bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gene expression under thermal stress varies across a geographical range expansion front
Authors: Lancaster Lesley T. , Dudaniec Rachael Y. , Chauhan Pallavi , Wellenreuther Maren , Svensson Erik I. , Hansson Bengt
Published: January 2016

Many ectothermic species are currently expanding their distributions polewards due to anthropogenic global warming. Molecular genetic mechanisms facilitating range expansion under these conditions are largely unknown, but understanding these could help mitigate expanding pests and disease vectors, or help explain why some species fail to track changing climates. Here, using RNA‐seq data, we examine genomewide changes in gene expression under heat and cold stress in the range‐expanding damselfly Ischnura elegans in northern Europe. We find that both the number of genes involved and levels of gene expression under heat stress have become attenuated during the expansion, consistent with a previously reported release from selection on heat tolerances as species move polewards. Genes upregulated under cold stress differed between core and edge populations, corroborating previously reported rapid adaptation to cooler climates at the expansion front. Expression of sixty‐nine genes exhibited a region x treatment effect; these were primarily upregulated in response to heat stress in core populations but in response to cold stress at the range edge, suggesting that some cellular responses originally adapted to heat stress may switch to cold‐stress functionality upon encountering novel thermal selection regimes during range expansion. Transcriptional responses to thermal stress involving heat‐shock and neural function genes were largely geographically conserved, while retrotransposon, regulatory, muscle function and defence gene expression patterns were more variable. Flexible mechanisms of cold‐stress response and the ability of some genes to shift their function between heat and cold stress might be key mechanisms facilitating rapid poleward expansion in insects.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis RuvX is a Holliday junction resolvase formed by dimerisation of the monomeric YqgF nuclease domain
Authors: Nautiyal Astha , Rani P. Sandhya , Sharples Gary J. , Muniyappa K.
Published: January 2016

The Mycobacterium tuberculosis genome possesses homologues of the ruvC and yqgF genes that encode putative Holliday junction (HJ) resolvases. However, their gene expression profiles and enzymatic properties have not been experimentally defined. Here we report that expression of ruvC and yqgF is induced in response to DNA damage. Protein‐DNA interaction assays with purified M. tuberculosis RuvC (MtRuvC) and YqgF (MtRuvX) revealed that both associate preferentially with HJ DNA, albeit with differing affinities. Although both MtRuvC and MtRuvX cleaved HJ DNA in vitro, the latter displayed robust HJ resolution activity by symmetrically related, paired incisions. MtRuvX showed a higher binding affinity for the HJ structure over other branched recombination and replication intermediates. An MtRuvXD28N mutation, eliminating one of the highly conserved catalytic residues in this class of endonucleases, dramatically reduced its ability to cleave HJ DNA. Furthermore, a unique cysteine (C38) fulfils a crucial role in HJ cleavage, consistent with disulfide‐bond mediated dimerization being essential for MtRuvX activity. In contrast, E. coli YqgF is monomeric and exhibits no branched DNA binding or cleavage activity. These results fit with a functional modification of YqgF in M. tuberculosis so that it can act as a dimeric HJ resolvase analogous to that of RuvC.
Lysine acetylation of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis HU protein modulates its DNA binding and genome organization
Authors: Ghosh Soumitra , Padmanabhan Bhavna , Anand Chinmay , Nagaraja Valakunja
Published: January 2016

Nucleoid‐associated protein HU, a conserved protein across eubacteria is necessary for maintaining the nucleoid organization and global regulation of gene expression. Mycobacterium tuberculosis HU (MtHU) is distinct from the other orthologues having 114 amino acid long carboxyl terminal extensions with a high degree of sequence similarity to eukaryotic histones. In this study, we demonstrate that the DNA binding property of MtHU is regulated by posttranslational modifications akin to eukaryotic histones. MtHU purified from M. tuberculosis cells is found to be acetylated on multiple lysine residues unlike the E. coli expressed recombinant protein. Using coimmunoprecipitation assay, we identified Eis as one of the acetyl transferases that interacts with MtHU and modifies it. Although Eis is known to acetylate aminoglycosides, the kinetics of acetylation showed that its protein acetylation activity on MtHU is robust. In vitro Eis modified MtHU at various lysine residues, primarily those located at the carboxyl terminal domain. Acetylation of MtHU caused reduced DNA interaction and alteration in DNA compaction ability of the NAP. Over‐expression of the Eis leads to hyperacetylation of HU and decompaction of genome. These results provide first insights into the modulation of the nucleoid structure by lysine acetylation in bacteria.
The FTF gene family regulates virulence and expression of SIX effectors in Fusarium oxysporum
Authors: Niño‐Sánchez Jonathan , Casado‐Del Castillo Virginia , Tello Vega , De Vega‐Bartol José J. , Ramos Brisa , Sukno Serenella A. , Díaz Mínguez José María
Published: January 2016

The FTF (Fusarium transcription factor) gene family comprises a single copy gene, FTF2, which is present in all the filamentous ascomycetes analysed, and several copies of a close relative, FTF1, which is exclusive to Fusarium oxysporum. An RNA‐mediated gene silencing system was developed to target mRNA produced by all the FTF genes, and tested in two formae speciales: F. oxysporum f. sp. phaseoli (whose host is common bean) and F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (whose host is tomato). Quantification of the mRNA levels showed knockdown of FTF1 and FTF2 in randomly isolated transformants of both formae speciales. The attenuation of FTF expression resulted in a marked reduction in virulence, a reduced expression of several SIX (Secreted In Xylem) genes, the best studied family of effectors in F. oxysporum, and lower levels of SGE1 (Six Gene Expression 1) mRNA, the presumptive regulator of SIX expression. Moreover, the knockdown mutants showed a pattern of colonization of the host plant similar to that displayed by strains devoid of FTF1 copies (weakly virulent strains). Gene knockout of FTF2 also resulted in a reduction in virulence, but to a lesser extent. These results demonstrate the role of the FTF gene expansion, mostly the FTF1 paralogues, as a regulator of virulence in F. oxysporum and suggest that the control of effector expression is the mechanism involved.
Case of limbic encephalitis with anti‐neutral glycosphingolipid antibodies
Authors: Takeuchi Yuko , Ueda Miki , Ochiai Jun , Mabuchi Chiyuki , Shima Sayuri , Mutoh Tatsuro
Published: January 2016

We describe a case of a 44‐year‐old man with limbic encephalitis and refractory epileptic seizure. He was found to have developed flaccid paraplegia when he recovered from status epilepticus. Electrophysiological examinations disclosed axonal neuropathy of the lower limbs with nerve roots involvement. Brain fluid‐attenuated inversion recovery‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging showed bilateral medial temporal hyperintensities. Anti‐neutral glycolipid antibodies were detected in the acute phase serum, but disappeared after immunomodulatory therapy. A previous study has shown that anti‐neutral glycolipid antibodies are present in encephalomyeloradiculoneuropathy cases. The present patient initially showed limbic encephalitis phenotype followed by involvement of nerve roots and peripheral nerves, just like in previous encephalomyeloradiculoneuropathy cases. The present case strongly suggests that encephalomyeloradiculoneuropathy might include a phenotype of limbic encephalitis, although we do not have definite grounds for this assumption, which remains to be elucidated. Nevertheless, examination of anti‐neutral glycolipids antibodies is highly recommended for future similar cases.
Irreversible severe kidney injury and anuria in a 3‐month‐old girl with atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome under administration of eculizumab
Authors: Okuda Yusuke , Ishikura Kenji , Terano Chikako , Harada Ryoko , Hamada Riku , Hataya Hiroshi , Ogata Kentaro , Honda Masataka
Published: January 2016

Histopathological findings can play an important role in the management of atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome (aHUS). We report a case of aHUS that did not recover from anuria, despite the administration of eculizumab, with impressive histopathological findings. A 3‐month‐old girl was admitted because of poor feeding, vomiting, and diarrhoea without haemorrhage. She had anuria and severe hypertension, and laboratory results showed haemolytic anaemia with schizocytes, thrombocytopenia, and renal impairment. Although no mutations in the complement system or diacylglycerol kinase epsilon were detected, she was diagnosed with aHUS owing to the clinical course and by the exclusion of Escherichia coli infection and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. Plasma exchange was performed once at day 2 and eculizumab therapy was started from day 18, with a severe infusion reaction at the first administration. After the initiation of eculizumab, although the serum lactate dehydrogenase level improved gradually, she did not recover from anuria. Pathological findings of the kidney biopsy at day 37 included diffuse arteriolar and arterial luminal stenosis with remarkable thickness and sclerotic changes of the media and intima, which are suggestive of aHUS. In addition, most glomeruli had global sclerosis and were collapsed, and 80% of the tubulointerstitial compartment showed atrophic changes with infiltration of inflammatory cells. The present case is possibly a kidney‐specific fulminant type of aHUS. Although showing efficacy against thrombotic microangiopathy, eculizumab did not improve kidney function. The pathological findings reflected the severe and irreversible kidney injury.
Women's experiences of making healthcare decisions about their breast cancer: A phenomenological study
Authors: Xiong Mo , Stone Teresa E. , Turale Sue , Petrini Marcia A.
Published: January 2016

There are few studies about how healthcare decisions are made for women with breast cancer in China and this knowledge is vital, both to further develop person‐centered health care and to ensure that women have a voice in their healthcare decisions. This phenomenological study explored the meaning of women's lived experiences of making healthcare decisions about their breast cancer in China. Semistructured, in‐depth interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of eight women with breast cancer. Data were analyzed using Colaizzi's phenomenological analytic method. The results of this study identified four themes: authority and expertise, lack of knowledge, family support, and Chinese cultural and social influences. Women were deferential to medical authority and perceived expertise, but they wanted to be involved to a greater degree in healthcare decisions. It is important for health professionals to optimize women's participation in decision‐making by removing barriers and advocating on their behalf.
Pollen morphology of Chinese Glochidion (Phyllanthaceae) and its taxonomic implications
Authors: Yao Gang , Zhang Dian‐Xiang
Published: January 2016

The pollen morphology of twenty‐five Chinese species belonging to two sections of Glochidion and one species from Phyllanthus subgen. Phyllanthodendron was examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that pollen grains of Glochidion are isopolar, spheroidal to rarely subprolate in shape, (3)4–5(6)‐colporate in aperture pattern, and tectate‐reticulate to tectate‐rugulate in exine ornamentation. Fusion of colpus ends was observed in some pollen grains of G. pseudo‐obscurum and G. wrightii. The pollen grains of Phyllanthus dunnianus are similar to those of Glochidion species in their spheroidal shape and four‐colporate aperture pattern, but are slightly larger in size, and show tectate‐perforate exine ornamentation. In Glochidion, pollen morphology appears to be useful for distinguishing several macromorphologically similar. Additionally, palynological characters provide evidence for the taxonomy of the supergenus Phyllanthus s.l.
A FULL ANNUAL CYCLE MODELING FRAMEWORK FOR AMERICAN BLACK DUCKS
Authors: ROBINSON ORIN J. , MCGOWAN CONOR P. , DEVERS PATRICK K. , BROOK RODNEY W. , HUANG MIN , JONES MALCOM , MCAULEY DANIEL G. , ZIMMERMAN GUTHRIE
Published: January 2016

American black ducks (Anas rubripes) are a harvested, international migratory waterfowl species in eastern North America. Despite an extended period of restrictive harvest regulations, the black duck population is still below the population goal identified in the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP). It has been hypothesized that density‐dependent factors restrict population growth in the black duck population and that habitat management (increases, improvements, etc.) may be a key component of growing black duck populations and reaching the prescribed NAWMP population goal. Using banding data from 1951 to 2011 and breeding population survey data from 1990 to 2014, we developed a full annual cycle population model for the American black duck. This model uses the seven management units as set by the Black Duck Joint Venture, allows movement into and out of each unit during each season, and models survival and fecundity for each region separately. We compare model population trajectories with observed population data and abundance estimates from the breeding season counts to show the accuracy of this full annual cycle model. With this model, we then show how to simulate the effects of habitat management on the continental black duck population.
Protein‐losing enteropathy and erythema caused by egg allergy in a breast‐fed infant
Authors: Higuchi Ryuzo , Booka Mina , Suzuki Hiroyuki , Tsuno Hiroshi
Published: January 2016

A 4‐month‐old breast‐fed girl presented with poor weight gain, and had edema and repeated erythema from 5 months of age. The diagnosis of protein‐losing enteropathy (PLE) was confirmed on 99mTc‐labeled human serum albumin scintigraphy. Specific IgE radioallergosorbent test was class 3 for egg white, class 2 for egg yolk, and negative for other foods. Elimination of egg from the mother's diet and oral epinastine hydrochloride treatment and sodium cromolyn improved hypoalbuminemia, hypogammaglobulinemia, and erythema. PLE and erythema coincident in a breast‐fed infant suggests that IgE‐mediated allergy may play a leading role in some cases of PLE due to food allergy in infants.
Efficiency of Neutral Red, Evans Blue and MTT to assess viability of the freshwater microalgae Desmodesmus communis and Pediastrum boryanum
Authors: Da Luz Danieli Saul , Da Silva Daniele Gomes , Souza Marta Marques , Giroldo Danilo , Martins Camila De Martinez Gaspar
Published: January 2016

This study assessed the efficacy of three cell viability assays – Methyl‐thiazolyl‐tetrazolium (MTT), Evans Blue, and Neutral Red – for two freshwater microalgae species, Desmodesmus communis and Pediastrum boryanum (Chlorophyceae), in order to find suitable techniques to detect the levels of pollution in water ecosystems. Following exposure to a glyphosate‐based herbicide, our results showed that Evans Blue did not adequately measure cell viability in either species, while MTT and Neutral Red were able to detect decreased cellular viability for both algae in response to herbicide exposure. Overall, however, Neutral Red proved to be more sensitive than MTT for these algae.
Phylogeny and morphology of the freshwater red alga Nemalionopsis shawii (Rhodophyta, Thoreales) from Nepal
Authors: Necchi Orlando , West John A. , Rai Shiva K. , Ganesan E. K. , Rossignolo Natalia L. , de Goër Susan L.
Published: January 2016

Phylogenetic relationships and morphological characters are presented for a population of Nemalionopsis shawii Skuja collected from Nepal. Molecular data (sequences of rbcL and cox1) were generated and morphological characters were described in detail. The rbcL sequence analyses showed that specimens from Nepal are most similar to N. shawii from Indonesia and Japan and that these entities form a clade with high support (>95% bootstrap and 0.95 posterior probability). The cox1 barcode sequence, however, only had 90.9–91.9% identity with specimens of N. shawii from Hawaii. The rbcL sequence of the specimen from Nepal was positioned in a clade having sequence identity of 99.3–99.7% with three samples: N. shawii from Indonesia and two from Japan identified as N. tortuosa. The comparison of morphological characters of Nemalionopsis from Nepal allowed unequivocal identification with N. shawii. Identifications from previous studies using molecular data were mistaken since most reports of N. shawii are actually of N. tortuosa or vice‐versa. This confusion of names presumably occurred because most specimens previously sequenced were from culture collections or from ‘Chantransia’ stages. Small tufts of ‘Chantransia’ stage were observed growing epiphytically on gametophytes and on the basal system. Carpogonia and spermatangia were fully described in specimens from Nepal. Monosporangia were not observed, whereas carposporangia were unequivocally described for the first time in the genus. An unusual flat strap‐like basal system was observed, interpreted as an additional mode of maintenance in nature under unfavorable environmental conditions.
Behavioural effects of PNU‐282987 and stress in an animal model of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Vicens Paloma , Heredia Luis , Torrente Margarita , Domingo José L.
Published: January 2016

Background

Cholinergic deficits play an important role in both cognitive and behavioural alterations in Alzheimer's disease. This study was aimed at evaluating the possible therapeutic role of PNU‐282987 (PNU), an α7 nicotinic cholinergic receptor agonist, and the possible effects of stress in precipitating the onset of behavioural deficits in animals with susceptibility to Alzheimer's disease.

Methods

B6C3‐Tg mice with susceptibility to Alzheimer's disease and wild‐type mice either with or without restraint stress received 0‐ or 1‐mg/kg PNU. At 12 months old, mice were evaluated for activity levels, anxiety‐like levels, and spatial learning and memory.

Results

Data did not show the effects of PNU on activity and anxiety‐like behaviour. No effect of PNU on acquisition of a spatial learning task was detected, but a reversal of stress effects on retention in the Morris water maze was observed in transgenic mice.

Conclusions

Further studies are needed in order to better understand the role of α7 nicotinic cholinergic receptor agonists in motor activity, anxiety, and spatial learning and memory and to develop more accurate pharmacological treatment of psychopathological diseases.
Prevalence and correlates of sleep problems among elderly Singaporeans
Authors: Sagayadevan Vathsala , Abdin Edimansyah , Binte Shafie Saleha , Jeyagurunathan Anitha , Sambasivam Rajeswari , Zhang Yunjue , Picco Louisa , Vaingankar Janhavi , Chong Siow A. , Subramaniam Mythily
Published: January 2016

Background

The current study examined the prevalence and correlates of sleep problems among elderly Singaporeans.

Methods

Data were taken from the Well‐being of Singapore Elderly study, a cross‐sectional, epidemiological survey conducted among Singapore residents aged 60 years and above (n = 2565). Respondents were screened for sleep problems through a series of questions in the Geriatric Mental State examination. Details on sociodemographic characteristics, physical activity, cognition, disability, chronic physical conditions, and depression were also collected. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore significant associations between sleep problems, sociodemographic characteristics, physical activity, cognition, disability, chronic physical conditions, and depression.

Results

Overall, 13.7% (n = 341) of older adults reported at least one sleep problem. Of those who reported sleep problems, 69.4% experienced sleep interruption at night, 48.9% reported having difficulty falling asleep, 22.3% reported early morning awakening, and 11.4% had all three problems. Elderly with sleep problems were significantly more likely to have a range of chronic physical conditions and depression and were also significantly less likely to be physically active. Older adults with at least one sleep problem reported significantly greater disability compared to those with no sleep problems.

Conclusion

The high probability of comorbid chronic conditions as well as higher disability among those with sleep problems makes this an important area of research.
Mirtazapine does not improve sleep disorders in Alzheimer's disease: results from a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled pilot study
Authors: Scoralick Francisca M. , Louzada Luciana L. , Quintas Juliana L. , Naves Janeth O.S. , Camargos Einstein F. , Nóbrega Otávio T.
Published: January 2016

Aim

The aim of this study was to test the efficacy and safety of mirtazapine in the treatment of sleep disorders in patients with Alzheimer's disease by means of a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial. Measurements were obtained for 7 days before intervention (baseline) and for 2 weeks after the onset of treatment.

Methods

Alzheimer's disease patients with sleep disorders (n = 24) received 15‐mg mirtazapine (n = 8) or placebo (n = 16) once daily at 2100 hours for 2 weeks. Patients were evaluated with actigraphy and structured scales before and after intervention. Historical control was employed.

Results

Treatment with mirtazapine or placebo had no effect on cognitive and functional status as assessed by the Mini‐Mental State Examination and the Katz scale, respectively. There were no differences between groups in the frequency or severity of the adverse events reported. Compared with the placebo group, mirtazapine users showed increased daytime sleepiness but no improvement in the duration or efficiency of nocturnal sleep after treatment.

Conclusions

This study showed no significant therapeutic effects of 15‐mg mirtazapine in community‐dwelling Alzheimer's disease patients with sleep disorders. Instead, this study found evidence of worsening of daytime sleep patterns.
How attitude strength and information influence moral decision making: Evidence from event‐related potentials
Authors: Hundrieser Manuela , Stahl Jutta
Published: January 2016

Moral judgments are based on complex processing. This study aimed to investigate neural correlates of moral decisions. Participants (N = 32) were asked to express their opinion on various moral issues while ERPs were recorded. After reading texts containing either confirming or contradicting arguments regarding the issues, participants were asked to express their opinion again. A higher N400 amplitude and a higher amplitude of the late positive potential for value‐incongruent words compared to value‐congruent words could be observed. Furthermore, after participants had read conflicting arguments, slower responses and larger N400 differences (value‐incongruent minus value‐congruent) were observed. These results showed that language processing for a moral context is influenced by the subjective value system, and it can be assumed that a demanding cognitive elaboration contributed to the observed RT and N400 priming effects. This is the first ERP study comparing moral judgments before and after reading confirming or conflicting information; it revealed that evaluative reasoning can influence neural processing for moral decisions.
The Motivational Effects of Mission Matching: A Lab‐Experimental Test of a Moderated Mediation Model
Authors: Smith Jason
Published: January 2016

Scholarly literature finds positive motivational effects of matching workers and missions. However, the psychological mechanisms behind this matching effect have not been explored. This article develops and tests a moderated mediation model of mission matching in which meaningfulness serves as an intervening mechanism that explains the association between mission matching and effort. It also considers how individual differences in prosocial motivation influence the intervening role of meaningfulness. Using a real‐effort laboratory experiment with monetary incentives, the article shows that matched subjects exert more effort than mismatched subjects, that this effect is mediated by increases in meaningfulness, that prosociality moderates the effect of a match on meaningfulness, and that the indirect effect of a match on effort through increases in meaningfulness varies as a function of prosociality. These results contribute to a more nuanced understanding of mission matching and suggest that matching may be particularly important for certain types of workers.
Environmental Protection in the Presence of Unemployment and Common Resources
Authors: Abe Kenzo , Saito Muneyuki
Published: January 2016

This paper examines the effects of an export tax (on a processed resource good), the number of harvesters and an afforestation policy in a small, open economy with urban unemployment. The export tax increases the urban unemployment rate, but improves the quality of the environment. Here, the optimal export tax is lower than the adjusted marginal environmental damage. Reducing the number of harvesters has a similar resource allocation effect to that of an export tax. However, the afforestation policy can resolve the trade‐off between urban unemployment and the quality of the environment and may also improve the welfare of a country.
Collective Leadership, Career Concern, and the Housing Market in China: The Role of Standing Committees
Authors: Gao Nan , Long Cheryl Xiaoning , Xu Lixin Colin
Published: January 2016

Despite an emerging literature on political determinants of economic performance, little is known about whether standing committees of the Communist Party, an institution of collective leadership, matter for economic development. Using Chinese provincial‐level panel data, we find that a higher ratio of new members in the standing committee of the local Communist Party is correlated with a higher housing sales/gross domestic product (GDP) ratio. Moreover, more new members in the standing committee are also associated with a lower level of GDP per capita and a lower manufacturing output growth rate. The results on the size of the real estate sector are robust to dealing with the endogeneity of the ratio of new standing committee members. Our findings suggest that career incentives of party leadership affected real estate development at the expense of manufacturing growth in the locality, and that the structure of collective leadership has important economic consequences.
Measuring the Technological Structure of Chinese Imports
Authors: Wei Hao
Published: January 2016

This paper uses the optimal partitioning method of clustering analysis using orderly samples to classify trade goods and analyzes the technological structure of Chinese imports. The results indicate that since 2000, medium–high technology products have made up the majority of China's imported goods, while the shares of medium or higher technology products have decreased and the share of medium–low technology products has increased sharply. The number of imported goods with a comparative advantage in the Chinese market decreased, while the overall comparative advantage of imported goods also declined. China imports different types of products from different countries and regions around the world. The findings suggest that China should increase the import scale of high technology products.
Innovation, Imitation and Intellectual Property Rights in Developing Countries
Authors: Hwang Hong , Wu Jollene Z. , Yu Eden S. H.
Published: January 2016

This paper sets up a vertically related market model in which imitation and innovation are endogenously determined to study the impact of intellectual property rights (IPR) protection on less‐developed countries. It shows how a less‐developed country switches from imitation to innovation as it develops. It is also found that the relationship between IPR protection and economic development is U‐shaped. The IPR protection tends to go down and then go up as income rises. This finding also conforms with that in the empirical literature on IPR protection.
The Optimal Privatization Policies under an International Mixed Duopoly
Authors: Ou Ruiqiu , Li Jie , Lu Jing , Guo Chenxu
Published: January 2016

This paper explores the socially optimal privatization policies under the setting of international mixed duopoly. We find that partial privatization is socially optimal under Cournot competition and private leadership competition, whereas full nationalization is socially optimal under public leadership competition. Moreover, the equilibrium social welfare under private leadership competition is higher than that observed under Cournot competition and that observed under private leadership competition, which differs from the findings of Matsumura (). We also show that the endogenous timing game has a subgame perfect Nash equilibrium outcome, under which the government chooses a partial privatization policy, and private leadership competition emerges as the optimal output decision sequence of firms. An important policy implication from this paper is that the government should partially privatize the public firm and facilitate the emergence of private leadership competition in an international mixed market.
Executive Compensation and Legal Investor Protection: Evidence from China's Listed Firms
Authors: Zheng Zhigang , Zhou Li‐An , Sun Yanmei , Chen Chao
Published: January 2016

This paper seeks to relate the increases in executive compensation observed in China to improvement of the legal environment. We build a simple model and demonstrate that improvement in legal investor protection reduces the manager's private benefits of control; in order to make the managerial incentives compatible, some of the forgone private benefits have to be compensated in the form of increased executive pay. Using a large dataset on Chinese listed corporations, we find strong evidence that improvement of the legal environment is significantly associated with both the rise in executive compensation and the reduction in agency costs, which is consistent with our model predictions.
The Impacts of Japanese and US Outsourcing on Chinese Firms
Authors: Ma Jingmei , Ding Yibing , Jia Hongyu
Published: January 2016

This paper investigates the impact of manufacturing outsourcing to China from its two biggest trading partners—the USA and Japan, for the period of 1990–2008. Both a fundamental model and an augmented model are established, using export data of intermediate goods and two subcategories, processed goods and parts and components (P&C). We find that output growth is positively correlated with outsourcing, and outsourcing from the USA and Japan exerts lower effects than the average level. Our results show that Chinese outsourcees not only access higher productivity than their domestic non‐outsourcee counterparts, but also generate spillover effects to the non‐outsourcees. Moreover, outsourcees of Japanese multinational corporations (MNCs) gain more technological advantage while outsourcees of US origin act as a more effective external stimulus to increase production of non‐outsourcees in China.
Who's in the Forbes Global 2000? The Role of Home Market, Multinational Firms and Economic Development
Authors: Peng Shi‐Shu , Huang Deng‐Shing , Yang Tzu‐Han , Sun Ying‐Chih
Published: January 2016

We investigate the determinants of the share of very large enterprises that a country has at the industry‐level at the industry‐level, using data from the Forbes Global 2000 across 48 countries and 16 industries in the period of 2004–2010. We find significant and positive evidence for three effects affecting such share: the home market effect (HME), multinational firm effect (MFE) and economic development effect (EDE). A further industry‐specific analysis of the HME suggests that the industry‐level degree of increasing returns to scale may only partly explain the effects being positive without them being different across industries.
The Economics of Taxation in Casino Tourism with Cross‐border Market Power
Authors: Gu Xinhua , Tam Pui Sun , Lei Chun Kwok , Chang Xiao
Published: January 2016

This paper provides a theoretical proof that casino taxation may have great potential as a contributor to tourism efficiency under sufficient market power. We also examine empirical evidence for the economic efficiency of casino tourism in Macao even with a “high” tax owing to geographic market power. Both theory and evidence point to such power as a key factor that affects the ability of a tourism resort to pass along local taxes to gambling visitors. This ability makes all the difference between the good or bad effect of casino taxes on tourism development. The policy implication is that a gaming tax should be lowered to support casino businesses if it is inefficient, but can be raised to extract public revenues if it is efficient.
Fresh Cadres bring Fresh Air? Personnel Turnover, Institutions, and China's Water Pollutions
Authors: Gao Nan , Liang Pinghan
Published: January 2016

Weak law enforcement is usually blamed for the dramatic deterioration of the environment in China. Using a panel data covering 287 Chinese prefecture‐cities during 2004–2011, we investigate the role of personnel turnover and institutions in water pollution. We show that water pollution deteriorates with the tenure of incumbent mayors. Mayor turnover and institutional quality are associated with lower pollution. Furthermore, personnel turnover and institutions complement each other in mitigating pollution: the influence of mayor turnover on pollution reduction is larger in the cities endowed with stronger executive constraints. We also suggest some channels through which personnel turnover affects water pollution. In general, we illustrate that the turnover of cadres has only limited and temporary effects in mitigating pollution.
Epidemiology and risk factors for nosocomial bloodstream infections in solid organ transplants over a 10‐year period
Authors: Berenger B.M. , Doucette K. , Smith S.W.
Published: January 2016

Background

Bloodstream infections (BSIs) are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in solid organ transplantation (SOT). We sought to determine the types of nosocomial BSIs and risk factors for them in SOT.

Methods

Prospectively collected databases of all SOT and nosocomial BSIs occurring at our institution for a 10‐year period were reviewed.

Results

From 2003–2012, we observed 157 nosocomial BSI episodes in 2257 SOTs, the majority of which were caused by staphylococci and enterococci (67.5%). The most common sources of BSI were central line, organ space, respiratory, and gastrointestinal. Kidney transplant patients had the lowest risk of acquiring a BSI compared with other SOT types. Lung transplant patients were at increased risk of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus BSI and heart transplant patients were at increased risk of a Candida albicans BSI, when compared to other organ transplant types. When coagulase‐negative Staphylococcus (CoNS) or C. albicans was isolated, the central line was most often the source. The implementation of central‐line bundles during the study period correlated temporally with a decreased rate of CoNS BSI. Over the 10‐year period, vancomycin‐resistant enterococci became the most common enterococcal BSI. Donor‐positive cytomegalovirus status was associated with an increased risk of BSI, when compared to donor‐negative patients.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the common sources, risk factors, and causative organisms of BSI, which can guide empiric antibiotic choices, and highlights areas where preventative interventions could be targeted to prevent nosocomial BSI in SOT.
Temperature influences postdispersal predation of weed seeds
Authors: Noroozi Shahrzad , Alizadeh Hasan , Mashhadi Hamid Rahimian
Published: January 2016

Temperature is a key factor for the living organisms on earth. It influences weed management practices, either directly or indirectly. Field experiments were conducted to determine the effect of temperature on the postdispersal seed predation of four important weed species (Cuscuta compestris, Stellaria media, Taraxacum officinale and Veronica persica) in two lucerne fields in Mashhad and Chenaran, north‐eastern Iran. These two cities have the same climate: temperate and cold alpine but the temperature varies between them. Wire mesh cages were used to determine the relative importance of birds in predation and pitfall traps were used to detect the species and the activity density of invertebrate predators. The results showed that the predation preference of different weed species was significantly different between and within fields. Seed predation fluctuated widely throughout the sampling periods, matching the periodic forage harvest and regrowth cycle of lucerne. Despite the level of seed predation fluctuating, it declined toward the last sampling periods. Using wire mesh exclusion cages showed no significant effect of birds on weed seed predation in both fields. Ants, crickets and carabid beetles were the invertebrate seed predators that were caught in the pitfall traps. There were significant correlations between the mean temperature and predator activity densities and also between the predated seeds and the mean air temperature in both locations. The results of this study indicate the significant effect of temperature on postdispersal weed seed predation. Therefore, with respect to climate change and increasing global warming, it would be possible to focus on postdispersal seed predation in weed management in the future.
Common ragweed: An emerging threat for sunflower production and human health in Turkey
Authors: Ozaslan Cumali , Onen Huseyin , Farooq Shahid , Gunal Hikmet , Akyol Nihat
Published: January 2016

Common ragweed invasion poses serious risks to human health, biodiversity and agricultural production throughout the world. Although ragweed has an enormous potential to expand its range in Turkey, studies on ragweed have only concentrated on the Black Sea region. An exploratory survey was conducted to observe the level of ragweed occurrence on the nodes of predecided 10 × 10 km grids in the Thrace region of Turkey. Ragweed populations were observed in 44 out of 129 sites in a wide range of habitats, including roadsides, pastures, agricultural fields and non‐agricultural areas. The highest levels of ragweed infestation were recorded in the agricultural fields, followed by the roadsides. The most‐invaded crop was sunflower. The sunflower fields had the highest ragweed coverage as well and invasion even resulted in crop failure alongside the field borders. A spatial analysis of the data indicated that ragweed exhibited an aggregated pattern over the Thrace region. Ragweed distribution was not associated with the characteristics of the soils, which had a varying range of pH, electrical conductivity and texture. The results revealed that ragweed invasion can arise as a serious weed problem, interfering with the sustainability of sunflower production in Thrace and other sunflower‐producing regions of the country. A high degree of ragweed infestation also will contribute to the pollen level counts for the most crowded cities in the region, posing a serious danger to human health.
Cerebellar ataxias: β‐III spectrin's interactions suggest common pathogenic pathways
Authors: Perkins Emma , Suminaite Daumante , Jackson Mandy
Published: January 2016

Spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) are a genetically heterogeneous group of disorders all characterised by postural abnormalities, motor deficits and cerebellar degeneration. Animal and in vitro models have revealed β‐III spectrin, a cytoskeletal protein present throughout the soma and dendritic tree of cerebellar Purkinje cells, to be required for the maintenance of dendritic architecture and for the trafficking and/or stabilisation of several membrane proteins: ankyrin‐R, cell adhesion molecules, metabotropic glutamate receptor‐1 (mGluR1), voltage‐gated sodium channels (Nav) and glutamate transporters. This scaffold of interactions connects β‐III spectrin to a wide variety of proteins implicated in the pathology of many SCAs. Heterozygous mutations in the gene encoding β‐III spectrin (SPTBN2) underlie SCA type‐5 whereas homozygous mutations cause spectrin associated autosomal recessive ataxia type‐1 (SPARCA1), an infantile form of ataxia with cognitive impairment. Loss‐of β‐III spectrin function appears to underpin cerebellar dysfunction and degeneration in both diseases resulting in thinner dendrites, excessive dendritic protrusion with loss of planarity, reduced resurgent sodium currents and abnormal glutamatergic neurotransmission. The initial physiological consequences are a decrease in spontaneous activity and excessive excitation, likely to be offsetting each other, but eventually hyperexcitability gives rise to dark cell degeneration and reduced cerebellar output. Similar molecular mechanisms have been implicated for SCA1, 2, 3, 7, 13, 14, 19, 22, 27 and 28, highlighting alterations to intrinsic Purkinje cell activity, dendritic architecture and glutamatergic transmission as possible common mechanisms downstream of various loss‐of‐function primary genetic defects. A key question for future research is whether similar mechanisms underlie progressive cerebellar decline in normal ageing.

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Climbot: A Bio-Inspired Modular Biped Climbing Robot—System Development, Climbing Gaits, and Experiments
Authors: Guan Yisheng , Jiang Li , Zhu Haifei , Wu Wenqiang , Zhou Xuefeng , Zhang Hong , Zhang Xiangmin
Published: January 2016

Agriculture, forestry, and building industry would be prospective fields of robotic applications. High-rise tasks in these fields require robots with climbing skills. Motivated by these potential applications and inspired by animal climbing motion, we have developed a biped climbing robot—Climbot. Built with a modular approach, the robot consists of five joint modules connected in series and two special grippers mounted at the ends, with the scalability of changing degrees-of-freedom (DoFs). With this configuration, Climbot not only has superior mobility on multiple climbing media, such as poles and trusses, but also has the function of grasping and manipulating objects. It is a kind of “mobile” manipulator and represents an advancement in development of climbing robots. In this paper, we first present the development of this climbing robot with modular and bio-inspired methods, and then propose and compare three climbing gaits based on the unique configuration and features of the robot. A series of challenging and comprehensive experiments with the robot climbing in a truss and performing an outdoor manipulation task are carried out, to illustrate the feasibility, the features, the climbing, and manipulating functions of the robot, and to verify the effectiveness of the proposed gaits.
Mechanism of the Transition From In-Plane Buckling to Helical Buckling for a Stiff Nanowire on an Elastomeric Substrate
Authors: Chen Youlong , Zhu Yong , Chen Xi , Liu Yilun
Published: January 2016

In this work, the compressive buckling of a nanowire partially bonded to an elastomeric substrate is studied via finite-element method (FEM) simulations and experiments. The buckling profile of the nanowire can be divided into three regimes, i.e., the in-plane buckling, the disordered buckling in the out-of-plane direction, and the helical buckling, depending on the constraint density between the nanowire and the substrate. The selection of the buckling mode depends on the ratio d/h, where d is the distance between adjacent constraint points and h is the helical buckling spacing of a perfectly bonded nanowire. For d/h > 0.5, buckling is in-plane with wavelength λ = 2d. For 0.27 < d/h < 0.5, buckling is disordered with irregular out-of-plane displacement. While, for d/h < 0.27, buckling is helical and the buckling spacing gradually approaches to the theoretical value of a perfectly bonded nanowire. Generally, the in-plane buckling induces smaller strain in the nanowire, but consumes the largest space. Whereas the helical mode induces moderate strain in the nanowire, but takes the smallest space. The study may shed useful insights on the design and optimization of high-performance stretchable electronics and three-dimensional complex nanostructures.
Aesthetics and Gloss of Ground Surfaces: A Review on Measurement and Generation
Authors: Linke Barbara , Das Jayanti
Published: January 2016

Visual appearance of an object significantly influences a consumer's choice and largely controls the market economy. The perceived quality of products is governed by surface's optical properties (reflection, refraction, etc.), geometrical properties (roughness, waviness, etc.), and chemical properties (oxide layer formation, thermal variation, etc.). Surface shininess attracts researchers from many different disciplines, in particular manufacturing, metrology, psychology, physiology, and computer science. Unfortunately, there are still huge knowledge gaps on characterizing and appraising shiny surfaces in a reproducible way. This paper introduces the main definitions and physics of shininess and gloss, methods of gloss sensing, and relates these definitions and methods to surface generation by grinding. Automated gloss measurement is difficult in particular for free-form surfaces, and optical quality is still often evaluated by human workers. Gloss models are often based on the bidirectional reflection distribution function (BRDF) of the surface, but the models are commonly not connected with the manufacturing process. This study proposes to consider the geometrical features (defects, waviness, lay, and roughness) of metal surfaces as well as the physical and chemical features (grain structure and microlayers) to understand surface appearance and manufacturing in a holistic way. Preliminary tests show that 2D roughness measurements are not connected well with measured gloss units (GUs) and subjective, perceived quality. More fundamental research on the generation and measurement of surface appearance is needed and would benefit many industries.
Experimental Investigation Into the Relationship Between the Roughness Height in Use With Nikuradse or Colebrook Roughness Functions and the Internal Wall Roughness Profile for Commercial Steel Pipes
Authors: Botros K. K.
Published: January 2016

The relationships between the sand grain roughness height (ks) in use with Nikuradse or Colebrook correlations for the roughness function (RF) and the internal pipe wall roughness element described by the root-mean-square (RMS) of the roughness profile (Rq) for turbulent flow in pipes are experimentally examined. Flow tests were conducted on a total of 13 commercial steel pipes of two sizes: 168.3 mm and 114.3 mm outer diameter (OD). The aim was to provide further insight into relationship between ks and Rq, for use with either RF correlations. The tests were conducted on high-pressure pipeline quality natural gas in the range of Reynolds number (based on pipe internal diameter) of 9 × 106–16 × 106. For commercial carbon steel pipes, the relationship between ks and Rq was found in the form ks=1.306  Rq+0.078  Rq2 and ks=2.294  Rq (both ks and Rq in μm), for use with Colebrook and Nikuradse RF correlations, respectively. These correlations cover a wide range of Rq from 2.7 μm to 12.5 μm which is typically found in commercial carbon steel pipes. For stainless steel (SS) pipes, preliminary results indicate that other surface roughness profile parameters need to be employed to better define the values of ks for these types of commercial steel pipes.