bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chemical‐ and radiation‐induced haemorrhagic cystitis: current treatments and challenges
Authors: Payne Heather , Adamson Andrew , Bahl Amit , Borwell Jonathan , Dodds David , Heath Catherine , Huddart Robert , McMenemin Rhona , Patel Prashant , Peters John L. , Thompson Andrew
Published: June 2013

To review the published data on predisposing risk factors for cancer treatment‐induced haemorrhagic cystitis (HC) and the evidence for the different preventive and therapeutic measures that have been used in order to help clinicians optimally define and manage this potentially serious condition.

Despite recognition that HC can be a significant complication of cancer treatment, there is currently a lack of UK‐led guidelines available on how it should optimally be defined and managed.

A systematic literature review was undertaken to evaluate the evidence for preventative measures and treatment options in the management of cancer treatment‐induced HC.

There is a wide range of reported incidence due to several factors including variability in study design and quality, the type of causal agent, the grading of bleeding, and discrepancies in definition criteria.

The most frequently reported causal factors are radiotherapy to the pelvic area, where HC has been reported in up to 20% of patients, and treatment with cyclophosphamide and bacillus Calmette‐Guérin, where the incidence has been reported as up to 30%.

Mesna (2‐mercaptoethane sodium sulphonate), hyperhydration and bladder irrigation have been the most frequently used prophylactic measures to prevent treatment‐related cystitis, but are not always effective.

Cranberry juice is widely cited as a preventative measure and sodium pentosanpolysulphate as a treatment, although the evidence for both is very limited.

The best evidence exists for intravesical hyaluronic acid as an effective preventative and active treatment, and for hyperbaric oxygen as an equally effective treatment option.

The lack of robust data and variability in treatment strategies used highlights the need for further research, as well as best practice guidance and consensus on the management of HC.
Evaluation of the Efficiency of Synthesized Efflux Pump Inhibitors on Salmonella enterica ser. Typhimurium Cells
Authors: Sutkuvienė Simona , Mikalayeva Valeryia , Pavan Silvia , Berti Federico , Daugelavičius Rimantas
Published: June 2013

Multidrug efflux pump inhibitors have a great potential as pharmacological agents that increase the drug susceptibility of bacterial pathogens. Our study was focused on the synthesis and evaluation of the efficiency of resistance–nodulation–division (RND) family efflux pump inhibitors. The efficiency of these inhibitors was investigated on Salmonella enterica ser. typhimurium cells using tetraphenylphosphonium (TPP+) and ethidium cations as the efflux pump substrates. Results of our study indicated that efficiency of the inhibitors depends on the cell outer membrane permeability and method of the assay used. Temperature of the incubation medium and a solvent of the inhibitor used have only minor effect on results of the assay.
Construct validity of the FOCUS© (Focus on the Outcomes of Communication Under Six): a communicative participation outcome measure for preschool children
Authors: Washington K. , Thomas‐Stonell N. , Oddson B. , McLeod S. , Warr‐Leeper G. , Robertson B. , Rosenbaum P.
Published: June 2013

Objective

The aim of this study was to establish the construct validity of the Focus on the Outcomes of Communication Under Six (FOCUS©). This measure is reflective of concepts in the International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health – Children and Youth framework. It was developed to capture ‘real‐world’ changes (e.g. communicative participation) in preschoolers' communication following speech‐language intervention.

Method

A pre–post design was used. Fifty‐two parents of 3‐ to 6‐year‐old preschoolers attending speech‐language therapy were included as participants. Speech‐language therapists provided individual and/or group intervention to preschoolers. Intervention targeted: articulation/phonology, voice/resonance, expressive/receptive language, play, and use of augmentative devices. Construct validity for communicative participation was assessed using pre‐intervention and post‐intervention parent interviews using the FOCUS© and the communication and socialization domains of the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales‐II (VABS‐II).

Results

Significant associations were found between the FOCUS©, measuring communicative participation, and the VABS‐II domains for: (i) pre‐intervention scores in communication (r = 0.53, P < 0.001; 95% CI 0.30–0.70) and socialization (r = 0.67, P < 0.001; 95% CI 0.48–0.80); (ii) change scores over‐time in communication (r = 0.45, P < 0.001; 95% CI 0.201–0.65) and socialization (r = 0.39, P = 0.002; 95% CI 0.13–0.60); and (iii) scores at post‐intervention for communication (r = 0.53, P < 0.001; 95% CI 0.30–0.70) and for socialization (r = 0.37, P = 0.003; 95% CI 0.11–0.50).

Conclusions

The study provided evidence on construct validity of the FOCUS© for evaluating real‐world changes in communication. We believe that the FOCUS© is a useful measure of communicative participation.
Community participation patterns among preschool‐aged children who have receivedPartCearly intervention services
Authors: Khetani M. , Graham J. E. , Alvord C.
Published: June 2013

Background

We examined activity‐specific patterns and child, family and environmental correlates of participation restriction in nine community‐based activities among preschoolers with disabilities who have receivedPartCearly intervention services.

Methods

Data were gathered from a subsample of 1509 caregivers whose children (mean age = 67.7 months) had enrolled in theNationalEarlyInterventionLongitudinalStudy (NEILS) and completed a 40‐min computerized telephone interview or 12‐page mailed survey. Data were analysed on cases with complete data on the variables of interest. Bivariate relationships were examined between variables, including patterns of co‐reporting participation difficulties for pairs of community activities.

Results

Caregivers were more than twice as likely to report difficulty in one activity (20%) than difficulties in 2–3, 4–5, or 6–9 activities. Co‐reporting paired difficulties was strong for activities pertaining to neighbourhood outings but less conclusive for community‐sponsored activities and recreation and leisure activities. Our data show strong and positive associations between child functional limitations in mobility, toileting, feeding, speech, safety awareness, and friendships and participation difficulty in 7–9 activities. Lower household income was associated with participation difficulty in 7 out of 9 activities and difficulty managing problematic behaviour was strongly associated with participation difficulty in all 9 activities. Each of the three environmental variables (limited access to social support, transportation and respite) was associated with participation restrictions in all nine activities.

Conclusion

Results provide practitioners with detailed descriptive knowledge about modifiable factors related to the child, family and environment for promoting young children's community participation, as well information to support development of a comprehensive assessment tool for research and intervention planning to promote community participation for children enrolled in early intervention.
‘I could never do that before’: effectiveness of a tailored Internet support intervention to increase the social participation of youth with disabilities
Authors: Raghavendra P. , Newman L. , Grace E. , Wood D.
Published: June 2013

Background

Youth use the Internet for a variety of purposes including social networking. Youth with disabilities are limited in their social networks and friendships with peers. The aim was to investigate the effectiveness of tailored one‐on‐one support strategies designed to facilitate social participation of youth with disabilities through the use of the Internet for social networking.

Methods

Eighteen youth aged 10–18 years with cerebral palsy, physical disability or acquired brain injury received support, training and assistive technology at their home to learn to use the Internet for building social networks. The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) and Goal Attainment Scale (GAS) were used to evaluate objective changes in performance and satisfaction. Interviews with the youth identified subjective changes they experienced through participation in the programme and to determine whether and how the intervention influenced their social participation.

Results

Youth showed an increase in performance and satisfaction with performance on identified goals concerning social networking on the COPM; Paired T‐test showed that these differences were statistically significant at P < 0.001. GAS T‐scores demonstrated successful outcomes (>50) for 78% of the youth. Interviews showed that youth were positive about the benefits of hands‐on training at home leading to increased use of the Internet for social networking.

Conclusions

The Internet could be a viable method to facilitate social participation for youth with disabilities. Youth identified the benefits of one‐to‐one support at home and training of the family compared with typical group training at school. Despite its success with this group of youth, the time and effort intensive nature of this approach may limit the viability of such programmes. Further longitudinal research should investigate whether Internet use is sustained post intervention, and to identify the factors that best support ongoing successful and safe use.
Measuring communicative participation using the FOCUS©: Focus on the Outcomes of Communication Under Six
Authors: Thomas‐Stonell N. , Washington K. , Oddson B. , Robertson B. , Rosenbaum P.
Published: June 2013

Background

The FOCUS© is a new outcome tool for use by both parents and clinicians that measures changes in the communicative participation skills of preschool children. Changes in communicative participation skills as measured by the FOCUS were compared across three groups of children: those with speech impairments only (SI), those with language impairments only (LI) and those with both speech and language impairments (S/LI).

Methods

Participating families (n = 112, 75 male children) were recruited through 13 Canadian organizations. Children ranged from 10 months to 6 years 0 months (mean = 2.11 years; SD = 1.18 years) and attended speech‐language intervention. Parents completed the FOCUS at the start and end of treatment. There were 23 children in the SI group, 62 children in the LI group and 27 children in the S/LI group. The average amount of the children's therapy varied from 7 to 10 h.

Results

The FOCUS captures changes in communicative participation for children with a range of communication disorder types and severities. All three groups of children made clinically important improvements according to their FOCUS scores (MCID ≥ 16 points). The FOCUS captured improvements in intelligibility, independent communication, play and socialization.

Conclusions

The FOCUS measured positive changes in communicative participation skills for all three groups of children after 7–10 h of speech‐language therapy. An outcome measure that targets only specific speech and language skills would miss many of the important social function changes associated with speech‐language treatment.
Differences in incidence and outcome of ventilator‐associated pneumonia in surgical and medical ICUs in a tertiary hospital in China
Authors: Song Xiaochun , Chen Yongming , Li Xiuhua
Published: June 2013

Background

Ventilator‐associated pneumonia (VAP) is a common hospital‐acquired infection in intensive care units (ICUs). The incidences and outcomes of VAP in a medical ICU (MICU) and a surgical ICU (SICU) were compared.

Methods

A total of 329 patients admitted to the MICU or SICU who were mechanically ventilated for ≥48 h were included.

Results

The incidence of VAP in the MICU was 25%, with 29.7 cases per 1000 ventilator days, and the incidence of VAP in the SICU was 26.7%, with 27.4 cases per 1000 ventilator days. In the MICU patients without VAP spent 6.0 days on the ventilator and those with VAP spent 8.5 days (P < 0.001); the length of stay (LOS) in the ICU was 9.0 days vs 14.0 days for patients without and with VAP, respectively (P < 0.001). The mortality in the MICU was 34.1% for patients without VAP vs 55.8% for those with VAP (P = 0.012), and 30‐day mortalities were 31.8% and 41.9%, respectively (P = 0.228); 60‐day mortalities were 34.1% and 53.5%, respectively (P = 0.024). In the SICU, patients without and with VAP were ventilated for 5.0 and 10.0 days, respectively (P < 0.001). The ICU LOS was 7.0 days for patients without VAP vs 15.0 days for patients with VAP (P < 0.001). The mortality rates of VAP‐free and VAP‐positive patients in the SICU were 38.9% and 54.5%, respectively (P = 0.076). The 30‐day mortalities were 36.3% and 43.2% (P = 0.424), and 60‐day mortalities were 38.9% and 50.0%, for patients without and with VAP, respectively (P = 0.061).

Conclusions

These data indicate that VAP prolonged time on ventilator and ICU stay in our institute and increased the mortality in the MICU. There were no differences in incidence of or mortality from VAP in the MICU and SICU.
Head stereotypies in STXBP1 encephalopathy
Authors: Kim Young Ok , Korff Christian M , Villaluz Mel Michel G , Suls Arvid , Weckhuysen Sarah , De Jonghe Peter , Scheffer Ingrid E
Published: June 2013

STXBP1 encephalopathy is associated with a range of movement disorders. We observed head stereotypies in three patients. These comprised a slow (<1Hz), high‐amplitude, horizontal, ‘figure‐of‐eight’ pattern, beginning at age 4–6 years and resulting in neck muscle hypertrophy, in two males; a faster (2–3Hz), side‐to‐side, ‘no’ movement, starting at the age of 9 years 6 months was observed in one female. Upper limb and truncal stereotypies and vocalization occurred intermittently with the head movements. The stereotypies increased with excitement but settled with concentration and sleep. Head and upper limb stereotypies are valuable clinical clues to the diagnosis of STXBP1 encephalopathy in patients with profound impairments.
Similar patterns of individual niche use are revealed by different time‐integrated trophic tracers (stable isotopes and parasites)
Authors: Knudsen Rune , Siwertsson Anna , Adams Colin E. , Newton Jason , Amundsen Per‐Arne
Published: June 2013

Two unconnected time‐integrated tracers of niche use provided similar conclusions about individual foraging behaviour and niche adaptations (functional traits in head shape) within a subarctic lake population of Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus). Zooplanktivorous individuals mainly from the pelagic zone were characterised by having low δ13C values, high infections of the parasites transmitted by pelagic copepods (especiallyDiphyllobothriumspp.) and slender heads with long snouts. In contrast, fish individuals that had consumed benthic prey in the littoral zone were enriched in δ13C and had high abundances of parasites transmitted byGammarus lacustris(Cyathocephalus truncatusandCystidicola farionis) and a robust head shape. There were strong positive correlations between individual δ13C values and the abundance of the two parasite species transmitted byGammarus, but a negative correlation between δ13C and the infection of copepod‐borne parasites. The close relationships between diet variation (foraging behaviour), the time‐integrated ecological tracers (SIand parasites) and functional trophic morphology (niche adaptations) evidently reflect long‐term temporally stable niche use of each individual predator. The two independent time‐integrated tracers both gave valuable information of specialised trophic behaviour at the individual level, which is an important basis for studies related to ecological (e.g., resource partitioning) and evolutionary (e.g., polymorphism) topics within a population.
Unilateral inactivation of the basolateral amygdala attenuates context‐induced renewal of Pavlovian‐conditioned alcohol‐seeking
Authors: Chaudhri N. , Woods C. A. , Sahuque L. L. , Gill T. M. , Janak P. H.
Published: June 2013

Environmental contexts associated with drug use promote craving in humans and drug‐seeking in animals. We hypothesized that the basolateral amygdala (BLA) itself as well as serial connectivity between the BLA and nucleus accumbens core (NAC core) were required for context‐induced renewal of Pavlovian‐conditioned alcohol‐seeking. Male Long‐Evans rats were trained to discriminate between two conditioned stimuli (CS): a CS+ that was paired with ethanol (EtOH, 20%, v/v) delivery into a fluid port (0.2 mL/CS+, 3.2 mL per session) and a CS− that was not. Entries into the port during each CS were measured. Next, rats received extinction in a different context where both cues were presented without EtOH. At test, responding to the CS+ and CS− without EtOH was evaluated in the prior training context. Control subjects showed a selective increase in CS+ responding relative to extinction, indicative of renewal. This effect was blocked by pre‐test, bilateral inactivation of the BLA using a solution of GABA receptor agonists (0.1 mm muscimol and 1.0 mm baclofen; M/B; 0.3 μL per side). Renewal was also attenuated following unilateral injections of M/B into the BLA, combined with either M/B, the dopamine D1 receptor antagonist SCH 23390 (0.6 μg per side) or saline infusion in the contralateral NAC core. Hence, unilateral BLA inactivation was sufficient to disrupt renewal, highlighting a critical role for functional activity in the BLA in enabling the reinstatement of alcohol‐seeking driven by an alcohol context.
Contributions of retinal direction‐selective ganglion cells to optokinetic responses in mice
Authors: Sugita Yuko , Miura Kenichiro , Araki Fumiyuki , Furukawa Takahisa , Kawano Kenji
Published: June 2013

In the mouse retina, there are two distinct groups of direction‐selective ganglion cells, ON and ON–OFF, that detect movement of visual images. To understand the roles of these cells in controlling eye movements, we studied the optokinetic responses (OKRs) of mutant mice with dysfunctional ON‐bipolar cells that have a functional obstruction of transmission to ON direction‐selective ganglion cells. Experiments were carried out to examine the initial and late phases of OKRs. The initial phase was examined by measurement of eye velocity using stimuli of sinusoidal grating patterns of various spatiotemporal frequencies that moved for 0.5 s. The mutant mice showed significant initial OKRs, although the range of spatiotemporal frequencies that elicited these OKRs was limited and the response magnitude was weaker than that in wild‐type mice. To examine the late phase of the OKRs, the same visual patterns were moved for 30 s to induce alternating slow and quick eye movements (optokinetic nystagmus) and the slow‐phase eye velocity was measured. Wild‐type mice showed significant late OKRs with a stimulus in an appropriate range of spatiotemporal frequencies (0.0625–0.25 cycles/°, 0.75–3.0 Hz, 3–48°/s), but mutant mice did not show late OKRs in response to the same visual stimuli. The results suggest that two groups of direction‐selective ganglion cells play different roles in OKRs: ON direction‐selective ganglion cells contribute to both initial and late OKRs, whereas ON–OFF direction‐selective ganglion cells contribute to OKRs only transiently.
Climate and litter quality differently modulate the effects of soil fauna on litter decomposition across biomes
Authors: García‐Palacios Pablo , Maestre Fernando T. , Kattge Jens , Wall Diana H.
Published: June 2013

Climate and litter quality have been identified as major drivers of litter decomposition at large spatial scales. However, the role played by soil fauna remains largely unknown, despite its importance for litter fragmentation and microbial activity. We synthesised litterbag studies to quantify the effect sizes of soil fauna on litter decomposition rates at the global and biome scales, and to assess how climate, litter quality and soil fauna interact to determine such rates. Soil fauna consistently enhanced litter decomposition at both global and biome scales (average increment ~ 27%). However, climate and litter quality differently modulated the effects of soil fauna on decomposition rates between biomes, from climate‐driven biomes to those where climate effects were mediated by changes in litter quality. Our results advocate for the inclusion of biome‐specific soil fauna effects on litter decomposition as a mean to reduce the unexplained variation in large‐scale decomposition models.
A new baseline of organic carbon stock in European agricultural soils using a modelling approach
Authors: Lugato Emanuele , Panagos Panos , Bampa Francesca , Jones Arwyn , Montanarella Luca
Published: June 2013

Proposed European policy in the agricultural sector will place higher emphasis on soil organic carbon (SOC), both as an indicator of soil quality and as a means to offset CO2 emissions through soil carbon (C) sequestration. Despite detailed national SOC data sets in several European Union (EU) Member States, a consistent C stock estimation at EU scale remains problematic. Data are often not directly comparable, different methods have been used to obtain values (e.g. sampling, laboratory analysis) and access may be restricted. Therefore, any evolution of EU policies on C accounting and sequestration may be constrained by a lack of an accurate SOC estimation and the availability of tools to carry out scenario analysis, especially for agricultural soils. In this context, a comprehensive model platform was established at a pan‐European scale (EU + Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Norway) using the agro‐ecosystem SOC model CENTURY. Almost 164 000 combinations of soil‐climate‐land use were computed, including the main arable crops, orchards and pasture. The model was implemented with the main management practices (e.g. irrigation, mineral and organic fertilization, tillage) derived from official statistics. The model results were tested against inventories from the European Environment and Observation Network (EIONET) and approximately 20 000 soil samples from the 2009 LUCAS survey, a monitoring project aiming at producing the first coherent, comprehensive and harmonized top‐soil data set of the EU based on harmonized sampling and analytical methods. The CENTURY model estimation of the current 0–30 cm SOC stock of agricultural soils was 17.63 Gt; the model uncertainty estimation was below 36% in half of the NUTS2 regions considered. The model predicted an overall increase of this pool according to different climate‐emission scenarios up to 2100, with C loss in the south and east of the area (involving 30% of the whole simulated agricultural land) compensated by a gain in central and northern regions. Generally, higher soil respiration was offset by higher C input as a consequence of increased CO2 atmospheric concentration and favourable crop growing conditions, especially in northern Europe. Considering the importance of SOC in future EU policies, this platform of simulation appears to be a very promising tool to orient future policymaking decisions.
Preliminary studies on microbial polysaccharides from different Penicillium species as flavour stabiliser in cloudy apple juice
Authors: Housseiny Manal M. , Abo‐Elmagd Heba I. , Ibrahim Gamil E.
Published: June 2013

This research deals with the production of water‐soluble polysaccharides from six polysaccharide‐producing Penicillium species. Eup. pinetorum ATCC 14770 was promising for exo‐ and endopolysaccharides production under various cultural conditions. pH 5.0, 7 days, and pH 8.0, 10 days, were the optimum for the production of exo‐ and endopolysaccharides, respectively, at 30 °C in medium containing glucose and peptone. HPLC results revealed that both polysaccharides were composed of pectin, cellulose and hemicellulose. Exopolysaccharides produced by Eup. pinetorum was subjected to evaluation as a natural flavour stabiliser in cloudy apple juice (CAJ). Twenty‐one volatile compounds classified into esters, aldehydes, alcohols and ketone were detected, only eighteen compounds of which were characterised by their odours threshold. The esters and alcohols are accounting for 87.64% and 5.44% of total volatiles, respectively. This study indicates that the use of exopolysaccharides as an alternative flavour stabiliser in CAJ is very promising.
The Occupational Integration of Male Migrants in Western European Countries: Assimilation or Persistent Disadvantage?
Authors: Ballarino Gabriele , Panichella Nazareno
Published: June 2013

This paper looks at the migrants' occupational integration process. Two main theoretical perspectives are tested: the first one (assimilation view) claims that in the short‐run migrants are penalized, but as they settle in the receiving country they get integrated into the host society; the second one (segmented assimilation view) claims that disadvantages persist in the long‐run. EU‐LFS and ESS data are described and modelled, in order to compare the labour market performances of migrants in four European old‐receiving countries (Germany, France, Great Britain and Sweden) and in two new‐receiving countries (Spain and Italy) both in a short‐term and in a long‐run perspective. We find that a) in the short‐run, migrants' labour market condition is worst with respect to the natives; b) this gap decreases with older migrants; c) the ethnic penalty disappears with the second generation, when they achieve a level of education comparable to that of the natives.

Policy Implications

Labour market policies appear to face a trade‐off: policies oriented towards the flexibilization could improve migrants’ occupational integration, but such policies are also likely to increase the risk of poverty for the natives.

In the case of the Southern new‐receiving countries, a similar tradeoff could emerge for policies aiming at stopping the underground economy.

Concerning integration in the long run, our results definitely point to the importance of education. We would suggest policies oriented towards a full educational integration of the migrants’ offspring, since such policies could eliminate the gap separating them from the natives.
Succession Planning in Small Accounting Practices in Regional Far North Queensland
Authors: Wadeson Dale , Ciccotosto Susan
Published: June 2013

The importance of succession planning, particularly in small and medium accounting practices, continues to become increasingly important with the impending retirement of the ‘baby boomer’ generation. Planning for succession and retirement within a small practice is even more critical in rural, regional and remote areas where staff recruitment and retention is already an issue. This study provides insight into the views of principals of small accounting practices toward succession planning within a regional area of Australia. Applying Sambrook's model of succession, findings reveal that formal succession planning is no longer considered possible by these principals given the perception of generational differences and a change in employment and workplace expectations within the small accounting practice environment.
Corporate Social and Environment‐related Governance Disclosure Practices in the Textile and Garment Industry: Evidence from a Developing Country
Authors: Kamal Yousuf , Deegan Craig
Published: June 2013

We investigate the social and environment‐related governance disclosure practices of a sample of textile and garment companies operating within Bangladesh. Using content analysis we find that the disclosure of governance information lags behind general corporate social responsibility disclosures, and the textile and garment companies of Bangladesh disclose information about their governance practices in order to secure/maintain legitimacy and/or to meet community expectations. However, the governance disclosures still fall short of what would appear to be expected by the international community, and despite ongoing international concerns about workplace conditions and associated safety, the results suggest limited accountability and transparency in relation to social and environment‐related governance practices within a developing country context.
Fluorescence lifetime imaging of lignin autofluorescence in normal and compression wood
Authors: DONALDSON L.A. , RADOTIC K.
Published: June 2013

Wood cell walls fluoresce as a result of UV and visible light excitation due to the presence of lignin. Fluorescence spectroscopy has revealed characteristic spectral differences in various wood types, notably normal and compression wood. In order to extend this method of characterising cell walls we examined the fluorescence lifetime of wood cell walls using TCSPC (Time‐Correlated Single Photon Counting) as a method of potentially detecting differences in lignin composition and measuring the molecular environment within cell walls. The fluorescence decay curves of both normal and compression wood from pine contain three exponential decay components with a mean lifetime of τm = 473 ps in normal wood and 418 ps in compression wood. Lifetimes are spatially resolved to different cell wall layers or cell types where individual lifetimes are shown to have a log‐normal distribution. The differences in fluorescence lifetime observed in pine compression wood compared to normal wood, are associated with known differences in cell wall composition such as increased p‐hydroxyphenyl content in lignin as well as novel deposition of β(1,4)‐Galactan. Our results indicate increased deposition of lignin fluorophores with shorter lifetimes in the outer secondary wall of compression wood. We have demonstrated the usefulness of fluorescence lifetime imaging for characterising wood cell walls, offering some advantages over conventional fluorescence imaging/spectroscopy. For example, we have measured significant changes in fluorescence lifetime resulting from changes to lignin composition as a result of compression wood formation that complement similar changes in fluorescence intensity.
Micro‐community cytometry: sensing changes in cell health and glycoconjugate expression by imaging and flow cytometry
Authors: SMITH PAUL J. , FALCONER ROBERT A. , ERRINGTON RACHEL J.
Published: June 2013

Discerning the extent of biologically relevant heterogeneity presents unique challenges to both microscopy and flow cytometry. Micro‐environmental influences and stochastic changes in cellular behaviour can act to mask the origins of both progression and therapeutic resistance in tumour cell systems. In part the dimensionality of different and frequently metastable states can be assessed by multi‐parameter flow cytometry with unparalleled statistical robustness. Complementary application of imaging can provide valuable insights into the complex temporal changes that can occur in cell micro‐communities either spontaneously or in response to selection pressure. With an extensive range of methodologies for the labelling of cells there are multiple options for tracking cells, defining fate and the re‐construction of provenance and behavioural history. The challenge is highlighted by attempts to identify the critical glycosylation events modifying the function of cell surface proteins. Central to a cytometric approach is the availability of methods that reveal cell health and are compatible with the detection of cell surface changes within dynamic micro‐communities. The review briefly addresses the options for sensing cell health and the co‐application of an antibody mimetic for detection of cell surface glycoconjugate expression accessible for both imaging and flow cytometry.
Acrolein stimulates the synthesis of IL‐6 and C‐reactive protein (CRP) in thrombosis model mice and cultured cells
Authors: Saiki Ryotaro , Hayashi Daisuke , Ikuo Yukiko , Nishimura Kazuhiro , Ishii Itsuko , Kobayashi Kaoru , Chiba Kan , Toida Toshihiko , Kashiwagi Keiko , Igarashi Kazuei
Published: June 2013

Measurements of protein‐conjugated acrolein (PC‐Acro), IL‐6, and C‐reactive protein (CRP) in plasma were useful for identifying silent brain infarction with high sensitivity and specificity. The aim of this study was to determine whether acrolein causes increased production of IL‐6 and CRP in thrombosis model mice and cultured cells. In mice with photochemically induced thrombosis, acrolein produced at the locus of infarction increased the level of IL‐6 and then CRP in plasma. This was confirmed in cell culture systems – acrolein stimulated the production of IL‐6 in mouse neuroblastoma Neuro‐2a cells, mouse macrophage‐like J774.1 cells, and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), and IL‐6 in turn stimulated the production of CRP in human hepatocarcinoma cells. The level of IL‐6 mRNA was increased by acrolein through an increase in phosphorylation of the transcription factors, c‐Jun, and NF‐κB p65. Furthermore, CRP stimulated IL‐6 production in mouse macrophage‐like J774.1 cells and HUVEC. IL‐6 functioned as a protective factor against acrolein toxicity in Neuro‐2a cells and HUVEC. These results show that acrolein stimulates the synthesis of IL‐6 and CRP, which function as protecting factors against acrolein toxicity, and that the combined measurement of PC‐Acro, IL‐6, and CRP is effective for identification of silent brain infarction.

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The combined measurements of protein‐conjugated acrolein (PC‐Acro), IL‐6, and C‐reactive protein (CRP) in plasma were useful for identifying silent brain infarction. The aim of this study was to determine whether acrolein causes increased production of IL‐6 and CRP, and indeed acrolein increased IL‐6 synthesis and IL‐6 in turn increased CRP synthesis. Furthermore, IL‐6 decreased acrolein toxicity in several cell lines.
Exit as Governance: An Empirical Analysis
Authors: BHARATH SREEDHAR T. , JAYARAMAN SUDARSHAN , NAGAR VENKY
Published: June 2013

Recent theory posits a new governance channel available to blockholders: threat of exit. Threat of exit, as opposed to actual exit, is difficult to measure directly. However, a crucial property is that it is weaker when stock liquidity is lower and vice versa. We use natural experiments of financial crises and decimalization as exogenous shocks to stock liquidity. Firms with larger blockholdings experience greater declines (increases) in firm value during the crises (decimalization), particularly if the manager's wealth is sensitive to the stock price and thus to exit threats. Additional tests suggest exit threats are distinct from blockholder intervention.
The Demography of Resources
Authors: Kim Tai‐Young , Kuilman Jeroen G.
Published: June 2013

A longitudinal event‐history analysis using complete data on the aircraft fleets of allBritish airlines over the period 1919 to 1975 was applied to elucidating how a firm's internal resource demography can explain its resource divestiture decisions. The likelihood of divestiture for any particular aircraft was found to depend strongly on its age and size, but also on the age and size heterogeneity of an airline's entire fleet. The results constitute a demonstration of the utility of taking a demographic approach to studying the management of resource portfolios. This approach may also prove fruitful in the study of other types of strategic resources and their management.
Morphology of the crustose coralline alga Pseudolithophyllum muricatum (Corallinales, Rhodophyta) responds to 30 years of ocean acidification in the Northeast Pacific
Authors: McCoy Sophie J.
Published: June 2013

As the process of ocean acidification alters seawater carbon chemistry, physiological processes such as skeletal accretion are expected to become more difficult for calcifying organisms. The crustose coralline red algae (Corallinales, Rhodophyta) form an important guild of calcifying primary producers in the temperate Northeast Pacific. The morphology of important ecological traits, namely, skeletal density and thallus thickness near the growing edge, was evaluated in Pseudolithophyllum muricatum (Foslie) Steneck & R.T. Paine, the competitively dominant alga within this guild. P. muricatum shows a morphological response to increased ocean acidification in the temperate Northeast Pacific. Comparing historical (1981–1997) and modern (2012) samples from the field, crust thickness near the growing edge was approximately half as thick in modern samples compared with historical samples, while crust calcite density showed no significant change between the two sample groups. Morphological changes at the growing edge have important consequences for mediating competitive interactions within this guild of algae, and may affect the role of crustose coralline algal beds as hosts to infaunal communities and facilitators of recruitment in many invertebrate and macroalgal species.
English as a foreign language spelling: comparisons between good and poor spellers
Authors: Russak Susie , Kahn‐Horwitz Janina
Published: June 2013

This study examined English as a foreign language (EFL) spelling development amongst 233 fifth‐grade, eighth‐grade and 10th‐grade Hebrew first‐language speakers to examine effects of English orthographic exposure on spelling. Good and poor speller differences were examined regarding the acquisition of novel phonemes (/æ/, /Λ/ and //) and orthographic conventions (/ð/, /θ/, // and silent ‘e’). Hebrew measures included standardised spelling and orthographic and phonological tasks. Experimental English measures included real‐word and pseudoword spellings, orthographic tasks and standardised spellings. Results showed significant differences in spelling accuracy between good and poor spellers at all grades. Spelling accuracy for most conventions did not improve after the eighth grade. Spellings of consonantal clusters, initial h and /ð/ differed between good and poor spellers in the fifth grade only. Hebrew spelling was one of the strongest predictors of EFL real‐word and pseudoword spellings in both fifth and eighth grades. Implications for teaching practice are discussed.
Soil bacterial community succession during long‐term ecosystem development
Authors: Jangid Kamlesh , Whitman William B. , Condron Leo M. , Turner Benjamin L. , Williams Mark A.
Published: June 2013

The physicochemical and biological gradients of soil and vegetative succession along the Franz Josef chronosequence in New Zealand were used to test whether bacterial communities show patterns of change associated with long‐term ecosystem development. Pyrosequencing was conducted on soil‐derived 16S rRNA genes at nine stages of ecosystem progression and retrogression, ranging in age from 60 to c. 120 000 years since glacial retreat. Bray–Curtis ordination indicated that the bacterial communities showed clear patterns of change that were closely aligned with ecosystem development, pedogenesis and vegetative succession (Mantel test; r = 0.58; P < 0.001). Eighty per cent (80%) of the explained variability in bacterial community structure was observed during the first c. 1000 years of development, when bacterial richness (Simpson's 1/D) declined from 130 to 30. The relatively high turnover of soil bacterial communities corresponded with an integrative ‘plant–microbial successional feedback’ model that predicts primarily negative feedbacks between plants and soil bacterial communities during progression and early pedogenesis. Positive feedbacks, similar to those of the plant community, could explain the long periods of community stability during later retrogressive stages of ecosystem development. This hypothesized model provides a consistent description linking belowground communities to ecosystem development and succession. The research, using deep sequencing technology, provides the first evidence for soil bacterial community change associated with the process of long‐term ecosystem development. How these bacterial community changes are linked to the processes of primary ecosystem succession is not known and needs further investigation.
Understanding the Components of Quality Improvement Collaboratives: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: NADEEM ERUM , OLIN S. SERENE , HILL LAURA CAMPBELL , HOAGWOOD KIMBERLY EATON , HORWITZ SARAH McCUE
Published: June 2013

Context

In response to national efforts to improve quality of care, policymakers and health care leaders have increasingly turned to quality improvement collaboratives (QICs) as an efficient approach to improving provider practices and patient outcomes through the dissemination of evidence‐based practices. This article presents findings from a systematic review of the literature on QICs, focusing on the identification of common components of QICs in health care and exploring, when possible, relations between QIC components and outcomes at the patient or provider level.

Methods

A systematic search of five major health care databases generated 294 unique articles, twenty‐four of which met our criteria for inclusion in our final analysis. These articles pertained to either randomized controlled trials or quasi‐experimental studies with comparison groups, and they reported the findings from twenty different studies of QICs in health care. We coded the articles to identify the components reported for each collaborative.

Findings

We found fourteen crosscutting components as common ingredients in health care QICs (e.g., in‐person learning sessions, phone meetings, data reporting, leadership involvement, and training in QI methods). The collaboratives reported included, on average, six to seven of these components. The most common were in‐person learning sessions, plan‐do‐study‐act (PDSA) cycles, multidisciplinary QI teams, and data collection for QI. The outcomes data from these studies indicate the greatest impact of QICs at the provider level; patient‐level findings were less robust.

Conclusions

Reporting on specific components of the collaborative was imprecise across articles, rendering it impossible to identify active QIC ingredients linked to improved care. Although QICs appear to have some promise in improving the process of care, there is great need for further controlled research examining the core components of these collaboratives related to patient‐ and provider‐level outcomes.
Rewarding Healthy Food Choices in SNAP: Behavioral Economic Applications
Authors: RICHARDS MICHAEL R. , SINDELAR JODY L.
Published: June 2013

Context

American obesity rates continue to escalate, but an effective policy response remains elusive. Specific changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) have been proposed as one way to improve nutrition and combat obesity among lower‐income populations. While current SNAP proposals hold promise, some important challenges still remain.

Methods

We discuss the four most common recommendations for changes to SNAP and their benefits and limitations. We then propose three new delivery options for SNAP that take advantage of behavioral economic insights and encourage the selection of healthy foods.

Findings

Although the existing proposals could help SNAP recipients, they often do not address some important behavioral impediments to buying healthy foods. We believe that behavioral economics can be used to design alternative policies with several advantages, although we recognize and discuss some of their limitations. The first proposal rewards healthy purchases with more SNAP funds and provides an additional incentive to maintain healthier shopping patterns. The second proposal uses the opportunity to win prizes to reward healthy food choices, and the prizes further support healthier habits. The final proposal simplifies healthy food purchases by allowing individuals to commit their SNAP benefits to more nutritious selections in advance.

Conclusions

Reforming the delivery structure of SNAP's benefits could help improve nutrition, weight, and overall health of lower‐income individuals. We advocate for more and diverse SNAP proposals, which should be tested and, possibly, combined. Their implementation, however, would require political will, administrative capacity, and funding.
Mutation by DNA shuffling of 5‐enolpyruvylshikimate‐3‐phosphate synthase from Malus domestica for improved glyphosate resistance
Authors: Tian Yong‐Sheng , Xu Jing , Peng Ri‐He , Xiong Ai‐Sheng , Xu Hu , Zhao Wei , Fu Xiao‐Yan , Han Hong‐Juan , Yao Quan‐Hong
Published: June 2013

A new 5‐enolpyruvylshikimate‐3‐phosphate synthase (EPSPS) gene from Malus domestica (MdEPSPS) was cloned and characterized by rapid amplification of cDNA ends to identify an EPSPS gene appropriate for the development of transgenic glyphosate‐tolerant plants. However, wild‐type MdEPSPS is not suitable for the development of transgenic glyphosate‐tolerant plants because of its poor glyphosate resistance. Thus, we performed DNA shuffling on MdEPSPS, and one highly glyphosate‐resistant mutant with mutations in eight amino acids (N63D, N86S, T101A, A187T, D230G, H317R, Y399R and C413A.) was identified after five rounds of DNA shuffling and screening. Among the eight amino acid substitutions on this mutant, only two residue changes (T101A and A187T) were identified by site‐directed mutagenesis as essential and additive in altering glyphosate resistance, which was further confirmed by kinetic analyses. The single‐site A187T mutation has also never been previously reported as an important residue for glyphosate resistance. Furthermore, transgenic rice was used to confirm the potential of MdEPSPS mutant in developing glyphosate‐resistant crops.
The potato R10 resistance specificity to late blight is conferred by both a single dominant R gene and quantitative trait loci
Authors: Xu Jianfei , Wang Jiajia , Pang Wanfu , Bian Chunsong , Duan Shaoguang , Liu Jie , Huang Sanwen , Jin Liping , Qu Dongyu
Published: June 2013

The R10 late blight differential of potato, 3681ad1, exhibits good field resistance. Progeny from the cross between 3681ad1 and the susceptible cultivar ‘Katahdin’ were assessed for late blight resistance to three Phytophthora infestans isolates, using a detached leaf assay. Progeny differed in response to the three isolates. Resistance to isolates IPO‐0 and 99018 was controlled by quantitative trait loci (QTL), whereas resistance to isolate 89148‐9 was inherited as a dominant R gene, designated as R10 in this study. Statistical analysis revealed that one of the resistance QTLs to isolates IPO‐0 and 99018 is linked to the R10 gene, which maps to chromosome 11 in a region where a complex late blight resistance locus has been reported previously. A high‐resolution map of R10 was constructed using a large segregating population, and the gene was delimited to a genetic interval of 0.26 cM. The clustering of the qualitative gene R10 with resistance QTLs could explain the field resistance observed with 3681ad1.
Involvement of respiratory processes in the transient knockout of net CO2 uptake in Mimosa pudica upon heat stimulation
Authors: LAUTNER SILKE , STUMMER MICHAELA , MATYSSEK RAINER , FROMM JÖRG , GRAMS THORSTEN E. E.
Published: June 2013

Leaf photosynthesis of the sensitive plant Mimosa pudica displays a transient knockout in response to electrical signals induced by heat stimulation. This study aims at clarifying the underlying mechanisms, in particular, the involvement of respiration. To this end, leaf gas exchange and light reactions of photosynthesis were assessed under atmospheric conditions largely eliminating photorespiration by either elevated atmospheric CO2 or lowered O2 concentration (i.e. 2000 μmol mol−1 or 1%, respectively). In addition, leaf gas exchange was studied in the absence of light. Under darkness, heat stimulation caused a transient increase of respiratory CO2 release simultaneously with stomatal opening, hence reflecting direct involvement of respiratory stimulation in the drop of the net CO2 uptake rate. However, persistence of the transient decline in net CO2 uptake rate under illumination and elevated CO2 or 1% O2 makes it unlikely that photorespiration is the metabolic origin of the respiratory CO2 release.

In conclusion, the transient knockout of net CO2 uptake is at least partially attributed to an increased CO2 release through mitochondrial respiration as stimulated by electrical signals. Putative CO2 limitation of Rubisco due to decreased activity of carbonic anhydrase was ruled out as the photosynthesis effect was not prevented by elevated CO2.