bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Asymmetric cointegration and causality effects between financial development and economic growth in South Africa
Authors: Phiri Andrew
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate asymmetric cointegration and causality effects between financial development and economic growth for South African data spanning over the period of 1992-2013.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study makes the use of the momentum threshold autoregressive (M-TAR) approach which allows for threshold error-correction (TEC) modeling and Granger causality analysis between the variables. In carrying out an empirical analysis, the author uses six measures of the financial development variables against gross domestic per capita, that is, three measures which proxy banking activity and another three proxies for stock market development.

Findings

– The empirical results generally indicate an abrupt asymmetric cointegration relationship between banking activity and economic growth, on the one hand, and a smooth cointegration relationship between stock market activity and economic growth, on the other hand. Moreover, causality analysis generally reveals that while banking activity tends to Granger cause economic growth, stock market activity is, however, caused by economic growth increase.

Originality/value

– This study contributes to the literature by examining asymmetries in the cointegration and causality relations by using both banking and stock market proxies against economic growth for the South African economy.
Design of a low‐density SNP chip for the main Australian sheep breeds and its effect on imputation and genomic prediction accuracy
Authors: Bolormaa S. , Gore K. , van der Werf J. H. J. , Hayes B. J. , Daetwyler H. D.
Published: September 2015

Genotyping sheep for genome‐wide SNPs at lower density and imputing to a higher density would enable cost‐effective implementation of genomic selection, provided imputation was accurate enough. Here, we describe the design of a low‐density (12k) SNP chip and evaluate the accuracy of imputation from the 12k SNP genotypes to 50k SNP genotypes in the major Australian sheep breeds. In addition, the impact of imperfect imputation on genomic predictions was evaluated by comparing the accuracy of genomic predictions for 15 novel meat traits including carcass and meat quality and omega fatty acid traits in sheep, from 12k SNP genotypes, imputed 50k SNP genotypes and real 50k SNP genotypes. The 12k chip design included 12 223 SNPs with a high minor allele frequency that were selected with intermarker spacing of 50–475 kb. SNPs for parentage and horned or polled tests also were represented. Chromosome ends were enriched with SNPs to reduce edge effects on imputation. The imputation performance of the 12k SNP chip was evaluated using 50k SNP genotypes of 4642 animals from six breeds in three different scenarios: (1) within breed, (2) single breed from multibreed reference and (3) multibreed from a single‐breed reference. The highest imputation accuracies were found with scenario 2, whereas scenario 3 was the worst, as expected. Using scenario 2, the average imputation accuracy in Border Leicester, Polled Dorset, Merino, White Suffolk and crosses was 0.95, 0.95, 0.92, 0.91 and 0.93 respectively. Imputation scenario 2 was used to impute 50k genotypes for 10 396 animals with novel meat trait phenotypes to compare genomic prediction accuracy using genomic best linear unbiased prediction (GBLUP) with real and imputed 50k genotypes. The weighted mean imputation accuracy achieved was 0.92. The average accuracy of genomic estimated breeding values (GEBVs) based on only 12k data was 0.08 across traits and breeds, but accuracies varied widely. The mean GBLUP accuracies with imputed 50k data more than doubled to 0.21. Accuracies of genomic prediction were very similar for imputed and real 50k genotypes. There was no apparent impact on accuracy of GEBVs as a result of using imputed rather than real 50k genotypes, provided imputation accuracy was >90%.
Turnout Across Democracies
Authors: Herrera Helios , Morelli Massimo , Nunnari Salvatore
Published: September 2015

World democracies widely differ in legislative, executive, and legal institutions. Different institutional environments induce different mappings from electoral outcomes to the distribution of power. We explore how these mappings affect voters' participation in an election. We show that the effect of such institutional differences on turnout depends on the distribution of voters' preferences. We uncover a novel contest effect: Given the preferences distribution, turnout increases and then decreases when we move from a more proportional to a less proportional power‐sharing system; turnout is maximized for an intermediate degree of power sharing. Moreover, we generalize the competition effect, common to models of endogenous turnout: Given the institutional environment, turnout increases in the ex ante preferences evenness, and more so when the overall system has lower power sharing. These results are robust to a wide range of modeling approaches, including ethical voter models, voter mobilization models, and rational voter models.
Effect of breastfeeding promotion interventions on child growth: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Giugliani Elsa R.J. , Horta Bernardo L. , Loret de Mola Christian , Lisboa Bernardo O. , Victora Cesar G.
Published: September 2015

Aim

To update a previous systematic review and meta‐analyses about the effect of breastfeeding promotion interventions on child growth.

Methods

Studies evaluating the effect of any type of breastfeeding promotion intervention on child weight, length (or height) and weight/height (or BMI) were screened. Papers published between 2006 and 2014 were checked using the following databases: PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Lilacs and SciELO.

Results

Sixteen studies were added to 19 other studies identified in the previous review, resulting in 35 studies. Meta‐analyses of studies reporting on mean weight, length, weight/length or BMI showed that the interventions had no impact on weight or length/height z scores [pooled effect: 0.03 (95% confidence interval: −0.06;0.12) and 0.03 (95% confidence interval: −0.02;0.08), respectively] and had a modest, but significant, reduction in body mass index/weight‐for‐height z scores [z score mean difference: −0.06 (95% confidence interval: −0.12;0.00)], which was limited to studies from low‐ and high‐incomes settings. For all three outcomes, there was important heterogeneity among studies, which should be taken into account when interpreting the results.

Conclusion

Breastfeeding promotion interventions were not associated with significant changes in weight or length, but led to a modest, albeit significant, reduction in body mass index/weight‐for‐height z scores.
Right‐Wing Authoritarianism and Social Dominance Orientation Predict Outsiders’ Responses to an External Group Conflict: Implications for Identification, Anger, and Collective Action
Authors: Saeri Alexander K. , Iyer Aarti , Louis Winnifred R.
Published: September 2015

Members of groups in conflict may take collective action: actions to improve conditions for their group as a whole. The psychological antecedents of collective action for groups that are party to conflict and inequality are well‐established. Comparatively little is known about how uninvolved outsiders respond to an external intergroup conflict. We investigate how personal ideological orientations of Social Dominance Orientation (SDO) and Right‐Wing Authoritarianism (RWA) shape outsiders’ willingness to take collective action in support of groups engaged in external conflict. In Study 1, U.S. residents read about conflicts between disadvantaged citizens and an advantaged government in Greece and Russia. In Study 2, U.S. residents read about a similar conflict in a fictional country, Silaria. Path analyses revealed that SDO and RWA shaped psychological appraisals of the conflict contexts, which predicted intentions to take collective action on behalf of either group. SDO and RWA were positively associated with advantaged group identification and anger at a disadvantaged group, and negatively associated with disadvantaged group identification and anger at an advantaged group. Group identification and anger predicted subsequent collective action intentions on behalf of either group. The sensitivity of outsiders’ appraisals to ideological orientations suggests strategies for both advantaged and disadvantaged groups to recruit outsiders as allies in group conflict.
Hydrogen peroxide activates store‐operated Ca2+ entry in coronary arteries
Authors: Santiago Elvira , Climent Belén , Muñoz Mercedes , García‐Sacristán Albino , Rivera Luis , Prieto Dolores
Published: September 2015

Background and Purpose

Abnormal Ca2+ metabolism has been involved in the pathogenesis of vascular dysfunction associated with oxidative stress. Here, we have investigated the actions of H2O2 on store‐operated Ca2+ (SOC) entry in coronary arteries and assessed whether it is impaired in arteries from a rat model of metabolic syndrome.

Experimental Approach

Simultaneous measurements of intracellular Ca2+ concentration and contractile responses were made in coronary arteries from Wistar and obese Zucker rats, mounted in microvascular myographs, and the effects of H2O2 were assessed.

Key Results

H2O2 raised intracellular Ca2+ concentrations, accompanied by simultaneous vasoconstriction that was markedly reduced in a Ca2+‐free medium. Upon Ca2+ re‐addition, a nifedipine‐resistant sustained Ca2+ entry, not coupled to contraction, was obtained in endothelium‐denuded coronary arteries. The effect of H2O2 on this voltage‐independent Ca2+ influx was concentration‐dependent, and high micromolar H2O2 concentrations were inhibitory and reduced SOC entry evoked by inhibition of the sarcoplasmic reticulum ATPase (SERCA). H2O2‐induced increases in Fura signals were mimicked by Ba2+ and reduced by heparin, Gd3+ ions and by Pyr6, a selective inhibitor of the Orai1‐mediated Ca2+ entry,. In coronary arteries from obese Zucker rats, intracellular Ca2+ mobilization and SOC entry activated by acute exposure to H2O2 were augmented and associated with local oxidative stress.

Conclusion and Implications

H2O2 exerted dual concentration‐dependent stimulatory/inhibitory effects on store‐operated, IP3 receptor‐mediated and Orai1‐mediated Ca2+ entry, not coupled to vasoconstriction in coronary vascular smooth muscle. SOC entry activated by H2O2 was enhanced and associated with vascular oxidative stress in coronary arteries in metabolic syndrome.
Does Tree Species Composition Affect Productivity in a Tropical Planted Forest?
Authors: Salisbury Claire L. , Potvin Catherine
Published: September 2015

With growing pressure on primary forests from destructive land uses, increasing the diversity of native species plantations can increase ecosystem service provision, such as timber production or carbon sequestration, thus better supporting sustainable livelihoods. Understanding the effects of tree species composition on productivity can inform plantation design and ecological restoration strategies. However, tree species composition effects have been neglected in experimental biodiversity‐ecosystem function (BEF) research. This study uses a 10‐yr data set from one of the first tropical planted forest experiments established with native species and designed forBEFresearch at scales relevant to forest management. At our site in Sardinilla, Panama, we established plots containing 6 species from a pool of 18, in four combinations, to investigate how composition affects species and plot productivity. We used basal area as a proxy for productivity through time, measured annually, and summed this at species and plot levels for analysis. We found that plots that differed in species composition appeared to differ in temporal rate of basal area increase, but did not differ inBAafter 10 yr. Species were generally consistent in size between compositions, and composition performance was correlated with the size of component species, suggesting that species identities were most important in determining plot productivity. Our results suggest that species choice can be based on preferences for individual species, as species performance was consistent across composition contexts. We make recommendations for the use of particularly productive species that also provide multiple services such asGuazuma ulmifolia, Spondias mombin, andAnacardium excelsum.
Sinus Floor Augmentation Using Straumann® BoneCeramic™ and Bio‐Oss® in a Split Mouth Design and Later Placement of Implants: A 5‐Year Report from a Longitudinal Study
Authors: Mordenfeld Arne , Lindgren Christer , Hallman Mats
Published: September 2015

Background

Straumann® BoneCeramic™ is a synthetic biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) aimed for sinus floor augmentation. Long‐term follow‐up of implants placed in BCP after sinus augmentation is still missing.

Purpose

The primary aim of the study was to compare survival rates and marginal bone loss of Straumann SLActive implants placed in either BCP (test) or Bio‐Oss® (DBB) (control) after sinus floor augmentation. The secondary aim was to calculate graft sinus height at different time points.

Materials and Methods

Bilateral sinus floor augmentation was performed in a split mouth model. Eleven patients (mean age 67 years) received 100% BCP on one side and 100% DBB on the contralateral side. After 8 months of graft healing, 62 Straumann SLActive implants were placed. After 5 years of functional loading (6 years after augmentation) of implants, marginal bone levels and grafted sinus height were measured, and implant survival and success rates were calculated.

Results

After 5 years of loading, all prosthetic constructions were in function although two implants were lost in each grafting material. The overall implant survival rate was 93.5% (91.7% for BCP, 91.3% for DBB, and 100% for residual bone). The success rates were 83.3% and 91.3% for BCP and DBB, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in mean marginal bone level after 5 years between BCP (1.4 ± 1.2 mm) and DBB (1.0 ± 0.7 mm). Graft height reduction (GHR) after 6 years was limited to 6.6% for BCP and 5.8% for DBB.

Conclusion

In this limited RCT study, the choice of biomaterial used for sinus floor augmentation did not seem to have any impact on survival rates and marginal bone level of the placed implants after 5 years of functional loading and GHR was minimal.
Modeling Reputation as a Time‐Series: Evaluating the Risk of Purchase Decisions on eBay*
Authors: Hayne Stephen C. , Wang Haonan , Wang Lu
Published: September 2015

Reputation systems based on buyer feedback play an important role in today's online markets. In this article, we provide a rigorous methodology to establish a relationship between a seller's feedback history and risk of default. We validate this method against eBay's reputation system, using a dataset of terminated users (Not‐A‐Registered‐User or NARU) and the feedback left for them by buyers. By treating feedback rating data as a function of time, we characterize the tendency of change in seller feedback ratings in order to predict the behavior of a seller. We find that NARU sellers have significantly more negative feedback in their final weeks. Applying functional principal component analysis and classification tree methods, we find that when projecting the feedback data to an appropriate space, NARU and non‐NARU sellers can be distinguished at better than 92% accuracy. We use this to provide a quantitative mechanism for evaluating the risk of trading with a seller who has less than perfect feedback, and offer advice on how much a buyer should offer to pay, given an asking price on a commodity item and a seller's feedback history.
Carboxymethyl lysine, an advanced glycation end product, and incident diabetes: a case–cohort analysis of the ARIC Study
Authors: Luft V. C. , Duncan B. B. , Schmidt M. I. , Chambless L. E. , Pankow J. S. , Hoogeveen R. C. , Couper D. J. , Heiss G.
Published: September 2015

Aims

To verify whether elevated fasting levels of circulating carboxymethyl lysine (CML), an advanced glycation end product, predict the development of diabetes in middle‐age adults.

Methods

Using a stratified case–cohort design, we followed 543 middle‐aged individuals who developed diabetes and 514 who did not over a median 9 years in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study. Weighted Cox proportional hazards analyses were used to account for the design.

Results

In weighted analyses, correlation between CML levels and anthropometric, inflammatory or metabolic variables was minimal (Pearson correlations usually < 0.10). CML, when modelled as a continuous variable and after adjustment for age, sex, race, centre, parental history of diabetes, BMI, waist‐to‐hip ratio, non‐esterified fatty acids, oxidized LDL‐cholesterol, GFR, smoking, an inflammation score, adiponectin, leptin, insulin and glucose levels, was associated with an increased risk of diabetes [Hazard ratio (HR) = 1.35; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.09–1.67, for each 100 ng/ml CML increment]. Baseline glucose level and race each modified the association (P < 0.05 for interaction), which was present only among those with impaired fasting glucose (≥ 5.6 mmol/l, HR = 1.61, 95% CI 1.26–2.05) and among white participants (HR = 1.50, 95% CI 1.13–1.99).

Conclusions

Elevated fasting CML, after adjustment for multiple risk factors for diabetes, predicts the development of incident diabetes, the association being present among those with impaired fasting glucose and in white participants. These prospective findings suggest that advanced glycation end products might play a role in the development of diabetes.
Detection of artificially induced vertical root fractures of different widths by cone beam computed tomography in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Makeeva I. M. , Byakova S. F. , Novozhilova N. E. , Adzhieva E. K. , Golubeva G. I. , Grachev V. I. , Kasatkina I. V.
Published: September 2015

Aims

To compare the diagnostic accuracy of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) for the detection of artificially induced vertical root fractures (VRFs) of different widths in vitro and in vivo.

Methodology

Vertical root fractures were induced in 25 extracted nonendodontically treated single‐rooted human teeth (maxillary first premolars, maxillary canines and mandibular incisors). Twenty teeth without VRFs served as a control group. CBCT scanning (3D Accuitomo 170) was performed in vitro and in vivo. For the in vivo scanning, teeth were autoclaved, embedded into bite plates, placed in sterile plastic bags and then inserted into the mouths of volunteers. Teeth with VRFs were sectioned into axial slices and examined using a stereomicroscope to measure the widths of the VRFs. Five observers assessed the presence of VRFs using axial CBCT. Values for sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and interexaminer agreement were calculated.

Results

The accuracy, specificity and sensitivity of CBCT were significantly higher in vitro than in vivo for VRFs with widths 50–150 μm (P < 0.05). The sensitivity and accuracy of CBCT were significantly higher for the detection of VRFs with widths greater than 150 μm in vivo and in vitro (P < 0.05). The accuracy of CBCT in vivo was 0.29 and 0.8 for fracture widths ranging from 50 to 150 μm and wider than 150 μm, respectively. No significant differences in CBCT specificity were found between VRF widths both in vitro and in vivo. The interexaminer reliability of the raters revealed a kappa value of 0.72, demonstrating substantial agreement.

Conclusion

The detectability of VRFs by CBCT in vitro and in vivo was dependent upon fracture width. The accuracy of CBCT in detecting VRFs of 50–300 μm width in vivo was significantly lower compared to the in vitro accuracy.
An integrated production–distribution inventory system involving probabilistic defective and errors in quality inspection under variable setup cost
Authors: Priyan S. , Uthayakumar R.
Published: September 2015

This paper presents a probabilistic defective vendor–buyer integrated inventory model with the consideration of quality inspection errors at the buyer's end and setup cost as function of capital investment. An integrated inventory model is established to find the optimal solutions of lot size, setup cost, and the total number of shipments from the vendor to the buyer in one production run, so that the joint expected total cost incurred has the minimum value. We consider three types of continuous probabilistic defective function to find the associated cost of the system. The expected total cost function is derived for each of these three distributions, its convexity is proved via differential calculus. An efficient iterative algorithm is designed to obtain the optimal solution of the model. The computational effort and time are small for the proposed algorithm and it is simple to implement. Numerical examples and sensitivity analysis are used to demonstrate the application and the performance of the proposed methodology. The computational results indicate that if we make decisions with the capital investment in reducing setup cost, it will help to lower the system cost, and we obtain a significant amount of savings to increase the competitive edge in business.
Monoterpene biosynthesis potential of plant subcellular compartments
Authors: Dong Lemeng , Jongedijk Esmer , Bouwmeester Harro , Van Der Krol Alexander
Published: September 2015

Subcellular monoterpene biosynthesis capacity based on local geranyl diphosphate (GDP) availability or locally boosted GDP production was determined for plastids, cytosol and mitochondria.

A geraniol synthase (GES) was targeted to plastids, cytosol, or mitochondria. Transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana indicated local GDP availability for each compartment but resulted in different product levels. A GDP synthase from Picea abies (PaGDPS1) was shown to boost GDP production. PaGDPS1 was also targeted to plastids, cytosol or mitochondria and PaGDPS1 and GES were coexpressed in all possible combinations.

Geraniol and geraniol‐derived products were analyzed by GC‐MS and LC‐MS, respectively. GES product levels were highest for plastid‐targeted GES, followed by mitochondrial‐ and then cytosolic‐targeted GES. For each compartment local boosting of GDP biosynthesis increased GES product levels.

GDP exchange between compartments is not equal: while no GDP is exchanged from the cytosol to the plastids, 100% of GDP in mitochondria can be exchanged to plastids, while only 7% of GDP from plastids is available for mitochondria. This suggests a direct exchange mechanism for GDP between plastids and mitochondria. Cytosolic PaGDPS1 competes with plastidial GES activity, suggesting an effective drain of isopentenyl diphosphate from the plastids to the cytosol.
Cytokinin‐induced promotion of root meristem size in the fern Azolla supports a shoot‐like origin of euphyllophyte roots
Authors: de Vries Jan , Fischer Angela Melanie , Roettger Mayo , Rommel Sophie , Schluepmann Henriette , Bräutigam Andrea , Carlsbecker Annelie , Gould Sven Bernhard
Published: September 2015

The phytohormones cytokinin and auxin orchestrate the root meristem development in angiosperms by determining embryonic bipolarity. Ferns, having the most basal euphyllophyte root, form neither bipolar embryos nor permanent embryonic primary roots but rather an adventitious root system. This raises the questions of how auxin and cytokinin govern fern root system architecture and whether this can tell us something about the origin of that root.

Using Azolla filiculoides, we characterized the influence of IAA and zeatin on adventitious fern root meristems and vasculature by Nomarski microscopy. Simultaneously, RNAseq analyses, yielding 36 091 contigs, were used to uncover how the phytohormones affect root tip gene expression.

We show that auxin restricts Azolla root meristem development, while cytokinin promotes it; it is the opposite effect of what is observed in Arabidopsis. Global gene expression profiling uncovered 145 genes significantly regulated by cytokinin or auxin, including cell wall modulators, cell division regulators and lateral root formation coordinators.

Our data illuminate both evolution and development of fern roots. Promotion of meristem size through cytokinin supports the idea that root meristems of euphyllophytes evolved from shoot meristems. The foundation of these roots was laid in a postembryonically branching shoot system.
Genetic variation and selfing rate in Lychnis flos‐cuculi along an industrial pollution gradient
Authors: Dulya Olesya V. , Mikryukov Vladimir S.
Published: September 2015

We studied nine populations of a meadow mixed‐mating plant Lychnis flos‐cuculi growing in a gradient of copper smelter emissions. We hypothesize that metal tolerant populations in the polluted areas have experienced a loss of genetic variation and are more selfing than the populations from the unpolluted areas.

One hundred and thirty‐five parental plants and 1059 offspring were genotyped with six microsatellite markers. Selfing rates were assessed manually, with Rmes, Mltr and Colony2. Soil toxicity, population density and pollinators' activity were estimated in the studied areas.

Populations from the heavily polluted area have experienced a strong founder effect. However, at present, they are characterized by high densities. A recent genetic explosion was registered for the population from the most polluted site, probably due to forest thinning under pollution effects. Selfing rates estimated with different approaches agreed well only for populations with high genetic variation; they comprised 0–0.23 and were similar between polluted and clean areas.

Self‐fertilization in L. flos‐cuculi hardly represents a mechanism for the fixation of advantageous alleles and a barrier for gene flow from non‐tolerant populations. The employment of different methods of selfing rate estimation in populations with low genetic variation appears to be necessary, though not a guarantee of reliable conclusions.
Examining the cause of high inbreeding depression: analysis of whole‐genome sequence data in 28 selfed progeny of Eucalyptus grandis
Authors: Hedrick Philip W. , Hellsten Uffe , Grattapaglia Dario
Published: September 2015

The genome‐wide heterozygosity at 9590 genes, all heterozygous in a single Eucalyptus grandis parent tree, was examined in a group of 28 S1 offspring. Heterozygosity ranged from 52–79%, averaging 65.5%, much higher than the 50% expected under random segregation, supporting the occurrence of strong (47%) selection against homozygosity.

The expected pattern of heterozygosity from theoretical calculations and simulations for recessive detrimentals (pseudo‐overdominance) and intrinsic heterozygote advantage was examined and compared with that observed. The observed patterns are consistent with at least several detrimental loci with large effects on both parental chromosomes of the 11 pairs. It is likely that 100 or more genes, many with substantial effects on viability, are contributing to this inbreeding depression.

Although our genome‐wide analysis of nearly 10 000 genes strongly suggested that pseudo‐overdominance was responsible for the observed high inbreeding depression, heterozygote advantage could not be excluded.

Finding inconvertible evidence of the cause of inbreeding depression still presents a difficult challenge. This study is the first theoretical examination of the genomic effect of inbreeding in a forest tree and provides an approach to analyze these data to determine the extent and cause of inbreeding depression across other plant genomes.
Hormonal, Physiological, and Physical Performance During Simulated Kickboxing Combat: Differences Between Winners and Losers
Authors: Ouergui Ibrahim , Davis Philip , Houcine Nizar , Marzouki Hamza , Zaouali Monia , Franchini Emerson , Gmada Nabil , Bouhlel Ezzedine
Published: September 2015

The aim of the current study was to investigate the hormonal, physiological, and physical responses of simulated kickboxing competition and evaluate if there was a difference between winners and losers. Twenty athletes of regional and national level participated in the study (mean ± SD age 21.3 ± 2.7 y, height 170.0 ± 5.0 cm). Hormone (cortisol, testosterone, growth hormone), blood lactate [La], and glucose concentrations, as well as upper-body Wingate test and countermovement-jump (CMJ) performances, were measured before and after combats. Heart rate (HR) was measured throughout rounds 1, 2, and 3 and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was taken after each round. All combats were recorded and analyzed to determine the length of different activity phases (high-intensity, low-intensity, and referee pause) and the frequency of techniques. Hormones, glucose, [La], HR, and RPE increased (all P < .001) precombat to postcombat, while a decrease was observed for CMJ, Wingate test performance, body mass (all P < .001), and time of high-intensity activities (P = .005). There was no difference between winners and losers for hormonal, physiological, and physical variables (P > .05). However, winners executed more jab cross, total punches, roundhouse kicks, total kicks, and total attacking techniques (all P < .042) than losers. Kickboxing is an intermittent physically demanding sport that induces changes in the stress-related hormones soliciting the anaerobic lactic system. Training should be oriented to enhance kickboxers’ anaerobic lactic fitness and their ability to strike at a sufficient rate. Further investigation is needed to identify possible differences in tactical and mental abilities that offer some insight into what makes winners winners.
Spherical nucleic acids start rolling
Authors: Service Robert F.
Published: September 2015

Promise of cancer-seeking nanoparticles wins funding for research center.
Consensus Sequence of 27 African Horse Sickness Virus Genomes from Viruses Collected over a 76-Year Period (1933 to 2009)
Authors: Potgieter A. Christiaan , Wright Isabella M. , van Dijk Alberdina A.
Published: September 2015

We announce the complete consensus genome sequence of 27 African horse sickness viruses, representing all nine African horse sickness virus (AHSV) serotypes from historical and recent isolates collected over a 76-year period (1933 to 2009). The data set includes the sequence of the virulent Office International des Epizooties AHSV reference strains which are not adapted to cell culture.
Draft Genome Sequence of a Bordetella pertussis Strain with the Virulence-Associated Allelic Variant
ptxP3
, Isolated in Italy
Authors: Anselmo A. , Buttinelli G. , Ciammaruconi A. , Midulla F. , Nicolai A. , Fortunato A. , Palozzi A. , Fillo S. , Lista F. , Stefanelli P.
Published: September 2015

Despite a universal immunization program, pertussis has persisted and resurged, and is of particular concern for infants in terms of morbidity and mortality. Here, we report the genome sequence of a
Bordetella pertussis
strain with the virulence-associated allelic variant
ptxP3
, isolated from a 45-day-old infant.
Complete Genome Sequence of Achromobacter xylosoxidans MN001, a Cystic Fibrosis Airway Isolate
Authors: Badalamenti Jonathan P. , Hunter Ryan C.
Published: September 2015

The genome of
Achromobacter xylosoxidans
MN001, a strain isolated from sputum derived from an adult cystic fibrosis patient, was sequenced using combined single-molecule real-time and Illumina sequencing. Assembly of the complete genome resulted in a 5,876,039-bp chromosome, representing the smallest
A. xylosoxidans
genome sequenced to date.
Draft Genome Sequences of
Dickeya
sp. Isolates B16 (NIB Z 2098) and S1 (NIB Z 2099) Causing Soft Rot of
Phalaenopsis
Orchids
Authors: Alič Špela , Naglič Tina , Llop Pablo , Toplak Nataša , Koren Simon , Ravnikar Maja , Dreo Tanja
Published: September 2015

The genus
Dickeya
contains bacteria causing soft rot of economically important crops and ornamental plants. Here, we report the draft genome sequences of two
Dickeya
sp. isolates from rotted leaves of
Phalaenopsis
orchids.
Association of 12 h shifts and nurses’ job satisfaction, burnout and intention to leave: findings from a cross-sectional study of 12 European countries
Authors: Dall'Ora Chiara , Griffiths Peter , Ball Jane , Simon Michael , Aiken Linda H
Published: September 2015

Objectives

12 h shifts are becoming increasingly common for hospital nurses but there is concern that long shifts adversely affect nurses’ well-being, job satisfaction and intention to leave their job. The aim of this study is to examine the association between working long shifts and burnout, job dissatisfaction, dissatisfaction with work schedule flexibility and intention to leave current job among hospital nurses.

Methods

Cross-sectional survey of 31 627 registered nurses in 2170 general medical/surgical units within 488 hospitals across 12 European countries.

Results

Nurses working shifts of ≥12 h were more likely than nurses working shorter hours (≤8) to experience burnout, in terms of emotional exhaustion (adjusted OR (aOR)=1.26; 95% CI 1.09 to 1.46), depersonalisation (aOR=1.21; 95% CI 1.01 to 1.47) and low personal accomplishment (aOR=1.39; 95% CI 1.20 to 1.62). Nurses working shifts of ≥12 h were more likely to experience job dissatisfaction (aOR=1.40; 95% CI 1.20 to 1.62), dissatisfaction with work schedule flexibility (aOR=1.15; 95% CI 1.00 to 1.35) and report intention to leave their job due to dissatisfaction (aOR=1.29; 95% CI 1.12 to 1.48).

Conclusions

Longer working hours for hospital nurses are associated with adverse outcomes for nurses. Some of these adverse outcomes, such as high burnout, may pose safety risks for patients as well as nurses.
Validation of a survey tool to assess the patient safety attitudes of pharmacy students
Authors: Walpola Ramesh L , Fois Romano A , Carter Stephen R , McLachlan Andrew J , Chen Timothy F
Published: September 2015

Objective

Patient safety education is a key strategy to minimise harm, and is increasingly being introduced into junior pharmacy curricula. However, currently there is no valid and reliable survey tool to measure the patient safety attitudes of pharmacy students. This study aimed to validate a modified survey tool, originally developed by Madigoskyet al, to evaluate patient safety attitudes of junior pharmacy students.

Design

A 23-item cross-sectional patient safety survey tool was utilised to evaluate first and second year pharmacy students’ attitudes during May 2013 with both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses performed to understand the psychometric properties of the survey tool and to establish construct validity.

Setting

Undergraduate university students in Sydney, Australia

Participants

245 first year and 201 second year students enrolled in the Bachelor of Pharmacy Programme at The University of Sydney, Australia in May 2013.

Results

After exploratory factor analysis on first year student responses (55.76% variance explained) and confirmatory factor analysis on second year responses, a 5-factor model consisting of 14 items was obtained with satisfactory model fit (χ2(66)=112.83, p<0.001, RMSEA=0.06, CFI=0.91) and nesting between year groups (Δχ2(7)=3.079, p=0.878). The five factors measured students’ attitudes towards: (1) being quality improvement focused, (2) internalising errors regardless of harm, (3) value of contextual learning, (4) acceptability of questioning more senior healthcare professionals’ behaviour and (5) attitude towards open disclosure.

Conclusions

This study has established the reliability and validity of a modified survey tool to evaluate patient safety attitudes of pharmacy students, with the potential for use in course development and evaluation.
Improving induction of labour - a quality improvement project addressing Caesarean section rates and length of process in women undergoing induction of labour
Authors: O'Dwyer Sabrina , Raniolo Caterina , Roper Janice , Gupta Manish
Published: September 2015

Induction of labour (IOL) in maternity care is often not an area of priority in maternity services, which often results in protracted delays, a poor patient experience, and patient complaints. Caesarean section (CS) rates among women undergoing IOL at this inner city district general hospital were noted to be higher than other units nationwide.

We collected pre and post-intervention data of the following outcome measures: time taken to administer prostaglandin after arrival, time taken to achieve established labour, mode of delivery, and user satisfaction scores. Our introduction of a dedicated IOL Suite, promotion of out-patient IOL, use of a single administration prostaglandin (as opposed to traditional six hourly prostaglandin), widespread staff engagement and rolling audit has resulted in positive change in the maternity unit. CS rates for women undergoing IOL have been reduced from 29% to 22% (p=0.05), time taken to administer the induction medication has decreased from 6.3h to 2.7h (p=0.0001), and out-patient induction rates have increased from 3% to 33% (p=0.001).

We have achieved a reduction in the overall length of in-patient stay. We have also received positive feedback from both staff and patients. We used a bottom-up approach, engaging frontline staff in problem identification and pathway design. Our staff engagement questionnaire showed other benefits such as increased staff morale as a result.

Collection of simple performance data and sharing of this in real time with staff acts as a valuable tool for acceptance of change and continuous improvement. Communicating plans to a large body of people is important in ensuring the success of an intervention. Staff showing disengagement may require specific detailed information to allay their concerns. Following initial successes, ongoing vigilance, and collection of audit data is key to sustaining any improvement.
Improving timely medical reviews for patients discharged from intensive care
Authors: Kumar Prashant
Published: September 2015

Transferring patients from the intensive care unit (ICU) to a general ward is commonly associated with error and adverse events, and is one of the most challenging and high-risk transitions of care. Patients discharged from ICUs often require sustained intensive multi-disciplinary team input, part of which can be provided by nurse or clinician-led outreach teams. Unfortunately, due to a lack of resources many institutions do not have such programmes. We work in one such hospital with no ICU outreach service for recently discharged patients.

We noted that a disproportionate number of patients recently discharged from the ICU needed acute medical reviews by on-call evening and overnight junior doctors. Furthermore we noted that many of these patients had not been reviewed by their medical team after having arrived onto the general ward from the ICU.

We aimed to foster a fundamental culture change within junior doctors to review patients within six hours of arrival onto a ward from the ICU. We introduced simple and low-cost interventions that included educational sessions for junior doctors and ward-based nurses, as well as posters that acted as visual reminders in relevant departments.

Overall, the number of patients discharged from the ICU to general wards that were reviewed within six hours improved from 22% to 70% in the space of six months. In the same period, the number of patients requiring an acute medical review by the evening or overnight on-call junior doctor dropped from 14% to 0%.

Whilst our project is not necessarily appropriate for many larger institutions that already have outreach teams in place, it is certainly applicable to other similar sized smaller hospitals. We hope that others who face the same inherent barriers are inspired to implement similar projects, to bring about positive change, and ultimately improve the safety of their patients.
Mechanisms of Physical-Biological-Biogeochemical Interaction at the Oceanic Mesoscale
Authors: McGillicuddy Dennis J.
Published: September 2015

Mesoscale phenomena are ubiquitous and highly energetic features of ocean circulation. Their influence on biological and biogeochemical processes varies widely, stemming not only from advective transport but also from the generation of variations in the environment that affect biological and chemical rates. The ephemeral nature of mesoscale features in the ocean makes it difficult to elucidate the attendant mechanisms of physical-biological-biogeochemical interaction, necessitating the use of multidisciplinary approaches involving in situ observations, remote sensing, and modeling. All three aspects are woven through this review in an attempt to synthesize current understanding of the topic, with particular emphasis on novel developments in recent years.
Beyond Words: How Humans Communicate Through Sound
Authors: Kraus Nina , Slater Jessica
Published: September 2015

Every day we communicate using complex linguistic and musical systems, yet these modern systems are the product of a much more ancient relationship with sound. When we speak, we communicate not only with the words we choose, but also with the patterns of sound we create and the movements that create them. From the natural rhythms of speech, to the precise timing characteristics of a consonant, these patterns guide our daily communication. By examining the principles of information processing that are common to speech and music, we peel back the layers to reveal the biological foundations of human communication through sound. Further, we consider how the brain's response to sound is shaped by experience, such as musical expertise, and implications for the treatment of communication disorders.
Evidence-Based Practice: The Psychology of EBP Implementation
Authors: Rousseau Denise M. , Gunia Brian C.
Published: September 2015

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is an approach used in numerous professions that focuses attention on evidence quality in decision making and action. We review research on EBP implementation, identifying critical underlying psychological factors facilitating and impeding its use. In describing EBP and the forms of evidence it employs, we highlight the challenges individuals face in appraising evidence quality, particularly that of their personal experience. We next describe critical EBP competencies and the challenges underlying their acquisition: foundational competencies of critical thinking and domain knowledge, and functional competencies such as question formulation, evidence search and appraisal, and outcome evaluation. We then review research on EBP implementation across diverse fields from medicine to management and organize findings around three key contributors to EBP: practitioner ability, motivation, and opportunity to practice (AMO). Throughout, important links between psychology and EBP are highlighted, along with the contributions psychological research can make to further EBP development and implementation.
Development of Three-Dimensional Perception in Human Infants
Authors: Norcia Anthony M. , Gerhard Holly E.
Published: September 2015

The play of light on the retina contains multiple sources of information about the three-dimensional (3D) structure of the world. Some of the best information is derived from differencing operations that act on the images that result from the two eyes’ laterally displaced vantage points. Other information is available in systematic retinal patterns of local texture and motion cues. This article describes what is currently known about the development of sensitivity to these binocular and monocular cues for depth in human infants, and it places the results in the context of what is known about the underlying neural mechanisms from work in nonhuman primates and human neuroimaging studies.
Regulated Hyaluronan Synthesis by Vascular Cells
Authors: Viola Manuela , Karousou Evgenia , D’Angelo Maria Luisa , Caon Ilaria , De Luca Giancarlo , Passi Alberto , Vigetti Davide
Published: September 2015

Cellular microenvironment plays a critical role in several pathologies including atherosclerosis. Hyaluronan (HA) content often reflects the progression of this disease in promoting vessel thickening and cell migration. HA synthesis is regulated by several factors, including the phosphorylation of HA synthase 2 (HAS2) and other covalent modifications including ubiquitination and O-GlcNAcylation. Substrate availability is important in HA synthesis control. Specific drugs reducing the UDP precursors are able to reduce HA synthesis whereas the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway (HBP) increases the concentration of HA precursor UDP-N-acetylglucosamine (UDP-GlcNAc) leading to an increase of HA synthesis. The flux through the HBP in the regulation of HA biosynthesis in human aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) was reported as a critical aspect. In fact, inhibiting O-GlcNAcylation reduced HA production whereas increased O-GlcNAcylation augmented HA secretion. Additionally, O-GlcNAcylation regulates HAS2 gene expression resulting in accumulation of its mRNA after induction of O-GlcNAcylation with glucosamine treatments. The oxidized LDLs, the most common molecules related to atherosclerosis outcome and progression, are also able to induce a strong HA synthesis when they are in contact with vascular cells. In this review, we present recent described mechanisms involved in HA synthesis regulation and their role in atherosclerosis outcome and development.
Dimensions and Anatomical Variants of the Foramen Transversarium of Typical Cervical Vertebrae
Authors: Sangari Santosh Kaur , Dossous Paul-Michel , Heineman Thomas , Mtui Estomih Phillip
Published: September 2015

The study was conducted on random sample of seventy-one dried, typical cervical vertebrae (C3–C6). The data on the age, sex, and built was not available. Using vernier calipers with 0.01 mm accuracy, the anteroposterior and transverse diameters of transverse foramina and their distance from the medial margin of the uncinate process were measured bilaterally. The mean diameter of the right/left transverse foramen varied from 2.54 mm to 7.79 mm (mean = 5.55 ± 0.87 mm) and from 2.65 mm to 7.35 mm (mean = 5.48 ± 0.77 mm), respectively. The transverse foramen was less than 3.5 mm in three vertebrae on the right and two on the left. The osteocytes observed in 21.3% of specimens and the narrow transverse foramen may place patients at risk for vertebrobasilar insufficiency or thrombus formation. The mean distance of the transverse foramen from the medial margin of uncinate process is an important landmark to avoid vertebral artery laceration and was 5.0 ± 0.87 mm (range: 3.5–7.9 mm) on the right and 5.0 ± 1.0 mm (range: 3.2–7.7 mm) on the left side. No statistically significant difference was observed between the right and left sides. The accessory transverse foramina seen in 24% of vertebrae suggest duplications or fenestrations in the vertebral artery.
Possible Micrometeorological Anomalies Induced by Volcanic Activity Recorded at Stromboli Island (Aeolian Archipelago, Italy)
Authors: Madonia Paolo , Cangemi Marianna , Inguaggiato Salvatore
Published: September 2015

Hourly values of atmospheric pressure and air temperature have been acquired at the top of two volcanic islands, Stromboli and Salina in the Aeolian Archipelago (Italy), very similar in height and morphology but completely different with regard to their volcanic activity state: the former is permanently active, whereas the latter is extinguished. During the last four years Stromboli experienced normal activity, volcanic unrests, and an effusive eruption (August–November 2014). The comparative analysis of the recorded data, both in the time and frequency domains, evidenced a peculiar micrometeorological regime at Stromboli, more turbulent during unrests with respect to the quieter periods, but showing an apparent paradox during eruptions, characterized by a lower atmospheric turbulence. These observations suggest that the studied volcanic-micrometeorological system is chaotic, due to contemporary opposite transients generated in the atmosphere by volcanic activity changes, and that micrometeorological conditions in volcanic areas are controlled both by exogenous processes and volcanic activity.