bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unknown Knowns and Known Unknowns: Framing the Role of Organizational Learning in Corporate Social Responsibility Development
Authors: Fortis Zeynep , Maon François , Frooman Jeff , Reiner Gerald
Published: November 2016

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is now widely seen as an increasingly significant concern for firms because of moral, relational and instrumental motives. Nevertheless, practical aspects and challenges associated with CSR development in firms remains only partially understood. In this setting, the organizational learning (OL) discipline is recurrently put forward as key in the pursuit and successful development of CSR, but the existing literature remains disjointed. This study critically reviews the existing literature to conceptualize how research to date has approached CSR development in terms of OL, and to provide a two‐dimensional structuring framework of the role of OL in CSR development that emphasizes key OL‐related aspects supporting CSR development and goes beyond an organization‐centric viewpoint to consider not only learning within the organization, but also from others, and with others. In particular, the authors identify key learning processes and sub‐processes and critical areas that remain understudied. Overall, the authors propose a macro view of the work done to date at the intersection of OL and CSR, and in doing so help make the ‘OL for CSR development’ scholarship more recognizable as a sub‐discipline.
Silencing of ecdysone receptor, insect intestinal mucin and sericotropin genes by bacterially produced double‐stranded RNA affects larval growth and development in Plutella xylostella and Helicoverpa armigera
Authors: Israni B. , Rajam M. V.
Published: November 2016

RNA interference mediated gene silencing, which is triggered by double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA), has become a important tool for functional genomics studies in various systems, including insects. Bacterially produced dsRNA employs the use of a bacterial strain lacking in RNaseIII activity and harbouring a vector with dual T7 promoter sites, which allow the production of intact dsRNA molecules. Here, we report an assessment of the functional relevance of the ecdysone receptor, insect intestinal mucin and sericotropin genes through silencing by dsRNA in two lepidopteran insect pests, Helicoverpa armigera and Plutella xylostella, both of which cause serious crop losses. Oral feeding of dsRNA led to significant reduction in transcripts of the target insect genes, which caused significant larval mortality with various moulting anomalies and an overall developmental delay. We also found a significant decrease in reproductive potential in female moths, with a drop in egg laying and compromised egg hatching from treated larvae as compared to controls. dsRNA was stable in the insect gut and was efficiently processed into small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), thus accounting for the phenotypes observed in the present work. The study revealed the importance of these genes in core insect processes, which are essential for insect development and survival.
Spectrophotometric color analysis of maxillary permanent central incisors in a pediatric population: a preliminary study
Authors: Savas Selcuk , Kavrik Fevzi , Yasa Bilal , Kucukyilmaz Ebru
Published: November 2016

Background

Although several studies have reported the color distribution of maxillary central incisors and the effects of age and gender, a reliable database of the color of newly erupted teeth with open apices and the effect of the root development stage on tooth color shades do not currently exist.

Aim

The purpose of this in vivo study was to perform a spectrophotometric color analysis of maxillary permanent central incisors based on apical developmental stage, age, and gender groups.

Design

A total of 734 maxillary permanent central incisors from 367 children aged 7–18 years who have fully erupted, intact, unrestored, vital right and left maxillary central incisors were evaluated. The patients were divided into nine groups, according to the root development stage and age. Digital images were quantified by non‐contact spectrophotometry to determine the tooth color. Each tooth's color shade and L*, a*, and b* values were recorded. The L*, a*, and b* values were analyzed statistically with a multivariate analysis of variance test, and the color shades were analyzed with chi‐square tests at the α = 0.05 level.

Results

The most common general tooth shade, for both genders, was A2. A statistically significant difference was found between the 7‐ to 12‐year‐old and 13‐ to 18‐year‐old age groups in the general tooth shade and its L* value in the overall, cervical, middle, and incisal sites (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

There is a strong relationship between the apical developmental stages of the teeth and the L* values.
Root coverage using porcine collagen matrix with fibroblast growth factor‐2: a pilot study in dogs
Authors: Cha Jae Kook , Sun Yoo‐Kyung , Lee Jung‐Seok , Choi Seong‐Ho , Jung Ui‐Won
Published: November 2016

Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of fibroblast growth factor‐2 (FGF‐2) in combination with porcine collagen matrix (CM) for coverage of gingival recession defects in dogs.

Materials and Methods

In five male mongrel dogs, labial gingival recession defects were surgically created in the lower‐third incisors bilaterally. The defects were randomly assigned to the CM/FGF‐2 group (experimental) or the CM‐only group (control). Standardized clinical photographs and silicone impressions were taken at 4 and 16 weeks of healing to calculate the remaining recession area. The dogs were euthanized after 16 weeks for histometric analysis.

Results

At 4 weeks, the recession area of the CM/FGF‐2 group was significantly smaller than that of the CM‐only group (2.55 ± 0.66 and 4.92 ± 1.05 mm2, respectively, p = 0.023), However, no significant difference was observed at 16 weeks. Histometrically, the amount of newly formed cementum was larger in the CM/FGF‐2 group than in the CM‐only group at 16 weeks (1.55 ± 0.44 and 0.88 ± 0.51 mm, respectively, p = 0.024).

Conclusions

The combination of CM/FGF‐2 may enhance the early wound healing and may promote cementum formation to a higher extent compared to the use of CM alone.
Impact of platform switching on inter‐proximal bone levels around 8.5 mm implants in the posterior region; 5‐year results from a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Telleman Gerdien , Raghoebar Gerry M. , Vissink Arjan , Meijer Henny J. A.
Published: November 2016

Aim

To assess the medium‐term results of 8.5 mm implants supplied with a conventional platform‐matched implant‐abutment connection or a platform‐switched design.

Materials and Methods

Eighty patients with one or more missing teeth in the maxillary or mandibular posterior zone were randomly assigned for treatment with implants with a conventional (control group) or platform‐switched (test group) implant‐abutment connection. Follow‐up visits were conducted 1 month, 1 year and 5 years after functional loading. Inter‐proximal bone loss, assessed with standardized peri‐apical radiographs, clinical parameters, survival of implants and satisfaction of patients were the outcome parameters studied.

Results

After 5 years of loading, five of the 80 patients were lost to follow‐up. The inter‐proximal bone loss in the test group (0.38 ± 0.61 mm) was comparable to the bone loss in the control group (0.41 ± 0.47 mm; p = 0.201). Remarkably, bone loss has not progressed compared to the 1‐year results. Implant survival, clinical parameters and satisfaction of the patients were favourable and comparable for the test and control group.

Conclusion

The 5‐years results showed that inter‐proximal bone resorption was minor and comparable around platform‐matched and platform‐switched implants, and implant survival, peri‐implant health and patients’ satisfaction were favourable.
Genetic differentiation and adaptive evolution at reproductive loci in incipient Drosophila species
Authors: Almeida F. C. , DeSalle R.
Published: November 2016

Accessory gland proteins (Acps) are part of the seminal fluid of male Drosophila flies. Some Acps have exceptionally high evolutionary rates and evolve under positive selection. Proper interactions between Acps and female reproductive molecules are essential for fertilization. These observations lead to suggestions that fast evolving Acps could be involved in speciation by promoting reproductive incompatibilities between emerging species. To test this hypothesis, we used population genetics data for three sibling species: D. mayaguana, D. parisiena and D. straubae. The latter two species are morphologically very similar and show only incipient reproductive isolation. This system allowed us to examine Acp evolution at different time frames with respect to speciation and reproductive isolation. Comparing data of 14 Acp loci with data obtained for other genomic regions, we found that some Acps show extraordinarily high levels of divergence between D. mayaguana and its two sister species D. parisiena and D. straubae. This divergence was likely driven by adaptive evolution at several loci. No fixed nucleotide differences were found between D. parisiena and D. straubae, however. Nevertheless, some Acp loci did show significant differentiation between these species associated with signs of positive selection; these loci may be involved in this early phase of the speciation process.
α‐Ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex moonlighting: ROS signalling added to the list
Authors: Fernandez Emilio , Bolaños Juan P.
Published: November 2016

Read the highlighted article ‘Reductions in the mitochondrial enzyme α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex in neurodegenerative disease – beneficial or detrimental?’ on page 823.

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Intranasal Insulin Boosts Gustatory Sensitivity
Authors: Rodriguez‐Raecke R. , Yang H. , Bruenner Y. F. , Freiherr J.
Published: November 2016

Intranasal insulin has been the subject of attention not only with respect to enhancing memory processes, but also for its anorexic effects, as well as its effects on olfactory sensitivity. In the present study, the influence of intranasal insulin on gustatory sensitivity was investigated using intranasal applications of insulin or placebo in a double‐blind manner alongside a control condition without any application. We hypothesised that, because it mediates satiety, intranasal insulin alters gustatory sensitivity, whereas placebo application and the control should not alter gustatory sensitivity. We did not expect the sensitivity to the different taste solutions to differ. Sweet, salty, bitter and sour liquids in four concentrations each were sprayed onto the tongue of healthy male subjects. Additionally, water with no taste was applied to enable calculation of taste sensitivity in terms of parameter d′ of signal detection theory. The task of the subject was to identify the quality of the respective tastant. Gustatory sensitivity and blood parameters were evaluated using repeated‐measures ANOVAs. Gustatory sensitivity (implying all tastants) improved significantly after intranasal insulin application compared to the application of placebo, although it did not reach significance compared to the control condition. Subjects performed best when detecting the sweet taste and worst when detecting the bitter taste. The blood parameters glucose, insulin, homeostatic model assessment and leptin did not differ with respect to insulin or placebo condition, nor did they differ regarding measurements preceding or following intranasal application, in confirmation of preserved peripheral euglycaemia during the experiment. Thus, it can be concluded that the application of intranasal insulin led to an improved gustatory sensitivity compared to placebo.
Tongue‐to‐palate resistance training improves tongue strength and oropharyngeal swallowing function in subacute stroke survivors with dysphagia
Authors: Kim H. D. , Choi J. B. , Yoo S. J. , Chang M. Y. , Lee S. W. , Park J. S.
Published: November 2016

Tongue function can affect both the oral and pharyngeal stages of the swallowing process, and proper tongue strength is vital for safe oropharyngeal swallowing. This trial investigated the effect of tongue‐to‐palate resistance training (TPRT) on tongue strength and oropharyngeal swallowing function in stroke with dysphagia patients. This trial was performed using a 4‐week, two‐group, pre–post‐design. Participants were allocated to the experimental group (n = 18) or the control group (n = 17). The experimental group performed TPRT for 4 weeks (5 days per week) and traditional dysphagia therapy, whereas the control group performed traditional dysphagia therapy on the same schedule. Tongue strength was measured using the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument. Swallowing function was measured using the videofluoroscopic dysphagia scale (VDS) and penetration–aspiration scale (PAS) based on a videofluoroscopic swallowing study. Experimental group showed more improved in the tongue strength (both anterior and posterior regions, P = 0·009, 0·015). In addition, the experimental group showed more improved scores on the oral and pharyngeal phase of VDS (P = 0·029, 0·007), but not on the PAS (P = 0·471), compared with the control group. This study demonstrated the effectiveness of TPRT in increasing tongue muscle strength and improving swallowing function in patients with post‐stroke dysphagia. Therefore, we recommend TPRT as an easy and simple rehabilitation strategy for improving swallowing in patients with dysphagia.
Treatment of chemically induced oral ulcer using adipose‐derived mesenchymal stem cell sheet
Authors: Lee Doh Young , Kim Hee‐Bok , Shim In Kyoung , Kanai Nobuo , Okano Teruo , Kwon Seong Keun
Published: November 2016

Background

This study investigated the effects of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) sheet transplantation on healing of chemically induced oral ulceration in a rabbit animal model.

Methods

Oral mucosal ulcers were induced by topical application of filter paper soaked with 70% acetic acid to the anterior gingiva and buccal mucosa of 12 New Zealand white rabbits. The animals were randomly assigned to two groups: with (treatment group, n = 6) or without (control group, n = 6) cell sheets applied to ulcers. Gross findings were sequentially evaluated, and histologic examination was performed on day 7.

Results

Based on gross inspection, ulceration resolved before day 5 in the treatment group; however, in the control group, healing was incomplete on day 7. In the treatment group, the total area of the ulcer decreased significantly from day 2 to day 5 (P < 0.001) and from day 5 to day 7 (P = 0.020), whereas the area decreased significantly from day 5 to day 7 in the control group (P < 0.001). Histologic and immunofluorescence examination revealed full‐thickness mucosa healing and complete basal cell coverage in the treatment group; in contrast, only partial healing was observed on day 7 in the control group.

Conclusions

Cell sheet technology using MSC can be an alternative treatment for oral ulcerations in that it can decrease healing time without invasive properties.
Within‐community environmental variability drives trait variability in species‐rich grasslands
Authors: Price Jodi , Tamme Riin , Gazol Antonio , de Bello Francesco , Takkis Krista , Uria‐Diez Jaime , Kasari Liis , Pärtel Meelis
Published: November 2016

Aims

Spatial environmental heterogeneity has been considered an important co‐existence mechanism because environmental variation enables different species to co‐occur. We predict that if functional differences are important for co‐existence, then both species and functional diversity should be positively related to environmental heterogeneity.

Location

Thirty three dry calcareous grassland sites in Estonia.

Methods

In each site, we established a transect (10.0 m × 0.1 m), consisting of 100 quadrats (10 cm × 10 cm). In each quadrat, we recorded species richness and composition, and measured soil depth, moisture and light availability. We collected data on eight traits from most of the species found across the sites. We calculated functional diversity (FD) at the quadrat scale, and compared the observed FD to that expected at random using two null models. The first null model used all the species that occurred in the transect in the randomizations to determine environmental filtering from the transect to the quadrat. The second null model restricted the species used in the randomizations to those species whose trait range was within the range of the observed values in the quadrat, to detect evidence for niche partitioning. Quadrat mean trait values and variability in functional composition were then related to small‐scale mean environmental conditions and heterogeneity, respectively.

Results

We found convergent patterns in biomass, specific leaf area, specific root length and clonality compared to randomized communities that included all species occurring in the transect, and found divergence in height and leaf area using the range‐restricted null model. Hence, we found patterns consistent with environmental filtering and niche partitioning depending on the traits considered. Quadrat mean traits were significantly correlated with the measured environmental variables, with the main trend being a positive relationship between size‐related traits and soil resources, and a negative relationship between these traits and light availability. Trait variability in height, leaf area, leaf dry matter content, specific root length and clonality was positively related to soil depth heterogeneity. There was a trend for species richness to be negatively related to environmental heterogeneity.

Conclusions

Co‐occurring species were more similar in several traits partly due to micro‐environmental filtering in response to variability in soil depth. While environmental heterogeneity increased trait variability, negative relationships with species richness were observed. Hence, niche partitioning does not appear to be important for the maintenance of high small‐scale species richness in these grasslands.
Statistical methods for linguistic research: Foundational Ideas—Part II
Authors: Nicenboim Bruno , Vasishth Shravan
Published: November 2016

We provide an introductory review of Bayesian data analytical methods, with a focus on applications for linguistics, psychology, psycholinguistics, and cognitive science. The empirically oriented researcher will benefit from making Bayesian methods part of their statistical toolkit due to the many advantages of this framework, among them easier interpretation of results relative to research hypotheses and flexible model specification. We present an informal introduction to the foundational ideas behind Bayesian data analysis, using, as an example, a linear mixed models analysis of data from a typical psycholinguistics experiment. We discuss hypothesis testing using the Bayes factor and model selection using cross‐validation. We close with some examples illustrating the flexibility of model specification in the Bayesian framework. Suggestions for further reading are also provided.
Leading issues in Tashlhiyt phonology
Authors: Ridouane Rachid
Published: November 2016

A growing body of research has been conducted on the phonology of Tashlhiyt over the last few decades. This article offers a general overview into this research. It provides a concise summary of how the mental representation and the computation of some specific Tashlhiyt speech sounds have been accounted for, and it highlights the important implications of these analyses for several areas of phonological theory. Some aspects of Tashlhiyt linguistic system are so famous that no general course in phonology can reasonably ignore them, given their important theoretical implications. The syllable structure of Tashlhiyt is one such aspect. Other issues have received scholarly attention, for example, feature harmony and consonant gemination. These and other aspects of Tashlhiyt phonology are discussed and what has been known about them is summarized. Areas for which more work is needed are noted.
INDIFFERENCE PRICING FOR CONTINGENT CLAIMS: LARGE DEVIATIONS EFFECTS
Authors: Robertson Scott , Spiliopoulos Konstantinos
Published: November 2016

We study utility indifference prices and optimal purchasing quantities for a nontraded contingent claim in an incomplete semimartingale market with vanishing hedging errors. We make connections with the theory of large deviations. We concentrate on sequences of semicomplete markets where in the nth market, the claim admits the decomposition . Here, is replicable by trading in the underlying assets , but is independent of . Under broad conditions, we may assume that vanishes in accordance with a large deviations principle (LDP) as n grows. In this setting, for an exponential investor, we identify the limit of the average indifference price , for units of , as . We show that if , the limiting price typically differs from the price obtained by assuming bounded positions , and the difference is explicitly identifiable using large deviations theory. Furthermore, we show that optimal purchase quantities occur at the large deviations scaling, and hence large positions arise endogenously in this setting.
Host and tissue variations overshadow the response of boreal moss‐associated fungal communities to increased nitrogen load
Authors: Davey Marie L. , Skogen Marte J. , Heegaard Einar , Halvorsen Rune , Kauserud Håvard , Ohlson Mikael
Published: November 2016

Human activity has more than doubled the amount of nitrogen entering the global nitrogen cycle, and the boreal forest biome is a nitrogen‐limited ecosystem sensitive to nitrogen load perturbation. Although bryophyte‐associated microbes contribute significantly to boreal forest ecosystem function, particularly in carbon and nitrogen cycling, little is known about their responses to anthropogenic global change. Amplicon pyrosequencing of the ITS2 region of rDNA was used to investigate how fungal communities associated with three bryophyte species responded to increased nitrogen loads in a long‐term fertilization experiment in a boreal Picea abies forest in southern Norway. Overall, OTU richness, community composition and the relative abundance of specific ecological guilds were primarily influenced by host species identity and tissue type. Although not the primary factor affecting fungal communities, nitrogen addition did impact the abundance of specific guilds of fungi and the resulting overall community composition. Increased nitrogen loads decreased ectomycorrhizal abundance, with Amphinema, Cortinarius, Russula and Tylospora OTUs responding negatively to fertilization. Pathogen abundance increased with fertilization, particularly in the moss pathogen Eocronartium. Saprophytic fungi were both positively and negatively impacted by the nitrogen addition, indicating a complex community level response. The overshadowing of the effects of increased nitrogen loads by variation related to host and tissue type highlights the complexity of bryophyte‐associated microbial communities and the intricate nature of their responses to anthropogenic global change.
SymB and SymC, two membrane associated proteins, are required for Epichloë festucae hyphal cell–cell fusion and maintenance of a mutualistic interaction with Lolium perenne
Authors: Green Kimberly A. , Becker Yvonne , Tanaka Aiko , Takemoto Daigo , Fitzsimons Helen L. , Seiler Stephan , Lalucque Hervé , Silar Philippe , Scott Barry
Published: November 2016

Cell–cell fusion in fungi is required for colony formation, nutrient transfer and signal transduction. Disruption of genes required for hyphal fusion in Epichloë festucae, a mutualistic symbiont of Lolium grasses, severely disrupts the host interaction phenotype. They examined whether symB and symC, the E. festucae homologs of Podospora anserina self‐signaling genes IDC2 and IDC3, are required for E. festucae hyphal fusion and host symbiosis. Deletion mutants of these genes were defective in hyphal cell fusion, formed intra‐hyphal hyphae, and had enhanced conidiation. SymB‐GFP and SymC‐mRFP1 localize to plasma membrane, septa and points of hyphal cell fusion. Plants infected with ΔsymB and ΔsymC strains were severely stunted. Hyphae of the mutants colonized vascular bundles, were more abundant than wild type in the intercellular spaces and formed intra‐hyphal hyphae. Although these phenotypes are identical to those previously observed for cell wall integrity MAP kinase mutants no difference was observed in the basal level of MpkA phosphorylation or its cellular localization in the mutant backgrounds. Both genes contain binding sites for the transcription factor ProA. Collectively these results show that SymB and SymC are key components of a conserved signaling network for E. festucae to maintain a mutualistic symbiotic interaction within L. perenne.
Whole genome sequencing analysis of the cutaneous pathogenic yeast Malassezia restricta and identification of the major lipase expressed on the scalp of patients with dandruff
Authors: Park Minji , Cho Yong‐Joon , Lee Yang Won , Jung Won Hee
Published: November 2016

Malassezia species are opportunistic pathogenic fungi that are frequently associated with seborrhoeic dermatitis, including dandruff. Most Malassezia species are lipid dependent, a property that is compensated by breaking down host sebum into fatty acids by lipases. In this study, we aimed to sequence and analyse the whole genome of Malassezia restricta KCTC 27527, a clinical isolate from a Korean patient with severe dandruff, to search for lipase orthologues and identify the lipase that is the most frequently expressed on the scalp of patients with dandruff. The genome of M. restricta KCTC 27527 was sequenced using the Illumina MiSeq and PacBio platforms. Lipase orthologues were identified by comparison with known lipase genes in the genomes of Malassezia globosa and Malassezia sympodialis. The expression of the identified lipase genes was directly evaluated in swab samples from the scalps of 56 patients with dandruff. We found that, among the identified lipase‐encoding genes, the gene encoding lipase homolog MRES_03670, named LIP5 in this study, was the most frequently expressed lipase in the swab samples. Our study provides an overview of the genome of a clinical isolate of M. restricta and fundamental information for elucidating the role of lipases during fungus‐host interaction.
Digital technologies as truth‐bearers in health care
Authors: Bartlett Ruth , Balmer Andrew , Brannelly Petula
Published: November 2016

In this paper, we explore the idea of digital technologies as truth‐bearers in health care and argue that devices like SenseCam, which facilitate reflection and memory recall, have a potentially vital role in healthcare situations when questions of veracity are at stake (e.g., when best interest decisions are being made). We discuss the role of digital technologies as truth‐bearers in the context of nursing people with dementia, as this is one area of health care in which the topic of truth‐telling has been hotly debated. People with dementia have been excluded from research studies and decisions that affect their lives because they are not regarded as truth‐bearers—that is, as being capable of giving truthful accounts of their experiences. Also, considerable research has focused on the ethics of lying to and deceiving people with dementia. Given their increasing prominence in healthcare settings, there has been surprisingly little discussion of what role digital technologies might play in relation to these questions of truth and deception. Drawing on theories from science and technology studies (STS), we explore their possible future role in some of the truth‐making processes of health care. In particular, we discuss the potential value of constraints on use of SenseCam to support the accounts of people with dementia as part of their care.
Studies using concentric ring bifocal and peripheral add multifocal contact lenses to slow myopia progression in school‐aged children: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Li Shi‐Ming , Kang Meng‐Tian , Wu Shan‐Shan , Meng Bo , Sun Yun‐Yun , Wei Shi‐Fei , Liu Luoru , Peng Xiaoxia , Chen Zhuo , Zhang Fengju , Wang Ningli
Published: November 2016

Purpose

To evaluate the effect of soft contact lens with concentric ring bifocal and peripheral add multifocal designs on controlling myopia progression in school‐aged children.

Methods

We systematically searchedMEDLINE,EMBASE, Cochrane Library and reference lists of included trials. Methodological quality of included trials was assessed using Jadad Scale and Newcastle‐Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale items.

Results

We identified five randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and three cohort studies with a total of 587 myopic children. Compared with the control group, concentric ring bifocal soft contact lenses showed less myopia progression with a weighted mean difference (WMD) of 0.31 D (95%CI, 0.05~0.57 D,p= 0.02) and less axial elongation with aWMDof −0.12 mm (95%CI, approximately −0.18 to −0.07 mm,p< 0.0001) at 12 months. Relative to the control group, peripheral add multifocal soft contact lenses showed less myopia progression with aWMDof 0.22 D (95%CI0.14~0.31 D,p< 0.0001) and less axial elongation of −0.10 mm (95%CI−0.13~0.07 mm,p< 0.0001) at 12 months, respectively. The soft contact lenses with concentric ring bifocal and peripheral add multifocal designs produced additional myopia control rates of 30~38% for slowing myopia progression and 31~51% for lessening axial elongation within 24 months.

Conclusions

Both concentric ring bifocal and peripheral add multifocal soft contact lenses are clinically effective for controlling myopia in school‐aged children, with an overall myopia control rates of 30~50% over 2 years. Concentric ring bifocal soft contact lenses seem to have greater effect than peripheral add multifocal soft contact lenses.
Nitric oxide is involved in methane‐induced adventitious root formation in cucumber
Authors: Qi Fang , Xiang Zhixin , Kou Ninghai , Cui Weiti , Xu Daokun , Wang Ren , Zhu Dan , Shen Wenbiao
Published: November 2016

Our previous studies revealed that methane (CH4) induces adventitious rooting in cucumber. However, the corresponding molecular mechanism is still elusive. In this work, we discovered that CH4 triggered the accumulation of nitric oxide (NO) and thereafter cucumber adventitious rooting, mimicking the inducing effects of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and NONOate (two NO‐releasing compounds). Above mentioned responses were sensitive to NO scavenger(s), showing that the accumulation of NO and adventitious root development were respectively impaired. Inhibitor test and biochemical analysis suggested that endogenous NO mainly produced by mammalian NO synthase‐like enzyme and diamine oxidases (DAO), might be required for adventitious root formation elicited by CH4. Molecular evidence confirmed that CH4‐mediated induction of several marker genes responsible for adventitious root development, including CsDNAJ‐1, CsCDPK1, CsCDPK5, cell division‐related gene CsCDC6, and two auxin signaling genes, CsAux22D‐like and CsAux22B‐like, was casually dependent on NO signaling. The possible involvement of S‐nitrosylation during the mentioned CH4 responses was preliminarily illustrated. Taken together, through pharmacological, anatomical and molecular approaches, it is suggested that NO might be involved in CH4‐induced cucumber adventitious rooting, and CH4‐eliciated NO‐targeted proteins might be partially modulated at transcriptional and post‐translational levels. Our work may increase the understanding of the mechanisms underlying CH4‐elicited root organogenesis in higher plants.
Reviving the Progressive Spirit of Public Administration
Authors: Roberts Alasdair
Published: November 2016

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Interpersonal–Psychological Theory, Alexithymia, and Personality Predict Suicide Ideation among Maladjusted Soldiers in Taiwan
Authors: Huang Kai‐Cheng , Tzeng Dong‐Sheng , Lin Chi‐Hung , Chung Wei‐Ching
Published: November 2016

This case–control study enrolled 226 maladjusted soldiers and 229 controls to investigate the impact of the interpersonal–psychological theory of suicide, alexithymia, personality, and childhood trauma on suicide risk among Taiwanese soldiers. Assessments included the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, Eysenck Personality Inventory, Mini‐International Neuropsychiatric Interview, and Brief Symptom Rating Scale. In addition to thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness, other risks included less extraversion with higher neuroticism, higher alexithymia, poor academic performance, domestic violence, and life‐threatening events. Our study demonstrates the interaction of the interpersonal–psychological theory and other suicide risk factors in Taiwanese soldiers.
Placebo in sports nutrition: a proof‐of‐principle study involving caffeine supplementation
Authors: Saunders B. , de Oliveira L. F. , da Silva R. P. , de Salles Painelli V. , Gonçalves L. S. , Yamaguchi G. , Mutti T. , Maciel E. , Roschel H. , Artioli G. G. , Gualano B.
Published: November 2016

We investigated the effects of supplement identification on exercise performance with caffeine supplementation. Forty‐two trained cyclists (age 37 ± 8 years, body mass [BM] 74.3 ± 8.4 kg, height 1.76 ± 0.06 m, maximum oxygen uptake 50.0 ± 6.8 mL/kg/min) performed a ~30 min cycling time‐trial 1 h following either 6 mg/kgBM caffeine (CAF) or placebo (PLA) supplementation and one control (CON) session without supplementation. Participants identified which supplement they believed they had ingested (“caffeine”, “placebo”, “don't know”) pre‐ and post‐exercise. Subsequently, participants were allocated to subgroups for analysis according to their identifications. Overall and subgroup analyses were performed using mixed‐model and magnitude‐based inference analyses. Caffeine improved performance vs PLA and CON (P ≤ 0.001). Correct pre‐ and post‐exercise identification of caffeine in CAF improved exercise performance (+4.8 and +6.5%) vs CON, with slightly greater relative increases than the overall effect of caffeine (+4.1%). Performance was not different between PLA and CON within subgroups (all P > 0.05), although there was a tendency toward improved performance when participants believed they had ingested caffeine post‐exercise (P = 0.06; 87% likely beneficial). Participants who correctly identified placebo in PLA showed possible harmful effects on performance compared to CON. Supplement identification appeared to influence exercise outcome and may be a source of bias in sports nutrition.
About the in vivo quantitation of skin anisotropy
Authors: Rosado C. , Antunes F. , Barbosa R. , Fernando R. , Estudante M. , Silva H. N. , Rodrigues L. M.
Published: November 2016

Background/purpose

Human skin anisotropy is difficult to quantify. The Cutiscan®, is allegedly, the first biometrical system to provide information on the elastic and viscoelastic properties, as well as on anisotropy and directionality of the human skin in vivo. Thus, this study aims to contribute to characterize this new device and its applicability, and to compare its behavior with two other well‐known devices—the Cutometer® and the Reviscometer®.

Methods

Measurements were conducted with each device in three different anatomical sites (forehead, forearm and leg) of 20 female volunteers engaged after informed consent. The participants in the study were aged 19–73 years (mean age 37 ± 18.7 years old), and were divided in two groups (n = 10), based on their age – Group I, mean age 22 ± 1.3 years; Group II, mean age 52 ± 13.7 years.

Results

All devices were useful tools to explore the anatomical and the age dependant changes in biomechanical terms, showing different discriminative capacities. Interesting correlations were established between the variables provided by the equipment.

Conclusion

The Cutiscan® descriptors delivered excellent relationships with those from Cutometer® and Reviscometer®, while providing more detailed information about skin anisotropy through a full 360° analysis.
A randomized controlled pilot study of VO2 max testing: a potential model for measuring relative in vivo efficacy of different red blood cell products
Authors: Bennett‐Guerrero Elliott , Lockhart Evelyn L. , Bandarenko Nicholas , Campbell Mary L. , Natoli Michael J. , Jamnik Veronika K. , Carter Timothy R. , Moon Richard E.
Published: November 2016

BACKGROUND

Randomized trials, for example, RECESS, comparing “young” (median, 7‐day) versus “middle‐aged” (median, 28‐day) red blood cells (RBCs), showed no difference in outcome. These data are important; however, they do not inform us about the safety and effectiveness of the oldest RBCs, which some patients receive. It may not be feasible to conduct a clinical trial randomizing patients to receive the oldest blood. Therefore, we propose strenuous exercise (VO2 max testing) as a model to study the relative efficacy to increase oxygen delivery to tissue of different RBC products, for example, extremes of storage duration.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

In this pilot study, eight healthy subjects had 2 units of leukoreduced RBCs collected by apheresis in AS‐3 using standard methods. Subjects were randomized to receive both (2) units of their autologous RBCs at either 7 or 42 days after blood collection. VO2 max testing on a cycle ergometer was performed 2 days before (Monday) and 2 days after (Friday) the transfusion visit (Wednesday). This design avoids confounding effects on intravascular volume from the 2‐unit blood transfusion. The primary outcome was the difference in VO2 max between Friday and Monday (delta VO2 max).

RESULTS

VO2 max increased more in the 7‐day RBC arm (8.7 ± 6.9% vs. 1.9 ± 6.5%, p = 0.202 for comparison between arms). Exercise duration (seconds) increased in the 7‐day RBC arm (8.4 ± 1.7%) but actually decreased in the 42‐day arm (−2.6 ± 3.6%, p = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

This pilot study suggests that VO2 max testing has potential as a rigorous and quantitative in vivo functional assay of RBC function. Our preliminary results suggest that 42‐day RBCs are inferior to 7‐day RBCs at delivering oxygen to tissues.
Transpalpebral exenteration in cattle: a retrospective study of 115 cases
Authors: Chigerwe Munashe , Angelos John A. , Gamsjäeger Lisa , Heller Meera C.
Published: November 2016

Objective

To describe the indications for exenteration and complications associated with the procedure.

Animals studied

115 cattle.

Procedures

Medical records of cattle presented for unilateral exenteration evaluated at the University of California, Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital from January 1985 through December 2015 were reviewed.

Results

Median (range) age at presentation for all cattle was 6 (0.2–30) years. The most prevalent (80.9%) indication for exenteration was squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Cattle >5 years had higher odds (OR = 11.2, 95% CI, 2.8–45.8) for undergoing exenteration due to SCC compared to cattle ≤5 years. Herefords had higher odds (OR = 4.6, 95% CI, 1.5–14.6) for undergoing exenteration for SCC compared to other breeds. Holsteins had higher odds (OR = 140.7, 95% CI, 7.5–2644) for undergoing exenteration for retrobulbar lymphoma compared to other breeds. Complications following exenteration were reported in 15 cases (13.0%). The postsurgical complications were orbital abscesses (6/15), recurrence of SCC (5/15), wound dehiscence (3/15), and excessive hemorrhage (1/15). Median (range) time to occurrence of postsurgical complications was 19 (5–205) days. There was no significant association (P > 0.05) between ocular diagnosis, age, anesthetic technique or the suture pattern used to close the skin postsurgically, and occurrence of postsurgical complications.

Conclusions

Early clinical diagnosis of SCC by owners and veterinarians may prevent the need for exenteration. Owners should be made aware of the possible postsurgical complications following exenteration in cattle.
Evidence that an internal schema adapts swallowing to upper airway requirements
Authors: Wong Seng Mun , Domangue Rickie J. , Fels Sidney , Ludlow Christy L.
Published: November 2016

Key points

To swallow food and liquid safely, airway protection is essential.

Upward and forward movements of the hyoid and larynx in the neck during swallowing vary in magnitude between individuals.

In healthy human adults, hyoid and laryngeal movements during swallowing were scaled by differences in initial upper airway area before swallowing.

Individuals increased laryngeal elevation during swallowing in response to increased airway opening before swallowing.

We show that when upper airway protection requirements change, individuals use an internal sensorimotor scaling system to adapt movements to maintain swallow safety.

Hyoid and laryngeal movements contribute to laryngeal vestibule closure and upper oesophageal sphincter opening during swallowing. Evidence of an internal sensorimotor scaling system allowing individuals to achieve these functional goals is lacking. In speech, speakers adjust their articulatory movement magnitude according to the movement distance required to reach an articulatory target for intelligible speech. We investigated if swallowing is similar in that movement amplitude may be scaled by the functional goal for airway protection during swallowing, rather than by head and neck size. We hypothesized that healthy individuals adapt to their own anatomy by adjusting hyo‐laryngeal movements to achieve closure of the upper airway. We also investigated if individuals would automatically compensate for changes in their initial hyo‐laryngeal positions and area when head position was changed prior to swallowing. Videofluoroscopy was performed in 31 healthy adults. Using frame‐by‐frame motion analysis, anterior and superior hyoid and laryngeal displacement, and hyo‐laryngeal area were measured prior to and during swallowing. Kinematic measurements during swallowing were examined for relationships with pharyngeal neck length, and initial hyo‐laryngeal positions, length and area before swallowing. During swallowing, individuals altered laryngeal elevation magnitude to exceed hyoid elevation based on hyo‐laryngeal length before swallowing. Anterior laryngeal displacement was related to initial larynx distance from the spine, while hyoid elevation was predicted by pharyngeal neck length and initial hyoid distance from the mandible prior to the swallow. In conclusion, individuals automatically adapt hyo‐laryngeal movement during swallowing based on targets required for closing the hyo‐laryngeal area for safe swallowing.
"dunkel hell dunkel": Enzensberger's Two Piranesi Poems
Authors: Sewell W. S.
Published: November 2016

Enzensberger, Piranesi
The Messiah and the Direction of History: Walter Benjamin, Isaac Bashevis Singer and Franz Kafka
Authors: Milfull John
Published: November 2016

Walter Benjamin, Isaac Bashevis Singer and Franz Kafka
Ludwig Thoma in Dachau
Authors: Barta Tony
Published: November 2016

Ludwig Thoma, Dachau
An Unsystematic Approach to Der Butt
Authors: Forster Leonard
Published: November 2016

G. Grass. Der Butt
The Ice Age Cometh. Skizzenhaftes zu einem Motivkomplex in der deutschen Gegenwartsliterartur
Authors: Grimm Reinhold
Published: November 2016

Ice Age, Eiszeit, Th. Bernhard, G. Grass, Ch. Wolf, F. Dürrenmatt, F. Kafka, W. Busch. Enzensberger, H. Mülller, H. Novak
John Keats: Three Odes. Rendered into German
Authors: Hoffmann Paul
Published: November 2016

J. Keats
Ehre hier ist Schande dort: Hermann Sudermann and the Protean Concept of Honour
Authors: Corkhill Alan
Published: November 2016

Ehre
Karl Kraus über Franz Grillparzer
Authors: Scheichl Sigurd Paul
Published: November 2016

Grillparzer,  K. Kraus
Franz Grillparzer - der österreichische Klassiker?
Authors: Weiss Walter
Published: November 2016

Grillparzer
A new algorithm for estimating the rod volume fraction and the trabecular thickness from in vivo computed tomography
Authors: Thomsen Felix Sebastian Leo , Peña Jaime Andrés , Lu Yongtao , Huber Gerd , Morlock Michael , Glüer Claus‐Christian , Delrieux Claudio Augusto
Published: November 2016

Purpose:

Existing microstructure parameters are able to predict vertebral in vitro failure load, but for noisy in vivo data more complex algorithms are needed for a robust assessment.

Methods:

A new algorithm is proposed for the microstructural analysis of trabecular bone under in vivo quantitative computed tomography (QCT). Five fractal parameters are computed: (1) the average local fractal dimension FD, (2) its standard deviation FD.SD, (3) the fractal rod volume ratio fRV/BV, (4) the average fractal trabecular thickness fTb.Th, and (5) its coefficient of variation fTb.Th.CV. The algorithm requires neither an explicit skeletonization of the trabecular bone, nor a well‐defined transition between bone and marrow phases. Two experiments were conducted to compare the fractal with established microstructural parameters. In the first, 20 volumes‐of‐interest of embedded vertebrae phantoms were scanned five times under QCT and high‐resolution (HR‐)QCT and once under peripheral HRQCT (HRpQCT), to derive accuracy and precision. In the second experiment, correlations between in vitro HRQCT structural parameters were obtained from 76 human T11, T12, or L1 vertebrae. In vitro fracture data were available for a subset of 17 human T12 vertebrae so that linear regression models between failure load and microstructural HRQCT parameters could be analyzed.

Results:

The results showed correlations of fTb.Th and fRV/BV with their nonfractal pendants trabecular thickness (Tb.Th) and respective structure model index (SMI) while higher precision and accuracy was observed on the fractal measures. Linear models of bone mineral density with two and three fractal microstructural HRQCT parameters explained 86% and 90% (adjusted R2) of the failure load and significantly improved the linear models based only on BMD and established standard microstructural parameters (68%–77% adjusted R2).

Conclusions:

The application of fractal methods may grant further insight into the study of bone quality in vivo when image resolution and quality are less than optimal for current standard methods.