bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of GLUT‐1 in the granular cell tumour and congenital granular cell epulis
Authors: Souto Giovanna Ribeiro , Caldeira Patrícia Carlos , Johann Aline Cristina Batista Rodrigues , Andrade Marigo Helenicede , Souza Suzana Cantanhede Orsini Machadode , Mesquita Ricardo Alves
Published: January 2013

Background

The glucose transporter type 1 (GLUT‐1) protein is a useful marker for perineurial cells. Because of the possible neuroectodermal histogenesis of the granular cell tumour and congenital granular cell epulis, the aim of this study was to assess the immunoexpression of GLUT‐1 protein in granular cell tumour and congenital granular cell epulis to aid in clarifying their histogenesis.

Methods

The protocol of this study was approved by the Committee of Bioethics in Research at Universidade Federal Minas Gerais. Six cases of granular cell tumour and three cases of congenital granular cell epulis were submitted to immunohistochemistry for GLUT‐1 and S‐100 using the streptavidin‐biotin standard protocol.

Results

Five cases of granular cell tumour were located on the tongue and one case on the upper lip. All cases of congenital granular cell epulis were observed in the alveolar ridge of newborns. All lesions evaluated proved to be immunonegative for GLUT‐1. S‐100 was found to be positive in all granular cell tumours and negative in congenital granular cell epulis.

Conclusions

Neither granular cell tumour nor congenital granular cell epulis is directly related to perineurial cells.
The accuracy of parental concern expressed in the Ages and Stages Questionnaire to predict developmental delay
Authors: Deakin‐Bell Nicole , Walker Karen , Badawi Nadia
Published: January 2013

Aim

Whilst there have been comparisons of the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) with other gold standard developmental assessments, research concerning the free‐text comments section of the questionnaire has been limited. The objective of this paper is to assess whether parental concerns expressed in the free‐text comments section of the ASQ can accurately predict infant development.

Method

Data from the Development After Infant Surgery study was analysed post hoc. Free‐text comments from the ASQ were analysed qualitatively by thematic analysis and quantitatively in comparison to the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition (BSID‐III). Infants who underwent cardiac surgery (97), non‐cardiac surgery (131) and no surgery (controls; 166) were analysed.

Results

Parental concern expressed on the ASQ predicted a lower mean BSID‐III score when groups were analysed collectively. Medical concern and developmental concern were shown to be predictors of child development, whilst global concerns and behavioural concerns were unrelated to child development. The presence of carer concern was assessed for its value in predicting a BSID‐III subscale score less than 8 in all groups. Sensitivity ranged from 22% to 48%, and specificity ranged from 73% to 88%.

Conclusions

Parental concern was found to predict a lower BSID‐III when all groups were analysed collectively. Despite this, parental concern as a screening test for developmental delay failed to meet the National Health and Medical Research Council guidelines for adequate psychometric properties. The findings from this study suggest that there is value in attending to the comments written by carers on the ASQ.
Changes in the epidemiology of gastroenteritis in a paediatric short stay unit following the introduction of rotavirus immunisation
Authors: Akikusa Jonathan D , Hopper Sandy M , Kelly Julian J , Kirkwood Carl D , Buttery Jim P
Published: January 2013

Aim

Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) has been a significant component of the clinical load in the short stay unit (SSU) at the Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) since its establishment in 2004. Since the introduction of routine rotavirus immunisation in Australia in 2007 there has been a clinical impression of a substantial reduction in AGE managed in the SSU. This study aimed to examine changes in the epidemiology of AGE in the SSU, and RCH overall, between 2005 and 2009 and explore whether this reflects a change specifically in AGE due to rotavirus.

Methods

Discharge coding data for AGE from all inpatient wards, the SSU and emergency department (ED) at the RCH were examined. Stool virology results for the same period were analysed.

Results

Since 2007 there has been a 58% reduction in AGE admissions to the SSU. The median age of patients admitted to the RCH with rotaviral enteritis has increased from 1.3 years to 3.8 years. Presentations to the ED for AGE have fallen from 53 to 34 cases per 1000 attendances between 2004 and 2009, and admission rates from the ED have fallen from 23 to 13% of AGE presentations. Detection rates of rotavirus fell from 13.1 to 6.7% between 2005 and 2009.

Conclusion

A marked decrease in AGE‐related clinical activity and reduction in rotavirus detection at the RCH has occurred since the introduction of routine rotavirus immunisation in Australia. This has significant resource planning implications for units based on short stay models of care.
Characterization of water quality in a small hydropower plant reservoir in southern Brazil
Authors: Pimenta Adriane M. , Albertoni Edélti F. , Palma‐Silva Cleber
Published: January 2013

The construction of large reservoirs can cause profound environmental changes. Reduced water flow, increased water residence time, thermal stratification, increased sedimentation rates and decreased dissolved oxygen concentrations are examples of such changes. These changes can affect water quality and the biota in the environments adapted to the natural conditions of a river. Small reservoirs developed in conjunction with hydropower plants, however, could reduce the degraded water quality. This study focuses on characterizing water quality in a small hydroelectric reservoir. The study reservoir has an area of 1.4 km2 and a short water retention time. The Monte Claro Hydroelectric Power Plant is part of a complex consisting of three plants on the Antas River in the north‐west of Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. The reservoirs associated with these plants are operated as run‐of‐the‐river facilities. Monitoring results obtained by CERAN, the Energetic Company of Antas River (Companhia Energética Rio das Antas), were used to evaluate the reservoir water quality. Three samples were collected seasonally (spring, summer, autumn and winter) in the area of influence of this plant following the filling of the reservoir (2005–2008). The examined water quality parameters were electrical conductivity, colour, turbidity, alkalinity, pH, biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total phosphorus, dissolved oxygen, sulphate, nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, suspended and dissolved solids, chlorophyll‐a, total and faecal coliforms, water temperature and Secchi depth transparency. The results were interpreted using an index of water quality, Trophic State Index, reservoir water quality and CONAMA Regulation 357/05 (Brazilian legislation). Based on these analyses, no significant changes were exhibited in the water quality of the reservoir from the hydroelectric plant operation.
Climate change does not explain historical changes in the pelagic ecosystem of Lake Kariba (Zambia–Zimbabwe)
Authors: Marshall Brian E.
Published: January 2013

Recent studies on the pelagic ecosystem of Lake Kariba identified a number of changes in its thermal regime, planktonic communities and fishery production, concluding they were the result of climate change, particularly warming. This study re‐examines these conclusions and suggests alternative explanations for these changes. Historical data suggest there was no warming of the lake until at least the 1990s. Furthermore, lack of recent data makes it difficult to conclude that the lake’s temperature has increased by 2 °C. It is also not clear that the pattern of thermal stratification has changed, or that the thermocline has risen and become more stable. Although one of the suggested effects of climate change was a decreased number of larger zooplankton, this change occurred in the 1970s, when there had been no change in the lake temperature. Rather, there is strong evidence that the zooplankton composition changed as a result of selective predation by the introduced clupeid, Limnothrissa miodon. Furthermore, the loss of large grazing zooplankton species could have affected the composition of the phytoplankton, although this phenomenon also has been attributed to climate change. Although the phytoplankton communities in the lake are not as well documented as the zooplankton communities, it is clear that many changes in the lake actually began in the 1970s. Finally, the decline in the pelagic fishery for Limnothrissa was also linked to temperature changes. However, because the fisheries on the Zambian and Zimbabwean sides exhibited very different behaviours, there is little evidence to support this conclusion. It is concluded that the impacts of climate change on Lake Kariba are likely to be complex and that possible over‐simplification in identifying these impacts will not facilitate our understanding of these complexities.
Global gene expression changes in Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus during the transmission in distinct hosts between plant and insect
Authors: Yan Qing , Sreedharan Aswathy , Wei Shiping , Wang Jihua , Pelz‐Stelinski Kirsten , Folimonova Svetlana , Wang Nian
Published: January 2013

Huanglongbing (HLB) or citrus greening disease is a destructive disease of citrus worldwide, which is associated with Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus. This phloem‐limited fastidious pathogen is transmitted by the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri, and appears to be an intracellular pathogen that maintains an intimate association with the psyllid or the plant throughout its life cycle. The molecular basis of the interaction of this pathogen with its hosts is not well understood. We hypothesized that, during infection, Ca. L. asiaticus differentially expresses the genes critical for its survival and/or pathogenicity in either host. To test this hypothesis, quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction was performed to compare the gene expression of Ca. L. asiaticus in planta and in psyllid. Overall, 381 genes were analysed for their gene expression in planta and in psyllid. Among them, 182 genes were up‐regulated in planta compared with in psyllid (P < 0.05), 16 genes were up‐regulated in psyllid (P < 0.05) and 183 genes showed no statistically significant difference (P ≥ 0.05) in expression between in planta and in psyllid. Our study indicates that the expression of the Ca. L. asiaticus genes involved in transcriptional regulation, transport system, secretion system, flagella assembly, metabolic pathway and stress resistance are changed significantly in a host‐specific manner to adapt to the distinct environments of plant and insect. To our knowledge, this is the first large‐scale study to evaluate the differential expression of Ca. L. asiaticus genes in a plant host and its insect vector.
First environmental isolation of Cryptococcus gattii, genotype AFLP5, from India and a global review
Authors: Chowdhary A. , Prakash A. , Randhawa H. S. , Kathuria S. , Hagen F. , Klaassen C. H. , Meis J. F.
Published: January 2013

We report the first environmental isolation from India of Cryptococcus gattii, genotype amplified fragment length polymorphism 5 (AFLP5), which is one of the rarely reported genotypes of this pathogen. It originated from decayed wood inside a trunk hollow of Manilkara hexandra, a native tree in Delhi. We investigated 101 isolates of C. gattii, originating from 556 samples of decayed wood inside trunk hollows of 311 heterogeneous tree species and their surrounding soil. Of these, only a solitary isolate proved to be AFLP5, the remainder belonged to AFLP4. Antifungal susceptibility testing showed a low MIC90 (0.25 μg ml−1) of the new azoles posaconazole and isavuconazole for these environmental isolates. Genotype AFLP5 has been mainly reported from environmental sources in Colombia and from clinical sources in California (USA), where it seems to be endemic. Phylogenetic analysis of multi‐locus sequence typing data showed that the Indian AFLP5 C. gattii isolate had a distinct profile compared with a cluster of mainly Colombian and Californian C. gattii AFLP5 isolates. As molecular typing of human pathogenic fungi is still in its infancy and not accessible to many countries, our current knowledge cannot be taken as reflective of the true geographic distribution of C. gattii AFLP5 or its other rarely reported molecular types.
Review: Microglia in protein aggregation disorders: friend or foe?
Authors: Gentleman S. M.
Published: January 2013

Microglia cells have been implicated, to some extent, in the pathogenesis of all of the common neurodegenerative disorders involving protein aggregation such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. However, the precise role they play in the development of the pathologies remains unclear and it seems that they contribute to the pathological process in different ways depending on the specific disorder. A better understanding of their varied roles is essential if they are to be the target for novel therapeutic strategies.
Relationship between life satisfaction and quality of life in Turkish nursing school students
Authors: Yildirim Yasemin , Kilic Serap Parlar , Akyol Asiye Durmaz
Published: January 2013

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between life satisfaction and quality of life of nursing students. This descriptive and cross‐sectional study was conducted with a research population of 396 nursing students who received education at a school of nursing. The research data were collected between May and June of the 2007–2008 academic year. The data collection tools included “Student Description Form,” Life Satisfaction Scale, and WHOQOL‐BREF (TR) Quality of Life (QOL) Scale. The mean score of life satisfaction was 22.90 ± 5.74. Participants' QOL mean scores were 67.16 ± 15.29 in the physical domain, 64.33 ± 14.72 in the psychological domain, 62.81 ± 19.12 in the social relationships domain, and 60.59 ± 12.59 in the environmental domain. There was a significant correlation between life satisfaction and the four main domains of quality of life scores (P < 0.05) and that there was a significant positive correlation between life satisfaction and quality of life among nursing students. In addition, it was determined that being a nursing student had a positive effect on students' life satisfaction and quality of life. Therefore, the education system is recommended to be redesigned in such a way as to make students more active and to improve their life satisfaction and quality of life.
Corticosterone mediates stress‐related increased intestinal permeability in a region‐specific manner
Authors: Zheng G. , Wu S.‐P. , Hu Y. , Smith D. E. , Wiley J. W. , Hong S.
Published: January 2013

Background  Chronic psychological stress (CPS) is associated with increased intestinal epithelial permeability and visceral hyperalgesia. It is unknown whether corticosterone (CORT) plays a role in mediating alterations of epithelial permeability in response to CPS.

Methods  Male rats were subjected to 1‐h water avoidance (WA) stress or subcutaneous CORT injection daily for 10 consecutive days in the presence or absence of corticoid receptor antagonist RU‐486. The visceromotor response (VMR) to colorectal distension (CRD) was measured. The in situ single‐pass intestinal perfusion was used to measure intestinal permeability in jejunum and colon simultaneously.

Key Results  We observed significant decreases in the levels of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and tight junction proteins in the colon, but not the jejunum in stressed rats. These changes were largely reproduced by serial CORT injections in control rats and were significantly reversed by RU‐486. Stressed and CORT‐injected rats demonstrated a threefold increase in permeability for PEG‐400 (MW) in colon, but not jejunum and significant increase in VMR to CRD, which was significantly reversed by RU‐486. In addition, no differences in permeability to PEG‐4000 and PEG‐35 000 were detected between control and WA groups.

Conclusions & Inferences  Our findings indicate that CPS was associated with region‐specific decrease in epithelial tight junction protein levels in the colon, increased colon epithelial permeability to low molecular weight macromolecules which were largely reproduced by CORT treatment in control rats and prevented by RU‐486. These observations implicate a novel, region‐specific role for CORT as a mediator of CPS‐induced increased permeability to macromolecules across the colon epithelium.
Acupuncture and Burning Mouth Syndrome: A Pilot Study
Authors: Sardella Andrea , Lodi Giovanni , Tarozzi Marco , Varoni Elena , Franchini Roberto , Carrassi Antonio
Published: January 2013

Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a chronic condition most common in middle‐aged and elderly women, with prevalence rates in the general population ranging from 0.5% to 5%. Defined by the International Headache Society as “an intraoral burning sensation for which no medical or dental cause can be found,” BMS is considered a form of neuropathic pain. The management of BMS remains unsatisfactory. In this pilot study, we investigated the use of acupuncture in a small group of BMS patients. The study group, after 4 refusals, was composed of 10 BMS patients (9 females and 1 male; mean age, 65.2 years; range, from 48 to 80 years; mean duration of BMS, 2.6 years; SD ± 0.8 years). Oral pain/burning sensation (primary outcome) was measured using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Health‐related quality of life (secondary outcome) was measured using the 36‐item Short‐Form Health Survey (SF‐36). Acupuncture treatment lasted 8 weeks and consisted of 20 sessions. Patients reported a mean reduction in pain of 0.99 points on the VAS (max 2.1–min 0.1), which, although slight, was statistically significant (Wilcoxon test P < 0.009). No significant improvement in the overall score for quality of life was observed, although subjects receiving acupuncture treatment seemed better able cope with their oral symptoms.
Interactive effects of water, light and heat stress on photosynthesis in Fremont cottonwood
Authors: TOZZI EMILY S. , EASLON HSIEN MING , RICHARDS JAMES H.
Published: January 2013

Fremont cottonwood seedlings are vulnerable to water stress from rapid water‐table decline during river recession in spring. Water stress is usually cited as the reason for reduced establishment, but interactions of water stress with microclimate extremes are more likely the causes of mortality. We assessed photosynthetic responses of Fremont cottonwood seedlings to water, light and heat stresses, which commonly co‐occur in habitats where seedlings establish. Under moderate temperature and light conditions, water stress did not affect photosynthetic function. However, stomatal closure during water stress predisposed Fremont cottonwood leaves to light and heat stress, resulting in greatly reduced photosynthesis beginning at 31 °C versus at 41 °C for well‐watered plants. Ontogenetic shifts in leaf orientation from horizontal to vertical, which occur as seedlings mature, reduce heat and light stress, especially during water stress. When compared with naturally occurring microclimate extremes, seedling stress responses suggest that reduced assimilation and photoprotection are common for Fremont cottonwood seedlings on exposed point bars where they establish. These reductions in photosynthesis likely have negative impacts on growth and may predispose young (<90‐day‐old) seedlings to early mortality during rapid water‐table declines. Interactions with heat and light stress are more important in these effects than water stress alone.
Ambient UVA‐Induced Expression of p53 and Apoptosis in Human Skin Melanoma A375 Cell Line by Quinine
Authors: Yadav Neera , Dwivedi Ashish , Mujtaba Syed Faiz , Kushwaha Hari Narayan , Singh Shio Kumar , Ray Ratan Singh
Published: January 2013

This study aimed to analyze the phototoxic mechanism and photostability of quinine in human skin cell line A375 under ambient intensities of UVA (320–400 nm). Photosensitized quinine produced a photoproduct 6‐methoxy‐quinoline‐4‐ylmethyl‐oxonium identified through LC‐MS/MS. Generation of 1O2, O2•−, and •OH was measured and further substantiated through their respective quenchers. Photosensitized Quinine (Q) caused degradation of 2‐deoxyguanosine, the most sensitive nucleotide to UV radiation. The intracellular ROS was increased in a concentration‐dependent manner. Significant reduction in metabolic status measured in terms of cell viability (54%) at 25 μg mL−1 was observed through MTT assay. Results of MTT assay accord NRU assay. Single strand DNA breaks and apoptosis were increased significantly (P < 0.01) as observed through comet assay and EB/AO double staining. Photosensitized quinine caused cells to arrest in G2 phase of cell cycle and induced apoptosis (5.08%) as revealed through FACS. Real‐Time PCR showed upregulation of p21 (4.56 folds) and p53 (2.811 folds) genes expression. Thus, our study suggests that generation of reactive oxygen species by quinine under ambient intensity of UVA may result into deleterious phototoxic effects among human population.
Malaria and Economic Development
Authors: Datta Saurabh C. , Reimer Jeffrey J.
Published: January 2013

Malaria tends to have a negative correlation with national income per capita. Many existing studies emphasize how falling rates of malaria can enhance economic development due to the beneficial effect on human capital. This paper emphasizes that causality may also run in the opposite direction, in particular, that higher incomes—arising for reasons having nothing to do with human capital—may allow for increased prevention and treatment of malaria, and therefore contribute to the negative correlation. We analyze the malaria‐income relationship for 100 endemic countries over a 17‐year period using a simultaneous equations model that accounts for reverse causality and incidental associations. For most countries, income growth has been the most important driver of the negative correlation between malaria and income. Although reducing malaria may be its own reward, it takes much more than reductions in malaria to foster development. This holds widely for different samples of countries.
Less Developed Countries, Tourism Investments and Local Economic Development
Authors: Andergassen Rainer , Candela Guido
Published: January 2013

This paper analyzes the forward linkages of a multinational's investment in a resort that kicks off tourism activity in a less developed country. We show that, under quite natural assumptions, overnight stays are increasing in the number of differentiated tourism‐related goods and services. These goods and services, if supplied by the local community, represent forward linkages of FDI in tourism. We investigate the multinational's incentives to promote, reduce or eliminate these forward linkages and the effectiveness of some policy instruments available to a local government to leverage on the presence of FDI and to stimulate domestic entrepreneurship.
Economic Freedom and Economic Performance in Latin America: A Panel Data Analysis
Authors: Alexandrakis Constantine , Livanis Grigorios
Published: January 2013

This paper performs panel regressions of output per worker, capital intensity, human capital, and total factor productivity in Latin America on measures of economic freedom in five policy areas. Results show that a smaller government raises output per worker in Latin America but not in the OECD. Stronger property rights and a tighter monetary policy also raise output per worker, but greater freedom to trade internationally does not, despite doing so in the OECD. Deregulation lowers output per worker in both Latin America and the OECD. Finally, a tighter monetary policy raises total factor productivity (TFP) but reduces capital intensity in Latin America, while deregulation raises capital intensity but lowers TFP in both sets of countries.
How Large Is the Cost of Business Cycles in Developing Countries?
Authors: Kodama Masahiro
Published: January 2013

This study measures the cost of business cycles in developing countries. The business‐cycle component of consumption is extracted by employing a detrending filter adjusted for the length of a subject country's business cycles, rather than a standard detrending filter, and the cost of business cycles using the extracted component is extracted. Estimated costs in developing countries based on the adjusted filter are found to be significantly different from those based on the standard filter. Hence, in measuring the costs of business cycles in developing countries, we should be careful about the choice of a detrending filter. The results also indicate the following findings: 1) in developing countries, there is probably more room to improve the cost of non‐business‐cycle fluctuations than that of business‐cycle fluctuations, and 2) the cost of business cycles is not strikingly large, even when it is estimated from a model strongly disfavoring business cycles.
A Theory of Exchange Rates and the Term Structure of Interest Rates
Authors: Lim Hyoung‐Seok , Ogaki Masao
Published: January 2013

This paper defines the concepts of indirect and direct risk premium effects and analyzes their properties in an exchange rate model. In the model, these effects are endogenously determined in a rational expectations equilibrium. For the effect of an interest rate shock, they have the opposite signs and the indirect risk premium effect can dominate the direct risk premium effect under reasonable parameters. This means that domestic short‐term bonds and foreign bonds are complements in the model even though domestic long‐term bonds and foreign bonds are substitutes. This model, focusing on the indirect risk premium effect and on the term structure of interest rates, can be combined with a small sample bias approach to explain stylized facts about the forward premium anomaly, which is found for short‐term interest rates, but not for long‐term interest rates.
Congestion and Optimal Immigration Policy
Authors: Chao Chi‐Chur , Hazari Bharat R. , Laffargue Jean‐Pierre
Published: January 2013

This paper presents a model to explain the stylized fact that many countries have a low ratio of migrants in their population while some countries have a high ratio of migrants. Immigration improves the income of the domestic residents, but migrants also increase the congestion of public services. If migrants are unskilled and therefore pay low taxes, and the government does not limit access to these services, then the welfare of the domestic residents decreases with the number of migrants. Visa auctions can lower the cost of immigration control and substitute legal migrants for illegal migrants. If the government decides to limit the access of migrants to public services, immigration control becomes unnecessary and the optimal number of migrants can be very large.
Disfavored Nations: Anti‐Dumping at the WTO
Authors: Hartigan James C. , Vandenbussche Hylke
Published: January 2013

The proliferation of Anti‐Dumping actions may be explained by the Most Favored Nation rule of safeguards, the advantages of unilateral retaliatory measures as an alternative to formal dispute resolution, and the exercising of discipline in a risk‐sharing agreement. Use of unilateralism is attractive to developing members that are constrained by legal capacity. The expression of the Anti‐Dumping Agreement appears to be a hybrid of rules and standards. However, a lack of interpretive guidance from the WTO and the opportunities for discretion in the implementation of rules render them standards in a shroud of rules. This is due to the presence of large proxy spaces, or the domestic investigative authority being substantially the arbiter of satisfaction with the agreement.
Corruption, Bureaucracy and Firm Productivity in Africa
Authors: Faruq Hasan , Webb Michael , Yi David
Published: January 2013

This paper estimates the impact of corruption and poor bureaucratic quality on firm productivity for a unique dataset with firm‐specific data of more than 900 firms over 12 years for Ghana, Kenya and Tanzania. We first discuss why poor bureaucratic quality and, especially, corruption are expected to have negative impacts on firm productivity. We then employ Data Envelopment Analysis to estimate firm productivity and pooled OLS and Tobit regression analysis to estimate the effects of corruption and bureaucratic quality on firm productivity. We find that less productive firms are more likely to engage in corrupt activities; both poor bureaucratic quality and corruption reduce firm productivity; and corruption has a greater negative impact on productivity.
Differential Geometric Least Angle Regression: A Differential Geometric Approach to Sparse Generalized Linear Models
Authors: Augugliaro Luigi , Mineo Angelo M. , Wit Ernst C.
Published: January 2013

Sparsity is an essential feature of many contemporary data problems. Remote sensing, various forms of automated screening and other high throughput measurement devices collect a large amount of information, typically about few independent statistical subjects or units. In certain cases it is reasonable to assume that the underlying process generating the data is itself sparse, in the sense that only a few of the measured variables are involved in the process. We propose an explicit method of monotonically decreasing sparsity for outcomes that can be modelled by an exponential family. In our approach we generalize the equiangular condition in a generalized linear model. Although the geometry involves the Fisher information in a way that is not obvious in the simple regression setting, the equiangular condition turns out to be equivalent with an intuitive condition imposed on the Rao score test statistics. In certain special cases the method can be tweaked to obtain L1-penalized generalized linear model solution paths, but the method itself defines sparsity more directly. Although the computation of the solution paths is not trivial, the method compares favourably with other path following algorithms.
Secular changes in colony‐forms and bryozoan carbonate sediments through geological history
Authors: Taylor Paul D. , James Noel P.
Published: January 2013

Ever since their first radiation in the Ordovician, bryozoans have contributed significantly to carbonate sedimentation. Most of the numerous colony‐forms developed by bryozoans have evolved repeatedly in different taxonomic groups and vary in their sediment‐producing potential. There are nine basic bryozoan colony‐forms: encrusting, dome‐shaped, palmate, foliose, fenestrate, robust branching, delicate branching, articulated and free‐living. The proportion of these morphotypes in bryozoan faunas period by period is shown to change significantly through the Phanerozoic. Notable patterns include: (i) steady increase in the number and proportion of encrusting species through time, interrupted by a transient drop in the Late Palaeozoic; (ii) post‐Triassic decrease in robust branching colonies; (iii) rise in the proportion of fenestrate colonies through the Palaeozoic, followed by their absence in the Triassic and Jurassic, rarity in the Cretaceous and reappearance in smaller proportions in the Cenozoic; and (iv) scarcity of articulated colonies and absence of free‐living colonies until the Cretaceous. Most Palaeozoic bryozoan sediments come from two architecturally distinct groups of colonies: (i) domal, delicate branching, robust branching and palmate; and (ii) fenestrate. The former generate coarse particles both as sediment and components of stromatoporoid‐coral reefs in the Early and mid Palaeozoic, whereas the delicate lacy fans of the latter create both prolific coarse sediment and form the cores of Late Palaeozoic deep‐water, sub‐photic biogenic mounds. Nearly all post‐Palaeozoic bryozoan sediments comprise cyclostomes and cheilostomes with many of the same growth forms but with the addition of free‐living colonies and significant numbers of articulated colonies. The latter produced sand and mud‐sized bryozoan sediment via disarticulation for the first time. In contrast to the Palaeozoic, post‐Palaeozoic bryozoans generated sediment varying more widely across the grain‐size spectrum, from mud to sand to gravel. This article highlights the need to consider evolutionary changes in carbonate‐producing organisms when interpreting facies changes through time.
Physical activity intensity and subclinical atherosclerosis in Danish adolescents: The European Youth Heart Study
Authors: Ried‐Larsen M. , Grøntved A. , Froberg K. , Ekelund U. , Andersen L. B.
Published: January 2013

The aim was to investigate the associations between physical activity (PA), cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and intima media thickness (IMT) or stiffness. This was a population‐based cross‐sectional study (n = 336) of Danish adolescents [mean age (standard deviation, SD): 15.6 (0.4) years]. PA intensity was assessed objectively (ActiGraph model GT3X) and CRF using a progressive maximal bicycle test. Carotid IMT and arterial stiffness were assessed using B‐mode ultrasound. In a multivariate analysis (adjusted for pubertal development and smoking status), CRF was inversely associated with measures of carotid stiffness (standard beta: −0.20 to −0.15, P < 0.05) in boys, but not in girls. No associations were observed between any of PA and IMT. Boys in the least fit quartile had significantly stiffer carotid arteries compared to the most fit quartile (difference between lowest and highest quartile ranging between 0.4 and 0.5 SD, P < 0.05). This difference in arterial stiffness between low and high quartiles was similar for moderate‐to‐vigorous PA (MVPA). Further adjustment for sedentary time attenuated the difference observed between quartiles MVPA slightly. Adiposity did not attenuate these differences. Our observations suggest that increasing CRF or MVPA in the least active group of the population may be beneficial for vascular health.
Spine kinematics and trunk muscle activity during bipedal standing using unstable footwear
Authors: Buchecker M. , Stöggl T. , Müller E.
Published: January 2013

The current study was conducted to evaluate the effects of unstable footwear on spine kinematics and trunk muscle activity during bipedal stance. Therefore, spinal alignment and concurrent angular velocity measures were assessed in 27 asymptomatic adults while standing with unstable Masai Barefoot Technology (MBT) shoes and standard footwear, respectively, employing a multisegmental three‐dimensional trunk model. Electromyographic (EMG) analyses included recordings of the rectus abdominis, internal oblique, external oblique, upper thoracic paraspinals, lower thoracic erector spinae, and lumbar erector spinae. Kinematic and EMG variables were compared for the two shoe conditions via paired Student's t‐tests (α = 0.05). Results showed that wearing unstable MBT shoes increased flexion at the mid‐thoracic level (0.8°; P = 0.001) and led to greater mean velocities of angular displacement at the thoracolumbar (11.2%; P = 0.003) and at the lumbopelvic (10.8%; P = 0.02) regions, accompanied by more lumbar erector spinae activity (18.2%; P = 0.003). Accordingly, using MBT shoes may have potential implications in promoting spine tissue health, notably at the low back area, through expected improvements in terms of muscle conditioning and/or motor performance. However, additional investigations are warranted to further examine the framework of unstable footwear constructions within prevention and rehabilitation settings.
IMF‐Supported Programmes: Stimulating Capital to Non‐defaulting Countries
Authors: van der Veer Koen J. M. , de Jong Eelke
Published: January 2013

International Monetary Fund (IMF)‐supported programmes catalyse private capital to non‐defaulting countries. We find the IMF to be effective in stimulating private capital flows to middle‐income countries that participate in a Fund programme, but do not restructure their debt. IMF‐supported programmes help non‐defaulting countries to signal their willingness to reform and repay debts, thereby catalysing private capital. This signalling role appears to be more important for Fund catalysis, than the size of IMF lending.
Chinese Electronics Export; Taiwanese Contract Manufacturing – The Win–Win Outcome along the Evolving Global Value Chain
Authors: Tung An‐Chi , Wan Henry
Published: January 2013

The ascent of China as the world’s top exporter is unusual in its rapidity andhigh–tech content, with a major portion in ‘process trade’ by Chinese classification,forming part of the evolving global value chain. With chronology andeconomic analysis applied to notions in frequent business usage, but not economicsliterature, this study shows the global value chain arose from the microelectronicrevolution known as ‘Moore’s Law’, evolved under the time‐tomarketimperative, and caused widespread outsourcing in America and Europe,with final stage production mostly in China, by Taiwanese contract manufacturers.The insight gained may help to assess future trends.
Effects of momilactone on the protein expression in Arabidopsis germination
Authors: Kato‐Noguchi Hisashi , Ota Katsumi , Kujime Hiroya , Ogawa Masahiro
Published: January 2013

Although momilactone is known to play an important role in the allelopathy of rice (Oryza sativa L.), there is no information available about the mode of action of momilactone on the allelopathy of Arabidopsis. The present research describes the allelopathic activity of momilactone A and B on the germination of Arabidopsis thaliana and the effects of momilactone A and B on protein expression during germination. Momilactone A and B inhibited the germination of Arabidopsis at concentrations >30 and 10 μmol L−1, respectively. The protein bands of 18, 19 and 21 kDa on sodium dodecyl sulphate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE) were abundant in the momilactone A‐ and B‐treated Arabidopsis compared with the control. The protein bands of 18, 19 and 21 kDa were identified by the N‐terminal amino acid sequencing as cruciferin 2, cruciferina and cruciferin 3, respectively. Cruciferins and cruciferina are important storage proteins and play an important role as the initial source of nitrogen for seed germination. These results suggest that momilactone A and B may inhibit the germination of Arabidopsis seeds by inhibiting the degradation process of cruciferin and cruciferina.
Input‐specific learning rules at excitatory synapses onto hippocampal parvalbumin‐expressing interneurons
Authors: Le Roux Nicolas , Cabezas Carolina , Böhm Urs Lucas , Poncer Jean Christophe
Published: January 2013

Key points

Parvalbumin‐expressing interneurons represent a major source of inhibition of CA1 hippocampal principal cells and influence both spike timing precision and network oscillations.

These interneurons receive both feed‐forward and feedback excitatory inputs which recruit them in the hippocampal network.

In this study, we compared the functional properties of these two inputs and how they may be modified by neuronal activity.

We show that calcium‐permeable AMPA receptors and NMDA receptors are differentially distributed at feed‐forward versus feedback inputs and act as coincidence detectors of opposing modalities.

Our results reveal that the two major excitatory inputs onto CA1 parvalbumin‐expressing interneurons undergo long term plasticity with different frequency regimes of afferent activity, which is likely to influence their function under both normal and pathological conditions.

Abstract  Hippocampal parvalbumin‐expressing interneurons (PV INs) provide fast and reliable GABAergic signalling to principal cells and orchestrate hippocampal ensemble activities. Precise coordination of principal cell activity by PV INs relies in part on the efficacy of excitatory afferents that recruit them in the hippocampal network. Feed‐forward (FF) inputs in particular from Schaffer collaterals influence spike timing precision in CA1 principal cells whereas local feedback (FB) inputs may contribute to pacemaker activities. Although PV INs have been shown to undergo activity‐dependent long term plasticity, how both inputs are modulated during principal cell firing is unknown. Here we show that FF and FB synapses onto PV INs are endowed with distinct postsynaptic glutamate receptors which set opposing long‐term plasticity rules. Inward‐rectifying AMPA receptors (AMPARs) expressed at both FF and FB inputs mediate a form of anti‐Hebbian long term potentiation (LTP), relying on coincident membrane hyperpolarization and synaptic activation. In contrast, FF inputs are largely devoid of NMDA receptors (NMDARs) which are more abundant at FB afferents and confer on them an additional form of LTP with Hebbian properties. Both forms of LTP are expressed with no apparent change in presynaptic function. The specific endowment of FF and FB inputs with distinct coincidence detectors allow them to be differentially tuned upon high frequency afferent activity. Thus, high frequency (>20 Hz) stimulation specifically potentiates FB, but not FF afferents. We propose that these differential, input‐specific learning rules may allow PV INs to adapt to changes in hippocampal activity while preserving their precisely timed, clockwork operation.
Increased activity of pre‐motor network does not change the excitability of motoneurons during protracted scratch initiation
Authors: Guzulaitis Robertas , Alaburda Aidas , Hounsgaard Jorn
Published: January 2013

Key points

A single cutaneous stimulus of adjusted intensity insufficient for scratch initiation evokes scratch when repeated at subsecond intervals.

The protracted scratch initiation shows that the spinal network is able to store information at subsecond time intervals.

Membrane depolarization and increase in excitability of motoneurons are not necessary for protracted scratch initiation.

The activity of the pre‐motor network increases in a wind‐up manner during protracted scratch initiation.

Abstract  Intrinsic response properties of neurons change during network activity. These changes may reinforce the initiation of particular forms of network activity. If so, the involvement of neurons in particular behaviours in multifunctional networks could be determined by up‐ or down‐regulation of their intrinsic excitability. Here we employed an experimental paradigm of protracted scratch initiation in the integrated carapace–spinal cord preparation of adult turtles (Chrysemys scripta elegans). The protracted initiation of scratch network activity allows us to investigate the excitability of motoneurons and pre‐motor network activity in the time interval from the start of sensory stimulation until the onset of scratch activity. Our results suggest that increased activity in the pre‐motor network facilitates the onset of scratch episodes but does not change the excitability of motoneurons at the onset of scratching.
Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase γ Inhibits Cardiac GSK-3 Independently of Akt
Authors: Mohan Maradumane L. , Jha Babal K. , Gupta Manveen K. , Vasudevan Neelakantan T. , Martelli Elizabeth E. , Mosinski John David , Naga Prasad Sathyamangla V.
Published: January 2013

A kinase promotes cardiac hypertrophy through a kinase-independent mechanism.
A Well-Defined Path
Authors: Mueller Kristen L.
Published: January 2013

In mouse skin, immune cells migrate toward lymphatic vessels along an immobilized chemokine gradient.
Nitrosylation Promotes AMPA Receptor Phosphorylation
Authors: Gough Nancy R.
Published: January 2013

S-Nitrosylation of an AMPA receptor subunit contributes to activity-dependent regulation in channel activity.
Acute inflammatory neuropathy with monoclonal anti-GM2 IgM antibodies, IgM-κ paraprotein and additional autoimmune processes in association with a diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
Authors: Milnik Annette , Roggenbuck Dirk , Conrad Karsten , Bartels Claudius
Published: January 2013

Lymphoproliferative disorders are often associated with autoimmune processes preceding or following the occurrence of a lymphoma. Here, we describe a patient with a history of recurrent diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma who suffered from an acute inflammatory neuropathy with specific monoclonal anti-GM2 IgM antibodies and associated IgM-κ paraprotein. It was possible in this case to prove that both, anti-GM2 IgM antibodies and IgM-κ paraprotein, share the same binding characteristic. In addition, the patient possibly suffered from an immune thrombocytopenia and an early-stage bullous pemphigoid with anti-BP-230 IgG antibodies. Intravenous immunoglobulin and plasmapheresis alleviated the acute neuropathy and thrombocytopenia, while the bullous pemphigoid has been aggravated. In summary, the simultaneous occurrence of multiple autoimmune processes was a sign of a dysfunctional immune system preceding the relapse of a B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Confusion and altered behaviour? Cause
Authors: Lobo Ronstan , Pillay Isweri , Kennedy Barry , Watts Michael
Published: January 2013

We describe the case of a 65-year-old man who presented with confusion and change in behaviour, and describe the investigative steps that were taken before a diagnosis was made. This patient was eventually diagnosed with leptomeningeal carcinomatosis secondary to a previously undiagnosed oesophageal carcinoma.
Bokan Mountain peralkaline granitic complex, Alexander terrane (southeastern Alaska): evidence for Early Jurassic rifting prior to accretion with North America
Authors: Dostal Jaroslav , Karl Susan M. , Keppie J. Duncan , Kontak Daniel J. , Shellnutt J. Gregory
Published: January 2013

The circular Bokan Mountain complex (BMC) on southern Prince of Wales Island, southernmost Alaska, is a Jurassic peralkaline granitic intrusion about 3 km in diameter that crosscuts igneous and metasedimentary rocks of the Alexander terrane. The BMC hosts significant rare metal (rare earth elements, Y, U, Th, Zr, and Nb) mineralization related to the last stage of BMC emplacement. U–Pb (zircon) and 40Ar/39Ar (amphibole and whole-rock) geochronology indicates the following sequence of intrusive activity: (i) a Paleozoic basement composed mainly of 469 ± 4 Ma granitic rocks; (ii) intrusion of the BMC at 177 ± 1 Ma followed by rapid cooling through ca. 550 °C at 176 ± 1 Ma that was synchronous with mineralization associated with vertical, WNW-trending pegmatites, felsic dikes, and aegirine–fluorite veins and late-stage, sinistral shear deformation; and (iii) intrusion of crosscutting lamprophyre dikes at >150 Ma and again at ca. 105 Ma. The peralkaline nature of the BMC and the WNW trend of associated dikes suggest intrusion during NE–SW rifting that was followed by NE–SW shortening during the waning stages of BMC emplacement. The 177 Ma BMC was synchronous with other magmatic centres in the Alexander terrane, such as (1) the Dora Bay peralkaline stock and (2) the bimodal Moffatt volcanic suite located ∼30 km north and ∼100 km SE of the BMC, respectively. This regional magmatism is interpreted to represent a regional extensional event that precedes deposition of the Late Jurassic – Cretaceous Gravina sequence that oversteps the Wrangellia and Alexander exotic accreted terranes and the Taku and Yukon–Tanana pericratonic terranes of the Canadian–Alaskan Cordillera.