bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of multiple mating on the fecundity of an invasive pest (Octodonta nipae): the existence of an intermediate optimal female mating rate
Authors: Li Jinlei , Zhang Xiang , Hou Youming , Tang Baozhen
Published: October 2014

Multiple mating is found in many insect taxa where both of the sexes can mate more than once. For males, this leads to the advantage of increasing their paternity by fertilizing more females. However, there is a trade‐off of resource allocation between reproduction and other life‐history characters. In the present study, the impact of increased mating rate on reproductive fitness of the invasive nipa palm hispid beetle Octodonta nipae Maulik (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is investigated. A series of mating frequencies (i.e. 1, 5, 10, 15, 20 times) is selected from video frame playback, ranking from the minimum to maximum mating rate observed under laboratory conditions over a given time period. Fecundity parameters such as lifetime egg production, egg‐hatching rate, effective oviposition period and longevity are investigated for the evaluation of reproductive efficiency. For female O. nipae, increased fecundity is correlated with the mating frequency. Females mating 15 times lay the largest number of eggs (138.82 ± 6.87) and have a hatching rate of 47.43 ± 4.08%. After mating 20 times, females suffer significant declines in oviposition (90.31 ± 8.38 eggs) and egg‐hatching rate (34.16 ± 4.93%). Moreover, the population growth rate reaches a maximum in the females that mate 15 times. The results show that multiple matings in O. nipae have an intermediate optimal range within which female reproductive success is enhanced, providing empirical evidence for the existence of a trade‐off between costs and benefits during copulation based on resource allocation.
Internet Governance: Territorializing Cyberspace?
Authors: Glen Carol M.
Published: October 2014

Internet governance evolved in an ad hoc manner and produced a decentralized, regulatory environment that has been shaped by a myriad of public and private organizations. The decentralized nature of this form of Internet governance is now being challenged. New technical, security, and privacy issues have raised political questions concerning whether such loose regulatory coordination can adapt quickly enough to twenty‐first‐century challenges. Such doubts go well beyond the technical; they reflect profound questions about who should control the Internet. This article examines the issue of Internet governance in light of recent challenges. Discussion is centered on assessing efforts to replace the current decentralized, multistakeholder governance model with a centralized, multilateral model. Trends are examined with reference to efforts by some member states of the International Telecommunication Union to strengthen the role of governments in Internet regulation, especially during negotiations at the 2012 World Conference on International Telecommunications.

Related Articles

Walsh, James I. 2008. “.” Politics & Policy 33 (): 642‐670. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1747‐1346.2005.tb00217.x/abstract
Turner, Scott. 1997. “.” Southeastern Political Review 25 (): 303‐324. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1747‐1346.1997.tb00841.x/abstract
Fisher, Bonnie, Michael Margolis, and David Resnick. 1996. “.” Southeastern Political Review 24 (): 399‐429. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1747‐1346.1996.tb00088.x/abstract

Related Media

Film Clips: . 2010. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veqNnfknxbI
. 2008. . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EawWtV32ZLA
. 2014. . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdzM0KCIJpY
Classifying patients by their characteristics and clinical presentations; the use of latent class analysis
Authors: Wraith Darren , Wolfe Rory
Published: October 2014

In this article, we introduce the general statistical analysis approach known as latent class analysis and discuss some of the issues associated with this type of analysis in practice. Two recent examples from the respiratory health literature are used to highlight the types of research questions that have been addressed using this approach.
Combining Data from Multiple Spatially Referenced Prevalence Surveys Using Generalized Linear Geostatistical Models
Authors: Giorgi Emanuele , Sesay Sanie S. S. , Terlouw Dianne J. , Diggle Peter J.
Published: October 2014

Data from multiple prevalence surveys can provide information on common parameters of interest, which can therefore be estimated more precisely in a joint analysis than by separate analyses of the data from each survey. However, fitting a single model to the combined data from multiple surveys is inadvisable without testing the implicit assumption that all of the surveys are directed at the same inferential target. We propose a multivariate generalized linear geostatistical model that accommodates two sources of heterogeneity across surveys to correct for spatially structured bias in non-randomized surveys and to allow for temporal variation in the underlying prevalence surface between consecutive survey periods. We describe a Monte Carlo maximum likelihood procedure for parameter estimation and show through simulation experiments how accounting for the different sources of heterogeneity among surveys in a joint model leads to more precise inferences. We describe an application to multiple surveys of the prevalence of malaria conducted in Chikhwawa District, Southern Malawi, and discuss how this approach could inform hybrid sampling strategies that combine data from randomized and non-randomized surveys to make the most efficient use of all available data.
Evaluation of soil and water conservation measures in a semi‐arid river basin in Tunisia using SWAT
Authors: Abouabdillah A. , White M. , Arnold J. G. , De Girolamo A. M. , Oueslati O. , Maataoui A. , Lo Porto A.
Published: October 2014

The Merguellil catchment (central Tunisia) is a typical Mediterranean semi‐arid basin, which suffers from regular water shortage aggravated by current droughts. Over recent decades, the continuous construction of small and large dams and soil and water conservation works (i.e. contour ridges) have taken place within this watershed. However, little is known about the effect of these water‐harvesting systems on the water balance components of arid or semi‐arid basins. In this paper, we present the results of a study, which evaluates the impact of the contour ridges on water balance components and erosion at basin scale by using the soil and water assessment tool model (SWAT). Large dams were modelled as reservoirs, small dams as ponds and contour ridges as potholes that fill with water and increase the percolation into the aquifer. The model predicts that contour ridges produce annually a reduction of 32 and 21% in surface run‐off and river discharge, respectively, and an increase in aquifer recharge of 50%. At the same time, retention of a large proportion of entrained sediment (26%) was modelled.
Influence of basin‐based conservation agriculture on selected soil quality parameters under smallholder farming inZimbabwe
Authors: Nyamangara J. , Marondedze A. , Masvaya E. N. , Mawodza T. , Nyawasha R. , Nyengerai K. , Tirivavi R. , Nyamugafata P. , Wuta M.
Published: October 2014

The research was carried out to determine the effect of basin‐based conservation agriculture (CA) on selected soil quality parameters. Paired plots (0.01 ha) ofCAand conventional tillage based on the animal‐drawn mouldboard plough (CONV) were established between 2004 and 2007 on farm fields on soils with either low (12–18% – sandy loams and sandy clay loams) or high clay levels (>18–46% – sandy clays and clays) as part of an ongoing project promotingCAin six districts in the smallholder farming areas of Zimbabwe. We hypothesized thatCAwould improve soil organic carbon (SOC), bulk density, aggregate stability, soil moisture retention and infiltration rate. Soil samples forSOCand aggregate stability were taken from 0 to 15 cm depth and for bulk density and soil moisture retention from 0 to 5, 5 to 10 and 10 to 15 cm depths in 2011 from maize plots. LargerSOCcontents,SOCstocks and improved aggregate stability, decreased bulk density, increased pore volume and moisture retention were observed inCAtreatments. Results were consistent with the hypothesis, and we conclude thatCAimproves soil quality under smallholder farming. Benefits were, however, greater in high clay soils, which is relevant to the targeting of practices on smallholder farming areas of sub‐Saharan Africa.
Changing microbial epidemiology in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients: increasing resistance over a 9‐year period
Authors: Macesic N. , Morrissey C.O. , Cheng A.C. , Spencer A. , Peleg A.Y.
Published: October 2014

Infections remain important contributors to mortality in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).

Method

We studied the evolving epidemiology and trends in susceptibility of bacterial and Candida isolates at an Australian HSCT center. A total of 528 HSCTs in 508 patients were performed from April 2001 to May 2010. A total of 605 isolates were eligible for study inclusion; 318 (53%) were gram‐positive, 268 (44%) were gram‐negative, and 19 (3%) were Candida species.

Results

The most common site for isolates was blood (380 isolates, 63%). Staphylococcus aureus was the most common gram‐positive organism (n = 107, 34%), but trends to increasing coagulase‐negative staphylococci (P = 0.002) and vancomycin‐resistant Enterococcus (P < 0.001) were observed. Escherichia coli was the most common gram‐negative isolate (n = 74, 28%). Fluoroquinolone resistance increased with widespread use of protocol fluoroquinolone prophylaxis (P = 0.001). Carbapenem resistance was found in 44% of Pseudomonas or Acinetobacter isolates. Bloodstream infection with a multidrug‐resistant organism (odds ratio 3.61, 95% confidence interval: 1.40–9.32, P = 0.008) was an independent predictor of mortality at 7 days after a positive blood culture.

Conclusions

Antimicrobial resistance is an increasing problem in this vulnerable patient population, and not only has an impact on choice of empiric therapy for febrile neutropenia but also on mortality.
Attendance Effects of FBS Transition and Membership
Authors: Goff Brian , Wilson Dennis P. , Martin W. Currie , Spurlock Brandon
Published: October 2014

Our study examines the impact of the transition from NCAA Football Championship Series (FCS) participation to Football Bowl Series (FBS) participation on demand for university football. The primary empirical analysis uses 23 schools that transitioned to the FBS between 1987 and 2013 to examine attendance effects. We first examine the change as a type of event study and estimate the impact in a short run “transition window” of the 5 years leading up to and after the transition. We then estimate the long run impact of membership on annual attendance over a period extending from 5 years before transition through 2013 for all transition schools. Finally, we estimate impact on an alternative sample that includes a control group of top performing FCS schools that have not transitioned to FBS. The results derived from these panel regressions indicate a substantial positive impact on per game attendance over the transition period and for many years beyond the transition. (JEL codes: L83, L29.)
Catching the quantum sound wave
Authors: Ruskov Rusko , Tahan Charles
Published: October 2014

A superconducting qubit built to listen as well as see

[Also see Report by

Gustafsson
et al.

]
A call for NIH youth movement
Authors: Kaiser Jocelyn
Published: October 2014

Wariness greets congressman's proposal to require agency to reduce average age at first grant.
Don't blame the beetles
Authors: Carswell Cally
Published: October 2014

Bark beetles have devastated western forests, but that may not mean more severe fires.
Genome Sequence of a Bornavirus Recovered from an African Garter Snake (
Elapsoidea loveridgei
)
Authors: Stenglein Mark D. , Leavitt Eli B. , Abramovitch Michael A. , McGuire Jimmy A. , DeRisi Joseph L.
Published: October 2014

Bornaviruses are known to infect mammals and birds, and they have been associated with disease in both groups of animals. Here, we report the genome sequence of a bornavirus identified in a wild-caught Loveridge's garter snake (
Elapsoidea loveridgei
).
Draft Genome Sequence of Necropsobacter rosorum Strain P709
T
Authors: Padmanabhan Roshan , Robert Catherine , Fenollar Florence , Raoult Didier , Fournier Pierre-Edouard
Published: October 2014

Necropsobacter
is a recently described genus that contains a single species,
N. rosorum
, and belongs to the family
Pasteurellaceae
. Here, we present the draft genome of
N. rosorum
strain P709
T
, which is the first genome sequence from this species.
Genome Sequences of Simian Hemorrhagic Fever Virus Variant NIH LVR42-0/M6941 Isolates (
Arteriviridae
:
Arterivirus
)
Authors: Lauck Michael , Palacios Gustavo , Wiley Michael R. , Lǐ Yànhuá , Fāng Yīng , Lackemeyer Matthew G. , Caì Yíngyún , Bailey Adam L. , Postnikova Elena , Radoshitzky Sheli R. , Johnson Reed F. , Alkhovsky Sergey V. , Deriabin Petr G. , Friedrich Thomas C. , Goldberg Tony L. , Jahrling Peter B. , O'Connor David H. , Kuhn Jens H.
Published: October 2014

Simian hemorrhagic fever virus (SHFV) variant NIH LVR42-0/M6941 is the only remaining SHFV in culture, and only a single genome sequence record exists in GenBank/RefSeq. We compared the genomic sequence of NIH LVR42-0/M6941 acquired from the ATCC in 2011 to NIH LVR42-0/M6941 genomes sequenced directly from nonhuman primates experimentally infected in 1989.
Complete Genome Sequence of the RmInt1 Group II Intronless Sinorhizobium meliloti Strain RMO17
Authors: Toro Nicolás , Martínez-Abarca Francisco , Nisa-Martínez Rafael
Published: October 2014

We report the complete genome sequence of the RmInt1 group II intronless
Sinorhizobium meliloti
strain RMO17 isolated from
Medicago orbicularis
nodules from Spanish soil. The genome consists of 6.73 Mb distributed between a single chromosome and two megaplasmids (the chromid pSymB and pSymA).
Commentaries: Name Changes in Medically Important Fungi and Their Implications for Clinical Practice
Authors: de Hoog G. Sybren , Chaturvedi Vishnu , Denning David W. , Dyer Paul S. , Frisvad Jens Christian , Geiser David , Gräser Yvonne , Guarro Josep , Haase Gerhard , Kwon-Chung Kyung-Joo , Meis Jacques F. , Meyer Wieland , Pitt John I. , Samson Robert A. , Taylor John W. , Tintelnot Kathrin , Vitale Roxana G. , Walsh Thomas J. , Lackner Michaela
Published: October 2014

Recent changes in the Fungal Code of Nomenclature and developments in molecular phylogeny are about to lead to dramatic changes in the naming of medically important molds and yeasts. In this article, we present a widely supported and simple proposal to prevent unnecessary nomenclatural instability.
Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha and Interleukin-6 Facilitate Corneal Lymphangiogenesis in Response to Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Infection
Authors: Bryant-Hudson Katie M. , Gurung Hem R. , Zheng Min , Carr Daniel J. J.
Published: October 2014

Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) is a common human pathogen of clinical significance due to its association with vision impairment and encephalitis. In a mouse model of ocular neovascularization, we have previously shown that HSV-1 elicits the genesis of lymphatic vessels into the cornea proper through epithelial cell expression of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) dependent upon expression of VEGFR2 during acute infection. We hypothesized that other factors may be involved in lymphangiogenesis, with proinflammatory cytokines as the leading candidates. In the absence of infection or inflammation, intrastromal administration of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) coupled with VEGFA elicited lymphatic vessel genesis significantly above either factor alone as well as a vehicle control. Consistent with this observation, anti-TNF-α antibody (Ab) blocked HSV-1-mediated corneal lymphangiogenesis within the first 5 days postinfection. However, TNF-α-deficient (TNF-α−/−) mice displayed a level of corneal vessel growth similar to that shown by wild-type (WT) controls. To investigate the likely redundant nature of cytokines, PCR array analysis of HSV-1-infected TNF-α−/−mice was conducted, and it revealed several factors elevated above those found in HSV-1-infected WT mice, including interleukin-1β (IL-1β), platelet-derived growth factor, angiopoietin 2, insulin-like growth factor 2, and IL-6. Subconjunctival administration of neutralizing Ab to IL-6 blocked lymphangiogenesis in TNF-α−/−mice. Whereas the cornea levels of IL-6 were significantly reduced, there was no appreciable change in the level of IL-1β or other proangiogenic factors analyzed. Collectively, the results suggest in addition to VEGFA, TNF-α and IL-6 promote and likely synergize with VEGFA in corneal lymphangiogenesis during acute HSV-1 infection.

IMPORTANCEWe have identified at least two proinflammatory cytokines expressed locally that are involved in the genesis of lymphatic vessels in the normally avascular cornea in response to HSV-1 infection. This finding provides the basis to target IL-6 and TNF-α as additional proangiogenic factors in the cornea during the development of herpetic stromal keratitis as a means to alleviate further neovascularization and tissue pathology associated with the host immune response to the pathogen.
Putative Domain-Domain Interactions in the Vesicular Stomatitis Virus L Polymerase Protein Appendage Region
Authors: Ruedas John B. , Perrault Jacques
Published: October 2014

The multidomain polymerase protein (L) of nonsegmented negative-strand (NNS) RNA viruses catalyzes transcription and replication of the virus genome. The N-terminal half of the protein forms a ring-like polymerase structure, while the C-terminal half encoding viral mRNA transcript modifications consists of a flexible appendage with three distinct globular domains. To gain insight into putative transient interactions between L domains during viral RNA synthesis, we exchanged each of the four distinct regions encompassing the appendage region of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) Indiana serotype L protein with their counterparts from VSV New Jersey and analyzed effects on virus polymerase activity in a minigenome system. The methyltransferase domain exchange yielded a fully active polymerase protein, which functioned as well as wild-type L in the context of a recombinant virus. Exchange of the downstream C-terminal nonconserved region abolished activity, but coexchanging it with the methyltransferase domain generated a polymerase favoring replicase over transcriptase activity, providing strong evidence of interaction between these two regions. Exchange of the capping enzyme domain or the adjacent nonconserved region thought to function as an “unstructured” linker also abrogated polymerase activity even when either domain was coexchanged with other appendage domains. Further probing of the putative linker segment using in-frame enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) insertions similarly abrogated activity. We discuss the implications of these findings with regard to L protein appendage domain structure and putative domain-domain interactions required for polymerase function.

IMPORTANCE
NNS viruses include many well-known human pathogens (e.g., rabies, measles, and Ebola viruses), as well as emerging viral threats (e.g., Nipah and Hendra viruses). These viruses all encode a large L polymerase protein similarly organized into multiple domains that work in concert to enable virus genome transcription and replication. But how the unique L protein carries out the multiplicity of individual steps in these two distinct processes is poorly understood. Using two different approaches, i.e., exchanging individual domains in the C-terminal appendage region of the protein between two closely related VSV serotypes and inserting unrelated protein domains, we shed light on requirements for domain-domain interactions and domain contiguity in polymerase function. These findings further our understanding of the conformational dynamics of NNS L polymerase proteins, which play an essential role in the pathogenic properties of these viruses and represent attractive targets for the development of antiviral measures.
Assessing the suitability of 8-OHdG and micronuclei as genotoxic biomarkers in chromate-exposed workers: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Li Ping , Gu Yongen , Yu Shanfa , Li Yang , Yang Jinglin , Jia Guang
Published: October 2014

Objectives

We aimed to investigate suitable conditions of 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and micronucleus (MN) as genotoxic biomarkers at different levels of occupational chromate exposure.

Design

A cross-sectional study was used.

Participants

84 workers who were exposed to chromate for at least 1 year were chosen as the chromate exposed group, while 30 non-exposed individuals were used as controls.

Main outcome measures

Environmental and biological exposure to chromate was respectively assessed by measuring the concentration of chromate in the air (CrA) and blood (CrB) by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) in all participants. MN indicators, including micronucleus cell count (MNCC), micro-nucleus count (MNC), nuclear bridge (NPB) and nuclear bud (NBUD) were calculated by the cytokinesis-block micronucleus test (CBMN), while the urinary 8-OHdG was measured by the ELISA method and normalised by the concentration of Cre.

Results

Compared with the control group, the levels of CrA, CrB, MNCC, MNC and 8-OHdG in the chromate-exposed group were all significantly higher (p<0.05). There were positive correlations between log(8-OHdG) and LnMNCC or LnMNC (r=0.377 and 0.362). The levels of LnMNCC, LnMNC and log (8-OHdG) all have parabola correlations with the concentration of CrB. However, there was a significantly positive correlation between log (8-OHdG) and CrB when the CrB level was below 10.50 µg/L (r=0.355), while a positive correlation was also found between LnMNCC or LnMNC and CrB when the CrB level was lower than 9.10 µg/L (r=0.365 and 0.269, respectively).

Conclusions

MN and 8-OHdG can be used as genotoxic biomarkers in the chromate-exposed group, but it is only when CrB levels are lower than 9.10 and 10.50 µg/L, respectively, that they can accurately reflect the degree of genetic damage.
Euthanasia in a no‐kill shelter
Authors: Ashall Vanessa
Published: October 2014

THIS series gives readers the opportunity to consider and contribute to discussion of some of the ethical dilemmas that can arise in veterinary practice. Each month, a case scenario is presented, followed by discussion of some of the issues involved.

In addition, a possible way forward is suggested; however, there is rarely a cut‐and‐dried answer in such cases, and readers may wish to suggest an alternative approach. This month's dilemma, ‘Euthanasia in a no‐kill shelter’, was submitted and is discussed by Vanessa Ashall. Readers with comments to contribute are invited to send them as soon as possible, so that they can be considered for publication in the next issue. Discussion of the dilemma ‘Little nippers’, which was published in the September issue of In Practice, appears on page 479.

The series is being coordinated by Siobhan Mullan, of the University of Bristol. It is hoped it will provide a framework that will help practices find solutions when facing similar dilemmas.
Comments on the dilemma in the September issue: ‘Little nippers’
Authors: Mullan Siobhan
Published: October 2014

The dilemma in the September issue concerned a situation in which a vet's own dog, a young and very boisterous border collie, had recently bitten a nephew at a family gathering. The situation was complicated by several issues, including the dog's breeding, inappropriate socialisation and training, as well as the child's misbehaviour and the family's emotional reaction to the incident (In Practice, September 2014, volume 36, pages 430‐431). Paul Rogers suggested that, as members of the profession, vets should endeavour to raise their own pets according to the best practices which they advise clients to follow. This included picking the right breed of dog and providing it with enough physical exercise and mental stimulation. He proposed that at the first sign of poor behaviour or aggression, if physical triggers were ruled out, a pet behaviourist could be contacted. He argued that vets should be leading by example and that it would also be beneficial to have a standard protocol for dealing with similar cases in practice.
Paraneoplastic syndromes in dogs and cats
Authors: Elliott James
Published: October 2014

Paraneoplastic syndromes (PNSs) can be described as the indirect effects of tumours, typically due to tumour production and release of biologically active substances such as hormones, growth factors and cytokines. PNSs are sometimes the first evidence of a neoplastic disease; therefore, knowledge of these syndromes and their associated tumour types can help in early diagnosis. PNSs should resolve with treatment of the underlying tumour and, conversely, may return with recurrence of the underlying tumour. In some cases, they cause more significant morbidity than the tumour itself, so they must be clinically addressed for proper treatment or palliation. A further issue is that signs caused by PNSs may mimic side effects of treatment such as chemotherapy, complicating clinical decision making. This article discusses the different types of PNSs and treatment options for each case.
Inducing chirality ex nihilo by an electric field
Authors: Wolk Joel L. , Hoz Shmaryahu
Published: October 2014

Ab initio calculations show that an external electric field can induce chirality in achiral molecules, depending on the orientation of the molecule with respect to the field. Thus, for prochiral molecules such as glycine and CH2ClF, a field oriented along one of the C–H bonds will induce chirality by rendering the two hydrogen atoms nonequivalent. In the case of ethylene, methane, and CCl4, optical activity will be gained only when the positioning of the molecules with respect to the field will render the four substituents nonequivalent. Of the molecules studied, the strongest effect was obtained for glycine and the weakest for methane. Differences were also observed in the effect of reversing the direction of the field. In addition, for glycine, a very strong dependence was obtained for the optical rotation on the wavelength between 200 and 225 nm.
Polysaccharides from Angelica and Astragalus exert hepatoprotective effects against carbon-tetrachloride-induced intoxication in mice
Authors: Pu Xiuying , Fan Wenbo , Yu Shuang , Li Yan , Ma Xiaolong , Liu Lu , Ren Jing , Zhang Weijie
Published: October 2014

This study aimed to investigate the effects of polysaccharide from Angelica and Astragalus (AAP) on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced liver damage in mice. A total of 120 Kunming mice were randomly distributed among 6 groups comprising (i) the normal control mice, (ii) the CCl4 treatment group, (iii) the bifendate treatment group, (iv) the AAP treatment group, (v) the Angelica sinensis polysaccharide (ASP) treatment group, and (vi) the Astragalus membranaceus polysaccharide (AMP) treatment group. AAP, ASP and AMP were administered to mice treated with CCl4. The activities of alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) in the serum, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the liver tissues were quantified, as well as the liver index. Hepatic histological changes were observed by staining liver sections with hematoxylin and eosin. Our results show that bifendate, AAP, ASP, and AMP significantly decreased the activities of MDA, AST, and ALT, and enhanced the activity of SOD in CCl4-treated mice. Bifendate, AAP, ASP, and AMP consistently ameliorated the liver injuries induced with CCl4. Notably, the hepatoprotective effect of AAP was stronger than that of bifendate, ASP, or AMP. In addition, AAP alleviated liver inflammation and decreased the liver indexes of mice induced with CCl4. These effects were at least partly due to the antioxidant properties of AAP in scavenging free radicals to ameliorate oxidative stress and to inhibit lipid peroxidation.
MIN-ITs: A Framework for Integration of IT Management Standards in Mature Environments
Authors: Mesquida Antoni-Lluís , Mas Antonia , Feliu Tomás San , Arcilla Magdalena
Published: October 2014

The growing interest of software companies for improving their internal processes, not just software development processes, but also processes in other domains such as Information Technology (IT) service management or information security management, has encouraged these companies to implement recognized models or standards. Most of the ISO standards that define models for software quality, IT service management or information security management provide their recommendations, guidelines, requirements or good practices under a process approach. Due to this approach, there are a large number of relations between these models as well as many common elements. From the study of these relations, this paper presents MIN-ITs, a new framework that supports the integration of different ISO standards related to IT management.
A Methodology for Establishing Multi-Model Environments in Order to Improve Organizational Software Processes
Authors: Muñoz Mirna , Mejia Jezreel , Gasca-Hurtado Gloria P.
Published: October 2014

Organizational software processes improvement offers a key opportunity for organizations to be more efficient and effective. However, in most cases software process improvement initiatives in organizations become a path full of obstacles. As a consequence, organizations worldwide are adopting international standards and models in an effort to improve their software processes. Nevertheless, the difficulty of using multi-model improvement environments for the implementation of software processes improvements is well-known. In this context, effective integration of models and standards is a tool that enhances information sharing and communication. Integration can play a crucial role for the implementation of multi-model environments in order to be used as a reference model in software process improvements. This paper shows a methodology that enables organizations to establish a multi-model environment based on their business goals and on the results of a case study focused on implementing improvements in project management processes. Finally, results obtained after applying the methodology and future research line related to a platform for providing knowledge management and information sharing are included.
The minimum crossing number of essential tangles
Authors: Nogueira João Miguel , Salgueiro António
Published: October 2014

In this paper we compute the sharp lower bounds for the crossing number of n-string k-loop essential tangles. For essential tangles with only string components, we characterize the ones with the minimum crossing number for a given number of components, both when the tangle has knotted strings or only unknotted strings.
OPINION DYNAMICS APPROACH FOR IDENTIFYING COMMUNITY STRUCTURES IN COMPLEX NETWORKS
Authors: SHIN JAE KYUN
Published: October 2014

This paper suggests an opinion dynamics approach to define community structures in complex networks. If a typical opinion dynamics model is applied to a network with a community structure, the network can separate in two groups of nodes. Such bisection in a given network can arise in many different ways depending on the initial conditions. The opinion distance between two nodes is defined as the probability of disagreement, or the probability that the two nodes belong to different bisections in multiple Monte Carlo simulations. The communities can be defined in terms of the distance. Closer nodes belong to the same community. Three opinion dynamics models were tested to show how the method works. Through various example networks, it was shown that the distance data can be used as a unique metric for identifying hierarchical structures and overlapping nodes in networks, as well as for identifying the community structure itself.
Knowledge Management and Role of Library & Information Professionals in Indian Corporate Sector
Authors: Shahid Syed Md.
Published: October 2014

Knowledge management (KM) is the process of transforming information and intellectual assets into enduring value. It connects people with the knowledge that they need to take action, when they need it. In the corporate sector, managing knowledge is considered key to achieving breakthrough competitive advantage (Kidwell et al., 2000). The purpose of this study is to explore the role of library and information professionals in India's knowledge-based corporate. This study is supposed to study new roles of librarians for maximising the value of knowledge in an intelligent organisation. The paper uses a sample comprising 10 private sector organisations. The extent of the role of a library professional in KM practices was evaluated to assess the current and potential future role in managing knowledge resources in corporate environment, to find the way the library and information professionals can contribute more to KM, study skills and competencies required for library and information professionals, challenges and problems of corporate KM, make recommendations that will promote library professionals as economic development partners and major KM roles in Indian corporate sector. The paper shows that the role of library professional in KM is favoured by the majority of corporate in India but they are also concerned about library professional's reliability, loyalty, commitment and willingness to stay in the job and better people management skills etc. Although this research presents strong evidence regarding the KM in the Indian corporate sector and role of library and information professionals, the results should be interpreted in light of the study's limitations as the study uses a sample of 10 private sector organisations where the findings may lack generalisation. The paper tries to bring forth concern areas for KM in the Indian private sector organisations and role of library and information professionals in it.
Carbon Nanotubes Grafted with Hyperbranched Triazine Compounds
Authors: Li Tingting , Yan Hongxia , Liu Tianye , Liu Chao , Chen Zhengyan
Published: October 2014

In order to improve the dispersibility of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in the resin matrix, CNTs grafted with hyperbranched triazine compound (HPTC–CNTs) was produced by four generations condensation reaction using cyanuric chloride and hexamethylenediamine. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), UV-Vis spectroscopy (UV-Vis) and transmission electron microscopes (TEM) were used to characterize the obtained HPTC–CNTs. The FTIR, XPS, UV-Vis and TEM analysis showed that CNTs had been successfully grafted with HPTC. The TGA showed that the content of HPTC on the surface of CNTs was about 58 wt.%. And the HPTC–CNTs had good dispersion both in water and acetone.
Analysis of the limiting spectral measure of large random matrices of the separable covariance type
Authors: Couillet Romain , Hachem Walid
Published: October 2014

Consider the random matrix [Formula: see text] where D and [Formula: see text] are deterministic Hermitian nonnegative matrices with respective dimensions N × N and n × n, and where X is a random matrix with independent and identically distributed centered elements with variance 1/n. Assume that the dimensions N and n grow to infinity at the same pace, and that the spectral measures of D and [Formula: see text] converge as N, n → ∞ towards two probability measures. Then it is known that the spectral measure of ΣΣ* converges towards a probability measure μ characterized by its Stieltjes transform. In this paper, it is shown that μ has a density away from zero, this density is analytical wherever it is positive, and it behaves in most cases as [Formula: see text] near an edge a of its support. In addition, a complete characterization of the support of μ is provided. Aside from its mathematical interest, the analysis underlying these results finds important applications in a certain class of statistical estimation problems.
Mesenchymal stem cells and conditioned medium avert enteric neuropathy and colon dysfunction in guinea pig TNBS-induced colitis
Authors: Robinson Ainsley M. , Sakkal Samy , Park Anthony , Jovanovska Valentina , Payne Natalie , Carbone Simona E. , Miller Sarah , Bornstein Joel C. , Bernard Claude , Boyd Richard , Nurgali Kulmira
Published: October 2014

Damage to the enteric nervous system (ENS) associated with intestinal inflammation may underlie persistent alterations to gut functions, suggesting that enteric neurons are viable targets for novel therapies. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) offer therapeutic benefits for attenuation of neurodegenerative diseases by homing to areas of inflammation and exhibiting neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties. In culture, MSCs release soluble bioactive factors promoting neuronal survival and suppressing inflammation suggesting that MSC-conditioned medium (CM) provides essential factors to repair damaged tissues. We investigated whether MSC and CM treatments administered by enema attenuate 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene-sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced enteric neuropathy and motility dysfunction in the guinea pig colon. Guinea pigs were randomly assigned to experimental groups and received a single application of TNBS (30 mg/kg) followed by 1 × 106 human bone marrow-derived MSCs, 300 μl CM, or 300 μl unconditioned medium 3 h later. After 7 days, the effect of these treatments on enteric neurons was assessed by histological, immunohistochemical, and motility analyses. MSC and CM treatments prevented inflammation-associated weight loss and gross morphological damage in the colon; decreased the quantity of immune infiltrate in the colonic wall ( P < 0.01) and at the level of the myenteric ganglia ( P < 0.001); prevented loss of myenteric neurons ( P < 0.05) and damage to nerve processes, changes in ChAT, and nNOS immunoreactivity ( P < 0.05); and alleviated inflammation-induced colonic dysmotility (contraction speed; P < 0.001, contractions/min; P < 0.05). These results provide strong evidence that both MSC and CM treatments can effectively prevent damage to the ENS and alleviate gut dysfunction caused by TNBS-induced colitis.
Mechanistic investigation of adult myotube response to exercise and drug treatment in vitro using a multiplexed functional assay system
Authors: McAleer C. W. , Smith A. S. T. , Najjar S. , Pirozzi K. , Long C. J. , Hickman J. J.
Published: October 2014

The ability to accurately measure skeletal muscle functional performance at the single-cell level would be advantageous for exercise physiology studies and disease modeling applications. To that end, this study characterizes the functional response of individual skeletal muscle myotubes derived from adult rodent tissue to creatine treatment and chronic exercise. The observed improvements to functional performance in response to these treatments appear to correlate with alterations in hypertrophic and mitochondrial biogenesis pathways, supporting previously published in vivo and in vitro data, which highlights the role of these pathways in augmenting skeletal muscle output. The developed system represents a multiplexed functional in vitro assay capable of long-term assessment of contractile cellular outputs in real-time that is compatible with concomitant molecular biology analysis. Adoption of this system in drug toxicity and efficacy studies would improve understanding of compound activity on physical cellular outputs and provide more streamlined and predictive data for future preclinical analyses.
Nicotinic and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors shape ganglion cell response properties
Authors: Strang Christianne E. , Long Ye , Gavrikov Konstantin E. , Amthor Franklin R. , Keyser Kent T.
Published: October 2014

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the expression patterns of nicotinic and muscarinic ACh receptors (nAChRs and mAChRs, respectively) in relation to one another and to understand their effects on rabbit retinal ganglion cell response properties. Double-label immunohistochemistry revealed labeled inner-retinal cell bodies and complex patterns of nAChR and mAChR expression in the inner plexiform layer. Specifically, the expression patterns of m1, m4, and m5 muscarinic receptors overlapped with those of non-α7 and α7 nicotinic receptors in presumptive amacrine and ganglion cells. There was no apparent overlap in the expression patterns of m2 muscarinic receptors with α7 nicotinic receptors or of m3 with non-α7 nicotinic receptors. Patch-clamp recordings demonstrated cell type-specific effects of nicotinic and muscarinic receptor blockade. Muscarinic receptor blockade enhanced the center responses of brisk-sustained/G4 On and G4 Off ganglion cells, whereas nicotinic receptor blockade suppressed the center responses of G4 On-cells near the visual streak but enhanced the center responses of nonstreak G4 On-cells. Blockade of muscarinic or nicotinic receptors suppressed the center responses of brisk-sustained Off-cells and the center light responses of subsets of brisk-transient/G11 On- and Off-cells. Only nicotinic blockade affected the center responses of G10 On-cells and G5 Off-cells. These data indicate that physiologically and morphologically identified ganglion cell types have specific patterns of AChR expression. The cholinergic receptor signatures of these cells may have implications for understanding visual defects in disease states that result from decreased ACh availability.
Upper Bound Solution for the Face Stability of Shield Tunnel below the Water Table
Authors: Lu Xilin , Wang Haoran , Huang Maosong
Published: October 2014

By FE simulation with Mohr‐Coulomb perfect elastoplasticity model, the relationship between the support pressure and displacement of the shield tunnel face was obtained. According to the plastic strain distribution at collapse state, an appropriate failure mechanism was proposed for upper bound limit analysis, and the formula to calculate the limit support pressure was deduced. The limit support pressure was rearranged to be the summation of soil cohesion c, surcharge load q, and soil gravity γ multiplied by their corresponding coefficients Nc, Nq, and Nγ, and parametric studies were carried out on these coefficients. In order to consider the influence of seepage on the face stability, the pore water pressure distribution and the seepage force on the tunnel face were obtained by FE simulation. After adding the power of seepage force into the equation of the upper bound limit analysis, the total limit support pressure for stabilizing the tunnel face under seepage condition was obtained. The total limit support pressure was shown to increase almost linearly with the water table.
The Age Distribution of Type-Specific High-Risk Human Papillomavirus Incidence in Two Population-Based Screening Trials
Authors: Veldhuijzen Nienke J. , Berkhof Johannes , Gillio-Tos Anna , De Marco Laura , Carozzi Francesca , Del Mistro Annarosa , Snijders Peter J.F. , Meijer Chris J.L.M , Ronco Guglielmo
Published: October 2014

Background: Age- and type-specific high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) incidence estimates in screen-eligible women are relevant from a public health perspective because they provide an indication of the effect of vaccination on the occurrence of screen-positives in HPV-based screening. However, limited data from women over 25 years of age are available.

Methods: In 24,105 hrHPV-negative women participating in Dutch (Population-Based Screening Study Amsterdam: POBASCAM) and Italian (New Technologies for Cervical Cancer: NTCC) population-based randomized controlled screening trials the age- and type-specific distribution of incident hrHPV infections detected at the next screening round was assessed. HPV types were grouped into vaccine (bivalent: HPV16/18; polyvalent HPV16/18/31/33/45/52/58) and nonvaccine types.

Results: The incidence of screen-detected hrHPV among women ages 29 to 56 years was 2.54% (95% confidence interval, 2.30–2.78) in POBASCAM and 2.77% (2.36–3.19) in NTCC. In both studies, the incidence of bivalent, polyvalent, and nonpolyvalent infections decreased with age (P < 0.0001). Among women with incident infection(s), vaccine-type positivity changed quadratically with age, in particular for the polyvalent vaccine (P values: POBASCAM: bivalent 0.264, polyvalent 0.038; NTCC bivalent 0.039, polyvalent 0.005). However, more than 20% and 50% of women with incident hrHPV were positive for bivalent and polyvalent vaccine types, respectively, in all ages in both studies.

Conclusions: We observed decreasing age trends of hrHPV vaccine and nonvaccine type incidences and age-related differences in the vaccine-type positivity among women with incident infections. Most importantly, hrHPV infections continued to be detected in all ages and the contribution of vaccine types remained substantial.

Impact: Our results indicate a considerable reduction of new hrHPV infections in vaccinated cohorts, ensuing revision of screening guidelines. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 24(1); 111–8. ©2014 AACR.
Reproducible, Quantitative, and Flexible Molecular Subtyping of Clinical DLBCL Samples Using the NanoString nCounter System
Authors: Veldman-Jones Margaret H. , Lai Zhongwu , Wappett Mark , Harbron Chris G. , Barrett J. Carl , Harrington Elizabeth A. , Thress Kenneth S.
Published: October 2014

Purpose: Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a heterogeneous disease with distinct molecular subtypes. The most established subtyping approach, the “Cell of Origin” (COO) algorithm, categorizes DLBCL into activated B-cell (ABC) and germinal center B-cell (GCB)-like subgroups through gene expression profiling. Recently developed immunohistochemical (IHC) techniques and other established methodologies can deliver discordant results and have various technical limitations. We evaluated the NanoString nCounter gene expression system to address issues with current platforms.

Experimental Design: We devised a scoring system using 145 genes from published datasets to categorize DLBCL samples. After cell line validation, clinical tissue segmentation was tested using commercially available diagnostic DLBCL samples. Finally, we profiled biopsies from patients with relapsed/refractory DLBCL enrolled in the fostamatinib phase IIb clinical trial using three independent RNA expression platforms: NanoString, Affymetrix, and qNPA.

Results: Diagnostic samples showed a typical spread of subtypes with consistent gene expression profiles across matched fresh, frozen, and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues. Results from biopsy samples across platforms were remarkably consistent, in contrast to published IHC data. Interestingly, COO segmentation of longitudinal fostamatinib biopsies taken at initial diagnosis and then again at primary relapse showed 88% concordance (15/17), suggesting that COO designation remains stable over the course of disease progression.

Conclusions: DLBCL segmentation of patient tumor samples is possible using a number of expression platforms. However, we found that NanoString offers the most flexibility and fewest limitations in regards to robust clinical tissue subtype characterization. These subtype distinctions should help guide disease prognosis and treatment options within DLBCL clinical practice. Clin Cancer Res; 21(10); 2367–78. ©2014 AACR.

See related commentary by Rimsza, p. 2204