bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Subclinical ultrasonographic abnormalities of the suspensory ligament branches in National Hunt racehorses
Authors: Fairburn A. J. , Busschers E. , Barr A. R. S.
Published: September 2016

Background

Suspensory ligament branch (SLB) desmopathy is a common cause of lameness and an important cause of lost training in the Thoroughbred racing industry. Studies have assessed the impact of insertional injuries of the SLB on the careers of flat racehorses and established the prevalence of subclinical ultrasonographic SLB abnormalities in this population, but little work has investigated SLB injury in National Hunt (NH) racehorses.

Objectives

To investigate the prevalence of subclinical ultrasonographic SLB abnormalities in NH racehorses with no clinical signs or history of SLB injury and to establish the cross‐sectional area (CSA) of SLBs in this population.

Study design

Cross‐sectional study using data collected from horses on an NH yard.

Methods

Ultrasonographic examination of forelimb SLBs in 62 horses on a single NH yard was performed. Images were graded according to a previously reported system. CSA measurements were obtained from transverse images.

Results

Nineteen of 62 horses had at least one SLB with grade 2 ultrasonographic abnormalities. Grade 2 ultrasonographic abnormalities occurred more frequently in the medial than the lateral SLB (P = 0.05). The medial SLB insertional CSA was significantly larger (P<0.001) than that of the lateral SLB.

Main limitations

Length of time on the yard (and therefore available veterinary history) is variable in this population.

Conclusions

One in three NH racehorses without history or clinical signs of SLB injury had at least one SLB with a grade 2 ultrasonographic abnormality. The medial branch was over‐represented. The medial SLB insertional CSA is larger than the lateral and thus comparison with the corresponding branch in the contralateral limb is recommended to avoid misdiagnosis of medial SLB enlargement.
Child Characteristics, Parent Education and Depressive Symptoms, and Marital Conflict Predicting Trajectories of Parenting Behavior from Childhood Through Early Adolescence in Taiwan
Authors: Hsieh Yi‐Ping , Dopkins Stright Anne , Yen Lee‐Lan
Published: September 2016

The study examined how child and parent characteristics, and contextual sources of stress, such as marital conflict predict initial status and trajectories of parent involvement, support, and harsh control, over a 4‐year period in families in Taiwan (n = 4,754). Based on Belsky's (1984) ecological model of parenting, three domains predicting parenting were tested, child characteristics (age cohort and gender), father and mother characteristics (education and depressive symptoms), and contextual sources of stress (marital conflict). The study followed two cohorts of children; the younger cohort was followed from first to fourth grade and the older cohort from fourth to seventh grade. Initially, fourth graders reported more parental involvement, support, and harsh control than first graders. However, involvement, support, and harsh control decreased across the 4 years for the older cohort as they transitioned to early adolescence. In the first year, girls reported more parental involvement and support and less harsh control than boys. Across the 4 years, involvement and support increased, and harsh control decreased for boys; whereas involvement stayed the same, support slightly decreased, and harsh control slightly increased for girls. Children whose parents were more educated reported more parent involvement, support, and harsh control in the first year. Children whose fathers were chronically depressed and whose parents were experiencing marital conflict reported decreasing parent involvement and support over the years.
Coeliac disease: immunogenicity studies of barley hordein and rye secalin‐derived peptides
Authors: Wahab Widya A. , Šuligoj Tanja , Ellis Julia , Côrtez‐Real Beatriz , Ciclitira Paul J.
Published: September 2016

Coeliac disease (CD) is an inflammatory disorder of the small intestine. It includes aberrant adaptive immunity with presentation of CD toxic gluten peptides by HLA‐DQ2 or DQ8 molecules to gluten‐sensitive T cells. A ω‐gliadin/C‐hordein peptide (QPFPQPEQPFPW) and a rye‐derived secalin peptide (QPFPQPQQPIPQ) were proposed to be toxic in CD, as they yielded positive responses when assessed with peripheral blood T‐cell clones derived from individuals with CD. We sought to assess the immunogenicity of the candidate peptides using gluten‐sensitive T‐cell lines obtained from CD small intestinal biopsies. We also sought to investigate the potential cross‐reactivity of wheat gluten‐sensitive T‐cell lines with peptic–tryptic digested barley hordein (PTH) and rye secalin (PTS). Synthesised candidate peptides were deamidated with tissue transglutaminase (tTG). Gluten‐sensitive T‐cell lines were generated by culturing small intestinal biopsies from CD patients with peptic–tryptic gluten (PTG), PTH or PTS, along with autologous PBMCs for antigen presentation. The stimulation indices were determined by measuring the relative cellular proliferation via incorporation of 3H‐thymidine. The majority of T‐cell lines reacted to the peptides studied. There was also cross‐reactivity between wheat gluten‐sensitive T‐cell lines and the hordein, gliadin and secalin peptides. PTH, PTS, barley hordein and rye secalin‐derived CD antigen‐sensitive T‐cell lines showed positive stimulation with PTG. ω‐gliadin/C‐hordein peptide and rye‐derived peptide are immunogenic to gluten‐sensitive T‐cell lines and potentially present in wheat, rye and barley. Additional CD toxic peptides may be shared.
A Model of Entrepreneurial Autonomy in Franchised Outlets: A Systematic Review of the Empirical Evidence
Authors: Dada Olufunmilola (Lola)
Published: September 2016

Entrepreneurial autonomy among franchisees is a persistent management challenge. There is a lack of empirical synthesis of its drivers, its consequences, and how it can be integrated with the standardization requirements in franchise systems. Various theoretical and empirical studies have stressed that merging franchisee autonomy with the franchisor's desire for uniformity is extremely difficult. This paper aims to provide a systematic review of the relevant empirical studies in order to identify a range of influences, controls, outcomes and associated moderating and mediating factors that offer a better representation of what contributes to the understanding of franchisee entrepreneurial autonomy. By drawing together findings from a broad range of theoretical perspectives, the evidence was used to develop a comprehensive model of entrepreneurial autonomy in franchised outlets. The model not only provides a structure that brings together prior studies, but also identifies the less researched areas that can advance the management literature on the notion of autonomy in franchising. The research and practitioner implications of the review and its limitations and possible directions for future studies are discussed.
Antigen processing and immune regulation in the response to tumours
Authors: Reeves Emma , James Edward
Published: September 2016

The MHC class I and II antigen processing and presentation pathways display peptides to circulating CD8+ cytotoxic and CD4+ helper T cells respectively to enable pathogens and transformed cells to be identified. Once detected, T cells become activated and either directly kill the infected / transformed cells (CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes) or orchestrate the activation of the adaptive immune response (CD4+ T cells). The immune surveillance of transformed/tumour cells drives alteration of the antigen processing and presentation pathways to evade detection and hence the immune response. Evasion of the immune response is a significant event tumour development and considered one of the hallmarks of cancer. To avoid immune recognition, tumours employ a multitude of strategies with most resulting in a down‐regulation of the MHC class I expression at the cell surface, significantly impairing the ability of CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes to recognize the tumour. Alteration of the expression of key players in antigen processing not only affects MHC class I expression but also significantly alters the repertoire of peptides being presented. These modified peptide repertoires may serve to further reduce the presentation of tumour‐specific/associated antigenic epitopes to aid immune evasion and tumour progression. Here we review the modifications to the antigen processing and presentation pathway in tumours and how it affects the anti‐tumour immune response, considering the role of tumour‐infiltrating cell populations and highlighting possible future therapeutic targets.
Remineralizing potential of a 60‐s in vitro application of Tooth Mousse Plus
Authors: Gopalakrishnan Vaishnavi L. , Anthonappa Robert P. , King Nigel M. , Itthagarun Anut
Published: September 2016

Background

No published studies exist on the remineralizing potential of Tooth Mousse Plus® (TMP) when applied for less than 3 min.

Aim

To evaluate (i) the remineralizing potential of TMP on artificial carious lesions, when applied thrice daily for 60 s, and (ii) the benefit of using a fluoridated dentifrice prior to TMP application.

Design

Carious lesions, 120–200 μm deep, were produced by placing molars in demineralizing solution for 96 h, and sections 100–150 μm thick were then randomly assigned to four groups. Specimens were treated thrice daily with a non‐fluoridated (Group A), or 1000 ppm F dentifrice (Group B), or TMP (Group C), or a 1000 ppm F dentifrice followed by TMP application (Group D), and then subjected to a 10‐day pH cycling model. Lesion evaluation involved polarizing light microscopy and microradiography.

Results

Post‐treatment maximum mineral content at the surface zone (Vmax) was significantly increased and lesion depth (LD) significantly decreased in Group C, while only the Vmax increased in Group D. Increase in LD was observed in Group B; however, no significant differences were noted in percentage LD changes between groups B, C, and D (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

TMP applied for 60 s significantly remineralized the artificial carious lesions. No additional benefit was evident when TMP was preceded by treatment with 1000 ppm F dentifrice.
Nail features in healthy term newborns: a single‐centre observational study of 52 cases
Authors: Chinazzo M. , Lorette G. , Baran R. , Finon A. , Saliba É. , Maruani A.
Published: September 2016

Introduction

The anatomy and embryology of the nail are well known, and nail abnormalities are a feature of many genodermatoses. However, the physiological aspect is not well described. We aimed to analyse the physiological features of nails in healthy newborns.

Methods

We performed an observational, prospective study at University Hospital Center of Tours between July and October 2015. Newborns were included by a dermatologist assistant during the systematic examination on release of the mother from the hospital. The medical history of the mother and infant were recorded by using a standardized questionnaire. Finger‐ and toenails were systematically photographed for a second interpretation by a dermatologist with blinding to the first photograph.

Results

Fifty‐eight patients were eligible, and 52 were included. Half of the newborns were males, and the mean age at inclusion was 3.6 ± 1.2 days. Fingernails had an oval shape (71.1%) or a flat curvature (63.5%), and half had a lunula. Toenails showed an apparent hypertrophy of the proximal nail fold (38.4%) and lateral nail fold (73.1%). The shape of the nails was triangular (50.0%) or round (21.1%). We noted koilonychia in 32.7% of infants and lunula in 7.7%. Distal parts showed onychoschizia (28.8%) and onycholysis (26.9%).

Conclusion

Koilonychia, onychoschizia of toenails or absence of lunula are physiological features of nails in newborns.
Pregnancy and the hair growth cycle: anagen induction against hair growth disruption using Nourkrin® with Marilex®, a proteoglycan replacement therapy
Authors: Thom Erling
Published: September 2016

Postpartum effluvium is a well‐known clinical fact. However, following some minor research activities in the 1960s, very little has happened on the research front of the subject. It was hypothesized that postpartum hair loss might be a manifestation of a change in the hair growth cycle occurring normally during pregnancy. Recently, new research has been published trying to explain the mechanism of action behind this frequently occurring hair growth disruption, and to develop a functional treatment schedule and regime. Under normal circumstances, postpartum effluvium will disappear by itself as a function of time, and therefore adequate information to the patient is important in order to reduce the anxiety that it will not be a permanent problem. However, in some subjects it can manifest itself for longer stages and even become permanent. At the present time, treatments aim at correcting underlying hormonal imbalances and at improving overall cosmetic appearance. Several treatments in the form of thyroid supplementation, topical progesterone and estradiol lotions, and even oral contraceptive have been studied. All the available studies have significant limitations in their scientific basis, such as small sample size, absence of control group, or highly subjective measurement of treatment response. It is evident from the available studies that no specific treatment has been investigated thoroughly enough to justify recommendation in clinical treatment or to be termed “effective.” Without the ability to provide a pathogenic diagnosis or causality criteria, chances are low that a treatment by trial and error will adequately be able to control hair effluvium. Current hair treatment strategies are symptomatic and nonspecific; therefore, future research must aim at developing new and targeted methods with a point of departure in observing concomitant biological mechanisms. Based on the research in the 1960s, current knowledge about the hair follicle and the regulation of the hair cycles, we believe that an anagen inducer in the form of a specific proteoglycan replacement therapy (Nourkrin® with Marilex® from Pharma Medico) could be a proper solution to shorten the hair eclipse phenomenon – and give the patient a feeling of control and empowerment.
COMPETITION BETWEEN EQUITY MARKETS: A REVIEW OF THE CONSOLIDATION VERSUS FRAGMENTATION DEBATE
Authors: Gomber Peter , Sagade Satchit , Theissen Erik , Weber Moritz Christian , Westheide Christian
Published: September 2016

Technological advances and regulatory initiatives have led to the emergence of a competitive, but fragmented, equity trading landscape in several markets around the world. While these changes have coincided with benefits like reduced transaction costs, advancements in trading technology, and access to a diverse array of execution venues, regulators and market participants have also raised concerns about the welfare implications of innovations like dark pools as well as the resulting increase in execution complexity. Exchanges are often viewed as natural monopolies due to the presence of network externalities and economies of scale. However, heterogeneity in traders' preferences means that no single venue can serve the interests of all investors. Fragmentation of the marketplace can be seen as a direct outcome of this heterogeneity. In this paper, we review the theoretical and empirical literature examining the economic arguments and motivations underlying market fragmentation, the resulting implications for liquidity and price efficiency, and the role for public policy. Beyond the concerns for equity markets, the lessons from this literature are relevant for other asset classes experiencing an increase in competition between trading venues.
Implant Rehabilitation Planning Protocol for the Edentulous Patient According to Denture Space, Lip Support, and Smile Line
Authors: Lago Laura , Rilo Benito , Fernández‐Formoso Noelia , DaSilva Luis
Published: September 2016

Rehabilitation with implants is a challenge. Having previous evaluation criteria is key to establishing the best treatment for the patient. In addition to clinical and radiological aspects, the prosthetic parameters must be taken into account in the initial workup, since they allow discrimination between fixed and removable rehabilitation. We present a study protocol that analyzes three basic prosthetic aspects. First, denture space defines the need to replace teeth, tissue, or both. Second, lip support focuses on whether or not to include a flange. Third, the smile line warns of potential risks in esthetic rehabilitation. Combining these parameters allows us to make a decision as to the most suitable type of prosthesis. The proposed protocol is useful for assessing the prosthetic parameters that influence decision making as to the best‐suited type of restoration. From this point of view, we think it is appropriate for the initial approach to the patient. In any case, other considerations of study may amend the proposal.
Prognosis of Indirect Composite Resin Cuspal Coverage on Endodontically Treated Premolars and Molars: An In Vivo Prospective Study
Authors: Dias Maria Carlos Real , Martins Jorge N.R. , Chen André , Quaresma Sérgio André , Luís Henrique , Caramês João
Published: September 2016

Purpose

This prospective clinical study evaluated the success rate of indirect composite resin cuspal coverage on endodontically treated molars and premolars and the survival rate of the restored teeth.

Materials and Methods

One hundred fifty endodontically treated teeth were restored with total resin cuspal coverage and randomly selected for the study. Patients were recalled after 2 to 5 years for clinical evaluation. Data were subjected to standard tests of statistical correlations using Spearman test.

Results

Out of the 150 teeth, 84 were molars and 66 were premolars. Of these teeth, 58.7% had mesio‐occlusal‐distal (MOD) cavities, 20.7% had mesio‐occlusal (MO), and 20.7% had occlusal‐distal (OD). A build‐up procedure was performed in 51.3% of the teeth, and buccal veneer composite resins were placed at the margins of 96.7% of the teeth. Out of the 150 teeth, 30 (20%) presented margin discoloration, 3 teeth (2%) had restoration reparable fractures, 2 teeth (1.3%) had restoration irreparable fractures, and 1 tooth (0.7%) exhibited secondary recurrent caries. The opposing arch that occluded with the treated teeth presented 58% natural teeth (no restoration material), 26.7% ceramic crowns, and 15.3% implant‐supported ceramic crowns. Statistically significant differences (p = 0.018) between irreparable restoration fractures and the type of support material present in the opposing arch were found.

Conclusions

In a period of up to 5 years, the resin cuspal coverage of endodontic treated teeth had a success rate of 96%, while the tooth survival rate was 100%. The type of support material on the opposing arch may influence the longevity of the restoration of endodontically treated teeth.
Labov, sound change, and phonological theory
Authors: Kiparsky Paul
Published: September 2016

Labov's empirical vindication of the neogrammarian hypothesis, his critique of functionalist accounts of sound change, and his formal principles governing vowel shifts, mergers and splits are major contributions towards solving the constraints problem in historical phonology. I explore their implications for phonological theory, and show that they connect with recent developments in Optimality Theory in mutually illuminating ways.
The impact of Labov's contribution to general linguistic theory
Authors: Cornips Leonie , Gregersen Frans
Published: September 2016

The paper first discusses the influence of Labov on certain recent Chomskyan developments, starting from an identification of two radically different readings of the relationship between Labovian variationist sociolinguistics and the dominant theoretical paradigm of the latter half of the 20th century which is Chomskyan theoretical linguistics, i.e. as either a supplement or an alternative. Variation at the level of closely related languages, at the level of the language community, and at the level of the individual, have all been treated by Chomskyans under various headings, thus giving evidence that empirical results stemming from variationist sociolinguistics cannot be ignored. However, the treatment has not led to an integration of variation into Chomskyan theory, nor could it. In the final section we outline what a Labovian materialist alternative to Chomskyan idealism could be. We argue that this calls for a broader definition of sociolinguistics than just variationism and poses demands for both internal integration, viz. of linguistic disciplines, and external integration of the language sciences with evolutionary psychology, anthropology and social history.
The demand for speech pathology services for children: Do we need more or just different?
Authors: Reilly Sheena , Harper Megan , Goldfeld Sharon
Published: September 2016

An inability or difficulty communicating can have a profound impact on a child's future ability to participate in society as a productive adult. Over the past few years the number of interventions for children with speech and language problems has almost doubled; the majority are targeted interventions delivered by speech pathologists. In this paper we examine the distribution of speech pathology services in metropolitan Melbourne and how these are aligned with need as defined by vulnerability in language and social disadvantage. We identified three times as many private sector services compared to public services for the 0–5 year age group. Overall there was poorer availability of services in some of the most vulnerable areas. The profound and long‐term impact of impoverished childhood language, coupled with the considerable limitations on public spending, provide a strong impetus to deliver more equitably distributed speech pathology services.
Biogeographic variability in the physiological response of the cold‐water coral Lophelia pertusa to ocean acidification
Authors: Georgian Samuel E. , Dupont Sam , Kurman Melissa , Butler Adam , Strömberg Susanna M. , Larsson Ann I. , Cordes Erik E.
Published: September 2016

While ocean acidification is a global issue, the severity of ecosystem effects is likely to vary considerably at regional scales. The lack of understanding of how biogeographically separated populations will respond to acidification hampers our ability to predict the future of vital ecosystems. Cold‐water corals are important drivers of biodiversity in ocean basins across the world and are considered one of the most vulnerable ecosystems to ocean acidification. We tested the short‐term physiological response of the cold‐water coral Lophelia pertusa to three pH treatments (pH = 7.9, 7.75 and 7.6) for Gulf of Mexico (USA) and Tisler Reef (Norway) populations, and found that reductions in seawater pH elicited contrasting responses. Gulf of Mexico corals exhibited reductions in net calcification, respiration and prey capture rates with decreasing pH. In contrast, Tisler Reef corals showed only slight reductions in net calcification rates under decreased pH conditions while significantly elevating respiration and capture rates. These differences are likely the result of environmental differences (depth, pH, food supply) between the two regions, invoking the potential for local adaptation or acclimatization to alter their response to global change. However, it is also possible that variations in the methodology used in the experiments contributed to the observed differences. Regardless, these results provide insights into the resilience of L. pertusa to ocean acidification as well as the potential influence of regional differences on the viability of species in future oceans.
Concordance of microsatellite and mitochondrial DNA markers in detecting genetic population structure in the boring giant clam Tridacna crocea across the Indo‐Malay Archipelago
Authors: Hui Min , Nuryanto Agus , Kochzius Marc
Published: September 2016

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is a single, usually non‐recombining locus, and often uniparentally inherited. Therefore, its ability to reveal recent gene flow among populations is usually questioned. In this study, the genetic population structure of 16 populations of Tridacna crocea (n = 366) from the Indo‐Malay Archipelago (IMA) was examined with 10 microsatellite markers and compared to previous studies using mtDNA, in order to test if the revealed population structure was congruent between the two marker systems. The results showed that the genetic population structure revealed by the two marker systems was mostly congruent, with a high correlation between cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and microsatellites. The studied populations could be divided by both marker systems as follows: (i) Eastern Indian Ocean, (ii) Central IMA, and (iii) Western Pacific. Populations in the Central IMA showed high gene flow. However, populations in the Java Sea (Karimunjava, Pulau Seribu) were grouped into a separate cluster by mtDNA analysis, while this grouping was not detected by microsatellites. It was also noteworthy that there is obvious heterozygosity deficiency in most of the populations, which may be caused by null alleles, inbreeding or population expansion. Overall, these results indicate that the mitochondrial COI gene is applicable for population genetic analysis and precise recovery of connectivity patterns of giant clams. Therefore, the combination of mtDNA and nuclear DNA markers can lead to a more complete understanding of population genetics. Moreover, this study is expected to facilitate fully displaying the population genetic structure of giant clams combining with other researchers' results.
Population biology and recruitment of a vulnerable sea cucumber, Stichopus herrmanni, on a protected reef
Authors: Wolfe Kennedy , Byrne Maria
Published: September 2016

Populations of tropical sea cucumbers, harvested for bêche‐de‐mer, are in a perilous state of conservation, yet there remains a paucity of information on the biology of many harvested species. We examined the population biology of the commercially important curryfish, Stichopus herrmanni, across 2 years on Heron Reef, a protected zone in the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) Marine Park. Stichopus herrmanni, a species recently listed as vulnerable to extinction, is a major target species for the fishery operating in the GBR. The size class distribution and density of S. herrmanni were documented for six sites across Heron Reef. There was distinct spatial variation in the size and density of S. herrmanni across sites, with no significant difference between the 2 years. The smallest individuals found were 10 cm long, some of the only juvenile S. herrmanni documented in nature. Juvenile and sub‐adult populations were found along the leeward reef edge of Heron Reef, a habitat characterized by shallow channels of sand between inter‐tidal coral reef and crustose coralline algae (CCA). Juvenile nurseries of sea cucumbers are rarely observed in nature, making this an important observation for understanding the recruitment and population biology of S. herrmanni. The presence of juveniles in the consolidated CCA habitat each year in autumn following the summer spawning period, and the absence of small individuals several months later in spring, suggests an ontogenetic migration or displacement of these individuals to adult habitat. The distribution of larger S. herrmanni suggests intra‐reef connectivity and migration into deeper lagoon areas. This study contributes to understanding the population dynamics of this vulnerable species, a consideration for fisheries management in light of increasing global harvest.
Metabarcoding and metabolome analyses of copepod grazing reveal feeding preference and linkage to metabolite classes in dynamic microbial plankton communities
Authors: Ray Jessica L. , Althammer Julia , Skaar Katrine S. , Simonelli Paolo , Larsen Aud , Stoecker Diane , Sazhin Andrey , Ijaz Umer Z. , Quince Christopher , Nejstgaard Jens C. , Frischer Marc , Pohnert Georg , Troedsson Christofer
Published: September 2016

In order to characterize copepod feeding in relation to microbial plankton community dynamics, we combined metabarcoding and metabolome analyses during a 22‐day seawater mesocosm experiment. Nutrient amendment of mesocosms promoted the development of haptophyte (Phaeocystis pouchetii)‐ and diatom (Skeletonema marinoi)‐dominated plankton communities in mesocosms, in which Calanus sp. copepods were incubated for 24 h in flow‐through chambers to allow access to prey particles (<500 μm). Copepods and mesocosm water sampled six times spanning the experiment were analysed using metabarcoding, while intracellular metabolite profiles of mesocosm plankton communities were generated for all experimental days. Taxon‐specific metabarcoding ratios (ratio of consumed prey to available prey in the surrounding seawater) revealed diverse and dynamic copepod feeding selection, with positive selection on large diatoms, heterotrophic nanoflagellates and fungi, while smaller phytoplankton, including P. pouchetii, were passively consumed or even negatively selected according to our indicator. Our analysis of the relationship between Calanus grazing ratios and intracellular metabolite profiles indicates the importance of carbohydrates and lipids in plankton succession and copepod–prey interactions. This molecular characterization of Calanus sp. grazing therefore provides new evidence for selective feeding in mixed plankton assemblages and corroborates previous findings that copepod grazing may be coupled to the developmental and metabolic stage of the entire prey community rather than to individual prey abundances.
Genetic basis for rapidly evolved tolerance in the wild: adaptation to toxic pollutants by an estuarine fish species
Authors: Nacci Diane , Proestou Dina , Champlin Denise , Martinson John , Waits Eric R.
Published: September 2016

Atlantic killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus) residing in some urban and industrialized estuaries of theUSeastern seaboard demonstrate recently evolved and extreme tolerance to toxic aryl hydrocarbon pollutants, characterized as dioxin‐like compounds (DLCs). Here, we provide an unusually comprehensive accounting (69%) through quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis of the genetic basis forDLCtolerance in killifish inhabiting an urban estuary contaminated withPCBcongeners, the most toxic of which areDLCs. Consistent with mechanistic knowledge ofDLCtoxicity in fish and other vertebrates, the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (ahr2) region accounts for 17% of trait variation; however,QTLon independent linkage groups and their interactions have even greater explanatory power (44%).QTLinterpreted within the context of recently availableFundulusgenomic resources and shared synteny among fish species suggest adaptation via interacting components of a complex stress response network. SomeQTLwere also enriched in other killifish populations characterized asDLC‐tolerant and residing in distant urban estuaries contaminated with unique mixtures of pollutants. Together, our results suggest thatDLCtolerance in killifish represents an emerging example of parallel contemporary evolution that has been driven by intense human‐mediated selection on natural populations.
HOMEODOMAIN PROTEIN 1 is required for jasmonate‐mediated glandular trichome initiation in Artemisia annua
Authors: Yan Tingxiang , Chen Minghui , Shen Qian , Li Ling , Fu Xueqing , Pan Qifang , Tang Yueli , Shi Pu , Lv Zongyou , Jiang Weimin , Ma Ya‐nan , Hao Xiaolong , Sun Xiaofen , Tang Kexuan
Published: September 2016

Glandular trichomes are generally considered biofactories that produce valuable chemicals. Increasing glandular trichome density is a very suitable way to improve the productivity of these valuable metabolites, but little is known about the regulation of glandular trichome formation. Phytohormone jasmonate (JA) promotes glandular trichome initiation in various plants, but its mechanism is also unknown.

By searching transcription factors regulated by JA in Artemisia annua, we identified a novel homeodomain‐leucine zipper transcription factor, HOMEODOMAIN PROTEIN 1 (AaHD1), which positively controls both glandular and nonglandular trichome initiations. Overexpression of AaHD1 in A. annua significantly increased glandular trichome density without harming plant growth. Consequently, the artemisinin content was improved.

AaHD1 interacts with A. annua jasmonate ZIM‐domain 8 (AaJAZ8), which is a repressor of JA, thereby resulting in decreased transcriptional activity. AaHD1 knockdown lines show decreased sensitivity to JA on glandular trichome initiation, which indicates that AaHD1 plays an important role in JA‐mediated glandular trichome initiation.

We identified a new transcription factor that promotes A. annua glandular trichome initiation and revealed a novel molecular mechanism by which a homeodomain protein transduces JA signal to promote glandular trichome initiation. Our results also suggested a connection between glandular and nonglandular trichome formations.
High‐quality reference transcript datasets hold the key to transcript‐specific RNA‐sequencing analysis in plants
Authors: Brown John W. S. , Calixto Cristiane P. G. , Zhang Runxuan
Published: September 2016

Re‐programming of the transcriptome involves both transcription and alternative splicing (AS). Some genes are regulated only at the AS level with no change in expression at the gene level. AS data must be incorporated as an essential aspect of the regulation of gene expression. RNA‐sequencing (RNA‐seq) can deliver both transcriptional and AS information, but accurate methods to analyse the added complexity in RNA‐seq data are needed. The construction of a comprehensive reference transcript dataset (RTD) for a specific plant species, variety or accession, from all available sequence data, will immediately allow more robust analysis of RNA‐seq data. RTDs will continually evolve and improve, a process that will be more efficient if resources across a community are shared and pooled.

Contents

Summary
525

I.
Introduction
525

II.
Transcript‐specific expression quantification using a reference transcript dataset (RTD)
526

III.
Why develop an RTD?
527

IV.
How to create an RTD
527

V.
RTDs for other plant species
529

VI.
Conclusions
529

Acknowledgements
529

References
529
Reconciling concepts of time and person‐centred care of the older person with cognitive impairment in the acute care setting
Authors: Rushton Carole , Nilsson Anita , Edvardsson David
Published: September 2016

The aim of this analysis was to examine the concept of time to rejuvenate and extend existing narratives of time within the nursing literature. In particular, we hope to promote a new trajectory in nursing research and practice which focuses on time and person‐centred care, specifically of older people with cognitive impairment hospitalized in the acute care setting. We consider the explanatory power of concepts such as clock time, process time, fast care, slow care and time debt for elucidating the relationship between ‘good care’ and ‘time use’. We conclude by offering two additional concepts of time, plurotemporality and person‐centred time (PCT) which we propose will help advance of nursing knowledge and practice. Nurse clinicians and researchers can use these alternative concepts of time to explore and describe different temporal structures that honour the patient's values and preferences using experiential, observation‐based nursing research approaches.
Effect of 5% benzocaine gel on relieving pain caused by fixed orthodontic appliance activation. A double‐blind randomized controlled trial
Authors: Eslamian L. , Gholami H. , Mortazavi S. A. R. , Soheilifar S.
Published: September 2016

Structured Abstract

Aim

To compare the effectiveness of 5% benzocaine gel and placebo gel on reducing pain caused by fixed orthodontic appliance activation.

Setting and sample population

Thirty subjects (15–25 years) undergoing fixed orthodontics.

Methods and materials

A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled and cross‐over clinical trial study was conducted. Subjects were asked to apply a placebo gel and 5% benzocaine gel, exchangeable in two consecutive appointments, twice a day for 3 days and mark their level of pain on a VAS scale. The pain severity was evaluated by means of Mann–Whitney U‐test for comparing two gel groups, Kruskal–Wallis nonparametric test for overall differences and post hoc test of Dunnett for paired multiple comparisons. p‐value was assigned <0.05.

Results

The overall mean value of pain intensity for benzocaine and placebo gels was 0.89 and 1.15, respectively. The Mann–Whitney U‐test indicated that there was no significant difference between overall pain in both groups (mean difference = 0.258 p ˂ 0.21). For both groups, pain intensity was significantly lower at 2, 6 and 24 h compared with pain experienced at days 2, 3 and 7.

Conclusion

Benzocaine gel caused a decrease in pain perception at 2 h compared with placebo gel. Peak pain intensity was at 2 h for placebo gel and at 6 h for benzocaine gel, followed by a decline in pain perception from that point to day 7 for both gels.
Calcineurin inhibitor‐ and corticosteroid‐free immunosuppression in pediatric heart transplant patients
Authors: Sierra Caroline M. , Tan Robert , Eguchi Jim , Bailey Leonard , Chinnock Richard E.
Published: September 2016

Pediatric heart transplant patients at our institution are immunosuppressed with a CNI and another immune‐modulating agent without utilizing corticosteroids. Patients whose renal function worsened and who did not respond to CNI minimization had their CNI discontinued. The clinical history of 35 pediatric heart transplant patients with significant renal insufficiency whose CNI was discontinued was retrospectively analyzed. Data including serum creatinine and weight were collected before, at time of, and every 3–6 months after CNI discontinuation. This was used to calculate an eGFR. Cardiac allograft rejection and mortality data were also collected. CNI discontinuation occurred 39 times in 35 patients. The median eGFR significantly increased by 14 mL/min 3 months after CNI discontinuation and the increase continued to be significant (P≤.05) at 5 years. Freedom from rejection analysis showed no difference between graft rejection 2 years before versus after CNI discontinuation (P=.437). No mortality was associated with CNI discontinuation. Immunosuppression free of CNIs and corticosteroids appears to be a safe alternative in pediatric heart transplant patients with significant renal insufficiency. Furthermore, this strategy can significantly reverse renal insufficiency, even late after transplantation.
The Interplay between Information Acquisition and Quality Disclosure
Authors: Guan Xu , Chen Ying‐Ju
Published: September 2016

This study investigates the interactions between a manufacturer's information acquisition and quality disclosure strategies in a supply chain setting in which the manufacturer privately knows his product quality but is uncertain about consumer preferences. We argue that the manufacturer should treat his information acquisition and quality disclosure decisions as an integrated process because these decisions can significantly influence a retailer's rational inferences about product quality and can have conflicting effects on his own profitability. Although information acquisition helps a manufacturer subsequently craft better pricing and quality disclosure strategies, it also leaks certain product information to the retailer, thus helping the retailer better estimate product quality. Therefore, in equilibrium, a manufacturer may choose not to acquire any consumer information, even when such acquisition is costless. Moreover, we find that this adverse effect of acquisition is highly dependent on the cost of disclosure and consumers’ preference differentiation. Increased consumer preference differentiation may have a non‐monotonic relationship with the manufacturer's profit, and information acquisition can become detrimental to the manufacturer once the disclosure cost is sufficiently high.
Operational Risk in Financial Services: A Review and New Research Opportunities
Authors: Xu Yuqian , Pinedo Michael , Xue Mei
Published: September 2016

We present a framework to describe and analyze operational risk in financial services from an operations management perspective, focusing in particular on process design, process management, and human behavior aspects. The financial services industry differs from other service industries in ways that affect the nature of the operational risks it is subject to. In recent decades, many books and papers have focused on operational risk in financial services; however, this literature has focused mainly on the conceptual and statistical aspects of operational risk management and not on its operational aspects. Operational risk in financial services has not received much attention from the operations management community. The framework presented here is based on the premise that operational risk in financial services can reap significant benefits from research done in the theory and practice of operations management in manufacturing industries as well as in other services industries. The objective of this study is to propose particular challenges and questions raised in the practice of operational risk management that may stimulate future research in this particular area of operations management.
Transaction Costs and the Perceived Effectiveness of Complex Institutional Systems
Authors: Lubell Mark , Mewhirter Jack M. , Berardo Ramiro , Scholz John T.
Published: September 2016

This article studies factors affecting how policy actors perceive the effectiveness of political institutions involved in complex water governance systems. The ecology of games framework argues that participants are more likely to perceive institutions as effective when the benefits of solving collective action problems outweigh the transaction costs of developing political contracts within these institutions. The authors hypothesize that transaction costs are a function of conflict, type of participation, political knowledge, scientific knowledge, and actor resources. Survey results suggest that the importance of these different sources of transaction costs varies across study sites in the Tampa Bay watershed in Florida, the Sacramento–San Joaquin River delta in California, and the Paraná River delta in Argentina. Based on the observed differences, some initial ideas are sketched about the evolution of complex governance systems from fairly simple and informal rules and networks to well‐established tapestries of many formal institutions.
Human Interest or Hard Numbers? Experiments on Citizens’ Selection, Exposure, and Recall of Performance Information
Authors: Olsen Asmus Leth
Published: September 2016

The abundance of quantitative performance information has motivated multiple studies about how citizens make sense of “hard” performance data. However, research in psychology emphasizes that episodic information (e.g., case stories) often leaves a greater mark on citizens. This contradiction is tested using multiple experiments embedded in a large, nationally representative sample of Danish citizens. The results stress three differences between statistical and episodic data. Citizens have strong preferences for statistical data when asked to evaluate an organization. However, episodic information has in some instances a stronger impact on citizens’ evaluations of an organization and often is more emotionally engaging than statistics. Finally, when asked to immediately recall recent performance information about public services, citizens report more elaborate information about personalized stories and experiences than about statistics. Overall, the results raise questions about the ability of hard performance data to dominate and crowd out episodic performance information.
Contingent Commissions and the Management of the Independent Agency
Authors: Puelz Robert
Published: September 2016

Insurance agencies continue to exist as an important distribution mechanism because they give their contracting insurers advantages in risk selection and enable insurance applicants to transfer complex risks. While independent agencies are compensated by upfront commissions, a key component of their profitability is tied to contingent commissions. A contingency arrangement represents ex post compensation normally tied to underwriting profitability, volume, and annual growth. We report two actual contingency contracts in the context of a decision process for choosing among contingency offerings by insurers. We incorporate both uncertainty and correlation among key variables to arrive at values for competing contracts, then use a downside risk approach that helps agency owners select the better contract. The approach offered in this article is scalable to a selection problem for any number of contingency arrangements.
Advanced Metering Infrastructure Deployment in the United States: The Impact of Polycentric Governance and Contextual Changes
Authors: Zhou Shan , Matisoff Daniel C.
Published: September 2016

Advanced metering infrastructure provides the first building block in smart grids by empowering customers and utilities with real‐time information regarding energy use. It is a key element in the U.S. government's push for electric grid modernization. Using a panel dataset for 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia over the years 2007–2012, we evaluate the impacts of a polycentric governance system and socioeconomic contexts on states' performance in smart metering deployment. We find that the advanced metering technological change in the United States has been exclusively created by the interdependencies and interactions between different layers of government. High‐tech industry is the only socioeconomic factor that has a negative impact on smart meter deployment, whereas other factors, such as pressures from energy consumers and environmental groups, and electric grid conditions, have negligible impacts.
Mediation of self‐regulation and mood in the relationship of changes in high emotional eating and nutritional behaviors: Moderating effects of physical activity
Authors: Annesi James J. , Mareno Nicole , McEwen Kristin L.
Published: September 2016

High emotional eating (EE) is prevalent in women with obesity. A previous study's subsample of obese women classified as high emotional eaters participated in either a physical activity‐focused experimental (n = 29) or an educationally focused comparison (n = 22) behavioral treatment and was assessed over phases of expected weight loss (baseline–month 6) and short‐ and long‐term regain (months 6–12 and 6–24, respectively). The study's aim was to assess theory‐based psychological and behavioral mediation and moderation of changes in nutritional behaviors via emotional eating change in order to inform behavioral weight‐loss treatments. During the weight‐loss phase, significant improvements in eating self‐regulation and mood significantly mediated the relationship of reduced EE and intake of both fruits and vegetables (FV) and sweets. Self‐regulation was a significant independent mediator. Physical activity significantly moderated the relationship between EE and self‐regulation changes. All variables demonstrated large positive effects and significant time × group interactions favoring the experimental group. During the short and long‐term phases of expected weight regain, there were no significant changes in FV intake, although consumption of sweets significantly increased during months 6–24. Change in FV and sweets significantly predicted weight change, which was significantly greater in the experimental vs. comparison group over both the initial 6 months (−6.1% vs. −2.6%) and full 24 months of the study (−7.6% vs. −1.3%). Findings suggest that behavioral treatments should address EE through improvements in self‐regulation and mood, and supported physical activity will aid in that process. The need for an improved understanding of weight‐loss maintenance remains.