bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does biofeedback affect incontinence and quality of life in Turkish women?
Authors: İlgün Seda , Ovayolu Nimet , Ovayolu Özlem , Özcanlı Derya , Yağcı Faruk
Published: May 2013

Although urinary incontinence (UI) is not a life‐threatening disease, it is a common health problem that affects quality of life. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of pelvic floor muscle exercise (PFE) with biofeedback on incontinence and quality of life in women with UI. This clinical study was a randomized, controlled and experimental research conducted on 60 patients in total (30 control and 30 intervention patients) at a university hospital. Data were collected by using a questionnaire, Incontinence Quality of Life (I‐QOL) instrument, and International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire‐Short Form (ICIQ‐SF). The intervention group received biofeedback treatment for 16 sessions in total, each of which lasted 20 min, for 8 weeks, twice weekly, in a urodynamic unit. The obtained data were evaluated using χ2, Student's t, one‐way analysis of variance (anova), Mann–Whitney U and Kruskal–Wallis tests. It was observed that the incontinence inquiry form mean score of 16·1 ± 2·2 in the intervention group before biofeedback application decreased to 11·6 ± 4·6 after the application, whereas it increased from 14·0 ± 4·7 to 14·7 ± 4·7 in the control group (p < 0·05). It was also determined that the quality of life total mean score of 52·1 ± 10·5 in the intervention group before biofeedback application increased to 58·7 ± 14·7 after the application, whereas it decreased from 58·1 ± 16·1 to 53·5 ± 16·1 in the control group (p < 0·05). At the end of this study it was observed that PFE with biofeedback reduced incontinence and increased quality of life in women.
A unique Y gene in the Asian malaria mosquito Anopheles stephensi encodes a small lysine‐rich protein and is transcribed at the onset of embryonic development
Authors: Criscione F. , Qi Y. , Saunders R. , Hall B. , Tu Z.
Published: May 2013

In many organisms the Y chromosome initiates sex determination and regulates male fertility and mating behaviour. However, molecular characterization of Y genes is rare outside of a few model species because it is difficult to clone and analyse repeat‐rich heterochromatic Y sequences. In insects, Y genes are only well characterized in a small number of Drosophila species. Here we report the discovery of GUY1 (gene unique to the Y), a gene unique to the Y chromosome in the Asian malaria mosquito, Anopheles stephensi, using an approach that compares Illumina sequences separately obtained from male and female genomic DNA. Experimental evidence confirmed that GUY1 is a single copy gene found only on the Y chromosome. GUY1 is transcribed at the very onset of zygotic transcription and encodes a small lysine‐rich protein that forms two alpha helices and shows DNA‐binding properties. Interestingly, three helix‐loop‐helix proteins are key factors that determine sex in the early embryo in Drosophila melanogaster. Single embryo analysis indicated that GUY1 is only transcribed in male embryos and that the GUY1 promoter is functional in the early embryos. GUY1 may be used as a paternally inherited molecular marker. Further investigation of GUY1 will contribute to the genetic approaches to control mosquito‐borne diseases.
Piety in a Secular Society: Migration, Religiosity, and Islam in Britain
Authors: Lewis Valerie A. , Kashyap Ridhi
Published: May 2013

While in the American context religion is seen to facilitate immigrant incorporation by providing both spiritual and socioeconomic resources, in Europe high levels of religiosity are theorized as a barrier for immigrant incorporation into the secular mainstream. This is particularly salient for Islam, Europe's largest minority religion. In this study, we use the 2008–2009 England and Wales Citizenship Survey to compare levels and predictors of religiosity between Muslim and non‐Muslim first‐generation immigrants and their native‐born counterparts. Overall, Muslims are more religious than non‐Muslims. The results show that among non‐Muslims, the foreign‐born are significantly more religious than the native‐born; among Muslims, however, nativity has no impact on religiosity, indicating the native‐born are as highly religious as the foreign‐born. Additionally, although education is associated with reduced religiosity among non‐Muslim immigrants and native‐born, for Muslims it has no significant impact. Muslims across diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds show strong religious adherence. Results suggest that pathways to secular, mainstream norms do not operate in the same manner across Muslim and non‐Muslim immigrant groups.
An unusual object in the root canal of a primary tooth – a case report
Authors: Pereira Treville , Pereira Svylvy
Published: May 2013

Background

Children often have the habit of inserting objects into their mouth. Occasionally, these objects may be accidentally ingested. This may be frightening and stressful both for the child and the parents. In most cases, children avoid informing their parents due to the fear of being punished.

Case Report

This article presents a case of a foreign object embedded in the tooth of a 7‐year‐old boy. The parents were unaware of the presence of a foreign object in their child's tooth.

Conclusion

The tooth was extracted and the foreign body was retrieved from the canal to avoid any complications.
Slowing down Social Europe? The struggle over work and employment regulation
Authors: Mailand Mikkel
Published: May 2013

The present article discusses whether the strengthening of the regulation‐sceptical actors during the 2000s has affected the scope and content of EU‐level regulation in two work‐and‐employment‐related areas, and the role coalitions have played in the decision‐making processes. In the employee involvement area, the pro‐regulation forces still appeared able to get new regulation adopted and to prevent unwanted regulation from being adopted. In the employment policy area, a few examples of successful attempts by the regulation‐sceptical actors to slow down Social Europe were found, but these were fewer than could be expected. One explanation for this relatively weak impact might be that the Commission's search for legitimacy in order to be re‐elected functions as an ‘automatic stabiliser’. Contrary to studies of previous processes, no solid coalitions were found in any of the cases analysed, although several actors took positions as expected.
Wage claims in the British private sector: 1979–2003
Authors: Ingram Peter , Rickman Neil , Wadsworth Jonathan
Published: May 2013

Wage claims have been an important feature of British industrial relations during the postwar period. They help set the boundaries within which wage negotiations take place and provide an insight into the conduct of negotiations, especially during periods of change in industrial relations. Despite this, claims remain an underinvestigated area. This article provides a unique investigation of the dimensions of wage claims over a period of free collective bargaining. The number of wage claims declined along with unionisation but, over a period of economic turbulence, the conduct of British wage setting began to change. We examine data on claims and investigate the influences on changes in those claims over time. We find that external factors (inflation, unemployment and legislative control of unions) were more prominent in shaping the development of claims than changes in the composition of groups who continued to post claims.
China's Labor Transition and the Future of China's Rural Wages and Employment
Authors: Li Qiang , Huang Jikun , Luo Renfu , Liu Chengfang
Published: May 2013

This paper contributes to the assessment of China's rural labor markets. According to our data, the increase in off‐farm employment that China experienced during the 1980s and 1990s continued during the 2000s. Our analysis shows that migration has become the most prevalent off‐farm activity, although the destination of migrants is shifting from outside of one's province to destinations closer to home. The present paper finds that large shares of male and female individuals, especially those under 40 years, are working off the farm. These findings represent an important contribution to the labor economics field. First, the results of the present paper reveal that the labor transition from the agricultural sector to the non‐agricultural sector for key segments of China's rural labor force is nearly complete. Second, although a large share of China's rural labor force work in agriculture, most of these workers are older men and women (and likely would not be willing to take low‐wage, labor‐intensive jobs). Third, the rising unskilled wage rate in China is partially a result of the tightening of the labor force in the young age cohorts. Finally, due to factors associated with the one child policy and other demographic transition forces, successive age cohorts will continue to fall in absolute number in the coming decade. Assuming China's growth continues, we expect to see further wage increases since it will take higher wages to coax more workers to work off the farm.
Roots of Tomorrow's Digital Divide: Documenting Computer Use and Internet Access in China's Elementary Schools Today
Authors: Yang Yihua , Hu Xiao , Qu Qinghe , Lai Fang , Shi Yaojiang , Boswell Matthew , Rozelle Scott
Published: May 2013

This paper explores China's digital divide, with a focus on differences in access to computers, learning software, and the Internet at school and at home among different groups of elementary school children in China. The digital divide is examined in four different dimensions: (i) between students in urban public schools and students in rural public schools; (ii) between students in rural public schools and students in private migrant schools; (iii) between migrant students in urban public schools and migrant students in private migrant schools; and (iv) between students in Han‐dominated rural areas and students in areas inhabited by ethnic minorities. Using data from a set of large‐scale surveys in schools in different parts of the country, we find a wide gap between computer and Internet access of students in rural areas and those in urban public schools. The gap widens further when comparing urban students to students from minority areas. The divide is also large between urban and rural schools when examining the quality of computer instruction and access to learning software. Migration does not appear to eliminate the digital divide, unless migrant families are able to enroll their children in urban public schools. The digital divide in elementary schools may have implications for future employment, education and income inequality in China.
Centaurea shahuensis and C. ravansarensis spp. nov. (Asteraceae, Cardueae) from west Iran
Authors: Ranjbar Massoud , Negaresh Kazem , Karamian Roya
Published: May 2013

Two new species of Centaurea L. sect. Cynaroides Boiss. ex Walp. (Asteraceae), C. shahuensis Ranjbar and Negaresh and C. ravansarensis Ranjbar and Negaresh are described and illustrated from Kermanshah Province, west Iran. They are closely related to C. regia Boiss. subsp. regia. However, C. shahuensis differs from it by median stem leaves broadly oblanceolate or subpandurate, phyllaries densely lanate‐tomentose, appendages small, concealing a minor part of phyllaries, and also median appendage margin entire sometimes with 1–2 cilia, 1.2–3.0 mm long on each side. Centaurea ravansarensis is distinguished by upper stem leaves loosely arachnoid, phyllaries loosely floccose‐tomentose, inner appendages deep brown to blackish, and spine 4.5–6.0 mm long. Habitat, conservation status and the geographical distribution of the new species are given.
The cytoprotective peptide humanin is induced and neutralizes Bax after pro‐apoptotic stress in the rat testis
Authors: Jia Y. , Lue Y.‐H. , Swerdloff R. , Lee K.‐W. , Cobb L. J. , Cohen P. , Wang C.
Published: May 2013

We have previously demonstrated that the mitochondria‐derived cytoprotective peptide humanin (HN), when administered intratesticularly to rats, rescues germ cells from apoptosis secondary to testicular stress of hormonal deprivation induced by gonadotropin‐releasing hormone antagonist (GnRH‐A). To decipher the cellular mechanisms of HN action in the amelioration of GnRH‐A‐induced germ cell apoptosis, adult male rats received the following treatments for 5 days: (i) daily intratesticular (IT) injections with saline (control); (ii) a single subcutaneous injection of GnRH‐A on Day 1 and daily IT injection of saline; (iii) daily IT injection of synthetic HN; and (iv) GnRH‐A injection on Day 1 and daily IT injection of HN (GnRH‐A+HN). HN alone had no effect on germ cell apoptosis. GnRH‐A increased germ cell apoptosis and BAX in the testicular mitochondrial fractions. Synthetic HN decreased germ cell apoptosis induced by GnRH‐A and BAX in the mitochondria. We deduced that the cytoprotective action of synthetic HN on GnRH‐A‐induced germ cell apoptosis was mediated by attenuating p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase activity and increasing STAT3 phosphorylation. The effect of synthetic HN on the expression of endogenous rat HN in the testis was studied using rat HN specific antibody. GnRH‐A treatment increased, but concomitant treatment with synthetic HN reduced endogenous rat HN expression in both cytosolic and mitochondrial fractions in testis. Co‐immunoprecipitation experiments demonstrated that the increased rat HN was physically associated with BAX in the cytosolic testicular fractions after GnRH‐A treatment. Double‐immunofluorescence staining confirmed the co‐localization of BAX and rat HN in the cytoplasm of Leydig cells and spermatocytes after GnRH‐A treatment. We conclude that the cytoprotective effect of exogenously administered synthetic HN is mediated by interactions of endogenous rat HN with BAX in the cytoplasm preventing the entry of BAX to the mitochondria to govern the fate of germ cell survival or death during pro‐apoptotic stress to the testis in rats.
Cardiovascular risk and bone loss in men undergoing androgen deprivation therapy for non‐metastatic prostate cancer: implementation of standardized management guidelines
Authors: Cheung A. S. , Pattison D. , Bretherton I. , Hoermann R. , Lim Joon D. , Ho E. , Jenkins T. , Hamilton E. J. , Bate K. , Chan I. , Zajac J. D. , Grossmann M.
Published: May 2013

Our objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of implementing standardized guidelines to mitigate metabolic and bone side effects of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in men with non‐metastatic prostate cancer. We conducted a 2‐year prospective cohort study at a tertiary referral teaching hospital. Overall, 236 men (mean age 69.8 ± 7.1) commencing ADT for non‐metastatic prostate cancer attended a baseline clinic visit between 2007 and 2011, and 153 men were eligible for follow‐up after 2 years of continuous ADT. Of these, 113 men had data available for analysis at 2 years. At baseline, 87% of the men were overweight or obese, 61% had hypertension, 56% had hypercholesterolaemia, 27% prior cardiovascular disease, 11% osteoporosis and 40% osteopaenia. After 2 years of ADT, there was an increase in waist circumference (+2.8 ± 6.3 cm, p = 0.002), and, in men without diabetes, in HbA1c (+0.13 ± 0.34%, p = 0.019). Despite this, due to treatment, there were significant reductions in total cholesterol (−0.35 ± 1.00 mmol/L, p < 0.001), and blood pressure (systolic −7.6 ± 19.3 mmHg; diastolic −4.7 ± 11.6 mmHg, p < 0.001). After 2 years, men not receiving anti‐resorptive therapy experienced a significant decline in lumbar spine (−0.042 ± 0.134 g/cm2, p = 0.012) and total hip bone mineral density (BMD) (−0.026 ± 0.036 g/cm2, p < 0.001), whereas bisphosphonate treatment maintained stable BMD. Prevalence of anaemia increased from 13.8 to 32.5%. Older age independently predicted a greater drop in haemoglobin (p = 0.005). We conclude that a structured approach to assess and treat men undergoing ADT effectively improves cardiovascular risk factors and prevents bone decay. Larger studies are needed to determine effects on cardiovascular outcomes, fracture prevention and survival.
Retracted: Impact of polymorphisms in the oestrogen receptors alpha and beta (ESR1, ESR2) genes on risk of vasculogenic erectile dysfunction
Authors: Safarinejad M. R. , Taghva A. , Shafiei N. , Safarinejad S.
Published: May 2013

Retraction

The above article from Andrology, ‘Impact of polymorphisms in the oestrogen receptors alpha and beta (ESR1, ESR2) genes on risk of vasculogenic erectile dysfunction’ by M. R. Safarinejad, A. Taghva, N. Shafiei and S. Safarinejad published online on 20 May 2013 in Wiley Online Library has been retracted by agreement between the journal Editors‐in‐Chief, Douglas Carrell and Ewa Rajpert‐De Meyts and John Wiley and Sons Ltd. The retraction has been decided due to failure by the lead author to verify the data contained in the study, and to provide evidence of the role of co‐authors and their institutional affiliations.
Characterization of the Evolution and Properties of Silicon Carbide Derived From a Preceramic Polymer Precursor
Authors: Zunjarrao Suraj C. , Rahman Arif , Singh Raman P.
Published: May 2013

This study reports on the fabrication and characterization of polymer‐derived amorphous and nano‐grained SiC, by controlled pyrolysis of allylhydridopolycarbosilane (AHPCS) under inert atmosphere. Processing temperatures and hold times at final temperatures are varied to study the influence of processing parameters on the structure and resulting properties. Chemical changes, phase transformations, and microstructural changes occurring during the pyrolysis process are studied. Polymer cross‐linking and polymer to ceramic conversion is studied using infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) are performed to monitor the mass loss and phase change as a function of temperature. X‐ray diffraction studies are performed to study the intermediate phases and microstructural changes. Hardness and modulus measurements are carried out using instrumented nanoindentation to establish processing‐property‐structure relationship for SiC derived from the polymer precursor. It is seen that the presence of nanocrystalline domains in amorphous SiC significantly influences the modulus and hardness. A nonlinear relationship is observed in these properties with optimal mechanical properties observed for SiC processed to 1150°C for 1 h hold duration, having average grain size of 3 nm. In addition, bulk mechanical characterization, in terms of biaxial flexure strength, is done for SiC–SiC particulate composites purely derived from the polymer precursor.
Perceived stress and burnout among volunteer caregivers working in AIDS care in South Africa
Authors: Akintola Olagoke , Hlengwa Wellington Mthokozisi , Dageid Wenche
Published: May 2013

Aims

To conduct a quantitative investigation of stress and the relationship with burnout among AIDS care volunteers.

Background

Volunteer caregivers experience stress that could lead to burnout. Yet, very few studies quantify stress and its relationship with burnout among AIDS care volunteers.

Design

This study uses a cross‐sectional, exploratory survey design.

Methods

Face‐to‐face interviews were conducted with 126 volunteer caregivers working in 13 semi‐rural communities (townships) in Durban, South Africa in April 2009. All participants were women, Christian and with low levels of education. A 22‐item instrument was drawn from Pearlin et al.'s role overload and role captivity scales, Van Dyk's stress factor scale and the Maslach Burnout Inventory.

Results

Most of the volunteers had moderate‐to‐high levels of stress. ‘Role/work overload’ ‘lack of support’ and ‘overwhelming nature of the disease’ explained most of the variance in stress. Volunteers’ age and number of patients in their care were predictors of stress. Caring for only AIDS patients, lack of support, stress emanating from perceived stigma and lack of training; and the overwhelming nature of AIDS were predictors of burnout.

Conclusion

High levels of stress could negatively impact volunteers’ health and well‐being and on‐the‐job performance. Policy makers must develop and fund home‐based care models that take into account the stressors associated with AIDS care, by reducing the work load, providing ongoing psychosocial support and recruiting nurses to assist volunteers. The small non‐probability sample used in this study highlights the need to treat the findings with caution.
Listening to the patient's self‐reported testimony: the authentic hermeneutical witness to the compassionate nurse?
Authors: Bradshaw Ann
Published: May 2013

Aim

This paper considers whether the patient's self‐reported testimony of nursing care provides an authentic basis for nursing knowledge. An international nursing and philosophical literature gives international relevance.

Background

United Kingdom reports detail patients' complaints about nursing care. Many are personal self‐reported testimonies published in the media, but discounted by the nursing profession.

Design

Discussion paper.

Data Sources

Data sources 1873–2012 include policy documents, nursing studies involving grounded theory, phenomenology and narrative inquiry, nursing textbooks 1882–1971 and the interpretive paradigms of Glaser and Strauss, Heidegger, Ricoeur and Gadamer.

Discussion

Nursing researchers use qualitative methodologies to understand the patient's experience of nursing. Three exemplars reveal epistemological and ontological problems. Epistemologically, researchers are controlling data, their selection and interpretation. Ontologically, the researcher's present horizon dominates because no consideration is given to the historical horizon and context where the tradition of nursing developed and defined the nurse. Arguably, patients' expectations of compassionate nurses bear witness to this past horizon.

Implications for Nursing

Patients' self‐reported testimonies should be taken seriously as an evidence base for understanding and improving nursing care. Nursing researchers using qualitative methods should be transparent about their pre‐judgements. Connections with the past horizon of nursing history should be made to cast light on the present horizon.

Conclusion

Patients' self‐reported testimonies are more congruent with methods of narrative inquiry than data solicited and filtered by the interviewer's undeclared pre‐judgement. They bear witness to the horizon of the past and the meaning and purpose of nursing, its values and ethos.
Serum osteoprotegerin and periodontal destruction in subjects with type 1 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Antonoglou Georgios , Knuuttila Matti , Nieminen Pentti , Vainio Olli , Hiltunen Liisa , Raunio Taina , Niemelä Onni , Hedberg Pirjo , Karttunen Riitta , Tervonen Tellervo
Published: May 2013

Aim

Besides their role in bone metabolism, receptor activator of nuclear factor‐kappaB ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) are also known to be associated with inflammation. We explored associations between the extent/severity of periodontitis and circulating levels of sRANKL and OPG and their ratio using a cross‐sectional study design.

Subjects & methods

The extent of periodontal inflammation and tissue destruction and the serum levels of sRANKL (pg/ml) and OPG (pg/ml) were determined in 80 subjects with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Plaque‐, age‐, gender‐, smoking‐, HbA1c‐ and body mass index‐adjusted associations between periodontal parameters and serum sRANKL, OPG and their ratio were studied using multiple linear regression analysis.

Results

Adjusted regression analyses of all the subjects indicated a significant positive association between AL ≥ 4 mm and severity of periodontitis and the level of serum OPG. A major drop in the strength and statistical significance of the above association was observed when the analyses included only non‐smokers. Serum sRANKL level and sRANKL/OPG ratio were not associated with periodontitis.

Conclusion

Our observations suggest that serum OPG may be an indicator of periodontal tissue destruction in T1DM.
The changes in the hair cycle during gestation and the post‐partum period
Authors: Gizlenti S. , Ekmekci T.R.
Published: May 2013

Background

In pregnancy, increased numbers of hair follicles remain in the anagen phase for longer periods due to hormonal changes and return to the telogen phase within 3–6 months of delivery with a sudden drop in hormone levels. This results in excessive shedding of hair known as post‐partum telogen effluvium.

Objective

To determine the changes in the hair cycle during gestation and the post‐partum period.

Methods

We included 116 women in this study; 28 women at the 24th week of pregnancy, 30 pregnant women at term gestation, 29 women in the 4th post‐partum month, and 29 in the first post‐partum year. The number of breastfeeding mothers in the post‐partum period and the month in which they were examined were also recorded. The ratios of anagen and telogen were measured using Trichoscan.

Results

A statistically significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of the anagen and telogen ratios (P = 0.042, P = 0.042). In the inter‐group comparisons, the mean anagen rate in the 4th post‐partum month was significantly lower than that in the 6th and 9th month of pregnancy (P = 0.045, P = 0.038), while the average telogen rate was significantly higher (P = 0.045, P = 0.038). The mean anagen rate in the 4th post‐partum month in the breastfeeding group was significantly higher than that in the non‐ breastfeeding group (P = 0.014), while the mean telogen rate was significantly lower (P = 0.014). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (the breastfeeding and non‐breastfeeding groups) in terms of the mean anagen and mean telogen ratios in the first post‐partum year (P = 0.385).

Conclusion

The anagen rate increases during pregnancy and the telogen rate rises after delivery, however, there is no exaggeration in these changes in most women.
The Timing Hypothesis and Hormone Replacement Therapy: A Paradigm Shift in the Primary Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease in Women. Part 2: Comparative Risks
Authors: Hodis Howard N. , Mack Wendy J.
Published: May 2013

A major misperception concerning postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is that the associated risks are large in magnitude and unique to HRT, but over the past 10 years, sufficient data have accumulated so that the magnitude and perspective of risks associated with the primary coronary heart disease prevention therapies of statins, aspirin, and postmenopausal HRT have become more fully defined. Review of randomized controlled trials indicates that the risks of primary prevention therapies and other medications commonly used in women's health are of similar type and magnitude, with the majority of these risks categorized as rare to infrequent (<1 event per 100 treated women). Evidence‐based data show that the risks of postmenopausal HRT are predominantly rare (<1 event per 1,000 treated women) and certainly no greater than other commonly used medications in women's health, including statins and aspirin. These risks, including breast cancer, stroke, and venous thromboembolism are common across medications and are rare, and even rarer when HRT is initiated in women younger than 60 or who are less than 10 years since menopause. In Part 1 of this series, the sex‐specificity of statins and aspirin and timing of initiation of HRT as modifiers of efficacy in women were reviewed. Herein, the comparative risks of primary prevention therapies in women are discussed.
Analyzing the Practice of Life Cycle Assessment
Authors: Saunders Christi L. , Landis Amy E. , Mecca Laurel P. , Jones Alex K. , Schaefer Laura A. , Bilec Melissa M.
Published: May 2013

Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a quantitative tool used to evaluate the environmental impacts of products or processes. With respect to buildings, LCA can be used to evaluate the environmental impacts of an entire building's life cycle. Currently LCA in the building area is used in a limited capacity, primarily to select building products. In order to determine the causality for the lack of whole‐building LCAs, focus groups with members of the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) communities were held. This article investigates the current level of knowledge of LCA in the AEC community and then discusses the benefits and barriers to the practice of LCA. In summary, the goal of the research was to identify why LCA is not used to its fullest potential in a whole‐building LCA.

In an open forum and moderated setting, focus group participants were asked individually to self‐identify their experience with LCA, a brief education session on LCA was held, and then benefits and barriers to LCA were discussed. The focus group sessions were transcribed and systematically coded by social researchers in order to analyze the results. Hybrid flow and radar charts were developed. From the focus group results, the most important benefit to LCA was “provides information about environmental impacts.” The results did not identify a prominent barrier; however, building‐related metrics were ascertained to be one of the more crucial barriers. The benefits and barriers classified by this analysis will be utilized to develop a subsequent online survey to further understand the LCA and AEC community.
Validation and Characterization of Ghd7.1, a Major Quantitative Trait Locus with Pleiotropic Effects on Spikelets per Panicle, Plant Height, and Heading Date in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Liu Touming , Liu Haiyang , Zhang Huang , Xing Yongzhong
Published: May 2013

A quantitative trait locus (QTL) that affects heading date (HD) and the number of spikelets per panicle (SPP) was previously identified in a small region on chromosome 7 in rice (Oryza sativa L.). In order to further characterize the QTL region, near isogenic lines (NILs) were quickly obtained by self‐crossing recombinant inbred line 189, which is heterozygous in the vicinity of the target region. The pleiotropic effects of QTL Ghd7.1 on plant height (PH), SPP, and HD, were validated using an NIL‐F2 population. Ghd7.1 explained 50.2%, 45.3%, and 76.9% of phenotypic variation in PH, SPP, and HD, respectively. Ghd7.1 was precisely mapped to a 357‐kb region on the basis of analysis of the progeny of the NIL‐F2 population. Day‐length treatment confirmed that Ghd7.1 is sensitive to photoperiod, with long days delaying heading up to 12.5 d. Identification of panicle initiation and development for the pair of NILs showed that Ghd7.1 elongated the photoperiod‐sensitive phase more than 10 d, but did not change the basic vegetative phase and the reproductive growth phase. These findings indicated that Ghd7.1 regulates SPP by controlling the rate of panicle differentiation rather than the duration of panicle development.
Phase‐retrieved pupil function and coherent transfer function in confocal microscopy
Authors: FOREMAN M.R. , GIUSCA C.L. , TÖRÖK P. , LEACH R.K.
Published: May 2013

This work reports on the retrieval of the pupil function and coherent transfer function of a coherent reflection type confocal microscope from simulated measurements of the intensity point spread function. Two phase retrieval algorithms are presented in this vein, which incorporate the multiple pupil dependence of image formation in confocal microscopy. Verification of the algorithms follows by numerical simulations.
A versatile sample holder for single plane illumination microscopy
Authors: DESMAISON ANNAÏCK , LORENZO CORINNE , ROUQUETTE JACQUES , DUCOMMUN BERNARD , LOBJOIS VALÉRIE
Published: May 2013

Single Plane Illumination Microscopy is an emerging and powerful technology for live imaging of whole living organisms. However, sample handling that relies on specimen embedding in agarose or gel is often a key limitation, especially for time‐lapse monitoring. To address this issue, we developed a new concept for a holder device allowing us to prepare a sample container made of hydrogel. The production process of this holder is based on 3D printing of both a frame and casting devices. The simplicity of production and the advantages of this versatile new sample holder are shown with time‐lapse recording of multicellular tumour spheroid growth. More importantly, we also show that cell division is not impaired in contrast to what is observed with gel embedding. The benefit of this new holder for other sample types, applications and experiments remains to be evaluated, but this innovative concept of fully customizable sample holder preparation potentially represents a major step forward to facilitate the large diffusion of single plane illumination microscopy technology.
Pre‐synaptic kainate receptor‐mediated facilitation of glutamate release involves PKA and Ca2+‐calmodulin at thalamocortical synapses
Authors: Andrade‐Talavera Yuniesky , Duque‐Feria Paloma , Sihra Talvinder S. , Rodríguez‐Moreno Antonio
Published: May 2013

We have investigated the mechanisms underlying the facilitatory modulation mediated by kainate receptor (KAR) activation in the cortex, using isolated nerve terminals (synaptosomes) and slice preparations. In cortical nerve terminals, kainate (KA, 100 μM) produced an increase in 4‐aminopyridine (4‐AP)‐evoked glutamate release. In thalamocortical slices, KA (1 μM) produced an increase in the amplitude of evoked excitatory post‐synaptic currents (eEPSCs) at synapses established between thalamic axon terminals from the ventrobasal nucleus onto stellate neurons of L4 of the somatosensory cortex. In both, synaptosomes and slices, the effect of KA was antagonized by 6‐cyano‐7‐nitroquinoxaline‐2,3‐dione, and persisted after pre‐treatment with a cocktail of antagonists of other receptors whose activation could potentially have produced facilitation of release indirectly. Mechanistically, the observed effects of KA appear to be congruent in synaptosomal and slice preparations. Thus, the facilitation by KA of synaptosomal glutamate release and thalamocortical synaptic transmission were suppressed by the inhibition of protein kinase A and occluded by the stimulation of adenylyl cyclase. Dissecting this G‐protein‐independent regulation further in thalamocortical slices, the KAR‐mediated facilitation of synaptic transmission was found to be sensitive to the block of Ca2+ permeant KARs by philanthotoxin. Intriguingly, the synaptic facilitation was abrogated by depletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores by thapsigargin, or inhibition of Ca2+‐induced Ca2+‐release by ryanodine. Thus, the KA‐mediated modulation was contingent on both Ca2+ entry through Ca2+‐permeable KARs and liberation of intracellular Ca2+ stores. Finally, sensitivity to W‐7 indicated that the increased cytosolic [Ca2+] underpinning KAR‐mediated regulation of synaptic transmission at thalamocortical synapses, requires downstream activation of calmodulin. We conclude that neocortical pre‐synaptic KARs mediate the facilitation of glutamate release and synaptic transmission by a Ca2+‐calmodulin dependent activation of an adenylyl cyclase/cAMP/protein kinase A signalling cascade, independent of G‐protein involvement.

image

Ca2+/calmodulin involvement in pre‐synaptic kainate receptors facilitation of glutamate release at thalamocortical synapses. We determined the mechanism by which kainate receptors (KARs) mediate a facilitation of glutamate release at thalamo‐L4 cortical cell synapses. We find that an increase in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration, contingent on extra‐ and intra‐cellular sources, in the pre‐synaptic thalamic neuron, operates through the formation of Ca2+‐calmodulin complexes to activate an AC/cAMP/PKA signalling pathway. This action of KARs may support learning and memory processes.
Role of G‐proteins in the effects of leptin on pedunculopontine nucleus neurons
Authors: Beck Paige , Mahaffey Susan , Urbano Francisco J. , Garcia‐Rill Edgar
Published: May 2013

The pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN), the cholinergic arm of the reticular activating system, regulates waking and rapid eye movement sleep. Here, we demonstrate immunohistochemical labeling of the leptin receptor signaling isoform in PPN neurons, and investigated the effects of G‐protein modulation and the leptin triple antagonist (TA) on the action of leptin in the PPN. Whole‐cell patch clamp recordings were performed in rat brainstem slices from 9 to 17 day old pups. Previous results showed that leptin caused a partial blockade of sodium (INa) and h‐current (IH) in PPN neurons. TA (100 nM) reduced the blockade of INa (~ 50% reduction) and IH (~ 93% reduction) caused by leptin. Intracellular guanosine 5′‐[β‐thio]diphosphate trilithium salt (a G‐protein inhibitor) significantly reduced the effect of leptin on INa(~ 60% reduction) but not on IH (~ 25% reduction). Intracellular GTPγS (a G‐protein activator) reduced the effect of leptin on both INa (~ 80% reduction) and IH (~ 90% reduction). These results suggest that the effects of leptin on the intrinsic properties of PPN neurons are leptin receptor‐ and G‐protein dependent. We also found that leptin enhanced NMDA receptor‐mediated responses in single neurons and in the PPN population as a whole, an effect blocked by TA. These experiments further strengthen the association between leptin dysregulation and sleep disturbances.

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Beck et al. investigated the effects of leptin on the intrinsic properties of neurons from the pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN). Leptin reduced the amplitude of voltage‐gated sodium (INa) and hyperpolarization‐activated cyclic nucleotide‐gated HCN (IH) channels. These effects were antagonized by a leptin receptor (OB‐R) antagonist and by the G‐protein antagonist GDPβ.
The pre‐synaptic Munc13‐1 binds alcohol and modulates alcohol self‐administration in Drosophila
Authors: Das Joydip , Xu Shiyu , Pany Satyabrata , Guillory Ashley , Shah Vrutant , Roman Gregg W.
Published: May 2013

Munc13‐1 is a pre‐synaptic active‐zone protein essential for neurotransmitter release and involved in pre‐synaptic plasticity in brain. Ethanol, butanol, and octanol quenched the intrinsic fluorescence of the C1 domain of Munc13‐1 with EC50s of 52 mM, 26 mM, and 0.7 mM, respectively. Photoactive azialcohols photolabeled Munc13‐1 C1 exclusively at Glu‐582, which was identified by mass spectrometry. Mutation of Glu‐582 to alanine, leucine, and histidine reduced the alcohol binding two‐ to five‐fold. Circular dichroism studies suggested that binding of alcohol increased the stability of the wild‐type Munc13‐1 compared with the mutants. If Munc13‐1 plays some role in the neural effects of alcohol in vivo, changes in the activity of this protein should produce differences in the behavioral responses to ethanol. We tested this prediction with a loss‐of‐function mutation in the conserved Dunc‐13 in Drosophila melanogaster. The Dunc‐13P84200/+ heterozygotes have 50% wild‐type levels of Dunc‐13 mRNA and display a very robust increase in ethanol self‐administration. This phenotype is reversed by the expression of the rat Munc13‐1 protein within the Drosophila nervous system. The present studies indicate that Munc13‐1 C1 has binding site(s) for alcohols and Munc13‐1 activity is sufficient to restore normal self‐administration to Drosophila mutants deficient in Dunc‐13 activity.

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The pre‐synaptic Mun13‐1 protein is a critical regulator of synaptic vesicle fusion and may be involved in processes that lead to ethanol abuse and addiction. We studied its interaction with alcohol and identified Glu‐582 as a critical residue for ethanol binding. Munc13‐1 can functionally complement the Dunc13 haploinsufficient ethanol self‐administration phenotype in Drosophila melanogaster, indicating that this protein participates in alcohol‐induced behavioral plasticity.
Corporate Diversification and the Cost of Capital
Authors: HANN REBECCA N. , OGNEVA MARIA , OZBAS OGUZHAN
Published: May 2013

We examine whether organizational form matters for a firm's cost of capital. Contrary to the conventional view, we argue that coinsurance among a firm's business units can reduce systematic risk through the avoidance of countercyclical deadweight costs. We find that diversified firms have, on average, a lower cost of capital than comparable portfolios of stand‐alone firms. In addition, diversified firms with less correlated segment cash flows have a lower cost of capital, consistent with a coinsurance effect. Holding cash flows constant, our estimates imply an average value gain of approximately 5% when moving from the highest to the lowest cash flow correlation quintile.
Analysis of a prehistoric Egyptian iron bead with implications for the use and perception of meteorite iron in ancient Egypt
Authors: Johnson Diane , Tyldesley Joyce , Lowe Tristan , Withers Philip J. , Grady Monica M.
Published: May 2013

Tube‐shaped beads excavated from grave pits at the prehistoric Gerzeh cemetery, approximately 3300 BCE, represent the earliest known use of iron in Egypt. Using a combination of scanning electron microscopy and micro X‐ray microcomputer tomography, we show that microstructural and chemical analysis of a Gerzeh iron bead is consistent with a cold‐worked iron meteorite. Thin fragments of parallel bands of taenite within a meteoritic Widmanstätten pattern are present, with structural distortion caused by cold‐working. The metal fragments retain their original chemistry of approximately 30 wt% nickel. The bulk of the bead is highly oxidized, with only approximately 2.4% of the total bead volume remaining as metal. Our results show that the first known example of the use of iron in Egypt was produced from a meteorite, its celestial origin having implications for both the perception of meteorite iron by ancient Egyptians and the development of metallurgical knowledge in the Nile Valley.
Numerical simulation of the galactic chemical evolution: The revised solar abundance
Authors: Sahijpal S. , Gupta G.
Published: May 2013

We have developed a numerical code for galactic chemical evolution (GCE) of all the stable isotopes from hydrogen to gallium in accordance with the recently revised bulk solar photosphere abundances (Asplund et al. 2009) and the earlier deduced abundances (Anders and Grevesse 1989), herein referred as the pre‐revised abundances. In contrast to solving the classical set of GCE equations, we have numerically simulated the evolution of the galaxy in the solar neighborhood in terms of evolution of the interstellar medium and numerous generations of stars. The evolution of the galaxy was simulated by adopting a two‐stage accretion process. Numerous generations of stars were formed from the interstellar medium according to the adopted star formation rates and the stellar initial mass function (IMF). The simulated stars were evolved and their stellar nucleosynthetic contributions toward the inventories of the stable nuclides to the galaxy were accessed. Assessments were made regarding the type Ia, Ib/c, and II supernovae rates and the stellar remnants, e.g., white‐dwarfs, neutron stars, and black holes. We have computed the age–metallicity relation and the solar abundances of the stable isotopes. A wide range of simulations were performed by parameterizing the choice of the accretion rate of the galaxy, the stellar initial mass function, the stellar evolution, and nucleosynthetic prescription to study their influence on galactic chemical evolution. The reduction in the observed solar metallicity results in significantly reduced supernova rate history of the galaxy, and a better match to the observed elemental evolutionary trend.
Gender and Role in Conflict Management: Female and Male Managers as Third Parties
Authors: Benharda Imen , Brett Jeanne M. , Lempereur Alain
Published: May 2013

This study tested hypotheses drawn from the literature on gender, leadership, and conflict management about the outcomes facilitated by men and women in third party roles in dispute resolution in organizations. Data collected in association with an MBA teambuilding exercise showed that when women played third party roles in which they lacked authority over disputants, they were able to facilitate an outcome that was both acceptable to disputants and met organizational interests, more than men in these roles or than men and women in third party roles with authority. Behavioral data suggested that this effect was due to women in the third party peer role eschewing and men in the third party role displaying agentic behavior. The study contributes to the literature on gender, leadership, and conflict management by showing women's traditional leadership strengths of collaboration and participation can result in unique outcomes when they have less rather than more authority over disputants.
Goals in Negotiation Revisited: The Impact of Goal Setting and Implicit Negotiation Beliefs
Authors: Tasa Kevin , Celani Anthony , Bell Chris M.
Published: May 2013

In two studies, we investigated whether learning goals, which focus attention on task strategies rather than outcomes, affect negotiator behavior and results differently than performance goals. In Study 1, negotiators with learning goals had lower rates of impasse and were judged to be most cooperative. Study 2 replicated these results using a different task and also compared the impact of learning and performance goals to dispositional goal orientation. We found that implicit negotiation beliefs, derived from theories of dispositional goal orientation, were associated with value claiming and interacted with goal type such that the relationship was strongest in the learning goal condition. In addition, negotiators with learning goals developed greater understanding about their counterpart's interests and created more integrative deals. These results show that negotiated outcomes are influenced by both goal type and the extent to which negotiators view their skills as malleable.
The Good News about Honor Culture: The Preference for Cooperative Conflict Management in the Absence of Insults
Authors: Harinck Fieke , Shafa Saïd , Ellemers Naomi , Beersma Bianca
Published: May 2013

People from honor cultures are generally seen as prone to react aggressively in conflict situations. The current research challenges this view and shows that people from honor cultures react more constructively to a conflict situation than people from dignity cultures, as long as they are not insulted. In an experiment in which 41 honor and 41 dignity participants reacted to a conflict situation with or without insult, we showed that—as long as they are not insulted—people from honor cultures handled potential conflict situations more constructively than people from dignity cultures. Thus, the good news about people from honor cultures is that they are willing and able to handle conflict situations constructively—even more so than people from dignity cultures—as long as they are not insulted.