bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The production of acetate, propionate and butyrate in the rumen of sheep: fitting models to 14C- or 13C-labelled tracer data to determine synthesis rates and interconversions
Authors: Nolan J. V. , Leng R. A. , Dobos R. C. , Boston R. C.
Published: August 2014

A procedure is described for solving an open, fully exchanging, three-compartment model representing ruminal volatile fatty acids (VFA) kinetics in sheep. This model was solved using results from a published study in which labelled VFA, viz. 1-14C-acetate (Ac), 1-14C-propionate (Pr) and 1-14C-butyrate (Bu), were infused individually at a constant rate for 240 min into the rumen of sheep on different occasions. During the tracer infusions, the sheep were given 75 g of lucerne (Medicago sativa) every hour. The patterns of increasing specific radioactivity (SA) during the infusions were described by differential equations that were solved using the computer software, WinSAAM. This linear kinetic analysis gave estimates of the rates of synthesis and absorption of Ac, Pr and Bu and the carbon interconversions between each acid. The sizes of the Ac, Pr and Bu compartments (10.5, 3.9 and 2.1 g C respectively), were also estimated, which is not possible with commonly used algebraic analyses. The model output showed that tracer : tracee equilibrium (plateau SA) had not been reached in the Ac, Pr and Bu compartments during the 240 min of tracer infusion and the algebraic method of analysis used in the original study was therefore compromised. The procedures described here eliminated this source of error; in addition, confidence in the model solution was improved because all data representing the build-up to plateau SA were used, rather than just estimates of ‘plateau’ SA. After accounting for VFA interconversions, the rates of VFA absorption (or incorporation into other materials such as microbial polymers or methane) were 85, 48 and 49 g C/day, or 78%, 91% and 73% of the total production of each VFA, respectively. The variability in the observed SA responses to the tracer infusions was relatively large and this is discussed. Model solutions using the linear kinetic analysis and the previously widely used algebraic analyses are compared. The effect of positional labelling in tracer VFA is also discussed in the light of evidence that the rate of absorption of Pr may be overestimated when [1-14C]-Pr rather than [2-14C]-Pr or uniformly labelled [14C]-Pr is used as the Pr tracer.
Spatial variability in pH and key soil nutrients: is this an opportunity to increase fertiliser and lime-use efficiency in grazing systems?
Authors: Trotter Mark , Guppy Chris , Haling Rebecca , Trotter Tieneke , Edwards Clare , Lamb David
Published: August 2014

Nutrient-use efficiency is a key issue for grazing systems in Australia. Spatial variability in soil pH and nutrients at the sub-paddock scale may affect the efficiency of utilisation of, and provide an opportunity for, site-specific management (SSM) of fertiliser and soil ameliorants. However, there has been little research exploring the potential for SSM in grazing systems. This study examines the spatial variability of soil test pH, phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and sulfur (S) in two typical pasture fields (a native and an improved) on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales and evaluates the potential for SSM based on a comparison with critical values. In both fields, the overall paddock mean from a grid survey containing >80 samples for pH, P, K and S (0–10 cm) exceeded the critical values, suggesting that the addition of fertiliser or lime was not required. However, considerable sub-paddock-scale variability was observed, with CV ranging from 35% to 66% for the key nutrients (P, K and S). The Sprengel–Liebig Law of the Minimum was applied to evaluate the proportion of each field constrained by one or more soil characteristics. Up to 55% of the improved paddock and 78% of the native pasture was potentially responsive to amendments. The results of this study suggest that SSM of fertilisers and ameliorants could provide substantial improvements in productivity and possibly reductions in fertiliser use. The development and application of appropriate systems and tools to effectively quantify this spatial variability remain a challenge, coupled with management strategies that optimise the placement of amendments and account for the variability in other production limiting factors.
Fractionation profiling: a fast and versatile approach for mapping vesicle proteomes and protein–protein interactions
Authors: Borner Georg H. H. , Hein Marco Y. , Hirst Jennifer , Edgar James R. , Mann Matthias , Robinson Margaret S.
Published: August 2014

We developed “fractionation profiling,” a method for rapid proteomic analysis of membrane vesicles and protein particles. The approach combines quantitative proteomics with subcellular fractionation to generate signature protein abundance distribution profiles. Functionally associated groups of proteins are revealed through cluster analysis. To validate the method, we first profiled >3500 proteins from HeLa cells and identified known clathrin-coated vesicle proteins with >90% accuracy. We then profiled >2400 proteins from Drosophila S2 cells, and we report the first comprehensive insect clathrin-coated vesicle proteome. Of importance, the cluster analysis extends to all profiled proteins and thus identifies a diverse range of known and novel cytosolic and membrane-associated protein complexes. We show that it also allows the detailed compositional characterization of complexes, including the delineation of subcomplexes and subunit stoichiometry. Our predictions are presented in an interactive database. Fractionation profiling is a universal method for defining the clathrin-coated vesicle proteome and may be adapted for the analysis of other types of vesicles and particles. In addition, it provides a versatile tool for the rapid generation of large-scale protein interaction maps.
Structual study of Galactic hot gas toward Markarian 421 from X-ray absorption and emission lines
Authors: Sakai Kazuhiro , Yao Yangsen , Mitsuda Kazuhisa , Yamasaki Noriko Y. , Wang Q. Daniel , Takei Yoh , McCammon Dan
Published: August 2014

We present a structural study of the hot ISM in the Galactic halo along the sight line toward the bright active galactic nucleus Mkn 421. The O vii and O viii absorption lines were measured with the Low Energy Transmission Grating Spectrograph aboard Chandra toward Mkn 421; the O vii and O viii emission lines were observed in the adjacent fields of the line of sight with the X-ray Imaging Spectrometer aboard Suzaku. We jointly analyzed the absorption and emission spectra while assuming exponential distributions of the gas temperature and density from the Galactic plane, and constrained the temperature and density at the plane to be ($3.2^{+0.6}_{-0.7}$) × 106 K and ($1.2^{+0.5}_{-0.4}$) × 10−3 cm−3, with a scale heights of $1.6^{+1.7}_{-0.7}$ kpc and > 2.8 kpc, respectively. The results are consistent with those obtained in the LMC X-3 direction and the PKS 2155−304 direction, describing a thick disk-like hot gas with its height of a few kpc from the Galactic plane.
First Report of Chickpea chlorotic dwarf virus Infecting Hot Pepper in India
Authors: Byun H.-S. , Kil E.-J. , Kim S. , Hwang H. , Lee J. H. , Chung Y.-J. , Lee S.
Published: August 2014

Hot pepper (Capsicum annuum) cultivated in India has been identified as a host of geminiviruses causing leaf curl disease such as Chilli leaf curl virus and Pepper leaf curl virus, leading to serious crop losses (3). In June 2013, hot pepper plants growing in Bangalore showed stunting and upward leaf curling. Viral DNA was extracted from a hot pepper with a Viral Gene-spin Viral DNA/RNA Extraction Kit (iNtRON Biotechnology, Seongnam, Korea) and amplified by rolling circle amplification using the illustra TempliPhi 100 Amplification Kit (GE Healthcare, Uppsala, Sweden) (2). Amplified products were digested by restriction enzyme KpnI (Takara Bio, Shiga, Japan), cloned, and sequenced (Macrogen, Seoul, Korea). Based on a BLAST search, a 2.6-kb DNA obtained from one plant sample was identified as Chickpea chlorotic dwarf virus (CpCDV), belonging to the genus Mastrevirus (family Geminiviridae) (GenBank Accession No. KF632712). The CpCDV-Bangalore isolate is 2,585 bases in length and exhibits 85.9 to 98.5% identity to previously reported CpCDV isolates. To our knowledge, this is the first report of CpCDV infecting hot pepper in India. CpCDV was recently reported from pepper plants in Oman (KF111683) (1), but it shared the lowest sequence identity (85.9%) with CpCDV-Bangalore isolate.

References: (1) S. Akhtar et al. Plant Dis. 98:286, 2014. (2) E.-J. Kil et al. Arch. Virol. 159:2387. (3) D. M. J. B. Senanayake et al. Plant Pathol. 56:343, 2007.
Effect of Glyphosate Application on Sudden Death Syndrome of Glyphosate-Resistant Soybean Under Field Conditions
Authors: Kandel Yuba R. , Bradley Carl A. , Wise Kiersten A. , Chilvers Martin I. , Tenuta Albert U. , Davis Vince M. , Esker Paul D. , Smith Damon L. , Licht Mark A. , Mueller Daren S.
Published: August 2014

Sudden death syndrome (SDS), caused by Fusarium virguliforme, is an important yield limiting disease of soybean. Glyphosate is used to control weeds in soybean; however, its effect on SDS is not clearly understood. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of glyphosate on SDS, yield, and plant nutrition under field conditions. Fourteen field experiments were conducted in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Ontario, Canada during 2011 to 2013. The experiment consisted of six treatment combinations of glyphosate and herbicides not containing glyphosate. Disease index was significantly different across the location–years, ranging from 0 to 65. The highest disease was noted in locations with irrigation, indicating that high soil moisture favors development of SDS. There were no effects of herbicide treatments or interactions on disease. The foliar disease index among the treatments over all years ranged from 9 to 13. Glyphosate-treatments also tended to yield more than treatments of herbicides not containing glyphosate. There were no interactions between glyphosate-treatments and total manganese in plant tissue. The interaction of glyphosate with other nutrients in plant tissue was inconclusive. This 14 location–year study demonstrated that glyphosate application did not increase SDS severity or adversely affect soybean yield under field conditions.
The Effect of Resin and Monoterpenes on Spore Germination and Growth in Fusarium circinatum
Authors: Slinski S. L. , Zakharov F. , Gordon T. R.
Published: August 2014

Resin obtained from Pinus radiata and five monoterpene components of resin (limonene, α-pinene, β-pinene, camphene, and myrcene) were tested to determine their effects on mycelial growth and germination and survival of spores of Fusarium circinatum, the cause of pitch canker in pine, and F. temperatum, which is interfertile with F. circinatum but not pathogenic to pine. Averaged across all treatments, F. temperatum sustained the greatest reduction in radial growth (16.9 ± 0.02% of control). The greatest reduction in dry weight also occurred in F. temperatum (11.7 ± 0.01% of control), and all isolates of F. circinatum were significantly less affected (P < 0.05). Spore germination rates in a saturated atmosphere of monoterpenes were relatively high for all tested isolates but, when placed in direct contact with resin, spore survival was significantly greater for F. circinatum than for F. temperatum. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that greater tolerance of resin is one factor distinguishing F. circinatum from the nonpathogenic F. temperatum. However, differential tolerance of monoterpene components of resin is not sufficient to explain the observed variation in virulence to pine in F. circinatum.
Localization and Retrieval of an Eyelid Metallic Foreign Body With an Oscillating Magnet and High-Resolution Ultrasonography
Authors: Yoo Sylvia H. , Rootman Dan B. , Goh Alice , Savar Aaron , Goldberg Robert A.
Published: August 2014

A patient was found to have a metallic foreign body in the left anterior orbit on CT imaging, but the foreign body was not evident on clinical examination. On high-resolution ultrasonography, an object was identified in the left upper eyelid; however, the typical shadow with metallic foreign bodies was not seen. A high-power oscillating magnet was then applied to the eyelid, which revealed a subcutaneous metallic foreign body in the left upper eyelid. When used in conjunction, the high-resolution ultrasound and oscillating magnet successfully localized and facilitated retrieval of the metallic foreign body from the left upper eyelid.
Animal transportation networks
Authors: Perna Andrea , Latty Tanya
Published: August 2014

Many group-living animals construct transportation networks of trails, galleries and burrows by modifying the environment to facilitate faster, safer or more efficient movement. Animal transportation networks can have direct influences on the fitness of individuals, whereas the shape and structure of transportation networks can influence community dynamics by facilitating contacts between different individuals and species. In this review, we discuss three key areas in the study of animal transportation networks: the topological properties of networks, network morphogenesis and growth, and the behaviour of network users. We present a brief primer on elements of network theory, and then discuss the different ways in which animal groups deal with the fundamental trade-off between the competing network properties of travel efficiency, robustness and infrastructure cost. We consider how the behaviour of network users can impact network efficiency, and call for studies that integrate both network topology and user behaviour. We finish with a prospectus for future research.
Simple and accurate methods for quantifying deformation, disruption, and development in biological tissues
Authors: Boyle John J. , Kume Maiko , Wyczalkowski Matthew A. , Taber Larry A. , Pless Robert B. , Xia Younan , Genin Guy M. , Thomopoulos Stavros
Published: August 2014

When mechanical factors underlie growth, development, disease or healing, they often function through local regions of tissue where deformation is highly concentrated. Current optical techniques to estimate deformation can lack precision and accuracy in such regions due to challenges in distinguishing a region of concentrated deformation from an error in displacement tracking. Here, we present a simple and general technique for improving the accuracy and precision of strain estimation and an associated technique for distinguishing a concentrated deformation from a tracking error. The strain estimation technique improves accuracy relative to other state-of-the-art algorithms by directly estimating strain fields without first estimating displacements, resulting in a very simple method and low computational cost. The technique for identifying local elevation of strain enables for the first time the successful identification of the onset and consequences of local strain concentrating features such as cracks and tears in a highly strained tissue. We apply these new techniques to demonstrate a novel hypothesis in prenatal wound healing. More generally, the analytical methods we have developed provide a simple tool for quantifying the appearance and magnitude of localized deformation from a series of digital images across a broad range of disciplines.
Streptomyces panaciradicis sp. nov., a β-glucosidase-producing bacterium isolated from ginseng rhizoplane
Authors: Lee Hyo-Jin , Cho Geon-Yeong , Chung Sang-Ho , Whang Kyung-Sook
Published: August 2014

A Gram-staining-positive actinobacterium, designated strain 1MR-8T, was isolated from the rhizoplane of ginseng and its taxonomic status was determined using a polyphasic approach. The isolate formed long chains of spores that were straight, cylindrical and smooth-surfaced. Strain 1MR-8T grew at 10–37 °C (optimum 28 °C), whilst no growth was observed at 45 °C. The pH range for growth was 4.0–11.0 (optimum pH 6.0–8.0) and the NaCl range for growth was 0–7 % (w/v) with optimum growth at 1 % (w/v). Strain 1MR-8T had cell-wall peptidoglycans based on ll-diaminopimelic acid. Glucose, mannose and ribose were the whole-cell sugars. The predominant isoprenoid quinones were MK-9 (H4), MK-9 (H6) and MK-9 (H8) and the major fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0. 16S rRNA gene sequencing studies showed that the novel strain was closely related to the type strains of

Streptomyces caeruleatus

GIMN4T,

Streptomyces curacoi

NRRL B-2901T,

Streptomyces capoamus

JCM 4734T and

Streptomyces coeruleorubidus

NBRC 12761T with similarities of 98.8 %. However, DNA–DNA relatedness, as well as physiological and biochemical analyses, showed that strain 1MR-8T could be differentiated from its closest phylogenetic relatives. It is proposed that this strain should be classified as a representative of a novel species of the genus

Streptomyces

, with the suggested name Streptomyces panaciradicis sp. nov. The type strain is 1MR-8T ( = KACC 17632T = NBRC 109811T).
Purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic analysis of glycosyltransferase-1 fromBacillus cereus
Authors: Hsieh Yin-Cheng , Chiu Hsi-Ho , Huang Yen-Chieh , Fun Hoong-Kun , Lu Chia-Yu , Li Yaw-Kuen , Chen Chun-Jung
Published: August 2014

Glycosyltransferases (GTs), which are distributed widely in various organisms, including bacteria, fungi, plants and animals, play a role in synthesizing biological compounds. Glycosyltransferase-1 fromBacillus cereus(BcGT-1), which is capable of transferring glucose to small molecules such as kaempferol and quercetin, has been identified as a member of the family 1 glycosyltransferases which utilize uridine diphosphate glucose (UDP-glucose) as the sugar donor.BcGT-1 (molecular mass 45.5 kDa) has been overexpressed, purified and crystallized using the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method. According to X-ray diffraction ofBcGT-1 crystals to 2.10 Å resolution, the crystal belonged to space groupP1, with unit-cell parametersa= 54.56,b= 84.81,c= 100.12 Å, α = 78.36, β = 84.66, γ = 84.84°. Preliminary analysis indicates the presence of fourBcGT-1 molecules in the asymmetric unit with a solvent content of 50.27%.
Cloning, purification and preliminary crystallographic analysis of theHelicobacter pyloripseudaminic acid biosynthesisN-acetyltransferase PseH
Authors: Liu Yu C. , Ud-Din Abu I. , Roujeinikova Anna
Published: August 2014

Helicobacter pyloriinfection is the common cause of gastritis and duodenal and stomach ulcers, which have been linked to a higher risk of the development of gastric cancer. The motility that facilitates persistent infection requires functional flagella that are heavily glycosylated with 5,7-diacetamido-3,5,7,9-tetradeoxy-L-glycero-L-manno-nonulosonic acid (pseudaminic acid). Pseudaminic acid biosynthesis protein H (PseH) catalyzes the third step in its biosynthetic pathway, producing UDP-2,4-diacetamido-2,4,6-trideoxy-β-L-altropyranose. Crystals ofH. pyloriPseH have been grown by the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method using diammonium tartrate as a precipitating agent. The crystals belonged to space groupI222 orI212121, with unit-cell parametersa= 107.8,b= 145.4,c= 166.3 Å. A complete X-ray diffraction data set has been collected to 2.5 Å resolution using cryocooling conditions and synchrotron radiation.
Complex assembly, crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic analysis of the chicken CD8αα–BF2*0401 complex
Authors: Liu Yanjie , Chen Rong , Tariq Mansoor , Xia Chun
Published: August 2014

In the process of antigen presentation, the MHCI–CD8 complex is important for immune signal transduction by the activation of cytotoxic T cells. Here, the expression, purification, crystallization and X-ray analysis of the complex of the chicken MHC class I molecule BF2*0401 and CD8αα (CD8αα–BF2*0401) are reported. This complex was verified by SDS–PAGE analysis of a CD8αα–BF2*0401 crystal, which showed three bands corresponding to the molecular weights of BF2*0401,β2-microglobulin and CD8α, respectively. The crystal of CD8αα–BF2*0401 diffracted to 2.8 Å resolution and belonged to space groupP21, with unit-cell parametersa= 90.6,b= 90.8,c= 94.9 Å,β= 98°. The Matthews coefficient and solvent content were calculated to be 2.88 Å3 Da−1and ∼57.3%, respectively.
Recombinant expression, purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of the C-terminal DUF490963–1138domain of TamB fromEscherichia coli
Authors: Josts Inokentijs , Grinter Rhys , Kelly Sharon M. , Mosbahi Khedidja , Roszak Aleksander , Cogdell Richard , Smith Brian O. , Byron Olwyn , Walker Daniel
Published: August 2014

TamB is a recently described inner membrane protein that, together with its partner protein TamA, is required for the efficient secretion of a subset of autotransporter proteins in Gram-negative bacteria. In this study, the C-terminal DUF490963–1138domain of TamB was overexpressed inEscherichia coliK-12, purified and crystallized using the sitting-drop vapour-diffusion method. The crystals belonged to the primitive trigonal space groupP3121, with unit-cell parametersa=b= 57.34,c= 220.74 Å, and diffracted to 2.1 Å resolution. Preliminary secondary-structure and X-ray diffraction analyses are reported. Two molecules are predicted to be present in the asymmetric unit. Experimental phasing using selenomethionine-labelled protein will be undertaken in the future.
Expression, purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of acylpeptide hydrolase fromDeinococcus radiodurans
Authors: Are Venkata Narayana , Ghosh Biplab , Kumar Ashwani , Yadav Pooja , Bhatnagar Deepak , Jamdar Sahayog N. , Makde Ravindra D.
Published: August 2014

Acylpeptide hydrolase (APH; EC 3.4.19.1), which belongs to the S9 family of serine peptidases (MEROPS), catalyzes the removal of anN-acylated amino acid from a blocked peptide. The role of this enzyme in mammalian cells has been suggested to be in the clearance of oxidatively damaged proteins as well as in the degradation of the β-amyloid peptides implicated in Alzheimer's disease. Detailed structural information for the enzyme has been reported from two thermophilic archaea; both of the archaeal APHs share a similar monomeric structure. However, the mechanisms of substrate selectivity and active-site accessibility are totally different and are determined by inter-domain flexibility or the oligomeric structure. An APH homologue from a bacterium,Deinococcus radiodurans(APHdr), has been crystallized using microbatch-under-oil employing the random microseed matrix screening method. The protein crystallized in space groupP21, with unit-cell parametersa= 77.6,b= 189.6,c= 120.4 Å, β = 108.4°. A Matthews coefficient of 2.89 Å3 Da−1corresponds to four monomers, each with a molecular mass of ∼73 kDa, in the asymmetric unit. The APHdr structure will reveal the mechanisms of substrate selectivity and active-site accessibility in the bacterial enzyme. It will also be helpful in elucidating the functional role of this enzyme inD. radiodurans.
The 10 most important debates surrounding dual diagnosis
Authors: Hamilton Ian
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– It is more than 30 years since attention turned to the issue of the relationship between substance use and mental health. The purpose of this paper is to reflect on the progress to date that has been made in advancing the knowledge and understanding.

Design/methodology/approach

– The author has drawn on the available literature, identifying key contributions from a variety of fields which have helped to shape the understanding of the issues in relation to dual diagnosis. The ten themes are not presented in order of importance.

Findings

– Achievements have been made in attracting the attention of clinicians, researchers, policy makers and commissioners to this issue. Overall the author is left with a clearer understanding of what treatments are not effective and the challenges of determining what is.

Originality/value

– This paper seeks to instigate a discussion about where the collective knowledge stands on this important and challenging area of practice and research.
Multilateral knowledge transfer and multiple embeddedness
Authors: Ho Yen-Chen
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to argue that multilateral knowledge transfer emerges from two lines of thinking in the international business (IB) literature – the exploitation of multinationality and the contributory role of subsidiaries – and links three levels of analysis – headquarters, knowledge-creating subsidiaries and host-country environments.

Design/methodology/approach

– Multilateral knowledge transfer, both vertical and horizontal, is considered in this paper as a cross-level phenomenon that emerges as a result of beneficial interdependencies between headquarters, knowledge-creating subsidiaries and their host-country environments. The paper also discusses the concept of embeddedness, which both lines of thinking draw upon, and argues that the multinational enterprise (MNE) headquarters can actually moderate both internal and external embeddedness through global strategy and organizational design.

Findings

– By putting forward an integrative cross-level interdependency framework that incorporates insights from the R&D internationalization literature and the subsidiary evolution literature, this paper delineates multilateral knowledge transfer as an MNE strategy to systematically transform and integrate knowledge created at the subsidiary-level for the global competitive advantage at the MNE group-level.

Originality/value

– Such a perspective reemphasizes the multi-level nature of IB studies and provides new opportunities for theoretical and empirical development as did the internalization theory which has theorized the conventional headquarters-to-subsidiaries knowledge transfer more than 40 years ago.
The dynamics of regional and global multinationals, 1999-2008
Authors: Hoon Oh Chang , M. Rugman† Alan
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to analyze regional versus global activities of large firms. We assemble longitudinal data over the 1999-2008 period.

Design/methodology/approach

– Sales and assets data for the Fortune 500 firms from 1999-2008 were compiled from annual reports of the firms, by triad region. The definition of the triad regions is based on international accounting standards. The classifications of firms are based upon the new metric of regional-to-total sales rather than the traditional metric of foreign-to-total sales.

Findings

– In an extension of the original study of Rugman and Verbeke (2004), no trend toward globalization is found, as nearly 80 per cent of the world’s largest firms are classified as home-region oriented, and only 4 per cent are classified as global. Only a few firms change classifications over the ten-year period. Overall, the world’s largest firms average 70 per cent of their sales and 72 per cent of their assets in their home region of the triad.

Originality/value

– This paper is the first one to use longitudinal data in the analysis of regional versus global firms, with ten years of data on the regional sales and assets of the world’s 500 largest firms.
For the love of small things: consumerism and the making of maternal identities
Authors: Jane Kehily Mary
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to consider the increased commercialisation of motherhood and particularly the consumer practices of women as they prepare for the birth of their first child. The commercial world appears omnipresent in the lives of new mothers in Western societies.

Design/methodology/approach

– Based on a five-year study of motherhood in the UK, the paper focusses on women’s relationship to the marketing and consumption of everyday maternity and baby products made available to them through readership of pregnancy magazines and mainstream commercial outlets.

Findings

– Documenting how consumer culture features in the lives of mothers-to-be, the study identifies age and socio-economic status as key features in shaping the maternal experience and consumer “choice”.

Originality/value

– The paper explores the significance of consumption as preparatory work in the transition to motherhood.
“I don’t really care about me, as long as he gets everything he needs” – young women becoming mothers in consumer culture
Authors: Ponsford Ruth
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– As becoming a mother becomes increasingly embedded in the marketplace, this paper explores how a group of low-income pregnant and newly parenting young mothers engaged with expansive markets for the new mother and baby.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper draws on an extended period of fieldwork carried out at a Pupil Referral Unit and a Mother and Baby Unit in the city of Bristol, UK. The research took a staged and incremental approach, incorporating aspects of participant observation, activity-based focus groups and a photo elicitation exercise.

Findings

– This paper highlights the anxiety the young women experienced around their ability (or lack thereof) to participate in practices of childrearing consumption and details how the young women strived to provide well for their children despite their limited incomes, developing a sophisticated knowledge of markets and adopting a range of budgeting and smart shopping strategies to ensure they could acquire the “stuff” their children “needed”.

Originality/value

– Contrary to popular discourse, the young women emerge as careful and pragmatic consumers who plan and manage their finances carefully, and the paper acknowledges skills that are often missing from accounts of young mothers and working-class people more broadly.
Selling infant safety: entanglements of childhood preciousness, vulnerability and unpredictability
Authors: Martens Lydia
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to examine, through a focus on the practice of child caring, how three qualities of childhood preciousness, vulnerability and unpredictability, are nurtured by being brought together as rationales for product re-design, innovation and diversification. The new parent of today is confronted with a myriad of products that are designed to “safeguard”, “guide” and “monitor” the young child and ensure its well-being.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper draws on research into the organisation of encounter platforms that serve as communication forums for commercial practitioners and child carers, and includes insights derived from fieldwork and a cultural content analysis of the British retailer Mothercare, consumer exhibitions and brand–product websites.

Findings

– After providing a brief outline of the research on which this paper draws, the author present three ways in which child safety is present in the market that caters for young children and their care. This is followed by a discussion of two case studies, which respectively expand on how vulnerability and unpredictability are nurtured in commercial narratives.

Originality/value

– The author concludes by drawing out the implications of the risk-averse culture, which this creates.
Variability in potential to exploit different soil organic phosphorus compounds among tropical montane tree species
Authors: Steidinger Brian S. , Turner Benjamin L. , Corrales Adriana , Dalling James W.
Published: August 2014

We hypothesized that tropical plant species with different mycorrhizal associations reduce competition for soil phosphorus (P) by specializing to exploit different soil organic P compounds.

We assayed the activity of root/mycorrhizal phosphatase enzymes of four tree species with contrasting root symbiotic relationships – arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) (angiosperm and conifer), ectomycorrhizal (EM) and non‐mycorrhizal – collected from one of three soil sites within a montane tropical forest. We also measured growth and foliar P of these seedlings in an experiment with P provided exclusively as inorganic orthophosphate, a simple phosphomonoester (glucose phosphate), a phosphodiester (RNA), phytate (the sodium salt of myo‐inositol hexakisphosphate) or a no‐P control.

The EM tree species expressed twice the phosphomonoesterase activity as the AM tree species, but had similar phosphodiesterase activity. The non‐mycorrhizal Proteaceae tree had markedly greater activity of both enzymes than the mycorrhizal tree species, with root clusters expressing greater phosphomonoesterase activity than fine roots.

Both the mycorrhizal and non‐mycorrhizal tree species contained significantly greater foliar P than in no‐P controls when limited to inorganic phosphate, glucose phosphate and RNA. The EM species did not perform better than the AM tree species when limited to organic P in any form. In contrast, the non‐mycorrhizal Proteaceae tree was the only species capable of exploiting phytate, with nearly three times the leaf area and more than twice the foliar P of the no‐P control.

Our results suggest that AM and EM tree species exploit similar forms of P, despite differences in phosphomonoesterase activity. In contrast, the mycorrhizal tree species and non‐mycorrhizal Proteaceae appear to differ in their ability to exploit phytate. We conclude that resource partitioning of soil P plays a coarse but potentially ecologically important role in fostering the coexistence of tree species in tropical montane forests.
Assessment of the antimicrobial activity of potentially active substances (nanoparticled and non‐nanoparticled) against cheese‐derived micro‐organisms
Authors: O' Callaghan Karen A‐M , Kerry Joseph P
Published: August 2014

This study evaluated the antimicrobial potential of various naturally occurring substances, for use as active agents in cheese packaging. Sorbic acid and benzoic acid were examined as standard‐sized and nanoparticled solutions. Rosemary, curcumin and ascorbic acid were employed as nanoparticled solutions only, while non‐nanoparticled chitosan, of two molecular weights, were also selected for evaluation. All agents were assessed against micro‐organisms derived from cheese. Chitosan proved to be the most effective, with low molecular weight chitosan performing best. The most antimicrobial nanoparticle was found to be rosemary. Comparison of normal‐ and nanoparticle‐sized organic acid solutions showed little difference in terms of antimicrobial properties.
A randomised controlled double‐blind clinical trial of 17‐hydroxyprogesterone caproate for the prevention of preterm birth in twin gestation (PROGESTWIN): evidence for reduced neonatal morbidity
Authors: Awwad J , Usta IM , Ghazeeri G , Yacoub N , Succar J , Hayek S , Saasouh W , Nassar AH
Published: August 2014

Objective

To determine whether 17 alpha‐hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17OHPC) prolongs gestation beyond 37 weeks of gestation (primary outcome) and reduces neonatal morbidity (secondary outcome) in twin pregnancy.

Design

Randomised controlled double‐blind clinical trial.

Setting

Tertiary‐care university medical centre.

Population

Unselected women with twin pregnancies.

Methods

Participants received weekly injections of 250 mg 17OHPC (n = 194) or placebo (n = 94), from 16–20 to 36 weeks of gestation. Randomisation was performed using the permuted‐block randomisation method. Data were analysed on an intention‐to‐treat basis.

Main outcome measure

Preterm birth (PTB) rate before 37 weeks of gestation.

Results

There were no significant differences in the average gestational age at delivery, or in the rates of PTB before 37, 32, and 28 weeks of gestation, between the two groups. The proportion of very‐low‐birthweight neonates (<1500 g) was significantly lower in the 17OHPC group (7.6%) compared with placebo (14.3%) (relative risk, RR 0.5; 95% confidence interval, 95% CI 0.3–0.9; P = 0.01). Progestogen‐treated neonates had a significantly lower composite neonatal morbidity (19.1%) compared with placebo (30.9%) (odds ratio, OR 0.53; 95% CI 0.31–0.90; P = 0.02), with significantly lower odds for respiratory distress syndrome (14.4 versus 23.4%; OR 0.55; 95% CI 0.31–0.98; P = 0.04), retinopathy of prematurity (1.1 versus 4.6%; OR 0.21; 95% CI 0.05–0.96; P = 0.04), and culture‐confirmed sepsis (3.4 versus 12.8%; OR 0.24; 95% CI 0.10–0.57; P = 0.00).

Conclusions

Intramuscular 17OHPC therapy did not reduce PTB before 37 weeks of gestation in unselected twin pregnancies. Nonetheless, 17OHPC significantly reduced neonatal morbidity parameters and increased birthweight.
Development and application of molecular gut‐content analysis to detect aphid and coccinellid predation by Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in Italy
Authors: Rondoni Gabriele , Athey Kacie J. , Harwood James D. , Conti Eric , Ricci Carlo , Obrycki John J.
Published: August 2014

Despite their positive effect in reducing pest populations, exotic generalist predators sometimes become invasive and contribute to the displacement of indigenous species in the same trophic level. Although laboratory experiments have linked intraguild predation (IGP) to these interactions, field evidence and quantification of IGP are still lacking for most systems. The recent establishment of the exotic Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in Italy raises concern about the detrimental effect that the ladybird could have on native coccinellids. Here we assessed, under laboratory conditions, the acceptability and suitability of eggs of 2 native ladybirds, Adalia bipunctata L. and Oenopia conglobata (L.), as prey items for H. axyridis larvae. Then we developed primers for molecular gut‐content analysis to detect predation by H. axyridis on the 2 ladybirds and on the aphid Eucallipterus tiliae L. Species‐specific 16S primers were developed for the 3 species and laboratory feeding trials were conducted to quantify the rate of prey DNA breakdown in the gut of H. axyridis. Moreover, to field evaluate primers, H. axyridis 4th instars (n = 132) were systematically collected from linden trees in northern Italy and screened for the presence of prey DNA. Seventy‐three percent and 7% of field collected H. axyridis were positive for aphid and coccinellid DNA, respectively. Predation upon aphid and A. bipunctata was lower than predicted if density dependent consumption was expected, while predation upon O. conglobata was significantly higher. Here, we provided the first evidence of IGP among feral populations of H. axyridis and indigenous ladybird beetles, occurring in Italy.
Environmental Isotopic Characterization of Groundwater and Surface Water in Northeast Missan Province, South Iraq
Authors: GHALIB Hussein Badr , SÖĞÜT Ali Riza
Published: August 2014

The present work studies the environmental isotopes assess groundwater characteristics of the different parts of the main aquifer in the northeast Missan Province in south of Iraq. Water samples of groundwater and surface water were collected for two dry and wet seasons during the water year of 2011–2012. The study shows that most of the groundwater in the aquifer falls above the global meteoric water line, and all the samples fall below the Mediterranean meteoric water line, indicating that these samples are a mixture of two water types. The tritium content of these samples supports this conclusion. The overall conclusion of this study indicates that there are two sources of groundwater recharge in the studied area: the ephemeral streams (Teeb and Dewerge) and major precipitation sources. According to the tritium levels at or below one tritium unit (TU) obtained from the water, supply wells are highly confined or “not vulnerable”. Overall, the 3H results imply that recent recharge has taken place during the last four to five decades. In the recharge area, the high tritium content in the southern part of the Teeb area suggests that the recharge originates from rapid infiltration of surface runoff. Therefore, the groundwater resources in the study area should be protected from contamination, because it will influence the aquifer in a relatively short period of time if any contamination enters the recharge areas of the aquifer.
An Overview of Formation Mechanism and Disaster Characteristics of Post‐seismic Debris Flows Triggered by Subsequent Rainstorms in Wenchuan Earthquake Extremely Stricken Areas
Authors: NI Huayong , TANG Chuan , ZHENG Wanmo , XU Ruge , TIAN Kai , XU Wei
Published: August 2014

The Wenchuan earthquake induced large amounts of debris flows and catastrophic incidents triggered by subsequent rainstorms occurred frequently in the past 6 rainy seasons, and thus resulted in serious casualties, huge economic loss and long‐term impact. In this paper, post‐seismic debris flows distributed in 10 Wenchuan earthquake extremely stricken counties were verified and debris flow database consisting of 609 debris flows was established based on detailed investigation organized by Land and Resources Department of Sichuan Province. Combined with database and related studies, the impact of Wenchuan earthquake on debris flows was analyzed. And then variation of formation conditions including rainfall threshold and landform condition was analyzed by contrasting pre‐seismic and post‐seismic debris flows. Followed are some typical viewpoints on initiation mechanism of post‐seismic debris flows. In the end of this paper, characteristics of post‐seismic debris flows triggered by subsequent rainstorms were comprehensively summarized, such as regional group occurrence, high frequency, high viscosity, chain effect, huge dynamics, large scale and long duration. We hope this paper will be helpful in understanding the formation mechanism, disaster characteristics and prevention countermeasures of post‐seismic debris flows in Wenchuan earthquake extremely stricken areas.
Haplotype diversity in the equine myostatin gene with focus on variants associated with race distance propensity and muscle fiber type proportions
Authors: Petersen Jessica L. , Valberg Stephanie J. , Mickelson James R. , McCue Molly E.
Published: August 2014

Two variants in the equine myostatin gene (MSTN), including a T/C SNP in the first intron and a 227‐bp SINE insertion in the promoter, are associated with muscle fiber type proportions in the Quarter Horse (QH) and with the prediction of race distance propensity in the Thoroughbred (TB). Genotypes from these loci, along with 18 additional variants surrounding MSTN, were examined in 301 horses of 14 breeds to evaluate haplotype relationships and diversity. The C allele of intron 1 was found in 12 of 14 breeds at a frequency of 0.27; the SINE was observed in five breeds, but common in only the TB and QH (0.73 and 0.48 respectively). Haplotype data suggest the SINE insertion is contemporary to and arose upon a haplotype containing the intron 1 C allele. Gluteal muscle biopsies of TBs showed a significant association of the intron 1 C allele and SINE with a higher proportion of Type 2B and lower proportion of Type 1 fibers. However, in the Belgian horse, in which the SINE is not present, the intron 1 SNP was not associated with fiber type proportions, and evaluation of fiber type proportions across the Belgian, TB and QH breeds shows the significant effect of breed on fiber type proportions is negated when evaluating horses without the SINE variant. These data suggest the SINE, rather than the intron 1 SNP, is driving the observed muscle fiber type characteristics and is the variant targeted by selection for short‐distance racing.
Diffuse melanosis cutis in the setting of BRAFV600E mutant melanoma and treatment with targeted therapies
Authors: Minocha Rashi , Kefford Richard , Uribe Pablo , Sebaratnam Deshan F , Fernández‐Peñas Pablo
Published: August 2014

Diffuse melanosis cutis (DMC) is a rare presentation of metastatic melanoma associated with a particularly guarded prognosis. We report a case of a 35‐year‐old man with BRAFV600E metastatic melanoma treated with dabrafenib (as well as ipilimumab and whole brain radiotherapy), who is alive, 25 months after the onset of his DMC. This is significantly longer than the reported mean survival of 4 months, highlighting the importance of BRAF mutation testing and the promising survival advantage of using targeted therapies compared with conventional chemotherapeutic regimens.
Compound A, a selective glucocorticoid receptor agonist, inhibits immunoinflammatory diabetes, induced by multiple low doses of streptozotocin in mice
Authors: Saksida T , Vujicic M , Nikolic I , Stojanovic I , Haegeman G , Stosic‐Grujicic S
Published: August 2014

Background and Purpose

Type 1 diabetes is a multifactorial inflammatory disease that develops as a result of deregulated immune responses, causing progressive autoimmune destruction of insulin‐producing beta cells of pancreas. 2‐((4‐acetoxyphenyl)‐2‐chloro‐N‐methyl) ethylammonium chloride, compound A (CpdA), is a selective glucocorticoid receptor (GR) agonist that displays strong anti‐inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities. We investigated the therapeutic effectiveness of CpdA in a pharmacological model of type 1 diabetes in mice.

Experimental Approach

The utility of CpdA in diabetes prevention was evaluated in vivo through its prophylactic administration to male C57BL/6 mice that received multiple low doses of streptozotocin for immunoinflammatory diabetes induction. The effect of CpdA on disease development was studied by measuring blood glucose and insulin level, histopathological examination, determination of the nature of infiltrating cells, pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory cytokine production, and signalling pathways.

Key Results

Prophylactic in vivo therapy with CpdA conferred protection against development of immunoinflammatory diabetes in mice by dampening the M1/Th1/Th17 immune response and switching it towards an anti‐inflammatory M2/Th2/Treg profile, thus preserving beta cell function.

Conclusions and Implications

Anti‐diabetic properties of CpdA are mediated through modulation of immune cell‐mediated pathways, but without triggering adverse events. These findings provide basic information for the therapeutic use of selective GR agonists in the amelioration of islet‐directed autoimmunity.
Alliance Formation in the Automobile Sector during an Era of Ferment
Authors: Sierzchula William , Bakker Sjoerd , Maat Kees , van Wee Bert
Published: August 2014

When developing radical innovations, firms often form collaborative relationships with external organizations to have access to additional resources. Therefore, alliance formation is influential in innovation and plays a key role in industrial change. However, most studies have not distinguished between individual alliances and instead aggregated collaborations when analysing firm external R&D efforts. Our research sought to explore manufacturer use of alliances to acquire expertise in key knowledge areas as they developed and commercialized electric vehicles. Alliances from 24 manufacturers were analysed according to type (explorative or exploitative), key knowledge area, and firm type (incumbent or start‐up). The results show distinct alliance formation patterns in different key knowledge areas. Heterogeneity of alliance formation in key knowledge areas indicates that developing a radical innovation is not as simple as acquiring new expertise. Rather it is a complex process where firms seek to develop their own knowledge base and use the expertise of other companies. This likely stems from a desire to develop technologies connected to core business models. Analysing alliance formation according to key knowledge area provides a rich account of how firms approach knowledge acquisition as they develop radical innovations during a time of industrial uncertainty.