bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nonlinear analysis of thermally and electrically actuated functionally graded material microbeam
Authors: Li Yingli , Meguid S. A. , Fu Yiming , Xu Daolin
Published: December 2013

In this paper, we provide a unified and self-consistent treatment of a functionally graded material (FGM) microbeam with varying thermal conductivity subjected to non-uniform or uniform temperature field. Specifically, it is our objective to determine the effect of the microscopic size of the beam, the electrostatic gap, the temperature field and material property on the pull-in voltage of the microbeam under different boundary conditions. The non-uniform temperature field is obtained by integrating the steady-state heat conduction equation. The governing equations account for the microbeam size by introducing an internal material length-scale parameter that is based on the modified couple stress theory. Furthermore, it takes into account Casimir and van der Waals forces, and the associated electrostatic force with the first-order fringing field effects. The resulting nonlinear differential equations were converted to a coupled system of algebraic equations using the differential quadrature method. The outcome of our work shows the dramatic effect and dependence of the pull-in voltage of the FGM microbeam upon the temperature field, its gradient for a given boundary condition. Specifically, both uniform and non-uniform thermal loading can actuate the FGM microbeam even without an applied voltage. Our work also reveals that the non-uniform temperature field is more effective than the uniform temperature field in actuating a FGM cantilever-type microbeam. For the clamped-clamped case, care must be taken to account for the effective use of thermal loading in the design of microbeams. It is also observed that uniform thermal loading will lead to a reduction in the pull-in voltage of a FGM microbeam for all the three boundary conditions considered.
Numerical conformal mapping and its inverse of unbounded multiply connected regions onto logarithmic spiral slit regions and straight slit regions
Authors: Yunus A. A. M. , Murid A. H. M. , Nasser M. M. S.
Published: December 2013

This paper presents a boundary integral equation method with the adjoint generalized Neumann kernel for computing conformal mapping of unbounded multiply connected regions and its inverse onto several classes of canonical regions. For each canonical region, two integral equations are solved before one can approximate the boundary values of the mapping function. Cauchy's-type integrals are used for computing the mapping function and its inverse for interior points. This method also works for regions with piecewise smooth boundaries. Three examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Notification that new names of prokaryotes and new combinations have appeared in volume 63, part 9, of the IJSEM
Authors: Oren Aharon , Garrity George M.
Published: December 2013

This listing of names of prokaryotes published in a previous issue of the IJSEM is provided as a service to bacteriology to assist in the recognition of new names and new combinations. This procedure was proposed by the Judicial Commission [Minute 11(ii), Int J Syst Bacteriol
41 (1991), p. 185]. The names given herein are listed according to the Rules of priority (i.e. page number and order of valid publication of names in the original articles). Taxonomic opinions included in this List (i.e. the creation of synonyms or the emendation of circumscriptions) cannot be considered as validly published nor, in any other way, approved by the International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes and its Judicial Commission.
Intrahaemocoelic infection of Trichoplusia ni with the baculovirus Autographa californica M nucleopolyhedrovirus does not induce tracheal cell basal lamina remodelling
Authors: Means John C. , Passarelli A. Lorena
Published: December 2013

Infection of the lepidopteran insect Trichoplusia ni with the baculovirus Autographa californica M nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) by the oral route stimulates activation of host matrix metalloproteases (MMP) and effector caspases, a process dependent on expression of the viral fibroblast growth factor (vFGF). This pathway leads to tracheal cell basal lamina remodelling, enabling virus escape from the primary site of infection, the midgut epithelium, and establishment of efficient systemic infection. In this study, we asked whether the MMP–caspase pathway was also activated following infection by intrahaemocoelic injection. We found that intrahaemocoelic infection did not lead to any observable tracheal cell or midgut epithelium basal lamina remodelling. MMP and caspase activities were not significantly stimulated. We conclude that the main role of the AcMNPV vFGF is in facilitating virus midgut escape.
Systematic mapping of occluded genes by cell fusion reveals prevalence and stability of cis-mediated silencing in somatic cells
Authors: Looney Timothy J. , Zhang Li , Chen Chih-Hsin , Lee Jae Hyun , Chari Sheila , Mao Frank Fuxiang , Pelizzola Mattia , Zhang Lu , Lister Ryan , Baker Samuel W. , Fernandes Croydon J. , Gaetz Jedidiah , Foshay Kara M. , Clift Kayla L. , Zhang Zhenyu , Li Wei-Qiang , Vallender Eric J. , Wagner Ulrich , Qin Jane Yuxia , Michelini Katelyn J. , Bugarija Branimir , Park Donghyun , Aryee Emmanuel , Stricker Thomas , Zhou Jie , White Kevin P. , Ren Bing , Schroth Gary P. , Ecker Joseph R. , Xiang Andy Peng , Lahn Bruce T.
Published: December 2013

Both diffusible factors acting in trans and chromatin components acting in cis are implicated in gene regulation, but the extent to which either process causally determines a cell's transcriptional identity is unclear. We recently used cell fusion to define a class of silent genes termed “cis-silenced” (or “occluded”) genes, which remain silent even in the presence of trans-acting transcriptional activators. We further showed that occlusion of lineage-inappropriate genes plays a critical role in maintaining the transcriptional identities of somatic cells. Here, we present, for the first time, a comprehensive map of occluded genes in somatic cells. Specifically, we mapped occluded genes in mouse fibroblasts via fusion to a dozen different rat cell types followed by whole-transcriptome profiling. We found that occluded genes are highly prevalent and stable in somatic cells, representing a sizeable fraction of silent genes. Occluded genes are also highly enriched for important developmental regulators of alternative lineages, consistent with the role of occlusion in safeguarding cell identities. Alongside this map, we also present whole-genome maps of DNA methylation and eight other chromatin marks. These maps uncover a complex relationship between chromatin state and occlusion. Furthermore, we found that DNA methylation functions as the memory of occlusion in a subset of occluded genes, while histone deacetylation contributes to the implementation but not memory of occlusion. Our data suggest that the identities of individual cell types are defined largely by the occlusion status of their genomes. The comprehensive reference maps reported here provide the foundation for future studies aimed at understanding the role of occlusion in development and disease.
Genome-wide nucleosome map and cytosine methylation levels of an ancient human genome
Authors: Pedersen Jakob Skou , Valen Eivind , Velazquez Amhed M. Vargas , Parker Brian J. , Rasmussen Morten , Lindgreen Stinus , Lilje Berit , Tobin Desmond J. , Kelly Theresa K. , Vang Søren , Andersson Robin , Jones Peter A. , Hoover Cindi A. , Tikhonov Alexei , Prokhortchouk Egor , Rubin Edward M. , Sandelin Albin , Gilbert M. Thomas P. , Krogh Anders , Willerslev Eske , Orlando Ludovic
Published: December 2013

Epigenetic information is available from contemporary organisms, but is difficult to track back in evolutionary time. Here, we show that genome-wide epigenetic information can be gathered directly from next-generation sequence reads of DNA isolated from ancient remains. Using the genome sequence data generated from hair shafts of a 4000-yr-old Paleo-Eskimo belonging to the Saqqaq culture, we generate the first ancient nucleosome map coupled with a genome-wide survey of cytosine methylation levels. The validity of both nucleosome map and methylation levels were confirmed by the recovery of the expected signals at promoter regions, exon/intron boundaries, and CTCF sites. The top-scoring nucleosome calls revealed distinct DNA positioning biases, attesting to nucleotide-level accuracy. The ancient methylation levels exhibited high conservation over time, clustering closely with modern hair tissues. Using ancient methylation information, we estimated the age at death of the Saqqaq individual and illustrate how epigenetic information can be used to infer ancient gene expression. Similar epigenetic signatures were found in other fossil material, such as 110,000- to 130,000-yr-old bones, supporting the contention that ancient epigenomic information can be reconstructed from a deep past. Our findings lay the foundation for extracting epigenomic information from ancient samples, allowing shifts in epialleles to be tracked through evolutionary time, as well as providing an original window into modern epigenomics.
4-Amino-12-methylsulfonyloxy-[2.2]paracyclophane
Authors: Meng Xiangchao , Duan Wenzeng , Han Yinfeng
Published: December 2013

The title compound, C17H19NO3S, was synthesized from 4-benzhydrylideneamino-12-hydroxy-[2.2]paracyclophane and methanesulfonyl chloride. In the molecule, the distance between the centroids of two aromatic rings is 2.960 (5) Å. In the crystal, weak N—H...O and C—H...O hydrogen bonds link the molecules into layers parallel to the ac plane.
Modelling of high-symmetry nanoscale particles by small-angle scattering
Authors: Alves Cassio , Pedersen Jan Skov , Oliveira Cristiano Luis Pinto
Published: December 2013

A versatile procedure to build high-symmetry objects and to calculate their corresponding small-angle scattering intensity is presented. Starting from a set of vertex positions, available from a large and extensible database, it is possible to build several types of bodies using spherical subunits. A fast implementation, based on the Debye formula using a histogram of distance, is then used to compute the theoretical scattering intensity. Since the model is built from the definition of a small set of parameters, it is possible to perform an optimization of structural parameters against experimental data. Finally, affine size polydispersities can be easily included by the rescaling of the histogram of the positions used in the calculations. Several examples of the calculations are presented, demonstrating the method and its applicability.
Fast pole figure acquisition using area detectors at the DiffAbs beamline – Synchrotron SOLEIL. Erratum
Authors: Mocuta Cristian , Richard Marie-Ingrid , Fouet Julie , Stanescu Stefan , Barbier Antoine , Guichet Christophe , Thomas Olivier , Hustache Stéphanie , Zozulya Alexey V. , Thiaudière Dominique
Published: December 2013

Errors in the article by Mocuta, Richard, Fouet, Stanescu, Barbier, Guichet, Thomas, Hustache, Zozulya & Thiaudière [J. Appl. Cryst.(2013),46, 1842–1853] are corrected.
Treatment for cutaneous arteritis patients with mononeuritis multiplex and elevated C‐reactive protein
Authors: Kawakami Tamihiro , Okudaira Azusa , Okano Tatsuro , Takeuchi Sora , Kimura Satoko , Soma Yoshinao , Ishizu Akihiro , Arimura Yoshihiro , Kobayashi Shigeto , Ozaki Shoichi
Published: December 2013

Cutaneous arteritis (cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa, CA) is a necrotizing vasculitis of arteries within the skin. CA is a new classification under single‐organ vasculitis, as adopted by the 2012 Chapel Hill consensus conference (CHCC 2012). Some patients originally diagnosed as having CA could develop additional disease manifestations that warrant reclassifying as systemic polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) according to the CHCC 2012. We retrospectively investigated 101 patients with CA seen at our department between 2003 and 2012. There was a significantly higher frequency of inflammatory plaques and leg edema in CA patients with elevated C‐reactive protein (CRP) compared to CA patients with normal CRP. Similarly, there were significant differences in the incidence of arthralgia and mononeuritis multiplex between the two patient groups. We found significantly positive correlations between CRP and creatinine titers in serum in all 101 CA patients. Prednisolone was administrated in a significantly greater percentage of patients with elevated CRP compared to patients with normal CRP. Repeated i.v. cyclophosphamide pulse therapy (IV‐CY) with prednisolone therapy at an early stage resulted in complete resolution without adverse effects or severe complications. We regard inflammatory plaques and leg edema with elevated serum CRP as an indication of a more severe condition, and treated them effectively with prednisolone. Assuming mononeuritis multiplex and/or arthritis exist with elevated CRP, we propose that earlier treatment by IV‐CY with prednisolone should be indicated for CA patients who demonstrate these more severe manifestations to prevent progression to PAN.
Drug survival rates in patients with psoriasis after treatment with biologics
Authors: Umezawa Yoshinori , Nobeyama Yoshimasa , Hayashi Mitsuha , Fukuchi Osamu , Ito Toshihiro , Saeki Hidehisa , Nakagawa Hidemi
Published: December 2013

Clinically, patients' adherence to biologic treatment is not only related to efficacy but also to adverse events, cost and other factors. To evaluate long‐term viability of biologic treatment, both the percentage of and reasons for discontinuation of treatment were investigated. In this study, patients treated with infliximab (n = 38), adalimumab (n = 59) and ustekinumab (n = 30) were included and observed for 12 months. Clinical efficacy was evaluated using a 75% reduction of Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score (PASI‐75), and patients who discontinued treatment were considered as not having achieved PASI‐75. In addition, drug survival rate (DSR) was investigated. In patients treated with infliximab, PASI‐75 was 68.4% and DSR was 73.3% by the end of treatment. In patients treated with adalimumab, PASI‐75 was 50.8% and DSR was 79.7%. In patients treated with ustekinumab, PASI‐75 was 63.3% and DSR was 96.7%. Several patients discontinued treatment because of insufficient efficacy due to secondary failure in infliximab or primary failure in adalimumab. To increase treatment efficacy, it will be necessary for these patients to use an additional concomitant treatment. Higher efficacy is expected with biologics than with conventional treatments; however, the actual clinical efficacy over a long period of time may be insufficient if they are used without any concomitant treatments.
Research Note: Transverse isotropy estimation from dipole sonic logs acquired in pilot and production wells
Authors: Horne S.A. , Walsh J.J.
Published: December 2013

Dipole sonic logs acquired in near‐vertical pilot wells and over the build section of nearby horizontal production wells are inverted to determine the five elastic constants characterizing a transversely isotropic formation, under the assumption of lateral homogeneity. Slowness values from a single depth in the vertical well are combined with data from the corresponding depth in the deviated well; these data are then inverted using nonlinear optimization to derive the five elastic constants. The technique is demonstrated on data from the Haynesville Shale in Texas. Estimates of the anisotropy are in line with a priori expectations; the Thomsen ε and γ parameters are well correlated and generally possess positive anellipticity, with Thomsen's ε greater than Thomsen's δ.
Research Note: Full‐waveform inversion of the unwrapped phase of a model
Authors: Alkhalifah Tariq
Published: December 2013

Reflections in seismic data induce serious non‐linearity in the objective function of full‐ waveform inversion. Thus, without a good initial velocity model that can produce reflections within a half cycle of the frequency used in the inversion, convergence to a solution becomes difficult. As a result, we tend to invert for refracted events and damp reflections in data. Reflection induced non‐linearity stems from cycle skipping between the imprint of the true model in observed data and the predicted model in synthesized data. Inverting for the phase of the model allows us to address this problem by avoiding the source of non‐linearity, the phase wrapping phenomena. Most of the information related to the location (or depths) of interfaces is embedded in the phase component of a model, mainly influenced by the background model, while the velocity‐contrast information (responsible for the reflection energy) is mainly embedded in the amplitude component. In combination with unwrapping the phase of data, which mitigates the non‐linearity introduced by the source function, I develop a framework to invert for the unwrapped phase of a model, represented by the instantaneous depth, using the unwrapped phase of the data. The resulting gradient function provides a mechanism to non‐linearly update the velocity model by applying mainly phase shifts to the model. In using the instantaneous depth as a model parameter, we keep track of the model properties unfazed by the wrapping phenomena.
Clinician percent syllables stuttered, clinician severity ratings and speaker severity ratings: are they interchangeable?
Authors: Karimi Hamid , Jones Mark , O'Brian Sue , Onslow Mark
Published: December 2013

Background

At present, percent syllables stuttered (%SS) is the gold standard outcome measure for behavioural stuttering treatment research. However, ordinal severity rating (SR) procedures have some inherent advantages over that method.

Aims

To establish the relationship between Clinician %SS, Clinician SR and self‐reported Speaker SR. To investigate whether Clinician SRs and Speaker SRs can be used interchangeably.

Method & Procedures

Participants were three experienced speech–language pathologist (SLP) judges and 87 adults who stuttered. Adults who stuttered received a 10‐min unscheduled telephone call at the conclusion of which they self‐reported a SR using a nine‐point scale. The SLPs measured the stuttering for these conversations with %SS and also with the SR scale. The mean scores for Clinician %SS and Clinician SR were compared with Speaker SR using appropriate indices of relative and absolute reliability. Relative reliability indices deal with the rank order of participants in a sample and whether they can be distinguished from each other. However, absolute reliability indices are related to the closeness of the measurement scores to each other and to a hypothetical true score.

Outcomes & Results

Strong correlations were found between Clinician %SS and Clinician SR, and also between Clinician %SS and Speaker SR, although with higher values in the former case. Additionally, very high correlations showed acceptable relative reliability between Clinician SR and Speaker SR. However, absolute reliability in terms of standard error of measurement and limits of agreement was poor for Clinician SR and Speaker SR.

Conclusions & Implications

The results suggest that Clinician SR and Speaker SR cannot be used interchangeably to measure temporal stuttering severity changes for an individual client. However, researchers might use these two measures interchangeably in research contexts, such as clinical trials, where changes of the entire group are of interest to determine and compare treatment effect size across trials.
School leadership and special education: challenges, dilemmas and opportunities from an Australian context
Authors: Garner Philip , Forbes Fiona
Published: December 2013

This article examines the personal and professional attributes of school leaders in relation to special educational needs and disability (SEND) and assesses the extent to which these might be sufficient to give such professionals the confidence necessary to be role models for their staff. Data were collected via a survey of a randomly selected set of Australian school leaders, in both special and mainstream schools. This included principals from all sectors of the Australian school system. The study was based on the premise that school principals place as much importance on the need to be instructional leaders as they do on being managers. The study was informed by an assumption that in order to be successful as a school leader in respect of SEND, a school principal requires a deep pedagogical knowledge and a clear understanding of children's developmental milestones. The study found that school leaders expressed a need to develop further understanding of how to differentiate the taught curriculum in order to identify and support school‐wide quality teaching and learning processes for students with SEND.
The Religion of the Secularists
Authors: Judge Edwin
Published: December 2013

Both “religion” and “secularism” are constructs distinctive of the West. They both arise from the peculiar history of Christianity. Hence the double face of modern “religion.” It may cover any inherited cultic practice, safeguard ethnic values, and be respected under multiculturalism. But at the same time it may refer to the intellectual and moral commitments which mark us off socially from others, annoying the secularists. Julian, the first modern‐type secularist, reacted against the Constantinian establishment of the “new religion” by ordering the priests of the old Hellenic cults to adopt the Christian style of social indoctrination to outclass those vulgar innovators. But the Fall of Rome produced the intellectual masterpiece of Augustine which redefined the saeculum and set the framework of modern secularity. Augustine had perceived reality in three dimensions: cosmic, social, and personal. At each level the rationalising logic of Aristotelian science had fixed the pattern of things, by analogy. The whole must be coherent if it is to be true. But the empiricism of Jerusalem had delivered a universe open to change and likely to end. In society power was no longer the proof of virtue. The heart itself was deceptive. Twenty‐first century secularism insists upon such experimental truth, social choice and passionate commitment. This holy trinity is our legacy from the “new” religion.
Power and Religion in a Modern State: Desecularisation in Australian History
Authors: Piggin Stuart
Published: December 2013

Secularisation is a concept with many meanings making it difficult to analyse historically. Yet it is the default master narrative in much Australian historiography. Secular historians typically criticise the role of religion in history as being either too unengaged or, if engaged, too intrusive and negative in its impact. This article challenges both assumptions, taking five “nodal points” in Australian history and arguing that they are better given a “Christian” than a secular interpretation. Australia's first European settlement was a high‐minded reform experiment, based partly on a humanitarian Christian vision. The Church Acts gave the population ready access to Christian influence, resulting in a highly “Christianised” nation. When federated, that nation refused to give ascendancy to any one Christian denomination, but largely assumed that its polity was that of a “Christian commonwealth.” Out of its Christian commitment, in the middle of the twentieth century, it withstood control by atheistic communists of its industrial and political life. In the first decade of the present century, a surprising number of politicians have sought to define its national identity largely in terms of its Christian heritage rooted in the Classical/Christian tradition.
The effects of oral garlic on vaginal candida colony counts: a randomised placebo controlled double‐blind trial
Authors: Watson CJ , Grando D , Fairley CK , Chondros P , Garland SM , Myers SP , Pirotta M
Published: December 2013

Objective

Garlic is effective against Candida species in vitro, and along with other alternative therapies, is used by women with vulvovaginal candidiasis. The objective of this study was to ascertain whether oral garlic reduced vaginal candida counts during the second half of the menstrual cycle in asymptomatic women colonised with Candida species.

Design

A simple randomised double‐blinded controlled trial.

Setting

Melbourne, Australia.

Sample

Sixty‐three asymptomatic women who were culture‐positive for Candida species at screening.

Methods

Participants were randomised to three garlic tablets or placebo orally, twice daily, for 14 days.

Main outcome measures

The primary outcome was the proportion of women with colony counts of candida >100 colony‐forming units per ml in any given day during the last 7 days before menstruation, defined as a ‘case’. Secondary outcomes included the mean quantitative colony counts of candida over 14 days prior to menses.

Results

There was no evidence of a difference between the proportion of cases in the garlic and placebo groups (76 versus 90%; relative risk, RR 0.85; 95% confidence interval, 95% CI 0.67–1.08), in the mean colony counts in both groups (ratio of geometric means of candidal colony counts 0.63; 95% CI 0.39–10.03; P = 0.74), or difference in the number of women reporting abnormal vaginal symptoms during the 2 weeks before menstruation (RR 1.03; 95% CI 0.67–1.58; P = 0.91). The garlic group reported more adverse effects (83% compared 43% in the placebo group; difference in proportions 39%; 95% CI 17–%; P < 0.01).

Conclusions

This study provided data for sample size calculations in future studies on the antifungal effect of garlic, but provided no evidence to inform clinical practice regarding the use of garlic in vaginal candidiasis. Further studies might investigate longer courses or topical formulations.
The Application of the Central Limit Theorem and the Law of Large Numbers to Facial Soft Tissue Depths: T‐Table Robustness and Trends since 2008,
Authors: Stephan Carl N.
Published: December 2013

By pooling independent study means (), the T‐Tables use the central limit theorem and law of large numbers to average out study‐specific sampling bias and instrument errors and, in turn, triangulate upon human population means (μ). Since their first publication in 2008, new data from >2660 adults have been collected (c.30% of the original sample) making a review of the T‐Table's robustness timely. Updated grand means show that the new data have negligible impact on the previously published statistics: maximum change = 1.7 mm at gonion; and ≤1 mm at 93% of all landmarks measured. This confirms the utility of the 2008 T‐Table as a proxy to soft tissue depth population means and, together with updated sample sizes (8851 individuals at pogonion), earmarks the 2013 T‐Table as the premier mean facial soft tissue depth standard for craniofacial identification casework. The utility of the T‐Table, in comparison with shorths and 75‐shormaxes, is also discussed.
Acute Poisoning Types and Prevalence in Shanghai, China, from January 2010 to August 2011
Authors: Zhang Jingshuo , Xiang Ping , Zhuo Xianyi , Shen Min
Published: December 2013

In recent years, the number of cases of acute poisoning has increased in China, yet; currently, there is no detailed report published that addresses acute poisoning in the mainland of China. We collected biological samples from 466 cases of suspected acute poisoning at the hospitals in Shanghai, China, and examined them using spectroscopy, chromatography and chromatography/mass spectrometry. Of the 466 cases, 230 cases (100 men and 130 women) were positively confirmed as acute poisonings. There were 80 types of compounds identified in this study. Medications were the most frequent substances identified, and the other substances included pesticides, multiple compounds, volatile compounds, natural toxins, and others. The results of this study indicate a need for strengthening the education about and management of the rational and safe use of drugs in Shanghai.
Inorganic and Total Arsenic Contents in Rice‐Based Foods for Children with Celiac Disease
Authors: Munera‐Picazo Sandra , Ramírez‐Gandolfo Amanda , Burló Francisco , Carbonell‐Barrachina Ángel Antonio
Published: December 2013

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that affects the villi of the small intestine causing abdominal pain, gas, diarrhea, or bad absorption due to gluten intolerance. The only treatment for this disease consists of a lifelong gluten free diet; this is, celiac people cannot consume products containing gluten, such as wheat, barley, and rye, but they can use rice and corn. Thus, rice flour is mainly used for the manufacturing of the basic products of this population. Unfortunately, rice can contain high contents of total (t‐As) and inorganic (i‐As) arsenic. The current study demonstrated that products for celiac children with a high percentage of rice contained high concentrations of arsenic (256 and 128 μg kg−1). The daily intake of i‐As ranged from 0.61 to 0.78 μg kg−1 body weight (bw) in children up to 5 y of age; these values were below the maximum value established by the EFSA Panel (8.0 μg kg−1 bw per day), but it should be considered typical of populations with a high exposure to this pollutant. Finally, legislation is needed to improve the labeling of these special rice‐based foods for celiac children; label should include information about percentage, geographical origin, and cultivar of the used rice.
Quantitative FDG PET/CT in the community: Experience from interpretation of outside oncologic PET/CT exams in referred cancer patients
Authors: Tahari Abdel K. , Wahl Richard L.
Published: December 2013

Purpose

Tertiary care institutions often deal with patients who have had a baseline positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) scan performed elsewhere. Little data exist regarding the quality of these PET/CT scans and whether they are fully suitable for qualitative or quantitative interpretation. We evaluated outside PET/CT scans from cancer patients referred to our institution and compared them with PET/CT scans acquired locally.

Methods

This Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act‐compliant retrospective study was approved by our institutional review board. Informed consent requirements were waived. One hundred seventy recent whole‐body outside PET/CT exams from many sites were digitally imported into our radiology imaging system and reviewed for key quality metrics including time from injection until imaging, availability of patient height and weight information, serum glucose level and [18F]fluoro‐2‐deoxy‐D‐glucose (FDG) dose. The standardised uptake value (SUV) and SUV based on lean body mass (SUL) in the liver were measured whenever possible. These were compared with 170 internal studies performed at our centre during the same period.

Results

Missing data were common in outside scans with height in 62%, weight 35%, uptake time 25%, FDG dose 28% and glucose levels in 64% of cases. In quantitatively evaluable cases, mean liver SUL, SUV, FDG dose and uptake time were much more variable in outside than in internal studies.

Conclusion

Approximately one‐third of the outside PET/CT studies submitted digitally for analysis lacked key information required to secure any quantitative imaging data. Only about a third of these studies had all necessary information available for accurate SUL determination and had acceptable quality that was comparable with locally acquired scans. This suggests that many of PET studies performed in the community cannot be relied upon to provide quantitative image data that can be applied in a different centre. Greater standardisation of oncologic PET/CT studies among different centres must still be pursued.
Actual and Potential Trade Flows between Australia and Latin America
Authors: Esposto Alexis , Pereyra Ricardo
Published: December 2013

For decades Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) was seen as an obscure, far‐flung, yet mysterious destination, where business relations for Australian industry and consumers were challenging, complex and difficult to achieve. Of late, however, this perception appears to be changing rapidly. Trade between Australia and Latin America has grown substantially over the recent past and is beginning to capture the imagination of Australian consumers, businesses and government institutions. To that end, this article analyses the growth in trade for a number of LAC countries and pays particular attention to trade growth between Australia and five South American economies. Using Balassa's revealed comparative indices the article analyses comparative advantage, trade competitiveness and complementarity for five Latin American countries and Australia. The study shows that trade expansion and gains from trade may be achieved by promoting further trade engagement between Australia and Latin America.
Financial Deregulation, Economic Uncertainty and the Stability of Money Demand in Australia
Authors: Fanta Fassil
Published: December 2013

This article investigates the financial deregulation, economic uncertainty and the stability of money demand (M1 & broad money (BM)) in Australia for the periods between 1976:2 and 2008:4. We use Johansen procedure of cointegration to estimate the long‐run stationary relationship between Australian monetary aggregates and the explanatory variables. We use generalised autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity (1, 1) model to construct an economic uncertainty index. The results suggest that there is evidence of long‐term relation between money (M1), economic activity, interest rate and price for the pre‐deregulation subperiod. However, there is no evidence of long‐run equilibrium relation between real M1 and its determinants for the baseline specification. However, the model with uncertainty index confirms a stable long‐run relationship. Moreover, we found no cointegration relation among BM, real GDP and long‐term interest rate for post‐regulation and for the entire sample for the traditional money demand equation. However, we have consistent evidence of long‐run equilibrium relation between BM, real activity and short‐term interest rates for subperiods and for the entire sample period when we account for economic uncertainty.
Integrin‐linked kinase modulates longevity and thermotolerance in C. elegans through neuronal control of HSF‐1
Authors: Kumsta Caroline , Ching Tsui‐Ting , Nishimura Mayuko , Davis Andrew E. , Gelino Sara , Catan Hannah H. , Yu Xiaokun , Chu Chu‐Chiao , Ong Binnan , Panowski Siler H. , Baird Nathan , Bodmer Rolf , Hsu Ao‐Lin , Hansen Malene
Published: December 2013

Integrin‐signaling complexes play important roles in cytoskeletal organization and cell adhesion in many species. Components of the integrin‐signaling complex have been linked to aging in both Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster, but the mechanism underlying this function is unknown. Here, we investigated the role of integrin‐linked kinase (ILK), a key component of the integrin‐signaling complex, in lifespan determination. We report that genetic reduction of ILK in both C. elegans and Drosophila increased resistance to heat stress, and led to lifespan extension in C. elegans without majorly affecting cytoskeletal integrity. In C. elegans, longevity and thermotolerance induced by ILK depletion was mediated by heat‐shock factor‐1 (HSF‐1), a major transcriptional regulator of the heat‐shock response (HSR). Reduction in ILK levels increased hsf‐1 transcription and activation, and led to enhanced expression of a subset of genes with roles in the HSR. Moreover, induction of HSR‐related genes, longevity and thermotolerance caused by ILK reduction required the thermosensory neurons AFD and interneurons AIY, which are known to play a critical role in the canonical HSR. Notably, ILK was expressed in neighboring neurons, but not in AFD or AIY, implying that ILK reduction initiates cell nonautonomous signaling through thermosensory neurons to elicit a noncanonical HSR. Our results thus identify HSF‐1 as a novel effector of the organismal response to reduced ILK levels and show that ILK inhibition regulates HSF‐1 in a cell nonautonomous fashion to enhance stress resistance and lifespan in C. elegans.
Identification and characterization of novel and differentially expressed microRNAs in peripheral blood from healthy and mastitis Holstein cattle by deep sequencing
Authors: Li Zhixiong , Wang Hongliang , Chen Ling , Wang Lijun , Liu Xiaolin , Ru Caixia , Song Ailong
Published: December 2013

MicroRNA (miRNA) mediates post‐transcriptional gene regulation and plays an important role in regulating the development of immune cells and in modulating innate and adaptive immune responses in mammals, including cattle. In the present study, we identified novel and differentially expressed miRNAs in peripheral blood from healthy and mastitis Holstein cattle by Solexa sequencing and bioinformatics. In total, 608 precursor hairpins (pre‐miRNAs) encoding for 753 mature miRNAs were detected. Statistically, 173 unique miRNAs (of 753, 22.98%) were identified that had significant differential expression between healthy and mastitis Holstein cattle (P < 0.001). Most differentially expressed miRNAs (118 of 173, 68.21%) belonged to the chemokine signaling pathway involved in the immune responses. This study expands the number of miRNAs known to be expressed in cattle. The patterns of miRNAs expression differed significantly between the peripheral blood from healthy and mastitis Holstein cattle, which provide important information on mastitis in miRNAs expression. Diverse miRNAs may play an important role in the treatment of mastitis in Holstein cattle.
A base substitution in the donor site of intron 12 of KIT gene is responsible for the dominant white coat colour of blue fox (Alopex lagopus)
Authors: Yan S. Q. , Hou J. N. , Bai C. Y. , Jiang Y. , Zhang X. J. , Ren H. L. , Sun B. X. , Zhao Z. H. , Sun J. H.
Published: December 2013

The dominant white coat colour of farmed blue fox is inherited as a monogenic autosomal dominant trait and is suggested to be embryonic lethal in the homozygous state. In this study, the transcripts of KIT were identified by RT‐PCR for a dominant white fox and a normal blue fox. Sequence analysis showed that the KIT transcript in normal blue fox contained the full‐length coding sequence of 2919 bp (GenBank Acc. No KF530833), but in the dominant white individual, a truncated isoform lacking the entire exon 12 specifically co‐expressed with the normal transcript. Genomic DNA sequencing revealed that a single nucleotide polymorphism (c.1867+1G>T) in intron 12 appeared only in the dominant white individuals and a 1‐bp ins/del polymorphism in the same intron showed in individuals representing two different coat colours. Genotyping results of the SNP with PCR‐RFLP in 185 individuals showed all 90 normal blue foxes were homozygous for the G allele, and all dominant white individuals were heterozygous. Due to the truncated protein with a deletion of 35 amino acids and an amino acid replacement (p.Pro623Ala) located in the conserved ATP binding domain, we propose that the mutant receptor had absent tyrosine kinase activity. These findings reveal that the base substitution at the first nucleotide of intron 12 of KIT gene, resulting in skipping of exon 12, is a causative mutation responsible for the dominant white phenotype of blue fox.
Systematic review with meta‐analysis: highly selective 5‐HT4 agonists (prucalopride, velusetrag or naronapride) in chronic constipation
Authors: Shin A. , Camilleri M. , Kolar G. , Erwin P. , West C. P. , Murad M. H.
Published: December 2013

Background

Highly selective 5‐HT4 agonists have been suggested for the treatment of chronic constipation (CC).

Aim

To assess the effects of highly selective 5‐HT4 agonists (prucalopride, velusetrag or naronapride) on patient‐important clinical efficacy outcomes and safety in adults with CC.

Methods

We searched the medical literature in January 2013 using MEDLINE/Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science/Scopus for randomised, controlled trials of highly selective 5‐HT4 agonists in adults with CC, with no minimum duration of therapy (maximum 12 weeks) or date limitations. Data were extracted from intention‐to‐treat analyses, pooled using a random‐effects model, and reported as relative risk (RR), mean differences, or standardised mean differences with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

Main outcomes included stool frequency, Patient‐Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life (PAC‐QOL), PAC of symptoms (PAC‐SYM) and adverse events. Thirteen eligible trials were identified: 11 prucalopride, 1 velusetrag, 1 naronapride. Relative to control, treatment with highly selective 5‐HT4 agonists was superior for all outcomes: mean ≥3 spontaneous complete bowel movements (SCBM)/week (RR = 1.85; 95% CI 1.23–2.79); mean ≥1 SCBM over baseline (RR = 1.57; 95% CI 1.19, 2.06); ≥1 point improvement in PAC‐QOL and PAC‐SYM scores. The only active comparator trial of prucalopride and PEG3350 suggested PEG3350 is more efficacious for some end points. Adverse events were more common with highly selective 5‐HT4 agonists, but were generally minor; headache was the most frequent. Most trials studied prucalopride.

Conclusion

Demonstration of efficacy on patient‐important outcomes and a favourable safety profile support the continued use and development of highly selective 5–HT4 agonists in the treatment of chronic constipation.
How to develop native plant communities in heavily altered ecosystems: examples from large‐scale surface mining in Germany
Authors: Tischew Sabine , Baasch Annett , Grunert Harald , Kirmer Anita
Published: December 2013

Questions

Does site alteration caused by mining impede spontaneous colonization of native species assemblies to the advantage of neophytic species at the landscape unit and plant community scale? To what extent can mined site conditions support the establishment of rare plant species assemblies that are locally novel but of regional conservation value? What effects have dispersal limitation and stochasticity on spontaneous succession trajectories and how does community structure and composition differ between actively restored sites and ancient grasslands?

Location

Central German Lignite Mining District.

Methods

We used comprehensive databases to compare floristic composition in mined sites and their surroundings. At the community level, we choose a chronosequence approach to analyse spontaneous colonization of target species into mined sites and the development of calcareous grasslands, compared to ancient as well as actively restored grasslands. Statistical analyses involved Mann–Whitney U‐test, GNMDS and binary logistic regression.

Results

The proportion of neophytes in spontaneously developing mined sites was low and similar to the unmined surroundings at the landscape unit as well as plant community scale. Mined sites harbour an impressive number of native and even rare species. However, plant communities lacking immigration of target grasses typical for calcareous grasslands lead to divergences regarding species and functional composition compared to ancient calcareous grasslands. In contrast, plots with actively introduced target species at the onset of succession show a generally more rapid trajectory towards ancient grasslands. The probability of establishing in mined sites increases with higher abundance of calcareous dry grassland species in the vicinity, indicating the importance of high propagule pressure in a landscape context, whereas long‐distance dispersal traits were significant, but less important.

Conclusions

Spontaneous succession supports the development of native plant communities. However, because of propagule limitation, colonization processes may lead to novel species assemblies. While dispersal stochasticity during spontaneous succession results in a higher γ‐diversity, species introduction supports faster trajectories towards desired reference states providing important ecosystem services such as erosion control. The key decision of whether to rely on spontaneous succession or not mainly depends on the surrounding landscape matrix and history, the need for erosion control and/or rapid compensation for lost habitats.
Will is not enough: Coping planning and action control as mediators in the prediction of fruit and vegetable intake
Authors: Godinho Cristina A. , Alvarez Maria‐João , Lima Maria Luísa , Schwarzer Ralf
Published: December 2013

Objectives

This study investigates the joint role of coping planning and action control as volitional predictors of changes in the daily consumption of fruit and vegetables.

Design

In a longitudinal online survey, 203 participants completed assessments at baseline (Time 1), 1 week (Time 2), and 2 weeks later (Time 3).

Methods

Structural equation modelling was used to test a series of three nested models. In Model 1, only intention predicted behaviour; in Model 2, both coping planning and action control were tested as mediators between intention and behaviour; and Model 3 specified coping planning and action control as sequential mediators between intention and behaviour.

Results

Model 3 provided the best fit to the data. The mediating role of coping planning and action control between intention and fruit and vegetable intake was confirmed, whereby multiple mediation occurred in a sequential manner, with coping planning preceding action control.

Conclusions

For motivated individuals who are not yet following the recommendations for fruit and vegetable consumption, coping planning and action control reflect a psychological mechanism that operates in changes in fruit and vegetable consumption.

Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

Intention formation might not be enough to change complex health behaviours, such as dietary behaviours.

Volitional factors – Such as action planning – Have shown to be important for the translation of intentions into behaviour, particularly for fruit and vegetable intake.

Other volitional factors such as coping planning and action control have been less studied as potential mediators between intention and fruit and vegetable intake.

What does this study add?

This study provides further evidence on the psychological mechanisms of fruit and vegetable intake.

Coping planning and action control are shown to act jointly in the prediction of fruit and vegetable intake.

A double mediation was found, attesting the translation of intention into fruit and vegetable intake sequentially by coping planning and action control.
Part‐set cuing of texts, scenes, and matrices
Authors: Fritz Catherine O. , Morris Peter E.
Published: December 2013

In four experiments, we extended the study of part‐set cuing to expository texts and pictorial scenes. In Experiment 1, recall of expository text was tested with and without part‐set cues in the same order as the original text; cues strongly impaired recall. Experiment 2 repeated Experiment 1 but used cues in random order and found significant but reduced impairment with cuing. Experiments 3 and 4 examined the part‐set cuing of objects presented in a scene or matrix and found virtually no effect of cuing. More objects were recalled from the scene than from the matrix, indicating that the scene's organization aided memory, but the cues did not assist recall. These results extend the domains in which part‐set cues have either impaired or failed to improve recall. Implications for education and eyewitness accounts are briefly considered.