bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Faustian bargains for minorities within group-based hierarchies
Authors: Navarrete C. David , McDonald Melissa M.
Published: November 2012

A dual-audience signaling problem framework provides a deeper understanding of the perpetuation of group-based inequality. We describe a model of underachievement among minority youth that posits a necessary trade-off between academic success and peer social support that creates a dilemma not typically encountered by nonminorities. Preliminary evidence consistent with the approach is discussed. Such strategic agent perspectives complement the psychological approach put forth by Dixon et al., but with minimal ancillary assumptions.
Shall We Play a Game?
Authors: Ross Travis L. , Weaver Andrew J.
Published: November 2012

Over the course of the last decade, many games have shifted from single player to shared social experiences. Yet, most research examining antisocial behavior has focused on coded content and ignored the influence of other players. This paper examines the influence of the behavior of another player on strategy selection, and the formation of expectations, enjoyment, frustration, and state aggression. It reports an experiment examining antisocial griefing behavior in the multiplayer game Neverwinter Nights, where observational learning, revenge seeking, and expectation formation are tested. The results show that (a) the first encounter that a player has in a game shapes both behavior and expectations; (b) environments that facilitate expectation of cooperation will lead to retaliation against players who grief, whereas environments that facilitate expectations of griefing will increase the frequency of griefing, but not the frequency of retaliation against players who grief; and (c) griefing decreases enjoyment, increases frustration, and increases state aggression for the recipient.
Pre‐assessment of the “strength” and “latitudinal extent” of L‐band scintillation: A case study
Authors: Bagiya Mala S. , Sridharan R. , Sunda S.
Published: November 2012

Forecasting the strength of nighttime L‐band scintillation well in advance of their actual occurrence by making use of the background conditions has been attempted over the Indian zone with an eye on operational forecasting capability. It has been shown that the base height of the equatorial F‐region as early as 1930 h LT shows a linear relation to the maximum altitudinal extent of medium‐scale irregularities that are responsible for the L‐band scintillation during the course of the night and these in turn get mapped to latitudes away from the equator defining the latitude range that gets affected by their presence. On the other hand, the average value of the vertical total electron content between 1830 h LT and 1930 h LT on a given day is shown to control the maximum strength of the scintillation represented by S4 index on the day. The above analysis, although it has been carried out for the equatorial station Trivandrum, is applicable to other latitudes as well. Having demonstrated the control of the background ionospheric‐thermospheric conditions, it has been shown that the averaged vertical total electron content around the prereversal enhancement (1830 h LT to 1930 h LT) along with the actual base height information at 1930 h LT over the magnetic equator would enable one to forecast the maximum possible S4 in a given latitudinal region as early as 1930 h and issue necessary forewarning alerts wherever needed.
Interaction-induced anisotropy in the onion-to-vortex transition in dense ferromagnetic nano-ring arrays
Authors: Tadmor E. , Rosen Y. J. , Schuller Ivan K. , Bar-Ad S.
Published: November 2012

We show that the onion-to-vortex switching field in dense arrays of nanostructured ferromagnetic rings is strongly dependent on the angle between the applied magnetic field and the array's main axis. The variations in switching field of up to 8 mT are connected to the anisotropy produced by dipolar interactions between domain walls in the rings. The interactions stabilize the onion state in aligned arrays but assist domain wall rotation and onion-to-vortex switching in rotated arrays. These results are established using magneto optical Kerr effect measurements of major and minor hysteresis loops together with micromagnetic simulations.
Dislocation-induced fields in piezoelectric AlGaN/GaN bimaterial heterostructures
Authors: Han Xueli , Pan Ernie
Published: November 2012

The fields produced by an arbitrary three-dimensional dislocation loop in general anisotropic piezoelectric bimaterials are analyzed. A line-integral formula is developed for the coupled elastic and electric fields induced by a general dislocation loop in piezoelectric bimaterials, and an analytical solution is also obtained for the fields due to a straight dislocation line segment. As a numerical example, the fields, especially the piezoelectric polarization and polarization charge density, induced by a square dislocation loop in AlGaN/GaN heterostructures are studied. Our numerical results show various interesting features associated with different kinds of dislocations relative to the interface. Particularly, we find that when an edge dislocation is parallel and close to the interface, the dislocation-induced peak charge density on the interface becomes comparable to the two-dimensional electric gas (2DEGs) charge density, thus contributing to the 2DEGs on the AlGaN/GaN interface.
Improved herbivore resistance in cultivated tomato with the sesquiterpene biosynthetic pathway from a wild relative
Authors: Bleeker Petra M. , Mirabella Rossana , Diergaarde Paul J. , VanDoorn Arjen , Tissier Alain , Kant Merijn R. , Prins Marcel , de Vos Martin , Haring Michel A. , Schuurink Robert C.
Published: November 2012

Tomato breeding has been tremendously efficient in increasing fruit quality and quantity but did not focus on improving herbivore resistance. The biosynthetic pathway for the production of 7-epizingiberene in a wild tomato was introduced into a cultivated greenhouse variety with the aim to obtain herbivore resistance. 7-Epizingiberene is a specific sesquiterpene with toxic and repellent properties that is produced and stored in glandular trichomes. We identified 7-epizingiberene synthase (ShZIS) that belongs to a new class of sesquiterpene synthases, exclusively using
Z-Z-
farnesyl-diphosphate (zFPP) in plastids, probably arisen through neo-functionalization of a common ancestor. Expression of the ShZIS and zFPP synthases in the glandular trichomes of cultivated tomato resulted in the production of 7-epizingiberene. These tomatoes gained resistance to several herbivores that are pests of tomato. Hence, introduction of this sesquiterpene biosynthetic pathway into cultivated tomatoes resulted in improved herbivore resistance.
Controlling interactions in supported bilayers from weak electrostatic repulsion to high osmotic pressure
Authors: Hemmerle Arnaud , Malaquin Linda , Charitat Thierry , Lecuyer Sigolène , Fragneto Giovanna , Daillant Jean
Published: November 2012

Understanding interactions between membranes requires measurements on well-controlled systems close to natural conditions, in which fluctuations play an important role. We have determined, by grazing incidence X-ray scattering, the interaction potential between two lipid bilayers, one adsorbed on a solid surface and the other floating close by. We find that interactions in this highly hydrated model system are two orders of magnitude softer than in previously reported work on multilayer stacks. This is attributed to the weak electrostatic repulsion due to the small fraction of ionized lipids in supported bilayers with a lower number of defects. Our data are consistent with the Poisson–Boltzmann theory, in the regime where repulsion is dominated by the entropy of counter ions. We also have unique access to very weak entropic repulsion potentials, which allowed us to discriminate between the various models proposed in the literature. We further demonstrate that the interaction potential between supported bilayers can be tuned at will by applying osmotic pressure, providing a way to manipulate these model membranes, thus considerably enlarging the range of biological or physical problems that can be addressed.
GIRK channel modulation by assembly with allosterically regulated RGS proteins
Authors: Zhou Hao , Chisari Mariangela , Raehal Kirsten M. , Kaltenbronn Kevin M. , Bohn Laura M. , Mennerick Steven J. , Blumer Kendall J.
Published: November 2012

G-protein–activated inward-rectifying K
+
(GIRK) channels hyperpolarize neurons to inhibit synaptic transmission throughout the nervous system. By accelerating G-protein deactivation kinetics, the regulator of G-protein signaling (RGS) protein family modulates the timing of GIRK activity. Despite many investigations, whether RGS proteins modulate GIRK activity in neurons by mechanisms involving kinetic coupling, collision coupling, or macromolecular complex formation has remained unknown. Here we show that GIRK modulation occurs by channel assembly with R7-RGS/Gβ5 complexes under allosteric control of R7 RGS-binding protein (R7BP). Elimination of R7BP occludes the Gβ5 subunit that interacts with GIRK channels. R7BP-bound R7-RGS/Gβ5 complexes and Gβγ dimers interact noncompetitively with the intracellular domain of GIRK channels to facilitate rapid activation and deactivation of GIRK currents. By disrupting this allosterically regulated assembly mechanism, R7BP ablation augments GIRK activity. This enhanced GIRK activity increases the drug effects of agonists acting at G-protein–coupled receptors that signal via GIRK channels, as indicated by greater antinociceptive effects of GABA(B) or μ-opioid receptor agonists. These findings show that GIRK current modulation in vivo requires channel assembly with allosterically regulated RGS protein complexes, which provide a target for modulating GIRK activity in neurological disorders in which these channels have crucial roles, including pain, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease and Down syndrome.
DNA damage checkpoint triggers autophagy to regulate the initiation of anaphase
Authors: Dotiwala Farokh , Eapen Vinay V. , Harrison Jacob C. , Arbel-Eden Ayelet , Ranade Vikram , Yoshida Satoshi , Haber James E.
Published: November 2012

Budding yeast cells suffering a single unrepaired double-strand break (DSB) trigger the Mec1 (ATR)-dependent DNA damage response that causes them to arrest before anaphase for 12–15 h. Here we find that hyperactivation of the cytoplasm-to-vacuole (CVT) autophagy pathway causes the permanent G2/M arrest of cells with a single DSB that is reflected in the nuclear exclusion of both Esp1 and Pds1. Transient relocalization of Pds1 is also seen in wild-type cells lacking vacuolar protease activity after induction of a DSB. Arrest persists even as the DNA damage-dependent phosphorylation of Rad53 diminishes. Permanent arrest can be overcome by blocking autophagy, by deleting the vacuolar protease Prb1, or by driving Esp1 into the nucleus with a SV40 nuclear localization signal. Autophagy in response to DNA damage can be induced in three different ways: by deleting the Golgi-associated retrograde protein complex (GARP), by adding rapamycin, or by overexpression of a dominant
ATG13-8SA
mutation.
Effects of Crop Rotations and Tillage on Pratylenchus spp. in the Semiarid Pacific Northwest United States
Authors: Smiley Richard W. , Machado Stephen , Gourlie Jennifer A. , Pritchett Larry C. , Yan Guiping , Jacobsen Erling E.
Published: November 2012

There is interest in converting rainfed cropping systems in the Pacific Northwest from a 2-year rotation of winter wheat and cultivated fallow to direct-seed (no-till) systems that include chemical fallow, spring cereals, and food legume and brassica crops. Little information is available regarding effects of these changes on plant-parasitic nematodes. Eight cropping systems in a low-precipitation region (<330 mm) were compared over 9 years. Each phase of each rotation occurred each year. The density of Pratylenchus spp. was greater in cultivated than chemical fallow, became greater with increasing frequency of host crops, and was inversely associated with precipitation (R2 = 0.92, α < 0.01). Densities after harvesting mustard, spring wheat, winter wheat, and winter pea were greater (α < 0.01) than after harvesting spring barley or spring pea. Camelina also produced low densities. Winter wheat led to a greater density of Pratylenchus neglectus and spring wheat led to a greater density of P. thornei. Density of Pratylenchus spp. was correlated (R2 = 0.88, α < 0.01) but generally higher when detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction on DNA extracts from soil than when detected by a traditional method. Selection of different Pratylenchus spp. by different wheat cultivars or growth habit must be addressed to minimize the level of nematode risk to future plantings of intolerant crops.
DNA methylation dynamics during the mammalian life cycle
Authors: Hackett Jamie A. , Surani M. Azim
Published: November 2012

DNA methylation is dynamically remodelled during the mammalian life cycle through distinct phases of reprogramming and de novo methylation. These events enable the acquisition of cellular potential followed by the maintenance of lineage-restricted cell identity, respectively, a process that defines the life cycle through successive generations. DNA methylation contributes to the epigenetic regulation of many key developmental processes including genomic imprinting, X-inactivation, genome stability and gene regulation. Emerging sequencing technologies have led to recent insights into the dynamic distribution of DNA methylation during development and the role of this epigenetic mark within distinct genomic contexts, such as at promoters, exons or imprinted control regions. Additionally, there is a better understanding of the mechanistic basis of DNA demethylation during epigenetic reprogramming in primordial germ cells and during pre-implantation development. Here, we discuss our current understanding of the developmental roles and dynamics of this key epigenetic system.
What obesity research tells us about epigenetic mechanisms
Authors: Youngson Neil A. , Morris Margaret J.
Published: November 2012

The pathophysiology of obesity is extremely complex and is associated with extensive gene expression changes in tissues throughout the body. This situation, combined with the fact that all gene expression changes are thought to have associated epigenetic changes, means that the links between obesity and epigenetics will undoubtedly be vast. Much progress in identifying epigenetic changes induced by (or inducing) obesity has already been made, with candidate and genome-wide approaches. These discoveries will aid the clinician through increasing our understanding of the inheritance, development and treatment of obesity. However, they are also of great value for epigenetic researchers, as they have revealed mechanisms of environmental interactions with epigenetics that can produce or perpetuate a disease state. Here, we will review the evidence for four mechanisms through which epigenetics contributes to obesity: as downstream effectors of environmental signals; through abnormal global epigenetic state driving obesogenic expression patterns; through facilitating developmental programming and through transgenerational epigenetic inheritance.
Acute bacterial meningitis during and after pregnancy
Authors: Lucas S
Published: November 2012

Please cite this paper as: Lucas S. Acute bacterial meningitis during and after pregnancy. BJOG 2012;119:1555–1557.
Consumer Valuation of Environmentally Friendly Production Practices in Wines, considering Asymmetric Information and Sensory Effects
Authors: Schmit Todd M. , Rickard Bradley J. , Taber John
Published: November 2012

Agricultural producers and food marketers are increasingly responding to environmentally friendly cues from consumers, even though privately appropriated values associated with a range of food products commonly rank above their public‐good counterparts. Wine can be considered an ideal product to examine these issues given consumers’ highly subjective sensory preferences towards wine, and a winegrape production process that is relatively intensive in the use of chemical inputs for the control of disease and infection. Semi‐dry Riesling wines made from field research trials following environmentally friendly canopy management practices were utilised in a lab experiment to better understand preferences for environmental attributes in wine. A combined sensory and monetary evaluation framework explicitly considered asymmetric order effects. Empirical results revealed that sensory effects dominate extrinsic environmental attributes. Once consumer willingness to pay (WTP) was conditioned on a wine’s sensory attributes, the addition of environmentally friendly information did not affect their WTP; however, adding sensory information significantly influenced WTP initially based only on environmental attributes. The results confirm the idea that promoting environmentally friendly winegrape production practices would increase demand and lead to higher premiums for the products, but are only sustainable if consumers’ sensory expectations are met on quality.
Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for SCID patients: where do we stand?
Authors: Cavazzana‐Calvo Marina , André‐Schmutz Isabelle , Fischer Alain
Published: November 2012

Severe combined immunodeficiencies (SCIDs) correspond to the most severe form of primary immunodeficiency. The extreme severity of the clinical presentation in SCID has legitimately led physicians to consider these conditions as medical emergencies. Hundreds of patients worldwide have undergone allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCST) in the last 40 years. The complete absence of the T cell compartment in SCID prompted the development (starting in the early 1980s) of haploidentical, parental HSCT for the many patients who do not have a human leucocyte antigen (HLA)‐identical sibling. Despite the undeniable progress made in this field over recent years, the long‐lasting immunodeficiency that follows partially HLA‐incompatible transplantation is still responsible for a mortality rate of 30% at one year post‐transplantation. New approaches for reconstituting T cell compartments more rapidly are under intense preclinical development and are discussed herein.
Stable human brain microvascular endothelial cell line retaining its barrier‐specific nature independent of the passage number
Authors: Sano Yasuteru , Kashiwamura Yoko , Abe Masaaki , Dieu Le‐Ha , Huwyler Jörg , Shimizu Fumitaka , Haruki Hiroyo , Maeda Toshihiko , Saito Kazuyuki , Tasaki Ayako , Kanda Takashi
Published: November 2012

Objectives

The breakdown of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) has been considered to be a key step in the disease process of a number of neuroimmunological disorders. Although severalin vitroBBBmodels derived from human tissues have been established, no human conditionally immortalizedin vitroBBBmodels using a temperature‐sensitiveSV40‐Tantigen (tsA58) and human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) have ever been reported. In the present study, we established a new human brain microvascular endothelial cell line harboringtsA58andhTERTgenes, and extensively characterized this new model.

Methods

TY08 cells, derived from the humanBBBand harboringtsA58, were infected with retroviruses possessinghTERTgenes. We examined whether this new model retains its barrier‐specific nature, independent of the passage number.

Results

The obtained endothelial cell line, termedTY09, proliferated well under the permissive temperature and stopped growing under the non‐permissive temperature, despite the acquisition ofhTERTas an additional immortalizing gene. Even with a high‐passage number, the cells maintained a spindle‐shaped morphology, the expression of the vonWillebrand factor, tight junction proteins and transporters. Furthermore, we carried out a transendothelial transport study forTY09 cells and hCMEC/D3 cells, thereby proving that both cell lines have almost the same nature with respect to transcellular permeability of various hydrophilic and hydrophobic substances.

Conclusions

The new stable conditionally immortalizedTY09 cells, retaining thein vivoBBBfunctions, should facilitate the performance of future studies for determining the pathophysiology of various neuroimmunological diseases.
Echocardiography and Cardiac Magnetic Resonance‐Based Feature Tracking in the Assessment of Myocardial Mechanics in Tetralogy of Fallot: An Intermodality Comparison
Authors: Padiyath Asif , Gribben Paul , Abraham Joseph R. , Li Ling , Rangamani Sheela , Schuster Andreas , Danford David A. , Pedrizzetti Gianni , Kutty Shelby
Published: November 2012

We investigated intermodality agreements of strains from two‐dimensional echocardiography (2DE) and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) feature tracking (FT) in the assessment of right (RV) and left ventricular (LV) mechanics in tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). Patients were prospectively studied with 2DE and CMR performed contiguously. LV and RV strains were computed separately using 2DE and CMR‐FT. Segmental and global longitudinal strains (GLS) for the LV and RV were measured from four‐chamber views; LV radial (global radial strain [GRS]) and circumferential strains (GCS) measured from short‐axis views. Intermodality and interobserver agreements were examined. In 40 patients (20 TOF, mean age 23 years and 20 adult controls), LV, GCS showed narrowest intermodality limits of agreement (mean percentage error 9.5%), followed by GLS (16.4%). RV GLS had mean intermodality difference of 25.7%. GLS and GCS had acceptable interobserver agreement for the LV and RV with both 2DE and CMR‐FT, whereas GRS had high interobserver and intermodality variability. In conclusion, myocardial strains for the RV and LV derived using currently available 2DE and CMR‐FT software are subject to considerable intermodality variability. For both modalities, LV GCS, LV GLS, and RV GLS are reproducible enough to warrant further investigation of incremental clinical merit.
Cross‐cultural adaptation and linguistic validation of age‐group‐specific haemophilia patient‐reported outcome (PRO) instruments for patients and parents
Authors: von Mackensen S. , Campos I. G. , Acquadro C. , Strandberg‐Larsen M.
Published: November 2012

Currently, haemophilia care aims to provide the best possible quality of life for individuals living with this chronic disease. Many factors are known to influence treatment adherence, including treatment satisfaction. Health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) and treatment satisfaction are, therefore, important outcomes in clinical trials and clinical practice. As individuals' perception of their well‐being often differs from that of their physician, it is recommended that self‐report instruments are used to assess patient‐reported outcomes (PROs). The way that the impact of haemophilia is perceived by the patient and their family can be different, so it is important to assess how parents perceive the impact on their children. A series of PRO instruments have been developed, adapted to different age groups and parents of patients with haemophilia. To allow the instruments to be used internationally, culturally adapted and linguistically validated translations have been developed; some instruments have been translated into 61 languages. Here, we report the process used for cultural adaptation of the Haemo‐QoL, Haem‐A‐QoL and Hemo‐Sat into 28 languages. Equivalent concepts for 22 items that were difficult to adapt culturally for particular languages were identified and classed as semantic/conceptual (17 items), cultural (three items), idiomatic (one item), and grammatical (one item) problems. This has resulted in linguistically validated versions of these instruments, which can be used to assess HRQoL and treatment satisfaction in clinical trials and clinical practice. They will provide new insights into areas of haemophilia that remain poorly understood today.
Low‐dose pegylated interferon‐alpha‐2a monotherapy in elderly and/or cirrhotic patients infected with hepatitis C virus genotype‐2 or genotype‐1 low level infection
Authors: Tamai Hideyuki , Moribata Kosaku , Mori Yoshiyuki , Shingaki Naoki , Deguchi Hisanobu , Ueda Kazuki , Inoue Izumi , Maekita Takao , Iguchi Mikitaka , Kato Jun , Ichinose Masao
Published: November 2012

Aim

Elderly and/or cirrhotic patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) are at high risk of adverse effects during interferon therapy. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy, safety and predictive factors for sustained virological response (SVR) of low‐dose pegylated interferon‐α‐2a (PEG IFN‐α‐2a) monotherapy in elderly and/or cirrhotic patients with HCV genotype‐2 or genotype‐1 low level infection.

Methods

Sixty‐four elderly (≥65 years) and/or cirrhotic patients with HCV genotype‐2 or genotype‐1 low level (<5 logIU/mL) infection underwent low‐dose PEG IFN‐α‐2a (90 μg/week) monotherapy for 24 weeks. Sixty patients were available for efficacy assessment.

Results

SVR was achieved in 78.3%. SVR rates according to genotype‐1 low, genotype‐2 low and genotype‐2 high viral load were 90.0%, 87.1% and 57.9%, respectively. The discontinuation rate was 12.5%. PEG IFN‐α‐2a was interrupted or discontinued in four patients because of severe thrombocytopenia (<25 000/mm3). The baseline platelet counts of all these patients were less than 70 000/mm3. On univariate analysis of factors contributing to SVR, significant differences were noted in viral load, platelet count, γ‐glutamyltransferase, ferritin, α‐fetoprotein level and rapid viral response (RVR). On multivariate analysis, RVR was the only independent factor (P = 0.010, odds ratio = 47.27). The positive and negative SVR‐predictive values based on RVR were 95% and 82%, respectively.

Conclusion

Low‐dose PEG IFN‐α‐2a monotherapy was effective and tolerable in elderly and/or cirrhotic patients with genotype‐2 or genotype‐1 low HCV level infection. However, a baseline platelet count of more than 70 000/mm3 is needed for safety. RVR can predict SVR accurately.
Documenting the Adverse Impact of Résumé Screening: Degree of ethnic identification matters
Authors: Derous Eva , Ryan Ann Marie
Published: November 2012

We investigated the adverse impact of résumé screening, taking into account the intersectionality of minority characteristics. A correspondence audit test showed hiring discrimination depended on the strength of applicants' ethnic identification. The odds for rejection were 4–6 times higher for résumés with ethnic minority identifiers (Arab names; Arab affiliations) when compared with ethnic majority identifiers (Dutch names; Dutch affiliations). Sex moderated the ethnicity effect but the particular effect (ethnic prominence; double jeopardy against women or men) depended on the type and degree of ethnic identification, lending support for a within‐category approach to study ethnic prejudice. The four‐fifths rule resulted in similar findings. Theoretical implications regarding the intersectional effects of minority characteristics and practical implications regarding ways to avert adverse impact during résumé screening are discussed.
Partial equilibrium analysis of vaccination as an avian influenza control tool in the U.S. poultry sector
Authors: Egbendewe‐Mondzozo Aklesso , Elbakidze Levan , McCarl Bruce A. , Ward Michael P. , Carey John B.
Published: November 2012

The study addresses the economic effectiveness of vaccination in the case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks. The effectiveness is evaluated in a U.S. case study comparing the outbreak costs under the currently recommended HPAI control practice versus one which also includes vaccination. An integrated economic‐epidemic partial equilibrium model is used to empirically simulate HPAI outbreaks in three different poultry regions within the State of Texas. The simulation results show that the effectiveness of vaccination depends on flock density in the region and risk aversion preferences of the decision maker. In regions with high flock densities, if the decision maker is less risk averse the currently recommended strategy—which includes depopulation, movement restrictions, and flock testing—is more cost‐effective than the same strategy supplemented with vaccination. Addition of vaccination improves cost effectiveness only if the decision maker is highly risk averse or if surveillance, carcass disposal, and cleaning costs are high. In regions with medium and low flock densities, adding vaccination to the currently recommended strategy is not cost‐effective except in the case of high surveillance, carcass disposal, and cleaning costs.
Comparative endocrinological responses to short transportation of Equidae (Equus asinus and Equus caballus)
Authors: Fazio Esterina , Medica Pietro , Cravana Cristina , Aveni Francesca , Ferlazzo Adriana
Published: November 2012

In order to evaluate the effects of short transportation on β‐endorphin, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol changes, 12 healthy stallions of Equidae (Equus asinus and Equus caballus) were studied before and after transportation of 50 km. Blood samples were collected 1 week before transportation in basal conditions, immediately before loading and after transportation and unloading, on their arrival at the breeding station. Compared to basal and before values, donkeys showed an increase in circulating ACTH (P < 0.001) and cortisol (P < 0.0005) levels after transportation and higher ACTH (P < 0.01) levels than horses after transportation. A positive and significant correlation (r = 0.885; P < 0.01) between ACTH and cortisol levels after transportation was found. No significant differences were observed for β‐endorphin levels. Compared to basal and before values, horses showed higher cortisol (P < 0.005) levels after transportation and no significant differences were observed for ACTH and β‐endorphin levels in donkeys. Horses facing forward (direction of travel) showed higher (P < 0.01) β‐endorphin levels after transportation than donkeys; horses facing backward (the opposite direction of travel) showed lower (P < 0.05) ACTH levels after transportation. The results indicate that short transportation induces a preferential activation of the hypothalamus‐pituitary‐axis (HPA), with significant release of ACTH and cortisol in donkeys and only of cortisol in horses, suggesting that transportation for donkeys may be more stressful than horses.
Hen egg yolk lipid fractions with antiatherogenic properties
Authors: Nasopoulou Constantina , Gogaki Vassiliki , Panagopoulou Eleanna , Demopoulos Constantinos , Zabetakis Ioannis
Published: November 2012

Three different types of hen egg yolk, cage‐free, organic and daily fresh, were tested for their antiatherogenic properties. Total lipids (TL) of all hen egg yolk samples were extracted by the method of Bligh and Dyer and further separated into total polar lipids (TPL) and total neutral lipids (TNL) by counter current distribution chromatography. TPL and TNL were further separated by preparative thin‐layer chromatography (TLC). TL, TPL, TNL and the obtained polar and neutral lipid fractions after TLC separation were tested to determine whether they induce platelet activation or inhibit platelet activating factor (PAF)‐induced platelet activation. All three hen egg yolk TL samples possessed strong inhibitory activity against PAF‐induced platelet activation that was mainly attributed to TPL, especially to PL fraction 4. Cage‐free hen egg yolk exhibited the most potent anti‐PAF activity in all lipid classes (TL, TPL and TNL). Thus hen egg yolk contains PAF inhibitors that reinforce their nutritional value in terms of protection against cardiovascular diseases, since PAF is a crucial inflammatory phospholipid mediator that is implicated in the mechanism of atherogenesis.
A retrospective cohort study evaluating efficacy in high‐risk patients with chronic lower extremity ulcers treated with negative pressure wound therapy
Authors: Yao Min , Fabbi Matteo , Hayashi Hisae , Park Nanjin , Attala Khaled , Gu Gousheng , French Michael A , Driver Vickie R
Published: November 2012

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) compared with standard of care on wound healing in high‐risk patients with multiple significant comorbidities and chronic lower extremity ulcers (LEUs) across the continuum of care settings. A retrospective cohort study of ‘real‐world’ high‐risk patients was conducted using Boston University Medical Center electronic medical records, along with chart abstraction to capture detailed medical history, comorbidities, healing outcomes and ulcer characteristics. A total of 342 patients, 171 NPWT patients with LEUs were matched with 171 non‐NPWT patients with respect to age and gender, were included in this cohort from 2002 to 2010. The hazard ratios (HRs) were estimated by COX proportional hazard models after adjusting for potential confounders. The NPWT patients were 2·63 times (95% CI = 1·87–3·70) more likely to achieve wound closure compared with non‐NPWT patients. Moreover, incidence of wound closure in NPWT patients were increased in diabetic ulcers (HR = 3·26, 95% CI = 2·21–4·83), arterial ulcers (HR = 2·27, CI = 1·56–3·78) and venous ulcers (HR = 6·31, 95% CI = 1·49–26·6) compared with non‐NPWT patients. In addition, wound healing appeared to be positively affected by the timing of NPWT application. Compared with later NPWT users (1 year or later after ulcer onset), early NPWT users (within 3 months after ulcer onset) and intermediate NPWT users (4–12 months after ulcer onset) were 3·38 and 2·18 times more likely to achieve wound healing, respectively. This study showed that despite the greater significant comorbidities, patients receiving NPWT healed faster. Early use of NPWT demonstrated better healing. The longer the interval before intervention is with NPWT, the higher the correlation is with poor outcome.
Expression of haematogenous and lymphogenous chemokine receptors and their ligands on uveal melanoma in association with liver metastasis
Authors: Dobner Bianca C. , Riechardt Aline I. , Joussen Antonia M. , Englert Stefan , Bechrakis Nikolaos E.
Published: November 2012

Purpose:  Chemokine receptors and their ligands are involved in a number of cell processes, including normal cell trafficking as well as metastasis in cancer. During metastasis, they are thought to play a role in determining cancer cell distribution and target organs. The aim of this study was to examine the expression of the chemokine receptors CXCR4, CCR7 and CCR10 as well as their respective chemokine ligands (CXCL12, CCL19, CCL27) in human uveal melanomas.

Methods:  Seventy formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded uveal melanoma specimens from patients treated in 1996–1997 were examined using immunohistochemistry and evaluated using an immune reactive score (IRS).

Results:  The chemokine receptors CXCR4, CCR7 and CCR10 were primarily expressed in the cytoplasm of uveal melanoma cells, with CXCR4 (average IRS 8.2) and CCR7 (average IRS 5.7) showing the strongest expression, respectively. The chemokine ligand CCL19 demonstrated a moderate expression (average IRS 5.3), whereas the expression of receptor CCR10 (average IRS of 3.4), ligand CCL27 (average IRS 2.5) and ligand CXCL12 (average IRS 0.6) by uveal melanoma cells was low. A significant association between liver metastases and chemokine expression was found for CCR7 expression (p = 0.037) only. Comparison of liver metastasis and choroid uveal melanoma (35.3%, n = 12 of 34) versus ciliary body involvement (72.7%, n = 8 of 11) was significant (p = 0.030).

Conclusion:  Chemokine receptors are more strongly expressed on uveal melanoma cells than their ligands. Our results show new aspects of the metastatic process in uveal melanoma.
The Securitization of Climate Change in World Politics: How Close have We Come and would Full Securitization Enhance the Efficacy of Global Climate Change Policy?
Authors: Scott Shirley V.
Published: November 2012

There has been a growing awareness of the implications of climate change for national, international and human security. The Copenhagen School of Security Studies analyzes the process by which an issue comes to be represented as an existential threat in terms of a process of ‘securitization’. This article considers what the full securitization of climate change would look like in world politics, including what role the United Nations Security Council might assume in climate change governance, how close we have come to that state of affairs, how likely we are to reach the stage of full securitization and why, and whether reaching that point would in any case be beneficial for the global policy response to climate change.
Modeling an Radio Frequency Identification Asset Management Solution Hosted on a Cloud Service and Its Characterization
Authors: Chattopadhyay Arunabh , Stentz Jérémy , Gadh Rajit
Published: November 2012

A web-based architecture of an radio frequency identification (RFID) tracking solution is proposed and deployed. The architecture attempts to depart from the typical localized approach of most RFID middlewares. The middleware has been replaced by a web service residing in a cloud. The traditional roles of the middleware such as tag data filtering, sorting, storage, and event processing have been redistributed amongst an RFID reader-based application and the web service. This architecture provides more flexibility and control to large scale RFID-based supply chain operations which are global in nature and unsuitable to the traditional localized middleware-based architecture of RFID tracking solutions. The feasibility of the web-based architecture is further augmented by validating performance parameters such as tag processing and primitive and complex event processing delay. Different subarchitectures are also proposed based on performance data for different scales of operations.
Dynamic Testing and Characterization of Woven/Braided Polymer Composites: A Review
Authors: Binienda Wieslaw K. , Goldberg Robert K.
Published: November 2012

Woven and braided polymer composite structures are used in many primary aerospace applications because of their superior behavior under dynamic loading conditions and light weight. Characterization of all anisotropic properties under various strain rate and temperature conditions becomes essential for analysis, design, and numerical simulations. This paper aims to present a review of critical testing methods of polymer and composite materials. In the second part, a review of numerical and analytical models for the dynamic analysis of woven and braided composites is presented. This review article cites 138 references.
Turbulent Flow in D-Type Corrugated Pipes: Flow Pattern and Friction Factor
Authors: Stel H. , Franco A. T. , Junqueira S. L. M. , Erthal R. H. , Mendes R. , Gonçalves M. A. L. , Morales R. E. M.
Published: November 2012

Turbulent flow in d-type corrugated pipes of various aspect ratios has been numerically investigated in terms of flow pattern and friction factor, for Reynolds numbers ranging from 5000 to 100,000. The present numerical model was verified by comparing the friction factor with experimental and numerical results from the literature. The numerical analysis suggested that d-type behavior exists for groove aspect ratios up to w/k = (groove width/rib height) = 2 independent of the pitch. However, for a ratio of w/k = 3 an important change in the flow pattern occurs so that the pressure drag exerted by the groove walls becomes important. It is shown that the friction factor is independent of the groove height as long as the flow is similar to a flow in a d-type corrugated pipe. Moreover, the friction factor curve for d-type pipes shows a logarithmic behavior as function of the Reynolds number, so that a simple method can be used to derive an expression for the friction factor as a function of the Reynolds number and the relative groove width only. The results may be useful to engineering projects that require a better prediction of the friction factor in d-type corrugated pipes.
A Nested Extreme Response Surface Approach for Time-Dependent Reliability-Based Design Optimization
Authors: Wang Zequn , Wang Pingfeng
Published: November 2012

A primary concern in practical engineering design is ensuring high system reliability throughout a product's lifecycle, which is subject to time-variant operating conditions and component deteriorations. Thus, the capability of dealing with time-dependent probabilistic constraints in reliability-based design optimization (RBDO) is of vital importance in practical engineering design applications. This paper presents a nested extreme response surface (NERS) approach to efficiently carry out time-dependent reliability analysis and determine the optimal designs. This approach employs the kriging model to build a nested response surface of time corresponding to the extreme value of the limit state function. The efficient global optimization (EGO) technique is integrated with the NERS approach to extract the extreme time responses of the limit state function for any given system design. An adaptive response prediction and model maturation (ARPMM) mechanism is developed based on the mean square error (MSE) to concurrently improve the accuracy and computational efficiency of the proposed approach. With the nested response surface of time, the time-dependent reliability analysis can be converted into the time-independent reliability analysis, and existing advanced reliability analysis and design methods can be used. The NERS approach is compared with existing time-dependent reliability analysis approaches and integrated with RBDO for engineered system design with time-dependent probabilistic constraints. Two case studies are used to demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed NERS approach.
How are drug regimen changes during hospitalisation handled after discharge: a cohort study
Authors: Viktil Kirsten K , Blix Hege Salvesen , Eek Anne Katrine , Davies Maren Nordsveen , Moger Tron A , Reikvam Aasmund
Published: November 2012

Objectives

To investigate drug regimen changes during hospitalisation and explore how these changes are handled after patients are transferred back into the care of their general practitioners (GPs).

Design

Cohort study.

Setting

Patients in this multicentre study had undergone at least one change in their drug regimens at discharge from the general medicine departments at six hospitals in Norway. These changes were altered doses, discontinuation of drugs or start of new drugs. Clinical pharmacists visited the patients’ GPs 4–5 months after patient discharge and recorded any additional drug regimen changes.

Results

In total, 105 patients (mean age 76.1 years, 54.3% women) completed the study. On average, they used 5.6 drugs at admission (range 0–16) and 7.6 drugs at discharge (range 1–17). On average, 4.4 drug changes per patient (SD 2.7, range 1–16) were made at the hospital, and 3.4 drug changes per patient (SD 2.9, range 0–14) within 4–5 months of discharge. Of the 465 drug changes made in hospital, 153 were changed again after discharge (mean 1.5 per patient, SD 1.8, range 0–13). The drug regimens of 90 of these 105 patients were changed after discharge. The OR for extensive drug changes after discharge (≥ 4 changes) increased significantly with the number of drugs used at discharge from hospital (OR=1.29, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.59). Only 68 of 105 discharge notes contained complete drug lists, and only 24 of the discharge notes were received by the GPs within 7 days.

Conclusions

In addition to the extensive changes in drug regimens during hospitalisation, almost equally extensive changes were made in the initial months after discharge. Surveillance of drug regimens is particularly necessary in the period immediately after hospital discharge.
Does cheese intake blunt the association between soft drink intake and risk of the metabolic syndrome? Results from the cross-sectional Oslo Health Study
Authors: Høstmark Arne Torbjørn , Haug Anna
Published: November 2012

Objectives

A high soft drink intake may promote, whereas intake of cheese may reduce risk of the metabolic syndrome (MetS), but will cheese intake blunt the soft drink versus MetS association?

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

The Oslo Health Study.

Participants

Among the 18 770 participants of the Oslo Health Study there were 5344 men and 6150 women having data on cheese and soft drink intake and on risk factors for MetS, except for fasting glucose. TheMetSRiskindex=the weighted sum of triglycerides (TG), systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, waist circumference and body mass index (BMI) divided by high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were used as a combined risk estimate to examine the cheese/soft drink versus MetS interaction, and theSumRiskindex was used to assess whether increasing intake of soft drinks/cheese would include an increasingnumberof MetS factors being above the cut-off values. We analysed the data using non-parametric correlation and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA).

Results

In all three groups of soft drink intake (seldom/rarely, 1–6 glasses/week, ≥1 glass/day), there was a negative cheese versus MetSRisk correlation (p≤0.003), but in the highest intake group the influence of cheese seemed to level off, suggesting interaction. However, there was no interaction between cheese and soft drinks within the fully adjusted models. Conversely, at all four levels of cheese intake, MetSRisk increased with an increasing intake of soft drinks (p≤0.001 at all cheese levels). Similar associations were found with the SumRisk index. When controlling for a large number of covariates (eg, sex, age group, smoking, education, physical activity, intake of fruits/berries and vegetables), the above associations prevailed.

Conclusions

Cheese intake blunted the association between soft drink intake and MetS, an influence possibly related to fatty acid desaturation, or to undetected covariates.
Risk factors for injury mortality in rural Tanzania: a secondary data analysis
Authors: Ae-Ngibise Kenneth Ayuurebobi , Masanja Honorati , Kellerman Ronel , Owusu-Agyei Seth
Published: November 2012

Background

Injuries rank high among the leading causes of death and disability annually, injuring over 50 million and killing over 5 million people globally. Approximately 90% of these deaths occur in developing countries.

Objectives

To estimate and identify the risk factors for injury mortality in the Rufiji Health and Demographic Surveillance System (RHDSS) in Tanzania.

Methods

Secondary data from the RHDSS covering the period 2002 and 2007 was examined. Verbal autopsy data was used to determine the causes of death based on the 10th revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10). Trend and Poisson regression tests were used to investigate the associations between risk factors and injury mortality.

Results

The overall crude injury death rate was 33.4/100 000 population. Injuries accounted for 4% of total deaths. Men were three times more likely to die from injuries compared with women (adjusted IRR (incidence risk ratios)=3.04, p=0.001, 95% CI (2.22 to 4.17)). The elderly (defined as 65+) were 2.8 times more likely to die from injuries compared with children under 15 years of age (adjusted IRR=2.83, p=0.048, 95% CI (1.01 to 7.93)). The highest frequency of deaths resulted from road traffic crashes.

Conclusions

Injury is becoming an important cause of mortality in the Rufiji district. Injury mortality varied by age and gender in this area. Most injuries are preventable, policy makers need to institute measures to address the issue.