bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Circadian clock gene Clock is involved in the photoperiodic response of the bean bug Riptortus pedestris
Authors: IKENO TOMOKO , ISHIKAWA KIMIKA , NUMATA HIDEHARU , GOTO SHIN G.
Published: May 2013

The role of the circadian clock gene Clock in the circadian rhythm and the photoperiodic regulation of reproductive diapause in the bean bug Riptortus pedestris (Fabricius) (Hemiptera: Alydidae) is investigated. Clock RNA interference (RNAi) disrupts the circadian rhythm in an alternating deposition of polarized and nonpolarized cuticle layers in the endocuticle, and produces only a polarized layer. This indicates that Clock is a core component of the circadian clock and that it acts as a positive element in activating the transcription of downstream genes. In addition, Clock RNAi suppresses ovarian development irrespective of day‐length conditions, which indicates that Clock is involved in the photoperiodic response. The observed phenotypes in Clock RNAi insects, the production of a single polarized layer in the endocuticle and an arrested ovarian development irrespective of photoperiod are the same as those induced by RNAi of cycle, a positive element in the circadian clock. However, the phenotypes induced by RNAi of negative elements period and mammalian‐type cryptochrome differ from those induced by the positive elements. Considering the current data together with previously published findings, it is concluded that the circadian clock, comprising the circadian clock genes, is involved in the photoperiodic response of R. pedestris.
Differential regulation of heat shock protein genes by temperature in relation to initial diapause in the egg of the katydid Paratlanticus ussuriensis
Authors: SHIM JAE‐KYOUNG , BANG HEA‐SON , LEE KYEONG‐YEOLL
Published: May 2013

The lifecycle of Paratlanticus ussuriensis Uvarov can extend for longer than 1 year (plurennial) as a result of prolonged diapause. Eggs can overwinter by entering a facultative initial diapause in the early embryonic stage within the egg, followed by further overwintering by entering an obligatory final diapause at the fully developed embryonic stage. The initial diapause is temperature‐dependent and initiated by continuous incubation at 20 °C but not at 30 °C. To understand the mechanism of initial diapause at the molecular level, cDNAs of small heat shock protein genes (shsp), hsp90, as well as three hsp70 genes (hsp70a, hsp70b and hsp70c), are determined and the transcript levels of the five hsp genes are compared in eggs incubated at 20 or 30 °C for 60 days after oviposition using real‐time reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction analysis. At 30 °C, transcript levels of shsp, hsp70a, hsp70b and hsp90 increase in eggs with age. However, hsp70c levels uniquely peak only in 25‐day‐old eggs, corresponding to the time of initial diapause. At 20 °C, distinct levels of shsp, hsp70a and hsp90 appear in some stages and fluctuate throughout the 60‐day observation period, although both hsp70b and hsp70c are undetectable. These results suggest that each hsp may play a specific role in relation to initial diapause. In addition, up‐regulation of hsp70c may be associated with the mechanism of embryonic activation for averting initial diapause in warmer conditions.
Seasonal Variations in the Subsurface Ultraviolet‐B on an Inshore Pacific Coral Reef Ecosystem
Authors: Downs Nathan J. , Schouten Peter W. , Parisi Alfio V.
Published: May 2013

Fringing coral reefs provide a unique opportunity to study shallow aquatic ecosystems. A fringing coral reef system located in close proximity to a developed region was considered in this study. In such an environment, the rate of decay of dissolved organic matter is high and the penetration of higher energy ultraviolet‐B (UVB) extends a greater influence on species diversity, particularly upon shallow benthic communities. Results from a 9 month subsurface UVB exposure measurement campaign performed at a site located on the southern Queensland coast (Hervey Bay, 25°S) are presented in this research. For this, a novel dosimetric technique was utilized to measure long‐term subsurface UVB exposures. The resultant data set includes exposure measurements made during the significant La Niña event of late 2010 which resulted in unprecedented high sea surface temperatures and severe flooding across eastern Australia, impacting upon the lagoon regions of the Great Barrier Reef and Queensland's southern estuaries, including the study site. The influence of season, diurnal tidal variation, cloud cover and solar zenith angle were analyzed over the campaign period. Mean minimum daylight water depth was found to be the most significant factor influencing subsurface UVB.
Follow your breath: Respiratory interoceptive accuracy in experienced meditators
Authors: Daubenmier Jennifer , Sze Jocelyn , Kerr Catherine E. , Kemeny Margaret E. , Mehling Wolf
Published: May 2013

Attention to internal bodily sensations is a core feature of mindfulness meditation. Previous studies have not detected differences in interoceptive accuracy between meditators and nonmeditators on heartbeat detection and perception tasks. We compared differences in respiratory interoceptive accuracy between meditators and nonmeditators in the ability to detect and discriminate respiratory resistive loads and sustain accurate perception of respiratory tidal volume during nondistracted and distracted conditions. Groups did not differ in overall performance on the detection and discrimination tasks; however, meditators were more accurate in discriminating the resistive load with the lowest ceiling effect. Meditators were also more accurate during the nondistracted tracking task at a lag time of 1 s following the breath. Results provide initial support for the notion that meditators have greater respiratory interoceptive accuracy compared to nonmeditators.
The Environmental Protection Agency Regulates Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Is Anyone Paying Attention?
Authors: Cook Jeffrey J. , Rinfret Sara R.
Published: May 2013

The promulgation of the Mandatory Reporting of Greenhouse Gases Rule stands as the first step to developing a comprehensive national approach to climate change. However, what role, if any, did interest groups play in the development of this rule? This paper applies Kingdon's multiple streams model as a descriptive framework to analyze interview data for this rule to better understand interest group involvement across all the stages of the rule‐making process (rule development, notice and comment phase, and rule finalization). Our research suggests that interest groups were indeed influential throughout the process, but those involved during rule development were clearly at an advantage.
Conventional Politics for Unconventional Drilling? Lessons from Pennsylvania's Early Move into Fracking Policy Development
Authors: Rabe Barry G. , Borick Christopher
Published: May 2013

The emergence of hydraulic fracturing techniques is generating a dramatic expansion of the development of domestic natural gas resources in theUnitedStates and abroad. Fracking also poses a series of environmental protection challenges that cut across traditional medium and program boundaries. Formal constraints on federal government engagement thus far devolve considerable latitude to individual states for policy development. This provides an important test of whether recent scholarly emphasis on highly innovative state environmental and energy policies can be extended to this burgeoning area.Pennsylvania has moved to the epicenter of the fracking revolution, reflecting its vast Marcellus Shale resource and far‐reaching 2012 legislation. This article examines thePennsylvania case and notes that the state's emerging policy appears designed to maximize resource extraction while downplaying environmental considerations. The case analysis generates questions as to whether this experience constitutes an influential state early mover that is likely to diffuse widely or is instead an aberration in a rapidly diversifying state policy development process.
A Mixed Effects Model for Identifying Goal Scoring Ability of Footballers
Authors: McHale Ian G. , Szczepański Łukasz
Published: May 2013

The paper presents a model that can be used to identify the goal scoring ability of footballers. By decomposing the scoring process into the generation of shots and the conversion of shots to goals, abilities can be estimated from two mixed effects models. We compare several versions of our model as a tool for predicting the number of goals that a player will score in the following season with that of a naive method whereby a player's goals-per-minute ratio is assumed to be constant from one season to the next. We find that our model outperforms the naive model and that this outperformance can be attributed, in some part, to the model's disaggregating a player's ability and chance that may have influenced his goal scoring statistic in the previous season.
Handling Missing Values in Cost Effectiveness Analyses that Use Data From Cluster Randomized Trials
Authors: Díaz-Ordaz K. , Kenward Michael G. , Grieve Richard
Published: May 2013

Public policy makers use cost effectiveness analyses (CEAs) to decide which health and social care interventions to provide. Missing data are common in CEAs, but most studies use complete-case analysis. Appropriate methods have not been developed for handling missing data in complex settings, exemplified by CEAs that use data from cluster randomized trials. We present a multilevel multiple-imputation approach that recognizes the hierarchical structure of the data and is compatible with the bivariate multilevel models that are used to report cost effectiveness. We contrast this approach with single-level multiple imputation and complete-case analysis, in a CEA alongside a cluster randomized trial. The paper highlights the importance of adopting a principled approach to handling missing values in settings with complex data structures.
Psychological distress and professional help‐seeking: a prospective national study
Authors: Vilhjalmsson Runar , Gudmundsdottir Gudrun
Published: May 2013

The study focuses on use of different healthcare providers in connection with elevated levels of psychological distress. The study used a prospective design based on two waves of a national health survey. Participants were Icelandic citizens, age 18–75, randomly drawn from the National Register (N = 1592). Distressed individuals chose a wide range of providers. The choice of provider was based in part on the type of distress experienced, although most individuals turned to the general medical sector. Psychophysiological symptoms were primarily related to visiting physicians (other than psychiatrists). Depression was related to visiting psychiatrists, and anxiety was related to visiting psychiatrists, psychologists and nurses. Anger/aggression was primarily related to visiting clergy. Between 10% and 16% of distressed individuals did not receive any help from the formal healthcare system within 1 year. Studies addressing professional help‐seeking for psychological distress should closely consider the various factors facilitating and hampering use of health services for different forms of distress.
Athlete support personnel and anti‐doping: Knowledge, attitudes, and ethical stance
Authors: Mazanov J. , Backhouse S. , Connor J. , Hemphill D. , Quirk F.
Published: May 2013

Athlete support personnel (ASP) failing to meet responsibilities under the World Anti‐Doping Code risk sanction. It is unclear whether the poor knowledge of responsibilities seen in sports physicians and coaches applies to other ASP (e.g., administrators, chiropractors, family, nutritionists, physiotherapists, psychologists, and trainers). A purposive sample of Australian ASP (n = 292) responded to a survey on knowledge of anti‐doping rules (35 true/false questions), ethical beliefs and practice, and attitudes toward performance enhancement. Some ASP declined to participate, claiming doping was irrelevant to their practice. Physicians were most knowledgeable (30.8/35), with family and trainers the least (26.0/35). ASP reported that improvements were needed to support anti‐doping education (e.g., basis for anti‐doping) and practice (e.g., rules). ASP also had a slightly negative attitude toward performance enhancement. Linear regression showed that being a sports physician, providing support at the elite level, and 15 years of experience influenced knowledge. The results confirm gaps in knowledge, suggesting that stronger engagement with ASP anti‐doping education and practice is needed. Applying the principles of andragogy could help foster active engagement through emphasis on active inquiry, rather than passive reception of content. Future work on the context within which ASP experience anti‐doping is needed, exploring acquisition and translation of knowledge into practice.
Pessimists, Optimists, and Skeptics: The Consequences of Transnational Ties for Latino Immigrant Naturalization
Authors: Gershon Sarah Allen , Pantoja Adrian D.
Published: May 2013

Objective

Central to current debates over immigration is the impact of transnational ties on immigrant political incorporation in the United States. Some researchers believe these ties hinder incorporation, while others have found a positive relationship between these variables, and yet other scholars have found that transnational connections exert no significant impact on immigrant behavior in the United States. We test these competing hypotheses in an attempt to resolve this scholarly debate.

Methods

We rely on data from the 2006 Latino National Survey and use logistic regression to test the impact of transnational ties on immigrant political incorporation (via naturalization).

Results

Transnational ties positively impact immigrants’ orientations toward citizenship and eventual naturalization.

Conclusions

Immigrant political incorporation is not a unidirectional process where immigrant engagement in the United States increases with disengagement in the ancestral homeland. Rather, Latino immigrants with ties to their ancestral homelands are more likely to desire and seek out U.S. citizenship.
The Varied Influence of SES on Environmental Concern
Authors: Pampel Fred C.
Published: May 2013

Objective

Cross‐national studies have found positive relationships of socioeconomic status (SES) with environmental concern at the individual level but have not systematically examined how the relationships may differ across nations. Such comparisons have relevance to identifying the generality of theories of postmaterialism, affluence, and global environmentalism.

Methods

This study specifies how the individual‐level influence of SES varies across national contexts and tests predictions using four waves of the World Values Survey on up to 96 nations.

Results

The results show that SES is associated only weakly with environmental concern in lower income nations with poor environmental conditions but is associated strongly and positively in higher income nations with better environmental conditions.

Conclusion

SES has a contingent relationship with environmental concern such that the global environmentalism theory receives support for lower income nations, while the postmaterialism and affluence theories receive support for higher income nations.
UML‐Based Approach to Developing a CityGML Application Domain Extension
Authors: van den Brink Linda , Stoter Jantien , Zlatanova Sisi
Published: May 2013

Recently a national 3D standard was established in the Netherlands as a CityGML Application Domain Extension (called IMGeo). In line with the Dutch practice of modeling geo‐information, the ADE is developed using a model driven approach. The classes are designed in UML and automatically mapped to GML schema. The current OGC CityGML specification does not provide rules or guidance on correctly modeling an ADE in UML. This article fills this gap by studying how CityGML can be extended for specific applications starting from the UML diagrams. Six alternatives for modeling ADEs in UML are introduced and compared. The optimal alternative is selected and applied to obtain the national 3D standard. The approach was extensively discussed with international experts, who were members of both SIG3D and other working groups. As a consequence the approach was adopted by the SIG3D, the Special Interest Group 3D which, among other things, work on the 3D standard CityGML in cooperation with OGC. Therefore the approach contains many issues that can be generalized and reused by future domain extensions of CityGML. To further support this, the article formulates a model‐driven framework to model CityGML ADEs. Open issues are described in the conclusions.
How Reliable are Citizen‐Derived Scientific Data? Assessing the Quality of Contrail Observations Made by the General Public
Authors: Fowler Amy , Whyatt J. Duncan , Davies Gemma , Ellis Rebecca
Published: May 2013

Citizen science projects encourage the general public to participate in scientific research. Participants can contribute large volumes of data over broad spatial and temporal frames; however, the challenge is to generate data of sufficient quality to be useable in scientific research. Most observations made by citizen‐scientists can be independently verified by “experts”. However, verification is more problematic when the phenomena being recorded are short‐lived. This article uses a GIS methodology to verify the quality of contrail observations made by the general public as part of the OPAL Climate Survey. We verify observations using datasets derived from a variety of different sources (experts, models and amateur enthusiasts) with different spatial and temporal properties which reflect the complex 3D nature of the atmosphere. Our results suggest that ∼70% of citizen observations are plausible, based on favorable atmospheric conditions and the presence or absence of aircraft; a finding which is in keeping with other, more conventional citizen science projects. However, questions remain as to why the quality of the citizen‐based observations was so high. Given the lack of supporting data on observers, it is impossible to determine whether the dataset was generated by the activities of many participants or a small but dedicated number of individual observers.
Political discourse in China's English language press
Authors: ALVARO JOSEPH JAMES
Published: May 2013

This paper discusses some of the ways in which the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) uses language in its English media. After a historical overview of political ‘fixed formulations’ (tifa) in China through the ages, we look at specific terms in their contemporary forms as they appear in China's major English language newspaper, the China Daily. Data taken from a specialized corpus focusing on the term ‘harmonious society’ is investigated for information on how the term is used and with which language patterns it most frequently appears. In terms of world Englishes, usage may be classified as an Outer Circle Chinese English lexis as the formulations are translated from Chinese, making them a distinctly ‘Chinese’ type of politicized English. Linguistically, ‘harmonious’ often collocates with effusive modifiers and dynamic‐sounding verbs, which portray growth and stability. The English of China's political media does not have much currency outside of the CCP ‘news’ context and due to its distinctive ideological characteristics, it has been labelled Zhonglish, Xinhua English or New China Newspeak. Preliminary research shows evidence of formulations being increasingly picked up by the media in geographically surrounding areas and even overseas.
‘Locally acquired foreign accent’ (LAFA) in contemporary Ghana
Authors: SHOBA JO ARTHUR , DAKO KARI , ORFSON‐OFFEI ELIZABETH
Published: May 2013

The term ‘LAFA’ stands for ‘locally acquired foreign accent’ and refers to a style of speech popularly known in Ghana as ‘slurring’. It emerged in the 1990s, as a mainly phonological approximation to American speech, among young Ghanaians who may have never been to the US. The ‘target’ variety for English in the Ghanaian education system remains, as a colonial legacy, officially although not always in practice, British English. This paper reports a small‐scale study of often ambivalent attitudes towards LAFA, among tertiary level students, and as observed on public websites. The analysis situates LAFA within a theoretical framework of identity construction through linguistic choices. By using LAFA, speakers bid for membership of an imagined global community. However, they also flout essentialised expectations of their speech, apparently rejecting aspects of their linguistic repertoire acquired in earlier life. The benefits LAFA users aspire to are thus accompanied by some risk of social rejection and accusations of fakery.
Televised political discourse in New Zealand
Authors: STADLER STEFANIE
Published: May 2013

The world Englishes approach to discourse analysis has extended our understanding of the ways in which socio‐pragmatic norms may be expressed in various varieties of English. In this vein, this paper addresses relational practices in New Zealand English and their impact on language use. While relational strategies have been linked to politeness devices and mitigation strategies, this paper identifies a range of relational practices that appear to be distinctive in the New Zealand context. The frequency of relational strategies and the amount of communicative effort interactants invest is evidence for an underlying wish for harmony and conflict avoidance that often typifies spoken New Zealand English interactions. An understanding of the social motivations underpinning such interactions may thus broaden our understanding of New Zealand English patterns of discourse, with particular reference to spoken interactions in the public arena.
On the symbol length of -algebras
Authors: Florence Mathieu
Published: May 2013

The main result of this paper states that if $k$ is a field of characteristic $p\gt 0$ and $A/ k$ is a central simple algebra of index $d= {p}^{n} $ and exponent ${p}^{e} $, then $A$ is split by a purely inseparable extension of $k$ of the form $k( \sqrt[{p}^{e} ]{{a}_{i} }, i= 1, \ldots , d- 1)$. Combining this result with a theorem of Albert (for which we include a new proof), we get that any such algebra is Brauer equivalent to the tensor product of at most $d- 1$ cyclic algebras of degree ${p}^{e} $. This gives a drastic improvement upon previously known upper bounds.
On the Damping in Tube Arrays Subjected to Two-Phase Cross-Flow
Authors: Moran J. E. , Weaver D. S.
Published: May 2013

An experimental study was conducted to investigate the mechanism of damping in tube arrays subjected to two-phase cross-flow, mainly focusing on the influence of void fraction and flow regime. The model tube bundle had a parallel-triangular configuration, with a pitch ratio of 1.49. The two-phase flow loop used in this research utilized Refrigerant 11 as the working fluid, which better models steam-water than air-water mixtures in terms of vapour-liquid mass ratio as well as permitting phase changes due to pressure fluctuations. The void fraction was measured using a gamma densitometer, introducing an improvement over the homogeneous equilibrium model (HEM). Three different damping measurement methodologies were implemented and compared in order to obtain a more reliable damping estimate: the traditionally used half-power bandwidth, the logarithmic decrement and an exponential fitting to the tube decay response. The experiments showed that the half-power bandwidth produces higher damping values than the other two methods, due to the tube frequency shifting triggered by fluctuations in the added mass and coupling between the tubes, which depend on void fraction and flow regime. The exponential fitting proved to be the more consistent and reliable approach to estimating damping. A dimensional analysis was carried out to investigate the relationship between damping and two-phase flow related parameters. As a result, the inclusion of surface tension in the form of the capillary number appears to be useful when combined with the two-phase component of the damping ratio (interfacial damping). A strong dependence of damping on flow regime was observed when plotting the interfacial damping versus the void fraction, introducing an improvement over the previous results obtained by normalizing the two-phase damping, which does not exhibit this behavior.
Modified Single-Fluid Cavitation Model for Pure Diesel and Biodiesel Fuels in Direct Injection Fuel Injectors
Authors: Saha Kaushik , Abu-Ramadan Ehab , Li Xianguo
Published: May 2013

A cavitation model has been developed for the internal two-phase flow of diesel and biodiesel fuels in fuel injectors under high injection pressure conditions. The model is based on the single-fluid mixture approach with newly derived expressions for the phase change rate and local mean effective pressure—the two key components of the model. The effects of the turbulence, compressibility, and wall roughness are accounted for in the present model and model validation is carried out by comparing the model predictions of probable cavitation regions, velocity distribution, and fuel mass flow rate with the experimental measurement available in literature. It is found that cavitation inception for biodiesel occurs at a higher injection pressure, compared to diesel, due to its higher viscosity. However, supercavitation occurs for both diesel and biodiesel at high injection pressures. The renormalization group (RNG) k-ɛ model for turbulence modeling is reasonable by comparing its performance with the realizable k-ɛ and the shear stress transport (SST) k-ω models. The effect of liquid phase compressibility becomes considerable for high injection pressures. Wall roughness is not an important factor for cavitation in fuel injectors.
Model-Based State-of-Charge Estimation for a Valve-Regulated Lead-Acid Battery Using Linear Matrix Inequalities
Authors: Shen Zheng , Rahn Christopher D.
Published: May 2013

State-of-charge (SOC) estimation for valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA) batteries is complicated by the switched linear nature of the underlying dynamics. A first principles nonlinear model is simplified to provide two switched linear models and linearized to produce charge, discharge, and averaged models. Luenberger and switched SOC estimators are developed based on these models and propagated using experimental data. A design methodology based on linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) is used in the switched SOC estimator design to obtain a switched Luenberger observer with guaranteed exponential stability. The results show that estimation errors are halved by including switching in the observer design.
Dosimetric properties of an amorphous silicon EPID for verification of modulated electron radiotherapy
Authors: Chatelain Cécile , Vetterli Daniel , Henzen Dominik , Favre Pascal , Morf Daniel , Scheib Stefan , Fix Michael K. , Manser Peter
Published: May 2013

Purpose:

To investigate the dosimetric properties of an electronic portal imaging device (EPID) for electron beam detection and to evaluate its potential for quality assurance (QA) of modulated electron radiotherapy (MERT).

Methods:

A commercially available EPID was used to detect electron beams shaped by a photon multileaf collimator (MLC) at a source‐surface distance of 70 cm. The fundamental dosimetric properties such as reproducibility, dose linearity, field size response, energy response, and saturation were investigated for electron beams. A new method to acquire the flood‐field for the EPID calibration was tested. For validation purpose, profiles of open fields and various MLC fields (square and irregular) were measured with a diode in water and compared to the EPID measurements. Finally, in order to use the EPID for QA of MERT delivery, a method was developed to reconstruct EPID two‐dimensional (2D) dose distributions in a water‐equivalent depth of 1.5 cm. Comparisons were performed with film measurement for static and dynamic monoenergy fields as well as for multienergy fields composed by several segments of different electron energies.

Results:

The advantageous EPID dosimetric properties already known for photons as reproducibility, linearity with dose, and dose rate were found to be identical for electron detection. The flood‐field calibration method was proven to be effective and the EPID was capable to accurately reproduce the dose measured in water at 1.0 cm depth for 6 MeV, 1.3 cm for 9 MeV, and 1.5 cm for 12, 15, and 18 MeV. The deviations between the output factors measured with EPID and in water at these depths were within ±1.2% for all the energies with a mean deviation of 0.1%. The average gamma pass rate (criteria: 1.5%, 1.5 mm) for profile comparison between EPID and measurements in water was better than 99% for all the energies considered in this study. When comparing the reconstructed EPID 2D dose distributions at 1.5 cm depth to film measurements, the gamma pass rate (criteria: 2%, 2 mm) was better than 97% for all the tested cases.

Conclusions:

This study demonstrates the high potential of the EPID for electron dosimetry, and in particular, confirms the possibility to use it as an efficient verification tool for MERT delivery.
Ectopic Activation of Germline and Placental Genes Identifies Aggressive Metastasis-Prone Lung Cancers
Authors: Rousseaux Sophie , Debernardi Alexandra , Jacquiau Baptiste , Vitte Anne-Laure , Vesin Aurélien , Nagy-Mignotte Hélène , Moro-Sibilot Denis , Brichon Pierre-Yves , Lantuejoul Sylvie , Hainaut Pierre , Laffaire Julien , de Reyniès Aurélien , Beer David G. , Timsit Jean-François , Brambilla Christian , Brambilla Elisabeth , Khochbin Saadi
Published: May 2013

Large-scale detection of ectopic gene activations reveals a source of potential cancer biomarkers and correlates with aggressive metastasis-prone lung tumors.
Young at Heart
Authors: Frisk Megan L.
Published: May 2013

A blood-borne factor identified in young mice can reverse age-related cardiac hypertrophy.
A miR-aculous Advance for a Rare Heart Disorder
Authors: Voora Deepak
Published: May 2013

A mechanistic link between miR-146a and peripartum cardiomyopathy provides new insights into this devastating disease.
Role of Factor H Binding Protein in Neisseria meningitidis Virulence and Its Potential as a Vaccine Candidate To Broadly Protect against Meningococcal Disease
Authors: McNeil Lisa K. , Zagursky Robert J. , Lin Shuo L. , Murphy Ellen , Zlotnick Gary W. , Hoiseth Susan K. , Jansen Kathrin U. , Anderson Annaliesa S.
Published: May 2013

Neisseria meningitidisis a Gram-negative microorganism that exists exclusively in humans and can cause devastating invasive disease. Although capsular polysaccharide-based vaccines against serogroups A, C, Y, and W135 are widely available, the pathway to a broadly protective vaccine against serogroup B has been more complex. The last 11 years has seen the discovery and development of theN. meningitidisserogroup B (MnB) outer membrane protein factor H binding protein (fHBP) as a vaccine component. Since the initial discovery of fHBP, a tremendous amount of work has accumulated on the diversity, structure, and regulation of this important protein. fHBP has proved to be a virulence factor forN. meningitidisand a target for functional bactericidal antibodies. fHBP is critical for survival of meningococci in the human host, as it is responsible for the primary interaction with human factor H (fH). Binding of hfH by the meningococcus serves to downregulate the host alternative complement pathway and helps the organism evade host innate immunity. Preclinical studies have shown that an fHBP-based vaccine can elicit serum bactericidal antibodies capable of killing MnB, and the vaccine has shown very encouraging results in human clinical trials. This report reviews our current knowledge of fHBP. In particular, we discuss the recent advances in our understanding of fHBP, its importance toN. meningitidis, and its potential role as a vaccine for preventing MnB disease.
Akathisia: a life-threatening side effect of a common medication
Authors: Cheng Hui M , Park Jae H , Hernstadt David
Published: May 2013

The authors describe the case of a 38-year-old man with a history of schizoaffective disorder, who attempted suicide following the recent starting of a neuroleptic agent that resulted in the development of intolerable akathisia. He survived the attempt, and following changes in his medications the akathisia resolved with no further suicidal ideation.
Persistent genital arousal disorder: a clinical challenge
Authors: Gadit Amin
Published: May 2013

A 54-year-old woman presented to a community-based psychiatric clinic with unique problem of persistent genital arousal disorder. All relevant investigations were normal. Treatment with psychotropic medication and psychotherapy did not help. The patient though reported improvement in mood. The patient has been followed up since 2011 and visits the clinic every 3 months without much improvement in the disorder. Hence, this case has become a clinical challenge in terms of treatment.
An interesting cause of collapse in a patient with chronic pancreatitis
Authors: Sawrey Michael , Hughes Richard Glyn
Published: May 2013

A 55-year-old man attended the emergency department following an episode of collapse. He was known to have chronic pancreatitis and a pancreatic pseudocyst. He had recently been recumbent due to chronic abdominal pain. On arrival he was unwell. Baseline observations revealed an oxygen saturation of 87% on room air, pulse 115 bpm and blood pressure 86/57 mm Hg. Physical examination was unremarkable except for mild abdominal tenderness. He was started on high-flow oxygen, intravenous fluid and broad-spectrum antibiotics. A chest x-ray was unremarkable. Massive pulmonary embolus was considered a likely diagnosis. The patient underwent an urgent CT pulmonary angiogram (CTPA). As this was undertaken as an urgent investigation straight from the resuscitation area a d-dimer test was not performed. The CTPA showed no evidence of pulmonary embolism but demonstrated a subdiaphragmatic collection. An arterial phase abdominal CT scan was thus performed, which confirmed a large subcapsular splenic haematoma and splenic vein thrombosis. The patient was resuscitated with blood products and transferred for splenic artery embolisation.
Appearances are deceptive…
Authors: Franzen Daniel , Butsch Raphael , Chaloupka Karla
Published: May 2013

A 31-year-old man was referred with sudden onset of a painful periorbital angio-oedema. Assuming a first episode of allergic or acquired angio-oedema, the patient was treated with a plasma-derived C1 esterase inhibitor, tranexamic acid and fresh-frozen plasma, after the initial treatment with corticosteroids and histamine blockers was unsuccessful. As blood cultures grew group A streptococci, the diagnosis of periorbital necrotising fasciitis was made, and treatment was subsequently changed to clindamycin and ceftriaxone. Necrotising fasciitis involving the periorbita is a rare and potentially lethal differential diagnosis of acute angio-oedema, in particular if accompanied by severe pain and/or fever. Knowledge on the appearance of this disorder cannot be overemphasised, as only early recognition and immediate initiation of high-dose penicillin and clindamycin combined with tissue debridement help to decrease the mortality and morbidity.
Prospective associations between early long-term household tobacco smoke exposure and antisocial behaviour in later childhood
Authors: Pagani Linda S , Fitzpatrick Caroline
Published: May 2013

Background

Using a prospective birth cohort design, we estimate the relative contribution of long-term postnatal nicotine exposure from 17 to 86 months on children's subsequent antisocial behaviour by the end of fourth grade.

Method

Parents reported the amount of household smoke exposure (at 17, 41, 65 and 86 months) for all 2055 children from the Quebec Longitudinal Study of Child Development. Main outcome measures include teacher- and child-reported antisocial and physically aggressive behaviour (at 121 months).

Results

In terms of prevalence, 58% of parents reported that their children were never exposed to secondhand smoke in the home, while 34% and 8% of parents reported transient and continuous levels of secondhand smoke, respectively. When compared with never exposed children, children exposed to continuous secondhand smoke scored higher on self-reported aggressive behaviour and teacher-rated antisocial behaviour in fourth grade, B=0.336 (95% CI 0.155 to 0.517) and B=0.319 (95% CI 0.107 to 0.531), respectively. Similarly, children exposed to transient levels of secondhand smoke scored higher on aggressive and antisocial behaviour, B=0.714 (95% CI 0.456 to 0.972) and B=0.566 (95% CI 0.260 to 0.872), respectively.

Conclusions

The observed prevalence is concordant with worldwide estimates of children's exposure to secondhand smoke. In comparison with their never exposed peers, children continuously and intermittently exposed to secondhand smoke in childhood showed an increased propensity toward physical aggression and antisocial behaviour by the end of fourth grade. We found no evidence of dose-dependence.
Physiological observations and Early Warning Scoring tools within the deployed field hospital
Authors: Carter Chris
Published: May 2013

Objectives

To determine whether full sets of physiological observations and the Defence Medical Services (DMS) Early Warning Scoring (EWS) tool were applied to patients admitted to the ward at the UK Role 3 Field Hospital in Afghanistan.

Methods

At the start of a 3-month deployment to the Role 3 facility, 40 ward observation charts were reviewed in the first phase of the audit to determine the compliance and accuracy of completion of the DMS EWS. Following implementation of a change management programme the audit was repeated 3 months later in the same ward and staffing environment.

Results

The initial audit identified DMS EWS compliance to be 52.5% with an accuracy of 33%. A change management programme was instigated using feedback and teaching sessions for the ward staff and compliance and accuracy increased to 80% and 59% respectively when reaudited. Both audits identified that the majority of core observations (respiratory rate, oxygen saturations, pulse, blood pressure and temperature) were well recorded, whereas neurological status and urine output were poorly recorded.

Conclusions

This pilot audit has provided an insight into the recording of physiological observations and use of the DMS EWS within a deployed field hospital. It demonstrated core observations were well recorded in data collection periods and while compliance with using the DMS EWS increased, accuracy remained less than 50%. The DMS EWS is one tool used by healthcare professionals to recognise and respond to the deteriorating patient and incorrect use of this tool or failure to use it at all is a significant patient safety issue.
Genetic diversity ofTrichomonas vaginalisreinfection in HIV-positive women
Authors: Conrad Melissa D , Kissinger Patricia , Schmidt Norine , Martin David H , Carlton Jane M
Published: May 2013

Objectives

Recently developed genotyping tools allow better understanding ofTrichomonas vaginalispopulation genetics and epidemiology. These tools have yet to be applied toT vaginaliscollected from HIV+populations, where understanding the interaction between the pathogens is of great importance due to the correlation betweenT vaginalisinfection and HIV transmission. The objectives of the study were twofold: first, to compare the genetic diversity and population structure ofT vaginaliscollected from HIV+women with parasites from reference populations; second, to use the genetic markers to perform a case study demonstrating the usefulness of these techniques in investigating the mechanisms of repeat infections.

Methods

RepositoryT vaginalissamples from a previously described treatment trial were genotyped at 11 microsatellite loci. Estimates of genetic diversity and population structure were determined using standard techniques and compared with previously reported estimates of global populations. Genotyping data were used in conjunction with behavioural data to evaluate mechanisms of repeat infections.

Results

T vaginalisfrom HIV+women maintain many of the population genetic characteristics of parasites from global reference populations. Although there is evidence of reduced diversity and bias towards type 1 parasites in the HIV+population, the populations share a two-type population structure and parasite haplotypes. Genotyping/behavioural data suggest that 36% (12/33) of repeat infections in HIV+women can be attributed to treatment failure.

Conclusions

T vaginalisinfecting HIV+women is not genetically distinct fromT vaginalisinfecting reference populations. Information from genotyping can be valuable for understanding mechanisms of repeat infections.
Pathogen profile of clinical mastitis in Irish milk‐recording herds reveals a complex aetiology
Authors: Keane O. M. , Budd K. E. , Flynn J. , McCoy F.
Published: May 2013

Effective mastitis control requires knowledge of the predominant pathogen challenges on the farm. In order to quantify this challenge, the aetiological agents associated with clinical mastitis in 30 milk‐recording dairy herds in Ireland over a complete lactation were investigated. Standard bacteriology was performed on 630 pretreatment quarter milk samples, of which 56 per cent were culture‐positive, 42 per cent culture‐negative and 2 per cent contaminated. Two micro‐organisms were isolated from almost 5 per cent of the culture‐positive samples. The bacteria isolated were Staphylococcus aureus (23 per cent), Streptococcus uberis (17 per cent), Escherichia coli (9 per cent), Streptococcus species (6 per cent), coagulase‐negative Staphylococci (4 per cent) and other species (1 per cent). A wide variety of bacterial species were associated with clinical mastitis, with S aureus the most prevalent pathogen overall, followed by S uberis. However, the bacterial challenges varied widely from farm to farm. In comparison with previous reports, in the present study, the contagious pathogens S aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae were less commonly associated with clinical mastitis, whereas, the environmental pathogens S uberis and E coli were found more commonly associated with clinical mastitis. While S aureus remains the pathogen most commonly associated with intramammary infection in these herds, environmental pathogens, such as S uberis and E coli also present a considerable challenge.
Use of recycled crushed concrete and Secudrain in capillary barriers for slope stabilization
Authors: Rahardjo H. , Santoso V.A. , Leong E.C. , Ng Y.S. , Tam C.P.H. , Satyanaga A.
Published: May 2013

A capillary barrier is a two-layer cover system having distinct hydraulic properties to minimize water infiltration into the underlying soil by utilizing unsaturated soil mechanics principles. In this study, a capillary barrier system was designed as a cover system for a residual soil slope to maintain stability of the slope by minimizing infiltration during heavy rainfalls in the tropics. The capillary barrier system (CBS) was constructed using fine sand as the fine-grained layer and recycled crushed concrete aggregates as the coarse-grained layer. The coarse-grained layer is commonly constructed using gravels or granite chips. However, due to scarcity of aggregates and in consideration of environmental sustainability, recycled crushed concrete aggregates were used as the coarse-grained layer in this project. The suitability of recycled crushed concrete aggregates as a material within the coarse-grained layer of a CBS is subject to the hydraulic property requirement. For comparison, another CBS was constructed using fine sand as the fine-grained layer and a geosynthetic (Secudrain) as the coarse-grained layer. The performance of each constructed CBS on the residual soil slope was monitored using tensiometers installed at different depths — from 0.6 to 1.8 m below the slope surface — and a rainfall gauge mounted on the slope. An adjacent original slope without the CBS was also instrumented using tensiometers and piezometers to investigate the performance and effectiveness of the CBS in reducing rainwater infiltration and maintaining negative pore-water pressures in the slope. Real-time monitoring systems were developed to examine pore-water pressure, rainfall, and groundwater level in the slopes over a 1 year period. Characteristics of pore-water pressure distributions in the residual soil slope under a CBS with recycled crushed concrete aggregates and in the original slope during typical rainfalls are highlighted and compared. The measurement results show that the CBS was effective in minimizing rainwater infiltration and therefore, maintaining stability of the slope.
Complex etiologies of emerging diseases in lobsters (Homarus americanus) from Long Island Sound
Authors: Shields Jeffrey D.
Published: May 2013

Several diseases have recently emerged in lobsters (Homarus americanus) from Long Island Sound (LIS). Various stressors have been implicated as contributory factors, including increased bottom temperatures, extensive eutrophication with commensurate hypoxia, storm-induced thermal destratification, possible exposures to pesticides and metals, and fishery-induced stressors. Such stressors increase host susceptibility by weakening the host immune defenses and act to increase the transmission and severity of pathogens. The lobster mortality in western LIS in 1999 was linked to Neoparamoeba pemaquidensis, but a complex of stressors resulted in outright mortality from hypoxia or consequent immune suppression that increased susceptibility to the ameba. Similar stressors have been implicated in the etiology of epizootic shell disease and calcinosis. The role of environmental stressors has been hard to delineate, but recent declines in landings indicate that epizootic shell disease has had a negative impact on the lobster population in LIS. Calcinosis, blindness, and hepatopancreatitis are indicators of continued exposure to anthropogenic stressors, but their etiologies remain undetermined. More research is needed to understand emerging diseases, their complex etiologies, and their effects on the lobster population.
A synthesized mating pheromone component increases adult sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) trap capture in management scenarios
Authors: Johnson Nicholas S. , Siefkes Michael J. , Wagner C. Michael , Dawson Heather , Wang Huiyong , Steeves Todd , Twohey Michael , Li Weiming
Published: May 2013

Application of chemical cues to manipulate adult sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) behavior is among the options considered for new sea lamprey control techniques in the Laurentian Great Lakes. A male mating pheromone component, 7α,12α,24-trihydroxy-3-one-5α-cholan-24-sulfate (3kPZS), lures ovulated female sea lamprey upstream into baited traps in experimental contexts with no odorant competition. A critical knowledge gap is whether this single pheromone component influences adult sea lamprey behavior in management contexts containing free-ranging sea lampreys. A solution of 3kPZS to reach a final in-stream concentration of 10−12 mol·L−1 was applied to eight Michigan streams at existing sea lamprey traps over 3 years, and catch rates were compared between paired 3kPZS-baited and unbaited traps. 3kPZS-baited traps captured significantly more sexually immature and mature sea lampreys, and overall yearly trapping efficiency within a stream averaged 10% higher during years when 3kPZS was applied. Video analysis of a trap funnel showed that the likelihood of sea lamprey trap entry after trap encounter was higher when the trap was 3kPZS baited. Our approach serves as a model for the development of similar control tools for sea lamprey and other aquatic invaders.
Anisotropic electrical properties of sculptured thin films
Authors: Nelson C.B. , Gilani T.H.
Published: May 2013

The anisotropy in DC electrical resistivity of a chromium (Cr) sculptured thin film (STF) prepared on a glass substrate is measured and explained using a simple linear dielectric model for electrical conduction in metallic STFs. The experimental anisotropy as a function of growth angle of Cr columns on a glass substrate is in good agreement with the model.