bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Image analysis of food particles can discriminate deficient mastication of mixed foodstuffs simulating daily meal
Authors: Sugimoto K. , Hashimoto Y. , Fukuike C. , Kodama N. , Minagi S.
Published: January 2014

Because food texture is regarded as an important factor for smooth deglutition, identification of objective parameters that could provide a basis for food texture selection for elderly or dysphagic patients is of great importance. We aimed to develop an objective evaluation method of mastication using a mixed test food comprising foodstuffs, simulating daily dietary life. The particle size distribution (>2 mm in diameter) in a bolus was analysed using a digital image under dark‐field illumination. Ten female participants (mean age ± s.d., 27·6 ± 2·6 years) masticated a mixed test food comprising prescribed amounts of rice, sausage, hard omelette, raw cabbage and raw cucumber with 100%, 75%, 50% and 25% of the number of their masticatory strokes. A single set of coefficient thresholds of 0·10 for the homogeneity index and 1·62 for the particle size index showed excellent discrimination of deficient masticatory conditions with high sensitivity (0·90) and specificity (0·77). Based on the results of this study, normal mastication was discriminated from deficient masticatory conditions using a large particle analysis of mixed foodstuffs, thus showing the possibility of future application of this method for objective decision‐making regarding the properties of meals served to dysphagic patients.
Influence of different narrative instructions to record the occlusal contact with silicone registration materials
Authors: Obara R. , Komiyama O. , Iida T. , Asano T. , De Laat A. , Kawara M.
Published: January 2014

This study examined the influence of narrative instructions on the occlusal contact area, occlusal contact point and masticatory muscle activities in normal subjects. Twelve healthy men and 12 healthy women with no more than one missing tooth per quadrant participated. Surface EMG was recorded from the masseter and temporal muscle. As a control measurement, intercuspal position was maintained to produce a habitual clenching record (NCR) while the occlusal contact area and occlusal contact point was recorded by means of silicone material. Subsequently, the occlusal contact area was recorded with the narrative instruction for minimum clenching record (MCR), light clenching record (LCR) and strong clenching record (HCR). While the EMG activity (%MVC) increased modestly from MCR to LCR (from 9·3 ± 2·0% to 11·5 ± 1·5%), the occlusal contact area increased rapidly (from 17·2 ± 11·3 mm2 to 26·8 ± 15·6 mm2) (P < 0·05). Both EMG activity and occlusal contact area increased gradually from LCR to NCR (to 17·7 ± 2·0% and to 31·4 ± 14·2 mm2, respectively). Finally, EMG activity still increased from NCR to HCR (to 44·5 ± 3·7%) (P < 0·05), but the occlusal contact area remained stable (to 36·8 ± 16·6 mm2). Occlusal contact points at left posterior, right posterior, anterior and total area were not significantly different between each task. This study showed that narrative instructions while recording the bite can result in largely stable occlusal contact area. An adequate narrative instruction may therefore contribute to taking a stable occlusal recording in natural dentition.
General population norms of the Swedish short forms of Oral Health Impact Profile
Authors: Larsson P. , John M. T. , Hakeberg M. , Nilner K. , List T.
Published: January 2014

We reported the development and psychometric evaluation of a Swedish 14‐item and a five‐item short form of the Oral Health Impact Profile. The 14‐item version was derived from the English‐language short form developed by Slade in1997. The five‐item version was derived from the German‐language short form developed by John et al. in 2006. Validity, reliability and normative values for the two short form summary scores were determined in a random sample of the adult Swedish population (response rate: 46%, N = 1366 subjects). Subjects with sufficient OHRQoL information to calculate a summary score (N = 1309) were on average 50·1 ± 17·4 years old, and 54% were women. Short form summary scores correlated highly with the 49‐item OHIP‐S (r ≥ 0·97 for OHIP‐S14, r ≥ 0·92 for OHIP‐S5) and with self‐report of oral health (r ≥ 0·41). Reliability, measured with Cronbach's alpha (0·91 for OHIP‐S14, 0·77 for OHIP‐S5), was sufficient. In the general population, 50% of the subjects had ≥2 OHIP‐S14 score points and 10% had ≥11 points, respectively. Among subjects with their own teeth only and/or fixed dental prostheses and with partial removable dental prostheses, 50% of the population had ≥2 OHIP‐S14 score points, and 10% had ≥11 points. For subjects with complete dentures, the corresponding figures were 3 and 24 points. OHIP‐S5 medians for subjects in the three population groups were 1, 1 and 2 points. Swedish 14‐item and 5‐item short forms of the OHIP have sufficient psychometric properties and provide a detailed overview about impaired OHRQoL in Sweden. The norms will serve as reference values for future studies.
Enamel wear caused by monolithic zirconia crowns after 6 months of clinical use
Authors: Stober T. , Bermejo J. L. , Rammelsberg P. , Schmitter M.
Published: January 2014

The purpose of this study was to evaluate enamel wear caused by monolithic zirconia crowns and to compare this with enamel wear caused by contralateral natural antagonists. Twenty monolithic zirconia crowns were placed in 20 patients requiring full molar crowns. For measurement of wear, impressions of both jaws were made at baseline after crown cementation and at 6‐month follow‐up. Mean and maximum wear of the occlusal contact areas of the crowns, of their natural antagonists and of the two contralateral natural antagonists were measured by the use of plaster replicas and 3D laser scanning methods. Wear differences were investigated by the use of two‐sided paired Student's t‐tests and by linear regression analysis. Mean vertical loss (maximum vertical loss in parentheses) was 10 (43) μm for the zirconia crowns, 33 (112) μm for the opposing enamel, 10 (58) μm for the contralateral teeth and 10 (46) μm for the contralateral antagonists. Both mean and maximum enamel wear were significantly different between the antagonists of the zirconia crowns and the contralateral antagonists. Gender and activity of the masseter muscle at night (bruxism) were identified as possible confounders which significantly affected wear. Under clinical conditions, monolithic zirconia crowns seem to be associated with more wear of opposed enamel than are natural teeth. With regard to wear behaviour, clinical application of monolithic zirconia crowns is justifiable because the amount of antagonistic enamel wear after 6 months is comparable with, or even lower than, that caused by other ceramic materials in previous studies.
Hybridization at an ecotone: ecological and genetic barriers between three Iberian vipers
Authors: Tarroso Pedro , Pereira Ricardo J. , Martínez‐Freiría Fernando , Godinho Raquel , Brito José C.
Published: January 2014

The formation of stable genetic boundaries between emerging species is often diagnosed by reduced hybrid fitness relative to parental taxa. This reduced fitness can arise from endogenous and/or exogenous barriers to gene flow. Although detecting exogenous barriers in nature is difficult, we can estimate the role of ecological divergence in driving species boundaries by integrating molecular and ecological niche modelling tools. Here, we focus on a three‐way secondary contact zone between three viper species (Vipera aspis,V. latasteiandV. seoanei) to test for the contribution of ecological divergence to the development of reproductive barriers at several species traits (morphology, nuclearDNAand mitochondrialDNA). Both the nuclear and mitochondrial data show that all taxa are genetically distinct and that the sister speciesV. aspisandV. latasteihybridize frequently and backcross over several generations. We find that the three taxa have diverged ecologically and meet at a hybrid zone coincident with a steep ecotone between the Atlantic and Mediterranean biogeographical provinces. Integrating landscape and genetic approaches, we show that hybridization is spatially restricted to habitats that are suboptimal for parental taxa. Together, these results suggest that niche separation and adaptation to an ecological gradient confer an important barrier to gene flow among taxa that have not achieved complete reproductive isolation.
Human‐facilitated metapopulation dynamics in an emerging pest species,Cimex lectularius
Authors: Fountain Toby , Duvaux Ludovic , Horsburgh Gavin , Reinhardt Klaus , Butlin Roger K.
Published: January 2014

The number and demographic history of colonists can have dramatic consequences for the way in which genetic diversity is distributed and maintained in a metapopulation. The bed bug (Cimex lectularius) is a re‐emerging pest species whose close association with humans has led to frequent local extinction and colonization, that is, to metapopulation dynamics. Pest control limits the lifespan of subpopulations, causing frequent local extinctions, and human‐facilitated dispersal allows the colonization of empty patches. Founder events often result in drastic reductions in diversity and an increased influence of genetic drift. Coupled with restricted migration, this can lead to rapid population differentiation. We therefore predicted strong population structuring. Here, using 21 newly characterized microsatellite markers and approximate Bayesian computation (ABC), we investigate simplified versions of two classical models of metapopulation dynamics, in a coalescent framework, to estimate the number and genetic composition of founders in the common bed bug. We found very limited diversity within infestations but high degrees of structuring across the city of London, with extreme levels of genetic differentiation between infestations (FST = 0.59).ABCresults suggest a common origin of all founders of a given subpopulation and that the numbers of colonists were low, implying that even a single mated female is enough to found a new infestation successfully. These patterns of colonization are close to the predictions of the propagule pool model, where all founders originate from the same parental infestation. These results show that aspects of metapopulation dynamics can be captured in simple models and provide insights that are valuable for the future targeted control of bed bug infestations.
Human disturbance causes the formation of a hybrid swarm between two naturally sympatric fish species
Authors: Hasselman Daniel J. , Argo Emily E. , McBride Meghan C. , Bentzen Paul , Schultz Thomas F. , Perez‐Umphrey Anna A. , Palkovacs Eric P.
Published: January 2014

Most evidence for hybrid swarm formation stemming from anthropogenic habitat disturbance comes from the breakdown of reproductive isolation between incipient species, or introgression between allopatric species following secondary contact. Human impacts on hybridization between divergent species that naturally occur in sympatry have received considerably less attention. Theory predicts that reinforcement should act to preserve reproductive isolation under such circumstances, potentially making reproductive barriers resistant to human habitat alteration. Using 15 microsatellites, we examined hybridization between sympatric populations of alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) and blueback herring (A. aestivalis) to test whether the frequency of hybridization and pattern of introgression have been impacted by the construction of a dam that isolated formerly anadromous populations of both species in a landlocked freshwater reservoir. The frequency of hybridization and pattern of introgression differed markedly between anadromous and landlocked populations. The rangewide frequency of hybridization among anadromous populations was generally 0–8%, whereas all landlocked individuals were hybrids. Although neutral introgression was observed among anadromous hybrids, directional introgression leading to increased prevalence of alewife genotypes was detected among landlocked hybrids. We demonstrate that habitat alteration can lead to hybrid swarm formation between divergent species that naturally occur sympatrically, and provide empirical evidence that reinforcement does not always sustain reproductive isolation under such circumstances.
Herbarium specimens reveal a historical shift in phylogeographic structure of common ragweed during native range disturbance
Authors: Martin Michael D. , Zimmer Elizabeth A. , Olsen Morten T. , Foote Andrew D. , Gilbert M. Thomas P. , Brush Grace S.
Published: January 2014

Invasive plants provide ample opportunity to study evolutionary shifts that occur after introduction to novel environments. However, although genetic characters pre‐dating introduction can be important determinants of later success, large‐scale investigations of historical genetic structure have not been feasible. Common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifoliaL.) is an invasive weed native toNorthAmerica that is known for its allergenic pollen. Palynological records from sediment cores indicate that this species was uncommon beforeEuropean colonization ofNorthAmerica, and ragweed populations expanded rapidly as settlers deforested the landscape on a massive scale, later becoming an aggressive invasive with populations established globally. Towards a direct comparison of genetic structure now and during intense anthropogenic disturbance of the late 19th century, we sampled 45 natural populations of common ragweed across its native range as well as historical herbarium specimens collected up to 140 years ago. Bayesian clustering analyses of 453 modern and 473 historical samples genotyped at three chloroplast spacer regions and six nuclear microsatellite loci reveal that historical ragweed's spatial genetic structure mirrors both the palaeo‐record ofAmbrosiapollen deposition and the historical pattern of agricultural density across the landscape. Furthermore, for unknown reasons, this spatial genetic pattern has changed substantially in the intervening years. Following on previous work relating morphology and genetic expression between plants collected from easternNorthAmerica andWesternEurope, we speculate that the cluster associated with humans’ rapid transformation of the landscape is a likely source of these aggressive invasive populations.
Exercise Training‐Induced Adaptations in Mediators of Sustained Endothelium‐Dependent Coronary Artery Relaxation in a Porcine Model of Ischemic Heart Disease
Authors: Heaps Cristine L. , Robles Juan Carlos , Sarin Vandana , Mattox Mildred L. , Parker Janet L.
Published: January 2014

Objective

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that exercise training enhances sustained relaxation to persistent endothelium‐dependent vasodilator exposure via increased nitric oxide contribution in small coronary arteries of control and ischemic hearts.

Methods

Yucatan swine were designated to a control group or a group in which an ameroid constrictor was placed around the proximal LCX. Subsequently, pigs from both groups were assigned to exercise (five days/week; 16 weeks) or SED regimens. Coronary arteries (~100–350 μm) were isolated from control pigs and from both nonoccluded and collateral‐dependent regions of chronically‐occluded hearts.

Results

In arteries from control pigs, training significantly enhanced relaxation responses to increasing concentrations of bradykinin (10−10–10−7 M) and sustained relaxation to a single bradykinin concentration (30 nM), which were abolished by NOS inhibition. Training also significantly prolonged bradykinin‐mediated relaxation in collateral‐dependent arteries of occluded pigs, which was associated with more persistent increases in endothelial cellular Ca2+ levels, and reversed with NOS inhibition. Protein levels for eNOS and p‐eNOS‐(Ser1179), but not caveolin‐1, Hsp90, or Akt, were significantly increased with occlusion, independent of training state.

Conclusions

Exercise training enhances sustained relaxation to endothelium‐dependent agonist stimulation in small arteries of control and ischemic hearts by enhanced nitric oxide contribution and endothelial Ca2+ responses.
Is basiliximab induction, a novel risk factor for new onset diabetes after transplantation for living donor renal allograft recipients?
Authors: Prasad Narayan , Gurjer Desraj , Bhadauria Dharmender , Gupta Amit , Srivastava Aneesh , Kaul Anupama , Jaiswal Akhilesh , Yadav Brijesh , Yadav Subhash , Sharma Raj K
Published: January 2014

Aim

It was found that, by affecting populations of T lymphocytes and regulatory T cells, basiliximab also indirectly affects pancreatic β‐cell function and glucose homeostasis.

Methods

In this prospective observational study, we included all renal transplant recipients from 1 July 2007 to 31 July 2011. The overall incidence of hyperglycaemia (transient hyperglycaemia, impaired fasting glucose (IFG), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and new onset diabetes after transplantation (NODAT)) was compared between patients with and without basiliximab induction.

Results

Of the 439 eligible study patients, 105 patients received basiliximab induction and 334 patients did not. Overall hyperglycaemia (transient hyperglycaemia, IFG, IGT and NODAT) was detected in 102/334 (30.5%) patients without induction and 44/105 (41.9%) patients with induction (P = 0.03). Of the 102 patients with hyperglycaemia in patients without basiliximab, 46 (45.1%) patients improved, while only 10 (22.7%) of the 44 patients with basiliximab improved (P = 0.016) at the end of 3 months. Finally, NODAT was observed in 56/334 (16.7%) patients without induction and 102/334 (30.5%) patients with induction. Relative risk of NODAT with basiliximab was 2.3 (95% CI 1.4‐3.9) compared to that of patients without induction. Basiliximab and hepatitis C virus infection were independent risk factors for NODAT. Risk of NODAT remained high with basiliximab despite adjusting the acute rejections episodes.

Conclusions

Basiliximab induction prevents acute rejection; however, it is associated with increased risk of NODAT.
Automated impedance manometry analysis as a method to assess esophageal function
Authors: Rommel N. , Van Oudenhove L. , Tack J. , Omari T. I.
Published: January 2014

Background

Diagnostic evaluation of non‐achalasia esophageal dysphagia remains challenging because of a lack of a clear relationship between symptoms, esophageal contraction patterns, and esophageal bolus flow. This study evaluates a novel approach to pressure‐impedance analysis called automated impedance manometry (AIM) analysis in relation to bolus characteristics, Chicago classification metrics, bolus perception, and dysphagia.

Methods

AIM analysis was performed on esophageal high resolution manometry‐impedance recordings from 12 healthy controls and 15 patients with dysphagia. In each subject, 10 liquid, 10 semisolid, and 10 solid swallows were analyzed using AIMplot software.

Key Results

This study demonstrated that (i) esophageal pressure‐flow parameters differ with bolus type (liquid, semisolid, and solids), (ii) impedance at peak pressure parameter can discriminate normal from dysphagic subjects with high accuracy on a cut‐off threshold at 2400 Ohms (kappa 0.77, sensitivity 0.83, and specificity 0.93), and (iii) nadir impedance and impedance at peak pressure highly correlate with perception of esophageal bolus flow (r = −0.65, p = 0.02; r = −0.70, p = 0.01 resp).

Conclusions & Inferences

This study presents novel esophageal pressure‐flow variables in control subjects and in a cohort of patients with dysphagia. These variables are altered in relation to bolus consistency and can discriminate between subjects with and without symptoms of dysphagia. For the first time, we present high resolution esophageal pressure‐flow variables that accurately link in with patient perception of esophageal bolus hold up.
Plasma levels of leptin in reproductive‐aged women with mild depressive and anxious states
Authors: Yoshida‐Komiya Hiromi , Takano Kazuko , Fujimori Keiya , Niwa Shin‐Ichi
Published: January 2014

Aims

Recent studies suggest that leptin may have an effect on emotion and mood. Low levels of leptin in depression and anxiety have been reported in many animal models; however in humans, it has yet to be elucidated as to whether plasma leptin levels are low in similar states. Therefore, in this study we investigated how plasma leptin level and salivary stress markers of reproductive‐aged women, who constitute the majority of patients with mild depression and anxiety in our clinic, are different from those of healthy women.

Methods

We compared the results of the Medical Outcome Study 36‐Item Short‐Form Health Survey, the Self‐rating Questionnaire for Depression, the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory, plasma leptin levels, and salivary stress markers in 29 depressive and anxious reproductive‐aged female patients with those in 26 age‐ and body‐mass‐index‐matched healthy female volunteers.

Results

The Short‐Form 36, Self‐rating Questionnaire for Depression and State–Trait Anxiety Inventory scores in the patients were worse and their leptin levels were lower than those in the healthy volunteers. There were no significant differences in salivary stress markers, such as chromogranin A and cortisol, between the patients and healthy volunteers.

Conclusion

This study suggests that leptin might play a pathophysiological role in reproductive‐aged female patients for mild depression and anxiety.
Evaluation of P300 components for emotion‐loaded visual event‐related potential in elderly subjects, including those with dementia
Authors: Asaumi Yasue , Morita Kiichiro , Nakashima Youko , Muraoka Akemi , Uchimura Naohisa
Published: January 2014

Aim

In the present study, the P300 component of the emotion‐loaded visual event‐related potential in response to photographs of babies crying or smiling was measured to evaluate cognitive function in elderly subjects, including those with dementia.

Methods

The subjects were 48 elderly people who consulted a memory disorder clinic. The visual event‐related potential was measured using oddball tasks. Brain waves were recorded from four sites. We analyzed the P300 amplitude and latency. Subjects were divided into three groups (the dementia with Alzheimer's disease group [ADG]; the intermediate group [MG], and the healthy group [HG]) based on the Revised Hasegawa Dementia Scale, Mini‐mental State Examination scores and the Clinical Dementia Rating.

Results

For all subjects, there was a significant positive correlation between P300 latency and Z‐score of voxel‐based specific regional analysis for Alzheimer's disease for crying or smiling faces. There was a negative correlation between P300 amplitude and Z‐score for the crying face. MG subjects were divided into two groups (high risk: HRMG, low risk: LRMG) based on Z‐scores (HRMG ≥ 2.0). The P300 amplitude of ADG was significantly smaller than that of HG, and the P300 latency of ADG was significantly longer than those of other groups for crying or smiling faces. The P300 latency of HRMG was significantly longer than that of LRMG for the smiling face. Furthermore, the P300 latency for the crying face was significantly shorter than that for the smiling face in HG and ADG.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that analysis of P300 components of the emotion‐loaded visual event‐related potential may be a useful neuropsychological index for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and high‐risk subjects.
Barriers to Performing Stretching Exercises Among Korean‐Chinese Female Migrant Workers in Korea
Authors: Lee Hyeonkyeong , Wilbur JoEllen , Chae Duckhee , Lee Kyongeun , Lee Meenhye
Published: January 2014

Objective

The purpose of this study was to investigate the barriers to performing stretching exercise experienced by Korean‐Chinese female migrant workers during a community‐based 12‐week stretching exercise intervention trial.

Design and Sample

Qualitative secondary data analysis was conducted using telephone counseling interview transcripts from 27 middle‐aged, Korean‐Chinese migrant women workers.

Measures

A semistructured interview question asking barriers to performing stretching exercise was given to women who did not adhere to recommended stretching exercise. During the 12‐week home‐based stretching exercise intervention trial, six telephone calls were made to participants biweekly to elicit barriers to performing stretching exercise. Directed content analysis approach was utilized using three barrier categories: intrapersonal, interpersonal, and work‐related environmental factors based on the ecological model.

Results

Participants experienced an average of 2.5 barriers during the study period. Intrapersonal barriers included lack of time and lack of motivation, and interpersonal barriers included no family to provide support and also a feeling resistance from coworkers. Work‐related environmental barriers included frequent job changes, long working hours, lack of rest time, and unpredictable job demands.

Conclusions

The findings highlight that migrant workers in Korea face unique work‐related difficulties which present barriers to exercise.
Analysis of Photoexcitation Energy Dependence in the Photoluminescence of Firefly Luciferin
Authors: Hiyama Miyabi , Akiyama Hidefumi , Mochizuki Toshimitsu , Yamada Kenta , Koga Nobuaki
Published: January 2014

The whole pathways for photoluminescence, which include absorption, relaxation and emission, of firefly luciferin in aqueous solutions of different pH values with different photoexcitation energies were theoretically investigated by considering protonation/deprotonation. It is experimentally known that the color of fluorescence changes from green to red with a decrease in the photoexcitation energy. We confirmed with the theoretical analysis that the peak energy shift in the fluorescence spectra with varying photoenergies is due to a change in photoluminescence pathway. When the photoexcitation energy is decreased, the red emission from a monoanion form of firefly luciferin with carboxylate and phenolate groups and N‐protonated thiazoline ring occurs irrespective of the pH values. However, because the species abundant in the solution and those excited by the photon depend on the solution pH, the pathway leading to the monoanion form changes with the solution pH.
Chronic Trypanosoma congolense infections in mice cause a sustained disruption of the B‐cell homeostasis in the bone marrow and spleen
Authors: Obishakin E. , de Trez C. , Magez S.
Published: January 2014

Trypanosoma congolense is one of the main species responsible for Animal African Trypanosomosis (AAT). As preventive vaccination strategies for AAT have been unsuccessful so far, investigating the mechanisms underlying vaccine failure has to be prioritized. In T. brucei and T. vivax infections, recent studies revealed a rapid onset of destruction of the host B‐cell compartment, resulting in the loss of memory recall capacity. To assess such effect in experimental T. congolense trypanosomosis, we performed infections with both the cloned Tc13 parasite, which is considered as a standard model system for T. congolense rodent infections and the noncloned TRT55 field isolate. These infections differ in their virulence level in the C57BL/6 mouse model for trypanosomosis. We show that early on, an irreversible depletion of all developmental B cells stages occur. Subsequently, in the spleen, a detrimental decrease in immature B cells is followed by a significant and permanent depletion of Marginal zone B cells and Follicular B cells. The severity of these events later on in infection correlated with the virulence level of the parasite stock. In line with this, it was observed that later‐stage infection‐induced IgGs were largely nonspecific, in particular in the more virulent TRT55 infection model.
Trade and the Speed of Convergence
Authors: Song E. Young
Published: January 2014

Numerous studies on income convergence estimate the convergence equation derived for autarkic economies using data from the world that is increasingly integrated. This paper derives a convergence equation for a world integrated by trade from the standard Heckscher–Ohlin model with factor price equalization. The convergence equation for an integrated world differs from the autarkic one in that (1) the growth rate of each economy is increasing in the global growth rate; (2) the rate of convergence is increasing in the global growth rate; and (3) the rate of convergence, under conventional parameter values, is much lower.
The Growth and Decline of the Modern Sector and the Merchant Class in Imperial China
Authors: Chan Kenneth S. , Laffargue Jean‐Pierre
Published: January 2014

This paper offers an explanation of why, in Imperial China, the merchant class expanded and the economy modernized up to the 13th century, and why it entered into decline from the 14th century onward. The modernization of China required the accumulation of public capital and the building of good institutions, upon which a vibrant class of merchants and entrepreneurs could gradually emerge. This class contributed to the enrichment of the society and the emperor, but its activities also weakened the dominance of the emperor and the élite, who would then prefer to block the modernization of China and to restrict the size of the merchant class, putting the economy into long‐run stagnation. However, when the emperor faced severe foreign military threats and when he realized that a modern sector improved the defense capabilities of China, he made the opposite choice.
Offshoring and Firm Performance: Evidence from the Italian Manufacturing Industry
Authors: D'Attoma Ida , Pacei Silvia
Published: January 2014

The fundamental question of whether offshoring is value enhancing and, more specifically, whether Italian manufacturing firms that undertake offshoring benefit from higher productivity and profitability is explored. Using data from the tenth wave of the “Survey on Manufacturing Firms” conducted by Unicredit‐Capitalia, it was found that, compared with domestic firms, firms relocating activities to a foreign country have different characteristics, and “better” firms might self‐select into offshoring decision. To disentangle the effect of offshoring on firms' performances from the effect of firm characteristics, several variants of propensity score matching are used. A mild and insignificant positive effect of offshoring on profitability was found and also evidence of a statistically significant positive effect of offshoring on productivity.
Globalization, Ownership Structures and Productivity Dispersion
Authors: Kim Sung‐min , Hwang Jin‐tae
Published: January 2014

We investigate the heterogeneous effects of productivity dispersion on firms' organizational choices, depending upon sectoral characteristics. Using trade data on imports from non‐related parties (outsourcing) and related parties (integration) in the South, we show that productivity dispersion would increase imports from the South with outsourcing in the low headquarter intensity sector, along with an increasing fraction of the intra‐firm imports in the high headquarter intensity sector, which is consistent with the predictions from the theory. Considering the bounded nature of a share of the intra‐firm imports, a quasi‐maximum likelihood estimation was used.
Experimental and Numerical Post‐buckling Analysis of Thin Aluminium Aeronautical Panels under Shear Load
Authors: Cricrì G. , Perrella M. , Calì C.
Published: January 2014

In this work, a novel multi‐hinged test fixture, which can apply a pure shear load to thin panels, is presented. The new device has been used to perform several experimental tests on the shear behaviour of aluminium alloy panels. Four different test configurations have been considered: stiffened and not stiffened panels, with and without a central rectangular cut‐out. The specimens, made of Al 6082 T6, are tested under shear load boundary conditions up to buckling and post‐buckling occurrence. Furthermore, finite element analyses have been performed in order to simulate the four panel configurations tests. The new test fixture has shown the capability to buckle a panel attaining very large out‐of‐plane displacements, if compared to the outcomes of a traditional picture frame test fixture, under the same external load. Numerical and experimental results are finally compared, showing a satisfactory agreement.
HLA typing by next‐generation sequencing – getting closer to reality
Authors: Gabriel C. , Fürst D. , Faé I. , Wenda S. , Zollikofer C. , Mytilineos J. , Fischer G. F.
Published: January 2014

Next generation sequencing (NGS) denotes novel sequencing technologies that enable the generation of a large number of clonal sequences in a single sequencing run. NGS was initially introduced for whole genome sequencing and for quantitation of viral variants or genetic mutations in tumor tissues; more recently, the potential for high resolution HLA typing and high throughput analyses has been explored. It became clear that the complexity of the HLA system implicates new challenges, especially for bioinformatics. From an economical point of view, NGS is becoming increasingly attractive for HLA typing laboratories currently relying on Sanger based sequencing. Realizing the full potential of NGS will require the development of specifically adapted typing strategies and software algorithms. In the present review, three laboratories that were among the first to perform HLA‐typing using different NGS platforms, the Roche 454, the Illumina Miseq and the Ion Torrent system, respectively, give an overview of these applications and point out advantages and limitations.
Biosynthesis, elicitation and roles of monocot terpenoid phytoalexins
Authors: Schmelz Eric A. , Huffaker Alisa , Sims James W. , Christensen Shawn A. , Lu Xuan , Okada Kazunori , Peters Reuben J.
Published: January 2014

A long‐standing goal in plant research is to optimize the protective function of biochemical agents that impede pest and pathogen attack. Nearly 40 years ago, pathogen‐inducible diterpenoid production was described in rice, and these compounds were shown to function as antimicrobial phytoalexins. Using rice and maize as examples, we discuss recent advances in the discovery, biosynthesis, elicitation and functional characterization of monocot terpenoid phytoalexins. The recent expansion of known terpenoid phytoalexins now includes not only the labdane‐related diterpenoid superfamily but also casbane‐type diterpenoids and β‐macrocarpene‐derived sequiterpenoids. Biochemical approaches have been used to pair pathway precursors and end products with cognate biosynthetic genes. The number of predicted terpenoid phytoalexins is expanding through advances in cereal genome annotation and terpene synthase characterization that likewise enable discoveries outside the Poaceae. At the cellular level, conclusive evidence now exists for multiple plant receptors of fungal‐derived chitin elicitors, phosphorylation of membrane‐associated signaling complexes, activation of mitogen‐activated protein kinase, involvement of phytohormone signals, and the existence of transcription factors that mediate the expression of phytoalexin biosynthetic genes and subsequent accumulation of pathway end products. Elicited production of terpenoid phytoalexins exhibit additional biological functions, including root exudate‐mediated allelopathy and insect antifeedant activity. Such findings have encouraged consideration of additional interactions that blur traditionally discrete phytoalexin classifications. The establishment of mutant collections and increasing ease of genetic transformation assists critical examination of further biological roles. Future research directions include examination of terpenoid phytoalexin precursors and end products as potential signals mediating plant physiological processes.
Light‐dependent reversible phosphorylation of the minor photosystem II antenna Lhcb6 (CP24) occurs in lycophytes
Authors: Ferroni Lorenzo , Angeleri Martina , Pantaleoni Laura , Pagliano Cristina , Longoni Paolo , Marsano Francesco , Aro Eva‐Mari , Suorsa Marjaana , Baldisserotto Costanza , Giovanardi Martina , Cella Rino , Pancaldi Simonetta
Published: January 2014

Evolution of vascular plants required compromise between photosynthesis and photodamage. We analyzed representative species from two divergent lineages of vascular plants, lycophytes and euphyllophytes, with respect to the response of their photosynthesis and light‐harvesting properties to increasing light intensity. In the two analyzed lycophytes, Selaginella martensii and Lycopodium squarrosum, the medium phase of non‐photochemical quenching relaxation increased under high light compared to euphyllophytes. This was thought to be associated with the occurrence of a further thylakoid phosphoprotein in both lycophytes, in addition to D2, CP43 and Lhcb1‐2. This protein, which showed light intensity‐dependent reversible phosphorylation, was identified in S. martensii as Lhcb6, a minor LHCII antenna subunit of PSII. Lhcb6 is known to have evolved in the context of land colonization. In S. martensii, Lhcb6 was detected as a component of the free LHCII assemblies, but also associated with PSI. Most of the light‐induced changes affected the amount and phosphorylation of the LHCII assemblies, which possibly mediate PSI–PSII connectivity. We propose that Lhcb6 is involved in light energy management in lycophytes, participating in energy balance between PSI and PSII through a unique reversible phosphorylation, not yet observed in other land plants.
Effects of pulsed fluid lens capsule washing following phacoemulsification on lens epithelial cells and posterior capsule opacification formation ex vivo
Authors: Lutz Elizabeth A. , Gemensky‐Metzler Anne J. , Wilkie David A. , Chandler Heather L.
Published: January 2014

Background

The aim of the study was to evaluate ex vivo the effects of using a custom tip to direct a pulsed stream of fluid to remove residual lens epithelial cells (LECs) and reduce posterior capsule opacification (PCO) formation following phacoemulsification.

Methods

Twenty‐four canine cadaver eyes were assigned to one of three treatment groups. Six eyes (Control Group) had standard phacoemulsification only, nine eyes (Group 1) had standard phacoemulsification followed by capsular washing using intermediate settings (power = 40%, pulses per second [PPS] = 50, 30 s washing per capsule hemisphere), and nine eyes (Group 2) had standard phacoemulsification followed by aggressive capsular washing (power = 60%, PPS = 50, 60 s washing per capsule hemisphere).

Results

Control lens capsules had diffuse LECs remaining following standard phacoemulsification and complete ex vivo PCO formation (confluent LECs on the posterior capsule) within 4 ± 2 days (range 2–8 days). Group 1 lens capsules had focal, equatorial LEC clusters remaining following treatment, and complete PCO formation within 9 ± 2 days (range 5–11 days). Group 2 lens capsules had little to no LECs observed following treatment; 5 of 9 capsules had complete PCO formation within 13 ± 2 days (range 9–14 days), and 4 of 9 capsules had no PCO formation by 24 days post‐treatment.

Conclusions

Pulsed fluid lens capsule washing is capable of removing LECs and delaying PCO formation in canine eyes following phacoemulsification ex vivo. Use of more aggressive capsular washing settings resulted in more effective LEC removal and subsequent delay of ex vivo PCO.
Vector optimization with cone semilocally preinvex functions
Authors: Suneja Surjeet Kaur , Bhatia Meetu
Published: January 2014

In this paper we introduce cone semilocally preinvex, cone semilocally quasi preinvex and cone semilocally pseudo preinvex functions and study their properties. These functions are further used to establish necessary and sufficient optimality conditions for a vector minimization problem over cones. A Mond-Weir type dual is formulated for the vector optimization problem and various duality theorems are proved.
Carrier lifetime studies in midwave infrared type-II InAs/GaSb strained layer superlattice
Authors: Klein Brianna , Gautam Nutan , Plis Elena , Schuler-Sandy Ted , Rotter Thomas J. , Krishna Sanjay , Connelly Blair C. , Metcalfe Grace D. , Shen Paul , Wraback Michael
Published: January 2014

The authors report on an investigation of the dependence of the minority carrier lifetime in midwave infrared InAs/GaSb strained layer superlattices on a number of varied parameters: layer placement of two dopants (either Be or Te), and interface treatment between InAs and GaSb layers. In samples where the dopant and doping location was varied, it was found that the nonintentionally doped control sample exhibited the longest lifetimes (∼49 ns at 77 K under low injection), followed by the Be-doped and the Te-doped samples. Regardless of the type of doping, samples with dopants in only the InAs layer appeared to have longer lifetimes [low injection: 15 ns (Be), <3 ns (Te); high injection: 38 ns (Be), 16.2 ns (Te) at 77 K] compared to samples with dopants in the GaSb layer or all layers. However, because trap saturation behavior was observed in the transient photoluminescence (PL) decay, the intensity-dependent PL lifetime is a function of both the minority and majority carrier lifetimes, complicating the interpretation of the data. In samples where the treatment of the InAs/GaSb interface was varied, the sample that demonstrated the longest lifetime had a one-period growth sequence of InAs, an Sb soak, GaSb, and an InSb strain compensation layer. Of the three interface samples investigated, the sample (with a growth sequence of InAs, an Sb soak, GaSb, and a growth interrupt) that demonstrated the shortest lifetime also exhibited a fast initial decay for all injection levels, at only 110 and 150 K. This fast initial decay has been attributed to the appearance of another Shockley–Read–Hall trap level, contributing to a shorter carrier lifetime.
Identification of breast contour for nipple segmentation in breast magnetic resonance images
Authors: Gwo Chih‐Ying , Gwo Allen , Wei Chia‐Hung , Huang Pai Jung
Published: January 2014

Purpose:

The purpose of this study is to develop a method to simulate the breast contour and segment the nipple in breast magnetic resonance images.

Methods:

This study first identifies the chest wall and removes the chest part from the breast MR images. Subsequently, the cleavage and its motion artifacts are removed, distinguishing the separate breasts, where the edge points are sampled for curve fitting. Next, a region growing method is applied to find the potential nipple region. Finally, the potential nipple region above the simulated curve can be removed in order to retain the original smooth contour.

Results:

The simulation methods can achieve the least root mean square error (RMSE) for certain cases. The proposed YBnd and (Dmin+Dmax)/2 methods are significant due toP = 0.000. The breast contour curve detected by the two proposed methods is closer than that determined by the edge detection method. The (Dmin+Dmax)/2 method can achieve the lowest RMSE of 1.1029 on average, while the edge detection method results in the highest RMSE of 6.5655. This is only slighter better than the comparison methods, which implies that the performance of these methods depends upon the conditions of the cases themselves. Under this method, the maximal Dice coefficient is 0.881, and the centroid difference is 0.36 pixels.

Conclusions:

The contributions of this study are twofold. First, a method was proposed to identify and segment the nipple in breast MR images. Second, a curve‐fitting method was used to simulate the breast contour, allowing the breast to retain its original smooth shape.
Comparing deflection measurements of a magnetically steerable catheter using optical imaging and MRI
Authors: Lillaney Prasheel , Caton Curtis , Martin Alastair J. , Losey Aaron D. , Evans Leland , Saeed Maythem , Cooke Daniel L. , Wilson Mark W. , Hetts Steven W.
Published: January 2014

Purpose:

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an emerging modality for interventional radiology, giving clinicians another tool for minimally invasive image‐guided interventional procedures. Difficulties associated with endovascular catheter navigation using MRI guidance led to the development of a magnetically steerable catheter. The focus of this study was to mechanically characterize deflections of two different prototypes of the magnetically steerable catheterin vitro to better understand their efficacy.

Methods:

A mathematical model for deflection of the magnetically steerable catheter is formulated based on the principle that at equilibrium the mechanical and magnetic torques are equal to each other. Furthermore, two different image based methods for empirically measuring the catheter deflection angle are presented. The first, referred to as the absolute tip method, measures the angle of the line that is tangential to the catheter tip. The second, referred to the base to tip method, is an approximation that is used when it is not possible to measure the angle of the tangent line. Optical images of the catheter deflection are analyzed using the absolute tip method to quantitatively validate the predicted deflections from the mathematical model. Optical images of the catheter deflection are also analyzed using the base to tip method to quantitatively determine the differences between the absolute tip and base to tip methods. Finally, the optical images are compared to MR images using the base to tip method to determine the accuracy of measuring the catheter deflection using MR.

Results:

The optical catheter deflection angles measured for both catheter prototypes using the absolute tip method fit very well to the mathematical model (R2 = 0.91 and 0.86 for each prototype, respectively). It was found that the angles measured using the base to tip method were consistently smaller than those measured using the absolute tip method. The deflection angles measured using optical data did not demonstrate a significant difference from the angles measured using MR image data when compared using the base to tip method.

Conclusions:

This study validates the theoretical description of the magnetically steerable catheter, while also giving insight into different methods and modalities for measuring the deflection angles of the prototype catheters. These results can be used to mechanically model future iterations of the design. Quantifying the difference between the different methods for measuring catheter deflection will be important when making deflection measurements in future studies. Finally, MR images can be used to reliably measure deflection angles since there is no significant difference between the MR and optical measurements.
A Comparative Kinematic Analysis of Cyclical Bending in Patients With Early Stages of Parkinson’s Disease and in Patients With Essential Tremor
Authors: Kurgansky Marina , Frolov Alexander , Ioffe Marat , Karabanov Alexey , Chernikova Ludmila
Published: January 2014

Early stage Parkinson’s disease (PD) shares certain symptoms with essential tremor (ET), which makes it difficult to differentiate between the two. We analyzed cyclical body bends to find kinematic parameters that are capable of differentiating among PD, ET and normal control (NC) subjects. A linear discriminant analysis of the joint angles showed a reliable distinction between NC and the two groups of patients, while differentiating reasonably well between PD and ET. PD patients showed difficulty performing hip segment rotation around the vertical axis, whereas ET patients demonstrated enlarged torso sway in the frontal plane. These findings suggest that kinematic parameters of body movement in the standing position are sensitive enough to serve as subclinical marks in the early diagnosis of PD and ET.