bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Product and Organizational Modularity: A Contingent View of the Mirroring Hypothesis
Authors: Sorkun Metehan Feridun , Furlan Andrea
Published: December 2016

This study aims to advance a contingent view of the mirroring hypothesis, focusing on the causal effect of product modularity on organizational modularity. It compares the group of papers (‘orthodox’) that confirms the mirroring hypothesis with the group of papers (‘critique’) that assumes a critical position. The citation network analysis performed on the ‘critique’ group searches for contingent factors that explain under which circumstances the mirroring hypothesis does not hold. Results show that the mirroring hypothesis is contingent on a set of six distinct, although interdependent, factors: (i) component technological change and diversity; (ii) innovativeness of product architecture; (iii) complexity of product architecture; (iv) capability dispersion along the supply network; (v) rivalry among leading firms & among suppliers; and (vi) logistics costs. This study discusses each contingent factor in turn, highlighting theories or approaches that ought to be used in conjunction (not in contrast) with the modularity theory to explain the boundaries of firms and industries. A contingent view of the mirroring hypothesis reconciles the two opposite views on the mirroring hypothesis, enhances its ramifications into the theory of the firm, and gives insights to practitioners.
Common Foreign and Security Policy: The Consequences of the Court's Extended Jurisdiction
Authors: Eckes Christina
Published: December 2016

Despite the explicit exclusion of its jurisdiction, the Court of Justice of the European Union exercises judicial control over Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP). This article examines and explains how the Court's extended jurisdiction contributes to the juridification, judicialisation and constitutionalisation of the EU's compound CFSP structures. It first lays the groundwork by explaining the link between constitutionalisation and democratic legitimation and setting out the Court's formal jurisdiction over CFSP under Article 40 Treaty on European Union and Articles 218(11) and 275(2) Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. The centre piece of the article then identifies how the Court's jurisdiction has expanded since the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty, points at additional ‘substantive’ avenues of judicial review on the basis of access to information and access to justice, and analyses the effects of the Court of Justice of the European Union's extended jurisdiction for CFSP.
The Principle of Solidarity and Fairness in Sharing Responsibility: More than Window Dressing?
Authors: Küçük Esin
Published: December 2016

The lack of fairness in asylum responsibility sharing within the EU has been a persistent problem demanding an urgent solution. This article seeks to inform the on‐going debate on European solidarity instruments from a constitutional law perspective by taking the principle of solidarity and fair sharing of responsibility pursuant to Article 80 TFEU as its reference point. The article sees this principle as an important mechanism in both the enhancement of fairness in responsibility sharing and the protection of refugees. It argues that the combined reading of Article 80 TFEU and the Charter of Fundamental Rights provides a strong reason to doubt the constitutionality of the Dublin III Regulation, and any decision reforming the asylum regime should take this view into account. Despite its limited enforceability, Article 80 TFEU can play an important role as an interpretation tool, in particular in the assessment of the legality of solidarity instruments.
European Citizenship and EU Immigration: A Demoi‐cratic Bridge between the Third Country Nationals' Right to Belong and the Member States' Power to Exclude
Authors: Strumia Francesca
Published: December 2016

European citizenship entails, for EU nationals, a right to belong across borders. This article questions the implications of this latter right for the status of third country nationals in the EU. It contributes to address a gap between the literature on European citizenship and the literature on the admission and civic integration of third country nationals. The article begins by tracing a disconnect in the rules and narratives on admission and naturalisation of third country nationals in the EU. This is a disconnect between logics of individual rights protection, which European citizenship infiltrates, and logics of state sovereignty and governmental discretion, which otherwise dominate relevant rules and narratives. The article relies on the political science literature on mutual recognition and demoicracy to reinterpret European citizenship's norm of belonging across borders so as to reconcile the disconnect. Ultimately, the theoretical bridge that the article draws between citizenship narratives and immigration narratives offers a novel perspective on the tension between liberal values and integration discourses in Europe. It also sets out a possible frame to begin rethinking rules of engagement and cooperation in the context of the EU common immigration policy.
Biotic disturbances in Northern Hemisphere forests – a synthesis of recent data, uncertainties and implications for forest monitoring and modelling
Authors: Kautz Markus , Meddens Arjan J. H. , Hall Ronald J. , Arneth Almut
Published: December 2016

Aim

Biotic disturbances (BD, including insects, pathogens and wildlife herbivory) can alter forest structure and the capability of forests to deliver ecosystem services. Impact assessments, however, are limited by the lack of reliable and timely disturbance data at large spatial scales. This review synthesizes empirical data on the magnitude and distribution of spatio‐temporal impacts of BD.

Location

Northern Hemisphere.

Methods

Based on large‐scale, multi‐year BD data sets, covering c. 46% of the global forest, we calculated annual disturbance fractions Df (percentage of forest area affected) and their inter‐annual variability at a grid cell resolution of 1°. The impact of BD on forest carbon pools was determined by overlaying Df with data on forest cover and carbon density.

Results

Overall, 43.9 million hectares (Mha) (Df = 2.6%) of forests were affected annually by BD, particularly by insects (36.5 Mha, Df = 2.2%). Our synthesis demonstrates that fractions affected by BD (1) vary greatly over space and time, mainly in response to ephemeral bark beetle and defoliator outbreaks, (2) show temporal trends that are inconsistent across regions, yet are largely increasing over recent decades, and (3) are substantially higher than Df caused by fire and other abiotic disturbances. Tree mortality was estimated over an area of 3.3 Mha year−1 (medium estimate which assumed mortality at 7.5% of the affected area), with associated committed carbon fluxes from living biomass to litter and the atmosphere at 129.9 Mt C year−1.

Main conclusions

BD are key drivers of forest dynamics, making a contribution to tree mortality of a similar magnitude to fire. Despite inherent uncertainties, the data reported can be used to improve the representation of BD in global ecosystem models. Our findings call for future forest monitoring approaches to provide accessible, precise and consistent data on the occurrence and severity of BD which are harmonized across jurisdictions.
Landscape narratives in practice: implications for climate change adaptation
Authors: Köpsel Vera , Walsh Cormac , Leyshon Catherine
Published: December 2016

Research on the societal dynamics of climate change adaptation has advanced during recent years from merely focusing on technical and economic factors to taking into consideration people's individual perspectives and personal values. Within this context a growing literature on the relationship between people's place attachment and climate change adaptation has emerged. This literature seeks to explain how individuals’ relationships with the places in which they live influence current and potential future responses to climate change at the local scale. Nevertheless, critical limitations are evident in the conceptualisation of place and people–place relationships within this literature. In particular, differences between individual place constructions and their possible implications for landscape management are given insufficient attention. To address these shortcomings, we mobilise research on the societal construction of landscapes to uncover how actors in landscape management perceive ‘their’ places and changes to them. Drawing on qualitative interviews with key actors in landscape management in Cornwall (UK), we present four contrasting narratives about local landscapes and climate change and highlight their potential implications for climate change adaptation.
Postfeminism, Neoliberalism and A ‘Successfully’ Balanced Femininity in Celebrity CEO Autobiographies
Authors: Adamson Maria
Published: December 2016

This article explores the construction of a ‘successfully’ balanced femininity in the female celebrity chief executive officer (CEO) autobiography genre, and how it is shaped by the postfeminist and neoliberal context. My analysis shows how achieving successful and therefore desirable balance requires one to embrace femininity but in a calculated, market‐oriented fashion that benefits business goals, ensuring that one remains a ‘good’ postfeminist as well as neoliberal subject. I argue that this new femininity poses little challenge to the existing gendered power relations in organizations. The paper adds to the existing debates on doing gender in the workplace by providing an understanding of how and why certain ways of doing femininity in organizations are allowed or disallowed, specifically, how certain organizational femininity comes to be constructed as more successful and valuable in the contemporary postfeminist and neoliberal context. Furthermore, by examining how these ideals of balanced femininity are constructed in celebrity CEO autobiographies, the article highlights the value of exploring these texts as representations of contemporary postfeminist and neoliberal cultural norms.
Antibiotics in Endodontics: a review
Authors: Segura‐Egea J. J. , Gould K. , Şen B. Hakan , Jonasson P. , Cotti E. , Mazzoni A. , Sunay H. , Tjäderhane L. , Dummer P. M. H.
Published: December 2016

The overuse of antibiotics and the emergence of antibiotic‐resistant bacterial strains is a global concern. This concern is also of importance in terms of the oral microbiota and the use of antibiotics to deal with oral and dental infections. The aim of this paper was to review the current literature on the indications and use of antibiotics and to make recommendations for their prescription in endodontic patients. Odontogenic infections, including endodontic infections, are polymicrobial, and in most cases, the prescription of antibiotics is empirical. This has led to the increasing use of broad‐spectrum antibiotics even in cases where antibiotics are not indicated, such as symptomatic irreversible pulpitis, necrotic pulps and localized acute apical abscesses. In case of discrete and localized swelling, the primary aim is to achieve drainage without additional antibiotics. Adjunctive antibiotic treatment may be necessary in the prevention of the spread of infection, in acute apical abscesses with systemic involvement and in progressive and persistent infections. Medically compromised patients are more susceptible to complication arising from odontogenic infections and antimicrobials have a more specific role in their treatment. Therefore, antibiotics should be considered in patients having systemic diseases with compromised immunity or in patients with a localized congenital or acquired altered defence capacity, such as patients with infective endocarditis, prosthetic cardiac valves or recent prosthetic joint replacement. Penicillin VK, possibly combined with metronidazole to cover anaerobic strains, is still effective in most cases. However, amoxicillin (alone or together with clavulanic acid) is recommended because of better absorption and lower risk of side effects. In case of confirmed penicillin allergy, lincosamides such as clindamycin are the drug of choice.
Parental and child genetic contributions to obesity traits in early life based on 83 loci validated in adults: the FAMILY study
Authors: Li A. , Robiou‐du‐Pont S. , Anand S. S. , Morrison K. M. , McDonald S. D. , Atkinson S. A. , Teo K. K. , Meyre D.
Published: December 2016

Background

The genetic influence on child obesity has not been fully elucidated.

Objective

This study investigated the parental and child contributions of 83 adult body mass index (BMI)‐associated single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to obesity‐related traits in children from birth to 5 years old.

Methods

A total of 1402 individuals were genotyped for 83 SNPs. An unweighted genetic risk score (GRS) was generated by the sum of BMI‐increasing alleles. Repeated weight and length/height were measured at birth, 1, 2, 3 and 5 years of age, and age‐specific and sex‐specific weight and BMI Z‐scores were computed.

Results

The GRS was significantly associated with birthweight Z‐score (P = 0.03). It was also associated with weight/BMI Z‐score gain between birth and 5 years old (P = 0.02 and 6.77 × 10−3, respectively). In longitudinal analyses, the GRS was associated with weight and BMI Z‐score from birth to 5 years (P = 5.91 × 10−3 and 5.08 × 10−3, respectively). The maternal effects of rs3736485 in DMXL2 on weight and BMI variation from birth to 5 years were significantly greater compared with the paternal effects by Z test (P = 1.53 × 10−6 and 3.75 × 10−5, respectively).

Conclusions

SNPs contributing to adult BMI exert their effect at birth and in early childhood. Parent‐of‐origin effects may occur in a limited subset of obesity predisposing SNPs.
Health information quality of websites on periodontology
Authors: Bizzi Isabella , Ghezzi Pietro , Paudyal Priyamvada
Published: December 2016

Aim

This study aimed to assess the quality of the information available on the Web on gum disease.

Methods

The term “gum disease” was searched in Google and in MedlinePlus. The first 200 websites were analysed by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) criteria and the Health On the Net Foundation (HONCode) certification, instruments for assessing quality of health information. Data were analysed the Mann–Whitney test or Kruskal–Wallis test, followed by the Dunn's test, using the GraphPad Prism Software version 6.

Results

MedlinePlus presented a significantly higher JAMA score than Google. Google's first 10 results had a higher JAMA score than the remaining websites. Journalism and health portals the most reliable affiliations, while commercial and dental practices had low JAMA scores. JAMA score was significantly higher in websites with the HONCode certification compared to the ones without it.

Conclusion

Currently, there are concerns regarding patients' use of the Internet for accessing health information. However, the conclusion we can make is that Google seems to favour websites with high quality information, at least in terms of JAMA score or HONCode accreditation. The JAMA score of dental practices' websites could be improved by providing basic information such as authorship and date.
Randomized Trial of the Family Intervention: Telephone Tracking—Caregiver for Dementia Caregivers: Use of Community and Healthcare Resources
Authors: Tremont Geoffrey , Davis Jennifer D. , Ott Brian R. , Galioto Rachel , Crook Cara , Papandonatos George D. , Fortinsky Richard H. , Gozalo Pedro , Bishop Duane S.
Published: December 2016

Objectives

To examine the effects of a telephone‐delivered intervention, Family Intervention: Telephone Tracking—Caregiver (FITT‐C), on community support and healthcare use by dementia caregivers.

Design

Randomized, controlled trial.

Setting

Academic medical center.

Participants

Dyads (n = 250) of distressed informal dementia caregivers and care recipients.

Intervention

Caregivers were randomly assigned to receive the FITT‐C (n = 133) or telephone support (TS; n = 117). Both groups received 16 telephone contacts from a master's‐level therapist over 6 months. The FITT‐C intervention provided psychoeducation, problem solving, and other directive approaches based on assessment of critical areas (e.g., mood, behavior, family functioning, social support). TS provided supportive therapeutic strategies.

Measurements

Outcome variables were caregiver report of community support service use, number of visits to the emergency department (ED) for caregivers and care recipients, and hospital stays for caregivers during the interventions.

Results

Intervention groups did not differ in demographic characteristics, use of support services, or use of healthcare resources at baseline. Caregivers who received the FITT‐C used community support services at end of treatment significantly more than those receiving TS (P = .02). FITT‐C caregivers had a significantly lower rate of ED visits (rate difference 9.5%, P = .048) and hospital stays (rate difference 11.4%, P = .01) over the 6‐month course of the intervention than TS caregivers. Care recipient use of community or medical resources did not differ according to group.

Conclusion

An entirely telephone‐delivered intervention was effective in increasing caregiver engagement in community resources and reducing caregiver use of hospital‐based healthcare resources. Results highlight the potential effect of FITT‐C on healthcare use.
Physician Participation in Meaningful Use and Quality of Care for Medicare Fee‐for‐Service Enrollees
Authors: Jung Hye‐Young , Unruh Mark Aaron , Vest Joshua R. , Casalino Lawrence P. , Kern Lisa M. , Grinspan Zachary M. , Bao Yuhua , Kaushal Rainu ,   the HITEC Investigators
Published: December 2016

Objectives

The Meaningful Use initiative has made nearly $30 billion available through incentive programs to encourage provider adoption and use of electronic health records. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of outpatient physicians' participation in Meaningful Use on the quality of care provided to Medicare fee‐for‐service (FFS) enrollees.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

One hundred percent inpatient and outpatient Medicare FFS claims covering the period January 2010 through December 2012.

Participants

303,110 Medicare FFS enrollees from New York State.

Measurements

Hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) visits for ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSCs), diabetic retinopathy screening, diabetic nephropathy screening, colorectal cancer screening, and influenza vaccinations.

Results

Physician participation in the Meaningful Use initiative was not associated with reductions in ACSC‐related hospitalizations (0.0 percentage points, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.0–0.1) or ED visits (0.0 percentage points, 95% CI: 0.0–0.1) relative to the comparison group. Meaningful Use participation was associated with higher odds of colorectal cancer screening (odds ratio (OR): 1.2, 95% CI: 1.1–1.4) relative to the comparison group, but not for diabetic retinopathy screening (OR: 1.1, 95% CI: 1.0–1.2), diabetic nephropathy screening (OR: 1.0, 95% CI: 0.8–1.2), or influenza vaccinations (OR: 1.1, 95% CI: 1.0–1.2). Similar results were found in secondary analyses of dually‐eligible beneficiaries participating in both Medicare and Medicaid.

Conclusion

Physician participation in Meaningful Use was not associated with substantial improvements on six quality measures.
cDNA microarray assays to evaluate immune responses following intracranial injection of baculoviral vectors in non‐human primates
Authors: Balasundaram Ghayathri , Kwang Timothy Weixin , Wang Shu
Published: December 2016

Recombinant insect baculoviral vectors efficiently transduce several types of cells in the brain and can possibly be used in gene therapy for brain disorders. However, together with contaminating insect cell proteins, they trigger immune responses that might damage host brain cells. To substantially reduce unwanted immune responses due to the insect cell impurities, we purified and concentrated baculoviral vectors by combining an ion‐exchange membrane chromatography method with high‐speed centrifugation and demonstrated reduced immune responses of the vector preparations in the mouse brain. To verify the suitability of using these viral vectors for gene therapy strategies in the brain, we evaluated immune reactions and vector toxicity upon acute administration of baculoviral vectors into the brains of cynomolgus macaques. We demonstrated that the virus inoculation caused no abnormalities to non‐human primates but induced host anti‐viral responses in the brain. With global cellular gene expression profiling, using cDNA microarray technology, we detected that the affected genes were mainly associated with innate immunity, involving the genes of RIG‐1‐like receptor signaling pathway as the major interferon production pathway. These findings in non‐human primates, which share close physiological and genomic similarities with man, may better mimic the responses to baculoviral transduction in the human brain and should be useful in guiding rational therapeutic applications of baculoviral vectors to treat brain disorders.

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Knowledge level of nurses in Jordan on ventilator‐associated pneumonia and preventive measures
Authors: Hassan Zeinab M , Wahsheh Moayad A
Published: December 2016

Background

Ventilator‐associated pneumonia is the most prevalent infection in Intensive Care Units, with the highest mortality rate; crude mortality rates may be as high as 20–75%. Many practices such as prevention measures (e.g. hand washing, wearing gloves, suctioning, elevated head of bed between 30° and 45°) have demonstrated an effect of reducing the incidence of this infection.

Aims

To identify the level of nurses' knowledge of ventilator‐associated pneumonia and prevention measures before an educational programme, identify the level of nurses' knowledge on ventilator‐associated pneumonia and prevention post an educational programme and identify the reasons for not applying ventilator‐associated pneumonia prevention measures among nurses in Jordan.

Design

Pre‐ and post‐intervention observational study.

Method

Data based on a self‐reported questionnaire from 428 nurses who worked in intensive care units were analysed. PowerPoint lectures, videos, printed materials and electronic materials were used in the intervention. Paired t‐tests were used to test research questions.

Results

More than three‐quarters of nurses had a low knowledge level regarding pathophysiology, risk factors and ventilator‐associated pneumonia preventative measures. Nurses showed significant improvements in mean scores on the knowledge level of ventilator‐associated pneumonia and prevention measures after an educational programme (p < 0.05). The main reasons for not applying prevention measures were the lack of time and no followed protocols in the units.

Conclusion

Health education programmes about ventilator‐associated pneumonia must be conducted among nurses in Jordan through continuous education.

Relevance to clinical practice

Hospital and nursing administrators should be actively involved in educational programmes and in assuring support for continuing education. Protocol for ventilator‐associated pneumonia prevention should be developed based on current evidence‐based guidelines
Water supply and demand remain coordinated during breakdown of the global scaling relationship between leaf size and major vein density
Authors: Schneider Julio V. , Habersetzer Jörg , Rabenstein Renate , Wesenberg Jens , Wesche Karsten , Zizka Georg
Published: December 2016

Vein networks that disobey the global scaling of major vein density with leaf size shed light on functional constraints of vein network formation in dicotyledons. Understanding their evolution, distribution and impact on vein–stomata–climate associations is an important contribution to our global view of vein network organization.

Based on vein traits of 55 species of pantropical Ochnaceae, stomata and climatic niche data, and a dated molecular phylogeny, we unveil major structural shifts in vein networks through deep time, relationships between leaf size, vein and stomata traits, and their interplay with climate.

Dense 2° veins, reduction of minor veins and the associated breakdown of vein–leaf size scaling evolved multiple times independently in Ochnaceae. In spite of the drastic changes in vein architecture in this venation type, vein and stomatal densities remain correlated.

Our study demonstrates that shortening the major vein–stomata distance is economically not less advantageous than by increasing minor vein density, as illustrated by the same degree of coordination between vein and stomatal densities and the similar construction costs across networks with dense 2° veins and those with ‘normally’ spaced 2° veins.
Nasal obstructive disorders induce medical treatment failure in paediatric persistent allergic rhinitis (The NODPAR Study)
Authors: Mariño‐Sánchez Franklin S. , Valls‐Mateus Meritxell , Ruiz‐Echevarría Karen , Alobid Isam , Cardenas‐Escalante Paulina , Jiménez‐Feijoo Rosa , Lozano‐Blasco Jaime , Giner‐Muñoz María T. , Rodríguez‐Jorge Jesús , Haag Oliver , Plaza‐Martin Ana M. , Mullol Joaquim
Published: December 2016

Background

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is the most common chronic disease among children. To characterize the disease, a modified classification of severity (m‐ARIA) has recently been validated in AR children. When medical treatment fails, surgery for nasal obstructive disorders (NOD) may be a therapeutic option. Our objective was to assess the prevalence of NOD and their influence in medical treatment response among children with persistent AR (PER).

Methods

In a prospective, real‐life study, 130 paediatric PER patients (13.1 ± 2.8 years, females 31.5%, severe rhinitis 49%) referred from Allergy to ENT department were assessed for their response (R, responders; NR, non‐responders) to medical treatment (intranasal steroids and antihistamines or antileukotrienes) by direct questioning and nasal symptom visual analogue scale, the presence of NOD (septal deformity, turbinate enlargement and adenoidal hyperplasia), comorbidities, nasal symptoms, rhinitis severity (modified ARIA criterion) and asthma control (International Consensus On Pediatric Asthma criterion).

Results

After 2 months of treatment, the NR group presented a higher prevalence of obstructive septal deformity and severe inferior turbinate enlargement when compared with the R group. Higher septal deformity and turbinate enlargement scores were strongly associated with treatment refractoriness. The prevalence of severe PER was also higher for the NR group. Higher asthma control scores were associated with the probability of treatment‐induced improvement.

Conclusions

In paediatric PER patients, medical therapy refractoriness was associated with NOD, mainly septal deformity and turbinate enlargement. In those patients, ENT examination will facilitate an early NOD diagnosis in order to indicate potential corrective surgery.
Entire nucleotide sequences of Gossypium raimondii and G. arboreum mitochondrial genomes revealed A‐genome species as cytoplasmic donor of the allotetraploid species
Authors: Chen Z. , Nie H. , Grover C. E. , Wang Y. , Li P. , Wang M. , Pei H. , Zhao Y. , Li S. , Wendel J. F. , Hua J.
Published: December 2016

Cotton (Gossypium spp.) is commonly grouped into eight diploid genomic groups, designated A–G and K, and an allotetraploid genomic group, AD. Gossypium raimondii (D5) and G. arboreum (A2) are the putative contributors to the progenitor of G. hirsutum (AD1), the economically important fibre‐producing cotton species.

Mitochondrial DNA from week‐old etiolated seedlings was extracted from isolated organelles using discontinuous sucrose density gradient method. Mitochondrial genomes were sequenced, assembled, annotated and analysed in orderly.

Gossypium raimondii (D5) and G. arboreum (A2) mitochondrial genomes were provided in this study. The mitochondrial genomes of two diploid species harboured circular genome of 643,914 bp (D5) and 687,482 bp (A2), respectively. They differ in size and number of repeat sequences, both contain illuminating triplicate sequences with 7317 and 10,246 bp, respectively, demonstrating dynamic difference and rearranged genome organisations. Comparing the D5 and A2 mitogenomes with mitogenomes of tetraploid Gossypium species (AD1, G. hirsutum; AD2, G. barbadense), a shared 11 kbp fragment loss was detected in allotetraploid species, three regions shared by G. arboreum (A2), G. hirsutum (AD1) and G. barbadense (AD2), while eight regions were specific to G. raimondii (D5). The presence/absence variations and gene‐based phylogeny supported that A‐genome is a cytoplasmic donor to the progenitor of allotetraploid species G. hirsutum and G. barbadense.

The results present structure variations and phylogeny of Gossypium mitochondrial genome evolution.
Leaf habit does not determine the investment in both physical and chemical defences and pair‐wise correlations between these defensive traits
Authors: Moreira X. , Pearse I. S.
Published: December 2016

Plant life‐history strategies associated with resource acquisition and economics (e.g. leaf habit) are thought to be fundamental determinants of the traits and mechanisms that drive herbivore pressure, resource allocation to plant defensive traits, and the simultaneous expression (positive correlations) or trade‐offs (negative correlations) between these defensive traits. In particular, it is expected that evergreen species – which usually grow slower and support constant herbivore pressure in comparison with deciduous species – will exhibit higher levels of both physical and chemical defences and a higher predisposition to the simultaneous expression of physical and chemical defensive traits.

Here, by using a dataset which included 56 oak species (Quercus genus), we investigated whether leaf habit of plant species governs the investment in both physical and chemical defences and pair‐wise correlations between these defensive traits.

Our results showed that leaf habit does not determine the production of most leaf physical and chemical defences. Although evergreen oak species had higher levels of leaf toughness and specific leaf mass (physical defences) than deciduous oak species, both traits are essentially prerequisites for evergreenness. Similarly, our results also showed that leaf habit does not determine pair‐wise correlations between defensive traits because most physical and chemical defensive traits were simultaneously expressed in both evergreen and deciduous oak species.

Our findings indicate that leaf habit does not substantially contribute to oak species differences in plant defence investment.
Short‐term ammonium supply induces cellular defence to prevent oxidative stress inArabidopsisleaves
Authors: Podgórska Anna , Burian Maria , Rychter Anna M. , Rasmusson Allan G. , Szal Bożena
Published: December 2016

Plants can assimilate nitrogen from soil pools of both ammonium and nitrate, and the relative levels of these two nitrogen sources are highly variable in soil. Long‐term ammonium nutrition is known to cause damage toArabidopsisthat has been linked to mitochondrial oxidative stress. Using hydroponic cultures, we analysed the consequences of rapid shifts between nitrate and ammonium nutrition. This did not induce growth retardation, showing thatArabidopsiscan compensate for the changes in redox metabolism associated with the variations in nitrogen redox status. During the first 3 h of ammonium treatment, we observed distinct transient shifts in reactive oxygen species (ROS), low‐mass antioxidants,ROS‐scavenging enzymes, and mitochondrial alternative electron transport pathways, indicating rapid but temporally separated changes in chloroplastic, mitochondrial and cytosolicROSmetabolism. The fast induction of antioxidant defences significantly lowered intracellularH2O2levels, and thus protectedArabidopsisleaves from oxidative stress. On the other hand elevated extracellularROSproduction in response to ammonium supply may be involved in signalling. The response pattern displays an intricate plasticity ofArabidopsisredox metabolism to minimise stress in responses to nutrient changes.
The Dilemma of Labor Unions: Local Objectives vs Global Bargaining
Authors: Eckel Carsten , Egger Hartmut
Published: December 2016

It is a widespread concern that multinational enterprises improve their disagreement profits by setting up foreign production facilities, with adverse consequences for negotiated wages and union utilities. In this paper, we take a new angle on this issue and analyze whether unions can improve their situation by cooperating internationally. Our results show that cooperation is clearly beneficial for unions if their preferences regarding wages and employment are similar across countries. If these preferences differ, however, potential production reallocations by multinationals create winners and losers among unions, and this may impede cooperation of unions within the multinational production network.
The ANGULATA7 gene encodes a DnaJ‐like zinc finger‐domain protein involved in chloroplast function and leaf development in Arabidopsis
Authors: Muñoz‐Nortes Tamara , Pérez‐Pérez José Manuel , Ponce María Rosa , Candela Héctor , Micol José Luis
Published: December 2016

The characterization of mutants with altered leaf shape and pigmentation has previously allowed the identification of nuclear genes that encode plastid‐localized proteins that perform essential functions in leaf growth and development. A large‐scale screen previously allowed us to isolate ethyl methanesulfonate‐induced mutants with small rosettes and pale green leaves with prominent marginal teeth, which were assigned to a phenotypic class that we dubbed Angulata. The molecular characterization of the 12 genes assigned to this phenotypic class should help us to advance our understanding of the still poorly understood relationship between chloroplast biogenesis and leaf morphogenesis. In this article, we report the phenotypic and molecular characterization of the angulata7‐1 (anu7‐1) mutant of Arabidopsis thaliana, which we found to be a hypomorphic allele of the EMB2737 gene, which was previously known only for its embryonic‐lethal mutations. ANU7 encodes a plant‐specific protein that contains a domain similar to the central cysteine‐rich domain of DnaJ proteins. The observed genetic interaction of anu7‐1 with a loss‐of‐function allele of GENOMES UNCOUPLED1 suggests that the anu7‐1 mutation triggers a retrograde signal that leads to changes in the expression of many genes that normally function in the chloroplasts. Many such genes are expressed at higher levels in anu7‐1 rosettes, with a significant overrepresentation of those required for the expression of plastid genome genes. Like in other mutants with altered expression of plastid‐encoded genes, we found that anu7‐1 exhibits defects in the arrangement of thylakoidal membranes, which appear locally unappressed.
R‐Type Ca2+ channels couple to inhibitory neurotransmission to the longitudinal muscle in the guinea‐pig ileum
Authors: Rodriguez‐Tapia Eileen S. , Naidoo Vinogran , DeVries Matthew , Perez‐Medina Alberto , Galligan James J.
Published: December 2016

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

Subtypes of enteric neurons are coded by the neurotransmitters they synthesize, but it is not known whether enteric neuron subtypes might also be coded by other proteins, including calcium channel subtypes controlling neurotransmitter release.

What is the main finding and its importance?

Our data indicate that guinea‐pig ileum myenteric neuron subtypes may be coded by calcium channel subtypes. We found that R‐type calcium channels are expressed by inhibitory but not excitatory longitudinal muscle motoneurons. R‐Type calcium channels are also not expressed by circular muscle inhibitory motoneurons. Calcium channel subtype‐selective antagonists could be used to target subtypes of neurons to treat gastrointestinal motility disorders.

There is evidence that R‐type Ca2+ channels contribute to synaptic transmission in the myenteric plexus. It is unknown whether R‐type Ca2+ channels contribute to neuromuscular transmission. We measured the effects of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor nitro‐l‐arginine (NLA), Ca2+ channel blockers and apamin (SK channel blocker) on neurogenic relaxations and contractions of the guinea‐pig ileum longitudinal muscle–myenteric plexus (LMMP) in vitro. We used intracellular recordings to measure inhibitory junction potentials. Immunohistochemical techniques localized R‐type Ca2+ channel protein in the LMMP and circular muscle. Cadmium chloride (pan‐Ca2+ channel blocker) blocked and NLA and NiCl2 (R‐type Ca2+ channel blocker) reduced neurogenic relaxations in a non‐additive manner. Nickel chloride did not alter neurogenic cholinergic contractions, but it potentiated neurogenic non‐cholinergic contractions. Relaxations were inhibited by apamin, NiCl2 and NLA and were blocked by combined application of these drugs. Relaxations were reduced by NiCl2 or ω‐conotoxin (N‐type Ca2+ channel blocker) and were blocked by combined application of these drugs. Longitudinal muscle inhibitory junction potentials were inhibited by NiCl2 but not MRS 2179 (P2Y1 receptor antagonist). Circular muscle inhibitory junction potentials were blocked by apamin, MRS 2179, ω‐conotoxin and CdCl2 but not NiCl2. We conclude that neuronal R‐type Ca2+ channels contribute to inhibitory neurotransmission to longitudinal muscle but less so or not all in the circular muscle of the guinea‐pig ileum.
Extracellular electrical recording of pH-triggered bursts in C6 glioma cell populations
Authors: Rocha Paulo R. F. , Medeiros Maria C. R. , Kintzel Ulrike , Vogt Johannes , Araújo Inês M. , Mestre Ana L. G. , Mailänder Volker , Schlett Paul , Dröge Melanie , Schneider Leonid , Biscarini Fabio , de Leeuw Dago M. , Gomes Henrique L.
Published: December 2016

Extracellular electrode recording demonstrates acid-triggered electrical activity in glioma cell populations.
Polymer ligand–induced autonomous sorting and reversible phase separation in binary particle blends
Authors: Schmitt Michael , Zhang Jianan , Lee Jaejun , Lee Bongjoon , Ning Xin , Zhang Ren , Karim Alamgir , Davis Robert F. , Matyjaszewski Krzysztof , Bockstaller Michael R.
Published: December 2016

Polymer ligands enable the high-throughput fabrication of microstructured particle–based films for nanotechnology applications.
Syrosingopine sensitizes cancer cells to killing by metformin
Authors: Benjamin Don , Colombi Marco , Hindupur Sravanth K. , Betz Charles , Lane Heidi A. , El-Shemerly Mahmoud Y. M. , Lu Min , Quagliata Luca , Terracciano Luigi , Moes Suzette , Sharpe Timothy , Wodnar-Filipowicz Aleksandra , Moroni Christoph , Hall Michael N.
Published: December 2016

Synthetic lethality between the clinically approved noncancer drugs metformin and syrosingopine specifically kills cancer cells.
Associations between Maternal Characteristics and Women's Responses to Acupuncture during Labour: A Secondary Analysis from a Randomised Controlled Trial
Authors: Vixner Linda , Schytt Erica , Mårtensson Lena B
Published: December 2016

Background

Patient characteristics are modulators of pain experience after acupuncture treatment for chronic pain. Whether this also applies to labour pain is unknown.

Aim

To examine for associations between maternal characteristics and response to acupuncture in terms of labour pain intensity in close proximity to the treatment (within 60 min) and over a longer time period (up to 240 min), and whether or not epidural analgesia is used, before and after adjustment for obstetric status upon admission to the labour ward.

Methods

Cohort study (n=253) using data collected for a randomised controlled trial. Associations were examined using linear mixed models and logistic regression analyses. Tests of interactions were also applied to investigate whether maternal characteristics were influenced by treatment group allocation.

Results

In close proximity to the treatment, advanced age and cervical dilation were associated with lower pain scores (mean difference (MD) −13.2, 95% CI −23.4 to −2.9; and MD −5.0, 95% CI −9.6 to −0.5, respectively). For the longer time period, labour pain was negatively associated with age (MD −11.8, 95% CI −19.6 to −3.9) and positively associated with dysmenorrhoea (MD 5.5, 95% CI 1.6 to 9.5). Previous acupuncture experience and advanced cervical dilatation were associated with higher and lower use of epidural analgesia (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.3 to 5.9; and OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.1 to 0.5, respectively). No interactions with treatment allocation were found.

Conclusions

This study did not identify any maternal characteristics associated with women's responses to acupuncture during labour.

Trial registration number

NCT01197950; Post-results.
Adult height of preterm infants: a longitudinal cohort study
Authors: Ferguson E C , Wright N P , Gibson A T , Carney S , Wright A , Wales J K
Published: December 2016

Background

Many infants born prematurely experience growth failure following delivery, with subsequent catch-up growth. Traditionally catch-up was thought to be complete in the first few years of life. Most studies have focused on groups of infants defined by birth weight, for example <1500 g, resulting in disproportionate numbers of small for gestational age infants. This study aimed to determine whether appropriate weight for gestation (AGA) preterm born children reach their expected adult height when compared with term controls.

Methodology

This UK based prospective longitudinal cohort study recruited 204 preterm children born at a tertiary neonatal unit during 1994 and 50 matched controls. Growth parameters have been assessed annually until the completion of growth.

Results

There was no significant difference in the final height SD score (SDS) of children born at term (n=30) and those born prematurely and AGA (n=70) (0.45 term vs 0.22 preterm). Catch-up growth however, continued throughout the whole of childhood. When the difference between final height SDS and mid-parental height SDS were compared, there were again no significant differences (0.13 term vs 0.03 preterm).

Conclusions

Those born prematurely with an AGA achieve a comparable adult height to children born at term, however, catch-up growth continues for much longer than traditionally thought.
Ethnic and socioeconomic variation in incidence of congenital heart defects
Authors: Knowles Rachel L , Ridout Deborah , Crowe Sonya , Bull Catherine , Wray Jo , Tregay Jenifer , Franklin Rodney C , Barron David J , Cunningham David , Parslow Roger C , Brown Katherine L
Published: December 2016

Introduction

Ethnic differences in the birth prevalence of congenital heart defects (CHDs) have been reported; however, studies of the contemporary UK population are lacking. We investigated ethnic variations in incidence of serious CHDs requiring cardiac intervention before 1 year of age.

Methods

All infants who had a cardiac intervention in England and Wales between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2010 were identified in the national congenital heart disease surgical audit and matched with paediatric intensive care admission records to create linked individual child records. Agreement in reporting of ethnic group by each audit was evaluated. For infants born 1 January 2006 to 31 December 2009, we calculated incidence rate ratios (IRRs) for CHDs by ethnicity and investigated age at intervention, antenatal diagnosis and area deprivation.

Results

We identified 5350 infants (2940 (55.0%) boys). Overall CHD incidence was significantly higher in Asian and Black ethnic groups compared with the White reference population (incidence rate ratios (IRR) (95% CIs): Asian 1.5 (1.4 to 1.7); Black 1.4 (1.3 to 1.6)); incidence of specific CHDs varied by ethnicity. No significant differences in age at intervention or antenatal diagnosis rates were identified but affected children from non-White ethnic groups were more likely to be living in deprived areas than White children.

Conclusions

Significant ethnic variations exist in the incidence of CHDs, including for specific defects with high infant mortality. It is essential that healthcare provision mitigates ethnic disparity, including through timely identification of CHDs at screening, supporting parental choice and effective interventions. Future research should explore the factors underlying ethnic variation and impact on longer-term outcomes.
Cautious use and optimal dose of morphine for relieving malignant pain in a complex patient with multiple comorbidities
Authors: Kumar Vinod , Garg Rakesh , Gupta Nishkarsh , Bharati Sachidanand Jee
Published: December 2016

Oral morphine remains the drug of choice for the management of severe pain due to cancer as per WHO ladder of analgesia. Providing adequate pain relief in palliative care settings for pain due to cancer is challenging. Options become limited in cases of associated systemic comorbidities such as renal dysfunction, hypoproteinaemia, anaemia. Patients with renal dysfunction and other comorbidities may develop drug overdose due to abnormal pharmacokinetics. Renal dysfunction affects the pharmacokinetics of morphine by altering its absorption, metabolism and clearance. Plasma albumin also influences drug availability, its plasma distribution and thus available free morphine for its clinical effect. Morphine should be used cautiously for the treatment of pain in patients with renal failure, hypoproteinaemia, hyperbilirubinaemia and anaemia. In such patients, alternate opiates like fentanyl, hydromorphone, or oxycodone may be used as these drugs are not significantly excreted by the kidneys.
Regression of a glioblastoma multiforme: spontaneous versus a potential antineoplastic effect of dexamethasone and levetiracetam
Authors: Peddi Prakash , Ajit Nisha Elizabeth , Burton Gary Von , El-Osta Hazem
Published: December 2016

Patients with grade IV astrocytoma or glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) have a median survival of <12 months, increased to 14.6 months by maximal safe resection with radiation and temozolamide. In the absence of chemotherapy, radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy, spontaneous regression of GBM or regression while only being on dexamethasone (DEX) and levetiracetam (LEV) have seldom been reported. Here, we present a case of a patient who had significant regression of the GBM with DEX and LEV alone. In this study, we hypothesise a plausible antineoplastic role of DEX and or LEV in GBM and highlight molecular, preclinical and clinical studies supporting this role.
Ascending aortic dissection presented as inferior myocardial infarction: a clinical and diagnostic mimicry
Authors: Alsaad Ali A , Odunukan Olufunso W , Patton John Norman
Published: December 2016

Acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is typically associated with acute coronary thrombosis or plaque rupture. Rarely, STEMI can be associated with ascending aortic dissection, which represents the majority of acute aortic syndrome aetiologies and carries dreadful outcomes. Routine cardiac intervention with emergent cardiac catheterisation may lead to a higher mortality rate in this group of patients. We present a case of painless inferior STEMI in the setting of ascending aortic dissection. The patient had an inferior STEMI due to the involvement of the right coronary artery as an extension of the ascending aortic dissection. In this era of protocol-driven practice and the pressure to fulfil quality measures, we aim to alert emergency physicians, cardiologists and interventionalists of the possible presentation of painless ascending aortic dissection as an STEMI. The two pathologies characterise by crucial differences in their initial and ultimate management.