bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the merits of student‐recruited sampling: Opinions a decade in the making
Authors: Hochwarter Wayne
Published: October 2013

Student‐recruited sampling (SRS), which typically involves students soliciting participants from predetermined populations to assist in data collection, has become an increasingly common and important research design feature. As evidence, many of the top occupational science journals have published studies with SRS as an important research component in recent years. Supportive evidence notwithstanding, SRS has been subjected to considerable consternation – Arguments that often have taken a one‐sided, and highly pejorative, tone. Wheeler, Shanine, Leon, and Whitman's (2013, J. Occup. Organ. Psychol.) recent meta‐analysis, which compared data from SRS and non‐SRS contexts, challenged the legitimacy of these claims. Findings opposed the persistent ‘non‐representativeness’ criticism documenting comparable effect sizes for politics perceptions and engagement across designs. In this commentary, I briefly discuss implications of their findings and then offer my opinions regarding the use of SRS as informed by the last decade of personal involvement.
Metallothionein immunoexpression in selected benign epithelial odontogenic tumors
Authors: Johann Aline Cristina Batista Rodrigues , Caldeira Patrícia Carlos , Souto Giovanna Ribeiro , de Abreu Mauro Henrique Nogueira Guimarães , Aguiar Maria Cássia Ferreira , Mesquita Ricardo Alves
Published: October 2013

Background

Odontogenic tumors exhibited variable biologica behaviors. Metallothionein (MT) is correlated with the cellular homeostasis of essential metals, cellular differentiation, and proliferation. The core goals of this study are (i) to report and to compare MT expression among benign epithelial odontogenic tumors; (ii) to correlate MT with cellular proliferation index; and (iii) to evaluate the influence of the inflammatory infiltrate on MT expression.

Materials and Methods

Ten cases of solid ameloblastomas (SABs), 4 squamous odontogenic tumors (SOTs), 5 adenomatoid odontogenic tumors (AOTs), and 3 calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumors (CEOTs) were subjected to immunohistochemical to anti‐MT, anti‐Ki‐67, and anti‐PCNA. Statistical analysis was performed using BioEstat® 4.0.

Results

Metallothionein staining was found to be the highest in the SABs (93.1%), followed by SOTs (52.9%), AOTs (38.4%), and CEOTs (0%). MT staining exhibited statistically significant differences between the SABs and the SOTs (P = 0.0047) and the AOTs (P = 0.0022). A weak‐to‐strong positive correlation between IMT and IK or IP was observed in SABs and SOTs, whereas a strong negative correlation was observed in AOTs. No differences in IMT, IK, and IP were observed between inflammation groups A and B.

Conclusions

The increased MT expression observed in the SABs might be correlated with clinical behavior (local invasiveness and high rate of recurrence). In the SABs and SOTs, MT plays a role in the stimulation of cellular proliferation. In contrast, MT can inhibit cellular proliferation in the AOT. The IMT, IK, and IP are not affected by inflammation.
No evidence for active human papillomavirus (HPV) in fields surrounding HPV‐positive oropharyngeal tumors
Authors: Rietbergen Michelle M. , Braakhuis Boudewijn J. M. , Moukhtari Nadia , Bloemena Elisabeth , Brink Arjen , Sie Daoud , Ylstra Bauke , Baatenburg de Jong Robert J. , Snijders Peter J. F. , Brakenhoff Ruud H. , Leemans C. René
Published: October 2013

Background

Patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)‐positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OPSCCs) have a better prognosis than patients with HPV‐negative OPSCCs. Important factors contributing to this better prognosis are relatively low numbers of local/regional recurrences (LRRs) and second primary tumors (SPTs) in patients with HPV‐positive OPSCC. These low numbers may be explained in addition by the absence of a ‘field cancerization’ effect, which is a cause of LRRs and SPTs in patients with HPV‐negative OPSCC. We aimed to detect a possible ‘field effect’ in patients with HPV‐positive OPSCC. As HPV is involved in the early stage of carcinogenesis in OPSCCs, its presence is considered a reliable marker for the detection of such a field effect. Therefore, the presence of transcriptionally active HPV was analyzed in the mucosa surrounding HPV‐positive OPSCCs.

Methods

We included 20 patients who were surgically treated for an HPV‐positive OPSCC in the period 2000–2006. Of each patient, the formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded tumor sample and all available resection margins were collected. In total, 97 resection margins were investigated with an average of five resection margins per tumor. All samples were analyzed for the presence of tumor and the presence of transcriptionally active HPV by HPV16‐E6‐mRNA detection.

Results

All tumors were HPV16‐E6‐mRNA positive. HPV16‐E6‐mRNA could be detected in the resection margins that contained tumor (n = 6). All tumor‐negative resection margins (n = 91) scored negative for HPV16‐E6‐mRNA.

Conclusions

In conclusion, transcriptional active HPV could not be detected in the mucosa surrounding an HPV‐positive OPSCC, which suggests the absence of field effect. This observation may explain the lower number of LRRs and SPTs in HPV‐positive patients.
Establishment and characterization of a primary calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumor cell population
Authors: Amm Hope M. , Rollins Douglas L. , Ren Changchun , Dong Juan , DeVilliers Patricia , Rivera Helen , MacDougall Mary
Published: October 2013

Calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumors (CEOTs) are rare neoplasms derived from dental tissue with the unique characteristic of calcifying amyloid‐like material.

Objectives

To establish primary CEOT epithelial‐derived cell populations, investigate the expression of enamel matrix proteins (EMPs), and identify potential ameloblastin (AMBN) and patched 1 (PTCH1) gene alterations.

Materials and Methods

A 28‐year‐old patient with a lesion of the posterior maxilla, radiographically characterized by a radiolucency with well‐defined borders containing mixed radiopacities, agreed to participate with informed consent. The patient's biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of CEOT, and a small representative tumor fragment was ascertained for cell culture. Explant cultures were established and used to establish primary cell populations. These were analyzed for morphology, cell proliferation, mineralization activity, expression of epithelial‐associated markers (qRT‐PCR and immunocytochemistry), and gene mutations of AMBN or PTCH1. DNA was extracted from tumor cells and gene coding and exon–intron boundaries overlapping fragments amplified. PCR products were bidirectional DNA sequenced and compared against reference sequence.

Results

A CEOT cell population was established and proliferated in culture and could be maintained for several passages. Expression of EMPs, cytokeratin 14 and 17, and patched (PTCH1), as well as ALP activity, was detected. These cells also had the ability to mineralize, similar to the primary tumor. Two AMBN alterations were identified in the sample: c.1323G>A/A441A (rs7680880) and c.1344*+111delA. Two single‐nucleotide polymorphisms were identified in the PTCH1 gene.

Conclusions

Our data support the establishment of a CEOT‐derived cell population, which expresses known epithelial‐associated proteins.
REGIONAL WAGE DIFFERENCES IN THE NETHERLANDS: MICRO EVIDENCE ON AGGLOMERATION EXTERNALITIES
Authors: Groot Stefan P.T. , de Groot Henri L.F. , Smit Martijn J.
Published: October 2013

Based on micro data on individual workers for the period 2000–2005, we show that wage differentials in the Netherlands are small but present. A large part of these differentials can be attributed to individual characteristics. Remaining effects are partially explained by variations in employment density, with an elasticity of about 4.8 percent, and by Marshall‐Arrow‐Romer externalities, where doubling the local share of a (two‐digit) industry results in a 2.9 percent higher productivity. We also find evidence for small negative effects of competition (Porter externalities) and diversity (Jacobs externalities).
SKILL POLARIZATION IN LOCAL LABOR MARKETS UNDER SHARE‐ALTERING TECHNICAL CHANGE
Authors: Accetturo Antonio , Dalmazzo Alberto , de Blasio Guido
Published: October 2013

This paper considers the “share‐altering” technical change hypothesis in a spatial general equilibrium model where individuals have different levels of skills. Building on a simple Cobb‐Douglas production function, our model shows that the implementation of skill‐biased technologies requires a sufficient proportion of highly educated individuals. Moreover, when technical progress disproportionately replaces middle‐skill jobs, the local distribution of skills will exhibit “fat‐tails,” where the proportion of both highly skilled and low‐skilled workers increases. These and several other predictions of the model are consistent with recent existing evidence, and avoid some major criticism against the “canonical” CES framework.
SPATIAL HETEROGENEITY IN KNOWLEDGE, INNOVATION, AND ECONOMIC GROWTH NEXUS: CONCEPTUAL REFLECTIONS AND EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE
Authors: Capello Roberta , Lenzi Camilla
Published: October 2013

By drawing on the Schumpeterian distinction between invention (i.e., new ideas and knowledge creation) and commercialization of new ideas (i.e., innovation), this paper shows that knowledge and innovation are both important drivers of economic growth, but have heterogeneous spatial impacts. In particular, the growth benefits accruing from knowledge seem rather selective and concentrated across space whereas the growth benefits generated by innovation seem more diffusive, and regions innovating in the absence of a strong local knowledge base can be as successful as more knowledge‐intensive regions in turning innovation into a higher growth rate, possibly by exploiting local informal knowledge and/or knowledge spillovers. These results are of great importance for the design of research and innovation policies within the frame of the Europe 2020 strategy.
Anti-inflammatory R-prostaglandins from Caribbean Colombian soft coral Plexaura homomalla
Authors: Reina Eduardo , Ramos Freddy A , Castellanos Leonardo , Aragón Marcela , Ospina Luis F
Published: October 2013

Objectives

This study aims to evaluate the effect of prostaglandins isolated from soft coral Plexaura homomalla, collected in Colombian Caribbean Sea, on in vivo and in vitro inflammation models.

Methods

Extracts from P. homomalla were fractionated and sequentially chromatographed to obtain the prostaglandins: (15R)-PGA2 (1), (15R)-PGA2-Me (2), (15R)-O-Ac-PGA2 (3), (15R)-O-Ac-PGA2-Me (4) and (15R)-PGE2 (5) in addition to three semi-synthetic prostaglandins obtained by transformations of the natural products. The anti-inflammatory properties of natural and semi-synthetic compounds were determined in vivo using 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced mouse ear oedema model and in vitro leucocyte degranulation, myeloperoxidase (MPO) and elastase enzymatic activities from human polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs). The cell viability was evaluated by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay.

Key findings

In the in vivo assay, (15R)-PGE2 (1) and (15R)-O-Ac-PGA2 (3) showed anti-inflammatory activity, as well as in vitro inhibition of elastase release from PMNs. In the PMNs degranulation assay, (15R)-PGE2 (5), was the most active compound in the inhibition of MPO release. Finally, all the tested prostaglandins showed moderate inhibition for elastase enzyme activity, whereas none of the prostaglandins exhibit significative inhibition on MPO activity.

Conclusion

(15R)-PGE2 (1) and (15R)-O-Ac-PGA2 (3) present significant inhibition on three important events related to the topical inflammatory response induced by TPA: the oedema formation, the PMNs degranulation, events that modulate MPO and elastase levels at inflammation site, and the inhibition of the enzyme activity.
The response of grassland species to nitrate versus ammonium coincides with their pH optima
Authors: Bartelheimer M. , Poschlod P.
Published: October 2013

Questions

Dominance and occurrence of plant species change distinctly along soil reaction gradients; this has been attributed to different chemicals that can be either toxic or nutritional factors, varying with soil pH. The availability of different chemical forms of nitrogen (N) is one such factor, but the extent to which this can explain species distribution is yet unclear. We asked (1) is it possible to correlate the extent of species' physiological preference for ammonium vs nitrate to species occurrence along the soil reaction gradient; (2) how strong is the explanatory power of species occurrence along the soil reaction gradient for this preference, i.e. how much variation in species preference is explained by Ellenberg indicator values (EIV) for soil reaction; and (3) does inter‐specific competition result in any shifts of this preference?

Location

Dry sandy grasslands in Southern Germany, with soil reactions ranging from acidic to calcareous.

Methods

We carried out a common garden experiment and a greenhouse experiment with species from Central European sandy grasslands. In addition, we re‐analysed previously published data. Availability of ammonium and nitrate was manipulated in the presence and absence of interspecific competition, while other factors including soil pH were kept constant. Growth responses were used to calculate species preferences concerning chemical N forms.

Results

Species habitat niches for soil reaction, represented by their EIV, were found to strongly correlate with species preferences for certain N forms, with acidophilous species preferring ammonium and calciphilous species preferring nitrate. This was the case in all experiments and treatments without species interaction, but surprisingly not for species mixture treatments that might have involved additional soil biota with impact on N cycling.

Conclusions

High importance must be attributed to species' physiological preferences for certain N forms, because these impact on species occurrence along soil reaction gradients. Considering the known importance of other restrictions, e.g. aluminium toxicity or iron nutrition, it is likely that these factors, together with N form preference, act in concert. Our finding that species interaction impacts on such interrelations in an unexpected manner poses a future challenge to devise multi‐factorial experiments on species occurrence along soil reaction gradients.
In Vitro and In Vivo Effects of Human Monocytes and their Subsets on New Vessel Formation
Authors: Czepluch Frauke S. , Bernhardt Markus , Kuschicke Hendrik , Gogiraju Rajinikanth , Schroeter Marco R. , Riggert Joachim , Hasenfuss Gerd , Schäfer Katrin
Published: October 2013

Objective

Human monocytes can be divided into CD16− monocytes and CD16+ monocytes. Studies in mice suggested differential effects of monocyte subsets during new vessel formation.

Methods

The functional role of human monocyte subsets in neovascularization processes was investigated. For in vivo experiments, nude mice underwent unilateral hindlimb ischemia surgery before being injected with either total monocytes, CD16− monocytes or CD16+ monocytes isolated from healthy individuals.

Results

In vitro, cytokine array analysis demonstrated that monocytes release numerous angiogenic cytokines, some of which were differentially expressed in monocyte subsets. Sprout length was enhanced in EC spheroids being cultured in conditioned medium obtained from total monocytes and, to a lesser extent, also in supernatants of CD16− monocytes. Laser Doppler perfusion imaging up to day 28 after surgery revealed a trend toward improved revascularization in mice treated with monocytes, but no significant differences between monocyte subsets. Histological analyses four weeks after surgery showed an increased arteriole size in mice having received CD16+ monocytes, whereas the number of capillaries did not significantly differ between groups.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest additive and differential effects of monocyte subsets during neovascularization processes, possibly due to an altered secretion of angiogenic factors and their paracrine capacity to stimulate new vessel formation.
A tale of two machines: a review of the BLAST meeting, Tucson, AZ, 20–24 January 2013
Authors: Josenhans Christine , Jung Kirsten , Rao Christopher V. , Wolfe Alan J.
Published: October 2013

Since its inception, Bacterial Locomotion and Signal Transduction (BLAST) meetings have been the place to exchange and share the latest developments in the field of bacterial signal transduction and motility. At the 12th BLAST meeting, held last January in Tucson, AZ, researchers from all over the world met to report and discuss progress in diverse aspects of the field. The majority of these advances, however, came at the level of atomic level structures and their associated mechanisms. This was especially true of the biological machines that sense and respond to environmental changes.
Mark‐recapture modeling accounting for state uncertainty provides concurrent estimates of survival and fecundity in a protected harbor seal population
Authors: Cordes Line S. , Thompson Paul M.
Published: October 2013

Harbor seal breeding behavior and habitats constrain opportunities for individual‐based studies, and no current estimates of both survival and fecundity exist for any of the populations studied worldwide. As a result, the drivers underlying the variable trends in abundance exhibited by harbor seal populations around the world remain uncertain. We developed an individual‐based study of harbor seals in northeast Scotland, whereby data were collected during daily photo‐identification surveys throughout the pupping seasons between 2006 and 2011. However, a consequence of observing seals remotely meant that information on sex, maturity‐stage, or breeding status was not always available. To provide unbiased estimates of survival rates we conditioned initial release of individuals on the first time sex was known to estimate sex‐specific survival rates, while a robust design multistate model accounting for uncertainty in breeding status was used to estimate reproductive rate of multiparous and ≥3‐yr‐old females. Survival rates were estimated at 0.95 (95% CI = 0.91–0.97) for females and 0.92 (0.83–0.96) for males, while reproductive rate was estimated at 0.89 (0.75–0.95) for multiparous and 0.69 (0.64–0.74) for ≥3‐yr‐old females. Stage‐based population modeling indicated that this population should be recovering, even under the current shooting quotas implemented by the recent management plan.
Using stable isotopes to understand changes in ringed seal foraging ecology as a response to a warming environment
Authors: Young Brent G. , Ferguson Steven H.
Published: October 2013

Trends toward increased temperatures, reduced sea ice extent, and longer open water seasons have resulted in changing Arctic ecosystem dynamics. Expected changes include shifts in distribution and abundance of prey species for seabirds and marine mammals. Using stable isotope analysis, we studied spatial and interannual variation in ringed seal (Pusa hispida) feeding ecology in Hudson Bay in relation to environmental variables, between 2003 and 2010. Ringed seal muscle and hair samples collected from Arviat and Sanikiluaq, Nunavut, were analyzed for stable isotope ratios of nitrogen (δ15N) and carbon (δ13C). Seals from western Hudson Bay (Arviat) had higher δ15N and lower δ13C than seals from eastern Hudson Bay (Sanikiluaq), and stable isotope ratios varied interannually within each region. Peak δ15N occurred in years with spring air temperatures between approximately −5°C and −2°C. This temperature range was characteristic of warm years in western Hudson Bay and cool years in eastern Hudson Bay. We hypothesize that the high δ15N observed in ringed seals is indicative of greater importance of capelin (Mallotus villosus) in ringed seal diet. A comparison of ringed seal isotopic niche widths indicated greater dietary differences between western and eastern Hudson Bay with warming, suggesting a possible ecological divergence related to climate change.
Effects of decomposition and storage conditions on the δ13C and δ15N isotope values of killer whale (Orcinus orca) skin and blubber tissues
Authors: Burrows Douglas G. , Reichert William L. , Bradley Hanson M.
Published: October 2013

Several different factors in the collection and preservation of whale skin and blubber samples were examined to determine their effect on the results obtained by stable nitrogen and carbon isotope (δ15N and δ13C) analysis. Samples of wet killer whale skin retained their original stable isotope values for up to 14 d at 4°C or lower. However, decomposition significantly changed the δ15N value within 3 d at 20°C. Storage at −20°C was as effective as −80°C for the preservation of skin and blubber samples for stable isotope analysis for at least a year. By contrast, once a skin sample had been freeze‐dried and lipid extracted, the stable isotope values did not change significantly when it was stored dry at room temperature for at least 12 mo. Preservation of whale skin samples for a month in DMSO‐salt solution, frozen or at room temperature, did not significantly change the δ15N and δ13C values of lipid extracted tissues, although the slight changes seen could influence results of a study if only small changes are expected.
2‐hydroxyisocaproic acid is fungicidal for Candida and Aspergillus species
Authors: Sakko M. , Moore C. , Novak‐Frazer L. , Rautemaa V. , Sorsa T. , Hietala P. , Järvinen A. , Bowyer P. , Tjäderhane L. , Rautemaa R.
Published: October 2013

The amino acid derivative 2‐hydroxyisocaproic acid (HICA) is a nutritional additive used to increase muscle mass. Low levels can be detected in human plasma as a result of leucine metabolism. It has broad antibacterial activity but its efficacy against pathogenic fungi is not known. The aim was to test the efficacy of HICA against Candida and Aspergillus species. Efficacy of HICA against 19 clinical and reference isolates representing five Candida and three Aspergillus species with variable azole antifungal sensitivity profiles was tested using a microdilution method. The concentrations were 18, 36 and 72 mg ml−1. Growth was determined spectrophotometrically for Candida isolates and by visual inspection for Aspergillus isolates, viability was tested by culture and impact on morphology by microscopy. HICA of 72 mg ml−1 was fungicidal against all Candida and Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus terreus isolates. Lower concentrations were fungistatic. Aspergillus flavus was not inhibited by HICA. HICA inhibited hyphal formation in susceptible Candida albicans and A. fumigatus isolates and affected cell wall integrity. In conclusion, HICA has broad antifungal activity against Candida and Aspergillus at concentrations relevant for topical therapy. As a fungicidal agent with broad‐spectrum bactericidal activity, it may be useful in the topical treatment of multispecies superficial infections.
Paracoccidioides brasiliensis infection in domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)
Authors: Belitardo Donizeti Rodrigues , Calefi Atilio Sersun , Sbeghen Mônica Raquel , de Oliveira Gabriela Gonçalves , Watanabe Maria Angelica Ehara , de Camargo Zoilo Pires , Ono Mario Augusto
Published: October 2013

The objective of this study was to evaluate the infection of domestic rabbits by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. Initially two rabbits were experimentally infected with P. brasiliensis and the humoral immune response was evaluated by ELISA using gp43 as antigen. The two animals showed IgG response against gp43 although no signs of disease were observed. The seroepidemiological study was carried out in 170 rabbits (free range n = 81 and caged n = 89) living in an endemic area for human paracoccidioidomycosis and a positivity of 27% was observed in the ELISA using gp43 as antigen. The free‐range rabbits showed a significantly higher positivity (34.6–51.7%) than the caged animals (11.1%). Sentinel rabbits exposed to natural infection with P. brasiliensis were followed up for 6 months and a seroconversion rate of 83.3% was observed. This is the first report of paracoccidioidomycosis in rabbits and suggests that this species can be useful sentinels for P. brasiliensis presence in the environment.
Needs and experiences of intensive care patients' families: a Saudi qualitative study
Authors: Al‐Mutair Abbas S , Plummer Virginia , Clerehan Rosemary , O'Brien Anthony
Published: October 2013

Aim

To identify the perceived needs of Saudi families of patients in Intensive Care in relation to their culture and religion.

Background

Admission of a family member to an intensive care unit (ICU) is a deeply distressing and often unexpected life event to the family. Families of critically ill patients have needs that should be acknowledged and met by the ICU team. Literature is virtually silent on the issue of recognizing the ICU family needs in relation to the influence of their cultural values and religious beliefs.

Design

A descriptive exploratory qualitative study.

Method

Individual, semi‐structured interviews of a purposive sample of 12 family members were carried out between November 2011 and February 2012. The closest family members were recruited to participate in the interviews with a mean age of 44·25 years in eight mixed medical‐surgical ICUs of eight major trauma hospitals in Saudi Arabia.

Results

The family needs and experiences are described via six major themes: looking for information, maintaining reassurance, spiritual healing, maintaining close proximity, involvement in care and support not being facilitated. The results indicated that family members sought to access information readily to diminish their anxiety. They also needed to be reassured that the best care was being delivered to their loved one and to feel supported during this critical time. Saudi families have cultural and spiritual healing beliefs and practices including faith in God and that God is the ultimate healer, reading of the Qur'an, prayer and charity. These lessen their stress and connect them to hold on to hope. In addition, maintaining proximity to their ill family member was considered of the greatest importance to the families.

Conclusion

The study provided an in‐depth understanding of the family members' experience of having a relative in Intensive Care and focussed on a range of unmet needs, particularly those related to culture and religion. The ICU team need to work collaboratively with family members to improve their experience.

Relevance to practice

The recognition of family needs, experiences and situations can enhance the care provided by the critical care team to patients and families.
The Pseudomonas type III effector HopQ1 activates cytokinin signaling and interferes with plant innate immunity
Authors: Hann Dagmar R. , Domínguez‐Ferreras Ana , Motyka Vaclav , Dobrev Petre I. , Schornack Sebastian , Jehle Anna , Felix Georg , Chinchilla Delphine , Rathjen John P. , Boller Thomas
Published: October 2013

We characterized the molecular function of the Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 (Pto) effector HopQ1.

In silico studies suggest that HopQ1 might possess nucleoside hydrolase activity based on the presence of a characteristic aspartate motif. Transgenic Arabidopsis lines expressing HopQ1 or HopQ1 aspartate mutant variants were characterized with respect to flagellin triggered immunity, phenotype and changes in phytohormone content by high‐performance liquid chromatography‐MS (HPLC‐MS).

We found that HopQ1, but not its aspartate mutants, suppressed all tested immunity marker assays. Suppression of immunity was the result of a lack of the flagellin receptor FLS2, whose gene expression was abolished by HopQ1 in a promoter‐dependent manner. Furthermore, HopQ1 induced cytokinin signaling in Arabidopsis and the elevation in cytokinin signaling appears to be responsible for the attenuation of FLS2 expression.

We conclude that HopQ1 can activate cytokinin signaling and that moderate activation of cytokinin signaling leads to suppression of FLS2 accumulation and thus defense signaling.
Production Technology Estimates and Balanced Growth
Authors: León‐Ledesma Miguel A. , McAdam Peter , Willman Alpo
Published: October 2013

Capital‐labour substitution and total factor productivity (TFP) estimates are essential features of many economic models. Such models typically embody a balanced growth path. This often leads researchers to estimate models imposing stringent prior choices on technical change. We demonstrate that estimation of the substitution elasticity and TFP growth can be substantially biased if technical progress is thereby mis‐specified. We obtain analytical and simulation results in the context of a model consistent with balanced and near‐balanced growth (i.e. departures from balanced growth but broadly stable factor shares). Given this evidence, a constant elasticity of substitution production function system is then estimated for the US economy. Results show that the estimated substitution elasticity tends to be significantly lower using a factor‐augmenting specification (well below one). We are also able to reject conventional neutrality forms in favour of general factor augmentation with a non‐negligible capital‐augmenting component. Our work thus provides insights into production and supply‐side estimation in balanced‐growth frameworks.
Body image disturbance and quality of life in Chinese patients with ankylosing spondylitis
Authors: Shen Biyu , Zhang Aixian , Liu Jingwei , Da Zhanyun , Xu Xujuan , Liu Hong , Li Liren , Gu Zhifeng
Published: October 2013

Background

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a painful inflammatory disease of the axial skeleton that can cause body image disturbance (BID) and may lead to psychological changes in AS patients.

Objective

This study investigated the effect of AS patient physical and psychological status on BID and quality of life (QOL).

Methods

Overall, 112 AS patients (84 males, 28 females; mean age, 32.8 ± 10.8) and 127 healthy age‐matched individuals (control group; 78 males, 49 females; mean age, 36.9 ± 12.6) were screened for inclusion in the single‐centre study. Multiple instruments assessing physical function, psychological function, body image, and QOL were applied. Multivariate stepwise regression analyses were used to determine factors associated with BID, anxiety, and depression.

Results

Of 103 AS patients and 121 control subjects, AS patients exhibited greater BID‐associated social function, social life, and role function impairments (BID Questionnaire [BIDQ] 2.42 vs. 1.02; 2.20 vs. 1.19; 2.54 vs. 0.72, respectively), lower behavioural avoidance (BIDQ 3.07 vs. 3.49), and similar decreases in vitality and mental health (p < .01). Impaired social function predicted anxiety and depression in AS patients. Disease status (daily activity, general health, and pain) and psychological status (BID, anxiety, and depression) predicted poor QOL (p < .05).

Conclusion

BID may play a significant role in causing clinical psychological dysfunction in AS patients, including anxiety and depression. Further research is required to fully assess whether these observations are similar in patients with variant AS severity. BID may be useful in clinical prognostic assessment and AS management.

Practitioner points

AS patients investigated in this study exhibited BID.

There were significant relationships between the BIDQ, disease and psychological variables, and QOL.

Disease status, BID, and anxiety and depression indicated a poor QOL.
Bottlenecks in erucic acid accumulation in genetically engineered ultrahigh erucic acid Crambe abyssinica
Authors: Guan Rui , Lager Ida , Li Xueyuan , Stymne Sten , Zhu Li‐Hua
Published: October 2013

Erucic acid is a valuable industrial fatty acid with many applications. The main producers of this acid are today high erucic rapeseed (Brassica napus) and mustard (Brassica juncea), which have 45%–50% of erucic acid in their seed oils. Crambe abyssinica is an alternative promising producer of this acid as it has 55%–60% of erucic acid in its oil. Through genetic modification (GM) of three genes, we have previously increased the level of erucic acid to 71% (68 mol%) in Crambe seed oil. In this study, we further investigated different aspects of oil biosynthesis in the developing GM Crambe seeds in comparison with wild‐type (Wt) Crambe, rapeseed and safflower (Carthamus tinctorius). We show that Crambe seeds have very low phosphatidylcholine‐diacylglycerol interconversion, suggesting it to be the main reason why erucic acid is limited in the membrane lipids during oil biosynthesis. We further show that GM Crambe seeds have slower seed development than Wt, accompanied by slower oil accumulation during the first 20 days after flowering (DAF). Despite low accumulation of erucic acid during early stages of GM seed development, nearly 86 mol% of all fatty acids accumulated between 27 and 50 DAF was erucic acid, when 40% of the total oil is laid down. Likely bottlenecks in the accumulation of erucic acid during early stages of GM Crambe seed development are discussed.
Frost fatigue and spring recovery of xylem vessels in three diffuse‐porous trees in situ
Authors: CHRISTENSEN‐DALSGAARD KAREN K. , TYREE MELVIN T.
Published: October 2013

Frost has been shown to cause frost fatigue (reduced cavitation resistance) in branch segments in the lab.

Here, we studied the change in cavitation resistance and percent loss of conductivity (PLC) from fall to spring over 2 consecutive years in three diffuse‐porous species in situ. We used the cavitron technique to measure P25, P50 and P90 (the xylem pressure causing a 25, 50 and 90% conductivity loss) and PLC and stained functioning vessels.

Cavitation resistance was reduced by 64–87% (in terms of P50), depending on the species and year. P25 was impacted the most and P90 the least, changing the vulnerability curves from s‐ to r‐shaped over the winter in all three species. The branches suffered an almost complete loss of conductivity, but frost fatigue did not necessarily occur concurrently with increases in PLC. In two species, there was a trade‐off between conduit size and vulnerability.

Spring recovery occurred by growth of new vessels, and in two species by partial refilling of embolized conduits. Although newly grown and functioning conduits appeared more vulnerable to cavitation than year‐old vessels, cavitation resistance generally improved in spring, suggesting other mechanisms for partial frost fatigue repair.
A kinetic analysis of cadmium accumulation in a Cd hyper‐accumulator fern, Athyrium yokoscense and tobacco plants
Authors: YOSHIHARA TOSHIHIRO , SUZUI NOBUO , ISHII SATOMI , KITAZAKI MAYU , YAMAZAKI HARUAKI , KITAZAKI KAZUYOSHI , KAWACHI NAOKI , YIN YONG‐GEN , ITO‐TANABATA SAYURI , HASHIDA SHIN‐NOSUKE , SHOJI KAZUHIRO , SHIMADA HIROAKI , GOTO FUMIYUKI , FUJIMAKI SHU
Published: October 2013

Cadmium (Cd) accumulations in a Cd hyper‐accumulator fern, Athyrium yokoscense (Ay), and tobacco, Nicotiana tabacum (Nt), were kinetically analysed using the positron‐emitting tracer imaging system under two medium conditions (basal and no‐nutrient). In Ay, maximumly 50% and 15% of the total Cd accumulated in the distal roots and the shoots under the basal condition, respectively. Interestingly, a portion of the Cd in the distal roots returned to the medium. In comparison with Ay, a little fewer Cd accumulations in the distal roots and clearly higher Cd migration to the shoots were observed in Nt under the basal condition (maximumly 40% and 70% of the total Cd, respectively). The no‐nutrient condition down‐regulated the Cd migration in both species, although the regulation was highly stricter in Ay than in Nt (almost no migration in Ay and around 20% migration in Nt). In addition, the present work enabled to estimate physical and physiological Cd accumulation capacities in the distal roots, and demonstrated condition‐dependent changes especially in Ay. These results clearly suggested occurrences of species‐/condition‐specific regulations in each observed parts. It is probable that integration of these properties govern the specific Cd tolerance/accumulation in Ay and Nt.
Aplasia Cutis Congenita in a Setting of Fetus Papyraceus Associated with Small Fetal Abdominal Circumference and High Alpha‐Fetoprotein and Amniotic Acetylcholinesterase
Authors: Mazza Joni M. , Klein Janice F. , Christopher Kurt , Silverberg Nanette B.
Published: October 2013

Fetus papyraceus is the fetal death of one or more fetuses in a multiparous pregnancy. The surviving infants can experience extensive aplasia cutis in an H‐shaped distribution over the flanks and abdomen as a consequence of the loss of their fetal sibling. We report the case of a monochorionic, diamniotic pregnancy complicated by a single fetal death at 13 weeks of gestational age. Aplasia cutis of the surviving twin was suggested in utero by three criteria: high amniotic and maternal alpha‐fetoprotein, detectable acetylcholinesterase, and small abdominal circumference on prenatal ultrasound. This constellation of findings in the setting of fetus papyraceus can be an indicator of aplasia cutis in the surviving fetus.
Postvaccination Bullous Pemphigoid in Infancy: Report of Three New Cases and Literature Review
Authors: de la Fuente Sonia , Hernández‐Martín Ángela , de Lucas Raúl , González‐Enseñat MªAntonia , Vicente Asunción , Colmenero Isabel , González‐Beato María , Suñol Mariona , Torrelo Antonio
Published: October 2013

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is an acquired autoimmune blistering disorder of unknown etiology uncommon in childhood. Unlike adult BP, infantile BP shows acral distribution and resolves rapidly with systemic steroids. We report three infants with infantile BP presenting shortly after vaccination for diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, poliomyelitis, hepatitis B, Haemophilus influenzae B, and meningococcus C. Our cases further reinforce the causal association between childhood BP and vaccination.
Lumbosacral Abortive Hemangioma with Intradural Extension
Authors: Martínez‐Criado Yolanda , Fernández‐Pineda Israel , Merchante Elena , Bernabeu‐Wittel Jose
Published: October 2013

Abortive hemangioma (AH) is a true hemangioma of infancy that expresses glucose transporter‐1 protein in the endothelial cells, with an arrested growth cycle. We present the rare case of a lumbosacral AH with intramedullary extension.
Bundle Adjustment With and Without Damping
Authors: Börlin Niclas , Grussenmeyer Pierre
Published: October 2013

The least squares adjustment (LSA) method is studied as an optimisation problem and shown to be equivalent to the undamped Gauss–Newton (GN) optimisation method. Three problem‐independent damping modifications of the GN method are presented: the line search method of Armijo (GNA); the Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm (LM); and Levenberg–Marquardt with Powell dogleg (LMP). Furthermore, an additional problem‐specific “veto” damping technique, based on the chirality condition, is suggested. In a perturbation study on a terrestrial bundle adjustment problem, the GNA and LMP methods with veto damping can increase the size of the pull‐in region compared to the undamped method; the LM method showed less improvement. The results suggest that damped methods can, in many cases, provide a solution where undamped methods fail and should be available in any LSA software package. Matlab code for the algorithms discussed is available from the authors.
Soka Gakkai International: The Global Expansion of a Japanese Buddhist Movement
Authors: Métraux Daniel
Published: October 2013

Japan's Soka Gakkai is the largest of Japan's many New Religious Movements with a major presence not only in Japan, but also meaningful representation in nearly 200 foreign countries and territories. This Japan‐based Buddhist organization which in 2013 claims ten million members at home has attracted over two million followers abroad through its ability to assimilate into local cultures and to offer doctrines and practices that are universal in their application. Japanese as well as foreign members find Soka Gakkai's form of Buddhism appealing because it is said to give them a sense of confidence and self‐empowerment, permitting them to manage their lives in a more creative and fulfilling manner.
Estimating Purchasing Power Parities from Household Expenditure Data Using Complete Demand Systems with Application to Living Standards Comparison: India and Vietnam
Authors: Majumder Amita , Ray Ranjan , Sinha Kompal
Published: October 2013

This study departs from the previous literature on purchasing power parity (PPP) by proposing a demand system based methodology for calculating the PPP that takes account of consumer preferences and allows for the substitution effect of price changes. The methodology is used to calculate the PPP between the Indian Rupee and the Vietnamese Dong. The study allows for regional variation in preferences and price changes both inside the country and between countries. It proposes and applies a methodology for constructing prices from unit values after adjusting them for quality and demographic effects. The adjusted unit values are used as prices in the demand estimations, and the demand parameter estimates are used to calculate both spatial prices within each country and the PPP between the two countries within a consistent framework. The study illustrates the usefulness of preference consistent methods to calculate the PPP by applying the PPPs to compare living standards between India and Vietnam. The significance of the results follows from the fact that the levels of living comparisons are quite sensitive to the PPP used in converting the Rupee expenditure into Vietnamese Dong. The present results on food PPPs question the relevance of the PPPs from the ICP project in cross‐country welfare comparisons especially in a period of high food inflation.
“Price Levels and Economic Growth: Making Sense of Revisions to Data on Real Incomes”: A Comment
Authors: Inklaar Robert
Published: October 2013

In his recent paper, Ravallion (2013) proposes a new method to predict changes in purchasing power parities (PPPs), arguing that a model that includes economic growth and exchange rate movements is superior to the standard approach of using inflation differences. In this comment, I argue that his test is wrong and I show that with a correct specification of the test, there is no robust and stable relationship between changes in PPPs and economic growth while the usefulness of the standard approach is confirmed. I also suggest an approach that could be more helpful to understand changes in PPPs.
Submarine channel initiation, filling and maintenance from sea‐floor geomorphology and morphodynamic modelling of cyclic steps
Authors: Covault Jacob A. , Kostic Svetlana , Paull Charles K. , Ryan Holly F. , Fildani Andrea
Published: October 2013

Advances in acoustic imaging of submarine canyons and channels have provided accurate renderings of sea‐floor geomorphology. Still, a fundamental understanding of channel inception, evolution, sediment transport and the nature of the currents traversing these channels remains elusive. Herein, Autonomous Underwater Vehicle technology developed by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute provides high‐resolution perspectives of the geomorphology and shallow stratigraphy of the San Mateo canyon‐channel system, which is located on a tectonically active slope offshore of southern California. The channel comprises a series of crescent‐shaped bedforms in its thalweg. Numerical modelling is combined with interpretations of sea‐floor and shallow subsurface stratigraphic imagery to demonstrate that these bedforms are likely to be cyclic steps. Submarine cyclic steps compose a morphodynamic feature characterized by a cyclic series of long‐wave, upstream‐migrating bedforms. The bedforms are cyclic steps if each bedform in the series is bounded by a hydraulic jump in an overriding turbidity current, which is Froude‐supercritical over the lee side of the bedform and Froude‐subcritical over the stoss side. Numerical modelling and seismic‐reflection imagery support an interpretation of weakly asymmetrical to near‐symmetrical aggradation of predominantly fine‐grained net‐depositional cyclic steps. The dominant mode of San Mateo channel maintenance during the Holocene is interpreted to be thalweg reworking into aggrading cyclic steps by dilute turbidity currents. Numerical modelling also suggests that an incipient, proto‐San Mateo channel comprises a series of relatively coarse‐grained net‐erosional cyclic steps, which nucleated out of sea‐floor perturbations across the tectonically active lower slope. Thus, the interaction between turbidity‐current processes and sea‐floor perturbations appears to be fundamentally important to channel initiation, particularly in high‐gradient systems. Offshore of southern California, and in analogous deep‐water basins, channel inception, filling and maintenance are hypothesized to be strongly linked to the development of morphodynamic instability manifested as cyclic steps.
Genomic haplotype within the Peroxisome Proliferator‐Activated Receptor Delta (PPARD) gene is associated with elite athletic status
Authors: Maciejewska‐Karlowska A. , Hanson E. D. , Sawczuk M. , Cieszczyk P. , Eynon N.
Published: October 2013

Peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor delta (PPARδ; encoded by the PPARD gene) plays a role in energy metabolism and mitochondrial function. We have investigated the distribution of PPARD rs2267668, rs2016520 and rs1053049 polymorphisms, individually and in haplotype, in a cohort of 660 elite athletes which was subdivided into four different groups based on the different metabolic demands of their respective sports and 704 healthy controls. PPARD rs2016529 and rs1053049 were individually associated with overall elite athletic performance (P = 0.00002; and P = 0.0002) and also with athletes grouped as strength endurance (P = 0.00008; and P = 0.0003). Furthermore, PPARD A/C/C haplotype (rs2267668/rs2016520/rs1053049) was significantly underrepresented in all athletes and each subgroup of athletes when compared with controls (P < 0.000001), suggesting that harboring this specific haplotype is unfavorable for becoming an elite athlete. These results help to identify which genetic profiles may contribute to elite athletic performance, specifically the role of variants within the PPARD gene, and may be useful in talent identification or optimizing the response to training.
High‐ and moderate‐intensity aerobic exercise and excess post‐exercise oxygen consumption in men with metabolic syndrome
Authors: Larsen I. , Welde B. , Martins C. , Tjønna A. E.
Published: October 2013

Physical activity is central in prevention and treatment of metabolic syndrome. High‐intensity aerobic exercise can induce larger energy expenditure per unit of time compared with moderate‐intensity exercise. Furthermore, it may induce larger energy expenditure at post‐exercise recovery. The aim of this study is to compare the excess post‐exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) in three different aerobic exercise sessions in men with metabolic syndrome. Seven men (age: 56.7 ± 10.8) with metabolic syndrome participated in this crossover study. The sessions consisted of one aerobic interval (1‐AIT), four aerobic intervals (4‐AIT), and 47‐min continuous moderate exercise (CME) on separate days, with at least 48 h between each test day. Resting metabolic rate (RMR) was measured pre‐exercise and used as baseline value. EPOC was measured until baseline metabolic rate was re‐established. An increase in O2 uptake lasting for 70.4 ± 24.8 min (4‐AIT), 35.9 ± 17.3 min (1‐AIT), and 45.6 ± 17.3 min (CME) was observed. EPOC were 2.9 ± 1.7 L O2 (4‐AIT), 1.3 ± 1.1 L O2 (1‐AIT), and 1.4 ± 1.1 L O2 (CME). There were significant differences (P < 0.001) between 4‐AIT, CME, and 1‐AIT. Total EPOC was highest after 4‐AIT. These data suggest that exercise intensity has a significant positive effect on EPOC in men with metabolic syndrome.