bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aging of solid 4He under torsional oscillation at low temperatures
Authors: Gumann P. , Kojima H.
Published: October 2013

Observations have been made to reveal unusual aging behavior in solid 4He samples contained in a torsional oscillator. Oscillation of samples is initiated at a given oscillator drive amplitude near 100 mK. After the samples are cooled to a measurement temperature, they are “aged” for a waiting time, tw, between 15 min and 25 h. The drive amplitude is then halved and subsequent variation in the oscillator response amplitude, A(t), and frequency are monitored as time t elapses. When the measurement temperature is lower than Ts = 40 mK, A(t) shows unusual behavior: A(t) initially undershoots to less than half of the original value, partially recovers exponentially and eventually continues to increase logarithmically. The amount of undershoot, partial recovery magnitude and the rate of logarithmic increase all show aging effect with logarithmic dependence on tw. When the measurement temperature is greater than Ts, the above unusual behavior in A(t) disappears. If solid 4He cooled below Ts behaved analogously to spin glasses, A(t/tw) would be independent of tw. Such behavior of A(t/tw) is not observed. Origin of the unusual aging behavior in solid 4He is not yet clear. Motion of dislocation lines is discussed as a possible origin.
Investigation of beat-waves generation with high efficiency
Authors: Song W. , Shi Y. C. , Deng Y. Q. , Zhu X. X. , Zhang Z. Q. , Hu X. G.
Published: October 2013

A method for generating high power beating radio-frequency wave with high conversion efficiency is proposed. Based on Cherenkov radiation, two longitudinal resonant modes are excited simultaneously and interacted with intense electron beam synchronously. An experiment was carried out and beat-waves with an average power of about 2.3 GW, frequencies of 9.29 GHz and 10.31 GHz, and efficiency of about 40% were obtained. Through controlling the electron energy, the amplitude proportions of the two resonant modes are altered, and different beat-wave patterns are formed.
Force-free Jacobian equilibria for Vlasov-Maxwell plasmas
Authors: Abraham-Shrauner B.
Published: October 2013

New analytic force-free Vlasov-Maxwell equilibria for thin current sheets are presented. The magnetic flux densities are expressed in terms of Jacobian elliptic functions of one Cartesian spatial coordinate. The magnetic flux densities reduce to previously reported hyperbolic functions in one limit and sinusoidal functions in another limit of the modulus k. A much wider class of nonlinear force-free Vlasov-Maxwell equilibria open expanded possibilities for modeling of solar system, astrophysical and laboratory plasmas. Modified Maxwellian distribution functions are determined explicitly in terms of Jacobian elliptic functions. Conditions for double peaked distribution functions that could be unstable are developed.
Superhydrophobicity on transparent fluorinated ethylene propylene films with nano-protrusion morphology by Ar + O2 plasma etching: Study of the degradation in hydrophobicity after exposure to the environment
Authors: Gupta Nitant , Kavya M. V. , Singh Yogesh R. G. , Jyothi J. , Barshilia Harish C.
Published: October 2013

Fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) films were made superhydrophobic by Ar + O2 plasma etching process. Field emission scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy studies of the plasma-treated FEP samples detected the presence of uniformly distributed nano-protrusions exhibiting a low surface roughness necessary for maintaining the transparency of the samples. In fact, optical transmittance measurements showed an improvement in the transparency of FEP samples after plasma treatment. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic analysis showed the presence of –CFx–O–CFx– (x = 1, 2, or 3) linkages in both untreated and plasma-treated samples which explains the hydrophilic nature (contact angle below 90∘) of the untreated sample. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed no changes in the bulk properties of the plasma-treated samples. Moreover, exposure to the environment caused the surfaces to lose their superhydrophobic property in an indefinite amount of time. This has been further studied through a water immersion experiment and explained through the wetting state transition from Cassie state to Wenzel state.
Temperature dependence of photocurrent in an amorphous GaInZnO/InZnO thin film transistor
Authors: Ahn Ji-Hoon , Ahn Seung-Eon , Jeon Yongwoo , Lee Seunghyup , Song Ihun , Kim Jungwoo , Choi Hyung , Chung U-in
Published: October 2013

The temperature dependence of the photocurrent of amorphous GaInZnO/InZnO thin film transistors was investigated at various illumination wavelengths. The photocurrent is highly dependent on the irradiation conditions, even though the saturation characteristics were similar regardless of illumination. When the photon energy was greater than 2.82 eV, it was large enough to excite a bound electron independent of the thermal energy. When the irradiation photon energy was not large enough for direct excitation, it was observed that the states in the Urbach tail region, approximately 0.18–0.28 eV below the conduction band, acted as shallow traps that induced a thermally activated photocurrent.
Ferromagnetic behavior in mixed valence europium (Eu2+/Eu3+) oxide EuTi1−x
M
xO3 (M = Al3+ and Ga3+)
Authors: Akahoshi Daisuke , Horie Hiroki , Sakai Shingo , Saito Toshiaki
Published: October 2013

We have investigated the Ti-site substitution effect on the magnetic properties of antiferromagnetic insulator EuTiO3 with a Néel temperature of ∼5 K. Partial substitution of Ti4+ with heterovalent Al3+ or Ga3+ turns the corresponding amount of magnetic Eu2+ into non-magnetic Eu3+. Both EuTi1−xAlxO3 (0.05 ≤ x ≤ 0.10) and EuTi1−xGaxO3 (0.05 ≤ x ≤ 0.10) exhibit ferromagnetic (FM) insulating behavior below ∼4 K. The Eu2+/Eu3+ mixed valence state probably contributes to the emergence of the FM behavior. Fine control of the magneto-electric (ME) phases of EuTi1−xAlxO3 and EuTi1−xGaxO3 would lead to intriguing ME phenomena such as giant ME effect.
Fuzzy logic controller based power management for a standalone solar/wind/fuel cell fed hybrid system
Authors: Saravanan S. , Thangavel S.
Published: October 2013

This paper proposes a new power conditioner topology with an intelligent power management controller that integrates multiple renewable energy sources such as solar energy, wind energy, and fuel cell energy with battery backup to make the best use of their operating characteristics and obtain better reliability than that could be obtained by single renewable energy based power supply. The proposed multiple-input converter uses neural network and fuzzy logic controller for maintaining a constant voltage at point of common coupling and efficient power flow control, respectively. The power conditioner uses very limited number of switches and promises significant savings in component count and reduced losses. Also, fuzzy logic controller based online estimation of state of charge and battery charging is also designed for the battery bank which is suitably connected by the controller to sink or source the input power based on the load requirement. The simulation results of the proposed system prove good in the stability aspect as well.
The effect of irradiance and temperature on the role of photolysis in the removal of organic micropollutants under Antarctic conditions
Authors: Emnet Philipp , Kookana Rai S. , Shareef Ali , Gaw Sally , Williams Mike , Crittenden Deborah , Northcott Grant L.
Published: October 2013

Environmental context Antarctica has several scientific research stations located along its coast, where they discharge often untreated sewage containing organic micropollutants. Although degradation of these pollutants by microorganisms is limited by the cold conditions, other pathways such as photodegradation may be significant. Our results indicate that, during the summer, photolysis is a potentially significant degradation pathway for organic micropollutants in Antarctic surface waters, although the rate of loss would depend on ice cover and water depth. Abstract Knowledge of the environmental fate of organic micropollutants in Antarctica is limited, especially with respect to photolysis. The Antarctic is characterised by extreme light conditions of either continuous sunshine or darkness depending on the season. The photolytic degradation of benzophenone-3 (BP-3), bisphenol A (BPA), 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), methyl paraben (mParaben), 4-t-octylphenol (4-t-OP) and triclosan in MilliQ and seawater was investigated over a range of irradiance levels and temperatures. Photodegradation was compound specific. Up to 20% of BPA, BP-3 and EE2 was degraded over a 7-h irradiance period. Triclosan and 4-t-OP degraded to below the limit of detection in all experiments whereas mParaben was not degraded. The degradation of triclosan increased with irradiance in both MilliQ (P=2.2×10–16) and seawater (P=2.2×10–16). The degradation of 4-t-OP increased with irradiance in MilliQ (P=8.5×10–9) and seawater (P=1.1×10–5), and with temperature in MilliQ (P=8.5×10–9) and seawater (P=1.0×10–5). Similar relationships could not be established for BPA, BP-3, EE2 and mParaben due to the limited extent of degradation observed. The photolysis of triclosan was enhanced 4-fold in seawater compared to MilliQ water. Results from this study indicate that micropollutants may persist for extended periods of time in Antarctic coastal waters, particularly with ice cover, above and beyond that exhibited in temperate seawater.
Temperature differentially affects the persistence of polyunsaturated aldehydes in seawater
Authors: Bartual Ana , Ortega María J.
Published: October 2013

Environmental context
Diatoms, unicellular algae that live suspended in the water column, can undergo periods of rapid growth, called blooms. When these algal blooms die, organic compounds including polyunsaturated aldehydes are released to the surrounding water with currently unknown ecological effects. Here we demonstrate that temperature differentially affects the persistence of three major polyunsaturated aldehydes produced by diatoms, and we quantify the removal rates from seawater of these compounds.

Abstract
Polyunsaturated aldehydes (PUAs) are volatile compounds commonly released into the environment by different fresh and seawater phytoplankton species. Diatoms are among the main producers of these metabolites in seawater. The release of these metabolites in seawater is known to be wound-activated as a consequence of predation or cell lysis. Hence, the interaction of phytoplankton species that produce PUAs with other marine organisms is being thoroughly investigated. However, the stability of these compounds in seaweater once they are released and their persistence under different environmental conditions have never been quantified. In this work, we reveal an important effect of seawater temperature on the persistence of dissolved 2E,4E/Z-decadienal (DECA), 2E,4E/Z-octadienal (OCTA) and 2E,4E/Z-heptadienal (HEPTA) in seawater at the nanomolar scale. These three aldehydes were more persistent at 10°C than at either 15 or 20°C. Half lives of OCTA and HEPTA were reduced from 200h at 10°C to 80h at 15°C and 60h at 20°C. In addition, DECA was consistently more persistent than OCTA and HEPTA at the three temperatures assayed. This dependence of the persistence of dissolved PUAs on seawater temperature could determine a differential effect of equivalent PUA concentrations on the diversity and plankton community’s structure at different water depths, seasons or latitudes.
Mouse model phenotypes provide information about human drug targets
Authors: Hoehndorf Robert , Hiebert Tanya , Hardy Nigel W. , Schofield Paul N. , Gkoutos Georgios V. , Dumontier Michel
Published: October 2013

Motivation: Methods for computational drug target identification use information from diverse information sources to predict or prioritize drug targets for known drugs. One set of resources that has been relatively neglected for drug repurposing is animal model phenotype.

Results: We investigate the use of mouse model phenotypes for drug target identification. To achieve this goal, we first integrate mouse model phenotypes and drug effects, and then systematically compare the phenotypic similarity between mouse models and drug effect profiles. We find a high similarity between phenotypes resulting from loss-of-function mutations and drug effects resulting from the inhibition of a protein through a drug action, and demonstrate how this approach can be used to suggest candidate drug targets.

Availability and implementation: Analysis code and supplementary data files are available on the project Web site at https://drugeffects.googlecode.com.

Contact:  leechuck@leechuck.de or roh25@aber.ac.uk

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Migration and Wage Effects of Taxing Top Earners: Evidence from the Foreigners’ Tax Scheme in Denmark
*
Authors: Kleven Henrik Jacobsen , Landais Camille , Saez Emmanuel , Schultz Esben
Published: October 2013

This article analyzes the effects of income taxation on the international migration and earnings of top earners using a Danish preferential foreigner tax scheme and population-wide Danish administrative data. This scheme, introduced in 1991, allows new immigrants with high earnings to be taxed at a preferential flat rate for a duration of three years. We obtain two main results. First, the scheme has doubled the number of highly paid foreigners in Denmark relative to slightly less paid—and therefore ineligible—foreigners. This translates into a very large elasticity of migration with respect to 1 minus the average tax rate on foreigners, between 1.5 and 2. Second, we find compelling evidence of a negative effect of the scheme-induced reduction in the average tax rate on pretax earnings of foreign migrants at the individual level. This finding can be rationalized by a matching frictions model with wage bargaining where there is a gap between pay and marginal productivity.
An empiricist's guide to theoretical predictions on the evolution of dispersal
Authors: Duputié Anne , Massol François
Published: October 2013

Dispersal, the tendency for organisms to reproduce away from their parents, influences many evolutionary and ecological processes, from speciation and extinction events, to the coexistence of genotypes within species or biological invasions. Understanding how dispersal evolves is crucial to predict how global changes might affect species persistence and geographical distribution. The factors driving the evolution of dispersal have been well characterized from a theoretical standpoint, and predictions have been made about their respective influence on, for example, dispersal polymorphism or the emergence of dispersal syndromes. However, the experimental tests of some theories remain scarce partly because a synthetic view of theoretical advances is still lacking. Here, we review the different ingredients of models of dispersal evolution, from selective pressures and types of predictions, through mathematical and ecological assumptions, to the methods used to obtain predictions. We provide perspectives as to which predictions are easiest to test, how theories could be better exploited to provide testable predictions, what theoretical developments are needed to tackle this topic, and we place the question of the evolution of dispersal within the larger interdisciplinary framework of eco-evolutionary dynamics.
Evolutionary rescue can maintain an oscillating community undergoing environmental change
Authors: Fussmann Gregor F. , Gonzalez Andrew
Published: October 2013

The persistence of ecological communities is challenged by widespread and rapid environmental change. In many cases, persistence may not be assured via physiological acclimation or migration and so species must adapt rapidly
in situ
. This process of evolutionary rescue (ER) occurs when genetic adaptation allows a population to recover from decline initiated by environmental change that would otherwise cause extirpation. Community evolutionary rescue (CER) occurs when one or more species undergo a rapid evolutionary response to environmental change, resulting in the recovery of the ancestral community. Here, we study the dynamics of CER within a three-species community coexisting by virtue of resource oscillations brought about by nonlinear interactions between two species competing for a live resource. We allowed gradual environmental change to affect the traits that determine the strength and symmetry of the interaction among species. By allowing the component species to evolve rapidly, we found that: (i) trait evolution can allow CER and ensure the community persists by preventing competitive exclusion during environmental change, (ii) CER brings about a change in the character of the oscillations (period, amplitude) governing coexistence before and after environmental change, and (iii) CER may depend on evolutionary change that occurs simultaneously with or subsequently to environmental change. We were able to show that a change in the character of community oscillations may be a signature that a community is undergoing ER. Our study extends the theory on ER to a world of nonlinear community dynamics where—despite high-frequency changes of population abundances—adaptive evolutionary trait change can be gradual and directional, and therefore contribute to community rescue. ER may happen in real, complex communities that fluctuate owing to a mix of external and internal forces. Experiments testing this theory are now required to validate our predictions.
Bifidobacterium moukalabense sp. nov., isolated from the faeces of wild west lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla)
Authors: Tsuchida Sayaka , Takahashi Shunsuke , Nguema Pierre Philippe Mbehang , Fujita Shiho , Kitahara Maki , Yamagiwa Juichi , Ngomanda Alfred , Ohkuma Moriya , Ushida Kazunari
Published: October 2013

Gram-staining-positive anaerobic rods were isolated from the faeces of a wild lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) in Moukalaba-Doudou National Park, Gabon, and strain GG01T was taxonomically investigated. Based on phylogenetic analyses and specific phenotypic characteristics, the strain belonged to the genus

Bifidobacterium

. Phylogenetic analysis of its 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain GG01T formed a single monophyletic cluster and had a distinct line of descent. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, the type strains of

Bifidobacterium catenulatum

JCM 1194T (98.3 %) and

Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum

(98.1 %) JCM 1200T were the most closely related to this novel strain, although it was clear that they belonged to different species. hsp60 sequences also supported these relationships. The DNA G+C content of this novel strain was 60.1 mol%. Bifidobacterium moukalabense sp. nov. (type strain GG01T = JCM 18751T = DSM 27321T) is proposed.
Thermus caliditerrae sp. nov., a novel thermophilic species isolated from a geothermal area
Authors: Ming Hong , Yin Yi-Rui , Li Shuai , Nie Guo-Xing , Yu Tian-Tian , Zhou En-Min , Liu Lan , Dong Lei , Li Wen-Jun
Published: October 2013

Two thermophilic bacterial strains, designated YIM 77925T and YIM 77777, were isolated from two hot springs, one in the Hydrothermal Explosion (Shuirebaozhaqu) area and Frog Mouth Spring in Tengchong county, Yunnan province, south-western China. The taxonomic positions of the two isolates were investigated by a polyphasic approach. Cells of the two strains were Gram-stain-negative, aerobic and rod-shaped. They were able to grow at 50–70 °C, pH 6.0–8.0 and with a NaCl tolerance up to 0.5 % (w/v). Colonies are circular, convex, non-transparent and produce yellow pigment. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences comparison clearly demonstrated that strains YIM 77925T and YIM 77777 represent members of the genus

Thermus

, and they also detected low-level similarities of 16S rRNA gene sequences (below 97 %) compared with all other species in this genus. Their predominant menaquinone was MK-8. The genomic DNA G+C contents of strains YIM 77925T and YIM 77777 were 65.6 mol% and 67.2 mol%, respectively. Based on the results of physiological and biochemical tests and phylogenetic analyses, strains YIM 77925T and YIM 77777 could not be classified as representing any species of the genus

Thermus

with a validly published name. Thus the two strains are considered to represent a novel species of the genus

Thermus

, for which the name

Thermus

caliditerrae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM 77925T ( = DSM 25901T = CCTCC 2012061T).
Photobacterium aestuarii sp. nov., a marine bacterium isolated from a tidal flat
Authors: Lo Naysim , Jin Hyun Mi , Jeon Che Ok
Published: October 2013

A Gram-staining-negative, motile, weakly halophilic and facultatively aerobic bacterium, designated strain YA11T, was isolated from tidal flat sediment at Yeongam Bay, South Korea. Strain YA11T grew at 10–30 °C (optimum, 20 °C), at pH 6.0–10.0 (optimum, pH 6.5–7.5) and in the presence of 1–6 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 2–3 %). The major cellular fatty acids of the strain were summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c), summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c) and C16 : 0. The DNA G+C content of the genomic DNA was 44.2 mol%. Strain YA11T contained Q-8 as the sole respiratory quinone. A phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain YA11T formed a distinct phyletic lineage within the genus

Photobacterium

and the 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities between strain YA11T and the type strains of species of the genus

Photobacterium

ranged between 94.0 and 96.4 %. Based on the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular properties, strain YA11T represents a novel species of the genus

Photobacterium

, for which the name Photobacterium aestuarii sp. nov. is proposed, with strain YA11T( = KACC 16912T = JCM 18592T) as the type strain.
Variation in chromatin accessibility in human kidney cancer links H3K36 methyltransferase loss with widespread RNA processing defects
Authors: Simon Jeremy M. , Hacker Kathryn E. , Singh Darshan , Brannon A. Rose , Parker Joel S. , Weiser Matthew , Ho Thai H. , Kuan Pei-Fen , Jonasch Eric , Furey Terrence S. , Prins Jan F. , Lieb Jason D. , Rathmell W. Kimryn , Davis Ian J.
Published: October 2013

Comprehensive sequencing of human cancers has identified recurrent mutations in genes encoding chromatin regulatory proteins. For clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), three of the five commonly mutated genes encode the chromatin regulators PBRM1, SETD2, and BAP1. How these mutations alter the chromatin landscape and transcriptional program in ccRCC or other cancers is not understood. Here, we identified alterations in chromatin organization and transcript profiles associated with mutations in chromatin regulators in a large cohort of primary human kidney tumors. By associating variation in chromatin organization with mutations in SETD2, which encodes the enzyme responsible for H3K36 trimethylation, we found that changes in chromatin accessibility occurred primarily within actively transcribed genes. This increase in chromatin accessibility was linked with widespread alterations in RNA processing, including intron retention and aberrant splicing, affecting ∼25% of all expressed genes. Furthermore, decreased nucleosome occupancy proximal to misspliced exons was observed in tumors lacking H3K36me3. These results directly link mutations in SETD2 to chromatin accessibility changes and RNA processing defects in cancer. Detecting the functional consequences of specific mutations in chromatin regulatory proteins in primary human samples could ultimately inform the therapeutic application of an emerging class of chromatin-targeted compounds.
Molecular determinants of orexin receptor‐arrestin‐ubiquitin complex formation
Authors: Jaeger Werner C , Seeber Ruth M , Eidne Karin A , Pfleger Kevin D G
Published: October 2013

Background and Purpose

The orexin system regulates a multitude of key physiological processes, particularly involving maintenance of metabolic homeostasis. Consequently, there is considerable potential for pharmaceutical development for the treatment of disorders from narcolepsy to metabolic syndrome. It acts through the hormonal activity of two endogenous peptides, orexin A binding to orexin receptors 1 and 2 (OX1 and OX2) with similar affinity, and orexin B binding to OX2 with higher affinity than OX1 receptors. We have previously revealed data differentiating orexin receptor subtypes with respect to their relative stability in forming orexin receptor‐arrestin‐ubiquitin complexes measured by BRET. Recycling and cellular signalling distinctions were also observed. Here, we have investigated, using BRET, the molecular determinants involved in providing OX2 receptors with greater β‐arrestin‐ubiquitin complex stability.

Experimental Approach

The contribution of the C‐terminal tail of the OX receptors was investigated by bulk substitution and site‐specific mutagenesis using BRET and inositol phosphate assays.

Key Results

Replacement of the OX1 receptor C‐terminus with that of the OX2 receptor did not result in the expected gain of function, indicating a role for intracellular domain configuration in addition to primary structure. Furthermore, two out of the three putative serine/threonine clusters in the C‐terminus were found to be involved in OX2 receptor‐β‐arrestin‐ubiquitin complex formation.

Conclusions and Implications

This study provides fundamental insights into the molecular elements that influence receptor‐arrestin‐ubiquitin complex formation. Understanding how and why the orexin receptors can be functionally differentiated brings us closer to exploiting these receptors as drug targets.

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed section on Orexin Receptors. To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2014.171.issue‐2
A multicentre comparison of a fast track or conventional postoperative protocol following laparoscopic or open elective surgery for colorectal cancer surgery
Authors: Esteban F. , Cerdan F. J. , Garcia‐Alonso M. , Sanz‐Lopez R. , Arroyo A. , Ramirez J. M. , Moreno C. , Morales R. , Navarro A. , Fuentes M.
Published: October 2013

Aim

The introduction of multimodal or fast track (FT) rehabilitation and laparoscopy in colorectal surgery has improved patient recovery and shortened hospital stay (HS). This study aimed to determine the influence of laparoscopic or open surgery on the postoperative recovery of colorectal cancer patients having a conventional care (CC) or FT protocol in the postoperative period.

Method

A multicentre prospective study was controlled with a retrospective group. The prospective group included 300 patients having elective colorectal resection for cancer. The retrospective control group included 201 patients with the same characteristics who were treated before the introduction of the programme. The patients were divided into four groups including laparoscopy + FT, open surgery + FT, laparoscopy + CC, and open surgery + CC. The primary end‐points were HS and morbidity. Secondary end‐points included mortality and reoperation rates.

Results

The overall median HS was 7 days. The median HS for laparoscopy + FT was 5 days, open + FT 6 days, laparoscopy + CC 9 days and open + CC 10 days (P < 0.001). In the regression model the laparoscopy + FT group had the greatest reduction in HS (P < 0.001). A significant reduction in HS was observed in the laparoscopy + FT group compared with laparoscopy + CC (P < 0.001). The overall patient morbidity was 30.6%. The logistic regression model adjusted for propensity score showed no statistically significant differences between the study groups regarding all other end‐points.

Conclusion

Colorectal cancer patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery within a multimodal rehabilitation protocol experienced the shortest HS and the lowest morbidity.
Haemophilia Joint Health Score in healthy adults playing sports
Authors: Sluiter D. , Foppen W. , de Kleijn P. , Fischer K.
Published: October 2013

To evaluate outcome of prophylactic clotting factor replacement in children with haemophilia, the Haemophilia Joint Health Score (HJHS) was developed aiming at scoring early joint changes in children aged 4–18. The HJHS has been used for adults on long‐term prophylaxis but interpretation of small changes remains difficult. Some changes in these patients may be due to sports‐related injuries. Evaluation of HJHS score in healthy adults playing sports could improve the interpretation of this score in haemophilic patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the HJHS scores in a cohort of young, healthy men participating in sports. Concomitant with a project collecting MRI images of ankles and knees in normal young adults, HJHS scores were assessed in 30 healthy men aged 18–26, participating in sports one to three times per week. One physiotherapist assessed their clinical function using the HJHS 2.1. History of joint injuries was documented. MRI images were scored by a single radiologist, using the International Prophylaxis Study Group additive MRI score. Median age of the study group was 24.3 years (range 19.0–26.4) and median frequency of sports activities was three times per week (range 1–4). Six joints (five knees, one ankle) had a history of sports‐related injury. The median overall HJHS score was 0 out of 124 (range 0–3), with 60% of subjects showing no abnormalities on HJHS. All joints were normal on MRI. These results suggest that frequent sports participation and related injuries are not related with abnormalities in HJHS scores.
IMPLICIT CONTRACTS, LIFE CYCLE LABOR SUPPLY, AND INTERTEMPORAL SUBSTITUTION
Authors: HAM JOHN C. , REILLY KEVIN T.
Published: October 2013

The implicit contract model is a serious alternative to the spot market interpretation of the labor market. However, its usefulness has been limited because the wage is unobserved, and hence it has not been possible to estimate an intertemporal (Frisch) supply elasticity for the model using microdata. In this article, we show that one can estimate this elasticity from microdata within the context of the implicit contract model under relatively weak assumptions based on consumer theory. We implement our approach on two micro data sets and, for both, obtain a reasonably precise elasticity estimate of approximately 1.0.
THE WELFARE GAINS OF AGE‐RELATED OPTIMAL INCOME TAXATION
Authors: BASTANI SPENCER , BLOMQUIST SÖREN , MICHELETTO LUCA
Published: October 2013

Using an overlapping generations model with skill uncertainty and private savings, we quantify the gains of age‐dependent labor income taxation. The total steady‐state welfare gain of switching from age‐independent to age‐dependent nonlinear taxation varies between 2.4% and 4% of GDP. Part of the gain descends from relaxing incentive–compatibility constraints and part is due to capital‐accumulation effects. The welfare gain is of about the same magnitude as that which can be achieved by moving from linear to nonlinear income taxation. Finally, the welfare loss from tax‐exempting interest income is negligible under an optimal age‐dependent labor income tax.
ON THE SOURCES OF AGGREGATE FLUCTUATIONS IN EMERGING ECONOMIES
Authors: CHANG ROBERTO , FERNÁNDEZ ANDRÉS
Published: October 2013

Recent research on macroeconomic fluctuations in emerging economies has advocated introducing a stochastic productivity trend or allowing for interest rate shocks and financial frictions. We estimate a model that encompasses these two approaches, shedding light on their relative merits and on how financial frictions affect the transmission of shocks. The model accounts for aggregate fluctuations by assigning a dominant role to financial frictions in amplifying conventional (temporary) productivity shocks, whereas trend shocks play a minor role. A link between spreads and expected future productivity emerges as essential for a reasonable approximation to the data.
INFERENCE FOR DOMINANCE RELATIONS
Authors: BENNETT CHRISTOPHER J.
Published: October 2013

The use of partial orders has been popularized as a way to conduct social evaluations using only minimal normative assumptions. Generically, this process involves comparing continuously indexed curves that are uniquely determined by the cumulative distributions of the individual attributes under study. In the literature on income poverty and inequality, for example, pairwise comparisons of entire income distributions and their respective Lorenz curves are routinely performed in order to characterize rankings of poverty, inequality, and welfare. In this article, we focus on the inferential problem that arises whenever such comparisons are made in the absence of census data. Statistical inference in these situations is particularly complex due to the fact that comparing curves invariably gives rise to four possibilities: the true population curves are equal, the first curve lies below the second, the second lies below the first, or the curves cross. To address this four‐decision problem, we introduce a two‐stage test that has good power and fine control over misclassification error rates.
Interleukin‐17F single‐nucleotide polymorphism (7488T>C) and its association with susceptibility to leprosy
Authors: Chaitanya V. S. , Jadhav R. S. , Lavania M. , Singh M. , Valluri V. , Sengupta U.
Published: October 2013

The objective of this study was to investigate the association, if any, between the interleukin‐17F (7488T>C) (rs763780) polymorphism and susceptibility to leprosy and to elucidate the relationship between IL‐17F genotypes and clinical profile of the disease. DNA was extracted from the peripheral venous blood of leprosy cases (n = 140), which were classified as per WHO classification into paucibacillary (PB) (n = 53) and multibacillary (MB) (n = 87) categories and healthy controls (n = 84) without any signs and symptoms of leprosy. The IL‐17F (7488 T/C) polymorphism was genotyped using amplification refractory mutation system – polymerase chain reaction (Allele‐specific amplification). In both PB and MB categories of leprosy cases, the homozygous TT genotype frequency was significantly higher than that of the healthy controls (78.70% vs. 29.76%, P < 0.05). The heterozygous TC genotype was higher in the controls than in the leprosy cases (57.14% vs. 17.68%, P < 0.05). TT genotype was more associated with the type 1 reactional states and tuberculoid/borderline tuberculoid groups in leprosy than the TC genotype. This study reveals that the IL‐17F (7488T>C) single‐nucleotide polymorphism is associated with susceptibility to leprosy and polymorphism confers decrease in risk of contracting leprosy in the north Indian cohort.
Opposing effects of pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory cytokine gene polymorphisms on the risk for breast cancer in western Indian women: a pilot study
Authors: Joshi N. N. , Bhat S. , Hake S. , Kale M. , Kannan S.
Published: October 2013

In an earlier study, the genotypes associated with higher level of transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1) were found to reduce the risk for breast cancer in western Indian women. This observation implied that gene polymorphisms affecting the levels of pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory cytokines may influence the risk for breast cancer in this population. Hence, we performed genotyping for three more functional single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) responsible for variations in the levels of cytokines associated with inflammation. To that effect, polymorphisms in genes coding for IL‐4 (IL‐4 C‐590T; rs2243250), IFN‐γ (IFN‐G A + 874T; rs2430561) and MCP‐1 (MCP‐1 A‐2578G; rs1024611) were examined in premenopausal, healthy women (N = 239) and patients with breast cancer (N = 182) from western India. In carriers of the IL‐4*590T allele, a reduced risk for the disease (dominant model; OR = 0.61, 95% CI 0.37–0.98) was seen similar to that seen in TGF‐B1*10C carriers. An opposite trend was observed with respect to the alleles associated with higher expression of MCP‐1 or IFN‐γ. In individuals positive for three or more alleles associated with higher levels of either pro‐ or anti‐inflammatory cytokines, an additive effect on the modulation of risk for the disease was evident (for TGF‐B1 & IL‐4, OR = 0.33, 95% CI 0.12–0.87; for IFN‐G & MCP‐1, OR = 2.29, 95% CI 0.95–5.51). In the context of contrasting observations in other populations, these results indicate a significant contribution of anti‐inflammatory genotypes in the modulation of risk for breast cancer in western Indian women.
Immunodetection of a brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens Stål) salivary catalase‐like protein into tissues of rice, Oryza sativa
Authors: Petrova A. , Smith C. M.
Published: October 2013

Saliva plays an important role in host plant–phloem‐feeding insect molecular interactions. To better elucidate the role of insect saliva, a series of experiments were conducted to establish if catalase from the salivary glands of the brown planthopper (BPH; Nilaparvata lugens Stål) was secreted into rice host plant tissue during feeding. Catalase is the main enzyme that decomposes hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) at high concentrations. H2O2 is a part of the free radicals system that mediates important physiological roles including signalling and defence. Previous studies have suggested that H2O2 is involved in the rice endogenous response to BPH feeding. If, the BPH secretes catalase into host plant tissue this will counter the effects of H2O2, from detoxification to interfering with plant signalling and defence mechanisms. When BPHs were fed on a hopper‐resistant rice variety for 24 h, catalase activity in the salivary glands increased 3.5‐fold compared with hoppers fed on a susceptible rice variety. Further supporting evidence of the effects of BPH catalase was demonstrated by immunodetection analyses where results from two independent sources: BPH‐infested rice tissue and BPH‐probed artificial diets, suggest that the BPH secretes catalase‐like protein during feeding. The possible physiological roles of BPH‐secreted catalase are discussed.
Impact of a compulsory final year medical student curriculum on junior doctor prescribing
Authors: Thomas J. S. , Koo M. , Shakib S. , Wu J. , Khanal S.
Published: October 2013

Background

Attendance at face‐to‐face sessions and completion of online components of the National Prescribing Curriculum was made compulsory for final year medical students at the University of Adelaide in 2010.

Aims

To determine the impact of a compulsory prescribing curriculum for final year medical students on their prescribing competencies at the start of clinical practice. Graduates' attitudes to their medical school training in prescribing were also surveyed.

Methods

Two cohorts of medical graduates from the University of Adelaide who commenced medical practice in 2010 and 2011 were required to complete a prescribing task using the National Inpatient Medication Chart (NIMC) at orientation and after 6 months of clinical practice. The main outcome measure was a performance in a scenario‐based prescribing test, as determined by test scores and overall safety of prescriptions at orientation and 6 months of clinical practice.

Results

There was a small difference in the average total score for the prescribing task between the 2010 and 2011 cohorts at orientation (P = 0.0007). The 2011 cohort had a higher number of safer charts at commencement of practice. We found no difference between the 2010 and 2011 cohorts in attitudes towards their undergraduate pharmacology education, and new graduates feel poorly prepared.

Conclusion

Medical graduates who are required to complete a practically oriented prescribing curriculum in final year perform slightly better on a prescribing assessment at commencement of practice. More work on preparing graduates for this complex task before graduation is needed.
A challenge with Porphyromonas gingivalis differentially affects the osteoclastogenesis potential of periodontal ligament fibroblasts from periodontitis patients and non‐periodontitis donors
Authors: Sokos Dimitris , Scheres Nina , Schoenmaker Ton , Everts Vincent , de Vries Teun J.
Published: October 2013

Aim

Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) may cause an immune‐inflammatory response in host cells leading to bone degradation by osteoclasts. We investigated the osteoclast‐inducing capacity of periodontal ligament fibroblasts from periodontitis patients and non‐periodontitis donors after a challenge with viable Pg.

Materials and methods

PDLFs from periodontitis patients (n = 8) and non‐periodontitis donors (n = 7) were incubated for 6 h with or without viable Pg and subsequently co‐cultured with osteoclast precursors from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The number of multinucleated tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase‐positive cells was determined at 21 days. Expression of osteoclastogenesis‐associated genes was assessed after infection of PDLFs mono‐cultures and in PDLFs‐PBMCs co‐cultures. Resorption activity was analysed on bone slices.

Results

Pg induced the expression of osteoclastogenesis‐associated genes by PDLFs. After bacterial challenge the formation of osteoclast‐like cell was decreased in co‐cultures of PBMCs with non‐periodontitis PDLFs, but not with PDLFs from periodontitis patients.

Conclusion

PDLFs from sites free of periodontitis respond to an infection with Pg by tempering formation of osteoclast‐like cells, probably promoting clearance of the infection. PDLFs from periodontitis sites are desensitized to a Pg challenge in terms of their osteoclast‐inducing capacity.
A review of orchid pollination studies in China
Authors: TANG Guang‐Da , OU Jing‐Hui , LUO Yi‐Bo , ZHUANG Xue‐Ying , LIU Zhong‐Jian
Published: October 2013

Orchid pollination and evolution are common topics in evolutionary biology. China has approximately 1400 orchid species distributed in diverse habitats and account for approximately 5% of the orchid species in the world. These orchids provide us with materials to explore coevolution and organic evolution. We summarized 53 Chinese orchid pollination studies and synthesized their main findings and common patterns. Bees and flies are the main pollinators of Chinese orchids and drive the diversification of Paphiopedilum and Cypripedium. In addition, the patterns are consistent with phylogenetic evolution studies. Almost half of the Chinese orchids use a common food‐deceptive pollination strategy to transfer their pollens. Other orchids use Batesian mimicry, brood‐site imitation, and green‐leaf volatile imitation, which is rare. Holcoglossum amesianum (Rchb. f.) Christenson and Paphiopedilum parishii (Rchb. f.) Stein, which live in insect‐scarce habitats, use self‐pollination strategies to ensure their reproductive success. However, studies on pollination are in the early stages and comprehensive studies are scarce. Therefore, future studies should involve additional disciplines and techniques, such as chemecologic, electrophysiologic, genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic methods, to evaluate the floral features that attract specific pollinators and to elucidate the patterns of Chinese orchid pollination, evolutionary history, diversification, and speciation between orchids and their pollinators.
Prospective Trial of Sacral Neuromodulation for Refractory Overactive Bladder Syndrome in Korean Patients
Authors: MOON Kyung Hyun , HAN Ji‐Yeon , KIM Jang Hwan , LEE Ha Na , LEE Kyu‐Sung , LEE Jeong Gu , OH Seung‐June , YOON Ha Na , CHOO Myung‐Soo
Published: October 2013

Objectives

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of sacral neuromodulation for treating patients with refractory overactive bladder based on urodynamic data.

Methods

Patients older than 18 years of age, with overactive bladder symptoms refractory to conventional therapies were eligible. Patients with more than a 50% reduction in frequency, urgency, or urge incontinence symptoms during a 2‐week test stimulation period retained the sacral neuromodulation. Voiding diaries, overactive bladder questionnaires, and urodynamic studies were performed before and 1 year after sacral neuromodulation.

Results

Forty patients received sacral neuromodulation and 31 patients of those were followed more than 1 year. The mean age of the 31 patients was 54.2 ± 15.4 (range, 30–76) years, and the mean duration of symptoms was 4.4 ± 5.7 (range, 1–31) years. After 12 months of sacral neuromodulation, significant decreases in the episodes of daily urgency (from 20.2 to 5.7, P < 0.001), urgency incontinence (from 7.3 to 0.2; P = 0.011), day time micturition (from 21.8 to 9.9; P < 0.001), night time micturition (from 3.2 to 1.2; P = 0.006) and in severity of urgency episodes (from 3.8 to 2.7; P = 0.015) were observed compared to baseline. Significant increases occurred in bladder volume at the first unstable contraction (from 182.4 ± 92.7 to 216.8 ± 115.6 mL), bladder volume at first desire to void (from 150.5 ± 90.8 to 167.8 ± 81.5 mL), maximal cystometric capacity (from 260.7 ± 120.4 to 291.7 ± 124.3 mL) and bladder volume at urgency sensation (from 182.4 ± 92.7 to 208.2 ± 106.6 mL) (all P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Sacral neuromodulation is an effective and safe treatment for refractory overactive bladder.
Inter‐ and intra‐rater reproducibility of automated and integrated pressure‐flow analysis of esophageal pressure‐impedance recordings
Authors: Rohof W. O. , Myers J. C. , Estremera F. A. , Ferris L. S. , van de Pol J. , Boeckxstaens G. E. , Omari T. I.
Published: October 2013

Background

Automated impedance manometry pressure‐flow analysis (AIM analysis) determines pressure measurements relative to bolus flow and has to date shown subtle variations in esophageal motility in relation to dysphagia. In this study, we assessed intra‐ and inter‐rater reproducibility of AIM metrics derived using purpose designed software.

Methods

Fifty patients referred for evaluation of gastro‐esophageal reflux symptoms (33 men, age 52 ± 1.9 years) underwent combined high‐resolution impedance manometry and completed a dysphagia questionnaire. From 10 liquid and 10 viscous swallows, a subset of four swallows (two saline and two viscous) was systematically selected from each patient for manual and AIMplot analysis, which was performed twice by five observers (two experts, three non‐experts). Intra‐ and inter‐rater agreement were determined using intraclass correlation coefficients.

Key Results

AIMplot‐based analysis showed high intra‐rater and inter‐rater reproducibility for all metrics (mean ICCs of 0.95 and 0.94, respectively). Reproducibility of metrics derived for liquid and viscous did not differ (ICCs of 0.96 and 0.91 for liquid and viscous, respectively). In addition, metrics derived by experts had an equivalent level of reproducibility compared to non‐experts (ICCs of 0.96 and 0.94, respectively). Variables that could be derived with commercial software (ManoView™) correlated highly with variables from AIMplot‐based analysis, such as 4‐s integrated relaxation pressure (r = 0.85) and the 20‐mmHg isobaric contour defect (r = 0.92).

Conclusions & Inferences

Esophageal AIM analysis is highly reproducible, independent of an observer's level of experience in esophageal motility. Therefore, AIM analysis produces data that are reliable for clinical and research purposes.