bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
UV‐radiation and elevated temperatures induce formation of reactive oxygen species in gametophytes of cold‐temperate/Arctic kelps (Laminariales, Phaeophyceae)
Authors: Müller Ruth , Desel Christine , Steinhoff Franciska S. , Wiencke Christian , Bischof Kai
Published: December 2011

Enhanced UV‐radiation (UVR) through stratospheric ozone depletion and global warming are crucial stressors to marine macroalgae. Damages may arise through formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in gametophytes of ecologically important kelps, brown algae of the order Laminariales, Such stress‐induced damages may have a negative impact on their fitness and further impact their following life stages. In our study, gametophytes of three kelp species Alaria esculenta (L.) Grev., Laminaria digitata (Huds.) Lamour., Saccharina latissima (L.) Lane, Mayes, Druehl, Saunders from the Arctic, and of L. hyperborea (Gunnerus) Foslie from the North Sea were exposed to photosynthetically active radiation, UV‐A, and UV‐B radiation and four temperatures (2–18°C). ROS are formed predominantly in the peripheral cytoplasm and in chloroplasts especially after exposure to UVR. Superoxide (O2*‐) is additionally formed in small, globular cytoplasmic structures, possibly mitochondria. In the surrounding medium O2*‐‐concentration increased markedly at elevated temperatures and under UV stress in some cases. Ultrastructural damage was negligible pointing to a high stress tolerance of this developmental stage. Our data indicate that stress tolerant gametophytes of three Arctic kelp species should sustain their crucial function as seed bank for kelp populations even under prospective rising environmental perturbations.
Influence of fine‐scale habitat requirements and riparian degradation on the distribution of the purple‐crowned fairy‐wren (Malurus coronatus coronatus) in northern Australia
Authors: SKROBLIN ANJA , LEGGE SARAH
Published: December 2011

Species distributions are influenced by variation in environmental conditions across many scales. Knowledge of fine‐scale habitat requirements is important for predicting species occurrence and identifying suitable habitat for target species. Here we investigate the perplexing distribution of a riparian habitat specialist, the western subspecies of the purple‐crowned fairy‐wren (Malurus coronatus coronatus), in relation to fine‐scale habitat associations and patterns of riparian degradation. Surveys of vegetation attributes, river structure and disturbance indicators that are likely to be causal determinants of the species occurrence were undertaken at 635 sites across 14 catchments. Generalized Linear Mixed Modelling demonstrated that the probability of purple‐crowned fairy‐wren occurrence increased with Pandanus aquaticus crown cover, shrub density and height of emergent trees, while riparian structure and signs of cattle were indirect predictors of occurrence. As our study area predominantly contained Pandanus type habitat, we failed to identify river grass as an important component of habitat. Predictions from a cross‐validated model of purple‐crowned fairy‐wren occurrence suggested distribution is constrained by three factors: (i) low quality of local habitat within catchments where the species occurs; (ii) broad‐scale reduction in habitat quality that has resulted in extinction of the species from parts of its range; and (iii) unmeasured variables that limit the exploitation of suitable habitat. The reliance of the species on dense shrubby understorey suggests conservation efforts should aim to maintain the complexity of understorey structure by managing fire and grazing intensity. Efforts to halt the continuing decline of riparian condition and maintain connectivity between areas of quality habitat will help to ensure persistence of riparian habitat specialists in northern Australia.
Growth of juvenile and sapling trees differs with both fire season and understorey type: Trade‐offs and transitions out of the fire trap in an Australian savanna
Authors: WERNER PATRICIA A.
Published: December 2011

Canopy tree populations in mesic savannas are often bimodal with few saplings but many smaller individuals of indeterminate age that repeatedly suffer topkill and regenerate from underground tissues. Little is known about growth rates or mechanisms that allow subadult trees to reach the canopy. The wooded savannas of northern Australia have high frequencies of dry‐season fires. In a 32 400‐m2 field experiment, 2405 juveniles (<150‐cm height) and saplings (150–499 cm) of the eucalypt canopy species were individually marked and measured the year prior to fires set in three different seasons and again at the end of the growing season (without fires) a year later. Trees in unburnt plots served as controls. All fire treatments were repeated in plots dominated by the most common understorey, a native annual grass (sorghum) and in plots dominated by perennial native species; these produce different fuels for fires and competitive regimes for young trees. After early dry‐season fires, height growth of larger juveniles and all saplings was significantly enhanced, especially in sorghum. After late dry‐ or wet‐season fires, juvenile trees grew well, but all of the small saplings (150‐ to 299‐cm height) were reduced to ‘juveniles’ and did not recover pre‐fire heights but, instead, produced many new basal (coppice) stems. Late, dry‐season fires reduced more than 80% of large saplings (300–499 cm) to juvenile size in sorghum, whereas in non‐sorghum, 60% of the trees grew to poles (500–999 cm). The results demonstrate that juvenile and sapling growth responses to fire and the probability of subadult trees reaching the canopy are related to fire–understorey interactions, and suggest that the mechanisms include morphological and carbohydrate storage dynamics which vary with tree size and life history stage. The key to successful management of a sustainable woody canopy lies in the understorey.
Applications of fractography for aircraft defect causal analysis
Authors: CONOR P. C. , JAMES A. D. , HOLLIS M. J. , CAMPBELL S. K.
Published: December 2011

Aircraft maintainers and accident investigators routinely seek advice from materials scientists and engineers about the cause of cracks and fractures in air vehicle components. Experience has shown that further failures are more likely to be avoided if the fractographic assessment is carried out in lockstep with the wider evaluation of relevant engineering and operational factors. If possible the fractographer should be in a position to understand the function of the defective component and should be able to assess how this might be affected by the operation of the aircraft system as a whole, and how failure of the component might affect operation of the aircraft. This paper provides evidence from a set of investigations that support the need for a systems approach to failure analysis of aircraft structure and propulsion component defects when causal factors are complex. Effective failure avoidance can be achieved in this way.
Ní cothram na Féinne é sin: Cricket, Lexicography and Cultural Purity in Ireland1
Authors: CRONIN MIKE , CONCHUBHAIR BRIAN Ó
Published: December 2011

This article explores the relationship between the game of cricket and the Irish language in Ireland. In our analysis, dictionaries are invoked as indices of formations of cultural purity and political power, documents of defiance, tools of codification, assertions of confidence, representations of linguistic identity. By examining the treatment of the term “cricket” in Irish language dictionaries from the eighteenth‐century to the present day, we find an index of cultural values, responding and adapting to ongoing changing cultural power and capital. This demonstrates how the game, and its translated presence in the lexicography of the native language, functions as a form of cultural hybridity in the nineteenth‐century, yet is cleansed in the twentieth as part of the process of Irish cultural purity (as it fights for an established postcolonial nationhood). The article offers a new way of understanding social and linguistic conventions, in the context of the colonial/postcolonial, and how such conventions function in the field of sport. Given the dominance (with the exception of India) of English as the lingua franca of sport's colonial and ludic diffusion, the article's ability to access and interrogate the processes of inclusion/exclusion in the linguistic and sporting Irish setting marks it out as an original and innovative way of understanding how cultural transfers occurred and were later annulled.
COSTS OF HOUSING CRISES: INTERNATIONAL EVIDENCE
Authors: Aßmann Christian , Boysen‐Hogrefe Jens , Jannsen Nils
Published: December 2011

This paper analyses the costs of housing crises in terms of GDP growth and the economic conditions under which crises are particularly costly. Housing crises are often followed by recessions that are longer than other recessions. According to empirical estimates, a housing crisis reduces the GDP growth rate in the following year on average by two percentage points and has still a considerable negative impact in the second year. One important channel through which the effect of housing crises is passed on seems to be the banking sector. In addition, our results suggest that negative wealth effects possibly cause further reductions in GDP growth.
ENDOGENOUS TIMING AND STRATEGIC CHOICE: THE COURNOT‐BERTRAND MODEL
Authors: Tremblay Victor J. , Tremblay Carol Horton , Isariyawongse Kosin
Published: December 2011

Cournot establishes a Nash equilibrium to a duopoly game under output competition; Bertrand finds a different Nash equilibrium under price competition. Both treat the strategic choice variable (output versus price) and the timing of play as exogenous. We investigate Cournot‐Bertrand models where one firm competes in output and the other competes in price in both static and dynamic settings. We also develop a general model where both the timing of play and the strategic choice variables are endogenous. Consistent with the conduct of Honda and Scion, we show that Cournot‐Bertrand behaviour can be a Nash equilibrium outcome.
DO REAL INTEREST RATES REALLY CONTAIN A UNIT ROOT? MORE EVIDENCE FROM A BOOTSTRAP COVARIATE UNIT ROOT TEST
Authors: LEE CHENG‐FENG , TSONG CHING‐CHUAN
Published: December 2011

This paper re‐examines the empirical finding that international real interest rates usually have a unit root. This conclusion is put forth in Rapach and Weber (2004), using the Ng and Perron (2001) tests. We use Rudebusch's (1993) approach to construct the small sample distributions of the Ng and Perron tests, and calculate their asymptotic sizes, size‐adjusted powers and rejection rates. These numbers show that the lack of power in the Ng and Perron tests might account for the findings of Rapach and Weber (2004): that the unit root null cannot be rejected for most OECD countries. Size distortions are mild in the case of Ng and Perron tests for two series, but are serious for the Phillips and Perron Z‐test on inflation rates. We then apply a powerful covariate augmented Dickey–Fuller unit root test to examine the series for which stationarity cannot be determined with the Ng and Perron tests. The bootstrap technique is also used to control possible size distortions. In contrast to the results of Rapach and Weber (2004), the bootstrap covariate augmented Dickey–Fuller test yields striking evidence that real interest rates are stationary for 14 of 16 OECD countries, because nominal interest rates are stationary for the 14 countries, while inflation rates are stationary for all countries.
Social work and the environment: An ecosocial approach
Authors: Norton Christine Lynn
Published: December 2011

Norton CL. Social work and the environment: An ecosocial approach

This article draws on insights from social work, ecopsychology and ecofeminism to inform an ecosocial approach honouring humans' interconnectedness with nature. It re‐examines social work's ecosystems perspective and redefines its central ‘person‐in‐environment’ configuration to embrace a broadened emphasis on the natural world. It identifies insights from ecofeminism on the parallels between the oppression of women and domination of nature, and presents feminist ways of relating that may enhance connection with the planet as a whole. It introduces the concepts of empathy and empowerment from relational cultural theory as important ideas to integrate with social work's ecosystems perspective to promote deeper awareness of this connection. Finally, the ecosocial approach thus derived is examined as a means of promoting environmental sustainability at all levels of social work practice.
Australian child protection services: A game without end
Authors: Hansen Patricia , Ainsworth Frank
Published: December 2011

Hansen P, Ainsworth F. Australian child protection services: A game without end

This article argues that Australian child protection services are based on an error of logical typing. Across time, this has led to an over‐reliance on mandatory reporting legislation, a forensic/investigative/prosecutorial model of practice, a risk‐averse organisational culture and zero tolerance of any imperfections in parenting practices which are defined as child abuse and neglect regardless of their severity. All of these positions ignore powerful social stressors that surround complex family situations where abuse and neglect can occur. It is proposed that this error of logical typing is confirmed by the well‐documented fact that Australian child protection services have for more than two decades been unable to prevent or reduce the incidence of child abuse and neglect. For this article, New South Wales is used as the exemplar state.
G.H. Mead's Understanding of the Nature of Speech in the Light of Contemporary Research
Authors: GALLAGHER TIMOTHY J.
Published: December 2011

The following analysis demonstrates that G.H. Mead's understanding of human speech (what Mead often referred to as “the vocal gesture”) is remarkably consistent with today's interdisciplinary field that studies speech as a natural behavior with an evolutionary history. Mead seems to have captured major empirical and theoretical insights more than half a century before the contemporary field began to take shape. In that field the framework known as “Tinbergen's Four Questions,” developed in ecology to study naturally occurring behavior in nonhuman animals, has been an effective organizing framework for research on human speech. It is used in this paper to organize the comparison of Mead with contemporary scholars. The analysis concludes that Mead was, in a sense, “beyond” the Four Questions by recognizing the limitations of reductionist methods in understanding the nature of conscious phenomena, especially language. Mead's socially situated model of the nature of human speech makes him relevant to today's field where some see an undervaluation of the treatment of language as a social process.
I can't imagine doing anything else': why do teachers of children with SEN remain in the profession? Resilience, rewards and realism over time
Authors: Mackenzie Suzanne
Published: December 2011

There has been a substantial amount of research on why teachers leave the profession but little on why they stay. The paper will follow Day et al.'s work (2007) in examining the factors that determine which teachers will maintain resilience and stay in the profession, focusing particularly on those who worked as special educational needs co‐ordinators (SENCOs), analysing the careers of 19 teachers who had been in the profession for more than 15 years.

Data were gathered by focus groups and life history interviews taking a qualitative, narrative enquiry approach.

This research found that some situated factors in schools were found to contribute positively and/or negatively to teachers' efficacy, commitment and perceived effectiveness. Personal influences were also significant and included having children, salary requirements and flexible working patterns. An important factor, and unique to this research, was a commitment to working with children with SEN, and all respondents wanted to continue doing this in some capacity in the future. The paper concludes with the implications for policy and practice and considers possible strategies for maintaining teachers' resilience across their careers.
Dissociated time course recovery between rate of force development and peak torque after eccentric exercise
Authors: Molina Renato , Denadai Benedito S.
Published: December 2011

This study investigated the association between Isokinetic peak torque (PT) of quadriceps and the corresponding peak rate of force development (peak RFD) during the recovery of eccentric exercise. Twelve untrained men (aged 21·7 ± 2·3 year) performed 100 maximal eccentric contractions for knee extensors (10 sets of 10 repetitions with a 2‐min rest between each set) on isokinetic dynamometer. PT and peak RFD accessed by maximal isokinetic knee concentric contractions at 60° s−1 were obtained before (baseline) and at 24 and 48 h after eccentric exercise. Indirect markers of muscle damage included delayed onset of muscle soreness (DOMS) and plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity. The eccentric exercise resulted in elevated DOMS and CK compared with baseline values. At 24 h, PT (−15·3%, P = 0·002) and peak RFD (−13·1%, P = 0·03) decreased significantly. At 48 h, PT (−7·9%, P = 0·002) was still decreased but peak RFD have returned to baseline values. Positive correlation was found between PT and peak RFD at baseline (r = 0·62, P = 0·02), 24 h (r = 0·99, P = 0·0001) and 48 h (r = 0·68, P = 0·01) after eccentric exercise. The magnitude of changes (%) in PT and peak RFD from baseline to 24 h (r = 0·68, P = 0·01) and from 24 to 48 h (r = 0·68, P = 0·01) were significantly correlated. It can be concluded that the muscle damage induced by the eccentric exercise affects differently the time course of PT and peak RFD recovery during isokinetic concentric contraction at 60° s−1. During the recovery from exercise‐induced muscle damage, PT and peak RFD are determined but not fully defined by shared putative physiological mechanisms.
Thymidine kinase assay in canine lymphoma
Authors: Elliott J. W. , Cripps P. , Blackwood L.
Published: December 2011

The aim of the study was to evaluate if thymidine kinase (TK) correlated with duration of first remission (DFR) or survival in dogs with lymphoma and if initial TK levels correlated with stage and substage; and also to assess if TK level at diagnosis correlated with immunophenotype. TK was assayed in 73 dogs with treatment naïve lymphoma, then again after treatment; 47% had an initial TK above the reference interval. Dogs with B‐cell lymphoma had higher initial TK activities than dogs with T‐cell lymphoma. TK levels were not higher in dogs with higher stage disease and TK activity prior to treatment was not associated with DFR or survival. Where TK was elevated at diagnosis, it fell into the reference range during remission. TK was normal in 53% dogs at diagnosis, which is higher than previously reported. Further studies are warranted to assess the utility of TK in dogs with lymphoma.
The juxtaposition of eclogite and mid‐crustal rocks in the Orlica–Śnieżnik Dome, Bohemian Massif
Authors: ŠTÍPSKÁ P. , CHOPIN F. , SKRZYPEK E. , SCHULMANN K. , PITRA P. , LEXA O. , MARTELAT J. E. , BOLLINGER C. , ŽÁČKOVÁ E.
Published: December 2011

Eclogite, felsic orthogneiss and garnet–staurolite metapelite occur in a 5 km long profile in the area of Międzygórze in the Orlica–Śnieżnik dome (Bohemian Massif). Petrographic observations and mineral equilibria modelling, in the context of detailed structural work, are used to document the close juxtaposition of high‐pressure and medium‐pressure rocks. The structural succession in all lithologies shows an early shallow‐dipping fabric, S1, that is folded by upright folds and overprinted by a heterogeneously developed subvertical foliation, S2. Late recumbent folds associated with a weak shallow‐dipping axial‐plane cleavage, S3, occur locally. The S1 fabric in the eclogite is defined by alternation of garnet‐rich (grs = 22–29 mol.%) and omphacite‐rich (jd = 33–36 mol.%) layers with oriented muscovite (Si = 3.26–3.31 p.f.u.) and accessory kyanite, zoisite, rutile and quartz, indicating conditions of ∼19–22 kbar and ∼700–750 °C. The assemblage in the retrograde S2 fabric is formed by amphibole, plagioclase, biotite and relict rutile surrounded by ilmenite and sphene that is compatible with decompression and cooling from ∼9 kbar and ∼730 °C to 5–6 kbar and 600–650 °C. The S3 fabric contains in addition domains with albite, chlorite, K‐feldspar and magnetite indicating cooling to greenschist facies conditions. The metapelites are composed of garnet, staurolite, muscovite, biotite, quartz, ilmenite and chlorite. Chemical zoning of garnet cores that contain straight ilmenite and staurolite inclusion trails oriented perpendicular to the external S2 fabric indicates prograde growth, from ∼5 kbar and ∼520 °C to ∼7 kbar and ∼610 °C, during the formation of the S1 fabric. Inclusion trails parallel with the S2 fabric at garnet and staurolite rims are interpreted to be a continuation of the prograde path to ∼7.5 and ∼630 °C in the S2 fabric. Matrix chlorite parallel to the S2 foliation indicates that the subvertical fabric was still active below 550 °C. The axial planar S2 fabrics developed during upright folding are associated with retrogression of the eclogite under amphibolite facies conditions, and with prograde evolution in the metapelites, associated with their juxtaposition. The shared part of the eclogite and metapelite P–T paths during the development of the subvertical fabric reflects their exhumation together.
Partial Aneurysmectomy is Effective in Managing Aneurysm‐associated Complications of Arteriovenous Fistulae for Hemodialysis: Case Series and Literature Review
Authors: Almehmi Ammar , Wang Shouwen
Published: December 2011

Fistula aneurysms are commonly seen and usually do not affect fistula function for hemodialysis. However, these aneurysms are associated with complications that increase the risk of fistula bleeding and loss. The common feature of these complications is that the diseased tissues usually affect a localized area of an aneurysm. Accordingly, we developed a targeted intervention “partial aneurysmectomy” in which only the diseased area was resected. In this report, we sought to examine the outcomes of partial aneurysmectomies performed in 36 cases for the following indications: active bleeding (14%), skin scab plus fistula defect in imminent danger of bleeding (33%), skin necrosis and erosion (28%), and thin‐walled aneurysm in danger of rupture (25%). Postoperatively, all patients continued hemodialysis using their fistulae. During 2–18‐month follow‐up, all fistulae but one were functional and required no intervention on the repaired areas. At 6 months, the aneurysm primary patency, fistula primary patency, and fistula‐assisted primary patency rates were 97%, 56%, and 97%, respectively. In conclusion, partial aneurysmectomy is a simple and effective intervention for managing aneurysm‐associated complications and preserving fistula function. Owing to its advantages over other interventions, we recommend partial aneurysmectomy as first‐line choice for managing aneurysm‐associated complications.
Angioplasty and Stenting of a Jugular‐Carotid Fistula Resulting from the Inadvertent Placement of a Hemodialysis Catheter: Case Report and Review of Literature
Authors: Wadhwa Rishi , Toms Jamie , Nanda Anil , Abreo Kenneth , Cuellar Hugo
Published: December 2011

Hemodialysis catheterization through the right internal jugular vein (IJV) is widely used for mid‐ to long‐term hemodialysis for patients with renal failure. The purpose of this report is to address a serious complication in conjunction with this procedure. This is a case report of an iatrogenic jugular‐carotid fistula (JCF) and a method for rectifying such a vascular conundrum, using endovascular techniques. We describe the technique used to achieve closure of the fistula as well a review of the literature. An 82‐year‐old woman with history of congestive heart failure, chronic renal failure, and diabetes mellitus developed an iatrogenic arteriovenous fistula, following an attempt of canalizing the right IJV. The patient was treated using three different stents, which achieved closure of the fistula. Venous catheter misplacement into an artery is a serious complication. Early endovascular treatment should be considered for a JCF.
Treatment Outcomes of Secondarily Impetiginized Pediatric Atopic Dermatitis Lesions and the Role of Oral Antibiotics
Authors: Travers Jeffrey B. , Kozman Amal , Yao Yongxue , Ming Wenyu , Yao Weiguo , Turner Mathew J. , Kaplan Mark H. , Mousdicas Nico , Haggstrom Anita N. , Saha Chandan
Published: December 2011

Abstract:  Patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) are predisposed to infection with Staphylococcus aureus, which worsens their skin disease; it has been postulated that the lack of antimicrobial peptides due to aberrant allergic inflammation in skin with AD could mediate this enhanced bacterial susceptibility. We sought to characterize the amounts of S. aureus and biological products found in infected AD lesions and whether treatment with topical corticosteroids and oral cephalexin as the only antimicrobial improved outcomes. Fifty‐nine children with clinically and S. aureus–positive impetiginized lesions of AD were enrolled in this study. A lesion was graded clinically using the Eczema Area and Severity Index, and wash fluid was obtained from the lesion for quantitative bacterial culture and antibiotic sensitivities and measurement of bacterial products and cytokines. Subjects were re‐evaluated 2 weeks after treatment. Improvement in the clinical and inflammatory characteristics of impetiginized lesions were noted, even in the 15% of lesions infected with Methicillin‐resistant S. aureus (MRSA). In a subgroup of subjects whose lesions did not contain S. aureus 2 weeks after initiating treatment, beta‐defensin levels were higher at both visits than in normal skin. Treatment of uncomplicated impetiginized pediatric AD with topical corticosteroids and cephalexin results in significant clinical improvement, even in subjects infected with MRSA. We propose that the inhibition of abnormal inflammation by the treatment regimen, resulting in the high levels of defensins, is involved in the improvement of AD and that systemic antibiotics do not appear to be necessary in secondary impetiginized AD.
The electroencephalogram of idiopathic generalized epilepsy
Authors: Seneviratne Udaya , Cook Mark , D’Souza Wendyl
Published: December 2011

Idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE) is classified into several subsyndromes based on clinical and electroencephalography (EEG) features. The EEG signature of IGE is bisynchronous, symmetric, and generalized spike‐wave complex; although focal, irregular, and so called “fragments” of discharges are not uncommon. Other characteristic EEG features include polyspikes, polyspike‐wave discharges, occipital intermittent rhythmic delta activity, and photoparoxysmal response. Both human and animal data suggest involvement of the thalamus and the cortex in the generation of spike‐wave discharges in IGE. Circadian variations of generalized epileptiform discharges are well described, and these can be useful in diagnostic confirmation. Those discharges tend to occur more often after awakening and during cyclic alternating pattern phase‐A of non–rapid eye movement sleep. Activation procedures such as hyperventilation, intermittent photic stimulation, eye closure, and fixation‐off are useful techniques to increase the yield of both interictal and ictal EEG abnormalities. Although not in routine use, specific triggers such as pattern stimulation and cognitive tasks may also be of value in eliciting rare reflex seizure‐related EEG abnormalities. Variations of EEG abnormalities are evident between different electroclinical syndromes. EEG is also affected by certain external as well as internal factors, which should be borne in mind when interpreting EEG studies in IGE.
Low frequency stimulation of ventral hippocampal commissures reduces seizures in a rat model of chronic temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Rashid Saifur , Pho Gerald , Czigler Michael , Werz Mary A. , Durand Dominique M.
Published: December 2011

Purpose:  To investigate the effects of low frequency stimulation (LFS) of a fiber tract for the suppression of spontaneous seizures in a rat model of human temporal lobe epilepsy.

Methods:  Stimulation electrodes were implanted into the ventral hippocampal commissure (VHC) in a rat post‐status epilepticus (SE) model of human temporal lobe epilepsy (n = 7). Two recording electrodes were placed in the CA3 regions bilaterally and neural data were recorded for a minimum of 6 weeks. LFS (60 min train of 1 Hz biphasic square wave pulses, each 0.1 ms in duration and 200 μA in amplitude, followed by 15 min of rest) was applied to the VHC for 2 weeks, 24 h a day.

Key Findings:  The baseline mean seizure frequency of the study animals was 3.7 seizures per day. The seizures were significantly reduced by the application of LFS in every animal (n = 7). By the end of the 2‐week period of stimulation, there was a significant, 90% (<1 seizure/day) reduction of seizure frequencies (p < 0.05) and a 57% reduction during the period following LFS (p < 0.05) when compared to baseline. LFS also resulted in a significant reduction of hippocampal interictal spike frequency (71%, p < 0.05), during 2 weeks of LFS session. The hippocampal histologic analysis showed no significant difference between rats that received LFS and SE induction and those that had received only SE‐induction. None of the animals showed any symptomatic hemorrhage, infection, or complication.

Significance:  Low frequency stimulation applied at a frequency of 1 Hz significantly reduced both the excitability of the neural tissue as well as the seizure frequency in a rat model of human temporal lobe epilepsy. The results support the hypothesis that LFS of fiber tracts can be an effective method for the suppression of spontaneous seizures in a temporal lobe model of epilepsy in rats and could lead to the development of a new therapeutic modality for human patients with temporal lobe epilepsy.
Modeling Exotic Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus Entrance Risk Through Air Passenger Violations
Authors: Lai Jyh‐Mirn , Hwang Yi‐Ting , Chou Chin‐Cheng
Published: December 2011

The highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) is able to survive in poultry products and could be carried into a country by air travelers. An assessment model was constructed to estimate the probability of the exotic viable HPAIV entering Taiwan from two neighboring areas through poultry products carried illegally by air passengers at Taiwan's main airports. The entrance risk was evaluated based on HPAIV‐related factors (the prevalence and the incubation period of HPAIV; the manufacturing process of poultry products; and the distribution–storage–transportation factor event) and the passenger event. Distribution functions were adopted to simulate the probabilities of each HPAIV factor. The odds of passengers being intercepted with illegal poultry products were estimated by logistic regression. The Monte Carlo simulation established that the risk caused by HPAIV‐related factors from area A was lower than area B, whereas the entrance risk by the passenger event from area A was similar to area B. Sensitivity analysis showed that the incubation period of HPAIV and the interception of passenger violations were major determinants. Although the result showed viable HPAIV was unlikely to enter Taiwan through meat illegally carried by air passengers, this low probability could be caused by incomplete animal disease data and modeling uncertainties. Considering the negative socioeconomic impacts of HPAIV outbreaks, strengthening airport quarantine measures is still necessary. This assessment provides a profile of HPAIV entrance risk through air travelers arriving from endemic areas and a feasible direction for quarantine and public health measures.
The Informed Society: An Analysis of the Public's Information‐Seeking Behavior Regarding Coastal Flood Risks
Authors: Kellens Wim , Zaalberg Ruud , De Maeyer Philippe
Published: December 2011

Recent flood risk management puts an increasing emphasis on the public's risk perception and its preferences. It is now widely recognized that a better knowledge of the public's awareness and concern about risks is of vital importance to outline effective risk communication strategies. Models such as Risk Information Seeking and Processing address this evolution by considering the public's needs and its information‐seeking behavior with regard to risk information. This study builds upon earlier information‐seeking models and focuses on the empirical relationships between information‐seeking behavior and the constructs of risk perception, perceived hazard knowledge, response efficacy, and information need in the context of coastal flood risks. Specific focus is given to the mediating role of information need in the model and to the differences in information‐seeking behavior between permanent and temporary residents. By means of a structured on‐line questionnaire, a cross‐sectional survey was carried out in the city of Ostend, one of the most vulnerable places to coastal flooding on the Belgian coast. Three hundred thirteen respondents participated in the survey. Path analysis reveals that information need does not act as a mediator in contrast to risk perception and perceived knowledge. In addition, it is shown that risk perception and perceived hazard knowledge are higher for permanent than temporary residents, leading to increased information‐seeking behavior among the former group. Implications for risk communication are discussed.
Comparative Assessment of Analytical Approaches to Quantify the Risk for Introduction of Rare Animal Diseases: The Example of Avian Influenza in Spain
Authors: Sánchez‐Vizcaíno Fernando , Perez Andrés , Martínez‐López Beatriz , Sánchez‐Vizcaíno José Manuel
Published: December 2011

Trade of animals and animal products imposes an uncertain and variable risk for exotic animal diseases introduction into importing countries. Risk analysis provides importing countries with an objective, transparent, and internationally accepted method for assessing that risk. Over the last decades, European Union countries have conducted probabilistic risk assessments quite frequently to quantify the risk for rare animal diseases introduction into their territories. Most probabilistic animal health risk assessments have been typically classified into one‐level and multilevel binomial models. One‐level models are more simple than multilevel models because they assume that animals or products originate from one single population. However, it is unknown whether such simplification may result in substantially different results compared to those obtained through the use of multilevel models. Here, data used on a probabilistic multilevel binomial model formulated to assess the risk for highly pathogenic avian influenza introduction into Spain were reanalyzed using a one‐level binomial model and their outcomes were compared. An alternative ordinal model is also proposed here, which makes use of simpler assumptions and less information compared to those required by traditional one‐level and multilevel approaches. Results suggest that, at least under certain circumstances, results of the one‐level and ordinal approaches are similar to those obtained using multilevel models. Consequently, we argue that, when data are insufficient to run traditional probabilistic models, the ordinal approach presented here may be a suitable alternative to rank exporting countries in terms of the risk that they impose for the spread of rare animal diseases into disease‐free countries.
Does Longitudinal Strain Predict Left Ventricular Remodeling after Myocardial Infarction?
Authors: Zaliaduonyte‐Peksiene Diana , Vaskelyte Jolanta Justina , Mizariene Vaida , Jurkevicius Renaldas , Zaliunas Remigijus
Published: December 2011

Background: One of the most prognostically significant consequences of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is the development of an adverse left ventricular (LV) remodeling. Objectives: The purpose of our study was to evaluate a feasibility of speckle tracking imaging (STI), in particular, global longitudinal strain (Ls) in predicting LV remodeling after AMI. Methods: A total of 82 AMI patients (mean age 57.6 ± 9.4) were included in the study. Within 48–72 hours of the onset of AMI and at a 4‐month follow‐up, two‐dimensional echocardiography was performed. The apical two‐ and four‐chamber views of the heart were analyzed offline using Echo Pac software for the assessment of strain by the STI method. LV remodeling was defined as a 15% increase from the baseline in LV end‐diastolic volume. Results: Twenty‐eight patients (34.1%) with LV remodeling at 4‐month follow‐up had comparable baseline clinical and echocardiographic characteristics with 54 patients (without LV remodeling), except for a predominance of the anterior wall MI (P < 0.01), higher leukocyte count value at admission (P < 0.01), lower ejection fraction (P < 0.05), increased end‐systolic volume (P < 0.05), and reduced global systolic Ls (P < 0.05). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed the systolic Ls as an independent determinant of LV remodeling after AMI. A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that a cutoff value of −11.6% for the systolic Ls yielded a 78% sensitivity and a 73% specificity to predict LV remodeling in 4 months. Conclusions. Our study has shown that LV longitudinal strain assessed by STI is an independent predictor of LV remodeling after AMI. (Echocardiography 2012;29:419‐427)
Arterial Embolism Caused by Large Mobile Aortic Thrombus in the Absence of Atherosclerosis, Associated with Iron Deficiency Anemia
Authors: Bukharovich Inna F. , Wever‐Pinzon Omar , Shah Ajay , Todd George , Chaudhry Farooq A. , Sherrid Mark V.
Published: December 2011

(Echocardiography 2012;29:369‐372)
How the Grass Became Greener in the City: On Urban Imaginings and Practices of Sustainable Living in Sweden
Authors: ISENHOUR CINDY
Published: December 2011

Far removed from a direct connection to the land and environmental feedback, most urban inhabitants have little choice but to rely on external sources of information as they formulate their understanding of sustainability. This reliance on analytical, scientifically produced, and highly technical sources of information—such as life‐cycle analyses, carbon footprints and climate change projections—solidifies definitions of sustainable living centered on technological resource efficiencies while concentrating the power to define sustainability with experts and the industrial and political elite. Drawing on 14 months of ethnographic field work in and around Stockholm, Sweden, this paper explores how urban alienation shapes ideas about sustainable living among ecologically concerned citizen‐consumers and how the urban focus on efficiency has led many to argue that the grass is now greener in the city. Meanwhile this ethnographic research demonstrates that the efficiency‐based perspectives so dominant in urban settings are contested by other Swedes who argue that sustainable living also depends on localized connections to the land and communal self‐sufficiency. Despite these contrasting perspectives, research presented here suggests that these views are united in the Swedish context by a historically‐rooted concern for global equity. As such, the concept of “a fair share of environmental space” resonates with many Swedes who are concerned about human and environmental health, regardless of where they live or how they define or practice sustainable living.
Enhancement of Photoluminescence and Color Purity of CaTiO3:Eu Phosphor by Li Doping
Authors: Wu Yun‐Fang , Nien Yung‐Tang , Wang Yi‐Jhang , Chen In‐Gann
Published: December 2011

High color purity red phosphors of Ca1−3/2xEuxTiO3 and Ca1−2xEuxLixTiO3 (0 < x ≤ 0.3) are synthesized via a solid‐state reaction method. The red emission photoluminescence intensity and color purity are enhanced by the incorporation of Li+ into CaTiO3:Eu3+. The Li+ doping increases the emission probability from 5D0 state, increases photoluminescence intensity by 1.6 times, increases color purity to 92.1%, and shortens the decay time. With increasing Eu3+ and Li+ content, the color coordinates approach the ideal red chromaticity values, coming closer than commercial Y2O2S:Eu3+ red phosphor.
Approximating the Metastable Defect Concentration in Supersaturated Materials: A Case Study of the SrTiO3/TiO2 System
Authors: Sun Li , Mao Shimin , Dillon Shen J.
Published: December 2011

This study calculated an approximate metastable defect concentration necessary to induce precipitation of TiO2 in SrTiO3. Atomic force microscopy was used to characterize the average relative energies of interfaces in the TiO2/SrTiO3 system. These values were taken as the basis for describing the relevant interfacial thermodynamic terms associated with the activation energy for precipitation. The corresponding average Sr–O vacancy pair defect concentration necessary to induce precipitation in the grain boundary was calculated.
Compositional Evolution of Calcium Silicate Hydrate (C–S–H) Structures by TotalX‐Ray Scattering
Authors: Soyer‐Uzun Sezen , Chae Sejung Rosie , Benmore Chris J. , Wenk Hans‐Rudolf , Monteiro Paulo J. M.
Published: December 2011

High‐energyX‐ray diffraction was employed to study the structural characteristics of a set ofC–S–Hsamples with 0.6 ≤ C/S ≤ 1.75. It has been observed thatSiis tetrahedrally coordinated toOfor all samples irrespective of chemical composition and theCa–Ocoordination number gradually decreases from ~7 to ~6 with increasingC/Sratio. This suggests that theC–S–Hstructure evolves from a tobermorite‐like structure into a jennite‐like structure as a function of increasingC/Sratio as the interlayer space decreases from ~1.3 to ~1 nm. Evolution of these short‐ and medium‐range order structural characteristics in theC–S–Hsystem is associated with the alteration of theCa–Olayers and silicate depolymerization with increasingC/S.
Anatomical structures in the maxillary sinus related to lateral sinus elevation: a cone beam computed tomographic analysis
Authors: Kang So‐Jin , Shin Seung‐Il , Herr Yeek , Kwon Young‐Hyuk , Kim Gyu‐Tae , Chung Jong‐Hyuk
Published: December 2011

Objectives

The objective of this study is to evaluate the anatomical structures in the maxillary sinus with relation to lateral approach sinus elevation utilizing cone beam computed tomography (CT) scans taken prior to sinus elevation surgery.

Materials and methods

A total of 150 CT images were acquired from 150 patients (90 men and 60 women; mean age, 49.4 years, range 23–86 years) who were being treated with implant‐supported restorations in the posterior edentulous maxilla. Of the 150 CT scans, 65 were of the right sinus and 85 of the left sinus. Measurements of the anatomical structures in the maxillary sinus were conducted on the CT images.

Results

In the mean width of the lateral wall, there were statistically significant values among the measurement points (P < 0.05). The anterior area of the sinus lateral wall was thicker than the posterior lateral wall. There was a statistically significant difference between the vessel diameter and lateral wall width (P < 0.05). As sinus lateral wall width increased, so did the vessel diameter. The mean distance to the inferior border of the vessel from the sinus floor and from the alveolar crest was 8.25 and 17.03 mm, respectively. The intraosseous group among the vessel position was 64.3%, so the intraosseous vessel could be visualized in CT scans at 64.3%. In angle A, the group of less than 30° was 4.8%. Schneiderian membrane perforation by narrow angle had a low risk. The prevalence of the septa related to Schneiderian membrane perforation was 44%. The distance to the inferior border of the vessel from the alveolar crest being less than 15 mm was 31%. The vessel diameter greater than 1 mm was 37.8%.

Conclusions

Based on present research about utilizing cone beam CT scans for sinus elevation, the alteration of the lateral approach sinus elevation technique is highly recommended if complications such as membrane perforation or bleeding are expected.
Rat tissue reaction to MTA FILLAPEX®
Authors: Gomes‐Filho João Eduardo , Watanabe Simone , Lodi Carolina Simonetti , Cintra Luciano Tavares Angelo , Nery Mauro Juvenal , Filho José Arlindo Otoboni , Dezan Elói , Bernabé Pedro Felício Estrada
Published: December 2011

Abstract –  The aim of this study was to evaluate the rat subcutaneous tissue reaction to implanted polyethylene tubes filled with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) FILLAPEX® compared to the reaction to tubes filled with Sealapex® or Angelus MTA®. These materials were placed in polyethylene tubes and implanted into the dorsal connective tissue of Wistar rats for 7, 15, 30, 60, and 90 days. The specimens were stained with hematoxylin and eosin or Von Kossa or left unstained for examination under polarized light. Qualitative and quantitative evaluations of the reaction were performed. All materials caused moderate reactions after 7 days, which decreased with time. The reactions were moderate and similar to that evoked by the control and Sealapex® on the 15th day. MTA FILLAPEX® and Angelus MTA caused mild reactions beginning after 15 days. Mineralization and granulation birefringent to polarized light were observed with all materials. It was concluded that MTA FILLAPEX® was biocompatible and stimulated mineralization.
MBL2, MASP2, AMELX, and ENAM gene polymorphisms and dental caries in Polish children
Authors: Olszowski T , Adler G , Janiszewska‐Olszowska J , Safranow K , Kaczmarczyk M
Published: December 2011

Oral Diseases (2012) 18, 389–395

Objective:  The aim of the study was to examine whether the MBL2 C(‐290)G and G161A, MASP2 A359G, AMELX C287T and C522T, and ENAM C2452T polymorphisms are associated with dental caries.

Subjects and methods:  Genomic DNA of 95 Polish children with ‘higher caries experience’ (HC) and 84 subjects with ‘lower caries experience’ (LC) belonging to two age‐groups (5 and 13 years old) was extracted from the buccal mucosa. SNPs were genotyped with PCR‐RFLP methods.

Results:  Among 5‐year‐old children, we found significantly higher percentage of subjects carrying MBL2 (‐290)G allele in HC group compared with LC group (43.2%vs 17.6%, P = 0.023). MBL2 C(‐290)G–G161A C–G haplotype was overrepresented in LC group in 5‐year‐olds (P = 0.01), while the opposite association was observed in 13‐year‐olds, where C–G was overrepresented in HC group (P = 0.028). In 5‐year‐old children, the frequency of MBL2 G–G haplotype was higher in HC group compared with LC subjects (P = 0.045), while the opposite association (with borderline significance) was observed in 13‐year‐old children (P = 0.057). SNPs in MASP2, AMELX, and ENAM were not associated with dental caries.

Conclusion:  MBL2 gene polymorphism is associated with caries experience in Polish children, but the direction of this association seems to be opposite in primary and permanent dentition.