bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
THE ASTRONOMICAL ORIENTATION OF THE URBAN PLAN OF ALEXANDRIA
Authors: FERRO LUISA , MAGLI GIULIO
Published: October 2012

Alexander the Great founded Alexandria in 331 BC. An examination of the topography of the city today allows the identification of the essential elements of the original urban system, and shows that the site was chosen mainly for religious and symbolic reasons. In fact, Alexandria was the prototype of a series of Hellenistic towns designed as ‘king's towns’ that aimed to make explicit the divine power of their founder. We examine the orientation of the orthogonal grid, which was based on a main longitudinal axis, and show that this axis is orientated to the rising sun on the day of Alexander the Great's birth. At the time of foundation, ‘King's Star’ Regulus was also rising along the same direction.
BEYOND THE OPPIDA: POLYFOCAL COMPLEXES AND LATE IRON AGE SOCIETIES IN SOUTHERN BRITAIN
Authors: MOORE TOM
Published: October 2012

Terms such as ‘oppida’ have often obscured how we understand the nature and role of the dyke complexes which emerged at the end of the Iron Age. Developing from recent research at the Late Iron Age complex of Bagendon in Gloucestershire, this paper argues that a group of such polyfocal complexes share common characteristics, most significantly a relationship with ‘banjo’ enclosures, as part of wider landscape constructs. The paper suggests that the topography and morphology of these complexes have important implications for understanding the role of these sites and the nature of social change in the Late Iron Age.
Access to Finance by Small and Medium Enterprises: a Cross‐Country Analysis with A New Data Set
Authors: Ardic Oya Pinar , Mylenko Nataliya , Saltane Valentina
Published: October 2012

Access to finance has always been a challenge for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), but the need to address this issue became more pronounced after the global financial crisis, as SMEs are perceived as engines of growth and job creation. However, lack of consistent indicators for SME finance at the country level restricts cross‐country analyses. The present paper introduces a supply‐side data set to fill this gap, and provides the first set of analyses with this new data set. Global SME lending volume is predicted as $US10tn, 70% of which is in high‐income OECD countries. On average, SME loans constitute 13 and 3% of GDP in developed and developing countries, respectively.
Informal Payments in Developing Countries' Public Health Sectors
Authors: Liu Ting , Sun Monic
Published: October 2012

In many developing countries, public patients offer payments to their doctors outside the official payment channels. We argue that the fundamental reason for these informal payments is that formal prices cannot fully differentiate patients' various needs. We compare patient welfare and social efficiency when informal payments are allowed with the scenario when they are banned. Patient heterogeneity plays a central role in the comparison. Contrary to conventional wisdom, allowing informal payments always improves social efficiency when patients do not face income constraints. Moreover, allowing informal payments improves patient welfare if patients' willingness to pay differs significantly.
Home Bias in US Beer Consumption
Authors: Lopez Rigoberto A. , Matschke Xenia
Published: October 2012

We apply the Berry, Levinsohn and Pakes market equilibrium model to data from 30 brands of beer sold in 12 US cities over 20 quarters (1988–1992) to estimate consumers' preference for beer characteristics as well as for their cultural regions of origin. Consumer heterogeneity is accounted for with respect to age and income. Overall, our data is comprised of 7200 beer brand observations and 13 920 hypothetical consumer observations. Empirical results indicate that there is, indeed, home bias with respect to foreign beers, although it varies with consumer age and income.
Effects of Public Job Training Programmes on the Employment Outcome of Displaced Workers: Results of a Matching Analysis, a Fixed Effects Model and an Instrumental Variable Approach Using Korean Data
Authors: Choi Hyung‐Jai , Kim Jooseop
Published: October 2012

This study employs the matching method, the fixed effects model and the instrumental variable (IV) approach to estimate the employment effect of training programmes on displaced workers in Korea. The results of the matching and logit analyses suggest a positive training effect on employment. However, the fixed effects model showed a substantial reduction in the estimated training effect and the IV approach showed no training effect. This provides clear evidence of positive selection into training. The results of the IV approach suggest that training favoured male and educated workers, whereas female, less educated and older workers were disadvantaged by training programmes.
How do Heterogeneous Beliefs Influence Asset Volatility?
Authors: Ho Hwai‐Chung , Lin Chien‐Chih
Published: October 2012

We investigate the influence of heterogeneous beliefs on asset volatility when agents' degrees of confidence differ. With a continuous‐time model subsuming agent's heterogeneous beliefs in the expected increase in dividends, a stock price formula is derived. Based on this formula, the stock volatility is computed via Monte Carlo simulation. The results show that the influence of belief heterogeneity in expectation on volatility depends on the confident agents' level of optimism. Empirical results are also provided.
A DEFENSE OF THE FOMC*
Authors: Ellison Martin , Sargent Thomas J.
Published: October 2012

We defend the forecasting performance of the Federal Reserve Open Market Committee (FOMC) against the criticism of Christina and David Romer (2008, American Economic Review 98, 230–235) by assuming that the FOMC’s forecasts depict a worst‐case scenario that it uses to design decisions that are robust to misspecification of the staff’s model. We use a simple macro model and a plausible loss function to illustrate how such an interpretation of the FOMC’s forecasts can explain the findings of Romer and Romer, including the pattern of differences between FOMC forecasts and forecasts published by the staff of the Federal Reserve System in the Greenbook.
PRODUCE OR SPECULATE? ASSET BUBBLES, OCCUPATIONAL CHOICE, AND EFFICIENCY*
Authors: Cahuc Pierre , Challe Edouard
Published: October 2012

We study the effects of rational asset bubbles in an overlapping‐generations economy where asset trading requires specialized intermediaries and agents freely choose between working in the production or the financial sector. Frictions in the market for deposits create rents in the financial sector that affect agents’ occupational choices. When rents are large, the private gains associated with trading bubbles lead too many agents to become speculators, causing bubbles to lose their efficiency properties. Moreover, if speculation can be carried out by skilled labor only, then bubbles displace skilled workers away from the productive sector and raise income inequalities.
THE EFFECTS OF THE 1978 PREGNANCY DISCRIMINATION ACT ON FEMALE LABOR SUPPLY*
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Sankar
Published: October 2012

This article analyzes the effects of the 1978 Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) on the labor force participation rates of married women by estimating a dynamic model of labor force participation. Results show that the PDA increased the labor force participation rate of pregnant women by 8.2 percentage points, of women with a child less than one year old by 3.4 percentage points, and of women with older children by 1.5 percentage points. Counterfactual policy simulations show that the provision of unpaid leave will increase the labor force participation rate of women with older children by an additional 3.7 percentage points.
LOCAL VERSUS PRODUCER CURRENCY PRICING: EVIDENCE FROM DISAGGREGATED DATA*
Authors: Antoniades Alexis
Published: October 2012

The pricing behavior of firms is a central issue in international macroeconomics. Using the introduction of the euro as a natural experiment I find that year‐to‐year volatility in import prices among Eurozone members diminished by 4% on average after the introduction of the euro. Additionally, I show that the magnitude of the drop was commensurate with the drop in exchange rate volatility. On the other hand, when looking at exports, I find that the introduction of the euro had no impact on export price volatility. The results support the hypothesis of producer currency pricing.
PEER TRANSPARENCY IN TEAMS: DOES IT HELP OR HINDER INCENTIVES?*
Authors: Bag Parimal Kanti , Pepito Nona
Published: October 2012

In a joint project involving two players of a two‐round effort investment game with complementary efforts, transparency, by allowing players to observe each other’s efforts, achieves at least as much, and sometimes more, collective and individual efforts relative to a nontransparent environment. Without transparency multiple equilibria can arise, and transparency eliminates the inferior equilibria. When full cooperation arises only under transparency, it occurs gradually: No worker sinks in the maximum amount of effort in the first round, preferring instead to smooth out contributions over time. If the players’ efforts are substitutes, transparency makes no difference to equilibrium efforts.
HOW MANY FIRMS SHOULD BE LEADERS? BENEFICIAL CONCENTRATION REVISITED*
Authors: Ino Hiroaki , Matsumura Toshihiro
Published: October 2012

This article investigates the relationship between the Herfindahl–Hirschman Index (HHI) and welfare in multiple‐leader Stackelberg models. We formulate two long‐run models of free entry of followers; in the first (second) model, leaders select their output before (after) the entry of the followers. We find that in both models, in contrast to the short‐run models, the Stackelberg model yields a larger welfare and HHI than the Cournot model does regardless of the number of leaders; that is, beneficial concentration always occurs.
THE COEVOLUTION OF ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT FROM MONARCHY TO DEMOCRACY*
Authors: Huang Fali
Published: October 2012

This article establishes a unified political economy model to analyze the democratization process from monarchy to oligarchy and to democracy in the context of dynamic economic development. As the predominant source of wealth evolves from land to physical capital and finally to human capital, the relative economic and hence coercive power of land owners, capitalists, and workers shifts accordingly, inducing the transition of the political system where political power is expanded from landlords to capitalists and finally to workers. A smooth transition through political compromise facilitates efficient allocation of savings in physical capital followed by efficient investment in human capital.
Must Theorising about Adaptive Preferences Deny Women's Agency?
Authors: Khader Serene J.
Published: October 2012

Critics argue that adaptive preference (AP) theorists misrepresent oppressed people's reasons for perpetuating their oppression. According to critics, AP theorists assume that people who adapt their preferences to unjust conditions lack the psychic capacities that would allow them to develop their own normative perspectives and/or form appropriate values. The misrepresentation is morally problematic, because it promotes unjustified paternalism and perpetuates colonial stereotypes of third‐world women. I argue that we can imagine a conception of AP that is consistent with acknowledging agency in people who perpetuate their oppression. I offer a weak perfectionist conception of AP that is consistent with recognising agentic capacities in the oppressed. On my conception, APs are preferences incompatible with an agent's basic wellbeing that formed under unjust conditions — and that an agent would reverse upon exposure to better conditions. My conception encourages respectful treatment of the oppressed without requiring us to abandon the feminist political goals the notion of AP is meant to serve. It helps us identify real‐world preferences that are problematically adapted to oppressive conditions and offers an account of why they seem not to be women's ‘true preferences’.
Commentary: Self‐harm in adolescents: the best predictor of death by suicide? – reflections on Hawton et al. (2012)
Authors: Ougrin Dennis
Published: October 2012

The preceding article by Hawton and colleagues reporting on a prospective study of adolescents presenting with self‐harm to Accident and Emergency departments (A&E) is one of the largest epidemiological studies to examine the long‐term outcomes of selfharm in children and adolescents. After a median of 6 years nearly 30% re‐presented to A&E with self‐harm and 1% died, half of those due to likely suicide and the rest mainly due to accidents. It may be that many accidental deaths were also suicides judging from the method of death. In comparison to adults presenting with self‐harm, the absolute risk of suicide was lower despite a high self‐harm repetition rate. Self‐injury by cutting was a strong independent predictor of suicide as was previous psychiatric treatment and previous self‐harm. Finally the eventual method of suicide was different from that used at either the first or the last episode of selfharm. This is at odds with the data generated by adult literature which consistently shows that those with the most violent methods of selfharm, e.g. attempted hanging or shooting, tend to also die using these methods.

In summary the field of adolescent self‐harm is of immense importance and requires urgent research to develop our ability to predict those likely to die of suicide, and to offer effective treatment to those at risk. The article by Hawton and colleagues is an important step in our understanding of the risk factors of suicide in those adolescents who present with self‐harm and in highlighting the overlapping nature of self‐injury and self‐poisoning in relation to suicide.
Agrarian Poverty, Nutrition and Economic Class – A Study of Gujarat, India
Authors: Dixit Anita
Published: October 2012

This paper analyses poverty and calorific undernourishment in the Indian state of Gujarat, where high and market‐led industrial growth has resulted in rapid economic improvement. The study is carried out through a combination of secondary and survey‐based data. We conclude that the neoliberal agenda of uncontrolled, outward‐looking growth has not resulted in significant reduction of poverty or malnourishment in rural areas. Furthermore, while land ownership is officially used as a proxy for wealth distribution, class position appears a better predictor of poverty status in the rural areas than landownership per se. At the policy level, there is a need to revive the agrarian economy and create new non‐agricultural assets, and the primary focus in the state must shift to the distribution of created assets rather than a single‐minded focus on growth.
Baseline investigations of folate status in Aboriginal and non‐Aboriginal West Australians prior to the introduction of mandatory fortification
Authors: Maxwell Susannah J. , Brameld Kate J. , Bower Caroline , D'Antoine Heather , Hickling Siobhan , Marley Julia , O'Leary Peter
Published: October 2012

Objective

In September 2009, Australia implemented mandatory folic acid fortification of wheat flour for bread‐making to reduce the incidence of neural tube defects. Our study aimed to establish baseline folate status data in Aboriginal and non‐Aboriginal Western Australians.

Methods

Patients who presented at a health service or collection centre for blood tests were invited to participate. One hundred and ninety‐one Aboriginals and 159 non‐Aboriginals were recruited between April 2008 and September 2009. Participants completed a five‐minute questionnaire and had blood taken for red blood cell (RBC) folate and serum vitamin B12. Data were analysed using SPSS (version 17.0.2, SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA).

Results

Ten per cent (95% confidence intervals (CI): 5, 19) of the Aboriginal women participants and 26% (95% CI: 16, 40) of men had RBC folate concentrations below 250 ng/mL, the cut‐off associated with folate deficiency. None of the non‐Aboriginal women (95% CI: 0, 4) and 4% of the non‐Aboriginal men (95% CI: 2, 12) had RBC folate concentrations below 250 ng/mL. All participants were vitamin B12 replete. None of the 96 Aboriginal and 8% of non‐Aboriginal women aged 16–44 reported consumption of supplements with a daily intake of >400 μg folic acid during the previous week.

Conclusions and implications

This study established a baseline of RBC folate, folate consumption and supplement use in Aboriginal and non‐Aboriginal groups. We identified 10% of Aboriginal women and none of non‐Aboriginal women participants with low folate concentrations. The higher prevalence of folate deficiency in Aboriginal participants suggests they are more likely to benefit from a universal program of folate fortification.
Plio‐Pleistocene landscape and vegetation reconstruction of the coastal area of the Tjörnes Peninsula, Northern Iceland
Authors: Verhoeven Koen , Louwye Stephen , Eiríksson Jón
Published: October 2012

Marine and continental deposits from the Tjörnes area in northern Iceland were studied to obtain their pollen/spore content. Six Pollen Zones (PZ) were defined in the Early Pliocene Tjörnes beds and the Early Pleistocene Breidavík Group. The pollen is most diverse during the deposition of the lowest Tapes Zone (PZ 1) and the lower part of the overlying Mactra Zone (PZ 2). Local pollen from marshland, levee and foothill forests was deposited on a large coastal plain. The pollen spectrum reflects transgression and deepening during the second part of the Mactra Zone (PZ 3) and the lower part of the Serripes Zone (PZ 4). Gymnosperm pollen derived from the higher inland plateau increases in PZ 3. This background pollen was of minor importance during periods with an extensive coastal plain (PZ 1, 2, 4, 6). PZ 5 did not yield sufficient pollen for analysis. The pollen analysis allowed refinement of the sea‐level variations based on sedimentology and molluscs. Pollen of warmth‐demanding plants is recorded throughout the Tjörnes beds and the Early Pleistocene interglacial deposits. Warmth‐loving species indicate summers 8°C warmer than today during deposition of the Tapes Zone, and at least 5°C warmer during the rest of the Tjörnes beds. The Pliocene vegetation of Iceland matches well that of the present‐day western European maritime temperate climate. The drastic cooling at the onset of the Quaternary led to a marked vegetation impoverishment, already noticeable in the Early Pleistocene Breidavík Group.
Climatic and environmental changes during the Weichselian Lateglacial Interstadial in the Weerterbos region, the Netherlands
Authors: Van Asch Nelleke , Heiri Oliver , Bohncke Sjoerd J. P. , Hoek Wim Z.
Published: October 2012

Lake sediment records from the Weerterbos region, in the southern Netherlands, were studied to reconstruct summer temperature and environmental changes during the Weichselian Lateglacial Interstadial. A sediment core obtained from a small lacustrine basin was analysed for multiple proxies, including lithological changes, oxygen isotopes of bulk carbonates, pollen and chironomids. It was found that the oxygen isotope record differed strongly from the other proxies. Based on a comparison with three additional lake sediment records from the same region, it emerged that the oxygen isotope records were strongly affected by local environmental conditions, impeding the distinction of a regional palaeoclimate signal. The chironomid‐inferred July air temperature reconstruction produced inferred interstadial temperatures ranging between ∼15° and 18°C, largely consistent with previously published results from the northern part of the Netherlands. A temporary regressive phase in the pollen record, which can be tentatively correlated with the Older Dryas, preceded the expansion of birch woodland. Despite differences between the four pollen records from the Weerterbos region, a comparable regressive vegetation phase that was possibly the result of a shift to drier conditions could be discerned in all of the profiles. In addition, a temporary temperature decline of ∼1.5°C was inferred from the chironomid record during this regressive phase. The multi‐proxy approach used here enabled a direct comparison of inferred changes in temperature, vegetation and environmental conditions at an individual site, while the multi‐site approach provided insight into the factors influencing the pollen and isotope records from these small‐scale depressions.
Multicentre study ‘rehabilitation of occupational skin diseases –optimization and quality assurance of inpatient management (ROQ)’–results from 12‐month follow‐up
Authors: Weisshaar Elke , Skudlik Christoph , Scheidt Reginald , Matterne Uwe , Wulfhorst Britta , Schönfeld Michael , Elsner Peter , Diepgen Thomas L. , John Swen M. ,   for the ROQ Study Group
Published: October 2012

Background. Occupational skin disease (OSD) is common, and imposes a considerable personal and public burden. To tackle OSD, the German stepwise procedure of handling OSD was set up. It contains an interdisciplinary, integrated inpatient rehabilitation measure [tertiary individual prevention (TIP)] [dermatological treatment and diagnostic procedures, and patient education (health and psychological)]. The primary aims of the TIP are reduction of the severity of OSD, reduction in the use of corticosteroids, facilitation of return to work, decreased absence from work, and enhanced quality of life (QoL). It was positively evaluated for a period of 4 weeks after return to work.

Objectives. To investigate whether the observed short‐term effects remain significant and meaningful over a period of 12 months after discharge from the TIP.

Methods. A prospective design was used to compare clinical and patient‐reported outcome data between admission to a 3‐week inpatient TIP and 12 months after discharge (12‐month follow‐up).

Results. Of 1788 individuals admitted to the TIP, data from 1617 individuals were available for analysis. We observed a significant reduction in the severity of OSD, the use of topical corticosteroids, and days of absence from work because of OSD. QoL was significantly improved, and 87.4% were able to return to work and remain in the workforce.

Conclusions. A randomized controlled trial would have been desirable, but was not possible, for legal and other reasons. However, the long‐term 12‐month follow‐up shows that the TIP is associated with sustained improvements in terms of ability to work, QoL, and prognosis, and reductions in days of absence from work because of skin conditions and topical corticosteroid application. These results indicate that the TIP provided a reduction in the personal and public burden of OSD.
The structural basis of αβ T‐lineage immune recognition: TCR docking topologies, mechanotransduction, and co‐receptor function
Authors: Wang Jia‐huai , Reinherz Ellis L.
Published: October 2012

Self versus non‐self discrimination is at the core of T‐lymphocyte recognition. To this end, αβ T‐cell receptors (TCRs) ligate ‘foreign’ peptides bound to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I or class II molecules (pMHC) arrayed on the surface of antigen‐presenting cells (APCs). Since the discovery of TCRs approximately 30 years ago, considerable structural and functional data have detailed the molecular basis of their extraordinary ligand specificity and sensitivity in mediating adaptive T‐cell immunity. This review focuses on the structural biology of the Fab‐like TCRαβ clonotypic heterodimer and its unique features in conjunction with those of the associated CD3εγ and CD3εδ heterodimeric molecules, which, along with CD3ζζ homodimer, comprise the TCR complex in a stoichiometry of 1:1:1:1. The basis of optimized TCRαβ docking geometry on the pMHC linked to TCR mechanotransduction and required for T‐cell signaling as well as CD4 and CD8 co‐receptor function is detailed. A model of the TCR ectodomain complex including its connecting peptides suggests how force generated during T‐cell immune surveillance and at the immunological synapse results in dynamic TCR quaternary change involving its heterodimeric components. Potential insights from the structural biology relevant to immunity and immunosuppression are revealed.
Pentraxins and Fc receptors
Authors: Lu Jinghua , Marjon Kristopher D. , Mold Carolyn , Du Clos Terry W. , Sun Peter D.
Published: October 2012

Pentraxins are innate pattern recognition molecules whose major function is to bind microbial pathogens or cellular debris during infection and inflammation and, by doing so, contribute to the clearance of necrotic cells as well as pathogens through complement activations. Fc receptors are the cellular mediators of antibody functions. Although conceptually separated, both pentraxins and antibodies are important factors in controlling acute and chronic inflammation and infections. In recent years, increasing experimental evidence suggests a direct link between the innate pentraxins and humoral Fc receptors. Specifically, both human and mouse pentraxins recognize major forms of Fc receptors in solution and on cell surfaces with affinities similar to antibodies binding to their low affinity Fc receptors. Like immune complex, pentraxin aggregation and opsonization of pathogen result in Fc receptor and macrophage activation. The recently published crystal structure of human serum amyloid P (SAP) in complex with FcγRIIA further illustrated similarities to antibody recognition. These recent findings implicate a much broader role than complement activation for pentraxins in immunity. This review summarizes the structural and functional work that bridge the innate pentraxins and the adaptive Fc receptor functions. In many ways, pentraxins can be regarded as innate antibodies.
The GM–CSF/IL‐3/IL‐5 cytokine receptor family: from ligand recognition to initiation of signaling
Authors: Broughton Sophie E. , Dhagat Urmi , Hercus Timothy R. , Nero Tracy L. , Grimbaldeston Michele A. , Bonder Claudine S. , Lopez Angel F. , Parker Michael W.
Published: October 2012

Granulocyte–macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM–CSF), interleukin‐3 (IL‐3), and IL‐5 are members of a discrete family of cytokines that regulates the growth, differentiation, migration and effector function activities of many hematopoietic cells and immunocytes. These cytokines are involved in normal responses to infectious agents, bridging innate and adaptive immunity. However, in certain cases, the overexpression of these cytokines or their receptors can lead to excessive or aberrant initiation of signaling resulting in pathological conditions, with chronic inflammatory diseases and myeloid leukemias the most notable examples. Recent crystal structures of the GM–CSF receptor ternary complex and the IL‐5 binary complex have revealed new paradigms of cytokine receptor activation. Together with a wealth of associated structure–function studies, they have significantly enhanced our understanding of how these receptors recognize cytokines and initiate signals across cell membranes. Importantly, these structures provide opportunities for structure‐based approaches for the discovery of novel and disease‐specific therapeutics. In addition, recent biochemical evidence has suggested that the GM–CSF/IL‐3/IL‐5 receptor family is capable of interacting productively with other membrane proteins at the cell surface. Such interactions may afford additional or unique biological activities and might be harnessed for selective modulation of the function of these receptors in disease.
Sensing of microbial molecular patterns by Toll‐like receptors
Authors: Song Dong Hyun , Lee Jie‐Oh
Published: October 2012

Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) sense structural patterns in microbial molecules and initiate immune defense mechanisms. The structures of many extracellular and intracellular domains of TLRs have been studied in the last 10 years. These structures reveal the extraordinary diversity of TLR‐ligand interactions. Some TLRs use internal hydrophobic pockets to bind bacterial ligands and others use solvent‐exposed surfaces to bind hydrophilic ligands. The structures suggest a common activation mechanism for TLRs: ligand binding to extracellular domains induces dimerization of the intracellular domains and so activates intracellular signaling pathways. Recently, the structure of the death domain complex of one of the signaling adapters, myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), has been determined. This structure shows how aggregation of signaling adapters recruits downstream kinases. However, we are still far from a complete understanding of TLR activation. We need to study the structures of TLR7–10 in complex with their ligands. We also need to determine the structures of TLR‐adapter aggregates to understand activation mechanisms and the specificity of the signaling pathways. Ultimately, we will have to study the structures of the complete TLR signaling complexes containing full‐length receptors, ligands, signaling, and bridging adapters, and some of the downstream kinases to understand how TLRs sense microbial infections and activate immune responses against them.
What to Eat: Evidence for Selective Autophagy in PlantsF
Authors: Floyd Brice E. , Morriss Stephanie C. , MacIntosh Gustavo C. , Bassham Diane C.
Published: October 2012

Autophagy is a macromolecular degradation pathway by which cells recycle their contents as a developmental process, housekeeping mechanism, and response to environmental stress. In plants, autophagy involves the sequestration of cargo to be degraded, transport to the cell vacuole in a double‐membrane bound autophagosome, and subsequent degradation by lytic enzymes. Autophagy has generally been considered to be a non‐selective mechanism of degradation. However, studies in yeast and animals have found numerous examples of selective autophagy, with cargo including proteins, protein aggregates, and organelles. Recent work has also provided evidence for several types of selective autophagy in plants. The degradation of protein aggregates was the first selective autophagy described in plants, and, more recently, a hybrid protein of the mammalian selective autophagy adaptors p62 and NBR1, which interacts with the autophagy machinery and may function in autophagy of protein aggregates, was described in plants. Other intracellular components have been suggested to be selectively targeted by autophagy in plants, but the current evidence is limited. Here, we discuss recent findings regarding the selective targeting of cell components by autophagy in plants.

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[ Diane C. Bassham (Corresponding author)]
Successful Treatment of Three Cases of Generalized Pustular Psoriasis With Granulocyte and Monocyte Adsorption Apheresis
Authors: Suzuki Akiko , Haruna Kunitaka , Mizuno Yuki , Kuwae Yoshiyuki , Ono Yuka , Okumura Kazuko , Negi Osamu , Kon Yasuko , Takeuchi Kaori , Takamori Kenji , Ikeda Shigaku , Suga Yasushi
Published: October 2012

Generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) is a rare form of psoriasis characterized by the presence of variable numbers of sterile pustules appearing in erythematous and scaly lesions, which are associated with moderate to severe constitutional symptoms. It can be life‐threatening especially in the elderly; therefore, medical care must be performed in rapid succession of treatment especially in refractory cases. We have performed granulocyte and monocyte adsorption apheresis (GCAP) on three GPP cases associated with several systemic and laboratory findings. As a result, the edema, erythema and numbers of sterile pustules on the skin lesions were reduced dramatically in all three patients after the first sessions of GCAP therapy. The sizes of the psoriatic lesions were reduced in all three patients following a weekly GCAP treatment for 5 consecutive weeks. Psoriasis area and severity index on discharge had improved in all three patients. No serious adverse effects were observed for up to at least 8 months after treatment. We therefore considered GCAP as one effective alternative to currently existing therapies, especially for recalcitrant cases of GPP.
Production of Interleukin‐10 by Combining a Granulocyte and Monocyte Adsorption Carrier With Ulinastatin
Authors: Nishise Shoichi , Sato Takeshi , Sasaki Yu , Nagino Ko , Iwano Daisuke , Yaoita Takao , Yoshizawa Kazuya , Nishise Yuko , Takeda Hiroaki
Published: October 2012

Interleukin (IL)‐10 is an anti‐inflammatory cytokine mainly produced by monocytes and is essential for the induction of anti‐inflammatory intestinal macrophages with macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (M‐CSF). Thus, IL‐10‐ and M‐CSF‐rich conditions in colonic tissues seem to contribute to the improvement of pathological conditions in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). We have already reported that ulinastatin, a serine protease inhibitor, increases M‐CSF production during granulocyte/monocyte (GM) adsorption to cellulose acetate (CA) beads (carriers for Adacolumn therapy). However, the effects of ulinastatin on IL‐10 production have not been clarified. The aim of the present study was to clarify the effects of ulinastatin on IL‐10 production during GM adsorption by in vitro experiments. Peripheral blood was divided into four groups: (Control) no ulinastatin added, no contact with CA beads; (1) no ulinastatin added, contact with CA beads; (2) ulinastatin added, no contact with CA beads; and (3) ulinastatin added, contact with CA beads. After incubation, IL‐10 in the plasma was measured. Compared with the level in the Control group, plasma IL‐10 was significantly higher only in group 3, in which ulinastatin was added in the presence of CA beads, but did not increase in the absence of CA beads. These results suggest that ulinastatin synergistically increases IL‐10 production with monocyte adsorption stimuli. By increasing not only M‐CSF but also IL‐10, a combination of ulinastatin and Adacolumn therapy may improve clinical efficacy for the treatment of IBD in terms of the induction of anti‐inflammatory intestinal macrophages.
Australian Geographers and Geographical Information Science
Authors: LEES BRIAN
Published: October 2012

Geographical Information Science (GIScience) has become an important sub‐discipline for North American geographers but in Australia few geographers are engaged in this ‘research in GIS’ area. Australian geographers seem more concerned with ‘research using GIS’ which has become absorbed into the geographical tradition of thinking and communicating with diagrams, images, and maps. The breakdown of disciplinary boundaries in Australia makes it difficult to be sure, but most of those engaged in GIScience in Australia seem to identify with disciplines other than geography.
Pyramids and the value of generality
Authors: Westerman Pauline
Published: October 2012

ResponsiveRegulationadvocates a differentiated style of regulation and enforcement that is more responsive to the behavior of the regulated parties than a system of general or uniform rules. This article investigates whether such a differentiated approach can be reconciled with the traditional ideal of general law. On the basis of a conceptual analysis of generality, it is argued that the notion of generality is at best tautological and not inconsistent with a differentiated approach to regulation and enforcement. However, the value of generality is based on the assumption that rules function as reasons, rather than as instructions. As reasons, rules need not comprise large categories, but they do need to last for a long period of time. The conclusion drawn is that flexibility (rather than differentiation) is hard to reconcile with the notion of rules as reasons, although it may be demanded by a notion of rules as effective implementers of policies.
Simultaneous Determination of Major and Trace Elements in Fused Volcanic Rock Powders Using a Hermetic Vessel Heater and LA‐ICP‐MS
Authors: Zhu Lüyun , Liu Yongsheng , Hu Zhaochu , Hu Qinghai , Tong Xirong , Zong Keqing , Chen Haihong , Gao Shan
Published: October 2012

Fused glass prepared without the addition of a flux is generally more homogeneous than a pressed powder pellet and thus ideal for analysis of bulk samples by LA‐ICP‐MS. In this work, a new glass‐making method using a boron nitride crucible was developed to prepare homogenous glass samples from silicate rock powder. The apparatus consisted of a small boron nitride vessel with net volume of about 34 mm3 and two molybdenum strips. Applying the summed metal oxide normalisation technique, both major and trace element contents in the fused glass were measured by LA‐ICP‐MS. Analyses of five geochemical reference materials (spanning the compositional range basalt–andesite–rhyolite) indicated that the measured SiO2, Al2O3 and P2O5 contents matched the preferred values to within 5%, and the other major elements generally matched the preferred values to within 8%. Except for the transition metals, the measured trace element contents generally matched the preferred values to within 10%. Compared with the iridium heater method developed by Stoll et al. (2008), element volatilisation during high‐temperature melting was effectively suppressed in our method, but metal segregation caused by reduction of BN may cause loss of Cr, Ni and Cu. Although analysis with a large spot size has the advantage of improving counting statistics, matrix effects induced by mass loading of the ICP may hamper the accurate determination of some elements.
Knowledge Under Threat
Authors: Bogardus Tomas
Published: October 2012

Many contemporary epistemologists hold that a subject S’s true belief that p counts as knowledge only if S’s belief that p is also, in some important sense, safe. I describe accounts of this safety condition from John Hawthorne, Duncan Pritchard, and Ernest Sosa. There have been three counterexamples to safety proposed in the recent literature, from Comesaña, Neta and Rohrbaugh, and Kelp. I explain why all three proposals fail: each moves fallaciously from the fact that S was at epistemic risk just before forming her belief to the conclusion that S’s belief was formed unsafely. In light of lessons from their failure, I provide a new and successful counterexample to the safety condition on knowledge. It follows, then, that knowledge need not be safe. Safety at a time depends counterfactually on what would likely happen at that time or soon after in a way that knowledge does not. I close by considering one objection concerning higher‐order safety.
Digit ratio (2D:4D) in Klinefelter's syndrome
Authors: Manning J. T. , Kilduff L. P. , Trivers R.
Published: October 2012

The ratio of second to fourth digit length (2D:4D) is a correlate of prenatal testosterone. High 2D:4D is associated with low prenatal testosterone, and reduced sensitivity to testosterone. Klinefelter's syndrome (KS; 47 XXY) affects the endocrine system, such that low testosterone levels are found in KS foetuses, new‐borns and adults. To date, there are no published data regarding the pattern of 2D:4D in KS males. Here we consider 2D:4D in KS individuals (n = 51), their relatives (16 fathers and 15 mothers) and an unaffected control sample of 153 men and 153 women. Adult KS individuals were taller than their fathers and had shorter fingers than fathers and male controls. Compared with fathers, male controls and mothers, KS males had shorter fingers relative to height. With regard to 2D:4D, KS individuals had higher 2D:4D than fathers (right and left hands), male controls (right and left hands) and mothers (left hands). Among KS males older than 13 years there were 34 individuals currently prescribed testosterone and nine not prescribed. In comparison to the former, the latter individuals had higher right 2D:4D and higher right–left 2D:4D. We conclude that KS males have mean 2D:4D values similar to those found in female population norms. In addition, testosterone supplementation in KS males may be most common for individuals with low right 2D:4D.
Association of left varicocoele with height, body mass index and sperm counts in infertile men
Authors: Gokce A. , Demirtas A. , Ozturk A. , Sahin N. , Ekmekcioglu O.
Published: October 2012

The aim of this study was to evaluate interrelation of left varicocoele with height, body mass index (BMI) and sperm counts. We retrospectively evaluated the data of all patients who consulted for infertility at a tertiary academic referral centre from 2000 to 2010. Patient's height, weight, BMI, semen analysis, presence or absence of varicocoele and varicocoele side and grade were evaluated. In statistical evaluations chi‐square, student's t, Mann–Whitney U, anova and logistic regression analyses were performed. In anova analyses, Bonferroni post hoc test was performed when needed. The data of 1842 among 2780 men, presenting for infertility, were included in the study. There were 587 men (31.9%) with left varicocoele and 1255 (68.1%) men without varicocoele. Two hundred and seventy‐two men (14.8%) had grade I or II, and 315 men (17.1%) had grade III varicocoeles. Mean height was 174.3 ± 6.7 and 172.5 ± 7.0 cm in men with and without varicocoele respectively (p < 0.001). The mean BMI of cases without varicocoeles (25.8 kg/m2) was greater than varicocoele group (24.9 kg/m2) (p < 0.001). Percentage of varicocoele was the highest in moderately oligozoospermic males and significantly higher than the men with normal sperm count. As the height increased, the probability of having varicocoele increased, and the inverse is true for BMI. If varicocoeles are a progressive lesion, perhaps taller men with varicocoeles should be followed more closely to evaluate their fertility and androgenic status.
RNASET2 in human spermatozoa and seminal plasma: a novel relevant indicator for asthenozoospermia
Authors: Liu Y. , Chen G. , Lu L. , Sun H. , Guo Q. , Xue K. , Fan Y. , Ding Z.
Published: October 2012

Adequate sperm motility is requisite for human fertilization, whereas the underlying causes or mechanisms of impaired sperm motility, asthenozoospermia, still remain largely unknown. RNASET2 (Ribonuclease T2) may be one of the effectors modulating human sperm motility. We determined if there is a correlation between RNASET2 expression levels in human semen from asthenozoospermia and fertile individuals. Thus, RNASET2 expression levels in spermatozoa and seminal plasma of healthy and asthenozoospermia individuals were evaluated using Western blot, laser scanning confocal microscope analysis, ELISA and flow cytometry. The results revealed that RNASET2 expression was identified in both human spermatozoa and seminal plasma. In spermatozoa from fertile individuals, it was localized to the acrosome, neck and the middle piece of tail regions. However, in spermatozoa from asthenozoospermia individuals (n = 67), RNASET2 staining was especially more frequent and evident in the neck and middle piece than that in fertile individuals (n = 59, p < 0.01). Similarly, higher RNASET2 expression was also apparent in seminal plasma from asthenozoospermia than in fertile individuals (p < 0.01). Moreover, purified RNASET2 had an inhibitory effect on sperm motility, especially on progressive motility (n = 23, p < 0.05). In conclusion, higher expression of RNASET2 in the semen of asthenozoospermia individuals may contribute to sperm motility impairment.
Qualitative inquiry: perceptions of sexuality by African Americans experiencing haemodialysis
Authors: Stewart Merry
Published: October 2012

Aim

To explore the influence of the haemodialysis regimen on African Americans' perceptions of sexuality.

Background

Sexuality is defined as the quality of humans as males or females. Sexuality concerns are commonly reported for individuals receiving haemodialysis; yet, sexuality‐related research for this population has been limited to a focus on altered physical sexuality characteristics.

Design

Qualitative descriptive study.

Methods

This qualitative descriptive study used a middle‐range model derived from Roy's adaptation model to explore a holistic viewpoint of African Americans' perceptions of physical sexuality, personal sexuality identity, family/social roles, and intimate/personal relationships since being on dialysis. Data were collected over a 9‐month period in 2008–2009.

Findings

Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 19 African American men (N = 12) and women (N = 7) who were receiving haemodialysis treatment (mean age = 49·95 years). Perceptions of diminished sexuality were most associated with altered relationships, family and social roles for most participants, and were suggested to negatively influence adaptive processes. Perceptions of personal sexuality identity in male participants were found to be greatly influenced by endorsement of traditional masculinity ideology. In contrast, female participants' perceptions of sexuality were found to be influenced by multiple meanings of their identity as Black women.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that diminished perceptions of sexuality may negatively influence adaptive processes for patients receiving chronic treatment such as dialysis. In addition, findings support further research and the development of instruments to assess sexuality from a more holistic viewpoint.
Comparison of ThermoCool® Surround Flow Catheter Versus ThermoCool® Catheter in Achieving Persistent Electrical Isolation of Pulmonary Veins: A Pilot Study
Authors: BERTAGLIA EMANUELE , FASSINI GAETANO , ANSELMINO MATTEO , STABILE GIUSEPPE , GRANDINETTI GIUSEPPE , SIMONE ANTONIO DE , CALÒ LEONARDO , PANDOZI CLAUDIO , PRATOLA CLAUDIO , ZOPPO FRANCO , TONDO CLAUDIO , IULIANO ASSUNTA , GAITA FIORENZO
Published: October 2012

Persistent Electrical Isolation of Pulmonary Veins. Introduction: Aim of this study was to compare efficacy and safety of the new ThermoCool Surround Flow® catheter (SFc) versus the ThermoCool® (TCc) in achieving persistent circumferential electrical isolation of the pulmonary veins (PVs) in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods and Results: This multicenter, randomized, controlled study enrolled patients suffering from paroxysmal AF. Randomization was run in a one‐to‐one fashion between radiofrequency ablation by TCc or SFc. Aim of PVs ablation was documentation of electrical isolation with exit/entrance block recorded on a circular catheter. Among the 106 enrolled patients, 52 (49.0%) were randomized to TCc and 54 (51.0%) to SFc. Total volume of infused saline solution during the procedure was lower in the SFc than in TCc group (752.7 ± 268.6 mL vs 1,165.9 ± 436.2 mL, P < 0.0001). Number of identified and isolated PVs was similar in the 2 groups. Number of PVs remaining isolated 30 minutes after ablation was higher in the SFc than in TCc group (95.2% vs 90.5%, P < 0.03), mainly driven by acute ablation result in the left PVs (96.1% vs 89.7%, P < 0.04). Complications were seldom and observed only in the TCc group (0% vs 3.84%, P < 0.03). At 6‐month follow‐up SFc patients reported a trend toward less AF recurrences compared to those in the TCc group (22.9% vs 27.0%, P = 0.69).

Conclusion: PV isolation by SFc lowered the rate of left PV early reconnections and reduced the volume of infused saline solution while maintaining the safety profile of AF ablation. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 24, pp. 269‐273, March 2013)