bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adipose tissue mitochondrial respiration and lipolysis before and after a weight loss by diet and RYGB
Authors: Hansen Merethe , Lund Michael T. , Gregers Emilie , Kraunsøe Regitze , Van Hall Gerrit , Helge Jørn W. , Dela Flemming
Published: September 2015

Objective

To study adipose tissue mitochondrial respiration and lipolysis following a massive weight loss.

Methods

High resolution respirometry of adipose tissue biopsies and tracer determined whole body lipolysis. Sixteen obese patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and 27 without (OB) were studied following a massive weight loss by diet and Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass (RYGB).

Results

The mitochondrial respiratory rates were similar in OB and T2DM, and the mass‐specific oxygen flux increased significantly 4 and 18 months post‐surgery (P < 0.05). With normalization to mitochondrial content, no differences in oxidative capacity after RYGB were seen. The ratio between the oxidative phosphorylation system capacity (P) and the capacity of the electron transfer system (E) increased 18 months after RYGB in both groups (P < 0.05). Lipolysis per fat mass was similar in the two groups and was increased (P < 0.05) and lipid oxidation during hyperinsulinemia decreased 4 months post‐surgery. In T2DM, visceral fat mass was always higher relative to the body fat mass (%) compared to OB.

Conclusions

Adipose tissue mitochondrial respiratory capacity increases with RYGB. Adipocytes adapt to massive weight loss by increasing the phosphorylation system ratio (P/E), suggesting an increased ability to oxidize substrates after RYGB. Lipolysis increases in the short term post‐surgery, and insulin sensitivity for suppression of lipolysis increases with RYGB.
Respiratory tract exacerbations revisited: Ventilation, inflammation, perfusion, and structure (VIPS) monitoring to redefine treatment
Authors: Tiddens Harm A.W.M. , Stick Stephen M. , Wild Jim M. , Ciet Pierluigi , Parker Geoffrey J.M. , Koch Armin , Vogel‐Claussen Jens
Published: September 2015

For cystic fibrosis (CF) patients older than 6 years there are convincing data that suggest respiratory tract exacerbations (RTE) play an important role in the progressive loss of functional lung tissue. There is a poor understanding of the pathobiology of RTE and whether specific treatment of RTE reduces lung damage in the long term. In addition, there are limited tools available to measure the various components of CF lung disease and responses to therapy. Therefore, in order to better understand the impact of RTE on CF lung disease we need to develop sensitive measures to characterize RTE and responses to treatment; and improve our understanding of structure‐function changes during treatment of RTE. In this paper we review our current knowledge of the impact of RTE on the progression of lung disease and identify strategies to improve our understanding of the pathobiology of RTE. By improving our knowledge regarding RTE in CF we will be better positioned to develop approaches to treatment that are individualized and that can prevent permanent structural damage. We suggest the development of a ventilation, perfusion, inflammation and structure (VIPS)‐MRI suite that supplies the clinician with data on ventilation, inflammation, perfusion, and structure in one MRI session. VIPS‐MRI could be an important step to better understand the factors that contribute to and limit treatment efficacy of RTE. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2015; 50:S57–S65. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An impulse oscillometry system is less efficient than spirometry in tracking lung function improvements after intravenous antibiotic therapy in pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Buchs Clélia , Coutier Laurianne , Vrielynck Stéphanie , Jubin Virginie , Mainguy Catherine , Reix Philippe
Published: September 2015

A literature search identified one retrospective study on the responsiveness of impulse oscillometry (IOS) in pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis. The aim of this prospective observational study was to assess this property in an adequately powered study after intravenous antibiotic therapy (IVAT) administered for an acute episode of pulmonary exacerbation. Spirometry and IOS were done on the same day as the start and the end of IVAT. Data from 34 patients’ of mean age 11.9 years (range, 5–17 years) were studied. The mean FEV1 at the start and at the end of the IVAT was 73.1 ± 23.8% (range, 23.4–122%) and 88.3 ± 21.3% (range, 29.4–131%), respectively. The mean relative change (mean ± SD) was 20.2 ± 14.2% for FEV1 (ΔFEV1), −21.9 ± 23.8% for reactance at 5 Hz (ΔX5) and –13.4 ± 18.9% for resistance at 5 Hz (Δ R5) (all P‐values <0.05). There was a weak but significant correlation between ΔFEV1 and ΔX5 (r =–0.473; p = 0.01). The magnitude of improvement of ΔX5 was not statistically different between patients with normal versus abnormal lung function at the start of IVAT. Furthermore, using ΔX5 alone as an outcome measure of IVAT efficiency resulted in a significant improvement in 44% of the patients, while it was 79% with ΔFEV1. These results indicate that IOS may track changes after IVAT, but that this improvement may be insufficiently evaluated using IOS alone. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2015; 50:1073–1081. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Study on the Azido‐Tetrazolo Tautomerizations of 3,6‐Bis(azido)‐1,2,4,5‐tetrazine
Authors: Zhao Dan , Lv Meifang , Cai Chun
Published: September 2015

The azido‐tetrazolo tautomerizations of 3,6‐diazido‐1,2,4,5‐tetrazine (DIAT) in different solvents were investigated with HPLC and 13C NMR spectroscopy. 6‐Amino‐tetrazolo[1,5‐b]‐1,2,4,5‐tetrazine (ATTZ) was irreversibly formed as the final product by azido‐cyclization following N2 elimination from one of the azido substituents at room temperature in DMSO. The structure of ATTZ was characterized by X‐ray crystallography; differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), mass spectrometry, as well as IR and 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectroscopy. The crystal density was found to be 1.272 g cm−3. DSC result suggested that ATTZ with the melting point of 84 °C strongly decomposes with explosion at 198 °C, which can be regarded as a primary explosive.
Theoretical insight into diagnosing observation error correlations using observation‐minus‐background and observation‐minus‐analysis statistics
Authors: Waller J. A. , Dance S. L. , Nichols N. K.
Published: September 2015

To improve the quantity and impact of observations used in data assimilation, it is necessary to take into account the full, potentially correlated, observation error statistics. A number of methods for estimating correlated observation errors exist, but a popular method is a diagnostic that makes use of statistical averages of observation‐minus‐background and observation‐minus‐analysis residuals. The accuracy of the results it yields is unknown as the diagnostic is sensitive to the difference between the exact background and exact observation error covariances and those that are chosen for use within the assimilation. It has often been stated in the literature that the results using this diagnostic are only valid when the background and observation error correlation length‐scales are well separated. Here we develop new theory relating to the diagnostic. For observations on a 1D periodic domain we are able to the show the effect of changes in the assumed error statistics used in the assimilation on the estimated observation error covariance matrix. We also provide bounds for the estimated observation error variance and eigenvalues of the estimated observation error correlation matrix. We demonstrate that it is still possible to obtain useful results from the diagnostic when the background and observation error length‐scales are similar. In general, our results suggest that when correlated observation errors are treated as uncorrelated in the assimilation, the diagnostic will underestimate the correlation length‐scale. We support our theoretical results with simple illustrative examples. These results have potential use for interpreting the derived covariances estimated using an operational system.
Capacity analysis of high‐throughput satellite links for Earth observation missions
Authors: Katona Zoltán , Kourogiorgas Charilaos , Panagopoulos Athanasios D. , Jeannin Nicolas
Published: September 2015

Earth observation missions are important for economy and science. The data collected by such satellites are used in agriculture, maritime services, disaster and environmental monitoring, and so on. Earth observation satellites are low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites typically with a sun‐synchronous, polar orbit. The amount of collected data has significantly increased over the years. This calls for finding new ways to increase the transfer rate on the satellite link. As a consequence, the present paper analyzes the possibility of moving from low to high radio frequencies. In addition, different topologies are analyzed, such as the conventional direct LEO satellite to ground station link, and the data relay link from the LEO satellite to the ground station through a geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) satellite. The present paper thus analyzes the foreseeable performance of Ka‐band and Q‐band direct links, and Ka‐band, Q‐band, and W‐band data relay links. The following channel adaptation techniques were assumed during the analysis: adaptive coding and modulation and variable coding and modulation. According to the results, the link margin is significantly high in clear sky, reaching at least 7dB, even using the least robust modulation and coding (ModCod) scheme, which applies 1024‐amplitude and phase‐shift keying (1024‐APSK) modulation scheme. As a consequence, it shall be important in the future to further increase the spectral efficiency of the link, by, for example, reducing phase noise in order to enable even higher‐order modulation schemes. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparing MTI randomization procedures to blocked randomization
Authors: Berger Vance W. , Bejleri Klejda , Agnor Rebecca
Published: September 2015

Randomization is one of the cornerstones of the randomized clinical trial, and there is no shortage of methods one can use to randomize patients to treatment groups. When deciding which one to use, researchers must bear in mind that not all randomization procedures are equally adept at achieving the objective of randomization, namely, balanced treatment groups. One threat is chronological bias, and permuted blocks randomization does such a good job at controlling chronological bias that it has become the standard randomization procedure in clinical trials. But permuted blocks randomization is especially vulnerable to selection bias, so as a result, the maximum tolerated imbalance (MTI) procedures were proposed as better alternatives. In comparing the procedures, we have somewhat of a false controversy, in that actual practice goes uniformly one way (permuted blocks), whereas scientific arguments go uniformly the other way (MTI procedures). There is no argument in the literature to suggest that the permuted block design is better than or even as good as the MTI procedures, but this dearth is matched by an equivalent one regarding actual trials using the MTI procedures. So the ‘controversy’, if we are to call it that, pits misguided precedent against sound advice that tends to be ignored in practice. We shall review the issues to determine scientifically which of the procedures is better and, therefore, should be used. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Aluminum and Indium Complexes derived from Guanidines, Triazenes, and Amidines
Authors: Cole Marcus L. , Davies Aaron J. , Jones Cameron , Junk Peter C. , McKay Alasdair I. , Stasch Andreas
Published: September 2015

The reaction of guanidines, triazenes, amidines, and lithium amidinates with trimethylamine alane ([AlH3(NMe3)]), lithium tetrahydridoaluminate, trimethylaluminum, aluminum trichloride, and indium trichloride is reported. Equimolar reactions utilising hindered N,N′‐bis(2, 6‐diisopropylphenyl)guanidines afford [{AlX2L}n] species through hydrogen elimination (X = H) from [AlH3(NMe3)] (n = 2) with HCGiso (1), HDGiso (2), or HDPiso (3) [CGiso = N,N′‐bis(2, 6‐disopropylphenyl)‐N′′‐dicyclohexylguanidinate, DGiso = N,N′,N′′‐tris(2, 6‐diisopropylphenyl)guanidinate, DPiso = N,N′‐bis(2, 6‐diisopropylphenyl)‐P‐2, 6‐diisopropylphenylphosphguanidinate], or through methane elimination (X = Me) from AlMe3 [n = 1, L = CGiso (5)]. The analogous reactions of the triazene HTiso with LiAlH4 and AlMe3 selectively afford [AlH(Tiso)2] (4) and [AlMe2(Tiso)] (6), respectively [Tiso = 1, 3‐bis(2, 6‐diisopropylphenyl)triazenide]. Reactions of N,N′‐bis(aryl)formamidines/ates with half an equivalent of AlMe3/AlCl3 result in [AlXL2] complexes [X = Me; L = Fxy (7) or Fet (8); X = Cl; L = Fet (9) or L = Fiso (10)] [Fxy = N,N′‐bis(2, 6‐dimethylphenyl)formamidinate, Fet = N,N′‐bis(2, 6‐diethylphenyl)formamidinate, Fiso = N,N′‐bis(2, 6‐diisopropylphenyl)formamidinate]. Treatment of 1 with one equivalent of I2 yields [AlI2(CGiso)] (11). Attempts to prepare [InCl2L] congeners of 11 with L = Fxy and Fet led to the isolation of prodigious quantities of [InCl3(HFxy)2] (12) and [InCl2(Fet)(HFet)] (13) due to adventitious water. The X‐ray crystal structures of 1–13 are reported.
Does the Implantation Technique for Totally Implantable Venous Access Ports (TIVAPs) Influence Long‐Term Outcome?
Authors: Biacchi Daniele , Sammartino Paolo , Sibio Simone , Accarpio Fabio , Cardi Maurizio , Sapienza Paolo , De Cesare Alessandro , Maher Fouad Atta Joseph , Impagnatiello Alessio , Di Giorgio Angelo
Published: September 2015

Background

Totally implantable venous access ports (TIVAP) are eventually explanted for various reasons, related or unrelated to the implantation technique used. Having more information on long‐term explantation would help improve placement techniques.

Methods

From a series of 1572 cancer patients who had TIVAPs implanted in our center with the cutdown technique or Seldinger technique, we studied the 542 patients who returned to us to have their TIVAP explanted after 70 days or more. As outcome measures we distinguished between TIVAPs explanted for long‐term complications (infection, catheter‐, reservoir‐, and patient‐related complications) and TIVAPs no longer needed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were run to investigate the reasons for explantation and their possible correlation with implantation techniques.

Results

The most common reason for explantation was infection (47.6 %), followed by catheter‐related (20.8 %), patient‐related (14.7 %), and reservoir‐related complications (4.7 %). In the remaining 12.2 % of cases, the TIVAP was explanted complication free after the planned treatments ended. Infection correlated closely with longer TIVAP use. Univariate and multivariate analyses identified the Seldinger technique as a major risk factor for venous thrombosis and catheter dislocation.

Conclusions

The need for long‐term TIVAP explantation in about one‐third of cancer patients is related to the implantation techniques used.
Identity processes and statuses in post‐Soviet Georgia: Exploration processes operate differently
Authors: Skhirtladze Nino , Javakhishvili Nino , Schwartz Seth J. , Beyers Wim , Luyckx Koen
Published: September 2015

Identity formation is one of the main developmental tasks of emerging adulthood. Based on quantitative data on a five‐dimensional model of identity formation, we concluded that the identity formation process has some different features in the Republic of Georgia than it does in many Western countries. Results obtained from young Georgian adults (N = 295, 82.6% female) yielded four exploration processes instead of three, which is in line with the recent Swiss findings. A key difference between Georgia and the Western contexts, however, is that exploration in breadth is highly correlated with ruminative exploration. Cluster analysis, which produced six identity clusters, also supported this pattern. Achievement, the most adjusted cluster in Western contexts, was relatively low on exploration in breadth. We discuss ways in which the Georgian transition from Soviet communism to a more globalized society may contribute to limited opportunities for identity exploration and may add some tension to the identity development process.
Desarrollo reciente y relevancia actual de los ingresos comerciales aeroportuarios
Authors: Díaz Olariaga Oscar
Published: September 2015

Este artículo analiza la evolución reciente y la importancia de los ingresos no-aeronáuticos o comerciales de los aeropuertos en la actualidad. A partir de lo anterior se encuentra que, a nivel mundial, los ingresos comerciales representan en promedio alrededor de la mitad de los ingresos totales de un aeropuerto. Con base en esto, este trabajo explora algunos factores clave que influyen en los ingresos comerciales, tales como perfil de los pasajeros, tipo de aeropuerto, tendencias de consumo, evolución de las estrategias comerciales, cambios en las fórmulas de gestión de los aeropuertos y otros nuevos desarrollos. Estos factores ayudan a comprender cómo los gestores aeroportuarios asumen la relevante evolución de los ingresos aeroportuarios, aprovechan las nuevas oportunidades y desarrollan nuevos conceptos.
McDowell, Hegel, and Habits
Authors: Levine Steven
Published: September 2015

In his debate with Dreyfus McDowell defends the ‘pervasiveness thesis’, the thesis that rational mindedness pervades the lives of rational animals, their perceptual experiences and exercises of agency. To counter this idea, Dreyfus introduces the notion of ‘social standing’: the culturally inculcated yet non-conceptual sense of the appropriate distance that one should stand from another person. McDowell claims that social standing is not a counter-example to the pervasiveness thesis because it stands altogether outside of it. In this paper I argue that this response is a misstep, that we should see social standing as fallingwithinthe pervasiveness thesis. While such phenomena do not normally fall within the scope of a subject's practical self- knowledge they are still pervaded by rational mindedness. They are because the dispositions and habits that comprise our second nature, although not the realization of an exercise of conceptual capacities, can be brought within the scope of a subject's practical self-knowledge and in fact changed, and this is enough to establish that they are pervaded by rational mindedness. I argue that we can find a picture like this in a Hegelian-pragmatist account of our habitual second nature.
Influence of viscosity contrast on buoyantly unstable miscible fluids in porous media
Authors: Pramanik Satyajit , Hota Tapan Kumar , Mishra Manoranjan
Published: September 2015

The influence of viscosity contrast on buoyantly unstable miscible fluids in a porous medium is investigated through a linear stability analysis (LSA) as well as direct numerical simulations (DNS). The linear stability method implemented in this paper is based on an initial value approach, which helps to capture the onset of instability more accurately than the quasi-steady-state analysis. In the absence of displacement, we show that viscosity contrast delays the onset of instability in buoyantly unstable miscible fluids. Further, it is observed that by suitably choosing the viscosity contrast and injection velocity a gravitationally unstable miscible interface can be stabilized completely. Through LSA we draw a phase diagram, which shows three distinct stability regions in a parameter space spanned by the displacement velocity and the viscosity contrast. DNS are performed corresponding to parameters from each regime and the results obtained are in accordance with the linear stability results. Moreover, the conversion from one dimensionless formulation to another and its importance when comparing the different type of flow problem associated with each dimensionless formulation are discussed. We also calculate${\it\epsilon}$-pseudo-spectra of the time dependent linearized operator to investigate the response to external excitation.
Critical control in transcritical shallow-water flow over two obstacles
Authors: Grimshaw Roger H. J. , Maleewong Montri
Published: September 2015

The nonlinear shallow-water equations are often used to model flow over topography. In this paper we use these equations both analytically and numerically to study flow over two widely separated localised obstacles, and compare the outcome with the corresponding flow over a single localised obstacle. Initially we assume uniform flow with constant water depth, which is then perturbed by the obstacles. The upstream flow can be characterised as subcritical, supercritical and transcritical, respectively. We review the well-known theory for flow over a single localised obstacle, where in the transcritical regime the flow is characterised by a local hydraulic flow over the obstacle, contained between an elevation shock propagating upstream and a depression shock propagating downstream. Classical shock closure conditions are used to determine these shocks. Then we show that the same approach can be used to describe the flow over two widely spaced localised obstacles. The flow development can be characterised by two stages. The first stage is the generation of upstream elevation shock and downstream depression shock from each obstacle alone, isolated from the other obstacle. The second stage is the interaction of two shocks between the two obstacles, followed by an adjustment to a hydraulic flow over both obstacles, with criticality being controlled by the higher of the two obstacles, and by the second obstacle when they have equal heights. This hydraulic flow is terminated by an elevation shock propagating upstream of the first obstacle and a depression shock propagating downstream of the second obstacle. A weakly nonlinear model for sufficiently small obstacles is developed to describe this second stage. The theoretical results are compared with fully nonlinear simulations obtained using a well-balanced finite-volume method. The analytical results agree quite well with the nonlinear simulations for sufficiently small obstacles.
Maternal flaxseed diet during lactation changes adrenal function in adult male rat offspring
Authors: Figueiredo Mariana Sarto , da Conceição Ellen Paula Santos , de Oliveira Elaine , Lisboa Patricia Cristina , de Moura Egberto Gaspar
Published: September 2015

Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) has been a focus of interest in the field of functional foods because of its potential health benefits. However, we hypothesised that maternal flaxseed intake during lactation could induce several metabolic dysfunctions in adult offspring. In the present study, we aimed to characterise the adrenal function of adult offspring whose dams were supplemented with whole flaxseed during lactation. At birth, lactating Wistar rats were divided into two groups: rats from dams fed the flaxseed diet (FLAX) with 25 % of flaxseed and controls dams. Pups received standard diet after weaning and male offspring were killed at age 180 days old to collect blood and tissues. We evaluated body weight and food intake during development, corticosteronaemia, adrenal catecholamine content, hepatic cholesterol, TAG and glycogen contents, and the protein expression of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), 11-β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) and adrenaline β2 receptor at postnatal day 180 (PN180). After weaning, pups from the FLAX group had a higher body weight (+10 %) and food intake (+10 %). At PN180, the FLAX offspring exhibited higher serum corticosterone (+48 %) and lower adrenal catecholamine ( − 23 %) contents, lower glycogen ( − 30 %), higher cholesterol (4-fold increase) and TAG (3-fold-increase) contents in the liver, and higher 11β-HSD1 (+62 %) protein expression. Although the protein expression of hypothalamic CRH was unaffected, the FLAX offspring had lower protein expression of pituitary ACTH ( − 34 %). Therefore, induction of hypercorticosteronaemia by dietary flaxseed during lactation may be due to an increased hepatic activation of 11β-HSD1 and suppression of ACTH. The changes in the liver fat content of the FLAX group are suggestive of steatosis, in which hypercorticosteronaemia may play an important role. Thus, it is recommended that lactating women restrict the intake of flaxseed during lactation.
Neonatal low-protein diet reduces the masticatory efficiency in rats
Authors: Ferraz-Pereira Kelli N. , da Silva Aragão Raquel , Verdier Dorly , Toscano Ana E. , Lacerda Diego C. , Manhães-de-Castro Raul , Kolta Arlette
Published: September 2015

Little is known about the effects of undernutrition on the specific muscles and neuronal circuits involved in mastication. The aim of this study was to document the effects of neonatal low-protein diet on masticatory efficiency. Newborn rats whose mothers were fed 17 % (nourished (N),n60) or 8 % (undernourished (U),n56) protein were compared. Their weight was monitored and their masticatory jaw movements were video-recorded. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were performed in brainstem slice preparations to investigate the intrinsic membrane properties andN-methyl-d-aspartate-induced bursting characteristics of the rhythmogenic neurons (N,n43; U,n39) within the trigeminal main sensory nucleus (NVsnpr). Morphometric analysis (N,n4; U,n5) were conducted on masseteric muscles serial cross-sections. Our results showed that undernourished animals had lower numbers of masticatory sequences (P=0·049) and cycles (P=0·045) and slower chewing frequencies (P=0·004) (N,n32; U,n28). Undernutrition reduced body weight but had little effect on many basic NVsnpr neuronal electrophysiological parameters. It did, however, affect sag potentials (P<0·001) and rebound firing (P=0·005) that influence firing pattern. Undernutrition delayed the appearance of bursting and reduced the propensity to burst (P=0·002), as well as the bursting frequency (P=0·032). Undernourished animals showed increased and reduced proportions of fibre type IIA (P<0·0001) and IIB (P<0·0001), respectively. In addition, their fibre areas (IIA,P<0·001; IIB,P<0·001) and perimeters (IIA,P<0·001; IIB,P<0·001) were smaller. The changes observed at the behavioural, neuronal and muscular levels suggest that undernutrition reduces chewing efficiency by slowing, weakening and delaying maturation of the masticatory muscles and the associated neuronal circuitry.
THE UNIDROIT PRINCIPLES OF INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL CONTRACTS AND INVESTMENT TREATY ARBITRATION: A LIMITED RELATIONSHIP
Authors: Hepburn Jarrod
Published: September 2015

The UNIDROIT Principles of International Commercial Contracts have appeared in a small but steady trickle of investment treaty arbitrations over the last decade. This article considers the use of the Principles by investment tribunals on questions of both domestic law and international law. It suggests that reference to the Principles can play an important legitimating role on questions of domestic law, but that this should not replace reference to the applicable law. On questions of international law, reference to the Principles may be justified by resort to the general principles of law. However, the article contends that there is only a limited role for the UNIDROIT Principles where the primary and secondary rules of investment protection are already found in treaties and custom. In addition, while general principles have historically been drawn from domestic private law, there is increasing recognition that general principles of public law are more relevant to investment arbitration. Given this, arbitrators resolving questions of international law must be cautious in references to the UNIDROIT Principles, a quintessentially private law instrument.
Ethephon improved stalk strength associated with summer maize adaptations to environments differing in nitrogen availability in the North China Plain
Authors: YE D. L. , ZHANG Y. S. , AL-KAISI M. M. , DUAN L. S. , ZHANG M. C. , LI Z. H.
Published: September 2015

Nitrogen (N) supply is essential for achieving high grain yield in maize production, but excessive N application can lead to lodging risks and potential yield loss. The main objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of ethephon application under different N fertilizer rates in reducing maize lodging. Field experiments were conducted to determine the interactive effects of ethephon (0 and 180 g/ha) and N rate (0, 75, 150 and 225 kg N/ha) on the morphological and chemical characteristics of basal internode and yield across two summer maize-growing seasons (2011/12) in Wuqiao of the North China Plain. Findings showed that ethephon significantly increased the maximum diameter of the 7th to 14th internodes, and decreased the internode lengths, which led to a decrease in plant and ear heights under different N rates. Significant ethephon × N interaction effects were observed on the diameter and length of internode, dry weight per unit internode length and breaking resistance. Ethephon significantly increased N, cellulose and hemicellulose contents of the basal internode, but cellulose and hemicellulose contents decreased as the rate of N application increased. Internode diameter, dry weight per unit internode length, and N content of the basal internode were significantly positively correlated with breaking resistance. Ethephon significantly increased grain yield and harvest index in 2011, but not in 2012. Grain yield and above-ground biomass were increased with increasing N application in both growing seasons, showing linear and quadratic responses. These results suggested that ethephon could increase stalk strength by improving the morphological and chemical characteristics of the basal internode, and maintain high yield and biomass under high N rates.
Happy relationships between marine sponges and sediments – a review and some observations from Australia
Authors: Schönberg Christine Hanna Lydia
Published: September 2015

Being sessile filter feeders, sponges may be disadvantaged by sediments in many ways, e.g. through clogging and burial. However, in order to correctly recognize negative effects of sediments in the field, natural relationships of sponge taxa adapted to a life with sediments need to be understood. The present publication reviews available literature and provides observations on natural and beneficial interactions of sponges with sediments, distinguishing several strategies: (1) Saving energy through sediment incorporation, reducing or replacing spicule production commonly occurs in keratose, verongimorph, tethyid and poecilosclerid sponges, which often received scientific names referring to sediments. (2) Forming sediment crusts externally or embedded in surface tissues reinforces outer layers, provides shade, and for external crusts camouflage and shelter from spongivory and desiccation. External crusts often occur in the tethyids and axinellids, while surface armour is most common in keratose sponges. (3) Anchoring in soft sediments provides a selective advantage for space colonization. This is mainly achieved in the hexactinellid, polymastiid and spirophorine sponges by using spicules (predominantly in deeper water), commonly in endopsammic sponges by rootlets, basal agglutination and basal incorporation of particles, and in various groups by attachment to buried materials (shallow water). (4) Living at least partially embedded in sediments (psammobiosis) appears to be best developed inOceanapiaspp. and bioeroding sponges, generates shelter from various external conditions and reduces the risk of spongivory. Typical morphological characters of sediment-adapted sponges are thus sediment skeletons and surface crusts (reinforcement), stalks and fistules (elevation above sediments), spicule tufts and root-systems (anchoring).
You looking at me?: Interpreting social cues in schizophrenia
Authors: White T. P. , Borgan F. , Ralley O. , Shergill S. S.
Published: September 2015

Background.

Deficits in the perception of social cues are common in schizophrenia and predict functional outcome. While effective communication depends on deciphering both verbal and non-verbal features, work on non-verbal communication in the disorder is scarce.

Method.

This behavioural study of 29 individuals with schizophrenia and 25 demographically matched controls used silent video-clips to examine gestural identification, its contextual modulation and related metacognitive representations.

Results.

In accord with our principal hypothesis, we observed that individuals with schizophrenia exhibited a preserved ability to identify archetypal gestures and did not differentially infer communicative intent from incidental movements. However, patients were more likely than controls to perceive gestures as self-referential when confirmatory evidence was ambiguous. Furthermore, the severity of their current hallucinatory experience inversely predicted their confidence ratings associated with these self-referential judgements.

Conclusions.

These findings suggest a deficit in the contextual refinement of social-cue processing in schizophrenia that is potentially attributable to impaired monitoring of a mirror mechanism underlying intentional judgements, or to an incomplete semantic representation of gestural actions. Non-verbal communication may be improved in patients through psychotherapeutic interventions that include performance and perception of gestures in group interactions.
What do we know about positive appraisals? Low cognitive cost, orbitofrontal-striatal connectivity, and only short-term bolstering of resilience
Authors: Beer Jennifer S. , Flagan Taru
Published: September 2015

The PASTOR framework needs to be reconciled with existing research on positive illusions, which finds that positive appraisals of stressors have a short shelf life as a mechanism of resilience, do not draw on costly executive functioning, and rely on neural networks that are distinct from those found in studies of experimentally instructed reappraisal or value.
Cognitive trade-offs and the costs of resilience
Authors: Crespi Bernard J.
Published: September 2015

Genetic, endocrinological, and psychological evidence demonstrates that resilience commonly trades off with sensitivity. The existence of such trade-offs indicates that resilience bears costs as well as benefits, and that some disorders can best be conceptualized in terms of extremes of trade-offs rather than expression of deficits. Testing for cognitive trade-offs should be a priority for psychiatry, psychology, neuroscience, and genetics.
Does a positive appraisal style work in all stressful situations and for all individuals?
Authors: Egloff Boris
Published: September 2015

Kalisch et al. posit that a positive appraisal style is the key to resilience. I will argue instead that the adaptiveness of a particular emotion-regulation strategy is determined by contextual factors. Hence, a positive appraisal style might not always result in positive consequences and is most likely not the only mediator of resilience.
The value of “negative” appraisals for resilience. Is positive (re)appraisal always good and negative always bad?
Authors: Freund Alexandra M. , Staudinger Ursula M.
Published: September 2015

In contrast to the PASTOR model by Kalisch et al. we point to the potential negative long-term effects of positive (re)appraisals of events for resilience. This perspective posits that emotional reactions to events provide important guidelines as to which events, environments, or social relations should be sought out and which ones should be avoided in the future.
Rethinking reappraisal: Insights from affective neuroscience
Authors: Grecucci Alessandro , Job Remo
Published: September 2015

Kalisch et al. argue that appraisal and reappraisal are key mechanisms promoting resilience; however, experimental findings seem to contradict this simplistic view. We argue that a deeper look at affective neuroscience may provide complementary and stronger evidence on how emotional reactivity and emotion regulation may affect resilience.
Personality science, resilience, and posttraumatic growth
Authors: Jayawickreme Eranda , Forgeard Marie J. C. , Blackie Laura E. R.
Published: September 2015

PASTOR represents an innovative development in the study of resilience. This commentary highlights how PASTOR can help both clarify critical questions in and benefit from engaging with new research in personality science on behavioral flexibility across situations in addition to stability over time, and also clarify the relationship between resilience and posttraumatic growth.
Careful operationalization and assessment are critical for advancing the study of the neurobiology of resilience
Authors: Kimbrel Nathan A. , Beckham Jean C.
Published: September 2015

The authors' definition of resilience is too narrow and essentially defines resilience as the absence of psychopathology. Consequently, it is not clear how quantitatively defined resilience differs from quantitatively defined psychopathology according to the authors' definition. We believe the conceptual model would be improved by a broader definition of resilience. There is also a significant need for improved measures of stressor load.
When at rest: “Event-free” active inference may give rise to implicit self-models of coping potential
Authors: Murray Ryan J. , Gerrans Philip , Brosch Tobias , Sander David
Published: September 2015

Kalisch and colleagues highlight coping potential (CP) as a principle resilience mechanism during event engagement. We complement this discussion by exploring generative implicit CP self-models, arguably emerging during “resting-state,” subsequent and prior to events. Resting-state affords a propitious environment for Bayesian learning, wherein appraisals/reappraisals may update active inferential CP self-models, which then mediate appraisal style organization and resilience factor valuation.
Toward a translational neuropsychiatry of resilience
Authors: Silbersweig David
Published: September 2015

Neuropsychiatry integrates neuroscience and clinical pathophysiology of the human brain-mind interface. Kalisch et al. provide an important advance with a clear, quantitative, unified neuropsychiatric model of resilience, a crucial adaptive response to adversity. They highlight positive appraisal style, describing underlying neural circuitry and mechanisms. This provides a foundation for the development of biomarkers and targeted therapeutics across the range of neuropsychiatric disorders.
Social ecological complexity and resilience processes
Authors: Ungar Michael
Published: September 2015

A social ecological model of resilience avoids the reductionism of simple explanations of the complex and multisystemic processes associated with well-being in contexts of adversity. There is evidence that when stressors are abnormally high, environmental factors account for more of an individual's resilience than do individual traits or cognitions. In this commentary, a social ecological model of resilience is discussed.
Heterogeneity of cognitive-neurobiological determinants of resilience
Authors: Hermans Erno J. , Fernández Guillén
Published: September 2015

In their target article, Kalisch and colleagues advocate a paradigm shift in research on stress-related mental disorders away from vulnerability factors and toward determinants of resilience. We endorse this shift but argue that their focus on “appraisal style” as the ultimate path to resilience may be too narrow. We illustrate this point by examining recent literature on the role of corticosteroids in resilience.
Animals can tell us more
Authors: Sachser Norbert , Richter S. Helene
Published: September 2015

From a behavioural biologist's point of view, we argue: (1) The study of resilience in animals should not be restricted to neuronal mechanisms. Rather, questions of ontogeny, function, and evolution also should be addressed to achieve a comprehensive understanding. (2) Implementing new paradigms from animal welfare research in studies of resilience would allow an assessment of appraisal styles in animals.
Advancing empirical resilience research
Authors: Kalisch Raffael , Müller Marianne B. , Tüscher Oliver
Published: September 2015

We are delighted by the broad, intense, and fruitful discussion in reaction to our target article. A major point we take from the many comments is a prevailing feeling in the research community that we need significantly and urgently to advance resilience research, both by sharpening concepts and theories and by conducting empirical studies at a much larger scale and with a much more extended and sophisticated methodological arsenal than is the case currently. This advancement can be achieved only in a concerted international collaborative effort. In our response, we try to argue that an explicitly atheoretical, purely observational definition of resilience and a transdiagnostic, quantitative study framework can provide a suitable basis for empirically testing different competing resilience theories (sects. R1, R2, R6, R7). We are confident that it should be possible to unite resilience researchers from different schools, including from sociology and social psychology, behind such a pragmatic and theoretically neutral research strategy. In sections R3 to R5, we further specify and explain the positive appraisal style theory of resilience (PASTOR). We defend PASTOR as a comparatively parsimonious and translational theory that makes sufficiently concrete predictions to be evaluated empirically.
Consumption junkies or sustainable consumers: considering the grocery shopping practices of those transitioning to retirement
Authors: VENN S. , BURNINGHAM K. , CHRISTIE I. , JACKSON T.
Published: September 2015

The current generation of older people who are approaching or recently experiencing retirement form part of a unique generational habitus who have experienced a cultural shift into consumerism. These baby boomers are often portrayed as engaging in excessive levels of consumption which are counter to notions of sustainable living and to intergenerational harmony. This paper focuses on an exploration of the mechanisms underpinning the consumption patterns of baby boomers as they retire. We achieve this through an understanding of the everyday practices of grocery shopping which have the potential to give greater clarity to patterns of consumption than the more unusual or ‘extraordinary’ forms of consumption such as global travel. In-depth interviews with 40 older men and women in four locations across England and Scotland were conducted at three points in time across the period of retirement. We suggest that the grocery shopping practices of these older men and women were influenced by two factors: (a) parental values and upbringing leading to the reification of thrift and frugality as virtues, alongside aspirations for self-actualisation such as undertaking global travel, and (b) the influence of household context, and caring roles, on consumption choices. We conclude with some tentative observations concerning the implications of the ways baby boomers consume in terms of increasing calls for people to live in more sustainable ways.
Measurement Signal Quality Assessment on All Available and New Signals of Multi-GNSS (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BDS, and QZSS) with Real Data
Authors: Quan Yiming , Lau Lawrence , Roberts Gethin W. , Meng Xiaolin
Published: September 2015

Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) Carrier Phase (CP)-based high-precision positioning techniques have been widely used in geodesy, attitude determination, engineering survey and agricultural applications. With the modernisation of GNSS, multi-constellation and multi-frequency data processing is one of the foci of current GNSS research. The GNSS development authorities have better designs for the new signals, which are aimed for fast acquisition for civil users, less susceptible to interference and multipath, and having lower measurement noise. However, how good are the new signals in practice? The aim of this paper is to provide an early assessment of the newly available signals as well as assessment of the other currently available signals. The signal quality of the multi-GNSS (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BDS and QZSS) is assessed by looking at their zero-baseline Double Difference (DD) CP residuals. The impacts of multi-GNSS multi-frequency signals on single-epoch positioning are investigated in terms of accuracy, precision and fixed solution availability with known short baselines.
DNMT1 mediates chemosensitivity by reducing methylation of miRNA-20a promoter in glioma cells
Authors: Zhou Daoyang , Wan Yingfeng , Xie Dajiang , Wang Yirong , Wei Junhua , Yan Qingfeng , Lu Peng , Mo Lianjie , Xie Jixi , Yang Shuxu , Qi Xuchen
Published: September 2015

Although methyltransferase has been recognized as a major element that governs the epigenetic regulation of the genome during temozolomide (TMZ) chemotherapy in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) patients, its regulatory effect on glioblastoma chemoresistance has not been well defined. This study investigated whether DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) expression was associated with TMZ sensitivity in glioma cells and elucidated the underlying mechanism. DNMT expression was analyzed by western blotting. miR-20a promoter methylation was evaluated by methylation-specific PCR. Cell viability and apoptosis were assessed using the 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling assays, respectively. The results showed that compared with parental U251 cells, DNMT1 expression was downregulated, miR-20a promoter methylation was attenuated and miR-20a levels were elevated in TMZ-resistant U251 cells. Methyltransferase inhibition by 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine treatment reduced TMZ sensitivity in U251 cells. In U251/TM cells, DNMT1 expression was negatively correlated with miR-20a expression and positively correlated with TMZ sensitivity and leucine-rich repeats and immunoglobulin-like domains 1 expression; these effects were reversed by changes in miR-20a expression. DNMT1 overexpression induced an increase in U251/TM cell apoptosis that was inhibited by the miR-20a mimic, whereas DNMT1 silencing attenuated U251/TM cell apoptosis in a manner that was abrogated by miR-20a inhibitor treatment. Tumor growth of the U251/TM xenograft was inhibited by pcDNA-DNMT1 pretreatment and boosted by DNMT1-small hairpin RNA pretreatment. In summary, DNMT1 mediated chemosensitivity by reducing methylation of the microRNA-20a promoter in glioma cells.
Correction: Corrigendum: Nicotine absorption from electronic cigarette use: comparison between experienced consumers (vapers) and naïve users (smokers)
Authors: Farsalinos Konstantinos E. , Spyrou Alketa , Stefopoulos Christos , Tsimopoulou Kalliroi , Kourkoveli Panagiota , Tsiapras Dimitris , Kyrzopoulos Stamatis , Poulas Konstantinos , Voudris Vassilis
Published: September 2015

Electronic cigarettes (ECs) are nicotine delivery devices that are proposed as tobacco harm reduction products to smokers. Nicotine delivery from ECs is potentially important in their efficacy as smoking substitutes. Herein, nicotine delivery from using a new-generation EC device (variable-wattage, set at 9 W) was evaluated, comparing experienced (vapers) with naïve users (smokers). Twenty-four vapers and 23 smokers participated to the study. They were asked to obtain 10 puffs in 5 minutes and then use the EC ad lib for 60 more minutes (total duration of use: 65 minutes). An 18 mg/mL nicotine-containing liquid was used. Blood samples were obtained at baseline, 5-minutes and every 15 minutes thereafter, while number of puffs and average puff duration were recorded. Although at baseline both groups had similar plasma nicotine levels, smokers consistently exhibited lower levels at all time-periods; at 5-minutes the levels were lower by 46%, while during the subsequent period they were lower by 43% (at 65-minutes) to 54% (at 20-minutes). Both groups took similar number of puffs, but smokers had average puff duration of 2.3 s compared to 3.5 s in vapers. Even in vapers, plasma nicotine levels at 5 minutes were lower than those observed after smoking 1 tobacco cigarette.