bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Larval fish variability in response to oceanographic features in a nearshore nursery area
Authors: Pattrick P. , Strydom N. A.
Published: July 2014

The influence of oceanographic features on ichthyoplankton assemblages in the warm temperate nearshore region of Algoa Bay, South Africa, was assessed. The nearshore ichthyoplankton comprised 88 taxa from 34 families. Samples were collected at six stations between August 2010 and July 2012 using a plankton ring net of 750 mm diameter and 500 µm mesh aperture. The majority of larvae collected were in a preflexion stage, indicating the potential importance of the nearshore for newly hatched larvae. Engraulidae dominated the catch (38·4%), followed by Cynoglossidae (28·1%) and Sparidae (8·4%). Larval fish abundance was highest during austral spring and summer (September to February). Unique patterns in responses of each dominant fish species to oceanographic features in the nearshore indicate the sensitivity of the early developmental stage to environmental variables. Using generalized linear models, ichthyoplankton abundance responded positively to upwelling and when warm water plumes originating from an Agulhas Current meander entered Algoa Bay. Highest abundances of Engraulis encrasicolus and Sardinops sagax were observed during Agulhas Plume intrusions into Algoa Bay. When a mixed and stratified water column persisted in the nearshore region of Algoa Bay, larval fish abundance decreased. The nearshore region of Algoa Bay appears to serve as a favourable environment for the accumulation of ichthyoplankton.
Bioenergetic adaptation in response to autophagy regulators during rotenone exposure
Authors: Giordano Samantha , Dodson Matthew , Ravi Saranya , Redmann Matthew , Ouyang Xiaosen , Darley Usmar Victor M. , Zhang Jianhua
Published: July 2014

Parkinson's disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder with both mitochondrial dysfunction and insufficient autophagy playing a key role in its pathogenesis. Among the risk factors, exposure to the environmental neurotoxin rotenone increases the probability of developing Parkinson's disease. We previously reported that in differentiated SH‐SY5Y cells, rotenone‐induced cell death is directly related to inhibition of mitochondrial function. How rotenone at nM concentrations inhibits mitochondrial function, and whether it can engage the autophagy pathway necessary to remove damaged proteins and organelles, is unknown. We tested the hypothesis that autophagy plays a protective role against rotenone toxicity in primary neurons. We found that rotenone (10–100 nM) immediately inhibited cellular bioenergetics. Concentrations that decreased mitochondrial function at 2 h, caused cell death at 24 h with an LD50 of 10 nM. Overall, autophagic flux was decreased by 10 nM rotenone at both 2 and 24 h, but surprisingly mitophagy, or autophagy of the mitochondria, was increased at 24 h, suggesting that a mitochondrial‐specific lysosomal degradation pathway may be activated. Up‐regulation of autophagy by rapamycin protected against cell death while inhibition of autophagy by 3‐methyladenine exacerbated cell death. Interestingly, while 3‐methyladenine exacerbated the rotenone‐dependent effects on bioenergetics, rapamycin did not prevent rotenone‐induced mitochondrial dysfunction, but caused reprogramming of mitochondrial substrate usage associated with both complex I and complex II activities. Taken together, these data demonstrate that autophagy can play a protective role in primary neuron survival in response to rotenone; moreover, surviving neurons exhibit bioenergetic adaptations to this metabolic stressor.

Exposure to the neurotoxin rotenone is a risk factor for Parkinson's disease. We tested the hypothesis that autophagy is protective against rotenone toxicity in primary neurons. Exposure to nanomolar concentrations of rotenone caused immediate mitochondrial dysfunction, associated with a suppression of macroautophagy. However, mitophagy occurred that was independent of LC3II accumulation, and the surviving neurons exhibited adaptations to their cellular bioenergetic profiles. Cotreatment with the autophagy enhancer rapamycin was protective, whereas further inhibition of autophagy with 3‐methyladenine (3‐MA) exacerbated cell death, resulting in additional bioenergetic adaptations in the surviving neurons.

image
TEN YEARS OF GENERAL OLIGOPOLISTIC EQUILIBRIUM: A SURVEY
Authors: Colacicco Rudy
Published: July 2014

In this paper, I survey the recent and rapidly increasing theoretical literature using the brand‐new approach in embedding oligopolistic competition in general equilibrium, as designed by J. Peter Neary. First, I introduce the reader to Neary's approach, by describing the main ingredients. Then, I present a comprehensive set of studies that, over the last decade, apply this approach in different contexts, most of which are in open economy, and I examine the relevant outcomes. Although the theoretical literature has generously advanced, there is a lack of research on the empirical side, which would be an important area for future research besides theoretical extensions, some of which I highlight in the conclusions.
Fungal phytases: characteristics and amelioration of nutritional quality and growth of non‐ruminants
Authors: Singh B. , Satyanarayana T.
Published: July 2014

Fungal phytases are histidine acid phosphatases, a subclass of acid phosphatases, which catalyse the hydrolysis of phytic acid resulting in the release of phosphate moieties and thus mitigate its antinutritional properties. The supplementation of feed with phytases increases the bioavailability of phosphorus and minerals in non‐ruminant animals and reduces the phosphorus pollution due to phosphorus excretion in the areas of intensive livestock production. Although phytases are reported in plants, animals and micro‐organisms, fungal sources are used extensively for the production of phytases on a commercial scale. Phytases have been produced by fungi in both solid‐state fermentation (SSF) and submerged fermentation (SmF). The fungal phytases are high molecular weight proteins ranging from 35 to 500 kDa. They are optimally active within pH and temperature ranges between 4.5 and 6.0, and 45 and 70 °C respectively. Phytate degradation leads to amelioration in the nutritional status of foods and feeds by improving the availability of minerals, phosphorus and proteins in non‐ruminant animals and human beings and thus mitigates the environmental phosphorus pollution. Our article focuses on the role of fungal phytases in improving nutritional value of foods and feeds with concomitant increase in growth of non‐ruminant animals and mitigating environmental phosphorus pollution.
Clinical efficacy and safety of imepitoin in comparison with phenobarbital for the control of idiopathic epilepsy in dogs
Authors: Tipold A. , Keefe T. J. , Löscher W. , Rundfeldt C. , de Vries F.
Published: July 2014

The anticonvulsant activity and safety of imepitoin, a novel antiepileptic drug licensed in theEuropeanUnion, were evaluated in a multicentre field efficacy study as well as in a safety study under laboratory conditions. Efficacy of imepitoin was compared with phenobarbital in 226 client‐owned dogs in a blinded parallel group design. The administration of imepitoin twice daily in incremental doses of 10, 20 or 30 mg/kg demonstrated comparable efficacy to phenobarbital in controlling seizures in dogs. The frequency of adverse events including somnolence/sedation, polydipsia and increased appetite was significantly higher in the phenobarbital group. In phenobarbital‐treated dogs, significantly increased levels of alkaline phosphatase, gamma‐glutamyl‐transferase and other liver enzymes occurred, while no such effect was observed in the imepitoin group. In a safety study under laboratory conditions, healthy beagle dogs were administered 0, 30, 90 or 150 mg/kg imepitoin twice daily for 26 weeks. A complete safety evaluation including histopathology was included in the study. A no‐observed‐adverse‐event level of 90 mg/kg twice daily was determined. These results indicate that imepitoin is a potent and safe antiepileptic drug for dogs.
Recent fire and cattle herbivory enhance plant‐level fuel flammability in shrublands
Authors: Blackhall Melisa , Veblen Thomas T. , Raffaele Estela
Published: July 2014

Question

Could disturbance by fire and ungulate herbivory alter fire regimes by increasing flammability in shrublands and early‐successional forests?

Location

Nahuel Huapi National Park, northwest Patagonia, Argentina.

Methods

We compared four characteristics that influence fuel flammability – fine fuel load, plant bulk density, percentage fine fuel, and percentage dead fine fuel – and the vertical distribution of live and dead fine fuel at recently burned (<15 yr) and unburned (>50 yr) sites, both in the presence and absence of cattle, for six resprouting species: non‐palatableLomatia hirsutaandDiostea juncea, moderately palatableNothofagus antarcticaandSchinus patagonicus, and highly palatableMaytenus boariaandRibes magellanicum.

Results

Changes in flammability in response to recent fire, and to a lesser extent cattle browsing, were strongly dependent on species identity. Non‐palatableL. hirsutatended to increase in flammability following fire, whereas cattle did not affect its fuel properties.Nothofagus antarcticashowed ambiguous responses: plants had reduced plant bulk density at recently burned sites, implying reduced flammability, but changes in percentage fine and dead fine fuel point to increasing flammability at burned sites with cattle.Diostea junceaandS. patagonicusshowed increased plant bulk density at sites with cattle and increased percentage fine fuel in response to fire. Cattle browsing was the main driver of variability in flammability for highly palatable species, showing increased plant bulk density and percentage fine fuel in response to cattle. Fire had a strong effect on the vertical distribution of live and dead fine fuel, showing an increase of burnable biomass in response to recent fire. The reduction of vertical fuel continuity was extreme on highly palatable species. In contrast, moderately and non‐palatable species, which are abundant under herbivore pressure, were characterized by vertically well‐distributed fine fuel biomass in the presence of cattle.

Conclusions

Responses of flammability traits to fire and cattle depended on species identity, but the majority of the species studied showed higher fuel flammability at recently burned sites affected by cattle. Domestic livestock, by increasing the flammability of post‐fire vegetation, may be key agents in altering fire regimes in forest–shrubland mosaics.
Task‐specific neural adaptations to isoinertial resistance training
Authors: Buckthorpe M. , Erskine R. M. , Fletcher G. , Folland J. P.
Published: July 2014

This study aimed to delineate the contribution of adaptations in agonist, antagonist, and stabilizer muscle activation to changes in isometric and isoinertial lifting strength after short‐term isoinertial resistance training (RT). Following familiarization, 45 men (23.2 ± 2.8 years) performed maximal isometric and isoinertial strength tests of the elbow flexors of their dominant arms before and after 3 weeks of isoinertial RT. During these tasks, surface electromyography (EMG) amplitude was recorded from the agonist (biceps brachii short and long heads), antagonist (triceps brachii lateral head), and stabilizer (anterior deltoid, pectoralis major) muscles and normalized to either Mmax (agonists) or to maximum EMG during relevant reference tasks (antagonist, stabilizers). After training, there was more than a twofold greater increase in training task‐specific isoinertial than isometric strength (17% vs 7%). There were also task‐specific adaptations in agonist EMG, with greater increases during the isoinertial than isometric strength task [analysis of variance (ANOVA), training × task, P = 0.005]. A novel finding of this study was that training increased stabilizer muscle activation during all the elbow flexion strength tasks (P < 0.001), although these were not task‐specific training effects. RT elicited specific neural adaptations to the training task that appeared to explain the greater increase in isoinertial than isometric strength.
Teacher Knowledge Development in Early Field Experiences
Authors: Ingersoll Casey , Jenkins Jayne M. , Lux Karen
Published: July 2014

Investigation of physical education preservice teacher knowledge development has been primarily limited to study of a single semester of early field experience (EFE), with findings from these investigations driving EFE design. The purpose of this research was to investigate what types of knowledge develop and how knowledge evolves and interacts to produce pedagogical content knowledge longitudinally across three semesters of EFE. Specifically, what knowledge components emerge first and continue to emerge in EFE, and what knowledge components initially, then later, interact to develop pedagogical content knowing? The participant, a 21-year-old male, engaged in three consecutive semesters of EFE. Data collection, including multiple observations and interviews, was analyzed jointly by three researchers using constant comparison and inductive analysis. Knowledge of pedagogy emerged initially and throughout the EFEs. In later EFEs, knowledge of students and content emerged concomitantly, interacting with pedagogical knowledge. Suggestions include scheduling longer units of instruction during EFEs and reteaching specific units.
The β-Lacta Test for Direct Detection of Extended-Spectrum-β-Lactamase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae in Urine
Authors: Gallah Salah , Decré Dominique , Genel Nathalie , Arlet Guillaume
Published: July 2014

With the β-Lacta test, production of extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) was assayed in 200 urine samples showing Gram-negative bacilli during direct microscopic examination. While 168 samples tested negative, all samples yielding ESBL-producing
Enterobacteriaceae
after culture gave positive (
n
= 30) or uninterpretable (
n
= 2) results. The sensitivity and specificity of ESBL detection were 94% and 100%, respectively.
A Monomeric Uncleaved Respiratory Syncytial Virus F Antigen Retains Prefusion-Specific Neutralizing Epitopes
Authors: Swanson Kurt A. , Balabanis Kara , Xie Yuhong , Aggarwal Yukti , Palomo Concepción , Mas Vicente , Metrick Claire , Yang Hui , Shaw Christine A. , Melero José A. , Dormitzer Philip R. , Carfi Andrea
Published: July 2014

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading infectious cause of severe respiratory disease in infants and a major cause of respiratory illness in the elderly. There remains an unmet vaccine need despite decades of research. Insufficient potency, homogeneity, and stability of previous RSV fusion protein (F) subunit vaccine candidates have hampered vaccine development. RSV F and related parainfluenza virus (PIV) F proteins are cleaved by furin during intracellular maturation, producing disulfide-linked F1 and F2 fragments. During cell entry, the cleaved Fs rearrange from prefusion trimers to postfusion trimers. Using RSV F constructs with mutated furin cleavage sites, we isolated an uncleaved RSV F ectodomain that is predominantly monomeric and requires specific cleavage between F1 and F2 for self-association and rearrangement into stable postfusion trimers. The uncleaved RSV F monomer is folded and homogenous and displays at least two key RSV-neutralizing epitopes shared between the prefusion and postfusion conformations. Unlike the cleaved trimer, the uncleaved monomer binds the prefusion-specific monoclonal antibody D25 and human neutralizing immunoglobulins that do not bind to postfusion F. These observations suggest that the uncleaved RSV F monomer has a prefusion-like conformation and is a potential prefusion subunit vaccine candidate.

IMPORTANCE
RSV is the leading infectious cause of severe respiratory disease in infants and a major cause of respiratory illness in the elderly. Development of an RSV vaccine was stymied when a clinical trial using a formalin-inactivated RSV virus made disease, following RSV infection, more severe. Recent studies have defined the structures that the RSV F envelope glycoprotein adopts before and after virus entry (prefusion and postfusion conformations, respectively). Key neutralization epitopes of prefusion and postfusion RSV F have been identified, and a number of current vaccine development efforts are focused on generating easily produced subunit antigens that retain these epitopes. Here we show that a simple modification in the F ectodomain results in a homogeneous protein that retains critical prefusion neutralizing epitopes. These results improve our understanding of RSV F protein folding and structure and can guide further vaccine design efforts.
Flow diverters: inter and intra-rater reliability of porosity and pore density measurements
Authors: Farzin B , Brosseau L , Jamali S , Salazkin I , Jack A , Darsaut T E , Raymond J
Published: July 2014

Background and purpose

Porosity and pore density (PD) are important characteristics of flow diverters (FDs), because they may influence device efficacy and safety. Reliable measurement of these parameters would seem to be required for comparisons between devices, device selection at the time of clinical usage, as well as for research purposes. Because there is no standard method of measurement, our aim was to assess the intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of PD measurements and of three different ways of measuring porosity.

Methods

Six microphotographs of two fully deployed FDs were taken overlying two different millimetric reference grids: one flat and the other corrected to match the cylindrical stent. Standardized protocols for independently measuring PD and porosity according to three different methods were used by three trained observers and by the same observer twice. Bland–Altman plots and intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) were used to study the reliability of the measurements.

Results

For porosity, satisfactory agreement occurred only when the same method of measurement was performed by the same observer. Intra-observer and inter-observer agreement were poor for measures of porosity when different methods were used (with differences in the range of 5–10%, ICC <0.6 for all methods). Measurement of PD was more reliable within (ICC 0.991 (0.946 to 0.999)) and between (ICC 0.945 (0.781 to 0.991)) observers.

Conclusions

Without standardization, the porosity of different devices cannot reliably be compared because use of different methods or different observers substantially changes results. Pore density seems to be more reliably measured than porosity.
Smoke management of wildland and prescribed fire: understanding public preferences and trade-offs
Authors: Blades Jarod J. , Shook Steven R. , Hall Troy E.
Published: July 2014

Smoke from forest fires is a serious and increasing land management concern. However, a paucity of information exists that is specific to public perceptions of smoke. This study used conjoint analysis, a multivariate technique, to evaluate how four situational factors (i.e., smoke origin, smoke duration, health impact, and advanced warning) influence public tolerance of smoke in the northern Rocky Mountains and south-central United States. Separate analyses were performed for subgroups, based on community type, level of fire preparedness, demographics, and smoke experience, to explore potential differences among managerially relevant populations. Origin of the smoke and advanced public warning were commonly the most important factors influencing public tolerance of smoke. A comparison of our conjoint approach with a univariate rating technique is also discussed. Findings from this research will help fire managers understand public tolerance of smoke from forest fires, inform forest management, and enhance public communication strategies.
Recent developments on the CKM matrix
Authors: Wang Wei
Published: July 2014

In Standard Model, CP violation arises from an irreducible complex phase in the quark mixing matrix, now under the name Cabibbo–Kobayashi–Maskawa matrix. This description has shown remarkable overall agreement with various experimental measurements. In this review, we discuss recent experimental data and theoretical developments on three quantities of CKM matrix that are most uncertain: the Vub, including its magnitude and the phase γ in standard parametrization, and the [Formula: see text] mixing phase βs.
Mechanical properties, electronic properties and phase stability of Mg under pressure: A first-principles study
Authors: Li Jian , Dong Xu , Jin Ye , Fan Changzeng
Published: July 2014

Magnesium (Mg) crystal structures are extensively explored using an evolutionary algorithm implemented in the USPEX code. Two structures with simple trigonal and tetragonal symmetries are discovered to possibly exist under high pressure. The stability of these symmetries is determined by elastic constants and phonon spectrum calculations. First-principle calculations are performed to investigate the structural, mechanical and electronic properties of different Mg structures under high pressure (up to 300 GPa). Above 190 GPa, the trigonal structure is more stable than the hexagonal close-packed (HCP) structure. Particularly, the trigonal structure can be considered a compromise between face-centered cubic (FCC) and HCP blocks. Interestingly, the tetragonal structure density is only 95% HCP structure. In addition, the tetragonal structure has strong directional bonding but is less stable than the HCP structure (up to 600 GPa). Pressure significantly changes the electronic properties of both structures although they remain metallic up to 300 GPa.
CORROSION PROTECTION OF ND–FE–B MAGNETS VIA PHOPHATIZATION, SILANIZATION AND ELECTROSTATIC SPRAYING WITH ORGANIC RESIN COMPOSITE COATINGS
Authors: DING XIA , LI JINGJIE , LI MUSEN , GE SHENGSONG , WANG XIUCHUN , DING KAIHONG , CUI SHENGLI , SUN YONGCONG
Published: July 2014

Nd – Fe – B permanent magnets possess excellent properties. However, they are highly sensitive to the attack of corrosive environment. The aim of this work is to improve the corrosion resistance of the magnets by phosphatization, silanization, and electrostatic spraying with organic resin composite coatings. Field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) tests showed that uniform phosphate conversion coatings and spray layers were formed on the surface of the Nd – Fe – B magnets. Neutral salt spray tests exhibited that, after treated by either phosphating, silanization or electrostatic spraying, the protectiveness of Nd – Fe – B alloys was apparently increased. And corrosion performance of magnets treated with silane only was slightly inferior to those of phosphatized ones. However, significant improvement in corrosion protection was achieved after two-step treatments, i.e. by top-coating spray layer with phosphate or silane films underneath. Grid test indicated that the phosphate and silane coating were strongly attached to the substrate while silane film was slightly weaker than the phosphate-treated ones. Magnetic property analysis revealed phosphatization, silanization, and electrostatic spraying caused decrease in magnetism, but silanization had the relatively smaller effect.
Are distance-dependent statistical potentials considering three interacting bodies superior to two-body statistical potentials for protein structure prediction?
Authors: Ghomi Hamed Tabatabaei , Thompson Jared J. , Lill Markus A.
Published: July 2014

Distance-based statistical potentials have long been used to model condensed matter systems, e.g. as scoring functions in differentiating native-like protein structures from decoys. These scoring functions are based on the assumption that the total free energy of the protein can be calculated as the sum of pairwise free energy contributions derived from a statistical analysis of pair-distribution functions. However, this fundamental assumption has been challenged theoretically. In fact the free energy of a system with N particles is only exactly related to the N-body distribution function. Based on this argument coarse-grained multi-body statistical potentials have been developed to capture higher-order interactions. Having a coarse representation of the protein and using geometric contacts instead of pairwise interaction distances renders these models insufficient in modeling details of multi-body effects. In this study, we investigated if extending distance-dependent pairwise atomistic statistical potentials to corresponding interaction functions that are conditional on a third interacting body, defined as quasi-three-body statistical potentials, could model details of three-body interactions. We also tested if this approach could improve the predictive capabilities of statistical scoring functions for protein structure prediction. We analyzed the statistical dependency between two simultaneous pairwise interactions and showed that there is surprisingly little if any dependency of a third interacting site on pairwise atomistic statistical potentials. Also the protein structure prediction performance of these quasi-three-body potentials is comparable with their corresponding two-body counterparts. The scoring functions developed in this study showed better or comparable performances compared to some widely used scoring functions for protein structure prediction.
Groups of components of Néron models of Jacobians and Brauer groups
Authors: Biswas Saikat
Published: July 2014

Let X be a proper, smooth, and geometrically connected curve over a non-archimedean local field K. In this paper, we relate the component group of the Néron model of the Jacobian of X to the Brauer group of X.
Multifaceted aspects of chunking enable robust algorithms
Authors: Acuna Daniel E. , Wymbs Nicholas F. , Reynolds Chelsea A. , Picard Nathalie , Turner Robert S. , Strick Peter L. , Grafton Scott T. , Kording Konrad P.
Published: July 2014

Sequence production tasks are a standard tool to analyze motor learning, consolidation, and habituation. As sequences are learned, movements are typically grouped into subsets or chunks. For example, most Americans memorize telephone numbers in two chunks of three digits, and one chunk of four. Studies generally use response times or error rates to estimate how subjects chunk, and these estimates are often related to physiological data. Here we show that chunking is simultaneously reflected in reaction times, errors, and their correlations. This multimodal structure enables us to propose a Bayesian algorithm that better estimates chunks while avoiding overfitting. Our algorithm reveals previously unknown behavioral structure, such as an increased error correlations with training, and promises a useful tool for the characterization of many forms of sequential motor behavior.
Policy Selection in the Face of Political Instability
Authors: Davies Graeme A. M.
Published: July 2014

This article bridges the divide between comparative politics and international relations by examining the interaction between domestic instability and policy choices made at the domestic and international level. It is theorized that leaders select from a basket of options that include diversion, repression, and political concessions. It is argued that governmental institutions affect political leaders choices, with more domestically constrained democratic governments eschewing the use of repression, instead opting for diversion and concessions. Whereas autocratic governments will use repression as it is the most effective and least costly option. Using a panel vector autoregression model, the study tests whether political leaders use one or a mixture of responses when confronted with widespread dissatisfaction. The analysis models feedback loops enabling it to simultaneously evaluate the effectiveness of those strategies at reducing instability within the different institutional contexts. The study found little evidence of diversion, but it did find that the international environment affects both policy choices and affected the level of instability in the state. The use of concessions for all states is generally counterproductive when that state is involved in a strategic rivalry whereas they tend to reduce instability when both democracies and autocracies are in a more peaceful international environment.
(Foundation-)Matrix Reloaded—Some Remarks on a Useful Concept and Its Pitfalls
Authors: Scholz Regine
Published: July 2014

In a preliminary remark those brilliant—mostly Jewish–German speaking intellectuals of the 20th-century in central Europe are acknowledged, who formed the background—the matrix—from which Foulkes developed his ideas of matrix and foundation matrix.

After recalling the definition and summarizing the notion of foundation matrix, this concept is discussed, comparing it to other theories that aim at large scale transpersonal processes, namely the ‘social unconscious’ and ‘large group identity’. The article closes pleading for very precise group analytic thinking, advising against the possibility that the concepts—if their process character is neglected—could be used to underpin a right wing/fascist argument.
Factors associated with high rates of antiretroviral medication adherence among youth living with perinatal HIV in Thailand
Authors: Kang Ezer , Delzell Darcie AP , Chhabra Manik , Oberdorfer Peninnah
Published: July 2014

Antiretroviral medication adherence behaviour among Thai youth with perinatal HIV in Thailand has received growing attention. However, few studies have examined individual predictors of antiretroviral adherence using multiple self-reports. A convenience sample of 89 Thai youth (interquartile range 14–16 years) with perinatal HIV at three paediatric programmes in Chiang Mai completed a structured questionnaire and reported their antiretroviral adherence in the past one, seven and 30 days using count-based recall and a visual analog scale. Mean self-reported adherence rates ranged from 83.5% (past 30 days) to 99.8% (yesterday) of the time. One-inflated beta regression models were used to examine the associations between antiretroviral adherence outcomes, treatment self-efficacy, depression, anxiety, social support and beliefs/attitudes about medications. Higher percentage of medications taken in the past 30 days was independently associated with higher treatment self-efficacy and fewer symptoms of depression. Adherence monitoring would benefit from focal assessment of youth depression and perceived capacity to follow their antiretroviral regimen.
“Vicious Circles”
Authors: Owen-Smith Amanda , Donovan Jenny , Coast Joanna
Published: July 2014

Although there has been extensive research around the etiology of moderate obesity, there are still important questions relating to the development and lived experience of extreme obesity. We present a synthesis of data from two in-depth qualitative studies in which morbidly obese participants ( N = 31) were able to explain the development of the condition in their own terms. We identified consistent themes in the two datasets, and undertook a detailed data synthesis. Particularly salient themes in the development of morbid obesity related to family structures and early socialization experiences, and the role of emotional distress was dominant in both initial weight gain and ongoing cycles of loss and regain. All informants accepted some responsibility for their health state, but identified a number of mitigating factors that limited personal culpability that were often related to the fulfillment of gendered social expectations.
Integrating Acupuncture in an Inpatient Setting
Authors: Kielczynska B. Basia , Kligler Benjamin , Specchio Eileen
Published: July 2014

Acupuncture, a licensed health care profession in the United States, is poorly integrated into the American health care system, despite the evidence of its effectiveness. The purpose of this study was to offer a phenomenological description of the experience of acupuncturists who delivered acupuncture care in a tertiary teaching hospital in New York City. We analyzed data using methodology proposed by Colaizzi and identified four major clusters of themes: (a) acupuncturists’ excitement about practicing in a hospital setting and frustration about organizational obstacles to effective acupuncture integration; (b) pride in being holistic practitioners; (c) attempts to preserve the holism and effectiveness of acupuncture while adjusting to the limitations of an inpatient setting, and (d) acupuncturists’ realization that the medical staff knew very little about acupuncture and “it’s all about trust.” Practitioners of other healing traditions and therapies might find our study helpful in their own efforts toward similar integration.
Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in neuromyelitis optica: A registry study of the EBMT Autoimmune Diseases Working Party
Authors: Greco Raffaella , Bondanza Attilio , Oliveira Maria Carolina , Badoglio Manuela , Burman Joachim , Piehl Fredrik , Hagglund Hans , Krasulova Eva , Simões Belinda Pinto , Carlson Kristina , Pohlreich David , Labopin Myriam , Saccardi Riccardo , Comi Giancarlo , Mancardi Gian Luigi , Bacigalupo Andrea , Ciceri Fabio , Farge Dominique
Published: July 2014

Background:

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an inflammatory autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system, hallmarked by pathogenic anti-aquaporin 4 antibodies. NMO prognosis is worse compared with multiple sclerosis.

Objective:

The European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) Autoimmune Diseases Working Party (ADWP) conducted a retrospective survey to analyze disease outcome following autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT).

Methods:

This retrospective multicenter study assessed the efficacy and safety of ASCT in 16 patients suffering from refractory NMO reported to the EBMT registry between 2001 and 2011.

Results:

Fifteen patients were successfully mobilized with cyclophosphamide (Cy) and G-CSF, one with G-CSF alone. All patients received an unmanipulated autologous peripheral blood stem cell graft, after conditioning with BEAM plus anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG, n = 9 patients), thiotepa-Cy ( n = 3) or Cy (200 mg/kg) plus ATG ( n = 4). After a median follow-up of 47 months, three of 16 cases were progression and treatment free, while in the remaining 13 patients further treatments were administered for disability progression or relapse after ASCT. Altogether, relapse-free survival at three and five years was 31% and 10%, respectively, while progression-free survival remained 48% at three and five years.

Conclusions:

In these NMO patients, highly resistant to conventional treatment, ASCT allows for temporary control of the disease, despite a tendency to progress or relapse in the long term.
Accuracy of a New Patch Pump Based on a Microelectromechanical System (MEMS) Compared to Other Commercially Available Insulin Pumps
Authors: Borot Sophie , Franc Sylvia , Cristante Justine , Penfornis Alfred , Benhamou Pierre-Yves , Guerci Bruno , Hanaire Hélène , Renard Eric , Reznik Yves , Simon Chantal , Charpentier Guillaume ,   on behalf of the Diabeloop Study Group
Published: July 2014

Background:

The JewelPUMP™ (JP) is a new patch pump based on a microelectromechanical system that operates without any plunger. The study aimed to evaluate the infusion accuracy of the JP in vitro and in vivo.

Methods:

For the in vitro studies, commercially available pumps meeting the ISO standard were compared to the JP: the MiniMed® Paradigm® 712 (MP), Accu-Chek® Combo (AC), OmniPod® (OP), Animas® Vibe™ (AN). Pump accuracy was measured over 24 hours using a continuous microweighing method, at 0.1 and 1 IU/h basal rates. The occlusion alarm threshold was measured after a catheter occlusion. The JP, filled with physiological serum, was then tested in 13 patients with type 1 diabetes simultaneously with their own pump for 2 days. The weight difference was used to calculate the infused insulin volume.

Results:

The JP showed reduced absolute median error rate in vitro over a 15-minute observation window compared to other pumps (1 IU/h): ±1.02% (JP) vs ±1.60% (AN), ±1.66% (AC), ±2.22% (MP), and ±4.63% (OP), P < .0001. But there was no difference over 24 hours. At 0.5 IU/h, the JP was able to detect an occlusion earlier than other pumps: 21 (19; 25) minutes vs 90 (85; 95), 58 (42; 74), and 143 (132; 218) minutes (AN, AC, MP), P < .05 vs AN and MP. In patients, the 24-hour flow error was not significantly different between the JP and usual pumps (–2.2 ± 5.6% vs –0.37 ± 4.0%, P = .25). The JP was found to be easier to wear than conventional pumps.

Conclusions:

The JP is more precise over a short time period, more sensitive to catheter occlusion, well accepted by patients, and consequently, of potential interest for a closed-loop insulin delivery system.
MDSCs: the final frontier of the microenvironment in CLL?
Authors: Zirlik Katja
Published: July 2014

In this issue of Blood, Jitschin et al identify increased numbers of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in untreated patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) suppressing T cells and inducing regulatory T cells (Tregs), resulting in impaired immune responses.1
Population-wide incidence estimates for soft tissue knee injuries presenting to healthcare in southern Sweden: data from the Skåne Healthcare Register
Authors: Peat George , Bergknut Charlotte , Frobell Richard , Jöud Anna , Englund Martin
Published: July 2014

Introduction

Soft tissue knee injury is a well-established and potent risk factor for development of knee osteoarthritis. However, there is a paucity of epidemiological data from the general population. Our aim was to estimate the annual person-level incidence for a wide spectrum of clinically diagnosed soft tissue knee injuries, and their distribution by age, sex, and season.

Methods

In Sweden, in- and outpatient health care is registered using each individuals’ unique personal identifier including International Classification of Diseases (ICD) 10 diagnostic code(s) as determined by physicians’ clinical examination. For the calendar years 2004–2012, we studied the population in southern Sweden, Skåne region (approx. 1.3 million). We identified residents who had at least one visit to a physician with clinically diagnosed knee ligament, meniscal, or other soft-tissue injury (S80.0, S83 and all subdiagnoses). We then calculated the mean annual incidence over the 9-year period. As a secondary objective, we investigated potential seasonal variation.

Results

The annual incidence for males and females was 766 (95% CI: 742, 789) and 676 (649, 702) per 100,000 persons/year respectively. For males and females, the peak rate occurred in 15 to 19 year-olds (1698 per 100,000 men and 1464 per 100,000 women, respectively). In women, rates were lowest in the 25 to 34 year-old age range before rising again between the ages of 35 and 49 years. We found substantial seasonal variation, greatest in men, with peaks in March-May and August-October.

Conclusions

The incidence of clinically diagnosed soft-tissue knee injury peaks in adolescence and emerging adulthood. However, a range of knee injuries continue to occur across the adult lifespan including at ages when osteoarthritis is typically diagnosed and managed. The potential cumulative effect on osteoarthritis progression of these injuries may warrant further investigation.
Imaging VEGF receptor expression to identify accelerated atherosclerosis
Authors: Tekabe Yared , Kollaros Maria , Zerihoun Adam , Zhang Geping , Backer Marina V , Backer Joseph M , Johnson Lynne L
Published: July 2014

Background

The biology of the vulnerable plaque includes increased inflammation and rapid growth of vasa vasorum, processes that are associated with enhanced vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)/ imaging receptors for VEGF (VEGFR) signaling and are accelerated in diabetes. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that VEGFRs in atherosclerotic plaques with a SPECT tracer scVEGF-PEG-DOTA/99mTc (scV/Tc) can identify accelerated atherosclerosis in diabetes.

Methods

Male apolipoprotein E null (ApoE−/−) mice (6 weeks of age) were made diabetic (n = 10) or left as non-diabetic (n = 13). At 26 to 28 weeks of age, 5 non-diabetic mice were injected with functionally inactivated scV/Tc (in-scV/Tc) that does not bind to VEGF receptors, while 8 non-diabetic and 10 diabetic mice were injected with scV/Tc. After blood pool clearance, at 3 to 4 h post-injection, mice were injected with CT contrast agent and underwent SPECT/CT imaging. From the scans, regions of interest (ROI) were drawn on serial transverse sections comprising the proximal aorta and the percentage of injected dose (%ID) in ROIs was calculated. At the completion of imaging, mice were euthanized, proximal aorta explanted for gamma well counting to determine the percentage of injected dose per gram (%ID/g) uptake and immunohistochemical characterization.

Results

The uptake of scV/Tc in the proximal aorta, calculated from SPECT/CT co-registered scans as %ID, was significantly higher in the diabetic mice (0.036 ± 0.017%ID) compared to non-diabetic mice (0.017 ± 0.005%ID; P < 0.01), as was uptake measured as %ID/g in harvested aorta, 1.81 ± 0.50%ID/g in the diabetic group vs. 0.98 ± 0.25%ID/g in the non-diabetic group (P < 0.01). The nonspecific uptake of in-scV/Tc in proximal aorta was significantly lower than the uptake of functionally active scV/Tc. Immunostaining of the atherosclerotic lesions showed higher expression of VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 in the diabetic mice.

Conclusion

These initial results suggest that imaging VEGFR with scV/Tc shows promise as a non-invasive approach to identify accelerated atherosclerosis.
Crossing to Safety? Frontier Flight in Eighteenth-Century Belize and Yucatan
Authors: Restall Matthew
Published: July 2014

In the eighteenth century there was increasingly endemic flight by black slaves out of British logging camps and settlements in Belize across the colonial frontier into Yucatan and other adjacent Spanish territories. This article explores the evidence for this phenomenon, its possible causes and reasons why flight did not occur in the opposite directions, and the implications of flight by nonslaves. Yucatan and Belize were very different societies, and yet the frontier between them was a bridge as much as a barrier. Patterns of flight reflected how British and Spanish spheres were tied together by the human threads of Atlantic world labor. The Yucatan-Belize region was a single, complex dynamo of labor exploitation that encompassed contrasting and competing colonial systems.
myomiR-dependent switching of BAF60 variant incorporation into Brg1 chromatin remodeling complexes during embryo myogenesis
Authors: Goljanek-Whysall Katarzyna , Mok Gi Fay , Fahad Alrefaei Abdulmajeed , Kennerley Niki , Wheeler Grant N. , Münsterberg Andrea
Published: July 2014

Myogenesis involves the stable commitment of progenitor cells followed by the execution of myogenic differentiation, processes that are coordinated by myogenic regulatory factors, microRNAs and BAF chromatin remodeling complexes. BAF60a, BAF60b and BAF60c are structural subunits of the BAF complex that bind to the core ATPase Brg1 to provide functional specificity. BAF60c is essential for myogenesis; however, the mechanisms regulating the subunit composition of BAF/Brg1 complexes, in particular the incorporation of different BAF60 variants, are not understood. Here we reveal their dynamic expression during embryo myogenesis and uncover the concerted negative regulation of BAF60a and BAF60b by the muscle-specific microRNAs (myomiRs) miR-133 and miR-1/206 during somite differentiation. MicroRNA inhibition in chick embryos leads to increased BAF60a or BAF60b levels, a concomitant switch in BAF/Brg1 subunit composition and delayed myogenesis. The phenotypes are mimicked by sustained BAF60a or BAF60b expression and are rescued by morpholino knockdown of BAF60a or BAF60b. This suggests that myomiRs contribute to select BAF60c for incorporation into the Brg1 complex by specifically targeting the alternative variants BAF60a and BAF60b during embryo myogenesis, and reveals that interactions between tissue-specific non-coding RNAs and chromatin remodeling factors confer robustness to mesodermal lineage determination.
Photoinduced Pigmentation Using Base-reactive Indigo Precursors in a Polymer Film
Authors: Arimitsu Koji , Yamamoto Ryousuke , Arai Midori , Furutani Masahiro
Published: July 2014

Organic pigments can be distinguished from dyes because of their insolubility. We have synthesized a soluble base-reactive indigo precursor as a latent pigment, which regenerates an indigo molecule by a base-catalyzed reaction. We also report here the pigmentation of indigo molecules regenerated by the basic species from photobase generator in a polystyrene film.
Primary leiomyosarcoma of the venous vessel wall
Authors: Wolter F. , Bode J.
Published: July 2014

Leiomyosarkome machen mit nur 6 % einen kleinen Bereich der Weichteiltumore aus. Davon sind ca. 20 % gefäßassoziiert und vorwiegend im Bereich der Vena cava inferior beschrieben (1–4). Es handelt sich um einen äußerst aggressiven Tumor, der insbesondere an der unteren Extremität unspezifische Beschwerden bereitet. Primär bei nicht vorlie-gender Metastasierung ist die komplette Resektion des Tumors mit Sicherheitsabstand die Therapie der Wahl, die das Langzeitüberleben der Patienten positiv beeinflusst (2, 5, 6). Jedoch mehr als 50 % der Patienten haben bereits bei Diagnosestellung pulmonale oder hepatische Metastasen (1–3). Im Allgemeinen ist eine interdisziplinäre Zusammenarbeit von den Chirurgen, Pathologen und Onkologen sowie Radiologen gefordert.

Dieses Fallbeispiel beschreibt einen 74-jährigen, männlichen Patienten mit einer seit etwa einem Jahr bestehenden lokalen Schwel-lung am proximalen linken Unterschenkel. Mit Hilfe eines Schnellschnittverfahrens konnte histopathologisch ein Leiomyosarkom mit mäßiger Differenzierung nachgewiesen werden. Es erfolgte die radikale Tumorexzision mit erfolgreicher R0-Resektion.
Rational Speculators, Contrarians, and Excess Volatility
Authors: Lof Matthijs
Published: July 2014

The vector autoregressive approach for testing present value models is applied to a heterogeneous-agent asset pricing model using historical observations of the S&P 500 index. Besides fundamentalists, who value assets according to expected dividends, the model features rational and contrarian speculators. Agents choose their strategy based on evolutionary considerations. Supplementing the standard present value model with speculative agents dramatically improves the model's ability to replicate observed market dynamics. In particular, the existence of contrarians can explain some of the most volatile episodes including the 1990s bubble, suggesting this was not a rational bubble.

Data, as supplemental material, are available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2014.1937 .

This paper was accepted by Itay Goldstein, finance.
Organización para el buen vivir. Estudio de caso de organizaciones del sector cooperativo en la provincia del Azuay (Ecuador) y sus aportes al buen vivir de las poblaciones y sus territorios
Authors: Endara Sebastián
Published: July 2014

Partiendo de que las organizaciones cooperativistas son definidas como asociaciones voluntarias de personas unidas para lograr un fin o satisfacer una necesidad común, bajo firmes principios y valores éticos, la participación, la educación continua, y el compromiso con la Naturaleza, y siendo estos elementos constitutivos del ideal del Buen Vivir/Sumak Kawsay, este estudio parte estableciendo una lectura crítica de los soportes ideológicos que restringen las posibilidades de expansión de la organización social, y sugiere los elementos claves que justifican la existencia de la organización social como parte de un proceso muy vinculado a la generación de nuevos paradigmas de desarrollo, para concluir a modo de ejemplificación, con un acercamiento a organizaciones de este tipo dentro de la provincia del Azuay, ubicar sus pilares de funcionamiento organizacional a través del seguimiento de su historia y sus perspectivas a futuro.