bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Remixing human rights: Rethinking civic expression, representation and personal security in online video
Authors: Gregory Sam , Losh Elizabeth
Published: November 2012

This essay examines how remixes that combine human rights footage with popular songs complicate our understanding of the relationship between media production and civic participation. We argue that editing and compositing complicates establishing the authenticity of source material and that rapid dissemination of digital files through distributed networks may compromise the agency of victims. Furthermore, we raise questions about how so-called “conflict porn” that depicts graphic violence is received by Internet audiences. We offer a number of basic ethical principles for remixers of citizen journalism to consider in the post-Arab Spring milieu.
Effects of inoculation with Azospirillum brasilense on the quality of Prosopis juliflora seedlings
Authors: Domínguez Núñez J. A. , Muñoz D. , Planelles R. , Grau J. M. , Artero F. , Anriquez A. , Albanesi A.
Published: November 2012

Inoculation of mycorrhizal fungi and rhizobacteria in plants can improve their growth and physiological status, which could be particularly important for agricultural and forestry plants used for the revegetation of arid areas. Prosopis juliflora is a forest pioneer species that is drought resistant and has multiple uses (fodder, shade and shelter for livestock; timber and firewood, live fences and windbreaks in agroforestry systems). Azospirillum brasilense is a rhizobacterium that improves the growth of many agricultural crops. The hypothesis of this study was that P. juliflora seedlings produced in the nursery can respond positively to inoculation with A. brasilense CECT 590. Five months after inoculation, we examined the growth, water relations (osmotic potential at full turgor, osmotic potential at zero turgor, and the modulus of elasticity at full turgor), and concentration and content of macronutrients (N, P, K, Ca and Mg) in the seedlings. Subsequently, a trial was conducted to analyse root growth potential. A. brasilense CECT 590 inoculation caused an osmotic adjustment in P. juliflora seedlings but decreased the elasticity of the cell walls. Inoculation with A. brasilense CECT 590 significantly improved plant growth due in part to an increase of N concentration in the seedlings. A. brasilense CECT 590 inoculation also caused an increase in the root growth potential. The increased growth of P. juliflora seedlings inoculated with A. brasilense was probably caused by more than one mechanism. Inoculation with A. brasilense at the nursery may be a suitable technique for producing improved seedling material for restoration purposes.
Game Reserves in Spain: the public management of hunting
Authors: Pita M. , Casas S. , Herrero J. , Prada C. , García R.
Published: November 2012

In Spain, Game Reserves (GR) are territorial public hunting management units that cover 3.5% of the country and ~ 10% of the Natura 2000 Network. The first GR were established in 1966 and by 2011 there were 49. Their primary purposes were to promote wild ungulate populations, their sustainable use, and to provide social, economic, and recreational benefits to local communities and hunters, generally. During the 1980s following a political federalization process, GR became the responsibility of regional governments and their role has never been evaluated, even though the political, rural ecological, and administrative frameworks underwent substantial changes. In this paper, we present a review of the state of GR in 2011, identify their successes and problems, and provide recommendations for the future. The GR have been fundamental to sustainable hunting and the protection of wildlife, particularly, game species. Currently, their virtues are not widely appreciated and they do not receive sufficient financial and human resources to meet their objective fully. We propose several initiatives that might improve the use of existing resources and increase the profile of these publicly managed areas.
Sapling growth and crown expansion in canopy gaps of Nothofagus pumilio (lenga) forests in Chubut, Patagonia, Argentina.
Authors: López Bernal P. M. , Defossé G. E. , Quinteros C.P. , Bava J.O.
Published: November 2012

In the province of Chubut in Patagonia, Argentina, Nothofagus pumilio forests (locally known as lenga), are managed through selective cuts, which imply the opening of canopy gaps. This management scheme is carried out without taking into consideration the sapling requirements changes through neither a cutting cycle nor the precipitation gradient in which these forests thrive. To analyze these changes, we inferred the facilitation-competition balance between the canopy and regeneration studying the effects of precipitation levels, gap size and gap age on saplings growth in height on 45 canopy gaps artificially created between 1960 and 1993. Results shown that during the first 20 years since the gap opening, the regeneration growth is determined by light availability in mesic sites and by water availability in dry sites. However, the difference due to the precipitation levels gradually decreases over time. Moreover, in the period between 20 and 35 years after gap opening, in both mesic and xeric sites, light is the limiting factor to growth. This means that in xeric sites, saplings shift from a water-dependent to a light-dependent growth. The average closing rate of gaps due to lateral growth of trees bordering the gap is high enough so that within the proposed gap size range, the gap healing can occur before regeneration reaches the upper stratum. Consequently, in mesic sites the gap opening can be done by a single operation that generates gaps with diameters of approximately twice the average height of the canopy (D/H). While in xeric environments, lenga seedling establishment and initial growth require the cover of small gaps, but advanced regeneration requires bigger gaps to reach the canopy. For this reason, gaps should be opened in two stages: the first gaps should be opened with a D/H between 0.8 and 1, and after a cutting cycle of 35 years, these openings should be enlarged to a D/H between 1.5 and 2. The close relationship is maintained between the new cohort and the upper strata require special considerations regarding the evolution of the balance between positive and negative interactions during development. Our work highlights the need to adjust management practices to these spatial and temporal variations so as to achieve an optimal growth along the entire production cycle.
Mycorrhization of containerized Pinus nigra seedlings with Suillus granulatus under open field conditions
Authors: Lazarevic J. S. , Keca N. D. , Martinovic A. B.
Published: November 2012

Seedling mycorrhization acts as an efficient tool for improving the quality of seedlings. In this study, the effectiveness of Suillus granulatus, originating from Pinus heldreichii forests (Montenegro), to produce containerized ectomycorrhizal seedlings of autochthonous Pinus nigra in open field conditions was investigated. Spore (106, 107, 108) and vegetative (1:16, 1:8, 1:4) inoculation on ectomycorrhizal formation and seedling growth were tested. Spore and vegetative inoculums of autochthonous Pisolithus arhizus were used in the same trial as additional control treatments. The utilization of vegetative and spore inoculums of autochthonous S. granulatus has proven to be an effective method of obtaining containerized ectomycorrhizal P. nigra seedlings under open field conditions after 11 months. S. granulatus spore inoculations resulted in well developed ectomycorrhiza, decreasing the growth of the P. nigra seedlings in the first growing season. Mycelial inoculations resulted in slightly developed S. granulatus ectomycorrhiza, which increased the growth of the seedlings. Therefore, it would be feasible to use spore inocula of S. granulatus, with 106 spores per plant, to produce ectomycorrhizal P. nigra plants on a large scale. Controlled mycorrhizal inoculation of seedlings is not a common practice in Montenegrin and Serbian nurseries; as such, the obtained results will contribute to the enhancement of nursery production of Pinus nigra and other conifers. This also could be assumed as a starting point for many further efforts and investigations with autochthonous fungal and plant material in this region.
Determining the annual periodicity of growth rings in seven tree species of a tropical moist forest in Santa Cruz, Bolivia
Authors: López L. , Villalba R. , Peña-Claros M.
Published: November 2012

To determine the annual periodicity of growth rings in seven tree species from a tropical moist forest in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, a fire scar was used as a marker point to verify the annual nature of tree rings. The number of tree rings formed between the 1995 fire scar and the collection of the cross sections in 2002 was visually identified. The seven species showed annual growth rings. In most cases, boundaries between rings were marked by the presence of marginal parenchyma and wall-thicked fibers formed at the end of the growing season. Growth lenses and false rings were recorded in some species. Tree rings can be carefully used in Santa Cruz forests to determine rates of growth. This information is crucial for defining forest management practices in tropical regions.
Resource communication. Individual-tree growth model for radiata pine plantations in northwestern Spain
Authors: Crecente-Campo F. , Dieguez-Aranda U. , Rodriguez-Soalleiro R.
Published: November 2012

Individual-tree basal area and height increment models were developed with data from 130 permanent plots of Pinus radiata D. Don located in Galicia (northwestern Spain). Mixed-models techniques were used for model fitting. Covariates acting at tree and stand level were included as fixed effects. Estimated values of stand variables obtained from aggregation of individual-tree predictions were used in model evaluation. The developed models accounted for 54% of the variability in basal area increment and 36% of the variability in height increment, with mean errors of 16 cm2 and 0.36 m, respectively. These models, along with an existing individual-tree mortality model, constitute a whole individual-tree growth model that can be used to simulate forest management alternatives, helping in forest managers’ decision making.
ON MODELLING RECRYSTALLIZATION PROCESSES WITH RANDOM GROWTH VELOCITIES OF THE GRAINS IN MATERIALS SCIENCE
Authors: Villa Elena , Rios Paulo R.
Published: November 2012

Heterogeneous transformations (or reactions)  may be defined as those transformations in which there is a sharp moving boundary between the transformed and untransformed region. In Materials Science such transformations are normally called nucleation and growth transformations, whereas birth-and-growth processes is the preferred denomination in Mathematics. Recently, the present authors in a series of papers have derived new analytical expressions for nucleation and growth transformations with the help of stochastic geometry methods. Those papers focused mainly on the role of nuclei location in space, described by point processes, on transformation kinetics.  In this work we focus on the effect that a random velocity of the moving boundaries of the grains has in the overall kinetics. One example of a practical situation in which such a model may be useful is that of recrystallization.  Juul Jensen and Godiksen reviewed recent 3-d experimental results  on recrystallization kinetics and concluded that there is compelling evidence  that  every  grain has its own distinct growth rate. Motivated by this practical application we present here new general kinetics expressions for various situations of practical interest, in which a random distribution of growth velocities is assumed. In order to do this, we  make use of tools from Stochastic Geometry and Geometric Measure Theory. Previously known results follow here as particular cases. Although the motivation for this paper was recrystallization the expressions derived here may be applied to nucleation and growth reactions in general.
3D GEOMETRIC CHARACTERIZATION OF PARTICLES APPLIED TO TECHNICAL CLEANLINESS
Authors: Vecchio Irene , Schladitz Katja , Godehardt Michael , Heneka Markus J.
Published: November 2012

During production of mechanical components, residual dirt collects on the surfaces, thus creating a contamination that affects the durability of the assembled products. Residual particles are currently analyzed based on microscopic 2d images. However, the particle's shape is decisive for the damage it can cause, yet can not be judged reliably from 2d data. Micro-computed tomography allows to capture the complex spatial structures of thousands of particles simultaneously. Now new methods to characterize three dimensional shapes are needed to establish 3d cleanliness analysis. In this work, unambiguously indicative geometric features are defined and it is investigated how they can yield a reliable classification in three typical classes: fibers, chips and granules. Finally, the efficiency of the proposed method is proved by analyzing samples of real dirt particles.
TEXTURAL DESCRIPTORS FOR MULTIPHASIC ORE PARTICLES
Authors: Pérez-Barnuevo Laura , Pirard Eric , Castroviejo Ricardo
Published: November 2012

Monitoring of mineral processing circuits by means of particle liberation analysis through quantitative image analysis has become a routine technique within the last decades. Usually, liberation indices are computed as weight proportions, which is not informative enough when complex texture ores are treated by flotation. In these cases, liberation has to be computed as phase surface exposed to reactants, and textural relationships between minerals have to be characterized to determine the possibility of increasing exposure. In this paper, some indices to achieve a complete texture characterization have been developed in terms of 2D phase contact and mineral surfaces exposure. Indices suggested by other authors are also compared. The response of this set of parameters against textural changes has been explored on simple synthetic textures ranging from single to multiple inclusions and single to multiple veins and their ability to discriminate between different textural features is analyzed over real mineral particles with known internal structure.
Um novo antropólogo: Muniz Sodré
Authors: Yamamoto Eduardo Yuji
Published: November 2012

O texto descreve o percurso intelectual de Muniz Sodré: as mutações conceituais ao longo de suas investigações,suas formulações teóricas e a apresentação de um núcleo de problemas propriamente comunicacionais:a epistème do campo; a midiatização e a sociabilidade abstraída desse processo. É a partir da reflexão sobre a sociabilidade, entretanto, que Sodré observa um suposto objeto da comunicação: o vínculo social. Dedica-se atenção especial à obra “Antropológica do espelho”, não só porque nela se verifica um diálogo com as questões levantadas em trabalhos anteriores e suas reflexões atuais, mas porque aí o autor deixa sua marca estilística: a redescrição. Pelo menos três redescrições são verificadas na obra: a redescrição da hipótese da agenda setting e dos conceitos de “hexis” e “comunidade”.
Educação em saúde e promoção institucional nas revistas empresariais Essência e Unimed
Authors: Costa Felipe da , John Valquíria Michela
Published: November 2012

Este artigo visa a analisar quais as estratégias das reportagens de saúde publicadas nas revistas empresariais Essência e Unimed, ambas de Blumenau, SC. Foi utilizada, como metodologia, a Análise de Conteúdo e escolhidos como indicadores, educação em saúde, promoção da empresa, promoção de serviços e promoção de outras instituições. As duas revistas tiveram grande incidência para a educação em saúde, mas a Essência teve como destaque a promoção de serviços. Na pesquisa, chegamos à conclusão que, mesmo as revistas tendo como objetivo promover os serviços e as organizações, não deixam de ter como propósito educar seus leitores para uma melhor qualidade de vida.
Análise da sustentabilidade multidimensional no setor elétrico brasileiro por meio da DEA
Authors: Macedo Marcelo Alvaro da Silva , Cipola Fabricio Carvalho , Ferreira Antonio Francisco Ritter , De Souza Marcio Flavio Amaral
Published: November 2012

Este estudo tem por objetivo verificar, através da aplicação de DEA, o desempenho multidimensional de 15 empresas de distribuição de energia elétrica no Brasil, no que diz respeito à atuação nas seguintes dimensões: socioambiental, operacional e contábil-financeira, nos anos de 2004 e 2005. Para cada perspectiva/dimensão foi montado um modelo de análise multicriterial, que combina as variáveis/critérios referentes a cada natureza. Procura-se, por fim, discutir a sustentabilidade de cada organização frente a estas múltiplas perspectivas/dimensões do desempenho organizacional. Os resultados do estudo mostram que Celpe, Coelba, Copel, Energipe e Enersul são as que apresentam os melhores desempenhos multidimensionais, enquanto a Ampla é a distribuidora de energia com pior desempenho na combinação das três perspectivas sob análise.
Esquemas interpretativos e estratégias institucionais em um sistema de cooperativas de crédito
Authors: Junior Antonio Saraiva , Crubellate João Marcelo
Published: November 2012

Neste artigo descrevemos e analisamos mudanças ocorridas nos esquemas interpretativos predominantes na Central Sicredi PR, durante o período de 1995 a 2008, bem como investigamos as relações existentes entre tais mudanças e as estratégias institucionais implementadas ou apoiadas por aquela cooperativa no mesmo período. Partimos da premissa de que o desenvolvimento das cooperativas de crédito tem sido positivamente influenciado por mudanças nas regras institucionais do setor e buscamos investigar o esforço de agência das próprias cooperativas nesse processo de mudança institucional. Trata-se de um estudo de caso único com pers­pectiva de corte seccional, porém com características longitudinais, considerando o levantamento de dados históricos. As técnicas de tratamento desses dados foram: 1) análise de conteúdo de documentos e entrevistas, e 2) elaboração de mapas cognitivos. O principal resultado alcançado foi a caracterização de uma relação de reciprocidade entre as mudanças na visão de mundo dos dirigentes e a implementação das estratégias institu­cionais, em um processo cujo resultado foi a construção de uma nova identidade para o sistema Sicredi PR.
A internacionalização de uma pequena empresa
Authors: Verdu Fabiane Cortez , Bulgacov Sergio
Published: November 2012

Este estudo teve como objetivo principal descrever como ocorre a internacionalização de uma pequena empresa exportadora da cidade de Maringá (PR). Esta pesquisa é descritivo-qualitativa, ex post factum, seccional (trans­versal). O nível de análise é o organizacional; a unidade de análise é a organização. A estratégia de pesquisa utilizada foi o estudo de caso em uma pequena empresa exportadora da cidade de Maringá: Apiário Diamante. Tendo em vista o objetivo deste trabalho, foram realizadas duas entrevistas (uma semiestruturada e outra estru­turada) com o informante-chave da organização em estudo e observações não participantes. Os dados primários coletados por meio de entrevista e de observação não participante e os secundários foram analisados de maneira descritivo-qualitativa por meio da técnica de análise de conteúdo. No Apiário Diamante foram identificadas ca­racterísticas tanto do processo de internacionalização gradual, quanto do processo desde o início das operações. Vale ressaltar que no Apiário Diamante, entre as principais características do processo de internacionalização identificadas, duas características referiam-se ao atributo “redes de parceiros de negócios”, o que reflete a impor­tância das redes de relacionamentos interorganizacionais no processo de internacionalização. Os recursos não possuídos e utilizados pelo Apiário Diamante tendem a ser obtidos por meio de relacionamentos (experiência, conhecimento de mercado externo e experiência internacional), com exceção dos “sistemas formais e informais de planejamento, controle e coordenação” que foram obtidos por meio de compra no mercado. Esse fato reforça a importância das redes de relacionamentos interorganizacionais no processo de internacionalização no que tange à obtenção de recursos. As instituições que forneceram os recursos que viabilizaram a internacionalização do Apiário Diamante são as seguintes: Instituto Mercosul, CIN/FIEP, despachante aduaneiro, Banco do Brasil, tra­ding, alfândega ou aduana, Apex Brasil, Abemel (Associação Brasileira dos Exportadores de Mel). O principal tipo de recurso fornecido ao Apiário Diamante foi o conhecimento de mercado externo.
O alinhamento entre as competências e o processo de aprendizagem: um estudo teórico-empírico em uma empresa de serviços de interesse público
Authors: Munck Luciano , Munck Mariana Gomes Musetti , Borim-de-Souza Rafael
Published: November 2012

O artigo foi escrito com o objetivo principal de analisar e discutir as implicações do alinhamento, ou do não alinhamento, entre as competências e o processo de aprendizagem em uma empresa privada que presta ser- viços de interesse público. Para tanto foi realizada uma pesquisa qualitativa, exploratória e descritiva, cujos procedimentos envolveram levantamento bibliográfico, análises documentais e a realização de 27 entrevis-   tas semiestruturadas com funcionários da Empresa Alfa Telecom S/A, a qual possui um sistema de gestão de competências implantado desde 1997. Conforme orientações de Dutra (2004), ao relacionar contribuições teóricas, entrevistas e análises documentais, foi possível notar que o modelo de competências, os processos de aprendizagem e as decisões de cunho estratégico tomadas na Empresa Alfa Telecom S/A estão desvinculadas uma das outras. Constatou-se que a aprendizagem organizacional, em relação ao modelo de competências, ocorre para poucos e somente no nível cognitivo. Como uma das considerações finais deste artigo, infere-se  que a empresa estudada possui o risco de sofrer degradação de suas competências, o que consequentemente a impedirá de conquistar seus objetivos  estratégicos.
Leptotypification of Diodontium filifolium F.Muell. (Asteraceae: Coreopsideae)
Authors: Orchard Anthony
Published: November 2012

As per paper
Patient Priorities in Osteoarthritis and Comorbid Conditions: A Secondary Analysis of Qualitative Data
Authors: Cheraghi‐Sohi Sudeh , Bower Peter , Kennedy Anne , Morden Andrew , Rogers Anne , Richardson Jane , Sanders Tom , Stevenson Fiona , Ong Bie Nio
Published: November 2012

Objective

A lack of agreement between clinician and patient priorities can impact the clinician–patient relationship, treatment concordance, and potential health outcomes. Studies have suggested that patients with osteoarthritis (OA) may prioritize comorbidities over their OA, but as yet no explicit systematic exploration of OA patients' priorities in relation to comorbidities exists. This study aims to explore how patients prioritize their OA among their conditions, which factors underlie this prioritization, and whether and why these priorities change over time.

Methods

A secondary analysis of qualitative data was conducted utilizing 4 existing data sets collated from the 3 research centers involved. Purposive sampling provided a sample of 30 participants who all had OA and comorbidities. The research team collectively coded and analyzed the data thematically.

Results

Three groups of patients emerged from the analysis. The 2 smaller groups had stable priorities (where OA was or was not prioritized) and illustrated the importance of factors, such as personal social context and the specific nature of the comorbid conditions. The third and largest group reported priorities that shifted over time. Shifting appeared to be influenced by the participants' perceptions of control and/or interactions with clinical professionals, and could have important consequences for self‐management behavior.

Conclusion

The various factors underlying patients' priorities among their conditions, and the fluctuating nature of these priorities, highlight the importance of regular assessments during clinician–patient consultations to allow better communication and treatment planning, and ultimately optimize patient outcomes.
Lifetime Risk and Age at Diagnosis of Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis in the US
Authors: Losina Elena , Weinstein Alexander M. , Reichmann William M. , Burbine Sara A. , Solomon Daniel H. , Daigle Meghan E. , Rome Benjamin N. , Chen Stephanie P. , Hunter David J. , Suter Lisa G. , Jordan Joanne M. , Katz Jeffrey N.
Published: November 2012

Objective

To estimate the incidence and lifetime risk of diagnosed symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA) and the age at diagnosis of knee OA based on self‐reports in the US population.

Methods

We estimated the incidence of diagnosed symptomatic knee OA in the US by combining data on age‐, sex‐, and obesity‐specific prevalence from the 2007–2008 National Health Interview Survey, with disease duration estimates derived from the Osteoarthritis Policy (OAPol) Model, a validated computer simulation model of knee OA. We used the OAPol Model to estimate the mean and median ages at diagnosis and lifetime risk.

Results

The estimated incidence of diagnosed symptomatic knee OA was highest among adults ages 55–64 years, ranging from 0.37% per year for nonobese men to 1.02% per year for obese women. The estimated median age at knee OA diagnosis was 55 years. The estimated lifetime risk was 13.83%, ranging from 9.60% for nonobese men to 23.87% in obese women. Approximately 9.29% of the US population is diagnosed with symptomatic knee OA by age 60 years.

Conclusion

The diagnosis of symptomatic knee OA occurs relatively early in life, suggesting that prevention programs should be offered relatively early in the life course. Further research is needed to understand the future burden of health care utilization resulting from earlier diagnosis of knee OA.
An economic analysis of a safe resident handling program in nursing homes
Authors: Lahiri Supriya , Latif Saira , Punnett Laura ,   the ProCare Research Team
Published: November 2012

Background

Occupational injuries, especially back problems related to resident handling, are common in nursing home employees and their prevention may require substantial up‐front investment. This study evaluated the economics of a safe resident handling program (SRHP), in a large chain of skilled nursing facilities, from the corporation's perspective.

Methods

The company provided data on program costs, compensation claims, and turnover rates (2003–2009). Workers' compensation and turnover costs before and after the intervention were compared against investment costs using the “net‐cost model.”

Results

Among 110 centers, the overall benefit‐to‐cost ratio was 1.7–3.09 and the payback period was 1.98–1.06 year (using alternative turnover cost estimates). The average annualized net savings per bed for the 110 centers (using company based turnover cost estimates) was $143, with a 95% confidence interval of $22–$264. This was very similar to the average annualized net savings per full time equivalent (FTE) staff member, which was $165 (95% confidence interval $22–$308). However, at 49 centers costs exceeded benefits.

Conclusions

Decreased costs of worker injury compensation claims and turnover appear at least partially attributable to the SRHP. Future research should examine center‐specific factors that enhance program success, and improve measures of turnover costs and healthcare productivity. Am. J. Ind. Med. 56:469–478, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Abatacept (CTLA‐4IG) treatment reduces the migratory capacity of monocytes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Bonelli M. , Ferner E. , Göschl L. , Blüml S. , Hladik A. , Karonitsch T. , Kiener H. P. , Byrne R. , Niederreiter B. , Steiner C. W. , Rath E. , Bergmann M. , Smolen J. S. , Scheinecker C.
Published: November 2012

Objective

The binding of abatacept (CTLA‐4Ig) to the B7 ligands CD80 and CD86 prevents the engagement of CD28 on T cells and thereby prevents effector T cell activation. In addition, a direct effect of CTLA‐4Ig on antigen‐presenting cells (APCs) could contribute to the therapeutic effect. To further elucidate the mechanism of CTLA‐4Ig, we performed phenotype and functional analyses of APCs in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) before and after the initiation of CTLA‐4Ig therapy.

Methods

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were analyzed before and at 2 and 4 weeks after the initiation of CTLA‐4Ig therapy. Proportions of APCs were determined by flow cytometry. CD14+ monocytes were further analyzed for the expression of costimulatory and adhesion molecules and for their transendothelial migratory capacity in vitro. In addition, CD14+ monocytes from healthy controls were analyzed for their migratory and spreading capacity.

Results

Proportions and absolute numbers of monocytes were significantly increased in RA patients treated with CTLA‐4Ig. The expression of several adhesion molecules was significantly diminished. In addition, monocytes displayed a significant reduction in their endothelial adhesion and transendothelial migratory capacity upon treatment with CTLA‐4Ig. Likewise, isolated monocytes from healthy controls revealed a significant reduction in their migratory and spreading activity after preincubation with CTLA‐4Ig or anti‐CD80 and anti‐CD86 antibodies.

Conclusion

We describe direct effects of CTLA‐4Ig therapy on phenotype and functional characteristics of monocytes in RA patients that might interfere with the migration of monocytes to the synovial tissue. This additional mechanism of CTLA‐4Ig might contribute to the beneficial effects of CTLA‐4Ig treatment in RA patients.
Effects of a modified shoe on knee load in people with and those without knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Bennell Kim L. , Kean Crystal O. , Wrigley Tim V. , Hinman Rana S.
Published: November 2012

Objective

To evaluate the effects of a modified shoe that incorporates both lateral wedging and a variable‐stiffness sole on knee joint loading in 3 populations: individuals with symptomatic and radiographic knee osteoarthritis (OA), asymptomatic overweight individuals, and asymptomatic healthy weight individuals.

Methods

Ninety participants (30 per group) underwent a 3‐dimensional gait analysis across 3 test conditions: modified shoes, standard control shoes, and barefoot. For each condition, the first peak knee adduction moment (KAM) and knee flexion moment (KFM) (both expressed as Nm/[body weight × height]%) as well as the KAM impulse (expressed as Nm.s/[body weight × height]%) were determined.

Results

The modified shoes significantly reduced the peak KAM as compared to the control shoes in both the OA (P = 0.002) and the overweight (P = 0.03) groups. In the OA group, there was no significant difference in peak KAM when walking in the modified shoe as compared to walking barefoot. In the overweight and the healthy weight groups, the peak KAM when walking in the modified shoe was significantly higher than that when walking barefoot (P < 0.001). Irrespective of group, the KAM impulse was significantly reduced when walking in the modified shoe as compared to the control shoe (P < 0.001) and was significantly higher during both shoe conditions as compared to walking barefoot (P < 0.001). There was no change in the KFM between walking conditions for any group.

Conclusion

The findings illustrate that a shoe incorporating both a lateral wedge and a variable‐stiffness sole can significantly reduce medial knee joint load. Further research examining the effects of these shoes on pain, function, and structural changes in the joint is warranted.
Brief Report: Increased expression of a short splice variant of CTLA‐4 exacerbates lupus in MRL/lpr mice
Authors: Ichinose Kunihiro , Zhang Zheng , Koga Tomohiro , Juang Yuang‐Taung , Kis‐Tóth Katalin , Sharpe Arlene H. , Kuchroo Vijay , Crispín José C. , Tsokos George C.
Published: November 2012

Objective

CTLA‐4 is a negative regulator of the immune response expressed by regulatory T (Treg) cells and activated T cells. Polymorphisms in the CTLA4 gene have been associated with autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus. Disease‐associated polymorphisms have been shown to affect the production of the different CTLA‐4 variants through an effect on alternative splicing. This study was undertaken to evaluate the role of the 1/4 CTLA‐4 isoform in lupus‐prone mice.

Methods

We generated an MRL/lpr mouse strain that transgenically overexpresses a short isoform of CTLA‐4 (1/4 CTLA‐4) by backcrossing C57BL/6.1/4CTLA‐4–transgenic mice to the MRL/lpr strain for 9 generations. A new antibody was generated to detect the expression of the 1/4 CTLA‐4 isoform. Routine methods were used to evaluate kidney damage, humoral immunity, and cellular immunity.

Results

Expression of the 1/4 CTLA‐4 isoform accelerated autoimmune disease. Transgenic mice died earlier, had more severe renal disease, and had higher titers of anti–double‐stranded DNA antibodies than wild‐type MRL/lpr mice. The acceleration of autoimmunity and disease pathology associated with the presence of the short (1/4) isoform of CTLA‐4 was linked to increased numbers of activated T cells and B cells and heightened interferon‐γ production, but not to altered expression of the full‐length CTLA‐4 molecule or Treg cell numbers.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that the presence of the alternatively spliced 1/4 CTLA‐4 isoform can further promote autoimmunity and autoimmune pathology in lupus‐prone mice and suggest that altered splicing of CTLA4 contributes to the expression of autoimmune disease.
Bone parameters across different types of hip osteoarthritis and their relationship to osteoporotic fracture risk
Authors: Castaño‐Betancourt Martha C. , Rivadeneira Fernando , Bierma‐Zeinstra Sita , Kerkhof Hanneke J. M. , Hofman Albert , Uitterlinden Andre G. , van Meurs Joyce B. J.
Published: November 2012

Objective

The atrophic type of hip osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by cartilage degradation without the formation of osteophytes. Individuals with atrophic OA have been less well studied, and it is unknown whether this OA type differs from the osteophytic types with regard to bone tissue. The purpose of this study was to examine bone mineral density (BMD), hip structural properties, and fracture risk in individuals with the atrophic type of OA as compared to those with the osteophytic types (normotrophic/hypertrophic) as well as individuals without OA.

Methods

This study is part of the Rotterdam Study, a large prospective population‐based cohort study. We examined 5,006 participants who had been assessed for OA, BMD, and geometric measures at baseline and for incident nonvertebral osteoporotic fractures (mean followup 9.6 years). We estimated the differences in bone characteristics between the OA groups and the controls (no joint space narrowing or osteophytes). Cox proportional hazards regression was used to calculate osteoporotic fracture risk.

Results

Participants with atrophic OA had systemically lower BMD as compared to those with normotrophic OA and as compared to the controls (6.5% and 9% for total body BMD; 4% and 5% for skull BMD, respectively). Participants with osteophytic OA had ∼4% and ∼5% higher total body and skull BMD, respectively, a wider femoral neck, and greater bone strength (12% and 5% higher section modulus, respectively) as compared to the controls or to those with atrophic OA. The risk of osteoporotic fractures was almost 50% higher in those with atrophic OA as compared to the controls (hazard risk 1.48, P = 0.008). This difference was not explained by differences in the BMD, number of falls, degree of disability, or use of corticosteroids.

Conclusion

Individuals with atrophic hip OA have an increased risk of osteoporotic fractures that is not fully explained by systemically lower BMD as compared to controls.
Epidemiology and sociodemographics of systemic lupus erythematosus and lupus nephritis among US adults with Medicaid coverage, 2000–2004
Authors: Feldman Candace H. , Hiraki Linda T. , Liu Jun , Fischer Michael A. , Solomon Daniel H. , Alarcón Graciela S. , Winkelmayer Wolfgang C. , Costenbader Karen H.
Published: November 2012

Objective

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and lupus nephritis (LN) disproportionately affect individuals who are members of racial/ethnic minority groups and individuals of lower socioeconomic status (SES). This study was undertaken to investigate the epidemiology and sociodemographics of SLE and LN in the low‐income US Medicaid population.

Methods

We utilized Medicaid Analytic eXtract data, with billing claims from 47 states and Washington, DC, for 23.9 million individuals ages 18–65 years who were enrolled in Medicaid for >3 months in 2000–2004. Individuals with SLE (≥3 visits >30 days apart with an International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision [ICD‐9] code of 710.0) and with LN (≥2 visits with an ICD‐9 code for glomerulonephritis, proteinuria, or renal failure) were identified. We calculated SLE and LN prevalence and incidence, stratified by sociodemographic category, and adjusted for number of American College of Rheumatology (ACR) member rheumatologists in the state and SES using a validated composite of US Census variables.

Results

We identified 34,339 individuals with SLE (prevalence 143.7 per 100,000) and 7,388 (21.5%) with LN (prevalence 30.9 per 100,000). SLE prevalence was 6 times higher among women, nearly double in African American compared to white women, and highest in the US South. LN prevalence was higher among all racial/ethnic minority groups compared to whites. The areas with lowest SES had the highest prevalence; areas with the fewest ACR rheumatologists had the lowest prevalence. SLE incidence was 23.2 per 100,000 person‐years and LN incidence was 6.9 per 100,000 person‐years, with similar sociodemographic trends.

Conclusion

In this nationwide Medicaid population, there was sociodemographic variation in SLE and LN prevalence and incidence. Understanding the increased burden of SLE and its complications in this low‐income population has implications for resource allocation and access to subspecialty care.
Wie die Zoologie das Füttern lernte. Die Ernährung von Tieren in der Zoologie im 19. Jahrhundert
Authors: Reiß Christian
Published: November 2012

Feeding Zoology. How Animals were Fed in Nineteenth‐Century Zoology. Although feeding is an essential and existential part of animal breeding and keeping, it is an entirely neglected practice in the history of (experimental) zoology. Following the metabolic relations of colonial consumerism, acclimatization, and animal fancying, this paper reconstructs the divers origins of this practice and thus the origin of experimental zoology. As feeding in this context was and still is considered to be essentially non‐epistemic, it is argued that this approach allows to reconstruct the ontologies of the respective field, i.e., the emergence of artificial environments and of a contingent set of animals from a hybrid space between animal fancying and zoology.
Obesity and abdominal aortic aneurysm
Authors: Stackelberg O , Björck M , Sadr-Azodi O , Larsson S C , Orsini N , Wolk A
Published: November 2012

Background

The relationship between obesity and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is unclear. An observational cohort study was undertaken to examine the associations between waist circumference as a measure of abdominal adiposity, and between body mass index (BMI) as a measure of total adiposity, and risk of AAA.

Methods

Data were used from the population-based Swedish Mammography Cohort and the Cohort of Swedish Men, involving 63 655 men and women, aged 46–84 years. Between 1998 and 2009, 597 patients with incident AAA defined by relevant clinical events were identified by linkage to the Swedish Inpatient Register and the Swedish Vascular Registry. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate relative risks (RRs) with 95 per cent confidence intervals.

Results

In multivariable analysis, individuals with an increased waist circumference had a 30 per cent higher risk of AAA (RR 1·30, 95 per cent confidence interval 1·05 to 1·60) compared with those with a normal waist circumference. The risk of AAA increased by 15 per cent (RR 1·15, 1·05 to 1·26) per 5-cm increment of waist circumference up to the level 100 cm for men and 88 cm for women. There was no association between BMI and risk of AAA.

Conclusion

Abdominal, but not total, adiposity was associated with an increased risk of incident AAA. A threshold was observed at a waist circumference of 100 cm for men and 88 cm for women.
Effect of thoracic epidural anaesthesia on splanchnic blood flow
Authors: Richards E R , Kabir S I , McNaught C-E , MacFie J
Published: November 2012

Background

Thoracic epidural anaesthesia (TEA) is used widely in colorectal surgery. However, there is increasing concern that epidurals are associated with postoperative hypotension, mediating a potential reduction in splanchnic flow. The aim was to review the literature on the effects of TEA on splanchnic blood flow.

Methods

PubMed and Cochrane databases were searched. Search terms used were: English language, ‘thoracic epidural splanchnic flow’, ‘thoracic epidural gut blood flow’, ‘thoracic epidural intestinal blood flow’ and ‘thoracic epidural colonic blood flow’. Abstracts were reviewed by two independent researchers and irrelevant studies excluded. The full text of the remaining articles was then retrieved.

Results

Twenty-two abstracts were reviewed and three excluded. Nineteen papers were reviewed in full and seven irrelevant articles excluded. Five human studies investigated the effects of TEA on splanchnic flow. Two studies measured splanchnic flow directly and found an epidural-mediated fall in flow, unresponsive to intravenous fluids and requiring vasopressors or inotropes to restore baseline flow. The remaining three studies had inconsistent findings and haemodynamic stability was maintained. The seven animal studies identified were heterogeneous in both methodology and findings. Three suggested a protective role for thoracic epidurals in septic shock and pancreatitis.

Conclusion

These findings are inconsistent; however, the two studies that investigated the effects of vasoconstrictors on splanchnic blood flow directly both found a significant epidural-mediated reduction in splanchnic blood flow that was unresponsive to fluid therapy.
Systematic review and meta-analysis of the diagnostic accuracy of procalcitonin, C-reactive protein and white blood cell count for suspected acute appendicitis
Authors: Yu C-W , Juan L-I , Wu M-H , Shen C-J , Wu J-Y , Lee C-C
Published: November 2012

Background

The aim was to evaluate the diagnostic value of procalcitonin, C-reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cell count (WBC) in uncomplicated or complicated appendicitis by means of a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods

The Embase, MEDLINE and Cochrane databases were searched, along with reference lists of relevant articles, without language restriction, to September 2012. Original studies were selected that reported the performance of procalcitonin alone or in combination with CRP or WBC in diagnosing appendicitis. Test performance characteristics were summarized using hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and bivariable random-effects models.

Results

Seven qualifying studies (1011 suspected cases, 636 confirmed) from seven countries were identified. Bivariable pooled sensitivity and specificity were 33 (95 per cent confidence interval (c.i.) 21 to 47) and 89 (78 to 95) per cent respectively for procalcitonin, 57 (39 to 73) and 87 (58 to 97) per cent for CRP, and 62 (47 to 74) and 75 (55 to 89) per cent for WBC. ROC curve analysis showed that CRP had the highest accuracy (area under ROC curve 0·75, 95 per cent c.i. 0·71 to 0·78), followed by WBC (0·72, 0·68 to 0·76) and procalcitonin (0·65, 0·61 to 0·69). Procalcitonin was found to be more accurate in diagnosing complicated appendicitis, with a pooled sensitivity of 62 (33 to 84) per cent and specificity of 94 (90 to 96) per cent.

Conclusion

Procalcitonin has little value in diagnosing acute appendicitis, with lower diagnostic accuracy than CRP and WBC. However, procalcitonin has greater diagnostic value in identifying complicated appendicitis. Given the imperfect accuracy of these three variables, new markers for improving medical decision-making in patients with suspected appendicitis are highly desirable.
Development of large engineered cartilage constructs from a small population of cells
Authors: Brenner Jillian M. , Kunz Manuela , Tse Man Yat , Winterborn Andrew , Bardana Davide D. , Pang Stephen C. , Waldman Stephen D.
Published: November 2012

Confronted with articular cartilage's limited capacity for self‐repair, joint resurfacing techniques offer an attractive treatment for damaged or diseased tissue. Although tissue engineered cartilage constructs can be created, a substantial number of cells are required to generate sufficient quantities of tissue for the repair of large defects. As routine cell expansion methods tend to elicit negative effects on chondrocyte function, we have developed an approach to generate phenotypically stable, large‐sized engineered constructs (≥3 cm2) directly from a small amount of donor tissue or cells (as little as 20,000 cells to generate a 3 cm2 tissue construct). Using rabbit donor tissue, the bioreactor‐cultivated constructs were hyaline‐like in appearance and possessed a biochemical composition similar to native articular cartilage. Longer bioreactor cultivation times resulted in increased matrix deposition and improved mechanical properties determined over a 4 week period. Additionally, as the anatomy of the joint will need to be taken in account to effectively resurface large affected areas, we have also explored the possibility of generating constructs matched to the shape and surface geometry of a defect site through the use of rapid‐prototyped defect tissue culture molds. Similar hyaline‐like tissue constructs were developed that also possessed a high degree of shape correlation to the original defect mold. Future studies will be aimed at determining the effectiveness of this approach to the repair of cartilage defects in an animal model and the creation of large‐sized osteochondral constructs. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2013
Role of female pelvic anatomy in infertility
Authors: Harris‐Glocker Miranda , McLaren Janet F.
Published: November 2012

Infertility is defined as a couple's failure to achieve pregnancy after one year of regular, unprotected intercourse. The etiology of infertility can be due to female factors, male factors, combined male and female factors, or have an unknown etiology. This review focuses on the role of female pelvic anatomy in infertility. Normal anatomy and the physiology of reproduction will be discussed, as well as the anatomic and pathophysiologic processes that cause infertility including ovulatory disorders, endometriosis, pelvic adhesions, tubal blockage, mullerian anomalies, and abnormalities affecting the uterine cavity such as leiomyomata and endometrial polyps. Clin. Anat. 26:89–96, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Inter‐cultural adolescent ritual practice
Authors: Nuttall PETER , Tinson JULIE
Published: November 2012

Scholars disagree as to whether or not a homogeneous global youth culture exists. This study explores the nuances and glocalisation of authentic adolescent ritual practice/s in Scotland and the USA. The high school prom is a ritual imported recently to the UK from the USA. This study reports on questionnaire responses and focus group data with adolescents in Scotland and US exchange students at UK universities. The study probes the assumptions and realities that constitute authentic appropriation of this event. Scottish adolescents' perceptions of US high school prom practice emphasises the presence of indexical cues whereas Scottish practice relies on the iconic. Indexical and iconic cues are interdependent for US respondents. Future research opportunities as well as marketing implications are provided. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.