bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antifungal action of Pichia anomala against aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus and its application as a feed supplement
Authors: Tayel Ahmed A , El‐Tras Wael F , Moussa Shaaban H , El‐Agamy Moustafa A
Published: April 2013

BACKGROUND

The disastrous problem of animal feed contamination by mycotoxigenic fungi continues to challenge researchers and health overseers worldwide. With the aim of preventing Aspergillus flavus growth in vitro and in corn feed, the yeast Pichia anomala was examined as a biocontrol agent.

RESULTS

The yeast strain could efficiently prohibit the growth of A. flavus. P. anomala was able to produce exo‐chitinase and β‐1,3‐glucanase which could be suggested as a mode of action for its antifungal activity. Scanning electron microscopy of cultured P. anomala with fungal hypha revealed that A. flavus was colonised by the biocontrol yeast which subsequently led to complete hyphal lysis and deterioration. The supplementation with of P. anomala cells, as a protein source, led to an obvious increase in animals' weight gain and protein content in feed grain. Moreover, after consumption of P. anomala‐supplemented feed, there was a remarkable decrease in the mortality rate among fed animals.

CONCLUSION

P. anomala could be strongly recommended as a biocontrol agent against A. flavus which contaminates animal feed. Furthermore, the application of yeast cells, as a feed additive, proved its efficiency for escalating protein content and enhancing animal performance. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Numerical simulation of the thermodependant viscohyperelastic behavior of polyethylene terephthalate near the glass transition temperature: Prediction of the self‐heating during biaxial tension test
Authors: Luo Yun‐Mei , Chevalier Luc , Utheza Françoise , Monteiro Eric
Published: April 2013

The poly ethylene terephthalate near the glass transition temperature highlights a strongly non linear elastic and viscous behaviour when biaxially stretched at high strain rates representative of the injection stretch blow moulding process. A non linear visco‐hyperelastic model, where characteristics are coupled to the temperature, has already been identified from equi‐biaxial tension experimental results. The weak form of the mechanical part of the model is presented and implemented into a finite element code developed in the Matlab environment and validated by comparing numerical simulation of equi‐biaxial testing with the analytical solution in the isothermal case. Considering the thermal aspects, an experimental study, where PET sheets are heated using infrared (IR for short) lamps is also presented. The modeling of the IR radiation of the sheet helps to identify the thermal properties of the PET. The thermal model is then implemented in the finite element code, coupled to the 2D viscoelastic model. A discussion is made to justify the accuracy of the assumption made on homogeneity of the temperature field through the thickness. The simulation of the 2D plane stress equibiaxial test shows the important influence of the thermal aspects and the coupled thermo‐mechanical software is used to quantify the self‐heating phenomenon in the case of the biaxial elongations of PET sheets at high strain rates. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 53:2683–2695, 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers
Ethylene–ethyl acrylate copolymers via ADMET polymerization: Effect of sequence distribution on thermal properties
Authors: Li Zi‐Long , Li Lei , Deng Xin‐Xing , Lv An , Wang Chun‐Hao , Du Fu‐Sheng , Li Zi‐Chen
Published: April 2013

Copolymers of ethylene and ethyl acrylate have been widely used as commodity materials in many fields. In this article, a general synthetic strategy toward fine tuning the ethyl acrylate content and facile control over the monomer sequence regularity of this important type of copolymer via acyclic diene metathesis (ADMET) polymerization followed by hydrogenation is demonstrated. Three structurally symmetric diene monomers (M1–M3) were synthesized in good yields via a three‐step synthetic approach; each of the monomers contains two tail‐to‐tail linked ethyl acrylate units connected to the terminal alkenes by a methylene spacer with specific length. ADMET homopolymerization of M1–M3 and copolymerization of these monomers with 1,9‐decadiene were conducted, and after hydrogenation, a family of periodic and random copolymers of ethylene and ethyl acrylate were obtained. All the polymer samples were characterized by gel permeation chromatography and nuclear magnetic resonance, and the thermal properties of the saturated copolymers were investigated with thermal gravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. The glass transition and melting behaviors of this family of ethylene and ethyl acrylate copolymers were found to be dependent on the ethyl acrylate content and the primary structure regularity in copolymers. Copolymers with low ethyl acrylate content and periodic microstructures exhibited better crystallinity. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013, 51, 2900–2909
A randomised, wait‐list controlled trial: evaluation of a cognitive–behavioural group intervention on psycho‐sexual adjustment for men with localised prostate cancer
Authors: Siddons Heather M. , Wootten Addie C. , Costello Anthony J.
Published: April 2013

Objective

To examine the effectiveness of a cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT) group intervention to facilitate improved psycho‐sexual adjustment to treatment side effects in prostate cancer survivors post‐radical prostatectomy.

Methods

A randomised, wait‐list controlled trial was conducted with a total of 60 men who participated in a manualised 8‐week cognitive–behavioural group intervention 6 months to 5 years post‐radical prostatectomy for localised prostate cancer. Participants completed standardised questionnaires pre‐intervention and post‐intervention, which assessed mood state, stress, general and prostate cancer anxiety, quality of life and areas of sexual functioning.

Results

Paired samples t‐tests identified a significant improvement in sexual confidence, masculine self‐esteem, sexual drive/relationship and a significant decline in sexual behaviour from pre‐intervention to post‐intervention. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that after controlling for covariates, participation in the group intervention significantly improved sexual confidence, sexual intimacy, masculine self‐esteem and satisfaction with orgasm.

Conclusions

This group‐based CBT intervention for men post‐radical prostatectomy for localised prostate cancer shows promising results in terms of improving quality of life. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Psychosocial support in patients with multiple myeloma at time of diagnosis: who wants what?
Authors: Lamers Jette , Hartmann Mechthild , Goldschmidt Hartmut , Brechtel Anette , Hillengass Jens , Herzog Wolfgang
Published: April 2013

Objective

The aim of this study was to examine interest in psychosocial interventions among patients with multiple myeloma at time of diagnosis as well as associated factors.

Methods

Patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma were recruited from our outpatient myeloma unit at the Heidelberg University Hospital. Patients completed questionnaires that included a checklist on desired psychosocial interventions and the Patient Health Questionnaire 9‐item (PHQ‐9) depression and Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7‐item scale (GAD‐7) anxiety scales. Medical data were extracted from the patients' electronic records.

Results

The survey was completed by 114 out of the 130 myeloma patients. Half of the patients (51%) desired psychosocial interventions. The most common preferences were relaxation techniques (21%), psychological counseling (20%), and peer support groups (18%). Approximately 24% of the patients reported symptoms of depression, and 8% reported symptoms of anxiety. Patients with symptoms of depression had twice as many preferences for psychosocial interventions as nondepressed patients. They more frequently desired individual psychotherapy (p = 0.035) and peer support groups (p = 0.015). In general, lower age was associated with greater interest in psychosocial interventions. Medical status was not strongly associated with interest in psychosocial interventions.

Conclusions

A high percentage (51%) of patients with multiple myeloma has psychosocial intervention desires at the time of diagnosis. The greatest interest was found in depressed and younger patients. However, depressed patients do not prefer a single intervention form but rather show a broad variability of wishes, so ‘one size does not fit all’. Therefore, to reach all patients in need, a choice of psychosocial interventions should be offered. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Recent Advances in Mountain Permafrost Research
Authors: Etzelmüller Bernd
Published: April 2013

Knowledge of the thermal state of mountain permafrost has greatly increased since 2007 with the establishment of numerous new monitoring stations around the world. Data collected at these sites have pointed to longer‐term changes in ground temperatures, which seem to have increased during the last two to three decades in cold permafrost, while in ground close to 0°C the near‐surface ice content has restricted warming and similar trends are not apparent. Modelling of mountain permafrost has developed greatly, driven by general circulation models or gridded temperature maps, through both predictive methods and spatial equilibrium and transient approaches. The spatial resolution of climate parameters, which is normally much coarser than the spatial heterogeneity of alpine environments, presents a major problem for modelling studies. This is a fundamental challenge for future research. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A comparison of SuperDARN ACF fitting methods
Authors: Ribeiro A. J. , Ruohoniemi J. M. , Ponomarenko P. V. , N. Clausen L. B. , H. Baker J. B. , Greenwald R. A. , Oksavik K. , de Larquier S.
Published: April 2013

The Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) is a worldwide chain of HF radars which monitor plasma dynamics in the ionosphere. Autocorrelation functions are routinely calculated from the radar returns and applied to estimate Doppler velocity, spectral width, and backscatter power. This fitting has traditionally been performed by a routine called FITACF. This routine initiates a fitting by selecting a subset of valid phase measurements and then empirically adjusting for 2π phase ambiguities. The slope of the phase variation with lag time then provides Doppler velocity. Doppler spectral width is found by an independent fitting of the decay of power to an assumed exponential or Gaussian function. In this paper, we use simulated data to assess the performance of FITACF, as well as two other newer fitting techniques, named FITEX2 and LMFIT. The key new feature of FITEX2 is that phase models are compared in a least‐squares fitting sense with the actual data phases to determine the best fit, eliminating some ambiguities which are present in FITACF. The key new feature of LMFIT is that the complex autocorrelation function (ACF) itself is fit, and Doppler velocity, spectral width, and backscatter power are solved simultaneously. We discuss some of the issues that negatively impact FITACF and find that of the algorithms tested, LMFIT provides the best overall performance in fitting the SuperDARN ACFs. The techniques and the data simulator are applicable to other radar systems that utilize multipulse sequences to make simultaneous range and velocity determinations under aliasing conditions.
Femtosecond laser ablation of polypropylene: A statistical approach of morphological data
Authors: Belaud V. , Valette S. , Stremsdoerfer G. , Beaugiraud B. , Audouard E. , Benayoun S.
Published: April 2013

We have investigated femtosecond (fs) laser (130 fs, 800 nm, 5 kHz) ablation of polypropylene (PP). The following laser process conditions were varied: power density and number of pulses. The morphological parameters' response (depth, ablation diameter, ablation volume) to the laser process conditions, measured by an optical profiler, was investigated by the statistical analysis technique to determine the relationship between them. For this, the simple linear regression and the multiple linear regressions are compared. The simple linear regression shows that the ablation volume follows a linear relationship with the product of the power and the number of pulse. SCANNING 36:209–217, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
High‐resolution cryo‐scanning electron microscopy study of the macromolecular structure of fibronectin fibrils
Authors: Chen Ya , Zardi Luciano , Peters Donna M. Pesciotta
Published: April 2013

High‐resolution cryo‐scanning electron microscopy was used to examine fibronectin fibrils formed in culture by human skin fibroblasts and in a cell‐free system by denaturing soluble plasma fibronectin with guanidine. These studies indicate that the conformation of fibrils formed in culture and in a cell‐free system appeared to be similar and that fibronectin fibrils have at least two distinct structural conformations. Fibronectin fibrils can be very straight structures with smooth surfaces or highly nodular structures. The average diameter of the nodules in these fibrils is 12 nm. Both conformations can be seen within an individual fibril indicating that they are not different types of fibronectin fibrils but rather different conformational states. Immunolabeling studies with a monoclonal antibody, IST‐2, to the heparin II binding domain of fibronectin revealed that the epitope was buried in highly smooth fibrils, but it was readily exposed in nodular fibrils. We propose, therefore, that fibronectin fibrils are highly flexible structures and, depending on the conformation of the fibril, certain epitopes on the surface may be buried or exposed.
Dinuclear Zinc Complexes Supported by Macrobinucleating Hexaaza‐Dithiophenolate Macrocycles: Synthesis of Zinc Thiolate Complexes with Biologically Relevant N3S and N2SCl Donor Sets
Authors: Lehmann Ulrike , Kersting Berthold
Published: April 2013

The ability of the macrocyclic hexaaza‐dithiophenolate macrocycles (H2LH6, H2LMe2H4, and H2LMe6) to support dinuclear zinc complexes has been examined. The macrocyclces contain two 4‐tert‐butylthiophenolate units which are connected by two lateral dipropylenetriamine units with different nature and patterns (secondary or tertiary) of the N donors (H2LH6: 6 × R2NH, H2LMe2H4: 4 × R2NH, 2 × R2NMe, H2LMe6: 6 × R2NMe). Three binuclear complexes ([Zn2(LH6)]2+ (1), [Zn2(LMe2H4)]2+ (2), and [Zn2H2(LMe6)Cl2]2+ (3)) were obtained, isolated as ClO4– or BPh4– salts, and characterized by CHN, ESI‐MS, IR, and NMR spectroscopy, and X‐ray crystallography (1(ClO4)2, 1(BPh4)2, 2(BPh4)2, 3(ClO4)2). In contrast to the parent N6S2 macrocycles with diethylenetriamine linkers which support bioctahedral [Zn2L(L′)]n+ complexes (L' = bridging coligand), the present ligands coordinate to zinc with non‐bridging thiolato donors to afford tetrahedral ZnN3S (1,2) or ZnN2SCl (3) coordination environments. The decrease of the coordination number from 6 in the [Zn2L(L′)]n+ to 4 in the present complexes is attributed to the change of the chelate‐ring size. The six‐membered chelate rings in 1–3 allow larger bond angles and encourage tetrahedral coordination.
An Enantiopure N,N,O Heteroscorpionate Ligand Derived from (–)‐Menthone
Authors: Bleifuß Sascha M. , Hofmann Fabian H. F. , Burzlaff Nicolai
Published: April 2013

A new enantiopure heteroscorpionate ligand HOPhbpm3menth (2) was synthesized in a one‐pot synthesis. Ligand 2 was obtained in a pyridine‐catalysed Peterson rearrangement starting from menthopyrazole, thionyl chloride, and salicylaldehyde. The evidence of κ3‐coordination of the ligand was shown by the formation of a tetrahedral zinc complex [Zn‐κ3‐(OPhbpm3menth)CH3] (3) as well as an molybdenum complex [Mo‐κ3‐(OPhbpm3menth)O2Cl] (4).
The Influence of OH Groups in [Fe(CO)3]2[(μ‐ECH2)2C(CH2OH)2] (E = S, Se) Complexes toward the Cathodic Process
Authors: Trautwein Ralf , Almazahreh Laith R. , Görls Helmar , Weigand Wolfgang
Published: April 2013

[FeFe] hydrogenase model complexes [Fe(CO)3]2[(μ‐ECH2)2C(CH2OH)2] (E = S (1) or Se (2)) containing CH2OH bridgehead substituents were synthesized via reaction of equimolar amounts of 4, 4‐bis(hydroxymethyl)‐1, 2‐dithiolane (A) or 4, 4‐bis(hydroxymethyl)‐1, 2‐diselenolane (B) with Fe3(CO)12 in toluene at 100 °C. The presence of OH groups in complexes 1 and 2 is found to influence the cathodic processes and their potentials. The catalytic reduction of acetic acid (AcOH) occurs by the anions 1– and 2–, while the neutral complexes are procatalysts.
Nationally Representative Household Survey of Surgery and Mortality in Sierra Leone
Authors: Kwon Steve , Groen Reinou S. , Kamara Thaim B. , Cassidy Laura D. , Samai Mohamed , Yambasu Sahr E. , Kushner Adam L.
Published: April 2013

Background

There is limited evidence to characterize the burden of unmet need of surgical diseases in low‐ and middle‐income countries. The purpose of this study was to determine rate of deaths attributable to a surgical condition and reasons for not seeking surgical care in Sierra Leone.

Methods

The Surgeons OverSeas Assessment of Surgical Need (SOSAS) is a survey tool developed collaboratively to be used for cross‐sectional data collection of the prevalence of surgical conditions in any country. A population‐weighted cluster‐sample household survey was conducted throughout Sierra Leone in 2012 using the SOSAS survey tool.

Results

Total of 1,840 households (11,870 individuals) were sampled, yielding a 98.3 % response rate. Overall, there were 709 total deaths reported (6.0 %). The mean age at death was 36.4 ± 30.1 years: 330 (46.6 %) were female. Most deaths occurred at home (58.1 % vs. 34.1 % in hospitals). Of the 709 deaths, 237 (33.4 %) were associated with conditions included in our predefined surgical disease category. Abdominal distension/pain was the most commonly associated surgical condition (13.9 %) followed by perinatal bleeding/illness (6.0 %). Among the 237 with surgical conditions, 51 (21.9 %) did not seek medical care, most commonly because of a lack of money (35.3 %) or inability to provide timely care (37.3 %).

Conclusions

A large proportion of deaths in Sierra Leone was associated with surgical conditions, the majority of which did not undergo surgical intervention. Our results indicate that to remove barriers to effective surgical care in Sierra Leone policymakers should first focus on relieving financial burdens and increasing access to timely surgical care.
Biliary atresia type I cyst and choledochal cust: can we differentiate or not?
Authors: Suzuki Tatsuya , Hashimoto Takashi , Hussein Mohamed Hamed , Hara Fujio , Hibi Masahito , Kato Takazumi
Published: April 2013

Background/purpose

It is difficult to discriminate between choledochal cust with obstructive jaundice and biliary atresia with a cyst at the porta hepatis in neonates or young infants. This review evaluates whether it is possible to differentiate between these two diseases. We here also provide an overview of our experience with type I cyst biliary atresia patients.

Methods

Among all the biliary atresia infants who we treated, the infants who were diagnosed with type I cyst biliary atresia were identified and reviewed for their management and outcome. The clinical course and management in different reports were reviewed and compared to the cases presented to our institution.

Results

Among the 220 biliary atresia cases, 11 (5 %; male/female: 4/7) were diagnosed to be type I cyst biliary atresia. Two received hepaticoenterostomy and nine received hepatic portoenteros. Three patients had severe late complications; overall, nine (81.8 %) were alive with their native liver and without jaundice.

Conclusions

Patient with choledochal cust are likely to represent larger cysts and inversely, smaller, static, anechoic cysts are more likely to represent cystic biliary atresia. However, exceptional cases were yet presented, and a definitive diagnosis may not be reached. Thus a complete differentiation between choledochal cust from type I cyst biliary atresia is yet hard to reach.
A survey of Nicotiana germplasm for resistance to Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV)
Authors: Laskowska Dorota , Doroszewska Teresa , Depta Anna , Kursa Karolina , Olszak-Przybyś Hanna , Czubacka Anna
Published: April 2013

The reaction to Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) was evaluated in 94 accessions of Nicotiana, originating from the Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation tobacco germplasm collection in Puławy, Poland. Tests for resistance were conducted under greenhouse conditions using single TSWV isolate collected from tobacco plantation in Lublin district, Poland. The presence of the virus was verified using DAS-ELISA. SCAR markers associated with TSWV resistance gene were applied. The members of the section Alatae, the genus Nicotiana: N. alata, N. forgetiana, and Nicotiana x sanderae as well as N. tabacum cultivars: ‘Polalta’ and ‘Wiktoria’ with the TSWV resistance gene introduced from N. alata, displayed the hypersensitive reaction (HR) against TSWV (grade 0 on symptom intensity scale). In some of those accessions, the virus spread from the initially infected areas eliciting systemic hypersensitive reaction (SHR). Five accessions of N. alata and three of Nicotianaxsanderae were composed of 6.3–50.0 % of plants in which SHR symptoms appeared. In all of N. forgetiana plants HR reaction was followed by systemic infection (SHR). In N. tabacum ‘Wiktoria’ 21.1 % of plants showed HR reaction, while the remaining were susceptible (S). All of the genotypes which responded with HR or SHR reaction to TSWV infection demonstrated the presence of SCAR markers linked to the resistance gene. The remaining eighty tested accessions were identified as being susceptible upon exposure to TSWV.
Prevalence of the Palmaris Longus Muscle and its Relationship with Grip and Pinch Strength: A Study in a Turkish Pediatric Population
Authors: Cetin A. , Genc M. , Sevil S. , Coban Y. K.
Published: April 2013

Clinical studies generally reveal a trend of variation in the reported prevalence of the palmaris longus (PL) muscle absence. The aim of this study was to find an answer to the question of whether the congenital absence of tendon would affect hand functions or not. A total of 585 subjects, comprised of 305 males and 280 females, were included in our study. Mean age was 8.9 ± 1.4 standard deviation within a range of 6–11. For both sexes, the groups were divided further into three subgroups including 6–7, 8–9, and 10–11 years of age ranges. The grip strength of each hand and pinch strength of all fingers of each subject were measured separately. The absence of PL tendon in the right hand was 35.4 % in females, 25.9 % in males, and 30.4 % in overall average. The distribution of absence of the palmaris longus muscle between both genders was statistically significant. The p value for the right hand was 0.013. The absence of PL tendon in the left hand was 37.5 % in females, 27.9 % in males, and an overall average of 32.5 %. The p value for the left hand was 0.017. In terms of grip strength, a comparison between females and males did not reveal a significant difference. The pinch strength of the second fingers of both hands did not show any difference in both sexes. Pinch strength of the third finger of the right hand was different only in girls of subgroup 6–7 ages ( p=0.024). In girls, the pinch strength of the fourth finger of the right hand of subgroups 6–7 and 10–11 ages showed difference ( p=0.009 and p=0.026, respectively). In boys, the fourth finger in subgroup of 8–9 ages showed significant difference in both hands ( p=0.011). The fifth fingers of both hands were found different in males for only subgroup of 8–9 ages ( p=0.001). Pinch strength of the fifth finger of the right hand was different in females for only subgroups of 6–7 and 10–11 ages ( p=0.023 and p=0.047, respectively). While grip strength of the hand was not affected in the case of absence of the palmaris longus, in both sexes, pinch strength of the fourth and fifth fingers of both hands decreased.
Selection and the Marriage Premium for Infant Health
Authors: Buckles Kasey S. , Price Joseph
Published: April 2013

Previous research has found a positive relationship between marriage and infant health, but it is unclear whether this relationship is causal or a reflection of positive selection into marriage. We use multiple empirical approaches to address this issue. First, using a technique developed by Gelbach (2009) to determine the relative importance of observable characteristics, we show how selection into marriage has changed over time. Second, we construct a matched sample of children born to the same mother and apply panel data techniques to account for time-invariant unobserved characteristics. We find evidence of a sizable marriage premium. However, this premium fell by more than 40 % between 1989 and 2004, largely as a result of declining selection into marriage by race. Accounting for selection reduces ordinary least squares estimates of the marriage premiums for birth weight, prematurity, and infant mortality by at least one-half.
Uncontrolled, Repetitive Eating of Small Amounts of Food or ‘Grazing’: Development and Evaluation of a New Measure of Atypical Eating
Authors: Lane Brigitte , Szabó Marianna
Published: April 2013

Grazing, or the uncontrolled, repetitive eating of small amounts of food is being increasingly recognised as an important eating behaviour associated with obesity. In spite of the need for a better understanding of this eating behaviour for improved obesity treatment, currently there is no empirically validated self-report measure to assess grazing. Therefore, to contribute to a better understanding of this relatively understudied eating pattern, a new self-report questionnaire of grazing was developed in this study. Questionnaire items were designed to reflect previous empirical descriptions of grazing. A group of 248 university students completed the Grazing Questionnaire, other measures of eating-related behaviours and cognitions, and negative emotion. Sixty-two participants completed the Grazing Questionnaire a second time to calculate its temporal stability. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a clear two-factor solution for the questionnaire, reflecting repetitive eating behaviour and a perception of loss of control. Scores on the Grazing Questionnaire were positively associated with other measures of disordered eating, especially with binge eating. Initial psychometric properties of the new questionnaire are promising. Future research is now needed to examine the prevalence of this eating behaviour in more diverse populations, including those with binge eating disorder and obesity.
The phonology of focus in Sign Language of the Netherlands
Authors: CRASBORN ONNO , VAN DER KOOIJ ELS
Published: April 2013

Signed languages are similar to spoken languages in the overall organisation of their grammars, displaying a prosodic level of organisation that is not isomorphic to the syntactic organisation. Their rich inventory of manual and non-manual features allows for a prolific range of functions if used prosodically. New data from Sign Language of the Netherlands (NGT, Nederlandse Gebarentaal) are discussed to demonstrate that focused constituents are not marked by a single prosodic feature, but rather by multiple properties that can also have other functions in the prosodic phonology of the language. These findings are integrated in an overall model of sign language prosody that emphasises the distinction between phonetic appearance and phonological representation and that allows for the interaction of linguistic and paralinguistic cues in visual communication.
Causal beliefs of the public and social acceptance of persons with mental illness: a comparative analysis of schizophrenia, depression and alcohol dependence
Authors: Schomerus G. , Matschinger H. , Angermeyer M. C.
Published: April 2013

Background

There is an ongoing debate whether biological illness explanations improve tolerance towards persons with mental illness or not. Several theoretical models have been proposed to predict the relationship between causal beliefs and social acceptance. This study uses path models to compare different theoretical predictions regarding attitudes towards persons with schizophrenia, depression and alcohol dependence.

Method

In a representative population survey in Germany (n = 3642), we elicited agreement with belief in biogenetic causes, current stress and childhood adversities as causes of either disorder as described in an unlabelled case vignette. We further elicited potentially mediating attitudes related to different theories about the consequences of biogenetic causal beliefs (attribution theory: onset responsibility, offset responsibility; genetic essentialism: differentness, dangerousness; genetic optimism: treatability) and social acceptance. For each vignette condition, we calculated a multiple mediator path model containing all variables.

Results

Biogenetic beliefs were associated with lower social acceptance in schizophrenia and depression, and with higher acceptance in alcohol dependence. In schizophrenia and depression, perceived differentness and dangerousness mediated the largest indirect effects, the consequences of biogenetic causal explanations thus being in accordance with the predictions of genetic essentialism. Psychosocial causal beliefs had differential effects: belief in current stress as a cause was associated with higher acceptance in schizophrenia, while belief in childhood adversities resulted in lower acceptance of a person with depression.

Conclusions

Biological causal explanations seem beneficial in alcohol dependence, but harmful in schizophrenia and depression. The negative correlates of believing in childhood adversities as a cause of depression merit further exploration.
‘Keeping going’: chronic joint pain in older people who describe their health as good
Authors: RICHARDSON JANE C. , GRIME JANET C. , ONG BIE NIO
Published: April 2013

It is common for people with chronic conditions to report their health as good, although models of healthy ageing do not account for this. The concept of successful ageing focuses on overcoming problems, in contrast to the concept of resilience, which can acknowledge vulnerability. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the main cause of joint pain in older people, but research in this area has tended to focus on OA as an illness. Consequently, our research aimed to explore OA from the perspective of wellness. We undertook a longitudinal qualitative study to explore ‘wellness and resilience’ in a group of older people who reported chronic joint pain and considered themselves healthy. We interviewed 27 people and followed them up with monthly diary sheets, responding to reports of changes using their chosen contact method. This article focuses on how resilience relates to how people consider themselves to be well. Participants' experience of the adversity of their pain varied, and was influenced by context and meaning. Participants described ‘keeping going’ in body, mind and everyday life. Flexibility and pragmatism were key aspects of keeping going. The findings support a broader version of resilience that incorporates vulnerabilities. In the context of health care we suggest that treating the frail body should not come at the expense of undermining an older person's sense of a resilient self.
Mass Medical Repatriation of Injured Civilians after Terrorist Attack in Mombassa, Kenya: Medical Needs, Resources Used, and Lessons Learned
Authors: Marmor Meir , Goldstein Liav , Levi Yeheskel , Onn Erez , Blumenfeld Amir , Kosashvili Yona , Levy Gad , Hirschorn Gil , Heldenberg Eitan , Or Jacob , Setton Eric , Goldberg Avishay , Bar-Dayan Yaron
Published: April 2013

Introduction:

On 28 November 2002, three suicide bombers crashed their car into a hotel in Mombassa, Kenya; 12 people were killed, including three Israelis, and 80 were wounded (22 of whom were Israeli). The Israeli Defense Force Airborne Medical Evacuation Flight Teams participated in a repatriation mission to bring the wounded home.

Objectives:

The objectives of this study are to outline the distinctive aspects of this mission, as well as to share the experiences and lessons learned.

Methods:

Israeli Army debriefing reports were used to study the composition of the crew, medical equipment taken, injury distribution, mode of operation, and mission schedule.

Results:

A total of six fixed-wing aircraft were used—two Boeing 707s and four Hercules C-130s—with a total of 54 medical team members on board. A total of 260 Israelis were repatriated, 22 of whom were wounded, and three were dead. Of the casualties, 14 were conveyed sitting, and eight supine. The time from the first landing in Kenya to the evacuation of the last supine patient was 5.5 hours. Nurses, as well as social workers, played a central role in the mission. A forward team, including five doctors, was used for the initial organization and for gathering information on the medical status of the casualties.

Conclusions:

There was redundancy in the medical crew and medical equipment sent. The need for improved infrastructure on the medical aircraft was stressed. Based on this experience, a new mode for operation for similar missions in the future was formulated.
A hard row to hoe: farming on the economic frontier under incomplete property rights
Authors: Tatum Robert C.
Published: April 2013

Farmers on the economic frontier often do not have clear titles to their land. Therefore, using an infinite-horizon representative agent model calibrated with data for the Brazilian Amazon, this paper analyzes how improved property rights influence the frontier farmer's investment in the land, as well as the farmer's consumption and debt. Three channels through which property rights affect these variables are identified in the analysis. Two involve the expenditure the farmer incurs to defend the land claim, and the third involves the interest rate premium the farmer faces when borrowing without a clear title to the land. Variants of the model allow for labor to defend the land claim and for endogenous property rights. The findings suggest a need and direction for further, empirical research, particularly with regard to informal institutional arrangements, measures of property rights and the means by which they are defended.
Agency and Actions
Authors: Hornsby Jennifer
Published: April 2013

Among philosophical questions about human agency, one can distinguish in a rough and ready way between those that arise in philosophy of mind and those that arise in ethics. In philosophy of mind, one central aim has been to account for the place of agents in a world whose operations are supposedly ‘physical’. In ethics, one central aim has been to account for the connexion between ethical species of normativity and the distinctive deliberative and practical capacities of human beings. Ethics then is involved with questions of moral psychology whose answers admit a kind of richness in the life of human beings from which the philosophy of mind may ordinarily prescind. Philosophy of mind, insofar as it treats the phenomenon of agency as one facet of the phenomenon of mentality, has been more concerned with how there can be ‘mental causation’ than with any details of a story of human motivation or of the place of evaluative commitments within such a story.
American Architecture Students in Belle Epoque Paris: Scholastic Strategies and Achievements at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts
Authors: Gournay Isabelle , Leconte Marie-Laure Crosnier
Published: April 2013

The Gilded Age and Progressive Era witnessed the largest influx of American architecture students to the Paris Ecole des Beaux-Arts. The U.S. contingent—120 students admitted in the 1890s, 154 in the 1900s—accounted for 10 to nearly 20 percent of incoming students each year. This illustrated essay uses projects prepared by these students to introduce the major features and principles of the Ecole's architecture curriculum, in particular the physical and instructional framework of the atelier and the medium of the concours. The essay presents a step-by-step selection of projects by American students admitted between 1890 and 1909. These range from a twelve-hour sketch problem required for the admission competition to a diplôme (masters' thesis). Beyond introducing the Beaux-Arts method of instruction, these prints provide insight into the subsequent American career of their authors and thus of American architecture and urban design overall, given the enormous influence exerted by the Ecole des Beaux Arts and its anciens élèves. Drawings requested from Ecole students were not just artfully composed and brilliantly rendered pictures. They were problem-solving endeavors. Former students preserved them not only as study models, but also as status symbols, even trophies.
The Impact of Disasters on Populations With Health and Health Care Disparities
Authors: Davis Jennifer R. , Wilson Sacoby , Brock-Martin Amy , Glover Saundra , Svendsen Erik R.
Published: April 2013

Context:A disaster is indiscriminate in whom it affects. Limited research has shown that the poor and medically underserved, especially in rural areas, bear an inequitable amount of the burden.

Objective:To review the literature on the combined effects of a disaster and living in an area with existing health or health care disparities on a community's health, access to health resources, and quality of life.

Methods:We performed a systematic literature review using the following search terms: disaster, health disparities, health care disparities, medically underserved, and rural. Our inclusion criteria were peer-reviewed, US studies that discussed the delayed or persistent health effects of disasters in medically underserved areas.

Results:There has been extensive research published on disasters, health disparities, health care disparities, and medically underserved populations individually, but not collectively.

Conclusions:The current literature does not capture the strain of health and health care disparities before and after a disaster in medically underserved communities. Future disaster studies and policies should account for differences in health profiles and access to care before and after a disaster.

(Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2010;4:30-38)
Which Health Care Workers Were Most Affected During the Spring 2009 H1N1 Pandemic?
Authors: Santos Cynthia D. , Bristow Robert B. , Vorenkamp Jaclyn V.
Published: April 2013

Objectives: To identify health care workers most at risk for H1N1 infection before vaccination and compare health outcomes after vaccination.

Methods: The indices used to gauge employee health were laboratory-confirmed H1N1 data, laboratory-confirmed influenza A data, and employee sick hours records. In phase 1 of this 2-phase study, absenteeism records for 6,093 hospital employees before vaccine administration were analyzed according to department and employee position during the spring 2009 H1N1 pandemic.

Results: Records of 123 confirmed reports of laboratory-confirmed influenza A or novel H1N1 infections in hospital employees were also analyzed. Two thirds of the H1N1 cases occurred during June (infection rates in parentheses): 34 in physicians and medical personnel (6.7%), 36 in nurses and clinical technicians (2.2%), 39 in Administrative & Support Personnel (infection rate = 1.2%), 3 in Social Workers & Counselors (infection rate = 1.0%), 8 in Housekeeping & Food Services (infection rate = 2.7%), and 3 in Security & Transportation (infection rate=3.9%). When analyzed according to department, the adult emergency department (infection rate = 28.8%) and the pediatric emergency department (infection rate = 25.0%) had the highest infection rates per department.

Conclusions: Of the reported cases of H1N1 in health care workers, 49% occurred in a population that constitutes less than 20% of the total population studied. Physicians and medical personnel had a higher infection rate than other employee positions, whereas ED personnel had the highest infection rate.

(Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2010;4:47-54)
Involvement of the US Department of Defense in Civilian Assistance, Part I: A Quantitative Description of the Projects Funded by the Overseas Humanitarian, Disaster, and Civic Aid Program
Authors: Bourdeaux Margaret Ellis , Lawry Lynn , Bonventre Eugene V. , Burkle Frederick M.
Published: April 2013

Objectives:To review the history and goals of the US Department of Defense's largest civilian assistance program, the Overseas Humanitarian, Disaster and Civic Aid Program and to describe the number, geographic regions, years, key words, countries, and types of projects carried out under this program since 2001.

Methods:Using the program's central database, we reviewed all approved projects since 2001 and tabulated them by year, combatant command, country, and key word. We also reviewed the project descriptions of projects funded between January 1, 2006, and February 9, 2008, and examined how their activities varied by combatant command and year.

Results:Of the 5395 projects in the database, 2097 were funded. Projects took place in more than 90 countries, with Southern, Pacific, and Africa Command hosting the greatest number. The most common types of projects were school, health, disaster response, and water infrastructure construction, and disaster-response training. The “global war on terror” was the key word most frequently tagged to project descriptions. Project descriptions lacked stated goals as well as implementation and coordination strategies with potential partners, and did not report outcome or impact indicators.

Conclusion:The geographic reach of the program is vast and projects take place in a wide variety of public sectors. Yet their security and civilian assistance value remains unclear given the lack of stated project goals, implementation strategies, or measures of effectiveness. To facilitate transparency and policy discussion, we recommend project proposals include hypotheses as to how they will enhance US security, their relevance to the public sector they address, and outcome and impact indicators that can assess their value and effectiveness.

(Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2010;4:66-73)
Sea-Level-Rise Disaster in Micronesia: Sentinel Event for Climate Change?
Authors: Keim Mark E.
Published: April 2013

Objectives: To describe the impact of an acute-onset sea-level-rise disaster in 2 coral atoll populations and to generate hypotheses for further investigation of the association between climate change and public health.

Methods: Households of Lukunoch and Oneop islands, Micronesia, were assessed for demographics, asset damage, food availability, water quantity and quality, hygiene and sanitation, and health status. Every fourth household on Lukunoch was randomly selected (n = 40). All Oneop households were surveyed (n = 72). Heads of each household were interviewed in the local language using a standard survey tool. Prevalence data were analyzed, and 95% confidence intervals were calculated.

Results: A total of 112 total households were respondents representing 974 inhabitants. On Lukunoch, roughly half of all households surveyed reported at least a partial loss of their primary dietary staple and source of calories (taro and breadfruit). Six (15%) of 40 Lukunoch households surveyed (95% CI, 6%-30%) reported a complete loss of taro and four (10%) of the 40 households (95% CI, 3%-24%) reported a complete loss of breadfruit. On Oneop, nearly all households reported at least a partial loss of these same food staples. Twenty four (31%) of all 76 Oneop households reported a complete loss of taro and another 24 (31%) households reported a complete loss of breadfruit. One third of all households surveyed reported a complete loss. On Lukunoch 11 (28%) of 40 households, (95% CI, 15%-43%) reported damage from salination, but none were damaged to the point of a complete loss. Forty-nine (64%) of 76 Oneop households reported salination and five (6%) reported complete loss of their well.

Conclusion: On March 5, 2007, an acute-onset, sea level rise event resulting in coastal erosion, shoreline inundation, and saltwater intrusion occurred in two coral atoll islands of Micronesia. The findings of this study suggest that highly vulnerable populations of both islands experienced disastrous losses involving crop productivity and freshwater sources. These findings reveal the need for effective public health research and sustainable interventions that will monitor and shape the health of small island populations predicted to be at high risk for adverse health effects due to climate change.

(Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2010;4:81-87)
Characterization of NaCl tolerance in Desulfovibrio vulgaris Hildenborough through experimental evolution
Authors: Zhou Aifen , Baidoo Edward , He Zhili , Mukhopadhyay Aindrila , Baumohl Jason K , Benke Peter , Joachimiak Marcin P , Xie Ming , Song Rong , Arkin Adam P , Hazen Terry C , Keasling Jay D , Wall Judy D , Stahl David A , Zhou Jizhong
Published: April 2013

Desulfovibrio vulgaris Hildenborough strains with significantly increased tolerance to NaCl were obtained via experimental evolution. A NaCl-evolved strain, ES9-11, isolated from a population cultured for 1200 generations in medium amended with 100 mm NaCl, showed better tolerance to NaCl than a control strain, EC3-10, cultured for 1200 generations in parallel but without NaCl amendment in medium. To understand the NaCl adaptation mechanism in ES9-11, we analyzed the transcriptional, metabolite and phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) profiles of strain ES9-11 with 0, 100- or 250 mm-added NaCl in medium compared with the ancestral strain and EC3-10 as controls. In all the culture conditions, increased expressions of genes involved in amino-acid synthesis and transport, energy production, cation efflux and decreased expression of flagellar assembly genes were detected in ES9-11. Consistently, increased abundances of organic solutes and decreased cell motility were observed in ES9-11. Glutamate appears to be the most important osmoprotectant in D. vulgaris under NaCl stress, whereas, other organic solutes such as glutamine, glycine and glycine betaine might contribute to NaCl tolerance under low NaCl concentration only. Unsaturation indices of PLFA significantly increased in ES9-11. Branched unsaturated PLFAs i17:1 ω9c, a17:1 ω9c and branched saturated i15:0 might have important roles in maintaining proper membrane fluidity under NaCl stress. Taken together, these data suggest that the accumulation of osmolytes, increased membrane fluidity, decreased cell motility and possibly an increased exclusion of Na+ contribute to increased NaCl tolerance in NaCl-evolved D. vulgaris.
TMEM16A–TMEM16B chimaeras to investigate the structure–function relationship of calcium-activated chloride channels
Authors: Scudieri Paolo , Sondo Elvira , Caci Emanuela , Ravazzolo Roberto , Galietta Luis J. V.
Published: April 2013

TMEM16A and TMEM16B proteins are CaCCs (Ca2+-activated Cl− channels) with eight putative transmembrane segments. As shown previously, expression of TMEM16B generates CaCCs characterized by a 10-fold lower Ca2+ affinity and by faster activation and deactivation kinetics with respect to TMEM16A. To investigate the basis of the different properties, we generated chimaeric proteins in which different domains of the TMEM16A protein were replaced by the equivalent domains of TMEM16B. Replacement of the N-terminus, TMD (transmembrane domain) 1–2, the first intracellular loop and TMD3–4 did not change the channel's properties. Instead, replacement of intracellular loop 3 decreased the apparent Ca2+ affinity by nearly 8-fold with respect to wild-type TMEM16A. In contrast, the membrane currents derived from chimaeras containing TMD7–8 or the C-terminus of TMEM16B showed higher activation and deactivation rates without a change in Ca2+ sensitivity. Significantly accelerated kinetics were also found when the entire C-terminus of the TMEM16A protein (77 amino acid residues) was deleted. Our findings indicate that the third intracellular loop of TMEM16A and TMEM16B is the site involved in Ca2+-sensitivity, whereas the C-terminal part, including TMD7–8, affect the rate of transition between the open and the closed state.