bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Length Distribution of Ancestral Tracks under a General Admixture Model and Its Applications in Population History Inference
Authors: Ni Xumin , Yang Xiong , Guo Wei , Yuan Kai , Zhou Ying , Ma Zhiming , Xu Shuhua
Published: July 2015

As a chromosome is sliced into pieces by recombination after entering an admixed population, ancestral tracks of chromosomes are shortened with the pasting of generations. The length distribution of ancestral tracks reflects information of recombination and thus can be used to infer the histories of admixed populations. Previous studies have shown that inference based on ancestral tracks is powerful in recovering the histories of admixed populations. However, population histories are always complex, and previous studies only deduced the length distribution of ancestral tracks under very simple admixture models. The deduction of length distribution of ancestral tracks under a more general model will greatly elevate the power in inferring population histories. Here we first deduced the length distribution of ancestral tracks under a general model in an admixed population, and proposed general principles in parameter estimation and model selection with the length distribution. Next, we focused on studying the length distribution of ancestral tracks and its applications under three typical admixture models, which were all special cases of our general model. Extensive simulations showed that the length distribution of ancestral tracks was well predicted by our theoretical models. We further developed a new method based on the length distribution of ancestral tracks and good performance was observed when it was applied in inferring population histories under the three typical models. Notably, our method was insensitive to demographic history, sample size and threshold to discard short tracks. Finally, we applied our method in African Americans and Mexicans from the HapMap dataset, and several South Asian populations from the Human Genome Diversity Project dataset. The results showed that the histories of African Americans and Mexicans matched the historical records well, and the population admixture history of South Asians was very complex and could be traced back to around 100 generations ago.
Electric power market reform in Japan after Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant disaster
Authors: Goto Mika , Sueyoshi Toshiyuki
Published: July 2015

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to review the current status and related issues on the market reform of Japanese electric power industry after Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant disaster. We also discuss the future policy direction for the market reform.

Design/methodology/approach

This research compares the reform process of Japanese electric power industry with that of European Union (EU) nations. Then, this study discusses policy issues on the Japanese market reform based upon our comparative analysis.

Findings

Japan may learn many things from the market liberalization process and institution of EU nations. In the learning process, it is necessary to pay attention to industrial differences between Japan and the EU nations. Each country has its own unique features on fuel mix, business environment as well as supply and demand relationship. Such differences may influence a desirable policy direction for each nation’s market reform. The international comparison discussed in this study indicates the importance of a step-by-step approach in which Japan can gradually incorporate European experiences into the Japanese market reform.

Research limitations/implications

Since this study focuses upon the Japanese market reform, the empirical findings may have limited policy implications. The implications obtained from Japanese experience need additional thought in shifting them to other nations. Such an extension will be an important future task of this study.

Originality/value

This study discusses the current policy issues and future direction on the Japanese electricity market reform. This study also suggests its future direction. Previous research has never discussed the Japanese experience. Policy makers, corporate leaders, and individuals in the world, who are involved in the energy industry, have been paying attention to the Japanese future energy direction after Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant disaster. This study provides such a future energy direction on Japanese market reform from European experience.
Fresh driver for economic growth: fracking the UK nation
Authors: Ochieng Edward G. , Price Andrew D.F. , Egbu Charles O. , Ruan Ximing , Zuofa Tarila
Published: July 2015

Purpose

The purpose of this paper was to examine UK shale gas viability. The recent commitment to shale gas exploration in the UK through fracking has given rise to well-publicised economic benefits and environmental concerns. There is potential for shale gas exploration in different parts of the UK over the next couple of decades. As argued in this study, if it does, it would transform the energy market and provide long-term energy security at affordable cost.

Design/methodology/approach

Interviews with senior practitioners and local communities were recorded, transcribed and entered into qualitative research software Nvivo. Validity and reliability were achieved by first assessing the plausibility in terms of already existing knowledge on some of the economic and environmental issues raised by participants.

Findings

Findings from this study suggest that environmental, health and safety risks can be managed effectively provided operational best practices are implemented and monitored by the Health and Safety Executive; Department of Energy, Climate Change; and the Mineral Planning Authorities. Participants further suggested that the integration of shale gas technology will protect consumers against rising energy prices and ensure that government does not get exposed to long-term geopolitical risks.

Practical implications

The present study corroborates the position that environmental, health and safety risks can be managed effectively provided operational best practices are implemented and monitored by the Health and Safety Executive; Department of Energy, Climate Change; and the Mineral Planning Authorities.

Social implications

The present study confirms that the government is committed to ensuring that the nation maximises the opportunity that cost-effective shale gas technology presents, not just investment, cheap energy bills and jobs but providing an energy mix that will underpin the UK long-term economic prosperity.

Originality/value

The present study corroborates the position that environmental, health and safety risks can be managed effectively provided operational best practices are implemented and monitored by the Health and Safety Executive; Department of Energy, Climate Change; and the Mineral Planning Authorities. As shown in this study, the UK has a very strong regulatory regime compared to USA; therefore, environmental, health and safety risks will be very well managed and unlikely to escalate into the crisis being envisioned.
User involvement in assisted reproductive technologies: England and Portugal
Authors: Samorinha Catarina , Lichon Mateusz , Silva Susana , Dent Mike
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to compare user involvement in the case of assisted reproductive technologies in England and Portugal through the concepts of voice, choice and co-production, assessing the implications for user empowerment.

Design/methodology/approach

– This qualitative study draws primarily on policy review and uses exploratory semi-structured interviews with key informants as a way of illustrating points. Data on the following themes was compared: voice (users’ representativeness on licensing bodies and channels of communication between users and doctors); choice (funding and accessibility criteria; choice of fertility centres, doctors and level of care); and co-production (criteria through which users actively engage with health professionals in planning the treatment).

Findings

– Inter- and intra-healthcare systems variations between the two countries on choice and co-production were identified. Differences between funding and accessibility, regions, public and private sectors and attitudes towards doctor-patient relationship (paternalistic/partnership) were the key issues. Although consumer choice and indicators of co-production are evident in treatment pathways in both countries, user empowerment is not. This is limited by inequalities in accessibility criteria, dependence on doctors’ individual perspectives and lack of genuine and formal hearing of citizens’ voice.

Originality/value

– Enhancing users’ involvement claims for individual and organizational cultures reflecting user-centred values. Effective ways to incorporate users’ knowledge in shared decision making and co-design are needed to empower patients and to improve the delivery of care.
Customer heterogenity in the development of e-loyalty
Authors: Chocarro Raquel , Cortiñas Monica , Villanueva Maria Luisa
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to identify customer-specific differences in a general model of e-loyalty taking into account the existence of unobserved heterogeneity. Specifically, this paper aims to test for the presence of customer heterogeneity; assess the impact of potential bias when there is no control for heterogeneity; analyse the distinct customer segments that emerge from the empirical estimation of the model; and describe the segments by their demographic and psychological characteristics.

Design/methodology/approach

– Panel data from a survey of online shoppers are used in a post hoc segmentation method, which will enable us to identify segments, while estimating the parameters by means of structural equation models.

Findings

– Three distinct consumer segments emerge. The relative importance of e-loyalty and e-satisfaction is significantly determined by consumers’ shopping styles.

Originality/value

– This study highlights the need to consider unobserved customer heterogeneity when attempting to explain satisfaction and loyalty development processes in the retail context in general and e-commerce in particular. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first time this approach has been used to analyse the impact of customer heterogeneity on e-satisfaction and e-loyalty.
Endangers culture heritage
Authors: Hussein Moustafa Laila
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present the results of a survey sent to librarians and archivists in national and academic libraries in the Middle East and North Africa and the results of eight in-person interviews about the status and content of wartime disaster management plans in their institutions. Based on the research and analysis it presents, the paper concludes that the majority of the region’s libraries and archives either lack or have insufficient plans in place and stresses the need to establish and implement protocols for the protection and preservation of their priceless holdings. In addition to analysis the paper offers some recommendations for overcoming the impact of future disasters on the holdings of these libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

– The research is based on survey and interviews that was done with librarians, archives, managers from the Middle East.

Findings

– The paper presented the result of trying to find if libraries, and archives has disaster planning or no. Most of the libraries do not have a disaster plan and maybe do not even know what it means.

Research limitations/implications

– The research is covering some of the libraries in the Middle East and it was meant to be send to every library and archive but at least to the national libraries of each country in the Middle East.

Social implications

– Disaster planning is very needed to protect any people culture heritage and not having one in spite all the wars and damaged of libraries is something the author’s research addressed.

Originality/value

– No one has written about this topic, and the author’s first paper was the scan of literature review of all what was written about disaster planning in a time of war. As a result of not finding anyone who wrote about that topic, the author decided to conduct the survey and the interview to find out if there is a plan or no. The author’s work is original and very important to help in preserving the world heritage in the Middle East.
Knowledge transferred through organizational stories: a typology
Authors: Colon-Aguirre Monica
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to look at organizational stories shared among academic librarians who work at the reference desk, and create a typology of the stories based on the knowledge transferred in these. Previous research suggests that stories are the main way in which organizations communicate common values, organizational rules and promote organizational learning. The main question researched here will be: what kind of knowledge is transferred through the stories shared among librarians? This is an important consideration since the meaning carried through the story can shape the employee’s perception of the organization.

Design/methodology/approach

– This research employed long interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire based on the works of Yiannis Gabriel (2000) as a guide. A total of 20 reference librarians working at four different academic institutions in the southern USA participated in this study.

Findings

– The analysis of the data reveals a typology of organizational stories shared. The main topics covered by the stories all deal with cultural knowledge exchanges, while also serve as coping mechanisms and present important organizational culture aspects. The stories shared also reflect negative aspects related to the lack of proper communication within the organizations, with the presence of rumors among the narratives shared.

Originality/value

– These findings can serve as a first step for the development of healthier organizational cultures in libraries and may have implications for training and development, change management, motivation and collective memory.
Succession planning process that includes visible minority librarians
Authors: Kumaran Maha
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to stress the importance of including visible minority librarians in the process of succession planning in academic libraries. In Canada visible minorities is the accepted term used for librarians of color. This paper identifies the challenges faced by these librarians in putting their names forward for administrative/leadership positions and proposes ideas on how to include these librarians in the succession planning processes so the leadership/administrative pool can also reflect the multicultural student demographics.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper is an extensive study of the literature on succession planning and visible minority or ethnic librarians in the academic libraries. Literature shows that the senior administration of academic libraries does not reflect the population demographic it serves.

Findings

– This paper shows that visible minority librarians are not proactively found, recruited, retained. They are certainly not being included in succession planning processes. It suggests that academic libraries follow certain processes and strategies to include these librarians in their succession planning.

Research limitations/implications

– The paper focusses widely on North American visible minorities, but this information is applicable to any community with visible minorities.

Practical implications

– Libraries can start thinking about creating strategies for including visible minority libraries in their succession planning processes.

Originality/value

– This paper addresses a gap in the literature. Literature review showed that there are no papers that speak to the importance of including minority librarians in the succession planning processes.
The experience of compulsory treatment: the implications for recovery-orientated practice?
Authors: Ford Skye-Blue , Bowyer Terry , Morgan Phil
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper to contribute to discussions on improvements to acute mental health services by increasing the awareness of the experience of being compulsorily detained.

Design/methodology/approach

– A thematic analysis of a literature review was undertaken, exploring patients’ experiences of compulsory detention, and is presented here alongside a lived-experience commentary. This leads into a discussion of the implications for practice.

Findings

– There are three key themes identified: people’s views on the justification of their compulsory detention; the power imbalance between patients and staff; and the lack of information or choice. The lived-experience commentary adds weight to these findings by citing personal examples and making suggestions for improving services. The discussion centres on the potential of co-production between people who access services, their supporters, and professionals to improve treatment for people who may need compulsory detention. The paper also raises questions on whether current legislation and service provision can effectively deliver recovery-orientated practice.

Originality/value

– Through bringing together research evidence and personal perspectives this paper contributes to the discussion on how services for people in crisis can be improved and raises important questions about current service provision and the legislation that underpins it.
Case of pemphigus with immunoglobulin G and A antibodies, binding to both the intercellular spaces and basement membrane zone
Authors: Hosoda Satomi , Adachi Akimasa , Suzuki Masayuki , Yamada Tomoko , Komine Mayumi , Murata Satoru , Ohtsuki Mamitaro
Published: July 2015

We report a case involving a 62‐year‐old woman with in vivo‐bound immunoglobulin (Ig)G and IgA antibodies in both the intercellular space (ICS) and basement membrane zone (BMZ). Her clinical and histopathological features were identical with those of pemphigus vulgaris, while the immunopathological findings suggested IgG/IgA pemphigus. Direct immunofluorescence (IF) showed in vivo‐bound IgG and IgA antibodies in the ICS and BMZ, whereas indirect IF showed circulating IgG but not IgA antibodies in the ICS and BMZ. The anti‐ICS IgG bound to desmoglein‐3, while the anti‐BMZ antibodies bound to the epidermal side of 1 mol/L NaCl‐split skin. To the best of our knowledge, only two similar cases have been reported so far. Furthermore, we also examined IgG subclass distribution of the in vivo‐bound and circulating anti‐ICS and BMZ antibodies, and found that IgG1, IgG2 and IgG4 bound to ICS of the lesional skins, while IgG1 and IgG3 bound to the BMZ. The circulating anti‐ICS antibodies belonged to IgG1 and IgG4, while the circulating anti‐BMZ antibodies to IgG1, IgG2 and IgG4.

We report a case involving a 62‐year‐old woman with in vivo‐bound immunoglobulin (Ig)G and IgA antibodies in both the intercellular space (ICS) and basement membrane zone (BMZ). Her clinical and histopathological features were identical with those of pemphigus vulgaris, while the immunopathological findings suggested IgG/IgA pemphigus. Direct immunofluorescence (IF) showed in vivo‐bound IgG and IgA antibodies in the ICS and BMZ, whereas indirect IF showed circulating IgG but not IgA antibodies in the ICS and BMZ. The anti‐ICS IgG bound to desmoglein‐3, while the anti‐BMZ antibodies bound to the epidermal side of 1 mol/L NaCl‐split skin. To the best of our knowledge, only two similar cases have been reported so far. Furthermore, we also examined IgG subclass distribution of the in vivo‐bound and circulating anti‐ICS and BMZ antibodies, and found that IgG1, IgG2 and IgG4 bound to ICS of the lesional skins, while IgG1 and IgG3 bound to the BMZ. The circulating anti‐ICS antibodies belonged to IgG1 and IgG4, while the circulating anti‐BMZ antibodies to IgG1, IgG2 and IgG4.
Quantifying network resilience: comparison before and after a major perturbation shows strengths and limitations of network metrics
Authors: Moore Christine , Grewar John , Cumming Graeme S.
Published: July 2015

The resilience literature often assumes that social–ecological reorganization will result in either the removal of deficient system elements (components, interactions) or social learning. Major perturbations are expected to lead to either adaptation or, if accompanied by a regime shift, transformation. This has led to a conflation of the concepts of resilience and adaptation, which has in turn made it difficult to quantitatively distinguish between cases in which a system returned to a previous state, and adaptation or learning occurred, and cases in which the system was resilient but adaptation or learning did not occur.

We used a network analysis of nine years of ostrich movement data to explore the social–ecological resilience of the Western Cape ostrich industry, which nearly collapsed following an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in 2011 and has gradually rebuilt.

The system that emerged following the outbreak contained fewer farms but was more connected than at any period prior to the outbreak. As system reorganization proceeded, network traits began to fluctuate seasonally and to approach values similar to those observed prior to the outbreak. It was estimated that it would take 4–5 full seasonal cycles for the system to return to a similar state to that prior to the disease outbreak. In other words, although the system reorganized following the system collapse, it remained within the same regime and showed no obvious evidence of adaptation or learning.

Policy implications. The majority of previous work on studying system response to disturbance has focused on outcome‐based adaptation and learning. This study highlights the need to understand systems that respond to disturbance without learning or adaptation. Network analysis offers a useful quantitative tool for exploring social–ecological resilience and tracking changes in vulnerability. However, the development of better ways of incorporating additional data from multiple scales into network analysis remains an important priority for improving the predictive power and policy relevance of network approaches to analysing resilience.
The ecology and economics of shorebird conservation in a tropical human‐modified landscape
Authors: Green Jonathan M. H. , Sripanomyom Siriya , Giam Xingli , Wilcove David S.
Published: July 2015

Rapid and extensive land‐use change in intertidal foraging habitat and coastal roosting habitat is thought to be driving major population declines of shorebirds migrating through the East Asian–Australasian Flyway. Along the Inner Gulf of Thailand, a critical stopover and wintering ground for these birds, artificial wetlands (salt pans and aquaculture ponds) have replaced much of the natural coastal ecosystem.

We conducted a two‐part study to (i) assess the importance of salt pans and semi‐traditional aquaculture ponds to shorebirds and (ii) understand the economic forces that drive land‐use change in this region by interviewing salt pan and aquaculture operators.

Salt pans provide important roost habitat, particularly for shorter‐legged birds, which are less able to utilize aquaculture ponds due to their greater depth. Moreover, three focal shorebird species foraged extensively in salt pans and semi‐traditional aquaculture ponds, even when intertidal mudflats were exposed, suggesting that artificial wetlands could buffer against the impacts of degraded intertidal foraging areas for some shorebird species.

Economic profits from salt production and semi‐traditional aquaculture are similar. Risks to investment and per capita profitability are key factors in determining whether to convert land from one use (e.g. salt pan) to the other (aquaculture).

Synthesis and applications. Salt pans provide an important resource to migrating shorebirds. As development pressures increase, operators may need financial incentives if salt pans are to be maintained over large areas. Although semi‐traditional aquaculture is used less by shorebirds, drained ponds provide opportunities to roost and forage. Semi‐traditional aquaculture operators should drain their ponds regularly to provide supplementary habitat for shorebirds. Use of nets and pond liners should be discouraged in both systems. Optimizing aquaculture pond and salt pan management for shorebirds could provide a more pragmatic, cost‐effective and geographically extensive solution to conserving these birds than protected areas alone.
The impact of latent risk preferences on valuing the preservation of threatened lynx populations in Poland
Authors: Bartczak Anna , Mariel Petr , Chilton Susan , Meyerhoff Jürgen
Published: July 2015

A recent innovation in stated preference environmental valuation surveys is to acknowledge uncertainty associated with scientific predictions about ecological outcomes, complexity of management actions and potential difficulties in implementing environmental programs. Still little is known about how individuals assimilate and respond to outcome uncertainty, particularly in terms of how it affects their stated valuations. In this paper, we focus on the impact of individual risk preferences on willingness to pay for conservation of threatened species. Risk preferences are elicited through a standard incentivised multiple price list and preferences for the conservation of the two main lynx populations in Poland through a discrete choice experiment. To account for the uncertainty associated with imprecise scientific knowledge about environmental outcome, attributes in the choice experiment are presented as conservation status in terms of descriptive, non‐numerical categories. The results from the multiple price list and the choice experiment are jointly analysed in a latent variable model by assuming that the responses to both are driven by the same preferences. We find that the latent risk preferences are linked to choices of the status quo option, which is the riskiest option in terms of the survival of the endangered lynx populations.
Assessing Recovery from the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami: An Application of Night‐time Light Data and Vegetation Index
Authors: ANDERSSON MAGNUS , HALL OLA , ARCHILA BUSTOS MARIA FRANCISCA
Published: July 2015

It has been 10 years since the Indian Ocean Tsunami caused serious damage to the coastal areas in South and Southeast Asia. The effects on vegetation and human settlements in the affected areas were enormous. This study presents the results of an analysis estimating the long‐term recovery using two longitudinal remotely sensed dataset: 1. Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer enhanced vegetation index (MODIS EVI), a dataset accounting for change in the landscape and vegetation; and 2. Defense Meteorological Satellite Program‐Optical Line Scanner (DMSP‐OLS) night‐time light data in order to estimate the effects on human and economic activities. It is evident from the results of this study that the night‐time light and vegetation index datasets can both be beneficial in identifying changes caused by natural disasters and can be used to track recovery. The results using night‐time light indicates a large loss of lighted area but also a rapid recovery of night‐time light after the tsunami. Already in year 2005–2006, the levels of lighted area and sum of the lighting (SOL) intensity reached the same levels as pre‐tsunami. For MODIS vegetation index, a drop can be observed in 2005/2006 on locations close to the coastline using 1 year temporal resolution; however, when utilizing the 16 day temporal resolution, the impact of the tsunami is illustrated as a dramatic drop, mostly in pixels located within 3km from the coast. Following the drop in vegetation index due to the tsunami, it was observed that most pixels exhibited at least some level of recovery in 2 years after the event.
Revised descriptions of the larvae and pupae of the subgenera Gomphostilbia and Nevermannia (Diptera: Simuliidae) in Korea
Authors: Kim Sam‐Kyu
Published: July 2015

Two species of Simulium (Gomphostilbia) and five species of Simulium (Nevermannia) in Korea are taxonomically reviewed. Detailed descriptions of immature stages of included species are supplemented with high resolution photographs. The larvae and pupae of Korean members of subgenus Gomphostilbia are easily recognized by the presence of prominent ventral tubercles and black spinous setae on abdomen and thorax in larva. Presence of prominent ventral tubercles on larval abdomen can also be used as a diagnostic character for members of subgenus Nevermannia but they are lacking black spinous setae on abdomen and thorax. Keys to larvae and pupae of Korean species of subgenera Gomphostilbia and Nevermannia are provided. Simulium (Gomphostilbia) omutaense is removed from the list of black flies known from Korea, and the status of Simulium sp. J‐12 of Bentinck is discussed.
Estimated density of four carabid beetle species in Mongolian oak and Korean red pine forest ecosystems on Baekdudaegan mountain range (Mt. Oade and Mt. Guryong) of South Korea
Authors: Kim Do Sung , Kim Jung Lark , Park Seong‐Joon , Kim Jinhong , Sung Jieun , Nam Jongwoo , Park Doo‐Sang , Kim Taik ho , Jin Sung Ju , Yi Hoonbok
Published: July 2015

The estimation of animal population size is a primary field of interest for wildlife biologists, and such numerical estimation of wild animals is a very important factor in establishing national policy towards nature. Therefore, we performed this study to estimate the population density of carabid beetles preying on soil biota at the Mongolian oak (Quercus mongolica) forests and Korean red pine (Pinus densiflora) forests of two mountains, Mt. Odae and Mt. Guryong. We used the trapping web method with pitfall traps to collect the beetles. We calculated the estimated density of a total of four carabid beetle species in two specific regions and converted them to an estimated beetle population size within a certain area by using the study area. From our estimates, one beetle species, Leptocarabus seishinensis seishinensis L., displayed statistically significant results. Although there was no appreciable difference in the makeup of different carabid beetle species between the two forest communities, the population size of the beetle species was larger in Mongolian oak forests than in Korean red pine forests. The spatial distribution of carabid beetles by forest type did not show any preference for particular spots. Our results showed that carabid beetles did not have specific home ranges and that they were not density dependent. We expect to use the raw data to recognize the response of soil organisms to changes in the habitat environment and to track the patterns of change more accurately over long passages of time.
Crunchiness Loss and Moisture Toughening in Puffed Cereals and Snacks
Authors: Peleg Micha
Published: July 2015

Upon moisture uptake, dry cellular cereals and snacks loose their brittleness and become soggy. This familiar phenomenon is manifested in smoothing their compressive force–displacement curves. These curves’ degree of jaggedness, expressed by their apparent fractal dimension, can serve as an instrumental measure of the particles’ crunchiness. The relationship between the apparent fractal dimension and moisture content or water activity has a characteristic sigmoid shape. The relationship between the sensorily perceived crunchiness and moisture also has a sigmoid shape whose inflection point lies at about the same location. The transition between the brittle and soggy states, however, appears sharper in the apparent fractal dimension compared with moisture plot. Less familiar is the observation that at moderate levels of moisture content, while the particles’ crunchiness is being lost, their stiffness actually rises, a phenomenon that can be dubbed “moisture toughening.” We show this phenomenon in commercial Peanut Butter Crunch® (sweet starch‐based cereal), Cheese Balls (salty starch‐based snack), and Pork Rind also known as “Chicharon” (salty deep‐fried pork skin), 3 crunchy foods that have very different chemical composition. We also show that in the first 2 foods, moisture toughening was perceived sensorily as increased “hardness.” We have concluded that the partial plasticization, which caused the brittleness loss, also inhibited failure propagation, which allowed the solid matrix to sustain higher stresses. This can explain other published reports of the phenomenon in different foods and model systems.
The acid adaptive tolerance response in Campylobacter jejuni induces a global response, as suggested by proteomics and microarrays
Authors: Varsaki Athanasia , Murphy Caroline , Barczynska Alicja , Jordan Kieran , Carroll Cyril
Published: July 2015

Campylobacter jejuni CI 120 is a natural isolate obtained during poultry processing and has the ability to induce an acid tolerance response (ATR) to acid + aerobic conditions in early stationary phase. Other strains tested they did not induce an ATR or they induced it in exponential phase. Campylobacter spp. do not contain the genes that encode the global stationary phase stress response mechanism. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify genes that are involved in the C. jejuni CI 120 early stationary phase ATR, as it seems to be expressing a novel mechanism of stress tolerance. Two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis was used to examine the expression profile of cytosolic proteins during the C. jejuni CI 120 adaptation to acid + aerobic stress and microarrays to determine the genes that participate in the ATR. The results indicate induction of a global response that activated a number of stress responses, including several genes encoding surface components and genes involved with iron uptake. The findings of this study provide new insights into stress tolerance of C. jejuni, contribute to a better knowledge of the physiology of this bacterium and highlight the diversity among different strains.
Effect of TAK‐085 on Low‐density Lipoprotein Particle Size in Patients with Hypertriglyceridemia: A Double‐blind Randomized Clinical Study
Authors: Tatsuno Ichiro , Kudou Kentarou , Kagawa Tomoya
Published: July 2015

Background

Low‐density lipoproteins (LDLs) comprise a heterogeneous group of particles with various size and density. A shift to larger LDL particle size is mainly the result of a decrease in small dense LDL (sd‐LDL) levels and an increase in large buoyant LDL (lb‐LDL) levels.

Methods

In a randomized, double‐blind study of TAK‐085 (containing docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic acid‐ethyl esters [EPA‐E]) and an EPA‐E product in Japanese patients with hypertriglyceridemia, exploratory evaluations of the effects of the LDL particle size were performed on the basis of LDL‐cholesterol/apolipoprotein B ratios and LDL subfractions, which were analyzed with a polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis system.

Results

Patients were randomized to 12‐week treatment with TAK‐085 4 g/day (N = 210), TAK‐085 2 g/day (N = 205), or EPA‐E 1.8 g/day (N = 195). Treatment with TAK‐085 4 g/day, TAK‐085 2 g/day, and EPA‐E 1.8 g/day caused an increase in the LDL cholesterol/apolipoprotein B ratios (3.99%, 3.35%, and 0.66%, respectively), the mean diameter of LDL particles (1.12%, 0.84%, and 0.67%, respectively), and the level of lb‐LDL at the end of the study (16.37%, 9.51%, and 7.31%, respectively). The increases in the LDL cholesterol/apolipoprotein B ratios and the mean diameter of LDL particles from baseline to the end of the study were greater with TAK‐085 4 g/day than EPA‐E 1.8 g/day. TAK‐085 4 g/day and TAK‐085 2 g/day caused a decrease in the sd‐LDL levels (−16.21% and −6.96%, respectively).

Conclusion

TAK‐085 produced a favorable shift in the LDL particle size in Japanese patients with hypertriglyceridemia. JAPIC Clinical Trials Information: Japic CTI‐090937.
Suppression of IGF‐I signals in neural stem cells enhances neurogenesis and olfactory function during aging
Authors: Chaker Zayna , Aïd Saba , Berry Hugues , Holzenberger Martin
Published: July 2015

Downregulation of insulin‐like growth factor (IGF) pathways prolongs lifespan in various species, including mammals. Still, the cellular mechanisms by which IGF signaling controls the aging trajectory of individual organs are largely unknown. Here, we asked whether suppression of IGF‐I receptor (IGF‐1R) in adult stem cells preserves long‐term cell replacement, and whether this may prevent age‐related functional decline in a regenerating tissue. Using neurogenesis as a paradigm, we showed that conditional knockout of IGF‐1R specifically in adult neural stem cells (NSC) maintained youthful characteristics of olfactory bulb neurogenesis within an aging brain. We found that blocking IGF‐I signaling in neural precursors increased cumulative neuroblast production and enhanced neuronal integration into the olfactory bulb. This in turn resulted in neuro‐anatomical changes that improved olfactory function. Interestingly, mutants also displayed long‐term alterations in energy metabolism, possibly related to IGF‐1R deletion in NSCs throughout lifespan. We explored Akt and ERK signaling cascades and revealed differential regulation downstream of IGF‐1R, with Akt phosphorylation preferentially decreased in IGF‐1R−/− NSCs within the niche, and ERK pathway downregulated in differentiated neurons of the OB. These challenging experimental results were sustained by data from mathematical modeling, predicting that diminished stimulation of growth is indeed optimal for tissue aging. Thus, inhibiting growth and longevity gene IGF‐1R in adult NSCs induced a gain‐of‐function phenotype during aging, marked by optimized management of cell renewal, and enhanced olfactory sensory function.
A roadmap for the genetic analysis of renal aging
Authors: Noordmans Gerda A. , Hillebrands Jan‐Luuk , van Goor Harry , Korstanje Ron
Published: July 2015

Several studies show evidence for the genetic basis of renal disease, which renders some individuals more prone than others to accelerated renal aging. Studying the genetics of renal aging can help us to identify genes involved in this process and to unravel the underlying pathways. First, this opinion article will give an overview of the phenotypes that can be observed in age‐related kidney disease. Accurate phenotyping is essential in performing genetic analysis. For kidney aging, this could include both functional and structural changes. Subsequently, this article reviews the studies that report on candidate genes associated with renal aging in humans and mice. Several loci or candidate genes have been found associated with kidney disease, but identification of the specific genetic variants involved has proven to be difficult. CUBN, UMOD, and SHROOM3 were identified by human GWAS as being associated with albuminuria, kidney function, and chronic kidney disease (CKD). These are promising examples of genes that could be involved in renal aging, and were further mechanistically evaluated in animal models. Eventually, we will provide approaches for performing genetic analysis. We should leverage the power of mouse models, as testing in humans is limited. Mouse and other animal models can be used to explain the underlying biological mechanisms of genes and loci identified by human GWAS. Furthermore, mouse models can be used to identify genetic variants associated with age‐associated histological changes, of which Far2, Wisp2, and Esrrg are examples. A new outbred mouse population with high genetic diversity will facilitate the identification of genes associated with renal aging by enabling high‐resolution genetic mapping while also allowing the control of environmental factors, and by enabling access to renal tissues at specific time points for histology, proteomics, and gene expression.
Australian oral health case notes: assessment of forensic relevance and adherence to recording guidelines
Authors: Stow L , James H , Richards L
Published: July 2015

Background

Dental case notes record clinical diagnoses and treatments, as well as providing continuity of patient care. They are also used for dento‐legal litigation and forensic purposes. Maintaining accurate and comprehensive dental patient records is a dental worker's ethical and legal obligation.

Methods

Australian registered specialist forensic odontologists were surveyed to determine the relevance of recorded case note items for dental identification. A dental case notes sample was assessed for adherence with odontologist nominated forensic value and compiled professional record keeping guidelines of forensic relevance. Frequency of item recording, confidence interval, examiner agreement and statistical significance were determined.

Results

Broad agreement existed between forensic odontologists as to which recorded dental items have most forensic relevance. Inclusion frequency of these items in sampled case notes varied widely (e.g. single area radiographic view present in 75%, CI = 65.65–82.50; completed odontogram in 56%, CI = 46.23–65.33). Recording of information specified by professional record keeping guidelines also varied, although overall inclusion was higher than for forensically desired items (e.g. patient's full name in 99%, CI = 94.01 – >99.99; named treating practitioner in 23%, CI = 15.78–32.31).

Conclusions

Many sampled dental case notes lacked details identified as being valuable by forensic specialists and as specified by professional record keeping guidelines.
Placental Regulation of Inflammation and Hypoxia after TNF‐α Infusion in Mice
Authors: Bobek Gabriele , Surmon Laura , Mirabito Katrina M. , Makris Angela , Hennessy Annemarie
Published: July 2015

Problem

Increased levels of inflammatory cytokines are demonstrated in the serum of women with pre‐eclampsia. TNF‐α infusion in animal models induces proteinuric hypertension similar to human pre‐eclampsia. The effect of TNF‐α on regulation of the immune and hypoxic pathways in the developing placenta and their relationship with experimental pre‐eclampsia remains unexamined.

Method of Study

TNF‐α was infused into pregnant mice, and the effects on maternal hypertension, proteinuria, circulating levels of sFlt‐1 and corresponding placental changes in molecules responding to inflammation (TLR‐3 and TLR‐4) and hypoxia (HIF‐1α) were examined.

Results

TNF‐α infusion resulted in maternal hypertension and proteinuria. Molecular changes in the placenta involved upregulation of TLR‐3, TLR‐4 and HIF‐1α. Serum levels of sFlt‐1 were high in pregnant animals, but not further upregulated by TNF‐α infusion.

Conclusion

A role for maladaptive regulation of TLR and HIF‐1α induced by an imbalance in inflammatory cytokines is implicated in the pathogenesis of pre‐eclampsia.
Guideline‐based development of quality indicators for prevention and management of postpartum hemorrhage
Authors: Woiski Mallory D. , Scheepers Hubertina C. , Liefers Janine , Lance Marcus , Middeldorp Johanna M. , Lotgering Fred K. , Grol Richard P. , Hermens Rosella P.
Published: July 2015

Introduction

To systematically develop a set of guideline‐based quality indicators for postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) as a tool to measure guideline adherence in actual PPH care.

Material and methods

A Rand‐modified Delphi procedure was used to systematically achieve consensus among a panel of 22 experts on PPH care on recommendations extracted from evidence‐based guidelines, Managing‐Obstetrics‐Emergencies‐Trauma (MOET) instructions and international literature. The selected recommendations were individually rated on health gain (prevention of maternal mortality and morbidity) and overall efficiency by the expert panel. Subsequently, consensus about the most important recommendations to measure quality of PPH care among the panel members was reached, followed by a final approval. Last, definition of the final set by critical appraisal of the recommendations regarding measurability took place. The main outcome measure was a set of valid quality indicators for prevention and management of PPH.

Results

From the 69 extracted recommendations, 50 were selected and translated into 22 quality indicators on professional performance (n = 17) and organization of PPH care (n = 5). The professional performance indicators covered all fields of PPH care, such as prevention (n = 2) and management of PPH, including communication and documentation (n = 4), monitoring and prevention of shock (n = 3), use of blood products (n = 3) and treatment of PPH (n = 5). Organizational indicators (n = 5) were clustered into protocols and agreements, audit, accessibility and documentation.

Conclusions

This study describes a stepwise systematic development of 22 performance and organizational indicators to use for measuring the whole care process of prevention and management of PPH.
Mortality in northern corroboree frog tadpoles (Pseudophryne pengilleyi) associated with Tetrahymena‐like infection
Authors: Holz PH , Portas T , Donahoe S , Crameri S , Rose K
Published: July 2015

Case report

Mortality of northern corroboree frog tadpoles and eggs occurred in association with Tetrahymena‐like ciliates. The predominant lesions in the tadpoles were inflammation and necrosis of the dermis and skeletal muscle. Some of the egg capsules also contained ciliates, but were overgrown with bacteria and fungi.

Conclusion

Disease occurred, secondary to underlying husbandry issues, and resolved following their correction.
Survey of captive parrot populations around Port Phillip Bay, Victoria, Australia, for psittacine beak and feather disease virus, avian polyomavirus and psittacine adenovirus
Authors: Hulbert CL , Chamings A , Hewson KA , Steer PA , Gosbell M , Noormohammadi AH
Published: July 2015

Objective

This study investigated the prevalence of psittacine beak and feather disease virus (BFDV), avian polyomavirus (APV) and psittacine adenovirus (PsAdV) in captive psittacine birds around Port Phillip Bay, Victoria, Australia.

Methods

Samples of fresh droppings were collected from 118 psittacine birds (109 clinically normal and 9 with feather abnormalities) from 11 avaries in different locations and were used for detection of BFDV, APV and PsAdV using PCR.

Results

BFDV, APV and PsAdV were detected in 31%, 13% and 4%, respectively, of the specimens tested. One budgerigar was found to be co‐infected with BFDV and PsAdV. At least one sample tested positive for BFDV at each location.

Conclusion

This is the first report of the prevalence of BFDV, APV and PsAdV in Victoria and provides a foundation for future studies examining the influence of these viruses on the health of aviary birds in Victoria.
Integrating Molecular Subclassification of Medulloblastomas into Routine Clinical Practice: A Simplified Approach
Authors: Kaur Kavneet , Kakkar Aanchal , Kumar Anupam , Mallick Supriya , Julka Pramod K. , Gupta Deepak , Suri Ashish , Suri Vaishali , Sharma Mehar C. , Sarkar Chitra
Published: July 2015

Medulloblastoma (MB) is composed of four molecular subgroups viz. WNT, SHH, groups 3 and 4, identified using various high‐throughput methods. Translation of this molecular data into pathologist‐friendly techniques that would be applicable in laboratories all over the world is a major challenge. Ninety‐two MBs were analyzed using a panel of 10 IHC markers, real‐time PCR for mRNA and miRNA expression, and FISH for MYC amplification. β‐catenin, GAB1 and YAP1 were the only IHC markers of utility in classification of MBs into three subgroups viz. WNT (9.8%), SHH (45.6%) and non‐WNT/SHH (44.6%). mRNA expression could further classify some non‐WNT/SHH tumors into groups 3 and 4. This, however, was dependent on integrity of RNA extracted from FFPE tissue. MYC amplification was seen in 20% of non‐WNT/SHH cases and was associated with the worst prognosis. For routine diagnostic practice, we recommend classification of MBs into three subgroups: WNT, SHH and non‐WNT/SHH, with supplementation by prognostic markers like MYC for non‐WNT/SHH tumors. Using this panel, we propose a new three‐tier risk stratification system for MBs. Molecular subgrouping with this limited panel is rapid, economical, works well on FFPE tissue and is reliable as it correlates significantly with clinicopathological parameters and patient survival.