bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Role of the Striatum in Effort-Based Decision-Making in the Absence of Reward
Authors: Schouppe Nathalie , Demanet Jelle , Boehler Carsten N. , Ridderinkhof K. Richard , Notebaert Wim
Published: February 2014

Decision-making involves weighing costs against benefits, for instance, in terms of the effort it takes to obtain a reward of a given magnitude. This evaluation process has been linked to the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) and the striatum, with activation in these brain structures reflecting the discounting effect of effort on reward. Here, we investigate how cognitive effort influences neural choice processes in the absence of an extrinsic reward. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging in humans, we used an effort-based decision-making task in which participants were required to choose between two options for a subsequent flanker task that differed in the amount of cognitive effort. Cognitive effort was manipulated by varying the proportion of incongruent trials associated with each choice option. Choice-locked activation in the striatum was higher when participants chose voluntarily for the more effortful alternative but displayed the opposite trend on forced-choice trials. The dACC revealed a similar, yet only trend-level significant, activation pattern. Our results imply that activation levels in the striatum reflect a cost–benefit analysis, in which a balance is made between effort discounting and the intrinsic motivation to choose a cognitively challenging task. Moreover, our findings indicate that it matters whether this challenge is voluntarily chosen or externally imposed. As such, the present findings contrast with classical findings on effort discounting that found reductions in striatum activation for higher effort by finding enhancements of the same neural circuits when a cognitively challenging task is voluntarily selected and does not entail the danger of losing reward.
Presynaptic Alpha-Synuclein Aggregation in a Mouse Model of Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Spinelli Kateri J. , Taylor Jonathan K. , Osterberg Valerie R. , Churchill Madeline J. , Pollock Eden , Moore Cynthia , Meshul Charles K. , Unni Vivek K.
Published: February 2014

Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies are associated with abnormal neuronal aggregation of α-synuclein. However, the mechanisms of aggregation and their relationship to disease are poorly understood. We developed anin vivomultiphoton imaging paradigm to study α-synuclein aggregation in mouse cortex with subcellular resolution. We used a green fluorescent protein-tagged human α-synuclein mouse line that has moderate overexpression levels mimicking human disease. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) of labeled protein demonstrated that somatic α-synuclein existed primarily in an unbound, soluble pool. In contrast, α-synuclein in presynaptic terminals was in at least three different pools: (1) as unbound, soluble protein; (2) bound to presynaptic vesicles; and (3) as microaggregates. Serial imaging of microaggregates over 1 week demonstrated a heterogeneous population with differing α-synuclein exchange rates. The microaggregate species were resistant to proteinase K, phosphorylated at serine-129, oxidized, and associated with a decrease in the presynaptic vesicle protein synapsin and glutamate immunogold labeling. Multiphoton FRAP provided the specific binding constants for α-synuclein's binding to synaptic vesicles and its effective diffusion coefficient in the soma and axon, setting the stage for future studies targeting synuclein modifications and their effects. Ourin vivoresults suggest that, under moderate overexpression conditions, α-synuclein aggregates are selectively found in presynaptic terminals.
Dietary Omega-3 Fatty Acids Modulate Large-Scale Systems Organization in the Rhesus Macaque Brain
Authors: Grayson David S. , Kroenke Christopher D. , Neuringer Martha , Fair Damien A.
Published: February 2014

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for healthy brain and retinal development and have been implicated in a variety of neurodevelopmental disorders. This study used resting-state functional connectivity MRI to define the large-scale organization of the rhesus macaque brain and changes associated with differences in lifetime ω-3 fatty acid intake. Monkeys fed docosahexaenoic acid, the long-chain ω-3 fatty acid abundant in neural membranes, had cortical modular organization resembling the healthy human brain. In contrast, those with low levels of dietary ω-3 fatty acids had decreased functional connectivity within the early visual pathway and throughout higher-order associational cortex and showed impairment of distributed cortical networks. Our findings illustrate the similarity in modular cortical organization between the healthy human and macaque brain and support the notion that ω-3 fatty acids play a crucial role in developing and/or maintaining distributed, large-scale brain systems, including those essential for normal cognitive function.
Heparan Sulfotransferases Hs6st1 and Hs2st Keep Erk in Check for Mouse Corpus Callosum Development
Authors: Clegg James M. , Conway Christopher D. , Howe Kathy M. , Price David J. , Mason John O. , Turnbull Jeremy E. , Basson M. Albert , Pratt Thomas
Published: February 2014

The corpus callosum (CC) connects the left and right cerebral hemispheres in mammals and its development requires intercellular communication at the telencephalic midline mediated by signaling proteins. Heparan sulfate (HS) is a sulfated polysaccharide that decorates cell surface and extracellular matrix proteins and regulates the biological activity of numerous signaling proteins via sugar–protein interactions. HS is subject to regulated enzymatic sulfation and desulfation and an attractive, although not proven, hypothesis is that the biological activity of HS is regulated by a sugar sulfate code. Mutant mouse embryos lacking the heparan sulfotransferasesHs2storHs6st1have severe CC phenotypes and form Probst bundles of noncrossing axons flanking large tangles of midline glial processes. Here, we identify a precocious accumulation of Sox9-expressing glial cells in the indusium griseum region and a corresponding depletion at the glial wedge associated with the formation of Probst bundles along the rostrocaudal axis in both mutants. Molecularly, we found a surprising hyperactivation of Erk signaling inHs2st−/−(2-fold) andHs6st1−/−(6-fold) embryonic telencephalon that was most striking at the midline, where Erk signaling is lowest in wild-types, and a 2-fold increase in Fgf8 protein levels inHs6st1−/−embryos that could underpin Erk hyperactivation and excessive glial movement to the indusium griseum. The tightly linkedHs6st1−/−CC glial and axonal phenotypes can be rescued by genetic or pharmacological suppression ofFgf8/Erkaxis components. Overall, our data fit a model in which Hs2st and Hs6st1 normally generate conditions conducive to CC development by generating an HS-containing environment that keeps Erk signaling in check.
An Age-Dependent Change in the Set Point of Synaptic Homeostasis
Authors: Mahoney Rebekah E. , Rawson Joel M. , Eaton Benjamin A.
Published: February 2014

Homeostatic plasticity functions within the nervous system to maintain normal neural functions, such as neurotransmission, within predefined optimal ranges. The defined output of these neuronal processes is referred to as the set point, which is the value that the homeostatic system defends against fluctuations. Currently, it is unknown how stable homeostatic set points are within the nervous system. In the present study we used the CM9 neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) in the adultDrosophilato investigate the stability of the set point of synaptic homeostasis across the lifespan of the fly. At the fly NMJ, it is believed that the depolarization of the muscle by neurotransmitter during an action potential, represented by the EPSP, is a homeostatic set point that is precisely maintained via changes in synaptic vesicle release. We find that the amplitude of the EPSP abruptly increases during middle age and that this enhanced EPSP is maintained into late life, consistent with an age-dependent change to the homeostatic set point of the synapse during middle age. In support of this, comparison of the homeostatic response at the young versus the old synapse shows that the magnitude of the homeostatic response at the older synapse is significantly larger than the response at the young NMJ, appropriate for a synapse at which the set point has been increased. Our data demonstrate that the amplitude of the EPSP at theDrosophilaNMJ increases during aging and that the homeostatic signaling system adjusts its response to accommodate the new set point.
Difference in Visual Motion Representation between Cortical Areas MT and MST during Ocular Following Responses
Authors: Miura Kenichiro , Inaba Naoko , Aoki Yuki , Kawano Kenji
Published: February 2014

The middle temporal (MT) and medial superior temporal (MST) areas are successive stations of the visual motion-processing stream and project in parallel to the pontine nucleus, which is closely associated with rapid stabilization of gaze. We recorded the neural activities of MT and MST neurons of monkeys during short-latency ocular following responses (OFRs) elicited by large-field sinusoidal gratings with different spatial frequencies drifting at different temporal frequencies, and examined the dependence on spatiotemporal frequency. The results indicate that most MT/MST neurons were tuned almost separately for spatial and temporal frequencies of motion stimuli. The difference between MT and MST neurons was particularly striking for the optimal spatial frequency (higher for MT and lower for MST). The spatiotemporal frequency dependence of the OFRs could be reproduced by a weighted sum of the population activities of the MT and MST neurons. We conclude that MT and MST neurons work as spatiotemporal frequency sensors that extract motions of finer and coarser visual features and that both areas contribute to generation of OFRs.
Tracking Progress toward a Goal in Corticostriatal Ensembles
Authors: Ma Liya , Hyman James M. , Phillips Anthony G. , Seamans Jeremy K.
Published: February 2014

When performing sequences of actions, we constantly keep track of our current position in the sequence relative to the overall goal. The present study searched for neural representations of sequence progression in corticostriatal circuits. Neurons within the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and its target region in the dorsal striatum (DS) were recorded from simultaneously as rats performed different sequences of lever presses. We analyzed the responses of the neurons to presses occurring in the “first,” “second,” or “third” serial position regardless of the particular sequence or physical levers. Principal component analysis revealed that the main source of firing rate variance in the ACC was a smooth ramp-like change as the animal progressed through the sequence toward the reward. No such smooth-ramping activity was observed in DS ensembles as firing tended to be tightly linked to each action. In the ACC, the progression in firing was observed only for correct choices and not errors, whereas in the DS, firing associated with each action in a sequence was similar regardless of whether the action was correct or not. Therefore, different forms of a signal exist within corticostriatal circuits that evolve across a sequence of actions, with DS ensembles tracking every action and ACC ensembles tracking actual progress toward the goal.
Yeast Growth Plasticity Is Regulated by Environment-Specific Multi-QTL Interactions
Authors: Bhatia Aatish , Yadav Anupama , Zhu Chenchen , Gagneur Julien , Radhakrishnan Aparna , Steinmetz Lars M , Bhanot Gyan , Sinha Himanshu
Published: February 2014

For a unicellular, non-motile organism like Saccharomyces cerevisiae, carbon sources act both as nutrients and as signaling molecules and consequently affect various fitness parameters including growth. It is therefore advantageous for yeast strains to adapt their growth to carbon source variation. The ability of a given genotype to manifest different phenotypes in varying environments is known as phenotypic plasticity. To identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) that drive plasticity in growth, two growth parameters (growth rate and biomass) were measured in a published dataset from meiotic recombinants of two genetically divergent yeast strains grown in different carbon sources. To identify QTL contributing to plasticity across pairs of environments, gene–environment interaction mapping was performed, which identified several QTL that have a differential effect across environments, some of which act antagonistically across pairs of environments. Multi-QTL analysis identified loci interacting with previously known growth affecting QTL as well as novel two-QTL interactions that affect growth. A QTL that had no significant independent effect was found to alter growth rate and biomass for several carbon sources through two-QTL interactions. Our study demonstrates that environment-specific epistatic interactions contribute to the growth plasticity in yeast. We propose that a targeted scan for epistatic interactions, such as the one described here, can help unravel mechanisms regulating phenotypic plasticity.
Comparative Genomic and Transcriptomic Analysis ofWangiella dermatitidis, A Major Cause of Phaeohyphomycosis and a Model Black Yeast Human Pathogen
Authors: Chen Zehua , Martinez Diego A , Gujja Sharvari , Sykes Sean M , Zeng Qiandong , Szaniszlo Paul J , Wang Zheng , Cuomo Christina A
Published: February 2014

Black or dark brown (phaeoid) fungi cause cutaneous, subcutaneous, and systemic infections in humans. Black fungi thrive in stressful conditions such as intense light, high radiation, and very low pH. Wangiella (Exophiala) dermatitidis is arguably the most studied phaeoid fungal pathogen of humans. Here, we report our comparative analysis of the genome of W. dermatitidis and the transcriptional response to low pH stress. This revealed that W. dermatitidis has lost the ability to synthesize alpha-glucan, a cell wall compound many pathogenic fungi use to evade the host immune system. In contrast, W. dermatitidis contains a similar profile of chitin synthase genes as related fungi and strongly induces genes involved in cell wall synthesis in response to pH stress. The large portfolio of transporters may provide W. dermatitidis with an enhanced ability to remove harmful products as well as to survive on diverse nutrient sources. The genome encodes three independent pathways for producing melanin, an ability linked to pathogenesis; these are active during pH stress, potentially to produce a barrier to accumulated oxidative damage that might occur under stress conditions. In addition, a full set of fungal light-sensing genes is present, including as part of a carotenoid biosynthesis gene cluster. Finally, we identify a two-gene cluster involved in nucleotide sugar metabolism conserved with a subset of fungi and characterize a horizontal transfer event of this cluster between fungi and algal viruses. This work reveals how W. dermatitidis has adapted to stress and survives in diverse environments, including during human infections.
Genome-Wide Analysis of Functional and Evolutionary Features of Tele-Enhancers
Authors: Huang Di , Ovcharenko Ivan
Published: February 2014

We investigated sequence features of enhancers separated from their target gene by at least one intermediate gene/exon (named tele-enhancers in this study) and enhancers residing inside their target gene locus. In this study, we used whole genome enhancer maps and gene expression profiles to establish a large panel of tele-enhancers. By contrasting tele-enhancers to proximal enhancers targeting heart genes, we observed that heart tele-enhancers use unique regulatory mechanisms based on the cardiac transcription factors SRF, TEAD, and NKX-2.5, whereas proximal heart enhancers rely on GATA4 instead. A functional analysis showed that tele-enhancers preferentially regulate house-keeping genes and genes with a metabolic role during heart development. In addition, tele-enhancers are significantly more conserved than their proximal counterparts. Similar trends have been observed for non-heart tissues and cell types, suggesting that our findings represent general characteristics of tele-enhancers.
Enhanced Capacitive Properties of Manganese Dioxide Nanowires Coating with Polyaniline by in situ Polymerization
Authors: Wu Lihao , Li Yingzhi , Yu Pingping , Zhang Qinghua
Published: February 2014

Among the transition metal oxides, manganese oxides have been widely studied for electrochemical capacitors and batteries, because of their high energy density, low cost, natural abundance and environmentally friendliness. However, the poor electrical conductivity of manganese dioxide (MnO2) limits its capacitive response. Polyaniline becomes a unique and promising conducting polymer with a great potential application in supercapacitors due to easy synthesis and good conductivity of the conducting material. Combine the two properties can prepare nanocomposite materials in order to improve the conductivity and capacitive performance of the MnO2. MnO2 coated with polyaniline as the coaxial nanowires were prepared in this report. The polyaniline was synthesized via in situ polymerization and we got a controllable thin coating on the well-dispersed MnO2 nanowires. This hybrid nanostructure enhances the conductivity and capacitive performance of the supercapacitor electrode. The specific capacitance of MnO2/PANI composites is as high as 426 F g-1 at 1 A g-1, which is twice much higher than pure MnO2 (188 F g-1) .
Eletroestimulação neuromuscular, exercícios contrarresistência, força muscular, dor e função motora em pacientes com osteoartrite primária de joelho
Authors: Dadalto Thais Varanda , Souza Cintia Pereira de , Silva Elirez Bezerra da
Published: February 2014

INTRODUÇÃO: A osteoartrite (OA) do joelho é um processo degenerativo e os sintomas são dor mecânica e períodos de dor inflamatória, rigidez articular e fraqueza muscular. Ela não tem cura. O objetivo do tratamento é aliviar os sinais e sintomas e, quando possível, retardar sua evolução. O fortalecimento muscular é indicado como tratamento da OA. OBJETIVO: Comparar a eficácia da eletroestimulação neuromuscular (EENM) e de exercícios contrarresistência (ECR) no ganho de força extensora de joelho, na diminuição da dor e na recuperação da função motora em pacientes com OA primária do joelho. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Participaram da pesquisa 23 pacientes com diagnóstico de OA primária do joelho, segundo os critérios clínicos e radiológicos do American College of Rheumatology. Eles foram alocados aleatoriamente para um grupo de ECR (n = 9), um grupo de EENM (n = 8) e um grupo controle (n = 6), e foram submetidos aos procedimentos característicos de seu grupo três vezes por semana até completar 24 sessões. Foram avaliadas de forma cega a força extensora de joelho, a dor e a função motora. Foi utilizado o teste MANOVA 3 x 2 com medidas repetidas para P < 0,05. RESULTADOS: Foi encontrada diferença significativa (P < 0.05) somente nas comparações intragrupos para força extensora de joelho no grupo EENM e para dor nos grupos EENM e ECR. CONCLUSÃO: O fortalecimento da musculatura extensora de joelho pode auxiliar na diminuição da dor de pacientes com OA. A EENM, quando aplicada de acordo com o protocolo utilizado neste estudo, pode ser uma terapia interessante para o tratamento da OA do joelho.
Clinical significance in non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis followed in a real practice
Authors: Faria Júnior Newton Santos de , Bigatão Amilcar Marcelo , Santos Sérgio Ricardo , Leitão Filho Fernando Sérgio Studart , Jardim José Roberto , Oliveira Luis Vicente Franco
Published: February 2014

INTRODUCTION: Bronchiectasis is a chronic disorder characterized by permanent dilation of the bronchi and bronchioles accompanied by inflammatory changes in the walls of these structures and adjacent lung parenchyma. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to perform a clinical and functional characterization of adult patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis. METHODS: A clinical, descriptive, retrospective, case-series study was carried out involving 232 patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis treated at a lung ambulatory between 2004 and 2012. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 232 patients (134 females; mean age: 52.9 years ± 17.7; body mass index: 23.5 kg/m² ± 4.4). The predominant symptoms were cough (91.4%), expectoration (85.8%) and dyspnea (76.3%). The majority of cases were of a non-tuberculosis etiology (64.7%). Regarding lung function, the obstructive breathing pattern was predominant (43.5%). The most common comorbidities were of a cardiovascular origin (51.0%). CONCLUSIONS: Adult patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (mainly post-infection or post-tuberculosis in origin) are characterized by a low educational level, excessive cough, sputum, dyspnea, muscle fatigue, an obstructive breathing pattern with frequent hypoxemia and multiple comorbidities, mainly of a cardiovascular origin. However, our patients have a low index of exacerbations and hospitalizations that can be assigned to a clinical protocol for monitoring.
Características agronômicas de seis cultivares de amendoim cultivadas em sistema convencional e de semeadura direta
Authors: Fachin Gabriel M. , Duarte Júnior José B. , Glier Cláudio A. da S. , Mrozinski Chrismam R. , Costa Antonio C. T. da , Guimarães Vandeir F.
Published: February 2014

Objetivou-se no presente trabalho avaliar o desempenho agronômico de seis cultivares de amendoim em sistema convencional e de semeadura direta nos municípios de Marechal Cândido Rondon e Tupãssi, PR, na safra 2011/2012. O delineamento experimental adotado foi de blocos ao acaso com quatro repetições num esquema de parcelas subdivididas. Foram utilizados, nas parcelas, dois sistemas de manejo de solo, o sistema convencional e sistema de semeadura direta e seis cultivares de amendoim de hábito de crescimento contrastante, um de porte ereto e cinco de porte rasteiro, nas subparcelas. Não houve diferença entre os sistemas de manejo conservacionista e convencional no rendimento de vagens e grãos, no número de estruturas reprodutivas nem no índice de rendimento de grãos do amendoim, nos dois locais avaliados. No município de Marechal Cândido Rondon as maiores produtividades foram obtidas pelos cultivares IAC 503, IAC Caiapó, IAC 213, Runner IAC 886 e Cavalo, respectivamente, independentemente do sistema de manejo de solo. Em Tupãssi a produtividade de grãos variou apenas entre os tipos de ramificação dos materiais cujos maiores valores foram observados para cultivares de ramificação alternada (Virgínia).
Alteração da cobertura vegetal na Sub-Bacia do Rio Espinharas de 2000 a 2010
Authors: Silva Rosangela M. P. , Lima Joedla R. , Mendonça Izaque F. C. de
Published: February 2014

No semiárido nordestino o aumento da área desflorestada e não recuperada da Caatinga degradada fragiliza seus solos e seu equilíbrio hidrológico. Este trabalho teve como objetivo mapear a alteração da cobertura vegetal na Sub-Bacia do Rio Espinharas no período 2000-2010. Os dados das imagens do sensor Thematic Mapper do satélite Landsat-5 foram processados no ambiente Spring. Para avaliação da cobertura vegetal utilizou-se o índice de vegetação por diferença normalizada. 65% da área apresentam alto grau de antropismo, vegetação rala e solos expostos. A imagem diferença foi analisada considerando-se os valores da média de distribuição dos níveis de cinza na imagem (Âµ) e do desvio padrão (Ïƒ), segundo os limiares [0, Î¼ - Ïƒ], [Î¼ - Ïƒ, Î¼ + Ïƒ] e [Î¼ + Ïƒ, 254] relacionando-os às classes: desmatamento/redução, não mudança e áreas de regeneração/incremento da vegetação. Os resultados mostram que 80% da área se mantêm inalterados; em 12,6% da área ocorreu redução da cobertura vegetal pelas práticas de corte raso para obtenção de lenha para uso doméstico ou comercial e preparo da área para a agricultura e em 7,4% da área registrou-se incremento possivelmente favorecido pelo cultivo de pastagens irrigadas e não irrigadas em solos de aluvião.
Fenomenologia do transtorno do comportamento alimentar hiperfágico e adicções
Authors: Charbonneau Georges , Moreira Virginia
Published: February 2014

Propomos a compreensão dos transtornos do comportamento alimentar hiperfágico em uma perspectiva antropofenomenológica. O exame destes transtornos deve inicialmente determinar em que medida eles são diferentes dos transtornos ansiosos e depressivos. Se existem indubitavelmente elementos adictivos nos transtornos do comportamento alimentar, em que medida é satisfatório mantê--los neste registro? O que se pode descrever de não adictivo nos transtornos do comportamento alimentar? Este artigo se dedica a discutir estas questões.
Linking public sector Corporate Social Responsibility with sustainable development: lessons from India
Authors: Ray Subhasis
Published: February 2014

Economic think tanks predict India to be the world's largest economy by 2050. This would require India to accelerate its industrial and infrastructure development. Industrialization based economic development will have a negative impact on the environment and hence sustainable development. Such steps could affect the social and environmental bottom line of the national economy. In recent years, a number of regulatory measures have been proposed by the Indian government to ensure corporate support to the goals of sustainable and inclusive development. The objective of these regulations is to achieve triple bottom line based growth. Notable among them is the mandatory Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) guidelines for public sector undertakings, first issued in April, 2010. I study the possibility and problems created by this effort by analyzing the policy documents and interviewing managers responsible for implementing CSR programmers in Indian public sector. Managers interviewed came from hydropower, coal, power distribution and shipping industries. Based on the study, four areas are identified that requires attention for effective linking between sustainable development and CSR; stakeholder engagement, institutional mechanisms, capacity building and knowledge management. Both government-public sector and public sector-community engagements have to be more streamlined. Institutional mechanisms have to be developed to see that CSR projects are effective and delivering. Importantly, managers at all levels need a better understanding of CSR and sustainable development. Since most projects are in rural areas, understanding of rural issues and sustainability is very important. Finally, such a large scale exercise in CSR should have a knowledge management mechanism to learn from the achievements and mistakes of the early years. I discuss the implication of the findings on India and other emerging economies many of which are struggling to balance growth and inclusive development. I conclude that the mandatory CSR guidelines for Indian public sector has the potential of achieving sustainable development only if early action is taken on the identified areas.
Factors related to orthodontic treatment time in adult patients
Authors: Melo Ana Camila Esteves de Oliveira , Carneiro Lilianne Oliveira Thiers , Pontes Luana Farias , Cecim Rodolpho Lobão , Mattos José Nazareno Rufino de , Normando David
Published: February 2014

INTRODUCTION: The length of time that it takes an orthodontist to treat adult patients varies widely. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate how different variables influence treatment time. METHODS: Seventy clinical case reports of successfully treated adult patients were examined. The patients were selected from 4,723 records held by three experienced orthodontists. The influence exerted by the following variables on treatment time was assessed: age, sex, facial pattern, severity of malocclusion (measured by the PAR index), sagittal relationship of canines, type of brackets (ceramic or metal), tooth extractions, missed appointments and orthodontic appliance issues/breakages, the latter being the dependent variable. Assessment was performed by multiple linear regression analysis, followed by the stepwise method with P < 0.05. RESULTS: The number of times a patient missed their appointment (no-show) (R² = 14.4%, p < 0.0001) and the number of appliance issues/breakages (R² = 29.71%, p = 0.0037) significantly affected variability in treatment time, and these two variables together can predict 43.75% (R² total) of the overall variability in treatment time. Other factors, such as canine relationship at the beginning of treatment, bracket type (metal or ceramic), tooth extractions, age at start of treatment, severity of the initial malocclusion, sex and facial pattern had no significant bearing on treatment time. CONCLUSIONS: The duration of orthodontic treatment in adults, when performed by experienced orthodontists, is mainly influenced by factors related to patient compliance. However, several factors which were not included in this study may contribute to variability in orthodontic treatment time.
Intra-articular injections with corticosteroids and sodium hyaluronate for treating temporomandibular joint disorders: a systematic review
Authors: Machado Eduardo , Bonotto Daniel , Cunali Paulo Afonso
Published: February 2014

INTRODUCTION: In some cases, conservative treatment of internal derangements of the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) is considered little responsive. Thus, it is necessary to accomplish treatments that aim at reducing pain and improve patients' functions who present arthrogenic temporomandibular disorders. OBJECTIVE: This study, by means of a systematic review of the literature, aimed to analyze the effectiveness of intra-articular injections with corticosteroids and sodium hyaluronate for treating internal derangements of the TMJ. METHODS: Carry out a research in the following databases: MEDLINE, Cochrane, EMBASE, Pubmed, Lilacs, and BBO, considering publications issued between 1966 and October of 2010, focusing on randomized or quasi-randomized controlled clinical trials, single or double-blind. RESULTS: After applying the inclusion criteria we collected 9 articles, 7 of which were randomized controlled double-blind clinical trials and 2 randomized controlled single-blind clinical trials. CONCLUSION: After analyzing the literature, it was found that intra-articular injection with corticosteroids and sodium hyaluronate seems to be an effective method for treating internal derangements of the TMJ. However, further randomized controlled clinical trials, with representative samples and longer follow-up time must be carried out in order to assess the real effectiveness of this technique.
Dynamics of arable land requirements for food in South Africa: From 1961 to 2007
Authors: Cui Xuefeng , Nath Reshmita , Luan Yibo , Ferrat Marion
Published: February 2014

Food consumption puts pressure on natural resources and arable land. In the present study, we examined the

dynamics of land requirements for food in South Africa from 1961 to 2007 and investigated the relationships

between dietary patterns, yield, cropping intensity, population and the area of required land using the thought

experiment method. Strong population growth and the development of agricultural technology (indicated by

yield) accounted for more than a 2.5-fold increase in the total land requirements for food from 1961 to 2007.

Before the 1990s, the increase in crop yields enabled constant land requirements, whereas, after the 1990s,

the combined effect of agricultural technology and population growth, together with a small contribution from

dietary changes, led to an increase in the land requirements for food. Our findings confirm that the variation in

land requirements for food is a complex, non-linear function of agricultural production techniques, population

growth and dietary patterns and show that the complex relationship between dietary pattern changes, and

economic development challenges future predictions of land requirements for food in South Africa.
The first-year augmented programme in Physics: A trend towards improved student performance
Authors: Chetty Naven
Published: February 2014

Amidst a critical national shortage of qualified Black graduates in the pure and applied sciences, the University of KwaZulu-Natal has responded to a call from government for redress by launching the BSc4 Augmented Physics programme. In this paper, the methods employed to foster learning and to encourage student success in the Mechanics module of the Augmented Physics programme are described and discussed. The use of problem-based learning and a holistic learning policy that focuses on the emotional, physical and knowledge development of the student seems to have yielded higher throughput in the first semester of an undergraduate programme in Physics. Furthermore, the results point to an increase in the conceptual understanding of the student with respect to Mechanics. When appraising this success, the results of the 2007–2009 cohorts, with and without teaching interventions in place, were analysed. These initial analyses pave the way for a course designed to benefit the student and improve throughput. These methods are not unique to Physics and can be adapted for any module in any country.
Responsible conduct of research: Global trends, local opportunities
Authors: Rossouw Theresa M. , Van Zyl Christa , Pope Anne
Published: February 2014

Instances of research misconduct reported in the lay and scientific literature as well as international efforts

to encourage research integrity and the responsible conduct of research are currently receiving considerable

attention. In South Africa, however, the topic has not featured prominently in public debate and clear evidence

of a national, coordinated effort to address the problem of research misconduct seems to be lacking.

Given increasing globalisation of research efforts, the need exists to promote standardised approaches to

interpretation and implementation of the principles and values that underlie responsible conduct of research

as well as to create guidelines and structures to promote integrity in research in the country. We explore

the notions of research misconduct and research integrity, focusing on initiatives that promote responsible

conduct of research, and propose a framework for the South African context.
Young Activists and the Anti-Patriotic Education Movement in Post-Colonial Hong Kong: Some Insights from Twitter
Authors: Chan Chitat
Published: February 2014

An extraordinary large-scale student movement in Hong Kong successfully forced the government to withdraw a patriotic education proposal in 2012. The student group has attracted serious scrutiny from the pro-government camp because of the students' unusually young age and remarkable mobilising power. This study aims to explore the community structures and identify significant members in the student network, and to shed light on understanding of the formation of young activists' sense of civic identity in the Internet age. Techniques of social network analysis were employed. It is argued that the role of adult activists and the role of social media are inadequately researched in civic education studies. Moreover, it is further argued that the post-colonial city presents a kind of phobia of talking about the adult–student relationship in civic action, which may risk hindering rigorous discussion of youth civic engagement.
Double-sided split-step MM-wave Fresnel lenses: design, fabrication and focal field measurements
Authors: Yurchenko V. B. , Ciydem M. , Gradziel M. , Murphy J. A. , Altintas A.
Published: February 2014

Design, fabrication and focal field measurements of W-band Fresnel lenses to produce well-shaped Gaussian beams in the focal domain are presented. Two lenses, one of Teflon and another of Polyamide, have been compared in their performance with a double-sided Fresnel lens of different design, with full height of Fresnel steps. Experiments show that a good focusing ability of all the lenses is achieved. They produce the target beam according to the design. Yet, the lenses of split-step design are thinner, have lower insertion losses, and a greater focal depth as compared to more conventional Fresnel lenses.
Data Mashups: Potential Contribution to Decision Support on Climate Change and Health
Authors: Fleming Lora , Haines Andy , Golding Brian , Kessel Anthony , Cichowska Anna , Sabel Clive , Depledge Michael , Sarran Christophe , Osborne Nicholas , Whitmore Ceri , Cocksedge Nicola , Bloomfield Daniel
Published: February 2014

Linking environmental, socioeconomic and health datasets provides new insights into the potential associations between climate change and human health and wellbeing, and underpins the development of decision support tools that will promote resilience to climate change, and thus enable more effective adaptation. This paper outlines the challenges and opportunities presented by advances in data collection, storage, analysis, and access, particularly focusing on “data mashups”. These data mashups are integrations of different types and sources of data, frequently using open application programming interfaces and data sources, to produce enriched results that were not necessarily the original reason for assembling the raw source data. As an illustration of this potential, this paper describes a recently funded initiative to create such a facility in the UK for use in decision support around climate change and health, and provides examples of suitable sources of data and the purposes to which they can be directed, particularly for policy makers and public health decision makers.
Educating the Future of Sustainability
Authors: Bowser Gillian , Gretzel Ulrike , Davis Elizabeth , Brown Mark
Published: February 2014

The future of global environmental sustainability is contingent upon educating the next generation of environmental stewards. Critical elements of training such an interdisciplinary workforce include mentoring and experiential learning in the areas of science, communication, and leadership. To keep pace with the ever changing and increasingly complex issues of global environmental sustainability, environmental educators must encourage and support the participation and training of a diverse body of students in the environmental sciences. The Rocky Mountain Sustainability and Science Network (RMSSN) is a partnership of over two dozen universities, federal agencies and other organizations designed to help train the next diverse generation of interdisciplinary leaders who are prepared to address issues related to global climate change, environmental sustainability, and the management of public lands and resources using the Rocky Mountains as a laboratory and classroom. Herein, we present the RMSSN as a model for engaging students in the environmental sciences with an emphasis on understanding key elements of sustainability. Our model is based on a foundation of: (1) diversity; (2) tiered mentoring in cohorts; (3) engaging lectures coupled with field experiences on public lands; (4) long term networking; and (5) environmental internships.
Prevalence of Antibodies against Hantaviruses in Serum and Saliva of Adults Living or Working on Farms in Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Authors: Jameson Lisa , Newton Autilia , Coole Louise , Newman Edmund , Carroll Miles , Beeching Nick , Hewson Roger , Christley Robert
Published: February 2014

Hantaviruses are an established cause of haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in Europe. Following a confirmed case of HFRS in the UK, in an individual residing on a farm in North Yorkshire and the Humber, a tidal estuary on the east coast of Northern England, and the subsequent isolation of a Seoul hantavirus from rats trapped on the patient’s farm, it was considered appropriate to further investigate the public health risk of this virus in the region. Of a total 119 individuals tested, nine (7.6%) were seropositive for hantavirus antibodies. Seven of the seropositive samples showed a stronger reaction to Seoul and Hantaan compared to other clinically relevant hantaviruses. Observation of rodents during the day, in particular mice, was associated with a reduced risk of seropositivity. In addition to one region known to be at risk following an acute case, five further potential risk areas have been identified. This study supports recently published evidence that hantaviruses are likely to be of public health interest in the region.
Treatment of Nocturia Symptoms with Acupuncture
Authors: Çevik Cemal , İşeri Sevgin Özlem
Published: February 2014

Nocturia is a common symptom in the elderly. It causes sleeping disorders and is also associated with a higher risk of falling and increased mortality. The majority of nocturia patients prescribed desmopressin although it may cause significant hyponatremia which is a serious life threatening side effect. There is a need to use safer alternative treatment strategies specialy for older nocturia patients. We aim to examine the effect of acupuncture treatment on nocturia patients as a safe alternative treatment option. 35 nocturia patients have been joined to our study aged between 28 to 72. Among those patients in the study, 23 were female while 12 were male. Acupuncture treatment were applied in every 2 days totaling 10 sessions and each treatment session has lasted for 20 minutes. Nocturia frequency of the patients were recorded 1 to 6 before acupuncture treatment sessions. We have observed that nocturia symptoms recovered completely in 60% of the patients at the end of 10 sessions of the treatment while nocturia frequency were reduced to one per night in 37% of the patients. On the other hand nocturia sypmtoms in 2.8% of the patients were not changed at all. As a result 97% of the patients have responded to acupuncture treatment positively which applied bilaterally to Yintang point, Ki 3, Liv 3, Sp 9, L. I. 4, Ht 7, Sp 6, Lu 9, Sp 3, P 6 points. According to our results we conclude that acupuncture treatment should be widely used in nocturia patients of older ages as well as relatively younger adults.
Escherichia Coli Peritonitis in Peritoneal Dialysis: The Prevalence, Antibiotic Resistance and Clinical Outcomes in a South China Dialysis Center
Authors: Feng Xiaoran , Yang Xiao , Yi Chunyan , Guo Qunying , Mao Haiping , Jiang Zongpei , Li Zhibin , Chen Dongmei , Cui Yingpeng , Yu Xueqing
Published: February 2014

Introduction

Escherichia coli ( E. coli) peritonitis is a frequent, serious complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD). The extended-spectrum β–lactamase (ESBL)-producing E. coli peritonitis is associated with poorer prognosis and its incidence has been on continuous increase during the last decades. However, the clinical course and outcomes of E. coli peritonitis remain largely unclear.

Methods

All of the E. coli peritonitis episodes that occurred in our dialysis unit from 2006 to 2011 were reviewed. The polymicrobial episodes were excluded.

Results

In total, ninety episodes of monomicrobial E. coli peritonitis occurred in 68 individuals, corresponding to a rate of 0.027 episodes per patient-year. E. coli was the leading cause (59.2%) of monomicrobial gram-negative peritonitis. ESBL-producing strains accounted for 35.5% of E. coli peritonitis. The complete cure rate and treatment failure rate of E. coli peritonitis were 77.8% and 10.0% respectively. Patients with preceding peritonitis had a higher risk of ESBL production as compared to those without peritonitis history [odds ratio (OR): 5.286; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.018 – 13.843; p = 0.001]. The risk of treatment failure was significantly increased when the patient had a baseline score of Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) above 3 (OR: 6.155; 95% CI: 1.198 – 31.612; p = 0.03), or had diabetes mellitus (OR: 8.457; 95% CI: 1.838 – 38.91; p = 0.006), or hypoalbuminemia (≤ 30g/l) on admission (OR: 13.714; 95% CI: 1.602 – 117.428; p = 0.01). Prolonging the treatment course from 2 to 3 weeks or more reduced the risk of relapse and repeat significantly ( p < 0.05).

Conclusions

E. coli peritonitis remains a common complication of PD. The clinical outcomes of E. coli peritonitis are relatively favorable despite the high ESBL rate. A history of peritonitis is associated with increased risk for ESBL development. The severity of baseline comorbidities, the presence of diabetes mellitus and hypoalbuminemia at admission are associated with poor outcomes.
The Negative Impact of Early Peritonitis on Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis Patients
Authors: Hsieh Yao-Peng , Wang Shu-Chuan , Chang Chia-Chu , Wen Yao-Ko , Chiu Ping-Fang , Yang Yu
Published: February 2014

Background

Peritonitis rate has been reported to be associated with technique failure and overall mortality in previous literatures. However, information on the impact of the timing of the first peritonitis episode on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients is sparse. The aim of this research is to study the influence of time to first peritonitis on clinical outcomes, including technique failure, patient mortality and dropout from peritoneal dialysis (PD).

Methods

A retrospective observational cohort study was conducted over 10 years at a single PD unit in Taiwan. A total of 124 patients on CAPD with at least one peritonitis episode comprised the study subjects, which were dichotomized by the median of time to first peritonitis into either early peritonitis patients or late peritonitis patients. Cox proportional hazard model was used to analyze the correlation of the timing of first peritonitis with clinical outcomes.

Results

Early peritonitis patients were older, more diabetic and had lower serum levels of creatinine than the late peritonitis patients. Early peritonitis patients were associated with worse technique survival, patient survival and stay on PD than late peritonitis patients, as indicated by Kaplan-Meier analysis (log-rank test, p = 0.04, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). In the multivariate Cox regression model, early peritonitis was still a significant predictor for technique failure (hazard ratio (HR), 0.54; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.30 – 0.98), patient mortality (HR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.13 – 0.92) and dropout from PD (HR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.30 – 0.82). In continuous analyses, a 1-month increase in the time to the first peritonitis episode was associated with a 2% decreased risk of technique failure (HR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.97 – 0.99), a 3% decreased risk of patient mortality (HR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.95 – 0.99), and a 2% decreased risk of dropout from PD (HR, 98%; 95% CI, 0.97 – 0.99). Peritonitis rate was inversely correlated with time to first peritonitis according to the Spearman analysis (r = –0.64, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Time to first peritonitis is significantly correlated with clinical outcomes of peritonitis patients with early peritonitis patients having poor prognosis. Patients with shorter time to first peritonitis were prone to having a higher peritonitis rate.