bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
THE SOCIAL ECOLOGY OF PUBLIC SPACE: ACTIVE STREETS AND VIOLENT CRIME IN URBAN NEIGHBORHOODS
Authors: BROWNING CHRISTOPHER R. , JACKSON AUBREY L.
Published: November 2013

Drawing on one element of the discussion by Jacobs () of the social control benefits of “eyes on the street,” this article explores the link between the prevalence of active streets and violence in urban neighborhoods. Three distinct data sources from the Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods are merged to explore the functional form and potential contingency of the active streets–violence relationship: 1) video data capturing the presence of people on neighborhood streets; 2) longitudinal data on adolescents (11 to 16 years of age) and their self‐reports of witnessing severe violence; and (3) community survey data on neighborhood social organizational characteristics. The results from multilevel models indicate that the proportion of neighborhood streets with adults present exhibits a nonlinear association with exposure to severe violence. At low prevalence, the increasing prevalence of active streets is positively associated with violence exposure. Beyond a threshold, however, increases in the prevalence of active streets serve to reduce the likelihood of violence exposure. The analyses offer no evidence that the curvilinear association between active streets and violence varies by levels of collective efficacy, and only limited evidence that it varies by anonymity. Analyses of data on homicide and violent victimization corroborate these findings.
Memory retrieval of smoking‐related images induce greater insula activation as revealed by an fMRI‐based delayed matching to sample task
Authors: Janes Amy C. , Ross Robert S. , Farmer Stacey , Frederick Blaise B. , Nickerson Lisa D. , Lukas Scott E. , Stern Chantal E.
Published: November 2013

Nicotine dependence is a chronic and difficult to treat disorder. While environmental stimuli associated with smoking precipitate craving and relapse, it is unknown whether smoking cues are cognitively processed differently than neutral stimuli. To evaluate working memory differences between smoking‐related and neutral stimuli, we conducted a delay‐match‐to‐sample (DMS) task concurrently with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in nicotine‐dependent participants. The DMS task evaluates brain activation during the encoding, maintenance and retrieval phases of working memory. Smoking images induced significantly more subjective craving, and greater midline cortical activation during encoding in comparison to neutral stimuli that were similar in content yet lacked a smoking component. The insula, which is involved in maintaining nicotine dependence, was active during the successful retrieval of previously viewed smoking versus neutral images. In contrast, neutral images required more prefrontal cortex‐mediated active maintenance during the maintenance period. These findings indicate that distinct brain regions are involved in the different phases of working memory for smoking‐related versus neutral images. Importantly, the results implicate the insula in the retrieval of smoking‐related stimuli, which is relevant given the insula's emerging role in addiction.
Determination of bacteria constituting ruminal fibrolytic consortia developed on orchard grass hay stem
Authors: Shinkai Takumi , Ueki Takaaki , Koike Satoshi , Kobayashi Yasuo
Published: November 2013

To determine the relationship between Fibrobacter succinogenes and other rumen bacteria, the bacterial community structure on fiber was analyzed by using two different materials. These were ruminally incubated orchard grass hay stems without and with preincubation with F. succinogenes (natural and artificial consortia, respectively). The natural consortium mainly consisted of Firmicutes (56.6%) and Bacteroidetes (33.1%), while the artificial consortium showed a significantly higher proportion of Firmicutes (85.5%) and a lower proportion of Bacteroidetes (4.6%). At species or genus level, Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, the U2 group, Ruminococcus albus and Lachnospiraceae incertae sedis made up a higher proportion in the artificial consortium. The most dominant bacterial group was the Butyrivibrio‐Pseudobutyrivibrio‐Lachnospiraceae incertae sedis group, which accounted for 19.7% in the natural and 29.5% in the artificial consortium. Within the genus Butyrivibrio, the phylogenetic groups SA and VA2 and phylogeny‐undefined Butyribivrio, but not VA1, were detected at high frequency in the artificial consortium. These results suggest that ecological and possibly functional relationships exist in the rumen among F. succinogenes, a subset of B. fibrisolvens, the U2 group, R. albus and Lachnospiraceae incertae sedis.
Changes in salivary and plasma cortisol levels inPurebredArabian horses during race training session
Authors: Kędzierski Witold , Cywińska Anna , Strzelec Katarzyna , Kowalik Sylwester
Published: November 2013

Physical activity and stress both cause an increase in cortisol release ratio. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of saliva samples for the determination of cortisol concentrations indicating the work‐load level in horses during race training. TwelvePurebredArabian horses aged 3–5 years were studied during the routine training session. After the warm‐up, the horses galloped on the 800 m sand track at a speed of 12.8 m/s. Three saliva samples, and three blood samples were collected from each horse. Both types of samples were taken at rest, immediately after return from the track and after 30 min restitution. The concentrations of blood lactic acid (LA), and cortisol in saliva and plasma samples were measured and analyzed. BloodLA, plasma and salivary cortisol levels increased significantly after exercise (P < 0.05). Salivary cortisol concentration determined 30 min after the exercise correlated significantly with plasma cortisol level obtained immediately after exercise (P < 0.05) as well as measured 30 min after the end of exercise (P < 0.05). The determination of cortisol concentration in saliva samples taken from racehorses 30 min after the end of exercise can be recommended to use in field conditions to estimate the work‐load in racehorses.
Estimation of beef marbling in the Longissimus muscle with computer image analysis of ultrasonic pictures of the Iliocostalis muscle area
Authors: Nade Toshihiro , Kataoka Yuya , Hoshi Kazuhiro , Maeda Ikuo , Saito Kunihiko
Published: November 2013

This study investigated an objective method for estimating beef marbling using ultrasonic images of the Iliocostalis muscle and the Lomgissimus muscle area sections. Thirty‐one Japanese Black cattle steers were used in this study. The end of the left side shoulder blade bone was scanned using an ultrasonic device. Ultrasonic images were captured of the Longissimus muscle area and that around the Iliocostalis muscle area. Twenty items were measured in the two images using computer image analysis software. The level of beef marbling was measured according to the Beef Marbling Standard (BMS) for carcass grading, and the percentage of ether‐extractable fat content in the Longissimus muscle (EE). The difference in the gray level between the Iliocostalis muscle and intermuscular fat (X10) was used to estimate the BMS and the EE, which were highly correlated (r2 = 67.72% and 61.30%). An equation was developed using four parameters from the two ultrasonic images, which could estimate the BMS (r2 = 85.88%). This equation could also estimate the EE (r2 = 68.98%). The equations used to estimate beef marbling were based on one to four parameters that included X10. Thus, ultrasonic images of the Iliocostalis muscle area section are important for estimating beef marbling.
How do visual and auditory cues influence calf stress reactions at weaning?
Authors: Kohari Daisuke , Namikawa Sachiko , Tanaka Masao
Published: November 2013

We investigated the effects of visual and auditory information related to cow and calf stress responses at weaning. Three weaning conditions were established with physical separation only (PS), physical and visual separation (VS), and physical, visual and auditory separation (VAS). Stress responses such as vocalization and self‐grooming, and changes of three maintenance behaviors (lying, walking and grazing) were recorded for experimental cows and calves in the respective conditions. Comparison of the data revealed that the cow responses differed slightly among groups. However, the peak frequency of vocalization was higher in the PS calves than in those of either VS or VAS. Self‐grooming frequency was significantly different in calves and was high in the order of VAS, VS and PS calves. Furthermore, the percentage of time spent lying down was greater, and that of walking was less, in VAS calves than in either VS or PS calves. These results demonstrate that different information at weaning might strongly affect the stress responses of calves but not those of cows. Relative impacts of different types sensory information on stressors must be considered to plan animal‐friendly weaning.
Effects of dietary lysine/protein ratio and fat levels on growth performance and meat quality of finishing pigs
Authors: Maeda Keisuke , Yamamoto Fumika , Toyoshi Masanari , Irie Masakazu
Published: November 2013

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary lysine/protein ratio and fat levels on the growth, carcass characteristics and meat quality of finishing pigs fed feed made from food waste, including noodles and chocolate. Four dietary treatments, 2 levels of lysine/protein ratio (0.035 and 0.046) and 2 levels of fat (3.3% and 6.0%), were adapted to a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. Each diet for the finishing pigs contained the same levels of adequate crude protein (16%) and lysine (0.58–0.75%), and similar levels of high total digestible nutrients (90.2–92.6%). In total, 32 LWD pigs with an average body weight of 57.2 kg were assigned to 4 dietary groups. The pigs were slaughtered at about 115 kg. Growth performance was not influenced by the dietary treatments. Carcass characteristics were slightly influenced by the dietary fat level. As the dietary lysine/protein ratio decreased, the marbling score of Longissimus dorsi muscle increased and the intramuscular fat (IMF) increased from 6.82% to 9.46%. Marbling score was not significantly influenced by the dietary fat level. These results indicate that IMF increased without adverse effects on growth, carcass characteristics and meat quality, when pigs were fed a diet with low lysine/protein ratio.
Physical and nutritional properties of buffalo meat finished on hay or maize silage‐based diets
Authors: Cifuni Giulia Francesca , Contò Michela , Amici Andrea , Failla Sebastiana
Published: November 2013

The current study examines the effect of different finishing diets (hay‐ vs. maize‐silage on meal ration) on carcass quality, physical, chemical and sensory properties, and fatty acid profiles of buffalo meat. Twenty male Italian Mediterranean buffaloes (246 ± 9.00 kg live weight) were distributed at random into two groups at the beginning of the finishing period (368 ± 20 days). The buffaloes were offered two finishing diets: a maize silage (MS) or an alfalfa hay (AH) diet. No significant differences were found between dietary treatments for live and carcass weight. Meat chemical composition was influenced by dietary treatment. A higher fat content was detected in meat from animals finished with MS than AH (P < 0.05). Overall, the data indicated differences between the fatty acid profiles of meat as a consequence of different feeding systems. The higher fat deposition in the MS group resulted in meat with a less favorable fatty acid profile (i.e. a lower polyunsaturated/saturated fatty acid ratio and α‐linolenic fatty acid content) in relation to human health compared with meat from animals fed the AH diet.
Evaluation of reproductive function in women treated for bipolar disorder compared to healthy controls
Authors: Reynolds‐May Margaret F , Kenna Heather A , Marsh Wendy , Stemmle Pascale G , Wang Po , Ketter Terence A , Rasgon Natalie L
Published: November 2013

Objectives

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the reproductive function of women with bipolar disorder (BD) compared to healthy controls.

Methods

Women diagnosed with BD and healthy controls with no psychiatric history, aged 18–45 years, were recruited from a university clinic and surrounding community. Participants completed a baseline reproductive health questionnaire, serum hormone assessment, and ovulation tracking for three consecutive cycles using urine luteinizing hormone (LH)‐detecting strips with a confirmatory luteal‐phase serum progesterone.

Results

Women with BD (n = 103) did not differ from controls (n = 36) in demographics, rates of menstrual abnormalities (MAs), or number of ovulation‐positive cycles. Of the women with BD, 17% reported a current MA and 39% reported a past MA. Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and 17‐hydroxyprogesterone levels were higher in controls (p = 0.052 and 0.004, respectively), but there were no other differences in biochemical levels. Medication type, dose, or duration was not associated with MA or biochemical markers, although those currently taking an atypical antipsychotic agent indicated a greater rate of current or past MA (80% versus 55%, p = 0.013). In women with BD, 22% reported a period of amenorrhea associated with exercising or stress, versus 8% of controls (p = 0.064). Self‐reported rates of bulimia and anorexia nervosa were 10% and 5%, respectively.

Conclusions

Rates of MA and biochemical levels did not significantly differ between women with BD and controls. Current atypical antipsychotic agent use was associated with a higher rate of current or past MA and should be further investigated. The incidence of stress‐induced amenorrhea should be further investigated in this population, as should the comorbid incidence of eating disorders.
Exploring the recovery concept in bipolar disorder: a decision tree analysis of psychosocial correlates of recovery stages
Authors: Tse Samson , Murray Greg , Chung Ka‐Fai , Davidson Larry , Ng King‐Lam , Yu Chong Ho
Published: November 2013

Objectives

The recovery movement has generated interest in the concept of personal recovery, but little attention has been paid to it in relation to bipolar disorder (BD). The aim of this study was to examine personal recovery in BD using a staged model, exploring whether different stages are associated with different psychosocial and clinical profiles.

Methods

Adults with BD in remission (n = 75) were recruited from an outpatient psychiatric clinic in Hong Kong. Their average age was 45 years, with 11% and 45% working part time and full time, respectively. The data included stages of recovery, sociodemographic characteristics, clinical information, and perceptions of the importance of recovery factors and the resilience‐engendering features of health services. Decision tree analysis was used to identify the predictors of stages of recovery, and receiver operating characteristic curves were employed to detect the rates of correct classification within the staged model.

Results

‘Respect, hope, and self‐directed empowerment’, older age, binge drinking history, early first diagnosis, and ‘meaningful role’ were all associated with being in a later stage of personal recovery. The first two variables demonstrated better classification accuracy than the last three. Using these variables, the classification accuracy of Stages 2–4 was adequate.

Conclusions

There are associations between the stage of recovery and psychosocial variables among individuals with BD in remission. Interventions that promote ‘respect, hope, and self‐directed empowerment’ have the potential to facilitate personal recovery from BD.
Prognostic value of paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria clone presence in aplastic anaemia patients treated with combined immunosuppression: results of two‐centre prospective study
Authors: Kulagin Alexander , Lisukov Igor , Ivanova Maria , Golubovskaya Irina , Kruchkova Irina , Bondarenko Sergey , Vavilov Vladimir , Stancheva Natalia , Babenko Elena , Sipol Alexandra , Pronkina Natalia , Kozlov Vladimir , Afanasyev Boris
Published: November 2013

Paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH) clones are frequently detected in patients with aplastic anaemia (AA). To evaluate the prognostic role ofPNHclone presence we conducted a prospective study in 125AApatients treated with combined immunosuppressive therapy (IST). Seventy‐four patients (59%) had aPNHclone (PNH+ patients) at diagnosis, with a median clone size of 0·60% in granulocytes and 0·15% in red blood cells. The response rate at 6 months was higher inPNH+ patients than that inPNH‐ patients, both after first‐ and second‐lineIST: 68% vs. 45%,P = 0·0164 and 53% vs. 13%,P = 0·0502 respectively. Moreover, 42% ofPNH+ patients achieved complete remission compared with only 16% ofPNH‐ patients (P = 0·0029). In multivariate logistic regression analysis,PNHclone presence (odds ratio 2·56,P = 0·0180) and baseline absolute reticulocyte count (ARC) ≥30 × 109/l (odds ratio 5·19,P = 0·0011) were independent predictors of response to treatment. Stratification according toPNHpositivity andARC≥30 × 109/l showed significant distinctions for cumulative incidence of response, overall and failure‐free survival. The results of this prospective study confirmed the favourable prognostic value ofPNHclone presence in the setting ofISTforAA.
Correlations between prescription opioid analgesic dispensing levels and related mortality and morbidity in Ontario, Canada, 2005–2011
Authors: Fischer Benedikt , Jones Wayne , Urbanoski Karen , Skinner Roger , Rehm Jürgen
Published: November 2013

Introduction and Aims

Prescription opioid analgesic (POA)‐related harms constitute a major public health problem in North America. Ontario features above‐average POA use levels in Canada and has seen consistent increases in related mortality and morbidity. Recent studies documented strong correlations between POA dispensing levels and related harm outcomes on population levels. We examined correlations between POA dispensing and key POA‐related mortality and morbidity indicators in Ontario, 2005–2011.

Design and Methods

Correlations between (i) annual dispensing levels of four strong POA formulations (fentanyl, hydromorphone, morphine and oxycodone; from IMS Brogan's Compuscript converted to defined daily doses) and POA‐related mortality (based on provincial coroner's data) and (ii) annual total POA dispensing and POA‐related treatment caseload (from the Drug and Alcohol Treatment Information System) were examined for the study context.

Results

Strong and significant correlations were observed between POA dispensing and mortality for three formulations, namely hydromorphone: 0.98 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.89–1.00; P < 0.001], fentanyl: 0.93 (95% CI 0.58–0.99; P = 0.003) and oxycodone: 0.93 (95% CI 0.57–0.99; P = 0.003), but not morphine (−0.29; 95% CI−0.86–0.59; P = 0.523), as well as for treatment when examining congruent years [0.99 (95% CI 0.92–1.00); P < 0.001] and when using a 1‐year offset (1.00; 95% CI 0.96–1.00; P < 0.001).

Discussion and Conclusions

POA dispensing levels were found to be strongly correlated with mortality and morbidity (treatment) indicators. Targeted and sensible reductions of POA use level would likely constitute a primary measure to reduce POA‐related harms on a population level, especially in a jurisdiction with high POA consumption levels. [Fischer B, Jones W, Urbanoski K, Skinner R, Rehm J. Correlations between prescription opioid analgesic dispensing levels and related mortality and morbidity in Ontario, Canada, 2005–2011. Drug Alcohol Rev 2014;33:19–26]
Targeted mutagenesis in sea urchin embryos using TALENs
Authors: Hosoi Sayaka , Sakuma Tetsushi , Sakamoto Naoaki , Yamamoto Takashi
Published: November 2013

Genome editing with engineered nucleases such as zinc‐finger nucleases (ZFNs) and transcription activator‐like effector nucleases (TALENs) has been reported in various animals. We previously described ZFN‐mediated targeted mutagenesis and insertion of reporter genes in sea urchin embryos. In this study, we demonstrate that TALENs can induce mutagenesis at specific genomic loci of sea urchin embryos. Injection of TALEN mRNAs targeting the HpEts transcription factor into fertilized eggs resulted in the impairment of skeletogenesis. Sequence analyses of the mutations showed that deletions and/or insertions occurred at the HpEts target site in the TALEN mRNAs‐injected embryos. The results suggest that targeted gene disruption using TALENs is feasible in sea urchin embryos.
The evolving role of the orphan nuclear receptor ftz‐f1, a pair‐rule segmentation gene
Authors: Heffer Alison , Grubbs Nathaniel , Mahaffey James , Pick Leslie
Published: November 2013

Segmentation is a critical developmental process that occurs by different mechanisms in diverse taxa. In insects, there are three common modes of embryogenesis—short‐, intermediate‐, and long‐germ development—which differ in the number of segments specified at the blastoderm stage. While genes involved in segmentation have been extensively studied in the long‐germ insect Drosophila melanogaster (Dm), it has been found that their expression and function in segmentation in short‐ and intermediate‐germ insects often differ. Drosophila ftz‐f1 encodes an orphan nuclear receptor that functions as a maternally expressed pair‐rule segmentation gene, responsible for the formation of alternate body segments during Drosophila embryogenesis. Here we investigated the expression and function of ftz‐f1 in the short‐germ beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Tc). We found that Tc‐ftz‐f1 is expressed in stripes in Tribolium embryos. These stripes overlap alternate Tc‐Engrailed (Tc‐En) stripes, indicative of a pair‐rule expression pattern. To test whether Tc‐ftz‐f1 has pair‐rule function, we utilized embryonic RNAi, injecting double‐stranded RNA corresponding to Tc‐ftz‐f1 coding or non‐coding regions into early Tribolium embryos. Knockdown of Tc‐ftz‐f1 produced pair‐rule segmentation defects, evidenced by loss of expression of alternate En stripes. In addition, a later role for Tc‐ftz‐f1 in cuticle formation was revealed. These results identify a new pair‐rule gene in Tribolium and suggest that its role in segmentation may be shared among holometabolous insects. Interestingly, while Tc‐ftz‐f1 is expressed in pair‐rule stripes, the gene is ubiquitously expressed in Drosophila embryos. Thus, the pair‐rule function of ftz‐f1 is conserved despite differences in expression patterns of ftz‐f1 genes in different lineages. This suggests that ftz‐f1 expression changed after the divergence of lineages leading to extant beetles and flies, likely due to differences in cis‐regulatory sequences. We propose that the dependence of Dm‐Ftz‐F1 on interaction with the homeodomain protein Ftz which is expressed in stripes in Drosophila, loosened constraints on Dm‐ftz‐f1 expression, allowing for ubiquitous expression of this pair‐rule gene in Drosophila.
Failed sperm development as a reproductive isolating barrier between species
Authors: Wünsch Lisa K. , Pfennig Karin S.
Published: November 2013

Hybrid male sterility is a common reproductive isolating barrier between species. Yet, little is known about the actual developmental causes of this phenomenon, especially in naturally hybridizing species. We sought to evaluate the developmental causes of hybrid male sterility, using spadefoot toads as our study system. Plains spadefoot toads (Spea bombifrons) and Mexican spadefoot toads (S. multiplicata) hybridize where they co‐occur in the southwestern USA. Hybrids are viable, but hybrid males suffer reduced fertility. We compared testes size and developmental stages of sperm cell maturation between hybrid males and males of each species. We found that testes of hybrid males did not differ in mean size from pure‐species males. However, hybrids showed a greater range of within‐individual variation in testes size than pure‐species males. Moreover, although hybrids produced similar numbers of early stage sperm cells, hybrids produced significantly fewer mature spermatozoids than pure‐species males. Interestingly, an introgressed individual produced numbers of live sperm comparable to pure‐species males, but the majority of these sperm cells were abnormally shaped and non‐motile. These results indicate that hybrid incompatibilities in late sperm development serve as a reproductive isolating barrier between species. The nature of this breakdown highlights the possibilities that hybrid males may vary in fertility and that fertility could possibly be recovered in introgressed males.
Climate change alters ecological strategies of soil bacteria
Authors: Evans Sarah E. , Wallenstein Matthew D.
Published: November 2013

The timing and magnitude of rainfall events are expected to change in future decades, resulting in longer drought periods and larger rainfall events. Although microbial community composition and function are both sensitive to changes in rainfall, it is unclear whether this is because taxa adopt strategies that maximise fitness under new regimes. We assessed whether bacteria exhibited phylogenetically conserved ecological strategies in response to drying‐rewetting, and whether these strategies were altered by historical exposure to experimentally intensified rainfall patterns. By clustering relative abundance patterns, we identified three discrete ecological strategies and found that tolerance to drying‐rewetting increased with exposure to intensified rainfall patterns. Changes in strategy were primarily due to changes in community composition, but also to strategy shifts within taxa. These moisture regime‐selected ecological strategies may be predictable from disturbance history, and are likely to be linked to traits that influence the functional potential of microbial communities.
Institutional Cash Pools and the Triffin Dilemma of the U.S. Banking System
Authors: Pozsar Zoltan
Published: November 2013

Through the profiling of institutional cash pools, this paper explains the rise of the “shadow” banking system from a demand‐side perspective. Explaining the rise of shadow banking from this angle paints a very different picture than the supply‐side angle that views it as a story of banks’ funding preferences and arbitrage. Institutional cash pools prefer to avoid too much unsecured exposure to banks even through insured deposits. Short‐term government guaranteed securities are the next best choice, but their supply is insufficient. The shadow banking system arose to fill this vacuum. One way to manage the size of the shadow banking system is by adopting the supply management of Treasury bills as a macroprudential tool.
Thinking with Kleist: Michael Kohlhaas and Moral Luck
Authors: Pickford Henry
Published: November 2013

The concept of moral luck comprises four aspects of acts of the Kantian will that are beyond the control of the agent and yet, paradoxically, can affect her moral appraisal. The challenge posed to Kantian moral theory by moral luck was identified by Schleiermacher in his critical review of Kant's Anthropologie in pragmatischer Hinsicht, and evidence suggests that Kleist was familiar with Kant's relevant writings while composing Michael Kohlhaas, a novella in which the various kinds of moral luck play a significant role. I extend the concept of moral luck by discussing two further versions of it in the novella, which I call interpretive moral luck and—drawing on Max Weber—proxy moral luck. In tracing these categories, I show how Kleist dramatized paradoxical consequences of Kant's theory that Kant himself acknowledged. Lastly, I interpret the secondary narrative of the gypsy woman and her prophecy as a further critique of Kantian morality.
Die verkehrte Bekehrung in Goethes Faust
Authors: Gillo Idan
Published: November 2013

Im Zentrum dieses Aufsatzes steht die Übersetzungsszene, in der Goethe die “große Lücke” in Faust I—das Problem der Begegnung zwischen Faust und Mephistopheles—überwand. Die Lösung besteht, so meine These, in der Betonung von Struktur, Motivik und Vokabular des hagiographischen Bekehrungsschemas, das der Faustlegende ohnehin angehört und das Goethe nicht zuletzt aufgrund seiner Erfahrung mit dem Pietismus beschäftigte. Diese Tendenz kulminiert in der Übersetzungsszene: in seiner Bemühung, Transzendenz zu erleben, inszeniert Faust eine Bekehrungsszene, die jedoch letztlich an seinem modernen Selbstverständnis scheitert. Zwar kommt es bei ihm zu einer Art ‘Neugeburt,’ aber an der Stelle der erwarteten Hinwendung zu Gott erfolgt seine Verbindung mit dem Teufel und insofern eine verkehrte Bekehrung. Ausgehend von der Annahme, dass jede Bekehrungsbeschreibung zugleich einen bestimmten Subjektivitätsentwurf impliziert, lese ich diese verkehrte Bekehrung vor dem Hintergrund einer Veränderung des Subjektbegriffs um 1800 als eine poetische Auseinandersetzung mit der Dialektik der modernen Subjektivität.
Green tea: A novel functional food for the oral health of older adults
Authors: Gaur Sumit , Agnihotri Rupali
Published: November 2013

Functional foods are foods with positive health effects that extend beyond their nutritional value. They affect the function of the body and help in the management of specific health conditions. Green tea, a time‐honoured Chinese herb, might be regarded as a functional food because of its inherent anti‐oxidant, anti‐inflammatory, antimicrobial and antimutagenic properties. They are attributed to its reservoir of polyphenols, particularly the catechin, epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate. Owing to these beneficial actions, this traditional beverage was used in the management of chronic systemic diseases including cancer. Recently, it has been emphasized that the host immuno‐inflammatory reactions destroy the oral tissues to a greater extent than the microbial activity alone. Green tea with its wide spectrum of activities could be a healthy alternative for controlling these damaging reactions seen in oral diseases, specifically, chronic periodontitis, dental caries and oral cancer, which are a common occurrence in the elderly population. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2014; 14: 238–250.
Protein quality control systems associated with no‐go and nonstop mRNA surveillance in yeast
Authors: Matsuda Ryo , Ikeuchi Ken , Nomura Sene , Inada Toshifumi
Published: November 2013

Quality control systems eliminate aberrant proteins derived from aberrant mRNAs. Two E3 ubiquitin ligases, Ltn1 and Not4, are involved in proteasomal protein degradation coupled to translation arrest. Here, we evaluated nonstop and translation arrest products degraded in a poly(A) tail‐independent manner. Ltn1 was found to degrade aberrant nonstop polypeptides derived from nonstop mRNA lacking a termination codon, but not peptidyl‐tRNA, even in the absence of the ribosome dissociation complex Dom34:Hbs1. The receptor for activated C kinase (RACK1/ASC1) was identified as a factor required for nascent peptide‐dependent translation arrest as well as Ltn1‐dependent protein degradation. Both Not4 and Ltn1 were involved in the degradation of various arrest products in a poly(A) tail‐independent manner. Furthermore, carboxyl terminus‐truncated degradation intermediates of arrest products were stabilized in a cdc48‐3 mutant defective in unfolding or the disassembly related to proteasomal degradation. Thus, we propose that stalled ribosomes may be dissociated into subunits and that peptidyl‐tRNA on the 60S subunit is ubiquitinated by Ltn1 and Cdc48 is required for the degradation following release from tRNA.
Volcanic ash clouds affecting Northern Europe: the long view
Authors: Swindles Graeme T. , Savov Ivan P. , Connor Charles B. , Carrivick Jonathan , Watson Elizabeth , Lawson Ian T.
Published: November 2013

The volcanic ash or ‘tephra’ cloud resulting from the relatively small (volume and VEI) eruption of the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajökull in 2010 caused major air travel disruption, at substantial global economic cost. On several occasions in the past few centuries, Icelandic eruptions have created ash and/or sulphur dioxide clouds which were detected over Europe (e.g. Hekla in 1947, Askja in 1875, and Laki in 1783). However, these historical observations do not represent a complete record of events serious enough to disrupt aviation in Europe. The only feasible evidence for this is within the geological tephra record. Ash layers are preserved in bogs and lakes where tephra deposited from the atmosphere is incorporated in the peat/mud. In this article we: 1, introduce the analysis of the Northern European sedimentary tephra record; 2, discuss our findings and modelling results; 3, highlight how these were misinterpreted by the popular media; and 4, use this experience to outline several existing problems with current tephra studies and suggest agendas for future research.
Radioisotope blood volume measurement in hemodialysis patients
Authors: Puri Sonika , Park Jun‐Ki , Modersitzki Frank , Goldfarb David S.
Published: November 2013

Accurate assessment of blood volume (BV) may be helpful for prescribing hemodialysis (HD) and for reducing complications related to hypovolemia and volume overload. Monitoring changes in relative BV (RBV) using hematocrit, e.g., Crit‐Line Monitor (CLM‐III), an indirect method, cannot be used to determine absolute BV. We report the first study of BV measurement for assessing volume status in HD patients using the indicator dilutional method. Ten adult HD patients were enrolled in this prospective observational study. BV measurement was performed before and after HD using BV analysis (BVA)‐100 (Daxor Corporation, New York, NY, USA). BVA‐100 calculates BV using radiolabeled albumin (Iodine‐131) followed by serial measures of the radioisotope. Fluid loss from the extravascular space was calculated by subtracting the change in BV from total weight loss. Intradialytic changes in RBV were measured by CLM‐III. Eight out of 10 cases had significant hypervolemia, two cases were normovolemic. The range of BV variation from predicted normal was 156 to 1990 mL. Significant inter‐individual differences in extravascular space fluid loss ranged from 54% to 99% of total weight loss. Spearman correlation showed a good correlation in the measurement of RBV by BVA‐100 and CLM‐III in 8 out of 10 patients (r2 = 0.64). BV measurement using BVA‐100 is useful to determine absolute BV as well as changes in BV and correlates reasonably well with CLM‐III measurements. Individual refilling ability can be determined as well. This may prove useful in prescribing and monitoring ultrafiltration rates, establishment of optimal BV in HD patients and reducing morbidity and mortality associated with chronic HD.
Effects of citrate‐enriched bicarbonate based dialysate on anticoagulation and dialyzer reuse in maintenance hemodialysis patients
Authors: Rocha Amanda D. , Padua Vanessa C. , Oliveira Esther , Guimaraes Márcia M. , Lugon Jocemir R. , Strogoff de Matos Jorge P.
Published: November 2013

Systemic anticoagulation with unfractionated heparin is commonly used in maintenance hemodialysis (HD), but it increases the risk of bleeding complications. We investigated whether the use of citrate‐enriched bicarbonate based dialysate (CD) would reduce systemic anticoagulation without compromising the efficacy of reprocessed dialyzers. This is a crossover study in which half of a total of 30 patients initially underwent HD with acetate‐enriched bicarbonate based dialysate and a standard heparin dose of ∼100 IU/kg (Treatment A), whereas the remaining patients were treated with CD and a 30% reduced heparin dose (Treatment B). After 12 consecutive HD sessions in each treatment, the dialysate and heparin doses were reversed, then followed for another period of 12 HD sessions. The two treatment phases were split by a washout period of six HD sessions using acetate‐enriched bicarbonate based dialysate and standard heparin dose. Systemic anticoagulation was higher in Treatment A. The activated partial thromboplastin time at the end of HD session was 68 ± 36 seconds in Treatment A and 47 ± 16 seconds in Treatment B (P = 0.005). Sixty‐eight percent of the dialyzers remained adequate until the 12th use in Treatment A and 61% did so in Treatment B (P = 0.63). Patients had three and 24 cramps episodes during Treatment A and B, respectively (P < 0.001). Nine and 26 symptomatic intradialytic hypotension episodes were seen in Treatment A and B, respectively, (P = 0.003). In conclusion, the use of CD had a favorable effect on anticoagulation in the extracorporeal circuit in patients on maintenance HD, but it was also associated with more hypotension and cramps.
Clinical and psychological characteristics of patients with psoriasis reporting various frequencies of pruritus
Authors: Janowski Konrad , Steuden Stanisława , Bogaczewicz Jarosław
Published: November 2013

Background

Pruritus is a common subjective symptom of psoriasis whose levels may be affected by a range of variables. The objective of this study was to evaluate the frequency of pruritus and its associations with clinical and psychological characteristics of psoriasis patients.

Materials and methods

One‐hundred and seventy‐four patients with psoriasis took part in the study, and they were assessed on clinical (psoriasis area and severity index [PASI], localization of lesions, pruritus severity, duration of the disease) and psychological (coping, personality, cognitive appraisal of the disease, quality of life) variables. ANOVA, Pearson's χ2‐tests, and correlational analyses were employed to analyze the data.

Results

The frequency of reported pruritus was found to be related to PASI (P < 0.000) and localization of skin lesions on visible body areas (P < 0.05). Patients reporting more frequent pruritus were significantly older (P < 0.05), had lower quality of life (P < 0.000), more frequently used coping strategies of resignation (P < 0.05) and self‐blame (P < 0.05), and tended to appraise their disease in terms of a threat (P < 0.05), obstacle/loss (P < 0.05), and harm (P < 0.01). No significant associations were found between pruritus and basic personality traits. After controlling for age, all these variables remained significantly correlated with pruritus, whereas after controlling for psoriasis severity, only age, quality of life, and a coping strategy of resignation still significantly correlated with pruritus frequency.

Conclusions

The findings emphasize the importance of pruritus in the majority of psoriasis patients and its significant association with compromised quality of life, older age, greater psoriasis severity, and a specific pattern of psychological responses to stress.
Clinical and imaging findings in patients with neurosyphilis: a study of a cohort and review of the literature
Authors: Khamaysi Ziad , Bergman Reuven , Telman Gregory , Goldsher Dorith
Published: November 2013

Background

Most patients with neurosyphilis are considered asymptomatic. The diagnosis is challenging and the role of neuroimaging is not yet well established. The present study was conducted to focus on the clinical findings and further characterize the imaging features of the disease, along with a review of the pertinent literature.

Methods

Six male patients with neurosyphilis based on abnormal cerebrospinal fluid findings, five of whom were asymptomatic at presentation, underwent cranial computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). They also underwent a complete physical, neurological, and ophthalmological examination, with special attention paid to atherosclerotic vascular risk factors. In addition, all were examined for cardiac involvement using electrocardiography and cardiac ultrasound.

Results

The meticulous neurological and ophthalmological examination revealed abnormalities in five patients, most commonly cranial nerve involvement (three patients) and hemiparesis (two patients). The CT and MRI studies revealed abnormalities in five of the six patients, and in all six patients, respectively. The most common findings were brain infarcts, which were demonstrated in four of the six patients. MRI was found to be more sensitive than CT in detecting these brain infarcts, as expected.

Conclusions

Vascular insult was the most common neuroimaging finding in our patients with neurosyphilis, probably due to meningovascular endarteritis. Neurosyphilis should always be considered in young patients with unexplained brain infarcts.
Variety of complications after auricle piercing
Authors: Fijałkowska Marta , Kasielska Anna , Antoszewski Bogusław
Published: November 2013

Background

Body piercing is a known and popular method of body ornamentation. Modern body piercing includes wearing jewelry in such body areas as the helix (ear), eyebrows, nose, lips, tongue, chin, nipples, navel, and genitals. The current piercing definition does not comprise piercing of the earlobe; however, this body area is still the most common on which jewelry is worn. The aim of this research is to present a spectrum of complications after auricle piercing and to consider including earlobe piercing in the modern definition of body piercing.

Methods

Studied group consisted of 75 patients treated in the Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery (Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland) for complications after auricle piercing. Age of participants ranged from 7 to 62 years (mean age 23.7 years).

Results

The most common complications in the examined group were post‐traumatic tearing of the earlobe and keloid formation. Of all the patients with complications after auricle piercing, most had lesions located in earlobes; it seems that complications in earlobes are significantly more common than in the helix (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

The fashion of body piercing is not safe. Complications after earlobe piercing are similar to those occurring in other sites of the auricle after piercing. Moreover, due to its prevalence, complications after earlobe piercing are statistically more common, which is why it is worth considering including earlobe piercing in the modern definition of body piercing.
Marie Unna hereditary hypotrichosis: a recurrent c.74C>T mutation in the U2HR gene and literature review
Authors: Yang Jianqiang , Liang Yanhua , Zeng Kang , Huang Liang , Zheng Min
Published: November 2013

Marie Unna hereditary hypotrichosis (MUHH) is an autosomal dominant form of genetic hair loss. U2HR gene dysfunction has been identified as the pathogenic change of this disease. Herein we present a four‐generation Chinese family of 15 patients carrying MUHH, and detected a recurrent missense mutation in U2HR gene, c.74C>T (p.P25L), previously reported in a Jewish Ashkenazi MUHH family. The literature review concluded that there were 16 mutations of the U2HR gene in patients with MUHH of different origins, and indicated two mutation hot spots (amino acids 1–7 and 24–28) but no clear genotype–phenotype correlations.
Schistocytes in disseminated intravascular coagulation
Authors: Lesesve J.‐F. , Martin M. , Banasiak C. , André‐Kerneïs E. , Bardet V. , Lusina D. , Kharbach A. , Geneviève F. , Lecompte T.
Published: November 2013

Introduction

The presence of schistocytes on the peripheral blood film during disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) remains controversial.

Methods

We examined schistocytes count on blood films from 35 DIC patients and checked morphological anomalies of all RBCs.

Results

Thirty of 35 patients presented with schistocytes and 22 with acanthocytes, which was the commonest shape anomaly. Mean percentage ± standard deviation was 0.33 ± 0.38%, median value was 0.1%, and range was 0–1.4%. The patients with schistocytes ≥ 1% had circumstances frequently associated with increased schistocytes count (promyelocytic leukaemia, pregnancy, severe infection).

Discussion

Schistocytes were thus frequently observed in DIC patients, usually with low percentage, within or close to the reference range (<0.5%). Schistocytes measurement is not a clue test for the initial diagnosis of DIC, but might be of clinical value to suggest an associated or underlying thrombotic microangiopathy if ≥ 1%.
Decision modeling for foreclosed property acquisition by community development corporations in the United States
Authors: Bayram Armagan , Solak Senay
Published: November 2013

Over the past several years, increased rates of mortgage foreclosures in the United States have had significant impacts on economies around the world. As part of the societal response to this problem, nonprofit community development corporations acquire foreclosed properties in troubled neighborhoods and redevelop them to maintain stability. This paper addresses a decision problem faced by these organizations on what types of properties to acquire given limited available resources. We develop dynamic and stochastic programming models to assist such organizations in choosing foreclosed properties for acquisition and redevelopment, taking into account uncertain market conditions that change over time. We first analytically study a dynamic programming model under some special cases, and then seek insights for the general stochastic model through a multistage stochastic programming formulation and its numerical analysis. Although our analysis is based on a problem in the United States with potential implications for the global economy, our research is applicable to non‐U.S. government actors at the local and regional level as well.
Structure, Capacity or Power? Explaining Salience in EU Decision‐Making
Authors: Leuffen Dirk , Malang Thomas , Wörle Sebastian
Published: November 2013

Salience as the intensity of interest is a key explanatory factor of European Union decision‐making. In this article, the ability of three explanatory models to explain the realized values of Member States’ salience is hypothesized and tested. On the basis of the DEU II data, the analysis shows that a mixture of national interest group heterogeneity and membership length has the highest predictive power. The results support the liberal intergovernmentalist claim that domestic interests determine European decision‐making.
EU Climate Norms in East‐Central Europe
Authors: Braun Mats
Published: November 2013

This article suggests that the literature on how the European Union (EU) diffuses its norms externally and that on how it diffuses them internally should be linked. Therefore, the focus is on a field where the EU is described as a ‘normative’ power: climate change. The article analyzes how EU climate norms are diffused to new Member States. It argues that there are two roads to state socialization: through civil servants participating in EU work, and via domestic norm entrepreneurs. The empirical analysis is based on how four of the Member States that joined the EU in 2004–07 worked with the Climate and Energy Package of 2008–09. With the exception of one of the countries, there are few indications of an ongoing socialization process among them. For the EU as a normative power it is important to reflect upon why the underlying EU climate norms are rejected in the studied countries.