bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The right to silence: Inferences and interference
Authors: Daly Yvonne Marie
Published: August 2013

The right to silence, or the privilege against self-incrimination, has long been recognised as an important procedural protection for the accused in the criminal process. The legislature of New South Wales, however, has introduced legislation to curtail that right by allowing for adverse inferences to be drawn at trial from the pre-trial failure of the accused to mention a fact later relied on in his defence. This article considers this legislative change in comparative context, drawing on the experience of interference with the right to silence in the Republic of Ireland, in England and Wales and in the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights. Particular attention is paid to the interaction between the right to silence and the right to legal advice, including the issues of duty solicitor schemes, legal professional privilege and suspect reliance on advice to remain silent.
Integrating Professional Development on Mathematics and Equity
Authors: Battey Dan , Franke Megan
Published: August 2013

Research commonly finds that urban teachers bring deficit views about students of color with them into classrooms, and professional development efforts focused on this critical problem have been met with limited success. Therefore, scholars have called for work that integrates content and equity as a way to challenge teachers’ deficit views at the same time as they transform content instruction. However, few examples exist that describe how to do this. This article helps to fill this gap. Rather than a research paper, it conceptually details one perspective on integrating mathematics and equity within professional development for urban elementary teachers. The focus is to support teachers in gathering counter evidence to challenge dominant deficit narratives about students of color. This builds a teacher community that tells different stories as they develop their mathematics teaching. The authors use three vignettes from this work to illustrate the professional development perspective in action.
Differences Between Children With Dyslexia Who Are and Are Not Gifted in Verbal Reasoning
Authors: Berninger Virginia W. , Abbott Robert D.
Published: August 2013

New findings are presented for children in Grades 1 to 9 who qualified their families for a multigenerational family genetics study of dyslexia (impaired word decoding/spelling) who had either superior verbal reasoning ( n = 33 at or above 1 2/3 standard deviation, superior or better range; 19% of these children) or average verbal reasoning ( n = 31 below population mean but above −2/3 standard deviation, average range; 18% of these children). Evidence-based rationale and results supporting the tested hypotheses are provided: (a) twice exceptional students with superior verbal reasoning and dyslexia significantly outperformed those with average verbal reasoning and dyslexia on reading, spelling, morphological, and syntactic skills, (b) but not on verbal working memory behavioral markers of genetically based dyslexia related to impaired phonological and orthographic word-form storage and processing, naming orthographic symbols (phonological loop), writing orthographic symbols (orthographic loop), and supervisory attention (focus, switch, sustain, or monitor attention). Superior verbal reasoning may mask dyslexia if only very low achievement is used to identify this disorder of oral word reading and written spelling. Instruction for twice exceptional students who have dyslexia, but are also verbally gifted, should focus not only on oral word reading and written spelling but also on the impaired working memory components within intellectually engaging lesson sets. These findings for gifted students with dyslexia are situated within the broader context of the many kinds of twice exceptionalities related to specific learning disabilities that exist in school-age children and youth.
Migrant precarity and future challenges to labour standards in Sweden
Authors: Woolfson Charles , Fudge Judy , Thörnqvist Christer
Published: August 2013

Fears of a ‘race to the bottom’ in labour standards may have been overstated. Nevertheless, using Sweden as a case study, it is argued that the diminished capacity of trade unions to defend labour standards following the Laval judgement of the European Court of Justice, together with a decline in trade union density, a limited remit of enforcement authorities and recent changes to the Swedish labour migration regime, may have detrimental impacts on labour standards, particularly in low-skill low-wage occupations. In combination, these developments are creating new spaces for migrant precariousness within the context of a formerly well-regulated Swedish labour market model.
Mapping musical learning: An evaluation of research in music education in Singapore
Authors: Lum Chee-Hoo , Dairianathan Eugene
Published: August 2013

In the most recent Ministry of Education work plan seminar (Ministry of Education, 2010), a clear signal was sent out that arts education, primarily music and visual art, would become one of the key areas of focus in pursuing the goal of holistic education of a primary school child in the Singapore school system.

This article, as part of a larger set of studies initiated by the UNESCO-NIE Centre for Arts Research in Education (Centre for Arts Research in Education, 2010) to map arts education research in Singapore, surveys research over the last three decades carried out in music education involving musical learnings from early childhood through tertiary education with a view to identify key areas of research interests and gaps. The content analysis serves also to assess and evaluate the matching of policy and practice in enabling a musical learner to make informed choices about that repertoire of musical possibilities the learner may carry into the later stages of his/her lived reality.
Life cycle comparison of waste-to-energy alternatives for municipal waste treatment in Chilean Patagonia
Authors: Bezama Alberto , Douglas Carla , Méndez Jacqueline , Szarka Nóra , Muñoz Edmundo , Navia Rodrigo , Schock Steffen , Konrad Odorico , Ulloa Claudia
Published: August 2013

The energy system in the Region of Aysén, Chile, is characterized by a strong dependence on fossil fuels, which account for up to 51% of the installed capacity. Although the implementation of waste-to-energy concepts in municipal waste management systems could support the establishment of a more fossil-independent energy system for the region, previous studies have concluded that energy recovery systems are not suitable from an economic perspective in Chile. Therefore, this work intends to evaluate these technical options from an environmental perspective, using life cycle assessment as a tool for a comparative analysis, considering Coyhaique city as a case study. Three technical alternatives were evaluated: (i) landfill gas recovery and flaring without energy recovery; (ii) landfill gas recovery and energy use; and (iii) the implementation of an anaerobic digestion system for the organic waste fraction coupled with energy recovery from the biogas produced. Mass and energy balances of the three analyzed alternatives have been modeled. The comparative LCA considered global warming potential, abiotic depletion and ozone layer depletion as impact categories, as well as required raw energy and produced energy as comparative regional-specific indicators. According to the results, the use of the recovered landfill gas as an energy source can be identified as the most environmentally appropriate solution for Coyhaique, especially when taking into consideration the global impact categories.
Antibodies to phosphatidylserine/prothrombin complex in suspected antiphospholipid syndrome in the absence of antibodies to cardiolipin or Beta-2-glycoprotein I
Authors: Sanfelippo MJ , Joshi A , Schwartz SL , Meister JA , Goldberg JW
Published: August 2013

Antibodies to phosphatidylserine/prothrombin (aPS/PT) complex were measured in 728 serum specimens from patients suspected of having antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), but without diagnostic elevations in the levels of antibodies to cardiolipin or Beta-2 Glycoprotein 1 (β2-GP1). Of the 728 specimens, 41 had elevated levels of aPS/PT. Thrombotic events occurred in 11 of the 22 patients with accessible medical histories. Six of the patients with accessible medical records also had laboratory evidence of the lupus anticoagulant. The identification of aPS/PT in patients without evidence of antibodies to cardiolipin, β2-GP1, or the lupus anticoagulant can contribute to the identification of APS in patients that may go undetected with current testing methods.
Association of +3179G/A insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor polymorphism and insulin-like growth factor-1 serum level with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Stanilova SA , Ivanova MG , Karakolev IA , Stoilov RM , Rashkov RK , Manolova IM
Published: August 2013

The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system plays a prominent role in the regulation of immunity and inflammation. Inappropriate balance of IGF-1 signaling has been reported in autoimmune disorders. This study was designed to compare +3179G/A IGF-1R genotype distribution in 148 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with a group of 240 healthy donors. We also investigated serum IGF-1 levels in SLE patients and healthy controls in an association to genotype. IGF-1 serum levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and genotyping for the +3179G/A polymorphism was performed by restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. The higher frequency of homozygous genotype AA (22% vs 17% with OR 1.319, 95% CI 0.71––2.44) and lower frequency of heterozygous genotype AG (42% vs 46% with OR 0.698, 95% CI 0.38–1.27) were seen in cases versus controls. Serum IGF-1 levels were comparable between SLE patients and age- and sex-matched healthy donors, even when the groups was stratified according to +3179G/A IGF-1R genotypes. However, when patients were sub grouped according to the disease activity index (SLEDAI score), serum IGF-1 levels were increased in patients with severe disease activity. These results indicated that systemic lupus erythematosus activity is affected by a modulation of the insulin-like growth factor-1 signal pathway and +3179G/A IGF-1R polymorphism.
Reflections on Lupus 2013: butterflies, wolves and prophecies
Authors: Fritzler MJ
Published: August 2013

The recently concluded Tenth International Congress on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) held in Buenos Aires was a resounding success. This overview summarizes some of the origins of the First International Congress held in Calgary, Canada in 1986, predictions offered by past Congress Presidents, and a perspective on the trends in autoantibody testing, which remains one of the key approaches to the early and accurate diagnosis of SLE. The last few decades have witnessed a remarkable proliferation of new diagnostic technologies including addressable laser bead immunoassays and, more recently, chemiluminescence and lateral flow technologies that could find a clinical niche in point-of-care diagnostics. Against the backdrop of these constantly emerging technologies, indirect immunofluorescence has remained the platform of choice for many laboratories and diagnosticians. The notion that autoantibodies are pathogenic has been challenged by evidence that some autoantibodies are protective, some may have catalytic capacity while others may be neutral or have no function at all. The latter notion of functionless or “junk” autoantibodies needs to be taken under some advisement, because there was a time when a great proportion of the human genome was considered to include “junk DNA”. The butterfly as a symbol of hope and progress in SLE research over the past 27 years since the First International Congress on SLE is almost certainly to be even more appropriate when future Congresses are held in Geneva (2015), Melbourne (2017) and eventually one in 2050.
EGFR,KRAS,BRAFandALKgene alterations in lung adenocarcinomas: patient outcome, interplay with morphology and immunophenotype
Authors: Warth Arne , Penzel Roland , Lindenmaier Heike , Brandt Regine , Stenzinger Albrecht , Herpel Esther , Goeppert Benjamin , Thomas Michael , Herth Felix J.F. , Dienemann Hendrik , Schnabel Philipp A. , Schirmacher Peter , Hoffmann Hans , Muley Thomas , Weichert Wilko
Published: August 2013

Numerous studies have been published on single aspects of pulmonary adenocarcinoma (ADC). To comprehensively link clinically relevant ADC characteristics, we evaluated established morphological, diagnostic and predictive biomarkers in 425 resected ADCs.

Morphology was reclassified. Cytokeratin-7, thyroid transcription factor (TTF)1, napsin A, thymidylate synthase and excision repair cross-complementing rodent repair deficiency complementation group-1 expression, anaplastic lymphoma kinase rearrangements as well as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), V-Ki-ras2 Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homologue (KRAS) and v-Raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homologue B1 (BRAF) mutations were analysed. All characteristics were correlated with clinical and survival parameters.

Morphological ADC subtypes were significantly associated with smoking history and distinct patterns of diagnostic biomarkers.KRASmutations were prevalent in male smokers, whileEGFRmutations were associated with female sex, nonsmoking and lepidic as well as micropapillary growth patterns. TTF1 expression (hazard ratio (HR) for overall survival 0.61, p=0.021) andBRAFmutations (HR for disease-free survival 2.0, p=0.046) were found to be morphology- and stage-independent predictors of survival in multivariate analysis. Adjuvant radio-/chemotherapy, in some instances, strongly impacted on the prognostic effect of both diagnostic and predictive biomarkers.

Our data draw a comprehensive picture of the prevalence and interplay of established histological and molecular ADC characteristics. These data will help to develop time- and cost-effective diagnostic and treatment algorithms for ADC.
Arabidopsis Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 binding sites contain putative GAGA factor binding motifs within coding regions of genes
Authors: Deng Weiwei , Buzas Diana M , Ying Hua , Robertson Masumi , Taylor Jennifer , Peacock William James , Dennis Elizabeth S , Helliwell Chris
Published: August 2013

Background

Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) is an essential regulator of gene expression that maintains genes in a repressed state by marking chromatin with trimethylated Histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27me3). In Arabidopsis, loss of PRC2 function leads to pleiotropic effects on growth and development thought to be due to ectopic expression of seed and embryo-specific genes. While there is some understanding of the mechanisms by which specific genes are targeted by PRC2 in animal systems, it is still not clear how PRC2 is recruited to specific regions of plant genomes.

Results

We used ChIP-seq to determine the genome-wide distribution of hemagglutinin (HA)-tagged FERTLIZATION INDEPENDENT ENDOSPERM (FIE-HA), the Extra Sex Combs homolog protein present in all Arabidopsis PRC2 complexes. We found that the FIE-HA binding sites co-locate with a subset of the H3K27me3 sites in the genome and that the associated genes were more likely to be de-repressed in mutants of PRC2 components. The FIE-HA binding sites are enriched for three sequence motifs including a putative GAGA factor binding site that is also found in Drosophila Polycomb Response Elements (PREs).

Conclusions

Our results suggest that PRC2 binding sites in plant genomes share some sequence features with Drosophila PREs. However, unlike Drosophila PREs which are located in promoters and devoid of H3K27me3, Arabidopsis FIE binding sites tend to be in gene coding regions and co-localize with H3K27me3.
Protective effects of N-acetylcysteine on acetic acid-induced colitis in a porcine model
Authors: Wang Qingjing , Hou Yongqing , Yi Dan , Wang Lei , Ding Binying , Chen Xing , Long Minhui , Liu Yulan , Wu Guoyao
Published: August 2013

Background

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory disease and involves multiple etiological factors. Acetic acid (AA)-induced colitis is a reproducible and simple model, sharing many characteristics with human colitis. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) has been widely used as an antioxidant in vivo and in vitro. NAC can affect several signaling pathways involving in apoptosis, angiogenesis, cell growth and arrest, redox-regulated gene expression, and inflammatory response. Therefore, NAC may not only protect against the direct injurious effects of oxidants, but also beneficially alter inflammatory events in colitis. This study was conducted to investigate whether NAC could alleviate the AA-induced colitis in a porcine model.

Methods

Weaned piglets were used to investigate the effects of NAC on AA-induced colitis. Severity of colitis was evaluated by colon histomorphology measurements, histopathology scores, tissue myeloperoxidase activity, as well as concentrations of malondialdehyde and pro-inflammatory mediators in the plasma and colon. The protective role of NAC was assessed by measurements of antioxidant status, growth modulator, cell apoptosis, and tight junction proteins. Abundances of caspase-3 and claudin-1 proteins in colonic mucosae were determined by the Western blot method. Epidermal growth factor receptor, amphiregulin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) mRNA levels in colonic mucosae were quantified using the real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR.

Results

Compared with the control group, AA treatment increased (P < 0.05) the histopathology scores, intraepithelial lymphocyte (IEL) numbers and density in the colon, myeloperoxidase activity, the concentrations of malondialdehyde and pro-inflammatory mediators in the plasma and colon, while reducing (P < 0.05) goblet cell numbers and the protein/DNA ratio in the colonic mucosa. These adverse effects of AA were partially ameliorated (P < 0.05) by dietary supplementation with NAC. In addition, NAC prevented the AA-induced increase in caspase-3 protein, while stimulating claudin-1 protein expression in the colonic mucosa. Moreover, NAC enhanced mRNA levels for epidermal growth factor and amphiregulin in the colonic mucosa.

Conclusion

Dietary supplementation with NAC can alleviate AA-induced colitis in a porcine model through regulating anti-oxidative responses, cell apoptosis, and EGF gene expression.
Potassium iodide, but not potassium iodate, as a potential protective agent against oxidative damage to membrane lipids in porcine thyroid
Authors: Milczarek Magdalena , Stępniak Jan , Lewiński Andrzej , Karbownik-Lewińska Małgorzata
Published: August 2013

Background

Fenton reaction (Fe2++H2O2→Fe3++•OH+OH−) is of special significance in the thyroid gland, as both its substrates, i.e. H2O2 and Fe2+, are required for thyroid hormone synthesis. Also iodine, an essential element supplied by the diet, is indispensable for thyroid hormone synthesis. It is well known that iodine affects red-ox balance. One of the most frequently examined oxidative processes is lipid peroxidation (LPO), which results from oxidative damage to membrane lipids. Fenton reaction is used to experimentally induce lipid peroxidation. The aim of the study was to evaluate effects of iodine, used as potassium iodide (KI) or potassium iodate (KIO3), on lipid peroxidation in porcine thyroid homogenates under basal conditions and in the presence of Fenton reaction substrates.

Methods

Porcine thyroid homogenates were incubated in the presence of either KI (0.00005 – 500 mM) or KIO3 (0.00005 – 200 mM), without or with addition of FeSO4 (30 μM) + H2O2 (0.5 mM). Concentration of malondialdehyde + 4-hydroxyalkenals (MDA + 4-HDA) was measured spectrophotometrically, as an index of lipid peroxidation.

Results

Potassium iodide, only when used in the highest concentrations (≥50 mM), increased lipid peroxidation in concentration-dependent manner. In the middle range of concentrations (5.0; 10; 25; 50 and 100 mM) KI reduced Fenton reaction-induced lipid peroxidation, with the strongest protective effect observed for the concentration of 25 mM. Potassium iodate increased lipid peroxidation in concentrations ≥2.5 mM. The damaging effect of KIO3 increased gradually from the concentration of 2.5 mM to 10 mM. The strongest damaging effect was observed at the KIO3 concentration of 10 mM, corresponding to physiological iodine concentration in the thyroid. Potassium iodate in concentrations of 5–200 mM enhanced Fenton reaction-induced lipid peroxidation with the strongest damaging effect found again for the concentration of 10 mM.

Conclusions

Potassium iodide, used in doses generally recommended in iodide prophylaxis, may prevent oxidative damage to membrane lipids in this gland. Toxic effects of iodide overload may result from its prooxidative action. Potassium iodate does not possess any direct beneficial effects on oxidative damage to membrane lipids in the thyroid, which constitutes an additional argument against its utility in iodine prophylaxis.
Xiphopterella devolii (Polypodiaceae), a new species and newly recorded genus in Taiwan
Authors: Moore Shann-Jye , Parris Barbara S , Kao Tzu-Tong , Lu Pi-Fong , Chiou Wen-Liang
Published: August 2013

Background

Grammitid ferns are a tropical monophyletic clade nested in Polypodiaceae, containing more than 20 genera and more than 750 species. Many of them also grow in Taiwan. During the survey of recent two decades, an unknown grammitid fern was discovered and the taxonomic treatment is given herein.

Results

A new species, collected from Taiwan, is recognized and named, i.e., Xiphopterella devolii S. J. Moore, Parris, & W. L. Chiou. The holotype is deposited in TAIF, and isotypes are in HAST, K, L, US, and TNS. It is also distributed on SE & S China. The genus Xiphopterella is also a new record to Taiwan.

Conclusion

A new species, Xiphopterella devolii S. J. Moore, Parris, & W. L. Chiou is documented herein. The Xiphopterella is a new recorded genus in Taiwan and is first found beyond Malesia regions.
A Theoretical DFT Study on the Structural Parameters and Intramolecular Hydrogen-Bond Strength in Substituted (Z)-N-(Thionitrosomethylene)thiohydroxylamine Systems
Authors: Raissi Heidar , Khanmohammadi Azadeh , Mollania Fariba
Published: August 2013

The effect of substitution (F, Cl, SH, NO2, CH2F, CH2Cl, CH2COOH, CH2OCH3, and SCOCH3) on the hydrogen-bond strengths, vibrational frequencies, and physical properties such as dipole moment, chemical potential, and chemical hardness of substituted (Z)-N-(thionitrosomethylene)thiohydroxylamine compound has been systematically explored. All the studied derivatives have been optimized at the B3LYP/6-311++G** level of theory in gas phase, water and carbon tetrachloride solutions. The aromaticity of the formed ring is measured through the structurally based harmonic oscillator model of aromaticity (HOMA), and the magnetic based nucleus independent chemical shift (NICS) measurements. The topological properties of the electron density distributions for S–H···S intramolecular bridges have been analyzed in terms of the Bader theory of atoms in molecules (AIM). Natural population analysis data, the electron density and Laplacian properties, as well as ν(S–H) have been used to evaluate the hydrogen-bonding interactions. Furthermore, calculated 1H NMR chemical shifts (δH) correlate well with the hydrogen-bond distance and ν(S–H) as well as electron density at the bond critical points in the molecular electron density topography.
A Simple Behavioral Characterization of Subjective Expected Utility
Authors: Blavatskyy Pavlo
Published: August 2013

Subjective expected utility is the most widely used model to represent preferences under uncertainty (when objective probabilities of events may not be known). This paper presents a new behavioral characterization (preference axiomatization) of subjective expected utility. The latter is derived from a behavioral assumption of cardinal independence, also known as standard sequence invariance. This axiom requires that a standard sequence of outcomes (equally spaced in terms of utility) is independent of the conditional event. This axiom is a weaker version of the trade-off consistency condition of Wakker [Wakker PP (1984) Cardinal coordinate independence for expected utility. J. Math. Psych. 28:110–117]. The main representation theorem is derived both in the connected topology approach and the algebraic approach (when step-continuity is replaced with solvability and Archimedean axioms).
Optimal Economic Dispatch and Risk Management of Thermal Power Plants in Deregulated Markets
Authors: Thompson Matt
Published: August 2013

This paper presents a methodology for the valuation, optimization, market, margin and credit risk management of gas-fired power plants and associated tolling contracts. Term structure models for the power and gas forward curves are employed to facilitate hedging and risk adjustment and for improved forecasting of short-term prices. The model for the power forward curve is capable of reproducing the important phenomena often observed in power markets, including spot price spikes and spike clustering, negative prices, and the empirically observed volatility term structures of power and gas forward prices as well as the correlation term structure between these forward curves. The method solves the stochastic dynamic optimization problem that arises from the inclusion of the various operational constraints of gas-fired power plants including minimum uptime and downtime requirements, ramp rate restrictions and costs, variable output and efficiency rates, and minimum generation levels. The model involves the solution of a system of partial differential equations (PDEs), which are solved using the radial basis function (RBF) method. At each time step and operational configuration the model produces an analytic function (RBF expansion) for the value of the power plant as a function of the independent risk factors. These functions can be used for determining optimal operating strategies and can be differentiated analytically to obtain the relevant hedging statistics for the dynamic management of market risk. In addition, these value functions facilitate the calculation of the credit value adjustment (CVA) and potential future exposure (PFE) measurement of tolling contracts. The analytic differentiability of these value functions also facilitates the pricing and risk management of commodity contingent revolvers (CCRs), credit vehicles used to manage margin requirements that result from hedging market risk on an exchange.
Sustaining knowledge exchange and research impact in the social sciences and humanities: investing in knowledge broker roles in UK universities
Authors: Lightowler Claire , Knight Christine
Published: August 2013

Over the last decade, higher education policy in the United Kingdom (UK) has increasingly focused on the impact of academic research. This has resulted in the emergence of specialist knowledge brokers within UK universities in the social sciences and humanities. Our empirical research identified a tension between the research impact agenda and the value placed on knowledge brokerage. Based on interviews with knowledge brokers at the University of Edinburgh, we argue that funding models, short-term contracts, and posts combining knowledge brokerage with other functions result in a transient population and a squeeze on knowledge brokerage, which may limit its effectiveness in achieving research impact.
Think tanks as research mediators? Case studies from public health
Authors: E. Smith Katherine , Kay Louise , Torres Jennifer
Published: August 2013

The number of think tanks operating in the UK is increasing, providing an ever important source of ideas and research for policy audiences. They have been framed by some as useful intermediaries between research and policy, which academics aiming to influence policy might seek to emulate. Yet, there has been very little empirical work to explore how think tanks employ research, or on whose behalf they operate. This paper draws on two qualitative research projects to begin addressing this gap by exploring the role of British think tanks in debates about two major public health concerns: tobacco control and health inequalities.
Photoyellowing of chemically modified chemithermomechanical pulps (CTMP) from Eucalyptus globulus under various atmospheres
Authors: Kojima Yasuo , Kato Yoshiaki , Ishikura Yukiko , Yoon Seung-Lak , Ona Toshihiro
Published: August 2013

Chemithermomechanical pulps (CTMP) were prepared from Eucalyptus globulus and photoirradiated, and the responses have been examined by means of ultraviolet (UV) microspectrophotometer. The absorbance in the UV spectra of fiber walls increased in the range of 300 of 350 nm as a result of photoirradiation, indicating the formation of conjugated double-bound systems in the fiber walls. These spectral changes occurred only on the irradiated surface of sheets. CTMP photoirradiation under various atmospheres indicated that the presence of oxygen in the irradiation atmosphere is not necessary for CTMP yellowing. In nitrogen or vacuum, photoyellowing was at the same level as observed under oxygen. This observation was interpreted as a result of direct elimination of proton radicals from free phenolic groups and/or cleavage of β-aryl ether linkages. This induced probably the excited triplet state of α-carbonyl structures in CTMP, which leads to chromophore formation in the absence of oxygen. Reduction of CTMP with sodium borohydride impeded effectively the effects of photoirradiation only in the absence of oxygen. On the contrary, acetylation of CTMP had no effect in the absence of oxygen but led to photobleaching in the presence of oxygen.
Pasireotide therapy in a rare and unusual case of plurihormonal pituitary macroadenoma
Authors: Rajendran Rajesh , Naik Sarita , Sandeman Derek D , Nasruddin Azraai B
Published: August 2013

We report the use of pasireotide in a rare and unusual case of pituitary macroadenoma co-secreting GH, prolactin and ACTH. A 62-year-old Caucasian man presented with impotence. Clinically, he appeared acromegalic and subsequent investigations confirmed GH excess and hyperprolactinaemia. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of pituitary revealed a large pituitary macroadenoma. He underwent trans-sphenoidal surgery and histology confirmed an adenoma with immunohistochemistry positive for ACTH, GH and prolactin. Acromegaly was not cured following surgery and inadequately controlled despite subsequent octreotide therapy. He underwent further debulking pituitary surgery, following which IGF1 levels improved but still high. This time adenoma cells showed immunohistochemistry positivity for ACTH only, following which subsequent investigations confirmed intermittent hypercortisolaemia compatible with pituitary Cushing's disease. We recommended radiotherapy, but in view of the pluripotential nature of the tumour, we proceeded with a trial of s.c. pasireotide therapy on the basis that it may control both his acromegaly and Cushing's disease. After 3 months of pasireotide therapy, his mean GH and IGF1 levels improved significantly, with improvement in his symptoms but intermittent hypercortisolaemia persists. His glycaemic control deteriorated requiring addition of new anti-diabetic medication. MRI imaging showed loss of contrast uptake within the tumour following pasireotide therapy but no change in size. We conclude that our patient has had a partial response to pasireotide therapy. Long-term follow-up studies are needed to establish its safety and efficacy in patients with acromegaly and/or Cushing's disease.

Learning points

Plurihormonal pituitary adenomas are rare and unusual.

Patients with pituitary adenomas co-secreting ACTH and GH are more likely to present with acromegaly because GH excess can mask hypercortisolaemia.

Pasireotide holds potential where conventional somatostatin analogues are not effective in acromegaly due to higher affinity for somatostatin receptor subtypes 1, 2, 3 and 5.

Significant deterioration in glycaemic control remains a concern in the use of pasireotide.

Currently, long-term safety and efficacy of pasireotide in patients with acromegaly and/or Cushing's disease are not fully clear.
Adoption of artificial lightweight aggregate in precast manufacture
Authors: Robinson Gary P. , Austin Simon A. , Palmeri Alessandro
Published: August 2013

This study investigates the incorporation of lightweight sintered pulverised fuel ash (SPFA) as a partial/complete replacement for natural sand and aggregates within full-scale precast elements. It focuses on self-compacting concrete (SCC) mixes after short periods of strength development, owing to the lack of published experimental data for these concrete types and their significance in offsite manufacture. Aggregate failure means the use of SPFA reduces concrete capacity, particularly in shear and pull-out, and such reductions may be more prominent at an earlier stage of curing. These were investigated alongside the incorporation of steel fibres that may provide some compensation. The variation in the compressive strength obtained was less significant (3–5%), following 24 h of curing, than at 28 d (15%). A similar trend was observed across the range of densities and in the tensile and flexural strength tests, with a slightly increased workability also observed in the lightweight mixes. Similar testing of steel-fibre-reinforced concrete (SFRC) samples, with a 50 kg/m3 fibre content, challenges the appropriateness of current code design equations. More efficient element design may thus be possible for precast components where such design cases are prevalent. A 63% average increase in pull-out shear capacity also suggests an improved lifting capacity could be justified within precast elements.
Global assemblages, resilience, and Earth Stewardship in the Anthropocene
Authors: Ogden Laura , Heynen Nik , Oslender Ulrich , West Paige , Kassam Karim-Aly , Robbins Paul
Published: August 2013

In this paper, we argue that the Anthropocene is an epoch characterized not only by the anthropogenic dominance of the Earth's ecosystems but also by new forms of environmental governance and institutions. Echoing the literature in political ecology, we call these new forms of environmental governance “global assemblages”. Socioecological changes associated with global assemblages disproportionately impact poorer nations and communities along the development continuum, or the “Global South”, and others who depend on natural resources for subsistence. Although global assemblages are powerful mechanisms of socioecological change, we show how transnational networks of grassroots organizations are able to resist their negative social and environmental impacts, and thus foster socioecological resilience.
Performance of Sweet Pepper under Protective Structure in Gazipur of Bangladesh
Authors: Halim GMA , Islam MS
Published: August 2013

Evaluation of sweet pepper cultivation under different protective structures was made in two consecutive seasons of 2007-08 and 2008-09 at the experimental field of Horticulture Research Center of BARI, Gazipur. One popular commercial capsicum variety California Wonder was included in the study with four protective structures (low height poly tunnel, polytunnel with side open, poly tunnel with side closed and poly house) including control (open field). Protective structures had remarkable and significant influence on plant growth and yield of sweet pepper. The plants grown under protective structures had higher plant height compared to that of plants grown in open field. The highest individual fruit weight (65.2g) was recorded form the plants grown under poly house condition while it was the lowest from open field grown plant (3.34 g). More than five fruits were harvested when the plants were grown under poly tunnel (side closed) or poly house. The maximum fruit yield per plant (334.0g) was recorded from poly house, which was 160.4% higher than that of plants grown under open field condition. The second highest yield was recorded from the plants of poly tunnel (212.5) indicating bright scope for sweet pepper cultivation under protective structures. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ije.v1i1.8523 International Journal of Environment Vol.1(1) 2013: 1-8
Physico Chemical Characteristics of Lakhna Devi Temple Water Tank, Lakhna, Bakewar, Etawah, U.P. with reference to Cyanobacterial Diversity
Authors: Bajpai Omesh , Mishra Sujata , Mohan Narendra , Mohan Jitendra , Gupta Rajan K
Published: August 2013

Fresh water bodies in populated plains of tropical countries face various disturbances in the form of pollutant and nutrient inflow, heavy metal and elemental precipitation (wet or dry) and constant silt inflow (natural or anthropogenic). The physico-chemical characteristics are very much important for any water body. In lentic water bodies these characteristics shows very much variation because in summer they have less and in rains large amount of water. These adverse constrain effectively influence the algal assemblage and can be a good indicator of overall health of the water body. In the study different Physico-chemical characteristics and algal diversity were monthly observed for one year duration (Jun. 2008 to May 2009). Some of 31 species of Cyanobacteria recorded from the study site viz. Microcystis aerughinosa, M. flos-aquae, M. robusta, Chroococcus minor, C.minutes, Gloeocapsa magma, Aphanocapsa littoralis, Aphanothece microscopis, Coelosphaerium kuetzingianum, Merismopedia glauca, M. tenuissima, Arthrospira spriulinoides, Spirulina gigantean, S. major, Oscillatoria formosa, O. subuliformis, O. princeps, Phormidium ambiguum, P. fragile, P. lucidum, Lyngbya contorta, O. epiphytica, O.majuscule, Cylindrospermum minutissimum, Nostoc commune, N. punctiforme, Anabaena oscillarioides, A. oryzae, Calothrix gloeocola, Rivularia aquatic and Gloeotrichia pisum. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ije.v1i1.8525   International Journal of Environment Vol.1(1) 2013: 20-28
Proposal for evaluating the quality of reports of surgical interventions in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia: the Surgical Trigeminal Neuralgia Score
Authors: Akram Harith , Mirza Bilal , Kitchen Neil , Zakrzewska Joanna M.
Published: August 2013

Object

The aim of this study was to design a checklist with a scoring system for reporting on studies of surgical interventions for trigeminal neuralgia (TN) and to validate it by a review of the recent literature.

Methods

A checklist with a scoring system, the Surgical Trigeminal Neuralgia Score (STNS), was devised partially based on the validated STrengthening the Reporting of OBservational studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) criteria and customized for TN after a literature review and then applied to a series of articles. These articles were identified using a prespecified MEDLINE and Embase search covering the period from 2008 to 2010. Of the 584 articles found, 59 were studies of interventional procedures for TN that fulfilled the inclusion criteria and 56 could be obtained in full. The STNS was then applied independently by 3 of the authors.

Results

The maximum STNS came to 30, and was reliable and reproducible when used by the 3 authors who performed the scoring. The range of scores was 6–23.5, with a mean of 14 for all the journals. The impact factor scores of the journals in which the papers were published ranged from 0 to 4.8. Twenty-four of the studies were published in the Journal of Neurosurgery or in Neurosurgery. Studies published in neurosurgical journals ranked higher on the STNS scale than those published in nonneurosurgical journals. There was no statistically significant correlation between STNS and impact factors. Stereotactic radiosurgery (n = 25) and microvascular decompression (n = 15) were the most commonly reported procedures.

The diagnostic criteria were stated in 35% of the studies, and 4 studies reported subtypes of TN. An increasing number of studies (46%) used the recommended Kaplan-Meier methodology for pain survival outcomes. The follow-up period was unclear in 8 studies, and 26 reported follow-ups of more than 5 years. Complications were reported fairly consistently but the temporal course was not always indicated. Direct interview, telephone conversation, and questionnaires were used to measure outcomes. Independent assessment of outcome was only clearly stated in 7 studies. Only 2 studies used the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey to measure quality of life and 4 studies reported on the severity of preoperative pain. The Barrow Neurological Institute pain questionnaire was the most commonly used outcome measure (n = 13), followed by the visual analog scale.

Conclusions

Similar to the STROBE criteria that provide a checklist of items that should be included in reports of observational studies in general, the authors' suggested checklist for the STNS could help editors and reviewers ensure that quality reports are published, and could prove useful for colleagues when reporting their results specifically on the surgical management of TN. It would help the patient and clinicians make a decision about selecting the appropriate neurosurgical procedure.
A novel sling technique for microvascular decompression of a rare anomalous vertebral artery causing cervical radiculopathy
Authors: Tandon Adesh , Chandela Sid , Langer David , Sen Chandranath
Published: August 2013

Cervical radiculopathy secondary to compression from congenital anomalous vertebral arteries (VAs) is a known entity. Patients present with a variety of symptoms ranging from upper-extremity numbness to true occipital neuralgia. Treatment options for extracranial tortuous VAs include conservative management or some form of surgical microvascular decompression (MVD). The authors report on a patient with a congenital anomalous VA loop causing cervical nerve root compression. Successful MVD was conducted with relief of the patient's symptoms. A novel sling technique was used for mobilization of the VA. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first MVD described utilizing this technique.
Thalamic deep brain stimulation for neuropathic pain after amputation or brachial plexus avulsion
Authors: Pereira Erlick A. C. , Boccard Sandra G. , Linhares Paulo , Chamadoira Clara , Rosas Maria José , Abreu Pedro , Rebelo Virgínia , Vaz Rui , Aziz Tipu Z.
Published: August 2013

Object

Fifteen hundred patients have received deep brain stimulation (DBS) to treat neuropathic pain refractory to pharmacotherapy over the last half-century, but few during the last decade. Deep brain stimulation for neuropathic pain has shown variable outcomes and gained consensus approval in Europe but not the US. This study prospectively evaluated the efficacy at 1 year of DBS for phantom limb pain after amputation, and deafferentation pain after brachial plexus avulsion (BPA), in a single-center case series.

Methods

Patient-reported outcome measures were collated before and after surgery, using a visual analog scale (VAS) score, 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), and University of Washington Neuropathic Pain Score (UWNPS).

Results

Twelve patients were treated over 29 months, receiving contralateral, ventroposterolateral sensory thalamic DBS. Five patients were amputees and 7 had BPAs, all from traumas. A postoperative trial of externalized DBS failed in 1 patient with BPA. Eleven patients proceeded to implantation and gained improvement in pain scores at 12 months. No surgical complications or stimulation side effects were noted. In the amputation group, after 12 months the mean VAS score improved by 90.0% ± 10.0% (p = 0.001), SF-36 by 57.5% ± 97.9% (p = 0.127), UWNPS by 80.4% ± 12.7% (p < 0.001), and BPI by 79.9% ± 14.7% (p < 0.001). In the BPA group, after 12 months the mean VAS score improved by 52.7% ± 30.2% (p < 0.001), SF-36 by 15.6% ± 30.5% (p = 1.000), UWNPS by 26.2% ± 40.8% (p = 0.399), and BPI by 38.4% ± 41.7% (p = 0.018). Mean DBS parameters were 2.5 V, 213 microseconds, and 25 Hz.

Conclusions

Deep brain stimulation demonstrated efficacy at 1 year for chronic neuropathic pain after traumatic amputation and BPA. Clinical trials that retain patients in long-term follow-up are desirable to confirm findings from prospectively assessed case series.
The Secretome of Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells Exposed to Fine Atmospheric Particles Induces Fibroblast Proliferation
Authors: Boublil Laura , Martinon Laurent , Baeza-Squiban Armelle
Published: August 2013

Chronic exposure to particulate pollution is suspected to exacerbate inflammatory respiratory diseases such as asthma characterized by an airway remodelling involving fibrosis. Our study aims to investigate whether the secretome from human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells exposed to fine particulate matter (PM) induces fibroblast proliferation. Primary HBE cells grown on air liquid interface were repeatedly exposed to fine PM at 5 and 10 µg/cm² (four treatments, 48 hours apart) and maintained in culture for five weeks. Collected basolateral culture medium was used as a conditioned medium for the subsequent treatment of fibroblasts. We observed that the conditioned medium collected from HBE cells treated with fine PM increased the growth rate of fibroblasts compared to the conditioned medium collected from control HBE cells. Fibroblast phenotype assessed by the observation of the vimentin network was well preserved. The mitogenic effect of conditioned medium was reduced in the presence of anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), anti-amphiregulin or anti-TGFa, underlining the role of EGFR ligands in fibroblast proliferation. When fibroblasts were co-cultured with HBE cells treated once with fine PM, they exhibited a higher growth rate than fibroblasts co-cultured with non-treated HBE cells. Altogether these data show that the exposure of HBE cells to fine PM induced the production of EGFR ligands in sufficient amount to stimulate fibroblast proliferation providing insight into the role of PM in airway remodelling.
Synthesis and NMR-Study of 1-Trimethylsilyl Substituted Silole Anion [Ph4C4Si(SiMe3)]−•[Li]+ and 3-Silolenide 2,5-carbodianions {[Ph4C4Si(n-Bu)2]−2•2[Li]+, [Ph4C4Si(t-Bu)2]−2•2[Li]+} via Silole Dianion [Ph4C4Si]−2•2[Li]+
Authors: Hong Jang-Hwan
Published: August 2013

1-Trimethylsilyl, 1-R (R = Me, Et, i-Bu)-2,3,4,5-tetraphenyl-1-silacyclopentadiene [Ph4C4Si(SiMe3)R] are synthesized from the reaction of 1-trimethylsilyl,1-lithio-2,3,4,5-tetraphenyl-1-silacyclopentadienide anion [Ph4C4SiMe3]−•[Li]+ (3) with methyl iodide, ethyl iodide, and i-butyl bromide. The versatile intermediate 3 is prepared by hemisilylation of the silole dianion [Ph4C4Si]−2•2[Li]+ (2) with trimethylsilyl chloride and characterized by 1H-, 13C-, and 29Si-NMR spectroscopy. 1,1-bis(R)-2,3,4,5-tetraphenyl-1-silacyclopentadiene [Ph4C4SiR2] {R = n-Bu (7); t-Bu (8)} are synthesized from the reaction of 2 with n-butyl bromide and t-butyl bromide. Reduction of 7 and 8 with lithium under sonication gives the respective 3-silolenide 2,5-carbodianions {[Ph4C4Si(n-Bu)2]−2•2[Li]+ (10) and [Ph4C4Si(t-Bu)2]−2•2[Li]+ (11)}, which are characterized by 1H-, 13C-, and 29Si-NMR spectroscopy. Polarization of phenyl groups in 3 is compared with those of silole anion/dianion, germole anion/dianion, and 3-silolenide 2,5-carbodianions 10 and 11.