bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cell death induced by endoplasmic reticulum stress
Authors: Iurlaro Raffaella , Muñoz‐Pinedo Cristina
Published: November 2015

The endoplasmic reticulum is an organelle with multiple functions. The synthesis of transmembrane proteins and proteins that are to be secreted occurs in this organelle. Many conditions that impose stress on cells, including hypoxia, starvation, infections and changes in secretory needs, challenge the folding capacity of the cell and promote endoplasmic reticulum stress. The cellular response involves the activation of sensors that transduce signaling cascades with the aim of restoring homeostasis. This is known as the unfolded protein response, which also intersects with the integrated stress response that reduces protein synthesis through inactivation of the initiation factor eIF2α. Central to the unfolded protein response are the sensors PERK, IRE1 and ATF6, as well as other signaling nodes such as c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase 1 (JNK) and the downstream transcription factors XBP1, ATF4 and CHOP. These proteins aim to restore homeostasis, but they can also induce cell death, which has been shown to occur by necroptosis and, more commonly, through the regulation of Bcl‐2 family proteins (Bim, Noxa and Puma) that leads to mitochondrial apoptosis. In addition, endoplasmic reticulum stress and proteotoxic stress have been shown to induce TRAIL receptors and activation of caspase‐8. Endoplasmic reticulum stress is a common feature in the pathology of numerous diseases because it plays a role in neurodegeneration, stroke, cancer, metabolic diseases and inflammation. Understanding how cells react to endoplasmic reticulum stress can accelerate discovery of drugs against these diseases.
A non‐catalytic N‐terminal domain negatively influences the nucleotide exchange activity of translation elongation factor 1Bα
Authors: Trosiuk Tetiana V. , Shalak Vyacheslav F. , Szczepanowski Roman H. , Negrutskii Boris S. , El'skaya Anna V.
Published: November 2015

Eukaryotic translation elongation factor 1Bα (eEF1Bα) is a functional homolog of the bacterial factor EF‐Ts, and is a component of the macromolecular eEF1B complex. eEF1Bα functions as a catalyst of guanine nucleotide exchange on translation elongation factor 1A (eEF1A). The C‐terminal domain of eEF1Bα is necessary and sufficient for its catalytic activity, whereas the N‐terminal domain interacts with eukaryotic translation elongation factor 1Bγ (eEF1Bγ) to form a tight complex. However, eEF1Bγ has been shown to enhance the catalytic activity of eEF1Bα attributed to the C‐terminal domain of eEF1Bα. This suggests that the N‐terminal domain of eEF1Bα may in some way influence the guanine nucleotide exchange process. We have shown that full‐length recombinant eEF1Bα and its truncated forms are non‐globular proteins with elongated shapes. Truncation of the N‐terminal domain of eEF1Bα, which is dispensable for catalytic activity, resulted in acceleration of the rate of guanine nucleotide exchange on eEF1A compared to full‐length eEF1Bα. A similar effect on the catalytic activity of eEF1Bα was observed after its interaction with eEF1Bγ. We suggest that the non‐catalytic N‐terminal domain of eEF1Bα may interfere with eEF1A binding to the C‐terminal catalytic domain, resulting in a decrease in the overall rate of the guanine nucleotide exchange reaction. Formation of a tight complex between the eEF1Bγ and eEF1Bα N‐terminal domains abolishes this inhibitory effect.
Production and shedding of Erianthus arundinaceus roots revealed by ingrowth core method
Authors: Sekiya Nobuhito , Abe Jun , Morita Shigenori
Published: November 2015

Erianthus arundinaceus is a potential feedstock for biofuel production. In material crops cultivation, roots are a major source of organic matter incorporated into the soil and greatly influence soil fertility. Here, we quantified root production and shedding of 3‐year‐old E. arundinaceus plants in Tokyo. Sequential sampling of ingrowth cores revealed that E. arundinaceus actively produced new roots from June to October. The active phase of root production followed the rapid growth period of shoot parts, suggesting a shift of assimilate allocation from the shoot to root in June. Measurements of standing roots before and after the ingrowth core sampling allowed us to estimate that roots shed dry matter of 162.6 g m−2 during the growing season. This value was comparable to that of plant residues, including the shoots, of some common crop species, suggesting that E. arundinaceus root shedding supplies sufficient organic matter to sustain soil fertility.
Immunohistochemical detection of the BRAF V600E mutant protein in colorectal cancers in Taiwan is highly concordant with the molecular test
Authors: Hang Jen‐Fan , Li Anna Fen‐Yau , Chang Shih‐Ching , Liang Wen‐Yih
Published: November 2015

Aims

The aims of this study were to investigate the incidence of BRAF mutations in colorectal cancers (CRCs) in Taiwan and the sensitivity and specificity of VE1 immunohistochemistry in detecting the BRAFV600E mutation.

Methods and results

A total of 425 resected colorectal adenocarcinoma specimens were recruited into this study. Direct Sanger sequencing of exon 15 of the BRAF gene was performed for all cases. The incidence of BRAF mutation was 5.4% (23 of 425). Tissue microarrays were constructed for VE1 immunohistochemistry, and the staining intensity was scored as negative (0), weak (1+), moderate (2+) and strong (3+). In BRAF‐mutated cases, two (8.7%) scored as 0, three (13.0%) as 1+, 13 (56.5%) as 2+ and five (21.7%) as 3+. Among 402 BRAF wild‐type cases, five (1.2%) were scored as 1+, while the others were negative. The sensitivity and specificity of VE1 expression in detecting the BRAF mutation was 91.3% and 98.8%, respectively.

Conclusions

Immunohistochemistry for VE1 antibody is a sensitive and specific marker for detection of BRAF mutations in CRCs. Incorporation of VE1 immunohistochemistry into Lynch syndrome screening protocol may be a reliable and cost‐effective method.
Comparative ultrastructure of spermatozoa from two regular and two irregular New Zealand echinoids
Authors: Hudson Michael E. , Turner Adrian , Sewell Mary A.
Published: November 2015

Spermatozoa from four species of echinoids found in New Zealand had morphological characteristics typical of other echinoids, including a conical sperm head with an acrosome‐capped nucleus, a midpiece, and a single long flagellum. The spermatozoa of Fellaster zelandiae, Echinocardium cordatum, Evechinus chloroticus, and Centrostephanus rodgersii also showed statistically significant differences in species‐specific morphological characteristics. Evechinus chloroticus showed the most variable sperm morphology. The irregular urchins (F. zelandiae and E. cordatum) had short, wide sperm heads (head length:width ratios 2.93:1 & 2.97:1, respectively) with a long acrosome complex, while the regular urchins (E. chloroticus and C. rodgersii) had longer, narrower heads with a short acrosome complex (ratios 5.29:1 & 3.37:1). Spermatozoa of E. cordatum from the New Zealand population shared more characteristics with those of conspecifics from the Sea of Japan than those of conspecifics from the Baltic, reflecting the membership of the former two populations in a distinct Pacific clade. Volumetric calculations showed no evidence of phylogenetic grouping. Mitochondria of E. chloroticus spermatozoa were less than half the volume of those of C. rodgersii and E. cordatum, and those of F. zelandiae were intermediate in volume. These volume measurements will be useful in physiological studies of sperm performance and quality.
Alteration of tubuliform silk gland cytoarchitecture with the reproductive cycle of the Western black widow spider, Latrodectus hesperus
Authors: Herrera Elizabeth , Nguyen Ly Truc , Escobar Erica , Ouriel Wendy , Casem Merri Lynn
Published: November 2015

The protein synthetic and secretory activity of spider tubuliform glands is known to be coordinated with the reproductive stage of the spider. For spiders that produce multiple egg cases, such as the black widow Latrodectus hesperus, this means that the cells that make up the tubuliform gland cycle from minimal to maximal silk protein synthesis and exocytosis as the spider transitions from early vitellogenesis to a gravid state and back. The impact of these transitions on the cells that form the tubuliform gland has yet to be characterized. The entire tubuliform gland undergoes an elastic deformation, doubling in size in response to the accumulation and depletion of egg case silk proteins within its lumen. Similarly, the diversity and organization of organelles within the cytoplasm of the secretory epithelial cells that make up the wall of the tubuliform gland change with the reproductive stage of the spider. Progression of a spider from early to late vitellogenesis is accompanied by decondensed nucleoli and distention of the rough endoplasmic reticulum, markers of protein synthetic activity. The presumed silk proteins that fill the lumen of the tubuliform gland of a gravid spider include a fibrous matrix with homogeneous spherical inclusions. These components are also present within the cytoplasm of the cell; however, only the fibrous material appears to be enclosed by membranous organelles. Transition of the tubuliform gland from peak silk synthesis back to a quiescent state is marked by the appearance of multivesicular bodies and organelles resembling phagophores and autophagosomes, suggestive of a role for autophagy in the process of recovery. The reproducible cellular dynamics of the tubuliform silk gland of the black widow spider makes it a potential model system for study of the regulation of silk gene expression, endomembrane transport, and exocytosis of silk proteins and autophagy.
Exploration of pressure ulcer and related skin problems across the spectrum of health care settings in Ontario using administrative data
Authors: Woo Kevin Y , Sears Kim , Almost Joan , Wilson Rosemary , Whitehead Marlo , VanDenKerkhof Elizabeth G
Published: November 2015

This is a prospective cohort study using population‐level administrative data to describe the scope of pressure ulcers in terms of its prevalence, incidence risk, associating factors and the extent to which best practices were applied across a spectrum of health care settings. The data for this study includes the information of Ontario residents who were admitted to acute care, home care, long term care or continuing care and whose health care data is contained in the resident assessment instrument‐minimum data set (RAI‐MDS) and the health outcomes for better information and care (HOBIC) database from 2010 to 2013. The analysis included 203 035 unique patients. The overall prevalence of pressure ulcers was approximately 13% and highest in the complex continuing care setting. Over 25% of pressure ulcers in long‐term care developed one week after discharge from acute care hospitalisation. Individuals with cardiovascular disease, dementia, bed mobility problems, bowel incontinence, end‐stage diseases, daily pain, weight loss and shortness of breath were more likely to develop pressure ulcers. While there were a number of evidence‐based interventions implemented to treat pressure ulcers, only half of the patients received nutritional interventions.
Circumstances surrounding the onset of stroke: a qualitative study
Authors: Rochette Annie , Gaulin Philippe , Chamelian Laury , Hebert Lucie , Lapierre Marlene ,  Deschaintre Yan
Published: November 2015

Aim

To document perceptions of circumstances spontaneously associated with the occurrence of the stroke on that particular day.

Background

Known triggers of stroke include birthday or negative emotions. However, specific circumstances relating to that birthday or emotion have not yet been documented.

Design

Phenomenological perspective where data were collected between October 2011–June 2012.

Method

In‐depth interviews conducted 5‐8 weeks post stroke with 37 participants, with a mean age of 56·3 years (sd 11·9) and 40·5% (14/37) of whom were female. An interview guide composed of open‐ended questions and developed with experts was used to explore in detail free associations surrounding the stroke. All interviews were audiotaped and transcribed. Data were rigorously analysed by two team members and discussed in team meetings until reaching consensus on essential themes.

Findings

Relationships emerged as being the overarching theme related to stroke triggers with the interrelated subthemes of: (1) birthday or anniversary; (2) parenting; (3) being sick seen as a benefit; and (4) alcohol or drug abuse. The stroke happened on a day which was related in some way to a relationship with a significant other affected by tension, a lack of transparency or an overinvestment of emotional/affective state.

Conclusions

There is a need to address individuals’ beliefs as a part of secondary prevention interventions to be truly client‐centred, which the phenomenological perspective allows. Relationships as a potential source of stress should be added as a theme to discuss with patients for a holistic approach to stroke prevention including psychosocial factors.
Prolonged Electromechanical Interval Unmasks Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia/Cardiomyopathy in the Subclinical Stage
Authors: MAST THOMAS P. , TESKE ARCO J. , TE RIELE ANNELINE SJM , GROENEWEG JUDITH A. , VAN DER HEIJDEN JEROEN F. , VELTHUIS BIRGITTA K. , LOH PETER , DOEVENDANS PIETER A. , VAN VEEN TOON A. , DOOIJES DENNIS , DE BAKKER JACQUES M. , HAUER RICHARD N. , CRAMER MAARTEN J.
Published: November 2015

Electromechanical Interval in Subclinical ARVD/C

Introduction

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy (ARVD/C) is characterized by high incidence of ventricular arrhythmias. Overt ARVD/C is preceded by a subclinical stage with lack of detectable ECG and structural abnormalities. Activation delay is present before structural abnormalities and is a hallmark of arrhythmogenesis. Deformation imaging may unmask activation delay in the subclinical stage.

Methods

Three groups were compared: (1) mutation‐positive definite ARVD/C‐patients fulfilling 2010 Task Force criteria (TFC) (n = 44); (2) asymptomatic mutation carriers not fulfilling TFC and without history of ventricular arrhythmias (n = 31); and (3) controls (n = 30). All underwent ECG and echocardiographic deformation imaging. As a surrogate for local activation delay the electromechanical interval (EMI) was measured, defined as time between onset‐QRS and onset of shortening. Arrhythmic outcome (PVC‐count, VT) of asymptomatic mutation carriers was correlated with EMI and ECG TFC.

Results

In definite ARVD/C‐patients, EMI was prolonged in all lateral RV segments. In asymptomatic mutation carriers, prolonged EMI was detected in the subtricuspid area in 14/31. Terminal activation duration ≥55 milliseconds (definition: supporting information) was the only ECG abnormality in this group (8/31). After a mean follow‐up of 4.2 ± 3.1 years 10/31 asymptomatic mutation carriers experienced arrhythmic outcome. Prolonged subtricuspid EMI was the only parameter significantly associated with arrhythmogenesis during follow‐up.

Conclusion

In ARVD/C‐patients, EMI prolongation was present throughout the RV. In asymptomatic mutation carriers, prolonged EMI in the subtricuspid area is often detected without any additional abnormalities. These preliminary results indicate that prolonged EMI is a new parameter unmasking activation delay in the subclinical stage and may contribute to risk stratification.
Structural Data on Immigration or Immigration Perceptions? What Accounts for the Electoral Success of the Radical Right in Europe?
Authors: Stockemer Daniel
Published: November 2015

Targeting immigrants as a threat to employment, security and cultural cohesion, the radical right has averaged 10 percent of the vote in elections. What drives this vote? Are voters affected by the numbers of foreign‐born individuals in a geographical region, by negative perceptions about immigrants, or both? In this article, I entertain the possibility that it is not the number of foreigners but citizens’ perceptions about immigrants that explain individuals’ tendencies to vote for the radical right. To test this stipulation, I combine European Social Survey (ESS) data on individual perceptions of immigrants for more than 25,000 individuals with macro‐level data on the actual percentage of foreign‐born citizens across 200 European regions. Using a bivariate and multivariate framework, I highlight that it is only the individual perceptions of immigration indicator, and not the number of foreign‐born citizens, that is positively related to higher support for radical right‐wing parties.
DELLA proteins interact with FLC to repress flowering transition
Authors: Li Mingzhe , An Fengying , Li Wenyang , Ma Mengdi , Feng Ying , Zhang Xing , Guo Hongwei
Published: November 2015

Flowering is a highly orchestrated and extremely critical process in a plant's life cycle. Previous study has demonstrated that SUPPRESSOR OF OVEREXPRESSION OF CONSTANS 1 (SOC1) and FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) integrate the gibberellic acid (GA) signaling pathway and vernalization pathway in regulating flowering time, but detailed molecular mechanisms remain largely unclear. In GA signaling pathway, DELLA proteins are a group of master transcriptional regulators, while in vernalization pathway FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC) is a core transcriptional repressor that down‐regulates the expression of SOC1 and FT. Here, we report that DELLA proteins interact with FLC in vitro and in vivo, and the LHRI domains of DELLAs and the C‐terminus of MADS domain of FLC are required for these interactions. Phenotypic and gene expression analysis showed that mutation of FLC reduces while over‐expression of FLC enhances the GA response in the flowering process. Further, DELLA‐FLC interactions promote the repression ability of FLC on its target genes. In summary, these findings report that the interaction between MADS box transcription factor FLC and GRAS domain regulator DELLAs may integrate various signaling inputs in flowering time control, and shed new light on the regulatory mechanism both for FLC and DELLAs in regulating gene expression.
Prevalence of Bruxism in Hemifacial‐Spasm Patients
Authors: Ella Bruno , Guillaud Etienne , Langbour Nicolas , Guehl Dominique , Burbaud Pierre
Published: November 2015

Purpose

A previous study reported an increased prevalence of bruxism (25%) in patients with cranio‐cervical dystonia (CCD) compared to normal controls (13%). CCD can affect the muscles of the head and neck. Besides the CCD affecting these muscles, hemifacial spasm (HFS) is a form of peripheral myoclonus due to a neurovascular conflict affecting the muscles of the face. The fact that they affect the same muscle regions could lead to other links in clinical manifestations such as bruxism, which is more common in patients with CCD than in the normal population. The aim was to study the prevalence of bruxism in patients with HFS.

Materials and Methods

Patients with HFS were enrolled in the department of clinical neurophysiology (Bordeaux University Hospital) over a 6‐month period. They were paired regarding age, the absence of neurological pathology or neuroleptics intake. To be included in the study, patients needed to have had unilateral involuntary facial muscle contractions affecting one hemiface. A hetero‐questionnaire and a clinicial study were performed. The diagnostic criteria of bruxism included parafunction items such as grinding and clenching and at least one of the following clinical signs: abnormal tooth wear, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain, TMJ clicking, muscle hypertonia (masseter or temporal muscles). Additional epidemiological data were collected including age, sex, disease duration, stress, and sleep disorders. Stress symptoms inventory included symptoms like depression, strong heartbeat, dry mouth, anger, inability to concentrate, weakness, fatigability, insomnia, headache, and excessive sweating. The sleep disorder diagnosis included at least two of the symptoms described in the ICSD‐3. All these criteria were recorded as either present (scored “1”) or absent (scored “0”).

Results

The prevalence of bruxism in the two groups (normal and HFS) was not significantly different (p = 0.37). The rate was not significantly different between sleep and awake bruxism (p = 0.15) in both groups. Stress influenced the occurrence of bruxism in these two groups (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The results of this study indicated that clenching behaviors were higher in the HFS group, and that factors such as stress affected this group. The prevalence of bruxism was not higher in this population than in the normal control.
WHAT DRIVES THE URBAN WAGE PREMIUM? EVIDENCE ALONG THE WAGE DISTRIBUTION
Authors: Matano Alessia , Naticchioni Paolo
Published: November 2015

This paper aims at disentangling the role played by different explanations on the urban wage premium along the wage distribution. We analyze the wage dynamics of migrants from lower to higher density areas in Italy, using quantile regressions and individual data. The results show that unskilled workers benefit more from a wage premium accruing over time, while skilled workers enjoy a wage premium when they migrate as well as a wage increase over time. Further, we find that for unskilled workers the wage growth over time is mainly due to human capital accumulation in line with the “learning” hypothesis, while for skilled workers the wage growth is mainly explained by the “coordination” hypothesis, i.e., cities enhance the probability of better matches between workers and firms.
Bacterial influence on alkenones in live microalgae
Authors: Segev Einat , Castañeda Isla S. , Sikes Elisabeth L. , Vlamakis Hera , Kolter Roberto
Published: November 2015

The microalga Emiliania huxleyi produces alkenone lipids that are important proxies for estimating past sea surface temperatures. Field calibrations of this proxy are robust but highly variable results are obtained in culture. Here, we present results suggesting that algal‐bacterial interactions may be responsible for some of this variability. Co‐cultures of E. huxleyi and the bacterium Phaeobacter inhibens resulted in a 2.5‐fold decrease in algal alkenone‐containing lipid bodies. In addition levels of unsaturated alkenones increase in co‐cultures. These changes result in an increase in the reconstructed growth temperature of up to 2°C relative to axenic algal cultures.
Teaching writing: a multilayered participatory scaffolding practice
Authors: Dix Stephanie
Published: November 2015

This article adds to the research on teachers' writing pedagogy. It reviews and challenges the research literature on scaffolding as an instructional practice and presents a more inclusive framework for analysis. As student participation and voice were absent from much of the literature, a participatory scaffolding framework was developed to observe, analyse and interpret how one teacher and her primary school aged students co‐constructed learning to write. The case study revealed that the scaffolding interactions were complex, recursive and responsive to students' learning. The teacher wove multiple layers of scaffolding, encouraging student talk and metacognitive awareness, thus creating a 'magic space’ where minds could meet allowing negotiation and handover.
Dealing with uncertainty in landscape genetic resistance models: a case of three co‐occurring marsupials
Authors: Dudaniec Rachael Y. , Worthington Wilmer Jessica , Hanson Jeffrey O. , Warren Matthew , Bell Sarah , Rhodes Jonathan R.
Published: November 2015

Landscape genetics lacks explicit methods for dealing with the uncertainty in landscape resistance estimation, which is particularly problematic when sample sizes of individuals are small. Unless uncertainty can be quantified, valuable but small data sets may be rendered unusable for conservation purposes. We offer a method to quantify uncertainty in landscape resistance estimates using multimodel inference as an improvement over single model‐based inference. We illustrate the approach empirically using co‐occurring, woodland‐preferring Australian marsupials within a common study area: two arboreal gliders (Petaurus breviceps, and Petaurus norfolcensis) and one ground‐dwelling antechinus (Antechinus flavipes). First, we use maximum‐likelihood and a bootstrap procedure to identify the best‐supported isolation‐by‐resistance model out of 56 models defined by linear and non‐linear resistance functions. We then quantify uncertainty in resistance estimates by examining parameter selection probabilities from the bootstrapped data. The selection probabilities provide estimates of uncertainty in the parameters that drive the relationships between landscape features and resistance. We then validate our method for quantifying uncertainty using simulated genetic and landscape data showing that for most parameter combinations it provides sensible estimates of uncertainty. We conclude that small data sets can be informative in landscape genetic analyses provided uncertainty can be explicitly quantified. Being explicit about uncertainty in landscape genetic models will make results more interpretable and useful for conservation decision‐making, where dealing with uncertainty is critical.
Sex‐specific fitness effects of unpredictable early life conditions are associated with DNA methylation in the avian glucocorticoid receptor
Authors: Rubenstein Dustin R. , Skolnik Hannah , Berrio Alejandro , Champagne Frances A. , Phelps Steven , Solomon Joseph
Published: November 2015

Organisms can adapt to variable environments by using environmental cues to modulate developmental gene expression. In principle, maternal influences can adaptively adjust offspring phenotype when early life and adult environments match, but they may be maladaptive when future environments are not predictable. One of the best‐studied ‘maternal effects’ is through modification of the offspring's hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, the neuroendocrine system that controls responses to stress. In addition to the direct transfer of glucocorticoids from mother to offspring, offspring HPA function and other phenotypes can also be affected by epigenetic modifications like DNA methylation of the glucocorticoid receptor promoter. Here we examine how among‐year variation in rainfall is related to DNA methylation during development and fitness in adulthood in the superb starling (Lamprotornis superbus), which lives in a climatically unpredictable environment where early life and adult environments are unlikely to match. We found that DNA methylation in the putative promoter of the glucocorticoid receptor gene is reduced in chicks – particularly in males – born following drier prebreeding periods. Additionally, DNA methylation is lower in males that become breeders than those that never breed. However, there is no relationship in females between DNA methylation and the likelihood of dispersing from the natal group to breed elsewhere. These results suggest that early life conditions may positively affect fitness in a sex‐specific manner through chemical modification of an HPA‐associated gene. This study is the first to show that epigenetic modifications during early life may influence the fitness of free‐living organisms adapted to unpredictable environments.
PROFESSIONALS AS KNOWLEDGE BROKERS: THE LIMITS OF AUTHORITY IN HEALTHCARE COLLABORATION
Authors: KISLOV ROMAN , HODGSON DAMIAN , BOADEN RUTH
Published: November 2015

Professionals with managerial responsibilities are often seen as natural boundary spanners, brokering knowledge between the professional and managerial domains. However, the tensions implicit in their knowledge brokering activities, especially when the latter are formalized, remain under‐researched. Using interviews and observational data, we examine the case of an inter‐organizational collaborative research partnership that deployed clinical professionals as designated knowledge brokers across multiple sites. We identify three strategies that such hybrid professionals utilized to surmount challenges associated with knowledge brokering in the fragmented healthcare context: (1) relying on additional boundary ‘bridges’; (2) conforming to existing ways of doing things; and (3) shifting from ‘facilitating’ to ‘doing’. An analysis of these strategies highlights the tensions between different dimensions of brokering reinforced by macro‐level institutional arrangements, the intertwining of formalized and emergent elements of brokering as a collectively enacted phenomenon, and the limitations of knowledge brokering professionals arising from their professional expertise and authority.
Better Understanding Through Falsehood
Authors: Rancourt Benjamin T.
Published: November 2015

Can understanding be based on false beliefs? I argue that it can. I first argue that the best way to understand the question is that it is whether one can increase one's degree of understanding by adopting an overall less accurate body of beliefs. I identify three sufficient conditions for one body of beliefs to be more accurate than another. Next, I appeal to two widely used methods of comparing degrees of understanding. With these methods, I show that understanding can be gained by acquiring false beliefs. In addition, I show that this implies that understanding is not factive.
Chloroplast avoidance movement is not functional in plants grown under strong sunlight
Authors: Higa Takeshi , Wada Masamitsu
Published: November 2015

Chloroplast movement in nine climbing plant species was investigated. It is thought that chloroplasts generally escape from strong light to avoid photodamage but accumulate towards weak light to perform photosynthesis effectively. Unexpectedly, however, the leaves of climbing plants grown under strong sunlight showed very low or no chloroplast photorelocation responses to either weak or strong blue light when detected by red light transmittance through leaves. Direct observations of Cayratia japonica leaves, for example, revealed that the average number of chloroplasts in upper periclinal walls of palisade tissue cells was only 1.2 after weak blue‐light irradiation and almost all of the chloroplasts remained at the anticlinal wall, the state of chloroplast avoidance response. The leaves grown under strong light have thin and columnar palisade tissue cells comparing with the leaves grown under low light. Depending on our analyses and our schematic model, the thinner cells in a unit leaf area have a wider total plasma membrane area, such that more chloroplasts can exist on the plasma membrane in the thinner cells than in the thicker cells in a unit leaf‐area basis. The same strategy might be used in other plant leaves grown under direct sunlight.
In Search of Balance: A Conceptual and Empirical Integration of Multiple Meanings of Work–Family Balance
Authors: Wayne Julie Holliday , Butts Marcus M. , Casper Wendy J. , Allen Tammy D.
Published: November 2015

This paper provides a framework that elaborates on four conceptualizations of work‐family balance: additive spillover (unique effects of bi‐directional conflict and enrichment), multiplicative spillover (interactive effects of lower conflict with higher enrichment), balance satisfaction (one's attitude toward resource allocation across work and family roles) and balance effectiveness (one's interdependent self‐evaluation of meeting shared expectations across work and family roles). We describe the conceptual differences among these approaches and hypothesize how they operate differently in predicting work and family attitudes and performance. Relative weights analyses showed that additive spillover was the most important predictor of work attitudes (organizational commitment, job satisfaction, and turnover intent), followed by balance satisfaction and effectiveness. However, balance satisfaction and effectiveness together were the most important predictors of family satisfaction and job and family performance. Mediation tests revealed that unique and interactive effects of bidirectional conflict and enrichment related to work and family attitudes and performance indirectly through balance satisfaction and effectiveness. We discuss implications of these findings and offer suggestions to guide future research and theory on work‐family balance.
Improved cardiovascular risk factors in pediatric renal transplant recipients on steroid avoidance immunosuppression: A study of the Midwest Pediatric Nephrology Consortium
Authors: Weaver Donald J. , Selewski David , Janjua Halima , Iorember Franca
Published: November 2015

Several centers have examined the implementation of immunosuppression protocols that minimize steroid exposure. This study retrospectively examined cardiovascular risk factors in 70 pediatric renal transplant recipients on steroid avoidance‐based immunosuppression over three yr compared to matched pediatric patients maintained on chronic corticosteroids. Although higher rates of acute rejection were noted in the steroid‐avoidant group (22% vs. 16%, p = 0.034), graft function was similar (67 + 10 mL/min/1.73 m2 vs. 72 + 12 mL/min/1.73 m2) (p = 0.053). The steroid‐avoidant group demonstrated improved growth (height z‐score −0.41 + 5.9 vs. −1.1 + 0.041) with a decrease in the prevalence of obesity (24% vs. 34%, p = 0.021). Indexed systolic blood pressures were lower beginning at six months post‐transplant in the steroid‐avoidant group (1.21 + 0.15 vs. 1.51 + 0.22, p = 0.020). Indexed diastolic blood pressures were lower beginning at 12 months post‐transplant (0.91 + 0.11 vs. 1.12 + 0.18, p = 0.037). Differences in total serum cholesterol values and serum glucose values were not statistically significant. Beginning at 12 months, a statistically significant decrease in left ventricular mass index (39.2 + 11.3 vs. 49.4 + 14.5, p = 0.014) was noted in patients on steroid‐avoidant immunosuppression, which corresponded to a significant decrease in the prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy in these patients by two yr post‐transplant (35% vs. 48%, p = 0.012). Systolic blood pressure and BMI were independent predictors of left ventricular hypertrophy.
The plant secondary metabolite citral alters water status and prevents seed formation in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Graña E. , Díaz‐Tielas C. , López‐González D. , Martínez‐Peñalver A. , Reigosa M. J. , Sánchez‐Moreiras A. M.
Published: November 2015

Based on previous results, which showed that the secondary metabolite citral causes disturbances to plant water status, the present study is focused on demonstrating and detailing these effects on the water‐related parameters of Arabidopsis thaliana adult plants, and their impact on plant fitness. Clear evidence of effects on water status and fitness were observed: plants treated with 1200 and 2400 μm citral showed decreased RWC, reduced Ψs, increased Ψw and reduced stomatal opening, even 7 days after the beginning of the experiment. Plant protection signals, such as leaf rolling or increased anthocyanin content, were also detected in these plants. In contrast, 14 days after beginning the treatment, treated plants showed signs of citral‐related damage. Moreover, the reproductive success of treated plants was critically compromised, with prematurely withered flowers and no silique or seed development. This effect of citral on fitness of adult plants suggests a promising application of this natural compound in weed management by reducing the weed seed bank in the soil.
Salt tolerance of Beta macrocarpa is associated with efficient osmotic adjustment and increased apoplastic water content
Authors: Hamouda I. , Badri M. , Mejri M. , Cruz C. , Siddique K. H. M. , Hessini K.
Published: November 2015

The chenopod Beta macrocarpa Guss (wild Swiss chard) is known for its salt tolerance, but the mechanisms involved are still debated. In order to elucidate the processes involved, we grew wild Swiss chard exposed to three salinity levels (0, 100 and 200 mm NaCl) for 45 days, and determined several physiological parameters at the end of this time. All plants survived despite reductions in growth, photosynthesis and stomatal conductance in plants exposed to salinity (100 and 200 mm NaCl). As expected, the negative effects of salinity were more pronounced at 200 mm than at 100 mm NaCl: (i) leaf apoplastic water content was maintained or increased despite a significant reduction in leaf water potential, revealing the halophytic character of B. macrocarpa; (ii) osmotic adjustment occurred, which presumably enhanced the driving force for water extraction from soil, and avoided toxic build up of Na+ and Cl– in the mesophyll apoplast of leaves. Osmotic adjustment mainly occurred through accumulation of inorganic ions and to a lesser extent soluble sugars; proline was not implicated in osmotic adjustment. Overall, two important mechanisms of salt tolerance in B. macrocarpa were identified: osmotic and apoplastic water adjustment.
Framing and Misperception in Public Good Experiments
Authors: Fosgaard Toke Reinholt , Hansen Lars Gårn , Wengström Erik
Published: November 2015

Earlier studies have found that framing has a substantial impact on the degree of cooperation observed in public good experiments. We show that the way the public good game is framed affects misperceptions about the incentives of the game. Moreover, we show that such framing‐induced differences in misperceptions are linked to the framing effect on subjects' cooperation behavior. When we do not control for the different levels of misperceptions between frames, we observe a significant framing effect on subjects' cooperation preferences. However, this framing effect becomes insignificant once we remove subjects who misperceive.
Gendered Space‐Time Constraints, Activity Participation and Household Structure: A Case Study Using A GPS‐Based Activity Survey in Suburban Beijing, China
Authors: Ta Na , Kwan Mei‐Po , Chai Yanwei , Liu Zhilin
Published: November 2015

Space‐time constraints imposed by employment and household responsibilities may lead to greater gender differences in individuals’ participation in daily activities. However, few studies have directly examined the impact of household structure on the gender differences in space‐time constraints associated with various daily activities due to the lack of accurate space‐time data. Using a 7‐day GPS‐based activity‐travel diary dataset collected in Beijing, this paper investigates how household structure influences men's and women's space‐time constraints and reduces the related gender differences in daily activity participation. The results suggest that gender and household structure matters. Getting help from retired parents reduces the level of fixity household heads perceive and decreases gender differences in space‐time constraints. However, the degree of the impact differs among activities and retired parents’ age, and fixity level depends on the individual and household background of the person initiating the activity.
CD4 count‐based failure criteria combined with viral load monitoring may trigger worse switch decisions than viral load monitoring alone
Authors: Hoffmann Christopher J. , Maritz Jean , van Zyl Gert U.
Published: November 2015

Objective

CD4 count decline often triggers antiretroviral regimen switches in resource‐limited settings, even when viral load testing is available. We therefore compared CD4 failure and CD4 trends in patients with viraemia with or without antiretroviral resistance.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study investigating the association of HIV drug resistance with CD4 failure or CD4 trends in patients on first‐line antiretroviral regimens during viraemia. Patients with viraemia (HIV RNA >1000 copies/ml) from two HIV treatment programmes in South Africa (n = 350) were included. We investigated the association of M184V and NNRTI resistance with WHO immunological failure criteria and CD4 count trends, using chi‐square tests and linear mixed models.

Results

Fewer patients with the M184V mutation reached immunologic failure criteria than those without: 51 of 151(34%) vs. 90 of 199 (45%) (P = 0.03). Similarly, 79 of 220 (36%) patients, who had major NNRTI resistance, had immunological failure, whereas 62 of 130 (48%) without (chi‐square P = 0.03) did. The CD4 count decline among patients with the M184V mutation was 2.5 cells/mm3/year, whereas in those without M184V it was 14 cells/mm3/year (P = 0.1), but the difference in CD4 count decline with and without NNRTI resistance was marginal.

Conclusion

Our data suggest that CD4 count monitoring may lead to inappropriate delayed therapy switches for patients with HIV drug resistance. Conversely, patients with viraemia but no drug resistance are more likely to have a CD4 count decline and thus may be more likely to be switched to a second‐line regimen.
Situational analysis of lymphatic filariasis morbidity in Ahanta West District of Ghana
Authors: Stanton Michelle C. , Best Abigail , Cliffe Matthew , Kelly‐Hope Louise , Biritwum Nana‐Kwadwo , Batsa Linda , Debrah Alex
Published: November 2015

Objectives

Situational analysis of lymphatic filariasis (LF) morbidity and its management in Ahanta West, Ghana, to identify potential barrier to healthcare for LF patients.

Methods

Lymphoedema and hydrocoele patients were identified by community health workers from a subset of villages, and were interviewed and participated in focus group discussions to determine their attitudes and practices towards managing their morbidity, and their perceived barriers to accessing care. Local health professionals were also interviewed to obtain their views on the availability of morbidity management services in the district.

Results

Sixty‐two patients (34 lymphoedema and 28 hydrocoeles) and 13 local health professionals were included in the study. Lymphoedema patients predominantly self‐managed their conditions, which included washing with soap and water (61.8%), and exercising the affected area (52.9%). Almost 65% of patients had sought medical assistance at some stage, but support was generally limited to receiving tablets (91%). Local health professionals reported rarely seeing lymphoedema patients, citing stigma and lack of provisions to assist patients as a reason for this. Almost half of hydrocoele patients (44%) chose not to seek medical assistance despite the negative impact it had on their lives. Whilst surgery itself is free with national health insurance, 63% those who had not sought treatment stated that indirect costs of surgery (travel costs, loss of earnings, etc.) were the most prohibitive factor to seeking treatment.

Conclusions

The information obtained from this study should now be used to guide future morbidity strategies in building a stronger relationship between the local health services and LF patients, to ultimately improve patients' physical, psychological and economic wellbeing.
A Carbohydrate Sulfotransferase‐6 (CHST6) gene mutation is associated with Macular Corneal Dystrophy in Labrador Retrievers
Authors: Tetas Pont Roser , Downs Louise , Pettitt Louise , Busse Claudia , Mellersh Cathryn S.
Published: November 2015

Purpose

To locate and identify variants associated with macular corneal dystrophy (MCD) in Labrador Retriever (LR) dogs, in the candidate gene carbohydrate sulfotransferase‐6 (CHST6).

Methods

The single coding exon of canine CHST6 was sequenced in one affected LR with MCD and one control LR clinically clear of ocular disease. A further 71 control LR with unknown clinical status were sequenced for the putative causal variant in CHST6. A TaqMan SNP genotyping assay was developed and used to screen an additional 84 dogs (five affected LR and 79 clinically clear LR). Finally, the variant was screened in a third cohort of 89 unrelated LR with unknown clinical status to estimate its allele frequency in the population of LR in the United Kingdom.

Results

A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) was identified within the coding exon of CHST6, resulting in a missense mutation (c.814C>A, p.R272S). All six LR affected with MCD were homozygous for the mutant allele, while 140/151 control LR were homozygous for the wild‐type allele and 11/151 were heterozygous for the mutation, indicating an association with MCD (P < 10−5). The mutant allele was present in the unrelated LR cohort at a frequency of 0.017, suggesting carrier and affection rates of 3.3% and 0.028%, respectively.

Conclusions

A missense mutation in the CHST6 gene is strongly associated with autosomal recessive MCD in the LR.
Electrical effects of stem cell transplantation for ischaemic cardiomyopathy: friend or foe?
Authors: Mount Seth , Davis Darryl R.
Published: November 2015

Despite advances in other realms of cardiac care, the mortality attributable to ischaemic cardiomyopathy has only marginally decreased over the last 10 years. These findings highlight the growing realization that current pharmacological and device therapies rarely reverse disease progression and rationalize a focus on novel means to reverse, repair and re‐vascularize damaged hearts. As such, multiple candidate cell types have been used to regenerate damaged hearts either directly (through differentiation to form new tissue) or indirectly (via paracrine effects). Emerging literature suggests that robust engraftment of electrophysiolgically heterogeneous tissue from transplanted cells comes at the cost of a high incidence of ventricular arrhythmias. Similar electrophysiological studies of haematological stem cells raised early concerns that transplant of depolarized, inexcitable cells that also induce paracrine‐mediated electrophysiological remodelling may be pro‐arrhythmic. However, meta‐analyses suggest that patients receiving haematological stem cells paradoxically may experience a decrease in ventricular arrhythmias, an observation potentially related to the extremely poor long‐term survival of injected cells. Finally, early clinical and preclinical data from technologies capable of differentiating to a mature cardiomyocyte phenotype (such as cardiac‐derived stem cells) suggests that these cells are not pro‐arrhythmic although they too lack robust long‐term engraftment. These results highlight the growing understanding that as next generation cell therapies are developed, emphasis should also be placed on understanding possible anti‐arrhythmic contributions of transplanted cells while vigilance is needed to predict and treat the inadvertent effects of regenerative cell therapies on the electrophysiological stability of the ischaemic cardiomyopathic heart.

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Simple Clothoid Lane Change Trajectories for Automated Vehicles Incorporating Friction Constraints
Authors: Funke Joseph , Christian Gerdes J.
Published: November 2015

This paper demonstrates that an autonomous vehicle can perform emergency lane changes up to the friction limits through real-time generation and evaluation of bi-elementary paths. Path curvature and friction determine the maximum possible speed along the path and, consequently, the feasibility of the path. This approach incorporates both steering inputs and changes in speed during the maneuver. As a result, varying path parameters and observing the maximum possible entry speed of resulting paths give insight about when and to what extent a vehicle should brake and turn during emergency lane change maneuvers. Tests on an autonomous vehicle validate this approach for lane changes near the limits of friction.
Noise Filtering for Wall-Pressure Fluctuations in Measurements Around a Cylinder With Laminar and Turbulent Flow Separation
Authors: Sardu C. , Lasagna D. , Iuso G.
Published: November 2015

This paper proposes two different noise cancellation techniques for cleaning wall-pressure fluctuations signals. These fluctuations are measured around a circular cylinder with laminar and turbulent flow separation. The noise cancellation techniques are based on Wiener and adaptive filters and use the signals of pressure transducers mounted in a cross section of the cylinder and the signal of a free-field sensor opportunely located upstream. First, synthetic signals are used in order to validate the procedure. Then, both techniques are applied to the experimental data. Specific attention is paid to the filter order, optimized by a method introduced in this paper. Both filter types showed a selective behavior preserving the essence of the fluid dynamic phenomena characterizing the flow fields at each Reynolds number tested, especially when laminar separation occurs.