bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigations into Morphology and Mechanical Properties of Epoxidized Polystyrene/Polybutadiene/Polystyrene (SBS) Triblock Copolymer
Authors: Pandit Rajesh , Youssef Boulos , Saiter Jean Marc , Adhikari Rameshwar
Published: May 2013

An architecturally asymmetric polystyrene-block-polybutadiene-block-polystyrene (SBS) triblock copolymer possessing lamellar morphology was subjected to different degrees of epoxidation with performic acid generated in situ by the reaction between hydrogen peroxide and formic acid. The effect of the chemical modification on morphology and mechanical behaviour of the block copolymer was investigated by means of different techniques such as electron microscopy, Fourier transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, tensile testing and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). It was found that the microphase separation behaviour and hence the mechanical properties of the materials can be drastically altered via epoxidation of the diene block of the styrene/diene triblock copolymers. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jncs.v28i0.8057 Journal of Nepal Chemical Society Vol.28, 2011 Page 42-47 Uploaded date: May 7, 2013
Synthesis and Crystallography of 1-acetoxy-3-ethoxy carbonyl-4-(4-methoxy)phenyl-7-methoxynaphthalene
Authors: Singh Ashok Kumar
Published: May 2013

1-Acetoxy-3-ethoxy carbonyl-4-(4-methoxy)phenyl-7-methoxynaphthalene (3) has been synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction method . The compound crystallizes in triclinic space group P-1 with cell parameter a = 7.793 (6) Å, b = 10.7428(16) Å, c = 13.306 (4) Å and Z = 2. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jncs.v28i0.8115 Journal of Nepal Chemical Society Vol. 28, 2011 Page: 102-105 Uploaded Date: May 24, 2013
An isoquinoline alkaloid, Protopine from Corydalis govaniana growing in Himalayan region of Nepal
Authors: Shrestha R. L. , Jha R. N.
Published: May 2013

Chemical investigation of the roots of Corydalis govaniana resulted in the isolation and characterization of one isoquoniline alkaloid, protopine(1). The structure was established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic data analysis and comparison with spectroscopic data reported. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jncs.v28i0.8116 Journal of Nepal Chemical Society Vol. 28, 2011 Page: 106-109 Uploaded Date: May 24, 2013
Regional characteristics of snowpacks related to avalanches in the central mountains of Japan
Authors: Ikeda Shinji , Noro Tomoyuki
Published: May 2013

To identify the regional characteristics of mountain snowpacks related to avalanches in the central mountains of Japan, snow-pit observations were carried out over a period of between two and five winters at six study sites in three major mountain ranges: the north, central and south alps. The relationship between snowpack characteristics and meteorological properties was then examined to suggest indicators that could determine the snowpack characteristics in the region using meteorological data. On the basis of the dominant type of persistent weakness found within snowpacks, the study sites were divided into three regions: (1) the mountains on the Sea of Japan side - the persistent weakness was caused mainly by the presence of melt-freeze crust (MFcr) layers; (2) the inland mountains - the persistent weakness was caused mainly by the presence of weak layers consisting of near-surface faceted crystals (FCsf); and (3) the mountains on the Pacific Ocean side - the persistent weakness was caused mainly by the formation of thick weak layers consisting of depth hoar (DH) near the ground. The results also suggest that certain meteorological elements are useful indicators of the tendency of a persistent weakness to form within the snowpack: (1) DH layers: TG (°C m−1) = |average air temperature |/average snow depth (notable weakness in DH layers is found in areas where the TG exceeds 10°C m−1, but in such areas rainfall prevents the development of DH layers); (2) FCsf layers: FCsf index (CC m) = average diurnal range of air temperature × snow depth (notable weakness in FCsf layers is found in areas where the FCsf index is ∼10°C m); (3) MFcr layers: MFcr index (day m) = number of days that exceed 0°C × snow depth (notable weakness in MFcr layers is found in areas where the MFcr index exceeds 40 day m).
Long‐term effects of habitat fragmentation on mating patterns and gene flow of a tropical dry forest tree, Ceiba aesculifolia (Malvaceae: Bombacoideae)
Authors: Quesada Mauricio , Herrerías‐Diego Yvonne , Lobo Jorge A. , Sánchez‐Montoya Gumersindo , Rosas Fernando , Aguilar Ramiro
Published: May 2013

• Premise of the study: Tropical forest loss and fragmentation isolate and reduce the size of remnant populations with negative consequences for mating patterns and genetic structure of plant species. In a 4‐yr study, we determined the effect of fragmentation on mating patterns and pollen pool genetic structure of the tropical tree Ceiba aesculifolia in two habitat conditions: isolated trees in disturbed areas (≤3 trees/ha), and trees (≥6 trees/ha) in undisturbed mature forest.

• Methods: Using six allozyme loci, we estimated the outcrossing rate (tm), the mean relatedness of progeny (rp) within and between fruits, the degree of genetic structure of pollen pools (Φft), and the effective number of pollen donors (Nep).

• Key results: The outcrossing rates reflected a strict self‐incompatible species. Relatedness of progeny within fruits was similar for all populations, revealing single sires within fruits. However, relatedness of progeny between fruits within trees was consistently greater for trees in fragmented conditions across 4 yr. We found high levels of genetic structure of pollen pools in all populations with more structure in isolated trees. The effective number of pollen donors was greater for trees in undisturbed forest than in disturbed conditions.

• Conclusions: Our study showed that the progeny produced by isolated trees in disturbed habitats are sired by a fraction of the diversity of pollen donors found in conserved forests. The foraging behavior of bats limits the exchange of pollen between trees, causing higher levels of progeny relatedness in isolated trees.
Choices and consequences of oviposition by a pollinating seed predator,Hadena ectypa(Noctuidae), on its host plant,Silene stellata(Caryophyllaceae)
Authors: Kula Abigail A. R. , Dudash Michele R. , Fenster Charles B.
Published: May 2013

•Premise of the study:Pollinating seed predators are models for the study of mutualisms. These insects have dual effects on host‐plant fitness, through pollination as adults and flower and fruit predation as larvae. A rarely examined question is whether pollinating seed‐predator oviposition choices are influenced by plant floral and size traits and the potential consequences of oviposition for host‐plant reproduction.

•Methods:We quantified oviposition by a pollinating seed predator,Hadena ectypa, on its host,Silene stellata, to determine if oviposition was associated with specific plant traits and whether oviposition was significantly correlated with fruit initiation or flower and fruit predation over three years. We also quantified whether stigmatic pollen loads of flowers visited byHadenathat both fed on nectar and oviposited were greater than whenHadenaonly fed on nectar.

•Key Results: Hadenahad significant preference for plants having flowers with long corolla tubes in all three years. Moth oviposition was correlated with other traits only in some years. Oviposition did not increase stigmatic pollen loads. We observed significant positive relationships between both oviposition and fruit initiation and oviposition and flower/fruit predation.

•Conclusions: Hadena ectypaoviposition choices were based consistently on floral tube length differences among individuals, and the consequences of oviposition include both fruit initiation (due to pollination while feeding on nectar prior to oviposition) and larval flower/fruit predation. The positive association between oviposition and fruit initiation may explain the long‐term maintenance of facultative pollinating seed‐predator interactions.
Spanish scientific output in communication sciences in WOS. The scientific journals in SSCI (2007-12)
Authors: de-Filippo Daniela
Published: May 2013

Although the field of Communication Sciences has been slower to organize in Spain than in other European countries and the United States, in recent years it has shown a clear tendency to growth. One way to trace this process is by analyzing scientific production, and this paper focuses on this aspect. Using bibliometric methods, we analyze scientific journals and papers indexed in Thomson Reuter’s international database, the Social Science Citation Index (SSCI) for Communication. While the focus of the study is Spanish scientific output, the results are related to international activities in this field. The three Spanish journals included in SSCI in recent years: «Comunicar», «Comunicación y Sociedad» and «Estudios sobre el Mensaje Periodístico» were studied in detail. The results show that Spain plays an important role in Communcation journal publishing (4th in the world) and as a producer of scientific papers (6th in the world), with a remarkable evolution, in quantitative terms, especially in the last five years. The inclusion of these three Spanish journals in the international database has been an important contribution to the country's visibility in this field, but there is still a need to promote international collaboration to achieve greater impact and openness in the scientific community.

Aunque el campo de las Ciencias de la Comunicación en España ha tenido una organización más tardía que en otros países de Europa y Estados Unidos, en los últimos años ha evidenciado un claro proceso de crecimiento. Una forma de rastrear este proceso es a través del análisis de la producción científica, por lo que este trabajo se centra en este aspecto. Utilizando métodos bibliométricos se estudian las revistas y los documentos publicados en la base de datos internacional Social Science Citation Index (SSCI) de Thomson Reuters en la disciplina Communication. Si bien el foco es el estudio de la producción española, los resultados se ponen en relación con la actividad internacional en este campo. En cada caso se analizan con mayor detalle las tres revistas españolas incluidas en SSCI en los últimos años: «Comunicar», «Comunicación y Sociedad» y «Estudios sobre el Mensaje Periodístico». Los resultados obtenidos muestran un importante papel de España como editor de revistas sobre Comunicación (4º del mundo) y como productor de artículos (6º del mundo) con una notable evolución en términos cuantitativos en los últimos cinco años. La inclusión de las tres revistas españolas en la base de datos internacional ha sido una importante contribución a la visibilidad del país en esta disciplina, aunque aún es necesario promover la colaboración internacional para lograr un mayor impacto y apertura a la comunidad científica.
Internationalization and coauthorship in major communication journals in Spain
Authors: Escribà-Sales Eudald , Cortiñas Sergi
Published: May 2013

This work has conducted an analysis of Spanish Communication journals in terms of their level of internationalization and the collaborative models used by their authors, by assessing 1,182 articles published between 2007 and 2011 in the seven toprated Communication journals according to a set of six quality indicators. The ultimate goal has been to perform a data processing in order to detect the degree of inclination of international authors to publish their works in Spanish journals in the years covered by this study. Secondly, the study draws a profile of coauthorship patterns focused on geographical and institutional alliances. The results show there is no clear and convincing signs of evolution towards a desired level of internationality. Concerning coauthorship, although the results indicate a willingness on the part of authors to chart a path of wider geographical and institutional collaboration, unique authorship continues to be the preferred form of publication. Finally, the work shows that investigative alliances are confined to Spain and when they go international collaborations are almost exclusively with Latin American authors.

En este estudio se ha llevado a cabo un análisis de las revistas científicas de Comunicación españolas en términos de su grado de internacionalización y de los modelos colaborativos utilizados por sus autores. Para ello se han analizado un total de 1.182 artículos publicados entre 2007 y 2011 por las siete revistas españolas mejor valoradas en términos de calidad. El objetivo principal ha sido realizar un tratamiento de los datos con el fin de observar si en los años comprendidos en el estudio se ha producido un incremento del interés de autores internacionales por publicar en las revistas españolas. En segundo lugar, se ha dibujado un perfil de los patrones que rigen las coautorías en términos geográficos y de alianzas institucionales. Los resultados no han permitido apreciar síntomas de evolución hacia los grados de internacionalidad deseados. Por lo que se refiere a las coautorías, aunque se percibe una voluntad por parte de los autores de trazar un camino de mayor colaboración institucional y geográfica, se observa que sigue predominando la autoría única y que las alianzas se concentran dentro del territorio español y se opta casi exclusivamente por Latinoamérica cuando se trata de llevar a cabo colaboraciones internacionales.
Altmetrics: New indicators for scientific communication in Web 2.0
Authors: Torres-Salinas Daniel , Cabezas-Clavijo Álvaro , Jiménez-Contreras Evaristo
Published: May 2013

In this paper we review the socalled altmetrics or alternative metrics. This concept raises from the development of new indicators based on Web 2.0, for the evaluation of the research and academic activity. The basic assumption is that variables such as mentions in blogs, number of twits or of researchers bookmarking a research paper for instance, may be legitimate indicators for measuring the use and impact of scientific publications. In this sense, these indicators are currently the focus of the bibliometric community and are being discussed and debated. We describe the main platforms and indicators and we analyze as a sample the Spanish research output in Communication Studies. Comparing traditional indicators such as citations with these new indicators. The results show that the most cited papers are also the ones with a highest impact according to the altmetrics. We conclude pointing out the main shortcomings these metrics present and the role they may play when measuring the research impact through 2.0 platforms.

En el presente trabajo se realiza una revisión de las altmetrics o indicadores alternativos. Este concepto se define como la creación y estudio de nuevos indicadores, basados en la web 2.0, para el análisis de la actividad científica y académica. La idea que subyace es que, por ejemplo, las menciones en blogs, el número de tuits o el de personas que guardan un artículo en su gestor de referencias puede ser una medida válida del uso y repercusión de las publicaciones científicas. En este sentido, estas medidas se han situado en el centro del debate de los estudios bibliométricos cobrando especial relevancia. En el artículo se ilustran en primer lugar las plataformas e indicadores principales de este tipo de medidas, para posteriormente estudiar un conjunto de trabajos del ámbito de la comunicación, comparando el número de citas recibidas con sus indicadores 2.0. Los resultados señalan que los artículos más citados de la disciplina en los últimos años también presentan indicadores significativamente más elevados de altmetrics. Seguidamente se realiza un repaso por los principales estudios empíricos realizados, deteniéndonos en las correlaciones entre indicadores bibliométricos y alternativos. Se finaliza, a modo de reflexión, señalando las principales limitaciones y el papel que las altmetrics pueden desempeñar a la hora de captar la repercusión de la investigación en las plataformas de la web 2.0.
Spanish communication academia: Scientific productivity vs. Social activity
Authors: Casanueva-Rocha Cristóbal , Caro-González Francisco-Javier
Published: May 2013

At a time when academic activity in the area of communication is principally assessed by the impact of scientific journals, the scientific media and the scientific productivity of researchers, the question arises as to whether social factors condition scientific activity as much as these objective elements. This investigation analyzes the influence of scientific productivity and social activity in the area of communication. We identify a social network of researchers from a compilation of doctoral theses in communication and calculate the scientific production of 180 of the most active researchers who sit on doctoral committees. Social network analysis is then used to study the relations that are formed on these doctoral thesis committees. The results suggest that social factors, rather than individual scientific productivity, positively influence such a key academic and scientific activity as the award of doctoral degrees. Our conclusions point to a disconnection between scientific productivity and the international scope of researchers and their role in the social network. Nevertheless, the consequences of this situation are tempered by the nonhierarchical structure of relations between communication scientists.

En un momento en que la actividad académica en el ámbito de la comunicación se valora principalmente por el impacto de las revistas y los medios de comunicación científica y por la productividad de los investigadores, surge la cuestión de si los factores sociales pueden condicionar la actividad científica con la misma fuerza que estos elementos objetivos. Esta investigación analiza la influencia de la productividad científica y de la actividad social en el ámbito de la comunicación. Se ha identificado la red social de los investigadores de comunicación a partir de las tesis doctorales. Para los 180 investigadores más activos en los tribunales de tesis se ha calculado su producción científica. Se utiliza el análisis de redes sociales para estudiar las relaciones que se producen en los tribunales de tesis doctorales. Los resultados muestran que los factores sociales influyen positivamente en una actividad académica y científica tan relevante como la obtención del grado de doctor, mientras que la productividad científica individual no lo hace. Como conclusiones cabe señalar que existe una desconexión entre la productividad científica y la proyección internacional de los investigadores y su papel en la red social. Las implicaciones de este hecho están matizadas por una estructura no jerarquizada de las relaciones entre los científicos de comunicación.
The videoarticle: New reporting format in scientific journals and its integration in MOOCs
Authors: Vázquez-Cano Esteban
Published: May 2013

The new training context in higher education is moving toward a new model of massive, open and free education through a methodology based on video simulation and students’ collaborative work. Using a descriptive methodology, we analyze the formats and Web content presentation of 72 journals indexed in the Journal Citation Reports® (2013) in the field of communication, and their presence in the development of massive open online courses (MOOCs) at the leading global platform, «Coursera». The findings show that the vast majority of scientific journals in the field of communication offer few disclosure formats and are difficult to embed in new massive, ubiquitous and collaborative movements which use the selfcreated «audiovisual pill». Therefore, the integration of articles of international scientific journals in MOOCs is almost nonexistent. Journals are not taking advantage of the great potential of these courses for scientific divulgation, probably because its unique disclosure format is written text. Thus, we propose a new model for scientific publication which shares writing text format with the video article, social media outreach and new formats supported by mobile digital devices to foster greater international visibility of scientific development and social progress in an everyday, more interconnected and visual society.

Los nuevos escenarios formativos en la educación superior se están orientando hacia un nuevo modelo de formación masiva, abierta y gratuita por medio de una metodología basada en la videosimulación y el trabajo colaborativo del estudiante. En este artículo analizamos a través de un estudio descriptivo los formatos de divulgación y presentación de contenidos de las 72 revistas indexadas del campo de la Comunicación en el Journal Citation Reports® (2013) y su presencia en el desarrollo de cursos online masivos en abierto (MOOCs) en la principal plataforma mundial «Coursera». Las conclusiones muestran que la gran mayoría de revistas científicas del campo de la Comunicación ofrecen pocos formatos de divulgación y poco integrables en los nuevos movimientos masivos, ubicuos y colaborativos que utiliza como recurso principal, la «píldora audiovisual» de creación propia. El posicionamiento de las revistas de reconocido prestigio internacional es casi nulo y no se está aprovechando el gran potencial que estos cursos suponen para la divulgación científica; probablemente debido a que su único formato de divulgación es el texto escrito. Como consecuencia de esta situación, proponemos un nuevo modelo de divulgación científica que comparta el soporte escrito con el videoartículo, la divulgación en redes sociales y la difusión en formatos soportados por dispositivos digitales móviles que favorezcan una mayor visibilidad internacional del avance científico y social de manera más integrada en la sociedad interconectada y visual en la que vivimos.
Ethos, pathos and logos in Facebook. User networking: New «rhetor» of the 21th century
Authors: Berlanga-Fernández Inmaculada , García-García Francisco , Victoria-Mas Juan-Salvador
Published: May 2013

One of the «black holes» of academic research in Communication is the shallowness of reflections on the classic origins of Communication, its aims and points of entry. In this respect, the study of communicative processes on the Internet becomes particularly relevant (specifically the social networks processes) when observed from the classic rhetorical perspective. We focus on the use of persuasion strategies (ethos, pathos, logos) as well as the abundant use of rhetorical figures. Such parameters, along with the resources that emergent technologies offer, unleash creativity and afford humanist aspects to network communication. These give online platforms an extremely persuasive strength. Thus, we may speak of the network user of the 21st century as the new «Rhetorician». Our research on Facebook addresses the presence of rhetoric in online social network communication: the user of these platforms applies communicative strategies described by the Rhetoricians dating back to GrecoRoman antiquity. The methodology in this work (the study of three typified cases and the content analysis of conversations generated on Facebook walls) allows us to intertwine rhetoric and communication today, mediated by the emergence of online networks. We propose the retrieval of certain parameters of deep, critical thought to the benefit of a more human communication.

Uno de los «agujeros negros» de la investigación en comunicación tiene que ver con una carencia de profundización en los orígenes clásicos de nuestros estudios, de sus objetos y de los acercamientos a estos. En este sentido, cobraría especial relevancia el estudio de los procesos comunicativos en Internet (en concreto a través de las redes sociales) bajo el prisma de la Retórica clásica. Especialmente, nos referimos al uso de las estrategias de persuasión (ethos, pathos, logos) así como al abundante uso de figuras retóricas. Tales parámetros unidos a los recursos que ofertan las tecnologías emergentes otorgan una enorme creatividad y aportan aspectos humanistas a la comunicación en red, claves de la fuerza persuasiva que caracteriza a estas plataformas online. De esta forma podemos hablar del usuario de redes como el nuevo «rétor» del siglo XXI. Nuestra investigación sobre Facebook aborda la presencia de la ciencia retórica en la comunicación generada en las redes sociales online: el usuario de estas plataformas utiliza las estrategias comunicativas descritas por la disciplina retórica desde sus comienzos en la antigüedad grecolatina. La metodología empleada (el estudio de tres casos tipificados y el análisis de contenidos de las conversaciones generadas en los muros de Facebook) nos permite entrelazar la Retórica y nuestro presente comunicativo mediado por la emergencia de las redes. Proponemos así recuperar unos parámetros que devuelvan el pensamiento profundo y crítico en favor de una comunicación más humana.
INHIBITORY ACTIVITY OF NATURAL ACTIVE COMPOUNDS AGAINST HUMAN PAPILLOMA VIRUS PSEUDOVIRUS AND NOVEL DOSAGE FORM FOR USE THEREWITH
Authors: Shih Ming-Kuang , Chao Yu-Chou , Shih Ying-Chu , Huang Kuo-Kuei
Published: May 2013

Cervical cancer is a common cancer amongst women, accounting for 9% of female cancer death. There are certain risk factors for the development of cervical cancer, in which human papilloma virus (HPV) infection is believed to be a significant cause. This study aimed at evaluating the inhibitory activity of active compounds derived from Chinese herbs against HPV and the underlying mechanism. First, conventional screening platform which uses HeLa cell line in conjunction with MTT assay was used to evaluate the cytotoxicity of these natural compounds. Then, a novel screening platform, in which the HeLa cells were infected by HPV 16 pseudoviruses expressing green fluorescent protein, was employed to screen for active compounds capable of inhibiting the HPV 16 pseudovirus infection. Two compounds, baicalein and gallic acid, was found to exhibit significant inhibitory activity against HPV 16 pseudovirus with IC50 values of 8.2 and 8.9 μg/ml, respectively. In addition, these two compounds showed insignificant cytotoxicity on HeLa cell line. Screening experiments using a novel dosage form consisting of a hydrophilic PU foam and aquagel indicated that the aquagel also inhibited the HPV 16 pseudovirus infection. In sum, the natural active compounds and novel dosage form proposed by the present study imply a potential treatment for vaginal administration to prevent HPV infection and the diseases it caused.
LIGHT (TNFSF14/CD258) Is a Decisive Factor for Recovery from Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis
Authors: Maña Paula , Liñares David , Silva Diego G. , Fordham Susan , Scheu Stefanie , Pfeffer Klaus , Staykova Maria , Bertram Edward M.
Published: May 2013

The TNF superfamily ligand LIGHT (lymphotoxin-like, exhibits inducible expression and competes with HSV glycoprotein D for herpesvirus entry mediator [HVEM], a receptor expressed by T lymphocytes) has been shown to play a role in T cell costimulation and be involved in apoptosis of mononuclear cells. As both T cells and monocytes are key components in the development and progression of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), we studied the role of LIGHT in EAE. Following immunization with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein peptide (35–55), LIGHT-deficient mice developed severe EAE that resulted in an atypically high mortality rate. Histological examinations revealed intensive activation of microglia/macrophages in the CNS and higher numbers of apoptotic cells within the CNS parenchyma of LIGHT-deficient mice. However, myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein peptide–specific CD4+ T cells from LIGHT-deficient mice showed reduced IFN-γ and IL-17 production and migration. Serum levels of reactive nitrogen intermediates and CNS transcripts of several proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines were also substantially decreased in the absence of LIGHT. EAE adoptive transfer experiments and bone marrow chimeras indicated that expression of LIGHT on donor cells is not required for disease induction. However, its expression on CNS host cells is a decisive factor to limit disease progression and tissue damage. Together, these data show that LIGHT expression is crucially involved in controlling activated macrophages/microglia during autoimmune CNS inflammation.
The Bacterial Quorum-Sensing Signal Molecule N-3-Oxo-Dodecanoyl-l-Homoserine Lactone Reciprocally Modulates Pro- and Anti-Inflammatory Cytokines in Activated Macrophages
Authors: Glucksam-Galnoy Yifat , Sananes Roy , Silberstein Nava , Krief Pnina , Kravchenko Vladimir V. , Meijler Michael M. , Zor Tsaffrir
Published: May 2013

The bacterial molecule N-3-oxo-dodecanoyl-l-homoserine lactone (C12) has critical roles in both interbacterial communication and interkingdom signaling. The ability of C12 to downregulate production of the key proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α in stimulated macrophages was suggested to contribute to the establishment of chronic infections by opportunistic Gram-negative bacteria, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We show that, in contrast to TNF-α suppression, C12 amplifies production of the major anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 in LPS-stimulated murine RAW264.7 macrophages, as well as peritoneal macrophages. Furthermore, C12 increased IL-10 mRNA levels and IL-10 promoter reporter activity in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages, indicating that C12 modulates IL-10 expression at the transcriptional level. Finally, C12 substantially potentiated LPS-stimulated NF-κB DNA-binding levels and prolonged p38 MAPK phosphorylation in RAW264.7 macrophages, suggesting that increased transcriptional activity of NF-κB and/or p38-activated transcription factors serves to upregulate IL-10 production in macrophages exposed to both LPS and C12. These findings reveal another part of the complex array of host transitions through which opportunistic bacteria downregulate immune responses to flourish and establish a chronic infection.
Structure and event, networks and nodes in human geography: the 1960s revisited
Authors: Strohmayer U.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. In search of transnational scholarship and languages within human geography, the so-called ''Quantitative Revolution'' of the 1960s arguably holds considerable pride of place. More than previous innovations within geography, which were largely bounded within (and by) national intellectual traditions, the innovate practices associated with the 1960s arguably hold a key to understanding how intellectual traditions become shared traditions and as such enrich both national and international research practices. The present paper uses insights gleaned from the 1960s in the context of a geography still oscillating between ''structural-'' and ''event-driven'' forms of explanation in an attempt better to understand pronounced (if historically uneven) interweavings of national traditions that shape discourses and practices in human geography across the globe. Part of this analysis will focus on the importance of structures and careers in the making of such traditions, thereby contextualising the widely shared notion of an ''Anglo-Saxon hegemony'' currently prevailing in human geographical theoretically informed practices. Throughout, the paper focuses on the task of editing a journal like Geographica Helvetica as a transnational journal interested in bridging traditions formed by particular languages across Europe and beyond.
The various modes of existence of space and the idea of "nation" in the making of European geographies: the case of 20th century French geography
Authors: Debarbieux B.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. Drawing upon the example of 20th century French geography, the paper argues that the production of knowledge on nations and national territories by geographers is significantly influenced by how geographers are embedded within national institutions when producing this knowledge. More specifically, the paper shows how the conflation of the nation state as a category of knowledge and as a category of action and the interaction of the various "modes of existence of space'' according to which the idea of nation has been seized have indeed deeply shaped French geography both at the beginning and at the end of the 20th century.
The reflexive turn in French and German-speaking geography in comparison
Authors: Graefe O.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. The papers presented by Bernard Debarbieux and Ute Wardenga at the symposium on "Les fabriques des `Géographies' – making Geographies in Europe'' and published in this thematic issue both take a historiographical perspective, which at a first glance seems evident. In order to understand how geography is thought about and practiced, the best is to look back on how these thoughts and practices have been respectively established and have evolved in the different national contexts. But at second glance, this historiographical perspective seems revealing regarding the status and the position of geography as an academic discipline. One can hardly imagine a symposium on the "making philosophy'' or "making physics'' in Europe privileging such a historiographical stance in order to illustrate and understand the differences and commonalities of a discipline in different countries today. Other disciplines might have favoured a dialogue on how a theory or a prominent author is received in order to excavate the differences or commonalities in a particular discipline of different countries. Such dialogues have been organized for example in Sociology with the exchange of approaches on Bourdieu published by Catherine Colliot-Thélène, Étienne François and Gunter Gebauer (2005). Another example and a reference of such dialogues is the famous debate on hermeneutics between Hans-Georg Gadamer and Jacques Derrida in the early 1980s. The emphasis on the history (Debarbieux) and the way to write the history of geography (Wardenga) points out the difficulty of our discipline to position itself in academia, and reveals the crisis to which Wardenga refers to in her paper. As Ute Wardenga pointed out by quoting Jörn Rüsen, "genetical narratives'' are part of identity formation processes by "mediating permanence and change to a process of self-definition'' (Rüsen, 1987, cited by Wardenga, this issue). Both presented papers expose in different but complementary ways this identity formation of geography as a distinct discipline on the national scale in France (B. Debarbieux) and on a more international scale (U. Wardenga). The first analyses the conceptualization of space, the nation and the national territory by French geographers, while the second reflects upon the internationalization of the historiography of our discipline, meaning the way history is written and not the history itself. The underlying question here is the specificity of geography in Germany or in France and what their relationships are with other geographies, i.e. in how far they are influenced by or reject ideas and methodologies especially (but not exclusively) from Anglophone geographers.
The New Privacy Battle: How the Expanding Use of Drones Continues to Erode Our Concept of Privacy and Privacy Rights
Authors: Schlag Chris
Published: May 2013

The exciting, thriving and developing technology that everybody has been talking about recently is drones. Due to recent technological developments, which make drones an affordable and universal tool, drones have expanded out of military use and into domestic applications. The enactment of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act in 2012 further pushed for the development and expansion of drone use in the United States’ airspace, by requiring the FAA to license over 30,000 drone operators. While drone use has an unlimited potential for beneficial use within society, drone technology is not without risks. For example, drone use in domestic airspace raises the significant and undeniable risk of individual privacy invasions through the use of drones by both public entities and third parties. This article argues current common law and legislative protections of potential privacy invasions resulting from drone use are drastically insufficient as neither affords strong protection of an individual’s privacy from such sophisticated technology’s potential. The article concludes by recommending a federal baseline consumer protection act that would establish a reasonable level of protection for an individual’s privacy by ensuring drone use was being monitored from a privacy protection standpoint and limiting the use of drones in a way that would invade an individual’s privacy expectations.
Laboratory Diagnosis of Malaria: Conventional and Rapid Diagnostic Methods
Authors: Wilson Michael L.
Published: May 2013

Context.—The global control of malaria is more challenging than that of many other infectious diseases: malaria is vector borne, it is caused by 5 species of Plasmodium with different geographic distributions, infection is widespread in many regions, drug resistance is common, and the disease overlaps clinically with other infectious diseases. Therefore, malaria control programs, in addition to diagnosis and testing, must also target limiting spread of the disease through vector control. Although malaria control efforts have been successful in some regions, malaria remains one of the most important causes of death in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in women and children.

Objective.—To review the current literature regarding diagnostic methods available to detect clinical malaria, with an emphasis on comparing the strengths and limitations of each method.

Data Sources.—Current World Health Organization malaria control report and other information, recent meta-analyses of diagnostic tests, primary literature concerning the performance characteristics of different tests, and primary literature concerning how diagnostic tests are used in daily practice.

Conclusions.—The most commonly used method for identifying cases of malaria remains microscopic examination of peripheral blood, but there is growing use of malaria rapid diagnostic tests in many regions. One of the most important findings in the recent literature is that despite the widespread use of diagnostic tests, treatment is too often based on clinical findings rather than on results of diagnostic tests.
Dermatopathology Practice in Ethiopia
Authors: Gimbel Devon C. , Legesse Teklu Bekele
Published: May 2013

Context.—Dermatologic diseases are extremely common among the Ethiopian population and are a significant cause of morbidity. However, few studies exist in the literature that describe the incidence and clinical and histologic features of biopsied cutaneous lesions.

Objectives.—To categorize the cutaneous diseases observed in skin biopsies at the All African Leprosy Rehabilitation and Training Center (ALERT) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and to describe the clinical and histologic features of dermatopathologic diagnoses most frequently encountered in this practice setting.

Data Sources.—Pathology reports of 2342 cutaneous specimens received at ALERT in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, were reviewed to determine the range and frequency of cutaneous diseases and dermatoses diagnosed from January 2007 through December 2010.

Conclusions.—The range of cutaneous diseases observed in skin biopsies at ALERT was varied and included inflammatory dermatoses (27%), infectious diseases (24%), and malignant and benign cutaneous neoplasms (22% and 20%, respectively). The most common conditions observed in this study were squamous cell carcinoma (8% of total cases), eczema (6% of total cases), leishmaniasis (6% of total cases), tuberculosis (6% of total cases), and benign nevi (4% of total cases).
Stability of Extemporaneously Prepared Lansoprazole Suspension at Two Temperatures
Authors: Morrison Jordan T. , Lugo Ralph A. , Thigpen Jim C. , Brown Stacy D.
Published: May 2013

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to examine the stability of a generic lansoprazole product in a 3 mg/mL sodium bicarbonate suspension under room temperature and refrigerated conditions.

METHODS

Lansoprazole suspensions (3 mg/mL) were prepared in triplicate using an 8.4% sodium bicarbonate vehicle for each storage condition (room temperature and refrigerated). During 1 month, samples from each replicate were periodically removed and analyzed for lansoprazole concentration by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Each sample was spiked with 10 mg/L omeprazole to serve as the internal standard. A positive electrospray LC-MS/MS method was validated over the calibration range of 5 to 25 mg/L using Food and Drug Administration Guidance. The identities of the analyte and internal standard in the samples were verified by monitoring the MS/MS transitions of m/z 370 to m/z 252 and m/z 346 to m/z 198 for lansoprazole and omeprazole, respectively. Additionally, the pH of the suspensions was monitored throughout the study.

RESULTS

The stability of lansoprazole in the oral sodium bicarbonate suspension under refrigeration is compromised prior to what has been previously reported in the literature. Samples kept at room temperature lost >10% of the lansoprazole after 48 hours compared with the refrigerated samples, which maintained integrity up to 7 days. No statistically significant difference was found between the pH of the room temperature and refrigerated suspension samples, indicating that this factor is not the cause for the differences in stability at these two conditions.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that the extemporaneously compounded lansoprazole oral suspension prepared in 8.4% sodium bicarbonate should not be stored in plastic oral syringes longer than 48 hours at room temperature and no longer than 7 days when refrigerated. These data indicate an expiration time earlier than that previously reported for the refrigerated product (14 days).
Treatment of Acute Seizures: Is Intranasal Midazolam a Viable Option?
Authors: Humphries Lesley K. , Eiland Lea S.
Published: May 2013

Seizures in the pediatric population commonly occur, and when proper rescue medication is not administered quickly, the risk of neurologic compromise emerges. For many years, rectal diazepam has been the standard of care, but recent interest in a more cost-effective, safe alternative has led to the investigation of intranasal midazolam for this indication. Although midazolam and diazepam are both members of the benzodiazepine class, the kinetic properties of these 2 anticonvulsants vary. This paper will review available data pertaining to the efficacy, safety, cost, and pharmacokinetics of intranasal midazolam versus rectal diazepam as treatment for acute seizures for children in the prehospital, home, and emergency department settings.
Berlin, Ontario, in the Age of the ABC
Authors: Lucas Jack
Published: May 2013

Between 1890 and 1910, the town of Berlin, Ontario, adopted special-purpose bodies, such as water commissions and park boards, with enthusiasm. Why did Berlin’s civic leaders respond to these institutions so enthusiastically? This paper suggests that internal diffusion, fuelled by an argument about municipal capacity, was at work in Berlin at the time. The paper also critically examines two alternative explanations for the town’s enthusiasm, one grounded in Wilsonian reform, and the other in elite self-insulation.
Gerald Sutton Brown and the Discourse of City Planning Expertise in Vancouver, 1953–1959
Authors: Langford Will
Published: May 2013

This paper examines the discourse Gerald Sutton Brown, the director of the newly created Vancouver Department of Planning, employed between 1953 and 1959. Amidst rapid urbanization and suburbanization, changes in local state governance, and wider debate over the urban future, Sutton Brown began speaking in public to popularize his vision of planning. He regularly compared planning to business, medicine, science, and politics. I argue that his co-optation of language, images, and metaphors drawn from more established professions promoted planning projects and asserted the authority of the planning profession. However, Sutton Brown’s rhetorical strategy obscured and depoliticized many of the realities of his high modernist planning program. Even if his discourse proved relatively ineffectual in the face of financial, political, and practical constraints, his rhetoric was important because it demonstrated one way that high modernist ideas could be mobilized to promote significant urban change.
Female breast cancer in Lombardy, Italy (2002–2009): A case–control study on occupational risks
Authors: Oddone Enrico , Edefonti Valeria , Scaburri Alessandra , Vai Tiziana , Crosignani Paolo , Imbriani Marcello
Published: May 2013

Background

The role of occupational exposures in breast cancer development is still uncertain and, to our knowledge, no studies have been recently carried out in Italy to provide a comprehensive estimation of this possible risk.

Methods

Based on administrative data, a case‐control study was carried out recruiting all incident cases of female breast cancer in the period 2002–2009, aged between 35 and 69 years, residing in Lombardy, Italy. Controls were randomly sampled from all women residing in Lombardy as of December 31, 2005. Occupational histories, including blue‐collar status, were available from 1974 through record linkage with a social security pension database, and were obtained for 11,188 cases and 25,329 controls. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 90% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using multiple unconditional logistic regression models, including terms for sectors of longest employment and for duration of employment. Multiple comparisons were accounted for according to the Benjamini–Hochberg method.

Results

The ORs for female breast cancer were modestly but significantly increased for employment in electrical manufacturing (OR 1.12, 90%CI 1.04–1.21), textile (OR 1.08, 90%CI 1.02–1.15), paper (OR 1.25, 90%CI 1.06–1.46) and rubber (OR 1.26, 90%CI 1.03–1.54) industries. Analysis by duration of employment within sectors showed significantly increased ORs for electrical manufacturing and rubber industries. After adjustment for multiple comparisons no estimates remained statistically significant.

Conclusions

Although with several limitations, our results point to a possible role of exposures in electrical manufacturing, textile, paper and rubber industries in the process leading to breast cancer. An in‐dept study for the electrical manufacturing industry has been already planned. Am. J. Ind. Med. 56:1051–1062, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Detecting Virus‐Like Particles from the Umgeni River, South Africa
Authors: Ganesh Atheesha , Lin Johnson , Singh Moganavelli
Published: May 2013

It is important to consider viruses in water quality because of their incidence as causal agents for diarrhoeal disease, and due to their characteristics, which allow them to survive in changing environmental conditions indefinitely. This study assessed the viral quality of the Umgeni River in South Africa seasonally. A two‐step tangential flow filtration process was setup to remove the bacteria and to concentrate the virus populations from large volume water samples. The concentrated water samples contained up to 659 and 550 pfu/mL of somatic and F‐RNA coliphages, respectively. Several virus families including Adenoviridae, Herpesviridae, Orthomyxoviridae, Picornaviridae, Poxviridae and Reoviridae were found in the river based on the morphologies examined under transmission electron microscopy. All concentrated water samples produced substantial cytopathic effects on the Vero, HEK 293, Hela and A549 cell lines. These results indicate the potential of viruses in the water samples especially from the lower catchment areas of the Umgeni River to infect human hosts throughout the year. The present study highlights the importance of routine environmental surveillance of human enteric viruses in water sources. This can contribute to a better understanding of the actual burden of disease on those who might be using the water directly without treatment.