bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improving access to supportive cancer care through an eHealth application: a qualitative needs assessment among cancer survivors
Authors: Lubberding Sanne , van Uden‐Kraan Cornelia F , Te Velde Elisabeth A , Cuijpers Pim , Leemans C René , Verdonck‐de Leeuw Irma M
Published: February 2015

Aims and objectives

To gain insight into cancer survivors' needs towards an eHealth application monitoring quality of life and targeting personalised access to supportive care.

Background

Supportive care in cancer addresses survivors' concerns and needs. However, many survivors are not taking advantage of supportive care provided. To enable cancer survivors to benefit, survivors' needs must be identified timely and effectively. An eHealth application could be a solution to meet patients' individual supportive care needs.

Design

A qualitative approach.

Methods

Thirty cancer survivors (15 head and neck and 15 breast cancer survivors) participated. The majority were female (n = 20·67%). The mean age was 60 (SD 8·8) years. Mean time interval since treatment was 13·5 months (SD 10·5). All interviews were audio‐recorded and transcribed verbatim. During the interviews, participants were asked about their unmet needs during follow‐up care and a potential eHealth application. Data were analyzed independently by two coders and coded into key issues and themes.

Results

Cancer survivors commented that they felt unprepared for the post‐treatment period and that their symptoms often remained unknown to care providers. Survivors also mentioned a suboptimal referral pattern to supportive care services. Mentioned advantages of an eHealth application were as follows: insight into the course of symptoms by monitoring, availability of information among follow‐up appointments, receiving personalised advice and tailored supportive care.

Conclusions

Cancer survivors identified several unmet needs during follow‐up care. Most survivors were positive towards the proposed eHealth application and expressed that it could be a valuable addition to follow‐up cancer care.

Relevance to clinical practice

Study results provide care providers with insight into barriers that impede survivors from obtaining optimal supportive care. This study also provides insight into the characteristics needed to design, build and implement an eHealth application targeting personalised access to supportive care from the survivors' perspective. Future studies should address the viewpoints of care providers, and investigate the usability of the eHealth application prototype to facilitate implementation.
Impact of Apolipoprotein E4 Polymorphism on the Gray Matter Volume and the White Matter Integrity in Subjective Memory Impairment without White Matter Hyperintensities: Voxel‐Based Morphometry and Tract‐Based Spatial Statistics Study under 3‐Tesla MRI
Authors: Lee Young‐Min , Ha Ji‐Kyung , Park Je‐Min , Lee Byung‐Dae , Moon EunSoo , Chung Young‐In , Kim Ji‐Hoon , Kim Hak‐Jin , Mun Chi‐Woong , Kim Tae‐Hyung , Kim Young‐Hoon
Published: February 2015

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to compare gray matter (GM) volume and white matter (WM) integrity in Apolipoprotein E4 (ApoE ε4) carriers with that of ApoE ε4 noncarriers using the voxel‐based morphometry and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to investigate the effect of the ApoE ε4 on brain structures in subjective memory impairment (SMI) without white matter hyperintensities (WMH).

METHODS

Altogether, 26 participants with SMI without WMH were finally recruited from the Memory impairment clinics of Pusan National University Hospital in Korea. All participants were ApoE genotyped (ApoE ε4 carriers: n = 13, matched ApoE ε4 noncarriers: n = 13) and underwent 3‐tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) including 3‐dimensional volumetric images for GM volume and DTI for WM integrity.

RESULTS

ApoE ε4 carriers compared with noncarriers in SMI without WMH showed the atrophy of GM in inferior temporal gyrus, inferior parietal lobule, anterior cingulum, middle frontal gyrus, and precentral gyrus and significantly lower fractional anisotropy WM values in the splenium of corpus callosum and anterior corona radiate.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that the ApoE ε4 is associated with both atrophy of GM volume and disruption of WM integrity in SMI without WMH.
Middle Cerebral Artery Residual Contrast Stagnation on Noncontrast CT Scan Following Endovascular Treatment in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients
Authors: Payabvash Seyedmehdi , Qureshi Mushtaq H. , Taleb Shayandokht , Pawar Swaroop , Qureshi Adnan I.
Published: February 2015

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

We evaluated the relationship between middle cerebral artery (MCA) residual contrast stagnation on immediate postprocedural noncontrast CT scan and intraparenchymal hemorrhage (IPH) after endovascular treatment in acute ischemic stroke patients.

METHODS

The clinical and imaging data from patients with acute unilateral MCA M1 occlusion who underwent endovascular treatment over a 3.5‐year period were reviewed. Bilateral M1 segments were selected on the first postangiography CT scan, and average attenuation was determined in Hounsfield units (HU); the difference between average HU values was calculated. Postprocedural CT scans were also evaluated for presence of IPH, defined as hyperdensity persisting on follow‐up CT scans obtained >24‐hours postprocedure.

RESULTS

Of 80 patients included in our series; 10/80 developed IPH on immediate postprocedural CT scan. Patients with IPH had a higher (ipsilateral‐contralateral) M1 residual attenuation difference (P < .001). An average ipsilateral M1 attenuation which was ≥5 HU greater than contralateral artery had a 3.8 times increase in relative risk of IPH (95% confidence interval: 2‐7.1).

CONCLUSION

On immediate postprocedural noncontrast CT scan of stroke patients with acute MCA M1 occlusion after endovascular treatment, higher residual contrast stagnation in the affected MCA, compared to contralateral artery, is associated with an increased risk of IPH.
Noninvasive Qureshi Grading Scheme Predicts 90‐Day mRS in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Shin Dong‐Ick , Lee Hyung‐Suk , Baek Shin‐Hye , Lee Sang‐Soo , Lee Sung Hyun , Saver Jeffrey L. , Liebeskind David S.
Published: February 2015

BACKGROUND

The Qureshi grading scheme is an effective classification system for evaluating the severity of acute arterial occlusion. However, this scheme is of limited utility because it is based on invasive angiography. In this study, we assessed whether a relationship between a noninvasive Qureshi score, based on magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) or computed tomography angiography (CTA), and 90‐day functional outcome could be observed in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

METHODS

A stroke neurologist evaluated all patients with acute ischemic stroke who presented to the emergency room within 12 hour of symptom onset. Two neurologists independently assessed the noninvasive Qureshi score from initial MRA or CTA. We assessed the relationship between the noninvasive Qureshi grading scheme and clinical outcome on day 90.

RESULTS

Of a total 125 patients, 75 underwent MRA and 50 underwent CTA. Interobserver reliability showed good agreement (κ = .62). The noninvasive Qureshi score for MRA or CTA and that for CTA alone were directly associated with a good 90‐day functional outcome (odds ratio, .672; P = .016 and odds ratio, .511; P = .042).

CONCLUSIONS

The noninvasive Qureshi scheme using MRA or CTA provides meaningful information about long‐term functional outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke.
Bioprospecting of Saprobe Fungi from the Semi‐Arid North‐East of Brazil for the Control of Anthracnose on Sorghum
Authors: Resende Renata Sousa , Milagres Cristiane Aparecida , Rezende Danielle , Aucique‐Perez Carlos Eduardo , Rodrigues Fabrício Ávila
Published: February 2015

Anthracnose, caused by the hemiotrophic fungus Colletotrichum sublineolum, is one of the most important diseases affecting sorghum production worldwide. The main goal of this study was to select saprobe fungi from the semi‐arid north‐east of Brazil that could increase sorghum resistance to anthracnose and investigate this increased resistance at both physiological and biochemical levels. Plants were sprayed with Curvularia inaequalis, Gonytrichum macroladum, Memnoniella levispora, Pithomyces chartarum, Periconia hispidula, Phaeoisaria clematidia, Dictyochaeta heteroderae, Sarcopodium circinatum, Periconia byssoides, Moorella speciosa, Stachybotrys chartarum, Pseudobotrytis terrestres, Memnoniella echinata, Stachybotrys globosa and Gonytrichum clamydosporium 24 h before inoculation with C. sublineolum. Plants sprayed with water served as the control treatment. The area under the anthracnose progress curve was significantly reduced in comparison with the control treatment only for plants sprayed with C. inaequalis. Therefore, C. inaequalis was selected for physiological and biochemical evaluations. The peroxidases, chitinases and β‐1,3‐glucanases activities were significantly higher for plants sprayed with C. inaequalis and inoculated with C. sublineolum than for plants not sprayed with C. inaequalis and inoculated with C. sublineolum. There was no apparent decrease in the values of net carbon assimilation rate, stomatal conductance to water vapour or transpiration rate for plants sprayed with C. inaequalis and infected by C. sublineolum in comparison with plants not sprayed with C. inaequalis and infected by C. sublineolum. In conclusion, sorghum resistance against C. sublineolum infection was greatly potentiated by C. inaequalis without any apparent change in the photosynthetic capacity of the infected plants.
Chikusetsu saponin IVa regulates glucose uptake and fatty acid oxidation: implications in antihyperglycemic and hypolipidemic effects
Authors: Li Yuwen , Zhang Tiejun , Cui Jia , Jia Na , Wu Yin , Xi Miaomiao , Wen Aidong
Published: February 2015

Objectives

The aim of this study is to investigate antidiabetic effects and molecular mechanisms of the chemical Chikusetsu saponin IVa (CHS) that isolated from root bark of Aralia taibaiensis, which has multiple pharmacological activity, such as relieving rheumatism, promoting blood circulation to arrest pain and antidiabetic action.

Methods

Rats with streptozotocin/nicotinamide-induced type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and insulin-resistant myocytes were used. Adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase were quantified by immunoblotting. Assays of glucose uptake, fatty acid oxidation, glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) translocation and carnitine palmitoyl transferase-1 (CPT-1) activity were performed.

Key findings

Chronic oral administration of CHS effectively decreases blood glucose, triglyceride, free fatty acid (FFA) and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels in T2DM rats. In both normal and insulin-resistant C2C12 myocytes, CHS activates AMPK, and increases glucose uptake or fatty acid oxidation through enhancing membrane translocation of GLUT4 or CPT-1 activity respectively. Knockdown of AMPK significantly diminishes the effects of CHS on glucose uptake and fatty acid oxidation.

Conclusions

CHS is a novel AMPK activator that is capable of bypassing defective insulin signalling and could be useful for the treatment of T2DM or other metabolic disorders.
Whose Innovation Performance Benefits More from External Networks: Entrepreneurial or Conservative Firms?
Authors: Baker William E. , Grinstein Amir , Harmancioglu Nukhet
Published: February 2015

The primary contribution of this research is positing and empirically supporting the proposition that learning through external networks disproportionately benefits conservative, risk‐averse firms. The construct, entrepreneurial orientation (EO), is used to discriminate conservative, risk‐averse firms from proactive, risk‐seeking firms. Organizational learning theory and social capital theory are employed to support our hypotheses. Based on a study of 1978 U.S. firms, the paper suggests that the utilization of external networks (i.e., the process of learning from information, perspectives, and insights embedded in external networks) may act as a primary driver for innovation for those firms that are either not inclined and/or do not have the capabilities to adopt entrepreneurial culture. Specifically, weak EO firms' innovation performance benefits from utilizing external networks more than strong EO firms'. This research also tests for the moderating role of firm size and finds that the negative moderating effect of EO on the external network utilization–innovation performance relationship is more pronounced in small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) than large firms.
Degradation parameters of amaranth, barley and quinoa in alpacas fed grass hay
Authors: Nilsen B. , Johnston N. P. , Stevens N. , Robinson T. F.
Published: February 2015

This study was conducted to determine the compartment 1 (C1) characteristics of alpacas (fistulated male, 7 ± 1.5 years old, 61 ± 5 kg BW) fed grass hay (GH) supplemented with amaranth (AM), quinoa (Q) and barley (B) grains. Alpacas were provided water ad libitum while housed in metabolism crates. The GH and GH plus treatments were fed at 0700 every day. Treatment periods were for 14 days in which GH or GH plus one of the grain treatments were randomly allocated. On day 14, volatile fatty acids (VFA), pH and ammonia nitrogen (NH3‐N) were determined at 1, 3, 6, 10, 14, 18 and 24 h post‐feeding. C1 degradation of each feed component was also determined with the alpacas being fed GH only and the samples incubated for 0, 2, 4, 8, 14, 24, 48 and 72 h. Dry matter (DM), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and crude protein (CP) were determined and were divided into three categories: a = immediately soluble; b = the non‐soluble but degradable; and u = non‐degradable/unavailable, potential extent of degradation (PE), degradation rate (c) and effective degradation (ED). C1 passage rate was determined using acid detergent insoluble ash as a marker and was calculated to be 5.5%∙h‐1. Total DM intake was highest (p < 0.05) for B and resulted in a higher (p < 0.05) CP intake. GH and AM were different in mean pH (6.81 and 6.66, respectively). B NH3‐N was greater (p < 0.05) than the other treatments. Total VFA was greatest (p < 0.05) for AM, with the greatest composition differences being a shift form acetate percentage to butyrate. DM, NDF and CP degradation was different across the treatments, where PE and ED were higher (p < 0.05) for the grain treatments. The pseudo‐grains AM and Q had similar C1 degradation characteristics to B.
Feeding obese dogs during weight loss is on average cost‐neutral
Authors: German A. J. , Luxmore J. , Holden S. L. , Morris P. J. , Biourge V.
Published: February 2015

OBJECTIVES

The cost of feeding a purpose‐formulated weight loss diet may deter owners of obese dogs from proceeding with a weight loss programme. The current study aimed to compare average food costs during weight loss with those before weight loss.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Average daily food costs, for before and during weight loss, were calculated in 22 obese dogs that had successfully completed weight management.

RESULTS

The median food cost before weight loss was £0 · 52/day (£0 · 24–3 · 31/day), for main meal only, and £0 · 64/day (£0 · 26–3 · 31/day) for main meal and additional food (table scraps and treats). The median food cost during weight loss was £0 · 90/day (£0 · 26–1 · 36/day), and no additional food was given. The average daily feeding costs during weight loss did not differ from pre‐weight‐loss costs, either with (P = 0 · 425) or without (P = 0 · 222) the additional food included.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Knowledge that average diet costs do not significantly differ from food costs prior to weight loss may help veterinarians to persuade owners to enrol obese dogs in a weight management programme.
Cushion plants can have a positive effect on diversity at high elevations in the Himalayan Hengduan Mountains
Authors: Chen Jianguo , Schöb Christian , Zhou Zhuo , Gong Qiangbang , Li Xinhui , Yang Yang , Li Zhimin , Sun Hang
Published: February 2015

Questions

What is the community‐level consequence of biotic processes, in particular the importance of facilitation, in determining patterns of diversity in alpine plant communities of the Himalayan Hengduan Mountains? Does facilitation intensity change with environmental severity, and are these changes due to environmental severity or nurse trait effects?

Location

Eleven alpine plant communities dominated by cushion plants in the Himalayan Hengduan Mountains, within the mountain system of south‐central China.

Methods

We determined plant species richness and abundance in habitats created by cushions and cushion‐free areas, and assessed the cushion effects on species richness and abundance with rarefaction curves and the relative interaction index, respectively. We examined the relationship between cushion effects on diversity and habitat severity and tested if changes in the net cushion effects along the severity gradient were due to a change in the performance of species without cushions (environmental severity effect) and/or with cushions (nurse trait‐mediated effect).

Results

The presence of cushion plants increased species richness and abundance in most studied plant communities. The net facilitation effect of cushions increased with increasing habitat severity, an effect that could be attributed mainly to a reduction in species richness in cushion‐free areas with increasing severity. However, the changes in magnitude of facilitation of particular cushion species growing in high and low severity habitats could be attributed to both environmental severity and neighbour trait effects. Despite the overall positive effect of cushion plants on plant species richness, not all cushion species contributed to higher species richness. The deviation of individual cushion species from the general pattern of increasing facilitation with increasing severity indicated the species specificity of facilitation depends on the traits of nurse species.

Conclusion

The presence of cushion plants generally increased species richness in alpine plant communities of the Himalayan Hengduan Mountains, with the importance of the cushion effect increasing with habitat severity due to a buffering effect by cushions of the negative effect of habitat severity on species richness observed in cushion‐free areas. This indicates the pivotal role of facilitative interactions among plant species in supporting high diversity in these severe environments.
Does body size predict foraging effort? Patterns of material investment in spider orb webs
Authors: Gregorič M. , Kuntner M. , Blackledge T. A.
Published: February 2015

Body size affects almost all aspects of animals' resource use, and its scaling syntheses are well established in most biological fields. In contrast, how behavioral variation scales with body size is understudied. Understanding how body size influences behavior is important as behavior responds more readily to natural selection than many other traits, and foraging effort is a critical behavioral trait. Web spiders are good models for studying foraging effort because webs are physical records of behaviors. Variability in web architectures is well documented, but how spider size scales with foraging effort and web performance is virtually unknown. Here, we investigate behavioral allometry at three phylogenetic scales – broadly across orb‐weaving spiders, among a recent radiation of species, and among individuals within species. Conducting a meta‐analysis across a wide range of orb weavers, we investigate how foraging effort scales with body size by measuring effort as the volumes of the three silk gland secretions used for building orb webs. We show that volumes of web material scale negatively allometrically with body size, and suggest silk investment is an important limiting factor in evolution of web performance and body size. To assess whether such broad evolutionary trends exist at finer phylogenetic scales, we investigated how foraging effort scales with body size in a group of five closely related Zygiella s.l. species (Araneidae). We find that the general scaling pattern across orb weavers is only partially confirmed. Finally, we examine patterns among individuals within each of the Zygiella species. We find different patterns of silk use in relation to body size, and show that both web architecture and silk investment need to be quantified to estimate total foraging effort. In conclusion, we find support for the prediction that behavioral traits scale differently to body size at different phylogenetic scales and at the individual level.
Macroeconomic Effects of Public‐Sector Unions
Authors: Vasilev Aleksandar
Published: February 2015

Motivated by the highly unionized public sectors, the high public shares in total employment, and the public‐sector wage premia observed in Europe, this paper examines the importance of public‐sector unions for macroeconomic theory. The model generates cyclical behavior in hours and wages that is consistent with data behavior in an economy with highly unionized public sector, namely Germany during the period 1970–2007. The union model is an improvement over a model with exogenous public employment. In addition, endogenously determined public wage and hours add to the distortionary effect of contractionary tax reforms by generating greater tax rate changes, thus producing higher welfare losses.
Sexual reproduction and early life‐history traits of the Mediterranean soft coral Alcyonium acaule
Authors: Teixidó Núria , Bensoussan Nathaniel , Gori Andrea , Fiorillo Ida , Viladrich Núria
Published: February 2015

Understanding processes that contribute to a better comprehension of the population dynamics of long‐lived species is critical for the maintenance and potential recovery of such species. Despite the abundance of soft corals in Mediterranean rocky reefs, little information exists on their life histories and reproductive patterns. In this study, we assessed the main reproductive characteristics and early life‐history traits of the long‐lived soft coral Alcyonium acaule. The sex ratio was 1:1; the smallest fertile colonies were one finger in size (2.1 ± 0.6 cm in height), and both colony and polyp fertility increased with colony size. Likewise, the number of eggs and spermary sacs per polyp increased significantly with colony size, whereas the diameter of the female and male sexual products did not. Over 6 years of observations (2007–2012), spawning occurred primarily in July, after the seawater reached 20 °C, in a single spawning episode per year. Approximately 80% of female colonies released eggs, which were retained on the surface of the mother colony by mucous strings for up to a few days. High fertilization rates were observed during spawning in 2008 and 2009 (94.9% and 87.0%, respectively). The timing of development was ~24 h for the blastulae, ~48–72 h for the planulae and 8–22 days for metamorphosis into primary polyps. Survivorship of planulae was relatively high (~50% at 45 days after release), but only 24% of larvae metamorphosed into primary polyps, and their survivorship was moderate after 2 months (65% in 2008 and 74% in 2009). Asexual reproduction was negligible, indicating that sexual reproduction is the main mechanism supporting the maintenance and recovery of populations.
Fe and O isotope composition of meteorite fusion crusts: Possible natural analogues to chondrule formation?
Authors: Hezel Dominik C. , Poole Graeme M. , Hoyes Jack , Coles Barry J. , Unsworth Catherine , Albrecht Nina , Smith Caroline , Rehkämper Mark , Pack Andreas , Genge Matthew , Russell Sara S.
Published: February 2015

Meteorite fusion crust formation is a brief event in a high‐temperature (2000–12,000 K) and high‐pressure (2–5 MPa) regime. We studied fusion crusts and bulk samples of 10 ordinary chondrite falls and 10 ordinary chondrite finds. The fusion crusts show a typical layering and most contain vesicles. All fusion crusts are enriched in heavy Fe isotopes, with δ56Fe values up to +0.35‰ relative to the solar system mean. On average, the δ56Fe of fusion crusts from finds is +0.23‰, which is 0.08‰ higher than the average from falls (+0.15‰). Higher δ56Fe in fusion crusts of finds correlate with bulk chondrite enrichments in mobile elements such as Ba and Sr. The δ56Fe signature of meteorite fusion crusts was produced by two processes (1) evaporation during atmospheric entry and (2) terrestrial weathering. Fusion crusts have either the same or higher δ18O (0.9–1.5‰) than their host chondrites, and the same is true for Δ17O. The differences in bulk chondrite and fusion crust oxygen isotope composition are explained by exchange of oxygen between the molten surface of the meteorites with the atmosphere and weathering. Meteorite fusion crust formation is qualitatively similar to conditions of chondrule formation. Therefore, fusion crusts may, at least to some extent, serve as a natural analogue to chondrule formation processes. Meteorite fusion crust and chondrules exhibit a similar extent of Fe isotope fractionation, supporting the idea that the Fe isotope signature of chondrules was established in a high‐pressure environment that prevented large isotope fractionations. The exchange of O between a chondrule melt and an 16O‐poor nebula as the cause for the observed nonmass dependent O isotope compositions in chondrules is supported by the same process, although to a much lower extent, in meteorite fusion crusts.
Mineralogy, petrology, and distribution of meteorites at the Whitecourt crater, Alberta, Canada
Authors: Newman Jennifer D. , Herd Christopher D. K.
Published: February 2015

The Whitecourt meteorite impact crater, Alberta, Canada is a rare example of a well‐preserved small impact structure, with which thousands of meteorite fragments are associated. As such, this crater represents a unique opportunity to investigate the effect of a low‐energy impact event on an impacting iron bolide. Excellent documentation of meteorite fragment locations and characteristics has generated a detailed distribution map of both shrapnel and regmaglypted meteorite types. The meteorites' distribution, and internal and external characteristics support a low‐altitude breakup of the impactor which caused atmospherically ablated (regmaglypted) meteorites to fall close to the crater and avoid impact‐related deformation. In contrast, shrapnel fragments sustained deformation at macro‐ and microscales resulting from the catastrophic disruption of the impactor. The impactor was significantly fragmented along pre‐existing planes of weakness, including kamacite lamellae and inclusions, resulting in a bias toward low‐mass (<100 g) fragments. Meteorite mineralogy was investigated and the accessory minerals were found to be dominated by sulfides and phosphides with rare carlsbergite, consistent with other low‐Ni IIIAB iron meteorites. Considerations of the total mass of meteoritic material recovered at the site relative to the probable fraction of the impactor that was preserved based on modeling suggests that the crater was formed by a higher velocity, lower mass impactor than previously inferred.
Effects of meteoroid shape on cosmogenic nuclide production processes
Authors: Masarik Jozef , Beňo Juraj
Published: February 2015

The shape of meteorites is one of the major factors influencing the production of cosmogenic nuclides. Numerical simulations using the Los Alamos Code System (LCS) particle production and transport codes were done to investigate particle fluxes and production rates of cosmogenic nuclides 10Be, 26Al, and 60Co in meteoroids of spherical, ellipsoidal, and cylindrical shapes. The calculations show that fluxes of nuclear active particles and also production rates of cosmogenic nuclides are sensitive to the shape of the irradiated parent body.
Looking Islam in the Teeth: The Social Life of a Somali Toothbrush
Authors: Laird Lance D. , Barnes Linda L. , Hunter‐Adams Jo , Cochran Jennifer , Geltman Paul L.
Published: February 2015

The Arabicmiswak(Somali,adayge) is a tooth‐cleaning stick from the Salvadora persica plant. In this article, we trace the social life of a “thing,” examining meanings inscribed in the stick brush, drawing on interviews with 82 Somali refugees in Massachusetts and an analysis of local and transnational science and marketing. The miswak toothbrush symbolizes relationships to nature, homeland culture, global Islam, globalizing dental medicine, and the divine as it intersects with the lives of producers, marketers, distributors, and users, creating hybrid cultural forms in new contexts.
The origin of unique diversity in deglaciated areas: traces ofPleistocene processes in north‐European endemics from theGalium pusillumpolyploid complex (Rubiaceae)
Authors: Kolář Filip , Píšová Soňa , Záveská Eliška , Fér Tomáš , Weiser Martin , Ehrendorfer Friedrich , Suda Jan
Published: February 2015

The role of glacial oscillations in shaping plant diversity has been only rarely addressed in endemics of formerly glaciated areas. TheGalium pusillumgroup represents a rare example of an ecologically diverse and ploidy‐variable species complex that exhibits substantial diversity in deglaciated northern Europe. UsingAFLPand plastid and nuclearDNAsequences of 67 populations from northern, central, and western Europe with known ecological preferences, we elucidate the evolutionary history of lineages restricted to deglaciated areas and identify the eco‐geographic partitioning of their genetic variation. We reveal three distinct endemic northern lineages: (i) diploids from southern Sweden + the British Isles, (ii) tetraploids from southern Scandinavia and the British Isles that show signs of ancient hybridization between the first lineage and populations from unglaciated central Europe, and (iii) tetraploids from Iceland + central Norway. Available evidence supports a stepwise differentiation of these three lineages that started at least before the last glacial maximum by processes of genome duplication, interlineage hybridization and/or allopatric evolution in distinct periglacial refugia. We reject the hypothesis of more recent postglacial speciation. Ecological characteristics of the populations under study only partly reflect genetic variation and suggest broad niches of postglacial colonizers. Despite their largely allopatric modern distributions, the north‐European lineages of theG. pusillumgroup do not show signs of rapid postglacial divergence, in contrast to most other northern endemics. Our study suggests that plants inhabiting deglaciated areas outside the Arctic may exhibit very different evolutionary histories compared with their more thoroughly investigated high‐arctic counterparts.
Yersinia pseudotuberculosis YopDmutants that genetically separate effector protein translocation from host membrane disruption
Authors: Adams Walter , Morgan Jessica , Kwuan Laura , Auerbuch Victoria
Published: February 2015

TheYersiniatypeIIIsecretion system (T3SS) translocatesYop effector proteins into host cells to manipulate immune defenses such as phagocytosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. TheT3SStranslocator proteinsYopBandYopDform pores in host membranes, facilitatingYop translocation. While theYopDamino and carboxy termini participate in pore formation, the role of theYopDcentral region between amino acids 150–227 remains unknown. We assessed the contribution of this region by generatingY. pseudotuberculosis yopDΔ150–170andyopDΔ207–227mutants and analyzing theirT3SSfunctions. These strains exhibited wild‐type levels ofYop secretionin vitroand enabled robust pore formation in macrophages. However, theyopDΔ150–170andyopDΔ207–227mutants were defective inYop translocation intoCHOcells and splenocyte‐derived neutrophils and macrophages. These data suggest thatYopD‐mediated host membrane disruption and effectorYop translocation are genetically separable activities requiring distinct protein domains. Importantly, theyopDΔ150–170andyopDΔ207–227mutants were defective inYop‐mediated inhibition of macrophage cell death andROSproduction in neutrophil‐like cells, and were attenuated in disseminatedYersiniainfection. Therefore, the ability of theYopDcentral region to facilitate optimal effector protein delivery into phagocytes, and therefore robust effectorYop function, is important forYersiniavirulence.
McCance and Widdowson's The Composition of Foods Seventh Summary Edition and updated Composition of Foods Integrated Dataset
Authors: Roe M. , Pinchen H. , Church S. , Finglas P.
Published: February 2015

The Seventh Summary Edition of McCance and Widdowson's The Composition of Foods (MW7) was published in September 2014 and is intended to be a convenient single volume containing the most recent nutrient values for a wide range of almost 1200 foods that are commonly consumed in the UK. In addition to analytical data from recent surveys, all values have been reviewed and either validated as being representative of foods currently consumed or updated. Sources of data are provided for all foods and food names and descriptions are presented in a more standardised format for clarity. The full range of UK food composition data is included in the 2015 version of the Composition of Foods Integrated Dataset and consists of approximately 3300 foods, including all data published in MW7, and updated and/or validated data for foods that have been included in earlier publications in the McCance and Widdowson series.
The role of health‐related claims and health‐related symbols in consumer behaviour: Design and conceptual framework of the CLYMBOL project and initial results
Authors: Hieke S. , Kuljanic N. , Wills J. M. , Pravst I. , Kaur A. , Raats M. M. , van Trijp H. C. M. , Verbeke W. , Grunert K. G.
Published: February 2015

Health claims and symbols are potential aids to help consumers identify foods that are healthier options. However, little is known as to how health claims and symbols are used by consumers in real‐world shopping situations, thus making the science‐based formulation of new labelling policies and the evaluation of existing ones difficult. The objective of the European Union‐funded project Role of health‐related CLaims and sYMBOLs in consumer behaviour (CLYMBOL) is to determine how health‐related information provided through claims and symbols, in their context, can affect consumer understanding, purchase and consumption. To do this, a wide range of qualitative and quantitative consumer research methods are being used, including product sampling, sorting studies (i.e. how consumers categorise claims and symbols according to concepts such as familiarity and relevance), cross‐country surveys, eye‐tracking (i.e. what consumers look at and for how long), laboratory and in‐store experiments, structured interviews, as well as analysis of population panel data. EU Member States differ with regard to their history of use and regulation of health claims and symbols prior to the harmonisation of 2006. Findings to date indicate the need for more structured and harmonised research on the effects of health claims and symbols on consumer behaviour, particularly taking into account country‐wide differences and individual characteristics such as motivation and ability to process health‐related information. Based on the studies within CLYMBOL, implications and recommendations for stakeholders such as policymakers will be provided.
Increase in carbon accumulation in a boreal peatland following a period of wetter climate and long‐term decrease in nitrogen deposition
Authors: Utstøl‐Klein Simon , Halvorsen Rune , Ohlson Mikael
Published: February 2015

Rates of peat growth and carbon (C) accumulation in aSphagnum‐dominated boreal peatland in south‐east Norway were compared over two time periods each 17 yr long, that is, an earlier period from 1978 to 1995 and a recent period from 1995 to 2012.

Our research was based on 109 peat cores. By using exactly the same study area and sampling protocols to obtain data for the two time periods, we were able to obtain a clear picture of the spatio‐temporal patterns of peat accumulation.

We show that peat growth and C accumulation were significantly higher in the recent than in the earlier time period. Interestingly, nitrogen (N) deposition was lower in the recent than in the earlier time period, while precipitation increased in the recent time period. Temperatures did not show any consistent trends over the time periods.

Although our data do not allow assessment of the relative importance of declining N deposition vs increasing precipitation as drivers of peat accumulation, our results suggest that peatland C sequestration is not significantly inhibited by N pollution at current precipitation and N deposition levels.
Genome‐wide analysis of the lignin toolbox of Eucalyptus grandis
Authors: Carocha Victor , Soler Marçal , Hefer Charles , Cassan‐Wang Hua , Fevereiro Pedro , Myburg Alexander A. , Paiva Jorge A. P. , Grima‐Pettenati Jacqueline
Published: February 2015

Lignin, a major component of secondary cell walls, hinders the optimal processing of wood for industrial uses. The recent availability of the Eucalyptus grandis genome sequence allows comprehensive analysis of the genes encoding the 11 protein families specific to the lignin branch of the phenylpropanoid pathway and identification of those mainly involved in xylem developmental lignification.

We performed genome‐wide identification of putative members of the lignin gene families, followed by comparative phylogenetic studies focusing on bona fide clades inferred from genes functionally characterized in other species. RNA‐seq and microfluid real‐time quantitative PCR (RT‐qPCR) expression data were used to investigate the developmental and environmental responsive expression patterns of the genes.

The phylogenetic analysis revealed that 38 E. grandis genes are located in bona fide lignification clades. Four multigene families (shikimate O‐hydroxycinnamoyltransferase (HCT), p‐coumarate 3‐hydroxylase (C3H), caffeate/5‐hydroxyferulate O‐methyltransferase (COMT) and phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase (PAL)) are expanded by tandem gene duplication compared with other plant species. Seventeen of the 38 genes exhibited strong, preferential expression in highly lignified tissues, probably representing the E. grandis core lignification toolbox.

The identification of major genes involved in lignin biosynthesis in E. grandis, the most widely planted hardwood crop world‐wide, provides the foundation for the development of biotechnology approaches to develop tree varieties with enhanced processing qualities.
Genomic patterns of species diversity and divergence in Eucalyptus
Authors: Hudson Corey J. , Freeman Jules S. , Myburg Alexander A. , Potts Brad M. , Vaillancourt René E.
Published: February 2015

We examined genome‐wide patterns of DNA sequence diversity and divergence among six species of the important tree genus Eucalyptus and investigated their relationship with genomic architecture.

Using c. 90 range‐wide individuals of each Eucalyptus species (E. grandis, E. urophylla, E. globulus, E. nitens, E. dunnii and E. camaldulensis), genetic diversity and divergence were estimated from 2840 polymorphic diversity arrays technology markers covering the 11 chromosomes. Species differentiating markers (SDMs) identified in each of 15 pairwise species comparisons, along with species diversity (HHW) and divergence (FST), were projected onto the E. grandis reference genome.

Across all species comparisons, SDMs totalled 1.1–5.3% of markers and were widely distributed throughout the genome. Marker divergence (FST and SDMs) and diversity differed among and within chromosomes. Patterns of diversity and divergence were broadly conserved across species and significantly associated with genomic features, including the proximity of markers to genes, the relative number of clusters of tandem duplications, and gene density within or among chromosomes.

These results suggest that genomic architecture influences patterns of species diversity and divergence in the genus. This influence is evident across the six species, encompassing diverse phylogenetic lineages, geography and ecology.
A flexible multi‐species genome‐wide 60K SNP chip developed from pooled resequencing of 240 Eucalyptus tree genomes across 12 species
Authors: Silva‐Junior Orzenil B. , Faria Danielle A. , Grattapaglia Dario
Published: February 2015

We used whole genome resequencing of pooled individuals to develop a high‐density single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) chip for Eucalyptus. Genomes of 240 trees of 12 species were sequenced at 3.5× each, and 46 997 586 raw SNP variants were subject to multivariable filtering metrics toward a multispecies, genome‐wide distributed chip content.

Of the 60 904 SNPs on the chip, 59 222 were genotyped and 51 204 were polymorphic across 14 Eucalyptus species, providing a 96% genome‐wide coverage with 1 SNP/12–20 kb, and 47 069 SNPs at ≤ 10 kb from 30 444 of the 33 917 genes in the Eucalyptus genome.

Given the EUChip60K multi‐species genotyping flexibility, we show that both the sample size and taxonomic composition of cluster files impact heterozygous call specificity and sensitivity by benchmarking against ‘gold standard’ genotypes derived from deeply sequenced individual tree genomes. Thousands of SNPs were shared across species, likely representing ancient variants arisen before the split of these taxa, hinting to a recent eucalypt radiation. We show that the variable SNP filtering constraints allowed coverage of the entire site frequency spectrum, mitigating SNP ascertainment bias.

The EUChip60K represents an outstanding tool with which to address population genomics questions in Eucalyptus and to empower genomic selection, GWAS and the broader study of complex trait variation in eucalypts.
Modeling malaria in humanized mice: opportunities and challenges
Authors: Siu Evelyn , Ploss Alexander
Published: February 2015

About half of the world is at risk for developing malaria, which killed over 600,000 people in 2012 alone. The limited host range of the Plasmodium species that cause malaria in humans poses challenges for studying these parasites in experimentally tractable in vivo systems. To address this challenge, humanized mice have been constructed in which the tissue compartments relevant to the mammalian stages of plasmodial parasites are humanized. The development of human liver chimeric mice, human erythroid chimeric mice, and dually engrafted mice now allows for faithful replication of the entire Plasmodium falciparum life cycle. Although refinements to these models are still needed, humanized mice provide a promising small‐animal model to study development of P. falciparum and, conceivably, other human malarial parasite species, and may also aid in drug and vaccine development.
Components of visual bias: a multiplicative hypothesis
Authors: Bundesen Claus , Vangkilde Signe , Habekost Thomas
Published: February 2015

Attentional selection can be viewed as having two aspects: selection with respect to particular objects and selection with respect to particular categories. Both aspects are mathematically modeled in the theory of visual attention (TVA). In this paper, we expand the rate equation of the TVA and propose that the visual bias toward seeing an object x as a member of category i is a product of three factors: the expectancy (prior probability) of being presented with members of category i, the subjective importance (utility) of seeing objects in category i as members of that category, and the general level of alertness. Together, the three factors also determine the level of arousal in the visual system. The hypothesized multiplicative interaction between the three components of visual bias seems consistent with the function of an ideal observer and also paves the way for a Bayesian interpretation of the TVA.
Intra‐arch dimensional measurement validity of laser‐scanned digital dental models compared with the original plaster models: a systematic review
Authors: De Luca Canto G. , Pachêco‐Pereira C. , Lagravere M. O. , Flores‐Mir C. , Major P. W.
Published: February 2015

A systematic review was undertaken to evaluate the validity of intra‐arch dimensional measurements made from laser‐scanned digital dental models in comparison with measurements directly obtained from the original plaster casts (gold standard). Finally included articles were only those reporting studies that compared measurements from digital models produced from laser scanning against their plaster models. Measurements from the original plaster models should have been made using a manual or digital caliper (gold standard). Articles that used scans from impressions or digital photographs were discarded. Detailed individual search strategies for Cochrane, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PubMed, and LILACS were developed. The references cited in the selected articles were also checked for any references that could have been missed in the electronic database searches. A partial gray literature search was undertaken using Google Scholar. The methodology of selected studies was evaluated using the 14‐item quality assessment tool for diagnostic accuracy studies (QUADAS). Only 16 studies were finally included for the qualitative/quantitative synthesis. The selected studies consistently agree that the validity of measurements obtained after using a laser scanner from plaster models is similar to direct measurements. Any stated differences would be unlikely clinically relevant. There is consistent scientific evidence to support the validity of measurements from digital dental models in comparison with intra‐arch dimensional measurements directly obtained from them.
Targeted spatial sampling using GOANNA improves detection of visual field progression
Authors: Chong Luke X. , Turpin Andrew , McKendrick Allison M.
Published: February 2015

Purpose

A new automated visual field testing approach that samples scotoma edges at a finer spatial resolution, GOANNA (Gradient‐Oriented Automated Natural Neighbour Approach) was previously shown to improve accuracy and precision around those regions compared to current procedures in computer simulation. The purpose of this study was to observe if this improvement translated to more accurate classification of glaucomatous progression.

Methods

Computer simulations were undertaken on six procedures: three variants of GOANNA on 150 locations; two variants of ZEST on 52 locations; and the ideal case where true thresholds are perfectly measured. The median number of presentations of GOANNA was matched to ZEST. The procedures were run on 156 sequences of simulated progressing fields and 156 sequences of stable fields to determine sensitivity and specificity using point‐wise linear regression. Reliable (0% FP, 0% FN) and typical false positive (15% FP, 3% FN) response error conditions were investigated. Area under ROC curves (AUC) were plotted against the number of visual fields acquired to evaluate the performance of these procedures.

Results

The GOANNA framework exhibited equal or greater AUC than ZEST at all visits when baseline fields were initially defective (under both response error conditions) and when baseline fields were initially healthy when no false responses were made. Retest implementations of GOANNA exhibited an improvement over the original GOANNA after the first seven visits when fields were initially healthy.

Conclusion

The results suggest that the improvement in precision and accuracy around scotoma borders seen in the GOANNA framework translates to earlier and more accurate detection of progressing fields compared with ZEST, especially in the early stages of glaucomatous progression.