bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Blood viscoelasticity measurement using steady and transient flow controls of blood in a microfluidic analogue of Wheastone-bridge channel
Authors: Jun Kang Yang , Lee Sang-Joon
Published: October 2013

Accurate measurement of blood viscoelasticity including viscosity and elasticity is essential in estimating blood flows in arteries, arterials, and capillaries and in investigating sub-lethal damage of RBCs. Furthermore, the blood viscoelasticity could be clinically used as key indices in monitoring patients with cardiovascular diseases. In this study, we propose a new method to simultaneously measure the viscosity and elasticity of blood by simply controlling the steady and transient blood flows in a microfluidic analogue of Wheastone-bridge channel, without fully integrated sensors and labelling operations. The microfluidic device is designed to have two inlets and outlets, two side channels, and one bridge channel connecting the two side channels. Blood and PBS solution are simultaneously delivered into the microfluidic device as test fluid and reference fluid, respectively. Using a fluidic-circuit model for the microfluidic device, the analytical formula is derived by applying the linear viscoelasticity model for rheological representation of blood. First, in the steady blood flow, the relationship between the viscosity of blood and that of PBS solution (μBlood/μPBS) is obtained by monitoring the reverse flows in the bridge channel at a specific flow-rate rate (QPBSSS/QBloodL). Next, in the transient blood flow, a sudden increase in the blood flow-rate induces the transient behaviors of the blood flow in the bridge channel. Here, the elasticity (or characteristic time) of blood can be quantitatively measured by analyzing the dynamic movement of blood in the bridge channel. The regression formula (ABlood (t) = Aα + Aβ exp [−(t − t0)/λBlood]) is selected based on the pressure difference (ΔP = PA − PB) at each junction (A, B) of both side channels. The characteristic time of blood (λBlood) is measured by analyzing the area (ABlood) filled with blood in the bridge channel by selecting an appropriate detection window in the microscopic images captured by a high-speed camera (frame rate = 200 Hz, total measurement time = 7 s). The elasticity of blood (GBlood) is identified using the relationship between the characteristic time and the viscosity of blood. For practical demonstrations, the proposed method is successfully applied to evaluate the variations in viscosity and elasticity of various blood samples: (a) various hematocrits form 20% to 50%, (b) thermal-induced treatment (50 °C for 30 min), (c) flow-induced shear stress (53 ± 0.5 mL/h for 120 min), and (d) normal rat versus spontaneously hypertensive rat. Based on these experimental demonstrations, the proposed method can be effectively used to monitor variations in viscosity and elasticity of bloods, even with the absence of fully integrated sensors, tedious labeling and calibrations.
Rapid measurement of substrate temperatures by frequency-domain low-coherence interferometry
Authors: Tsutsumi Takayoshi , Ohta Takayuki , Ishikawa Kenji , Takeda Keigo , Kondo Hiroki , Sekine Makoto , Hori Masaru , Ito Masafumi
Published: October 2013

Rapid high-precision temperature monitoring systems for silicon wafers applicable even during plasma processing have been developed using frequency-domain low-coherence interferometry without a reference mirror. It was found to have a precision of 0.04 °C, a response time of 1 ms, and a large tolerance to mechanical vibrations and fiber vending when monitoring the temperature of commercial Si wafers. The performance is a substantial improvement over the previous precision of 0.11 °C measured in a few seconds using a time-domain method. It is, therefore, a powerful real-time technique to monitor rapidly varying wafer temperatures with high precision.
Pseudosymmetric bias and correct estimation of Coulomb/confinement energy for unintentional quantum dot in channel of metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor
Authors: Ono K. , Tanamoto T. , Ohguro T.
Published: October 2013

We describe a measurement method that enables the correct estimation of the charging energy of an unintentional quantum dot (QD) in the channel of a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET). If the channel has a single dominant QD with a large charging energy and an array of stray QDs with much weaker charging, this method eliminates the additional voltage drops due to stray QDs by regarding the stray QDs as series resistors. We apply this method to a short-channel MOSFET and find that the charging energy of the dominant QD can indeed be smaller than the size of the Coulomb diamond.
Determination of the maximum energy loss for electron stopping power calculations and its effect on backscattering electron yield in Monte-Carlo simulations applying continuous slowing-down approximation
Authors: Nguyen-Truong Hieu T.
Published: October 2013

The maximum energy loss for electron stopping power calculations by the full Penn algorithm within the dielectric formalism is determined with taking into account the contribution of electron and plasmon excitations. Use of these calculated electron stopping powers in Monte Carlo simulations applying continuous slowing down approximation gives the backscattering electron yields in much better agreement with experimental data than previous other theoretical results. The muffin-tin model is used to describe the electron elastic scattering by atom bound in solids with taking into account the exchange correlation and polarization effect.
High-pressure melting of tantalum from the modified Z method
Authors: Wang Shuaichuang , Liu Haifeng , Zhang Gongmu , Song Haifeng
Published: October 2013

We examined the validity of the modified Z method to predict the high-pressure melting curve of the body-centered-cubic transition metals, e.g., tantalum, in the molecular dynamics simulations using an extended Finnis-Sinclair potential. A unique feature was observed that a solid system evolves into the steady interphase of the solid and the liquid. In spite of simple running processes, the melting curve extracted from the solid-liquid coexistence states composed of only 960 atoms reaches an excellent agreement with that of the two-phase method in the literature. The liquid microstructure at the melting curve is dominated by the icosahedral short-range order, almost independent of the pressure up to 400 GPa.
Zonal flow as pattern formation
Authors: Parker Jeffrey B. , Krommes John A.
Published: October 2013

Zonal flows are well known to arise spontaneously out of turbulence. We show that for statistically averaged equations of the stochastically forced generalized Hasegawa-Mima model, steady-state zonal flows, and inhomogeneous turbulence fit into the framework of pattern formation. There are many implications. First, the wavelength of the zonal flows is not unique. Indeed, in an idealized, infinite system, any wavelength within a certain continuous band corresponds to a solution. Second, of these wavelengths, only those within a smaller subband are linearly stable. Unstable wavelengths must evolve to reach a stable wavelength; this process manifests as merging jets.
Ordinary Urbanism—Neither Trap Nor Tableaux: A Response to Richard G Smith
Authors: Jayne Mark
Published: October 2013

This paper responds to Richard G Smith's review of ordinary city writing which he describes as ‘a trap for progressive international urbanism’. I focus on questioning how and why Smith develops his ‘critique of a critique’. More specifically, I consider the ways that Smith defines the boundaries of both the ordinary cities literature and the world/global cities writing that he pits against each other. Discussing genealogy and influence I offer a more optimistic but not uncritical view of role of ordinary city thinking in advancing critical urbanism.
Transition Management Using a Market Transformation Approach: Lessons for Theory, Research, and Practice from the Case of Low-Carbon Housing Refurbishment in the UK
Authors: Killip Gavin
Published: October 2013

Work on target-led transitions has highlighted the interdependence between ‘niche’ and ‘regime’ actors in steering change towards strategic goals. Similarly, market transformation (MT) has a long history in product markets, improving the energy efficiency of stocks of energy-using appliances through research, minimum standards, energy labels, incentives, procurement, competitions, and stakeholder networks. Attempts to apply MT to buildings have failed to fully take account of the differences between appliance markets and the multiple markets which frame energy use in buildings. The case of refurbishment of UK housing is considered here, for which there is a system of different markets in operation. MT principles are considered in relation to the sources and diffusion of innovation in project-based industries; the management of different expectations among innovators and incumbents; technical risks associated with doing low-carbon refurbishment work; and the role of policy in simultaneously stimulating supply and demand. An iterative process with feedback loops and coordination is proposed to link training, standard-setting, and compliance checks. No institutional infrastructure exists for such an enterprise, which would need to cross established boundaries between regime actors. The case of UK housing refurbishment throws up lessons for theory, research, and practice which could be developed through further case studies.
Institutional Capacity for Climate Change Responses: An Examination of Construction and Pathways in Mexico City and Santiago
Authors: Romero-Lankao Patricia , Hughes Sara , Rosas-Huerta Angelica , Borquez Roxana , Gnatz Daniel M
Published: October 2013

Scholars have focused on understanding the motivations behind urban authorities' efforts to respond to climate change, yet the determinants of institutional response capacity are less well known, particularly in Latin America. This paper develops a framework to understand the political–economic determinants of institutional response capacity through an examination of climate change governance in Mexico City and Santiago, Chile. We ask whether being a frontrunner (Mexico City) is an indicator of greater institutional response capacity. Although Mexico City has slightly higher levels of institutional capacity than Santiago, both are faced with similar challenges, such as fragmented governance arrangements, asymmetries in access to information, and top-down decision making. However, both also have similar opportunities, such as leadership, participation in transnational networks, and potential to integrate climate change goals into existing policy agendas. Examining urban climate change planning in isolation from other institutions is therefore likely to provide a false sense of a city's response capacity.
Novel Multisector Networks and Entrepreneurship in Urban Climate Governance
Authors: Schroeder Heike , Burch Sarah , Rayner Steve
Published: October 2013

The papers in this theme issue seek to advance our understanding of the roles of networks and partnerships in the multilevel governance of climate change and related issues in the urban context. In particular, the papers examine the roles of nontraditional actors and apply emerging theoretical approaches such as sustainability transitions theory to gain a greater understanding of the variety of approaches being employed around the world, as well as the transformative potential of these approaches. We discuss the role of the state relative to the roles of local leadership, knowledge systems, and community-wide collaborative engagement in bringing about sustainability transitions.
Topology of viral evolution
Authors: Chan Joseph Minhow , Carlsson Gunnar , Rabadan Raul
Published: October 2013

Significance

Evolution is mediated not only by random mutations over a number of generations (vertical evolution), but also through the mixture of genomic material between individuals of different lineages (horizontal evolution). The standard evolutionary representation, the phylogenetic tree, faithfully represents the former but not the latter scenario. Although many elaborations have been developed to address this issue, there is still no agreed-upon method of incorporating both vertical and horizontal evolution. Here, we present an alternative strategy based on algebraic topology to study evolution. This method extends beyond the limits of a tree to capture directly even complex horizontal exchanges between multiple parental strains, as well as uncover broader reticulate patterns, including the segregation of segments during reassortment.
The pragmatics of quotation, explicatures and modularity of mind
Authors: Capone Alessandro
Published: October 2013

This paper presents a purely pragmatic account of quotation which, it is argued, will be able to accommodate all relevant linguistic phenomena. Given that it is more parsimonious to explain the data by reference to pragmatic principles only than to explain them by reference to both pragmatic and semantic principles, as is common in the literature, I conclude that the account of quotation I present is to be preferred to the more standard accounts (including the alternative theories of quotation, discussed here).
Narrating fragile stories about HIV/AIDS in South Africa
Authors: Black Steven P.
Published: October 2013

This article analyzes narratives about living with HIV/ AIDS amid stigma, using the notion of “fragile stories” to further detail the linguistic practices through which people narrate experiences in danger of not being told. The article is based on fieldwork in 2008 in Durban, South Africa with a Zulu gospel choir in which all group members are living with HIV/AIDS. Close analysis of recorded narratives demonstrates how institutional story frameworks and the normative performance of gender helped storytellers to breach boundaries drawn by stigma. The article consolidates research on narrative tellability and fragile stories, verbal art, and stigma. The article has implications for research amid stigma, advocating linguistic analysis of narrative to emphasize the relationship between stories told and life events involving stigmatization.
Situational transformations
Authors: O'Driscoll Jim
Published: October 2013

This paper raises concerns about the tenor of 21st century interaction by identifying a tendency whereby relatively innocuous, canonically private communication is transformed into public communication deemed offensive enough to attract institutional or legal sanction. To understand examples of this tendency, it applies Goffman’s architecture of interaction to email communication and proposes the notion of situational transformation to encapsulate reframing processes involving footing, face and participation framework. Through these processes (to which, it is shown, the email medium is especially vulnerable) and a discourse of civility, the private becomes public and opposition becomes offence.
A model for an online Australian English cultural dictionary database
Authors: Kwary Deny A. , Miller Julia
Published: October 2013

All cultures have their own specific words, phrases, sayings, signs and symbols. Such culturally bound terms need to be defined in a special way so that they can be understood well by people from different cultures and often require more extensive coverage than that provided in a general language dictionary. A dictionary of cultural terms is an ideal vehicle for this purpose, and an online version of such a dictionary can give greater flexibility in design and content. A single database may be used to supply material for such dictionaries, meeting the needs of a variety of users. This paper proposes a concept for an online Australian English cultural dictionary database, covering three key areas: the selection of culturally bound terms, data fields and display options. The design and principles of this database may also be extended to create databases for cultural dictionaries of other languages and cultures.
Driving under the Influence of Prescription Drugs Used Nonmedically: Associations in a Young Adult Sample
Authors: Benotsch Eric G. , Martin Aaron M. , Koester Stephen , Mason Michael J. , Jeffers Amy J. , Snipes Daniel J.
Published: October 2013

Background

Over the past 20 years, there has been a dramatic increase in the nonmedical use of prescription drugs (NMUPD). However, minimal attention has been given to driving under the influence of prescription drugs used nonmedically.

Methods

This study examines attitudes and characteristics that might be associated with driving while engaging in NMUPD. College students ( N = 763) aged 18–25 years completed online surveys assessing demographic information, NMUPD, recreational use of other drugs, psychological variables, attitudes towards NMUPD and driving, and driving behavior.

Results

Overall, 28.0% of participants reported lifetime NMUPD; 12.2% reported ever driving while engaging in NMUPD; and 7.9% reported this behavior in the past 3 months. Participants who reported engaging in NMUPD while driving were significantly more likely to report the use of alcohol, marijuana, ecstasy, cocaine, methamphetamine, ketamine, GHB (γ-hydroxybutyric acid), rohypnol, and mephedrone. These participants also scored higher on measures of hopelessness, impulsivity, and sensation seeking. Individuals who engaged in NMUPD while driving also reported lower perceptions of the risks of this behavior and believed that NMUPD is more common in young adults.

Conclusions

A significant percentage of college students engage in driving under the influence of prescription drugs. Public health interventions designed to increase driving safety may wish to focus attention on this type of drugged driving.
Teaming up: from motors to people
Authors: Reck-Peterson Samara L.
Published: October 2013

When I reflect on how I became a cell biologist and why I love being one today, one thing that comes to mind is the many terrific collaborations I have had. The science I am most proud of from my graduate and postdoctoral training would not have been possible without working in teams with other scientists. Now, in my own group, much of our best work is being done collaboratively, both within the lab and with other labs. In this essay, I will highlight my experiences working in teams as a trainee, the role teamwork has played in my own research group, and how important I think collaborative science is for the future of biological research.
Inaccurate Weight Perception Is Associated With Extreme Weight‐Management Practices in US High School Students
Authors: Ibrahim Chadi , El‐Kamary Samer S. , Bailey Jason , St George Diane M.
Published: October 2013

Objective:

The objective of the present study was to examine whether adolescents' weight perception accuracy (WPA) was associated with extreme weight‐management practices (EWPs) in differing body mass index (BMI) categories.

Methods:

WPA, overassessment, and underassessment were determined by comparing self‐reported BMI and weight perception among US high school students in the 2009 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey. BMI was classified as follows: underweight (<5th percentile), healthy weight (5th to <85th), overweight (≥85th to <95th), and obese (≥95th). WPA was considered inaccurate if BMI and weight perception were discordant. Overassessors thought they were heavier than they were (among underweight/healthy groups); underassessors thought they were lighter than they were (among healthy/overweight/obese groups). EWPs included ≥1 of fasting, use of diet pills, or purging/laxative use. Logit models were fitted for different BMI sex strata.

Results:

In the final sample of 14,722 US high school students with complete data, 20.2%, 85.7%, 5.8%, and 80.9% of those who were underweight, healthy weight, overweight, and obese, inaccurately assessed their weight, respectively. In turn, 11.4% and 17.6% of accurate and inaccurate assessors engaged in EWPs, respectively. After adjustment, underweight girls who overassessed their weight had 12.6 times higher odds of EWPs (95% confidence interval 3.4–46.6). Moreover, there were elevated odds of EWPs among healthy weight students who overassessed their weight.

Conclusions:

Overassessing healthy weight students and underweight girls had higher odds of ≥1 EWPs, likely related to an unhealthy desire to lose weight. The present study demonstrates a need to further educate clinicians on WPA and its relation to EWPs even among those of healthy weight who may be seen as not at risk.
Post-traumatic Amaurosis Secondary to Paraophthalmic Internal Carotid Artery Pseudoaneurysm Treated With Pipeline Embolization Device
Authors: Kim James D. , Barber Sean M. , Diaz Orlando M. , Li Helen K. , Jackson Robert E. , Hall Drew , Lee Andrew G.
Published: October 2013

During evaluation for monocular visual loss, a 48-year-old woman was found to have a posttraumatic paraophthalmic internal carotid artery (ICA) pseudoaneurysm. She underwent reconstruction of the ophthalmic segment of the right ICA with a Pipeline embolization device but her vision did not return.
Structure of the vortex wake in hovering Anna's hummingbirds (Calypte anna)
Authors: Wolf M. , Ortega-Jimenez V. M. , Dudley R.
Published: October 2013

Hummingbirds are specialized hoverers for which the vortex wake has been described as a series of single vortex rings shed primarily during the downstroke. Recent findings in bats and birds, as well as in a recent study on Anna's hummingbirds, suggest that each wing may shed a discrete vortex ring, yielding a bilaterally paired wake. Here, we describe the presence of two discrete rings in the wake of hovering Anna's hummingbirds, and also infer force production through a wingbeat with contributions to weight support. Using flow visualization, we found separate vortices at the tip and root of each wing, with 15% stronger circulation at the wingtip than at the root during the downstroke. The upstroke wake is more complex, with near-continuous shedding of vorticity, and circulation of approximately equal magnitude at tip and root. Force estimates suggest that the downstroke contributes 66% of required weight support, whereas the upstroke generates 35%. We also identified a secondary vortex structure yielding 8–26% of weight support. Lift production in Anna's hummingbirds is more evenly distributed between the stroke phases than previously estimated for Rufous hummingbirds, in accordance with the generally symmetric down- and upstrokes that characterize hovering in these birds.
Fluviicola hefeinensis sp. nov., isolated from the wastewater of a chemical factory
Authors: Yang Hong-Xing , Wang Xiang , Liu Xiao-Wei , Zhang Jun , Yang Gui-Qin , Lau Ken W. K. , Li Shun-Peng , Jiang Jian-Dong
Published: October 2013

A Gram-negative, strictly aerobic, yellow–orange-pigmented, motile, short rod-shaped, catalase-positive, oxidase-negative bacterium, strain MYL-8T, was isolated from wastewater of the Jin Tai Chemical Factory in Hefei, China. Strain MYL-8T grew optimally at 30 °C, in the absence of NaCl and at pH 7. Menaquinone 6 (MK-6) was the sole respiratory quinone and the major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 1 G, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH). The polar lipid profile was composed predominantly of unidentified polar lipids and aminolipids. Minor amounts of phosphatidylethanolamine and unidentified phospholipids were also detectable. The DNA G+C content of strain MYL-8T was 43.5 mol%. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain MYL-8T showed the highest similarity to that of

Fluviicola taffensis

RW 262T (97.03 %), followed by

Wandonia haliotis

Haldis-1-1T (92.05 %),

Lishizhenia caseinilytica

UST040201-001T (91.43 %) and

Lishizhenia tianjinensis

JCM 15141T (90.61 %). DNA–DNA relatedness between strain MYL-8T and

F. taffensis

RW 262T was 21.35±0.90 %. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, genomic and phylogenetic data, strain MYL-8T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus

Fluviicola

, for which the name

Fluviicola

hefeinensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is MYL-8T ( = KACC 16597T = CCTCC AB 2013168T).
Integrating and mining the chromatin landscape of cell-type specificity using self-organizing maps
Authors: Mortazavi Ali , Pepke Shirley , Jansen Camden , Marinov Georgi K. , Ernst Jason , Kellis Manolis , Hardison Ross C. , Myers Richard M. , Wold Barbara J.
Published: October 2013

We tested whether self-organizing maps (SOMs) could be used to effectively integrate, visualize, and mine diverse genomics data types, including complex chromatin signatures. A fine-grained SOM was trained on 72 ChIP-seq histone modifications and DNase-seq data sets from six biologically diverse cell lines studied by The ENCODE Project Consortium. We mined the resulting SOM to identify chromatin signatures related to sequence-specific transcription factor occupancy, sequence motif enrichment, and biological functions. To highlight clusters enriched for specific functions such as transcriptional promoters or enhancers, we overlaid onto the map additional data sets not used during training, such as ChIP-seq, RNA-seq, CAGE, and information on cis-acting regulatory modules from the literature. We used the SOM to parse known transcriptional enhancers according to the cell-type-specific chromatin signature, and we further corroborated this pattern on the map by EP300 (also known as p300) occupancy. New candidate cell-type-specific enhancers were identified for multiple ENCODE cell types in this way, along with new candidates for ubiquitous enhancer activity. An interactive web interface was developed to allow users to visualize and custom-mine the ENCODE SOM. We conclude that large SOMs trained on chromatin data from multiple cell types provide a powerful way to identify complex relationships in genomic data at user-selected levels of granularity.
1,4-Bis(hexyloxy)benzene
Authors: Cheng Hua
Published: October 2013

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C18H30O2, contains one half-molecule situated on an inversion center. The alkyl chain adopts a fully extended all-transconformation. The C atoms of the alkyl chain are almost coplanar, with a maximum deviation of 0.042 (6) Å from the mean plane,which is inclined to the central benzene ring by 6.80 (9)°. The crystal packing exhibits no short intermolecular contacts.
Uronium 3-carboxy-4-hydroxybenzenesulfonate
Authors: Silambarasan A. , Kumar M. Krishna , Chakkaravarthi G. , Kumar R. Mohan , Umarani P. R.
Published: October 2013

In the title compound, CH5N2O+·C7H5O6S−, the dihedral angle between the benzene ring and the mean plane of the uronium cation is 76.02 (8)°. The carboxyl group in the anion is twisted by 1.47 (9)° from the benzene ring. In the crystal, the cation is linked to the anion by weak O—H...O and N—H...O hydrogen bonds and π–π interactions [centroid–centroid distance = 3.8859 (8) Å], forming a three-dimensional network.
The phenology–substrate‐match hypothesis explains decomposition rates of evergreen and deciduous oak leaves
Authors: Pearse Ian S. , Cobb Richard C. , Karban Richard
Published: October 2013

There is substantial evidence that the rate of litter decomposition is affected by the match between the litter substrate and the soil matrix (decomposer community). We introduce and test the phenology–substrate‐match hypothesis, which predicts that both litter composition and soil matrix will change over the course of the year and that a lagged match between litter type and soil matrix will result in an optimal decomposition environment.

We conducted a decomposition experiment in a Mediterranean mixed deciduous–evergreen oak savanna in California. We initiated litter decomposition of both a deciduous oak (whose leaves fall in autumn) and an evergreen oak (whose leaves fall in spring) in both autumn and spring.

Consistent with the phenology–substrate‐match hypothesis, we found that decomposition of deciduous oak litter was accelerated compared to evergreen oak litter when decomposition was initiated in spring, while evergreen litter was accelerated compared to deciduous litter when decomposition was initiated in autumn.

We also found a small effect of microsite on leaf decomposition, where both evergreen and deciduous oak leaves decomposed faster under the canopy of a conspecific.

Synthesis. Our study extends theory of litter quality and the decomposer community into a temporal context, which may be an important source of variation in decomposition rates when species with different litterfall phenologies co‐occur.
Exploring the generality of associations between plant functional traits: evidence within ecological groups along an altitudinal gradient in Hyrcanian forest
Authors: Jafari Seyed Mohammad , Zarre Shahin , Alavipanah Seyed Kazem , Ghahremaninejad Farrokh
Published: October 2013

We hypothesized that associations among plant functional traits may differ within different ecological assemblages and plant communities. Association among plant traits including plant maximum height, seed weight, fruit type, pollination mode, mean leaf area, and leaf type were explored within life forms, plant strategy groups along with lowland and montane forest vegetation. In total, 83 sampling plots of 400 m2 were placed along a 2400 m altitudinal gradient in Hyrcanian forest. Importance‐values of species within vegetation types were used for weighting data and trait associations were explored using categorical principal component analysis. A G‐test and Fisher's exact test of independence were used to retest significance of the correlations. Different paired trait associations (association lines) including height–leaf, height–seed, height–pollination, leaf–seed, seed–fruit and fruit–pollination were observed and their ecological or physiological basis was discussed. Life forms, strategy types and vegetation types differed based on association lines. Some of the well‐known trade‐offs appear by increasing scale from ecological groups to vegetation types in Hyrcanian forest. The observed patterns of trait associations in Hyrcanian forest and several other ecosystems of the world call the generality of previously accepted trait correlations into question.
Foreign Policy and the Tory World in the Eighteenth Century
Authors: BLACK JEREMY
Published: October 2013

British foreign policy from 1700 to 1790 serves as a way to consider the Tory and Whig visions of Britain's relationship with the wider world. This article uses foreign policy to ask and answer broader questions about British political culture in the eighteenth century.
Mapping the Ideological Marketplace
Authors: Bonica Adam
Published: October 2013

I develop a method to measure the ideology of candidates and contributors using campaign finance data. Combined with a data set of over 100 million contribution records from state and federal elections, the method estimates ideal points for an expansive range of political actors. The common pool of contributors who give across institutions and levels of politics makes it possible to recover a unified set of ideological measures for members of Congress, the president and executive branch, state legislators, governors, and other state officials, as well as the interest groups and individuals who make political donations. Since candidates fundraise regardless of incumbency status, the method estimates ideal points for both incumbents and nonincumbents. After establishing measure validity and addressing issues concerning strategic behavior, I present results for a variety of political actors and discuss several promising avenues of research made possible by the new measures.
Dollars on the Sidewalk: Should U.S. Presidential Candidates Advertise in Uncontested States?
Authors: Urban Carly , Niebler Sarah
Published: October 2013

Presidential candidates in the United States do not intentionally advertise in states without rigorous competition for electoral votes. However, in some areas of noncompetitive states, media markets overlap with battleground states, exposing these regions to political ads. These spillover advertisements allow us to examine the relationship between advertisements and individual campaign contributions, with data from the Wisconsin Advertising Project and the Federal Elections Commission. Using propensity‐score matching within uncontested states, we find that 2008 aggregate giving in zip codes exposed to political ads was approximately $6,100 (28.1% of mean contributions) more than in similar zip codes without advertisements.
Effect of mushroom diet on pharmacokinetics of gabapentin in healthy Chinese subjects
Authors: Toh Dorothy Su Lin , Limenta Lie Michael George , Yee Jie Yin , Wang Ling‐Zhi , Goh Boon‐Cher , Murray Michael , Lee Edmund Jon Deoon
Published: October 2013

Aims

This study evaluated the pharmacokinetics of gabapentin in Chinese subjects who received a diet rich in shiitake mushrooms. Shiitake mushrooms have been shown to contain high amount of ergothioneine. In vitro studies have shown that OCTN1‐mediated secretion of gabapentin is trans‐stimulated by ergothioneine. This study also investigated the concentrations of ergothioneine in plasma at baseline and following mushroom consumption.

Methods

Ten healthy male subjects were recruited and received a diet containing no mushrooms (treatment A) or a high mushroom diet (treatment B; after at least a 7 day washout period) 1 day prior to administration of a single oral dose of gabapentin 600 mg.

Results

Ingestion of shiitake mushrooms produced significant increases in plasma ergothioneine concentrations that were sustained for more than 48 h. A statistically significant but modest increase in the renal clearance (CLR) of gabapentin occurred after intake of the mushroom diet (91.1 ± 25.1 vs. 76.9 ± 20.6 ml min−1, P = 0.031). No significant changes in AUC(0,tlast) of gabapentin were observed (P = 0.726). Creatinine clearance did not correlate with CLR of gabapentin at baseline (treatment A). After ingestion of the mushroom diet, creatinine clearance accounted for 65.3% of the variance in CLR of gabapentin.

Conclusions

These data suggest that diet–drug pharmacokinetic interactions may occur during co‐exposure to gabapentin and mushroom constituents. However, as it does not affect the AUC(0,tlast) of gabapentin, it may not have clinically important consequences. Shiitake mushrooms can also be used as a source of ergothioneine for future clinical studies.
Haematopoietic cell transplantation for acute leukaemia and advanced myelodysplastic syndrome in Fanconi anaemia
Authors: Mitchell Richard , Wagner John E. , Hirsch Betsy , DeFor Todd E. , Zierhut Heather , MacMillan Margaret L.
Published: October 2013

Acute leukaemia or advanced myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS ≥ 5% blasts) in Fanconi anaemia (FA) patients is associated with a poor prognosis. We report 21 FA patients with acute leukaemia or advanced MDS who underwent haematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) at the University of Minnesota between 1988 and 2011. Six patients had biallelic BRCA2 mutations. Eight patients received pre‐transplant cytoreduction, with 3 achieving complete remission. HCT donor source included human leucocyte antigen‐matched sibling (n = 2) or alternative donors (n = 19). Neutrophil engraftment was 95% for the entire cohort, and the incidence of acute graft‐versus‐host disease was 19%. 5‐year overall survival (OS) was 33%, with a relapse rate of 24%, with similar OS in patients with biallelic BRCA2 mutations. Our study supports the use of HCT in the treatment of FA patients with acute leukaemia or advanced MDS, however, the role of chemotherapy prior to HCT remains unclear for this population. FA patients with biallelic BRCA2 are unique and may benefit from higher dose chemotherapy relative to other complementation groups.
Do assortative preferences contribute to assortative mating for adiposity?
Authors: Fisher Claire I. , Fincher Corey L. , Hahn Amanda C. , Little Anthony C. , DeBruine Lisa M. , Jones Benedict C.
Published: October 2013

Assortative mating for adiposity, whereby levels of adiposity in romantic partners tend to be positively correlated, has implications for population health due to the combined effects of partners' levels of adiposity on fertility and/or offspring health. Although assortativepreferencesfor cues of adiposity, whereby leaner people are inherently more attracted to leaner individuals, have been proposed as a factor in assortative mating for adiposity, there have been no direct tests of this issue. Because of this, and because of recent work suggesting that facial cues of adiposity convey information about others' health that may be particularly important for mate preferences, we tested the contribution of assortative preferences for facial cues of adiposity to assortative mating for adiposity (assessed from body mass index,BMI) in a sample of romantic couples. Romantic partners'BMIs were positively correlated and this correlation was not due to the effects of age or relationship duration. However, although men and women with leaner partners showed stronger preferences for cues of low levels of adiposity, controlling for these preferences did not weaken the correlation between partners'BMIs. Indeed, ownBMIand preferences were uncorrelated. These results suggest that assortative preferences for facial cues of adiposity contribute little (if at all) to assortative mating for adiposity.
Telling our story: a narrative therapy approach to helping lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people with a learning disability identify and strengthen positive self‐identity stories
Authors: Elderton Anna , Clarke Sally , Jones Chris , Stacey James
Published: October 2013

Accessible Summary

This article is about a group for people with learning disabilities who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender (e.g. people who dress in clothes traditionally worn by the opposite sex).

People who went to the group liked telling stories about their lives and other people listening to them.

People who went to the group said it helped them learn about who they are and to feel good about themselves.

Historically, and to a somewhat lesser extent presently, people with learning disabilities have had little or no voice in the stories other people (particularly professionals) tell about them and their lives. Four psychology workshops, based on a narrative therapy approach, were run for a group of people with learning disabilities who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) who regularly attend a support group called ‘Mingle’. The workshops invited members to tell their stories, especially the parts not usually told. The aim was to support people to identify and strengthen positive self‐identities. Workshops were facilitated by two trainee clinical psychologists within a Community Learning Disability Team (CLDT).
Experiences of people with learning disabilities in the criminal justice system
Authors: Hyun Elly , Hahn Lyndsey , McConnell David
Published: October 2013

Accessible Summary

Many people with learning disabilities are caught up in the criminal justice system. Yet few studies have explored what this is like for them.

The available research suggests that people with learning disabilities often feel alone and afraid when they are caught up in the criminal justice system. They do not understand what is happening to them, and they feel like there is no one they can turn to for support.

The findings raise concerns about how people with learning disabilities are treated within the criminal justice system, and whether their rights are being respected.

Further research is needed to better understand the experiences and support needs of people with learning disabilities who are caught up in the criminal justice system.

The aim of this review is to synthesise findings from research about the experiences of people with learning disabilities who have faced arrest and jail time. After an extensive search of the literature, four relevant articles were found. The first‐person accounts presented in these four studies were pooled, and a thematic analysis was undertaken. Three common themes were identified: (i) study participants did not understand what was happening to them, or why, (ii) they felt alone, and they did not know where to turn, or to whom for support and (iii) they were uncertain about what to say or do. Overall, the findings raise concerns about the treatment of people with learning disabilities in the criminal justice system and their access to procedural justice. Further research is needed to improve understanding of their experiences and support needs. There is unequivocal evidence that persons with learning disabilities are over‐represented in the prison population. To date however, few studies have investigated their first‐hand experience, including their experiences of being interrogated, of standing trial, serving time and transitioning back into the community. The purpose of this review is to draw what insights we can from the limited available data and to identify directions for future research.
Exendin‐4 decreases liver inflammation and atherosclerosis development simultaneously by reducing macrophage infiltration
Authors: Wang Y , Parlevliet E T , Geerling J J , van der Tuin S J L , Zhang H , Bieghs V , Jawad A H M , Shiri‐Sverdlov R , Bot I , de Jager S C A , Havekes L M , Romijn J A , Willems van Dijk K , Rensen P C N
Published: October 2013

Background and Purpose

The aetiology of inflammation in the liver and vessel wall, leading to non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and atherosclerosis, respectively, shares common mechanisms including macrophage infiltration. To treat both disorders simultaneously, it is highly important to tackle the inflammatory status. Exendin‐4, a glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) receptor agonist, reduces hepatic steatosis and has been suggested to reduce atherosclerosis; however, its effects on liver inflammation are underexplored. Here, we tested the hypothesis that exendin‐4 reduces inflammation in both the liver and vessel wall, and investigated the common underlying mechanism.

Experimental Approach

Female APOE*3‐Leiden.CETP mice, a model with human‐like lipoprotein metabolism, were fed a cholesterol‐containing Western‐type diet for 5 weeks to induce atherosclerosis and subsequently treated for 4 weeks with exendin‐4.

Key Results

Exendin‐4 modestly improved dyslipidaemia, but markedly decreased atherosclerotic lesion severity and area (−33%), accompanied by a reduction in monocyte adhesion to the vessel wall (−42%) and macrophage content in the plaque (−44%). Furthermore, exendin‐4 reduced hepatic lipid content and inflammation as well as hepatic CD68+ (−18%) and F4/80+ (−25%) macrophage content. This was accompanied by less monocyte recruitment from the circulation as the Mac‐1+ macrophage content was decreased (−36%). Finally, exendin‐4 reduced hepatic chemokine expression in vivo and suppressed oxidized low‐density lipoprotein accumulation in peritoneal macrophages in vitro, effects dependent on the GLP‐1 receptor.

Conclusions and Implications

Exendin‐4 reduces inflammation in both the liver and vessel wall by reducing macrophage recruitment and activation. These data suggest that exendin‐4 could be a valuable strategy to treat NASH and atherosclerosis simultaneously.
Purification and Modeling Amphipathic Alpha Helical Antimicrobial Peptides from Skin Secretions of Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis
Authors: Asoodeh Ahmad , Sepahi Samaneh , Ghorani‐Azam Adel
Published: October 2013

Antimicrobial peptides as ancient immune system are found in almost all types of living organisms. Amphibian's skin is an important source of bioactive peptides with strong antibacterial, antiviral, and antitumor properties. They have important role in inducing apoptosis as well as cancer therapy in vitro. In this study, we extracted and purified antimicrobial peptides from skin secretions of Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis and named them brevinin‐Eu and cyanophlyctin β. They showed favorable antibacterial properties on both Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria with ignorable hemolytic activity of <1.9% and 0.7% at very high concentrations of brevinin‐Eu and cyanophlyctin β, respectively. For antibacterial activity and MIC determination, two Gram‐positive (Staphylococcus aureus PTCC1431 and B. cereus PTCC1247) and two Gram‐negative bacteria (Escherichia coli HP101BA 7601c and Klebsiella pneumoniae PTCC1388) were assayed. MIC values of extracted peptides demonstrated that they can inhibit bacterial growth at very low concentration (17 and 12 μg/mL) for brevinin‐Eu and cyanophlyctin β, respectively. Structural prediction suggested that the brevinin‐Eu can efficiently bind and destroy bacterial membrane, but cyanophlyctin β uses a diverse mode of action.
Lack of host gut microbiota alters immune responses and intestinal granuloma formation during schistosomiasis
Authors: Holzscheiter M , Layland L E , Loffredo-Verde E , Mair K , Vogelmann R , Langer R , Wagner H , Prazeres da Costa C
Published: October 2013

Fatalities from schistosome infections arise due to granulomatous, immune-mediated responses to eggs that become trapped in host tissues. Schistosome-specific immune responses are characterized by initial T helper type 1 (Th1) responses and our previous studies demonstrated that myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (Myd88)-deficient mice failed to initiate such responses in vivo. Paradoxically, schistosomal antigens fail to stimulate innate cells to release proinflammatory cytokines in vitro. Since Schistosoma mansoni infection is an intestinal disease, we hypothesized that commensal bacteria could act as bystander activators of the intestinal innate immune system to instigate Th1 responses. Using a broad spectrum of orally administered antibiotics and anti-mycotics we analysed schistosome-infected mice that were simultaneously depleted of gut bacteria. After depletion there was significantly less inflammation in the intestine, which was accompanied by decreased intestinal granuloma development. In contrast, liver pathology remained unaltered. In addition, schistosome-specific immune responses were skewed and faecal egg excretion was diminished. This study demonstrates that host microbiota can act as a third partner in instigating helminth-specific immune responses.
Homozygous loss‐of‐function mutation of the LEPREL1 gene causes severe non‐syndromic high myopia with early‐onset cataract
Authors: Guo H. , Tong P. , Peng Y. , Wang T. , Liu Y. , Chen J. , Li Y. , Tian Q. , Hu Y. , Zheng Y. , Xiao L. , Xiong W. , Pan Q. , Hu Z. , Xia K.
Published: October 2013

High myopia is a severe visual impairment which can increase the risk of retinal degeneration, subretinal hemorrhage, choroidal neovascularization, cataract and retinal detachment. We recruited an autosomal‐recessive high myopia family, with affected subjects who also present early‐onset cataract, retinal degeneration and other complications. Using targeted capturing and whole exome sequencing, we identified a homozygous non‐sense mutation in the LEPREL1 gene which causes premature termination of the translation at the fifth amino acid (c.13C>T; p.Q5X), co‐segregating with the phenotypes. LEPREL1 encodes a proline hydroxylase called prolyl 3‐hydroxylase 2 (P3H2), a 2‐oxoglutarate‐dependent dioxygenase that hydroxylates collagens. The results show that LEPREL1 plays an important role in eye development and homozygous loss‐of‐function mutation of this gene can cause severely high myopia and early‐onset cataract. Our study also strongly suggests that the disruption of collagen modification is one of the pathogenic mechanisms of high myopia and cataract.