bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ECONOMIC REFORMS IN 1970S COLOMBIA: ASSESSING THE STRATEGIC ROLE OF LÓPEZ MICHELSEN’S GOVERNMENT AND THE COFFEE BOOM
Authors: Rojas Rivera Angela M.
Published: May 2015

In this article I build an analytic narrative to provide an integrated and analytical view of the economic reforms that took place in Colombia during the years 1974-1978. Through the use of basic game theory and historical evidence, I present the core of the strategic interactions between several players: Government is depicted as a committed but poorly endowed agenda setter, Coffee as the dominant player and Industry as the contending but relatively weak player. The analysis shows that the 1976 coffee boom changed the interaction between sectors from an assurance to a prisoner’s dilemma game, and identifies as the post-boom solution the Government–Coffee coalition, which carried out a soft version of the initial reforms.
On the Hilbert functions of sets of points in 1 × 1 × 1
Authors: GUARDO ELENA , VAN TUYL ADAM
Published: May 2015

Let HX be the trigraded Hilbert function of a set X of reduced points in $\mathbb{P}$1 × $\mathbb{P}$1 × $\mathbb{P}$1. We show how to extract some geometric information about X from HX. This paper generalises a similar result of Giuffrida, Maggioni and Ragusa about sets of points in $\mathbb{P}$1 × $\mathbb{P}$1.
Are Enabling and Allowing Harm Morally Equivalent?
Authors: LIPPERT-RASMUSSEN KASPER
Published: May 2015

It is sometimes asserted that enabling harm is morally equivalent to allowing harm (the moral equivalence thesis). In this article, I criticize this view. Positively, I show that cases involving self-defence and cases involving people acting on the basis of a reasonable belief to the effect that certain obstacles to harm will remain in place, or will be put in place, show that enabling harm is harder to justify than allowing it. Negatively, I argue that certain cases offered in defence of the moral equivalence thesis fail, because either (1) their similarity with the archetypal trolley case limits their relevance to an assessment of this thesis, or (2) they are compromised by their reliance on the elusive notion of a situation being completely stable.
The effects of the interplay of genetics and early environmental risk on the course of internalizing symptoms from late childhood through adolescence
Authors: Musci Rashelle J. , Masyn Katherine E. , Benke Kelly , Maher Brion , Uhl George , Ialongo Nicholas S.
Published: May 2015

Internalizing symptoms during adolescence and beyond is a major public health concern, particularly because severe symptoms can lead to the diagnosis of a number of serious psychiatric conditions. This study utilizes a unique sample with a complex statistical method in order to explore Gene × Environment interactions found in internalizing symptoms during adolescence. Data for this study were drawn from a longitudinal prevention intervention study (n = 798) of Baltimore city school children. Internalizing symptom data were collected using self-report and blood or saliva samples genotyped using Affymetrix 6.0 microarrays. A major depression polygenic score was created for each individual using information from the major depressive disorder Psychiatric Genetics Consortium and used as a predictor in a latent trait–state–occasion model. The major depressive disorder polygenic score was a significant predictor of the stable latent trait variable, which captures time-independent phenotypic variability. In addition, an early childhood stressor of death or divorce was a significant predictor of occasion-specific variables. A Gene × Environment interaction was not a significant predictor of the latent trait or occasion variables. These findings support the importance of genetics on the stable latent trait portion of internalizing symptoms across adolescence.
A review of flux considerations for in vivo neurochemical measurements
Authors: Paul David W. , Stenken Julie A.
Published: May 2015

The mass transport of neurochemicals in the brain and how this flux affects chemical measurements and data interpretation is reviewed.
Synthetic anion transporters that bear a terminal ethynyl group
Authors: Lee Eun-Bee , Ryu Hyunil , Lee Insu , Choi Sangbaek , Hong Jung-Ho , Kim Sun Min , Jeon Tae-Joon , Cho Dong-Gyu
Published: May 2015

Non-pyrrolic synthetic anion transporters without cytotoxicity are capable of transporting the chloride anion through membranes.
A DT-diaphorase responsive theranostic prodrug for diagnosis, drug release monitoring and therapy
Authors: Liu Peilian , Xu Jiangsheng , Yan Donghang , Zhang Peisheng , Zeng Fang , Li Bowen , Wu Shuizhu
Published: May 2015

A DT-diaphorase responsive theranostic prodrug has been developed for diagnosis, tracking of drug release and selectively killing cancer cells over-expressed with DT-diaphorase.
Synthesis of Co1.5PW12O40 and its catalytic performance of completely converting methanol to ethylene
Authors: Zhang Meng , Fu Zhongwei , Xiao Min , Yu Yuehong , Wang Shuanjin , Choi Myoung Jae , Meng Yuezhong
Published: May 2015

Methanol was completely converted to ethylene over Co1.5PW12O40 catalyst synthesized by a novel method of crystallization.
In situ synthesis of Na2Ti7O15 nanotubes on a Ti net substrate as a high performance anode for Na-ion batteries
Authors: Li Huan , Fei Hailong , Liu Xin , Yang Jie , Wei Mingdeng
Published: May 2015

Na2Ti7O15 nanotubes on a Ti net substrate were fabricated for the first time and exhibited excellent cycling performance.
Biotin-guided anticancer drug delivery with acidity-triggered drug release
Authors: Park Soyeon , Kim Eunjin , Kim Won Young , Kang Chulhun , Kim Jong Seung
Published: May 2015

A novel biotin-guided anticancer drug delivery system, prodrug 9, consisting of biotin, nitrobenzene, and doxorubicin, with acid-triggered drug releasing capability was synthesized.
Improving the fracture toughness and the strength of epoxy using nanomaterials – a review of the current status
Authors: Domun N. , Hadavinia H. , Zhang T. , Sainsbury T. , Liaghat G. H. , Vahid S.
Published: May 2015

The mechanical properties of epoxy reinforced by carbon nanotubes, graphene, nanosilica and nanoclays are reviewed and the effects of nanoparticles loading on enhancing the toughness, stiffness and strength are summarised.
Plenty of motion at the bottom: atomically thin liquid gold membrane
Authors: Koskinen Pekka , Korhonen Topi
Published: May 2015

Graphene patches suspended in graphene pores can show 2D liquid behavior at elevated temperatures.
A Pd(ii)-catalyzed C–H activation approach to densely functionalized N-heteroaromatics related to neocryptolepine and their evaluation as potential inducers of apoptosis
Authors: Sunke Rajnikanth , Kumar Vimal , Ashfaq Mohd Ashraf , Yellanki Swapna , Medisetti Raghavender , Kulkarni Pushkar , Shivaji Ramarao E. V. Venkat , Ehtesham Nasreen Z. , Pal Manojit
Published: May 2015

Bioactive indoloquinolines are synthesized via Pd(ii)-catalyzed intramolecular oxidative C–H alkenylation as the key step.
Effects of High-Dose Vitamin D Supplementation on Metabolic Status and Pregnancy Outcomes in Pregnant Women at Risk for Pre-Eclampsia
Authors: Karamali M. , Beihaghi E. , Mohammadi A. A. , Asemi Z.
Published: May 2015

This study was designed to assess the beneficial effects of high-dose (cholecalciferol) vitamin D supplementation on metabolic profiles and pregnancy outcomes among pregnant women at risk for pre-eclampsia. This randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed among 60 pregnant women at risk for pre-eclampsia according to abnormal uterine artery Doppler waveform. Subjects were randomly divided into 2 groups to receive 50 000 IU vitamin D supplements (n=30) or receive placebo (n=30) every 2 weeks from 20 to 32 weeks of gestation. Fasting blood samples were taken at baseline study and 12 weeks after the intervention to quantify relevant variables. Newborn’s anthropometric measurements were determined. Pregnant women who received cholecalciferol supplements had significantly increased serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations (+17.92±2.28 vs. +0.27±3.19 ng/ml, p<0.001) compared with the placebo. The administration of cholecalciferol supplements, compared with the placebo, resulted in significant differences in serum insulin concentrations (+1.08±6.80 vs. +9.57±10.32 μIU/ml, p<0.001), homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (+0.19±1.47 vs. +2.10±2.67, p<0.001), homeostatic model assessment-beta cell function (HOMA-B) (+5.82±29.58 vs. +39.81±38.00, p<0.001) and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) score (−0.009±0.03 vs. −0.04±0.03, p=0.004). Furthermore, cholecalciferol-supplemented pregnant women had increased HDL-cholesterol concentrations (+2.67 ± 8.83 vs. −3.23±7.76 mg/dl, p=0.008) compared with the placebo. Finally, cholecalciferol supplementation led to a significant rise in plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC) concentrations (+79.00±136.69 vs. −66.91±176.02 mmol/l, p=0.001) compared with the placebo. Totally, the administration of cholecalciferol supplements among pregnant women at risk for pre-eclampsia for 12 weeks had favorable effects on insulin metabolism parameters, serum HDL-cholesterol, and plasma TAC concentrations.
Magnetic properties and anisotropic magnetoresistance of antiperovskite nitride Mn3GaN/Co3FeN exchange-coupled bilayers
Authors: Sakakibara H. , Ando H. , Kuroki Y. , Kawai S. , Ueda K. , Asano H.
Published: May 2015

Epitaxial bilayers of antiferromagnetic Mn3GaN/ferromagnetic Co3FeN with an antiperovskite structure were grown by reactive magnetron sputtering, and their structural, magnetic, and electrical properties were investigated. Exchange coupling with an exchange field Hex of 0.4 kOe at 4 K was observed for Mn3GaN (20 nm)/Co3FeN (5 nm) bilayers. Negative anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR) effect in Co3FeN was observed and utilized to detect magnetization reversal in exchange-coupled Mn3GaN/Co3FeN bilayers. The AMR results showed evidence for current-induced spin transfer torque in antiferromagnetic Mn3GaN.
Disaggregation of stacked red blood cells under strong pulse magnetic field
Authors: Hwang Do-Guwn , Park Hyeji , Kim Woori , Lee Jinyoung , Lee Hyun Sook
Published: May 2015

We have investigated the dependence of magnetic field intensity and stimulation time on stacking formation of red blood cells (RBCs) to study blood circulation in human body. The pulse magnetic field with the maximum intensity of 0.27–0.07 T, pulse transition time of 0.102 ms, and pulse intervals of 1 s was applied to the distal end of palm for 5–20 min. The aggregation of RBCs was measured using microscopy. After the magnetic stimulation for 10 min, the fully stacked RBCs were almost separated from each other and moved much faster than those in unstimulated state. The disaggregation was maintained at a decreasing intensity of 0.19 T, and a few cells were stacked at the weak intensity of 0.07 T. In this work, we investigated the degree of RBCs aggregation and activity time by varying the intensity and time of magnetic stimulation to get the optimum condition of pulse magnetic field stimulus.
A molecular dynamics study of intramolecular proton transfer reaction of malonaldehyde in solution based upon a mixed quantum–classical approximation. II. Proton transfer reaction in non-polar solvent
Authors: Kojima H. , Yamada A. , Okazaki S.
Published: May 2015

The intramolecular proton transfer reaction of malonaldehyde in neon solvent has been investigated by mixed quantum–classical molecular dynamics (QCMD) calculations and fully classical molecular dynamics (FCMD) calculations. Comparing these calculated results with those for malonaldehyde in water reported in Part I [A. Yamada, H. Kojima, and S. Okazaki, J. Chem. Phys. 141, 084509 (2014)], the solvent dependence of the reaction rate, the reaction mechanism involved, and the quantum effect therein have been investigated. With FCMD, the reaction rate in weakly interacting neon is lower than that in strongly interacting water. However, with QCMD, the order of the reaction rates is reversed. To investigate the mechanisms in detail, the reactions were categorized into three mechanisms: tunneling, thermal activation, and barrier vanishing. Then, the quantum and solvent effects were analyzed from the viewpoint of the reaction mechanism focusing on the shape of potential energy curve and its fluctuations. The higher reaction rate that was found for neon in QCMD compared with that found for water solvent arises from the tunneling reactions because of the nearly symmetric double-well shape of the potential curve in neon. The thermal activation and barrier vanishing reactions were also accelerated by the zero-point energy. The number of reactions based on these two mechanisms in water was greater than that in neon in both QCMD and FCMD because these reactions are dominated by the strength of solute–solvent interactions.
Ultimate response time of high electron mobility transistors
Authors: Rudin Sergey , Rupper Greg , Shur Michael
Published: May 2015

We present theoretical studies of the response time of the two-dimensional gated electron gas to femtosecond pulses. Our hydrodynamic simulations show that the device response to a short pulse or a step-function signal is either smooth or oscillating time-decay at low and high mobility, μ, values, respectively. At small gate voltage swings, U0 = Ug − Uth, where Ug is the gate voltage and Uth is the threshold voltage, such that μU0/L < vs, where L is the channel length and vs is the effective electron saturation velocity, the decay time in the low mobility samples is on the order of L2/(μU0), in agreement with the analytical drift model. However, the decay is preceded by a delay time on the order of L/s, where s is the plasma wave velocity. This delay is the ballistic transport signature in collision-dominated devices, which becomes important during very short time periods. In the high mobility devices, the period of the decaying oscillations is on the order of the plasma wave velocity transit time. Our analysis shows that short channel field effect transistors operating in the plasmonic regime can meet the requirements for applications as terahertz detectors, mixers, delay lines, and phase shifters in ultra high-speed wireless communication circuits.
Nonequilibrium Green's function formulation of intersubband absorption for nonparabolic single-band effective mass Hamiltonian
Authors: Kolek Andrzej
Published: May 2015

The formulas are derived that enable calculations of intersubband absorption coefficient within nonequilibrium Green's function method applied to a single-band effective-mass Hamiltonian with the energy dependent effective mass. The derivation provides also the formulas for the virtual valence band components of the two-band Green's functions which can be used for more exact estimation of the density of states and electrons and more reliable treatment of electronic transport in unipolar n-type heterostructure semiconductor devices.
Gadolinia nanofibers as a multimodal bioimaging and potential radiation therapy agent
Authors: Grishin A. M. , Jalalian A. , Tsindlekht M. I.
Published: May 2015

Continuous bead-free C-type cubic gadolinium oxide (Gd2O3) nanofibers 20-30 μm long and 40-100 nm in diameter were sintered by sol-gel calcination assisted electrospinning technique. Dipole-dipole interaction of neighboring Gd3+ ions in nanofibers with large length-to-diameter aspect ratio results in some kind of superparamagnetic behavior: fibers are magnetized twice stronger than Gd2O3 powder. Being compared with commercial Gd-DTPA/Magnevist®, Gd2O3 diethyleneglycol-coated (Gd2O3-DEG) fibers show high 1/T1 and 1/T2 proton relaxivities. Intense room temperature photoluminescence, high NMR relaxivity and high neutron scattering cross-section of 157Gd nucleus promise to integrate Gd2O3 fibers for multimodal bioimaging and neutron capture therapy.
Spatially resolved quantitative magnetic order measurement in spinel CuCr2S4 nanocrystals
Authors: Negi D. S. , Loukya B. , Ramasamy K. , Gupta A. , Datta R.
Published: May 2015

We have utilized spatially resolved high resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy to quantify the relative percentage of ferromagnetic order in the core and the surface regions of CuCr2S4 nanoparticles with nanocube and nanocluster morphology. The organic capping layer is found to play a significant role in restoring magnetic order at the surface. The technique is based on recording the fine features of the Cr L3 absorption edge and matching them with the theoretical spectra. The nanoscale probing technique we have developed is quite versatile and can be extended to understand magnetic ordering in a number of nanodimensional magnetic materials.
Two-color beam improvement of the colloidal particle lens array assisted surface nanostructuring
Authors: Afanasiev Andrei , Bredikhin Vladimir , Pikulin Alexander , Ilyakov Igor , Shishkin Boris , Akhmedzhanov Rinat , Bityurin Nikita
Published: May 2015

We consider laser nanostructuring of the material surface by means of a colloidal particle lens array. Here, the monolayer of dielectric micro- or nanospheres placed on the surface acts as an array of near-field lenses that focus the laser radiation into the multitude of distinct spots, allowing the formation of many structures in a single stage. We show that conversion of a small part of the energy of the femtosecond beam into the second harmonic (SH) is an efficient way to increase the surface density of obtained nanostructures. By combining the fundamental frequency and the SH, one benefits both from the power of the former and from the focusing ability of the latter. This combination provides an efficient nanostructuring with sphere diameter close to the wavelength of the second harmonic. The possibility to create arrays of nanostructures with surface density above 5×108 cm−2 with femtosecond Ti:sapphire laser operating at 800 nm was demonstrated by employing 0.45 μm spheres.
Ultraviolet-enhanced room-temperature gas sensing by using floccule-like zinc oxide nanostructures
Authors: Ho Yu-Hsuan , Huang Wen-Sheng , Chang Hao-Chun , Wei Pei-Kuen , Sheen Horn-Jiunn , Tian Wei-Cheng
Published: May 2015

The self-aggregation of floccule-like ZnO nanostructures that were shaped by an anodic aluminum oxidation (AAO) template to improve photoactivation and sensing performance was demonstrated. Because of differences in the surface energy between the densely distributed nanopores of AAO templates, sputtered ZnO materials were located in constricted regions and aggregated into roughened nanostructures with a high surface-to-volume ratio. Because of the generation of oxygen ions by ultraviolet illumination, the room-temperature-sensing responses showed a high degree of linearity with a resistance variation of 1.758% per 100 ppm of octane gas. The optimized sensing performance of the self-organized ZnO nanostructures was increased and was 15.4 times higher than that of an unpatterned ZnO thin film.
Nickel accumulation by Alyssum serpyllifolium subsp. lusitanicum (Brassicaceae) from serpentine soils of Bragança and Morais (Portugal) ultramafic massifs: plant–soil relationships and prospects for phytomining
Authors: Morais I. , Campos J. S. , Favas P. J. C. , Pratas J. , Pita F. , Prasad M. N. V.
Published: May 2015

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possibility of using Alyssum serpyllifolium Desf. susbp. lusitanicum T.R.Dudley & P.Silva (Brassicaceae) for phytomining nickel (Ni)-rich bio-ore from serpentine soils. This species is endemic to serpentine soils of the Bragança and Morais massifs and is a Ni hyperaccumulator, containing more than 7000 mg kg–1 (dry weight) of this element. The variability of the Ni concentrations contained in the plant at different locations was verified as was its relationship with the total Ni contained in the soil or with the bioavailable Ni fraction extracted with ammonium acetate. We evaluated the biomass produced under natural conditions, and, on the basis of these values, we estimated the amount of Ni that can be removed per unit area. The results showed that considering only the aerial parts of the plant, the biomass varies between 7.04 and 9.37 t ha–1, containing a range of 0.12–0.70% Ni, allowing a withdrawal of between 12.2 and 44.0 kg Ni ha–1 per crop under natural conditions.
Nickel hyperaccumulation in populations of Psychotria grandis (Rubiaceae) from serpentine and non-serpentine soils of Puerto Rico
Authors: McAlister Rachel L. , Kolterman Duane A. , Pollard A. Joseph
Published: May 2015

Metal hyperaccumulators are plants that store heavy metals or metalloids in their leaves, often to concentrations much higher than in the soil. Though most occur exclusively on metalliferous soils, some species are facultative, occurring on both metalliferous and nonmetalliferous soils. Psychotria grandis Sw.(Rubiaceae) occurs from Central America through the Caribbean on many soil types, and hyperaccumulates nickel (Ni) on serpentine soils in several localities. In this study, four Puerto Rican populations of P. grandis – two from serpentine soil and two from non-serpentine soil – were examined to compare Ni accumulation between and within populations. Multiple trees were sampled at most sites, with replicate leaves harvested from each tree. Foliar nickel concentrations were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry. Mean Ni concentration differed significantly among the sites, ranging from <165 µg g–1 on non-serpentine soil to >4000 µg g–1 on serpentine soil. There were also significant differences in Ni concentration among trees within sites, with especially wide variation at one of the serpentine sites known to be geologically heterogeneous. Despite these differences in field-collected leaves, a hydroponic common-garden experiment indicated that the Ni accumulation capacities of the populations were approximately equal. Variation in Ni accumulation between and within these populations in the field is likely to result from variation in Ni availability in the soil.
Stephen John Angyal 1914–2012
Authors: Stevens John D.
Published: May 2015

Stephen Angyal was born in Budapest, Hungary, on 21 November 1914 and died in Sydney on 14 May 2012. He had a distinguished career as an organic chemist as a lecturer in chemistry at Sydney University (1946–52), as an associate professor in organic chemistry at the New South Wales University of Technology (1953–9), and as Professor of Organic Chemistry at the University of New South Wales (1960–79) where he served as Head of School (1968–70) and Dean of the Faculty of Science (1970–9). He was internationally recognized for his contributions in the fields of inositol and carbohydrate chemistry, being appointed as the Haworth Memorial Lecturer of the Chemical Society, London, in 1980 and as the recipient of the Claude S. Hudson Award of the American Chemical Society in 1987. He was elected as a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science in 1962 and as an External Member of the Hungarian Academy of Science in 1990 and his contributions to science in Australia were acknowledged in the award of Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1977.
High sediment temperatures influence the emergence of dormant aquatic biota
Authors: Nielsen Daryl L. , Jasper Elke Walburga , Ning Nathan , Lawler Susan
Published: May 2015

Under the influence of increasing air temperatures, dormant seeds of wetland plants and eggs of microfauna may be subjected to increased sediment temperatures that adversely affect their capacity to germinate or hatch, while the wetland is in its ‘dry’ phase. We conducted a mesocosm experiment to investigate the influence of sediment temperature on the emergence capacity of dormant seeds and eggs. Dry wetland sediment was exposed to temperatures ranging from –180 to 150°C. After re-wetting, the taxon richness and abundance of communities that developed were assessed. Both aquatic plants and microfauna emerged from the seed bank at sediment temperatures lower than 50°C. However, the composition of the microfaunal community was altered once temperatures exceeded 40°C and germination of aquatic plants ceased once temperatures exceeded 50°C. These results suggest that changes to sediment temperature during the dry phase of wetlands may play an important role in influencing communities of wetland aquatic plants and microfauna. Modelled sediment temperature data indicated that minimum sediment temperature could exceed 40°C for extended periods of time under existing climate-change scenarios by 2070. An increase in the occurrence and duration of such temperatures may threaten the abundance and diversity of wetland microfauna and aquatic-plant communities.
Age determination and growth estimation from otolith micro-increments and fin spine sections of blue marlin (Makaira nigricans) in the western North Pacific
Authors: Shimose Tamaki , Yokawa Kotaro , Tachihara Katsunori
Published: May 2015

Age determination and growth estimation of blue marlin (Makaira nigricans) were performed by combining method of otolith micro-increment counts of 27 young (17–185-cm lower jaw–fork length, LJFL) and sectioned dorsal fin spines of 571 adult individuals (155–352cm). Otolith micro-increments were counted with ages of 26–338 days old. The estimated mean length (185cm) at Year 1 and growth rate were used to predict the position of the first annual growth band in sectioned fin spines. Distinct growth bands were formed in fin spines annually between September and October. Indistinct growth bands were considered false-annual growth bands. The observed and back-calculated LJFLs at each age were highly variable for both sexes. Von Bertalanffy growth parameters were estimated using mean back-calculated LJFL data as: L∞=295cm, k=0.23, t0=–3.31 years for females and 212cm, 0.29, –4.49 years for males. Females grew to >200cm in 2 years and to >250cm in 5 years on average, whereas the growth of males slowed appreciably after they reached the age of 1 year. This is the first study of blue marlin growth for entire life stages.
The Ice-Bucket Challenge: The Legitimacy of the Memetic Mode of Cultural Reproduction Is the Message
Authors: Rossolatos George
Published: May 2015

The multimodal video meme of the ice-bucket challenge raises a “bucketful” of questions for media and cultural studies. This article focuses narrowly on unearthing who speaks in this message and what is ultimately communicated. By unpeeling the multiple layers of message structuration with view to discerning the formal structure of the concerned multimodal message, the analysis proceeds with an exploration of the function of the message in the context of a cultural predicament where networking and connectivity constitute overarching cultural values. The argumentative thrust deploys against the background of the assumption that the ice-bucket challenge constitutes a meme as minimal unit of cultural reproduction that functions on both ontic and ontological levels. The offered analysis aims at demonstrating that the enunciator of this unit is the meme itself that summons hosts or enunciatees to legitimate the prereflective memetic mode of cultural reproduction and propagation as overarching mode of communication.
The Role of Visualizing Failure in Estonian Art, 1987–1999: The “Winners’ Generation”
Authors: Orav Kristin
Published: May 2015

This article explores the conditions, possibilities, and meanings of the concept “winners’ generation” in Estonian art in the 1990s. Some of the artists who were labeled by this name had their triumph in the freedom to express ideas that did not serve the dominant discourse, that is, discourse that captured only the interests of those who became successful during the period of change while shutting down realities not in line with their newly constructed norms and values. The ideological transition from socialist to capitalist ways of life in the course of the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 was an opportunity for these artists to become successful via visualizing failure, thus bringing out, but also questioning, the variations within the “victorious” discourse.
HOW TO CONSTRAIN YOUR M DWARF: MEASURING EFFECTIVE TEMPERATURE, BOLOMETRIC LUMINOSITY, MASS, AND RADIUS
Authors: Mann Andrew W. , Feiden Gregory A. , Gaidos Eric , Boyajian Tabetha , Braun Kaspar von
Published: May 2015

Precise and accurate parameters for late-type (late K and M) dwarf stars are important for characterization of any orbiting planets, but such determinations have been hampered by these stars’ complex spectra and dissimilarity to the Sun. We exploit an empirically calibrated method to estimate spectroscopic effective temperature (T
eff) and the Stefan–Boltzmann law to determine radii of 183 nearby K7–M7 single stars with a precision of 2%–5%. Our improved stellar parameters enable us to develop model-independent relations between T
eff or absolute magnitude and radius, as well as between color and T
eff. The derived T
eff–radius relation depends strongly on [Fe/H], as predicted by theory. The relation between absolute K

S
magnitude and radius can predict radii accurate to

3%. We derive bolometric corrections to the

and Gaia passbands as a function of color, accurate to 1%–3%. We confront the reliability of predictions from Dartmouth stellar evolution models using a Markov chain Monte Carlo to find the values of unobservable model parameters (mass, age) that best reproduce the observed effective temperature and bolometric flux while satisfying constraints on distance and metallicity as Bayesian priors. With the inferred masses we derive a semi-empirical mass–absolute magnitude relation with a scatter of 2% in mass. The best-agreement models overpredict stellar T
eff values by an average of 2.2% and underpredict stellar radii by 4.6%, similar to differences with values from low-mass eclipsing binaries. These differences are not correlated with metallicity, mass, or indicators of activity, suggesting issues with the underlying model assumptions, e.g., opacities or convective mixing length.
Asia, Australia and New Zealand Dyspnoea in Emergency Departments (AANZDEM) study: Rationale, design and analysis
Authors: Kelly Anne‐Maree , Keijzers Gerben , Klim Sharon , Graham Colin A , Craig Simon , Kuan Win Sen , Jones Peter , Holdgate Anna , Lawoko Charles , Laribi Said ,   AANZDEM Study Group
Published: May 2015

Objectives

Shortness of breath is a common reason for ED attendance. This international study aims to describe the epidemiology of dyspnoea presenting to EDs in the South East Asia‐Pacific region, to compare disease patterns across regions, to understand how conditions are investigated and treated, and to assess quality of care.

Methods/Design

This is a prospective, interrupted time series cohort study conducted in EDs in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia of consecutive adult patients presenting to the ED with dyspnoea as a main symptom. Data were collected over three 72 h periods in May, August and October 2014 (autumn, winter and spring), and included demographics, comorbidities, mode of arrival, usual medications, pre‐hospital treatment, initial assessment, ED investigations, treatment in the ED, ED diagnosis, disposition from ED, in‐hospital outcome and final hospital diagnosis. The primary outcomes of interest are the epidemiology and outcome of patients presenting to ED with dyspnoea. Secondary outcomes of interest are seasonal and geographic comparisons of diagnoses and outcomes, disease‐specific descriptions of epidemiology, investigation, treatment and disposition, and compliance with treatment guidelines.

Discussion

This novel study will explore dyspnoea from the viewpoint of the patient's symptom (shortness of breath) rather than that of a single disease. The results will provide robust data about the epidemiology, investigation, treatment and disposition of this diverse patient group. The obtained data also have the potential to inform service planning and to quantify the proportion of patients with mixed cardiac and respiratory disease.
Canine distemper virus as a threat to wild tigers in Russia and across their range
Authors: GILBERT Martin , SOUTYRINA Svetlana V. , SERYODKIN Ivan V. , SULIKHAN Nadezhda , UPHYRKINA Olga V. , GONCHARUK Mikhail , MATTHEWS Louise , CLEAVELAND Sarah , MIQUELLE Dale G.
Published: May 2015

Canine distemper virus (CDV) has recently been identified in populations of wild tigers in Russia and India. Tiger populations are generally too small to maintain CDV for long periods, but are at risk of infections arising from more abundant susceptible hosts that constitute a reservoir of infection. Because CDV is an additive mortality factor, it could represent a significant threat to small, isolated tiger populations. In Russia, CDV was associated with the deaths of tigers in 2004 and 2010, and was coincident with a localized decline of tigers in Sikhote‐Alin Biosphere Zapovednik (from 25 tigers in 2008 to 9 in 2012). Habitat continuity with surrounding areas likely played an important role in promoting an ongoing recovery. We recommend steps be taken to assess the presence and the impact of CDV in all tiger range states, but should not detract focus away from the primary threats to tigers, which include habitat loss and fragmentation, poaching and retaliatory killing. Research priorities include: (i) recognition and diagnosis of clinical cases of CDV in tigers when they occur; and (ii) collection of baseline data on the health of wild tigers. CDV infection of individual tigers need not imply a conservation threat, and modeling should complement disease surveillance and targeted research to assess the potential impact to tiger populations across the range of ecosystems, population densities and climate extremes occupied by tigers. Describing the role of domestic and wild carnivores as contributors to a local CDV reservoir is an important precursor to considering control measures.
Inducible pine rosin defense mediates interactions between an invasive insect–fungal complex and newly acquired sympatric fungal associates
Authors: CHENG Chihang , ZHOU Fangyuan , LU Min , SUN Jianghua
Published: May 2015

Mutualism between insects and fungi drives insect evolutionary diversification and niche expansion; for invasive insects, however, mechanisms by which they maintain mutualistic relationships with beneficial fungi have not been clearly explored. Here, we report that an invasive herbivorous insect, the red turpentine beetle (RTB), with its co‐invasive mutualistic fungus, Leptographium procerum, has newly acquired a set of sympatric fungi during invasion, which could potentially outcompete the RTB mutualistic fungus. Host pine Pinus tabuliformis exhibited more rosin‐based responses to the sympatric fungi than to RTB mutualistic fungus and, in return, the rapidly induced rosin suppressed the sympatric fungi more significantly than L. procerum. In addition, from direct fungal pairing competitions, we found that the antagonistic effects of sympatric fungi on L. procerum were drastically reduced under induced rosin defense. Our results together with previous findings imply that pine oleoresin defense (turpentine and rosin) might have been exploited by the invasive mutualistic fungus L. procerum, which helps to explain its invasion success and, by extension, its mutualistic partner RTB in China.
Diagnostic performance of anti‐cyclic citrullinated peptide and rheumatoid factor in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Chang Pi‐Yueh , Yang Cheng‐Tao , Cheng Ching‐Hui , Yu Kuang‐Hui
Published: May 2015

Aim

To compare the diagnostic performance of rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti‐cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (anti‐CCP) in the diagnosis of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Taiwan.

Methods

Serum concentrations of RF and anti‐CCP were measured in 246 cases, including 39 patients with RA and 207 patients with other rheumatic diseases (non‐RA). The age, sex, clinical presentation, RF, anti‐CCP results and the final diagnoses were recorded and analyzed. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), positive likelihood ratio (LR+) and negative likelihood ratio (LR−) were calculated.

Results

Among all 246 patients, 39 (15.9%) were diagnosed with RA and 207 (84.1%) were diagnosed with other rheumatic diseases (non‐RA). In the diagnosis of RA, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, LR+ and LR− of the RF test were 67%, 79%, 37%, 93%, 3.12, and 0.42, respectively. The corresponding data for the anti‐CCP test were 79%, 98%, 86%, 96%, 32.91 and 0.21, respectively. The presence of either anti‐CCP or RF increased the sensitivity to 85%, and when they both were present, the specificity increased to 98%. Among the 39 RA patients, 26 (66.7%) tested positive for RF, and 31 (79.5%) tested positive for anti‐CCP. RF was positive in two of eight anti‐CCP‐negative patients with RA, and anti‐CCP was positive in seven of 13 RF‐negative patients with RA.

Conclusions

The RF and anti‐CCP tests are complementary, and the co‐detection of these antibodies can increase the detection rate and provide important clinical value in the diagnosis of RA. Both anti‐CCP and RF positivity are useful for the diagnosis of RA, and use of both tests together improves the diagnostic sensitivity.
Third stage of labor risks in velamentous and marginal cord insertion: a population‐based study
Authors: Ebbing Cathrine , Kiserud Torvid , Johnsen Synnøve L. , Albrechtsen Susanne , Rasmussen Svein
Published: May 2015

Objective

To assess whether anomalous cord insertion is associated with risk of complications in the third stage of labor.

Design

A population‐based study.

Setting

Norwegian Medical Birth Register.

Population

All singleton births (gestational age >16 weeks and <45 weeks) during the period 1999–2011 (n = 738 443 singletons). Deliveries by cesarean were excluded, leaving 628 680 vaginal singleton deliveries for the analyses.

Methods

Calculation of odds ratios for complications in the third stage of labor (postpartum hemorrhage, manual delivery of the placenta, curettage) in velamentous and marginal cord insertion by logistic regression with adjustment for confounders.

Main outcome measures

Complications in the third stage of labor, postpartum hemorrhage, manual placental removal and curettage.

Results

Anomalous cord insertion was associated with an increased risk of complications in the third stage of labor, the risk being higher for velamentous than for marginal insertion. The risks persisted after adjusting for possible confounding factors. Velamentous cord insertion carried a 5.6% risk of a need for manual removal of the placenta, compared with the risk of 1.1% for nonvelamentous insertion (odds ratio = 5.21, 95% confidence interval 4.71–5.76) in vaginal delivery, and we found increased risks of curettage (odds ratio = 3.29, 95% confidence interval 2.87–3.77) and postpartum hemorrhage (odds ratio = 2.06, 95% confidence interval 1.77–2.39).

Conclusions

Marginal and especially velamentous cord insertion is associated with an increased risk of hemorrhage in the third stage of labor, need for manual removal of the placenta and curettage. Anomalous cord insertion can be identified prenatally and so possibly influence obstetric management.
Progressive inflammation‐mediated neurodegeneration after traumatic brain or spinal cord injury
Authors: Faden Alan I , Wu Junfang , Stoica Bogdan A , Loane David J
Published: May 2015

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been linked to dementia and chronic neurodegeneration. Described initially in boxers and currently recognized across high contact sports, the association between repeated concussion (mild TBI) and progressive neuropsychiatric abnormalities has recently received widespread attention, and has been termed chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Less well appreciated are cognitive changes associated with neurodegeneration in the brain after isolated spinal cord injury. Also under‐recognized is the role of sustained neuroinflammation after brain or spinal cord trauma, even though this relationship has been known since the 1950s and is supported by more recent preclinical and clinical studies. These pathological mechanisms, manifested by extensive microglial and astroglial activation and appropriately termed chronic traumatic brain inflammation or chronic traumatic inflammatory encephalopathy, may be among the most important causes of post‐traumatic neurodegeneration in terms of prevalence. Importantly, emerging experimental work demonstrates that persistent neuroinflammation can cause progressive neurodegeneration that may be treatable even weeks after traumatic injury.

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed section on Inflammation: maladies, models, mechanisms and molecules. To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2016.173.issue-4
Adenosine A2A receptors are necessary and sufficient to trigger memory impairment in adult mice
Authors: Pagnussat N , Almeida A S , Marques D M , Nunes F , Chenet G C , Botton P H S , Mioranzza S , Loss C M , Cunha R A , Porciúncula L O
Published: May 2015

Background and Purpose

Caffeine (a non‐selective adenosine receptor antagonist) prevents memory deficits in aging and Alzheimer's disease, an effect mimicked by adenosine A2A receptor, but not A1 receptor, antagonists. Hence, we investigated the effects of adenosine receptor agonists and antagonists on memory performance and scopolamine‐induced memory impairment in mice.

Experimental Approach

We determined whether A2A receptors are necessary for the emergence of memory impairments induced by scopolamine and whether A2A receptor activation triggers memory deficits in naïve mice, using three tests to assess short‐term memory, namely the object recognition task, inhibitory avoidance and modified Y‐maze.

Key Results

Scopolamine (1.0 mg·kg−1, i.p.) impaired short‐term memory performance in all three tests and this scopolamine‐induced amnesia was prevented by the A2A receptor antagonist (SCH 58261, 0.1–1.0 mg·kg−1, i.p.) and by the A1 receptor antagonist (DPCPX, 0.2–5.0 mg·kg−1, i.p.), except in the modified Y‐maze where only SCH58261 was effective. Both antagonists were devoid of effects on memory or locomotion in naïve rats. Notably, the activation of A2A receptors with CGS 21680 (0.1–0.5 mg·kg−1, i.p.) before the training session was sufficient to trigger memory impairment in the three tests in naïve mice, and this effect was prevented by SCH 58261 (1.0 mg·kg−1, i.p.). Furthermore, i.c.v. administration of CGS 21680 (50 nmol) also impaired recognition memory in the object recognition task.

Conclusions and Implications

These results show that A2A receptors are necessary and sufficient to trigger memory impairment and further suggest that A1 receptors might also be selectively engaged to control the cholinergic‐driven memory impairment.
IL‐14 and IL‐16 are expressed in the thyroid of patients with either Graves’ disease or Hashimoto's thyroiditis
Authors: Helen Kemp Elizabeth , Ajjan Ramzi A. , Metcalfe Russell A. , Watson Philip F. , Weetman Anthony P.
Published: May 2015

Objectives

Cytokines have an important role in orchestrating the pathophysiology in autoimmune thyroid disease. The aim of the current study was to analyse the expression of interleukin (IL)‐14 and IL‐16 in the thyroid tissue of patients with Graves’ disease (GD), Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) or multinodular goitre (MNG) and in that of normal individuals, in patients’ intrathyroidal CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and in patient and normal cultured thyroid follicular cells.

Methods

The expression of IL‐14 and IL‐16 mRNA and protein was investigated using reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) amplification, and Western blotting and ELISAs, respectively.

Results

IL‐14 mRNA expression was detected in thyroid tissue from 8/9 GD, 3/4 HT and 3/13 MNG patients and 1/6 normal individuals, and IL‐16 mRNA expression in thyroid tissue from 9/9 GD, 4/4 HT and 9/13 MNG patients and 4/6 normal individuals. IL‐14 mRNA expression was detected in intrathyroidal CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from 2/2 GD and 2/2 HT patients, while IL‐16 mRNA was detected in samples from 1/2 HT patients but not in those from either patient with GD. IL‐14 and IL‐16 mRNA expression was found in thyroid follicular cells derived from 2/2 patient with GD and 1/1 normal individual. IL‐14 protein was detected in thyroid tissue from 6/6 GD, 1/1 HT and 0/6 MNG patients and 0/6 normal individuals, and IL‐16 protein in thyroid tissue from 6/6 GD, 1/1 HT and 1/6 MNG patients and 0/6 normal individuals. Expression of IL‐14 protein was stimulated in thyroid follicular cells derived from two patients with GD and one normal individual by peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC)‐conditioned medium. Treatment of thyrocytes from two patients with GD and one normal individual with PBMC‐conditioned medium and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α stimulated IL‐16 protein expression. In normal thyrocytes, IL‐16 protein synthesis was induced also by IL‐1β, IL‐17A, IL‐4 and transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β.

Conclusions

The data provide evidence that the intrathyroidal production of IL‐14 and IL‐16 is associated with the pathogenesis of autoimmune thyroid disease. Thyroid follicular cells display the ability to express IL‐14 and IL‐16 mRNA and can be stimulated to express IL‐16 protein, by a panel of cytokines, and IL‐14 protein, by as yet unidentified factors.
Association between systemic oxidative stress and insulin resistance/sensitivity indices – the PREDIAS study
Authors: Kopprasch Steffi , Srirangan Dheban , Bergmann Sybille , Graessler Juergen , Schwarz Peter E.H. , Bornstein Stefan R.
Published: May 2015

Objective

Systemic oxidative stress has been causally related to insulin resistance and the subsequent development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). We investigated associations between circulating oxidative stress markers and different surrogate indexes of insulin sensitivity/resistance.

Patients

Cross–sectional data were obtained from 1183 subjects with normal glucose tolerance (NGT), 280 subjects with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and 69 newly detected T2D individuals entering the PREDIAS (prevention of diabetes) study.

Measurements

Following oral glucose tolerance test, five different insulin sensitivity/resistance indices were estimated: homoeostasis model of insulin resistance (HOMA–IR), quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI), early phase insulin release (EPIR), insulin sensitivity index (ISI) and disposition index (DI). Additionally, circulating phagocyte generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was measured.

Results

After adjustment for five covariates, HOMA–IR was significantly increased in IGT and T2D subjects when compared to NGT subjects (P = 0·000). QUICKI (P = 0·000), ISI (P = 0·000), EPIR (0·005/0·012) and DI (P = 0·000) were significantly attenuated in IGT and T2D. The prevalence of IGT and T2D individuals increased with increasing ROS generation and TAC tertiles. Increased systemic ROS generation was paralleled by increased HOMA–IR (P < 0·001, tertile 1/T1/vs tertile 3/T3/), decreased QUICKI (P < 0·001, T1 vs T3) and decreased ISI (P < 0·05, T1 vs T3). A similar tendency for indices was observed when comparing TAC tertiles: increase in HOMA–IR, decrease in QUICKI and ISI (P < 0·001, T1 vs T3 each). EPIR and DI did not differ significantly across ROS generation and TAC tertiles.

Conclusions

Systemic oxidative stress is associated with elevated insulin resistance index HOMA–IR, and decreased insulin sensitivity surrogates QUICKI and ISI.