bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recent Developments of Resonant Auger Transitions: Predictions and Propensity Rules for the Dynamic Spin Polarisation
Authors: Lohmann B.
Published: June 2013

The angular distribution and spin polarisation of the resonantly photoexcited
Xe¤(4d–15/2
6p3/2 )
N5O2,3O2,3
Auger spectrum is investigated. The two-step model has been used which allows
us to independently determine the dynamic parameters of the primary excitation
and the Auger emission process. Assuming either a fully circularly or linearly
polarised photon beam the dynamic parameters determining the primary
photoexcitation become constant numbers independent of the matrix elements.
Applying a relativistic distorted wave approximation the relevant numbers
describing the Auger decay dynamics, i.e. relative intensities, angular
distribution and spin polarisation parameters have been calculated, and are
compared with experimental and other theoretical data. With this, predictions
for the spin polarisation vector are possible. A large degree of dynamic spin
polarisation has been found for all Auger transitions to a final state with
Jf = ½ . This is in
contrast to earlier calculations for diagram Auger transitions. Recently, we
have given an explanation for this deriving propensity rules for resonant
Auger transitions. The propensity rules allow for predictions for which Auger
line a large dynamic spin polarisation can be expected. The predictions are in
accord with our multiconfigurational Dirac–Fock calculations for the
resonant Xe
N5O2,3O2,3
and Ar
L3M2,3M2,3
Auger multiplets. It is demonstrated that the effect of a large spin
polarisation is caused by a large shift of the scattering phase of the emitted
?s1/2 partial waves,
whereas a small spin polarisation is due to a cancellation between the Coulomb
and scattering phases of the partial waves.
Insights into capacity-constrained optimal transport
Authors: Korman Jonathan , McCann Robert J.
Published: June 2013

A variant of the classical optimal transportation problem is the following: among all joint measures with fixed marginals and that are dominated by a given density, find the optimal one. Existence and uniqueness of solutions to this variant were established by Korman and McCann. In the present article, we expose an unexpected symmetry leading to explicit examples in two and more dimensions. These are inspired in part by simulations in one dimension that display singularities and topology and in part by two further developments: the identification of all extreme points in the feasible set and an approach to uniqueness based on constructing feasible perturbations.
Laser-induced plasma cloud interaction and ice multiplication under cirrus cloud conditions
Authors: Leisner Thomas , Duft Denis , Möhler Ottmar , Saathoff Harald , Schnaiter Martin , Henin Stefano , Stelmaszczyk Kamil , Petrarca Massimo , Delagrange Raphaëlle , Hao Zuoqiang , Lüder Johannes , Petit Yannick , Rohwetter Philipp , Kasparian Jérôme , Wolf Jean-Pierre , Wöste Ludger
Published: June 2013

Potential impacts of lightning-induced plasma on cloud ice formation and precipitation have been a subject of debate for decades. Here, we report on the interaction of laser-generated plasma channels with water and ice clouds observed in a large cloud simulation chamber. Under the conditions of a typical storm cloud, in which ice and supercooled water coexist, no direct influence of the plasma channels on ice formation or precipitation processes could be detected. Under conditions typical for thin cirrus ice clouds, however, the plasma channels induced a surprisingly strong effect of ice multiplication. Within a few minutes, the laser action led to a strong enhancement of the total ice particle number density in the chamber by up to a factor of 100, even though only a 10
−9
fraction of the chamber volume was exposed to the plasma channels. The newly formed ice particles quickly reduced the water vapor pressure to ice saturation, thereby increasing the cloud optical thickness by up to three orders of magnitude. A model relying on the complete vaporization of ice particles in the laser filament and the condensation of the resulting water vapor on plasma ions reproduces our experimental findings. This surprising effect might open new perspectives for remote sensing of water vapor and ice in the upper troposphere.
Stable isotope-based diet reconstructions of Turkana Basin hominins
Authors: Cerling Thure E. , Manthi Fredrick Kyalo , Mbua Emma N. , Leakey Louise N. , Leakey Meave G. , Leakey Richard E. , Brown Francis H. , Grine Frederick E. , Hart John A. , Kaleme Prince , Roche Hélène , Uno Kevin T. , Wood Bernard A.
Published: June 2013

Hominin fossil evidence in the Turkana Basin in Kenya from
ca
. 4.1 to 1.4 Ma samples two archaic early hominin genera and records some of the early evolutionary history of
Paranthropus
and
Homo
. Stable carbon isotopes in fossil tooth enamel are used to estimate the fraction of diet derived from C
3
or C
4
resources in these hominin taxa. The earliest hominin species in the Turkana Basin,
Australopithecus anamensis
, derived nearly all of its diet from C
3
resources. Subsequently, by
ca
. 3.3 Ma, the later
Kenyanthropus platyops
had a very wide dietary range—from virtually a purely C
3
resource-based diet to one dominated by C
4
resources. By
ca
. 2 Ma, hominins in the Turkana Basin had split into two distinct groups: specimens attributable to the genus
Homo
provide evidence for a diet with a
ca
. 65/35 ratio of C
3
- to C
4
-based resources, whereas
P. boisei
had a higher fraction of C
4
-based diet (
ca
. 25/75 ratio).
Homo
sp. increased the fraction of C
4
-based resources in the diet through
ca
. 1.5 Ma, whereas
P. boisei
maintained its high dependency on C
4
-derived resources.
Diet of
Theropithecus
from 4 to 1 Ma in Kenya
Authors: Cerling Thure E. , Chritz Kendra L. , Jablonski Nina G. , Leakey Meave G. , Manthi Fredrick Kyalo
Published: June 2013

Theropithecus
was a common large-bodied primate that co-occurred with hominins in many Plio-Pleistocene deposits in East and South Africa. Stable isotope analyses of tooth enamel from
T. brumpti
(4.0–2.5 Ma) and
T. oswaldi
(2.0–1.0 Ma) in Kenya show that the earliest
Theropithecus
at 4 Ma had a diet dominated by C
4
resources. Progressively, this genus increased the proportion of C
4
-derived resources in its diet and by 1.0 Ma, had a diet that was nearly 100% C
4
-derived. It is likely that this diet was comprised of grasses or sedges; stable isotopes cannot, by themselves, give an indication of the relative importance of leaves, seeds, or underground storage organs to the diet of this primate.
Theropithecus
throughout the 4- to 1-Ma time range has a diet that is more C
4
-based than contemporaneous hominins of the genera
Australopithecus
,
Kenyanthropus
, and
Homo
; however,
Theropithecus
and
Paranthropus
have similar proportions of C
4
-based resources in their respective diets.
Molecular basis for the role of glucokinase regulatory protein as the allosteric switch for glucokinase
Authors: Choi Jung Min , Seo Moon-Hyeong , Kyeong Hyun-Ho , Kim Eunkyung , Kim Hak-Sung
Published: June 2013

Glucokinase (GK) is a monomeric allosteric enzyme and plays a pivotal role in blood glucose homeostasis. GK is regulated by GK regulatory protein (GKRP), and indirectly by allosteric effectors of GKRP. Despite the critical roles of GK and GKRP, the molecular basis for the allosteric regulation mechanism of GK by GKRP remains unclear. We determined the crystal structure of
Xenopus
GK and GKRP complex in the presence of fructose-6-phosphate at 2.9 Å. GKRP binds to a super-open conformation of GK mainly through hydrophobic interaction, inhibiting the GK activity by locking a small domain of GK. We demonstrate the molecular mechanism for the modulation of GK activity by allosteric effectors of GKRP. Importantly, GKRP releases GK in a sigmoidal manner in response to glucose concentration by restricting a structural rearrangement of the GK small domain via a single ion pair. We find that GKRP acts as an allosteric switch for GK in blood glucose control by the liver.
Small molecule inhibitors of
trans
-translation have broad-spectrum antibiotic activity
Authors: Ramadoss Nitya S. , Alumasa John N. , Cheng Lin , Wang Yu , Li Sharon , Chambers Benjamin S. , Chang Hoon , Chatterjee Arnab K. , Brinker Achim , Engels Ingo H. , Keiler Kenneth C.
Published: June 2013

The
trans
-translation pathway for protein tagging and ribosome release plays a critical role for viability and virulence in a wide range of pathogens but is not found in animals. To explore the use of
trans
-translation as a target for antibiotic development, a high-throughput screen and secondary screening assays were used to identify small molecule inhibitors of the pathway. Compounds that inhibited protein tagging and proteolysis of tagged proteins were recovered from the screen. One of the most active compounds, KKL-35, inhibited the
trans
-translation tagging reaction with an IC
50
= 0.9 µM. KKL-35 and other compounds identified in the screen exhibited broad-spectrum antibiotic activity, validating
trans
-translation as a target for drug development. This unique target could play a key role in combating strains of pathogenic bacteria that are resistant to existing antibiotics.
Fusing enacted and expected mimicry generates a winning strategy that promotes the evolution of cooperation
Authors: Fischer Ilan , Frid Alex , Goerg Sebastian J. , Levin Simon A. , Rubenstein Daniel I. , Selten Reinhard
Published: June 2013

Although cooperation and trust are essential features for the development of prosperous populations, they also put cooperating individuals at risk for exploitation and abuse. Empirical and theoretical evidence suggests that the solution to the problem resides in the practice of mimicry and imitation, the expectation of opponent’s mimicry and the reliance on similarity indices. Here we fuse the principles of enacted and expected mimicry and condition their application on two similarity indices to produce a model of mimicry and relative similarity. Testing the model in computer simulations of behavioral niches, populated with agents that enact various strategies and learning algorithms, shows how mimicry and relative similarity outperforms all the opponent strategies it was tested against, pushes noncooperative opponents toward extinction, and promotes the development of cooperative populations. The proposed model sheds light on the evolution of cooperation and provides a blueprint for intentional induction of cooperation within and among populations. It is suggested that reducing conflict intensities among human populations necessitates (i) instigation of social initiatives that increase the perception of similarity among opponents and (ii) efficient lowering of the similarity threshold of the interaction, the minimal level of similarity that makes cooperation advisable.
Long-range heterochromatin association is mediated by silencing and double-strand DNA break repair proteins
Authors: Kirkland Jacob G. , Kamakaka Rohinton T.
Published: June 2013

The eukaryotic genome is highly organized in the nucleus, and this organization affects various nuclear processes. However, the molecular details of higher-order organization of chromatin remain obscure. In the present study, we show that the Saccharomyces cerevisiae silenced loci HML and HMR cluster in three-dimensional space throughout the cell cycle and independently of the telomeres. Long-range HML–HMR interactions require the homologous recombination (HR) repair pathway and phosphorylated H2A (γ-H2A). γ-H2A is constitutively present at silenced loci in unperturbed cells, its localization requires heterochromatin, and it is restricted to the silenced domain by the transfer DNA boundary element. SMC proteins and Scc2 localize to the silenced domain, and Scc2 binding requires the presence of γ-H2A. These findings illustrate a novel pathway for heterochromatin organization and suggest a role for HR repair proteins in genomic organization.
AuthorReward: increasing community curation in biological knowledge wikis through automated authorship quantification
Authors: Dai Lin , Tian Ming , Wu Jiayan , Xiao Jingfa , Wang Xumin , Townsend Jeffrey P. , Zhang Zhang
Published: June 2013

Summary: Community curation—harnessing community intelligence in knowledge curation, bears great promise in dealing with the flood of biological knowledge. To exploit the full potential of the scientific community for knowledge curation, multiple biological wikis (bio-wikis) have been built to date. However, none of them have achieved a substantial impact on knowledge curation. One of the major limitations in bio-wikis is insufficient community participation, which is intrinsically because of lack of explicit authorship and thus no credit for community curation. To increase community curation in bio-wikis, here we develop AuthorReward, an extension to MediaWiki, to reward community-curated efforts in knowledge curation. AuthorReward quantifies researchers’ contributions by properly factoring both edit quantity and quality and yields automated explicit authorship according to their quantitative contributions. AuthorReward provides bio-wikis with an authorship metric, helpful to increase community participation in bio-wikis and to achieve community curation of massive biological knowledge.

Availability:  http://cbb.big.ac.cn/software.

Contact:  zhangzhang@big.ac.cn

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Gene-set analysis is severely biased when applied to genome-wide methylation data
Authors: Geeleher Paul , Hartnett Lori , Egan Laurance J. , Golden Aaron , Raja Ali Raja Affendi , Seoighe Cathal
Published: June 2013

Motivation: DNA methylation is an epigenetic mark that can stably repress gene expression. Because of its biological and clinical significance, several methods have been developed to compare genome-wide patterns of methylation between groups of samples. The application of gene set analysis to identify relevant groups of genes that are enriched for differentially methylated genes is often a major component of the analysis of these data. This can be used, for example, to identify processes or pathways that are perturbed in disease development. We show that gene-set analysis, as it is typically applied to genome-wide methylation assays, is severely biased as a result of differences in the numbers of CpG sites associated with different classes of genes and gene promoters.

Results: We demonstrate this bias using published data from a study of differential CpG island methylation in lung cancer and a dataset we generated to study methylation changes in patients with long-standing ulcerative colitis. We show that several of the gene sets that seem enriched would also be identified with randomized data. We suggest two existing approaches that can be adapted to correct the bias. Accounting for the bias in the lung cancer and ulcerative colitis datasets provides novel biological insights into the role of methylation in cancer development and chronic inflammation, respectively. Our results have significant implications for many previous genome-wide methylation studies that have drawn conclusions on the basis of such strongly biased analysis.

Contact:  cathal.seoighe@nuigalway.ie

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
In Planta Effector Competition Assays DetectHyaloperonospora arabidopsidisEffectors That Contribute to Virulence and Localize to Different Plant Subcellular Compartments
Authors: Badel Jorge Luis , Piquerez Sophie J. M. , Greenshields David , Rallapalli Ghanasyam , Fabro Georgina , Ishaque Naveed , Jones Jonathan D. G.
Published: June 2013

The genome of the pathogenic oomycete Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis is predicted to encode at least 134 high-confidence effectors (HaRxL) carrying the RxLR motif implicated in their translocation into plant cells. However, only four avirulence genes (ATR1, ATR13, ATR5, and ATR39) have been isolated. This indicates that identification of HaRxL effectors based on avirulence is low throughput. We aimed at rapidly identifying H. arabidopsidis effectors that contribute to virulence by developing methods to detect and quantify multiple candidates in bacterial mixed infections using either Illumina sequencing or capillary electrophoresis. In these assays, referred to here as in planta effector competition assays, we estimate the contribution to virulence of individual effectors by calculating the abundance of each HaRxL in the bacterial population recovered from leaves 3 days after inoculation relative to abundance in the initial mixed inoculum. We identified HaRxL that enhance Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 growth in some but not all Arabidopsis accessions. Further analysis showed that HaRxLL464, HaRxL75, HaRxL22, HaRxLL441, and HaRxL89 suppress pathogen-associated molecular pattern-triggered immunity (PTI) and localize to different subcellular compartments in Nicotiana benthamiana, providing evidence for a multilayered suppression of PTI by pathogenic oomycetes and molecular probes for the dissection of PTI.
A first-principles characterization of water adsorption on forsterite grains
Authors: Asaduzzaman Abu Md , Laref Slimane , Deymier P. A. , Runge Keith , Cheng H.-P. , Muralidharan Krishna , Drake M. J.
Published: June 2013

Numerical simulations examining chemical interactions of water molecules with forsterite grains have demonstrated the efficacy of nebular gas adsorption as a viable mechanism for water delivery to the terrestrial planets. Nevertheless, a comprehensive picture detailing the water-adsorption mechanisms on forsterite is not yet available. Towards this end, using accurate first-principles density functional theory, we examine the adsorption mechanisms of water on the (001), (100), (010) and (110) surfaces of forsterite. While dissociative adsorption is found to be the most energetically favourable process, two stable associative adsorption configurations are also identified. In dual-site adsorption, the water molecule interacts strongly with surface magnesium and oxygen atoms, whereas single-site adsorption occurs only through the interaction with a surface Mg atom. This results in dual-site adsorption being more stable than single-site adsorption.
Pulmonary hamartomas: CT pixel analysis for fat attenuation using radiologic–pathologic correlation
Authors: Gleeson Tadhg , Thiessen Rennae , Hannigan Ailish , Murphy Darra , English John C. , Mayo John R.
Published: June 2013

Introduction

To assess the accuracy of CT pixel analysis for fat attenuation in pulmonary hamartomas.

Methods

Retrospective review identified 32 patients in three separate groups; pathologically proven hamartoma (n = 11), hamartoma diagnosed on imaging (n = 9) and a control group (n = 14) of pathology‐proven non‐hamartomatous smoothly marginated solitary pulmonary nodules. All lesions were assessed using: visual assessment for fat, pixel analysis of the inner 2/3rds and mean attenuation of the entire lesion, using an internal reference for fat. Fat percentages on CT and at histology were compared.

Results

Visual assessment for macroscopic fat was the most reliable method for diagnosing pulmonary hamartoma. Combining percentage of fat‐attenuation pixels in the inner 2/3rds of the lesion improved specificity to 100%. Mean attenuation or pixel analysis in isolation were not helpful in lesional characterization.

Conclusion

Combining percentage fat‐attenuating pixels in the inner 2/3rds with visual assessment for macroscopic fat improves specificity for diagnosing pulmonary hamartomas.
The impact of OECD biofuels policies on developing countries
Authors: de Gorter Harry , Drabik Dusan , Just David R. , Kliauga Erika M.
Published: June 2013

OECD countries’ biofuels policies, derived from energy and environmental legislation and activated by high oil prices, were the primary cause of not only the sudden spike in grain and oilseed prices in 2007–2008 but also of the ensuing price volatility. Even though developing countries have a comparative advantage in biofuels production, they were shut out of rich countries’ biofuel markets by trade discriminating biofuels policies. Developing countries would not have been able to take full advantage of the price spike in the short run anyway given the low supply elasticities and the long time required for biofuel production to come online, unlike for corn‐ethanol. The controversy over the right price of food is misplaced and policy makers should instead focus on improving biofuels policies, which like their counterpart agricultural policies in previous decades, have damaged the welfare of developing countries.
Urinary retention following laparoscopic gynaecological surgery with or without 4% icodextrin anti‐adhesion solution
Authors: Nesbitt‐Hawes Erin M. , Zhang Christine S. , Won Ha Ryun , Law Kenneth , Abbott Jason A.
Published: June 2013

Background

Urinary retention is a recognised complication of laparoscopic surgery. Previous work showed an association with 4% icodextrin solution and urinary retention.

Aims

To determine the incidence of urinary retention following laparoscopic gynaecological surgery with or without the use of 4% icodextrin.

Methods

A prospective observational study of 147 women undergoing laparoscopic gynaecological surgery for benign pathology. Women had their planned laparoscopic procedure and either received icodextrin solution or nothing as determined by their treating surgeon at the time of the operation.

Results

From May 2011 to February 2012, 147 women were approached to participate in the study; of whom, 124 women were included: 62 received icodextrin and 62 did not. The women in the non‐icodextrin group were significantly older (P = 0.007) and had a higher BMI (P = 0.03) than those in the icodextrin group. Following surgery, 27/124 (21.8%) women had post‐operative urinary retention. Icodextrin was associated with significantly more urinary retention (P = 0.017), but did not extend hospital admission significantly (P = 0.14). The administration of icodextrin was associated with resection of moderate‐ or severe‐stage endometriosis involving multiple surgical sites, whereas women in the non‐icodextrin group were more likely to be having a hysterectomy.

Conclusions

In this non‐randomised study, there were significantly more women with post‐operative urinary retention when icodextrin was used; however, this did not contribute to an extended hospital admission. While there may be confounding factors, women receiving icodextrin should be warned of the possibility of urinary retention post‐operatively, but that this is unlikely to affect their stay in hospital.
Frequent sensitization to Candida albicans and profilins in adult eosinophilic esophagitis
Authors: Simon D. , Straumann A. , Dahinden C. , Simon H.‐U.
Published: June 2013

Background

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is often associated with atopic airway and skin diseases. More than 80% of EoE patients are sensitized to aero‐ and/or food allergens. Immunoglobulin (Ig)E‐mediated immune responses to microbes have been reported to be deleterious in connection with atopic diseases.

Aim

The aim of this study was to obtain a comprehensive overview about the sensitization spectrum of adult EoE patients.

Methods

IgE in sera of 35 patients with active EoE were analyzed for reactivity to Candida albicans, as well as to a panel of recombinant and purified natural allergen components, using a microarray.

Results

IgE sensitization to Candida albicans was found in 43% of EoE patients. More than 80% of EoE patients were sensitized to aeroallergens and 22% to food‐specific allergen components, whereas 69% of the patients exhibited specific IgE to cross‐reactive allergens. Among the latter, profilins were identified as most frequent IgE cross‐reactive allergen components. Interestingly, dysphagia, the main symptom of adult EoE patients following rice and/or bread ingestion, was associated with sensitization to cross‐reactive allergens such as profilins, pathogenesis‐related (PR) 10 and lipid transfer proteins (LTP). Intolerance toward meat rarely correlated with sensitization to animal food allergens.

Conclusion

Candida albicans and cross‐reactive plant allergen components, in particular profilins, were identified as frequent sensitizers in adult EoE patients. Specific elimination therapies are suggested to reveal their actual roles in the pathogenesis of EoE.
Novel Funding Paradigm for Social Work Services in China: Reflections on the Guangzhou Experience
Authors: Law Agnes Koon‐chui
Published: June 2013

Three decades of Chinese economic modernization created wonders that transform the living of the population. Yet economic affluence also spawns juggernauts of new social ills, and mounting social tensions emerge from widening inequalities between the wealthy and the less privileged. Local governments are under intense pressure to identify new approaches to addressing new social problems such as rising unemployment, elderly neglect, and juvenile delinquency through social management. This article recapitulates some of the experience of non‐governmental organizations through collaborating with the authorities, in pioneering social work services using new mode of public funding mechanism.
Trajectory and Predictors of Early Adolescent Alcohol Use
Authors: Kwon Tae Yeon
Published: June 2013

The aim of this study was to identify the developmental trajectory and predictors of Korean early adolescents’ alcohol use. The sample comprised 2844 adolescents who participated in the five‐wave longitudinal Korea Youth Panel Study, in which students were assessed annually from grade 4 (aged 11 years) in 2004 to grade 8 (aged 15 years) in 2008. Latent growth curve (LGC) modeling was conducted and a quadratic (J‐shaped) LGC model was supported. Personality‐ and environment‐system predictors, based on problem‐behavior theory, were specified to account for variation in intra‐individual changes in alcohol use. Self‐control, depressive affect, parental abuse, number of drinking friends, and gender significantly predicted the initial level of alcohol use. Self‐control, depressive affect, parental abuse, peer attachment, gender, and family structure predicted the quadratic slope that was associated with the rate of acceleration of alcohol use. These findings suggest that more effort needs to be directed toward the implementation of alcohol prevention programs early in elementary schools and practitioners who are involved in effective alcohol‐prevention and intervention programs that are aimed at delaying the initiation of alcohol use and reducing drinking during adolescence should consider various psychosocial factors.
The use of emerging technologies for authentic learning: A South African study in higher education
Authors: Bozalek Vivienne , Gachago Daniela , Alexander Lucy , Watters Kathy , Wood Denise , Ivala Eunice , Herrington Jan
Published: June 2013

It is now widely accepted that the transmission of disciplinary knowledge is insufficient to prepare students leaving higher education for the workplace. Authentic learning has been suggested as a way to bring the necessary complexity into learning to deal with challenges in professional practice after graduation. This study investigates how South African higher educators have used emerging technologies to achieve the characteristics of authentic learning. A survey was administered to a population of 265 higher educators in South Africa who self‐identified as engaging with emerging technologies. From this survey, a sample of 21 respondents were selected to further investigate their practice through in‐depth interviewing using Herrington, Reeves and Oliver's nine characteristics of authentic learning as a framework. Interrater analysis undertaken by five members of the research team revealed both consistencies and differences among the twenty one cases across the nine elements of authentic learning. The highest levels of authenticity were found for the elements authentic context and task, and the lowest for articulation. Furthermore, there was a moderate correlation identified between levels of authenticity and the role played by emerging technologies in achieving the authenticity, showing a potentially symbiotic relationship between them.
Emerging technologies as cognitive tools for authentic learning
Authors: Herrington Jan , Parker Jenni
Published: June 2013

Employing emerging technologies in learning is becoming increasingly important as a means to support the development of digital media literacy. Using a theoretical framework ofauthentic learningandtechnology as cognitive tools, this paper examined student responses to the infusion of emerging technologies in a large first year teacher education unit over two full iterations, using a design‐based research approach. This paper describes the pedagogical context of the intervention, the methodology used, and it presents an analysis of themes emerging from the data relating to the use of emerging technologies.
Open practices and identity: Evidence from researchers and educators' social media participation
Authors: Veletsianos George
Published: June 2013

The ways that emerging technologies and social media are used and experienced by researchers and educators are poorly understood and inadequately researched. The goal of this study is to examine the online practices of individual scholars in order to explore and understand the activities and practices that they enact when they use social media for scholarship. Using ethnographic data collection methods and basic interpretive analysis techniques, I describe two emergent phenomena evident in scholars' social media participation: scholarly practices enacted openly in digital spaces and the self that is disentangled from academic matters. These phenomena raise issues related to “sharing,” scholar identity, participation and social media as a place of gathering.
Does a university teacher need to change e‐learning beliefs and practices when using a social networking site? A longitudinal case study
Authors: Scott Karen M.
Published: June 2013

While much of the e‐learning development at universities in the past 15 years has been on institutionally supportedLearningManagementSystems (LMSs), alternative educational technologies are being taken up following the rapid growth in emerging technologies, including social networking sites (SNSs). While teachers may choose educational technologies based on their beliefs, change in beliefs, and thus the technology teachers use, can be difficult. This longitudinal research examines how one teacher changed from teaching fully face‐to‐face to teaching through blended learning, initially using anLMS, then anSNS. The focus is the change in the teacher's e‐learning beliefs and practices following her initial reluctance to use anSNS, which she attributed to her gender, age and education. Four key findings are highlighted. Firstly, while it can be difficult for teachers to change their beliefs, critical unmet expectations can usefully stimulate dialogue and collaboration, leading to change in beliefs and practices. Secondly, development of e‐learning resources on anSNSmay follow an iterative process, involving experimentation. Thirdly, gender, age and prior experience may affect teachers taking up e‐learning, especially emerging technologies such as anSNS. Finally, this study has demonstrated the value of using longitudinal, qualitative research to understand change in a university teacher's e‐learning beliefs and practices over time.
The evolving small‐molecule fluorescent‐conjugate toolbox for Class A GPCRs
Authors: Vernall Andrea J , Hill Stephen J , Kellam Barrie
Published: June 2013

The past decade has witnessed fluorescently tagged drug molecules gaining significant attraction in their use as pharmacological tools with which to visualize and interrogate receptor targets at the single‐cell level. Additionally, one can generate detailed pharmacological information, such as affinity measurements, down to almost single‐molecule detection limits. The now accepted utilization of fluorescence‐based readouts in high‐throughput/high‐content screening provides further evidence that fluorescent molecules offer a safer and more adaptable substitute to radioligands in molecular pharmacology and drug discovery. One such drug‐target family that has received considerable attention are the GPCRs; this review therefore summarizes the most recent developments in the area of fluorescent ligand design for this important drug target. We assess recently reported fluorescent conjugates by adopting a receptor‐family‐based approach, highlighting some of the strengths and weaknesses of the individual molecules and their subsequent use. This review adds further strength to the arguments that fluorescent ligand design and synthesis requires careful planning and execution; providing examples illustrating that selection of the correct fluorescent dye, linker length/composition and geographic attachment point to the drug scaffold can all influence the ultimate selectivity and potency of the final conjugate when compared with its unlabelled precursor. When optimized appropriately, the resultant fluorescent conjugates have been successfully employed in an array of assay formats, including flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy, FRET and scanning confocal microscopy. It is clear that fluorescently labelled GPCR ligands remain a developing and dynamic research arena.

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed section on Molecular Pharmacology of GPCRs. To view the other articles in this section visit
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2014.171.issue‐5
The role of histamine in neurogenic inflammation
Authors: Rosa A C , Fantozzi R
Published: June 2013

The term ‘neurogenic inflammation’ has been adopted to describe the local release of inflammatory mediators, such as substance P and calcitonin gene‐related peptide, from neurons. Once released, these neuropeptides induce the release of histamine from adjacent mast cells. In turn, histamine evokes the release of substance P and calcitonin gene‐related peptide; thus, a bidirectional link between histamine and neuropeptides in neurogenic inflammation is established. The aim of this review is to summarize the most recent findings on the role of histamine in neurogenic inflammation, with particular regard to nociceptive pain, as well as neurogenic inflammation in the skin, airways and bladder.

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed issue on Histamine Pharmacology Update. To view the other articles in this issue visit http://dx.doi.org/
10.1111/bph.2013.170.issue‐1
Review: The consequences of early institutionalization: can institutions be improved? – should they?
Authors: McCall Robert B.
Published: June 2013

Background and scope

The focus of this review is on institutionalized children, one of the most inequitably and severely treated groups of children. Although institutions vary, many share some common characteristics, including large groups, high children:caregiver ratios, many and changing caregivers and caregiver‐child interactions that lack warm, sensitive, contingently‐responsive and child‐directed behaviours. Resident children develop poorly physically, mentally and social‐emotionally, but those adopted from institutions display substantial catch‐up growth in many domains of development. If they are adopted at an early age, there have been no long‐term consequences of institutionalization yet measured; but if institutionalization is prolonged, they display higher rates of long‐term deficiencies and problems in many domains.

Methods

This review is based on a database search of the literature, focusing on the development of children while residents, and the development of post‐institutionalized children who have been transitioned from institutions to family care. It also draws on the reports and findings of the St. Petersburg–USAOrphanage intervention.

Findings

A combination of theories pertaining to attachment (especially caregiver attachment to the infant–toddler), chronic stress and genetics may explain these outcomes. It appears that caregiver–child interactions are a major contributor to children's outcomes and interventions in institutions that improve such interactions produce substantial increases in children's physical, mental and social‐emotional development, including for children with disabilities.

Conclusions

Deinstitutionalization and the creation of comprehensive professional child welfare systems emphasizing family care alternatives is a preferred goal, but this is likely to take many low‐resource countries decades to develop. If substantial numbers of children remain in institutions despite best efforts to find families for them, improving the institutions might help to provide all the children with the best care possible under the circumstances.
Columnar metaplasia in a surgical mouse model of gastro‐esophageal reflux disease is not derived from bone marrow‐derived cell
Authors: Aikou Susumu , Aida Junko , Takubo Kaiyo , Yamagata Yukinori , Seto Yasuyuki , Kaminishi Michio , Nomura Sachiyo
Published: June 2013

The incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma has increased in the last 25 years. Columnar metaplasia in Barrett's mucosa is assumed to be a precancerous lesion for esophageal adenocarcinoma. However, the induction process of Barrett's mucosa is still unknown. To analyze the induction of esophageal columnar metaplasia, we established a mouse gastro‐esophageal reflux disease (GERD) model with associated development of columnar metaplasia in the esophagus. C57BL/6 mice received side‐to‐side anastomosis of the esophagogastric junction with the jejunum, and mice were killed 10, 20, and 40 weeks after operation. To analyze the contribution of bone marrow‐derived cells to columnar metaplasia in this surgical GERD model, some mice were transplanted with GFP‐marked bone marrow after the operation. Seventy‐three percent of the mice (16/22) showed thickened mucosa in esophagus and 41% of mice (9/22) developed columnar metaplasia 40 weeks after the operation with a mortality rate of 4%. Bone marrow‐derived cells were not detected in columnar metaplastic epithelia. However, scattered epithelial cells in the thickened squamous epithelia in regions of esophagitis did show bone marrow derivation. The results demonstrate that reflux induced by esophago‐jejunostomy in mice leads to the development of columnar metaplasia in the esophagus. However, bone marrow‐derived cells do not contribute directly to columnar metaplasia in this mouse model.
How to approach endocrine assessment in severe obesity?
Authors: Seetho Ian W. , Wilding John P. H.
Published: June 2013

The increasing numbers of severely obese patients (body mass index BMI >40 kg/m2) represent a significant management challenge. These patients are at risk of obesity‐related complications that may be driven by changes in endocrine function. Their care may potentially be complex at times, and therefore, an appropriate assessment strategy will be relevant to timely diagnosis and management. In this article, we discuss an approach to the endocrine assessment of the severely obese patient. We consider the clinical question in three categories that may also represent different complexities in terms of subsequent management: (i) obesity as a consequence of structural lesions at the hypothalamic–pituitary region; (ii) obesity as a consequence of inherited and genetic syndromes; and (iii) functional neuroendocrine hormone abnormalities relating to obesity. The first two categories are associated with hypothalamic dysfunction, of which hypothalamic obesity is a consequence. Additionally, the implications and difficulties associated with imaging severely obese patients are discussed from an endocrinological perspective and we provide practical guidance on which to base practice.
Hyaluronic acid solution injection for upper and lower gastrointestinal bleeding after failed conventional endoscopic therapy
Authors: Lee Jin Wook , Kim Hyung Hun
Published: June 2013

Hyaluronic acid solution injection can be an additional endoscopic modality for controlling bleeding in difficult cases when other techniques have failed. We evaluated 12 cases in which we used hyaluronic acid solution injection for stopping bleeding. Immediately following hyaluronic acid solution injection, bleeding was controlled in 11 out of 12 cases. There was no clinical evidence of renewed bleeding in 11 cases during follow up.Hyaluronic acid solution injection can be a simple and efficient additional method for controlling upper and lower gastrointestinal bleeding after failed endoscopic therapy.
Validity and reliability of radiological methods to assess proximal hip geometry in children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review
Authors: Pons Christelle , Rémy‐Néris Olivier , Médée Béatrice , Brochard Sylvain
Published: June 2013

Aim

The aim of this systematic review was to assess the current validity and reliability of radiological methods used to measure proximal hip geometry in children with cerebral palsy.

Method

A search was conducted using relevant keywords and inclusion/exclusion criteria of the MEDLINE, CINALH Plus, Embase, Web of Science, Academic Search Premier, The Cochrane Library, and PsychINFO databases.

Results

The migration percentage using X‐rays showed excellent reliability and concurrent validity with three‐dimensional (3D) measurements from computed tomography (CT) scans. The acetabular index, measured using X‐rays had good reliability but moderate concurrent validity with 3D CT measurements; 3D CT scan indexes had greater reliability. The measurement of the neck shaft angle using X‐rays showed excellent concurrent validity with measurements from 3D CT scans and excellent reliability. Regarding femoral anteversion, one study found an excellent correlation between two‐dimensional CT and clinical assessment and excellent reliability. Two others showed less evidence for the use of CT ultrasounds.

Interpretation

Most of the X‐ray‐based measurements showed good to excellent metrological properties. More metrological evidence is needed for the assessment of femoral anteversion. Magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound‐based measurements have great potential although very little metrological evidence is available.
Family Communication and Innovativeness in Family Firms
Authors: Sciascia Salvatore , Clinton Eric , Nason Robert S. , James Albert E. , Rivera‐Algarin Juan O.
Published: June 2013

This conceptual article seeks to address the heterogeneity of family firms in terms of their innovativeness by investigating business family communication dynamics. We use the established family communication constructs of conversation and conformity orientations to develop a typology of family firms in terms of innovativeness. We provide empirically testable propositions and present possible operationalizations for future research. In particular, we argue that supportive business families (i.e., families characterized by high conversation orientation and moderate conformity orientation) are associated with the highest levels of innovativeness in the family‐controlled firm. Through this article we hope to deepen our understanding of the relationship between family and firm levels of analysis, to develop a stronger bond between communication and innovative behavior, and to identify family‐related antecedents of heterogeneity in family firm innovativeness.
The susceptibility of cladocerans in North Andean Patagonian lakes to volcanic ashes
Authors: Wolinski Laura , Laspoumaderes Cecilia , Bastidas Navarro Marcela , Modenutti Beatriz , Balseiro Esteban
Published: June 2013

Explosive volcanic eruptions are one of the few natural phenomena that can produce global catastrophic effects. On 4 June 2011, an eruption in the Puyehue volcanic complex (40°35′S, 72°06′W, Chile) discharged massive amounts of ash and pumice into the surrounding landscape in Argentina (North Andean Patagonia). The ejected material affected nearby aquatic environments, producing an increase in total suspended solids.

We combined field data and laboratory experiment data to determine the effect of the volcanic ashes suspended in the water column on cladoceran populations.

During the summer of 2011–2012 (6 months after the eruption), zooplankton populations in these lakes decreased, mainly due to the disappearance of cladocerans. This decrease in zooplankton was not caused by food shortage; chlorophyll a concentrations in the lakes were higher than in previous years or in the following season, and no change in phytoplankton size was observed. By the following summer (2013), 18 months after the eruption, a recovery of cladoceran populations was observed, with a concomitant decrease in total suspended solids.

We performed a life‐table experiment, examining Daphnia commutata survival and fecundity at a series of ash concentrations. Ash concentrations of 2, 3, 5 and 8 mg L−1 negatively affected survival and fecundity. Populations exposed to 8 mg L−1 of ash cannot persist; these organisms fail to produce offspring because they die before reaching reproductive age.

We conclude that the disappearance of cladocerans was due to the presence of ash. As the sedimentation process occurs, ash concentrations decrease, favouring population recovery, as observed the following summer. When the lakes recovered their original transparency with low total suspended solids values, the cladoceran populations also returned to their historical abundances.

Previous data on other explosive volcanic eruptions and the present data indicate that immediately after ash fall, the zooplankton suffer reduced abundance, particularly of non‐selective filter feeders such as daphnids. However, recovery of zooplankton population growth can be expected within a few years.
Modeling Linear Trends in Audit Fees
Authors: Coster Daniel C. , Dahl Drew , Jenson Richard L.
Published: June 2013

This study uses repeated‐measures ANOVA design to examine linear trends in audit fees of US companies. Audit fee trends are analyzed across the effects of regulatory oversight, accelerated or non‐accelerated SOX filing status, and time (2002–2009). Accelerated filers showed stronger positive linear trends than did non‐accelerated filers for the entire eight‐year period. However, non‐accelerated companies showed stronger positive linear trends than did accelerated companies during the latter four‐year period (2006–2009). We attribute this result to additional audit work required in the earlier four‐year period (2002–2005) by accelerated companies to meet the requirements of SOX 404 during the earlier period. We attribute the slowing trend in the latter four‐year period to the increasing maturity of the internal control systems for accelerated companies as well as changes in auditing standards that allowed auditors to more efficiently allocate auditing resources based on audit risk for these accelerated firms.
Evaluating a community‐based stroke nursing education and rehabilitation programme for patients with mild stroke
Authors: Wang Lee , Chen Chiu‐Mei , Liao Wen‐Chun , Hsiao Chun‐Yin
Published: June 2013

This study evaluated whether mild stroke patients who received a community‐based stroke nursing intervention had better stroke knowledge, behaviour and self‐efficacy than those who were exposed to traditional education programmes. The intervention group consisted of sixty five stroke patients randomly selected from seven communities who received three 2‐hour stroke interventions per week for 8 weeks. The normal care group consisted of sixty two stroke patients randomly selected from a medical centre who received a general stroke education programme. The stroke patients in two groups were assessed at baseline, after intervention and at the 6‐month follow‐up. At the 6‐month follow‐up, the intervention group demonstrated an improvement in the knowledge of stroke risk factors compared with the normal care group. Three months after education, the intervention group exhibited changes in the knowledge of stroke, social participation and self‐efficacy compared with those at baseline. Also, self‐efficacy was correlated with the knowledge of stroke risk factors after intervention and at the 6‐month follow‐up; self‐efficacy was correlated with social participation after the 6‐month follow‐up. A community‐based stroke nursing intervention might have effects on changes in the knowledge of stroke risk factors, social participation and self‐efficacy.