bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bad Company: Supracristal VSD Presenting with Ruptured Sinus of Valsalva Aneurysm. A Case Presentation with Echocardiographic Depiction and an Analysis of Contemporary Literature
Authors: Hartlage Gregory R. , Consolini Michelle A. , Pernetz Maria A. , Williams B. Robinson , Clements Stephen D. , Chen Edward P. , Rab S. Tanveer
Published: January 2015

Supracristal ventricular septal defect (SCVSD), a defect of the infundibular portion of the interventricular septum just below the right aortic cusp, occurs more frequently in Eastern Asian populations. SCVSD may be complicated by right sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (SoVA). We present the case of a 26‐year‐old male of Korean descent with a history of a childhood murmur who was referred to our institution for progressive heart failure symptoms. He was diagnosed with SCVSD and ruptured right SoVA based on history, physical exam, and echocardiography including three‐dimensional transesophageal echocardiography with reconstructed surgical views. The patient underwent SCVSD closure, SoVA excision, and valve‐sparing aortic root replacement. We reviewed the echocardiography literature regarding SCVSD and SoVA, and analyzed contemporary literature of SoVA and its relationship with SCVSD. We conclude that a higher prevalence of ruptured SoVA in Eastern Asians is likely related to a higher prevalence of underlying SCVSD in this population.
Cardiovascular disease and osteoarthritis: common pathways and patient outcomes
Authors: Fernandes Gwen S. , Valdes Ana M.
Published: January 2015

Background

Osteoarthritis (OA) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) are the two most prevalent conditions in the population aged over 70 in developed countries. Both conditions share common risk factors, in particular age and body mass index. However, the very high level of co‐occurrence of both diseases cannot be accounted by common risk factors alone.

Materials and Methods

We reviewed the recent literature published in English in PubMed for articles relating to osteoarthritis and cardiovascular disease.

Results

On the one hand, the disability caused by OA increases the risk of CVD and in particular of ischemic events and mortality beyond what can be explained by known common risk factors, such as ageing and obesity. Moreover, the presence of OA has a synergistic effect on CVD symptoms considerably worsening them. On the other hand, at least in women, there appears to be a common pathogenic mechanism underlying atherosclerosis (but not hypertension) and actual joint damage.

Conclusion

There are some possible molecular mechanisms underlying both diseases, in particular relating to low grade inflammation and female hormones. However, the data available to date also indicate that OA may be considered as an indirect cause of CVD by increasing walking disability and the use of analgesic medication such as NSAIDs. We discuss future directions that need to be taken to address these highly prevalent, costly and disabling morbidities.
Taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic dimensions of rodent biodiversity along an extensive tropical elevational gradient
Authors: Dreiss Lindsay M. , Burgio Kevin R. , Cisneros Laura M. , Klingbeil Brian T. , Patterson Bruce D. , Presley Steven J. , Willig Michael R.
Published: January 2015

Relationships among taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic dimensions of biodiversity provide insight about the relative contributions of ecological and evolutionary processes in structuring local assemblages. We used data for rodent species distributions from an extensive tropical elevational gradient to 1) describe elevational gradients for each of three dimensions of biodiversity, 2) evaluate the sufficiency of species richness as a surrogate for other dimensions, and 3) quantify the relative support for mechanisms that increase or decrease phylogenetic or functional dispersion. Taxonomic biodiversity was quantified by species richness, as well as by richness, evenness, diversity, dominance, and rarity at generic and familial levels. Morphological and categorical traits were used to estimate functional biodiversity, and an ultrametric mammalian supertree was used as the basis for estimating phylogenetic biodiversity. Elevational gradients of each dimension of biodiversity were strong, with significant linear and non‐linear components based on orthogonal polynomial regression. Empirical linear and non‐linear regression components were consistently different than those expected based on species richness for generic, familial, and phylogenetic biodiversity, but not for functional biodiversity. Nevertheless, the congruence of dimensions of biodiversity based on correlation analyses indicated that any one dimension is a useful surrogate for the other dimensions for rodents at Manu. Given variation in species richness, assemblages from lowland rainforests comprised more biodiversity than expected, whereas assemblages from cloud and elfin forests represented less biodiversity than expected. Warm temperatures, vertical complexity of the vegetation, and high productivity likely facilitate niche differentiation in rainforests, whereas cricetid rodents are competitively superior to other clades in the less structurally complex, less productive, and colder, high elevation habitats.
Biotic interactions boost spatial models of species richness
Authors: Mod Heidi K. , le Roux Peter C. , Guisan Antoine , Luoto Miska
Published: January 2015

Biotic interactions are known to affect the composition of species assemblages via several mechanisms, such as competition and facilitation. However, most spatial models of species richness do not explicitly consider inter‐specific interactions. Here, we test whether incorporating biotic interactions into high‐resolution models alters predictions of species richness as hypothesised. We included key biotic variables (cover of three dominant arctic‐alpine plant species) into two methodologically divergent species richness modelling frameworks – stacked species distribution models (SSDM) and macroecological models (MEM) – for three ecologically and evolutionary distinct taxonomic groups (vascular plants, bryophytes and lichens). Predictions from models including biotic interactions were compared to the predictions of models based on climatic and abiotic data only. Including plant–plant interactions consistently and significantly lowered bias in species richness predictions and increased predictive power for independent evaluation data when compared to the conventional climatic and abiotic data based models. Improvements in predictions were constant irrespective of the modelling framework or taxonomic group used. The global biodiversity crisis necessitates accurate predictions of how changes in biotic and abiotic conditions will potentially affect species richness patterns. Here, we demonstrate that models of the spatial distribution of species richness can be improved by incorporating biotic interactions, and thus that these key predictor factors must be accounted for in biodiversity forecasts.
Annual variation in long‐distance dispersal driven by breeding and non‐breeding season climatic conditions in a migratory bird
Authors: Rushing Clark S. , Dudash Michele R. , Studds Colin E. , Marra Peter P.
Published: January 2015

Long‐distance dispersal is a fundamental process in ecology and evolution but the factors that influence these movements remain poorly understood in most species. We used stable hydrogen isotopes to quantify the rate and direction of long‐distance immigration in a breeding population of American redstarts and to test whether the settlement decisions that result in long‐distance dispersal are driven by habitat saturation or by the phenology of breeding‐season resources. Our results provide evidence that both natal dispersal and breeding dispersal were influenced by the timing of breeding‐season phenology, with both age classes more likely to disperse north in years when the onset of breeding‐season phenology occurs earlier than normal. Yearlings were also more likely to disperse north following winters with poor habitat quality on their non‐breeding grounds, demonstrating that carry‐over effects from the non‐breeding season influence natal dispersal in this species. Collectively, these results are consistent with the hypothesis that American redstarts use the phenology of breeding season resources as a cue to select breeding sites. Our results suggest that long‐distance dispersal may allow individuals to rapidly respond to advancing phenology caused by global climate change, though their ability to do so may be constrained by long‐term decline in habitat quality predicted for their tropical non‐breeding grounds.
Sex pheromone components of the carpenterworm moth, Holcocerus vicarius
Authors: Yang Mei‐Hong , Liu Hong‐Xia , Liu Jin‐Long , Jing Xiao‐Yuan , Zhang Jin‐Tong , Fan Li‐Hua , Wang Shi‐Fei
Published: January 2015

Extracts of the female sex pheromone gland of the carpenterworm moth, Holcocerus vicarius (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Cossidae), a pest of Ulmus pumila L. (Ulmaceae), were found to contain Z7‐tetradecenyl acetate (Z7‐14Ac), E3‐tetradecenyl acetate (E3‐14Ac), (Z3,E5)‐tetradecenyl acetate (Z3,E5‐14Ac), and Z7‐tetradecenyl alcohol (Z7‐14OH) by coupled gas chromatographic‐electroantennographic detection (GC‐EAD) and coupled gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS). Field trapping studies with impregnated rubber septa indicated that Z7‐14Ac was essential for attraction of males of H. vicarius. However, the most attractive blend contained Z7‐14Ac, E3‐14Ac, Z3,E5‐14Ac, and Z7‐14OH in a 50:22:17:10 ratio. Our results demonstrated that a blend of Z7‐14Ac, E3‐14Ac, Z3,E5‐14Ac, and Z7‐14OH represented the sex pheromone of H. vicarius. The optimized four‐component lure blend may be useful for monitoring H. vicarius infestations and mating disruption.
When first language is not first: an functional magnetic resonance imaging investigation of the neural basis of diglossia in Arabic
Authors: Nevat Michael , Khateb Asaid , Prior Anat
Published: January 2015

In Arabic, the language used for everyday conversation (‘spoken Arabic’ – SA) differs markedly from literary Arabic (LA), which is used for written communication and formal functions. This fact raises questions regarding the cognitive status of the two varieties and their processing in the brain. Previous studies using auditory stimuli suggested that LA is processed by Arabic native speakers as a second language. The current study examined this issue in the visual modality. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) responses were collected while Arabic–Hebrew bilinguals performed a semantic categorization task on visually presented words in LA, SA and Hebrew. Performance on LA was better than SA and Hebrew, which did not differ from each other. Activation in SA was stronger than in LA in left inferior frontal, precentral, parietal and occipito‐temporal regions, and stronger than in Hebrew in left precentral and parietal regions. Activation in SA was also less lateralized than activation for LA and Hebrew, which did not differ from each other in terms of lateralization, though activation for Hebrew was more extensive in both hemispheres than activation for LA. Altogether, these results indicate an advantage for LA in the current study, presumably due to participants' proficiency in reading in this language. Stronger activation for SA appears to be due to the relative unfamiliarity of written word forms in SA, which could also explain differences in performance between the two languages. However, the stronger activation observed in the left parietal cortex may also reflect stronger associations among words in SA.
Increasing utilization of pediatric epilepsy surgery in the United States between 1997 and 2009
Authors: Pestana Knight Elia M. , Schiltz Nicholas K. , Bakaki Paul M. , Koroukian Siran M. , Lhatoo Samden D. , Kaiboriboon Kitti
Published: January 2015

Objective

To examine national trends of pediatric epilepsy surgery usage in the United States between 1997 and 2009.

Methods

We performed a serial cross‐sectional study of pediatric epilepsy surgery using triennial data from the Kids’ Inpatient Database from 1997 to 2009. The rates of epilepsy surgery for lobectomies, partial lobectomies, and hemispherectomies in each study year were calculated based on the number of prevalent epilepsy cases in the corresponding year. The age‐race‐sex adjusted rates of surgeries were also estimated. Mann‐Kendall trend test was used to test for changes in the rates of surgeries over time. Multivariable regression analysis was also performed to estimate the effect of time, age, race, and sex on the annual incidence of epilepsy surgery.

Results

The rates of pediatric epilepsy surgery increased significantly from 0.85 epilepsy surgeries per 1,000 children with epilepsy in 1997 to 1.44 epilepsy surgeries per 1,000 children with epilepsy in 2009. An increment in the rates of epilepsy surgeries was noted across all age groups, in boys and girls, all races, and all payer types. The rate of increase was lowest in blacks and in children with public insurance. The overall number of surgical cases for each study year was lower than 35% of children who were expected to have surgery, based on the estimates from the Connecticut Study of Epilepsy.

Significance

In contrast to adults, pediatric epilepsy surgery numbers have increased significantly in the past decade. However, epilepsy surgery remains an underutilized treatment for children with epilepsy. In addition, black children and those with public insurance continue to face disparities in the receipt of epilepsy surgery.
Mechanical fatigue in aluminium at elevated temperature and remaining life prediction based on natural frequency evolution
Authors: Khan M.  A. , Khan S.  Z. , Sohail W. , Khan H. , Sohaib M. , Nisar S.
Published: January 2015

Fatigue is one of the principle damage mechanisms in materials especially at elevated temperatures. It possesses a great influence on the material properties and the possible working life. In this work, a novel technique for the analysis of fatigue at elevated temperature is suggested. Material fundamental frequency and its drop are used as the key parameters to predict the remaining useful life of a selected shape specimen, which is operated under low‐cyclic fatigue loading at elevated temperature. Experiments are performed on aluminium 1050 with two different lengths of a non‐prismatic cantilever beam at room temperature, 100, 200 and 300 °C, respectively. The experimental data is further transformed in to an empirical correlation that can predict specimen useful life. The error in this life prediction is less than 5%, and it reduces more once the frequency drop is increased.
In breast cancer, are treatments and survival the same whatever a patient's age? A population‐based study over the period 1998–2009
Authors: Dialla Pegdwende Olivia , Quipourt Valérie , Gentil Julie , Marilier Sophie , Poillot Marie‐Laure , Roignot Patrick , Altwegg Thierry , Darut‐Jouve Ariane , Guiu Sévérine , Arveux Patrick , Dabakuyo‐Yonli Tienhan Sandrine
Published: January 2015

Aim

The present study aimed to describe treatments, relative survival and prognostic factors in breast cancer patients according to age.

Methods

All women with primary invasive breast cancer, diagnosed from 1998 to 2009 in the department of Côte d'Or, were retrospectively selected. Variations in treatments administered according to age (<50 years, 50–74 years, >74 years) and period were assessed using Cochran–Armitage trend tests and χ2‐tests, respectively. Prognostic factors according to age were estimated using a generalized linear model with a Poisson error structure.

Results

Overall, 4305 women were included. The oldest women (aged >74 years) were more likely than the youngest women to have comorbidities, advanced stage tumors, hormone receptor‐positive tumors and be human epidermal growth factor receptor 2‐negative. The use of breast conserving surgery plus adjuvant therapy decreased in older women (>74 years), whereas the proportions of women without treatments and with adjuvant hormone therapy increased with age. Multivariate relative survival analyses according to age showed an increased risk of death in women aged 50–74 years and >74 years with comorbidities compared with those without comorbidities; relative excess risks were 1.85 (1.13–3.02) and 3.23 (1.26–8.31), respectively. In contrast, a decreased risk of death was observed in women aged 50–74 years diagnosed by medical imaging compared with those diagnosed by clinical signs; relative excess risks 0.44 (0.22–0.89).

Conclusion

Elderly women compared with the youngest women were diagnosed with more favorable tumor biology (hormone receptor‐positive tumors, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2‐negative). However, survival was poor in elderly women who had comorbid conditions, did not attend screening mammography examinations and were undertreated. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2015; 15: 617–626.
Effect of dysphagia rehabilitation on oral intake in elderly patients with aspiration pneumonia
Authors: Momosaki Ryo , Yasunaga Hideo , Matsui Hiroki , Horiguchi Hiromasa , Fushimi Kiyohide , Abo Masahiro
Published: January 2015

Aim

To clarify the effects of dysphagia rehabilitation on oral intake after aspiration pneumonia in older adults.

Methods

The present retrospective observational study used data from the Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination inpatient database. We identified patients who were admitted to acute care hospitals with aspiration pneumonia. Patients were subdivided into those with and without dysphagia rehabilitation. The main outcome variable was total oral intake on discharge. We carried out multivariate logistic regression analysis to assess the effect of dysphagia rehabilitation on the outcome, with adjustment for patient backgrounds. We also carried out analyses based on pneumonia severity, and the timing and duration of dysphagia rehabilitation.

Results

We identified 22 819 patients with dysphagia rehabilitation and 75 555 patients without dysphagia rehabilitation. The rates of total oral intake on discharge were 78.0 and 75.2%, respectively. The multivariate regression model showed that the dysphagia rehabilitation group had a significantly higher proportion of total oral intake on discharge (odds ratio 1.32; P < 0.001). Mild pneumonia patients had a higher odds ratio for total oral intake associated with dysphagia rehabilitation than patients with moderate and severe pneumonia (odds ratio 2.27; P < 0.001). Among patients who underwent a short period of dysphagia rehabilitation, those with early rehabilitation were more likely to achieve total oral intake at discharge than those with late rehabilitation.

Conclusion

The data suggest that dysphagia rehabilitation had a positive effect on total oral intake in elderly patients with aspiration pneumonia. Dysphagia rehabilitation showed greater benefit in patients with mild pneumonia than with more severe pneumonia. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2015; 15: 694–699.
Microwave and pulsed electric field assisted extractions of polyphenols from defatted canola seed cake
Authors: Teh Sue‐Siang , Niven Brian E. , Bekhit Alaa El‐Din A. , Carne Alan , Birch Edward John
Published: January 2015

The incorporation of microwave and pulsed electric field (PEF) technologies in optimising the extraction of polyphenols from defatted canola seed cake was determined by Box‐Behnken response surface methodology, using three parameters of microwave treatment (power, time and liquid: solid (L:S) ratio) and four parameters of PEF (ethanol concentration, time, frequency and voltage). After microwave and PEF pretreatments, the polyphenols of defatted canola seed cake were extracted by ultrasound treatment under fixed variables (200 W of ultrasonic power, 70 °C of water bath and 20 min of extraction time). The measured responses were total phenolics, total flavonoids, the DPPH˙ scavenging activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). The maximum yields of all responses were achieved under optimum conditions of microwave processing (5 min, L:S ratio of 6.0 and 633.3 W) and PEF‐assisted extraction (30 V, 30 Hz, 10% ethanol concentration and 10 s).
Effects of preoperative dutasteride treatment in holmium laser enucleation of the prostate
Authors: Sato Ryo , Sadaoka Yuko , Nishio Kojiro , Kobori Yoshitomo , Yagi Hiroshi , Arai Gaku , Soh Shigehiro , Okada Hiroshi
Published: January 2015

Objectives

To investigate factors influencing the degree of difficulty in finding and maintaining an appropriate plane on the surgical capsule of the prostate during holmium laser enucleation of the prostate.

Methods

A total of 116 men undergoing holmium laser enucleation of the prostate for benign prostate hyperplasia between January 2010 and September 2013 at our hospital were included in this analysis. The degree of difficulty in finding and maintaining the plane of the surgical capsule of the prostate was retrospectively evaluated and graded by using video‐based analysis according to newly defined criteria (grade I, least difficult; grade IV, most difficult). Factors influencing the degree of difficulty were investigated.

Results

Video analysis was possible in 99 of 116 patients. Decapsulation difficulty in decapsulation was deemed as being grade I in 32 patients, grade II in 31 patients, grade III in 20 patients and grade IV in 16 patients. Preoperative dutasteride therapy was the only factor associated with an increasing level of difficulty in decapsulation during holmium laser enucleation of the prostate.

Conclusions

Although preoperative dutasteride therapy effectively reduces intraoperative blood loss, surgeons with limited experience should be careful with the use of dutasteride, because its administration might increase surgical difficulty during holmium laser enucleation of the prostate.
Nocturia in men is a chaotic condition dominated by nocturnal polyuria
Authors: Fujimura Tetsuya , Yamada Yuta , Sugihara Toru , Azuma Takeshi , Suzuki Motofumi , Fukuhara Hiroshi , Nakagawa Tohru , Kume Haruki , Igawa Yasuhiko , Homma Yukio
Published: January 2015

Objective

To characterize nocturia in men based on frequency volume chart data and symptom profiles assessed using the Core Lower Urinary Tract Symptom Score and Athens Insomnia Scale questionnaires.

Methods

The Core Lower Urinary Tract Symptom Score and Athens Insomnia Scale questionnaires were administered to 299 consecutive treatment naïve men with nocturia (≥one time per night). Frequency volume chart data were recorded for 2 days. Correlations between nocturia and clinical characteristics including symptom scores, clinical diagnosis, Charlson Comorbidity Index, estimated glomerular filtration rate, uroflowmetry and prostate volume were analyzed.

Results

Patients were divided into five groups: one time (n = 36), two times (n = 65), three times (n = 85), four times (n = 78) and five times (n = 34) of nocturia. Age, prevalence or severity of chronic kidney disease, hyperlipidemia, low bladder capacity, nocturnal polyuria, urgency, bladder pain and sleep disorders were significantly correlated with the severity of nocturia. The Spearman correlation analysis identified eight possible independent factors for nocturia: age, estimated glomerular filtration rate, urgency, bladder pain, sleep quality, sleepiness during the day, average voided volume and nocturnal volume divided by body weight. Logistic regression analysis showed that nocturnal volume divided by body weight was the strongest factor of nocturia, and ≥7, 9 and 9.7 mL/kg were practical cut‐off values of three, four and five times per night of nocturia, respectively.

Conclusions

Nocturia in men is a chaotic condition dominated by nocturnal polyuria, and related to multiple factors including age, renal function, urgency, bladder pain, insomnia and bladder volume.
Prognostic significance of visceral obesity in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma undergoing nephrectomy
Authors: Lee Hye Won , Jeong Byong Chang , Seo Seong Il , Jeon Seong Soo , Lee Hyun Moo , Choi Han Yong , Jeon Hwang Gyun
Published: January 2015

Objectives

To determine the effect of visceral obesity on the prognosis of advanced renal cell carcinoma patients undergoing nephrectomy.

Methods

We reviewed clinicopathological data of 2187 patients who underwent nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma (localized [T1–2, N0, M0], n = 1738 [79.5%]; advanced [T3–4, any N and M], n = 449 [20.5%]) at Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea. The visceral fat area and subcutaneous fat area were determined at the level of the umbilicus on computed tomograms obtained before surgery. Patients were categorized as either viscerally obese or non‐obese according to visceral fat area and visceral fat area/subcutaneous fat area ratio.

Results

High visceral fat area (greater than 50 percentiles in each sex) was associated with longer cancer‐specific survival (P = 0.01) or overall survival (P = 0.03), whereas visceral fat area/subcutaneous fat area ratio showed no influence on survival outcomes. By multivariate analysis adjusted with clinicopathological variables, low visceral fat area was an independent predictor of cancer‐specific death and overall death (cancer‐specific survival P = 0.004, hazard ratio = 2.19; overall survival P = 0.003, hazard ratio = 2.22), as well as old age (P = 0.01), radical nephrectomy (P = 0.002), high tumor grade (P = 0.01) and the presence of a sarcomatoid component (P < 0.001) in the subgroup analysis of advanced renal cell carcinoma.

Conclusion

High visceral fat area might represent a predictor of better prognosis in patients with advanced renal cell carcinomas undergoing nephrectomy. © 2015 The Japanese Urological Association
Investigating the exercise‐prescription practices of nurses working in inpatient mental health settings
Authors: Stanton Robert , Happell Brenda , Reaburn Peter
Published: January 2015

Nurses working in mental health are well positioned to prescribe exercise to people with mental illness. However, little is known regarding their exercise‐prescription practices. We examined the self‐reported physical activity and exercise‐prescription practices of nurses working in inpatient mental health facilities. Thirty‐four nurses completed the Exercise in Mental Illness Questionnaire – Health Practitioner Version. Non‐parametric bivariate statistics revealed no relationship between nurses' self‐reported physical activity participation and the frequency of exercise prescription for people with mental illness. Exercise‐prescription parameters used by nurses are consistent with those recommended for both the general population and for people with mental illness. A substantial number of barriers to effective exercise prescription, including lack of training, systemic issues (such as prioritization and lack of time), and lack of consumer motivation, impact on the prescription of exercise for people with mental illness. Addressing the barriers to exercise prescription could improve the proportion of nurses who routinely prescribe exercise. Collaboration with exercise professionals, such as accredited exercise physiologists or physiotherapists, might improve knowledge of evidence‐based exercise‐prescription practices for people with mental illness, thereby improving both physical and mental health outcomes for this vulnerable population.
Finding One's Path Into Another Language: On the Expression of Boundary Crossing by English Learners of French
Authors: Hendriks Henriette , Hickmann Maya
Published: January 2015

Languages vary considerably in how they represent motion. One major source of variation (Talmy, 2000) depends on whether linguistic systems lexicalize path in the verb (verb‐framed languages) or in satellites (satellite‐framed languages). This typological difference involves more than different verb types in that it also affects elements outside the verb. The current study is concerned with the implications of such typological properties for second language learning, specifically studying speakers of a satellite‐framed language (English) acquiring a verb‐framed language (French). We hypothesize that typological differences between source and target languages should present some difficulties to learners. For English learners of French, an additional difficulty should result from the fact that French is not entirely consistent in its patterning, allowing English‐like lexicalization patterns in some cases, but not in others. This requires the learners to discover the nature of the regularities from a target input that presents them with constrained variability.
Changes in Thinking for Speaking: A Longitudinal Case Study
Authors: Stam Gale
Published: January 2015

Cross‐linguistic research on motion events has shown that Spanish speakers and English speakers have different patterns of thinking for speaking about motion, both linguistically and gesturally (for a review, see Stam, 2010b). Spanish speakers express path linguistically with verbs, and their path gestures tend to occur with path verbs, whereas English speakers express path linguistically with satellites (adverbs or particles), and their path gestures tend to occur with satellite units. This article investigated whether a Spanish‐speaking English language learner's thinking for speaking patterns about motion exhibited continuous linguistic and gestural change in her L1 (Spanish) and L2 (English). The results indicate that the learner's gestural expression of path changed in both her L1 and L2, and her gestural expression of manner changed in her L2. This change suggests that manner, a pattern acquired in childhood, may not be resistant to change after all (Slobin, 1996; Stam, 2010b). The results have implications for the teaching of second and foreign languages.
Learning to Think in a Second Language: Effects of Proficiency and Length of Exposure in English Learners of German
Authors: Athanasopoulos Panos , Damjanovic Ljubica , Burnand Julie , Bylund Emanuel
Published: January 2015

The aim of the current study is to investigate motion event cognition in second language learners in a higher education context. Based on recent findings that speakers of grammatical aspect languages like English attend less to the endpoint (goal) of events than do speakers of nonaspect languages like Swedish in a nonverbal categorization task involving working memory (Athanasopoulos & Bylund, 2013; Bylund & Athanasopoulos, 2015), the current study asks whether native speakers of an aspect language start paying more attention to event endpoints when learning a nonaspect language. Native English and German (a nonaspect language) speakers, and English learners of L2 German, who were pursuing studies in German language and literature at an English university, were asked to match a target scene with intermediate degree of endpoint orientation with two alternate scenes with low and high degree of endpoint orientation, respectively. Results showed that, compared to the native English speakers, the learners of German were more prone to base their similarity judgements on endpoint saliency, rather than ongoingness, primarily as a function of increasing L2 proficiency and year of university study. Further analyses revealed a nonlinear relationship between length of L2 exposure and categorization patterns, subserved by a progressive strengthening of the relationship between L2 proficiency and categorization as length of exposure increased. These findings present evidence that cognitive restructuring may occur through increasing experience with an L2, but also suggest that this relationship may be complex and unfold over a long period of time.
A graphical WWW‐database on gene expression in tooth
Authors: Nieminen Pekka , Pekkanen Maija , Åberg Thomas , Thesleff Irma
Published: January 2015

We have constructed a WWW‐site that presents gene expression in developing dental tissues (Gene expression in tooth, http:honeybee.helsinki.fitoothexp). Our aim is to provide a tool for learning and for research, in particular to facilitate comparisons of the expression patterns of different genes and detection of their coexpression as a starting point for experimental studies. For this reason, we have included schematic illustrations of the gene expression in different stages of development when adequate information has been available. The site also contains a comprehensive list of references. Additionally, phenotypic consequences of defective gene expression are indicated. The pages also provide links to other biological databases on the Internet, both as context‐dependent and as general links. We welcome submissions from researches elsewhere to include their information of gene expression and function.
Regeneration of periodontal ligament and cementum by BMP‐applied tissue engineering
Authors: Kuboki Yoshinori , Sasaki Masaru , Saito Akira , Takita Hiroko , Kato Hiroshi
Published: January 2015

Previously, we demonstrated that the inductive properties of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) highly depend on the nature of the carrier material used for implantation. In this paper, we show that administration of BMP incorporated in a fibrous collagen membrane can help to regenerate periodontal ligament and cementum both in cat canines and in monkey molars. The partially purified bovine BMP was combined with one or two layers of a fibrous collagen membrane. Although the single layer approach showed partial regeneration of periodontal defects, it also quite often led to ankylosis. The double layer technique in artificially prepared class III furcation defects in monkey molars gave favorable results. After 12 wk, not only the alveolar process but also the periodontal ligament and cementum had regenerated along the entire treated dentin surface. Collagen fibers were arranged more or less perpendicular to the surface of the new cementum. Ankylosis was not seen. It is concluded that the double‐layer approach is superior to the single‐layer technique in regenerating cementum.
The phosphophoryn gene family: identical domain structures at the carboxyl end
Authors: George A. , Srinivasan R. , Thotakura S. , Veis A.
Published: January 2015

Phosphophoryns (PPs), a family of aspartic acid and phosphoserine rich dentin proteins, are considered to be archetypal regulators of extracellular matrix biomineralization. Their very unusual composition, extensive phosphorylation, and tissue‐specific heterogeneity have made their characterization a difficult task. We have recently cloned several rat incisor PP genes from our odontoblast cDNA library. The first clone, designated as DMP2, was 2.4 kb long, with an open reading frame of ∼700 bp and an untranslated region of ∼1.7 kb. Northern blot analysis of odontoblast mRNA showed a single message between 5 and 6 kb. When a 5′ RACE technique was used to obtain the full length clone, a second ∼2 kb DNA fragment (DMP3) was also found. Cloning and sequencing of DMP3 showed that the 3′ end was highly homologous to the 3′ end of DMP2, but the 5′ end of this clone had 100% homology to dentin sialoprotein (DSP). DMP3 is not a typical Asp‐rich phosphophoryn, but DMP2 contains a domain N‐terminal to the common region which has the hallmark Asp‐ and Ser‐rich composition of the phosphophoryns. Both DMP2 and DMP3 are closely localized on mouse chromosome 5q21, corresponding to human chromosome 4q21. The expression of these two genes is regulated differently. Thus, there may be a family of phosphophoryn‐related genes coding for a common C‐terminal peptide sequence domain, but involving different N‐terminal domains with different functions.
Big Five Audits and Accounting Fraud
Authors: LENNOX CLIVE , PITTMAN JEFFREY A.
Published: January 2015

We examine the association between Big Five audits and the incidence of accounting frauds allegedly committed by U.S. public companies between 1981 and 2001. Many commentators argue that the prominent financial reporting failures that led to major corporate governance reforms cast serious doubt on whether the large public accounting firms continue to supply relatively high‐quality audits, especially in recent years. However, in unmatched and matched samples, we provide strong, robust evidence that fraudulent financial reporting becomes less likely with the presence of a Big Five auditor. Importantly, time‐series tests suggest that the Big Five are consistently associated with a lower incidence of fraudulent accounting, including in the last five years of our sample period when the number of frauds soared. Moreover, we find evidence implying that these relations are causal rather than an artifact of endogeneity in auditor choice.
Serum vitamin D levels and hypogonadism in men
Authors: Lerchbaum E. , Pilz S. , Trummer C. , Rabe T. , Schenk M. , Heijboer A. C. , Obermayer‐Pietsch B.
Published: January 2015

There is inconsistent evidence on a possible association of vitamin D and androgen levels in men. We therefore aim to investigate the association of 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) with androgen levels in a cohort of middle‐aged men. This cross‐sectional study included 225 men with a median (interquartile range) age of 35 (30–41) years. We measured 25(OH)D, total testosterone (TT) and SHBG concentrations. Hypogonadism was defined as TT <10.4 nmol/L. We found no significant correlation of 25(OH)D and androgen levels. Furthermore, androgen levels were not significantly different across 25(OH)D quintiles. The overall prevalence of hypogonadism was 21.5% and lowest in men within 25(OH)D quintile 4 (82–102 nmol/L). We found a significantly increased risk of hypogonadism in men within the highest 25(OH)D quintile (>102 nmol/L) compared to men in quintile 4 (reference) in crude (OR 5.10, 1.51–17.24, p = 0.009) as well as in multivariate adjusted analysis (OR 9.21, 2.27–37.35, p = 0.002). We found a trend towards increased risk of hypogonadism in men within the lowest 25(OH)D quintile (≤43.9 nmol/L). In conclusion, our data suggest that men with very high 25(OH)D levels (>102 nmol/L) might be at an increased risk of hypogonadism. Furthermore, we observed a trend towards increased risk of hypogonadism in men with very low vitamin D levels indicating a U‐shaped association of vitamin D levels and hypogonadism. With respect to risk of male hypogonadism, our results suggest optimal serum 25(OH)D concentrations of 82–102 nmol/L.
Climate Change Impacts and Uncertainties on Spring Flooding of Lake Champlain and the Richelieu River
Authors: Riboust Philippe , Brissette François
Published: January 2015

The source of the Richelieu River is Lake Champlain, located between the states of New York, Vermont, and Québec. In 2011, the lake and the Richelieu River reached historical flood levels, raising questions about the influence of climate change on the watershed. The objectives of this work are to model the hydrology of the watershed, construct a reservoir model for the lake and to analyze flooding trends using climate simulations. The basin was modeled using the HSAMI lumped conceptual model from Hydro‐Québec with a semi‐distributed approach in order to estimate the inflows into Lake Champlain. The discharge at the Richelieu River was computed by using a mass balance equation between the inputs and outputs of Lake Champlain. Future trends were estimated over the 2041‐2070 and 2071‐2100 periods using a large number of outputs from general circulation models and regional climate models downscaled with constant scaling and daily translation methods. While there is a certain amount of uncertainty as to future trends, there is a decreasing tendency in the magnitude of the mean spring flood. A flood frequency analysis showed most climate projections indicate the severity of most extreme spring floods may be reduced over the two future periods although results are subject to a much larger uncertainty than for the mean spring flood. On the other hand, results indicate summer‐fall extreme events such as caused by hurricane Irene in August 2011 may become more frequent in the future.
Revisiting the past to foretell the future: summer temperature and habitat area predict pika extirpations in California
Authors: Stewart Joseph A. E. , Perrine John D. , Nichols Lyle B. , Thorne James H. , Millar Constance I. , Goehring Kenneth E. , Massing Cody P. , Wright David H.
Published: January 2015

Aim

The American pika (Ochotona princeps) appears to have experienced climate‐mediated upslope range contraction in the Great Basin of North America, but this result has not yet been extended to other portions of the pika's range. Our goals were: first, to determine the environmental parameters that most influence current pika distribution within California; second, to infer whether these constraints explain extirpations that have occurred in California; third, to predict future extirpations; and fourth, to advance methods for assessing the degree to which pikas and other climate‐sensitive mammals are threatened by climate change.

Location

Historical pika record locations in California, USA, spanning four degrees of latitude and longitude, from Mount Shasta to the southern Sierra Nevada.

Methods

We identified 67 precise historical pika record locations and surveyed them exhaustively, over multiple years, to determine whether pika populations persist at those sites. We used an information theoretic approach and logistic regression to model current pika occupancy as a function of 16 environmental variables, tested our best‐performing model as a predictor of historical occupancy, and then used our model to predict future pika occupancy given anticipated climate change.

Results

Pikas no longer occurred at 10 of 67 (15%) historical sites in California. The best predictors of occupancy were average summer temperature and talus habitat area within a 1‐km radius. A logistic model fitted to this relationship correctly predicted current occupancy at 94% of sites and correctly hindcasted past occupancy at 93% of sites, suggesting that the model has strong temporal transferability. Depending on the future climate scenario, our model projects that by 2070 pikas will be extirpated from 39% to 88% of these historical sites in California.

Main conclusions

Our simple species distribution model for pikas performs remarkably well for both current and historical periods. Pika distribution appears to be governed primarily by behavioural restrictions mediated by summer temperature and by the configuration of talus habitat available to pikas locally. Pikas, and other montane species in the western USA, may be subjected to above‐average exposure to climate change because summer temperature is projected to rise more than annual temperature.
Localization of MCT2 at peroxisomes is associated with malignant transformation in prostate cancer
Authors: Valença Isabel , Pértega‐Gomes Nelma , Vizcaino José Rámon , Henrique Rui M. , Lopes Carlos , Baltazar Fátima , Ribeiro Daniela
Published: January 2015

Previous studies on monocarboxylate transporters expression in prostate cancer (PCa) have shown that monocarboxylate transporter 2 (MCT2) was clearly overexpressed in prostate malignant glands, pointing it out as a putative biomarker for PCa. However, its localization and possible role in PCa cells remained unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that MCT2 localizes mainly at peroxisomes in PCa cells and is able to take advantage of the peroxisomal transport machinery by interacting with Pex19. We have also shown an increase in MCT2 expression from non‐malignant to malignant cells that was directly correlated with its peroxisomal localization. Upon analysis of the expression of several peroxisomal β‐oxidation proteins in PIN lesions and PCa cells from a large variety of human prostate samples, we suggest that MCT2 presence at peroxisomes is related to an increase in β ‐oxidation levels which may be crucial for malignant transformation. Our results present novel evidence that may not only contribute to the study of PCa development mechanisms but also pinpoint novel targets for cancer therapy.
Susceptibility to Coffee Staining during Enamel Remineralization Following the In‐Office Bleaching Technique: An In Situ Assessment
Authors: Mori Aline Akemi , Lima Fernanda Ferruzzi , Benetti Ana Raquel , Terada Raquel Sano Suga , Fujimaki Mitsue , Pascotto Renata Correa
Published: January 2015

Purpose

To assess in situ the enamel mineralization level and susceptibility to coffee staining after in‐office bleaching.

Materials and Methods

Thirty‐six human dental fragments assembled into intraoral devices were bleached with 35% hydrogen peroxide and treated as follows: (group 1) no contact with coffee; (group 2) immersion in a coffee solution for 30 minutes daily for 7 days, starting 1 week after bleaching; and (group 3) immersion in a coffee solution for 30 minutes daily for 14 days, starting immediately after bleaching. Enamel mineralization and color were assessed before bleaching (T1), immediately after bleaching (T2), and after 7 (T3) and 14 days (T4). The CIE whiteness index (W*) and closeness to white (ΔW*) following bleaching and/or immersion in coffee were calculated. Data were analyzed with Friedman and Wilcoxon tests or Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney U‐tests (α = 0.05).

Results

Significant differences in the mineralization levels were observed as a function of time. No significant differences in W* were observed between groups, nor was W* significantly different at T3 and T4. Similar ΔW* was observed between groups after 7 or 14 days.

Conclusions

The mineral loss after in‐office bleaching was progressively reversed by contact with saliva for 14 days. The whiteness index was not affected by contact with coffee during the remineralization period.

Clinical Significance

The results of this in situ study suggest that the mineral loss caused by in‐office dental bleaching is minimal and is partly compensated by remineralization due to contact with saliva. Additionally, whiteness was not affected by daily exposition to coffee during the enamel remineralization, which indicates that avoiding the consumption of coffee immediately following in‐office bleaching is unnecessary. (J Esthet Restor Dent 28:S23–S31, 2016)
Growth patterns and age validation from otolith ring deposition in New Zealand longfin eels Anguilla dieffenbachii recaptured after 10 years at large
Authors: Beentjes M. P. , Jellyman D. J.
Published: January 2015

In 1998, 9500 juvenile New Zealand longfin eels Anguilla dieffenbachii (mean total length, LT, 42 cm) captured from the lower Clutha River were transferred upstream to Lake Hawea, a high‐country oligotrophic lake in the same catchment where recruitment of juvenile eels has been prevented by hydroelectric dams since 1958. A total of 2010 of the transferred A. dieffenbachii were tagged with coded wire tags. Ten years later in 2008, the A. dieffenbachii population in Lake Hawea was sampled resulting in 399 recaptures (distinguishable by the presence of tags and by LT from the remnant resident population of large old A. dieffenbachii) of the 1998 transfers; 79 (19·2%) of the recaptured fish had tags compared with 21·3% at release, indicating good tag retention and low mortality due to tagging. All recaptured tagged A. dieffenbachii were female. Mean annual growth over the 10 years since release was 3·80 cm year−1 for all recaptures and 3·65 cm year−1 for tag recaptures, and both were significantly greater than the estimate of 2·38 cm year−1 at release. After release, mean condition (K) increased significantly (P < 0·001) for all recaptures and tag recaptures. Annual length growth increment was linear. Tag recaptures showed significant increases in somatic growth rate post‐transfer, and otoliths from the 2008 recaptured A. dieffenbachii were examined to see whether any similar enhanced growth after transfer was incorporated into the otolith structure that would serve as a date stamp. Measurement of otolith ring radii indicated that an increase in the radius occurred on most otoliths corresponding to the year after transfer. Because there was 9 years of completed growth following the observed growth inflection on the otoliths, this was strong evidence that opaque rings were formed annually.