bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lung mast cell density defines a subpopulation of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Cha Seung‐Ick , Chang Christine S , Kim Eun Kyung , Lee Jae W , Matthay Michael A , Golden Jeffrey A , Elicker Brett M , Jones Kirk , Collard Harold R , Wolters Paul J
Published: March 2012

Cha S‐I, Chang C S, Kim E K, Lee J W, Matthay M A, Golden J A, Elicker B M, Jones K, Collard H R & Wolters P J (2012) Histopathology 61, 98–106

Lung mast cell density defines a subpopulation of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Aims:  The relationship of mast cells to the pathogenesis of lung fibrosis remains undefined despite recognition of their presence in the lungs of patients with pulmonary fibrosis. This study was performed to characterize the relationship of mast cells to fibrotic lung diseases.

Methods and results:  Lung tissues from patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), systemic sclerosis (SSc)‐related interstitial lung disease (ILD) and normal individuals were subjected to chymase immunostaining and the mast cell density quantified. Eosinophils were quantified by immunostaining for eosinophil peroxidase. Changes in lung function were correlated with mast cell density. Lung tissue obtained from IPF patients had a higher density of chymase‐immunoreactive mast cells than that from patients with HP, SSc‐related ILD or normal lungs. IPF lung tissue had a higher density of eosinophils than normal lung. There was no correlation between mast cell density and eosinophil density in IPF lung. IPF patients with high mast cell density had a slower rate of decline in forced vital capacity (FVC) than IPF patients with low mast cell density.

Conclusions:  Mast cell density in IPF lungs is higher than in other fibrotic lung diseases and normal lungs. Increased mast cell density in IPF may predict slower disease progression.
Activating PDGFRA mutations in inflammatory fibroid polyps occur in exons 12, 14 and 18 and are associated with tumour localization
Authors: Huss Sebastian , Wardelmann Eva , Goltz Diane , Binot Elke , Hartmann Wolfgang , Merkelbach‐Bruse Sabine , Büttner Reinhard , Schildhaus Hans‐Ulrich
Published: March 2012

Huss S, Wardelmann E, Goltz D, Binot E, Hartmann W, Merkelbach‐Bruse S, Büttner R & Schildhaus H‐U (2012) Histopathology 61, 59–68

Activating PDGFRA mutations in inflammatory fibroid polyps occur in exons 12, 14 and 18 and are associated with tumour localization

Aims:  Inflammatory fibroid polyps (IFP) are mesenchymal tumours of the gastrointestinal tract. This study was performed to broaden the base of evidence of the pathogenic role of PDGFR mutations in IFP with particular regard to clinicopathological data and mutational patterns among IFP subtypes.

Methods and results:  Molecular analysis of 38 tumours revealed activating mutations in three different exons of PDGFRA in 25 IFP. For the first time we report two cases with PDGFRA‐exon 14 mutations (p.N659K; p.[N659K(+)T665A]). The results of our study and cases reported earlier indicate clearly that there is a localization‐specific pattern: exon 12 mutations predominate in the small intestine, while exon 18 mutations occur frequently in the stomach (P < 0.001). Codons 567–571 of PDGFRA represent an IFP specific mutational hot spot and are affected most frequently by deletions. Furthermore, in our series IFP of the stomach share common features. In contrast to intestinal IFP, gastric tumours occur at higher age, show heavy inflammation and tend to be smaller. IFP located in the small intestine are frequently associated with intussusception.

Conclusion:  We conclude that there is a ‘small bowel’ and a ‘gastric’ phenotype of IFPs which are associated with exon 12 and exon 18 PDGFRA mutations, respectively.
Characterization and analyses of acid‐extractable and leached trace elements in dental cements
Authors: Camilleri J. , Kralj P. , Veber M. , Sinagra E.
Published: March 2012

Camilleri J, Kralj P, Veber M, Sinagra E. Characterization and analyses of acid‐extractable and leached trace elements in dental cements. International Endodontic Journal, 45, 737–743, 2012.

Aims  Determination of the elemental constitution and investigation of the total and leachable arsenic, chromium and lead in Portland cement, pure tricalcium silicate, Biodentine, Bioaggregate and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) Angelus.

Methodology  The chemical composition of Portland cement, MTA Angelus, tricalcium silicate cement, Biodentine and Bioaggregate was determined using X‐ray fluorescence (XRF). Measurements of arsenic, lead and chromium were taken with inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS), following acid digestion on the hydrated material and on leachates of cements soaked in Hank’s balanced salt solution (HBSS).

Results  All the cements investigated had a similar oxide composition with the main oxide being calcium and silicon oxide. Both the Portland cement and MTA Angelus had an additional aluminium oxide. The dental cements included a radiopacifying material. All the materials tested had higher acid‐extractable arsenic content than the level set by ISO 9917‐1 (2007) and an acceptable level of lead. Regardless these high levels of trace elements present in the materials, the leaching in HBSS was minimal for all the dental material tested in contrast to the high levels displayed by Portland cement.

Conclusions  Dental materials based on tricalcium silicate cement and MTA Angelus release minimal quantities of trace elements when in contact with simulated body fluids. The results of acid extraction could be affected by nonspecific matrix effects by the cement.
Smaller genitals at school age in boys whose mothers were exposed to non‐persistent pesticides in early pregnancy
Authors: Wohlfahrt‐Veje C. , Andersen H. R. , Jensen T. K. , Grandjean P. , Skakkebæk N. E. , Main K. M.
Published: March 2012

Endocrine disrupting chemicals are believed to play a role in the development of the testicular dysgenesis syndrome. Many pesticides are known to have endocrine disrupting abilities. In a previous study, sons of women who were occupationally exposed to non‐persistent pesticides in early pregnancy showed signs of impaired reproductive function (reduced genital size and altered serum hormone concentrations) at three months of age. To assess the possible long‐term effects of prenatal pesticide exposure, the boys were re‐examined at 6–11 years. The 94 boys (59 exposed, 35 unexposed) underwent genital examinations including ultrasound of testicular volumes, puberty staging (Tanner), anthropometry, and blood sampling. Only a few of the boys had reached puberty (n = 3). Among prepubescent boys, testicular volume and penile length (age‐ and weight‐adjusted) were reduced if mothers were exposed to pesticides. The effects were associated with the maternal exposure levels, so that high‐exposed boys had smaller genitals than medium‐exposed boys, who had smaller genitals than those who were unexposed. Boys of mothers in the high exposure group (n = 23) had 24.7% smaller testes (95% CI: −62.2; −10.1) and 9.4% shorter penile length (95% CI: −16.8; −1.1) compared with the unexposed. The testicular volume and penile length at school age could be tracked to measures from the same boys made at 3 months, e.g. those that had small testes at school age also had small testes at 3 months. Pituitary and testicular hormone serum concentrations did not differ between exposed and unexposed boys. Eight prenatally exposed boys had genital malformations (no unexposed). These boys had smaller testis, shorter penile length and lower inhibin B concentrations than prepubertal boys without genital malformations. The findings support the results obtained at three months of age and indicate that prenatal pesticide exposure has long‐term effects on reproductive function in boys.
Predicting the speed of tick invasion: an empirical model of range expansion for the Lyme disease vector Ixodes scapularis in Canada
Authors: Leighton Patrick A. , Koffi Jules K. , Pelcat Yann , Lindsay L. Robbin , Ogden Nicholas H.
Published: March 2012

1. Over the past two decades, Ixodes scapularis, the primary tick vector of the Lyme disease pathogen Borrelia burgdorferi in North America has expanded its range northward from the USA to colonize new regions in southern Canada. We have previously projected range increases for I. scapularis based on temperature suitability, but to what extent this is matched by actual tick range expansion is unknown.

2. Since 1990, I. scapularis ticks have been collected across Canada offering a unique opportunity to track the range expansion of an arthropod vector. We used these data to model time‐to‐establishment for tick populations across Canada to identify factors influencing the rate of spread.

3. Our results point to both long‐distance dispersal of ticks by migratory birds and local dispersal by resident hosts as important potential mechanisms underlying patterns of tick range expansion.

4. Temperature (accumulated degree days > 0 °C) was the most important determinant of environmental suitability for tick population establishment, suggesting that climate warming may facilitate range expansion.

5. Model projections suggest that I. scapularis range will expand c. 46 km year−1 in the coming decade, with climate warming expected to increase the rate of spread. This expansion is likely to result in a substantial increase in human Lyme disease risk, with the proportion of the human population of eastern Canada inhabiting areas with established tick populations increasing from 18% in 2010 to over 80% by 2020.

6. This first empirical model of I. scapularis invasion supports theoretical range projections based on climate suitability and provides a unique data‐driven estimate of the speed of northward range expansion for I. scapularis at the continental scale.

7. Synthesis and applications. By tracking I. scapularis invasion in Canada over the past two decades, we show that I. scapularis is rapidly expanding its range and is likely to colonize the most densely populated areas of southern Canada in the coming decade. These projections suggest that prompt action is necessary to prepare the Canadian public for a likely epidemic of Lyme disease, with emphasis on focusing surveillance activities to confirm the locations of emerging Lyme disease risk.
Controlling a plant invader by targeted disruption of its life cycle
Authors: Dauer Joseph T. , McEvoy Peter B. , Van Sickle John
Published: March 2012

1. Pest management strategies should be informed by research on a broad suite of biotic and abiotic interactions. We used a life table response experiment (LTRE) to assess the reliability of ragwortJacobaea vulgarismanagement recommendations based on interactions of (i) time of disturbance to initiate experimental units, (ii) herbivory from two biological control organisms, the cinnabar mothTyria jacobaeaeand ragwort flea beetleLongitarsus jacobaeaeand (iii) interspecific competition by perennial grasses.

2. Our LTRE combines a factorial experiment with a linear, deterministic matrix model for ragwort populations representing transitions among three stages: 1st year juveniles, ≥2nd year juveniles and adults. Elasticity analysis identified potentially vulnerable ragwort transitions, and a contributions analysis confirmed which treatments influenced these transitions. Ultimate treatment effects were quantified as the reduction in population growth rates and time to local extinction.

3. Elasticity analyses found the ragwort’s biennial pathway, juvenile to adult transition and fertility transition were most influential and most amenable to manipulation across all community configurations. The flea beetle and perennial grass competition had negative effects on survival and fertility, whereas the cinnabar moth only reduced fertility and induced the perennial pathway.

4. All combinations of insects or increased plant competition reduced the growth rate of ragwort. Full interspecific competition and the flea beetle resulted in a significantly greater and faster decline in the ragwort populations than the cinnabar moth. Moreover, this pattern was consistent between two times of initial disturbance.

5.Synthesis and applications.Maximizing plant competition provides the fastest way to control ragwort. If this option is unavailable, for example, grazed or disturbed land, the ragwort flea beetle provides excellent management to lower ragwort densities without the potential nontarget effects of the cinnabar moth. Factorial experiments and matrix models help to evaluate interacting factors that influence invasive species’ vulnerabilities, inform how to intervene in a weed life cycle to reduce weed abundance and confirm recommendations that are robust to community variation.
Detection ofRickettsiaspp. and host and habitat associations of fleas (Siphonaptera) in eastern Taiwan
Authors: KUO C. C. , HUANG J. L. , LIN T. E. , WANG H. C.
Published: March 2012

Rickettsia typhiandRickettsia felis(Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae) are two rickettsiae principally transmitted by fleas, but the detection of either pathogen has rarely been attempted in Taiwan. Of 2048 small mammals trapped in eastern Taiwan,Apodemus agrariusPallas (24.5%) andMus caroliBonhote (24.4%) (both: Rodentia: Muridae) were the most abundant, andM. carolihosted the highest proportion of fleas (63.9% of 330 fleas). Two flea species were identified:Stivalius aporusJordan and Rothschild (Siphonaptera: Stivaliidae), andAcropsylla episemaRothschild (Siphonaptera: Leptopsyllidae). Nested polymerase chain reaction targeting parts of theompBandgltAgenes showed six fleas to be positive forRickettsiaspp. (3.8% of 160 samples), which showed the greatest similarity toR. felis,Rickettsia japonica,Rickettsia conoriiorRickettsiasp. TwKM01.Rickettsia typhiwas not detected in the fleas andRickettsiaco‐infection did not occur. Both flea species were more abundant during months with lower temperatures and less rainfall, and flea abundance onM. caroliwas not related to soil hardness, vegetative height, ground cover by litter or by understory layer, or the abundance ofM. caroli. Our study reveals the potential circulation ofR. felisand other rickettsiae in eastern Taiwan, necessitating further surveillance of rickettsial diseases in this region. This is especially important because many novel rickettsioses are emerging worldwide.
Effects of nutrition and density in Culex pipiens
Authors: ALTO B. W. , MUTURI E. J. , LAMPMAN R. L.
Published: March 2012

Mosquito larvae face numerous biotic and abiotic challenges that affect their development and survivorship, as well as adult fitness. We conducted two experiments under semi‐natural conditions to evaluate the effects of intraspecific competition, nutrient limitation and sub‐lethal doses of malathion on individual life history traits in adult Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae). In the first experiment, larvae of Cx. pipiens were reared at different intraspecific densities and exposed to sub‐lethal doses of malathion. In the second experiment, different intraspecific densities of Cx. pipiens larvae were reared under conditions of low or high larval nutrients, and subsequent adults were fed on either water or 10% sucrose solution. Malathion treatment had relatively minor effects compared with density, which had significant negative effects on development rate, survivorship to adulthood, body size (wing length) and longevity. As larval density increased, a sex ratio distortion in survivorship to adulthood emerged, in which a bias towards males was apparent. Nutrient‐rich larval environments alleviated, in part, the effects of increasing density and extended the lifespan of mosquitoes fed on water and 10% sucrose. Density‐dependent alterations in adult longevity attributable to the larval environment are complex and show contrasting results depending on interactions with other environmental factors. This study suggests that larval resource availability and competition influence Cx. pipiens population growth correlates and have lasting effects on traits that relate to a mosquito's ability to vector pathogens.
Overexpression of SlSOS2 (SlCIPK24) confers salt tolerance to transgenic tomato
Authors: HUERTAS RAÚL , OLÍAS RAQUEL , ELJAKAOUI ZAKIA , GÁLVEZ FRANCISCO JAVIER , LI JUN , DE MORALES PAZ ALVAREZ , BELVER ANDRÉS , RODRÍGUEZ‐ROSALES MARÍA PILAR
Published: March 2012

The Ca2+‐dependent SOS pathway has emerged as a key mechanism in the homeostasis of Na+ and K+ under saline conditions. We have identified and functionally characterized the gene encoding the calcineurin‐interacting protein kinase of the SOS pathway in tomato, SlSOS2. On the basis of protein sequence similarity and complementation studies in yeast and Arabidopsis, it can be concluded that SlSOS2 is the functional tomato homolog of Arabidopsis AtSOS2 and that SlSOS2 operates in a tomato SOS signal transduction pathway. The biotechnological potential of SlSOS2 to provide salt tolerance was evaluated by gene overexpression in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. MicroTom). The better salt tolerance of transgenic plants relative to non‐transformed tomato was shown by their faster relative growth rate, earlier flowering and higher fruit production when grown with NaCl. The increased salinity tolerance of SlSOS2‐overexpressing plants was associated with higher sodium content in stems and leaves and with the induction and up‐regulation of the plasma membrane Na+/H+ (SlSOS1) and endosomal‐vacuolar K+,Na+/H+ (LeNHX2 and LeNHX4) antiporters, responsible for Na+ extrusion out of the root, active loading of Na+ into the xylem, and Na+ and K+ compartmentalization.
Influence of nitrogen rate on the efficacy of herbicides with different modes of action
Authors: SØNDERSKOV M , SWANTON C J , KUDSK P
Published: March 2012

Sønderskov M, Swanton CJ & Kudsk P (2012). Influence of nitrogen rate on the efficacy of herbicides with different modes of action. Weed Research 52, 169–177.

Outdoor pot experiments and field experiments were conducted to examine the influence of nitrogen rate on herbicide efficacy. Growth of unsprayed Tripleurospermum inodorum increased with increasing nitrogen rate in pot experiments; increasing nitrogen also increased the susceptibility to tribenuron‐methyl. An increased susceptibility at high nitrogen rate was also observed for Anagallis arvensis, but in contrast to T. inodorum, growth of unsprayed A. arvensis was unaffected by nitrogen rate. Growth of unsprayed Chenopodium album was also promoted by nitrogen supply. However, no influence of nitrogen rate on herbicide efficacy was evident for C. album with tribenuron‐methyl or ioxynil+bromoxynil in pot experiments. Field experiments with tribenuron‐methyl were conducted on natural populations of C. album in spring barley grown at different nitrogen rates showed similar results. In conclusion, nitrogen rate affected herbicide efficacy for some but not all combinations of weed species and herbicide. Decreased herbicide efficacy was only observed at very low nitrogen rates. The results suggest that the effect of nitrogen rates on herbicide efficacy will be marginal in intensive farming systems with high nitrogen supply, but in low intensity systems, weed patchiness might increase.
Consumer involvement in systematic reviews of comparative effectiveness research
Authors: Kreis Julia , Puhan Milo A. , Schünemann Holger J. , Dickersin Kay
Published: March 2012

Background  The Institute of Medicine recently recommended that comparative effectiveness research (CER) should involve input from consumers. While systematic reviews are a major component of CER, little is known about consumer involvement.

Objective  To explore current approaches to involving consumers in US‐based and key international organizations and groups conducting or commissioning systematic reviews (‘organizations’).

Design  In‐depth, semi‐structured interviews with key informants and review of organizations’ websites.

Setting and participants  Seventeen highly regarded US‐based and international (Cochrane Collaboration, Campbell Collaboration) organizations.

Results  Organizations that usually involve consumers (seven of 17 in our sample) involve them at a programmatic level in the organization or in individual reviews through one‐time consultation or on‐going collaboration. For example, consumers may suggest topics, provide input on the key questions of the review, provide comments on draft protocols and reports, serve as co‐authors or on an advisory group. Organizations involve different types of consumers (individual patients, consumer advocates, families and caregivers), recruiting them mainly through patient organizations and consumer networks. Some offer training in research methods, and one developed training for researchers on how to involve consumers. Little formal evaluation of the effects of consumer involvement is being carried out.

Conclusions  Consumers are currently involved in systematic reviews in a variety of ways and for various reasons. Assessing which approaches are most effective in achieving different aims of consumer involvement is now required to inform future recommendations on consumer involvement in CER.
Mutual powerlessness in client participation practices in mental health care
Authors: Broer Tineke , Nieboer Anna P. , Bal Roland
Published: March 2012

Background  Client participation has become a dominant policy goal in many countries including the Netherlands and is a topic much discussed in the literature. The success of client participation is usually measured in terms of the extent to which clients have a say in the participation process. Many articles have concluded that client participation is limited; professionals often still control the participation process and outcomes.

Objective  The objective of this study is to gain insight into (i) the practice of client participation within a quality improvement collaborative in mental health care and (ii) the consequences of a Foucauldian conceptualization of power in analysing practices of client participation.

Design  We used an ethnographic design consisting of observations of national events and improvement team meetings and interviews with the collaborative’s team members and programme managers.

Results  Contrary to many studies on client participation, we found both clients and service providers frequently felt powerless in its practice. Professionals and clients alike struggled with the contributions clients could make to the improvement processes and what functions they should fulfil. Moreover, professionals did not want to exert power upon clients, but ironically just for that reason sometimes struggled with shaping practices of client participation. This mutual powerlessness (partly) disappeared when clients helped to determine and execute specific improvement actions instead of participating in improvement teams.

Conclusion  Recognizing that power is inescapable might allow for a more substantive discussion concerning the consequences that power arrangements produce, rather than looking at who is exerting how much power.
Symptom recognition of heart attack and stroke in nine European countries: a representative survey
Authors: Mata Jutta , Frank Ronald , Gigerenzer Gerd
Published: March 2012

Background  Cardiovascular diseases are the number one cause of death and a source of chronic disability.

Objectives  To assess recognition of and reaction to symptoms of heart attack and stroke, and how recognition is related to the frequency of consulting physicians and other information sources.

Design  Face‐to‐face computer‐assisted personal interviews.

Participants  Representative sample of 10 228 persons in Austria, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Spain and UK, aged 14–98.

Main Outcome Variables  Recognition of heart attack and stroke symptoms and proper reaction to symptoms.

Results  Chest pain was the only heart attack symptom recognized by more than 50% of participants. Eight percent knew no symptoms. Of 14 stroke symptoms, none was recognized by more than 50% of participants; 19% could not identify any symptom. For both heart attack and stroke, Germans and Austrians recognized the largest number of symptoms. Persons in Italy, Poland, Russia and Spain knew only about half as many symptoms as in Germany or Austria. Only 51% of Europeans would call an ambulance when someone suffers a stroke, the fewest (33 and 34%) in Germany and Austria. In most countries, people who consulted their physician more frequently had no better recognition of heart attack or stroke symptoms.

Conclusions  The majority of persons in nine European countries recognize few heart attack and stroke symptoms; many do not know how to react. This low level of knowledge constitutes a major health risk and likely leads to delay in treatment, contributing to the high mortality and morbidity from these diseases.
The Swiss Health Literacy Survey: development and psychometric properties of a multidimensional instrument to assess competencies for health
Authors: Wang Jen , Thombs Brett D. , Schmid Margareta R.
Published: March 2012

Background  Growing recognition of the role of citizens and patients in health and health care has placed a spotlight on health literacy and patient education.

Objective  To identify specific competencies for health in definitions of health literacy and patient‐centred concepts and empirically test their dimensionality in the general population.

Methods  A thorough review of the literature on health literacy, self‐management, patient empowerment, patient education and shared decision making revealed considerable conceptual overlap as competencies for health and identified a corpus of 30 generic competencies for health. A questionnaire containing 127 items covering the 30 competencies was fielded as a telephone interview in German, French and Italian among 1255 respondents randomly selected from the resident population in Switzerland.

Findings  Analyses with the software MPlus to model items with mixed response categories showed that the items do not load onto a single factor. Multifactorial models with good fit could be erected for each of five dimensions defined a priori and their corresponding competencies: information and knowledge (four competencies, 17 items), general cognitive skills (four competencies, 17 items), social roles (two competencies, seven items), medical management (four competencies, 27 items) and healthy lifestyle (two competencies, six items). Multiple indicators and multiple causes models identified problematic differential item functioning for only six items belonging to two competencies.

Conclusions  The psychometric analyses of this instrument support broader conceptualization of health literacy not as a single competence but rather as a package of competencies for health.
Leaves of Japanese oak (Quercus mongolica var. crispula) mitigate photoinhibition by adjusting electron transport capacities and thermal energy dissipation along the intra‐canopy light gradient
Authors: Kitao Mitsutoshi , Kitaoka Satoshi , Komatsu Masabumi , Utsugi Hajime , Tobita Hiroyuki , Koike Takayoshi , Maruyama Yutaka
Published: March 2012

We investigated the morphological and physiological acclimation of leaves grown within a canopy of Japanese oak tree (Quercus mongolica var. crispula) in terms of the susceptibility to photoinhibition under various growth light conditions. The maximum rates of photosynthesis (Pmax) and electron transport (ETRmax) were higher in mature leaves grown under stronger light with higher area‐based leaf nitrogen (N) content closely associated with higher leaf mass per area. The net photosynthetic (Pn) and electron transport (ETR) rates corresponding to the daily peak photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFDmax) during leaf maturation were almost comparable to Pmax and ETRmax, respectively. Conversely, Pn and ETR at the daily average PPFD (PPFDavg) were substantially low in shade‐grown leaves when compared with Pmax and ETRmax. The susceptibility to photoinhibition at PPFDmax, i.e. at sunflecks for the shade‐grown leaves, was assessed by the rate of excess energy production. Although sun leaves showed higher rates of electron transport and thermal energy dissipation than shade leaves under PPFDmax conditions, the rate of excess energy production was almost constant across shade to sun leaves. The shade leaves of the Japanese oak grown within a crown were suggested to adjust their N investment to maintain higher photosynthetic capacities compared with those required to maximize the net carbon gain, which may facilitate the dissipation of the excessive light energy of sunflecks to circumvent photoinhibition in cooperation with thermal energy dissipation.
Influences of long‐term different types of fertilization on weed community biodiversity in rice paddy fields
Authors: WAN KAIYUAN , TAO YONG , LI RUHAI , PAN JUNFENG , TANG LEILEI , CHEN FANG
Published: March 2012

In order to provide a scientific basis for developing integrated weed management strategies in rice paddy fields, this study investigated the influences of different types of fertilization on weed biodiversity. The experiment was conducted at Long‐term‐located Monitoring Station for Soil Fertility, Agricultural Science Academy, of Jiangxi Province, China. Five fertilization treatments were set: no fertilization (NOF), PK, NP, NK, and NPK. The results showed that the influence of different fertilization treatments on weed community traits followed the models PK > NOF > NK > NP > NPK for species richness, PK > NOF > NK > NP > NPK for species diversity, NPK > NP > NK > NOF > PK for community dominance, and PK > NOF > NK > NP > NPK for community evenness. Under NPK (i.e. balanced fertilization), the weed species diversity and richness and weed community evenness were the lowest. The principal component analysis showed that the weed community was divided into three groups: (i) NK and a part of NOF; (ii) NP and NPK; and (iii) PK and NOF. The correlation analysis indicated that the influence of each macro‐element on the weed community followed the model N > P > K. The organic content in the paddy soil might have played an equally important role with the amount of available N in determining the weed community's characteristics. Regarding the way by which N, P, and K influenced the weed community, the amount of available P and K mainly influenced the organic content, while the amount of available N influenced both the organic content and light transmittance within the canopy, thereby enhancing the capacity of rice to compete with weeds.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa population structure revisited under environmental focus: impact of water quality and phage pressure
Authors: Selezska Katherina , Kazmierczak Marlon , Müsken Mathias , Garbe Julia , Schobert Max , Häussler Susanne , Wiehlmann Lutz , Rohde Christine , Sikorski Johannes
Published: March 2012

Pseudomonas aeruginosa attracts research attention as a common opportunistic nosocomial pathogen causing severe health problems in humans. Nevertheless, its primary habitat is the natural environment. Here, we relate the genetic diversity of 381 environmental isolates from rivers in northern Germany to ecological factors such as river system, season of sampling and different levels of water quality. From representatives of 99 environmental clones, also in comparison with 91 clinical isolates, we determined motility phenotypes, virulence factors, biofilm formation, serotype and the resistance to seven environmental P. aeruginosa phages. The integration of genetic, ecological and phenotypic data showed (i) the presence of several extended clonal complexes (ecc) which are non‐uniformly distributed across different water qualities, and (ii) a correlation of the hosts' serotype composition with susceptibility towards distinct groups of environmental phages. For at least one ecc (eccB), we assumed the ecophysiological differences on environmental water adaptation and phage resistance to be so distinct as to reinforce an environmentally driven cladogenic split from the remainder of P. aeruginosa. In summary, we conclude that the majority of the microevolutionary population dynamics of P. aeruginosa were shaped by the natural environment and not by the clinical habitat.
Community analysis of high‐ and low‐nucleic acid‐containing bacteria in NW Mediterranean coastal waters using 16S rDNA pyrosequencing
Authors: Vila‐Costa Maria , Gasol Josep M. , Sharma Shalabh , Moran Mary Ann
Published: March 2012

The ecological significance of the marine bacterial populations distinguishable by flow cytometry on the basis of the fluorescence (FL) of their nucleic acid (NA) content and proxies of cell size (such as side scatter, SSC) remains largely unknown. Some studies have suggested that cells with high NA (HNA) content and high SSC (HS) represent the active members of the community, while the low NA (LNA) cells are inactive members of the same phylogenetic groups. But group‐specific activity measurements and phylogenetic assignment after cell sorting have suggested this is not be the case, particularly in open‐ocean communities. To test the extent to which the different NA subgroups are similar, and consequently the extent to which they likely have similar ecological and biogeochemical roles in the environment, we analysed the phylogenetic composition of three populations after cell sorting [high NA‐high SC (HNA‐HS), high NA‐low SC (HNA‐LS), low NA (LNA)] by 454 pyrosequencing in two contrasting periods of the year in NW Mediterranean coastal waters (BBMO, Blanes Bay Microbial Observatory) where these three populations have recurrent seasonal patterns. Statistical analyses showed that summer and winter samples were significantly different and, importantly, the sorted populations within a sample were composed of different taxa. The majority of taxa were associated with one NA fraction only, and the degree of overlap (i.e. OTUs present simultaneously in 2 fractions) between HNA and LNA and between summer and winter communities was very small. Rhodobacterales, SAR116 and Bacteroidetes contributed primarily to the HNA fraction, whereas other groups such as SAR11 and SAR86 contributed largely to the LNA fractions. Gammaproteobacteria other than SAR86 showed less preference for one particular NA fraction. An increase in diversity was observed from the LNA to the HNA‐HS fraction for both sample dates. Our results suggest that, in Blanes Bay, flow cytometric signatures of natural communities track their phylogenetic composition.
Laparoscopic extraperitoneal colostomy in elective abdominoperineal resection for cancer: a single surgeon experience
Authors: Leroy J. , Diana M. , Callari C. , Barry B. , D’Agostino J. , Wu H.‐S. , Marescaux J.
Published: March 2012

Aim  Parastomal herniation of end colostomies can be chronically debilitating for patients and a difficult problem to treat. To prevent parastomal hernia (PSH) formation an extraperitoneal colostomy (EPC) approach has been developed in open colorectal surgery and some studies have suggested a potential advantage to this approach. Here we describe our technique of laparoscopic extraperitoneal stoma formation and present our experience to date.

Methods  We performed a retrospective analysis of consecutive patients undergoing a laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection between March 1999 and March 2011. We performed the EPC technique as follows: under laparoscopic guidance, a smooth tip instrument was used to gently separate the peritoneum from the posterior aponeurotic plane to create an extraperitoneal tunnel running from the skin incision to the left flank of the abdominal cavity to join the previously dissected paracolic gutter. The colon was exteriorized and the position was checked to ensure the absence of torsion or kinking.

Results  Twenty‐two patients underwent a standard laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection with total mesorectal excision. Colostomy was constructed extraperitoneally (EPC) or transperitoneally (TPC) in 12 and 10 patients respectively. There were five complications requiring operative intervention: two stomal necrosis and one surgical site infection in the TPC group and two small bowel occlusions in the EPC group. Four patients from the TPC group developed PSH at 24, 36, 48 and 72 months respectively while there were no cases of PSH in the EPC group.

Conclusion  Extraperitoneal laparoscopic colostomy showed a potential reduction of PSH in our series of patients.
Perineal descent does not imply a more severe clinical disorder
Authors: Alves‐Ferreira P. C. , Gurland B. , Zutshi M. , Hull T.
Published: March 2012

Aim  There is poor consensus in the literature about measuring perineal descent. We aimed to assess symptoms and quality of life in constipated patients with abnormal perineal descent.

Method  Constipated patients were categorized into those with obstructed defaecation, colonic inertia, mixed disorders and irritable bowel syndrome constipation types. Anal physiology was performed. KESS score, Irritable Bowel Syndrome Quality of Life and SF‐12 questionnaires were completed. The position of the perineum was measured by defaecography. Patients were divided into two groups according to the position of the perineal descent at rest: group 1 (normal < 3.5 cm) and group 2 (abnormal > 3.5 cm).

Results  Fifty‐eight patients were identified, 23 (40%) in group 1 and 35 (60%) in group 2. Patients in group 2 were older (P = 0.007), had a higher body mass index (BMI; P = 0.003), a higher rate of hysterectomy (P = 0.04) and more vaginal deliveries (P = 0.001). Obstructed defaecation was the predominant subtype of constipation. Group 1 had more difficulty in initiating defaecation and group 2 presented more cases with intussusception and enterocele (P = 0.03 for both). Group 2 had a lesser degree of perineal descent between rest and straining. Rectal compliance was greater in group 2 (P = 0.03). Symptoms and quality of life scores were similar between the groups.

Conclusion  Radiologically determined excessive perineal descent is not indicative of worse symptoms or quality of life. This radiological finding does not warrant further investigation.
Ocean waves and roadside spirits: Thai health service providers' post‐tsunami psychosocial health
Authors: Varley Emma , Isaranuwatchai Wanrudee , Coyte Peter C.
Published: March 2012

A massive earthquake off the west coast of Sumatra in Indonesia triggered a tsunami on 26 December 2004. At least five million people around the world were affected, and the total number of deaths exceeded 280,000. In Thailand, the tsunami struck six southern provinces, where the disaster's immediate impact was catastrophic. Based on ethnographic fieldwork in Phang Nga Province (2007), this paper provides an overview of the disaster's psychosocial consequences for Thai health service providers, the vast majority of whom were bypassed by regional post‐tsunami mental health initiatives. The available tsunami literature only briefly attends to health providers' experience of professional ‘burn‐out’, rather than explores the tsunami's wide spectrum of psychosocial effects. This research aims to remedy such oversights through ‘critical medical’ and ‘interpretive phenomenological’ analysis of the diverse and culturally‐situated ways in which health providers’ experienced the tsunami. The paper concludes by arguing for disaster‐related psychosocial interventions to involve health providers explicitly.
The contemporary China resources boom*
Authors: Garnaut Ross
Published: March 2012

Commodity prices are formed by the interaction of global economic growth and costs of expanding supply of commodities. They tend to be high for long periods when global average growth rates are high, and low for long periods when growth rates are low, and to fluctuate around these averages as short term demand departs from expectations. The growth of advanced developing countries is especially influential in determining global demand for resources. Exceptional growth and resource intensity of China have been the main determinants of high energy and metals prices since about 2003. Short term cyclical factors have pushed energy and metal prices higher still, because markets did not anticipate the strength of Chinese demand and supply takes time to catch up. The high resource intensity of Chinese growth has been the result of high investment rates and rapid increases in urban population and the export share of production. Strong growth is likely to continue although at slowly receding rates, but growth will become less resource intensive, leading to moderation of global commodity prices. Strong growth in China and the world are at risk if effective policies are not adopted to break the nexus between economic growth and pressure on the environment.
Corporate Investing as a Response to Economic Downturn: Prospect Theory, the Behavioural Agency Model and the Role of Financial Slack
Authors: Zona Fabio
Published: March 2012

This study examines innovation investment during the major economic downturn of 2008–2009. Drawing from prospect theory, it suggests that increasing levels of slack resources enhance innovation investment during a crisis; slack resources also moderate the impact of historical performance on investment. This study also examines how, during global crises, the board of directors can affect the CEO's proclivity to invest by leveraging performance management devices, such as target‐setting and behavioural evaluation criteria. A test based on a sample of Italian companies provides support for the hypothesized effects. Results suggest that firms may respond to global crisis with innovation investment, and that organizational factors, as well as the board of directors, may play a major role in this response.
The Impact of Institutional Pressures on Employee Performance Management Systems in Higher Education in the Low Countries
Authors: Decramer Adelien , Smolders Carine , Vanderstraeten Alex , Christiaens Johan
Published: March 2012

As a result of the 2008 financial crisis, governments' budgets for higher education and research have come under pressure. In the aftermath of the crisis, higher education institutions are likely to face significant budget constraints, as governments and society became considerably more demanding concerning the level and amount of research output to be produced. The need for increased efficiency and effectiveness pushes these institutions to consider the adoption of employee performance management systems. Starting from the contextually based HRM theory framework and institutional theory, this study examined the institutional factors associated with academic units' adoption of employee performance management systems in two institutions of higher education in the Low Countries in 2009. The results show that coercive pressures are a significant predictor of whether the academic unit adopted an employee performance management system. The results also demonstrate that the presence of an HRM department and complementary human resource management practices are associated with an increased likelihood of the presence of employee performance management systems in academic units.
A MASTER CHEF'S RECIPE FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS
Authors: Peters Georgina
Published: March 2012

Often called the world's greatest chef, Ferran Adrià, longtime owner of El Built, Spain's three‐star Michelinrated revolutionary restaurant, is now embarking on a new venture: the El Built Foundation, a place where chefs can create, interact and discuss their ideas with researchers from other disciplines. He recently spoke at London Business School as part of his tour of a number of select universities to invite students to enter a competition to design an innovative business model for the new Foundation. Georgina Peters reports.
THE MOBILITY IMPERATIVE
Authors: Crainer Stuart
Published: March 2012

The founder of the Sutton Trust, Sir Peter Lampl, explains his passion for social mobility.
Generalized Dirichlet‐to‐Neumann Map in Time‐Dependent Domains
Authors: Fokas A. S. , Pelloni B.
Published: March 2012

We study the heat, linear Schrödinger (LS), and linear KdV equations in the domain l(t) < x < ∞, 0 < t < T, with prescribed initial and boundary conditions and with l(t) a given differentiable function. For the first two equations, we show that the unknown Neumann or Dirichlet boundary value can be computed as the solution of a linear Volterra integral equation with an explicit weakly singular kernel. This integral equation can be derived from the formal Fourier integral representation of the solution. For the linear KdV equation we show that the two unknown boundary values can be computed as the solution of a system of linear Volterra integral equations with explicit weakly singular kernels. The derivation in this case makes crucial use of analyticity and certain invariance properties in the complex spectral plane. The above Volterra equations are shown to admit a unique solution.
A limitation with least squares predictions
Authors: Bittner Teresa L.
Published: March 2012

Although researchers have documented that some data make larger contributions than others to predictions made with least squares models, it is relatively unknown that some data actually make no contribution to the predictions produced by these models. This article explores such noncontributory data.
Isolation of two binocular mechanisms for motion in depth: A model and psychophysics1
Authors: SHIOIRI SATOSHI , MATSUMIYA KAZUMICHI , MATSUBARA KAZUYA
Published: March 2012

Random dot patterns (RDPs) have been used to stimulate in isolation either of two binocular mechanisms for motion in depth: interocular velocity difference (IOVD), and changing disparity over time (CDOT). First, we examined how these stimuli isolate either mechanism using models based on motion/disparity energy detection. In the model, the IOVD mechanism calculates the difference in motion signal between the two eyes, and the CDOT mechanism calculates the difference in disparity signal between sequential stereo images. The simulation revealed that uncorrelated (0% correlation) RDPs are useful to isolate either of the two mechanisms, while the contrast‐reversed version (anticorrelation) of RDPs may not. Second, we compared the IOVD model predictions with experimental data from a previous study for motion in depth with various contrasts, displacements and vertical shifts between the two eyes. The simulation showed that the model predicts the general trends of the effects of contrast, displacement and vertical shift shown in the data. This suggests the physiological plausibility of the energy‐based model of motion in depth.
Family Structure, Family Disruption, and Profiles of Adolescent Religiosity
Authors: Denton Melinda Lundquist
Published: March 2012

Youth in the United States are experiencing increasing numbers of family transitions as parents move in and out of marriages and cohabiting relationships. Using three waves of survey data from the National Study of Youth and Religion, I examine the relationship between family structure, parental breakup, and adolescent religiosity. A person‐centered measure of the religiosity of adolescents is used to identify youth as Abiders, Adapters, Assenters, Avoiders, or Atheists and to assess movement of youth between the religious profiles between 2003 and 2008. Wave 1 family structure is not significantly related to religious change among adolescents at Wave 3. In contrast, the experience of a parental breakup is related to a change in religious profiles over time. Parental breakup is associated with religious decline among Abiders and Adapters, youth characterized by high levels of religious salience. However, among Assenters who are marginally tied to religion, a parental breakup or divorce is associated with increased religious engagement.