bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Hybrid Variety: Lessons in Nonmarket Coordination from the Business System in the Netherlands, 1950–2010
Authors: Touwen Jeroen
Published: September 2014

This article develops a historical perspective on the coordinated market economy of the Netherlands and explains why it opted forcompartmentalized liberalization. Two related questions are addressed, studying the Netherlands as a case study of a Coordinated Market Economy (CME): to what extent can economic change be accommodatedwithinone “type of capitalism”? And why do specific institutions change while others remain in place? Applying the criteria of “Varieties of Capitalism” I focus on the way the Dutch business system applied nonmarket coordination during the twentieth century. Drawing information from various subfields (business history, labor relations and welfare state studies), I review processes of change and postulate that coordination resulted in the adoption of market-oriented reform in clearly delineated areas. “Varieties of Capitalism” theory addresses the historical roots of institutional arrangements, but historical developments have been underexposed in the comparative capitalism-literature.
From Finance Capitalism to Financialization: A Cultural and Narrative Perspective on 150 Years of Financial History
Authors: Hansen Per H.
Published: September 2014

In this article I interpret 150 years of financial history with a focus on shifts in the role of finance in society. I argue that over time the role of finance has shifted twice from that of servant to that of master of society, and that this process has been driven by sense making through narratives that legitimized and shaped these changes. When finance became a master rent seeking, cultural capture and out-of-control financial innovation resulted in financial and social instability. Finance as a master was the characteristic of finance capitalism from around 1900–1931 and of financialization from around 1980 to today. Finance capitalism and financialization were enabled by a dominant narrative that legitimized the power of finance. The shifts in the role of finance happened when crises undermined the meaning of the existing narrative and created for a new narrative able to make sense of the crisis and point society in a new direction. This sense-making process stabilized when a new narrative was established that could explain the crisis and legitimize and shape a new role for finance. The article is based on my presidential address presented at the Business History Conference’s annual meeting in March 2014 in Frankfurt.
In vivoanti-LAP mAb enhances IL-17/IFN-γ responses and abrogates anti-CD3-induced oral tolerance
Authors: da Cunha Andre P. , Wu Henry Y. , Rezende Rafael M. , Vandeventer Tyler , Weiner Howard L.
Published: September 2014

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a critical role in the maintenance of immunological tolerance. The best-characterized Tregs are those expressing the transcription factor Foxp3 and in vivo modulation of Foxp3 Tregs has been employed to study their role in immune homeostasis. Latency-associated peptide (LAP) is a membrane-bound TGF-β complex that has also been shown to play a role in Treg function and oral tolerance. We developed a novel anti-mouse LAP mAb that allowed us to investigate the effect of targeting LAP in vivo on immune function and on anti-CD3-induced oral tolerance. We found that in vivo anti-LAP mAb administration led to a decrease in the number of CD4+LAP+ Tregs in spleen and lymph nodes without affecting CD4+Foxp3+ Tregs. Spleen cells from anti-LAP-injected mice proliferated more in vitro and produced increased amounts of IL-2, IL-17 and IFN-γ. Moreover, injection of anti-LAP antibody abrogated the protective effect of oral anti-CD3 on experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Finally, in vivo anti-LAP administration prior to myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein immunization resulted in severe EAE in the absence of pertussis toxin, which is used for EAE induction. Our findings demonstrate the importance of CD4+LAP+ T cells in the control of immune homeostasis and autoimmunity and provides a new tool for the in vivo investigation of murine LAP+ Tregs on immune function.
Using the Milky Way satellites to study interactions between cold dark matter and radiation
Authors: Bœhm C. , Schewtschenko J. A. , Wilkinson R. J. , Baugh C. M. , Pascoli S.
Published: September 2014

The cold dark matter (CDM) model faces persistent challenges on small scales. In particular, taken at face value, the model significantly overestimates the number of satellite galaxies around the Milky Way. Attempts to solve this problem remain open to debate and have even led some to abandon CDM altogether. However, current simulations are limited by the assumption that dark matter feels only gravity. Here, we show that including interactions between CDM and radiation (photons or neutrinos) leads to a dramatic reduction in the number of satellite galaxies, alleviating the Milky Way satellite problem and indicating that physics beyond gravity may be essential to make accurate predictions of structure formation on small scales. The methodology introduced here gives constraints on dark matter interactions that are significantly improved over those from the cosmic microwave background.
Suture Choice in Lumbar Dural Closure Contributes to Variation in Leak Pressures: Experimental Model
Authors: Ghobrial George M. , Maulucci Christopher M. , Viereck Matthew J. , Beygi Sara , Chitale Ameet , Prasad Srinivas , Jallo Jack , Heller Joshua , Sharan Ashwini D. , Harrop James S.
Published: September 2014

Study Design:

Open-label laboratory investigational study; non-animal surgical simulation.

Objective:

The authors perform a comparison of dural closure strength in a durotomy simulator across 2 different suture materials.

Summary of Background Data:

Incidental durotomy leading to persistent cerebrospinal fluid leak adds considerable morbidity to spinal procedures, often complicating routine elective lumbar spinal procedures. Using an experimental durotomy simulation, the authors compare the strength of closure using Gore-Tex with other suture types and sizes, using various closure techniques.

Methods:

A comparison of dural closures was performed through an analysis of the peak pressure at which leakage occurred from a standardized durotomy closure in an established cerebrospinal fluid repair model with a premade L3 laminectomy. Nurolon was compared with Gore-Tex sutures sizes (for Gore-Tex, CV-6/5-0 and CV-5/4-0 was compared with Nurolon 4-0, 5-0, and 6-0).

Results:

Thirty-six trials were performed with Nurolon 4-0, 5-0, and 6-0, whereas 21 trials were performed for 4-0 and 5-0 Gore-Tex. The mean peak pressure at which fluid leakage was observed was 21 cm H2O for Nurolon and 34 cm H2O for Gore-Tex. Irrespective of suture choice, all trials were grouped by closure technique: running suture, locked continuous, and interrupted suture. No significant difference was noted between the groups. For each of the 3 trials groups by closure technique, running, locked continuous, and interrupted, Gore-Tex closures had a significantly higher peak pressure to failure. Interrupted Gore-Tex was significantly higher than Interrupted Nurolon (P=0.007), running Gore-Tex was significantly higher than running Nurolon (P=0.034), and locked Gore-Tex was significantly higher than locked Nurolon (P=0.014).

Conclusions:

Durotomy closure in the lumbar spine with Gore-Tex suture may be a reasonable option for providing a watertight closure. In this laboratory study, Gore-Tex suture provided watertight dural closures that withstood higher peak pressures.
Cervical Disk Replacement With Discover Versus Fusion in a Single-Level Cervical Disk Disease
Authors: Rožanković Marjan , Marasanov Sergej M. , Vukić Miroslav
Published: September 2014

Study Design:

Prospective randomized study.

Objective:

To compare the clinical outcome after Discover arthroplasty versus anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) in patients treated for symptomatic single-level cervical disk disease.

Summary of Background Data:

ACDF is still the gold standard for surgical treatment of cervical spine degenerative disk disease. However, results of many studies suggest that it may cause degenerative changes at levels immediately above and below the fusion, known as adjacent segment degenerative disease. Cervical arthroplasty has recently been introduced as an alternative to standard procedure of ACDF. It showed decreased surgical morbidity, decreased complications from postoperative immobilization, and an earlier return to previous level of function.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 105 consecutive patients with single-level cervical disk disease, producing radiculopathy and/or myelopathy were randomly divided into groups to undergo ACDF or Discover arthroplasty. All patients were evaluated with preoperative and postoperative serial radiographic studies and clinically, using Neck Disability Index, Visual Analog Scale and neurological status at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months.

Results:

The results of our study indicate that cervical arthroplasty using Discover Artificial Cervical Disc provides favorable clinical and radiologic outcomes in a follow-up period of 24 months. There has been significant improvement in clinical parameters, Visual Analog Scale and Neck Disability Index, at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months in arthroplasty group comparing to control group.

Conclusion:

The Discover artificial cervical disc replacement offers favorable outcome compared with ACDF for a single-level cervical disk disease at short-term and long-term follow-up.
Magnetic Resonance Classification System of Cervical Intervertebral Disk Degeneration
Authors: Suzuki Akinobu , Daubs Michael D. , Hayashi Tetsuo , Ruangchainikom Monchai , Xiong Chenjie , Phan Kevin , Scott Trevor P. , Wang Jeffery C.
Published: September 2014

Study Design:

Retrospective analysis of kinetic magnetic resonance images (kMRIs).

Objective:

(1) To analyze the changes seen on MRI related to disk degeneration and to develop a new grading system for cervical disk degeneration. (2) To evaluate the reliability and validity of the grading system.

Summary of Background Data:

Few have studied the relationship between changes seen on MRI with cervical disk degeneration and the chronological order of disk degeneration. A few grading systems for cervical disk degeneration have been reported; however, there have been problems related to subjectivity and lack of a clear, reliable algorithm.

Methods:

A total of 300 cervical intervertebral disks were graded for nucleus color, structure, disk bulge, and disk height. On the basis of the analysis, a new grading system consisting of 4 grades (grade 0–III) and algorithm were developed. Intraobserver and interobserver reliabilities were assessed. A total of 2802 intervertebral disks were then evaluated using the grading system to correlate disk degeneration grades with patient age and function and to evaluate the validity of the new system.

Results:

On the basis of cross-table analysis, disk degeneration presents in the following order: (1) decrease and/or change of nucleus intensity; (2) loss of distinction between nucleus and annulus; (3) positive disk bulge; and (4) disk height decrease. The κ-coefficients for intraobserver and interobserver agreements were 0.96 and 0.90, respectively. Severe disk degeneration is most common at C5/C6 followed by C6/C7 and C4/C5, and total disk degeneration grade is correlated with age (R=0.467). There was a decrease of angular motion in grades I–III and an increase in translational motion and decrease of space available for the cord in grades II–III.

Conclusions:

We developed a new classification system of cervical disk degeneration based on analysis of the changes seen on MRI. Reliability tests indicated high reproducibility of this system, and further analysis confirmed its validity and clinical significance.
Bacteriological, Biochemical, and Immunological Properties of Colostrum and Mature Milk From Mothers of Extremely Preterm Infants
Authors: Moles Laura , Manzano Susana , Fernández Leonides , Montilla Antonia , Corzo Nieves , Ares Susana , Rodríguez Juan M. , Espinosa‐Martos Irene
Published: September 2014

Objectives:

The objective of this work was to elucidate the influence of extremely premature birth (gestational age 24–27 weeks) on the microbiological, biochemical, and immunological composition of colostrum and mature milk.

Methods:

A total of 17 colostrum and 34 mature milk samples were provided by the 22 mothers of extremely preterms who participated in this study. Bacterial diversity was assessed by culture‐based methods, whereas the concentration of lactose, glucose, and myo‐inositol was determined by a gas chromatography procedure. Finally, the concentrations of a wide spectrum of cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, and immunoglobulins were measured using a multiplex system.

Results:

Bacteria were present in a small percentage of the colostrum and milk samples. Staphylococci, streptococci, and lactobacilli were the main bacterial groups isolated from colostrum, and they could be also isolated, together with enterococci and enterobacteria, from some mature milk samples. The colostrum concentrations of lactose and glucose were significantly lower than those found in mature milk, whereas the contrary was observed in relation to myo‐inositol. The concentrations of most cytokines and immunoglobulins in colostrum were higher than in mature milk, and the differences were significant for immunoglobulin G3, immunoglobulin G4, interleukin (IL)‐6, interferon‐γ, interleukin‐4 (IL‐4), IL‐13, IL‐17, macrophage‐monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 and macrophage inflammatory protein‐1β.

Conclusions:

The bacteriological, biochemical, and immunological content of colostrum and mature milk from mothers of extremely preterm infants is particularly valuable for such infants. Efforts have to be made to try that preterm neonates receive milk from their own mothers or from donors matching, as much as possible, the gestational age of the preterm.
Increased apoptosis and DNA double-strand breaks in the embryonic mouse brain in response to very low-dose X-rays but not 50 Hz magnetic fields
Authors: Saha Shreya , Woodbine Lisa , Haines Jackie , Coster Margaret , Ricket Nicole , Barazzuol Lara , Ainsbury Elizabeth , Sienkiewicz Zenon , Jeggo Penny
Published: September 2014

The use of X-rays for medical diagnosis is enhancing exposure to low radiation doses. Exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic or magnetic fields is also increasing. Epidemiological studies show consistent associations of childhood leukaemia with exposure to magnetic fields but any causal relationship is unclear
.
A limitation in assessing the consequence of such exposure is the availability of sensitive assays. The embryonic neuronal stem and progenitor cell compartments are radiosensitive tissues. Using sensitive assays, we report a statistically significant increase in DNA double-strand break (DSB) formation and apoptosis in the embryonic neuronal stem cell compartment following
in utero
exposure to 10–200 mGy X-rays. Both endpoints show a linear response. We also show that DSB repair is delayed following exposure to doses below 50 mGy compared with 100 mGy. Thus, we demonstrate
in vivo
consequences of low-dose radiation. In contrast to these impacts, we did not observe any significant induction of DSBs or apoptosis following exposure to 50 Hz magnetic fields (100 or 300 µT). We conclude that any DSB induction by treatment with magnetic fields is lower than following exposure to 10 mGy X-rays. For comparison, certain procedures involving computed tomography scanning are equivalent to 1–5 mGy X-rays.
Early-life exposure to climate change impairs tropical shark survival
Authors: Rosa Rui , Baptista Miguel , Lopes Vanessa M. , Pegado Maria Rita , Ricardo Paula José , Trübenbach Katja , Leal Miguel Costa , Calado Ricardo , Repolho Tiago
Published: September 2014

Sharks are one of the most threatened groups of marine animals worldwide, mostly owing to overfishing and habitat degradation/loss. Although these cartilaginous fish have evolved to fill many ecological niches across a wide range of habitats, they have limited capability to rapidly adapt to human-induced changes in their environments. Contrary to global warming, ocean acidification was not considered as a direct climate-related threat to sharks. Here we show, for the first time, that an early ontogenetic acclimation process of a tropical shark (Chiloscyllium punctatum) to the projected scenarios of ocean acidification (ΔpH = 0.5) and warming (+4°C; 30°C) for 2100 elicited significant impairments on juvenile shark condition and survival. The mortality of shark embryos at the present-day thermal scenarios was 0% both at normocapnic and hypercapnic conditions. Yet routine metabolic rates (RMRs) were significantly affected by temperature, pH and embryonic stage. Immediately after hatching, the Fulton condition of juvenile bamboo sharks was significantly different in individuals that experienced future warming and hypercapnia; 30 days after hatching, survival rapidly declined in individuals experiencing both ocean warming and acidification (up to 44%). The RMR of juvenile sharks was also significantly affected by temperature and pH. The impact of low pH on ventilation rates was significant only under the higher thermal scenario. This study highlights the need of experimental-based risk assessments of sharks to climate change. In other words, it is critical to directly assess risk and vulnerability of sharks to ocean acidification and warming, and such effort can ultimately help managers and policy-makers to take proactive measures targeting most endangered species.
Precision measurement, scientific personalities and error budgets: the
sine quibus non
for big
G
determinations
Authors: Faller James E.
Published: September 2014

Determinations of the Newtonian constant of gravitation (big
G
) fit into the oftentimes-unappreciated area of physics called precision measurement—an area which includes precision measurements, null experiments and determinations of the fundamental constants. The determination of big
G
—a measurement which on the surface appears deceptively simple—continues to be one of Nature's greatest challenges to the skills and cunning of experimental physicists. In spite of the fact that, on the scale of the Universe, big
G
's effects are so large as to single-handedly hold everything together, on the scale of an individual research laboratory, big
G
's effects are so small that they go unnoticed…hidden in a background of much larger forces and noise sources. It is this ‘smallness’ that makes determining the precise value of this (seemingly unrelated to the rest of physics) fundamental constant so difficult.
A simple pendulum laser interferometer for determining the gravitational constant
Authors: Parks Harold V. , Faller James E.
Published: September 2014

We present a detailed account of our 2004 experiment to measure the Newtonian constant of gravitation with a suspended laser interferometer. The apparatus consists of two simple pendulums hanging from a common support. Each pendulum has a length of 72 cm and their separation is 34 cm. A mirror is embedded in each pendulum bob, which then in combination form a Fabry–Perot cavity. A laser locked to the cavity measures the change in pendulum separation as the gravitational field is modulated due to the displacement of four 120 kg tungsten masses.
List of new names and new combinations previously effectively, but not validly, published
Authors: Oren Aharon , Garrity George M.
Published: September 2014

The purpose of this announcement is to effect the valid publication of the following effectively published new names and new combinations under the procedure described in the Bacteriological Code (1990 Revision). Authors and other individuals wishing to have new names and/or combinations included in future lists should send three copies of the pertinent reprint or photocopies thereof, or an electronic copy of the published paper to the IJSEM Editorial Office for confirmation that all of the other requirements for valid publication have been met. It is also a requirement of IJSEM and the ICSP that authors of new species, new subspecies and new combinations provide evidence that types are deposited in two recognized culture collections in two different countries. It should be noted that the date of valid publication of these new names and combinations is the date of publication of this list, not the date of the original publication of the names and combinations. The authors of the new names and combinations are as given below. Inclusion of a name on these lists validates the publication of the name and thereby makes it available in the nomenclature of prokaryotes. The inclusion of a name on this list is not to be construed as taxonomic acceptance of the taxon to which the name is applied. Indeed, some of these names may, in time, be shown to be synonyms, or the organisms may be transferred to another genus, thus necessitating the creation of a new combination.
A putative methyltransferase, mtrA, contributes to development, spore viability, protein secretion and virulence in the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana
Authors: Qin Yuqi , Ortiz-Urquiza Almudena , Keyhani Nemat O.
Published: September 2014

The filamentous fungus,Beauveria bassiana, is a ubiquitously distributed insect pathogen, currently used as an alternative to chemical pesticides for pest control. Conidiospores are the means by which the fungus disseminates in the environment, and these cells also represent the infectious agent most commonly used in field applications. Little, however, is known concerning the molecular basis for maintenance of spore viability, a critical feature for survival and persistence. Here, we report on the role of a putative methyltransferase,BbmtrA, in conidial viability, normal fungal growth and development, and virulence, via characterization of a targeted gene knockout strain. Loss ofBbmtrAresulted in pleiotropic effects including reduced germination, growth and conidiation, with growing mycelia displaying greater branching than the WT parent. Conidial viability dramatically decreased over time, with <5 % of the cells remaining viable after 30 days as compared with >80 % of the WT. Reduced production of extracellular proteins was also observed for the ΔBbmtrAmutant, including protease/peptidases, glycoside hydrolases and thehyd1hydrophobin. The latter was further confirmed byhyd1gene expression analysis. Insect bioassays using the greater wax moth,Galleria mellonella, further revealed that the ΔBbmtrAstrain was attenuated in virulence and failed to sporulate on host cadavers. These data support a global role formtrAin fungal physiological processes.
Epigenomic co-localization and co-evolution reveal a key role for 5hmC as a communication hub in the chromatin network of ESCs
Authors: Juan David , Perner Juliane , Carrillo de Santa Pau Enrique , Marsili Simone , Ochoa David , Chung Ho-Ryun , Vingron Martin , Rico Daniel , Valencia Alfonso
Published: September 2014

Epigenetic communication through histone and cytosine modifications is essential for gene regulation and cell identity. Here, we propose a framework that is based on a chromatin communication model to get insight on the function of epigenetic modifications in ESCs. The epigenetic communication network was inferred from genome-wide location data plus extensive manual annotation. Notably, we found that 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) is the most influential hub of this network, connecting DNA demethylation to nucleosome remodeling complexes and to key transcription factors of pluripotency. Moreover, an evolutionary analysis revealed a central role of 5hmC in the co-evolution of chromatin-related proteins. Further analysis of regions where 5hmC colocalizes with specific interactors shows that each interaction points to chromatin remodelling, stemness, differentiation or metabolism. Our results highlight the importance of cytosine modifications in the epigenetic communication of ESCs.
DiffVar: A new method for detecting differential variability with application to methylation in cancer and aging
Authors: Phipson Belinda , Oshlack Alicia
Published: September 2014

Methylation of DNA is known to be essential to development and dramatically altered in cancers. The Illumina HumanMethylation450 BeadChip has been used extensively as a cost-effective way to profile nearly half a million CpG sites across the human genome. Here we present DiffVar, a novel method to test for differential variability between sample groups. DiffVar employs an empirical Bayes model framework that can take into account any experimental design and is robust to outliers. We applied DiffVar to several datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas, as well as an aging dataset. DiffVar is available in themissMethylBioconductor R package.
Generation of a Panel of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells From Chimpanzees: a Resource for Comparative Functional Genomics
Authors: Romero Irene Gallego , Pavlovic Bryan J. , Hernando-Herraez Irene , Banovich Nicholas E. , Kagan Courtney L. , Burnett Jonathan E. , Huang Constance H. , Mitrano Amy , Chavarria Claudia I. , Ben-Nun Inbar Friedrich , Li Yingchun , Sabatini Karen , Leonardo Trevor , Parast Mana , Marques-Bonet Tomas , Laurent Louise C. , Loring Jeanne F. , Gilad Yoav
Published: September 2014

Comparative genomics studies in primates are extremely restricted because we only have access to a few types of cell lines from non-human apes and to a limited collection of frozen tissues. In order to gain better insight into regulatory processes that underlie variation in complex phenotypes, we must have access to faithful model systems for a wide range of tissues and cell types. To facilitate this, we have generated a panel of 7 fully characterized chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines derived from fibroblasts of healthy donors. All lines appear to be free of integration from exogenous reprogramming vectors, can be maintained using standard iPSC culture techniques, and have proliferative and differentiation potential similar to human and mouse lines. To begin demonstrating the utility of comparative iPSC panels, we collected RNA sequencing data and methylation profiles from the chimpanzee iPSCs and their corresponding fibroblast precursors, as well as from 7 human iPSCs and their precursors, which were of multiple cell type and population origins. Overall, we observed much less regulatory variation within species in the iPSCs than in the somatic precursors, indicating that the reprogramming process has erased many of the differences observed between somatic cells of different origins. We identified 4,918 differentially expressed genes and 3,598 differentially methylated regions between iPSCs of the two species, many of which are novel inter-species differences that were not observed between the somatic cells of the two species. Our panel will help realise the potential of iPSCs in primate studies, and in combination with genomic technologies, transform studies of comparative evolution.
Mechanisms for multiple activity modes of VTA dopamine neurons
Authors: Oster Andrew M. , Faure Philippe , Gutkin Boris S.
Published: September 2014

Midbrain ventral segmental area (VTA) dopaminergic neurons send numerous projections to cortical and sub-cortical areas, and diffusely release dopamine (DA) to their targets. DA neurons display a range of activity modes that vary in frequency and degree of burst ring. Importantly, DA neuronal bursting is associated with a significantly greater degree of DA release than an equivalent tonic activity pattern. Here, we introduce a single compartmental, conductance-based computational model for DA cell activity that captures the behavior of DA neuronal dynamics and examine the multiple factors that underlie DA firing modes: the strength of the SK conductance, the amount of drive, and GABA inhibition. Our results suggest that neurons with low SK conductance are in a fast firing mode, are correlated with burst firing, and require higher levels of applied current before undergoing depolarization block. We go on to consider the role of GABAergic inhibition on an ensemble of dynamical classes of DA neurons and find that strong GABA inhibition suppresses burst firing. Our studies suggest differences in the distribution of the SK conductance and GABA inhibition levels may indicate subclasses of DA neurons within the VTA. We further identify, that by considering alternate potassium dynamics, the dynamics display burst patterns that terminate via depolarization block, akin to those observed in vivo in VTA DA neurons and in substantia nigra pars compacta DA cell preparations under apamin application. In addition, we consider the generation of transient burst ring events that are NMDA-initiated or elicited by a sudden decrease of GABA inhibition, that is, disinhibition.
Crystal structure ofcyclo-bis(μ4-2,2-diallylmalonato-κ6O1,O3:O3:O1′,O3′:O1′)tetrakis(triphenylphosphane-κP)tetrasilver(I)
Authors: Frenzel Peter , Jakob Alexander , Schaarschmidt Dieter , Rüffer Tobias , Lang Heinrich
Published: September 2014

In the tetranuclear molecule of the title compound, [Ag4(C9H10O4)2(C18H15P)4], the AgIion is coordinated by one P and three O atoms in a considerably distorted tetrahedral environment. The two 2,2-diallylmalonate anions bridge four AgIions in a μ4-(κ6O1,O3:O3:O1′,O3′:O1′) mode, setting up an Ag4O8P4core (point group symmetry -4..) of corner-sharing tetrahedra. The shortest intramolecular Ag...Ag distance of 3.9510 (3) Å reveals that no directd10...d10interactions are present. Four weak intramolecular C—H...O hydrogen bonds are observed in the crystal structure of the title compound, which most likely stabilize the tetranuclear silver core.
Prevalence and characteristics of metabolic syndrome in South‐East Asian psoriatic patients: A case–control study
Authors: Kokpol Chayada , Aekplakorn Wichai , Rajatanavin Natta
Published: September 2014

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Asian psoriatic patients compared with that of the general population shows variable results. This study aimed to examine the association between psoriasis and metabolic syndrome in a Thai population. This case–control study included 199 psoriatic patients and 199 controls matched for sex and age from the general Thai population. There were 111 men (55.8%) and 88 women (44.2%) in both the psoriatic and control groups. The mean age (± standard deviation) of both groups was 50.04 ± 13.81 and 49.96 ± 14.39 years (P = 0.91), respectively. The majority of psoriatic cases (82.9%) were of plaque type. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was significantly higher in psoriatic patients than in the general population at 49.25% versus 30.65%. After controlling for age, sex, smoking and alcohol drinking the odds ratio was 2.25 (P < 0.0001). The metabolic components which were significantly higher in the cases than controls included hyperglycemia, high blood pressure (HBP) and abdominal obesity. No statistically significant difference was found between the cases and controls regarding prevalence of obesity, hypertriglyceridemia and low high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol. Thai psoriatic patients had a higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome than the general population. In conclusion, the prevalence of HBP, hyperglycemia and abdominal obesity was significantly higher in cases than in controls.
Image enhancement by multi‐parameter characterization of common image gathers
Authors: Dafni Raanan , Reshef Moshe
Published: September 2014

We present an innovative approach for seismic image enhancement using multi‐parameter angle‐domain characterization of common image gathers. A special subsurface angle‐domain imaging system is used to generate the multi‐parameter common image gathers in a summation‐free image space. The imaged data associated with each common image gathers depth point contain direction‐dependent opening‐angle image contributions from all the available incident and scattered wave‐pairs at this point. Each direction‐dependent opening‐angle data can be differently weighted according to its coherency measure. Once the optimal migration velocity is used, it is assumed that in the actual specular direction, the coherency measure (semblance) along reflection events, from all available opening angles and opening azimuths, is larger than that along non‐specular directions. The computed direction‐dependent semblance attribute is designed to operate as an imaging filter which enhances specular migration contributions and suppresses all others in the final migration image. The ability to analyse the structural properties of the image points by the multi‐parameter common image gather allows us to better handle cases of complicated wave propagation and to improve the image quality at poorly illuminated regions or near complex structures. The proposed method and some of its practical benefits are demonstrated through detailed analysis of synthetic and real data examples.
Organic farming and heterogeneous landscapes positively affect different measures of plant diversity
Authors: Rader Romina , Birkhofer Klaus , Schmucki Reto , Smith Henrik G. , Stjernman Martin , Lindborg Regina
Published: September 2014

Increasing landscape heterogeneity and organic farming practices are known to enhance species richness in agroecosystems. However, little is known about the consequences of these management options on other biodiversity components such as community composition, phylogenetic structure and functional diversity which may be more closely linked to ecosystem functioning.

We surveyed semi‐natural plant communities within the uncultivated field margins of 18 arable farms in Skåne, south Sweden. We investigated how taxonomic, phylogenetic and functional diversity responds to landscape heterogeneity (presence of semi‐natural habitat) and farm management intensity (organic vs. conventional farming).

Plant species richness and functional diversity metrics all responded positively to landscape heterogeneity, with the strongest effect occurring on conventional farms. Community composition differed with farm management, and mean phylogenetic relatedness, an indicator of phylogenetic structure, was significantly higher on the field margins of organic compared to conventional farms. Individual plant functional groups themselves responded in unique ways to land management and landscape heterogeneity.

Synthesis and applications. Management strategies that promote the conservation of heterogeneous landscapes (i.e. a higher proportion of semi‐natural habitats) and organic farm management practices are important for maintaining plant phylogenetic, functional and taxonomic diversity in agroecosystems. Accommodating various forms of diversity is important to ensure that ecosystems have the greatest possible array of species ecologies’. Such measures will help to improve the capacity of these ecosystems to provide multiple ecosystem functions, including the sustaining and regulating services of benefit to people.
Affect, creativity, and community‐making in a Congolese song‐dance performance: or how to follow the movement of the social
Authors: Plancke Carine
Published: September 2014

In rural Punu society, song‐dance performances of rejoicing are deeply connected with forces of regeneration; they not only celebrate the sexual encounter but also, in their constituent dynamic, aim progressively to awaken a shared feeling of joy that leads to the intensification of the dancing and to the creation and diffusion of new songs. I seek to account for this regenerative potential by pursuing Turner's processual view of ritual performance, which acknowledges moments of structure and lack of structure. In this regard, I develop the dynamic of community‐making and creative flow in the performances with reference to Collins's reading of Durkheim's collective effervescence and Tarde's idea of imitation. As a whole, I argue that paying attention to rhythm and affect, inasmuch as they are a lived realization of structure and flow, is essential for understanding the revitalizing articulation between these terms and for following the ongoing movement of the social.
Revisiting Financial Conflicts of Interest in FDA Advisory Committees
Authors: PHAM‐KANTER GENEVIEVE
Published: September 2014

Policy Points:

FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research advisory committee members who have financial ties solely to the firm sponsoring the drug under review are more likely to vote in ways favorable to the sponsor.

Committee members who serve on advisory boards for sponsoring firms show particularly strong pro‐sponsor bias.

Contrary to conventional wisdom, committee members who have financial ties to many different firms do not, on average, show pro‐industry bias in their voting behavior.

Context

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Safety and Innovation Act has recently relaxed conflict‐of‐interest rules for FDA advisory committee members, but concerns remain about the influence of members’ financial relationships on the FDA's drug approval process. Using a large newly available data set, this study carefully examined the relationship between the financial interests of FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) advisory committee members and whether members voted in a way favorable to these interests.

Methods

The study used a data set of voting behavior and reported financial interests of 1,379 FDA advisory committee members who voted in CDER committee meetings that were convened during the 15‐year period of 1997–2011. Data on 1,168 questions and 15,739 question‐votes from 379 meetings were used in the analyses. Multivariable logit models were used to estimate the relationship between committee members’ financial interests and their voting behavior.

Findings

Individuals with financial interests solely in the sponsoring firm were more likely to vote in favor of the sponsor than members with no financial ties (OR = 1.49, p = 0.03). Members with interests in both the sponsoring firm and its competitors were no more likely to vote in favor of the sponsor than those with no financial ties to any potentially affected firm (OR = 1.16, p = 0.48). Members who served on advisory boards solely for the sponsor were significantly more likely to vote in favor of the sponsor (OR = 4.97, p = 0.005).

Conclusions

There appears to be a pro‐sponsor voting bias among advisory committee members who have exclusive financial relationships with the sponsoring firm but not among members who have nonexclusive financial relationships (ie, those with ties to both the sponsor and its competitors). These findings point to important heterogeneities in financial ties and suggest that policymakers will need to be nuanced in their management of financial relationships of FDA advisory committee members.
Use of poisons information resources and satisfaction with electronic products by Victorian emergency department staff
Authors: Luke Stephen , Fountain John S , Reith David M , Braitberg George , Cruickshank Jaycen
Published: September 2014

Objective

ED staff use a range of poisons information resources of varying type and quality. The present study aims to identify those resources utilised in the state of Victoria, Australia, and assess opinion of the most used electronic products.

Methods

A previously validated self‐administered survey was conducted in 15 EDs, with 10 questionnaires sent to each. The survey was then repeated following the provision of a 4‐month period of access to Toxinz™, an Internet poisons information product novel to the region. The study was conducted from December 2010 to August 2011.

Results

There were 117 (78%) and 48 (32%) responses received from the first and second surveys, respectively, a 55% overall response rate. No statistically significant differences in professional group, numbers of poisoned patients seen or resource type accessed were identified between studies. The electronic resource most used in the first survey was Poisindex® (48.68%) and Toxinz™ (64.1%) in the second. There were statistically significant (P < 0.01) improvements in satisfaction in 26 of 42 questions between surveys, and no decrements. Although the majority of responders possessed mobile devices, less than half used them for poisons information but would do so if a reputable product was available.

Conclusion

The order of poisons information sources most utilised was: consultation with a colleague, in‐house protocols and electronic resources. There was a significant difference in satisfaction with electronic poisons information resources and a movement away from existing sources when choice was provided. Interest in increased use of mobile solutions was identified.
Botanicals, selective insecticides, and predators to control Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae) in citrus orchards
Authors: Khan Azhar A. , Afzal Muhammad , Qureshi Jawwad A. , Khan Arif M. , Raza Abubakar M.
Published: September 2014

The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) Diaphorina citri Kuwayama vectors pathogens that cause huanglongbing (HLB) or citrus greening devastating and economically important disease present in most citrus growing regions. Young citrus shoots are required for psyllid reproduction and development. During winter citrus trees produce little or no new growth. Overwintering adults reproduce in spring on newly emerging shoots also attractive to other pests and beneficial insects. Botanicals and relatively selective insecticides could help to conserve beneficial insects and reduce pest resistance to insecticides. Sprays of Azadirachtin (Neem), Tropane (Datura), Spirotetramat, Spinetoram, and broad‐spectrum Imidacloprid were evaluated to control ACP in spring and summer on 10‐year‐old “Kinow” Citrus reticulata Blanco trees producing new growth. Psyllid populations were high averaging 5–9 nymphs or adults per sample before treatment application. Nymphs or adults were significantly reduced to 0.5–1.5 per sample in all treatments for 3 weeks, average 61%–83% reduction. No significant reduction in ladybeetles Adalia bipunctata, Aneglei scardoni, Cheilomenes sexmaculata, and Coccinella septempunctata was observed. Syrphids, spiders and green lacewings were reduced in treated trees except with Tropane. Studies are warranted to assess impact of these predators on ACP and interaction with insecticides. Observed reduction in ACP populations may not be enough considering its reproductive potential and role in the spread of HLB. Follow‐up sprays may be required to achieve additional suppression using rotations of different insecticides.
Effect of Ascorbic Acid on the Properties of Ammonia Caramel Colorant Additives and Acrylamide Formation
Authors: Chen Hongxing , Gu Zhengbiao
Published: September 2014

Ammonia caramels are among the most widely used colorant additives in the food industry. They are commonly prepared through the Maillard reaction and caramelization of mixtures of reducing sugars with ammonia or ammonium salts. Antioxidants are known to inhibit acrylamide formation during the Maillard reaction, and they may affect the properties of the ammonia caramel products. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate the effect of the antioxidant ascorbic acid on the properties of ammonia caramel. A mixture of glucose and ammonia was allowed to react at 120 °C for 60 min in the presence of ascorbic acid at final concentrations of 0 to 0.08 M. The ammonia caramels obtained from these reactions were all positively charged. As the concentration of ascorbic acid increased, the color intensity of the ammonia caramel showed a decreasing trend, while the intensity of the fluorescence and total amount of pyrazines in the volatiles showed a tendency to increase. The addition of ascorbic acid did not result in obvious changes in the UV‐visible spectra of the ammonia caramels and the types of pyrazines in the volatiles were also unchanged. It is noteworthy that the addition of 0.02 to 0.08 M ascorbic acid did reduce the formation of the by‐product acrylamide, a harmful substance in food. When the concentration of ascorbic acid added reached 0.04 M, the content of acrylamide in the ammonia caramel was 20.53 μg/L, which was approximately 44% lower than that without ascorbic acid. As a result, ascorbic acid can be considered to improve the quality and safety of ammonia caramels.
Age‐associated reduction of cellular spreading/mechanical force up‐regulates matrix metalloproteinase‐1 expression and collagen fibril fragmentation via c‐Jun/AP‐1 in human dermal fibroblasts
Authors: Qin Zhaoping , Voorhees John J. , Fisher Gary J. , Quan Taihao
Published: September 2014

The dermal compartment of human skin is largely composed of dense collagen‐rich fibrils, which provide structural and mechanical support. Skin dermal fibroblasts, the major collagen‐producing cells, are interact with collagen fibrils to maintain cell spreading and mechanical force for function. A characteristic feature of aged human skin is fragmentation of collagen fibrils, which is initiated by matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP‐1). Fragmentation impairs fibroblast attachment and thereby reduces spreading. Here, we investigated the relationship among fibroblast spreading, mechanical force, MMP‐1 expression, and collagen fibril fragmentation. Reduced fibroblast spreading due to cytoskeletal disruption was associated with reduced cellular mechanical force, as determined by atomic force microscopy. These reductions substantially induced MMP‐1 expression, which led to collagen fibril fragmentation and disorganization in three‐dimensional collagen lattices. Constraining fibroblast size by culturing on slides coated with collagen micropatterns also significantly induced MMP‐1 expression. Reduced spreading/mechanical force induced transcription factor c‐Jun and its binding to a canonical AP‐1 binding site in the MMP‐1 proximal promoter. Blocking c‐Jun function with dominant negative mutant c‐Jun significantly reduced induction of MMP‐1 expression in response to reduced spreading/mechanical force. Furthermore, restoration of fibroblast spreading/mechanical force led to decline of c‐Jun and MMP‐1 levels and eliminated collagen fibril fragmentation and disorganization. These data reveal a novel mechanism by which alteration of fibroblast shape/mechanical force regulates c‐Jun/AP‐1‐dependent expression of MMP‐1 and consequent collagen fibril fragmentation. This mechanism provides a foundation for understanding the cellular and molecular basis of age‐related collagen fragmentation in human skin.