bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Serum levels of IgG antibodies against oxidized LDL and atherogenic indices in HIV-1-infected patients treated with protease inhibitors
Authors: da Cunha Joel , Ferreira Maselli Luciana Morganti , Treitinger Arïcio , Monteiro Andrea Moreira , Gidlund Magnus , Maranhão Raul Cavalcanti , Spada Celso , Bydlowski Sérgio Paulo
Published: December 2012

Background:Antibodies against low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) that have been oxidized are associated with development of atherosclerotic lesions. In individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) with or without therapy, dyslipidemia and increased cardiovascular risk are observed.

Methods:Serum levels of IgG antibodies against oxidized LDLs (IgG anti-oxLDL Abs) were determined by assay in 151 HIV-1-infected patients. Of these, 42 patients did not receive anti-retroviral therapy (ART-naïve), whereas 109 received highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) consisting of lopinavir/ritonavir (LOP/r; n=50), efavirenz (EFV; n=30) and nevirapine (NVP; n=29) associated with nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. HIV-1 seronegative individuals (n=43) participated in the study. The following parameters were quantified: total cholesterol and its fractions, atherogenic indices (AIs), apolipoproteins A1 and B100, high sensitivity C-reactive protein, CD4+and CD8+T cells, and HIV-1-RNA.

Results:Levels of IgG anti-oxLDL Abs were significantly higher (p<0.05) in the LOP/r group compared with the EFV and/or NVP and the seronegative group: median 0.32 (0.15, 0.58; 95% confidence interval) vs. 0.25 (0.13, 0.53) vs. 0.18 (0.04, 0.38), respectively. HIV-1-infected ART-naïve patients (n=42) presented antibodies levels similar to those observed for the LOP/r group, 0.33 (0.13, 0.63; p>0.05). The levels of IgG anti-oxLDL Abs correlated with an increase in AIs (r=0.216; p=0.036) and triglycerides (r=0.220; p=0.044) in the LOP/r group, and AIs in the ART-naïve group (r=0.300; p=0.046).

Conclusions:Patients treated with LOP/r showed higher levels of IgG anti-oxLDL Abs compared with patients treated with EFV or NVP regimens, and these levels were associated with an increase in AIs.
Prostate cancer antigen 3 (PCA3) RNA detection in blood and tissue samples for prostate cancer diagnosis
Authors: Neves Adriana F. , Dias-Oliveira Jaqueline D. Dores , Araújo Thaise G. , Marangoni Karina , Goulart Luiz R.
Published: December 2012

Background: The non-coding prostate cancer antigen 3 (PCA3) RNA is currently the most specific biomarker for prostate cancer (PCa) diagnosis. Although its clinical value has been validated in a urine assay after intensive prostatic massage, few studies have been conducted to establish its diagnostic value in the peripheral blood (PBL). The aim of the present study was to examine the PCA3 expression in blood as a diagnostic tool, and to provide an additional strategy to improve PCa diagnosis.

Methods: PCA3 transcripts were detected by RT-PCR in PBL and prostatic tissues from patients. PBL sampling also included a group of young healthy volunteers. The relationship between the PCA3 RNA detection and clinical characteristics was analyzed.

Results: PCA3 detection in blood presented 94% specificity and 32% sensitivity, and its combined detection in tissues significantly improved diagnostic parameters. However, PCA3 RNA detection in blood was also associated with PSA levels ≥10 ng/mL, and their combination provided a sensitivity of 60% and specificity of 93%.

Conclusions: Detection of the PCA3 RNA in patients’ blood is an efficient tool for PCa diagnosis because it allows a routine collection procedure, which is also supported by the ongoing screening marker, prostate-specific antigen (PSA). We propose its combined use with PSA levels ≥10 ng/mL, which improves accuracy, and prevents overdiagnosis and overtreatment.
Microarray with LNA-probes for genotyping of polymorphic variants of Gilbert’s syndrome gene UGT1A1(TA)n
Authors: Fesenko Eugeny E. , Heydarov Rustam N. , Stepanova Eugenia V. , Abramov Michael E. , Chudinov Alexander V. , Zasedatelev Alexander S. , Mikhailovich Vladimir M.
Published: December 2012

Background: Gilbert’s syndrome is a common metabolic dysfunction characterized by elevated levels of unconjugated bilirubin in the bloodstream. This condition is usually caused by additional (TA) insertions in a promoter region of the uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) gene, which instead of the sequence А(TА)6TАА contains А(TА)7TАА. While the condition itself is benign, it presents elevated risk for patients treated with irinotecan, a common chemotherapy drug.

Methods: The technique is based on hybridization analysis of a pre-amplified segment of the UGT1A1 gene promoter performed on a microarray. Specific probes containing locked nucleic acids (LNA) were designed and immobilized on the microarray to provide accurate identification.

Results: A microarray has been developed to identify both common and rare variants of UGT1A1(TA)n polymorphisms. In total, 108 individuals were genotyped. Out of these, 47 (43.5%) had homozygous wild-type genotypes (TA)6/(TA)6; 41(38%) were heterozygotes (TA)6/(TA)7; and 18 (16.7%) – homozygotes (TA)7/(TA)7. In two cases (1.8%), rare genotypes (TA)5/(TA)7and (TA)5/(TA)6were found. The results were in full agreement with the sequencing. In addition, synthetic fragments corresponding to all human allelic variants [(TA)5, (TA)6, (TA)7, (TA)8] were successfully tested.

Conclusions: The developed microarray-based approach for identification of polymorphic variants of the UGT1A1 gene is a promising and reliable diagnostic tool that can be successfully implemented in clinical practice.
Normal pregnancy outcome in a woman with chronic myeloid leukemia and epilepsy: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Sahin Levent , Aygun Banu Kumbak
Published: December 2012

Introduction: The management of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) during pregnancy is a matter of continued debate. Imatinib therapy for CML might be associated with fetal anomalies and discontinuation of the drug with disease progression. We present the achievement and management of a pregnancy in a woman with both CML and epilepsy. We describe the first uneventful pregnancy and successful delivery of a healthy, normal baby in a patient with CML and epilepsy.

Case report: A 25-year-old woman with both CML and epilepsy presented with infertility to our in vitro fertilization unit. She has CML diagnosed 5 years ago and epilepsy 9 years ago. She was on imatinib therapy for CML and valproic acid therapy for epilepsy. She became pregnant with ovulation monitoring in a spontaneous cycle. Because the patient was asymptomatic and stable, she stopped imatinib therapy and was observed with only a single antiepileptic drug, valproic acid, during the entire pregnancy. No problem occurred during the pregnancy, and she delivered a healthy baby by cesarean section at 38 weeks’ gestation.

Conclusion: The management of CML during pregnancy might be individualized on the basis of clinical manifestations, and close observation without any intervention may be an option after proper counseling of the patient. A healthy birth is possible in a well-controlled pregnancy in a woman with both CML and epilepsy.
Photooxidative cyclization of 3-aryl/heteroaryl-4-heteroaryl coumarins: an experimental and semi-empirical study
Authors: Kumari T.U. , Krupadanam G.L.D. , Srimannarayana G. , Padmavathi D.A. , Bhavani A.K.D. , Veeresham S.
Published: December 2012

Photochemical oxidation of substituted coumarins 1, 3 and 5 in benzene solution containing iodine gave the respective products 2, 4 and 6. The structures of the photoproducts have been confirmed by analyses of analytical and spectral data. The experimental results are further strengthened by their agreement with computationally calculated dipole moments (μ), minimum-energy values and heats of formations.
Solvent-free chemical modification of wood by acetic and butyric anhydride with iodine as catalyst
Authors: Eranna Prasad Bhadravati , Pandey Krishna Kumar
Published: December 2012

A solvent-free process has been developed concerning the chemical modification of rubberwood and the isolates from it (holocellulose and Klason lignin) by means of acetic anhydride (Ac2O) and butyric anhydride (But2O), with iodine as the catalyst. The effect of temperature and reaction time was in focus, and the conversion products were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The acetylation of holocellulose and lignin with Ac2O was performed at 120°C, whereas the modification of wood with Ac2O and But2O was carried out in the temperature range of 90–120°C for different reaction times between 15 and 240 min. The extent of the chemical modification was measured by the weight percent gain, and the modified wood was characterized by FTIR-attenuated total reflectance (ATR) method. The presence of small amounts of iodine (0.02 or 0.035 M) elevated the conversion rate of modification. The dimensional stability of the modified woods was essentially improved.
Analysis of DCM extractable components from hot-pressed hybrid poplar
Authors: Osman Noridah B. , McDonald Armando G. , Laborie Marie-Pierre G.
Published: December 2012

The effects of thermal compression on the organic-soluble material of a uniform wood substrate, hybrid poplar (clone OP-367), has been studied. Poplar veneers were preconditioned to 0% or 8% moisture content and subsequently hot pressed at 150°C, 200°C, and 250°C. The dichloromethane (DCM) extracts were characterized by various hyphenated analyses [gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), analytical pyrolysis (Py-GC-MS), electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), and gel permeation chromatography (GPC)]. The yields and composition of extractable compounds were markedly influenced by treatment at 250°C compared to those obtained at lower temperatures. Most importantly, the organic extracts contained a significant portion of lignin-derived compounds after treatment at 250°C.
Copper precipitation of Cu-monoethanolamine preservative in wood
Authors: Lee Myung Jae , Cooper Paul
Published: December 2012

Copper precipitation is one of the important Cu fixation mechanisms of Cu-amine-treated wood. In the present work, possible pathways of Cu precipitation have been investigated via in vitro and in situ studies focusing on effects of pH and temperature and Cu species formed in Cu-monoethanolamine (Cu-Mea)-treated wood. Higher-concentration Cu-Mea solutions required a lower pH and higher amounts of acid for the precipitation because of the higher amount of free Mea in the preservative-wood system. For this reason, Cu fixation during wet conditioning of wood treated to high Cu retention (2.0% treating solution) resulted in only a slight pH decrease and low Cu fixation. When lower-concentration solutions (0.67% and 0.2%) were applied, the pH decreased enough for Cu precipitation, and the much higher Cu fixation rate was driven by both chemisorption and precipitation. Evaluation of leaching after wet conditioning and drying showed that additional Cu precipitation could occur during drying. Wet conditioning of Cu-Mea-treated wood at 50°C showed outwardly faster and higher Cu fixation, but resulted in higher Cu leaching. According to X-ray diffraction analysis, the in vitro precipitated Cu was a mixture of azurite and malachite, and possibly, Cu2O formed as a result of Cu-Mea decomposition.
Synthesis and Characterization of New Polyimide/Organoclay Nanocomposites Derived From 3,3′,4,4′-Biphenyltetracarboxylic Dianhydride and 1,2-Bis(4-Aminophenoxy)Ethane
Authors: Feyzi Akram , Faghihi Khalil , Zolanvari Abdol Ali
Published: December 2012

A series of nanocomposites consist of organic polyimide and organo-modified clay content varying from 0 to 10 mass%, were successfully prepared by in situ polymerization. Polyimide used as a matrix of nanocomposite was prepared through the reaction of 1,2-bis(4-aminophenoxy)ethane (BAE) and 3,3′,4,4′-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride (BPDA) in N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAC). The resulting nanocomposite films were characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).
Morphology and Dielectric Properties of Boron-doped BaTiO3
Authors: Zheng Zhuo Qun , Zhou Xiao Ping
Published: December 2012

Boron-doped BaTiO3 precurors (BaTi1−xB2xO3+X) were prepared via the glycol-glycerol complexes of boron, titanium (IV), and barium. With optimum composition, ceramics with dielectric properties comparable to those of pristine BaTiO3 ceramic sintered at 1300°C can be obtained after sintered at temperature less than 900°C (room-temperature dielectric constant ∼4000, dielectric strength ∼7.0 kV/mm). The appreciable decrease in sintering temperature is attributable to (a) addition of boron dopant as substitute of titamium rather than to stochiometric BaTiO3, and (b) application of glycol-glycerol solvents/ligands in the synthesis of precursors, which guarantees the compositional homogenization of the final ceramics.
A Thermodynamic Model for Evaluation of Mass Action Concentrations of Ce2O3-contained Slag Systems Based on the Ion and Molecule Coexistence Theory
Authors: Wu Chengchuan , Cheng Guoguang , Long Hu , Yang Xiaohong
Published: December 2012

According to the ion and molecule coexistence theory (IMCT) for molten slags and corresponding phase diagrams, a thermodynamic model for the evaluation of mass action concentrations (designated by Ni for structure unit i) for Ce2O3-Al2O3, CaO-Al2O3-Ce2O3 and CaO-Al2O3-SiO2-Ce2O3 slag systems has been formulated. The results show that when the mole fraction of Ce2O3 is at 0.49 in the binary slag, the mass action concentration of Ce2O3·Al2O3 achieves its maximum value 0.90. In a composition area of CaO/Al2O3 (mass fraction ratio) from 0.7 to 1.5 and Ce2O3 content (mass fraction) from 0 to 45% of the ternary slag at 1773 K, the results show that trends of calculated NAl2O3 are in good agreement with reported measured trends of aAl2O3. The iso-curves of NCe2O3 and NCaO are also drawn from the calculated results. A thermodynamic model of the equilibrium between 55.83%CaO-23%Al2O3-11.17%SiO2-10%Ce2O3 quaternary slag and molten steel containing aluminum has been further discussed. Results indicate that certain content of Ce would be dissolved in steel, which increases with the increasing of temperature and aluminum content, and when the aluminum content is 0.02%, the corresponding cerium content is in the range of 1.87 to 13.30 ppm at 1873 K. In summary, using Ce2O3 to replace Al2O3 can effectively reduce NAl2O3, certain content of Ce can dissolved in steel.
Investigation on Preparation of Micro-Sized Hematite Powder from Hydrous Ferrous Sulfate Using Microwave and Conventional Heating
Authors: Yu Yan-tao , Peng Jin-hui , Liu Bing-guo , Chen Guo , Srinivasakannan C.
Published: December 2012

Microwave and conventional heating were employed to synthesize micro-sized hematite powder from hydrous ferrous sulfate, a by-product in the process of titanium pigment manufacture. The TG/DTG analysis was used to study thermal behavior of the industrial ferrous sulfate. Therefore the temperature which was significant to product was defined. The calcination experiments were carried out to assess the effect of calcination temperature covering three different temperatures (650°C, 750°C and 850°C, respectively). X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) was used to characterize the structure of the product, while the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was utilized to characterize the morphology of the product. Microwave calcination process resulted in a mixture of hematite and minor magnetite while a considerable amount of magnesium sulfate was detected with the conventional calcination process. The transformation from periclase to magnesium was discussed during the calcinations as well. The conventional heating resulted in porous product while the microwave heating resulted in smaller particle size.
Effect of Water-Vapor Content on Reaction Rate of Hexagonal BN Powder at 1273 K
Authors: Yu Ziyou , Hou Xinmei , Chen Zhiyuan , Chou Kuo-Chih
Published: December 2012

Hexagonal BN powder with average particle size of 1.2 µm was exposed at 1273 K in H2O/air gas mixture with the range of mass ratio from 0:100 to 6.5:100 at a total pressure of 1 atm. Thermalgravimetry (TG) method was used to measure the reaction behavior of BN powder in water vapor. XRD and SEM were employed to analyze the phases and morphological revolution during reaction. The TG curves showed that the overall reaction process could be divided into two stages. In first stage, weight gained rapidly and the main reaction was the oxidation of BN. The weight gain turning point of the curves with different water-vapor contents varied, indicating that water-vapor had an impact on oxidation rate to some degree. In second stage, weight loss due to B2O3 reacting with H2O to form volatile product. The rate of weight loss increased with increasing the water vapor content. The reaction rate was described by a linear rate law, i.e., α = −klt. The relationship between kl and partial pressure of water vapor p was described by a function of kl = 0.4p. The determination of the activation energy was complicated due to variations in the reaction mechanism.
International accessibility: a proposal for a system of symbols for people with disabilities
Authors: Domínguez Trinidad , Alén Elisa , Fraiz José
Published: December 2012

By collecting and analyzing existing systems of symbols linked to disabilities and thereby identifying possible problems that these symbol systems pose, this study proposes improvements that account for primary disability groups worldwide. A content analysis was applied to textual and digitalized formats to review the predominant systems of symbols. Then disability experts analyzed the proposed symbol system in a panel setting. The proposed system of disability symbols offers standardized format and content. This system outlines compliance parameters as well as the scope of group referents. Those attempting to standardize the disability field should take advantage of common synergies that reflect universal usage choices.
Limit points in the range of the commuting probability function on finite groups
Authors: Hegarty Peter
Published: December 2012

If
On the iterative inversion of generalized attenuated Radon transforms
Authors: Miqueles Eduardo X. , De Pierro Alvaro R.
Published: December 2012

We are concerned with an iterative inversion of the Generalized Attenuated
Radon Transform (GART) first introduced by Kunyansky (1992). It is essentially based on approximating
the inverse of GART by
a scaled inverse Radon transform followed by an appropriate iterative refinement. This paper presents a convergence proof for this iterative method introducing tighter and computable
estimates (compared to Kunyansky) for the iteration contraction constants. As expected, such constants depend on the attenuation parameter , i.e.,
the higher is, the closer the constant is to one yielding slow convergence to the solution. Such values are compared with those obtained using the infinite-dimensional version
of the power method by Kreĭn and Rutman (1950).
Physics of the zero- photonic gap: fundamentals and latest developments
Authors: Zhou Lei , Song Zhengyong , Huang Xueqin , Chan C.T.
Published: December 2012

A short overview is presented on the research works related to the zero- gap, which appears as the volume-averaged refraction index vanishes in photonic structures containing both positive and negative-index materials. After introducing the basic concept of the zero- gap based on both rigorous mathematics and numerical simulations, the unique properties of such a band gap are discussed, including its robustness against weak disorder, wide-incidence-angle operation and scaling invariance, which do not belong to a conventional Bragg gap. We then describe the simulation and experimental verifications on the zero- gap and its extraordinary properties in different frequency domains. After that, the unusual photonic and physical effects discovered based on the zero- gap and their potential applications are reviewed, including beam manipulations and nonlinear effects. Before concluding this review, several interesting ideas inspired from the zero- gap works will be introduced, including the zero-phase gaps, zero-permittivity and zero-permeability gaps, complete band gaps, and zero-refraction-index materials with Dirac-Cone dispersion.
Nanoplasmonic sensing for nanomaterials science
Authors: Larsson Elin M. , Syrenova Svetlana , Langhammer Christoph
Published: December 2012

Nanoplasmonic sensing has over the last two decades emerged as and diversified into a very promising experimental platform technology for studies of biomolecular interactions and for biomolecule detection (biosensors). Inspired by this success, in more recent years, nanoplasmonic sensing strategies have been adapted and tailored successfully for probing functional nanomaterials and catalysts in situ and in real time. An increasing number of these studies focus on using the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) as an experimental tool to study a process of interest in a nanomaterial, with a materials science focus. The key assets of nanoplasmonic sensing in this area are its remote readout, non-invasive nature, single particle experiment capability, ease of use and, maybe most importantly, unmatched flexibility in terms of compatibility with all material types (particles and thin/thick layers, conductive or insulating) are identified. In a direct nanoplasmonic sensing experiment the plasmonic nanoparticles are active and simultaneously constitute the sensor and the studied nano-entity. In an indirect nanoplasmonic sensing experiment the plasmonic nanoparticles are inert and adjacent to the material of interest to probe a process occurring in/on this material. In this review we define and discuss these two generic experimental strategies and summarize the growing applications of nanoplasmonic sensors as experimental tools to address materials science-related questions.
Nanotechnology meets regenerative medicine: a new frontier?
Authors: Wong Kenneth K.Y. , Liu Xuelai
Published: December 2012

Regenerative medicine is the creation of a tissue or organ with normal structures and functions to replace the lost or impaired ones via biological modulation and tissue engineering. Indeed, many researchers have focused on exploring new techniques or approaches in this field. In recent years, numerous nanotechnologies have been incorporated into the field of regenerative medicine, aiming to replace tissues. The application of nanotechnology is important as many nanomaterials exhibit novel biological properties in the modulation of cellular events. The two main directions in this field are to provide biologically compatible scaffolds as an optimal environment for cell migration and proliferation; as well as to attempt to induce stem cell recruitment and differentiation. Thus, this review will focus on these two aspects, briefly describing the clinical applications.
Immune responses of therapeutic lipid nanoparticles
Authors: Chen Weihsu Claire , May Jonathan P. , Li Shyh-Dar
Published: December 2012

Nanoparticle-based drug delivery is an emerging technology for targeting therapeutics to the diseased site for enhanced therapy and reduced toxicity. A number of pharmaceutical products that involve nanotechnology have been approved for clinical use, and because of altered pharmacokinetics and biodistribution, their profiles of interaction with host cells and resulting toxicity are different from parent agents. This review focuses on the immune responses induced by therapeutic lipid nanoparticles. These immune responses can provoke toxicity, affect pharmacokinetics of the nanoparticles or induce therapeutic effect. This article begins with a general introduction on immune responses and innate and acquired immunity. Specific examples of therapeutic lipid nanoparticles inducing immune responses in each category are presented with detailed discussions on the mechanisms. Current guidelines for evaluating immune response of nanomedicines are summarized. Finally, perspectives and future directions are provided emphasizing mechanistic studies of immune reactions triggered by nanoparticles.
The Consequences of Divide-and-Rule Politics in Africa South of the Sahara
Authors: Bethke Felix S.
Published: December 2012

In post-colonial Africa many rulers relied on so called ‘divide-and-rule’ politics to survive in office. The concept of divide-and-rule describes a strategy for rulers to sustain power by exploiting coordination problems among potential rivals. Rulers can break up rival concentrations of power by making discriminatory offers/sanctions or simply destroying communication channels among potential rivals. In this paper I will study the consequences of ‘divide-and-rule’ politics using original data on cabinet changes. In the empirical analysis I focus on the question whether cabinet shuffles affect the probability that a ruler is deposed in a coup d’etat and the probability of a coup attempt respectively. The analysis reveals that the incidence of a cabinet shuffle decreases the probability of a successful coup. This result proved to be robust even when accounting for endogeneity using an instrumental variable approach. The results also showed that if rulers excessively reshuffle their ministers they risk a higher probability of coup attempts. Cabinet volatility, measured as the frequency of cabinet shuffles within six month is positively related to the probability of a coup attempt.
Citizenry Accountability in Autocracies
Authors: Gilli Mario , Li Yuan
Published: December 2012

Do the citizens have a role in constraining policies in autocratic governments? Usually the political and economic literature model autocracy as if the citizens have no role in constraining leader’s behavior, but actually autocratic government are afraid of possible citizens’ revolts. In this paper we focus on contemporary China to analyze how citizens might induce an autocratic government to adopt congruent policies. Although there is no party or electoral competition, the leader fears deposition by coup d’etat of the selectorate and revolutionary threats from citizens. We build a three player political agency model to study the role of both these constraints and we show that the effectiveness of the selectorate and of revolutionary threats are crucial factors in determining the policy outcomes. In particular, we show that the citizens can effectively discipline the leader because of the revolution threat notwithstanding the selectorate size, but this may result in a failed state when the costs of revolting and the selectorate size are small. As the size of the selectorate and the costs of revolution vary dramatically across countries, our result explain why different types of autocracies arise. In particular our model and results provide a useful framework to interpret China policy in the last twenty years.
Wartime Violence and Post-Conflict Political Mobilization in Mozambique
Authors: Mcdougal Topher , Caruso Raul
Published: December 2012

Mozambique’s post-conflict development has recently focused on the promise of biofuels production, and the Government of Mozambique has accordingly made hundreds of agricultural concessions to foreign and domestic corporations since 2006. In response, local groups have sought community land grants to protect livelihoods. We seek to understand whether the magnitude and recentness of violent events during Mozambique’s 16-year civil war determined the success of communities’ efforts to secure lands. We hypothesize that violence weakens the ability of communities to protect their traditional land uses from concessions by lobbying for community land grants. This hypothesis - dubbed the “weak institutions hypothesis” - is contrasted with the idea that violence galvanizes political participation. We test the hypothesis using GIS-generated data at the district level on recognized community landholdings and civil war events. Controlling for factors such as market access, road distance to grain warehouses, and spatial auto-correlation, we find that more intense violence is possibly (but not significantly) associated with more land grants, and that districts experiencing more recent violence are actually more likely to lobby successfully for land grants - lending support to the idea that violence boosts community use of riskpooling institutions.
The effect of within-group inequality in a conflict against a unitary threat
Authors: Cubel Maria , Sanchez-Pages Santiago
Published: December 2012

A group of agents must defend their individual income from an external threat by pooling their efforts against it. The winner of this confrontation is determined by a contest success function where members’ efforts display a varying degree of complementarity. Individual effort is costly and its cost follows a convex isoelastic function. We investigate how the success of the group in the conflict and its members’ utilities vary with the degree of within-group inequality. We show that there is a natural relationship between the group’s probability of victory and the Atkinson index of inequality. If members’ efforts are complementary or the cost function convex enough, more egalitarianism within the group increases the likelihood of victory against the external threat. The opposite holds when members’ efforts are substitutes and the cost linear enough.
The Socioeconomic Distribution of Adult Mortality during Conflicts in Africa
Authors: De Walque Damien , Filmer Deon
Published: December 2012

We analyze socioeconomic differences in adult mortality in four African countries-the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Rwanda and Sierra Leone-using the adult mortality module in the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), calculating mortality based on the sibling mortality reports collected from female respondents aged 15-49. We discuss the advantages and potential issues associated with this data source. While mortality events precipitated by those civil conflicts tend to affect all groups, we conclude that they appear to affect men, and in particular urban and more educated men to a greater extent than the other groups.
In vivo flow cytometry: A powerful optical technology to detect circulating tumor cells and diagnose cancer metastasis in vivo/In-vivo-Durchflusszytometrie: Ein leistungsstarkes optisches Verfahren zur Detektion zirkulierender Tumorzellen und zur In-vivo-Diagnose von Metastasen
Authors: Fan Zhichao , Wei Xunbin
Published: December 2012

Optical methods have revolutionized medical diagnoses, therapies and research, and have penetrated many medical disciplines for example, tumor diagnosis and treatment. Tumor recurrence and metastasis are the major obstacles for long-term survival in cancer. The metastasis is reported to be correlated with the presence of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in the vasculature as a consequence of either advanced tumor growth and invasion, or a therapeutic intervention. Thus, CTCs are considered to be important biomarkers for cancer progress and prognosis. The quantification of CTCs is an emerging tool used to diagnose, stratify and monitor patients with metastatic diseases. A number of methods have been developed to detect CTCs, some of which have been applied in clinical diagnosis. However, conventional methods are restricted by invasiveness, lower sensitivity caused by small blood sample volumes, and difficulty in recording the dynamics of CTCs. A novel technique named
Switch-Related and General Preparation Processes in Task-Switching: Evidence from Multivariate Pattern Classification of EEG Data
Authors: Mansfield Elise L. , Karayanidis Frini , Cohen Michael X
Published: December 2012

The cued-trials task-switching paradigm is used to investigate the processes involved in preparation to change task. Task switch trials typically show poorer performance than task repeat trials, suggesting that additional or more time-consuming preparation processes are required to switch tasks. However, behavioral and neuroimaging studies have so far been unable to decipher whether preparing for a switch in task involves distinct cognitive processes to those required more generally on both switch and repeat trials. The current study addresses this question using a novel multivariate pattern misclassification analysis of frequency band-specific local topographical patterns in human EEG activity that was elicited by cues varying in information value. Within the alpha frequency band, misclassification analysis produced evidence for an early switch-related preparation process over right frontal cortex, as well as a later task readiness preparation process over right parietal cortex. This represents compelling evidence for dissociable switch-related and task readiness preparation processes that show distinct time course and spatial activation patterns.
Loss ofsyd-1from R7 Neurons Disrupts Two Distinct Phases of Presynaptic Development
Authors: Holbrook Scott , Finley Jennifer K. , Lyons Eric L. , Herman Tory G.
Published: December 2012

Genetic analyses in both worm and fly have identified the RhoGAP-like protein Syd-1 as a key positive regulator of presynaptic assembly. In worm, loss ofsyd-1can be fully rescued by overexpressing wild-type Liprin-α, suggesting that the primary function of Syd-1 in this process is to recruit Liprin-α. We show that loss ofsyd-1fromDrosophilaR7 photoreceptors causes two morphological defects that occur at distinct developmental time points. First,syd-1mutant R7 axons often fail to form terminal boutons in their normal M6 target layer. Later, those mutant axons that do contact M6 often project thin extensions beyond it. We find that the earlier defect coincides with a failure to localize synaptic vesicles, suggesting that it reflects a failure in presynaptic assembly. We then analyze the relationship betweensyd-1andLiprin-α in R7s. We find that loss ofLiprin-α causes a stronger early R7 defect and provide a possible explanation for this disparity: we show thatLiprin-α promotes Kinesin-3/Unc-104/Imac-mediated axon transport independently of Syd-1 and that Kinesin-3/Unc-104/Imac is required for normal R7 bouton formation. Unlike loss ofsyd-1, loss ofLiprin-α does not cause late R7 extensions. We show that overexpressingLiprin-α partly rescues the early but not the latesyd-1mutant R7 defect. We therefore conclude that the two defects are caused by distinct molecular mechanisms. We find that Trio overexpression rescues bothsyd-1defects and thattrioandsyd-1have similar loss- and gain-of-function phenotypes, suggesting that the primary function of Syd-1 in R7s may be to promote Trio activity.
Abnormal Regenerative Responses and Impaired Axonal Outgrowth after Nerve Crush in TDP-43 Transgenic Mouse Models of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Authors: Swarup Vivek , Audet Jean-Nicolas , Phaneuf Daniel , Kriz Jasna , Julien Jean-Pierre
Published: December 2012

Tar DNA binding protein 43 (TDP-43) mislocalization and aggregation is a hallmark of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal lobar dementia. Moreover, TDP-43 mRNA was found to be upregulated by ∼2.5-fold in the spinal cord of sporadic ALS subjects. Here we have examined the effects of nerve injury in new transgenic mouse models overexpressing by approximately threefold wild-type or mutant (G348C) TDP-43 species. Four weeks after axonal crush of sciatic nerve, TDP-43 transgenic mice remained paralyzed at the injured limb unlike control mice, which had regained most of their normal mobility. In contrast to normal mice, TDP-43 transgenic mice exhibited sustained elevation of TDP-43 cytoplasmic levels in motor neurons after nerve crush, and the relocalization of TDP-43 to the nucleus was delayed by several weeks. After crush, peripherin and ubiquitin levels remained also significantly elevated in TDP-43 transgenic mice compared with control mice. Analysis of the sciatic nerve at 11 d after nerve crush showed that the number of regenerating axons in the distal portion of the lesion was considerably reduced in TDP-43 transgenic mice, especially in TDP-43G348Cmice, which exhibited a reduction of ∼40%. In addition, markers of neuroinflammation were detected at much higher levels in TDP-43 transgenic mice. These results suggest that a deregulation of TDP-43 expression in ALS is a phenomenon that can affect the regenerative responses to neuronal injury and regrowth potential of axons.
Development of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Critically Depends on CD137 Ligand Signaling
Authors: Martínez Gómez Julia M. , Croxford J. Ludovic , Yeo Kim Pin , Angeli Véronique , Schwarz Herbert , Gasser Stephan
Published: December 2012

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a degenerative autoimmune disease of the CNS. Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a commonly used murine model for MS. Here we report that CD137 ligand (CD137L, 4-1BB ligand, TNFS9), a member of the TNF superfamily, is critical for the development of EAE. EAE symptoms were significantly ameliorated in CD137L−/−mice. In the absence of CD137L, myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)-specific T-cells secreted lower levels of Th1/Th17 cell-associated cytokines. MOG-specific T-cells also trafficked less efficiently to the CNS in CD137L−/−mice, possibly as a consequence of reduced expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), which regulates leukocyte extravasation. Thus, CD137L regulates many functions of MOG-specific T-cells that contribute to EAE and may represent a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of MS.
Complexin Controls Spontaneous and Evoked Neurotransmitter Release by Regulating the Timing and Properties of Synaptotagmin Activity
Authors: Jorquera Ramon A. , Huntwork-Rodriguez Sarah , Akbergenova Yulia , Cho Richard W. , Littleton J. Troy
Published: December 2012

Neurotransmitter release following synaptic vesicle (SV) fusion is the fundamental mechanism for neuronal communication. Synaptic exocytosis is a specialized form of intercellular communication that shares a common SNARE-mediated fusion mechanism with other membrane trafficking pathways. The regulation of synaptic vesicle fusion kinetics and short-term plasticity is critical for rapid encoding and transmission of signals across synapses. Several families of SNARE-binding proteins have evolved to regulate synaptic exocytosis, including Synaptotagmin (SYT) and Complexin (CPX). Here, we demonstrate thatDrosophilaCPX controls evoked fusion occurring via the synchronous and asynchronous pathways.cpx−/−mutants show increased asynchronous release, while CPX overexpression largely eliminates the asynchronous component of fusion. We also find that SYT and CPX coregulate the kinetics and Ca2+co-operativity of neurotransmitter release. CPX functions as a positive regulator of release in part by coupling the Ca2+sensor SYT to the fusion machinery and synchronizing its activity to speed fusion. In contrast,syt−/−; cpx−/−double mutants completely abolish the enhanced spontaneous release observe incpx−/−mutants alone, indicating CPX acts as a fusion clamp to block premature exocytosis in part by preventing inappropriate activation of the SNARE machinery by SYT. CPX levels also control the size of synaptic vesicle pools, including the immediate releasable pool and the ready releasable pool—key elements of short-term plasticity that define the ability of synapses to sustain responses during burst firing. These observations indicate CPX regulates both spontaneous and evoked fusion by modulating the timing and properties of SYT activation during the synaptic vesicle cycle.
Sulfatase 1 Promotes the Motor Neuron-to-Oligodendrocyte Fate Switch by Activating Shh Signaling in Olig2 Progenitors of the Embryonic Ventral Spinal Cord
Authors: Touahri Yacine , Escalas Nathalie , Benazeraf Bertrand , Cochard Philippe , Danesin Cathy , Soula Cathy
Published: December 2012

In the developing ventral spinal cord, motor neurons (MNs) and oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) are sequentially generated from a common pool of neural progenitors included in the so-called pMN domain characterized by Olig2 expression. Here, we establish that the secreted Sulfatase 1 (Sulf1) is a major component of the mechanism that causes these progenitors to stop producing MNs and change their fate to generate OPCs. We show that specification of OPCs is severely affected insulf1-deficient mouse embryos. This defect does not rely on abnormal patterning of the spinal cord or failure in maintenance of pMN progenitors at the onset of OPC specification. Instead, the efficiency of OPC induction is reduced, only few Olig2 progenitors are recruited to generate OPCs, meanwhile they continue to produce MNs beyond the normal timing of the neuroglial switch. Using the chicken embryo, we show that Sulf1 activity is required precisely at the stage of the MN-to-OPC fate switch. Finally, we bring arguments supporting the view that Sulf1 controls the level of Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) signaling activity, behaving as an enhancer rather than an obligatory component in the Shh pathway. Our study provides additional insights into the temporal control of Olig2 progenitor cell fate change by the identification of Sulf1 as an extracellular timing signal in the ventral spinal cord.
Gravin Orchestrates Protein Kinase A and β2-Adrenergic Receptor Signaling Critical for Synaptic Plasticity and Memory
Authors: Havekes Robbert , Canton David A. , Park Alan J. , Huang Ted , Nie Ting , Day Jonathan P. , Guercio Leonardo A. , Grimes Quinn , Luczak Vincent , Gelman Irwin H. , Baillie George S. , Scott John D. , Abel Ted
Published: December 2012

A kinase-anchoring proteins (AKAPs) organize compartmentalized pools of protein kinase A (PKA) to enable localized signaling events within neurons. However, it is unclear which of the many expressed AKAPs in neurons target PKA to signaling complexes important for long-lasting forms of synaptic plasticity and memory storage. In the forebrain, the anchoring protein gravin recruits a signaling complex containing PKA, PKC, calmodulin, and PDE4D (phosphodiesterase 4D) to the β2-adrenergic receptor. Here, we show that mice lacking the α-isoform of gravin have deficits in PKA-dependent long-lasting forms of hippocampal synaptic plasticity including β2-adrenergic receptor-mediated plasticity, and selective impairments of long-term memory storage. Furthermore, both hippocampal β2-adrenergic receptor phosphorylation by PKA, and learning-induced activation of ERK in the CA1 region of the hippocampus are attenuated in mice lacking gravin-α. We conclude that gravin compartmentalizes a significant pool of PKA that regulates learning-induced β2-adrenergic receptor signaling and ERK activation in the hippocampusin vivo, thereby organizing molecular interactions between glutamatergic and noradrenergic signaling pathways for long-lasting synaptic plasticity, and memory storage.
microRNA-21 Regulates Astrocytic Response Following Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Bhalala Oneil G. , Pan Liuliu , Sahni Vibhu , McGuire Tammy L. , Gruner Katherine , Tourtellotte Warren G. , Kessler John A.
Published: December 2012

Astrogliosis following spinal cord injury (SCI) involves an early hypertrophic response that serves to repair damaged blood–brain barrier and a subsequent hyperplastic response that results in a dense scar that impedes axon regeneration. The mechanisms regulating these two phases of astrogliosis are beginning to be elucidated. In this study, we found that microRNA-21 (miR-21) increases in a time-dependent manner following SCI in mouse. Astrocytes adjacent to the lesion area express high levels of miR-21 whereas astrocytes in uninjured spinal cord express low levels of miR-21. To study the role of miR-21 in astrocytes after SCI, transgenic mice were generated that conditionally overexpress either the primary miR-21 transcript in astrocytes or a miRNA sponge designed to inhibit miR-21 function. Overexpression of miR-21 in astrocytes attenuated the hypertrophic response to SCI. Conversely, expression of the miR-21 sponge augmented the hypertrophic phenotype, even in chronic stages of SCI recovery when astrocytes have normally become smaller in size with fine processes. Inhibition of miR-21 function in astrocytes also resulted in increased axon density within the lesion site. These findings demonstrate a novel role for miR-21 in regulating astrocytic hypertrophy and glial scar progression after SCI, and suggest miR-21 as a potential therapeutic target for manipulating gliosis and enhancing functional outcome.
PRORETA 3: An Integrated Approach to Collision Avoidance and Vehicle Automation
Authors: Bauer Eric , Lotz Felix , Pfromm Matthias , Schreier Matthias , Abendroth Bettina , Cieler Stephan , Eckert Alfred , Hohm Andree , Lüke Stefan , Rieth Peter , Willert Volker , Adamy Jürgen
Published: December 2012

The article describes first results of the research project PRORETA 3 that aims at the development of an integral driver assistance system for collision avoidance and automated vehicle guidance based on a modular system architecture. For this purpose, relevant information is extracted from a dense environment model and fed into a potential field-based trajectory planner that calculates reference signals for underlying vehicle controllers. In addition, the driver is supported by a human-machine interface.
Die Entstehung des modernen Unternehmens: Einführende Bemerkungen
Authors: Banken Ralf
Published: December 2012

The article investigates two issues, currently widely neglected: the fact that enterprises did not become the dominant form of organisation for the production of goods and services in western economies until after 1800; and that these institutions did not play a major role in the Early Modern Age. It argues that the understanding of modern enterprises as industrial-technical organisations and the production of machinery as the sole cause for the evolvement of modern companies – which has dominated up until now – as lacking, as numerous service companies had already developed in the early phase of industrialisation. Based on a functional concept of enterprises, the article attributes the early modern proto-enterprises a major role before 1800 and elaborates on what conditions were necessary to allow for the plentiful occurrence of modern enterprises in the phase of early industrialisation. In so doing it elucidates a clearer understanding of how modern enterprises institutionalised over time.
Dance and the Female Singer in Second Empire Opera
Authors: Parr Sean M.
Published: December 2012

A vogue for coloratura dance arias began in the 1850s. This emerging genre combined melismatic singing with two hugely popular social dance genres: the bolero and the waltz. Scholars have observed an association between these social dances and a certain euphoric feminine sensuality, but the connection between this youthful ebullience in dance and virtuosic female vocality has been largely ignored. Dancing was notorious in the nineteenth century because of its dangerously arousing and vertiginous effects. As dances increased in speed and difficulty, so too did the singing of sopranos in midcentury Paris. In exploring relationships between dance, femininity, and singing, this article situates coloratura dance arias in the Paris of Napoléon III's Second Empire, a city sometimes condemned for its decadent materialism or dismissed because of its political impotence, in spite of its cultural, architectural, and technological importance.

I argue for a connection between coloratura and the female body in precisely the era when the venerable singing style became the almost exclusive domain of the female singer and, simultaneously, reached its apogee in a Paris devoted to all the joy and glamour it could afford. Specific performers such as Marie Cabel and Caroline Carvalho were key to the success and even creation of these dance arias. These sopranos were certainly objectified in a problematic manner, but they were also “envoiced” (Carolyn Abbate's term) as wielders of a compelling musical power: coloratura. In providing virtuosic and luxurious expressions of femininity, these coloratura dance arias established a new sense of female vocality in the aural imagination of the Second Empire.