bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A novel mitochondrial and chloroplast peptidasome, PreP
Authors: Kmiec Beata , Glaser Elzbieta
Published: October 2011

A novel mitochondrial and chloroplast peptidasome, the Presequence Protease (PreP) degrades organellar targeting peptides as well as other unstructured peptides up to 65 amino acid residues in length. PreP belongs to the pitrilysin oligopeptidase family (M16C) containing an inverted zinc‐binding motif. The crystal structure of Arabidopsis thaliana PreP, AtPreP, refined at 2.1 Å, revealed a novel mechanism of proteolysis in which two halves of the enzyme connected by a hinge region enclose a large catalytic chamber opening and closing in response to peptide binding. Double knock‐out mutant of AtPreP1 and AtPreP2 results in a severe phenotype, including decreased size and growth rate, chlorosis and organellar abnormalities, such as altered chloroplast starch content, partial loss of the integrity of the inner mitochondrial membrane and reduced mitochondrial respiration. PreP homologues are also present in yeast and humans. Interestingly, human PreP has been associated with Alzheimer's disease as it is responsible for degradation of amyloid‐β peptide in brain mitochondria.
Environmental cues and seasonal reproduction in a temperate estuary: a case study of Owenia collaris (Annelida: Polychaeta, Oweniidae)
Authors: Smart Tracey I. , Young Craig M. , Emlet Richard B.
Published: October 2011

Coordination of gametogenesis and spawning during restricted breeding seasons increases availability of mates, fertilization rates, and often success of offspring. Orton’s Rule predicts water temperature as the dominant environmental cue for gametogenesis or spawning in temperate invertebrates. Crisp’s Rule predicts that species producing planktotrophic larvae will time their reproduction to ensure optimal nutrition for the larvae. Owenia collaris (Annelida: Oweniidae) is a temperate polychaete that produces planktotrophic larvae that remain in the water column for several weeks. Reproductive phenology and its relationship to the environment were investigated in an estuarine population of O. collaris using field and laboratory studies. Owenia collaris produced mature gametes between March and September each year during the productive season between the spring and fall transitions when day lengths were 12 h or more, alkalinity was 8.1 or higher, and temperature was 11 °C or higher. Gamete production was not related to seasonal changes in salinity or benthic phytoplankton concentrations and gametes were present prior to the spring phytoplankton bloom. In laboratory experiments, production of gametes was influenced somewhat by manipulating day lengths but not adult food. The association with predictable and stable environmental cycles (day length) and a broad spawning season suggest that this species is unlikely to mis‐match with larval food availability which would lead to reduced availability of recruits in any given year, supporting Crisp’s Rule. Our data do not support the hypothesis that reproductive timing in this species is driven by access to excess energy required by adults to initiate the production of gametes. Our data also do not support Orton’s premise that temperature is the primary controlling factor of reproduction in this temperate marine invertebrate.
Sclerosing variant of perivascular epithelioid cell tumor in the female genital organs
Authors: Yamada Yuichi , Yamamoto Hidetaka , Ohishi Yoshihiro , Nishiyama Kenichi , Fukuhara Masao , Saitou Toshiaki , Tsuneyoshi Masazumi , Oda Yoshinao
Published: October 2011

Perivascular epithelioid cell tumor (PEComas), other than angiomyolipoma, clear cell ‘sugar’ tumor of the lung, and lymphangioleiomyomatosis, is an uncommon mesenchymal neoplasm that arises in the soft tissue and visceral organs. We report herein two cases of sclerosing PEComa; a distinctive variant of PEComa, which is characterized by extensive stromal hyalinization, occurring in the uterus and broad ligament. The patients were 34‐ and 51‐year‐old females with no family history of tuberous sclerosis complex. Macroscopically, the tumors had white to gray cut surfaces and were microscopically composed of predominantly spindle‐ to polygon‐shaped cells with clear to slightly eosinophilic cytoplasm and pleomorphic nuclei focally arranged in a perivascular pattern, accompanied by marked stromal hyalinization. These tumor cells were immunohistochemically positive for HMB45 and α‐smooth muscle actin. Although this variant of PEComa is very rare, this entity should be considered as a potential primary neoplasm of the female genital organs.
Comparing peak and submaximal cardiorespiratory responses during field walking tests with incremental cycle ergometry in COPD
Authors: HILL KYLIE , DOLMAGE THOMAS E. , WOON LYNDA , COUTTS DEBBIE , GOLDSTEIN ROGER , BROOKS DINA
Published: October 2011

Background and objective:  Field and laboratory‐based tests are used to measure exercise capacity in people with COPD. A comparison of the cardiorespiratory responses to field tests, referenced to a laboratory test, is needed to appreciate the relative physiological demands. We sought to compare peak and submaximal cardiorespiratory responses to the 6‐min walk test, incremental shuttle walk test and endurance shuttle walk test with a ramp cycle ergometer test (CET) in patients with COPD.

Methods:  Twenty‐four participants (FEV1 50 ± 14%; 66.5 ± 7.7 years; 15 men) completed four sessions, separated by ≥24 h. During an individual session, participants completed either two 6‐min walk tests, incremental shuttle walk tests, endurance shuttle walk tests using standardized protocols, or a single CET, wearing a portable gas analysis unit (Cosmed K4b2) which included measures of heart rate and arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2).

Results:  Between tests, no difference was observed in the peak rate of oxygen uptake (F3,69 = 1.2; P = 0.31), end‐test heart rate (F2,50 = 0.6; P = 0.58) or tidal volume (F3,69 = 1.5; P = 0.21). Compared with all walking tests, the CET elicited a higher peak rate of carbon dioxide output (1173 ± 350 mL/min; F3,62 = 4.8; P = 0.006), minute ventilation (48 ± 17 L/min; F3,69 = 10.2; P < 0.001) and a higher end‐test SpO2 (95 ± 4%; F3,63 = 24.9; P < 0.001).

Conclusions:  In patients with moderate COPD, field walking tests elicited a similar peak rate of oxygen uptake and heart rate as a CET, demonstrating that both self‐ and externally paced walking tests progress to high intensities.
Flavour exposures after conditioned aversion or preference trigger different brain processes in anaesthetised pigs
Authors: Gaultier A. , Meunier‐Salaün M. C. , Malbert C. H. , Val‐Laillet D.
Published: October 2011

We describe the behavioural consequences of conditioned flavour aversion and preference in pigs and have investigated the brain circuits involved in the representation of flavours with different hedonic values. The study was performed on eight 30‐kg pigs. (i) Animals were negatively conditioned to an F− flavour added to a meal followed by LiCl intraduodenal (i.d.) injection, and positively conditioned to an F+ flavour added to a meal followed by NaCl i.d. injection. F+ and F− were thyme or cinnamon flavours. After each conditioning, the behavioural activities were recorded; (ii) One and 5 weeks later, animals were subjected to three two‐choice food tests to investigate their preferences between F+, F− and a novel flavour (O); and (iii) Anaesthetised animals were subjected to three SPECT brain imaging sessions: control situation (no flavour) and exposure to F+ and to F−. The negative reinforcement induced a physical malaise and visceral illness. After a positive reinforcement, animals showed playing or feeding motivation and quietness. F+ was significantly preferred over O and F−, and O was significantly preferred over F−. Both F− and F+ induced some metabolic differences in neural circuits involved in sensory associative processes, learning and memory, emotions, reward and feeding motivation. Exposure to F+ induced a higher activity in corticolimbic and reward‐related areas, while F− induced a deactivation of the basal nuclei and limbic thalamic nuclei. This study reveals the unconscious cognitive dimension evoked by food flavours according to the individual experience, and highlights the importance of the food sensory image on hedonism and anticipatory eating behaviour.
Phage–bacteria relationships and CRISPR elements revealed by a metagenomic survey of the rumen microbiome
Authors: Berg Miller Margret E. , Yeoman Carl J. , Chia Nicholas , Tringe Susannah G. , Angly Florent E. , Edwards Robert A. , Flint Harry J. , Lamed Raphael , Bayer Edward A. , White Bryan A.
Published: October 2011

Viruses are the most abundant biological entities on the planet and play an important role in balancing microbes within an ecosystem and facilitating horizontal gene transfer. Although bacteriophages are abundant in rumen environments, little is known about the types of viruses present or their interaction with the rumen microbiome. We undertook random pyrosequencing of virus‐enriched metagenomes (viromes) isolated from bovine rumen fluid and analysed the resulting data using comparative metagenomics. A high level of diversity was observed with up to 28 000 different viral genotypes obtained from each environment. The majority (∼78%) of sequences did not match any previously described virus. Prophages outnumbered lytic phages approximately 2:1 with the most abundant bacteriophage and prophage types being associated with members of the dominant rumen phyla (Firmicutes and Proteobacteria). Metabolic profiling based on SEED subsystems revealed an enrichment of sequences with putative functional roles in DNA and protein metabolism, but a surprisingly low proportion of sequences assigned to carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism. We expanded our analysis to include previously described metagenomic data and 14 reference genomes. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) were detected in most of the microbial genomes, suggesting previous interactions between viral and microbial communities.
Epidemiological assessment of food aid in the Bosnian conflict, 1994–97
Authors: Andersson Neil , Paredes‐Solís Sergio , Cockcroft Anne , Sherr Lorraine
Published: October 2011

Surveys in emergency settings are important for the accountability of food aid. Four household surveys conducted between 1994 and 1997 measured the performance of the Bosnia food aid programme, covering a random sample of clusters in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republica Srpska. The team calculated coverage, exclusion and inclusion errors, programme misses, and under‐supply. Despite intended universal coverage from 1994–96, 15, 19, and 31 per cent, respectively, did not receive food across the three‐year time frame. Households categorised as vulnerable were somewhat more likely to receive food. Programme misses were rare, whereas under‐supply fell from 30 per cent in 1994 to four per cent in 1997, as the availability of other food increased. Extrapolation suggested that 61 per cent of the food distributed did not reach households. The programme introduced priority categories for targeting in 1997, yet nearly one‐half of the highest priority households did not receive food. Incomplete coverage and weak targeting were related to political constraints.
From fatalism to resilience: reducing disaster impacts through systematic investments
Authors: Hill Harvey , Wiener John , Warner Koko
Published: October 2011

This paper describes a method for reducing the economic risks associated with predictable natural hazards by enhancing the resilience of national infrastructure systems. The three‐step generalised framework is described along with examples. Step one establishes economic baseline growth without the disaster impact. Step two characterises economic growth constrained by a disaster. Step three assesses the economy's resilience to the disaster event when it is buffered by alternative resiliency investments. The successful outcome of step three is a disaster‐resistant core of infrastructure systems and social capacity more able to maintain the national economy and development post disaster. In addition, the paper considers ways to achieve this goal in data‐limited environments. The method provides a methodology to address this challenge via the integration of physical and social data of different spatial scales into macroeconomic models. This supports the disaster risk reduction objectives of governments, donor agencies, and the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction.
How much more exposed are the poor to natural disasters? Global and regional measurement
Authors: Kim Namsuk
Published: October 2011

This paper proposes a simple indicator to measure the exposure to natural disasters for the poor and non‐poor population, in order to assess the global and regional trend of natural hazard and poverty. Globally, poor people are two times more exposed to natural disasters than the non‐poor in the twenty‐first century. The time trend varies across regions, with poor people in East Asia and Pacific being most exposed to natural disasters, followed by those in South Asia and Sub‐Saharan Africa. The change of exposure measure over time is decomposed into two factors: a pure exposure change, which could be fuelled by climate change; and a concentration component. The result shows that the total net increase of exposure between the 1970s and the 2000s is driven significantly by the increased concentration of the poor (26 per cent) in disaster‐prone areas, whereas the contribution of that factor remains very small for the non‐poor (six per cent).
A Flexible Approach for Output‐Sensitive Rendering of Animated Characters
Authors: Beacco A. , Spanlang B. , Andujar C. , Pelechano N.
Published: October 2011

Rendering detailed animated characters is a major limiting factor in crowd simulation. In this paper we present a new representation for 3D animated characters which supports output‐sensitive rendering. Our approach is flexible in the sense that it does not require us to pre‐define the animation sequences beforehand, nor to pre‐compute a dense set of pre‐rendered views for each animation frame. Each character is encoded through a small collection of textured boxes storing colour and depth values. At runtime, each box is animated according to the rigid transformation of its associated bone and a fragment shader is used to recover the original geometry using a dual‐depth version of relief mapping. Unlike competing output‐sensitive approaches, our compact representation is able to recover high‐frequency surface details and reproduces view‐motion parallax effectively. Our approach drastically reduces both the number of primitives being drawn and the number of bones influencing each primitive, at the expense of a very slight per‐fragment overhead. We show that, beyond a certain distance threshold, our compact representation is much faster to render than traditional level‐of‐detail triangle meshes. Our user study demonstrates that replacing polygonal geometry by our impostors produces negligible visual artefacts.
Visualisation Techniques for Using Spatial Augmented Reality in the Design Process of a Car
Authors: Menk Christoffer , Jundt Eduard , Koch Reinhard
Published: October 2011

If spatial augmented reality is used in the design process of a car, then one of the most important issues is that the virtual content is projected with a very high visual quality onto the real object, because based on this projection design decisions are made. Especially, the visualised colours on the real object should not be distinguishable from corresponding real reference colours. In this paper, we introduce a new approach for the augmentation of real objects which is able to match the requirements of a design process. We present a new rendering method with ray tracing which increases the visual quality of the projection images in comparison to existing methods. The desired values of these images have further to be adjusted according to the material, the ambient light and the local orientation of the projector. For this purpose, we develop a physically based computation which exactly determines the corresponding projection intensities for these values by using three‐dimensional lookup tables at every projector pixel. Since not all of the desired values can be represented with an intensity of the projector, an adjustment has to be computed for these values. Therefore, we conduct a user study with design experts who work in the automotive industry and use the results to propose a new adjustment method for such values. Finally, we compare our methods to existing procedures and conclude which ones are suitable for the design process of a car.
Reform Politics through the Creation of Inefficient Political Institutions: The Case of the 2007 Danish Administrative Reform
Authors: Krogh Simon
Published: October 2011

This article poses the question of whether reform politicians' pursuit of institutional goods may, under certain circumstances, lead to the creation of inefficient political institutions. The theory of weakening political actors through the creation of inefficient political institutions, as elaborated by Terry M. Moe, is applied in a comparative analysis of two main elements in the recent Danish administrative reform: the consolidation of 270 municipalities into 98 larger ones, and the creation of five new macro regions with special responsibilities. In contrast to the coherent institutional structure of the municipalities, the level of coherence in the regional reform elements is inappropriate and inefficient. The article shows that the different institutions in the municipalities and the regions can be interpreted as an attempt by the (national) reform parties to prevent other political actors from gaining access to future substantial, as well as institutional, goods.
Evaluating Continuous Training Programmes by Using the Generalized Propensity Score
Authors: Kluve Jochen , Schneider Hilmar , Uhlendorff Arne , Zhao Zhong
Published: October 2011

The paper assesses the heterogeneity of treatment effects arising from variation in the duration of training. We use German administrative data that have the extraordinary feature that the amount of treatment varies continuously from 10 days to 395 days (i.e. 13 months). This feature allows us to estimate a continuous dose–response function that relates each value of the dose, i.e. days of training, to the individual post-treatment probability of employment (the response). The dose–response function is estimated after adjusting for covariate imbalance by using the generalized propensity score, which is a recently developed method for covariate adjustment under continuous treatment regimes. Our data have the advantage that we can consider both the actual and the planned durations of training as treatment variables: if only actual durations are observed, treatment effect estimates may be biased because of endogenous exits. Our results indicate an increasing dose–response function for treatments of up to 120 days, which then flattens out, i.e. longer training programmes do not seem to add an additional treatment effect.
Analysing Intensive Longitudinal Data After Summarization at Landmarks: An Application to Daily Pain Evaluation in a Clinical Trial
Authors: Bunouf P. , Grouin J.-M. , Molenberghs G. , Koch G.
Published: October 2011

The paper addresses some of the key issues to be considered in analysing intensive longitudinal data after summarization at scheduled landmarks (i.e. prespecified times). In this context, the derivation of outcomes requires rigorous rules and the selection of covariates should be based on a thorough data exploration. To guide the choice of statistical approaches for inferences, we study the missingness mechanism by using a specific dropout model. Then, we compare and contrast statistical approaches based on direct modelling and on multiple imputation applied either to the raw data or to the derived outcomes. The results are interpreted in the light of the model constraints and the missingness mechanism assumption. We show that some statistical approaches based on multiple imputation applied to the raw data are particularly well adapted to our context as they avoid any loss of available information for missing data imputation. We also show that the influence of subjects with incomplete profiles can be described by using individual estimations given by appropriate statistical models. The motivating data set was collected in a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial to assess the effect on pain of a new compound in subjects suffering from fibromyalgia.
Potential carbon stock in Japanese forest soils – simulated impact of forest management and climate change using the CENTURY model
Authors: Hashimoto S. , Ugawa S. , Morisada K. , Wattenbach M. , Smith P. , Matsuura Y.
Published: October 2011

Forest management and climate change may have a substantial impact on future soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks at the country scale. Potential SOC in Japanese forest soils was regionally estimated under nine forest managements and a climate change scenario using the CENTURY ecosystem model. Three rotations (30, 50, 100 yr) and three thinning regimes were tested: no‐thinning; 30% of the trees cut in the middle of the rotation (e.g. 15 year in a 30‐yr rotation) and thinned trees all left as litter or slash (ThinLef) and the trees from thinning removed from the forest (ThinRem). A climate change scenario was tested (ca. 3 °C increase in air temperature and 9% increase in precipitation). The model was run at 1 km resolution using climate, vegetation and soil databases. The estimated SOC stock ranged from 1600 to 1830 TgC (from 6800 to 7800 gC/m2), and the SOC stock was largest with the longest rotation and was largest under ThinLef with all three rotations. Despite an increase in net primary production, the SOC stock decreased by 5% under the climate change scenario.
Changes in uranium and thorium contents in topsoil after long‐term phosphorus fertilizer application
Authors: Wetterlind J. , Richer De Forges A. C. , Nicoullaud B. , Arrouays D.
Published: October 2011

Archived soil samples from the beginning and end of three long‐term field trials conducted in central France were analysed for total uranium (U) and thorium (Th) contents to evaluate the effect of 15–30 yr of phosphorus (P) fertilizer treatments on the accumulation of these elements in the topsoil. For comparison, the soil samples were also analysed for total P. Three treatments were compared: no P application (P0), 26 kg P/ha/yr (P26) and 52 kg P/ha/yr (P52). Significant effects of P fertilizer were observed on U content and, to a lesser extent, on Th content as a result of the P52 treatment at two of the field trials. This effect was demonstrated both in the analyses at the end of the field trials [P52–P0: +0.25 and +0.44 mg U/kg soil, +0.58 (not significant) and +1.03 mg Th/kg soil] and when considering the changes in U and Th contents between the beginning and the end of the field trials (end–start: +0.18 and +034 mg U/kg soil, +0.35 and +0.45 mg Th/kg soil). The P fertilizer effect was also supported by the correlations of U and Th with total levels of P in the soil. However, in one of the three trials, no significant accumulation of U or Th because of fertilizer could be seen, suggesting either that less U and Th were applied using a different P fertilizer and/or that soil heterogeneity masked significant effects.
Bleeding in Congenital Hemangiomas: Crusting as a Clinical Predictive Sign and Usefulness of Tranexamic Acid
Authors: Powell Julie , Blouin Marie‐Michèle , David Michèle , Dubois Josée
Published: October 2011

Abstract:  We present two case reports of CH in which severe bleeding episodes occurred during the first weeks of life and report the use of topical tranexamic acid to control bleeding in this setting. Patient 1 was a full‐term female infant who presented at birth with a large 7‐ by 6‐cm CH of the forehead showing a few millimeter‐sized crusts. No active treatment except close follow‐up was advised. At 10 weeks of age, the size of the lesion having spontaneously decreased more than 50%, she presented with severe bleeding from a small crusted area. The bleeding was controlled using topical tranexamic acid, and except for a few minor, easily controlled bleeding episodes in the following weeks, the lesion regressed more than 80%. Patient 2 was a full‐term male infant seen at 1 day of life for a 14‐ by 10‐cm CH of the right knee with a few small, dark, superficial crusts. At 3 weeks of age, he was hospitalized after severe bleeding from one of the crusted areas, with a drop in hemoglobin from 131 to 114 g/L. Bleeding was controlled using topical tranexamic acid, and compressive dressing. Because the lesion was clinically a rapidly involuting CH, there was no need for embolization or surgery. The presence of crusting in CH, even in the absence of frank ulceration, is an ominous sign and can precede serious bleeding. Tranexamic acid, an antifibrinolytic agent that helps stabilize the clot, has proved useful topically in controlling bleeding in CH.
Five Cases of Anti‐Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha–Induced Psoriasis Presenting with Severe Scalp Involvement in Children
Authors: Perman Marissa J. , Lovell Daniel J. , Denson Lee A. , Farrell Michael K. , Lucky Anne W.
Published: October 2011

Abstract:  Although anti‐tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) agents are commonly used to treat psoriasis and other inflammatory diseases in adults and children, numerous reports have documented new‐onset or flaring psoriasis in adults treated for the other conditions. Individual case reports have documented similar observations in three children. We report a series of anti‐TNF‐α‐induced psoriasis in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease treated at a large children’s hospital. All five patients presented with severe scalp involvement. One child was treated with adalimumab for juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and four received infliximab for inflammatory bowel disease. The five patients developed psoriasis 2 to 10 months after initiating anti‐TNF‐α therapy. They presented with erythematous, scaly, crusted scalp lesions. Three of the five patients were initially treated with griseofulvin for presumed tinea capitis. The anti‐TNF‐α agent was discontinued at the time of diagnosis in two cases. Topical steroids were the mainstay of psoriasis therapy, with improvement in four of five patients. Anti‐TNF‐α agents have been associated with the onset or worsening of psoriasis in adults, but this has rarely been reported in children. We describe five pediatric cases of anti‐TNF‐α‐induced psoriasis presenting with severe scalp involvement and review their subsequent management. We hope that clinicians caring for patients receiving anti‐TNF‐α agents will consider psoriasis from the onset of cutaneous symptoms and institute appropriate therapy or referral.
COLONY FORMATION AND SEXUAL MORPHOGENESIS IN THE COCCOLITHOPHOREPLEUROCHRYSISSP. (HAPTOPHYTA)1
Authors: Hawkins Eva K. , Lee John J. , Fimiarz Daniel K.
Published: October 2011

Pleurochrysissp. formed two types of symmetrical, diploid colonies on solid media: (i) single‐cell lineage (SCL) colonies and (ii) aggregation (AG) colonies. The first division of a single mother cell was asymmetric in ∼54% of SCL colonies. These colonies developed at a slower rate than AG colonies. Diffusible molecules released from the cells acted like morphogens enhancing formation of AG colonies; their influence on chemotaxis of aggregating cells was dependent on concentration of the inoculum. Nitrogen depletion of diploid colonies induced sexual morphogenesis and colony patterning into inner and outer regions. The smaller innermost cells were surrounded by outer larger cells. Developmental mechanisms of colony formation were examined in relation to the heteromorphic, haplo‐diploid life cycle.
Relationship Between Liver Function and Brain Shrinkage in Patients with Alcohol Dependence
Authors: Chen Chun‐Hsin , Walker Jonathan , Momenan Reza , Rawlings Robert , Heilig Markus , Hommer Daniel W.
Published: October 2011

Background:  Oxidative stress has been proposed as one of the mechanisms of alcohol‐induced brain shrinkage and alcohol‐induced hepatotoxicity. The aim of this study was to assess the correlations between liver function and brain volume (BV) measurements in patients with alcohol dependence.

Methods:  We recruited 124 patients with alcohol dependence and 111 healthy control subjects from National Institute of Health, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism inpatient alcohol treatment program. Gamma‐glutamyl transferase (GGT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), as well as hematocrit (Hct) and albumin were assayed shortly after admission. Magnetic resonance imaging examination was conducted in both groups (after 3‐week abstinence in the patient group). We used stepwise linear regression analyses to determine the variables most strongly correlated with brain shrinkage.

Results:  Patients with alcohol dependence had lower BV, and greater brain shrinkage as measured by gray matter ratio (GMR), white matter ratio (WMR), brain ratio (BR), and higher cerebrospinal fluid ratio ratio (CSFR) compared with their healthy counterparts. Age and sex were significantly correlated with some BV measurements in both patient and control groups. Body mass index (BMI) was significantly correlated with CSFR, BR, GMR, and WMR; Hct with CSFR and BR; serum GGT level with BV, CSFR, BR, GMR, and WMF in the patient group. No biological variables were correlated with BV indices in the control group. In gender‐stratified analysis, age was significantly correlated with brain shrinkage in male patients but not in female patients. Serum GGT level in male and female patients, Hct in male patients, and AST levels in female patients were significantly correlated with brain shrinkage.

Conclusions:  Our results showed that the higher levels of liver function indices, especially GGT, correlated with BV shrinkage as measured using CSFR, BR, GMR, and WMR in patients with alcohol dependence but not in controls. Serum GGT level outweighed aging effect on brain shrinkage in female patients.
Codemeshing in Academic Writing: Identifying Teachable Strategies of Translanguaging
Authors: CANAGARAJAH SURESH
Published: October 2011

Studies on translanguaging of multilingual students have turned their attention to teachable strategies in classrooms. This study is based on the assumption that it is possible to learn from students’ translanguaging strategies while developing their proficiency through a dialogical pedagogy. Based on a classroom ethnography, this article describes the translanguaging strategies of a Saudi Arabian undergraduate student in her essay writing. Her strategies are classified through thematic coding of multiple forms of data: drafts of essay, journals, classroom assignments, peer review, stimulated recall, and member check. The strategies are of 4 types: recontextualization strategies, voice strategies, interactional strategies, and textualization strategies. The study describes how the feedback of the instructor and peers can help students question their choices, think critically about diverse options, assess the effectiveness of their choices, and develop metacognitive awareness.
Bottom of the Pyramid as a Source of Breakthrough Innovations
Authors: Prahalad C. K.
Published: October 2011

In this paper, I identify the bottom of the pyramid (BOP) markets as a new source of radical innovation. By focusing managerial attention on creating awareness, access, affordability, and availability (4As), managers can create an exciting environment for innovation. I suggest that external constraints can be utilized to build an innovation sandbox within which new products and business models can be created. Using a live example of such an innovation—the development of the biomass stove for the rural poor in India—I illustrate the process and the usefulness of the approach. Increasingly, global firms are recognizing the implications of innovations at the BOP for developed markets as well.
Enhancing New Product Adoption at the Base of the Pyramid: A Contextualized Model
Authors: Nakata Cheryl , Weidner Kelly
Published: October 2011

Companies are recognizing and pursuing the opportunity to serve the market known as the base of the pyramid (BOP), i.e., consumers who live in poverty in developing countries. The BOP constitutes the largest remaining global market frontier for businesses. Until recently, it has been ignored because of its seeming unattractiveness and insurmountable challenges compared with middle‐ and high‐income markets. However, BOP consumers desire and are able to pay for quality products tailored to their needs. In response, firms are developing new products specific to the demands and conditions of this low‐income population. To innovate effectively, ensuring new products are well received, firms need to know how to enhance new product adoption among these consumers despite the barriers of poverty. We address this need by developing a model of adoption contextualized to the BOP. Based on theories of innovation and poverty, and drawing on the emergent subsistence market literature, we propose that certain new product characteristics, social context dynamics, and marketing environment approaches moderate or counter some of the limits of poverty, making adoption possible. We then discuss the managerial and theoretical implications of our model for innovation practitioners and researchers.
Managerial Ties and Firm Innovation: Is Knowledge Creation a Missing Link?
Authors: Shu Chengli , Page Albert L. , Gao Shanxing , Jiang Xu
Published: October 2011

Managerial ties, the personal networks of senior managers, have been found to be facilitators of firm performance because of their network benefits. However, social network theory suggests that managerial ties only play a “conduit” role by providing possibilities and opportunities to approach external resources. How can firms turn these possibilities and opportunities into internal knowledge assets and further transform them into firm innovation? Extant research constructs a direct mechanism for the managerial ties–firm innovation link. The research reported here, however, provides and investigates an indirect ties‐innovation argument where organizational knowledge creation processes, including knowledge exchange and knowledge combination, are mediators. And managerial ties are examined through two traditional dimensions, business ties and political ties. This study employs empirical data from 270 firms inChina and uses structural equation modeling techniques to reveal interesting findings. First, the results support the key argument that the influence of managerial ties on firm innovation is indirect. Second, knowledge exchange and knowledge combination are different constructs and the former positively influences the latter. More interestingly, business ties can exert a significant direct impact on both knowledge exchange and knowledge combination, while political ties can only influence knowledge exchange directly. Although both knowledge exchange and knowledge combination impact product innovation directly, only knowledge combination can directly influence process innovation. These findings indicate that the role of political ties is declining, but business ties still have substantial influence on firm innovation in transitionalChina. Different processes of organizational knowledge creation, such as knowledge exchange and knowledge combination, make distinct contributions to firm innovation. Product innovation, as opposed to process innovation, is more externally oriented and needs more organizational level knowledge creation activities.

This article extends the understanding of the ties–innovation link, organizational knowledge creation theory, and firm innovation in a transitional economy by providing a more complete understanding of how firms can access and internalize external resources and then transform them into product innovation and process innovation.
The Intersection of Redistricting, Race, and Participation
Authors: Hayes Danny , McKee Seth C.
Published: October 2011

The drawing of congressional district lines can significantly reduce political participation in U.S. House elections, according to recent work. But such studies have failed to explain which citizens’ voting rates are most susceptible to the dislocating effects of redistricting and whether the findings are generalizable to a variety of political contexts. Building on this nascent literature and work on black political participation, we show that redistricting's negative effects on participation—measured by voter roll‐off in U.S. House elections—are generally strongest among African Americans, but that black voters can be mobilized when they are redrawn into a black representative's congressional district. Our findings, based on data from 11 postredistricting elections in five states from 1992 through 2006, both expand the empirical scope of previous work and suggest that redistricting plays a previously hidden role in affecting black participation in congressional contests.
Work Pressure and Patient Flow Management in the Emergency Department: Findings From an Ethnographic Study
Authors: Nugus Peter , Holdgate Anna , Fry Margaret , Forero Roberto , McCarthy Sally , Braithwaite Jeffrey
Published: October 2011

Academic Emergency Medicine 2011; 18:1045–1052 © 2011 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Objectives:  In this hypothesis‐generating study, we observe, identify, and analyze how emergency clinicians seek to manage work pressure to maximize patient flow in an environment characterized by delayed patient admissions (access block) and emergency department (ED) crowding.

Methods:  An ethnographic approach was used, which involved direct observation of on‐the‐ground behaviors, when and where they happened. More than 1,600 hours over a 12‐month period were spent observing approximately 4,500 interactions across approximately 260 emergency physicians and nurses, emergency clinicians, and clinicians from other hospital departments. The authors content analyzed and thematically analyzed more than 800 pages of field notes to identify indicators of and responses to pressure in the day‐to‐day ED work environment.

Results:  In response to the inability to control inflow, and the reactions of inpatient departments to whom patients might be transferred, emergency clinicians: reconciled urgency and acuity of conditions; negotiated and determined patients’ admission–discharge status early in their trajectories; pursued predetermined but coevolving pathways in response to micro‐ and macroflow problems; and exercised flexibility to reduce work pressure by managing scarce time and space in the ED.

Conclusions:  To redress the linearity of most literature on patient flow, this study adopts a systems perspective and ethnographic methods to bring to light the dynamic role that individuals play, interacting with their work contexts, to maintain patient flow. The study provides an empirical foundation, uniquely discernible through qualitative research, about aspects of ED work that previously have been the subject only of discussion or commentary articles. This study provides empirical documentation of the moment‐to‐moment responses of emergency clinicians to work pressure brought about by factors outside much of their control, establishing the relationship between patient flow and work pressure. We conceptualize the ED as a dynamic system, combining socioprofessional influences to reduce and control work pressure in the ED. Interventions in education, practice, policy, and organizational performance evaluations will be supported by this systematic documentation of the complexity of emergency clinical work. Future research involves testing the five findings using systems dynamic modeling techniques.
The plaque protein myozap identified as a novel major component of adhering junctions in endothelia of the blood and the lymph vascular systems
Authors: Pieperhoff Sebastian , Rickelt Steffen , Heid Hans , Claycomb William C. , Zimbelmann Ralf , Kuhn Caecilia , Winter‐Simanowski Stefanie , Kuhn Christian , Frey Norbert , Franke Werner W.
Published: October 2011

Recently the protein myozap, a 54‐kD polypeptide which is not a member of any of the known cytoskeletal and junctional protein multigene families, has been identified as a constituent of the plaques of the composite junctions in the intercalated disks connecting the cardiomyocytes of mammalian hearts. Using a set of novel, highly sensitive and specific antibodies we now report that myozap is also a major constituent of the cytoplasmic plaques of the adherens junctions (AJs) connecting the endothelial cells of the mammalian blood and lymph vascular systems, including the desmoplakin‐containing complexus adhaerentes of the virgultar cells of lymph node sinus. In light and electron microscopic immunolocalization experiments we show that myozap colocalizes with several proteins of desmosomal plaques as well as with AJ‐specific transmembrane molecules, including VE‐cadherin. In biochemical analyses, rigorous immunoprecipitation experiments have revealed N‐cadherin, desmoplakin, desmoglein‐2, plakophilin‐2, plakoglobin and plectin as very stably bound complex partners. We conclude that myozap is a general component of cell–cell junctions not only in the myocardium but also in diverse endothelia of the blood and lymph vascular systems of adult mammals, suggesting that this protein not only serves a specific role in the heart but also a broader set of functions in the vessel systems. We also propose to use myozap as an endothelial cell type marker in diagnoses.
Christian monasticism on the eve of Islam: Kilwa (Saudi Arabia) — new evidence
Authors: Farès Saba
Published: October 2011

Little knowledge and understanding of Kilwa has been acquired since its discovery in the 1930s. Headed by Saba Farès, research began in 2008 which would provide more thorough documentation of the site through an architectural study of the buildings and excavations and by examining the archaeology and epigraphy of the region. A re‐examination of Arabic inscriptions engraved on the lintel of a cell has enabled us to decipher a text containing the name of the community that originally lived in Kilwa, providing us with details of their origins. The text in question enables us to understand the architectural similarity between the Kilwa buildings and those in southern Syria and northern Jordan. After two seasons of excavation, it is now certain that the Kilwa site was a monastery. The presence of a large number of crosses on the lintels of the cells confirms the Christian faith of the inhabitants.
Recent epigraphic evidence from the excavations at Al‐ʿUla reveals a new king of Dadān
Authors: Al‐Said Said F.
Published: October 2011

A new Dadanitic inscription was recently discovered during archaeological excavations near the temple of the oasis city of Dadān, located in north‐west Saudi Arabia. This inscription deals with a Dadanite king, who offers a dedication to a deity of Dadān. This deity appears for the first time and has never been mentioned in early Arabic literature. The dedicated stone shows representations of several animals and a palm tree illustrating Dadān’s religious symbols during the second half of the first millennium BC.
Transversal maxillary dento‐alveolar changes in patients treated with active and passive self‐ligating brackets: a randomized clinical trial using CBCT‐scans and digital models
Authors: Cattaneo PM , Treccani M , Carlsson K , Thorgeirsson T , Myrda A , Cevidanes LHS , Melsen B
Published: October 2011

To cite this article:
 Cattaneo PM, Treccani M, Carlsson K, Thorgeirsson T, Myrda A, Cevidanes LHS, Melsen B: Transversal maxillary dento‐alveolar changes in patients treated with active and passive self‐ligating brackets: a randomized clinical trial using CBCT‐scans and digital models Orthod Craniofac Res 2011;14:222–233

Structured Abstract

Authors –  Cattaneo PM, Treccani M, Carlsson K, Thorgeirsson T, Myrda A, Cevidanes LHS, Melsen B

Objective –  To assess transversal tooth movements and buccal bone modeling of maxillary lateral segments achieved with active or passive self‐ligating bracket systems in a randomized clinical trial.

Materials and Methods –  Sixty‐four patients, with Class I, II, and mild Class III malocclusions, were randomly assigned to treatment with passive (Damon 3 MX) or active (In‐Ovation R) SLBs. Impressions and cone‐beam CT‐scans were taken before (T0) and after treatment (T1). Displacement of maxillary canines, premolars and molars, and buccal alveolar bone modeling were blindly assessed.

Results –  Twenty‐one patients in the Damon and 20 in the In‐Ovation group completed treatment according to the prescribed protocol. Eight Damon and 10 In‐Ovation patients were excluded as the treatment approach had to be changed because of deviation from the recommended initial plan, while three Damon and two In‐Ovation patients did not complete the treatment. Transversal expansion of the upper arch was achieved by buccal tipping in all but one patient in each group. No statistical significant difference in inter‐premolar bucco‐lingual inclination was found between the two groups from T0 to T1. The bone area buccal to the 2nd premolar decreased on average of 20% in the Damon and 14% in the In‐Ovation group. Only few patients exhibited widening of the alveolar process.

Conclusion –  The anticipated translation and buccal bone modeling using active or passive SLBs could not be confirmed. Because of the large interindividual variation, a patient‐specific analysis seems to be mandatory as individual factors like pre‐treatment teeth inclination and occlusion influenced the treatment outcome of the individual patients.
Effect of cyclosporine‐A on orthodontic tooth movement in rats
Authors: Chen RY , Fu MM , Chih YK , Gau CH , Chiang CY , Nieh S , Hsieh YD , Fu E
Published: October 2011

To cite this article:
 Chen RY, Fu MM, Chih YK, Gau CH, Chiang CY, Nieh S, Hsieh YD, Fu E: Effect of cyclosporine‐A on orthodontic tooth movement in rats Orthod Craniofac Res 2011;14:234–242

Structured Abstract

Authors –  Chen RY, Fu MM, Chih YK, Gau CH, Chiang CY, Nieh S, Hsieh YD, Fu E

Objective –  The objective of this study is to examine the effect of cyclosporine‐A (CsA) on the rate of orthodontic tooth movement in rats.

Setting and Sample Population –  This is a randomized controlled trial with a split‐mouth design in Sprague–Dawley rats.

Material and Methods –  Eighteen rats, divided at random in two groups, were fed with 8 mg/kg CsA (experiment) or mineral oil (control) daily after initial healing of bilateral maxillary second molar removal. All rats received orthodontic coil springs (10 cN) secured to the maxillary incisors and first molars at the rights side, while no springs were placed at the left. Distances between first and third molars were measured on days 0, 3, 6, and 12. After sacrificing on day 12, the alveolar ridges of the maxillae were sectioned and blood samples were collected for serum tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)‐5b level detection and for histology, respectively.

Results –  Significantly larger changes in intermolar distances were found after orthodontic force application in the CsA group at days 3 and 12 when compared with the control group. The inter‐radicular dental alveolus of CSA‐fed rats was osteopenic. Significantly increased TRAP‐5b serum level was noted in the CsA group when compared with the control group.

Conclusions –  We suggest that CsA enhanced the rate of orthodontic tooth movement. The osteopenia and the increased osteoclastic activity could be the underlying factors.