bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
VEGF‐D and A Preoperative Serum Levels Predict Nodal and Distant Metastases in Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Patients
Authors: Lai Chieh‐Wen , Duh Quan‐Yang , Chen Chuang‐Wei , Chuang Fu‐Jie , Chang Yao‐Jen , Lin Ming‐Tsan , Wu Ming‐Hsun
Published: February 2015

Background

Preoperative tumor aggressiveness biomarkers may help surgeons decide the extent of an operation. However, whether serum angiogenetic factors can be used to predict the prognosis of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer is still unclear.

Methods

Seventy‐six DTC patients were prospectively recruited. Preoperative serum samples were collected and measured for Tie‐2, Ang‐1, Ang‐2, VEGF‐A, and VEGF‐D levels. The potential correlations between their serum levels and clinicopathologic features as well as their prognoses were analyzed.

Results

Older age (>45 years old) and higher VEGF‐A serum levels were independent predictors of extrathyroidal extension. The VEGF‐D serum level was an independent factor for lymph node metastases and VEGF‐A was an independent factor for distant metastases. None of these serum angiogenetic factors were significantly different between patients who were disease free and those with recurrences. The presence of lymph node metastases was the only independent factor for recurrence over the 2‐year follow‐up.

Conclusion

Preoperative serum VEGF‐A and VEGF‐D levels were significantly elevated in DTC patients with distant and lymph node metastases. These findings, when combined with other clinicopathological factors, may help in surgical decisions.
Floral morphology and structure of Emblingia calceoliflora (Emblingiaceae, Brassicales): questions and answers
Authors: Tobe Hiroshi
Published: February 2015

Emblingia calceoliflora, the sole species of the family Emblingiaceae (Brassicales), is a creeping shrub endemic to South Western Australia. The flowers have a characteristic slipper-like corolla (calceolus). Earlier studies using dry specimens have left some questions regarding the flower unresolved. Here I present an anatomical study of fresh flowers to resolve these questions. The flowers are pedicellate, strongly monosymmetric, and pentamerous with the median sepal in the abaxial position. During flower development, a pedicel turns clockwise or anticlockwise, placing the adaxial calceolus (comprising both petals) downward and a transversely dilated androgynophore upward with a large tunnel-like space between them. Two short longitudinal walls develop from the basal part of the petals, enclosing a nectary gland deep in the flower. The vascular anatomy of the androgynophore shows that lateral dédoublement occurs in five stamens, resulting in two pairs of fertile stamens on the adaxial side and (three to) six staminodes as the “hood” on the opposite side. Androecial configuration is obhaplostemony, and the gynoecium is tricarpellate/trilocular. Comparisons with flowers of other Brassicales show that an extrastaminal nectary is a synapomorphy of the core Brassicales including Emblingiaceae. The flower ofEmblingiais highly specialized for adaptation to insect-pollination.
Revisiting Spontaneous Rupture of the Extensor Pollicis Longus Tendon: Eight Cases without Identifiable Predisposing Factor
Authors: Hu Ching-Hsuan , Fufa Duretti , Hsu Chung-Chen , Lin Yu-Te , Lin Chih-Hung
Published: February 2015

Introduction

Rupture of the extensor pollicis longus (EPL) tendon has been reported in the setting of distal radius fracture, chronic inflammatory arthritis, following steroid injection, and with excessive or repetitive activities. Truly, spontaneous EPL rupture, without an identifiable predisposing factor, has rarely been reported.

Methods

We present a retrospective case series of eight patients with spontaneous EPL rupture who were treated in our institution.

Results

The majority of the cases were female (75 %, n=6), and the nondominant (75 %, n=6) hand was most commonly involved. No identifiable predisposing factor could be identified in four patients. While four patients reported a history of a fall, radiographs failed to demonstrate skeletal abnormality in all four cases. No additional pathology could be identified at the time of surgery. Patients were treated using tendon transfer ( n=7) or interpositional graft ( n=1). There has been no case of clinical recurrence in the mean of 74.8 months (range 23–140 months) follow-up period.

Conclusion

The EPL tendon is at risk for spontaneous rupture even in the absence of identifiable predisposing risk factor. Rather than pure mechanical irritation, vascular and metabolic factors may also play a substantial role in the etiology of this uncommon diagnosis.
Intraosseous Ganglion Cysts of the Carpus: Current Practice
Authors: Osagie Liza , Gallivan Samantha , Wickham Neil , Umarji Shamim
Published: February 2015

Intraosseous cysts of the carpal bones are an infrequent cause of chronic wrist pain. The main body of work has investigated their occurrence in the proximal carpus, with limited incidence in the distal row. We review the current literature on the treatment of symptomatic carpal cysts following the report of a 17-year-old male with a 12-month history of progressive right wrist pain due to an intraosseous ganglion of the trapezoid. This review explores the pathology of carpal cysts, their varying presentation and current treatments.
Urinary biomarkers of oxidative damage in Maple syrup urine disease: The l‐carnitine role
Authors: Guerreiro Gilian , Mescka Caroline Paula , Sitta Angela , Donida Bruna , Marchetti Desirèe , Hammerschmidt Tatiane , Faverzani Jessica , de Moura Coelho Daniella , Wajner Moacir , Dutra‐Filho Carlos Severo , Vargas Carmen Regla
Published: February 2015

Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is a disorder of branched‐chain amino acids (BCAA). The defect in the branched‐chain α‐keto acid dehydrogenase complex activity leads to an accumulation of these compounds and their corresponding α‐keto‐acids and α‐hydroxy‐acids. Studies have shown that oxidative stress may be involved in neuropathology of MSUD. l‐carnitine (l‐car), which has demonstrated an important role as antioxidant by reducing and scavenging free radicals formation and by enhancing the activity of antioxidant enzymes, have been used in the treatment of some metabolic rare disorders. This study evaluated the oxidative stress parameters, di‐tyrosine, isoprostanes and antioxidant capacity, in urine of MSUD patients under protein‐restricted diet supplemented or not with l‐car capsules at a dose of 50 mg kg−1 day−1. It was also determined urinary α‐keto isocaproic acid levels as well as blood free l‐car concentrations in blood. It was found a deficiency of carnitine in patients before the l‐car supplementation. Significant increases of di‐tyrosine and isoprostanes, as well as reduced antioxidant capacity, were observed before the treatment with l‐car. The l‐car supplementation induced beneficial effects on these parameters reducing the di‐tyrosine and isoprostanes levels and increasing the antioxidant capacity. It was also showed a significant increase in urinary of α‐ketoisocaproic acid after 2 months of l‐car treatment, compared to control group. In conclusion, our results suggest that l‐car may have beneficial effects in the treatment of MSUD by preventing oxidative damage to the cells and that urine can be used to monitorize oxidative damage in patients affected by this disease.
The Robson ten‐group classification system for appraising deliveries at a tertiary referral hospital in Brazil
Authors: Ferreira Elton C. , Pacagnella Rodolfo C. , Costa Maria L. , Cecatti Jose G.
Published: February 2015

Objective

To evaluate the distribution of women according to the Robson 10‐group classification system (RTGCS) and the occurrence of severe maternal morbidity (SMM) by mode of delivery at a tertiary referral hospital.

Methods

A retrospective cross‐sectional study was conducted of all women admitted to the Women's Hospital at the University of Campinas (Campinas, Brazil) for delivery between January 2009 and July 2013. Women were grouped according to RTGCS. Mode of delivery and SMM (defined as need for admission to the intensive care unit) were assessed.

Results

Among 12 771 women, 5957 (46.6%) delivered by cesarean. Overall, 3594 (28.1%) women were in group 1 (nulliparous, single pregnancy, cephalic, term, spontaneous labor), 2328 (18.2%) in group 5 (≥ 1 previous cesarean, single pregnancy, cephalic, term), and 2112 (16.5%) in group 3 (multiparous excluding previous cesarean, single pregnancy, cephalic, term, spontaneous labor). Group 5 contributed the most cesarean deliveries (1626 [27.3%]), followed by group 2 (nulliparous, single pregnancy, cephalic, term, induced labor or cesarean before labor; 1049 [17.6%]). SMM was more common among women undergoing cesarean delivery than among those delivering vaginally in groups 1–5.

Conclusion

The RTGCS allowed the identification of groups with the highest frequency of cesarean delivery and an assessment of SMM. This should be considered in related health policies.
Effectiveness of Powered Mobility Devices in Enabling Community Mobility‐Related Participation: A Prospective Study Among People With Mobility Restrictions
Authors: Sund Terje , Iwarsson Susanne , Anttila Heidi , Brandt Åse
Published: February 2015

Objective

To investigate the effectiveness of powered mobility device (ie, powered wheelchair and scooter) interventions over a 1‐year period in Nordic countries.

Design

Prospective design.

Setting

The study involved community‐dwelling participants from Denmark, Finland, and Norway.

Participants

In all, 180 participants with different self‐reported impairments participated in the study. The mean age was 68.7 years (95% confidence interval [CI] = 39.9‐97.5 years), and 47.8% of the participants were men.

Methods

Two face‐to‐face interviews about mobility and mobility‐related participation were conducted with participants in their homes. The first interview took place shortly before the participants received their powered mobility device, and the second took place about 1 year later (mean, 386.9 days; standard deviation = 52.78).

Main Outcome Measures

Changes in frequency, ease/difficulty, and number of mobility‐related aspects of participation in daily life were investigated in the total sample and in subgroups by means of the NOMO 1.0 instrument, applying a structured interview format.

Results

In the total sample, the frequency of shopping for groceries (P < .001, effect size = 0.29, 95% CI = 0.08‐0.50) and going for a walk/ride (P < .001, effect size = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.41‐83) increased, whereas the number of aspects of participation performed (P < .001) increased only slightly. Going to a restaurant/café/pub, shopping for groceries, doing other shopping, posting letters, going to the bank or the chemist's, going for a walk/ride, and visiting family/friends became easier (P < .001 to P = .001); effect sizes varied between 0.50 (95% CI = 0.29‐0.71) and 0.85 (95% CI = 0.63‐1.07). Men, persons who used scooters, and persons with poor self‐reported health seem to benefit the most from the intervention.

Conclusions

Powered mobility device interventions mainly contribute to mobility‐related participation by making participation easier for people with mobility restrictions and by increasing the frequency of aspects of participation such as shopping for groceries and going for a walk/ride. The effects varied with regard to the subgroups. The present study further strengthens the current evidence that powered mobility devices increase mobility‐related participation in daily life among certain subgroups of adults with mobility restrictions.
Lubricated viscous gravity currents
Authors: Kowal Katarzyna N. , Worster M. Grae
Published: February 2015

We present a theoretical and experimental study of viscous gravity currents lubricated by another viscous fluid from below. We use lubrication theory to model both layers as Newtonian fluids spreading under their own weight in two-dimensional and axisymmetric settings over a smooth rigid horizontal surface and consider the limit in which vertical shear provides the dominant resistance to the flow in both layers. There are contributions from Poiseuille-like flow driven by buoyancy and Couette-like flow driven by viscous coupling between the layers. The flow is self-similar if both fluids are released simultaneously, and exhibits initial transient behaviour when there is a delay between the initiation of flow in the two layers. We solve for both situations and show that the latter converges towards self-similarity at late times. The flow depends on three key dimensionless parameters relating the relative dynamic viscosities, input fluxes and density differences between the two layers. Provided the density difference between the two layers is bounded away from zero, we find an asymptotic solution in which the front of the lubricant is driven by its own gravitational spreading. There is a singular limit of equal densities in which the lubricant no longer spreads under its own weight in the vicinity of its nose and ends abruptly with a non-zero thickness there. We explore various regimes, from thin lubricating layers underneath a more viscous current to thin surface films coating an underlying more viscous current and find that although a thin film does not greatly influence the more viscous current if it forms a surface coating, it begins to cause interesting dynamics if it lubricates the more viscous current from below. We find experimentally that a lubricated gravity current is prone to a fingering instability.
The impact of future time orientation on employees’ feedback-seeking behavior from supervisors and co-workers: The mediating role of psychological ownership
Authors: Qian Jing , Lin Xiaosong , Han Zhuo R. , Tian Bowen , Chen George Z. , Wang Haiwan
Published: February 2015

Future time orientation is essential if an employee is to be motivated to conduct activities that generate long-term rather than immediate gain, and which may involve risk. Given that feedback seeking requires the employee to slow down and seek input, it is surprising that little is known about the relationship between future time orientation and feedback seeking. Drawing upon psychological ownership theory and construal-level theory, we hypothesized a positive influence of future time orientation on feedback seeking from various sources (i.e., supervisors and co-workers). We also hypothesized job-based psychological ownership as a newly identified motive of feedback seeking and employed it to explain how future time orientation exerts influences. Tested with data from a sample of 228 subordinate–supervisor dyads from China, the results revealed that (1) future time orientation was positively related to feedback seeking from supervisors and co-workers and (2) job-based psychology ownership mediated the relationship between future time orientation and feedback seeking.
Explaining the Oil Advantage: Effects of Natural Resource Wealth on Incumbent Reelection in Iran
Authors: Mahdavi Paasha
Published: February 2015

Why does natural resource wealth prolong incumbency? Using evidence from parliamentary elections in the Islamic Republic of Iran, the author shows that natural resource revenues boost incumbent reelection rates because they are used to provide public or private goods to constituents, which incentivizes voters to reelect incumbents over challengers. To test this hypothesis, the author employs originally assembled data on five parliamentary elections in Iran (1992–2008) in longitudinal hierarchical regression analyses at the district and province levels. By leveraging Iran's mixed-member electoral system, he shows that the resource-incumbency mechanism works primarily in single-member districts with little evidence of an incumbency advantage for politicians in resource-rich multimember districts. Building on the rentier theory of natural resource wealth, the results suggest that voting for the incumbent is attributable to patronage and public goods distribution. The findings offer new insights into the understudied context of Iranian legislative elections, illustrate the mechanisms driving the relationship between resource wealth and incumbency advantage at the subnational level in a nondemocratic setting, and highlight the mediating effects of electoral institutions on the resource-incumbency relationship.
Ethnic Voting and Accountability in Africa: A Choice Experiment in Uganda
Authors: Carlson Elizabeth
Published: February 2015

The strong support that African presidents retain among voters of their own ethnicity, despite clear evidence of shirking and corruption, has prompted numerous empirical investigations into whether an incumbent's ethnicity or performance is more important to African voters. The model of vote choice underlying almost all of these studies is additive and implies that either coethnicity or good performance can increase a candidate's vote share. However, there is little theoretical justification for such a model. In the dominant theory of ethnic voting in Africa, coethnicity is a signal of better outcomes, indicating that ethnicity and performance are not separate considerations. Using an experiment that is designed to determine how Ugandan voters make choices, the author shows that the effects of coethnicity and good performance interact: neither attribute increases support for a candidate in the absence of the other. Though previous analyses indicate that, all else being equal, voters always prefer coethnics, this study demonstrates that coethnics only have an advantage when they are not shirkers. Additionally, though previous studies indicate that voters always prefer good performers, this analysis shows that voters are indifferent to the performance of non-coethnic candidates. The article provides evidence that this pattern is in fact a result of voters' beliefs that they will only receive future goods from coethnics, making a demonstrated ability to provide such goods relevant for the electability of coethnic candidates, but not for non-coethnics. Since a large number of African voters do not share the ethnicity of their incumbent, this finding has troubling implications for accountability of African leaders.
Moderating Diffusion: Military Bureaucratic Politics and the Implementation of German Doctrine in South America, 1885–1914
Authors: Grauer Ryan
Published: February 2015

How do military ideas, and military doctrines in particular, spread through the international system? This article extends extant work on military diffusion by exploring why some states, after deciding to adopt another's innovative warfighting system, fail to implement it. The author argues that for states to successfully implement a military doctrine developed abroad, much information about the unobservable aspects of the warfighting system is needed. States vary in their capacity to acquire the necessary knowledge because they face differing levels of resistance to military diffusion within their armed forces. Powerful groups within the military that are opposed to such adoptions are likely to use their influence to press for policies and bureaucratic maneuvers that constrain information flows between innovating states and their own state and consequently inhibit implementation and diffusion of military doctrines. Therefore successful implementation of foreign military doctrines can be expected when states face minimal resistance within their militaries, and moderated or failed implementation can be expected when opposition is more significant. A provisional test of the argument is conducted through an assessment of Argentina, Brazil, and Chile's attempts to implement the German military doctrine at the turn of the twentieth century.
Migratory songbirds in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway: a review from a conservation perspective
Authors: YONG DING LI , LIU YANG , LOW BING WEN , ESPAÑOLA CARMELA P. , CHOI CHANG-YONG , KAWAKAMI KAZUTO
Published: February 2015

The East Asian-Australasian Flyway supports the greatest diversity and populations of migratory birds globally, as well as the highest number of threatened migratory species of any flyway, including passerines (15 species). However it is also one of the most poorly understood migration systems, and little is known about the populations and ecology of the passerine migrants that breed, stop over and winter in the habitats along this flyway. We provide the first flyway-wide review of diversity, ecology, and conservation issues relating to 170 species of long-distance and over 80 short-distance migrants from 32 families. Recent studies of songbird migration movements and ecology is limited, and is skewed towards East Asia, particularly Mainland China, Taiwan, Russia, Japan and South Korea. Strong evidence of declines exists for some species, e.g. Yellow-breasted BuntingEmberiza aureola, but tends to be fragmentary, localised or anecdotal for many others. More species have small breeding ranges (< 250,000 km2) and/or are dependent on tropical forests as wintering habitat than those in any other Eurasian migratory system, and are thus more vulnerable to habitat loss and degradation throughout their ranges. Poorly regulated hunting for food and the pet trade, invasive species and collisions with man-made structures further threaten migratory songbirds at a number of stop-over or wintering sites, while climate change and habitat loss may be of increasing concern in the breeding ranges. A key conservation priority is to carry out intensive field surveys across the region while simultaneously tapping into citizen science datasets, to identify important stop-over and wintering sites, particularly for poorly-known or globally threatened species across South-East Asia and southern China for targeted conservation actions. Additionally, the advent of miniaturised tracking technology, molecular and isotopic techniques can provide novel insights into migration connectivity, paths and ecology for species in this migration system, complementing data from banding exercises and observation-based surveys, and could prove useful in informing conservation priorities. However, until most states along the East Asian-Australasian flyway ratify the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) and other cross-boundary treaties, the relative lack of cross-boundary cooperation, coordination and information sharing in the region will continue to present a stumbling block for effective conservation of migratory passerines.
Key research issues concerning the conservation of migratory shorebirds in the Yellow Sea region
Authors: HUA NING , TAN KUN , CHEN YING , MA ZHIJUN
Published: February 2015

The widespread decline of migratory shorebirds in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAF) is one of the greatest crises for migrating birds. Among the migratory species with known population trends, 88% (22 of 25 species) show population declines, and seven have been listed as threatened or Near Threatened in the IUCN Red List. The decline of migratory shorebirds is related to the deterioration of stopping sites (including staging and stopping sites) in the Yellow Sea, including loss of intertidal wetlands, spread of invasive smooth cordgrassSpartina alternifloraon intertidal flats, an increase in pollution, and an increase in human disturbance. We review research concerning shorebird migration through the Yellow Sea and highlight key research activities required for the conservation of shorebirds in the region. These activities include: confirming the population consequences of loss of stopping sites, estimating migration timing and numbers of shorebirds at stopping sites, determining the differing abilities of species to use alternative habitats, understanding intra- and interspecific differences in the use of stopping sites, maintaining and expanding surveys on shorebirds and habitat condition, and identifying threats to shorebirds beyond habitat loss by reclamation. The information generated by these research activities is required for the design and selection of effective conservation actions to reverse the decline in shorebird populations.
The (7, 4)-Conjecture in Finite Groups
Authors: SOLYMOSI JÓZSEF
Published: February 2015

The first open case of the Brown–Erdős–Sós conjecture is equivalent to the following: for every c > 0, there is a threshold n0 such that if a quasigroup has order n ⩾ n0, then for every subset S of triples of the form (a, b, ab) with |S| ⩾ cn2, there is a seven-element subset of the quasigroup which spans at least four triples of S. In this paper we prove the conjecture for finite groups.
The town as a stage? Urban space and tournaments in late medieval Brussels
Authors: DAMEN MARIO
Published: February 2015

This article discusses the material and spatial features of the tournaments on the Grote Markt, the central market square in Brussels, in the fifteenth and first half of the sixteenth century. It investigates how the tournament acquired meaning in the urban space where it was organized, and how the chivalric event in its turn altered that urban space. These Brussels tournaments, for which both archival, iconographical and narrative sources are available, show us the dynamics of an inherently courtly festival within an urban setting. Recent historiography has stressed that these tournaments, just like other urban festivals, for example joyous entries, demonstrate the submission of the town to the ruler. Indeed, the prince and his household used the public space of the Grote Markt and the facilities of the town hall to organize tournaments and festivities. However, they could not do this on their own. They needed the town government for the organization and logistics of the tournament and for its hospitality. Moreover, the town managed to put its own stamp on the architecture, both permanent and ephemeral, emphasizing the responsibilities that the duke had towards his town, as well as the long tradition of subservience and loyalty of the town to the duke.
Retrospective Assessment of Movement Disorder Society Criteria for Mild Cognitive Impairment in Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Loftus Andrea M. , Bucks Romola S. , Thomas Meghan , Kane Robert , Timms Caitlin , Barker Roger A. , Gasson Natalie
Published: February 2015

A Movement Disorder Society (MDS) taskforce recently proposed diagnostic criteria for Parkinson’s disease with features of mild cognitive impairment (PD-MCI). This study first examined the prevalence and nature of PD-MCI in a non-demented cohort using the MDS criteria. Using the generic Monte Carlo simulation method developed by Crawford and colleagues (2007), this study then estimated the base rate of the representative population who would demonstrate PD-MCI due to chance alone. A total of 104 participants with idiopathic PD underwent extensive motor and neuropsychological testing at baseline and 2 years later. The Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) was used to assess motor symptoms of PD and a range of established neuropsychological tests was used to assess PD-MCI in accord with MDS criteria. In accord with MDS criteria, 38% of this cohort demonstrated PD-MCI at baseline and 48% at follow-up. Of the 36 participants in the multiple-domain PD-MCI subtype at time-1, 9 (25%) demonstrated no PD-MCI at follow up. Analysis revealed that approximately 13% of the representative population would demonstrate abnormally low scores for 2 of the 9 tests used, thereby meeting MDS criteria for PD-MCI. Clinicians and researchers need to approach a single diagnosis (i.e., based on one assessment) of PD-MCI with considerable caution. (JINS, 2015, 21, 137–145)
Voters’ Left–Right Perception of Parties in Contemporary Japan: Removing the Noise of Misunderstanding
Authors: MIWA HIROFUMI
Published: February 2015

The prevailing theory states that either Japanese voters have stopped ideologically distinguishing parties or that the main political parties in Japan have become more centrist in recent years. These arguments are based on survey questions asking citizens to locate parties on an ideological scale. However, these questions may suffer from noise caused by respondents who misinterpret the question wording or answer the questions inappropriately to mask their misunderstanding of the terms ‘left’ and ‘right’. To address this problem by extracting only the views of those who know the meaning of left–right terms, this article develops a mixture model. Applying the model to an opinion poll conducted after the 2012 Japanese general election, I confirm that those who comprehend the left–right terminology – slightly over half of all voters – largely perceived parties’ ideologies in the same way as experts. Additionally, I find that even these voters face difficulties in placing ambiguous or new parties on the political spectrum. This study has implications not only for understanding trends in Japanese political ideology, but also for survey design and analysis of heterogeneous survey responses.
Rings of star formation:Imprints of a close galaxy encounter
Authors: Moreno Jorge
Published: February 2015

In this talk, I report results from galaxy merger simulations, which suggest the existence of a ring of star formation produced by close galaxy encounters. This is a generic feature of all galaxy interactions, provided that the disc spins are sufficiently aligned. This signature can be used to identify close galaxy pairs that have actually suffered a close interaction.
Making fair choices on the path to universal health coverage: a précis
Authors: Voorhoeve Alex , Ottersen Trygve , Norheim Ole F.
Published: February 2015

We outline key conclusions of the World Health Organisation's report 'Making Fair Choices on the Path to Universal Health Coverage (UHC)'. The Report argues that three principles should inform choices on the path to UHC: I. Coverage should be based on need, with extra weight given to the needs of the worse off; II. One aim should be to generate the greatest total improvement in health; III. Contributions should be based on ability to pay and not need. We describe how these principles determine which trade-offs are (un)acceptable. We also discuss which institutions contribute to fair and accountable choices.
International norm polarization: sexuality as a subject of human rights protection
Authors: Symons Jonathan , Altman Dennis
Published: February 2015

International norm polarization is a rare but recurring process within international norm dynamics. Polarization describes the most combative response to attempted norm change: ‘a candidate norm is accepted by some states but resisted by others, leading to a period of international disputation between two groups in which socializing pressures pull states toward compliance with rival norms’. We identify several cases of polarization and explain this phenomenon by elaborating the constructivist model of the norm life cycle to processes of international resistance to norm change as well as to norm acceptance. We also draw on social identity theory (SIT) to examine group-psychological responses where disputed norms become closely linked to state identity. We illustrate these dynamics with reference to conflict over the norm that recognizes sexual orientation and gender identity as subjects of international human rights protection. Over the past decade this candidate norm has become increasingly contentious internationally, and bitter debates over resolutions concerning extra-judicial killings and discrimination have divided the United Nations General Assembly and Human Rights Council. The article makes a primary contribution to analysis of international norm change and also contributes to an emerging literature concerning sexuality and international relations.
Attitudes to Moonlighting Politicians: Evidence from the United Kingdom
Authors: Campbell Rosie , Cowley Philip
Published: February 2015

Research has explored the impact of politicians holding second jobs, or moonlighting, on their performance and recruitment, but less is known about how citizens respond to such behavior. Citizens may react negatively to Members of Parliament (MPs) moonlighting, viewing outside earnings as a conflict of interest or a distraction, or instead they might view MPs with second incomes positively, seeing them as a connection with the “real world” beyond politics. Utilizing a series of survey experiments, we assess how British citizens respond to MPs moonlighting. We demonstrate preferences more complex than those revealed by traditional survey instruments. Citizens respond to both size and source of income. They do not respond negatively to all second incomes; they are more sympathetic to the entrepreneur who continues to draw an income than medical doctors or lawyers who continue to practice. They are most hostile to politicians who take on part-time company directorships.
Chlorophyll f-driven photosynthesis in a cavernous cyanobacterium
Authors: Behrendt Lars , Brejnrod Asker , Schliep Martin , Sørensen Søren J , Larkum Anthony W D , Kühl Michael
Published: February 2015

Chlorophyll (Chl) f is the most recently discovered chlorophyll and has only been found in cyanobacteria from wet environments. Although its structure and biophysical properties are resolved, the importance of Chl f as an accessory pigment in photosynthesis remains unresolved. We found Chl f in a cyanobacterium enriched from a cavernous environment and report the first example of Chl f-supported oxygenic photosynthesis in cyanobacteria from such habitats. Pigment extraction, hyperspectral microscopy and transmission electron microscopy demonstrated the presence of Chl a and f in unicellular cyanobacteria found in enrichment cultures. Amplicon sequencing indicated that all oxygenic phototrophs were related to KC1, a Chl f-containing cyanobacterium previously isolated from an aquatic environment. Microsensor measurements on aggregates demonstrated oxygenic photosynthesis at 742 nm and less efficient photosynthesis under 768- and 777-nm light probably because of diminished overlap with the absorption spectrum of Chl f and other far-red absorbing pigments. Our findings suggest the importance of Chl f-containing cyanobacteria in terrestrial habitats.
Habitat-specific environmental conditions primarily control the microbiomes of the coral Seriatopora hystrix
Authors: Pantos Olga , Bongaerts Pim , Dennis Paul G , Tyson Gene W , Hoegh-Guldberg Ove
Published: February 2015

Reef-building corals form complex relationships with a range of microorganisms including bacteria, archaea, fungi and the unicellular microalgae of the genus Symbiodinium, which together form the coral holobiont. These symbionts are known to have both beneficial and deleterious effects on their coral host, but little is known about what the governing factors of these relationships are, or the interactions that exist between the different members of the holobiont and their environment. Here we used 16S ribosomal RNA gene amplicon sequencing to investigate how archaeal and bacterial communities associated with the widespread scleractinian coral Seriatopora hystrix are influenced by extrinsic (reef habitat and geographic location) and intrinsic (host genotype and Symbiodinium subclade) factors. Bacteria dominate the microbiome of S. hystrix, with members of the Alphaproteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria and Bacteriodetes being the most predominant in all samples. The richness and evenness of these communities varied between reef habitats, but there was no significant difference between distinct coral host lineages or corals hosting distinct Symbiodinium subclades. The coral microbiomes correlated to reef habitat (depth) and geographic location, with a negative correlation between Alpha- and Gammaproteobacteria, driven by the key members of both groups (Rhodobacteraceae and Hahellaceae, respectively), which showed significant differences between location and depth. This study suggests that the control of microbial communities associated with the scleractinian coral S. hystrix is driven primarily by external environmental conditions rather than by those directly associated with the coral holobiont.
Structural characterization of a protective epitope spanning A(H1N1)pdm09 influenza virus neuraminidase monomers
Authors: Wan Hongquan , Yang Hua , Shore David A. , Garten Rebecca J. , Couzens Laura , Gao Jin , Jiang Lianlian , Carney Paul J. , Villanueva Julie , Stevens James , Eichelberger Maryna C.
Published: February 2015

A(H1N1)pdm09 influenza A viruses predominated in the 2013–2014 USA influenza season, and although most of these viruses remain sensitive to Food and Drug Administration-approved neuraminidase (NA) inhibitors, alternative therapies are needed. Here we show that monoclonal antibody CD6, selected for binding to the NA of the prototypic A(H1N1)pdm09 virus, A/California/07/2009, protects mice against lethal virus challenge. The crystal structure of NA in complex with CD6 Fab reveals a unique epitope, where the heavy-chain complementarity determining regions (HCDRs) 1 and 2 bind one NA monomer, the light-chain CDR2 binds the neighbouring monomer, whereas HCDR3 interacts with both monomers. This 30-amino-acid epitope spans the lateral face of an NA dimer and is conserved among circulating A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses. These results suggest that the large, lateral CD6 epitope may be an effective target of antibodies selected for development as therapeutic agents against circulating H1N1 influenza viruses.
A rapid bioluminescence assay for measuring myeloperoxidase activity in human plasma
Authors: Goiffon Reece J. , Martinez Sara C. , Piwnica-Worms David
Published: February 2015

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is a circulating cardiovascular disease (CVD) biomarker used to estimate clinical risk and patient prognosis. Current enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) for MPO concentration are costly and time-intensive. Here we report a novel bioluminescence assay, designated MPO activity on a polymer surface (MAPS), for measuring MPO activity in human plasma samples using the bioluminescent substrate L-012. The method delivers a result in under an hour and is resistant to confounding effects from endogenous MPO inhibitors. In a pilot clinical study, we compared MAPS and two clinical ELISAs using 72 plasma samples from cardiac catheterization patients. Results from parallel MAPS and ELISAs were concordant within 2±11 μg l−1 MPO with similar uncertainty and reproducibility. Results between parallel MAPS and ELISA were in better agreement than those between independent ELISAs. MAPS may provide an inexpensive and rapid assay for determining MPO activity in plasma samples from patients with CVD or potentially other immune and inflammatory disorders.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa manipulates redox and iron homeostasis of its microbiota partner Aspergillus fumigatus via phenazines
Authors: Briard Benoit , Bomme Perrine , Lechner Beatrix E. , Mislin Gaëtan L. A. , Lair Virginie , Prévost Marie-Christine , Latgé Jean-Paul , Haas Hubertus , Beauvais Anne
Published: February 2015

The opportunistic fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus is increasingly found as a coinfecting agent along with Pseudomonas aeruginosa in cystic fibrosis patients. Amongst the numerous molecules secreted by P. aeruginosa during its growth, phenazines constitute a major class. P. aeruginosa usually secreted four phenazines, pyocyanin (PYO), phenazine-1-carboxamide (PCN), 1-hydroxyphenazine (1-HP) and phenazine-1-carboxylic acid (PCA). These phenazines inhibited the growth of A. fumigatus but the underlying mechanisms and the impact of these four phenazines on A. fumigatus biology were not known. In the present study, we analyzed the functions of the four phenazines and their mode of action on A. fumigatus. All four phenazines showed A. fumigatus growth inhibitory effects by inducing production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), specifically O2·− and reactive nitrogen species (RNS), ONOO−. A. fumigatus Sod2p was the major factor involved in resistance against the ROS and RNS induced by phenazines. Sub-inhibitory concentrations of PYO, PCA and PCN promote A. fumigatus growth by an independent iron-uptake acquisition. Of the four phenazines 1-HP had a redox-independent function; being able to chelate metal ions 1-HP induced A. fumigatus iron starvation. Our data show the fine-interactions existing between A. fumigatus and P. aeruginosa, which can lead to stimulatory or antagonistic effects.
Comparison of growth texture in round Bi2212 and flat Bi2223 wires and its relation to high critical current density development
Authors: Kametani F. , Jiang J. , Matras M. , Abraimov D. , Hellstrom E. E. , Larbalestier D. C.
Published: February 2015

Why Bi2Sr2CaCu2Ox (Bi2212) allows high critical current density Jc in round wires rather than only in the anisotropic tape form demanded by all other high temperature superconductors is important for future magnet applications. Here we compare the local texture of state-of-the-art Bi2212 and Bi2223 ((Bi,Pb)2Sr2Ca2Cu3O10), finding that round wire Bi2212 generates a dominant a-axis growth texture that also enforces a local biaxial texture (FWHM <15°) while simultaneously allowing the c-axes of its polycrystals to rotate azimuthally along and about the filament axis so as to generate macroscopically isotropic behavior. By contrast Bi2223 shows only a uniaxial (FWHM <15°) c-axis texture perpendicular to the tape plane without any in-plane texture. Consistent with these observations, a marked, field-increasing, field-decreasing Jc(H) hysteresis characteristic of weak-linked systems appears in Bi2223 but is absent in Bi2212 round wire. Growth-induced texture on cooling from the melt step of the Bi2212 Jc optimization process appears to be the key step in generating this highly desirable microstructure.
Alteration in regional tissue oxygenation of preterm infants during placement in the semi-upright seating position
Authors: Petrova Anna , Mehta Rajeev
Published: February 2015

We investigated whether the cerebral (rSO2-C %) and renal (rSO2-R %) tissue oxygenation of preterm infants is altered by repositioning from the supine to semi-upright position for pre-discharge car seat testing. Near-infrared spectroscopy was used to measure rSO2-C and rSO2-R, which were recorded simultaneously with vital signs in 15 preterm infants for 30 minutes in supine, 60 minutes in the semi-upright (at 45 degrees in a car seat) and 30 minutes in the post-semi-upright (supine) position. Changes in rSO2-C and SO2-R were mostly within 1 Standard Deviation (SD) of baseline mean levels in the supine position. Decrease in rSO2-C and rSO2-R (more than 1SD below baseline mean) was recorded in 26.7% and 6.6% of infants respectively, which persisted even after adjustment for variation in heart and respiratory rate and pulse oximeter measured oxygen saturation (P, 0.0001). Re-positioning the infants from the car seat to supine position was associated with normalization of the rSO2-C. Alteration in rSO2-C and rSO2-R in a car seat was independent from the gestational and post-conception age, weight and presence of anemia. We concluded that approximately one-third of preterm infants show minor reduction of cerebral tissue oxygenation in the semi-upright (car seat) position.
Generation of retinal ganglion cells with functional axons from human induced pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Tanaka Taku , Yokoi Tadashi , Tamalu Fuminobu , Watanabe Shu-Ichi , Nishina Sachiko , Azuma Noriyuki
Published: February 2015

We generated self-induced retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) with functional axons from human induced pluripotent stem cells. After development of the optic vesicle from the induced stem cell embryoid body in three-dimensional culture, conversion to two-dimensional culture, achieved by supplementation with BDNF, resulted in differentiation of RGCs at a rate of nearly 90% as indicated by a marginal subregion of an extruded clump of cells, suggesting the formation of an optic vesicle. Axons extended radially from the margin of the clump. Induced RGCs expressed specific markers, such as Brn3b and Math5, as assessed using by quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry. The long, prominent axons contained neurofilaments and tau and exhibited anterograde axonal transport and sodium-dependent action potentials. The ability to generate RGCs with functional axons uniformly and at a high rate may contribute to both basic and clinical science, including embryology, neurology, pathognomy and treatment of various optic nerve diseases that threaten vision.
Attentional modulations of the early and later stages of the neural processing of visual completion
Authors: Wu Xiang , Zhou Liang , Qian Cheng , Gan Lingyu , Zhang Daren
Published: February 2015

The brain effortlessly recognizes objects even when the visual information belonging to an object is widely separated, as well demonstrated by the Kanizsa-type illusory contours (ICs), in which a contour is perceived despite the fragments of the contour being separated by gaps. Such large-range visual completion has long been thought to be preattentive, whereas its dependence on top-down influences remains unclear. Here, we report separate modulations by spatial attention and task relevance on the neural activities in response to the ICs. IC-sensitive event-related potentials that were localized to the lateral occipital cortex were modulated by spatial attention at an early processing stage (130–166 ms after stimulus onset) and modulated by task relevance at a later processing stage (234–290 ms). These results not only demonstrate top-down attentional influences on the neural processing of ICs but also elucidate the characteristics of the attentional modulations that occur in different phases of IC processing.
Sirtinol Inhibits Neutrophil Elastase Activity and Attenuates Lipopolysaccharide-Mediated Acute Lung Injury in Mice
Authors: Tsai Yung-Fong , Yu Huang-Ping , Chang Wen-Yi , Liu Fu-Chao , Huang Zhen-Cheng , Hwang Tsong-Long
Published: February 2015

Enhanced activity of neutrophil elastase leads to a protease–antiprotease imbalance and plays an essential pathogenic role in acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome. We assayed the pharmacological effects and mechanisms of the action of sirtinol in human neutrophils and in neutrophil elastase (HNE)-induced paw edema and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated ALI in mice. Sirtinol significantly inhibited the activity of HNE from human neutrophils in response to various stimulators. The inhibitory effects on HNE activity were not mediated through protein kinase A, calcium, extracellular-regulated kinase, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, Akt, or Src family kinases. Analysis of enzymatic activities showed that sirtinol inhibited HNE activity in a concentration-dependent manner. These results demonstrate that sirtinol does not affect neutrophil function and is an HNE inhibitor. In addition, administration of sirtinol significantly inhibited HNE-induced paw edema and attenuated the myeloperoxidase activity and reduced pulmonary wet/dry weight ratio in the LPS-induced ALI mouse model. Our study indicates that sirtinol has anti-inflammatory effects through direct inhibition of HNE activity and attenuates HNE-induced and LPS-mediated tissue or organ injury in vivo. Sirtinol is a novel HNE inhibitor and may have the potential for clinical application in the treatment of inflammatory lung diseases.
n and p type character of single molecule diodes
Authors: Zoldan Vinícius Claudio , Faccio Ricardo , Pasa André Avelino
Published: February 2015

Looking for single molecule electronic devices, we have investigated the charge transport properties of individual tetra-phenylporphyrin molecules on different substrates by ultrahigh-vacuum scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy and by first-principles calculations. The tetra-phenylporphyrins with a Co atom (Co-TPP) or 2 hydrogens (H2-TPP) in the central macrocycle when deposited on Cu3Au(100) substrates showed a diode-like behavior with p and n type character, respectively. After removing the central hydrogens of H2-TPP molecule with the STM tip an ohmic behavior was measured. The rectifying effect was understood from the theoretical point of view by assuming for Co-TPP HOMO conduction and for H2-TPP LUMO conduction, both selectively elected by the hybridization of states between molecule and substrate surface.