bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamics of asymmetrical hybridization in North American wood ferns: reconciling patterns of inheritance with gametophyte reproductive biology
Authors: Testo Weston L. , Watkins James E. , Barrington David S.
Published: December 2014

Hybridization is an important evolutionary force in plants, but the mechanisms underlying it have not been well studied for many groups. In particular, the drivers of non‐random patterns of interspecific gene flow (asymmetrical hybridization) remain poorly understood, especially in the seed‐free vascular plants. Here, we examine patterns of asymmetrical hybridization in two widespread fern hybrids from eastern North America and study the role of gametophyte ecology in the determination of hybridization bias.

We characterized the maternal parentage of > 140 hybrid sporophytes by sequencing a c. 350‐bp region of chloroplast DNA (cpDNA). To identify factors contributing to patterns of asymmetrical hybridization, we cultured gametophytes of the parental species and evaluated critical aspects of their reproductive biology.

We found that asymmetrical hybridization was prevalent across the populations of both hybrids. Reproductive traits varied across species and suggest that selfing potential, antheridiogen responsiveness, sperm dispersal capacity and gamete size all contribute to the mediation of the direction of hybridization in this group.

Our findings suggest that asymmetrical hybridization in ferns is driven by an array of reproductive traits. This study helps to sharpen and define a mechanistic understanding of patterns of hybridization in this group and demonstrates the importance of considering gametophyte biology when studying evolutionary processes in ferns.
Altered cell wall properties are responsible for ammonium‐reduced aluminium accumulation in rice roots
Authors: WANG WEI , ZHAO XUE QIANG , CHEN RONG FU , DONG XIAO YING , LAN PING , MA JIAN FENG , SHEN REN FANG
Published: December 2014

The phytotoxicity of aluminium (Al) ions can be alleviated by ammonium (NH4+) in rice and this effect has been attributed to the decreased Al accumulation in the roots. Here, the effects of different nitrogen forms on cell wall properties were compared in two rice cultivars differing in Al tolerance. An in vitro Al‐binding assay revealed that neither NH4+ nor NO3− altered the Al‐binding capacity of cell walls, which were extracted from plants not previously exposed to N sources. However, cell walls extracted from NH4+‐supplied roots displayed lower Al‐binding capacity than those from NO3−‐supplied roots when grown in non‐buffered solutions. Fourier‐transform infrared microspectroscopy analysis revealed that, compared with NO3−‐supplied roots, NH4+‐supplied roots possessed fewer Al‐binding groups (‐OH and COO‐) and lower contents of pectin and hemicellulose. However, when grown in pH‐buffered solutions, these differences in the cell wall properties were not observed. Further analysis showed that the Al‐binding capacity and properties of cell walls were also altered by pHs alone. Taken together, our results indicate that the NH4+‐reduced Al accumulation was attributed to the altered cell wall properties triggered by pH decrease due to NH4+ uptake rather than direct competition for the cell wall binding sites between Al3+ and NH4+.
Evaluation of two glucose meters and interference corrections for screening neonatal hypoglycemia
Authors: Wada Yuka , Nakamura Tomoo , Kaneshige Masao , Takahashi Shigehiro , Fujinaga Hideshi , Tsukamoto Keiko , Ito Yushi , Sago Haruhiko
Published: December 2014

Background

Many neonatal intensive care and maternal units still use self‐monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) devices as a tool to aid diagnosis despite the introduction of point‐of‐care testing (POCT) devices, which are known to have higher accuracy. We evaluated the performance of two glucose meters, the StatStrip (Nova Biomedical), a POCT device, and the Medisafe Mini (Terumo), an SMBG device, to detect hypoglycemia in neonates. In addition, we evaluated the interference of hematocrit, acetaminophen and ascorbic acid.

Methods

Whole blood samples were drawn from neonates who were at risk of hypoglycemia and analyzed with the StatStrip and Medisafe Mini. The results were further confirmed with blood gas analyzers ABL825 and BM6050. To evaluate the interference of hematocrit, acetaminophen and ascorbic acid, concentrated solutions of glucose and interfering substances were gravimetrically prepared and analyzed.

Results

Among the 222 blood samples analyzed, results from the StatStrip were more closely aligned to those of the ABL825 at all levels of glucose than the Medisafe Mini.

Conclusion

StatStrip appears to be unaffected by hematocrit, ascorbic acid or acetaminophen. We recommend its use in neonates in hospital. Further studies are required to identify other interference effects.
Food intolerance and mucosal inflammation
Authors: Ohtsuka Yoshikazu
Published: December 2014

Most infants are immunologically active and are able to develop a tolerance to oligoclonal antigens by producing IgA, along with activation of regulatory T cells, in early infancy. Cytokines and their signaling molecules are important mediators in the intestine, regulating both oral tolerance and mucosal inflammation. This system works efficiently in most individuals, but for an as yet undefined reason, some people react to food and other proteins as though they were pathogens, with induction of chronic inflammation in the mucosa. The adverse reaction caused by ingested foods is defined as food intolerance. The clinical features of food intolerance include vomiting, diarrhea, bloody stool, eczema, failure to thrive, and a protean range of other symptoms. Intolerance can be divided into two categories depending on whether or not they are immunologically mediated. Food intolerance and mucosal inflammation are deeply related because tolerance cannot be established when there is an inflammation in the intestinal mucosa. Mast cells, eosinophils, mucosal lymphocytes, and epithelial cells are deeply involved and related to each other in the development of mucosal inflammation. Meanwhile, rectal bleeding in infancy is related to lymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophil infiltration into the colonic mucosa facilitated by C‐C motif ligand 11 (CCL11, known as eotaxin‐1) and C‐X‐C motif chemokine ligand 13 (CXCL13). Rectal bleeding in infancy may not be simply caused by allergic reactions against specific antigens, but may be due to migrated lymphocytes developing immunological tolerance; including IgA synthesizing, in the intestinal mucosa.
The use of a Berlin Heart EXCOR LVAD in a child receiving chemotherapy for Castleman's disease
Authors: Thomas Tamara O. , Chandrakasan Shanmuganathan , O'Brien Maureen , Jefferies John L. , Ryan Thomas D. , Wilmot Ivan , Baker Michael L. , Madueme Peace C. , Morales David , Lorts Angela
Published: December 2014

We present the unique case of a pediatric patient who received chemotherapy for a diagnosis of CD, while mechanically supported with a Berlin EXCOR LVAD secondary to restrictive cardiomyopathy. A four‐yr‐old previously healthy male with restrictive cardiomyopathy required MCS after cardiac arrest but was diagnosed with multicentric CD, a non‐malignant lymphoproliferative disorder fueled by excessive IL‐6 production. Treatment with IL‐6 blockade (tocilizumab) every two wk and methylprednisolone had no effect on his lymph nodes or cardiac function while on temporary RotaFlow. A Berlin LVAD was placed for treatment with rituximab, COP, vincristine, and methylprednisolone. After three courses of chemotherapy, his inflammatory markers normalized and his lymphadenopathy decreased but cardiac function remained severely depressed. He tolerated chemotherapy on the Berlin but required frequent titrations of his anti‐coagulation regimen and he did suffer a hemorrhagic stroke. His clinical status improved significantly with rehabilitation, and he tolerated heart transplantation without further complications. MCS is a feasible option as a bridge to recovery or heart transplant eligibility for patients with hemodynamic collapse requiring chemotherapy but it does necessitate close titration of the anti‐coagulation regimen to coincide with changes in the inflammatory state.
Widening horizons through alternative and augmentative communication systems for managing children with special health care needs in a pediatric dental setup
Authors: Grewal Navneet , Sethi Tanvi , Grewal Sukrit
Published: December 2014

Purpose

This study compared and evaluated the efficacy of conventional low‐tech and improvised high‐tech alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) software in behavior management in the dental environment and oral hygiene activities performance of children with special health care needs as well as improving their communication skills with the dentist and caretakers.

Methods

A total of 60 institutionalized children with special health care needs were divided into two groups of 30 each to be exposed to low‐tech AAC and high‐tech AAC systems (special smiles for special children material). Assessment of knowledge as well as behavior modification achieved before and after training was carried out on the basis of pretested proformas formatted through various peer reviewed articles.

Results and Conclusion

Rapid and enhanced assimilation of knowledge was observed in group 2 exposed to high‐tech AAC improvised software after intergroup comparison of total scores at baseline, first, second, third, sixth, and ninth month of training. Oral hygiene performance was compared using PHP (Patient Hygiene Performance) index and after training results revealed highly significant change in both groups. The subjects benefitted immensely from the programme as group 1 and group 2 children demonstrated good behavior after training compared to none at baseline. On the whole, this programme had a positive motivational impact.
Green Dialysis: The Environmental Challenges Ahead
Authors: Agar John W. M.
Published: December 2014

The US Environmental Protection Agency Resource Conservation website begins: “Natural resource and energy conservation is achieved by managing materials more efficiently—reduce, reuse, recycle,” yet healthcare agencies have been slow to heed and practice this simple message. In dialysis practice, notable for a recurrent, per capita resource consumption and waste generation profile second to none in healthcare, efforts to: (1) minimize water use and wastage; (2) consider strategies to reduce power consumption and/or use alternative power options; (3) develop optimal waste management and reusable material recycling programs; (4) design smart buildings that work with and for their environment; (5) establish research programs that explore environmental practice; all have been largely ignored by mainstream nephrology. Some countries are doing far better than others. In the United Kingdom and some European jurisdictions, exceptional recent progress has been made to develop, adopt, and coordinate eco‐practice within dialysis programs. These programs set an example for others to follow. Elsewhere, progress has been piecemeal, at best. This review explores the current extent of “green” or eco‐dialysis practices. While noting where progress has been made, it also suggests potential new research avenues to develop and follow. One thing seems certain: as global efforts to combat climate change and carbon generation accelerate, the environmental impact of dialysis practice will come under increasing regulatory focus. It is far preferable for the sector to take proactive steps, rather than to await the heavy hand of government or administration to force reluctant and costly compliance on the un‐prepared.
Interoceptive sensitivity, body image dissatisfaction, and body awareness in healthy individuals
Authors: Emanuelsen Lene , Drew Raechel , Köteles Ferenc
Published: December 2014

Relationships among interoceptive sensitivity (IS), body image dissatisfaction, body mass index (BMI), and self‐reported body awareness were investigated in a cross‐sectional study. Eighty‐two Norwegian high school students and 70 Hungarian undergraduate university students participated in the study. Subjects completed two questionnaires (Body Image Ideals Questionnaire – BIQ; Body Awareness Questionnaire – BAQ) followed by the assessment of interoceptive sensitivity using the Mental Tracking Method (MTM). An inverse, medium‐level relationship between body image dissatisfaction and IS was found in both the Norwegian and the Hungarian samples. The relationships between IS and self‐reported body awareness, and between body image dissatisfaction and BMI were uniformly non‐significant in both samples. Predictors of body image dissatisfaction were resting heart rate, gender, and IS in the regression analysis after controlling for BMI, age, and nationality. The negative relationship between IS and body image dissatisfaction described in patients with anorexia nervosa also exists in healthy individuals. There is no direct connection between IS and self‐reported body awareness.
Beyond the Comtean Schema: The Sociology of Culture and Cognition Versus Cognitive Social Science
Authors: Lizardo Omar
Published: December 2014

In this essay, I argue that the very form of the grammatical construction “a sociology of culture and cognition” (which is a specification of the more general schema “a sociology of [X]”) is symptomatic of a deeply entrenched form of “Primitive Classification” (which I will refer to as the “Comtean schema”) that governs the way in which sociologists conceive of their place in, and engage with other denizens of, the social science landscape. I will also argue that while this style of disciplinary engagement might have worked in the past when it came to dealing with the standard (nineteenth‐century) social science disciplines and even some late‐twentieth‐century upstarts, it will not work as a way to engage the now‐sprawling postdisciplinary field that I will refer to as “Cognitive Social Science” (CSS). The takeaway point is that if sociologists want to be part of CSS (and it is in their interest to be part of it because this constitutes the future of the behavioral sciences), then they will have to give up the Comtean‐schematic thought style.
Alloimmunization in sickle cell disease: changing antibody specificities and association with chronic pain and decreased survival
Authors: Telen Marilyn J. , Afenyi‐Annan Araba , Garrett Melanie E. , Combs Martha R. , Orringer Eugene P. , Ashley‐Koch Allison E.
Published: December 2014

Background

Alloimmunization remains a significant complication of transfusion and has been associated with multiple factors, including inflammation, an important pathophysiologic mechanism in sickle cell disease (SCD). We explored whether alloimmunization is associated with disease severity in SCD.

Study Design and Methods

Adult SCD patients were enrolled in a study of outcome‐modifying genes in SCD. Historical records of patients with SCD at two participating institutions were reviewed for data on antigen phenotype and alloimmunization. Differences in demographic, clinical, and laboratory findings; end‐organ damage; and overall disease severity were then compared between alloimmunized and nonalloimmunized patients.

Results

Of 319 patients, 87 (27%) were alloimmunized. Alloantibody specificities differed from those previously described, especially due to the significantly higher frequency of anti‐S. Although alloimmunization was not associated with frequency of vasoocclusive episodes, a higher percentage of alloimmunized patients had chronic pain, as defined by daily use of short‐acting narcotics (p = 0.006), long‐acting narcotics (p = 0.013), or both (p = 0.03). Additionally, alloimmunized patients had poorer survival (hazard ratio, 1.92; p = 0.01) and were more likely to have avascular necrosis (p = 0.024), end‐organ damage (p = 0.049), and red blood cell autoantibodies (p < 0.001), even after controlling for the effects of age, sex, and hemoglobin diagnosis. Alloimmunization was not associated with other SCD‐related complications, such as acute chest syndrome or stroke.

Conclusion

Alloimmunization in SCD may be associated with chronic pain, risk of end‐organ damage, and shorter survival. These novel findings suggest new directions for the investigation of immune response–mediated pathways common to alloimmunization and chronic pain.
Nucleic Acid Technology (NAT) testing for blood screening: impact of individual donation and Mini Pool – NAT testing on analytical sensitivity, screening sensitivity and clinical sensitivity
Authors: Shyamala V.
Published: December 2014

Globally, in a number of countries the donated blood is screened for serology markers for the Human immunodeficiency diseases‐1/2, the Hepatitis C virus (HCV), and the Hepatitis B virus (HBV). Several medium human development index (HDI) countries with reasonably high percentage of transfusion transmitted infections (TTI) are evaluating nucleic acid technology (NAT) assays to detect these viruses. Serology assays are performed on individual samples, while NAT is performed on either the individual donation (ID) or on a wide array of minipool (MP)‐NAT testing formats. The limit of detection of ID‐NAT assays equals the analytical sensitivity and that of pool testing reflects the pool size dependent decreased sensitivity also known as screening sensitivity. To many end users, it is not obvious that pool testing will have less sensitivity. In this review, mathematically predicted pool size dependent increase in risk days which is applicable to assays of all technologies is substantiated with published experimental results with NAT standards, clinical NAT only detected yields and detection misses by MP‐NAT. In the second half, the blood banking system in India, the donor base, and the variables in serology testing are discussed to explain the wide range of reported NAT yields at 1/300 to 1/17 753. Currently, NAT is not mandated in India, and the cost–benefit value of NAT is being seriously debated. As <5 IU/ml of HIV‐1 and HBV have resulted in TTIs, and nearly 83% of the HBV NAT yields in India have <20 IU/ml viral load, the most sensitive assay in the most sensitive format needs to be practiced to ensure maximum blood safety.
Berberine as a therapy for type 2 diabetes and its complications: From mechanism of action to clinical studies
Authors: Chang Wenguang , Chen Li , Hatch Grant M.
Published: December 2014

The incidence of type 2 diabetes is increasing rapidly worldwide, and the development of novel anti-diabetic drugs is emerging. However, most anti-diabetic drugs cannot be used in patients with hepatic dysfunction, renal disease, and heart disease, which makes pharmacological therapy of type 2 diabetes complicated. Despite continued introduction of novel agents, the search for an ideal drug that is useful as both a hypoglycemic agent and to reduce diabetes-related complications remains elusive. Berberine is an isoquinoline alkaloid extract that has shown promise as a hypoglycemic agent in the management of diabetes in animal and human studies. Mechanistic studies have revealed beneficial effects of berberine on diabetes-related complications. Although there have been few clinical reports of the anti-diabetic effects of berberine, little documentation of adverse effects in humans positions it as a potential candidate drug to treat type 2 diabetes. In the present review, the anti-diabetic mechanism of berberine, its effect on diabetes-related complications, and its recent use in human clinical studies is highlighted. In addition, we summarize the different treatments for type 2 diabetes in adults and children.
Label propagation algorithm based on local cycles for community detection
Authors: Zhang Xian-Kun , Fei Song , Song Chen , Tian Xue , Ao Yang-Yue
Published: December 2014

Label propagation algorithm (LPA) has been proven to be an extremely fast method for community detection in large complex networks. But an important issue of the algorithm has not yet been properly addressed that random update orders in label propagation process hamper the algorithm robustness of algorithm. We note that when there are multiple maximal labels among a node neighbors' labels, choosing a node' label from which there is a local cycle to the node instead of a random node' label can avoid the labels propagating among communities at random. In this paper, an improved LPA based on local cycles is given. We have evaluated the proposed algorithm on computer-generated networks with planted partition and some real-world networks whose community structure are already known. The result shows that the performance of the proposed approach is even significantly improved.
FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF THE HUMAN HEAD UNDER SIDE CAR CRASH IMPACTS AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS
Authors: DENG XINGQIAO , CHEN SHOU AN , PRABHU R. , JIANG YUANYUAN , MAO Y. , HORSTEMEYER M. F.
Published: December 2014

Mechanical response of the human head under a side car crash impact is crucial for modeling traumatic brain injuries (TBI) or concussions. The current advances in computational methods and the finite element models of the human head provide a significant opportunity for biomechanical study of brain injuries; however, limited experimental data is available for delineating the injury relationship between the head injury criteria (HIC) and the tensile pressure or von Mises stress. In this research, we assess human head injuries in a side impact car crash using finite element (FE) simulations that quantify the tensile pressures and maximum strain profiles. In doing so, five FE analyses for the human head have been carried out to investigate the correlations between the HIC measured in the dummy model at different moving deformable barrier (MDB) velocities increasing from 10 mph to 30 mph in 5 mph increments and the pressure and von Mises stress of the skull, the skin, the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) and the brain. The computational simulation results for the tensile pressures and von Mises stresses correlated well with the HIC15 and peak accelerations. Also a second-order polynomial seemed to fit the stress levels to the impact speeds and as such the presented method for using FE human head analysis could be used for reconstruction of head impacts in different side car crash conditions; furthermore, the head model would provide a tool for investigation of the cause and mechanisms of head injuries once the type and locations of injuries are quantified.
Structural and optical properties of KNN nanocubes synthesized by a green route using gelatin
Authors: Khorrami Gh. H. , Kompany A. , Zak A. Khorsand
Published: December 2014

Sodium potassium niobate nanoparticles [( K 0.5 Na 0.5) NbO 3, KNN ], KNN-NPs, were synthesized using a modified sol–gel method. Structural and optical properties of the prepared samples were investigated by thermogravometric analyzer (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman and UV–Vis spectroscopy. The XRD patterns showed that the formation of the orthorhombic KNN-NPs starts at 500°C calcination temperature. Raman spectroscopy was used to investigate the crystalline symmetry and the structural deformation of the prepared KNN-NPs. TEM images showed that the morphology of the prepared particles is cubic, with the average size of about 50 nm. From diffused reflectance spectroscopy along with using Kubelka–Munk method, the energy bandgaps were determined to be indirect with the values of 3.13 eV and 3.19 eV for the samples calcined at 500°C and 600°C, respectively.
Cone Beam Computed Topographic Evaluation and Endodontic Management of a Rare Mandibular First Molar with Four Distal Canals
Authors: Sinha Nidhi , Singh Bijay , Langaliya Akshay , Mirdha Nitin , Huda Irfanul , Jain Ashwin
Published: December 2014

Root canal system is complex to understand because of its unpredictable nature. It differs for different teeth and for the same teeth in different individuals. Successful endodontic therapy thus depends on the clinician’s ability to anticipate and look for these variations. A mandibular first molar with six root canals represents a rare anatomical variant, particularly when four canals are found in distal root. This case report discusses successful nonsurgical endodontic management of two-root mandibular first molar with four distal canals and two mesial canals reported for the first time in Indian population. Cone beam computed tomography was used as a diagnostic method to confirm the position and presence of 4 root canals in the distal root.
Chaotic Vibration and Comfort Analysis of Nonlinear Full‐Vehicle Model Excited by Consecutive Speed Control Humps
Authors: Yang Zhiyong , Liang Shan , Zhu Qin , Zhou Tong , Zeng Cheng
Published: December 2014

When vehicles are driven on consecutive speed control humps, the parameters of speed control humps such as height, width, and space and vehicle’s speed are the important factors to affect safety and comfort of passengers. The paper assumes that the excitation function of the consecutive speed control humps is a half‐sine wave and a SCHs‐speed coupling excitation model called 7‐DOF nonlinear full‐vehicle model and differential equation are established by introducing the time delay of incentive input and then by using numerical simulation to analyze chaotic vibration in 7‐DOF nonlinear full‐vehicle model excited by consecutive speed control humps. The numerical simulation results show that chaotic vibration phenomenon possibly appears as vehicles are driven on consecutive speed control humps. Further studies indicate that the influence of nonlinear running state of vehicle on driving comfort becomes manifest as the state changes from chaotic motions to the periodic motion of the high speed and the periodic motion of the low speed, and this phenomenon can be avoided by changing the parameters of consecutive speed control humps. The results can be applied in design of vehicle and road humps pavement.
Kinetics and Mechanism of Micellar Catalyzed Oxidation of Dextrose by N-Bromosuccinimide in H2SO4 Medium
Authors: Singh Minu
Published: December 2014

Kinetics and mechanism of micellar catalyzed N-bromosuccinimide oxidation of dextrose in H2SO4 medium was investigated under pseudo-first-order condition temperature of 40°C. The results of the reactions studied over a wide range of experimental conditions show that NBS shows a first order dependence, fractional order, on dextrose and negative fractional order dependence on sulfuric acid. The determined stoichiometric ratio was 1 : 1 (dextrose : N-bromosuccinimide). The variation of Hg(OAC)2 and succinimide (reaction product) has insignificant effect on reaction rate. Effects of surfactants, added acrylonitrile, added salts, and solvent composition variation have been studied. The Arrhenius activation energy and other thermodynamic activation parameters are evaluated. The rate law has been derived on the basis of obtained data. A plausible mechanism has been proposed from the results of kinetic studies, reaction stoichiometry, and product analysis. The role of anionic and nonionic micelle was best explained by the Berezin’s model.
A Cytogenetic Study on the Efficacy of Chyawanprash Awaleha as an Antioxidant in Oral Premalignant Cancer
Authors: Uma A. N. , Kotasthane Dhananjay S.
Published: December 2014

Background. Chyawanprash awaleha (Cp) is an Ayurvedic rasayana formulation and is used as a genoprotective agent.Objective. The present cytogenetic study has been done to investigate the efficacy of Cp against betel quid chewers suffering from oral precancerous lesions through satellite association (SA) assay.Materials and Methods. The frequency of SA was analyzed in 21 betel quid chewing oral precancerous lesions patients and then they were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 consisted of 15 patients, advised to quit betel quid chewing and fed with 20 gms of Cp, twice a day for three months. Group 2 consisted of 6 patients, who refused Cp feed but accepted to quit betel quid chewing. At the end of three months, both groups were assessed cytogenetically.Results. The frequency of SA was statistically significant in both groups, but an elevated mean difference was observed more in Group 1 than in Group 2.Conclusion. The study indicates that betel quid cessation reduces the effect of DNA damage in oral precancerous lesions. But the increased mean difference in SA in Group 1 compared to Group 2 clearly indicates that Cp can further minimize the genotoxic effect caused by mutagenic agents present in betel quid.
Aqueous Humor Cytokine Levels in Patients with Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy and Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Authors: Sakurada Yoichi , Nakamura Yuki , Yoneyama Seigo , Mabuchi Fumihiko , Gotoh Teruhiko , Tateno Yasushi , Sugiyama Atsushi , Kubota Takeo , Iijima Hiroyuki
Published: December 2014

Purpose: To investigate the possible roles of various cytokines or growth factors in the pathogenesis of exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) by comparing aqueous humor levels of 14 cytokines between eyes with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) and those with neovascular AMD. Methods: Forty eyes from 40 patients with treatment-naïve exudative AMD consisting of 18 eyes with neovascular AMD and 22 eyes with PCV were studied. Twenty eyes from 20 patients with no retinal pathology who underwent cataract surgery served as controls. Aqueous humor samples were collected just before intravitreal ranibizumab injection in 40 eyes with exudative AMD and before cataract surgery in 20 control eyes. Concentrations of 14 cytokines were determined by chemiluminescence-based ELISA: interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, IL-15, IL-17, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, interferon-γ-inducible protein (IP)-10 and C-reactive protein (CRP). Results: After adjusting for gender, age and axial length, concentrations of CRP and IP-10 were significantly higher in eyes with neovascular AMD or PCV compared with control eyes (p < 0.05), and IP-10 levels were strongly associated with lesion size (p = 0.002). None of the 14 cytokines, including VEGF, were significantly different between eyes with neovascular AMD and those with PCV. Conclusion: Aqueous humor concentrations of CRP and IP-10 were elevated in eyes with PCV or neovascular AMD. IP-10 could be associated with the pathogenesis of neovascular AMD and PCV. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel
Diabetic Patients Have Increased Perioperative Cardiac Risk in Heart-Type Fatty Acid-Binding Protein-Based Assessment
Authors: Sari Munevver , Kilic Harun , Karakurt Ariturk Ozlem , Yazihan Nuray , Akdemir Ramazan
Published: December 2014

Objective: To test the potential role of heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) in detecting increased perioperative cardiac risk in comparison with cardiac troponin I (cTnI) in the early postoperative period. Subjects and Methods: Sixty-seven patients who had clinical risk factors and underwent elective intermediate - or high-risk noncardiac surgery were included in this study. Serum specimens were analyzed for H-FABP and cTnI levels before and at 8 h after surgery. None of the patients had chest pain; 27 had a history of ischemic heart disease, 3 of heart failure, 5 of cerebrovascular diseases, 40 of diabetes and 46 of hypertension. Results: The mean duration of the operations was 2.33 ± 1.27 h (range 1-6). In the postoperative period, 27 (40.3%) patients had increased H-FABP levels (≥7.5 ng/ml); the median preoperative serum H-FABP level was 0.13 ng/ml (<0.1-5.9) and the median postoperative H-FABP level was 6.86 ng/ml (<0.1-13.7). Only 1 (1.5%) patient had cTnI >0.1 µg/l during the postoperative period. Correlation analysis revealed that the presence of diabetes was associated with an increased H-FABP level (r = 0.30, p = 0.01). Of the 27 patients with H-FABP ≥7.5 ng/ml, 21 (87%) had diabetes. There was no significant correlation with other clinical risk factors, type or duration of surgery. Conclusion: The H-FABP levels significantly increased in the postoperative period. Most patients with increased postoperative H-FABP levels were diabetic. High H-FABP levels could alert clinicians to increased perioperative cardiovascular risk and could prevent underdiagnosis, especially in diabetic patients.
Refractory Seborrheic Dermatitis of the Head in a Patient with Malignant Lymphoma
Authors: Okada Kayo , Endo Yuichiro , Fujisawa Akihiro , Tanioka Miki , Kabashima Kenji , Miyachi Yoshiki
Published: December 2014

Seborrheic dermatitis is an inflammatory eruption that tends to distribute on the sebaceous areas of the body and is rarely described as a paraneoplasia. Here we report a case with a responsive seborrheic dermatitis-like eruption of the head which resulted in generalized erythroderma. Intensive examinations detected concurrent malignant lymphoma.
Dissociable Effects of Motivation and Expectancy on Conflict Processing: An fMRI Study
Authors: Soutschek Alexander , Stelzel Christine , Paschke Lena , Walter Henrik , Schubert Torsten
Published: December 2014

Previous studies suggest that both motivation and task difficulty expectations activate brain regions associated with cognitive control. However, it remains an open question whether motivational and cognitive determinants of control have similar or dissociable impacts on conflict processing on a neural level. The current study tested the effects of motivation and conflict expectancy on activity in regions related to processing of the target and the distractor information. Participants performed a picture–word interference task in which we manipulated the size of performance-dependent monetary rewards (level of motivation) and the ratio of congruent to incongruent trials within a block (level of conflict expectancy). Our results suggest that motivation improves conflict processing by facilitating task-relevant stimulus processing and task difficulty expectations mainly modulate the processing of distractor information. We conclude that motivation and conflict expectancy engage dissociable control strategies during conflict resolution.
Working Memory Delay Activity Predicts Individual Differences in Cognitive Abilities
Authors: Unsworth Nash , Fukuda Keisuke , Awh Edward , Vogel Edward K.
Published: December 2014

A great deal of prior research has examined the relation between estimates of working memory and cognitive abilities. Yet, the neural mechanisms that account for these relations are still not very well understood. The current study explored whether individual differences in working memory delay activity would be a significant predictor of cognitive abilities. A large number of participants performed multiple measures of capacity, attention control, long-term memory, working memory span, and fluid intelligence, and latent variable analyses were used to examine the data. During two working memory change detection tasks, we acquired EEG data and examined the contralateral delay activity. The results demonstrated that the contralateral delay activity was significantly related to cognitive abilities, and importantly these relations were because of individual differences in both capacity and attention control. These results suggest that individual differences in working memory delay activity predict individual differences in a broad range of cognitive abilities, and this is because of both differences in the number of items that can be maintained and the ability to control access to working memory.
Training-induced Changes in the Dynamics of Attention as Reflected in Pupil Dilation
Authors: Willems Charlotte , Damsma Atser , Wierda Stefan M. , Taatgen Niels , Martens Sander
Published: December 2014

One of the major topics in attention literature is the attentional blink (AB), which demonstrates a limited ability to identify the second of two targets (T1 and T2) when presented in close temporal succession (200–500 msec). Given that the effect has been thought of as robust and resistant to training for over two decades, one of the most remarkable findings in recent years is that the AB can be eliminated after a 1-hr training with a color-salient T2. However, the underlying mechanism of the training effect as well as the AB itself is as of yet still poorly understood. To elucidate this training effect, we employed a refined version of our recently developed pupil dilation deconvolution method to track any training-induced changes in the amount and onset of attentional processing in response to target stimuli. Behaviorally, we replicated the original training effect with a color-salient T2. However, we showed that training without a salient target, but with a consistent short target interval, is already sufficient to attenuate the AB. Pupil deconvolution did not reveal any posttraining changes in T2-related dilation but instead an earlier onset of dilation around T1. Moreover, normalized pupil dilation was enhanced posttraining compared with pretraining. We conclude that the AB can be eliminated by training without a salient cue. Furthermore, our data point to the existence of temporal expectations at the time points of the trained targets posttraining. Therefore, we tentatively conclude that temporal expectations arise as a result of training.
De-Spiritualizing Pneuma
Authors: Robertson Paul
Published: December 2014

This paper is one of several presented at the 2010sbl naasrsession in Atlanta concerning anachronism and translation in the study of early Christianity. It argues that the concept ofpneuma’s central importance to Paul’s thought makes it a prime candidate to remain untranslated in scholarship. Most scholarship onpneumatranslates this word ‘Spirit’, which imports normative Christian theological implications. This reflects a modern, Western understanding of religion that is derived from thinkers like Kant and Descartes, which privileges dualisms of mind/body and material/spirit, and which foregrounds the importance of a private, internal, subjective religious experience anachronistic relative to Paul. I redress this through a theoretical shift toward contextualizing Paul’s understanding ofpneumaas a physiological process with analogues in ancient Greco-Roman medical thought. This approach is briefly compared to other influential accounts ofpneumain New Testament studies, and subsequently treats several Pauline passages within this new lens.
Outline of a Relational Approach to ‘Nonreligion’
Authors: Quack Johannes
Published: December 2014

This article proposes a programmatic approach to study nonreligion relationally. “Nonreligion” denotes phenomena that are generally not considered religious but whose significance is more or less dependent on religion (atheists are an obvious example). This approach draws on sociological field-theory to outline how different modes of nonreligiosity result from different configurations of the religious field they relate or are related to, influenced by the cultural and socio-political backgrounds of different societies. Furthermore, modes of nonreligion can be distinguished by different ways of relating to religion. While this relationship is primarily “negative” in some cases, most examples display “positive” characteristics, such as the reference to secular morality through humanism and human rights or the stress of alternative worldviews based on science and naturalism. The article concludes that the diversity of nonreligion ought to be studied in its own right and on the basis of empirical research that focuses on religious-nonreligious entanglements.
CRITICAL STUDY IN SEARCH OF AN INTEGRATIVE VISION FOR TECHNOLOGY
Authors: Verkerk Maarten J.
Published: December 2014

In April 2006, I was invited to present a discussion paper at a conference of the Centre for Philosophy, Technology and Social Systems (CPTS). The Centre is one of the few initiatives where reformational philosophers and engineers meet to discuss issues of Science, Technology and Society. The main actors in this network are Sytse Strijbos (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands) and Andrew Basden (University of Salford, United Kingdom). Recently, the results of this longstanding cooperation between the members of this Centre were presented in a solid work entitled In Search of an Integrative Vision for Technology: Interdisciplinary Studies in Information Systems (2006) (S. Strijbos and A. Basden (eds), Springer, New York). In this book an integrative vision has been developed from a Dooyeweerdian perspective. Therefore, it is worthwhile to introduce this group and its main lines of thought. In this critical study I introduce the CPTS (section 1), highlight some main ideas of this study (section 2), discuss the use of the Dooyeweerdian ontology (section 3), enrich the idea of human practices (section 4), explore directional perspectives in relation to society and organisations (section 5), and draw some conclusions (section 6).
WAARHEID, GELOOF EN WETEN – THOMAS VERSUS BERNARDUS
Authors: Goris Wouter
Published: December 2014

In deze bijdrage worden twee alternatieve visies op de verhouding van geloof en weten geschetst aan de hand van twee middeleeuwse denkers: Bernardus van Clairvaux en Thomas van Aquino. De auteur betoogt dat zowel de ‘rationalistische’ positie van Thomas van Aquino als de ‘anti-rationalistische’ positie van Bernardus van Clairvaux beide, geloof en rede, als op waarheid betrokken zien, waarmee zicht wordt geboden op het wijsgerige belang van dit vermeende anti-rationalisme.
A RESPONSE TO ROY CLOUSER’S ARISTOTELIAN INTERPRETATION OF DOOYEWEERD
Authors: Friesen J. Glenn
Published: December 2014

Roy Clouser has recently compared the philosophy of Herman Dooyeweerd and Aristotle. He finds their ontology to be “strikingly similar” except that Dooyeweerd has a different “divinity belief” concerning the Origin or Archè of the cosmos (Clouser 2009, 22 fn.17, 23, 28, and 45). This common ontology involves the abstraction of properties and laws from concrete things and events. A property can be referred to using predicate logic, in the form “x is y.” For example, “x is heavy.” Or “x is red.” Abstraction isolates that property or predicate from the thing or event that “exhibits” the property (Clouser 2009, 36).
EMERGENT EVOLUTION, AUGUSTINE, INTELLIGENT DESIGN, AND MIRACLES
Authors: Gousmett Chris
Published: December 2014

Jacob Klapwijk appeals to Augustine on two distinct issues which are closely linked. The first concerns the approach to which Klapwijk commits himself: faith seeking understanding. He calls it Augustinian. I show in this essay that there is a considerable gap between what Augustine means by it and what Klapwijk does with it. Augustine means that what I believe I must seek to understand. Klapwijk means that faith opens up the whole world of science and philosophy to the believer. The second issue is that Klapwijk finds in the Church Father a view of time which he wants to appropriate: God created out of nothing and thus time itself is also a creature which began with the creation. I show that his affirmation of this doctrine comes with a price. He cannot simply set aside what he calls Scholasticism. In the final paragraph I attempt to show that at a deeper level Klapwijk does indeed stand in the Augustinian tradition.
NOTHING IN EVOLUTIONARY THEORY MAKES SENSE EXCEPT IN THE LIGHT OF CREATION
Authors: Klapwijk Jacob
Published: December 2014

The author enters into discussion with colleagues about their comments regarding Purpose in the Living World? and the theory of emergent evolution. First he discusses the alleged irrationality of emergence, the intimate connection between material and living nature, and the questionability of type-laws in the manner of Dooyeweerd. He then addresses the topic of purpose in evolution and the impasse in the evolutionary debate between Dooyeweerd and Lever, colleagues at the VU University in Amsterdam. Finally he considers whether the theory of emergence is correct in its appeal to Augustine, and whether it is in agreement with the concept of theistic evolution.
EXTENDING THE THEORY OF NORMATIVE PRACTICES: AN APPLICATION TO TWO CASES OF NETWORKED MILITARY OPERATIONS
Authors: van Burken Christine G. , de Vries Marc J.
Published: December 2014

The theory of normative practices has proven to be helpful in eliciting the normative dimension of social practices. In this article we apply the theory to military practice. Since current military missions are Network Enabled Operations, which mandate a strong focus on cooperation with other military and non-military partners, an additional framework is needed to understand actual problems in such missions. We have extended the theory of normative practices with interrelations (enkaptic, part-whole, and juxtapositional). Two cases from missions in Afghanistan have been analyzed to show the usefulness of the theory of normative practices and its extension with interrelations.
Submeso Motions within the Stable Boundary Layer and Their Relationships to Local Indicators and Synoptic Regime in Moderately Complex Terrain
Authors: Hoover Joshua D. , Stauffer David R. , Richardson Scott J. , Mahrt Larry , Gaudet Brian J. , Suarez Astrid
Published: December 2014

To better understand the physical processes of the stable boundary layer and to quantify “submeso motions” in moderately complex terrain, exploratory case-study analyses were performed using observational field data supplemented by gridded North American Regional Reanalysis data and Pennsylvania State University real-time Weather Research and Forecasting Model output. Submeso motions are nominally defined as all motions between the largest turbulent scales and the smallest mesoscales. Seven nighttime cases from August and September of 2011 are chosen from a central Pennsylvania [“Rock Springs” (RS)] network of eight ground-based towers and two sound detection and ranging (sodar) systems . The observation network is located near Tussey Ridge, ~15 km southeast of the Allegheny Mountains. The seven cases are classified by the dominant synoptic-flow direction and proximity to terrain to assess the influence of synoptic conditions on the local submeso and mesogamma motions. It is found that synoptic winds with a large crossing angle over nearby Tussey Ridge can generate mesogamma wave motions and larger-magnitude submeso temperature and wind fluctuations in the RS network than do winds from the direction of the more distant Allegheny Mountains. Cases with synoptic winds that are nearly parallel to the topographic contours or are generally weak exhibit the smallest fluctuations. Changes in the magnitude of near-surface submeso temperature and wind fluctuations in response to local indicator variables are also analyzed. The observed submeso wind and temperature fluctuations are generally larger when the low-level wind speed and thermal stratification, respectively, are greater, but the synoptic flow and its relation to the terrain also play an important role.