bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pronoun forms
Authors: Quinn Heidi
Published: March 2014

This paper compares the distribution of pronoun case forms (I/me, he/him, she/her, we/us, they/them), non-reflexive myself, and second person plural variants in corpora of New Zealand, Australian, American, and British English, with a view to identifying possible regional differences in pronoun use. While low token numbers prevent a detailed comparison of the four varieties, the corpus data suggest that the use of I and myself in coordinates is most strongly favoured in Australian English. Similarly, possessive me is significantly more frequent in the written Australian English corpus than elsewhere. The second person plural variant y’all would seem to be confined to American English, whereas yous(e) occurs only in the New Zealand, Australian, and British English corpora.
Modals and quasi-modals
Authors: Collins Peter
Published: March 2014

The findings of the present study of selected modals and quasi-modals in matching corpora of Australian, New Zealand, British and American English reinforce those of diachronic investigations attesting to the rising popularity of the quasi-modals and declining fortunes of the modals in recent decades. That these two developments are connected is suggested by the near symmetrical results obtained across the four regional varieties and across the spoken versus written categories. American English appears to be in the vanguard of change, both in simple frequency terms and in the extent of the gulf in stylistic preferences between the quasi-modals and modals. New Zealand English emerges as the most conservative of the four varieties, with Australian and British English in between.
Non-numerical quantifiers
Authors: Smith Adam
Published: March 2014

This paper looks at non-numerical quantifiers (NNQs), such as a lot of, loads of. The set of quantifiers to be discussed is first identified in relation to their description in major English grammars. Issues of variable noun complementation and verb agreement with the NNQ are identified as being of interest, along with the choice of quantifier and its collocations in different regions (Australian, New Zealand and British English) and registers. Corpus findings for a lot/lots of are compared with other NNQs where the quantifying noun can be singular or plural (ONNQs). An additional set of NNQs was investigated for regional variance. The findings are compared particularly with those for British English, and the status of particular NNQs as vague quantifiers and the process of delexicalization/ degrammaticization is discussed.
From chairman to chairwoman to chairperson
Authors: Holmes Janet , Sigley Robert J. , Terraschke Agnes
Published: March 2014

This paper analyzes data from written and spoken corpora of British, American, Australian and New Zealand English to track social change in patterns of gender-marking. Frequency data for the use of general terms like woman and man are compared across the different regional varieties of written English, and contrasted with spoken corpus data from Australia and New Zealand. Several alternative social interpretations of the data are considered and discussed. The distributional patterns for occupational terms in the corpora are examined with regard to gender pre-modification and post-modification. The results indicate that female roles are often still explicitly linguistically marked, but this could be interpreted as an indication of women’s entry into formerly male-centric domains. The most recent Australian data suggest a move towards gender neutrality.
Commas and connective adverbs
Authors: Peterson Peter G.
Published: March 2014

This chapter reports the findings of a corpus-based study of the use of three connective adverbs, however, therefore and thus, to introduce a second main clause within a single orthographic sentence (“run-on sentences”). It is established that these three items still display in this usage all the criterial syntactic properties of connective adverbs. This usage is more frequent in current written English from Australian and New Zealand English than in British and American English, and much more frequent in unedited writing. The phenomenon is essentially a change in the use of punctuation devices, demonstrating a tendency to treat as a single (orthographic) sentence two clauses that form a closely linked logical sequence.
Deracialising the GOOSE vowel in South African English
Authors: Mesthrie Rajend
Published: March 2014

The practices associated with the policy of apartheid entrenched easily-identifiable ethnic varieties of English in South Africa. The collapse of the policy in the 1990s removed social barriers between people and encouraged freedom of association. With new sustained social networks have come new emergent norms. This paper examines the extent of change in different varieties of South African English, focussing on socio-phonetics within a Labovian framework. The greatest change is evident amongst younger people associated with the deracialising middle classes. Focus will fall on the GOOSE vowel in word list style among 24 female speakers from 4 ethnic groups. The research shows that there are different degrees of accommodation among Black, Coloured and Indian female speakers to the prestige White norms.
Standard English in the secondary school in Trinidad
Authors: Deuber Dagmar
Published: March 2014

Based on recordings of classroom speech and conversational interviews with teachers, this paper analyses language use and attitudes in Trinidadian secondary schools. Whereas students often speak Trinidadian Creole in class, teachers generally differentiate, with English being used for formal explanations and Creole for comments or personal remarks to students; they consider Creole as complementary and ancillary to English. Their English, however, is characterized not only by a local accent but also by a few grammatical properties that can be ascribed to Creole influence. The prospect seems to be that a local Standard English will continue to be the predominant medium of instruction in secondary schools. More emphasis on the teaching of spoken English is necessary, some teachers suggest.
Innovation in second language phonology
Authors: Hung Tony T.N.
Published: March 2014

The paper investigates a number of phonological features in Hong Kong English which appear to be ‘innovative’ in the sense that they are attributable to neither the learner’s first language (Cantonese) nor the target language (English), nor to current second-language acquisition theories. These include: (1) Reduction of diphthongs to monophthongs when followed by stop consonants (as in take, joke and town); (2) raising of [ai] in certain environments (as in mice and tight); (3) ‘splitting’ of one phonemic distinction (/v/) into two (/f/ and /w/, as in even [f] and advice [w]); (4) [l]~[n] alternation in syllable-initial position; (5) elision of the labial glide [w] in consonant clusters before rounded vowels (as in quote and quarter).
Community-Associated Clostridium difficile Infection among Veterans with Spinal Cord Injury and Disorder
Authors: Balbale Salva N. , Johnson Stuart , Burns Stephen P. , Kralovic Stephen M. , Goldstein Barry , Gerding Dale N. , Evans Charlesnika T.
Published: March 2014

The impact of community-associated Clostridium difficile infection (CA-CDI) on patients with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/Ds) is not fully understood. We examined CA-CDI cases among veterans with SCI/D, comparing them with community-onset, healthcare facility-associated (CO-HCFA) cases. Generally, patients with CA-CDI had less comorbidity, less severe CDI, and lower likelihood of antibiotic exposure.
Towards a molecular systems model of coronary artery disease
Authors: Abraham Gad , Bhalala Oneil G. , de Bakker Paul I.W. , Ripatti Samuli , Inouye Michael
Published: March 2014

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a complex disease driven by myriad interactions of genetics and environmental factors. Traditionally, studies have analyzed only one disease factor at a time, providing useful but limited understanding of the underlying etiology. Recent advances in cost-effective and high-throughput technologies, such as single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping, exome/genome sequencing, gene expression microarrays and metabolomics assays have enabled the collection of millions of data points in many thousands of individuals. In order to make sense of such ‘omics’ data, effective analytical methods are needed. We review and highlight some of the main results in this area, focusing on integrative approaches that consider multiple modalities simultaneously. Such analyses have the potential to uncover the genetic basis of CAD, produce genomic risk scores (GRS) for disease prediction, disentangle the complex interactions underlying disease, and predict response to treatment.
Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of domain-chimericL-(2S,3S)-butanediol dehydrogenase
Authors: Shimegi Tomohito , Ooyama Takuji , Ohtsuki Takashi , Kurisu Genji , Kusunoki Masami , Ui Sadaharu
Published: March 2014

A domain-chimeric L-2,3-butanediol dehydrogenase (chimera L-BDH), which was designed to possess both theS-configuration specificity of L-BDH and the stability ofmeso-BDH, was constructed by exchanging the respective domains of these two BDHs. However, chimera L-BDH possessed a lower enzymatic function than expected based on the two original enzymes. To elucidate the causes of the decreased stability and substrate specificity, crystallization of the protein was performed. Chimera L-BDH was purified to homogeneityviaammonium sulfate fractionation and three column-chromatography steps, and was crystallized using the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method. The crystals belonged to space groupC2221, diffracted synchrotron radiation to 1.58 Å resolution and were most likely to contain two molecules in the asymmetric unit.
Crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic analysis of α-glucosidase HaG fromHalomonassp. strain H11
Authors: Shen Xing , Saburi Wataru , Gai Zuo-Qi , Komoda Keisuke , Yu Jian , Ojima-Kato Teruyo , Kido Yusuke , Matsui Hirokazu , Mori Haruhide , Yao Min
Published: March 2014

The α-glucosidase HaG from the halophilic bacteriumHalomonassp. strain H11 catalyzes the hydrolysis of the glucosidic linkage at the nonreducing end of α-glucosides, such as maltose and sucrose, to release α-glucose. Based on its amino-acid sequence, this enzyme is classified as a member of glycoside hydrolase family 13. HaG has three unique characteristics: (i) a very narrow substrate specificity, almost exclusively hydrolyzing disaccharides; (ii) activation by monovalent cations, such as K+, Rb+, Cs+and NH4+; and (iii) high transfer activity of the glucose moiety to the OH group of low-molecular-weight compounds, including glycerol and 6-gingerol. Crystallographic studies have been performed in order to understand these special features. An expression vector was constructed and recombinant HaG protein was overexpressed, purified and crystallized. A data set to 2.15 Å resolution was collected and processed. The crystal belonged to space groupP212121, with unit-cell parametersa= 60.2,b= 119.2,c= 177.2 Å. The structure has been determined by molecular replacement using the isomaltulose synthase PalI as the search model (PDB entry 1m53).
The structures of the CutA1 proteins fromThermus thermophilusandPyrococcus horikoshii: characterization of metal-binding sites and metal-induced assembly
Authors: Bagautdinov Bagautdin
Published: March 2014

CutA1 (copper tolerance A1) is a widespread cytoplasmic protein found in archaea, bacteria, plants and animals, including humans. InEscherichia coliit is implicated in divalent metal tolerance, while the mammalian CutA1 homologue has been proposed to mediate brain enzyme acetylcholinesterase activity and copper homeostasis. The X-ray structures of CutA1 from the thermophilic bacteriumThermus thermophilus(TtCutA1) with and without bound Na+at 1.7 and 1.9 Å resolution, respectively, and from the hyperthermophilic archaeonPyrococcus horikoshii(PhCutA1) in complex with Na+at 1.8 Å resolution have been determined. Both are short and rigid proteins of about 12 kDa that form intertwined compact trimers in the crystal and solution. The main difference in the structures is a wide-type β-bulge on top of theTtCutA1 trimer. It affords a mechanism for lodging a single-residue insertion in the middle of β2while preserving the interprotomer main-chain hydrogen-bonding network. The liganded forms of the proteins provide new structural information about the metal-binding sites and CutA1 assembly. The Na+–TtCutA1 structure unveils a dodecameric assembly with metal ions in the trimer–trimer interfaces and the lateral clefts of the trimer. For Na+–PhCutA1, the metal ion associated with six waters in an octahedral geometry. The structures suggest that CutA1 may contribute to regulating intracellular metal homeostasis through various binding modes.
Expression, purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of a mammalian type 10 adenylyl cyclase
Authors: Kleinboelting Silke , van den Heuvel Joop , Kambach Christian , Weyand Michael , Leipelt Martina , Steegborn Clemens
Published: March 2014

The second messenger cAMP is synthesized in mammals by ten differently regulated adenylyl cyclases (AC1–10). These ACs are grouped into nucleotidyl cyclase class III based on homologies in their catalytic domains. The catalytic domain of AC10 is unique, however, in being activated through direct interaction with calcium and bicarbonate. Here, the production, crystallization and X-ray diffraction analysis of the catalytic domain of human AC10 are described as a basis for structural studies of regulator binding sites and mechanisms. The recombinant protein had high specific AC activity, and crystals of AC10 in space groupP63diffracted to ∼2.0 Å resolution on a synchrotron beamline. A complete diffraction data set revealed unit-cell parametersa=b= 99.65,c= 98.04 Å, indicating one AC10 catalytic domain per asymmetric unit, and confirmed that the obtained crystals are suitable for structure solution and mechanistic studies.
Structural characterization of a novel autonomous cohesin fromRuminococcus flavefaciens
Authors: Voronov-Goldman Milana , Levy-Assaraf Maly , Yaniv Oren , Wisserman Gloria , Jindou Sadanari , Borovok Ilya , Bayer Edward A. , Lamed Raphael , Shimon Linda J. W. , Frolow Felix
Published: March 2014

Ruminococcus flavefaciensis a cellulolytic bacterium found in the rumen of herbivores and produces one of the most elaborate and variable cellulosome systems. The structure of anR. flavefaciensprotein (RfCohG, ZP_06142108), representing a freestanding (non-cellulosomal) type III cohesin module, has been determined. A selenomethionine derivative with a C-terminal histidine tag was crystallized and diffraction data were measured to 2.44 Å resolution. Its structure was determined by single-wavelength anomalous dispersion, revealing eight molecules in the asymmetric unit.RfCohG exhibits the most complex among all known cohesin structures, possessing four α-helical elements and a topographical protuberance on the putative dockerin-binding surface.
Comparison of four different crystal forms of theMycobacterium tuberculosisESX-1 secreted protein regulator EspR
Authors: Gangwar Shanti P. , Meena Sita R. , Saxena Ajay K.
Published: March 2014

TheMycobacterium tuberculosisESX-1 secreted protein regulator (EspR, Rv3849) is the key protein that delivers bacterial proteins into the host cell during mycobacterial infection. EspR binds directly to theespACDoperon and is involved in transcriptional activation. In the current study,M. tuberculosisEspR has been crystallized and its X-ray structure has been determined at 3.3 Å resolution in aP3221 crystal form. EspR forms a physiological dimer in the crystal. Each EspR monomer contains an N-terminal helix–turn–helix DNA-binding domain and a C-terminal dimerization domain. The EspR structure in theP3221 crystal form was compared with previously determined EspR structures inP32,P21andP212121crystal forms. Structural comparison analysis indicated that the N-terminal helix–turn–helix domain of EspR acquires a rigid structure in the four crystal forms. However, significant structural differences were observed in the C-terminal domain of EspR in theP21crystal form when compared with theP3221 andP32crystal forms. The interaction, stabilization energy and buried surface area analysis of EspR in the four different crystal forms have provided information about the physiological dimer interface of EspR.
Crystallization and preliminary crystallographic analysis of manganese lipoxygenase
Authors: Wennman Anneli , Oliw Ernst H. , Karkehabadi Saeid
Published: March 2014

Lipoxygenases constitute a family of nonhaem metal enzymes with catalytic iron or, occasionally, catalytic manganese. Lipoxygenases oxidize polyunsaturated fatty acids with position specificity and stereospecificity to hydroperoxides, which contribute to inflammation and the development of cancer. Little is known about the structural differences between lipoxygenases with Fe or Mn and the metal-selection mechanism. APichia pastorisexpression system was used for the production of the manganese lipoxygenase of the take-all fungus of wheat,Gaeumannomyces graminis. The active enzyme was treated with α-mannosidase, purified to apparent homogeneity and subjected to crystal screening and X-ray diffraction. The crystals diffracted to 2.6 Å resolution and belonged to space groupC2, with unit-cell parametersa= 226.6,b= 50.6,c= 177.92 Å, β = 91.70°.
4D printing – revolution or fad?
Authors: Pei Eujin
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– This feature article aims to review state-of-the-art developments in additive manufacture, in particular, 4D printing. It discusses what it is, what research has been carried out and maps potential applications and its future impact.

Design/methodology/approach

– The article first defines additive manufacturing technologies and goes on to describe the state-of-the-art. Following which the paper examines several case studies and maps a trend that shows an emergence of 4D printing.

Findings

– The case studies highlight a particular specialization within additive manufacture where the use of adaptive, biomimetic composites can be programmed to reshape, or have embedded properties or functionality that transform themselves when subjected to external stimuli.

Originality/value

– This paper discusses the state-of-the-art of additive manufacture, discussing strategies that can be used to reduce the print process (such as through kinematics); and the use of smart materials where parts adapt themselves in response to the surrounding environment supporting the notion of self-assemblies.
A static analogy for 2D tolerance analysis
Authors: Armillotta Antonio
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to present a method for the tolerance analysis of mechanical assemblies that is suitable to nonlinear problems where explicit functional equations are difficult or even impossible to write down. Such cases are usually modelled by linearised tolerance chains, whose coefficients (or sensitivities) are calculated from assembly data.

Design/methodology/approach

– The method is based on the free-body diagrams of force analysis, which are shown to be related to the sensitivities of linearised functional equations. Such an analogy allows the conversion of a tolerance chain into a corresponding static problem, which can be solved by common algebraic or graphical procedures.

Findings

– The static analogy leads to a correct treatment of tolerance chains, as the analysis of several examples has confirmed by comparison to alternative methods.

Research limitations/implications

– Currently, the method has only been tested on two-dimensional chains of linear dimensions for assemblies with nonredundant kinematic constraints among parts.

Practical implications

– The proposed method lends itself to ready application by using simple operations with minimal software assistance. This could make it complementary to current methods for calculating sensitivities, which are mathematically complex and require software implementation for deployment in industrial practice.

Originality/value

– Analogy with force analysis, which has not been previously highlighted in the literature, is a potentially interesting concept that could be extended to a wider range of tolerancing problems.
Corruption and internet governance
Authors: Sutherland Ewan
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to review the extent and the manner in which internet governance systems could and do engage with the problems of potential and actual corruption.

Design/methodology/approach

– A review of internet multistakeholder systems and their compatibility with global best practice in countering corruption.

Findings

– The multistakeholder systems contain systemic weaknesses, exposing them to risks of corruption and capture that would be very difficult to identify and eradicate.

Practical implications

– A number of opportunities are identified to improve resilience of internet multistakeholder systems against the dangers of capture and corruption.

Originality/value

– There is no research published on this topic.
Do “rising stars” avoid risk?: status-based labels and decision making
Authors: Kotlyar Igor , Karakowsky Leonard , Jo Ducharme Mary , A. Boekhorst Janet
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine how status-based labels, based on future capabilities, can impact people's risk tolerance in decision making.

Design/methodology/approach

– In this paper the authors developed and tested theoretical arguments using a set of three studies employing a scenario-based approach and a total of 449 undergraduate business students.

Findings

– The findings suggest that labeling people in terms of future capabilities can trigger perceptions of public scrutiny and influence their risk preferences. Specifically, the results reveal that individuals who are recipients of high-status labels tend to choose lower risk decision options compared to their peers.

Research limitations/implications

– The study employed scenarios to examine the issue of employee labeling. The extent to which these scenarios have truly captured the dynamics of labeling is questionable, and future research should employ a field-based study to examine whether the reported effect can be observed in a “real” work context.

Practical implications

– Organizations are concerned about their future leadership capacity and often attempt to grow leadership talent by identifying high-potential employees early on. The results of this study suggest that such practice may have an unintentional negative effect of reducing high-potentials’ tolerance toward risky decision making, thus potentially impacting these future leaders’ decision making in the realm of corporate strategy, R&D, etc.

Originality/value

– The issue of how labeling individuals in terms of future capabilities can impact their risk preference has been largely ignored by organizational research. This paper suggests that the popular practice of identifying high-potential employees may have unintentional negative effects by lowering their risk tolerance.
CSR reporting in the United States and Russia
Authors: Bashtovaya Veronika
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to contribute to the scarce body of academic research on corporate social responsibility (CSR) in BRIC countries and Russia in particular, by performing a comparative analysis of CSR, reporting of ten major players in the energy sector in the USA and Russia.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study applies a content analysis research design in order to obtain an in-depth understanding of the key themes communicated in the reports. Drawing on an institutional approach to CSR, this study attempts to explain revealed differences in CSR reporting in Russian and American companies.

Findings

– The results suggest that Russian companies compared to American ones report more extensively on the areas of social performance and CSR issues related to employees and consumers. Nevertheless, American reports contain topics of global concern in the scope of environmental performance that are omitted by Russian companies.

Practical implications

– The paper deepens the understanding of CSR reporting specificity related to an institutional context and suggests that CSR fills different needs in different types of societies.

Originality/value

– The study contributes to the academic research on CSR in BRIC countries and provides some insights into how the revealed differences between Russian and American reports in the energy industry can be explained using an institutional approach.
Trust tokens in team development
Authors: Pelegrini Morita Plinio , Marie Burns Catherine
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– Computer-mediated communication systems (CMCSs) have become the standard for supporting virtual teamwork. However, interpersonal trust formation though CMCSs is impaired due to limited media richness of the communication channels. The aim of this paper is to identify trust forming cues that occur naturally in face-to-face environments and are suitable to include in CMCSs design, to facilitate greater trust in virtual teams.

Design/methodology/approach

– To select cues that had a strong effect on fostering trust behaviour, a non-participatory ethnographic study was conducted. Two student teams at the University of Waterloo were observed for 6-12 months. Researchers identified mechanisms used for building trust and bridging team developmental barriers.

Findings

– The paper identifies five trust tokens that were effective in developing trust and bridging team developmental barriers: expertise, recommendations, social capital, willingness to help/benevolence, and validation of information. These behavioural cues, or behavioural trust tokens, which are present in face-to-face collaborations, carry important trust supporting information that leads to increased trust, improved collaboration, and knowledge integration. These tokens have the potential to improve CMCSs by supplementing the cues necessary for trust formation in virtual environments.

Practical implications

– This study identifies important mechanisms used for fostering trust behaviour in face-to-face collaborations that have the potential to be included in the design of CMCSs (via interface design objects) and have implications for interface designers, team managers, and researchers in the field of teamwork.

Originality/value

– This work presents the first ethnographic study of trust between team members for the purpose of providing improved computer support for virtual collaboration via redesigned interface components.
Effect of type of lead vehicle on following headway behaviour in mixed traffic
Authors: Kumar Ravindra , Parida Purnima , Saleh Wafaa
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– There is gap in literature on understanding of the issues of following headway behaviour of the driver and a lack of sufficient data in different traffic conditions. The purpose of this paper is to find the effects of type of lead vehicle on following headway in mixed traffic condition in India on different category of roads and flow.

Design/methodology/approach

– Real-world headway data were collected through video and extracted. Data were analysed using tools and statically approach was adopted to present the results in detail.

Findings

– Results shows the impact of type of lead vehicle on driver following time headway behaviour under different level of traffic and types of road characteristics. It was found that driver following behaviour is affected by the type of lead vehicle. It also shows that drivers are inconsistent in their choice of headway.

Research limitations/implications

– This research has special strategic study area of India in typical two cities Silchar and Shillong of northeast region of India. The traffic characteristic and composition is quite different as compared to other cities of India. Therefore the study results cannot be generalized for whole India.

Practical implications

– The result of the study has focused on impact of type of lead vehicle on following behaviour. This can be useful to safety reduction and changing the driver behaviour through education and display of information. However, the real application of this result is to be implemented by local transport and road managing authority to reduce accidents and increase safety of drivers.

Originality/value

– In mixed traffic conditions, the impact of type of lead vehicle on following behaviour affects the safety of drivers and the accounting for such behaviour is never been explored in mixed traffic condition. If the study is implemented, it can be useful to simulation modeller and intelligent transport systems (ITS) to design and operate many in-vehicle systems for smooth traffic processes.
New Parochialism, Sources of Community Investment, and the Control of Street Crime
Authors: Ramey David M. , Shrider Emily A.
Published: March 2014

Research Summary

We examined Seattle, Washington's Neighborhood Matching Fund (NMF), a unique neighborhood improvement program that provides city funding for projects organized within neighborhoods. We found an inverse relationship between NMF funding and violent crime rates, a relationship that is stronger in poorer neighborhoods. The relationship also is stronger as funds accumulate within the neighborhoods over time. These findings suggest that investment and neighborhood participation can have both short‐term and long‐term crime reduction effects.

Policy Implications

The Neighborhood Matching Fund program is associated with significant reductions in crime, even though the program and its projects are not aimed specifically at crime reduction. This observation suggests that policies that encourage neighbors to interact with each other and that facilitate interactions and physical improvements can help reduce crime by improving neighborhood conditions and social relationships. Investments in neighborhoods by the city also can help counteract the negative effects of private disinvestment.
Diversity and genome dynamics of marine cyanophages using metagenomic analyses
Authors: Ma Yingfei , Allen Lisa Zeigler , Palenik Brian
Published: March 2014

Cyanophages are abundant in the oceanic environment and directly impact cyanobacterial distributions, physiological processes and evolution. Two samples collected from coastal Maine in July and September 2009 were enriched for Synechococcus cells using flow cytometry and examined through metagenomic sequencing. Homology‐based sequence prediction indicated cyanophages, largely myoviruses, accounted for almost half the reads and provided insights into environmental infection events. T4‐phage core‐gene phylogenetic reconstruction revealed unique diversity among uncultured cyanophages and reference isolates resulting in identification of a new phylogenetic cluster. Genomic comparison of reference cyanophage strains S‐SM2 and Syn1 with putative homologous contigs recovered from metagenomes provided evidence that gene insertion, deletion and recombination have occurred among, and are likely important for diversification of, natural populations. Identification of putative genetic exchange between cyanophage and non‐cyanophage viruses, i.e. Micromonas virus and Pelagibacter phage, supports hypotheses related to a significant role for viruses in mediating transfer of genetic material between taxonomically diverse organisms with overlapping ecological niches.
Effect of n‐3 fatty acids on markers of brain injury and incidence of sepsis‐associated delirium in septic patients
Authors: BURKHART C. S. , DELL‐KUSTER S. , SIEGEMUND M. , PARGGER H. , MARSCH S. , STREBEL S. P. , STEINER L. A.
Published: March 2014

Background

Data regarding immunomodulatory effects of parenteral n‐3 fatty acids in sepsis are conflicting. In this study, the effect of administration of parenteral n‐3 fatty acids on markers of brain injury, incidence of sepsis‐associated delirium, and inflammatory mediators in septic patients was investigated.

Methods

Fifty patients with sepsis were randomized to receive either 2 ml/kg/day of a lipid emulsion containing highly refined fish oil (equivalent to n‐3 fatty acids 0.12 mg/kg/day) during 7 days after admission to the intensive care unit or standard treatment. Markers of brain injury and inflammatory mediators were measured on days 1, 2, 3 and 7. Assessment for sepsis‐associated delirium was performed daily. The primary outcome was the difference in S‐100β from baseline to peak level between both the intervention and the control group, compared by t‐test. Changes of all markers over time were explored in both groups, fitting a generalized estimating equations model.

Results

Mean difference in change of S‐100β from baseline to peak level was 0.34 (95% CI: −0.18–0.85) between the intervention and control group, respectively (P = 0.19). We found no difference in plasma levels of S‐100β, neuron‐specific enolase, interleukin (IL)‐6, IL‐8, IL‐10, and C‐reactive protein between groups over time. Incidence of sepsis‐associated delirium was 75% in the intervention and 71% in the control groups (risk difference 4%, 95% CI −24–31%, P = 0.796).

Conclusion

Administration of n‐3 fatty acids did not affect markers of brain injury, incidence of sepsis‐associated delirium, and inflammatory mediators in septic patients.
Competing risks and prognostic stages of cirrhosis: a 25‐year inception cohort study of 494 patients
Authors: D'Amico G. , Pasta L. , Morabito A. , D'Amico M. , Caltagirone M. , Malizia G. , Tinè F. , Giannuoli G. , Traina M. , Vizzini G. , Politi F. , Luca A. , Virdone R. , Licata A. , Pagliaro L.
Published: March 2014

Background

Morphological, haemodynamic and clinical stages of cirrhosis have been proposed, although no definite staging system is yet accepted for clinical practice.

Aim

To investigate whether clinical complications of cirrhosis may define different prognostic disease stages.

Methods

Analysis of the database from a prospective inception cohort of 494 patients. Decompensation was defined by ascites, bleeding, jaundice or encephalopathy. Explored potential prognostic stages: 1, compensated cirrhosis without oesophago‐gastric varices; 2, compensated cirrhosis with varices; 3, bleeding without other complications; 4, first nonbleeding decompensation; 5, any second decompensating event. Patient flow across stages was assessed by a competing risks analysis.

Results

Major patient characteristics were: 199 females, 295 males, 404HCV+, 377 compensated, 117 decompensated cirrhosis. The mean follow‐up was 145 ± 109 months without dropouts. Major events: 380 deaths, 326 oesophago‐gastric varices, 283 ascites, 158 bleeding, 146 encephalopathy, 113 jaundice, 126 hepatocellular carcinoma and 19 liver transplantation. Patients entering each prognostic stage along the disease course were: 202, stage 1; 216, stage 2; 75 stage 3; 206 stage 4; 213 stage 5. Five‐year transition rate towards a different stage, for stages 1–4 was 34.5%, 42%, 65% and 78%, respectively (P < 0.0001); 5‐year mortality for stages 1–5 was 1.5%, 10%, 20%, 30% and 88% respectively (P < 0.0001). An exploratory analysis showed that this patient stratification may configure a prognostic system independent of the Child–Pugh score, Model for End Stage Liver Disease and comorbidity.

Conclusion

The development of oesophago‐gastric varices and decompensating events in cirrhosis identify five prognostic stages with significantly increasing mortality risks.
The Tomb of the Three Brothers in Palmyra: The Use of Mimetite, A Rare Yellow Pigment, in A Rich Decoration
Authors: Buisson N. , Burlot D. , Eristov H. , Eveno M. , Sarkis N.
Published: March 2014

The wall paintings of the Tomb of the Three Brothers in Palmyra display a very rich Greco‐Roman iconography. The study of the painting reveals the use of a great variety of pigments, including Egyptian blue and an extremely rare bright yellow pigment, mimetite, of which no other traces are known for this period. This pigment was identified through the combined use of two methods of analysis, scanning electron microscopy associated with X‐ray microanalysis (SEM–EDS) and X‐ray micro‐diffraction (XRD). The varied chromatic palette used underlines the refinement and the particular care given to these decorations. Notable differences have been found between the pigments of the decorations of the arch and those used for the rest of the chamber.
Conceptual and Practical Problems of Moral Enhancement
Authors: Beck Birgit
Published: March 2014

Recently, the debate on human enhancement has shifted from familiar topics like cognitive enhancement and mood enhancement to a new and – to no one's surprise – controversial subject, namely moral enhancement. Some proponents from the transhumanist camp allude to the ‘urgent need’ of improving the moral conduct of humankind in the face of ever growing technological progress and the substantial dangers entailed in this enterprise. Other thinkers express more sceptical views about this proposal. As the debate has revealed so far, there is no shared opinion among philosophers (or scientists) about the meaning, prospects, and ethical evaluation of moral enhancement. In this article I will address several conceptual and practical problems of this issue, in order to encourage discussion about the prospects of (thinking about) moral enhancement in the future. My assumption is that (i) for the short term, there is little chance of arriving at an agreement on the proper understanding of morality and the appropriateness of one single (meta‐)ethical theory; (ii) apart from this, there are further philosophical puzzles loosely referred to in the debate which add to theoretical confusion; and (iii) even if these conceptual problems could be solved, there are still practical problems to be smoothed out if moral enhancement is ever to gain relevance apart from merely theoretical interest. My tentative conclusion, therefore, will be that moral enhancement is not very likely to be made sense of – let alone realized – in the medium‐term future.
Burden of male lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) – focus on the UK
Authors: Speakman Mark , Kirby Roger , Doyle Scott , Ioannou Chris
Published: March 2014

Key Messages

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) can be bothersome and negatively impact on a patient's quality of life (QoL).

As the prevalence of LUTS/BPH increases with age, the burden on the healthcare system and society may increase due to the ageing population. This review unifies literature on the burden of LUTS/BPH on patients and society, particularly in the UK.

LUTS/BPH is associated with high personal and societal costs, both in direct medical costs and indirect losses in daily functioning, and through its negative impact on QoL for patients and partners.

LUTS/BPH is often underdiagnosed and undertreated. Men should be encouraged to seek medical advice for this condition and should not accept it as part of ageing, while clinicians should be more active in the identification and treatment of LUTS/BPH.

To assess the burden of illness and unmet need arising from lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) presumed secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) from an individual patient and societal perspective with a focus on the UK. Embase, PubMed, the World Health Organization, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and the York Centre for Reviews and Dissemination were searched to identify studies on the epidemiological, humanistic or economic burden of LUTS/BPH published in English between October 2001 and January 2013. Data were extracted and the quality of the studies was assessed for inclusion. UK data were reported; in the absence of UK data, European and USA data were provided. In all, 374 abstracts were identified, 104 full papers were assessed and 33 papers met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. An additional paper was included in the review upon a revision in 2014. The papers show that LUTS are common in the UK, affecting ≈3% of men aged 45–49 years, rising to >30% in men aged ≥85 years. European and USA studies have reported the major impact of LUTS on quality of life of the patient and their partner. LUTS are associated with high personal and societal costs, both in direct medical costs and indirect losses in daily functioning. While treatment costs in the UK are relatively low compared with other countries, the burden on health services is still substantial. LUTS associated with BPH is a highly impactful condition that is often undertreated. LUTS/BPH have a major impact on men, their families, health services and society. Men with LUTS secondary to BPH should not simply accept their symptoms as part of ageing, but should be encouraged to consult their physicians if they have bothersome symptoms.
An investigation of DIF mechanisms in the context of differential testlet effects
Authors: Paek Insu , Fukuhara Hirotaka
Published: March 2014

This study investigated differential item functioning (DIF) mechanisms in the context of differential testlet effects across subgroups. Specifically, we investigated DIF manifestations when the stochastic ordering assumption on the nuisance dimension in a testlet does not hold. DIF hypotheses were formulated analytically using a parametric marginal item response function approach and compared with empirical DIF results from a unidimensional item response theory approach. The comparisons were made in terms of type of DIF (uniform or non‐uniform) and direction (whether the focal or reference group was advantaged). In general, the DIF hypotheses were supported by the empirical results, showing the usefulness of the parametric approach in explaining DIF mechanisms. Both analytical predictions of DIF and the empirical results provide insights into conditions where a particular type of DIF becomes dominant in a specific DIF direction, which is useful for the study of DIF causes.
Financial System Leverage and the Shortage of Safe Assets: Exploring the Policy Options
Authors: Bleich Dirk , Dombret Andreas
Published: March 2014

In this article, we provide a simple supply and demand framework in which the build-up of an excessive level of leverage can result in a shortage of safe assets. On the basis of this, we discuss various policy options. First, we address the question of what policy-makers should do if shortages of safe assets arise. Second, we discuss what has to be done to prevent potential shortages of safe assets. Our main finding is that a smoother leverage cycle - which, in particular, implies less leverage in booms - is a major condition for preventing shortages of safe assets.
Editorial: Building global science capacity in child psychology and psychiatry – between the etic and emic of cross‐cultural enquiry
Authors: Sonuga‐Barke Edmund J.S.
Published: March 2014

Recent progress in neurobiology and genetics is beginning to revolutionise our thinking about the developmental origins of children's mental health problems. Such advances, for instance in relation to neural plasticity and programming, and epigenetics, are moving us away from reductionist models of development and motivating a new enthusiasm to incorporate social factors within biological models of developmental psychopathology. As Burt (2014)1 convincingly argues in the current issue of the JCPP – we ignore the impact of the social environment on child mental health at our peril. By understanding this, and recognising that children from different communities around the world can grow up in radically different environments, we become aware of the need to integrate a thoroughgoing cross‐cultural perspective into mainstream child psychology and psychiatry research.
One size does not fit all glycemic targets for type 2 diabetes
Authors: Pozzilli Paolo , Strollo Rocky , Bonora Enzo
Published: March 2014

The United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study, and Diabetes Control and Complications Trial have shown that aggressive glucose control, especially early in the natural history of the disease, might result in a significant reduction of microvascular as well as macrovascular complications. However, more recent trials have increased the level of complexity of the relationship between ‘tight glucose control/chronic complications’, with several factors influencing the risk‐to‐benefit ratio to be considered, such as age, presence of established complications and diabetes duration. According to this strategy, a more intensive goal is desirable for young patients with no cardiovascular disease, whereas less stringent control is suitable for all people who are relatively late in the natural history of diabetic complications. Numerous calls for an individualized therapy have been proposed during the past years, but still debated is the level of glucose lowering necessary to reduce complications balanced by the risk and costs of the means used. The present paper briefly reviews the rationale and the clinical trials that support specific glycemic goals towards a ‘tailored’ approach for the management of hyperglycemia in diabetes.
Mother–embryo isotope (δ15N, δ13C) fractionation and mercury (Hg) transfer in aplacental deep‐sea sharks
Authors: Le Bourg B. , Kiszka J. , Bustamante P.
Published: March 2014

Stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotopic values and total mercury (Hg) concentrations were analysed in muscle and liver of mothers and embryos of two aplacental shark species, Squalus megalops and Centrophorus moluccensis. Embryos of the two species had similar or lower isotopic values than their respective mothers, the only exception being for δ13C, which was higher in the liver of C. moluccensis embryos than in their mothers. Hg concentrations were systematically lower in embryos compared with their mothers suggesting a low transfer of this element in muscle and liver.
Effect of weight maintenance or gain in a 10 years period over telomere length, sirtuin 1 and 6 expression and carotid intima media thickness
Authors: Bunout D. , Barrera G. , de la Maza M. P. , Leiva L. , Hirsch S.
Published: March 2014

Background

Lack of weight gain throughout adult life could mimic the beneficial effects of energy restriction in humans. The present study aimed to assess the effects of weight stability or gain, over a period of 10 years, on telomere length, sirtuin 1 and 6 expression, and carotid intima media thickness.

Methods

We studied 148 healthy adults (age range 20–59 years; 101 females) who had an objective record of their weight 10 years before. They were classified as weight losers, weight maintainers, weight gainers and extreme weight gainers. A fasting blood sample was obtained for routine laboratory and isolation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells, to extract DNA and RNA, and to measure telomere length and sirtuin 1 and 6 expression, respectively. Carotid intima media thickness was measured by ultrasound. Body composition was measured by Dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry.

Results

In the 10‐year period, 24 participants lost weight (17 females), 65 maintained weight (41 females), 25 gained weight (15 females) and 34 were extreme weight gainers (28 females). Female weight gainers had a higher body mass index, waist circumference, total body fat and homeostatic model assessment insulin resistance. Male weight gainers had a higher hip circumference and total body fat. No differences in telomere length, sirtuin 1 expression and carotid intima media thickness were observed between weight gainers and maintainers.

Conclusions

No effect of weight maintenance or gain was observed on metabolic and vascular markers of ageing.