bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spatial Proximity between Newborns Influences the Development of Social Relationships in Bats
Authors: Ancillotto Leonardo , Serangeli Maria Tiziana , Russo Danilo
Published: January 2012

Although bats are highly social mammals, the mechanisms influencing the establishment of social structures are far from being fully understood. So far, no study has addressed the effects of spatial proximity between newborns such as that occurring in nursery clusters on the development of preferential associations among individuals. We tested such effects on captive pups of Kuhl’s pipistrellePipistrellus kuhlii. During the first 6 wks, we kept them in separate rearing groups. Once able to fly, bats were allowed to freely interact in a common flight room, where those reared in the same groups showed higher rates of amicable interactions (proximity during roosting, allogrooming, huddling) but no effect on aggressive behaviour. Sex also influenced such frequencies, females being more likely to interact amicably. The phenomenon we describe may have significant implications for the development of bat social structures, including colony aggregation, within‐colony cryptic subunits or preferred association of individuals in fission–fusion dynamics. Our study adds a further dimension to bat sociality, highlighting the implications of spatial proximity in an early age phase.
Correlation of antidepressive agents and the mortality of end‐stage renal disease
Authors: TSAI CHIA‐JUI , LOH EL‐WUI , LIN CHING‐HENG , YU TUNG‐MIN , CHAN CHIN‐HONG , LAN TSUO‐HUNG
Published: January 2012

Aim:  Depression is one of the most common psychological disorders in end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) patients and is associated with impaired quality of life and increased mortality and rate of hospitalization. We aimed to examine the contributions of depression and the use of antidepressive agents in the mortality of ESRD patients.

Methods:  A retrospective observatory study was conducted using the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan. Patients with newly diagnosed as ESRD during the year 2001 to 2007 were collected. A total of 2312 ESRD patients were identified in the database. Statistical analyses were conducted to examine the contributions of depression and exposure of antidepressive agents in mortality rates of ESRD patients.

Results:  Diagnosis of depression did not influence mortality rate (mortality rate in patients with depression: 26.5%; mortality rate in patients without depression: 26.2%; P= 1.000). Those who had antidepressive agents exposure had significantly higher mortality rate (mortality rate: 32.3%) than those who did not (mortality rate: 24.5%) (P < 0.001).

Conclusions:  Our findings suggest that (i) the mortality rate of ESRD patients was not affected by the diagnosis of depression, and (ii) exposure of antidepressive agents in ESRD patients was associated with a higher mortality rate. The high mortality rate in ESRD patients exposed to antidepressive agents can be a bias by indication. Equally, a true contribution of the antidepressive agents cannot be ruled out and this needs clarification.
Microcomputers Implementation of Digital Control Strategies for Structural Response Reduction
Authors: Quast P. , Sain M. K. , Spencer B. F. , Dyke S. J.
Published: January 2012

Abstract: In the past, implementation of active structural control strategies employing PC‐based hardware has often been problematic, and there seems to be a need to improve the understanding of the issues associated with implementation of digital control, as well as to reduce the excessive computational times required for I/O processes and calculation of control forces. Recently developed hardware based on dedicated digital signal processing (DSP) chips has offered new possibilities for control algorithm implementation. This paper discusses digital control system concepts and specific practical aspects of digital control implementation, including the use of supervision. Details regarding active structural control using the Texas Instruments TMS32OC30 DSP chip and experimental verification of the hardware performance are given.
Direct and indirect effects of winter harshness on the survival of Mallards Anas platyrhynchos in northwest Europe
Authors: GUNNARSSON GUNNAR , WALDENSTRÖM JONAS , FRANSSON THORD
Published: January 2012

To understand population dynamics it is necessary to understand vital rates, which may be affected by a wide range of factors including environmental variables such as weather. Weather conditions can affect birds’ vital rates directly through increased mortality due to impaired conditions, or indirectly via changes in body condition and/or behaviour. Most understanding of direct and indirect effects of weather comes from studies of breeding birds, whereas the situation in non‐breeding periods is less clear. Here, we analysed annual survival of non‐breeding Mallard Anas platyrhynchos, the most hunted waterfowl species in Europe, and assessed whether survival is related directly to winter harshness and/or indirectly via changes in winter recovery distributions. Recovery data on Mallards, initially marked in southeast Sweden, were analysed with an information‐theoretic approach using program mark. Over 10 000 Mallards were marked in two time periods, 1964–1982 and 2002–2008, of which 13.3 and 4.7%, respectively, were later recovered. Mallards had lower annual survival in the early trapping period (0.58–0.63) than in the later period (0.69–0.71), with no clear effects of sex, age or year. Within each study period, winter harshness did not directly correlate with survival. However, milder winters may have contributed indirectly to higher survival in the second period, as winter harshness data were correlated with the distances to recovery positions for females, and also because winter recovery areas have shifted northeast during the past decades, possibly indicating a shortened migratory distance. Migration is costly, and there is therefore a likely linkage between migration behaviour and survival of dabbling ducks, in which direct as well as indirect effects of winter harshness may play a role. Other factors, such as hunting pressure, are also likely to have changed in the past decades, and may also have contributed to improved survival of Mallards in northwest Europe.
Wild‐type amyloid beta 1‐40 peptide induces vascular smooth muscle cell death independently from matrix metalloprotease activity
Authors: Blaise Régis , Mateo Véronique , Rouxel Clotilde , Zaccarini François , Glorian Martine , Béréziat Gilbert , Golubkov Vladislav S. , Limon Isabelle
Published: January 2012

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is an important cause of intracerebral hemorrhages in the elderly, characterized by amyloid‐β (Aβ) peptide accumulating in central nervous system blood vessels. Within the vessel walls, Aβ‐peptide deposits [composed mainly of wild‐type (WT) Aβ1‐40 peptide in sporadic forms] induce impaired adhesion of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) to the extracellular matrix (ECM) associated with their degeneration. This process often results in a loss of blood vessel wall integrity and ultimately translates into cerebral ischemia and microhemorrhages, both clinical features of CAA. In this study, we decipher the molecular mechanism of matrix metalloprotease (MMP)‐2 activation in WT‐Aβ1‐40‐treated VSMC and provide evidence that MMP activity, although playing a critical role in cell detachment disrupting ECM components, is not involved in the WT‐Aβ1‐40‐induced degeneration of VSMCs. Indeed, whereas this peptide clearly induced VSMC apoptosis, neither preventing MMP‐2 activity nor hampering the expression of membrane type1‐MMP, or preventing tissue inhibitors of MMPs‐2 (TIMP‐2) recruitment (two proteins evidenced here as involved in MMP‐2 activation), reduced the number of dead cells. Even the use of broad‐range MMP inhibitors (GM6001 and Batimastat) did not affect WT‐Aβ1‐40‐induced cell apoptosis. Our results, in contrast to those obtained using the Aβ1‐40 Dutch variant suggesting a link between MMP‐2 activity, VSMC mortality and degradation of specific matrix components, indicate that the ontogenesis of the Dutch familial and sporadic forms of CAAs is different. ECM degradation and VSMC degeneration would be tightly connected in the Dutch familial form while being two independent processes in sporadic forms of CAA.
What Are Policy Punctuations? Large Changes in the Legislative Agenda of the UK Government, 1911–2008
Authors: John Peter , Bevan Shaun
Published: January 2012

In this article, we argue that policy punctuations differ from each other in ways that reflect distinct types of political change. We identify three main kinds. The first are procedural changes that have unique unrelated policies within the same issue area. Within the remaining large policy changes, high‐salience punctuations are associated with increased attention in the media, whereas low‐salience punctuations do not attract such scrutiny. The analysis applies the typology to data from the UK Policy Agendas Project, identifying punctuations from the content of Acts of the UK Parliament between 1911 and 2008. Using evidence from the historical record and the data series, the analysis places each observation within the typology. We claim that the typology has a more general application and could be replicated in other jurisdictions and time periods. We conclude that attention to the historical record and qualitative studies of punctuations can complement and inform the analysis of aggregate data series.
Punctuated Equilibrium Theory and the Diffusion of Innovations
Authors: Boushey Graeme
Published: January 2012

This article builds on punctuated equilibrium theory to evaluate the diffusion of public policy innovations in the United States. The article argues that punctuated equilibrium theory provides a unifying framework for understating three mechanisms leading to the diffusion of innovations: gradual policy diffusion driven by incremental policy emulation, rapid state‐to‐state diffusion driven by policy imitation and mimicking, and nearly immediate policy diffusion driven by state‐level responses to a common exogenous shock. Drawing upon the Bass mixed influence diffusion model, this research generates measures of the coefficients of external and internal influences for diffusion for 81 public policy innovations that have spread across the United States. The article then evaluates how the policy image and direct participation of the federal government contribute to distinct patterns of diffusion over time.
No Identification Without Representation: Constraints on the Use of Biometric Identification Systems
Authors: Mordini Emilio , Rebera Andrew P.
Published: January 2012

The human species is again becoming nomadic. Each year, about two billion persons move across large geographic distances (not to mention people in “virtual mobility” through information and communication technology). Many of these people have weak or unreliable identification documents—and many poorer people in developing countries do not even have these documents. In 2000, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) calculated that 50 million babies (41% of births worldwide) were not registered at birth. In this scenario, a personal identification scheme based on birth registration and state‐issued passports is less and less tenable. Biometrics appears to offer a viable technological solution. However, the technology itself is subject to popular critique, warning of dystopian futures of overwhelming surveillance and loss of privacy. The best answer to those who fear an Orwellian future is to engage with the technology and seek to ensure that biometric identification systems are developed in positive ways. We suggest that identification schemes become problematic when the reciprocity of identification goes unnoticed, forgotten, or (what is worse) is intentionally bypassed. The dynamics of identification should be reciprocal, dialogical, and involving mutual recognition. In the traditional political domain, this is the recognition by the state of a citizen and by the citizen of the state. In the digital age, identification systems must increasingly transcend geopolitical borders. A globally recognized identification scheme is therefore a necessity. However, it is merely the nature of the borders that has changed here—not the nature of identification. Our call will be: no identification without representation.
Privacy and the New Legal Paradigm: Tradition and Development in Taiwan
Authors: Chen Chi‐shing
Published: January 2012

The right to privacy is relatively new but has ever increasing importance. Different approaches toward its protection do exist at the moment; however, they all face challenges due to rapid technological and global changes. This article presents an idea of a new legal paradigm and its application in privacy protection. This legal paradigm gives equal attention to the forming of state‐made law and social norms. It also emphasizes the cooperative relationship between the two lawmaking efforts. The new legal paradigm requires a shift from the traditional internal legal point of view, which overlooks the importance of social normative formation. Such a shift, however, may not be equally difficult in the Chinese‐speaking world, where social norms derived from efforts searching for proper relationship among different roles in a society have long been the teaching of the Confucian school. Within the Confucian teaching, this article searches for the traditional Chinese idea of privacy and how it is placed in a series of self‐cultivation needed to bring order to the societies, following with a preliminary sketch of the current development of privacy protection in Taiwan to demonstrate its distinctiveness under such Confucian influence, i.e., emphasizing private ordering much more than legislative and administrative lawmaking. Since the success of the Taiwanese approach, or all future successful privacy protection, requires public spheres where concerns of different stakeholders can be reflected and dealt with, this article ends with a critical description of the development of the new research area, i.e., e‐participation, and suggests how e‐participation can be benefited by the idea of the new legal paradigm.
Promoting Data Protection Standards through Contracts: The Case of the Data Security Council of India
Authors: Bajaj Kamlesh
Published: January 2012

Data protection has emerged as a major corporate and government concern worldwide. The focus is on secure handling of data so as to ensure privacy of customer data and security of corporate data. Privacy and security laws in countries are not harmonized; compliance regulations are different too. As the global hub of outsourcing, India is faced with a challenge of demonstrating compliance with varying compliance regulations in countries. The Data Security Council of India (DSCI) considers the Best Practices Approach as a practical and realistic way to enhance adherence to data security and privacy standards, and to enable a service provider to demonstrate compliance. Getting these standards recognized through contracts can promote data protection. An industry association can act as a third party self‐regulatory organization to promote these standards and enforce them among its members through certification or privacy seals, thereby helping implement data protection in international data flows.
MicroRNA‐24 regulates cardiac fibrosis after myocardial infarction
Authors: Wang Jue , Huang Weicong , Xu Ruixia , Nie Yu , Cao Xiaoqing , Meng Jiang , Xu Xiuqin , Hu Shengshou , Zheng Zhe
Published: January 2012

Cardiac fibrosis after myocardial infarction (MI) has been identified as a key factor in the development of heart failure. Although dysregulation of microRNA (miRNA) is involved in various pathophysiological processes in the heart, the role of miRNA in fibrosis regulation after MI is not clear. Previously we observed the correlation between fibrosis and the miR‐24 expression in hypertrophic hearts, herein we assessed how miR‐24 regulates fibrosis after MI. Using qRT‐PCR, we showed that miR‐24 was down‐regulated in the MI heart; the change in miR‐24 expression was closely related to extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling. In vivo, miR‐24 could improve heart function and attenuate fibrosis in the infarct border zone of the heart two weeks after MI through intramyocardial injection of Lentiviruses. Moreover, in vitro experiments suggested that up‐regulation of miR‐24 by synthetic miR‐24 precursors could reduce fibrosis and also decrease the differentiation and migration of cardiac fibroblasts (CFs). TGF‐β (a pathological mediator of fibrotic disease) increased miR‐24 expression, overexpression of miR‐24 reduced TGF‐β secretion and Smad2/3 phosphorylation in CFs. By performing microarray analyses and bioinformatics analyses, we found furin to be a potential target for miR‐24 in fibrosis (furin is a protease which controls latent TGF‐β activation processing). Finally, we demonstrated that protein and mRNA levels of furin were regulated by miR‐24 in CFs. These findings suggest that miR‐24 has a critical role in CF function and cardiac fibrosis after MI through a furin–TGF‐β pathway. Thus, miR‐24 may be used as a target for treatment of MI and other fibrotic heart diseases.
Decomposing the heterogeneity of species distributions into multiple scales: a hierarchical framework for large‐scale count surveys
Authors: Bellier Edwige , Monestiez Pascal , Certain Grégoire , Chadoeuf Joël , Bretagnolle Vincent
Published: January 2012

We introduce a novel spatially explicit framework for decomposing species distributions into multiple scales from count data. These kinds of data are usually positively skewed, have non‐normal distributions and are spatially autocorrelated. To analyse such data, we propose a hierarchical model that takes into account the observation process and explicitly deals with spatial autocorrelation. The latent variable is the product of a positive trend representing the non‐constant mean of the species distribution and of a stationary positive spatial field representing the variance of the spatial density of the species distribution. Then, the different scales of emergent structures of the distribution of the population in space are modelled from the latent density of the species distribution using multi‐scale variogram models. Multi‐scale kriging is used to map the spatial patterns previously identified by the multi‐scale models. We show how our framework yields robust and precise estimates of the relevant scales both for spatial count data simulated from well‐defined models, and in a real case‐study based on seabird count data (the common guillemot Uria aalge) provided by large‐scale aerial surveys of the Bay of Biscay (France) performed over a winter. Our stochastic simulation study provides guidelines on the expected uncertainties of the scales estimates. Our results indicate that the spatial structure of the common guillemot can be modelled as a three‐level hierarchical system composed of a very broad‐scale pattern (∼ 200 km) with a stable location over time that might be environmentally controlled, a broad‐scale pattern (∼ 50 km) with a variable shape and location, that might be related to shifts in prey distribution, and a fine‐scale pattern (∼ 10 km) with a rather stable shape and location, that might be controlled by behavioural processes. Our framework enables the development of robust, scale‐dependent hypotheses regarding the potential ecological processes that control species distributions.
Accounting for uncertainty in colonisation times: a novel approach to modelling the spatio‐temporal dynamics of alien invasions using distribution data
Authors: Catterall Stephen , Cook Alex R. , Marion Glenn , Butler Adam , Hulme Philip E.
Published: January 2012

A novel, yet generic, Bayesian approach to parameter inference in a stochastic, spatio‐temporal model of dispersal and colonisation is developed and applied to the invasion of a region by an alien plant species. The method requires species distribution data from multiple time points, and accounts for temporal uncertainty in colonisation times inherent in such data. Covariates, such as climate parameters, altitude and land use, which capture variation in the suitability of sites for plant colonisation, are easily incorporated into the model. The method assumes no local extinction of occupied sites and thus is primarily applicable to modelling distribution data at relatively coarse spatial resolutions of plant species whose range is expanding over time. The implementation of the model and inference algorithm are illustrated through application to British floristic atlas data for the widespread alien Heracleum mantegazzianum (giant hogweed) assessed at a 10 × 10 km resolution in 1970 and 2000. We infer key characteristics of this species, predict its future spread, and use the resulting fitted model to inform a simulation‐based assessment of the methodology. Simulated distribution data are used to validate the inference algorithm. Our results suggest that the accuracy of inference is not sensitive to the number of distribution time points, requiring only that there are at least two points in time when distributions are mapped. We demonstrate the utility of the modelling approach by making future forecasts and historic hindcasts of the distribution of giant hogweed in Great Britain. Giant hogweed is one of the worst alien plants in Britain and has rapidly increased its range since 1970, yet we highlight that a further 20% of land area remains susceptible to colonisation by this species. We use the robustness of this case study to discuss the potential for modelling distribution data for other species and at different spatial scales.
Cerebrospinal fluid beta‐2‐microglobulin: A reliable index of leukaemic infiltration of central nervous system
Authors: Storti S. , Pagano L. , Marra R. , Teofili L. , Ricerca B. M. , Leone G. , Bizzi B.
Published: January 2012

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) beta‐2‐microglobulin (B2m) has been proposed as a marker of central nervous system (CNS) involvement in myelo‐lymphoproliferative diseases. Recently its reliability has been put in question because of false positive and false negative results. In our study, B2m was measured in 574 CSF samples collected from 74 patients affected by ALL, ANLL or lymphomas; 20 of these patients had CNS‐involvement while they were under observation. There was a significant difference in CSF B2m between the patients with and without CNS‐involvement (p < 0.001). No false positive or false negative results were obtained. In 4 cases the rising of CSF B2m was observed 8, 6, 4 and 4 wk before the clinical and laboratory diagnosis of CNS‐involvement. In all patients the clinical and laboratory improvement of the neurological disease was associated with a progressive decrease of CSF B2m. Some hypotheses about the origin of CSF B2m are discussed. The authors conclude that CSF B2m is a useful and reliable marker of CNS‐involvement in myelo‐lymphoproliferative disease.
Pipobroman therapy of essential thrombocythemia
Authors: Mazzucconi M. G. , Francesconi M. , Chistolini A. , Falcione E. , Ferrari A. , Tirindelli M. C. , Mandelli F.
Published: January 2012

We report our results with pipobroman (PB) therapy in patients with essential thrombocythemia (ET). 21 consecutive untreated patients were treated with PB from 1975 to 1984. PB was given at a dose of 1 mg/kg/d until platelet count dropped below 600 × 109/l. In 18 patients (86%) a hematological remission was obtained. Median duration of induction phase was 49 d. In all cases a maintenance regimen was required at a dose ranging from 0.2 mg/kg/d to 0.5 mg/kg/d, according to platelet number. Follow‐up of responder patients ranged from 6 to 108 months (median 17 months). Treatment was well tolerated and we observed only a very moderate and transient hematological toxicity. No patient had relapsed or developed secondary neoplasms at the time of writing. Median survival time of all patients was 24 months (range 10–115).
Thrombocytopenia and pseudothrombocytopenia: A clinical and laboratory problem
Authors: Nilsson Torbjörn , Norberg Bo
Published: January 2012

During a 4‐month period, the patients with thrombocytopenia (N = 14) at a haematological outpatient clinic were subjected to a special laboratory investigation. Evidence of pseudothrombocytopenia was found in 5 of the patients. 1 patient with a giant platelet syndrome associated with deficient platelet function was also found. It is concluded that pseudothrombocytopenia and various thrombocytopathies provide a significant confounding factor in the management of patients with alleged thrombocytopenia. It is therefore suggested that the initial diagnostic work‐up of alleged thrombocytopenia patients should include an assessment of platelet morphology in addition to an overall haemostatic test (bleeding time) and platelet function tests.
Oral health‐related behaviours among dentate adults in Finland: findings from the Finnish Health 2000 Survey
Authors: Tseveenjav Battsetseg , Suominen Anna L. , Vehkalahti Miira M.
Published: January 2012

Tseveenjav B, Suominen AL, Vehkalahti MM. Oral health‐related behaviours among dentate adults in Finland: findings from the Finnish Health 2000 Survey.
 
Eur J Oral Sci 2012; 120: 54–60. © 2012 Eur J Oral Sci

The aim of this study was to assess oral health‐related behaviours among dentate adults. As part of the comprehensive Finnish Health 2000 Survey, this study included dentate subjects, 30–64 yr of age (n = 4,417). Based on interview and questionnaire data, information on nine oral health‐related habits was elicited. On average, study subjects reported 4.4 (SD = 1.5) oral health‐promoting behaviours among the nine behaviours investigated, the mean number differing according to subjects’ gender, educational level, marital status, and employment status. Older age, higher level of education, cohabiting, and being employed were indications of higher numbers of oral health‐promoting habits than were younger age, lower levels of education, being single, or being unemployed. Oral health‐promotion activities should be tailored and targeted in terms of adults’ socio‐economic and demographic characteristics, and directed especially towards men, those with lower education, and those who are single or unemployed.
Prosthetic hip dislocations: Is relocation in the emergency department by emergency medicine staff better?
Authors: Lawrey Emma , Jones Peter , Mitchell Robin
Published: January 2012

Objective: Prosthetic hip dislocation is common. This study compares prosthetic hip relocations attempted within the ED by emergency doctors and those under orthopaedic care in the ED or operating theatre (OT).

Methods: Retrospective cohort study of patients presenting to Auckland City Hospital Adult Emergency Department with prosthetic hip dislocations between 1 January 2003 and 14 April 2008. Primary outcomes were proportion of successful relocation attempts and length of hospital stay. Secondary outcomes were: time to relocation, complications, post‐procedural advice, representation rate and long‐term outcomes for first‐time dislocations. There were 410 eligible presentations during the study period.

Results: Emergency medicine (EM) was successful in 254/323 attempts (79%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 74–83). Orthopaedics were successful in 25/35 reductions in the ED (71%, 95% CI 55–84) and 49/51 OT attempts (96%, 95% CI 86–100), P = 0.004 for location OT versus ED. Median times to discharge were 8.8 h for EM, 28.3 h for orthopaedics in the ED and 81 h for orthopaedics in the OT, P < 0.001 for EM versus orthopaedics. Mechanical complications of procedures and early redislocations were infrequent. Complication of sedation were more often seen in OT compared to ED (23/47 [49%, 95% CI 35–63]vs 37/318 [12%, 95% CI 9–16]).

Conclusion: There was no difference between EM and orthopaedics in the proportion of hips successfully relocated or complications in the ED; however, EM patients were discharged much sooner, with important resource implications. Procedures carried out in the OT were more successful than in the ED but resulted in prolonged hospital stays and were associated with more complications.
Prodrugs of Acyclovir – A Computational Approach
Authors: Karaman Rafik , Dajani Khuloud K. , Qtait Alaa , Khamis Mustafa
Published: January 2012

Density functional theory calculation results demonstrated that the efficiency of the acid‐catalyzed hydrolysis of Kirby’s acid amides 1–15 is strongly dependent on the substitution on the C–C double bond and the nature of the amide N‐alkyl group. Further, the results established that while in the gas phase the hydrolysis rate‐limiting step is the tetrahedral intermediate formation in polar solvents such as water, the rate‐limiting step could be either the formation or the collapse of the tetrahedral intermediate depending on the substitution on the C–C double bond and on the amide nitrogen substituent. Based on a linear correlation between the calculated and experimental effective molarities, the study on the systems reported herein could provide a good basis for designing prodrug systems that are less hydrophilic than their parental drugs and can be used, in different dosage forms, to release the parent drug in a controlled manner. For example, based on the calculated log effective molarities values, the predicted t1/2 (a time needed for 50% of the reactant to be hydrolyzed to products) for acyclovir prodrugs, ProD 1–4, was 29.2 h, 6097 days, 4.6 min, and 8.34 h, respectively. Hence, the rate by which acyclovir prodrug releases acyclovir can be determined according to the structural features of the linker (Kirby’s acid amide moiety).
Physiological mechanisms of signal termination in biological systems
Authors: Ligeti E. , Csépányi‐Kömi R. , Hunyady L.
Published: January 2012

Studies on the regulation of cellular activity mainly focus on signal generation, but termination of signalling is an equally important factor, which prevents inappropriate activity. This paper reviews the mechanisms, which can cause termination of signalling, and provides examples that illustrate the importance of these processes. Inactivation of voltage‐gated Na+ channels and the photoactivated rhodopsin molecule is caused by rapid conformational rearrangements. Negative feedback can also contribute to the termination of signalling for various mechanisms, including plasma membrane ion channels or cAMP signal generation. In immune cells, the tyrosine‐based inhibitory motif (ITIM)‐containing molecules are essential negative regulatory components. Desensitization of G‐protein‐coupled receptors can occur with homologous and heterologous mechanisms, mediated by β‐arrestin molecules and second messenger‐induced kinases respectively. In NF‐κB signalling, resynthetized IκB and other enzymes form negative feedback loops. GTPase‐activating proteins are also dedicated to termination of signalling, because they can switch off the small G proteins by increasing their endogenous GTP hydrolysis. In many systems, signal termination is a result of a combined action of several different mechanisms, which underlines the importance of these processes.
The Effect of Crowding Stress on Bacterial Growth and Sensory Properties of Chilled Atlantic Salmon Fillets
Authors: Ådland Hansen Anlaug , Rødbotten Marit , Eie Thomas , Lea Per , Rudi Knut , Mørkøre Turid
Published: January 2012

Abstract:  Atlantic salmon were subjected to minimal preslaughter crowding stress (Control), short‐term crowding for 20 min (SS‐group), or long‐term crowding for 24 h (LS‐group). The fish were filleted prerigor, cut into 270 g pieces, and packaged in modified atmosphere (60% CO2 and 40% N2). Fillet quality analyses were determined during 22 d of storage at 0.3 °C. Bacterial growth and unpleasant sensory properties increased earlier in the LS‐group. The negative effects of long‐term preslaughter stress were more pronounced for raw than cooked samples, and more pronounced for odor than flavor. Sequence analyses of bacterial DNA at the end of storage revealed that 100% of the bacteria were comprised by Photobacterium phosphoreum of the SS‐ and LS‐group, whereas the Control group also contained 21% of Carnobacterium maltaromaticum (lactic acid bacteria, LAB). Counting of LAB, using Man‐Rogosa‐Sharke agar, similarly showed higher numbers of the Control group after 15 d of storage. A total bacterial count of log 6 CFU/g was observed after 15 d of storage of the LS‐group, which was 3 and 7 d earlier compared with the Control and SS‐group, respectively. Fillet color, texture, and liquid losses were not negatively affected by preslaughter crowding stress. From the sensory and bacterial analyses, it is concluded that long‐term crowding stress accelerates bacterial growth and development of unpleasant sensory properties, hence reduces the shelf life of prerigor modified atmosphere packaged (MAP) salmon.

Practical Application:  Stressful handling of Atlantic salmon before slaughter resulted in faster reduction of fresh taste and smell, faster bacterial growth, and hence shorter shelf life. The deteriorative effects were more pronounced of raw compared to cooked salmon. Therefore, salmon should be handled carefully in connection with slaughter to avoid impaired welfare and fillet quality, in particularly for fish that is consumed raw, such as sushi.
Personality disorders and accentuations in at‐risk persons with and without conversion to first‐episode psychosis
Authors: Schultze‐Lutter Frauke , Klosterkötter Joachim , Michel Chantal , Winkler Karen , Ruhrmann Stephan
Published: January 2012

Aim: The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition Cluster A personality disorders (PDs), particularly schizotypal PD, are considered a part of the schizophrenia spectrum and a risk factor of psychosis. The role of PDs and personality accentuations (PAs) in predicting conversion to psychosis was studied in patients symptomatically considered at risk, assuming a major role of the schizotypal subtype.

Methods: PDs and PAs, assessed at baseline with a self‐report questionnaire, were compared between risk‐, gender‐ and age‐matched at‐risk patients with (n = 50) and without conversion to psychosis (n = 50).

Results: Overall, Cluster A‐PDs were the least frequent cluster (14%), and schizotypal PD was rare (7%). Yet, PDs in general were frequent (46%), especially Cluster B‐ (31%) and C‐PDs (23%). Groups did not differ in frequencies of PDs, yet converters tended to have a higher expression of schizoid (P = 0.057) and Cluster A‐PAs (P = 0.027). In regression analyses, schizoid PA was selected as sole but weak predictor of conversion (OR = 1.685; 95% CIs: 1.134/2.504).

Conclusions: Unexpectedly, schizotypal PD was infrequent and did not predict conversion. Conversion was best predicted by schizoid PA, indicating more severe, persistent social deficits already at baseline in later converters. This corresponds to premorbid social deficits reported for genetic high‐risk children and low social functioning in at‐risk patients later converting to psychosis. Further, PDs occurred frequently in at‐risk patients irrespective of conversion. As psychopathology and personality relate closely to one another, this result highlights that, beyond the current narrow focus on schizotypal PD, personality‐related factors should be considered more widely in the prevention of psychosis.
Intraoperative colonoscopy facilitates safe dissection of the rectal pouch in a case of male imperforate anus
Authors: Halibieke A , Miyano G , Kato Y , Koga H , Shimotakahara A , Lane GJ , Okazaki T , Urao M , Yamataka A
Published: January 2012

Introduction

In an imperforate anus, colostography often fails to identify recto‐urethral fistula (RUF). Thus, surgeons must always assume an RUF is present, despite colostography findings, and dissect the distal rectal pouch (RP) with caution. We report the usefulness of intraoperative colonoscopy (IOC) for excluding RUF and, thus, facilitating safe dissection of the RP.

Methods

We used IOC in six cases of imperforate anus. All had right transverse colostomy initially after birth. Distal colostography excluded RUF in five cases and was inconclusive in one. Laparoscopy was used to free the RP carefully from the bladder neck in all cases. Near the prostate, a 4‐mm fine, flexible colonoscope was inserted into the RP through the anterior rectal wall to observe the laparoscopic dissection of the RP, which was attached closely to the prostate/bulbar urethra intraluminally to prevent injury to the urethra. The mucosa of the distal end of the RP was mucosectomized or diathermied, and the colon was pulled‐through. Mean age at surgery was 11 months.

Results

IOC excluded RUF under direct vision in all cases, which enabled the dissection of the RP to be monitored and to proceed smoothly. At follow‐up (mean: 31 months), all cases were well.

Conclusions

IOC can be used to exclude RUF and facilitate safe dissection of the RP in imperforate anus.
Primary ureteral giant cell sarcoma in a Pomeranian
Authors: Rigas Johanna D. , Smith Thomas J. , Elena Gorman M. , Valentine Beth A. , Simpson Jennifer M. , Seguin Bernard
Published: January 2012

An 8‐year‐old male neutered Pomeranian dog was presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at Oregon State University for surgical treatment of hydronephrosis of the left kidney and a left cranial abdominal mass. A primary ureteral mass was found during exploratory surgery, and the mass was resected and ureteral anastomosis was performed. Cytologic evaluation of the mass revealed 3 distinct cell populations, including a large number of multinucleated giant cells, a moderate number of thin spindle‐shaped cells, and cohesive clusters of transitional epithelial cells. The cytologic diagnosis was giant cell sarcoma. The diagnosis was confirmed by histologic examination, and immunohistochemical staining was performed. The spindle‐shaped cells and multinucleated giant cells were both immunoreactive for vimentin and spindle‐shaped cells for S‐100. Tumor cells did not express wide‐spectrum cytokeratin, broad‐spectrum muscle actin, smooth muscle actin, sarcomeric actin, desmin, BLA36, Mac 387, synaptophysin, neuron‐specific enolase, glial fibrillary acid protein, or von Willebrand factor. These findings are most consistent with an anaplastic sarcoma with giant cells. This is the first case report of a primary ureteral giant cell sarcoma in a dog.
The importance of the first three days: Predictors of treatment outcome in depressed in‐patients
Authors: Priebe Stefan , Gruyters Thomas
Published: January 2012

This study investigated whether initial reactions, as shown by depressed patients and by the psychiatrist in charge within the first three days of complex hospital treatment, predicted outcome. Sixty‐three patients with depressive disorders according to ICD‐10 were examined. In addition to basic socio‐demographic and clinical data and to baseline symptoms, psychiatrists' optimism, patients' global assessment of treatment and symptom change within the first three days were tested as predictors. The outcome criteria were both observer and self‐ratings of symptoms at discharge. Psychiatrists' optimism was the best single predictor of each outcome criterion. Patients' initial subjective reactions predicted self‐rated symptoms at discharge. In stepwise multiple regression analyses initial reactions contributed significantly and ‐ in two cases ‐ separately to the overall prediction of outcome. Patients' and psychiatrists' initial reactions in complex hospital treatment of depression are relatively good predictors of outcome and should, therefore, be monitored carefully in research and in clinical practice.
Dependency, self‐criticism and social interactions
Authors: Zuroff David C. , Stotland Stephen , Sweetman Esther , Craig Judy‐Anne , Koestner Richard
Published: January 2012

We investigated the social interactions of college students varying in dependency and self‐criticism. Forty‐eight college students used a modified version of the Rochester Interaction Record to record quantitative and qualitative features of every 10‐minute or longer interaction during a seven‐day period. Daily measures of mood were also collected. Dependency was related to more frequent and more intimate interactions, and self‐criticism was negatively related to pleasantness of social interactions. Although dependency and self‐criticism were both associated with daily dysphoria, the social interaction findings could not be attributed to the effects of mood. The social environments associated with dependency and self‐criticism may influence the aetiology and course of depressive episodes.
Measurement of psychological distress in asthma and asthma management programmes
Authors: Hyland Michael E. , Ley Ann , Fisher David W. , Woodward Val
Published: January 2012

The Asthma Bother Profile assesses one of the components of asthma experience: asthma distress. An initial questionnaire was constructed from the content of earlier asthma quality of life research and modified by comments of 32 asthmatics in focus groups. Psychometric analysis of responses of 131 asthmatics to the final questionnaire showed that the 15 ‘bother items’ constitute a unidimensional measure of asthma distress with high internal consistency, and the seven ‘management items’ assess the patient's confidence of asthma knowledge, perception of the quality of care and confidence in managing asthma attacks. Patients who had attended a self‐management clinic reported more knowledge of asthma, more bother from treatment but not significantly less bother in other contexts. Knowledge about when to call the doctor but not knowledge about medicine or asthma was correlated with total bother. Self‐management programmes that encourage problem‐focused coping strategies may not reduce asthma distress unless distress reduction counselling is included within the education programme.
Psychological and cardiovascular predictors of anaesthesia induction, operative and post‐operative complications in minor gynaecological surgery
Authors: Abbott Janice , Abbott Paul
Published: January 2012

This study aimed to clarify the pre‐operative‐personality‐post‐operative‐recovery association by considering anaesthetic variables. Additionally, the work investigated the relationships between psychological and cardiovascular functioning and anaesthetic induction difficulties and operative problems. Two minor gynaecological procedures were evaluated (dilatation and curettage, laparoscopy) which differ greatly in anaesthetic and operative techniques. Psychological factors predicted cardiovascular responding immediately prior to the induction of anaesthesia, and combinations of cardiovascular and psychological variables were associated with anaesthetic induction, operative and post‐operative problems. Health locus of control and worry concerning the various stages of the operation emerged as the most consistent psychological predictors of peri‐operative outcome in both procedures.
Traumatic spinal cord injury and psychological impact: A cross‐sectional analysis of coping strategies
Authors: Kennedy Paul , Lowe Robert , Grey Nick , Short Emma
Published: January 2012

Many studies have suggested a relationship between coping strategies used to deal with stressors and levels of psychological well‐being. To explore this further the current study examined such relationships in people who have sustained a spinal cord injury. Measures of psychological impact and coping strategies were taken from those in their sixth week post‐injury (N = 41) and those between four and seven years post‐injury (N = 30). The results were analysed using stepwise multiple regression. This provided a number of models containing coping strategies that accounted for a certain proportion of the variance in each of the psychological impact variables. While the results help to identify specific coping strategies associated with better adjustment, they also highlight the need to adopt a longitudinal approach in the investigation of psychological responses to spinal cord injury.
Cavitation in Centrifugal Pumps With Liquids Other Than Water
Authors: Stepanoff A. J.
Published: January 2012

Conditions leading to cavitation of liquids other than water are examined. The concept of the thermal cavitation criterion is considered in view of new test data on hot water and other liquids, and its utility for determination of NPSH corrections is demonstrated. The effect of the suction specific speed on the NPSH corrections is tentatively established.
A Practical Method of Predicting Transonic-Compressor Performance
Authors: Swan W. C.
Published: January 2012

A real fluid-stream filament axial-flow-compressor performance method is deduced from theory and statistics. The nonisentropic complete radial equilibrium-momentum equation is combined with the continuity, energy, and flow-process equations to yield a group of equations which is readily adaptable to solution on a digital computer. The real fluid effects, such as subsonic viscous losses and shocks at cascade entry, are deduced from statistics in terms of a blade-loading parameter. A program suitable for rapid calculations on a digital computer is presented in schematic form. A comparison between the deduced and the measured performances of an arbitrary stage is made. The correlation obtained indicates that the performance method is reliable.
Flow Modeling of Furnaces and Ducts
Authors: Patterson R. C. , Abrahamsen R. F.
Published: January 2012

This paper describes the use of models in the study of hot gas flow in steam generators and their allied components. Water flow, air flow, and smoke table models are used to study design parameters and predict operating characteristics of new unit designs. Visual observations and photographic records are made of flow distribution in each type of model. The air flow models also produce quantitative data of flow distribution, velocity, and direction, and pressure loss predictions. By the use of special techniques, flow in any pertinent plane of the water models can be isolated and recorded in still photographs or on motion-picture film. Correlations have been made between data recorded during operation of full scale units and their models.
Recent Operating Experience With British Naval Gas Turbines
Authors: Trewby G. F. A.
Published: January 2012

In recent years gas turbines have been introduced into operational warships of the Royal Navy as propulsion machinery for both high-speed craft and major warships, as electric generator prime movers, and for certain miscellaneous applications. Taking each of these applications in turn, the paper gives details of the important installation problems which have been met and the practical operating experience both ashore and afloat which has been obtained in recent years with eight different designs of British Naval gas turbines. In the general conclusions an attempt is made to assess the main lessons which have been learned from the recent operating experience with the Naval gas turbines described in the paper.
A Study Designed to Explain the Creep-Rupture Strength of Type 321 (“18Cr-8Ni+Ti”) Superheater Tubing
Authors: White J. E. , Freeman J. W.
Published: January 2012

The creep-rupture strength at 1200 deg F of Type 321 (“18 – 8 + Ti”) superheater tubing was shown in the preceding paper (ref. [1]) to be very low when made by the usual cold-working methods and heat-treated at 1600 deg F and to increase with temperature of heat-treatment in accordance with the amount of TiC dissolved. There did not, however, appear to be an adequate explanation of the reasons why the solution of TiC resulted in such pronounced increases in strength. Without an adequate understanding for the causes of weakness and strength, the metallurgy of Type 321 superheater tubing would remain empirical and, therefore, subject to the possibility of unexpectedly poor properties under the many variations of manufacturing, fabrication, and service conditions. Accordingly, research was undertaken to determine the way solution of TiC increased creep-rupture strength.