bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Seasonal and Diel Bathythermal Distributions of Lake Whitefish in Lake Huron: Potential Implications for Lake Trout Bycatch in Commercial Fisheries
Authors: Bergstedt Roger A. , Argyle Ray L. , Taylor William W. , Krueger Charles C.
Published: June 2016

Depths and temperatures recorded during 2003–2005 by archival tags implanted in Lake Whitefish Coregonus clupeaformis and in Great Lakes origin (GLO) and New York Finger Lakes origin (FLO) strains of Lake Trout Salvelinus namaycush were used to compare seasonal diel depth and temperature distributions in Lake Huron. Seasonal depth distributions were examined to determine if species differences could be exploited to reduce bycatch of Lake Trout in commercial Lake Whitefish gill-net fisheries. Both GLO and FLO Lake Trout used deeper and colder waters than Lake Whitefish during daylight and dark. Temperature differences between species were greatest during periods of stratification when behavioral thermoregulation was possible. Other than during spawning periods, the greatest depth and temperature separation occurred in late July between FLO Lake Trout (37.0 m; 6.5 ºC) and Lake Whitefish (25.1 m; 10.2 ºC). If maximum depths of gill nets were regulated seasonally to between 25 and 35 m, ≥ 50% of the Lake Whitefish population would be vulnerable while avoiding 89% or more of Lake Trout. Lake Trout percentages targeted under such regulations would be lowest in late July (GLO = 8% and FLO = 11%) and early August (GLO = 4% and FLO = 7%). However, archival tags measure fish depth and not location or bottom depth, and modal depths of gill-net effort for Lake Whitefish (38 to 57 m) exceeded those from the Lake Whitefish archival tag data. This discrepancy suggests that many Lake Whitefish might be pelagic above the reach of bottom-set gill nets, so depth restrictions could be less effective in reducing Lake Trout bycatch than suggested by our data. A further implication is that use of gill nets suspended above the bottom to target pelagic Lake Whitefish could also reduce bycatch while potentially increasing Lake Whitefish harvest.

Received August 19, 2015; accepted February 21, 2016 Published online June 28, 2016
Exploring historical ‘frameworks’ as a curriculum goal: a case study examining students’ notions of historical significance when using millennia‐wide time scales
Authors: Carroll James Edward
Published: June 2016

History teachers, teacher–researchers, government agencies and history education academics in England often report that students are frequently incapable of producing complex, polythetic or developmental narratives over long time scales. This lack of an overview tends to result in deficiencies in their application of the key concepts of the discipline. Consequently Shemilt has recommended the use of synoptic, millennia‐wide ‘frameworks’ of knowledge in order to counteract these issues. With some notable exceptions, however, practising history teachers have appeared sceptical of the benefits of such an approach. I conducted an exploratory case study investigating in what ways a pre‐taught framework, in which I had responded to some practitioners’ criticisms, appeared to be manifested in my students’ subsequent thinking regarding historical significance. My goal was to contribute to professional curricular theorising about what constitutes a framework and how it might be expressed as a curricular goal. Themes were derived from pupils’ writing, lesson evaluations, group interviews and observations. Possible curricular goals that were characterised in the students’ work included the pupils producing millennia‐wide narratives based on colligatory generalisations and assessments of historical significance incorporating scale‐shifting over long time scales.
Historical thinking about sources in the context of a standards‐based curriculum: a Swedish case
Authors: Samuelsson Johan , Wendell Joakim
Published: June 2016

The increased interest in basing teaching on disciplinary thinking has had a profound impact on the syllabus for history in Sweden. Within this context, we examine how students demonstrate one aspect of disciplinary thinking in history, namely reasoning about historical sources. The material used is written answers to an assignment about historical sources in the national test in history for year 6. The analysis shows that many students are able to show at least some aspects of disciplinary thinking about sources, though the vast majority has problems with contextualising the source in the assignment. One explanation put forth is that the syllabus is not yet fully enacted in teaching practices.
Mississippi missionaries’ workplace spirituality and organizational commitment (1698–1725): a case study
Authors: Jones Linda C.
Published: June 2016

The relationship between workplace spirituality and organizational commitment in modern settings is often examined using models focused on personal and organizational performance. Meant for contemporary practices, such tools can enhance understanding of organizations in the historic
record, benefiting not only historians but researchers who wish to ameliorate commitment in organizations. Utilizing a recent model focused on workplace spirituality and organizational commitment, this study examines the leadership of the Séminaire de Québec and the Séminaire
des Missions Etrangères de Paris as well as their secular missionaries assigned to work in villages on the Mississippi River in the early eighteenth century. Analyses demonstrate that the inability to maintain communication, support, and community between leadership and missionaries
greatly hampered commitment to the organization and to the Mississippi missions. Only Father Bergier remained strongly committed to his work and the Seminaries due to his personal sense of calling, devotion, leadership, and spirituality.
Jung’s insights on ethics in business and work organisations: examining the ‘moral nature of present-day man’
Authors: Rozuel Cécile
Published: June 2016

Business can be likened to an institution of archetypal stature, influencing not only how work organisations are managed but also what society values both socio-economically and morally. As such, it also carries a significant shadow that pervades the psyche of individual agents. The significance of this collective shadow raises important moral questions usually discussed under the term ‘business ethics’; however, too little attention is given to the unconscious influences that underlie most moral conflicts in business and within the context of work organisations. Jung’s insights into the moral dimension of the psyche and the ethical value of individuation have much relevance to a better understanding of the various types of moral tension in business and at work. In particular, Jung’s comprehension of the inherent moral struggle between the individual and the collective is discussed, and its value for reviewing the state of ethics in business is explained.
Stock-Specific Size and Migration of Juvenile Coho Salmon in British Columbia and Southeast Alaska Waters
Authors: Beacham Terry D. , Beamish Richard J. , Neville Chrys M. , Candy John R. , Wallace Colin , Tucker Strahan , Trudel Marc
Published: June 2016

The variation at 17 microsatellites was analyzed for 5,270 juvenile Coho Salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch obtained from coastal British Columbia and Gulf of Alaska surveys during 1998–2012. A 270-population baseline was used to determine the individual identifications of the fish sampled, with individuals being identified to 22 stocks of origin. Columbia River and Washington juveniles were consistently larger than those from British Columbia and Alaska. During June, the larger individuals within a stock were observed in more northerly locations. There was a relationship between the timing of northward migration and juvenile body size, with larger individuals migrating earlier than smaller individuals from the same stocks. Stock composition was more diverse in the northern sampling regions than in those in southern British Columbia. There was only a modest change in stock composition between fall and winter samples in both the Strait of Georgia and west coast of Vancouver Island sampling regions, indicating that juvenile migration had largely been completed by the fall. There was a wide divergence among stocks in juvenile size and dispersion among sampling locations.

Received December 9, 2015; accepted February 9, 2016
Cauchy transforms of self-similar measures: Starlikeness and univalence
Authors: Dong Xin-Han , Lau Ka-Sing , Wu Hai-Hua
Published: June 2016

For the contractive iterated function system

S
k

z
=

e

2
π
i
k

/

m

+

ρ
(
z
−

e

2
π
i
k

/

m

)

S_kz=e^{2\pi ik/m}+{\rho (z-e^{2\pi ik/m})}

with

0
>
ρ
>
1
,
k
=
0
,
⋯
,
m
−
1

0>\rho >1, k=0,\cdots , m-1

, we let

K
⊂

C

K\subset \mathbb {C}

be the attractor, and let

μ
\mu

be a self-similar measure defined by

μ
=

1
m

∑

k
=
0

m
−
1

μ
∘

S
k

−
1

\mu =\frac 1m\sum _{k=0}^{m-1}\mu \circ S_k^{-1}

. We consider the Cauchy transform

F
F

of

μ
\mu

. It is known that the image of

F
F

at a small neighborhood of the boundary of

K
K

has very rich fractal structure, which is coined the Cantor boundary behavior. In this paper, we investigate the behavior of

F
F

away from

K
K

; it has nice geometry and analytic properties, such as univalence, starlikeness and convexity. We give a detailed investigation for those properties in the general situation as well as certain classical cases of self-similar measures.
Any FIP real computes a 1-generic
Authors: Cholak Peter , Downey Rodney , Igusa Greg
Published: June 2016

We construct a computable sequence of computable reals

⟨

X
i

⟩

\langle X_i\rangle

such that any real that can compute a subsequence that is maximal with respect to the finite intersection property can also compute a Cohen 1-generic. This is extended to establish the same result with 2IP in place of FIP. This is the first example of a classical theorem of mathematics that has been found to be equivalent, both proof theoretically and in terms of its effective content, to computing a 1-generic.
Equiboundedness of the Weil-Petersson metric
Authors: Wolpert Scott
Published: June 2016

Given a topological type for surfaces of negative Euler characteristic, uniform bounds are developed for derivatives of solutions of the

2
2

-dimensional constant negative curvature equation and the Weil-Petersson metric for the Teichmüller and moduli spaces. The dependence of the bounds on the geometry of the underlying Riemann surface is studied. The comparisons between the

C
0

C^0

,

C

2
,
α

C^{2,\alpha }

and

L
2

L^2

norms for harmonic Beltrami differentials are analyzed. Uniform bounds are given for the covariant derivatives of the Weil-Petersson curvature tensor in terms of the systoles of the underlying Riemann surfaces and the projections of the differentiation directions onto pinching directions. The main analysis combines Schauder and potential theory estimates with the analytic implicit function theorem.
Decision problem for perfect matchings in dense 𝑘-uniform hypergraphs
Authors: Han Jie
Published: June 2016

For any

γ
>
0

\gamma >0

, Keevash, Knox and Mycroft (2015) constructed a polynomial-time algorithm which determines the existence of perfect matchings in any

n
n

-vertex

k
k

-uniform hypergraph whose minimum codegree is at least

n

/

k
+
γ
n

n/k+\gamma n

. We prove a structural theorem that enables us to determine the existence of a perfect matching for any

k
k

-uniform hypergraph with minimum codegree at least

n

/

k

n/k

. This solves a problem of Karpiński, Ruciński and Szymańska completely. Our proof uses a lattice-based absorbing method.
Specific PCR Detection of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum California Race 4 Based on a Unique Tfo1 Insertion Event in the PHO Gene
Authors: Ortiz Carlos S. , Bell Alois A. , Magill Clint W. , Liu Jinggao
Published: June 2016

A highly virulent race 4 (Cal race 4) of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum was identified in California cotton fields in 2001, and has since been found in increasing numbers of fields. Cal race 4 isolates contain a unique Tfo1 transposon insertion in the PHO gene that was not found in other F. oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum genotypes. Based on this insertion, a multiplex polymerase chain reaction method was developed to detect the Cal race 4 pathogen. A panel of F. oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum isolates representing different vegetative compatibility groups (VCG) and DNA sequence types was assembled to test the specificity of the detection method. In all, 16 of 17 Cal race 4 isolates produced a 583-bp amplicon; the other isolate produced a 396-bp amplicon reflecting the absence of the Tfo1 insertion. This isolate was a moderately virulent pathogen among Cal race 4 isolates. In total, 80 other F. oxysporum isolates associated with cotton and 11 other formae speciales of F. oxysporum produced only the 396-bp amplicon. The method also distinguished Cal race 4 isolates from India race 4 isolates and China race 7 isolates, which did not possess the unique Tfo1 insertion but otherwise had identical DNA sequences, and all belong to VCG0114. The method is capable of detecting the pathogen directly from infected stem tissues even before external symptom appears and, thus, provides an effective tool for timely identification of infested fields and seed lots, and should help reduce dissemination of Cal race 4 in the U.S. Cotton Belt.
Endemic and Emerging Pathogens Threatening Cork Oak Trees: Management Options for Conserving a Unique Forest Ecosystem
Authors: Moricca Salvatore , Linaldeddu Benedetto T. , Ginetti Beatrice , Scanu Bruno , Franceschini Antonio , Ragazzi Alessandro
Published: June 2016

Cork oak (Quercus suber) forests are economically and culturally intertwined with the inhabitants of the Mediterranean basin and characterize its rural landscape. These forests cover over two million hectares in the western Mediterranean basin and sustain a rich biodiversity of endemisms as well as representing an important source of income derived from cork production. Currently cork oak forests are threatened by several factors including human-mediated disturbances such as poor or inappropriate management practices, adverse environmental conditions (irregular water regime with prolonged drought periods), and attacks of pathogens and pests. All these adverse factors can interact, causing a complex disease commonly known as “oak decline.” Despite the numerous investigations carried out so far, decline continues to be the main pathological problem of cork oak forests because of its complex etiology and the resulting difficulties in defining suitable control strategies. An overview of the literature indicates that several pathogenic fungi and oomycota can play a primary role in the etiology of this syndrome. Therefore, the aim of this review is to analyze the recent advances achieved regarding the bio-ecology of the endemic and emerging pathogens that threaten cork oak trees with particular emphasis on the species more directly involved in oak decline. Moreover, the effect of climate change on the host-pathogen interactions, a task fundamental for making useful decisions and managing cork oak forests properly, is considered.
Detection, Identification, and Characterization of Phytoplasmas Infecting Apple and Pear Trees in Belarus
Authors: Valasevich N. , Schneider B.
Published: June 2016

In Samochvalovichi, Belarus, apple and pear tree root samples were examined for the presence of phytoplasmas using a universal 16S rDNA-based PCR assay. Out of 27 tested apple trees, 23 were found to be infected by ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma mali’ and 46 out of 58 pear trees were positive for the presence of ‘Ca. P. pyri.’ Species were identified by sequence analysis of the 16S rDNA amplicons. The molecular diversity of the phytoplasma isolates was examined by analysis of an hflB gene using single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) and sequence analysis. Therefore hflB gene amplicons from ‘Ca. P. mali’ and ‘Ca. P. pyri’ accessions were cloned after amplification. Screening of 640 cloned hflB fragments by SSCP analysis revealed the presence of eight different profiles for ‘Ca. P. mali’ and 12 different profiles for ‘Ca. P. pyri.’ The variants were sequenced and compared in multiple alignments. The nucleic acid homology among the hflB gene fragments ranged between 95.4 and 100.0% and 81.3 to 100.0% for ‘Ca. P. mali’ and ‘Ca. P. pyri,’ respectively, indicating a high genetic variability within the species. This is the first report on the occurrence of ‘Ca. P. mali’ and ‘Ca. P. pyri’ in Belarusian apple and pear trees and their molecular diversity.
Location of an Intron in the Cytochrome b Gene Indicates Reduced Risk of QoI Fungicide Resistance in Fusicladium effusum
Authors: Standish J. R. , Avenot H. F. , Brenneman T. B. , Stevenson K. L.
Published: June 2016

Pecan scab, caused by Fusicladium effusum, is most effectively managed using multiple fungicide applications, including quinone outside inhibitors (QoIs). However, QoIs have a high risk for resistance developing in phytopathogenic fungi. QoI resistance is generally associated with amino-acid substitutions at positions 129, 137, and 143 of the cytochrome b (cytb) gene. A substitution at position 143 confers complete resistance, while an intron immediately downstream of this position prevents the substitution. The objective of this study was to assess the risk of QoI resistance by characterizing a partial fragment of the F. effusum cytb gene. Sequence analysis of the 1,919-bp fragment revealed the presence of a 1,407-bp intron immediately downstream of position 143. This intron was identified in 125 isolates collected from 16 counties across the state of Georgia. No substitutions were identified at positions 129 or 143 but, in seven of the isolates, glycine was replaced with serine at position 137. The ubiquitous nature of the detected intron provided strong evidence that the G143A substitution may not occur in F. effusum isolates, although resistance could still develop through intron loss events or the selection of intron-lacking genotypes, or as the result of other mutations in the cytb gene.
Morphological and Physiological Responses of Sugarcane toLeifsonia xylisubsp.xyliInfection
Authors: Zhang Xiaoqiu , Chen Minghui , Liang Yongjian , Xing Yongxiu , Yang Litao , Chen Minghui , Comstock Jack C. , Li Yangrui , Yang Litao
Published: June 2016

Ratoon stunt, caused by the bacterium Leifsonia xyli subsp. xyli, is one of the major sugarcane diseases worldwide. The objectives of this study were to determine the variation in morphology and DNA sequence of L. xyli subsp. xyli strains isolated in China, to compare the changes that occurred in vascular ultrastructure and levels of endogenous hormone abscisic acid (ABA), auxins (indoleacetic acid [IAA]), and gibberellic acids (GA3) in sugarcane stalks. Experiments were also conducted with two sugarcane varieties, ‘ROC22’ and ‘Badila’, in the greenhouse to understand the cytological and physiological mechanisms of L. xyli subsp. xyli–induced growth stunting. There were three treatments in the experiments: (i) healthy plants (L. xyli subsp. xyli–free plants), (ii) infected plants (L. xyli subsp. xyli–infected seedcanes treated with hot water, and (iii) infected plants (healthy seedcanes dipped in L. xyli subsp. xyli cell culture). The results showed that sequence coverage of a locally isolated strain, LxxGXBZ01, was 99.99%, and the average nucleotide identity between LxxGXBZ01 and the other well-characterized Brazilian isolate LxxCTCB07 was 93.61%. LxxGXBZ01 occurred in different sizes and shapes in xylem vessels of infected plants. In comparison with healthy stalks, the secondary walls of the vessel element in L. xyli subsp. xyli–infected stalks were degraded with uneven wall thickness, deformities, sticky substances, and electron-dense substances accumulated inside the cells. Compared with the healthy and hot-water treatments, the contents of IAA and GA3were significantly lower, while that of ABA was significantly higher in the L. xyli subsp. xyli–infected stalks. The information obtained in this study will expand our understanding of ratoon stunt etiology and cytological and physiological bases of the disease manifestation.
Characterizing and Mapping Resistance in Synthetic-Derived Wheat to Rhizoctonia Root Rot in a Green Bridge Environment
Authors: Mahoney A. K. , Babiker E. M. , Paulitz T. C. , See D. , Okubara P. A. , Hulbert S. H.
Published: June 2016

Root rot caused by Rhizoctonia spp. is an economically important soilborne disease of spring-planted wheat in growing regions of the Pacific Northwest (PNW). The main method of controlling the disease currently is through tillage, which deters farmers from adopting the benefits of minimal tillage. Genetic resistance to this disease would provide an economic and environmentally sustainable resource for farmers. In this study, a collection of synthetic-derived genotypes was screened in high-inoculum and low-inoculum field environments. Six genotypes were found to have varying levels of resistance and tolerance to Rhizoctonia root rot. One of the lines, SPBC-3104 (‘Vorobey’), exhibited good tolerance in the field and was crossed to susceptible PNW-adapted ‘Louise’ to examine the inheritance of the trait. A population of 190 BC1-derived recombinant inbred lines was assessed in two field green bridge environments and in soils artificially infested with Rhizoctonia solani AG8. Genotyping by sequencing and composite interval mapping identified three quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling tolerance. Beneficial alleles of all three QTL were contributed by the synthetic-derived genotype SPCB-3104.
Association of EffectorSix6 with Vascular Wilt Symptoms Caused byFusarium oxysporumon Soybean
Authors: Lanubile Alessandra , Ellis Margaret L. , Marocco Adriano , Munkvold Gary P.
Published: June 2016

The Fusarium oxysporum species complex (FOSC) is a widely distributed group of fungi that includes both pathogenic and nonpathogenic isolates. In a previous study, isolates within the FOSC collected primarily from soybean were assessed for the presence of 12 fungal effector genes. Although none of the assayed genes was significantly associated with wilt symptoms on soybean, the secreted in xylem 6 (Six6) gene was present only in three isolates, which all produced high levels of vascular wilt on soybean. In the current study, a collection of F. oxysporum isolates from soybean roots and F. oxysporum f. sp. phaseoli isolates from common bean was screened for the presence of the Six6 gene. Interestingly, all isolates for which the Six6 amplicon was generated caused wilt symptoms on soybean, and two-thirds of the isolates showed high levels of aggressiveness, indicating a positive association between the presence of the effector gene Six6 and induction of wilt symptoms. The expression profile of the Six6 gene analyzed by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction revealed an enhanced expression for the isolates that caused more severe wilt symptoms on soybean, as established by the greenhouse assay. These findings suggest the suitability of the Six6 gene as a possible locus for pathogenicity-based molecular diagnostics across the various formae speciales.
Analyzing Genetic Diversity for Virulence and Resistance Phenotypes in Populations of Stem Rust (Puccinia graminis f. sp. secalis) and Winter Rye (Secale cereale)
Authors: Miedaner Thomas , Schmitt Ann-Kristin , Klocke Bettina , Schmiedchen Brigitta , Wilde Peer , Spieß Hartmut , Szabo Lilla , Koch Silvia , Flath Kerstin
Published: June 2016

Stem rust (Puccinia graminis f. sp. secalis) leads to considerable yield losses in rye-growing areas with continental climate, from Eastern Germany to Siberia. For implementing resistance breeding, it is of utmost importance to (i) analyze the diversity of stem rust populations in terms of pathotypes (= virulence combinations) and (ii) identify resistance sources in winter rye populations. We analyzed 323 single-uredinial isolates mainly collected from German rye-growing areas across 3 years for their avirulence/virulence on 15 rye inbred differentials. Out of these, 226 pathotypes were detected and only 56 pathotypes occurred more than once. This high diversity was confirmed by a Simpson index of 1.0, a high Shannon index (5.27), and an evenness index of 0.97. In parallel, we investigated stem rust resistance among and within 121 heterogeneous rye populations originating mainly from Russia, Poland, Austria, and the United States across 3 to 15 environments (location−year combinations). While German rye populations had an average stem rust severity of 49.7%, 23 nonadapted populations were significantly (P < 0.01) more resistant with a stem rust severity ranging from 3 to 40%. Out of these, two modern Russian breeding populations and two old Austrian landraces were the best harboring 32 to 70% fully resistant plants across 8 to 10 environments. These populations with the lowest disease severity in adult-plant stage in the field also displayed resistance in leaf segment tests. In conclusion, stem rust populations are highly diverse and the majority of resistances in rye populations seems to be race specific.
Cryoannealing-induced space-group transition of crystals of the carbonic anhydrase psCA3
Authors: Pinard Melissa A. , Kurian Justin J. , Aggarwal Mayank , Agbandje-McKenna Mavis , McKenna Robert
Published: June 2016

Cryoannealing has been demonstrated to improve the diffraction quality and resolution of crystals of the β-carbonic anhydrase psCA3 concomitant with a change in space group. After initial flash-cooling in a liquid-nitrogen cryostream an X-ray diffraction data set from a psCA3 crystal was indexed in space groupP21212 and was scaled to 2.6 Å resolution, but subsequent cryoannealing studies revealed induced protein rearrangements in the crystal contacts, which transformed the space group toI222, with a corresponding improvement of 0.7 Å in resolution. Although the change in diffraction resolution was significant, only minor changes in the psCA3 structure, which retained its catalytic `open' conformation, were observed. These findings demonstrate that cryoannealing can be successfully utilized to induce higher diffraction-quality crystals while maintaining enzymatically relevant conformations and may be useful as an experimental tool for structural studies of other enzymes where the initial diffraction quality is poor.
Crystallographic analysis of a subcomplex of the transsulfursome with tRNA for Cys-tRNACyssynthesis
Authors: Chen Meirong , Nakazawa Yuto , Kubo Yume , Asano Nozomi , Kato Koji , Tanaka Isao , Yao Min
Published: June 2016

In most organisms, Cys-tRNACysis directly synthesized by cysteinyl-tRNA synthetase (CysRS). Many methanogenic archaea, however, use a two-step, indirect pathway to synthesize Cys-tRNACysowing to a lack of CysRS and cysteine-biosynthesis systems. This reaction is catalyzed byO-phosphoseryl-tRNA synthetase (SepRS), Sep-tRNA:Cys-tRNA synthase (SepCysS) and SepRS/SepCysS pathway enhancer (SepCysE) as the transsulfursome, in which SepCysE connects both SepRS and SepCysS. On the transsulfursome, SepRS first ligates anO-phosphoserine to tRNACys, and the mischarged intermediate Sep-tRNACysis then transferred to SepCysS, where it is further modified to Cys-tRNACys. In this study, a subcomplex of the transsulfursome with tRNACys(SepCysS–SepCysE–tRNACys), which is involved in the second reaction step of the indirect pathway, was constructed and then crystallized. The crystals diffracted X-rays to a resolution of 2.6 Å and belonged to space groupP6522, with unit-cell parametersa=b= 107.2,c= 551.1 Å. The structure determined by molecular replacement showed that the complex consists of a SepCysS dimer, a SepCysE dimer and one tRNACysin the asymmetric unit.
The galactoside 2-α-L-fucosyltransferase FUT1 fromArabidopsis thaliana: crystallization and experimental MAD phasing
Authors: Rocha Joana , Cicéron Félix , Lerouxel Olivier , Breton Christelle , de Sanctis Daniele
Published: June 2016

The plant cell wall is a complex network of polysaccharides made up of cellulose, hemicelluloses and pectins. Xyloglucan (XyG), which is the main hemicellulosic component of dicotyledonous plants, has attracted much attention for its role in plant development and for its many industrial applications. The XyG-specific fucosyltransferase (FUT1) adds a fucose residue from GDP-fucose to the 2-O position of the terminal galactosyl residues on XyG side chains. Recombinant FUT1 fromArabidopsis thalianawas crystallized in two different crystal forms, with the best diffracting crystals (up to 1.95 Å resolution) belonging to the monoclinic space groupP21, with unit-cell parametersa= 87.6,b= 84.5,c = 150.3 Å, β = 96.3°.Ab initiophases were determined using a two-wavelength anomalous dispersion experiment on a tantalum bromide-derivatized crystal with data collected at the rising and descending inflection points of the Ta white line. An interpretable electron-density map was obtained after elaborate density modification. Model completion and structural analysis are currently under way.
Crystal structure of Cr-bearing Mg3BeAl8O16, a new polytype of magnesiotaaffeite-2N′2S
Authors: Malcherek Thomas , Schlüter Jochen
Published: June 2016

The crystal structure of a new polytype of magnesiotaaffeite-2N′2S, ideally Mg3BeAl8O16(trimagnesium beryllium octaaluminium hexadecaoxide), is described in space-group symmetryP-3m1. It has been identified in a fragment of a mineral sample from Burma (Myanmar). The new polytype is composed of two Mg2Al4O8(S)- and two BeMgAl4O8(N′)-modules in a stacking sequenceN′SSN′′ which differs from theN′SN′S-stacking sequence of the known magnesiotaaffeite-2N′2Spolytype. The crystal structure can be derived from a close-packed arrangement of O atoms and is discussed with regard to its polytypism and its Cr3+chromophore content.
Preserving the delicate balance to manage a thriving business in South Africa – the adventure of OneLogix
Authors: Goh Jenson Chong-Leng , Saville Adrian , Scheepers Caren
Published: June 2016

Study level/applicability

This teaching case is specially designed for students who are in their advanced stage of their undergraduate business degree program. It can also be used in a Master of Business program.

Case overview

This teaching case documents that roller coaster ride of failures and success of OneLogix (a niche logistic service providers) from its birth in 2000 till present day. It seeks to present a rich contextual information about how difficult it is for businesses to survive and become profitable in South Africa.

Expected learning outcomes

On completion of the case, students will be able to analyze the external environment of an organization, determine what factors will impact the organization’s profitability and survivability, analyze the evolution of an industry, apply and discuss how the evolution of an industry can affect an organization’s profitability and survivability, explain the difference between entrepreneurial versus efficiency management approach, discuss how each approach will conflict the other and identify ways that can harmonize the two approaches, explain strategies for organization to develop capabilities to be responsive to changes in its business environment and compose and apply strategies according to the contextual information provided within the teaching case.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.

Subject code

CSS 11: Strategy
Mandatory Retirement and Older Worker Employment Decisions: Evidence from a Matched Difference‐in‐Differences Estimator
Authors: Tsai Wehn‐Jyuan
Published: June 2016

In 2008, the minimum age at which private‐sector workers in Taiwan could be forced by their employers to retire from their jobs was raised from 60 to 65 years. In this study, we evaluate the effects of the increase in the mandatory retirement age on the labour supply trend among the elderly using a nationally‐representative Taiwanese panel data set. Based upon the application of a combination of matching and difference‐in‐differences approaches, we find that postponing mandatory retirement has a significant effect, in terms of slowing down the withdrawal of the elderly from the labour force. Among elderly workers affected by the 2008 amendment, particularly those retiring from the public sector, the likelihood of re‐entering the labour market is found to be 3 to 4% higher than that for their counterparts who were not subject to such a constraint, a finding that clearly suggests that an increase in the mandatory retirement age helps to alleviate the problems associated with an aging population in countries where long‐term labour contracts are prevalent.
Community Characteristics and Qualified Health Plan Selection during the First Open Enrollment Period
Authors: Boudreaux Michel , Blewett Lynn A. , Fried Brett , Hempstead Katherine , Karaca‐Mandic Pinar
Published: June 2016

Objective

To examine state and community factors that contributed to geographic variation in qualified health plan selection during the first open enrollment period.

Data Sources/Study Setting

Administrative data on qualified health plan selections at the ZIP code area merged with survey estimates from the American Community Survey.

Study Design

Descriptive and regression analyses.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

Data were generated by healthcare.gov and from a household survey.

Principal Findings

Thirty‐one percent of the variation in qualified health plan selection ratios resulted from between‐state differences, and the rest was driven by local area differences. Education, language, age, gender, and the ethnic composition of communities contributed to disparate levels of plan selection. Medicaid expansion states had a qualified health plan selection ratio that was 4.4 points lower than non‐Medicaid expansion states, controlling for covariates.

Conclusions

Our results suggest community‐level differences in the intensity or receptiveness to outreach and enrollment activities during the first open enrollment period.
The Effects of Environmental Exposure on the Optical, Physical, and Chemical Properties of Manufactured Fibers of Natural Origin
Authors: Brinsko Kelly M. , Sparenga Sebastian , King Meggan
Published: June 2016

Manufactured fibers derived from natural origins include viscose rayon, azlon, and polylactic acid (PLA). A 2‐year study was conducted to document any changes these fibers undergo as a result of exposure to various environmental conditions. Fabric swatches representing each fiber type were exposed to freshwater, saltwater, heat, cold, ultraviolet light, or composter conditions. Fibers from the swatches were periodically analyzed using polarized light microscopy and Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy. Fiber solubility and melting‐point behavior were measured every 6 months. Except for the complete degradation of viscose rayon in the composter, saltwater, and freshwater environs, no changes in the optical properties, infrared spectra, solubility, or melting points of the remaining fibers in any of the environments were observed. However, microscopic morphological changes were observed in fibers from two azlon swatches submerged in freshwater and saltwater, two PLA swatches exposed to ultraviolet light, and two viscose rayon swatches exposed to ultraviolet light.
Distribution of Cathepsin D Activity between Lysosomes and a Soluble Fraction of Marinating Brine
Authors: Szymczak Mariusz
Published: June 2016

This paper is the first ever to describe the phenomenon of bimodal distribution of cathepsin D in the lysosomal and soluble fractions of brine left after herring marinating. Up to 2 times higher cathepsin D activity was observed in the lysosome fraction. Activity of cathepsin D in brine increased according to the logarithmic function during low frequency‐high power ultrasounds treatment or according to the linear function after multiple freezing‐thawing of brine. Activity enhancement was achieved only in the brine devoid of lipids and suspension. Study results show also that measurement of lysosomal cathepsin D activity in the marinating brine requires also determining cathepsin E activity. Decreasing pore size of microfilter from 2.7 to 0.3 μm significantly reduced the lysosome content in the brine. The presence of lysosomes and the possibility of their separation as well as the likely release of cathepsins shall be considered during industrial application of the marinating brine, as new cathepsins preparations in fish and meat technology.
Paralysis of the orbicularis muscle of the eye using botulinum toxin type A in the treatment for dry eye
Authors: Serna‐Ojeda Juan Carlos , Nava‐Castaneda Angel
Published: June 2016

Purpose

To evaluate the efficacy of botulinum toxin type A injection to cause orbicularis eyelid muscle paralysis to improve dry eye signs and symptoms.

Methods

A prospective, randomized, comparative eye‐to‐eye and interventional study was performed. Patients with dry eye symptoms and positive fluorescein corneal staining were included. Randomly one eyelid received a subcutaneous injection of botulinum toxin in the medial orbicularis muscle portion of the lower eyelid, and the other eye received placebo. The subjective evaluation was achieved with a questionnaire assessing symptoms, quality of vision and ocular comfort level. The objective evaluation included the measurement of the tear film break‐up time (TBUT), Schirmer's test and corneal and conjunctival staining.

Results

Twenty patients were included with a mean age of 59.5 years. Two weeks after the botulinum toxin injection, all patients showed a decrease in the horizontal movement of the lower eyelid when blinking. The eyes in the active treatment group showed better scores compared with the sham group in four symptoms 4 weeks after the treatment. The TBUT was higher at 1 and 3 months in the active treatment group. The corneal and conjunctival staining were significantly lower in the active treatment group at 1 and 3 months, and the Schirmer's test showed better measurements in the same group at 2 weeks, 1 month and 3 months. There were no adverse events reported.

Conclusions

The injection of botulinum toxin A in the medial part of the lower eyelid is an effective and safe procedure that temporally improves some of the signs and symptoms of patients with dry eye.
Epidemiology and clinical presentation of canine distemper disease in dogs and ferrets in Australia, 2006–2014
Authors: Wyllie SE , Kelman M , Ward MP
Published: June 2016

Objective

To determine the status and distribution of distemper in Australian dogs and ferrets.

Design

Retrospective case series.

Methods

Cases were identified via a national voluntary disease reporting system, veterinarian groups and a national laboratory database. The geographic distribution, seasonal distribution, signalment and clinical presentation of cases were described using maps and frequency distributions.

Results

A total of 48 individually affected dogs and ferrets in 27 case groups were identified, including eight confirmed case groups (> one individual). Confirmed cases were more common in summer and on the central coast of New South Wales and southern Victoria, and occurred exclusively in young, unvaccinated dogs. For dogs there was no obvious sex predilection. A mortality rate of 100% in ferrets and up to 77% in dogs was estimated. Neurological, gastrointestinal and respiratory were the most commonly reported systems affected in dogs and ferrets. There was no evidence that any large, unreported outbreaks occurred during the study period.

Conclusions

Continuation of vaccination against canine distemper virus is justified within Australia, particularly for younger dogs. Veterinarians should continue to consider distemper in their differential diagnosis of cases with neurological, gastrointestinal and respiratory presentation.
Losing sleep over mitochondria: a new player in the pathophysiology of fatal familial insomnia
Authors: Glatzel Markus , Sepulveda‐Falla Diego
Published: June 2016

This commentary highlights the study by Frau‐Mendez and coworkers in this issue of Brain Pathology (xxx) in which the authors show evidence for involvement of mitochondria in the pathophysiology of fatal familial insomnia (FFI). Using genetic, biochemical and morphological means, they provide a comprehensive picture of the degree of mitochondrial damage in FFI and show that this leads to increased oxidative stress. This adds FFI to the growing list of dementias with mitochondrial involvement. Future studies will have to address the causality dilemma of which came first, mitochondrial damage and subsequent neurodegeneration or vice versa. Either way, these data provide the basis to devise novel therapeutic strategies for FFI.
Antitumour and antiangiogenic activities of [Pt(O,O′‐acac)(γ‐acac)(DMS)] in a xenograft model of human renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Muscella A , Vetrugno C , Biagioni F , Calabriso N , Calierno M T , Fornai F , De Pascali S A , Marsigliante S , Fanizzi F P
Published: June 2016

Background and Purpose

It is thought that the mechanism of action of anticancer chemotherapeutic agents is mainly due to a direct inhibition of tumour cell proliferation. In tumour specimens, the endothelial cell proliferation rate increases, suggesting that the therapeutic effects of anticancer agents could also be attributed to inhibition of tumour angiogenesis. Hence, we investigated the potential effects of [Pt(O,O′‐acac)(γ‐acac)(DMS)] ([Pt(DMS)]), a new platinum drug for non‐genomic targets, on human renal carcinoma and compared them with those of the well‐established anticancer drug, cisplatin.

Experimental Approach

Tumour growth, tumour cell proliferation and microvessel density were investigated in a xenograft model of renal cell carcinoma, developed by injecting Caki‐1 cells into BALB/c nude mice. The antiangiogenic potential of compounds was also investigated using HUVECs.

Key Results

Treatment of the Caki‐1 cells with cisplatin or [Pt(DMS)] resulted in a dose‐dependent inhibition of cell survival, but the cytotoxicity of [Pt(DMS)] was approximately fivefold greater than that of cisplatin.

[Pt(DMS)] was much more effective than cisplatin at inhibiting tumour growth, proliferation and angiogenesis in vivo, as well as migration, tube formation and MMP1, MMP2 and MMP9 secretion of endothelial cells in vitro. Whereas, cisplatin exerted a greater cytotoxic effect on HUVECs, but did not affect tube formation or the migration of endothelial cells. In addition, treatment of the xenograft mice with [Pt(DMS)] decreased VEGF, MMP1 and MMP2 expressions in tumours.

Conclusions and Implications

The antiangiogenic and antitumour activities of [Pt(DMS)] provide a solid starting point for its validation as a suitable candidate for further pharmacological testing.
Serum thymosin α 1 levels in patients with chronic inflammatory autoimmune diseases
Authors: Pica F , Chimenti M S , Gaziano R , Buè C , Casalinuovo I A , Triggianese P , Conigliaro P , Di Carlo D , Cordero V , Adorno G , Volpi A , Perricone R , Garaci E
Published: June 2016

Thymosin alpha 1 (Tα1) is a powerful modulator of immunity and inflammation. Despite years of studies, there are a few reports evaluating serum Tα1 in health and disease. We studied a cohort of healthy individuals in comparison with patients affected by chronic inflammatory autoimmune diseases. Sera from 120 blood donors (healthy controls, HC), 120 patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), 40 with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 40 with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), attending the Transfusion Medicine or the Rheumatology Clinic at the Policlinico Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy, were tested for Tα1 content by means of a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Data were analysed in relation to demographic and clinical characteristics of patients and controls. A gender difference was found in the HC group, where females had lower serum Tα1 levels than males (P < 0·0001). Patients had lower serum Tα1 levels than HC (P < 0·0001), the lowest were observed in PsA group (P < 0·0001 versus all the other groups). Among all patients, those who at the time of blood collection were taking disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARD) plus steroids had significantly higher Tα1 levels than those taking DMARD alone (P = 0·044) or no treatment (P < 0·0001), but not of those taking steroids alone (P = 0·280). However, whichever type of treatment was taken by the patients, serum Tα1 was still significantly lower than in HC and there was no treatment-related difference in PsA group. Further prospective studies are necessary to confirm and deepen these observations. They might improve our understanding on the regulatory role of Tα1 in health and disease and increase our knowledge of the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory autoimmune diseases.
Healing at implants placed in bone of different morphology: an experimental study in dogs
Authors: Caroprese Marino , Soldini Claudio , Ricci Sara , Rea Massimiliano , Lang Niklaus P. , Botticelli Daniele
Published: June 2016

Objective

To study osseointegration at implants installed using a standard bed preparation in sites of different bone morphology.

Material and methods

In six Labrador dogs, all mandibular premolars and first molars were extracted. After 4 months of healing, flaps were elevated, and two recipient sites were prepared in each side of the mandible, one in the second premolar and the other in the molar regions. Bone morphology and final insertion torque were evaluated. Healing abutments were applied, and the flaps were sutured to allow a non‐submerged healing. After 4 months, the animals were sacrificed and ground sections were obtained for histomorphometric analyses.

Results

At the premolar sites, bone morphology Class 2 and at the molar regions Class 3 or 4 were identified. The final insertion torque was 50–55 Ncm at the premolar and 30–35 Ncm at the molar sites. Mean osseointegration in percentage reached 61.5 ± 11.5% and 63.3 ± 10.1% at the premolar and molar sites, respectively. Mineralized bone density evaluated from the implant surface up to a distance of about 0.6 mm lateral to the implant surface was 63.0 ± 7.4% and 65.4 ± 17.7% at the premolar and molar sites, respectively.

Conclusions

Similar implant bed preparations performed at premolar and molar sites with different bone morphology, yielding insertion torque values of about 30–35 and 50–55 Ncm, respectively, did not affect osseointegration after 4 months at non‐submerged implants.
Trial or No Trial: Supplying Costly Signals to Improve Profits*
Authors: Li Fan , Yi Zelong
Published: June 2016

Many software and video game firms offer free trials with limited content to help buyers assess the likely value of the goods that they may purchase. This article examines fundamental issues related to the incentives and risks for a monopoly by providing a trial. Assuming that a seller can control the mix of components in a trial, we introduce a new mechanism for buyers’ inference of using a trial. We find that a trial may enable the seller to segment the market and charge a higher price to high‐valuation buyers, but can also cause a decline in demand. Moreover, the seller forfeits partial value of a full product through providing a free trial, so the benefit is offset by this cannibalization loss. In addition to the size and content of a trial, the distribution of buyers’ prior belief also affects a trial's ability to convey information. We show that a trial can provide more information if the prior belief is more concentrated in the tails of the distribution.
Improving the uptake of health screening among individuals with intellectual disability
Authors: Woodbury‐Smith Marc
Published: June 2016

This commentary is on the original article by Lennox et al. on pages 1265–1272 of this issue.