bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improved Real-Time PCR Diagnosis of Citrus Stubborn Disease by Targeting Prophage Genes of Spiroplasma citri
Authors: Wang Xuefeng , Doddapaneni Harsha , Chen Jianchi , Yokomi Raymond K.
Published: August 2014

Spiroplasma citri is a phloem-limited bacterium causing citrus stubborn disease (CSD). Isolation and culturing of S. citri is technically demanding and time consuming. S. citri is typically low in titer and unevenly distributed in citrus, making reliable detection challenging. The current preferred detection method is polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays with primers developed from sequences of S. citri housekeeping genes. Recent genome sequencing of S. citri revealed that the bacterium harbors multiple copies of prophage genes. Therefore, targeting multicopy prophage genes was hypothesized to improve sensitivity of PCR detection. Two primer sets, Php-orf1 and Php-orf3, were developed from conserved prophage sequences in the S. citri genome. These primer sets were used to evaluate detection sensitivity in SYBR Green-based quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays with 18 S. citri in cultures isolated from different hosts and locations. Prophage primer set Php-orf1 increased detection sensitivity by 4.91 and 3.65 cycle threshold (Cq) units compared with housekeeping gene primers for spiralin and P58 putative adhesin gene, respectively. Detection was slightly less sensitive for the Php-orf3 primer set at 3.02 and 1.76 Cq units, respectively, over the same housekeeping gene primers. The prophage primer sets were validated for qPCR detection with field samples from three citrus orchards in California's San Joaquin Valley collected from 2007 to 2013. The data showed that S. citri prophage sequences improved sensitivity for qPCR detection of S. citri-infected trees at least 10-fold and reduced the number of false-negative results. No false-positive samples were detected with any of the primer sets. The enhanced sensitivity resulted from the higher copy number of prophage genes in the S. citri genome and, thus, improved CSD diagnosis from field samples.
OPRM1 A118G Gene Variant and Postoperative Opioid Requirement
Authors: Hwang In Cheol , Park Ji-Young , Myung Seung-Kwon , Ahn Hong Yup , Fukuda Ken-ichi , Liao Qin
Published: August 2014

Background:

Although a number of studies have investigated the association of the OPRM1 A118G polymorphism with pain response, a consensus has not yet been reached.

Methods:

The authors searched PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library to identify gene-association studies that explored the impact of the OPRM1 A118G polymorphism on postoperative opioid requirements through July 2013. Two evaluators independently reviewed and selected articles on the basis of prespecified selection criteria. The authors primarily investigated the standardized mean difference (SMD) of required amounts of opioids between AA homozygotes and G-allele carriers. The authors also performed subgroup analyses for race, opioid use, and type of surgery. Potential bias was assessed using the Egger’s test with a trim and fill procedure.

Results:

Three hundred forty-six articles were retrieved from databases, and 18 studies involving 4,607 participants were included in the final analyses. In a random-effect meta-analysis, G-allele carriers required a higher mean opioid dose than AA homozygotes (SMD, −0.18; P = 0.003). Although there was no evidence of publication bias, heterogeneity was present among studies (I

2
= 66.8%). In the subgroup meta-analyses, significance remained robust in Asian patients (SMD, −0.21; P = 0.001), morphine users (SMD, −0.29; P <0.001), and patients who received surgery for a viscus (SMD, −0.20; P = 0.008).

Conclusions:

The OPRM1 A118G polymorphism was associated with interindividual variability in postoperative response to opioids. In a subpopulation, identifying OPRM1 A118G polymorphism may provide valuable information regarding the individual analgesic doses that are required to achieve satisfactory pain control.
The evolution of cooperation under local regulation and non-additive gene action: building on Hamilton’s ideas
Authors: Schonmann Roberto H. , Boyd Robert , Vicente Renato
Published: August 2014

We study evolution of cooperation in a population structured in a large number of groups of variable size, connected by random migration at ratem. Social interactions, including cooperation and competition occur only inside the groups. Assuming that groups are large, we define a parameterλthat measures the strength of the local regulation, i.e., the rigidity of group sizes. Individuals are of two possible genotypes, one typically assumed to produce a non-cooperative phenotype and the other a phenotype that is cooperative with all members of its own group. Gene action may be additive, producing fitness functions that are linear in the number of cooperators in a group, or not. Assuming weak selection, we obtain the following two contrasting conclusions. (1) “Hamilton regime”: Ifλ << m, then cooperative behavior can spread under a certain condition, which in the additive, i.e., linear, case is precisely Hamilton’s rule. The general version of this condition is also relatively easy to apply and is based on Wright’s classical beta distribution for the frequency of alleles in infinite island models. We call it the “beta version of Hamilton’s rule”. (2) “Taylor regime”: Ifm << λ, then cooperation that is costly to the actor is eliminated by selection.
On substituted pyrazole derivatives. I. 3-Methyl-4-[(Z)-2-(4-methylphenyl)hydrazin-1-ylidene]-1-(3-nitrophenyl)-1H-pyrazol-5(4H)-one and 3-methyl-4-[(Z)-2-(4-methylphenyl)hydrazin-1-ylidene]-1-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-1H-pyrazol-5(4H)-one
Authors: Alvarez-Thon Luis , Bustos Carlos , Molins Elies , Garland Maria Teresa , Baggio Ricardo
Published: August 2014

The title substituted pyrazole derivatives, C17H15N5O3and C18H15F3N4O, share most of their molecular features, in particular the hydrazinylidene (–HN—N=) rather than the diazene (–N=N–) tautomeric form, and differ only in the substituents (NO2and CF3) on one of the outer phenyl rings. The molecular units are basically planar, with the rotation of the phenyl rings being hindered by the presence of two intramolecular hydrogen bonds having the keto O atom as acceptor. In both structures, the packing is governed by weak C—H...O, C—H...π and π–π interactions. The subtle way in which minor structural differences lead to rather different supramolecular structures is analysed.
Insights into organohalide respiration and the versatile catabolism of Sulfurospirillum multivorans gained from comparative genomics and physiological studies
Authors: Goris Tobias , Schubert Torsten , Gadkari Jennifer , Wubet Tesfaye , Tarkka Mika , Buscot Francois , Adrian Lorenz , Diekert Gabriele
Published: August 2014

Sulfurospirillum multivorans, a free‐living ε‐proteobacterium, is among the best studied organisms capable of organohalide respiration. It is able to use several halogenated ethenes as terminal electron acceptor. In this report, the complete genome sequence of S. multivorans including a comparison with genome sequences of two related non‐dehalogenating species, Sulfurospirillum deleyianum and Sulfurospirillum barnesii, is described. The 3.2 Mbp genome of S. multivorans revealed a ∼ 50 kbp gene region encoding proteins required for organohalide respiration and corrinoid cofactor biosynthesis. This region includes genes for components not detected before in organohalide‐respiring organisms. A transcript analysis of genes coding for some of these proteins indicates the involvement of a putative quinol dehydrogenase in organohalide respiration. The presence of genes encoding a variety of oxidoreductases reflects the organism's metabolic versatility. This was confirmed by growth studies with different electron acceptors including perchlorate and several sulfur‐containing compounds. A comparison with other ε‐proteobacteria indicates horizontal acquisition of many genes in the S. multivorans genome, which might be the basis of the bacterium's catabolic flexibility.
Population demography of frillneck lizards (Chlamydosaurus kingii, Gray 1825) in the wet‐dry tropics of Australia
Authors: Ujvari Beata , Fisher Peter , Rydell Jens , Wahlgren Richard , Wright Belinda , Madsen Thomas
Published: August 2014

We explore the effects of biotic and abiotic factors on the population demography of frillneck lizards (Chlamydosaurus kingii) in the Australian wet‐dry tropics. Annual growth rates of males were significantly higher across all body sizes compared to females, resulting in a significant larger maximum body size in males. Both male and female lizards were highly philopatric and 81% of the among‐year recapture distances were less than 200 m. Juvenile and adult frillnecks were subjected to low but highly variable annual survival rates. Both proportion of juveniles and relative proportion of reproductive females showed extensive among‐year variations. No relationship was, however, observed between proportion of gravid females and that of juveniles captured during the subsequent year. High rainfall in January was negatively correlated with recruitment most likely caused by increased egg/embryo mortality due to flooding of nest sites. We therefore suggest that the lack of association between female reproduction and juvenile recruitment was due to the effects of stochastic variation in January rainfall. Lizard numbers increased during the first five years of the study followed by a decline during the subsequent four years. Our analyses show that annual variation in survival constituted the main determinant in driving the annual change in frillneck numbers. Surprisingly, no relationship was observed between fillneck population dynamics and annual variation in juvenile recruitment. We suggest that the 7‐years over which these analyses were conducted were insufficient to detect any significant effects of recruitment on lizard numbers, demonstrating the need for long‐term studies to accurately document vertebrate population demographic processes in areas experiencing stochastic variations rainfall such as the Australian wet‐dry tropics.
Geographers out of place: institutions, (inter)disciplinarity and identity
Authors: Wainwright Emma , Barker John , Ansell Nicola , Buckingham Susan , Hemming Peter , Smith Fiona
Published: August 2014

Ten years ago, the decision was taken to close Brunel University's Department of Geography and Earth Sciences and its undergraduate programmes. Since this time, most of the human geographers have remained at Brunel, but now work from beyond the boundaries of conventional academic Geography. In this paper we argue that this situation, which is not uncommon for geographers in the UK and elsewhere, has significant implications for both individuals and the discipline more broadly. Through our everyday experiences of interdisciplinary working, this paper reflects on what it means to be a geographer working outside of ‘Geography’. The paper examines the implications of this at three different yet related scales: the immediately personal scale in terms of identity and individual academic performance, the institutional scale and its organisation that can lead to the presence/absence of academic subject areas, and then finally the disciplinary scale with its attendant spaces of knowledge generation, dissemination and protectionism. Our arguments are framed by neoliberal‐led higher education changes and conceptualisations of institutions, (inter)disciplinarity and identity, and point to broader significances for the shape of the discipline.
Divergence in size, but not in shape: variation in skull size and shape within Ommatotriton newts
Authors: Üzüm Nazan , Ivanović Ana , Gümüş Çiçek , Avcı Aziz , Olgun Kurtuluş
Published: August 2014

Using a geometric morphometric approach, we explored the variation in skull size and skull shape in banded newts (genus Ommatotriton). The genus Ommatotriton is represented by two allopatric, genetically well‐defined species: Ommatotriton ophryticus and O. vittatus. Within each species, two subspecies have been recognised. The samples used in this study cover the geographical and genetic variation within each species. We found statistically significant variation in skull size between species and among populations within species. When corrected for size, there was no significant variation in shape between species. Our results indicate that the variation in skull shape within the genus Ommatotriton is almost entirely due to size‐dependent, allometric shape changes. The exception is the shape of the ventral skull in males. Males of O. ophryticus and O. vittatus significantly diverge in the shape of the ventral cranium. The ventral skull, more precisely the upper jaw and palate, is directly functionally related to feeding. In general, our results indicate that allometry is a significant factor in the morphological variation of banded newts. However, the divergence in the ventral skull shape of males indicates that sexual selection and niche partitioning may have influenced the evolution of skull shape in these newts.
An evaluation of the ‘weekend effect’ in patients admitted with metastatic prostate cancer
Authors: Schmid Marianne , Ghani Khurshid R. , Choueiri Toni K. , Sood Akshay , Kapoor Victor , Abdollah Firas , Chun Felix K. , Leow Jeffrey J. , Olugbade Kola , Sammon Jesse D. , Menon Mani , Kibel Adam S. , Fisch Margit , Nguyen Paul L. , Trinh Quoc‐Dien
Published: August 2014

Objectives

To investigate whether mortality is increased for patients with metastatic prostate cancer (mCaP) admitted over the weekend.

Patients and Methods

Using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) between 1998 and 2009, admitted patients with a diagnosis of prostate cancer and concomitant metastases were identified. Rates of in‐hospital mortality, complications, use of imaging and procedures were assessed. Adjusted logistic regression models examined associations of mortality and complications.

Results

A weighted sample of 534 011 patients with mCaP was identified, including 81.7% weekday and 18.3% weekend admissions. Of these, 8.6% died after a weekday vs 10.9% after a weekend admission (P < 0.001). Patients admitted over the weekend were more likely to be treated at rural (17.8% vs 15.7%), non‐teaching (57.6% vs 53.7%) and low‐volume hospitals (53.4% vs 49.4%) (all P < 0.001) compared with weekday admissions. They presented higher rates of organ failure (25.2% vs 21.3%), and were less likely to undergo an interventional procedure (10.6% vs 11.4%) (all P < 0.001). More patients admitted over the weekend had pneumonia (12.2% vs 8.8%), pyelonephritis (18.3% vs 14.1%) and sepsis (4.5% vs. 3.5%) (all P < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, weekend admission was associated with an increased likelihood of complications (odds ratio [OR] 1.15, 95% confidence Interval [CI] 1.11–1.19) and mortality (OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.14–1.27).

Conclusion

In patients with mCaP weekend admissions are associated with a significant increase in mortality and morbidity. Our findings suggest that weekend patients may present with more acute medical issues; alternatively, the quality of care over the weekend may be inferior.
Bias in longitudinal data analysis with missing data using typical linear mixed‐effects modelling and pattern‐mixture approach: An analytical illustration
Authors: Yang Manshu , Wang Lijuan , Maxwell Scott E.
Published: August 2014

We analytically derive the fixed‐effects estimates in unconditional linear growth curve models by typical linear mixed‐effects modelling (TLME) and by a pattern‐mixture (PM) approach with random‐slope‐dependent two‐missing‐pattern missing not at random (MNAR) longitudinal data. Results showed that when the missingness mechanism is random‐slope‐dependent MNAR, TLME estimates of both the mean intercept and mean slope are biased because of incorrect weights used in the estimation. More specifically, the estimate of the mean slope is biased towards the mean slope for completers, whereas the estimate of the mean intercept is biased towards the opposite direction as compared to the estimate of the mean slope. We also discuss why the PM approach can provide unbiased fixed‐effects estimates for random‐coefficients‐dependent MNAR data but does not work well for missing at random or outcome‐dependent MNAR data. A small simulation study was conducted to illustrate the results and to compare results from TLME and PM. Results from an empirical data analysis showed that the conceptual finding can be generalized to other real conditions even when some assumptions for the analytical derivation cannot be met. Implications from the analytical and empirical results were discussed and sensitivity analysis was suggested for longitudinal data analysis with missing data.
Luminescence dating of lacustrine sediments from Tangra Yumco (southern Tibetan Plateau) using post‐IR IRSL signals from polymineral grains
Authors: Long Hao , Haberzettl Torsten , Tsukamoto Sumiko , Shen Ji , Kasper Thomas , Daut Gerhard , Zhu Liping , Mäusbacher Roland , Frechen Manfred
Published: August 2014

Radiocarbon dating of bulk organic matter is the most commonly used method for establishing chronologies of lake sediments for palaeoclimate reconstructions on the Tibetan Plateau. However, this method is likely to be problematic because the dated material often suffers from old carbon contamination. Recently, advances in luminescence‐based chronological techniques have provided new options for dating lacustrine sediments. In the current study, we tested for the first time the applicability of a new post‐IR IRSL (pIRIR) measurement protocol for dating fine‐grained polymineral material from a deep‐lake sediment core from the central part of Tangra Yumco, on the southern Tibetan Plateau. Our results show that: (i) radioactive disequilibria in the uranium decay chain were observed in the studied lake sediments, and thus taken into account for dose rate calculation by using a dynamic modelling approach; (ii) the suitability and robustness of the pIRIR protocol measured at 150°C (pIRIR150) for our samples are confirmed by a set of luminescence characteristic tests as well as the agreement with an independent age control; (iii) turbidite deposition partly caused an insufficient resetting of luminescence signals and thus apparent overestimation in luminescence dating; (iv) compared with the luminescence‐based age‐depth model, the 14C ages of bulk organic matter from the studied core generally yielded an age difference of ∼2 ka, which is attributed to hardwater reservoir effects in Tangra Yumco. This study highlights the need for multi‐dating approaches of lake sedimentary archives on the Tibetan Plateau.
Palaeoceanographic development in Storfjorden, Svalbard, during the deglaciation and Holocene: evidence from benthic foraminiferal records
Authors: Rasmussen Tine L. , Thomsen Erik
Published: August 2014

Brines can have a profound influence on the relative abundance of calcareous and agglutinated foraminiferal faunas. Here we investigated the distribution of benthic foraminiferal species in four cores from a brine‐enriched environment in Storfjorden, Svalbard. Stratigraphically, the cores comprise the last 15 000 years. The purpose of the study was to reconstruct changes in the palaeoecology and palaeoceanography of Storfjorden in relation to past climate changes, and to identify potential indicator species for brine‐affected environments. The benthic foraminifera in Storfjorden all have widespread occurrences in the Arctic realm. Calcareous species dominated Storfjorden during the deglaciation and early Holocene until c. 8200 a BP. However, agglutinated species increased in abundance whenever conditions became colder with more sea ice and stronger brine formation, such as during the Older Dryas, the Intra‐Allerød Cold Period and the Younger Dryas. Following a moderately cold period with numerous agglutinated foraminifera from c. 8200–4000 a BP, conditions became more changeable from c. 4000 a BP with repeated shifts between warmer periods dominated by calcareous species and colder periods dominated by agglutinated species. The warmer periods show a stronger influence of Atlantic Water, with reduced brine formation and less corrosive conditions at the sea bottom. Conversely, the colder periods show a stronger influence of Arctic water, with higher brine production and more corrosive bottom water. The distribution patterns of the calcareous species are basically the same whether calculated relative to the total fauna (including agglutinated specimens) or relative to calcareous specimens alone. Moreover, the patterns are similar to the patterns found elsewhere along western Svalbard in areas without the influence of brines. No particular species appear to be specifically linked to brine formation. However, the most persistent agglutinated species R. scorpiurus and A. glomerata are also the species most tolerant of the acidic bottom water that normally is associated with brine formation.
Trophic specialisation in a predatory group: the case of prey‐specialised spiders (Araneae)
Authors: Pekár Stano , Toft Søren
Published: August 2014

Predators appear to be less frequently specialised (i.e. adapted to restricted diet) on their prey than herbivores, parasites or parasitoids. Here, we critically evaluate contemporary evolutionary hypotheses that might be used to explain the evolution of specialised foraging in predators. We propose a unifying concept within which we define four types of trophic categories using ecological (diet breadth) and evolutionary (degree of adaptations) contexts. We use data on spiders (Araneae), the most diversified order of terrestrial predators, to assess applicability of frameworks and evolutionary concepts related to trophic specialisation. The majority of spider species are euryphagous but a few have a restricted prey range, i.e. they are stenophagous. We provide a detailed overview of specialisation on different prey types, namely spiders, crustaceans, moths, dipterans, ants, and termites. We also review the available evidence for trophic adaptations, classified into four categories: behavioural, morphological, venomic and metabolic. Finally, we discuss the ecological and evolutionary implications of trophic specialisation and propose avenues for future research.
Resembling a Viper: Implications of Mimicry for Conservation of the Endangered Smooth Snake
Authors: VALKONEN JANNE K. , MAPPES JOHANNA
Published: August 2014

The phenomenon of Batesian mimicry, where a palatable animal gains protection against predation by resembling an unpalatable model, has been a core interest of evolutionary biologists for 150 years. An extensive range of studies has focused on revealing mechanistic aspects of mimicry (shared education and generalization of predators) and the evolutionary dynamics of mimicry systems (co‐operation vs. conflict) and revealed that protective mimicry is widespread and is important for individual fitness. However, according to our knowledge, there are no case studies where mimicry theories have been applied to conservation of mimetic species. Theoretically, mimicry affects, for example, frequency dependency of predator avoidance learning and human induced mortality. We examined the case of the protected, endangered, nonvenomous smooth snake (Coronella austriaca) that mimics the nonprotected venomous adder (Vipera berus), both of which occur in the Åland archipelago, Finland. To quantify the added predation risk on smooth snakes caused by the rarity of vipers, we calculated risk estimates from experimental data. Resemblance of vipers enhances survival of smooth snakes against bird predation because many predators avoid touching venomous vipers. Mimetic resemblance is however disadvantageous against human predators, who kill venomous vipers and accidentally kill endangered, protected smooth snakes. We found that the effective population size of the adders in Åland is very low relative to its smooth snake mimic (28.93 and 41.35, respectively).Because Batesian mimicry is advantageous for the mimic only if model species exist in sufficiently high numbers, it is likely that the conservation program for smooth snakes will fail if adders continue to be destroyed. Understanding the population consequences of mimetic species may be crucial to the success of endangered species conservation. We suggest that when a Batesian mimic requires protection, conservation planners should not ignore the model species (or co‐mimic in Mullerian mimicry rings) even if it is not itself endangered.

Implications of mimicry for Conservation of the endangered smooth snake
Legal ivory trade in a corrupt world and its impact on African elephant populations
Authors: Bennett Elizabeth L.
Published: August 2014

Illegal hunting of African elephants (Loxodonta africana) for ivory is causing rapid declines in their populations. Since 2007, illegal ivory trade has more than doubled. African elephants are facing the most serious conservation crisis since 1989, when international trade was banned. One solution proposed is establishment of a controlled legal trade in ivory. High prices for ivory mean that the incentives to obtain large quantities are high, but the quantity of tusks available for trade are biologically constrained. Within that context, effective management of a legal ivory trade would require robust systems to be in place to ensure that ivory from illegally killed elephants cannot be laundered into a legal market. At present, that is not feasible due to corruption among government officials charged with implementing wildlife‐related legislation. With organized criminal enterprises involved along the whole commodity chain, corruption enables the laundering of illegal ivory into legal or potentially legal markets. Poachers and traffickers can rapidly pay their way out of trouble, so the financial incentives to break the law heavily outweigh those of abiding by it. Maintaining reliable permitting systems and leak‐proof chains of custody in this context is challenging, and effective management breaks down. Once illegal ivory has entered the legal trade, it is difficult or impossible for enforcement officers to know what is legal and illegal. Addressing corruption throughout a trade network that permeates countries across the globe will take decades, if it can ever be achieved. That will be too late for wild African elephants at current rates of loss. If we are to conserve remaining wild populations, we must close all markets because, under current levels of corruption, they cannot be controlled in a way that does not provide opportunities for illegal ivory being laundered into legal markets.

Comercio Legal de Marfil en un Mundo Corrupto y su Imapacto sobre Poblaciones de Elefantes
Copper hypersensitivity
Authors: Fage Simon W. , Faurschou Annesofie , Thyssen Jacob P.
Published: August 2014

The world production of copper is steadily increasing. Although humans are widely exposed to copper‐containing items on the skin and mucosa, allergic reactions to copper are only infrequently reported. To review the chemistry, biology and accessible data to clarify the implications of copper hypersensitivity, a database search of PubMed was performed with the following terms: copper, dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, contact hypersensitivity, contact sensitization, contact allergy, patch test, dental, IUD, epidemiology, clinical, and experimental. Human exposure to copper is relatively common. As a metal, it possesses many of the same qualities as nickel, which is a known strong sensitizer. Cumulative data on subjects with presumed related symptoms and/or suspected exposure showed that a weighted average of 3.8% had a positive patch test reaction to copper. We conclude that copper is a very weak sensitizer as compared with other metal compounds. However, in a few and selected cases, copper can result in clinically relevant allergic reactions.
Positive patch test reactions to oxidized limonene: exposure and relevance
Authors: Bråred Christensson Johanna , Andersen Klaus E. , Bruze Magnus , Johansen Jeanne D. , Garcia‐Bravo Begoña , Gimenez Arnau Ana , Goh Chee‐Leok , Nixon Rosemary , White Ian R.
Published: August 2014

Background

R‐Limonene is a common fragrance terpene found in domestic and industrial products. R‐Limonene autoxidizes on air exposure, and the oxidation products can cause contact allergy. In a recent multicentre study, 5.2% (range 2.3–12.1%) of 2900 patients showed a positive patch test reaction to oxidized R‐limonene.

Objective

To study the exposure to limonene among consecutive dermatitis patients reacting to oxidized R‐limonene in an international setting, and to assess the relevance of the exposure for the patients' dermatitis.

Methods

Oxidized R‐limonene 3.0% (containing limonene hydroperoxides at 0.33%) in petrolatum was tested in 2900 consecutive dermatitis patients in Australia, Denmark, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Spain, and Sweden. A questionnaire assessing exposure to limonene‐containing products was completed.

Results

Overall, exposure to products containing limonene was found and assessed as being probably relevant for the patients' dermatitis in 36% of the limonene‐allergic patients. In Barcelona and Copenhagen, > 70% of the patients were judged to have had an exposure to limonene assessed as relevant.

Conclusions

Oxidized R‐limonene is a common fragrance allergen, and limonene was frequently found in the labelling on the patients' products, and assessed as relevant for the patients' dermatitis. A large number of domestic and occupational sources for contact with R‐limonene were identified.
Is Cross‐Listing a Commitment Mechanism?: The Choice of Destinations and Family Ownership
Authors: Chung Jaiho , Cho Hyejin , Kim Woojin
Published: August 2014

Manuscript Type

Empirical

Research Question/Issue

This paper examines whether firms choose destinations with stronger investor protection than those provided in their respective home markets after controlling for both firm‐specific and destination‐specific characteristics that affect the choice of cross‐listing destination.

Research Findings/Insights

Using data on cross‐listing decisions of firms from 28 home countries targeted toward nine destinations for the 1994–2008 period, we find that firms are more likely to cross‐list in foreign markets that are less protective of outside investors relative to the home country once we simultaneously control for relevant destination‐specific and firm‐specific characteristics. Such preference for weak protection is mostly driven by family firms, but not observed among non‐family firms.

Theoretical/Academic Implications

These results suggest that the widely accepted “bonding” hypothesis, which posits that firms which cross‐list in order to voluntarily commit themselves to higher disclosure standards, should be interpreted with caution. Rather, controlling families may choose to list in destinations with weaker protection to retain their private benefits.

Practitioner/Policy Implications

The findings imply that exchanges in countries with stronger investor protection may not be attractive for potential foreign clientele, especially firms controlled by families. To increase foreign listings in a given exchange, regulators should consider not only the benefits of tight regulations such as “bonding,” but also their compliance costs.
Competition, Law, and the Power of (Imagined) Geography: Market Definition and the Emergence of Too‐Big‐to‐Fail Banking in the United States
Authors: Christophers Brett
Published: August 2014

This article explores the role of antitrust (or competition) law in the recent historical evolution of the U.S. commercial banking sector. A core component of antitrust law is the calculative practice of market definition, which involves identifying not only the product or service attributes of a market but also, pointedly, its geographic extent. Geographic market definition—and the geographic knowledges it furnishes—is the focus of the article. It argues that these legal market maps (“the law's markets,” that is to say) materially shape on‐the‐ground market and competitive realities. The article develops this argument through a study of the recent history of U.S. antitrust theory and practice in regard to commercial banking. It claims that the particular nature of the geographic models created through this practice is pivotal to explaining the history of evolution of that sector in the final decades of the twentieth century—and most especially, large‐scale industry consolidation at the national scale. In the process, the article aims to contribute not only to financial geography but also to three relatively‐underdeveloped economic‐geographic literatures: on the implication of geographic knowledges in political‐economic change; on the geographies of markets; and on the role of the law in economic‐geographic transformation.
Subclassification of left ventricular hypertrophy based on dilation stratifies coronary artery disease patients with distinct risk
Authors: Huang Bao‐Tao , Peng Yong , Liu Wei , Zhang Chen , Huang Fang‐Yang , Wang Peng‐Ju , Zuo Zhi‐Liang , Liao Yan‐Biao , Chai Hua , Li Qiao , Zhao Zhen‐Gang , Luo Xiao‐Lin , Ren Xin , Huang Kai‐Sen , Meng Qing‐Tao , Chen Chi , Huang De‐Jia , Chen Mao
Published: August 2014

Background

A new 4‐tired classification of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) based on LV concentricity and dilation has been proposed; however, the association between the new categorization of LV geometry and outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) is still unknown.

Methods

All the 2297 patients with CAD included underwent echocardiographic examination prior to discharge. Left ventricular mass (LVM) was calculated, and left ventricular end‐diastolic volume (EDV) was indexed by body surface area (BSA). Study cohort was divided into five groups according to LV geometry: (i) eccentric nondilated LVH (normal LVM/EDV(2/3) and EDV/BSA) (n = 129); (ii) eccentric dilated LVH (normal LVM/EDV(2/3) with increased EDV/BSA) (n = 222); (iii) concentric nondilated LVH (increased LVM/EDV(2/3) with normal EDV/BSA) (n = 441); (iv) concentric dilated LVH (increased LVM/EDV(2/3) and EDV/BSA) (n = 118); and (v) normal LV mass (n = 1387).

Results

Dilated LVH was associated with a higher event rates of all‐cause death (eccentric 13·1% vs. 3·1%; concentric 13·6% vs. 8·4%) and composite events (eccentric: 17·6% vs. 5·4%; concentric: 18·6% vs. 12·7%) compared with nondilated LVH. While eccentric nondilated LVH had comparable risk for adverse outcomes compared with normal LV mass (all‐cause death: relative risk (RR) 0·68, 95% confidential interval (CI) 0·25–1·85; composite events: RR 0·75, 95% CI 0·36–1·58). Cox regression analyses showed that eccentric dilated LVH had the highest propensity to all‐cause death (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 2·752 [95% CI 1·749–4·328], P < 0·001) and composite events (aHR 2·462 [95% CI 1·688–3·592], P < 0·001).

Conclusion

In patients with CAD, dilated LVH and nondilated LVH provide distinct prognostic information. Eccentric nondilated LVH does not predict adverse outcomes.
Resource utilization and productivity loss in persons with spina bifida − an observational study of patients in a tertiary urology clinic in Germany
Authors: van Nooten F. E. , Winnette R. , Stein R. , Kissner M. , Schröder A. , Jöckel M. , Raluy‐Callado M. , Lambrelli D. , Meinhardt M. , Wasiak R.
Published: August 2014

Background and purpose

To investigate resource use and burden associated with spina bifida (SB) in Germany.

Methods

A questionnaire was used to obtain information on SB‐related healthcare resource use and assistive technologies used for the last 1 and 10 years. Individuals with SB were recruited at a tertiary specialist clinic. To participate, persons with SB required the cognitive ability to respond or a caregiver to answer questions on their behalf. They could use personal medical charts or other records to answer. The analyses included assessment of frequency and extent of resource use for both time frames.

Results

Data on 88 persons with a diagnosis of SB were collected (44% female). During the last year, 88.6% (N = 78) reported at least one visit to a general practitioner's (GP's) office, 77.3% (N = 68) to a urologist and 69.3% (N = 61) to a physiotherapist. The annual average number of visits was 7.6 GP, 3.6 urologist and 65.3 physiotherapist visits. Amongst those hospitalized, a single hospitalization lasted 7.3 days on average, whereas the average annual number of hospital days was 14.8 days. During the previous 10 years, 67.0% (N = 59) of responders used a wheelchair, 64.7% (N = 57) used glasses and 59.1% (N = 52) used orthopaedic shoes, with an average of 2.5, 2.8 and 6.1 new items used, respectively.

Conclusions

The results indicate that persons with SB require a substantial amount of interaction with healthcare providers, as well as other healthcare‐related resource use, both in the shorter and longer terms.
Presence and progression of non‐motor symptoms in relation to uric acid in de novo Parkinson's disease
Authors: Moccia M. , Picillo M. , Erro R. , Vitale C. , Longo K. , Amboni M. , Santangelo G. , Palladino R. , Capo G. , Orefice G. , Barone P. , Pellecchia M. T.
Published: August 2014

Background and purpose

Uric acid (UA) has been studied extensively as a valuable biomarker of Parkinson's disease (PD), but its relationship with non‐motor symptoms (NMS) in de novo PD has been poorly investigated. Our aim was to evaluate the usefulness of baseline serum UA as a marker of NMS progression in newly diagnosed PD.

Methods

Sixty‐nine newly diagnosed PD patients were enrolled. At baseline, all patients completed the NMS questionnaire (NMSQuest), and serum UA levels were measured. After 2 years, the NMSQuest was completed again and patients were categorized into four groups: NMS improvement (domain involvement at baseline but not at 2‐year follow‐up visit), NMS absence (domain not involved at baseline or 2‐year follow‐up visits), NMS presence (domain involvement both at baseline and 2‐year follow‐up visits) and NMS worsening (domain not involved at baseline but involved at 2‐year follow‐up).

Results

anova with post hoc Bonferroni correction showed that patients with NMS absence presented significantly higher UA values than patients with NMS presence with regard to the attention/memory (P = 0.023), depression/anxiety (P = 0.028) and cardiovascular domains (P = 0.002), whilst no differences were found with regard to both the NMS improvement and worsening groups. In addition, multinomial regression analysis showed that the lowest tertile of NMS progression presented higher UA levels (P = 0.023; odds ratio 0.488) compared with patients with greater NMS progression.

Conclusions

This is the first report of a relationship between serum UA and presence/progression of multiple NMS in de novo PD, providing additional evidence of the reliability of UA as a biomarker of PD and opening new insights on PD neuroprotection.
A new spatial framework incorporating uncertain stock and fleet dynamics for estimating fish abundance
Authors: Campbell Robert A
Published: August 2014

Relative abundance indices based on catch and effort data can become biased unless consideration is given to the spatial dynamics of the fishery such as changes in either the spatial distribution of fishing effort or the range of the stock over time. The construction of such indices therefore needs to take into account features of the fishery itself. In this paper, a general framework is presented for developing more appropriate abundance indices based on fishery catch and effort data. In developing this framework, it adopts the approach of (i) developing a range of hypotheses which encompass the uncertainties in the spatial–temporal dynamics of the stock and the fishing effort, (ii) identifying the hypotheses underlying the different CPUE series, and (iii) evaluating the available information relative to these hypotheses as the basis for evaluating CPUE indices. Observations from the fishery for southern bluefin tuna (Thunnus maccoyii) are used to illustrate various hypotheses about the nature of the fishery which can be used to construct indices of stock abundance while a simple simulation framework is used to explore the implications of some of these hypotheses on the accuracy of such indices.
An Evaluation of the Thermophysical Properties of Stoichiometric CeO2 in Comparison to UO2 and PuO2
Authors: Nelson Andrew T. , Rittman Dylan R. , White Joshua T. , Dunwoody John T. , Kato Masato , McClellan Kenneth J.
Published: August 2014

The thermal conductivity of stoichiometric CeO2 was determined through measurement of thermal expansion from 313 to 1723 K, thermal diffusivity from 298 to 1473 K, and specific heat capacity from 313 to 1373 K. The thermal conductivity was then calculated as the product of the density, thermal diffusivity, and specific heat capacity. The thermal conductivity was found to obey an (A + BT)−1 relationship with A = 6.776×10−2 m·K·W−1 and B = 2.793 × 10−4 m·W−1. Extrapolations of applied models were made to provide suggested data for the specific heat capacity, thermal diffusivity, and thermal conductivity data up to 1723 K. Results of thermal expansion and heat capacity measurements agreed well with the limited low‐temperature data available in the literature. The thermal conductivity values provided in the current study are significantly higher than the only high‐temperature data located for CeO2. This is attributed to the tendency of CeO2 to rapidly reduce at elevated temperatures given the available partial pressure of O2 in air at ambient pressure. The CeO2 data are compared to literature values for UO2 and PuO2 to evaluate its suitability as a surrogate in nuclear fuel systems where thermal transport is a primary criterion for performance
Phenotypic integration plasticity inDaphnia magna: an integral facet ofG × Einteractions
Authors: Plaistow S. J. , Collin H.
Published: August 2014

Phenotypic integration can be defined as the network of multivariate relationships among behavioural, physiological and morphological traits that describe the organism. Phenotypic integration plasticity refers to the change in patterns of phenotypic integration across environments or ontogeny. Because studies of phenotypic plasticity have predominantly focussed on single traits, aG × Einteraction is typically perceived as differences in the magnitude of trait expression across two or more environments. However, many plastic responses involve coordinated responses in multiple traits, raising the possibility thatrelativedifferences in trait expression in different environments are an important, but often overlooked, source ofG × Einteraction. Here, we use phenotypic change vectors to statistically compare the multivariate life‐history plasticity of sixDaphnia magnaclones collected from four disparate European populations. Differences in the magnitude of plastic responses were statistically distinguishable for two of the six clones studied. However, differences in phenotypic integration plasticity were statistically distinguishable for all six of the clones studied, suggesting that phenotypic integration plasticity is an important component ofG × Einteractions that may be missed unless appropriate multivariate analyses are used.
Predation of Thereva nobilitata (Fabricius) (Diptera: Therevidae) on Agriotes obscurus L. (Coleoptera: Elateridae)
Authors: van Herk W. G. , Vernon R. S. , Cronin E. M. L. , Gaimari S. D.
Published: August 2014

Little is known about the natural enemies of wireworms (Coleoptera: Elateridae), but there are frequent anecdotal reports of (usually unnamed) stiletto fly larvae (Diptera: Therevidae) preying on various species. We observed larvae of Thereva nobilitata (Fabricius) feeding on larvae of the dusky wireworm, Agriotes obscurus L., during the summer of 2011, in Agassiz, British Columbia. This finding is of interest as: both the predator and the wireworm are introduced species to this area from Europe; T. nobilitata is uncommon in North America; and this predator has not been associated with any wireworm species previously. We observed that larvae of male and female T. nobilitata will feed on various sizes of A. obscurus larvae, most feeding being carried out by the smallest T. nobilitata larvae. These findings suggest future work should assess the potential for therevid larvae as top‐down regulators of Agriotes larvae under field conditions.
Deep‐branching Novel Lineages and High Diversity of Haptophytes in the Skagerrak (Norway) Uncovered by 454 Pyrosequencing
Authors: Egge Elianne S. , Eikrem Wenche , Edvardsen Bente
Published: August 2014

Microalgae in the division Haptophyta may be difficult to identify to species by microscopy because they are small and fragile. Here, we used high‐throughput sequencing to explore the diversity of haptophytes in outer Oslofjorden, Skagerrak, and supplemented this with electron microscopy. Nano‐ and picoplanktonic subsurface samples were collected monthly for 2 yr, and the haptophytes were targeted by amplification of RNA/cDNA with Haptophyta‐specific 18S ribosomal DNA V4 primers. Pyrosequencing revealed higher species richness of haptophytes than previously observed in the Skagerrak by microscopy. From ca. 400,000 reads we obtained 156 haptophyte operational taxonomic units (OTUs) after rigorous filtering and 99.5% clustering. The majority (84%) of the OTUs matched environmental sequences not linked to a morphological species, most of which were affiliated with the order Prymnesiales. Phylogenetic analyses including Oslofjorden OTUs and available cultured and environmental haptophyte sequences showed that several of the OTUs matched sequences forming deep‐branching lineages, potentially representing novel haptophyte classes. Pyrosequencing also retrieved cultured species not previously reported by microscopy in the Skagerrak. Electron microscopy revealed species not yet genetically characterised and some potentially novel taxa. This study contributes to linking genotype to phenotype within this ubiquitous and ecologically important protist group, and reveals great, unknown diversity.
Ontogenetic and sex‐based differences in habitat preferences and site fidelity of White's seahorse Hippocampus whitei
Authors: Harasti D. , Martin‐Smith K. , Gladstone W.
Published: August 2014

The aim of this study was to determine and compare habitat preferences for male and female adult and juvenile White's seahorse Hippocampus whitei and assess their movements and site fidelity over 4 years. Data were collected from three sites along 1·5 km of estuarine shoreline in Port Stephens, New South Wales, Australia, from 2006 to 2009 using H. whitei that had been tagged with visible implant fluorescent elastomer. Relative availability of 12 habitats and habitat preferences of H. whitei was determined, based on the habitat that H. whitei used as a holdfast. Hippocampus whitei occurred in nine different habitats; adults preferred sponge and soft coral Dendronephthya australis habitats with no difference between male and female habitat preferences whilst juveniles preferred gorgonian Euplexaura sp. habitat. There was a significant preference by adults for D. australis colonies with height >40 cm and avoidance of colonies <20 cm. Neither adults nor juveniles used sand or the seagrasses Zostera muelleri subsp. capricorni and Halophila ovalis. Hippocampus whitei showed cryptic behaviour with c. 50% of adult sightings cryptic and c. 75% for juveniles with crypsis occurring predominantly in Sargassum sp. for adults and Euplexaura sp. habitat for juveniles. Within sites, females moved significantly longer distances (maximum of 70 m) than males (maximum of 38 m) over 20 months. Strong site fidelity was displayed by H. whitei with males persisting at the same site for up to 56 months and females for 49 months and no H. whitei moved between sites. The longest period that an H. whitei was recorded on the same holdfast was 17 months for a male and 10 months for a female. As this species displays strong site fidelity, specific habitat preferences and has a limited distribution, future management needs to minimize the risk of habitat disturbance as loss of key habitats could have a negative effect on species abundance and distribution.