bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Plant litter chemistry alters the content and composition of organic carbon associated with soil mineral and aggregate fractions in invaded ecosystems
Authors: Tamura Mioko , Suseela Vidya , Simpson Myrna , Powell Brian , Tharayil Nishanth
Published: May 2017

Through the input of disproportionate quantities of chemically distinct litter, invasive plants may potentially influence the fate of organic matter associated with soil mineral and aggregate fractions in some of the ecosystems they invade. Although context dependent, these native ecosystems subjected to prolonged invasion by exotic plants may be instrumental in distinguishing the role of plant–microbe–mineral interactions from the broader edaphic and climatic influences on the formation of soil organic matter (SOM). We hypothesized that the soils subjected to prolonged invasion by an exotic plant that input recalcitrant litter (Japanese knotweed, Polygonum cuspidatum) would have a greater proportion of plant‐derived carbon (C) in the aggregate fractions, as compared with that in adjacent soil inhabited by native vegetation that input labile litter, whereas the soils under an invader that input labile litter (kudzu, Pueraria lobata) would have a greater proportion of microbial‐derived C in the silt‐clay fraction, as compared with that in adjacent soils that receive recalcitrant litter. At the knotweed site, the higher C content in soils under P. cuspidatum, compared with noninvaded soils inhabited by grasses and forbs, was limited to the macroaggregate fraction, which was abundant in plant biomarkers. The noninvaded soils at this site had a higher abundance of lignins in mineral and microaggregate fractions and suberin in the macroaggregate fraction, partly because of the greater root density of the native species, which might have had an overriding influence on the chemistry of the above‐ground litter input. At the kudzu site, soils under P. lobata had lower C content across all size fractions at a 0–5 cm soil depth despite receiving similar amounts of Pinus litter. Contrary to our prediction, the noninvaded soils receiving recalcitrant Pinus litter had a similar abundance of plant biomarkers across both mineral and aggregate fractions, potentially because of the higher surface area of soil minerals at this site. The plant biomarkers were lower in the aggregate fractions of the P. lobata‐invaded soils, compared with noninvaded pine stands, potentially suggesting a microbial co‐metabolism of pine‐derived compounds. These results highlight the complex interactions among litter chemistry, soil biota, and minerals in mediating soil C storage in unmanaged ecosystems; these interactions are particularly important under global changes that may alter plant species composition and hence the quantity and chemistry of litter inputs in terrestrial ecosystems.
Rapid detection of Listeria monocytogenes using fluorescence immunochromatographic assay combined with immunomagnetic separation technique
Authors: Li Qianru , Zhang Sai , Cai Yanxue , Yang Yuexi , Hu Fei , Liu Xiaoyun , He Xiaowei
Published: May 2017

To ensure the safety and quality of food ingredients, especially meat and dairy products, a high‐throughput, rapid and sensitive method to detect Listeria monocytogenes (LM) is always on a high demand. In this work, a specific induction method to enrich and detect LM based on fluorescence immunochromatographic assay (FICA) combined with immunomagnetic separation (IMS) techniques has been developed. The immunomagnetic‐beads (IM) beads were obtained through functionalised magnetic microspheres and the conjugated reaction between the carboxyl on beads surface and amino groups of antibody. The prepared IM‐beads could be used for rapidly enriching pathogenic bacteria with fewer steps, resulting in a high specificity for four pathogenic serotypes and about a 40‐fold improvement of detection limit compared with FICA only. In addition, this method was successfully applied in LM detection in sausage, pork and milk samples with a potential for further application in rapid on‐site detection of pathogenic bacteria.
Analysis of volatile compounds in L. edodes blanched by hot water and microwave
Authors: Li Biao , Kimatu Benard Muinde , Li Chengjie , Pei Fei , Hu Qiuhui , Zhao Liyan
Published: May 2017

The comprehensive flavour characterisation and volatile compounds of raw L. edodes, hot water blanching (HB) sample and microwave blanching (MB) sample were comparatively analysed by electronic nose technology and headspace solid‐phase micro‐extraction combined with gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (HS‐SPME‐GC‐MS). Results indicated that volatile components in L. edodes markedly changed after HB and MB. Volatile compounds of raw L. edodes consisted mainly ketones, sulphide and alcohols, and 3‐octanone, as well as 1‐octen‐3‐one, were the major compounds. The content of ketones and sulphides in blanched samples markedly decreased, while the relative content of aldehydes, hydrocarbons and esters increased, which became the major volatile compounds of treatment samples. In addition, the percentage contents of esters, alcohols and sulphides in MB samples were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that in HB samples, especially 1‐octen‐3‐ol, which contributes more to mushroom flavour. Therefore, MB is a better pretreatment method of L. edodes processing and cooking according to the results of experiment.
Antioxidant capacity of Maillard reaction products’ fractions with different molecular weight distribution from chicken bone hydrolysate – galactose system
Authors: Nie Xiaohua , Zhao Liming , Regenstein Joe M. , Xu Dan , Meng Xianghe
Published: May 2017

Maillard reaction products (MRP) were prepared from an aqueous chicken bone hydrolysate (CBPH) – galactose systems by heating at 100 °C for up to 7.5 h without pH control, and then separated into the <3‐, 3‐ to 10‐ and >10‐kDa fractions using ultrafiltration. Antioxidant capacity and spectral properties of these MRP fractions were studied. The scavenging activity towards DPPH and hydroxyl radicals as well as reducing power of each MRP fraction increased with the heating time, in accordance with the increase in UV absorbance, browning and fluorescence intensity. For the same MRP, the fraction with high molecular weight (MW) demonstrated the stronger radical scavenging activity and reducing power than that with low MW. Radical scavenging activities of MRP fractions largely depended on their MW, while their reducing powers were more related to the reaction progress. These results suggested that antioxidant capacity of MRP fractions should be positively related to its molecular size.
Evaluation of OSMOCELLS, a new semi‐automatic device for osmotic fragility assessment
Authors: Gérard D. , Fattet A‐J. , Brakta C. , Phulpin A. , Steschenko D. , Lesesve J‐F. , Perrin J.
Published: May 2017

Introduction

The osmotic fragility (OF) test was a central test for the diagnosis of hereditary red blood cell (RBC) disorders (mostly hereditary spherocytosis (HS), but thalassaemia as well). Nowadays although the traditional multitubes method has lost a prominent place, many laboratories still perform such a laboured test, despite the lack of standardization. In fact, the evaluation of OF may offer an inexpensive screening for RBC disorders. We present a new semi‐automatic device, allowing the continuous recording of OF, by an updated dialysis method.

Methods

Repeatability, stability over time, influence of the anticoagulant were evaluated among a population of healthy blood donors. The test was then performed among patients presenting inherited RBC disorders (HS or haemoglobinopathies) where OF is typically altered.

Results

Repeatability was excellent; the parameters were greatly influenced by the nature of the anticoagulant and interestingly appeared stable for 48 h. Patients with RBC disorders displayed the expected profile in regard with their disease: patients with HS all presented an increased OF while patients with haemoglobinopathy displayed resistant profiles.

Conclusion

The device offers a substantial improvement in terms of standardization and consistency of the results and may offer a considerable gain for general laboratories.
Counterproductive behaviors: Relations across life domains, etiology, and implications for applied practice
Authors: Stanek Kevin C. , Ones Deniz S. , McGue Matt
Published: May 2017

Previous research on counterproductive work behavior (CWB) has shown that workplace deviance can be predicted from individual differences and environmental variables, but relatively little is known about CWBs’ relations with counterproductive behaviors in other domains of an individual's life. Data from 500 male twins were used to examine relations among counterproductive behaviors from several life domains, including school, non‐work, substance use, and work. The results supported the hypotheses that counterproductivity in work and a variety of personal life domains, previous and contemporaneous, are strongly and positively related. A general counterproductivity factor, giving rise to rule‐ and norm‐breaking behavioral repertoire of individuals, accounted for approximately half the variance across measures of counterproductivity in specific life domains. To inform theory and research, the etiology of inter‐individual differences in counterproductivity was examined. Biometric analyses revealed that most of the variance in the counterproductivity domains examined, including CWB, is attributable to genetic and unique (nonshared) environmental factors. The general counterproductivity factor spanning different counterproductivity domains was most influenced by genetic factors (75.4%), but was also influenced by unique environmental factors (24.6%). Biometric analyses indicated that 27% of the variance in CWB is attributable to genetic influences arising from the general factor of counterproductivity and 20% from genetic factors specific to CWB. Unique environmental influences associated with the work domain explained 12% of the variance in CWB. For the CWB criterion, regression analyses explored the usefulness of information from other counterproductivity domains for prediction and employee selection. Counterproductivity from academic and non‐work domains are potent predictors of counterproductivity at work (multiple Rs ranging between .50 and .54).
Big Five traits: Predictors of retesting propensity and score improvement
Authors: Barron Laura G. , Randall Jason G. , Trent John D. , Johnson James F. , Villado Anton J.
Published: May 2017

Although most high‐stakes admissions, credentialing, and pre‐employment tests allow candidates to retest, relatively little is known about the personal traits of candidates who persist in retesting upon initial failure. In this study we investigated whether Big Five traits may predispose initially unsuccessful applicants to retest and subsequently improve on high‐stakes cognitive ability and knowledge tests required for personnel selection. In this study personality measures (unlike the cognitive tests) did not affect selection outcomes and hence did not provide applicants incentive to distort their personality responses to gain entry into the organization. Applicants higher in conscientiousness were more likely to retest, and emotional stability positively predicted cognitive test score improvement. We discuss implications of these results for organizations considering retesting policies.
An applied examination of the computerized adaptive rating scale for assessing performance
Authors: Darr Wendy , Borman Walter C. , St‐Pierre Line , Kubisiak Christean , Grossman Matthew
Published: May 2017

In the present research, we developed and conducted a field test of the computerized adaptive rating scale (CARS) for assessing military officer performance. Participants completed the CARS and a behaviorally anchored rating scale (BARS) which were both designed to assess five leadership competencies (action orientation/initiative, communication, developing self and others, behavioral flexibility, and teamwork). We obtained data from 116 supervisors and 207 peers who provided ratings on 126 officer ratees. Although interrater reliability estimates were lower for CARS ratings on some competencies, there was a 20–25% improvement in standard error of measurement, the measurement precision in CARS ratings compared to the BARS. Results support findings from a previous lab study.
Equivalence of unproctored internet testing and proctored paper‐and‐pencil testing of the Big Five
Authors: Le Corff Yann , Gingras Véronique , Busque‐Carrier Mathieu
Published: May 2017

The use of unproctored Internet‐based testing (IBT) for personality assessment is increasingly popular, especially in personnel selection. Previous studies on its equivalence to traditional proctored paper‐and‐pencil testing (PPT) have used between‐subjects designs, which makes it difficult to separate intergroup effects from format effects, and have shown mixed results. The aim of the present study was to assess the quantitative, qualitative, and auxiliary equivalence of unproctored IBT and proctored PPT of personality, using a within‐sample design. Undergraduate students (n = 407) completed both an Internet and a paper‐and‐pencil version of a measure of the Big Five, with a 1 to 3 week interval. The proctored paper‐and‐pencil assessment was completed in class and the unproctored Internet assessment was completed at the time and place chosen by the participants. Results showed effect sizes for mean differences to vary from null to small. Skewness and kurtosis indices, reliability coefficients, intercorrelations magnitudes, as well as factor solutions, were highly similar across formats. Respondents did not prefer IBT over PPT on a series of statement about their perceptions and reactions to IBT. In conclusion, results suggest that IBT and PPT of the Big Five personality traits are equivalent, and that the data obtained are comparable across formats.
An exploratory study of current performance management practices: Human resource executives’ perspectives
Authors: Gorman C. Allen , Meriac John P. , Roch Sylvia G. , Ray Joshua L. , Gamble Jason S.
Published: May 2017

A survey of performance management (PM) practices in 101 U.S. organizations explored whether their PM systems, as perceived by human resources (HR) executives, reflect the best practices advocated by researchers to provide a benchmark of current PM practices. Results suggest that many of the PM practices recommended in the research literature are employed across the organizations surveyed, but several gaps between research and practice remain. Results also indicated that the majority of PM systems are viewed by HR executives as effective and fair. Implications for the science and practice of PM are discussed.
Self‐efficacy and justice perceptions in personnel selection: A moderated mediation model
Authors: Mariani Marco Giovanni , Chiesa Rita , Gill Harjinder
Published: May 2017

The study investigated the role of self‐efficacy (general and task‐specific) and justice perceptions in determining the expectations of success in personnel selection procedures. We hypothesized that personnel selection self‐efficacy mediated the relationship between general self‐efficacy and outcome expectations, and that justice perceptions moderated these relationships. Our sample consisted of 206 respondents who had just graduated or were about to graduate and had previous experience in selection procedures. The moderated mediation model indicated that personnel selection self‐efficacy mediated the relationship between general self‐efficacy and outcome expectations, but only in the case of high justice perceptions, whereas general self‐efficacy had a direct effect on outcome expectations only in the case of low justice perceptions. The findings encourage more research on applicants’ expectations.
Unravelling causal and temporal influences underpinning monitoring systems success: A typological approach
Authors: Iannacci Federico , Cornford Tony
Published: May 2017

This paper is concerned with the causal and temporal underpinnings of information systems success. It uses a typological approach based on fuzzy‐set Qualitative Comparative Analysis and process tracing. It investigates success across multiple cases of information systems adopted for monitoring the disbursement and use of resources within the European Social Fund. The study unravels the causal mechanisms and temporal pathways underpinning success in these systems. It develops a typological theory of monitoring systems success that reveals the temporal pathways embedded within individual cases, as well as broader theoretical patterns emerging across cases. Theoretical, methodological, and practical implications are discussed.
The Cost of Stability: Consumption‐Based Fixed Rate Billing for Water Utilities
Authors: Schmidt Amy , Lewis Lynne
Published: May 2017

Municipal water utilities in the United States face the challenge of balancing the potentially conflicting goals of sending signals about water scarcity and maintaining revenue stability. Times of extreme shortage such as the current extended drought in California seriously challenge and can jeopardize this delicate balance. Mandatory or voluntary conservation strategies can be detrimental to revenue stability. This study explores the ability of the Consumption‐Based Fixed Rates (CBFR) pricing method to solve this dual dilemma of scarcity pricing and revenue stability in both normal times and times of drought. CBFR proposes using a proportional consumer pricing system directly based on utility supply costs. We utilize utility‐side cost data from Lomita, CA and Longmont, CO, to estimate how consumer prices change under the CBFR method. Using simulations comparing current pricing mechanisms with the CBFR, we find that the latter solves the revenue problem, but creates greater problems with equity and scarcity versus the former. A modified structure of CBFR, with prices based partially on household income, seems to alleviate some of these problems and could prove to be a useful tool during times of drought.
Searching for Antibiotic Resistance Genes in a Pristine Arctic Wetland
Authors: Diaz Krystalle S. , Rich Virginia I. , McLain Jean E.
Published: May 2017

Antibiotics are the foundation of modern medicine, and the sustainability of antibiotic use depends on overcoming the challenge of antibiotic resistance (AR). This may be extremely difficult, given that antibiotic production by environmental microbiota is a natural process and AR is widespread in nature. AR has been shown to spread readily and quickly, as well as to exist in the absence of anthropogenic forcing (i.e., the application of antibiotics by humans). This study compared a range of approaches to identify AR gene sequences in microbial community genomes in three habitats (Palsa, Bog, and Fen) across a permafrost thaw gradient in Abisko, Sweden. Depending on the search algorithm used, we found a range of 0.72–1.29% AR protein‐coding genes across all habitats, with model‐based search algorithms resulting in greater sensitivity than traditional identity‐based approaches for identifying AR sequences. Though each habitat within the permafrost gradient showed different cell densities, pH, bioavailable carbon, water content, nutrient availability, and other factors that impact microbial life, the difference in overall AR protein abundance between habitats was not significant. Examination of AR at this location will contribute to our understanding of AR presence in natural environments and how AR may be impacted by permafrost thawing related to global warming.
Anthropogenic Litter Abundance and Accumulation Rates Point to Seasonal Litter Sources on a Great Lakes Beach
Authors: Vincent Anna E.S. , Hoellein Timothy J.
Published: May 2017

The ecology of anthropogenic litter (AL) (i.e., trash) in marine ecosystems is a growing field of research. Freshwater and marine ecosystems have similar AL densities, but research on the assemblage and accumulation rates of AL in freshwater environments is less common. We studied AL accumulation at Pratt beach, located on Lake Michigan in Chicago, IL, USA. The beach has a concrete pier at the south end, with two areas of grass bisected by a walking path. Pratt beach receives many daily visitors, but unlike other urban beaches, it has no daily municipal beach grooming. We established five 60 m transects parallel to the shoreline, with increasing distance to the shoreline. Each transect was divided into four habitat zones (i.e., pier, south vegetation, path, and north vegetation). All AL within 1 m of each transect was collected biweekly from March‐November 2015. AL density (No. m−2) and input rate (No. m−2 day−1) were highest at the pier, regardless of distance from the shoreline. Fall had the highest AL density relative to spring or summer. We concluded AL inputs at the pier were dominated by direct littering and the retention of wind‐ and wave‐blown AL at the pier's wall. The study beach had much higher AL than adjacent beaches which received municipal AL cleaning, suggesting cleaning is effective at reducing AL density. This study suggests that, given the mobile nature of AL by natural processes, infrequent sampling may underestimate total AL abundance. Management efforts for AL should be directed towards the greatest AL accumulation sites within a beach, and at prevention of direct littering from visitors.
The relationship between neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and artery stiffness in subtypes of hypertension
Authors: Wang Huan , Hu Yuanhui , Geng Yanting , Wu Huaqin , Chu Yuguang , Liu Ruihua , Wei Yi , Qiu Zhiling
Published: May 2017

Recently, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been proved to be a useful indicator of inflammation and cardiovascular risk. Brachial‐ankle pulse wave velocity is an indicator for early atherosclerotic changes. It is unknown whetherNLRdiffers in subtypes of hypertension, and little research has been performed on the relationship betweenNLRand arteriosclerosis in subtypes of hypertension. The purpose of this article was to investigate their relationship. A total of 217 consecutive patients with hypertension and 132 persons without hypertension were included. All hypertension patients were divided into three groups according to office blood pressure. Brachial‐ankle pulse wave velocity was elevated in patients with isolated systolic hypertension, isolated diastolic hypertension, and systolic and diastolic hypertension compared with normotensive controls.NLRinpatients with isolated systolic hypertensionandsystolic and diastolic hypertensionwere higher thanin normotensive controls. Correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation betweenNLRand brachial‐ankle pulse wave velocity. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed thatNLRwas an effective indicator for brachial‐ankle pulse wave velocity.
Opportunities for improving cardiovascular health outcomes in adults younger than 65 years with guideline‐recommended statin therapy
Authors: Sarasua Sara M. , Li Jiexiang , Hernandez German T. , Ferdinand Keith C. , Tobin Jonathan N. , Fiscella Kevin A. , Jones Daniel W. , Sinopoli Angelo , Egan Brent M.
Published: May 2017

The impact of age, race/ethnicity, healthcare insurance, and selected clinical variables on statin‐preventable ASCVD were quantified in adults aged 21 to 79 years from National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys 2007–2012 using the 2013 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guideline on the treatment of cholesterol. Among ≈42.4 million statin‐eligible, untreated adults, 52.6% were hypertensive and 71% were younger than 65 years. Of ≈232 000 statin‐preventable ASCVD events annually, most occur in individuals younger than 65 years, with higher proportions in blacks and Hispanics than whites (73.0% and 69.2% vs 56.9%, respectively; P<.01). Among adults younger than 65 years, the ratio of statin‐eligible but untreated to statin‐treated adults was higher in blacks and Hispanics than whites (3.0 and 2.9 vs 1.3, respectively; P<.01), and blacks, men, hypertensives, and cigarette smokers were more likely to be statin eligible than their statin‐ineligible counterparts by multivariable logistic regression. Two thirds of untreated statin‐eligible adults had two or more healthcare visits per year. Identifying and treating more statin‐eligible adults in the healthcare system could improve cardiovascular health equity.
Longitudinal epigenetic predictors of amygdala:hippocampus volume ratio
Authors: Walton Esther , Cecil Charlotte A.M. , Suderman Matthew , Liu Jingyu , Turner Jessica A. , Calhoun Vince , Ehrlich Stefan , Relton Caroline L. , Barker Edward D.
Published: May 2017

Background

The ratio between amygdala:hippocampal (AH) volume has been associated with multiple psychiatric problems, including anxiety and aggression. Yet, little is known about its biological underpinnings. Here, we used a methylome‐wide approach to test (a) whether DNA methylation in early life (birth, age 7) prospectively associates with total AH volume ratio in early adulthood, and (b) whether significant DNA methylation markers are influenced by prenatal risk factors.

Methods

Analyses were based on a subsample (n = 109 males) from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, which included measures of prenatal risk, DNA methylation (Infinium Illumina 450k), T1‐weighted brain scans and psychopathology in early adulthood (age 18–21). Amygdala and hippocampus measures were derived using Freesurfer 5.3.0. Methylation markers related to AH volume ratio across time were identified using longitudinal multilevel modeling.

Results

Amygdala:hippocampal volume ratio correlated positively with age 18 psychosis‐like symptoms (p = .007). Methylation of a probe in the gene SP6 associated longitudinally with (a) higher AH volume ratio (FDR q‐value = .01) and (b) higher stressful life events during pregnancy (p = .046). SP6 is expressed in the hippocampus and amygdala and has been implicated in cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease. The association between SP6 DNA methylation, AH volume ratio and psychopathology was replicated in an independent dataset of 101 patients with schizophrenia and 111 healthy controls.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that epigenetic alterations in genes implicated in neurodevelopment may contribute to a brain‐based biomarker of psychopathology.
Gaza at the Margins? Legibility and Indeterminacy in the Israel‐Palestine Conflict
Authors: Cotter William M.
Published: May 2017

Despite prominent attention to the nature of the state in the social sciences, the place of language in creating and maintaining the state remains an emerging area of research. The analysis that follows investigates indeterminacy and illegibility in messages disseminated by the Israeli military in the Gaza Strip. This analysis highlights the ways in which linguistic indeterminacy is used as a tool by the state in controlling populations at its margins, while investigating the role of language in reproducing the state through the circulation of texts.
Does Educational Similarity Drive Parental Support?
Authors: Ory Brett , Keizer Renske , Dykstra Pearl A.
Published: May 2017

This article tests competing mechanisms explaining linkages between parent–child educational similarity and parental advice and interest to adult children, asking whether mechanisms differ for mothers and fathers. Educational similarities might provide common ground whereas educational dissimilarity affects parents' authority to dispense advice. Using ordered logistic regression with data from the Netherlands Kinship Panel Study (N = 2,444) parental advice and interest are modeled separately for mothers and fathers. Seemingly unrelated estimation is used to test for gender differences across models, revealing that mechanisms driving parental support differ by parents' gender. Fathers show more interest in adult children when they are educationally similar (consistent with the homophily hypothesis), but only among the highly educated, whereas mothers show more interest to highly educated children, regardless of their own level of educational attainment. Fathers' advice is conditioned on their own educational attainment whereas mothers give advice unconditionally (consistent with the gender hypothesis).
Too much of a good thing? Exploring the inverted‐U relationship between self‐control and happiness
Authors: Wiese Christopher W. , Tay Louis , Duckworth Angela L. , D’Mello Sidney , Kuykendall Lauren , Hofmann Wilhelm , Baumeister Roy F. , Vohs Kathleen D.
Published: May 2017

Objective

Can having too much self‐control make people unhappy? Researchers have increasingly questioned the unilateral goodness of self‐control and proposed that it is beneficial only up to a certain point, after which it becomes detrimental. The little empirical research on the issue shows mixed results. Hence, we tested whether a curvilinear relationship between self‐control and subjective well‐being exists.

Method

We used multiple metrics (questionnaires, behavioral ratings), sources (self‐report, other‐report), and methods (cross‐sectional measurement, dayreconstruction method, experience sampling method) across six studies (Ntotal = 5,318).

Results

We found that self‐control positively predicted subjective well‐being (cognitive and affective), but there was little evidence for an inverted U‐shaped curve. The results held after statistically controlling for demographics and other psychological confounds.

Conclusion

Our main finding is that self‐control enhances subjective well‐being with little to no apparent downside of too much self‐control.
Introgression of Pi2 and Pi5 Genes for Blast (Magnaporthe oryzae) Resistance in Rice and Field Evaluation of Introgression Lines for Resistance and Yield Traits
Authors: Sagar KrishnaMurthy Prashanthi , Deshmukh Dnyaneshwar B. , Yashvanth Kumar Kakanur Jagadeesh , Patil Santosh , Jakkeral Shridevi , Nemappa Gangappa Hanamaratti , Singh Uday D. , Variar Mukund , Rathour Rajeev , Subbaiyan Gopalakrishnan , Singh Ashok K. , Sharma Tilak Raj
Published: May 2017

Blast caused by Magnaporthe oryzae is the most devastating disease causing significant loss in rice production. The destructive nature of the disease is mainly due to the genetic plasticity of M. oryzae which complicates the breeding strategies. Blast can be effectively managed by the deployment of R genes. In this study, broad‐spectrum blast resistance genes Pi2 and Pi5 were introgressed independently into popular but blast susceptible rice variety, Samba Mahsuri (BPT5204) by applying marker‐assisted backcross breeding approach. Tightly linked markers AP5930 for Pi2 and 40N23r for Pi5 gene were used in foreground selection. Background selection helped to identify the lines with maximum recovery of recurrent parent genome (RPG). The RPG recovery in Pi2 introgression lines was up to 90.17 and 91.46% in Pi5 lines. Homozygous introgression lines in BC3F4 generation carrying Pi2 and Pi5 gene were field evaluated for blast resistance, yield per se and yield‐related traits. The lines showed resistance to leaf and neck blast in multilocation field evaluation. Improved BPT5204 lines with improvement for blast resistance were on par with original BPT5204 in terms of grain yield and grain features.
Learning from Conformance Quality Failures That Triggered Product Recalls: The Role of Direct and Indirect Experience
Authors: Hall David C. , Johnson‐Hall Tracy D.
Published: May 2017

A product recall is an observable external quality failure and a source of significant potential loss to firms as well as a threat to public safety. While such failures can be a motivation for organizational learning, little is known about the extent to which recalls can be a source of learning experience. Using econometric modeling, we investigate to what extent firms learn from conformance quality failures using a panel sample of U.S. food product recalls conducted by 125 publically traded firms between 2004 and 2013. We differentiate between direct (i.e., internal locus of failure) and indirect (i.e., supplier locus of failure and industry recalls) sources of experience and examine the main and interaction effects on the likelihood of future recalls. The results indicate that experience derived from internal and supplier failures reduces the potential for future recalls, while industry recalls have no significant main effect. We also find evidence of substitution effects between internal and supplier failures, suggesting that there are diminishing learning effects at higher levels of both of these types of failures. This finding suggests that the variety and volume of information as well as uncertainty regarding outcomes can overwhelm firm information processing capabilities at higher levels of these failure types and that additional resources should be allocated to encourage adequate learning. Finally, internal failures and industry recalls act as learning complements, which may indicate that internal quality failures become more relevant when industry peers also experience quality failures.
Time to Think in Other Terms: A Response to Powell and the Median Mandate School
Authors: Warwick Paul V.
Published: May 2017

In response to my characterization of ideological congruence as an “illusion,” Powell (this issue) demonstrates that incongruence, while common, tends to be only moderate in most cases, a conclusion with which I agree. Nevertheless, I argue that the concept of ideological congruence is misleading when applied as Powell does, and problematic, if not meaningless, when applied in the alternative ways proposed by Best, Budge, and McDonald. For these reasons, the term continues to obscure more than it reveals.
Eatwell Guide – the bare facts
Authors: Buttriss J. L.
Published: May 2017

In March 2016, the UK government's new Eatwell Guide was published following work to identify food‐based dietary guidelines consistent with the new UK fibre and free sugars recommendations adopted in 2015. The revised proportions of the model were developed using a technique known as optimisation modelling, which finds a combination of foods that meet a set of nutritional recommendations while deviating as little as possible from current dietary habits. This paper focuses on two recently published papers, one that describes the scientific rationale for the new proportions of the Guide and a second paper from the same research group exploring the effects on health that might be expected if the optimised diet depicted in the Guide were to be followed.
Epidemiology and risk factors for cytomegalovirus infection in glomerular diseases treated with immunosuppressive therapy
Authors: Lim Cynthia C , Tung Yu Tzu , Tan Ban Hock , Lee Puay Hoon , Mok Irene , Oon Lynette , Chan Kwai Peng , Choo Jason CJ
Published: May 2017

Aim

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections are associated with morbidity and mortality. We aimed to describe the epidemiology, risk factors and outcomes of CMV infection among patients with glomerulonephritis (GN) who received potent immunosuppressants (IS).

Methods

Single‐centre retrospective study of adults with biopsy‐proven GN prescribed methylprednisolone (MP), cyclophosphamide (CYC) or rituximab (RTX). Primary endpoint was CMV infection defined by significant CMV antigenaemia (>10 positive cells in 106 cells) or viraemia (>2000 copies/mL). Death was related to CMV if CMV infection occurred within the same hospitalization as death.

Results

Ninety‐four patients were studied. CYC was prescribed in 65% and MP in 71% of the cohort. Only two patients received RTX and 15 patients received plasma exchanges (PEX). Median follow up was 31.9 (IQR: 13.7, 53.6) months. CMV infection occurred in 13 patients (13.8%) at 1.3 (0.6, 3.0) months from biopsy. Patients with CMV infection had higher serum creatinine [404 (272, 619) vs. 159 (93, 317) μmol/L, P < 0.001] and greater proteinuria [UPCR 7.5, (4.8, 11.8) vs. 4.2 (2.3, 8.4) g/g, P = 0.02] than those who did not have CMV infection. Also, more patients received CYC (92% vs. 60%, P = 0.03), RTX (15% vs. 0, P = 0.02) and PEX (38% vs. 12%, P = 0.01) than those who did not have CMV infection. Two patients had CMV‐related deaths.

Conclusion

Cytomegalovirus infection is common in GN patients receiving potent IS. Surveillance and possibly anti‐viral prophylaxis should be considered for high‐risk patients.
Anxiety can significantly explain bolus perception in the context of hypotensive esophageal motility: Results of a large multicenter study in asymptomatic individuals
Authors: Cisternas D. , Scheerens C. , Omari T. , Monrroy H. , Hani A. , Leguizamo A. , Bilder C. , Ditaranto A. , Ruiz de León A. , Pérez de la Serna J. , Valdovinos M. A. , Coello R. , Abrahao L. , Remes‐Troche J. , Meixueiro A. , Zavala M. A. , Marin I. , Serra J.
Published: May 2017

Background

Previous studies have not been able to correlate manometry findings with bolus perception. The aim of this study was to evaluate correlation of different variables, including traditional manometric variables (at diagnostic and extreme thresholds), esophageal shortening, bolus transit, automated impedance manometry (AIM) metrics and mood with bolus passage perception in a large cohort of asymptomatic individuals.

Methods

High resolution manometry (HRM) was performed in healthy individuals from nine centers. Perception was evaluated using a 5‐point Likert scale. Anxiety was evaluated using Hospitalized Anxiety and Depression scale (HAD). Subgroup analysis was also performed classifying studies into normal, hypotensive, vigorous, and obstructive patterns.

Key Results

One hundred fifteen studies were analyzed (69 using HRM and 46 using high resolution impedance manometry (HRIM); 3.5% swallows in 9.6% of volunteers were perceived. There was no correlation of any of the traditional HRM variables, esophageal shortening, AIM metrics nor bolus transit with perception scores. There was no HRM variable showing difference in perception when comparing normal vs extreme values (percentile 1 or 99). Anxiety but not depression was correlated with perception. Among hypotensive pattern, anxiety was a strong predictor of variance in perception (R2 up to .70).

Conclusion and Inferences

Bolus perception is less common than abnormal motility among healthy individuals. Neither esophageal motor function nor bolus dynamics evaluated with several techniques seems to explain differences in bolus perception. Different mechanisms seem to be relevant in different manometric patterns. Anxiety is a significant predictor of bolus perception in the context of hypotensive motility.
Constraints on the evolution of resistance to gall flies in Solidago altissima: resistance sometimes costs more than it is worth
Authors: Wise Michael J. , Abrahamson Warren G.
Published: May 2017

Plant populations frequently maintain submaximal levels of resistance to natural enemies, even in the presence of substantial genetic variation for resistance. Identifying constraints on the evolution of increased resistance has been a major goal of researchers of plant–herbivore interactions.

In a glasshouse study, we measured relative costs and benefits of resistance of tall goldenrod (Solidago altissima) to the gall‐inducing tephritid Eurosta solidaginis. We exposed multiple ramets of 26 goldenrod genets to nutrient or shade stress and to oviposition by E. solidaginis.

The presence of a gall cost a ramet an average of 1743 seeds, but the cost differed 10‐fold across environments. Plant genets varied widely for an induced ‘hypersensitive’ response in which meristem cells become necrotic and kill E. solidaginis hatchlings before gall induction. There was no evidence that this highly effective resistance trait carried an allocation cost. However, the response carried a risk of autotoxicity, as necrosis killed the apex of 37% of the ungalled ramets. On average, a damaged apex cost each ramet 5015 seeds.

Autotoxicity may constrain the resistance of S. altissima to an intermediate level, and variation in environmental conditions may alter the relative costs and benefits of resistance and tolerance, thus maintaining genetic variation within goldenrod populations.
Food allergy and attitudes to close interpersonal relationships: An exploratory study on attachment
Authors: Polloni Laura , Schiff Sami , Ferruzza Emilia , Lazzarotto Francesca , Bonaguro Roberta , Toniolo Alice , Celegato Nicolò , Muraro Antonella
Published: May 2017

Background

Food allergy is a common immunologic disease that includes potentially fatal reactions. It impacts considerably on patients’ social life including close interpersonal relationships. Attachment theory provides a theoretic framework to evaluate the quality of close interpersonal relationships in chronic disorders. Attachment insecurity, mainly characterized by attachment avoidance, has been found in a variety of health conditions, but still needs to be investigated in food allergy. The study aimed to investigate attachment, as attitude to close interpersonal relationships, among food‐allergic young patients, compared to healthy controls.

Methods

This is a cross‐sectional study involving patients suffering from IgE‐mediated food allergy sequentially recruited and matched to healthy controls for age and gender. The Attachment Style Questionnaire (ASQ) was used to assess five factors and two attachment dimensions (Anxiety‐Avoidance). Associations with anaphylaxis and adrenaline prescription were explored among patients.

Results

174 participants were assessed (female=45%; mean age=17.51; SD=4.26). Food‐allergic patients reported significantly higher levels of Discomfort with Closeness (P<.05), Relationships as Secondary (P<.05) and Attachment Avoidance (P<.0001) compared to controls.

Conclusions

Clinicians should be aware of implications of insecure attachment for health and illness. They should support patients in limiting social impairment finding a balance between safety and psychologic well‐being.
Emotion dysregulation in alexithymia: Startle reactivity to fearful affective imagery and its relation to heart rate variability
Authors: Panayiotou Georgia , Constantinou Elena
Published: May 2017

Alexithymia is associated with deficiencies in recognizing and expressing emotions and impaired emotion regulation, though few studies have verified the latter assertion using objective measures. This study examined startle reflex modulation by fearful imagery and its associations with heart rate variability in alexithymia. Fifty‐four adults (27 alexithymic) imagined previously normed fear scripts. Startle responses were assessed during baseline, first exposure, and reexposure. During first exposure, participants, in separate trials, engaged in either shallow or deep emotion processing, giving emphasis on descriptive or affective aspects of imagery, respectively. Resting heart rate variability was assessed during 2 min of rest prior to the experiment, with high alexithymic participants demonstrating significantly higher LF/HF (low frequency/high frequency) ratio than controls. Deep processing was associated with nonsignificantly larger and faster startle responses at first exposure for alexithymic participants. Lower LF/HF ratio, reflecting higher parasympathetic cardiac activity, predicted greater startle amplitude habituation for alexithymia but lower habituation for controls. Results suggest that, when exposed to prolonged threat, alexithymics may adjust poorly, showing a smaller initial defensive response but slower habituation. This pattern seems related to their low emotion regulation ability as indexed by heart rate variability.
Comparison of the acute effects of high‐intensity interval training and continuous aerobic walking on inhibitory control
Authors: Kao Shih‐Chun , Westfall Daniel R. , Soneson Jack , Gurd Brendon , Hillman Charles H.
Published: May 2017

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a single bout of high‐intensity interval training (HIIT) and continuous aerobic exercise (CAE) on inhibitory control. The P3 component of the stimulus‐locked ERP was collected in 64 young adults during a modified flanker task following 20 min of seated rest, 20 min of CAE, and 9 min of HIIT on separate days in counterbalanced order. Participants exhibited shorter overall reaction time following CAE and HIIT compared to seated rest. Response accuracy improved following HIIT in the task condition requiring greater inhibitory control compared to seated rest and CAE. P3 amplitude was larger following CAE compared to seated rest and HIIT. Decreased P3 amplitude and latency were observed following HIIT compared to seated rest. The current results replicated previous findings indicating the beneficial effect of acute CAE on behavioral and neuroelectric indices of inhibitory control. With a smaller duration and volume of exercise, a single bout of HIIT resulted in additional improvements in inhibitory control, paralleled by a smaller and more efficient P3 component. In sum, the current study demonstrated that CAE and HIIT differentially facilitate inhibitory control and its underlying neuroelectric activation, and that HIIT may be a time‐efficient approach for enhancing cognitive health.
Chlamydia pneumoniae Induces Interferon Gamma Responses in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells in Children with Allergic Asthma
Authors: Smith‐Norowitz T. A. , Weaver D. , Chorny V. , Norowitz Y. M. , Lent D. , Hammerschlag M. R. , Joks R. , Kohlhoff S.
Published: May 2017

Respiratory infections caused by Chlamydia pneumoniae have been associated with exacerbations of asthma. Cell‐mediated immunity (CMI) is critical for maintaining immunity. We compared interferon (IFN)‐γ responses in C. pneumoniae‐infected peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in paediatric patients ± asthma. Presence of C. pneumoniae was tested from asthma patients (N = 17) and non‐asthmatic controls (N = 16) (PCR). PBMC were infected for 1 h ± C. pneumoniae AR‐39 (MOI = 0.1) and cultured for 48 h. IFN‐γ levels were measured in supernatants (ELISA). C. pneumoniae‐IgG antibodies in serum were determined (MIF). All subjects tested negative for C. pneumoniae (PCR). C. pneumoniae‐induced IFN‐γ production in vitro was more prevalent in asthma compared with non‐asthma; levels of IFN‐γ were higher in asthma compared with non‐asthma (P = 0.003). There was no association between recent respiratory infection and positive IFN‐γ responses. These data show that C. pneumoniae modulates IFN‐γ responses in patients with asthma, even in absence of active infection.
Application of a new river classification scheme to Australia's tropical rivers
Authors: Erskine Wayne , Saynor Mike , Lowry John
Published: May 2017

A revised typology of Australian tropical rivers was applied to the complete channel network (named and major rivers) shown on 1:250 000 topographic maps for three large drainage basins in northern Australia (Daly River, NT; Fitzroy River, WA; Flinders River, Qld). Reach mapping and classification were conducted using the revised typology. The 12 major river types proposed were: (1) bedrock rivers; (2) bedrock‐confined and ‐constrained rivers; (3) low sinuosity (straight) rivers; (4) meandering rivers; (5) wandering rivers; (6) anabranching rivers; (7) chains of ponds; (8) gullies; (9) floodouts; (10) lakes, swamps, billabongs and wetlands; (11) non‐channelized valley floors; and (12) estuarine rivers. The 12 major river types were developed based on river reach mapping for more than 264 000 km2 of tropical Australian catchments. At scales larger than 1:250 000, subdivision of each major river type is recommended. In the Daly and Fitzroy catchments, confined and constrained rivers dominate, whereas in the Flinders and Fitzroy catchments, anabranching rivers dominate. The dominant river types need benchmarking with adequate numbers of control reaches so that channel changes induced by human and natural impacts can be measured by reference to the stability of these controls. Wandering rivers, floodouts and non‐channelized valley floors were rare for the 1:250 000 channel network in northern Australia but need inclusion in national parks.