bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Somatic Mutations in H-RAS in Sporadic Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma Identified by Exome Sequencing
Authors: Crona Joakim , Delgado Verdugo Alberto , Maharjan Rajani , Stålberg Peter , Granberg Dan , Hellman Per , Björklund Peyman
Published: May 2013

Context:

Up to 60% of pheochromocytoma (PCC) and paraganglioma (PGL) are associated with either somatic or germline mutations in established PCC and PGL susceptibility loci. Most unexplained cases are characterized by an increased activity of the RAS/RAF/ERK signaling pathway. Mutations in RAS subtypes H, K, and N are common in human cancers; however, previous studies have been inconsistent regarding the mutational status of RAS in PCC and PGL.

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to identify novel disease causing genes in PCC and PGL tumors.

Design, setting, and participants:

Four benign and sporadic PCC and PGL tumors were subjected to whole exome sequencing using the Illumina HiSeq Platform. Sequences were processed by CLC genomics 4.9 bioinformatics software and the acquired list of genetic variants was filtered against the Catalogue of Somatic Mutations in Cancer database. Findings were validated in an additional 78 PCC and PGL tumor lesions.

Results:

Exome sequencing identified 2 cases with somatic mutations in the H-RAS. In total, 6.9% (n = 4/58) of tumors negative for mutations in major PCC and PGL loci had mutations in H-RAS: G13R, Q61K, and Q61R. There were 3 PCC and 1 PGL; all had sporadic presentation with benign tumor characteristics and substantial increases in norepinephrine and/or epinephrine. H-RAS tumors were exclusively found in male patients (P = .007).

Conclusions:

We identified recurrent somatic H-RAS mutations in pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma. Tumors with H-RAS mutations had activation of the RAS/RAF/ERK signaling pathway and were associated with male PCC patients having benign and sporadic disease characteristics. H-RAS could serve as a prognostic and predictive marker as well as a novel therapeutic target.
Paris’s 1900 Universal Exposition and the Politics of Urban Disaster
Authors: Soppelsa Peter
Published: May 2013

National and international critics of Paris’s 1900 Universal Exposition claimed that it was a disaster on various levels. That year, in addition to two walkway collapses that killed thirteen people, Paris experienced numerous construction and transportation accidents; electrical failures and fires; a deadly heat wave followed by a water shortage, near sewer failure, and “great stink”; and typhoid and smallpox outbreaks that killed more than a thousand people. Taking the spatial turn in exposition studies, this article interprets these claims as part of a conservative disaster discourse that targeted the exposition to undermine the Third Republic and its progressive conception of urban modernity. Thus, rather than examining an actual disaster, I show how the Republic’s critics used fears of impending disaster to cast modern Paris as a “risk society” characterized by “normal accidents,” which in turn questioned the Republic’s project, widely hyped at the exposition, of controlling nature and achieving social progress through science and technology.

L’exposition universelle de 1900 a été accompagnée par des déclarations françaises et internationales de la catastrophe. Cette année-là, au-delà de l’effondrement de deux passerelles qui a tué treize personnes, Paris a connu de nombreux accidents de construction et de transport; des pannes électriques et des incendies; une vague de chaleur meurtrière, une disette d’eau, un échec d’égout, et un « Great Stink »; et des éruptions de fièvre typhoïde et de variole tuant plus de 1 000. Prenant le « tournant spatial » dans les « exposition studies », cet article interprète ces déclarations comme un discours conservateur qui a ciblé l’exposition afin de saper la Troisième République et sa conception de la modernité urbaine. Au lieu d’examiner une catastrophe réelle, cet article montre comment ce discours a exploité les craintes d’une catastrophe imminente pour présenter la modernité urbaine comme une « société du risque », caractérisée par des « accidents normaux », ainsi interrogeant le projet républicain de contrôler la nature et réaliser des progrès sociaux grâce aux nouvelles technologies scientifiques.
Evidence for transgenerational metabolic programming inDrosophila
Authors: Buescher Jessica L. , Musselman Laura P. , Wilson Christina A. , Lang Tieming , Keleher Madeline , Baranski Thomas J. , Duncan Jennifer G.
Published: May 2013

Worldwide epidemiologic studies have repeatedly demonstrated an association between prenatal nutritional environment, birth weight and susceptibility to adult diseases including obesity, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Despite advances in mammalian model systems, the molecular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are unclear, but might involve programming mechanisms such as epigenetics. Here we describe a new system for evaluating metabolic programming mechanisms using a simple, genetically tractable Drosophila model. We examined the effect of maternal caloric excess on offspring and found that a high-sugar maternal diet alters body composition of larval offspring for at least two generations, augments an obese-like phenotype under suboptimal (high-calorie) feeding conditions in adult offspring, and modifies expression of metabolic genes. Our data indicate that nutritional programming mechanisms could be highly conserved and support the use of Drosophila as a model for evaluating the underlying genetic and epigenetic contributions to this phenomenon.
Inhibition of IκB kinase reduces the multiple organ dysfunction caused by sepsis in the mouse
Authors: Coldewey Sina M. , Rogazzo Mara , Collino Massimo , Patel Nimesh S. A. , Thiemermann Christoph
Published: May 2013

Nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) plays a pivotal role in sepsis. Activation of NF-κB is initiated by the signal-induced ubiquitylation and subsequent degradation of inhibitors of kappa B (IκBs) primarily via activation of the IκB kinase (IKK). This study was designed to investigate the effects of IKK inhibition on sepsis-associated multiple organ dysfunction and/or injury (MOD) and to elucidate underlying signaling mechanisms in two different in vivo models: male C57BL/6 mice were subjected to either bacterial cell wall components [lipopolysaccharide and peptidoglycan (LPS/PepG)] or underwent cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) to induce sepsis-associated MOD. At 1 hour after LPS/PepG or CLP, mice were treated with the IKK inhibitor IKK 16 (1 mg/kg body weight). At 24 hours, parameters of organ dysfunction and/or injury were assessed in both models. Mice developed a significant impairment in systolic contractility (echocardiography), and significant increases in serum creatinine, serum alanine aminotransferase and lung myeloperoxidase activity, thus indicating cardiac dysfunction, renal dysfunction, hepatocellular injury and lung inflammation, respectively. Treatment with IKK 16 attenuated the impairment in systolic contractility, renal dysfunction, hepatocellular injury and lung inflammation in LPS/PepG-induced MOD and in polymicrobial sepsis. Compared with mice that were injected with LPS/PepG or underwent CLP, immunoblot analyses of heart and liver tissues from mice that were injected with LPS/PepG or underwent CLP and were also treated with IKK 16 revealed: (1) significant attenuation of the increased phosphorylation of IκBα; (2) significant attenuation of the increased nuclear translocation of the NF-κB subunit p65; (3) significant attenuation of the increase in inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression; and (4) a significant increase in the phosphorylation of Akt and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). Here, we report for the first time that delayed IKK inhibition reduces MOD in experimental sepsis. We suggest that this protective effect is (at least in part) attributable to inhibition of inflammation through NF-κB, the subsequent decrease in iNOS expression and the activation of the Akt-eNOS survival pathway.
Tracking Ca2+-dependent and Ca2+-independent conformational transitions in syntaxin 1A during exocytosis in neuroendocrine cells
Authors: Greitzer-Antes Dafna , Barak-Broner Noa , Berlin Shai , Oron Yoram , Chikvashvili Dodo , Lotan Ilana
Published: May 2013

A key issue for understanding exocytosis is elucidating the various protein interactions and the associated conformational transitions underlying SNARE protein assembly. To monitor dynamic changes in syntaxin 1A (Syx) conformation along exocytosis, we constructed a novel fluorescent Syx - based probe that can be efficiently incorporated within endogenous SNARE complexes, support exocytosis, and report shifts in Syx between ‘closed’ and ‘open’ conformations by Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer analysis. Using this probe we resolve two distinct Syx conformational transitions during membrane depolarization-induced exocytosis in PC12 cells: a partial ‘opening’ in the absence of Ca2+ entry and an additional ‘opening’ upon Ca2+ entry. The Ca2+ -dependent transition is abolished upon neutralization of the basic charges in the juxtamembrane regions of Syx, which also impairs exocytosis. These novel findings provide evidence of two conformational transitions in Syx during exocytosis, which have not been reported before: one transition directly induced by depolarization and additional transition that involves the juxtamembrane region of Syx. The superior sensitivity of our probe also enabled detection of subtle Syx conformational changes upon interaction with VAMP2, which were absolutely dependent on the basic charges of the juxtamembrane region. Hence, our results further suggest that the Ca2+ -dependent transition in Syx involves zippering between the membrane-proximal juxtamemrane regions of Syx and VAMP2 and support the recently implied existence of this zippering in the final phase of SNARE assembly to catalyze exocytosis.
Synthesis of Diverse Aromatic Oxophosphorus Compounds by the Michaelis–Arbuzov-type Reaction of Arynes
Authors: Yoshida Suguru , Hosoya Takamitsu
Published: May 2013

Arynes, generated in situ from o-(trimethylsilyl)aryl triflates by treatment with a fluoride, have been shown to react efficiently with various alkoxyphosphines via a mechanism similar to the Michaelis–Arbuzov reaction. Diverse aromatic oxophosphorus compounds, including derivatives with an ortho-ester function, have become easily available from a common aryne precursor by this method.
Ultraviolet-light-responsive Liquid Marbles
Authors: Nakai Keita , Fujii Syuji , Nakamura Yoshinobu , Yusa Shin-ichi
Published: May 2013

Photoresponsive liquid marbles were prepared using spiropyran (SP) powder. The liquid marbles were transferred to a Petri dish containing water and remained stable on the water surface for more than a week in the dark. The liquid marbles disintegrated immediately upon irradiation with ultraviolet (UV) light.
Hydrocele of the canal of Nuck: imaging findings
Authors: Manjunatha Yc , Beeregowda Yc , Bhaskaran A
Published: May 2013

The hydrocele of the canal of Nuck is quite a rare condition and results from the failure of obliteration of the distal portion of evaginated parietal peritoneum within the inguinal canal which forms a sac containing fluid. It generally presents with painless inguinal swelling. Ultrasonography and MRI is plays an important role to differentiate from the other conditions presenting with inguinal swelling. We present the imaging findings of a case in 5-year-old girl.
Embolization of pulmonary AVMs of feeding arteries less than 3 mm: reports of two cases and an 8-year follow-up without embolization
Authors: Andersen Poul Erik , Kjeldsen Anette D
Published: May 2013

Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) with feeding arteries of 3 mm or more have been shown to be associated with paradoxical embolization and serious neurologic complications. Therefore it is generally recommended to occlude feeding arteries of this size, while smaller feeding arteries often are left untreated. However, neurologic complications have also been described in patients with small PAVMs, and it has not been possible to stratify risk by size of feeding artery and thus there is no evidence that 3 mm is the critical size of the feeding artery potentially giving complications. Further, it is well-known that with time PAVMs and their feeding arteries may enlarge. Also, embolization of small feeding arteries will minimize the risk of paradoxical emboli and reduce the need for CT follow-up controls in these patients. Two cases demonstrate the possibility to embolize small feeding arteries.
Police and Crime Commissioners: The Changing Landscape of Police Governance in England and Wales: Their Potential Impact on Local Accountability, Police Service Delivery and Community Safety
Authors: Loveday Barry
Published: May 2013

This article considers the potential impact of Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) on the governance and accountability of the police in England and Wales. The article assesses the powers and responsibilities of PCCs and their future responsibility for developing local police strategies. It considers the potential impact of the direct election of PCCs and the relationship between elected PCCs and the chief constable, where future election success may depend on the extent to which the local police force has achieved the objectives set for it by the PCC. The article goes on to consider the changing nature of local electoral politics and the need for local political party infrastructure to sustain an election campaign within individual (and often large) police force areas. The article thereafter considers the potential threat that PCCs as budget holders may represent to existing Community Safety Partnerships, along with the undoubted and continuing benefits that arise from police partnerships with local authorities.
The Successes and Failures of Policing Animal Rights Extremism in the UK 2004–2010
Authors: Mills Gordon
Published: May 2013

This paper considers animal rights activism and associated extremism in the period 2004–2010 in the UK, and proposes that this post-2004 period witnessed a new era in animal rights extremism. It is argued that following the successful targeting of major pharmaceutical companies leading up to 2004 by animal rights campaigners deploying a variety of effective tactics based primarily on intimidation and harassment — the government, the police and the targeted industries robustly responded in a coordinated strategic approach to reduce animal rights crimes. However, the success of this initiative has had far-reaching implications for human rights and the ability of people to protest in a democratic society. The operational success has also led to more sophisticated tactics being used by extremists and a displacement abroad to ‘softer’ targets. This, perversely, orchestrated even more restrictive laws being passed to curb extremist incidents that were only carried out by a small minority within the animal rights movement. Animal rights activism and linked extremism have now been effectively brought under control, but, collectively, ‘protest law’ has been altered. In some cases, the law has been misused and applied disproportionately by the State, thereby fundamentally affecting freedom of assembly and free expression for all UK citizens. Ultimately, by failing to consider an individual's right to protest, the overall cost to the police service has been increased by civil litigation against it, failed prosecutions in the courts and the possible exposure of individual officers to misconduct procedures. Most damaging of all is the damage to its reputation as a service dedicated to impartially serving the interests of the community of which it is part.
Crystal structure of 1-[5-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-2-methylthiophen-3-yl]-2- (2-cyano-1,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrrol-4-yl) -3,3,4,4,5,5-hexafluoro-cyclopent- 1-ene, C23H14F8N2S
Authors: Cui Shiqiang , Li Hui , Fan Congbin
Published: May 2013

C23H14F8N2S, triclinic, P1¯ (no. 2), a = 8.701(2) Å, b = 11.881(2) Å, c = 12.342(3) Å, α = 64.932(3)°, β = 71.913(3)°, γ = 86.599(3)°, V = 1094.7 Å3, Z = 2, Rgt(F) = 0.0425, wRref(F2) = 0.1244, T = 294 K.
Genome-Wide Patterns of Codon Bias Are Shaped by Natural Selection in the Purple Sea Urchin,Strongylocentrotus purpuratus
Authors: Kober Kord M , Pogson Grant H
Published: May 2013

Codon usage bias has been documented in a wide diversity of species, but the relative contributions of mutational bias and various forms of natural selection remain unclear. Here, we describe for the first time genome-wide patterns of codon bias at 4623 genes in the purple sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus. Preferred codons were identified at 18 amino acids that exclusively used G or C at third positions, which contrasted with the strong AT bias of the genome (overall GC content is 36.9%). The GC content of third positions and coding regions exhibited significant correlations with the magnitude of codon bias. In contrast, the GC content of introns and flanking regions was indistinguishable from the genome-wide background, which suggested a limited contribution of mutational bias to synonymous codon usage. Five distinct clusters of genes were identified that had significantly different synonymous codon usage patterns. A significant correlation was observed between codon bias and mRNA expression supporting translational selection, but this relationship was driven by only one highly biased cluster that represented only 8.6% of all genes. In all five clusters preferred codons were evolutionarily conserved to a similar degree despite differences in their synonymous codon usage distributions and magnitude of codon bias. The third positions of preferred codons in two codon usage groups also paired significantly more often in stems than in loops of mRNA secondary structure predictions, which suggested that codon bias might also affect mRNA stability. Our results suggest that mutational bias has played a minor role in determining codon bias in S. purpuratus and that preferred codon usage may be heterogeneous across different genes and subject to different forms of natural selection.
Using Genome-Wide Association Analysis to Characterize Environmental Sensitivity of Milk Traits in Dairy Cattle
Authors: Streit Melanie , Wellmann Robin , Reinhardt Friedrich , Thaller Georg , Piepho Hans-Peter , Bennewitz Jörn
Published: May 2013

Genotype-by-environment interaction (GxE) has been widely reported in dairy cattle. One way to analyze GxE is to apply reaction norm models. The first derivative of a reaction norm is the environmental sensitivity (ES). In the present study we conducted a large-scale, genome-wide association analysis to identify single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that affect general production (GP) and ES of milk traits in the German Holstein population. Sire estimates for GP and for ES were calculated from approximately 13 million daughter records by the use of linear reaction norm models. The daughters were offspring from 2297 sires. Sires were genotyped for 54k SNPs. The environment was defined as the average milk energy yield performance of the herds at the time during which the daughter observations were recorded. The sire estimates were used as observations in a genome-wide association analysis, using 1797 sires. Significant SNPs were confirmed in an independent validation set (500 sires of the same population). To separate GxE scaling and other GxE effects, the observations were log-transformed in some analyses. Results from the reaction norm model revealed GxE effects. Numerous significant SNPs were validated for both GP and ES. Many SNPs that affect GP also affect ES. We showed that ES of milk traits is a typical quantitative trait, genetically controlled by many genes with small effects and few genes with larger effect. A log-transformation of the observation resulted in a reduced number of validated SNPs for ES, pointing to genes that not only caused scaling GxE effects. The results will have implications for breeding for robustness in dairy cattle.
Modified Edentulous Ridge Expansion Technique and Immediate Implant Placement: A 3-Year Follow-Up
Authors: Santagata Mario , Guariniello Luigi , Tartaro Gianpaolo
Published: May 2013

Restoration of the edentulous alveolar ridge with implants often requires the ridge width to be augmented to allow its placement. The aim of this study was to evaluate the split-crest technique, with subepithelial connective tissue graft used as biological barrier, in patients with narrow ridges, focusing on the status of soft and hard tissues and on implant success rate, at 36 months after implant loading. Thirteen patients (6 males and 7 females), ages 32–68 years (mean 49.4 years) with an atrophic maxillary jaw underwent modified edentulous ridge expansion technique for implant placement. A total of 33 Laser-Lok tapered internal implant, were placed in the maxilla. The following parameters were evaluated: (1) initial ridge width (time t0); (2) ridge width at the time of abutment connection (time t1); four months after implants placement, healing abutments were connected and the prosthetic rehabilitation was initiated, and all patients were evaluated clinically and radiographically with periapical radiograph at intervals of 3–6 months for the first year and annually thereafter for 3 years. The ridge width was measured with a cone beam computed tomography. The initial ridge width ranged from 3.5 mm to 7 mm (mean: 4.67 mm), while at the end of the expansion procedure the width ranged from 6.3 mm to 11.0 mm (mean: 8.2 mm). The width gain of the edentulous ridge ranged from 1.45–4.9 mm (mean: 3.5 mm). Two implants became exposed 1 month after surgery. One implant was lost before loading (3%). The diameter of failed implant was 5.8 mm and length was 10.5 mm. The remaining 32 implants were stable and free of complications at the end of the study. Thus, the implant survival rate was 97%. Because no implant failed after loading, the cumulative survival rate of loaded implants was 100%. The minimally invasive regenerative technique presented here avoids the use of bone graft, secondary surgery for soft tissue augmentation, and mechanical expansion devices. However, the follow-up period for outcome evaluation and exiguous patient's number in this series was limited.
Investigation of autoclaved cement systems with reactive MgO and Al2O3-SiO2 rich fired clay brick
Authors: Liu Barry , Ray Abhi , Thomas Paul S.
Published: May 2013

Portland cement (PC) is one of the world's most important building materials, as it is a fundamental component of concrete. However, the manufacture of PC is highly energy intensive and leads to the emission of carbon dioxide (CO2). One promising control measure is the use of industrial wastes and by-products as supplementary cementing materials (SCMs) in order to minimise PC consumption, thereby producing greener cement-based products. This study investigates mechanical properties and phase development of hydrothermally treated cement–ground quartz sand blends with the incorporation of fired clay-brick (CB) waste and reactive magnesia (MgO). The addition of CB waste in autoclaved PC–quartz mortar mixes showed that the alumina–silica rich CB waste was pozzolanic when the Al2O3 accelerated formation and increased crystallinity of Al substituted 1·1 nm tobermorite, resulting in the observed strength gain. Autoclaved mortar specimens incorporating reactive MgO showed a reduction in strength with increasing MgO addition. This was a result of dilution when the relative proportion of PC available for the formation of the strength contributing hydration products including tobermorite is decreased.
Variables controlling strength of fibre-reinforced cemented soils
Authors: Consoli Nilo Cesar , Rizzatti de Moraes Rafael , Festugato Lucas
Published: May 2013

This study aimed to quantify the influence of the amount of cement, the porosity and the porosity/cement ratio in the assessment on tensile strength (qt) and compressive strength (qu) of fibre-reinforced and non-reinforced artificially cemented sand, as well as in the changes of qt/qu relationships and particular increases in qt and qu due to fibre insertion. The controlling parameters evaluated were the fibre content (F), the cement content (C), the porosity (η) and the porosity/cement ratio (η/Civ). A number of splitting tensile and unconfined compression tests were carried out in fibre-reinforced and non-reinforced artificially cemented sand specimens. The results showed that fibre insertion in the cemented soil, for the whole range of cement studied, caused an increase in both qt and qu. Both qt and qu increased linearly with the amount of cement (C) and a power function fitted well as the relation between splitting tensile strength (qt) and porosity (η) and unconfined compressive strength (qu) and porosity (η) for both the fibre-reinforced and non-reinforced specimens. It was also shown that the porosity/cement ratio, in which volumetric cementitious material content is adjusted by an exponent (0·28 for all the fibre-reinforced and non-reinforced cemented soil mixtures of this study) to end in unique correlations for each mixture, is a good parameter in the evaluation of the splitting tensile strength and unconfined compressive strength of the fibre-reinforced and non-reinforced cemented soil studied. Finally, the unique qt/qu relationships equal to 0·14 (fibre-reinforced sand cement specimens) and 0·10 (non-reinforced sand–cement specimens) were found, being independent of the porosity/cement ratio, qt increased 86% due to fibre insertion and qu increased just 34·5% due to fibre addition.
Drought response measures in dampening urban demand
Authors: Neal Brad , MacKellar Peter , Davies Robert Glyn , Ampt Elizabeth
Published: May 2013

From 1997 to 2009, much of Australia experienced an extended drought that severely tested the drought response procedures put in place. These included a number of measures designed to achieve lasting potable demand reduction from urban consumers, such as the introduction of permanent water-saving measures, changes to building regulations, potable substitution schemes, education programmes, rebates for water-efficient appliances and private rainwater tanks, and behaviour change programmes. This paper illustrates that demand reductions of around 35% have been achieved over an 11-year period in Australia's state or territory capital cities as a result of demand management measures implemented during the ‘millennium drought'. While it is difficult to attribute this reduction to individual measures, it has been inferred in this paper from available data that the most effective measures in reducing demand were temporary water restrictions, permanent water-saving measures, behaviour change programmes, changing building regulations, water efficiency labelling, and increased education and awareness. Water rebates proved relatively ineffective in encouraging the uptake of water-saving devices and, although highly utilised in the drought, potable substitution measures from non-potable sources have not yielded ongoing demand reductions after the end of the drought. This information can help the UK to design its portfolio of demand reduction measures so that it is less vulnerable to drought.
Dissolved Phosphorus Losses by Lateral Seepage from Swine Manure Amendments for Organic Rice Production
Authors: Liang X. Q. , Li L. , Chen Y.X. , Li H. , Liu J. , He M.M. , Ye Y.S. , Tian G.M. , Lundy Mark
Published: May 2013

Because excessive P fertilizer application in rice (Oryza sativa L.) systems leads to P losses in ambient waters, P management strategies that satisfy crop P demand while minimizing P loss are essential to productive and environmentally benign rice production. The main objective of this paddy field experiment was to measure the effects of organic fertilization via swine (Sus scrofa) manure on dissolved P losses by lateral seepage from organic rice production. Four swine manure organic amendment rates (0 [Ctr], 26 [Low], 39 [Middle], and 52 [High] kg P ha–1) were applied over the course of three rice growing seasons in 4‐ by 5‐m plots constructed to facilitate the measurement of total dissolved phosphorus (TDP) and reactive phosphorus (DRP) via lateral seepage and surface runoff. The TDP and DRP concentrations in the lateral seepage water increased with increasing amendment rates. Lateral seepage was one of the important pathways of P losses from organic paddy fields. The seasonal averages of TDP fluxes by lateral seepage varied from 1.95 to 4.30 g P m–1 (bund scale) and 0.39 to 0.86 g P m–2 (plot scale) among the amendment rates (from low to high), accounting for 13.0 to 15.6% of the total P applied. In addition, floodwater level acted as the main driving force for the P lateral seepage losses from paddy fields, with a positive linear relationship (R2 = 0.50) between floodwater level and daily lateral flow during the flooded periods (P = 0.05). Based on these results, P lateral seepage losses from organic rice production system would be minimized by shallow floodwater management and low swine manure amendment.
Inferring the Location of Preferential Flow Paths of a Leachate Plume by Using a DUALEM‐421 and a Quasi‐Three‐Dimensional Inversion Model
Authors: Triantafilis J. , Ribeiro J. , Page D. , Monteiro Santos F. A.
Published: May 2013

In urban landscapes, information is required to describe the heterogeneous nature of pedological and hydrological resources. This is particularly the case in areas previously used as municipal landfills. Increasingly, geophysical techniques such as electromagnetic (EM) induction are being used. Here we describe how a single‐frequency and multiple‐coil EM instrument can be used in conjunction with a one‐dimensional spatially constrained quasi‐three‐dimensional inversion algorithm to map electrical conductivity (σ). The algorithm is briefly described and then applied to soil apparent electrical conductivity (σa) data observed with a DUALEM‐421 and across a former municipal landfill at Astrolabe Park in Daceyville, Sydney. The results are presented as isosurface maps of σ. In general, the results compare favorably with existing knowledge and previous research results performed within a highly modified aeolian sand landscape. Specifically, the isosurface maps allow us to discern a gradient in, as well as identify contiguous corridors of, σ, which allow us to infer the likely location of leachate plume flow paths and their origin. The results demonstrate how EM instruments can provide rapid measurements of σa. In addition, coupled to a one‐dimensional spatially constrained quasi‐three‐dimensional inversion algorithm, the data enable robust estimates of σ, which may be useful for informing future natural resource management and research needs in a decommissioned municipal landfill at Astrolabe Park, which is impacted by a leachate plume.
U.S. Climate Reference Network Soil Moisture Observations with Triple Redundancy: Measurement Variability
Authors: Palecki Michael A. , Bell Jesse E.
Published: May 2013

Between 2009 and 2011, the U.S. Climate Reference Network (USCRN) was augmented with soil moisture/soil temperature probes and atmospheric relative humidity instruments as part of a programmatic expansion in support of the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS). The 114 sites in this sparse network are well distributed across the conterminous United States in open, rural locations expected to remain unchanged in land use for many decades into the future. Soil probes are installed in triplicate redundancy, similar to the air temperature and precipitation measurements, at either five standard World Meteorological Organization (WMO) depths (5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 cm) or only two depths (5 and 10 cm) depending on the nature of the underlying materials. Stations also measure air temperature, surface skin temperature, precipitation, solar radiation, and 1.5‐m wind speed. In addition to sensor failure, the triplicate design of USCRN soil probes have allowed for an initial characterization of variability of soil moisture measurements. Nationwide analysis of soil moisture during early‐to‐mid growing season in 2011 and 2012 was performed to examine the differences in response to the widespread drought of 2012. The redundancy of the network helps retain the continuity of the record over time, and also provides key insights into the variations of measurements at a single location that are related to a combination of installation effects and the impacts of soil differences at the local level. This article highlights the usefulness of deploying triplicate configurations of soil probes for detecting faulty sensors and for better understanding the nature of soil moisture measurement variability.
A New TDR Multiplexing System for Reliable Electrical Conductivity and Soil Water Content Measurements
Authors: Weihermüller L. , Huisman J.A. , Hermes N. , Pickel S. , Vereecken H.
Published: May 2013

Time domain reflectometry (TDR) is a standard method to estimate soil water content and bulk soil electrical conductivity. In many applications, several TDR probes are installed in soil columns or field setups, and TDR measurements are acquired using a multiplexing system. Commercially available multiplexers share a common ground, which might lead to inaccurate TDR measurements when probes are installed close together or at sites with high electromagnetic noise. Therefore, a new eight‐channel differential multiplexer (50C81‐SDM) was developed that allows communication with standard TDR equipment. In a first step, the new multiplexer was tested to analyze channel noise and channel to channel variability for open reflection coefficients and travel times. The results indicate that there is no significant difference between the channels for both the open reflection coefficient and travel times. Second, the 50C81‐SDM multiplexer was tested using TDR probes installed in electrolyte solutions and a sand tank. In contrast to multiplexers with a common ground, they showed no interference of closely spaced TDR probes (spacing ranging from 5 to 95 cm). On the other hand, the SDMX50 multiplexer showed absolute differences in bulk electrical conductivities of >0.001 Sm−1 for high volumetric water contents and high bulk electrical conductivities. Measurements at a test site with high electromagnetic noise showed the applicability of the 50C81‐SDM multiplexer in such environments, but only if the entire TDR setup was disconnected from the permanent power supply.
Developing an Intervention to Address Physical Activity Barriers for African–American Women in the Deep South (USA)
Authors: Pekmezi Dori , Marcus Bess , Meneses Karen , Baskin Monica L , Ard Jamy D , Martin Michelle Y , Adams Natasia , Robinson Cody , Demark-Wahnefried Wendy
Published: May 2013

Aim: To address high rates of inactivity and related chronic diseases among African–American women. Materials & methods: Eleven focus groups on physical activity barriers for African–American women in the deep south (USA) were conducted (n = 56). Feedback guided an intervention development process. The resulting Home-Based Individually Tailored Physical Activity Print intervention was vetted with the target population in a 1-month, single arm, pre–post test demonstration trial (n = 10). Results: Retention was high (90%). Intent-to-treat analyses indicated increases in motivational readiness for physical activity (70% of sample) and physical activity (7-day Physical Activity Recall) from baseline (mean: 89.5 min/week, standard deviation: 61.17) to 1 month (mean: 155 min/week, standard deviation: 100.86). Small improvements in fitness (6-Min Walk Test), weight and psychosocial process measures were also found. Conclusion: Preliminary findings show promise and call for future randomized controlled trials with larger samples to determine efficacy. Such low-cost, high-reach approaches to promoting physical activity have great potential for addressing health disparities and benefiting public health.
Auditor Industry Expertise and Cost of Equity
Authors: Krishnan Jagan , Li Chan , Wang Qian
Published: May 2013

SYNOPSIS

We examine the association between auditor industry expertise and clients' cost of equity. Prior research suggests that industry experts are associated with higher earnings quality than non-experts. If such improved earnings quality were recognized by investors, we would expect it to be reflected in a lower cost of equity. Following recent research in this area, we distinguish between national-only, city-only, and joint city-national industry-expert auditors. Our results suggest that clients audited by city-only or joint city-national industry experts have a lower cost of equity. We also examine whether changing from non-expert (expert) to expert (non-expert) auditors result in a decrease (increase) in cost of equity. We find that when firms change from non-experts to city-only or joint city-national experts, their cost of equity is significantly decreased.
Using a Business Simulation to Enhance Accounting Education
Authors: Riley Richard A. (Dick) , Cadotte Ernest R. , Bonney Leff , MacGuire Christelle
Published: May 2013

This paper presents a learning strategy that demonstrates how integrated business simulations can be used to enhance accounting education. The Pathways Commission report takes a broad view of the accountant's role in society and argues that accountants serve in a variety of capacities, including advising businesses, assisting management in understanding and monitoring operations, and facilitating the efficient and effective deployment of resources, among others. With experience, accountants have a competitive advantage over many business professionals because they embrace numbers and develop solutions to difficult problems for the benefit of their clients and the businesses they serve. Business simulations help accounting students refine that competence by leveraging their affinity for financial and non-financial numbers as well as their willingness to analyze problems in a structured fashion. Simulations also challenge students to work in unstructured situations, developing their tolerance for and appreciation of ambiguity. The learning strategy further demonstrates how the activities described can be used for course-embedded assessment. Student performance is documented by the business simulation and instructor via objective measures as well as rubrics, examples of which are included herein. The compiled data provide within-course and programmatic feedback that can be used to improve teaching and learning outcomes.
Compensatory partitioning of carbon budgets by the grass shrimp (Palaemonetes pugio) and implications for predator prey relationships
Authors: Stout Josh , Taghon Gary
Published: May 2013

Carbon utilization and allocation were examined between two populations of shrimp (Palaemonetes pugio) to determine the possible effects of living in an area of high anthropogenic impact. Carbon assimilation has been studied in P. pugio, but no study has looked at how assimilation might be influenced by contaminants. Anthropogenic effects on carbon assimilation in grass shrimp represent a major unmeasured impact on the carbon budget of multi-cellular organisms in estuaries and near shore environments. The influence of anthropogenic contamination on carbon assimilation has implications for predicting the environmental impact of contaminants, for models of estuarine function, and trophic transfer from the dominant macroscopic detritus processor to species of direct economic importance. Shrimp budgets were compared between two populations, one from a highly polluted marsh creek system in Northern New Jersey, and one from a clean reference site in Southern New Jersey. All components of the carbon budgets were measured directly including carbon allocated to reproduction. Carbon lost to respiration was lower in shrimp from the polluted system allowing them to have increased reproductive output. This is examined in the context of previous studies that show lowered predation by a piscine predator at the polluted site, resulting in a trophic cascade and changes in ecosystem function due to anthropogenic impacts.
Structure of the Physical Therapy Benefit in a Typical Blue Cross Blue Shield Preferred Provider Organization Plan Available in the Individual Insurance Market in 2011
Authors: Sandstrom Robert W. , Lehman Jedd , Hahn Lee , Ballard Andrew
Published: May 2013

Background

The Affordable Care Act of 2010 establishes American Health Benefit Exchanges. The benefit design of insurance plans in state health insurance exchanges will be based on the structure of existing small-employer–sponsored plans.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to describe the structure of the physical therapy benefit in a typical Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) preferred provider organization (PPO) health insurance plan available in the individual insurance market in 2011.

Design

A cross-sectional survey design was used.

Methods

The physical therapy benefit within 39 BCBS PPO plans in 2011 was studied for a standard consumer with a standard budget. First, whether physical therapy was a benefit in the plan was determined. If so, then the structure of the benefit was described in terms of whether the physical therapy benefit was a stand-alone benefit or part of a combined-discipline benefit and whether a visit or financial limit was placed on the physical therapy benefit.

Results

Physical therapy was included in all BCBS plans that were studied. Ninety-three percent of plans combined physical therapy with other disciplines. Two thirds of plans placed a limit on the number of visits covered.

Limitations

The results of the study are limited to 1 standard consumer, 1 association of insurance companies, 1 form of insurance (a PPO), and 1 PPO plan in each of the 39 states that were studied.

Conclusions

Physical therapy is a covered benefit in a typical BCBS PPO health insurance plan. Physical therapy most often is combined with other therapy disciplines, and the number of covered visits is limited in two thirds of plans.
What Makes Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Work? Making Sense of the Mixed Results in the Clinical Literature
Authors: Sluka Kathleen A. , Bjordal Jan M. , Marchand Serge , Rakel Barbara A.
Published: May 2013

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a nonpharmacological treatment for control of pain. It has come under much scrutiny lately with the Center for Medicare Services rendering a recent decision stating that “TENS is not reasonable and necessary for the treatment of CLBP [chronic low back pain].” When reading and analyzing the existing literature for which systematic reviews show that TENS is inconclusive or ineffective, it is clear that a number of variables related to TENS application have not been considered. Although many of the trials were designed with the highest of standards, recent evidence suggests that factors related to TENS application need to be considered in an assessment of efficacy. These factors include dosing of TENS, negative interactions with long-term opioid use, the population and outcome assessed, timing of outcome measurement, and comparison groups. The purpose of this perspective is to highlight and interpret recent evidence to help improve the design of clinical trials and the efficacy of TENS in the clinical setting.
Implementation of Shared Decision Making in Physical Therapy: Observed Level of Involvement and Patient Preference
Authors: Dierckx Katreine , Deveugele Myriam , Roosen Philip , Devisch Ignaas
Published: May 2013

Background

Shared decision making (SDM) reduces the asymmetrical power between the therapist and the patient. Patient involvement improves patient satisfaction, adherence, and health outcomes and is a prerequisite for good clinical practice. The opportunities for using SDM in physical therapy have been previously considered.

Objective

The objective of this study was to examine the status of SDM in physical therapy, patients’ preferred levels of involvement, and the agreement between therapist perception and patient preferred level of involvement.

Design

This was an observational study of real consultations in physical therapy.

Methods

In total, 237 consultations, undertaken by 13 physical therapists, were audiorecorded, and 210 records were analyzed using the Observing Patient Involvement (OPTION) instrument. Before the consultation, the patient and therapist completed the Control Preference Scale (CPS). Multilevel analysis was used to study the association between individual variables and the level of SDM. Agreement on preferences was calculated using kappa coefficients.

Results

The mean OPTION score was 5.2 (SD=6.8), out of a total score of 100. Female therapists achieved a higher OPTION score (b=−0.86, P=0.01). In total, 36.7% of the patients wanted to share decisions, and 36.2% preferred to give their opinion before delegating the decisions. In the majority of cases, therapists believed that they had to decide. The kappa coefficient for agreement was poor at .062 (95% confidence interval=−.018 to .144).

Limitations

Only 13 out of 125 therapists who were personally contacted agreed to participate.

Conclusion

Shared decision making was not applied; although patients preferred to share decisions or at least provide their opinion about the treatment, physical therapists did not often recognize this factor. The participating physical therapists were more likely to make decisions in the best interest of their patients; that is, these therapists tended to apply a paternalistic approach rather than involving the patient.
Drug resistant pathogens, their resistance genes, and cost implications
Authors: Thapa B
Published: May 2013

DOI: http://doi.dx.org/10.3126/ijim.v2i1.8001 Int J Infect Microbiol 2013;2(1):1-2
Primary tongue tuberculosis: a case report
Authors: Kafle SU , Upadhyaya P , Sinha AK , Karki S , Pradhan A , Paudyal P , Agarwal M , Bhandary S
Published: May 2013

Introduction: Tuberculosis of the tongue is one of the less common lesions caused by the mycobacterium bacilli whether primary or secondary. Most of the reported cases in the literature are in association with pulmonary lesion or a primary focus elsewhere. Case Report: We report a case of 63 years old male patient from Rajghat, Morang, Nepal with burning sensation over tongue since 30 days. Microscopic examination revealed epithelioid cell granuloma, caseous necrosis and Langhans giant cell with Acid Fast Bacilli on Ziehl Neelsen staining. Conclusion: Lingual Tuberculosis is a diagnostic dilemma because of its rarity. Hence, we are reporting this case. DOI: http://doi.dx.org/10.3126/ijim.v2i1.8006 Int J Infect Microbiol 2013;2(1):26-28
"Finding Our Feet in the Shoes of (One An) Other": Multiple Character Solo Performers and Utopian Performatives
Authors: Dolan Jill
Published: May 2013

Impelled by my commitment to the progressive political potential of live interactions in theatre, I've begun to focus my research on the ways in which performance, as a practice, can offer glimpses of utopia. I see these moments in the theatre drawn in small gestures that f1in with how our lives might be different, were the objectives of social justice and freedom truly achieved.
Mixing Everything at the Beginning: Telling Stories about Empire in Yeats's On Baile’s Strand
Authors: Doggett Rob
Published: May 2013

These are the words of a fool spoken to a blind man: the men are bound together by necessity and mutual distrust, one needing wisdom, the other sight, one lacking guidance, the other lacking passion. It is a story to be understood, mixed from the beginning, mingled in the telling, uncertain in the closing. In W.B. Yeats's On Baile's Strand, written for Ireland's National Theatre, drawn from Ireland's troubled past, and centering on the self-defeating passion of a legendary Irish hero, it is perhaps more than fitting that the Fool, with the insight of his Shakespearean namesake, should ask his eternal companion about beginnings and endings, narrating past and present, finally getting "the hang" of the story. For these are the questions of a colonized people whose sense of identity is inextricably bound with empire, whose history is not one tale but a tangle of multiple stories, silences, erasures, buried myths of heroism and tragic defeat, a people who, digging into the past for some artifact of an original, distinct Ireland, discover that, in the words of Seamus Heaney, "Every layer they strip / Seems camped on before"