bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Formation of Heterojunction Networks in the Photoelectrical Glass–Ceramics: A Thermal Analysis
Authors: Xu Yang , Fan Bo , Xue Bai , Zhang Xianghua , Luo Zhongkuan , Shen Qianhong , Ma Hongli
Published: May 2016

The photoelectrical glass–ceramics GeSe2–Sb2Se3–CuI which contain self‐organized heterojunction networks is a novel and promising photovoltaic material. Here, a series of these glass–ceramics with gradually changed GeSe2/Sb2Se3 ratios are studied. The composition dependence of the crystallization behavior is analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry and compared with the composition dependence of the photoelectrical properties. It is revealed that the glass–ceramics with evident photoelectrical response show two common features in differential scanning calorimetry curves: an overlapping crystallization peak attributed to the coprecipitation of Cu2GeSe3 and Sb2Se3, and peak profiles showing the characteristics of direct impingement growth. Based on these results, it is concluded that the formation of the heterojunction networks in the photoelectrical glass–ceramics is ascribed to the kinetically allowed eutectoid crystallization of Cu2GeSe3 and Sb2Se3.
Concurrence of lower jaw skeletal anomalies in triploid Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) and the effect on growth in freshwater
Authors: Amoroso G , Cobcroft J M , Adams M B , Ventura T , Carter C G
Published: May 2016

Triploid Atlantic salmon populations are associated with higher prevalence of lower jaw skeletal anomalies affecting fish performance, welfare and value deleteriously. Anomalous lower jaw can be curved downward (LJD), shortened (SJ) or misaligned (MA). Two separate groups of triploid Atlantic salmon (~12 g) with either normal lower jaw (NOR) or SJ were visually assessed four times over three months for presence and concurrence of jaw anomalies (with severity classified) and opercular shortening to understand the relatedness of these anomalous developmental processes. The prevalence of jaw anomalies increased in both groups over time (NOR group – SJ, LJD and MA combined 0–24.5%; SJ group – LJD and MA combined 17–31%). SJ and LJD occurred both independently and concurrently whereas MA exclusively concurred with them. All three anomalies could be concurrent. Severity of both LJD and SJ increased in the SJ group only. Opercular shortening recovery was observed in both groups but at a slower rate in the SJ group. The SJ group specific growth rate (SGR) was significantly (P < 0.05) lower than the NOR group. This study demonstrated the concurrence of SJ, LJD and MA and showed possible deleterious consequences deriving from the conditions.
Pressure–temperature–structural distance relationships within Greater Himalayan rocks in eastern Bhutan: implications for emplacement models
Authors: Agustsson K. S. , Gordon S. M. , Long S. P. , Seward G. G. E. , Zeiger K. , Penfold M.
Published: May 2016

In the Himalayan orogen, Greater Himalayan (GH) rocks were buried to mid‐ to lower‐crustal levels and are now exposed across the strike of the orogen. Within the eastern Himalaya, in the Kingdom of Bhutan, the GH is divided into structurally lower (lower‐GH) and upper (upper‐GH) levels by the Kakhtang thrust (KT). Pressure–temperature estimates from lower‐ and upper‐GH rocks collected on two transects across the KT yield similar P–T–structural distance trends across each transect. In the eastern transect, temperatures are similar (from 730 to 650 °C) over a structural thickness of ~11 km, but peak pressures decrease from ~10 to 6 kbar with increasing structural level. In comparison, peak temperatures in the central Bhutan transect are similar (from 730 to 600 °C), but pressures decrease from 10 to 6.5 kbar with increasing structural level over a structural thickness of ~6 km. The structurally highest sample reveals slightly higher pressures of 8.0 kbar in comparison to pressures of ~6.5 kbar for samples collected from within the KT zone, ~4 km below. Within each transect, there are increases in pressure ± temperature within the overall upright P–T gradient that may demarcate intra‐GH shear zone(s). These P–T results combined with evidence that the timing of initial melt crystallization becomes older with increasing structural level suggest that the intra‐GH shear zones emplaced deeper GH rocks via progressive ductile underplating. These shear zones, including the KT, likely aided in the initial emplacement and construction of the GH as a composite tectonic unit during the Late Oligocene to Early Miocene, from c. 27 to 16 Ma.
Possible Involvement of the Rat Hypothalamo‐Neurohypophysial/‐Spinal Oxytocinergic Pathways in Acute Nociceptive Responses
Authors: Matsuura T. , Kawasaki M. , Hashimoto H. , Yoshimura M. , Motojima Y. , Saito R. , Ueno H. , Maruyama T. , Ishikura T. , Sabanai K. , Mori T. , Ohnishi H. , Onaka T. , Sakai A. , Ueta Y.
Published: May 2016

Oxytocin (OXT)‐containing neurosecretory cells in the parvocellular divisions of the paraventricular nucleus (PVN), which project to the medulla and spinal cord, are involved in various physiological functions, such as sensory modulation and autonomic processes. In the present study, we examined OXT expression in the hypothalamo‐spinal pathway, as well as the hypothalamo‐neurohypophysial system, which includes the magnocellular neurosecretory cells in the PVN and the supraoptic nucleus (SON), after s.c. injection of saline or formalin into the hindpaws of transgenic rats that express the OXT and monomeric red fluorescent protein 1 (mRFP1) fusion gene. (i) The numbers of OXT‐mRFP1 neurones that expressed Fos‐like immunoreactivity (‐IR) and OXT‐mRFP1 intensity were increased significantly in the magnocellular/parvocellular PVN and SON after s.c. injection of formalin. (ii) OXT‐mRFP1 neurones in the anterior parvocellular PVN, which may project to the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, were activated by s.c. injection of formalin, as indicated by a significant increases of Fos‐IR and mRFP1 intensity intensity. (iii) Formalin injection caused a significant transient increase in plasma OXT. (iv) OXT, mRFP1 and corticotrophin‐releasing hormone mRNAs in the PVN were significantly increased after s.c. injection of formalin. (v) An intrathecal injection of OXT‐saporin induced hypersensitivity in conscious rats. Taken together, these results suggest that the hypothalamo‐neurohypophysial/‐spinal OXTergic pathways may be involved in acute nociceptive responses in rats.
Fulfill Promises and Avoid Breaches to Retain Satisfied, Committed Nurses
Authors: Rodwell John , Ellershaw Julia
Published: May 2016

Purpose

This study examines two commonly proposed mechanisms, violation and trust, to see if they mediate the relationships between the components of the psychological contract (i.e., promises, fulfillment, and breach) and their impact on the work‐related outcomes of job satisfaction, intent to quit, and organizational commitment.

Design

Online surveys were completed by 459 Australian nurses.

Findings

Structural equation modeling revealed that breach and fulfillment have direct and mediated effects on the outcomes, whereas promises had no impact. Violation partially mediated the relationship between breach and job satisfaction and intent to quit, while trust partially mediated the relationships between fulfillment and organizational commitment, and breach and organizational commitment.

Conclusions

Negative experiences (i.e., breaches) were related to both increased feelings of violation and decreased feelings of trust. In contrast, positive experiences (i.e., fulfillment) increased trust but did not significantly reduce feelings of violation. Nurse and organizational managers can use these findings to improve communication with nurses so as to minimize the negative effects of breach and maximize the positive effects of fulfillment and thus improve attitudes.

Clinical Relevance

Nurse managers need to be careful to make promises regarding their nurses’ employment that they can fulfill and to particularly avoid breaking the psychological contract. The potentially disproportionate negative effect of breach means that a breach can undo a lot of efforts to fulfill employment‐related promises.
An examination of the association of cognitive functioning, adherence to sodium restriction and Na/K ratios in Korean heart failure patients
Authors: Hwang Seon Young , Kim JinShil
Published: May 2016

Aims and objectives

Maintaining adequate ratios of sodium‐to‐potassium requires heart failure patients to be adherent to recommended dietary guidelines. A potential deterrent to adherence is poor cognitive functioning. The aims of this study were to (1) estimate dietary sodium and potassium intake and sodium‐to‐potassium ratios and (2) examine the associations between cognitive functioning and sodium‐to‐potassium ratios.

Background

Cognitive impairment may impact levels of adherence and subsequently sodium‐to‐potassium ratios; however, little is known about the relationship of cognitive functioning, adherence to dietary restrictions and sodium‐to‐potassium ratios.

Design

This study used a descriptive correlational design.

Methods

Face‐to‐face interviews were conducted with heart failure patients with preserved or reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. Standard cognitive measures were used and included neuropsychological tests of global cognition, immediate and delayed recall, and executive function. Further, patients were instructed to complete a three‐day food diary as an indirect measure of sodium‐to‐potassium intake.

Results

Ninety‐one Korean patients with heart failure participated in this study (age 57 years, women 33%, education 10 years). A major underlying cause for heart failure was dilated cardiomyopathy (40%), followed by ischaemic cause (24%); the mean heart failure duration was 37 months. Average sodium intake was 3982 mg/day, with men consuming a significantly higher amount than women (4207 vs. 3523 mg). Potassium intake was 2583 mg/day, with both men and women consuming similarly insufficient amounts. Sodium‐to‐potassium ratio was 1·60, with men having a significantly elevated ratio compared with women (1·68 vs. 1·44). Cognitive function by sodium‐to‐potassium quartile groups showed nonlinear associations.

Conclusion

Participants in the study consumed excessive sodium and insufficient potassium; correspondingly, elevated sodium‐to‐potassium ratios showed significant associations with cognitive function (memory).

Relevance to clinical practice

Dietary guidelines tailored to levels of cognitive function as well as Korean dining culture may be important in ensuring sodium‐to‐potassium balance in these heart failure patients.
‘It's much worse than dying’: the experiences of female victims of sexual violence
Authors: dos Reis Maria José , Lopes Maria Helena Baena de Moraes , Osis Maria José Duarte
Published: May 2016

Aims and objectives

To describe the experiences of women who have suffered sexual violence and the impact and importance of that violence on their lives.

Background

Sexual violence against women is a serious problem worldwide. Studies need to investigate how women reorganise their lives after experiencing sexual violence.

Design

A qualitative design was used to explore women's experiences.

Methods

This study analysed semistructured interviews of 11 women who had experienced a sexual assault. The interviews were performed at a specialised walk‐in clinic at a university hospital in the interior of São Paulo State, Brazil. A thematic analysis of the content led to the identification of the following themes: (1) impact and meaning of the violence; (2) feelings; (3) overcoming the violence and (4) expectations for the future.

Results

Sexual violence had a devastating impact on the lives of these women. The women's postviolence experiences caused feelings of guilt, impotence, fragility and immobility. These experiences also instilled a belief that they may have ‘provoked’ the violence. Nevertheless, the women showed resilience, investing all of their energy in returning their lives to pre‐violence conditions. Family, friends and other important people, as well as the care that the women received from health services, were cited as factors that sustained this attitude of resilience.

Conclusions

Providing appropriate care to female victims of sexual assault requires not only treating the physical damage caused by the violence but also evaluating the particularities of the experience's emotional impact on each woman and the psychosocial repercussions of the experience.

Relevance to clinical practice

Health professionals should follow up with women during their recovery period.
Mum's absence(s): conceptual insights into absence as loss during a loved one's delirium
Authors: Day Jenny , Higgins Isabel
Published: May 2016

Aims and objectives

To examine qualitative research findings about family experiences of absence or loss during older person delirium, and provide a critical discussion of the similarities and differences in these experiences with conceptual understandings of absence and loss.

Background

Families who care for older people with chronic illnesses experience many losses. However, the nondeath loss experiences of family during an older loved one's delirium, an acute condition accompanied by marked changes in demeanour, have received little consideration.

Design

Discursive position paper.

Methods

The findings from two qualitative research studies about family experiences during an older loved one's delirium are discussed in relation to the concepts of absence and nondeath loss.

Results

The uncharacteristic behaviours and cognitive changes that accompany delirium may estrange family who, despite the older person's corporeal presence, sense the profound absence or loss of their loved one. Although the notion of absence, a nondeath loss, is similar to the experiences of family of people with chronic conditions, there are differences that distinguish these encounters. The similarities and differences between absence during delirium and the concepts of psychological absence, nonfinite loss and psychosocial death are discussed. Psychosocial death, reversibility/irreversibility and partial marked change, are suggested as conceptual descriptions for the absence families experience during an older loved one's delirium.

Conclusions

The sense of absence or loss that family may experience during their older loved one's delirium needs to be recognised, understood and addressed by healthcare staff. Understanding or appreciating conceptualisations of absence, as a nondeath loss, may enhance understandings of family member needs during delirium and enable better support strategies.

Relevance to clinical practice

Conceptualisations of absence enhance understandings of family distress and needs during their older loved one's delirium. The potential for family members to experience their loved one's absence during delirium, a nondeath loss, needs to be considered by healthcare staff. Family experiences of absence during delirium need to be recognised by healthcare staff, acknowledged as a potential source of distress, and considered when involving family in the older person's care. Nurses are ideally placed to respond compassionately and provide appropriate family member re‐assurance, support and information during delirium. Information should include possible impacts on family and coping strategies.
Insertion/deletion polymorphism in IL1A 3′‐UTR is associated with susceptibility to endometrial cancer in Chinese Han women
Authors: Yu Xiuzhang , Zhou Bin , Zhang Zhu , Lan Zhu , Chen Peng , Duan Ruiqi , Zhang Lin , Xi Mingrong
Published: May 2016

Aim

The aim of this study was to investigate whether a functional insertion/deletion polymorphism (rs3783553) located in the 3′‐untranslated regions of interleukin‐1 A is associated with susceptibility to endometrial cancer (EC) in Chinese Han women.

Methods

A total of 272 patients and 294 age‐matched healthy controls were included in the study. The genotype of the rs3783553 polymorphism was determined by polymerase chain reaction polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

Results

Our results showed that a significantly reduced risk of EC was found to be associated with the II (insertion/insertion) genotype compared with DD (deletion/deletion) only (P = 0.037, odds ratio = 0.56, 95% confidence interval = 0.32–0.97) as well as compared with the DD + DI (deletion/insertion) genotype (P = 0.032, odds ratio = 0.57, 95% confidence interval = 0.34–0.96) in the recessive model. No significant association was detected between certain clinical features of EC patients and genotype of rs3783553.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that the rs3783553 polymorphism may be involved in susceptibility to EC. The II genotype seems to be a protective factor for EC in Chinese Han women.
Generation and application of mammalian haploid embryonic stem cells
Authors: Bai M. , Wu Y. , Li J.
Published: May 2016

Haploid cells contain one set of chromosomes and are amenable for genetic analyses. In mammals, haploidy exists only in gametes. An intriguing question is whether haploid cells can be derived from gametes. Recently, by application of haploid cell enrichment using fluorescence‐activated cell sorting, stable haploid embryonic stem cells (haESCs) have been successfully derived from oocyte‐derived parthenogenetic and sperm‐derived androgenetic embryos from several species. Whilst both parthenogenetic and androgenetic (AG)‐haESCs enable whole‐genome genetic screening at the cellular level, such as screening of drug resistance or disease‐related genes, AG‐haESCs, after intracytoplasmic injection into oocytes, can also be used to produce alive semi‐cloned mice. Nevertheless, one major drawback associated with wild‐type AG‐haESCs is the very low birth rate of healthy semi‐cloned mice. Of interest, after inhibiting the expression of two paternally imprinted genes (H19 and Gtl2) in AG‐haESCs by removal of their differentially DNA methylated regions, double‐knockout AG‐haESCs can efficiently and stably support the generation of healthy semi‐cloned pups. Importantly, double‐knockout AG‐haESCs are feasible for multiple genetic manipulations, followed by efficient generation of semi‐cloned mice carrying multiple genetic traits; thus they could be used to validate candidate loci that have been identified in genome‐wide association studies of multigenic diseases by generation of mouse models carrying multiple alterations. Of note, by combining a CRISPR‐Cas9 library and double‐knockout AG‐haESCs, semi‐cloned mice carrying different mutant genes can be efficiently generated in one step, enabling functional mutagenic screening in mice. HaESCs, therefore, provide a powerful tool for genetic analyses in mammals at both the cellular and organismal levels.
Preadmission use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and short‐term mortality in diabetic patients hospitalized due to stroke
Authors: Würtz M. , Schmidt M. , Grove E. L. , Horváth‐Puhó E. , Christiansen C. F. , Sørensen H. T.
Published: May 2016

Background

Patients with diabetes have an increased risk of stroke with a poor prognosis. Moreover, diabetic patients are at increased risk of depression and therefore likely to use selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). We examined whether preadmission SSRI use was associated with increased mortality in diabetic patients hospitalized due to stroke.

Methods

Population‐based medical databases were used to identify all first‐time stroke‐related hospitalizations and subsequent mortality in diabetic patients in Denmark between 2004 and 2012 (n = 12 620). Based on redeemed prescriptions, SSRI use was categorized as current (new or long term), former or nonuse, and absolute 30‐day mortality and mortality rate ratios (MRRs) were computed using Cox regression controlling for confounding factors.

Results

Amongst SSRI nonusers, 30‐day stroke mortality was 15.8% (10.4% for ischaemic stroke, 41.8% for intracerebral haemorrhage and 27.3% for subarachnoid haemorrhage). Amongst current SSRI users, 30‐day stroke mortality was 23.3% (17.1% for ischaemic stroke, 50.7% for intracerebral haemorrhage and 28.6% for subarachnoid haemorrhage). Current SSRI use was associated with increased 30‐day stroke mortality compared with nonuse [adjusted MRR 1.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1–1.5], with the highest risk observed amongst new users (MRR 1.5, 95% CI 1.2–1.8). Overall stroke mortality was driven by increased mortality due to ischaemic stroke, with adjusted MRRs of 1.3 (95% CI 1.1–1.7) for current users and 1.7 (95% CI 1.2–2.4) for new users. Propensity score‐matched results were similar and robust across subgroups.

Conclusion

In patients with diabetes, preadmission SSRI use was associated with increased mortality following ischaemic stroke, compared with nonuse.
Body mass index in ambulatory children with cerebral palsy: A cohort study
Authors: Pascoe Jessica , Thomason Pam , Graham H. Kerr , Reddihough Dinah , Sabin Matthew A
Published: May 2016

Aim

Children with cerebral palsy (CP) have reduced levels of physical activity compared with children without physical disability and experience risk factors for becoming overweight or obese. In the Australian CP population, there is little information available about the weight status of children with CP. The aims of this study were to compare the distribution of body mass index (BMI) in a cohort of ambulant children with CP with the BMI distribution of Australian children and explore the relationship between BMI and gross motor function.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study of 587 children with CP Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels I–III who attended a Gait Laboratory between July 1995 and January 2012 was carried out. The BMI and Z‐score were calculated at each assessment. Data were grouped into the categories of underweight, healthy, overweight and obese according to age‐specific and sex‐specific percentiles.

Results

There were 348 boys and 240 girls with a mean age 11.2 (standard deviation 3.2) years. Mean BMI Z‐score was 0.11 (standard deviation 1.33). Seven percent of children were underweight, 73.6% healthy, 7.3% overweight and 12.1% obese. This was similar to the distribution of children without disability. The largest percentage of children in the healthy group were classified GMFCS I. The largest percentage of children in the obese group were classified GMFCS III.

Conclusions

In this cohort, 19.4% of ambulant children with CP were overweight or obese. This is of concern as BMI may impact on the outcomes of surgical intervention and rehabilitation. Further research is needed to determine the consequences of obesity for children with CP.
Cardioprotective effect of Salvianolic acid B on acute myocardial infarction by promoting autophagy and neovascularization and inhibiting apoptosis
Authors: Lin Chao , Liu Zhaoguo , Lu Ying , Yao Yuan , Zhang Yayun , Ma Zhi , Kuai Meiyu , Sun Xin , Sun Shuaijun , Jing Yi , Yu Lizhen , Li Yu , Zhang Qichun , Bian Huimin
Published: May 2016

Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate the cardioprotective effect of salvianolic acid B (Sal B) on acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in rats and its potential mechanisms.

Methods

The AMI model was established in rats to study the effect of Sal B on AMI. Haematoxylin–eosin (HE) staining was used to evaluate the pathological change in AMI rats. Immunofluorescence and TUNEL staining were used to detect autophagy and apoptosis of myocardial cells in hearts of AMI rats, respectively. Protein expression of apoptosis-related, autophagy-related and angiogenesis-related proteins were examined by Western blot.

Key findings

Sal B attenuated myocardial infarction significantly compared with that of the model group. Rats administered with Sal B showed higher inhibition rate of infarction and lower infarct size than those of the model group. Moreover, Sal B decreased the serum levels of creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase and malondialdehyde, while increased such level of superoxide dismutase significantly compared with those of the model group. Sal B inhibited the expression of Bax, cleaved caspase-9 and cleaved PARP, while promoted the expression of Bcl-2, LC3-II, Beclin1 and VEGF.

Conclusions

Sal B has cardioprotective effect on AMI and Sal B may be a promising candidate for AMI treatment.
The Limits of Electoral Control: Evidence from Last‐Term Politicians
Authors: Geys Benny , Mause Karsten
Published: May 2016

In modern democracies, politicians' accountability is often linked to the disciplining mechanism of electoral control. For politicians in their final term, this mechanism is impaired. Using a novel data set covering 910 members of the UK House of Commons active within the period 1997–2010, we investigate how reduced electoral control affects last‐term MPs' trade‐off between work effort inside parliament, leisure, and outside interests. Our main contributions lie in providing the first explicit consideration of (1) MPs' final‐term intra‐/extraparliamentary work balance and (2) MPs' reasons for leaving parliament (i.e., retirement, career change, electoral defeat). These extensions provide important fresh insights concerning the boundaries of elections' disciplining power.
A protein complex supports the production of Spo0A‐P and plays additional roles for biofilms and the K‐state in Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Dubnau Eugenie J. , Carabetta Valerie J. , Tanner Andrew W. , Miras Mathieu , Diethmaier Christine , Dubnau David
Published: May 2016

Bacillus subtilis can enter three developmental pathways to form spores, biofilms or K‐state cells. The K‐state confers competence for transformation and antibiotic tolerance. Transition into each of these states requires a stable protein complex formed by YlbF, YmcA and YaaT. We have reported that this complex acts in sporulation by accelerating the phosphorylation of the response regulator Spo0A. Phosphorelay acceleration was also predicted to explain their involvement in biofilm formation and the K‐state. This view has been challenged in the case of biofilms, by the suggestion that the three proteins act in association with the mRNA degradation protein RNaseY (Rny) to destabilize the sinR transcript. Here, we reaffirm the roles of the three proteins in supporting the phosphorylation of Spo0A for all three developmental pathways and show that in their absence sinR mRNA is not stabilized. We demonstrate that the three proteins also play unknown Spo0A‐P‐independent roles in the expression of biofilm matrix and in the production of ComK, the master transcription factor for competence. Finally, we show that domesticated strains of B. subtilis carry a mutation in sigH, which influences the expression kinetics of the early spore gene spoIIG, thereby increasing the penetrance of the ylbF, ymcA and yaaT sporulation phenotypes.
The Burnout Spiral: The Emotion Labor of Five Rural U.S. Foreign Language Teachers
Authors: ACHESON KRIS , TAYLOR JUSTIN , LUNA KERA
Published: May 2016

An area of research that may shed light on the pressing problem of FL teacher attrition is emotion labor. Emotion labor (or emotional labour), a construct stemming from research in the fields of communication and psychology and focusing mainly on service professionals, has recently been taken up in education literature. Although student emotions in language acquisition have been examined, the field of applied linguistics has not yet tapped the explanatory potential of teacher emotions. The current project explores the emotion work of 5 teachers in rural U.S. high school FL classrooms. Thematic analysis of interviews with teachers of Spanish, French, and Latin yielded 5 key insights: perceived lack of community and institutional support for FL teachers, an excessive burden for motivation felt by these teachers, the use of teacher emotion labor to motivate their students, emotional burnout of the teachers, and perceived lack of teacher efficacy. The last two, while not inevitable, seem to be mutually influencing, forming a downward spiral that can eventually impact the willingness or ability of some teachers to continue in their careers. Implications of this study include recognition of the significance of teacher emotion labor in FL pedagogy and its potential role in teacher attrition.
Obesogenic behaviours and depressive symptoms in children: a narrative literature review
Authors: Dennison Michelle , Sisson Susan B. , Morris Amanda
Published: May 2016

This review examines peer‐reviewed, published articles exploring the role of obesogenic behaviours, including physical activity, screen time, and diet, and depressive symptoms, in 6‐ to 12‐year‐old children. Searches were conducted March–May 2014 and in August 2015 using PubMed, PsychInfo, and Embase. Eligible studies published between January 1990–August 2015 included 8‐ to 12‐year‐old children, any of the three previously identified obesogenic behaviours, and a measure of depressive symptoms. The search yielded 415 articles that were screened and assessed for eligibility; 21 were retained. Some studies included depression and a single obesogenic behaviour, while others included multiple obesogenic behaviours. Fifteen studies assessed physical activity, twelve assessed screen time, and five assessed dietary intake. Lower physical activity was associated with higher depression in 80% of studies. Higher screen time was associated with higher depression in all studies. Poor dietary intake was associated with higher depression in 60% of studies. Significant associations were found between depression and all three obesogenic behaviours. Stronger associations were found between depression and physical activity and screen time than between depression and dietary intake. This review broadens the understanding of the relationship between obesogenic behaviours and depression, and shows outcome consistency despite the lack of a consistent measurement technique. © 2016 World Obesity
Not a load of rubbish: simulated field trials in large‐scale containers
Authors: Hohmann M. , Stahl A. , Rudloff J. , Wittkop B. , Snowdon R. J.
Published: May 2016

Assessment of yield performance under fluctuating environmental conditions is a major aim of crop breeders. Unfortunately, results from controlled‐environment evaluations of complex agronomic traits rarely translate to field performance. A major cause is that crops grown over their complete lifecycle in a greenhouse or growth chamber are generally constricted in their root growth, which influences their response to important abiotic constraints like water or nutrient availability. To overcome this poor transferability, we established a plant growth system comprising large refuse containers (120 L ‘wheelie bins’) that allow detailed phenotyping of small field‐crop populations under semi‐controlled growth conditions. Diverse winter oilseed rape cultivars were grown at field densities throughout the crop lifecycle, in different experiments over 2 years, to compare seed yields from individual containers to plot yields from multi‐environment field trials. We found that we were able to predict yields in the field with high accuracy from container‐grown plants. The container system proved suitable for detailed studies of stress response physiology and performance in pre‐breeding populations. Investment in automated large‐container systems may help breeders improve field transferability of greenhouse experiments, enabling screening of pre‐breeding materials for abiotic stress response traits with a positive influence on yield.
The use of snowball sampling for multi source organizational research: Some cause for concern
Authors: Marcus Bernd , Weigelt Oliver , Hergert Jane , Gurt Jochen , Gelléri Petra
Published: May 2016

In snowball sampling for multisource studies, researchers ask target participants to recruit informants. Despite its widespread use, especially for recruiting informants for multisource research, virtually no published research has addressed possible biases snowball sampling may cause in findings of this type of research. Such potential biases were tested empirically in a multisource study with a sample of 1,058 employed students asked to collect online ratings from their supervisors and coworkers. Informant ratings were obtained for 358 target participants. Objective indicators were employed to identify informant ratings suspicious of being fabricated. Results indicated that target participants who report (a) better relationship quality with informants, (b) fewer organizational constraints, and (c) more favorable self‐evaluations on behaviors to be rated by informants were more likely to be included in multisource data unsuspicious of being fabricated. Inclusion of informant ratings suspicious of being fabricated led to inflated estimates of self‐other consensus and of variance accounted for in criterion measures, to deflated informant rating means, but also to a target sample less restricted in terms of relevant organizational variables. In sum, the present findings suggest that potential biases should be identified in future uses of snowball sampling. Some practical recommendations toward that end are derived.
Entamoeba histolytica induces human neutrophils to form NETs
Authors: Ventura‐Juarez J. , Campos‐Esparza MR. , Pacheco‐Yepez J. , López‐Blanco J. A , Adabache‐Ortíz A. , Silva‐Briano M. , Campos‐Rodríguez R.
Published: May 2016

Entamoeba histolytica invades the intestine and other organs during the pathogenesis of amoebiasis. In the early stages, the host organism responds with an inflammatory infiltrate composed mostly of neutrophils. It has been reported that these immune cells, activated by E. histolytica, exert a protective role by releasing proteolytic enzymes and generating reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) and antimicrobial peptides. It is now known that neutrophils also produce neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), which are able to damage and kill pathogens. Studies have shown that intracellular protozoan pathogens, including Toxoplasma gondi, Plasmodium falciparum and Leishmania spp, induce neutrophils to release NETs and are damaged by them. However, the action of this mechanism has not been explored in relation to E. histolytica trophozoites. Through scanning electron, epifluorescence microscopy and viability assays, we show for first time that during in vitro interaction with E. histolytica trophozoites, human neutrophils released NETs that covered amoebas and reduced amoebic viability. These NETs presented histones, myeloperoxidase and decondensed chromatin. The results suggest that NETs participate in the elimination of the parasite.
The role of regulatory T cells during Plasmodium chabaudi chabaudi AS infection in BALB/c mice
Authors: Pang W. , Sun X. , Feng H. , Wang J. , Cui L. , Cao Y.
Published: May 2016

An inappropriate immune response to parasite infection is one of the primary drivers of malaria pathogenesis. Regulatory T cells (Tregs), an important subset of CD4+ T cells, can maintain self‐tolerance and prevent autoimmune diseases. However, there is little consensus about their role in malaria pathogenesis. In this study, we transiently depleted Tregs (CD25+ T cells) using an anti‐CD25 mAb (7D4 clone) at different time points following Plasmodium chabaudi chabaudi AS infection in BALB/c mice and investigated the effect of depletion of Tregs in this model. In control mice, Tregs proliferated significantly and their suppressive function was enhanced after infection. IL‐10 was increased drastically during infection. Depletion of Tregs at various time points can lead to divergent outcomes. When Tregs were depleted prior to or during the early phase of infection, most mice survived and had a robust Th1 immune response. In contrast, when Tregs were depleted close to peak parasitemia, all mice died as a result of inflammation. Taken together, these data suggest that in P. c. chabaudi AS‐infected BALB/c mice, Tregs inhibit the Th1 response and macrophage activation, leading to increased parasite load; however, they also control inflammation‐mediated pathology by secreting high levels of IL‐10.
Working for the Hierarchical System: The Role of Meritocratic Ideology in the Endorsement of Corruption
Authors: Tan Xuyun , Liu Li , Huang Zhenwei , Zheng Wenwen
Published: May 2016

Corruption has a wide range of corrosive effects on societies, but it is widespread throughout the world. There is a question, however, as to whether corruption is endorsed as an outcome of a legitimate hierarchy and meritocracy. To address this issue, the present study examines the associations between meritocratic ideology and the indicators of corruption by performing two empirical studies with correlational and experimental designs. In Study 1, all variables were measured with scales, and the results demonstrated that meritocratic ideologies were negatively associated with corruption perception but positively associated with corrupt intention. In Study 2, meritocratic ideology was manipulated, and the results demonstrated that compared with the low meritocratic‐ideology condition, the participants primed by the high meritocratic‐ideology condition reported a lower corruption perception but higher corrupt intention. In both studies, the findings suggest that the meritocratic ideology that motivates people to maintain and bolster the current hierarchical structure and meritocracy leads to the endorsement of corruption. The present study explores the roles of meritocratic ideology in the perception and intention of corruption, extends the scope of the predictive power of system justification theory to corruption beyond mere injustice‐related aspects of disadvantage, and also provides suggestions for interpreting and fighting against corruption.
Validation of the ANOCOVA model for regional‐scale ECa to ECe calibration
Authors: Corwin D. L. , Lesch S. M.
Published: May 2016

Two approaches have emerged as the preferred means for assessing salinity at regional scale: (i) vegetative indices from satellite imagery (e.g., MODIS enhanced vegetative index, NDVI) and (ii) analysis of covariance (ANOCOVA) calibration of apparent soil electrical conductivity (ECa) to salinity. The later approach is most recent and least extensively validated. It is the objective of this study to provide extensive validation of the ANOCOVA approach. The validation comprised 77 fields in California's Coachella Valley, ranging from 1.25 to 30.0 ha in size with an average size of 12.8 ha. Mobile electromagnetic induction (EMI) equipment surveyed the fields obtaining geospatial measurements of ECa. Soil sample sites selected following ECa‐directed soil sampling protocols characterized the range and spatial variation in ECa across the field. From the data, a regional ANOCOVA model was developed. The regional ANOCOVA model successfully reduced cross‐validated, average log salinity prediction error (variance) estimate by more than 30% across the 77 fields and improved the depth‐averaged prediction accuracy in 58 of the 77 fields. The results show that the ANOCOVA modelling approach improves soil salinity predictions from EMI signal data in most of the surveys conducted, particularly fields where only a limited number of calibration sampling locations were available. The establishment of ANOCOVA models at each depth increment for a representative set of fields within a regional‐scale study area provides slope coefficients applicable to all future fields within the region, significantly reducing ground‐truth soil samples at future fields.
A novel HLA‐B allele, HLA‐B*40:01:47
Authors: Zhu Y.‐Y. , Qiang W. , Shen G. , Zou J. , Jiang Y.‐Z.
Published: May 2016

HLA‐B*40:01:47 differs from HLA‐B*40:01:01 by one nucleotide exchange at position 420 in exon 3.
Detrital zircon geochronology in the Dora‐Maira and Zone Houillère: a record of sediment travel paths in the Carboniferous
Authors: Manzotti Paola , Ballèvre Michel , Poujol Marc
Published: May 2016

In the internal zone of the European Alps, late Carboniferous to Permian sediments have been detached from their basement (e.g. the Zone Houillère in the Briançonnais Zone). The Pinerolo Unit (Dora‐Maira Massif) is the deepest unit exposed in the stack of the Western Alps and is considered to be Carboniferous in age based on lithological considerations. Detrital zircon grains from the Pinerolo Unit and the Zone Houillère display similar age patterns, with the youngest and largest population being Carboniferous (340–330 Ma). The distribution of Carboniferous magmatism in the Alps and surrounding areas suggests that the detritus was transported from Maures‐Corsica and possibly from the Helvetic Zone into the Zone Houillère and the Pinerolo basin. Our results highlight the potential of detrital zircon geochronology for deciphering the sources of detrital material in meta‐sediments, even if they have been affected by metamorphic overprints.
Blood banks meet the paradox of Gabriel's Horn: what are the options to maintain supply as demand decreases?
Authors: Beckman N. , Yazer M. , Land K. , Chesneau S. , Caulfield J.
Published: May 2016

Blood services worldwide have observed a decline in the demand for red blood cells (RBC). Despite this general decline, the demand profile has changed significantly with the demand for O D negative RBCs being maintained; whereas B D positive and AB D positive
RBC demand has been reduced. In 2015, the blood type O D negative was seen in 6·3% of the combined first time donors among the five American Blood Centres involved in this study and 7·4% of first time Australian donors in 2014/2015, whereas O D negative distributions accounted for 10·5% of all red cell units issued by the American centres and 13·9% by the Australian centres. Inventory can therefore be of sufficient overall quantity but may not be adequate for the demand for units with specific blood types. Recruitment of new donors may need to become more targeted and/or financial or inventory control measures could also be required to ensure inventory matches demand. Blood Services will need to consider the available options in order to ensure that sufficiency of supply is secure and the donor panel is optimised to meet the new demand paradigm.
Parental migration and children's timely measles vaccination in rural China: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Tang Xianyan , Geater Alan , McNeil Edward , Zhou Hongxia , Deng Qiuyun , Dong Aihu , Li Qiao
Published: May 2016

Objective

With the rapid economic development in China, millions of rural residents are migrating to the cities to gain employment, resulting in numerous left‐behind children (LBC). Simultaneously, outbreaks of measles continue to occur, yet the effect of parental migration on children's vaccination status is largely unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the association between parental migration and children's timely measles vaccination in rural China, after adjusting for family socio‐economic status (SES) indicators.

Methods

We conducted a cross‐sectional survey using multistage sampling among children aged 18–54 months in rural Guangxi of China. Information on measles vaccination status was obtained from the child's vaccination certificate, and data on SES were collected by interviewing the child's primary guardian. Family SES and vaccination coverage were compared between LBC and non‐left‐behind children (NLBC) using weighted logistic regression, while the delay in vaccination was compared using Kaplan–Meier survival analysis.

Results

Of the 1216 study children, 46% were LBC and 54% were NLBC. Compared to NLBC, the coverage of timely measles vaccination was significantly lower, and the median delay period was longer among LBC. After adjusting for SES indicators, LBC were significantly more likely to have an untimely vaccination for their first dose of measles vaccine than NLBC (OR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.02–1.75).

Conclusions

Due to the negative effect of parental migration and family SES, LBC were more likely to encounter serious delays of measles vaccination in rural China. Optimising vaccination policies could facilitate timely vaccination among LBC in rural China.
Gene coexpression network analysis of oil biosynthesis in an interspecific backcross of oil palm
Authors: Guerin Chloé , Joët Thierry , Serret Julien , Lashermes Philippe , Vaissayre Virginie , Agbessi Mawussé D. T. , Beulé Thierry , Severac Dany , Amblard Philippe , Tregear James , Durand‐Gasselin Tristan , Morcillo Fabienne , Dussert Stéphane
Published: May 2016

Global demand for vegetable oils is increasing at a dramatic rate, while our understanding of the regulation of oil biosynthesis in plants remains limited. To gain insights into the mechanisms that govern oil synthesis and fatty acid (FA) composition in the oil palm fruit, we used a multilevel approach combining gene coexpression analysis, quantification of allele‐specific expression and joint multivariate analysis of transcriptomic and lipid data, in an interspecific backcross population between the African oil palm, Elaeis guineensis, and the American oil palm, Elaeis oleifera, which display contrasting oil contents and FA compositions. The gene coexpression network produced revealed tight transcriptional coordination of fatty acid synthesis (FAS) in the plastid with sugar sensing, plastidial glycolysis, transient starch storage and carbon recapture pathways. It also revealed a concerted regulation, along with FAS, of both the transfer of nascent FA to the endoplasmic reticulum, where triacylglycerol assembly occurs, and of the production of glycerol‐3‐phosphate, which provides the backbone of triacylglycerols. Plastid biogenesis and auxin transport were the two other biological processes most tightly connected to FAS in the network. In addition to WRINKLED1, a transcription factor (TF) known to activate FAS genes, two novel TFs, termed NF‐YB‐1 and ZFP‐1, were found at the core of the FAS module. The saturated FA content of palm oil appeared to vary above all in relation to the level of transcripts of the gene coding for β‐ketoacyl‐acyl carrier protein synthase II. Our findings should facilitate the development of breeding and engineering strategies in this and other oil crops.
Evaluation of the global DNA methylation in canine mast cell tumour samples by immunostaining of 5‐methyl cytosine
Authors: Morimoto C. Y. , Tedardi M. V. , da Fonseca I. I. M. , Kimura K. C. , Sanches D. S. , Epiphanio T. F. , de Francisco Strefezzi R. , Dagli M. L. Z.
Published: May 2016

Cutaneous mast cell tumours (MCT) are the most common skin tumour in dogs, and to our knowledge, there are no previous studies regarding the global methylation of these tumours. DNA hypomethylation and hypermethylation have been described in several tumours and both mechanisms can lead to carcinogenesis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the global DNA methylation in canine MCT. A total of 48 MCT samples were classified in grades 1, 2 and 3 or high‐grade or low‐grade. Monoclonal antibodies were used for the immunohistochemical detection of the 5‐methylcytosine. The immunostained nuclei were classified in strong, weak or negative pattern, and these were quantified in five distinct microscopic fields (40× objective) in each slide. The results showed that global DNA hypomethylation was predominant in grade 3, high‐grade, less differentiated MCT. These epigenetic changes in neoplastic mast cells warrant further detailed investigation aiming the establishment of tumour epigenetic therapies.