bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contralateral-noise effects on cochlear responses in anesthetized mice are dominated by feedback from an unknown pathway
Authors: Maison Stéphane F. , Usubuchi Hajime , Vetter Douglas E. , Elgoyhen A. Bélen , Thomas Steven A. , Liberman M. Charles
Published: April 2012

Suppression of ipsilateral distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) by contralateral noise is used in humans and animals to assay the strength of sound-evoked negative feedback from the medial olivocochlear (MOC) efferent pathway. However, depending on species and anesthesia, contributions of other feedback systems to the middle or inner ear can cloud the interpretation. Here, contributions of MOC and middle-ear muscle reflexes, as well as autonomic feedback, to contra-noise suppression in anesthetized mice are dissected by selectively eliminating each pathway by surgical transection, pharmacological blockade, or targeted gene deletion. When ipsilateral DPOAEs were evoked by low-level primaries, contra-noise suppression was typically ∼1 dB with contra-noise levels around 95 dB SPL, and it always disappeared upon contralateral cochlear destruction. Lack of middle-ear muscle contribution was suggested by persistence of contra-noise suppression after paralysis with curare, tensor tympani cauterization, or section of the facial nerve. Contribution of cochlear sympathetics was ruled out by studying mutant mice lacking adrenergic signaling (dopamine β-hydroxylase knockouts). Surprisingly, contra-noise effects on low-level DPOAEs were also not diminished by eliminating the MOC system pharmacologically (strychnine), surgically, or by deletion of relevant cholinergic receptors (α9/α10). In contrast, when ipsilateral DPOAEs were evoked by high-level primaries, the contra-noise suppression, although comparable in magnitude, was largely eliminated by MOC blockade or section. Possible alternate pathways are discussed for the source of contra-noise-evoked effects at low ipsilateral levels.
A TB Model with Infectivity in Latent Period and Imperfect Treatment
Authors: Wang Juan , Gao Sha-Sha , Li Xue-Zhi
Published: April 2012

An epidemiological model of TB with infectivity in latent period
and imperfect treatment is introduced. As presented, sustained oscillations
are not possible and the endemic proportions either approach the disease‐free
equilibrium or an endemic equilibrium. The expanded model that stratified the
infectious individuals according to their time‐since‐infection θ is also carried out. The global asymptotic stability of the infection‐free state is established as well
as local asymptotic stability of the endemic equilibrium. At the end, numerical
simulations are presented to illustrate the results.
Utilization Patterns of IV Iron and Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agents in Anemic Chronic Kidney Disease Patients: A Multihospital Study
Authors: Joshi Avani D. , Holdford David A. , Brophy Donald F. , Harpe Spencer E. , Mays Darcy , Gehr Todd W. B.
Published: April 2012

Intravenous (IV) iron and Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agents (ESAs) are recommended for anemia management in chronic kidney disease (CKD). This retrospective cohort study analyzed utilization patterns of IV iron and ESA in patients over 18 years of age admitted to University Health System Hospitals with a primary or secondary diagnosis of CKD between January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2008. A clustered binomial logistic regression using the GEE methodology was used to identify predictors of IV iron utilization. Only 8% (n= 6678) of CKD patients on ESA therapy received IV iron supplementation in university hospitals. Those receiving iron used significantly less amounts of ESAs. Patient demographics (age, race, primary payer), patient clinical conditions (admission status, severity of illness, dialysis status), and physician specialty were identified as predictors of IV iron use in CKD patients. Use of IV iron with ESAs was low despite recommendations from consensus guidelines. The low treatment rate of IV iron represents a gap in treatment practices and signals an opportunity for healthcare improvement in CKD anemic patients.
Shared HLA Class II in Six Autoimmune Diseases in Latin America: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Cruz-Tapias Paola , Pérez-Fernández Oscar M. , Rojas-Villarraga Adriana , Rodríguez-Rodríguez Alberto , Arango María-Teresa , Anaya Juan-Manuel
Published: April 2012

The prevalence and genetic susceptibility of autoimmune diseases (ADs) may vary depending on latitudinal gradient and ethnicity. The aims of this study were to identify common human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II alleles that contribute to susceptibility to six ADs in Latin Americans through a meta-analysis and to review additional clinical, immunological, and genetic characteristics of those ADs sharing HLA alleles. DRB1∗03:01 (OR: 4.04; 95%CI: 1.41–11.53) was found to be a risk factor for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Sjögren's syndrome (SS), and type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D). DRB1∗04:05 (OR: 4.64; 95%CI: 2.14–10.05) influences autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and T1D; DRB1∗04:01 (OR: 3.86; 95%CI: 2.32–6.42) is a susceptibility factor for RA and T1D. Opposite associations were found between multiple sclerosis (MS) and T1D. DQB1∗06:02 and DRB1∗15 alleles were risk factors for MS but protective factors for T1D. Likewise, DQB1∗06:03 allele was a risk factor for AIH but a protective one for T1D. Several common autoantibodies and clinical associations as well as additional shared genes have been reported in these ADs, which are reviewed herein. These results indicate that in Latin Americans ADs share major loci and immune characteristics.
The Nucleolus ofCaenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Lee Li-Wei , Lee Chi-Chang , Huang Chi-Ruei , Lo Szecheng J.
Published: April 2012

Nucleolar size and appearance correlate with ribosome biogenesis and cellular activity. The mechanisms underlying changes in nucleolar appearance and regulation of nucleolar size that occur during differentiation and cell cycle progression are not well understood.Caenorhabditis elegansprovides a good model for studying these processes because of its small size and transparent body, well-characterized cell types and lineages, and because its cells display various sizes of nucleoli. This paper details the advantages of usingC. elegansto investigate features of the nucleolus during the organism's development by following dynamic changes in fibrillarin (FIB-1) in the cells of early embryos and aged worms. This paper also illustrates the involvement of thencl-1gene and other possible candidate genes in nucleolar-size control. Lastly, we summarize the ribosomal proteins involved in life span and innate immunity, and those homologous genes that correspond to human disorders of ribosomopathy.
A Probe-Compensated Helicoidal NF-FF Transformation for Aperture Antennas Using a Prolate Spheroidal Expansion
Authors: Capozzoli Amedeo , Curcio Claudio , D'Elia Giuseppe , Ferrara Flaminio , Gennarelli Claudio , Guerriero Rocco , Liseno Angelo
Published: April 2012

A new probe-compensated near-field-far-field (NF-FF) transformation for aperture antennas in a cylindrical scanning geometry is presented. Such a technique takes the advantage of the NF data acquisition made according to a very efficient sampling strategy along a helix and exploits a proper aperture field expansion based on the use of the prolate spheroidal wave functions (PSWFs), accounting for the a priori information on shape and size of the antenna under test. The unknown aperture field expansion coefficients of the PSWFs are evaluated from the acquired voltage samples by an inversion process using a regularized version of the singular value decomposition method. Experimental results on connected and disconnected radiating aperture antennas, including sum and difference patterns, show the effectiveness of the approach and, in particular, how it enables a serious reduction of the measurement points without impairing the FF estimation accuracy.
Nonhuman Primate Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells in Regenerative Medicine
Authors: Wu Yuehong , Mishra Anuja , Qiu Zhifang , Farnsworth Steven , Tardif Suzette D. , Hornsby Peter J.
Published: April 2012

Among the various species from which induced pluripotent stem cells have been derived, nonhuman primates (NHPs) have a unique role as preclinical models. Their relatedness to humans and similar physiology, including central nervous system, make them ideal for translational studies. We review here the progress made in deriving and characterizing iPS cell lines from different NHP species. We focus on iPS cell lines from the marmoset, a small NHP in which several human disease states can be modeled. The marmoset can serve as a model for the implementation of patient-specific autologous cell therapy in regenerative medicine.
Sitting Time and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in African American Overweight Women
Authors: Lee Rebecca E. , Mama Scherezade K. , Lopez III Ygnacio
Published: April 2012

Findings from previous research linking sedentary time with cardiometabolic risk factors and body composition are inconsistent, and few studies address population groups most vulnerable to these compromising conditions. The purpose of this paper was to investigate the relationship of sitting time to cardiometabolic risk factors and body composition among African American women. A subsample of African American women (N=135) completed health and laboratory assessments, including measures of blood pressure, resting heart rate, cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, body mass index, body fat, sitting time, and demographics. Simultaneous, adjusted regression models found a positive association between weekend sitting time and glucose and an inverse association between weekly sedentary time and cholesterol (ps<.05). There were no significant associations between sedentary behavior and body composition. The unexpected relationship between sedentary time and cholesterol suggests that the relationship of sedentary behavior to cardiometabolic risk factors may depend on existing characteristics of the population and measurement definition of sedentary behavior. Results suggest distinctly different relationships between weekend and weekday sitting time, implicating a need for careful measurement and intervention that reflects these differences.
Gender Differences Time Trends for Metabolic Syndrome and Its Components among Tehranian Children and Adolescents
Authors: Barzin Maryam , Hosseinpanah Farhad , Saber Hamidreza , Sarbakhsh Parvin , Nakhoda Kobra , Azizi Fereidoun
Published: April 2012

Aims. To investigate the trend of metabolic syndrome and its components in Tehran children and adolescents during a median followup of 6.6 years. Methods. Data from 1999–2001 (phase I), 2002–2005 (phase II), and 2006–2008 (phase III) of the Tehran, Lipid and Glucose Study were analyzed (; age 6–18 years) for the trend of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components. General estimation equation (GEE) models were used to analyze this correlated data. Results. The crude prevalence of MetS for boys at baseline was 13.2%, which increased to 16.4% in the third phase. In girls, the prevalence of Mets decreased from 11.8% at baseline to 6% during followup. The odd ratios (OR) of obesity over the whole study period were raised in both sexes. The OR of abdominal obesity increased significantly in boys, but no change was observed in girls. No significant OR was observed in boys, while OR for MetS was shown to have a decreasing trend in girls during the followup. In the three time points, the ORs of MetS decreased significantly in girls but no significant difference was observed in boys. Conclusion. Inspite of increasing trend for obesity in both sexes, the trend of MetS decreased in girls and was relatively stable in boys, in Tehranian children, and adolescents.
The Activation-Relaxation Technique: ART Nouveau and Kinetic ART
Authors: Mousseau Normand , Béland Laurent Karim , Brommer Peter , Joly Jean-François , El-Mellouhi Fedwa , Machado-Charry Eduardo , Marinica Mihai-Cosmin , Pochet Pascal
Published: April 2012

The evolution of many systems is dominated by rare activated events that occur on timescale
ranging from nanoseconds to the hour or more. For such systems, simulations must leave aside the
full thermal description to focus specifically on mechanisms that generate a configurational change.
We present here the activation relaxation technique (ART), an open-ended saddle point search
algorithm, and a series of recent improvements to ART nouveau and kinetic ART, an ART-based
on-the-fly off-lattice self-learning kinetic Monte Carlo method.
Pten Regulates Aurora-A and Cooperates with Fbxw7 in Modulating Radiation-Induced Tumor Development
Authors: Kwon Yong-Won , Kim Il-Jin , Wu Di , Lu Jing , Stock William A. , Liu Yueyong , Huang Yurong , Kang Hio Chung , DelRosario Reyno , Jen Kuang-Yu , Perez-Losada Jesus , Wei Guangwei , Balmain Allan , Mao Jian-Hua
Published: April 2012

The Aurora-A kinase gene is frequently amplified and/or overexpressed in a variety of human cancers, leading to major efforts to develop therapeutic agents targeting this pathway. Here, we show that Aurora-A is targeted for ubiquitination and subsequent degradation by the F-box protein FBXW7 in a process that is regulated by GSK3β. Using a series of truncated Aurora-A proteins and site-directed mutagenesis, we identified distinct FBXW7 and GSK3β-binding sites in Aurora-A. Mutation of critical residues in either site substantially disrupts degradation of Aurora-A. Furthermore, we show that loss of Pten results in the stabilization of Aurora-A by attenuating FBXW7-dependent degradation of Aurora-A through the AKT/GSK3β pathway. Moreover, radiation-induced tumor latency is significantly shortened in Fbxw7+/−Pten+/− mice as compared with either Fbxw7+/− or Pten+/− mice, indicating that Fbxw7 and Pten appear to cooperate in suppressing tumorigenesis. Our results establish a novel posttranslational regulatory network in which the Pten and Fbxw7 pathways appear to converge on the regulation of Aurora-A level. Mol Cancer Res; 10(6); 834–44. ©2012 AACR.
The Expression of Placental Proteoglycans in Pre-Eclampsia
Authors: Chui A. , Murthi P. , Brennecke S.P. , Ignjatovic V. , Monagle P.T. , Said J.M.
Published: April 2012

Background/Aims: Pre-eclampsia (PE) is one of the leading causes of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. PE is defined clinically as the onset of maternal hypertension and proteinuria following 20 weeks of gestation. It is associated with altered maternal uterine decidual spiral artery remodelling, which may lead to reduced blood flow and increased thrombosis within the uteroplacental vasculature. Proteoglycans (PGs) are macromolecules which have (in combination with glycosaminoglycans) important anticoagulant roles in vascular endothelial environments, including the uteroplacental circulation. The hypothesis under consideration in this study was that differential expression of placental PGs may be associated with PE. Methods: PE and control placental samples were collected with ethics approval and patient consent. RNA and protein were extracted and real-time PCR and Western immunoblotting were performed to determine the expression of the PGs in the samples. Results: Of the nine PGs investigated, none showed increased expression, whereas the mRNA and protein expression of five of them was significantly decreased in the placentae of pre-eclamptic women compared to gestation-matched controls. Conclusion: Therefore, the results of this study support the hypothesis that a placental PG deficiency may contribute to the placental thrombotic lesions characteristic of PE.
Biological, Preclinical and Clinical Characteristics of Inhibitors of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
Authors: Chong Victor
Published: April 2012

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays an important role in the pathophysiology of several sight-threatening retinal disorders such as age-related macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema and proliferative diabetic retinopathy. The discovery of anti-VEGF agents has revolutionized our treatment of these conditions. There are 4 anti-VEGF agents that are either approved or in common use in ophthalmology, namely pegaptanib (Macugen, Pfizer), ranibizumab (Lucentis, Novartis), aflibercept or VEGF Trap-Eye (EYLEA, Bayer) and bevacizumab (Avastin, Roche). There are differences between them. In this review, the differences are discussed in detail. Furthermore, an attempt is made to explain some of the clinical trial data based on their differences in ocular efficacy, duration of action, and local and systemic safety concerns.
When Do Short Children Realize They Are Short? Prepubertal Short Children’s Perception of Height during 24 Months of Catch-Up Growth Hormone Treatment
Authors: Chaplin John E. , Kriström Berit , Jonsson Björn , Halldin Stenlid Maria , Aronson A. Stefan , Dahlgren Jovanna , Albertsson-Wikland Kerstin
Published: April 2012

Aim: To examine perceived height during the first 24 months of growth hormone (GH) treatment in short prepubertal children. Methods: Ninety-nine 3- to 11-year-old short prepubertal children with either isolated GH deficiency (n = 32) or idiopathic short stature (n = 67) participated in a 24-month randomized trial of individualized or fixed-dose GH treatment. Children’s and parents’ responses to three perceived height measures: relative height (Silhouette Apperception Test), sense of height (VAS short/tall), and judgment of appropriate height (yes/no) were compared to measured height. Results: Children and parents overestimated height at start (72%, 54%) and at 24 months (52%, 30%). Short children described themselves as tall until 8.2 years (girls) and 9 years (boys). Prior to treatment, 38% of children described their height as appropriate and at 3 months, 63%. Mother’s height, parental sense of the child’s tallness and age explained more variance in children’s sense of tallness (34%) than measured height (0%). Conclusion: Short children and parents overestimate height; a pivotal age exists for comparative height judgments. Even a small gain in height may be enough for the child to feel an appropriate age-related height has been reached and to no longer feel short.
Introduction to Felipe Ehrenberg's “In Search of a Model for
Life”
Authors: Benezra Karen
Published: April 2012

“In Search of a Model for Life” traces a brief history of the autonomous, experimental art movement known as los Grupos (the Groups) in which the essay’s author, Felipe Ehrenberg, played a central role. Based mostly in Mexico City in the late 1970s, the Groups critiqued the predominant academicism as well as the burgeoning support for commercially viable experimental work in Mexico’s state-run art institutions. “In Search of a Model for Life” first appeared as one of three external appendices to the catalog for the Museo de Arte Carrillo Gil’s 1985 retrospective of the Groups, De los Grupos los individuos (From the Groups, Individuals). Ehrenberg’s essay challenges the teleological narrative that the catalog’s text traces, from a collective movement of rebellion to the individual insertion of the movement’s members into the art market. In doing so, “In Search of a Model for Life” begins to theorize the conditions for a critical and emancipatory art practice beyond the complicity of state and market.
An Asymmetry in the IOD and ENSO Teleconnection Pathway and Its Impact on Australian Climate
Authors: Cai Wenju , van Rensch Peter , Cowan Tim , Hendon Harry H.
Published: April 2012

Recent research has shown that the climatic impact from El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on middle latitudes west of the western Pacific (e.g., southeast Australia) during austral spring (September–November) is conducted via the tropical Indian Ocean (TIO). However, it is not clear whether this impact pathway is symmetric about the positive and negative phases of ENSO and the Indian Ocean dipole (IOD). It is shown that a strong asymmetry does exist. For ENSO, only the impact from El Niño is conducted through the TIO pathway; the impact from La Niña is delivered through the Pacific–South America pattern. For the IOD, a greater convection anomaly and wave train response occurs during positive IOD (pIOD) events than during negative IOD (nIOD) events. This “impact asymmetry” is consistent with the positive skewness of the IOD, principally due to a negative skewness of sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies in the east IOD (IODE) pole. In the IODE region, convection anomalies are more sensitive to a per unit change of cold SST anomalies than to the same unit change of warm SST anomalies. This study shows that the IOD skewness occurs despite the greater damping, rather than due to a breakdown of this damping as suggested by previous studies. This IOD impact asymmetry provides an explanation for much of the reduction in spring rainfall over southeast Australia during the 2000s. Key to this rainfall reduction is the increased occurrences of pIOD events, more so than the lack of nIOD events.
Hourly Rainfall Changes in Response to Surface Air Temperature over Eastern Contiguous China
Authors: Yu Rucong , Li Jian
Published: April 2012

In this study, late-summer rainfall over eastern contiguous China is classified according to hourly intensity and the changes of moderate, intense, and extreme precipitation in response to variation of surface air temperature are analyzed. The e-folding decay intensity (Imi) derived from the exponential distribution of rainfall amount is defined as the threshold that partitions rainfall into moderate and intense rainfall, and the double e-folding decay intensity (Ie) is used as the threshold to pick out extreme cases. The mean values of Imi and Ie are about 12 and 24 mm h−1, respectively. Between the two periods, 1966–85 and 1986–2005, the ratio between moderate and intense rainfall has experienced significant changes. And the spatial pattern of changes in the percentage of moderate rainfall presents a direct relation with that of the surface air temperature. Based on temperature changes, three regimes, regime N (north China), regime C (central eastern China), and regime S (southeastern coastal area of China), are defined. In warming regimes (regimes N and S), the percentage of moderate rainfall exhibits a decreasing trend. In regime C, where the temperature has fallen, the percentage of moderate rainfall increased prominently. In all three regimes there are significant negative (positive) correlations between the percentage of moderate (intense) rainfall and the temperature. The relation between the extreme rainfall and the surface air temperature is far more regionally dependent. With plenty of water supply and little change in relative humidity, the extreme rainfall increased in regime S. Although regime N also shows strong warming trends, there is no significant trend in extreme precipitation due to the lack of water vapor transportation.
The Signature of Inertial and Tidal Currents in Offshore Wave Records
Authors: Gemmrich Johannes , Garrett Chris
Published: April 2012

The roughness of the sea surface can be affected by strong currents. Here, long records of surface wave heights from buoy observations in the northeastern Pacific Ocean are examined. The data show the influence of tidal currents, but the first evidence of wave-height modulation (up to 20%) at a frequency that is slightly higher than the local inertial frequency is also found. This finding shows the effect on surface waves of near-inertial currents, which are typically the most energetic currents in the open ocean. The result has implications for wave forecasting but also provides valuable information on the frequency, strength, and intermittency of the associated near-inertial motions.
Luxury, Necessity, and Anachronistic Workers
Authors: Bean Frank D. , Brown Susan K. , Bachmeier James D. , Gubernskaya Zoya , Smith Christopher D.
Published: April 2012

This article assesses the labor market implications of less-skilled migration to the United States. It emphasizes how recent social, demographic, and economic trends have reduced the availability of less-skilled native workers, while new low-education immigrant workers compete with other less-skilled immigrants for available low-skilled jobs. Declines in native fertility to substantially below replacement levels, together with native educational upgrading, have substantially reduced the size of the less-skilled native-born labor pool in the past 30 years, even below the level of need. This trend cannot be explained by declines in low-skilled manufacturing employment. Other factors also serve to exacerbate the size of the shortfall in the availability of less-skilled natives, including mismatches in the locations of low-education natives and less-skilled jobs. Nativity differences in health, physical disability, and substance abuse also operate to widen the gap. The resulting void has largely been filled by increasing numbers of less-skilled immigrant workers. These patterns underscore the need for public policies that provide both less-skilled labor and reductions in social and economic inequalities in the United States.
Does Body Mass Index Accurately Reflect Body Fat? A Comparison of Anthropometric Measures in the Longitudinal Assessment of Fat Mass
Authors: Phan Thao-Ly T. , Maresca Michelle M. , Hossain Jobayer , Datto George A.
Published: April 2012

Objective

To determine which anthropometric measure best correlates with change in fat mass (FM) over time.

Methods

The authors performed a retrospective cohort study of 76 obese patients (mean body mass index [BMI] 38 kg/m2 and mean age 13 years) presenting to an obesity clinic between 2005 and 2010. For each patient, during 2 visits, FM was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis and the following measures obtained: BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, and neck circumference. Correlation coefficients and linear regression analyses were calculated to examine the relationship between each measure and FM.

Results

Change in BMI correlated better with change in FM than any other measure and had the strongest effect on change in FM ( P < .01, R2 = .887). The best regression model included BMI only ( R2 = .891); without BMI, the model was significantly worse ( R2 = .521).

Discussion

In the clinical management of obese children, BMI is an adequate measure of change in FM.
The Health Status of Youth in Puerto Rico
Authors: Langellier Brent A. , Martin Molly A. , Canino Glorisa , Garza Jeremiah R. , Ortega Alexander N.
Published: April 2012

Background. Few population-based studies have assessed health outcomes and health care access and use among youth in the US Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Methods. Data are from an island population–based sample of 337 youth, 10 to 17 years old, who participated in the Asthma, Depression, and Anxiety in Puerto Rican Youth Study. In-person interviews with youth and caregivers assessed self-rated physical and mental health, weight status, diagnosed health conditions, and health care access and use. Results. Island Puerto Rican youth report slightly worse physical and mental health than mainland youth. Puerto Rican youth have high rates of asthma, headaches, and stomachaches. Also, 6 in 10 island youth use public health insurance, and 1 in 3 regularly receive care at the emergency department. Conclusions. Island Puerto Rican youth are at a health disadvantage compared with mainland youth. Public health research is needed to fully understand and combat health challenges among Puerto Rican youth.
The Impact of Tobacco Cultivation on Dalit Agricultural Labourers in Prakasam District of Andhra Pradesh, India
Authors: Kumar Chikkala Kranthi
Published: April 2012

This paper highlights the consequences of the economic and educational change among the Dalits of Karavadi. The tobacco cultivation that engages a large amount of labour has attracted the left political parties for the spread of their ideology and recruitment of party workers. It has helped in working against the practice of untouchability. Further, it has enabled the Dalits to be politically conscious and seriously participate in the political process. The growth of educational institutions in the village and the economic improvement have together helped the Dalits to assert their political and economic rights in the village. As a cumulative effect, the hegemonic inter-caste relations in the village have changed, though caste bias has not disappeared.
The Violent Consequences of the Nation
Authors: Schrock-Jacobson Gretchen
Published: April 2012

Many scholars assume that nationalism is inherently aggressive without systematically exploring the relationship between nationalism and interstate war initiation. Thus, many questions are unanswered. Does nationalism increase the risk of war and if so, how? Which types of nationalism are most likely to trigger warfare? The author argues that nationalist persuasion campaigns produce several mechanisms that encourage conflict. Nationalism provokes “national enemies” and their foreign allies, generates biased strategic assumptions, creates domestic interest groups that favor war, permits the suppression of opposition groups, and promotes “nationalist bidding wars.” When these processes exist, nationalism should increase the probability of war initiation. But, different forms of nationalism may not have similar effects. Using original data on the existence and type of state-level nationalism from 1816 to 1997, the author finds that nationalism significantly increases the probability of interstate war initiation. However, not all forms of nationalism are created equal in this regard.
Reclaiming the Kop? Analysing Liverpool Supporters’ 21st Century Mobilizations
Authors: Millward Peter
Published: April 2012

For at least the past three decades, the sociology of football and its supporter cultures has been responsive to the social issues which have emerged within it. Today, the fact that fans rejoice and protest at overseas purchases of their club means that the time has come for research to reflect on elite-level English football’s position in a transnational space. In this context, this article focuses on the football supporters’ protests connected to Liverpool FC, centring on the Spirit of Shankly mobilization, and uses Manuel Castells’ theories to understand them. The argument that emerges is important for sociologists understanding the contemporary world because it illustrates the connections between local sites around the world, the internet as a tool through which collective action takes place, and discusses what ‘power’ means in these contexts.
The Women in Paul's Life
Authors: Osiek Carolyn
Published: April 2012

Interest in the real lives of ancient women continues. This review essay considers three recent small books from Bruce Malina's new series “Paul's Social Networks: Brothers and Sisters in the Faith.”
Migration in Germany
Authors: Goetzke Frank , Rave Tilmann
Published: April 2012

This article investigates migration in postunification Germany, focusing on three particular issues: Do Germans migrate to improve their net wages or for higher levels of amenities? Is migration behavior in East Germany the same as for unified Germany? And finally, is there a difference between age groups in terms of migration? In addition, the authors will control for spatial dependence in the migration model. The authors show that Germany has both equilibrium model and disequilibrium model aspects. The authors also find that migration behavior depends on both different stages in the life cycle and the location. Younger people value amenities higher, while middle-aged people and East Germans prefer regions with low unemployment. Surprisingly, retirees do not have a preference for amenities unless they are from East Germany.
Scientific Reasoning and Methods in Urban Planning
Authors: Kim Tschangho John
Published: April 2012

In all of his numerous publications, Andy Isserman has consistently advocated the development of new and suitable theories and methods for planning for the future. The purpose of this brief article is to reflect Andy Isserman’s scientific contributions to Urban and Regional Planning and to reaffirm the need to search for and develop appropriate scientific reasoning and methods to solve urban and regional issues in the Information Age.
An approach for developing a schemaless XML dataspace profiling system
Authors: Näppilä Turkka , Niemi Timo
Published: April 2012

Dataspace systems have been proposed recently as an alternative to the traditional data integration approach. They offer reduced setup time and costs by allowing cooperation among the data sources based on the knowledge gained gradually through user interaction. A dataspace is a collection of heterogeneous and beforehand unfamiliar but interrelated data sources. In this article, we consider dataspaces composed of XML-based data sources. The XML query and analysis systems designed to satisfy the user’s sophisticated information needs presuppose that they are familiar with the contents, structures and semantics of the underlying data sources. In order to provide this information, we introduce and specify a schemaless XML dataspace profiling system that assists the user in selecting data sources relevant to him/her and in validating their consistency by detecting the potential data conflicts among them. We also demonstrate how our approach affords the possibility of utilizing an advanced XML query system.
My way of teaching mathematics in a social context (in junior high school)
Authors: Kneller Shmuel
Published: April 2012

This article is not comprehensive. It aims at encouraging all teachers of mathematics ‘to look behind the subject matter’ and to probe what educational values it contains. More examples can easily be found. Suffice it to say that when Pythagoras proved his famous theorem, mankind ‘discovered’ that the square root of 2 is an irrational number. The fact that you cannot write its exact value as a decimal fraction gave people at that time the feeling that they had ‘lost control of their fate’. ‘Friendly’ and ‘perfect’ numbers were created at that time to ward off the doom. Similar feelings of despair followed the recognition that the Earth is not the center of the universe and the use of the atom bomb. All three events in the history of science even led to mass suicides. The examples given above call upon all educators to use the subject matter to enrich social understanding and to help youngsters to build a healthier society.
Philosophy as Therapy
Authors: Omelchenko Nikolay
Published: April 2012

Philosophy is deeply rooted in human nature. On the one hand, thinking of an infinite essence of the universe may actualize an infinite essence of humans themselves and thus root them in the Cosmos infinity. On the other hand, to think of infinity is to acquire the power of infinity, i.e., an infinite power. In short, thinking in terms of infinity fills us with infinity. Philosophy allows individuals to overstep the limits of the lived experience, transcends their Selves beyond daily occurrence. Obviously, just this human transcendence into metaphysical reality, into the world of essential relationships ensures a therapeutic effect of philosophy.
The Phantom Menace of Omitted Variables
Authors: Vance Colin , Ritter Nolan
Published: April 2012

This note demonstrates that in applied regression analysis, the variance of a coefficient of interest may decrease from the inclusion of a control variable, contrasting with Clarke’s assertion (2005, 2009) that the variance can only increase or stay the same. Practitioners may thus be well advised to include a relevant control variable on this basis alone, particularly when it is weakly correlated with the variable of interest.
The Interdependence Between Homeland Security Efforts of a State and a Terrorist’s Choice of Attack
Authors: Mathews Timothy , Lowenberg Anton D.
Published: April 2012

Consider a state that chooses security levels at two sites (Targets A and B), after which a terrorist chooses which site to attack (and potentially a scope of attack). The state values A more highly. If the state knows which target the terrorist values more highly, he will choose a higher level of security at this site. Under complete information, if the terrorist’s only choice is which site to attack, the state will set security levels for which the terrorist prefers to attack A over B if and only if the ratio of the value of B to the value of A is greater for the state than for the terrorist. When the state has incomplete information on the terrorist’s target values, the optimal security levels may be such that: a target is completely undefended (but attacked with positive probability); the probability of attack is greater at A than at B; and the expected damage from an attack is greater at A than at B. In total, the results reveal that the state’s choice of security is heavily influenced by the terrorist’s target valuations.
Pairing Courses Across the Disciplines
Authors: Watts Julie , Burnett Rebecca E.
Published: April 2012

Writing performance of a complex recommendation report produced by student teams for an actual client during a 15-week semester was compared in a writing-intensive Agronomy 356 course and in paired Agronomy 356/ English 309 courses. The longitudinal study investigated differences that existed between reports produced for each learning environment in terms of argument effectiveness, document usability, and professionalism. Three agronomy and three professional communication raters ranked the 12 lengthy reports in the sample. The study found that all top-rated reports were generated in the paired courses and all lowest-rated reports were generated in the stand-alone agronomy course. Four pedagogical factors appear influential in this result: working in dual problem-solving spaces, pushing the boundaries on problem solving, incorporating workplace realities, and using just-in-time teaching.
The co-production of purified space: hybrid policing in German Business Improvement Districts
Authors: Eick Volker
Published: April 2012

Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) have evolved as an ‘innovation’ in urban governance supposed to function as a reaction to inner-city decay, emerging suburbs and the transformation of the retail industry owing to so-called ‘malling’ under ‘actually existing neoliberalism’. In the field of security, the interplay of public police and rent-a-cops being directed by ‘institutionalized lobbyism’ represents local governance regimes in exclusionary action. The paper analyses the concept of BIDs with regard to its controversial legal (constitutional), spatial and humanitarian impacts. Evidence for the critical challenges that are brought about by BIDs is taken from case studies in the City of Hamburg, Germany.
Conferences, informational infrastructures and mobile policies: the process of getting Sweden ‘BID ready’
Authors: Cook Ian R. , Ward Kevin
Published: April 2012

This paper makes a contribution to the fledgling literature on policy mobilities and mutations. Using the example of the internationalization of the Business Improvement District (BID) model, it argues that conferences constitute important arenas in and through which both the mobilizing and embedding of urban policies can occur. Focusing on a two-day conference that took place in Sweden in 2009, it uses the language of trans-urban policy pipelines in order to capture the formation of relationships over distance as a means of comparing, educating and learning about the experiences of other cities. Revealing the complex architectures and ecologies that have underpinned the movement of this model from one country to another and from one city to another over the last two decades or so, the paper uses a combination of ethnographic techniques together with semi-structured interviews and questionnaires with organizers and participants to produce a single-site but relationally thickened description of the place of conferences in facilitating the movement of policies across space.
Beyond Compliance
Authors: Evia Carlos , Patriarca Ashley
Published: April 2012

Developing effective workplace safety and risk communication materials for Latino construction workers poses a challenge for technical communicators. These workers are at a disadvantage because of culture and language differences on many job sites. Furthermore, low levels of literacy in any language and lack of proper training compound their job site communication problems. This article builds on cultural studies-based recommendations to develop discourse in workplace safety and risk that these workers can fully understand. The authors in this study used direct creative input from Latino construction workers in order to create safety and risk communication products that were evaluated as effective and culturally relevant for these workers and their peers.
The Treatment of the Relationship Between Groups and Their Environments
Authors: Kouchaki Maryam , Okhuysen Gerardo A. , Waller Mary J. , Tajeddin Golnaz
Published: April 2012

Despite the recognized importance of groups’ external contexts to their functioning, there is little research that fully explicates the relationship between groups and their environments. Instead, much extant research treats groups as closed systems. To advance the field’s understanding, we explore the treatment of the relationship between groups and their environments in existing literature by reviewing research that incorporates groups in naturally varying environments. We identify three predominant characterizations in the literature: the environment as a resource pool, as an impetus for change, and as a target. We offer a summary of the assumptions in these characterizations, a critical examination of each characterization, and develop a future research agenda that extends each characterization and challenges its key assumptions in an effort to explore the relationship between groups and their external environments.
Mechanical behavior during aging of plastically deformed AA6061-SiCp composite in different temperatures
Authors: Sadeghi I , Serajzadeh Siamak
Published: April 2012

In this study, the kinetics of aging in AA6061 and AA6061 with 5% volume fraction SiCp were studied and compared. The composite was first produced and homogenized using stir casting technique followed by hot extrusion with the ratio of 18:1. Then, both AA6061 and the composite were aged at three different temperatures including room temperature, 170 °C and 240 °C, while mechanical properties during aging were evaluated employing hardness measurements and tensile testing. Moreover, in order to assess the effect of plastic deformation on the kinetics of aging, a series of samples were first deformed by equal-channel angular pressing immediately after solution treatment and then aged in the above-mentioned temperatures. The results indicate that the aging activation energy of the composite is reduced from 108.7 to 80.5 kJ/mole when the composite is subjected to cold deformation prior to aging. Furthermore, a combination of equal-channel angular pressing and subsequent aging at 170 °C gives the highest strength with the moderate ductility compared to the undeformed composite and the original AA6061.
Approaches to conflict and conflict resolution in toddler relationships
Authors: Ashby Nicole , Neilsen-Hewett Cathrine
Published: April 2012

The importance of conflict and its resolution for children’s short- and long-term adjustment has been well established within the research literature. Conflict and conflict resolution differs according to a number of constructs, including age, gender and relationship status. The purpose of this study was to explore conflict origins, resolution strategies and outcomes in two pairs of toddler friends and two pairs of toddler acquaintances aged between two years and two months and two years and ten months. The dyads were composed of either two boys or two girls. Conflict events were of a reduced number between friends than acquaintances, with time spent in conflict lower for friend pairs. Standing firm and yielding were the preferred resolution strategies of both groups, with outcomes for both acquaintances and friends predominantly win/lose. Gender differences were also evident. Girl dyads engaged in more conflict events and spent an increased amount of time in conflict than boy dyads. Yielding was the dominant resolution strategy employed by boy pairs, whilst girl pairs favoured standing firm. Win/lose outcomes were the dominant conflict resolution outcome for both boy and girl dyads. Taken together, these findings provide further evidence for the relational nature of conflict, and highlight the need for further research examining conflict and conflict resolution in toddler relationships.
Ectopic Abdominal Uterine Leiomyoma, an Unusual Consequence of Uterine Artery Embolization
Authors: Hill Donald Stephen
Published: April 2012

This case report demonstrates an unusual, vascularized solid mass in the right upper abdomen of a female patient ultimately identified as a uterine leiomyoma (fibroid). The patient’s past medical history was significant, having had a prior uterine artery embolization (UAE) procedure for symptomatic uterine fibroids.
Characterization of homologous and heterologous adaptive immune responses in porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus infection
Authors: Díaz Ivan , Gimeno Mariona , Darwich Laila , Navarro Nuria , Kuzemtseva Liudmila , López Sergio , Galindo Ivan , Segalés Joaquim , Martín Margarita , Pujols Joan , Mateu Enric
Published: April 2012

The present study characterized the homologous and heterologous immune response in type-I porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) infection. Two experiments were conducted: in experiment 1, eight pigs were inoculated with PRRSV strain 3262 and 84 days post-inoculation (dpi) they were challenged with either strain 3262 or strain 3267 and followed for the next 14 days (98 dpi). In experiment 2, eight pigs were inoculated with strain 3267 and challenged at 84 dpi as above. Clinical course, viremia, humoral response (neutralizing and non-neutralizing antibodies, NA) and virus-specific IFN-γ responses (ELISPOT) were evaluated all throughout the study. Serum levels of IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α and TGF-β were determined (ELISA) after the second challenge. In experiment 1 primo-inoculation with strain 3262 induced viremia of ≤ 28 days, low titres of homologous NA but strong IFN-γ responses. In contrast, strain 3267 induced longer viremias (up to 56 days), higher NA titres (≤ 6 log2) and lower IFN-γ responses. Inoculation with 3267 produced higher serum IL-8 levels. After the re-challenge at 84 dpi, pigs in experiment 1 developed mostly a one week viremia regardless of the strain used. In experiment 2, neither the homologous nor the heterologous challenge resulted in detectable viremia although PRRSV was present in tonsils of some animals. Homologous re-inoculation with 3267 produced elevated TGF-β levels in serum for 7–14 days but this did not occur with the heterologous re-inoculation. In conclusion, inoculation with different PRRSV strains result in different virological and immunological outcomes and in different degrees of homologous and heterologous protection.