bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Later flowering is associated with a compressed flowering season and reduced reproductive output in an early season floral resource
Authors: Rafferty Nicole E. , Bertelsen C. David , Bronstein Judith L.
Published: September 2015

Climate change‐induced shifts in flowering phenology can expose plants to novel biotic and abiotic environments, potentially leading to decreased temporal overlap with pollinators and exposure to conditions that negatively affect fruit and seed set. We explored the relationship between flowering phenology and reproductive output in the common shrub pointleaf manzanita Arctostaphylos pungens in a lower montane habitat in southeastern Arizona, USA. Contrary to the pattern of progressively earlier flowering observed in many species, long‐term records show that A. pungens flowering onset is shifting later and the flowering season is being compressed. This species can thus provide unusual insight into the effects of altered phenology. To determine the consequences of among‐ and within‐plant variation in flowering time, we documented individual flowering schedules and followed the fates of flowers on over 50 plants throughout two seasons (2012 and 2013). We also measured visitation rates by potential pollinators in 2012, as well as both fruit mass and seeds per fruit of flowers produced at different times. Fruit set was positively related to visitation rate but declined with later dates of flower production in both years. Total fruit production per plant was positively influenced by flowering duration, which declined with later flowering onset, as did fruit mass. Individual flowering schedules were consistent between years, suggesting that plants that begin flowering late have lower reproductive output each year. These patterns suggest that if pointleaf manzanita flowering continues to shift later, its flowering season may continue to become shorter, compressing floral resource availability for pollinators and leading to reduced reproductive output. These results reveal the negative effects of delayed phenology on reproductive output in a long‐lived plant. They highlight the value of using natural variation in flowering time, in combination with long‐term data, to anticipate the consequences of phenological shifts.
Spatial averaging and disturbance lead to high productivity in aquatic metacommunities
Authors: Smeti Evangelia , Roelke Daniel L. , Spatharis Sofie
Published: September 2015

Dispersal in heterogeneous ecosystems, such as coastal metacommunities, is a major driver of diversity and productivity. According to theory, both species richness and spatial averaging shape a unimodal relationship of productivity with dispersal. We experimentally tested the hypothesis that disturbances acting on local patches would buffer the loss of productivity at high dispersal by preventing synchronized species oscillations. To simulate these disturbances, our experimental assemblages involved species that self‐organized in isolation under three inflow pulsing frequencies, where hydraulic displacement and nutrient loading affected assemblage diversity and composition. At steady‐state, the emerging isolated assemblages were connected at three levels of dispersal creating three metacommunities of different connectivity. Consistent with theory, as dispersal increased, species richness in the metacommunity declined; productivity however remained high. This occurred because the most productive species in our study (which dominated the isolated patch of intermediate inflow pulsing frequency) dominated all three patches (low, intermediate and high inflow pulsing frequencies) after dispersal commenced in our metacommunities. This experimental result provides empirical support for the mechanism of spatial averaging. Furthermore, disturbances, in the form of localized pulsed inflows, prevented population oscillation synchrony caused by homogenization. Overall, our observations suggest that localized environmental fluctuations and the identity of species seem to be more influential than dispersal in shaping the diversity and composition of phytoplankton assemblages and stabilizing productivity.
Stoichiometric imbalances between detritus and detritivores are related to shifts in ecosystem functioning
Authors: Frainer André , Jabiol Jérémy , Gessner Mark O. , Bruder Andreas , Chauvet Eric , MKie Brendan G.
Published: September 2015

How are resource consumption and growth rates of litter‐consuming detritivores affected by imbalances between consumer and litter C:N:P ratios? To address this question, we offered leaf litter as food to three aquatic detritivore species, which represent a gradient of increasing body N:P ratios: a crustacean, a caddisfly and a stonefly. The detritivores were placed in microcosms and submerged in a natural stream. Four contrasting leaf species were offered, both singly and in two‐species mixtures, to obtain different levels of stoichiometric imbalance between the resources and their consumers. The results suggest that detritivore growth was constrained by N rather than C or P, even though 1) the N:P ratios of the consumers’ body tissue was relatively low and 2) microbial leaf conditioning during the experiment reduced the N:P imbalance between detritivores and leaf litter. This surprisingly consistent N limitation may be a consequence of cumulative N‐demand arising from the production of N‐rich chitin in the exoskeletons of all three consumer species, which is lost during regular moults, in addition to N‐demand for silk production by the caddisfly. These N requirements are not commonly quantified in stoichiometric analyses of arthropod consumers. There was no evidence for compensatory feeding, but when offered mixed‐species litter varying in C:N:P ratios, detritivores consumed more of the litter species showing the highest N:P and lowest C:N ratio, accelerating the mass loss of the preferred leaf species in the litter mixture. These results show that imbalances in consumer–resource stoichiometry can have contrasting effects on coupled processes, highlighting a challenge in developing a mechanistic understanding of the role of stoichiometry in regulating ecosystem processes such as leaf litter decomposition.
Complement therapeutics in inflammatory diseases: promising drug candidates for C3‐targeted intervention
Authors: Mastellos D.C. , Ricklin D. , Hajishengallis E. , Hajishengallis G. , Lambris J.D.
Published: September 2015

There is increasing appreciation that complement dysregulation lies at the heart of numerous immune‐mediated and inflammatory disorders. Complement inhibitors are therefore being evaluated as new therapeutic options in various clinical translation programs and the first clinically approved complement‐targeted drugs have profoundly impacted the management of certain complement‐mediated diseases. Among the many members of the intricate protein network of complement, the central component C3 represents a ‘hot‐spot’ for complement‐targeted therapeutic intervention. C3 modulates both innate and adaptive immune responses and is linked to diverse immunomodulatory systems and biological processes that affect human pathophysiology. Compelling evidence from preclinical disease models has shown that C3 interception may offer multiple benefits over existing therapies or even reveal novel therapeutic avenues in disorders that are not commonly regarded as complement‐driven, such as periodontal disease. Using the clinically developed compstatin family of C3 inhibitors and periodontitis as illustrative examples, this review highlights emerging therapeutic concepts and developments in the design of C3‐targeted drug candidates as novel immunotherapeutics for oral and systemic inflammatory diseases.
Attachment styles in patients with avoidant personality disorder compared with social phobia
Authors: Eikenæs Ingeborg , Pedersen Geir , Wilberg Theresa
Published: September 2015

Objectives

Avoidant personality disorder (AvPD) and social phobia (SP) are common, closely related conditions. Little is known about the underlying processes related to the social discomfort of subjects with AvPD and SP. Both disorders are associated with interpersonal problems. An attachment perspective may shed light on similarities and differences in close relationships between the disorders. The aim of the study was to compare self‐reported attachment styles in patients with AvPD and SP. We expected that patients with AvPD would have more attachment anxiety and avoidance and more often a Fearful attachment style, compared with SP.

Design

This is a cross‐sectional multisite study of 90 adult patients with AvPD and SP. Patients with AvPD with and without SP (AvPD group) were compared with patients with SP without AvPD (SP group).

Methods

Patients were assessed using structured diagnostic interviews and self‐reporting questionnaires, including Experiences in Close Relationships (ECR). The ECR dimensions, Anxiety and Avoidance, and the new described five factors of the ECR were used.

Results

The AvPD group had higher levels of attachment anxiety than the SP group, especially for the sub‐factors Anxiety for abandonment and Separation frustration. The diagnostic groups did not differ in levels of avoidance. Anxiety for abandonment was still associated with AvPD after controlling for symptom disorders and the criteria of other personality disorders. A Fearful attachment style was more frequent among patients with AvPD.

Conclusions

The results indicate AvPD is associated with more attachment anxiety than SP. Fear of abandonment may play a significant role in the AvPD pathology.

Practitioner points

This is the first study to compare attachment styles in patients with avoidant personality disorder (AvPD) and social phobia (SP).

The AvPD group had higher attachment‐related anxiety than the SP group, and anxiety was most pronounced for the fear of abandonment.

Fear of abandonment may play an important role in the AvPD pathology.
Gene stacking by recombinases
Authors: Srivastava Vibha , Thomson James
Published: September 2015

Efficient methods of stacking genes into plant genomes are needed to expedite transfer of multigenic traits to crop varieties of diverse ecosystems. Over two decades of research has identified several DNA recombinases that carryout efficient cis and trans recombination between the recombination sites artificially introduced into the plant chromosome. The specificity and efficiency of recombinases make them extremely attractive for genome engineering. In plant biotechnology, recombinases have mostly been used for removing selectable marker genes and have rarely been extended to more complex applications. The reversibility of recombination, a property of the tyrosine family of recombinases, does not lend itself to gene stacking approaches that involve rounds of transformation for integrating genes into the engineered sites. However, recent developments in the field of recombinases have overcome these challenges and paved the way for gene stacking. Some of the key advancements include the application of unidirectional recombination systems, modification of recombination sites and transgene site modifications to allow repeated site‐specific integrations into the selected site. Gene stacking is relevant to agriculturally important crops, many of which are difficult to transform; therefore, development of high‐efficiency gene stacking systems will be important for its application on agronomically important crops, and their elite varieties. Recombinases, by virtue of their specificity and efficiency in plant cells, emerge as powerful tools for a variety of applications including gene stacking.
Risk factors for surgical intestinal disorders in VLBW infants: Case–control study
Authors: Okuyama Hiroomi , Ohfuji Satoko , Hayakawa Masahiro , Urushihara Naoto , Yokoi Akiko , Take Hiroshi , Shiraishi Jun , Fujinaga Hideshi , Ohashi Kensuke , Minagawa Kyoko , Misaki Maiko , Nose Satoko , Taguchi Tomoaki
Published: September 2015

Background

Very low‐birthweight (VLBW) infants (VLBWI) are at increased risk for surgical intestinal disorders including necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), focal intestinal perforation (FIP) and meconium‐related ileus (MRI). The aim of this study was to identify disease‐specific risk factors for surgical intestinal disorders in VLBWI.

Methods

A retrospective multicenter case–control study was conducted at 11 institutes. We reviewed VLBWI who underwent laparotomy for intestinal disorders including perforation and intractable bowel obstruction. The surgical disorders were classified into four categories (NEC, FIP, MRI, others) based on the macroscopic findings at operation. In order to identify risk factors, two matched controls for each subject were chosen based on gestational age and birthweight. OR and 95%CI were calculated using a conditional logistic regression model and a multivariate model.

Results

A total of 150 cases (NEC, n = 44; FIP, n = 47; MRI, n = 42; others, n = 17) and 293 controls were identified. The cases and controls were similar in terms of gestational age and birthweight (cases/controls, 26.7 ± 2.5/26.5 ± 2.6 weeks; 790 ± 256/795 ± 257 g). On multivariate modeling, disease‐specific risk factors were as follows: female (OR, 0.23; 95%CI: 0.06–0.89), respiratory distress syndrome (OR, 35.7; 95%CI: 2.48–514) and patent ductus arteriosus (OR, 10.9; 95%CI: 1.51–79.3) for NEC; outborn delivery (OR, 5.47; 95%CI: 1.48–20.2) for FIP; and twin pregnancy (OR, 4.25; 95%CI: 1.06–17.1), PROM (OR, 6.85; 95%CI: 1.33–35.4) and maternal steroid (OR, 0.23; 95%CI: 0.07–0.79) for MRI.

Conclusions

Different risk factors were identified for NEC, FIP and MRI, suggesting that each disease has a different etiology, and that different strategies are required to prevent these diseases.
WASP–WIP complex in the molecular pathogenesis of Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome
Authors: Sasahara Yoji
Published: September 2015

Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome (WAS) is an X‐linked primary immunodeficiency disease characterized by recurrent infection, thrombocytopenia, and eczema. The gene responsible for X‐linked WAS encodes the Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP), which is expressed in hematopoietic cells and which regulates T‐cell activation and cytoskeletal reorganization in T‐cell receptor (TCR) signaling. Here, I review my recent research on WASP and the WASP‐interacting protein (WIP) complex in T cells. I and my colleagues first established a diagnostic screening method using flow cytometry and genetic analysis, and elucidated the molecular pathogenesis in WAS patients with unique clinical manifestations. We investigated the mechanisms by which WASP is recruited to lipid rafts following TCR stimulation and to immunological synapses between antigen‐presenting cells and T cells. Subsequently, we elucidated the molecular mechanisms by which WASP is degraded by calpain and ubiquitinated by Cbl‐family proteins, which terminate WASP activation. More importantly, we found that WIP plays a critical role in WASP stability in T cells. These results provide new insights into the molecular pathogenesis of X‐linked WAS and have facilitated the identification of WIP deficiency as an autosomal recessive form of WAS.
Human herpesvirus‐6 viremia is not associated with poor clinical outcomes in children following allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation
Authors: Violago Leah , Jin Zhezhen , Bhatia Monica , Rustia Evelyn , Kung Andrew L. , Foca Marc D. , George Diane , Garvin James H. , Sosna Jean , Robinson Chalitha , Karamehmet Esra , Satwani Prakash
Published: September 2015

HHV‐6 is an evolving pathogen in the field ofAlloHCT. However, the impact ofHHV‐6 onAlloHCToutcomes remains to be elucidated. We studied the incidence and clinical impact ofHHV‐6 viremia in children followingAlloHCT. One hundred consecutive children were monitored weekly by plasmaPCRfor the first 180 days followingAlloHCTforHHV‐6,CMV,EBV, andADV.HHV‐6 viremia was defined as plasmaPCR>1000 viral copies/mL. The median age was nine yr. FollowingAlloHCT, 19% (95%CI11.3–26.7%) of patients hadHHV‐6 viremia, with the highest incidence of reactivation (14/19, 73%) occurring during day +15‐day +98. The proportion of platelet engraftment by day +180 was lower in patients withHHV‐6 viremia (58%) than in those withoutHHV‐6 viremia (82%), p = 0.028. Delay in neutrophil and platelet engraftment was not associated withHHV‐6 viremia in multivariate analysis. Similarly,HHV‐6 viremia was not associated withTRMin multivariate analysis (p = 0.15). In summary,HHV‐6 viremia is prevalent in pediatricAlloHCTrecipients. Based on our study results, we recommend thatHHV‐6PCRshould only be performed on clinical suspicion.
Volatiles from the burnet moth Zygaena filipendulae (Lepidoptera) and associated flowers, and their involvement in mating communication
Authors: Zagrobelny Mika , Simonsen Henrik T. , Olsen Carl Erik , Bak Søren , Møller Birger L.
Published: September 2015

The burnet moth Zygaena filipendulae L. contains the cyanogenic glucosides linamarin and lotaustralin, which can be degraded to the volatiles hydrogen cyanide (HCN), acetone and 2‐butanone. Linamarin and lotaustralin are transferred from the male to female during mating and thus are considered to be involved in mating communication. Because volatile semiochemical cues play a major role in mating communication in many insect species, the emissions of HCN, acetone and 2‐butanone from Z. filipendulae are characterized in the present study, aiming to determine the interplay between the degradation products of cyanogenic glucosides and pheromones. The volatile emissions from Z. filipendulae and flowers inducing mating are measured using headspace solid‐phase micro‐extraction and gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry analysis. All Z. filipendulae life stages emit HCN, acetone and 2‐butanone. Virgin females show higher emissions than mated females, whereas mated males have higher emissions than virgin males. Hydrogen cyanide is only rarely detected in the course of male–female copulation. These observations indicate a role for the cyanogenic glucoside derived volatiles in female calling and male courtship behaviours, although not as a defence during copulation. Males rejected for mating by a female are accepted after injection of linamarin or lotaustralin, demonstrating that cyanogenic glucosides are also important for female assessment of the fitness of the male. Volatiles from flowers occupied during mate calling are also analyzed, and emissions from males and females result in the identification of novel putative pheromones for Z. filipendulae.
Clinical implication of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐F expression in breast cancer
Authors: Harada Aya , Ishigami Sumiya , Kijima Yuko , Nakajo Akihiro , Arigami Takaaki , Kurahara Hiroshi , Kita Yoshiaki , Yoshinaka Heiji , Natsugoe Shoji
Published: September 2015

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐F is one of the non‐classical HLA class I molecules that protects the fetus in pregnancy. HLA‐F expression was immunohistochemically examined and the association between clinical parameters and HLA‐F expression was analyzed. Cancerous HLA‐F and stromal HLA‐F‐positive infiltrating cells were detected in 91 (40.0%) and 186 (81.6%) cases, respectively. HLA‐F positivity in cancer cells was significantly associated with tumor size (P < 0.05). There was a weak correlation between HLA‐F positivity of cancer cells and HLA‐F positive infiltrative cells (P < 0.01, r = 0.11). HLA‐F positivity did not affect patients' survival in 209 breast cancer. However, confined to stage II breast cancer, the HLA‐F positive group showed significantly poorer outcomes than the HLA‐F negative group (P < 0.05). The present study provides the first evidence that HLA‐F positivity in breast carcinoma affects clinicopathological factors and could be selected as a prognostic marker for limited clinical stage.
Virulence of Hymenoscyphus albidus and native and introduced Hymenoscyphus fraxineus on Fraxinus excelsior and Fraxinus pennsylvanica
Authors: Gross A. , Sieber T. N.
Published: September 2015

Ash dieback is caused by Hymenoscyphus fraxineus, a cryptic species of the putatively harmless Hymenoscyphus albidus. Recently, H. fraxineus was found to be native to East Asia. However, the virulence of Asian H. fraxineus strains on Fraxinus excelsior and the virulence of European H. albidus on hosts other than F. excelsior and Fraxinus mandshurica have not yet been assessed. In a wound inoculation study, the virulence of four H. albidus and four European and Japanese H. fraxineus strains was assessed on F. excelsior and Fraxinus pennsylvanica in a climate chamber. Lesion lengths were measured after approximately three and a half months. No lesions were observed on the negative control or on trees inoculated with H. albidus. In contrast, inoculation with H. fraxineus induced typical symptoms of ash dieback on both tree species. Japanese H. fraxineus strains induced significantly longer lesions compared to European strains. Fraxinus excelsior was highly susceptible and developed lesions averaging lengths of 1·7 and 8·4 cm for European and Japanese strains, respectively. Fraxinus pennsylvanica was less susceptible and developed average lesion lengths of 1·6 and 4·8 cm for European and Japanese strains, respectively. Most strains were successfully reisolated from necrotic lesions or inocula, fulfilling Koch's postulates. The data show that additional introductions of H. fraxineus strains from the native range to Europe could pose a threat to the conservation of F. excelsior. In addition, introduction of H. fraxineus to North America could potentially have a negative effect on the indigenous F. pennsylvanica.
A Longitudinal Analysis of Publications on Maternal Mortality
Authors: de Groot Christianne J. M. , van Leeuwen Thed , Mol Ben Willem J. , Waltman Ludo
Published: September 2015

Background

The fifth Millennium Development Goal formulated by the WHO in 2000 aimed to reduce global maternal mortality by 75% in 2015. We studied the extent to which medical research has supported this by studying maternal mortality. We performed a bibliometric analysis of the literature on maternal mortality and of the development of this literature over time.

Methods

We searched for publications on maternal mortality in the Web of Science database in the period 1994–2013. We visualised the subjects of these publications using a term map showing the most significant terms occurring in the titles and abstracts of publications on maternal mortality.

Results

We identified 3794 publications on maternal mortality in Web of Science. The annual number increased from 87 in 1994 to 397 in 2013. The largest number of maternal mortality publications was found in the field of Obstetrics and Gynecology, followed by the Public, Environmental, and Occupational Health field (increase from 1994 until 2013 of 300% and 700%, respectively). In both fields, the number of maternal mortality publications has increased at a much higher rate than the overall number of publications in the field.

Conclusions

In line with the focus of the fifth Millennium Development Goal on reducing maternal mortality, during the past 20 years, there has been a steady increase in the amount of attention paid to maternal mortality in the medical literature. This is largely driven by an increase, mainly in recent years, in public health research on maternal mortality.
Frequency tagging of steady‐state evoked potentials to explore the crossmodal links in spatial attention between vision and touch
Authors: Colon Elisabeth , Legrain Valéry , Huang Gan , Mouraux André
Published: September 2015

The sustained periodic modulation of a stimulus induces an entrainment of cortical neurons responding to the stimulus, appearing as a steady‐state evoked potential (SS‐EP) in the EEG frequency spectrum. Here, we used frequency tagging of SS‐EPs to study the crossmodal links in spatial attention between touch and vision. We hypothesized that a visual stimulus approaching the left or right hand orients spatial attention toward the approached hand, and thereby enhances the processing of vibrotactile input originating from that hand. Twenty‐five subjects took part in the experiment: 16‐s trains of vibrotactile stimuli (4.2 and 7.2 Hz) were applied simultaneously to the left and right hand, concomitantly with a punctate visual stimulus blinking at 9.8 Hz. The visual stimulus was approached toward the left or right hand. The hands were either uncrossed (left and right hands to the left and right of the participant) or crossed (left and right hands to the right and left of the participant). The vibrotactile stimuli elicited two distinct SS‐EPs with scalp topographies compatible with activity in the contralateral primary somatosensory cortex. The visual stimulus elicited a third SS‐EP with a topography compatible with activity in visual areas. When the visual stimulus was over one of the hands, the amplitude of the vibrotactile SS‐EP elicited by stimulation of that hand was enhanced, regardless of whether the hands were uncrossed or crossed. This demonstrates a crossmodal effect of spatial attention between vision and touch, integrating proprioceptive and/or visual information to map the position of the limbs in external space.
Doctors learn new tricks, but do they remember them? Lack of effect of an educational intervention in improving Oxygen prescribing
Authors: Myers Hamish , Taylor Julia , Finn Rhian S. , Beckert Lutz
Published: September 2015

Background and objective

The ‘audit cycle’ is a fundamental part of improving clinical performance. For this to be effective, improvements made must be sustained. We observed that the prescription of Oxygen is often poor. Our aim was to audit Oxygen prescription before and after an educational intervention, and then again 4 years on. We hypothesized that improvements made immediately after the intervention would not be sustained over a longer period of time.

Methods

Oxygen prescription was assessed in 102 inpatients between June and August 2009. Following this, an educational intervention to improve Oxygen prescription was staged. Oxygen prescription was then re‐audited in a further 102 inpatients between September 2009 and February 2010. A third audit of 72 inpatients took place between February and May 2014.

Results

One‐way analysis of variance showed significant variance between audit groups (F 8.74, F‐crit 4.26, P = 0.008). Post‐hoc analysis with paired t‐tests confirmed significant improvement in the rate of Oxygen prescription in the second audit (24.5–58.8%, P = 0.01), immediately after the intervention. Four years on in the third audit, there was significant deterioration in the rate of Oxygen prescription compared with the second audit (58.8–13.9%, P = 0.01).

Conclusions

The rate of Oxygen prescription improves significantly after an educational intervention; however, this improvement is not sustained. This observation is likely reflected in a range of areas where the audit cycle is used to improve performance. It is important to be aware of this potential for regression to ensure that improvements are maintained over time.
Fighting enemies and finding friends: the cosmopolitan pragmatism of Jesuit residences in the Ottoman Levant
Authors: Clines Robert John
Published: September 2015

After several decades of intermittent missionary work, the Society of Jesus decided to establish a permanent residence in Jerusalem. However, the competition for control of religious sites compelled the Jesuits’ Franciscan rivals to undermine their efforts. Whereas religious tensions in Jerusalem thwarted a Jesuit residence in the city, Jesuit travel writers such as Giulio Mancinelli and Diego de Salazar lauded Ottoman entrepôts for their tranquility and cosmopolitan nature and appreciated how European merchants and local Christians were amenable to the Jesuits and welcomed them into their homes. These travelogues suggest that these types of cities, not pilgrimage centres like Jerusalem, provided the Jesuits with the types of structures necessary for founding residences. In turn, Jesuit leaders abandoned Jerusalem and opted to establish themselves in the more cosmopolitan and economically vibrant Aleppo. When juxtaposed with their failure in Jerusalem, Jesuit travelogues that promoted the idea of residences in centres like Aleppo illuminate how the successes and failures of Catholic missionaries often depended on a wide array of factors, ranging from levels of intra‐Catholic cooperation to the Jesuits’ abilities to recognize and navigate the Levant's complex political, commercial, and diplomatic webs that facilitated their desire to missionize in the Christian Orient.
Exploring the Predictors of Organizational Preparedness for Natural Disasters
Authors: Sadiq Abdul‐Akeem , Graham John D.
Published: September 2015

There is an extensive body of research on the determinants of disaster preparedness at the individual and household levels. The same cannot be said for the organizational level. Hence, the purpose of this study is to shed light on the predictors of organizational preparedness for natural disasters. Since leaders of organizations have an incentive to overstate their level of preparedness and because surveys of organizational leaders suffer from selection bias and low response rates, we take the novel approach of interviewing employees about the organizations that employ them. Using an online survey, we collected information from a national sample of 2,008 U.S. employees and estimated the predictors of preparedness at the organizational level. We find, among other results, that organization size (facility level) is a consistent predictor of preparedness at the organizational level. We conclude with policy recommendations and outline an agenda for future research on organizational preparedness for natural disasters.
Allocating Resources to Enhance Resilience, with Application to Superstorm Sandy and an Electric Utility
Authors: MacKenzie Cameron A. , Zobel Christopher W.
Published: September 2015

This article constructs a framework to help a decisionmaker allocate resources to increase his or her organization's resilience to a system disruption, where resilience is measured as a function of the average loss per unit time and the time needed to recover full functionality. Enhancing resilience prior to a disruption involves allocating resources from a fixed budget to reduce the value of one or both of these characteristics. We first look at characterizing the optimal resource allocations associated with several standard allocation functions. Because the resources are being allocated before the disruption, however, the initial loss and recovery time may not be known with certainty. We thus also apply the optimal resource allocation model for resilience to three models of uncertain disruptions: (1) independent probabilities, (2) dependent probabilities, and (3) unknown probabilities. The optimization model is applied to an example of increasing the resilience of an electric power network following Superstorm Sandy.
Vitamin D‐Binding Protein in Health and Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Denburg Michelle R. , Bhan Ishir
Published: September 2015

Vitamin D‐binding protein (DBP) is a multifunctional protein that has attracted increasing interest in recent years, largely because of its potential role in modulating the activity of vitamin D. Nearly all circulating vitamin D (~85–90%) circulates bound to DBP, with a smaller proportion bound to albumin, leaving <5% circulating freely. DBP may also play roles beyond vitamin D binding, with potential roles in the immune system and elsewhere. Numerous polymorphisms of DBP exist around the world, and recent studies have identified relevance of different DBP phenotypes in determining DBP concentration and vitamin D affinity. This review focuses on the known roles of DBP in health and kidney disease, and current views on the relevance of DBP polymorphisms.
Learning and the Development of Meaning: Husserl and Merleau‐Ponty on the Temporality of Perception and Habit
Authors: Howell Whitney
Published: September 2015

In this paper, I argue that the temporal openness of perceptual experience provides insight into the basic structure of learning. I draw on Husserl's account of the mutability of the retained past inAnalyses Concerning Passive and Active Synthesis, and Merleau‐Ponty's account of the perceptual field, as well as his remarks on habit, inPhenomenology of Perception, in order to elucidate the relation between the perceptual past and the future it portends. More specifically, I argue that retention and habituation in perceptual experience open dimensions of meaning that transform the initial, initiating, experiences in which meaning is first established. As a result, our experience of meaning is always subject to further development that we cannot anticipate. This temporal openness has consequences for our learning to navigate a perceptual field, but also, I argue, for our developing more complex ways of engaging with the world. Specifically, I show how learning requires that we commit ourselves to an object or task before we are in a position to recognize the implications or significance of our commitment. I further consider the role that others play in the inherent openness of learning to the development of new meaning.
The Folk Psychological Spiral: Explanation, Regulation, and Language
Authors: Andrews Kristin
Published: September 2015

In this paper I intend to argue that an explanatory role for folk psychology is also a regulative role, and that language is not required for these regulative functions. I will start by drawing out the relationship between prediction, explanation, and regulation of behavior according to both mindreading approaches to folk psychology and the pluralistic account I defend. I will argue that social cognition does not take the form of causal reasoning so much as it does normative reasoning, and will introduce the folk psychological spiral. Then I will examine the cognitive resources necessary for participating in the folk psychological spiral, and I will argue that these cognitive resources can be had without language. There is preliminary evidence that some other species understand one another through a normative lens that, through looping effects, creates expectations that community members strive to live up to.
Traumatic Stress Symptoms in Children Exposed to Intimate Partner Violence: The Role of Parent Emotion Socialization and Children's Emotion Regulation Abilities
Authors: Fainsilber Katz Lynn , Stettler Nicole , Gurtovenko Kyrill
Published: September 2015

Exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV) is a traumatic life event. Almost 50 percent of IPV‐exposed children show subsequent post‐traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), and they are at increased risk for depression. We examined maternal emotion socialization and children's emotion regulation as a pathway that may protect IPV‐exposed children from developing PTSS and depression. Fifty‐eight female survivors of IPV and their 6‐ to 12‐year‐old children participated. Results showed no direct relations between maternal emotion socialization and child adjustment. However, several indirect effects were observed. Higher mother awareness and acceptance of sadness and awareness of fear predicted better child sadness and fear regulation, respectively, which in turn was related to fewer child PTSS. Similar indirect pathways were found with child depression. In addition, mothers’ acceptance and coaching of anger was associated with better child anger regulation, which related to fewer depression symptoms. Implications for prevention and intervention with high‐risk families are discussed.
Variations in mineral element concentrations of poultry manure biochar obtained at different pyrolysis temperatures, and their effects on crop growth and mineral nutrition
Authors: Gunes A. , Inal A. , Sahin O. , Taskin M. B. , Atakol O. , Yilmaz N.
Published: September 2015

The effect of pyrolysis temperature on the nutritional quality of agricultural biochar is unclear, so better understanding of its properties and how it affects soil nutrient availability and plant growth is needed. Biochars obtained at different pyrolysis temperatures (250, 300, 350 and 400 °C) were characterized by thermogravimetric analyser and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Biochars were applied at a rate of 10 g/kg to find out their effects on the mineral nutrition and growth of lettuce. The experimental results suggested that high biochar temperatures caused oxidation of the mineral elements, breaking of C–C and C–H bonds and removal of aliphatic and peptide groups from the pyrolysed materials. The total concentrations of phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn) and boron (B) were increased by increasing pyrolysis temperatures, although water‐soluble concentrations of those elements were greatly reduced (with the exception of K and B). Compared to the control, dry weights of lettuce and maize crops were significantly increased by the biochar treatments obtained at 300 and 350 °C. Biochar treatments significantly increased the P and K concentrations of both plants compared to the control, while concentrations of Ca and Mg in lettuce plants were decreased. Iron, Mn and B concentration of the lettuce plants were reduced and Zn concentration of maize increased by the biochar treatments. It was concluded that in terms of an agricultural product, biochars produced at low temperature are better.
A new HLA‐B*39 allele, HLA‐B*39:01:15, discovered in a Taiwanese rheumatoid arthritis patient
Authors: Chen W.‐F. , Chang T.‐Y. , Chu C.‐C. , Lin C.‐L. , Lee Y.‐J.
Published: September 2015

The new allele B*39:01:15 differs from B*39:01:01 by a point mutation at position 315 (G>T) of exon 2.
A prospective survey of blood products transferred with patients during inter‐hospital transfers in the East of England
Authors: Bamber J. H. , O'Brien J. , Foukaneli D. , Dhesi A.
Published: September 2015

Objectives

A prospective survey was undertaken of blood products transferred with patients during inter‐hospital transfers by ambulance in the East of England (population six million)

Background

There is little published information on the number and fate of blood products transferred with patients during inter‐hospital transfers, although there are concerns about quality assurance and traceability of these blood products. Recent national guidance has been issued, but adherence to this guidance is uncertain.

Methods

A 6‐month survey was undertaken of all inter‐hospital transfers of blood products with patients within the East of England using routine data captured by established transfer of blood documentation.

Results

There were 45 transfer episodes of which 44 involved the transfer of red blood cells. In total, 148 units of red blood cells were transferred, of which 6% were transfused en route, 3% transfused at the destination hospital, 35% were wasted and for 18% the fate could not be established. The remainder were transferred into the blood stock of the destination hospital.

Conclusion

The small proportion of blood products that were transfused raises questions about the necessity of the transfer of blood products with some patients particularly considering the higher percentage of wasted or untraced products. When transfers occur, there should be better communication between hospital transfusion laboratories assisted by adherence to national and regionally agreed policies.
MOBE‐ChIP: a large‐scale chromatin immunoprecipitation assay for cell type‐specific studies
Authors: Lau On Sun , Bergmann Dominique C.
Published: September 2015

Cell type‐specific transcriptional regulators play critical roles in the generation and maintenance of multicellularity. As they are often expressed at low levels, in vivo DNA‐binding studies of these regulators by standard chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays are technically challenging. We describe here an optimized ChIP protocol termed Maximized Objects for Better Enrichment (MOBE)‐ChIP, which enhances the sensitivity of ChIP assays for detecting cell type‐specific signals. The protocol, which is based on the disproportional increase of target signals over background at higher scales, uses substantially greater volume of starting materials than conventional ChIPs to achieve high signal enrichment. This technique can capture weak binding events that are ambiguous in standard ChIP assays, and is useful both in gene‐specific and whole‐genome analysis. This protocol has been optimized for Arabidopsis, but should be applicable to other model systems with minor modifications. The full procedure can be completed within 3 days.
Glutathione plays an essential role in nitric oxide‐mediated iron‐deficiency signaling and iron‐deficiency tolerance in Arabidopsis
Authors: Shanmugam Varanavasiappan , Wang Yi‐Wen , Tsednee Munkhtsetseg , Karunakaran Krithika , Yeh Kuo‐Chen
Published: September 2015

Iron (Fe) deficiency is a common agricultural problem that affects both the productivity and nutritional quality of plants. Thus, identifying the key factors involved in the tolerance of Fe deficiency is important. In the present study, the zir1 mutant, which is glutathione deficient, was found to be more sensitive to Fe deficiency than the wild type, and grew poorly in alkaline soil. Other glutathione‐deficient mutants also showed various degrees of sensitivity to Fe‐limited conditions. Interestingly, we found that the glutathione level was increased under Fe deficiency in the wild type. By contrast, blocking glutathione biosynthesis led to increased physiological sensitivity to Fe deficiency. On the other hand, overexpressing glutathione enhanced the tolerance to Fe deficiency. Under Fe‐limited conditions, glutathione‐deficient mutants, zir1, pad2 and cad2 accumulated lower levels of Fe than the wild type. The key genes involved in Fe uptake, including IRT1, FRO2 and FIT, are expressed at low levels in zir1; however, a split‐root experiment suggested that the systemic signals that govern the expression of Fe uptake‐related genes are still active in zir1. Furthermore, we found that zir1 had a lower accumulation of nitric oxide (NO) and NO reservoir S‐nitrosoglutathione (GSNO). Although NO is a signaling molecule involved in the induction of Fe uptake‐related genes during Fe deficiency, the NO‐mediated induction of Fe‐uptake genes is dependent on glutathione supply in the zir1 mutant. These results provide direct evidence that glutathione plays an essential role in Fe‐deficiency tolerance and NO‐mediated Fe‐deficiency signaling in Arabidopsis.
Automated cold temperature cycling improves in vitro platelet properties and in vivo recovery in a mouse model compared to continuous cold storage
Authors: Skripchenko Andrey , Gelderman Monique P. , Awatefe Helen , Turgeon Annette , Thompson‐Montgomery Dedeene , Cheng Chunrong , Vostal Jaroslav G. , Wagner Stephen J.
Published: September 2015

BACKGROUND

Platelets (PLTs) stored at cold temperatures (CTs) for prolonged time have dramatically reduced bacterial growth but poor survival when infused. A previous study demonstrated that human PLTs stored with manual cycling between 4°C (12 hr) and 37°C (30 min) and infused into severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice had survivals similar to or greater than those stored at room temperature (RT). In this study, the in vitro and in vivo properties of PLTs stored in an automated incubator programmed to cycle between 5°C (11 hr) and 37°C (1 hr) were evaluated.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

A Trima apheresis unit (n = 12) was aliquoted (60 mL) in CLX bags. One sample was stored with continuous agitation (RT), a second sample was stored at 4‐6°C without agitation (CT), and a third sample was placed in an automated temperature cycler with 5 minutes of agitation during the warm‐up period (thermocycling [TC]). PLTs were assayed for several relevant quality variables. On Day 7, PLTs were infused into SCID mice and in vivo recovery was assessed at predetermined time points after transfusion.

RESULTS

The glucose consumption rate, morphology score, hypotonic shock recovery level, and aggregation levels were increased and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species accumulations were decreased in TC‐PLTs compared to those of CT‐PLTs. The pH and Annexin V binding were comparable to those of RT‐PLTs. All TC‐PLTs had greater recovery than CT‐PLTs and were comparable to RT‐PLTs.

CONCLUSION

PLTs stored under automated TC conditions have improved in vivo recovery and improved results for a number of in vitro measures compared to CT‐PLTs.
Redistribution of Trade Gains in the Presence of Firm and Worker Heterogeneity
Authors: de Pinto Marco
Published: September 2015

Trade gains are unequally distributed; in particular, low‐ability workers lose out in terms of wages and employment probability. In this paper, we investigate the impact of redistribution schemes on aggregate and disaggregate variables. To this end, we built a trade model with trade unions, heterogeneous firms and workers. Three redistribution schemes are distinguished: unemployment benefits financed by either a wage tax, a payroll tax or a profit tax. We find that: (i) all three redistribution schemes reduce output per capita; (ii) but the marginal reduction is lowest in the wage tax funding scenario; and (iii) If the profit tax is used, labour demand for low‐ability workers increases.
CONTRAST‐ENHANCED ULTRASONOGRAPHY OF THE PANCREAS IN HEALTHY DOGS AND IN DOGS WITH ACUTE PANCREATITIS
Authors: Rademacher Nathalie , Schur David , Gaschen Frédéric , Kearney Michael , Gaschen Lorrie
Published: September 2015

Pancreatitis is the most frequent disease affecting the exocrine pancreas in dogs and reliable diagnostic techniques for predicting fatal complications are lacking. Contrast‐enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) improves detection of tissue perfusion as well as organ lesion vascular pattern. Objectives of this prospective case control study were to compare perfusion characteristics and enhancement patterns of the pancreas in healthy dogs and dogs with pancreatitis using CEUS. Ten healthy dogs and eight dogs with pancreatitis were selected based on physical examination, abdominal ultrasound, and blood analysis findings. A CEUS study of the pancreas was performed for each dog and two observers who were aware of clinical status used advanced ultrasound quantification software to analyze time‐intensity curves. Perfusion patterns were compared between healthy and affected dogs. In dogs with acute pancreatitis, mean pixel and peak intensity of the pancreatic parenchyma was significantly higher than that of normal dogs (P= 0.05) in between 6 and 60 s (P= <0.0001–0.046). This corresponds to a 311% increase in mean pixel intensity in dogs with acute pancreatitis compared to healthy dogs. Wash‐in rates were greater and had a consistently steeper slope to peak in dogs with pancreatitis as opposed to healthy dogs. All dogs with pancreatitis showed a decrease in pixel intensity 10–15 days after the initial examination (P= 0.011) and their times to peak values were prolonged compared to the initial exam. Findings from the current study supported the use of CEUS for diagnosing pancreatitis, pancreatic necrosis, and disease monitoring following therapy in dogs.