bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evolution of External Genitalia: Insights from Reptilian Development
Authors: Gredler Marissa L. , Larkins Christine E. , Leal Francisca , Lewis A. Kelsey , Herrera Ana M. , Perriton Claire L. , Sanger Thomas J. , Cohn Martin J.
Published: August 2014

External genitalia are found in each of the major clades of amniotes. The phallus is an intromittent organ that functions to deliver sperm into the female reproductive tract for internal fertilization. The cellular and molecular genetic mechanisms of external genital development have begun to be elucidated from studies of the mouse genital tubercle, an embryonic appendage adjacent to the cloaca that is the precursor of the penis and clitoris. Progress in this area has improved our understanding of genitourinary malformations, which are among the most common birth defects in humans, and created new opportunities for comparative studies of other taxa. External genitalia evolve rapidly, which has led to a striking diversity of anatomical forms. Within the past year, studies of external genital development in non-mammalian amniotes, including birds, lizards, snakes, alligators, and turtles, have begun to shed light on the molecular and morphogenetic mechanisms underlying the diversification of phallus morphology. Here, we review recent progress in the comparative developmental biology of external genitalia and discuss the implications of this work for understanding external genital evolution. We address the question of the deep homology (shared common ancestry) of genital structures and of developmental mechanisms, and identify new areas of investigation that can be pursued by taking a comparative approach to studying development of the external genitalia. We propose an evolutionary interpretation of hypospadias, a congenital malformation of the urethra, and discuss how investigations of non-mammalian species can provide novel perspectives on human pathologies.
Digital Media in Indonesia and Malaysia: Convergence and Conglomeration
Authors: Tapsell Ross
Published: August 2014

Through a comparative study of trends in the media industry in Indonesia and Malaysia, this article analyzes the transformative process of digital media on news production. Through an in-depth discussion of the influential conglomerates in two neighbouring countries, it examines the effects of digital media on journalism, news, and information. By including Southeast Asia in scholarly debates concerning the impact of the digital revolution, it will address the timely need to balance the existing Western-centric bias in this field of academic research. This article examines the process of platform convergence and how this assists the formation of media oligopolies in both countries. It shows that despite the difference in restrictions in media environments in each country, the process of media conglomeration and convergence is highly similar. This has significant impact on the way we assess the impact of digitalization on media pluralism and diversity in the convergence era.
The world’s biogeographical regions revisited: global patterns of endemism in Tipulidae (Diptera)
Authors: RIBEIRO GUILHERME C. , SANTOS CHARLES M. D. , OLIVIERI LUIGI T. , SANTOS DAUBIAN , BERBERT JULIANA M. , ETEROVIC ANDRÉ
Published: August 2014

This paper explores the distributional data of 4,224 Tipulidae (Insecta: Diptera) species to search for endemism patterns in a worldwide scale and to test the extent to which the global patterns of endemism of the group fit into previously proposed regionalization schemes, particularly Wallace’s system and recent revisions of it. Large scale areas of endemism are assessed using the grid-based method implemented in VNDM. VNDM depends on the prior definition of the grid size for analysis, but a criterion for choosing beforehand a particular grid size is not clear. The same holds for the choice of the level of similarity in species composition selected for the calculation of consensus areas. In our study, we developed a methodological approach that helped defining objective criteria for choosing suitable values for these critical variables. Large-scale areas of endemism around the globe are identified and ranked according to endemicity levels: 1—West Palaearctic, 2—Nearctic, 3—East Palaearctic-Oriental, 4—West North America, 5—Australia, 6—Neotropical, 7—Sub-Saharan Africa, 8—Palaearctic, and 9—Middle East. Our main conclusion is that there are still some limitations in applying biogeographical classifications proposed mostly on the basis of vertebrate distribution to other taxonomic groups, such as the Tipulidae. While there is a general congruence of the broad-scale areas of endemism of tipulids with previously proposed regionalization schemes, for some areas, the sharpness of boundaries between traditional regions is not so acute, due to a great level of overlap of part of its biotic elements.
A new species of freshwater crab of the genus Microthelphusa Pretzmann, 1968 (Crustacea: Brachyura: Pseudothelphusidae) from the Amazon region of Guyana
Authors: PEDRAZA MANUEL , TAVARES MARCOS
Published: August 2014

A new species of freshwater crab, Microthelphusa furcifer, is described and illustrated from the Potaro-Siparuni Kuribrong River in the Guyana Shield (Amazon region of Guyana). The new species can be easily separated from its congeners by the morphology of the first gonopod. The first gonopod of Microthelphusa meansi Cumberlidge, 2007, is illustrated to clarify some aspects of its morphology.
Re-description of the gudgeon species Saurogobio gracilicaudatus Yao & Yang in Luo, Yue & Chen, 1977 (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from the Chang-Jiang basin, South China, with a note on its generic classification
Authors: DAI ZHEN-YAN , ZHANG E , JIANG ZHONG-GUAN , WANG XUE
Published: August 2014

Saurogobio gracilicaudatus, originally described from the middle Yangtze River (Chang-Jiang in Chinese) basin at Yichang and Guanghua (now Laohekou), Hubei Province, South China, is here re-described, with particular concern for oromandibular structures in the mouth. It is uniquely distinguishable from all other species of Saurogobio in having a rostral cap with a slightly crenulated median portion, lips covered with brush-like, conical papillae, and a lower lip with a small, smooth and protruded central pad anteriorly free and posteriorly confluent with lateral lobes. The generic classification of this species is also discussed on the basis of oromandibular structures, which are of taxonomic importance in generic classification of gudgeons.
The Influence of Consequence-Based Messages on Public Responses to Tornado Warnings
Authors: Ripberger Joseph T. , Silva Carol L. , Jenkins-Smith Hank C. , James Mark
Published: August 2014

The Central Region Headquarters of the National Weather Service (NWS) recently launched an experimental product that supplements traditional tornado and severe thunderstorm warning products with information about the potential impact of warned storms. As yet, however, we know relatively little about the influence of consequence-based messages on warning responsiveness. To address this gap, we fielded two surveys of U.S. residents that live in tornado-prone regions of the country. Both surveys contained an experiment wherein participants were randomly assigned a consequence-based tornado warning message and asked to indicate how they would respond if they were to receive such a warning. Respondents that were assigned to higher-impact categories were more likely choose protective action than respondents assigned to lower-impact categories. There was, however, a threshold beyond which escalating the projected consequences of the storm no longer increased the probability of protective action. To account for this, we show that the relationship between consequence-based messages and protective action depends on the type of action being considered. At lower levels of projected impact, increasing the expected consequences of the storm simultaneously increased the probability that respondents selected a “shelter in place” or “leave residence” option. At higher levels of projected impact, this relationship changed—increasing the projected consequences of the storm decreased the probability that respondents would shelter in place and increased the probability that they would leave their residence for what they perceived to be a safer location. In some severe storm situations, this behavior may increase rather than decrease the risks.
Theory of Time-Dependent Freezing. Part I: Description of Scheme for Wet Growth of Hail
Authors: Phillips Vaughan T. J. , Khain Alexander , Benmoshe Nir , Ilotoviz Eyal
Published: August 2014

At subzero temperatures, cloud particles can contain both ice and liquid water fractions. Wet growth of precipitation particles occurs when supercooled cloud liquid is accreted faster than it can freeze on impact.

With a flexible framework, the theory of wet growth of hail is extended to the case of the inhomogeneities of surface temperature and of liquid coverage over the surface of the particle. The theory treats the heat fluxes between its wet and dry parts and radial heat fluxes from the sponge layer through the liquid skin to the air. The theory parameterizes effects of nonsphericity of hail particles on their growth by accretion. Gradual internal freezing of any liquid soaking the hail or graupel particle’s interior during dry growth (“riming”) is treated as well. In this way, the microphysical recycling envisaged by Pflaum in a paper in 1980 is treated, with alternating episodes of wet and dry growth.

The present paper, the first of a two-part paper, describes the scheme to treat wet growth, accounting for dependencies on condensate content, temperature, and particle size. Comparison with the laboratory experiments is presented.
Covarying Hydroclimate Patterns between Monsoonal Asia and North America over the Past 600 Years
Authors: Fang Keyan , Chen Deliang , Li Jinbao , Seppä Heikki
Published: August 2014

Proxy data with large spatial coverage spanning to the preindustrial era not only provide invaluable material to investigate hydroclimate changes in different regions but also enable studies on temporal changes in the teleconnections between these regions. Applying the singular value decomposition (SVD) method to tree-ring-based field reconstructions of the Palmer drought severity index (PDSI) over monsoonal Asia (MA) and North America (NA) from 1404 to 2005, the dominant covarying pattern between the two regions is identified. This pattern is represented by the teleconnection between the dipole pattern of southern–northern latitudinal MA and the dipole of southwest NA (SWNA)–northwest NA (NWNA), which accounts for 59.6% of the total covariance. It is dominated by an antiphase low MA and SWNA teleconnection, driven by the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), and is most significant at an interannual time scale. This teleconnection is strengthened (weakened) in periods of increased (decreased) solar forcing and high (low) temperature, which is associated with intensified (weakened) ENSO variability. Additional forcing by SST anomalies in the Indian and western Pacific Oceans appears to be important too.
Impacts of the Oyashio Temperature Front on the Regional Climate
Authors: Nakamura Mototaka , Miyama Toru
Published: August 2014

Impacts of a sea surface temperature front (SSTF) in the northwestern Pacific Ocean on the large-scale summer atmospheric state in the region are examined with a regional atmospheric circulation model developed at the International Pacific Research Center. Ensemble simulation experiments with various SSTF strengths and positions show that an SSTF does have strong impacts on the summer atmospheric circulation in the region. A meridional shift in the position of the SSTF generally shifts the tropospheric jet and brings temperature anomalies in the area affected by the shift.
The Sound of Tropical Cyclones
Authors: Zhao Zhongxiang , D’Asaro Eric A. , Nystuen Jeffrey A.
Published: August 2014

Underwater ambient sound levels beneath tropical cyclones were measured using hydrophones onboard Lagrangian floats, which were air deployed in the paths of Hurricane Gustav (2008) and Typhoons Megi (2010) and Fanapi (2010). The sound levels at 40 Hz–50 kHz from 1- to 50-m depth were measured at wind speeds up to 45 m s−1. The measurements reveal a complex dependence of the sound level on wind speed due to the competing effects of sound generation by breaking wind waves and sound attenuation by quiescent bubbles. Sound level increases monotonically with increasing wind speed only for low frequencies (<200 Hz). At higher frequencies (>200 Hz), sound level first increases and then decreases with increasing wind speed. There is a wind speed that produces a maximum sound level for each frequency; the wind speed of the maximum sound level decreases with frequency. Sound level at >20 kHz mostly decreases with wind speed over the wind range 15–45 m s−1. The sound field is nearly uniform with depth in the upper 50 m with nearly all sound attenuation limited to the upper 2 m at all measured frequencies. A simple model of bubble trajectories based on the measured float trajectories finds that resonant bubbles at the high-frequency end of the observations (25 kHz) could easily be advected deeper than 2 m during tropical cyclones. Thus, bubble rise velocity alone cannot explain the lack of sound attenuation at these depths.
Factors Predicting Volunteer Engagement Among Urban-Residing African American Women
Authors: Gutierrez Ian A. , Mattis Jacqueline S.
Published: August 2014

Research has shown that urban-residing African American women engage in volunteer work at impressive rates. However, few studies have empirically assessed the factors that account for volunteerism within this population. This study explores the relationship between demographic variables, early religious involvement, current religious involvement, empathy, perspective taking, and volunteer engagement among African American women residing in a large urban center ( N = 211). Findings from multivariate analyses revealed that current religious involvement positively predicted women’s volunteer engagement. Age was found to negatively predict volunteer engagement but positively predict the number of hours women spend volunteering per year. The implications of these findings are discussed and future lines of research considered.
Poverty of the Church—Poverty of Culture: A Contribution of Giuseppe Dossetti to Vatican II
Authors: Melloni Alberto
Published: August 2014

Giuseppe Dossetti was an important figure not only in Italian politics, in the reform of historical studies, and in the history of new monasticism, but also at Vatican II. One topic in particular—poverty—was at the core of his contribution to the activity of Cardinal Giacomo Lercaro, archbishop of Bologna, at the council. The article analyzes these contributions based on the private papers of Lercaro and Dossetti. It highlights the meaning of poverty, which was scarcely received in the conciliar decrees and about which post-Vatican II magisterial teaching has been virtually silent, until the election of Pope Francis.
The Grace–Nature Distinction and the Construction of a Systematic Theology
Authors: Ormerod Neil
Published: August 2014

The author considers the ongoing significance of the grace–nature distinction for systematic theology, the role the distinction has made historically, and current debates on its validity. He proposes that two developments advanced by Bernard Lonergan, the scale of values and the four-point hypothesis, can reinvigorate the distinction and ground new developments in systematic theology for the future.
The Integrity of Nature in the Grace–Freedom Dynamic: Lonergan’s Critique of Bañezian Thomism
Authors: Brotherton Joshua R.
Published: August 2014

Lonergan makes unique, balanced contributions to the debates on the relationship between the natural and supernatural and on the grace–freedom dynamic (the de auxiliis controversy), particularly in his critique of Bañezianism. His understanding of the human intellect in relation to the supernatural order and his defense of the natural integrity of created freedom are remarkably cogent and compelling. His theorem of the supernatural, principle of vertical finality, and notion of obediential potency are keys to his treatment.
Birmingham’s air and surface urban heat islands associated with Lamb weather types and cloudless anticyclonic conditions
Authors: Zhang Fang , Cai Xiaoming , Thornes John E.
Published: August 2014

This study investigates the characteristics of the air and surface urban heat islands (aUHI and sUHI) of Birmingham in relation to Lamb weather types (LWTs) over the period 2002–2007, with a particular focus on cloudless anticyclonic conditions. Ground-based MIDAS air temperatures within the urban canopy layer at the urban Edgbaston and rural Shawbury weather stations were used to derive the aUHI intensity (aUHII). Satellite-derived MODIS/Aqua land surface temperatures (LST) under cloudless conditions were used to derive the spatial patterns of the sUHI as well as the sUHI intensity (sUHII). Using Jenkinson’s objective daily synoptic indices, a combined subset of 11 LWTs were examined for their association with the nocturnal aUHI. Over the study period, the most frequently occurring LWT, ‘anticyclonic’ (21.1%), gives a strongest mean/maximum nocturnal aUHII of 2.5°C/7°C (391 nights) and the largest proportion of nocturnal heat island events of 65.2%. The spatial patterns of nocturnal sUHI for each LWT were also assessed, and the results demonstrate Birmingham’s urban warming of up to 4.16°C (48 clear nights) in the city centre under cloudless anticyclonic conditions. The scatter plot of nocturnal aUHII and sUHII for the 48 nights demonstrates a linear relationship. We also developed a simple analytical model that links the slope of the aUHII–sUHII relationship to the difference of ‘built-up’ area fraction between the urban pixel and the rural pixel in satellite imagery of land cover. This partially explains the physical basis behind the relationship. These findings of the aUHII–sUHII relationship may lead to the future development of a generic methodology of deriving the spatial patterns of aUHI from satellite measurements.
Assessing Communities’ Age-Friendliness
Authors: Menec Verena H. , Newall Nancy E. G. , Nowicki Scott
Published: August 2014

The notion of age-friendliness is gaining increasing attention from policy makers and researchers. In this study, we examine the congruence between two types of age-friendly surveys: subjective assessments by community residents versus objective assessments by municipal officials. The study was based on data from 39 mostly rural communities in Manitoba, Canada, in which a municipal official and residents ( M = 25 residents per community) completed a survey to assess age-friendly features in a range of domains, such as transportation and housing. Congruence between the two surveys was generally good, although the municipal official survey consistently overestimated communities’ age-friendliness, relative to residents’ ratings. The findings suggest that a survey completed by municipal officials can provide a reasonable assessment of age-friendliness that may be useful for certain purposes, such as cross-community comparisons. However, some caution is warranted when using only these surveys for community development, as they may not adequately reflect residents’ views.
Transfer of Linezolid into Breast Milk
Authors: Rowe Hilary E. , Felkins Kathleen , Cooper Shaun D. , Hale Thomas W.
Published: August 2014

Linezolid, a broad-spectrum antibiotic used primarily for treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections, is the first oxazolidinone approved for clinical use. This is a case report of a 30-year-old woman who was exclusively breastfeeding her infant prior to taking linezolid 600 mg orally every 12 hours to treat a MRSA mastitis. Breast milk samples were obtained over a 12-hour dosing interval on day 1 (after a single dose of therapy) and again on day 14 (at steady state). The relative infant dose at steady state was found to be 15.61% on day 14 of therapy. Using the average concentration at steady state, the estimated infant dose would have been 1.84 mg/kg/day, which is well below the recommended dose given to neonates requiring linezolid drug therapy. The infant did not breastfeed during maternal treatment with linezolid.
Optimized fuzzy controller for a power–torque distribution in a hybrid vehicle with a parallel configuration
Authors: Derakhshan Mohsen , Shirazi Kourosh Heidari
Published: August 2014

In this study, an optimized fuzzy controller was designed for a power–torque distribution in a hybrid passenger vehicle using the bees algorithm. For this purpose, a dynamic model for a parallel hybrid vehicle, including an internal-combustion engine, an electric motor and battery, a torque converter, a continuously variable transmission, torque–speed coupling and wheels (forward dynamic), is built. To simulate the driver’s skill and performance when facing different conditions, a fuzzy controller (which is called the first-layer controller) is used. On the one hand, decisions made by the first-layer controller are a function of the desired acceleration, the desired speed and the speed error and, on the other hand, they depend on the vehicle’s performance mode. The vehicle’s performance mode is determined with regard to the charged condition (the state of charge) of the batteries, the vehicle’s required power and the driver commands by another fuzzy controller which is called the second-layer controller. The necessary commands for the subsystems such as the throttle angle, the controller command for the electric motor and the appropriate speed ratio in the continuously variable transmission are determined by another controller, called the third-layer controller. Both the first layer and the second layer are optimized using the bees algorithm. According to the results, the optimized controller indicates an appropriate performance based on the defined rules in different situations. It also improves the vehicle’s performance parameter and decreases the fuel consumption and the pollutions produced by the engine.
The Imagined Self-Sufficient Communities of HOPE VI
Authors: Oakley Deirdre , Fraser James , Bazuin Joshua
Published: August 2014

The physical redevelopment of Housing Opportunities for People Everywhere (HOPE VI) communities has been accompanied by efforts to remake the people who live in them. Through a variety of community and supportive services (CSS) programs, residents are offered job training, homeownership classes, and support to develop savings accounts with the goal of moving them toward fuller participation in the private housing market. By examining how CSS have been offered in Nashville and Atlanta, we make the claim that HOPE VI has had limited impacts in its people-based goals fundamentally because the overall CSS concept focuses on driving residents to participate more fully in labor and housing markets. Supportive services are insufficient in scope and resources to buffer the effects of the market on residents, except for a small number who come into the program already well positioned to succeed. As such, HOPE VI’s failures are not a problem of implementation but of design and conception.
Heroic workers and angry young men: Nostalgic stories of class in England
Authors: Lawler Stephanie
Published: August 2014

This article discusses nostalgic images of white working-class life through the twin figures of ‘the heroic worker’ and ‘the angry young man’. Using a case study of a discussion of Roy Williams’ play Vultures, I consider the ways in which nostalgic figures are used to position a contemporary white working class as lacking value. I argue that these nostalgic figures provide anchor points in decline narratives which, I argue, have come to define the ways in which the English white working class are represented. Hence, I argue that some forms of nostalgic class representations may be one means through which continued disparagement of contemporary white working-class people is rendered respectable.
Is Alzheimer’s Disease Autoimmune Inflammation of the Brain That Can be Treated With Nasal Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs?
Authors: Lehrer Steven , Rheinstein Peter H.
Published: August 2014

The Alzheimer’s Association recently reported that a woman’s estimated lifetime risk of developing Alzheimer’s at age 65 is 1 in 6, compared to nearly 1 in 11 for a man (ie, female to male ratio 1.8). Based on female to male ratio, Alzheimer’s disease could well be an autoimmune disorder. Like Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, an autoimmune inflammation of the central nervous system, has a female to male ratio of 2.3. Also based on female to male ratio, Alzheimer’s resembles the autoimmune inflammatory disease rheumatoid arthritis, which has a female to male ratio of 2.7. The reasons for the female preponderance in autoimmune disease are unclear, but nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely and successfully employed to treat autoimmune anti-inflammatory disease and dramatically relieve symptoms. Moreover, oral NSAIDs consistently reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, although they have been totally ineffective as a treatment in multiple failed clinical trials. A basis for this failure might well be that the brain dose after oral administration is too small and not sufficiently early in the pathogenesis of the disorder. But NSAID brain dose could be significantly increased by delivering the NSAIDs intranasally.
Exercise, Sedentary Pastimes, and Cognitive Performance in Healthy Older Adults
Authors: Steinberg Susanne Inez , Sammel Mary Dupuis , Harel Brian Tal , Schembri Adrian , Policastro Christopher , Bogner Hillary R. , Negash Selamawit , Arnold Steven Edward
Published: August 2014

Background:

Moderately vigorous physical activity (MVPA) provides a protective affect against cognitive decline and cardiovascular risk factors. Less is known about sedentary pastimes or non exercise physical activity (NEPA) and cognitive performance.

Method:

125 healthy adults 65 or older with no clinical evidence of cognitive impairment were enrolled. The CogState computerized neurocognitive battery was administered. Leisure activities were measured using the Community Health Activity Program for Seniors (CHAMPS).

Results:

Sedentary pastimes were associated with executive dysfunction ( P = 0.01); MVPA with high memory scores ( P = 0.05) and NEPA with improved working memory ( P = 0.05). Only sedentary pastimes and executive dysfunction retained significance after correction for multiple comparisons. Smoking and alcohol confounded the association of memory with sedentary pastimes and MVPA.

Conclusions:

Study highlights: negative impact of sedentary pastimes on executive function, need for additional investigation of sedentary behavior, NEPA, the impact of addictions upon activity in late life.
The Role of Sleep in the Control of Food Intake
Authors: Shechter Ari , Grandner Michael A. , St-Onge Marie-Pierre
Published: August 2014

Short sleep duration is increasingly recognized as a risk factor for obesity. Sleep is now considered 1 of the 3 lifestyle behaviors, along with diet and exercise, which are closely associated with health. If sleep duration is a causal factor in the etiology of obesity, it must affect energy intake and/or energy expenditure to create a positive energy balance. The preponderance of evidence to date points to an effect of sleep restriction on energy intake that exceeds the added energy costs of maintaining longer wakefulness. Observational studies describe greater intakes of energy, fat, and possibly carbohydrates in short sleepers and this is corroborated by clinical interventions. These intervention studies further provide mechanistic explanations, via alterations in hormonal and neuronal controls of food intake, for an association between short sleep and obesity.
Groin pain after metal-on-metal hip resurfacing prosthesis
Authors: Hernández-Vaquero Daniel , Delgado-Sevillano Ramon , de la Flor-García Maria Rodríguez
Published: August 2014

Total hip replacement continues to be a widely successful operation, but persistent groin pain following a metal-on-metal hip resurfacing remains a problem for some patients. The concern regarding the safety and efficacy of metal-on-metal total hip replacements has been rising. We present the case of a 47-year-old man with groin pain after metal-on-metal hip resurfacing. We observed high metal ion levels detected in blood analytical studies and a pseudotumor in magnetic resonance imaging. Our patient was treated with a revision surgery. The progressive elevation of blood and urine metal levels in the presence of periarticular cysts and/or groin pain is a complication of metal-on-metal hip arthroplasty and needs revision surgery.
Adolescent prediabetes in a high-risk Middle East country: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Mamtani Ravinder , Lowenfels Albert B , Sheikh Javaid , Cheema Sohaila , Al-Hamaq Abdulla , Matthis Sharoud A , El-Nahas Katie G , Maisonneuve Patrick
Published: August 2014

Objective

To estimate the prevalence of prediabetes in adolescents living in a high-risk country and to detect risk factors associated with this disorder.

Design

Survey questionnaire combined with physical measurements and blood sugar determination.

Setting

Doha, capital city of Qatar.

Participants

A total of 1694 male and female students aged 11–18 years without previously diagnosed diabetes enrolled in four schools.

Main outcome measure

Blood sugar measurements. Other measured variables included gender, height, weight, abdominal circumference, country of origin, family history of diabetes and frequency of exercise.

Results

Using a random blood sugar ≥7.8 mmol/L or a fasting blood sugar ≥5.5 mmol/L as cutpoints, we identified 4.2% of students (56 boys, 15 girls) as probable prediabetics. In a multivariate model, being boys (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.7–6.2), having a diabetic parent (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1–3.2) or having a waist-to-height ratio >0.5 (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.1–3.0) were significantly associated with being a prediabetic. The parental origin of diabetes had a differential effect upon blood sugar. The mean random blood sugar in students with a maternal inheritance pattern of diabetes was 5.61 mmol/L ± 1.0, compared to 5.39 mmol/L ± 0.89 in students with a paternal inheritance pattern ( p = 0.02).

Conclusions

In a country with a high risk of adult diabetes, we identified 4.2% of students aged 11–18 as being prediabetic. Risk factors associated with prediabetes included male gender, family history of diabetes and waist-to-height ratio >0.5.
Parsonage-Turner syndrome following post-exposure prophylaxis
Authors: Fransz Duncan P , Schönhuth Casper P , Postma Tjeerd J , van Royen Barend J
Published: August 2014

Background

The ‘Parsonage-Turner syndrome’ (PTS) is a rare but distinct disorder with an abrupt onset of shoulder pain, followed by weakness and atrophy of the upper extremity musculature, and a slow recovery requiring months to years. To our best knowledge, this is the first case describing symptoms and signs of PTS following the administration of a post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) regimen against possible human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.

Case presentation

A 25-year-old Caucasian man presented with pain and unilateral scapular winging following PEP against possible HIV and HBV infection. Although atrophy and weakness were observed for the right supraspinatus muscle, a full range of motion was achievable. Neurological examination, plain radiography of the right shoulder and electromyography showed no additional abnormalities. The patient was diagnosed with post-vaccination PTS and treated non-operatively. During the following 15 months the scapular winging receded and full muscle strength was regained.

Conclusion

Parsonage-Turner syndrome is a rare clinical diagnosis. The precise pathophysiological mechanism of PTS remains unclear, but it seems to involve an interaction between genetic predisposition, mechanical vulnerability and an autoimmune trigger. An immunological event, such as – in this case – a vaccination as part of PEP treatment, can trigger the onset of PTS. The clinical presentation is distinctive with acute severe pain followed by patchy paresis, atrophy and sensory symptoms that persist for months to years. No currently available tests can provide a definite confirmation or exclusion of PTS. Routine blood examination, electromyography (EMG), and computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) serve mainly to exclude other disorders. The recovery can be quite lengthy, non-operative treatment is the accepted practice. Supplementary administration of oral prednisolone could shorten the duration of pain. Although the outcome is typically preferable, a substantial amount of patients are left with some residual paresis and functional impairment.
Prevalence of hospital malnutrition among cardiac patients: results from six nutrition screening tools
Authors: Pathirana Anidu K , Lokunarangoda Niroshan , Ranathunga Ishara , Santharaj Wijeyasingam Samuel , Ekanayake Ruwan , Jayawardena Ranil
Published: August 2014

Malnutrition is highly prevalent among hospitalized patients, ranging from 30% to 50% depending on the patient population and the criteria used for diagnosis. Identifying early those who are malnourished and at risk of malnutrition and intervening at an early stage will improve patients overall prognosis and will reduce the costs to the state. Even though cardiac patients are at risk of malnutrition, data on the prevalence of malnutrition among cardiology inpatients is limited. The aim of the study was to assess malnutrition status of the newly admitted patients in a specialist cardiology institution in Sri Lanka by internationally recommended nutrition screening and assessment tools. During study period, 322 (61.22%) males and 204 (38.78%) females were recruited. Malnutrition status assessed by each screening tool had a wide variation. According to Mini Nutritional Assessment tool 69.6% were having possible malnutrition. Malnutrition Screening Tool 47.9% to be at risk of malnutrition. Subjective Global Assessments categorized only 4.2% as malnourished on the other hand Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool categorized 20.4% and 19.6% subjects as at medium risk and high risk of malnutrition respectively. Nutritional Risk Screening detected 6.3%, 25.1% and 24.9% patients to be mildly, moderately and severely malnourished respectively. Short Nutrition Assessment Questionnaire categorized 5.0% and 17.7% patients to be moderately malnourished and severely malnourished correspondingly. In conclusion, Although malnutrition was prevalent among this population, a wide variation in the nutritional status when assessed by widely used internationally recognized tools was observed.
Item Sequence on Test Performance: Easy Items First?
Authors: Soureshjani Kamal Heidari
Published: August 2014

Among several factors affecting the performance of testees on a test is the sequence of the test items. The present study served as an attempt to shed light on the effect of test item sequence on Iranian EFL learners' performance on a test of grammar. To achieve such a purpose, 70 language learners of English at Pooyesh Institute in Shiraz (the capital of Fars province, Iran) were given two tests (one with easy to difficult items and the other just the reverse) were designed. The results of the study revealed that the sequence of items affect foreign language learners' performance. That is, those taking easy to difficult test outperforming students taking the difficult to easy test. The study also bears a set of implications.
An Analysis of Phonological Processes Involved in Spoken English of Hong Kong Primary Pre-service Teachers
Authors: Leung Cynthia B , Brice Alejandro E
Published: August 2014

This study investigated the English phonological processes and speech articulation of adult Cantonese-English speakers residing in Hong Kong. The Phonology Test for Cantonese Speakers of English (PTCSE) was developed to assess English articulation and phonological processes of native speakers of Cantonese. Data from 37 adult participants, analyzed descriptively, yielded a total of 466 phonological process deviations. Two syllable words presented the most difficulty, followed by three and single syllable words. Results indicated this group of Cantonese-English speaking participants displayed a wide variety of articulatory patterns, some of which were not evidenced by the literature. Phonological processes noted in this study included: (a) stopping; (b) fronting; (c) deaffrication; (d) gliding; (e) devoicing; (f) lip rounding; (g) backing; (h) affrication; (i) voicing; (j) pre-vocalic singleton omission; (k) post-vocalic singleton omission; (l) consonant sequence reduction; (m) vowel deviations; and, (n) vowel additions. Five suggested instructional strategies focusing on speech production are provided.
PIK3CA mutations in androgen receptor-positive triple negative breast cancer confer sensitivity to the combination of PI3K and androgen receptor inhibitors
Authors: Lehmann Brian D , Bauer Joshua A , Schafer Johanna M , Pendleton Christopher S , Tang Luojia , Johnson Kimberly C , Chen Xi , Balko Justin M , Gómez Henry , Arteaga Carlos L , Mills Gordon B , Sanders Melinda E , Pietenpol Jennifer A
Published: August 2014

Introduction

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a heterogeneous collection of biologically diverse cancers, which contributes to variable clinical outcomes. Previously, we identified a TNBC subtype that has a luminal phenotype and expresses the androgen receptor (AR+). TNBC cells derived from these luminal AR + tumors have high frequency phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit alpha (PIK3CA) mutations. The purpose of this study was to determine if targeting phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) alone or in combination with an AR antagonist is effective in AR + TNBC.

Methods

We determined the frequency of activating PIK3CA mutations in AR + and AR- TNBC clinical cases. Using AR + TNBC cell line and xenograft models we evaluated the effectiveness of PI3K inhibitors, used alone or in combination with an AR antagonist, on tumor cell growth and viability.

Results

PIK3CA kinase mutations were highly clonal, more frequent in AR + vs. AR- TNBC (40% vs. 4%), and often associated with concurrent amplification of the PIK3CA locus. PI3K/mTOR inhibitors had an additive growth inhibitory effect when combined with genetic or pharmacological AR targeting in AR + TNBC cells. We also analyzed the combination of bicalutamide +/- the pan-PI3K inhibitor GDC-0941 or the dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor GDC-0980 in xenograft tumor studies and observed additive effects.

Conclusions

While approximately one third of TNBC patients respond to neoadjuvant/adjuvant chemotherapy, recent studies have shown that patients with AR + TNBC are far less likely to benefit from the current standard of care chemotherapy regimens and novel targeted approaches need to be investigated. In this study, we show that activating PIK3CA mutations are enriched in AR + TNBC; and, we show that the growth and viability of AR + TNBC cell line models is significantly reduced after treatment with PI3K inhibitors used in combination with an AR antagonist. These results provide rationale for pre-selection of TNBC patients with a biomarker (AR expression) to investigate the use of AR antagonists in combination with PI3K/mTOR inhibitors.
Monitoring the diversity of malaria and dengue vector in Karachi: studying variation of genera and subgenera of mosquitoes under different ecological conditions
Authors: Shaikh Saima , Kazmi Syed Jamil H , Qureshi Salman
Published: August 2014

Introduction

Karachi, a city of unique terrain and moderate tropical climate, is home to several mosquito species. The geographical distribution and density of these species may vary within the city, owing to their interaction with an ever-increasing population and urban settings. As a consequence, the prevalence of vector-borne diseases is unpredictable within the geographical limits of Karachi city. In this spatiotemporal study, 1,156 mosquito samples were collected from 50 study sites with unique ecological characteristics within the city and a taxonomical exercise was conducted to investigate different vector species thriving in different months and seasons of the year. The main genera of mosquitoes were identified and categorized using a pictorial key based on the standard guidelines of the Walter Reed Biosystematics Unit, substantiated with ancillary literature.

Results

Three important genera were found in Karachi:Anopheles,AedesandCulex. Important subgenera were subsequently identified, based on their susceptibility to major vector-borne diseases. January had the highest concentration of adult mosquitoes, as the colder weather conditions were suitable for breeding. May recorded the lowest number, owing to excessively hot weather when most of the breeding pockets had dried out; less vegetation (in pre-monsoon conditions) prevented mosquito growth.

Conclusions

Slum areas showed an abundance of malaria and dengue vectors, owing to poor hygiene conditions caused by open sewage drains. Hence, a major precaution is to raise awareness among people about mosquito-borne diseases. The breeding habitats of these vectors should be studied using geospatial technologies to improve spatial and temporal coverage.
Analysis of Enantiofacial Selective Epoxidation Catalyzed by Flavin-containing Monooxygenase Lsd18 Involved in Ionophore Polyether Lasalocid Biosynthesis
Authors: Suzuki Gaku , Minami Atsushi , Shimaya Mayu , Kodama Takeshi , Morimoto Yoshiki , Oguri Hiroki , Oikawa Hideaki
Published: August 2014

Enzymatic epoxidation represents a key biosynthetic transformation in the construction of polyether skeletons. A single flavin-containing monooxygenase, Lsd18, is involved in ionophore polyether lasalocid biosynthesis and participates in the enantioselective epoxidations of the diene precursor. Biotransformation studies utilizing structurally simplified monoolefin analogs with different substitution patterns revealed important structural requirements for the enantiofacial selectivity of Lsd18-catalyzed epoxidations. These results enabled us to propose a substrate binding model of Lsd18, which was applied to the biosynthesis of other polyethers.
Significant Removal of Harmful Compounds in Mainstream Cigarette Smoke Using Carbon Nanotubes Mixture Prepared by Catalytic Pyrolysis
Authors: Zhou Shun , Ning Min , Zhang Yaping , He Qing , Wang Xiaofeng , Zhu Dongliang , Guo Song , Hong Ningning , Hu Yuan
Published: August 2014

Carbon nanotubes mixture (CNTM), synthesized by the pyrolysis of polypropylene (PP)/organically modified montmorillonite (OMMT) nanocomposites catalyzed by Ni2O3, was used as a filter additive to remove harmful compounds in mainstream cigarette smoke. CNTM is mainly composed of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with a little amount of amorphous carbon, Ni element and the thermal degradation residue of OMMT. The textural structure of CNTM has mesoporous and macroporous nanostructures. After introducing 15 mg of CNTM into cigarette filter, some of the most important harmful compounds including tar, nicotine, benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) and phenolic compounds were more efficiently adsorbed in comparison with using commercial activated carbon, which can be related to the relatively bigger pore volume and a geometric confinement of CNT in CNTM for some toxic compounds in cigarette smoke. In particular, CNTs have a strong chemisorption capacity for B[a]P or phenolic compounds due to the π–π interactions between benzene rings.
Separation of Hexane Isomers on Rigid Porous Metal Carboxylate-Based Metal—Organic Frameworks
Authors: Mendes Patricia A. P. , Rodrigues Alírio E. , Horcajada Patricia , Eubank Jarrod , Devic Thomas , Serre Christian , Silva José A. C.
Published: August 2014

Screening separation studies with equimolar quaternary mixtures of hexane isomers, namely, n-hexane/3-methylpentane/2,3-dimethylbutane/2,2-dimethylbutane ( n-HEX/3MP/23DMB/22DMB), in the temperature range of 343–423 K and partial pressures up to 10 kPa have been performed using three rigid porous metal (III/IV) carboxylate-based metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with different composition and topology. These carboxylate-based MOFs are denoted as MIL-100(Cr), MIL-125(Ti)-NH2 and MIL-127(Fe). Adsorption study results revealed that all the isomers were adsorbed on MIL-100(Cr) and MIL-125(Ti)-NH2 with adsorption amounts reaching 24 and 12 wt%, respectively, and the order of adsorption being similar to the normal boiling point of the compounds, that is, n-HEX > 3MP > 23DMB > 22DMB, with selectivity of adsorption never exceeding three (i.e. selectivities between the extreme compounds n-HEX and 22DMB). It is worth noting that adsorption of branched isomers is practically excluded on MIL-127(Fe), which exhibits a strong molecular sieve effect of the adsorbed n-HEX with the loading capacity reaching a maximum of 7 wt%. Finally, an alternative strategy, which involved probing the effect of post-synthetic functionalization on the coordinatively unsaturated metal sites of the MIL-100(Cr) using functional group ethylamine or N-methylethylenediamine showed no significant differences in terms of separation.
Preparation of High-Purity Normal Hexane from Reformate Raffinate by Adsorption and Distillation Processes
Authors: Liu Jichang , Ni Tengya , Liu Juntao , Shen Benxian
Published: August 2014

In this study, a combination process of adsorption and distillation was adopted to obtain high-purity normal hexane. In the adsorption separation process, 5A zeolite was used as the adsorbent and the Shanghai Gaoqiao Petrochemical Corporation reformate raffinate containing 24.24 wt% normal hexane was separated into adsorption raffinate oil rich in non-normal paraffins and desorption oil rich in normal paraffins. At pre-specified operation conditions, concentration of n-hexane in the desorption oil reached higher than 96%. The concentrations of 3-methyl pentane and methyl cyclopentane, which are the light- and heavy-key components in the distillation tower of normal hexane, were reduced to 0.15% and 0.07%, respectively. According to the simulation results obtained using the software Aspen Plus, when the distillation tower has 15 stages, the n-hexane concentration can reach 99.02% with a recovery rate of 72.89% at the reflux ratio of 7.5. The combination process involving both adsorption and distillation has much higher efficiency than the traditional distillation process for producing the high-purity normal hexane.
Using Plasma TiOx—Polyethylene Composites for Removing Cr(VI)
Authors: García-Rosales G. , González-Salgado F. , Olayo M.G. , Cruz G.J.
Published: August 2014

Composite particles were synthesized using titanium oxide attached to polyethylene (TiOx–PE) films by plasma techniques and used for the removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions in batch systems. The precursor to synthesize TiO was titanium tetrapropoxide (TTP) modified by collisions with accelerated particles in the plasma of water in order to separate the fractions of organic and inorganic TTPs that reorganize into small organometallic particles attached to the surface of PE. Before adsorption, the TiOx particles have spherical profiles agglomerated on the PE surface. The diameter was between 70 and 120 nm in agglomerates of around 500 nm; however, as the pH of the Cr solutions increased, the morphology of these particles changed to fibred patterns. The specific surface area was 163 m2/g, which is greater than that for commercial TiO2 and the pore size was 2.86 nm with a pore density of 0.11 cm3 g−1. The study results showed that the maximum Cr adsorption capacity (5.32 mg g−1) was obtained at pH = 3. The retention rate of Cr in the first minute was approximately 23%, and after 40 minutes, the rate reached up to 75%. During the adsorption process, a strong pH-dependent adsorption as a function of pH was observed. The adsorption kinetics of the TiOx–PE composites was studied using a pseudo-second-order model. The Cr(VI) experimental isotherm data were described by the Langmuir model.