bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Biological soil crust and vascular plant interactions in Western Myall (Acacia papyrocarpa) open woodland in South Australia
Authors: Steggles Emma K. , Facelli José M. , Ainsley Phillip J. , Pound Leanne M. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractAimBiological soil crust (BSC) is a key component of arid environments and plays a major role in determining ecological structure and function. Our research aim was to examine several mechanisms that contribute to BSC–plant interactions at species and community levels, to increase our understanding of plant community dynamics.LocationYellabinna Regional Reserve, South Australia (30°50′17.99″ S, 132°12′10.37″ E).MethodsWe used seed extraction techniques to examine soil seed banks beneath patches with and without BSC, and field and glasshouse experiments to study the effects of crust presence and disturbance on seedling emergence and survival. We also explored the influence of chemical leachates from BSC on seed germination.ResultsBiological soil crust plays a pivotal role in influencing spatial patterns in soil seed bank composition. Our results showed less propagules accumulate in soils beneath crust when compared with patches without crust, and that propagule size is a contributing factor to determining their distribution between patch types. We found that late‐stage BSC physically inhibited seedling emergence, which increased when the BSC was disturbed in field experiments. Low seedling survivorship in both patch types suggests that although BSC may suppress recruitment in favourable years, it is low precipitation levels that have the over‐riding impact on recruitment success. Finally, leachates from late‐stage BSC were found to inhibit germination in three annual plant species, whilst early‐stage BSC accelerated germination in one annual plant. This clearly shows that leachate effects on seed germination vary according to plant species and crust successional stage.ConclusionOverall, we identified several mechanisms through which BSC has complex effects on the annual and short‐lived perennial plant guilds of arid lands. These mechanisms contribute to species diversity through the creation of spatial heterogeneity in soil seed bank structure and emergence opportunities.
Auxin‐mediated statolith production for root gravitropism
Authors: Zhang Yuzhou , He Peng , Ma Xiongfeng , Yang Zuoren , Pang Chaoyou , Yu Jianing , Wang Guodong , Friml Jiří , Xiao Guanghui 
Published: May 2019

Summary

Root gravitropism is one of the most important processes allowing plant adaptation to the land environment. Auxin plays a central role in mediating root gravitropism, but how auxin contributes to gravitational perception and the subsequent response are still unclear.

Here, we showed that the local auxin maximum/gradient within the root apex, which is generated by the PIN directional auxin transporters, regulates the expression of three key starch granule synthesis genes, SS4, PGM and ADG1, which in turn influence the accumulation of starch granules that serve as a statolith perceiving gravity.

Moreover, using the cvxIAA‐ccvTIR1 system, we also showed that TIR1‐mediated auxin signaling is required for starch granule formation and gravitropic response within root tips. In addition, axr3 mutants showed reduced auxin‐mediated starch granule accumulation and disruption of gravitropism within the root apex.

Our results indicate that auxin‐mediated statolith production relies on the TIR1/AFB‐AXR3‐mediated auxin signaling pathway. In summary, we propose a dual role for auxin in gravitropism: the regulation of both gravity perception and response.
pH and Charge Effects Behind the Interaction of Artepillin C, the Major Component of Green Propolis, With Amphiphilic Aggregates: Optical Absorption and Fluorescence Spectroscopy Studies
Authors: Camuri Isamara Julia , da Costa Adriano Batista , Ito Amando Siuiti , Pazin Wallance Moreira 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBrazilian green propolis is one of the bee products most consumed in the world to prevent diseases, owing antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti‐inflammatory and antitumor activities. The major component of Brazilian green propolis is Artepillin C (ArtC), a cinnamic acid derivative with two prenylated groups that improve the affinity of the compound for lipophilic environment. Here, we have employed optical absorption and fluorescence techniques to draw conclusions on how ArtC interacts with amphiphilic aggregates commonly used as model membranes having different charges in the polar head group. Optical absorption spectra were representative of the protonation state of ArtC, dictated by the local pH at the surface of micelles and lipid vesicles. Fluorescence results showed that, in the presence of micelles and vesicles, the polarizability around ArtC was modified, compared to the value in aqueous medium, and the molecule should be located preferentially on the surface region of the model membranes, with an enhanced interaction with the less ordered state of the lipid vesicles.
Advocacy Coalition Framework and Policy Changes in a Third‐World Country
Authors: Nwalie Martin Ike 
Published: May 2019

This work concerns health sector reform in Nigeria between 2003 and 2014. Using qualitative content analysis, I investigate the factors that led to the reform, the reform process, and its outcome. The objective is to assess the conformity of the policy reform to Sabatier and Weible's Advocacy Coalition Framework (ACF) in order to ascertain the applicability, or otherwise, of the ACF in policy analysis in stable democratic African states. In the article, external shock, policy subsystem, stable parameter, technical experts, advocacy coalitions, the “devil shift,” and policy core beliefs—which are basic components of ACF—were all identified in the policy reform process. I conclude that the ACF can be applied in policy reform in democratic African states, so long as there is the rule of law, a separation of powers, freedom of speech and association, a fairly stable political environment, and the presence of policy participants with expert knowledge of the policy issues.Related ArticlesMorris, Mary Hallock. 2007. “The Political Strategies of Winning and Losing Coalitions: Agricultural and Environmental Groups in the Debate over Hypoxia.” Politics & Policy 35 (4): 836‐871. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747-1346.2007.00086.xSwigger, Alexandra, and Bruce Timothy Heinmiller. 2014. “Advocacy Coalitions and Mental Health Policy: The Adoption of Community Treatment Orders in Ontario.” Politics & Policy 42 (2): 246‐270. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12066Udjo, Eric O., and Barney Erasmus. 2014. “Impact of Retirement Age Policy on the Workforce of a Higher Education Institution in South Africa.” Politics & Policy 42 (5): 744‐768. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12092
Related Media
CNBC Africa. 2017. “How Can Nigeria Improve Its Healthcare System?” https://www.cnbcafrica.com/videos/2017/09/14/how-can-nigeria-improve-its-healthcare-system/Opeyemi, Agbaje. 2012. “Health Sector Reforms in Nigeria 1.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YvV_xj0meU
A Bayesian Approach to Developing a Stochastic Mortality Model for China
Authors: Li Johnny Siu-Hang , Zhou Kenneth Q. , Zhu Xiaobai , Chan Wai-Sum , Chan Felix Wai-Hon 
Published: May 2019

SummaryStochastic mortality models have a wide range of applications. They are particularly important for analysing Chinese mortality, which is subject to rapid and uncertain changes. However, owing to data-related problems, stochastic modelling of Chinese mortality has not been given adequate attention. We attempt to use a Bayesian approach to model the evolution of Chinese mortality over time, taking into account all of the problems associated with the data set. We build on the Gaussian state space formulation of the Lee–Carter model, introducing new features to handle the missing data points, to acknowledge the fact that the data are obtained from different sources and to mitigate the erratic behaviour of the parameter estimates that arises from the data limitations. The approach proposed yields stochastic mortality forecasts that are in line with both the trend and the variation of the historical observations. We further use simulated pseudodata sets with resembling limitations to validate the approach. The validation result confirms our approach’s success in dealing with the limitations of the Chinese mortality data.
Realizing appreciative management from the viewpoint of first‐line managers in social and health care
Authors: Harmoinen Merja , Suominen Tarja 
Published: May 2019

BackgroundFirst‐line managers are links between an organizations’ administration and the workforce. They transmit information from higher managers to workers and vice versa. Their management skills and especially their interaction with staff are a key point in successful management.AimTo describe how first‐line managers realized appreciative management in their everyday management practice in health and social care.MethodA quantitative descriptive study was conducted by means of an electronic survey among social and healthcare managers in Finland.ResultsBased on the self‐evaluations of the managers, appreciative management is well realized. The most recognition was given to equality and the least to appreciative know‐how. Connections were seen between appreciative management and gender, education, education level and managers with higher education, and those with fewer work units below them tended to have a better realization of appreciative management.ConclusionThe education level of first‐line nurse managers is meaningful when realizing appreciative management in social and healthcare settings.Implications for nursing managementMore advanced education levels of first‐line managers help to promote appreciative management in social and health care, together with the amount of work units (meaning outpatient and inpatient wards). A first‐line manager is responsible for the needs of their workforce and needs to be critically assessed so that they might have more time for managing in an appreciative way. Appreciative management should be given increased focus when educating nurse managers.
Collaboration between home care staff, leaders and care partners of older people with mental health problems: a focus on personhood
Authors: Anker‐Hansen Camilla , Skovdahl Kirsti , McCormack Brendan , Tønnessen Siri 
Published: May 2019

BackgroundCollaboration with care partners is a political aim in recent white papers in Norway and internationally. Home care services regularly work closely with care partners, but there are many indications that the collaboration does not work satisfactorily.AimTo explore home care staff and leaders’ experiences of collaborating with care partners of older people with mental health problems through a personhood perspective.MethodsThe study had a qualitative design and comprised eight health professionals in two focus groups and in‐depth interviews with three leaders in one home care district. The data were analysed using a thematic framework analysis building on previous research on personhood. criteria for reporting qualitative reporting guidelines were used to ensure comprehensive reporting.ResultsFour themes were identified in the analysis: ‘non‐negotiated relationships’, ‘contradictory agendas’, ‘weak paternalism’ and ‘moral compromise’.ConclusionThere seems to be a lack of facilitation of collaborative relationships through all levels of the home care organisation. The interactions between care partners and home care staff sometimes appear to produce low or negative levels of emotional energy, and situations where the personhood of neither of them is respected occurs. Paying attention to the four modes of being as a framework for understanding personhood creates the foundation for a person‐centred approach that enhances the potential of creating stronger partnership in care relationships.
Nurses’ perceptions of early person‐centred palliative care: a cross‐sectional descriptive study
Authors: Kmetec Sergej , Štiglic Gregor , Lorber Mateja , Mikkonen Irma , McCormack Brendan , Pajnkihar Majda , Fekonja Zvonka 
Published: May 2019

BackgroundPalliative care is aimed at improving the quality of life of an individual with chronic noncommunicable disease and their care partners. Limitations in the provision of palliative care are mainly lack of knowledge and experience by nurses, fear of treating palliative persons, loss of control over treatment and fear of providing poor‐quality palliative care to persons and care partners.AimThe aim of this study was to investigate the perception, knowledge and attitudes of palliative care by nurses who use palliative care approaches in practice, as well as the difference in perception, knowledge and attitudes of palliative care between nurses in Slovenia and Finland.MethodsWe conducted a cross‐sectional descriptive study. The survey included 440 nurses in clinical environments in Slovenia and Finland with a completed bachelor, master or doctoral level of education.ResultsWe found statistically significant differences between both countries in the perception of palliative care. Differences between the two countries in the knowledge of palliative care were not confirmed. We confirmed statistically significant differences between both countries in the attitudes of palliative nursing care.ConclusionEarly person‐centred palliative care is an important part of the holistic and integrative treatment of a person who has a disease with disturbing symptoms. For such an approach, it is important to educate nurses about knowledge, expectations, values and beliefs in developing a concept of person‐centred palliative care to improve quality of life. The better perception, knowledge and attitudes of palliative care by nurses may help persons to improve and raise their quality of life, as well as diminish stress in their care partners and improve quality of life.
Social and non‐social measures of cognition for predicting self‐reported and informant‐reported functional outcomes in early psychosis
Authors: Vidarsdottir Olina G. , Twamley Elizabeth W. , Roberts David L. , Gudmundsdottir Berglind , Sigurdsson Engilbert , Magnusdottir Brynja B. 
Published: May 2019

The main aim of this study was to investigate the individual contributions of neurocognitive and social‐cognitive domains to self‐reported and informant‐reported functional outcome in early psychosis. We also sought to further characterize the nature of cognitive impairments in this sample and explore the interrelationships between the social‐cognitive measures and how they correlate with measures of neurocognition and clinical symptoms. In this study, 70 patients (mean age: 24.1; 87.1% males) with primary psychotic disorder diagnosed in the previous 5 years were assessed on multiple neurocognitive (processing speed, attention, working memory, immediate verbal memory, delayed recall, visual reasoning, inhibition, planning, cognitive flexibility), and social‐cognitive domains (theory of mind (ToM), emotion recognition, attributional style, metacognitive overconfidence) as well as measures of clinical symptoms. Functional outcome was assessed with three self‐reports and two informant‐reports. On average, patients performed one or more SD below healthy controls on measures of delayed recall, ToM and metacognitive overconfidence. Emotion recognition and ToM were intercorrelated and correlated with multiple neurocognitive domains and negative symptoms. Attributional style correlated with positive symptoms. In the context of multiple variables, self‐reported functional outcomes were predicted by attributional style, whereas emotion recognition and immediate verbal memory predicted variance in informant‐reported community functioning. These results support the suggestion of a likely distinction between the predictive factors for self‐reported and informant‐reported functional outcome in early psychosis and suggest that consideration of self‐assessment of functional outcome is critical when attempting to evaluate the effects attributional style has on functional disability.
Enhancing driving safety: Discovering individualized hazardous driving scenes using GIS and mobile sensing
Authors: Li Xiao , Goldberg Daniel W. , Chu Tianxing , Ma Andong 
Published: May 2019

AbstractTraffic collisions have been well acknowledged as a significant threat to public health, closely related to human driving errors. This study introduces an innovative approach to investigate spatiotemporal distributions of individualized driving errors and to characterize hazardous driving scenes, in which drivers are more prone to make driving mistakes. We first create a multi‐feature‐fusion framework to extract driving errors using smartphone sensors. Then, the detected errors are geo‐statistically analyzed with road networks and driving trajectories to identify driving error hotspots. We next construct a “scenic tuple” for representing the occurrence of driving errors. Finally, the individualized hazardous driving scenes are extracted by mining a long‐term collection of scenic tuples. Results demonstrate that our proposed approach can effectively identify driving errors. Additionally, the spatiotemporal patterns of driving mistakes can be identified from the individualized hazardous driving scenes, which has the potential to aid in reducing driving risks.
Rosa hybrida RhERF1 and RhERF4 mediate ethylene‐ and auxin‐regulated petal abscission by influencing pectin degradation
Authors: Gao Yuerong , Liu Yang , Liang Yue , Lu Jingyun , Jiang Chuyan , Fei Zhangjun , Jiang Cai‐Zhong , Ma Chao , Gao Junping 
Published: May 2019

SummaryThe timing of plant organ abscission is modulated by the balance of two hormones, ethylene and auxin, while the mechanism of organ shedding depends on the loss of middle lamella pectin in the abscission zone (AZ). However, the mechanisms involved in sensing the balance of auxin and ethylene and that affect pectin degradation during abscission are not well understood. In this study, we identified two members of the APETALA2/ethylene‐responsive factor (AP2/ERF) transcription factor family in rose (Rosa hybrida), RhERF1 and RhERF4 which play a role in petal abscission. The expression of RhERF1 and RhERF4 was influenced by ethylene and auxin, respectively. Reduced expression of RhERF1 or RhERF4 was observed to accelerate petal abscission. Global expression analysis and real‐time PCR assays revealed that RhERF1 and RhERF4 modulate the expression of genes encoding pectin‐metabolizing enzymes. A reduction in the abundance of pectin epitopes was detected in the AZs of RhERF1 and RhERF4‐silenced plants by immunofluorescence microscopy analysis. In addition, RhERF1 and RhERF4 were shown to bind to the promoter of the pectin‐metabolizing gene β‐GALACTOSIDASE 1 (RhBGLA1), and reduced expression of RhBGLA1 delayed petal abscission. We conclude that during petal abscission, RhERF1 and RhERF4 integrate and coordinate ethylene and auxin signals to modulate pectin metabolism, in part by regulating the expression of RhBGLA1.
The B‐box protein BBX19 suppresses seed germination via induction of ABI5
Authors: Bai Mengjuan , Sun Jingjing , Liu Jinyi , Ren Haoran , Wang Kang , Wang Yanling , Wang Changquan , Dehesh Katayoon 
Published: May 2019

SummarySeed germination is a fundamental process in the plant life cycle and is regulated by functionally opposing internal and external inputs. Here we explored the role of a negative regulator of photomorphogenesis, a B‐box‐containing protein (BBX19), as a molecular link between the inhibitory action of the phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) and the promoting role of light in germination. We show that seeds of BBX19‐overexpressing lines, in contrast to those of BBX19 RNA interference lines, display ABA hypersensitivity, albeit independently of elongated hypocotyl 5 (HY5). Moreover, we establish that BBX19 functions neither via perturbation of GA signaling, the ABA antagonistic phytohormone, nor through interference with the DELLA protein germination repressors. Rather, BBX19 functions as an inducer of ABA INSENSITIVE5 (ABI5) by binding to the light‐responsive GT1 motifs in the gene promoter. In summary, we identify BBX19 as a regulatory checkpoint, directing diverse developmental processes and tailoring adaptive responses to distinct endogenous and exogenous signals.
In vitro effects of the activity of novel platinum (II) complex in canine and human cell lines
Authors: Henklewska Marta , Pawlak Aleksandra , Kutkowska Justyna , Pruchnik Hanna , Rapak Andrzej , Obminska‐Mrukowicz Bozena 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe anticancer activity of novel platinum derivative, a complex of platinum with tris(2‐carboxyethyl)phosphine (Pt‐TCEP), has been evaluated in canine (D‐17) and human osteosarcoma (U2‐OS) cell lines. Viability of cells after incubation for 24 or 72 hours with increasing concentrations (0.625, 1.25, 2.50, 5, 10 and 20 μM) of Pt‐TCEP was tested in an MTT assay and compared to effect of cisplatin. Longer‐term effect of Pt‐TCEP was evaluated in the colony‐forming unit assay after 24 hours exposure to the Pt‐TCEP (2 and 3 μM) and subsequent incubation for 2 weeks. The influence of the compound on the cell cycle was measured after 24 hours treatment with Pt‐TCEP (3 μM). Its pro‐apoptotic activity was examined after 24 hours treatment with Pt‐TCEP (1.25, 2.50, 5, 10 and 20 μM) using flow cytometry. Expression of main proteins involved in apoptosis was measured after exposure for 24 hours to 3 or 5 μM Pt‐TCEP in Western Blot. The compound much more effectively decreased cell viability than cisplatin in case of both cell lines. IC50of Pt‐TCEP was 5.93 ± 0.12 in D‐17 and 3.45 ± 0.14 in U2‐OS cell lines after 24 hours, and 1.77 ± 0.14 in D‐17 and 1.53 ± 0.11 in U2‐OS after 72 hours (P< .05). The compound arrested cells in the G2/M phase and inhibited the ability of cells to form colonies. Pt‐TCEP induced caspase‐dependent apoptosis. The expression of the anti‐apoptotic Bcl‐XLprotein was decreased after Pt‐TCEP treatment in both cell lines. The results confirmed anti‐cancer activity of Pt‐TCEP against canine and human osteosarcoma cell lines.
Rationale, design and objectives of two phase III, randomised, placebo-controlled studies of GLPG1690, a novel autotaxin inhibitor, in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (ISABELA 1 and 2)
Authors: Maher Toby M , Kreuter Michael , Lederer David J , Brown Kevin K , Wuyts Wim , Verbruggen Nadia , Stutvoet Simone , Fieuw Ann , Ford Paul , Abi-Saab Walid , Wijsenbeek Marlies 
Published: May 2019

IntroductionWhile current standard of care (SOC) for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) slows disease progression, prognosis remains poor. Therefore, an unmet need exists for novel, well-tolerated agents that reduce lung function decline and improve quality of life. Here we report the design of two phase III studies of the novel IPF therapy, GLPG1690.Methods and analysisTwo identically designed, phase III, international, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, multicentre studies (ISABELA 1 and 2) were initiated in November 2018. It is planned that, in each study, 750 subjects with IPF will be randomised 1:1:1 to receive oral GLPG1690 600 mg, GLPG1690 200 mg or placebo, once daily, on top of local SOC, for at least 52 weeks. The primary endpoint is rate of decline of forced vital capacity (FVC) over 52 weeks. Key secondary endpoints are week 52 composite endpoint of disease progression or all-cause mortality (defined as composite endpoint of first occurrence of ≥10% absolute decline in per cent predicted FVC or all-cause mortality at week 52); time to first respiratory-related hospitalisation until end of study; and week 52 change from baseline in the St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire total score (a quality-of-life measure).Ethics and disseminationStudies will be conducted in accordance with Good Clinical Practice guidelines, Declaration of Helsinki principles, and local ethical and legal requirements. Results will be reported in a peer-reviewed publication.Trial registration numbersNCT03711162;NCT03733444.