bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An old picture … or is it? The relations between business and political networks in Hungary
Authors: Mandják Tibor , Simon Judit
Published: October 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to address two questions: how do business and political (i.e. party politics and state) networks relate? What are the consequences of the relations between these two networks for the behaviour of the actors involved?

Design/methodology/approach

The research design consists of the historical approach based on relevant literature sources of the past, a relatively long period – from 1968, the beginning of the era of market socialism, until the first decade of the twenty-first century, by which time the market economy had been established for more than 20 years. The authors analyse the behaviour of economic and non-economic actors in Hungary based on cases and historical data, applying the IMP network approach.

Findings

Research findings demonstrate the long-term influence of the relation between business and bureaucratic networks on managerial and organizational network behaviour. The old and new pictures of the economic system are different, but the background to the pictures and the movement in the two pictures are quite similar.

Research limitations/implications

The historical illustrations and cases the authors have presented cannot be too widely generalized: the characteristics of the Hungarian mode of transition from market socialism to market economy impose important limitations on the generalizability of the findings.

Practical implications

The study offers lessons to policy makers: policy decisions can have long term, unanticipated impacts on non-target areas as well.

Social implications

The results confirm that the informal networks of socialism can replicate themselves and network structures can be repurposed in the system after the transition as well.

Originality/value

One contribution of the paper is related to the second network paradox: the cases illustrate non-business relationships with non-economic factors, particularly relations with bureaucracy. The other contribution is the description of how the transition from socialism to capitalism affected the networks that firms were embedded in before and after the transition.
Management control system, leadership and gender ideology
Authors: Efferin Sujoko , Frisko Dianne , Hartanto Meliana
Published: October 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to reveal the relations between management control system (MCS), leadership style and gender ideology. It investigates how a female leader’s gendered personal values are formed, translated, produced, and reproduced in her leadership style, the subsequent MCS and organisational life.

Design/methodology/approach

This is an interpretive case study that uses the anthropological lens of emic and etic views. The emic view is derived from the interpretation of the company’s subjects. The etic view refers to the interpretation of outsiders (the researchers and previous literatures). The combination of these two views enables an in-depth understanding of the case. Interviews, observation and documentary analysis were used to collect the data.

Findings

In a gendered society, a female leader will gain full respect if she demonstrates leadership behaviours that fit her subordinates’ gendered expectations. The leader’s and followers’ common gendered cultural background will result in leadership and followership that support each other. Gendered leadership produces gendered MCS. Gendered MCS is based on gendered cultural values that direct the behaviour of organisational members to focus on certain competencies based on a single gender perspective. In turn, the gendered MCS sustains and reinforces the gendered leadership.

Research limitations/implications

The study does not focus on the potential value of including feminine measures in MCS. In the future, MCS literatures need to explore the strategic advantages of introducing measures into the system in order to develop feminine competencies in organisation. Furthermore, the processes by which MCS reinforces gendered practices in a society are not explored in the study. Therefore, another important next step is to examine the patterns of the reinforcement processes and their magnitude in strengthening the biases beyond organisational boundaries (e.g. in professional and industrial practices).

Practical implications

This study encourages leaders to consider the use of masculine and feminine characters in MCS to increase organisational effectiveness, build a more humane organisational atmosphere, establish organisational cohesion and harmonise different personal aspirations.

Originality/value

MCS literatures tend to hide gender bias in the system. This study offers insight on how MCS translates, produces and reproduces societal gendered practices in organisational life.
Caught red-handed: the cost of the Volkswagen Dieselgate
Authors: Fracarolli Nunes Mauro , Lee Park Camila
Published: October 2016

Purpose

With the investigation of the US stock market response to the Volkswagen Dieselgate, this paper aims to empirically demonstrate a case of dissemination of corporate scandals and events through industries and supply chains (i.e. inertial effect).

Design/methodology/approach

Individual event studies were conducted in the analysis of the market value fluctuations of 33 companies of the American automotive industry upon the disclosure of the scandal.

Findings

Results show that the fraud held by the German automaker spread to surrounding companies within the industry and supply chain levels of analysis, contaminating market values and costing around 6.44 billion dollars to American firms.

Originality/value

Building on the efficient market hypothesis and on the literature on supply chain management, empirical evidences support the conceptualization of the inertial effect as a valid rationale to address the dissemination of events through companies not directly involved. In that sense, the study contributes to an emerging and promising research field within the supply chain management literature. Beyond that, its interdisciplinary approach may inspire future research in the applicability of the event study methodology in similar contexts, as well as of alternative forms to empirically test other theoretical constructs.
A checklist for readiness evaluation of Learning and Teaching area of AACSB standards
Authors: Kundu Goutam Kumar , Bairi Jayachandra
Published: October 2016

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to introduce the concept of a checklist, focusing on the detailed analysis of requirements of the AACSB International – the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) standards related to the learning and teaching area – for evaluation of implementation readiness in a business school setting.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study adopted a multi-method approach for developing the final content of the checklist.

Findings

The introduction of the checklist has provided a systemic approach to process design and evaluation of readiness of a business school for AACSB accreditation related to the learning and teaching area. The checklist was developed and applied over the course of systematic reviews in a business school setting.

Research limitations/implications

The checklist has been developed considering the requirements of the AACSB standards related to the learning and teaching area only. In the near future, the authors intend to develop checklists for the remaining areas of AACSB standards.

Originality/value

This research offers a comprehensive checklist comprising the requirements of the standards related to the learning and teaching area. The checklist would be useful to the business schools that are planning to implement AACSB standards for accreditation or are interested in changing their current processes to follow AACSB standards.
Seasonal detours by soaring migrants shaped by wind regimes along the East Atlantic Flyway
Authors: Vansteelant Wouter M. G. , Shamoun‐Baranes Judy , van Manen Willem , van Diermen Jan , Bouten Willem
Published: October 2016

Avian migrants often make substantial detours between their seasonal destinations. It is likely some species do this to make the most of predictable wind regimes along their respective flyways. We test this hypothesis by studying orientation behaviour of a long‐distance soaring migrant in relation to prevailing winds along the East Atlantic Flyway.

We tracked 62 migratory journeys of 12 adult European Honey Buzzards Pernis apivorus with GPS loggers. Hourly fixes were annotated with local wind vectors from a global atmospheric model to determine orientation behaviours with respect to the buzzards’ seasonal goal destinations. This enabled us to determine hot spots where buzzards overdrifted and overcompensated for side winds. We then determined whether winds along the buzzards’ detours differed from winds prevailing elsewhere in the flyway.

Honey Buzzards cross western Africa using different routes in autumn and spring. In autumn, they overcompensated for westward winds to circumvent the Atlas Mountains on the eastern side and then overdrifted with south‐westward winds while crossing the Sahara. In spring, however, they frequently overcompensated for eastward winds to initiate a westward detour at the start of their journey. They later overdrifted with side winds north‐westward over the Sahel and north‐eastward over the Sahara, avoiding adverse winds over the central Sahara.

We conclude that Honey Buzzards make seasonal detours to utilize more supportive winds further en route and thereby expend less energy while crossing the desert. Lifelong tracking studies will be helpful to elucidate how honey buzzards and other migrants learn complex routes to exploit atmospheric circulation patterns from local to synoptic scales.
4th Dresden International Symposium on Therapeutic Apheresis 1st Congress of the European Group – International Society for Apheresis
Authors: Hohenstein Bernd
Published: October 2016

As a major event in the field of therapeutic apheresis, lipidology and immune‐modulating extracorporeal treatments, Dresden hosted the 4th International Symposium on Therapeutic Apheresis 17–19 March 2016. In conjunction with the newly founded European Group – International Society for Apheresis, this meeting attracted more than 300 clinicians and scientists from more than a dozen European countries and further developed into an important event for participants, industry and nursing staff. Due to the relevant role of lipoprotein apheresis in Germany and the recent launch of PCSK9 inhibitors corresponding sessions, the symposium reflected all aspects of this new lipidological therapy in a number of sessions. Immune‐modulating treatment and the availability of new, selective sorbent devices were a second major topic. Scientific presentations expanding on various pathophysiologically relevant aspects of apheresis were presented during an additional poster session. Overall, more than 70 individual contributions helped to keep up a lively discussion and interaction of all participants. This issue publishes a selection of submitted abstracts.
Effect of Oak Chips on Evolution of Phenolic Compounds and Color Attributes of Bog Bilberry Syrup Wine During Bottle‐Aging
Authors: Liu Shuxun , Wang Shaoyang , Yuan Guanshen , Ouyang Xiaoyu , Liu Yaran , Zhu Baoqing , Zhang Bolin
Published: October 2016

This study investigated the evolution of phenolic compounds of bog bilberry syrup wine during a bottle‐aging process, and further estimated the oak chip treatment on the wine color alteration. The wine was macerated with oak chips (2 or 5 g/L under light or medium toasting level) for 20 d and then bottle‐aged for 6 mo. Results showed that the oak chip treatment significantly increased the content of phenolic compounds and enhanced the copigmented anthocyanin level before aging. It also resulted in an increase on a* and C* but a decrease on L*, b*, and H* of the wine. During aging process, a content decrease of total phenol and antioxidant capacity of the wine was observed. Phenolic acids, flavonol glycosides, and anthocyanins reduced the content, whereas flavonol increased the content. Free and copigmented anthocyanin levels decreased, whereas polymerized anthocyanins level increased. This process caused an increase on L*, b*, and H*, but a decrease on a* and C*. The oak chip treatment delayed the wine color change and its effect was mainly depended on the addition amount. Partial least square regression revealed that flavonol glycosides, phenolic acids, and anthocyanins displayed a positive correlation with L*, b*, and H*, but a negative correlation with a* and C*. Quercetin‐3‐O‐glucuronide, myricetin‐3‐O‐galactoside, chlorogenic acid, and quercetin exerted a more important effect on the color alteration in wine.
Nitrate‐ and nitrite‐dependent anaerobic oxidation of methane
Authors: Welte Cornelia U. , Rasigraf Olivia , Vaksmaa Annika , Versantvoort Wouter , Arshad Arslan , Op den Camp Huub J.M. , Jetten Mike S.M. , Lüke Claudia , Reimann Joachim
Published: October 2016

Microbial methane oxidation is an important process to reduce the emission of the greenhouse gas methane. Anaerobic microorganisms couple the oxidation of methane to the reduction of sulfate, nitrate and nitrite, and possibly oxidized iron and manganese minerals. In this article, we review the recent finding of the intriguing nitrate‐ and nitrite‐dependent anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM). Nitrate‐dependent AOM is catalyzed by anaerobic archaea belonging to the ANME‐2d clade closely related to Methanosarcina methanogens. They were named ‘Candidatus Methanoperedens nitroreducens’ and use reverse methanogenesis with the key enzyme methyl‐coenzyme M (methyl‐CoM) reductase for methane activation. Their major end product is nitrite which can be taken up by nitrite‐dependent methanotrophs. Nitrite‐dependent AOM is performed by the NC10 bacterium ‘Candidatus Methylomirabilis oxyfera’ that probably utilizes an intra‐aerobic pathway through the dismutation of NO to N2 and O2 for aerobic methane activation by methane monooxygenase, yet being a strictly anaerobic microbe. Environmental distribution, physiological and biochemical aspects are discussed in this article as well as the cooperation of the microorganisms involved.
Grit in patients with substance use disorders
Authors: Griffin Margaret L. , McDermott Katherine A. , McHugh R. Kathryn , Fitzmaurice Garrett M. , Weiss Roger D.
Published: October 2016

Background and Objectives

Grit is an emerging concept in positive psychology, defined as the ability to be persistent and focused in pursuit of long‐term goals. This concept has received a great deal of interest recently because of its robust ability to predict success and well‐being across a wide variety of domains. The study aim was to examine the clinical relevance of the construct of grit among patients with substance use disorders.

Methods

Inpatients on a detoxification unit were enrolled from September 2013 to August 2015 (N = 673). Psychometric properties of the Short Grit Scale (Grit‐S) were reported. We then examined sociodemographic and clinical variables that might be associated with grit in this population.

Results

In this sample of patients with substance use disorders, the total Grit‐S demonstrated strong psychometric properties. Grit‐S scores were higher among older patients and those who were employed; scores were lower among those never married, diagnosed with a co‐occurring psychiatric disorder, or who had used heroin during the past month, according to bivariate analyses. Grit‐S scores remained associated with age, employment, and presence of a co‐occurring psychiatric disorder in adjusted analysis.

Conclusions and Scientific Significance

This study provides initial support for the utility of the Grit‐S among those with substance use disorders; this novel measure has not been previously reported in clinical populations. Research examining grit prospectively is needed to determine whether the links between grit and outcomes observed in other populations apply to patients with substance use disorders. (Am J Addict 2016;25:652–658)
Prokaryotic expression of chicken interferon‐γ fusion protein and its effect on expression of poultry heat shock protein 70 under heat stress
Authors: Sun Jinhua , Chen Yinglin , Qin Feiyue , Guan Xueting , Xu Wei , Xu Liangmei
Published: October 2016

Interferons have attracted considerable attention due to their vital roles in the host immune response and low induction of antibiotic resistance. In this study, total RNA was extracted from spleen cells of chicken embryos inoculated with Newcastle disease vaccine, and the full‐length chicken interferon‐γ (ChIFN‐γ) gene was amplified by RT‐PCR. The full complementary DNA sequence of the ChIFN‐γ gene was 495 bp long and was cloned into the prokaryotic expression vector pProEX™HTb. The plasmid was transformed into Escherichia coli DH5α and the expression of ChIFN‐γ was induced by isopropyl β‐D‐1‐thiogalactopyranoside. Sodium dodecyl sulfate – polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blot results showed the expressed fusion protein had a molecular weight of approximately 18 kDa and was recognized by an anti‐His mAb. Moreover, ChIFN‐γ was found to demonstrate anti‐viral activity in vitro. To test the in vivo function of ChIFN‐γ in broilers under heat stress, a total of 100 broilers were randomly assigned to either a control group or a treated group, in which they were hypodermically injected with recombinant ChIFN‐γ. Results demonstrated ChIFN‐γ affects the messenger RNA expression levels of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) in the heart and lung tissues, and decreases the concentration of HSP70 in serum. Therefore, we conclude recombinant ChIFN‐γ can reduce heat stress to some extent in vivo.
Replication of genome‐wide association study (GWAS) susceptibility loci in a Latino bipolar disorder cohort
Authors: Gonzalez Suzanne , Gupta Jayanta , Villa Erika , Mallawaarachchi Indika , Rodriguez Marco , Ramirez Mercedes , Zavala Juan , Armas Regina , Dassori Albana , Contreras Javier , Flores Deborah , Jerez Alvaro , Ontiveros Alfonso , Nicolini Humberto , Escamilla Michael
Published: October 2016

Objectives

Recent genome‐wide association studies (GWASs) have identified numerous putative genetic polymorphisms associated with bipolar disorder (BD) and/or schizophrenia (SC). We hypothesized that a portion of these polymorphisms would also be associated with BD in the Latino American population. To identify such regions, we tested previously identified genetic variants associated with BD and/or SC and ancestral haploblocks containing these single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in a sample of Latino subjects with BD.

Methods

A total of 2254 Latino individuals were genotyped for 91 SNPs identified in previous BD and/or SC GWASs, along with selected SNPs in strong linkage disequilibrium with these markers. Family‐based single marker and haplotype association testing was performed using the PBAT software package. Empirical P‐values were derived from 10 000 permutations.

Results

Associations of eight a priori GWAS SNPs with BD were replicated with nominal (P≤.05) levels of significance. These included SNPs within nuclear factor I A (NFIA), serologically defined colon cancer antigen 8 (SDCCAG8), lysosomal associated membrane protein 3 (LAMP3), nuclear factor kappa B subunit 1 (NFKB1), major histocompatibility complex, class I, B (HLA‐B) and 5′‐nucleotidase, cytosolic II (NT5C2) and SNPs within intragenic regions microRNA 6828 (MIR6828)—solute carrier family 7 member 14 (SLC7A14) and sonic hedgehog (SHH)—long intergenic non‐protein coding RNA 1006 (LINC01006). Of the 76 ancestral haploblocks that were tested for associations with BD, our top associated haploblock was located in LAMP3; however, the association did not meet statistical thresholds of significance following Bonferroni correction.

Conclusions

These results indicate that some of the gene variants found to be associated with BD or SC in other populations are also associated with BD risk in Latinos. Variants in six genes and two intragenic regions were associated with BD in our Latino sample and provide additional evidence for overlap in genetic risk between SC and BD.
Inference in Randomized Trials with Death and Missingness
Authors: Wang Chenguang , Scharfstein Daniel O. , Colantuoni Elizabeth , Girard Timothy D. , Yan Ying
Published: October 2016

In randomized studies involving severely ill patients, functional outcomes are often unobserved due to missed clinic visits, premature withdrawal, or death. It is well known that if these unobserved functional outcomes are not handled properly, biased treatment comparisons can be produced. In this article, we propose a procedure for comparing treatments that is based on a composite endpoint that combines information on both the functional outcome and survival. We further propose a missing data imputation scheme and sensitivity analysis strategy to handle the unobserved functional outcomes not due to death. Illustrations of the proposed method are given by analyzing data from a recent non-small cell lung cancer clinical trial and a recent trial of sedation interruption among mechanically ventilated patients.
Decreased serum PCSK9 levels after ischaemic stroke predict worse outcomes
Authors: Liberale Luca , Montecucco Fabrizio , Casetta Ilaria , Seraceni Silva , Trentini Alessandro , Padroni Marina , Dallegri Franco , Mach François , Fainardi Enrico , Carbone Federico
Published: October 2016

Background

Soluble mediators have been investigated to predict the prognosis of acute ischaemic stroke (AIS). Among them, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) might have both clinical and pathophysiological relevance.

Materials and methods

All available serum samples from a cohort of patients with first AIS (n = 72) were tested for PCSK9 and included in this substudy analysis. The primary endpoint investigated the predictive value of early PCSK9 level variations (ΔPCSK9) from AIS onset to day 7 or from day 1 to day 7, towards a 90‐day outcome by modified Rankin Scale (mRS). The secondary endpoint explored the association between ΔPCSK9 and the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs).

Results

Decreased serum PCSK9 levels at days 1 and 7 were associated with poor clinical outcomes at day 90. At the cut‐off point identified by ROC curve analysis (−61·28 ng/mL), ΔPCSK9 day 7–day 1 predicted a poor mRS at day 90 after AIS. ΔPCSK9 day 7–day 1 ≤ −61·28 ng/mL was associated with an increased rate of MACEs.

Conclusion

A decrease in PCSK9 levels was a predictor for poor outcome and increased MACEs after AIS. Additional studies targeting post‐AIS PCSK9 levels and activity are required to clarify the prognostic and pathophysiological relevance of PCSK9 after AIS.
Body size phenology in a regional bee fauna: a temporal extension of Bergmann's rule
Authors: Osorio‐Canadas Sergio , Arnan Xavier , Rodrigo Anselm , Torné‐Noguera Anna , Molowny Roberto , Bosch Jordi
Published: October 2016

Bergmann's rule originally described a positive relationship between body size and latitude in warm‐blooded animals. Larger animals, with a smaller surface/volume ratio, are better enabled to conserve heat in cooler climates (thermoregulatory hypothesis). Studies on endothermic vertebrates have provided support for Bergmann's rule, whereas studies on ectotherms have yielded conflicting results. If the thermoregulatory hypothesis is correct, negative relationships between body size and temperature should occur in temporal in addition to geographical gradients. To explore this possibility, we analysed seasonal activity patterns in a bee fauna comprising 245 species. In agreement with our hypothesis of a different relationship for large (endothermic) and small (ectothermic) species, we found that species larger than 27.81 mg (dry weight) followed Bergmann's rule, whereas species below this threshold did not. Our results represent a temporal extension of Bergmann's rule and indicate that body size and thermal physiology play an important role in structuring community phenology.
Tetrahydrobiopterin redox cycling in nitric oxide synthase: evidence supports a through‐heme electron delivery
Authors: Ramasamy Somasundaram , Haque Mohammad Mahfuzul , Gangoda Mahinda , Stuehr Dennis J.
Published: October 2016

The nitric oxide synthases (NOS) catalyze a two‐step oxidation of l‐arginine (Arg) to generate NO. In the first step, O2 activation involves one electron being provided to the heme by an enzyme‐bound 6R‐tetrahydro‐l‐biopterin cofactor (H4B), and the H4B radical must be reduced back to H4B in order for NOS to continue catalysis. Although an NADPH‐derived electron is used to reduce the H4B radical, how this occurs is unknown. We hypothesized that the NOS flavoprotein domain might reduce the H4B radical by utilizing the NOS heme porphyrin as a conduit to deliver the electron. This model predicts that factors influencing NOS heme reduction should also influence the extent and rate of H4B radical reduction in kind. To test this, we utilized single catalytic turnover and stop‐freeze methods, along with electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, to measure the rate and extent of reduction of the 5‐methyl‐H4B radical formed in neuronal NOS (nNOS) during Arg hydroxylation. We used several nNOS variants that supported either a slower or faster than normal rate of ferric heme reduction. We found that the rates and extents of nNOS heme reduction correlated well with the rates and extents of 5‐methyl‐H4B radical reduction among the various nNOS enzymes. This supports a model where the heme porphyrin transfers an electron from the NOS flavoprotein to the H4B radical formed during catalysis, revealing that the heme plays a dual role in catalyzing O2 activation or electron transfer at distinct points in the reaction cycle.
Habitats across the life cycle of hilsa shad (Tenualosa ilisha) in aquatic ecosystem of Bangladesh
Authors: Hossain M. S. , Sharifuzzaman S. M. , Chowdhury S. R. , Sarker S.
Published: October 2016

Aquatic habitat connectivity is vital for the continued existence of migratory fish. Using GIS and outranking multicriteria analysis based on hydrometeorological data, this study describes habitat preference of egg, fry, juvenile and adult phases of hilsa shad, Tenualosa ilisha (Hamilton), as well as their spawning areas in the aquatic ecosystems of Bangladesh. The total area studied was 29 484 km2, about 29% of which belonged to the Meghna, Shahbajpur, Tetulia and Ander Manik rivers, and the channels of Sandwip, Kutubdia and Moheshkhali islands, which provide the most suitable habitat for the species. An additional 27% of moderately suitable area was located in other deltaic rivers and inshore waters. The remaining 44% was offshore deeper water, which was least suitable for hilsa. The most suitable area for spawning, eggs, fry, adults and juveniles was 6, 11, 29, 38 and 56% of the area, respectively. The model outputs were validated against field measurements and fishers’ indigenous knowledge with an accuracy level of 92%. Thus, this study provides key information about the location of hilsa at different stages of its life cycle, information useful in understanding its occurrence over a relatively large geographical area. Information of this kind is useful in fishery conservation and management.
Phytoplankton dynamics in the Congo River
Authors: Descy Jean‐Pierre , Darchambeau François , Lambert Thibault , Stoyneva‐Gaertner Maya P. , Bouillon Steven , Borges Alberto V.
Published: October 2016

We report a dataset of phytoplankton in the Congo River, acquired along a 1700‐km stretch in the mainstem during high water (HW, December 2013) and falling water (FW, June 2014). Samples for phytoplankton analysis were collected in the main river, in tributaries and one lake, and various relevant environmental variables were measured. Phytoplankton biomass and composition were determined by high‐performance liquid chromatography analysis of chlorophyll a (Chl a) and marker pigments and by microscopy. Primary production measurements were made using the 13C incubation technique. In addition, data are also reported from a 19‐month regular sampling (bi‐monthly) at a fixed station in the mainstem of the upper Congo (at the city of Kisangani).

Chl a concentrations differed between the two periods studied: in the mainstem, they varied between 0.07 and 1.77 μg L−1 in HW conditions and between 1.13 and 7.68 μg L−1 in FW conditions. The relative contribution to phytoplankton biomass from tributaries (mostly black waters) and from a few permanent lakes was low, and the main confluences resulted in phytoplankton dilution. Based on marker pigment concentration, green algae (both chlorophytes and streptophytes) dominated in the mainstem in HW, whereas diatoms dominated in FW; cryptophytes and cyanobacteria were more abundant but still relatively low in the FW period, both in the tributaries and in the main channel.

Daily integrated production measured in the mainstem (n = 15) varied between 64.3 and 434.1 mg C m−2 day−1 in FW conditions and between 51.5 and 247.6 mg C m−2 day−1 in HW. Phytoplankton biomass in the Congo River mainstem was likely constrained by hydrological factors (accumulation due to increased retention time during FW, dilution by increased discharge during HW), even though increased nutrient availability in the FW period might have also stimulated phytoplankton production.

In contrast to other tropical river systems where connectivity with the floodplain and the presence of natural lakes and man‐made reservoirs play a prominent role in the recruitment of phytoplankton to the main river, our results show that phytoplankton growth in the Congo River can take place in the main channel, with hydrological processes allowing maintenance of phytoplankton biomass even during HW.
Marine species in ambient low‐oxygen regions subject to double jeopardy impacts of climate change
Authors: Stortini Christine H. , Chabot Denis , Shackell Nancy L.
Published: October 2016

We have learned much about the impacts of warming on the productivity and distribution of marine organisms, but less about the impact of warming combined with other environmental stressors, including oxygen depletion. Also, the combined impact of multiple environmental stressors requires evaluation at the scales most relevant to resource managers. We use the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada, characterized by a large permanently hypoxic zone, as a case study. Species distribution models were used to predict the impact of multiple scenarios of warming and oxygen depletion on the local density of three commercially and ecologically important species. Substantial changes are projected within 20–40 years. A eurythermal depleted species already limited to shallow, oxygen‐rich refuge habitat (Atlantic cod) may be relatively uninfluenced by oxygen depletion but increase in density within refuge areas with warming. A more stenothermal, deep‐dwelling species (Greenland halibut) is projected to lose ~55% of its high‐density areas under the combined impacts of warming and oxygen depletion. Another deep‐dwelling, more eurythermal species (Northern shrimp) would lose ~4% of its high‐density areas due to oxygen depletion alone, but these impacts may be buffered by warming, which may increase density by 8% in less hypoxic areas, but decrease density by ~20% in the warmest parts of the region. Due to local climate variability and extreme events, and that our models cannot project changes in species sensitivity to hypoxia with warming, our results should be considered conservative. We present an approach to effectively evaluate the individual and cumulative impacts of multiple environmental stressors on a species‐by‐species basis at the scales most relevant to managers. Our study may provide a basis for work in other low‐oxygen regions and should contribute to a growing literature base in climate science, which will continue to be of support for resource managers as climate change accelerates.
The pathological features of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia‐associated pulmonary adenocarcinomas
Authors: Kojima Yoko , Okudela Koji , Matsumura Mai , Omori Takahiro , Baba Tomohisa , Sekine Akimasa , Woo Tetsukan , Umeda Shigeaki , Takemura Tamiko , Mitsui Hideaki , Suzuki Takehisa , Tateishi Yoko , Iwasawa Tae , Arai Hiromasa , Tajiri Michihiko , Ogura Takashi , Kameda Yoichi , Masuda Munetaka , Ohashi Kenich
Published: October 2016

Aims

To investigate the pathological features of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP)‐associated pulmonary adenocarcinoma.

Methods and results

Surgically resected adenocarcinomas associated with IIP (the IIP group) and adenocarcinomas without IIP (the non‐IIP group) were subjected to analysis. Adenocarcinomas in the IIP group were subdivided into two groups: one group included tumours connected to bronchiolar metaplasia in honeycomb lesions (the H‐IIP group), and the other included tumours unrelated to honeycomb lesions (the NH‐IIP group). Histomorphological appearance and immunohistochemical expression were compared among the H‐IIP group, the NH‐IIP group, and the non‐IIP group. Most of the tumour cells in the H‐IIP group had a tall, columnar shape that showed similar features to proximal bronchial epithelium, whereas tumour cells in the NH‐IIP group and the non‐IIP group had a club‐like shape that showed similar features to respiratory bronchiolar/alveolar epithelium. Adenocarcinomas in the H‐IIP group tended to be negative for thyroid transcription factor‐1 (TTF‐1) and positive for hepatocyte nuclear factor‐4α (HNF‐4α). The frequency of EGFR mutations was significantly lower in adenocarcinomas in the H‐IIP group, although the frequencies of KRAS and ALK mutations did not differ among the three groups.

Conclusions

Idiopathic interstitial pneumonia‐associated pulmonary adenocarcinomas, especially those arising from honeycomb lesions, have distinct pathological features.
Antioxidant activity of predigested protein obtained from a range of farmed edible insects
Authors: Zielińska Ewelina , Karaś Monika , Jakubczyk Anna
Published: October 2016

This study investigated the antioxidant activities of peptides obtained by in vitro gastrointestinal digestion of edible insects. The antioxidant potential of edible insects' hydrolysates was determined as the free radical‐scavenging activity, ion chelating activity and reducing power. The highest antiradical activity against DPPH˙, whose IC50 value is the lowest, was noted for Amphiacusta annulipes (19.1 μg/mL) and that against ABTS˙+ was the highest for Zophobas morio (4.6 μg/mL). The peptides obtained from A. annulipes also showed the highest Fe2+ chelation ability (58.82%) and reducing power (0.652). The highest ability to chelate Cu2+ was noted for Locusta migratoria (86.05%). The locust was characterised by the highest concentration of peptides before digestion and after digestion (3.13 and 5.88 mg/mL, respectively), and the DH was 36.29%.
Tumor size and Fuhrman grade further enhance the prognostic impact of perinephric fat invasion and renal vein extension in T3a staging of renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Chen Kenneth , Lee Bing Long , Huang Hong Hong , Tan Benjamin Yongcheng , Lee Lui Shiong , Ng Lay Guat , Lau Weber , Yuen John Shyi Peng
Published: October 2016

Objective

To evaluate the prognostic values of perinephric fat invasion and renal vein invasion in pT3a renal cell carcinoma, as stand‐alone factors and in combination with tumor size and Fuhrman grade.

Methods

Survival data of pT1 and pT2 renal cell carcinomas were analyzed alongside pT3a tumors of similar size bands (pT1 vs pT3a <7 cm, pT2 vs pT3a >7 cm). Patients with adjuvant therapy, positive surgical margins, metastasis or pT3b–pT4 tumors were excluded.

Results

No significant baseline demographic differences existed between the groups. Patients with renal vein invasion had larger tumors (median, 7.2 ± 3.0 cm vs 5.5 ± 3.6 cm, P = 0.039), and were more symptomatic (90.0% vs 61.7%, P = 0.028) compared with patients with perinephric fat invasion alone. Patients with perinephric fat invasion alone appeared to have better disease‐free survival compared with those with renal vein invasion (P = 0.009). Having both perinephric fat invasion and renal vein invasion did not result in a poorer disease‐free survival. pT3a (perinephric fat invasion) tumors <4 cm and 4–7 cm have significantly worse disease‐free survival compared with pT1a and pT1b tumors (P < 0.001). Similarly, pT3a (perinephric fat invasion) tumors measuring ≥7 show a trend of poorer disease‐free survival compared with pT2a and pT2b tumors (P = 0.267). Disease‐free survival correlated with Fuhrman grading for patients with perinephric fat invasion (P = 0.008). In multivariate analysis, the survival curve of pT3a perinephric fat invasion group closely approximates that of pT2 group, whereas survival of the renal vein invasion group was significantly worse than the pT2 and perinephric fat invasion groups (P = 0.001).

Conclusion

pT3a tumors with perinephric fat invasion appear to have better prognosis than those with renal vein invasion. Further stratification of pT3a renal cell carcinomas with regard to tumor size and Fuhrman grade further enhances the prognostic value in this group.
Effects of pacifier use on transition to full breastfeeding and sucking skills in preterm infants: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Kaya Vildan , Aytekin Aynur
Published: October 2016

Aims and objectives

To determine the effects of pacifier use on transition to full breastfeeding and sucking skills in preterm infants.

Background

Feeding problems in preterm infants cause delays in hospital discharge, extend mother–infant reunification and increase medical cost. Nutritive sucking skills of preterm infants may develop by improving non‐nutritive sucking skills and increasing sucking experiences.

Design

A prospective, randomised controlled trial conducted in the Eastern Turkey.

Methods

Seventy infants were randomised into two groups: a pacifier group (n = 34) and a control group (n = 36). Pacifier use was applied in the preterm infants in the pacifier group, up to switching to full breastfeeding. The infants in the control group did not use pacifiers. Data were collected by a researcher using the Preterm Infant Introductory Information Form, the Preterm Infant Monitoring Form and the LATCH Breastfeeding Assessment Tool. For the study, ethics committee approval, official permission and written informed consents of the families were obtained.

Results

The time to transition to full breastfeeding (123·06 ± 66·56 hours) and the time to discharge (434·50 ± 133·29 hours) in the pacifier group were significantly shorter compared to the control group (167·78 ± 91·77 and 593·63 ± 385·32 hours, respectively) (p < 0·05). The weight at transition to full breastfeeding (1944·12 ± 275·67 g) and the weight of discharge (1956·45 ± 268·04 g) in the pacifier group were significantly lower compared to the control group (2155·58 ± 345·57 and 2159·75 ± 341·22 g, respectively) (p < 0·05). Sucking skills of the infants in the pacifier group at 48 hours after transition to oral feeding and before the discharge was better than in the control group (p < 0·05).

Conclusion

Pacifier use improved the sucking skills and shortened the time to transition to full breastfeeding and to discharge in preterm infants receiving complementary feeding.

Relevance to clinical practice

Pacifier use may be recommended to accelerate transition to full breastfeeding and to improve the sucking skills in preterm infants who were fed by both oral route and complementary feeding in the neonatal intensive care units.
Morphological and Molecular Identification of Phytophthora tropicalis as Causal Agent of Crown and Root Rot on Albizia julibrissin
Authors: Luongo Laura , Vitale Salvatore , Galli Massimo , Haegi Anita , Wagner Stefan , Werres Sabine , Belisario Alessandra
Published: October 2016

Isolates of a Phytophthora sp. were obtained from soil and root baiting of declining Albizia julibrissin plants grown in soil in an Italian nursery. Identification was performed on the basis of morphological, pathological and molecular features. As main characteristics, isolates did not grow at 35°C, were poorly pathogenic when inoculated on bell pepper plants, and had the average sporangium pedicel length longer than 100, being similar to Phytophthora tropicalis. A comparative study of internal transcribed spacer, beta‐tubulin, translation elongation factor‐1 alpha and cytochrome c oxidase subunit II (CoxII) sequences supported the identification of the isolates as P. tropicalis. Comparison included all the European isolate sequences available in GenBank. Pathogenicity tests reproduced symptoms of root and crown browning and rotting and wilting as originally observed on nursery plants. Considering all the results, we identified P. tropicalis as the causal agent of A. julibrissin decline, crown and root rot. To our knowledge, this is the first report of this host–pathogen combination in Italy or elsewhere. P. tropicalis has to be considered a serious threat to agricultural and natural environment because it is highly polyphagous and easy to spread due to its caducous sporangia.
Comparison of type 2 diabetes mellitus incidence in different phases of hepatitis B virus infection: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Shen Yi , Zhang Sheng , Wang Xulin , Wang Yuanyuan , Zhang Jian , Qin Gang , Li Wenchao , Ding Kun , Zhang Lei , Liang Feng
Published: October 2016

Background

Because whether hepatitis B virus infection increases the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus has been a controversial topic, pair‐wise and network meta‐analyses of published literature were carried out to accurately evaluate the association between different phases of hepatitis B virus infection and the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Methods

A comprehensive literature retrieval was conducted from the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and Chinese Database to identify epidemiological studies on the association between hepatitis B virus infection and the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus that were published from 1999 to 2015. A pair‐wise meta‐analysis of direct evidence was performed to estimate the pooled odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. A network meta‐analysis was conducted, including the construction of a network plot, inconsistency plot, predictive interval plot, comparison‐adjusted funnel plot and rank diagram, to graphically link the direct and indirect comparisons between different hepatitis B virus infective phases.

Results

Eighteen publications (n=113 639) describing 32 studies were included in this meta‐analysis. In the pair‐wise meta‐analysis, the pooled odds ratio for type 2 diabetes mellitus in chronic hepatitis B cirrhosis patients was 1.76 (95% confidence interval: 1.44‐2.14) when compared with non‐cirrhotic chronic hepatitis B patients. In the network meta‐analysis, six comparisons of four hepatitis B virus infectious states indicated the following descending order for the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus: hepatitis B cirrhosis patients, non‐cirrhotic chronic hepatitis B patients, hepatitis B virus carriers and non‐hepatitis B virus controls.

Conclusion

This study suggests that hepatitis B virus infection is not an independent risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus, but the development of cirrhosis may increase the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus cirrhosis.
Phylogeography of the heavily poached African common pangolin (Pholidota, Manis tricuspis) reveals six cryptic lineages as traceable signatures of Pleistocene diversification
Authors: Gaubert Philippe , Njiokou Flobert , Ngua Gabriel , Afiademanyo Komlan , Dufour Sylvain , Malekani Jean , Bi Sery Gonedelé , Tougard Christelle , Olayemi Ayodeji , Danquah Emmanuel , Djagoun Chabi A. M. S. , Kaleme Prince , Mololo Casimir Nebesse , Stanley William , Luo Shu‐Jin , Antunes Agostinho
Published: October 2016

Knowledge on faunal diversification in African rainforests remains scarce. We used phylogeography to assess (i) the role of Pleistocene climatic oscillations in the diversification of the African common pangolin (Manis tricuspis) and (ii) the utility of our multilocus approach for taxonomic delineation and trade tracing of this heavily poached species. We sequenced 101 individuals for two mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), two nuclear DNA and one Y‐borne gene fragments (totalizing 2602 bp). We used a time‐calibrated, Bayesian inference phylogenetic framework and conducted character‐based, genetic and phylogenetic delineation of species hypotheses within African common pangolins. We identified six geographic lineages partitioned into western Africa, Ghana, the Dahomey Gap, western central Africa, Gabon and central Africa, all diverging during the Middle to Late Pleistocene. MtDNA (cytochrome b + control region) was the sole locus to provide diagnostic characters for each of the six lineages. Tree‐based Bayesian delimitation methods using single‐ and multilocus approaches gave high support for ‘species’ level recognition of the six African common pangolin lineages. Although the diversification of African common pangolins occurred during Pleistocene cyclical glaciations, causative correlation with traditional rainforest refugia and riverine barriers in Africa was not straightforward. We conclude on the existence of six cryptic lineages within African common pangolins, which might be of major relevance for future conservation strategies. The high discriminative power of the mtDNA markers used in this study should allow an efficient molecular tracing of the regional origin of African common pangolin seizures.
Signatures of local adaptation in candidate genes of oaks (Quercus spp.) with respect to present and future climatic conditions
Authors: Rellstab Christian , Zoller Stefan , Walthert Lorenz , Lesur Isabelle , Pluess Andrea R. , Graf René , Bodénès Catherine , Sperisen Christoph , Kremer Antoine , Gugerli Felix
Published: October 2016

Testing how populations are locally adapted and predicting their response to their future environment is of key importance in view of climate change. Landscape genomics is a powerful approach to investigate genes and environmental factors involved in local adaptation. In a pooled amplicon sequencing approach of 94 genes in 71 populations, we tested whether >3500 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the three most common oak species in Switzerland (Quercus petraea, Q. pubescens, Q. robur) show an association with abiotic factors related to local topography, historical climate and soil characteristics. In the analysis including all species, the most frequently associated environmental factors were those best describing the habitats of the species. In the species‐specific analyses, the most important environmental factors and associated SNPs greatly differed among species. However, we identified one SNP and seven genes that were associated with the same environmental factor across all species. We finally used regressions of allele frequencies of the most strongly associated SNPs along environmental gradients to predict the risk of nonadaptedness (RONA), which represents the average change in allele frequency at climate‐associated loci theoretically required to match future climatic conditions. RONA is considerable for some populations and species (up to 48% in single populations) and strongly differs among species. Given the long generation time of oaks, some of the required allele frequency changes might not be realistic to achieve based on standing genetic variation. Hence, future adaptedness requires gene flow or planting of individuals carrying beneficial alleles from habitats currently matching future climatic conditions.