bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synergistic or independent impacts of low frequency of going outside the home and social isolation on functional decline: A 4‐year prospective study of urban Japanese older adults
Authors: Fujiwara Yoshinori , Nishi Mariko , Fukaya Taro , Hasebe Masami , Nonaka Kumiko , Koike Takashi , Suzuki Hiroyuki , Murayama Yoh , Saito Masashige , Kobayashi Erika
Published: January 2016

Aim

Decreased frequency of going outside the home and being socially isolated are regarded as predictors of poor health. The object of the present study was to clarify whether these factors have synergistic or independent impacts on future functional decline.

Methods

We examined a prospective cohort of 2427 community‐dwelling persons, aged ≥65 years, who responded to the baseline mail survey in Wako City, in 2008. Participants were asked about the frequency of going outside the home, social isolation status (having contact less than once a week with anyone outside household), functional capacity (Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology‐Index of Competence), age, sex, annual income, self‐rated health, depressive mood and mobility.

Results

Of 1575 persons (72.1%) who completely responded to the follow‐up survey (T2) in 2012, we defined the groups as follows: group 1, not isolated and going outside the home every day (n = 897); group 2, not isolated and going outside the home less than every day (n = 311); group 3, isolated and going outside the home every day (n = 224); and group 4, isolated and going outside the home less than every day (n = 143). Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that the variables identifying group 3 for men and group 2 for women with reference to group 1 were predictors of subsequent functional decline even after adjustment for confounders (odds ratios 2.01, 1.63; 95% CI 1.20–3.38, 1.03–2.56, respectively).

Conclusion

Social isolation regardless of going outside the home every day for men and going outside the home less than every day regardless of being not socially isolated for women might predict functional decline. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 500–508.
Overexpression of eukaryotic initiation factor 5A2 (EIF5A2) is associated with cancer progression and poor prognosis in patients with early‐stage cervical cancer
Authors: Yang Shan‐Shan , Gao Ying , Wang De‐Ying , Xia Bai‐Rong , Liu Yun‐Duo , Qin Yu , Ning Xiao‐Ming , Li Gen‐Ying , Hao Li‐Xiao , Xiao Min , Zhang Yun‐Yan
Published: January 2016

Aims

As one of the only two isoforms of the eukaryotic initiation factor (EIF)5A family, EIF5A2 plays an important role in tumour progression and prognosis evaluation. The aim of this study was to investigate EIF5A2 expression in International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage I–II cervical cancer and to evaluate its clinical significance.

Methods and results

The mRNA and protein expression levels of EIF5A2 were analysed in 20 tissue samples of FIGO stage I–II cervical cancer and paired surrounding non‐tumour cervical tissues by real‐time polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis. Immunohistochemistry was performed to examine EIF5A2 protein expression in paraffin‐embedded tissues from 314 patients with cervical cancer. The mRNA and protein expression levels of EIF5A2 were significantly elevated in tumour tissues. The increased EIF5A2 expression was correlated with higher FIGO stage (P < 0.001), deep cervical stromal invasion (P = 0.026), lymphovascular space involvement (P = 0.002), pelvic lymph node metastasis (P < 0.001) and postoperative recurrence (P < 0.001) in patients with cervical cancer. Patients with tumours showing high EIF5A2 expression had a poorer survival time than those with normal EIF5A2 expression, especially the patients with negative pelvic lymph nodes and FIGO stage II. In addition, multivariate Cox analysis showed that high EIF5A2 expression was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival [hazard ratio 1.949; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.116–3.404; P = 0.019] and disease‐free survival (hazard ratio 1.980; 95% CI 1.189–3.297; P = 0.009).

Conclusions

EIF5A2 overexpression may contribute to cancer progression and poor prognosis. Therefore, EIF5A2 could be a novel potential prognostic marker for FIGO stage I–II cervical cancer.
Two Components of Wage Gaps Induced by Individual‐level Variables: Intra‐firm or Inter‐firm?
Authors: Takahashi Koji
Published: January 2016

Individual‐level variables such as gender, education, occupation, and employment type are well‐known factors that induce wage gaps in the labor market. This article aims to divide wage gaps into two components—those arising within each firm (the intra‐firm wage gap) and those arising between different firms (the inter‐firm wage gap)—and measure their respective proportions by individual‐level variables, as studies suggest that each wage gap based on an individual‐level variable has a unique mix of an intra‐firm and inter‐firm wage gap. This measurement can help enrich investigation into the generative process of wage gaps and formulate effective labor policies to reduce them. Accordingly, we compared the coefficients of the independent variables of the wage function estimated by a pooled ordinary least squares model and a fixed‐effect model, using nationwide employer–employee matching data collected by the Japanese government. We found that wage gaps by gender and employment type mostly consist of intra‐firm wage gaps, and those by education and occupation have a larger share of inter‐firm wage gaps. The findings suggest that different research strategies are required to investigate the generative process of each wage gap, and that regulations on and interventions in organizational processes are important to reduce wage gaps based on gender and employment type.
Germination Responses of Cañahua (Chenopodium pallidicaule Aellen) to Temperature and Sowing Depth: A Crop Growing Under Extreme Conditions
Authors: Rodriguez J. P. , Jacobsen S.‐E. , Sørensen M. , Andreasen C.
Published: January 2016

Cañahua (Chenopodium pallidicaule) is grown in the Altiplano of Bolivia and Peru, between 3810 and 4200 m a.s.l. Rural indigenous households have cultivated the cañahua as a subsistence crop for millennia. The seeds have a high content and quality of protein. We studied the relation between the following: (i) temperature and seed germination and (ii) the effect of temperature and sowing depth on seedling emergence of five cultivars and one landrace. Three experiments were conducted as follows: (i) seeds of a cultivar were germinated in Petri dishes at six temperatures (3, 5, 10, 14, 20 and 24 °C), (ii) sown at five depths (0, 5, 10, 25 and 50 mm) in a mixed peat soil substrate at three temperatures and (iii) one landrace (Lasta) and 5 cultivars (Lasta and Saihua growth habit) were sown in 6 depth (0, 5, 10, 25, 35 and 50 mm) in a sandy loam at two temperatures (5 and 15 °C). Temperature had significantly effect on the germination percentages of the plants (P < 0.001). Seeds germinated at the lowest temperature (3 °C). The estimated base temperature was close to 0 °C. A polynomial function described well the relation between time to 50% germination (t50) and temperature in the interval from 3 to 24 °C resulting in a linear relationship between germination rate and temperature. Shallow sowing depth (5–25 mm) resulted in 80% germination at 15 °C. There were significant differences of emergence in relationship to burial depth (P < 0.001). Only few seedlings emerged when seeds were sown at 50 mm depth. We did not find significant differences in emergence of seedlings between Lasta and Saihua at 15 °C. Nevertheless, at 5 °C, seedlings of cañahua belonging to the Lasta growth habit form did have higher germination rate as were shown for the Kullaca cultivar and the Umacutama landrace. This may be attributed to larger seed size of these cultivars.
Drought Stress in Grain Legumes during Reproduction and Grain Filling
Authors: Farooq M. , Gogoi N. , Barthakur S. , Baroowa B. , Bharadwaj N. , Alghamdi S. S. , Siddique K. H. M.
Published: January 2016

Water scarcity is a major constraint limiting grain legume production particularly in the arid and semi‐arid tropics. Different climate models have predicted changes in rainfall distribution and frequent drought spells for the future. Although drought impedes the productivity of grain legumes at all growth stages, its occurrence during reproductive and grain development stages (terminal drought) is more critical and usually results in significant loss in grain yield. However, the extent of yield loss depends on the duration and intensity of the stress. A reduction in the rate of net photosynthesis, and poor grain set and grain development are the principal reasons for terminal drought‐induced loss in grain yield. Insight into the impact and resistance mechanism of terminal drought is required for effective crop improvement programmes aiming to improve resistance to terminal drought in grain legumes. In this article, the impact of terminal drought on leaf development and senescence, light harvesting and carbon fixation, and grain development and grain composition is discussed. The mechanisms of resistance, management options, and innovative breeding and functional genomics strategies to improve resistance to terminal drought in grain legumes are also discussed.
miR‐222 attenuates cisplatin‐induced cell death by targeting the PPP2R2A/Akt/mTOR Axis in bladder cancer cells
Authors: Zeng Li‐Ping , Hu Zheng‐Mao , Li Kai , Xia Kun
Published: January 2016

Increased miR‐222 levels are associated with a poor prognosis in patients with bladder cancer. However, the role of miR‐222 remains unclear. In the present study, we found that miR‐222 enhanced the proliferation of both the T24 and the 5637 bladder cancer cell lines. Overexpression of miR‐222 attenuated cisplatin‐induced cell death in bladder cancer cells. miR‐222 activated the Akt/mTOR pathway and inhibited cisplatin‐induced autophagy in bladder cancer cells by directly targeting protein phosphatase 2A subunit B (PPP2R2A). Blocking the activation of Akt with LY294002 or mTOR with rapamycin significantly prevented miR‐222‐induced proliferation and restored the sensitivity of bladder cancer cells to cisplatin. These findings demonstrate that miR‐222 modulates the PPP2R2A/Akt/mTOR axis and thus plays a critical role in regulating proliferation and chemotherapeutic drug resistance. Therefore, miR‐222 may be a novel therapeutic target for bladder cancer.
Genetic and epigenetic heterogeneity of epithelial ovarian cancer and the clinical implications for molecular targeted therapy
Authors: Bai Huimin , Cao Dongyan , Yang Jiaxin , Li Menghui , Zhang Zhenyu , Shen Keng
Published: January 2016

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the most lethal gynaecological malignancy, and tumoural heterogeneity (TH) has been blamed for treatment failure. The genomic and epigenomic atlas of EOC varies significantly with tumour histotype, grade, stage, sensitivity to chemotherapy and prognosis. Rapidly accumulating knowledge about the genetic and epigenetic events that control TH in EOC has facilitated the development of molecular‐targeted therapy. Poly (ADP‐ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors, designed to target homologous recombination, are poised to change how breast cancer susceptibility gene (BRCA)‐related ovarian cancer is treated. Epigenetic treatment regimens being tested in clinical or preclinical studies could provide promising novel treatment approaches and hope for improving patient survival.
Surgical therapy of single peri‐implantitis intrabony defects, by means of deproteinized bovine bone mineral with 10% collagen
Authors: Roccuzzo Mario , Gaudioso Luigi , Lungo Marco , Dalmasso Paola
Published: January 2016

Aim

To evaluate the efficacy of a reconstructive surgical procedure in single peri‐implantitis infrabony defects.

Methods

Seventy‐five patients with one peri‐implantitis crater‐like lesion with pocket depth (PD) ≥ 6 mm, were included. Each defect was assigned to one characteristic class, by an independent examiner. After implant decontamination, defects were filled with deproteinized bovine bone mineral with 10% collagen.

Results

At 1‐year follow‐up, four patients were lost and six implants removed. Treatment success, PD ≤5 mm and absence of suppuration/bleeding on probing (BOP), was obtained in 37 (52.1%) of the 71 implants examined. PD was significantly reduced by 2.92 ± 1.73 mm (p < 0.0001). BOP decreased from 71.5 ± 34.4% to 18.3 ± 28.6% (p < 0.0001). The mean number of deep pockets (≥6 mm) decreased from 3.00 ± 0.93 to 0.85 ± 1.35 (p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

These results confirm the possibility to successfully treat peri‐implantitis lesions. There is lack of evidence of whether or not the resolution of the peri‐implant disease is associated with the defect configuration. Due to the fact that complete resolution does not seem a predictable outcome, the clinical decision on whether implants should be treated should be based on several patient related elements.
Diabetic complications within the context of aging: Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide redox, insulin C‐peptide, sirtuin 1–liver kinase B1–adenosine monophosphate‐activated protein kinase positive feedback and forkhead box O3
Authors: Ido Yasuo
Published: January 2016

Recent research in nutritional control of aging suggests that cytosolic increases in the reduced form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide and decreasing nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide metabolism plays a central role in controlling the longevity gene products sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), adenosine monophosphate‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) and forkhead box O3 (FOXO3). High nutrition conditions, such as the diabetic milieu, increase the ratio of reduced to oxidized forms of cytosolic nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide through cascades including the polyol pathway. This redox change is associated with insulin resistance and the development of diabetic complications, and might be counteracted by insulin C‐peptide. My research and others' suggest that the SIRT1–liver kinase B1–AMPK cascade creates positive feedback through nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide synthesis to help cells cope with metabolic stress. SIRT1 and AMPK can upregulate liver kinase B1 and FOXO3, key factors that help residential stem cells cope with oxidative stress. FOXO3 directly changes epigenetics around transcription start sites, maintaining the health of stem cells. ‘Diabetic memory’ is likely a result of epigenetic changes caused by high nutritional conditions, which disturb the quiescent state of residential stem cells and impair tissue repair. This could be prevented by restoring SIRT1–AMPK positive feedback through activating FOXO3.
Intelligent Grading System for Banana Fruit Using Neural Network Arbitration
Authors: Olaniyi Ebenezer Obaloluwa , Oyedotun Oyebade Kayode , Adnan Khashman
Published: January 2016

There is a need for quality production at a very fast rate in food processing industry. Therefore, developing a system that can perform the visual perception of the human operator in making decisions at a very fast rate will be of great advantage. Such machine vision system will reduce human errors such as individual perception differences in determining whether a product is healthy or defective for production. In this research, an intelligent identification system for grading banana fruit has been developed to replace or aid the human operator who may suffer from inconsistent slow decision‐making. This work is divided into three phases. The first phase is the acquisition of the images and preparation of the database required for our experiments. In the second phase, several image processing techniques are employed to extract banana features for use in the last phase; which is the classification phase. Here, a neural network classifier is arbitrated using extracted banana image features in order to classify and grade the fruit. The sufficient classification rates obtained in this work, and the minimal time costs required when compared with previous works indicate that our novel banana grading system can be efficiently used in real life applications in the food processing industry.

Practical Applications

Our novel grading system has been developed to be used in a fruit (e.g. banana) production factory where quality control and sorting is required. Over the years, human operators had always been employed to grade raw material and product in order to determine if the raw material is suitable for production or marketing. This operation by human workers was considered as very slow when it comes to decision making and there may also be inconsistent in their decision on the product. Thus, we believe that our proposed intelligent grading system can be successfully implemented in practice in a banana production factory, in order to sort out defective or good banana prior to marketing, thus improving the quantity and quality of banana production.2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc
Quality Characteristics and Antioxidant Properties of Muffins Enriched with Date Fruit (Phoenix Dactylifera L.) Fiber Concentrates
Authors: Mrabet Abdessalem , Rodríguez‐Gutiérrez Guillermo , Rodríguez‐Arcos Rocío , Guillén‐Bejarano Rafael , Ferchichi Ali , Sindic Marianne , Jiménez‐Araujo Ana
Published: January 2016

Secondary varieties of date from Tunisia are underutilized due to their low commercial quality. Fiber concentrates (DFC) can be obtained from these fruits after a steam pretreatment. DFCs were evaluated as a source of antioxidant dietary fiber for bakery products. Muffins were prepared with 2.5 and 5% flour substitution with DFCs obtained by treatments at 165 and 180C. The DFC‐doughs presented a similar yield to the control but the muffins reached a lower volume. The density increase did not imply an increase in texture. In fact, the muffins with DFC‐165 were the softest tested, although they had lower cohesiveness and springiness. The proximate composition was similar among samples. The DFC‐muffins had higher antioxidant capacity than the control, and obtained good scores in the sensory evaluation. DFC‐165 is a valuable ingredient for baked goods, but its effect on fat rancidity and staling delays should be confirmed.

Practical Applications

Listing dietary fiber on the ingredient label of a product is always viewed positively by consumers. Several dietary fibers coming from underutilized varieties of Tunisian dates were added to bakery products. In some cases, texture and organoleptic characteristics of fortified muffins were the best tested, increasing also their antioxidant activity. From a technological point of view, the addition of date dietary fiber could also extend the self‐life of baked goods due to a delay of staling and fat rancidity caused by storage.
Security giving in surrogacy motherhood process as a caring model for commissioning mothers: A theory synthesis
Authors: Zandi Mitra , Vanaki Zohreh , Shiva Marziyeh , Mohammadi Eesa , Bagheri‐Lankarani Narges
Published: January 2016

Aim

Despite the increasing use of surrogacy, there are no caring theories/models that serve as the basis for nursing care to surrogacy commissioning mothers. This study has designed a model for caring of surrogacy commissioning mothers in 2013.

Methods

The theory synthesis of Walker and Avant's strategies of theory construction (2011) was used to design a caring model/theory. The theory synthesis includes three stages: (i) selection of focal concept (the concept of “security giving in motherhood” was selected); (ii) review of studies in order to identify factors related to focal concept relevant studies (42 articles and 13 books) were reviewed, statements and concepts related to focal concept were then extracted and classified, and their relations were specified; and (iii) organization of concepts and statements within a relevant general and effective manifestation of the phenomenon under study which led to developing of a model.

Results

In this caring model/theory, entitled “security giving in surrogacy motherhood”, nurses roles were conceptualized within the conceptual framework that includes three main roles: (i) coordination; (ii) participation; and (iii) security giving (physical, emotional, and legal support; empowerment; presence; relationship management between both parties and advocacy). Training surrogacy specialist nurses and establishment of surrogacy care centers are important factors for implementation of the model.

Conclusion

This model could help to provided better caring for surrogacy clients, especially for commissioning mothers.
Reporting methods for processing and analysis of data from serial block face scanning electron microscopy
Authors: BORRETT S. , HUGHES L.
Published: January 2016

Serial block face scanning electron microscopy is rapidly becoming a popular tool for collecting large three‐dimensional data sets of cells and tissues, filling the resolution and volume gap between fluorescence microscopy and high‐resolution electron microscopy. The automated collection of data within the instrument occupies the smallest proportion of the time required to prepare and analyse biological samples. It is the processing of data once it has been collected that proves the greatest challenge. In this review we discuss different methods that are used to process data. We suggest potential workflows that can be used to facilitate the transfer of raw image stacks into quantifiable data as well as propose a set of criteria for reporting methods for data analysis to enable replication of work.
Motor imagery in spinal cord injured people is modulated by somatotopic coding, perspective taking, and post‐lesional chronic pain
Authors: Scandola Michele , Aglioti Salvatore M. , Pozeg Polona , Avesani Renato , Moro Valentina
Published: January 2016

Motor imagery (MI) allows one to mentally represent an action without necessarily performing it. Importantly, however, MI is profoundly influenced by the ability to actually execute actions, as demonstrated by the impairment of this ability as a consequence of lesions in motor cortices, limb amputations, movement limiting chronic pain, and spinal cord injury. Understanding MI and its deficits in patients with motor limitations is fundamentally important as development of some brain–computer interfaces and daily life strategies for coping with motor disorders are based on this ability. We explored MI in a large sample of patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) using a comprehensive battery of questionnaires to assess the ability to imagine actions from a first‐person or a third‐person perspective and also imagine the proprioceptive components of actions. Moreover, we correlated MI skills with personality measures and clinical variables such as the level and completeness of the lesion and the presence of chronic pain. We found that the MI deficits (1) concerned the body parts affected by deafferentation and deefferentation, (2) were present in first‐ but not in third‐person perspectives, and (3) were more altered in the presence of chronic pain. MI is thus closely related to bodily perceptions and representations. Every attempt to devise tools and trainings aimed at improving autonomy needs to consider the cognitive changes due to the body–brain disconnection.
Is Seeing Intriguing? Practitioner Perceptions of Research Documents
Authors: Huber Amy
Published: January 2016

Although design practitioners have a myriad of information sources available, they often have little time to evaluate the information. The need to study visual persuasive tactics is highlighted by (1) the propensity of designers to use visual communications, (2) the availability of sources that range in validity, (3) work stressors encountered by designers, and (4) the benefits of using peer–reviewed sources. Given these contexts, it may behoove design scholars to acknowledge the constraints and desires of their intended audience, which may include practicing interior designers. Framed by Petty and Cacioppo's Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM) of persuasion, this study's goal was to compare design practitioners’ hedonic perceptions of empirical research documents. Thirty–four participants completed a mixed–method survey soliciting perceptions relative to the organizational strategies and word–to–image ratios of two document iterations. Responses ascertained from Likert–type scales, heat maps, and open–ended questions suggest that designers, at times, evaluate an information source based on the graphic quality in which it is presented. Taken together, findings from this study might provide some useful guidance for those conveying information to practitioners who are less familiar with academic literature but could benefit from the knowledge provided, thus increasing the likelihood of informed design decision–making practices. Furthermore, the methods utilized during this inquiry might serve as a pilot for future studies in this area.
Middle Cerebral Artery Pulsatility Index is Associated with Cognitive Impairment in Lacunar Stroke
Authors: Altmann Marianne , Thommessen Bente , Rønning Ole Morten , Benth Jūratė Šaltytė , Reichenbach Antje S. , Fure Brynjar
Published: January 2016

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Pulsatility index (PI) of the middle cerebral artery is postulated to reflect the vascular resistance in the artery distal of the probe, and has been reported to increase in small vessel disease, diabetes mellitus, ageing, and dementia. Lacunar infarcts are considered to be related to cognitive impairment. We therefore conducted a study to assess the association between cognitive impairment and PI in patients with a lacunar infarct.

METHODS

Consecutive patients presenting with an acute lacunar syndrome who were admitted to the stroke unit were enrolled. The patients were examined with Doppler ultrasonography of the intracranial arteries, and the PI of the middle cerebral artery was recorded. Cognitive function was evaluated by mini‐mental state examination (MMSE), clock drawing test, and trail making test (TMT) A and B.

RESULTS

Among the 113 patients included, 85 patients had an acute lacunar infarct and 28 had one or more nonlacunar infarcts. The mean PI was 1.46 (SD = .33). PI was significantly (P < .05) associated with MMSE, TMT A and TMT B in patients with lacunar infarct, even after adjustment for multiple patient characteristics (age, sex, prestroke hypertension, smoking, previous stroke, and diabetes).

CONCLUSIONS

PI was associated with the cognitive performance in patients with lacunar infarcts and a lacunar syndrome. An elevated PI may be related to impairment in several cognitive domains. These findings suggest that transcranial Doppler ultrasonography could be an adjunct tool for early diagnosis of cognitive impairment after stroke.
Predicting Well‐Being and Internalizing Symptoms in Late Adolescence From Trajectories of Externalizing Behavior Starting in Infancy
Authors: Kjeldsen Anne , Nilsen Wendy , Gustavson Kristin , Skipstein Anni , Melkevik Ole , Karevold Evalill B.
Published: January 2016

This study aimed to examine the long‐term prediction of well‐being and internalizing symptoms from trajectories of externalizing behavior problems in 921 children from a population‐based sample. We found that a high stable trajectory of externalizing behavior from infancy (age 1.5) to mid‐adolescence (age 14.5) predicted lower scores on life satisfaction and flourishing for both girls and boys (age 18.5). The high stable trajectory also predicted higher levels of depressive symptoms in boys and anxiety symptoms in girls (age 18.5). The findings are noteworthy as they document how a person‐oriented study of externalizing behavior problems starting in infancy can predict well‐being and internalizing in late adolescence. The findings underline the importance of early health promotion and problem intervention efforts.
Behavioural responses of pine weevils to non‐consumptive interactions with red wood ants
Authors: Maňák V. , Björklund N. , Lenoir L. , Knape J. , Nordlander G.
Published: January 2016

Non‐consumptive effects are increasingly recognized as important in predator–herbivore interactions, with both fundamental and practical implications. Notably, feeding damage to conifer seedlings by pine weevils, Hylobius abietis (L.), which are serious pests in forest regeneration areas, can be decreased by interactions with ants (Formicidae). To probe the behavioural mechanisms underlying such effects, which have rarely been described in predator–herbivore systems, we investigated how the ants influence the weevils' behaviour around planted conifer seedlings in the field. Half of the seedlings were infested with aphids and attended by red wood ants Formica polyctena Förster, whereas the others were used as controls. We asked whether the ants' behaviour towards the weevils differs between these treatments, and whether the weevils' movement behaviour (locomotion, stationary activity and digging) is affected by the treatments and physical interactions with ants. The ants attacked pine weevils more frequently and for longer periods around ant‐attended seedlings than around controls. Weevils' locomotion behaviour also increased markedly when attacked by ants. This may increase the likelihood of pine weevils moving away from, and causing less damage to, ant‐attended seedlings. This study demonstrates how non‐consumptive effects can be explained in terms of a herbivore's responses to a predator's aggressive behaviours.
Phosphate starvation: a novel signal that triggers ESX‐5 secretion in Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Elliott Sarah R. , Tischler Anna D.
Published: January 2016

Mycobacterium tuberculosis uses the Type VII ESX secretion systems to transport proteins across its complex cell wall. ESX‐5 has been implicated in M. tuberculosis virulence, but the regulatory mechanisms controlling ESX‐5 secretion were unknown. Here we uncover a link between ESX‐5 and the Pst/SenX3–RegX3 system that controls gene expression in response to phosphate availability. The DNA‐binding response regulator RegX3 is normally activated by phosphate limitation. Deletion of pstA1, which encodes a Pst phosphate uptake system component, causes constitutive activation of RegX3. A ΔpstA1 mutant exhibited RegX3–dependent overexpression of esx‐5 genes and hyper‐secretion of the ESX‐5 substrates EsxN and PPE41 when the bacteria were grown in phosphate‐rich medium. In wild‐type M. tuberculosis, phosphate limitation activated esx‐5 transcription and secretion of both EsxN and PPE41, and this response required RegX3. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays revealed that RegX3 binds directly to a promoter within the esx‐5 locus. Remarkably, phosphate limitation also induced secretion of EsxB, an effector of the virulence‐associated ESX‐1 secretion system, though this induction was RegX3 independent. Our work demonstrates that the Pst/SenX3–RegX3 system directly regulates ESX‐5 secretion at the transcriptional level in response to phosphate availability and defines phosphate limitation as an environmental signal that activates ESX‐5 secretion.
Atlas Florae Europaeae notes 25. Taxonomic circumscription and nomenclature of Sorbus danubialis (Rosaceae)
Authors: Somlyay Lajos , Sennikov Alexander N.
Published: January 2016

The original material of Sorbus danubialis (Jáv.) Prodan, and the most similar taxa described from Hungary (S. javorkae (Soó) Kárpáti, S. sooi (Soó) Kárpáti & Soó and S. pseudodanubialis Kárpáti), have been examined along with other specimens cited either as referable to those taxa or to S. cretica (Lindl.) Fritsch in the monograph of Sorbus in Hungary and adjacent countries by Kárpáti. Lectotypes are designated for S. javorkae and S. sooi; these two names and S. pseudodanubialis are reduced to synonymy of S. danubialis because of insignificant differences in morphology. Diagnostic characters and the distribution of S. danubialis are discussed based on a new description and a map of the distribution in Hungary. The authorship of S. danubialis is discussed. The principal infraspecific taxa in the “Flora Hungarica” of Jávorka (1924–1925) are interpreted as validly published at the rank of subspecies under ICN Art. 37.5.
Taxonomic notes on Cimicifuga nanchuanensis (Ranunculaceae), a hitherto imperfectly known species from China
Authors: Luo Jiang‐Ping , Wang Long , Ren Chen , Yang Qin‐Er , Yuan Qiong
Published: January 2016

Cimicifuga nanchuanensis P. K. Hsiao (Ranunculaceae) has been regarded as an imperfectly known species. Based on critical examination of herbarium specimens and living plants we have determined that it is a morphologically distinctive species and that its geographical range is much wider than believed before, far from locally endemic to its type locality. Our cytological examination reveals the species to be a diploid (2n = 16). Our molecular phylogenetic analyses using nrDNA and cpDNA datasets confirm our morphological observations. As the generic concept and delimitation of Actaea L., in which Cimicifuga Wernisch. and Souliea Franch. are included, have also been strongly corroborated by our molecular phylogenetic analyses, here we adopt a broad Actaea and make a new combination for the species in question, i.e. Actaea nanchuanensis (P. K. Hsiao) J. P. Luo, Q. Yuan & Q. E. Yang.
Mindfulness meditation and the immune system: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Black David S. , Slavich George M.
Published: January 2016

Mindfulness meditation represents a mental training framework for cultivating the state of mindful awareness in daily life. Recently, there has been a surge of interest in how mindfulness meditation improves human health and well‐being. Although studies have shown that mindfulness meditation can improve self‐reported measures of disease symptomatology, the effect that mindfulness meditation has on biological mechanisms underlying human aging and disease is less clear. To address this issue, we conducted the first comprehensive review of randomized controlled trials examining the effects of mindfulness meditation on immune system parameters, with a specific focus on five outcomes: (1) circulating and stimulated inflammatory proteins, (2) cellular transcription factors and gene expression, (3) immune cell count, (4) immune cell aging, and (5) antibody response. This analysis revealed substantial heterogeneity across studies with respect to patient population, study design, and assay procedures. The findings suggest possible effects of mindfulness meditation on specific markers of inflammation, cell‐mediated immunity, and biological aging, but these results are tentative and require further replication. On the basis of this analysis, we describe the limitations of existing work and suggest possible avenues for future research. Mindfulness meditation may be salutogenic for immune system dynamics, but additional work is needed to examine these effects.
Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia: a case report with characteristics of long‐term progression
Authors: García‐Delaney C. , Vidal‐Bel A. , Sánchez‐Garcés Mª.Á. , Gay‐Escoda C.
Published: January 2016

Introduction

Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia is an uncommon but distinctive, precursor lesion of squamous cell carcinoma. Characteristic histological features are lacking and the diagnosis is based on the combination of clinical and histological findings showing progression of the lesion. The aetiology is unknown but the rates of malignancy and recurrence are high. It is a leukoplakic plaque located in a single site, which becomes multifocal, exophytic, verrucous and with erythematous areas over the clinical course of the lesion. The most commonly affected areas are the mucosas of the alveolar ridge and palate. Cases with locations in the tongue, lips and floor of the mouth have also been reported.

Case report

We here describe the clinical case of a 77‐year‐old woman who presented with a history of 5‐year duration of a painless and extensive mass involving the palate, the alveolar ridge of the first quadrant and the base of the maxillary labial vestibule, of a whitish‐yellowish colour, with erythematous areas and verrucous exophytic aspect. The lesion was diagnosed as compatible with verrucous leukoplakia with severe dysplasia and foci of squamous cell carcinoma on histological examination.

Discussion

Based on a clear correlation between clinical features and histological findings, the lesion was diagnosed as a proliferative verrucous leukoplakia. There is no consensus on the diagnostic criteria, as these lesions vary clinically and histologically during the clinical course, ranging from hyperkeratosis without epithelial dysplasia to squamous cell carcinoma. For this reason, many proliferative verrucous leukoplakia are not diagnosed correctly and most of them may evolve into malignancy.
Asymmetric effects of adult nutrition on reproductive success of male and female Diaeretiella rapae (Hymenoptera: Aphidiidae)
Authors: Kant Rashmi , Minor Maria A. , Trewick Steve
Published: January 2016

The role of diet supplements (honey, water or no supplements) on egg maturation, oviposition strategy and longevity of the parasitic wasp Diaeretiella rapae McIntosh (Hymenoptera: Aphidiidae) is investigated. Parasitoids feed as larvae on hosts to acquire nutrition for growth and development, and further gain additional resources during their adult stage by feeding on either host or nonhost resources. The additional resources acquired by adults can help them to increase their reproductive activity or life expectancy, or both. Diaeretiella rapae females emerge with some developed eggs and no additional resources are required for egg maturation or successful oviposition. Females are able to oviposit and produce viable offspring immediately after emergence, and the number of eggs left in the ovaries of females decreases with subsequent oviposition, suggesting that ovigeny index of D. rapae is inclined towards pro‐ovigenic status. When unmated males and females are offered honey solution, females are attracted to it, whereas males display courtship and make mating attempts but then feed on honey after mating. The oviposition efficiency of female D. rapae increases by 30% when they feed on honey compared with when starved. Honey‐fed D. rapae adults live significantly longer (almost twice as long) than starved adults. Honey‐fed females deprived of hosts live longer than those offered hosts regularly. The positive effects of honey‐feeding on longevity are greater in females than in males. Taken together, the results of the present study suggest that the provision of additional resources to adult D. rapae parasitoids could enhance their life expectancy and parasitism efficiency in biological control programmes.
Power, Gender, and Group Discussion
Authors: Mendelberg Tali , Karpowitz Christopher F.
Published: January 2016

This article reviews the growing literature on the ways in which gender informs our understanding of political psychology and how studies of political psychology shed light on the meaning of gender in society and politics. It focuses on gender gaps in contemporary American politics, where men tend to be more conservative and to engage in more influence‐seeking action than women. The article develops explanations for these gaps and tests them with experimental data. The gender gaps in political attitudes and behaviors are not immutable but rather strongly responsive to the context. Two important features of the context are the gender composition of those present and the rules that govern how decisions are made and consequently how individuals communicate.
Ideology and Post‐Colonial Society
Authors: Sibley Chris G. , Osborne Danny
Published: January 2016

The Dark Duo Model of Post‐Colonial Ideology states that post‐colonial nations possess a specific set of sociostructural conditions that foster a unique pair of complementary ideologies responsible for maintaining the status quo. These are the ideologies of Historical Negation and Symbolic Exclusion. Together, these ideologies articulate a pair of discourses that draw upon culturally sanctioned repertoires to effectively resolve the collective dissonance created by past—and present—injustices experienced by Indigenous peoples. Historical Negation and Symbolic Exclusion form a joint ideological system that legitimizes inequality in two critical social domains common to all post‐colonial societies: one domain relating to resource allocations for Indigenous peoples and the other domain relating to representation and membership in the nation's identity. In the current article, we review and integrate over 10 years of research on post‐colonial intergroup relations in New Zealand, leading up to a formal presentation of the Dark Duo Model. Our work in this area indicates that Historical Negation and Symbolic Exclusion are psychometrically distinct constructs that are stable over time. A meta‐analytic review of 13 independent samples (N = 18,903) shows that both ideologies are independently associated with Social Dominance Orientation and Right‐Wing Authoritarianism among members of the dominant (European) group in New Zealand. We review and explain why there are systematic ethnic group differences in support for these dual ideologies and why positive intergroup contact with the dominant group attenuates resistance to Symbolic Exclusion amongst Māori (the Indigenous peoples). We also show that Historical Negation and Symbolic Exclusion exert powerful unique effects on voter sentiment and support for different social policies relating to biculturalism and that these ideologies mediate the effects of Social Dominance Orientation and Right‐Wing Authoritarianism on various sociopolitical attitudes. Our Dark Duo Model is a context‐specific extension of the Dual‐Process Model of Ideology and Prejudice that explains how specific post‐colonial ideologies are generated and used to maintain social inequalities that systematically disadvantage Indigenous peoples.
Knowledge transfer in university quadruple helix ecosystems: an absorptive capacity perspective
Authors: Miller Kristel , McAdam Rodney , Moffett Sandra , Alexander Allen , Puthusserry Pushyarag
Published: January 2016

Increased understanding of knowledge transfer (KT) from universities to the wider regional knowledge ecosystem offers opportunities for increased regional innovation and commercialisation. The aim of this article is to improve the understanding of the KT phenomena in an open innovation context where multiple diverse quadruple helix stakeholders are interacting. An absorptive capacity‐based conceptual framework is proposed, using a priori constructs which portrays the multidimensional process of KT between universities and its constituent stakeholders in pursuit of open innovation and commercialisation. Given the lack of overarching theory in the field, an exploratory, inductive theory building methodology was adopted using semi‐structured interviews, document analysis and longitudinal observation data over a three‐year period. The findings identify five factors, namely human centric factors, organisational factors, knowledge characteristics, power relationships and network characteristics, which mediate both the ability of stakeholders to engage in KT and the effectiveness of knowledge acquisition, assimilation, transformation and exploitation. This research has implications for policy makers and practitioners by identifying the need to implement interventions to overcome the barriers to KT effectiveness between regional quadruple helix stakeholders within an open innovation ecosystem.
Using performance standards to guide vernal pool restoration and adaptive management
Authors: Schlatter Karen J. , Faist Akasha M. , Collinge Sharon K.
Published: January 2016

Although many restoration projects now include monitoring and evaluation in an adaptive management approach, a failure to employ distinct performance standards can lead to inconsistent and unclear results that may hinder learning from project outcomes and complicate large‐scale assessments of restoration success. Such is the case with vernal pool restoration projects in California, where performance standard guidelines are vague and inconsistently applied across agencies implementing restoration projects. However, positive steps have been made in recent years to develop wetland functional assessments and monitoring protocols in California to reduce inconsistencies and promote ecologically meaningful restoration. Additional work is needed to develop specific guidelines for vernal pool restoration performance standards and define their role within an adaptive management framework. We provide a case study of a vernal pool restoration project in central California to illustrate some of the challenges in using currently available vernal pool performance standard guidelines and propose suggestions for increasing their ecological relevance and clarity.
Breathing‐related changes of respiratory resistance in vocal cord dysfunction
Authors: Ioan Iulia , Marchal François , Coffinet Laurent , Coutier Laurianne , Bonabel Claude , Demoulin Bruno , Clisson Romain , Schweitzer Cyril , Varechova Silvia
Published: January 2016

Vocal cord dysfunction induced by exercise in children with uncontrolled asthma was identified by laryngoscopy. The paradoxical adduction of the vocal cords was also indicated by the breathing‐related changes of the forced oscillation respiratory resistance showing prominent increase during inspiration and a large positive difference between inspiration and expiration. The breathing‐related changes of respiratory resistance offer thus a useful first‐line technique to diagnose vocal cord dysfunction.
High Numerates Count Icons and Low Numerates Process Large Areas in Pictographs: Results of an Eye‐Tracking Study
Authors: Kreuzmair Christina , Siegrist Michael , Keller Carmen
Published: January 2016

In two experiments, we investigated the influence of numeracy on individuals’ information processing of pictographs depending on numeracy via an eye‐tracker. In two conditions, participants from the general population were presented with a scenario depicting the risk of having cancer and were asked to indicate their perceived risk. The risk level was high (63%) in experiment 1 (N = 70) and low (6%) in experiment 2 (N = 69). In the default condition, participants were free to use their default strategy for information processing. In the guiding‐toward‐the‐number condition, they were prompted to count icons in the pictograph by answering with an explicit number. We used eye‐tracking parameters related to the distance between sequential fixations to analyze participants’ strategies for processing numerical information. In the default condition, the higher the numeracy was, the shorter the distances traversed in the pictograph were, indicating that participants counted the icons. People lower in numeracy performed increased large‐area processing by comparing highlighted and nonhighlighted parts of the pictograph. In the guiding‐toward‐the‐number condition, participants used short distances regardless of their numeracy, supporting the notion that short distances represent counting. Despite the different default processing strategies, participants processed the pictograph with a similar depth and derived similar risk perceptions. The results show that pictographs are beneficial for communicating medical risk. Pictographs make the gist salient by making the part‐to‐whole relationship visually available, and they facilitate low numerates’ non‐numeric processing of numerical information. Contemporaneously, pictographs allow high numerates to numerically process and rely on the number depicted in the pictograph.