bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of health‐care accessibility and social deprivation on diabetes related foot disease
Authors: Leese G. P. , Feng Z. , Leese R. M. , Dibben C. , Emslie‐Smith A.
Published: January 2013

Aims

To determine whether geography and/or social deprivation influences the occurrence of foot ulcers or amputations in patients with diabetes.

Methods

A population‐based cohort of people with diabetes (n = 15 983) were identified between 2004 and 2006. Community and hospital data on diabetes care, podiatry care and onset of ulceration and amputation was linked using a unique patient identifier, which is used for all patient contacts with health‐care professionals. Postcode was used to calculate social deprivation and distances to general practice and hospital care.

Results

Over 3 years' follow‐up 670 patients with diabetes developed new foot ulcers (42 per 1000) and 99 proceeded to amputation (6 per 1000). The most deprived quintile had a 1.7‐fold (95% CI 1.2–2.3) increased risk of developing a foot ulcer. Distance from general practitioner or hospital clinic and lack of attendance at community retinal screening did not predict foot ulceration or amputation. Previous ulcer (OR 15.1, 95% CI 11.6–19.6), insulin use (OR 2.7, 95% CI 2.1–3.5), absent foot pulses (5.9: 4.7–7.5) and impaired monofilament sensation (OR 6.5, 95% CI 5.0–8.4) all predicted foot ulceration. Previous foot ulcer, absent pulses and impaired monofilaments also predicted amputation.

Conclusion

Social deprivation is an important factor, especially for the development of foot ulcers. Geographical aspects such as accessibility to the general practitioner or hospital clinic are not associated with foot ulceration or amputation in this large UK cohort study.
Terrestrial prey inputs to streams bordered by deciduous broadleaved forests, conifer plantations and clear‐cut sites in southwestern Japan: effects on the abundance of red‐spotted masu salmon
Authors: Inoue Mikio , Sakamoto Shogo , Kikuchi Shugo
Published: January 2013

Terrestrial invertebrates falling from the riparian canopy are a major energy source for fishes in headwater streams. Because quantity and quality of such allochthonous resources can vary depending on riparian conditions, conversion of riparian forests to conifer plantations may affect stream productivity. We compared falling and drifting invertebrate abundances and the diet of masu salmon (Oncorhynchus masou) among stream reaches bordered by deciduous broadleaved forests, conifer plantations (Cryptomeria japonica), and clear‐cut sites in southwestern Japan. We also examined whether among‐reach variation in salmon abundance was related to the riparian vegetation types. The results indicated that, on an annual basis, falling inputs of terrestrial invertebrates at the broadleaved reaches were 2–4 times higher than those at the plantation and clear‐cut reaches. In nonwinter seasons, terrestrial invertebrates made up 40–60% and 30–90% of drift and masu salmon diets, respectively, and drifting invertebrate abundance was higher in the broadleaved reaches than in the plantation reaches. Furthermore, a multivariate analysis of salmon abundance showed that variation in salmon biomass was explained primarily by riparian vegetation type, with broadleaved and clear‐cut reaches having higher biomass than the plantation reaches. These results indicate that terrestrial invertebrates are an important resource for masu salmon, and suggest that streams bordered by conifer plantations receive lower terrestrial prey inputs, which results in lower salmon abundance. In regions where natural forests have been extensively converted to conifer plantations, forest management that allows and facilitates recovery of natural riparian stands is important.
Contemporary University Strategising: The Financial Imperative
Authors: Parker Lee D.
Published: January 2013

This paper examines the financially focused strategies now evident amongst institutions competing for space in the global higher education system. In their search for increasing financial self‐sufficiency, universities and other higher education providers are examined for their primary competitive strategies. The study provides comprehensive evidence of their cost and operating efficiency strategies, facilitated by increasingly pervasive financial performance accountability systems. The primary operational strategies of teaching and research are found to have been transmogrified into strategies of customised education and research that is primarily focused upon and measured in terms of its funds generation. These trends contribute to complex performance management and accountability challenges as universities’ senior managers balance their internal financial ambitions with the expectations of external stakeholders, while simultaneously projecting sanitised imagery through corporate public relations strategies.
Drivers of Autonomy of Public Agencies in Italy
Authors: Barbieri Dario , Galli Davide , Fedele Paolo , Ongaro Edoardo
Published: January 2013

The creation of agencies has been and still is a widespread trend in the public sector: governments in many countries often establish semi‐autonomous single‐purpose organizations to carry out a wide range of functions and tasks. The trend to autonomization is problematic as it affects public sector's governance: several bodies operate partly autonomously from the core elective government, and are sometimes loosely coupled with their ‘parent’ administration. Consequently, analysing the drivers of agencies’ autonomy is a crucial issue for public management. This paper, in the light of some major contributions in organizational science, assumes that agencies’ autonomy is influenced by factors that affect post‐delegation relationships: agencies’ structure, culture and nature of the tasks executed. The study was aimed at testing a range of hypotheses about the autonomy of public agencies, using for this purpose the so‐far not investigated case of Italy–much in the spirit of the accumulation of knowledge in an area of public management. Results do not provide any strikingly counter‐intuitive finding, but a mix of confirmations and disconfirmations of previous findings that allow a finer‐grained analysis on the determinants of agency autonomy.
Self‐Represented Parties in Mediation: Fifty Years Later It Remains the Elephant in the Room
Authors: Applegate Amy G. , Beck Connie J.A.
Published: January 2013

The past fifty years have borne witness to increases in parties representing themselves and mediating, rather than litigating, in divorce and other family law cases. In this article, we review changes in family law; discuss challenges for self‐represented litigants and mediators working with them; review guidance developed by the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC) and the American Bar Association (ABA); and discuss state ethics opinions, guidelines, and rules. We conclude with our proposal and urge the AFCC and the ABA to draft Model Rules of Practice for Mediating with Self‐Represented Parties to assist states in implementing appropriate rule changes.
Modifying Modifications: The Future of Child Support is Electronic
Authors: Larson Ryan
Published: January 2013

Child support arrears are growing across the country. The recent economic recession has only exacerbated the problem. One way of combating arrears is to ensure that child support orders are based upon accurate financial information. Parents and the state can do more to make this happen. This Note proposes that states implement, through administrative regulation, electronic modification systems that review support orders annually. Specifically, electronic systems would utilize automated noncustodial parent income data. Proposed models currently exist in states throughout the country and are consistent with due process afforded by the U.S. Constitution.

Reforms to the child support modification process are needed.

Suggestions are provided for keeping child support orders accurate and fair.

Solutions are offered to help alleviate growing child support arrears.

The intersection of technology and law is discussed.
Ubiquitin‐like protein MNSFβ covalently binds to Bcl–G and enhances lipopolysaccharide/interferon γ‐induced apoptosis in macrophages
Authors: Watanabe Jun , Nakagawa Mai , Watanabe Natsuko , Nakamura Morihiko
Published: January 2013

Monoclonal non‐specific suppressor factor β (MNSFβ) is a ubiquitously expressed member of the ubiquitin‐like family that is involved in various biological functions. Previous studies have demonstrated that MNSFβ covalently binds to intracellular pro‐apoptotic protein Bcl–G and regulates the extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK)/mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade in the mouse macrophage cell line Raw264.7. In this study, we demonstrate that MNSFβ promotes lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/interferon γ (IFNγ)‐induced apoptosis of Raw264.7 macrophages. In Raw264.7 cells treated with MNSFβ small interfering RNA (siRNA), LPS/IFNγ‐ or NO donor S–nitrosoglutathione‐induced apoptosis was inhibited. siRNA‐mediated knockdown of MNSFβ did not affect inducible nitric‐oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in LPS/IFNγ‐stimulated Raw264.7 cells. Conversely, co‐transfection with MNSFβ and Bcl–G greatly enhanced LPS/IFNγ‐ induced apoptosis in Raw264.7 cells, accompanied by increased expression of p53 and decreased Cox–2 activity. Unlike co‐transfection with wild‐type MNSFβ, co‐transfection of a mutant MNSFβ (G74A) and Bcl–G did not result in enhancement of LPS/IFNγ‐induced apoptosis. Co‐over‐expression of MNSFβ and Bcl–G reduced S–nitrosoglutathione‐induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Furthermore, electrophoretic mobility shift assay experiments revealed that MNSFβ down‐regulates the ERK/activator protein 1 (AP–1) signaling cascade which leads to Cox–2 activation. We also observed that MNSFβ–Bcl–G promotes LPS/IFNγ‐induced apoptosis of mouse peritoneal macrophages, together with a decrease in Cox–2 expression. Taken together, our data indicate an apoptosis‐enhancing effect of MNSFβ–Bcl–G is due in part to down‐regulation of Cox–2 activation in macrophages.

Structured digital abstract

Bcl-G physically interacts with MNSFβ by anti-bait co-immunoprecipitation (View Interaction: 1, 2, 3, 4)
Gender and Supportive Co‐Worker Relations in the Medical Profession
Authors: Wallace Jean E.
Published: January 2013

Women's growing numerical representation in the professions has not necessarily translated into women being truly integrated in these occupations. Questionnaire data are used to examine whether female physicians are socially integrated in the male‐dominated profession of medicine in terms of the support they receive from their medical colleagues compared to male physicians. The literature on tokenism and homophily suggests that women in male‐dominated professions receive less support than their male colleagues, whereas the social support literature predicts that women typically receive more emotional support than men but less informational and instrumental support. The results of this study shed light on the complex and multi‐layered ways in which gender is relevant to our understanding of the extent to which co‐workers provide empathy, information and assistance to one another.
Neurological and psychiatric tolerability of rilpivirine (TMC278) vs. efavirenz in treatment‐naïve, HIV‐1‐infected patients at 48 weeks
Authors: Mills AM , Antinori A , Clotet B , Fourie J , Herrera G , Hicks C , Madruga JV , Vanveggel S , Stevens M , Boven K ,   ECHO and THRIVE study groups
Published: January 2013

Objectives

The aim of the study was to compare the neuropsychiatric safety and tolerability of rilpivirine (TMC278) vs. efavirenz in a preplanned pooled analysis of data from the ECHO and THRIVE studies which compared the safety and efficacy of the two drugs in HIV‐1 infected treatment naïve adults.

Methods

ECHO and THRIVE were randomized, double‐blind, double‐dummy, 96‐week, international, phase 3 trials comparing the efficacy, safety and tolerability of rilpivirine 25 mg vs. efavirenz 600 mg once daily in combination with two background nucleoside/tide reverse transcriptase inhibitors. Safety and tolerability analyses were conducted when all patients had received at least 48 weeks of treatment or discontinued earlier. Differences between treatments in the incidence of neurological and psychiatric adverse events (AEs) of interest were assessed in preplanned statistical analyses using Fisher's exact test.

Results

At the time of the week 48 analysis, the cumulative incidences in the rilpivirine vs. efavirenz groups of any grade 2–4 treatment‐related AEs and of discontinuation because of AEs were 16% vs. 31% (P < 0.0001) and 3% vs. 8% (P = 0.0005), respectively. The incidence of treatment‐related neuropsychiatric AEs was 27% vs. 48%, respectively (P < 0.0001). The incidence of treatment‐related neurological AEs of interest was 17% vs. 38% (P < 0.0001), and that of treatment‐related psychiatric AEs of interest was 15% vs. 23% (P = 0.0002). Dizziness and abnormal dreams/nightmares occurred significantly less frequently with rilpivirine vs. efavirenz (P < 0.01). In both groups, patients with prior neuropsychiatric history tended to report more neuropsychiatric AEs but rates remained lower for rilpivirine than for efavirenz.

Conclusions

Rilpivirine was associated with fewer neurological and psychiatric AEs of interest than efavirenz over 48 weeks in treatment‐naïve, HIV‐1‐infected adults.
A unique vaccine for control of fertility and therapy of advanced‐stage terminal cancers ectopically expressing human chorionic gonadotropin
Authors: Talwar G. P.
Published: January 2013

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) appears soon after fertilization of the egg and plays a critical role in implantation of the embryo leading to the beginning of pregnancy. Vaccines developed against hCG prevent pregnancy without impairment of ovulation and disturbance of menstrual regularity. A new recombinant vaccine hCGβ‐LTB has been developed that is highly immunogenic in various strains of mice and intended for the control of fertility in women. An additional use of this vaccine is likely to be treatment of advanced‐stage cancers that ectopically express hCG.
Evaluation Antibacterial Activity of Quaternary‐Based Chitin/Chitosan Derivatives In Vitro
Authors: Geng Xiaodong , Yang Ronghua , Huang Jianying , Zhang Xiao , Wang Xiangyang
Published: January 2013

Abstract:  Total of 3 water‐soluble quaternary‐based chitin/chitosan derivatives, which have an identical molecular weight and anion, were synthesized and characterized. Their antibacterial activities against Salmonella cholerae‐suis and Bacillus subtilis were evaluated in vitro. The polysaccharides exhibited the antibacterial efficiency. Their minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values vary from 0.02 to 20.48 mg/mL, and their minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values vary from 0.08 to 40.96 mg/mL against S. cholerae‐suis and B. subtilis, respectively. Futhermore, the extent of Bacillus subtilis cells damage was examined via transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to show how N,N,N‐trimethylchitosan (TMC) gradually destroyed and killed B. subtilis cells when they were treated with TMC. One of those quaternary polymers, O‐([2‐hydroxy‐3‐trimethylammonium])propyl chitin (OHT‐chitin), which can be directly and easily synthesized from chitin in bulk quantities, also was demonstrated its antibacterial activity. These water soluble quaternary‐based chitin/chitosan derivatives that have antibacterial effect should be potentially used as antimicrobial agents in many fields.

Practical Application:  The main practical application behind the investigation and evaluation antibacterial activity of 3 water‐soluble quaternary‐based chitin/chitosan derivatives could be potentially used as antimicrobial agents in many fields. These polysaccharides represent a renewable source of natural biodegradable polymers and meet with the emergence of more and more food safe problems.
Ecological and biodiversity gradients across alpine dry grassland habitats: implications for an endangered species
Authors: Gilardelli F. , Gentili R. , Prosser F. , Bonomi C. , Varotto C. , Sgorbati S.
Published: January 2013

Dry grasslands are of great interest for nature conservation in Europe, because they have a central role in the conservation of numerous rare and endangered species. In this study carried out in the Brenta mountain group (Italian alps), we investigated the effect of environmental factors mainly controlled by topography, on the biodiversity trends across different dry grassland habitats where the threatened alpine stenoendemic Erysimum aurantiacum grows. Plant community data and ecological factors were analysed by means of a multi‐habitat CCA approach and by analysis of biodiversity gradients in 7 natural and semi‐natural habitats. We found that species turnover and biodiversity patterns vary as a function of multi‐factorial ecological gradients. For the single habitats, elevation gradient was the main factor explaining compositional variation, followed by inclination and proportion of exposed rock surface. Despite its endangered status, E. aurantiacum showed a relatively high degree of ecological plasticity across these semiarid grassland habitats that probably allows it to survive in different environments, including in some cases those impacted by human activities. This prompts for habitat‐ more than species‐level conservation actions. According to their characteristics and threats, habitat‐specific management practices are recommended for long term conservation of plant species communities in the different ecological niches.
Comparative microsporogenesis and anther development of selected species from Magnoliaceae
Authors: Xu Feng‐Xia , Chen Dong‐Qin , Specht Chelsea
Published: January 2013

Stamen development and microsporogenesis of four species from Magnoliaceae was investigated in order to provide additional data from this family. Stamen bases were found to be wide and short, without morphological differentiation in Magnolia moto, M. paenetalauma and Woonyoungia septentrionalis. In contrast, stamens are distinctly differentiated into anther and filament regions in Michelia crassipes. The orientation of dehiscence is introrse, introrse‐latrorse and latrorse in M. moto, M. paenetalauma and M. crassipes, respectively. The vascular bundles range from three to five (M. moto, M. paenetalauma) to one (M. crassipes). The amount of the connective tissue has been reduced from three to two times of the sporogenous tissue in M. moto and M. paenetalauma. The two parts are nearly equal in M. crassipess. In W. septentrionalis, the orientation of dehiscence, the vascular bundles and the size of the connective tissue vary in different parts of the floral receptacle. The endothecium and endothecial‐like cells form a ring that encloses the entire anther. The middle layer cells originate from both the outer and inner secondary parietal layers, and start to degenerate gradually at the microspore interphase stage or meiosis stage. The tapetum is of the secretory type, derived from the inner secondary parietal cells. The mature anther wall is composed of one epidermal, one endothecial, three to four middle layer(s) and one glandular tapetum. Only one epidermis, one endothecium, and the remnants of the middle layer and tapetum are left before anther dehiscence. Microspore tetrads appear as isobilateral, tetrahedral, decussate and T‐shaped, produced by a modified simultaneous microsporogenesis, which have evolved from the common ancestor of all Magnoliaceae. Our results support an ancestral state with stamens with non‐marginal sporangia and the amount of sterile tissue exceeding the amount of sporogenous tissue, and evolutionary trends toward equalization of the amount of fertile and sterile tissue on the stamen.
Stream and Retention Pond Thermal Response to Heated Summer Runoff From Urban Impervious Surfaces1
Authors: Hester Erich T. , Bauman Kalen S.
Published: January 2013

Abstract: Runoff from parking lots during summer storms injects surges of hot water into receiving water bodies. We present temperature data collected near urban storm sewer outfalls in Blacksburg, Virginia, using arrays of sensors in a stream and a stormwater pond. Surges occurred roughly a dozen times per month, ranging up to 8.1°C with average duration 2 h in the stream and up to 11.2°C with average duration 7 h in the pond. Surges were larger in the pond due to a larger contributing watershed, no dilution by upstream water, and cool background temperatures near the outfall. Surges began abruptly, warming at rates averaging 0.2°C/min for periods of 5‐20 min. Surges dissipated as they propagated into the water bodies, travelling further in the stream (>19 m) than the pond (∼10 m) consistent with greater advection in the stream. Surges were largest and most frequent in the afternoon but occurred at all times of day and night. Stream surges exhibited two phases: an early high‐temperature low‐volume input from the storm sewer and a later low‐temperature high‐volume input from upstream. Surges at the pond did not exhibit two phases, consistent with inputs only from storm sewers. Surges are likely common in urban areas, and may cumulatively have consequences for aquatic organisms, biogeochemical process rates, and even human health. Such effects may be compounded by urban heat islands and climate change, so prevention or mitigation should be considered.
Release, Dispersion, and Resuspension of Escherichia coli From Direct Fecal Deposits Under Controlled Flows1
Authors: McDaniel Rachel L. , Soupir Michelle L. , Tuttle Ross B. , Cervantes Amy E.
Published: January 2013

Abstract:  Water‐quality standards have been placed on fecal indicator organisms such as Escherichia coli in an attempt to limit the concentrations in water bodies. Cattle can be a significant source of bacteria to water systems, particularly when they are allowed direct access to streams. A flume study was conducted to quantify the effect and understand the transport of E. coli from directly deposited cattle manure. Five steady‐state flows, ranging from 0.00683 to 0.0176 m3/s, were studied and loads from a single cowpie exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended water‐quality standards (235 CFU/100 ml) at each flow over the hour study period. Average E. coli concentrations ranged from 102 to 105 CFU/100 ml over the hour sampling period for all flows. High spatial variations in E. coli concentrations were often seen at each sampling time, with higher concentrations typically at the bottom of the flume. E. coli resuspension was initially greater at 0.5 min after deposition, for the lowest flow (105 CFU/m2/s); however, resuspension rates became similar over time, on the order of 103 CFU/m2/s. This study demonstrates that the concentrations of E. coli can vary over the water column, and therefore grab samples may inaccurately measure bacteria concentrations and loads in streams. In addition, resuspension rates were often high, so the incorporation of this process into water‐quality models is important for bacteria prediction.
Detection of Puccinia pelargonii‐zonalis‐infected Geranium Tissues and Urediniospores
Authors: Scocco Erika A. , Walcott Ronald R. , Jeffers Steven N. , Buck James W.
Published: January 2013

The occurrence of geranium rust (caused by Puccinia pelargonii‐zonalis) in commercial greenhouses can result in unmarketable plants and significant economic losses. Currently, detection of geranium rust relies solely on scouting for symptoms and signs of the disease. The purpose of this research was to develop a rapid detection assay for P. pelargonii‐zonalis‐infected tissues or urediniospores on greenhouse‐grown geraniums. Two oligonucleotide primers were designed based on internal transcribed spacer sequence data from three isolates of P. pelargonii‐zonalis. The primers amplified a 131‐bp product from genomic DNA from each isolate of P. pelargonii‐zonalis but did not amplify a product from genomic DNA from twelve other rust fungi or four other plant pathogenic fungi. A PCR product was amplified consistently from solutions that contained 1 ng or 100 pg/ml of purified P. pelargonii‐zonalis DNA in conventional PCR and at 1 pg/ml using real‐time PCR. The detection threshold was 102 urediniospores/ml for real‐time PCR and 104 urediniospores/ml for conventional PCR using urediniospores collected by vacuum from sporulating lesions. Puccinia pelargonii‐zonalis DNA was amplified by real‐time PCR from urediniospores washed from a single inoculated leaf, but recovered urediniospores were below detection threshold from one inoculated leaf with 5, 10, 25 and 50 non‐inoculated leaves. Conventional and real‐time PCR did not detect P. pelargonii‐zonalis in infected leaf tissues, presumably due to PCR inhibitors in the geranium leaf tissue. The inhibition of both conventional and real‐time PCR by geranium tissues suggests that a detection assay focusing on urediniospore recovery and microscopic examination with subsequent species verification by PCR may be the most efficient method for assessing the presence of geranium rust in greenhouses.
Effect of short‐term supplementation with rumen‐protected fat during the late luteal phase on reproduction and metabolism of ewes
Authors: Hashem N. M. , El‐Zarkouny S. Z.
Published: January 2013

This study was designed to study the effect of short‐term supplementation with rumen‐protected fat during the late luteal phase on reproduction and metabolism of sheep during breeding season. Seventy‐six ewes (Rahmani, Barki and Awassi × Barki) were allocated to two groups considering genotype: the control ewes (C‐group) received a maintenance diet, and the fat‐supplemented ewes (F‐group) received the maintenance diet plus 50 g/head/day of rumen‐ protected fat (Megalac) for 9 days during which oestrus was synchronized. The latter had been accomplished using double intramuscular injection of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) 11 days apart. Ovarian activity, serum concentration of cholesterol, glucose, insulin and reproductive performance variables were recorded. Data were analysed considering treatment (group) and genotype. Supplementation had positive effects on the overall mean serum concentrations of cholesterol (p < 0.05), glucose (p < 0.05) on day 6 of nutritional treatment and insulin (p = 0.07) on day 8. Fat supplementation did not affect the total number of follicles, follicle populations and ovulation rate. However, fat‐supplemented Rahmani ewes tended to have higher ovulation rate compared with other breeds (treatment × breed interaction, p = 0.06). Treatment also did not affect the mean concentration of serum estradiol or progesterone. Supplemented ewes had higher conception (p = 0.06) and lambing rates (p < 0.05) compared with control. In conclusion, short‐term supplementation with rumen‐protected fat as a source of energy around breeding time improved metabolism, conception and lambing rates of ewes without effects on steroidogenic capacity and ovarian activity being apparent.
Expression profile of macrophage migration‐inhibitory factor in human gingiva and reconstituted human gingival epithelia stimulated by Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide
Authors: Li X. , Lan H. Y. , Huang X. R. , Zhang C. , Jin L. J.
Published: January 2013

Background and Objective

Macrophage migration‐inhibitory factor (MIF) plays crucial roles in the recruitment and activation of macrophages as well as in helping to kill bacteria. This study investigated the expression profile of MIF in human gingiva under different periodontal conditions and its expression patterns induced by Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in gingival epithelia.

Material and Methods

Gingival tissue samples were collected from deep pockets and clinically healthy sites of 22 nonsmoking subjects with chronic periodontitis. The expression of MIF mRNA and protein was evaluated using real‐time PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively. The in vitro study analyzed the effects of P. gingivalis LPS on the expression of MIF in a reconstituted human gingival epithelia (RHGE) model.

Results

In gingival epithelia, MIF protein was diffusely expressed from the basal layer to the granular and spinous layers; whereas, in the underlying connective tissues, MIF was observed around the dilated blood vessels in the deep‐pocket tissues. A significantly lower level of expression of MIF mRNA and an increased level of expression of MIF protein were found in deep‐pocket tissues compared with clinically healthy tissues. Expression of MIF mRNA in the RHGE model was significantly down‐regulated by P. gingivalis LPS.

Conclusion

The present study suggests that MIF expression may be related to periodontal conditions and that its expression profile could be modulated by P. gingivalis LPS. MIF may play a role in periodontal pathogenesis.
Histological improvement of long‐term antiviral therapy in chronic hepatitis B patients with persistently normal alanine aminotransferase levels
Authors: Du X. , Wang J. , Shao L. , Hu X. , Yang C. , Shen L. , Weng X. , Zhang W.
Published: January 2013

The aim of this study was to evaluate the histological outcomes of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with persistently normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels after long‐term antiviral therapy. Paired liver biopsies before and after lamivudine (LAM) treatment in CHB patients with normal and elevated ALT levels were compared. Histological response was defined as a 1‐point decrease according to the Scheuer scoring system, without worsening of fibrosis between pretreatment and posttreatment biopsies. Among the 48 patients who underwent paired liver biopsies, 17 had persistently normal baseline ALT level and 31 had elevated ALT level. The median age of the patients was 44 years and 72.9% of the patients were male. The median duration of antiviral treatment was 44.5 months (range 14–104). Long‐term follow‐up of liver biopsies revealed that 82.4% of patients in the normal ALT group and 61.3% in the elevated ALT group had a baseline fibrosis score of 4, which was reduced to 17.6% and 38.7% after long‐term therapy, respectively, indicating reversal of cirrhosis in a large proportion of both groups, especially in patients with normal baseline ALT levels. Long‐term antiviral treatment could achieve significant histological improvement in CHB patients with fibrosis or cirrhosis, regardless of ALT level.
Development of Recurrent Neural Network Considering Temporal‐Spatial Input Dynamics for Freeway Travel Time Modeling
Authors: Zeng Xiaosi , Zhang Yunlong
Published: January 2013

Abstract:  The artificial neural network (ANN) is one advance approach to freeway travel time prediction. Various studies using different inputs have come to no consensus on the effects of input selections. In addition, very little discussion has been made on the temporal–spatial aspect of the ANN travel time prediction process. In this study, we employ an ANN ensemble technique to analyze the effects of various input settings on the ANN prediction performances. Volume, occupancy, and speed are used as inputs to predict travel times. The predictions are then compared against the travel times collected from the toll collection system in Houston. The results show speed or occupancy measured at the segment of interest may be used as sole input to produce acceptable predictions, but all three variables together tend to yield the best prediction results. The inclusion of inputs from both upstream and downstream segments is statistically better than using only the inputs from current segment. It also appears that the magnitude of prevailing segment travel time can be used as a guideline to set up temporal input delays for better prediction accuracies. The evaluation of spatiotemporal input interactions reveals that past information on downstream and current segments is useful in improving prediction accuracy whereas past inputs from the upstream location do not provide as much constructive information. Finally, a variant of the state‐space model (SSNN), namely time‐delayed state‐space neural network (TDSSNN), is proposed and compared against other popular ANN models. The comparison shows that the TDSSNN outperforms other networks and remains very comparable with the SSNN. Future research is needed to analyze TDSSNN's ability in corridor prediction settings.
On the Constitution and Transformation ofPhilistine Identity
Authors: Maeir Aren M. , Hitchcock Louise A. , Horwitz Liora Kolska
Published: January 2013

Recent discussion of the formation and alteration ofPhilistine identity in theLevantineIronAge continues to reference primarily pottery styles and dietary practices. Such traditional narratives propose that thePhilistines comprised one group of the ‘Sea Peoples’ and that the cultural boundary markers that distinguished their society in theIronAge I (twelfth–eleventh centuryBC) diminished in importance and disappeared suddenly in the earlyIronAgeIIA(tenth centuryBC), with the ascendancy of the Judahite kingdom. Based on data from the Levant (especiallyPhilistia), theAegean and Cyprus, we argue for a more complex understanding of thePhilistines who came to the region with an identity that drew on, and continued to engage with, a broad range of foreign artefact styles and cultural practices with non‐Levantine connections. Concurrently they incorporated local cultural attributes, at least until the late ninth centuryBC, a feature that we argue was unrelated to the supposed tenth century expansion of the Judahite kingdom.
Colonial Representations and Carthaginian Archaeology
Authors: Fumadó Ortega Iván
Published: January 2013

In spite of the interest generated by Phoenician‐Punic Archaeology, this area of study has always been underestimated by comparison with Classical Archaeology. One of the main reasons for this is the persistence of a colonial representation of the ancient Mediterranean which assumes Greek culture to be the supreme expression of civilization. Other groups may imitate it through an acculturation process: Hellenization. As we shall see, this representation pervades even the Phoenician‐Punic history and archaeology university textbooks. Starting with the various reasons leading to this situation, I aim to focus on the interpretation given to the ancient excavations at Carthage and, specifically, to its architectural and urban record, since this was the area of study where the prejudices about the Phoenician‐Punic culture found an (albeit misunderstood) archaeological proof. I shall argue that the misinterpretation of these excavations is the key to understanding later developments and the general underestimation of Phoenician‐Punic Archaeology.
Myopic astigmatism correction: comparison of a Toric Implantable Collamer Lens and a bioptics technique by an adaptive optics visual simulator
Authors: Pérez‐Vives Cari , Domínguez‐Vicent Alberto , Madrid‐Costa David , Ferrer‐Blasco Teresa , Montés‐Micó Robert
Published: January 2013

Purpose

To compare the optical and visual quality of a simulated Toric Implantable Collamer Lens (TICL) and a bioptics technique to treat high myopic astigmatism.

Methods

An adaptive optics visual simulator was used to simulate the vision after TICL implantation and a bioptics procedure from the wavefront aberration pattern for moderate and high‐myopic astigmatism. Visual acuity (VA) at different contrasts and contrast sensitivity (CS) at 10, 20 and 25 cycles degree−1 were measured for 3 and 5‐mm pupils. Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) and Point Spread Function (PSF) were calculated for a 5‐mm pupil.

Results

At a 3‐mm pupil we only found statistically significant differences in VA between the two simulated surgeries at low‐contrast for moderate‐ and high‐myopic astigmatism (p < 0.05). Statistically significant differences were found in CS at 3‐mm pupil between both procedures at the highest spatial frequency for moderate‐myopic astigmatism and at all frequencies for high‐myopic astigmatism (p < 0.05). At a 5‐mm pupil we found statistically significant differences in VA and CS between both simulated surgeries at all contrasts and frequencies evaluated for both groups (p < 0.05). In all cases VA and CS were better with the TICL than with the bioptics technique. MTFs for the bioptics technique were worse than those computed for the TICL. The TICL showed less spread out of the PSF than the bioptics procedure.

Conclusions

Simulated TICL and bioptics procedures provided good optical and visual quality, although TICL implantation provided slightly better outcomes than the bioptics procedure, especially when the pupil diameter was increased.
Assessing Policy Capacity for Climate Change Adaptation: Governance Arrangements, Resource Deployments, and Analytical Skills inCanadian Infrastructure Policy Making
Authors: Craft Jonathan , Howlett Michael , Crawford Mark , McNutt Kathleen
Published: January 2013

This article examines the infrastructure policy sector's capacity to respond to climate change adaptation through an analysis of theCanadian case. It includes a three‐level examination of capacity: at the macro level through a virtual policy network analysis; at the meso level through examination of the lead department's evolving mandate and resources; and at the micro level through analysis of survey data related to departmental workers policy tasks and attitudes. Four hypotheses across these three levels are set out and tested at the national and subnational levels. Together, the findings suggest that the policy capacity in theCanadian infrastructure sector will be unable to meet the demands placed upon the sector to respond to the increasing challenges of climate change adaptation.
Climate Change Adaptation and Policy Capacity in the Canadian Finance Sector: A Meso Analysis
Authors: Williams Russell Alan , McNutt Kathleen
Published: January 2013

This article examines policy capacity in relation to climate change adaptation in theCanadian finance sector. Through a meso‐level analysis focused on the level of integration of the finance policy network and a survey of policy professionals in the area regarding climate change issues, the article illustrates both challenges to operationalizing the concept of “policy capacity” and limitations to effective policy capacity on climate change in this policy domain. Though a central concern for governments, improvements in policy capacity require more attention to network integration and governance arrangements if governments are to effectively respond to the unique challenges posed by climate change adaptation.
A Stakeholder Analysis ofColorado Climate and Energy Issues Using Policy Analytical Capacity and the Advocacy Coalition Framework
Authors: Elgin Dallas J. , Weible Christopher M.
Published: January 2013

Noticeably absent from the tools and techniques in policy analysis are methods for understanding political contexts, including the beliefs, networks, resources, and activities of policy actors. In combination,PolicyAnalyticalCapacity and theAdvocacyCoalitionFramework offer one appropriate solution. We apply both approaches to analyze theColorado climate and energy policy subsystem using questionnaire data. In the policy subsystem, we identify a large proclimate change coalition and a smaller anticlimate change coalition. Member beliefs between rival coalitions diverge in regard to the cause, severity, and solutions needed to address climate change adaptation and mitigation issues. Both coalitions report similar levels of individual and organizational capacity to generate and analyze information and to engage in similar activities and strategies. This article contributes to the public policy literature by applying bothPolicyAnalyticalCapacity and theAdvocacyCoalitionFramework and by emphasizing individual, organizational, and subsystem levels in conducting a stakeholder analysis.
Public Libraries as Breeding Grounds for Bonding, Bridging and Institutional Social Capital: The Case of Branch Libraries in Rural Denmark
Authors: Svendsen Gunnar Lind Haase
Published: January 2013

Public libraries are eminent providers of human and social capital, not least in small rural communities where such meeting places are becoming scarce in many areas of the world. Drawing on data from a questionnaire survey, this article reports on social capital creation at branch libraries in 62 rural municipalities in Denmark, as reported by the municipal library managers. A main empirical result is the extensive collaboration between the branch libraries and other public institutions in the local area, which often also involves volunteers from the civic society. Hence, it is shown that, besides micro‐level social capital, valuable social capital is created among public and voluntary institutions collaborating on local core and noncore library services. In this way, public libraries are not only breeding grounds for two well‐known types of social capital – bonding and bridging – but also for a highly valuable third type, institutional social capital. It is argued that the closing down of more than half of branch libraries in rural Denmark since 1988, is partly due to politicians being ignorant of the great socioeconomic value of these ‘gracious spaces’, which has a strong capacity to foster ‘full‐scale’ community social capital consisting of all three types of social capital.
Induced resistance in maize is based on organ‐specific defence responses
Authors: Balmer Dirk , de Papajewski Daniela Villacres , Planchamp Chantal , Glauser Gaëtan , Mauch‐Mani Brigitte
Published: January 2013

To obtain further insight into the intricate inter‐play between maize (Zea mays) and the fungal pathogen Colletotrichum graminicola, the local and systemic molecular and chemical defence responses of maize leaves and roots were simultaneously investigated and compared. Similar gene expression and hormonal patterns were detected in both above‐ and below‐ground organs; however, roots responded more rapidly and accumulated higher levels of defence‐related hormones than leaves. Leaf and root infection with C. graminicola triggered systemic resistance in the foliage against the same fungus. This systemic defence response was associated with systemic transcriptional adaptations, and elevated levels of salicylic acid and abscisic acid. Metabolomic profiling revealed significant differences in the composition of secondary metabolites in leaves and roots, indicating that these organs employ distinct chemical defence systems. In addition, higher basal levels of antimicrobial flavonoids suggest an enhanced basal defensive state of roots. Our findings reveal tissue‐specific local and systemic antifungal defence mechanisms in maize.
Laminar Flame Speed and Ignition Delay Time Data for the Kinetic Modeling of Hydrogen and Syngas Fuel Blends
Authors: Krejci Michael C. , Mathieu Olivier , Vissotski Andrew J. , Ravi Sankaranarayanan , Sikes Travis G. , Petersen Eric L. , Kérmonès Alan , Metcalfe Wayne , Curran Henry J.
Published: January 2013

Laminar flame speeds and ignition delay times have been measured for hydrogen and various compositions of H2/CO (syngas) at elevated pressures and elevated temperatures. Two constant-volume cylindrical vessels were used to visualize the spherical growth of the flame through the use of a schlieren optical setup to measure the laminar flame speed of the mixture. Hydrogen experiments were performed at initial pressures up to 10 atm and initial temperatures up to 443 K. A syngas composition of 50/50 by volume was chosen to demonstrate the effect of carbon monoxide on H2-O2 chemical kinetics at standard temperature and pressures up to 10 atm. All atmospheric mixtures were diluted with standard air, while all elevated-pressure experiments were diluted with a He:O2 ratio of 7:1 to minimize instabilities. The laminar flame speed measurements of hydrogen and syngas are compared to available literature data over a wide range of equivalence ratios, where good agreement can be seen with several data sets. Additionally, an improved chemical kinetics model is shown for all conditions within the current study. The model and the data presented herein agree well, which demonstrates the continual, improved accuracy of the chemical kinetics model. A high-pressure shock tube was used to measure ignition delay times for several baseline compositions of syngas at three pressures across a wide range of temperatures. The compositions of syngas (H2/CO) by volume presented in this study included 80/20, 50/50, 40/60, 20/80, and 10/90, all of which are compared to previously published ignition delay times from a hydrogen-oxygen mixture to demonstrate the effect of carbon monoxide addition. Generally, an increase in carbon monoxide increases the ignition delay time, but there does seem to be a pressure dependency. At low temperatures and pressures higher than about 12 atm, the ignition delay times appear to be indistinguishable with an increase in carbon monoxide. However, at high temperatures the relative composition of H2 and CO has a strong influence on ignition delay times. Model agreement is good across the range of the study, particularly at the elevated pressures.
Assessment of Need for Solder in Modeling Potted Electronics During Gun-Shot
Authors: Reinhardt L. E. , Cordes J. A. , Haynes A. S. , Metz J. D.
Published: January 2013

Smart projectiles use electronic components such as circuit boards with integrated circuits to control guidance and fusing operations. During gun-launch, the electronics are subjected to 3-dimensional g-forces as high as 15,000 G. The U.S. Army uses finite element analysis to simulate electronics with high-g, dynamic loads. Electronics are difficult to model due to the large variation in size, from large circuit boards, to very small solder joints and solder pads. This means that to accurately model such small features would require very large models that are computationally expensive to analyze; often beyond the capability of resources available. Therefore, small features such as solder joints are often not included in the finite element models to make the models computationally tractable. The question is: what is the effect on model accuracy without these small features in the model? The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effect that solder joints and solder pads have on the accuracy of the structural analysis of electronic components mounted on circuit boards during gun shot. Finite element models of simplified circuit boards, chips, and potting were created to do the evaluation. Modal analysis and dynamic structural analysis using typical gun loads were done. Both potting at high temperature (soft) and potting at low temperature (stiff) were used in the dynamic analysis. In the modal analysis there was no potting. All of these models were run with and without solder. In all cases, the results differed between the models with solder and those without. In the models with potting, there was a difference in magnitude and stress distribution between the models with and without solder. This indicates that there is a significant reduction in accuracy when solder is not included in the model.
Penetration Efficiency as a Function of Target Obliquity and Projectile Pitch
Authors: Anderson Charles E., Jr. , Behner Thilo , Hohler Volker
Published: January 2013

The influence of pitch (vertical yaw) angle on the penetration reduction of rod projectiles into oblique targets has been investigated for tungsten sinter alloy rods with a blunt nose and L/D = 20. Semi-infinite RHA targets with an obliquity of 30 deg, 45 deg, and 60 deg were impacted at 1650 m/s. The pitch angles were varied between ±90 deg. The strong asymmetric behavior of the target crater is dependent on whether the pitch is positive or negative relative to the obliquity of the target. The experiments provide a good overview of the penetration characteristics of long rods for the whole pitch angle range. The penetration data are described by empirical relations that show good agreement with the experiments.