bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transnational Ecstasy and Japanese Ganbarism: Cultural Patterns in the Pedagogy of Outward Bound Japan
Authors: Mattig Ruprecht
Published: September 2013

Contemporary cross-cultural happiness research commonly defines the concept of culture in regard to nation states. This paper takes up anthropological criticisms of this traditional culture concept arguing that the view on national cultures needs to be complemented by a view on transnational cultural movements. These theoretical reflections are applied to a qualitative case study that examines the transnational “Outward Bound Schools” in Japan and Germany. Based on document reviews, interviews, and observations two cultural patterns in Outward Bound Japan are reconstructed. The first one refers to an emphasis on ecstatic happiness. As this emphasis is found in Outward Bound Japan as well as in Outward Bound Germany it is analyzed as a transnational cultural pattern. The second pattern refers to an emphasis on what is often called “ganbarism” in Japan, i.e., the virtue of endurance. The analysis shows that this emphasis is unique in Outward Bound Japan and that it can be linked to the broader Japanese cultural context. With this empirical study the paper thus draws the attention to the complexity of cultural patterns in regard to cross-cultural happiness research.
Berührungslose optische Vermessung von Spannbetonfertigteilen / Contact-Free Optical Measurement of Precast Prestressed Concrete Parts
Authors: Grote Alexander , Schwab Erwin
Published: September 2013

In diesem Beitrag wird ein 3D Visionsystem zur Vermessung von Spannbetonfertigteilen beschrieben, das eine Vollprüfung im Fertigungsprozess ermöglicht. Mit Hilfe von Lasertriangulationsensoren werden die zu untersuchenden Merkmale erfasst und als Punktewolke der Bildverarbeitung zugänglich gemacht. Insbesondere wird dargestellt, wie die Vermessung des Objektes mittels zweier Sensoren, realisiert wurde.
Estimating Individual Admixture Proportions from Next Generation Sequencing Data
Authors: Skotte Line , Korneliussen Thorfinn Sand , Albrechtsen Anders
Published: September 2013

Inference of population structure and individual ancestry is important both for population genetics and for association studies. With next generation sequencing technologies it is possible to obtain genetic data for all accessible genetic variations in the genome. Existing methods for admixture analysis rely on known genotypes. However, individual genotypes cannot be inferred from low-depth sequencing data without introducing errors. This article presents a new method for inferring an individual’s ancestry that takes the uncertainty introduced in next generation sequencing data into account. This is achieved by working directly with genotype likelihoods that contain all relevant information of the unobserved genotypes. Using simulations as well as publicly available sequencing data, we demonstrate that the presented method has great accuracy even for very low-depth data. At the same time, we demonstrate that applying existing methods to genotypes called from the same data can introduce severe biases. The presented method is implemented in the NGSadmix software available at http://www.popgen.dk/software.
The Drosophila wings apart Gene Anchors a Novel, Evolutionarily Conserved Pathway of Neuromuscular Development
Authors: Morriss Ginny R , Jaramillo Carmelita T , Mikolajczak Crystal M , Duong Sandy , Jaramillo MaryAnn S , Cripps Richard M
Published: September 2013

wings apart (wap) is a recessive, semilethal gene located on the X chromosome in Drosophila melanogaster, which is required for normal wing-vein patterning. We show that the wap mutation also results in loss of the adult jump muscle. We use complementation mapping and gene-specific RNA interference to localize the wap locus to the proximal X chromosome. We identify the annotated gene CG14614 as the gene affected by the wap mutation, since one wap allele contains a non-sense mutation in CG14614, and a genomic fragment containing only CG14614 rescues the jump-muscle phenotypes of two wap mutant alleles. The wap gene lies centromere-proximal to touch-insensitive larva B and centromere-distal to CG14619, which is tentatively assigned as the gene affected in introverted mutants. In mutant wap animals, founder cell precursors for the jump muscle are specified early in development, but are later lost. Through tissue-specific knockdowns, we demonstrate that wap function is required in both the musculature and the nervous system for normal jump-muscle formation. wap/CG14614 is homologous to vertebrate wdr68, DDB1 and CUL4 associated factor 7, which also are expressed in neuromuscular tissues. Thus, our findings provide insight into mechanisms of neuromuscular development in higher animals and facilitate the understanding of neuromuscular diseases that may result from mis-expression of muscle-specific or neuron-specific genes.
Evidence for a Tumor Suppressor Role for the Large Tumor Suppressor Genes LATS1 and LATS2 in Human Cancer
Authors: Yu Tian , Bachman John , Lai Zhi-Chun
Published: September 2013

The role of Large tumor suppressor LATS/Warts in human cancer is not clearly understood. Here we show that hLATS1/2 cancer mutations affect their expression and kinase activity. hLATS1/2 mutants exhibit a decreased activity in inhibiting YAP and tissue growth. Therefore, hLATS1/2 alleles from human cancer can be loss-of-function mutations.
Statistical Properties of the Site-Frequency Spectrum Associated with Λ-Coalescents
Authors: Birkner Matthias , Blath Jochen , Eldon Bjarki
Published: September 2013

Statistical properties of the site-frequency spectrum associated with Λ-coalescents are our objects of study. In particular, we derive recursions for the expected value, variance, and covariance of the spectrum, extending earlier results of Fu (1995) for the classical Kingman coalescent. Estimating coalescent parameters introduced by certain Λ-coalescents for data sets too large for full-likelihood methods is our focus. The recursions for the expected values we obtain can be used to find the parameter values that give the best fit to the observed frequency spectrum. The expected values are also used to approximate the probability a (derived) mutation arises on a branch subtending a given number of leaves (DNA sequences), allowing us to apply a pseudolikelihood inference to estimate coalescence parameters associated with certain subclasses of Λ-coalescents. The properties of the pseudolikelihood approach are investigated on simulated as well as real mtDNA data sets for the high-fecundity Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). Our results for two subclasses of Λ-coalescents show that one can distinguish these subclasses from the Kingman coalescent, as well as between the Λ-subclasses, even for a moderate (maybe a few hundred) sample size.
Upper Triassic corals from Nevada, western North America, and the implications for paleoecology and paleogeography
Authors: Roniewicz Ewa , Stanley George D.
Published: September 2013

Late Carnian–early Norian corals from the Luning and Osobb formations in west-central Nevada represent an important Late Triassic fauna for understanding the paleoecology and the paleogeography of the eastern Panthalassa region during Late Triassic time. The corals occur in bedded limestone representing biostromes and patch reefs and their composition presages the important global changeover of faunas of the intra-Norian interval. A taxonomic analysis of over 60 specimens reveals a majority of colonial corals ranging from cerioid, astreoid (i.e., cerioid-plocoid lacking walls), meandroid and thamnasterioid types. Surprisingly, remnants of the original aragonite microstructure remain in some specimens, allowing a better comparison with more remote Tethyan corals. In total, 14 genera have been identified from Nevada while two genera remain undetermined. The fauna is composed of species considered typical of both the North American Cordillera and cratonal South America. The following genera and species are new and endemic to the Americas:Khytrastrea silberlingiandK. cuifiamorpha,Flexastrea serialis,Nevadoseris punctata,Areaseris nevadaensisand a new genusMinasteria(withAstrocoenia shastensisSmith, 1927 as type species). Likewise are the new species:Margarogyra silberlingiandCurtoseris dunlapcanyonae. GeneraMeandrovolzeia,Margarogyra,Ceriostella,Ampakabastraea,Retiophyllia,Distichomeandra,Curtoseris,ThamnasteriaandAstraeomorphaprovide important links to the former Tethys province. The revised coral fauna changes previous views of the close taxonomic similarity with the Tethys, instead producing a paleogeographic pattern emphasizing a much greater degree of endemism. This pattern emphasizes the isolation of Nevada from the Tethys and the similarities with some outboard terranes of the Cordillera.
Biogeographic shifts in a transgressive succession: the Cambrian (Furongian, Jiangshanian; Latest Steptoean–earliest Sunwaptan) agnostoid arthropodsKormagnostellaRomanenko andBiciragnostusErgaliev in North America
Authors: Westrop Stephen R. , Adrain Jonathan M.
Published: September 2013

The first records of the upper Cambrian agnostoid generaKormagnostella, E. Romanenko,inRomanenko and Romanenko, 1967, andBiciragnostusF. Ergaliev,inEraliev and Ergaliev, 2001, in Laurentian North America are from a narrow stratigraphic interval in the Steptoean–Sunwaptan boundary interval (Furongian, Jiangshanian) of Nevada and Utah. In Nevada, both genera occur in a condensed bioclastic lag below a major flooding surface, andKormagnostellaalso appears in a transgressive interval in Utah. Immigration of these genera is associated with sea level rise, and also with faunal turnover.Biciragnostusis confined to the latestElviniaZone, immediately below the onset of a trilobite and agnostoid extinction event at the base of theIrvingella majorZone (basal Sunwaptan).Kormagnostellais present in the latestElviniaZone, and has its highest occurrence in theI. majorZone. Stratigraphic data from the Karatau-Naryn Terrane, Kazakhstan indicate that both genera disappear near the local extinction ofIrvingella, suggesting that faunal turnover in that region may have been broadly correlative with the more profound extinction in Laurentia. New species areKormagnostella advena,K. insolitaandBiciragnostus viator.
West coast North America record of the Paleogene marine stromboid gastropodRimellaand paleobiogeography of the genus
Authors: Squires Richard L.
Published: September 2013

The west coast of North America record of the shallow-marine stromboid gastropod genusRimellaAgassiz, 1841 is restudied for the first time in 90 years. This genus comprises a small group of Paleogene gastropods characterized by having an ornamented fusiform shell, a posterior canal ascending the spire, and simple (non-flared) outer lip.Rimella, whose familial ranking has been inconsistent, is placed here in family Rostellariidae Gabb, 1868, subfamily Rimellinae Stewart, 1927.EctinochilusCossmann, 1889;MacilentosClark and Palmer, 1923;VaderosClark and Palmer, 1923; andCowlitziaClark and Palmer, 1923 are recognized here as junior synonyms ofRimella. Four species are recognized from the west coast of North America: early to middle EoceneRimella macilentaWhite, 1889; early EoceneRimella oregonensisTurner, 1938; middle to late EoceneRimella supraplicata(Gabb, 1864) new combination, of whichRostellaria canaliferGabb, 1864,Cowlitizia washingtonensisClark and Palmer, 1923, andCowlitzia problematicaHanna, 1927 are recognized here as junior synonyms; and late EoceneRimella elongataWeaver, 1912.

Rimellawas a warm-water gastropod whose earliest known record is of early Paleocene (Danian) age in Pakistan. Other than the west coast of North America,Rimellais found in Eocene strata in western Europe, Turkey, Egypt, Pakistan, southeastern United States, Panama, Peru, and, to a lesser degree, in Trinidad, Columbia, Java, and New Zealand. Global cooling near the end of the Eocene greatly diminished the genus. Its youngest known occurrences are of early Oligocene age in Germany, Italy, England, and Peru.
New hypsodont tillodont (Mammalia, Tillodontia) from the early Eocene of India
Authors: Rose Kenneth D. , Kumar Kishor , Rana Rajendra S. , Sahni Ashok , Smith Thierry
Published: September 2013

A new tillodont, Anthraconyx hypsomylus, n. gen. n. sp., is described from the early Eocene Cambay Shale Formation at Vastan Lignite Mine, Gujarat, India. Anthraconyx hypsomylus is the smallest Eocene tillodont and is distinguished by having the most buccally hypsodont cheek teeth of any known esthonychine. The closest dental resemblances are to North American Esthonyx and Azygonyx and European Plesiesthonyx, providing further evidence of affinities between the Vastan local fauna and Euroamerican vertebrate faunas.
Laboratory evaluation of asphalt concrete mixtures to permanent deformation
Authors: Nikolaides Athanassios , Manthos Evaggelos
Published: September 2013

Several laboratory tests have been developed in order to detect the resistance of asphalt concrete mixtures to permanent deformation. Among them, the most commonly used are the wheel-tracking and the cyclic compression test. The purpose of this study was to compare the permanent deformation behaviour of asphalt concrete, under different testing procedures, when gradation and binder content was varied but within the tolerance limits. The asphalt concrete used was an AC 20 with 50/70 penetration grade bitumen. For the wheel-tracking test, three different procedures at two testing temperatures (45 and 60°C), were used: procedure A and B, in air, in accordance with EN 12697-22, and the procedure specified in BS 598-110. For the triaxial cyclic compression test, method B per EN 12697-25, was used at a testing temperature of 45°C. The results of the study showed that the aggregate gradation and the binder content even when both varied within the tolerance limits affect the performance in terms of permanent deformation. The ranking of the mixtures was found to be the same regardless of the testing procedure employed. As far as the acceptability of the mixtures was concerned it was found that by applying the limiting values set by PD 6691:2010, the BS 598-110 procedure and the small device, procedure B per EN 12697-22 gave different outcomes.
The Green Deal and the Energy Company Obligation
Authors: Rosenow Jan , Eyre Nick
Published: September 2013

Current UK energy efficiency policy is very fluid, with a number of new policies due to be introduced in 2012 and 2013, including the Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation. These mark a substantial change from the existing policy regime in a number of ways, notably the explicit aim of supporting higher cost energy efficiency technologies in housing and an attempt to engage new sources of private sector finance. This paper provides a critical analysis of the proposed policy changes both in terms of the institutional changes and the implications of a new finance mechanism for energy efficiency policy, as well as the overall impact on reduction of greenhouse gasses, in particular through the installation of different types of retrofitted insulation.
US Trends in Quality-Adjusted Life Expectancy From 1987 to 2008: Combining National Surveys to More Broadly Track the Health of the Nation
Authors: Stewart Susan T. , Cutler David M. , Rosen Allison B.
Published: September 2013

Objectives. We used data from multiple national health surveys to systematically track the health of the US adult population.

Methods. We estimated trends in quality-adjusted life expectancy (QALE) from 1987 to 2008 by using national mortality data combined with data on symptoms and impairments from the National Medical Expenditure Survey (1987), National Health Interview Survey (1987, 1994–1995, 1996), Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (1992, 1996, 2000–2008), National Nursing Home Survey (1985, 1995, and 1999), and Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (1992, 1994–2008). We decomposed QALE into changes in life expectancy, impairments, symptoms, and smoking and body mass index.

Results. Years of QALE increased overall and for all demographic groups—men, women, Whites, and Blacks—despite being slowed by increases in obesity and a rising prevalence of some symptoms and impairments. Overall QALE gains were large: 2.4 years at age 25 years and 1.7 years at age 65 years.

Conclusions. Understanding and consistently tracking the drivers of QALE change is central to informed policymaking. Harmonizing data from multiple national surveys is an important step in building this infrastructure.
Framing the Consequences of Childhood Obesity to Increase Public Support for Obesity Prevention Policy
Authors: Gollust Sarah E. , Niederdeppe Jeff , Barry Colleen L.
Published: September 2013

Objectives. We examined the effects of messages describing consequences of childhood obesity on public attitudes about obesity prevention policy.

Methods. We collected data from 2 nationally representative Internet-based surveys. First, respondents (n = 444) evaluated the strength of 11 messages about obesity’s consequences as reasons for government action. Second, we randomly assigned respondents (n = 2494) to a control group or to treatment groups shown messages about obesity consequences. We compared groups’ attitudes toward obesity prevention, stratified by political ideology.

Results. Respondents perceived a message about the health consequences of childhood obesity as the strongest rationale for government action; messages about military readiness, bullying, and health care costs were rated particularly strong by conservatives, moderates, and liberals, respectively. A message identifying the consequences of obesity on military readiness increased conservatives’ perceptions of seriousness, endorsement of responsibility beyond the individual, and policy support, compared with a control condition.

Conclusions. The public considers several consequences of childhood obesity as strong justification for obesity prevention policy. Activating new or unexpected values in framing a health message could raise the health issue’s salience for particular subgroups of the public.
Prevalence of HCV Infection Among Clients in Community-Based Health Settings in Hawaii, 2002–2010: Assessing Risk Factors
Authors: Porter Jeremy C. , Lusk Heather M. , Katz Alan R.
Published: September 2013

Objectives. We sought to determine the prevalence of HCV infection and identify risk factors associated with HCV infection among at-risk clients presenting to community-based health settings in Hawaii.

Methods. Clients from 23 community-based sites were administered risk factor questionnaires and screened for HCV antibodies from December 2002 through May 2010. We performed univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.

Results. Of 3306 participants included in the analysis, 390 (11.8%) tested antibody positive for HCV. Highest HCV antibody prevalence (17.0%) was in persons 45 to 64 years old compared with all other age groups. Significant independent risk factors were current or prior injection drug use (P < .001), blood transfusion prior to July 1992 (P = .002), and having an HCV-infected sex partner (P = .03). Stratification by gender revealed sexual exposure to be significant for males (P = .001).

Conclusions. Despite Hawaii’s ethnic diversity, high hepatocellular carcinoma incidence, and a statewide syringe exchange program in place since the early 1990s, our HCV prevalence and risk factor findings are remarkably consistent with those reported from the mainland United States. Hence, effective interventions identified from US mainland population studies should be generalizable to Hawaii.
Understanding Price Elasticities to Inform Public Health Research and Intervention Studies: Key Issues
Authors: Nghiem Nhung , Wilson Nick , Genç Murat , Blakely Tony
Published: September 2013

Pricing policies such as taxes and subsidies are important tools in preventing and controlling a range of threats to public health. This is particularly so in tobacco and alcohol control efforts and efforts to change dietary patterns and physical activity levels as a means of addressing increases in noncommunicable diseases.

To understand the potential impact of pricing policies, it is critical to understand the nature of price elasticities for consumer products. For example, price elasticities are key parameters in models of any food tax or subsidy that aims to quantify health impacts and cost-effectiveness.

We detail relevant terms and discuss key issues surrounding price elasticities to inform public health research and intervention studies.
Perceptions of Relative Risk of Snus and Cigarettes Among US Smokers
Authors: Popova Lucy , Ling Pamela M.
Published: September 2013

In a survey of 1836 adult US smokers, when using a direct comparison measure, 22.1% reported snus was less harmful than were cigarettes. When asked indirectly (estimating the health risk of snus and cigarettes in 2 separate questions and comparing the answers to each other), 51.6% rated snus as less risky. The Food and Drug Administration should consider both direct and indirect measures when perceived risk data are presented as evidence for tobacco regulation.
The Modifying Influence of Country Development on the Effect of Individual Educational Attainment on Self-Rated Health
Authors: van der Kooi Anne L. F. , Stronks Karien , Thompson Caroline A. , DerSarkissian Maral , Arah Onyebuchi A.
Published: September 2013

Objectives. We investigated how much the Human Development Index (HDI), a global measure of development, modifies the effect of education on self-reported health.

Methods. We analyzed cross-sectional World Health Survey data on 217 642 individuals from 49 countries, collected in 2002 to 2005, with random-intercept multilevel linear regression models.

Results. We observed greater positive associations between educational levels and self-reported good health with increasing HDI. The magnitude of this effect modification of the education–health relation tended to increase with educational attainment. For example, before adjustment for effect modification, at comparable HDI, on average, finishing primary school was associated with better general health (b = 1.49; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.18, 1.80). With adjustment for effect modification by HDI, the impact became 4.63 (95% CI = 3.63, 5.62) for every 0.1 increase in HDI. Among those who completed high school, these associations were, respectively, 5.59 (95% CI = 5.20, 5.98) and 9.95 (95% CI = 8.89, 11.00).

Conclusions. The health benefits of educational attainment are greater in countries with greater human development. Health inequalities attributable to education are, therefore, larger in more developed countries.
The End-of-Life Experiences of 9/11 Civilians: Death and Dying in the World Trade Center
Authors: Rosenthal M. Sara
Published: September 2013

This bioethics analysis of trapped civilians in the World Trade Center (WTC) on September 11, 2001, is based on a review of materials in the public domain. Death and dying experiences are divided into three major groups: sudden death, of which there was virtually no suffering or foreknowledge; deaths in which there was a maximum of 102 minutes of suffering; and death by falling or jumping, in which an autonomous decision may have been exercised as a palliative approach. A content analysis of publicly available records of this event reveals many types of end-of-life decisions were being made within the 102-minute time frame from aircraft impact to collapse. Many WTC occupants experienced intensified suffering directly consequent to unprepared emergency dispatchers and inaccurate instructions. Truth-telling and appropriate end-of-life dialogues could have reduced loss of life, suffering, and led to qualitatively improved dying experiences.
Do Suicides Cluster?
Authors: Manson Russell , Lester David , Gunn John F. , Yeh Cynthia
Published: September 2013

Three series of suicides were examined for evidence of clustering: suicides on the Hong Kong subway (1979–1989), suicides from the Golden Gate Bridge (1999–2009), and suicides in the Wayne County Jail (1967–1992). The inter-suicide intervals were examined for their fit to a random Poisson distribution and found not to differ significantly, indicating that there was no evidence for clustering.
Cost-Effectiveness of MODY Genetic Testing: Translating Genomic Advances Into Practical Health Applications
Authors: Naylor Rochelle N. , John Priya M. , Winn Aaron N. , Carmody David , Greeley Siri Atma W. , Philipson Louis H. , Bell Graeme I. , Huang Elbert S.
Published: September 2013

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of a genetic testing policy for HNF1A-, HNF4A-, and GCK-MODY in a hypothetical cohort of type 2 diabetic patients 25–40 years old with a MODY prevalence of 2%.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We used a simulation model of type 2 diabetes complications based on UK Prospective Diabetes Study data, modified to account for the natural history of disease by genetic subtype to compare a policy of genetic testing at diabetes diagnosis versus a policy of no testing. Under the screening policy, successful sulfonylurea treatment of HNF1A-MODY and HNF4A-MODY was modeled to produce a glycosylated hemoglobin reduction of −1.5% compared with usual care. GCK-MODY received no therapy. Main outcome measures were costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) based on lifetime risk of complications and treatments, expressed as the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) (USD/QALY).

RESULTS

The testing policy yielded an average gain of 0.012 QALYs and resulted in an ICER of 205,000 USD. Sensitivity analysis showed that if the MODY prevalence was 6%, the ICER would be ∼50,000 USD. If MODY prevalence was >30%, the testing policy was cost saving. Reducing genetic testing costs to 700 USD also resulted in an ICER of ∼50,000 USD.

CONCLUSIONS

Our simulated model suggests that a policy of testing for MODY in selected populations is cost-effective for the U.S. based on contemporary ICER thresholds. Higher prevalence of MODY in the tested population or decreased testing costs would enhance cost-effectiveness. Our results make a compelling argument for routine coverage of genetic testing in patients with high clinical suspicion of MODY.
Conduction Slowing in Diabetic Sensorimotor Polyneuropathy
Authors: Dunnigan Samantha K. , Ebadi Hamid , Breiner Ari , Katzberg Hans D. , Lovblom Leif E. , Perkins Bruce A. , Bril Vera
Published: September 2013

OBJECTIVE

Mild demyelination may contribute more to the pathophysiology of nerve fiber injury in diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy (DSP) than previously thought. We investigated the clinical and electrodiagnostic classifications of nerve injury in diabetic patients to detect evidence of conduction slowing in DSP.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Type 1 diabetic subjects (n = 62) and type 2 diabetic subjects (n = 111) with a broad spectrum of DSP underwent clinical examination and nerve conduction studies (NCS). Patients were classified as having axonal (group A), conduction slowing (group D), or combined (group C) DSP based on electrodiagnostic criteria. Patients with chronic immune-mediated neuropathies were not included. The groups were compared using ANOVA, contingency tables, and Kruskal-Wallis analyses.

RESULTS

Of the 173 type 1 and type 2 diabetic subjects with a mean age of 59.1 ± 13.6 years and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) of 8.0 ± 1.8% (64 ± 19.7 mmol/mol), 46% were in group A, 32% were in group D, and 22% were in group C. The severity of DSP increased across groups A, D, and C, respectively, based on clinical and NCS parameters. The mean HbA1c for group D subjects (8.9 ± 2.3% [74 ± 25.1 mmol/mol]) was higher than for group A and group C subjects (7.7 ± 1.4% [61 ± 15.3 mmol/mol] and 7.5 ± 1.3% [58 ± 14.2 mmol/mol]; P = 0.003), and this difference was observed in those with type 1 diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of conduction slowing in patients with suboptimally controlled type 1 diabetes indicates the possibility that this stage of DSP may be amenable to intervention via improved glycemic control.
Glycerol and Fatty Acids in Serum Predict the Development of Hyperglycemia and Type 2 Diabetes in Finnish Men
Authors: Mahendran Yuvaraj , Cederberg Henna , Vangipurapu Jagadish , Kangas Antti J. , Soininen Pasi , Kuusisto Johanna , Uusitupa Matti , Ala-Korpela Mika , Laakso Markku
Published: September 2013

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the association of fasting serum glycerol and fatty acids (FAs) as predictors for worsening of hyperglycemia and incident type 2 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses of the population-based METabolic Syndrome in Men (METSIM) Study included 9,398 Finnish men (mean age 57 ± 7 years). At baseline, levels of serum glycerol, free FAs (FFAs), and serum FA profile, relative to total FAs, were measured with proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

RESULTS

At baseline, levels of glycerol, FFAs, monounsaturated FAs, saturated FAs, and monounsaturated n-7 and -9 FAs, relative to total FAs, were increased in categories of fasting and 2-h hyperglycemia, whereas the levels of n-3 and n-6 FAs, relative to total FAs, decreased (N = 9,398). Among 4,335 men with 4.5-year follow-up data available, 276 developed type 2 diabetes. Elevated levels of glycerol, FFAs, monounsaturated FAs, and saturated and monounsaturated n-7 and -9 FAs, relative to total FAs, predicted worsening of hyperglycemia and development of incident type 2 diabetes after adjustment for confounding factors. n-6 FAs, mainly linoleic acid (LA), relative to total FAs, were associated with reduced risk for the worsening of hyperglycemia and conversion to type 2 diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS

Our large population-based study shows that fasting serum levels of glycerol, FFAs, monounsaturated FAs, saturated FAs, and n-7 and -9 FAs are biomarkers for an increased risk of development of hyperglycemia and type 2 diabetes, whereas high levels of serum n-6 FAs, reflecting dietary intake of LA, were associated with reduced risk for hyperglycemia and type 2 diabetes.
Lower Fasting Muscle Mitochondrial Activity Relates to Hepatic Steatosis in Humans
Authors: Szendroedi Julia , Kaul Kirti , Kloock Lisa , Straßburger Klaus , Schmid Albrecht Ingo , Chmelik Marek , Kacerovsky Michaela , Kacerovsky-Bielesz Gertrud , Prikoszovich Thomas , Brehm Attila , Krššák Martin , Gruber Stephan , Krebs Michael , Kautzky-Willer Alexandra , Moser Ewald , Pacini Giovanni , Roden Michael
Published: September 2013

OBJECTIVE

Muscle insulin resistance has been implicated in the development of steatosis and dyslipidemia by changing the partitioning of postprandial substrate fluxes. Also, insulin resistance may be due to reduced mitochondrial function. We examined the association between mitochondrial activity, insulin sensitivity, and steatosis in a larger human population.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We analyzed muscle mitochondrial activity from ATP synthase flux (fATP) and ectopic lipids by multinuclei magnetic resonance spectroscopy from 113 volunteers with and without diabetes. Insulin sensitivity was assessed from M values using euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamps and/or from oral glucose insulin sensitivity (OGIS) using oral glucose tolerance tests.

RESULTS

Muscle fATP correlated negatively with hepatic lipid content and HbA1c. After model adjustment for study effects and other confounders, fATP showed a strong negative correlation with hepatic lipid content and a positive correlation with insulin sensitivity and fasting C-peptide. The negative correlation of muscle fATP with age, HbA1c, and plasma free fatty acids was weakened after adjustment. Body mass, muscle lipid contents, plasma lipoproteins, and triglycerides did not associate with fATP.

CONCLUSIONS

The association of impaired muscle mitochondrial activity with hepatic steatosis supports the concept of a close link between altered muscle and liver energy metabolism as early abnormalities promoting insulin resistance.
Serum Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Risk of Incident Type 2 Diabetes in Men: The Kuopio Ischemic Heart Disease Risk Factor Study
Authors: Virtanen Jyrki K. , Mursu Jaakko , Voutilainen Sari , Uusitupa Matti , Tuomainen Tomi-Pekka
Published: September 2013

OBJECTIVE

The relationship between fish or omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and type 2 diabetes is inconclusive. Even contaminants in fish, such as mercury, may modify the effects. We investigated the associations between serum omega-3 PUFAs eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), α-linolenic acid (ALA), hair mercury, and risk of incident type 2 diabetes in middle-aged and older Finnish men.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A total of 2,212 men from the prospective, population-based Kuopio Ischemic Heart Disease Risk Factor study, aged 42–60 years and free of type 2 diabetes at baseline in 1984–1989, were investigated. Serum PUFA and hair mercury were used as biomarkers for exposure. Dietary intakes were assessed with 4-day food recording. Type 2 diabetes was assessed by self-administered questionnaires and fasting and 2-h oral glucose tolerance test blood glucose measurement at re-examination rounds 4, 11, and 20 years after the baseline and by record linkage to hospital discharge registry and reimbursement register on diabetes medication expenses. Cox proportional hazards models were used to analyze associations.

RESULTS

During the average follow-up of 19.3 years, 422 men developed type 2 diabetes. Men in the highest versus the lowest serum EPA + DPA + DHA quartile had 33% lower multivariate-adjusted risk for type 2 diabetes (95% CI 13–49; P trend 0.01). No statistically significant associations were observed with serum or dietary ALA, dietary fish or EPA + DHA, or hair mercury.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum long-chain omega-3 PUFA concentration, an objective biomarker for fish intake, was associated with long-term lower risk of type 2 diabetes.
Characterizing calcium influx via voltage- and ligand-gated calcium channels in embryonic Alligator neurons in culture
Authors: Ju Weina , Wu Jiang , Pritz Michael , Khanna Rajesh
Published: September 2013

Vertebrate brains share many features in common. Early in development, both the hindbrain and diencephalon are built similarly. Only later in time do differences in morphology occur. Factors that could potentially influence such changes include certain physiological properties of neurons. As an initial step to investigate this problem, embryonic Alligator brain neurons were cultured and calcium responses were characterized. The present report is the first to document culture of Alligator brain neurons in artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACSF) as well as in standard mammalian tissue culture medium supplemented with growth factors. Alligator brain neuron cultures were viable for at least 1 week with unipolar neurites emerging by 24 hours. Employing Fura-2 AM, robust depolarizationinduced calcium influx, was observed in these neurons. Using selective blockers of the voltage-gated calcium channels, the contributions of N-, P/Q-, R-, T-, and L-type channels in these neurons were assessed and their presence documented. Lastly, Alligator brain neurons were challenged with an excitotoxic stimulus (glutamate + glycine) where delayed calcium deregulation could be prevented by a classical NMDA receptor antagonist.
Neural lineage development in the rhesus monkey with embryonic stem cells
Authors: Chen Hongwei , Wei Qiang , Zhang Jing , Tan Tao , Li Rongrong , Chen Jilin
Published: September 2013

There are three controversial and undetermined models of neurogenesis and gliogenesis from neuroepithelial cells in the early neural tube; the first in which neurons and glia were proposed to originate from a single homogenous population, the second from two separate pools of committed glial and neuronal progenitors, or, lastly, from transit radial glial (RG). Issues concerning embryonic neural lineage development in primates are not well understood due to restrictions imposed by ethics and material sources. In this study, early neural lineage development was investigated in vitro with rhesus monkey embryonic stem cells (rESC) by means of immunofluorescence with lineage specific markers. It was revealed that neural differentiation likely progresses in a sequential lineage restriction pathway from neuroepithelial stem/progenitor cells to neurons and glia via RG and intermediate precursors: neuronal precursors and glial progenitors. In conclusion, our results suggest that the early neural lineage development of rESC in vitro supported the model in which neuroepithelial cells develop into RG capable of generating both neurons and glia. This work should facilitate understanding of the mechanism of development of the nervous system in primates.
Entropies in Alloy Design for High-Entropy and Bulk Glassy Alloys
Authors: Takeuchi Akira , Amiya Kenji , Wada Takeshi , Yubuta Kunio , Zhang Wei , Makino Akihiro
Published: September 2013

High-entropy (H-E) alloys, bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) and high-entropy BMGs (HE-BMGs) were statistically analyzed with the help of a database of ternary amorphous alloys. Thermodynamic quantities corresponding to heat of mixing and atomic size differences were calculated as a function of composition of the multicomponent alloys. Actual calculations were performed for configurational entropy (Sconfig.) in defining the H-E alloys and mismatch entropy (Ss) normalized with Boltzmann constant (kB), together with mixing enthalpy (DHmix) based on Miedema’s empirical model and Delta parameter (d) as a corresponding parameter to Ss/kB. The comparison between DHmix–d and DHmix– diagrams for the ternary amorphous alloys revealed Ss/kB ~ (d /22)2. The zones S, S′ and B’s where H-E alloys with disordered solid solutions, ordered alloys and BMGs are plotted in the DHmix–d diagram are correlated with the areas in the DHmix – Ss /kB diagram. The results provide mutual understandings among H-E alloys, BMGs and HE-BMGs.
Research on an Axial Magnetic-Field-Modulated Brushless Double Rotor Machine
Authors: Zheng Ping , Song Zhiyi , Bai Jingang , Tong Chengde , Yu Bin
Published: September 2013

Double rotor machine, an electronic continuously variable transmission, has great potential in application of hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), wind power and marine propulsion. In this paper, an axial magnetic-field-modulated brushless double rotor machine (MFM-BDRM), which can realize the speed decoupling between the shaft of the modulating ring rotor and that of the permanent magnet rotor is proposed. Without brushes and slip rings, the axial MFM-BDRM offers significant advantages such as excellent reliability and high efficiency. Since the number of pole pairs of the stator is not equal to that of the permanent magnet rotor, which differs from the traditional permanent magnet synchronous machine, the operating principle of the MFM-BDRM is deduced. The relations of corresponding speed and toque transmission are analytically discussed. The cogging toque characteristics, especially the order of the cogging torque are mathematically formulated. Matching principle of the number of pole pairs of the stator, that of the permanent magnet rotor and the number of ferromagnetic pole pieces is inferred since it affects MFM-BDRM’s performance greatly, especially in the respect of the cogging torque and electromagnetic torque ripple. The above analyses are assessed with the three-dimensional (3D) finite-element method (FEM).
Differential Impact of Tobacco Control Policies on Youth Sub-Populations
Authors: Tauras John , Huang Jidong , Chaloupka Frank
Published: September 2013

Background: While previous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of tobacco control interventions in reducing tobacco use among youth overall, there have been very few studies that examine the potential differential impact of tobacco control policies on various youth subgroups, defined by socio-economic status (SES), race/ethnicity, and gender. Objective: We examined the relationship between state-level cigarette prices and smoke-free air laws and youth smoking prevalence and intensity for various youth sub-populations in the United States. Methods: We estimated a 2-part model of cigarette demand using data from the 1991 through 2010 nationally representative surveys of 8th-, 10th-, and 12th-grade students as part of the Monitoring the Future project. Findings: We found that real cigarette prices are strong determinants of youth smoking. Blacks, females, Hispanics, and low-SES subpopulations are found to have a larger price response with respect to smoking prevalence than the full sample. Smoke-free air laws are found to have a negative effect on smoking prevalence for the full sample and for the male, white, and high-SES sub-populations. Conclusions: This research concludes that higher cigarette prices will reduce smoking prevalence rates of Blacks, Hispanics, females, and low-SES subpopulations faster than the overall youth population and other youth sub-populations. Moreover, this research concludes that smoke-free air laws will reduce smoking prevalence for the overall youth population with the largest reductions in high SES and male subpopulations.
Peptide-Lipid Interactions: Experiments and Applications
Authors: Galdiero Stefania , Falanga Annarita , Cantisani Marco , Vitiello Mariateresa , Morelli Giancarlo , Galdiero Massimiliano
Published: September 2013

The interactions between peptides and lipids are of fundamental importance in the functioning of numerous membrane-mediated cellular processes including antimicrobial peptide action, hormone-receptor interactions, drug bioavailability across the blood-brain barrier and viral fusion processes. Moreover, a major goal of modern biotechnology is obtaining new potent pharmaceutical agents whose biological action is dependent on the binding of peptides to lipid-bilayers. Several issues need to be addressed such as secondary structure, orientation, oligomerization and localization inside the membrane. At the same time, the structural effects which the peptides cause on the lipid bilayer are important for the interactions and need to be elucidated. The structural characterization of membrane active peptides in membranes is a harsh experimental challenge. It is in fact accepted that no single experimental technique can give a complete structural picture of the interaction, but rather a combination of different techniques is necessary.
ARID1A Mutations and PI3K/AKT Pathway Alterations in Endometriosis and Endometriosis-Associated Ovarian Carcinomas
Authors: Samartzis Eleftherios , Noske Aurelia , Dedes Konstantin , Fink Daniel , Imesch Patrick
Published: September 2013

Endometriosis is a common gynecological disease affecting 6%–10% of women of reproductive age and is characterized by the presence of endometrial-like tissue in localizations outside of the uterine cavity as, e.g., endometriotic ovarian cysts. Mainly, two epithelial ovarian carcinoma subtypes, the ovarian clear cell carcinomas (OCCC) and the endometrioid ovarian carcinomas (EnOC), have been molecularly and epidemiologically linked to endometriosis. Mutations in the gene encoding the AT-rich interacting domain containing protein 1A (ARID1A) have been found to occur in high frequency in OCCC and EnOC. The majority of these mutations lead to a loss of expression of the ARID1A protein, which is a subunit of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex and considered as a bona fide tumor suppressor. ARID1A mutations frequently co-occur with mutations, leading to an activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathway, such as mutations in PIK3CA encoding the catalytic subunit, p110α, of PI3K. In combination with recent functional observations, these findings strongly suggest cooperating mechanisms between the two pathways. The occurrence of ARID1A mutations and alterations in the PI3K/AKT pathway in endometriosis and endometriosis-associated ovarian carcinomas, as well as the possible functional and clinical implications are discussed in this review.
Two New Sphingolipids from the Leaves of Piper betle L.
Authors: Chen Duo-Zhi , Xiong Hua-Bin , Tian Kai , Guo Jun-Ming , Huang Xiang-Zhong , Jiang Zhi-Yong
Published: September 2013

Two new sphingolipids, pipercerebrosides A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the leaves of Piper betle L. Their structures, including absolute configurations, were determined by spectroscopic analysis and chemical degradation. These two compounds did not show significant cytotoxic activity against the cancer cell lines K562 and HL-60 in a MTT assay.
Identification of Multiple Ingredients for a Traditional Chinese Medicine Preparation (Bu-yang-huan-wu-tang) by Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Shaw Lee-Hsin , Chen Wei-Ming , Tsai Tung-Hu
Published: September 2013

Bu-yang-huan-wu-tang (BYHWT) is a popular Traditional Chinese Medicine formula consisting of seven herbal medicines (Astragalus membranaceus, Angelica sinensis, Paeonia lactiflora, Ligusticum chuanxiong, Carthamus tinctorius, Amygdalus persica and Pheretima aspergillum), that has been used in China for centuries to overcome stroke-induced disability. To ensure the consistency of quality, a reliable analytical method is required, therefore, we developed a liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for quantitative analysis of the major constituents in BYHWT. The herbal ingredients consisting of the cycloartane-type triterpene glycosides of astragaloside I, astragaloside II and astragaloside IV; isoflavones of formononetin, ononin calycosin, calycosin-7-O-β-d-glucoside; ligustilide and paeoniflorin were separated on a C18 column with gradient elution of methanol/10 mM ammonium acetate buffer–formic acid (100:0.1, v/v). This study was performed by a mass spectrometer using electrospray ionization (ESI) with positive ionization ions monitored in the multiple reaction-monitoring (MRM) mode. The linearity, accuracy, precision, limit of detection (LOD) and lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) were validated for this quantification method, and the sensitivity, reliability and reproducibility were all confirmed. The experiments provided a good method for analyzing BYHWT extracts. This study also quantitated the active components in various brands of commercially available products. The results indicated that the pharmaceutical industrial products of BYHWT exhibited considerable variation in their contents of the herbal compounds.
Extraction of Coastline in Aquaculture Coast from Multispectral Remote Sensing Images: Object-Based Region Growing Integrating Edge Detection
Authors: Zhang Tao , Yang Xiaomei , Hu Shanshan , Su Fenzhen
Published: September 2013

Aquaculture coasts have become widely distributed in coastal zones as human activities are intensified. Due to the complexity in this type of coast, it is difficult to extract the coastline with traditional automated mapping approaches. In this paper, we present an automated method—object-based region growing integrating edge detection (OBRGIE) for the extraction of this type of coastline. In this method, a new object feature named OMI (object merging index) is proposed to separate land and sea. The OBRGIE method was applied to Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) (pixel size 30m) and Satellite Pour l’Observation de la Terre (SPOT-5) (pixel size 10 m) images of two coastal segments with lengths of 272.7 km and 35.5 km respectively, and the accuracy of the extracted coastlines was assessed in comparison with the manually delineated coastlines. The mean and RMSE (root mean square error) are 16.0 m and 16.4 m respectively for the TM images, and 8.0 m and 8.6 m, respectively, for the SPOT-5 images, indicating that the proposed method derives coastlines with pixel accuracy. The OBRGIE method is also found to be robust to the segmentation scale parameter, and the OMI feature is much more effective than the spectral attribute in separating land and sea in aquaculture coasts. This method may provide an inexpensive means of fast coastline mapping from remotely sensed imagery with relatively fine-to-moderate spatial resolution in coastal sectors with intense human interference.