bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Garlic-Derived S-Allylmercaptocysteine Ameliorates Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in a Rat Model through Inhibition of Apoptosis and Enhancing Autophagy
Authors: Xiao Jia , Guo Rui , Fung Man-Lung , Liong Emily C. , Chang Raymond Chuen Chung , Ching Yick-Pang , Tipoe George L.
Published: June 2013

Our previous study demonstrated that administration of garlic-derived antioxidant S-allylmercaptocysteine (SAMC) ameliorated hepatic injury in a nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) rat model. Our present study aimed to investigate the mechanism of SAMC on NAFLD-induced hepatic apoptosis and autophagy. Adult female rats were fed with a high-fat diet for 8 weeks to develop NAFLD with or without intraperitoneal injection of 200 mg/kg SAMC for three times per week. During NAFLD development, increased apoptotic cells and caspase-3 activation were observed in the liver. Increased apoptosis was modulated through both intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways. NAFLD treatment also enhanced the expression of key autophagic markers in the liver with reduced activity of LKB1/AMPK and PI3K/Akt pathways. Increased expression of proapoptotic regulator p53 and decreased activity of antiautophagic regulator mTOR were also observed. Administration of SAMC reduced the number of apoptotic cells through downregulation of both intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic mechanisms. SAMC also counteracted the effects of NAFLD on LKB1/AMPK and PI3K/Akt pathways. Treatment with SAMC further enhanced hepatic autophagy by regulating autophagic markers and mTOR activity. In conclusion, administration of SAMC during NAFLD development in rats protects the liver from chronic injury by reducing apoptosis and enhancing autophagy.
On a Subclass of Meromorphic Functions Defined by Hilbert Space Operator
Authors: Rosy Thomas , Varma S. Sunil
Published: June 2013

In this paper, we define a new operator on the class of meromorphic
functions and define a subclass using Hilbert space operator. Coefficient
estimate, distortion bounds, extreme points, radii of starlikeness,
and convexity are obtained.
Antioxidant andα-Amylase Inhibitory Property ofPhyllanthus virgatusL.: AnIn Vitroand Molecular Interaction Study
Authors: Hashim Arshya , Khan M. Salman , Khan Mohd. Sajid , Baig Mohd. Hassan , Ahmad Saheem
Published: June 2013

The present study onPhyllanthus virgatus, known traditionally for its remedial potential, for the first time provides descriptions of the antioxidant and inhibition ofα-amylase enzyme activity first byin vitroanalyses, followed by a confirmatoryin silicostudy to create a stronger biochemical rationale. Our results illustrated thatP. virgatusmethanol extract exhibited strong antioxidant and oxidative DNA damage protective activity than other extracts, which was well correlated with its total phenolic content. In addition,P. virgatusmethanol extract strongly inhibited theα-amylase activity (IC5033.20 ± 0.556 μg/mL), in a noncompetitive manner, than acarbose (IC5076.88 ± 0.277 μg/mL), which showed competitive inhibition. Moreover, this extract stimulated the glucose uptake activity in 3T3-L1 cells and also showed a good correlation between antioxidant andα-amylase activities. The molecular docking studies of the major bioactive compounds (9,12-octadecadienoic acid, asarone, 11-octadecenoic acid, and acrylic acid) revealed via GC-MS analysis from this extract mechanistically suggested that the inhibitory property may be due to the synergistic effect of these bioactive compounds. These results provide substantial basis for the future use ofP. virgatusmethanol extract and its bioactive compound inin vivosystem for the treatment and management of diabetes as well as in the related condition of oxidative stress.
Modeling Sunflower Productivity and Profitability in Relation to Adequate and Limited Sulphur Availability under Semiarid Irrigated Conditions
Authors: Sheoran Parvender , Sheoran O. P. , Sardana Virender
Published: June 2013

Inadequate and/or imbalanced fertilization has been identified as one of the critical bottlenecks holding oilseeds production and productivity. Sustainable production requires efficient use of inputs maintaining optimum yield and high quality product. The present study aims at defining the quantitative relationship between the fertilizer S applied and the sunflower yield obtained using a polynomial function. The analysis was done to allocate the S fertilizer for maximization of net profit over fertilizer cost depending on the availability of the fertilizer. The results indicated that the cost effective economically optimum dose of sulphur for sunflower cultivation was found to be 36.70 kg S/ha under its full availability. The expected sunflower yield at this dose was worked out to be 2.619 t/ha. However, it is advisable to uniformly distribute the fertilizer to all over the cultivable area under its limited availability for exploiting the desired yield potential and maximum net monetary returns.
Fractional Dynamics of Genetic Algorithms Using Hexagonal Space Tessellation
Authors: Tenreiro Machado J. A.
Published: June 2013

The paper formulates a genetic algorithm that evolves two types of objects in a plane. The fitness function promotes a relationship between the objects that is optimal when some kind of interface between them occurs. Furthermore, the algorithm adopts an hexagonal tessellation of the two-dimensional space for promoting an efficient method of the neighbour modelling. The genetic algorithm produces special patterns with resemblances to those revealed in percolation phenomena or in the symbiosis found in lichens. Besides the analysis of the spacial layout, a modelling of the time evolution is performed by adopting a distance measure and the modelling in the Fourier domain in the perspective of fractional calculus. The results reveal a consistent, and easy to interpret, set of model parameters for distinct operating conditions.
Flexibility of Older Adults Aged 55–86 Years and the Influence of Physical Activity
Authors: Stathokostas Liza , McDonald Matthew W. , Little Robert M. D. , Paterson Donald H.
Published: June 2013

Cross-sectional age-related differences in flexibility of older adults aged 55–86 years of varying activity levels were examined. Shoulder abduction and hip flexion flexibility measurements were obtained from 436 individuals (205 men,71±9years; 231 women,72±8years). Total physical activity was assessed using the Minnesota Leisure-Time Physical Activity Questionnaire. Shoulder abduction showed a significant decline averaging 5 degrees/decade in men and 6 degrees/decade in women. Piecewise linear regression showed an accelerated decline in men starting at the age of 71 years of 0.80 degrees/year, whereas in women the onset of decline (0.74 degrees/year) was 63 years. Men and women showed a significant decline in hip flexion (men: 6 degrees/decade; women: 7 degrees/decade). Piecewise linear regression revealed a rate of decline of 1.16 degrees/year beginning at 71 years in men and in women a single linear decline of 0.66 degrees/year. Multiple regression analysis showed that age and physical activity accounted for only 9% of the variance in hip flexion in women and 10% in men, with age but not physical activity remaining significant. Similarly for shoulder abduction, age was significant but not physical activity, in a model that described 8% of the variance for both sexes.
The Role of Bystander Perceptions and School Climate in Influencing Victims' Responses to Bullying: To Retaliate or Seek Support?
Authors: Lindstrom Johnson Sarah , Waasdorp Tracy Evian , Debnam Katrina , Bradshaw Catherine P.
Published: June 2013

In order to reduce aggressive responses to bullying, schools nationwide have begun to implement bullying prevention programs that advise students to tell an adult, walk away, or ask the bully to stop. While previous work has demonstrated that individual differences (e.g., gender) influence the likelihood of students choosing assertive responses in lieu of aggressive responses, there has been less research on understanding how aspects of the school climate affect students’ responses to bullying. This study explores how perceptions of teacher and student intervention as well as perceptions of school safety and connectedness influence students’ likelihood of responding aggressively (i.e., retaliating) or seeking support from an adult. These data come from an online school climate survey administered to 25,308 students in 58 high schools. Three-level hierarchical linear modeling was conducted on a subset of 6,493 students who reported being bullied in the past year. Results suggest that bystander perceptions and school climate play a role in influencing students’ responses to bullying, both by decreasing the likelihood of victims using an aggressive response and increasing their likelihood of seeking support from school staff. Interventions that focus more holistically on changing school climate may better interrupt the cycle of violence.
Paratingent Derivative Applied to the Measure of the Sensitivity in Multiobjective Differential Programming
Authors: García F. , Melguizo Padial M. A.
Published: June 2013

We analyse the sensitivity of differential programs of the form subject to where and are maps whose respective images lie in ordered Banach spaces. Following previous works on multiobjective programming, the notion of -optimal solution is used. The behaviour of some nonsingleton sets of -optimal solutions according to changes of the parameter in the problem is analysed. The main result of the work states that the sensitivity of the program is measured by a Lagrange multiplier plus a projection of its derivative. This sensitivity is measured by means of the paratingent derivative.
Impact of High Energy Cosmic Rays on Global Atmospheric Electrical Parameters over Different Orographically Important Places of India
Authors: Kumar Adarsh , Singh H. P.
Published: June 2013

Global atmospheric electrical parameters such as atmospheric conductivity, air-earth current density, atmospheric electric field, and atmospheric potential have been calculated for eighty different orographically important places of India under the influence of cosmic ray modulation factor due to Forbush decrease assuming fair weather conditions. The results have been compared with the earlier work of Kumar et al. (1998) and show that the correlation between cosmic rays and global atmospheric electrical parameters near the earth surface depends upon the relative magnitudes of galactic cosmic ray particles.
Effects of Fermentation Temperature and Aeration on Production of Natural Isoamyl Acetate byWilliopsis saturnusvar.saturnus
Authors: Yilmaztekin Murat , Cabaroglu Turgut , Erten Huseyin
Published: June 2013

Isoamyl acetate is a natural flavour ester, widely used as a source of banana flavour by the food industry.Williopsis saturnusvar.saturnusis a yeast which can produce isoamyl acetate by esterification of amyl alcohols with acetyl coenzyme A via fermentation. The evaluation of this kind of production as an alternative way to obtain natural banana flavour could be possible, if the levels produced were high enough to make a commercial product. In this study, the effects of temperature (15°C and 25°C) and aeration (aerobic, semiaerobic, and anaerobic) on the production of isoamyl acetate byWilliopsis saturnusvar.saturnusfrom sugar beet molasses were examined. According to the results obtained, isoamyl acetate production rate and specific productivity were higher at 25°C than at 15°C and at semiaerobic condition than aerobic and anaerobic conditions.Williopsis saturnusvar.saturnusshowed a production rate of 0.703 mg L−1 h−1and a specific productivity of 0.0297 mg L−1 cell−1 h−1isoamyl acetate with semiaerobic condition at 25°C. The maximum amount of isoamyl acetate reached with these conditions was 118 mg/L.
Fluid Dynamics in a Teniente Type Copper Converter Model with One and Two Tuyeres
Authors: Valencia Alvaro , Rosales-Vera Marco , Orellana Camilo
Published: June 2013

We have numerically studied the fluid dynamics in a model of Teniente type copper converter with combined lateral and bottom gas injection. The three-dimensional simulation of the two-phase system was carried out using the volume of fluid (VOF) and the standard k-ε turbulence models implemented in the commercial solver Fluent. The numerical investigation was carried out in a 1: 5 scaled water slice model for three different gas injection Froude numbers of the bottom tuyere (0, 36, and 64). The submerged gas injection produces a turbulent jet and provides efficient mixing of the gas and liquid phases. The gas injection through a bottom tuyere increases the fluid mixing, and for Froude number of Fr = 64 interactions between the two gas jets were found.
Respiratory-Related Hospitalizations following Prophylaxis in the Canadian Registry for Palivizumab (2005–2012) Compared to Other International Registries
Authors: Paes Bosco , Mitchell Ian , Li Abby , Harimoto Tetsuhiro , Lanctôt Krista L.
Published: June 2013

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection occurs commonly in infants aged ≤2 years, and severe infection results in hospitalization with accompanying morbidity and mortality. Palivizumab has been available for prophylaxis for the past 15 years. Prospective data on patients who received palivizumab from 2005 to 2012 has been assembled in the Canadian registry (CARESS) to document utilization, compliance, and health outcomes in both hospital and community settings. Long-term data is necessary to evaluate the impact of palivizumab on the incidence of RSV infections, minimize healthcare resources, and identify which infant subpopulations are receiving prophylaxis. A database search was also conducted for similar information from published registries, and hospitalization rates were compared to results from randomized clinical trials (RCTs).Overall hospitalization rates (percent; range) for respiratory-related illnesses and RSV-specific infection in infants who meet standard indications for prophylaxis were 6.6 (3.3–7.7) and 1.55 (0.3–2.06), respectively, in CARESS, which closely aligns with registry data from 4 other countries, despite the former comprising the largest cohort of complex patients internationally. Overall RSV-related hospitalization rates were lower across registries compared to equivalent patients in RCTs. Registry data provides valuable information regarding real-world experience with palivizumab, while facilitating the genesis of new research themes.
Precise Large Deviations for Random Sums of END Random Variables with Dominated Variation
Authors: Chen Yu , Qu Zhihui
Published: June 2013

We investigate the precise large deviations for random sums of extended negatively dependent random variables with long and dominatedly varying tails. We find out that the asymptotic behavior of precise large deviations of random sums is insensitive to the extended negative dependence. We apply the results to a generalized dependent compound renewal risk model including premium process and claim process and obtain the asymptotic behavior of the tail probabilities of the claim surplus process.
Trust Management Scheme Based on D-S Evidence Theory for Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Feng Renjian , Che Shenyun , Wang Xiao , Yu Ning
Published: June 2013

Trust management scheme has been regarded as a powerful tool to defend against the wide set of security attacks and identify malicious nodes. In this paper, we propose a trust management scheme based on revised Dempster-Shafer (D-S) evidence theory. D-S theory is preponderant in tackling both random and subjective uncertainty in the trust mechanism. A trust propagation mechanism including conditional trust transitivity and dynamic recommendation aggregation is developed for obtaining the recommended trust values from third part nodes. We adopt a flexible synthesis method that uses recommended trust only when no direct trust exists to keep a good trust-energy consumption balance. We also consider on-off attack and bad mouthing attack in our simulation. The simulation results and analysis show that the proposed method has excellent ability to deal with typical network attacks, better security, and longer network lifetime.
Corrosion Behavior of Commercial Aluminum Alloy Processed by Equal Channel Angular Pressing
Authors: Korchef Atef , Kahoul Abdelkrim
Published: June 2013

A commercial aluminum alloy was subjected to severe plastic deformation through equal channel angular pressing (ECAP). The alloy contains a low volume fraction ofα-AlFeSi located essentially at the grain boundaries. The corrosion behavior of the ECAP’ed alloy was investigated in NaCl solution using potentiodynamic polarization and immersion tests. The effects of scan rate and NaCl concentration on the alloy susceptibility to corrosion were also studied. The results obtained were compared with those of the nonpressed alloy. ECAP leads to an intensive grain refinement accompanied by an increased dislocation density. All electrochemical tests confirm that corrosion resistance of the alloy remarkably diminished with increasing the ECAP number of passes. This is presumably due to the breakdown of theα-AlFeSi after ECAP leading to higher number of galvanic cells and enhanced dissolution of the aluminum matrix.
Combined Alloreactive CTL Cellular Therapy with Prodrug Activator Gene Therapy in a Model of Breast Cancer Metastatic to the Brain
Authors: Hickey Michelle J. , Malone Colin C. , Erickson Kate L. , Lin Amy , Soto Horacio , Ha Edward T. , Kamijima Shuichi , Inagaki Akihito , Takahashi Masamichi , Kato Yuki , Kasahara Noriyuki , Mueller Barbara M. , Kruse Carol A.
Published: June 2013

Purpose: Individual or combined strategies of cellular therapy with alloreactive CTLs (alloCTL) and gene therapy using retroviral replicating vectors (RRV) encoding a suicide prodrug activating gene were explored for the treatment of breast tumors metastatic to the brain.

Experimental Design: AlloCTL, sensitized to the HLA of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, were examined in vitro for antitumor functionality toward breast cancer targets. RRV encoding the yeast cytosine deaminase (CD) gene was tested in vivo for virus spread, ability to infect, and kill breast cancer targets when exposed to 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC). Individual and combination treatments were tested in subcutaneous and intracranial xenograft models with 231BR, a brain tropic variant.

Results: AlloCTL preparations were cytotoxic, proliferated, and produced IFN-γ when coincubated with target cells displaying relevant HLA. In vivo, intratumorally placed alloCTL trafficked through one established intracranial 231BR focus to another in contralateral brain and induced tumor cell apoptosis. RRV-CD efficiently spread in vivo, infected 231BR and induced their apoptosis upon 5-FC exposure. Subcutaneous tumor volumes were significantly reduced in alloCTL and/or gene therapy–treated groups compared to control groups. Mice with established intracranial 231BR tumors treated with combined alloCTL and RRV-CD had a median survival of 97.5 days compared with single modalities (50–83 days); all experimental treatment groups survived significantly longer than sham-treated groups (median survivals 31.5 or 40 days) and exhibited good safety/toxicity profiles.

Conclusion: The results indicate combining cellular and suicide gene therapies is a viable strategy for the treatment of established breast tumors in the brain. Clin Cancer Res; 19(15); 4137–48. ©2013 AACR.
Predicting Drug Responsiveness in Human Cancers Using Genetically Engineered Mice
Authors: Usary Jerry , Zhao Wei , Darr David , Roberts Patrick J. , Liu Mei , Balletta Lorraine , Karginova Olga , Jordan Jamie , Combest Austin , Bridges Arlene , Prat Aleix , Cheang Maggie C. U. , Herschkowitz Jason I. , Rosen Jeffrey M. , Zamboni William , Sharpless Norman E. , Perou Charles M.
Published: June 2013

Purpose: To use genetically engineered mouse models (GEMM) and orthotopic syngeneic murine transplants (OST) to develop gene expression-based predictors of response to anticancer drugs in human tumors. These mouse models offer advantages including precise genetics and an intact microenvironment/immune system.

Experimental Design: We examined the efficacy of 4 chemotherapeutic or targeted anticancer drugs, alone and in combination, using mouse models representing 3 distinct breast cancer subtypes: Basal-like (C3(1)-T-antigen GEMM), Luminal B (MMTV-Neu GEMM), and Claudin-low (T11/TP53−/− OST). We expression-profiled tumors to develop signatures that corresponded to treatment and response, and then tested their predictive potential using human patient data.

Results: Although a single agent exhibited exceptional efficacy (i.e., lapatinib in the Neu-driven model), generally single-agent activity was modest, whereas some combination therapies were more active and life prolonging. Through analysis of RNA expression in this large set of chemotherapy-treated murine tumors, we identified a pair of gene expression signatures that predicted pathologic complete response to neoadjuvant anthracycline/taxane therapy in human patients with breast cancer.

Conclusions: These results show that murine-derived gene signatures can predict response even after accounting for common clinical variables and other predictive genomic signatures, suggesting that mice can be used to identify new biomarkers for human patients with cancer. Clin Cancer Res; 19(17); 4889–99. ©2013 AACR.
Apoptotic Circulating Tumor Cells in Early and Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients
Authors: Kallergi Galatea , Konstantinidis Georgios , Markomanolaki Harris , Papadaki Maria A. , Mavroudis Dimitris , Stournaras Christos , Georgoulias Vassilis , Agelaki Sofia
Published: June 2013

The detection of circulating tumor cells (CTC) in breast cancer is strongly associated with disease relapse. Since it is unclear whether all CTCs are capable of generating metastasis, we investigated their apoptotic and proliferative status in 56 CTC-positive (29 early and 27 metastatic) patients with breast cancer. Double-staining immunofluorescence experiments were carried out in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) cytospins, using the pancytokeratin A45-B/B3 antibody and either M30 (apoptotic marker) or Ki67 (proliferation marker) antibodies. Apoptosis was also evaluated using a polycaspase detection kit. Patients with metastatic disease had significantly lower numbers of apoptotic CTCs compared with patients with early breast cancer (polycaspase kit: 8.1% vs. 47.4% of the total CTC number; P = 0.0001; M30-antibody: 32.1% vs. 76.63%; P = 0.002). The median percentage of apoptotic CTCs per patient was also lower in patients with advanced compared with those with early disease (polycaspase kit: 0% vs. 53.6%; M30-antibody: 15% vs. 80%). Ki67-positive CTCs were identified in 51.7% and 44% of patients with early and metastatic disease, respectively. Adjuvant chemotherapy reduced both the number of CTCs per patient and the number of proliferating CTCs (63.9% vs. 30%). In conclusion, apoptotic CTCs could be detected in patients with breast cancer irrespective of their clinical status, though the incidence of detection is higher in early compared with metastatic patients. The detection of CTCs that survive despite adjuvant therapy implies that CTC elimination should be attempted using agents targeting their distinctive molecular characteristics. Mol Cancer Ther; 12(9); 1886–95. ©2013 AACR.
Chronic Social Isolation Is Associated with Metabolic Gene Expression Changes Specific to Mammary Adipose Tissue
Authors: Volden Paul A. , Wonder Erin L. , Skor Maxwell N. , Carmean Christopher M. , Patel Feenalie N. , Ye Honggang , Kocherginsky Masha , McClintock Martha K. , Brady Matthew J. , Conzen Suzanne D.
Published: June 2013

Chronic social isolation is linked to increased mammary tumor growth in rodent models of breast cancer. In the C3(1)/SV40 T-antigen FVB/N (TAg) mouse model of “triple-negative” breast cancer, the heightened stress response elicited by social isolation has been associated with increased expression of metabolic genes in the mammary gland before invasive tumors develop (i.e., during the in situ carcinoma stage). To further understand the mechanisms underlying how accelerated mammary tumor growth is associated with social isolation, we separated the mammary gland adipose tissue from adjacent ductal epithelial cells and analyzed individual cell types for changes in metabolic gene expression. Specifically, increased expression of the key metabolic genes Acaca, Hk2, and Acly was found in the adipocyte, rather than the epithelial fraction. Surprisingly, metabolic gene expression was not significantly increased in visceral adipose depots of socially isolated female mice. As expected, increased metabolic gene expression in the mammary adipocytes of socially isolated mice coincided with increased glucose metabolism, lipid synthesis, and leptin secretion from this adipose depot. Furthermore, application of media that had been cultured with isolated mouse mammary adipose tissue (conditioned media) resulted in increased proliferation of mammary cancer cells relative to group-housed–conditioned media. These results suggest that exposure to a chronic stressor (social isolation) results in specific metabolic reprogramming in mammary gland adipocytes that in turn contributes to increased proliferation of adjacent preinvasive malignant epithelial cells. Metabolites and/or tumor growth-promoting proteins secreted from adipose tissue could identify biomarkers and/or targets for preventive intervention in breast cancer. Cancer Prev Res; 6(7); 634–45. ©2013 AACR.
Ambulatory Blood Pressure Changes After Renal Sympathetic Denervation in Patients With Resistant Hypertension
Authors: Mahfoud Felix , Ukena Christian , Schmieder Roland E. , Cremers Bodo , Rump Lars C. , Vonend Oliver , Weil Joachim , Schmidt Martin , Hoppe Uta C. , Zeller Thomas , Bauer Axel , Ott Christian , Blessing Erwin , Sobotka Paul A. , Krum Henry , Schlaich Markus , Esler Murray , Böhm Michael
Published: June 2013

Background—

Catheter-based renal sympathetic denervation (RDN) reduces office blood pressure (BP) in patients with resistant hypertension according to office BP. Less is known about the effect of RDN on 24-hour BP measured by ambulatory BP monitoring and correlates of response in individuals with true or pseudoresistant hypertension.

Methods and Results—

A total of 346 uncontrolled hypertensive patients, separated according to daytime ambulatory BP monitoring into 303 with true resistant (office systolic BP [SBP] 172.2±22 mm Hg; 24-hour SBP 154±16.2 mm Hg) and 43 with pseudoresistant hypertension (office SBP 161.2±20.3 mm Hg; 24-hour SBP 121.1±19.6 mm Hg), from 10 centers were studied. At 3, 6, and 12 months follow-up, office SBP was reduced by 21.5/23.7/27.3 mm Hg, office diastolic BP by 8.9/9.5/11.7 mm Hg, and pulse pressure by 13.4/14.2/14.9 mm Hg (n=245/236/90;
P
for all <0.001), respectively. In patients with true treatment resistance there was a significant reduction with RDN in 24-hour SBP (−10.1/−10.2/−11.7 mm Hg,
P
<0.001), diastolic BP (−4.8/−4.9/−7.4 mm Hg,
P
<0.001), maximum SBP (−11.7/−10.0/−6.1 mm Hg,
P
<0.001) and minimum SBP (−6.0/−9.4/−13.1 mm Hg,
P
<0.001) at 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively. There was no effect on ambulatory BP monitoring in pseudoresistant patients, whereas office BP was reduced to a similar extent. RDN was equally effective in reducing BP in different subgroups of patients. Office SBP at baseline was the only independent correlate of BP response.

Conclusions—

RDN reduced office BP and improved relevant aspects of ambulatory BP monitoring, commonly linked to high cardiovascular risk, in patients with true-treatment resistant hypertension, whereas it only affected office BP in pseudoresistant hypertension.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifiers: NCT00664638 and NCT00888433.
The SOAR Stroke Score Predicts Inpatient and 7-Day Mortality in Acute Stroke
Authors: Kwok Chun Shing , Potter John F. , Dalton Genevieve , George Abraham , Metcalf Anthony K. , Ngeh Joseph , Nicolson Anne , Owusu-Agyei Peter , Shekhar Raj , Walsh Kevin , Warburton Elizabeth A. , Myint Phyo Kyaw
Published: June 2013

Background and Purpose—

An accurate prognosis is useful for patients, family, and service providers after acute stroke.

Methods—

We validated the Stroke subtype, Oxfordshire Community Stroke Project Classification, Age, and prestroke Rankin stroke score in predicting inpatient and 7-day mortality using data from 8 National Health Service hospital trusts in the Anglia Stroke and Heart Clinical Network between September 2008 and April 2011.

Results—

A total of 3547 stroke patients (ischemic, 92%) were included. An incremental increase of inpatient and 7-day mortality was observed with increase in Stroke subtype, Oxfordshire Community Stroke Project Classification, Age, and prestroke Rankin stroke score. Using a cut-off of ≥3, the area under the receiver operator curves values for inpatient and 7-day mortality were 0.80 and 0.82, respectively.

Conclusions—

A simple score based on 4 easily obtainable variables at the point of care may potentially help predict early stroke mortality.
The ICC Prosecutor and Positive Complementarity: Strengthening the Rule of Law?
Authors: Tillier Justine
Published: June 2013

The purpose of this study is to examine the practice of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court with regard to his/her policy of positive complementarity. This policy aims at encouraging domestic jurisdictions to investigate and prosecute perpetrators of core international crimes. In order to achieve this goal, the Prosecutor can act at various stages of the proceedings. First at the preliminary examination phase, where he/she will determine if conditions of admissibility are met, and secondly at the investigation and prosecution phases of the proceedings. This study shows that the ability of the Prosecutor to pursue such a policy is real, but limited, as his/her core mandate, is to bring perpetrators of international crimes before the International Criminal Court. Consequently, the implementation of the policy of positive complementarity must be envisioned in collaboration with other actors working on Rule of Law Programs. In this respect, the Prosecutor must engage in cooperation with international organisations and civil society actors.
The Proportionality Principle and the Kable Doctrine: A New Test of Constitutional Invalidity?
Authors: Chaile Roshan
Published: June 2013

In Kable v Director of Public Prosecutions (NSW) the High Court of Australia declared that the requirements of Chapter III of the Australian Constitution prohibited a State legislature from conferring powers on a State court that were repugnant or incompatible with their status as repositories of federal judicial power. This was a significant constitutional watershed; it had never previously been suggested that the protections contained in Chapter III applied to State courts. Recent applications of Kable, however, have given rise to concerns that the principles to be derived from that case are unclear. This is a serious deficiency given that State legislatures, not bound by a separation of powers doctrine at a State level, may choose to confer important decision-making functions on non-judicial bodies.

This article explores whether a bipartite inquiry, such as that employed in the rights jurisprudence in both England and Strasbourg, may clarify the meaning and scope of the principle enunciated in Kable. It commences by formulating a mode of inquiry which is intended to assist courts in determining whether a legislative act impairs the institutional integrity of a State court. It then argues that the principle of proportionality should be employed to determine whether a prima facie impairment may nonetheless be excusable. Such a conclusion would be reached where it can established that the legislative act is necessary in a democratic society, in the sense that it addresses a pressing social need. The introduction of this limited ground of justification promotes greater clarity and ensures that an appropriate balance is maintained between State legislative autonomy and the institutional integrity of State courts.
Oriental Bolboceras: Introduction to the genus and taxonomy of the nigricans group of species (Coleoptera: Geotrupidae: Bolboceratinae)
Authors: Krikken J.
Published: June 2013

The taxonomy of the genus Bolboceras Kirby, 1819 (= Indobolbus Nikolajev, 1979) is discussed. The Oriental members of the genus as currently conceived have not been revised for the past 160 years. Operational groups of species are proposed, including the Bolboceras nigricans group. In this group B. nigricans Westwood, 1848 and five new Oriental group members are here keyed, diagnosed, and illustrated. The new species proposed are: Bolboceras schulzei (Bangladesh, India), B. malabaricum (India), B. extraneum (Bangladesh, India, Pakistan), B. insulare (Sri Lanka), and B. mimicans (Myanmar). In an Appendix a single new species is described in the Bolboceras perpunctatum group, to consolidate the key to the Bolboceras species groups – B. perpunctatum (India). A list of names of all Bolboceras species is given, indicating a formal retransfer of some from Indobolbus to Bolboceras, following a 2006 ruling of the ICZN on the use of the name Bolboceras.
Re-description of the tadpole of Pleurodema somuncurensis (Cei, 1969) (Amphibia: Anura)
Authors: BARRASSO DIEGO A. , COTICHELLI LEONARDO , ALCALDE LEANDRO , BASSO NÉSTOR G.
Published: June 2013

The monotypic genus Somuncuria was erected by Lynch (1978) on the basis of external morphology and osteology of the adults of Telmatobius somuncurensis Cei, 1969. In addition, Lynch remarked a general resemblance between Somuncuria and Pleurodema. The recent phylogenetic analysis by Faivovich et al. (2012) recovered Somuncuria nested into Pleurodema and closely related to Pleurodema bufoninum. According to Faivovich et al. (2012), these species have nearly identical sequences and additional study is required to establish populations identity. Pleurodema somuncurensis inhabits thermal springs at mid altitudes (500–800 ma.s.l.) in a restricted geographic range at Meseta de Somuncurá, Río Negro Province, Argentina (Cei, 1969).
Modified Shortwave Infrared Perpendicular Water Stress Index: A Farmland Water Stress Monitoring Method
Authors: Feng Haixia , Chen Chao , Dong Heng , Wang Jinliang , Meng Qingye
Published: June 2013

Crop water stress monitoring by remote sensing has been the focus of numerous studies. In this paper, specifically red (630–690 nm) and shortwave infrared (SWIR; 1550–1750 nm) wavelength bands are identified to monitor farmland water stress, and a method [modified shortwave infrared perpendicular water stress index (MSPSI)] is developed that is based on the spectral space constructed by SWIR − Red (Rd) and SWIR + Red (Rs). The MSPSI stayed at mostly the same water stress level for full vegetation coverage cases with high vegetation water content and saturated bare soil as well as full vegetation coverage with extremely low vegetation water and dry bare soil in the Rs–Rd spectral feature space. This approach makes the water stress conditions between different covers comparable and the MSPSI applicable to farmland water stress monitoring in different vegetation covers throughout the growing season. To validate the proposed index, the MSPSI calculated from Thematic Mapper images and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) 500-m reflectance products (from March to October) in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region was compared with the ground-measured soil moisture content at different depths. It is evident from the results that the MSPSI derived from satellite imageries is highly correlated with ground-measured soil moisture at different depths (7.6 and 10 cm), with coefficients of determination R2 of 0.666, 0.512, 0.576, 0.361, 0.383, 0.391, 0.357, 0.410, and 0.418. The paper concludes that MSPSI is a promising index for crop water stress monitoring throughout the growing season.
A Software Package and Hardware Tools for in situ Experiments in a Lagrangian Reference Frame
Authors: Doglioli Andrea M. , Nencioli Francesco , Petrenko Anne A. , Rougier Gilles , Fuda Jean-Luc , Grima Nicolas
Published: June 2013

The Lagrangian Transport Experiment (LATEX) was developed to study the influence of coupled physical and biogeochemical dynamics at the meso- and submesoscales on the transfers of matter and heat between the coastal zone and the open ocean. One of the goals of the Latex10 field experiment, conducted during September 2010 in the Gulf of Lion (northwest Mediterranean), was to mark a dynamical mesoscale feature by releasing a passive tracer [sulfur hexafluoride (SF6)] together with an array of Lagrangian buoys. The goal was to release the tracer in an initial patch as homogeneous as possible in the horizontal, and to study its turbulent mixing and dispersion while minimizing the contribution due to advection. For that, it was necessary to continuously adjust the vessel route in order to remain as closely as possible in the Lagrangian reference frame moving with the investigated mesoscale structure. To accomplish this task, a methodology and software were developed, which are presented here. The software is equipped with a series of graphical and user-friendly accessories and the entire package for MATLAB can be freely downloaded (http://mio.pytheas.univ-amu.fr/~doglioli).
Collective Student Trust
Authors: Adams Curt M.
Published: June 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to determine if collective student trust functions as a resource for urban elementary students.

Methods

Data from 1,646 students nested in 56 elementary schools in an urban school district were used to test the hypothesized effect of collective student trust on school identification, self-regulated learning, and math and reading achievement. A model-building process in HLM 6.08 was used to test the three hypotheses. Random-intercepts means-as-outcomes models were used to assess the school-level effects on school identification and self-regulated learning, controlling for free and reduced lunch rate and prior achievement. A one-way ANCOVA with random intercepts was used for math and reading achievement. Free and reduced lunch was specified as a student- and school-level control in order to set a more conservative standard for detecting a trust effect.

Results

The hypothesized effects of collective student trust on school identification, self-regulated learning, and achievement were confirmed. A culture of student trust in urban elementary schools partly contributed to identification with school, internal control over learning tasks, and math and reading achievement. Collective trust was the strongest school-level antecedent of positive student beliefs, behavior, and achievement.

Implications

With policy debates centering on increased funding, accountability, and teacher and leader evaluation, trust may seem like an unlikely mechanism to ameliorate performance problems in urban schools. Results from this study suggest that policy makers and school leaders should not overlook student trust as a viable social resource for schools and students.
Establishing a Reading Culture in a Rural Secondary School: A Literacy Intervention with Teachers
Authors: Joubert Ina , Ebersöhn Liesel , Ferreira Ronel , du Plessis Loraine , Moen Melanie
Published: June 2013

The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the nature of a reading culture in a rural secondary school in South Africa before and after a literacy intervention. The systems theory with interpretivism as the epistemological paradigm was employed. A rural secondary school was selected as part of an on-going Flourishing Learning Youth and Supportive Teachers Assets and Resilience studies on resilience and rural schools. Language teachers ( n = 6, male = 1, female = 5) were purposively selected to participate. The literacy intervention was developed with phonetic acquisition as the basis to develop reading skills. It became evident that implementing English (additional language) as teaching and learning language in the school may have contributed to barriers to learning. Limited resources and reading instruction training exacerbated the problems. However, once the teachers acquired new skills and the children received the needed support, the improvement in overall academic achievement was significant.
Africanisation of Legal Education Programmes: The need for Comparative African Legal Studies
Authors: Fombad Charles Manga
Published: June 2013

Debates and discussions about the African renaissance and the Africanisation of universities have raged for decades. The goal of developing an emancipatory Afrocentric system that frees African education from the continuous and dominant influence of Euro- and American-centric cultural values remains a challenge. This is particularly so with respect to conventional African legal training and research programmes. Some African legal scholars, sometimes imbued with xenophilia, have in many ways participated in the process that has seen the continuous marginalisation of studies on the law in Africa and African law. This paper argues that there is a need to rethink the place devoted to the study of African law and African legal systems. It contends that African law generally and African legal systems specifically will hardly be able to develop when present-day students spend most of their time, especially in a course such as comparative law, studying western legal systems. In order for African legal education to be relevant and meaningful it must prepare and equip today’s lawyers to operate in a global world. It is therefore suggested that an Africanised legal programme should include a course on African legal studies and aim to be contextually and globally relevant whilst being sufficiently innovative and flexible to address the urgent needs of our times.
A Multisite Evaluation of Prison-Based Drug Treatment
Authors: Welsh Wayne N. , Zajac Gary
Published: June 2013

This study examined three postrelease outcomes (reincarceration, rearrest, drug relapse) for inmates who participated in therapeutic community (TC) drug treatment programs ( n = 555) or comparison groups ( n = 998) at five prisons. The comparison group consisted of TC-eligible inmates participating in less intensive programming at the same institutions. Control variables included drug dependency, age, and criminal history. TC had a moderate, significant impact on reducing the probability of reincarceration and did so in the absence of community aftercare. Effects of TC on rearrest and drug relapse, however, were not significant. Implications for research, theory, and practice are discussed.
And Then They Behaved
Authors: Leigey Margaret E. , Hodge Jessica P
Published: June 2013

Research indicates that juveniles in adult prisons are more disruptive than adults. This study extends current understanding by examining their misconduct after they reach adulthood. Bivariate analyses revealed that adults initially incarcerated as juveniles ( n = 173) were significantly more likely than adults initially incarcerated as adults ( n = 10,950) to have committed all types of misconduct. However, these findings were largely unconfirmed at the multivariate level. A significant difference existed between the two groups in only one regression model. Findings suggest that in regard to the nature of misconduct, inmates who were initially incarcerated as juveniles become indistinguishable over time from other inmates.
The Social Construction of Sexuality in Prison
Authors: Gibson Lauren E. , Hensley Christopher
Published: June 2013

Prison sex research has generally followed an essentialist theoretical approach. Only Alarid used a social constructionist approach to understand sexuality behind bars. Using data collected from 142 male inmates in a Southern maximum-security correctional facility, the purpose of the present study was to examine whether engaging in sexual behavior affects a change in the sexual orientation of male prison inmates. Applying a social constructionist theoretical approach, the influence of several sociodemographic and situational variables on the change in sexual orientation was also examined. The only statistically significant variable associated with a change in sexual orientation was engaging in homosexual behavior. Inmates were more than 52 times more likely to change their sexual orientation if they engaged in homosexual activity while incarcerated, supporting the social constructionist approach.
Affiliate Marketing in Tourism
Authors: Gregori Nicolas , Daniele Roberto , Altinay Levent
Published: June 2013

Affiliate marketing is a prominent, contemporary type of performance-based Internet marketing whereby a company compensates affiliates for each customer referred through the affiliate’s marketing efforts. It is regarded as one of the most promising customer acquisition tools in eTourism. The present study aims to identify the key variables affecting consumer trust in tourism-related affiliate websites. A mixed method approach was adopted to explore both the consumers’ perspective, via focus-group interviews, and that of tourism affiliate practitioners via an online questionnaire. The main findings suggest that there is a distinction between pivotal determinants of trust and trust-enhancing factors. It is suggested that affiliates need to expose their competence and integrity to consumers. Affiliates that feature integrated booking engines need to reduce consumer’s uncertainty by structural assurances and by providing background information on their websites.
Current emerging situation of dengue in India
Authors: Mariappan Thiruppathi
Published: June 2013

Outbreaks of dengue fever (DF) have been reported from various countries. Although DF has been endemic in India from the nineteenth century, dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) was first reported in 1987. The first major widespread epidemic of DHF and dengue shock syndrome (DSS) was reported in 1996 with four serotypes reported to be in co-circulation. In 2012 an outbreak occurred in India during which a total of 47,029 DF cases and 242 deaths were reported – three times higher than the previous year. Twelve states reported a large number of cases, including Tamil Nadu which recorded 12,264 from various districts. We discuss methods of prevention and control.
External ophthalmomyiasis caused by Oestrus ovis misdiagnosed as bacterial conjunctivitis
Authors: Akdemir Mehmet O , Ozen Serkan
Published: June 2013

Ophthalmomyiasis is the infestation of the eye by maggots or bots of certain flies which is mostly caused by Oestrus ovis. The most common form of ophthalmomyiasis is external that only the external surface of the eye is involved. Symptoms of external myiasis are nonspecific so it can be misdiagnosed as any other conjunctivitis if the doctors do not take myiasis into consideration. We report a case series of external ophthalmomyiasis. All the patients complained of mild foreign body sensation, redness, watery eyes and some of them had lid swelling. Larvae on the external surface of the patients must be removed under dim light. Larvae can hide in the fornices of the patients as happened in our two cases. Because of our lack of experience about ophthalmomyiasis, we misdiagnosed the first patient as bacterial conjunctivitis. Ophthalmomyiasis may be difficult to detect so ophthalmologists must keep in mind the possibility of ophthalmic myiasis especially in rural regions.
Prevalence of HIV infection among survivors of sexual assault at presentation in hospital
Authors: Adefolalu Adegoke O
Published: June 2013

Victims of sexual assaults are routinely tested for HIV in order to discover if they require prophylaxis. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of HIV infection among survivors of sexual assault attending a large peri-urban health facility in KwaZulu-Natal, a province of South Africa. Data from the medical records of the available 534 sexual assault cases that attended the facility between 2005 and 2009 were extracted and reviewed: 19.7% tested HIV positive and HIV prevalence among the survivors over the 5 years increased from 15% in 2005 to 19% in 2009. Screening sexual assault survivors for HIV provides a good opportunity to identify those who will benefit from HIV prophylaxis and HIV-infected persons who need HIV care and treatment.