bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“All of my bosses have been men” – on gender structures in the real-estate industry
Authors: Maria Staffansson Pauli Karin
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of the paper is to create an understanding of the gender structure in the real-estate industry in Sweden. Interviews were made with younger female and male graduates. The purpose is to distinguish how these younger graduates working in the industry react to the gender structure.

Design/methodology/approach

– Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 graduate younger women and men working in the real-estate industry in Sweden. As an input to the interviews a mapping of the gender structure was conducted, using annual reports of commercial real-estate companies and public housing companies in Sweden.

Findings

– The paper provides empirical insights that there were not any greater differences in the gender structure in Sweden, between 2001 and 2008 and none of the respondents were surprised. The symbols of men and the hegemonic masculinity – men more often holding leading and technical positions while women more often hold supporting positions in the industry – are important to understand the gender structure. In the industry the hegemonic engineering masculinity is also apparent.

Research limitations/implications

– The limitation of the paper might be the time period of the mapping; a longer time period might have shown a change in the structure and the amount of young female and male graduates interviewed.

Practical implications

– The paper includes implication for the development of the gender structure – awareness is the first step, in order to retain talented women and men.

Originality/value

– The paper fulfils an identified need to study the gender structure of the real-estate industry.
Thermo-mechanical performance of concrete with alternative binder material
Authors: Kirton Paula , Richardson Alan , Agnew Brian
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of changes to fundamental components of concrete; cement type, water/cementitious (w/c) ratio, aggregate size and age, on thermo-mechanical properties. Understanding the heat transfer properties of construction materials will enable a reduction in energy expenditure and associated CO2 emissions, contributing to a more sustainable built environment.

Design/methodology/approach

– Concrete specimens were subject to steady-state heat transfer test methods to determine thermal conductivity and specific heat values. Pore volume of specimens was determined using water displacement method.

Findings

– Cement type CEM I produced the lowest thermal conductivity values by a maximum of 30 per cent, cement type group CEM I corresponded to higher pore volumes and lower densities than cement type group CEM II. Specific heat was higher in specimens containing CEM II compared to CEM I, with cement type being the dominant factor that determines the specific heat capacity. The w/c ratio 0.55 provided lowest thermal conductivity values of the w/c ratio specimens, however, w/c ratio had no impact on the specific heat of concrete. Cement type was the most dominant component of concrete of the properties tested.

Originality/value

– The paper presents knowledge of the thermal performance of concrete with easily achieved changes to concrete mix design, which can be used alone or combined for maximum effect. Steady-state heat transfer techniques in a low moisture environment combined with pore volume testing, provides originality to the study of the behaviour of cement replacements as previous research has mainly been based on transient techniques. The use of steady-state heat transfer experimentation allows important thermal properties, thermal conductivity and specific heat to be calculated.
The regulation constraint modeling and semantic inferring in construction quality checking
Authors: Zhong Hu Yun , Zhong Botao , Luo Hanbin , Meng Hu Hai
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the feasibility that an ontological approach can be applied to formalize the construction regulation constraint knowledge in a computer-interpretable way, for construction quality checking, during construction stage.

Design/methodology/approach

– The ontological and semantic web technologies are used to model the construction quality constraints knowledge into Axioms/OWL and SWRL rules. Protégé platform is selected to illustrate how the construction quality checking, based on the Axioms/OWL and SWRL rules, is achieved.

Findings

– The ontology and semantic web technologies can be an alternative way for modeling the construction regulation constraints in a computer-interpretable way, and can be implemented for the regulation-based construction quality checking.

Research limitations/implications

– The approach is illustrated only with given specific technical constraints examples, the generality and practicality of the approach need further investigation.

Originality/value

– The paper introduces an ontological and semantic approach to model and formalize the construction regulation constraints for construction quality checking, and proves the feasibility by the case studies. The proposed approach enables the regulations can be understood and retrieved semantically by computers, which facilitates the using of regulation codes.
Collaborative risk management in sensitive logistics nodes
Authors: Breuer Claudia , Siestrup Guido , Haasis Hans-Dietrich , Wildebrand Hendrik
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– The integration of business processes across multiple companies can provide economic benefits, thus ensuring the sustainability of the involved companies. However these advantages are accompanied by many potential risks. For instance, emerging disruptions within a supply chain can spread over several partners resulting in economic losses. The purpose of this paper is to focus on the development of a collaborative cross-supply chain framework that reduces the extent of loss after the occurrence of unforeseen damaging events in sensitive logistics nodes.

Design/methodology/approach

– To handle the impacts of unforeseen damaging events in sensitive logistics nodes, the focus of our approach lies on the implementation of a collaboratively applicable concept for sensitive logistics nodes that supports a rapid collaborative decision-making among the partners. Therefore, different damaging events as well as the logistics and transport processes in freight villages are determined and implemented in an agent-based simulation model.

Findings

– Multi-agent simulation can be used for a scenario-based collaborative risk management in sensitive logistics nodes. By executing simulation experiments the impacts of selected damaging events can be analysed and used for the development of scenario specific strategies for the partners in sensitive logistics nodes with the objective to maintain the flow of goods after disturbances.

Practical implications

– The paper proposes a multi-agent simulation, which can be used collaboratively in a cross-supply chain team to support decision-making processes in sensitive logistics nodes after a disruption has occurred. To get an effective and efficient tool, involved companies are included into the development and implementation processes.

Originality/value

– The value of this paper lies in the approach of a multi-agent based simulation system that supports a collaborative risk management across different companies and different supply chains in sensitive logistics nodes.
Fluoride‐sensitivity of growth and acid production of oral Actinomyces: comparison with oral Streptococcus
Authors: Kawashima Junko , Nakajo Kazuko , Washio Jumpei , Mayanagi Gen , Shimauchi Hidetoshi , Takahashi Nobuhiro
Published: October 2013

Actinomyces are predominant oral bacteria; however, their cariogenic potential in terms of acid production and fluoride sensitivity has not been elucidated in detail and compared with that of other caries‐associated oral bacteria, such as Streptococcus. Therefore, this study aimed to elucidate and compare the acid production and growth of Actinomyces and Streptococcus in the presence of bicarbonate and fluoride to mimic conditions in the oral cavity. Acid production from glucose was measured by pH‐stat at pH 5.5 and 7.0 under anaerobic conditions. Growth rate was assessed by optical density in anaerobic culture. Although Actinomyces produced acid at a lower rate than did Streptococcus, their acid production was more tolerant of fluoride (IDacid production 50 = 110–170 ppm at pH 7.0 and 10–13 ppm at pH 5.5) than that of Streptococcus (IDacid production 50 = 36–53 ppm at pH 7.0 and 6.3–6.5 ppm at pH 5.5). Bicarbonate increased acid production by Actinomyces with prominent succinate production and enhanced their fluoride tolerance (IDacid production 50 = 220–320 ppm at pH 7.0 and 33–52 ppm at pH 5.5). Bicarbonate had no effect on these variables in Streptococcus. In addition, although the growth rate of Actinomyces was lower than that of Streptococcus, Actinomyces growth was more tolerant of fluoride (IDgrowth 50 = 130–160 ppm) than was that of Streptococcus (IDgrowth 50 = 27–36 ppm). These results indicate that oral Actinomyces are more tolerant of fluoride than oral Streptococcus, and bicarbonate enhances the fluoride tolerance of oral Actinomyces. Because of the limited number of species tested here, further study is needed to generalize these findings to the genus level.
A C‐type lectin receptor pathway is responsible for the pathogenesis of acute cyclophosphamide‐induced cystitis in mice
Authors: Dejima Takashi , Shibata Kensuke , Yamada Hisakata , Takeuchi Ario , Hara Hiromitsu , Eto Masatoshi , Naito Seiji , Yoshikai Yasunobu
Published: October 2013

Hemorrhagic cystitis often arises after cyclophosphamide (CYP) administration. As yet, however, the mechanism involved in its pathogenesis is unknown. In this study, it was found that the Fc receptor γ chain (FcRγ)‐ caspase recruitment domain‐containing protein 9 (CARD9)‐dependent pathway rather than the myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (MyD88)‐dependent pathway is involved in the pathogenesis of acute CYP‐induced cystitis in mice. Rapid and transient production of interleukin (IL)‐6 and IL‐1β was detected in the bladder at 4 hr, preceding IL‐23 and IL‐17A production and an influx of neutrophils, which reached a peak at 24 hr after injection. As assessed by weight, edema and neutrophil infiltration, cystitis was significantly attenuated in CARD9 knockout (KO) and FcRγKO mice, this attenuation being accompanied by impaired production of IL‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐23 and IL‐17A. The major source of IL‐17A is the vesical γδ T cell population: IL‐17AKO, CδKO and Tyk2KO mice showed little IL‐17A production and reduced neutrophil infiltration in the bladder after CYP injection. These results suggest that FcRγ‐CARD9‐dependent production of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL‐1β, IL‐6, and IL‐23 and the subsequent activation of IL‐17A‐producing γδ T cells are at least partly involved in the pathogenesis of acute CYP‐induced cystitis in mice.
Learned recognition of introduced predators determines survival of tadpole prey
Authors: Polo‐Cavia Nuria , Gomez‐Mestre Ivan
Published: October 2013

Alien predators are one of the major causes for rapid decline and extinction of native species, because they often create novel ecological contexts in which the antipredatory responses of native organisms are no longer fit.

Although larval amphibians are often capable of innately responding to chemical cues from local predators through changes in morphology and behaviour, naïve tadpoles generally cannot recognize introduced predators with which they have not shared an evolutionary past. However, in a few documented cases, aquatic organisms have been observed to alter morphology or behaviour in response to alien predators. Such a response may have evolved as adaptive recognition, increasing their repertoire of innate responses to include the novel predator or may have evolved as the prey's ability to learn new threats by association with conspecific alarm cues.

The red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii, is a harmful invasive species in aquatic systems world‐wide, causing great ecological impact on native amphibian populations during the last decades through intense predation of eggs and tadpoles. We demonstrate that naïve tadpoles of the western spadefoot toad, Pelobates cultripes, are not capable of innately recognizing water‐borne predator cues from the red swamp crayfish. Nevertheless, we demonstrate that P. cultripes tadpoles can learn to recognize the cues of the invasive predatory crayfish as a threat when they are exposed to predator cues combined with conspecific alarm cues. Finally, we show that tadpoles conditioned by joint exposure to crayfish and alarm cues enjoy higher survival during predation trials with invasive crayfish.

Learning to recognize a newly introduced predator through association with conspecific alarm cues may allow successful generalization of antipredatory responses by tadpoles. This cognitive ability of tadpoles may contribute to reduce their vulnerability to alien predators and soothe the impact of invasions in natural populations.
Sex‐dependent evolution of life‐history traits following adaptation to climate warming
Authors: Rogell Björn , Widegren William , Hallsson Lára R. , Berger David , Björklund Mats , Maklakov Alexei A.
Published: October 2013

Thermodynamic processes increase metabolic rate and decrease longevity at high temperatures in ectotherms. However, how sustained long‐term increase in temperature affects the evolution of longevity is poorly understood.

Stress theory of ageing predicts that increased longevity is positively genetically correlated with resistance to different types of environmental stressors implying that evolutionary trajectories of ageing may be mediated by correlative selection for robust phenotypes under thermal stress.

Here, we test this hypothesis by using replicate populations of the seed beetleCallosobruchus maculatus, evolving under two thermal environments: ancestral 30 °C and incremental increase towards novel 36 °C.

Beetles evolving under climate warming became larger, more fecund and lived longer than the beetles evolving under 30 °C across both environments. However, the increase in longevity was partly due to parental effects because after two generations of acclimatization it persisted only in males.

Our results support the hypothesis that evolution of stress resistance confers increased longevity through positive pleiotropy but demonstrate that such effects can be sex specific. These findings suggest that sex differences can evolve as correlated responses to selection under environmental change.
On the role of reflections, refractions and diving waves in full‐waveform inversion
Authors: Kazei V.V. , Troyan V.N. , Kashtan B.M. , Mulder W.A.
Published: October 2013

Full‐waveform inversion suffers from local minima, due to a lack of low frequencies in data. A reflector below the zone of interest may, however, help in recovering the long‐wavelength components of a velocity perturbation, as demonstrated in a paper by Mora. With the Born approximation for a perturbation in a reference model consisting in two homogeneous isotropic acoustic half‐spaces and the assumption of infinitely large apertures available in the data, analytic expressions can be found that describe the spatial spectrum of the recorded seismic signal as a function of the spatial spectrum of the inhomogeneity. Diving waves can be included if the deeper part of the homogeneous model is replaced by one that has a vertical velocity gradient. We study this spectrum in more detail by separately considering scattering of direct, reflected and head waves, as well as singly and multiply reflected diving waves for a gradient model. Taking the reflection coefficient of the deeper reflector into account, we obtain sensitivity estimates for each wavetype. Although the head waves have a relatively small contribution to the reconstruction of the velocity perturbation, compared to the other waves, they contain reliable long‐wavelength information that can be beneficial for full‐waveform inversion. If the deeper part has a constant positive velocity gradient with depth, all the energy eventually returns to the source‐receiver line, given a sufficiently large acquisition aperture. This will improve the sensitivity of the scattered reflected and refracted wavefields to perturbations in the background model. The same happens for a zero velocity gradient but with a very high impedance contrast between the two half‐spaces, which results in a large reflection coefficient.
Individual‐based measurements of light intensity provide new insights into the effects of artificial light at night on daily rhythms of urban‐dwelling songbirds
Authors: Dominoni Davide M. , Carmona‐Wagner Esther O. , Hofmann Michaela , Kranstauber Bart , Partecke Jesko
Published: October 2013

The growing interest in the effects of light pollution on daily and seasonal cycles of animals has led to a boost of research in recent years. In birds, it has been hypothesized that artificial light at night can affect daily aspects of behaviour, but one caveat is the lack of knowledge about the light intensity that wild animals, such as birds, are exposed to during the night.

Organisms have naturally evolved daily rhythms to adapt to the 24‐h cycle of day and night, thus, it is important to investigate the potential shifts in daily cycles due to global anthropogenic processes such as urbanization.

We captured adult male European blackbirds (Turdus merula) in one rural forest and two urban sites differing in the degree of anthropogenic disturbance. We tagged these birds with light loggers and simultaneously recorded changes in activity status (active/non‐active) through an automated telemetry system. We first analysed the relationship between light at night, weather conditions and date with daily activity onset and end. We then compared activity, light at night exposure and noise levels between weekdays and weekends.

Onset of daily activity was significantly advanced in both urban sites compared to the rural population, while end of daily activity did not vary either among sites. Birds exposed to higher amounts of light in the late night showed earlier onset of activity in the morning, but light at night did not influence end of daily activity. Light exposure at night and onset/end of daily activity timing was not different between weekdays and weekends, but all noise variables were. A strong seasonal effect was detected in both urban and rural populations, such as birds tended to be active earlier in the morning and later in the evening (relative to civil twilight) in the early breeding season than at later stages.

Our results point at artificial light at night as a major driver of change in timing of daily activity. Future research should focus on the costs and benefits of altered daily rhythmicity in birds thriving in urban areas.
Arise, Careerless Politician: The Rise of the Professional Party Leader
Authors: Barber Stephen
Published: October 2013

Taking as its starting provocation Philip Cowley's ‘Arise, Novice Leader!’, this article contributes to the discussion of the nature of today's party leaderships. ‘Experience’, even for political office, should be viewed as ‘real-world’ work as much as time served in parliament. By quantifying non-political pre-parliamentary experience of post-war leaderships, I show both that current leaders are relatively ‘careerless’ and that this is not historically unusual. While Cowley's observation is that their parliamentary experience is also limited, by reintroducing ‘political experience’ into the numbers, I demonstrate that Cameron, Clegg and Miliband are among the most experienced leaders since 1945 in terms of total pre-parliamentary work but further removed from the ‘real world’ of those they represent. My argument is that in the contemporary context, such grounding at the top of politics partially explains the election of these professional leaders.
Influence of technological variables on the functionality of the cell‐free fraction of fermented buttermilk
Authors: Peteán Melina , Beccaría Alejandro , Burns Patricia , Sihufe Guillermo , Zacarías María Florencia , Binetti Ana , Reinheimer Jorge , Vinderola Gabriel
Published: October 2013

Buttermilk is a suitable substrate for fermentation with proteolytic strains of Lactobacillus in order to release peptide fractions able to enhance the gut mucosal immune system. We aimed to determine the influence of the degree of proteolysis of buttermilk proteins on their functionality. Animals received for seven consecutive days the cell‐free fraction of 10 or 20% (w/v) buttermilk fermented with Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis 210 at pH 6. The pH was controlled either with NaOH or Ca(OH)2. No significant differences in the number of IgA‐producing cells in the small intestine of mice were found. The functional capacity of the product under study was not affected by the technological variables considered.
A comparison of maternal calcium and magnesium levels in pre‐eclamptic and normotensive pregnancies: an observational case–control study
Authors: Richards DGD , Lindow SW , Carrara H , Knight R , Haswell SJ , Van der Spuy ZM
Published: October 2013

Objective

Supplementing pregnant women at high risk of developing pre‐eclampsia with calcium may reduce the incidence of the disease. This study examines differences in serum and hair concentrations of calcium and magnesium between women with pre‐eclamptic and normotensive pregnancies.

Design

Observational case–control study.

Setting

Two teaching hospitals in Cape Town, South Africa.

Population

Women with pre‐eclamptic (N = 96) or normotensive (N = 96) pregnancies, who delivered a single, live infant.

Methods

Demographic and current pregnancy details were retrieved from clinical notes. Each participant completed a dietary questionnaire. Venous blood samples were taken from each participant to assess serum calcium and magnesium concentrations. Hair samples were obtained from all participants and calcium and magnesium levels were measured by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICPOES).

Main outcome measure

Hair and serum calcium and magnesium concentrations were compared between women with pre‐eclamptic and normotensive pregnancies.

Results

Diet and socio‐economic status in the two groups were similar. There was no significant difference in the hair calcium level between women with pre‐eclamptic [1241 parts per million (ppm); range, 331–4654 ppm] and normotensive (1146 ppm; range, 480–4136 ppm) pregnancies (P = 0.5). Hair calcium levels in both groups were not affected by HIV infection.

Conclusion

Woman with pre‐eclampsia showed no difference in chronic calcium status relative to normotensive women. This finding does not support the current belief that the mechanism by which calcium supplementation reduces the risk of developing pre‐eclampsia is by correcting a nutritional deficiency.
The Influence of Bleaching Agent and Temperature on Bleaching Efficacy and Volatile Components of Fluid Whey and Whey Retentate
Authors: Fox A.J. , Smith T.J. , Gerard P.D. , Drake M.A.
Published: October 2013

Fluid whey or retentate are often bleached to remove residual annatto Cheddar cheese colorant, and this process causes off‐flavors in dried whey proteins. This study determined the impact of temperature and bleaching agent on bleaching efficacy and volatile components in fluid whey and fluid whey retentate. Freshly manufactured liquid whey (6.7% solids) or concentrated whey protein (retentate) (12% solids, 80% protein) were bleached using benzoyl peroxide (BP) at 100 mg/kg (w/w) or hydrogen peroxide (HP) at 250 mg/kg (w/w) at 5 °C for 16 h or 50 °CC for 1 h. Unbleached controls were subjected to a similar temperature profile. The experiment was replicated three times. Annatto destruction (bleaching efficacy) among treatments was compared, and volatile compounds were extracted and separated using solid phase microextraction gas chromatography mass spectrometry (SPME GC‐MS). Bleaching efficacy of BP was higher than HP (P < 0.05) for fluid whey at both 5 and 50 °C. HP bleaching efficacy was increased in retentate compared to liquid whey (P < 0.05). In whey retentate, there was no difference between bleaching with HP or BP at 50 or 5 °C (P > 0.05). Retentate bleached with HP at either temperature had higher relative abundances of pentanal, hexanal, heptanal, and octanal than BP bleached retentate (P < 0.05). Liquid wheys generally had lower concentrations of selected volatiles compared to retentates. These results suggest that the highest bleaching efficacy (within the parameters evaluated) in liquid whey is achieved using BP at 5 or 50 °C and at 50 °C with HP or BP in whey protein retentate.
Enrichment of Functional Properties of Ice Cream with Pomegranate By‐products
Authors: Çam Mustafa , Erdoğan Fatma , Aslan Duygu , Dinç Merve
Published: October 2013

Pomegranate peel rich in phenolics, and pomegranate seed which contain a conjugated fatty acid namely punicic acid in lipid fraction remain as by‐products after processing the fruit into juice. Ice cream is poor in polyunsaturated fatty acids and phenolics, therefore, this study was conducted to improve the functional properties of ice cream by incorporating pomegranate peel phenolics and pomegranate seed oil. Incorporation of the peel phenolics into ice cream at the levels of 0.1% and 0.4% (w/w) resulted in significant changes in the pH, total acidity, and color of the samples. The most prominent outcomes of phenolic incorporation were sharp improvements in antioxidant and antidiabetic activities as well as the phenolic content of ice creams. Replacement of pomegranate seed oil by milk fat at the levels of 2.0% and 4.0% (w/w) increased the conjugated fatty acid content. However, perception of oxidized flavor increased with the additional seed oil. When one considers the functional and nutritional improvements in the enrichment of the ice cream together with overall acceptability results of the sensory analysis, then it follows from this study that ice creams enriched with pomegranate peel phenolics up to 0.4% (w/w) and pomegranate seed oil up to 2.0% (w/w) could be introduced to markets as functional ice cream. Enrichment of ice creams with pomegranate by‐products might provide consumers health benefits with striking functional properties of punicalagins in pomegranate peel, and punicic acid in pomegranate seed oil.
Safety of once‐daily insulin detemir in patients with type 2 diabetes treated with oral hypoglycemic agents in routine clinical practice (在常规临床实践中使用口服降糖药治疗的2型糖尿病患者每日一次使用地特胰岛素治疗的安全性)
Authors: Ross Stuart , Dzida Grzegorz , Ji Qiuhe , Kaiser Marcel , Ligthelm Robert , Meneghini Luigi , Nazeri Avideh , Orozco‐Beltran Domingo , Pan Changyu , Svendsen Anne Louise ,   SOLVE Study Group
Published: October 2013

Background

The aim of the present study was to identify demographic and treatment factors that were predictive of hypoglycemia in a large cohort of type 2 diabetic patients initiating insulin detemir.

Methods

The present 24‐week observational study of insulin initiation included 17 374 participants from 10 countries. Severe hypoglycemia was defined as an event requiring third party assistance; minor hypoglycemia was defined as a daytime or nocturnal glucose measurement <3.1 mmol/L.

Results

Prior to initiating insulin therapy, 4.9% of the cohort reported hypoglycemia (pre‐insulin hypoglycemia), with most (94.2%) reporting minor events and 9.6% reporting severe events. Compared with patients without pre‐insulin hypoglycemia, those with pre‐insulin hypoglycemia had a higher incidence of events of minor hypoglycemia (1.72 vs 4.46 events per patient‐year [ppy], respectively), nocturnal hypoglycemia (0.25 vs 1.09 events ppy, respectively), and severe hypoglycemia (<0.01 vs 0.04 events ppy, respectively) at final visit. Age (P < 0.047), body mass index (P < 0.001), a prior history of microvascular disease (P < 0.001), pre‐insulin hypoglycemia (P < 0.001), increased number of oral hypoglycemic agents (OHAs; P < 0.001), OHA intensification (P < 0.001), and the use of glinides (P = 0.004) were all found to be independently associated with the occurrence of hypoglycemia during the study.

Conclusions

Once‐daily insulin detemir therapy was safe and effective, and rates of hypoglycemia were low. Concerns about hypoglycemia should not deter the initiation of basal insulin analogs.
Salt drying: a low‐cost, simple and efficient method for storing plants in the field and preserving biological repositories for DNA diversity research
Authors: Carrió Elena , Rosselló Josep A.
Published: October 2013

Although a variety of methods have been optimized for the collection and storage of plant specimens, most of these are not suited for field expeditions for a variety of logistic reasons. Drying specimens with silica gel in polyethylene bags is currently the standard for field‐sampling methods that are suitable for subsequent DNA extraction. However, silica‐gel repositories are not readily available in remote areas, and its use is not very cost‐effective for the long‐term storage of collections or in developing countries with limited research budgets. Salting is an ancient and traditional drying process that preserves food samples by dehydrating tissues and inhibiting water‐dependent cellular metabolism. We compared salt and silica‐gel drying methods with respect to dehydration rates overtime, DNA quality and polymerase chain reaction(PCR) success to assess whether dry salting can be used as an effective plant preservation method for DNA analysis. Specimens from eleven plant species covering a variety of leaf structures, leaf thicknesses and water contents were analysed. Experimental work indicated that (i) levels of dehydration in sodium chloride were usually comparable to those obtained when silica gel was used, (ii) no spoilage, fungal or bacterial growth was observed for any of the species with all drying treatments and (iii) good yields of quality genomic DNA suitable for PCR applications were obtained in the salt‐drying treatments. The preservation of plant tissues in commercial table salt appears to be a satisfactory, and versatile method that may be suitable in remote areas where cryogenic resources and silica repositories are not available.
Auxin influences symptom expression and phytoplasma colonisation in periwinkle infected with periwinkle leaf yellowing phytoplasma
Authors: Tai C.‐F. , Lin C.‐P. , Sung Y.‐C. , Chen J.‐C.
Published: October 2013

Auxin imbalance was suggested as a key factor in phytoplasma symptom development. Furthermore, remission of the symptoms of phytoplasma‐infected shoots can be promoted by culturing them in vitro in high‐auxin‐containing media. Therefore, effect of spraying 1‐naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) on infected periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) with periwinkle leaf yellowing (PLY) phytoplasma was examined. 1‐Naphthaleneacetic acid stimulated symptom development in phytoplasma‐inoculated shoots. Accelerated symptom development was associated with early accumulation of phytoplasmas. Two PATHOGENESIS‐RELATED (PR) genes, CrPR1a and CrPR1b, were induced by PLY phytoplasma infection, and the induction was suppressed by NAA. Therefore, the accelerated symptom development may be due to the suppression effect of NAA on PR‐related defence. However, while NAA promoted symptom development on shoots inoculated with phytoplasma, more non‐symptomatic shoots containing no phytoplasma were observed, suggesting that NAA prevents phytoplasma colonisation in non‐symptomatic shoots. The expression of two genes encoding jasmonic acid (JA) biosynthesis key enzymes, lipoxygenase and allene oxide cyclase, was downregulated in non‐symptomatic shoots of infected plants, and remained downregulated after auxin treatment. Therefore, the auxin‐promoted resistance should be JA independent. Because auxin may promote symptom development of PLY phytoplasma‐infected periwinkles, it may not link to plant resistance to phytoplasma infection.
Characterisation of Pseudomonas chlororaphis subsp. aurantiaca strain Pa40 with the ability to control wheat sharp eyespot disease
Authors: Jiao Z. , Wu N. , Hale L. , Wu W. , Wu D. , Guo Y.
Published: October 2013

This study details the isolation and characterisation of Pseudomonas chlororaphis subsp. aurantiaca strain Pa40, and is the first to examine P. chlororaphis for use in suppression of wheat sharp eyespot on wheat. Pa40 was isolated during an investigation aimed to identify biocontrol agents for Rhizoctonia cerealis. Over 500 bacterial strains were isolated from the rhizosphere of infected wheat and screened for in vitro antibiosis towards R. cerealis and ability to provide biocontrol in planta. Twenty‐six isolates showed highly antagonistic activity towards R. cerealis, in which Pseudomonas spp. and Bacillus spp. were predominant members of the antagonistic community. Strain Pa40 exhibited clear and consistent suppression of wheat sharp eyespot disease in a greenhouse study and suppression was comparable to that of chemical treatment with validamycin A. Pa40 was identified as P. chlororaphis subsp. aurantiaca by the Biolog identification system combined with 16S rDNA, atpD, carA and recA sequence analysis and biochemical and physiological characteristics. To determine broad‐spectrum applicability and the specific mechanisms involved in Pa40's pathogen suppression this strain was tested for antibiosis towards various phytopathogens and assayed for many biocontrol activities and plant‐beneficial traits. Strain Pa40 inhibited the growth of 10 of 13 phytopathogenic fungal strains and six of eight phytopathogenic bacteria tested. This original work characterises HCN, protease and siderophore production in P. chlororaphis. Each of these characteristics likely contributed to Pa40's biocontrol capabilities as well as stimulation of the hypersensitive response in tobacco and the presence of genes involved in the biosynthesis of phenazine, 2‐hydroxylated phenazine and pyrrolnitrin.
Fertile transgenic Lotus corniculatus resistant to the non‐selective herbicide phosphinothricin
Authors: Nikolić R. , Zdravković‐Korać S. , Ninković S. , Dragićević M. , Miljuš‐Đukić J. , Banović B. , Bohanec B. , Savić J. , Mitić N.
Published: October 2013

Resistance to the non‐selective herbicide dl‐phosphinothricin (PPT) was introduced into commercial Lotus corniculatus cv. Bokor by co‐cultivation of cotyledons with Agrobacterium tumefaciens AGL1 harbouring the binary vector pDM805 which contains the bialaphos resistance gene (bar) from Streptomyces hygroscopicus encoding phosphinothricin acetyltransferase (PAT) and the uidA gene encoding β‐glucuronidase. The half‐cotyledon explants were precultured on regeneration Murashige and Skoog's (MS) medium supplemented with 6‐benzyladenine (BA) and 1‐naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) at 0.5 mg L−1 each, 3 days prior to infection. Upon co‐cultivation, the explants were cultured on PPT‐free regeneration medium for 10 days, and then subcultured on regeneration/selection media with increasing PPT concentrations (5–7 mg L−1) for about 18 weeks. Out of 480 initially co‐cultivated explants, 272 regenerated shoots survived the entire PPT selection procedure. Resistant shoots were grown further, multiplied by tillering that was additionally promoted by PPT and rooted on hormone‐free MS medium containing 5 mg L−1 PPT. Established shoot cultures, continuously maintained on the same medium, have preserved PPT resistance up to now (more than 2 years). Transformed plants assessed in vitro and in a greenhouse were tolerant to the herbicide PPT at 300 mg L−1 equivalent to more than twofold the recommended field dosage for weed eradication. Applied PPT treatment did not affect the activities of glutamine synthetase (GS; EC 6.3.1.2) and NADH‐dependent glutamate dehydrogenase (NADH‐GDH; EC 1.4.1.2) in transformed plants. However, PPT did increase the mobility of glutamine synthetase isoforms GS1 and GS2 as well as the inhibition of an additional high mobility GS (hmGS) activity. In untransformed plants, PPT treatment reduced total GS activity by 4.4‐fold while contrary the activity of NADH‐GDH was increased by ninefold. All transformed herbicide‐resistant plants were phenotypically normal and exhibited genomic stability, as were the untransformed plants analysed by flow cytometry. Under greenhouse conditions, they grew to maturity, flowered and set seeds. Stable integration and expression of the bar gene in T0 and T1 plants were confirmed by Southern and Western blot analysis, while integration of the reporter uidA gene did not occur. The bar gene was inherited in a Mendelian fashion by the progeny, as detected by PPT resistance. The production of PPT‐resistant plants may have significant practical applications in weed control in fields of L. corniculatus.
How does investor relations disclosure affect analysts' forecasts?
Authors: Chang Millicent , Hooi Liyin , Wee Marvin
Published: October 2013

We study the relationship between investor relations disclosure and analyst forecast properties in Australian firms, a setting dominated by small firms with limited analyst coverage and requiring continuous disclosure of price sensitive information. We find increasing disclosure in the time period investigated is associated with greater accuracy in firms disclosing fewer items. Disclosure was unrelated to forecast dispersion, possibly due to the low analyst following. In periods of uncertainty, the investor relations awards effectively discriminated quality from quantity of disclosure. These findings highlight the importance of active communication with analysts, particularly in firms providing less disclosure and during periods of uncertainty.
Cyclic Changes and Relationship between Peripheral and Endometrial NK Cells from Women with Repeated Failure after Artificial Insemination by Donor Sperm
Authors: Zhang Yang , Kwak‐Kim Joanne , Huang Donghui , Hu Lian , Liao Aihua
Published: October 2013

Problem

Cyclic changes of peripheral natural killer (pNK) cells and/or endometrial NK (eNK) cells during menstrual cycle remain controversial, and their relationship remains uncertain.

Method of study

Peripheral blood and endometrial biopsies were simultaneously obtained from women (n = 23) undergoing artificial insemination with donor sperm (AID) for at least three cycles at both proliferative (days 9–11) and secretory phases (days 20–23) of menstrual cycle. The percentages of CD3− CD56+, CD3− CD56dim CD16+, CD3− CD56bright CD16− pNK, and eNK cell subsets within lymphocytes were determined by three‐color flow cytometry. The correlation between the percentages of pNK and eNK cells was further analyzed by Spearman's test.

Results

The percentages of CD3− CD56+, CD3− CD56dim CD16+, and CD3− CD56bright CD16− pNK cells were not statistically different between the proliferative and secretory phases (P > 0.05, respectively). However, the percentages of CD3− CD56+ and CD3− CD56bright CD16− eNK cells were significantly decreased at the secretory phase, compared with those in the proliferative phase (P < 0.05, respectively). No correlation between the percentages of all pNK cell parameters and those of CD3− CD56bright CD16− eNK cells (the major subset of NK cells in uterus) was found in the same women throughout the menstrual cycle (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

We found a menstrual‐cycle‐dependent change in the percentage of eNK cells in women undergoing AID treatment, but not pNK cells. Moreover, the percentage of pNK cells may not reflect that of eNK cells during menstrual cycle.
Review article: the assessment and management of chronic severe gastrointestinal dysmotility in adults
Authors: Paine P. , McLaughlin J. , Lal S.
Published: October 2013

Background

The characterisation and management of chronic severe gastrointestinal (GI) dysmotility are challenging. It may cause intestinal failure requiring home parenteral nutrition (HPN).

Aims

To review the presentation, aetiology, characterisation, management and outcome of chronic severe GI dysmotility, and to suggest a pragmatic management algorithm.

Methods

PubMed search was performed up to December 2012 using appropriate search terms, restricted to human articles and reviewed for relevance. Segmental dysmotility, acute ileus, functional syndromes and non‐English articles were excluded. Evidence and recommendations were evaluated using theGRADEsystem.

Results

In total, 721 relevant articles were reviewed. A coherent and definitive picture is hampered by overlapping classification systems using multi‐modal characterisation methods, subject to pitfalls and some requiring further validation. The literature is confined to case series with no randomised trials. Fewer than 20% undergo full thickness jejunal biopsy, which are otherwise labelled idiopathic. However, in studies with up to 80% biopsy rates, neuromuscular abnormalities may be found in 90%. Between 14% and 50% will requireHPN, comprising 8–14% of allHPNpatients, of which 2/3 are primary/idiopathic and 1/3 secondary, with scleroderma being the leading secondary cause. Ten‐year  mortality ranges from 13% to 35% and is worst in elderly scleroderma patients. Management includes limited treatments for secondary causes, prokinetics, symptom palliation, psychological support, nutrition, hydration and judicious surgery.

Conclusions

Severe dysmotility often remains idiopathic. It is rarely possible to alter disease trajectory; consequently, prognosis may be poor. Multi‐disciplinary teams in a specialist setting can improve outcomes. Graded recommendations are enumerated and a pragmatic algorithm is suggested.
Usage patterns of ‘over‐the‐counter’ vs. prescription‐strength nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs in France
Authors: Duong Mai , Salvo Francesco , Pariente Antoine , Abouelfath Abdelilah , Lassalle Regis , Droz Cecile , Blin Patrick , Moore Nicholas
Published: October 2013

Aims

Most risks of nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are pharmacological, dose and duration dependent. Usage patterns of prescription‐only (POM) or ‘over‐the‐counter (OTC)’ NSAIDs may influence risks, but are not commonly described.

Methods

The Echantillon Généraliste de Bénéficiaires database, the permanent 1/97 representative sample from the French national healthcare insurance systems, was queried over 2009–2010 to identify usage patterns, concomitant chronic diseases and cardiovascular medication in OTC and POM NSAID users.

Results

Over 2 years, 229 477 of 526 108 patients had at least one NSAID dispensation; 44 484 patients (19%) were dispensed only OTC NSAIDs (93% ibuprofen) and 121 208 (53%) only POM NSAIDs. The OTC users were younger (39.9 vs. 47.4 years old) and more often female (57 vs. 53%); 69% of OTC users and 49% of POM users had only one dispensation. A mean of 14.6 defined daily doses (DDD) were dispensed over 2 years for OTC vs. 53 for POM; 93% OTC vs. 60% POM patients bought ≤ 30 DDD over 2 years, and 1.5 vs. 12% bought ≥ 90 DDD. Chronic comorbidities were found in 19% of OTC users vs. 28% of POM users; 24 vs. 37% had at least one dispensation of a cardiovascular drug over the 2 years.

Conclusions

Most of the use of NSAIDs appears to be short term, especially for OTC‐type NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen. The validity of risk estimates for NSAIDs extrapolated from clinical trials or from observational studies not including OTC‐type usage may need to be revised.
TRPA1: A Transducer and Amplifier of Pain and Inflammation
Authors: Koivisto Ari , Chapman Hugh , Jalava Niina , Korjamo Timo , Saarnilehto Marja , Lindstedt Ken , Pertovaara Antti
Published: October 2013

The transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) ion channel on peripheral terminals of nociceptive primary afferent nerve fibres contributes to the transduction of noxious stimuli to electrical signals, while on central endings in the spinal dorsal horn, it amplifies transmission to spinal interneurons and projection neurons. The centrally propagating nociceptive signal that is induced and amplified by TRPA1 not only elicits pain sensation but also contributes to peripheral neurogenic inflammation through a peripheral axon reflex or a centrally mediated back propagating dorsal root reflex that releases vasoactive agents from sensory neurons in the periphery. Endogenous TRPA1 agonists that are generated under various pathophysiological conditions both in the periphery and in the spinal cord have TRPA1‐mediated pro‐nociceptive and pro‐inflammatory effects. Among endogenous TRPA1 agonists that have been shown to play a role in the pathogenesis of pain and inflammatory conditions are, for example, methylglyoxal, 4‐hydroxynonenal, 12‐lipoxygenase‐derived hepoxilin A3, 5,6‐epoxyeicosatrienoic acid and reactive oxygen species, while mustard oil and cinnamaldehyde are most commonly used exogenous TRPA1 agonists in experimental studies. Among selective TRPA1 antagonists are HC‐030031, A‐967079, AP‐14 and Chembridge‐5861528. Recent evidence indicates that TRPA1 plays a role also in transition of acute to chronic pain. Due to its location on a subpopulation of pain‐mediating primary afferent nerve fibres, blocking the TRPA1 channel is expected to have antinociceptive, antiallodynic and anti‐inflammatory effects.
Neural correlates of rapid antidepressant response to ketamine in bipolar disorder
Authors: Nugent Allison C , Diazgranados Nancy , Carlson Paul J , Ibrahim Lobna , Luckenbaugh David A , Brutsche Nancy , Herscovitch Peter , Drevets Wayne C , Zarate Carlos A
Published: October 2013

Objectives

Ketamine, an N‐methyl d‐aspartate (NMDA) antagonist, has rapid antidepressant effects in depressed subjects with bipolar disorder (BD). Evidence supports a role for the glutamatergic system in the pathophysiology of BD. This double‐blind, randomized, cross‐over study sought to determine cerebral metabolic correlates of antidepressant response to ketamine.

Methods

Twenty‐one subjects with BD currently in a depressed state underwent [18F]‐fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) imaging after receiving a placebo infusion as well as after receiving a ketamine infusion. Metabolism was compared between ketamine and placebo infusions, and correlated with clinical response. Regional metabolic rate of glucose (rMRGlu) in regions of interest (ROIs) and Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) scores were the main outcome measures.

Results

The study found that change in metabolism between sessions was significantly correlated with percentage change in MADRS scores in the right ventral striatum; subjects who showed the greatest improvement had the largest metabolic increase after ketamine infusion compared to placebo. In a voxel‐wise analysis, subjects with BD had significantly lower glucose metabolism in the left hippocampus following the ketamine infusion than following the placebo infusion. In addition, metabolism in the subgenual anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) following the placebo infusion was positively correlated with percentage improvement in MADRS score following the ketamine infusion.

Conclusions

Taken together, the results suggest that higher activity in the subgenual ACC may predict antidepressant response to ketamine. Ketamine administration altered glucose metabolism in areas known to be involved in mood disorders; these alterations may partially underlie ketamine's mechanism of action.