bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Masticatory loadings and cranial deformation in Macaca fascicularis: a finite element analysis sensitivity study
Authors: Fitton L. C. , Shi J. F. , Fagan M. J. , O’Higgins P.
Published: June 2012

Biomechanical analyses are commonly conducted to investigate how craniofacial form relates to function, particularly in relation to dietary adaptations. However, in the absence of corresponding muscle activation patterns, incomplete muscle data recorded experimentally for different individuals during different feeding tasks are frequently substituted. This study uses finite element analysis (FEA) to examine the sensitivity of the mechanical response of a Macaca fascicularis cranium to varying muscle activation patterns predicted via multibody dynamic analysis. Relative to the effects of varying bite location, the consequences of simulated variations in muscle activation patterns and of the inclusion/exclusion of whole muscle groups were investigated. The resulting cranial deformations were compared using two approaches; strain maps and geometric morphometric analyses. The results indicate that, with bite force magnitude controlled, the variations among the mechanical responses of the cranium to bite location far outweigh those observed as a consequence of varying muscle activations. However, zygomatic deformation was an exception, with the activation levels of superficial masseter being most influential in this regard. The anterior portion of temporalis deforms the cranial vault, but the remaining muscles have less profound effects. This study for the first time systematically quantifies the sensitivity of an FEA model of a primate skull to widely varying masticatory muscle activations and finds that, with the exception of the zygomatic arch, reasonable variants of muscle loading for a second molar bite have considerably less effect on cranial deformation and the resulting strain map than does varying molar bite point. The implication is that FEA models of biting crania will generally produce acceptable estimates of deformation under load as long as muscle activations and forces are reasonably approximated. In any one FEA study, the biological significance of the error in applied muscle forces is best judged against the magnitude of the effect that is being investigated.
AKAP79/150 interacts with the neuronal calcium‐binding protein caldendrin
Authors: Gorny Xenia , Mikhaylova Marina , Seeger Christian , Reddy Pasham Parameshwar , Reissner Carsten , Schott Björn H. , Helena Danielson U. , Kreutz Michael R. , Seidenbecher Constanze
Published: June 2012

J. Neurochem. (2012) 122, 714–726.

The A kinase‐anchoring protein AKAP79/150 is a postsynaptic scaffold molecule and a key regulator of signaling events. At the postsynapse it coordinates phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of receptors via anchoring kinases and phosphatases near their substrates. Interactions between AKAP79 and two Ca2+ ‐binding proteins caldendrin and calmodulin have been investigated here. Calmodulin is a known interaction partner of AKAP79/150 that has been shown to regulate activity of the kinase PKC in a Ca2+‐dependent manner. Pull‐down experiments and surface plasmon resonance biosensor analyses have been used here to demonstrate that AKAP79 can also interact with caldendrin, a neuronal calcium‐binding protein implicated in regulation of Ca2+ ‐influx and release. We demonstrate that calmodulin and caldendrin compete for a partially overlapping binding site on AKAP79 and that their binding is differentially dependent on calcium. Therefore, this competition is regulated by calcium levels. Moreover, both proteins have different binding characteristics suggesting that the two proteins might play complementary roles. The postsynaptic enrichment, the complex binding mechanism, and the competition with calmodulin, makes caldendrin an interesting novel player in the signaling toolkit of the AKAP interactome.
Synaptic cell adhesion molecule‐2 and collapsin response mediator protein‐2 are novel members of the matrix metalloproteinase‐9 degradome
Authors: Bajor Malgorzata , Michaluk Piotr , Gulyassy Peter , Kekesi Adrienna Katalin , Juhasz Gabor , Kaczmarek Leszek
Published: June 2012

J. Neurochem. (2012) 122, 775–788.

The elucidation of entire sets of protease substrates (“proteodegradomes”) is important for understanding proteolytic pathways, their networks, and their role in the regulation of cell function. Matrix metalloproteinase‐9 (MMP‐9) is an extracellularly operating protease that is expressed and released in the brain in response to enhanced neuronal activity. Under physiological conditions, MMP‐9 is involved in neuronal plasticity, including long‐term potentiation, learning, and memory. This function may be related to its activity at the synapse. Under pathological conditions (e.g., during excitotoxicity, stroke, and traumatic brain injury), when the concentration of glutamate is persistently increased, MMP‐9 is detrimental to brain tissue. To assess the MMP‐9 degradome, we used synaptoneurosomal fractions isolated from the hippocampus of wildtype and MMP‐9 knockout mice. To induce MMP‐9 activity, the synaptoneurosomal fractions were treated with 50 μM glutamate for 30 min at 37°C. To investigate MMP‐9 targets, two‐dimensional fluorescence difference gel electrophoresis was performed. This approach enabled the accurate analysis of differences in protein abundance between samples. The differential spots that contained potential MMP‐9 substrates were excised from the gel, and proteins of interest were identified using mass spectrometry. Two novel MMP‐9 targets were identified: synaptic cell adhesion molecule‐2 and collapsin response mediator protein‐2. The MMP‐9‐driven processing of the newly identified substrates was confirmed by western blot in primary hippocampal neurons after stimulation with either N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate or glutamate or incubation with recombinant autoactivating MMP‐9 and use of a specific inhibitor.
European integration and electoral democracy: How the European Union constrains party competition in the Member States
Authors: NANOU KYRIAKI , DORUSSEN HAN
Published: June 2012

The assignment of policy competencies to the European Union has reduced the divergence of party policy positions nationally, leaving the electorate with fewer policy options. Building upon insights from spatial proximity theories of party competition, the convergence argument predicts convergence particularly in policy domains with increasing EU competence. As the policy commitments that derive from EU membership increase, parties become more constrained in terms of the feasible policy alternative they can implement when in office. The analysis uses manifesto data at the country‐party system level for nine policy domains. It uses ordinary least squares (OLS) estimation with country fixed effects, a lagged dependent variable and country corrected standard errors. Controlling for other factors that could plausibly explain policy convergence, the models also assess whether the convergent effect of party positions varies across different types of parties. The main finding is that in policy domains where the involvement of the EU has increased, the distance between parties' positions tends to decrease. The constraining impact of EU policy decisions differs between Member and non‐Member States. This effect is more apparent for the policy agendas of larger, mainstream and pro‐EU parties in the Member States.
Synthesis, spectral and dyeing properties of phenylazopyrazolone‐containing acylamide disperse dyes designed for poly(lactic acid)
Authors: Cui Zhihua , Wang Xidong , Chen Weiguo , Hu Enling , Liu Kai
Published: June 2012

A series of phenylazopyrazolone disperse dyes containing an acylamide moiety were synthesised from carboxyl‐containing acid dyes via chlorination and amidation with different sorts of amines. The structures of these new dyes were confirmed by Fourier Transform–infrared, proton nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Their solvatochromic properties in different solvents were also investigated and the absorbance spectra of the acylamide dyes in solution exhibited a red shift when dissolved in dimethylformamide, compared with acetone. Their dyeing behaviour, including dye sorption, colour build‐up and colour fastness properties on poly(lactic acid) fibres, was also determined, whereupon it was found that the tertiary acylamide dyes simultaneously exhibited high dye sorption and satisfactory colour build‐up and fastness properties on the poly(lactic acid) fabric.
Evaluation of single‐nucleotide polymorphisms as internal controls in prenatal diagnosis of fetal blood groups
Authors: Doescher Andrea , Petershofen Eduard K. , Wagner Franz F. , Schunter Markus , Müller Thomas H.
Published: June 2012

BACKGROUND: Determination of fetal blood groups in maternal plasma samples critically depends on adequate amplification of fetal DNA. We evaluated the routine inclusion of 52 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as internal reference in our polymerase chain reaction (PCR) settings to obtain a positive internal control for fetal DNA.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: DNA from 223 plasma samples of pregnant women was screened for RHD Exons 3, 4, 5, and 7 in a multiplex PCR including 52 SNPs divided into four primer pools. Amplicons were analyzed by single‐base extension and the GeneScan method in a genetic analyzer. Results of D screening were compared to standard RHD genotyping of amniotic fluid or real‐time PCR of fetal DNA from maternal plasma.

RESULTS: The vast majority of all samples (97.8%) demonstrated differences in maternal and fetal SNP patterns when tested with four primer pools. These differences were not observed in less than 2.2% of the samples most probably due to an extraction failure for adequate amounts of fetal DNA. Comparison of the fetal genotypes with independent results did not reveal a single false‐negative case among samples (n = 42) with positive internal control and negative fetal RHD typing.

CONCLUSION: Coamplification of 52 SNPs with RHD‐specific sequences for fetal blood group determination introduces a valid positive control for the amplification of fetal DNA to avoid false‐negative results. This new approach does not require a paternal blood sample. It may also be applicable to other assays for fetal genotyping in maternal blood samples.
Trends in prevalence, incidence, and residual risk of major transfusion‐transmissible viral infections in United Arab Emirates blood donors: impact of individual‐donation nucleic acid testing, 2004 through 2009
Authors: Al Shaer Laila , AbdulRahman Mahera , John Thomas J. , AlHashimi Ali
Published: June 2012

BACKGROUND: United Arab Emirates (UAE) has a heterogeneous population consisting of more than 160 nationalities and 85% of the population being non‐UAE. In 2007, Dubai Blood Donation Centre (DBDC), the major local supplier of blood in the UAE, introduced six‐minipool nucleic acid test (NAT) for hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which in 2008 upgraded to individual‐donation (ID)‐NAT. The aim of this study was to analyze the efficacy of the donor screening program in the UAE and evaluate the impact of NAT on the yield and residual risk of transfusion‐transmissible viral infections (TTVIs).

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 169,781 blood donations collected at DBDC between 2004 and 2009 were screened for TTVIs. During the period 2008 through 2009, a total of 59,283 donations were tested with both ID‐NAT and serologic assays. The incidence, prevalence, and residual risk for each viral agent were estimated and analyzed.

RESULTS: The individual prevalences of HBV, HCV, and HIV per 100,000 donation were 234.4, 110, and 4, respectively. Calculated residual risk per million donations for HBV was decreased from 1.41 in pre‐NAT period to 0.92 in post‐NAT period. These figures were decreased for HCV and HIV from 1.73 and 0.39 to 0 and 0.32, respectively.

CONCLUSION: Incidence rates and estimated residual risk indicate that the current risk of TTVIs attributable to blood donation is relatively low in the UAE. The study recommends the parallel use of both serology and ID‐NAT TTVIs screening in blood donations and suggests the exclusion of antibody to hepatitis B core antigen–positive donations as this can eliminate the potential infectivity of these units with marginal effects on the blood stock in UAE.
RHD*DOL1 and RHD*DOL2 encode a partial D antigen and are in cis with the rare RHCE*ceBI allele in people of African descent
Authors: Roussel Michèle , Poupel Sylvie , Nataf Joëlle , Juszczak Geneviève , Woimant Geneviève , Mailloux Agnès , Menanteau Cécile , Pham Bach‐Nga , Rouger Philippe , Le Pennec Pierre‐Yves , Peyrard Thierry
Published: June 2012

BACKGROUND: Several studies showed in people of African descent the existence of a genetic linkage between RHD alleles encoding a variant D antigen and a given altered RHCE*ce allele. RHCE*ceBI is a rare allele encountered in people of African descent, that encodes a Hr– hrS– Rhce protein. Our study shows that RHCE*ceBI appears to be genetically linked to two very similar variant RHD alleles, RHD*DOL1 and RHD*DOL2, and demonstrates for the first time that DOL‐2 is a partial D antigen.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: After finding out an individual with both RHCE*ceBI and RHD*DOL presumed to be in cis, we hypothesized a genetic linkage between those two genes. All individuals (n = 7) known to carry RHCE*ceBI in our laboratory, including the index case, were fully investigated at the serologic and molecular level.

RESULTS: One individual with alloanti‐D, being homozygous for RHCE*ceBI and RHD*DOL2, allowed us to confirm the genetic linkage between those two genes, as well as the partial D status of DOL‐2. In the six RHCE*ceBI remaining individuals, three were found with RHD*DOL2 and 3 with RHD*DOL1, likely in cis. Three of them made an alloanti‐D; one was DOL‐1 and two were DOL‐2.

CONCLUSION: The rare RHCE*ceBI allele appears to be in cis either with RHD*DOL1 or with RHD*DOL2 in people of African descent. DOL‐1 and DOL‐2 must be considered as partial D antigens. We recommend a systematic search for RHD*DOL1 and RHD*DOL2 in people found to carry RHCE*ceBI and vice versa, especially in patients with sickle cell disease.
Pioneering Advantages and Entrepreneurs' First‐mover Decisions: An Empirical Investigation for the United States and China
Authors: Zhao Y. Lisa , Erekson O. Homer , Wang Tang , Song Michael
Published: June 2012

New ventures are often launched for the purpose of pioneering an innovative new product or service in the marketplace. Entrepreneurs or founders of new ventures thus often have to make the decision whether to be the market pioneer or the first mover. While being a first mover potentially is advantageous, it also involves taking risks and facing uncertainties. Entrepreneurs must assess the benefits and risks of pioneering in the first‐mover decision‐making process to realize the potential competitive advantages associated with being a pioneer.

Previous research has shown how entrepreneurs perceive potential gains and losses associated with exploring opportunities as the key defining element of entrepreneurial decision‐making. Past studies have also indicated that cultural and business environmental factors affect both perceptions and decision‐making. However, studies to date have insufficiently addressed the relationship between entrepreneurs' perceived pioneering advantages/disadvantages and their first‐mover decisions, with little attention to cross‐national differences.

This study includes hypotheses postulating how entrepreneurs' perceived advantages and disadvantages of pioneering affect the number of first‐mover decisions made by entrepreneurs in two different cultural contexts, the United States and China. We collect data from 152 U.S. entrepreneurs and 140 Chinese entrepreneurs over a four‐year period and carry out empirical tests on the hypotheses using Poisson regression models. Our results provide insight on how culture affects perceptions of advantages and disadvantages of pioneering, and how these perceptions impact the likelihood of making a first‐mover decision. We find that a higher level of perceived advantages will drive first‐mover decisions, whereas perceived disadvantages will deter first‐mover decisions. The negative effect of perceived erosion disadvantages on the number of first‐mover decisions was higher for Chinese entrepreneurs, consistent with the high risk‐aversion culture in China. However, this effect was not found for perceived uncertainty disadvantages, suggesting that the risk‐averse characteristics of Chinese entrepreneurs is an oversimplification, and that the Chinese cultural, business, and legal environment helps offset uncertainty disadvantages. We also find an interesting positive moderating effect of perceived advantage on the relationship between perceived disadvantages and the number of first‐mover decisions in China only. That is, if perceived advantages are low, Chinese entrepreneurs are more risk averse than U.S. entrepreneurs; but if perceived advantages are high, Chinese entrepreneurs are more risk‐seeking than U.S. entrepreneurs. This finding again challenges the risk aversion conclusion found by previous studies of Chinese managers.
Externally Directed and Internally Directed Market Launch Management: The Role of Organizational Factors in Influencing New Product Success
Authors: Kuester Sabine , Homburg Christian , Hess Silke C.
Published: June 2012

Introducing new products remains a critical challenge for managers. Consumer acceptance of new products is key to new product success and requires the effective implementation of market launch activities. The present study describes the relationship between different types of market launch activities and market‐related, time‐related, and financial market launch success. The study's framework extends previous work on launch management by complementing the view that launch activities are predominantly outwardly directed with the notion that launch management can also be inwardly directed. More specifically, launch activities can both target customers as the external audience, for example, via communication and pricing, and address an internal audience, such as management and sales personnel, for example, using departmental coordination or employee incentives. The study also sets out to investigate how situational factors impact the relative effectiveness of both externally directed and internally directed launch activities in engendering successful new product launches. In particular, product newness, technology drivers, and firm size are considered as relevant variables.

Structural equation analysis of data on 178 new products across industries provide empirical evidence that market launch success depends on the intensity of both externally directed and internally directed market launch activities. With regard to the overall impact of internally directed activities, the findings confirm that organizational factors and antecedents indeed play a critical role in new product launch and its respective performance with internally directed activities having an even stronger impact on time‐related and financial success than outwardly directed instruments. Specifically, these internal activities are often viewed as idiosyncratic resources that are hard for competitors to observe and are therefore more difficult—if not impossible—to replicate compared to externally directed activities in market launch. The paper clearly pinpoints that the successful launch of new products is a complex task that also necessitates the implementation of internally directed launch activities. Fast market penetration requires coordination among the different internal players as well as support from top management. Furthermore, the financial objectives of the market launch can only be met if employees and executives both receive the necessary incentives and support to effectively execute the new product introduction. The study also demonstrates that moderators impact the strength of the effectiveness of these two different types of market launch activities. This research provides important implications for launch management by advocating that the two foci on external and internal constituencies should not be pursued in isolation but that instead, the opposite is true.
Thermal Cycling of Suspension Plasma Sprayed Alumina‐YSZ Coatings Containing Amorphous Phases
Authors: Tarasi Fariba , Medraj Mamoun , Dolatabadi Ali , Lima Rogerio S. , Moreau Christian
Published: June 2012

Thermal cyclic test at 1080°C for various numbers of cycles was performed on suspension plasma‐sprayed coatings of alumina‐yttria‐stabilized zirconia composites and yttria‐stabilized zirconia (
YSZ
). The structural variations of composite coatings were studied to verify the possibility of production of nano‐composite coatings with nano‐dispersed oxides. The results showed that this composite exhibited a lower thermally grown oxide growth than that of the
YSZ
. New multi‐constituent composites formed of alternative regions of nano‐precipitates of alumina in zirconia matrix and nano‐precipitates of zirconia in alumina matrix were developed via phase transformation through thermal cyclic process of amorphous‐containing structure.
Pressureless Sintering of Zirconium Diboride Ceramics with Boron Additive
Authors: Guo Wei‐Ming , Zhang Guo‐Jun , Yang Zhen‐Guo
Published: June 2012

Influence of boron on densification and microstructure of zirconium diboride (
ZrB

2) ceramics using pressureless sintering has been studied. The
ZrB

2 powders were synthesized by borothermal reduction of
ZrO

2 with three different
ZrO

2/
B
ratios to produce powders nominally phase pure or that contained excess boron. The as‐synthesized powders were then densified by heating to temperatures from 1800°C to 2200°C. The incorporation of 1.2 wt% excess boron increased relative density from ~54.3% to ~96.1% by reacting with and removing oxide impurities (
ZrO

2 and
B

2

O

3) after sintering at 2000°C, whereas it also led to an exaggerated grain growth from 1–3 to 20–80 μm presumably due to high grain‐boundary mobility. The faster grain growth resulted in the formation of intragranular pores and prevented the
ZrB

2 ceramics from reaching full density. By the incorporation of 3 wt% excess boron, a fully dense
ZrB

2 ceramics with relative density of ~99.7% and grain size of 5–10 μm was obtained at 2000°C. The full densification was attributed to the synergistic effects of boron through oxide impurities removal and grain‐ growth inhibition.
Mating failure of female Parnassius smintheus butterflies: a component but not a demographic Allee effect
Authors: Matter Stephen F. , Roland Jens
Published: June 2012

Female mating success affects the ecology, evolution, and conservation of species. From a population dynamic perspective, female mating failure occurring due to low population density potentially translates into negative population growth, resulting in population extinction. Despite the implications, there have been surprisingly few comprehensive studies of both the causes and the population level effects of female mating failure for insects. Herein, we examined the mating success of female Parnassius smintheus Doubleday (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) butterflies and its effects on population growth. Using mark‐recapture data amassed from 17 interconnected populations over 12 years, we assessed whether yearly female mating success varied with local population density, and whether population growth varied with mating success. We found that there was increased female mating failure at low population density – a component Allee effect. However, this effect did not result in a demographic Allee effect. We found that population growth was greatest at lowest densities and that there was no relationship between female mating success and population growth. These results along with a growing number of studies indicate that demographic Allee effects are much less common than component effects, and they may be relatively uncommon for insects in nature.
An evaluation of different saliva collection methods for detection of antibodies against hepatitis C virus (anti‐HCV)
Authors: Cruz H. M. , Marques V. A. , Villela‐Nogueira C. A. , do Ó K. M. R. , Lewis‐Ximenez L. L. , Lampe E. , Villar L. M.
Published: June 2012

J Oral Pathol Med (2012) 41: 793–800

Background:  Saliva samples can be used as an alternative fluid for against hepatitis C virus (anti‐HCV) detection owing to the ease of collection and excellent acceptability. This study was conducted to optimize a commercial enzyme immunoassay (EIA) to detect anti‐HCV in saliva samples.

Methods:  Ninety‐six individuals donated paired serum and saliva samples that were obtained, using a commercial device (Salivette) and spitting into a sterile container. Initially, elution buffer for the Salivette samples, sample volume, incubation time and temperature, and two different anti‐HCV EIAs were evaluated. Using the optimized assay, three methods for cut‐off calculation were also evaluated.

Results:  A 20‐fold increase in the sample volume for both collection methods was needed. Moreover, the Radim assay was the most appropriate assay for anti‐HCV detection in saliva samples, and the quality parameters were increased when a ROC curve was used to determine the cut‐off value. Using this optimized assay, the sensitivities, specificities, accuracies, positive and negative predictive values were above 90% for saliva obtained using both the Salivette and spitting methods. Using this assay, discordant false‐negative results were obtained for only two Salivette samples and five spitting samples. The concordance kappa was 93% for the Salivette method and 86.1% for the spitting method, demonstrating excellent performance.

Conclusions:  Saliva samples obtained for both methods can be employed for anti‐HCV detection among HCV‐infected or HCV‐suspected cases, but several modifications must be performed on commercial EIAs to obtain good results. Moreover, samples obtained with commercial devices are more appropriate for anti‐HCV detection in saliva samples.
Plasma insulin, leptin, adiponectin, resistin, ghrelin, and melatonin in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis patients treated with melatonin
Authors: Gonciarz Maciej , Bielański Wladyslaw , Partyka Robert , Brzozowski Tomasz , Konturek Piotr C. , Eszyk Jerzy , Celiński Krzysztof , Reiter Russel J. , Konturek Stanislaw J.
Published: June 2012

Abstract:  Insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and an abnormal production of adipokines and cytokines are implicated in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Recently, we reported a significant improvement in plasma liver enzymes among patients with NASH treated with melatonin. In this study, we investigated the effect of melatonin, administered at a dose of 10 mg/day for 28 days to 16 patients with histologically proven NASH on insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR), on the plasma levels of adiponectin, leptin, ghrelin, and resistin. Additionally, plasma levels of aminotransferases and gamma glutamyltranspeptidase as well as plasma concentrations of melatonin were evaluated. Median baseline values of HOMA‐IR, leptin (ng/mL), and resistin (pg/mL) in patients with NASH were significantly higher in comparison with controls: 4.90 versus 1.60, 10.70 versus 4.30, and 152 versus 91, respectively. Median adiponectin level (μg/mL) was decreased in patients compared to controls: 6.40 versus 16.25; no significant difference in ghrelin levels between patients and controls was found. After melatonin treatment, the median value of HOMA‐IR was significantly reduced by 60% as compared to baseline values, whereas adiponectin, leptin, and ghrelin plasma levels rose significantly by 119%, 33%, and 20%, respectively; the difference between pre‐/posttreatment in plasma resistin levels was not significant. These findings make melatonin a suitable candidate for testing in patients with NASH in the large controlled clinical trials.
Policy-based reasoning in duty of care cases
Authors: Robertson Andrew
Published: June 2012

This paper seeks to develop a deeper understanding of the role of policy-based reasoning in the determination of duty of care questions. In order to do this, the first part explores the distinction between considerations of interpersonal justice and considerations of community welfare in the determination of duty questions. While imperfect, the distinction illuminates the nature of the factors taken into account by courts in determining duty of care questions and has practical as well as theoretical implications. The second part of the paper analyses the respective roles of interpersonal justice considerations and community welfare considerations in a sample of first instance and intermediate appellate cases from England and Canada. That study suggests that community welfare considerations play a far less significant role in determining duty cases at the first instance and intermediate appellate level than at the ultimate appellate level. Analysis of the cases also reveals significant differences between the English and Canadian courts in their approaches to the interpersonal justice and community welfare aspects of duty of care questions.
An inconvenient truth: barriers to truth recovery in the aftermath of institutional child abuse in Ireland
Authors: McAlinden Anne-Marie
Published: June 2012

Contemporary settled democracies, including the USA, England and Wales and Ireland, have witnessed a string of high-profile cases of institutional child abuse in both Church and State settings. Set against the broader literature on transitional justice, this analysis argues that there are significant barriers to truth recovery within the particular context of historical institutional abuse by the clergy in the Republic of Ireland. In the main, it argues that the frameworks of the inquiries and commissions into historical institutional child abuse are not conducive to truth recovery or the search for justice in dealing with the legacy of an abusive past. It is the Church–State relationship which makes the Irish situation noteworthy and unique. The Catholic Church and child care institutions are especially self-protective, secretive and closed by nature, and strongly discourage the drawing of attention to any deficiencies in organisational procedures. The nature of the public inquiry process also means that there is often a rather linear focus on accountability and apportioning blame. Collectively, such difficulties inhibit fuller systemic investigation of the veracity of what actually happened and, in turn, meaningful modification of child care policies. The paper concludes by offering some thoughts on the implications for transitional justice discourses more broadly as well as the residual issues for Ireland and other settled democracies in terms of moving on from the legacy of institutional child abuse.
Quantifying landscape linkages among giant panda subpopulations in regional scale conservation
Authors: QI Dunwu , HU Yibo , GU Xiaodong , YANG Xuyi , YANG Guang , WEI Fuwen
Published: June 2012

Understanding habitat requirements and identifying landscape linkages are essential for the survival of isolated populations of endangered species. Currently, some of the giant panda populations are isolated, which threatens their long‐term survival, particularly in the Xiaoxiangling mountains. In the present study, we quantified niche requirements and then identified potential linkages of giant panda subpopulations in the most isolated region, using ecological niche factor analysis and a least‐cost path model. Giant pandas preferred habitat with conifer forest and gentle slopes (>20 to ≤30°). Based on spatial distribution of suitable habitat, linkages were identified for the Yele subpopulation to 4 other subpopulations (Liziping, Matou, Xinmin and Wanba). Their lengths ranged from 15 to 54 km. The accumulated cost ranged from 693 to 3166 and conifer forest covered over 31%. However, a variety of features (e.g. major roads, human settlements and large unforested areas) might act as barriers along the linkages for giant panda dispersal. Our analysis quantified giant panda subpopulation connectivity to ensure long‐term survival.
Current hypotheses for the evolution of sex and recombination
Authors: HARTFIELD Matthew , KEIGHTLEY Peter D.
Published: June 2012

The evolution of sex is one of the most important and controversial problems in evolutionary biology. Although sex is almost universal in higher animals and plants, its inherent costs have made its maintenance difficult to explain. The most famous of these is the twofold cost of males, which can greatly reduce the fecundity of a sexual population, compared to a population of asexual females. Over the past century, multiple hypotheses, along with experimental evidence to support these, have been put forward to explain widespread costly sex. In this review, we outline some of the most prominent theories, along with the experimental and observational evidence supporting these. Historically, there have been 4 classes of theories: the ability of sex to fix multiple novel advantageous mutants (Fisher–Muller hypothesis); sex as a mechanism to stop the build‐up of deleterious mutations in finite populations (Muller's ratchet); recombination creating novel genotypes that can resist infection by parasites (Red Queen hypothesis); and the ability of sex to purge bad genomes if deleterious mutations act synergistically (mutational deterministic hypothesis). Current theoretical and experimental evidence seems to favor the hypothesis that sex breaks down selection interference between new mutants, or it acts as a mechanism to shuffle genotypes in order to repel parasitic invasion. However, there is still a need to collect more data from natural populations and experimental studies, which can be used to test different hypotheses.
Opportunism and the resilience of barnacles (Cirripedia: Thoracica) to environmental change
Authors: BUCKERIDGE John S.
Published: June 2012

Cirripede‐like organisms have their origins in the Palaeozoic, but until the Cainozoic, were represented primarily by pedunculated forms, such as the Scalpelliformes. Acorn barnacles (Balanomorpha) are first recorded after the Cretaceous–Tertiary extinction event. During the late Palaeogene, rapid radiation of cirripedes resulted in sufficient diversification for them to occupy most marine environments. That they survived both the Palaeocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum and the Pleistocene glaciation is testament to their ability to rapidly adapt to opportunities. The wide habitat distribution of balanomorphs in particular is unparalleled; they are known from the upper littoral (Chthamalus) to depths of 3600 m (Tetrachaelasma) and within this attached to rock, wood and miscellaneous flotsam, plus in symbiosis or commensalism with larger marine organisms. Darwin's (1854) view of the Tertiary as the age of barnacles is reflected in this diversity, distribution and biomass. All cirripedes are, nonetheless, at risk, from rapid habitat change, competition, pollution and, especially in light of their sessile habit, from predation. This paper assesses the viability of a number of cirripedes and concludes that the Lepadiformes, Scalpelliformes and Balanomorpha are the most resilient, and will most quickly adapt to occupy new niches when opportunities arise.
Direct impacts of climatic warming on heat stress in endothermic species: seabirds as bioindicators of changing thermoregulatory constraints
Authors: OSWALD Stephen A. , ARNOLD Jennifer M.
Published: June 2012

There is now abundant evidence that contemporary climatic change has indirectly affected a wide‐range of species by changing trophic interactions, competition, epidemiology and habitat. However, direct physiological impacts of changing climates are rarely reported for endothermic species, despite being commonly reported for ectotherms. We review the evidence for changing physiological constraints on endothermic vertebrates at high temperatures, integrating theoretical and empirical perspectives on the morphology, physiology and behavior of marine birds. Potential for increasing heat stress exposure depends on changes in multiple environmental variables, not just air temperature, as well as organism‐specific morphology, physiology and behavior. Endotherms breeding at high latitudes are vulnerable to the forecast, extensive temperature changes because of the adaptations they possess to minimize heat loss. Low‐latitude species will also be challenged as they currently live close to their thermal limits and will likely suffer future water shortages. Small, highly‐active species, particularly aerial foragers, are acutely vulnerable as they are least able to dissipate heat at high temperatures. Overall, direct physiological impacts of climatic change appear underrepresented in the published literature, but available data suggest they have much potential to shape behavior, morphology and distribution of endothermic species. Coincidence between future heat stress events and other energetic constraints on endotherms remains largely unexplored but will be key in determining the physiological impacts of climatic change. Multi‐scale, biophysical modeling, informed by experiments that quantify thermoregulatory responses of endotherms to heat stress, is an essential precursor to urgently‐needed analyses at the population or species level.
Is the expansion of the pine processionary moth, due to global warming, impacting the endangered Spanish moon moth through an induced change in food quality?
Authors: IMBERT Charles‐Edouard , GOUSSARD Francis , ROQUES Alain
Published: June 2012

Recent climate change is known to affect the distribution of a number of insect species, resulting in a modification of their range boundaries. In newly colonized areas, novel interactions become apparent between expanding and endemic species sharing the same host. The pine processionary moth is a highly damaging pine defoliator, extending its range northwards and upwards in response to winter warming. Its expansion in the Alps has resulted in an invasion into the range of the Spanish moon moth, a red listed species developing on Scots pine. Pine processionary moth larvae develop during winter, preceding those of the moon moth, which hatch in late spring. Using pine trees planted in a clonal design, we experimentally tested the effect of previous winter defoliation by pine processionary moth larvae upon the survival and development of moon moth larvae. Feeding on foliage of heavily defoliated trees (>50%) resulted in a significant increase in the development time of moon moth larvae and a decrease in relative growth rate compared to feeding on foliage of undefoliated trees. Dry weight of pupae also decreased when larvae were fed with foliage of defoliated trees, and might, therefore, affect imago performances. However, lower defoliation degrees did not result in significant differences in larval performances compared to the control. Because a high degree of defoliation by pine processionary moth is to be expected during the colonization phase, its arrival in subalpine pine stands might affect the populations of the endangered moon moth
Incidence and risk factors of catheter‐associated urinary tract infection in Yazd – Iran
Authors: Mohammadzadeh Mahmoud , Behnaz Fatemah
Published: June 2012

Catheter‐associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) is the most common nosocomial infection, accounting for more than 1 million cases each year in the US hospitals and nursing homes. The significant number of infections and dissemination of resistant bacteria in hospitals make it important to find ways to decrease their incidence. The aim of the study was to describe the incidence and risk factors of CAUTIs. A cohort study was conducted from 2003 to 2008 on every patient who became catheterized consecutively. Variables included age, sex, indications for catheterization, antimicrobials usage, duration of catheterization and hospital stay, and type and colony count of microorganism. The incidence was 21·8%, the risk factor identified was duration of catheterization [relative risk 1·213, 95% CI (1·053–1·398)] while usage of antimicrobials was protective [relative risk 0·433, 95% CI (0·237–0·792)]. Organisms isolated were: Esherichia coli 23%, Enterobacter 8·1%, Staphylococcus aureus 10·8%, Pseudomonas aeuroginosa 5·4%, coagulase negative Staphylococcus 9·4%, klebsiella 4%, Proteus mirabilis 2·8%, yeasts 9·46%, Enterococcus 4%, Acinetobacter 1·4% and mixed growth of bacteria 21·6%. The incidence of CAUTI was slightly higher than in the studies from the developing countries. Daily monitoring to decrease duration of catheterization is reemphasized.
Self‐reported quantity of daily water intake and urine output in healthy young
Authors: Altun İnsaf , Çınar Nursan Dede , Kaşıkçı Mağfiret Kara
Published: June 2012

Water is an essential nutrient and adequate intake and output of water is required for health maintenance. Water homeostasis is vital for life and optimal function and considerable interest surrounds the issue of recommendations for water consumption in healthy individuals. Few studies are available about self‐reported water intake and urine output.

The aim of this study was to assess the quantity of water intake and urine output in 24‐h period in healthy young individuals. This prospective study was carried out on 31 students aged 18–24 years undergoing nursing education in a University during January 2011 in Sakarya, Turkey. Healthy young individuals were recruited for determination of the quantity of water taken in and urine excretion along 24 h; they recorded fluid input and urine output.

The students collected the data during weekend break. In our study, the total daily fluid intake (mL) for females was 2082·6 ± 687·1 and the total daily fluid intake (mL) for males was 2720·8 ± 717·4. The total daily quantity of urine (mL) for females was 1623·4 ± 602·4 and the total daily quantity of urine (mL) for males was 1818·3 ± 420·6.

This research may be the source for similar studies that could include seasonal changes, climates, cultures and different age groups.
Receptiveness to medical treatment for urinary incontinence among hospital nurses
Authors: Lowenstein Lior , Deutsch Michael , Baltiter Tania , Kranzler Michal , Admi Hanna , Zimmer Etan Z
Published: June 2012

The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of urinary incontinence and the attitudes to treatment among nurses at a tertiary medical centre. We hypothesized that due to their medical knowledge nurses would be particularly receptive to surgical treatment. A self‐filled questionnaire was mailed to all nurses employed at our medical centre. The questionnaire included socio‐demographic data, medical history and questions relating to quality of life and to the degree of inconvenience experienced from urinary incontinence. Nurses were asked about their attitudes towards medical and surgical treatments. Among 77 nurses, median age 40 (24–67), prevalence rates of stress urinary incontinence and urgency incontinence were 31% and 25%, respectively. Overall, 72% were receptive to surgical treatment; those who work in surgical departments were particularly receptive (95% vs. 63% P < 0·009). Knowledge of urinary incontinence and of surgery seems to increase receptiveness to surgical treatment.
Comparison of the uncertainty level of radical prostatectomy recipients with or without psychological support
Authors: Lin Yu‐Hua
Published: June 2012

The aim of this study is to measure the levels of uncertainty in radical prostatectomy (RP) recipients who have received psychological support in comparison with those who have not. RP is one of the most effective treatments for prostate cancer, but its complications may cause patients to have a sense of uncertainty. A questionnaire survey was conducted. Participants were recruited from two hospitals. Sixty‐two participants who underwent an RP were recruited to the support group, and 43 participants were included in the non‐support group. The support group of males received psychological support and the control group of males did not receive psychological support. A survey was developed and used to assess each male, at least 3 months after his RP. All subjects participated in the survey and self‐reported using the Chinese version of the Mishel Uncertainty Illness Scale (MUIS). The reliability (α) of the overall MUIS was 0·92 in this study. The mean level of the uncertainty score among the support group was 45·65 (SD = 10·81), and 80·47 (SD = 5·00) among the non‐support group. Two‐way anova showed that psychological support produced a significant effect (F = 197·25, p < 0·001), which indicated that the males in the psychological support group expressed lower levels of uncertainty than males in the non‐support group. The results suggest that offering psychological support is an effective nursing intervention that can decrease the levels of uncertainty in RP recipients. The feeling of uncertainty among post‐RP patients is common. Urological nurses should therefore assume the responsibilities associated with the consequences of prostate cancer treatment, including understanding the treatment's relevant information, seeking appropriate nursing interventions and providing psychological support to decrease the level of uncertainty in RP patients.
Simple pH Treatment as an Effective Tool to Improve the Functional Properties of Ovomucin
Authors: Shan Yuanyuan , Ma Meihu , Huang Xi , Guo Yajuan , Jin Guofeng , Jin Yongguo
Published: June 2012

Abstract:  Ovomucin has been considered to contribute a lot to the excellent functional properties of egg white. This work focused on investigating the effects of pH and protein concentration on foaming and emulsifying properties of ovomucin to evaluate the proper use of this egg protein as a functional food ingredient, and to clarify its contribution to the functional properties of egg white under different pH conditions. Protein solubility and surface hydrophobicity were measured through the pH ranged from 2.3 to 11.0. Alkali treatment gave ovomucin improved emulsification properties, which were correlated well with the surface hydrophobicity (r≥ 0.89, P < 0.01). Although ovomucin showed lower foaming capacity in acid and neutral solution, enhanced foaming stability was observed with weak acid‐treated ovomucin (pH 5 to 6) compared to native ovomucin. These results demonstrated that acid and alkali treatment, which leads to partial unfolding of ovomucin can improve functional properties of ovomucin, with the greatest improvement for emulsification properties being from the alkali treatment and for foaming stability being from weak acid treatment. These results are helpful to produce unfolding ovomucin suitable for wide range of applications in food industry, and to provide useful information on the proper use of egg white in different food systems.

Practical Application:  Ovomucin plays a critical functional role in egg white products. However, it is typically insoluble in distilled water or common salt solutions, which has thus limited its commercial applications. Alkaline treatment resulted in gradual increase in solubility, which markedly enhanced the emulsifying properties, on the other hand foaming stability of ovomucin can be promoted by weak acid treatment. The results of this work help to produce unfolding ovomucin suitable for wide range of applications in food industry, and to provide useful information on the proper use of egg white in different food systems.