bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Public stigma towards mental illness in the Greek culture
Authors: Tzouvara V. , Papadopoulos C.
Published: March 2014

Accessible summary

The study aimed to examine the occurrence and type of mental illness stigma that exists in the Greek culture.

One hundred and eleven individuals who viewed themselves as belonging to the Greek culture completed a questionnaire that measured different types of stigma and their level. These people lived in either England or Greece.

Overall, the Greek people sampled in our survey were found to possess medium‐high level of authoritarian attitudes (the view that people with mental illness are inferior) and a moderate level of social restrictiveness (the view that they should be restricted and carefully controlled in society). The results also found a high ‘benevolence’ score, which indicates that they are also sympathetic to people with mental illness. Greeks educated in England (instead of Greece), who were more religious, who had less knowledge about mental illness and less personal experience of mental illness were most likely to hold stigmatizing attitudes.

The results – which support previous research – show that Greek people are sympathetic towards the mentally ill but nevertheless feel the need for them to be closely controlled in society. This means that more work is needed to help minimize negative attitudes among Greek people.

Mental illness stigma negatively affects the lives of individuals with mental health disorders. Studies have indicated that the type and degree of stigma significantly varies across cultures. This study aimed to add to this body of knowledge by examining the prevalence and the type of mental illness stigma among individuals who identified themselves as Greek. It also examined the influence of a range of potential within‐culture stigma moderating factors, including levels of previous experience with mental illness and mental illness knowledge. A cross‐sectional quantitative design was employed, and 111 participants living in England and Greece were sampled through the snowball sampling technique. Stigma prevalence was measured using the ‘Community Attitudes to Mental Illness’ questionnaire. The findings revealed that participants showed a high degree of sympathy for people with mental illness but also considered them to be inferior and of a lower social class, and needing strict societal control. Higher stigma was significantly associated with being educated in England (instead of Greece), higher religiosity, lower knowledge levels and lower levels personal experience of mental illness. Targeted antistigma campaigns specifically tailored for the Greek culture are required in order to help reduce stigmatizing attitudes.
A comparison study on mental health status between suicide survivors and survivors of accidental deaths in rural China
Authors: Xu G. , Li N.
Published: March 2014

Accessible summary

There has been ongoing debate regarding the bereavement process of suicide survivors and whether it differs with that of survivors of other types of deaths.

No significant differences were found on mental health status between suicide survivors and survivors of those who have died from accidental death.

Culture might play an important role in this lack of differences.

Suicide has become a major public health problem worldwide. For every suicide there are six suicide survivors, a term referring to family members or friends of a person who has died by suicide. Within the literature there has been ongoing debate regarding the bereavement process and if it differs in survivors of suicide as opposed to survivors of those who have died from accidental death. There are scarcely any published reports on comparison between these two groups of survivors in China. In this study, we aimed to explore the difference of mental health status between suicide survivors and survivors of accidental deaths in China. We used a cross‐sectional study design to collect data of survivors. Consecutive sampling was used and 92 suicide survivors and 64 survivors of accidental deaths were interviewed. The Symptom Checklist‐90‐Revised was used to assess the survivors' mental health status. After controlling for demographic variables and time interval between death and interview, no significant differences were found on mental health status between these two groups of survivors. Several explanations might account for the lack of differences. Further studies employing qualitative measures and suicide‐specific instruments are needed to explore the bereavement of Chinese suicide survivors.
Practitioners' experiences of working with families with complex needs
Authors: Reupert A. , Maybery D.
Published: March 2014

Accessible summary

While there is emerging evidence for family sensitive practice, few practitioners employ this approach.

Over 2 years, practitioners were invited to identify the problems and the successful strategies experienced when working with families where a parent, with dependent children, has a substance and/or mental illness disorder.

Problems were found related to working with multiple agencies, multiple family problems and high staff turnover.

Practitioners found several strategies to be effective; working in a strength‐based manner, establishing clearly defined and negotiated goals, and balancing the sometimes competing needs of children and parents.

Even though employing a family‐sensitive approach has been shown to be beneficial for parents and children, there is sporadic uptake of this approach. This paper focuses on practitioners' perspectives when working with families where a parent, with dependent children, has a mental illness and/or substance abuse disorder. The aim of this research is twofold: (1) identify the issues practitioners face when working with families with complex needs; and (2) present the strategies they find to be effective in addressing family needs. Within the context of an organization that supported a family‐sensitive approach, this study reports on 21 semi‐structured interviews conducted over 15 months with 10 practitioners, as well as three focus group interviews with the same staff. Employing a qualitative framework, data highlighted the multifaceted nature of family problems, issues working with multiple agencies and problems associated with staff turnover. Successful strategies included working with the family on clearly defined and negotiated goals, focusing on family strengths and employing specific skills such as managing the sometimes competing needs of children and parents.
Serum Cardiac Troponin I concentrations in cats with anaemia – a preliminary, single‐centre observational study
Authors: Lalor S. M. , Gunn‐Moore D. A. , Cash R. , Foot A. , Reed N. , Mellanby R. J.
Published: March 2014

OBJECTIVES

A range of cardiovascular abnormalities have been associated with anaemia. However, it remains unclear whether anaemia is associated with cardiac myocyte damage in cats. The aim of this study was to assess if cats with anaemia have an increased prevalence of cardiac myocyte damage, as assessed by serum concentrations of cardiac troponin I, compared to non‐anaemic, ill cats.

METHODS

Serum cardiac troponin I concentrations were measured in 18 anaemic cats and in 31 non‐anaemic, ill cats with non‐primary cardiac, non‐renal and non‐primary haematological disorders.

RESULTS

The serum cardiac troponin I concentrations in the anaemic group (0·43 ng/mL) were significantly higher (P=0·0002) than in the non‐anaemic ill group (0·04 ng/mL). Using a cut‐off of less than 0·16 ng/mL, 12 of the 18 anaemic cats had an increased serum cardiac troponin I concentration, which was significantly higher (P=0·005) than the non‐anaemic ill cats (7 of 31 cats).

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Serum cardiac troponin I concentrations were higher in cats with anaemia in this study. Further studies are required to establish whether the anaemia or other confounding factors is the cause of the increased serum cardiac troponin I concentrations.
Hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenal axis, glucose metabolism and TNF‐α in narcolepsy
Authors: Maurovich‐Horvat Eszter , Keckeis Marietta , Lattová Zuzana , Kemlink David , Wetter Thomas‐Christian , Schuld Andreas , Sonka Karel , Pollmächer Thomas
Published: March 2014

Narcolepsy with cataplexy is caused by a deficiency in the production of hypocretin/orexin, which regulates sleep and wakefulness, and also influences appetite, neuroendocrine functions and metabolism. In this case–control study, 11 patients with narcolepsy with cataplexy and 11 healthy adults underwent an oral glucose tolerance test, and dexamethasone suppression/corticotropin‐releasing hormone stimulation test. The average age of patients and controls was 35.1 ± 13.2 and 41.0 ± 2.9 years, respectively, body mass index was 28.1 ± 6.6 and 25.5 ± 4.7 kg m−2. We did not find evidence of a significantly increased prevalence of disturbed glucose tolerance in patients with narcolepsy. After hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenal axis suppression, the number of non‐suppressors did not differ between the groups, indicating normal negative feedback sensitivity. The level of cortisol after dexamethasone suppression was significantly lower in patients with narcolepsy, suggesting a slight basal downregulation and/or a slightly increased negative feedback sensitivity of the major endocrine stress system in narcolepsy. Following corticotropin‐releasing hormone stimulation, there were no significant differences in levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone or cortisol, and in adrenocortical responsivity to adrenocorticotropic hormone. Finally, patients with narcolepsy displayed significantly higher plasma levels of tumour necrosis factor alpha, soluble tumour necrosis factor receptor p55, soluble tumour necrosis factor receptor p75 and interleukin 6 after adjustment for body mass index. The present study confirms that narcolepsy by itself is not associated with disturbances of glucose metabolism, but goes along with a subtle dysregulation of inflammatory cytokine production. We also found that dynamic hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenal system response is not altered, whereas negative feedback to dexamethasone might be slightly enhanced.
Telaprevir drug monitoring during antiviral therapy of hepatitis C graft infection after liver transplantation
Authors: Farnik Harald , Zimmermann Tim , Herrmann Eva , Bechstein Wolf O. , Kronenberger Bernd , Galle Peter R. , Labocha Sandra , Ferreiros Nerea , Geisslinger Gerd , Zeuzem Stefan , Sarrazin Christoph , Welker Martin W.
Published: March 2014

Background & Aims

Recurrence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection after orthotopical liver transplantation (OLT) is common and associated with reduced graft and patient survival. The protease inhibitor telaprevir may enhance virological response rates in patients after OLT in combination with pegylated interferon‐alfa and ribavirin. Pharmacokinetic studies have shown significant drug–drug interactions between telaprevir and immunosuppression (IS), but telaprevir pharmacokinetics in OLT patients with IS are unknown. Aim of the present study was to analyse telaprevir plasma concentrations in patients with HCV genotype 1 infection after OLT in comparison to patients without OLT and IS.

Methods

Five patients with HCV genotype 1 infection after OLT and 37 HCV genotype 1‐infected patients patients without prior OLT were treated with telaprevir 2250 mg daily, ribavirin 1000/1200 mg daily and pegylated interferon‐alfa‐2a 180 μg once weekly (triple therapy). Telaprevir plasma concentrations were analysed by liquid chromatography–electrospray‐ionization‐tandem mass spectrometry. HCV RNA was assessed by automatized reverse‐transcription polymerase chain‐reaction.

Results

Median (range) telaprevir plasma concentrations of TW 4, 8 and 12 were 3970 (1980–4430) ng/ml and 2520 (1870–8730) ng/ml in patients after OLT and ciclosporin‐ or tacrolimus‐based IS, respectively, as compared to 2790 (1870–3140) in non‐OLT patients (P = 0.3). In one patient with tacrolimus‐based IS, telaprevir dose had to be adjusted to achieve virological response. Telaprevir plasma concentrations were steady at treatment weeks 4, 8 and 12 in patients with and without IS.

Conclusions

Telaprevir drug monitoring may be necessary in patients with tacrolimus‐based IS in patients with HCV graft infection after OLT.
Kinetic regulation of a corrinoid‐reducing metallo‐ATPase by its substrates
Authors: Sperfeld Martin , Diekert Gabriele , Studenik Sandra
Published: March 2014

Corrinoid cofactors play a crucial role as methyl group carriers in the C1 metabolism of anaerobes, e.g. in the cleavage of phenyl methyl ethers by O‐demethylases. For the methylation, the protein‐bound corrinoid has to be in the super‐reduced [CoI]‐state, which is highly sensitive to autoxidation. The reduction of inadvertently oxidized corrinoids ([CoII]‐state) is catalysed in an ATP‐dependent reaction by RACE proteins, the reductive activators of corrinoid‐dependent enzymes. In this study, a reductive activator of O‐demethylase corrinoid proteins was characterized with respect to its ATPase and corrinoid reduction activity. The reduction of the corrinoid cofactor was dependent on the presence of potassium or ammonium ions. In the absence of the corrinoid protein, a basal slow ATP hydrolysis was observed which was obviously not coupled to corrinoid reduction. ATP hydrolysis was significantly stimulated by the corrinoid protein in the [CoII]‐state of the corrinoid cofactor. The stoichiometry of ATP hydrolysed per mol corrinoid reduced was near 1:1. Site‐directed mutagenesis was applied to study the impact of a highly conserved region possibly involved in nucleotide binding of RACE proteins, indicating that an aspartate and a glycine residue may play an essential role for the function of the enzyme.
Conformational dynamics of protein transporter FhaC: large‐scale motions of plug helix
Authors: Guérin Jérémy , Baud Catherine , Touati Nadia , Saint Nathalie , Willery Eve , Locht Camille , Vezin Hervé , Jacob‐Dubuisson Françoise
Published: March 2014

FhaC is an integral outer membrane protein of the whooping cough agent Bordetella pertussis that mediates the transport to the cell surface of a major virulence factor, the filamentous haemagglutinin adhesin FHA. The FHA/FhaC pair is a prototypic TpsA/TpsB system of the widespread ‘Two‐Partner Secretion’ pathway, dedicated to the transport of long extracellular proteins in various pathogenic and environmental Gram‐negative bacteria. FhaC belongs to the ubiquitous Omp85 superfamily of protein transporters. The X‐ray structure of FhaC shows that the transmembrane β‐barrel channel hypothesized to serve as the FHA‐conducting pore is obstructed by two structural elements conserved among TpsB transporters, an N‐terminal α helix and an extracellular loop. Here, we provide evidence for conformational dynamics of FhaC related to the secretion mechanism. Using paramagnetic electron resonance, electrophysiology and in vivo approaches, we showed that FhaC exchanges between open and closed conformations. The interaction with its secretory partner FHA alters this distribution of conformations. The open conformation of FhaC implies a large displacement from the channel of the N‐terminal ‘plug’ helix, which remains in the periplasm during FHA secretion. The membrane environment favours the dynamics of the TpsB transporter.
Resistance factors for the treatment of immunoglobulin A nephropathy with diffuse mesangial proliferation
Authors: Kawasaki Yukihiko , Suyama Kazuhide , Miyazaki Kyohei , Kanno Shuto , Ono Atsushi , Suzuki Yuichi , Sato Masatoki , Hashimoto Koichi , Hosoya Mitsuaki
Published: March 2014

Aim

Some patients with severe immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) are resistant to multi‐drug combination therapy; however, there have been few reports on the risk factors for non‐responsiveness to treatment for severe IgAN. We, therefore, evaluated the risk factors for non‐responsiveness to treatment in cases of severe IgAN.

Methods

We collected data on 44 children who had been diagnosed with IgAN with diffuse mesangial proliferation and treated with multi‐drug combination therapy. The children were divided into two groups based on the prognosis at the latest follow‐up. Group 1 consisted of 30 children with normal urine and nine children with minor urinary abnormalities and Group 2 consisted of four children with persistent nephropathy and one child with renal insufficiency. The clinical, laboratory, and pathological findings for both groups were analyzed.

Results

The age at the onset in Group 2 was higher than that in Group 1. C3 deposits and high chronicity index values at the first renal biopsy were more frequently found in Group 2 than in Group 1 patients. IgA deposits, serum IgA and myeloid‐related protein (MRP) 8/14 levels, and glomerular and interstitial MRP8+CD68+ scores at the second biopsy were all higher in Group 2 than in Group 1 patients.

Conclusions

Our results, although based on only a small number of patients in a retrospective study, suggest that age, presence of C3 deposits and interstitial changes at the onset, and persistent renal inflammatory activation may be risk factors for non‐responsiveness to treatment for IgAN with diffuse mesangial proliferation.
Digital assemblages: evidence and theorising from the computerisation of the US residential real estate industry
Authors: Sawyer Steve , Crowston Kevin , Wigand Rolf T.
Published: March 2014

We develop the concept of digital assemblages in order to advance current theorising on the ways in which information and communication technologies (ICTs) are helping to reshape work. The empirical setting is the US residential real estate industry—a ‘living laboratory’ for studying information‐intensive work and the adoption and uses of ICT. We find that real estate agents' uses of ICT are pervasive and suggest that agents now embed themselves more deeply into the transacting of real estate by actively supporting buyers and sellers, rather than acting primarily as information intermediaries. Building from this, we theorise that this ICT use can more coherently be understood as a ‘digital assemblage’ rather than a formal information system. Digital assemblages are characterised as distinct patterns of ICT collections that, in use, are functionally equivalent and structurally similar, relying on standardised and commodified ICT and are neither formally designed nor collectively governed.
ERP system usage: the role of control and empowerment
Authors: Maas Jan‐Bert , van Fenema Paul C , Soeters Joseph
Published: March 2014

Organisations have made significant investments in enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems with the strategic expectation that employees will utilise this technology to enhance organisational performance. However, research indicates that ERP systems are underutilised. In order to disentangle the challenge of underutilisation, this paper addresses the impact of organisational control and empowerment on infusion—the deep and comprehensive usage of an information system. Moreover, it also tests whether infusion will lead to higher levels of ERP system success. Data from a sample of 260 matched pairs of ERP system users and their supervisors were collected and analysed. Results indicate that empowerment is positively related with infusion, whereas an inverted u‐relationship has been found for organisational control. The critical link between infusion and ERP system success was found as well, meaning that the more users utilise the system to its fullest extent, the more likely the organisation is to attain ERP systems' promised benefits.
New new technologies: the future and the present of work in information and communication technology
Authors: Holtgrewe Ursula
Published: March 2014

This paper outlines a selection of technological and organisational developments in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector and analyses their likely challenges for workers and trade unions around the globe. It addresses the convergence of telecommunications and information technology, the related developments of ubiquitous computing, ‘clouds’ and ‘big data’, and the possibilities of crowdsourcing and relates these technologies to the last decades' patterns of value chain restructuring. The paper is based on desk research ofEuropean and international sources, on sector analyses and technology forecasts by, for instance, theEuropeanUnion andOrganisation forEconomicCo‐operation andDevelopment, and some national actors. These prognoses are analysed through the lens of recent research intoICTworking environments andICTvalue chains, identifying upcoming and ongoing challenges for both workers and unions, and outlining possible research perspectives.
Oil price shocks and Nigeria's stock market: what have we learned from crude oil market shocks?
Authors: Effiong Ekpeno L.
Published: March 2014

Oil price shocks do not only originate from the supply‐side of the crude oil market but may also be demand driven. The impact of oil price shocks on stock market activities may be different depending on its origin (i.e. demand and supply shocks). This paper provides the first examination of the impact of the origin of oil price shocks on Nigeria's stock market for the period 1995:1–2011:12. Oil price shocks is decomposed into oil supply shocks, aggregate demand shocks and oil‐specific demand shocks using a structural vector auto‐regression model, and their impacts on stock market prices were analysed using impulse response and variance decomposition analysis. The impulse response results show that stock market's response to oil supply shocks is insignificantly negative but significantly positive to aggregate demand and oil‐specific demand shocks. The cumulative effects of the oil price shocks account for about 47 per cent of the variation in stock prices in the long term. These results suggest that the origin of oil price shocks is crucial for understanding the volatility in Nigeria's stock market. Future policy direction should focus on diversifying the economy to reduce its vulnerability to oil price fluctuations while addressing the inefficiencies in the stock market.
Assessment of Intrathoracic Impedance Algorithm in the Pediatric and Adult Congenital Population
Authors: SILVA JENNIFER N. A. , VON BERGEN NICHOLAS H. , DUBIN ANNE M. , COLLINS KATHRYN K. , CHEN JIAJING , BOWMAN TAMMY M. , VAN HARE GEORGE F.
Published: March 2014

Background

Decreased intrathoracic impedance has been used in adults to predict heart failure (HF) exacerbations. A commercial algorithm, OptiVol® (Medtronic Inc., Minneapolis, MN, USA), identifies patients with decreased impedance. We sought to determine the specificity, sensitivity, and positive predictive value (PPV) of OptiVol for predicting HF exacerbation or increased arrhythmia burden in pediatric and adult congenital heart disease (CHD) patients.

Methods

A multicenter retrospective chart review was undertaken. Inclusion criteria were: (1) <19 years or CHD adults, (2) an implanted device with OptiVol capability, (3) implanted between April 9 and September 6, and (4) follow‐up of >30 days postimplant. Clinical events were defined as clinical HF exacerbation/hospital admission, initiation/uptitration of medication, or increased arrhythmia burden.

Results

Seventy‐two patients (19 ± 9 years) were identified with the following indications: 20% dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), 11% hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), 43% CHD, 15% channelopathy, and 11% other. Thirty‐nine had 122 OptiVol crossings (median 2, range 1–11); 30% were linked to a cause. The remaining 33 had no crossing, though 17 had 89 clinical events. The clinical event rate was 19% greater in patients with crossings, though not statistically significant (P = 0.4). The algorithm had a 59% sensitivity, 52% specificity, and 62% PPV. Clinical HF exacerbation and arrhythmia burden did not significantly correlate with decreased impedance though uptitration or initiation of HF medication did correlate significantly (P = 0.03).

Conclusion

The algorithm sensitivity for pediatric DCM, HCM, CHD, and adult CHD was equivalent to the general adult population. Further studies are warranted to assess whether inaccuracy in prediction is secondary to the algorithm or to differences in the clinical response of pediatric/CHD patients.
Landiolol Hydrochloride for Prevention of Atrial Fibrillation after Cardiac Surgery: A Meta‐Analysis
Authors: LIU SHANXIN , BIAN CHANG , ZHANG YU , JIAN YING , LIU WENMIN
Published: March 2014

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmic complication after cardiac surgery. Several studies have compared the efficacy of landiolol and placebo or other agents in preventing new‐onset AF in patients after cardiac surgery. In this study, we conducted a meta‐analysis to determine whether landiolol is effective in preventing new‐onset AF after cardiac surgery.

Methods and Results

Five randomized controlled trials and two retrospective analyses were included in this study. The clinical outcomes of interest were the occurrence of AF after cardiac surgery and major complications. Meta‐analysis was performed using RevMan 5.0.18 software, and pooled estimates of the effect were reported as risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). The results of this meta‐analysis indicate that landiolol is significantly associated with a decreased risk of occurrence of AF after cardiac surgery (RR = 0.33; 95% CI: 0.23–0.48; P < 0.00001) and is not associated with an increased risk of major complications (RR = 0.79; 95% CI: 0.43–1.45; P = 0.45) compared with the control group.

Conclusion

Landiolol administration in the perioperative period can reduce the occurrence of AF after cardiac surgery without increasing the risk of major complications. It can be used to prevent new‐onset AF safely after cardiac surgery.
Association of Time of Occurrence of Electrical Heart Storms with Environmental Physical Activity
Authors: STOUPEL ELIIYAHU , KUSNIEC JAIRO , GOLOVCHINER GREGORY , ABRAMSON EVGENY , KADMON UDI , STRASBERG BORIS
Published: March 2014

Aim

Many publications in recent decades have reported a temporal link between medical events and environmental physical activity. The aim of this study was to analyze the time of occurrence of electrical heart storms against levels of cosmological parameters.

Methods

The sample included 82 patients (71 male) with ischemic cardiomyopathy treated with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator at a tertiary medical center in 1999–2012 (5,114 days). The time of occurrence of all electrical heart storms, defined as three or more events of ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation daily, was recorded from the defibrillator devices. Findings were analyzed against data on solar, geomagnetic, and cosmic ray (neutron) activity for the same time period obtained from space institutions in the United States and Russia.

Results

Electrical storms occurred in all months of the year, with a slight decrease in July, August, and September. Most events took place on days with lower‐than‐average levels of solar and geomagnetic activity and higher‐than‐average levels of cosmic ray (neutron) activity. There was a significant difference in mean daily cosmic ray activity between the whole observation period and the days of electrical storm activity (P = 0.0001).

Conclusion

These data extend earlier findings on the association of the timing of cardiac events and space weather parameters to the most dangerous form of cardiac arrhythmia‐electric storms. Further studies are needed to delineate the pathogenetic mechanism underlying this association.
Translational research: from pot to plot
Authors: Nelissen Hilde , Moloney Maurice , Inzé Dirk
Published: March 2014

Plant molecular biology has been the key driver to elucidate molecular pathways underlying plant growth, development and stress responses during the past decades. Although this has led to a plethora of available data, the translation to crop improvement is lagging behind. Here, we argue that plant scientists should become more involved in converting basic knowledge into applications in crops to sustainably support food security and agriculture. As the translatability from model species to crops is rather poor, this kind of translational research requires diligence and a thorough knowledge of the investigated trait in the crop. In addition, the robustness of a trait depends on the genotype and environmental conditions, demanding a holistic approach, which cannot always be evaluated under growth chamber and greenhouse conditions. To date, the improved resolution of many genome‐wide technologies and the emerging expertise in canopy imaging, plant phenotyping and field monitoring make it very timely to move from the pathway specifics to important agronomical realizations, thus from pot to plot. Despite the availability of scientific know‐how and expertise, the translation of new traits to applications using a transgene approach is in some regions of the world, such as Europe, seriously hampered by heavy and nontranslucent legislation for biotech crops. Nevertheless, progress in crop improvement will remain highly dependent on our ability to evaluate improved varieties in field conditions. Here, we plead for a network of protected sites for field trials across the different European climates to test improved biotech traits directly in crops.
Melanosome‐autonomous regulation of size and number: the OA1 receptor sustains PMEL expression
Authors: Falletta Paola , Bagnato Paola , Bono Maria , Monticone Massimiliano , Schiaffino Maria Vittoria , Bennett Dorothy C. , Goding Colin R. , Tacchetti Carlo , Valetti Caterina
Published: March 2014

Little is known as to how cells ensure that organelle size and number are coordinated to correctly couple organelle biogenesis to the demands of proliferation or differentiation. OA1 is a melanosome‐associated G‐protein‐coupled receptor involved in melanosome biogenesis during melanocyte differentiation. Cells lacking OA1 contain fewer, but larger, mature melanosomes. Here, we show that OA1 loss of function reduces both the basal expression and the α‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone/cAMP‐dependent induction of the microphthalmia‐associated transcription factor (MITF), the master regulator of melanocyte differentiation. In turn, this leads to a significant reduction in expression of PMEL, a major melanosomal structural protein, but does not affect tyrosinase and melanin levels. In line with its pivotal role in sensing melanosome maturation, OA1 expression rescues melanosome biogenesis, activates MITF expression and thereby coordinates melanosome size and number, providing a quality control mechanism for the organelle in which resides. Thus, resident sensor receptors can activate a transcriptional cascade to specifically promote organelle biogenesis.
Vascular anastomosis for paediatric renal transplantation and new strategy in low‐weight children
Authors: Gomes Adriano Luís , Koch‐Nogueira Paulo César , de Camargo Maria Fernanda Carvalho , Feltran Luciana de Santis , Baptista‐Silva José Carlos Costa
Published: March 2014

The technical aspects of RT in low‐weight children should be specific, particularly with regard to VA. This retrospective study assesses the main VA options in paediatric RTs and proposes a new strategy for renal artery trajectory when using the Ao and the right iVC. The sample included 81 patients and was categorized into a group of children weighing <16 kg and the other group of children weighing 16 kg or more. The smaller children received the graft predominantly on the Ao and iVC (63%); however, the VA options varied in children weighing more than 16 kg, with anastomoses predominantly to the common iliac vessels (46%). In the first group, when the Ao was the selected vessel for anastomosis on the right side, the trajectory adopted for the transplanted kidney artery was posterior to the iVC. This strategy may reduce the risk of compression of the iVC by the renal artery of the donor kidney and may reconstitute the normal anatomy of the renal artery. Moreover, it did not represent a risk factor for graft loss in this sample.
Mining the Watkins collection of wheat landraces for novel sources of eyespot resistance
Authors: Burt C. , Griffe L. L. , Ridolfini A. P. , Orford S. , Griffiths S. , Nicholson P.
Published: March 2014

Eyespot is an economically important stem base disease of wheat caused by the soilborne fungal pathogens Oculimacula yallundae and Oculimacula acuformis. The most effective method of controlling the disease is host resistance. However, there are only three genetically characterized resistances in wheat varieties and further sources of resistance are required. Previous studies have identified resistances in wild relatives, but use of these resistances has been limited by linkage drag with deleterious traits exacerbated by low rates of recombination. Therefore, the identification of novel resistances in hexaploid wheat germplasm is desirable. The Watkins collection currently consists of 1056 hexaploid wheat landraces that represent global wheat diversity at the time of its collection in the 1920s and 1930s. As such, it may contain beneficial agronomic traits such as eyespot resistance. The Watkins collection was screened for resistance to O. yallundae based on a glasshouse test of all 1056 accessions and a polytunnel test of 44 accessions selected from a previous field trial. Resistant lines identified in these tests were retested against both O. yallundae and O. acuformis. This identified 17 accessions with resistance to one or both of the pathogen species. From these, two accessions (1190094.1 and 1190736.3) provided a high level of resistance to both pathogen species. An F4 population derived from accession 1190736.3 indicated that the resistance to O. acuformis in this accession is conferred by a single gene and therefore would be suitable for introgression into elite wheat varieties to provide an alternative source of eyespot resistance.
Policy Climates, Enforcement Rates, and Migrant Behavior: Is Self‐Deportation a Viable Immigration Policy?
Authors: Rocha Rene R. , Hawes Daniel P. , Fryar Alisa Hicklin , Wrinkle Robert D.
Published: March 2014

U.S. immigration policy has been the subject of considerable debate in recent years. Previous research has focused on how temporal variation in federal policy has altered the migratory behavior of immigrants. The effect of spatial variation in enforcement remains untested. Relying on the criminological distinction between general and specific deterrence, we argue that high rates of enforcement are unlikely to encourage undocumented immigrants to self‐deport. We also examine the effects cultural and economic immigration policies adopted by the states. Previous research suggests that migrants will choose to remain in states with favorable environments, but this claim has not been directly tested. We draw on data from the Mexican Migration Project (MMP) to address these gaps. MMP data are supplemented with government data on federal enforcement obtained from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and measures of state policy. Our findings suggest that higher rates of enforcement and the establishment of negative policy environments do not encourage undocumented immigrants to leave the United States at a higher rate than their documented counterparts do. Rather, high enforcement contexts exaggerate the differences between documented and undocumented migrant behavior, with undocumented migrants staying longer. Liberal state policies have no discernible effect.
High second‐language proficiency protects against the effects of reverberation on listening comprehension
Authors: Sörqvist Patrik , Hurtig Anders , Ljung Robert , Rönnberg Jerker
Published: March 2014

The purpose of this experiment was to investigate whether classroom reverberation influences second‐language (L2) listening comprehension. Moreover, we investigated whether individual differences in baseline L2 proficiency and in working memory capacity (WMC) modulate the effect of reverberation time on L2 listening comprehension. The results showed that L2 listening comprehension decreased as reverberation time increased. Participants with higher baseline L2 proficiency were less susceptible to this effect. WMC was also related to the effect of reverberation (although just barely significant), but the effect of WMC was eliminated when baseline L2 proficiency was statistically controlled. Taken together, the results suggest that top‐down cognitive capabilities support listening in adverse conditions. Potential implications for the Swedish national tests in English are discussed.
Training distress and performance readiness: Laboratory and field validation of a brief self‐report measure
Authors: Grove J. R. , Main L. C. , Partridge K. , Bishop D. J. , Russell S. , Shepherdson A. , Ferguson L.
Published: March 2014

Three studies were conducted to validate the Training Distress Scale (TDS), a 19‐item measure of training‐related distress and performance readiness. Study 1 was a randomized, controlled laboratory experiment in which a treatment group undertook daily interval training until a 25% decrement occurred in time‐to‐fatigue performance. Comparisons with a control group showed that TDS scores increased over time within the treatment group but not in the control group. Study 2 was a randomized, controlled field investigation in which performance capabilities and TDS responses were compared across a high‐intensity interval training group and a control group that continued normal training. Running performance decreased significantly in the training group but not in the control group, and scores on the TDS mirrored those changes in performance capabilities. Study 3 examined the relationship between TDS scores obtained over a 2‐week period before major swimming competitions and subsequent performance in those competitions. Significantly, better performance was observed for swimmers with low TDS scores compared with those with moderate or high TDS scores. These findings provide both laboratory and field evidence for the validity of the TDS as a measure of short‐term training distress and performance readiness.
Cognitive Science as an Interface Between Rational and Mechanistic Explanation
Authors: Chater Nick
Published: March 2014

Cognitive science views thought as computation; and computation, by its very nature, can be understood in both rational and mechanistic terms. In rational terms, a computation solves some information processing problem (e.g., mapping sensory information into a description of the external world; parsing a sentence; selecting among a set of possible actions). In mechanistic terms, a computation corresponds to causal chain of events in a physical device (in engineering context, a silicon chip; in biological context, the nervous system). The discipline is thus at the interface between two very different styles of explanation—as the papers in the current special issue well illustrate, it explores the interplay of rational and mechanistic forces.
Donors' psychological reactions to deferral following false‐positive screening test results
Authors: Delage G. , Myhal G. , Grégoire Y. , Simmons‐Coley G.‐M.
Published: March 2014

Background and Objectives

Being notified of a false‐positive infectious disease marker result can cause psychological distress in blood donors. A new notification process, informing donors of the possibility of re‐entry, was compared with the previous one in which donors were indefinitely deferred to evaluate the mitigating effect on donors' psychological distress levels.

Materials and Methods

Two groups of donors, ‘deferred donors’ (DD) and ‘donors eligible for re‐entry’ (DER), completed a questionnaire involving 5‐point scales. Levels of psychological distress, attitude towards blood donation, desire to donate blood in the future and perception of notification process quality were assessed.

Results

Attitudes towards blood donation (P = 0·0276) (DD: 3·94 ± 0·11 vs. DER 4·21 ± 0·09) and perceived quality of communication (P = 0·0108) (DD: 2·72 ± 0·12 vs. DER 3·08 ± 0·10) were significantly improved with the new notification process. No significant difference was found between groups in psychological distress levels or desire to donate blood in the future.

Conclusion

Informing donors of the possibility of re‐entry appears to contribute to maintaining a positive predisposition towards future blood donation. It does not, however, appear to alleviate the distress felt after being notified of a false‐positive infectious disease marker result, nor does it increase willingness to give blood again in the future.
A Unified Strategy to Integrate Information and Methods Across Multiple Training Environments for Assembly Simulations
Authors: Kim Okjoon , Jayaram Uma , Zhu Lijuan
Published: March 2014

Training for assembly simulations can be provided using a wide range of technologies from a simple computer-based training (CBT) approach to a complex virtual reality (VR)-based immersive training (IMT) approach. The CBT approach allows user interactions through traditional keyboard and mouse applications, while the IMT approach immerses the user in a virtual environment for a more realistic experience. Typically, for a particular scenario, tools and applications for each of these approaches are developed independently. Consequently, there is much duplication of data and effort, and a lack of synchronization between them. This paper focuses on an integrated approach with support from ontologies to address this problem. Ontologies provide an opportunity to capture and manage common data and map concepts from one application to another in a logical and measured manner. Methods are developed to enable knowledge in these ontologies to be used and shared in a comprehensive and effective manner between CBT and IMT tools. The key contribution of this work is that the ontologies instantiating concepts and properties for the training domain are used effectively among different training tools to deal with common and disparate characteristics between them.
Bayesian Inference for Milling Stability Using a Random Walk Approach
Authors: Karandikar Jaydeep , Traverso Michael , Abbas Ali , Schmitz Tony
Published: March 2014

Unstable cutting conditions limit the profitability in milling. While analytical and numerical approaches for estimating the limiting axial depth of cut as a function of spindle speed are available, they are generally deterministic in nature. Because uncertainty inherently exists, a Bayesian approach that uses a random walk strategy for establishing a stability model is implemented in this work. The stability boundary is modeled using random walks. The probability of the random walk being the true stability limit is then updated using experimental results. The stability test points are identified using a value of information method. Bayesian inference offers several advantages including the incorporation of uncertainty in the model using a probability distribution (rather than deterministic value), updating the probability distribution using new experimental results, and selecting the experiments such that the expected value added by performing the experiment is maximized. Validation of the Bayesian approach is presented. The experimental results show a convergence to the optimum machining parameters for milling a pocket without prior knowledge of the system dynamics.
Determination of Optimal Counter-Mass Location in Active Prostheses for Transfemoral Amputees to Replicate Sound Limb Swing
Authors: Telwak M. , Voglewede P. , Silver-Thorn M. B.
Published: March 2014

Recent advances in lower limb prostheses have involved the design of active, powered prosthetic knee and ankle-foot components capable of generating knee and ankle torques similar to that of normal gait. The associated componentry results in increased mass of the respective prosthesis, which affects the swing phase of gait. The goal of this study was to develop a computer model of the transfemoral residual limb and prosthesis, inclusive of an active ankle-foot, and investigate counter-mass magnitude(s) and location(s) via model optimization that might improve lower limb kinematic symmetry between the residual/prosthetic limb (approximated by the computer model) and the sound limb (approximated by able-bodied motion data) during swing phase. Single- (thigh only, shank only) and multisegment (both thigh and shank) optimization of counter-mass magnitudes and locations indicated that a 2.0 kg counter-mass added 8 cm distal and 10 cm posterior to the distal end of the knee unit within the shank segment approximated knee kinematics of the sound limb. This counter-mass location, however, reduced hip flexion during swing phase. While such a counter-mass location and magnitude demonstrated theoretical potential, the location is not clinically realistic; mass can only be practically added within the prosthesis, distal to the residual limb. Clinically, realistic counter-masses must also keep the total prosthetic mass to less than 5 kg; greater mass may require supplemental prosthetic suspension, may increase energy expenditure during ambulation and may increase the likelihood of fatigue, even with active prosthetic components. The ability to simulate the kinematic effects of active prosthetic components, inclusive of varying placement of battery and signal conditioning units, may advance the design of active prostheses that will minimize kinematic asymmetry and result in greater patient acceptance.
Two Natural Dexterity Indices for Parallel Manipulators: Angularity and Axiality
Authors: Jesús Cervantes-Sánchez J. , Rico-Martínez J. M. , Pérez-Muñoz V. H.
Published: March 2014

This paper introduces two novel dexterity indices, namely, angularity and axiality, which are used to estimate the motion sensitivity of the mobile platform of a parallel manipulator undergoing a general motion involving translation and rotation. On the one hand, the angularity index can be used to measure the sensitivity of the mobile platform to change in rotation. On the other hand, the axiality index can be used to measure the sensitivity of the operation point (OP) of the mobile platform to change in translation. Since both indices were inspired by very fundamental concepts of classical kinematics (angular velocity vector and helicoidal velocity field), they offer a clear and simple physical insight, which is expected to be meaningful to the designer of parallel manipulators. Moreover, the proposed indices do not require obtaining a dimensionally homogeneous Jacobian matrix, nor do they depend on having similar types of actuators in each manipulator's leg. The details of the methodology are illustrated by considering a classical parallel manipulator.
Bubble Formation on the Surface of Laser-Irradiated Nanosized Particles
Authors: Kwak Ho-Young , Oh Jaekyoon , Yoo Yungpil , Mahmood Shahid
Published: March 2014

It is well known that a phase transition from liquid to vapor occurs in the thermal boundary layer adjacent to a nanoparticle that has a high temperature upon irradiation with a high-power laser. In this study, the mechanism by which the evaporated layer adjacent to a laser-irradiated nanoparticle can grow as a bubble was investigated through detailed calculations. The pressure of the evaporated liquid volume due to heat diffusion from the irradiated nanoparticle was estimated using a bubble nucleation model based on molecular interactions. The bubble wall motion was obtained using the Keller-Miksis equation. The density and temperature inside the bubble were obtained by solving the continuity and energy equation for the vapor inside the bubble. The evaporation of water molecules or condensation of water vapor at the vapor–liquid interface and the homogeneous nucleation of vapor were also considered. The calculated bubble radius-time curve for the bubble formed on the surface of a gold particle with a diameter of 9 nm is close to the experimental result. Our study reveals that an appropriate size of the evaporated liquid volume and a large expansion velocity are important parameters for the formation of a transient nanosized bubble. The calculation result suggests that homogeneous condensation of vapor rather than condensation at the interface occurs.