bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sexual behaviors and awareness of sexually transmitted infections among Chinese university students
Authors: Zhang Dangui , Pan Hui , Cui Binglin , Law Frieda , Farrar Jeremy , Ba-Thein William
Published: December 2013

Introduction: This study investigated the current state of attitudes, behaviors, and knowledge concerning sex and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among Chinese university students. Methodology: A cross-sectional anonymous university intranet-based survey was given to students attending the Shantou University, Guangdong, China using a 28-item questionnaire. Results: Of 3425 website visitors, 1030 university students completed the survey, of which 80% were between 20 and 25 years of age, 76% considered pre-marital sex acceptable, 21% had had sexual intercourse, and 45% of sexually active students had engaged in oral sex, anal intercourse, or sex with strangers. Students had limited knowledge and awareness about common STIs, symptoms, and complications. Three percent of the sexually active students reported having had STIs and another 8% were not sure whether they had or not. Most students had misconceptions about transmission and prevention of STIs. The internet was the main information resource for 76% of students. Conclusions: Despite having more open attitudes and behaviors towards sex, students’ STI knowledge and awareness of STI risks was considerably limited, raising concerns about a likely rise in STI incidence. Prior knowledge of STIs had no significant influence. Targeted educational measures such as online education and counseling via Chinese websites and social media, and the provision of safer sex and STI-related information by health experts to university students are suggested.
Hepatitis B seroprevalence in children and women and the impact of the hepatitis B vaccination program in the Black Sea Region of Turkey
Authors: Karatekin Guner , Kilinc Mehmet , Gulcan Oksuz Banu , Igde Mahir
Published: December 2013

Introduction: This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in children and females in the middle Black Sea Region of Turkey and to assess the impact of the universal infant hepatitis B vaccination program started in 1998. Methodology: The laboratory records of 12,057 patients who attended the Samsun Maternity and Children’s Hospital between January 2007 and November 2009 were evaluated retrospectively. In this period, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), the antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs), was studied from serum samples using the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay method. Results: In the total population, HBsAg seropositivity was found to be 3.8% (456/12010); anti-HBs was 32.6% (3526/10800). HBsAg was 3.5%, in the 0-14 year age group, 8.2% in the 15-18 group, 3.3% in the 19-49 group, and 8.0% in the over 49 group. The seropositivity of HBsAg decreased by half in patients between zero and 14 years of age (4.2%) who were included in the universal vaccination program when compared with those in the 15-18 year group (8.2%) who were not included in the program. There was a significant difference in HBsAg seropositivity between boys (5.8%) and girls (3.9%) (p < 0.05). Conclusions: According to the hepatitis B seroprevalence records of our region, HBsAg was 3.5% in the 0-14 year age group, 8.2% in the 15-18 year group. It may therefore be suggested that, since 1998, the vaccination program in our region has been successful.
Usefulness of real-time PCR assay targeting lipL32 gene for diagnosis of human leptospirosis in Uruguay
Authors: González Sabina , Geymonat Juan Pablo , Hernández Elba , Marqués Juan Martín , Schelotto Felipe , Varela Gustavo
Published: December 2013

Introduction: Assays based on DNA amplification can provide information that contributes to the initial management of patients with leptospirosis. However, these have not been adopted in Uruguay. Our aim was to evaluate the performance of the lipL32 real-time PCR (qPCR) for diagnosis of leptospirosis. Methodology: We analyzed by microscopic agglutination test (MAT) and lipL32 qPCR serum samples from 183 patients with suspected leptospirosis. To establish the analytical sensitivity of the qPCR, experimentally spiked samples with known amounts of Leptospira interrogans were analyzed. Results: The analytical sensitivity of the qPCR was 102 leptospires/mL. In 98 patients MAT results were negative meanwhile 85 showed positive reactions, revealing acute infections. Twenty six acute-phase sera of these 85 patients showed a positive signal by qPCR (diagnostic sensitivity 30%). In these patients the average time between onset of symptoms and collection of the first sample was 8 days. In patients with negative results for qPCR and positive MAT results (n=59) the average interval between onset of symptoms and collection of the first sample was 13 days. The qPCR did not yield false positive results. Conclusions: The qPCR had a lower diagnostic sensitivity than MAT and a higher cost. However, it allowed to make an early diagnosis in 26 patients. In patients with confirmed acute infections and negative results by qPCR, more than 8 days had elapsed between the onset of the illness and extraction of the first serum sample. Our data support that the qPCR from sera have clinical utility within the first week of illness.
A Longterm Prospective Real-life Experience with Leflunomide in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Authors: Alcântara Antonia Célia de Castro , Leite Christiane Araújo Chaves , Leite Ana Caroline Rocha Melo , Sidrim José Julio Costa , Silva Francisco Saraiva , Rocha Francisco Airton Castro
Published: December 2013

Objective.

To describe a clinical practice with leflunomide (LEF) in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).

Methods.

Patients with JIA seen between May 2008 and May 2012 and considered nonresponsive to methotrexate (MTX) were given LEF and prospectively followed. Primary outcome was a 28-joint Disease Activity Score (DAS28) of low disease activity (< 3.2) in less than 6 months. Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire (CHAQ) scores and safety data were recorded.

Results.

Forty-three patients (33 female) were included with 25 (58.1%) polyarticular, 10 oligoarticular (7 extended; 3 persistent), 6 systemic, and 2 enthesitis-related. Ten (23.2%) were rheumatoid factor–positive and 7 (16.3%) had antinuclear antibodies. Prior drugs other than MTX: 11 (25.5%) chloroquine diphosphate + MTX and 2 (4.6%) sulfasalazine + MTX; mean prednisone dose was 6.4 ± 9.3 mg. The MTX dose prior to LEF was 14.5 ± 4.5 mg/m2/week. LEF dose and duration of therapy were 16.6 ± 5.2 mg/d and 3.6 ± 2.2 years, respectively. Nineteen patients (44.2%) interrupted LEF: 1 entered remission, 11 were nonresponsive, and 7 were intolerant (16.2%). Baseline DAS28 (5.57 ± 0.7) dropped to 3.7 ± 1.2 at final analysis (p < 0.001) and 16 patients (37.2%) had a low DAS28 [< 3.2; 12 (27.9%) while taking LEF + MTX and 4 (9.3%) while taking monotherapy]. At last followup, the number of patients with DAS28 > 5.1 dropped from 34 (79%) to 9 (20.9%) and CHAQ scores from 0.86 ± 0.7 to 0.44 ± 0.5 (p < 0.001).

Conclusion.

LEF isolated or combined with MTX is effective and safe to treat JIA in patients refractory to MTX.
Deregulated NLRP3 and NLRP1 Inflammasomes and Their Correlations with Disease Activity in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Yang Qingrui , Yu Chengcheng , Yang Zhaowen , Wei Qing , Mu Kun , Zhang Ying , Zhao Wei , Wang Xiaofeng , Huai Wanwan , Han Lihui
Published: December 2013

Objective.

NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domain containing 3 and 1 (NLRP3 and NLRP1) inflammasomes are molecular platforms that sense the damage or danger signals of cells. We investigated whether NLRP3/NLRP1 inflammasomes are involved in the pathogenesis and progression of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods.

Expressions of inflammasome components at the mRNA and protein levels in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from patients with SLE and healthy controls were investigated by quantitative real-time transcription PCR and Western blot, respectively. Correlations between NLRP3/NLRP1 inflammasome components’ expression and clinical disease progression were investigated. Expressions of NLRP3/NLRP1 inflammasomes before and after treatment in the patients with SLE were also analyzed and compared.

Results.

Our data showed that expressions of NLRP3/NLRP1 inflammasomes were significantly downregulated in PBMC from patients with SLE compared with PBMC from healthy controls. Further, expressions of NLRP3/NLRP1 inflammasomes were negatively correlated with the SLE Disease Activity Index, and regular glucocorticoid treatment significantly corrected this deregulation of these inflammasomes. Further analysis showed that type I interferon (IFN) level was significantly negatively correlated with expression of NLRP3/NLRP1 inflammasomes, which indicated that enhanced IFN-I level in patients with SLE was responsible, at least to a great degree, for the deregulation of inflammasomes.

Conclusion.

These results indicated deregulation of NLRP3/NLRP1 inflammasomes in patients with SLE, and suggested an important role for inflammasomes in the pathogenesis and progression of SLE.
Health Literacy Predicts Discrepancies Between Traditional Written Patient Assessments and Verbally Administered Assessments in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Hirsh Joel M. , Davis Lisa A. , Quinzanos Itziar , Keniston Angela , Caplan Liron
Published: December 2013

Objective.

Patient assessments of disease activity (PtGA) and general health (GH) measured by visual analog scale (VAS) are widely used in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) clinical practice and research. These require comprehension of the question’s wording and translation of disease activity onto a written VAS, which is problematic for patients with limited health literacy (HL) or difficulty completing forms. This study’s objective was to validate verbally administered versions of patient assessments and identify factors that might explain discrepancies between verbal and written measures.

Methods.

We enrolled patients with RA at the Denver Health rheumatology clinic (n = 300). Subjects were randomized to complete the traditional written PtGA and GH and one of the verbal assessments. Subjects provided a verbal numeric response after reading the question, having the question read to them in person, or hearing the question over the phone. Spearman and Lin correlations comparing written and verbal assessments were determined. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to explain any discrepancies.

Results.

The instruments administered verbally in-person showed good, but not excellent, correlation with traditional written VAS forms (Spearman coefficients 0.59 to 0.70; p < 0.001 for all correlations). Twenty-three percent of subjects were unable to complete 1 of the written VAS assessments without assistance. HL predicted missing written data and discrepancies between verbal and written assessments (p < 0.05 for all correlations).

Conclusion.

Providers should use verbal versions of PtGA and GH with caution while caring for patients unable to complete traditional written version. Limited HL is widely prevalent and a barrier to obtaining patient-oriented data.
Inflammation and Disease Activity are Associated with High Circulating Cardiac Markers in Rheumatoid Arthritis Independently of Traditional Cardiovascular Risk Factors
Authors: Avouac Jérôme , Meune Christophe , Chenevier-Gobeaux Camille , Dieudé Philippe , Borderie Didier , Lefevre Guillaume , Kahan André , Allanore Yannick
Published: December 2013

Objective.

To measure concentrations of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (HS-cTnT) and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to examine correlates.

Methods.

The plasma concentrations of HS-cTnT and NT-proBNP were measured in consecutive patients with RA and compared to values obtained from age-matched and sex-matched healthy controls.

Results.

We included 236 unrelated patients with RA (192 females, 57 ± 13 yrs) and 213 controls (170 females, 55 ± 15 yrs). Seventy-one patients with RA were free of cardiovascular (CV) risk factors. HS-cTnT and NT-proBNP concentrations were significantly higher in the total cohort of patients with RA (p = 0.03 and p < 0.0001, respectively) and in the subgroup free of CV risk factors (p = 0.02 and p < 0.0001, respectively) compared to controls. In addition, both the total cohort of patients with RA and the subgroup free of CV risk factors were more likely to have levels above the cutoff concentrations of HS-cTnT (p = 0.003 and p = 0.007, respectively) and NT-proBNP (p = 0.0001 and p < 0.0001, respectively) than controls. Patients with RA and increased C-reactive protein (CRP) levels had higher HS-cTnT (p = 0.03) and NT-proBNP (p = 0.02) concentrations. HS-cTnT levels positively correlated with the 28-joint Disease Activity Score (DAS28-CRP; r = 0.2, p = 0.020). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that increased HS-cTnT levels were independently associated with a DAS28-CRP > 5.1 (OR 11.8; 95% CI 1.6–35.5) and a body mass index > 30 kg/m2 (OR 2.7; 95% CI 1.3–5.5).

Conclusion.

HS-cTnT and NTproBNP are increased in patients with RA, independent of CV risk factors. The association between HS-cTnT, NT-proBNP, and CRP, together with the correlation between HS-cTnT and disease activity, support the link between myocardial injury/dysfunction and inflammation.
OMERACT Endorsement of Measures of Outcome for Studies of Acute Gout
Authors: Singh Jasvinder A. , Taylor William J. , Dalbeth Nicola , Simon Lee S. , Sundy John , Grainger Rebecca , Alten Rieke , March Lyn , Strand Vibeke , Wells George , Khanna Dinesh , McQueen Fiona , Schlesinger Naomi , Boonen Annelies , Boers Maarten , Saag Kenneth G. , Schumacher H. Ralph , Edwards N. Lawrence
Published: December 2013

Objective.

To determine the extent to which participants at the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) 11 meeting agree that instruments used in clinical trials to measure OMERACT core outcome domains in acute gout fulfill OMERACT filter requirements of truth, discrimination, and feasibility; and where future research efforts need to be directed.

Methods.

Results of a systematic literature review and analysis of individual-level data from recent clinical studies of acute gout were presented to OMERACT participants. The information was discussed in breakout groups, and opinion was defined by subsequent voting in a plenary session. Endorsement was defined as at least 70% of participants voting in agreement with the proposition (where the denominator excluded those participants who did not vote or who voted “don’t know”).

Results.

The following measures were endorsed for use in clinical trials of acute gout: (1) 5-point Likert scale and/or visual analog scale (0 to 100 mm) to measure pain; (2) 4-point Likert scale for joint swelling; (3) 4-point Likert scale for joint tenderness; and (4) 5-point Likert scale for patient global assessment of response to treatment. Measures for the activity limitations domain were not endorsed.

Conclusion.

Measures of pain, joint swelling, joint tenderness, and patient global assessment in acute gout were endorsed at OMERACT 11. These measures should now be used in clinical trials of acute gout.
Un continent de possibles oubliés
Authors: Bertrand Romain
Published: December 2013

L’histoire globale a tendance à raisonner « en ligne droite » ; elle décentre le regard tout en maintenant souvent la causalité. On voit alors surgir des questionnements sur les origines du capitalisme en Asie à l’époque moderne ; or la distance géographique se double d’une distance temporelle et conceptuelle, qu’il faut analyser à travers des exemples précis. Les relations commerciales entre Hollandais et Indonésiens au xvii e siècle, par exemple, ne sauraient se réduire à une forme de précapitalisme.
Soutenir la mobilisation politique par l'image. Photographie contestataire au Yémen
Authors: Alviso-Marino Anahi
Published: December 2013

En revenant sur la première phase des mobilisations initiées en 2011 au Yémen, cette contribution reconstitue le récit visuel d’un processus de changement politique « révolutionnaire » à travers le travail de photographes engagés. Analyser la contestation politique à travers la production de photographes qui campent dans un espace occupé pour protester permet de souligner l’usage de ressources visuelles contre la domination. En étudiant l’intersection entre l’espace, la photographie et la contestation, cet article interroge l’usage de la photographie en tant que support protestataire et moyen de sensibilisation politique.
Quand les manifestants s'emparent de la vidéo à Moscou : communiquer ou faire participer ?
Authors: Poupin Perrine
Published: December 2013

La multiplication de caméras vidéo, d’appareils photo et d’autres dispositifs numériques a permis aux manifestants, en Russie comme ailleurs, de filmer leurs actions protestataires et de rendre compte de ces événements sur Internet, alors que les médias traditionnels les couvrent peu ou mal. En partant de la production, de la grammaire filmique et de l’usage des images réalisées par des activistes impliqués dans la lutte contre le chantier autoroutier traversant la forêt de Khimki, au nord de Moscou, cet article analyse les attraits et limites de cette prise de parole visuelle pour l’action politique et les collectifs protestataires en Russie.
Photographie et film dans les projets urbains participatifs : mont(r)er l'image d'un habitant actif ?
Authors: Mamou Khedidja
Published: December 2013

Le projet urbain s’accompagne d’un foisonnement de supports de représentation visuelle pour (faire) participer. Si les habitants sont majoritairement « attendus » pour/sur leur savoir d’usage, photo et vidéo ouvrent à la mobilisation d’autres savoirs et concourent à produire et à montrer une image habitante différente. Ces supports semblent servir des prises de parole « équitables », car mieux distribuées, et donnent à voir la part individuelle et collective de la participation. Seulement, si l’habitant participe de cette « part individuelle », il n’est que très rarement invité à participer au montage des représentations collectives (visuelle et sociale) produites par la photo et la vidéo.
Procédure « mini‑public » et eau potable, un couple imbuvable ? La délibération entre spontanéité, concession, glissement et discussion
Authors: Bedu Clémence
Published: December 2013

Les procédures de type « mini‑public » florissantes aujourd’hui débouchent souvent sur un « avis citoyen » censé éclairer la décision publique. Quelle est la fabrication d’un tel avis ? La délibération y est‑elle vraiment au rendez‑vous ? Fondée sur l’étude d’un « atelier citoyen » portant sur la gouvernance d’un service d’eau potable, notre enquête ethnographique met à l’épreuve le socle normatif de la délibération. Elle décrit la trajectoire multicontingente des recommandations inscrites dans l’avis final pour esquisser les contours d’une critériologie opératoire de la production collective dans ces démarches.
Insertion ou bricolage ?
Authors: Olivera Martin
Published: December 2013

Les Roms constituent un ensemble de familles migrantes précaires qui, comme d’autres avant elles, vivent en bidonville. Pourtant les autorités publiques peinent à considérer ce qu’elles qualifient de « problème rom » sous les seuls angles du mal-logement et de l’insertion sociale. Est-ce à dire que l’insertion des Roms est trop coûteuse ? Leur prise en charge, qui relève souvent du bricolage, met en lumière les limites du travail social aux prises aux injonctions paradoxales des institutions et du manque de moyens, plus sûrement que les difficultés d’intégration de ces populations.
Citoyenneté et mobilité en Europe
Authors: Habu Groud Thomas
Published: December 2013

Bien que constamment désignés, dans les discours politiques, comme constituant une catégorie à part, aux caractéristiques culturelles particulières et à la marginalité ancestrale, les Roms en sont identifiés par aucun critère légal, ni en droit français, ni dans le droit de l’Union européenne. Comment alors accéder à la citoyenneté européenne et comment l’exercer en termes de liberté de circulation et de droit au séjour ?
Les droits de la Terre-Mère et le bien vivre, ou les apports des peuples autochtones face à la détérioration de la planète
Authors: Morin Françoise
Published: December 2013

Face aux répercussions négatives de l’activité humaine sur la nature et l’environnement, les instances onusiennes ont réagi, depuis plus de quarante ans, multipliant les rapports, organisant des sommets, adoptant une Charte mondiale de la Nature et prônant, depuis 1987, « le développement durable ». De leur côté, les peuples autochtones, l’un des groupes les plus touchés par cette dégradation de la planète, luttent pour leur droit au consentement préalable, libre et informé, relatif aux projets d’exploitation de leurs ressources naturelles. Ils prônent les droits de la Terre-Mère. Cet article analyse comment les instances internationales réagissent aux propositions autochtones et montre comment deux pays d’Amérique Latine, la Bolivie et l’Équateur, conçoivent la notion de « bien vivre » comme alternative au développement.
Manifestations et principes de la circulation non marchande dans le Viêt Nam rural à l'époque contemporaine : donner, recevoir et rendre pour s'allier
Authors: Pannier Emmanuel
Published: December 2013

Cette étude ethnographique de la circulation non marchande dans un village du delta du fleuve Rouge (Viêt Nam) consiste à cerner le phénomène dans sa singularité, en cherchant à voir dans quelle mesure les faits empiriques raisonnent avec les théories existantes sur la question. La mise à jour des caractéristiques de ces transferts non marchands donne à voir un système de dons cérémoniels fondé sur l’entraide, la réciprocité des gestes et l’entretien de dettes morales, dont les effets principaux consistent à tisser et entretenir un lien affectif interpersonnel ( quan hẹ tình cảm ). Dans ce contexte, où les sphères de l’État et du marché ne suffisent pas à produire la confiance nécessaire aux échanges ni à réguler les relations, les dons d’alliance – et les relations personnelles affectives qu’ils nourrissent – s’affirment de fait comme un élément pivot du vivre-ensemble dans le Viêt Nam rural.
Les belles choses sont difficiles
Authors: Xu Yi Bing
Published: December 2013

On cherche toujours l’esthétique ; même si on ne sait pas vraiment ce que c’est et pourquoi on la recherche. L’esthétique traditionnelle chinoise considère que la symétrie est la beauté, et la clé de cette beauté consiste dans le troisième élément pouvant déterminer la symétrie, c’est-à-dire ce que l’on appelle « déterminant », « délimitant » ou « reliant ». L’essence du troisième élément réside dans le sens. Dans la vie quotidienne, on utilise d’une part le sens pour organiser sa vie et d’autre part, par l’« élaboration » du sens, on veut agir sur l’autre.
Smooth Muscle Cells Relay Acute Pulmonary Inflammation via Distinct ADAM17/ErbB Axes
Authors: Dreymueller Daniela , Martin Christian , Schumacher Julian , Groth Esther , Boehm Julia Katharina , Reiss Lucy Kathleen , Uhlig Stefan , Ludwig Andreas
Published: December 2013

In acute pulmonary inflammation, danger is first recognized by epithelial cells lining the alveolar lumen and relayed to vascular responses, including leukocyte recruitment and increased endothelial permeability. We supposed that this inflammatory relay critically depends on the immunological function of lung interstitial cells such as smooth muscle cells (SMC). Mice with smooth muscle protein-22α promotor-driven deficiency of the disintegrin and metalloproteinase (ADAM) 17 (SM22-Adam17−/−) were investigated in models of acute pulmonary inflammation (LPS, cytokine, and acid instillation). Underlying signaling mechanisms were identified in cultured tracheal SMC and verified by in vivo reconstitution experiments. SM22-Adam17−/− mice showed considerably decreased cytokine production and vascular responses in LPS- or acid-induced pulmonary inflammation. In vitro, ADAM17 deficiency abrogated cytokine release of primary SMC stimulated with LPS or supernatant of acid-exposed epithelial cells. This was explained by a loss of ADAM17-mediated growth factor shedding. LPS responses required ErbB1/epidermal growth factor receptor transactivation by TGFα, whereas acid responses required ErbB4 transactivation by neuregulins. Finally, LPS-induced pulmonary inflammation in SM22-Adam17−/− mice was restored by exogenous TGFα application, confirming the involvement of transactivation pathways in vivo. This highlights a new decisive immunological role of lung interstitial cells such as SMC in promoting acute pulmonary inflammation by ADAM17-dependent transactivation.
Genetic instability in urinary bladder cancer
Authors: Wadhwa N , Mathew BB , Jatawa SK , Tiwari A
Published: December 2013

Bladder cancer is a major health-care concern. A successful treatment of bladder cancer depends on its early diagnosis at the initial stage. Genetic instability is an essential early step toward the development of bladder cancer. This instability is found more often at the chromosomal level than at the nucleotide level. Microsatellite and chromosomal instability markers can be used as a prognostic marker for screening bladder cancer. Bladder cancer can be distinguished in two different categories according to genetic instability: Cancers with chromosomal level instability and cancers with nucleotide level instability. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) mismatch repair (MMR) system and its correlation with other biologic pathway, both are essential to understand the basic mechanisms of cancer development. Microsatellite instability occurs due to defects in DNA MMR genes, including human mutL homolog 1 and human mutL homolog 2. Chromosomal alterations including deletions on chromosome 3, 8, 9, 11, 13, 17 have been detected in bladder cancer. In the current review, the most recent literature of genetic instability in urinary bladder cancer has been summarized.
"DREEM" comes true - Students′ perceptions of educational environment in an Indian medical school
Authors: Kiran HS , Gowdappa Basavana H
Published: December 2013

Background:

The accomplishment and contentment of students depends upon their educational environment. Very few studies in India have looked at the impact of educational environment on students, there are few such studies in our country despite having a large number of medical schools.

Objective:

This study was performed to assess the undergraduate students’ perceptions of medical education in general and educational environment in our medical school in particular.

Materials and Methods:

The Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM), a validated inventory was distributed among undergraduate students in final Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) (2010-2011) and students who were undergoing internship (2010-2011) and various scores were calculated and the means were compared using Mann-Whitney test.

Results:

The mean total DREEM score was found to be 121.5/200 for final MBBS students (n = 115) and 118.4/200 (n = 109) for the internship batch students. There was no statistically significant difference between the scores of the two batches. The overall DREEM score for our Medical School during the academic year 2010-2011 (for the final MBBS and internship batch) was 120/200 (n = 224), which showed that the students’ perceptions were more positive.

Conclusion:

The study showed that the students’ perception of the educational environment was positive. There was no statistically significant difference between the scores of the two batches (final MBBS and internship). This study helped us to introspect and identify remediable areas in the educational environment of our medical school and hence we could suggest some measures to modify them.
Tate-Hochschild homology and cohomology of Frobenius algebras
Authors: Bergh Petter Andreas , Jorgensen David A.
Published: December 2013

Let

\Lambda

be a two-sided Noetherian Gorenstein

k

-algebra, for

k

a field. We introduce Tate–Hochschild homology and cohomology groups for

\Lambda

, which are defined for all degrees, non-negative as well as negative, and which agree with the usual Hochschild homology and cohomology groups for all degrees larger than the injective dimension of

\Lambda

. We prove certain duality theorems relating the Tate–Hochschild (co)homology groups in positive degree to those in negative degree, in the case where

\Lambda

is a Frobenius algebra. We explicitly compute all Tate–Hochschild (co)homology groups for certain classes of Frobenius algebras, namely, certain quantum complete intersections.
Hardy spaces associated with different homogeneities and boundedness of composition operators
Authors: Han Yongsheng , Lin Chincheng , Lu Guozhen , Ruan Zhuoping , Sawyer Eric T.
Published: December 2013

It is well known that standard Calderón–Zygmund singular integral operators with isotropic and nonisotropic homogeneities are bounded on the classical

H^p(\mathbb{R}^m)

and nonisotropic

H^p_{h}(\mathbb{R}^m),

respectively. In this paper, we develop a new Hardy space theory and prove that the composition of two Calderón–Zygmund singular integral operators with different homogeneities is bounded on this new Hardy space. Such a Hardy space has a multiparameter structure associated with the underlying mixed homogeneities arising from the two singular integral operators under consideration. The Calderón–Zygmund decomposition and an interpolation theorem hold on these new Hardy spaces.
Pseudo-differential operators on fractals and other metric measure spaces
Authors: Ionescu Marius , Rogers Luke G. , Strichartz Robert S.
Published: December 2013

We define and study pseudo-differential operators on a class of fractals that include post-critically finite (p.c.f.) self-similar sets and Sierpiński carpets. Using sub-Gaussian estimates for the heat operator we prove that our operators have kernels that decay and, in the constant coefficient case, are smooth off the diagonal. Our analysis can be extended to products of fractals. While our results are applicable to a larger class of metric measure spaces with Laplacian, we use them to study elliptic, hypoelliptic, and quasi-elliptic operators on p.c.f. fractals, answering a few open questions posed in a series of recent papers. We extend our class of operators to include the so called Hörmander hypoelliptic operators and we initiate the study of wavefront sets and microlocal analysis on p.c.f. fractals.
On complete submanifolds with parallel mean curvature in product spaces
Authors: Fetcu Dorel , Rosenberg Harold
Published: December 2013

We prove a Simons type formula for submanifolds with parallel mean curvature vector field in product spaces of type

M^n(c)\times\mathbb{R}

, where

M^n(c)

is a space form with constant sectional curvature

c

, and then we use it to characterize some of these submanifolds.
Some two-dimensional extensions of Bougerol’s identity in law for the exponential functional of linear Brownian motion
Authors: Bertoin Jean , Dufresne Daniel , Yor Marc
Published: December 2013

We present a two-dimensional extension of an identity in distribution due to Bougerol [4] that involves the exponential functional of a linear Brownian motion. Even though this identity does not extend to the level of processes, we point out further striking relations in this direction.
Commutators, paraproducts and BMO in non-homogeneous martingale settings
Authors: Treil Sergei
Published: December 2013

In this paper we investigate the relations between (martingale) BMO spaces, paraproducts and commutators in non-homogeneous martingale settings. Some new, and one might add unexpected, results are obtained. Some alternative proof of known results are also presented.
Normalisers of operator algebras and tensor product formulas
Authors: McGarvey Martin , Oliveira Lina , Todorov Ivan G.
Published: December 2013

We establish a tensor product formula for bimodules over maximal abelian self-adjoint algebras and their supports. We use this formula to show that if

\mathcal{A}

is the tensor product of finitely many continuous nest algebras,

\mathcal{B}

is a CSL algebra and

\mathcal{A}

and

\mathcal{B}

have the same normaliser semigroup then either

\mathcal{A} =\mathcal{B}

or

\mathcal{ A}^* = \mathcal{B}

. We show that the result does not hold without the assumption that the nests be continuous, answering in the negative a question previously raised in the literature.
Defining functions for unbounded $C^m$ domains
Authors: Harrington Phillip , Raich Andrew
Published: December 2013

For a domain

\Omega\subset\mathbb{R}^n

, we introduce the concept of a uniformly

C^m

defining function. We characterize uniformly

C^m

defining functions in terms of the signed distance function for the boundary and provide a large class of examples of unbounded domains with uniformly

C^m

defining functions. Some of our results extend results from the bounded case.
Posición serial y recursos atencionales para mejorar el recuerdo en las cuñas de radio
Authors: Rodero Antón Emma
Published: December 2013

La crisis expresiva por la que atraviesa la publicidad en radio unida a la necesidad de que el formato sea efectivo y rentable publicitariamente conducen a la necesidad de realizar estudios sobre el nivel de recuerdo de los oyentes que aporten soluciones al problema. Objetivos: esta investigación tiene por objetivo analizar si la aplicación de tres medidas relacionadas con elementos micro y macroestructurales de la publicidad en las cuñas de radio consigue incrementar los niveles de recuerdo de los oyentes, mejorando así el procesamiento cognitivo del estímulo auditivo. Metodología: se trata de averiguar si la posición serial en que se coloca una cuña y la aplicación de recursos atencionales al texto tienen efectos sobre el nivel de recuerdo del oyente. Conclusión: el estudio demuestra que la aplicación de recursos atencionales logra incrementar el recuerdo del oyente pero no así la posición en que se coloca la cuña dentro del bloque publicitario.
Spatial Analysis of Fish Farming in the Gulluk Bay (Eastern Aegean)
Authors: Yucel-Gier Guzel ,   Dokuz Eylul University, Institute of Marine Sciences and Technology, Inciralti, Izmir, Turkey., Pazi Idil , Kucuksezgin Filiz
Published: December 2013

Marine aquaculture in Turkey has been rapidly growing during the last two decades in the coastal zone. This growth has led the government to take measures to reduce environmental degradation. After the new regulation for aquaculture, in 2007, most sea farm cages were relocated from shallow water to relatively deeper areas in Gulluk Bay. In this study a spatial analysis of marine fish farming was performed, using several GIS data layers to assess Allocated Aquaculture Zone (AZA) and to monitor operations. A spatial analysis of fish farming the Gulluk Bay in the context of the other major sea users and their relative percentages in the sea use pattern were determined. The Allocated Aquaculture Zone (AZA) amounted to 20.8 % of total water surface area; licensed cage areas occupied 0.45%, trawl areas 34.4%, important natural areas 35.4% and multiusage zones the rest. The study used water quality index (TRIX) data for evaluation in conjunction with GIS. The study shows how different terrestrial and marine activities interact with each other, and that certain areas are subject to layers of multiple usages and water quality index (TRIX) data was evaluated by using a GIS.
Biomass and productivity responses of zooplankton communities to experimental thermocline deepening
Authors: Sastri Akash R. , Gauthier Joanna , Juneau Philippe , Beisner Beatrix E.
Published: December 2013

Lake thermocline depth is likely to be altered with climate change. We assessed the response of crustacean zooplankton biomass and productivity to an experimental whole‐lake manipulation of thermocline depth. Weekly sampling occurred in Experimental and Reference years and responses were assessed with a before—after‐control—impact design. While one of three lake basins remained un‐manipulated (control), two others experienced thermocline deepening via: active mixing simulating increased wind‐stress (‘mixing with thermocline deepening’); and increased overall heat content, simulating greater water clarity (‘thermocline deepening’). Thus, we simultaneously identified seasonal responses to three treatments: mixing with thermocline deepening, thermocline deepening alone, and an isolated mixing effect. Total crustacean zooplankton biomass was enhanced by all treatment effects, owing to positive responses to thermocline deepening in Bosmina and Daphnia and a positive cyclopoid copepod response to mixing. Enhancement of biomass production rates (BP) occurred only with thermocline deepening, with no effect of mixing alone. The lack of BP response to active mixing was likely due to compositional shifts from fast growing Daphnia to slower growing cylopoids. BP variation was explained by positive and negative relationships with mean water‐column temperature and hypolimnetic temperature, respectively. Hypolimnetic warming, occurring naturally with the seasonal thermocline descent was more dramatic for the active mixing manipulation. This loss of hypolimnetic refuge for Daphnia appears to have had a negative effect on the community daily production to biomass ratio (P : Bdaily). Our study indicates a greater likelihood for reduced food‐web transfer efficiency under scenarios when mixing and hypolimnetic warming accompany thermocline deepening.
Feeding and overwintering of Antarctic krill across its major habitats: The role of sea ice cover, water depth, and phytoplankton abundance
Authors: Schmidt Katrin , Atkinson Angus , Pond David W. , Ireland Louise C.
Published: December 2013

Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) were sampled in contrasting habitats: a seasonally ice‐covered deep ocean (Lazarev Sea), ice‐free shelves at their northern range (South Georgia) and the Antarctic Peninsula (Bransfield Strait), and shelf and oceanic sites in the Scotia Sea. Across 92 stations, representing a year‐round average, the food volume in krill stomachs comprised 71 ± 29% algae, 17 ± 21% protozoans, and 12 ± 25% metazoans. Fatty acid trophic markers showed that copepods were consistently part of krill diet, not a switch food. In open waters, both diatom and copepod consumption increased with phytoplankton abundance. Under sea ice, ingestion of diatoms became rare, whereas feeding on copepods remained constant. During winter, larvae contained high but variable proportions of diatom markers, whereas in postlarvae the role of copepods increased with krill body length. Overwintering differed according to habitat. Krill from South Georgia had lower lipid stores than those from the Bransfield Strait or Lazarev Sea. Feeding effort was much reduced in Lazarev Sea krill, whereas most individuals from the Bransfield Strait and South Georgia contained phytoplankton and seabed detritus in their stomachs. Their retention of essential body reserves indicates that krill experienced most winter hardship in the Lazarev Sea, followed by South Georgia and then Bransfield Strait. This was reflected in the delayed development from juveniles to adults in the Lazarev Sea. Circumpolar comparisons of length frequencies suggest that krill growth conditions are more favorable in the southwest Atlantic than in the Lazarev Sea or off East Antarctica because of longer phytoplankton bloom periods and rewarding access to benthic food.
Using stable nitrogen isotopes to evaluate the relative importance of external and internal nitrogen loadings on phytoplankton production in a shallow eutrophic lake (Lake Mikata, Japan)
Authors: Sugimoto Ryo , Sato Takahisa , Yoshida Takehito , Tominaga Osamu
Published: December 2013

The seasonal variability of the stable nitrogen isotope (δ15N) in phytoplankton and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) in the shallow, eutrophic Lake Mikata was examined to assess the relative importance of external and internal DIN supply on phytoplankton production. δ15N values of phytoplankton varied seasonally from 2.1‰ in the early summer to 8.0‰ in autumn with an annual average of 3.9‰, which was similar to the annually averaged δ15N of DIN in a river entering the lake. The estimated DIN flux from the river was always higher than that from the adjacent Lake Suigetsu, suggesting that DIN from the river was a primary N source. The seasonality of phytoplankton δ15N was largely determined by the relative strengths of external DIN fluxes (river and adjacent lake) and internal N cycling. A decrease of δ15N in phytoplankton during summer suggested an assimilation of low δ15N of regenerated within the lake. In contrast, an increasing δ15N trend in autumn suggested the assimilation of high δ15N of NH+4 from Lake Suigetsu. NH+4 provided 39–62% of the N assimilated by phytoplankton in the autumn, with isotopic discrimination ranging from 8.3‰ to 12.6‰. These results show the importance of intra‐annual variability in the concentrations and δ15N of major nutrient sources on the δ15N of phytoplankton.
Do models of organic carbon mineralization extrapolate to warmer tropical sediments?
Authors: Cardoso Simone J. , Enrich-Prast Alex , Pace Michael L. , Roland Fábio
Published: December 2013

Freshwater sediments are important sites of organic carbon (OC) burial and mineralization. Previous studies indicate that warming can increase rates of OC mineralization, implying more CO2 release from sediments and, consequently, less OC burial, but temperatures typical of tropical ecosystems are poorly represented in the models of temperature and OC mineralization. We measured OC mineralization rates in 61 Brazilian tropical systems, including rivers, streams, lakes, coastal lagoons, and reservoirs from different regions (Pantanal, Amazonia, Atlantic Forest, and coastal areas). Oxygen consumption and dissolved inorganic carbon production in sediment core incubations were used for estimating OC mineralization rates. Multiple regression models were used to investigate the importance of temperature and other variables to predict OC mineralization. The average OC mineralization rate for all systems was 1223 ± 950 mg C m‒2 d‒1. Rates increased significantly with increasing temperature and varied across system types and regions. In addition, salinity, total nitrogen, and chlorophyll a were important factors controlling OC mineralization in tropical sediments. The pattern of increasing mineralization with temperature was remarkably consistent with theoretical and empirical expectations. The explanatory power of previous temperature vs. mineralization models is confirmed and enhanced by the addition of the tropical data that substantially extended the temperature range.
Selectivity by planktivorous fish at different prey densities, heterogeneities, and spatial scales
Authors: Maszczyk Piotr , Gliwicz Z. Maciej
Published: December 2013

Studies in artificially confined, small‐scale experimental systems with a homogeneous prey distribution suggest that selectivity in planktivorous fish for more conspicuous and rewarding prey (such as adult Daphnia with eggs in the brood cavities) is stronger at high than at low prey population density. We examined whether prey selectivity is altered when fish are allowed to feed in larger scale systems and on more heterogeneously distributed prey. The experimental system was comprised of 1000 liter tanks (one, four, or eight), interconnected to allow free movement of roach (Rutilus rutilus, eight per tank), with different densities of Daphnia prey, distributed with varying levels of homogeneity. As reported previously, the selectivity of roach increased at higher Daphnia densities, but only in small‐scale systems where prey distribution was homogeneous. However, the opposite was found in large‐scale systems with heterogeneous prey distribution, i.e., greater selectivity at lower prey densities. The reversed slope of the selectivity‐on‐prey‐density regression was linked to increased swimming speed at low prey density, where the fish, less constrained by the limited size of the experimental system, accelerate, possibly in an effort to compensate for low encounter rate and to more rapidly locate patches of prey. More selective feeding on scarce and patchy prey may result from the decreased relative visibility of smaller prey and from the increased capture costs due to the need to expend more energy for postcapture accelerations to regain a higher speed.
Using phylogeny to model cell size evolution in marine and freshwater diatoms
Authors: Nakov Teofil , Theriot Edward C. , Alverson Andrew J.
Published: December 2013

Strategies for optimizing fitness in a dilute, competitive, and changing environment are thought to underlie cell size evolution in phytoplankton. Support for cell size as an adaptive trait comes from observed shifts in cell size distributions in response to environmental cues at geologic time scales and across environmental gradients. Physicochemical differences between marine and freshwater environments are thought to drive diatom cell size evolution in opposite directions, with larger sizes conferring benefits in marine habitats and small sizes in freshwater habitats. We tested this hypothesis in one lineage of diatoms, the Thalassiosirales, which spans marine and freshwater habitats, has a well‐supported phylogeny, and whose members are relatively homogenous with respect to cell shape, growth habit, and habitat preference. A comparison of adaptive models for cell size evolution supports the hypothesis for different cell size optima between marine and freshwater habitats. The data are best explained by a model with separate selective regimes for marine and freshwater lineages. However, a scenario of stabilizing selection towards a single global cell size optimum irrespective of habitat cannot be completely discounted. Understanding of the processes that shape cell size evolution in phytoplankton would benefit from models that incorporate phylogeny, intrinsic properties of species (e.g., cell shape, colony formation, and motility), and more specific habitat characterization, as well as genetic and genomic properties of different phytoplankton groups.
The interaction between climate warming and eutrophication to promote cyanobacteria is dependent on trophic state and varies among taxa
Authors: Rigosi Anna , Carey Cayelan C. , Ibelings Bas W. , Brookes Justin D.
Published: December 2013

Cyanobacteria are predicted to increase due to climate and land use change. However, the relative importance and interaction of warming temperatures and increased nutrient availability in determining cyanobacterial blooms are unknown. We investigated the contribution of these two factors in promoting phytoplankton and cyanobacterial biovolume in freshwater lakes. Specifically, we asked: (1) Which of these two drivers, temperature or nutrients, is a better predictor of cyanobacterial biovolume? (2) Do nutrients and temperature significantly interact to affect phytoplankton and cyanobacteria, and if so, is the interaction synergistic? and (3) Does the interaction between these factors explain more of the variance in cyanobacterial biovolume than each factor alone? We analyzed data from > 1000 U.S. lakes and demonstrate that in most cases, the interaction of temperature and nutrients was not synergistic; rather, nutrients predominantly controlled cyanobacterial biovolume. Interestingly, the relative importance of these two factors and their interaction was dependent on lake trophic state and cyanobacterial taxon. Nutrients played a larger role in oligotrophic lakes, while temperature was more important in mesotrophic lakes: Only eutrophic and hyper‐eutrophic lakes exhibited a significant interaction between nutrients and temperature. Likewise, some taxa, such as Anabaena, were more sensitive to nutrients, while others, such as Microcystis, were more sensitive to temperature. We compared our results with an extensive literature review and found that they were generally supported by previous studies. As lakes become more eutrophic, cyanobacteria will be more sensitive to the interaction of nutrients and temperature, but ultimately nutrients are the more important predictor of cyanobacterial biovolume.