bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cardiac Mitochondria and Reactive Oxygen Species Generation
Authors: Chen Yeong-Renn , Zweier Jay L.
Published: January 2014

Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) have emerged as an important mechanism of disease and redox signaling in the cardiovascular system. Under basal or pathological conditions, electron leakage for ROS production is primarily mediated by the electron transport chain and the proton motive force consisting of a membrane potential (ΔΨ) and a proton gradient (ΔpH). Several factors controlling ROS production in the mitochondria include flavin mononucleotide and flavin mononucleotide–binding domain of complex I, ubisemiquinone and quinone-binding domain of complex I, flavin adenine nucleotide–binding moiety and quinone-binding pocket of complex II, and unstable semiquinone mediated by the Q cycle of complex III. In mitochondrial complex I, specific cysteinyl redox domains modulate ROS production from the flavin mononucleotide moiety and iron–sulfur clusters. In the cardiovascular system, mitochondrial ROS have been linked to mediating the physiological effects of metabolic dilation and preconditioning-like mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channel activation. Furthermore, oxidative post-translational modification by glutathione in complex I and complex II has been shown to affect enzymatic catalysis, protein–protein interactions, and enzyme-mediated ROS production. Conditions associated with oxidative or nitrosative stress, such as myocardial ischemia and reperfusion, increase mitochondrial ROS production via oxidative injury of complexes I and II and superoxide anion radical–induced hydroxyl radical production by aconitase. Further insight into cellular mechanisms by which specific redox post-translational modifications regulate ROS production in the mitochondria will enrich our understanding of redox signal transduction and identify new therapeutic targets for cardiovascular diseases in which oxidative stress perturbs normal redox signaling.
Integrins and Integrin-Associated Proteins in the Cardiac Myocyte
Authors: Israeli-Rosenberg Sharon , Manso Ana Maria , Okada Hideshi , Ross Robert S.
Published: January 2014

Integrins are heterodimeric, transmembrane receptors that are expressed in all cells, including those in the heart. They participate in multiple critical cellular processes including adhesion, extracellular matrix organization, signaling, survival, and proliferation. Particularly relevant for a contracting muscle cell, integrins are mechanotransducers, translating mechanical to biochemical information. Although it is likely that cardiovascular clinicians and scientists have the highest recognition of integrins in the cardiovascular system from drugs used to inhibit platelet aggregation, the focus of this article will be on the role of integrins specifically in the cardiac myocyte. After a general introduction to integrin biology, the article will discuss important work on integrin signaling, mechanotransduction, and lessons learned about integrin function from a range of model organisms. Then we will detail work on integrin-related proteins in the myocyte, how integrins may interact with ion channels and mediate viral uptake into cells, and also play a role in stem cell biology. Finally, we will discuss directions for future study.
Dissociable Forms of Repetition Priming: A Computational Model
Authors: Makukhin Kirill , Bolland Scott
Published: January 2014

Nondeclarative memory and novelty processing in the brain is an actively studied field of neuroscience, and reducing neural activity with repetition of a stimulus (repetition suppression) is a commonly observed phenomenon. Recent findings of an opposite trend—specifically, rising activity for unfamiliar stimuli—question the generality of repetition suppression and stir debate over the underlying neural mechanisms. This letter introduces a theory and computational model that extend existing theories and suggests that both trends are, in principle, the rising and falling parts of an inverted U-shaped dependence of activity with respect to stimulus novelty that may naturally emerge in a neural network with Hebbian learning and lateral inhibition. We further demonstrate that the proposed model is sufficient for the simulation of dissociable forms of repetition priming using real-world stimuli. The results of our simulation also suggest that the novelty of stimuli used in neuroscientific research must be assessed in a particularly cautious way. The potential importance of the inverted-U in stimulus processing and its relationship to the acquisition of knowledge and competencies in humans is also discussed.
Large-Scale Linear RankSVM
Authors: Lee Ching-Pei , Lin Chih-Jen
Published: January 2014

Linear rankSVM is one of the widely used methods for learning to rank. Although its performance may be inferior to nonlinear methods such as kernel rankSVM and gradient boosting decision trees, linear rankSVM is useful to quickly produce a baseline model. Furthermore, following its recent development for classification, linear rankSVM may give competitive performance for large and sparse data. A great deal of works have studied linear rankSVM. The focus is on the computational efficiency when the number of preference pairs is large. In this letter, we systematically study existing works, discuss their advantages and disadvantages, and propose an efficient algorithm. We discuss different implementation issues and extensions with detailed experiments. Finally, we develop a robust linear rankSVM tool for public use.
Virtual Reality as a Tool to Learn Interpersonal Coordination: Example of Team Rowing
Authors: Varlet Manuel , Filippeschi Alessandro , Ben-sadoun Grégory , Ratto Mickael , Marin Ludovic , Ruffaldi Emanuele , Bardy Benoît G.
Published: February 2014

The success of interpersonal activities strongly depends on the coordination between our movements and those of others. Learning to coordinate with other people requires a long training time and is often limited by the difficulty of having people available at the same time and of giving them accurate and real-time feedback about their coordination. The goal of the present study was to determine in an indoor team rowing situation whether virtual-reality and motion-capture technologies can help the acquisition of interpersonal coordination. More specifically, we investigated the possibility for participants to (1) learn the skill of interpersonal coordination when training with a virtual teammate, (2) accelerate learning with real-time visual feedback, and (3) transfer this skill to synchronizing situations with a real teammate. Our results show that participants improved their coordination with both virtual and real teammates, and that this improvement was better for participants who received the feedback. Generally, our results demonstrate the interest of virtual reality for learning the coordination with other people; further, our results open promising training perspectives for team rowing but also for several other interpersonal activities.
Pinguicula filifolia subsp. alba (Lentibulariaceae), a new subspecies with an extremely restricted distribution in Pinar del Río, Cuba
Authors: Domínguez Yoannis , Panfet Valdés Cristina Mercedes , De Miranda Vitor Fernandes Oliveira
Published: January 2014

The carnivorous plant Pinguicula filifolia occurs in western Cuba and shows a restricted distribution due to habitat specificity associated with poor wet soils. Its populations are distributed mainly in south Pinar del Río (Cuba) and in Isla de la Juventud. Plants from one isolated location in NW Pinar del Río shows morphological differences with respect to the rest of the known populations observed in nature. Subsequent detailed morphological analysis of specimens led to the description of Pinguicula filifolia subsp. alba as a new subspecies. It differs from the typical subspecies in several reproductive traits involving flower, fruit and seed characters and is so far known only from the type locality.
Nomenclatural note on three ferns from India
Authors: Mazumdar Jaideep
Published: February 2014

Ongoing molecular phylogenetic analyses are continuously providing better resolution of phylogenetic relations of ferns (Ebihara et al. 2006,Tsutsumi et al. 2008) and nomenclatural changes are necessary to maintain uniformity (Christenhusz et al. 2011). Here contemporary names are suggested for three fern species from India. Type information is provided and barcodes of digitalized specimens are given.
Revalidation of Chusquea argentina (Poaceae, Bambusoideae, Bambuseae) on the basis of morphological, anatomical and phenological characters
Authors: Guerreiro Carolina , Rúgolo de Agrasar Zulma
Published: February 2014

Chusquea (Poaceae, Bambusoideae, Bambuseae) is the most diverse genus of woody bamboos in the world. In Andean Patagonian forests of southern Argentina and Chile, several species of Chusquea are the dominant components of the understory. Chusquea argentina and C. culeou fo. longiramea were described from that area on the basis of morphological characters. Some authors have considered C. argentina to be a valid species and others have treated this and C. culeou fo. longiramea as synonyms of C. culeou. This study contributes to the delimitation of these taxa. Based on morphology and anatomy, we clarify differential characters between C. culeou and C. argentina and restore the latter as a valid species. Chusquea culeou fo. longiramea is synonymized under C. argentina. According to data of mass flowering events recorded in southern Argentina and Chile, C. culeou and C. argentina become reproductive at different times. Anatomical descriptions of culm and foliage leaf blade epidermis and cross sections are provided for each species. Comparative tables based on diagnostic characters are also included.
Charletonia cameroonensis Haitlinger & Kekeunou sp. nov. and the first record of C. justynae Haitlinger, 1987 (Acari: Erythraeidae) from Cameroon with redescription of the species
Authors: HAITLINGER RYSZARD , KEKEUNOU SÉVILOR , ŁUPICKI DARIUSZ
Published: January 2014

Charletonia cameroonensis Haitlinger & Kekeunou sp. nov. is described and illustrated from larvae obtained from Zonocerus variegatus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Orthoptera: Pyrgomorphidae) in Cameroon. For the first time C. justynae Haitlinger, 1987 is reported from Cameroon and from Z. variegatus and Eupezus rufipes Quedenfeldt, 1885 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). This paper also presents new morphological data and a range of metric and meristic data for C. justynae. Distribution and hosts of Charletonia found on Orthoptera are given.
A new species of Cyrtodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Khammouane Province, Laos
Authors: LUU VINH QUANG , CALAME THOMAS , BONKOWSKI MICHAEL , Nguyen Truong Quang , ZIEGLER THOMAS
Published: January 2014

We describe a new species of the genus Cyrtodactylus based on two adult specimens from Khammouane Province, Laos. Cyrtodactylus jaegeri sp. nov. is distinguished from the remaining Indochinese bent–toed geckos by a combination of the following characters: a moderately sized Cyrtodactylus with a maximum SVL reaching 68.5 mm; dorsal pattern consisting of a dark nuchal loop and four narrow brown body bands between limb insertions; dorsal tubercles in 15–17 irregular rows; ventrals in 31–32 longitudinal rows at midbody; lateral skin folds present with interspersed tubercles; precloacal–femoral pores 44 in the male, in a continuous series; enlarged femoral scales and precloacal scales present; postcloacal tubercles 3–6; subcaudals transversely enlarged. Cyrtodactylus jaegeri sp. nov. is the ninth species of Cyrtodactylus known from Laos.
The genus Homaloxestis Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Lecithoceridae) from China, with descriptions of two new species
Authors: LIU SHURONG , WANG SHUXIA
Published: January 2014

Five species of the genus Homaloxestis Meyrick are recorded from China. Homaloxestis aciformis sp. nov. from Chongqing and H. ellipsoidea sp. nov. from Yunnan are described as new. Homaloxestis plocamandra (Meyrick, 1907), H. australis Park, 2004 and H. saitoi Park, 2004 are newly recorded from China. Photographs of adults and genital structures are provided. All the known species in China are listed.
Four new species of Tonnoira Enderlein (Diptera: Psychodidae: Psychodinae) from the Brazilian Atlantic forest
Authors: SANTOS CLAUDINEY BIRAL DOS , CURLER GREGORY R.
Published: February 2014

Four species of Tonnoira from the Brazilian Atlantic forest are described and illustrated: Tonnoira brisolaii sp. nov, Tonnoira ferreirai sp. nov., Tonnoira andradei sp. nov. and Tonnoira galatiae sp. nov.
Baeotingis Drake & Poor, 1939 and Coleopterodes Philippi, 1864 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Tingidae): first genera records for Brazil from Pampa
Authors: GUIDOTI MARCUS , GOLDAS CAMILA DA SILVA , PODGAISKI LUCIANA REGINA , MENDONÇA, JR. MILTON DE S.
Published: February 2014

Individuals of two genera, Baeotingis Drake & Poor, 1939, and Coleopterodes Philippi, 1814, were collected from natural grassland areas in Eldorado do Sul and Lavras do Sul municipalities, in Rio Grande do Sul state. This constitutes the first records of these taxa for Brazil. The distribution of these genera including all species was reviewed and a map with these geographical data is provided. We have discussed both geographical distribution patterns in the light of Morrone's biogeographical areas.
Taxonomic study of Chinese species of the genus Macropsis Lewis, 1836 (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Macropsinae) III: a review of oak-dwelling species
Authors: LI HU , TISHECHKIN DMITRI YU. , DAI REN-HUAI , LI ZI-ZHONG
Published: February 2014

The group of Chinese Macropsis species dwelling on oak (Quercus spp.) is reviewed and nine species are recognized. Among them, three new species, Macropsis huangbana sp. nov. from Shaanxi and Yunnan Provinces, M. latiprocessa sp. nov. from Guizhou Province and M. longiprocessa sp. nov. from Yunnan Province, are described and illustrated; M. irenae Viraktamath, 1981 (= M. irrorata Tishechkin, 2002, nec Matsumura, 1912) is recorded from China and Japan for the first time; M. meifengensis Huang & Viraktamath, 1993 and M. jozankeana (Matsumura, 1912) are redescribed based on examination of specimens from mainland China and adjacent territories of Russia respectively; translation of the original description of M. rubrosternalis Kuoh, 1992 from Chinese is provided, also a key to species of Oak-dwelling Macropsis from China is present.
First stage zoeal morphology of four ghost crabs Ocypode ceratophthalmus (Pallas, 1772), O. cordimanus Latreille, 1818, O. sinensis Dai, Song & Yang, 1985 and O. stimpsoni Ortmann, 1897 (Crustacea, Decapoda, Ocypodidae)
Authors: JIANG GUO-CHEN , LIU HONG-CHANG , CHAN TIN-YAM , CHAN BENNY K.K.
Published: February 2014

Light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to examine the first zoeal stage of four ghost crabs, Ocypode ceratophthalmus (Pallas, 1772), O. cordimanus Latreille, 1818, O. sinensis Dai, Song & Yang, 1985 and O. stimpsoni Ortmann, 1897. Finding diagnostic characters to distinguish between the four species proved difficult because their setal appendage patterns were identical. However the rectangular and pockmarked patterns on the ventral carapace are rather pronounced in O. ceratophthalmus and O. stimpsoni but weak in O. cordimanus and O. sinensis. The spinulation on the furca of the telson is less in O. cordimanus than in the other three species.
Geometric morphometry and molecular analysis clarified the identity of Opius sp. aff. bellus (Hymenoptera, Braconidae), a fruit fly parasitoid in Brazil
Authors: MARINHO CLÁUDIA F. , CÔNSOLI FERNANDO L. , ZUCCHI ROBERTO A.
Published: February 2014

The aim of this study was to clarify the identity of specimens designated as Opius sp. aff. bellus using geometric morphometry and analysis of the ITS2 region of the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) and region D2 of the 28S rDNA. Opius bellus Gahan is a koinobiont endoparasitoid of fruit fly larvae (Diptera: Tephritidae) exclusively found in the Neotropical region, but widely distributed from Mexico to Argentina. Opius sp. aff. bellus is morphologically similar to Opius bellus but exhibits yellowish, instead of dark-brown, posterior tibiae. Twenty anatomical landmarks on the wings from these two taxa sampled from three Brazilian states were analyzed. Multivariate morphometric analysis showed a large amount of morphological similarity between the specimens, indicating they are the same species. Sequence analysis of the ITS2 showed that intrapopulation variability was similar to interpopulation variability and that the morphotypes were also highly similar. In addition, the D2 region of the 28S rDNA displayed high similarity between sequences. Therefore, based on morphometric and molecular analyses, specimens thought to be Opius sp. aff. bellus actually belong to O. bellus.
On taxonomy of Hydrobaenus Fries, 1830 (Diptera: Chironomidae: Orthocladiinae) from the Russian Far East, with a key to species
Authors: MAKARCHENKO EUGENYI A. , MAKARCHENKO MARINA A.
Published: February 2014

Additions and corrections to the diagnosis of the genus Hydrobaenus, a redescription for adult male and immature stages of H. distinctus (Makarchenko et Makarchenko) comb. n. , a taxonomic notes to H. jacuticus Makarchenko et Makarchenko and identification keys of adult males, pupae and larvae of Hydrobaenus species from the Russian Far East are given.
Reynolds Stress and Eddy Diffusivity of β-Plane Shear Flows
Authors: Srinivasan Kaushik , Young W. R.
Published: February 2014

The Reynolds stress induced by anisotropically forcing an unbounded Couette flow, with uniform shear γ, on a β plane, is calculated in conjunction with the eddy diffusivity of a coevolving passive tracer. The flow is damped by linear drag on a time scale μ−1. The stochastic forcing is white noise in time and its spatial anisotropy is controlled by a parameter α that characterizes whether eddies are elongated along the zonal direction (α < 0), are elongated along the meridional direction (α > 0), or are isotropic (α = 0). The Reynolds stress varies linearly with α and nonlinearly and nonmonotonically with γ, but the Reynolds stress is independent of β. For positive values of α, the Reynolds stress displays an “antifrictional” effect (energy is transferred from the eddies to the mean flow); for negative values of α, it displays a frictional effect. When γ/μ ≪ 1, these transfers can be identified as negative and positive eddy viscosities, respectively. With γ = β = 0, the meridional tracer eddy diffusivity is , where υ′ is the meridional eddy velocity. In general, nonzero β and γ suppress the eddy diffusivity below . When the shear is strong, the suppression due to γ varies as γ−1 while the suppression due to β varies between β−1 and β−2 depending on whether the shear is strong or weak, respectively.
Low-Level Cloud Response to the Gulf Stream Front in Winter Using CALIPSO*
Authors: Liu Jing-Wu , Xie Shang-Ping , Norris Joel R. , Zhang Su-Ping
Published: January 2014

A sharp sea surface temperature front develops between the warm water of the Gulf Stream and cold continental shelf water in boreal winter. This front has a substantial impact on the marine boundary layer. The present study analyzes and synthesizes satellite observations and reanalysis data to examine how the sea surface temperature front influences the three-dimensional structure of low-level clouds. The Cloud–Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO) satellite captures a sharp low-level cloud transition across the Gulf Stream front, a structure frequently observed under the northerly condition. Low-level cloud top (<4 km) increases by about 500 m from the cold to the warm flank of the front. The sea surface temperature front induces a secondary low-level circulation through sea level pressure adjustment with ascending motion over the warm water and descending motion over cold water. The secondary circulation further contributes to the cross-frontal transition of low-level clouds. Composite analysis shows that surface meridional advection over the front plays an important role in the development of the marine atmospheric boundary layer and low-level clouds. Under cold northerly advection over the Gulf Stream front, strong near-surface instability leads to a well-mixed boundary layer over the Gulf Stream, causing southward deepening of low-level clouds across the sea surface temperature front. Moreover, the front affects the freezing level by transferring heat to the atmosphere and therefore influences the cross-frontal variation of the cloud phase.
Seasonal Prediction of Regional Reference Evapotranspiration Based on Climate Forecast System Version 2
Authors: Tian Di , Martinez Christopher J. , Graham Wendy D.
Published: February 2014

Reference evapotranspiration (ETo) is an important hydroclimatic variable for water planning and management. This research explored the potential of using the Climate Forecast System, version 2 (CFSv2), for seasonal predictions of ETo over the states of Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. The 12-km ETo forecasts were produced by downscaling coarse-scale ETo forecasts from the CFSv2 retrospective forecast archive and by downscaling CFSv2 maximum temperature (Tmax), minimum temperature (Tmin), mean temperature (Tmean), solar radiation (Rs), and wind speed (Wind) individually and calculating ETo using those downscaled variables. All the ETo forecasts were calculated using the Penman–Monteith equation. Sensitivity coefficients were evaluated to quantify how and how much does each of the variables influence ETo. Two statistical downscaling methods were tested: 1) spatial disaggregation (SD) and 2) spatial disaggregation with quantile mapping bias correction (SDBC). The downscaled ETo from the coarse-scale ETo showed similar skill to those by first downscaling individual variables and then calculating ETo. The sensitivity coefficients showed Tmax and Rs had the greatest influence on ETo, followed by Tmin and Tmean, and Wind. The downscaled Tmax showed highest predictability, followed by Tmean, Tmin, Rs, and Wind. SDBC had slightly better performance than SD for both probabilistic and deterministic forecasts. The skill was locally and seasonally dependent. The CFSv2-based ETo forecasts showed higher predictability in cold seasons than in warm seasons. The CFSv2 model could better predict ETo in cold seasons during El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events only when the forecast initial condition was in either the El Niño or La Niña phase of ENSO.
A New Platform for the Determination of Air–Sea Fluxes (OCARINA): Overview and First Results
Authors: Bourras D. , Branger H. , Reverdin G. , Marié L. , Cambra R. , Baggio L. , Caudoux C. , Caudal G. , Morisset S. , Geyskens N. , Weill A. , Hauser D.
Published: February 2014

The present paper describes a new type of floating platform that was specifically designed for estimating air–sea fluxes, investigating turbulence characteristics in the atmospheric surface boundary layer, and studying wind–wave interactions. With its design, it can be deployed in the open ocean or in shallow-water areas. The system is designed to be used from a research vessel. It can operate for ~10 h as a drifting wave rider and 3 h under power. Turbulence and meteorological instrument packages are placed at a low altitude (1–1.5 m). It was deployed for validation purposes during the Front de Marée, Variabilité (FROMVAR), 2011 experiment off the west coast of Brittany, France. Wind friction velocity and surface turbulent buoyancy flux were estimated using eddy covariance, spectral, bulk, and profile methods. The comparisons of the four methods show a reasonable agreement except for the spectral buoyancy flux. This suggests that the platform design is correct. Also, the wind measured at a fixed height above the sea shows spectral coherence with wave heights, such that wind and swell are in phase, with the largest wind values on top of swell crests. This result in qualitative agreement with current model predictions supports the capability of the Ocean Coupled to Atmosphere, Research at the Interface with a Novel Autonomous platform (OCARINA) to investigate wind–swell interactions.
Processing of Underway CTD Data
Authors: Ullman David S. , Hebert David
Published: February 2014

A processing methodology for computation of accurate salinity from measurements with an underway CTD (UCTD) is presented. The UCTD is a rapidly profiling sensor package lacking a pump that relies on instrument motion to produce flow through the conductivity cell. With variable instrument descent rate, the flow through the cell is not constant, and this has important implications for the processing. As expected, the misalignment of the raw temperature and conductivity is found to be a function of the instrument descent rate. Application of a constant temporal advance of conductivity or temperature as is done with pumped CTDs is shown to produce unacceptable salinity spiking. With the descent rate of the UCTD reaching upwards of 4 dbar s−1, the effect of viscous heating of the thermistor is shown to produce a significant salinity error of up to 0.005 psu, and a correction based on previous laboratory work is applied. Correction of the error due to the thermal mass of the conductivity cell is achieved using a previously developed methodology with the correction parameters varying with instrument descent rate. Comparison of salinity from the UCTD with that from a standard shipboard, pumped CTD in side-by-side deployments indicates that the processed UCTD salinity is accurate to better than 0.01 psu.
Structural Characteristics of T-PARC Typhoon Sinlaku during Its Extratropical Transition
Authors: Quinting Julian F. , Bell Michael M. , Harr Patrick A. , Jones Sarah C.
Published: January 2014

The structure and the environment of Typhoon Sinlaku (2008) were investigated during its life cycle in The Observing System Research and Predictability Experiment (THORPEX) Pacific Asian Regional Campaign (T-PARC). On 20 September 2008, during the transformation stage of Sinlaku’s extratropical transition (ET), research aircraft equipped with dual-Doppler radar and dropsondes documented the structure of the convection surrounding Sinlaku and low-level frontogenetical processes. The observational data obtained were assimilated with the recently developed Spline Analysis at Mesoscale Utilizing Radar and Aircraft Instrumentation (SAMURAI) software tool. The resulting analysis provides detailed insight into the ET system and allows specific features of the system to be identified, including deep convection, a stratiform precipitation region, warm- and cold-frontal structures, and a dry intrusion. The analysis offers valuable information about the interaction of the features identified within the transitioning tropical cyclone. The existence of dry midlatitude air above warm-moist tropical air led to strong potential instability. Quasigeostrophic diagnostics suggest that forced ascent during warm frontogenesis triggered the deep convective development in this potentially unstable environment. The deep convection itself produced a positive potential vorticity anomaly at midlevels that modified the environmental flow. A comparison of the operational ECMWF analysis and the observation-based SAMURAI analysis exhibits important differences. In particular, the ECMWF analysis does not capture the deep convection adequately. The nonexistence of the deep convection has considerable implications on the potential vorticity structure of the remnants of the typhoon at midlevels. An inaccurate representation of the thermodynamic structure of the dry intrusion has considerable implications on the frontogenesis and the quasigeostrophic forcing.
The Plight of Women and Children
Authors: Bower Carol
Published: January 2014

Despite South Africa having ratified several international and regional women’s and children’s rights treaties, and having one of the most admired constitutions in the world, the plight of women and children after 20 years of democracy remains, in many respects, dire—especially in rural communities. South Africa is a deeply conservative and patriarchal society, with high levels of violence in general and gender-based violence in particular. It has failed to create sufficient employment opportunities and to sustainably address intergenerational poverty, the latter of which impacts most severely rural women and children. HIV/AIDS has wreaked its most adverse effects on women and children. This context is exacerbated by breakdowns in the health, education, justice, and security sectors; the relative inaccessibility of services (such as health care, schooling, and housing); and the frequently poor quality of services when they are available.
The Need for Strengthened Political Leadership
Authors: Rotberg Robert I.
Published: January 2014

South Africa desperately needs newly recommitted leadership capable of serving the entire nation, not a ruling class or a cohort of robber barons. It is conceivable that political leadership capable of building upon Mandela’s legacy and uplifting the nation and its people could come from within the ranks of the Democratic Alliance, from Agang, or from South Africa’s several other national political parties. But it is more likely to arise within the ANC, possibly through the deputy presidential and eventual presidential efforts of Cyril Ramaphosa or others within the dominant ANC not yet fully dedicated to assuming national leadership. But from wherever it comes, South Africa is ready and anxious to be renewed.
Enhancing Diabetes Self-care Among Rural African Americans With Diabetes
Authors: Williams Ishan C. , Utz Sharon W. , Hinton Ivora , Yan Guofen , Jones Randy , Reid Kathryn
Published: January 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to test the feasibility of conducting a community-based randomized controlled trial evaluating a culturally tailored community-based group diabetes self-management education (DSME) program among rural African Americans.

Methods

Thirty-two African American rural adults with type 2 diabetes were recruited and 25 adults were retained and participated in an interventional study designed to test the effectiveness of the “Taking Care of Sugar” DSME program for the 2-year follow-up. Participants were selected from rural central Virginia. Primary outcomes variables included average blood sugar levels, cardiovascular risk factors, and general physical and mental health. These outcomes were assessed at baseline, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months post baseline.

Results

From baseline to 3-month follow-up assessment, participants exhibited significant improvement on several physiological and behavioral measures. Given the small sample size, hypothesis testing was limited. Results show change from baseline over time, illustrating that the primary outcome of A1C decreased, although not significant. Additionally, participants reported more knowledge about diabetes self-management and personal care skills (ie, exercise and foot care) that persisted over time. The feasibility of the culturally tailored DSME was established, and participation with the program was high.

Conclusions

A community-based group DSME program using storytelling is feasible. This research will help to inform clinicians and health policymakers as to the types of interventions that are feasible in a larger rural population. If such a program is carried out, we can improve knowledge, reduce complications, and improve quality of life among rural African Americans.
Intratympanic Gentamicin for Ménière's Disease: Short‐ and Long‐term Follow‐up of Two Regimens of Treatment
Authors: Casani Augusto P. , Cerchiai Niccolò , Navari Elena , Dallan Iacopo , Piaggi Paolo , Sellari‐Franceschini Stefano
Published: January 2014

Objectives

(1) To compare the results of the 2 regimens of treatment at 2‐year follow‐up and (2) to evaluate the need and the efficacy of retreatment after the recurrence of vertigo attacks in a longer period of follow‐up (using the Kaplan‐Meier method of analysis).

Study Design

Retrospective chart review.

Setting

Tertiary referral center.

Subjects and Methods

We analyzed 77 patients treated with intratympanic gentamicin (ITG). Thirty‐five patients were treated with high‐dose (HD) ITG (in total 6 injections, twice a day, repeated every 3 days) and 42 with low‐dose (LD) ITG (1‐2 injections). The results of treatment were evaluated in terms of functional level scale, control of vertigo, and hearing impairment.

Results

At 2‐year follow‐up, a similar percentage of vertigo control was obtained in the 2 groups; the incidence of hearing loss and posttreatment disequilibrium was significantly higher in patients treated with HD‐ITG. The long‐term follow‐up showed a control of vertigo attacks with a single round of treatment in 71.4% of patients treated with HD‐ITG and in 55% of those treated with LD‐ITG. With repeated rounds, an effective control of vertigo could be achieved in 88.5% using a HD‐ITG protocol and 97.7% using a LD‐ITG protocol.

Conclusions

LD‐ITG allows obtaining good results in term of vertigo attacks associated with a limited occurrence of side effects. The long‐term follow‐up showed that LD‐ITG needed repeated rounds more frequently than the HD‐protocol. HD‐ITG ran less risk of needing repeated rounds, but retreatment was ineffective in 40% of the cases requiring surgical therapy.
Small Ruminant Lentivirus–Induced Arthritis
Authors: Pérez M. , Biescas E. , Reina R. , Glaria I. , Marín B. , Marquina A. , Salazar E. , Álvarez N. , de Andrés D. , Fantova E. , Badiola J. J. , Amorena B. , Luján L.
Published: January 2014

We describe the clinicopathologic features of an arthritis outbreak in sheep induced by small ruminant lentivirus (SRLV), linked to the presence of a new SRLV isolate phylogenetically assigned to caprine arthritis encephalitis virus–like subgroup B2. Thirteen SRLV seropositive Rasa Aragonesa adult ewes were selected from 5 SRLV highly infected flocks (mean seroprevalence, 90.7%) for presenting uni- or bilateral chronic arthritis in the carpal joint. A complete study was performed, including symptomatology, histopathology, immunocytochemistry, immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, and microbiology. The carpus was the joint almost exclusively affected, with 10 sheep (76%) showing a moderate increase in carpal joint size (diameter range, 18–20 cm; normal range, 15–16 cm) without signs of locomotion problems and with 3 ewes (23%) showing severe inflammation with marked increase in diameter (21–24 cm), pain at palpation, and abnormal standing position. Grossly, chronic proliferative arthritis was observed in affected joints characterized by an increased thickness of the synovial capsule and synovial membrane proliferation. Microscopically, synovial membrane inflammation and proliferation and hyperplasia of synoviocytes were observed. More positive cases of SLRV infection were detected by immunocytochemistry of articular fluid than of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization also detected positive cells in the subsynovial connective tissue, lung, mediastinal lymph node, mammary gland, and mammary lymph node. All animals were negative for the presence of Mycoplasma or other bacteria in the articular space. The present outbreak likely represents an adaptation of a caprine virus to sheep. Our results underline the importance of the arthritis induced by SRLV in sheep, a clinical form that might be underestimated.
Listening to sad music in adverse situations: How music selection strategies relate to self-regulatory goals, listening effects, and mood enhancement
Authors: Van den Tol Annemieke J.M. , Edwards Jane
Published: January 2014

Adults’ ( N = 220) reported motivations for listening to sad music after experiencing adverse negative circumstances were examined by exploring how their music selection strategies related to (a) their self-regulatory goals, and (b) reported effects of listening. The effects of music selection strategies, self-regulatory goals, and reported effects on the achievement of mood enhancement were also explored using a retrospective survey design. The findings indicate that music choice is linked to the individual’s identified self-regulatory goals for music listening and to expected effects. Additionally, the results show that if individuals had intended to achieve mood enhancement through music listening, this was often achieved by first experiencing cognitive reappraisal or distraction. The selection of music with perceived high aesthetic value was the only music selection strategy that directly predicted mood enhancement. Where respondents indicated that they chose music with the intention of triggering memories, this was negatively related to the self-regulatory goal of mood enhancement.
Temperature variation and the incidence of cluster headache periods: A nationwide population study
Authors: Lee Y-Jung , Chen Yung-Tai , Ou Shuo-Ming , Li Szu-Yuan , Yang Albert C , Tang Chao-Hsiun , Wang Shuu-Jiun
Published: January 2014

Background

Cluster headache (CH) is well known to show a seasonal predilection; however, the impact of temperature and other meteorological factors on cluster periods (or bouts) has not been established.

Methods

This nationwide survey included 758 patients with episodic CH retrieved from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database from 2005 to 2009. Corresponding meteorological recordings were obtained from the Central Weather Bureau. A case-crossover study design was used to investigate the association between cluster periods and meteorological factors.

Results

A total of 2452 episodes of cluster periods were recorded. The cluster periods were most frequent in the autumn and least frequent in the winter. Seasonal changes from winter to spring and from autumn to winter also increased the frequency of cluster periods. The risk of cluster periods increased when there was a higher mean temperature on event days (odds ratio (OR), 1.014, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.005–1.023, p = 0.003) or within seven to 56 days. Either an increase or a decrease in temperature (0.05℃/day) following a warm period (mean temperature ≥26℃) was associated with the onset of cluster periods. In contrast, a greater increase in temperature (0.15℃/day) following a cold period (mean temperature < 21℃) was needed to evoke cluster periods. No such associations were found following moderate periods (21℃ ≤mean temperature <26℃).

Discussion

Our study shows that temperature is associated with precipitating or priming cluster periods. The influence depends on the temperature of the preceding periods.
The Proportion of Light-Responsive Neurons Determines the Limit Cycle Properties of the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus
Authors: Gu Changgui , Ramkisoensing Ashna , Liu Zonghua , Meijer Johanna H. , Rohling Jos H.T.
Published: February 2014

In mammals, the central clock in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) controls physiological and behavioral circadian rhythms and is entrained to the external light-dark cycle. The ability of the SCN to entrain can be measured by exposing the animal to a light-dark cycle with a duration that deviates from 24 h (T-cycles); a wider entrainment range reflects a higher ability to entrain. The neurons of the SCN are either light responsive or light unresponsive and are mutually synchronized. The coupling and synchronization between individual SCN neurons and between groups of neurons within the SCN influence the SCN’s ability to entrain. Some studies suggest that enhanced coupling decreases the entrainment range, whereas others suggest that enhanced coupling increases the entrainment range. The latter results are surprising, as they are not consistent with the prevalent assumption that the SCN is a limit cycle oscillator that has larger phase shifts when the amplitude is smaller. Here, we used the Poincaré and Goodwin models to test entrainment properties using various proportions of neurons that are responsive to an external stimulus. If all neurons receive external input, the SCN shows limit cycle behavior in all conditions. If all neurons do not receive light input, we found that the entrainment range of the SCN was positively related to coupling strength when coupling was weak. When coupling strength was stronger and above a critical value, the entrainment range was negatively correlated with coupling strength. The results obtained from our simulations were confirmed by analytical studies. Thus, the limit cycle behavior of the SCN appears to be critically dependent on the coupling strength among the neurons and the proportion of neurons that respond to the entraining stimulus.
A Kinetic Study of the Effects of Light on Circadian Rhythmicity of the frq Promoter of Neurospora crassa
Authors: Gooch Van D. , Johnson Alicia E. , Bourne Brian J. , Nix Bradley T. , Maas Jonna A. , Fox Julie A. , Loros Jennifer J. , Larrondo Luis F. , Dunlap Jay C.
Published: February 2014

The role of the frq gene in the Neurospora crassa circadian rhythm has been widely studied, but technical limitations have hindered a thorough analysis of frq circadian expression waveform. Through our experiments, we have shown an improved precision in defining Neurospora’s circadian rhythm kinetics using a codon optimized firefly luciferase gene reporter linked to a frq promoter. In vivo examination of this real-time reporter has allowed for a better understanding of the relationship of the light responsive elements of the frq promoter to its circadian feedback components. We provide a detailed phase response curve showing the phase shifts induced by a light pulse applied at different points of the circadian cycle. Using the frq-luc reporter, we have found that a 12-h light:12-h dark cycle (12L:12D) results in a luciferase expression waveform that is more complex and higher in amplitude than that seen in free-running conditions of constant darkness (DD). When using a lighting regime more consistent with solar timing, rather than a square wave pattern, one observes a circadian waveform that is smoother, lower in amplitude, and different in phasing. Using dim light in place of darkness in these experiments also affects the resulting waveform and phasing. Our experiments illustrate Neurospora’s circadian kinetics in greater detail than previous methods, providing further insight into the complex underlying biochemical, genetic, and physiological mechanisms underpinning the circadian oscillator.
Partial dynamic balancing of a 6-DOF haptic device
Authors: Liu Taoran , Gao Feng , Qi Chenkun , Zhao Xianchao
Published: January 2014

This article presents the partial dynamic balancing of a 6-DOF (degree of freedom) haptic device. At first, the motion of the 3-DOF rotational part is decoupled with the motion of the 3-DOF translational part, because the former has no effect on the baseplate, so it can be considered as a whole and only discusses the 3-DOF translational part in the process of calculating dynamic balancing. The main feature of this mechanism is that the system is symmetric about the Cartesian coordinate, so the dynamic balancing of the 3-DOF translational part can be simplified to the dynamic balancing of 1-DOF translational part. The conditions of shaking force balancing can be obtained by keeping the linear momentum constant, and the conditions of shaking moment balancing can be get by minimizing the rate of the angular momentum. Finally, simulation examples are given to verify that the centre of mass of the partial dynamically balanced mechanism is fixed, and the global reaction forces on the baseplate are zero, and the global reaction moments on the baseplate decrease about five times at all times and for arbitrary trajectories.
Mathematical modeling and characteristic analysis of scramjet buzz
Authors: Chang Juntao , Wang Lei , Bao Wen
Published: January 2014

Buzz is an important issue for a scramjet engine. A mathematical model of buzz oscillations is necessary for control system design. Control-oriented models of hypersonic vehicle propulsion systems require a reduced-order model that is accurate to some extent but requires less than a few seconds of computational time. To achieve this goal, a reduced-order model of buzz oscillations for a scramjet engine is built by introducing the modeling idea of Moore–Greitzed model for compressors. The introduction of characteristic lines avoids the complex interactions in hypersonic inlet, such as shock–shock interactions and shock–boundary layer interaction. And the inlet characteristics are obtained from the pressure signal of combustor. Based on the established buzz model, we can predict the inlet performance, characterize the stability margin of inlet, reflect the oscillatory characteristics of inlet buzz including the dominant amplitude and frequency and describe the transition process of inlet buzz.
The rise and consolidation of neoliberalism in the European Union: A comparative analysis of social and employment policies in Greece and Turkey
Authors: Duman Özgün Sarımehmet
Published: January 2014

This article analyses the rise and consolidation of neoliberalism in the European Union and highlights the neoliberalization of its social and employment policies with reference to member states and accession candidates. It focuses on two different cases in terms of status, Greece and Turkey, and scrutinizes their historical specificities and class formations in a comparative manner. The aim is to demonstrate that transformations in their economic policies and labour market structures are compatible with a neoliberal strategy. From this analysis, it emerges that Turkey’s social and employment policies are more closely aligned with those of the European Union, and neoliberalism is more firmly consolidated, than in Greece. This is confirmed by evidence of the asymmetry in the impact of the economic crisis on the Greek and Turkish economies, and contrasts in the scope of recovery policies.
Nurse middle manager ethical dilemmas and moral distress
Authors: Ganz Freda D , Wagner Nurit , Toren Orly
Published: January 2014

Background:

Nurse managers are placed in a unique position within the healthcare system where they greatly impact upon the nursing work environment. Ethical dilemmas and moral distress have been reported for staff nurses but not for nurse middle managers.

Objective:

To describe ethical dilemmas and moral distress among nurse middle managers arising from situations of ethical conflict.

Methods:

The Ethical Dilemmas in Nursing–Middle Manager Questionnaire and a personal characteristics questionnaire were administered to a convenience sample of middle managers from four hospitals in Israel.

Results:

Middle managers report low to moderate levels of frequency and intensity of ethical dilemmas and moral distress. Highest scores were for administrative dilemmas.

Conclusion:

Middle managers experience lower levels of ethical dilemmas and moral distress than staff nurses, which are irrespective of their personal characteristics. Interventions should be developed, studied, and then incorporated into institutional frameworks in order to improve this situation.
Writing English, Writing Reform: Two Indian Women’s Novels of the 19th Century
Authors: Sen Indrani
Published: February 2014

The 1890s saw two literary interventions in English by pioneering Indian women; these were the novels, Ratanbai: A Sketch of a Bombay High-Caste Hindu Young Wife written by Shevantibai Nikambe and Saguna: A Story of Native Christian Life by Krupabai Satthianadhan. Both writers, who were Brahmin converts to Christianity, were deeply involved in debates on female education. Their texts too focus on gendered social reform, especially on female education, as a liberating, emancipatory process. However, while Ratanbai seeks to re-cast high-caste Hindu wives into companionate helpmeets with the help of education, the thrust in Saguna is far more radical, as it problematises very sharply, questions pertaining to conversion, colonialism, female subjectivities and colonial modernity. Written against the backdrop of female reformist writing, these texts throw light on the contradictions within the native female social reform project.