bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vitamin D decreases the secretion of eotaxin and RANTES in nasal polyp fibroblasts derived from Taiwanese patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps
Authors: Wang Ling‐Feng , Chien Chen‐Yu , Tai Chih‐Feng , Chiang Feng‐Yu , Chen Jeff Yi‐Fu
Published: December 2014

Eosinophils are important inflammatory cells involved in the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). Vitamin D and its derivatives, in addition to their classic role as regulators of electrolytes homeostasis, have modulatory effects in immunological and inflammatory responses. Such properties suggest that vitamin D might also play a role in inflammatory airway diseases such as CRSwNP. In this study, we investigated the effect of vitamin D derivatives (calcitriol and tacalcitol) on the secretion of eotaxin and Regulated on Activation, Normal T Cell Expressed and Secreted (RANTES), the two major eosinophil chemoattractants, in fibroblasts derived from the polyps of Taiwanese CRSwNP patients. Patients diagnosed with eosinophilic CRSwNP but without malignancies or asthma and undergoing elective endoscopic sinus surgery were recruited. Three primary fibroblast cultures were established using the polyp specimens obtained from these patients. The third to eighth passages of the fibroblasts were used for in vitro studies. Nasal polyp‐derived fibroblasts were stimulated with IL‐1β (10 ng/mL) for 24 hours, followed by replacement with media alone or with calcitriol or tacalcitol (10μM) and incubation for another 24 hours. After the treatments, the levels of secreted eotaxin and RANTES were evaluated by ELISA assays. The results showed that IL‐1β could substantially stimulate the secretion of eotaxin (p < 0.01) and RANTES (p < 0.01) in nasal polyp‐derived fibroblasts. More importantly, this stimulatory effect was significantly suppressed by adding calcitriol (p ≤ 0.002 for eotaxin and p ≤ 0.008 for RANTES) or tacalcitol (p ≤ 0.009 for eotaxin and p ≤ 0.02 for RANTES). Therefore, the inhibitory effect of vitamin D derivatives on eotaxin and RANTES secretion might shed light not only on the disease mechanism, but also on the potential use of vitamin D in pharmacotherapy of Taiwanese patients with CRSwNP.
Are equities good inflation hedges? A frequency domain perspective
Authors: Ciner Cetin
Published: December 2014

By using industry level data, we examine the relation between equity returns and inflation in a frequency dependent framework. Our analysis shows that a positive relation in fact exists between equity returns and high frequency inflation shocks for commodity and technology related industries. Since higher frequency shocks are independent from trend and are transitory in nature, our findings imply a positive relation between stock returns and the unexpected component of inflation. Furthermore, we show that the results are robust to firm‐level data by using a sample from the oil industry. Hence, our study provides a new look at the impact of inflation on equities by showing the sensitivity of conclusions in prior work to frequency dependence in data.
Origen's Veils: TheAskēsisof Interpretation
Authors: Drake Susanna
Published: December 2014

In his interpretations of the books of the Hebrew Bible, written mainly in Caesarea Maritima, Origen often depicts the “letter” of scripture as a veil that covers the spiritual meaning of the text. He imagines the work of the spiritual exegete as an act of unveiling. Drawing on several biblical veils (including Moses' veil and the bride's veil in the Song of Songs), Origen constructs a hermeneutic theory that privileges a rational, spiritual, and “unveiled” interpretation of the text over a carnal, literal interpretation, which he most often associates with Jews. After examining the ancient association of veils with femininity and aidōs (shame), this article argues that Origen's consignment of Jews to a “veiled” reading functions as anti-Jewish slander insofar as it associates Jewish interpretive practices with shame, dishonor, femininity, and fleshliness. Origen's interpretation of the veil contributes to his understandings of gender, sexuality, sexual renunciation, and Christian identity. Despite Origen's rhetorical disavowal of the veil as literal, fleshly, Jewish, and feminine, a reading of his exegesis of biblical veils attests to his unrenounced desire for the “veil of the letter” and the “body” of the text.
New records of the genusCallogorgia(Anthozoa: Octocorallia) in the western Atlantic, including the description of a new species
Authors: Bayer Frederick M. , Cairns Stephen D. , Cordeiro Ralf T.S. , Pérez Carlos D.
Published: December 2014

Based on material collected during oceanographic campaigns in the western Atlantic from 1958 to 2011, two species of primnoid octocorals belonging to the genusCallogorgiawere identified:Callogorgia americanaandCallogorgia arawaksp. nov. These species are described and illustrated herein and their geographic and bathymetric are given. This is the first record of the genus in the south-western Atlantic. Additionally, the elevation ofC. americana americanaandC. a. deltato species level is proposed, keepingCallogorgia gilberti,C. deltaandC. americanaas separate species.
Archaeological Heritage Legislation and Indigenous Rights in Latin America: Trends and Challenges
Authors: Endere Maria Luz
Published: December 2014

The recognition of the rights of indigenous peoples has been on the political agenda in Latin America since the 1980s, although it has not always been reflected in the legal systems of the countries in the region. Most of them have passed laws that grant legal recognition to indigenous communities and have recognized their rights in the national constitutions. However, these rules do not always refer to some particular aspects of the indigenous culture, such as those related to their cultural heritage. In general, the archaeological remains are ruled by specific laws that do not consider, or vaguely mention, the indigenous peoples’ rights and their participation in the decision-making process. As a result of the lack of consistency between the indigenous and cultural heritage laws in most countries, the participation of indigenous peoples in heritage management is still exceptional.
Monumentalizing the Ruins of Korean Antiquity: Early Travel Photography and Itinerary of Seoul’s Heritage Destinations
Authors: Pai Hyung Il
Published: December 2014

This study introduces the oldest photographs of Seoul’s ruins, which have been recycled for more than a century in a wide variety of print sources, such as travelogues, postcards, museum catalogs, and guidebooks. Regardless of the medium, the aesthetic, disciplinary, and cultural biases practiced by the first generation of globe-trotters, diplomats, and commercial photographers to arrive in the Korean peninsula resulted in the mass distribution of the most “picturesque” monuments, such as Buddhist art and architecture, palaces, and fortress gates targeting the “tourist gaze.” By analyzing a select number of stock images of architectural landscapes, which have served as the “scenic” backdrop for framing “native types,” currently part of museum collections and photographic archives, the article will illustrate how such exoticized and romanticized visions of the conquered “Hermit Kingdom” trapped in time and space have continued to impact the trajectory of heritage management policies and the hierarchical ranking system of national treasures and famous places in postwar South Korea.
Wirksamkeit eines gestuften, Internetvermittelten Ansatzes zur Prävention von Essstörungen bei Schülern der 7. bis 10. Klasse
Authors: Lindenberg Katajun , Kordy Hans
Published: December 2014

Essstörungen sind schwerwiegende Erkrankungen, die vorwiegend Jugendliche und junge Erwachsene betreffen. Eine effektive Prävention ist dringend gewünscht. Das individuelle Risiko kann oft nur unscharf eingeschätzt werden. Daher bieten sich gestufte Strategien wie das Internet-vermittelte Programm YoungEs[s]prit an. In der hier vorgestellten prospektiven, randomisiert-kontrollierten Interventionsstudie wurde die Wirksamkeit von YoungEs[s]prit geprüft. In einem adaptiven Design wurde die Studie in zwei Wellen durchgeführt. Hauptzielkriterium war die kumulierte Inzidenzrate (nach DSM-IV Kriterien) in einem 12-Monatszeitraum. Die statistische Prüfung erfolgte mit Hilfe survival-analytischer Methoden. In der 1.Welle (n=896) zeigte sich die präventive Wirksamkeit von YoungEs[s]prit (Log Rank χ2=4,29, df=1, p=0,038, 2-seitig) mit einem hazard ratio von 1,67. Die kumulierte Inzidenzrate der aktiven Kontrollgruppe lag bei 9,6 % verglichen mit 5,9 % in der YoungEs[s]prit Gruppe. In der 2.Welle (n=771) konnten keine Unterschiede zwischen den Gruppen gefunden werden (4,8 % vs. 5,6 %, Logrank χ2=0,27, df=1, p=0,600, 2-seitig). In der Gesamtbewertung wurde der Nachweis für die Wirksamkeit daher nicht erbracht (p1*p2=0,0228 >cα=0,0087). Während die Rate der 1. Welle mit 9,6 % der in der Literatur berichteten Größenordnung von etwa 10 % entsprach, lag die Rate in der 2. Welle mit 4,8 % ungewöhnlich niedrig. Daher wurde exploriert, inwieweit (1) die unterschiedliche Zusammensetzung der Stichproben, z. B. der größere Anteil von Mädchen in der 2. Welle, (2) die größere Nähe zu Einrichtungen der Versorgung in der 2. Welle oder (3) die gestiegene Aufmerksamkeit für Essstörungen durch die 1. Untersuchungswelle zu dieser niedrigen kumulierten Inzidenzrate beigetragen haben könnten.
Effekte einer Werbekampagne für ausgewählte evidenzbasierte Präventionsprogramme
Authors: Frantz Inga , Heinrichs Nina
Published: December 2014

Eine Voraussetzung für die erfolgreiche Verbreitung von evidenzbasierten Präventionsprogrammen in der Praxis ist die Bekanntheit und die Inanspruchnahme entsprechender Angebote bei Familien. Ziel der Studie war, zu überprüfen, ob eine Werbemaßnahme für Präventionsprogramme zu einer Steigerung der Bekanntheit und der Teilnahmeraten in der Bevölkerung führt. In einer Kommune wurden dafür drei evidenzbasierte Präventionsprogramme flächendeckend angeboten, vor deren Einführung fand eine Werbekampagne statt. Die Effekte dieser Maßnahme wurden vorher (Prä), ein (Fu1) und zwei Jahre später (Fu2) bei einer Zufallsauswahl von Familien in der Modellstadt sowie einer Vergleichsstadt erfasst (quasi-experimentelle Studie). Die Bekanntheit der Programme und die Teilnahmeraten waren zur Fu1-Messung in der Interventionsstadt signifikant höher als in der Vergleichsstadt bei vergleichbaren Teilnahmeraten und unterschiedlicher Bekanntheit in den Städten zu Prä. Ein Jahr später unterschieden sich die Teilnahmeraten in den Städten nicht mehr. Es werden wichtige Implikationen für die erfolgreiche Anwendung evidenzbasierter Prävention in der Praxis abgeleitet.
Structural reorganization of cylindrical nanoparticles triggered by polylactide stereocomplexation
Authors: Sun Liang , Pitto-Barry Anaïs , Kirby Nigel , Schiller Tara L. , Sanchez Ana M. , Dyson M. Adam , Sloan Jeremy , Wilson Neil R. , O’Reilly Rachel K. , Dove Andrew P.
Published: December 2014

Co-crystallization of polymers with different configurations/tacticities provides access to materials with enhanced performance. The stereocomplexation of isotactic poly(L-lactide) and poly(D-lactide) has led to improved properties compared with each homochiral material. Herein, we report the preparation of stereocomplex micelles from a mixture of poly(L-lactide)-b-poly(acrylic acid) and poly(D-lactide)-b-poly(acrylic acid) diblock copolymers in water via crystallization-driven self-assembly. During the formation of these stereocomplex micelles, an unexpected morphological transition results in the formation of dense crystalline spherical micelles rather than cylinders. Furthermore, mixture of cylinders with opposite homochirality in either THF/H2O mixtures or in pure water at 65 °C leads to disassembly into stereocomplexed spherical micelles. Similarly, a transition is also observed in a related PEO-b-PLLA/PEO-b-PDLA system, demonstrating wider applicability. This new mechanism for morphological reorganization, through competitive crystallization and stereocomplexation and without the requirement for an external stimulus, allows for new opportunities in controlled release and delivery applications.
Prediction of antibiotic resistance by gene expression profiles
Authors: Suzuki Shingo , Horinouchi Takaaki , Furusawa Chikara
Published: December 2014

Although many mutations contributing to antibiotic resistance have been identified, the relationship between the mutations and the related phenotypic changes responsible for the resistance has yet to be fully elucidated. To better characterize phenotype–genotype mapping for drug resistance, here we analyse phenotypic and genotypic changes of antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli strains obtained by laboratory evolution. We demonstrate that the resistances can be quantitatively predicted by the expression changes of a small number of genes. Several candidate mutations contributing to the resistances are identified, while phenotype–genotype mapping is suggested to be complex and includes various mutations that cause similar phenotypic changes. The integration of transcriptome and genome data enables us to extract essential phenotypic changes for drug resistances.
Targeting β-catenin signaling for therapeutic intervention in MEN1-deficient pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours
Authors: Jiang Xiuli , Cao Yanan , Li Feng , Su Yutong , Li Yanli , Peng Ying , Cheng Yulong , Zhang Changxian , Wang Weiqing , Ning Guang
Published: December 2014

InactivatingMEN1mutations are the most common genetic defects present in sporadic and inherited pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (PNETs). The lack of interventional therapies prompts us to explore the therapeutic approach of targeting β-catenin signalling inMEN1-mutant PNETs. Here we show theMEN1-encoded scaffold protein menin regulates phosphorylation of β-catenin. β-catenin signalling is activated inMEN1-mutant human and mouse PNETs. Conditional knockout of β-catenin suppresses the tumorigenesis and growth ofMen1-deficient PNETs, and significantly prolongs the survival time in mice. Suppression of β-catenin signalling by genetic ablation or a molecular antagonist inhibits the expression of proproliferative genes in menin-null PNETs and potently improves hyperinsulinemia and hypoglycemia in mice. Blockade of β-catenin has no adverse effect on physiological function of pancreatic β-cells. Our data demonstrate that β-catenin signalling is an effective therapeutic target forMEN1-mutant PNETs. Our findings may contribute to individualized and combined medication treatment for PNETs.
Coumarin 545: an emission reference dye with a record-low temperature coefficient for ratiometric fluorescence based temperature measurements
Authors: Mao Deqi , Liu Xiaogang , Qiao Qinglong , Yin Wenting , Zhao Miao , Cole Jacqueline M. , Cui Jingnan , Xu Zhaochao
Published: December 2014

The emission intensities of coumarin 545 solution exhibit a low temperature dependence, with a record-low temperature coefficient of only ∼0.025% per °C.
A strategy to enhance the efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells by the highly efficient TiO2/ZnS photoanode
Authors: Srinivasa Rao S. , Punnoose Dinah , Venkata Tulasivarma Ch. , Pavan Kumar C. H. S. S. , Gopi Chandu. V. V. M. , Kim Soo-Kyoung , Kim Hee-Je
Published: December 2014

In dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), the TiO2/ZnS photoanode film plays an important role in increasing the power conversion efficiency than bare TiO2.
Assembly of silver alkynyl compounds with various nuclearities
Authors: Lin Yu-Mei , Guan Zong-Jie , Liu Kuan-Guan , Jiang Zhan-Guo , Wang Quan-Ming
Published: December 2014

A series of silver alkynyl oligomers exhibiting nuclearities varying from 3 to 12 have been isolated. The new structural motifs are obtained by controlling the reactant ratios and using ligands/anions with different nature.
Sonochemical synthesis of Au nanowires in the III–I oxidation state bridged by 4,4′-dicyanamidobiphenyl and their application as selective CO gas sensors
Authors: Tabrizi Leila , Chiniforoshan Hossein
Published: December 2014

Au nanowires of bpH2 were synthesized and used for gas sensors with high sensitivity to CO at room temperature.
Layer-by-layer fabrication of restricted access media-molecularly imprinted magnetic microspheres for magnetic dispersion microextraction of bisphenol A from milk samples
Authors: Lv Yun-Kai , He Yan-Dong , Xiong Xue , Wang Jin-Zhi , Wang Hai-Yan , Han Ya-Meng
Published: December 2014

A novel hydrophilic BPA-imprinted magnetic microsphere was prepared with specific molecular recognition (2.54), water compatibility and exclusion biomacromolecules.
Styryl ether formation from benzyl alcohols under transition-metal-free basic DMSO conditions
Authors: Yang Kai , Song Qiuling
Published: December 2014

A phenol-catalyzed aerobic oxidative styryl ether formation method was developed with benzyl alcohol under basic DMSO.
Nonlinear dynamics of a doubly clamped carbon nanotube resonator considering surface stress
Authors: Jin Leisheng , Mei Jie , Li Lijie
Published: December 2014

A new study on the dynamic performances of doubly clamped carbon nanotube resonators taking account of the surface effect has been performed.
First efficient synthesis of SF5-substituted pyrrolidines using 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides with pentafluorosulfanyl-substituted acrylic esters and amides
Authors: Falkowska Ewelina , Tognetti Vincent , Joubert Laurent , Jubault Philippe , Bouillon Jean-Philippe , Pannecoucke Xavier
Published: December 2014

Di-, tri- and tetrasubstituted pentafluorosulfanylated pyrrolidines have been efficiently synthetizedvia1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides.
Optimized photoluminescence of red phosphor K2TiF6:Mn4+synthesized at room temperature and its formation mechanism
Authors: Lv Lifen , Chen Zhen , Liu Guokui , Huang Shaoming , Pan Yuexiao
Published: December 2014

The formation mechanism for red phosphors K2TiF6:Mn4+synthesized at room temperature has been discussed. The luminescence intensity has been improved by optimizing the synthetic process. Encapsulation of the red phosphor K2TiF6:Mn4+with YAG:Ce on a GaN layer produces “warm” white LEDs with color rendering 86 at 3251 K.
Electro-active elastomer composites based on doped titanium dioxide
Authors: Kossi Alaedine , Bossis Georges , Persello Jacques
Published: December 2014

The TiO2-Acac/PDMS elastomer conserves a high elastic modulus change (ΔG′) after cross-linking and achieves ΔG′ higher than 500 kPa for an applied electric field of 2 kV mm−1.
Parallel Helmholtz resonators for a planar acoustic notch filter
Authors: Isozaki Akihiro , Takahashi Hidetoshi , Tamura Hiroto , Takahata Tomoyuki , Matsumoto Kiyoshi , Shimoyama Isao
Published: December 2014

This paper reports on an acoustic planar notch filter with a sub-wavelength thickness at the notch frequency. The developed notch filter consists of a number of spherical Helmholtz resonators (HRs) connected to a hole created in a plate. The HRs were placed at the in-plane vertices of a regular polygon. A simulated pressure distribution revealed that this uniform arrangement of HRs improves the silencing effect because the uniform applied waves emitted from the HRs act as canceling waves to the cross-section of the short hole (in this case, the length of the hole is sub-wavelength). The total pressure emitted from the HRs is equal regardless of the number of HRs connected to the hole. Therefore, the arrangement of HRs is essential for realizing a planar notch filter. Simulated transmittance spectra showed that the depth of the dip in the transmittance increased with the number of uniformly arranged HRs. We confirmed that the experimental transmittance spectra of fabricated notch filters, which consisted of between one and six HRs, agreed with the simulated transmittance spectra. The design of the acoustic filter presented in this study and the corresponding analysis should motivate further development of thin acoustic filters.
Arabic Indefinites, Interrogatives, and Negators
Authors: Wilmsen David
Published: December 2014

That some dialects of Arabic negate with a pre-posed mā alone, some with what is called ‘bipartite’ negation mā … š, and some with post-positive -š alone has invited comparisons with a similar process, called Jespersen’s Cycle, said to have occurred in French, whereby the pre-posed negator ne became associated with an emphatic post-positive particle pas ‘step’—and, in some French vernaculars, with a post-positive pas alone. Yet the similarity between Arabic and French is purely superficial, lacking supporting linguistic evidence. Forcing the facts of Arabic into preconceived theoretical constructs, both formal and functional, engenders erroneous conclusions. The source of the Arabic negator -š is polar interrogation, for which evidence does indeed exist in various Arabic dialects, including Andalusi, Egyptian, Levantine, Maltese, Tunisian, and Yemeni. The polar interrogative šī, itself derived from an existential particle, ultimately arose from the Proto-Semitic presentative ša and 3rd person pronouns šū, šī, and šunu. Supporting evidence for this comes from the West Semitic Modern South Arabian languages, which possess an existential particle, an indefinite determiner, and inchoate interrogative śi analogous in form and function to that of the Arabic šī. With this, it becomes possible to propose the operation of a different cycle in Arabic: the negative-existential (or Croft’s) cycle. Such comparative evidence from Arabic dialects and sister languages, along with historical records of an Arab presence in the Fertile Crescent centuries before the arrival of Arabic speaking Muslims in the 7th century ad, provides convincing evidence for the antiquity of the Arabic dialects.
Introduction
Authors: Inkelas Sharon
Published: December 2014

This chapter explains the motivation for writing the book, namely to provide a phenomenon-based overview of the morphology-phonology interplay which will allow readers to make connections between topics in this interplay which have previously been addressed separately from one another. Examples include morphologically conditioned phonology and realizational or process morphology; connections emerge when both are viewed from the point of view of cophonologies, i.e. co-existing phonological grammars within the same language which are associated with particular morphological constructions. The reduplication and infixation chapters are also linked, intersecting in their treatment of internal reduplication but differing in the typological setting within which it is viewed. The book also aims to raise new questions about existing assumptions and to introduce some new examples into the discussion.
LocNES: a computational tool for locating classical NESs in CRM1 cargo proteins
Authors: Xu Darui , Marquis Kara , Pei Jimin , Fu Szu-Chin , Cağatay Tolga , Grishin Nick V. , Chook Yuh Min
Published: December 2014

Motivation: Classical nuclear export signals (NESs) are short cognate peptides that direct proteins out of the nucleus via the CRM1-mediated export pathway. CRM1 regulates the localization of hundreds of macromolecules involved in various cellular functions and diseases. Due to the diverse and complex nature of NESs, reliable prediction of the signal remains a challenge despite several attempts made in the last decade.

Results: We present a new NES predictor, LocNES. LocNES scans query proteins for NES consensus-fitting peptides and assigns these peptides probability scores using Support Vector Machine model, whose feature set includes amino acid sequence, disorder propensity, and the rank of position-specific scoring matrix score. LocNES demonstrates both higher sensitivity and precision over existing NES prediction tools upon comparative analysis using experimentally identified NESs.

Availability and implementation: LocNES is freely available at http://prodata.swmed.edu/LocNES

Contact:  yuhmin.chook@utsouthwestern.edu

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Use of Telemedicine Technologies in the Management of Infectious Diseases: A Review
Authors: Parmar Parmvir , Mackie David , Varghese Sunil , Cooper Curtis
Published: December 2014

Telemedicine technologies are rapidly being integrated into infectious diseases programs with the aim of increasing access to infectious diseases specialty care for isolated populations and reducing costs. We summarize the utility and effectiveness of telemedicine in the evaluation and treatment of infectious diseases patients. The use of telemedicine in the management of acute infectious diseases, chronic hepatitis C, human immunodeficiency virus, and active pulmonary tuberculosis is considered. We recapitulate and evaluate the advantages of telemedicine described in other studies, present challenges to adopting telemedicine, and identify future opportunities for the use of telemedicine within the realm of clinical infectious diseases.
Selection against maternal microRNA target sites in maternal transcripts
Authors: Marco Antonio
Published: December 2014

In animals, before the zygotic genome is expressed, the egg already contains gene products deposited by the mother. These maternal products are crucial during the initial steps of development. InDrosophila melanogastera large number of maternal products are found in the oocyte, some of which are indispensable. Many of these products are RNA molecules, such as gene transcripts and ribosomal RNAs. Recently, microRNAs – small RNA gene regulators – have been detected early during development and are important in these initial steps. The presence of some microRNAs in unfertilized eggs has been reported, but whether they have a functional impact in the egg or early embryo has not being explored. I have extracted and sequenced small RNAs fromDrosophilaunfertilized eggs. The unfertilized egg is rich in small RNAs and contains multiple microRNA products. Maternal microRNAs are often encoded within the intron of maternal genes, suggesting that many maternal microRNAs are the product of transcriptional hitch-hiking. Comparative genomics analyses suggest that maternal transcripts tend to avoid target sites for maternal microRNAs. I also developed a microRNA target mutation model to study the functional impact of polymorphisms at microRNA target sites. The analysis ofDrosophilapopulations suggests that there is selection against maternal microRNA target sites in maternal transcripts. A potential role of the maternal microRNA mir-9c in maternal-to-zygotic transition is also discussed. In conclusion, maternal microRNAs inDrosophilahave a functional impact in maternal protein-coding transcripts.
A Comparative Historical Categorisation of Anti‐Catholicism
Authors: Wolffe John
Published: December 2014

A balanced understanding of anti‐Catholicism requires an appreciation of its diverse and multifaceted nature. This article draws on the author's extensive research on anti‐Catholicism in the English‐speaking world to propose a four‐fold categorisation: constitutional‐national, theological, popular and socio‐cultural. Each category is illustrated by historical examples drawn primarily from nineteenth‐century Britain and the United States, but also ranging more widely across time and space. They are fluid and interlinked but nevertheless provide a useful basis for analysis. It is shown how an awareness of the diversity of anti‐Catholicism enhances understanding of its widespread influence, and also of its long‐term patterns of fluctuation, persistence, and decline. In particular, whereas since the later nineteenth century theological anti‐Catholicism has become marginal and popular anti‐Catholicism highly localised, the relative resilience of constitutional‐national and social‐cultural anti‐Catholicism is explained by their mutation from a primarily Protestant to a primarily secular ideological foundation.
Dose‐dependent collagen cross‐linking of rabbit scleral tissue by blue light and riboflavin treatment probed by dynamic shear rheology
Authors: Schuldt Carsten , Karl Anett , Körber Nicole , Koch Christian , Liu Qing , Fritsch Anatol W. , Reichenbach Andreas , Wiedemann Peter , Käs Josef A. , Francke Mike , Iseli Hans Peter
Published: December 2014

Purpose

To determine the visco‐elastic properties of isolated rabbit scleral tissue and dose‐dependent biomechanical and morphological changes after collagen cross‐linking by riboflavin/blue light treatment.

Material

Scleral patches from 87 adult albino rabbit eyes were examined by dynamic shear rheology. Scleral patches were treated by riboflavin and different intensities of blue light (450 nm), and the impact on the visco‐elastic properties was determined by various rheological test regimes. The relative elastic modulus was calculated from non‐treated and corresponding treated scleral patches, and treatments with different blue light intensities were compared.

Results

Shear rheology enables us to study the material properties of scleral tissue within physiological relevant parameters. Cross‐linking treatment increased the viscous as well as the elastic modulus and changed the ratio of the elastic versus viscous proportion in scleral tissue. Constant riboflavin application combined with different blue light intensities from 12 mW/cm2 up to 100 mW/cm2 increased the relative elastic modulus of scleral tissue by factors up to 1.8. Further enhancement of the applied light intensity caused a decline of the relative elastic modulus. This might be due to destructive changes of the collagen bundle structure at larger light intensities, as observed by histological examination.

Conclusion

Collagen cross‐linking by riboflavin/blue light application increases the biomechanical stiffness of the sclera in a dose‐dependent manner up to certain light intensities. Therefore, this treatment might be a suitable therapeutic approach to stabilize the biomechanical properties of scleral tissue in cases of pathological eye expansion.
A fractionally cointegrated VAR analysis of economic voting and political support
Authors: Jones Maggie E. C. , Nielsen Morten Ørregaard , Popiel Michał Ksawery
Published: December 2014

We use a fractionally cointegrated vector autoregressive model to examine the relationship between Canadian political support and macroeconomic conditions. This model is well suited for the analysis because it allows multiple fractional time series and admits simple asymptotic inference for the model parameters and tests of the hypotheses of interest. In the long‐run equilibrium, we find that support for the Progressive Conservative Party was higher during periods of high interest rates and low unemployment, while support for the Liberal Party was higher during periods of low interest rates and high unemployment. We also test and reject the notion that party support is driven only by relative (to the United States) economic performance. Indeed, our findings suggest that US macroeconomic variables do not enter the long‐run equilibrium of Canadian economic voting (political opinion poll support) at all.
A novel approach to detect respiratory phases from pulmonary acoustic signals using normalised power spectral density and fuzzy inference system
Authors: Palaniappan Rajkumar , Sundaraj Kenneth , Sundaraj Sebastian , Huliraj N. , Revadi S.S.
Published: December 2014

Background

Monitoring respiration is important in several medical applications. One such application is respiratory rate monitoring in patients with sleep apnoea. The respiratory rate in patients with sleep apnoea disorder is irregular compared with the controls. Respiratory phase detection is required for a proper monitoring of respiration in patients with sleep apnoea.

Aims

To develop a model to detect the respiratory phases present in the pulmonary acoustic signals and to evaluate the performance of the model in detecting the respiratory phases.

Methods

Normalised averaged power spectral density for each frame and change in normalised averaged power spectral density between the adjacent frames were fuzzified and fuzzy rules were formulated. The fuzzy inference system (FIS) was developed with both Mamdani and Sugeno methods. To evaluate the performance of both Mamdani and Sugeno methods, correlation coefficient and root mean square error (RMSE) were calculated.

Results

In the correlation coefficient analysis in evaluating the fuzzy model using Mamdani and Sugeno method, the strength of the correlation was found to be r = 0.9892 and r = 0.9964, respectively. The RMSE for Mamdani and Sugeno methods are RMSE = 0.0853 and RMSE = 0.0817, respectively.

Conclusion

The correlation coefficient and the RMSE of the proposed fuzzy models in detecting the respiratory phases reveals that Sugeno method performs better compared with the Mamdani method.
The Impact of Personal Relationships on Bribery Incidence in Transition Economies
Authors: de Jong Gjalt , Tu Phan Anh , van Ees Hans
Published: December 2014

Prior work on corruption has largely overlooked personal relationships as an essential determinant of bribery incidence in transition economies. In these countries, relationships with public officials are instrumental in enabling transactions and lowering transaction costs, due to incoherent and ever‐changing business regulations. Our study examines the impact of personal relationships on bribery incidence in Vietnam, finding that relationships with central government officials decreases the likelihood of bribery, while relationships with local government officials increases the likelihood of bribery. The results provide convincing support for the alleged importance of public‐private relationships in contemporary transition economies.
Cardio‐metabolic risk screening among adolescents: understanding the utility of body mass index, waist circumference and waist to height ratio
Authors: Bauer K. W. , Marcus M. D. , El ghormli L. , Ogden C. L. , Foster G. D.
Published: December 2014

Background

Few studies have assessed how well body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), or waist to height ratio (WtHR) perform in identifying cardio‐metabolic risk among youth.

Objective

The objective of this study was to evaluate the utility of BMI and WC percentiles and WtHR to distinguish adolescents with and without cardio‐metabolic risk.

Methods

A cross‐sectional analysis of data from 6097 adolescents aged 10–13 years who participated in the HEALTHY study was conducted. Receiver operating characteristic curves determined the discriminatory ability of BMI and WC percentiles and WtHR.

Results

The discriminatory ability of BMI percentile was good (area under the curve [AUC] ≥ 0.80) for elevated insulin and clustering of ≥3 risk factors, with optimal cut‐points of 96 and 95, respectively. BMI percentile performed poor to fair (AUC = 0.57–0.75) in identifying youth with the majority of individual risk factors examined (elevated glucose, total cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein, blood pressure, triglycerides and high‐density lipoprotein). WC percentile and WtHR performed similarly to BMI percentile.

Conclusions

The current definition of obesity among US children performs well at identifying adolescents with elevated insulin and a clustering of ≥3 cardio‐metabolic risk factors. Evidence does not support WC percentile or WtHR as superior screening tools compared with BMI percentile for identifying cardio‐metabolic risk.
What are Adaptive Preferences? Exclusion and Disability in the Capability Approach
Authors: Begon Jessica
Published: December 2014

It is a longstanding problem for theorists of justice that many victims of injustice seem to prefer mistreatment, and perpetuate their own oppression. One possible response is to simply ignore such preferences as unreliable ‘adaptive preferences’. Capability theorists have taken this approach, arguing that individuals should be entitled to certain capabilities regardless of their satisfaction without them. Although this initially seems plausible, worries have been raised that undermining the reliability of individuals' strongly‐held preferences impugns their rationality, and further excludes already marginalised groups. I argue that such criticisms trade on an ambiguity between two uses of the term ‘adaptive preference’. An adaptive preference is often assumed to be irrational, and an unreliable guide to its possessor's best interests. However, I suggest a preference may also be adaptive in the sense that it is an unreliable guide to our distributive entitlements, and that this does not require an assessment of individuals' rationality. I consider this distinction in relation to disability, arguing that this clarification allows us to justifiably ignore some disabled individuals' preferences, in the context of theorising about distributive justice, without disrespecting or undermining their rationality or culture.
Overexpression of PGC1α and accumulation of p62 in apocrine carcinoma of the breast
Authors: Fuchinoue Fumi , Hirotani Yukari , Nakanishi Yoko , Yamaguchi Hiromi , Nishimaki Haruna , Noda Hiroko , Tang Xiao Yan , Iizuka Misato , Amano Sadao , Sugitani Masahiko , Nemoto Norimichi , Masuda Shinobu
Published: December 2014

Apocrine carcinoma is categorized as a special type of breast carcinoma because of its specific morphological features. To clarify the characteristics of apocrine carcinoma from the point of view of the mitochondrial profile, we conducted a comparative study between apocrine and non‐apocrine carcinomas. The expressions of mitochondrial related factors (PGC1α, Nrf1, Nrf2, mtTFA and COX4) were examined in a testing set of breast cancer tissue. Apocrine carcinomas showed a clear tendency towards higher mRNA expression levels of PGC1α than non‐apocrine carcinomas. The expression of the selected factor, PGC1α, as well as that of p62 was further examined. The results revealed that apocrine carcinomas showed a higher immunohistochemical positivity rate for PGC1α (21.3% vs. 3.2%; P = 0.008), and that the mRNA expression level of PGC1α was significantly higher in apocrine carcinoma than in non‐apocrine carcinoma (P = 0.007). The immunohistochemical positivity rate for p62 protein was also higher in apocrine carcinomas (44.7% vs. 21.0%; P = 0.015), although no significant difference in the p62 mRNA expression level was detected between the two types of carcinoma (P = 0.633). In conclusion, this study revealed that apocrine carcinoma overexpressed PGC1α contributing to mitochondrial biogenesis, and also p62 protein accumulation.
Depressive symptoms, cognitive impairment, and metabolic syndrome in community‐dwelling elderly in Southern Taiwan
Authors: Chang Ting‐Ting , Lung For‐Wey , Yen Yung‐Chieh
Published: December 2014

Objective

Metabolic syndrome and depression are both thought to be associated with cognitive impairment in the elderly. Metabolic syndrome is also correlated with depression. We examined their possible pathways in a population‐based sample.

Methods

We recruited 300 older community participants from Southern Taiwan. Demographics, medical history, severity of depressive symptoms, cognitive function, apolipoprotein genotyping, and lipid profile were collected. The presence of metabolic syndrome was confirmed with the Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program's Adult Treatment Panel. Possible relationships between metabolic syndrome, depressive symptoms, and cognitive dysfunction were explored using logistic regression and structured equation modelling.

Results

When gender, age, education, marital status, and apolipoprotein genotype were adjusted for logistic regression, metabolic syndrome and depressive symptoms were independent and significant predictors of cognitive dysfunction for community‐dwelling elderly. In structural equation modelling, metabolic syndrome and depressive symptoms were correlated to each other, and both contributed to the presence of cognitive dysfunction.

Conclusions

Depressive symptoms and metabolic syndrome are independently associated with cognitive impairment among community‐dwelling elderly.
Which variable is the strongest adjusted predictor of quality of life in caregivers of patients with dementia?
Authors: Abdollahpour Ibrahim , Nedjat Saharnaz , Salimi Yahya , Noroozian Maryam , Majdzadeh Reza
Published: December 2014

Background

The central role of family in caregiving for patients with dementia is now widely acknowledged. However, in playing this role, caregivers may neglect their health and quality of life (QOL). The purposes of present study were to measure caregivers' QOL and to determine its adjusted predictors via multiple regression models.

Methods

We used sequential sampling to recruit 153 patients and their caregivers from the Iran Alzheimer Association in our cross‐sectional study. A single‐item question with a Likert scale was applied to measure QOL. A multiple linear regression model was used to determine the adjusted predictors of QOL.

Results

Of the responding caregivers, 22.8% reported their QOL as poor or very poor. Caregiver burden, the main caregiver's age, the Global Deterioration Scale, and the number of caregivers were introduced as adjusted predictors of QOL.

Conclusions

Caregiver burden was proposed as the strongest adjusted predictor for caregivers' poor QOL. Therefore, it seems that interventions to reduce caregiver burden can be effective in enhancing caregivers' QOL.
A CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMPARATIVE PHYSIOLOGY OF THE PITUITARY BODY
Authors: Herring P. T.
Published: December 2014

In mammamals, birds, and bony fishes the pituitary body consists of two lobes, an anterior or epithelial which has the structure of a gland secreting into blood‐vessels, and a posterior composed of nervous tissue more or less surrounded and invaded by epithelial cells of the pars intermedia. The posterior lobe may also furniish secretion into blood‐vessels, but its arrangement and histological features suggest a gland which pours its products into the infundibulum, and so into the ventricles of the brain. It may, therefore, be regarded, in part at least, as a special brain gland.

Extracts of the anterior lobe have no immediate physiological action when injected into the blood‐vessels.

Extracts of the posterior lobe of birds and bony fishes have an action similar to extracts of the mammalian posterior lobe, bringing about a rise of blood‐pressure, expansion of the kidney, and an increase in the secretion of urine. The tissue in which the active principles giving this result are found, contains, when examined histologically, bodies of a colloid nature such as have already been described in mammals in a previous paper. Whether this colloid contains the above‐mentioned active principles or not, is undecided; it may possibly be the expression of some other function. The close relationship which exists between pars nervosa and pars intermedia of the posterior lobe renders it probable that the active principles, and especially the colloid bodies, are furnished by the epithelial cells, but it is possible that the ependyma cells have also a secretory function.

The pituitary body of elasmobranchs differs widely in structure from that of the other classes considered. It is a gland which apparently secretes directly into the blood‐vessels, but it contains none of the deeply staining (chromophil) cells which are characteristic of the anterior lobe of mammals and teleosts. Its posterior lobe is absent or merely rudimentary.

Extracts of the pituitary body of elasmobranchs have no immediate physiological activity.

The saccus vasculosus secretes its products into the ventricles of the brain. Its extracts are inactive, and it is probably an auxiliary to the choroid plexus, aiding in the production of the large amount of cerebrospinal fluid which is found in fishes.

I have to thank Mr Richard Muir for the care with which he has executed the accompanying illustrations. The expenses incurred have been assisted by a grant from the Carnegie fund for research‐work.
THE EFFECTS OF THYROIDECTOMY UPON THE MAMMALIAN PITUITARY. PRELIMINARY NOTE
Authors: Herring P. T.
Published: December 2014

Thyroidectomy is followed by definite histological changes in the pituitary body. The anterior lobe is apparently unaffected; it shows no immediate sign of increased activity as far as can be judged from the animals examined. Whether or not it undergoes an alteration in animals which survive for a long time remains to be determined.

There is increased activity of the cells of the pars intermedia, and probably an increase in the number of these cells in animals which live for some time after the operation. In this respect the work of Rogowitsch and others is confirmed.

The most striking changes are manifested in the nervous part of the posterior lobe and in the laminæ forming the floor of the third ventricle. In these situations granular, hyaline, or colloid bodies become very numerous. They appear to be, in part at least, of a cellular nature, and to find their way between the ependyma cells into the infundibular recess and ventricles of the brain.

There are also alterations in the ependyma and neuroglia cells in the same regions. The former appear to have a secretory function and give off small clear globular bodies into the infundibular recess and third ventricle. There are also localised proliferations of neuroglia.

The significance of these changes is as yet undetermined. The colloid bodies appear to arise from the epithelial cells of the pars intermedia, and their extensive production to be an exaggeration of a normal process. Further work is being carried on to determine the nature of the colloid of the pituitary, its relations to the active principles found in the posterior lobe, and its influence in the production or amelioration of the symptoms, which, in many animals, follow removal or disease of the thyroid.

The expenses incurred in this work are assisted by a grant from the Carnegie endowment for research purposes.
THE PYRAMID TRACT AND OTHER DESCENDING PATHS IN THE SPINAL CORD OF THE SHEEP
Authors: King Jessie Luella
Published: December 2014

1. The sheep has a comparatively small pyramid tract, the fasciculi of which degenerate as a result of lesions in the motor area, previously found to be located in the superior frontal gyrus. The greater part of the fibres are of fine calibre, and the majority decussate in the lower part of the medulla oblongata and in the first cervical segment of the spinal cord. By the Marchi method they can be traced into the reticular formation at the base of the dorsal horn, among the lateral horn cells and those of the dorsal part of the ventral horn. The homolateral fibres have a similar course.

2. The tract cannot be followed beyond the first cervical segment.

3. An uncrossed ventral cortico‐spinal tract is not demonstrated.

4. Experimental lesions in the lower part of the medulla oblongata and in the spinal cord show that there are two well‐developed descending paths.

A. One, in the dorsal part of the ventro‐lateral column, extends into the sacral region. It is made up of coarse fibres, and many collaterals are given off to end amongst the cells of the lateral horn and those of the dorsal part of the ventral horn. From its relations it probably represents the rubro‐spinal tract described in some other animals.

B. A large ventro‐lateral path, with coarse fibres, can also be followed into the sacral segments. It is directly connected with the ventral born cells.

The progressive decrease of both tracts is greater in the limb than in the trunk regions.

5. Little, if any, motor disturbance follows from cortical lesions. But when a considerable proportion of the fibres of one of these other paths is interrupted partial paralysis invariably results, from which the animals do not entirely recover in a fortnight.