bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MARRIAGE MARKET MATCHING AND CONSPICUOUS CONSUMPTION IN CHINA
Authors: Grier Kevin B. , Hicks Daniel L. , Yuan Weici
Published: November 2015

Visible expenditures which convey higher socioeconomic status may help individuals differentiate themselves in the marriage market when there is competition for partners and imperfect information. We examine a unique dataset of automobile purchasers in China to investigate the extent to which skewed sex ratios influence expenditure decisions for this highly visible commodity. Using a triple difference approach, we show that unmarried male consumers who face an unfavorable sex ratio purchase more expensive, luxury vehicles than their married peers. Lower income borrowers and those residing in regions with the worst sex ratios exhibit the largest relative degree of conspicuous consumption. In addition to the direct cost of consumption signaling, we demonstrate that this behavior generates negative externalities in the form of lower average fuel economy and higher average vehicle weight. As it has worsened sex ratios, status competition and the associated negative repercussions we identify represent unintended consequences of China's one child policy. (JEL O12, E21, J12)
THE DEVELOPMENTAL EFFECT OF STATE ALCOHOL PROHIBITIONS AT THE TURN OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY
Authors: Evans Mary F. , Helland Eric , Klick Jonathan , Patel Ashwin
Published: November 2015

We examine the quasi‐randomization of alcohol consumption created by state‐level alcohol prohibition laws passed in the United States in the early part of the twentieth century. Using a large dataset of World War II enlistees, we exploit the differential timing of these laws to examine their effects on adult educational attainment, obesity, and height. We find statistically significant effects for education and obesity that do not appear to be the result of pre‐existing trends. Our findings add to the growing body of economic studies that examine the long‐run impacts of in utero and childhood environmental conditions. (JEL I18, D10, N41, N42)
Enteric‐coated mycophenolate sodium containing GvHD prophylaxis reduces GvHD rate after allogeneic HSCT
Authors: Weber Thomas , Niestadtkötter Jonas , Wienke Andreas , Müller‐Tidow Carsten , Müller Lutz P.
Published: November 2015

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether cyclosporine A (CsA)‐based Graft vs. Host Disease (GvHD) prophylaxis with enteric‐coated mycophenolate sodium (EC‐MPS) instead of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) or methotrexate (MTX) reduces the GvHD incidence and lowers gastrointestinal (GI‐) toxicities.

Methods

In a retrospective analysis of 102 allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) patients, incidences of overall and severe aGvHD (>II°), cGvHD as well as overall and severe (CTC >II°) GI‐toxicities were compared between GvHD prophylaxis containing EC‐MPS vs. MMF or MTX (control group).

Results

The overall aGvHD rate was significantly lower in the EC‐MPS group compared to the control (47% vs. 72%, P = 0.022) with lower rates of severe aGvHD (10% vs. 25%, P = 0.088) and cGvHD (20% vs. 39%, P = 0.065). Prophylaxis with EC‐MPS remained significantly associated with a lower aGvHD rate in a multiple logistic regression model. GI‐toxicities did not differ between both groups except for severe abdominal pain for which the incidence was increased in the EC‐MPS group (17% vs. 3%, P = 0.022).

Conclusions

This data support the hypothesis that replacement of MMF or MTX by EC‐MPS reduces GvHD rates after HSCT. This appears not to be due to a reduced GI‐toxicity of EC‐MPS.
Experience‐dependent escalation of glucose drinking and the development of glucose preference over fructose – association with glucose entry into the brain
Authors: Wakabayashi Ken T. , Spekterman Laurence , Kiyatkin Eugene A.
Published: November 2015

Glucose, a primary metabolic substrate for cellular activity, must be delivered to the brain for normal neural functions. Glucose is also a unique reinforcer; in addition to its rewarding sensory properties and metabolic effects, which all natural sugars have, glucose crosses the blood–brain barrier and acts on glucoreceptors expressed on multiple brain cells. To clarify the role of this direct glucose action in the brain, we compared the neural and behavioural effects of glucose with those induced by fructose, a sweeter yet metabolically equivalent sugar. First, by using enzyme‐based biosensors in freely moving rats, we confirmed that glucose rapidly increased in the nucleus accumbens in a dose‐dependent manner after its intravenous delivery. In contrast, fructose induced a minimal response only after a large‐dose injection. Second, we showed that naive rats during unrestricted access consumed larger volumes of glucose than fructose solution; the difference appeared with a definite latency during the initial exposure and strongly increased during subsequent tests. When rats with equal sugar experience were presented with either glucose or fructose in alternating order, the consumption of both substances was initially equal, but only the consumption of glucose increased during subsequent sessions. Finally, rats with equal glucose–fructose experience developed a strong preference for glucose over fructose during a two‐bottle choice procedure; the effect appeared with a definite latency during the initial test and greatly amplified during subsequent tests. Our results suggest that direct entry of glucose in the brain and its subsequent effects on brain cells could be critical for the experience‐dependent escalation of glucose consumption and the development of glucose preference over fructose.
Eco‐evolutionary feedbacks between private and public goods: evidence from toxic algal blooms
Authors: Driscoll William W. , Hackett Jeremiah D. , Ferrière Régis
Published: November 2015

The importance of ‘eco‐evolutionary feedbacks’ in natural systems is currently unclear. Here, we advance a general hypothesis for a particular class of eco‐evolutionary feedbacks with potentially large, long‐lasting impacts in complex ecosystems. These eco‐evolutionary feedbacks involve traits that mediate important interactions with abiotic and biotic features of the environment and a self‐driven reversal of selection as the ecological impact of the trait varies between private (small scale) and public (large scale). Toxic algal blooms may involve such eco‐evolutionary feedbacks due to the emergence of public goods. We review evidence that toxin production by microalgae may yield ‘privatised’ benefits for individual cells or colonies under pre‐ and early‐bloom conditions; however, the large‐scale, ecosystem‐level effects of toxicity associated with bloom states yield benefits that are necessarily ‘public’. Theory predicts that the replacement of private with public goods may reverse selection for toxicity in the absence of higher level selection. Indeed, blooms often harbor significant genetic and functional diversity: bloom populations may undergo genetic differentiation over a scale of days, and even genetically similar lineages may vary widely in toxic potential. Intriguingly, these observations find parallels in terrestrial communities, suggesting that toxic blooms may serve as useful models for eco‐evolutionary dynamics in nature. Eco‐evolutionary feedbacks involving the emergence of a public good may shed new light on the potential for interactions between ecology and evolution to influence the structure and function of entire ecosystems.
Rapid evolution of metabolic traits explains thermal adaptation in phytoplankton
Authors: Padfield Daniel , Yvon‐Durocher Genevieve , Buckling Angus , Jennings Simon , Yvon‐Durocher Gabriel
Published: November 2015

Understanding the mechanisms that determine how phytoplankton adapt to warming will substantially improve the realism of models describing ecological and biogeochemical effects of climate change. Here, we quantify the evolution of elevated thermal tolerance in the phytoplankton, Chlorella vulgaris. Initially, population growth was limited at higher temperatures because respiration was more sensitive to temperature than photosynthesis meaning less carbon was available for growth. Tolerance to high temperature evolved after ≈ 100 generations via greater down‐regulation of respiration relative to photosynthesis. By down‐regulating respiration, phytoplankton overcame the metabolic constraint imposed by the greater temperature sensitivity of respiration and more efficiently allocated fixed carbon to growth. Rapid evolution of carbon‐use efficiency provides a potentially general mechanism for thermal adaptation in phytoplankton and implies that evolutionary responses in phytoplankton will modify biogeochemical cycles and hence food web structure and function under warming. Models of climate futures that ignore adaptation would usefully be revisited.
Changes in the dominant assembly mechanism drive species loss caused by declining resources
Authors: Thorn Simon , Bässler Claus , Bernhardt‐Römermann Markus , Cadotte Marc , Heibl Christoph , Schäfer Hanno , Seibold Sebastian , Müller Jörg
Published: November 2015

The species–energy hypothesis predicts that more productive areas support higher species richness. Conversely, when resources are reduced, species richness is reduced. Empirical tests of whether extinctions are predominantly caused by environmental constraints or competitive exclusion are lacking. We experimentally reduced dead wood to c. 15% of the initial amount after a major windstorm and examined changes in assembly mechanisms by combining trait‐based and evolutionary species dissimilarities of eight taxonomic groups, differing in their dependence on dead wood (saproxylic/non‐saproxylic). Species richness and assembly mechanisms of non‐saproxylic taxa remained largely unaffected by removal of dead wood. By contrast, extinctions of saproxylic species were caused by reversing the predominant assembly mechanisms (e.g. increasing importance of competitive exclusion for communities assembled through environmental filtering or vice versa). We found no evidence for an intensification of the predominant assembly mechanism (e.g. competitive exclusion becoming stronger in a competitively structured community).
Ictal onset patterns of local field potentials, high frequency oscillations, and unit activity in human mesial temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Weiss Shennan Aibel , Alvarado‐Rojas Catalina , Bragin Anatol , Behnke Eric , Fields Tony , Fried Itzhak , Engel Jerome , Staba Richard
Published: November 2015

Objective

To characterize local field potentials, high frequency oscillations, and single unit firing patterns in microelectrode recordings of human limbic onset seizures.

Methods

Wide bandwidth local field potential recordings were acquired from microelectrodes implanted in mesial temporal structures during spontaneous seizures from six patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy.

Results

In the seizure onset zone, distinct epileptiform discharges were evident in the local field potential prior to the time of seizure onset in the intracranial EEG. In all three seizures with hypersynchronous (HYP) seizure onset, fast ripples with incrementally increasing power accompanied epileptiform discharges during the transition to the ictal state (p < 0.01). In a single low voltage fast (LVF) onset seizure a triad of evolving HYP LFP discharges, increased single unit activity, and fast ripples of incrementally increasing power were identified ~20 s prior to seizure onset (p < 0.01). In addition, incrementally increasing fast ripples occurred after seizure onset just prior to the transition to LVF activity (p < 0.01). HYP onset was associated with an increase in fast ripple and ripple rate (p < 0.05) and commonly each HYP discharge had a superimposed ripple followed by a fast ripple. Putative excitatory and inhibitory single units could be distinguished during limbic seizure onset, and heterogeneous shifts in firing rate were observed during LVF activity.

Significance

Epileptiform activity is detected by microelectrodes before it is detected by depth macroelectrodes, and the one clinically identified LVF ictal onset was a HYP onset at the local level. Patterns of incrementally increasing fast ripple power are consistent with observations in rats with experimental hippocampal epilepsy, suggesting that limbic seizures arise when small clusters of synchronously bursting neurons increase in size, coalesce, and reach a critical mass for propagation.
Sedative load, carious teeth and infection in the periodontium among community‐dwelling older people
Authors: Tiisanoja Antti , Syrjälä Anna‐Maija , Komulainen Kaija , Hartikainen Sirpa , Taipale Heidi , Knuuttila Matti , Ylöstalo Pekka
Published: November 2015

Objective

To study the relation of sedative load to carious teeth and periodontal pocketing – indication of infectious periodontal disease – among older people.

Materials and methods

This cross‐sectional study was based on a subpopulation of 158 community‐dwelling, dentate, non‐smoking, 75‐year‐old or older people from the Oral Health Geriatric Multidisciplinary Strategy study. The data were collected by interviews and clinical oral examinations during 2004–2005. Sedative load was measured by means of the sedative load model, and Poisson multivariate regression models were used to estimate relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

Participants with a sedative load of either 1–2 (n = 31) or ≥3 (n = 12) had an increased likelihood of having carious teeth (RR: 1.8, CI: 1.2–2.6 and RR: 2.4, CI: 1.4–4.1, respectively) compared to participants without a sedative load. There was an inverse association between sedative load and the number of teeth with periodontal pockets.

Conclusions

Presence of dental caries was associated with the use of drugs with sedative properties. The use of drugs with sedative properties was not associated with the presence of periodontal pockets.
Politics and the Crown in the Kingdom of Jerusalem 1099–1187
Authors: Jotischky Andrew
Published: November 2015

The success of the First Crusade in 1099 resulted in the settlement of small groups of Franks in the newly conquered territories in the Holy Land. The survival of these settlers and their ability to develop a viable kingdom based on Jerusalem and the coastal cities depended on various factors: the relative weakness and disunity of the neighbouring Seljuq and Fatimid states; the rapid organization of political and territorial administration by King Baldwin I (1100–18); and close relationships with western powers. The development of the crown's institutions during the 12th century, however, was undermined by weak succession to the throne and the opportunities this afforded the baronial classes to intervene in politics and governance. The difficulties of ensuring succession to the throne, coupled with external threats from resurgent Islamic states in the late 12th century, form the main themes in the history of the Kingdom of Jerusalem between 1100 and 1187.
Effect of cosmetic matrices on the release and odour profiles of the supercriticalCO2extract ofOriganum majoranaL.
Authors: Costa P. , Velasco C. V. , Loureiro J. M. , Rodrigues A. E.
Published: November 2015

Objective

In this study, the effect of different cosmetic matrices on the release profile and odour intensity of the fragranceO. majoranawas investigated for the first time.

Methods

The fragrance compounds ofO. majoranawere extracted by supercritical fluid extraction using carbon dioxide (SFE‐CO2) at 40°C and two operating pressures (8.5 and 10MPa), and their chemical profiles were assessed by gas chromatography with flame ionization detector coupled with mass spectrometry (GC‐FID/MS). Lastly, the fragrance compounds were incorporated into three cosmetic matrices (glycerine, dipropylene glycol and skin lotion) to assess their release and odour profiles over time using dynamic headspace (DHS)/GC‐FID/MSand Odour Value concept, respectively.

Results

TheSFE‐CO2enabled recovering extracts with the pleasant scent of the living plant, and the increment of pressure induced an increase on the extraction yield.GC‐FID/MSanalyses revealed that oxygen‐containing monoterpenes was the principal group of components identified in bothSFE‐CO2extracts. The fragrance compounds were more retained in dipropylene glycol, and the major deviations from the original odour intensity (control) were observed in the presence of dipropylene glycol and skin lotion.

Conclusion

The hydrophilic character of the cosmetic matrices strongly influenced the release of the fragrance compounds, thus affecting the odour profile of the studied mixtures.
Preverbal Infants' Ability to Encode the Outcome of Distributive Actions
Authors: Meristo Marek , Strid Karin , Surian Luca
Published: November 2015

This research examined whether 10‐month‐old infants expect agents to perform equal distribution of resources. In Experiment 1, infants saw a distributor performing either an equal distribution where one strawberry was given to each of two recipients, or an unequal distribution that favored one of the recipients. Infants looked longer at the unequal test event, suggesting that they expected the strawberries to be distributed equally. In Experiment 2, the potential recipients were replaced with inanimate objects to rule out a lower‐level alternative explanation of the results in Experiment 1 based on symmetric movement of the distributor. Infants' looking times did not reveal a preference for one of the two outcomes of the test events (i.e., symmetric or asymmetric movement). Experiment 3 controlled for the role of the distributive action, that is, here the distributors only removed barriers revealing strawberries that the recipients already had. No preference was observed when an equal or unequal initial allocation of resources was revealed. Experiment 4 assessed whether infants relied on affiliative information provided by the distributor's movements. The distributor made the same movements as in Experiment 1, but without distributing any strawberries, and no difference in looking times was observed. These findings support the view that preverbal infants expect agents to behave according to a simple principle: Resources are to be distributed equally among equivalent recipients. We discuss the possible links between such reactions and the emergence of an early sense of fairness.
Identification of genome‐wide selection signatures in the Limousin beef cattle breed
Authors: Gurgul A. , Szmatoła T. , Ropka‐Molik K. , Jasielczuk I. , Pawlina K. , Semik E. , Bugno‐Poniewierska M.
Published: November 2015

The study is aimed at identifying selection footprints within the genome of Limousin cattle. With the use of Extended Haplotype Homozygosity test, supplemented with correction for variation in recombination rates across the genome, we created map of selection footprints and detected 173 significant (p < 0.01) core haplotypes being potentially under positive selection. Within these regions, a number of candidate genes associated inter alia with skeletal muscle growth (GDF15, BMP7, BMP4 and TGFB3) or postmortem proteolysis and meat maturation (CAPN1 and CAPN5) were annotated. Noticeable clusters of selection footprints were detected on chromosomes 1, 4, 8 and 14, which are known to carry several quantitative trait loci for growth traits and meat quality. The study provides information about the genes and metabolic pathways potentially modified under the influence of directional selection, aimed at improving beef production characteristics in Limousin cattle.
Suicidal ideation in early to middle adolescence: sex‐specific trajectories and predictors
Authors: Adrian Molly , Miller Adam Bryant , McCauley Elizabeth , Vander Stoep Ann
Published: November 2015

Background

The present study examined developmental trajectories of suicidal ideation (SI) and predictors of the course of SI across early to middle adolescence in a sample of 521 children utilizing a prospective longitudinal design.

Method

A baseline assessment including structured interviews and parent‐ and adolescent‐reported measures was conducted at age 11–12 years, with follow‐up assessments occurring 6, 12, 18, and 36 months later.

Results

Group‐based trajectory analyses revealed three groups of individuals, one group that remained at low ideation scores throughout the time period examined, another group with moderate ideation scores and a minority of children who had fluctuating SI. Sex differences in SI trajectories were revealed with the highest SI scores at age 12 for boys. For boys in this group, high ideation followed by a steady decline in the slope over time. SI in girls demonstrated a quadratic function increasing from age 12 to 13, and decreasing from age 14 to 15. Factors that predicted SI group membership were identified. Depression, externalizing problems, family and friend support discriminated SI trajectories for both boys and girls. History of a suicide attempt was associated with moderate‐ and high‐declining ideation groups for boys, and moderate and high ideation group for girls.

Conclusions

Assessment of SI in adolescents should occur in early adolescents, particularly around the time of school transitions.
Risky bicycling behavior among youth with and without attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Nikolas Molly A. , Elmore Alexis L. , Franzen Luke , O'Neal Elizabeth , Kearney Joseph K. , Plumert Jodie M.
Published: November 2015

Background

Injury risk from car–bicycle collisions is particularly high among youth with attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Here, we capitalized on advances in virtual environment technology to safely and systematically examine road‐crossing behavior among child cyclists with and without ADHD.

Methods

Sixty‐three youth (26 with ADHD, 37 non‐ADHD controls) ages 10–14 years crossed 12 intersections with continuous cross‐traffic while riding a high‐fidelity bicycling simulator. Traffic density (i.e., temporal gaps between vehicles) was manipulated to examine the impact of varying traffic density on behavioral indices of road crossing, including gap selection, timing of entry into the roadway, time to spare when exiting the roadway, and close calls with oncoming cars. In addition, parents filled out questionnaires assessing their child's ADHD symptomatology, temperamental characteristics, bicycling experience, and injury history.

Results

ADHD youth largely chose the same size gaps as non‐ADHD youth, although ADHD youth were more likely to select smaller gap sizes following exposure to high‐density traffic. In addition, youth with ADHD demonstrated poorer movement timing when entering the intersection, resulting in less time to spare when exiting the roadway. Hyperactivity–impulsivity symptoms were specifically associated with selection of smaller gaps, whereas timing deficits were specifically associated with inattention and inhibitory control.

Conclusion

Findings highlight two related yet potentially dissociable mechanisms that may influence injury risk among youth with ADHD and provide a foundation for development of injury prevention strategies.
The emergence and stability of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in boys with fragile X syndrome
Authors: Grefer M. , Flory K. , Cornish K. , Hatton D. , Roberts J.
Published: November 2015

Background

Children with fragile X syndrome (FXS) are at high risk for developing a range of behavioural disorders, including attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). However, very few studies have investigated the comorbid profile of FXS and ADHD and the possible dissociation from the FXS and ASD profile. The present study examined the relationship of childhood temperament characteristics of the Surgency facet (activity level, impulsivity, approach, shyness, and smiling and laughter) and the severity of ADHD and ASD features at two measurement time points in childhood, preschool (ages 3–4) and at school entry (ages 5–6).

Methods

The study consisted of males with FXS measured at each time point (preschool and school entry), as well as comparison of typically developing (TD) boys at the preschool measurement time point. Parent reported measures of temperament and behavioural symptoms were collected at each time point. Multiple regression analyses were used to analyse obtained data.

Results

Elevated activity level scores are associated with ADHD scores at preschool age and elevated shyness and decreased smiling and laughter are strongly associated with ADHD scores upon school entry. Impulsivity emerges as a strong indicator of elevated ADHD scores around school age, but even preschool impulsivity scores demonstrate some predictive value for higher ADHD scores later in school. Finally, no Surgency characteristic was significantly related to ASD scores at any age.

Conclusions

Impulsivity serves as an indicator of elevated ADHD symptoms across development periods in boys with FXS, while activity level is just indicative of higher ADHD scores at the preschool age. The Surgency facet of temperament at either age does not predict strong relationships of comorbid pathologies of ADHD and ASD in FXS. However, Surgency characteristics may serve as informative discriminative factors when studying behavioural outcomes in boys with FXS.
Radial bisection of words and lines in right‐brain‐damaged patients with spatial neglect
Authors: Veronelli Laura , Arduino Lisa S. , Girelli Luisa , Vallar Giuseppe
Published: November 2015

The bisection of lines positioned radially (with the two ends of the line close and far, with respect to the participant's body) has been less investigated than that of lines placed horizontally (with their two ends left and right, with respect to the body's midsagittal plane). In horizontal bisection, patients with left neglect typically show a rightward bias for both lines and words, greater with longer stimuli. As for radial bisection, available data indicate that neurologically unimpaired participants make a distal error, while results from right‐brain‐damaged patients with left spatial neglect are contradictory. We investigated the bisection of radially oriented words, with the prediction that, during bisection, linguistic material would be recoded to its canonical left‐to‐right format in reading, with the performance of neglect patients being similar to that for horizontal words. Thirteen right‐brain‐damaged patients (seven with left spatial neglect) and fourteen healthy controls were asked to manually bisect 40 radial and 40 horizontal words (5–10 letters), and 80 lines, 40 radial and 40 horizontal, of comparable length. Right‐brain‐damaged patients with spatial neglect exhibited a proximal bias in the bisection of short radial words, with the proximal part corresponding to the final right part of horizontally oriented words. This proximal error was not found in patients without neglect and healthy controls. For bisection, short radial words may be recoded to the canonical orthographic horizontal format, unveiling the impact of left neglect on radially oriented stimuli.
Anatomical Society core regional anatomy syllabus for undergraduate medicine: the Delphi process
Authors: Smith C.F. , Finn G. M. , Stewart J. , McHanwell S.
Published: November 2015

A modified Delphi method was employed to seek consensus when revising the UK and Ireland's core syllabus for regional anatomy in undergraduate medicine. A Delphi panel was constructed involving ‘expert’ (individuals with at least 5 years’ experience in teaching medical students anatomy at the level required for graduation). The panel (n = 39) was selected and nominated by members of Council and/or the Education Committee of the Anatomical Society and included a range of specialists including surgeons, radiologists and anatomists. The experts were asked in two stages to ‘accept’, ‘reject’ or ‘modify’ (first stage only) each learning outcome. A third stage, which was not part of the Delphi method, then allowed the original authors of the syllabus to make changes either to correct any anatomical errors or to make minor syntax changes. From the original syllabus of 182 learning outcomes, removing the neuroanatomy component (163), 23 learning outcomes (15%) remained unchanged, seven learning outcomes were removed and two new learning outcomes added. The remaining 133 learning outcomes were modified. All learning outcomes on the new core syllabus achieved over 90% acceptance by the panel.
Progenitor cell niches in the human pancreatic duct system and associated pancreatic duct glands: an anatomical and immunophenotyping study
Authors: Carpino Guido , Renzi Anastasia , Cardinale Vincenzo , Franchitto Antonio , Onori Paolo , Overi Diletta , Rossi Massimo , Berloco Pasquale Bartolomeo , Alvaro Domenico , Reid Lola M. , Gaudio Eugenio
Published: November 2015

Pancreatic duct glands (PDGs) are tubule‐alveolar glands associated with the pancreatic duct system and can be considered the anatomical counterpart of peribiliary glands (PBGs) found within the biliary tree. Recently, we demonstrated that endodermal precursor niches exist fetally and postnatally and are composed functionally of stem cells and progenitors within PBGs and of committed progenitors within PDGs. Here we have characterized more extensively the anatomy of human PDGs as novel niches containing cells with multiple phenotypes of committed progenitors. Human pancreata (n = 15) were obtained from cadaveric adult donors. Specimens were processed for histology, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. PDGs were found in the walls of larger pancreatic ducts (diameters > 300 μm) and constituted nearly 4% of the duct wall area. All of the cells identified were negative for nuclear expression of Oct4, a pluripotency gene, and so are presumably committed progenitors and not stem cells. In the main pancreatic duct and in large interlobular ducts, Sox9+ cells represented 5–30% of the cells within PDGs and were located primarily at the bottom of PDGs, whereas rare and scattered Sox9+ cells were present within the surface epithelium. The expression of PCNA, a marker of cell proliferation, paralleled the distribution of Sox9 expression. Sox9+ PDG cells proved to be Pdx1+/Ngn3+/–/Oct4A−. Nearly 10% of PDG cells were positive for insulin or glucagon. Intercalated ducts contained Sox9+/Pdx1+/Ngn3+ cells, a phenotype that is presumptive of committed endocrine progenitors. Some intercalated ducts appeared in continuity with clusters of insulin‐positive cells organized in small pancreatic islet‐like structures. In summary, PDGs represent niches of a population of Sox9+ cells exhibiting a pattern of phenotypic traits implicating a radial axis of maturation from the bottoms of the PDGs to the surface of pancreatic ducts. Our results complete the anatomical background that links biliary and pancreatic tracts and could have important implications for the common patho‐physiology of biliary tract and pancreas.
‘One Stone Is Enough to Drive Away a Hundred Birds’: Peasants, Land and Resistance in Contemporary Afghanistan
Authors: Akram‐Lodhi A. Haroon
Published: November 2015

Five books on the war in Afghanistan and contemporary Pakhtun life are reviewed from the perspective of the insights they provide into peasant resistance to the Afghan government and the United States. It is argued that while these books are important in improving our understanding of peasant resistance to the US‐led invasion of Afghanistan, with the exception of the monograph by Ahmed they offer only a partial account of the dynamics of resistance, because they fail to adequately integrate the ontology of the Pakhtun into their accounts, and the material foundations of that ontology. The result is that important elements of peasant resistance in Afghanistan are obscured.
Effect of auricular acupressure for postpartum insomnia: an uncontrolled clinical trial
Authors: Ko Yi‐Li , Lin Shih‐Chi , Lin Pi‐Chu
Published: November 2015

Aims and objectives

This study examined the effects of auricular acupressure therapy on women with postpartum insomnia.

Background

Postpartum women generally have poor sleep quality because of frequent night‐time breastfeeding during the first month after giving birth.

Design

A one‐group pretest/post‐test quasi‐experiment was conducted.

Methods

A convenience sampling method was used to recruit participants at a postpartum centre (doing‐the‐month centre) in Northern Taiwan, from January 2014–July 2014. Thirty women with postpartum insomnia received auricular acupressure therapy on one auricular point (Shenmen point pressing) four times a day for 14 days. The Chinese version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was used to assess sleep quality before and after the 14‐day treatment.

Results

After the 14‐day auricular acupressure treatment, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index total scores of the women decreased from 8·7 (pretest) to 5·57 (post‐test, 36% reduction). Scores on the subscales of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, including sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration and sleep disturbance, also statistically improved (p < 0·05).

Conclusions

Hormone changes and frequent breastfeeding were identified as characteristics that may exacerbate poor sleep quality of postpartum women, for whom the auricular acupressure intervention may effectively improve sleep quality.

Relevance to clinical practice

Auricular acupressure can be an alternative complementary therapy to aid postpartum women with insomnia in improving sleep quality.
Combined Implantation of a Penile Prosthesis and Adjustable Continence Therapy ProACT in Patients with Erectile Dysfunction and Urinary Incontinence After Radical Prostatectomy: Results of a Prospective Pilot Study
Authors: Yiou René , Binhas Michèle
Published: November 2015

Introduction

The treatment of postradical prostatectomy erectile dysfunction (post-RP-ED) and stress urinary incontinence (post-RP-SUI) may require the combined implantation of a penile prosthesis and incontinence surgery. However, there is a lack of consensus regarding which incontinence surgery should be associated with a penile implant.

Aims

To evaluate the combined implantation of a penile prosthesis and the adjustable continence therapy ProACT in patients with post-RP-ED and post-RP-SUI.

Methods

We implanted the ProACT device and a penile prosthesis synchronously (n = 6) and asynchronously (n = 4) in 10 patients with moderate post-RP-SUI and severe post-RP-ED. We evaluated the effects on urinary incontinence using the ICIQ and PGI-I scores and pad use. We evaluated the effect on sexual function using the EHS and Global Assessment Questionnaire (GAQ), and we evaluated satisfaction with the penile prosthesis on a 5-point scale. Postoperative pain associated with each procedure was evaluated by a numeric rating scale.

Results

No cases of urinary retention or prosthesis infection were observed. Postoperative pain was mainly related to penile prosthesis implantation. After a mean follow-up of 22.7 ± 20.9 months (range: 6–53), significant improvements of the ICIQ score (15.3 ± 3.7 vs. 4.7 ± 2.3, P  < 0.001) and pad use per day (2.8 ± 1.2 vs. 0.3 ± 0.5, P  < 0.001) were observed compared with baseline. According to the PGI-I questionnaire, eight patients described a very much improved (n = 6) or much improved (n = 2) urinary condition. All patients declared an EHS = 4 with the use of penile prosthesis; all patients were very satisfied (n = 6) or satisfied (n = 4) with their penile prosthesis. All patients answered the GAQ positively.

Conclusion

The combined implantation of a Pro-ACT device and penile prosthesis represents a feasible therapeutic option in patients with post-RP-SUI and post-RP-ED. The absence of postoperative pain associated with the ProACT procedure may represent the main interest in this therapy.
Acute lumbosacral nerve stimulation does not affect anorectal motor function in a rodent model
Authors: Devane L. A. , Evers J. , Scott M. S. , Knowles C. H. , O'Connell P. , Jones J. F. X.
Published: November 2015

Background

Sacral nerve stimulation has become a first line treatment for fecal incontinence, however, its effect on the motor function of the anorectum is uncertain. The aim of this study was to apply acute lumbosacral nerve stimulation in an animal model and to determine its effect on the external and internal anal sphincter forces, the rectoanal inhibitory and excitatory reflexes, and the slow wave frequency of the internal anal sphincter.

Methods

Lumbosacral nerve stimulation was applied to 16 nulliparous female rats. A novel in vivo preparation was designed to allow simultaneous monitoring of external and internal anal sphincter forces. The effect of rectal distension on the two anal sphincters was also studied.

Key Results

Lumbosacral nerve stimulation delivered at either S1 or L6 in rodents did not affect sphincter forces, rectoanal reflexes or slow wave frequency of anal canal smooth muscle.

Conclusions & Inferences

The absence of effect on the motor pathways of continence suggests that the mechanism of action is predominantly on sensory feedback mechanisms from the anorectum, thereby increasing cortical awareness of the pelvic floor.
The LysM receptor‐like kinase SlLYK10 regulates the arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis in tomato
Authors: Buendia Luis , Wang Tongming , Girardin Ariane , Lefebvre Benoit
Published: November 2015

Most plants have the ability to establish a symbiosis with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, which allows better plant nutrition. A plant signaling pathway, called the common symbiosis signaling pathway (CSSP), is essential for the establishment of both AM and root nodule symbioses. The CSSP is activated by microbial signals. Plant receptor(s) for AM fungal signals required for the activation of the CSSP and initial fungal penetration are currently unknown.

We set up conditions to use virus‐induced gene silencing (VIGS) in Solanum lycopersicum to study the genes potentially involved in AM.

We show that the lysin motif receptor‐like kinase SlLYK10, whose orthologs in legumes are essential for nodulation, but not for AM, and SlCCaMK, a component of the CSSP, are required for penetration of the AM fungus Rhizophagus irregularis into the roots of young tomato plants.

Our results support the hypothesis that the SILYK10 ancestral gene originally played a role in AM and underwent duplication and neofunctionalization for a role in nodulation in legumes. Moreover, we conclude that VIGS is an efficient method for fast screening of genes playing major roles in AM.
Development of broad‐spectrum bacterial blight resistance into thermo‐sensitive genic male sterile lines
Authors: Jiang Jiefeng , Mi Jiaming , Ali Jauhar , Mou Tongmin
Published: November 2015

Two‐line hybrid rice technology is an effective way to increase rice production and improve rice quality. In this study, three bacterial blight (BB) resistance genes, Xa7, Xa21 and Xa23, were introgressed separately into C815S, a popular thermo‐sensitive genic male sterile (TGMS) line to develop five BB‐resistant lines (Hua1005S, Hua1002S, Hua1009S, Hua1006S and Hua1001S) to be resistant against seven races of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo). The two‐line hybrids with heterozygous Xa23 were resistant against seven Xoo strains. But, the hybrids with heterozygous loci for both Xa7 and Xa21 were only resistant against three Xoo strains and were moderately susceptible to the other four strains indicating the role of modifiers influencing the poor expression of dominant BB resistance genes under heterozygous state. Among them, Hua1006S was found to be a promising TGMS line with its higher degree of disease resistance level on account of broad‐spectrum resistance gene Xa23 besides possessing better plant type and rice grain quality features.
Artificial canopy gaps accelerate restoration within an exoticPinus radiataplantation
Authors: Forbes Adam S. , Norton David A. , Carswell Fiona E.
Published: November 2015

We created small‐scale artificial canopy gaps to accelerate the growth of mature indigenous forest canopy species for restoration of an 18‐year‐old exoticPinus radiataplantation forest, in the Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand. Small and large circular gaps were formed by felling. Seedlings of two indigenous forest canopy species,Podocarpus totara(Podocarpaceae) andBeilschmiedia tawa(Lauraceae), were planted within artificial gaps and undisturbed plantation canopy. Seedling height growth, mortality, and occurrence of animal browse were monitored at approximately 6‐month intervals over 17 months. BothP. totaraandB. tawadiffered significantly in height growth and in animal browse occurrence among artificial gap treatments. Growth of the light‐demandingP. totarawas better under large canopy gaps, whereas growth of the shade‐tolerantB. tawaincreased under gaps of any size but was most consistent under small gaps. ForP. totara, any significant restoration benefit of gap formation on height growth was lost when browsed seedlings were taken into account. Animal browse significantly limitedB. tawaheight growth in large but not in small gaps. Small‐scale canopy gap creation is an effective method of modifying light transmission to the plantation understorey and accelerating seedling growth rates. Canopy gap size can be used to optimize understorey illumination according to species‐specific light requirements. The increased occurrence of animal browse in gaps requires consideration. Artificial canopy gaps within planted monocultures create structural heterogeneity that would otherwise take an extended period of time to develop. These results further support the role of plantations as indigenous forest restoration sites.
Clinical predictors of hospital admission in acute lower respiratory tract infection in 2 months to 2‐year‐old children
Authors: Mahajan Vidushi , Tiwari Mudita , Arya Adhi , Tiwari Abhimanyu , Chawla Deepak , Saini Shiv Sajan
Published: November 2015

Background and objective

Acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRI) are a common cause of paediatric emergency visits in young children. We studied risk factors for hospitalization and developed a clinical score for predicting hospitalization among 2 months to 2‐year‐old children with ALRI.

Methods

We conducted this prospective cohort study in the paediatric emergency department of a tertiary‐care teaching hospital in India. Consecutive children, aged 2 months to 2 years with ALRI were enrolled from 15 December 2011 to 14 December 2012. A total of 26 a priori identified, putative risk factors were studied among enrolled children. We determined independent predictors of hospital admission (primary outcome) through multi‐variable logistic regression analysis and assimilated them into a clinical risk score using regression coefficients.

Results

A total of 240 children (130 admissions) with ALRI were enrolled. Eleven clinical risk factors, which displayed association with hospital admission on univariate analysis (P < 0.1), were entered into multi‐variable logistic regression analysis. Five factors retained independent association and were incorporated in a predictive score for hospitalization: tachypnoea (score of 5), chest retractions (score of 3), temperature > 37.8°C (score of 3), SpO2 < 92% at room air (score of 4), GCS < 15 (score of 6). Area under the receiver operator characteristic curve was 0.80 (95% CI: 0.75–0.85, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Five clinical risk factors—tachypnoea, chest retractions, fever > 37.8°C, SpO2 < 92% and GCS < 15—independently predicted hospital admission in infants with ALRI. A novel clinical score predicting hospital admission is presented.
Ore and Skarn Mineralogy of the Yamato Mine, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan, with Emphasis on Silver‐, Bismuth‐, Cobalt‐, and Tin‐bearing Sulfides
Authors: Nagashima Mariko , Akasaka Masahide , Morifuku Yoji
Published: November 2015

Assemblages and chemical compositions of ore minerals from the Yamato mine, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan, were investigated in detail to clarify its characteristics as a skarn deposit. Special attention was paid to silver‐, bismuth‐, cobalt‐, and tin‐bearing sulfide minerals and native gold at the mine, which are described here for the first time. Samples of arsenopyrite‐dominant massive ore, and garnet‐rich, clinopyroxene‐garnet‐rich, and wollastonite‐bearing skarn ores were collected from the mine dump. Arsenopyrite is the most abundant ore mineral (>80 vol.%) in the massive ore, in association with both As‐poor/free and As‐bearing pyrite. The major ore minerals in the skarn specimens are pyrite, pyrrhotite, arsenopyrite, chalcopyrite, galena, and sphalerite, along with minor argentite, Ag‐Pb‐Bi sulfate, matildite, bismuthinite, native bismuth, molybdenite, scheelite, stannite, stannoidite, cassiterite, cobaltite, gersdorffite, and Co‐rich violarite. In addition, native gold is observed in the interstices of gangue minerals. Based on the mineral assemblages and textures of the specimens examined, the major ore minerals formed in the early stage of mineralization, and the Bi‐, Ag‐, Co‐, Ni‐, As‐ and Sn‐mineralization occurred in the middle stage. Native gold was deposited in the late stage. The estimated formation temperature of the middle mineralization stage was 312±5 °C, according to iron and zinc partitioning between stannite and coexisting sphalerite. The mineralogical properties and mineralization process of the Yamato mine are consistent with those of common skarn‐ and vein‐type ore deposits associated with ilmenite‐series granitoids in the San‐yo and San‐in districts.
High‐Speed Rail and Rural Livelihood: The Wuhan‐Guangzhou Line and Qiya Village
Authors: Liu Shujing , Kesteloot Christian
Published: November 2015

China has started to develop the world's largest high‐speed rail network in the twenty‐first century with the general aims of developing the economy and increasing environmental sustainability. Meanwhile economic reforms have created massive movements of rural workers towards urban labour markets. The co‐existence of these movements with a HSR network raises the question about the impacts of the HSR on rural migrants and the livelihoods in their villages. This paper seeks to analyse these impacts from a livelihood perspective. Two main roles of transport are analysed: transport as delivering access to new economic opportunities and transport as an industry providing employment. Statistical data and fieldwork evidence in Qiya, a small village in Hunan province, show that the opening of the Wuhan‐Guangzhou HSR line decreased their access to places of employment both in terms of cost and time, but the HSR construction created employment opportunities for the villagers.
Determinants of Intra‐Distribution Dynamics in European Regions: An Empirical Assessment of the Role of Structural Intervention
Authors: Fabrizi Enrico , Guastella Gianni , Marta Stefano , Timpano Francesco
Published: November 2015

This paper examines the dynamic of income distribution in European regions and attempts to relate movements within this distribution to regional structural characteristics and to the impact of cohesion policy (CP). There is evidence that CP supports advanced economic development in lagging and peripheral regions, hence contributing to the ‘convergence objective’. The effectiveness of CP, however, depends on the manner in which funds are managed by single regions: the likelihood of progressing in the income distribution is associated, in fact, to the balance between investments in infrastructure and the productive environment, favouring the former. Evidence presented in this paper also relates regional economic performance to the educational level and innovation in regions, providing useful insights for the current debate about reshaping EU cohesion policy toward a more place‐based approach.