bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Monetary Policy and the Natural Rate of Interest
Authors: CANZONERI MATTHEW , CUMBY ROBERT , DIBA BEHZAD
Published: March 2015

It is most important for monetary policy to track the natural rate of interest when interest rates take large and sustained swings away from their long‐run equilibrium values. Here, we study two models: a standard New Keynesian model and one in which government bonds provide liquidity. Policy rules that cannot track the natural rate perform poorly in both models, but are especially bad in the second because of sustained movements in the natural rate induced by fiscal shocks. First difference rules, on the other hand, do surprisingly well. When model uncertainty is taken into account, the dominance of the first difference rule is even more pronounced.
Autonomy's impact on newcomer proactive behaviour and socialization: A needs–supplies fit perspective
Authors: Yu Kang Yang T. , Davis Hunter M.
Published: March 2015

This study investigates newcomer proactive behaviour through the lens of person–environment (PE) fit theory. Two competing theories of autonomy‐based needs–supplies (NS) fit were hypothesized to impact both newcomer proactive behaviours and socialization outcomes. Results from two waves of data collected from organizational newcomers indicate support for a self‐regulatory form of relationship, where individuals engaged in different types of proactive behaviours most often when organizational supplies for autonomy did not match their personal needs. Specific types of proactive behaviours including feedback seeking, positive framing, general socializing, networking, and information seeking also mediated the impact ofNSmisfit onto certain socialization outcomes. Much can still be learnt aboutPEfit and proactive behaviours through further integration of ideas from both fields of research.

Practitioner points

Employers need to understand which types of proactive behaviours to encourage in newcomers in order for them to become active contributors in their new organizational settings.

Employers looking to manage newcomer proactive behaviours through autonomy need to carefully manage the amount of autonomy provided relative to individual needs for autonomy.
Influence of Different Information Presentation Formats on Consumer Acceptability: The Case of Goat Milk Presented as Obtained from Different Rearing Systems
Authors: Musto M. , Cardinale D. , Lucia P. , Faraone D.
Published: March 2015

The present study aimed to evaluate whether information about the main aspects related to milk production practices adopted in the two major systems of small ruminant farming (i.e., intensive and semi‐extensive rearing systems) can affect consumer acceptability of two different types of goat milk: semi‐skimmed and whole milk. Four milk‐information combinations were evaluated in two experiments, which differed for the information presentation formats (i.e., textual description versus video with narration). Information about semi‐extensive rearing system had a high positive effect on milk liking, especially in video‐with‐narration condition. Moreover, this information presentation format generated higher hedonic expectations for milk presented as obtained from intensive rearing system than did textual description only. We conclude that information about some farming practices related to milk production may be important for helping consumers to make informed food choices, especially when conveying it by a video‐with‐narration format.

Practical Applications

The disclosure of information about livestock production practices is important for shortening the distance between those who produce food and their consumers. Illustrating such information may help consumers to understand how food is produced and, hence, to build their trust in food production. Our results show that video with narration seems to be an effective presentation format for conveying such information. In a purchase situation, this may be achieved via the Internet, for instance, by voluntarily printing a matrix barcode on a food label. When scanned by a smartphone, the barcode can direct the smartphone to display a video, text or other information, which may help consumers to make more informed food choices. The adoption of this strategy may contribute to differentiate animal products from farms aimed at boosting their transparency in the global market of food.
Risk Assessment of Negative Sensory Effects in Product Development Using the Benchmark Dose (BMD) Methodology for Continuous Data
Authors: Kuesten Carla , Bi Jian
Published: March 2015

The Benchmark Dose (BMD) methodology is a statistical tool for quantitative risk assessment. It has been developed as an alternative to the approach of “no observed adverse effect level” or “lowest observed adverse effect level” during the last decades in many scientific fields for risk assessment. Because risk is various and ubiquitous, the BMD methodology has potential applications in the food science field for risk assessment of negative sensory effects in product development and sensory and consumer research. This paper discusses the BMD analysis in a product development effort using ratings data and Thurstonian discriminal d′ data.

Practical Applications

Risk assessment of negative sensory effects in product development using the Benchmark Dose (BMD) methodology has two major objectives. One objective is to determine an appropriate change of ingredient for a product at an allowed risk. The second objective is to assess the risk of negative sensory effects associated with a particular change. The well‐developed U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Benchmark Dose Modeling Software (BMDS) and the R/S‐Plus codes developed and provided in the paper can be used for BMD analysis.
A phylogenetic re‐appraisal of the family Liagoraceae sensu lato (Nemaliales, Rhodophyta) based on sequence analyses of two plastid genes and postfertilization development
Authors: Lin Showe‐Mei , Rodríguez‐Prieto Conxi , Huisman John M. , Guiry Michael D. , Payri Claude , Nelson Wendy A. , Liu Shao‐Lun
Published: March 2015

The marine red algal family Liagoraceae sensu lato is shown to be polyphyletic based on analyses of a combined rbcL and psaA data set and the pattern of carposporophyte development. Fifteen of eighteen genera analyzed formed a monophyletic lineage that included the genus Liagora. Nemalion did not cluster with Liagoraceae sensu stricto, and Nemaliaceae is reinstated, characterized morphologically by the formation of the primary gonimolobes by longitudinal divisions of the gonimoblast initial. Yamadaella and Liagoropsis, previously placed in the Dermonemataceae, are shown to be independent lineages and are recognized as two new families Yamadaellaceae and Liagoropsidaceae. Yamadaellaceae is characterized by two gonimoblast initials cut off bilaterally from the fertilized carpogonium and diffusely spreading gonimoblast filaments. Liagoropsidaceae is characterized by at least three gonimoblast initials cut off by longitudinal septa from the fertilized carpogonium. In contrast, Liagoraceae sensu stricto is characterized by a single gonimoblast initial cut off transversely or diagonally from the fertilized carpogonium. Reproductive features, such as diffuse gonimoblasts and unfused carpogonial branches following postfertilization, appear to have evolved on more than one occasion in the Nemaliales and are therefore not taxonomically diagnostic at the family level, although they may be useful in recognizing genera.
Molecular identification of black‐pigmented bacteria from subgingival samples of cats suffering from periodontal disease
Authors: Pérez‐Salcedo L. , Laguna E. , Sánchez M. C. , Marín M. J. , O‘Connor A. , González I. , Sanz M. , Herrera D.
Published: March 2015

OBJECTIVES

To characterise the black‐pigmented bacterial species found in the subgingival samples of cats with periodontal disease using molecular‐based microbiological techniques.

METHODS

Sixty‐five subgingival samples obtained from 50 cats with periodontal disease were analysed by polymerase chain reaction amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis and cloning and sequencing of the 16S rRNA genes.

RESULTS

Among the 65 subgingival samples, eight phylogenetic profiles were obtained, of which the most prevalent species were: Porphyromonas gulae (40%), P. gingivalis/P. gulae (36 · 9%), P. gulae/Porphyromonas sp. UQD 406 (9 · 2%), Odoribacter denticanis (6 · 2%), P. gulae/Porphyromonas sp. UQD 348 (1 · 5%) and P. circumdentaria (1 · 5%). When compared with the species resulting from biochemical diagnosis, the identification of P. gulae was congruent in 70% of the cases, while colonies identified as P. intermedia‐like corresponded in 80% of cases to P. gulae.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

The use of molecular‐based microbiological diagnostic techniques resulted in a predominance of Porphyromonas spp. in the subgingival plaque of cats suffering from periodontal disease. Further characterisation of these bacteria identified P. gulae, O. denticanis and P. circumdentaria. The more frequently detected phylogenetic profiles corresponded to P. gingivalis and P. gulae.
Hispanic parents’ experiences of the process of caring for a child undergoing routine surgery: A focus on pain and pain management
Authors: Olshansky Ellen , Zender Robynn , Kain Zeev N. , Rosales Alvina , Guadarrama Josue , Fortier Michelle A.
Published: March 2015

Purpose

The purpose was to understand the processes Hispanic parents undergo in managing postoperative care of children after routine surgical procedures.

Design and Methods

Sixty parents of children undergoing outpatient surgery were interviewed. Data were analyzed using grounded theory methodology.

Results

Parents experienced five subprocesses that comprised the overall process of caring for a child after routine surgery: (a) becoming informed; (b) preparing; (c) seeking reassurance; (d) communicating with one's child; and (e) making pain management decisions.

Practice Implications

Addressing cultural factors related to pain management in underserved families may instill greater confidence in managing pain.
An outbreak of hepatitis E in an urban area of Bangladesh
Authors: Haque F. , Banu S. S. , Ara K. , Chowdhury I. A. , Chowdhury S. A. , Kamili S. , Rahman M. , Luby S. P.
Published: March 2015

We investigated an outbreak of jaundice in urban Bangladesh in 2010 to examine the cause and risk factors and assess the diagnostic utility of commercial assays. We classified municipal residents reporting jaundice during the preceding 4 weeks as probable hepatitis E cases and their neighbours without jaundice in the previous 6 months as probable controls. We tested the sera collected from probable cases and probable controls for IgM anti‐hepatitis E virus (HEV), and the IgM‐negative sera for IgG anti‐HEV using a commercial assay locally. We retested the IgM‐positive sera for both IgM and IgG anti‐HEV using another assay at the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), USA. Probable cases positive for IgM anti‐HEV were confirmed cases; probable controls negative for both IgM and IgG anti‐HEV were confirmed controls. We explored the local water supply and sanitation infrastructure and tested for bacterial concentration of water samples. Probable cases were more likely than probable controls to drink tap water (adjusted odds ratio: 3.4; 95% CI: 1.2–9.2). Fifty‐eight percentage (36/62) of the case sera were IgM anti‐HEV positive; and 75% of the IgM‐positive samples were confirmed positive on retesting with another assay at CDC. Compared to confirmed controls, cases confirmed using either or both assays also identified drinking tap water as the risk factor. Two tap water samples had detectable thermotolerant coliforms. Research exploring decentralized water treatment technologies for sustainable safe water might prevent HEV transmission in resource‐poor cities. Detection of serological markers in a majority of probable cases implied that available diagnostic assays could adequately identify HEV infection during outbreaks.
Diagnosis and Management of Bladder Outlet Obstruction in Women
Authors: LIN Chia‐Da , KUO Hann‐Chorng , YANG Stephen S.‐D.
Published: March 2015

Bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) should be considered when a woman complains of voiding difficulty, abdominal straining to void, or refractory storage symptoms. Diagnosis of female BOO is not straightforward and usually requires invasive (video)urodyanmic study. A diagnostic algorithm is recommended for making optimal diagnosis. Female BOO can be classified as having anatomical and functional origins, and each contains several sub‐classifications. Literatures published between 1988 and 2013 were reviewed and summarized for the diagnosis and therapy in each subtype of female BOO.
Extinct isotope heterogeneities in the mantles of Earth and Mars: Implications for mantle stirring rates
Authors: Jacobsen Stein B. , Yu Gang
Published: March 2015

Heterogeneities in terrestrial samples for 182W/183W and 142Nd/144Nd are only preserved in Hadean and Archean rocks while heterogeneities in 129Xe/130Xe and 136Xe/130Xe persist to very young mantle‐derived rocks. In contrast, meteorites from Mars show that the Martian mantle preserves heterogeneities in 182W/183W and 142Nd/144Nd up to the present. As a consequence of the probable “deep magma ocean” core formation process, we assume that the Earth and Mars both had a very early two‐mantle‐reservoir structure with different initial extinct nuclide isotopic compositions (different 182W/183W, 142Nd/144Nd, 129Xe/130Xe, 136Xe/130Xe ratios). Based on this assumption, we developed a simple stochastic model to trace the evolution of a mantle with two initially distinct layers for the extinct isotopes and its development into a heterogeneous mantle by convective mixing and stretching of these two layers. Using the extinct isotope system 182Hf‐182W, we find that the mantles of Earth and Mars exhibit substantially different mixing or stirring rates. This is consistent with Mars having cooled faster than the Earth due to its smaller size, resulting in less efficient mantle mixing for Mars. Moreover, the mantle stirring rate obtained for Earth using 182Hf‐182W is consistent with the mantle stirring rate of ~500 Myr constrained by the long‐lived isotope system, 87Rb‐87Sr and 147Sm‐143Nd. The apparent absence of 182W/183W isotopic heterogeneity in modern terrestrial rocks is attributed to very active mantle stirring which reduced the 182W/183W isotopic heterogeneity to a relatively small scale (~83 m for a mantle stirring rate of 500 Myr) compared to the common sampling scale of terrestrial basalts (~30 or 100 km). Our results also support the “deep magma ocean” core formation model as being applicable to both Mars and Earth.
More similarities than differences between men and women with irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Björkman I. , Jakobsson Ung E. , Ringström G. , Törnblom H. , Simrén M.
Published: March 2015

Background

Differences regarding symptoms, coping abilities, and quality of life (QOL) between men and women with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) have been reported but data are sparse and sometimes conflicting. The aim of present study was to investigate gender differences in gastrointestinal, extra‐intestinal, and psychological symptoms, and sense of coherence (SOC) and QOL in a large group of patients diagnosed with IBS.

Methods

We analyzed questionnaire data from 557 patients (152 men) diagnosed with IBS consecutively included in studies at an outpatient clinic for functional bowel disorders between 2002 and 2010. Following questionnaires were included: IBS severity scoring system (IBS‐SSS), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD), IBSQOL Scale, Visceral Sensitivity Index (VSI), SOC Scale, Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS), and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ‐15).

Key Results

Women had harder stools (FDR‐adjusted p‐value: q = 0.033), more severe bloating (q = 0.020), higher symptom severity (q = 0.042), higher total somatic symptom burden (q = 0.035), lower SOC (q = 0.042), and lower QOL. Women rated more general anxiety (q = 0.017) and gastrointestinal‐specific anxiety (q = 0.042), but there were no group differences in depression, pain, stool frequency, impact on daily life, dissatisfaction with bowel habit, or extra‐colonic symptoms. The differences found were small (effect sizes: r < 0.3).

Conclusions & Inferences

In this study, we demonstrated more similarities than differences between men and women with IBS. The largest difference were seen for QOL which might reflect certain structural stressors to which women in general are more exposed than men.
Plastic expression of heterochrony quantitative trait loci (hQTLs) for leaf growth in the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)
Authors: Jiang Libo , Clavijo Jose A. , Sun Lidan , Zhu Xuli , Bhakta Mehul S. , Gezan Salvador A. , Carvalho Melissa , Vallejos C. Eduardo , Wu Rongling
Published: March 2015

Heterochrony, that is, evolutionary changes in the relative timing of developmental events and processes, has emerged as a key concept that links evolution and development. Genes associated with heterochrony encode molecular components of developmental timing mechanisms. However, our understanding of how heterochrony genes alter the expression of heterochrony in response to environmental changes remains very limited.

We applied functional mapping to find quantitative trait loci (QTLs) responsible for growth trajectories of leaf area and leaf mass in the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) grown in two contrasting environments.

We identified three major QTLs pleiotropically expressed under the two environments. Further characterization of the temporal pattern of these QTLs indicates that they are heterochrony QTLs (hQTLs) in terms of their role in influencing four heterochronic parameters: the timing of the inflection point, the timing of maximum acceleration and deceleration, and the duration of linear growth. The pattern of gene action by the hQTLs on each parameter was unique, being environmentally dependent and varying between two allometrically related leaf growth traits.

These results provide new insights into the complexity of genetic mechanisms that control trait formation in plants and provide novel findings that will be of use in studying the evolutionary trends.
Sex‐biased gene expression in dioecious garden asparagus (Asparagus officinalis)
Authors: Harkess Alex , Mercati Francesco , Shan Hong‐Yan , Sunseri Francesco , Falavigna Agostino , Leebens‐Mack Jim
Published: March 2015

Sex chromosomes have evolved independently in phylogenetically diverse flowering plant lineages. The genes governing sex determination in dioecious species remain unknown, but theory predicts that the linkage of genes influencing male and female function will spur the origin and early evolution of sex chromosomes. For example, in an XY system, the origin of an active Y may be spurred by the linkage of female suppressing and male promoting genes.

Garden asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) serves as a model for plant sex chromosome evolution, given that it has recently evolved an XX/XY sex chromosome system. In order to elucidate the molecular basis of gender differences and sex determination, we used RNA‐sequencing (RNA‐Seq) to identify differentially expressed genes between female (XX), male (XY) and supermale (YY) individuals.

We identified 570 differentially expressed genes, and showed that significantly more genes exhibited male‐biased than female‐biased expression in garden asparagus. In the context of anther development, we identified genes involved in pollen microspore and tapetum development that were specifically expressed in males and supermales.

Comparative analysis of genes in the Arabidopsis thaliana, Zea mays and Oryza sativa anther development pathways shows that anther sterility in females probably occurs through interruption of tapetum development before microspore meiosis.
Change of a conserved amino acid in the MYC2 and MYC3 transcription factors leads to release of JAZ repression and increased activity
Authors: Goossens Jonas , Swinnen Gwen , Vanden Bossche Robin , Pauwels Laurens , Goossens Alain
Published: March 2015

The bHLH transcription factor MYC2, together with its paralogues MYC3 and MYC4, is a master regulator of the response to the jasmonate (JA) hormone in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). In the absence of JA, JASMONATE ZIM (JAZ) proteins interact with the MYC proteins to block their activity. Understanding of the mechanism and specificity of this interaction is key to unravel JA signalling.

We generated mutant MYC proteins and assessed their activity and the specificity of their interaction with the 12 Arabidopsis JAZ proteins.

We show that the D94N mutation present in the atr2D allele of MYC3 abolishes the interaction between MYC3 and most JAZ proteins. The same effect is observed when the corresponding conserved Asp (D105) was mutated in MYC2. Accordingly, MYC2D105N activated target genes in the presence of JAZ proteins, in contrast to wild‐type MYC2. JAZ1 and JAZ10 were the only JAZ proteins still showing interaction with the mutant MYC proteins, due to a second MYC interaction domain, besides the classical Jas domain.

Our results visualize the divergence among JAZ proteins in their interaction with MYC proteins. Ultimately, the transferability of the Asp‐to‐Asn amino acid change might facilitate the design of hyperactive transcription factors for plant engineering.
A large new leanchoiliid from the Burgess Shale and the influence of inapplicable states on stem arthropod phylogeny
Authors: Aria Cédric , Caron Jean‐Bernard , Gaines Robert
Published: March 2015

Characterized by atypical frontalmost appendages, leanchoiliids are early arthropods whose phylogenetic placement has been much debated. Morphological interpretations have differed, some of which concern critical characters such as the number of eyes and head appendages, but methodological approaches also have diverged. Here, we describe a new leanchoiliid, Yawunik kootenayi gen. et sp. nov., based on 42 specimens from the newly discovered Marble Canyon locality of the Burgess Shale (Kootenay National Park, British Columbia; middle Cambrian). This new morphotype demonstrates the presence of a four‐segmented head in leanchoiliids, along with two small antero‐median eyes in addition to lateral eyes. Yawunik is characterized by a 12‐segmented trunk and a carinate, lanceolate telson adorned with minute spines. The ‘great appendages’ of the animal bear teeth on their two distal rami, which would have enhanced their ability to grasp prey. Attitudes of specimens, resulting from burial at multiple aspects of bedding, suggest the ‘great appendages’ were flexible and capable of antero‐posterior rotation. We also discuss the nature of intersegmental tissues and filaments present within the ‘great appendages’. Our phylogenetic analyses extend the monophyly of leanchoiliids to include Haikoucaris and Yohoia in a new clade, the Cheiromorpha nom. nov. (within Heptopodomera nom. nov.). Other nodes are poorly resolved unless implied weights are used, and in this case, the topology is critically sensitive to the coding prerogative of inapplicable states (NAs). Both the traditional ‘Arachnomorpha’ hypothesis (NAs as additional states) and the more recently favoured ‘Artiopoda + Crustacea’ (NAs as uncertainties) were obtained using the same data set and outgroup. This result stresses, first, the historical importance of polarization over data content in scenarios of early arthropod evolution, and second, a pressing need to investigate the impacts of coding inapplicables, especially given the inflating effect of implied weights.
The impact of obesity on pediatric procedural sedation‐related outcomes: results from the Pediatric Sedation Research Consortium
Authors: Scherrer Patricia D. , Mallory Michael D. , Cravero Joseph P. , Lowrie Lia , Hertzog James H. , Berkenbosch John W. ,   the Pediatric Sedation Research Consortium
Published: March 2015

Objectives

To evaluate the impact of obesity on adverse events and required interventions during pediatric procedural sedation.

Methods

The Pediatric Sedation Research Consortium database of prospectively collected procedural sedation encounters was queried to identify patients for whom body mass index (BMI) could be calculated. Obesity was defined as BMI ≥95th percentile for age and gender. Sedation‐related outcomes, adverse events, and therapeutic interventions were compared between obese and nonobese patients.

Results

For analysis, 28 792 records were eligible. A total of 5 153 patients (17.9%) were obese; they were predominantly male and older and had a higher median American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification (P < 0.001). Total adverse events were more common in obese patients (odds ratio [OR] 1.49, 95% confidence interval [1.31, 1.70]). Respiratory events (airway obstruction OR 1.94 [1.54, 2.44], oxygen desaturation OR 1.99 [1.50, 2.63], secretions OR 1.48 [1.01, 2.15], laryngospasm OR 2.30 [1.30, 4.05]), inability to complete the associated procedure (OR 1.96 [1.16, 3.30]), and prolonged recovery (OR 2.66 [1.26, 5.59]) were increased in obese patients. Obese patients more frequently required airway intervention including repositioning, suctioning, jaw thrust, airway adjuncts, and bag‐valve‐mask ventilation. Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated obesity to be independently associated with minor and moderate but not major adverse events.

Conclusions

Obesity is an independent risk factor for adverse respiratory events during procedural sedation and is associated with an increased frequency of airway interventions, suggesting that additional vigilance and expertise are required when sedating these patients.
Anesthesia and the developing brain: a way forward for clinical research
Authors: Davidson Andrew J. , Becke Karin , de Graaff Jurgen , Giribaldi Gaia , Habre Walid , Hansen Tom , Hunt Rodney W. , Ing Caleb , Loepke Andreas , McCann Mary Ellen , Ormond Gillian D. , Pini Prato Alessio , Salvo Ida , Sun Lena , Vutskits Laszlo , Walker Suellen , Disma Nicola
Published: March 2015

It is now well established that many general anesthetics have a variety of effects on the developing brain in animal models. In contrast, human cohort studies show mixed evidence for any association between neurobehavioural outcome and anesthesia exposure in early childhood. In spite of large volumes of research, it remains very unclear if the animal studies have any clinical relevance; or indeed how, or if, clinical practice needs to be altered. Answering these questions is of great importance given the huge numbers of young children exposed to general anesthetics. A recent meeting in Genoa brought together researchers and clinicians to map a path forward for future clinical studies. This paper describes these discussions and conclusions. It was agreed that there is a need for large, detailed, prospective, observational studies, and for carefully designed trials. It may be impossible to design or conduct a single study to completely exclude the possibility that anesthetics can, under certain circumstances, produce long‐term neurobehavioural changes in humans; however , observational studies will improve our understanding of which children are at greatest risk, and may also suggest potential underlying etiologies, and clinical trials will provide the strongest evidence to test the effectiveness of different strategies or anesthetic regimens with respect to better neurobehavioral outcome.
Simple gene silencing using the trans‐acting siRNA pathway
Authors: Jacobs Thomas B. , Lawler Noah J. , LaFayette Peter R. , Vodkin Lila O. , Parrott Wayne A.
Published: March 2015

In plants, particular micro‐RNAs (miRNAs) induce the production of a class of small interfering RNAs (siRNA) called trans‐acting siRNA (ta‐siRNA) that lead to gene silencing. A single miRNA target is sufficient for the production of ta‐siRNAs, which target can be incorporated into a vector to induce the production of siRNAs, and ultimately gene silencing. The term miRNA‐induced gene silencing (MIGS) has been used to describe such vector systems in Arabidopsis. Several ta‐siRNA loci have been identified in soybean, but, prior to this work, few of the inducing miRNAs have been experimentally validated, much less used to silence genes. Nine ta‐siRNA loci and their respective miRNA targets were identified, and the abundance of the inducing miRNAs varies dramatically in different tissues. The miRNA targets were experimentally verified by silencing a transgenic GFP gene and two endogenous genes in hairy roots and transgenic plants. Small RNAs were produced in patterns consistent with the utilization of the ta‐siRNA pathway. A side‐by‐side experiment demonstrated that MIGS is as effective at inducing gene silencing as traditional hairpin vectors in soybean hairy roots. Soybean plants transformed with MIGS vectors produced siRNAs and silencing was observed in the T1 generation. These results complement previous reports in Arabidopsis by demonstrating that MIGS is an efficient way to produce siRNAs and induce gene silencing in other species, as shown with soybean. The miRNA targets identified here are simple to incorporate into silencing vectors and offer an effective and efficient alternative to other gene silencing strategies.
Identification of marker alleles linked to fire blight resistance QTLs in apple genotypes
Authors: Papp David , Békefi Zsuzsanna , Balotai Boglárka , Tóth Magdolna
Published: March 2015

Molecular marker analysis can be an effective tool when searching for new fire blight resistance donors. It can speed up the breeding process as well, even though many of the available markers linked to fire blight resistance QTLs have not yet been tested by screening a large number of cultivars. The aim of this study was to search for alternate sources of the three major QTLs of fire blight resistance; FBF7, FB_MR5 and FB_E, as well as to test the efficiency of some markers linked to minor QTLs. Altogether, nine primer pairs were used on 77 genotypes including new Hungarian cultivars and old apple cultivars from the Carpathian basin. Several marker alleles of FB resistance QTLs have been detected in the screened genotypes, most importantly the alleles coupling with FB_MR5 in the old cultivars ‘Kéresi muskotály’, ‘Szabadkai szercsika’ and ‘Batul’. We propose these cultivars as the first available resistance donors of FB_MR5 instead of the crabapple Malus × robusta 5. The results also bring new information regarding the resistance alleles of new Hungarian cultivars and selections.
Microphthalmia‐associated transcription factor in melanoma development and MAP‐kinase pathway targeted therapy
Authors: Wellbrock Claudia , Arozarena Imanol
Published: March 2015

Malignant melanoma is a neoplasm of melanocytes, and the microphthalmia‐associated transcription factor (MITF) is essential for the existence of melanocytes. MITF's relevance for this cell lineage is maintained in melanoma, where it is an important regulator of survival and balances melanoma cell proliferation with terminal differentiation (pigmentation). The MITF gene is amplified in ~20% of melanomas and MITF mutation can predispose to melanoma development. Furthermore, the regulation of MITF expression and function is strongly linked to the BRAF/MEK/ERK/MAP‐kinase (MAPK) pathway, which is deregulated in >90% of melanomas and central target of current therapies. MITF expression in melanoma is heterogeneous, and recent findings highlight the relevance of this heterogeneity for the response of melanoma to MAPK pathway targeting drugs, as well as for MITF's role in melanoma progression. This review aims to provide an updated overview on the regulation of MITF function and plasticity in melanoma with a focus on its link to MAPK signaling.
Pityriasis Lichenoides in Childhood: Review of Clinical Presentation and Treatment Options
Authors: Geller Lauren , Antonov Nina K. , Lauren Christine T. , Morel Kimberly D. , Garzon Maria C.
Published: March 2015

Pityriasis lichenoides (PL) is a skin condition of unclear etiology that occurs not uncommonly in childhood. It is often classified into the acute form, pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta (PLEVA), and the chronic form, pityriasis lichenoides chronica (PLC). We performed a comprehensive review of the English‐language literature using the PubMed database of all cases of childhood PL reported from 1962 to 2014 and summarized the epidemiology, clinical features, treatment options, and prognosis of this condition in children. The proposed etiologies are discussed, including its association with infectious agents, medications, and immunizations and evidence for PL as a lymphoproliferative disorder. We found an average age of PL onset of 6.5 years, with a slight (61%) male predominance. We also found that PLEVA and PLC tend to occur with equal frequency and that, in many cases, there is clinical and histopathologic overlap between the two phenotypes. When systemic therapy is indicated, we propose that oral erythromycin and narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy should be first‐line treatment options for children with PL since they have been shown to be effective and well tolerated. In most cases, PL follows a benign course with no greater risk of cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma, although given the rare case reports of transformation, long‐term follow‐up of these patients is recommended.
Are sexually permissive individuals more victimized and socially isolated?
Authors: VRANGALOVA ZHANA , BUKBERG RACHEL E.
Published: March 2015

Sexually permissive individuals are judged harshly by others, yet little research has examined whether these individuals themselves feel more victimized and socially isolated. Among 810 undergraduates (74% females; 38% non‐White; ages 18–23), linear, logistic, and negative binomial regressions indicated that, after controlling for demographics, higher numbers of lifetime casual sex partners predicted (a) more relational aggression experiences and sexual behavior‐based prejudice, but (b) less loneliness, greater likelihood of having a best friend, and higher numbers of close friends, acquaintances, and relatives. Controlling for extraversion rendered most isolation, but not victimization, links nonsignificant. There were few sex differences. Results suggest a complex relation between permissiveness, victimization, and isolation, indicating resiliency among permissive individuals in the face of adversity.
Advice Networks in Public Organizations: The Role of Structure, Internal Competition, and Individual Attributes
Authors: Siciliano Michael D.
Published: March 2015

Interpersonal networks are increasingly important for organizational learning and performance. However, little is known about how these networks emerge. In this article, exponential random graph models are employed to explore the underlying processes of advice network formation in 15 organizations. The author examines the influence of (1) structural effects (reciprocity, transitivity, multiplexity), (2) actor attribute effects (job function, tenure, education, self‐efficacy), and (3) peer competition. Results suggest that employees rely more on reciprocity, closure, and similarity in job function than on peer expertise or status when seeking advice. In addition, employees who perceive greater levels of competition with peers are significantly less likely to both seek and provide advice. As public organizations look to private sector strategies that promote internal competition to improve efficiency and accountability, public managers need to be aware of the negative implications those strategies can have on interpersonal networks and organizational learning.
Adolescents’ and Young Adults’ Online Risk Taking: The Role of Gist and Verbatim Representations
Authors: White Claire M. , Gummerum Michaela , Hanoch Yaniv
Published: March 2015

Young people are exposed to and engage in online risky activities, such as disclosing personal information and making unknown friends online. Little research has examined the psychological mechanisms underlying young people's online risk taking. Drawing on fuzzy trace theory, we examined developmental differences in adolescents’ and young adults’ online risk taking and assessed whether differential reliance on gist representations (based on vague, intuitive knowledge) or verbatim representations (based on specific, factual knowledge) could explain online risk taking. One hundred and twenty two adolescents (ages 13–17) and 172 young adults (ages 18–24) were asked about their past online risk‐taking behavior, intentions to engage in future risky online behavior, and gist and verbatim representations. Adolescents had significantly higher intentions to take online risks than young adults. Past risky online behaviors were positively associated with future intentions to take online risks for adolescents and negatively for young adults. Gist representations about risk negatively correlated with intentions to take risks online in both age groups, while verbatim representations positively correlated with online risk intentions, particularly among adolescents. Our results provide novel insights about the underlying mechanisms involved in adolescent and young adults’ online risk taking, suggesting the need to tailor the representation of online risk information to different age groups.
Demographic Factors and Price Distortions in Insurance
Authors: Cheung Ron , Cole Cassandra R. , Macpherson David A. , McCullough Kathleen A. , Nyce Charles
Published: March 2015

Few papers have analyzed the potential linkages between price distortions and the specific demographic and political traits of customers. The existence of price distortions may have adverse and potentially unintended impacts on certain demographic groups, leading to significant public policy concerns. The current study uses census tract data and rating factors to examine age, income, and race demographics in an effort to determine if any subgroups of the population are adversely impacted by the price distortions of property insurance. The results suggest that Hispanics, lower income households, and specific age groups pay relatively more for insurance coverage than comparison groups.
Determinants and Value of Enterprise Risk Management: Empirical Evidence From the Literature
Authors: Gatzert Nadine , Martin Michael
Published: March 2015

The development of an enterprise risk management (ERM) program enables companies to manage corporate risks in a holistic manner as opposed to the silo‐based perspective in traditional risk management frameworks. One main question in this regard is what factors drive the implementation of an ERM system in companies and whether ERM programs can actually create value once implemented. This article addresses these questions by conducting a comparative assessment of empirical evidence from the literature regarding the determinants of ERM and its value once implemented. In doing so we are able to illustrate differences in model specifications and the underlying data. Our literature study shows that particularly the company size and the level of institutional ownership are significantly positively related to the implementation of ERM in most empirical studies and, furthermore, that ERM generally has a (significant) positive impact on corporate value and performance (to a different extent and depending on the focus of the studies). However, geographic and/or industrial restrictions regarding the underlying data sets partly limit the generalization of the empirical results.
Product Ratings as a Market Reaction to Deregulation: Evidence From the German Insurance Market
Authors: Meyr Stephanie , Tennyson Sharon
Published: March 2015

This study provides the first investigation of information markets as a reaction to deregulation of product forms in insurance markets. The article studies the case of Germany, where insurance product ratings entered the market after relaxation of product regulation in 1994. The ratings’ potential for enhancing the performance of a deregulated insurance market is analyzed by considering both market structure and governance characteristics of the rating market, since the theoretical literature predicts that both are important determinants of rating outcomes. Data from a unique panel data set containing disability insurance ratings from the three major rating agencies are also examined in light of theoretical predictions. Results suggest that market governance and competition characteristics are favorable for the production of unbiased and informative ratings. Ratings for disability insurance support this interpretation, since the characteristics of the ratings conform to theoretical predictions about ratings in well‐functioning rating markets.
Automobile Insurance Vehicle Repair Practices: Politics, Economics, and Consumer Interests
Authors: Cole Cassandra , Maroney Patrick , McCullough Kathleen , Powell Lawrence
Published: March 2015

There is a continuing debate related to insurers’ use of direct repair programs, in which they contract with particular body shops to perform insured auto repairs according to terms agreed to by the insurers and repair shop owners. A similar debate exists related to insurers specifying the use of aftermarket crash parts instead of original equipment manufacturer parts to replace damaged vehicle components, such as door panels, fenders, and hoods. This study examines these issues from a variety of perspectives providing initial evidence that if properly used, these cost containment tools can be beneficial to consumers and insurers.
Partially Latent Class Models for Case–Control Studies of Childhood Pneumonia Aetiology
Authors: Wu Zhenke , Deloria-Knoll Maria , Hammitt Laura L. , Zeger Scott L. ,   for the Pneumonia Etiology Research for Child Health Core Team
Published: March 2015

In population studies on the aetiology of disease, one goal is the estimation of the fraction of cases that are attributable to each of several causes. For example, pneumonia is a clinical diagnosis of lung infection that may be caused by viral, bacterial, fungal or other pathogens. The study of pneumonia aetiology is challenging because directly sampling from the lung to identify the aetiologic pathogen is not standard clinical practice in most settings. Instead, measurements from multiple peripheral specimens are made. The paper introduces the statistical methodology designed for estimating the population aetiology distribution and the individual aetiology probabilities in the Pneumonia Etiology Research for Child Health study of 9500 children for seven sites around the world. We formulate the scientific problem in statistical terms as estimating the mixing weights and latent class indicators under a partially latent class model (PLCM) that combines heterogeneous measurements with different error rates obtained from a case–control study. We introduce the PLCM as an extension of the latent class model. We also introduce graphical displays of the population data and inferred latent class frequencies. The methods are tested with simulated data, and then applied to Pneumonia Etiology Research for Child Health data. The paper closes with a brief description of extensions of the PLCM to the regression setting and to the case where conditional independence between the measures is relaxed.
Modelling Short- and long -Term Characteristics of Follicle Stimulating Hormone as Predictors of Severe Hot Flashes in the Penn Ovarian Aging Study
Authors: Jiang Bei , Wang Naisyin , Sammel Mary D. , Elliott Michael R.
Published: March 2015

The Penn Ovarian Aging Study tracked a population-based sample of 436 women aged 35–47 years to determine associations between reproductive hormone levels and menopausal symptoms. We develop a joint modelling method that uses the individual level longitudinal measurements of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) to predict the risk of severe hot flashes in a manner that distinguishes long-term trends of the mean trajectory, cumulative changes captured by the derivative of mean trajectory and short-term residual variability. Our method allows the potential effects of longitudinal trajectories on the health risks to vary and accumulate over time. We further utilize the proposed methods to narrow the critical time windows of increased health risks. We find that high residual variation of FSH is a strong predictor of hot flash risk, and that the high cumulative changes of the FSH mean trajectories in the 52.5–55-year age range also provides evidence of increased risk over that of short-term FSH residual variation by itself.
Discrete Analogues of a Negative Order AKNS Equation
Authors: Yu G.‐F.
Published: March 2015

The paper investigates the integrable discretization of a negative order AKNS equation. Two semidiscrete and one fully discrete versions of the system are given via Hirota's bilinear method. Soliton solutions for the derived discrete systems are also presented. Dynamics of one‐soliton and two‐soliton solutions of spacial‐discrete system are characterized.
The Swedish Hayling task, and its relation to working memory, verbal ability, and speech‐recognition‐in‐noise
Authors: Stenbäck Victoria , Hällgren Mathias , Lyxell Björn , Larsby Birgitta
Published: March 2015

Cognitive functions and speech‐recognition‐in‐noise were evaluated with a cognitive test battery, assessing response inhibition using the Hayling task, working memory capacity (WMC) and verbal information processing, and an auditory test of speech recognition. The cognitive tests were performed in silence whereas the speech recognition task was presented in noise. Thirty young normally‐hearing individuals participated in the study. The aim of the study was to investigate one executive function, response inhibition, and whether it is related to individual working memory capacity (WMC), and how speech‐recognition‐in‐noise relates to WMC and inhibitory control. The results showed a significant difference between initiation and response inhibition, suggesting that the Hayling task taps cognitive activity responsible for executive control. Our findings also suggest that high verbal ability was associated with better performance in the Hayling task. We also present findings suggesting that individuals who perform well on tasks involving response inhibition, and WMC, also perform well on a speech‐in‐noise task. Our findings indicate that capacity to resist semantic interference can be used to predict performance on speech‐in‐noise tasks.
Spinal muscle activity in simulated rugby union scrummaging is affected by different engagement conditions
Authors: Cazzola D. , Stone B. , Holsgrove T. P. , Trewartha G. , Preatoni E.
Published: March 2015

Biomechanical studies of rugby union scrummaging have focused on kinetic and kinematic analyses, while muscle activation strategies employed by front‐row players during scrummaging are still unknown. The aim of the current study was to investigate the activity of spinal muscles during machine and live scrums. Nine male front‐row forwards scrummaged as individuals against a scrum machine under “crouch‐touch‐set” and “crouch‐bind‐set” conditions, and against a two‐player opposition in a simulated live condition. Muscle activities of the sternocleidomastoid, upper trapezius, and erector spinae were measured over the pre‐engagement, engagement, and sustained‐push phases. The “crouch‐bind‐set” condition increased muscle activity of the upper trapezius and sternocleidomastoid before and during the engagement phase in machine scrummaging. During the sustained‐push phase, live scrummaging generated higher activities of the erector spinae than either machine conditions. These results suggest that the pre‐bind, prior to engagement, may effectively prepare the cervical spine by stiffening joints before the impact phase. Additionally, machine scrummaging does not replicate the muscular demands of live scrummaging for the erector spinae, and for this reason, we advise rugby union forwards to ensure scrummaging is practiced in live situations to improve the specificity of their neuromuscular activation strategies in relation to resisting external loads.