bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Poverty in Global Perspective: Is Shame a Common Denominator?
Authors: WALKER ROBERT , KYOMUHENDO GRACE BANTEBYA , CHASE ELAINE , CHOUDHRY SOHAIL , GUBRIUM ERIKA K. , NICOLA JO YONGMIE , LØDEMEL IVAR , MATHEW LEEMAMOL , MWIINE AMON , PELLISSERY SONY , MING YAN
Published: January 2013

Focussing on the psychosocial dimensions of poverty, the contention that shame lies at the ‘irreducible absolutist core’ of the idea of poverty is examined through qualitative research with adults and children experiencing poverty in diverse settings in seven countries: rural Uganda and India; urban China; Pakistan; South Korea and United Kingdom; and small town and urban Norway. Accounts of the lived experience of poverty were found to be very similar, despite massive disparities in material circumstances associated with locally defined poverty lines, suggesting that relative notions of poverty are an appropriate basis for international comparisons. Though socially and culturally nuanced, shame was found to be associated with poverty in each location, variably leading to pretence, withdrawal, self-loathing, ‘othering’, despair, depression, thoughts of suicide and generally to reductions in personal efficacy. While internally felt, poverty-related shame was equally imposed by the attitudes and behaviour of those not in poverty, framed by public discourse and influenced by the objectives and implementation of anti-poverty policy. The evidence appears to confirm the negative consequences of shame, implicates it as a factor in increasing the persistence of poverty and suggests important implications for the framing, design and delivery of anti-poverty policies.
A bilingual–monolingual comparison of young children's vocabulary size: Evidence from comprehension and production
Authors: DE HOUWER ANNICK , BORNSTEIN MARC H. , PUTNICK DIANE L.
Published: January 2013

It is often assumed that young bilinguals are lexically delayed in comparison to monolinguals. A comprehensive comparison of comprehension and production vocabulary in 31 firstborn bilingual and 30 matched monolingual children fails to find empirical foundation for this assumption. Several raters completed Dutch and French adaptations of the MacArthur Communicative Development Inventories for children aged 13 and 20 months. At 13 months, bilinguals understood more words than did monolinguals; at 20 months, monolinguals knew more Dutch words than did bilinguals (combining comprehension and production). There were no group differences for word production or for Dutch word comprehension. Both groups understood and produced the same number of lexicalized meanings; ratios of word comprehension to word production did not differ; interindividual variation was similar. This study underscores the importance of conducting bilingual–monolingual comparisons with matched groups and suggests that if individual bilingual children appear to be slow in early vocabulary development, reasons other than their bilingualism should be investigated.
Distribution, habitat and status of the new species Nonggang Babbler Stachyris nonggangensis
Authors: ZHAOTIAN LI , FANG ZHOU , ZHOU LU , AIWU JIANG , GANG YANG , CHENXING YU
Published: January 2013

The Nonggang Babbler Stachyris nonggangensisis a new species of Timaliidae which was discovered in the Sino-Vietnamese border region in 2008. The species was initially classified as “Near Threatened” on the IUCN Red List and was believed to occur only in Nonggang Nature Reserve, where the type specimen was collected and where c.200 individuals were recorded. These few observations, and suggestions of a declining population, prompted us to initiate an extensive survey over the whole potential distribution range of this species in China from June 2009 to May 2011, during both dry and wet seasons. We conducted the survey in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Yunnan Province and selected 19 reserves and forest areas where similar habitat to that in the Nonggang Reserve is known to occur. We used transects combined with playback to survey for this species. Nonggang Babbler was recorded at four new sites in the Sino-Vietnamese border region: two areas of the Nonggang Reserve (Nonggang and Longhu), Bangliang Gibbon Nature Reserve and Chunxiu Nature Reserve. The estimated population size of Nonggang Babbler was about 1,300 individuals in the four sites. Nonggang Babbler is also assumed to occur in the Trung Khanh Gibbon Reserve of Vietnam which adjoins Bangliang Gibbon Reserve. The estimated population in Trung Khanh is c.200 individuals. In total we estimate that the global population size of Nonggang Babbler is c.1,500 individuals. The Nonggang Babbler is restricted to karst forests, and its activities, foraging and nesting strictly rely on this habitat. Habitat loss and fragmentation are the main threats.
ALG-2-interacting Tubby-like protein superfamily member PLSCR3 is secreted by an exosomal pathway and taken up by recipient cultured cells
Authors: Inuzuka Tatsutoshi , Inokawa Akira , Chen Cen , Kizu Kumiko , Narita Hiroshi , Shibata Hideki , Maki Masatoshi
Published: January 2013

PLSCRs (phospholipid scramblases) are palmitoylated membrane-associating proteins. Regardless of the given names, their physiological functions are not clear and thought to be unrelated to phospholipid scrambling activities observed in vitro. Using a previously established cell line of HEK-293 (human embryonic kidney-293) cells constitutively expressing human Scr3 (PLSCR3) that interacts with ALG-2 (apoptosis-linked gene 2) Ca2+-dependently, we found that Scr3 was secreted into the culture medium. Secretion of Scr3 was suppressed by 2-BP (2-bromopalmitate, a palmitoylation inhibitor) and by GW4869 (an inhibitor of ceramide synthesis). Secreted Scr3 was recovered in exosomal fractions by sucrose density gradient centrifugation. Palmitoylation sites and the N-terminal Pro-rich region were necessary for efficient secretion, but ABSs (ALG-2-binding sites) were dispensable. Overexpression of GFP (green fluorescent protein)-fused VPS4BE235Q, a dominant negative mutant of an AAA (ATPase associated with various cellular activities) ATPase with a defect in disassembling ESCRT (endosomal sorting complex required for transport)-III subunits, significantly reduced secretion of Scr3. Immunofluorescence microscopic analyses showed that Scr3 was largely localized to enlarged endosomes induced by overexpression of a GFP-fused constitutive active mutant of Rab5A (GFP–Rab5AQ79L). Secreted Scr3 was taken up by HeLa cells, suggesting that Scr3 functions as a cell-to-cell transferable modulator carried by exosomes in a paracrine manner.
Clients' experience of therapy and its outcomes in ‘good’ and ‘poor’ outcome psychological therapy in a primary care setting: An exploratory study
Authors: McElvaney James , Timulak Ladislav
Published: January 2013

Aim: The qualitative experience of clients judged by quantitative measures as having ‘good’ or ‘poor’ outcome is not often the focus of outcome research. This exploratory study investigates client experience of psychological therapy in an inner‐city primary care centre across two client groups, differentiated on the basis of their outcome scores on quantitative measures. Method: Clients (N=11) were allocated to one of two research groups, (a) good outcome (n=5), or (b) poor outcome (n=6) on the basis of their pre‐ and post‐therapy outcome scores on the Clinical Outcome in Routine Evaluation‐Outcome Measure (CORE‐OM). They participated in a face‐to‐face semi‐structured interview. Data were recorded and analysed using a descriptive and interpretive qualitative method. Results: Both groups had broadly similar experiences of their current therapy although some differences in emphasis emerged. Good outcome clients described a greater sense of empowerment in therapy, commenting on a feeling of equality with their therapist and exhibiting greater autonomy overall. Poor outcome clients valued therapist support and while reporting increased awareness of problematic functioning described a reluctance to engage fully in the therapeutic process. Conclusion: There was very little difference in the qualitative accounts of therapy and its impact by the clients deemed by quantitative pre‐post therapy measurement as either ‘good outcome’ or ‘poor outcome’. There is further research warranted, examining whether clients that seem to benefit from therapy according to standard pre‐post measurement, experience therapy and its impact differently to clients whose pre‐post results suggest that therapy did not work.
Nb Tubes for Seamless SRF Cavities
Authors: Balachandran S , Elwell R , Kang D , Barber R , Bieler T , Hartwig K
Published: January 2013

Fabrication of niobium (Nb) superconducting radio frequency cavities by hydroforming is desirable because of production economy and mitigation of defects. Favorable material characteristics for hydroforming include: (a) good ductility, (b) sufficient strain hardening, and (c) microstructural homogeneity. Seamless Nb cavities are attractive because they do not contain welds. Welds can act as performance inhibitors due to defects, local chemistry changes, pits, etc. The objective of the work reported is to provide a cost-effective processing strategy involving severe plastic deformation and thermo-mechanical processing to produce uniform fine grain Nb microstructures in seamless RRR Nb tubes. An example of a successful implementation of the process is presented, which provides a fine grain size and possible texture control involving different strengths of 〈111 〉/〈100〉 component in the hoop direction. A fine grain size and suitable texture should lead to less deformation heterogeneity, better surface properties, and a lower tube failure rate from hydroforming.
Mediating free glucocorticoid levels in the blood of vertebrates: are corticosteroid‐binding proteins always necessary?
Authors: Desantis Lanna M. , Delehanty Brendan , Weir Jason T. , Boonstra Rudy
Published: January 2013

Glucocorticoids (GC) are integral to the stress response of vertebrates to environmental challenges. Their impact is immediate and widespread, and prolonged exposure can result in major activational and organizational changes. The vertebrate body has two mechanisms to limit GC impact: first, a rapid negative feedback system to turn off their release, and second, a protein – corticosteroid‐binding globulin (CBG) – to prevent them being free in the blood. Species used in biomedical research have CBG levels that normally bind 90–95% of blood GC. This evidence was the basis for the ‘Free Hormone Hypothesis,’ which posits that only unbound, free hormone is available for use by tissues and is biologically active. High levels of free GC typically occur only under conditions of chronic stress and are associated with major suppression of key body functions. The hypothesis proposes that the primary role of CBG is to render GCs unavailable, thereby preventing tissue exposure.

From a field study in southern Ontario on northern (Glaucomys sabrinus) and southern (Glaucomys volans) flying squirrels, we found virtually no CBG binding capacity in their plasma, resulting in only about 10% of cortisol being bound throughout the year. However, neither species showed any evidence of being physiologically compromised. This presents a major challenge to the potential consequences of chronically high levels of free GC.

To assess the generality of this finding, we carried out a phylogenetic comparison of 91 vertebrate species in which both GC and CBG levels were measured. In 93%, CBG levels were sufficient to bind about 90% of circulating GCs. This evidence is thus concordant with that from biomedical research. However, both flying squirrel species and four species of New World monkeys were extreme outliers. These two groups had the highest GC concentrations, but relatively little binding capacity (10% or less of their GC was bound).

An ancestor state reconstruction of the proportion of GCs bound indicated that the flying squirrels and New World monkeys evolved this character state from ancestors that followed the common 90% bound pattern. It also indicated that the original vertebrates – the earliest fishes – have most of their GC in the free state and little or no steroid‐binding protein.

We thus demonstrate a dichotomous pattern with respect to CBG: a dominant branch, where high levels of CBG bind most of the GC, applies to the majority of vertebrates; and a secondary branch, where low levels of CBG bind almost none of the GC, applies to a very small subset. For the latter, the critical unknown is how these species mitigate the impact of the high free GC levels and how such a dramatic trait shift could evolve.
Specific jarosite biomineralization by Purpureocillium lilacinum, an acidophilic fungi isolated from Río Tinto
Authors: Oggerin M. , Tornos F. , Rodríguez N. , del Moral C. , Sánchez‐Román M. , Amils R.
Published: January 2013

Río Tinto (Huelva, southwestern Spain) is an extreme environment with a remarkably constant acidic pH and a high concentration of heavy metals, conditions generated by the metabolic activity of chemolithotrophic microorganisms thriving in the rich complex sulfides of the Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB). Fungal strains isolated from the Tinto basin were characterized morphologically and phylogenetically. The strain identified as Purpureocillium lilacinum specifically induced the formation of a yellow‐ocher precipitate, identified as hydronium‐jarosite, an iron sulfate mineral which appears in abundance on the banks of Río Tinto. The biomineral was characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and its formation was observed with high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled to energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX) microanalysis. Jarosite began to nucleate on the fungal cell wall, associated to the EPS, due to a local increase in the Fe3+/Fe2+ ratio which generated supersaturation. Its formation has been also observed in non‐viable cells, although with much less efficiency. The occurrence of P. lilacinum in an ecosystem with high concentrations of ferric iron and sulfates such as Río Tinto suggests that it could participate in the process of jarosite precipitation, helping to shape and control the geochemical properties of this environment.
BLOG 2.0: a software system for character‐based species classification with DNA Barcode sequences. What it does, how to use it
Authors: Weitschek Emanuel , Van Velzen Robin , Felici Giovanni , Bertolazzi Paola
Published: January 2013

BLOG (Barcoding with LOGic) is a diagnostic and character‐based DNA Barcode analysis method. Its aim is to classify specimens to species based on DNA Barcode sequences and on a supervised machine learning approach, using classification rules that compactly characterize species in terms of DNA Barcode locations of key diagnostic nucleotides. The BLOG 2.0 software, its fundamental modules, online/offline user interfaces and recent improvements are described. These improvements affect both methodology and software design, and lead to the availability of different releases on the website http://dmb.iasi.cnr.it/blog-downloads.php. Previous and new experimental tests show that BLOG 2.0 outperforms previous versions as well as other DNA Barcode analysis methods.
The healing of dental extraction sockets in patients with Type 2 diabetes on oral hypoglycaemics: a prospective cohort
Authors: Huang S , Dang H , Huynh W , Sambrook PJ , Goss AN
Published: January 2013

Background

The aim of this study was to determine whether there is a difference in delayed healing following dental extractions for Type 2 diabetics on oral hypoglycaemics and non‐diabetic patients.

Methods

Prospective patients referred for dental extractions were recruited into two groups: known diabetics and non‐diabetics with no conditions associated with poor healing. All had a random blood glucose level (BGL). Extractions were performed using local anaesthesia. Delayed healing cases were identified and statistical evaluation performed to identify risk factors.

Results

There were 224 Type 2 diabetics on oral hypoglycaemics (BGL 7.51, range 4.1–17.4) and 232 non‐diabetics. The diabetic group were older, more males and less smokers than the control group. Twenty‐eight patients, 12 (5%) diabetic and 16 (7%) control group, had socket healing delayed for more than one week but all healed in four weeks. There were no statistical differences between delayed healing and age, gender, diabetic state, BGL or smoking. The younger control group had more healing problems.

Conclusions

The traditional view that diabetics have increased delayed healing was not supported. Type 2 diabetics on oral hypoglycaemics should be treated the same as non‐diabetic patients for extractions.
Effect of fatigue on laparoscopic skills: a comparative historical cohort study
Authors: Daruwalla Jurstine , Marlow Nicholas , Field John , Altree Meryl , Babidge Wendy , Hewett Peter , Maddern Guy J.
Published: January 2013

Background

Fatigue has been shown to have a negative impact on surgical performance. However, there is a lack of research investigating its effect on laparoscopy, particularly in Australia. This study investigated whether fatigue associated with a surgeon's usual workday led to a measurable drop off in laparoscopic surgical skills as assessed on a laparoscopic simulator.

Methods

A comparative study involving two cohorts was undertaken: a study group whose data were collected prospectively was compared to a historical control group. Participants were required to reach a predetermined level of proficiency in each laparoscopic task on either a FLS or LapSim simulator. The participants in the study cohort were re‐tested approximately 1 month after completing 10 h of work. The participants in the historical non‐fatigued group were re‐tested approximately 1 month after reaching proficiency. Comparisons between cohorts were made using a ‘decrease in score per day elapsed’ value to account for the natural attrition in skills over time and the variability in testing times within and between the two cohorts.

Results

The decrease in overall score per day elapsed for fatigued participants was significantly greater than for historical non‐fatigued participants, irrespective of the simulator type. Fatigue had a greater impact on certain laparoscopic skills, including peg transfer and knot tying. Participants who self‐reported higher level of fatigue demonstrated significantly better skills than those who self‐reported lower levels.

Conclusion

Overall laparoscopic skill proficiency was reduced in the fatigued participants compared to the historical non‐fatigued participants, with certain laparoscopic skills more affected than others.
Functional and pharmacological consequences of the distribution of voltage‐gated calcium channels inthe renal blood vessels
Authors: Hansen P. B. L.
Published: January 2013

Calcium channel blockers are widely used to treat hypertension because they inhibit voltage‐gated calcium channels that mediate transmembrane calcium influx in, for example, vascular smooth muscle and cardiomyocytes. The calcium channel family consists of several subfamilies, of which the L‐type is usually associated with vascular contractility. However, the L‐, T‐ and P‐/Q‐types of calcium channels are present in the renal vasculature and are differentially involved in controlling vascular contractility, thereby contributing to regulation of kidney function and blood pressure. In the preglomerular vascular bed, all the three channel families are present. However, the T‐type channel is the only channel in cortical efferent arterioles which is in contrast to the juxtamedullary efferent arteriole, and that leads to diverse functional effects of L‐ and T‐type channel inhibition. Furthermore, by different mechanisms, T‐type channels may contribute to both constriction and dilation of the arterioles. Finally, P‐/Q‐type channels are involved in the regulation of human intrarenal arterial contractility. The calcium blockers used in the clinic affect not only L‐type but also P‐/Q‐ and T‐type channels. Therefore, the distinct effect obtained by inhibiting a given subtype or set of channels under experimental settings should be considered when choosing a calcium blocker for treatment. T‐type channels seem to be crucial for regulating the GFR and the filtration fraction. Use of blockers is expected to lead to preferential efferent vasodilation, reduction of glomerular pressure and proteinuria. Therefore, renovascular T‐type channels might provide novel therapeutic targets, and may have superior renoprotective effects compared to conventional calcium blockers.
Prognosis of diabetic gastroparesis—a 25‐year evaluation
Authors: Chang J. , Rayner C. K. , Jones K. L. , Horowitz M.
Published: January 2013

Aim

To evaluate the prognosis of diabetic gastroparesis.

Methods

Eighty‐six patients with diabetes had measurements of gastric emptying of a mixed meal using a dual isotope test of solid and liquid meal components, mean blood glucose levels, HbA1c, upper gastrointestinal symptoms and autonomic nerve function performed in 1984–1989. These patients were followed up in 2011, after a mean period of ~25 years.

Results

Of the 86 patients, gastric emptying of solid (the percentage remaining in the stomach at 100 min) was delayed in 35 (41%), and of liquid (the time taken for 50% of the liquid to empty) was delayed in 38 (44%). In 2011, 53 patients were known to be alive, 29 had died and four were lost to follow‐up. In those who had died, both age at baseline (P < 0.001) and the score for autonomic nerve dysfunction (P < 0.001) were greater than those who were alive, while there was no difference in emptying of either the solid or liquid between the two groups. When patients with delayed gastric emptying were divided according to the median value (‘delayed’ and ‘markedly delayed’), mortality tended to be greater in the ‘markedly delayed’ group for both solids (P = 0.12) and liquids (P = 0.09). Of the 82 patients who could be followed up, 23 of the 35 (66%) with delayed gastric emptying of solid and 25 of 38 (66%) with delayed gastric emptying of liquid were alive. After adjustment for age and autonomic dysfunction, there was no association between gastric emptying of either solid or liquid and death.

Conclusions

Over a period of ~25 years, diabetic gastroparesis is apparently not usually associated with a poor prognosis, or increased mortality.

Abbreviations: T100 min, the percentage remaining in the stomach at 100 mins; T50%, the time taken for 50% of the liquid to empty
The problem of pattern and scale in ecology: what have we learned in 20 years?
Authors: Chave Jérôme
Published: January 2013

Over the past 20 years, major advances have clarified how ecological patterns inform theory, and how in turn theory informs applied ecology. Also, there has been an increased recognition that the problem of scale at which ecological processes should be considered is critical if we are to produce general predictions. Ecological dynamics is always stochastic at small scales, but variability is conditional on the scale of description. The radical changes in the scope and aims of ecology over the past decades reflect in part the need to address pressing societal issues of environmental change. Technological advances in molecular biology, global positioning, sensing instrumentation and computational power should not be overlooked as an explanation for these radical changes. However, I argue that conceptual unification across ecology, genetics, evolution and physiology has fostered even more fertile questions. We are moving away from the view that evolution is played in a fixed ecological theatre: the theatre is being rapidly and relentlessly redesigned by the players themselves. The maintenance of ecosystem functions depends on shifts in species assemblages and on cellular metabolism, not only on flows of energy and matter. These findings have far reaching implications for our understanding of how ecosystem function and biodiversity will withstand (or not) environmental changes in the 21st century.
Triggers of migraine and tension‐type headache in China: a clinic‐based survey
Authors: Wang J. , Huang Q. , Li N. , Tan G. , Chen L. , Zhou J.
Published: January 2013

Background and purpose

Identification of the trigger factors of headache could be an important aspect of preventive management, but the characteristics of primary headache triggers in China are unknown. This study was performed to estimate the frequencies of the putative headache triggers, which are endorsed by patients with migraine and tension‐type headache (TTH).

Methods

From July 2011 to December 2011, a cross‐sectional survey was conducted in the neurological clinic of a tertiary care hospital in Chongqing. All consecutive patients with the chief complaint of headache were interviewed by a board‐certified headache specialist. The diagnoses were made according to International Classification of Headache Disorders – 2nd edition. Patients with migraine and TTH were recruited.

Results

The number of investigated patients was 1219, of whom 394 were migraine and 344 were TTH; and 80.2% migraineurs and 67.4% TTH patients reported trigger factors. The most common triggers for both migraine and TTH were sleep disturbance, negative affect and sunlight. Menstrual cycle (OR 3.6, 95%CI 1.2, 11.2), change of the weather (OR 3.1, 95%CI 1.9, 4.8), noise (OR 2.2, 95%CI 1.1, 4.4) and alcohol (OR 1.8, 95%CI 0.7, 1.8) were more associated with migraineurs. Negative affect was more associated with TTH (OR 2.0, 95%CI 1.3, 2.9).

Conclusions

Trigger factors were frequent among both migraine and TTH patients. Avoidance of all headache triggers is impractical. Learning to cope with triggers is important to headache prevention.
TAF4b and TAF4 differentially regulate mouse embryonic stem cells maintenance and proliferation
Authors: Bahat Anat , Kedmi Ranit , Gazit Kfir , Richardo‐Lax Inna , Ainbinder Elena , Dikstein Rivka
Published: January 2013

TAF4b is a cell type‐specific subunit of the general transcription factor TFIID. Here, we show that TAF4b is highly expressed in embryonic stem cells (ESC) and is down‐regulated upon differentiation. To examine the role of TAF4b in ESC, we applied a knockdown (KD) approach. TAF4b depletion is associated with morphological changes and reduced expression of the self‐renewal marker alkaline phosphatase. In contrast, KD of TAF4, a ubiquitously expressed TAF4b paralog, retained and even stabilized ESC stemness. Retinoic acid‐induced differentiation was facilitated in the absence of TAF4b but was significantly delayed by TAF4 KD. Furthermore, TAF4b supports, whereas TAF4 inhibits, ESC proliferation and cell cycle progression. We identified a subset of TAF4b target genes preferentially expressed in ESC and controlling the cell cycle. Among them are the germ cell‐specific transcription factor Sohlh2 and the protein kinase Yes1, which was recently shown to regulate ESC self‐renewal. Interestingly, Sohlh2 and Yes1 are also targets of the pluripotency factor Oct4, and their regulation by Oct4 is TAF4b‐dependent. Consistent with that, TAF4b but not TAF4 interacts with Oct4. Our findings suggest that TAF4b cooperates with Oct4 to regulate a subset of genes in ESC, whereas TAF4 is required for later embryonic developmental stages.
Well‐Being of Refugees from Burma: A Salutogenic Perspective
Authors: Borwick Summer , Schweitzer Robert D. , Brough Mark , Vromans Lyn , Shakespeare‐Finch Jane
Published: January 2013

A salutogenic approach explored themes of strength and well‐being in life stories of Burmese refugees (N = 18) in Australia. Previous refugee studies have tended to focus on negative responses to traumatic events (e.g. posttraumatic stress disorder, depression). To widen the scope of refugee related research the focus of the current study was informed by a salutogenic perspective, exploring sources of strength that may facilitate well‐being. Semi‐structured narrative interviews explored: the participant's life before fleeing Burma, the journey of exile, and post‐migration in Australia. Eight women and 10 men (Mage = 39 years) were interviewed and transcriptions analysis of narratives was conducted using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), with major themes being explicated. Super‐ordinate themes pertaining to strength during times of hardship were identified and explicated as: support from interpersonal relationships, the pivotal role of values, a sense of future and agency, and reliance on spiritual or religious beliefs. Results indicate the existence of sources of strength that may contribute to human responses in times of hardship. Recognition and reflection of strengths may be incorporated into therapeutic and resettlement approaches for people from refugee backgrounds.
Lactobacillus casei Zhang modulate cytokine and Toll‐like receptor expression and beneficially regulate poly I:C‐induced immune responses in RAW264.7 macrophages
Authors: Wang Yuzhen , Xie Jiming , Wang Na , Li Yunxu , Sun Xiaolin , Zhang Yong , Zhang Heping
Published: January 2013

Lactobacilli are frequently used as probiotics due to their beneficial effects on health. Lactobacillus casei Zhang (LcZ), which has favorable probiotic properties, was first isolated from koumiss. In this study, the immunomodulating effects of LcZ on cytokine and toll‐like receptor expression in RAW264.7 macrophages was assessed and it was found that live LcZ promotes production of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, interleukin (IL)‐6 and interferon (IFN)‐β. Transcription of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was also enhanced by viable LcZ. The immunostimulating effects of live LcZ are significantly attenuated in heat‐killed LcZ. Live LcZ promotes TLR2 mRNA transcription, whereas heat‐killed LcZ enhances transcription of TLR2, TLR3, TLR4 and TLR9. Furthermore, live LcZ significantly suppresses polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly I:C)‐stimulated NO, iNOS and TNF‐α expression while enhancing expression of IFN‐β. It was also found that poly I:C‐induced interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF‐3) reporter gene activity was significantly up‐regulated by live LcZ. These results suggest that LcZ keeps the innate immune system alert by increasing transcription of Toll‐like receptors and enhancing production of pro‐inflammatory mediators and type I IFN in macrophages. The synergistic effect of live LcZ with poly I:C on IFN‐β expression is associated with increased activity of IRF‐3. LcZ has the potential to be used as an adjuvant against viral infections.
Ego consciousness in the Japanese psyche: culture, myth and disaster
Authors: Yama Megumi
Published: January 2013

With globalization, modern Western consciousness has spread across the world. This influx has affected the Japanese culture but ego consciousness has emerged through a long history and different course from that of the West. At a personal level, I have been interested in the establishment of a subject in a culture that values homogeneity and to understand this, I reflect on my own history of living in both the East and the West and on my experience practising psychotherapy. To show Japanese collective functioning at its best, I describe the human inter‐connectedness and collaboration during the 2011 disaster. I explore the ‘Nothing’ at the centre of the Japanese psyche, through a reading of Japanese myth, especially the most originary and almost pre‐human stories that come before the anthropomorphized ‘First Parents’. A retelling of this founding story, reveals the multiple iterations over time that manifest in embodied being; this gradual emergence of consciousness is contrasted with Western myths of origin that are more clear and specific. This study attempts to bring awareness of the value and meaning of Eastern consciousness and its centre in the ‘Nothing’.
Trauma and the transference‐countertransference: working with the bad object and the wounded self
Authors: West Marcus
Published: January 2013

This paper focuses on the transference‐countertransference dynamics that manifest in work with those individuals who experienced severe early relational trauma and, in particular, childhood sexual abuse. The literature is surveyed from Davies and Frawley's (1992a) seminal paper through to more current trauma‐related and sensorimotor approaches, which deepen our understanding greatly. The rapidly shifting, powerful, conflicting and kaleidoscopic transference‐countertransference dynamics are explored in the light of these views and in relation to a lengthy clinical example. The author elucidates the dual‐aspect of the traumatic complex, whereby the abuser figure, which is disavowed by the patient, becomes manifest in prosecuting the analyst for the ‘wounds’ that the analysis evokes. The paper also explores the particular nature of the splitting processes, whereby pressure is put on the analyst to adopt an idealized role, in particular to act as a self‐object, in order to enable the patient to safely express and ‘be’ themselves in an attempt to make up for what was not possible in childhood; the analyst will necessarily fail in this task. In the context of powerful masochisto‐sadistic dynamics, the analyst's masochism is likely to be called up in the spirit of caring ‘humanity’ (another inevitable enactment), which can impede the progress of the analysis if not addressed. The extreme woundedness, intense affect and moral outrage associated with these dynamics are characteristic and compelling. Issues relating to disclosure, enactment and analytic attitude are also discussed.
Hydrography Change Detection: The Usefulness of Surface Channels Derived From LiDAR DEMs for Updating Mapped Hydrography1
Authors: Poppenga Sandra K. , Gesch Dean B. , Worstell Bruce B.
Published: January 2013

Abstract:  The 1:24,000‐scale high‐resolution National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) mapped hydrography flow lines require regular updating because land surface conditions that affect surface channel drainage change over time. Historically, NHD flow lines were created by digitizing surface water information from aerial photography and paper maps. Using these same methods to update nationwide NHD flow lines is costly and inefficient; furthermore, these methods result in hydrography that lacks the horizontal and vertical accuracy needed for fully integrated datasets useful for mapping and scientific investigations. Effective methods for improving mapped hydrography employ change detection analysis of surface channels derived from light detection and ranging (LiDAR) digital elevation models (DEMs) and NHD flow lines. In this article, we describe the usefulness of surface channels derived from LiDAR DEMs for hydrography change detection to derive spatially accurate and time‐relevant mapped hydrography. The methods employ analyses of horizontal and vertical differences between LiDAR‐derived surface channels and NHD flow lines to define candidate locations of hydrography change. These methods alleviate the need to analyze and update the nationwide NHD for time relevant hydrography, and provide an avenue for updating the dataset where change has occurred.
A c‐fos‐Monomeric Red Fluorescent Protein 1 Fusion Transgene is Differentially Expressed in Rat Forebrain and Brainstem after Chronic Dehydration and Rehydration
Authors: Yoshimura M. , Ohkubo J. , Katoh A. , Ohno M. , Ishikura T. , Kakuma T. , Yoshimatsu H. , Murphy D. , Ueta Y.
Published: January 2013

We have previously shown that an acute osmotic stimulation induces the expression of a c‐fos and monomeric red fluorescent protein 1 (mRFP1) fusion transgene in osmosensitive rat brain areas, including the supraoptic (SON) and paraventricular nuclei (PVN). However, the effects of chronic stimuli, such as dehydration, have not been investigated. In the present study, the expression patterns of the c‐fos‐mRFP1 fusion gene in the forebrain and the brainstem of male and female transgenic rats were studied in seven experimental groups: ad lib. water (euhydration), water deprivation for 12, 24 or 48 h (dehydration) and water deprivation for 46 h + ad lib. water for 2, 6 or 12 h (rehydration). The number of cells that express nuclear mRFP1 fluorescence was quantified in the hypothalamus, the circumventricular organs and the brainstem. Compared to the euhydrated state, the number of transgene expressing cells significantly increased in all forebrain areas and in the rostral ventrolateral medulla after dehydration and 2 h of rehydration. In the nucleus of the solitary tract and area postrema, the number of mRFP1 fluorescent cells was markedly increased after 2 h of rehydration. Although the number of mRFP1 fluorescent cells in the organum vasculosum laminae terminalis, median preoptic nucleus and subfornical organ remained significantly increased after 6 h of rehydration, reaching control levels after 12 h of rehydration, the number of mRFP1 fluorescent cells in the SON and the PVN reached control levels after 6 h of rehydration. There were no significant differences between male and female rats. These results show that the expression of the c‐fos‐mRFP1 fusion gene changes in the forebrain and the brainstem not only after acute osmotic stimulation, but also after chronic osmotic stimulation. Interestingly, these studies reveal the differential activation of different neuronal groups over the time course of dehydration and rehydration.
Endothelial Cells Actively Concentrate Insulin During its Transendothelial Transport
Authors: Genders Amanda J. , Frison Vera , Abramson Sarah R. , Barrett Eugene J.
Published: January 2013

Objective

We examined insulins uptake and transendothelial transport by endothelial cells in order to: (i) ascertain whether insulin accumulates within the cells to concentrations greater than in the media; (ii) compare trans endothelial insulin transport to that of inulin (using the latter as a tracer for passive transport or leaked); and; (iii) determine whether insulins transported depended on insulin action.

Methods

Using 125I‐insulin at physiologic concentrations we measured both the uptake and trans endothelial transport of insulin by bovine aortic endothelial cells and measured cell volume using tritiated 3‐O‐methylglucose.

Results

Bovine aortic endothelial cells accumulate insulin to > five‐fold above the media concentrations and the trans endothelial transport of insulin, but not inulin, is saturable and requires intact PI‐3‐kinase and MEK signaling.

Conclusion

The insulin receptor and downstream signaling from the receptor regulates endothelial insulin transport. Insulin is accumulated against a concentration gradient by the endothelial cell. We suggest that insulin uptake is rate limiting for insulin trans endothelial transport.
Effect of preoperative nursing visit on preoperative anxiety and postoperative complications in candidates for laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Sadati Leila , Pazouki Abdolreza , Mehdizadeh Abolfazl , Shoar Saeed , Tamannaie Zeinab , Chaichian Shahla
Published: January 2013

Background

Despite progress in surgery and anaesthesia techniques, anxiety remains an important problem that imposes tremendous barriers to postoperative recovery for surgery patients.

Aims

In this study, we investigated the effects of preoperative nursing visits on anxiety and postoperative complications in candidates for laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Methods

One hundred consecutive patients were randomly assigned into two equal groups of 50 patients each. Anxiety was evaluated in both groups using a translated and validated Spielberger State–Trait Anxiety Inventory. Patients in the control group received routine nursing care. Patients in the intervention group received two preoperative interviews, one on the day before surgery and one just before entering the operating room. Pain, nausea, vomiting and other postoperative complications were compared. Pain was measured using a visual analogue scale.

Findings

All patients were women with a mean ± standard deviation age of 46.8 ± 10.6 years. At admission, state and trait anxiety measurements in the intervention and control groups were approximately 56 and 55 in both groups. Just before entering the operating room, these values reduced to 40.30 and 39.04 in the intervention group, with no significant change in the control group (p > 0.05). Mean time to reach an Aldrete consciousness score of 9, frequency of nausea and vomiting in the recovery room, level of postoperative pain, vital sign stabilization and time interval to get out of bed all improved significantly in the intervention group.

Conclusions

Our study showed that preoperative nursing visits could decrease the level of preoperative anxiety and postoperative complications in this patient population.
Nutrition marketing on processed food packages in Canada: 2010 Food Label Information Program
Authors: Schermel Alyssa , Emrich Teri E. , Arcand JoAnne , Wong Christina L. , L'Abbé Mary R.
Published: January 2013

The current study describes the frequency of use of different forms of nutrition marketing in Canada and the nutrients and conditions that are the focus of nutrition marketing messages. Prepackaged foods with a Nutrition Facts table (N = 10 487) were collected between March 2010 and April 2011 from outlets of the 3 largest grocery chains in Canada and 1 major western Canadian grocery retailer. The nutrition marketing information collected included nutrient content claims, disease risk reduction claims, and front-of-pack nutrition rating systems (FOPS). We found that nutrition marketing was present on 48.1% of Canadian food packages, with nutrient content claims being the most common information (45.5%), followed by FOPS on 18.9% of packages. Disease risk reduction claims were made least frequently (1.7%). The marketing messages used most often related to total fat and trans fat (15.6% and 15.5% of nutrient content claims, respectively). Limiting total and trans fats is a current public health priority, as recommended by Health Canada and the World Health Organization. However, other nutrients that are also recommended to be limited, including saturated fats, sodium, and added sugars, were not nearly as prominent on food labels. Thus, greater emphasis should be placed by the food industry on these other important nutrients. Repeated data collection in the coming years will allow us to track longitudinal changes in nutrition marketing messages over time as food marketing, public health, and consumer priorities evolve.
IndIGO AND LIGO-INDIA: SCOPE AND PLANS FOR GRAVITATIONAL WAVE RESEARCH AND PRECISION METROLOGY IN INDIA
Authors: UNNIKRISHNAN C. S.
Published: January 2013

Initiatives by the Indian Initiative in Gravitational Wave Observations (IndIGO) Consortium during the past three years have materialized into concrete plans and project opportunities for instrumentation and research based on advanced interferometer detectors. With the LIGO-India opportunity, this initiative has taken a promising path towards significant participation in gravitational wave (GW) astronomy and research and in developing and nurturing precision fabrication and measurement technologies in India. The proposed LIGO-India detector will foster integrated development of frontier GW research in India and will provide opportunity for substantial contributions to global GW research and astronomy. Widespread interest and enthusiasm about these developments in premier research and educational institutions in India leads to the expectation that there will be a grand surge of activity in precision metrology, instrumentation, data handling and computation etc. in the context of LIGO-India. We will discuss the scope of such research in the backdrop of the current status of the IndIGO action plan and the LIGO-India project.
REGGE GRAVITY FROM SPINFOAMS
Authors: MAGLIARO ELENA , PERINI CLAUDIO
Published: January 2013

We consider spinfoam quantum gravity in the flipped limit, which is the double scaling limit γ → 0, j → ∞ with γj = const. , where γ is the Immirzi parameter, j is the spin and γj gives the physical area in Planck units. In this regime the amplitude for a 2-complex becomes effectively an integral over Regge-like metrics and seems to enforce Einstein equations in the semiclassical regime. The Immirzi parameter must be considered as dynamical in the sense that it runs to zero when the fine structure of the foam is averaged. In addition to quantum corrections which vanish for ℏ → 0, we find new corrections due to the discreteness of geometric spectra.
Choosing the Right Spatial Weighting Matrix in a Quantile Regression Model
Authors: Kostov Philip
Published: January 2013

This paper proposes computationally tractable methods for selecting the appropriate spatial weighting matrix in the context of a spatial quantile regression model. This selection is a notoriously difficult problem even in linear spatial models and is even more difficult in a quantile regression setup. The proposal is illustrated by an empirical example and manages to produce tractable models. One important feature of the proposed methodology is that by allowing different degrees and forms of spatial dependence across quantiles it further relaxes the usual quantile restriction attributable to the linear quantile regression. In this way we can obtain a more robust, with regard to potential functional misspecification, model, but nevertheless preserve the parametric rate of convergence and the established inferential apparatus associated with the linear quantile regression approach.
Modeling Laterally Loaded Single Piles Accounting for Nonlinear Soil-Pile Interactions
Authors: Mardfekri Maryam , Gardoni Paolo , Roesset Jose M.
Published: January 2013

The nonlinear behavior of a laterally loaded monopile foundation is studied using the finite element method (FEM) to account for soil-pile interactions. Three-dimensional (3D) finite element modeling is a convenient and reliable approach to account for the continuity of the soil mass and the nonlinearity of the soil-pile interactions. Existing simple methods for predicting the deflection of laterally loaded single piles in sand and clay (e.g., beam on elastic foundation,p-ymethod, and SALLOP) are assessed using linear and nonlinear finite element analyses. The results indicate that for the specific case considered here thep-ymethod provides a reasonable accuracy, in spite of its simplicity, in predicting the lateral deflection of single piles. A simplified linear finite element (FE) analysis of piles, often used in the literature, is also investigated and the influence of accounting for the pile diameter in the simplified linear FE model is evaluated. It is shown that modeling the pile as a line with beam-column elements results in a reduced contribution of the surrounding soil to the lateral stiffness of the pile and an increase of up to 200% in the predicted maximum lateral displacement of the pile head.
HMEC: A Heuristic Algorithm for Individual Haplotyping with Minimum Error Correction
Authors: Bayzid Md. Shamsuzzoha , Alam Md. Maksudul , Mueen Abdullah , Rahman Md. Saidur
Published: January 2013

Haplotype is a pattern of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on a single chromosome. Constructing a pair of haplotypes from aligned and overlapping but intermixed and erroneous fragments of the chromosomal sequences is a nontrivial problem. Minimum error correction approach aims to minimize the number of errors to be corrected so that the pair of haplotypes can be constructed through consensus of the fragments. We give a heuristic algorithm (HMEC) that searches through alternative solutions using a gain measure and stops whenever no better solution can be achieved. Time complexity of each iteration is for an SNP matrix where and are the number of fragments (number of rows) and number of SNP sites (number of columns), respectively, in an SNP matrix. Alternative gain measure is also given to reduce running time. We have compared our algorithm with other methods in terms of accuracy and running time on both simulated and real data, and our extensive experimental results indicate the superiority of our algorithm over others.