bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Behavioural coping patterns in Parkinson's patients with visual hallucinations
Authors: Barnes Jim , Connelly Vince , Boubert Laura , Maravic Ksenija
Published: August 2013

Visual Hallucinations are considered to affect about 20%–40% of patients with Parkinson's disease. They are generally seen as a side effect of this long‐term illness and can severely affect the daily quality of life of patients. The aim of this study was to determine the coping patterns or strategies used by patients and establish whether the phenomenology and behaviours used by patients enabled control of the phenomenon. Demographic and clinical variables were recorded, including motor measures, cognitive status, and depressive symptoms. Patient with hallucinations were at a more advance stage of the disease and displayed more depressive symptoms than their non‐hallucinating counterparts. Most patients used more than one constructive coping strategy, the most common were simple behavioural strategies based around motor action or cognitive approaches resulting in visual modification. In addition, humour was a common technique used by the patients to deal with the phenomenon. Emotional responses varied between patients, but it was found that the actual content of the hallucination was not directly associated with whether it caused trouble to the patient, but perceived stress was strongly correlated with the subjective disturbing nature of visual hallucinations (VHs). This study gives insight into the role of cognitive‐behavioural approaches when dealing with VHs and opens up avenues for future studies in helping patient to deal with hallucinations.
Determination of daytime clenching events in subjects with and without self‐reported clenching
Authors: Fujisawa M. , Kanemura K. , Tanabe N. , Gohdo Y. , Watanabe A. , Iizuka T. , Sato M. , Ishibashi K.
Published: August 2013

To confirm the validity of self‐awareness of daytime clenching, specific electromyogram (EMG) characteristics of clenching behaviour were determined using surface EMG recordings. Temporal muscle EMGs were recorded for 5 h in 13 subjects with self‐reported clenching (clenching group: 27·5 ± 3·8 years old) and 12 subjects without self‐reported clenching (control group: 28·6 ± 7·1 years old). All EMG data were recorded and stored on a portable EMG apparatus. The device was similar in size to a hearing aid, and suitable to record daytime EMG without restriction of daily activities. A clenching event was defined as muscle activity exceeding 10% of the maximum voluntary contraction. Furthermore, simultaneous voice recording was also performed to identify the corresponding EMG event as functional or parafunctional. The mean number of clenching events was 192·8 ± 228·8 and 24·8 ± 26·5 in the clenching and the control groups, respectively (P < 0·05, Mann–Whitney U‐test); the number of functional events was not significantly different between the groups. Because there was a significant difference in the number of clenching events between the groups, self‐reported daytime clenching is considered to be a reliable screening parameter for awake bruxism.
Compounds isolated from Psoralea corylifolia seeds inhibit protein kinase activity and induce apoptotic cell death in mammalian cells
Authors: Limper Christian , Wang Yao , Ruhl Sven , Wang Zhiqiang , Lou Yijia , Totzke Frank , Kubbutat Michael H G , Chovolou Yvonni , Proksch Peter , Wätjen Wim
Published: August 2013

Objectives

Psoralea corylifolia is a plant widely used in traditional Chinese medicine, e.g. for its chemopreventive effect. To identify active substances responsible for this effect, we investigated pharmacological effects of 11 compounds isolated from the seeds of this plant (newly described substances: 7, 2′, 4′-trihydroxy-3-arylcoumarin and psoracoumestan).

Methods

The influence of distinct compounds on different signal transduction pathways (cell proliferation, survival, angiogenesis and metastasis) was screened via analysis of the activity of 24 protein kinases, mitogen activated protein kinase phosphorylation via Western blot, cytotoxicity was shown using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and determination of caspase activity. Oxidative stress was detected via 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescein fluorescence.

Key findings

Some compounds showed cytotoxic effects (H4IIE, Hct116, C6 cells) mainly mediated via induction of apoptosis. Distinct compounds caused a strong inhibition of MAPK/ERK kinase (MEK) phosphorylation, weak effects on extracellular-signal regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation and no significant effect on p38 and c-Jun amino-terminal kinase. Corylifol C and, to a lesser extent, xanthoangelol are potent protein kinase inhibitors (inhibitory concentration 50% values for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR): 1.1 and 4.4 × 10−6 μg/ml, respectively). Because EGFR, MEK and ERK are kinases involved in cellular proliferation, an inhibition of these enzymes may be useful to cause chemopreventive effects.

Conclusions

Distinct compounds isolated from P. corylifolia showed a high potential to influence cellular pathways, e.g. by inhibition of protein kinases that may be interesting for pharmacological purposes.
Comparative effects of using black seed (Nigella sativa), cumin seed (Cuminum cyminum), probiotic or prebiotic on growth performance, blood haematology and serum biochemistry of broiler chicks
Authors: Alimohamadi K. , Taherpour K. , Ghasemi H. A. , Fatahnia F.
Published: August 2013

A 42‐day trial was conducted to compare the effects of the following seven experimental diets, which varied in black seed, cumin seed, probiotic or prebiotic concentrations, on the broiler chicks: control (no additives), diet BS1 (4 g/kg black seed), diet BS2 (8 g/kg black seed), diet CS1 (4 g/kg cumin seed), diet CS2 (8 g/kg cumin seed), diet Pro (1 g/kg probiotic Primalac®) and diet Pre (2 g/kg prebiotic Fermacto®). A total of 420 1‐day‐old male broiler chicks, initially weighing an average of 43 g, were distributed into 28 floor pens at a stocking density of 15 birds per pen. At 28 day of age, the body weight in the birds fed diets BS2, CS2 and Pro was significantly higher than in the control group, but final body weight was not affected. Additionally, the birds fed diets BS2, Pro and Pre exhibited better feed conversion ratio than control birds from 0 to 42 day of age. Diets BS2, CS2 and Pro also statistically increased the relative weight of thymus and bursa of Fabricius, whereas only diet Pro decreased the abdominal fat percentage compared with control diet. Regarding the haematological parameters, feeding diet BS2 yielded a significant increase in red blood cell count, haemoglobin concentration and haematocrit percentage compared with control diet. Serum total cholesterol and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in the birds fed diets BS2, Pro and Pre were also significantly lower than in the birds fed the control diet. Without exception, no diets affected feed intake, internal organs weights, carcass characteristics, antibody titres against Newcastle and influenza viruses and leucocyte subsets. In general, current study showed promising results regarding the use of spice additives as growth and health promoters, especially at higher levels of their incorporation in the diets, which were comparable to the probiotic‐ or prebiotic‐containing diets.
An online calculator for marine phytoplankton iron culturing experiments
Authors: Rivers Adam R. , Rose Andrew L. , Webb Eric A.
Published: August 2013

Laboratory experiments with iron offer important insight into the physiology of marine phytoplankton and the biogeochemical cycles they influence. These experiments often rely on chelators to buffer the concentration of available iron, but the buffer can fail when cell density increases, causing the concentration of that iron to drop rapidly. To more easily determine the point when the iron concentration falls, we developed an online calculator to estimate the maximum phytoplankton density that a growth medium can support. The results of the calculator were compared to the numerical simulations of a Fe‐limited culture of the diatom Thalassiosira weissflogii (Grunow) Fryxell and Hasle. Modeling reveals that the assumptions behind thermodynamic estimates of unchelated Fe concentration can fail before easily perceptible changes in growth rate, potentially causing physiological changes that could alter the conclusions of culture experiments. The calculator is available at http://www.marsci.uga.edu/fidoplankter.
Six cases of inguinal urinary bladder herniation in entire male domestic rabbits
Authors: Thas I. , Harcourt‐Brown F.
Published: August 2013

Six entire male rabbits, between four and eight years old, were presented with a fluctuant scrotal and/or inguinal swelling resulting from inguinal herniation of the urinary bladder. Concurrent problems included urinary sediment (two rabbits), multiple uroliths (one rabbit) and testicular tumour (one rabbit). All rabbits underwent herniorrhaphy surgery. There was a successful outcome in four of the six cases.
The cost of treatment failure: resource use and costs incurred by hepatitis C virus genotype 1–infected patients who do or do not achieve sustained virological response to therapy
Authors: Backx M. , Lewszuk A. , White J. R. , Cole J. , Sreedharan A. , van Sanden S. , Diels J. , Lawson A. , Neal K. R. , Wiselka M. J. , Ito T. , Irving W. L.
Published: August 2013

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection places a considerable economic burden on health services. Cost‐effectiveness analyses of antiviral treatment for patients with chronic HCV infection are dependent on assumptions about cost reductions following sustained virological response (SVR) to therapy. This study quantified the medium‐term difference in health resource usage and costs depending on treatment outcome. Retrospective chart review of patients with HCV genotype 1 infection who had received at least 2 months pegylated interferon and ribavirin therapy, with known treatment outcome was conducted. Disease status was categorized as chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis or decompensated liver disease. Health resource use was documented for each patient in each disease state. Unit costs were from the NHS ‘Payment by Results’ database and the British National Formulary. One hundred and ninety three patients (108 SVR, 85 non‐SVR) with mean follow‐up of 3.5 (SVR) and 4.9 (non‐SVR) years were enrolled. No SVR patient progressed to a more severe liver disease state. Annual transition rates for non‐SVR patients were 7.4% (chronic hepatitis to cirrhosis) and 4.9% (cirrhosis to decompensated liver disease). By extrapolation of modelled data over a 5‐year post‐treatment period, failure of patients with chronic hepatitis to achieve SVR was associated with a 13‐fold increase (roughly £2300) in costs, whilst for patients who were retreated, the increase was 56‐fold, equating to more than £10 000. Achievement of an SVR has significant effects on health service usage and costs. This work provides real‐life data for future cost‐effectiveness analyses related to the treatment for chronic HCV infection.
Functional diversity: a tool for answering challenging ecological questions
Authors: Mason Norman W. H. , de Bello Francesco
Published: August 2013

Functional trait diversity provides a powerful means of addressing ecology's persistent questions, through its dual role as an indicator of mechanisms driving differences in species composition between communities and as a predictor of ecosystem‐level processes. Functional traits provide a means of testing mechanisms behind species turnover between communities because environmental heterogeneity, competition and disturbance influence species fitness via their traits. Functional traits also provide a link between species and multiple ecosystem‐level processes, such as primary productivity, nutrient fluxes and resilience, since species influence these processes via their traits. This special issue demonstrates that functional diversity offers a practical means of investigating ecology's persistent questions.
Effects of Supplemental Feeding on Harvest of Red Swamp Crawfish, Procambarus clarkii, in Forage‐based Ponds
Authors: McClain W. R.
Published: August 2013

Procambarid crawfish aquaculture in the USA relies on an established forage‐based system for providing sustenance for growing crawfish. These systems may become inadequate at times for providing sufficient nourishment to support maximum growth of the population. Supplemental feeding is not routinely used because management recommendations for the cost‐effective use of supplemental feeds in ponds are not available. Because crawfish under confinement readily consume and grow well when fed single feedstuffs, such as rough rice seed and whole, raw soybeans, this study was initiated to investigate the use of these readily available low‐cost feedstuffs as supplemental feeds in aquaculture ponds. Earthen ponds (0.2 ha), constructed and managed to simulate commercial crawfish ponds, were used over three consecutive production seasons to evaluate the effects of supplemental feeding on yields and size of crawfish. Treatments for Seasons 1 and 2 consisted of (a) hull‐on rough rice seed, (b) whole raw soybean, (c) formulated 25% crude protein pellet, and (d) no supplementation and were replicated in four and three ponds for Seasons 1 and 2, respectively. Treatments for Season 3 consisted of (a) whole raw soybean and (b) no feed, with 10 replicated ponds each. Feeding frequency was established each year, and feeding rates were adjusted according to predetermined guidelines and monitoring of feeding trays. Crawfish harvesting was conducted by baited wire‐mesh traps and all harvested crawfish were subjected to a mechanical grader and sorted into three size classes. Results show that supplemental feeding, while trap‐harvesting operations are underway, can reduce yields and generate a negative economic benefit, perhaps as a result of residual feed within the pond rendering the baited trap less effective.
Anti‐VEGFR agents ameliorate hepatic venous dysregulation/microcirculatory dysfunction, splanchnic venous pooling and ascites of NASH‐cirrhotic rat
Authors: Yang Ying‐Ying , Liu Ren‐Shyan , Lee Pei‐Chang , Yeh Yi‐Chen , Huang Yi‐Tsau , Lee Wei‐Ping , Lee Kuei‐Chuan , Hsieh Yun‐Cheng , Lee Fa‐Yauh , Tan Tat‐Wei , Lin Han‐Chieh
Published: August 2013

Abstracts

Background & Aims

Antivascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) agents improve hepatic fibrosis and portal hypertension in cirrhosis. Detail interactions among recruited/activated leucocytes, hepatic angiogenesis and fibrogenesis, splanchnic blood pooling, decreased hepatic veins to fluctuated splanchnic blood volume (hepatic venous dysregulation), portal hypertensive syndrome and ascites have never explored in cirrhosis. Our study used two anti‐VEGFR agents – brivanib and sorafenib – to elucidate the relationship between above abnormalities of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)‐cirrhotic rats.

Materials and methods

NASH‐cirrhotic rats received 2‐week brivanib, sorafenib or vehicle (NASH‐cirrhotic+briv, NASH‐cirrhotic+soraf and NASH‐cirrhotic rats) were included for various measurements.

Results

In comparison with NASH‐cirrhotic rats, significant decreased plasma VEGF, fibroblast growth factor, platelet‐derived growth factor, hepatic tumour necrosis factor (TNFα), IL‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐17 were accompanied by decreased leucocyte mass/activity (99 mTc‐phytate and 18F‐FDG SPECT/PET/CT scans), hepatic leucocytes recruitment/microvascular density (fluorescence‐enhanced intravital microscopy) and hydroxyproline content, and increased hepatic blood flow in NASH‐cirrhotic+briv and NASH‐cirrhotic+soraf rats. In addition, increased hepatic microvasculatures compliance‐related improved buffering effect of portal vein to acute mannitol infusion was associated with decreased circulating nitric oxide and aldosterone, plasma volume expansion (dye dilution method), splanchnic blood pooling (99 mTc‐RBC SPECT/PET/CT scans), peripheral hypotension, portal hypertension and ascites in brivanib and sorafenib‐treated NASH‐cirrhotic rats.

Conclusion

Besides antifibrotic, antiangiogenic and portal hypertensive effects, chronic antagonism of anti‐VEGFR with brivanib and sorafenib improves hepatic blood flow, hepatic venous dysregulation, inhibits leucocytes recruitment/activation, splanchnic blood pooling and ascites formation in NASH‐cirrhotic rats. Thus, brivanib and sorafenib might be ideal therapeutic agents in cirrhotic patients suffering from severe haemodynamic disarrangement and ascites.
Tandem repeat arrays in the mitochondrial genome as a tool for detecting genetic differences among the ark shell Scapharca broughtonii
Authors: Liu Yun‐Guo , Kurokawa Tadahide , Sekino Masashi , Tanabe Toru , Watanabe Kazuhito
Published: August 2013

We found that tandem repeat (TR) arrays were present in the ark shell Scapharca broughtonii mitochondrial genome, and we demonstrated the efficiency of using this TR region as a tool for the detection of genetic differentiation. In samples collected from seven populations off the Japanese, Chinese, Russian and Korean coasts, five TR types with length ranging from 481 to 601 bp (base pairs) were found, as were 18 haplotypes (n = 155). All the Japanese samples from SD, IK, AM and KG, which represented four geographically distinct populations, had the same type of tandem repeat array, 481‐TR. All the samples from China and all but one sample from Russia had the same TR type, 511‐TR; these finding may be strong evidence that the ark shell populations in China and Russia are very similar. Based on a neighbor‐joining dendrogram of haplotypes, the Korean population was divided into two groups as follows: samples with haplotype H481‐3 and samples with haplotypes H601‐1, H601‐2, H601‐3 or H541‐1. Based on the haplotype diversity and nucleotide diversity, the Chinese, Russian and Korean populations showed a higher diversity than Japanese populations (P < 0.05).
Memory: sins and virtues
Authors: Schacter Daniel L.
Published: August 2013

Memory plays an important role in everyday life but does not provide an exact and unchanging record of experience: research has documented that memory is a constructive process that is subject to a variety of errors and distortions. Yet these memory “sins” also reflect the operation of adaptive aspects of memory. Memory can thus be characterized as an adaptive constructive process, which plays a functional role in cognition but produces distortions, errors, or illusions as a consequence of doing so.
Ketone esters increase brown fat in mice and overcome insulin resistance in other tissues in the rat
Authors: Veech Richard L.
Published: August 2013

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is classically activated by sympathetic nervous stimulation resulting from exposure to cold. Feeding a high‐fat diet also induces development of brown fat, but is decreased by caloric restriction. Blood ketone bodies, which function as alternative energy substrates to glucose, are increased during caloric restriction. Here we discuss the unexpected observation that feeding an ester of ketone bodies to the mouse, which increases blood ketone body concentrations, results in an activation of brown fat. The mechanism of this activation of brown fat is similar to that occurring from cold exposure in that cyclic adenosine monophosphate (AMP) levels are increased as are levels of the transcription factor cyclic AMP–responsive element–binding protein, which is also increased by ketone ester feeding. Other effects of feeding ketone esters, in addition to their ability to induce brown fat, are discussed such as their ability to overcome certain aspects of insulin resistance and to ameliorate the accumulation of amyloid and phosphorylated tau protein in brain, and improve cognitive function, in a triple transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.
Integrating disaster risk reduction into post‐disaster reconstruction: A long‐term perspective of the 1931 earthquake in Napier, New Zealand
Authors: Hill Mischa , Gaillard JC
Published: August 2013

This article is a long‐term retrospective study of the reconstruction that followed the 1931 earthquake that struck the city of Napier in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand. It particularly focuses on the positive outcomes in reducing the risk of future disaster at both local and national levels. These were facilitated by three key decisions and strategies: (i) reconstruction was initiated immediately after the disaster; (ii) it was designed as a balance between continuity and change; and (iii) it relied on a decentralised, integrative decision‐making process.
Evaluation of the aepEX™ monitor of hypnotic depth in pediatric patients receiving propofol–remifentanil anesthesia
Authors: Cheung Yuen M. , Scoones Gail P. , Hoeks Sanne E. , Stolker Robert J. , Weber Frank
Published: August 2013

Background

The aepEX Plus monitor (aepEX) utilizes a mid‐latency auditory evoked potential‐derived index of depth of hypnosis (DoH).

Objective

This observational study evaluates the performance of the aepEX as a DoH monitor for pediatric patients receiving propofol–remifentanil anesthesia.

Methods

aepEX and BIS values were recorded simultaneously during surgery in three groups of 25 children (aged 1–3, 3–6 and 6–16 years). Propofol was administered by target‐controlled infusion. The University of Michigan Sedation Scale (UMSS) was used to clinically assess the DoH during emergence. Prediction probability (Pk) and receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analyses were performed to assess the accuracy of both DoH monitors. Nonlinear regression analysis was used to describe the dose–response relationships for the aepEX, the BIS, and propofol plasma concentrations (Cp).

Results

The Pk for the aepEX and BIS was 0.36 and 0.21, respectively (P = 0.010). ROC analysis showed an area under the curve of 0.77 and 0.88 for the aepEX and BIS, respectively (P = 0.644). At half‐maximal effect (EC50), Cp of 3.13 μg·ml−1 and 3.06 μg·ml−1 were observed for the aepEX and BIS, respectively. The r2 for the aepEX and BIS was 0.53 and 0.82, respectively.

Conclusion

The aepEX performs comparable to the BIS in differentiating between consciousness and unconsciousness, while performing inferior to the BIS in terms of distinguishing different levels of sedation and does not correlate well with the Cp in children receiving propofol–remifentanil anesthesia.
P300 amplitude reduction is associated with early‐onset and late‐onset pathological substance use in a prospectively studied cohort of 14‐year‐old adolescents
Authors: Perlman Greg , Markin Abraham , Iacono William G.
Published: August 2013

P3 amplitude reduction (P3AR) is associated with risk for adolescent‐onset pathological substance use (PSU). In this longitudinal study, data from over 1,100 adolescent twins were used to examine P3AR in relation to early adolescent onset PSU (i.e., by age 14), late adolescent onset PSU (i.e., ages 14–18), misuse of different classes of substances (PSU‐nicotine, PSU‐alcohol, PSU‐illicit), degree of PSU comorbidity, and gender differences. P3 amplitude was recorded at age 14 from two midline electrodes during a visual oddball paradigm. PSU was defined as meeting criteria for any symptom of a substance use disorder assessed using semistructured clinical interviews. P3AR was associated with degree of drug class comorbidity, early adolescent onset PSU for all three substance classes, and late adolescent onset PSU for alcohol and illicit PSU. Gender differences in P3AR were not statistically significant. These findings provide further evidence that P3AR indexes a nonspecific diathesis for adolescent‐onset PSU.
Real Dreams
Authors: Marder Elissa
Published: August 2013

This paper suggests that The Interpretation of Dreams contains some of Freud's most provocative, far‐reaching, and powerful psychoanalytic insights regarding futurity, intersubjective communication, and the relationship between the dream, the dreamer, and the world. By focusing on the specific status and function of the dream (as opposed to all other psychic actions), this paper explores how and why the singular language of dreams—and the very possibility of dream interpretation—provide a specifically psychoanalytic model of translation. The essay examines the specific status of the dream by appealing to a selection of important and influential philosophical readings of Freud's text by Slavoj Žižek, Jacques Lacan, Jacques Derrida, Jean Laplanche, and Jean‐François Lyotard. Building upon the differences in their respective approaches to the question of dream, the essay argues that because the language of every dream is radically singular, and because dreams trouble all temporal boundaries so that they cannot be located in a particular space or time, they open up the pathway to the future. Furthermore, by showing that dreams produce effects over time and that they leave material traces, the essay also argues that dreams produce real events in the real world. Close attention to Freud's The Interpretation of Dreams reveals that Freud's “dreambook” combines elements of an ethics, a politics, and a poetics. This paper concludes by suggesting that the dream is the fragile bridge that joins the subject to the social world through a form of language that has no presence, and that belongs to no one.
The New Man's Fetish
Authors: McNulty Tracy
Published: August 2013

This paper examines the recourse to mathematics as a “language of the real” in the literature of perversion and in the philosophical project of Alain Badiou.
Thinking about Mutual Influences and Connections across Cultures Relates to More Positive Intergroup Attitudes: An Examination of Polyculturalism
Authors: Rosenthal Lisa , Levy Sheri R.
Published: August 2013

Polyculturalism is an ideology focusing on the many ways that racial and ethnic groups have interacted, exchanged ideas, and influenced each other's cultures throughout history and into the present. In this paper, we first briefly review the introduction of and research on polyculturalism by historians. Then we summarize numerous studies with racially and ethnic diverse college students and adult community members in the United States, which have found that greater endorsement of polyculturalism is significantly associated with more positive racial/ethnic intergroup attitudes (less support for social inequality, greater interest in, appreciation for, and comfort with diversity and differences, greater interest in intergroup contact, and greater support for liberal immigration and affirmative action policies) and lower sexual prejudice (lower affective prejudice toward gay men and lesbians, traditional heterosexism, and denial of discrimination against homosexuals, and more positive attitudes toward gay men and lesbians). We conclude by discussing several future directions of this work.
Attitudinal Approaches to Health Behavior: Integrating Expectancy‐Value and Automaticity Accounts
Authors: Lowe Rob , Norman Paul
Published: August 2013

Attitudes are a key construct in health psychology due to their central role in motivating and changing behavior. An expectancy‐value framework has been the dominant conceptual approach for exploring the impact of attitudes on health behavior, applications of which emphasize volition and rational decision making. More recently, attention has focused on automatic attitudes, which are believed to capture reflexive aspects of motivation. Dual‐process models such as the MODE generally treat expectancy‐value and automaticity accounts as representing separate processing pathways. However, both accounts depend on associative learning. Learning history pairs beliefs or features with evaluations; subsequent activation of beliefs or features activates associated evaluations and drives overall attitude. Therefore, a single information processing architecture may accommodate expectancy‐value and automaticity approaches within a unifying framework, and this is provided by neural network (connectionist) accounts. In this paper, we highlight how a greater emphasis on the information processing mechanics of associative learning can provide a more parsimonious model of attitudes, which may also extend to a wider array of memory‐related phenomena of relevance to health psychology.
When Going Along Gets You Nowhere and the Upside of Conflict Behaviors
Authors: Cikara Mina , Paluck Elizabeth Levy
Published: August 2013

The capacity for coordinated action is the foundation of much of humanity's greatest social and cultural achievements. Yet there are conditions under which cooperative behaviors do more harm than good, within and between groups. We review current research from a variety of social science disciplines exploring the oft‐unquestioned ironic effects of cooperative behavior and conversely, the value of social conflict for positive outcomes – e.g., increased creativity and moral behavior, and concrete social change and equity. Recent reviews of prejudice reduction interventions have shed light on the hazards of exclusively promoting positive attitudes and emotions within and between groups. In complement, we focus on cooperative and conflictual behavior and the consequences thereof. To highlight issues researchers and practitioners should consider when developing social interventions, we summarize some of the common ironic effects of cooperative and conflict behaviors. Cooperative behaviors are socially and economically beneficial across a large variety of contexts; however, universal prescriptions for such behaviors may have unintended negative effects, whereas conflict is often requisite for promoting progress.
Deprivation and Poverty inHongKong
Authors: Saunders Peter , Wong Hung , Wong Wo Ping
Published: August 2013

Despite high and rising real incomes, the poverty rate inHongKong remains a cause of community concern. The government has been reluctant to set a poverty line, although the recently (re‐)established Commission on Poverty has recommended that a poverty line forHongKong is developed. Against this background, this article reports results derived from a new deprivation study designed to shed new light on the living standards of the poorest in the community. Reflecting international studies, deprivation is identified as existing when people do not have and cannot afford items regarded by a majority in the community as being essential for all. A list of 35 basic needs items is identified as meeting this definition, the results indicating that around 30 per cent are deprived of at least two items, over 18 per cent are deprived of at least four items and 10 per cent are deprived of at least eight items. Deprivation rates are particularly high among items that meet basic health needs. A mean deprivation score index (MDIS) is then used to compare the degree of deprivation experienced by different groups, and indicates that deprivation is most pronounced amongst those receivingComprehensiveSocialSecurityAssistance (CSSA), people affected by a disability and recent migrants. The overlap between deprivation and income poverty is also relatively low, which suggests both measures have a role to play in identifying who is most vulnerable and guiding where policy change is most urgently needed.
The effect of land management practices on soil erosion and land desertification in an olive grove
Authors: Kairis O. , Karavitis C. , Kounalaki A. , Salvati L. , Kosmas C.
Published: August 2013

The need for reliable estimates of soil loss under different land management practices (LMPs) is becoming imperative in the Mediterranean basin to inform decisions on more effective strategies for land management. The effect of LMPs on soil erosion and land degradation has been investigated using experiments from November 2008 to November 2011 in an olive grove in central Crete (Greece). The study area was on sloping land with soils formed on marl deposits which are vulnerable to desertification because of surface runoff and tillage. The experimental design included three treatments with two replicates (3 × 5 m experimental plots) corresponding to the following LMPs: (i) no tillage–no herbicide application, (ii) no tillage–herbicide application and (iii) ploughing to 20 cm perpendicular to the contours. The following variables were monitored: surface water runoff, sediment loss, soil temperature at 10 cm, soil moisture content at depths of 20 and 50 cm, as well as selected climatic variables. The results show that the no tillage–no herbicide management practice gave the lowest sediment loss (1.44–4.78 g/m2/yr), the lowest water runoff (1.8–11.5 mm/yr), the greatest amount of water stored in the soil, the lowest soil temperature and the lowest desertification risk compared with the other treatments. Tillage resulted in the greatest sediment loss (13.6–39.2 g/m2/yr) and surface runoff (16.5–65.0 mm/yr), and an intermediate amount of water stored in the soil. In addition, this treatment led to the loss of soil thickness of 3.7 mm/yr because of ploughing. The results demonstrate the high risk of desertification in the investigated region and the methodology can be used in other Mediterranean areas as an assessment framework for evaluating land degradation and the impact of land management on soil erosion.
Phrasal Movement in the Bantu Verbal Complex: Deriving Affix Scope and Order in Kîîtharaka
Authors: Muriungi Peter Kinyua
Published: August 2013

This paper investigates multiple suffixation in Kîîtharaka, an SVO Bantu language spoken in Kenya (code E54 in the Guthrie classification). Assuming as a starting point that semantic scopes are encoded in syntax such that if an affix A scopes over an affix B, A asymmetrically c‐commands B, this paper argues that linearization from the base semantic scope to the phonological form is easily derived by phrasal movement. The novelty in the paper is the presentation and discussion of semantic scopes between suffixes and the overt assumption that scopes are encoded in the syntax. Furthermore, this paper breaks from the Bantu tradition of examining the scopes between argument‐related suffixes such as the causative, applicative, reciprocal and passive, and goes further to include aspectual morphemes such as the perfective and the habitual and adverbial‐like suffixes such as the erratic. This paper shows that the verbal complex containing argument‐related, aspectual, and adverbial‐like suffixes arises from the syntactic hierarchy determined by scope via restricted phrasal movement.
Rab35: GEFs, GAPs and Effectors
Authors: Chaineau Mathilde , Ioannou Maria S. , McPherson Peter S.
Published: August 2013

Rabs are the largest family of small GTPases and are master regulators of membrane trafficking. Following activation by guanine‐nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs), each Rab binds a specific set of effector proteins that mediate the various downstream functions of that Rab. Then, with the help of GTPase‐activating proteins, the Rab converts GTP to GDP, terminating its function. There are over 60 Rabs in humans and only a subset has been analyzed in any detail. Recently, Rab35 has emerged as a key regulator of cargo recycling at endosomes, with an additional role in regulation of the actin cytoskeleton. Here, we will focus on the regulation of Rab35 activity by the connecdenn/DENND1 family of GEFs and the TBC1D10/EPI64 family of GTPase‐activating proteins. We will describe how analysis of these proteins, as well as a plethora of Rab35 effectors has provided insights into Rab35 function. Finally, we will describe how Rab35 provides a novel link between the Rab and Arf family of GTPases with implications for tumor formation and invasiveness.
KPNB1, XPO7 and IPO8 Mediate the Translocation ofNF‐κB/p65 into the Nucleus
Authors: Liang Peizhou , Zhang Haiyan , Wang Guoxin , Li Suping , Cong Shujie , Luo Yingyun , Zhang Biliang
Published: August 2013

NF‐κB/p65 is retained in the cytoplasm until it is activated in response to stress. Nuclear import of p65 is regulated by importin α in a nuclear localization signal (NLS)‐dependent manner. However, the role of importin β family members in the nuclear translocation of p65 is largely unclear. In this study, using high‐content siRNA screening, we identified three of 17 importin β family members that are involved in the nuclear import of p65. Our data showed that knockdown of KPNB1, XPO7 and IPO8 reduced the amount of nuclear p65 following tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) stimulation, resulting in lower NF‐κB activity. KPNB1 was the major importin β receptor for p65 import, and this import was dependent on the NLS of p65. However, NLS‐mutated p65 still entered the nucleus and bound to XPO7 and IPO8. Interestingly, among the six members of the importin α family, KPNA2 was most important for p65 import. Taken together, our results show that the import of p65 mainly relies on the canonical KPNA2/KPNB1 pathway; however, p65 is also imported by an alternative pathway that is independent of its NLS. Redundant importin receptors are likely to maintain the important function of p65 according to need.
Pulmonary histiocytic sarcoma in a rabbit
Authors: Leissinger Mary , Brandão João , Wakamatsu Nobuko , Le Roux Alexandre , Rich Gregory , Gaunt Stephen
Published: August 2013

An approximately 8‐year‐old male castrated Dutch rabbit was evaluated for a 6‐day history of respiratory signs, which began as sneezing and progressed to tachypnea with anorexia. On physical examination, tachypnea and pale mucous membranes were noted. Thoracic radiographs revealed a soft tissue pulmonary mass, fine‐needle aspirates of which confirmed a neoplasia with malignant features suspicious for a histiocytic sarcoma. The rabbit was discharged and due to a rapidly deteriorating condition, the owner declined chemotherapy with Lomustine and elected euthanasia of the rabbit. The affected lung was submitted for histopathology. Histologic sections of the lung were characterized by clusters of histiocytic cells and multinucleated giant cells with occasional invasion of blood and lymphatic vessels. The histologic diagnosis was histiocytic sarcoma. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first case report of histiocytic sarcoma in a rabbit. Based on the clinical and radiologic findings in this case, histiocytic sarcoma should be included in the list of differentials for rabbits presenting with respiratory signs and evidence of a pulmonary mass.
Impact of constant storage temperatures and multiple warming cycles on the quality of stored red blood cells
Authors: Wagner T. , Pabst M.‐A. , Leitinger G. , Reiter U. , Kozma N. , Lanzer G. , Huppertz B.
Published: August 2013

Background

Red blood cells (RBCs) are routinely stored in liquid state at temperatures below 6°C, and RBC unit core temperature should not exceed 10°C during transport. Since the critical temperature of 10°C was chosen mostly arbitrarily, this study investigated the effect of both constant temperature settings as well as multiple rewarming cycles on stored RBCs with respect to morphology, biochemical parameters and haemolysis.

Materials and Methods

Buffy coat‐depleted filtered RBCs were used as standard products. RBCs were stored at 1–6°C (reference group, n = 12), 13 and 22°C (test groups, n = 12 each) or stored at 1–6°C and warmed up five times to 10, 13, or 22°C for a period of 24 h each. Various biochemical parameters were measured weekly. RBCs were further investigated using electron microscopy.

Results

Red blood cells stored constantly at 13 or 22°C showed stable haemolysis rates until day 28 and day 14, respectively. RBCs stored at 1–6°C with five warming‐up periods to 10, 13 or 22°C each lasting 24 h (total 120 h) did not exceed the limit of the haemolysis rate at the end of storage. Differently shaped erythrocytes were found in all samples, but more crenate erythrocytes appeared after 42 days of storage independent of temperature profiles.

Conclusion

Red cells can be kept at constant temperatures above 6°C without apparent harmful effects at least until day 14, whereas multiple warming cycles for no longer than 24 h at 10, 13 or 22°C with subsequent cooling do not cause quality loss as assessed using the in vitro assays employed in this study.
Detection and identification of occult HBV in blood donors in Taiwan using a commercial, multiplex, multi‐dye nucleic acid amplification technology screening test
Authors: Lin K. T. , Chang C. L. , Tsai M. H. , Lin K. S. , Saldanha J. , Hung C. M.
Published: August 2013

Background

The ability of a new generation commercial, multiplex, multi‐dye test from Roche, the cobas TaqScreen MPX test, version 2.0, to detect and identify occult HBV infections was evaluated using routine donor samples from Kaohsiung Blood Bank, Taiwan.

Study Design and Methods

A total of 5973 samples were tested by nucleic acid amplification technology (NAT); 5898 in pools of six, 66 in pools of less than six and nine samples individually. NAT‐reactive samples were retested with alternative NAT tests, and follow‐up samples from the donors were tested individually by NAT and for all the HBV serological markers.

Results

Eight NAT‐only‐reactive donors were identified, and follow‐up samples were obtained from six of the donors. The results indicated that all eight donors had an occult HBV infection with viral loads <12 IU/ml.

Conclusion

The cobas® TaqScreen MPX test, version 2.0, has an advantage over the current Roche blood screening test, the cobas TaqScreen MPX test, for screening donations in countries with a high prevalence of occult HBV infections since the uncertainty associated with identifying samples with very low viremia is removed by the ability of the test to identify the viral target in samples that are reactive with the cobas TaqScreen MPX test, version 2.0.
Defeat of the Soot/NOx Trade-off Using Biodiesel-Ethanol in a Moderate Exhaust Gas Recirculation Premixed Low-Temperature Combustion Mode
Authors: Zhu Haoyue , Bohac Stanislav V. , Huang Zhen , Assanis Dennis N.
Published: August 2013

The soot/nitric oxides (NOx) trade-off of diesel, biodiesel, and biodiesel–ethanol in a moderate exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) premixed low temperature combustion (LTC) mode is investigated in this study. Compared to diesel, biodiesel demonstrates poorer spray behavior and shorter ignition delay, but its oxygen content results in less soot. Blending ethanol into biodiesel enhances spray behavior, prolongs ignition delay, and further increases fuel oxygen fraction, resulting in a larger reduction in soot. In the moderate EGR premixed low temperature combustion mode, an obvious soot/NOx trade-off is demonstrated with diesel fuel. The soot/NOx trade-off is improved by biodiesel fuel and defeated by the biodiesel–ethanol blend. Low soot, low NOx, and high combustion efficiency are achieved with the biodiesel–ethanol blend and proper EGR rate.
Mission Performance Simulation of Integrated Helicopter–Engine Systems Using an Aeroelastic Rotor Model
Authors: Goulos Ioannis , Giannakakis Panagiotis , Pachidis Vassilios , Pilidis Pericles
Published: August 2013

This paper presents an integrated approach, targeting the comprehensive assessment of combined helicopter engine designs within designated operations. The developed methodology comprises a series of individual modeling theories, each applicable to a different aspect of helicopter flight dynamics and performance. These relate to rotor blade modal analysis, three-dimensional flight path definition, flight dynamics trim solution, aeroelasticity, and engine performance. The individual mathematical models are elaborately integrated within a numerical procedure, solving for the total mission fuel consumption. The overall simulation framework is applied to the performance analysis of the Aérospatiale SA330 helicopter within two generic, twin-engine medium helicopter missions. An extensive comparison with flight test data on main rotor trim controls, power requirements, and unsteady blade structural loads is presented. It is shown that, for the typical range of operating conditions encountered by modern twin-engine medium civil helicopters, the effect of operational altitude on fuel consumption is predominantly influenced by the corresponding effects induced on the engine rather than on airframe rotor performance. The implications associated with the implicit coupling between aircraft and engine performance are discussed in the context of mission analysis. The potential to comprehensively evaluate integrated helicopter engine systems within complete three-dimensional operations using modeling fidelity designated for main rotor design applications is demonstrated. The proposed method essentially constitutes an enabler in terms of focusing the rotorcraft design process on designated operation types rather than on specific sets of flight conditions.
2011 Drucker Medal Paper: Localized Compaction in Porous Sandstones
Authors: Rudnicki J. W.
Published: August 2013

Compaction bands are narrow, roughly planar zones of localized deformation, in which the shear is less than or comparable to compaction. Although there are differences in their appearance in the field and in laboratory specimens, they have been observed in both for high-porosity (greater than about 15%) sandstones. Because the porosity in them is reduced and the tortuosity increased, they inhibit fluid flow perpendicular to their plane. Consequently, they can alter patterns of fluid movement in formations in which they occur and are relevant to applications involving fluid injection or withdrawal. Formation of compaction bands is predicted by a framework that treats localized deformation as a bifurcation from homogeneous deformation. This paper gives a brief overview of compaction localization but focuses on field and laboratory observations that constrain two parameters entering the bifurcation analysis: a friction coefficient μ and a dilatancy factor β. The inferred values suggest that normality (μ = β) is not satisfied, and compaction localization occurs on a transitional portion of the yield surface, where the local slope in a plot of Mises equivalent shear stress versus compressive mean normal stress changes from positive (μ > 0) to negative (μ < 0). These inferences are at odds with critical state and cap theories that typically assume normality and predict dilation on the portion of the surface where μ > 0. In addition, the values suggest that the critical state (μ = 0) does not necessarily correspond to zero volume change.
Improving Turbine Stage Efficiency and Sealing Effectiveness Through Modifications of the Rim Seal Geometry
Authors: Popović I. , Hodson H. P.
Published: August 2013

This paper presents an investigation of a range of engine realistic rim seals starting from a simple axial seal to different types of overlapping seals. The experiments were performed in a large-scale linear cascade equipped with a secondary air system capable of varying independently both the mass fraction as well as the swirl velocity of the leakage air. The experimental results were also complemented by CFD to provide better insight in the flow physics.

It has been found that the key feature of the rim seals that affect their impact on overall loss generation and their ability to provide good sealing effectiveness was the location and the size of the recirculation zones within the rim seal. The requirements for good sealing and reduced spoiling effects on the main gaspath flow often led to contradictory designs. In general, the recirculation zones were found to improve sealing by reducing the effect of the pitchwise (circumferential) variation in the pressure distribution due to the blade’s potential field, and thus reduce ingestion. However, at the same time the recirculation zones tend to increase the loss generation. The best compromise was found when the outer part of the seal and its interface with the rotor platform was as smooth as possible to minimize the spoiling losses, while the recirculation zones were confined to the inner part of the seal to maintain acceptable levels of sealing effectiveness.

A new rim seal design, which utilizes the best attributes of the above mentioned designs was developed. Linear cascade tests showed the losses due to the leakage-mainstream interaction were reduced by 33% compared to the datum seal design. Further validation was performed by examining the new configuration using unsteady full-stage calculations under engine realistic conditions. These calculations suggest an improvement of nearly 0.2% in the stage efficiency.