bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pollination ecology of two species of Elleanthus (Orchidaceae): novel mechanisms and underlying adaptations to hummingbird pollination
Authors: Nunes C. E. P. , Amorim F. W. , Mayer J. L. S. , Sazima M.
Published: February 2015

Relationships among floral biology, floral micromorphology and pollinator behaviour in bird‐pollinated orchids are important issues to understand the evolution of the huge flower diversity within Orchidaceae. We aimed to investigate floral mechanisms underlying the interaction with pollinators in two hummingbird‐pollinated orchids occurring in the Atlantic forest. We assessed floral biology, nectar traits, nectary and column micromorphologies, breeding systems and pollinators. In both species, nectar is secreted by lip calli through spaces between the medial lamellar surfaces of epidermal cells. Such a form of floral nectar secretion has not been previously described. Both species present functional protandry and are self‐compatible yet pollinator‐dependent. Fruit set in hand‐pollination experiments was more than twice that under natural conditions, evidencing pollen limitation. The absence of fruit set in interspecific crosses suggests the existence of post‐pollination barriers between these sympatric co‐flowering species. In Elleanthus brasiliensis, fruits resulting from cross‐pollination and natural conditions were heavier than those resulting from self‐pollination, suggesting advantages to cross‐pollination. Hummingbirds pollinated both species, which share at least one pollinator species. Species differences in floral morphologies led to distinct pollination mechanisms. In E. brasiliensis, attachment of pollinarium to the hummingbird bill occurs through a lever apparatus formed by an appendage in the column, another novelty to our knowledge of orchid pollination. In E. crinipes, pollinarium attachment occurs by simple contact with the bill during insertion into the flower tube, which fits tightly around it. The novelties described here illustrate the overlooked richness in ecology and morphophysiology in Orchidaceae.
Induced accumulation of glucuronosyldiacylglycerol in tomato and soybean under phosphorus deprivation
Authors: Okazaki Yozo , Nishizawa Tomoko , Takano Kouji , Ohnishi Miwa , Mimura Tetsuro , Saito Kazuki
Published: February 2015

Glucuronosyldiacylglycerol (GlcADG) is a plant glycolipid that accumulates in Arabidopsis and rice in response to phosphorus (P) starvation. It has been suggested that GlcADG functions to mitigate the stress induced by P depletion. Biosynthesis of GlcADG requires sulfolipid (SQDG) synthase, which is coded for in plant genomes. This indicates the possibility that GlcADG may be a general constituent of membrane lipids in plants. In this study, we investigated the SQDG synthases found in the genomes of higher plants, ferns, mosses, algae and cyanobacteria. In addition, we analyzed GlcADG accumulation, and the expression of SQDG synthase homologs in tomato and soybean plants grown under P‐limited conditions. LC‐MS analysis of lipids from these plants confirmed that GlcADG accumulated during P deprivation, as previously observed in Arabidopsis and rice. We also observed upregulation of SQDG synthase transcripts in these plants during P deprivation. These data suggest that GlcADG is present not only in model plants, but also in various other plant species, and that this lipid molecule performs an important physiological function as a mitigator of P‐deprivation stress in plants.
Intergovernmental Cooperation in the Provision of Public Safety: Monitoring Mechanisms Embedded in Interlocal Agreements
Authors: Andrew Simon A. , Short Jesseca E. , Jung Kyujin , Arlikatti Sudha
Published: February 2015

This article examines how monitoring mechanisms embedded in interlocal agreements (ILAs) are associated with vertical and horizontal intergovernmental relations. The authors hypothesize that ILAs established by local governments with higher‐level governments are likely to rely on a clearly specified set of rules to establish an administrative structure, whereas ILAs established by local governments with other local governments rely on associational benefits to ensure that policy preferences are aligned across multiple political boundaries. The article examines ILAs established by small town, county, and municipal governments in Denton County, Texas, for the provision of emergency medical, police, and fire services. Findings show that more than half of the ILAs specified a financial reporting system, but an almost equal percentage did not contain features requiring financial records to be available for audit by a third party. Quadratic assignment procedure correlation analysis confirmed the presence of cross‐monitoring mechanisms and showed that the patterns of ILAs tend to cluster around a geographic space.

Practitioner Points

Monitoring mechanisms embedded in interlocal agreements (ILAs) matter, highlighting the important managerial functions played by frontline officers drafting ILAs.

The rules embedded in ILAs are important not only for encouraging intergovernmental cooperation but also for reducing the risks associated with contract failures.

With the increasing number of ILAs, local government officials need to consider various types of ILAs that are suitable to meet jurisdictional interests and policy preferences.
Conflict and Collaboration in Wildfire Management: The Role of Mission Alignment
Authors: Fleming Casey J. , McCartha Emily B. , Steelman Toddi A.
Published: February 2015

Responding to large wildfires requires actors from multiple jurisdictions and multiple levels of government to work collaboratively. The missions and objectives of federal agencies often differ from those of state land management agencies as well as local wildfire response agencies regarding land use and wildfire management. As wildfire size and intensity increase over time and associated annual suppression costs range between $2 billion and $3 billion, learning more about the existence and management of perceived agency differences becomes imperative within the academic and practitioner communities. This article examines the extent to which perceived mission misalignment exists among federal, state, and local actors and how well those differences are managed. Findings provide quantitative evidence that mission misalignment is greater within intergovernmental relationships than within intragovernmental relationships. Additionally, findings speak to the larger conversation around intergovernmental relationships within the federal structure and perceptions of the presence and management of potential interagency conflict.

Practitioner Points

Potential conflict between the missions of federal and state land agencies presents a challenge for disaster management, and differing governmental levels and land‐use mandates may highlight relationships where tensions are likely greater.

Wildfire managers may need to more proactively address relationships among federal agencies and state and local partners rather than relationships among multiple federal agencies.

Wildfire management may benefit from increased awareness of—and discussion around—partner agencies’ stated land management philosophies and legal mandates, as structural frameworks, such as the Incident Command Structure, may not alone lead to conflict‐free collaboration.
University patenting and technology commercialization – legal frameworks and the importance of local practice
Authors: Weckowska Dagmara M. , Molas‐Gallart Jordi , Tang Puay , Twigg David , Castro‐Martínez Elena , Kijeńska‐Dąbrowska Izabela , Libaers Dirk , Debackere Koenraad , Meyer Martin
Published: February 2015

The impact of national legislative frameworks on the higher education sector's contribution to technological innovation is heavily disputed. This paper argues that legislative frameworks may stimulate the development of local practices for the management and exploitation of intellectual property (IP), which in turn determine the level of academic patenting. We present case studies of two comparable universities in each of four selected European countries with different histories of national IP legislation. A within‐country analysis shows that a wider range and earlier development of local IP management and exploitation practices are accompanied by higher levels of academic patenting, and that increasing similarity of IP practices is associated with decreasing differences in patenting outputs. A preliminary cross‐country analysis reveals an expansion in and increasing similarity of practices for IP management and exploitation in countries with different national IP framework histories. We conclude that adopting Bayh‐Dole‐like legislation may trigger the development of local IP practices, which stimulate patenting. However, it is not always sufficient and definitely not always necessary. The study concludes with some policy recommendations.
Facilitating exploration alliances in multiple dimensions: the influences of firm technological knowledge breadth
Authors: Zhang Jing
Published: February 2015

Whereas prior studies suggest that strategic alliances offer powerful tools for firms to explore business opportunities and alliances may explore in technology and organization dimensions, firms tend to compensate for exploration in one dimension by engaging in exploitation in the other dimension. The question of how firms can explore at a higher level in multiple dimensions of alliances remains unanswered. This study proposes that a firm's broad technological knowledge base may help facilitate exploration alliances in multiple dimensions. Data from the biopharmaceutical industry reveal that not only does a broad technological knowledge base support exploration in the technology and organization dimensions individually, but it also relaxes the firm's resource constraints; thus, the firm is less likely to compensate for exploration in one dimension with exploitation in the other. Instead, it can explore at a higher level in both dimensions simultaneously. This insight is particularly important in light of the increasing research interest in the fundamental enablers of and barriers to exploring new technological opportunities.
Blood Metabolite Profiles in Cycling and Non‐cyclingFriesian–Sanga Cross‐bred Cows Grazing Natural Pasture During the Post‐partum Period
Authors: Obese FY , MacCarthy C , Osei‐Amponsah R , Ayizanga RA , Damptey JK
Published: February 2015

Contents

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of plasma concentrations of the metabolic hormones [Growth hormone (GH), insulin and insulin‐like growth factor –I (IGF‐I)] and nutritional metabolites (Glucose, cholesterol, total protein, albumin, globulin, urea and creatinine) on the resumption of post‐partum ovarian activity in sixteen Friesian–Sanga cows grazing extensively on native grassland. Blood samples were taken from cows from week 1 to 16 post‐partum. Cows were classified as having resumed ovarian activity when a plasma progesterone concentration of ≥ 1.0 ng/ml was recorded for two consecutive weekly samples. Based on the resumption of ovarian activity, cows were classified as early‐cycling, late‐cycling or non‐cycling. The concentrations of the metabolic hormones were measured from week 1 to 10, while those of the nutritional metabolites were measured during week 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 during the study period. The concentrations of the metabolic hormones,GHand insulin were similar (p > 0.05) in the three ovarian activity groups, likewise the concentrations of the nutritional metabolites, glucose, total protein, globulin, urea and creatinine. PlasmaIGF‐I concentration was higher (p < 0.001) in early‐cycling (18.7 ± 0.74 ng/ml) than in late‐cycling (12.4 ± 0.75 ng/ml) and non‐cycling (10.4 ± 0.91 ng/ml) cows. Plasma cholesterol concentrations were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in early‐cycling (1.94 ± 0.15 mmol/l) compared with late‐cycling (2.48 ± 0.12 mmol/l) and non‐cycling (2.61 ± 0.11 mmol/l) cows. For plasma albumin concentrations, the levels recorded for early‐cycling cows were higher (40.7 ± 2.85 g/l) than in late‐cycling (34.4 ± 1.97 g/l) and non‐cycling (33.6 ± 2.66) cows. The results suggest that cows with lower plasma concentrations ofIGF‐I and albumin, but higher plasma cholesterol concentrations were at risk of delayed resumption of post‐partum ovarian activity.
Pleural empyema caused by Klebsiella oxytoca: A case series
Authors: Suthers Elizabeth , Rosenstengel Andrew , Hart Julie , Lewis Joshua R. , Kay Ian , Waterer Grant , Lee Y.C. Gary , Brims Fraser
Published: February 2015

We report on 19 patients from Western Australia of pleural empyema with Klebsiella oxytoca, an organism never before reported in association with this condition. Median age was 65 years, 14/17 (83%) had been in hospital within 30 days prior to diagnosis, 12/18 (67%) had active cancer, 9/17 (53%) had been in intensive care and 7/17 (41%) had prior surgery. Nine patients died at the time of censure, five within 90 days of infection.
Combination pirfenidone and inhaled N‐acetylcysteine therapy for IPF: Does it take these two to tango?
Authors: Velez Maria I. , Nambiar Anoop M.
Published: February 2015

See article, page 445
Cost‐Benefit Analysis for Optimization of Risk Protection Under Budget Constraints
Authors: Špačková Olga , Straub Daniel
Published: February 2015

Cost‐benefit analysis (CBA) is commonly applied as a tool for deciding on risk protection. With CBA, one can identify risk mitigation strategies that lead to an optimal tradeoff between the costs of the mitigation measures and the achieved risk reduction. In practical applications of CBA, the strategies are typically evaluated through efficiency indicators such as the benefit‐cost ratio (BCR) and the marginal cost (MC) criterion. In many of these applications, the BCR is not consistently defined, which, as we demonstrate in this article, can lead to the identification of suboptimal solutions. This is of particular relevance when the overall budget for risk reduction measures is limited and an optimal allocation of resources among different subsystems is necessary. We show that this problem can be formulated as a hierarchical decision problem, where the general rules and decisions on the available budget are made at a central level (e.g., central government agency, top management), whereas the decisions on the specific measures are made at the subsystem level (e.g., local communities, company division). It is shown that the MC criterion provides optimal solutions in such hierarchical optimization. Since most practical applications only include a discrete set of possible risk protection measures, the MC criterion is extended to this situation. The findings are illustrated through a hypothetical numerical example. This study was prepared as part of our work on the optimal management of natural hazard risks, but its conclusions also apply to other fields of risk management.
Implementation of Equity in Resource Allocation for Regional Earthquake Risk Mitigation Using Two‐Stage Stochastic Programming
Authors: Zolfaghari Mohammad R. , Peyghaleh Elnaz
Published: February 2015

This article presents a new methodology to implement the concept of equity in regional earthquake risk mitigation programs using an optimization framework. It presents a framework that could be used by decisionmakers (government and authorities) to structure budget allocation strategy toward different seismic risk mitigation measures, i.e., structural retrofitting for different building structural types in different locations and planning horizons. A two‐stage stochastic model is developed here to seek optimal mitigation measures based on minimizing mitigation expenditures, reconstruction expenditures, and especially large losses in highly seismically active countries. To consider fairness in the distribution of financial resources among different groups of people, the equity concept is incorporated using constraints in model formulation. These constraints limit inequity to the user‐defined level to achieve the equity‐efficiency tradeoff in the decision‐making process. To present practical application of the proposed model, it is applied to a pilot area in Tehran, the capital city of Iran. Building stocks, structural vulnerability functions, and regional seismic hazard characteristics are incorporated to compile a probabilistic seismic risk model for the pilot area. Results illustrate the variation of mitigation expenditures by location and structural type for buildings. These expenditures are sensitive to the amount of available budget and equity consideration for the constant risk aversion. Most significantly, equity is more easily achieved if the budget is unlimited. Conversely, increasing equity where the budget is limited decreases the efficiency. The risk‐return tradeoff, equity‐reconstruction expenditures tradeoff, and variation of per‐capita expected earthquake loss in different income classes are also presented.
Has Successful Terror Gone to Ground?
Authors: Barnett Arnold
Published: February 2015

This article considers all 87 attacks worldwide against air and rail transport systems that killed at least two passengers over the 30‐year period of 1982–2011. The data offer strong and statistically significant evidence that successful acts of terror have “gone to ground” in recent years: attacks against aviation were concentrated early in the three decades studied whereas those against rail were concentrated later. Recent data are used to make estimates of absolute and comparative risk for frequent flyers and subway/rail commuters. Point estimates in the “status quo” case imply that mortality risk from successful acts of terror was very low on both modes of transportation and that, whereas risk per trip is higher for air travelers than subway/rail commuters, the rail commuters experience greater risk per year than the frequent flyers.
Detecting Discrimination: a Dynamic Perspective
Authors: Tzioumis Konstantinos
Published: February 2015

The statistical analysis of observational data for fair lending purposes relies on the assumption that, at the firm level, racial discrimination (or the lack thereof) is stable across time. Using data from a mortgage lender during the period 1998–2006, we examine this crucial assumption for the case of pricing differentials for black applicants in household mortgage lending, effectively evaluating possible dynamics in aggregate discrimination patterns. We offer evidence that these estimated pricing differentials may vary substantially across time.
Frequency of Nonsuicidal Self‐Injury in Adolescents: Differences in Suicide Attempts, Substance Use, and Disordered Eating
Authors: Brausch Amy M. , Boone Shannon D.
Published: February 2015

The relationship between frequency of nonsuicidal selfinjury (NSSI) and suicide attempts, substance use, and disordered eating was assessed in a community sample of 4,839 adolescents, 922 of whom reported NSSI in the past year. It was expected that the engagement in risk behaviors would significantly increase as NSSI frequency increased. Participants completed the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2009) and were subdivided into five NSSI frequency groups: none, 1 time, 2–3 times, 4–5 times, and 6 or more times. A one‐way MANOVA found significant mean differences for all variables across NSSI frequency groups. The no NSSI group was significantly lower than all other groups on all variables. For suicide attempts, all frequency groups were significantly different from each other, with attempt frequency increasing with each increase in NSSI frequency. The six or more group reported significantly more substance use and disordered eating than all other groups. Overall, adolescents with more frequent NSSI represent a group at risk for concurrent unhealthy behaviors and suicide attempts.
Warfarin therapy and perioperative transfusion requirement with bleeding amount in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass: a retrospective study
Authors: Oh C.‐S. , Choi J.‐W. , Jung E. , Kang W.‐S. , Kim S.‐H.
Published: February 2015

Objectives

The study was designed to evaluate the effect of warfarin on perioperative transfusion, bleeding and coagulation status in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

Background

There were controversy about the effect of warfarin on perioperative transfusion and bleeding.

Methods/Materials

Medical records from 107 consecutive patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) on warfarin therapy undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) from 2008 to 2013 at a single university teaching hospital were retrospectively reviewed to compare the patients on to those not on warfarin therapy in terms of perioperative transfusion requirement, postoperative 24‐h bleeding amount, and coagulation status assessment using prothrombin time (PT), international normalised ratio (INR) and rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM®).

Results

Although PT/INR was significantly prolonged both before and after surgery in patients on warfarin therapy, ROTEM® data, perioperative transfusion requirement and postoperative 24‐h bleeding amount (785 ± 331 vs 676 ± 303 mL, P = 0·089, respectively) were not significantly different between the patients on and those not on warfarin therapy.

Conclusion

In patients on warfarin therapy undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB, warfarin therapy did not significantly increase perioperative transfusion requirement and bleeding.
Household‐level risk factors for influenza among young children in Dhaka, Bangladesh: a case–control study
Authors: Doshi Saumil , Silk Benjamin J. , Dutt Dhiman , Ahmed Moshtaq , Cohen Adam L. , Taylor Thomas H. , Brooks W. Abdullah , Goswami Doli , Luby Stephen P. , Fry Alicia M. , Ram Pavani K.
Published: February 2015

Objectives

To identify household‐level factors associated with influenza among young children in a crowded community in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Methods

We conducted a case–control study using existing active surveillance for respiratory illness. Cases were children aged 12–59 months with laboratory‐confirmed influenza. Controls were children frequency‐matched by age group with no respiratory illness in the prior 6 months. We interviewed caregivers and observed household handwashing behaviour. Soap consumption was estimated by summing weight differences of three bars of soap sequentially left in each household. We measured concentrations of airborne particulate matter <2.5 μg in diameter (PM2.5) in a subset of households. We used logistic regression to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

We enrolled 145 cases and 341 controls between March 2009 and April 2010. Case and control household members were observed to wash hands with similar frequency during a 5‐h period (mean, 0.64 events vs. 0.63, P = 0.87), and similar daily soap consumption per capita (mean 2.92 grams vs. 2.93, P = 0.92). Case households were more likely than controls to have crowded (≥4 persons) sleeping areas (aOR = 1.67, CI: 1.06–2.63) and cross‐ventilated cooking spaces (aOR = 1.75, CI: 1.16–2.63). Case and control households had similar median 24‐h geometric mean PM2.5 concentrations in the cooking (69.2 vs. 69.6 μg/m3, P = 0.45) and sleeping (65.4 vs. 67.4 μg/m3, P = 0.19) spaces.

Conclusions

Handwashing with soap was practiced infrequently and was not associated with paediatric influenza in this community. Interventions aimed at crowded households may reduce influenza incidence in young children.
Review: Pathogenesis of canine atopic dermatitis: skin barrier and host–micro‐organism interaction
Authors: Santoro Domenico , Marsella Rosanna , Pucheu‐Haston Cherie M. , Eisenschenk Melissa N. C. , Nuttall Tim , Bizikova Petra
Published: February 2015

Background

Canine atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common, genetically predisposed, inflammatory and pruritic skin disease. The pathogenesis of canineADis incompletely understood.

Objectives

The aim of this review is to provide an in‐depth update on the involvement of skin barrier and host–microbiome interaction in the pathogenesis of canineAD.

Methods

Online citation databases and abstracts from international meetings were searched for publications related to skin barrier and host–microbiome interaction (e.g. bacteria, yeast, antimicrobial peptides).

Results

A total of 126 publications were identified. This review article focuses on epidermal barrier dysfunction and the interaction between cutaneous microbes (bacteria and yeasts) and the host (antimicrobial peptides). Epidemiological updates on the presence of pathogenic organisms and canineADare also provided.

Conclusions and clinical importance

Major advances have been made in the investigation of skin barrier dysfunction in canineAD, although many questions still remain. Skin barrier dysfunction and host–microbiome interactions are emerging as primary alterations in canineAD. Based on this review, it is clear that future studies focused on the development of drugs able to restore the skin barrier and increase the natural defences against pathogenic organisms are needed.
A novel severity scoring system for dogs with heatstroke
Authors: Segev Gilad , Aroch Itamar , Savoray Michal , Kass Philip H. , Bruchim Yaron
Published: February 2015

Objective

To develop a statistically‐derived scoring system that can aid in severity assessment and outcome prediction for dogs with heatstroke.

Design

Retrospective study.

Setting

Veterinary teaching hospital.

Animals

One hundred twenty‐six client‐owned dogs diagnosed with heatstroke.

Interventions

None.

Measurements and Main Results

Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify clinicopathologic variables, available in the first 24 hours of hospitalization, which were associated with outcome (P≤ 0.1). These were subjected to further analyses. In Model A, continuous variables were divided into quartiles, and logistic regression was performed to yield quartile‐specific odds ratios (ORs) for the outcome. Model A was developed, assigning weighted values to each quartile, based on its corresponding OR for the outcome. An individual predictive score was calculated for each dog by summating all weighted values. Model B was a multivariable logistic regression model. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analyses were performed to assess models’ performance and to calculate sensitivity, specificity, and optimal cutoff points. The overall mortality rate was 53%. The total predictive score (Model A) was negatively and significantly (P< 0.001) associated with probability of survival. The areas under the ROC curve for Models A and B were 0.92 and 0.86, respectively. The optimal cutoff score for Model A was 35.0, corresponding to sensitivity of 93% and specificity of 86%, correctly classifying 90% of the cases.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

The proposed models are applicable, allowing objective assessment of the severity and prognosis of heatstroke in dogs; however, they should be validated further in an independent cohort, and used cautiously for assessment of individual cases.
Predictive and concurrent validity of the Braden scale in long‐term care: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Wilchesky Machelle , Lungu Ovidiu
Published: February 2015

Pressure ulcer prevention is an important long‐term care (LTC) quality indicator. While the Braden Scale is a recommended risk assessment tool, there is a paucity of information specifically pertaining to its validity within the LTC setting. We, therefore, undertook a systematic review and meta‐analysis comparing Braden Scale predictive and concurrent validity within this context. We searched the Medline, EMBASE, PsychINFO and PubMed databases from 1985–2014 for studies containing the requisite information to analyze tool validity. Our initial search yielded 3,773 articles. Eleven datasets emanating from nine published studies describing 40,361 residents met all meta‐analysis inclusion criteria and were analyzed using random effects models. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive values were 86%, 38%, 28%, and 93%, respectively. Specificity was poorer in concurrent samples as compared with predictive samples (38% vs. 72%), while PPV was low in both sample types (25 and 37%). Though random effects model results showed that the Scale had good overall predictive ability [RR, 4.33; 95% CI, 3.28–5.72], none of the concurrent samples were found to have “optimal” sensitivity and specificity. In conclusion, the appropriateness of the Braden Scale in LTC is questionable given its low specificity and PPV, in particular in concurrent validity studies. Future studies should further explore the extent to which the apparent low validity of the Scale in LTC is due to the choice of cutoff point and/or preventive strategies implemented by LTC staff as a matter of course.
Dynamics of wound healing signaling as a potential therapeutic target for radiation‐induced tissue damage
Authors: Chung Yih‐Lin , Pui Newman N. M.
Published: February 2015

We hypothesized the histone deacetylase inhibitor phenylbutyrate (PB) has beneficial effects on radiation‐induced injury by modulating the expression of DNA repair and wound healing genes. Hamsters received a radiosurgical dose of radiation (40 Gy) to the cheek and were treated with varying PB dosing regimens. Gross alteration of the irradiated cheeks, eating function, histological changes, and gene expression during the course of wound healing were compared between treatment groups. Pathological analysis showed decreased radiation‐induced mucositis, facilitated epithelial cell growth, and preventing ulcerative wound formation, after short‐term PB treatment, but not after vehicle or sustained PB. The radiation‐induced wound healing gene expression profile exhibited a sequential transition from the inflammatory and DNA repair phases to the tissue remodeling phase in the vehicle group. Sustained PB treatment resulted in a prolonged wound healing gene expression profile and delayed the wound healing process. Short‐term PB shortened the duration of inflammatory cytokine expression, triggered repeated pulsed expression of cell cycle and DNA repair‐regulating genes, and promoted earlier oscillatory expression of tissue remodeling genes. Distinct gene expression patterns between sustained and short‐term treatment suggest dynamic profiling of wound healing gene expression can be an important part of a biological therapeutic strategy to mitigate radiation‐related tissue injury.
Should we use platelet‐rich plasma as an adjunct therapy to treat “acute wounds,” “burns,” and “laser therapies”: A review and a proposal of a quality criteria checklist for further studies
Authors: Picard Frédéric , Hersant Barbara , Bosc Romain , Meningaud Jean‐Paul
Published: February 2015

Platelet‐rich plasma seems to help wound healing. The goal of this review is to determine if the adjunction of platelet‐rich plasma enhances the clinical outcome of acute wounds, burns, and laser therapies. A PubMed and Cochrane library search was performed by two reviewers with the senior author as a consultant. Medical Subject Headings search terms used were the following: [“Platelet‐rich plasma” OR “Platelet gel” OR “Platelet growth factor”] AND [“Acute wound” OR “Wound” OR “Burn” OR “Laser”]. We included controlled studies assessing the clinical outcome of acute wounds, burns, and laser therapies treated by platelet‐rich plasma. Nine randomized controlled studies, six prospective controlled studies, and two retrospective controlled studies were included. Regarding acute wounds, three randomized controlled trials found a statistical benefit regarding either the healing time, the return back to work time, the quality of life, or the pain and three prospective controlled studies found a statistical difference regarding the velocity of healing. Platelet‐rich plasma decreased the intensity or duration of erythema after laser therapy in four randomized studies. Regarding the long‐term outcome of laser therapies, two studies found a statistical benefit and two others did not. Platelet‐rich plasma accelerates acute wound healing and decreases erythema after laser therapies. Its use on burns has not been enough studied.
Expression of recipient cytomegalovirus in immunosuppressed and xenotransplanted Macaca fascicularis may be related to more severe gastrointestinal lesions
Authors: Cavicchioli Laura , Zanetti Rossella , Ferraresso Serena , Crossan Claire , Barry Peter A. , Boldrin Massimo , Vadori Marta , Ferro Silvia , Calabrese Fiorella , Scobie Linda , Cozzi Emanuele , Zappulli Valentina
Published: February 2015

Background

Xenotransplantation is a potential answer to the current organ shortage, but the risk of infections related to overimmunosuppression is an important parameter that may predict the recipient's long‐term survival. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) in xenotransplanted and immunosuppressed primates is a well‐known cause of disease particularly affecting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and a zoonotic concern.

Methods

Post‐mortem sera and tissues from 45 immunosuppressed and xenografted Macaca fascicularis were evaluated for CMV using antisera specific for the immediate early 1 (IE1), anti‐RhCMV, and QPCR for virus.

Results

Serological analysis showed 100% positivity for the presence of CMV antibodies following the application of a specific test designed for RhCMV. Five of 45 primates showed typical lesions of CMV infection in the GI tract, including neutrophilic enteritis and inclusion bodies. Molecular analysis confirmed the presence of recipient's CMV in the tissues with CMV histopathology. Porcine CMV from the donor animals was not found in any of the CMV‐specific IHC‐positive recipients.

Conclusion

The presence of active CMV infection in animals intended for xenograft experiments can lead to severe gastrointestinal lesions that could impact the overall aims of the study. In such cases, the animals should be investigated using appropriate (non‐human primate‐specific) diagnostic tools prior to use and treated aggressively with state‐of‐the‐art antiviral therapy.
Identifying monophyletic groups withinBugulasensu lato (Bryozoa, Buguloidea)
Authors: Fehlauer‐Ale Karin H. , Winston Judith E. , Tilbrook Kevin J. , Nascimento Karine B. , Vieira Leandro M.
Published: February 2015

Species in the genusBugulaare globally distributed. They are most abundant in tropical and temperate shallow waters, but representatives are found in polar regions. Seven species occur in the Arctic and one in the Antarctic and species are represented in continental shelf or greater depths as well. The main characters used to define the genus include bird's head pedunculate avicularia, erect colonies, embryos brooded in globular ooecia and branches comprising two or more series of zooids. Skeletal morphology has been the primary source of taxonomic information for many calcified bryozoan groups, including the Buguloidea. Several morphological characters, however, have been suggested to be homoplastic at distinct taxonomic levels, in the light of molecular phylogenies. Our purpose was to investigate the phylogenetic interrelationships of the genusBugula, based on molecular phylogenetics and morphology. A Bayesian molecular phylogeny was constructed using original and previously published sequences of the mitochondrial genes cytochromecoxidase subunit 1 (COI) and the large ribosomalRNAsubunit (16S). Morphological characteristics from scanning electron and light microscopy were used to confirm the clades detected by the molecular phylogeny. Our results suggest that the genus is composed of four clades, for which we provide diagnoses:Bugula sensu stricto(30 species),Bugulina(24 species),Crisularia(23 species) and the monotypicVirididentulagen. n. Ten species could not be assigned to any of those genera, so they remain as genusincertae sedis. Our findings highlight the importance of using molecular phylogenies in association with morphological characters in systematic revisions of bryozoan taxa.
THE DISPOSITIONALIST DEITY: HOW GOD CREATES LAWS AND WHY THEISTS SHOULD CARE
Authors: Page Ben
Published: February 2015

How does God govern the world? For many theists “laws of nature” play a vital role. But what are these laws, metaphysically speaking? I shall argue that laws of nature are not external to the objects they govern, but instead should be thought of as reducible to internal features of properties. Recent work in metaphysics and philosophy of science has revived a dispositionalist conception of nature, according to which nature is not passive, but active and dynamic. Disposition theorists see particulars as being internally powerful rather than being governed by external laws of nature, making external laws in effect ontologically otiose. I will argue that theists should prefer a dispositionalist ontology, since it leads them toward the theory of concurrentism in divine conservation, rather than occasionalism, and revives the distinction between internal and external teleology. God on this view does not govern the world through external laws of nature, but rather through internal aspects of powerful properties.
CONFUCIAN ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS, CLIMATE ENGINEERING, AND THE “PLAYING GOD” ARGUMENT
Authors: Wong Pak‐Hang
Published: February 2015

The burgeoning literature on the ethical issues raised by climate engineering has explored various normative questions associated with the research and deployment of climate engineering, and has examined a number of responses to them. While researchers have noted the ethical issues from climate engineering are global in nature, much of the discussion proceeds predominately with ethical framework in the Anglo‐American and European traditions, which presume particular normative standpoints and understandings of human–nature relationship. The current discussion on the ethical issues, therefore, is far from being a genuine global dialogue. The aim of this article is to address the lack of intercultural exchange by exploring the ethics of climate engineering from a perspective of Confucian environmental ethics. Drawing from the existing discussion on Confucian environmental ethics and Confucian ethics of technology, I discuss what Confucian ethics can contribute to the ethical debate on climate engineering.
SCIENCE AND RELIGION IN THE KRAKÓW SCHOOL
Authors: Brożek Bartosz , Heller Michael
Published: February 2015

This article outlines the contributions of the Kraków School to the field of science and religion. The Kraków School is a group of philosophers, scientists, and theologians who belong to the milieu of the Copernicus Center for Interdisciplinary Studies. The members of the group are engaged in inquiries pertaining to the relationship between theology and various sciences, in particular cosmology, evolutionary theory, and neuroscience. The article includes a presentation of the historical background of the School, as well as its main original contributions pertaining to the history of the interactions between science and religion, the rationality and mathematicity of the universe, theology of science, and the role of logic in theology.
MATRIX THINKING: AN ADAPTATION AT THE FOUNDATION OF HUMAN SCIENCE, RELIGION, AND ART
Authors: Rappaport Margaret Boone , Corbally Christopher
Published: February 2015

Intrigued by Robinson and Southgate's 2010 work on “entering a semiotic matrix,” we expand their model to include the juxtaposition of all signs, symbols, and mental categories, and to explore the underpinnings of creativity in science, religion, and art. We rely on an interdisciplinary review of human sentience in archaeology, evolutionary biology, the cognitive science of religion, and literature, and speculate on the development of sentience in response to strong selection pressure on the hominin evolutionary line, leaving us the “lone survivors” of complex, multiple lines of physical and cultural evolution. What we call Matrix Thinking—the creative driver of human sentience—has important cognitive and intellectual features, but also equally important characteristics traced to our intense sociability and use of emotionality in vetting rational models. Scientist, theologian, and artist create new cultural knowledge within a social context even if alone. They are rewarded by emotional validation from group members, and guided by the ever present question, “Does it feel right?”
THEISM RECONSIDERED: BELIEF IN GOD AND THE EXISTENCE OF GOD
Authors: Pyysiäinen Ilkka
Published: February 2015

This article develops a new perspective on theism that (1) makes the simple juxtaposition of theism and atheism problematic, (2) and helps bridge philosophy of religion and the empirical study of religious phenomena. The basic idea is developed inspired by Terrence Deacon's bookIncomplete Natureand its description of “ententional” phenomena, together with some ideas from the cognitive science of religion, especially those related to agency and “theological correctness.” It is argued that God should not be understood as a “homunculus” that stops an otherwise infinite regress of arguments.
The Impact of Web-based Technology on Small Businesses
Authors: Baldwin Courtney S.
Published: February 2015

The problem discussed in this paper is the need to understand ways to implement web-based technology to reduce the cost and time in doing business. The specific focus of this paper is to understand what the risks, challenges, and methodology are for implementing web-based technology for reducing the operating costs for the small business and still protect the security of the business.  The key research questions included are: (a) What are the challenges of small business implementing web-based technology within their companies. (b) Which project methodology should be used to implement web-based technology projects in small business? (c) What are the risks and issues when implementing web-based technology in small business? According to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA, 2011),seven out of 10 new employer firms survive at least 2 years, half at least 5 years, a third at least 10 years, and a quarter stay in business 15 years or more. Besser (2012) wrote that small businesses are the vast majority of businesses and make a significant contribution to national economic vitality.
Mechanical effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation of upper airway muscles in awake obstructive sleep apnoea subjects
Authors: Rousseau Eric , Gakwaya Simon , Melo‐Silva César Augusto , Sériès Frédéric
Published: February 2015

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

Can repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) of the genioglossus enhance the beneficial effects observed with transcranial magnetic stimulation single twitches on upper airway mechanical properties?

What is the main finding and its importance?

We found that both inspiratory and expiratory rTMS protocols induce a different activation pattern of upper airway muscles, with evidence for an increase in genioglossus corticomotor excitability in response to rTMS. This is of major importance because it might open the door for rTMS protocols with the goal of increasing corticomotor excitability and, thus, possibly increasing the tonic genioglossus activity, which is known to be diminished during sleep in subjects with sleep apnoea.

Stimulation of upper airway (UA) muscles during sleep by isolated transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) twitch can improve airflow dynamics without arousal, but the effect of repetitive TMS (rTMS) on UA dynamics is unknown. Phrenic nerve magnetic stimulation (PNMS) can be used to produce painless experimental twitch‐induced flow limitation during wakefulness. The aim of this study was to quantify the effects of rTMS applied during wakefulness on UA mechanical properties using PNMS in subjects with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Phrenic nerve magnetic stimulation was applied to 10 subjects, with and without simultaneous rTMS, during inspiration and expiration. Flow‐limitation characteristics and UA obstruction level were determined [maximal (and minimal inspiratory airflow ( flow drop (oropharyngeal (POro,peak) and velopharyngeal peak pressures, oropharyngeal k1/k2 ratios with k1 and k2 determined by the polynomial regression model between instantaneous flow and pharyngeal pressure and UA resistance]. Both genioglossus and diaphragm root mean squares and motor‐evoked potential amplitudes (geniolossus, GGAmp) and latencies were computed. A flow‐limitation pattern always occurred after PNMS. A decrease in and an increase in occurred following rTMS applied during inspiration, and POro,peak values were more negative with both inspiratory and expiratory rTMS. The GGAmp also increased significantly from the second to the last rTMS expiratory train twitch. All other parameters remained unchanged. These results suggest the following conclusions: (i) rTMS does not improve UA mechanical properties in awake subjects with OSA; (ii) the activation pattern of UA muscles differs following isolated twitch and repetitive cortical stimulation of the genioglossus; and (iii) rTMS applied during expiration induces corticomotor facilitation.
Investigation of Combined Effects of Rotational Inertia and Viscosity–Pressure Dependency on the Squeeze Film Characteristics of Parallel Annular Plates Lubricated by Couple Stress Fluid
Authors: Daliri M. , Jalali-Vahid D.
Published: February 2015

This study presents combined effects of couple stress fluids and rotational inertia together with considering lubricant viscosity variation with pressure in squeeze film characteristics of parallel annular plates. Squeeze film characteristics are obtained by combined solution of modified Reynolds equation and Stoke's microcontinuum for couple stress fluids with consideration of viscosity variation with pressure. Various cases of couple stress, inertial, and noninertial characteristics with isoviscous and piezoviscous contributions are investigated. The pressure distribution and load-carrying capacity for lubricant film are obtained in a closed form, using a small perturbation method. Furthermore, numerical solution of the film height versus response time is calculated employing the fourth-order Runge–Kutta method. The result shows that the combined effects of couple stresses and viscosity–pressure dependency improve the load-carrying capacity and lengthen the response time, as compared to the classical Newtonian lubricant with constant viscosity. However, increasing rotational inertia parameter decreases squeeze film characteristics.
Frequency-Weighted Variable-Length Controllers Using Anytime Control Strategies
Authors: Ferri Bonnie H. , Ferri Aldo A. , Runge Gundula B.
Published: February 2015

This paper develops an optimal frequency-weighted strategy to design anytime controllers that can react to changing computational resources. The selection of the weighting function is driven by the expectation of the situations that would require anytime operation. For example, if the anytime operation is due to occasional and isolated missed deadlines, then the weighting on high frequencies should be larger than that for low frequencies. Low frequency components will have a smaller change over one sample time, so failing to update these components for one sample period will have less effect than with the high frequency components. Additional considerations explored in this paper are stability analyses, architectural issues, and transient management. Two examples are included that demonstrate the methodology.