bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Population Subdivision of Fusarium graminearum from Barley and Wheat in the Upper Midwestern United States at the Turn of the Century
Authors: Liang Junmin , Lofgren Lotus , Ma Zhanhong , Ward Todd J. , Kistler H. Corby
Published: June 2015

Fusarium graminearum, the causal agent of Fusarium head blight (FHB) in wheat and barley, is one of the most economically destructive pathogens of these grains worldwide. Recent population genetic studies of the pathogen obtained from wheat in North America supported population subdivision in part correlated with the spectrum of trichothecene mycotoxins (chemotype) produced by individuals within each population. In contrast, a recent study of F. graminearum obtained from diseased barley in the upper Midwestern United States concluded that only a single population was present, consisting of individuals with various chemotypes. To test whether strains derived from different hosts potentially have different population dynamics, we obtained the barley strains used in the previous study and compared them with wheat strains isolated at a similar time and geographic origin. A total of 247 F. graminearum isolates from barley were assigned firmly into two clusters using a Bayesian clustering method. Subdivision within the barley population corresponded to the previously described NA1 (correlated with the 15ADON chemotype) and NA2 (correlated with the 3ADON chemotype) populations from wheat. However, in both sampling periods the barley population exhibited a higher level of genetic differentiation between NA1 and NA2 populations, fewer admixed individuals and evidence of unidirectional gene introgression (15ADON strains with NA2 genetic backgrounds). These results suggest less recombination between NA1 and NA2 populations on barley compared with wheat. The frequency of 3ADON chemotype strains in the most recently surveyed barley population suggests a latitudinal cline from the northern (49%), central (40%) to the southern (29%) sampling area. The potential to produce a novel trichothecene, 3α-acetoxy,7α,15-dihydroxy-12,13-epoxytrichothe-9-ene (NX-2), was not detected in the barley population but occurred at a low rate (2.4%) in the wheat population.
Scholarly Productivity and National Institutes of Health Funding of Foundation for Anesthesia Education and Research Grant Recipients
Authors: Pagel Paul S. , Hudetz Judith A.
Published: June 2015

AbstractAbstract

In a review of nearly 400 Foundation for Anesthesia Education and Research awardees since 1987, approximately 80% currently hold full-time academic appointments, and their research productivity (>19,000 papers) and research success (391 National Institutes of Health grants totaling nearly $450 million) are high.

Background:

The Foundation for Anesthesia Education and Research (FAER) grant program provides fellows and junior faculty members with grant support to stimulate their careers. The authors conducted a bibliometric analysis of recipients of FAER grants since 1987.

Methods:

Recipients were identified in the FAER alumni database. Each recipient’s affiliation was identified using an Internet search (keyword “anesthesiology”). The duration of activity, publications, publication rate, citations, citation rate, h-index, and National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding for each recipient were obtained using the Scopus® (Elsevier, USA) and NIH Research Portfolio Online Reporting Tools® (National Institutes of Health, USA) databases.

Results:

Three hundred ninety-seven individuals who received 430 FAER grants were analyzed, 79.1% of whom currently hold full-time academic appointments. Recipients published 19,647 papers with 548,563 citations and received 391 NIH grants totaling $448.44 million. Publications, citations, h-index, the number of NIH grants, and amount of support were dependent on academic rank and years of activity (P < 0.0001). Recipients who acquired NIH grants (40.3%) had greater scholarly output than those who did not. Recipients with more publications were also more likely to secure NIH grants. Women had fewer publications and lower h-index than men, but there were no gender-based differences in NIH funding. Scholarly output was similar in recipients with MD and PhD degrees versus those with MD degrees alone, but recipients with MD and PhD degrees were more likely to receive NIH funding than those with MDs alone.

Conclusion:

Most FAER alumni remain in academic anesthesiology and have established a consistent record of scholarly output that appears to exceed reported productivity for average faculty members identified in previous studies.
Emergency Department Visits and Hospitalizations in Children With Chronic Pancreatitis in the United States
Authors: Pant Chaitanya , Sferra Thomas J.
Published: June 2015

We analyzed 2 national databases to assess the use of health care resources by children with chronic pancreatitis (CP). In 2012, the hospital discharge rate for pediatric CP was 2.73/100,000 children. Patients with CP were sicker with a greater burden of illness than age‐ and sex‐matched counterparts. Acute pancreatitis occurred frequently in hospitalized children with CP. Abdominal pain and nausea, and vomiting were the most common gastrointestinal symptoms associated with emergency department visits in children with CP. A significant proportion of these visits resulted in a hospitalization. These findings add to our understanding of the epidemiology of CP in the United States.
Interaction of Giardia intestinalis and Systemic Oxidation in Preschool Children in the Western Highlands of Guatemala
Authors: Soto‐Méndez María J. , Aguilera Concepción M. , Mesa María D. , Campaña‐Martín Laura , Martín‐Laguna Victoria , Solomons Noel W. , Schümann Klaus , Gil Ángel
Published: June 2015

Background:

Guatemala is a country with the highest prevalence of stunting in under‐5 children in the Americas, with a national average of 49.8%. Asymptomatic intestinal colonization with Giardia intestinalis is common in Guatemalan preschoolers and has been implicated as a factor in linear growth retardation. The potential mechanisms of any giardiasis‐growth interaction have not been exhaustively explored.

Objectives:

The aim of the present study was to describe urine oxidative stress biomarkers and erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme activity, and to explore any association with prevalence or intensity of G intestinalis infection in preschoolers attending 3 government‐subsidized day care centers in the Guatemalan Western Highlands.

Methods:

Samples of feces, urine, and red blood cell (RBC) hemolysate were collected in a total of 74 preschoolers enrolled in 3 day care centers. Giardia prevalence and a proxy index for intensity were assessed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Urinary biomarkers of oxidative damage to DNA (8‐hydroxydeoxyguanosine [8‐OHdG]) and to lipid (F2t 15‐Isoprostane [F2‐Iso]) were measured by ELISA. The erythrocyte activity of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GSR), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) were measured by respective spectroscopic substrate‐based reaction assays.

Results:

Median values of RBC CAT activity (P = 0.016) and urine F2‐Iso (P = 0.023) differed between children who were positive (n = 39) and negative (n = 35) for Giardia. Similarly, G intestinalis intensity was significantly and positively associated with urinary F2‐Iso (r = 0.446, P < 0.001), RBC SOD (r = 283, P = 0.014), and RBC CAT (r = 0.260, P = 0.025).

Conclusion:

The optical density reading of the fecal ELISA assay for G intestinalis has potential as a proxy for the intensity of infestation. In this respect, there exists an association of this intensity with indicators of the systemic oxidation.
Pediatric Facial Fractures
Authors: Hoppe Ian C. , Kordahi Anthony M. , Lee Edward S. , Granick Mark S.
Published: June 2015

Purpose:

Interpersonal violence is a relatively infrequent cause of injury to the craniofacial skeleton in the pediatric population. The presentation of fractures as a result of different causes varies dramatically and can have a direct impact on management. The current study compares facial fractures in a pediatric population as a result of interpersonal violence with other mechanisms of injury.

Methods:

A retrospective review of all of the facial fractures at a level 1 trauma center in an urban environment was performed for the years 2000 to 2012. Patients ≤18 years were included. Patient demographics were collected, as well as location of fractures, concomitant injuries, services consulted, and surgical management strategies. Patients were placed into 2 groups, those sustaining an injury as a result of interpersonal violence and all others. A significance value of 5% was used.

Results:

During this period, there were 3147 facial fractures treated at our institution, 353 of which were in pediatric patients. Upon further review, 68 patients were excluded because of insufficient data for analysis, leaving 285 patients for review. There were 124 (43.5%) patients identified as sustaining a fracture as a result of interpersonal violence. Those sustaining a fracture as a result of interpersonal violence were statistically (P < 0.05) more likely to be boys and to have sustained a fracture of the mandible. The most common services consulted for this group of patients was plastic surgery and oral and maxillofacial surgery. This group of patients was statistically (P < 0.05) more likely to be admitted specifically for management of a facial fracture and statistically (P < 0.05) more likely to be treated operatively with rigid internal fixation. Those sustaining a fracture as a result of interpersonal violence were significantly less likely to have other systemic injuries such as spinal fractures, intracranial fractures, long bone fractures, and pelvic/thoracic fractures. This group was also more likely to undergo treatment via conservative means. In addition, a significantly higher Glasgow Coma Scale (14.7 vs 12.8) and age (16.0 vs 12.8 years) and a significantly lower hospital length of stay (2.9 vs 7.9 days) was observed in the group subjected to interpersonal violence.

Conclusions:

Pediatric patients experiencing facial facture as a result of interpersonal violence show a very distinctive pattern of presentation. The energy associated with the injury is likely focused directly at the craniofacial skeleton and therefore other organ systems are spared. This allows more directed fracture management resulting in a shorter hospital stay when necessitating admission. The findings of the current study are important in that such a large proportion of the patients reviewed experienced interpersonal violence, more so than most other similar studies.
Strategies for the chemical and biological functionalization of scaffolds for cardiac tissue engineering: a review
Authors: Tallawi Marwa , Rosellini Elisabetta , Barbani Niccoletta , Cascone Maria Grazia , Rai Ranjana , Saint-Pierre Guillaume , Boccaccini Aldo R.
Published: June 2015

The development of biomaterials for cardiac tissue engineering (CTE) is challenging, primarily owing to the requirement of achieving a surface with favourable characteristics that enhances cell attachment and maturation. The biomaterial surface plays a crucial role as it forms the interface between the scaffold (or cardiac patch) and the cells. In the field of CTE, synthetic polymers (polyglycerol sebacate, polyethylene glycol, polyglycolic acid, poly-l-lactide, polyvinyl alcohol, polycaprolactone, polyurethanes and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)) have been proven to exhibit suitable biodegradable and mechanical properties. Despite the fact that they show the required biocompatible behaviour, most synthetic polymers exhibit poor cell attachment capability. These synthetic polymers are mostly hydrophobic and lack cell recognition sites, limiting their application. Therefore, biofunctionalization of these biomaterials to enhance cell attachment and cell material interaction is being widely investigated. There are numerous approaches for functionalizing a material, which can be classified as mechanical, physical, chemical and biological. In this review, recent studies reported in the literature to functionalize scaffolds in the context of CTE, are discussed. Surface, morphological, chemical and biological modifications are introduced and the results of novel promising strategies and techniques are discussed.
Rethinking competence in marine life cycles: ontogenetic changes in the settlement response of sand dollar larvae exposed to turbulence
Authors: Hodin Jason , Ferner Matthew C. , Ng Gabriel , Lowe Christopher J. , Gaylord Brian
Published: June 2015

Complex life cycles have evolved independently numerous times in marine animals as well as in disparate algae. Such life histories typically involve a dispersive immature stage followed by settlement and metamorphosis to an adult stage on the sea floor. One commonality among animals exhibiting transitions of this type is that their larvae pass through a ‘precompetent’ period in which they do not respond to localized settlement cues, before entering a ‘competent’ period, during which cues can induce settlement. Despite the widespread existence of these two phases, relatively little is known about how larvae transition between them. Moreover, recent studies have blurred the distinction between the phases by demonstrating that fluid turbulence can spark precocious activation of competence. Here, we further investigate this phenomenon by exploring how larval interactions with turbulence change across ontogeny, focusing on offspring of the sand dollarDendraster excentricus(Eschscholtz). Our data indicate that larvae exhibit increased responsiveness to turbulence as they get older. We also demonstrate a likely cost to precocious competence: the resulting juveniles are smaller. Based upon these findings, we outline a new, testable conception of competence that has the potential to reshape our understanding of larval dispersal and connectivity among marine populations.
Expression change in
Angiopoietin-1
underlies change in relative brain size in fish
Authors: Chen Yu-Chia , Harrison Peter W. , Kotrschal Alexander , Kolm Niclas , Mank Judith E. , Panula Pertti
Published: June 2015

Brain size varies substantially across the animal kingdom and is often associated with cognitive ability; however, the genetic architecture underpinning natural variation in these key traits is virtually unknown. In order to identify the genetic architecture and loci underlying variation in brain size, we analysed both coding sequence and expression for all the loci expressed in the telencephalon in replicate populations of guppies (
Poecilia reticulata
) artificially selected for large and small relative brain size. A single gene, Angiopoietin-1 (
Ang-1
), a regulator of angiogenesis and suspected driver of neural development, was differentially expressed between large- and small-brain populations. Zebra fish (
Danio rerio
) morphants showed that mild knock down of
Ang-1
produces a small-brained phenotype that could be rescued with
Ang-1
mRNA. Translation inhibition of
Ang-1
resulted in smaller brains in larvae and increased expression of
Notch-1
, which regulates differentiation of neural stem cells.
In situ
analysis of newborn large- and small-brained guppies revealed matching expression patterns of
Ang-1
and
Notch-1
to those observed in zebrafish larvae. Taken together, our results suggest that the genetic architecture affecting brain size in our population may be surprisingly simple, and
Ang-1
may be a potentially important locus in the evolution of vertebrate brain size and cognitive ability.
Bizionia fulviae sp. nov., isolated from the gut of an egg cockle, Fulvia mutica
Authors: Kim Hyun Sik , Hyun Dong-Wook , Kim Pil Soo , Lee June-Young , Shin Na-Ri , Yun Ji-Hyun , Whon Tae Woong , Kim Min-Soo , Jung Mi-Ja , Bae Jin-Woo
Published: June 2015

A novel Gram-staining-negative, non-spore-forming, non-flagellated, non-motile, aerobic, saffron-coloured, rod-shaped bacterium that did not produce flexirubin-type pigments was designated strain EM7T and was distinct from other members of the genus Bizionia by produce carotenoid-type pigments and being able to grow independently of NaCl. Strain EM7T was isolated from the intestinal tract of an egg cockle, Fulvia mutica, which had been collected from the West Sea in Korea. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain EM7T belonged to the genus Bizionia, and showed sequence similarity to Bizionia paragorgiae KMM 6029T (97.9 %) and Bizionia saleffrena HFDT (97.73 %). Growth occurred on marine agar 2216 at 0–25 °C (optimum, 20 °C) and at pH 6–9 (optimum, pH 7). Growth occurred in the presence of 0–10 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 2 %, w/v, NaCl). The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 1 G, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c), iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and iso-C16 : 0 3-OH. The major respiratory quinone was menaquinone MK-6. The polar lipids of strain EM7T comprised phosphatidylethanolamine, three unidentified aminolipids, an unidentified aminophospholipid and two unidentified lipids. The genomic DNA G+C content was 34.8 mol%. Bizionia paragorgiae KMM 6029T and Bizionia saleffrena HFDT to Bizionia paragorgiae KCTC 12304T and Bizionia saleffrena CIP 108534T, respectively. Thus, it is proposed that the isolate represents a novel species, Bizionia fulviae sp. nov., with strain EM7T ( = KACC 18255T = JCM 30417T) as the type strain.
Crassaminicella profunda gen. nov., sp. nov., an anaerobic marine bacterium isolated from deep-sea sediments
Authors: Lakhal Raja , Pradel Nathalie , Postec Anne , Ollivier Bernard , Cayol Jean-Luc , Godfroy Anne , Fardeau Marie-Laure , Galés Grégoire
Published: June 2015

A novel, anaerobic, chemo-organotrophic bacterium, designated strain Ra1766HT, was isolated from sediments of the Guaymas basin (Gulf of California, Mexico) taken from a depth of 2002 m. Cells were thin, motile, Gram-stain-positive, flexible rods forming terminal endospores. Strain Ra1766HTgrew at temperatures of 25–45 °C (optimum 30 °C), pH 6.7–8.1 (optimum 7.5) and in a salinity of 5–60 g l− 1NaCl (optimum 30 g l− 1). It was an obligate heterotrophic bacterium fermenting carbohydrates (glucose and mannose) and organic acids (pyruvate and succinate). Casamino acids and amino acids (glutamate, aspartate and glycine) were also fermented. The main end products from glucose fermentation were acetate, butyrate, ethanol, H2and CO2. Sulfate, sulfite, thiosulfate, elemental sulfur, fumarate, nitrate, nitrite and Fe(III) were not used as terminal electron acceptors. The predominant cellular fatty acids were C14 : 0, C16 : 1ω7, C16 : 1ω7 DMA and C16 : 0. The main polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phospholipids. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 33.7 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain Ra1766HTwas affiliated to cluster XI of the orderClostridiales,phylumFirmicutes.The closest phylogenetic relative of Ra1766HTwasGeosporobacter subterraneus(94.2 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity). On the basis of phylogenetic inference and phenotypic properties, strain Ra1766HT( = DSM 27501T = JCM 19377T) is proposed to be the type strain of a novel species of a novel genus, namedCrassaminicella profunda.
Cohnella collisoli sp. nov., isolated from lava forest soil
Authors: Lee Keun Chul , Kim Kwang Kyu , Kim Jong-Shik , Kim Dae-Shin , Ko Suk-Hyung , Yang Seung-Hoon , Lee Jung-Sook
Published: June 2015

A novel bacterial strain, NKM-5T, was isolated from soil of a lava forest in Nokkome Oreum, Jeju, Republic of Korea. Cells of strain NKM-5T were Gram-stain-positive, motile, endospore-forming, rod-shaped and oxidase- and catalase-positive. Strain NKM-5T contained anteiso-C15 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0 as the major fatty acids; menaquinone-7 (MK-7) as the predominant isoprenoid quinone; diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, lysyl-phosphatidylglycerol, an unidentified phospholipid and three unidentified aminophospholipids as the polar lipids; and meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The DNA G+C content was 48.3 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis, based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing, showed that strain NKM-5T was most closely related to Cohnella lupini RLAHU4BT (96.9 % sequence similarity) and fell into a clade in the genus Cohnella. On the basis of phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic data, strain NKM-5T represents a novel species of the genus Cohnella, for which the name Cohnella collisoli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NKM-5T ( = KCTC 33634T = CECT 8805T).
Zhihengliuella somnathii sp. nov., a halotolerant actinobacterium from the rhizosphere of a halophyte Salicornia brachiata
Authors: Jha Bhavanath , Kumar Singh Vijay , Weiss Angelo , Hartmann Anton , Schmid Michael
Published: June 2015

Two novel, Gram-stain-positive, rod-shaped, halotolerent bacteria, strains JG 03T and JG 05 were isolated from the rhizosphere of Salicornia brachiata, an extreme halophyte. Comparative analyses of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that they were closely related to members of the genus Zhihengliuella, with sequence similarities of 96.9–99.1 %. The sequence similarity of strains JG 03T and JG 05 with each other was 99.4 %. DNA–DNA hybridization of JG 03T and JG 05 with other species of the genus Zhihengliuella with validly published names showed reassociation values of 19.8 %–53.4 % and a value of 91.4 % between each other. The peptidoglycan type of both strains was A4α and MK-9 and MK-10 were the predominant menaquinones. The predominant fatty acid in JG 03T was anteiso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0. However, iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0 were the major fatty acids in strain JG 05. The DNA G+C content of strains JG 03T and JG 05 was 70.0 and 70.1 mol%, respectively. In nutrient broth medium both strains grew at NaCl concentrations of up to 15 % (w/v). On the basis of chemotaxonomic characteristics and phylogenetic analyses, strains JG 03T and JG 05 should be affiliated to the genus Zhihengliuella. Strains JG 03T and JG 05 represent a novel species of the genus Zhihengliuella for which the name Zhihengliuella somnathii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JG 03T ( = DSM 23187T = IMCC 253T).
Kribbella mirabilis sp. nov., isolated from rhizosphere soil of a herbaceous plant, Mirabilis jalapa L.
Authors: Li Dan , Song Jiaojiao , Huang Yaojian , Song Siyang , Wu Yingying , Deng Xianming
Published: June 2015

Strain XMU 706T, isolated from the rhizosphere soil of a herbaceous plant, Mirabilis jalapa L., collected from Xiamen City, China, was characterized using a polyphasic approach to clarify its taxonomic position. Strain XMU 706T shared the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Kribbella antibiotica YIM 31530T (97.2 %), and formed a distinct branch in the subclade of the genus Kribbella in the 16S rRNA gene phylogenetic tree. The genetic distances of gyrase subunit B gene (gyrB) sequence between strain XMU 706T and other species of the genus Kribbella ranged from 0.045 to 0.116, greater than the threshold value of 0.014 for species delineation of this genus. DNA–DNA hybridization experiments gave a DNA–DNA relatedness value of 34.82 ± 6.31 % between strain XMU 706T and K. antibiotica YIM 31530T. The chemotaxonomic properties further supported the assignment of strain XMU 706T to the genus Kribbella. ll-Diaminopimelic acid was the diagnostic amino acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan and cell hydrolysates contained ribose and glucose. The major menaquinone was MK-9(H4). The polar lipids comprised diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine and other unidentified phospholipids and lipids. The major fatty acids of the strain were anteiso-C15 : 0 and iso-C15 : 0, and the G+C content of the genomic DNA was 67.3 mol%. Based on the results of phylogenetic analysis, phenotypic and genotypic characterization, strain XMU 706T represents a novel species of the genus Kribbella, for which the name Kribbella mirabilis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is XMU 706T ( = KCTC 29676T = MCCC 1K00429T).
Deinococcus metallilatus sp. nov. and Deinococcus carri sp. nov., isolated from a car air-conditioning system
Authors: Kim Dong-Uk , Lee Hyosun , Lee Ji-Hyeong , Ahn Jae-Hyung , Lim Sangyong , Jeong Sunwook , Park So Yoon , Seong Chi Nam , Ka Jong-Ok
Published: June 2015

Two bacterial strains, designated MA1002T and MA1003T, were isolated from the air-conditioning system of a car. Cells of both strains were Gram-reaction-positive, non-motile, non-spore-forming coccoids, catalase- and oxidase-positive and UV-radiation resistant. The major fatty acids of strain MA1002T were iso-C17 : 0 and iso-C15 : 0 and those of strain MA1003T were iso-C16 : 0 and iso-C16 : 1 H. The polar lipid profile of MA1002T contained phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified phosphoglycolipids, an unidentified phospholipid, an unidentified aminophospholipid, an unidentified aminolipid and an unidentified lipid. MA1003T had three unidentified phosphoglycolipids, six unidentified phospholipids, two unidentified glycolipids and two unidentified polar lipids as the polar lipids. The G+C contents of the genomic DNA of MA1002T and MA1003T were 70.5 and 76.0 mol%, respectively. MK-8 was the predominant respiratory quinone for both strains. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain MA1002T was phylogenetically related to Deinococcus apachensis DSM 19763T, D. geothermalis DSM 11300T, D. aerius TR0125T and D. aetherius ST0316T (92.9, 92.6, 92.0 and 91.9 % sequence similarity, respectively), and MA1003T showed the highest sequence similarity to Deinococcus hopiensis KR-140T (92.9 %) and D. xinjiangensis X-82T (91.4 %). The results of genotypic and phenotypic characterizations showed that both strains could be distinguished from phylogenetically related species, and that the strains represented novel species within the genus Deinococcus, for which we propose the names Deinococcus metallilatus sp. nov. (type strain MA1002T = KACC 17964T = NBRC 110141T) and Deinococcus carri sp. nov. (type strain is MA1003T = KACC 17965T = NBRC 110142T).
Comprehensive identification and analysis of human accelerated regulatory DNA
Authors: Gittelman Rachel M. , Hun Enna , Ay Ferhat , Madeoy Jennifer , Pennacchio Len , Noble William S. , Hawkins R. David , Akey Joshua M.
Published: June 2015

It has long been hypothesized that changes in gene regulation have played an important role in human evolution, but regulatory DNA has been much more difficult to study compared with protein-coding regions. Recent large-scale studies have created genome-scale catalogs of DNase I hypersensitive sites (DHSs), which demark potentially functional regulatory DNA. To better define regulatory DNA that has been subject to human-specific adaptive evolution, we performed comprehensive evolutionary and population genetics analyses on over 18 million DHSs discovered in 130 cell types. We identified 524 DHSs that are conserved in nonhuman primates but accelerated in the human lineage (haDHS), and estimate that 70% of substitutions in haDHSs are attributable to positive selection. Through extensive computational and experimental analyses, we demonstrate that haDHSs are often active in brain or neuronal cell types; play an important role in regulating the expression of developmentally important genes, including many transcription factors such as SOX6, POU3F2, and HOX genes; and identify striking examples of adaptive regulatory evolution that may have contributed to human-specific phenotypes. More generally, our results reveal new insights into conserved and adaptive regulatory DNA in humans and refine the set of genomic substrates that distinguish humans from their closest living primate relatives.
A chalcone showing positional disorder, two related diarylcyclohexenones showing enantiomeric disorder and a related hydroxyterphenyl, all derived from simple carbonyl precursors
Authors: Salian Vinutha V. , Narayana Badiadka , Yathirajan Hemmige S. , Akkurt Mehmet , Çelik Ömer , Ersanlı Cem Cüneyt , Glidewell Christopher
Published: June 2015

Four compounds are reported, all of which lie along a versatile reaction pathway which leads from simple carbonyl compounds to terphenyls. (2E)-1-(2,4-Dichlorophenyl)-3- [4-(prop-1-en-2-yl)phenyl]prop-2-en-1-one, C18H14Cl2O, (I), prepared from 4-(prop-1-en-2-yl)benzaldehyde and 2,4-dichloroacetophenone, exhibits disorder over two sets of atomic sites having occupancies of 0.664 (6) and 0.336 (6). The related chalcone (2E)-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)prop-2-en-1-one reacts with acetone to produce (5RS)-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-[4-(propan-2-yl)phenyl]cyclohex-2-en-1-one, C21H21ClO, (II), which exhibits enantiomeric disorder with occupancies at the reference site of 0.662 (4) and 0.338 (4) for the (5R) and (5S) forms; the same chalcone reacts with methyl 3-oxobutanoate to give methyl (1RS,6SR)-4-(4-chlorophenyl)-6-[4-(propan-2-yl)phenyl]-2-oxocyclohex-3-ene-1-carboxylate, C23H23ClO3, (III), where the reference site contains both (1R,6S) and (1S,6R) forms with occupancies of 0.923 (3) and 0.077 (3), respectively. Oxidation, using 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone, of ethyl (1RS,6SR)-6-(4-bromophenyl)-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-oxocyclohex-3-ene-1-carboxylate, prepared in a similar manner to (II) and (III), produces ethyl 4′′-bromo-4-fluoro-5′-hydroxy-1,1′:3′,1′′-terphenyl-4′-carboxylate, C21H16BrFO3, (IV), which crystallizes withZ′ = 2 in the space groupP\overline{1}. There are no significant intermolecular interactions in the structures of compounds (I) and (II), but for the major disorder component of compound (III), the molecules are linked into sheets by a combination of C—H...O and C—H...π(arene) hydrogen bonds. The two independent molecules of compound (IV) form two different centrosymmetric dimers, one built from inversion-related pairs of C—H...O hydrogen bonds and the other from inversion-related pairs of C—H...π(arene) hydrogen bonds. Comparisons are made with related compounds.
Can microfinance crowdfunding reduce financial exclusion? Regulatory issues
Authors: Marakkath Nadiya , Attuel-mendes Laurence
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to discuss how regulatory environment can be a fundamental constraint or lever in defining the scope of operations of a social innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

– Semi-structured interviews with top-level executives of pioneers of crowdfunding were run in India and France, two of the three leading countries in this field.

Findings

– Four main issues rise: choice of legal status, constraints for the operations model, compliance with anti-money laundering measures and challenges in marketing and sustainability.

Originality/value

– This paper contributes to knowledge advancement in the field of this new funding actor that could challenge the banking system. This is the first paper to explore these regulatory issues and their impact on marketing practices.
Critical analysis of smart environment sensor data behavior pattern based on sequential data mining techniques
Authors: Gebremeskel Gebeyehu Belay , Yi Chai , Wang Chengliang , He Zhongshi
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– Behavioral pattern mining for intelligent system such as SmEs sensor data are vitally important in many applications and performance optimizations. Sensor pattern mining (SPM) is also dynamic and a hot research issue to pervasive and ubiquitous of smart technologies toward improving human life. However, in large-scale sensor data, exploring and mining pattern, which leads to detect the abnormal behavior is challenging. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– Sensor data are complex and multivariate, for example, which data captured by the sensors, how it is precise, what properties are recorded or measured, are important research issues. Therefore, the method, the authors proposed Sequential Data Mining (SDM) approach to explore pattern behaviors toward detecting abnormal patterns for smart space fault diagnosis and performance optimization in the intelligent world. Sensor data types, modeling, descriptions and SPM techniques are discussed in depth using real sensor data sets.

Findings

– The outcome of the paper is measured as introducing a novel idea how SDM technique’s scale-up to sensor data pattern mining. In the paper, the approach and technicality of the sensor data pattern analyzed, and finally the pattern behaviors detected or segmented as normal and abnormal patterns.

Originality/value

– The paper is focussed on sensor data behavioral patterns for fault diagnosis and performance optimizations. It is other ways of knowledge extraction from the anomaly of sensor data (observation records), which is pertinent to adopt in many intelligent systems applications, including safety and security, efficiency, and other advantages as the consideration of the real-world problems.
Integrated marketing communication: making it work at a strategic level
Authors: Kitchen Philip J. , Burgmann Inga
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to describe, review and critique the concept of integrated marketing communications (IMCs) and to suggest ways forward conceptually and managerially.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper critically reviews the emergence, growth and current status of IMC.

Findings

– As the authors consider IMC diffusion in business practice, its generic acceptance in terms of theory and obstacles or difficulties standing in the way of further developments, this leads to positioning IMC more ably, strengthening its theoretical foundations, critiquing its contribution so far and assessing conceptual and managerial issues.

Research limitations/implications

– As a critical review, the authors draw upon data from wide variety of academic IMC research. However, there is an identifiable specific need for in-company empirical research.

Practical implications

– Where IMC is applied in a strategic way, with a view to creating synergy among the different marketing communication elements to achieve short- and long-term returns, the approach can be and is associated with greater consistency among messages and functions, and leads to cost savings, easier working relations between different departments, better utilisation of media and promotional mix elements, together with greater efficiency and enhanced returns.

Originality/value

– The value of the paper lies in its detailed review of the literature, IMC’s significance in terms of conceptualisation and business practice, and underlines the need for further in-company research.
Key account teams: success factors for implementing strategy
Authors: Lai Christine Jaushyuam , Gelb Betsy D.
Published: June 2015

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore a contributing factor – communication – within a team as well as with a client. Organizations that rely on key account teams for strategy implementation may find their “best laid plans” thwarted by communication problems associated with such teams.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on depth interviews and content analysis. The authors analyze what team members and team leaders say and count positive/negative terms about communication within teams and with clients. These counts of such terms as a proportion of interview length are compared to the actual team success.

Findings

Negative comments about communication within the team focus on difficulty and positive comments focus on support. Interestingly, however, the best indicator of whether a team has succeeded in selling its key account is the extent of negative expressions about communication from key account managers. Presumably, the structure of key account teams gives them an extra leadership burden, and the authors’ see a relationship between their perception of communication shortcomings and success or failure.

Research limitations/implications

The authors recommend investigating communication issues when strategy implementation depends on key account teams, but because this study is conducted using a qualitative method with one company, its results cannot be projected. The authors simply demonstrate what a company could learn from conducting its own study and comparing results to its sales success.

Originality/value

Little research has examined communication in key account teams or linked it to sales success.
HSBC Swiss bank accounts-AML compliance and money laundering implications
Authors: Naheem Mohammed Ahmad
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to provide an analysis of the HSBC Swiss bank accounts scandal, from the perspective of anti-money laundering (AML) compliance, and considers the future AML implications for the banking sector and HSBC. It reviews the use of a whistleblower to highlight AML irregularities rather than official reporting through the current AML compliance system.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper uses secondary data to offer a viewpoint on the HSBC issues from a money laundering and financial crime perspective. The paper extracts key statements from staff at HSBC and regulators and examines how AML risk assessment was undertaken at this time and what changes need to occur in the future. It considers the implications of the current theoretical context for AML from an agency theory perspective.

Findings

– The main findings are that AML compliance needs to be embedded into a proactive corporate social responsibility approach rather than relying solely on regulation to improve detection and reporting of money laundering activity.

Research limitations/implications

– The research topic is new, and therefore, analysis papers and other academic writing on this topic are limited. Future research could consider the outcomes of the Swiss bank’s attempts to prosecute the whistleblower and whether this would have implications for future internal reporting and whistleblowing approaches to support AML compliance.

Practical implications

– The implications from the research are the recommendations to the banking sector on addressing AML deficiencies especially within the context of an evolving level of criminal sophistication towards money laundering.

Social implications

– The paper supports the argument for integrating social corporate responsibility and AML compliance to produce a whole bank response to financial crime. This is in contrast to the current systems, which seem to be prevalent within the financial services, of profit and business being seen as separate rather than integral to regulation and control.

Originality/value

– The originality of this paper is the current example of the HSBC Swiss case and the focus specifically on AML compliance rather than tax evasion, which has been the media angle on the issue.
The use of the repertory grid technique in online trust research
Authors: Bauman Antonina
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to explore online consumers’ perceptions of a trustworthy Web site. Specifically, it analyzes which Web site elements and features online buyers identify as online trust cues signaling e-vendor’s trustworthiness.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study implemented a repertory grid technique to gain insight into the customers’ perceptions of Web site trustworthiness.

Findings

– The most frequently identified online trust cues belong to the “Layout”, “Easy to Use” and “Sales” categories. This is in contrast with the traditional views that Web elements related to customers’ privacy and security are leading trust cues. In addition, online shoppers confirmed two trends in e-commerce: the role of social media in developing online trust to e-vendors is increasing and online shopping is associated with entertainment.

Research limitations/implications

– Rich data collected from 16 participants of this qualitative study present a challenge for generalizability. A caution should be taken in extending findings to the whole population of online shoppers.

Practical implications

– This study proves that the repertory grid technique is a useful method for qualitative market research. This method helped to solicit a list of Web site elements and features that online consumers identified as online trust cues. As buyers refer to those cues when deciding to trust or not to trust an e-vendor with the private and confidential information, businesses could use these research findings in designing Web sites that signal trustworthiness to customers.

Originality/value

– This study contributes to the research methodology as it extends the use of the repertory grid technique to the study of online trust cues and collection of data online. It is one of a few qualitative studies of online trust cues.
Three-dimensional model of an ancient Egyptian falcon mummy skeleton
Authors: Du Plessis Anton , Slabbert Ruhan , Swanepoel Liani Colette , Els Johan , Booysen Gerrie J , Ikram Salima , Cornelius Izak
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present the first detailed three-dimensional (3D) print from micro-computed tomography data of the skeleton of an ancient Egyptian falcon mummy.

Design/methodology/approach

– Radiographic analysis of an ancient Egyptian falcon mummy housed at Iziko Museums of South Africa was performed using non-destructive x-ray micro-computed tomography. A 1:1 physical replica of its skeleton was printed in a polymer material (polyamide) using 3D printing technology.

Findings

– The combination of high-resolution computed tomography scanning and rapid prototyping allowed us to create an accurate 1:1 model of a biological object hidden by wrappings. This model can be used to study skeletal features and morphology and also enhance exhibitions hosted within the museum.

Originality/value

– This is the first replica of its kind made of an ancient Egyptian falcon mummy skeleton. The combination of computed tomography scanning and 3D printing has the potential to facilitate scientific research and stimulate public interest in Egyptology.
Successful treatment with ustekinumab of psoriasis vulgaris in a patient undergoing hemodialysis
Authors: Nimmannitya Kulsupa , Tateishi Chiharu , Mizukami Yukari , Hamamoto Kae , Yamada Shinsuke , Goto Hitoshi , Okada Shigeki , Tsuruta Daisuke
Published: June 2015

Psoriasis is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease but psoriasis patients with renal impairment undergoing dialysis are not frequently seen. Furthermore, the published work contains little information on the treatment with biologic drugs of patients with end‐stage renal disease. We describe a 57‐year‐old man with refractory plaque‐type psoriasis and end‐stage renal disease due to polycystic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis. He had tried topical medications and ultraviolet therapy for many years and was then treated with ustekinumab (an interleukin‐12 and interleukin‐23 blocker), which resulted in good clinical response along with stable renal function. After a few years of therapy, no side‐effects have been observed. Our experience with this patient expands the spectrum of ustekinumab to include psoriasis patients with renal failure undergoing hemodialysis.
Why do Anolis dewlaps glow? An analysis of a translucent visual signal
Authors: Fleishman Leo J. , Ogas Brianna , Steinberg David , Leal Manuel
Published: June 2015

Male anoline lizards utilize a colourful, expandable throat fan, called the dewlap, to rapidly and unambiguously signal their presence and species identity to conspecifics. Under some viewing conditions, the dewlaps of some species appear to glow vividly, because they transmit a great deal of diffuse light, creating a translucent signal. Translucent signals are probably found in many animal groups, but they have rarely been studied.

We hypothesized that dewlap translucence might (i) increase dewlap/background luminance contrast or (ii) increase the reliability of the colour as a species recognition signal by lowering the colour discrimination threshold in low light conditions such as forest shade.

We calculated dewlap colour (spectral radiance) for the Jamaican lizard Anolis lineatopus at natural perch sites with, and without, the inclusion of transmitted light.

Transmitted light did not significantly increase the magnitude of luminance contrast between the dewlap and background.

We plotted colours of dewlaps, background patches of habitat and dewlaps of sympatric species in an anoline perceptual colour space (the colour tetrahedron), based on the four classes of cone photoreceptors found in the retina. Using a newly developed approach, we used ellipsoidal plots of uncertainty to quantify perceptual overlap between dewlap spectral radiance and values for natural distractor colours. Diffuse transmission of light through the dewlap greatly reduced the perceptual overlap between the dewlap and natural background colours.

This finding strongly suggests that selection has favoured the evolution of a translucent dewlap as a mechanism to increase the reliability of detection of the signal under the low light conditions. In general, any animal's colour signal must emit sufficient light intensity to allow the colour to be discriminated from other distractor colours in the habitat. This will tend to favour the evolution of colours with higher total intensity (i.e. higher reflectance and/or transmittance) in animals that signal in relatively low light conditions such as forest shade.
REVIEW: Potential effects of kelp species on local fisheries
Authors: Bertocci I. , Araújo R. , Oliveira P. , Sousa‐Pinto I.
Published: June 2015

Kelp species are ecosystem engineers in temperate coasts, where they provide valuable services to humans. Evidence of the declines of kelp forests exists from several regions, but their effects on fisheries still need to be elucidated. More effective management strategies for sustainable fisheries require a synthesis of research findings and an assessment of how research could be improved to fill current gaps.

This review aimed to: (i) summarize the available evidence on the influence of changes in kelp density and/or area on the abundance and diversity of associated fisheries and (ii) examine how research on kelp–fisheries interactions could better support effective management.

Most studies (67%) reported data ascribable, directly or indirectly, to a positive relationship between kelp and fishery‐relevant variables, 11% provided evidence of a negative relationship, 15% indicated species‐specific findings and the remaining found unclear or ‘neutral’ relationships.

Important shortcomings were identified, including the paucity of experimental studies suitable to test for unequivocal cause–effect relationships, the disproportion between North America, which is well‐studied, and other regions and between the large number of fish‐based investigations and the small number of those focusing on other commercially important organisms, and the general lack of studies carried out over spatial and temporal scales comparable to those of global processes driving patterns of distribution of both kelps and fisheries.

Synthesis and applications. The consistency of most studies in showing a positive kelp–fishery relationship supports the protection of kelp habitats stated by current environmental directives. However, achieving their goals requires that the limitations we detect are addressed through better connections between research, management practice and policy. This would require the following: (i) researchers to combine multiple approaches (large‐scale experimental studies and modelling) for the analysis of kelp–fisheries relationships; (ii) funding agencies to provide resources needed to fill the existing gaps; and (iii) researchers and institutions from less studied regions to strengthen collaborations with those from regions where there have been more investigations into kelp–fishery systems. This is essential under present and predicted environmental changes, with the ultimate aim of conserving and allowing the sustainable use of critically important habitats and of fishery resources relying on these.