bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Advertisement Call Variation in the Golden Rocket Frog (Anomaloglossus beebei): Evidence for Individual Distinctiveness
Authors: Pettitt Beth A. , Bourne Godfrey R. , Bee Mark A.
Published: February 2013

Individual distinctiveness in acoustic signals can allow receivers to respond appropriately to different individuals. The aim of this research was to examine signal variation and to investigate the relative importance of different acoustic properties for coding individual distinctiveness in the advertisement calls of male golden rocket frogs (Anomaloglossus beebei). We examined patterns of within‐individual and among‐individual variability in 760 advertisement calls of 40 males as well as repeatability in 16 additional males that were recorded on two different occasions. We examined eight call properties, and all properties exhibited significant among‐individual variation and moderate to high repeatability across days. We employed discriminant function analysis to examine individual distinctiveness statistically. These analyses assigned 79% of calls to the correct individual. Fine temporal properties, including pulse duration, pulse rate, and pulse interval, as well as the spectral property of dominant frequency, contributed most toward discrimination among individuals. These results indicate that individual male golden rocket frogs can be distinguished statistically by their advertisement calls. We use these findings to evaluate results of previous playback studies in A. beebei and to generate testable predictions regarding the potential for specific call properties to function in mate selection and social recognition.
Stream inflow and predation risk affect littoral habitat selection by benthic fish
Authors: POLIVKA KARL M. , FRIEDLI LISA M. , GREEN ELIZABETH C.
Published: February 2013

1. We examined small, fishless headwater streams to determine whether transport of macroinvertebrates into the littoral zone of an oligotrophic lake augmented food availability for Cottus asper, an abundant predatory fish in our study system. We sampled fish and macroinvertebrates during the recruitment and growth season of 2 years, either monthly (2004) or bi‐monthly (2005), to observe whether stream inputs increased prey availability and whether variation in total macroinvertebrate biomass was tracked by fish.

2. Observations from eight headwater streams indicated that streams did not increase the total macroinvertebrate biomass in the shallow littoral zone at stream inflows, relative to adjacent plots without stream inputs (controls). The taxonomic composition of stream macroinvertebrates drifting toward the lake differed from that in the littoral lake benthos itself, although there was no evidence of any species change in the composition of the littoral benthos brought about by stream inputs.

3. Although streams made no measurable contribution to the biomass or taxonomic composition of the littoral macroinvertebrate benthos, there was substantial temporal variation in biomass among the eight sites for each of the (n = 7) sample periods during which observations were made. Variation in total biomass was primarily a function of bottom slope and benthic substrata in the lake habitats. Dominant taxonomic groups were Baetidae, Ephemerellidae (two genera), Leptophlebiidae, Chironomidae (three subfamilies) and Perlodidae, although we did not determine the specific substratum affinities of each taxon.

4. Mixed effects linear models identified a significant interaction between macroinvertebrate biomass and plot type (stream inflow vs. control) associated with fish abundance. Across the observed range of macroinvertebrate biomass, fish showed a significant preference for stream inflows, but more closely tracked food availability in the controls. For young‐of‐the‐year (YOY), a negative effect of temperature was also included in the model, and we observed lower temperatures at stream inflows. However, abundance of predatory adults affected habitat selection for YOY. Lake‐bottom slope also accounted for variation in abundance in both fish models.

5. Our results suggest that the effect of fishless headwater streams on downstream fish may not always be through direct delivery of food. In this study system, fish preferred stream inflow plots, but this preference interacted with macroinvertebrate biomass in a manner that was difficult to explain. For YOY, predation risk was related to the preference for stream inflows, although the specific factor that mitigates predation risk remains poorly understood.
Characterization of Persistent Volatile Contaminant Sources in the Vadose Zone
Authors: Carroll Kenneth C. , Truex Michael J. , Brusseau Mark L. , Parker Kyle R. , Mackley Robert D. , Rohay Virginia J.
Published: February 2013

Effective long‐term operation of soil vapor extraction (SVE) systems for cleanup of vadose‐zone sources requires consideration of the likelihood that remediation activities over time will alter the subsurface distribution and configuration of contaminants. A method is demonstrated for locating and characterizing the distribution and nature of persistent volatile organic contaminant (VOC) sources in the vadose zone. The method consists of three components: analysis of existing site and SVE‐operations data, vapor‐phase cyclic contaminant mass‐discharge testing, and short‐term vapor‐phase contaminant mass‐discharge tests conducted in series at multiple locations. Results obtained from the method were used to characterize overall source zone mass‐transfer limitations, source‐strength reductions, potential changes in source‐zone architecture, and the spatial variability and extent of the persistent source(s) for the Department of Energy's Hanford site. The results confirmed a heterogeneous distribution of contaminant mass discharge throughout the vadose zone. Analyses of the mass‐discharge profiles indicate that the remaining contaminant source is coincident with a lower‐permeability unit at the site. Such measurements of source strength and size as obtained herein are needed to determine the impacts of vadose‐zone sources on groundwater contamination and vapor intrusion, and can support evaluation and optimization of the performance of SVE operations.
Communication relating to family members' involvement and understandings about patients' medication management in hospital
Authors: Manias Elizabeth
Published: February 2013

Background

Many patients with complex health‐care needs are prescribed several medications on a daily basis. With admission to hospital, patients are often placed in a vulnerable position. Family members can therefore play an important role in supporting patients in decision making about managing medications and negotiating communication exchange with health professionals.

Objectives

From the perspective of family members, to explore family members' involvement with health professionals and patients about how patients' medications are managed in hospital.

Design

Using an ethnographic design, interviews were conducted with family members of patients admitted to hospital who had at least five medications prescribed in hospital. A purposive sampling approach was used for recruitment. A thematic framework process was used for analysis.

Setting

Interviews took place in four surgical and four medical wards in each of two Australian hospitals.

Results

Forty interviews were conducted with family members in relation to their respective relative's medications. Family members tended to participate in passive, rather than active or shared decision‐making activities. Those who demonstrated active or shared decision making were extensively involved in managing medications and in addressing problems relating to continuity of care. Communication with health professionals was generally insufficient, despite family members' keenness to speak with them.

Conclusions

Improved communication is needed between family members, health professionals and patients in hospitals. Greater attention should be played by health professionals in initiating communication proactively. Family members possessed valuable, unique information about patients' medications that can be utilized to facilitate patient safety.
Cross‐Border Mergers and Differences in Corporate Governance
Authors: Starks Laura T. , Wei Kelsey D.
Published: February 2013

We examine whether corporate governance differences affect firm valuation in cross‐border mergers. We find that takeover premiums are decreasing in the quality of the foreign acquirer's home country governance for deals completed with stock, suggesting that the acquirers compensate target shareholders for the resulting exposure to inferior corporate governance regimes. Correspondingly, we find that the acquiring firm stockholders' abnormal returns at the merger announcement are increasing in the quality of corporate governance for stock offers. Finally, we find that foreign acquirers from countries with better corporate governance are more likely to make stock offers.
Delimiting genera of scale insects: molecular and morphological evidence for synonymisingTaiwansaissetiaTao, Wong and Chang withCoccusLinnaeus (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Coccidae)
Authors: LIN YEN‐PO , KONDO TAKUMASA , GULLAN PENNY , COOK LYN G.
Published: February 2013

We provide objective criteria for assessing the taxonomic status of genera, especially those that are monotypic, using the coccid genusTaiwansaissetiaTao, Wong & Chang. This genus contains only the type species,Lecanium formicariiGreen [currentlyTaiwansaissetia formicarii(Green)], known from the Afrotropical and Oriental regions. Here,Taiwansaissetiais synonymised (syn.nov.) withCoccusLinnaeus (Hemiptera: Coccidae) on the basis of phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequence data and morphological examination. All analyses (maximum parsimony, neighbour‐joining and Bayesian inference) of four gene regions (18S,28S,COIandEF‐1α), and a concatenation of these regions, placed the clade includingT. formicariiand three unidentifiedCoccusspecimens as sister to the type species ofCoccus,C. hesperidumLinnaeus, with high support.Taiwansaissetia formicariiis more closely related toC. hesperidumthanC. hesperidumis toC. viridis(Green), which is considered to be a ‘typical’ species ofCoccus,and several other current members ofCoccus[C. longulus(Douglas),C. penangensisMorrison andC. pseudomagnoliarum(Kuwana)]. Explicit criteria, including monophyly, diagnosability, sister taxa being of equal rank, and the level of genetic divergence betweenT. formicariiandC. hesperidumrelative to within‐genus divergence of other scale insects, were used to assess the taxonomic status ofTaiwansaissetia. The autapomorphic features ofTaiwansaissetiathat differentiate it from typical species ofCoccusmight be due to its myrmecophilous habit and adaptation to living inside ant nests – most other species ofCoccuslive externally on their host plants. Since its description in 1896,T. formicariihas been placed in four different genera: here we transfer it back toCoccusasC. formicarii(Green)stat.rev.We rediagnose the genusCoccusto accommodate the features ofC. formicarii. This study also found thatCoccusmight not be monophyletic, warranting further study of the group.
Globalization: grasping the concept within the context of nursing
Authors: Keighley Tom
Published: February 2013

KEIGHLEY T. (2013) Globalization: grasping the concept within the context of nursing. International Nursing Review60, 86–87

Globalization is a phenomenon traceable historically from the beginning of time as clans and tribes migrated and learnt from each other. The article in this issue of INR by Grootjans and Newman ‘Globalization and nursing: a concept analysis’ (pp. 78–85) makes the case for nurses to be educated about globalization as it applies to modern health care. The concept is complex and requires insight not only into health care itself but also fields such as human migration, economics, the significance of English as a universal language and the use and availability of information technology. Writings on the impact of global technology and social capital are also important. In addressing globalization, nurses need to access research and writings well beyond the standard healthcare oeuvre.
Immigration and Perceptions of the Political System in Britain
Authors: McLaren Lauren M.
Published: February 2013

Recently published research contends that concern about immigration is weakening the British political system by creating distrust in the elites and institutions in this system. Some may challenge this finding because the public opinion data used to illustrate this relationship is limited to the period of the recent Labour government, raising the possibility that it was an artefact of that era and thus may no longer hold. Using the most recent round of the European Social Survey (2010–11), this paper investigates whether this finding holds in the present era. The findings indicate that under the current Conservative‐Liberal Democratic government, concern about immigration is still related to negative perceptions of the political system. This finding, along with those reported in previous research, points to potentially serious negative consequences for the functioning of the British political system, which are discussed in the concluding section of the paper.
The Use of Force in British Foreign Policy: From New Labour to the Coalition
Authors: Daddow Oliver
Published: February 2013

This article studies the ideational underpinnings of the UK Coalition government's ‘liberal conservative’ foreign policy. It begins by suggesting that an Iraq‐centric account of Blair's foreign policy suggests a grand vision on the prime minister's part that was lacking from his earlier foreign policy adventures, which relied on a more conventional form of British statecraft. The second section contends that the Gordon Brown years 2007–10 and, since the end of New Labour, Coalition foreign policy, can be seen as a response both to the substance and style of Blair's highly personalised stewardship of foreign policy post‐9/11. The war on terror and the invasion of Iraq were accompanied by a seemingly open‐ended democracy promotion around the globe which was quite out of character with past British practice. The article argues, therefore, that under Brown and Cameron cautious pragmatism has tended to win out over the proclamation of grand strategic ambition.
Another Reform of Qualifications—but Qualifying for What?
Authors: Pring Richard
Published: February 2013

There are several changes to the system of qualifications and examinations at ages 16 and 17, including the new English Baccalaureate. There are many problems: the constant churn in new qualifications reduces their vale to higher education and to employers; they are implemented without proper trialling; the EBacc in particular narrows the learning experience. There is a need for a moratorium on change and for a long, hard look by a non‐politically partisan advisory committee on the development of a qualification system.
Scotland, Renewable Energy and the Independence Debate: Will Head or Heart Rule the Roost?
Authors: Toke David , Sherry‐Brennan Fionnguala , Cowell Richard , Ellis Geraint , Strachan Peter
Published: February 2013

Political support for renewable energy development, especially offshore renewables, is particularly conspicuous in Scotland and is a centrepiece of SNP policy. However, this is built on something of a paradox because, put simply, without the subsidies paid by electricity consumers in the rest of the UK, the Scottish Government's ambitious targets for renewable energy would be politically unachievable. We argue in this paper that if Scotland does move towards independence, then there could be little reason for the UK to continue paying (much) of the subsidies since the resulting renewable generation would no longer contribute towards UK renewable energy targets. We suggest that the potential scenarios, and their implications, needs to be far better considered in the arguments around the Scottish constitutional position and the broader aims of UK energy policy.
Factors Underlying Contextual Variations in the Structure of the Self: Differences Related to SES, Gender, Culture, and “Majority/Nonmajority” Status During Early Adolescence
Authors: Santo Jonathan Bruce , Bukowski William M. , Stella‐Lopez Luz , Carmago Gina , Mayman Shari B. , Adams Ryan E.
Published: February 2013

Multilevel modeling was used to examine contextual variations in the structure of the “self” in a sample of 918 lower‐ and upper‐middle class early adolescents (M age = 10.37 years, SD = 1.19) from a “majority” cultural context (i.e., Barranquilla in the Caribbean region of Colombia) and a “nonmajority” context (i.e., Montréal, Québec, Canada). It was expected that the associations between measures of the self‐concept (i.e., indices of self‐perceived competence) and a measure of general self‐worth would differ in majority and nonmajority contexts and would vary as a function of socioeconomic status, the relative emphasis placed on individualism and collectivism and gender. Findings indicate that contextual factors moderated the extent to which self‐worth is associated with components of early adolescents' self‐concept.
Romantic Experiences of Homeland and Diaspora South Asian Youth: Westernizing Processes of Media and Friends
Authors: Dhariwal Amrit , Connolly Jennifer
Published: February 2013

The current study examined 1316 South Asian youth socialized in progressively Westernized contexts: “traditional” Indian homeland single‐sex schools, “transitional” Indian homeland co‐educational schools, and the immigrant “diaspora” in Canadian schools. Results showed youth in the three contexts were similar on romantic desire. Yet those in increasingly Westernized contexts reported more romantic activities and greater perceived autonomy from parents in partner choice. They were also more likely to consume Western and social media, and possess friends fostering permissive expectations, greater cross‐sex network composition, and intimate communication. Involvement with the global media and friends explained the link between the cultural spectrum and romantic experiences. Implications of global restructuring on romantic experiences, media usage, and friendships are discussed, in consideration of gender.
Negotiating Family Obligations and Educational Goals Among College‐Enrolled Youth on Jeju Island, Korea
Authors: Chang Esther S.
Published: February 2013

This survey study examined the role of parents in the educational goals of 265 college‐enrolled youth (19–27 years; M = 22 years; 64% female students) on Jeju Island, Korea. A model of shared agency was applied to identify the processes through which associations between family assistance and adjustment can be explained. Four factors of parental educational involvement were found: coactivity (consisting of autonomy support and collaboration), accommodation, noninvolvement, and directing. Results indicated that family assistance was positively related to adjustment and only coactivity was positively correlated to both family assistance and adjustment. Mediation analyses also indicated that youth's provision of family assistance was associated with lower levels of depression and higher satisfaction with life and educational progress through coactivity.
Risk‐Minimizing Reinsurance Protection For Multivariate Risks
Authors: Cheung K. C. , Sung K. C. J. , Yam S. C. P.
Published: February 2013

In this article, we study the problem of optimal reinsurance policy for multivariate risks whose quantitative analysis in the realm of general law‐invariant convex risk measures, to the best of our knowledge, is still absent in the literature. In reality, it is often difficult to determine the actual dependence structure of these risks. Instead of assuming any particular dependence structure, we propose the minimax optimal reinsurance decision formulation in which the worst case scenario is first identified, then we proceed to establish that the stop‐loss reinsurances are optimal in the sense that they minimize a general law‐invariant convex risk measure of the total retained risk. By using minimax theorem, explicit form of and sufficient condition for ordering the optimal deductibles are also obtained.
Seminal vesicles and diabetic neuropathy: ultrasound evaluation after prolonged treatment with a selective phosphodiesterase‐5 inhibitor
Authors: La Vignera S. , Condorelli R. A. , Vicari E. , Lotti F. , Favilla V. , Morgia G. , Maggi M. , Calogero A. E.
Published: February 2013

We have previously reported that infertile patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) have a particular ultrasound features of the seminal vesicles (SV) characterized by higher fundus‐to‐body ratio and lower pre‐ and post‐ejaculatory difference in body antero‐posterior diameter (APD). Based on these premises the aim of the present study was to investigate possible ultrasound SV changes in infertile patients with DM and diabetic neuropathy (DN), after prolonged administration of tadalafil (TAD) (a specific phosphodiesterase‐5 inhibitor). To accomplish this, 20 infertile patients with symptomatic DN and erectile dysfunction were selected and arbitrarily divided into two groups which were assigned to: daily administration of 5 mg TAD for 3 months (Group A) (n = 10) and administration of placebo (Group B) (n = 10). All patients underwent to scrotal and prostate‐vesicular transrectal ultrasound evaluation and semen analysis (Laboratory Manual for the Examination and Processing of Human Semen, WHO, 2010) before and after treatment. The following SV US parameters were recorded: (i) body APD; (ii) fundus APD; (iii) parietal thickness of the right and left SVs; and (iv) number of polycyclic areas within both SVs. We then calculated the following parameters: (i) fundus/body (F/B) ratio; (ii) difference of the parietal thickness between the right and the left SV and (iii) pre‐ and post‐ejaculatory APD difference. In addition, we also evaluated the SV ejection fraction. Group A patients showed a significant reduction in F/B ratio and higher pre‐ and post‐ejaculatory body SV APD difference compared with baseline or Group B after 3 months. These patients showed also a significant increase in SV ejection fraction and a significant improvement of the total sperm count, progressive motility, seminal levels of fructose, leucocytes and ejaculate volume. In conclusion, these results suggest that infertile DM patients with DN and erectile dysfunction had an improvement of ultrasound features suggestive of diabetic neuropathy after daily treatment with low doses of TAD.
Psychometric testing of the English Language Acculturation Scale in first‐year nursing students
Authors: Salamonson Yenna , Attwood Nathan , Everett Bronwyn , Weaver Roslyn , Glew Paul
Published: February 2013

Aim

This article is a report of the psychometric testing of the five‐item English Language Acculturation Scale, an indicator of English language usage as reported by first‐year undergraduate nursing students.

Background

Nursing students who have English as an additional language can struggle clinically and academically due to low levels of English language proficiency. A self‐report screening tool may provide early identification of nursing students at risk of underperformance.

Design

Prospective correlational survey design.

Methods

The study used a prospective, correlational survey design. In 2010 and 2011, 1400 commencing nursing students were surveyed about their English language usage using the English Language Acculturation Scale. In addition to descriptive statistics, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses and Cronbach's alpha reliabilities, the relationship between English Language Acculturation Scale score and Grade Point Average at the end of first year was computed.

Results

Results show good reliability and construct validity of the English Language Acculturation Scale. Principal component analysis yielded only one component in which all five items loaded highly. This was further supported by confirmatory factor analysis, with standardized factor loadings ranging from 0·79 to 0·90. The results also showed strong association between English language use and academic performance; students in the high English Language Acculturation Scale score group were most likely to be in the high Grade Point Average group at the end of first year.

Conclusion

Language screening tools can be an important strategy to identify nursing students at risk of underperforming in their studies. The English Language Acculturation Scale has the potential to be a useful brief self‐report measure for commencing nursing students.
Comparison of effects of pitavastatin and atorvastatin on glucose metabolism in type 2 diabetic patients with hypercholesterolemia
Authors: Mita Tomoya , Nakayama Shiho , Abe Hiroko , Gosho Masahiko , Iida Hitoshi , Hirose Takahisa , Kawamori Ryuzo , Watada Hirotaka
Published: February 2013

Aims/Introduction

The distinct effects of different statins on glycemic control have not been fully evaluated. In this open‐label, prospective, cross‐over clinical trial, we compared the effects of pitavastatin and atorvastatin on glycemic control in type 2 diabetic patients with hypercholesterolemia.

Materials and Methods

A total of 28 Japanese type 2 diabetics with hypercholesterolemia treated with rosuvastatin (2.5 mg/day) for at least 8 weeks were recruited to this quasi‐randomized cross‐over study. At study entry, the patients assigned to sequence 1 received pitavastatin (2 mg/day) for 12 weeks in period 1 and atorvastatin (10 mg/day) for another 12 weeks in period 2, whereas patients assigned to sequence 2 received atorvastatin (10 mg/day) for 12 weeks in period 1 and pitavastatin (2 mg/day) for another 12 weeks in period 2. Blood samples were collected at three visits (baseline, after 12 and 24 weeks).

Results

Lipid control was similar in both statins. The difference in glycated hemoglobin between pitavastatin and atorvastatin treatments was −0.18 (95% confidence interval −0.34 to −0.02; P = 0.03). Compared with atorvastatin, pitavastatin treatment significantly lowered the levels of glycoalbumin, fasting glucose and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance.

Conclusions

Our results showed that treatment with pitavastatin had a more favorable outcome on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes compared with atorvastatin. This trial was registered with UMIN (no. 000003554).
Ovarian morphology and prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome in Japanese women with type 1 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Miyoshi Arina , Nagai So , Takeda Masamitsu , Kondo Takuma , Nomoto Hiroshi , Kameda Hiraku , Hirai Amiko , Cho Kyuyong , Kimachi Kimihiko , Shimizu Chikara , Atsumi Tatsuya , Miyoshi Hideaki
Published: February 2013

Aims/Introduction

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous disorder including polycystic ovary morphology (PCOM), ovulatory dysfunction and hyperandrogenism. PCOS is frequently associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus; however, it is unknown whether PCOM and PCOS are prevalent in Japanese patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. The purpose of our study was to determine the frequency of PCOM and PCOS in women with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Materials and Methods

We evaluated clinical, hormonal and ovarian ultrasound data from 21 type 1 diabetes mellitus patients whose average glycated hemoglobin levels were 7.9 ± 1.5%.

Results

Ultrasound identified PCOM in 11 patients (52.4%) and these patients also had higher levels of the androgen dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA‐S) than those without PCOM (P < 0.05). Of the patients with PCOM, five presented menstrual irregularities (45.5%) and three met the Japanese criteria for PCOS (27.2%); whereas all patients without PCOM had a normal menstrual cycle (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Japanese premenopausal women with type 1 diabetes mellitus had a high frequency of PCOM as well as PCOS. This is the first research of this area carried out in an Asian population.
Prevalence of retinopathy and its risk factors in a Japanese population
Authors: Fukushima Sayaka , Nakagami Tomoko , Suto Chikako , Hirose Akira , Uchigata Yasuko
Published: February 2013

Aims/Introduction

To determine the prevalence and risk factors of retinopathy and validity of the current diagnostic cut‐offs for diabetes by using data of health check‐up examinees.

Materials and Methods

The study comprises 1,864 Japanese who participated in the general health check‐up program and did not have a previous history of cardiovascular disease. Non‐mydriatic 45° digital fundus photographs were taken twice annually. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify risk factors for retinopathy in participants without previously diagnosed diabetes.

Results

The overall prevalence of retinopathy in participants with and without previously diagnosed diabetes were 23.3% (28/120) and 4.2% (74/1,744), respectively. Univariate logistic regression analysis identified age, systolic blood pressure (SBP), fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) as risk factors for retinopathy. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that FPG or both HbA1c and SBP were significant, positive and independent risk factors for retinopathy. The prevalence of retinopathy increased with deterioration of glucose categories (P < 0.001 for FPG or HbA1c). However, a statistically significant increased risk of retinopathy remained only in participants with FPG ≥ 7.0 mmol/L or HbA1c ≥ 6.5% compared with those with the lowest quartile of glucose in the participants without previously diagnosed diabetes after adjusting for age and SBP.

Conclusions

The prevalence of retinopathy was 4.2%, and FPG or both HbA1c and SBP were positive and independent risk factors for retinopathy in health check‐up examinees without previously diagnosed diabetes. The FPG 7.0 mmol/L or HbA1c 6.5% seems to be appropriate to diagnose diabetes in view of its association with retinopathy.
Optimization of a quantitative method for muscle histology assessment
Authors: SIFRE L. , COTON J.P. , ANDRÉ B. , ŘEZÁČOVÁ‐LUKÁŠKOVÁ Z.
Published: February 2013

Optical microscopy offers the simplest way to obtain magnified images of biological tissues. The assessment of the muscle destructuration level can be performed by a method called Meat Destruction Indicator (MDI), which combines optical microscopy and image analysis. MDI can be used for evaluation of food quality and for considering mechanically separated meat (meat raw material with an MDI value above 58.1% contained muscle fibres sufficiently destructured). This paper is particularly focused on the metrological optimization of a quantitative image analysis method around the example of MDI measurement by microscopy, especially on the digital acquisition calibration focusing and analysis work‐flow. Ten different samples (45 sections) were examined with variable settings of microscope and camera to define the optimal configuration. The tests were performed with different observers to define rules and criteria for results validation. Based on the obtained results, we suggest choosing objective rules to set the light and colour of the camera and the microscope focus. To control the results of the automatic segmentation emerged also as a key step, and objective rules for observers to select or discard wrong segmented images should be defined. The adjusted MDI measurement by microscope can be used as a reliable method with good repeatability, thanks to this metrological assessment, which could and should be applied to all image analysis applications whatever the application.
Development of epithelial and mesenchymal regionalization of the human fetal utero‐vaginal anlagen
Authors: Fritsch Helga , Hoermann Romed , Bitsche Mario , Pechriggl Elisabeth , Reich Olaf
Published: February 2013

Literature on the development of the human vagina is abundant; however, contributions concerning the prenatal development of the entire utero‐vaginal anlagen (UVA) are rare or carried out in rodents. The primary epithelial characteristics in the adult vagina and uterus are determined during prenatal development and depend on epithelio‐mesenchymal stroma interaction; thus an investigation summarizing the spatiotemporal distribution of relevant molecular markers in the entire human UVA will be of current interest. We phenotyped epithelial and mesenchymal characteristics in sagittal sections from 24 female fetuses of 14–34 weeks of gestation and two female newborns by immunostaining with cytokeratins 8, 13, 14 and 17, p63, bcl‐2, bmp4, HOX A13, CD31, VEGF, SMA, Pax2 and vimentin. Epithelial differentiation followed a caudal‐to‐cranial direction in the UVA. Due to the cytokeratin profile of cytokeratins 8, 13 and 14, the characteristics of the different epithelial zones in the UVA could already be recognized in middle‐age fetuses. Vaginal epithelium originated from the urogenital sinus in the lower portion and initiated the transformation of vimentin‐positive Müllerian epithelium in the upper vaginal portion. During prenatal development the original squamo‐columnar junction was clearly detectable from week 24 onwards and was always found in the cervical canal. Early blc‐2 positivity within the surrounding mesenchyme of the entire vagina including the portio region pointed to an organ‐specific mesenchymal influence. Prenatal findings in human specimens clearly show that fornix epithelium up to the squamo‐columnar junction is of vaginal Müllerian origin, and the cervical epithelium cranial to the squamo‐columnar junction is of uterine Müllerian origin and includes cells with enough plasticity to transform into squamous epithelium.
Do Consumers Really Know How Much They Are Willing to Pay?
Authors: KOVALSKY KRISTEN L. , LUSK JAYSON L.
Published: February 2013

Previous research reveals willingness‐to‐pay (WTP) obtained through consumer surveys and experiments is often influenced by arbitrary information that, from a normative perspective, should have no influence on WTP. This article utilizes data collected from a split‐sample online survey to determine whether the bias induced from arbitrary anchors can be mitigated with a preference elicitation approach designed to facilitate the preference‐discovery process by revealing tradeoffs and consequences implied by stated WTP. The approach forces internal consistency between statements of value and preference orderings. We compare the WTP elicited using the new approach to two more simplified elicitation devices by determining sensitivity to an arbitrary anchor and by determining predictive validity relative to a holdout choice. Our results indicate that the imposition of internal consistency yields more stable estimates of WTP; however, there is no evidence to support the hypothesis that the method provides WTP estimates that lead to a higher degree of predictive validity.
Complexities of Consumption: The Case of Childcare
Authors: HUFF AIMEE DINNIN , COTTE JUNE
Published: February 2013

Mothers face many challenges in choosing a caregiver for a child when it is time to return to work. In North America, this choice is often made in a context of limited supply with several significant factors constraining choice. Indeed, many mothers have very little effective choice at all. Using in‐depth interviews with mothers who have recently chosen childcare services, we explore the choice of childcare and the post‐choice stage of ongoing childcare consumption, and we account for our informants' reframing of choice outcomes that are often not reflective of preference. Building on prior research on choice and post‐choice outcomes, we reveal the inherent complexities in mothers' ongoing use of childcare, and we offer policy recommendations based on our deep understanding of this intensely personal consumption context.
Are trans‐complementation systems suitable for hepatitis C virus life cycle studies?
Authors: Fournier C. , Duverlie G. , Castelain S.
Published: February 2013

Complementation is a naturally occurring genetic mechanism that has been studied for a number of plus‐strand RNA viruses. Although trans‐complementation is well documented for Flaviviridae family viruses, the first such system for hepatitis C virus (HCV) was only described in 2005. Since then, the development of a number of HCV trans‐complementation models has improved our knowledge of HCV protein functions and interactions, genome replication and viral particle assembly. These models have also been used to produce defective viruses and so improvements are necessary for vaccine assays. This review provides an update on HCV trans‐complementation systems, the viral mechanisms studied therewith and the production and characterization of trans‐encapsidated particles.
Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and therapeutics of pradofloxacin in the dog and cat
Authors: Lees P.
Published: February 2013

Pradofloxacin is a third‐generation fluoroquinolone, licensed in theEUfor use in a range of indications in the dog and cat and authorized more recently in theUSAfor one therapeutic indication (skin infections) in the cat. This review summarizes and appraises current knowledge on the physico‐chemical, pharmacological [pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD)], safety and therapeutic properties of pradofloxacin in the target species. Pradofloxacin contains two centres of asymmetry and is the pureSSenantiomer. After oral dosing of tablets (dog) or tablets and oral suspension (cat), maximum plasma concentrations (Cmax) are achieved in less than 3.0 h, and terminal half‐life is of the order of 5–10 h. Accumulation is slight or absent with once daily oral dosing. Free drug concentrations in plasma are in the range of 63–71% of total concentration. As for other fluoroquinolones, antibacterial activity is attributable to inhibition of bacterial replication at two sites, subunit A of topoisomeraseIIand topoisomeraseIV. The antimicrobial spectrum includes gram‐negative and gram‐positive organisms, anaerobes,Mycoplasmaspp. and some intracellular organisms (Rickettsiaspp. andMycobacteriumspp.). The killing action is of the concentration‐dependent type. Pradofloxacin has high potency (lowMICvalues) in comparison with first‐ and second‐generation fluoroquinolones. Integration ofin vivoPKandin vitroPDdata provides values of Cmax/MICand area under plasma concentration–time curve (AUC24 h)/MICratios predictive of good clinical efficacy against sensitive organisms, when administered at recommended dose rates. Clinical trial evaluation of pradofloxacin, in comparison with other authorized antimicrobial drugs, has demonstrated either noninferiority or superiority of pradofloxacin. Data indicating clinical and, in some instances, bacteriological cure have been reported: (i) in cats, for wound infections, abscesses, upper respiratory tract infections, conjunctivitis, feline infectious anaemia and lower urinary tract infections and (ii) in dogs, for wound infections, superficial and deep pyoderma, acute urinary tract infections and adjunctive treatment of infections of gingival and periodontal tissues. At clinical dose rates pradofloxacin was well tolerated in preclinical studies and in clinical trials. Among the advantages of pradofloxacin are (i) successful treatment of infections caused by strains resistant to some other fluoroquinolones, as predicted byPK/PDdata, but depending on the specificMICof the target strain and (ii) a reduced propensity for resistance development based onMPCmeasurements. The preclinical and clinical data on pradofloxacin suggest that this drug should commonly be the fluoroquinolone of choice when a drug of this class is indicated. However, thePK/PDdata on pradofloxacin, in comparison with other fluoroquinolones, are not a factor that leads automatically to greater clinical efficacy.
Deleuze and narrative investigation: the multiple literacies of Sudanese families in Australia
Authors: Cole David R.
Published: February 2013

Sudanese families arriving in Australia bring with them a wealth of language and cultural resources that are currently not recognised by the Australian education system. This paper challenges such a position by investigating the narratives of the Sudanese Australians from a Deleuzian perspective. A Deleuzian perspective in education promotes the multiple literacies of the Sudanese Australians as a means to learn about and articulate important aspects of their changing circumstances. The families are not ‘othered’ or marginalised through this study, or compared to or against the normative cognitive functions that are produced by the current education system in Australia. Rather, an innovative way to look at the narratives of the Sudanese in Australia is explored by applying Deleuzian philosophy to education. Such a process uses the notion of the ‘virtual’ from Deleuze, which is a hybrid concept that engages with psychoanalytic and philosophical ideas from a fresh perspective. Such novel conceptual positioning is deemed necessary when investigating the narratives of the Sudanese Australians in order to think alongside the Sudanese in Australia. The final part of the paper takes the conceptual work from Deleuze and the investigation of the narratives, and makes pragmatic educational recommendations about literacy learning strategies for the Sudanese Australians.
Changes in germ tube formation and cell‐surface hydrophobicity of oral Candida dubliniensis isolates following brief exposure to sub‐cidal concentrations of polyene and azole antifungal agents
Authors: Ellepola Arjuna N. B. , Joseph Bobby K. , Khan Z. U.
Published: February 2013

Adherence of Candida has been implicated as the initial process in the pathogenesis of oral candidosis. Candidal germ tubes and its relative cell‐surface hydrophobicity (CSH) are contributory attributes. Candida dubliniensis is currently documented as an opportunistic pathogen allied with recurrent oral candidosis. Oral candidosis can be treated with polyene and azole antifungals such as amphotericin B, ketoconazole and fluconazole. However, the intraoral concentration of these drugs fluctuates and becomes sub‐therapeutic because of the diluent effect of saliva and cleansing effect of the oral musculature. Hence, intraorally, the pathogenic yeast may undergo a brief exposure to antifungal drugs. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of brief exposure to sub‐lethal concentrations of these antifungals on the germ tube formation and CSH of C. dubliniensis. After determining the minimum inhibitory concentration of the drugs, 20 oral isolates of C. dubliniensis were exposed to sub‐lethal concentrations of these antifungals for 1 h. Following this brief exposure, the drugs were removed, and following subsequent incubation in a germ tube inducing medium and exposure to bi‐phasic hydrocarbon assay, the germ tube formation and CSH of these isolates was quantified respectively. Compared with controls, exposure to amphotericin B almost completely suppressed the ability to form germ tubes with a mean percentage reduction of 95.91% (P < 0.0001), whereas ketoconazole and fluconazole also significantly inhibited germ tube formation but to a lesser degree with a mean percentage reduction of 18.73% and 12.01% respectively (P < 0.05). Compared with controls, exposure to amphotericin B and ketoconazole elicited a significant suppression on CSH with a mean percentage reduction of 33.09% and 21.42%, respectively (P < 0.001), whereas exposure to fluconazole did not elicit a significant suppression on CSH (9.21%; P > 0.05). In clinical terms it appears that, even a short exposure to sub‐lethal concentrations of these drugs, a situation all too familiar in the oral environment, would continue to exert an antifungal effect by suppressing the pathogenic potency of C. dubliniensis.
Treatment for agenesis of maxillary lateral incisors: a systematic review
Authors: Andrade D. C. M. , Loureiro C. A. , Araújo V. E. , Riera R. , Atallah A. N.
Published: February 2013

Structured Abstract

Objectives

To compare the efficacy and safety of three orthodontic treatment modalities for agenesis of maxillary lateral incisors: 1) closing the space with the reshaped canine substituting the lateral incisor, 2) opening the space with placement of a conventional fixed bridge, and 3) opening the space with placement of a single‐unit implant and an implant‐supported crown.

Setting

Brazilian Cochrane Center and Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Brazil.

Material and Methods

The following databases were investigated: Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials (Edition 12, 2011), EMBASE (from 1974 to December 2011), MEDLINE (from 1965 to December 2011), LILACS (from 1966 to November 2011), and Odontology Brazilian Bibliography Database (from 1966 to November 2011). Conference abstracts, main Brazilian dissertations and theses databases, and reference lists were handsearched. This systematic review included randomized or quasi‐randomized controlled trials (RCTs) including women aged 15 years or over and men aged 21 years or over who received one of the interventions stated above. Two observers independently evaluated all the studies regarding eligibility criteria and assessed the risk of bias of included studies.

Results

No studies were included in the review as no RCTs were found. Most of the evidence comes from case reports and narrative reviews on case reports and from three studies with a single post‐intervention evaluation and non‐comparable control groups with high risk of bias.

Conclusions

There is no scientific evidence for any of the three most common types of treatment for agenesis of the maxillary lateral incisors. RCTs into this issue are still necessary.
Genotyping the Mu‐Opioid Receptor A118G Polymorphism Using the Real‐time Amplification Refractory Mutation System: Allele Frequency Distribution Among Brazilians
Authors: Daher Mauricio , Costa Felipe M. M. , Neves Francisco A. R.
Published: February 2013

Background

The mu‐opioid receptor (OPRM1) A118G polymorphism has been associated with decreased analgesic effects of opioids and predisposition to addiction. However, its role in specific clinical scenarios and in different ethnicities must be better defined. No studies evaluating the A118G polymorphism in the Brazilian population have yet been published.

Methods

Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral leukocytes of 200 surgical patients of the Center‐West region of Brazil. Our genotyping protocol was developed based on the real‐time amplification refractory mutation system and validated by comparison with cycle sequencing. Functional consequences of the A118G polymorphism were studied by comparing tobacco smoking prevalence and exposure between genotype groups.

Results

We observed perfect correlation between genotyping and sequencing results. Frequency of the G allele was 16% (IC 95% 12.7–19.9%) in our sample. Genotype distribution revealed 146 (73%) patients 118A homozygous, 44 (22%) heterozygous, and 10 (5%) homozygous for the G variant. After grouping patients according to the presence of the G allele, we did not observe differences in smoking prevalence; however, patients with one or two copies of the 118G allele reported higher tobacco exposure than patients 118A homozygous measured in pack‐years (28.9 ± 12.5 vs. 21.5 ± 10.8, respectively, P = 0.02).

Conclusions

We developed a fast and reliable genotyping method to identify the allele frequency distribution of the OPRM1 A118G polymorphism among patients from Center‐West Brazil. Our preliminary results suggest functional consequences of the polymorphism on smoking behavior among Brazilians.
Cutis Laxa Type II with Mutation in the Pyrroline‐5‐Carboxylate Reductase 1 Gene
Authors: Nouri Nayereh , Aryani Omid , Nouri Narges , Kamalidehghan Behnam , Houshmand Massoud
Published: February 2013

A 14‐year‐old Iranian boy with congenital cutis laxa and several other typical autosomal recessive type II features was examined. Mutation analysis of the pyrroline‐5‐carboxylate reductase 1 gene revealed a single‐base deletion (c.345delC) in exon 4 leading to frame shift and premature termination of translation.