bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influenza vaccination for immunocompromised patients: summary of a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Beck Charles R , McKenzie Bruce C , Hashim Ahmed B , Harris Rebecca C , Zanuzdana Arina , Agboado Gabriel , Orton Elizabeth , Béchard‐Evans Laura , Morgan Gemma , Stevenson Charlotte , Weston Rachel , Mukaigawara Mitsuru , Enstone Joanne , Augustine Glenda , Butt Mobasher , Kim Sophie , Puleston Richard , Dabke Girija , Howard Robert , O'Boyle Julie , O'Brien Mary , Ahyow Lauren , Denness Helene , Farmer Siobhan , Figureroa Jose , Fisher Paul , Greaves Felix , Haroon Munib , Haroon Sophie , Hird Caroline , Isba Rachel , Ishola David A , Kerac Marko , Parish Vivienne , Roberts Jonathan , Rosser Julia , Theaker Sarah , Wallace Dean , Wigglesworth Neil , Lingard Liz , Vinogradova Yana , Horiuchi Hiroshi , Peñalver Javier , Nguyen‐Van‐Tam Jonathan S
Published: August 2013

Vaccination of immunocompromised patients is recommended in many national guidelines to protect against severe or complicated influenza infection. However, due to uncertainties over the evidence base, implementation is frequently patchy and dependent on individual clinical discretion. We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis to assess the evidence for influenza vaccination in this patient group. Healthcare databases and grey literature were searched and screened for eligibility. Data extraction and assessments of risk of bias were undertaken in duplicate, and results were synthesised narratively and using meta‐analysis where possible. Our data show that whilst the serological response following vaccination of immunocompromised patients is less vigorous than in healthy controls, clinical protection is still meaningful, with only mild variation in adverse events between aetiological groups. Although we encountered significant clinical and statistical heterogeneity in many of our meta‐analyses, we advocate that immunocompromised patients should be targeted for influenza vaccination.
Bacterial and viral infections associated with influenza
Authors: Joseph Carol , Togawa Yu , Shindo Nahoko
Published: August 2013

Influenza‐associated bacterial and viral infections are responsible for high levels of morbidity and death during pandemic and seasonal influenza episodes. A review was undertaken to assess and evaluate the incidence, epidemiology, aetiology, clinical importance and impact of bacterial and viral co‐infection and secondary infection associated with influenza. A review was carried out of published articles covering bacterial and viral infections associated with pandemic and seasonal influenza between 1918 and 2009 (and published through December 2011) to include both pulmonary and extra‐pulmonary infections. While pneumococcal infection remains the predominant cause of bacterial pneumonia, the review highlights the importance of other co‐ and secondary bacterial and viral infections associated with influenza, and the emergence of newly identified dual infections associated with the 2009 H1N1 pandemic strain. Severe influenza‐associated pneumonia is often bacterial and will necessitate antibiotic treatment. In addition to the well‐known bacterial causes, less common bacteria such as Legionella pneumophila may also be associated with influenza when new influenza strains emerge. This review should provide clinicians with an overview of the range of bacterial and viral co‐ or secondary infections that could present with influenza illness.
Assessing key model parameters for economic evaluation of pandemic influenza interventions: the data source matters
Authors: Praditsitthikorn Naiyana , Kotirum Surachai , Mohara Adun , Dumrongprat Kuntika , Velasco Román Pérez , Teerawattananon Yot
Published: August 2013

Background

In our previous systematic review of economic evaluations of pandemic influenza interventions, five model parameters, namely probability of pandemic, duration of pandemic, severity, attack rate, and intervention efficacy, were not only consistently used in all studies but also considered important by authors.

Objectives

Because these parameters originated from sources of varying quality ranging from experimental studies to expert opinion, this study aims to analyze the variation in values used according to sources of information across studies.

Methods

An analysis of estimated values of key parameters for economic modeling was performed against their different data sources, following the standard hierarchy of evidence.

Results

A lack of good‐quality evidence to estimate pandemic duration, pandemic probability, and mortality reduction from antiviral treatment results in a large variation of values used in economic evaluations. Although there are variations in quality of evidence used for attack rate, basic reproduction number, and reduction in hospitalizations from antiviral treatment, the estimated values do not vary significantly. The use of higher‐quality evidence results in better precision of estimated values compared to lower‐quality sources.

Conclusion

Hierarchies of evidence are a necessary tool to identify appropriate model parameters to populate economic evaluations and should be included in methodological guidelines. Knowledge gaps in some key parameters should be addressed, because if good‐quality evidence is available, future economic evaluations will be more reliable. Some gaps may not be fulfilled by research but consensus among experts to ensure consistency in the use of these assumptions.
Relationship between hepatocyte proliferation and hepatitis delta virus replication in neoplastic and non‐neoplastic liver tissues
Authors: Negro F. , Papotti M. , Taraglio S. , Rubbia‐Brandt L. , Giostra E. , Pacchioni D. , Rizzetto M. , Hadengue A.
Published: August 2013

SUMMARY. We studied the relationship between hepatocyte proliferation and hepatitis delta virus (HDV) replication at the single cell level. The proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) (by immunohistochemistry) and the HDV RNA (by in situ hybridization) were stained in neoplastic and non‐neoplastic liver tissues of 19 patients with chronic HDV infection, including four cases of cirrhosis with superimposed hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). As controls, we assessed the hepatocyte proliferation of liver tissues from 16 patients with chronic hepatitis B and on three normal livers. The hepatocyte PCNA labelling index of HDV‐infected tissues was comparable with that seen in chronic hepatitis B‐infected livers but was significantly higher than that observed in normal livers. Although cirrhotic tissues had lower hepatocyte proliferating fractions than non‐cirrhotic tissues, the difference was not statistically significant. The hepatocyte proliferation rate did not correlate with the level of intrahepatic HDV replication or with the histological activity. In double‐labelling experiments, PCNA and HDV RNA staining did not co‐localize, with the exception of two of three cirrhotic tissues associated with HCC, where the association between the two markers was statistically significant. This co‐localization was not observed, however, in the adjacent tumorous tissues. In patients with chronic HDV infection the hepatocyte proliferation was increased with respect to normal liver tissue, but was comparable with that observed in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection and did not correlate with the level of HDV replication or the histological activity. In the cirrhotic tissue of patients with HCC (but not in the tumour counterpart), HDV RNA may occasionally co‐localize with the marker of hepatocyte proliferation. Whether this association between viral replication and cell division is related to liver carcinogenesis remains to be established.
Detection of HEV RNA in faeces, by RT‐PCR, during the epidemics of hepatitis E in India (1976–1995)
Authors: Chobe L. P. , Chadha M. S. , Banerjee K. , Arankalle V. A.
Published: August 2013

SUMMARY. Out of the 15 hepatitis E (HEV) epidemics that occurred during the years 1976–1995 in the Gujarat and Maharashtra states of India, 45.78% (76/166) stool samples showed the presence of HEV RNA. HEV RNA was found significantly more often in samples that were transported in liquid nitrogen (50.9%) compared with samples that were transported in wet ice (37.0%) (P < 0.05). Stool samples collected within 7 days after the onset of the disease (59.2%) were more often positive for HEV RNA when compared with samples that were collected 7–20 days after the onset of the disease (28.5%) (P < 0.01). It has been observed in experimentally infected Rhesus monkeys that they excrete HEV throughout the incubation period and for a variable length of time after the elevation of serum ALT levels. A similar situation is found in humans.
Exposure to hepatitis B and C of tattooists in Victoria in 1984
Authors: Thompson S. C. , Goudey R. E. , Breschkin A. M. , Carnie J. , Catton M.
Published: August 2013

SUMMARY. Although tattooing is recognized as a risk factor for transmission of hepatitis C, the efficiency with which transmission occurs is unknown. Sera stored from a serosurvey of tattooists undertaken in 1984 to test for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) provided the opportunity to determine the prevalence of serological markers of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in tattooists at that time. The stored sera had been obtained from five unregistered and 36 of 37 (97%) of the registered tattooists operating in 1984. Serological status for hepatitis B (hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAb) and antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAb) in standard assays) or hepatitis C (HCV antibody reactivity in second and third generation tests, confirmed by recombinant immunoblot assay) was determined. No sera was HIV positive or HBsAg positive. Of 35 specimens tested for HCV specific antibody, only two (5.6%) were positive despite markers of HBV in 48.6% of the same sera. As acute HBV infection was common amongst tattooists prior to 1984, it is clear that hepatitis B vaccination would be of benefit to this group. Despite frequent needlestick injuries reported by tattooists at the time, the low seroprevalence of HCV in this group suggests that HCV may not be transmitted efficiently by intradermal inoculation using solid‐bore tattooing needles.
Relative influence of deterministic processes on structuring marsh plant communities varies across an abiotic gradient
Authors: Guo Hongyu , Więski Kazimierz , Lan Zhenjiang , Pennings Steven C.
Published: August 2013

Understanding the processes determining community structure is one of the major goals of ecological research. Both deterministic and stochastic processes may shape community structure. The challenge is to understand the relative influence of each type of process across different environmental conditions. We investigated the influence of deterministic and stochastic processes on plant community assembly in tidal marshes across a strong abiotic (salinity) gradient in three estuaries in Georgia, USA using probabilistic Raup–Crick community dissimilarity. Our results indicated that deterministic processes had an increasingly important influence on structuring plant communities in salt and brackish marshes, probably due to high heterogeneity of microhabitats produced by the interplay between abiotic stress and biotic interactions. In contrast, the influence of deterministic processes on plant community assembly decreased in tidal freshwater marshes, suggesting an increasingly important role of stochastic processes in plant community assembly in tidal freshwater marshes, probably due to the higher species richness, higher recruitment from seed, and lower levels of abiotic stress in these habitats. At the estuarine scale (across tidal freshwater, brackish and salt marshes in each estuary), our results suggested that deterministic processes also had a relatively important influence on shaping plant community structure. Our results illustrated that plant community structure in tidal marshes is influenced by both deterministic and stochastic processes, but that the relative influence of these two types of processes varies across estuarine landscapes.
Interpretation and predictions of the Emergent neutrality model: a reply to Barabás et al.
Authors: Vergnon Remi , van Nes Egbert H. , Scheffer Marten
Published: August 2013

Formulated in 2006, Scheffer and van Nes’ Emergent neutrality model predicts that competing species might self‐organize into groups of species similar in their traits. Recently, Vergnon et al. showed that the model consistently generates multimodal species abundance distributions, in accordance with empirical data. Barabás et al. argue that Emergent neutrality model relies on unmodeled, ‘hidden’ species differences. They also suggest that an Emergent neutrality model explicitly integrating such differences may fail to generate multimodal species abundance distributions, while other models can robustly produce those patterns. Here we demonstrate that density dependence – the process deemed problematic by Barabás et al. – may permanently maintain groups of similar species without need for additional species differences. More broadly, we make it clear that density dependence is not the only likely mechanism that could allow the permanent coexistence of similar species in the Emergent neutrality framework. We welcome the finding that models other than Emergent neutrality can generate multimodal abundance distributions and we briefly discuss their novelty and relevance.
Lectotypification of the Linnaean name Fagus castanea (Fagaceae)
Authors: Iamonico Duilio
Published: August 2013

The typification of the name Fagus castanea L. (Fagaceae) is discussed. A specimen from the Linnaean Herbarium (no. 1130.1, LINN!) is designated as lectotype.
Genetic and morphological variation ofRhizophora mangle(red mangrove) along the northern Pacific coast of Nicaragua
Authors: Bruschi Piero , Angeletti Carlo , González Oscar , Adele Signorini Maria , Bagnoli Francesca
Published: August 2013

Red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) dominates in tidally active areas of neotropical mangrove forests. Despite the ecological and economic importance of this species, we still know little about the genetic structure and diversity of its natural populations. In particular, Nicaraguan populations have not yet been investigated although they could be important for a better understanding of the evolutionary history ofR. manglein Mesoamerica. The aim of this study was to estimate the genetic and morphological variability of 4 populations sampled along the northwestern coast of Nicaragua. Microsatellite analysis showed higher levels of allelic diversity (30 alleles and a mean number of allele per locus per population = 6.42) than reported for the same species in other sites of tropical America. This variability could be attributed to the existence of a glacial refugium in the studied area and/or to repeated introgression among closely related species. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed that there was little but significant variation among the sampled sites suggesting that the studied populations cannot be considered as a single panmictic group, although they are closely related. This result was confirmed by the Bayesian analysis and UPGMA dendrogram showing three genetically distinct clusters. Bayesian analysis of migration rates showed that propagule dispersion associated with marine currents is an important factor shaping the observed genetic structure. The scatterplot from discriminant analysis indicated significant phenotypic differences between two groups, mainly related to specific leaf area variation. The morphological similarity between PR and PO was consistent with the results of molecular analysis, supporting the common origin of these two populations. Nevertheless, we did not find a significant statistical correlation between microsatellite and morphological data. In conclusion, the results reported here contribute to a better understanding ofR. manglegenetic structure and would provide baseline information to guide land managers in implementing conservation initiatives in Nicaragua.
Oxytropis sobolevskajae sp. nov. (Fabaceae: Papilionoideae, Galegeae) from Tuva Republic (south Siberia, Russia)
Authors: Pyak Andrei I.
Published: August 2013

Oxytropis sobolevskajae Pjak, a new species endemic to Tuva Republic (south Siberia, Russia), is described and illustrated. The new species belongs to O. sect. Xerobia Bunge subsect. Ampulla Vass. and is confined to the central Tuva depression. This species is probably most closely related to O. leptophylla (Pall.) DC., from which it is easily distinguished by the number of leaflet pairs, the length and type of inflorescence, and the length of the keel cusp.
The Influence of ZrO2 Additions on Al2O3 Evaporation and AlN Crystal Growth by Thermal Nitridation of Al2O3–ZrO2 Pellets
Authors: You Yu , Kato Mikako , Ohtsuka Makoto , Fukuyama Hiroyuki
Published: August 2013

The effects of ZrO2 additions to Al2O3 were investigated to improve the evaporation rate of Al2O3 for bulk AlN crystal growth. The evaporation rate of Al2O3 increased concomitantly with increasing ZrO2 concentration under a nitrogen gas stream at 2223 K. The ZrO2 was predominantly nitrided. The nitridation of ZrO2 kept the local oxygen partial pressure high at the pellet surface, which suppressed the nitridation of Al2O3. The nitridation of ZrO2 caused the outward diffusion of ZrO2 (Zr4+ and O2−) in the pellet, which was accelerated further by the presence of Al2O3–ZrO2 liquid phase in grain boundaries, leading to the prompt formation of ZrN porous layer on the pellet surface. The suppressed nitridation of Al2O3 and the formation of porous ZrN layer were the reasons for the enhanced evaporation of Al2O3, leading to enhanced bulk AlN growth.
Fabrication of Sr0.5Ba0.5Nb2O6 Nanocrystallite‐Precipitated Transparent Phosphate Glass‐Ceramics
Authors: Masai Hirokazu , Shirai Ryota , Miyazaki Takamichi , Yoshida Kazuki , Fujiwara Takumi , Tokuda Yomei , Yoko Toshinobu
Published: August 2013

Transparent (Sr0.5Ba0.5)Nb2O6 (SBN50) nanocrystallite‐precipitated phosphate glass‐ceramics were prepared by a conventional glass‐ceramic process. x(SrO–BaO–2Nb2O5) − (100–4x)P2O5 (xSBNP) glasses with a refractive index of 1.9–2.0 exhibited high water resistance owing to the presence of Q0 and Q1 phosphate units. Both bulk and surface crystallization of the SBN50 phase were observed in 20SBNP and 21SBNP glass‐ceramics. Although the nominal content of SBN50 crystals in the 21SBNP glass was larger than that in the 20SBNP glass, the latter exhibited better crystallinity of SBN50 and a higher number density of precipitated SBN nanocrystallites. By tuning the two‐step heat‐treatment and the chemical composition, transparent SBN50‐precipitated glass‐ceramics were successfully obtained. Given that no remarkable increase of the relative dielectric constants was observed after crystallization of the SBN50 nanocrystallites, it is postulated that the relative dielectric constant of the bulk is mainly governed by the amorphous phosphate region, and that the contribution of precipitation of the SBN50 nanocrystallites to the dielectric constant is not very significant in this system.
Present trans‐Pacific disjunct distribution of Aristolochia subgenus Isotrema (Aristolochiaceae) was shaped by dispersal, vicariance and extinction
Authors: González Favio , Wagner Sarah T. , Salomo Karsten , Symmank Lars , Samain Marie‐Stéphanie , Isnard Sandrine , Rowe Nick P. , Neinhuis Christoph , Wanke Stefan
Published: August 2013

Aim

Isotrema is a monophyletic subgenus of Aristolochia with species in East Asia and North/Central America. Earlier studies, based on limited sampling, suggested that the Asian and American species do not form two reciprocal sister clades. We reconstructed phylogenetic relationships within Isotrema to infer the biogeographical events that have shaped its present‐day distribution.

Location

Eastern Asia, North America, Mexico, Central America.

Methods

We performed parsimony and Bayesian phylogenetic analyses of 54 accessions using three chloroplast regions. The temporal origins were traced with relaxed phylogenetics and penalized likelihood using fossil calibrations; these methods were combined with ancestral area reconstructions in a comparative approach using statistical dispersal–vicariance analysis (S‐DIVA) and dispersal–extinction–cladogenesis (DEC) analyses.

Results

The ancestors of the herbaceous eastern North American species and the woody species probably diverged during the Oligocene. The woody species form a Neotropical and a North American/Eastern Asian clade. Diversification in the Neotropical and North American/Eastern Asian clades occurred mostly in the Miocene. In the latter clade, two further intercontinental splits are reconstructed: between the exclusively western North American Aristolochia californica and most of the Asian taxa, and between A. manshuriensis and A. tomentosa.

Main conclusions

The present distribution of Isotrema developed via a number of dispersal, vicariance and extinction events. The disjunct distributions observed may be the result mainly of non‐synchronous events (e.g. a decrease of mean annual temperature in the Oligocene and the development of unfavourable conditions across the Bering land bridge) that were responsible for the fragmentation of the mesophytic forests. Later diversifications may be correlated with events such as the orogeny of the Western Cordillera and Appalachian Mountains, the development of extensive grasslands in North America, and the mainland extension of Central America southwards to western and central Panama.
The tRNA 3′‐end Processing Enzyme tRNase Z2 Contributes to Chloroplast Biogenesis in Rice
Authors: Long Tuan , Guo Dong , He Dong , Shen Wenjie , Li Xianghua
Published: August 2013

tRNase Z (TRZ) is a ubiquitous endonuclease that removes the 3′‐trailer from precursor tRNAs during maturation. In yeast and animals, TRZ regulates the cell cycle via its (t)RNA processing activity; however, its physiological function in higher plants has not been well characterized. This study describes the identification of a rice (Oryza sativa) TRZ2 mutant; plants homozygous for the osatrz2 mutation were albinos with deficient chlorophyll content. A microscopic analysis of the mutant plants revealed that the transition of proplastids to chloroplasts was arrested at an early stage, and the number and size of the plastids in callus cells was substantially decreased. A genetic complementation test and an RNA interference analysis confirmed that disruption of OsaTRZ2 was responsible for the mutant phenotype. OsaTRZ2 is expressed in all rice tissues, but is preferentially expressed in leaves, sheathes, and calli. OsaTRZ2 was subcellularly localized in chloroplasts, and displayed tRNA 3′‐end processing activity in both in vitro and in vivo assays. In the osatrz2 mutants, transcription of plastid‐encoded and nucleus‐encoded RNA polymerases was severely reduced and moderately increased, respectively. These results suggest that the tRNA 3′ processing activity of OsaTRZ2 contributes to chloroplast biogenesis.
Engendering Independence While Living With Purpose: Women's Lives After Leaving Abusive Intimate Partners
Authors: McDonald Penelope W. , Dickerson Suzanne
Published: August 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to determine the common meanings a history of violence has for women out of abusive and violent relationships with an intimate male partner for 5 or more years.

Specific Aims

To describe the common meanings and shared practices of women who left violent and abusive heterosexual intimate relationships 5 or more years ago, the challenges they face in their current lives, and the resources they use to meet those challenges. An additional aim is to elucidate practical advice they have for others who want to be supportive of the efforts of women recovering from intimate partner violence.

Methods

An interpretive phenomenological approach using Heideggerian hermeneutics was utilized. Approval of the University Social Sciences Institutional Review Board was obtained. Participants were recruited by means of fliers distributed through a domestic violence listserv and through postings in health clinics in western New York. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. A hermeneutic team approach was used for analysis and interpretation of texts.

Results

Twenty‐one women of various ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds, who self‐identified as being out of abusive relationships for 5 or more years, were interviewed. Six themes were identified: developing and maintaining self reliance; negotiating relationships; creating a safe and supportive environment; challenging societal roles and expectations; nurturing the self; and protecting the children. Engendering independence while living with purpose was the constitutive pattern that unified the themes.

Conclusions

Women can successfully establish productive, meaningful lives after violence and will fiercely protect and maintain their independence as they negotiate relationships and developmental challenges throughout their lives. A need for control of their lives and difficulty trusting others remain a lasting legacy of living with a history of violence.

Clinical Relevance

This is the first study that examines women's lives 5 or more years after leaving violent and abusive relationships. Findings indicate that women can successfully leave violent and abusive relationships, and challenge the widely accepted notion that women do not leave.
FINANCING URBAN INFRASTRUCTURE: KNOWNS, UNKNOWNS, AND A WAY FORWARD
Authors: Alm James
Published: August 2013

Improved urban infrastructure is widely believed to be essential in facilitating economic growth and in improving the lives of urban dwellers, both in developed and in developing countries. This paper focuses on several dimensions of urban infrastructure finance: finance for major infrastructure improvements in major economic centers, finance for expansion of basic municipal services in secondary cities and towns, and intergovernmental systems for financing investments with impacts beyond jurisdictional limits. It reviews what is “known” about current practices in these areas, using international evidence and case studies and summarizing international best practices. It also indicates areas in which knowledge gaps remain. Despite these “unknowns,” there are avenues by which our understanding of infrastructure schemes can be enhanced, and some suggestions for a research agenda on financing urban infrastructure are offered in the concluding section.
Development and validation of the Burdens in Oral Surgery Questionnaire (BiOS‐Q)
Authors: Reissmann D. R. , Semmusch J. , Farhan D. , Smeets R. , Heiland M. , Heydecke G.
Published: August 2013

Patients’ perspective is increasingly re‐cognised as an important outcome measure in oral surgery. However, how patients perceive the surgical treatment cannot be assessed currently. This would be an important indicator for process‐related quality of care. It was the aim to develop and to validate an instrument for the assessment of patient‐based measures of process‐related quality of care in oral surgery. The new Burdens in Oral Surgery Questionnaire (BiOS‐Q) was developed in two steps in patients undergoing oral surgery. First, an item pool was created using semi‐structured interviews in 90 patients. Second, a preliminary version was applied in 297 consecutively recruited patients to assess redundancy, completion rates, face validity, difficulty and distribution. Psychometric properties of the final version of the questionnaire were evaluated. The BiOS‐Q consists of 16 items and showed satisfactory internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0·84) and excellent test–retest reliability (ICC = 0·90). The questionnaire's mean score was significantly correlated with dentists’ burdens (r = 0·44) and patients’ overall satisfaction (r = 0·39) indicating sufficient validity. The BiOS‐Q is a reliable and valid instrument for the assessment of patient‐based process‐related quality of care in oral surgery.
What can Social Psychologists Learn from Architecture? The Asylum as Example
Authors: Foster Juliet L.H.
Published: August 2013

In this paper I argue for a stronger consideration of the possible relationship between social psychology and architecture and architectural history. After a brief review of some of the ways in which other social psychologists have sought to develop links between social psychology and history, I consider the utility of architecture in more depth, especially to the social psychologist interested in the development of knowledge and understanding. I argue that, especially when knowledge is institutionalised, the design and use of buildings might have a particular contribution to make to the way we can understand how phenomena have been understood and approached in the past. Although many examples are relevant, I consider the case of the psychiatric hospital (or “asylum”) in more detail.
Why Aesthetic Patterns Matter: Art and a “Qualitative” Social Theory
Authors: de la Fuente Eduardo
Published: August 2013

This paper argues that an explanation of the role of aesthetic patterning in human action needs to be part of any “qualitative” social theory. It urges the social sciences to move beyond contextualism and to see art as visual, acoustic and other media that lead to heightened sensory perception and the coordination of feelings through symbols. The article surveys the argument that art provides a basic model of how the self learns to interact with external environments; and the complementary thesis that art could be seen as integral to the emergence of systems of human knowledge, communication and economy. Ornamentation and stylization are advanced as two concrete devices through which human attention is captured and experience is ordered through aesthetic patterns. The conclusion is drawn that art offers the social sciences a meaningful account of the perceptual or “qualitative” dimensions of social interactions; and that this is much needed today.
Sensory Perception of Rye Bran Particles of Varying Size and Concentration in a Viscous Phase
Authors: Petersson Karin , Eliasson Ann‐Charlotte , Tornberg Eva , Bergenståhl Björn
Published: August 2013

Sensory evaluation was performed to investigate how size and concentration of small rye bran particles in a continuous phase with varying viscosity influence the sensory perception of grittiness. The threshold for the sensation of grittiness of rye bran particles in a starch gel, evaluated by triangular sensory tests, was very low. The particles were discerned at a concentration of 0.1–0.3%, despite the fact that they were very small (20–180 μm). The sensory panel was able to detect the increase in particle concentration in a ranking test, but the ability to detect the increase in concentration was not influenced by particle size. The rheological properties of the medium did not influence the detection threshold.

Practical Applications

Due to health benefits, addition of dietary fiber in food products is popular. Rye bran is a by‐product, which is very high in dietary fiber, and for which new applications are requested. Rye bran consists mainly of insoluble dietary fiber and the rye bran particles are hard and irregular in shape. To understand the oral sensitivity of these kinds of particles is important to avoid the negative sensation of grittiness of dietary fiber fortified products. Since it was shown that even the size fraction of 20 μm was perceived as gritty at very low concentrations (0.2–0.3%), the milling technique is probably not the solution to reduce the grittiness. Preferably a way of making the particles softer, with less sharp edges should be sought, at least if the rye bran is going to be added to a smooth food matrix of a starch gel.
Resilience against exotic species invasion in a tropical montane forest
Authors: Tweiten Michael A. , Hotchkiss Sara C. , Vitousek Peter M. , Kellner James R. , Chadwick Oliver A. , Asner Gregory P.
Published: August 2013

Question

How do canopy disturbance and soil properties structure vascular plant community species composition and resilience to encroachment by exotic species in a tropical montane wet forest?

Location

Hawai'i Experimental Tropical Forest (HETF), a tropical montane wet forest, on Mauna Kea, Hawai'i Island, Hawai'i, USA.

Methods

Previous studies employing airborne LiDAR were used to define three zones across an elevation gradient from 900 to 1500 m. Within each zone, a ~1000‐m block transect was selected to cross two different volcanic substrates: one derived from surface lava and one derived from thick ash deposits. Non‐metric multidimensional scaling (NMS) scores of vegetation data were related to independently‐derived environmental NMS scores and spatial location with generalized additive models (GAM).

Results

Vascular plant species composition in all elevation zones consists of three NMS axes, which are best modelled by one of three possible environmental NMS axes or by location. The first NMS axis of species composition in the lowest elevation zone (40% variance explained (VE)) is a function of location on volcanic substrates (61% deviance explained (DE)). The second lowest elevation axis (27% VE) is a function of unexplained spatial heterogeneity (31% DE). The third lowest elevation NMS axis (24% VE) is a function of the spatial mosaic of canopy disturbance (16% DE). In the middle elevation zone, species composition most strongly relates to the interaction between volcanic substrate and the condition of the soil surface for all three NMS axes (41%, 27%, 24% VE; 70%, 16%, 24% DE). The primary axis of species composition in the highest elevation zone (41% VE) corresponds with substrate and soil condition (55% DE) but the second and third axes of species composition (27% and 25% VE) relate to canopy dieback disturbance (36%, 14% DE). Counts of exotic species and 0–2 m height class native tree species respond to the type of volcanic substrate and soil surface condition in all three elevation zones. Lava‐derived substrates have a higher incidence of exotic species and less native tree regeneration; whereas ash‐derived substrates have higher numbers of native tree species regenerating and many fewer exotic species.

Discussion

The tropical montane forests on Mauna Kea reflect a native‐dominated plant community response to disturbance on both lava‐ and ash‐derived volcanic substrates, and a higher propensity for exotic species to occur on the lava‐derived substrate. Native plant communities on ash‐derived soils may have higher resilience to exotic invasion than communities on lava‐derived substrates. Our results indicate resource managers should explicitly account for variation in soils and substrate type when prioritizing, implementing and monitoring management interventions to foster native plant assemblages and control the spread of exotic and invasive species.
Are mineralization anomalies in common dolphin teeth associated with life‐history events and/or the exposure to anthropogenic pollutants?
Authors: Luque P. L. , Pierce G. J. , Learmonth J. A. , Ieno E. , Santos B. , López A. , Reid R. J. , Rogan E. , Boon J. , Lockyer C. H.
Published: August 2013

The tooth histology of a total 22 and 95 short‐beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) from Scottish (UK) and Galician (Spain) waters, respectively, was examined to determine whether the incidence of mineralization anomalies could be related to certain stressful conditions linked with life‐history events or to exposure to anthropogenic pollutants (i.e. Polychlorinated biphenyls and Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes). Overall, the incidence of five categories of mineralization anomalies increased with age. Model results indicated that the presence of cemental disturbance increased with age, body length and sexual maturity in common dolphin from both areas. In addition, incidence of dentinal resorption and accessory lines increased with age and body length in Galician animals. The time course of appearance of dentinal resorption and cemental disturbance was similar to the time course of maturation suggesting a link between anomaly occurrence and the age at which the animals become sexually mature. There were two age ranges at which marker lines tended to appear: 1–2 and 6–8 years old, which coincided with the beginning of weaning and/or the age at sexual maturation, respectively, suggesting an association with these two major life‐history events. Pulp stones were recorded in teeth of a few mature Galician dolphins (n = 4). No evidence was found that the presence of mineralization anomalies in dolphin teeth was significantly related to persistent organic pollutant concentrations in the blubber. Our results provide evidence that certain tooth mineralization anomalies could be interpreted as time markers associated with life‐history events, potentially representing a powerful tool for long‐term monitoring and modelling.
Vectored dispersal of Symbiodinium by larvae of a Caribbean gorgonian octocoral
Authors: Wirshing Herman H. , Feldheim Kevin A. , Baker Andrew C.
Published: August 2013

The ability of coral reefs to recover from natural and anthropogenic disturbance is difficult to predict, in part due to uncertainty regarding the dispersal capabilities and connectivity of their reef inhabitants. We developed microsatellite markers for the broadcast spawning gorgonian octocoral Eunicea (Plexaura) flexuosa (four markers) and its dinoflagellate symbiont, Symbiodinium B1 (five markers), and used them to assess genetic connectivity, specificity and directionality of gene flow among sites in Florida, Panama, Saba and the Dominican Republic. Bayesian analyses found that most E. flexuosa from the Florida reef tract, Saba and the Dominican Republic were strongly differentiated from many E. flexuosa in Panama, with the exception of five colonies from Key West that clustered with colonies from Panama. In contrast, Symbiodinium B1 was more highly structured. At least seven populations were detected that showed patterns of isolation by distance. The symbionts in the five unusual Key West colonies also clustered with symbionts from Panama, suggesting these colonies are the result of long‐distance dispersal. Migration rate tests indicated a weak signal of northward immigration from the Panama population into the lower Florida Keys. As E. flexuosa clonemates only rarely associated with the same Symbiodinium B1 genotype (and vice versa), these data suggest a dynamic host–symbiont relationship in which E. flexuosa is relatively well dispersed but likely acquires Symbiodinium B1 from highly structured natal areas prior to dispersal. Once vectored by host larvae, these symbionts may then spread through the local population, and/or host colonies may acquire different local symbiont genotypes over time.
TheParthenonMarbles as icons of nationalism in nineteenth‐centuryBritain
Authors: Rose‐Greenland Fiona
Published: August 2013

Theories of nationalism place native culture at the core of national self‐fashioning. What explains a state's adoption of foreign objects to sustain national identity? In this paper,Iargue that the incorporation of theParthenonMarbles intoBritish public life is an early example of supranational nationalism. The nineteenth‐century ‘art race’ was a competitive field in whichEuropean nation‐states vied for prestige. Of the thousands of art trophies that were brought toBritain fromMediterranean andNorthAfrican countries, theParthenonMarbles were uniquely iconicised. Using data from period newspapers and official documents,Iassert that this was because they were assiduously presented asprenational byBritish authorities. In this way, they belonged simultaneously to no nation, to every nation, and toBritain. The case demonstrates the emergence of a particular form of national distinctiveness that transcended the smallness of particularity and rose to the level of universal civilisation.
Measurement of esophago‐gastric junction cross‐sectional area and distensibility by an endolumenal functional lumen imaging probe for the diagnosis of gastro‐esophageal reflux disease
Authors: Tucker E. , Sweis R. , Anggiansah A. , Wong T. , Telakis E. , Knowles K. , Wright J. , Fox M.
Published: August 2013

Background

Measurement of esophago‐gastric junction (EGJ) cross‐sectional area (CSA) and distensibility by an Endolumenal Functional Lumen Imaging Probe (EndoFLIP®) may distinguish between gastro‐esophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients and healthy volunteers (HV). We aimed to assess the agreement of EndoFLIP® measurements with clinical and physiologic diagnosis of GERD.

Methods

Twenty‐one HV and 18 patients with typical GERD symptoms were studied. After gastroscopy, EGJ CSA, and distensibility were measured by EndoFLIP®. Forty‐eight hour esophageal pH monitoring was then performed by a wireless system. The ability of EndoFLIP® to discriminate GERD patient and HVs was assessed. Planned secondary analysis then assessed whether EGJ CSA and distensibility were increased in individuals with pathologic acid exposure.

Key Results

Healthy volunteers were younger and had lower body mass index (BMI; both p < 0.001). Pathologic acid exposure was present in 3/21 (14%) HVs and 9/18 (50%) patients (p = 0.126). At 30 mL EndoFLIP® bag volume, EGJ CSA was higher (p = 0.058) and EGJ distensibility was lower (p = 0.020) in HVs than patients. Secondary analysis showed that EGJ measurements were similar in participants with and without pathologic acid exposure (CSA 98 mm2 vs 107 mm2; p = 0.789, distensibility; p = 0.704). An inverse association between BMI and CSA (R2 = 0.2758, p = 0.001) and distensibility (R2 = 0.2005, p = 0.005) was present.

Conclusions & Inferences

Endolumenal Functional Lumen Imaging Probe is not useful for GERD diagnosis because EGJ CSA and distensibility do not distinguish between HVs and GERD patients defined by clinical presentation or pH measurement. This unexpected result may be due to an important, confounding interaction of obesity.
Age, allocation and availability of nonstructural carbon in mature red maple trees
Authors: Carbone Mariah S. , Czimczik Claudia I. , Keenan Trevor F. , Murakami Paula F. , Pederson Neil , Schaberg Paul G. , Xu Xiaomei , Richardson Andrew D.
Published: August 2013

The allocation of nonstructural carbon (NSC) to growth, metabolism and storage remains poorly understood, but is critical for the prediction of stress tolerance and mortality.

We used the radiocarbon (14C) ‘bomb spike’ as a tracer of substrate and age of carbon in stemwood NSC, CO2 emitted by stems, tree ring cellulose and stump sprouts regenerated following harvesting in mature red maple trees. We addressed the following questions: which factors influence the age of stemwood NSC?; to what extent is stored vs new NSC used for metabolism and growth?; and, is older, stored NSC available for use?

The mean age of extracted stemwood NSC was 10 yr. More vigorous trees had both larger and younger stemwood NSC pools. NSC used to support metabolism (stem CO2) was 1–2 yr old in spring before leaves emerged, but reflected current‐year photosynthetic products in late summer. The tree ring cellulose 14C age was 0.9 yr older than direct ring counts. Stump sprouts were formed from NSC up to 17 yr old.

Thus, younger NSC is preferentially used for growth and day‐to‐day metabolic demands. More recently stored NSC contributes to annual ring growth and metabolism in the dormant season, yet decade‐old and older NSC is accessible for regrowth.
Browning of white adipose tissue: role of hypothalamic signaling
Authors: Bi Sheng , Li Lin
Published: August 2013

Two types of fat, white adipose tissue (WAT) and brown adipose tissue (BAT), exist in mammals including adult humans. While WAT stores excess calories and an excessive accumulation of fat causes obesity, BAT dissipates energy to produce heat through nonshivering thermogenesis for protection against cold environments and provides the potential for the development of novel anti‐obesity treatments. The hypothalamus plays a central role in the control of energy balance. Specifically, recent observations indicate the importance of the dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH) in thermoregulation. We have found that the orexigenic neuropeptide Y (NPY) in the DMH has distinct actions in modulating adiposity and BAT thermogenesis. Knockdown of NPY in the DMH elevates the thermogenic activity of classic BAT and promotes the development of brown adipocytes in WAT, leading to increased thermogenesis. These findings identify a novel potential target for combating obesity.
Job Loss and Entrepreneurship
Authors: Røed Knut , Skogstrøm Jens Fredrik
Published: August 2013

We examine the impact of job loss on entrepreneurship behaviour. Our identification strategy relies on the use of mass layoffs caused by bankruptcies as indicators of exogenous displacement. Building on Norwegian register data, we find that working in a company which is going to close down due to bankruptcy in the near future raises the subsequent entrepreneur propensity by 155% for men and 180% for women, compared to working in a stable firm. These estimates are much larger than previously reported in the literature. Taking into account that many workers lose their jobs in the comparison group of stable firms also, we suggest that the full effects of displacement are even larger.
The WHO surgical safety checklist in a dental‐teaching hospital department of oral surgery – a model for implementation
Authors: Fyfe E. , Fleming C.
Published: August 2013

Introduction

The World Health Organisation's (WHO) surgical safety checklist was introduced in 2008. We describe a model for implementation of the surgical safety checklist in an oral surgery‐teaching department and present the results of an audit of compliance as well as a review of relevant critical incidents.

Method

An adapted checklist for all surgical procedures was developed and introduced into our oral surgery‐teaching department as a pilot in 2009 and as a protocol in 2010. Feedback regarding the pilot phase of checklist implementation was obtained from clinical staff, and 2 years of audit data relating to compliance with the surgical checklist was collected. Submissions of critical incidents over a 4‐year period, prior to and after surgical checklist introduction, were also analysed.

Results

Feedback in the pilot phase of surgical checklist implementation from clinical staff was generally positive. Audit results display increasing levels of compliance with the checklist process in our unit. Two out of 102 critical incident reports reviewed were found to be relevant to the surgical checklist process and are presented.

Conclusion

The WHO surgical safety checklist can be successfully implemented in an oral surgery‐teaching hospital setting. Levels of compliance with the checklist in our unit are high. Demonstrating an improvement in outcomes since the introduction of the checklist is a challenge, but there is limited evidence of improved patient care from reviewing critical incident data in our unit.