bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Earnings Metrics, Information Processing, and Price Efficiency in Laboratory Markets
Authors: ELLIOTT W. BROOKE , HOBSON JESSEN L. , WHITE BRIAN J.
Published: March 2015

An enduring issue in financial reporting is whether and how salient summary measures of firm performance (“earnings metrics”) affect market price efficiency. In laboratory markets, we test the effects of salient earnings metrics, which vary in how they combine persistent and transitory elements, on investor information search, beliefs about value, offers to trade, and market price efficiency. We find that including transitory elements in salient earnings metrics causes traders to search unnecessarily for further information about these elements and to overestimate their effect on fundamental value relative to a rational benchmark. In contrast, separately displaying persistent elements in earnings increases the accuracy of traders’ value estimates. Prices generally reflect traders’ beliefs about value, and prices are most efficient when transitory elements are excluded from earnings metrics entirely. Our study contributes to research on salience effects in financial reporting by showing that including transitory elements in salient earnings metrics causes inefficient information search and biased beliefs about value that can aggregate to affect market prices. We also contribute to research in experimental markets by showing that redundant disclosure is not always beneficial; redundant disclosure of transitory earnings elements, in particular, appears to have negative consequences for investor behavior and market efficiency.
Clarifying the effect of work hours on health through work–life conflict
Authors: Fein Erich C , Skinner Natalie
Published: March 2015

Previous research on the relationship between work hours and health has produced inconclusive findings, which may be related to the use of predominantly male samples. This paper examines the relationship between work hours and health in a national Australian sample (Australian Work + Life Index) of men and women. We examine total work hours across major occupational groups and find differences in health outcomes related to gender. In addition, our findings provide important insights into the pathway through which work hours impact health. Specifically, we offer compelling evidence that work–life conflict functions as a pathway through which total work hours impact health outcomes. The results of this study suggest that human resource management practitioners pay further attention to interventions that enable workers to more successfully manage the energy exchange between work and non‐work domains. We also review several related pathways by which human resource managers may reduce employee work–life conflict.
POLICE RESPONSE TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: SITUATIONS INVOLVING VETERANS EXHIBITING SIGNS OF MENTAL ILLNESS*
Authors: MARKOWITZ FRED E. , WATSON AMY C.
Published: March 2015

Drawing on attribution theory, research on police discretion, and public attitudes toward mental illness, we examine attributional processes in police decision making in response to domestic violence situations involving veterans and nonveterans with signs of mental illness. Using data from experimental vignettes varying veteran status, victim injury, and suspect compliance administered to a sample of 309 police officers, the results indicate that 1) veterans are perceived as less responsible for troublesome behavior but more dangerous than nonveterans, 2) suspects’ veteran status has a significant effect on officers’ preference for mental health treatment versus arrest, and 3) part of the effect of veteran status on officer response is mediated by internal and external attributions for problematic behavior and by perceptions of dangerousness. The study empirically demonstrates countervailing processes in police decision making—recognition of the causes for troublesome behavior and the need for mental health treatment on the one hand and concern for community safety and enforcing the law on the other.
Determination of Injury Risks and Safety Measures Taken by Mothers of Children With an Intellectual Disability and Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Yıldırım Sarı Hatice , Girli Alev , Ozturk Ozgonenel Semra , Rowley Helen
Published: March 2015

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to determine the injury risk behaviors and home safety measures in children with an intellectual disability or autism spectrum disorder.

Method

The study sample included mothers of 100 children between the ages of 2 and 12 years.

Findings

There was a significant difference between the home safety measures and the children's ages, the birth order of the children, and the mother's and father's ages. There was not a significant relationship between the children's ages, diagnosis, and Injury Behavior Checklist (IBC). There is a positive correlation between the total score of the Home Safety Measures Control List and IBC.
Tumour necrosis factor‐α contributes to improved cardiac ischaemic tolerance in rats adapted to chronic continuous hypoxia
Authors: Chytilová A. , Borchert G. H. , Mandíková‐Alánová P. , Hlaváčková M. , Kopkan L. , Khan Md. A. Hye , Imig J. D. , Kolář F. , Neckář J.
Published: March 2015

Aim

It has been demonstrated that tumour necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) via its receptor 2 (TNFR2) plays a role in the cardioprotective effects of preconditioning. It is also well known that chronic hypoxia is associated with activation of inflammatory response. With this background, we hypothesized that TNF‐α signalling may contribute to the improved ischaemic tolerance of chronically hypoxic hearts.

Methods

Adult male Wistar rats were kept either at room air (normoxic controls) or at continuous normobaric hypoxia (CNH; inspired O2 fraction 0.1) for 3 weeks; subgroups of animals were treated with infliximab (monoclonal antibody against TNF‐α; 5 mg kg−1, i.p., once a week). Myocardial levels of oxidative stress markers and the expression of selected signalling molecules were analysed. Infarct size (tetrazolium staining) was assessed in open‐chest rats subjected to acute coronary artery occlusion/reperfusion.

Results

CNH increased myocardial TNF‐α level and expression of TNFR2; this response was abolished by infliximab treatment. CNH reduced myocardial infarct size from 50.8 ± 4.3% of the area at risk in normoxic animals to 35.5 ± 2.4%. Infliximab abolished the protective effect of CNH (44.9 ± 2.0%). CNH increased the levels of oxidative stress markers (3‐nitrotyrosine and malondialdehyde), the expression of nuclear factor κB and manganese superoxide dismutase, while these effects were absent in infliximab‐treated animals. CNH‐elevated levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase 2 were not affected by infliximab.

Conclusion

TNF‐α plays a role in the induction of ischaemia‐resistant cardiac phenotype of CNH rats, possibly via the activation of protective redox signalling.
Direct Likelihood Inference and Sensitivity Analysis for Competing Risks Regression with Missing Causes of Failure
Authors: Moreno-Betancur Margarita , Rey Grégoire , Latouche Aurélien
Published: March 2015

Competing risks arise in the analysis of failure times when there is a distinction between different causes of failure. In many studies, it is difficult to obtain complete cause of failure information for all individuals. Thus, several authors have proposed strategies for semi-parametric modeling of competing risks when some causes of failure are missing under the missing at random (MAR) assumption. As many authors have stressed, while semi-parametric models are convenient, fully-parametric regression modeling of the cause-specific hazards (CSH) and cumulative incidence functions (CIF) may be of interest for prediction and is likely to contribute towards a fuller understanding of the time-dynamics of the competing risks mechanism. We propose a so-called “direct likelihood” approach for fitting fully-parametric regression models for these two functionals under MAR. The MAR assumption not being verifiable from the observed data, we propose an approach for performing sensitivity analyses to assess the robustness of inferences to departures from this assumption. The method relies on so-called “pattern-mixture models” from the missing data literature and was evaluated in a simulation study. This sensitivity analysis approach is applicable to various competing risks regression models (fully-parametric or semi-parametric, for the CSH or the CIF). We illustrate the proposed methods with the analysis of a breast cancer clinical trial, including suggestions for ad hoc graphical goodness-of-fit assessments under MAR.
Phylogeny of Impatiens (Balsaminaceae): integrating molecular and morphological evidence into a new classification
Authors: Yu Sheng‐Xiang , Janssens Steven B. , Zhu Xiang‐Yun , Lidén Magnus , Gao Tian‐Gang , Wang Wei
Published: March 2015

Impatiens L. is one of the largest angiosperm genera, containing over 1000 species, and is notorious for its taxonomic difficulty. Here, we present, to our knowledge, the most comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of the genus to date based on a total evidence approach. Forty‐six morphological characters, mainly obtained from our own investigations, are combined with sequence data from three genetic regions, including nuclear ribosomal ITS and plastid atpB‐rbcL and trnL‐F. We include 150 Impatiens species representing all clades recovered by previous phylogenetic analyses as well as three outgroups. Maximum‐parsimony and Bayesian inference methods were used to infer phylogenetic relationships. Our analyses concur with previous studies, but in most cases provide stronger support. Impatiens splits into two major clades. For the first time, we report that species with three‐colpate pollen and four carpels form a monophyletic group (clade I). Within clade II, seven well‐supported subclades are recognized. Within this phylogenetic framework, character evolution is reconstructed, and diagnostic morphological characters for different clades and subclades are identified and discussed. Based on both morphological and molecular evidence, a new classification outline is presented, in which Impatiens is divided into two subgenera, subgen. Clavicarpa and subgen. Impatiens; the latter is further subdivided into seven sections.
Development of a conceptual framework of health‐related quality of life in locally recurrent rectal cancer
Authors: Harji D. P. , Koh C. , Solomon M. , Velikova G. , Sagar P. M. , Brown J.
Published: March 2015

Aim

The surgical management of locally recurrent rectal cancer (LRRC) has become widely accepted to afford cure and improve quality of life in this subset of patients. Thus far, traditional surgical and oncological markers have been used to highlight the success of surgical intervention. The use of patient‐reported outcomes, specifically health‐related quality of life (HRQoL), is sparse in these patients. This may be in part due to the lack of well‐designed, validated instruments. This study identifies HRQoL issues relevant to patients undergoing surgery for LRRC, with the aim of developing a conceptual framework of HRQoL specific to LRRC to enable measurement of patient‐reported outcomes in this cohort of patients.

Method

Qualitative focus groups were undertaken at two institutions to identify relevant HRQoL themes. The principles of thematic content analysis were used to analysis data. NViVo10 was used to analyse data.

Results

Twenty‐one patients participated in six consecutive focus groups. Two patterns of themes emerged related to HRQoL and healthcare service delivery and utilization. Identified themes related to HRQoL included symptoms, sexual function, psychological impact, role and social functioning and future perspective. Under healthcare service and delivery and utilization the subdomain of disease management, treatment expectations and healthcare professionals were identified.

Conclusion

This is the first qualitative study undertaken exclusively in patients with LRRC to ascertain relevant HRQoL outcomes. The impact of LRRC on patients is wide‐ranging and extends beyond traditional HRQoL outcomes. The study operationalizes the identified outcomes into a conceptual framework, which will provide the basis for the development of a LRRC‐specific patient‐reported outcome measure.
Therapy of pyoderma gangrenosum in Germany: results of a survey among wound experts
Authors: Al Ghazal Philipp , Dissemond Joachim
Published: March 2015

Background

There are currently no therapeutic guidelines with respect to pyoderma gangrenosum (PG).

Material and methods

In order to systematically record currently practiced therapeutic options for PG, a questionnaire was developed and sent to experts at various German dermatology departments.

Results

Overall, 50 fully completed questionnaires were returned to us. On average, the diagnosis of PG is made 15 times per year. Of these patients, 11.1 % receive only topical therapy; 22.7 %, exclusively systemic therapy; and 66.2 %, both topical and systemic immunomodulatory therapy. Topically, the experts most commonly use class III (78 %) and class IV corticosteroids (88 %). All experts (100 %) reported the frequent use of systemic corticosteroids in the therapy of PG patients. Cyclosporine is used in 74 %, TNF‐α inhibitors in 24 %, and azathioprine or mycophenolate mofetil each in 20 % of patients. Systemic agents such as dapsone (16 %), intravenous immunoglobulins (14 %), methotrexate (6 %), cyclophosphamide (4 %), tacrolimus (4 %), and rituximab (2 %), however, are given less frequently.

Conclusions

Worldwide, no uniformly accepted standard is available for the treatment of patients with PG. In our survey among experts, treatment regimens currently used in Germany, and based on expert clinical experience, have now been recorded, analyzed, and benchmarked for the first time.
Unique Option Pricing Measure with neither Dynamic Hedging nor Complete Markets
Authors: Taleb Nassim Nicholas
Published: March 2015

Proof that under simple assumptions, such as constraints of Put‐Call Parity, the probability measure for the valuation of a European option has the mean derived from the forward price which can, but does not have to be the risk‐neutral one, under any general probability distribution, bypassing the Black‐Scholes‐Merton dynamic hedging argument, and without the requirement of complete markets and other strong assumptions. We confirm that the heuristics used by traders for centuries are both more robust, more consistent, and more rigorous than held in the economics literature. We also show that options can be priced using infinite variance (finite mean) distributions.
Variations in the Broadband‐Business Connection across the Urban Hierarchy
Authors: Mack Elizabeth A.
Published: March 2015

This study estimates econometric models to evaluate the linkage between broadband Internet connections and firms in counties across the urban hierarchy within the continentalU.S. Industry‐related variations in this relationship are also explored using varied definitions of the urban hierarchy. Model results indicate broadband presence in remote areas is not an explanatory factor of establishment presence. Results also suggest the manner in which the urban hierarchy is defined matters. Traditional metropolitan/nonmetropolitan and urban/rural splits of locales are insufficient to capture the geographic and industrial nuances behind this relationship.
Mef2d is essential for the maturation and integrity of retinal photoreceptor and bipolar cells
Authors: Omori Yoshihiro , Kitamura Tamiki , Yoshida Satoyo , Kuwahara Ryusuke , Chaya Taro , Irie Shoichi , Furukawa Takahisa
Published: March 2015

Mef2 transcription factors play a crucial role in cardiac and skeletal muscle differentiation. We found that Mef2d is highly expressed in the mouse retina and its loss causes photoreceptor degeneration similar to that observed in human retinitis pigmentosa patients. Electroretinograms (ERGs) were severely impaired in Mef2d−/− mice. Immunohistochemistry showed that photoreceptor and bipolar cell synapse protein levels severely decreased in the Mef2d−/− retina. Expression profiling by microarray analysis showed that Mef2d is required for the expression of various genes in photoreceptor and bipolar cells, including cone arrestin, Guca1b, Pde6h and Cacna1s, which encode outer segment and synapse proteins. We also observed that Mef2d synergistically activates the cone arrestin (Arr3) promoter with Crx, suggesting that functional cooperation between Mef2d and Crx is important for photoreceptor cell gene regulation. Taken together, our results show that Mef2d is essential for photoreceptor and bipolar cell gene expression, either independently or cooperatively with Crx.
Juvenile Migraine and Allodynia: Results of a Retrospective Study
Authors: Raieli Vincenzo , Trapolino Davide , Giordano Giuliana , Spitaleri Chiara , Consolo Flavia , Santangelo Giuseppe , Buffa Daniela , Vanadia Francesca , D'Amelio Marco
Published: March 2015

Background

There are only 2 small sample studies investigating allodynia in the pediatric population. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of allodynia during cephalalgic attacks in a juvenile population with primary headaches and its association with other symptoms of migraine.

Methods

We reviewed all medical records of patients with primary headache consecutively seen during a 2‐year period. Frequency of allodynia was evaluated, by means of a questionnaire, consisting of 6 questions (for example: Do you avoid touching your head when you have a migraine attack?).

Results

Two hundred thirty children suffering from primary headache were seen during the study period. Two hundred two children were affected by migraine, 28 (12.2%) by other primary headaches. Migraineurs significantly more frequently complained of allodynia compared to other primary headaches (37% vs 0%). At multivariate analysis, allodynia was significantly associated with pain aggravated by physical activity (adjusted odds ratio [ORa ] 2.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.0, 3.8), phonophobia (ORa 2.3, 95% CI 1.0, 5.1), and nausea (ORa 1.9, 95% CI 1.0, 3.7).

Conclusion

According to our data, allodynia is common during pediatric migraine attacks. The association between allodynia and physical activity, nausea and phonophobia are supported by studies on adult population and suggests specific physiopathological mechanisms.
Diversity and Rigor Trends in Retailing Research: Assessment and Guidelines
Authors: Finnegan Carol , Runyan Rodney C. , Gonzalez‐Padron Tracy , Hyun Jonghan
Published: March 2015

This study presents an evaluation of research diversity and rigor levels in the retail marketing literature in order to glean valuable insights for researchers. Retailing is a significant sub‐field within marketing, and occupies a large portion of the extant marketing literature. The study consists of a content analysis of 600 quantitative empirical articles in the top six marketing journals (i.e. Journal of Retailing, Journal of Marketing, Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, Journal of Consumer Research, Marketing Science and Journal of Marketing Research) over a 12‐year period. Over this period, the diversity and rigor of research design and data analytical methods were assessed across ten research sub‐communities of retail marketing research. The authors develop a measure for evaluating the rigor of research design and analytic techniques most commonly used in business research. The data reveal trends and areas for improvement in research design and reporting scholarly research.
Comparing older and younger Japanese primiparae: Fatigue, depression and biomarkers of stress
Authors: Mori Emi , Maehara Kunie , Iwata Hiroko , Sakajo Akiko , Tsuchiya Miyako , Ozawa Harumi , Morita Akiko , Maekawa Tomoko , Saeki Akiko
Published: March 2015

This cohort study of primiparae was conducted to answer the following questions: Do older (≧ 35 years) and younger (20–29 years) Japanese primiparous mothers differ when comparing biomarkers of stress and measures of fatigue and depression? Are there changes in fatigue, depression and stress biomarkers when comparing older and younger mothers during the postpartum period? The Postnatal Accumulated Fatigue Scale and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale were administered in a time‐series method four times: shortly after birth and monthly afterwards. Assays to measure biomarkers of stress, urinary 17‐ketosteroids, urinary 17‐hydroxycorticosteroids and salivary chromogranin‐A, were collected shortly after delivery and at 1 month postpartum in both groups and a third time in older mothers at the 4th month. Statistical testing showed very little difference in fatigue, depression or stress biomarkers between older and younger mothers shortly after birth or 1 month later. Accumulated fatigue and depression scores of older mothers were highest 1 month after delivery. Additional cohort studies are required to characterize physical/psychological well‐being of older Japanese primiparae.
Family Nurture Intervention in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit improves social‐relatedness, attention, and neurodevelopment of preterm infants at 18 months in a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Welch Martha G. , Firestein Morgan R. , Austin Judy , Hane Amie A. , Stark Raymond I. , Hofer Myron A. , Garland Marianne , Glickstein Sara B. , Brunelli Susan A. , Ludwig Robert J. , Myers Michael M.
Published: March 2015

Background

Preterm infants are at high risk for adverse neurodevelopmental and behavioral outcomes. Family Nurture Intervention (FNI) in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is designed to counteract adverse effects of separation of mothers and their preterm infants. Here, we evaluate effects of FNI on neurobehavioral outcomes.

Methods

Data were collected at 18 months corrected age from preterm infants. Infants were assigned at birth to FNI or standard care (SC). Bayley Scales of Infant Development III (Bayley‐III) were assessed for 76 infants (SC, n = 31; FNI, n = 45); the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) for 57 infants (SC, n = 31; FNI, n = 26); and the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M‐CHAT) was obtained for 59 infants (SC, n = 33; FNI, n = 26).

Results

Family Nurture Intervention significantly improved Bayley‐III cognitive (p = .039) and language (p = .008) scores for infants whose scores were greater than 85. FNI infants had fewer attention problems on the CBCL (p < .02). FNI improved total M‐CHAT scores (p < .02). Seventy‐six percent of SC infants failed at least one of the M‐CHAT items, compared to 27% of FNI infants (p < .001). In addition, 36% of SC infants versus 0% of FNI infants failed at least one social‐relatedness M‐CHAT item (p < .001).

Conclusions

Family Nurture Intervention is the first NICU intervention to show significant improvements in preterm infants across multiple domains of neurodevelopment, social‐relatedness, and attention problems. These gains suggest that an intervention that facilitates emotional interactions between mothers and infants in the NICU may be key to altering developmental trajectories of preterm infants.
Biochar amendment to soils impairs developmental and reproductive performances of a major rice pest Nilaparvata lugens (Homopera: Delphacidae)
Authors: Hou X. , Meng L. , Li L. , Pan G. , Li B.
Published: March 2015

Biochar amendments to soils had aroused much interest for having potential for greenhouse gas mitigation, soil improvement and increased crop productivity. However, little attention had been focused on the influence of biochar amendments on herbivorous insect pests. This study investigated whether a biochar amendment affected developmental and reproductive performances of the rice brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens) feeding on rice plants. The biochar from the pyrolysis of wheat straw was used for treatments of soils (from a fallow rice field), and the treated soils were applied to grow rice seedlings in small vials, in which N. lugens life history was observed. The nymphal development time was delayed and nymph‐to‐adult survival decreased with a high level of 200 g/kg biochar application. Herbivore lifetime fecundity decreased with increasing amounts of biochar, from 256 eggs under the control down to 69 eggs under the high level (200 g/kg) of biochar application. Egg‐hatching rate significantly decreased at the highest biochar level (200 g/kg), compared to the other lower biochar levels. Our results suggest that biochar amendment to rice fields may have negative impacts on the rice brown planthoppers when applied at level of 200 g/kg of soil.
Evaluating the Child Abuse and Neglect Institute: Does Training Affect Decision‐Making?
Authors: Sicafuse Lorie L. , Wood Steve M. , Summers Alicia , DeVault Alicia
Published: March 2015

Traditionally, training evaluations have focused on participants' satisfaction and self‐reported knowledge gain. The current study uses a different approach to evaluate the Child Abuse and Neglect Institute (CANI), a training program designed to educate judicial officers on best practices in child abuse and neglect cases. CANI participants were asked to review a case scenario and render decisions about the case before and after the trainings. Findings suggest CANI has several positive impacts on judicial decision‐making, including an increased willingness to engage the father, an increased focus on the child, and increased motivation to comply with the Indian Child Welfare Act.
Recidivism and Psychiatric Symptom Outcomes in a Juvenile Mental Health Court
Authors: Ramirez Aaron M. , Andretta James R. , Barnes Michael E. , Woodland Malcolm H.
Published: March 2015

Few researchers have examined outcomes in Juvenile Mental Health Courts. Recidivism rates were assessed among 108 predominantly African American (95.3%) youth. Ages ranged from 12 to 18 (M = 15.85, SD = 1.45). Substantially fewer re‐convictions, along with re‐arrests, were exhibited among the treatment group (n = 54) compared to the control group (n = 54) after one year of participation or probation supervision. Psychiatric symptomatology among 21 youth was assessed pre‐ and post‐ intervention using the Comprehensive Behavior Rating Scales‐Self Report. Cohen's d effect sizes indicated substantial reductions in mental health symptoms (.33 ≥ d ≤ .88). Results are consistent with the previous studies of problem‐solving court efficacy.
Efficacy of Ultraviolet‐C Light to Eliminate Staphylococcus Aureus on Precooked Shredded Bullfrog Back Meat
Authors: Silva H.L.A. , Costa M.P. , Frasao B.S. , Mesquita E.F.M. , Mello S.C.R.P. , Conte‐Junior C.A. , Franco R.M. , Miranda Z.B.
Published: March 2015

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ultraviolet (UV)‐C treatment on the decrease of the inoculated Staphylococcus aureus population in precooked shredded bullfrog meat. The precooked meat was inoculated with 8 log cfu/g of S. aureus. The packaged bullfrog's back meat was then exposed to low (0.65 mW/s/cm2), medium (1.04 mW/s/cm2) and high (1.68 mW/s/cm2) UV‐C intensities over different time intervals (60, 100 and 140 s). A reduction of 3 log cfu/g was observed in all treatments when compared with the inoculated but nonirradiated treatment (T0). All the UV‐C treatments of bullfrog's back meat used in this study reduced the S. aureus count (P < 0.05). However, this decrease was not statistically significant between each UV‐C treatment. Due to its effectiveness in log reduction, UV‐C light technology can be utilized for this type of bacteria reduction in the precooked shredded bullfrog back meat industry.

Practical Applications

In this work, we studied the effect of short‐wavelength ultraviolet (UV)‐C light to reduce Staphylococcus aureus levels in precooked shredded bullfrog back meat. First, this study contributes knowledge about the use of a nonthermal technology as a pathogen‐reduction step in exotic meat. Second, the UV‐C is presented as a fast, practical and inexpensive method and does not change the industrial flow. Lastly, the data showed that there was a significant reduction of these bacteria in precooked shredded bullfrog back meat and suggests that it can be effectively applied in the bullfrog meat industry.
Vaspin: a new adipokine correlating the levels of crevicular fluid and tear fluid in periodontitis and obesity
Authors: Pradeep Avani Raju , Karvekar Shruti , Nagpal Kanika , Patnaik Kaushik
Published: March 2015

Aim

In the present study, we investigated the levels of vaspin in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and tear fluid in obese patients with chronic periodontitis (CP), and sought to find an association, if any.

Methods

Forty patients (20 males and 20 females) with moderate–severe CP were selected based on their clinical parameters of gingival index, probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), bleeding on probing, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference, and divided into four groups (n = 10/group): group 1 (healthy non‐obese), group 2 (healthy obese), group 3 (non‐obese with CP), and group 4 (obese with CP). GCF and tear fluid vaspin levels were estimated by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

The mean vaspin concentration both in GCF and tear fluid was greater for group 4 (1.84 ± 0.03) and (1.98 ± 0.08), followed by groups 3 (1.35 ± 0.03 and 1.50 ± 0.06), 2 (0.95 ± 0.26 and 1.27 ± 0.51), and then 1 (0.65 ± 0.02 and 0.75 ± 0.02), respectively. Mean vaspin levels correlated with BMI, CAL, and PD. The association between GCF and tear fluid vaspin concentration was also statistically significant (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Vaspin can be a novel biomarker connecting inflammatory marker for the systemic inflammatory response in obesity and CP.
Quantifying the cellular uptake of semiconductor quantum dot nanoparticles by analytical electron microscopy
Authors: HONDOW NICOLE , BROWN M. ROWAN , STARBORG TOBIAS , MONTEITH ALEXANDER G. , BRYDSON RIK , SUMMERS HUW D. , REES PAUL , BROWN ANDY
Published: March 2015

Semiconductor quantum dot nanoparticles are in demand as optical biomarkers yet the cellular uptake process is not fully understood; quantification of numbers and the fate of internalized particles are still to be achieved. We have focussed on the characterization of cellular uptake of quantum dots using a combination of analytical electron microscopies because of the spatial resolution available to examine uptake at the nanoparticle level, using both imaging to locate particles and spectroscopy to confirm identity. In this study, commercially available quantum dots, CdSe/ZnS core/shell particles coated in peptides to target cellular uptake by endocytosis, have been investigated in terms of the agglomeration state in typical cell culture media, the traverse of particle agglomerates across U‐2 OS cell membranes during endocytosis, the merging of endosomal vesicles during incubation of cells and in the correlation of imaging flow cytometry and transmission electron microscopy to measure the final nanoparticle dose internalized by the U‐2 OS cells. We show that a combination of analytical transmission electron microscopy and serial block face scanning electron microscopy can provide a comprehensive description of the internalization of an initial exposure dose of nanoparticles by an endocytically active cell population and how the internalized, membrane bound nanoparticle load is processed by the cells. We present a stochastic model of an endosome merging process and show that this provides a data‐driven modelling framework for the prediction of cellular uptake of engineered nanoparticles in general.
Changes in mitochondrial morphology induced by calcium or rotenone in primary astrocytes occur predominantly through ros‐mediated remodeling
Authors: Deheshi Samineh , Dabiri Bahram , Fan Susu , Tsang Michelle , Rintoul Gordon L.
Published: March 2015

Morphological changes in mitochondria have been primarily attributed to fission and fusion, while the more pliable transformations of mitochondria (remodeling, rounding, or stretching) have been largely overlooked. In this study, we quantify the contributions of fission and remodeling to changes in mitochondrial morphology induced by the Ca2+ ionophore 4Br‐A23187 and the metabolic toxin rotenone. We also examine the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the regulation of mitochondrial remodeling. In agreement with our previous studies, mitochondrial remodeling, not fission, is the primary contributor to Ca2+‐mediated changes in mitochondrial morphology induced by 4Br‐A23187 in rat cortical astrocytes. Treatment with rotenone produced similar results. In both paradigms, remodeling was selectively blocked by antioxidants whereas fission was not, suggesting a ROS‐mediated mechanism for mitochondrial remodeling. In support of this hypothesis, inhibition of endogenous ROS by overnight incubation in antioxidants resulted in elongated reticular networks of mitochondria. Examination of inner and outer mitochondrial membranes revealed that they largely acted in concert during the remodeling process. While mitochondrial morphology is traditionally ascribed to a net output of fission and fusion processes, in this study we provide evidence that the acute pliability of mitochondria can be a dominant factor in determining their morphology. More importantly, our results suggest that the remodeling process is independently regulated through a ROS‐signaling mechanism.

image

Mitochondrial morphology is traditionally ascribed to a balance of fission and fusion processes. We have shown that mitochondria can undergo more pliable transformations; remodeling, rounding, or stretching. We demonstrate that remodeling, not fission, is the primary contributor to calcium mediated changes in mitochondrial morphology in primary astrocytes. Others have shown fission is mediated by calcineurin. Our results suggest the remodeling process distinct from fission and is independently regulated through a ROS‐signaling mechanism (CsA: Cyclosporine A; NAC: N‐acetyl‐l‐cysteine; GSH: Reduced‐L‐Glutathione).
You never know where you are going until you know where you have been: Disorganized search after stroke
Authors: Ten Brink Antonia F. , Van der Stigchel Stefan , Visser‐Meily Johanna M. A. , Nijboer Tanja C. W.
Published: March 2015

Disorders in spatial exploration can be expressed in a disorganized fashion of target cancellation. There is debate regarding whether disorganized search is related to stroke in general, to right brain damage or to unilateral spatial neglect (USN) in particular. In this study, 280 stroke patients and 37 healthy control subjects performed a computerized shape cancellation test. We investigated the number of perseverations and several outcome measures regarding disorganized search: Consistency of search direction (best r), distance between consecutive cancelled targets and intersections with paths between previous cancelled targets. We compared performance between patients with left and right brain damage (L, R) and with and without USN (USN+, USN−), resulting in four subgroups: LUSN−, RUSN−, LUSN+, and RUSN+. Higher numbers of intersections were found for the left brain‐ and right brain‐damaged patients with USN and for the right brain‐damaged patients without USN, compared to healthy control subjects. Furthermore, right brain‐damaged patients with USN showed a higher number of intersections compared to right brain‐damaged patients without USN and compared to left brain‐damaged patients with USN. To conclude, disorganized search was most strongly related to the neglect syndrome, and patients with more severe USN were even more impaired.
Changing Student Beliefs about Poverty, Homelessness, and Community Service: Results from Interior Design Project Interventions
Authors: Dickinson Joan I.
Published: March 2015

The purpose of this study was to examine undergraduate interior design student attitudes toward poverty, homelessness, and community service. A secondary purpose was to determine if exposure to design projects for those who have experienced hardship would change student beliefs. All freshmen ( n = 14), sophomore ( n = 22), junior ( n = 13), and senior ( n = 21) interior design undergraduate students at a public university completed a questionnaire based on several existing scales. During the semester, the sophomores worked on assignments that were designed to provide exposure to different socio–economic groups. First, students read the book Nickel and Dimed by Barabara Ehrenreich, which provided them with an overview of the problems associated with the poor. Next students completed three projects: (1) the design of a temporary homeless shelter, (2) a renovation of a childcare center office and reception area that provides services for low–income families, and (3) the design of a low–income, residential home. In all of these projects, students were required to conduct extensive information gathering so they could better understand the problems associated with poverty. At the end of the semester, the sophomores completed the questionnaire again and were asked additional questions regarding the class and projects. Student opinions towards the poor were more individualistic when compared to the middle class, yet when the middle–class comparison was removed, some of their attitudes provided a more complex understanding of poverty and homelessness. The semester–long intervention significantly shifted students’ understanding that emphasized structural and multifaceted causes of poverty.
The Influence of Indigenous Forms, Art, and Symbols on Sacred Spaces: A Study of Two Catholic Churches in Nigeria
Authors: Asojo Abimbola Oluwatoni , Asojo Theresa Taiwo
Published: March 2015

This paper examines sacred spaces in Nigeria after the Second Vatican Council as a manifestation of indigenous forms, art, and symbols. The paper discusses a brief history of Nigeria's pre–colonial and colonial design, the Second Vatican Council, and the Catholic Church in Nigeria. Two post–colonial examples are used to demonstrate how cultural heritage, traditional forms, materials, art, and symbols have been integrated in Catholic Churches in Nigeria after the Second Vatican council. The first example, the Dominican Church in Ibadan, Nigeria, was constructed during the 1970s. The facility is based on the traditional West African tent form, which reinforces the nature of community in African spaces. The second example, the Society of African Missions (SMA) Church in Ibadan, Nigeria, was designed by the Design Group Nigeria in the late 1980s. It is located on the seminary campus of the SMA in Bodija, Ibadan. The building form is also based on the traditional African tent form. The building form, artwork in church interiors, vestments of Priests, decorations, icons and symbols, as well as Mass translated to the local languages of various Nigerian ethnicities are some recurring examples of how the Catholic Church has adapted to Nigeria. The two churches illustrate how influences from indigenous forms and symbols have been incorporated in sacred spaces in Nigeria.
Experimental infection of pregnant rabbits with hepatitis E virus demonstrating high mortality and vertical transmission
Authors: Xia J. , Liu L. , Wang L. , Zhang Y. , Zeng H. , Liu P. , Zou Q. , Wang L. , Zhuang H.
Published: March 2015

A high mortality rate of approximately 20% in pregnant women with hepatitis E has been reported in previous studies. However, other studies showed no difference between pregnant and nonpregnant women in the severity of hepatitis E. To determine the effects of HEV infection on pregnancy, we successfully established HEV infection in six pregnant rabbits (PR) and six nonpregnant rabbits (NPR) with a rabbit HEV isolate, taking three PR and one NPR without HEV infection as controls. Tests for HEV RNA by RT‐PCR, anti‐HEV antibodies by ELISA and HEV antigen via immunohistochemistry and histopathology were carried out. Two of six infected PR miscarried and three of the remaining four PR died which may be attributed to severe liver necrosis caused by HEV infection. Moreover, vertical transmission was found to be associated with the replication of HEV in placenta, indicated by the presence of HEV RNA and antigen in placenta from the infected PR. Our findings strongly suggest that HEV infection could lead to adverse outcomes in pregnancy and vertical transmission, suggesting the necessity for pregnant women at risk of HEV infection to be vaccinated.
Spatial and temporal use of a prairie dog colony by coyotes and rabbits: potential indirect effects on endangered black‐footed ferrets
Authors: Eads D. A. , Biggins D. E. , Livieri T. M.
Published: March 2015

In westernNorthAmerica, endangered black‐footed ferretsMustela nigripesare conserved via reintroduction to colonies of prairie dogsCynomysspp., their primary prey. Predation is an important source of mortality; coyotesCanis latransappear to be the most problematic predator, accounting for 67% of known predation events on radio‐tagged ferrets. Little is known about what factors affect spatial use of prairie dog colonies by coyotes, or how other animals might affect interactions between coyotes and ferrets. DuringJune–October 2007–2008, we used spotlight surveys to monitor coyotes and ferrets (both years) and rabbitsSylvilagusspp. (first year) on a 452‐ha colony of black‐tailed prairie dogsCynomys ludovicianusin theConataBasin,SouthDakota. Coyotes appeared to select areas of the colony used by rabbits, suggesting coyotes hunted rabbits, a common item in their diet. Between midnight and sunrise, ferrets were most commonly observed during early morning (01:00–03:00 h), whereas coyotes were observed mostly during dawn (04:00 h – sunrise) when ferrets were rarely seen. These temporal differences in the timing of observations suggest ferrets tend to remain underground in burrows when coyotes are most active. Coyotes appeared to be attracted to rabbits in both space and time, suggesting the risk of predation for ferrets might relate to the abundance and locations of rabbits in prairie dog colonies.
Novel macrolide-resistance genes, mef(C) and mph(G), carried by plasmids from Vibrio and Photobacterium isolated from sediment and seawater of a coastal aquaculture site
Authors: Nonaka L. , Maruyama F. , Suzuki S. , Masuda M.
Published: March 2015

The aim of this study was to determine whether mef(C) and mph(G), originally found on the transferable multi-drug plasmid pAQU1 from Photobacterium damselae subsp. damselae isolated from seawater of a fish farm, are responsible for conferring macrolide resistance. Since these genes are localized head-to-tail on pAQU1 and only four nucleotides exist between them, the single- and combination-effect of these genes was examined. When mph(G) alone was introduced to Escherichia coli, the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) against erythromycin, clarithromycin and azithromycin increased, whereas introduction of mef(C) alone did not influence macrolide susceptibility. Introduction of both mef(C) and mph(G) dramatically increased the MICs to the same three macrolides, i.e. >512 μg ml−1, >512 μg ml−1 and 128 μg ml−1 respectively. These results suggest that the macrolide phosphotransferase encoded by mph(G) is essential for macrolide resistance, while the efflux pump encoded by mef(C) is required for high-level macrolide resistance. The tandem-pair arrangements of the mef(C) and mph(G) genes were conserved on plasmids ranging in size from 240 to 350 kb of the 22 erythromycin-resistant strains belonging to Vibrio and Photobacterium obtained from the fish farm. Sixteen of 22 plasmids ranged in size from 300 to 350 kb. This is the first report of novel macrolide resistance genes originating from a marine bacterium.

Significance and Impact of the Study

In this study, mef(C) and mph(G) were found to be novel macrolide-resistance genes, and this is the first report of macrolide-resistance genes originating from a marine bacterium. These genes may be responsible for previously reported cases of the emergence of erythromycin-resistant bacteria in aquaculture sites by an unknown mechanism. The introduction of the tandem arrangement of the mef(C) and mph(G) genes in Escherichia coli increased the MICs to erythromycin, clarithromycin and azithromycin, suggesting a novel mechanism conferring high-level macrolide resistance via combined expression of the efflux pump and macrolide phosphotransferase.
A Fixed Capital Model with Transferable and Jointly Utilized Machines in the Sraffa Framework
Authors: Huang Biao
Published: March 2015

Fixed capital is treated as a special case of joint production in the Sraffa framework. Much of the literature excludes transferable old machines. Salvadori (1999) builds a model with transferable non‐jointly utilized machines whose efficiency paths are independent of the sectors in which the machines are used. He shows that the neat properties of the non‐transferable single machine model still hold. In an earlier paper, Salvadori (1988a) builds another model with non‐transferable jointly utilized machines. This paper synthesizes these two models. It shows that the properties of the non‐transferable jointly utilized machines model still hold if some conditions are satisfied.
Immune activation mediated by the late blight resistance protein R1 requires nuclear localization of R1 and the effector AVR1
Authors: Du Yu , Berg Jeroen , Govers Francine , Bouwmeester Klaas
Published: March 2015

Resistance against oomycete pathogens is mainly governed by intracellular nucleotide‐binding leucine‐rich repeat (NLR) receptors that recognize matching avirulence (AVR) proteins from the pathogen, RXLR effectors that are delivered inside host cells. Detailed molecular understanding of how and where NLR proteins and RXLR effectors interact is essential to inform the deployment of durable resistance (R) genes.

Fluorescent tags, nuclear localization signals (NLSs) and nuclear export signals (NESs) were exploited to determine the subcellular localization of the potato late blight protein R1 and the Phytophthora infestans RXLR effector AVR1, and to target these proteins to the nucleus or cytoplasm.

Microscopic imaging revealed that both R1 and AVR1 occurred in the nucleus and cytoplasm, and were in close proximity. Transient expression of NLS‐ or NES‐tagged R1 and AVR1 in Nicotiana benthamiana showed that activation of the R1‐mediated hypersensitive response and resistance required localization of the R1/AVR1 pair in the nucleus. However, AVR1‐mediated suppression of cell death in the absence of R1 was dependent on localization of AVR1 in the cytoplasm. Balanced nucleocytoplasmic partitioning of AVR1 seems to be a prerequisite.

Our results show that R1‐mediated immunity is activated inside the nucleus with AVR1 in close proximity and suggest that nucleocytoplasmic transport of R1 and AVR1 is tightly regulated.
Issues encountered in recent attempts to develop novel antidepressant agents
Authors: Schatzberg Alan F.
Published: March 2015

The development of new antidepressants has had mixed results over the past decade, with several notable failures. This paper reviews a number of major initiatives in the development of new antidepressant agents. Traditional strategies to build on agents that have monoaminergic effects at the synapse (e.g., vilazodone and ketamine) have been complemented with efforts that have emphasized devices and brain circuits (e.g., deep brain stimulation and transcranial magnetic stimulation) or chemical agents that modulate neuroendocrine systems (e.g., glucocorticoid antagonists, mixed melatonin agonists/serotonin type‐2 receptor antagonists). Interestingly, chemical agents, such as onabotulinumtoxin A, may affect brain circuits as well. We present data from recent studies in drug and device development—reviewing progress made, stumbling blocks encountered, and issues that need to be addressed in future studies.