bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Are internal knowledge transfer strategies double‐edged swords?
Authors: Ding Xiu‐Hao , Liu Heng , Song Yongtao
Published: February 2013

Purpose

After identifying two kinds of internal knowledge transfer strategies, the purpose of this paper is to examine their effectiveness and whether they induce knowledge spillovers among firms.

Design/methodology/approach

This study collected data in China and 219 questionnaires were achieved. Then, structure equation model by LISREL was used for hypotheses testing.

Findings

The empirical results suggest that both codification and rich‐media strategies have positive effects on internal knowledge transfer. Moreover, codification strategy has a negative effect on knowledge spillovers while rich‐media strategy does not influence knowledge spillovers significantly. Thus, codification and rich‐media strategies are not double‐edged swords.

Practical implications

This study provides firms with two strategies, codification and rich‐media, to promote internal knowledge transfer. Moreover, these strategies do not accelerate knowledge spillovers, and codification strategy even reduces knowledge spillovers. Firms can use these strategies to construct and sustain competitive advantages.

Originality/value

While many knowledge creation, storage and protection strategies are studied, little is known about internal knowledge transfer strategies. This study suggests two internal knowledge transfer strategies and confirms their effectiveness. Moreover, because the relationship between internal knowledge transfer strategies and knowledge spillovers has been puzzling for a long time, this study clarifies the relationship and finds that these strategies do not accelerate knowledge spillovers and some even restrain knowledge spillovers.
Delivering effective cognitive behavioural group treatment for women in secure psychiatric settings
Authors: Long Clive G.
Published: February 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review issues of relevance to practitioners using group cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) with women in secure settings.

Design/methodology/approach

The extant literature on CBT as applied to women in secure settings is reviewed to highlight best practice. Aspects of best practice are illustrated with examples from a women's medium secure service.

Findings

Obstacles include the characteristics of the patient group, treatment non compliance and an environment that accepts the primacy of security over treatment. Environmental and need factors amenable to intervention are highlighted in addition to CBT specific considerations that include the timing and intensiveness of treatment, content and delivery of therapy, treatment readiness and use of the group process. The use of a manualised CBT group treatment aid attempts to ensure treatment integrity is associated, and which is associated with treatment outcome. A focus on the social and environmental factors that attribute to the therapeutic milieu is vital to treatment generalisation, as is harnessing the therapeutic potential of the built environment. Finally, treatment evaluation imposes a structure that can facilitate progress in treatment.

Originality/value

There is comparatively little work on CBT group treatments for women in secure settings. Attempts to synthesise best practice initiatives in this area are helpful in guiding treatment developments.
Behavioral strategy: a foundational view
Authors: Schrager James E. , Madansky Albert
Published: February 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to apply the cognitive research of Herbert Simon to business strategy decisions, to begin a discussion of the emerging field of Behavioral Strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

Research on cognition, memory and expertise are organized, with the aim of enlightening the process of business strategy development.

Findings

The authors select four insights from Simon's work to form an integrative framework of decision making and apply this to illuminate existing approaches to schools of strategy thought and practice.

Research limitations/implications

This paper should lead to research on how to advance the process of solving strategic problems, in both practice and theory. The most important limitation is that much additional research lies ahead, as this is a foundational view.

Originality/value

This paper is the first to recognize the potential for application of Simon's cognitive research to the practice of strategic decisions.
Educating the early career arts professional using a hybrid model of work based learning
Authors: Bryant Peter , Akinleye Adesola , Durrant Alan
Published: February 2013

Purpose

Using data drawn from two cohorts of learners studying the Bachelor of Arts (Professional Practice) programme at Middlesex University, the purpose of this paper is to critically analyse the effectiveness of work based learning in improving the skills bases of early career arts professionals in the twenty‐first century and to explore the changing place and role of “traditional” concepts of knowledge and teaching.

Design/methodology/approach

This study utilised a collaborative action research approach in order to categorise and theorise the themes that have emerged from the practice of delivering the programme, and to provide data that informed the on‐going curriculum development.

Findings

The study identified three emerging themes in terms of the role of knowledge attainment for the early career arts professional undertaking work based learning. First, knowledge attainment processes shift from a push model to a pull model, second the authors noted a change in the inequalities in knowledge attainment facilitated by the use of the web 2.0 platforms and third it is argued that there are recognisable differences in the value and use of experientially gain knowledge in the establishing and in the established practitioner. The study then suggests changes that may occur in terms of curriculum design, delivery and pedagogy to support establishing arts professionals through a work based learning programme.

Originality/value

There is a limited research discourse on the authenticity of the use of work based learning with early career professionals. Further, the study of this emerging cohort for work based learning programmes at Middlesex University points to a wider discourse in terms of positioning work based learning in volunteer environments, third sector and other creative industries contexts where the notion of work is challenged and the connection of learning to practice less firmly set in the established identity of a workplace.
The use of English literature in the context of work‐based learning – a pedagogic case study
Authors: Eastman Christine A.
Published: February 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to persuade curriculum developers that the aims of incorporating English literature, particularly in the concern with developing a responsive openness of mind, could and perhaps should be a part of any work based learning programme.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a qualitative approach and drawing on the experience at a university in the south‐east of England, this study provides an exploration of and insights into incorporating English literature in journal reflection within the context of work‐based learning.

Findings

The purpose of this paper was to present a case study of a course that was taught through a blend of requiring research on writers and reflective journaling and then assessed by a means of formative (journal entries shared and discussed) and summative (final formal presentations) feedback.

Originality/value

The author believes that the paper has demonstrated some ideological and practical insights to offering a work‐based learning course marrying literature and journal use. The author is convinced that the learning journal remains a potent tool in the arsenal of materials used to engage learners in the skills of enquiry. Furthermore, incorporating aspects of a rich field such as English literature allowed students to become open to alternative theories, challenge their attitudes, jettison old ways of thinking – in short, through learning, self‐analysing and reflecting, to improve practice.
Include me in: user involvement in research and evaluation
Authors: Grayson Tim , Hung Tsang Yuet , Jolly Dee , Karban Kate , Lomax Phillip , Midgley Claire , O' Rouke Ian , Paley Caroline , Sinson Jill , Willcock Kim , Williams Paul
Published: February 2013

Purpose

This paper aims to discuss the experiences of a group of eight user and carer researchers from learning disability and mental health services who worked together in a research project. The research was to find out about the changes that took place as over 300 people moved from hostel accommodation into independent tenancies. These moves were part of a three year project involving a partnership between a local authority and a housing association.

Design/methodology/approach

The evaluation was based on a model of user participation.

Findings

User involvement in research can mean different things with different levels of involvement, from consultation through to user‐controlled research. In this paper the authors discuss some of the challenges in doing this kind of evaluation study, as well as the opportunities that came from involving users and carers in the research. This includes how the researchers got involved and some of the activities they did.

Research limitations/implications

The authors also describe some of the difficulties that were faced, including payments and criminal record checks. The ways in which people were trained and supported to take part and stay involved are outlined as well as how the group feel that they have learnt new skills and increased their confidence.

Originality/value

This paper adds the voices of the co‐researchers to the literature and provides “lessons learned” for other researchers in this area.
Functional responses, seasonal variation and thresholds in behavioural responses of moose to road density
Authors: Beyer Hawthorne L. , Ung Ricardo , Murray Dennis L. , Fortin Marie‐Josée
Published: February 2013

Understanding the consequences of environmental change on populations is an essential prerequisite for informed management of ecosystems and landscapes. In lieu of quantifying fitness effects directly, which is often difficult, behavioural functional responses provide insight into how animals balance trade‐offs, and into thresholds in responses to environmental change.

Here, we explore this principle using the response of mooseAlces alcesL. to roads and restricted‐access tracks as a case study. Because roads are associated with the conversion of conifer to mixed deciduous–conifer forest that provides better foraging opportunities, moose in Ontario favour areas of moderate road density at a landscape scale. At a finer scale, however, moose avoid roads. These opposing effects indicate a cost–benefit trade‐off. We quantified behavioural responses of moose to roads using road‐crossing rate. An expected distribution of crossing rates was derived from correlated random walk null model simulations.

Moose exhibited a seasonally variable, nonlinear functional response in road‐crossing rate at the within seasonal range scale. A pronounced response to roads was observed when road density reached approximate thresholds of 0·2 and 0·4 km kmin summer and winter respectively. Road‐crossing rate was proportional to road density, though crossing rates were higher in summer than winter. Crossing rates were best explained by the interaction between mean movement rate and road density. Seasonal differences in road‐crossing rate arise from seasonal differences in movement rate and seasonal range area, but not road density within seasonal ranges. Within the protected park, moose did not appear to respond to tracks. Our analysis implies that for the majority of the landscape outside of protected areas the response of moose to roads is pronounced.

Synthesis and applications. Identifying thresholds in nonlinear responses to landscape modification is a key management objective as they represent transition zones where small changes can have disproportionately large effects on wildlife populations. We establish these thresholds for moose and roads, but find no response to tracks, implying that the effects of tracks can be mitigated by restricting access to them. We discuss the implications of this work on the problem of moose–vehicle collisions.
Co‐construction of chronic illness narratives by older stroke survivors and their spouses
Authors: Radcliffe Eloise , Lowton Karen , Morgan Myfanwy
Published: February 2013

Illness narratives have mainly focused on individual patients’ accounts, and particularly those of people experiencing the onset of chronic illness in mid‐life. However, a growing number of older people are spending their later life with their partner, with both experiencing complex morbidities. We examine the shared creation of meanings among older stroke survivors and their spouses and the implications for individual and couple identity. Joint biographical narrative interviews were held with 13 stroke survivors aged 75–85 and their spouses. The analysis examined both narrative content and narrative style. Three main types of co‐presentation of identity were identified. The ‘united couple’ described couples who pulled together and emphasised their accommodation of the stroke and normality as a couple, despite often considerable disability, and was strongly underpinned by collaborative interaction in interviews. Caring relationships were distinguished as ‘positive’, involving self‐reliant couples who took pride in how they managed and ‘frustrated’ in couples who emphasised the difficulties of caring and hardships experienced and were characterised by a conflictual style of narrative. We argue that joint interviews provide new forms of data that extend notions of how illness is lived and demonstrates how the marital relationship can mediate the experience of chronic illness and disability and its impact on identity.
The mean and variance of phylogenetic diversity under rarefaction
Authors: Nipperess David A. , Matsen Frederick A.
Published: February 2013

Phylogenetic diversity (PD) depends on sampling depth, which complicates the comparison of PD between samples of different depth. One approach to dealing with differing sample depth for a given diversity statistic is to rarefy, which means to take a random subset of a given size of the original sample. Exact analytical formulae for the mean and variance of species richness under rarefaction have existed for some time, but no such solution exists for PD.

We have derived exact formulae for the mean and variance of PD under rarefaction. We confirm that these formulae are correct by comparing exact solution mean and variance to that calculated by repeated random (Monte Carlo) subsampling of a data set of stem counts of woody shrubs of Toohey Forest, Queensland, Australia. We also demonstrate the application of the method using two examples: identifying hot spots of mammalian diversity in Australasian ecoregions and characterizing the human vaginal microbiome.

There is a very high degree of correspondence between the analytical and random subsampling methods for calculating mean and variance of PD under rarefaction, although the Monte Carlo method requires a large number of random draws to converge on the exact solution for the variance.

Rarefaction of mammalian PD of ecoregions in Australasia to a common standard of 25 species reveals very different rank orderings of ecoregions, indicating quite different hot spots of diversity than those obtained for unrarefied PD. The application of these methods to the vaginal microbiome shows that a classical score used to quantify bacterial vaginosis is correlated with the shape of the rarefaction curve.

The analytical formulae for the mean and variance of PD under rarefaction are both exact and more efficient than repeated subsampling. Rarefaction of PD allows for many applications where comparisons of samples of different depth are required.
Well‐leg compartment syndrome after gynecological laparoscopic surgery
Authors: Boesgaard‐Kjer Diana H. , Boesgaard‐Kjer Daniel , Kjer Jens Jørgen
Published: February 2013

Well‐leg compartment syndrome in the lower extremities after surgery in the lithotomy position is a rare but severe complication requiring early diagnosis and intervention. Several circumstances predispose to this condition as a consequence of increased intra‐compartmental pressure, such as positioning of the legs during operation (lithotomy and Lloyd‐Davies positions), a prolonged operation, external compression and vascular insults, both pre‐ and intra‐operatively. To prevent well‐leg compartment syndrome it is important to improve knowledge of the condition among surgeons and nursing staff. Potential risk factors and preventive initiatives are listed to reduce the risk in future patients. We describe two patients who underwent gynecologic laparoscopic surgery and postoperatively developed well‐leg compartment syndrome.
Assessing language and language environment of high‐risk infants and children: a new approach
Authors: Caskey Melinda , Vohr Betty
Published: February 2013

Language delays are common among premature infants and children with hearing loss. There are multiple tools and reports for assessing language in young children. Assessing early language and providing intervention is key to improving outcomes.

Conclusion

We conclude that utilization of a new tool, Language Environment Analysis digital language processor (LENA™), to assess the natural language environment of high‐risk infants and children in a variety of settings including the neonatal intensive care unit and home, provides the opportunity to access and identify key features of the early language environment.
Downregulation of the microRNA biogenesis components and its association with poor prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Kitagawa Noriyuki , Ojima Hidenori , Shirakihara Takuya , Shimizu Hiroko , Kokubu Akiko , Urushidate Tomoko , Totoki Yasushi , Kosuge Tomoo , Miyagawa Shinichi , Shibata Tatsuhiro
Published: February 2013

Genetic alterations and deregulation of the miRNA biogenesis pathway components have been reported in human tumors. Tissue‐specific deletion of the Dicer gene, which encodes an essential miRNA processing enzyme, promotes carcinogenesis in animal models. These features indicate that aberrant miRNA biogenesis components are directly associated with cancer. For the present study, we conducted quantitative RT‐PCR of 14 genes that are related to the miRNA biogenesis pathway in 47 paired samples of primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and matched non‐cancerous liver. Expression of seven genes (Dgcr8, p68, p72, Dicer, Ago3, Ago4 and Piwil4) was significantly decreased in primary HCC, especially in non‐viral HCC subtypes, compared to the non‐cancerous liver. Combinations of decreased expression of the miRNA biogenesis components in non‐cancerous liver were related to cigarette smoking, alcohol intake and diabetes, which are known to be risk factors for HCC, and were also associated with the occurrence of multicentric tumors. Reduction of two of these genes (Dicer and p68) in HCC was associated with poor prognosis. Trimethylation of histone H3 lysine 27 in the promoters is implicated in the deregulation of these miRNA‐biogenesis‐related genes in non‐HBV genome integrated HCC cell lines. In conclusion, deregulation of the miRNA biogenesis pathway components is frequently observed in non‐viral‐associated HCC and is linked to etiological risk factors and poor prognosis. Our study further showed that epigenetic regulation could be implicated in the deregulation of these genes during hepatocarcinogenesis.
Epigenetic changes in diabetes
Authors: Keating ST , El‐Osta A
Published: February 2013

Diabetes is a multifactorial disease with numerous pathways influencing its progression and recent observations suggest that the complexity of the disease cannot be entirely accounted for by genetic predisposition. A compelling argument for an epigenetic component is rapidly emerging. Epigenetic processes at the chromatin template significantly sensitize transcriptional and phenotypic outcomes to environmental signaling information including metabolic state, nutritional requirements and history. Epigenetic mechanisms impact gene expression that could predispose individuals to the diabetic phenotype during intrauterine and early postnatal development, as well as throughout adult life. Furthermore, epigenetic changes could account for the accelerated rates of chronic and persistent microvascular and macrovascular complications associated with diabetes. Epidemiological and experimental animal studies identified poor glycemic control as a major contributor to the development of diabetic complications and highlight the requirement for early intervention. Early exposure to hyperglycemia can drive the development of complications that manifest late in the progression of the disease and persist despite improved glycemic control, indicating a memory of the metabolic insult. Understanding the molecular events that underlie these transcriptional changes will significantly contribute to novel therapeutic interventions to prevent, reverse or retard the deleterious effects of the diabetic milieu.
Play it again: neural responses to reunion with excluders predicted by attachment patterns
Authors: White Lars O. , Wu Jia , Borelli Jessica L. , Mayes Linda C. , Crowley Michael J.
Published: February 2013

Reunion behavior following stressful separations from caregivers is often considered the single most sensitive clue to infant attachment patterns. Extending these ideas to middle childhood/early adolescence, we examined participants' neural responses to reunion with peers who had previously excluded them. We recorded event‐related potentials among nineteen 11‐ to 15‐year‐old youth previously classified on attachment interviews (11 secure and 8 insecure‐dismissing) while they played a virtual ball‐toss game (Cyberball) with peers that involved fair play, exclusion and reunion phases. Compared to secure participants, dismissing participants displayed a greater increment in the N2 during reunion relative to fair play, a neural marker commonly linked to expectancy violation. These data suggest a greater tendency toward continued expectations of rejection among dismissing children, even after cessation of social exclusion. In turn, the link between self‐reported ostracism distress and neural signs of negative expectancy at reunion was moderated by attachment, such that self‐reports were discordant with the neural index of expectancy violation for dismissing, but not for secure children.

A video abstract of this article can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzoRel5c-4s.
Hepatocyte growth factor and interferon‐γ inducible protein‐10 are related to visceral adiposity
Authors: Faber Daniël R. , van der Graaf Yolanda , Westerink Jan , Kanhai Danny A. , Monajemi Houshang , Visseren Frank L. J. ,   on behalf of the SMART study Group
Published: February 2013

Background

Increased production of chemokines by adipose tissue and defective adipose tissue oxygenation as a result of obesity may induce leucocyte infiltration and subsequent systemic inflammation.

Objectives

1‐To determine the relation between the amount of visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue and the chemokine interferon‐γ‐inducible protein 10 (IP‐10) and angiogenic factor hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). 2‐To determine the relation between the metabolic syndrome and IP‐10 as well as HGF.

Methods

Patients originated from the Secondary Manifestations of ARTerial disease (SMART) cohort. In this study, a cohort of 1251 patients with manifest vascular disease was included. Subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue thickness (SAT and VAT respectively) were measured ultrasonographically. IP‐10 and HGF concentrations were measured with Luminex multiplex immuno assay in addition to fasting metabolic parameters. Linear regression analyses with adjustments for age, gender, smoking, estimated glomerular filtration rate, type 2 diabetes mellitus and medication use were applied to quantify the relations between adiposity or metabolic syndrome and IP‐10 and HGF concentrations.

Results

VAT was significantly associated with (log)IP‐10 and (log)HGF, reflected by significant higher β‐values in VAT quartile 4 compared with VAT quartile 1 (reference): β0.155 (95%CI:0.073–0.237) for IP‐10 and β0.147 (95%CI:0.076–0.218) for HGF. Per standard deviation increase in VAT, (log)IP‐10 levels increased with 0.057 pg/mL (95%CI:0.027–0.087) and (log)HGF increased with 0.051 pg/mL (95%CI:0.025–0.077). Effect estimates were not affected by including body mass index(BMI) in the model. In contrast, SAT was not associated with IP‐10 and HGF. Furthermore, the presence of the metabolic syndrome was associated with IP‐10 and HGF.

Conclusions

Visceral adipose tissue but not subcutaneous adipose tissue is significantly associated with circulating levels of IP‐10 and HGF, irrespective of BMI.
Reduced serum progranulin level might be associated with Parkinson's disease risk
Authors: Mateo I. , González‐Aramburu I. , Pozueta A. , Vázquez‐Higuera J. L. , Rodríguez‐Rodríguez E. , Sánchez‐Juan P. , Calero M. , Dobato J. L. , Infante J. , Berciano J. , Combarros O.
Published: February 2013

Background and purpose

Common genetic variants (rs5848 and rs646776) have been reported as regulators of blood progranulin (GRN) levels in healthy individuals.

Methods

To assess the influence of rs5848 and rs646776 polymorphisms in both serum GRN level and risk for common neurodegenerative diseases, we studied 304 patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), 217 individuals with Alzheimer's disease, 131 subjects with mild cognitive impairment, and 126 controls.

Results

The mean concentration of GRN in the serum of patients with PD (319.6 ng/ml) was significantly lower than that of controls (371.5 ng/ml; P = 0.009), whereas there were no significant differences between other groups. Rs646776 minor allele carriers had lower serum GRN levels in each of the four subgroups. There was no correlation between rs5848 genotypes and serum GRN concentrations. Genotype frequencies of both polymorphisms did not differ between groups.

Conclusion

Reduced circulating GRN levels might be associated with PD risk by pathogenic factors different from rs5848 and rs646776 polymorphisms.
Treatment of respiratory impairment in patients with motor neuron disease in the Netherlands: patient preference and timing of referral
Authors: Raaphorst J. , Tuijp J. , Verweij L. , Westermann E. J. A. , van der Kooi A. J. , Gaytant M. A. , van den Berg L. H. , de Visser M. , Kampelmacher M. J.
Published: February 2013

Background and purpose

We assessed the first evaluation at a large ventilation clinic in the Netherlands to: (i) determine what proportion of patients with motor neuron disease would benefit from earlier referral; and (ii) examine the patient preferences regarding ventilatory support.

Methods

Observational study at a single centre with a catchment area of 7.6 million inhabitants. Data on disease status, the referral process and patients' preferences regarding ventilatory support were collected during the first home ventilation services (HVS) assessment and analysed for correlation with the presence of daytime hypercapnia and suspected nocturnal hypoventilation. The latter conditions require immediate (within 48 h) or subacute (within 3 weeks) initiation of ventilatory support.

Results

Vital capacity (in percentage of predicted value, VC%pred) was assessed by referring physicians in 84% of the 217 referred patients; the mean VC%pred was 69% (SD 16). One‐hundred and ninety‐one patients attended the first HVS assessment without ventilatory support, at a median of 21 days following referral: 18% had respiratory failure (daytime hypercapnia), 19% had normocapnia but were suspected of nocturnal hypoventilation, and 63% had normocapnia without symptoms. Following the HVS assessment, 25 patients (13%) declined home mechanical ventilation; this occurred more often in patients with (14/70) compared with patients without respiratory impairment (11/121; P < 0.05).

Conclusion

A meaningful proportion of patients who desire ventilatory support are referred to a ventilation clinic after already developing respiratory failure. Future studies could examine means, including more sensitive respiratory measures, to detect those patients who could benefit from earlier referral.
Blood plasma inflammation markers during epileptogenesis in post–status epilepticus rat model for temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Holtman Linda , van Vliet Erwin A. , Aronica Eleonora , Wouters Diana , Wadman Wytse J. , Gorter Jan A.
Published: February 2013

Purpose

Brain inflammation occurs during epileptogenesis and may contribute to the development and progression of temporal lobe epilepsy. Recently, several studies have indicated that seizures may also increase specific blood plasma cytokine levels in animal models as well as in human patients with epilepsy, suggesting that peripheral inflammation may serve as a biomarker for epilepsy. Moreover, studies in epilepsy animal models have shown that peripheral inflammation may play either a pathogenic or neuroprotective role.

Methods

We evaluated the inflammatory response in blood plasma after electrically induced status epilepticus (SE) in a rat model for temporal lobe epilepsy. We measured blood plasma levels of the inflammation markers interleukin 1β (IL‐1β), interleukin 6 (IL‐6), by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) and C‐reactive protein (CRP) by immunoturbidimetry, at 1 day after SE (acute period), at 1 week (during the latent period), and at 2 months after SE, which is the chronic epileptic phase when spontaneous seizures occur. Plasma levels were also measured during pilocarpine‐induced SE. These were compared with plasma levels after lipopolysaccharide injection, which causes sepsis.

Key Findings

Although sepsis induced a huge surge in IL‐1β and IL‐6 levels, we did not detect a change in IL‐1β, IL‐6, or CRP plasma levels at any time point after electrically induced SE compared to control animals. SE induced by pilocarpine produced a rise in IL‐6 and CRP but not IL‐1β levels.

Significance

These findings suggest that plasma levels of these inflammatory proteins cannot be used as biomarkers for temporal lobe epileptogenesis.
Sexual response in female rats with status epilepticus
Authors: Alvarenga Tathiana A. , Matos Gabriela , Scorza Fulvio A. , Amado Débora , Cavalheiro Esper A. , Tufik Sergio , Andersen Monica L.
Published: February 2013

Purpose

Female sexual function is complex and may be disrupted by disease, in particular epilepsy. Chronic seizures in women can have adverse effects on reproductive function, but it has been difficult to dissociate the effects of epilepsy from those related to anticonvulsant medications. The purpose of this study was to evaluate sexual behavior in female rats submitted to pilocarpine‐induced status epilepticus (SE).

Methods

Adult female Wistar rats were given saline or pilocarpine (350 mg/kg, i.p.) to induce SE. The groups were distributed according to the treatment or response to pilocarpine: CTRL (control rats maintained in the home‐cage after saline administration); NSE (non–status epilepticus, rats that did not display convulsive and intermittent seizures after pilocarpine injection) and SE (status epilepticus, rats that displayed convulsive and intermittent seizures after pilocarpine injection). After 50 days, sexual receptivity in the female rats was artificially induced via administration of a combination of estradiol and progesterone. Sexual behavior was evaluated during three sessions in the presence of a sexually experienced male rat. Receptivity and proceptivity behaviors, as well as hormones concentrations, were monitored.

Key Findings

Significant decreases in proceptivity and receptivity behaviors during the three tests were observed in SE female rats. The rejection response was significantly increased in SE rats compared with CTRL or NSE groups. Progesterone, testosterone, and corticosterone were unchanged between the groups.

Significance

The SE female rats showed lower sexual motivation and performance regardless of their steroid hormones levels.
Staphylococcus aureus subverts cutaneous defense by d‐alanylation of teichoic acids
Authors: Simanski Maren , Gläser Regine , Köten Bente , Meyer‐Hoffert Ulf , Wanner Stefanie , Weidenmaier Christopher , Peschel Andreas , Harder Jürgen
Published: February 2013

The Gram‐positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus is a frequent skin colonizer that often causes severe skin infections. It has been reported that neutralizing the negatively charged bacterial surface through the incorporation of d‐alanine in its teichoic acids confers reduced susceptibility of S. aureus towards cationic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Using a S. aureus strain deficient in d‐alanylated teichoic acids (dltA mutant), we demonstrate that d‐alanylation of its surface reduces the susceptibility of S. aureus to skin‐derived AMPs such as RNase 7 and human beta‐defensins. This is accompanied by a higher killing activity of skin extracts towards the S. aureus dltA mutant as well as towards clinical isolates expressing lower levels of dltA. We conclude that modulation of cell envelope d‐alanylation may help S. aureus to persist on human skin through evasion of cutaneous innate defense provided by cationic skin‐derived AMPs.
The chitinolytic machinery of Serratia marcescens – a model system for enzymatic degradation of recalcitrant polysaccharides
Authors: Vaaje‐Kolstad Gustav , Horn Svein J. , Sørlie Morten , Eijsink Vincent G. H.
Published: February 2013

The chitinolytic machinery of Serratia marcescens is one of the best known enzyme systems for the conversion of insoluble polysaccharides. This machinery includes four chitin‐active enzymes: ChiC, an endo‐acting non‐processive chitinase; ChiA and ChiB, two processive chitinases moving along chitin chains in opposite directions; and CBP21, a surface‐active CBM33‐type lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase that introduces chain breaks by oxidative cleavage. Furthermore, an N‐acetylhexosaminidase or chitobiase converts the oligomeric products from the other enzymes to monomeric N‐acetylglucosamine. Here we discuss the catalytic mechanisms of these enzymes as well as the structural basis of each enzyme's specific role in the chitin degradation process. We also discuss how knowledge of this enzyme system may be extrapolated to other enzyme systems for conversion of insoluble polysaccharides, in particular conversion of cellulose by cellulases and GH61‐type lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases.
Evolution of variety‐specific regulatory schema for expression of osa‐miR408 in indica rice varieties under drought stress
Authors: Mutum Roseeta D. , Balyan Sonia C. , Kansal Shivani , Agarwal Preeti , Kumar Santosh , Kumar Mukesh , Raghuvanshi Saurabh
Published: February 2013

Evolution of differential regulatory mechanisms can lead to quite distinct physiological attributes. In the present study, we have identified one such regulatory schema that regulates osa‐miR408 and responds differentially in drought‐sensitive and ‐tolerant indica rice varieties. A comparison of the drought stress response in drought‐sensitive (Pusa Basmati 1 and IR64) and drought‐tolerant (Nagina 22 and Vandana) indica rice varieties revealed that, during drought stress, levels of miR408 transcript decrease significantly in sensitive cultivars, whereas they remain elevated in the tolerant cultivars. The trend is reflected in young seedlings, as well as in flag leaf and spikelets of adult plants (heading stage). Members of the plastocyanin‐like protein family targeted by miR408 also show the inverse expression profile and thus accumulate at a lower level in tolerant cultivars during drought. Interestingly, some members of this family are implicated in maintaining the cellular redox state and spikelet fertility in Arabidopsis. An investigation of miR408 loci (including promoter) in all four cultivars did not reveal any significant sequence variation indicating an involvement of the upstream regulatory schema. Indeed, a similar variety‐specific stress response was found in the Oryza sativa squamosa promoter‐binding‐like 9 transcription factor that regulates miR408 expression. We further demonstrate that drought‐mediated induction of miR408 in Nagina 22 is regulated by [Ca2+]cyt levels. However, [Ca2+]cyt does not appear to regulate miR408 levels in Pusa Basmati 1, suggesting a variety‐specific evolution of regulatory schema in rice.
The Development of Speaking and Writing Proficiencies in the Spanish Language Classroom: A Case Study
Authors: Hubert Michael D.
Published: February 2013

An important task for foreign language (FL) instructors and researchers is to understand how the development of each language skill affects other aspects of language acquisition. This case study seeks to determine if speaking and writing proficiencies develop at similar rates among FL learners. Seventeen students enrolled in beginning, intermediate, and advanced Spanish courses at a mid‐sized U.S. university were administered the ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview and Writing Proficiency Test. Speaking and writing proficiency scores were then correlated. Results showed a fairly strong correlation between speaking and writing scores among experimental group participants, but much weaker correlations between proficiencies when each of the three groups was examined individually. Some students were more proficient writers than speakers, others better writers than speakers, and others equally proficient.
Artificial light pollution: are shifting spectral signatures changing the balance of species interactions?
Authors: Davies Thomas W. , Bennie Jonathan , Inger Richard , de Ibarra Natalie Hempel , Gaston Kevin J.
Published: February 2013

Technological developments in municipal lighting are altering the spectral characteristics of artificially lit habitats. Little is yet known of the biological consequences of such changes, although a variety of animal behaviours are dependent on detecting the spectral signature of light reflected from objects. Using previously published wavelengths of peak visual pigment absorbance, we compared how four alternative street lamp technologies affect the visual abilities of 213 species of arachnid, insect, bird, reptile and mammal by producing different wavelength ranges of light to which they are visually sensitive. The proportion of the visually detectable region of the light spectrum emitted by each lamp was compared to provide an indication of how different technologies are likely to facilitate visually guided behaviours such as detecting objects in the environment. Compared to narrow spectrum lamps, broad spectrum technologies enable animals to detect objects that reflect light over more of the spectrum to which they are sensitive and, importantly, create greater disparities in this ability between major taxonomic groups. The introduction of broad spectrum street lamps could therefore alter the balance of species interactions in the artificially lit environment.
Upward ant distribution shift corresponds with minimum, not maximum, temperature tolerance
Authors: Warren Robert J. , Chick Lacy
Published: February 2013

Rapid climate change may prompt species distribution shifts upward and poleward, but species movement in itself is not sufficient to establish climate causation. Other dynamics, such as disturbance history, may prompt species distribution shifts resembling those expected from rapid climate change. Links between species distributions, regional climate trends and physiological mechanism are needed to convincingly establish climate‐induced species shifts. We examine a 38‐year shift (1974–2012) in an elevation ecotone between two closely related ant species, Aphaenogaster picea and A. rudis. Even though A. picea and A. rudis are closely related with North American distributions that sometimes overlap, they also exhibit local‐ and regional‐scale differences in temperature requirements so that A. rudis is more southerly and inhabits lower elevations whereas A. picea is more northerly and inhabits high elevations. We find considerable movement by the warm‐habitat species upward in elevation between 1974 and 2012 with A. rudis, replacing the cold‐habitat species, A. picea, along the southern edge of the Appalachian Mountain chain in north Georgia, USA. Concomitant with the distribution shifts, regional mean and maximum temperatures remain steady (1974–2012), but minimum temperatures increase. We collect individuals from the study sites and subject them to thermal tolerance testing in a controlled setting and find that maximum and minimum temperature acclimatization occurs along the elevation gradient in both species, but A. rudis consistently becomes physiologically incapacitated at minimum and maximum temperatures 2 °C higher than A. picea. These results indicate that rising minimum temperatures allow A. rudis to move upward in elevation and displace A. picea. Given that Aphaenogaster ants are the dominant woodland seed dispersers in eastern deciduous forests, and that their thermal tolerances drive distinct differences in temperature‐cued synchrony with early blooming plants, these climate responses not only impact ant‐ant interactions, but might have wide implications for ant‐plant interactions.
Global simulation of bioenergy crop productivity: analytical framework and case study for switchgrass
Authors: Kang Shujiang , Nair Sujithkumar Surendran , Kline Keith L. , Nichols Jeffrey A. , Wang Dali , Post Wilfred M. , Brandt Craig C. , Wullschleger Stan D. , Singh Nagendra , Wei Yaxing
Published: February 2013

A global energy crop productivity model that provides geospatially explicit quantitative details on biomass potential and factors affecting sustainability would be useful, but does not exist now. This study describes a modeling platform capable of meeting many challenges associated with global‐scale agro‐ecosystem modeling. We designed an analytical framework for bioenergy crops consisting of six major components: (i) standardized natural resources datasets, (ii) global field‐trial data and crop management practices, (iii) simulation units and management scenarios, (iv) model calibration and validation, (v) high‐performance computing (HPC) simulation, and (vi) simulation output processing and analysis. The HPC‐Environmental Policy Integrated Climate (HPC‐EPIC) model simulated a perennial bioenergy crop, switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), estimating feedstock production potentials and effects across the globe. This modeling platform can assess soil C sequestration, net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, nonpoint source pollution (e.g., nutrient and pesticide loss), and energy exchange with the atmosphere. It can be expanded to include additional bioenergy crops (e.g., miscanthus, energy cane, and agave) and food crops under different management scenarios. The platform and switchgrass field‐trial dataset are available to support global analysis of biomass feedstock production potential and corresponding metrics of sustainability.
Immunohistochemical expression of core 2 β1,6‐N‐acetylglucosaminyl transferase 1 (C2GnT1) in endometrioid‐type endometrial carcinoma: a novel potential prognostic factor
Authors: Miyamoto Tsutomu , Suzuki Akihisa , Asaka Ryoichi , Ishikawa Kaori , Yamada Yasushi , Kobara Hisanori , Nakayama Jun , Shiozawa Tanri
Published: February 2013

Aims

It has been reported that the expression of core 2 β1,6‐N‐acetylglucosaminyl transferase 1 (C2GnT1), which synthesizes the core 2 branching structure on O‐glycans, may be associated with the biological aggressiveness of tumour cells. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the expression of C2GnT1 and clinicopathological parameters of patients with endometrial carcinoma.

Methods and results

The immunohistochemical expression of C2GnT1 was examined in 84 cases of endometrioid‐type endometrial carcinoma, 15 cases of endometrial hyperplasia, and 30 normal endometria. The staining intensity was reported according to a positivity index (PI, full score 100), calculated from the percentage of positive cells. The expression of C2GnT1 was significantly higher in endometrial carcinoma (PI = 8.31 ± 15.29) than in normal endometrium (PI = 0.52 ± 1.24) (P < 0.0005). In carcinomas, the PI was higher in high‐grade or advanced‐stage tumours, but not significantly. Topologically, C2GnT1 was strongly expressed at sites of deep myometrial invasion. In addition, patients with C2GnT1 overexpression (PI ≥ 10) had significantly shorter survival (P < 0.0005). Multivariable analysis also indicated that C2GnT1 overexpression was an independent prognostic factor (P = 0.017).

Conclusions

C2GnT1 appears to be involved in the biological aggressiveness of endometrial carcinoma. C2GnT1 might become a novel prognostic factor for endometrial carcinoma.
Low‐dose oral interferon alpha as prophylaxis against viral respiratory illness: a double‐blind, parallel controlled trial during an influenza pandemic year
Authors: Bennett Alayne L. , Smith David W. , Cummins Martin J. , Jacoby Peter A. , Cummins Joseph M. , Beilharz Manfred W.
Published: February 2013

Background and objective

Interferon alpha (IFNα) is a known antiviral agent. A double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical trial was conducted investigating the use of low‐dose oral interferon alpha for preventing acute viral respiratory illnesses.

Methods

Two hundred healthy adults aged 18–75 years were enrolled and completed weekly health data questionnaires to monitor for symptoms and impact of respiratory illness. Serum samples were tested for antibodies against influenza and other common respiratory viruses.

Results

Low‐dose oral IFNα prophylaxis did not reduce the incidence or impact of acute respiratory illness (ARI) or the impact of illness on daily activities. Post hoc analysis of participant subgroups, however, identified significant reductions in the incidence of ARI reported by males, those aged 50 years or more and those who received the 2009 seasonal influenza vaccine. Interferon alpha prophylaxis had a significant impact on the reporting of moderate‐to‐severe feverishness by the study population. Seropositive participants in the IFN group were more likely to report asymptomatic or mild symptoms compared with those in the placebo group who were more likely to report stronger symptoms.

Conclusions

Low‐dose oral IFNα prophylaxis was not effective in limiting the overall incidence of ARI in our study population. However, there was evidence that prophylaxis reduced the severity of symptoms and had a beneficial effect in some subpopulations, including those who received the 2009 seasonal trivalent influenza vaccination.