risk of toxocariasis seropositivity and Anisakis simplex sensitization when compared to healthy controls. Patients with chronic urticaria more frequently had seropositivity of fasciolosis, Anisakis simplex sensitization, and the presence of Blastocystis hominis allele 34 (ST3) as compared with control subjects. In 21 studies, efficacy of treatment with antiparasitic drugs ranged from 0 to 100% (35.7% of 269 CSU patients benefitted). In 9 (42.8%) of 21 studies, more than 50% of efficacy was observed. The reported rate of urticaria comorbidity in PI patients in 18 independent studies is 1–66.7%. Urticaria including CSU might be a quite common symptom of strongyloidiasis and blastocystosis. Pathogenic mechanisms in CSU due to PI may include specific IgE, Th2 cytokine skewing, eosinophils, activation of the complement, and the coagulation systems.