bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hippocampal connectivity with sensorimotor cortex during volitional finger movements I. Laterality and relationship to motor learning
Authors: Burman Douglas D.
Published: November 2018

Hippocampal interactions with the motor system are often assumed to reflect the role of memory in motor learning. Here, we examine hippocampal connectivity with sensorimotor cortex during two tasks requiring paced movements, one with a mnemonic component (sequence learning) and one without (repetitive tapping). Functional magnetic resonance imaging activity was recorded from thirteen right-handed subjects; connectivity was identified from sensorimotor cortex (SMC) correlations with psychophysiological interactions in hippocampal activity between motor and passive visual tasks. Finger movements in both motor tasks anticipated the timing of the metronome, reflecting cognitive control, yet evidence of motor learning was limited to the sequence learning task; nonetheless, hippocampal connectivity was observed during both tasks. Connectivity from corresponding regions in the left and right hippocampus overlapped extensively, with improved sensitivity resulting from their conjunctive (global) analysis. The cortical laterality of SMC connectivity depended both on the hippocampal source and the task.Functionally-defined seeds produced bilateral connectivity within the hand representation, regardless of whether finger movements were uni- or bimanual; these seeds were located midlateral within the hippocampus, whereas structural seeds were located in the posterior hippocampus and produced unilateral connectivity. Results implicate the hippocampus in volitional finger movements even in the absence of motor learning or recall.
Immunological female role tested on artificial plugs in three scorpion species
Authors: Oviedo-Diego Mariela A. , Mattoni Camilo I. , Peretti Alfredo V.
Published: November 2018

Within arachnids, genital plugs are morphologically diverse, and they can be formed by male, female or be a contribution of both sexes. Although several species of scorpions with genital plugs are known, the physiological effects on the female after being plugged have not been well studied yet. This work compares three scorpion species, two with genital plugs and one without. We first describe the genital plugs morphology of twoUrophoniusspecies. Second, through the placement of artificial genital plugs in the female genital atrium, we tested 1) whether there are interspecific differences in the immune encapsulation response on the artificial genital plug, 2) if there are an effect in the hemocyte load in the hemolymph, and 3) if individual’s immunological parameters and body weight are correlated. Additionally, we describe and quantify the hemocytes in these species. In both species ofUrophonius, genital plugs were found covering the female genital aperture and blocking the genital atrium. The plugs consist of three zones that are distinct in morphology and coloration. We found different patterns of encapsulation and melanization on the artificial plug according to the species, with a greater and more specific response in females of plug producing species. Also, these species showed a decrease in the hemocyte load one month after the placement of the artificial plug, possibly due to the recirculation of the hemocytes into the genital area. In addition, correlations were found between the body weight and the immunological parameters, as well as between different immunological parameters. Our results suggest that females contribute to the formation of genital plugs by adding material and generating the darkening of the genital plugs in certain zones. This comparative study can help to provide a wider framework of different physiological consequences related to a particular postcopulatory mechanism such as the genital plugs.
A population of bang-bang switches of defective interfering particles makes within-host dynamics of dengue virus controllable
Authors: Mapder Tarunendu , Clifford Sam , Aaskov John , Burrage Kevin
Published: November 2018

The titre of virus in a dengue patient and the duration of this viraemia has a profound effect on whether or not a mosquito will become infected when it feeds on the patient and this, in turn is a key driver of the magnitude of a dengue outbreak. As mosquitoes require 100-1000 times more virus to become infected than a patient, the transmission of dengue virus from a patient to a mosquito is a vulnerability that may be able to be targeted to improve disease control. The intrinsic variability in the within-host dynamics of viraemias is explored for a population of patients using the method of population of models (POMs). A dataset from 207 patients is used to calibrate 20,000 models for the infection kinetics for each of the four dengue virus serotypes. The effect of adding defective dengue virus interfering particles to patients as a therapeutic is evaluated using the calibrated POMs in a bang-bang optimal control setting.

Author summary

Dengue virions with deletions or defects in their genomes can be recovered from dengue patients. These defective viruses can only replicate with the assistance of fully functional viruses and they reduce the yield of the fully functional viruses. They are known as defective interfering (DI) particles. By administering additional, defined, DI particles to patients it may be possible to reduce the titre and duration of their viraemia. This, in turn may reduce the severity of the disease and the likelihood that dengue virus will be passed from the patient to a mosquito vector. This study estimates the number of DI particles that would need to be administered, and over what period, to have a significant effect on patient viraemia and subsequent dengue fever severity.
Structures of endo-1,5-α-L-arabinanase mutants fromBacillus thermodenitrificansTS-3 in complex with arabino-oligosaccharides
Authors: Yamaguchi Asako , Sogabe Yuri , Fukuoka Satomi , Sakai Takuo , Tada Toshiji
Published: November 2018

The thermostable endo-1,5-α-L-arabinanase fromBacillus thermodenitrificansTS-3 (ABN-TS) hydrolyzes the α-1,5-L-arabinofuranoside linkages of arabinan. In this study, the crystal structures of inactive ABN-TS mutants, D27A and D147N, were determined in complex with arabino-oligosaccharides. The crystal structures revealed that ABN-TS has at least six subsites in the deep V-shaped cleft formed across one face of the propeller structure. The structural features indicate that substrate recognition is profoundly influenced by the remote subsites as well as by the subsites surrounding the active center. The `open' structure of the substrate-binding cleft of the endo-acting ABN-TS is suitable for the random binding of several sugar units in polymeric substrates.
Modeling of energy-dispersive X-ray diffraction for high-symmetry crystal orientation
Authors: Dragoi Danut , Dragoi Alexandru
Published: November 2018

The methods for X-ray crystal orientation are rapidly evolving towards versatility, fewer goniometry measurements, automation, high accuracy and precision. One method that attracts a lot of attention is energy-dispersive X-ray diffraction (EDXRD) which is based on detecting reflections from crystallographic planes in a crystal at fixed angles of a parallel polychromatic X-ray incident beam. In theory, an EDXRD peak can move in a diffraction pattern as a function of a crystallographic plane d-spacing and its orientation relative to a fixed direction in space can change also. This is equivalent to the possibility of measuring the orientation of single crystals. The article provides a modeling for the EDXRD method whose main feature is the nonmoving crystal in the sense of traditional goniometry where the angle measurements of diffracting planes are a must. The article defines the equation of orientation for the method and shows the derivation in great detail. It is shown that the exact solutions of the equations can be obtained using the generalized reduced gradient method, a mathematical subroutine that is implemented in Excel software. The significance and scientific impact of the work are discussed along with the validated tested results.
The factors of consumer confidence recovery after scandals in food supply chain safety
Authors: Wang Shuhui , Alexander Paul
Published: November 2018

Purpose

Viewing consumer confidence as a set of static factors has informed previous research and underpinned strategies used in recovering from food safety quality failures, but this approach has not delivered reliable and quick recovery from large-scale food safety scandals. The purpose of this paper is to examine extant models and the factors they are composed of, and suggest an extended model that has a better potential for consumer confidence. The paper focuses on food products where supply chains are visible, and use these features to group the findings.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study principal components and logit analyses are used to assess the role of 30 variables operating in a consumer confidence model constructed from several existing in the literature. This combined model considers emotional, cognitive, trust and sociodemographic factors. In total, 14 independent factors are identified. The authors examine the factors, and from these, the decision-making mechanisms before and after the Sanlu Infant Milk Formula (IMF) scandal of 2008.

Findings

The authors find that the factors considered by consumers are different for different IMF supply chains, and different again before and after the scandal. The authors develop the argument for an extension to the existing models, incorporating a dynamic consumer confidence system.

Research limitations/implications

The paper uses a single survey after the focus event to establish “before” and “after” decision-making factors. Since the IMF scandal is recent and of very high profile, this is likely valid even if it carries memory bias effects. The study is directly applicable to food safety scandals in a Chinese context. Deductive reasoning extends our assertions to a wider context. They are logically validated but have not been formally tested.

Practical implications

Using this system as a framework a checklist for recovery from a similar food safety scandal is suggested. The authors also suggest more general use for use where supply chains features are visible to consumers.

Originality/value

Models for food safety consumer confidence recovery have previously focused on identifying models and the static factors they consist of. These do represent a reflection of how this phenomenon operates, but using the principals of this model nevertheless does not result in good recovery from extreme food safety failures. This paper contributes by extending these models to one that can be applied for better recovery.
Decisional factors driving farmers to adopt organic farming in India: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Azam Md Sikandar , Shaheen Musarrat
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to carry out an empirical investigation of the role of various factors such as economics, social, marketing, cultivation and government in adoption of organic farming. Further, this study examines the factors that influence farmers’ choice of adopting organic farming, based on their demographic classification such as education level, farm size, farming experiences and land ownership of the organic farmers.

Design/methodology/approach

To address the research objectives, the primary data were collected with the help of a structured questionnaire from 200 respondents. In this study, the QUAL–QUAN sequence of mixed method design was used. Four focus groups were conducted to identify the factors of organic farming adoption. Further, multinomial regression analysis was applied to analyze the differential impact of these factors in relation to the farmers’ demographic classification.

Findings

The study found five major factors that affect the adoption of organic farming (economic, social, marketing, cultivation, government policy) in India. The study also observed that marketing and government policy factors were most crucial in influencing all types of farmers irrespective of their educational level. The farmers with more farming experience were more concerned about social factors. Similarly, the farmers using lease farms were found to be concerned about the economic viability of organic farming.

Social implications

This study suggests that without government support, the adoption of organic agriculture seems to be a highly challenging task in a situation, where majority of the farmers fall under the small and marginal category. Hence, to promote organic farming in a developing country like India, the government has to invest more in schemes where farmers should get exclusive training and support to strengthen their intention behind the adoption of the organic farming.

Originality/value

Based on the collective insights from the studies, the different stakeholders with interest in organic agriculture may frame necessary strategies to promote organic farming.
Sport volunteer service performance, image formation, and service encounters
Authors: Lee Younghan , Kim Mi-Lyang , Koo Jakeun , Won Hyung-Joong
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the link between sport event volunteer service performance and sport spectator experience that leads to future intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

Subjects were the international visitors at a mega sporting event in South Korea (n=431). The sample was randomly drawn based on convenience sampling method. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was utilized to test the hypotheses. The adequacy and statistical significance of the path models were confirmed by individual indicator loadings, average variance explained, bootstrapt-statistics and convergent validity.

Findings

Volunteer service performance significantly predicted event satisfaction, event image, and host city image and indirectly influenced intentions to revisit the event and host city. Event image predicted host city image, event satisfaction and intention to revisit the event. Host city image predicted event satisfaction and intention to revisit the host city. Event satisfaction predicted both intentions to revisit the event and the host city.

Originality/value

Sport event volunteers are in direct contact with spectators; therefore the performance of volunteers’ service may have an impact on establishing event and host city images perceived by visitors at the event. The research findings suggest that sport event volunteer performance positively affects image formation and further induce international visitors to revisit both the event and the host city. One of the key findings includes the important role of event satisfaction in the association between volunteer performance, image formation and future behavior.
Numerical investigation of sliding friction behaviour and mechanism of engineering surfaces
Authors: Zhang Xiaogang , Zhang Yali
Published: November 2018

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the sliding friction behaviour and mechanism of engineering surfaces.

Design/methodology/approach

A new numerical approach is proposed. This approach derives the macroscale friction coefficient from microscale asperity interactions. By applying this approach, the sliding friction behaviour under different operating conditions were investigated in terms of molecular and mechanical components.

Findings

Numerical results demonstrate an independent relationship between normal load and friction coefficient, which is governed by the saturated plastic ratio. Numerical results also demonstrate that under very small load, an increase in load increases the friction coefficient. In addition, numerical results confirm the existence of optimal surface roughness where the friction coefficient is the lowest. For the surface profiles used in the current calculation, an optimal surface roughness value is obtained as Rq = 0.125 μm.

Originality/value

This new approach characterizes the deterministic relationship between macroscale friction coefficient and microscale asperity molecular/mechanical interactions. Numerical results facilitate the understanding of sliding friction mechanism.
The intellectual structure of coopetition: past, present and future
Authors: Köseoğlu Mehmet Ali , Yildiz Mehmet , Okumus Fevzi , Barca Mehmet
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the intellectual structure of coopetition through utilizing a citation and co-citation analysis of scholarly articles focusing on coopetition.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted bibliometric analyses of citation and co-citation analysis. The units of analysis were original research articles and research notes retrieved from journals indexed by well-known databases. Keywords used in the search were “co-opet, co-opet, coopetition, coopetition, simultaneous cooperation and competition, simultaneously cooperate and compete, coexistence of cooperation and competition, coexistence of cooperation and competition, cooperate and compete simultaneously, coopetitive relationships, coopetitive relationships, coopetitive networks, horizontal alliances, cooperate with competitors, cooperation with competitors, cooperative relationships with competitors, cooperative competition and competitive cooperation.” Regarding the time period for publication of the sample articles, the authors did not place any restrictions.

Findings

The research findings provide evidence that coopetition demonstrates multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary characteristics. Subfields of the coopetition field were identified based on the components of coopetition, which are relation, process and strategy. The component dealing with relationship management and innovation as strategy become prominent. Although coopetition literature has emerged as a relation view of strategy, it is still fragmented and diverse. Additionally, the robust subfields generated from the analysis were super-positioned with low degrees.

Originality/value

This is one of the few studies offering a critical review of coopetition research via quantitative research approach.
Sustainability in organizational context
Authors: Munck Luciano , Tomiotto Maria Fernanda
Published: November 2018

Purpose

Discussions about sustainability in the organizational context present a blind spot. It appears when we ask if a company recognized as sustainable, keep what it means compatible with corporate sustainability premises and its values on the strategic decision process. In this context, the purpose of this paper is, on the light of sensemaking and the decision-making theory, to reflect on possible divergences between meanings attributed to sustainability, available on official documents, and the meanings identified in current actions and narratives related to sustainability goals in the researched organization.

Design/methodology/approach

The research adopted a qualitative approach, characterized as descriptive, using as methods narrative analysis and documentary research, that were carried out from sensemaking theory.

Findings

It was identified coherence between strategic statements and present sustainable actions. However, in view of theoretical reference used, it was identified an imprecision in sustainability perspectives of decision making. Inconsistency tends to promote internal resistance, difficulty to commit to all areas and prejudice long-term results.

Research limitations/implications

Future studies should compare the decision-making meaning attributed to sustainability in companies of different market segments.

Practical implications

The studied case shed light on the importance of managers having at their disposal a map that relates strategic objectives and actions aimed at sustainability. The lack of this compromises the organizational results focused on corporate sustainability.

Originality/value

The understanding of the meanings attributed gives rise to perceptions of possible and relevant flaws in the alignment between the discourse and the practice of sustainability, supporting possibilities of the fine adjustments in strategic decision making.
Circular economy: analysis of the implementation of practices in the Brazilian network
Authors: Silva Flavia Cristina , Shibao Fabio Ytoshi , Kruglianskas Isak , Barbieri José Carlos , Sinisgalli Paulo Antonio Almeida
Published: November 2018

Purpose

In total, 19 practices of circular economy divided into three groups, internal environmental management, ecological design and investment recovery were studied in a local network composed of small companies and individual entrepreneurs related to common product and by-product flows. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

This research presents an applied nature, is characterized as exploratory and adopted the case study as a technical procedure using sources and methods of data collection. The primary data were collected through direct observation of the processes and semi-structured interviews with managers and owners.

Findings

The most widespread practices are related to product design. However, in most cases, the implementation was punctual and did not present continuous and corresponding actions, which highlights the embryonic contours of European Commission (EC) in the observed network. The practices from the management category were less observed, which revels the environmental variable is not included in the strategic business planning.

Research limitations/implications

The research documents the application of CE practices in a local network and brings this current paradigm shift to the Brazilian context.

Practical implications

To overcome barriers to the implementation of EC practices, it is suggested to restructure commercial relations, to formulate public policies and to develop infrastructures that facilitate the materiality of flows and the market.

Social implications

The study highlights the need of public policies that promotes cross-sectoral cooperation in accordance with NSWP objectives.

Originality/value

Despite the focus on EC implemented practices this study offers a framework of the research routes on the main barriers and suggests actions to overcome the challenges in the transition from the economy to the circular model.
Deciphering the mechanisms of phonological therapy in jargon aphasia
Authors: Bose Arpita , Höbler Fiona , Saddy Douglas
Published: November 2018

Background

Severe word production difficulties remain one of the most challenging clinical symptoms to treat in individuals with jargon aphasia. Clinically, it is important to determine why some individuals with jargon aphasia improve following therapy when others do not. We report a therapy study with AM, an individual with severe neologistic jargon aphasia, and provide a subsequent comparison with previous cases, with the purpose of informing both our theoretical and clinical understanding of jargon aphasia.

Aims

To investigate AM's locus of word production deficit and determine the effectiveness of phonological component analysis (PCA) therapy, a phonological cueing therapy, in the re‐learning and generalization of naming responses for words. In addition, AM's performance in therapy, linguistic profile and ability to engage with therapy/cues were compared in a retrospective analysis with the background linguistic and therapy data of two other individuals with jargon aphasia (P9 and FF), who responded differentially to PCA. This was undertake to explore possible prognostic indicators of phonological therapy for jargon aphasia.

Methods & Procedures

A battery of linguistic and neuropsychological tests was used to identify AM's word production deficit. A single‐subject multiple probe design across behaviours was employed to evaluate the effects of PCA therapy on the re‐learning and generalization of naming responses. In the retrospective analysis of AM, P9 and FF, we compared differences and similarities in performance on various linguistic tasks, the ability to engage in therapy (i.e., ability to generate and use the cues), as well as to retain and maintain cues.

Outcomes & Results

AM's locus of deficit was identified in the mapping between semantics and phonology. PCA was found to be effective in improving naming in two of the three treated word lists during the treatment phase; however, these gains were not maintained. Generalization to untreated picture names was not observed. Findings from the retrospective analysis illustrated that oral reading skills, the ability to segment phonological information from words and active engagement with provided cues are likely prerequisites for obtaining robust and long‐term gains.

Conclusions & Implications

We demonstrated that phonological therapy could be beneficial for the remediation of naming abilities at least in the re‐learning phase; however, maintenance and generalization of these gains were limited. This research helps to elucidate the considerations and evaluations necessary for the appropriateness of phonological therapy and candidacy of individuals with jargon aphasia for this treatment approach.
‘No one is as invested in your continued good health as you should be:’ an exploration of the post‐surgical relationships between weight‐loss surgery patients and their home bariatric clinics
Authors: Meleo‐Erwin Zoë C.
Published: November 2018

This article traces the post‐surgical relationship between weight‐loss surgery (WLS) patients and their home bariatric clinics. Following surgery, there is substantive drop off in patient attendance at both follow‐up appointments and support groups. While barriers to follow‐up are often discussed with the bariatric literature, patients themselves are typically defined as the problem. Based upon a thematic analysis of 217 blog posts and comments in two top patient‐led online forums, I demonstrate that bariatric patients tell a more complex story about their post‐surgical lives. I argue that WLS patients constitute a population with highly specialised medical needs that is caught between the requirements for living with surgically altered digestive systems and a lack of sufficient post‐operative follow‐up care from their home bariatric clinics. Although online forums provide spaces for patients to examine these post‐operative social and clinical experiences in critical terms, seek information and get support, ultimately the conversations serve to underline the value of personal responsibility for post‐operative outcomes–a framing that echoes that of the bariatric profession. This framing should be understood within a larger climate of weight‐based stigma and discrimination as well as neoliberal healthism.
Ethnic Disparities in Neighbourhood Selection: Understanding the Role of Income
Authors: Coulter Rory , Clark William A.V.
Published: November 2018

Resurgent fears that segregation could undermine the cohesion, prosperity and security of British society require re‐examining how ethnicity and economic resources interact to structure the types of neighbourhoods people relocate to when they move. This article uses the United Kingdom Household Longitudinal Study and 2011 census data to assess how ethnicity and income intersect to stratify the ethnic and socio‐economic composition of the neighbourhoods people move to in England and Wales. The results suggest that greater access to resources allows people from most ethnic groups to act on shared residential preferences by moving to more advantaged locales. Furthermore, higher incomes accelerate ethnic deconcentration by carrying Asians into neighbourhoods with a greater share of White Britons. However, there is also considerable inertia and ethnic inequality in neighbourhood destinations. The geography of local opportunity structures constrains the types of neighbourhood people relocate to and ethnic minorities tend to move to less advantaged neighbourhoods than their White British peers. Although Britain is not ‘sleepwalking to segregation’, there are persistent ethnic and socio‐economic disparities in neighbourhood outcomes.
Response to commentaries: The quest(ion) remains in the search for a meaningful reduction‐based end‐point
Authors: Kiluk Brian D. , Fitzmaurice Garrett M. , Strain Eric C. , Weiss Roger D.
Published: November 2018

Commentary to: What defines a clinically meaningful outcome in the treatment of substance use disorders: reductions in direct consequences of drug use or improvement in overall functioning?
Mapping discourse coalitions in the minimum unit pricing for alcohol debate: a discourse network analysis of UK newspaper coverage
Authors: Fergie Gillian , Leifeld Philip , Hawkins Ben , Hilton Shona
Published: November 2018

Background and Aims

Minimum unit pricing (MUP) for alcohol was introduced in Scotland on 1 May 2018, and is now on the policy agenda in other devolved administrations and at Westminster. Previous research has explored the arguments deployed for and against MUP, but the congruence between actors in the MUP debate has not been sufficiently examined. This study identified and mapped the discourse coalitions that emerged in the UK MUP debate through an analysis of actors’ use of arguments in media coverage of the policy debates.

Design

A sample of print media coverage of MUP was obtained from the LexisNexis newspaper database. The resulting sample was imported into discourse network analysis (DNA) software for coding and subsequent visualization of actor networks.

Setting

United Kingdom.

Observations

A total of 348 articles from eight UK‐wide and three Scottish newspapers from an 18‐month period, ending in November 2012, were analysed.

Measurements

Actors’ arguments were coded to generate structured data for conversion into a weighted actor network where ties represent similarities among actors in terms of arguments in support of or opposition to MUP.

Findings

Two polarized discourse coalitions, Opponents and Proponents of MUP, emerged in media coverage. The Proponents coalition consisted mainly of health advocacy groups, charities, political parties and academic institutions. In the Opponents coalition, the networks were formed of key alcohol manufacturers and economic think‐tanks. While producer organizations were central to the Opponents coalition, some commercial actors were more favourable to MUP, highlighting divisions within the industry overall.

Conclusions

Media coverage of minimum unit pricing (MUP) in Scotland from June 2011 to November 2012 showed alignment between the policy positions of (1) alcohol producers and think‐tanks opposed to MUP; and (2) public health advocates and health charities in favour of the policy. Some alcohol industry actors were supportive of MUP indicating divisions among the industry. Discourse network analysis may be usefully applied to study other highly contested policy issues in health and beyond.
Patterns of domestic violence against women during pregnancy and the postpartum period in Kathmandu, Nepal
Authors: Bhatta Narayan , Assanangkornchai Sawitri
Published: November 2018

Introduction

Domestic violence during pregnancy and the postpartum period is a public health problem, which affects not only the health of the mother but also the health of the fetus and child. This study aims to examine the prevalence and patterns of domestic violence during pregnancy and the postpartum period and to identify associated factors in a Nepalese society.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted in a government hospital of Nepal. In each trimester of pregnancy and the postpartum period, 165 women aged 15 to 49 years were recruited. Domestic violence information was elicited using a questionnaire adapted from a World Health Organization (WHO) domestic violence against women instrument. Multiple logistic regression models were used to identify associated factors of domestic violence.

Results

The overall prevalence of domestic violence against women during pregnancy and the postpartum period was 26.2% (17.6%, 34.6%, 32.7%, and 20.0% in the first, second, and third trimesters of pregnancy, and the postpartum period, respectively). Associated factors for domestic violence included Janjati ethnicity of the women, 2 to 5 years of married life compared with <2 years, the second and third trimesters of pregnancy compared with the first trimester, low education status of husbands, high controlling behavior of mothers‐in‐law, and previous history of domestic violence.

Discussion

Domestic violence during pregnancy and the postpartum period is common in Nepalese women, especially in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.
Refining the ethics of preimplantation genetic diagnosis: A plea for contextualized proportionality
Authors: Dondorp Wybo , de Wert Guido
Published: November 2018

Many European countries uphold a ‘high risk of a serious condition’ requirement for limiting the scope of preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). This ‘front door’ rule should be loosened to account for forms of PGD with a divergent proportionality. This applies to both ‘added PGD’ (aPGD), as an add‐on to in vitro fertilization (IVF), and ‘combination PGD’ (cPGD), for a secondary disorder in addition to the one for which the applicants have an accepted PGD indication. Thus loosening up at the front has implications at the back of PGD treatment, where a further PGD rule says that ‘affected embryos’ (in the sense of embryos with the targeted mutation or abnormality) should not be transferred to the womb. This ‘back door’ rule should be loosened to allow for transferring ‘last chance’ affected embryos in aPGD and cPGD cases, provided this does not entail a high risk that the child will have a seriously diminished quality of life.
‘If someone donates $1000, they support you. If they donate $100 000, they have bought you’. Mixed methods study of tobacco, alcohol and gambling industry donations to Australian political parties
Authors: Kypri Kypros , McCambridge Jim , Robertson Narelle , Martino Florentine , Daube Mike , Adams Peter , Miller Peter
Published: November 2018

Background and Aims

Business corporations’ use of political donations to garner political influence is especially troubling in relation to products that damage human health. We sought to investigate patterns of donations to Australian political parties from tobacco, alcohol and gambling industry actors and the experiences of key informants.

Design and Methods

We analysed public data on federal and state donations for 10 years to June 2015. We conducted 28 semi‐structured interviews with current and former politicians, ex‐political staffers and other key informants, concerning the role played by political donations of tobacco, alcohol and gambling companies in Australian politics. We examined temporal associations in donations data, and thematically analysed interviews.

Results

Australian political parties declared donations of A$14 million (US$11 M) from tobacco ($1.9 M), alcohol ($7.7 M), gambling ($2.9 M) and supermarket ($1.7 M) entities, excluding donations below the $12 800 reporting threshold. Donations to the governing party increased substantially during debates about an alcohol tax and gambling law reform. Alcohol industry donations to major parties spiked ahead of elections. Interviewees identified the function of donations in terms of: (i) buying immediate influence; (ii) building long‐term relationships; (iii) exploiting a flawed political system; and (iv) the need to look beyond donations, for example, to favour exchange; and the public's right to know about corporate influence on policy‐makers.

Discussion and Conclusions

The alcohol and gambling industries make substantial donations to influence particular decisions in the short term and build relationships over the long term. Banning corporate donations and publicly funding political parties warrant consideration to safeguard the integrity of public policy‐making.
Assessing earth system model predictions of C4 grass cover in North America: From the glacial era to the end of this century
Authors: Still Christopher J. , Cotton Jennifer M. , Griffith Daniel M.
Published: November 2018

Aim

C4 grasses are distinct from C3 grasses, because C4 grasses respond in a different manner to light, temperature, CO2 and nitrogen and often have higher resource‐use efficiencies. C3 and C4 grasses are typically represented in earth system models (ESMs) by different plant functional types (PFTs). The ability of ESMs to capture C4 grass biogeography and ecology across differing time periods is important to assess, given the crucial role they play in ecosystems and their divergent responses to global change.

Location

North America.

Time periods

Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), historical modern period (ca. 1850) and end of this century.

Major taxa studied

C4 grasses.

Methods

Proxy data representing relative cover and productivity of C4 grasses were collated, including carbon isotope ratios of soil carbon and animal grazer tissue, and vegetation plot data in undisturbed grasslands. We selected available model predictions of C4 PFT percentage cover. Models were compared against one another and assessed against proxy data at key time points: the LGM, the historical modern period before widespread grassland conversion to agriculture, and the end of this century.

Results

We highlight large differences among model predictions of percentage C4 grass cover across North America: all pairwise combinations have correlations < .5, and most are < .2. Models also do not capture spatial patterns of the percentage C4 grass cover from proxy data, during either the LGM or the historical modern period. Models generally under‐predict percentage C4 grass cover, particularly during the historical modern period.

Main conclusions

Earth system models do not accurately represent the biogeography of C4 grasses across a range of time‐scales, and their outputs do not agree with one another. We suggest model improvements to represent this crucial functional type better, including more collection and greater integration of C3 and C4 grass trait data, explicit representations of tree–grass competition for water, and a greater focus on disturbance ecology.
Expression patterns and colocalization of two sensory neurone membrane proteins in Ectropis obliqua Prout, a geometrid moth pest that uses Type‐II sex pheromones
Authors: Sun L. , Wang Q. , Zhang Y. , Yan Y. , Guo H. , Xiao Q. , Zhang Y.
Published: November 2018

Sensory neurone membrane proteins (SNMPs) function as essential cofactors for insect sex pheromone detection. In this study, we report two SNMPs in Ectropis obliqua Prout, a serious geometrid pest that produces typical Type‐II sex pheromones. Sequence alignments and phylogenetic analyses showed that EoblSNMP1 and EoblSNMP2 belong to two distinct SNMP subfamilies. Quantitative real‐time PCR suggested that EoblSNMP1 was male antennae‐biased, whereas EoblSNMP2 was highly expressed on male antennae but was also expressed on female antennae and other chemosensory tissues. Additionally, EoblSNMP1 and EoblSNMP2 differed in their developmental expression profiles. In situ hybridization revealed that EoblSNMP1 was sensilla trichodea I specific, whereas EoblSNMP2 was expressed in sensilla trichodea I and the sensilla basiconica; furthermore, EoblSNMP1 and EoblSNMP2 were co‐expressed in sensilla trichodea I but in different cells. This study suggests that EoblSNMP1 is functionally distinct from EoblSNMP2 in E. obliqua; EoblSNMP1 may specifically contribute to the recognition of sex pheromones, whereas EoblSNMP2 exhibits multiple olfactory roles. Our findings comprehensively reveal the expression patterns of SNMPs in a lepidopteran species that uses Type‐II sex pheromones, providing new insights into the functional evolution of SNMPs from lepidopteran moths with Type‐I sex pheromones to those with Type‐II sex pheromones.
Brain size predicts behavioural plasticity in guppies (Poecilia reticulata): An experiment
Authors: Herczeg Gábor , Urszán Tamás J. , Orf Stephanie , Nagy Gergely , Kotrschal Alexander , Kolm Niclas
Published: November 2018

Understanding how animal personality (consistent between‐individual behavioural differences) arises has become a central topic in behavioural sciences. This endeavour is complicated by the fact that not only the mean behaviour of individuals (behavioural type) but also the strength of their reaction to environmental change (behavioural plasticity) varies consistently. Personality and cognitive abilities are linked, and we suggest that behavioural plasticity could also be explained by differences in brain size (a proxy for cognitive abilities), since accurate decisions are likely essential to make behavioural plasticity beneficial. We test this idea in guppies (Poecilia reticulata), artificially selected for large and small brain size, which show clear cognitive differences between selection lines. To test whether those lines differed in behavioural plasticity, we reared them in groups in structurally enriched environments and then placed adults individually into empty tanks, where we presented them daily with visual predator cues and monitored their behaviour for 20 days with video‐aided motion tracking. We found that individuals differed consistently in activity and risk‐taking, as well as in behavioural plasticity. In activity, only the large‐brained lines demonstrated habituation (increased activity) to the new environment, whereas in risk‐taking, we found sensitization (decreased risk‐taking) in both brain size lines. We conclude that brain size, potentially via increasing cognitive abilities, may increase behavioural plasticity, which in turn can improve habituation to novel environments. However, the effects seem to be behaviour‐specific. Our results suggest that brain size likely explains some of the variation in behavioural plasticity found at the intraspecific level.
An advanced aqueous method of extracting rapeseed oil with high quality
Authors: Lv Miao , Wu Wenbiao
Published: November 2018

Because of concern about environment, health, and cost, research into the production of rapeseed oil by aqueous extraction has been promoted. The advanced aqueous extraction method using a 1.5:10 water‐to‐rapeseed kernel slurry ratio without the addition of any chemical which was finally developed in this study recovered 94.73% rapeseed oil with high quality. Acid value and peroxide value of rape seed oil produced were quite low at <0.2 mg KOH/kg and < 5 mmol/kg, respectively, which were superior to that produced by solvent extraction and high temperature expressing and that required by the Chinese national standard for first class edible oils. Water content in the de‐oiled rapeseed residue powder was quite low at about 25%, which can be easily dried. No wastewater was discharged during the extraction of oils. This breakthrough shows the great potential of using aqueous extraction of rapeseed oil instead of solvent extraction or high temperature pressing. These results should provide valuable guidance for the future development of production technology of rapeseed oil by aqueous extraction on an industrial scale.

Practical application

The established aqueous method has the potential of being a classic procedure for processing rapeseeds in the future. The procedures on the laboratory scale established in this study can be a solid basis of developing industrial engineering of producing rapeseed oils on a commercial scale. The results described in this article may lead to a new theory of production technology of oil seeds.
Retracted: Vacuolating cytotoxin A (vacA) and cytotoxin‐associated gene A (cagA) genotypes of resistant Helicobacter pylori strains isolated from raw and pasteurized milk
Authors: Baradari Hamed , Mashak Zohreh , Tavakoli‐Far Bahareh
Published: November 2018

Foods with animal origins play a considerable role in transmission of Helicobacter pylori. The current study was done to evaluate the genotyping patterns and antibiotic resistance properties of H. pylori strains isolated from raw and pasteurized milk. Three hundred and fifty raw and pasteurized milk samples were collected. Samples were cultured on Wilkins Chalgren media. Antibiotic resistance pattern and genotyping were done using the disk diffusion and polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Sixty‐eight out of 350 milk samples (19.42%) were positive for H. pylori. Prevalence of H. pylori in raw and pasteurized milk samples were 44.00% and 1.00%, respectively. Helicobacter pylori strains exhibited the maximum prevalence of resistance against tetracycline (94.11%), ampicillin (91.17%), amoxicillin (88.23%), and erythromycin (69.11%). VacA s1a (98.52%), m1a (88.23%), m2 (79.41%), and s2 (77.94%) and also vacA s1am1a (61.76%), s1am2 (51.94%), s2m2 (51.94%), and s2m1a (50.00%) were the most frequently detected genotypes. VacA s2/cagA+ (50.00%), s1a/cagA+ (47.05%), m1a/cagA+ (41.17%), and m2/cagA+ (33.82%) were the most frequently detected combined genotyping patterns. Boost prevalence of H. pylori in raw and pasteurized milk exhibits that they may be the natural reservoirs of bacteria. Similar vacA and cagA genotyping patterns of H. pylori strains recommends that they have similar routes of infection.

Practical applications

Due to the high consumption rate of raw and pasteurized milk samples, they should have a high microbial quality. Foods with animal origins and especially milk are considered as a probable source of Helicobacter pylori infections. The incidence of contamination of milk by H. pylori is fairly high, and nearly all of the isolates showed resistance against several types of antibiotics and harbored pathogenic vacA and cagA genotypes, so the risk of probable foodborne diseases caused by H. pylori in such products should not be neglected. Additionally, raw and pasteurized milk samples may act as a reservoir of H. pylori with ability to transfer antibiotic resistance and virulent genotypes.
Retracted: Prevalence, antibiotic resistance, and toxigenic gene profile of the Clostridium difficile isolated from molluscan shellfish
Authors: Nayebpour Farnaz , Rahimi Ebrahim
Published: November 2018

Clostridium difficile strains are considered as one of the newly borne foodborne pathogens regarding the consumption of seafood products. The present study was done to assess the antibiotic resistance pattern and toxigenic gene profile of the C. difficile strains isolated from shellfish samples. Eight‐hundred and twenty oyster, mussel, cockle, and clam samples were collected and cultured. Clostridium difficile isolates were subjected to polymerase chain reaction disk diffusion. Twenty‐six out of 820 (3.17%) shellfish samples were positive for C. difficile. Mussel (5.00%) and oyster (4.00%) were the most commonly contaminated samples. Clostridium difficile strains exhibited the highest prevalence of resistance against ampicillin (92.30%), penicillin (84.61%), amoxicillin (76.92%), moxifloxacin (65.38%), and metronidazole (57.69%). Prevalence of resistance against more than eight types of antibiotics was 15.38%. TcdA (50%), tcdB (30.76%), and cdtA (30.76%) were the most commonly detected toxigenic genes. Clostridium difficile strains harbored the highest prevalence of tcdA + tcdB (23.07%), tcdA + cdtA (19.23%), tcdB + cdtA (15.38%), and tcdA + tcdB + cdtA (11.53%) gene clusters. Shellfish samples have been considered as a potential source of toxigenic multidrug resistant C. difficile. Simultaneous presence of multiple toxigenic genes in the multidrug resistant C. difficile strains poses an important public health issue regarding the consumption of raw and shellfish.

Practical applications

Due to the high‐consumption rate of molluscan shellfish, they should have a high microbial quality. Clostridium difficile is common foodborne bacteria with an emergence of antibiotic resistance and toxin production. The current research is the first report of the isolation and study the antibiotic resistance and toxigenic gene profile of the C. difficile strains isolated from oyster, mussel, cockle, and clam samples caught from the Persian Gulf, Iran. Results represented that molluscan shellfish samples may act as a reservoir of Clostridium difficile with ability to transfer antibiotic resistance and toxin genes to human population.