bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evidence for a role of LPGAT1 in influencing BMI and percent body fat in Native Americans
Authors: Traurig Michael T. , Orczewska Julieanna I. , Ortiz Daniel J. , Bian Li , Marinelarena Alejandra M. , Kobes Sayuko , Malhotra Alka , Hanson Robert L. , Mason Clint C. , Knowler William C. , Bogardus Clifton , Baier Leslie J.
Published: March 2013

Objective:

A genome‐wide association study (GWAS) was recently completed in 1120 Pima Indians to identify loci that influence BMI. Among the top 100 signals were three variants that mapped within the lysophosphatidylglycerol acyltransferase 1 (LPGAT1) gene. LPGAT1 belongs to a large family of acyltransferases, which are involved in a variety of biological processes including pathways that regulate energy homeostasis and body weight. Therefore LPGAT1 was analyzed as a candidate gene for obesity in Pima Indians.

Design and Methods:

Variants (n = 26) located within and adjacent to LPGAT1 including a novel 27bp deletion in the 5′‐untranslated region identified by sequencing were genotyped in a population‐based sample of 3,391 full‐heritage Pima Indians living in the Gila River Indian Community. Replication of selected variants was assessed in a second sample of 3,327 mixed‐heritage Native Americans from the same community.

Results:

Variants with nominal associations with BMI in each of the two independent samples (tagged by rs112662024 and rs12058008) had associations of P = 1‐4 × 10−5 in the combined sample (n = 6718). A haplotype that includes the novel 27bp deletion, which does not occur in Caucasians, showed the strongest association with BMI in the full‐heritage Pima Indians. In vitro functional studies provided suggestive evidence that this 27bp deletion may affect transcriptional or posttranscriptional regulation. Analysis of LPGAT1 cDNA from human preadipocytes identified an additional exon whose sequence could potentially serve as a mitochondrial targeting peptide.

Conclusions:

LPGAT1 is a novel gene that influences BMI in Native Americans.
Meal frequency differentially alters postprandial triacylglycerol and insulin concentrations in obese women
Authors: Heden Timothy D. , Liu Ying , Sims Lauren J. , Whaley‐Connell Adam T. , Chockalingam Anand , Dellsperger Kevin C. , Kanaley Jill A.
Published: March 2013

Objective:

The aim of this study was to compare postprandial lipemia, oxidative stress, antioxidant activity, and insulinemia between a three and six isocaloric high‐carbohydrate meal frequency pattern in obese women.

Design and Methods:

In a counterbalanced order, eight obese women completed two, 12‐h conditions in which they consumed 1,500 calories (14% protein, 21% fat, and 65% carbohydrate) either as three 500 calorie liquid meals every 4‐h or six 250 calorie liquid meals every 2‐h. Blood samples were taken every 30 min and analyzed for triacylglycerol (TAG), total cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, oxidized low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, myeloperoxidase, paraoxonase‐1 activity, and insulin.

Results:

The TAG incremental area under the curve (iAUC) during the three meal condition (321 ± 129 mg/dl·12 h) was significantly lower (P = 0.04) compared with the six meal condition (481 ± 155 mg/dl·12 h). The insulin iAUC during the three meal condition (5,549 ± 1,007 pmol/l.12 h) was significantly higher (P = 0.05) compared with the six meal condition (4,230 ± 757 pmol/l.12 h). Meal frequency had no influence on the other biochemical variables.

Conclusions:

Collectively, a three and six isocaloric high‐carbohydrate meal frequency pattern differentially alters postprandial TAG and insulin concentrations but has no effect on postprandial cholesterol, oxidative stress, or antioxidant activity in obese women.
The young göttingen minipig as a model of childhood and adolescent obesity: Influence of diet and gender
Authors: Christoffersen Berit , Golozoubova Valeria , Pacini Giovanni , Svendsen Ove , Raun Kirsten
Published: March 2013

Objective:

Gender and sex hormones influence the development of obesity and metabolic syndrome in humans and Göttingen minipigs. The aim of this study was to investigate possible gender differences in the metabolic response to a high energy diet in young Göttingen minipigs as a model of childhood/adolescent obesity.

Design and Methods:

Nine‐week‐old male and female Göttingen minipigs were fed restrictedly on either a low energy diet (LED) or a high energy diet (HED) for 4 months (n = 5‐7). Parameters of interest were fat percentage, visceral fat mass, plasma lipids and glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, and β‐cell function measured by oral and intravenous glucose tolerance tests.

Results:

At 11 to 12 weeks of age, after 2 weeks diet feeding, both genders on HED had increased fat percentage, glucose intolerance, decreased insulin sensitivity, and increased plasma levels of cholesterol and triglycerides (TGs). There was no gender difference in body weight (BW) or fat percentage, but males had lower glucose tolerance than females. After 3.5 to 4 months on the diets, the pigs on HED had increased BW, fat percentage, and visceral fat mass and were more glucose intolerant and insulin resistant than pigs on LED. Also increases in plasma cholesterol and TG levels were observed in the pigs on HED. Females had higher fat percentage and more visceral fat, were more insulin resistant, and had a more unfavorable lipid profile compared with males independent of diet.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the young Göttingen minipig, and especially the female gender, seems to be a potential model for diet induced childhood/adolescent obesity and metabolic syndrome.
Effect of stress on fasting‐induced ghrelin, orexin and galanin secretion in male rats fed different levels of their energy requirement
Authors: Joibari Masoumeh Motamedi , Khazali Homayoun
Published: March 2013

Objective:

Ghrelin, orexin, and galanin are orexigenic factors in rodents and humans which participate in adaptive response to weight loss. On the other hand, weight loss and fasting is accompanied by increased levels of epinephrine (Ep) and cortisol (Cor). In this study, we investigated the effects of Ep and Cor on fasting‐induced ghrelin, orexin, and galanin secretion in rats fed different levels of their energy requirements.

Design:

Forty five male Wistar rats (300‐350 g, 15 per group) were fed a diet containing 100, 50, and 25% of their energy requirement for 10 days followed by 2 days of fasting. Animals were then anesthetized for carotid artery cannulation for injections and blood samplings.

Methods:

Rats received either 3 µg Ep/kg body weight (BW), 3 µg Cor/kg BW, or a combination of those two (0.1 mg in 1 ml of phosphate‐buffered saline). Blood samples were collected before, 30, 60, and 120 min after injection.

Results:

In normal and 50% food restricted groups, fasting ghrelin levels fell after Ep and combination of Ep and Cor injection (P ≤ 0.05), whereas, orexin were decreased by combination of Ep and Cor injection in rats fed 100% of their needs and Ep alone in rats fed 50%. Galanin just fell after combination of Ep and Cor injection in both starved (50%) and normal rats. In contrast, all groups whit 25% fed ad libitum did not response to any injections (P > 0.05).

Conclusions:

These results indicate that Ep suppresses starvation‐induced secretion of ghrelin, orexin, and galanin in normal (100%) and starved (50%) rats and their response to Ep might be affected by weight loss.
Obese mice incur greater myofiber membrane disruption in response to mechanical load compared with lean mice
Authors: Knoblauch Mark A. , O'Connor Daniel P. , Clarke Mark S.F.
Published: March 2013

Objective:

Obesity is associated with modified transmembrane signaling events in skeletal muscle, such as insulin signaling and glucose transport. The underlying cause of these obesity‐related effects on transmembrane signaling is still unknown. In general, the function of membrane proteins responsible for transmembrane signaling is modulated by the biochemical makeup of the membrane, such as lipid composition, in which they are embedded. Any obesity‐related alterations in membrane composition would also be predicted to modify membrane biomechanical properties and membrane susceptibility to mechanical load‐induced damage. The primary objective of this study was to investigate whether obesity influences myofiber membrane susceptibility to mechanical damage in skeletal muscle.

Design and Methods:

Myofiber membrane damage was compared between 12‐week‐old obese, hypercholesterolemic (B6.V Lepob/J) and isogenic, normocholesterolemic control (C57BL6/J) male mice following either normal cage activity or strenuous eccentric exercise (downhill running). Myofiber membrane damage was quantified in perfusion‐fixed frozen sections of the gastrocnemius muscle via sarcoplasmic concentration of either albumin (cage activity experiment) or a fluorescent marker that had been injected immediately before activity (eccentric exercise experiment).

Results:

Obese mice exhibited evidence of increased myofiber membrane damage compared with lean mice after both normal cage activity and eccentric exercise indicating that myofiber membranes of obese mice are more susceptible to mechanical damage in general and that eccentric exercise exacerbates this effect.

Conclusions:

These observations are consistent with the notion that obesity influences the biochemical and biomechanical properties of myofiber membranes.
Discordant risk: Overweight and cardiometabolic risk in Chinese adults
Authors: Gordon‐Larsen Penny , Adair Linda S. , Meigs James B. , Mayer‐Davis Elizabeth , Herring Amy , Yan Sheng‐kai , Zhang Bing , Du Shufa , Popkin Barry M.
Published: March 2013

Objective:

Recent US work identified “metabolically healthy overweight” and “metabolically at risk normal weight” individuals. Less is known for modernizing countries with recent increased obesity.

Design and Methods:

Fasting blood samples, anthropometry and blood pressure from 8,233 adults aged 18‐98 in the 2009 nationwide China Health and Nutrition Survey, were used to determine prevalence of overweight (Asian cut point, BMI ≥23 kg/m2) and five risk factors (prediabetes/diabetes (hemoglobin A1c ≥5.7%) inflammation (high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hsCRP) ≥3 mg/l), prehypertension/hypertension (Systolic blood pressure/diastolic blood pressure≥130/85 mm Hg), high triglycerides (≥150 mg/dl), low high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (<40 (men)/ <50 mg/dl (women)). Sex‐stratified, logistic, and multinomial logistic regression models estimated concurrent obesity and cardiometabolic risk, with and without abdominal obesity, adjusting for age, smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, urbanicity, and income.

Results:

Irrespective of urbanicity, 78.3% of the sample had ≥1 elevated cardiometabolic risk factor (normal weight: 33.2% had ≥1 elevated risk factor; overweight: 5.7% had none). At the age of 18‐30 years, 47.4% had no elevated risk factors, which dropped to 6% by the age 70, largely due to age‐related increase in hypertension risk (18‐30 years: 11%; >70 years: 73%). Abdominal obesity was highly predictive of metabolic risk, irrespective of overweight (e.g., “metabolically at risk overweight” relative to “metabolically healthy normal weight” (men: relative risk ratio (RRR) = 39.06; 95% confidence interval (CI): 23.47, 65.00; women: RRR = 22.26; 95% CI: 17.49, 28.33)).

Conclusion:

A large proportion of Chinese adults have metabolic abnormalities. High hypertension risk with age, underlies the low prevalence of metabolically healthy overweight. Screening for cardiometabolic‐related outcomes dependent upon overweight will likely miss a large portion of the Chinese at risk population.
First‐trimester Down syndrome screening in renal‐transplanted pregnant women: a model for adjusting the false‐positives rates
Authors: Grande Maribel , Cararach Vicenç , Casals Elena , Borrell Antoni
Published: March 2013

Objective

This study aimed to develop a model to adjust the increased β‐hCG levels observed in renal‐transplanted women, leading to increased false‐positive rates in Down syndrome screening.

Methods

Detailed data from 11 renal‐transplanted and a nested‐cohort of 70 pregnant women, matched by age, parity and gestational age were retrieved from our hospital records. Patient's age, multiples of the median (MoM) values for freeβ‐hCG, pregnancy‐associated plasma protein‐A, nuchal translucency, and creatinine concentration and clearance were noted. Freeβ‐hCG levels were adjusted according to the deviation of serum creatinine concentration by means of three different methods (median, proportionality and regression). Subsequently, Down syndrome risk was estimated with the three resulting adjusted fβ‐hCG values.

Results

After adjustment, the median β‐hCG MoM decreased from 2.15 MoM to 1.00 MoM (median method), 1.61 MoM (proportionality method) or 1.16 MoM (regression method). The non‐adjusted 27% false‐positive rate dropped to 18% (median method) and 10% (proportionality or regression methods) after re‐estimation of the Down syndrome risk. In controls, the observed median for β‐hCG MoM was 1.12, and the false‐positive rate was 5.7%.

Conclusions

In first‐trimester Down syndrome screening, fβ‐hCG adjustment by the regression method appears to be the best to match with controls. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Novel poly(ester amide)s from glycine and L‐lactic acid by an easy and cost‐effective synthesis
Authors: Fonseca Ana C. , Serra Arménio C. , Coelho Jorge F.J. , Gil Maria H. , Simões Pedro N.
Published: March 2013

Novel low molecular weight poly(ester amide)s based on glycine and l‐lactic acid with interest for the biomedical field were successfully prepared by interfacial polymerization, which is an easy and fast polymerization method. Preparation of the α‐amino acid based diamine, the l‐lactic acid based diacyl chlorides and the poly(ester amide)s was carried out in the absence of catalysts. The structure of the different poly(ester amide)s was confirmed by 1H NMR and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopies. The thermal behaviour of the synthesized poly(ester amide)s was evaluated by simultaneous thermal analysis, differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis. It was found that both the incorporation of an l‐lactic acid oligomeric segment and the change in its central unit have an important influence on the thermal characteristics of the poly(ester amide)s. These novel poly(ester amide)s can be used as building blocks for the preparation of more complex structures. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Hyperlinks as Political Resources: The European Commission Confronted with Online Activism
Authors: Badouard Romain , Monnoyer‐Smith Laurence
Published: March 2013

Since the early 2000s, the European Commission has put online e‐participation and e‐government platforms related to various institutional strategies. These participative mechanisms, which are both policy instruments and communication tools for the Commission, are used by activists as political opportunities to make their voices heard by the European institutions. In this paper, we describe how these activists use Web technical resources, and foremost hyperlinks, to mobilize individuals and run online collective actions in order to make their causes public on European scenes. We show that hyperlinks can be considered as aggregative mechanisms which allow individuals to gather around a common project, and that these mobilization practices lead to the constitution of strategic public spheres on the Web.
The Domestication of Open Government Data Advocacy in the United Kingdom: A Neo‐Gramscian Analysis
Authors: Bates Jo
Published: March 2013

The article adopts a neo‐Gramscian analytical framework developed in the field of International Political Economy in order to analyze the relationship between an online collective of civil society actors and U.K. government policymakers in the case of the UK's Open Government Data (OGD) initiative. The aim of the article is to consider the neo‐Gramscian notion of trasformismo as a useful conceptual tool for exploring the relations between the OGD advocates and policymakers within the U.K. state. Empirical evidence is presented which suggests that the notion of trasformismo is able to illuminate some of the political processes of absorption, adaptation, and distortion which have emerged during the development of the UK's OGD initiative, and which have functioned to restrict the counterhegemonic potential of OGD in order to shape the initiative toward a distinctly neoliberal framework for action.
Combined computational design of a zinc‐binding site and a protein–protein interaction: One open zinc coordination site was not a robust hotspot for de novo ubiquitin binding
Authors: Der Bryan S. , Jha Raamesh K. , Lewis Steven M. , Thompson Peter M. , Guntas Gurkan , Kuhlman Brian
Published: March 2013

We computationally designed a de novo protein–protein interaction between wild‐type ubiquitin and a redesigned scaffold. Our strategy was to incorporate zinc at the designed interface to promote affinity and orientation specificity. A large set of monomeric scaffold surfaces were computationally engineered with three‐residue zinc coordination sites, and the ubiquitin residue H68 was docked to the open coordination site to complete a tetrahedral zinc site. This single coordination bond was intended as a hotspot and polar interaction for ubiquitin binding, and surrounding residues on the scaffold were optimized primarily as hydrophobic residues using a rotamer‐based sequence design protocol in Rosetta. From thousands of independent design simulations, four sequences were selected for experimental characterization. The best performing design, called Spelter, binds tightly to zinc (Kd < 10 nM) and binds ubiquitin with a Kd of 20 µM in the presence of zinc and 68 µM in the absence of zinc. Mutagenesis studies and nuclear magnetic resonance chemical shift perturbation experiments indicate that Spelter interacts with H68 and the target surface on ubiquitin; however, H68 does not form a hotspot as intended. Instead, mutation of H68 to alanine results in tighter binding. Although a 3/1 zinc coordination arrangement at an interface cannot be ruled out as a means to improve affinity, our study led us to conclude that 2/2 coordination arrangements or multiple‐zinc designs are more likely to promote high‐affinity protein interactions. Proteins 2013; 81:1245–1255. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Structure of the NLRP1 caspase recruitment domain suggests potential mechanisms for its association with procaspase‐1
Authors: Jin Tengchuan , Curry James , Smith Patrick , Jiang Jiansheng , Xiao T. Sam
Published: March 2013

The NLRP1 inflammasome responds to microbial challenges such as Bacillus anthracis infection and is implicated in autoimmune disease such as vitiligo. Human NLRP1 contains both an N‐terminal pyrin domain (PYD) and a C‐terminal caspase recruitment domain (CARD), with the latter being essential for its association with the downstream effector procaspase‐1. Here we report a 2.0 Å crystal structure of the human NLRP1 CARD as a fusion with the maltose‐binding protein. The structure reveals the six‐helix bundle fold of the NLRP1 CARD, typical of the death domain superfamily. The charge surface of the NLRP1 CARD structure and a procaspase‐1 CARD model suggests potential mechanisms for their association through electrostatic attraction. Proteins 2013; 81:1266–1270. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
First‐principles calculations of point defects in inorganic nanotubes
Authors: Zhukovskii Yuri F. , Piskunov Sergei , Begens Jevgenijs , Kazerovskis Jurijs , Lisovski Oleg
Published: March 2013

The first‐principles calculations have been performed to investigate the ground‐state properties of monoperiodic boron nitride (BN), TiO2, and SrTiO3 single‐walled nanotubes (SW NTs) containing extrinsic point defects. The hybrid exchange–correlation functionals PBE, B3LYP, and B3PW within the framework of density functional theory (DFT) have been applied for large‐scale ab initio calculations on NTs with the following substitutional impurities: AlB, PN, GaB, AsN, InB, and SbN in the BN NT, as well as CO, NO, SO, and FeTi in the TiO2 and SrTiO3 NTs, respectively. The variations in formation energies obtained for equilibrium defective nanostructures allow us to predict the most stable compositions, irrespective of the changes in growth conditions. The changes in the electronic structure are analyzed to show the extent of localization of the midgap states induced by defects. Finally, the electronic charge redistribution was calculated in order to explore the intermolecular properties, which show how the reactivity of the NTs under study was affected by doping and orbital hybridization.
Fifty years ofphysica status solidiin historical perspective
Authors: Hoffmann Dieter
Published: March 2013

physica status solidi(pss) was launched in 1961 by the (East‐)Berlin physicist Karl Wolfgang Böer. Böer's initiative reflected the shortages of the rapidly expanding research in solid state physics, in particular the lack of specific journals in the field and a dedicated venue for a timely publication. The journal suffered a setback – shortly after the publication of its first issue in summer 1961 – when the Berlin Wall went up. However,psssurvived the political cataclysm and became one of the leading journals in the field, in particular as a forum of scientific exchange between East and West. It also played the role of a showcase of East Germany's (GDR) physics research, cherished by the authorities for enhancing the prestige of the state and for earning hard currency. In these respectspsssurpassed by far any other scientific journal published during the GDR era. During the period of the political turmoil in 1989/1990,psswent through another existential crisis. Nevertheless, thanks to a thorough overhaul, the journal prevailed and solidified its international stature yet again.psscan thus be regarded as a success story since more than fifty years, one whose first three decades were influenced by the general circumstances of the Cold War.
Theoretical analyses of the host–guest interaction within chlorine hydrate
Authors: Xu Jie , Xu Lin , Xu Ming‐biao , Zhao Lin , Wu Xiao‐ming , Wen Shou‐chen , Liu Wei‐hong
Published: March 2013

The host–guest interaction is necessary for the stabilization of hydrates. Using Density Function Theory methods, the host–guest interaction within an unconventional chlorine hydrate was investigated, in combination with typical noncovalent analyses. The host–guest interaction energy was predicted to be as high as 17.51 kcal/mol, which was stronger than the typical van der Waals (vdW) interaction, due to an involvement of up to 20 Cl…O interactions. Polarization and dispersion energies made up the main contribution to the total interaction energy. Further visualization of the host–guest interaction validated, together with the general Cl…O interaction, another vdW interaction between the guest‐Cl atom and the five‐membered H2O cluster. Isosurfaces associated with two patterns of vdW interactions yielded a better “fit” in shape, suggesting their cooperativity in stabilizing the steric configuration. The σ‐region on the guest‐Cl atom was verified to regulate the electron redistribution over the molecular space. These results are useful for understanding specific halogen behavior, and the origin and nature of host–guest interaction in hydrates. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
HORME: hierarchical–object–relational medical management for electronic record
Authors: Yang Chien‐Chang , Wei Kuo‐Jui , Li Bo , Lee Jung‐San
Published: March 2013

Along with widespread information communication technology, digital management has been applied to a variety of fields. Considering the rapidly growing importance of medical treatment, for which medical record management plays a crucial role, it is time to make full use of digital techniques in the medical field. Doctors in different departments and locations can check the electronic records of patients without complex steps and can even consult together via the Internet. In this paper, we design a hierarchical–object–relational management system for electronic records (HORME). HORME can not only achieve the essentials of traditional paper‐based record but can also satisfy the requirements of privacy and security according to the factorization problem, which makes it possible to protect the right of the legal doctors, patients, and hospitals. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of Caffeine and Stress on Biomarkers of Cardiovascular Disease in Healthy Men and Women with a Family History of Hypertension
Authors: Bennett Jeanette M. , Rodrigues Isabella M. , Klein Laura Cousino
Published: March 2013

The connection between caffeine and its potentially detrimental effects on blood markers of cardiovascular disease (CVD) are controversial. Most studies have focused on cholesterol as a putative mediator of the caffeine–CVD relationship. Other blood markers such as C‐reactive protein (CRP) and fibrinogen have been understudied. We examined the effects of caffeine and psychological stress on these CVD markers in healthy, young men and women with a confirmed family history of hypertension. A total of 52 normotensive, healthy adults (26 men and 26 women) aged 18–29 years (21.4 ± 0.3) participated in a laboratory session to examine stress reactivity following caffeine consumption. All participants had normal cholesterol levels. Blood pressure (BP), heart rate, serum cortisol and CRP and plasma fibrinogen were collected. Men and women administered caffeine displayed an additional increase in systolic BP and cortisol response to the stressor (p < 0.05). Stress interacted with caffeine and sex to alter cortisol, fibrinogen and systolic BP but not CRP levels. These results may shed light on sex‐specific pathways that associate caffeine with CVD. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characterization of Electroslag Remelted Super Hard High Speed Tool Steel Containing Niobium
Authors: Halfa Hossam
Published: March 2013

In this work, thermodynamical equilibria have been calculated for super hard high speed tool steel (HSS), AISI M41 composition belonging to the multicomponent system Fe–C–Cr–W–Mo–V–Co as well as for its three different variant containing niobium. Some temperature‐concentration diagram for both class of alloys are presented and calculated quantities (melting and transformations, amount and composition of phases) are compared with experimental data. Effect of niobium and high cooling rate during electroslag remelting on the precipitated carbides were discussed. In this work, the effect of niobium on morphology of carbides secondary hardening temperature and wear rate of investigated HSSs were studied. This work aims to study the effect of niobium as alloying element on precipitated carbides type and shape, in addition to study the effect of precipitated carbides after full heat treatment on secondary hardening and wear resistance for investigated steels.
The politics of climate change in India: narratives of equity and cobenefits
Authors: Dubash Navroz K.
Published: March 2013

India occupies an intriguing dual position in global climate politics—a poor and developing economy with low levels of historical and per capita emissions, and a large and rapidly growing economy with rising emissions. Indian climate politics has substantially been shaped around the first perspective, and increasingly, under international pressure, is being forced to grapple with the second. This review of Indian climate politics examines the initial crystallization of Indian climate positions and its roots in national climate politics, and then examines the modest ways in which climate politics have been revisited in domestic debates since about 2007. Following elucidation of these themes, the article turns to a discussion of new directions for Indian climate policy and their moorings in domestic climate politics. WIREs Clim Change 2013, 4:191–201. doi: 10.1002/wcc.210

This article is categorized under:

The Carbon Economy and Climate Mitigation > Policies, Instruments, Lifestyles, Behavior

Policy and Governance > National Climate Change Policy
Theory of mind
Authors: Carlson Stephanie M. , Koenig Melissa A. , Harms Madeline B.
Published: March 2013

Theory of mind and its development has been a significantly important—and challenging—topic of research in cognitive science for three decades. This review summarizes our knowledge of when and how children come to understand their own and others' minds, including the developmental timetable, old and new measures, and foundational skills in infancy. We review recent research on theory‐of‐mind (ToM) and learning, that is, ways in which children's understanding of other minds informs how they learn about the world, as well as evidence for an important role of domain‐general cognitive skills (executive function) in the development of ToM, and the neural networks that are most strongly implicated. Finally, we propose future directions for research in this vast and growing field. WIREs Cogn Sci 2013, 4:391–402. doi: 10.1002/wcs.1232

This article is categorized under:

Psychology > Development and Aging

Psychology > Learning

Neuroscience > Cognition
Verification of aero‐elastic offshore wind turbine design codes under IEA Wind Task XXIII
Authors: Vorpahl Fabian , Strobel Michael , Jonkman Jason M. , Larsen Torben J. , Passon Patrik , Nichols James
Published: March 2013

This work presents the results of a benchmark study on aero‐servo‐hydro‐elastic codes for offshore wind turbine dynamic simulation. The codes verified herein account for the coupled dynamic systems including the wind inflow, aerodynamics, elasticity and controls of the turbine, along with the incident waves, sea current, hydrodynamics and foundation dynamics of the support structure.

A large set of time series simulation results such as turbine operational characteristics, external conditions, and load and displacement outputs was compared and interpreted. Load cases were defined and run with increasing complexity to trace back differences in simulation results to the underlying error sources. This led to a deeper understanding of the underlying physical systems. In four subsequent phases—dealing with a 5‐MW turbine on a monopile with a fixed foundation, a monopile with a flexible foundation, a tripod and a floating spar buoy—the latest support structure developments in the offshore wind energy industry are covered, and an adaptation of the codes to those developments was initiated.

The comparisons, in general, agreed quite well. Differences existed among the predictions were traced back to differences in the model fidelity, aerodynamic implementation, hydrodynamic load discretization and numerical difficulties within the codes. The comparisons resulted in a more thorough understanding of the modeling techniques and better knowledge of when various approximations are not valid. More importantly, the lessons learned from this exercise have been used to further develop and improve the codes of the participants and increase the confidence in the codes’ accuracy and the correctness of the results, hence improving the standard of offshore wind turbine modeling and simulation.

One purpose of this paper is to summarize the lessons learned and present results that code developers can compare to. The set of benchmark load cases defined and simulated during the course of this project—the raw data for this paper—is available to the offshore wind turbine simulation community and is already being used for testing newly developed software tools. Despite that no measurements are included, the large number of participants and the—in general—very fine level of agreement indicate high trustworthy results within the physical assumptions of the codes and the simulation cases chosen. Other cases, such as large prebend flexible blades, large wind shear, large yaw error or transient maneuvers, may not show the same level of agreement. These cases were deliberately left out because the focus is on the specific offshore application. Further on, this benchmark study includes participating codes and organizations by name (contrary to several previous benchmark studies) that gives the reader a chance to find results from one particular code of interest.Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Health Systems Performance and the Politics of Cancer Survival
Authors: Gusmano Michael K.
Published: March 2013

Five‐year survival rates for many forms of cancer are higher in the United States than other countries in the world. There is some evidence that this reflects effective treatment of the disease, but there is equally compelling evidence that, even if better care is available in the United States, it is not equally accessible to all citizens. Despite the difficulty of interpreting cancer survival statistics, U.S. health policy debates offer a story that is simplistic. Cancer statistics are used to claim that the U.S. health care system is the “best in the world” and that efforts to evaluate the value of technology will compromise the quality of care available to patients with cancer and other life threatening illnesses. The argument that newer and more expensive medical technology always leads to better outcomes makes it difficult to conduct a reasonable public discourse about the merits of further public investment.
At the center of the circle: purinergic signaling in the autocrine loops of pancreatic islets
Authors: Öhman Jenny , Erlinge David
Published: March 2013

The endocrine pancreas is essential for monitoring and regulating the metabolic status of the body by sensing changes in glucose and free fatty acids and respond by secreting hormones such as insulin and glucagon. Although pancreatic islets only make up a small percentage of the pancreas mass, its malfunction causes severe disease. Despite insulin treatment, and the development of novel antidiabetic drugs, diabetes is still one of the most costly and invaliding diseases, leaving an open arena for drug target discovery within the endocrine pancreas. Purinergic receptors are a class of receptors, which has already been utilized as a successful antithrombotic drug target used in secondary prevention after myocardial infarction. The versatility and broad expression of these receptors make them interesting for pharmacological manipulation in treatment of disease. Purinergic receptors include four G‐protein coupled adenosine receptors (A1, A2A, A2B, and A3), eight G‐protein coupled nucleotide (ATP, ADP, UTP, UDP, UDP‐glucose) gated receptors (P2Y1, P2Y2, P2Y4, P2Y6, P2Y11, P2Y12, P2Y13, and P2Y14), and finally seven ATP‐gated ion channels (P2X1‐7). Ectonucleotidases degrade nucleotides to their di‐ and mono derivatives, which in turn can stimulate their favored P2 receptor. Adenosine monophosphate (AMP) is finally hydrolyzed to adenosine, which in turn can act on adenosine receptors. Each P2Y receptor couples to different G‐proteins leading to different intracellular pathways downstream of stimulation. WIREs Membr Transp Signal 2013, 2:107–119. doi: 10.1002/wmts.82

For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.

The authors have declared no conflicts of interest for this article.
Current status and prospects for microbubbles in ultrasound theranostics
Authors: Martin K. Heath , Dayton Paul A.
Published: March 2013

Encapsulated microbubbles have been developed over the past two decades to provide improvements both in imaging as well as new therapeutic applications. Microbubble contrast agents are used currently for clinical imaging where increased sensitivity to blood flow is required, such as echocardiography. These compressible spheres oscillate in an acoustic field, producing nonlinear responses which can be uniquely distinguished from surrounding tissue, resulting in substantial enhancements in imaging signal‐to‐noise ratio. Furthermore, with sufficient acoustic energy the oscillation of microbubbles can mediate localized biological effects in tissue including the enhancement of membrane permeability or increased thermal energy deposition. Structurally, microbubbles are comprised of two principal components—an encapsulating shell and an inner gas core. This configuration enables microbubbles to be loaded with drugs or genes for additional therapeutic effect. Application of sufficient ultrasound energy can release this payload, resulting in site‐specific delivery. Extensive preclinical studies illustrate that combining microbubbles and ultrasound can result in enhanced drug delivery or gene expression at spatially selective sites. Thus, microbbubles can be used for imaging, for therapy, or for both simultaneously. In this sense, microbubbles combined with acoustics may be one of the most universal theranostic tools. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2013, 5:329–345. doi: 10.1002/wnan.1219

This article is categorized under:

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies

Diagnostic Tools > In Vivo Nanodiagnostics and Imaging
Colloid transport in saturated porous media: Elimination of attachment efficiency in a new colloid transport model
Authors: Landkamer Lee L. , Harvey Ronald W. , Scheibe Timothy D. , Ryan Joseph N.
Published: March 2013

Key Points

This colloid transport model eliminates the empirical attachment efficiency.

Introduce a new paradigm for colloid re‐entrainment behavior.

Model parameters related to magnitude of secondary energy minimum
Temporal variability of exchange between groundwater and surface water based on high‐frequency direct measurements of seepage at the sediment‐water interface
Authors: Rosenberry Donald O. , Sheibley Richard W. , Cox Stephen E. , Simonds Frederic W. , Naftz David L.
Published: March 2013

Key Points

Flow across the sediment‐water interface exhibits large temporal variability

Seepage varies in response to rainfall, ET, wind, and stage change

Seepage changes markedly within minutes to hours of common hydrological events
Quantitative study of geometrical scaling in deep inelastic scattering at HERA
Authors: Praszalowicz Michal , Stebel Tomasz
Published: March 2013

Abstract

We propose a method to assess the quality of geometrical scaling in Deep Inelastic Scattering and apply it to the combined HERA data on γ
*
p cross-section. Using two different approaches based on Bjorken x binning and binning in γ
*
p scattering energy W, we show that geometrical scaling in variable τ ~ Q
2
x
λ works well up to Bjorken x’s 0.1. The corresponding value of exponent λ is 0.32-0.34.
The heterotic MiniLandscape and the 126 GeV Higgs boson
Authors: Badziak Marcin , Krippendorf Sven , Nilles Hans Peter , Winkler Martin Wolfgang
Published: March 2013

Abstract

The MSSM candidates arising from the heterotic MiniLandscape feature a very constrained supersymmetry breaking pattern. This includes a fully predictable gaugino mass pattern, which is compressed compared to the CMSSM, and an inverted sfermion hierarchy due to distinct geometric localisation, featuring stops as light as 1 TeV. The observed Higgs mass sets a lower bound
$ {m_{{\widetilde{g}}}}>1.2\;\mathrm{TeV} $
on the gluino mass. The electroweak fine-tuning is reduced by a UV relation between the scalar mass of the two heavy families and the gluino mass. While large parts of the favoured parameter space escape detection at the LHC, the prospects to test the MiniLandscape models with future dark matter searches are very promising.
Impact of new screening technologies: should we screen and does phenotype influence this decision?
Authors: Bonham James Robert
Published: March 2013

The early detection offered by newborn screening for phenylketonuria clearly demonstrates the benefits for patients with inherited metabolic disorders of well organised screening programmes. It is therefore perhaps surprising that 20 years after the introduction of electrospray MS/MS methods to support expanded newborn screening that considerable international variation in practice, not linked to economic factors, exists. It is likely that the commonly used criteria to assess the suitability of a disorder for screening need to be re‐appraised as they apply to rare disorders. In addition, national differences in the pattern of policy making may influence the strategy adopted and these different approaches need to be scrutinised more closely. Despite this contextual variation a number of real issues do need to be addressed as the range of conditions included in screening programmes continues to increase. These include the need for well organised outcome studies based upon agreed case definitions and comparable treatment regimens; the need for appropriate information for parents to support them before and during the screening odyssey; an improved understanding of the impact of false positive results and in particular a clearer understanding of the way in which some of the problems resulting from false positive results can be avoided or ameliorated; the challenge offered by mild or atypical screen positive cases and the consequent design of proportionate treatment options. A thorough understanding of the genetic, biochemical and clinical features of screen positive cases supported by effective international outcome studies is required to optimise both screening and treatment strategies.
Distribution of Satyrini (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae) in Rio Grande do Sul State, southern Brazil
Authors: Paz Ana Luiza Gomes , Romanowski Helena Piccoli , de Morais Ana Beatriz Barros
Published: March 2013

Knowledge of species distribution is important for effective conservation measures. Considering that habitat features and abiotic factors can influence local community structure of butterflies, this study aimed to verify the existence of a pattern in the distribution of Satyrini in southern Brazil. For this objective, we updated the regional Satyrini species list based on field studies and literature, resulting in a total of 54 species. For those studies that presented clearly defined sampling sites, we analyzed the faunal similarity by site and by phytoecological region and verified the influences of environmental (altitude, average annual temperature and precipitation, and phytoecological region) and spatial variables (PCNM) in species distribution. We analyzed 156 records of 40 species at 14 sites and eight phytoecological regions. Environmental variables—namely, differences in temperature and phytoecological region—and spatial position proved to effect the distribution of Satyrini in southern Brazil. We thus urge that the future Conservation Units should be well spaced and properly distributed through environmentally distinct units in the landscape, representing different phytoecological regions. These conclusions shall provide subsidies to biodiversity conservation.
Mammary Uptake of Fatty Acids Supplied by Intravenous Triacylglycerol Infusion to Lactating Dairy Cows
Authors: Stamey Lanier J. , Suagee J. K. , Becvar O. , Corl B. A.
Published: March 2013

Supplementing dairy cows with n‐3 fatty acid‐rich feeds does not easily increase quantities in milk fat. Previous results demonstrated very long‐chain n‐3 fatty acids are primarily transported in the PL fraction of blood, making them largely unavailable to the mammary gland for enrichment of milk fat. Our objective was to compare mammary uptake of fatty acids of increasing chain length and unsaturation delivered intravenously as TAG emulsions. Late lactation dairy cows were assigned to a completely randomized block design. Treatments were intravenous TAG emulsions enriched with oleic acid (OLA), linoleic acid (LNA), alpha‐linolenic acid (ALA), or docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and were delivered continuously at 16 mL/h for 72 h. Each treatment supplied 30 g/day of the target fatty acid. Treatment did not affect feed intake, milk yield, or milk composition, but all treatments reduced intake and yield. The proportion of DHA increased in plasma FFA, TAG, and PL with infusion. Increases of n‐3 fatty acids, ALA, EPA, and DHA, were evident in the plasma PL fraction, suggesting re‐esterification in the liver. Transfer efficiencies were 37.8 ± 4.1, 27.6 ± 5.4, and 10.9 ± 4.1 %, and day 3 total milk fatty acyl yields were 37.0 ± 3.4, 10.8 ± 0.4, and 3.3 ± 0.3 g for LNA, ALA, and DHA. Variation in oleic acyl yield prevented calculation of OLA transfer efficiency. Mammary uptake of fatty acids was reduced with increased chain length and unsaturation. Both liver and mammary mechanisms may regulate transfer of long‐chain polyunsaturates.
Perception of intimate partner violence among women seeking care in the primary healthcare network in São Paulo state, Brazil
Authors: Mathias Ana‐Karina R.A. , Bedone Aloisio , Osis Maria‐José D. , Fernandes Arlete M.S.
Published: March 2013

Objective

To evaluate the prevalence and perception of intimate partner violence (IPV) among women in the primary healthcare network in the state of São Paulo, Brazil.

Methods

In a cross‐sectional descriptive study conducted between August 2008 and May 2009 in São Paulo state, Brazil, sociodemographic variables (age, education, ethnicity, paid employment, religion, marital status, economic stratum), experiences of IPV (physical, sexual, psychological), and women's perception of violence were compared among 2379 women attending primary healthcare units. Statistical analysis was performed via χ2 test, Student t test, and multiple logistic regression (odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals) to determine interrelations between the type and perception of violence.

Results

The overall prevalence of IPV was 55.7%, whereas that of psychological, physical, and sexual violence was 53.8%, 32.2%, and 12.4%, respectively; however, only 48.7% of women who experienced IPV had perceived this violence. The perception of IPV was highest for sexual violence (76.3%), followed by physical (64.7%) and psychological (49.7%) violence.

Conclusion

The results showed that, among women within the primary healthcare network in the state of São Paulo, a high percentage had experienced some form of IPV during their lifetime but the rate of self‐perception of IPV was low.
Distribution of HPV‐16 variants among isolates from Paraguayan women with different grades of cervical lesion
Authors: Mendoza Laura , Picconi María A. , Mirazo Santiago , Mongelós Pamela , Giménez Graciela , Basiletti Jorge , Arbiza Juan
Published: March 2013

Objective

To determine the distribution of HPV‐16 variants among Paraguayan women with different grades of cervical lesions.

Methods

Sixty‐seven HPV‐16‐positive cervical samples obtained from women attending health centers in Paraguay between March 2007 and April 2009 were examined, including 29 low‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL), 29 high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL), 4 cervical cancer, and 5 normal cytology samples. The specimens were analyzed by PCR‐directed sequencing of a 364‐bp fragment of the long control region of HPV‐16, and a phylogenetic tree was compiled with MEGA 5.0 software.

Results

Most HPV‐16 variants belonged to the European branch (82%); these variants were detected among 25 of 29 women with LSIL, 22 of 29 women with HSIL, 3 of 4 women with cervical cancer, and all women with normal cytology. Two isolates yielded new variants of the European branch with nucleotide substitutions at positions A7752C and A7810T. Non‐European variants, such as African type 1 (1.5%) and Asian‐American (16.5%), were detected only among women with cervical lesions (4/29, LSIL; 6/29, HSIL; 1/29, cervical cancer). These variants had at least 6 nucleotide substitutions adjacent to or within transcription factor binding sites.

Conclusion

All branches of HPV‐16 variants were detected among Paraguayan women with cervical lesions.
Role of programmed electrical stimulation in Brugada syndrome
Authors: Takagi Masahiko
Published: March 2013

Brugada syndrome (BS) is a cardiac disorder characterized by typical electrocardiographic findings (type 1 Brugada ECG); it is associated with a high risk for sudden cardiac death (SCD) due to ventricular fibrillation (VF). Risk stratification is still challenging, especially in cases in which a history of cardiac arrest or VF has not been documented. The role of programmed electrical stimulation (PES) for risk stratification remains controversial. In this article, I will review recent published data on the use of PES in the identification of high‐risk patients and discuss the value of PES for risk assessment in BS.