bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Immune dysfunction in bipolar disorder and suicide risk: is there an association between peripheral corticotropin‐releasing hormone and interleukin‐1β?
Authors: Monfrim Xênia , Gazal Marta , De Leon Pâmela B , Quevedo Luciana , Souza Luciano D , Jansen Karen , Oses Jean P , Pinheiro Ricardo T , Silva Ricardo A , Lara Diogo R , Ghisleni Gabriele , Spessato Barbara , Kaster Manuella P
Published: May 2014

Objective

The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between peripheral levels of corticotropin‐releasing hormone (CRH) and interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) in individuals with bipolar disorder (BD) with and without suicide risk (SR), and controls.

Methods

A total of 120 young adults (40 controls, 40 subjects with BD without SR, and 40 subjects with BD with SR) were enrolled from a population‐based study carried out in the city of Pelotas, Brazil. BD and SR were assessed through the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI 5.0), and peripheral markers were evaluated by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results

Levels of CRH were significantly lower both in subjects with BD without SR (p = 0.04) and subjects with BD with SR (p = 0.02) when compared to controls. However, levels of IL‐1β were increased in subjects with BD with SR (p = 0.05) when compared to controls. Sociodemographic and clinical variables, current mood episode, and use of psychiatric medications were not associated with changes in these markers. No correlation was found between peripheral levels of CRH and IL‐1β (p = 0.60) in the population or in the BD with SR group (p = 0.88).

Conclusions

These results suggest that peripheral mechanisms linking stress hormones and the immune system might be critical patterns involved in suicidal behavior associated with BD.
Assessing the Changing Roles of the Brazilian Development Bank
Authors: DOCTOR MAHRUKH
Published: May 2014

Since it was founded in 1952, the Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social (BNDES; Brazilian National Bank for Economic and Social Development) has been at the centre of Brazil's industrialisation and development strategy. It played a key role in the evolution of policies from import substitution to market‐opening and privatisation, to the ‘new developmentalism’. The article evaluates and discusses whether BNDES fulfils the three typical functions expected of national development banks: financial sector development; business climate enhancement; and knowledge services.
Fetal skeletal dysplasias in a tertiary care center: radiology, pathology, and molecular analysis of 112 cases
Authors: Barkova E. , Mohan U. , Chitayat D. , Keating S. , Toi A. , Frank J. , Frank R. , Tomlinson G. , Glanc P.
Published: May 2014

Fetal skeletal dysplasias are a heterogeneous group of rare genetic disorders, affecting approximately 2.4–4.5 of 10,000 births. We performed a retrospective review of the perinatal autopsies conducted between the years 2002–2011 at our center. The study population consisted of fetuses diagnosed with skeletal dysplasia with subsequent termination, stillbirth and live‐born who died shortly after birth. Of the 2002 autopsies performed, 112 (5.6%) were diagnosed with skeletal dysplasia. These 112 cases encompassed 17 of 40 groups of Nosology 2010. The two most common Nosology groups were osteogenesis imperfecta [OI, 27/112 (24%)] and the fibroblast growth factor receptor type 3 (FGFR3) chondrodysplasias [27/112 (24%)]. The most common specific diagnoses were thanatophoric dysplasia (TD) type 1 [20 (17.9%)], and OI type 2 [20 (17.9%)]. The combined radiology, pathology, and genetic investigations and grouping the cases using Nosology 2010 resulted in a specific diagnosis in 96 of 112 cases.
PackMerger: A 3D Print Volume Optimizer
Authors: Vanek J. , Galicia J. A. Garcia , Benes B. , Měch R. , Carr N. , Stava O. , Miller G. S.
Published: May 2014

We propose an optimization framework for 3D printing that seeks to save printing time and the support material required to print 3D shapes. Three‐dimensional printing technology is rapidly maturing and may revolutionize how we manufacture objects. The total cost of printing, however, is governed by numerous factors which include not only the price of the printer but also the amount of material and time to fabricate the shape. Our PackMerger framework converts the input 3D watertight mesh into a shell by hollowing its inner parts. The shell is then divided into segments. The location of splits is controlled based on several parameters, including the size of the connection areas or volume of each segment. The pieces are then tightly packed using optimization. The optimization attempts to minimize the amount of support material and the bounding box volume of the packed segments while keeping the number of segments minimal. The final packed configuration can be printed with substantial time and material savings, while also allowing printing of objects that would not fit into the printer volume. We have tested our system on three different printers and it shows a reduction of 5–30% of the printing time while simultaneously saving 15–65% of the support material. The optimization time was approximately 1 min. Once the segments are printed, they need to be assembled.
Implant decontamination with 2% chlorhexidine during surgical peri‐implantitis treatment: a randomized, double‐blind, controlled trial
Authors: de Waal Y. C. M. , Raghoebar G. M. , Meijer H. J. A. , Winkel E. G. , van Winkelhoff A. J.
Published: May 2014

Objective

The objective of this randomized, double‐blind, controlled trial was to evaluate the clinical, radiographic, and microbiological effects of implant surface decontamination with a 2% chlorhexidine (CHX) solution in comparison with a 0.12% chlorhexidine + 0.05% cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) solution during resective surgical peri‐implantitis treatment.

Material and methods

Forty‐four patients (108 implants) with peri‐implantitis were treated with resective surgical treatment consisting of bone re‐contouring, surface debridement and chemical decontamination, and apically repositioned flap. Patients were randomly allocated to decontamination with a 2% CHX solution (test group) or 0.12% CHX + 0.05% CPC (control group). Clinical and radiographic parameters were recorded before treatment (baseline), and at 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment. Microbiological parameters were recorded during surgery.

Results

Multilevel analysis showed no significant differences in bleeding, suppuration, probing pocket depth, and radiographic bone loss between control and test group over three follow‐up measurements (3, 6, and 12 months) from baseline. Both decontamination procedures resulted in significant reductions in anaerobic bacterial counts on the implant surface, but no significant difference was noted between control and test group (mean log 3.37 ± 2.34 vs. 3.65 ± 2.87, P = 0.99).

Conclusions

The use of a 2% CHX solution for implant surface decontamination during resective peri‐implantitis therapy does not lead to improved clinical, radiographic, or microbiological results compared with a 0.12% CHX + 0.05% CPC solution. Overall, the additional use of CHX reduces anaerobic bacterial load on the implant surface better than mechanical debridement alone, but does not seem to enhance clinical treatment outcomes (ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT01852253).
Impact of donor kidney function and donor age on poor outcome of living‐unrelated kidney transplantation (KT) in comparison with living‐related KT
Authors: Park Kyung Sun , Shin Jung‐ho , Jang Hye Ryoun , Lee Jung Eun , Huh Woo Seong , Kim Yoon Goo , Oh Ha Young , Kim Dae Joong
Published: May 2014

Living‐unrelated donors (LURD) have been widely used for kidney transplantation (KT). We retrospectively reviewed 779 patients who underwent living‐donor KT from 2000 to 2012, to compare outcomes of 264 KT from LURD and 515 from living‐related donors (LRD), and to identify risk factors for living KT. Median follow‐up was 67 months. Mean donor age, total human leukocyte antigen (HLA) mismatches, and HLA–DR mismatches were higher, and mean estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was lower in LURD. Acute rejection (AR)‐free survival (p = 0.018) and graft survival (p = 0.025) were lower for LURD than LRD, whereas patient survival rate was comparable. Cox regression analysis showed HLA–DR mismatches (OR 1.75 for one mismatch; OR 2.19 for two mismatches), recipient age ≤ 42 yr, and donor age > 50 yr were significant risk factors for acute rejection. For graft survival, AR and donor eGFR (OR 1.90, p = 0.035) were significant. We also identified significant impact of recipient age > 50 yr and diabetes for patient survival. However, KT from LURD was not a significant risk factor for AR (p = 0.368), graft survival (p = 0.205), and patient survival (p = 0.836). Our data suggest that donor eGFR and donor age are independent risk factors for clinical outcomes of living KT, which can be related with poor outcome of KT from LURD.
Effects of posture on tactile localization by 4 years of age are modulated by sight of the hands: evidence for an early acquired external spatial frame of reference for touch
Authors: Begum Ali Jannath , Cowie Dorothy , Bremner Andrew J.
Published: May 2014

Adults show a deficit in their ability to localize tactile stimuli to their hands when their arms are in the less familiar, crossed posture. It is thought that this ‘crossed‐hands deficit’ arises due to a conflict between the anatomical and external spatial frames of reference within which touches can be encoded. The ability to localize a single tactile stimulus applied to one of the two hands across uncrossed‐hands and crossed‐hands postures was investigated in typically developing children (aged 4 to 6 years). The effect of posture was also compared across conditions in which children did, or did not, have visual information about current hand posture. All children, including the 4‐year‐olds, demonstrated the crossed‐hands deficit when they did not have sight of hand posture, suggesting that touch is located in an external reference frame by this age. In this youngest age group, when visual information about current hand posture was available, tactile localization performance was impaired specifically when the children's hands were uncrossed. We propose that this may be due to an early difficulty with integrating visual representations of the hand within the body schema.
Neurocognitive mechanisms of learning to read: print tuning in beginning readers related to word‐reading fluency and semantics but not phonology
Authors: Eberhard‐Moscicka Aleksandra K. , Jost Lea B. , Raith Margit , Maurer Urs
Published: May 2014

During reading acquisition children learn to recognize orthographic stimuli and link them to phonology and semantics. The present study investigated neurocognitive processes of learning to read after one year of schooling. We aimed to elucidate the cognitive processes underlying neural tuning for print that has been shown to play an important role for reading and dyslexia. A 128‐channel EEG was recorded while 68 (Swiss‐)German monolingual first grade children (mean age: 7.6) performed a one‐back task with different types of letter and false‐font strings. Print tuning was indexed by the N1 difference in the ERPs between German words and false‐font strings, while the N1 lexicality effect was indexed by the difference between German words and pseudowords. In addition, we measured reading fluency, rapid automatized naming, phonological awareness, auditory memory span, and vocabulary. After one year of formal reading instruction N1 print tuning was clearly present at the group level, and could be detected at the individual level in almost 90% of the children. The N1 lexicality effect, however, could not be reliably found. On the cognitive level, next to word‐reading fluency, vocabulary was also associated with N1 print tuning, but not measures reflecting phonological processing. These results demonstrate the presence of print tuning in the first year of reading acquisition and its development at the individual level. Moreover, individual differences in print tuning are not only related to word‐reading fluency, but also to semantic knowledge, indicating that at early stages of learning to read the top‐down modulation of print tuning is semantic rather than phonological in nature.
Variable outcome for epilepsy after neonatal hypoglycaemia
Authors: Fong Choong Yi , Harvey A Simon
Published: May 2014

Aim

To evaluate the electroclinical features of epilepsy secondary to neonatal hypoglycaemia.

Method

This was a retrospective study of children who had seizures beyond infancy after neonatal hypoglycaemia treated at The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne between 1996 and 2012. Patients with perinatal asphyxia were excluded. Clinical details were obtained from medical records. Digital electroencephalography (EEG) and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were reviewed. Eleven patients met the inclusion criteria (six males, five females; mean age 10y 5mo, range 4–18y at the time of review).

Results

Age at seizure onset ranged from 4 months to 5 years. Seizures were focal occipital in nine and generalized tonic in two patients. MRI showed gliosis with or without cortical atrophy in the occipital lobe with or without parietal lobe in all. Predominant EEG findings were stereotyped occipital sharp‐slow discharges in five, polymorphic occipital spike‐wave or paroxysmal fast activity in three, and generalized slow spike‐wave and fast activity in two. Seizures were infrequent or remitted in six of the nine children with focal occipital seizures, and frequent and refractory in both children with generalized seizures.

Interpretation

Despite the common antecedent and bilateral occipital lobe injury, the seizure manifestations and course of epilepsy after neonatal hypoglycaemia were variable, with mild occipital, refractory occipital, and symptomatic generalized epilepsy recognized.
Effects of age and expertise on tactile learning in humans
Authors: Reuter Eva‐Maria , Voelcker‐Rehage Claudia , Vieluf Solveig , Godde Ben
Published: May 2014

Repetitive tactile stimulation is a well‐established tool for inducing somatosensory cortical plasticity and changes in tactile perception. Previous studies have suggested that baseline performance determines the amount of stimulation‐induced learning differently in specific populations. Older adults with lower baseline performance than young adults, but also experts, with higher baseline performance than non‐experts of the same age, have been found to profit most from such interventions. This begs the question of how age‐related and expertise‐related differences in tactile learning are reflected in neurophysiological correlates. In two experiments, we investigated how tactile learning depends on age (experiment 1) and expertise (experiment 2). We assessed tactile spatial and temporal discrimination accuracy and event‐related potentials (ERPs) in 57 persons of different age and expertise groups before and after a 30‐min tactile stimulation intervention. The intervention increased accuracy in temporal (found in experiment 1) and spatial (found in experiment 2) discrimination. Experts improved more than non‐experts in spatial discrimination. Lower baseline performance was associated with higher learning gain in experts and non‐experts. After the intervention, P300 latencies were reduced in young adults and amplitudes were increased in late middle‐aged adults in the temporal discrimination task. Experts showed a steeper P300 parietal‐to‐frontal gradient after the stimulation. We demonstrated that tactile stimulation partially reverses the age‐related decline in late middle‐aged adults and increases processing speed in young adults. We further showed that learning gain depends on baseline performance in both non‐experts and experts. In experts, however, the upper limit for learning seems to be shifted to a higher level.
Distinct age‐matched serum biomarker profiles in patients with cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma
Authors: Geskin Larisa J. , Akilov Oleg E. , Lin Yan , Lokshin Anna E.
Published: May 2014

Immunological functions decline with age. Because MS/SzS predominately affects the elderly, it is important to distinguish age‐related from cancer‐specific changes. Also, MF and SzS are malignancies of CD4+ T‐lymphocytes, further compromising an immune state of the patients. The objectives of this study were to distinguish disease‐specific immunological deterioration by performing comparative age‐matched Luminex multiplex assessment of 34 serum biomarkers between patients with MF/SzS, HIV‐infected individuals and normal controls. Controlling for age, expression level appears to significantly differ between patients with MF/SzS and controls for the following biomarkers: G‐CSF, IL‐5, MIP‐1β, TNF‐α, VEGF, EOTAXIN, IL‐8, IL‐12, IL‐2R, IP10, MCP‐1, MIG, TNFR1 and TNFR2 (P < 0.05), while others showed normal age‐related changes. Interestingly, cluster analysis placed MF/SzS profiles closer to HIV. This further underscores an immunologically compromised state of patients with MF/SzS and suggests its potential self‐perpetuating role in disease progression.
Merkel cells and touch domes: more than mechanosensory functions?
Authors: Xiao Ying , Williams Jonathan S. , Brownell Isaac
Published: May 2014

The touch dome (TD) is an innervated structure in the epidermis of mammalian skin. Composed of specialized keratinocytes and neuroendocrine Merkel cells, the TD has distinct molecular characteristics compared to the surrounding epidermal keratinocytes. Much of the research on Merkel cell function has focused on their role in mechanosensation, specifically light touch. Recently, more has been discovered about Merkel cell molecular characteristics and their cells of origin. Here we review Merkel cell and TD biology, and discuss potential functions beyond mechanosensation.
Regenerative healing, scar‐free healing and scar formation across the species: current concepts and future perspectives
Authors: Ud‐Din Sara , Volk Susan W. , Bayat Ardeshir
Published: May 2014

All species have evolved mechanisms of repair to restore tissue function following injury. Skin scarring is an inevitable and permanent endpoint for many postnatal organisms except for non‐amniote vertebrates such as amphibians, which are capable of tissue regeneration. Furthermore, mammalian foetuses through mid‐gestation are capable of rapid wound repair in the absence of scar formation. Notably, excessive cutaneous scar formation, such as hypertrophic and keloid scars, is a species limited clinical entity as it occurs only in humans, although wounds on the distal limbs of horses are also prone to heal with fibroproliferative pathology known as equine exuberant granulation tissue. Currently, there are no reliable treatment options to eradicate or prevent scarring in humans and vertebrates. The limited number of vertebrate models for either hypertrophic or keloid scarring has been an impediment to mechanistic studies of these diseases and the development of therapies. In this viewpoint essay, we highlight the current concepts of regenerative, scar‐free and scar‐forming healing compared across a number of species and speculate on areas for future research. Furthermore, in‐depth investigative research into the mechanisms of scarless repair may allow for the development of improved animal models and novel targets for scar prevention. As the ability to heal in both a scarless manner and propensity for healing with excessive scar formation is highly species dependent, understanding similarities and differences in healing across species as it relates to the regenerative process may hold the key to improve scarring and guide translational wound‐healing studies.
Mesenchymal stem cell therapy for immune‐modulation: the donor, the recipient, and the drugs in‐between
Authors: Nemeth Krisztian
Published: May 2014

Adoptive transfer of cultured bone marrow stromal cells (mesenchymal stem cells also known as MSCs) is a promising new way to aid tissue regeneration and treat a wide variety of diseases where regulation of inflammatory responses is derailed. Although significant advances have been made in the field, pinpointing important mechanistic details about how MSCs function in vitro and in vivo, there are still many unanswered questions that need to be addressed before welcoming MSCs in the therapeutic arsenal of immune mediated diseases. In this viewpoint, we highlight and discuss a few factors that we believe are critical in terms of therapeutic success employing cultured MSCs. Selecting the right donor population, choosing the best culture conditions and picking the patient population that is most likely to give a favourable therapeutic response is just as important as considering interactions between MSCs and the combination of drugs in the recipient's body. Given the complexity of MSC–host interactions, it is also imperative to develop screening tools that account for as many variables as possible and predict precisely the in vivo response rates before MSCs enter the body. To achieve this, a multidisciplinary approach is required with comprehensive knowledge of basic MSC biology, immunology, pharmacology and good clinical practice.
Tradeoffs between Internal and External Governance: Evidence from Exogenous Regulatory Shocks
Authors: Guo Lixiong , Lach Patrick , Mobbs Shawn
Published: May 2014

We use the 2002 NYSE and NASDAQ listing requirements mandating firms have a majority of independent directors on the board as an exogenous shock to examine the interaction between internal and external governance. Relative to compliant firms, noncompliant firms significantly reduced exposure to three external governance mechanisms: the market for corporate control, shareholder activism, and credit markets, by adding antitakeover provisions, adopting officer and director protection provisions, and reducing debt levels, respectively. The results are stronger in firms with greater exposure to the relevant external governance mechanism. The evidence suggests that firms treat internal and external governance as substitutes.
Promotion and nucleation of carbonate precipitation during microbial iron reduction
Authors: Zeng Z. , Tice M. M.
Published: May 2014

Iron‐bearing early diagenetic carbonate cements are common in sedimentary rocks, where they are thought to be associated with microbial iron reduction. However, little is yet known about how local environments around actively iron‐reducing cells affect carbonate mineral precipitation rates and compositions. Precipitation experiments with the iron‐reducing bacterium Shewanella oneidensis MR‐1 were conducted to examine the potential role of cells in promoting precipitation and to explore the possible range of precipitate compositions generated in varying fluid compositions. Actively iron‐reducing cells induced increased carbonate mineral saturation and nucleated precipitation on their poles. However, precipitation only occurred when calcium was present in solution, suggesting that cell surfaces lowered local ferrous iron concentrations by adsorption or intracellular iron oxide precipitation even as they locally raised pH. Resultant precipitates were a range of thermodynamically unstable calcium‐rich siderites that would likely act as precursors to siderite, calcite, or even dolomite in nature. By modifying local pH, providing nucleation sites, and altering metal ion concentrations around cell surfaces, iron‐reducing micro‐organisms could produce a wide range of carbonate cements in natural sediments.
Land‐use drivers of forest fragmentation vary with spatial scale
Authors: Cattarino Lorenzo , McAlpine Clive A. , Rhodes Jonathan R.
Published: May 2014

Aim

Improving our understanding of the drivers of forest fragmentation is fundamental to mitigating the consequences of anthropogenic fragmentation for biodiversity. Moreover, the impacts of fragmentation on biodiversity depend on the spatial scale at which fragmentation occurs. Therefore, understanding how the effect of land use on fragmentation patterns varies across scales is critical to ensure that fragmentation is managed at scales relevant to the ecology of target species or to land management. Here, we quantified the influence of land use on patterns of forest fragmentation at different scales using Queensland, Australia, as a case study.

Location

North‐eastern Australia.

Methods

We combined fractal analysis with piecewise linear regression to measure patterns of forest fragmentation across a range of scales in 5309 landscapes of c. 50 km2, with different proportions of land used for cropping and grazing. A significant change in fragmentation patterns occurred at approximately 1 km2. We used beta regression to quantify the impact of land use on the degree of fragmentation at scales finer and coarser than 1 km2.

Results

The use of land for grazing tended to create more fragmented forest patterns than use of land for cropping. This difference was more pronounced at coarser than finer scales.

Main conclusions

Our finding suggests that the choice of land use where conservation actions, such as revegetation and retention of forest patches, are to be prioritized depends on the scale at which we measure fragmentation. This information contributes to reducing the risk of mismatches between the scale at which fragmentation is managed and the scale at which fragmentation is measured, which is often dictated by the scale of species movements or the scale of land management. Our finding also improves our capacity to discern between fragmentation patterns that are typical of land‐sharing and land‐sparing conservation strategies, as spatial scale varies, thus aiding the implementation of land sparing and land sharing at scales relevant to biodiversity conservation and land management.
Global patterns of soil microbial nitrogen and phosphorus stoichiometry in forest ecosystems
Authors: Li Pin , Yang Yuanhe , Han Wenxuan , Fang Jingyun
Published: May 2014

Aim

To investigate broad‐scale patterns of soil microbial nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) stoichiometry and their environmental drivers.

Location

Global forests.

Methods

By synthesizing 652 observations of soil microbial biomass N and P derived from the published literature, we investigated global patterns of soil microbial N, P and N:P ratios and their relationships with climate, soil and vegetation types.

Results

Microbial N and P concentrations varied widely among forest types, with relatively low N and P concentrations but high N:P ratios in tropical forests. The N and P concentrations increased and the N:P ratio decreased with increasing latitude (or decreasing temperature). The N:P ratio showed a similar pattern along the precipitation gradient to that along the temperature gradient, whereas microbial N and P displayed weak trends along the precipitation gradient. Edaphic variables also regulated the patterns of microbial N and P stoichiometry: microbial N and P concentrations increased with soil N and P concentrations as well as with soil pH. Mixed‐effects models revealed that edaphic factors explained the largest part of the variation in microbial N, P and the N:P ratio, suggesting their dominant role.

Main conclusions

Our findings highlight that there are broad‐scale patterns in microbial N, P and the N:P ratio along the gradients of latitude, temperature and precipitation, which are similar to those reported in plants and soils. The consistency of these patterns in plant–soil–microbe ecosystems supports the hypothesis that P is more often the major limiting element at low latitudes than at high latitudes.
Functional relationships beyond species richness patterns: trait matching in plant–bird mutualisms across scales
Authors: Dehling D. Matthias , Töpfer Till , Schaefer H. Martin , Jordano Pedro , Böhning‐Gaese Katrin , Schleuning Matthias
Published: May 2014

Aim

Functional relationships between species groups on macroecological scales have often been inferred from comparisons of species numbers across space. On large spatial scales, however, it is difficult to assess whether correlations of species numbers represent actual functional relationships. Here, we investigated the functional relationship between a feeding guild (fruit‐eating birds) and its resource (fleshy‐fruited plants) by studying the matching of their functional traits across spatial scales, from individual interactions to regional patterns.

Location

A 3000‐m elevational gradient in the tropical Andes.

Methods

We sampled plant–bird interactions at two sites along the elevational gradient, and using multivariate statistics (fourth‐corner analysis) we identified corresponding morphological traits of birds and plants that influenced which bird species fed from which plant species. We then tested whether the functional trait diversities of the bird species assemblages matched those of the plant species assemblages along the elevational gradient.

Results

Corresponding functional traits of birds and plants were closely and significantly correlated on the scale of individual plant–bird interactions. On the regional scale, the functional diversities, but not species numbers, of bird and plant assemblages correlated significantly along the elevational gradient.

Main conclusions

The analysis of species interaction networks with multivariate statistics was a powerful tool for identifying relationships between functional traits of interacting species. The close functional relationships between birds and plants on the scale of individual interactions and on the regional scale show that comparisons of functional trait diversities, based on matching traits of interacting species, are better suited than correlations of species numbers to reveal the mechanisms behind large‐scale diversity patterns of interacting species. The identification of functional interdependences between interacting species on large spatial scales will be important for improving predictive models of species distributions in space and time.
Fire type and hemisphere determine the effects of fire on the alpha and beta diversity of vertebrates: a global meta‐analysis
Authors: Pastro Louise A. , Dickman Christopher R. , Letnic Mike
Published: May 2014

Aim

We conducted a quantitative meta‐analysis to investigate the responses of vertebrate diversity to fire, controlling for variables such as fire type, taxon and ecoregion to identify trends across studies and locations.

Location

World‐wide.

Methods

We calculated indices of the difference in species richness (alpha diversity) and species composition (beta diversity) between burnt and unburnt habitats from studies reporting the species richness and assemblage composition of amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. We used a hierarchical approach to investigate the effects of fire on alpha and beta diversity. We tested first for the main effect of fire before investigating the potential influence of fire type (wildfire/prescribed burn), taxon, ecoregion and geographical location (hemisphere/continent).

Results

One hundred and four studies were evaluated: 56 studies on birds, 26 on mammals, 17 on reptiles and 5 on amphibians. The studies fell into 14 ecoregions, with the three most common being temperate broadleaf and mixed forests, temperate grasslands and savannas and shrublands, and temperate coniferous forest. The effect of fire on species richness and community assemblage composition was strongly influenced by fire type. Prescribed burns significantly increased alpha diversity, whereas wildfires had no overall effect. However, wildfire increased the alpha diversity of temperate coniferous birds in North America. The effects of fire on alpha diversity were stronger in the Northern than the Southern Hemisphere. Turnover in species assemblages (beta diversity) was influenced primarily by fire type. Species assemblages in burnt and unburnt habitats were more similar after prescribed burns and generated lower levels of beta diversity than did wildfires.

Main conclusions

The divergent effects of wildfires and prescribed fires on the alpha and beta diversity of vertebrates and the disparate responses of vertebrate diversity to fires in the Northern and Southern Hemisphere suggest that there is no general response of vertebrate diversity to fire. Our results provide little support for the patch mosaic burn theory or the intermediate disturbance hypothesis to predict post‐fire responses of vertebrate diversity.
A Flexible Format Interdisciplinary Treatment and Rehabilitation Program for Chronic Daily Headache: Patient Clinical Features, Resource Utilization and Outcomes
Authors: Barton Pamela M. , Schultz Geoffrey R. , Jarrell John F. , Becker Werner J.
Published: May 2014

Objective

To describe the demographics, diagnoses, program duration, human resource utilization and outcomes of patients with chronic daily headache treated in an ambulatory, interdisciplinary, flexible format, treatment and rehabilitation program.

Background

Research indicates that multidisciplinary care is an effective approach to manage chronic daily headache, but little is known about the resources needed for effective care.

Methods

The study was a secondary data analysis within a cohort design of previously collected data. Patients completed questionnaires and outcome measures on admission and discharge. Diagnoses were extracted from patient charts by professional health records personnel. A central scheduling database provided patient‐specific clinician care hours by discipline and type (direct, indirect, group) as well as overall program duration.

Results

One hundred and eighteen patients were studied (mean age , 80% female). Sixty‐two patients (52.5%) completed the program (“completers”). Migraine was the most common diagnosis. Thirty‐six percent of patients had medication overuse. Average pain, mood, disability, and quality of life were significantly improved in completers (P < .001). They utilized total hours of care delivered over a mean of 129.7 ± 66.1 weeks.

Conclusion

Our study provides evidence that ambulatory, interdisciplinary, flexible format, treatment and rehabilitation programs are effective in the treatment of chronic daily headache, and we provide data on the resources used by our program in the treatment and rehabilitation of these patients.
Locking Plate and Screw Fixation After Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy Reduces Postoperative Infection Rate in Dogs Over 50 kg
Authors: Solano Miguel A. , Danielski Alan , Kovach Karla , Fitzpatrick Noel , Farrell Michael
Published: May 2014

Objective

To assess the influence of locking plate and screw implants on postoperative infection rate in dogs >50 kg undergoing tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO).

Study Design

Retrospective case series.

Animals

Dogs >50 kg (n = 208) that had TPLO.

Methods

Medical records (January 2003–September 2011) were reviewed for dogs that had TPLO. Type of implant used (locking plate and screw fixation [LP] and dynamic compression plate and screw fixation [NLP]), use of postoperative antibiotics and presence of postoperative infection were recorded. Multivariate analysis was performed.

Results

Forty dogs (21.3%) had clinical signs compatible with postoperative infection. A positive microbiology swab was available in 16/40 cases (40%). Administration of postoperative antibiotics was associated with a lower incidence of infection (P = .006) and the use of NLP was associated with a higher incidence of infection (P = .01).

Conclusions

Use of LP construct and postoperative antibiotic therapy significantly decreased infection rate in dogs >50 kg that have TPLO.
Chemical Sequence and Kinetics of Alkali‐Silica Reaction Part I. Experiments
Authors: Kim Taehwan , Olek Jan
Published: May 2014

The deterioration induced by alkali‐silica reaction (ASR) is initiated by complicated heterogeneous chemical reactions. This study describes the experimental results obtained from the model reactant experiments focused on the kinetics of physical and chemical changes in the reactive aggregate‐simulated pore solution system undergoing ASR. Specifically, the study investigated the products formed by exposing reactive silica mineral (α‐cristobalite) to two alkali solutions in the presence of solid calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)2]. The experimental results showed that, as long as the Ca(OH)2 remains in the system, the dissolution of the silica mineral proceeds at a constant rate and the only reaction product formed is the tobermorite‐type C–S–H. However, once the supply of Ca(OH)2 in the system is exhausted, the level of dissolved silica ions starts to increase. At the same time, the previously formed C–S–H changes in composition by incorporating silicon and alkali ions from the solution. Continuous increase in the concentration of silica leads to formation of the ASR gel as a result of interaction between silica and alkali ions.
Nanostructuring Effects in Piezoelectric BiScO3–PbTiO3 Ceramics
Authors: Amorín Harvey , Jiménez Ricardo , Deluca Marco , Ricote Jesús , Hungría Teresa , Castro Alicia , Algueró Miguel
Published: May 2014

The apparent contradiction between the persistence of the polar state in morphotropic phase boundary BiScO3–PbTiO3 at the nanoscale, and the vanishing of the macroscopic ferroelectric switching and of the dielectric anomaly associated with the ferroelectric phase transition in nanostructured ceramics is solved. Raman spectroscopy results unambiguously demonstrate that the same polar phase exists in coarse grained and nanostructured materials. Soft modes were identified and followed upon heating, which allowed transition temperatures to be estimated. A shift of only 60°C was established as the size effect down to 24 nm average sized grains. Impedance spectroscopy was used to separate grain and boundary contributions to the total electrical response. Results clearly show grain boundaries to fully dominate this response in the case of nanostructured materials, which was responsible for the vanishing of the dielectric anomaly and for a large increase in the effective coercivity, the latter resulting in the loss of functionality. This was therefore a boundary effect, liable of being recovered by boundary tailoring. Indeed, macroscopic ferroelectricity was readily uncovered when grain‐boundary density was reduced by triggering grain growth.
Identification of the putative ancestral allele of bovine single‐nucleotide polymorphisms
Authors: Rocha D. , Billerey C. , Samson F. , Boichard D. , Boussaha M.
Published: May 2014

Identifying the action of natural selection from patterns of standing genetic variation has long been of interest to the population genetic community. Thanks to the availability of large single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data sets for many species and of high‐throughput SNP genotyping methods, whole‐genomic surveys to detect selective sweeps are now possible. Knowing the ancestral allele increases the power to detect selection. We present here a comparative genomic approach to determine the putative ancestral allele of bovine SNPs deposited in public databases. We analysed 19 551 488 SNPs and identified the putative ancestral allele for 14 339 107 SNPs. Our predicted ancestral alleles were in agreement with ancestral alleles detected by genotyping outgroup species for 97% SNPs from the BovineSNP50 BeadChip. This comparison indicates that our comparative genomic‐based approach to identify putative ancestral alleles is reliable.
A modern pollen–climate calibration set from central‐western Mongolia and its application to a late glacial–Holocene record
Authors: Tian Fang , Herzschuh Ulrike , Telford Richard J. , Mischke Steffen , Van der Meeren Thijs , Krengel Michael
Published: May 2014

Aim

Fossil pollen spectra from lake sediments in central and western Mongolia have been used to interpret past climatic variations, but hitherto no suitable modern pollen–climate calibration set has been available to infer past climate changes quantitatively. We established such a modern pollen dataset and used it to develop a transfer function model that we applied to a fossil pollen record in order to investigate: (1) whether there was a significant moisture response to the Younger Dryas event in north‐western Mongolia; and (2) whether the early Holocene was characterized by dry or wet climatic conditions.

Location

Central and western Mongolia.

Methods

We analysed pollen data from surface sediments from 90 lakes. A transfer function for mean annual precipitation (Pann) was developed with weighted averaging partial least squares regression (WA‐PLS) and applied to a fossil pollen record from Lake Bayan Nuur (49.98° N, 93.95° E, 932 m a.s.l.). Statistical approaches were used to investigate the modern pollen–climate relationships and assess model performance and reconstruction output.

Results

Redundancy analysis shows that the modern pollen spectra are characteristic of their respective vegetation types and local climate. Spatial autocorrelation and significance tests of environmental variables show that the WA‐PLS model for Pann is the most valid function for our dataset, and possesses the lowest root mean squared error of prediction.

Main conclusions

Precipitation is the most important predictor of pollen and vegetation distributions in our study area. Our quantitative climate reconstruction indicates a dry Younger Dryas, a relatively dry early Holocene, a wet mid‐Holocene and a dry late Holocene.
Predicting reading comprehension academic achievement in late adolescents with velo‐cardio‐facial (22q11.2 deletion) syndrome (VCFS): a longitudinal study
Authors: Antshel K. , Hier B. , Fremont W. , Faraone S. V. , Kates W.
Published: May 2014

Background

 The primary objective of the current study was to examine the childhood predictors of adolescent reading comprehension in velo‐cardio‐facial syndrome (VCFS). Although much research has focused on mathematics skills among individuals with VCFS, no studies have examined predictors of reading comprehension.

Methods

 69 late adolescents with VCFS, 23 siblings of youth with VCFS and 30 community controls participated in a longitudinal research project and had repeat neuropsychological test batteries and psychiatric evaluations every 3 years. The Wechsler Individual Achievement Test – 2nd edition (WIAT‐II) Reading Comprehension subtest served as our primary outcome variable.

Results

 Consistent with previous research, children and adolescents with VCFS had mean reading comprehension scores on the WIAT‐II, that were approximately two standard deviations below the mean and word reading scores approximately one standard deviation below the mean. A more novel finding is that relative to both control groups, individuals with VCFS demonstrated a longitudinal decline in reading comprehension abilities yet a slight increase in word reading abilities. In the combined control sample, WISC‐III FSIQ, WIAT‐II Word Reading, WISC‐III Vocabulary and CVLT‐C List A Trial 1 accounted for 75% of the variance in Time 3 WIAT‐II Reading Comprehension scores. In the VCFS sample, WISC‐III FSIQ, BASC‐Teacher Aggression, CVLT‐C Intrusions, Tower of London, Visual Span Backwards, WCST Non‐perseverative Errors, WIAT‐II Word Reading and WISC‐III Freedom from Distractibility index accounted for 85% of the variance in Time 3 WIAT‐II Reading Comprehension scores. A principal component analysis with promax rotation computed on the statistically significant Time 1 predictor variables in the VCFS sample resulted in three factors: Word reading decoding/Interference control, Self‐Control/Self‐Monitoring and Working Memory.

Conclusions

 Childhood predictors of late adolescent reading comprehension in VCFS differ in some meaningful ways from predictors in the non‐VCFS population. These results offer some guidance for how best to consider intervention efforts to improve reading comprehension in the VCFS population.
Ionizing radiation causes increased tau phosphorylation in primary neurons
Authors: Li Li , Wang Wenzhang , Welford Scott , Zhang Teng , Wang Xinglong , Zhu Xiongwei
Published: May 2014

Radiotherapy is the major treatment modality for primary and metastatic brain tumors which involves the exposure of brain to ionizing radiation. Ionizing radiation can induce various detrimental pathophysiological effects in the adult brain, and Alzheimer's disease and related neurodegenerative disorders are considered to be late effects of radiation. In this study, we investigated whether ionizing radiation causes changes in tau phosphorylation in cultured primary neurons similar to that in Alzheimer's disease. We demonstrated that exposure to 0.5 or 2 Gy γ rays causes increased phosphorylation of tau protein at several phosphorylation sites in a time‐ and dose‐dependent manner. Consistently, we also found ionizing radiation causes increased activation of GSK3β, c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase and extracellular signal‐regulated kinase before radiation‐induced increase in tau phosphorylation. Specific inhibitors of these kinases almost fully blocked radiation‐induced tau phosphorylation. Our studies further revealed that oxidative stress plays an important role in ionizing radiation‐induced tau phosphorylation, likely through the activation of c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase and extracellular signal‐regulated kinase, but not GSK3β. Overall, our studies suggest that ionizing radiation may cause increased risk for development of Alzheimer's disease by promoting abnormal tau phosphorylation.

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Alzheimer disease is considered as a significant radiation late effect. In this study, we investigated whether ionizing radiation causes changes in tau phosphorylation and found that γ rays cause increased tau phosphorylation at multiple sites in a dose and time‐dependent manner in primary neurons which are mediated by oxidative stress‐dependent activation of JNK and ERK. Oxidative stress‐independent activation of GSK3β is also involved. Overall, our studies suggest that ionizing radiation may cause increased risk for Alzheimer disease development by promoting abnormal tau phosphorylation.
Multifocal motor neuropathy with high titers of anti‐MAG antibodies
Authors: Bridel Claire , Horvath Judit , Kurian Mary , Truffert André , Steck Andreas , Lalive Patrice H.
Published: May 2014

Multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) and anti‐myelin‐associated glycoprotein (anti‐MAG)‐associated neuropathy are clinically and electrophysiologically distinct entities. We describe a patient with characteristic features of both neuropathies, raising the possibility of an overlap syndrome. A 49‐year‐old patient reported a history of slowly progressive predominantly distal tetraparesis, with mild sensory deficits. Nerve conduction studies demonstrated persistent motor conduction blocks outside compression sites, typical of MMN. Laboratory findings revealed persistently high titers of anti‐MAG immunoglobulin Mλ (IgMλ) paraprotein in the context of a monoclonal gammapathy of unknown significance. Skin biopsy of distal lower limb revealed IgM positive terminal nerve perineurium deposits. This case suggests that the distinction between subtypes of chronic inflammatory neuropathies may not be as clear as initially thought, and that the pattern of pathogenicity of anti‐MAG antibodies may vary.
Celebrating Organization Theory
Authors: Lounsbury Michael , Beckman Christine M.
Published: May 2014

In this paper, we respond to recent critiques about the state of organization theory that have characterized it as being anachronistic, overly theoretical, or lacking the right kind of theory. We argue that organization theory is extremely vibrant and highlight several areas where there are flourishing and generative developments – institutional logics, categorization, networks, performance feedback, and strategy‐as‐practice. We also note the growing internationalization of organization theory as exemplified in the shifting demography of the Organization and Management Theory division at the Academy of Management as well as at the European Group on Organization Studies. As engaged organization theory supporters and scholars, we additionally argue for a more balanced appreciation of not only the weaknesses in the field, but also its strengths, and urge a re‐engagement in more productive conversations about the important role of theory and theorizing.