bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lineage stability and phenotypic plasticity of Foxp3+ regulatory T cells
Authors: Hori Shohei
Published: April 2014

Regulatory T (Treg) cells expressing the transcription factor forkhead box protein 3 (Foxp3) constitute a unique T‐cell lineage committed to suppressive functions. While their differentiation state is remarkably stable in the face of various perturbations from the extracellular environment, they are able to adapt to diverse and fluctuating tissue environments by changing their phenotype. The lineage stability and phenotypic plasticity of Treg cells thus ensure the robustness of self‐tolerance and tissue homeostasis. Recent studies have suggested, however, that Treg cells may retain lineage plasticity, the ability to switch their cell fate to various effector T‐cell types under certain circumstances such as inflammation, a notion that remains highly contentious. While accumulating evidence indicates that some Treg cells can downregulate Foxp3 expression and/or acquire effector T‐helper cell‐like phenotypes, results from my laboratory have shown that Treg cells retain epigenetic memory of, and thus remain committed to, Foxp3 expression and suppressive functions despite such phenotypic plasticity. It has also become evident that Foxp3 can be promiscuously and transiently expressed in activated T cells. Here, I argue that the current controversy stems partly from the lack of the lineage specificity of Foxp3 expression and also from the confusion between phenotypic plasticity and lineage plasticity, and discuss implications of our findings in Treg cell fate determination and maintenance.
The role of T‐cell receptor recognition of peptide:MHC complexes in the formation and activity of Foxp3+ regulatory T cells
Authors: Weissler Katherine A. , Caton Andrew J.
Published: April 2014

Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells are required to prevent the immune system from spontaneously mounting a severe autoaggressive lymphoproliferative disease and can modulate immune responses in a variety of settings, including infections. In this review, we describe studies that use transgenic mice to determine how signals through the T‐cell receptor (TCR) contribute to the development, differentiation, and activity of Treg cells in in vivo settings. By varying the amount and quality of the self‐peptide recognized by an autoreactive TCR, we have shown that the interplay between autoreactive thymocyte deletion and Treg cell formation leads to a Treg cell repertoire that is biased toward low abundance agonist self‐peptides. In an autoimmune disease setting, we have demonstrated that diverse TCR specificities can be required in order for Treg cells to prevent disease in a mouse model of autoimmune inflammatory arthritis. Lastly, we have shown that Treg cells initially selected based on specificity for a self‐peptide can be activated by TCR recognition of a viral peptide, and that they can acquire a specialized phenotype and suppress antiviral effector cell activity at the site of infection. These studies provide insights into the pivotal role that TCR specificity plays in the formation and activity of Treg cells.
English-Language Proficiency among Israeli Jews and Palestinian Arabs in the United States, 1980–2000
Authors: Rebhun Uzi
Published: April 2014

This study assesses the determinants of English-language proficiency among three subgroups of Israeli immigrants in the United States, namely native-born Israeli Jews, foreign-born Israeli Jews, and Palestinian Arabs, and how these determinants have changed over time. Multivariate analyses of decennial censuses from 1980, 1990, and 2000 reveal substantial differences in the directions and significance of the relationships between the independent variables and English proficiency of the subgroups under investigation. Ethnoreligious affiliation per se is seen to be an important factor that consistently explains intra-group variation in English proficiency. This lends support to the split approach over the lump approach in attempting to understand immigrants’ linguistic dynamics in the new country. The findings are discussed in reference to three working hypotheses – “exposure,” “efficiency,” and “economic incentives” – and in the specific sociopolitical conditions of Jews and Arabs at both origin and destination.
Spiritual care in nursing: a concept analysis
Authors: Ramezani M. , Ahmadi F. , Mohammadi E. , Kazemnejad A.
Published: April 2014

Background

Around the world, spiritual care in nursing is a critical part of providing holistic care, but within our profession, there is a lack of certainty over the meaning of spirituality and delivery of spiritual care, including nurses thinking of spirituality as religion.

Methods

We adopted the eight‐step Walker and Avant's concept analysis approach to provide a definition of the concept, searching and analysing international and national online databases. Inclusion criterion included that articles were published between 1950 and 2012 in English or Persian language. Finally, 151 articles and 7 books were included in the analysis.

Findings

The attributes of spiritual care are healing presence, therapeutic use of self, intuitive sense, exploration of the spiritual perspective, patient‐centredness, meaning‐centred therapeutic intervention and creation of a spiritually nurturing environment. Spiritual care is a subjective and dynamic concept, a unique aspect of care that integrates all the other aspects. It emerges in the context of nurses’ awareness of the transcendent dimension of life and reflects a patient's reality. The provision of spiritual care leads to positive consequences such as healing for patients and promotion of spiritual awareness for nurses.

Implications for Nursing and Health Policy

The conceptual definition of spiritual care provided in this study can help clinical nurses, educators and nurse managers to develop and implement evidence‐based health policies, comprehensive staff training programmes and practical quality assessment guidelines to try to ensure that all nurses are competent to include relevant spiritual care in practice.

Conclusion

A comprehensive definition of the concept of spiritual care ensued. The findings can facilitate further development of nursing knowledge and practice in spiritual care and facilitate correction of common misconceptions about the provision of spiritual care.
Surgical Correction of Angular and Torsional Metatarsal Deformity With Cylindrical Osteotomy and Locking Compression Plates in a Calf
Authors: Schleining Jennifer A. , Bergh Mary Sarah
Published: April 2014

Objective

To report successful surgical correction of concurrent angular and torsional metatarsal deformities in a calf using a cylindrical osteotomy and locking compression plate (LCP) technology.

Study Design

Case report.

Animals

A 10‐week‐old composite bull calf.

Methods

Using Paley's principles of angular limb deformity correction, a cylindrical osteotomy was performed to concurrently correct varus deformity and external torsion of the metatarsus. The limb was aligned and stabilized using two 3.5 mm broad LCP with locking head screws.

Results

The calf was immediately weight bearing after surgery and did not experience any postoperative complications. Follow‐up radiographs 5 months postoperatively revealed complete osteotomy healing and remodeling. The limb was in good alignment, the calf was fully weight bearing, and client satisfaction was very high. Telephone follow‐up with the owner 16 months after surgery revealed continued full use of the operated limb and the bull was being used in a pasture breeding program.

Conclusions

Cylindrical osteotomy with LCP stabilization can provide a favorable outcome in angular and torsional metatarsal deformity correction in cattle.
Iron dysregulation in Huntington's disease
Authors: Muller Michelle , Leavitt Blair R.
Published: April 2014

Huntington's disease (HD) is one of many neurodegenerative diseases with reported alterations in brain iron homeostasis that may contribute to neuropathogenesis. Iron accumulation in the specific brain areas of neurodegeneration in HD has been proposed based on observations in post‐mortem tissue and magnetic resonance imaging studies. Altered magnetic resonance imaging signal within specific brain regions undergoing neurodegeneration has been consistently reported and interpreted as altered levels of brain iron. Biochemical studies using various techniques to measure iron species in human samples, mouse tissue, or in vitro has generated equivocal data to support such an association. Whether elevated brain iron occurs in HD, plays a significant contributing role in HD pathogenesis, or is a secondary effect remains currently unclear.

image

Huntington's disease (HD) is one of many neurodegenerative diseases reported to have alterations in brain iron homeostasis. Whether elevated brain iron occurs in HD, and whether elevated iron levels play a significant contributory role in HD pathogenesis remains currently unclear. In this review, we discuss potential mechanisms by which mutant huntingtin‐mediated increases in intracellular calcium and elevated intracellular iron may interact to result in elevated levels of reactive oxygen species leading to lipid peroxidation, DNA damage, and neuronal cell death.
Association of Developmental Venous Anomalies with Perfusion Abnormalities on Arterial Spin Labeling and Bolus Perfusion‐Weighted Imaging
Authors: Iv Michael , Fischbein Nancy J. , Zaharchuk Greg
Published: April 2014

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

To investigate the frequency and characteristics of developmental venous anomaly (DVA)‐associated perfusion abnormalities on arterial spin labeling (ASL) and bolus perfusion‐weighted imaging (PWI) and discuss their potential causes.

METHODS

We reviewed brain MR reports to identify all DVAs reported on studies performed between 2009 and 2012. DVA location and findings on PWI and/or ASL imaging were assessed by visual inspection. Sizes of DVAs were categorized as small (<15 mm), medium (15‐25 mm), and large (>25 mm). For ASL, signal in the DVA, surrounding parenchyma, or associated draining vein was recorded. For PWI, changes on hemodynamic maps (cerebral blood volume [CBV], cerebral blood flow [CBF], mean transit time [MTT], and normalized time‐to‐peak of the residue function [Tmax]) were evaluated. Coexisting vascular malformations in association with DVAs were also identified.

RESULTS

Six hundred and fifty‐two DVAs were identified in 632 subjects. Of these, 121 underwent both perfusion modalities, 15 only PWI, and 127 only ASL. ASL abnormalities were seen in 21/248 (8%), including signal in a draining vein (2/21, 10%), in the DVA (11/21, 52%), and in the parenchyma (8/21, 38%). On PWI, the majority of DVAs demonstrated abnormalities (108/136, 79%), typically increased CBF, CBV, MTT, and Tmax. There was no association between DVA size and presence of ASL signal (P = .836). Borderline statistical significance was found between DVA size and presence of PWI abnormality (P = .046). No relationship was found between the presence of a coexisting vascular malformation and presence of ASL (P = .468) or PWI abnormality (P = .745).

CONCLUSIONS

Perfusion changes with DVAs are common on PWI but uncommon on ASL. PWI findings are expected based on the anatomy and physiology of DVAs and are accentuated by gradient echo acquisition. DVAs with intrinsic ASL signal or signal in draining veins may be associated with arteriovenous shunting (transitional lesions).
Early Experience with Low Contrast Imaging (LCI) Technology during Neuroendovascular Interventional Procedures
Authors: Mokin Maxim , Levy Elad I. , Snyder Kenneth V. , Siddiqui Adnan H.
Published: April 2014

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Early recognition of complications during intracranial neuroendovascular interventions is important for medical decision making and prompts administration of life‐saving treatments. Low contrast imaging (LCI) provides computed tomographic (CT)‐like images of anatomical brain structures, capable of detecting hydrocephalus and intracranial hemorrhage complications. We present our early experience with LCI using the Toshiba Infinix‐i biplane angiographic suite during neurointerventional cases, including acute stroke interventions, aneurysm embolization, and subarachnoid hemorrhage management.

METHODS

Six patients underwent LCI during various neuroendovascular procedures. We describe clinical and imaging findings and provide visual comparison of LCI with conventional noncontrast cranial CT imaging.

RESULTS

Our initial experience shows that LCI is capable of detecting or excluding intracerebral hemorrhage and hydrocephalus during neurointerventional procedures as well as confirming ventriculostomy catheter placement when compared to noncontrast CT imaging. Motion artifact is a major limitation associated with this technology and can be overcome in part by performing shorter duration rotation sequences.

CONCLUSIONS

LCI is a promising tool in the arsenal of a neuroendovascular interventionist, especially when a complication is suspected during an intervention, potentially obviating the need for immediate transfer of the patient to a conventional CT scanner. Further studies comparing LCI with conventional noncontrast CT imaging are necessary.
Localised task‐dependent motor‐unit recruitment in the masseter
Authors: Schindler H. J. , Hellmann D. , Giannakopoulos N. N. , Eiglsperger U. , van Dijk J. P. , Lapatki B. G.
Published: April 2014

Localised motor‐unit (MU) recruitment in the masseter was analysed in this study. We investigated whether differential activation behaviour, which has already been reported for distant masseter regions, can also be detected in small muscle subvolumes at the level of single MUs. Two bipolar fine‐wire electrodes and an intra‐oral 3D bite‐force transmitter were used to record intra‐muscular electromyograms (EMG) resulting from controlled bite‐forces of 10 healthy human subjects (mean age 24·1 ± 1·2 years). Two‐hundred and seventeen decomposed MUs were organised into localised MU task groups with different (P < 0·001) force‐direction‐specific behaviour. Proportions of MUs involved in one, two, three or four examined tasks were 46%, 31%, 18% and 5%, respectively. This study provides evidence of the ability of the neuromuscular system to modify the mechanical output of small masseter subvolumes by differential control of adjacent MUs belonging to distinct task groups. Localised differential activation behaviour of the masseter may be the crucial factor enabling highly flexible and efficient adjustment of the muscle activity in response to complex local biomechanical needs, for example, continually varying bite‐forces during the demanding masticatory process.
HOW GLOBAL ARE GLOBAL VALUE CHAINS? A NEW APPROACH TO MEASURE INTERNATIONAL FRAGMENTATION
Authors: Los Bart , Timmer Marcel P. , de Vries Gaaitzen J.
Published: April 2014

Denser networks of intermediate input flows between countries suggest ongoing international fragmentation of production chains. But is this process mainly taking place between countries within a region, or is it truly global? We provide new macroeconomic evidence by extending the Feenstra and Hanson () measure of fragmentation to a multicountry setting. We derive the distribution of value added by all countries involved in the production chain of a particular final good. This is based on a new input–output model of the world economy, covering 40 countries and 14 manufacturing product groups. We find that in almost all product chains, the share of value added outside the country‐of‐completion has increased since 1995. This is mainly added outside the region to which the country‐of‐completion belongs, suggesting a transition from regional production systems to “Factory World.” This tendency was only briefly interrupted by the financial crisis in 2008.
Geographic Access and Use of Infectious Diseases Specialty and General Primary Care Services by Veterans With HIV Infection: Implications for Telehealth and Shared Care Programs
Authors: Ohl Michael E. , Richardson Kelly , Kaboli Peter J. , Perencevich Eli N. , Vaughan‐Sarrazin Mary
Published: April 2014

Purpose

Rural‐dwelling persons with HIV infection often have limited access to HIV specialty care, and they may instead use more nearby primary care. This study described use of infectious disease (ID) specialty and general primary care services among rural compared with urban veterans with HIV in the United States and determined associations between geographic access to ID and primary care and use of care.

Methods

The sample included all veterans in the national Veterans Administration (VA) HIV clinical case registry in 2009 (N = 23,669, 10.2% rural). Geographic access was measured by calculating travel times to the nearest VA primary care and ID specialty clinic.

Findings

Rural veterans were less likely than urban to use ID clinics (82% of rural vs 87% of urban, P < .01) and more likely to use primary care (82% vs 73%, P < .01). As travel time to ID care increased from less than 15 minutes to over 90 minutes, use of ID care decreased from 88% to 71% (P < .01), while use of primary care increased from 68% to 86% (P < .0001). In multivariable models, increased travel time to ID care—but not rural residence—was associated with decreased ID and increased primary care use.

Conclusions

Persons with HIV who live far from ID specialty clinics are less likely to use specialty care and more likely to use primary care. Specialty clinics should consider using telehealth to deliver care over distance and programs to coordinate “shared care” relationships with distant primary care providers.
Promoting Youth Physical Activity in Rural Southern Communities: Practitioner Perceptions of Environmental Opportunities and Barriers
Authors: Edwards Michael B. , Theriault Daniel S. , Shores Kindal A. , Melton Karen M.
Published: April 2014

Purpose

Research on youth physical activity has focused on urban areas. Rural adolescents are more likely to be physically inactive than urban youth, contributing to higher risk of obesity and chronic diseases. Study objectives were to: (1) identify perceived opportunities and barriers to youth physical activity within a rural area and (2) identify rural community characteristics that facilitate or inhibit efforts to promote youth physical activity.

Methods

Thirty in‐depth interviews were conducted with expert informants in 2 rural southern US counties. Interviewees were recruited from diverse positions across multiple sectors based on their expert knowledge of community policies and programs for youth physical activity.

Findings

Informants saw ball fields, natural amenities, and school sports as primary resources for youth physical activity, but they were divided on whether opportunities were abundant or scarce. Physical distance, social isolation, lack of community offerings, and transportation were identified as key barriers. Local social networks facilitated political action and volunteer recruitment to support programs. However, communities often lacked human capital to sustain initiatives. Racial divisions influenced perceptions of opportunities. Despite divisions, there were also examples of pooling resources to create and sustain physical activity opportunities.

Conclusions

Developing partnerships and leveraging local resources may be essential to overcoming barriers for physical activity promotion in rural areas. Involvement of church leaders, school officials, health care workers, and cooperative extension is likely needed to establish and sustain youth rural physical activity programs. Allocating resources to existing community personnel and volunteers for continuing education may be valuable.
Genetic analysis of Anatolian apples (Malus sp.) by simple sequence repeats
Authors: BURAK Masum , ERGÜL Ali , KAZAN Kemal , AKÇAY Mehmet Emin , YÜKSEL Canan , BAKIR Melike , MUTAF Filiz , AKPINAR A. Emre , YAŞASIN A. Semih , AYANOĞLU Hamit
Published: April 2014

The apple is one of the most important fruit species in the world. Turkey has a diverse and ancient apple germplasm that have played a major role in the domestication of the Malus genus. However, so far locally grown Anatolian apple germplasm has largely been uncharacterized. In this study, 171 local apple (M. domestica Borkh.) accessions originated from eco‐geographically diverse regions of Anatolia were studied using 16 SSR (simple sequence repeat) loci, which generated 254 alleles. Of the SSR markers used, the CH04g10 locus showed the highest allele diversity. Relatively high genetic similarities were found between some accessions. The factorial correspondence analysis did not clearly separate different all apple accession groups, suggesting that Anatolian apple accessions are highly intermixed. However, most apple accessions were grouped according to their collection sites in structure analyses. In addition, reflecting the richness of the Anatolian apple germplasm, low numbers of synonymous, and identical accessions were identified among the germplasm. Finally, using the publically available SSR data generated in other studies, we investigated genetic relationships between Anatolian accession groups and European apple accession groups. Our results reported here provide a useful base for future studies aimed at investigating the genetic diversity of wild and cultivated apples from Anatolia and the surrounding regions.
Conservation genetics and breeding system of Penstemon debilis (Plantaginaceae), a rare beardtongue endemic to oil shale talus in western Colorado, USA
Authors: WOLFE Andrea D. , MCMULLEN‐SIBUL Amy , TEPEDINO V. J. , KUBATKO Laura , NECAMP Timothy , FASSNACHT Susan
Published: April 2014

Rare species of plants are especially vulnerable to extinction when populations are few, have small numbers of individuals, and are fragmented. Such conditions lead to a reduction in gene flow and genetic diversity, and encourage inbreeding depression. We conducted a study of the reproductive biology and population genetics of Penstemon debilis (Plantaginaceae), a Federally Threatened species endemic to a small region of oil shale extraction in western Colorado, USA. Most of the habitat area is privately owned and undergoing natural gas extraction activities. Penstemon debilis reproduces both vegetatively and as an outcrosser that requires a pollen vector. Moderate levels of inbreeding, but no inbreeding depression, were found within populations of P. debilis. Genetic divergence among the extant populations surveyed was moderate (FST values = 0.069–0.231; Nm = 0.831–3.385) with levels of genetic diversity within populations relatively low compared to congeners with similar modes of pollination and reproductive biology. STRUCTURE analysis revealed three population clusters with some admixture among all extant populations. Genetic diversity within and among P. debilis populations is similar to genetic diversity found for other rare and endemic outcrossing plant species. Our results are consistent with a pattern of recent population fragmentation or low levels of pollen‐mediated gene flow among populations in close proximity to one another. Conservation of P. debilis will require cooperative management strategies between private landowners, government agencies, and concerned NGOs to preserve habitat for this rare species.
Long-Term Testosterone Treatment in Elderly Men with Hypogonadism and Erectile Dysfunction Reduces Obesity Parameters and Improves Metabolic Syndrome and Health-Related Quality of Life
Authors: Yassin Dany-Jan , Doros Gheorghe , Hammerer Peter G. , Yassin Aksam A.
Published: April 2014

Introduction

Late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) is diagnosed when declining testosterone concentrations in the aging male cause unwanted symptoms such as erectile dysfunction (ED), reduced bone density and muscle strength, and increased visceral obesity. Testosterone deficiency is also associated with insulin resistance and the metabolic syndrome (MetS). Restoring testosterone to physiological concentrations has beneficial effects on many of these symptoms; however, it is not known whether these effects can be sustained in the long term.

Aims

To investigate whether treatment with testosterone undecanoate (TU) has a long-term and sustained effect on parameters affected by the MetS in men with LOH and ED, to determine whether long-term testosterone treatment can improve the overall health-related quality of life in these men, and to establish the safety of long-term testosterone treatment.

Methods

Two hundred sixty-one patients (mean age 59.5 ± 8.4 years) diagnosed with LOH and ED were treated with long-acting TU in a prospective, observational, and longitudinal registry study. Men received intramuscular injections of 1,000 mg TU at day 1, at week 6, and every 3 months thereafter.

Main Outcome Measures

Parameters affected by the MetS, including obesity parameters (body weight, waist circumference, and body mass index [BMI]), total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglycerides, glucose, HbA1c (glycated hemoglobin), and blood pressure, as well as total testosterone levels and health-related quality of life, were assessed.

Results

We found TU significantly improved obesity parameters (body weight, waist circumference, and BMI) and lowered total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, and blood pressure over the 5-year study. HDL cholesterol was increased. TU treatment resulted in a sustained improvement in erectile function and muscle and joint pain, which contributed to an improvement in long-term health-related quality of life. Furthermore, we found a relationship between health-related quality of life and waist circumference. Finally, we found no evidence that long-term treatment with TU increases the risk of prostate carcinoma.

Conclusion

Long-term TU in men with LOH and ED reduces obesity parameters and improves metabolic syndrome and health-related quality of life.
Fiscal Policy, Chartal Money, Mark‐up Dynamics and Unemployment Insurance in a Model of Growth and Distribution
Authors: Hannsgen Greg
Published: April 2014

Given one parameter restriction, an output‐stabilization rule for the provision of public services turns a Kaldor–Kalecki–Steindl growth model with unstable, catastrophe‐prone dynamics into one with a stable limit cycle. In contrast, using a budget‐balancing rule produces a saddle point, along with closed orbits near the boundaries of the state space. Adding Kaleckian mark‐up dynamics destabilizes the equilibrium, with a spiraling path followed by a spin‐out found in simulation. A final exercise establishes the possibility of adding a variable workforce and a public unemployment insurance system. Throughout, an identity governs the dynamics of the stocks of public financial liabilities.
Effect of Rikkunshito on the expression of substance P and CGRP in dorsal root ganglion neurons and voluntary movement in rats with experimental reflux esophagitis
Authors: Kondo T. , Oshima T. , Koseki J. , Hattori T. , Kase Y. , Tomita T. , Fukui H. , Watari J. , Miwa H.
Published: April 2014

Background

While there are reports that the herbal medicine rikkunshito (RKT) relieves upper gastrointestinal disease symptoms, the effect of RKT on primary afferent neurons is unknown.

Methods

A model of reflux esophagitis (RE) was implemented using male Wistar rats aged 6–7 weeks. Ten days after surgery, the total area of esophageal mucosal erosion sites was determined. Th8‐10 dorsal root ganglia (DRG) were dissected out and the expression of substance P (SP), calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP), and phosphorylated extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2 (p‐ERK1/2) was determined in DRG using immunohistochemistry. RKT (0.6%/WV) or omeprazole (OME) (10 mg/kg) was administered for 10 days beginning on the day after surgery. Voluntary movement was measured with an infrared sensor for 22 h each day.

Key Results

RE rats showed esophageal mucosal erosion and significantly increased number of SP/CGRP‐ and p‐ERK1/2‐immunoreactive neurons in DRG. Treatment with OME improved the size of erosive lesions in the esophageal mucosa of RE rats, while RKT did not. Treatment with RKT or OME significantly reduced the expression of SP/CGRP and p‐ERK1/2 in DRG, and significantly increased voluntary movement in RE rats.

Conclusions & Inferences

RKT inhibited the activation of ERK1/2 and decreased the expression of SP and CGRP in DRG of RE rats, which may be associated with the observed amelioration of voluntary movement.
Knowledge in and out of Contrast
Authors: Gerken Mikkel , Beebe James R.
Published: April 2014

We report and discuss the results of a series of experiments that address a contrast effect exhibited by folk judgments about knowledge ascriptions. The contrast effect, which was first reported by Schaffer and Knobe (2012), is an important aspect of our folk epistemology. However, there are competing theoretical accounts of it. We shed light on the various accounts by providing novel empirical data and theoretical considerations. Our key findings are, firstly, that belief ascriptions exhibit a similar contrast effect and, secondly, that the contrast effect is systematically sensitive to the content of what is in contrast.

We argue that these data pose significant challenges to contrastivist accounts of the contrast effect. Furthermore, some of the data set provides, in conjunction with some non‐empirical epistemological arguments, some limited evidence for what we call a focal bias account of the data (Gerken 2012, 2013). According to the focal bias account, the contrast effects arise at least in part because epistemically relevant facts are not always adequately processed when they are presented in certain ways.
Real‐time, in vivo intracellular recordings of caterpillar‐induced depolarization waves in sieve elements using aphid electrodes
Authors: Salvador‐Recatalà Vicenta , Tjallingii W. Freddy , Farmer Edward E.
Published: April 2014

Plants propagate electrical signals in response to artificial wounding. However, little is known about the electrophysiological responses of the phloem to wounding, and whether natural damaging stimuli induce propagating electrical signals in this tissue.

Here, we used living aphids and the direct current (DC) version of the electrical penetration graph (EPG) to detect changes in the membrane potential of Arabidopsis sieve elements (SEs) during caterpillar wounding.

Feeding wounds in the lamina induced fast depolarization waves in the affected leaf, rising to maximum amplitude (c. 60 mV) within 2 s. Major damage to the midvein induced fast and slow depolarization waves in unwounded neighbor leaves, but only slow depolarization waves in non‐neighbor leaves. The slow depolarization waves rose to maximum amplitude (c. 30 mV) within 14 s. Expression of a jasmonate‐responsive gene was detected in leaves in which SEs displayed fast depolarization waves. No electrical signals were detected in SEs of unwounded neighbor leaves of plants with suppressed expression of GLR3.3 and GLR3.6.

EPG applied as a novel approach to plant electrophysiology allows cell‐specific, robust, real‐time monitoring of early electrophysiological responses in plant cells to damage, and is potentially applicable to a broad range of plant–herbivore interactions.
The Inequality Turnout Nexus: New Evidence from Presidential Elections
Authors: Stockemer Daniel , Parent Stephanie
Published: April 2014

The article adds to the burgeoning literature examining the macro‐level influence of income inequalities and electoral turnout by evaluating the relationship between the two variables across a global sample of 161 presidential elections from 1990 to 2010. Controlling for compulsory voting, semi‐presidentialism, federalism, regime type, development, population size, and the closeness of the election, we find that dispersions in income neither directly nor indirectly influence macro‐level electoral participation in presidential political systems. Rather, the variable's impact on electoral turnout is statistically insignificant and empirically nonsubstantial. In this sense, our article rejects both the power and the conflict theories' predictions on the supposed relationship between the two concepts at the macro‐level.
When Suspicious Minds Go Political: Distrusting and Justifying the System at the Same Time
Authors: Agroskin Dmitrij , Jonas Eva , Traut‐Mattausch Eva
Published: April 2014

Drawing on the sensitivity to mean intentions model, we hypothesized that sensitivity to injustice from a victim's perspective (victim sensitivity) is negatively related to the acceptance of political reforms due to an inclination to attribute ulterior motives to policy makers. In Study 1 with a Canadian sample, initial evidence for this mediational model was obtained, as victim sensitivity uniquely predicted distrust of policy makers through general trait suspiciousness. In Study 2, victim‐sensitive Austrians and Germans ascribed sinister motives to initiators of an economic reform when contextual cues of initiators' untrustworthiness were given. This situational suspiciousness led them to subsequently oppose this particular reform, and it even generalized to the whole economic system by reducing economic‐system justification. However, in both studies, mutually suppressive tendencies toward both opposing and justifying the system occurred. This suggests that victim‐sensitive individuals may be torn between distrusting and endorsing the system because it can not only victimize but also promote a sense of security from victimization by conferring order.
Emotional, Sensitive, and Unfit for Office? Gender Stereotype Activation and Support Female Candidates
Authors: Bauer Nichole M.
Published: April 2014

Women are underrepresented at all levels of elected office. It is suspected that gender stereotypes hinder the electoral success of female candidates, but empirical evidence is inconclusive on whether stereotypes have a direct effect on voting decisions. This empirical conflict stems, in part, from the assumption that voters automatically rely on gender stereotypes when evaluating female candidates. This study explicitly tests the assumption of automatic stereotype activation. I suggest that stereotype reliance depends on whether stereotypes have been activated during a campaign, and it is only when stereotypes are activated that they influence evaluations of female candidates. These hypotheses are tested with a survey experiment and observational analysis. The results show that campaign communication activates stereotypes when they otherwise might not be activated, thereby diminishing support for female candidates.
Severe outbreaks of late blight on potato and tomato in South India caused by recent changes in the Phytophthora infestans population
Authors: Chowdappa P. , Nirmal Kumar B. J. , Madhura S. , Mohan Kumar S. P. , Myers K. L. , Fry W. E. , Cooke D. E. L.
Published: April 2014

Late blight, caused by Phytophthora infestans, has emerged as the most destructive disease of potato and tomato in South India since 2008. One hundred and fifty‐seven isolates of Phytophthora infestans, 63 from potato and 94 from tomato, were collected from major potato and tomato production areas of South India between 2010 and 2012. Their phenotypic and genotypic characteristics were determined and compared with reference isolates. Isolates were characterized based on mating type, in vitro metalaxyl sensitivity, mitochondrial DNA haplotype, RG57 DNA fingerprinting patterns, SSR markers and aggressiveness on potato and tomato, in order to monitor population changes in P. infestans. All isolates were A2 mating type, metalaxyl resistant, mtDNA haplotype Ia and had RG57 and SSR fingerprints almost identical to the 13_A2 clonal lineage reported in Europe. Variation at the D13 and SSR4 loci allowed discrimination of minor variants, designated as 13_A2_3, 13_A2_3b, 13_A2_3c and 13_A2_1. A comparison of the lesion diameters caused by 157 isolates on detached leaflets of three potato and tomato cultivars showed all isolates to be equally aggressive, confirming that the same clonal population is infecting both hosts. This study demonstrates that the 13_A2 lineage was responsible for severe late blight outbreaks on potato and tomato in South India and has replaced the prior population represented by the US‐1 and other genotypes. Revised management strategies will be required to combat this destructive 13_A2 clonal lineage and monitoring of the population across other potato‐ and tomato‐growing regions of India is warranted.
The relationship between N isotopic fractionation within soybean and N2 fixation during soybean development
Authors: Schweiger Peter , Hofer Michaela , Vollmann Johann , Wanek Wolfgang
Published: April 2014

The contribution of N2 fixation to overall soybean N uptake has most commonly been quantified by N isotope‐based methods, which rely on isotopic differences in plant N between legumes and non‐fixing reference plants. The choice of non‐fixing reference plants is critical for the accuracy of isotope‐based methods, and mismatched reference plants remain a potential source of error. Accurate estimates of soybean N2 fixation also require information on N isotopic fractionation within soybean. On the basis of a previous observation of a close correlation between an expression of N fractionation within soybean and the proportion of plant N derived from atmosphere (%Ndfa) determined by 15N natural abundance, this field study aimed at assessing the relationship between various expressions describing intraplant 15N or N partitioning and %Ndfa during soybean development. Starting from a late vegetative stage until beginning senescence, the N content and N isotopic composition of shoots, roots and nodules of nodulated and non‐nodulated soybeans was determined at eight different developmental stages. Regression analysis showed that %Ndfa most closely correlated with the difference in the N isotopic composition of shoot N minus that of root including nodule N, and that this relationship was similar to that obtained in a previous multi‐site field study. We therefore consider this expression to hold promise as a means of quantifying %Ndfa independent of a reference plant, which would avoid some of the external sources of error introduced by the use of reference plants in determining %Ndfa.
Policy Area as a Potential Moderator of Transparency Effects: An Experiment
Authors: de Fine Licht Jenny
Published: April 2014

Building on the counterintuitive findings of recent empirical studies that transparency in political decision making may have a negative effect on public legitimacy beliefs, this article suggests that transparency has different effects depending on the policy area. Specifically, it argues that transparency is less effective in policy decisions that involve trade‐offs related to questions of human life and death or well‐being. Using an experiment that involved 1,032 participants, the effect of transparency is tested in two policy areas that represent routine priority setting (culture and leisure) and policy decisions implicitly related to human life and well‐being (traffic security). Results indicate that transparency can increase public acceptance of political decisions, but this effect is moderated by the type of policy area. Furthermore, a limited type of transparency in which decision makers provide justifications for their decisions can result in benefits while avoiding potential costs.
International Water Cooperation in the 21st Century: Recent Developments in the Law of International Watercourses
Authors: McCaffrey Stephen C.
Published: April 2014

This article surveys selected recent developments in the field of the law of international watercourses. One of the most significant developments concerns the Partial Award rendered by the Court of Arbitration in the Indus Waters Kishenganga Arbitration between Pakistan and India. While the questions presented to the Court concerned whether a dam being constructed by India was consistent with the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, the Court interpreted the Treaty to find that India had environmental obligations regarding the operation of the dam. This award could well influence the positions of other governments as well as disputes between them. Another development of interest concerns the human right to water and its implementation. Perhaps paradoxically in view of their greater economic strength, opposition to the right has come most notably from developed countries. A third development concerns the law of transboundary aquifers. The draft articles on this subject prepared by the International Law Commission give prominence to the ‘sovereignty of aquifer States' and overlap with the 1997 Watercourses Convention. They would thus require significant modification if the negotiation of a treaty were to be based upon them. Finally, two treaties on international watercourses are now open to all States in the world: the 1992 UNECE Water Convention and the 1997 UN International Watercourses Convention. While taking different approaches, these treaties are in fact mutually reinforcing. The growing disposition of States to govern their freshwater relations according to law shows that the International Year of Water Cooperation proclaimed by the UN General Assembly is not just a hollow slogan.
‘You put it all together’ – families' evaluation of participating in Family Health Conversations
Authors: Benzein Eva , Olin Cecilia , Persson Carina
Published: April 2014

Aims and objectives

To evaluate the Family Health Conversations from the perspective of families living with chronic illness.

Methodological design and justification

This study has a descriptive qualitative design using semi‐structured evaluative family interviews and conventional content analysis.

Ethical issues and approval

The study was approved by a Regional Ethical Review Board.

Research methods

Family Health Conversations were used as an intervention with 14 families living with chronic illness. The outcome measures consisted of evaluative family interviews.

Results

Families' experiences of the conversations embraced their structure and the interactions with the conversation leaders. All families were satisfied with the conversations, pointing to the importance of having them early in the illness process. The opportunity to talk with someone outside the family was strongly emphasised as promoting well‐being. The experienced significance of the conversations was captured in four categories: creating a whole picture, that is, being given the opportunity to listen to other family members' experiences and fill in potential memory gaps; making the situation manageable, that is, receiving support from other participants in order to handle problems and gain control; facilitating healing, that is, being able to tell their story about what had previously been ‘the unspeakable’; and strengthened family cohesion, that is, increased understanding for each other's experiences, thus bringing family members closer together.

Study limitations

Most families were partners, which could possibly limit transferability of the findings to families constituted by couples.

Conclusions

Family Health Conversations should be offered as a part of standard care shortly after diagnosis and at various transitions in life.
Trends in Toxic Alcohol Exposures in the United States from 2000 to 2013: A Focus on the Use of Antidotes and Extracorporeal Treatments
Authors: Ghannoum Marc , Hoffman Robert S. , Mowry James B. , Lavergne Valery
Published: April 2014

Morbidity and mortality from toxic alcohols like ethylene glycol and methanol remain prevalent worldwide. The introduction of fomepizole, a potent blocker of alcohol dehydrogenase, has modified current practice over the last 15 years. The aim of the study was to describe the characteristics of toxic alcohol poisoning reported to US poison centers, the trends in the incidence of antidote use and hemodialysis treatment, as well as the related mortality. A retrospective study of all electronic entries from the AAPCC National Poison Data System database, from the years 2000 to 2013 was reviewed. When considering all exposures, the great majority of patients had a benign outcome. Major effects (e.g., life threatening) occurred in 2.1% and 4.9% of methanol and ethylene glycol cases, respectively. Mortality rates were similar for both toxic alcohols, approximately 0.6%. When only considering ingestions reported to healthcare facilities, a major effect was reported in 9.5% and 20.5%, and the mortality rate was 2.9% and 2.4% for methanol and ethylene glycol exposures, respectively, and remained constant over time. The use of fomepizole increased statistically over the study period while that of ethanol decreased, until it became proportionally negligible by 2012‐2013. The use of hemodialysis significantly decreased in “Early” ethylene glycol exposures during the study period. Similar to other reports, it appears that the use of fomepizole has largely supplanted ethanol as the antidote of choice in toxic alcohol exposures and may decrease the requirements for hemodialysis in patients poisoned with ethylene glycol who have no acidosis and normal kidney function.
A simple method to classify diamicts by scanning electron microscope from surface microtextures
Authors: Molén Mats O.
Published: April 2014

Interpretation of quartz sand grain surface microtextures with scanning electron microscopy has been riddled with inconsistencies, invalid assumptions and much subjectivity. Therefore, a novel classification for analysing grain surface microtextures is presented based on the origin of complete grain surfaces. This novel method has solved most of the earlier problems of interpretation of surface microtextures, and it is easy to use and to quickly find evident genetic interpretations of diamicts. The data are plotted graphically in ‘2‐History Diagrams’ or ‘3‐History Diagrams’ for quick visual inspection and statistical evaluation. Source rocks and Quaternary glacial deposits from Scandinavia and Southern Ontario, representing different ice‐substrate dynamics, are analysed to define surface microtextures from typical glacigenic grains, bedrock and fluvially transported grains. Typical glacially crushed grains display large‐scale fractures and abrasion. Shield bedrock grains display large or small‐scale fractures and solution/precipitation microtextures. Fluvially transported grains exhibit abrasion and solution/precipitation microtextures.
The influence of four different anticoagulants on dynamic light scattering of platelets
Authors: Raczat T. , Kraemer L. , Gall C. , Weiss D. R. , Eckstein R. , Ringwald J.
Published: April 2014

For testing of dynamic light scattering of platelets with ThromboLUX (TLX) in platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) derived from venous whole blood (vWB), anticoagulation is needed. We compared TLX score in PRPs containing citrate, ethylene‐diamine‐tetraacetic‐acid (EDTA), citrate‐phosphate‐dextrose‐adenine (CPDA) or citrate‐theophylline‐adenosine‐dipyridamole. Initial and late TLX scores were measured after 30–120 min or four to six hours, respectively. Compared with citrate, mean differences in initial TLX score were only significant for CPDA. Also, mean differences between initial and late TLX scores were only significant for CPDA. TLX failed to detect EDTA‐induced platelet alterations. The clinical relevance of TLX needs further studies.