bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perturbation to Mei Symmetry and Adiabatic Invariants for Disturbed El-Nabulsi's Fractional Birkhoff System*
Authors: Song Chuan-Jing , Zhang Yi
Published: August 2015

For El-Nabulsi's fractional Birkhoff system, Mei symmetry perturbation, the corresponding Mei-type adiabatic invariants and Noether-type adiabatic invariants are investigated in this paper. Firstly, based on El-Nabulsi-Birkhoff fractional equations, Mei symmetry and the corresponding Mei conserved quantity, Noether conserved quantity deduced indirectly by Mei symmetry are studied. Secondly, Mei-type exact invariants and Noether-type exact invariants are given on the basis of the definition of adiabatic invatiant. Thirdly, Mei symmetry perturbation, Mei-type adiabatic invariants and Noether-type adiabatic invariants for the disturbed El-Nabulsi's fractional Birkhoff system are studied. Finally, two examples, Hojman-Urrutia problem for Mei-type adiabatic invariants and another for the Noether-type adiabatic invariants, are given to illustrate the application of the results.
Numerical Simulation of Antennas with Improved Integral Equation Method*
Authors: Ma Ji , Fang Guang-You , Lu Wei
Published: August 2015

Simulating antennas around a conducting object is a challenge task in computational electromagnetism, which is concerned with the behaviour of electromagnetic fields. To analyze this model efficiently, an improved integral equation-fast Fourier transform (IE-FFT) algorithm is presented in this paper. The proposed scheme employs two Cartesian grids with different size and location to enclose the antenna and the other object, respectively. On the one hand, IE-FFT technique is used to store matrix in a sparse form and accelerate the matrix-vector multiplication for each sub-domain independently. On the other hand, the mutual interaction between sub-domains is taken as the additional exciting voltage in each matrix equation. By updating integral equations several times, the whole electromagnetic system can achieve a stable status. Finally, the validity of the presented method is verified through the analysis of typical antennas in the presence of a conducting object.
A Comprehensive Numerical Investigation on the Mechanical Properties of Hetero-Junction Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Ghavamian Ali , Öchsner Andreas
Published: August 2015

A set of forty-three hetero-junction CNTs, made of forty-four homogeneous carbon nanotubes of different chiralities and configurations with all possible hetero-connection types, were numerically simulated, based on the finite element method in a commercial finite element software and their Young's and shear moduli, and critical buckling loads were obtained and evaluated under the tensile, torsional and buckling loads with an assumption of linear elastic deformation and also compared with each other. The comparison of the linear elastic behavior of hetero-junction CNTs and their corresponding fundamental tubes revealed that the size, type of the connection, and the bending angle in the structure of hetero-junction CNTs considerably influences the mechanical properties of these hetero-structures. It was also discovered that the Stone-Wales defect leads to lower elastic and torsional strength of hetero-junction CNTs when compared to homogeneous CNTs. However, the buckling strength of the hetero-junction CNTs was found to lie in the range of the buckling strength of their corresponding fundamental tubes. It was also determined that the shear modulus of hetero-junction carbon nanotubes generally tends to be closer to the shear modulus of their wider fundamental tubes while critical buckling loads of these heterostructures seem to be closer to critical buckling loads of their thinner fundamental tubes. The evaluation of the elastic properties of hetero-junction carbon nanotubes showed that among the hetero-junction models, those with armchair-armchair and zigzag-zigzag kinks have the highest elastic modulus while the models with armchair-zigzag connections show the lowest elastic stiffness. The results from torsion tests also revealed the fact that zigzag-zigzag and armchair-zigzag hetero-junction carbon nanotubes have the highest and the lowest shear modulus, respectively. Finally, it was observed that the highest critical buckling loads belong to armchair-armchair hetero-junction carbon nanotubes and the lowest buckling strength was found with the hetero-junction models with armchair-zigzag connection.
Influences of the Structure of Lipids on Thermal Stability of Lipid Membranes*
Authors: Hai Nan-Nan , Zhou Xin , Li Ming
Published: August 2015

The binding free energy (BFE) of lipid to lipid bilayer is a critical factor to determine the thermal or mechanical stability of the bilayer. Although the molecular structure of lipids has significant impacts on BFE of the lipid, there lacks a systematic study on this issue. In this paper we use coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulation to investigate this problem for several typical phospholipids. We find that both the tail length and tail unsaturation can significantly affect the BFE of lipids but in opposite way, namely, BFE decreases linearly with increasing length, but increases linearly with addition of unsaturated bonds. Inspired by the specific structure of cholesterol which is a crucial component of biomembrane, we also find that introduction of carbo-ring-like structures to the lipid tail or to the bilayer may greatly enhance the stability of the bilayer. Our simulation also shows that temperature can influence the bilayer stability and this effect can be significant when the bilayer undergoes phase transition. These results may be helpful to the design of liposome or other self-assembled lipid systems.
Global Oil Prices and Local Food Prices: Evidence from East Africa
Authors: Dillon Brian M. , Barrett Christopher B.
Published: August 2015

It is widely believed that oil prices impact food prices in developing countries. Yet rigorous evidence on this relationship is scarce. Using maize and petrol price data from east Africa, we show that global oil prices do affect food prices but primarily through transport costs, rather than through biofuel or production cost channels. We find that global oil prices transmit much more rapidly to the pump and then to local maize prices than do global maize prices, suggesting that the immediate effects of correlated commodity price shocks on local food prices are driven more by transport costs than by the prices of the grains themselves. Furthermore, we present suggestive evidence that, for markets furthest inland, changes in world oil prices have larger effects on local maize prices than do changes in world maize prices.
The Impact of Food Deserts on Food Insufficiency and SNAP Participation among the Elderly
Authors: Fitzpatrick Katie , Greenhalgh-Stanley Nadia , Ver Ploeg Michele
Published: August 2015

Residents of neighborhoods with limited access to grocery stores may face barriers to obtaining adequate food for a healthy diet. Low‐income elderly may be uniquely affected by these so‐called “food deserts” due to limited transportation options, strong attachments to local neighborhoods, fixed incomes, and physical limitations for food shopping. Using 2006 and 2010 Health and Retirement Study data linked to census tract‐level measures of food deserts, this study measures whether living in a food desert affects food and material hardship, participation in food assistance programs, and the food spending of elderly adults. In both cross‐sectional and fixed effects regressions of elderly residents of urban counties, we find little evidence that living in a food desert affects these outcomes. We find, however, that individuals residing in a food desert without a vehicle are 12 percentage points more likely to report food insufficiency. Those SNAP recipients living in food deserts are 11 percentage points more likely to receive subsidized meals, while nonparticipants in food deserts and SNAP recipients outside of food deserts are less likely to receive subsidized meals. Our findings suggest that seniors without vehicles and SNAP recipients in food deserts may be the most vulnerable to limited food store access.
Low Cerebral Oxygenation Levels during Resuscitation in Out-of-hospital Cardiac Arrest Are Associated with Hyperfibrinolysis
Authors: Duvekot Anne , Viersen Victor A. , Dekker Simone E. , Geeraedts Leo M. G. , Schwarte Lothar A. , Spoelstra-Man Angelique M. E. , van de Ven Peter M. , van den Brom Charissa E. , de Waard Monique C. , Loer Stephan A. , Boer Christa
Published: August 2015

AbstractAbstract

Activation of the fibrinolytic system is more common in out-of-hospital cardiopulmonary arrest patients with an initial cerebral tissue oxygenation value of 50% or less during resuscitation and is linked to increased levels of tissue plasminogen activator rather than involvement of protein C.

Background:

The authors investigated whether patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest with an initial low cerebral oxygen level during cardiopulmonary resuscitation are more prone to develop hyperfibrinolysis than patients with normal cerebral oxygenation levels and which part of the fibrinolytic system is involved in this response.

Methods:

In 46 patients, hyperfibrinolysis was diagnosed immediately upon emergency department admission using rotational thromboelastometry and defined as a lysis more than 15%. Simultaneously, initial cerebral tissue oxygenation was measured using near-infrared spectroscopy, and oxygen desaturation was defined as a tissue oxygenation index (TOI) of 50% or less. Blood sample analysis included markers for hypoperfusion and fibrinolysis.

Results:

There was no difference in prehospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation duration between patients with or without hyperfibrinolysis. An initial TOI of 50% or less was associated with more clot lysis (91% [17 to 100%; n = 16]) compared with patients with a normal TOI (6% [4 to 11%]; n = 30; P < 0.001), with lower levels of plasminogen (151.6 ± 61.0 vs. 225.3 ± 47.0 μg/ml; P < 0.001) and higher levels of tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA; 18.3 ± 7.4 vs. 7.9 ± 4.7 ng/ml; P < 0.001) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (19.3 ± 8.9 vs. 12.1 ± 6.1 ng/ml; P = 0.013). There were no differences in (activated) protein C levels among groups. The initial TOI was negatively correlated with t-PA (r = −0.69; P < 0001). Mortality rates were highest in patients with hyperfibrinolysis.

Conclusion:

Activation of the fibrinolytic system is more common in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients with an initial cerebral tissue oxygenation value of 50% or less during resuscitation and is linked to increased levels of t-PA rather than involvement of protein C.
Chaos in optimal communication waveforms
Authors: Corron Ned J. , Blakely Jonathan N.
Published: August 2015

The properties of nonlinear dynamics and chaos are shown to be fundamental to optimal communication signals subject to two practical and realistic design requirements: (i) operation in a noisy environment and (ii) simple hardware implementation. Starting with a simple electronic circuit, a linear filter receiver is presumed, and the matched optimal communication waveform that maximizes the receiver signal-to-noise performance is derived. A return map using samples from this optimal waveform is conjugate to a shift, thereby implying the waveform is chaotic. The optimal communication waveform for a second simple receiver is similarly derived, and it is found to be an exact solution to a physically realizable chaotic oscillator. Thus, a practical consequence of chaos in these waveforms is the potential for simple and efficient signal generation using chaotic oscillators. A conjecture is made that the optimal communication waveform for any stable infinite impulse response filter is similarly chaotic.
Rate of novel host invasion affects adaptability of evolving RNA virus lineages
Authors: Morley Valerie J. , Mendiola Sandra Y. , Turner Paul E.
Published: August 2015

Although differing rates of environmental turnover should be consequential for the dynamics of adaptive change, this idea has been rarely examined outside of theory. In particular, the importance of RNA viruses in disease emergence warrants experiments testing how differing rates of novel host invasion may impact the ability of viruses to adaptively shift onto a novel host. To test whether the rate of environmental turnover influences adaptation, we experimentally evolved 144 Sindbis virus lineages in replicated tissue-culture environments, which transitioned from being dominated by a permissive host cell type to a novel host cell type. The rate at which the novel host ‘invaded’ the environment varied by treatment. The fitness (growth rate) of evolved virus populations was measured on each host type, and molecular substitutions were mapped via whole genome consensus sequencing. Results showed that virus populations more consistently reached high fitness levels on the novel host when the novel host ‘invaded’ the environment more gradually, and gradual invasion resulted in less variable genomic outcomes. Moreover, virus populations that experienced a rapid shift onto the novel host converged upon different genotypes than populations that experienced a gradual shift onto the novel host, suggesting a strong effect of historical contingency.
An overview of unconstrained free boundary problems
Authors: Figalli Alessio , Shahgholian Henrik
Published: August 2015

In this paper, we present a survey concerning unconstrained free boundary problems of type

where
B
1
is the unit ball,
Ω
is an unknown open set,
F
1
and
F
2
are elliptic operators (admitting regular solutions), and

is a functions space to be specified in each case. Our main objective is to discuss a unifying approach to the optimal regularity of solutions to the above matching problems, and list several open problems in this direction.
Cross-species transmission and differential fate of an endogenous retrovirus in three mammal lineages
Authors: Zhuo Xiaoyu , Feschotte Cedric
Published: August 2015

Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) arise from retroviruses chromosomally integrated in the host germline. ERVs are common in vertebrate genomes and provide a valuable fossil record of past retroviral infections to investigate the biology and evolution of retroviruses over a deep time scale, including cross-species transmission events. Here we took advantage of a catalog of ERVs we recently produced for the bat Myotis lucifugus to seek evidence for infiltration of these retroviruses in other mammalian species (>100) currently represented in the genome sequence database. We provide multiple lines of evidence for the cross-ordinal transmission of a gammaretrovirus endogenized independently in the lineages of vespertilionid bats, felid cats and pangolin ~13-25 million years ago. Following its initial introduction, the ERV amplified extensively in parallel in both bat and cat lineages, generating hundreds of species-specific insertions throughout evolution. However, despite being derived from the same viral species, phylogenetic and selection analyses suggest that the ERV experienced different amplification dynamics in the two mammalian lineages. In the cat lineage, the ERV appears to have expanded primarily by retrotransposition of a single proviral progenitor that lost infectious capacity shortly after endogenization. In the bat lineage, the ERV followed a more complex path of germline invasion characterized by both retrotransposition and multiple infection events. The results also suggest that some of the bat ERVs have maintained infectious capacity for extended period of time and may be still infectious today. This study provides one of the most rigorously documented cases of cross-ordinal transmission of a mammalian retrovirus. It also illustrates how the same retrovirus species has transitioned multiple times from an infectious pathogen to a genomic parasite (i.e. retrotransposon), yet experiencing different invasion dynamics in different mammalian hosts.
Manta: Rapid detection of structural variants and indels for clinical sequencing applications
Authors: Chen Xiaoyu , Schulz-Trieglaff Ole , Shaw Richard , Barnes Bret , Schlesinger Felix , Cox Anthony J. , Kruglyak Semyon , Saunders Christopher T.
Published: August 2015

We describe Manta, a method to discover structural variants and indels from next generation sequencing data. Manta is optimized for rapid clinical analysis, calling structural variants, medium-sized indels and large insertions on standard compute hardware in less than a tenth of the time that comparable methods require to identify only subsets of these variant types: for example NA12878 at 50x genomic coverage is analyzed in less than 20 minutes. Manta can discover and score variants based on supporting paired and split-read evidence, with scoring models optimized for germline analysis of diploid individuals and somatic analysis of tumor-normal sample pairs. Call quality is similar to or better than comparable methods, as determined by pedigree consistency of germline calls and comparison of somatic calls to COSMIC database variants. Manta consistently assembles a higher fraction of its calls to basepair resolution, allowing for improved downstream annotation and analysis of clinical significance. We provide Manta as a community resource to facilitate practical and routine structural variant analysis in clinical and research sequencing scenarios.

Availability

Manta source code and Linux binaries are available fromhttp://github.com/sequencing/manta.

Contact

csaunders@illumina.com

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available atBioinformaticsonline.
Extensive de novo mutation rate variation between individuals and across the genome of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Authors: Ness Rob W. , Morgan Andrew D. , Vasanthakrishnan Radhakrishnan B. , Colegrave Nick , Keightley Peter D.
Published: August 2015

Describing the process of spontaneous mutation is fundamental for understanding the genetic basis of disease, the threat posed by declining population size in conservation biology, and much of evolutionary biology. Directly studying spontaneous mutation has been difficult, however, because new mutations are rare. Mutation accumulation (MA) experiments overcome this by allowing mutations to build up over many generations in the near absence of natural selection. Here, we sequenced the genomes of 85 MA lines derived from six genetically diverse strains of the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. We identified 6843 new mutations, more than any other study of spontaneous mutation. We observed sevenfold variation in the mutation rate among strains and that mutator genotypes arose, increasing the mutation rate approximately eightfold in some replicates. We also found evidence for fine-scale heterogeneity in the mutation rate, with certain sequence motifs mutating at much higher rates, and clusters of multiple mutations occurring at closely linked sites. There was little evidence, however, for mutation rate heterogeneity between chromosomes or over large genomic regions of 200 kbp. We generated a predictive model of the mutability of sites based on their genomic properties, including local GC content, gene expression level, and local sequence context. Our model accurately predicted the average mutation rate and natural levels of genetic diversity of sites across the genome. Notably, trinucleotides vary 17-fold in rate between the most and least mutable sites. Our results uncover a rich heterogeneity in the process of spontaneous mutation both among individuals and across the genome.
Crystal structure of 6,7-dichloro-4-oxo-4H-chromene-3-carbaldehyde
Authors: Ishikawa Yoshinobu
Published: August 2015

In the title compound, C10H4Cl2O3, a dichlorinated 3-formylchromone, the non-H atoms of the 4H-chromene ring are essentially coplanar (r.m.s. = 0.0188 Å), with the largest deviation from the least-squares plane [0.043 (2) Å] being for the pyran C=O C atom. The α,β-unsaturated carbonyl O atom deviates from the least-square plane by 0.124 (2) Å. The dihedral angle between the chromone and formyl least-square planes is 6.76 (3)°. In the crystal, molecules are linked through C—H...O hydrogen bonds between the translation-symmetry and inversion-symmetry equivalents to form tetrads, which are further assembled by stacking interactions [centroid–centroid distance between the benzene rings = 3.769 (2) Å]. van der Waals contacts are found between the Cl atoms at the 6-position and the Cl atoms at 7-position of the glide-reflection-symmetry equivalents [Cl...Cl = 3.4785 (16) Å, C—Cl...Cl = 160.23 (7)° and Cl...Cl—C = 122.59 (7)°].
Crystal structure of dimethomorph
Authors: Kang Gihaeng , Kim Jineun , Kwon Eunjin , Kim Tae Ho
Published: August 2015

In the title compound, C21H22ClNO4[systematic name: (E)-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-1-(morpholin-4-yl)prop-2-en-1-one], which is the morpholine fungicide dimethomorph, the dihedral angles between the mean planes of the central chlorophenyl and the terminal benzene and morpholine (r.m.s. deviation = 0.2233 Å) rings are 71.74 (6) and 63.65 (7)°, respectively. In the crystal, molecules are linkedviaC—H...O hydrogen bonds and weak Cl...π interactions [3.8539 (11) Å], forming a three-dimensional structure.
Cultural competence in criminal justice
Authors: Herbert MBE Angela
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– Considers the role of cultural competence in the criminal-justice system and the crucial role that can be played by the right kind of training.

Design/methodology/approach

– Argues that there are no quick solutions to disproportionality of black and minority ethnic people in the criminal-justice system but advances the view that while individuals are incarcerated, it is important for the organization and its staff to make provisions that will make a difference.

Findings

– Suggests that any training provision should be made subject to those industries that are likely to employ black minority ethnic (BME) people, and that offering skills in prison that do not reflect cultural attainment in industry would be setting individuals up to fail.

Practical implications

– Urges that awareness and training should be embraced throughout all organizations from government policymakers, chief executive officers, management board, operational staff and partners, voluntary organizations and the client or user.

Social implications

– Argues that commitment from the government and the prison service can result in the provision of the kinds of cultural-competence learning and skills training that can more appropriately meet the needs of, in particular, BME individuals who are frequently ill-equipped when they leave the judiciary system.

Originality/value

– Concludes that this support would also help to communicate and promote awareness of other people’s cultures, provide insight into their understanding of the organization’s culture while also enabling the public to understand the importance of implementing positive change.
Ethics and spirituality in the workplace
Authors: Freeman Tim , Kunter Aylin , Douglas Carlis , Roper Ian
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– Draws attention to recent broad trends in UK employment regulation that refocus the emphasis in employment rights away from a primary concern with safeguarding collective rights toward a more differentiated approach privileging more individual concerns.

Design/methodology/approach

– Seeks to explain the reasons and consequences of this development.

Findings

– Argues that rights are defended on the basis of their ability to secure greater employee motivation and productivity.

Practical implications

– Explains that this is a business-case defense rather than a requirement for social justice.

Social implications

– Advances the view that modern Conservatives see society as made up of a broad range of actors and not reducible to state action.

Originality/value

– Claims that the extension of the minimum period of employment required before an employer may be taken to tribunal to two years, together with a greatly increased fee required to bring a case, mean that cases are much more difficult to make.
The complex concept of sustainable of diversity management
Authors: Best Simon , Soyode Alistair , Muller-Camen Michael , Boff Andrew
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– Explores the notion of sustainable diversity-management practices.

Design/methodology/approach

– Summarizes research into the sustainability of diversity management across four countries and provides examples of efforts to maintain high levels of diversity.

Findings

– Looks at the activities of Africa House, an organization that develops business links with Africa, and of Bright Entertainment Network (BEN) Television, which is a television station that caters primarily for ethnic minorities.

Social implications

– Highlights the complexity of diversity and so the difficulty of legislating in this area.

Originality/value

– Explains that employees can also stifle attempts to engage in sustainable diversity management policies. A lack of understanding of local laws or language, or through limited social contacts, can prevent full participation by employees.
Owner-manager motives and the growth of SMEs in developing countries
Authors: Isaga Nsubili , Masurel Enno , Van Montfort Kees
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to contribute to the understanding of the motives of individuals in Tanzania to start their own businesses on the one hand and the growth of their firms on the other hand.

Design/methodology/approach

– A survey method was used to gather data from 300 small business owners and managers located in selected cities in Tanzania. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to analyse the relationship between the motivation to start an own business on the one hand and firm growth on the other hand. Three indicators for growth, namely, employment, sales and assets, were used to measure growth.

Findings

– The results suggest that that pull factors are more important to start the businesses than push factors. This contradicts the common opinion and previous research that push factors are more important than pull factors in developing countries. Furthermore, the study found that pull factors are positively related to firm, whereas push factors are negatively related to firm growth.

Research limitations/implications

– It should be noted that while this paper makes a number of contributions, there are some limitations that should be considered when interpreting the results. For instance, the data for this study were collected from only one type of business, i.e. the furniture industry (in Tanzania). Accordingly, we do not know the applicability of these findings to other businesses in other sectors. Therefore, future research should include businesses in other sectors to ascertain if the present findings are specific to the furniture business only or are applicable to other businesses as well.

Practical implications

– Our findings indicate that there are differences in motivations among owner-managers in starting the business and subsequent firm performance. Therefore, individuals need different forms of support depending on the level of development of their business, as well as their motivation. For example, we have seen that the presence of role models has a significant effect on business growth. Therefore, the government might consider using the media and other mechanisms to feature stories about successful entrepreneurs.

Originality/value

– The authors extend the findings of previous studies that investigate the owner-manager motives and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) growth in developed economy settings, but neglected emerging economies. The study also contradicts the common opinion and previous research that push factors are more important than pull factors in developing countries.
Analysis of the core genome and pangenome of Pseudomonas putida
Authors: Udaondo Zulema , Molina Lázaro , Segura Ana , Duque Estrella , Ramos Juan L.
Published: August 2015

Pseudomonas putida are strict aerobes that proliferate in a range of temperate niches and are of interest for environmental applications due to their capacity to degrade pollutants and ability to promote plant growth. Furthermore solvent‐tolerant strains are useful for biosynthesis of added‐value chemicals. We present a comprehensive comparative analysis of nine strains and the first characterization of the Pseudomonas putida pangenome. The core genome of P. putida comprises approximately 3386 genes. The most abundant genes within the core genome are those that encode nutrient transporters. Other conserved genes include those for central carbon metabolism through the Entner–Doudoroff pathway, the pentose phosphate cycle, arginine and proline metabolism, and pathways for degradation of aromatic chemicals. Genes that encode transporters, enzymes and regulators for amino acid metabolism (synthesis and degradation) are all part of the core genome, as well as various electron transporters, which enable aerobic metabolism under different oxygen regimes. Within the core genome are 30 genes for flagella biosynthesis and 12 key genes for biofilm formation. Pseudomonas putida strains share 85% of the coding regions with Pseudomonas aeruginosa; however, in P. putida, virulence factors such as exotoxins and type III secretion systems are absent.
Off‐Label Prescribing by Psychiatrists: What is the Practitioner's Liability?
Authors: Bartoli Christophe , Berland‐Benhaim Caroline , Sastre Caroline , Baillif‐Couniou Valerie , Kintz Pascal , Leonetti Georges , Pelissier‐Alicot Anne‐Laure
Published: August 2015

In psychiatry, the molecules available and the dosages recommended when a drug receives marketing authorization are not always adequate to treat patients with major behavioral disturbances. Off‐label prescribing is frequent in this context, with regard to the indications and the dosages given as well as to the drug combinations used. However, if complications or death occur, the practitioner's liability may be engaged. The authors report three deaths attributed to off‐label prescribing in psychiatry and which led to charges against the physicians. They review the precautions to be taken when prescribing in such conditions (no other possible treatment, existence of sound scientific evidence, consent obtained from the patient, or their legal representatives except in cases of force majeure) and the physician's liability if adverse events occur that could be attributed to off‐label prescribing.
Immunogenic properties of Landrace pigs selected for resistance to mycoplasma pneumonia of swine
Authors: Borjigin Liushiqi , Shimazu Tomoyuki , Katayama Yuki , Li Meihua , Satoh Takumi , Watanabe Kouichi , Kitazawa Haruki , Roh Sang‐gun , Aso Hisashi , Katoh Kazuo , Uchida Takafumi , Suda Yoshihito , Sakuma Akiko , Nakajo Mituru , Suzuki Keiichi
Published: August 2015

Mycoplasma pneumonia of swine (MPS) lung lesions and immunogenic properties were compared between a Landrace line that was genetically selected for reduced incidence of pulmonary MPS lesions, and a non‐selected Landrace line. The MPS‐selected Landrace line showed significantly lower degrees of pulmonary MPS lesions compared with the non‐selected Landrace line. When changes in immunity before and after vaccination were compared, the percentage of B cells in the peripheral blood of the MPS‐selected Landrace line was significantly lower than that of the non‐selected line. Furthermore, the concentration of growth hormone and the mitogen activity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in the MPS‐selected Landrace line showed significantly (P < 0.05) lower increases after vaccination than the non‐selected line. Conversely, the concentration of peripheral blood interferon (IFN)‐γ and salivary immunoglobulin A (IgA) after Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae vaccination was significantly higher in the MPS‐selected Landrace line than in the non‐selected line. Gene expression of toll‐like receptor (TLR)2 and TLR4 was significantly higher in the MPS‐selected Landrace line in immune tissues, with the exception of the hilar lymph nodes. The present results suggest that peripheral blood IFN‐γ, salivary IgA TLR2, and TLR4 are important immunological factors influencing the development of MPS lesions.
Alteration of Upstream Autophagy‐Related Proteins (ULK1, ULK2, Beclin1, VPS34 and AMBRA1) in Lewy Body Disease
Authors: Miki Yasuo , Tanji Kunikazu , Mori Fumiaki , Utsumi Jun , Sasaki Hidenao , Kakita Akiyoshi , Takahashi Hitoshi , Wakabayashi Koichi
Published: August 2015

Autophagy is associated with the pathogenesis of Lewy body disease, including Parkinson's disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). It is known that several downstream autophagosomal proteins are incorporated into Lewy bodies (LBs). We performed immunostaining and Western blot analysis using a cellular model of PD and human brain samples to investigate the involvement of upstream autophagosomal proteins (ULK1, ULK2, Beclin1, VPS34 and AMBRA1), which initiate autophagy and form autophagosomes. Time course analysis of cultured cells transfected with flag‐α‐synuclein and synphilin‐1 revealed upregulation of these upstream proteins with accumulation of LB‐like inclusions. In human specimens, only mature LBs were positive for upstream autophagosomal proteins. Western blotting of fractionated brain lysates showed that upstream autophagosomal proteins were detected in the soluble and insoluble fraction in DLB, corresponding to the bands of phosphorylated α‐synuclein. However, Western blot analysis of total brain lysates in PD and DLB showed that the increase of upstream autophagosomal proteins was only partial. The quantitative, qualitative and locational alteration of upstream autophagosomal proteins in the present study indicates their involvement in the pathogenesis of LB disease. Our data also suggest that misinduction or impairment of upstream autophagy might occur in the disease process of LB disease.
HU‐446 and HU‐465, Derivatives of the Non‐psychoactive Cannabinoid Cannabidiol, Decrease the Activation of Encephalitogenic T Cells
Authors: Kozela Ewa , Haj Christeene , Hanuš Lumir , Chourasia Mukesh , Shurki Avital , Juknat Ana , Kaushansky Nathali , Mechoulam Raphael , Vogel Zvi
Published: August 2015

Cannabidiol (CBD), the non‐psychoactive cannabinoid, has been previously shown by us to decrease peripheral inflammation and neuroinflammation in mouse experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model of multiple sclerosis (MS). Here we have studied the anti‐inflammatory effects of newly synthesized derivatives of natural (−)‐CBD ((−)‐8,9‐dihydro‐7‐hydroxy‐CBD; HU‐446) and of synthetic (+)‐CBD ((+)‐8,9‐dihydro‐7‐hydroxy‐CBD; HU‐465) on activated myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)35‐55‐specific mouse encephalitogenic T cells (TMOG) driving EAE/MS‐like pathologies. Binding assays followed by molecular modeling revealed that HU‐446 has negligible affinity toward the cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors while HU‐465 binds to both CB1 and CB2 receptors at the high nanomolar concentrations (Ki = 76.7 ± 5.8 nm and 12.1 ± 2.3 nm, respectively). Both, HU‐446 and HU‐465, at 5 and 10 μm (but not at 0.1 and 1 μm), inhibited the MOG35‐55‐induced proliferation of autoreactive TMOG cells via CB1/CB2 receptor independent mechanisms. Moreover, both HU‐446 and HU‐465, at 5 and 10 μm, inhibited the release of IL‐17, a key autoimmune cytokine, from MOG35‐55‐stimulated TMOG cells. These results suggest that HU‐446 and HU‐465 have anti‐inflammatory potential in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
Dental floss as a possible risk for the development of peri‐implant disease: an observational study of 10 cases
Authors: van Velzen Frank J. J. , Lang Niklaus P. , Schulten Engelbert A. J. M. , ten Bruggenkate Christiaan M.
Published: August 2015

Aim

To report on a possible relationship between the use of dental floss or superfloss and the development of peri‐implantitis.

Materials and methods

Ten patients with progressive peri‐implantitis with an intensive oral hygiene protocol, which consisted of extensive professional supra‐ and submucosal cleaning, and not responding to this therapy were scheduled for examination. Plaque and bleeding indices and probing depth measurements were assessed, and radiographic examination was performed every two years.

Results

In all ten cases, remnants of dental floss were found around the neck and coronal part of a dental implant. After careful removal of these floss remnants and implant cleansing, a significant improvement in the peri‐implant conditions in nine of ten cases was noted. In one case, peri‐implant probing depth decreased substantially. However, bleeding on probing was still present. In vitro testing yielded that the application of various types of dental floss on the exposed rough implant surfaces may easily lead to tearing of floss fibers. This may result in the deposition of floss remnants on rough implant surfaces, which, in turn, may lead to the development of plaque‐related peri‐implant inflammation and, subsequently, bone loss.

Conclusion

In case of exposed rough surfaces of the dental implant, the peri‐implant conditions may be jeopardized by the application of dental floss, and hence, the utilization of interproximal brushes or toothpicks may be preferred for daily home care practices.
Assessing pathological complete response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced rectal cancer: a systematic review
Authors: Ryan J. E. , Warrier S. K. , Lynch A. C. , Heriot A. G.
Published: August 2015

Aim

Pathological complete response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy is found in 20% of patients with rectal cancer undergoing long‐course chemoradiotherapy. Some authors have suggested that these patients do not need to undergo surgery and can be managed with careful follow‐up, with surgery only used in the event of clinical failure. Widespread adoption of this regimen is limited by the accuracy of methods to confirm a pathological complete response (pCR).

Method

A systematic search of PubMed, Medline and Cochrane databases was conducted to identify clinical, histological and radiological features in those patients with rectal cancer who achieved a pCR following chemoradiotherapy. Searches were conducted with the following keywords and MeSH search terms: ‘rectal neoplasm’, ‘response’, ‘neoadjuvant’, ‘preoperative chemoradiation’ and ‘tumour response’. After review of title and abstracts, 89 articles addressing the assessment of pCR were identified.

Results

Histology and clinical assessment are the most effective methods of assessment of pCR, with histology considered the gold standard. Clinical assessment is limited to low rectal tumours and is open to significant inter‐rater variability, while histological examination requires a surgical specimen. Diffusion‐weighted MRI and 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/CT demonstrate the greatest potential for the assessment of pCR, but both modalities have limited accuracy.

Conclusion

Determination of a pCR is crucial if a nonoperative approach is to be undertaken proactively. Various methods are available, but currently they lack sufficient sensitivity and specificity to define management. This is likely to be an area of further research in the future.
The development of implicit gender attitudes
Authors: Dunham Yarrow , Baron Andrew Scott , Banaji Mahzarin R.
Published: August 2015

The development course of implicit and explicit gender attitudes between the ages of 5 and adulthood is investigated. Findings demonstrate that implicit and explicit own‐gender preferences emerge early in both boys and girls, but implicit own‐gender preferences are stronger in young girls than boys. In addition, female participants' attitudes remain largely stable over development, whereas male participants' implicit and explicit attitudes show an age‐related shift towards increasing female positivity. Gender attitudes are an anomaly in that social evaluations dissociate from social status, with both male and female participants tending to evaluate female more positively than male.
Behavioural and brain responses related to Internet search and memory
Authors: Dong Guangheng , Potenza Marc N.
Published: August 2015

The ready availability of data via searches on the Internet has changed how many people seek and perhaps store and recall information, although the brain mechanisms underlying these processes are not well understood. This study investigated brain mechanisms underlying Internet‐based vs. non‐Internet‐based searching. The results showed that Internet searching was associated with lower accuracy in recalling information as compared with traditional book searching. During functional magnetic resonance imaging, Internet searching was associated with less regional brain activation in the left ventral stream, the association area of the temporal‐parietal‐occipital cortices, and the middle frontal cortex. When comparing novel items with remembered trials, Internet‐based searching was associated with higher brain activation in the right orbitofrontal cortex and lower brain activation in the right middle temporal gyrus when facing those novel trials. Brain activations in the middle temporal gyrus were inversely correlated with response times, and brain activations in the orbitofrontal cortex were positively correlated with self‐reported search impulses. Taken together, the results suggest that, although Internet‐based searching may have facilitated the information‐acquisition process, this process may have been performed more hastily and be more prone to difficulties in recollection. In addition, people appear less confident in recalling information learned through Internet searching and that recent Internet searching may promote motivation to use the Internet.
Levels and limits in artificial selection of communities
Authors: Blouin Manuel , Karimi Battle , Mathieu Jérôme , Lerch Thomas Z.
Published: August 2015

Artificial selection of individuals has been determinant in the elaboration of the Darwinian theory of natural selection. Nowadays, artificial selection of ecosystems has proven its efficiency and could contribute to a theory of natural selection at several organisation levels. Here, we were not interested in identifying mechanisms of adaptation to selection, but in establishing the proof of principle that a specific structure of interaction network emerges under ecosystem artificial selection. We also investigated the limits in ecosystem artificial selection to evaluate its potential in terms of managing ecosystem function. By artificially selecting microbial communities for lowCO2emissions over 21 generations (n = 7560), we found a very high heritability of community phenotype (52%). Artificial selection was responsible for simpler interaction networks with lower interaction richness. Phenotype variance and heritability both decreased across generations, suggesting that selection was more likely limited by sampling effects than by stochastic ecosystem dynamics.
Underuse of anticoagulation in stroke patients with atrial fibrillation – the FibStroke Study
Authors: Palomäki A. , Mustonen P. , Hartikainen J. E. K. , Nuotio I. , Kiviniemi T. , Ylitalo A. , Hartikainen P. , Airaksinen K. E. J.
Published: August 2015

Background and purpose

Current guidelines recommend oral anticoagulation (OAC) for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and increased risk of thromboembolic events. The reasons for not using OAC in AF patients suffering stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA) were assessed.

Methods

This retrospective registry included 3404 patients with previously diagnosed AF who suffered a total of 2955 ischaemic strokes and 895 TIAs during 2003–2012.

Results

A CHA2DS2‐VASc score ≥2 and a CHADS2 score ≥2 was observed in 3590 (93.2%) and in 2784 (72.3%) of the events, respectively. Of the high‐risk patients (CHADS2 ≥2) only 55.1% were on OAC before the onset of stroke or TIA. The most frequently documented reasons for withholding OAC were infrequent paroxysms of AF (14%), previous bleeding episodes (13%) and the patient's decline/independent discontinuation of treatment (9%). Moreover, patients with paroxysmal AF (40% using OAC), previous bleeding (26% using OAC) and alcohol abuse (30% using OAC) were using OAC significantly less often than patients without these characteristics. A significant increase in the proportion of high‐risk patients using OAC from 49% in 2003 to 65% in 2012 was seen.

Conclusions

Underuse of anticoagulation is a common contributor to ischaemic strokes and TIA episodes in patients with AF. Infrequent AF episodes, previous bleeds, patient preference and alcohol abuse were the most common reasons for not using OAC.
Lipid binding protein response to a bile acid library: a combined NMR and statistical approach
Authors: Tomaselli Simona , Pagano Katiuscia , Boulton Stephen , Zanzoni Serena , Melacini Giuseppe , Molinari Henriette , Ragona Laura
Published: August 2015

Primary bile acids, differing in hydroxylation pattern, are synthesized from cholesterol in the liver and, once formed, can undergo extensive enzyme‐catalysed glycine/taurine conjugation, giving rise to a complex mixture, the bile acid pool. Composition and concentration of the bile acid pool may be altered in diseases, posing a general question on the response of the carrier (bile acid binding protein) to the binding of ligands with different hydrophobic and steric profiles. A collection of NMR experiments (H/D exchange, HET‐SOFAST, ePHOGSY NOESY/ROESY and 15N relaxation measurements) was thus performed on apo and five different holo proteins, to monitor the binding pocket accessibility and dynamics. The ensemble of obtained data could be rationalized by a statistical approach, based on chemical shift covariance analysis, in terms of residue‐specific correlations and collective protein response to ligand binding. The results indicate that the same residues are influenced by diverse chemical stresses: ligand binding always induces silencing of motions at the protein portal with a concomitant conformational rearrangement of a network of residues, located at the protein anti‐portal region. This network of amino acids, which do not belong to the binding site, forms a contiguous surface, sensing the presence of the bound lipids, with a signalling role in switching protein–membrane interactions on and off.