bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Soil organic carbon in cropping and pasture systems of Victoria, Australia
Authors: Robertson Fiona , Crawford Doug , Partington Debra , Oliver Ivanah , Rees David , Aumann Colin , Armstrong Roger , Perris Roger , Davey Michelle , Moodie Michael , Baldock Jeff
Published: January 2016

Increasing soil organic carbon (SOC) storage in agricultural soils through changes to management may help to mitigate rising greenhouse gas emissions and sustain agricultural productivity and environmental conditions. However, in order to improve assessment of the potential for increasing SOC storage in the agricultural lands of Victoria, Australia, further information is required on current SOC levels and how they are related to environmental conditions, soil properties and agricultural management. Therefore, we measured stocks of SOC at 615 sites in pasture and cropping systems in Victoria, encompassing eight regions, five soil orders and four management classes (continuous cropping, crop–pasture rotation, sheep or beef pasture, and dairy pasture), and explored relationships between the C stocks and environment, soil and management. The results showed an extremely wide range in SOC, from 2 to 239 t C/ha (0–30 cm). Most of this variation was attributable to climate; almost 80% of the variation in SOC stock was related to annual rainfall or vapour pressure deficit (i.e. humidity). Texture-related soil properties accounted for a small, additional amount of variation in SOC. After accounting for climate, differences in SOC between management classes were small and often not significant. Management practices such as stubble retention, minimum cultivation, perennial pasture species, rotational grazing and fertiliser inputs were not significantly related to SOC stock. The relationships between SOC and environment, soil and management were scale-dependent. Within individual regions, the apparent influence of climate and soil properties on SOC stock varied, and in some regions, much of the variation in SOC stock remained unexplained. The results suggest that, across Victoria, there is a general hierarchy of influence on SOC stock: climate > soil properties > management class > management practices.
Sensing of latent EBV infection through exosomal transfer of 5′pppRNA
Authors: Baglio S. Rubina , van Eijndhoven Monique A. J. , Koppers-Lalic Danijela , Berenguer Jordi , Lougheed Sinéad M. , Gibbs Susan , Léveillé Nicolas , Rinkel Rico N. P. M. , Hopmans Erik S. , Swaminathan Sankar , Verkuijlen Sandra A. W. M. , Scheffer George L. , van Kuppeveld Frank J. M. , de Gruijl Tanja D. , Bultink Irene E. M. , Jordanova Ekaterina S. , Hackenberg Michael , Piersma Sander R. , Knol Jaco C. , Voskuyl Alexandre E. , Wurdinger Thomas , Jiménez Connie R. , Middeldorp Jaap M. , Pegtel D. Michiel
Published: January 2016

Significance

Increasing evidence suggests that the exosomal messenger pathway warns neighboring cells against cellular stress and infection. Recent studies have shown that viruses and cancer cells exploit exosomes to transmit functional RNAs. Our studies reveal that a viral small RNA signal for innate immunity Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)-EBER1 is produced by latent EBV-infected B cells and recognized by noninfected dendritic cells activating an inflammatory response. We detected high amounts of EBV-EBER1 transcripts and EBV-microRNAs in inflamed skin lesions of autoimmune patients that are infiltrated with dendritic cells. Importantly, we found virtually no EBV-DNA present in these tissues, suggesting that continuous cell–cell EBER1 transmission via exosomes occurs in humans. We propose that innate sensing of latent EBV in predisposed individuals may be more harmful than previously thought.
Versatile strategy for controlling the specificity and activity of engineered T cells
Authors: Ma Jennifer S. Y. , Kim Ji Young , Kazane Stephanie A. , Choi Sei-hyun , Yun Hwa Young , Kim Min Soo , Rodgers David T. , Pugh Holly M. , Singer Oded , Sun Sophie B. , Fonslow Bryan R. , Kochenderfer James N. , Wright Timothy M. , Schultz Peter G. , Young Travis S. , Kim Chan Hyuk , Cao Yu
Published: January 2016

Significance

Despite the unprecedented antileukemic response demonstrated in recent clinical trials, the inability to control the potent chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)—T-cell activity has resulted in several serious adverse incidents. Herein, we demonstrate that a switch-mediated CAR-T approach enables the titration of engineered T-cell antitumor activity, which was observed to be highly advantageous in reducing treatment-related toxicities in vivo. Moreover, we show that the use of optimized antibody-based switches readily enables a single CAR construct to target different antigens, indicating its potential application to treat tumor escape variants and heterogeneous tumors expressing distinct tumor antigens. Our data support the safe application of this potent immune cell-based therapy to target other types of cancer, including solid tumors, as well as nononcology indications.
Non-quantifyinglíγoconstructions in Modern Greek
Authors: Canakis Costas
Published: January 2016

In this paper I focus on MGrlίγo‘(a) little’ in non-quantifying constructions codifying affect and argue that it has grammaticalized from a quantifier to an (inter)subjective metalinguistic hedging device: i.e., a positive politeness marker in thehedged directive constructionand a marker of attitude to one’s own utterance in thehedged statement construction. Motivation for this development is provided by MGr interactional ethos and the importance attached to the friendly, informal “politeness of involvement”, a factor discussed in the context of universal tendencies in the semantics of diminutives and affective language. I argue that non-quantifyinglίγois a case of semantic change motivated by sociopragmatic considerations which are anchored to specific constructions.
Connectivity in left-dislocation and the composition of the left periphery
Authors: Ott Dennis
Published: January 2016

This paper proposes a crosslinguistically uniform analysis of Left-dislocation constructions, according to which left-dislocated XPs are elliptical sentence fragments surfacing in linear juxtaposition to their host clause. The analysis is shown to provide a principled solution toCinque’s Paradox: dislocated XPs are extra-sentential constituents akin to parentheticals while behaving in certain respects as having moved to their surface position from within the host clause, in apparent violation of the boundaries of “sentence grammar” as typically defined. The solution in terms of deletion and endorphoric linkage undermines templatic analyses of the ‘cartographic’ tradition, showing that in at least some cases the “sentential periphery” reflects not syntactic composition but juxtaposition in discourse.
Rheological research of partially-solidified dendritic Sn–14.8wt%Pb alloy by two backward extrusion methods
Authors: Zhang Y. F. , Zhou C. , Zhang Z. H. , Cao G. M. , Zhang J.
Published: January 2016

Two different backward extrusion methods were compared to study the rheological behaviour of partially-solidified Sn–14.8wt%Pb alloy for strip casting. For this work, the partially-solidified alloys were dendritic, as opposed to globular semi-solid slurries which have been studied more intensively. The first method was a constant-velocity experiment operating at constant extrusion-velocity of 3.5 mm s−1 and four different extrusion ratios. The second method was a varying-velocity experiment with unchanged extrusion ratio and four different extrusion velocities.

Both backward extrusion experiments were carried at different temperatures ranging from 183 to 208°C. The two experiments obtained quite different results, which are discussed accordingly. Moreover, an unreported abnormal shear thinning behaviour was the main characteristic of the rheological behaviour of the partially-solidified alloys. Finally, the applicability of these two different methods of measuring the viscosity of partially-solidified alloys at different solid fractions is compared and discussed.
Nitriding of Fe–18Cr–11Mn powders using mechanical alloying method through aerating nitrogen circularly
Authors: Duan C. , Shen Y. , Feng X. , Chen C. , Zhang J.
Published: January 2016

Mechanical alloying (MA) method was applied to nitride Fe–18Cr–11Mn stainless steel powders through aerating nitrogen circularly. Both the MA process and increasing nitrogen pressure circularly caused the expansion of nitrogen solubility in Fe. The microstructure of powders was affected by the milling time. The phase transformation of α-Fe to γ-Fe occurred during the MA process. The grain size of powder decreased, while the internal lattice strain increased by increasing the milling time and cycles of aerating nitrogen. The as-milled powder could obtain a fully austenitic structure after sintering and subsequent water quenching. The sintered samples had better density and higher microhardness when the powders milled for more time. The formation mechanism of nitriding of stainless steel powders using MA method in nitrogen was presented.
Evolution of bainitic microstructure in vanadium-bearing microalloyed steel with two-step cooling
Authors: Bhattacharya A. , Sangal S.
Published: January 2016

In the present work, a medium carbon vanadium-bearing microalloyed steel with low-alloy contents was subjected to air cooling followed by quenching (two-step cooling) which resulted in multiphase structures that consist of ferrite, bainite, martensite and austenite. The characterisation of the samples obtained by various two-step cooling methods was done using a SEM, a X-ray diffractometer and a magnetometer. Volume fractions of retained austenite (RA) and its carbon contents were determined and tensile properties were also evaluated. The RA content along with its carbon content has been found to increase to a maximum value and quenching at that point improves the ductility. Also, the lower transformation temperature of bainite enhances the toughness.
Visualizing Trade-Offs between Yield and Spawners per Recruit as an Aid to Decision Making
Authors: Schmalz Patrick J. , Luehring Mark , Dan Rose Joe , Hoenig John M. , Treml Melissa K.
Published: January 2016

There is a fundamental conflict between harvesting fish and conserving their biomass. Managers mediate this conflict with regulations that control fishery methods and amounts of harvest. In most recreational fisheries, aside from closed seasons, the precise control of fishing effort is difficult to achieve because fisher entry into a managed area is often unlimited and because effort can be influenced by both direct and indirect factors. Choosing the best fishing regulations is also complicated by a need to jointly regulate and accommodate the desires of different user groups who share the fishery. Regulations may need to account for (1) low-consumptive uses of fish populations that occur from catch-and-release fishing by recreational anglers and/or (2) both tribal subsistence and commercial fishers. We applied a suite of graphical techniques to data on a shared fishery, that for Walleye Sander vitreus in Mille Lacs Lake, Minnesota, to examine the trade-offs between fishery yield and spawner biomass on a per-recruit basis across a range of harvest tactics, so that fisheries managers could simultaneously evaluate a variety of regulations. We also used Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus data from several Minnesota lakes to further evaluate the utility of our approach. Some regulations were uniformly better than others because they provided higher yield for a given spawning biomass, and higher spawning biomass for a given yield at equilibrium, under a range of plausible levels of fishing effort. For a given level of fishing effort, we were able to identify a frontier in the yield–biomass space whereby an increase in either the yield or the biomass could only be achieved by a reduction in the other. In the absence of density-dependent changes to growth, maturity, or mortality, regulations that included a minimum length produced more optimal yield and spawner biomass than those that did not include a minimum length. We reduced the daunting task of choosing from dozens of regulations by considering just a few graphs that best demonstrated the trade-offs offered by a suite of regulations.

Received December 24, 2014; accepted August 21, 2015
Assigning Sex and Reproductive Stage to Adult Lake Sturgeon using Ultrasonography and Common Morphological Measurements
Authors: Chiotti Justin A. , Boase James C. , Hondorp Darryl W. , Briggs Andrew S.
Published: January 2016

Sex determination of fish species is difficult to assess when sexual dimorphism and gametes are not apparent. For threatened and endangered fish species, noninvasive techniques are needed when determining sex to minimize stress and the potential for mortality. We evaluated the use of a portable ultrasound unit to determine sex of Lake Sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens in the field. Ultrasound images were collected from 9 yellow-egg (F2, F3), 32 black-egg (F4, F5), and 107 fully developed male (M2) Lake Sturgeon. Two readers accurately assigned sex to 88–96% of fish, but accuracy varied in relation to maturity stage. Black-egg females and fully developed males were correctly identified for 89–100% of the fish sampled, while these two readers identified yellow-egg females only 33% and 67% of the time. Time spent collecting images ranged between 2 and 3 min once the user was comfortable with operating procedures. Discriminant analysis revealed the total length : girth ratio was a strong predictor of sex and maturity, correctly classifying 81% of black-egg females and 97% of the fully developed males. However, yellow-egg females were incorrectly classified on all occasions. This study shows the utility of using ultrasonography and a total length : girth ratio for sex determination of Lake Sturgeon in later reproductive stages around the spawning season.

Received April 7, 2015; accepted September 29, 2015
Microbial production of poly(lactate-co-3-hydroxybutyrate) from hybrid Miscanthus-derived sugars
Authors: Sun Jian , Utsunomia Camila , Sasaki Shohei , Matsumoto Ken’ichiro , Yamada Toshihiko , Ooi Toshihiko , Taguchi Seiichi
Published: January 2016

P[(R)-lactate-co-(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate] [P(LA-co-3HB)] was produced in engineered Escherichia coli using lignocellulose-derived hydrolysates from Miscanthus × giganteus (hybrid Miscanthus) and rice straw. Hybrid Miscanthus-derived hydrolysate exhibited no negative effect on polymer production, LA fraction, and molecular weight of the polymer, whereas rice straw-derived hydrolysate reduced LA fraction. These results revealed that P(LA-co-3HB) was successfully produced from hybrid Miscanthus-derived sugars.
Lack of foreign aid effectiveness in developing countries between a hammer and an anvil
Authors: Elayah Moosa
Published: January 2016

This article examines reasons for the ineffectiveness of foreign aid interventions in developing countries, using the examples of Yemen, Egypt and Jordan. It starts with a review of two contradictory theories used to explain foreign aid ineffectiveness: the public interest perspective (PIP) and the public choice perspective (PCP). On the basis of the PCP, this article shows that deficiencies are locked within a vicious circle of a poor policy and institutional environments in developing countries and donors’ self-interest. The article ends by proposing a third explanation of foreign aid ineffectiveness that goes beyond the scope of the PCP.
Transgenerational responses of molluscs and echinoderms to changing ocean conditions
Authors: Ross Pauline M. , Parker Laura , Byrne Maria
Published: January 2016

We are beginning to understand how the larvae of molluscs and echinoderms with complex life cycles will be affected by climate change. Early experiments using short-term exposures suggested that larvae in oceans predicted to increase in acidification and temperature will be smaller in size, take longer to develop, and have a greater incidence of abnormal development. More realistic experiments which factored in the complex life cycles of molluscs and echinoderms found impacts not as severe as predicted. This is because the performance of one life history stage led to a significant carryover effect on the subsequent life history stage. Carryover effects that arise within a generation, for example, embryonic and larval stages, can influence juvenile and adult success. Carryover effects can also arise across a generation, known as transgenerational plasticity (TGP). A transgenerational response or TGP can be defined as a phenotypic change in offspring in response to the environmental stress experienced by a parent before fertilization. In the small number of experiments which have measured the transgenerational response of molluscs and echinoderms to elevated CO2, TGP has been observed in the larval offspring. If we are to safeguard ecological and economically significant mollusc and echinoderm species against climate change then we require more knowledge of the impacts that carryover effects have within and across generations as well as an understanding of the underlying mechanisms responsible for such adaptation.
Wealth and Welfare: Divergent Moral Reactions to Ethical Consumer Choices
Authors: Olson Jenny G. , McFerran Brent , Morales Andrea C. , Dahl Darren W.
Published: January 2016

This article examines perceptions of low-income consumers receiving government assistance and the choices they make, showing that this group is viewed differently than those with more resources, even when making identical choices. A series of five experiments reveal that ethical purchases polarize moral judgments: whereas individuals receiving government assistance are perceived as less moral when choosing ethical (vs. conventional) products, income earners, particularly high-income individuals, are perceived as more moral for making the identical choice. Price is a central component of this effect because equating the cost of ethical and conventional goods provides those receiving government assistance some protection against harsh moral judgments when choosing ethically. Moreover, earning one’s income drives perceptions of deservingness, or the right to spend as one desires. Those who receive assistance via taxpayer dollars are under greater scrutiny (frequently resulting in harsher moral judgments) by others. In addition to influencing perceptions of individual consumers, the results demonstrate that such attributions extend to groups who make ethical choices on others’ behalf, and that these attributions have real monetary consequences for nonprofit organizations.
Cassini states for black hole binaries
Authors: Correia Alexandre C. M.
Published: January 2016

Cassini states correspond to the equilibria of the spin axis of a body when its orbit is perturbed. They were initially described for planetary satellites, but the spin axes of black hole binaries also present this kind of equilibria. In previous works, Cassini states were reported as spin-orbit resonances, but actually the spin of black hole binaries is in circulation and there is no resonant motion. Here we provide a general description of the spin dynamics of black hole binary systems based on a Hamiltonian formalism. In absence of dissipation, the problem is integrable and it is easy to identify all possible trajectories for the spin for a given value of the total angular momentum. As the system collapses due to radiation reaction, the Cassini states are shifted to different positions, which modifies the dynamics around them. This is why the final spin distribution may differ from the initial one. Our method provides a simple way of predicting the distribution of the spin of black hole binaries at the end of the inspiral phase.
Suzaku observations of a shock front tracing the western edge of the giant radio halo in the Coma Cluster
Authors: Uchida Yuusuke , Simionescu Aurora , Takahashi Tadayuki , Werner Norbert , Ichinohe Yuto , Allen Steven W. , Urban Ondrej , Matsushita Kyoko
Published: January 2016

We present the results of new Suzaku observations of the Coma Cluster, the X-ray brightest, nearby, merging system hosting a well-studied, typical giant radio halo. It has been previously shown that, on the western side of the cluster, the radio brightness shows a much steeper gradient compared to other azimuths. XMM-Newton and Planck revealed a shock front along the southern half of the region associated with this steep radio gradient, suggesting that the radio emission is enhanced by particle acceleration associated with the shock passage. Suzaku demonstrates for the first time that this shock front extends northwards, tracing the entire length of the western edge of the Coma radio halo. The shock is detected both in the temperature and X-ray surface brightness distributions and has a Mach number of around $\mathcal {M}\sim 1.5$. The locations of the surface brightness edges align well with the edge of the radio emission, while the obtained temperature profiles seem to suggest shocks located 125–185 kpc further out in radius. In addition, the shock strengths derived from the temperature and density jumps are in agreement when using extraction regions parallel to the radio halo edge, but become inconsistent with each other when derived from radial profiles centered on the Coma Cluster core. It is likely that, beyond mere projection effects, the geometry of the shock is more complex than a front with a single, uniform Mach number and an approximately spherically symmetric shape.
Identification of the Dominant Genotypes of Phytophthora infestans in Canada Using Real-Time PCR with ASO-PCR Assays
Authors: Gagnon Marie-Claude , Kawchuk Lawrence , Tremblay D. Mathieu , Carisse Odile , Danies Giovanna , Fry William E. , Lévesque C. André , Bilodeau Guillaume J.
Published: January 2016

Phytophthora infestans, a pathogenic oomycete that is the causal agent of potato and tomato late blight, has devastating effects worldwide. The genetic composition of P. infestans populations in Canada has changed considerably over the last few years, with the appearance of several new genotypes showing different mating types and sensitivity to the fungicide metalaxyl. Genetic markers allowing for a rapid assessment of genotypes from small amounts of biological material would be beneficial for the early detection and control of this pathogen throughout Canada. Mining of the P. infestans genome revealed several regions containing single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) within both nuclear genes and flanking sequences of microsatellite loci. Allele-specific oligonucleotide polymerase chain reaction (ASO-PCR) assays were developed from 14 of the 50 SNP found by sequencing. Nine optimized ASO-PCR assays were validated using a blind test comprising P. infestans and other Phytophthora spp. The assays revealed diagnostic profiles unique to each of the five dominant genotypes present in Canada. The markers developed in this study can be used with environmental samples such as infected leaves, and will contribute to the genomic toolbox available to assess the genetic diversity of P. infestans at the intraspecific level. For late blight management, early warning about P. infestans genotypes present in potato and tomato fields will help growers select the most appropriate fungicides and application strategies.
Effect of Antifibrinolytic Therapy on Complications, Thromboembolic Events, Blood Product Utilization, and Fusion in Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery
Authors: Soroceanu Alex , Oren Jonathan H. , Smith Justin S. , Hostin Richard , Shaffrey Christopher I. , Mundis Gregory M. , Ames Christopher P. , Burton Douglas C. , Bess Shay , Gupta Munish C. , Deviren Vedat , Schwab Frank J. , Lafage Virginie , Errico Thomas J.
Published: January 2016

Study Design.

A multicenter, prospective, consecutive database of surgical patients with adult spinal deformity (ASD).

Objective.

This study investigated the use of antifibrinolytic (AF) therapy in ASD surgery.

Summary of Background Data.

AF therapy has been shown to be effective in preventing blood loss in some settings. Its effect on major and minor perioperative complications, blood product utilization, vascular events, and postoperative fusion in patients undergoing ASD surgery remains unclear.

Methods.

All patients with data on AF use were included. Parameters of blood utilization included transfusion rates and units of packed red blood cells and fresh frozen plasma transfused. Thromboembolic events included stroke, deep vein thrombosis, and pulmonary embolus. Multivariate regression was used, accounting for confounders.

Results.

Four hundred three patients were included. One hundred thirty-seven patients received aminocaproic acid (EACA), 81 received tranexamic acid (TXA), and 185 received no AFs. The use of AF was associated with a decrease in transfusion (EACA: odds ratio [OR] = 0.38, P = 0.043; TXA: OR = 0.31, P = 0.047), a decrease in the number of units of packed red blood cells transfused (EACA: incidence risk ratio [IRR] = 0.45, P = 0.0005; TXA: IRR = 0.7, P = 0.0005), and a decrease in the number of fresh frozen plasma transfused (EACA: IRR = 0.65, P = 0.003; TXA: IRR = 0.67, P = 0.006). AF use was associated with an increase in minor intraoperative complications (EACA: IRR = 2.15, P = 0.008; TXA: IRR = 2.12, P = 0.011). TXA use (but not EACA) was associated with a decrease in the incidence of major perioperative complications compared with no AF (IRR = 0.37, P = 0.019). There was no difference in the incidence of thromboembolic events.

Conclusion.

TXA or EACA use was associated with increased minor intraoperative complications. TXA was associated with decreased major perioperative complications. AF was associated with decreased utilization of blood products without an increased rate of thromboembolic events. Given the nature of this study, transfusion threshold was not standardized. Future studies with rigid criteria for transfusion should be prospectively performed to better evaluate the impact of AF during ASD surgery.

Level of Evidence: 3
A 9-Year-Old Girl Discovers That Her Mother Was Murdered
Authors: Schonfeld David J. , Shekunov Julia , Jellinek Michael , Stein Martin T.
Published: January 2016

CASE: Susan was a 9-year-old girl living with her mother; she had never met her father. Her mother returned one evening from her job as a cocktail waitress and Susan met her at the apartment door to let her know they had run out of cat food. Her mother said she would go and buy some the next morning because it was late and she was tired, but Susan insisted she go out that evening because the cat had not eaten all day. Her mother was fatally shot in the parking lot of the convenience store shortly thereafter; since there was no robbery involved, the police suspected it was someone that she knew. Susan's extended family had her move out of the apartment that evening and relocate to live with her aunt and uncle out-of-state. The transition happened quickly. Susan was unable to return to her apartment to pick up any additional belongings and never returned to say goodbye to her friends. The family decided she was too young to attend the funeral.

Susan had trouble fitting in with her aunt and uncle's family; they had 2 children who were 8 and 6 years old, and Susan felt she was being treated like a baby. She resented having a bedtime (her mother allowed her to stay up as late as she wished), and she complained that the work at school was boring and her classmates were childish. When the family went to a festival in town, she left abruptly without telling them, which frightened Susan's aunt and uncle. They wanted to be supportive but felt that she needed more structure than her mother had provided her. Susan's aunt and uncle sought bereavement support for Susan from her pediatrician and parenting advice for themselves.
The proliferation of elective services in U.S. urban hospitals
Authors: Trinh Hanh Q. , Begun James W.
Published: January 2016

Background:

Although adding convenience for both patients and providers, the proliferation of elective services and equipment in U.S. general hospitals contributes to higher costs and raises concerns about quality and overuse.

Purposes:

We assess the relationship of two forces—health system membership and market competition—with the diffusion of elective services and equipment.

Methodology/Approach:

The sample consists of all urban U.S. nonfederal general acute hospitals in 2010 (n = 2,467). Elective equipment and services are defined by 25 services offered by less than 33% of urban general hospitals. We relate the number of elective services to environmental and organizational conditions, adopting a contingency theory perspective. Ordinary least squares regression is used to estimate the associations among the key variables.

Findings:

Market competition is positively associated with numbers of elective services. The effect of health system membership varies by system type, with the most developed integrated systems showing a positive relationship with the quantity of elective services, relative to freestanding hospitals. Members of less-developed integrated systems, however, have fewer elective services than freestanding hospitals.

Practice Implications:

The evidence on market competition is consistent with a medical arms race scenario in which hospitals pursue elective services and equipment to compete with each other. Membership in highly integrated systems does not act as a constraint on the pursuit of elective services and equipment but instead may independently promote it. It may be unrealistic to expect hospitals to resist offering elective services in the face of competitive and organizational considerations that encourage proliferation.
Therapeutic Role of Resveratrol and Quercetin on Aortic Fibroblasts of Psammomys obesus After Oxidative Stress by Hydrogen Peroxide
Authors: Boumaza Saliha , Belkebir Aicha , Neggazi Samia , Sahraoui Hamid , Berdja Sihem , Smail Leila , Benazzoug Yasmina , Kacimi Ghoti , Aouichat Bouguerra Souhila
Published: January 2016

In our study, we propose to analyze the effects of resveratrol (RES) and quercetin (QRC) on proliferation markers, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammation of aortic fibroblasts ofPsammomys obesusafter induced oxidative stress by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Fibroblasts were incubated in RES 375 μM and QRC 0.083 μM for 24 hours after exposure to H2O21.2 mM for 6 hours. We performed the proliferation rate, cells viability, morphological analyses, cytochrome c, Akt, ERK1/2, and p38 MAPK quantification. The redox status was achieved by proportioning of malondialdehyde, nitric monoxide, advanced oxidation protein products, carbonyl proteins, catalase, and superoxide dismutase activity. The inflammation was measured by TNFα, MCP1, and NF-kB assay. The extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling was performed by SDS-PAGE. Stressed fibroblasts showed a decrease of cell proliferation and viability, hypertrophy and oncosis, chromatin hypercondensation and increase of cytochrome c release characteristic of apoptosis, activation of ERK1/2 and Akt pathway, and decreases in p38 MAPK pathways marking the cellular resistance. The redox state was disrupted by increased malondialdehyde, nitric monoxide, advanced oxidation protein products, carbonyl protein production, catalase and superoxide dismutase activity, and a decreased production of proteins including collagens. Inflammation state was marked by MCP-1, TNFα, and NF-kB increase. Treatment of fibroblasts stressed by RES and QRC inverted the oxidative stress situation decreasing apoptosis and inflammation, and improving the altered redox status and rearrangement of disorders observed in extracellular matrix. H2O2induced biochemical and morphological alterations leading to apoptosis. An improved general condition is observed after treatment with RES and QRC; this explains the antioxidant and antiapoptotic effects of polyphenols.
Crystal structure and conformational analysis of 2-hydroxy-3-(2-methylprop-1-en-1-yl)naphthalene-1,4-dione
Authors: Alcantara Emiliano Sannyele , Welma Duarte Silva Sheyla , Alves Pereira Mariano , R.dos Santos Malta Valeria , Luciano Balliano Tatiane
Published: January 2016

In the structure of the title compound, C14H12O3, the substituent side chain, in which the H atoms of both methyl groups are disordered over six equivalent sites, lies outside of the plane of the naphthalenedione ring. The ring-to-chain C—C—C—C torsion angles are 50.7 (3), −176.6 (2) and 4.9 (4)°. An intramolecular methyl–hydroxy C—H...O hydrogen bond is present. In the crystal, molecules are primarily connected by intermolecular O—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming a centrosymmetric cyclic dimer motif [graph setR22(10)]. Also present is a weak intermolecular C—H...O hydrogen bond linking the dimers and a weak π–π ring interaction [ring centroid separation = 3.7862 (13) Å], giving layers parallel to (10-3).
{4,5-Dimethoxy-2-[(2,3-η)-2-prop-2-en-1-yl]phenyl-κC1}(8-hydroxyquinolinato-κN,O)platinum(II)
Authors: Bui Thi Yen Hang , Nguyen Thi Thanh Chi , Van Meervelt Luc
Published: January 2016

The crystal structure of the organoplatinum(II) title complex, [Pt(C9H6NO)(C11H13O2)] or [Pt(methyleugenol)(8-hydroxyquinolinato)], has been determined in order to verify the coordination environment of the PtIIcation, which was found to be square-planar with the N and O atoms of the quinolinate ligandcisandtrans, respectively, with respect to the ethylenic double bond. The least-squares planes through the two aromatic ring systems make an angle of 39.87 (10)°. In the crystal, chains are formed parallel to [100] sustained by C—H...O hydrogen bonds. Parallel chains further interactviaC—H...O and C—H...π contacts. The complex shows interesting activity on four human cancer cell lines with IC50values between 1.92 and 4.86 µM.
Understanding dimensionality of children’s food shopping behaviour in retail stores
Authors: Vohra Jyoti , Soni Pavleen
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– Marketers try to influence food shopping behaviour of children through various in-store food promotional strategies (FPS). These in-store FPS comprise of attractive packaging, accessibility, availability of foods in wide varieties and presence of helpful and friendly sales personnel. However, little is known about how children buy and the extent to which these marketing strategies are successful. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to investigate food shopping behaviour of children in retail stores and to study the effectiveness of in-store FPS and demographic factors (age and gender of child and monthly family income) on food shopping behaviour of children.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data have been collected from 473 mothers of children in age category four to 11 years. Data have been analysed through descriptive statistics (means and standard deviations), bivariate correlations, exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and hierarchical regression analysis.

Findings

– The study explores and validates four factor structure of food shopping behaviour of children in retail stores in Indian settings. These factors include children’s active assessment of foods, impact of availability and variety on children’s purchases, influence of TV food ads on children’s purchases and influence of packaging on children’s food purchases. Further, the findings also reveal that in-store FPS are truly effective in influencing food shopping behaviour of children.

Practical implications

– Marketers may highlight packaging attributes in food advertisements as they can help escalate food purchase requests of children in retail stores. In addition to this, food advertising is strongly associated with assessment of foods in retail stores and looking for availability of advertised foods in retail stores. This suggests that food advertising as a medium of communication should not be ignored. However, sales personnel can also be used more effectively as they are seen to help children in identifying availability and variety of foods in retail stores.

Originality/value

– As no such study has been conducted so far (to the best of researcher’s knowledge), this study potentially helps in bridging gaps in literature.
How do chocolate lovers balance taste and ethical considerations?
Authors: Poelmans Eline , Rousseau Sandra
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate how chocolate lovers balance taste and ethical considerations when selecting chocolate products.

Design/methodology/approach

– The data set was collected through a survey at the 2014 “Salon du Chocolat” in Brussels, Belgium. The authors distributed 700 copies and received 456 complete responses (65 percent response rate). Choice experiments were used to estimate the relative importance of different chocolate characteristics and to predict respondents’ willingness to pay for marginal changes in those characteristics. The authors estimate both a conditional logit model and a latent class model to take possible preference heterogeneity into account.

Findings

– On average, respondents were willing to pay 11 euros more for 250 g fairtrade labeled chocolate compared to conventional chocolate. However, taste clearly dominates ethical considerations. The authors could distinguish three consumer segments, each with a different tradeoff between taste and fairtrade. One group clearly valued fairtrade positively, a second group valued fairtrade to a lesser extent and a third group did not seem to value fairtrade.

Originality/value

– Chocolate can be seen as a self-indulgent treat where taste is likely to dominate other characteristics. Therefore it is unsure to what extent ethical factors are included in consumer decisions. Interestingly the results indicate that a significant share of chocolate buyers still positively value fairtrade characteristics when selecting chocolate varieties.
Older adults’ household cooking: card sort analyses
Authors: Bostic Stephanie M. , Bisogni Carole A. , Sobal Jeffery
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine food preparation practices of US older adults by assessing their conceptualization of food preparation methods and their routine use of food preparation methods and kitchen equipment.

Design/methodology/approach

– In total, 17 community-dwelling older adults used cards with names of food preparation methods and cooking equipment items to do one open sort and three closed sorts about: food preparation method classifications; food preparation method use frequency; kitchen equipment use frequency; and essential vs non-essential kitchen equipment. Descriptive statistics, cluster analysis, and qualitative thematic analysis were performed.

Findings

– Participants classified food preparation methods using multiple dimensions: ways to alter food, inputs, location, timing, and personal behavior. They used a wide range of food preparation methods and kitchen equipment items in routine cooking. The mean number of the 38 preparation methods sorted as used “often” was 16.5±5.0. In total, 15 of the 17 participants reported using more than 20 of the 40 equipment items “often.” The mean number of equipment items identified as “essential” was 21.5±9.3.

Practical implications

– Food professionals should consider access to equipment and food preparation skills and preferences when designing products and working with consumers. Addressing gaps in human and material capital may support adoption of food preparation practices.

Originality/value

– Food preparation method and equipment use frequency has rarely been examined from the household cook’s perspective. Using card sorts is a novel approach to examining consumer classification of an extensive list of preparation methods and kitchen equipment.
Determinants of audit report lag: evidence from Palestine
Authors: Hassan Yousef Mohammed
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to employ agency theory to identify the determinants of the audit delay among Palestinian companies listed on Palestine Stock Exchange (PSE).

Design/methodology/approach

– Drawing on the agency theory, eight hypotheses are tested using data collected from the year 2011 annual reports for all the 46 listed companies on PSE. Multiple regression analysis was performed to identify the influence of a set of company characteristics, ownership structure variables, and corporate governance mechanisms.

Findings

– The result of the analysis demonstrated that the audit reporting delay is influenced by the board size, corporate size, status of audit firm, company complexity, existence of audit committee, and ownership dispersion.

Research limitations/implications

– The main shortcoming of the current study is that the analysis covered the Palestinian companies’ annual reports for only one year. A time series analysis might give fuller and understandable picture about the audit report lag (ARL) determinants. The outcome of the study can be used by companies’ managements and policy makers in Palestine to improve future disclosure.

Originality/value

– This paper adds to the limited audit delay literature in Middle East countries in general and Arab World in particular. This paper not only examines the determinants of the audit delay but also attempts to theorize such delay.
Tribe and village in African organizations and business
Authors: Kragh Simon Ulrik
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to show that organizational behaviour and business relations in African countries reflect preindustrial social norms typical of kinship based, rural communities such as in-group/out-group differentiation, reliance on kinship and the use of gift-exchange to create and strengthen social bonds.

Design/methodology/approach

– Two books on African management are interpreted using anthropological and sociological theory as the analytical perspective.

Findings

– The analysis of the two works suggests that the preindustrial patterns described in the anthropological literature play a central role in African management and business.

Practical implications

– The paper concludes that manager should recognize the negative effects that may follow from a rejection of these socio-cultural patterns of behaviour.

Originality/value

– It introduces Marshall Sahlins’ theory of social distance and reciprocity showing how this theory explains behaviours in and between African organizations.
What’s the point? The search for purpose at work
Authors: Bajer Javier
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– This paper aims to provide an insight into the endless search for purpose at work, questioning the validity of traditionally accepted practices and proposing an alternative, based on the evidence provided by successful organisations today.

Design/methodology/approach

– This was an ethnographic-based research of over 60 organisations, understanding the different cultures and the effect of various ways in which they create a sense of purpose.

Findings

– The way in which organisations try to create a sense of purpose is unsustainable and it is taking them further away from truly finding it.

Originality/value

– An exploration into the individual and organisational search for purpose, challenging traditional approaches.
Genomic resources for identification of the minimal N2‐fixing symbiotic genome
Authors: diCenzo George C. , Zamani Maryam , Milunovic Branislava , Finan Turlough M.
Published: January 2016

The lack of an appropriate genomic platform has precluded the use of gain‐of‐function approaches to study the rhizobium–legume symbiosis, preventing the establishment of the genes necessary and sufficient for symbiotic nitrogen fixation (SNF) and potentially hindering synthetic biology approaches aimed at engineering this process. Here, we describe the development of an appropriate system by reverse engineering Sinorhizobium meliloti. Using a novel in vivo cloning procedure, the engA‐tRNA‐rmlC (ETR) region, essential for cell viability and symbiosis, was transferred from Sinorhizobium fredii to the ancestral location on the S. meliloti chromosome, rendering the ETR region on pSymB redundant. A derivative of this strain lacking both the large symbiotic replicons (pSymA and pSymB) was constructed. Transfer of pSymA and pSymB back into this strain restored symbiotic capabilities with alfalfa. To delineate the location of the single‐copy genes essential for SNF on these replicons, we screened a S. meliloti deletion library, representing > 95% of the 2900 genes of the symbiotic replicons, for their phenotypes with alfalfa. Only four loci, accounting for < 12% of pSymA and pSymB, were essential for SNF. These regions will serve as our preliminary target of the minimal set of horizontally acquired genes necessary and sufficient for SNF.
Practice Pattern Variation in the Care of Children With Acute Asthma
Authors: Chamberlain James M. , Teach Stephen J. , Hayes Katie L. , Badolato Gia , Goyal Monika K.
Published: January 2016

Objectives

Pediatric asthma is a highly prevalent disease, affecting over 7 million U.S. children and accounting for 750,000 annual emergency department (ED) visits. Guidelines from the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program recommend limited use of chest radiography (CXR), complete blood counts (CBCs), and antibiotics when managing acute exacerbations of asthma. However, studies suggest frequent overutilization of these resources. The objective was to evaluate differences between pediatric and general EDs in rates of CXRs, CBCs, and use of antibiotics for pediatric asthma exacerbations.

Methods

This was a repeated cross‐sectional analysis of data from the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey from 2000 through 2010 of CXR, CBCs, and antibiotics during ED visits for pediatric acute asthma exacerbations. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify differences in asthma management by ED type (pediatric vs. general) after adjusting for demographic covariates.

Results

There were 3,313 observations, representing an estimated 10.9 million (95% confidence interval [CI] = 9.7 to 12.1 million) ED visits for acute asthma without bacterial coinfection. Of these, 17.4% occurred in pediatric EDs. Multivariable logistic regression revealed that visits to pediatric EDs were less likely to include CXRs (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.39; 95% CI = 0.25 to 0.60), CBCs (AOR = 0.42; 95% CI = 0.22 to 0.80), and antibiotics (AOR = 0.50; 95% CI = 0.31 to 0.82) after adjustment for race/ethnicity, triage level, academic ED, metropolitan statistical area, and geographic region.

Conclusions

There are substantial differences in diagnostic testing and antibiotic usage for management of acute exacerbations of asthma by ED type, suggesting potential resource overuse in general EDs. Future studies should focus on evaluating the effect of quality improvement efforts for ED asthma management.