bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating a Couples Group to Enhance Father Involvement in Low‐Income Families Using a Benchmark Comparison
Authors: Cowan Philip A. , Cowan Carolyn Pape , Pruett Marsha Kline , Pruett Kyle , Gillette Peter
Published: June 2014

Following an earlier randomized clinical trial, now with broadened sample criteria, 236 low‐income White, Mexican American, and African American couples participated in 16‐week Supporting Father Involvement couples groups, with assessments at baseline, 2‐, and 13‐months postintervention. Because couples in the earlier control condition experienced no benefits and some declines in adaptation, a control condition was not offered. Data from the original couples groups (n = 96) and controls (n = 98) served as benchmarks for evaluating the current results. Of 11 measures in this study, 10 revealed positive baseline–post 2 changes. Father involvement increased for current couples group participants, though not as much as for benchmark couples group participants: they showed statistically similar positive changes on six measures (decline in parenting stress, stability in couple relationship satisfaction, children's hyperactivity, social withdrawal, psychological symptoms, increased income), and greater positive change on two of three measures (reductions in parents' violent problem solving, children's aggression).
MDM2–MOF–H4K16ac axis contributes to tumorigenesis induced by Notch
Authors: Liu Yan , Xing Zhao‐Bin , Wang Shu‐Qing , Chen Su , Liu Yan‐Kun , Li Yu‐Hui , Li Yu‐Feng , Wang Ya‐Qi , Lu Yang , Hu Wan‐Ning , Zhang Jing‐Hua
Published: June 2014

Identification of the epigenetic mechanisms involved in the transmission of Notch signaling is useful for personalized medicine. We observed that aberrantly high levels of Notch activity resulted in H4K16ac downregulation in hepatocellular carcinoma and breast cancer cell lines and tissues. This downregulated acetylation was a consequence of increased male on the first degradation following the upregulation of full‐length murine double minute 2 in different cancer types. We observed that increases in male on the first could attenuate heterogeneity induced by aberrantly high levels of Notch activity. Our results provide new insights into the analysis and treatment of Notch‐induced hepatocellular carcinoma and breast cancer.
Have old species reached most environmentally suitable areas? A case study withSouthAmerican phyllostomid bats
Authors: de Moraes Weber Marcelo , Stevens Richard D. , Lorini Maria Lucia , Grelle Carlos Eduardo V.
Published: June 2014

Aim

We used ecological niche modelling to test different models explaining the lineage age–area relationship. We hypothesized that lineage age should influence the proportion of potential range unfilled by phyllostomid bat species. We made explicit predictions about possible relationships between the proportion of unfilled potential range and lineage age. Our goal was to analyse empirical data and fit the model that best describes our data.

Location

SouthAmerica.

Methods

We modelled the ecological niche of 49 phyllostomid bat species usingMaxentandSupportVectorMachine (SVM). We calculated the proportion of unfilled potential range as the amount of area outside the current distribution divided by the current distribution (realized range size). Using a dated phylogeny, we regressed the proportion of unfilled potential range on lineage age. To compare our predictions we also regressed realized range size on lineage age.

Results

Unfilled potential range was weakly associated with lineage age. This relationship was an inverse function of lineage age, explaining between 0 and 17% of the proportion of unfilled potential range. Furthermore, the relationship between realized range size and lineage age exhibited a logarithmic function, with lineage age explaining between 13 and 20% of the variation in realized range size.

Main conclusions

Different regression models indicated that old phyllostomid species have smaller unfilled ranges than young species. That is, old species have filled most of the areas that are suitable for them. Furthermore, old species have larger realized ranges than young species. We thus refuted both the lineage age–area and taxon cycle models and lent support to the stasis post‐expansion model. This suggests that bat species can reach most of their potential range rapidly after cladogenesis and such occupation remains more or less constant through time.
Detecting Well Casing Leaks in Bangladesh Using a Salt Spiking Method
Authors: Stahl M.O. , Ong J.B. , Harvey C.F. , Johnson C.D. , Badruzzaman A.B.M. , Tarek M.H. , van Geen A. , Anderson J.A. , Lane J.W.
Published: June 2014

We apply fluid‐replacement logging in arsenic‐contaminated regions of Bangladesh using a low‐cost, down‐well fluid conductivity logging tool to detect leaks in the cased section of wells. The fluid‐conductivity tool is designed for the developing world: it is lightweight and easily transportable, operable by one person, and can be built for minimal cost. The fluid‐replacement test identifies leaking casing by comparison of fluid conductivity logs collected before and after spiking the wellbore with a sodium chloride tracer. Here, we present results of fluid‐replacement logging tests from both leaking and non‐leaking casing from wells in Araihazar and Munshiganj, Bangladesh, and demonstrate that the low‐cost tool produces measurements comparable to those obtained with a standard geophysical logging tool. Finally, we suggest well testing procedures and approaches for preventing casing leaks in Bangladesh and other developing countries.
Tensor Hydraulic Conductivity Estimation for Heterogeneous Aquifers under Unknown Boundary Conditions
Authors: Jiao Jianying , Zhang Ye
Published: June 2014

A physically based inverse method is developed using hybrid formulation and coordinate transform to simultaneously estimate hydraulic conductivity tensors, steady‐state flow field, and boundary conditions for a confined aquifer under ambient flow or pumping condition. Unlike existing indirect inversion techniques, the physically based method does not require forward simulations to assess model‐data misfits. It imposes continuity of hydraulic head and Darcy fluxes in the model domain while incorporating observations (hydraulic heads, Darcy fluxes, or well rates) at measurement locations. Given sufficient measurements, it yields a well‐posed inverse system of equations that can be solved efficiently with coarse grids and nonlinear optimization. When pumping and injection are active, well rates are used as measurements and flux sampling is not needed. The method is successfully tested on synthetic aquifer problems with regular and irregular geometries, different hydrofacies and flow patterns, and increasing conductivity anisotropy ratios. All problems yield stable inverse solutions under increasing head measurement errors. For a given set of observations, inversion accuracy is strongly affected by the conductivity anisotropy ratio. Conductivity estimation is also affected by flow pattern: within a hydrofacies, when Darcy flux component is very small, the corresponding directional conductivity perpendicular to streamlines becomes less identifiable. Finally, inversion is successful even if the location of aquifer boundaries is unknown. In this case, the inversion domain is defined by the location of the measurements.
Microbial Dynamics During and After In Situ Chemical Oxidation of Chlorinated Solvents
Authors: Sutton Nora B. , Atashgahi Siavash , van der Wal Jurgen , Wijn Geert , Grotenhuis Tim , Smidt Hauke , Rijnaarts Huub H.M.
Published: June 2014

In situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) followed by a bioremediation step is increasingly being considered as an effective biphasic technology. Information on the impact of chemical oxidants on organohalide respiring bacteria (OHRB), however, is largely lacking. Therefore, we used quantitative PCR (qPCR) to monitor the abundance of OHRB (Dehalococcoides mccartyi, Dehalobacter, Geobacter, and Desulfitobacterium) and reductive dehalogenase genes (rdh; tceA, vcrA, and bvcA) at a field location contaminated with chlorinated solvents prior to and following treatment with sodium persulfate. Natural attenuation of the contaminants tetrachloroethene (PCE) and trichloroethene (TCE) observed prior to ISCO was confirmed by the distribution of OHRB and rdh genes. In wells impacted by persulfate treatment, a 1 to 3 order of magnitude reduction in the abundances of OHRB and complete absence of rdh genes was observed 21 days after ISCO. Groundwater acidification (pH<3) and increase in the oxidation reduction potential (>500 mV) due to persulfate treatment were significant and contributed to disruption of the microbial community. In wells only mildly impacted by persulfate, a slight stimulation of the microbial community was observed, with more than 1 order of magnitude increase in the abundance of Geobacter and Desulfitobacterium 36 days after ISCO. After six months, regeneration of the OHRB community occurred, however, neither D. mccartyi nor any rdh genes were observed, indicating extended disruption of biological natural attenuation (NA) capacity following persulfate treatment. For full restoration of biological NA activity, additional time may prove sufficient; otherwise addition electron donor amendment or bioaugmentation may be required.
Migraine Headaches and Mood/Anxiety Disorders in the ELSA Brazil
Authors: Goulart Alessandra C. , Santos Itamar S. , Brunoni André R. , Nunes Maria Angélica , Passos Valéria M. , Griep Rosane H. , Lotufo Paulo A. , Benseñor Isabela M.
Published: June 2014

Objective

To describe the relationship between mood/anxiety disorders and migraine headaches emphasizing the frequency of episodes based in a cross‐sectional analysis in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health.

Background

It has been suggested that frequency of migraine headaches can be directly associated with the presence of psychiatric disorders.

Methods

Migraine headaches (International Headache Society criteria) was classified as <1×/month, 1×/month‐1×/week, 2‐6×/week, and daily. Psychiatric disorders using the Clinical Interview Schedule – Revised were classified in 6 categories: common mental (CMD), major depressive (MDD), generalized anxiety (GAD), panic, obsessive‐compulsive (OCD), and mixed anxiety and depressive (MADD) disorders. We performed multivariate logistic models adjusted for age, race, education, marital status, income, and use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

Results

In our sample, 1261 presented definite migraine and 10,531 without migraine headaches (reference). Our main result was an increase in the strength of association between migraine and MDD as frequency of migraine increased for all sample: odds ratio of 2.14 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.33‐3.43) for <1 episode of migraine/month to 6.94 (95% CI 4.20‐11.49) for daily headaches for all sample. Significant associations with migraine were also found for GAD, OCD, MADD, and CMD for total sample: MDD, GAD, OCD, MADD, and CMD for women, and MADD and CMD for men. Among men with daily migraine complaint, we found a significant association between migraine and OCD after correction for multiple comparisons (odds ratio 29.86 [95% CI 4.66‐191.43]). Analyzing probable and definite migraine cases together, we replicated the findings in a lower magnitude.

Conclusions

The increase in migraine frequency was associated with progressively higher frequencies of having mood/anxiety disorders in all samples suggesting for some psychiatric disorders a likely dose‐response effect especially for women.
Evaluation and Treatment of Migraine in the Emergency Department: A Review
Authors: Minen Mia T. , Tanev Kaloyan , Friedman Benjamin W.
Published: June 2014

Head pain is the fifth most common reason for emergency department (ED) visits. It is second only to focal weakness as the most common reason for neurological consultation in the ED. This manuscript reviews how patients with migraine, the most common primary headache disorder for which patients seek medical treatment, are managed in the ED. We discuss existing guidelines for head imaging in patients with migraine, recommended pharmacologic treatments, and current treatment trends. We also review studies evaluating the discharge care of migraine patients in the ED. With the goal of standardizing, streamlining, and optimizing ED‐based migraine care, we offer ideas for future research to improve the evaluation, treatment, and discharge care of patients who present to an ED with acute migraine.
Tumour budding in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma – a systematic review
Authors: Almangush Alhadi , Salo Tuula , Hagström Jaana , Leivo Ilmo
Published: June 2014

Tumour budding is a specific type of invasive growth in carcinomas characterized by invading single tumour cells or small clusters of tumour cells (<5 cells) at the invasive front (IF). It has been documented in numerous publications during the past few decades, but its value as a prognostic marker in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has been analysed only recently. In this review we aimed to address the question of whether or not tumour budding has an impact upon the progression and prognosis of HNSCC. We systematically reviewed the databases of PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science for articles that studied tumour budding in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck region. The search was limited to articles published in the English literature before March 2014. A total of 122 hits were retrieved; however, only five reports met the inclusion criteria. The findings of these reports suggested a strong association between tumour budding and tumour progression, in addition to strong correlation with patient prognosis. Standardization of the scoring method and the risk stratification cut‐off point is necessary before the inclusion of tumour budding in pathological reports during daily practice.
Structural changes in dermal collagen and oxidative stress levels in the skin of Japanese overweight males
Authors: Matsumoto M. , Ibuki A. , Minematsu T. , Sugama J. , Horii M. , Ogai K. , Nishizawa T. , Dai M. , Sato A. , Fujimoto Y. , Okuwa M. , Nakagami G. , Nakatani T. , Sanada H.
Published: June 2014

Synopsis

Objective

It has been reported that obese people have poorly organized dermal collagen structure because of the degradation of collagen fibers, which is caused by an increase in oxidative stress levels associated with the hypertrophy of subcutaneous adipose cells. However, it is unclear whether an increase in oxidative stress levels caused by the accumulation of subcutaneous adipose tissue and a change in the dermal structure also occur in overweight and obese Japanese people. The objectives of this study are to identify structural changes that occur in the dermis and to measure the levels of oxidative stress in Japanese overweight males.

Methods

The overweight group included 43 Japanese male volunteers aged between 25 and 64 years and with a body mass index (BMI) of ≥25 and <30. The control group included 47 male volunteers aged between 22 and 64 years and with BMI of <25. The 20‐MHz Dermascan C® ultrasound scanner with software for image analyses was used. Echogenicity of the upper and lower dermis was measured. The mRNA expression level of heme oxygenase‐1 (HMOX1) in hair follicles was quantitatively analyzed by real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and was used as a marker of oxidative stress. Ultrasonographic imaging and collection of hair follicles were performed at the same site on the thigh, abdomen, and upper arm.

Results

The HMOX1 mRNA expression level in the abdomen and thigh was significantly lower in the overweight group than in the control group. Moreover, the echogenicity of the upper dermis of the abdomen and the lower dermis of the abdomen and thigh was significantly lower in the overweight group than in the control group.

Conclusion

We detected an increase in oxidative stress levels and a decrease in the density of dermal collagen at the same site on the thigh, abdomen, and upper arm of Japanese overweight males. These findings suggest the fragility of the dermis of Japanese overweight males, which might have been caused by the accumulation of subcutaneous adipose tissue.
Leaf Carbon Isotope Discrimination as an Accurate Indicator of Water‐Use Efficiency in Sunflower Genotypes Subjected to Five Stable Soil Water Contents
Authors: Adiredjo A. L. , Navaud O. , Lamaze T. , Grieu P.
Published: June 2014

Leaf carbon isotope discrimination (CID) has been suggested as an indirect tool for breeding for water‐use efficiency (WUE) in various crops. This work focused on assessing phenotypic correlations between WUE and leaf CID and analysing genotypic variability in four sunflower genotypes grown in a greenhouse in pots with five different stable levels of soil water content (SWC). We measured WUE at whole plant and leaf (intrinsic) level. At whole plant level, WUE was derived from the ratio of total dry aerial biomass (BM) to cumulative water transpired (CWT). At leaf level, intrinsic WUE was calculated as the ratio of light‐saturated CO2 assimilation to stomatal conductance (A/gs) in younger expanded leaves. Significant differences among the four genotypes and the five SWCs were observed for whole plant and leaf WUE and CID. Strong negative correlations were observed between whole plant WUE and CID as well as between intrinsic WUE and CID with decreasing water availability. No relationships appeared between BM production and WUE or CID. Our results can help agronomists and breeders to evaluate sunflower lines with high WUE for adaptation to drought conditions and for reducing water consumption and crop water needs. Leaf CID appears to be a pertinent and valuable trait to select sunflower genotypes with high WUE.
Nutritional status and its health‐related factors among older adults in rural and urban areas
Authors: Chen Su‐Hui , Cheng Hsin‐Yi , Chuang Yeu‐Hui , Shao Jung‐Hua
Published: June 2014

Aim

To compare health‐related characteristics, nutrition‐related factors and nutritional status of older adults living in rural and urban counties of Taiwan.

Background

The older adult population of Taiwan is increasing. Furthermore, older people living in rural areas have shorter life expectancy and more chronic diseases than their urban counterparts. However, little is known about the health‐related characteristics, nutrition‐related factors and nutritional status of older adults living in rural and urban areas of Taiwan, limiting nurses' ability to identify and care for older adults at risk of poor nutritional health.

Design

Cross‐sectional, comparative.

Methods

Older adults were randomly selected from names of residents of an adjacent rural and urban area of northern Taiwan and having completing the 2009 health evaluation. From March–July 2010, older adult participants (N = 366) provided data on demographic and health‐related information, nutritional self‐efficacy, health locus of control and nutritional status. Data were analysed by descriptive statistics and compared using chi‐square and t‐test.

Results

Older rural participants had significantly lower educational level, less adequate income, higher medication use, lower scores on self‐rated health status and researcher‐rated health status and lower self‐rated healthy eating status than their urban counterparts. Moreover, rural participants had significantly lower nutritional self‐efficacy, higher chance health locus of control and poorer nutritional status than their urban counterparts.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that nurses should assess older adults living in rural areas for nutritional health and nutrition knowledge. Based on this assessment, nurses should develop easy, practical and accessible nutritional programmes for this population.
Inhibition of infection‐mediated preterm birth by administration of broad spectrum chemokine inhibitor in mice
Authors: Shynlova Oksana , Dorogin Anna , Li Yunqing , Lye Stephen
Published: June 2014

Preterm birth (PTB) is the single most important cause of perinatal and infant mortality worldwide. Maternal infection can result in PTB. We investigated the ability of a Broad Spectrum Chemokine Inhibitor (BSCI) to prevent infection‐induced PTB in mice. PTB was initiated in pregnant mice by intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 50 μg). Half the mice received BSCI (10 mg/kg) 24 hrs prior to and immediately before LPS administration. The impact of LPS alone or LPS plus BSCI was assessed on (i) injection‐to‐delivery interval, foetal survival rate, placental and neonates' weight; (ii) amniotic fluid and maternal plasma cytokine levels (by Luminex assay); foetal and maternal tissue cytokine gene expression levels (by Real‐Time RT‐PCR); (iii) immune cells infiltration into the uterine tissue (by stereological immunohistochemistry). Pre‐treatment with BSCI (i) decreased LPS‐induced PTB (64% versus 100%, P < 0.05); (ii) significantly attenuated cytokine/chemokine expression in maternal tissues (plasma, liver, myometrium, decidua); (iii) significantly decreased neutrophil infiltration in the mouse myometrium. BSCI‐treated mice in which PTB was delayed till term had live foetuses with normal placental and foetal weight. BSCI represents a promising new class of therapeutics for PTB. In a mouse model of preterm labour, BCSI suppresses systemic inflammation in maternal tissues which resulted in the reduced incidence of LPS‐mediated PTB. These data provide support for efforts to target inflammatory responses as a means of preventing PTB.
Evidence that the population of quiescent bone marrow‐residing very small embryonic/epiblast‐like stem cells (VSELs) expands in response to neurotoxic treatment
Authors: Grymula Katarzyna , Tarnowski Maciej , Piotrowska Katarzyna , Suszynska Malwina , Mierzejewska Katarzyna , Borkowska Sylwia , Fiedorowicz Katarzyna , Kucia Magda , Ratajczak Mariusz Z.
Published: June 2014

The concept that bone marrow (BM)‐derived cells may participate in neural regeneration remains controversial, and the identity of the specific cell type(s) involved remains unknown. We recently reported that the adult murine BM contains a highly mobile population of Sca‐1+Lin−CD45− cells known as very small embryonic/epiblast‐like stem cells (VSELs) that express several markers of pluripotency such as Oct‐4. In the BM microenvironment, these cells are kept quiescent because of epigenetic modification of certain paternally imprinted genes. However, as reported, these cells can be mobilized in mice in an experimental model of stroke and express several genes involved in neurogenesis while circulating in peripheral blood (PB). In the current work, we employed a model of toxic brain damage, which is induced by administration of kainic acid, to see not only whether VSELs can be mobilized into PB in response to this neurotoxin, but, more importantly, whether they proliferate and expand in BM tissue. We report here for the first time that brain damage leads to activation and expansion of the BM pool of quiescent VSELs, which precedes their subsequent egress into PB. Harnessing these cells in neural tissue regeneration is currently one of the challenges in regenerative medicine.
Insecure Attachment Behavior and Partner Violence: Incorporating Couple Perceptions of Insecure Attachment and Relational Aggression
Authors: Oka Megan , Sandberg Jonathan G. , Bradford Angela B. , Brown Andrew
Published: June 2014

Intimate partner violence and insecure attachment are therapeutically relevant concepts when working with couples. The link between attachment and intimate partner violence has been examined in the literature, but an area of aggression that often goes unexamined is relational aggression, or using third parties as a means of being aggressive toward a partner. We asked how participants' attachment behaviors were related to their own and partners' relational and physical aggression. We used structural equation modeling to estimate actor–partner interdependence among these relationships in 644 heterosexual couples. Results indicated significant partner paths from attachment to relational aggression, as well as significant actor paths between relational aggression and physical aggression. Implications were discussed. Data for this study were collected from the RELATE assessment.
The Effect of Explicit Communication on pricing: Evidence from the Collapse of a Gasoline Cartel
Authors: Clark Robert , Houde Jean‐François
Published: June 2014

We study the collapse of collusion in Québec's retail gasoline market following a Competition Bureau investigation, and show that it involved two empirical regularities: high margins, and asymmetric price adjustments. Using weekly, station‐level prices we test whether collusion was successful, and whether asymmetric adjustments were part of the cartel's strategy. We do so in the markets targeted by the investigation, and in markets throughout the province with similar pre‐collapse pricing (cyclical markets). Our results suggest that stations in both target and cyclical markets adjusted pricing following the announcement: margins fell (by 30%/15% in target/cyclical markets), and adjustments became more symmetric.
Associations of maternal influences with outdoor play and screen time of two‐year‐olds: Findings from the Healthy Beginnings Trial
Authors: Xu Huilan , Wen Li Ming , Rissel Chris
Published: June 2014

Aim

This study aims to investigate if maternal influences are associated with children's outdoor playtime and screen time at the age of 2 years.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study with 497 first‐time mothers and their children was conducted using the data from the Healthy Beginnings Trial undertaken in Sydney, Australia during 2007–2010. Maternal influences included their own physical activity and screen time, television rules for their child, perceived neighbourhood environment, parental self‐efficacy and parenting style (warmth and hostility). Children's outdoor playtime, screen time and maternal influences were collected through face‐to‐face interviews with participating mothers when the children were 2 years old. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the associations between maternal influences and children's outdoor play and screen time.

Results

Mothers with low levels of parental hostility and high perceived safe outdoor play environment were more likely to have children playing outdoor for ≥2 h/day with adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 2.65 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.68–4.20, P < 0.0001) and AOR 2.44 (95% CI 1.85–3.85, P < 0.0001) respectively. Mothers' own screen time was the sole factor associated with children's screen time (AOR 1.90 (95% CI 1.29–2.81, P = 0.001)).

Conclusion

Different maternal influences were independently associated with children's outdoor play or screen time at an early stage of life. Therefore, different intervention strategies are needed to increase children's outdoor playtime and decrease their screen time.
Generalisability of the inflammatory bowel disease knowledge inventory device to assess disease‐related knowledge in Australian children
Authors: Day Andrew S , Lemberg Daniel A , Nichol Alison , Clarkson Cathy , Otley Anthony R
Published: June 2014

Aim

Disease knowledge may affect disease outcome, adherence to therapy and quality of life in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The IBD knowledge inventory device (IBD‐KID) was specifically developed and validated for children to measure disease‐specific knowledge. The relevance of the IBD‐KID was now determined in an Australian population of children with IBD.

Methods

Twenty children with an established diagnosis of IBD for 2 years or greater, and their parents, were asked to complete the IBD‐KID and the Crohn's and Colitis Knowledge Score (CCKNOW). Twenty children recently diagnosed with IBD completed the IBD‐KID alone, as did three populations of health workers within a paediatric hospital.

Results

Children with longstanding disease scored 12.1 ± 4.6 (from 23 questions) in the IBD‐KID and 13.2 ± 5 (from 30 questions) in the CCKNOW device (P < 0.05). Children had fewer ‘don't know’ answers with the IBD‐KID. Areas of poor knowledge included aspects of IBD therapies and IBD outcome. Recently diagnosed children performed less well than those with longer period of illness (P = 0.03). Parents scored more highly in both scores than their children (16.8 ± 2.7 and 18.1 ± 4.2: P = 0.008). Medical staff had higher scores in the IBD‐KID (19.5 ± 2.1) than did nursing (13.2 ± 2.7) or clerical (7.3 ± 4.1) staff (P < 0.005).

Conclusions

The IBD‐KID provides a reliable and appropriate assessment of disease knowledge in Australian children with IBD and can now be used in activities targeting disease‐related education and as a tool to ascertain where knowledge can be improved in children with IBD.
Rice Bran Expressing a Shrimp Antimicrobial Peptide Confers Delayed Spoilage of Fish Feed and Resistance of Tilapia to Aeromonas hydrophila
Authors: Liu Mei , Wang Baojie , Jiang Keyong , Gong Kui , Sun Shujuan , Wang Lei , Liu Wenzhen , Fu Yaping
Published: June 2014

Penaeidin is an antimicrobial peptide family found in penaeid shrimp. Penaeidin3 has a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity and is most effective against certain bacterial species. In this study, the penaeidin3‐2 gene was cloned from the Chinese shrimp, Fenneropenaeus chinensis. It was then transformed into rice plants using an Agrobacterium‐mediated transformation system. The transformants were verified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) sequencing and real‐time polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) analysis. To evaluate the application of penaeidin3‐2 expressed by rice plants in the feedstock industry and aquaculture practice, the transgenic rice bran was added to fish feed. The proliferation of microbes in the feed was significantly inhibited by the transgenic rice bran. Furthermore, the mortality of tilapias challenged with Aeromonas hydrophila was also significantly reduced when they were fed with the transgenic bran expressing penaeidin3‐2. Their intestinal flora changed when the fish were fed with rice bran expressing the introduced gene for a relatively long period. Fish that survived the challenge had a more intact midgut structure. These results indicate that penaeidin3‐2 expressed in rice plants may possess the ability to modulate the intestinal bacterial community and protect the gut structure from damage.
Large‐scale multivariate analysis reveals sexual dimorphism and geographic differences in theGray's beaked whale
Authors: Thompson K. F. , Ruggiero K. , Millar C. D. , Constantine R. , van Helden A. L.
Published: June 2014

Gray's beaked whales (Mesoplodon grayi) are medium‐sized odontocete (toothed) cetaceans that are members of the family Ziphiidae. These animals inhabit deep oceanic waters and are rarely seen at sea. Most information is derived from stranded animals and there has been no systematic study of their morphology. We present a multivariate analysis of the morphology ofGray's beaked whales using 80 cranial measurements from 22 individuals and 13 external measurements from 50 individuals. Sparse principal component and linear discriminant function analyses were used to classify samples into sexes. Males and females have markedly different cranial morphology. In particular, females have longer skulls with longer more slender rostra (beaks) in comparison to males. Two variables, depth of the rostrum at mid‐length and tip of rostrum to the right temporal fossa, can classify sex with 100% accuracy. The external body measurements used in this study are more prone to error as they were recorded by a number of observers on carcasses in differing states of decomposition and this is reflected in the level of variance in most measurements. However, analyses of these measurements showed a significant difference between sexes in the distance between (1) the tip of the rostrum to the genital slit, (2) the tip of the rostrum to the blowhole, as found in the cranial analyses and (3) tail fluke width where males have absolutely wider tail flukes than females. Differences in these same measurements were also found between animals stranded on the east and west coasts suggesting a degree of population separation across New Zealand. Finally, we present two linear models that enable the assignment of sex from either skull or external measurements. These models will be useful for future studies as well as the management of these whales and can be applied to archived data where genetic sex assignment is not possible.
Oral histories in meteoritics and planetary science—XXIV: William K. Hartmann
Authors: Sears Derek W. G.
Published: June 2014

In this interview, William Hartmann (Bill, Fig. ) describes how he was inspired as a teenager by a map of the Moon in an encyclopedia and by the paintings by Chesley Bonestell. Through the amateur journal “Strolling Astronomer,” he shared his interests with other teenagers who became lifelong colleagues. At college, he participated in Project Moonwatch, observing early artificial satellites. In graduate school, under Gerard Kuiper, Bill discovered Mare Orientale and other large concentric lunar basin structures. In the 1960s and 1970s, he used crater densities to study surface ages and erosive/depositional effects, predicted the approximately 3.6 Gyr ages of the lunar maria before the Apollo samples, discovered the intense pre‐mare lunar bombardment, deduced the youthful Martian volcanism as part of the Mariner 9 team, and proposed (with Don Davis) the giant impact model for lunar origin. In 1972, he helped found (what is now) the Planetary Science Institute. From the late 1970s to early 1990s, Bill worked mostly with Dale Cruikshank and Dave Tholen at Mauna Kea Observatory, helping to break down the Victorian paradigm that separated comets and asteroids, and determining the approximately 4% albedo of comet nuclei. Most recently, Bill has worked with the imaging teams for several additional Mars missions. He has written three college textbooks and, since the 1970s, after painting illustrations for his textbooks, has devoted part of his time to painting, having had several exhibitions. He has also published two novels. Bill Hartmann won the 2010 Barringer Award for impact studies and the first Carl Sagan Award for outreach in 1997.

William K. Hartmann taken 2010 Aug 2 (Photo: Gayle Hartmann).

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Physiological benefits of exercise in pre‐dialysis chronic kidney disease
Authors: Gould Douglas W , Graham‐Brown Matthew PM , Watson Emma L , Viana João L , Smith Alice C
Published: June 2014

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is strongly associated with cardiovascular disease and muscle wasting, arising from numerous factors associated with declining renal function and lifestyle factors. Exercise has the ability to impact beneficially on the comorbidities associated with CKD and is accepted as an important intervention in the treatment, prevention and rehabilitation of other chronic diseases, however, the role of exercise in CKD is overlooked, with the provision of rehabilitation programmes well behind those of cardiology and respiratory services. Whilst there is now a large evidence base demonstrating the efficacy and safety of exercise training interventions in patients receiving dialysis, and this is now becoming incorporated into clinical guidelines for treatment of dialysis patients, there is a paucity of research evaluating the effectiveness of exercise in patients with CKD who are not on dialysis. Despite this, existing studies indicate that exercise can improve physical functioning and impact positively on the mediators of co‐morbid diseases and upstream factors associated with progression of renal disease. Although preliminary evidence appears positive, more research is required to identify the best modes, frequency and intensities of exercise in order to optimise exercise prescription in pre‐dialysis CKD patients. This review summarizes what is known about the main effects of exercise in pre‐dialysis CKD patients, discusses the potential of exercise in the rehabilitation and treatment of disease and highlights the need for further research.
Predation risk in tadpole populations shapes behavioural responses of prey but not strength of trait‐mediated indirect interactions
Authors: Carlson Bradley E. , Langkilde Tracy
Published: June 2014

Prey animals often respond to predators by reducing activity levels. This can produce a trait‐mediated indirect interaction (TMII) between predators and prey resources, whereby reduced foraging by prey in the presence of a predator causes an increase in prey resources. TMIIs play important roles in structuring communities, and it is important to understand factors that determine their strength. One such influence may be behavioural variation in the prey species, with indirect effects of predators being stronger within populations that are more responsive to the presence of a predator. We tested 1) whether the behavioural responsiveness of populations of wood frog tadpoles to predator cues was related to the predation risk in their native ponds, and 2) whether more responsive tadpoles yielded stronger TMIIs. To do this, we 1) measured the activity of tadpoles from 18 populations in mesocosms with and without caged predators, and 2) measured changes in the biomass of periphyton (the tadpoles’ diet) between predator treatments for each population. We found that tadpoles from higher predation risk ponds reduced their time outside refuges more in the presence of predators and tended to move less when visible, suggesting possible local adaptation to predation regimes. Though the presence of predators generally resulted in higher periphyton biomass – a TMII – there was no evidence that the strength of this TMII was affected by variation in tadpole behaviour. Foraging activity and general activity may be decoupled to some extent, enabling high predation risk‐adapted tadpoles to limit the fitness costs of reduced foraging when predators are present.
Quantitative predictions of pollinators’ abundances from qualitative data on their interactions with plants and evidences of emergent neutrality
Authors: Fort Hugo
Published: June 2014

Making quantitative predictions of the effects of human activities on ecological communities is crucial for their management. In the case of plant–pollinator mutualistic networks, despite the great progress in describing the interactions between plants and their pollinators, the capability of making quantitative predictions is still lacking. Here, in order to estimate pollinator species abundances and their niche distribution, I propose a general method to transform a plant–pollinator network into a competition model between pollinator species. Competition matrices were obtained from ‘first principles’ calculations, using qualitative interaction matrices compiled for a set of 38 plant–pollinator networks. This method is able to make accurate quantitative predictions for mutualistic networks spanning a broad geographic range. Specifically, the predicted biodiversity metrics for pollinators – species relative abundances, Shannon equitability and Gini–Simpson indices – agree quite well with those inferred from empirical counts of visits of pollinators to plants. Furthermore, this method allows building a one‐dimensional niche axis for pollinators in which clusters of generalists are separated by specialists thus rendering support to the theory of emergent neutrality. The importance of interspecific competition between pollinator species is a controversial and unresolved issue, considerable circumstantial evidence has accrued that competition between insects does occur, but a clear measure of its impact on their species abundances is still lacking. I contributed to fill this gap by quantifying the effect of competition between pollinators. Particular applications of our analysis could be to estimate the quantitative effects of removing a species from a community or to address the fate of populations of native organisms when foreign species are introduced to ecosystems far beyond their home range.
Disruption of heterotypic community development by Porphyromonas gingivalis with small molecule inhibitors
Authors: Wright C.J. , Wu H. , Melander R.J. , Melander C. , Lamont R.J.
Published: June 2014

Porphyromonas gingivalis is one of the main etiological organisms in periodontal disease. On oral surfaces P. gingivalis is a component of multispecies biofilm communities and can modify the pathogenic potential of the community as a whole. Accumulation of P. gingivalis in communities is facilitated by interspecies binding and communication with the antecedent colonizer Streptococcus gordonii. In this study we screened a library of small molecules to identify structures that could serve as lead compounds for the development of inhibitors of P. gingivalis community development. Three small molecules were identified that effectively inhibited accumulation of P. gingivalis on a substratum of S. gordonii. The structures of the small molecules are derived from the marine alkaloids oroidin and bromoageliferin and contain a 2‐aminoimidazole or 2‐aminobenzimidazole moiety. The most active compounds reduced expression of mfa1 and fimA in P. gingivalis, genes encoding the minor and major fimbrial subunits, respectively. These fimbrial adhesins are necessary for P. gingivalis co‐adhesion with S. gordonii. These results demonstrate the potential for a small molecular inhibitor‐based approach to the prevention of diseases associated with P. gingivalis.
The Influence of Accounting Information Disclosed under GASB Statement No. 34 on Municipal Bond Insurance Premiums and Credit Ratings
Authors: Benson Earl D. , Marks Barry R.
Published: June 2014

This paper examines the impact of accounting information on first the cost of municipal bond insurance and secondly on the credit rating awarded on municipal debt, using data disclosed under Statement No. 34 of the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB 34) for insured general obligation debt issued by Texas cities. It finds that both governmental fund and government‐wide financial information is related to the cost of municipal bond insurance and the credit rating on municipal debt. The paper also shows that the utilization of accounting information by bond insurers is not identical to its use by a bond rating agency.
A Descriptive Analysis of State Government Debt‐Related Derivatives Policies
Authors: Singla Akheil , Luby Martin J.
Published: June 2014

The increasing use of debt‐related derivatives over the last 10 years, combined with the recent global financial crisis' impact on these instruments, greatly affected the finances of many state and local governments in the United States. Some observers believe the negative effects could have been minimized had governments established prudent financial risk management policies governing these products. This research describes and analyzes debt‐related derivatives policies at the state level. It finds that while 30 states used debt‐related derivatives between 2005 and 2010, only 20 states have policies guiding financial derivative practices, with the policies being of varying breadth and depth.
Local Sales Taxes as a Means of Increasing Revenues and Reducing Property Tax Burdens: An Analysis Using Propensity Score Matching
Authors: Afonso Whitney B.
Published: June 2014

In keeping with previous literature, local option sales taxes (LOSTs) are shown to reduce property tax burdens as well as increase own source revenue, although the magnitude is larger than previously estimated. This article advances the literature by using more sophisticated econometric techniques to minimize self‐selection bias concerns. It also addresses some of the lingering questions from previous studies. Using county data from 35 states over the time period of 1983–2004, counties with LOSTs are matched to counties that have the same estimated propensity to adopt a LOST but are precluded by their states from doing so.
Identification of primary and secondary metabolites with phosphorus status‐dependent abundance in Arabidopsis, and of the transcription factor PHR1 as a major regulator of metabolic changes during phosphorus limitation
Authors: PANT BIKRAM‐DATT , PANT POOJA , ERBAN ALEXANDER , HUHMAN DAVID , KOPKA JOACHIM , SCHEIBLE WOLF‐RÜDIGER
Published: June 2014

Massive changes in gene expression occur when plants are subjected to phosphorus (P) limitation, but the breadth of metabolic changes in these conditions and their regulation is barely investigated. Nearly 350 primary and secondary metabolites were profiled in shoots and roots of P‐replete and P‐deprived Arabidopsis thaliana wild type and mutants of the central P‐signalling components PHR1 and PHO2, and microRNA399 overexpresser. In the wild type, the levels of 87 primary metabolites, including phosphorylated metabolites but not 3‐phosphoglycerate, decreased, whereas the concentrations of most organic acids, amino acids, nitrogenous compounds, polyhydroxy acids and sugars increased. Furthermore, the levels of 35 secondary metabolites, including glucosinolates, benzoides, phenylpropanoids and flavonoids, were altered during P limitation. Observed changes indicated P‐saving strategies, increased photorespiration and crosstalk between P limitation and sulphur and nitrogen metabolism. The phr1 mutation had a remarkably pronounced effect on the metabolic P‐limitation response, providing evidence that PHR1 is a key factor for metabolic reprogramming during P limitation. The effects of pho2 or microRNA399 overexpression were comparatively minor. In addition, positive correlations between metabolites and gene transcripts encoding pathway enzymes were revealed. This study provides an unprecedented metabolic phenotype during P limitation in Arabidopsis.
Eosinophilic granuloma of the sternum in a child treated with closed biopsy
Authors: Kontogeorgakos Vasileios A , Papachristou Dionysios J , Malizos Konstantinos N
Published: June 2014

Langerhans cell histiocytosis is a rare neoplastic proliferative disorder of the Langerhans cells. The clinical course is variable, ranging from a low symptomatic single bone lesion to fatal multiple organ involvement. Rarely, the sternum can be the first and single location of the disease. We report on a 12‐year‐old boy who presented with an aggressive lytic lesion of the proximal sternum associated with local pain and afternoon fever. Histopathological analysis of the closed biopsy specimen indicated eosinophilic granuloma of bone/Langerhans cell histiocytosis. Soon after the biopsy procedure the pain and fever subsided. Computed tomography at 2 months showed healing of the lytic lesion. The patient received no other type of treatment. At 2 year follow up he was symptom and disease free.
Hypoplastic left heart syndrome in PAGOD syndrome
Authors: Takahashi Kazuhiro , Miyake Akira , Nakayashiro Mami
Published: June 2014

Chromosomal abnormalities as well as non‐cardiac anomalies have been identified as independent risk factors for surgical morbidity and mortality in Fontan palliation. The combination of malformations consisting of pulmonary hypoplasia, agonadism (sex reversal), omphalocele, and diaphragmatic defect is compatible with pulmonary artery and lung hypoplasia, agonadism, omphalocele, and diaphragmatic defect (PAGOD). Most cases have been associated with cardiac disease, particularly hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) that is potentially destined for Fontan palliation. Reported herein is the case of a Japanese female infant diagnosed with PAGOD syndrome along with HLHS (mitral atresia and aortic atresia), in whom intractable respiratory failure manifested as bilateral eventration of the diaphragm and presumed right lung hypoplasia. These characteristic pulmonary lesions associated with the syndrome precluded use of the Fontan pathway.
Hereditary spherocytosis diagnosed with the eosin‐5′‐maleimide binding test
Authors: Watanabe Toru , Ono Hiroyuki , Tajima Iwao , Ishigaki Hidetoshi , Hakamata Akio , Shirai Masami , Endoh Akira , Hongo Teruaki
Published: June 2014

We describe three cases of hereditary spherocytosis (HS) diagnosed using the eosin‐5′‐maleimide (EMA) binding test and discuss the relevance of the EMA binding test. In Japan, this test is not widely used because the prevalence of HS is low. This test is a valuable screening test for the diagnosis of HS.