bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
One-dimensional pinning behavior in Co-doped BaFe2As2 thin films
Authors: Mishev V. , Seeböck W. , Eisterer M. , Iida K. , Kurth F. , Hänisch J. , Reich E. , Holzapfel B.
Published: December 2013

Angle-resolved transport measurements revealed that planar defects dominate flux pinning in the investigated Co-doped BaFe2As2 thin film. For any given field and temperature, the critical current depends only on the angle between the crystallographic c-axis and the applied magnetic field but not on the angle between the current and the field. The critical current is therefore limited only by the in-plane component of the Lorentz force but independent of the out-of-plane component, which is entirely balanced by the pinning force exerted by the planar defects. This one-dimensional pinning behavior shows similarities and differences to intrinsic pinning in layered superconductors.
Generation of picosecond pulses and frequency combs in actively mode locked external ring cavity quantum cascade lasers
Authors: Wójcik Aleksander K. , Malara Pietro , Blanchard Romain , Mansuripur Tobias S. , Capasso Federico , Belyanin Alexey
Published: December 2013

We propose a robust and reliable method of active mode locking of mid-infrared quantum cascade lasers and develop its theoretical description. Its key element is the use of an external ring cavity, which circumvents fundamental issues undermining the stability of mode locking in quantum cascade lasers. We show that active mode locking can give rise to the generation of picosecond pulses and phase-locked frequency combs containing thousands of the ring cavity modes.
The effect of temperature on the resonance of the interband transition energy in single-walled carbon nanotubes with excitation laser energy by Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Zhang Caihong , Yan Xinlei , Wang Liyuan , Kitahama Yasutaka , Ozaki Yukihiro , Fang Yan
Published: December 2013

The temperature effect on the interband transition energy (Eii) of bundled single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) has been studied by Raman spectroscopy. The results indicate that a temperature change can effectively adjust the Eii leading to energy-resonance with excitation laser energy (Elaser), which induces a resonance enhancement of radial breathing modes (RBMs) of SWCNTs. This phenomenon has been called the “temperature scanning resonant focal effect.” This effect affords great potential for “focusing” and enhancing the RBMs of SWCNTs with different diameters and for further characterizing the type of SWCNT, e.g., semiconducting or metallic.
Electrical determination of the diffusion barrier for gold in ZnTe
Authors: El Akkad Fikry
Published: December 2013

We report on the effect of Au diffusion on the electrical properties of ZnTe films deposited on Au coated substrates using rf magnetron sputtering. A drop over about 8 decades in the room temperature conductivity is observed for a change in substrate temperature from 60 °C to 325 °C. The results are interpreted in terms of a point-defect model that takes into account the interaction between the in-diffused Au and the intrinsic defects. The analysis of the results on the basis of this model yields a diffusion barrier of 0.40 eV for gold in ZnTe.
Photosynthetic performance and biochemical adjustments in two co-occurring Mediterranean evergreens, Quercus ilex and Arbutus unedo, differing in salt-exclusion ability
Authors: Fusaro Lina , Mereu Simone , Brunetti Cecilia , Di Ferdinando Martina , Ferrini Francesco , Manes Fausto , Salvatori Elisabetta , Marzuoli Riccardo , Gerosa Giacomo , Tattini Massimiliano
Published: November 2013

The responses to mild root zone salinity stress were investigated in two co-occurring Mediterranean woody evergreens, Quercus ilex L. and Arbutus unedo L., which differ in morpho-anatomical traits and strategies to cope with water deficit. The aim was to explore their strategies to allocate potentially toxic ions at organism level, and the consequential physiological and biochemical adjustments. Water and ionic relations, gas exchange and PSII performance, the concentration of photosynthetic pigments, and the activity of antioxidant defences, were measured. Q. ilex displayed a greater capacity to exclude Na+ and Cl– from the leaf than A. unedo, in part as a consequence of greater reductions in transpiration rates. Salt-induced reductions in CO2 assimilation resulted in Q. ilex suffering from excess of light to a greater extent than A. unedo. Consistently, in Q. ilex effective mechanisms of nonphotochemical quenching, also sustained by the lutein epoxide-lutein cycle, operated in response to salinity stress. Q. ilex also displayed a superior capacity to detoxify reactive oxygen species (ROS) than A. unedo. Our data suggest that the ability to exclude salt from actively growing shoot organs depends on the metabolic cost of sustaining leaf construction, i.e. species-specific leaf life-span, and the relative strategies to cope with salt-induced water stress. We discuss how contrasting abilities to restrict the entry and transport of salt in sensitive organs relates with species-specific salt tolerance.
Diet and exercise effects on aerobic fitness and body composition in seriously mentally ill adults
Authors: Giannopoulou Ifigenia , Botonis Petros , Kostara Christina , Skouroliakou Maria
Published: December 2013

Low exercise capacity and high obesity levels are the main characteristics of people with serious mental illness (SMI). We conducted a pilot study on the effects of a 3‐month exercise and dietary intervention on the aerobic capacity and body composition of obese adults with SMI taking Olanzapine, a second generation antipsychotic medication known to induce weight increments. Fifty adults with SMI (15 males and 35 females) followed a 3‐month weight loss intervention programme based on exercise and diet. Pre‐ and post‐intervention, a submaximal O2 exercise test was performed in order to assess O2max anthropometric and body composition measurements were also performed. All participants were obese (body mass index (BMI): 33.61 ± 0.91 kg/m2). Pre‐ and post‐intervention, a submaximal O2 exercise test on the treadmill was performed in order to assess O2max anthropometric and body composition measurements were also performed. Significant reductions in body weight, BMI, body fat and waist circumference were found from pre to post (p < 0.01). O2max was significantly improved in both genders (males: pre: 30.63 ± 2.06 vs. post: 33.19 ± 1.77 ml.kg−1 min−1, females: pre: 25.93 ± 1.01 vs. post: 29.51 ± 1.06 ml.kg−1 min−1, p < 0.01). A significant correlation was found between the change in O2max and the change in body weight and BMI (p < 0.05). Multiple regression analysis revealed that the relative change in O2max explained approximately 26% of the variance in the changes for both BMI (p = 0.07) and body weight (p = 0.06). A treatment of exercise and diet improves the aerobic capacity and body composition of obese adults with SMI, despite the use of Olanzapine.
Risk Factors for Peripheral Intravenous Catheter Failure: A Multivariate Analysis of Data from a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Wallis Marianne C. , McGrail Matthew , Webster Joan , Marsh Nicole , Gowardman John , Playford E. Geoffrey , Rickard Claire M.
Published: December 2013

Objective.

To assess the relative importance of independent risk factors for peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) failure.

Methods.

Secondary data analysis from a randomized controlled trial of PIVC dwell time. The Prentice, Williams, and Peterson statistical model was used to identify and compare risk factors for phlebitis, occlusion, and accidental removal.

Setting.

Three acute care hospitals in Queensland, Australia.

Participants.

The trial included 3,283 adult medical and surgical patients (5,907 catheters) with a PIVC with greater than 4 days of expected use.

Results.

Modifiable risk factors for occlusion included hand, antecubital fossa, or upper arm insertion compared with forearm (hazard ratio [HR], 1.47 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.28–1.68], 1.27 [95% CI, 1.08–1.49], and 1.25 [95% CI, 1.04–1.50], respectively); and for phlebitis, larger diameter PIVC (HR, 1.48 [95% CI, 1.08–2.03]). PIVCs inserted by the operating and radiology suite staff had lower occlusion risk than ward insertions (HR, 0.80 [95% CI, 0.67–0.94]). Modifiable risks for accidental removal included hand or antecubital fossa insertion compared with forearm (HR, 2.45 [95% CI, 1.93–3.10] and 1.65 [95% CI, 1.23–2.22], respectively), clinical staff insertion compared with intravenous service (HR, 1.69 [95% CI, 1.30–2.20]); and smaller PIVC diameter (HR, 1.29 [95% CI, 1.02–1.61]). Female sex was a nonmodifiable factor associated with an increased risk of both phlebitis (HR, 1.64 [95% CI, 1.28–2.09]) and occlusion (HR, 1.44 [95% CI, 1.30–1.61]).

Conclusions.

PIVC survival is improved by preferential forearm insertion, selection of appropriate PIVC diameter, and insertion by intravenous teams and other specialists.

Trial Registration.

The original randomized controlled trial on which this secondary analysis is based is registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (http://www.anzctr.org.au; ACTRN12608000445370).
DDGni: Dynamic delay gene-network inference from high-temporal data using gapped local alignment
Authors: Yalamanchili Hari Krishna , Yan Bin , Li Mulin Jun , Qin Jing , Zhao Zhongying , Chin Francis Y.L. , Wang Junwen
Published: November 2013

Motivation: Inferring gene-regulatory networks is very crucial in decoding various complex mechanisms in biological systems. Synthesis of a fully functional transcriptional factor/protein from DNA involves series of reactions, leading to a delay in gene regulation. The complexity increases with the dynamic delay induced by other small molecules involved in gene regulation, and noisy cellular environment. The dynamic delay in gene regulation is quite evident in high-temporal live cell lineage-imaging data. Although a number of gene-network-inference methods are proposed, most of them ignore the associated dynamic time delay.

Results: Here, we propose DDGni (dynamic delay gene-network inference), a novel gene-network-inference algorithm based on the gapped local alignment of gene-expression profiles. The local alignment can detect short-term gene regulations, that are usually overlooked by traditional correlation and mutual Information based methods. DDGni uses ‘gaps’ to handle the dynamic delay and non-uniform sampling frequency in high-temporal data, like live cell imaging data. Our algorithm is evaluated on synthetic and yeast cell cycle data, and Caenorhabditis elegans live cell imaging data against other prominent methods. The area under the curve of our method is significantly higher when compared to other methods on all three datasets.

Availability: The program, datasets and supplementary files are available at http://www.jjwanglab.org/DDGni/.

Contact:  junwen@hku.hk

Supplementary Information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
The Protestant Influence on the Origins of Irish Home Rule, 1861–1871
Authors: Golden J.J.
Published: November 2013

The campaigns for Irish Home Rule—self-government within the British Empire—shaped late Victorian British politics and dominated Irish nationalism for successive generations. However, the origins of the idea of Home Rule have not been sufficiently explored. Although Irish politics are often resolved into a Catholic/Nationalist and Protestant/Unionist dichotomy, this article examines the influence of Irish Anglicanism on the emergence of Home Rule. It argues that Irish Protestants viewed the establishment of the Church of Ireland as integral to the Act of Union, and that, consequently, nationalistic language conditioned the Church’s response to threats towards disestablishment. When the first Gladstone government did disestablish the Church in 1869, the experience of organising a lay-clerical synodical structure ironically provided a model of local Irish governance. The early Home Rulers, launching the Home Government Association in 1870, both built on the language of Protestant nationality developed in the opposition to Home Rule and used the Church’s synod as a framework for self-government within the British Empire. Culturally, this first Home Rule organisation had more similarities with a discussion society than with nationalist agitation. It argued for federalism as a way of securing a more workable version of the Union. In this iteration, Home Rule was highly Protestant in ethos and conservative in range.
Syn5 RNA polymerase synthesizes precise run-off RNA products
Authors: Zhu Bin , Tabor Stanley , Richardson Charles C.
Published: November 2013

The enzyme predominantly used for in vitro run-off RNA synthesis is bacteriophage T7 RNA polymerase. T7 RNA polymerase synthesizes, in addition to run-off products of precise length, transcripts with an additional non-base-paired nucleotide at the 3′-terminus (N + 1 product). This contaminating product is extremely difficult to remove. We recently characterized the single-subunit RNA polymerase from marine cyanophage Syn5 and identified its promoter sequence. This marine enzyme catalyses RNA synthesis over a wider range of temperature and salinity than does T7 RNA polymerase. Its processivity is >30 000 nt without significant intermediate products. The requirement for the initiating nucleotide at the promoter is less stringent for Syn5 RNA polymerase as compared to T7 RNA polymerase. A major difference is the precise run-off transcripts with homogeneous 3′-termini synthesized by Syn5 RNA polymerase. Therefore, the enzyme is advantageous for the production of RNAs that require precise 3′-termini, such as tRNAs and RNA fragments that are used for subsequent assembly.
Genomic analysis of a phage and prophage from a Bacillus thuringiensis strain
Authors: Yuan Yihui , Gao Meiying , Peng Qin , Wu Dandan , Liu Pengming , Wu Yan
Published: November 2013

Bacteriophages have been found to be the most abundant and also potentially most diverse biological entities on Earth. In the present study, Bacillus phages were isolated rapidly and shown to have a high degree of diversity. The genomes of a newly isolated phage, phiCM3, and a prophage, proCM3, from the Bacillus thuringiensis strain YM-03 were sequenced and characterized. Comparative genome analysis showed that the phiCM3 genome is highly similar to the genomes of eight other Bacillus phages and seven of these phages were classified as the Wβ group of phages. Analysis of the differential evolution of the genes in the Wβ-group phages indicated that the genes encoding the antirepressor and tail fibre protein were more highly conserved than those encoding the major capsid protein, DNA replication protein, and RNA polymerase σ factor, which might have diverged to acquire mechanisms suitable for survival in different microbial hosts. Genome analysis of proCM3 revealed that proCM3 might be a defective phage because of mutations in the minor structural protein, and it was not inducible by mitomycin C treatment. The proCM3 genome was similar to those of two lytic Bacillus phages in sequence, but had a different genomic structure, composed of three regions in a different order. These data suggest that the three phages might have had a common ancestor and that genome rearrangement might have occurred during evolution. The findings of this study enrich our current knowledge of Bacillus phage diversity and evolution, especially for the Wβ-group and TP21-L-like phages, and may help the development of practical applications of Bacillus phages.
The IGF2 intronic miR-483 selectively enhances transcription from IGF2 fetal promoters and enhances tumorigenesis
Authors: Liu Mingzhu , Roth Anna , Yu Min , Morris Robert , Bersani Francesca , Rivera Miguel N. , Lu Jun , Shioda Toshihiro , Vasudevan Shobha , Ramaswamy Sridhar , Maheswaran Shyamala , Diederichs Sven , Haber Daniel A.
Published: December 2013

Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2), a developmentally regulated and maternally imprinted gene, is frequently overexpressed in pediatric cancers. Although loss of imprinting (LOI) at fetal promoters contributes to increased IGF2 in tumors, the magnitude of IGF2 expression suggests the involvement of additional regulatory mechanisms. A microRNA (miRNA) screen of primary Wilms' tumors identified specific overexpression of miR-483-5p, which is embedded within the IGF2 gene. Unexpectedly, the IGF2 mRNA itself is transcriptionally up-regulated by miR-483-5p. A nuclear pool of miR-483-5p binds directly to the 5′ untranslated region (UTR) of fetal IGF2 mRNA, enhancing the association of the RNA helicase DHX9 to the IGF2 transcript and promoting IGF2 transcription. Ectopic expression of miR-483-5p in IGF2-dependent sarcoma cells is correlated with increased tumorigenesis in vivo. Together, these observations suggest a functional positive feedback loop of an intronic miRNA on transcription of its host gene.
Ultraviolet Photochemical Cross-Linking to Detect RNA-Binding Proteins
Authors: Rio Donald C.
Published: December 2013

RNA is photoreactive on exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light in the 250- to 270-nm range. On UV treatment, RNA bases absorb energy to generate free radicals that can covalently attach to nearby amino acid residues in RNA-bound proteins. UV cross-linking experiments have been extensively used to identify and characterize RNA-binding proteins. The method described here involves the use of32P-labeled RNA and crude extracts or purified proteins.
Alternative overwintering strategies in an Antarctic midge: freezing vs. cryoprotective dehydration
Authors: Kawarasaki Yuta , Teets Nicholas M. , Denlinger David L. , Lee Richard E.
Published: December 2013

Cryoprotective dehydration is a relatively new addition to our understanding of freeze avoidance strategies employed by polar invertebrates. Although the underlying cellular processes associated with this strategy are similar to those of freeze tolerance, little is known about potential trade‐offs of overwintering in these physiological states.

This study compares the potential of larvae of the terrestrial midge Belgica antarctica (Diptera, Chironomidae) to overwinter in these two states. As the only insect with the capacity to tolerate freezing and to cryoprotectively dehydrate, it is an ideal model to compare the benefits and costs of these strategies.

Compared to summer‐acclimated larvae, supercooling points of winter‐acclimatized larvae were significantly depressed and were lower than observed minima for their microhabitat temperatures. Thus, if larvae avoid inoculative freezing from environmental ice, they could remain unfrozen via cryoprotective dehydration.

Both frozen and cryoprotectively dehydrated larvae readily survived a 32‐day exposure to simulated overwintering temperatures.

Freezing had little effect on larval body water content and haemolymph osmolality. In contrast, cryoprotective dehydration at −5 °C resulted in a progressive loss of body water, ultimately reducing larval water content by 62%. This level of dehydration corresponded to an increase in haemolymph osmolality to c. 2750 mOsm kg−1, depressing the haemolymph melting point to −4·9 °C.

Freezing and cryoprotective dehydration resulted in distinctly different patterns of glycogen breakdown. Whereas the glycogen content decreased only during the first 14 days in cryoprotectively dehydrated larvae, frozen larvae continued to break down glycogen throughout the 32‐day subzero exposure. However, after recovery at 0 °C for 5 days, glycogen levels were similar in these two groups, as were the levels of total lipids.

Our results indicate that freezing and cryoprotective dehydration are both effective in promoting winter survival of larvae, with surprisingly few differences in energetic costs. Whether larvae freeze or become cryoprotectively dehydrated ultimately depends on the hydric condition of their microhabitat. The physiological flexibility of B. antarctica to overwinter in these alternative states likely contributed to its range distribution that extends further south than any other free‐living insect.
Understanding Informal Payments in the Public Sector: Theory and Evidence from Nineteenth‐century Sweden
Authors: Sundell Anders
Published: November 2013

Informal payments for public services such as health care are a major problem in many countries around the world. Explanations for their prevalence include cultural factors, lack of enforcement as well as insufficient funds and low wages for public employees. This paper analyzes the phenomenon from an economic perspective, arguing that they are a logical consequence of low wages in the public sector. However, informal payments from citizens to public employees for services may be preferable to a situation in which no services are delivered. Given that the informal payments thus can be seen to have a functional element, and that reforms aimed at eliminating them largely have been unsuccessful, formalization and legalization rather than increased enforcement may be a way forward. Many government employees in nineteenth‐century Sweden received their salary through semi‐informal payments (‘sportler’) from citizens. A case study reveals that politicians at the time reasoned along the lines of what could be expected from economic theory: although undesirable and problematic, sportler were necessary to finance the wages of the government employees, given the lack of tax revenue and monitoring capabilities. In contrast to previous research, this article argues that reform efforts were aimed at pragmatically improving the existing system through formalization and regulation rather than simply prohibiting the informal payments.
Developing biographies: the experiences of children, young people and their parents of living with a long‐term condition
Authors: Bray Lucy , Kirk Sue , Callery Peter
Published: November 2013

This article reports on data from a qualitative interview study that sought to understand the experiences, choices and actions of children and young people undergoing surgery for a long‐term condition and that of their parents. Using the concept of biography the article examines how the biographies of children, young people and their parents can be influenced by surgery and the ongoing management of a long‐term continence condition. This article challenges previous work that characterises the presence of a condition from birth as a continuous and normal part of the illness experiences of these patients. Although this may be the case in some instances, children, young people and their parents can experience diverse and changing experiences associated with ongoing condition management as well as surgery. Biographical continuity, enrichment and disruption are all relevant concepts for such patients living with a long‐term continence condition. These can be influenced by their previous experiences of their condition, their expectations, and dynamics with parents, including changes associated with development and the increasing independence of young people.
Reflexes Of Indo‐European ‘Ē‐Statives’ In Old Indic
Authors: Yakubovich Ilya
Published: November 2013

The paper addresses the reconstruction of the Indo‐European verbal derivational category that is conventionally called ‘ē‐statives’ can be illustrated by Lat.sen‐ē‐re‘to be old’ ortac‐ē‐re‘to be silent’. Its empirical contribution consists in tracing the Old Indicreflexes of ‘ē‐statives’, which have not been systematically investigated up to now. The analysis of the new data is conducive to the conclusion that that the Indo‐European stative suffix *‐eh1‐i̯e/o‐was originally typical of denominative verbs belonging to the Caland System. Its subsequent spread to primary verbs was implemented indifferent ways in individual ancient Indo‐European languages, and therefore need not be projected into Proto‐Indo‐European.
International Capital Flow, Vanishing Industries and Two‐sided Wage Inequality
Authors: Marjit Sugata , Kar Saibal
Published: November 2013

This paper shows that international capital flow can lead to a rise in the relative wage between skilled and unskilled workers simultaneously in both capital‐exporting and capital‐importing nations. The impossibility of two‐sided wage inequality as an outcome of exogenous shocks has been previously discussed in the literature. We argue that such a result is highly probable when some industries vanish following changes in factor prices as a consequence of factor flows. The asymmetry in the nature of finite changes is the critical factor.
Offshoring Prompts High Quality Labour Markets
Authors: Ngienthi Wanida
Published: November 2013

I consider offshoring in the low‐technology and high‐technology sectors in a host country. I build a model in which the occurrence of offshoring is determined by both the skill level of unskilled workers and the level of ‘offshoring facilitators’. Offshoring factilitators are factors or activities that promote offshoring in the high‐technology sector, such as technological advancement, economic integration, services liberalization and harmonization of rules and regulations. If the level of offshoring facilitators is low, a rise in the skill level can attract offshoring to the low‐technology sector but not to the high‐technology sector. A rise in the level of offshoring facilitators can attract offshoring to the high‐technology sector. Because offshoring in the high‐technology sector provides jobs to skilled workers, it also improves the quality of labour markets. I discuss services liberalization in ASEAN and examine a case study of Thailand as the host country in the global economy.
Efficacy of Icotinib treatment in patients with stage IIIb/IV non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Qin Na , Yang Xinjie , Zhang Quan , Li Xi , Zhang Hui , Lv Jialin , Wu Yuhua , Wang Jinghui , Zhang Shucai
Published: December 2013

Background

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Icotinib – an orally administered, highly potent selective inhibitor of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and its active mutations, in the treatment of patients with advanced non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods

A total of 101 patients with stage IIIb/IV NSCLC were treated with 125 mg Icotinib three times a day until disease progression or intolerable toxicity. Response rate was evaluated using response evaluation criteria in solid tumors and progression‐free survival (PFS) was collected.

Results

The overall response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) were 37.6% (38/101) and 79.2% (80/101), respectively. The median PFS was 6.5 months. Multivariate analysis showed that female gender (P = 0.048, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.010–6.016) and occurrence of rash (P = 0.002, 95% CI 1.667–9.809) were the independent predictive factors for ORR, while a performance status (PS) score of 0–1 (P = 0.001, 95% CI 0.024–0.402) and rash (P = 0.042, 95% CI 1.089–76.557) were the independent predictive factors for DCR. In addition, PS scores of 0–1 (P < 0.001, 95% CI 0.135–0.509), and non‐smoking (P = 0.017, 95% CI 0.342–0.900) were found to be independent influencing factors for PFS. Moreover, patients with EGFR mutations had better PFS than patients with wild type EGFR, while patients with EGFR exon 19 deletion had better survival than those with EGFR exon 21 mutation. The most common adverse effects of Icotinib were rash (35.6%) and diarrhea (17.8%), which was tolerable.

Conclusion

Treatment of stage IIIb/IV NSCLC patients with Icotinib was effective and tolerable, specifically in patients with EGFR mutation.
Restricted Two Parameter Ridge Estimator
Authors: Şİray Gülesen Üstündağ , Toker Selma
Published: December 2013

In 2005 Lipovetsky and Conklin proposed an estimator, the two parameter ridge estimator (TRE), as an alternative to the ordinary least squares estimator (OLSE) and the ordinary ridge estimator (RE) in the presence of multicollinearity, and in 2006 Lipovetsky improved the two parameter model. In this paper, we introduce two new estimators, one of which is the modified two parameter ridge estimator (MTRE) defined by following Swindel's paper of 1976. The other one is the restricted two parameter ridge estimator (RTRE) which is derived by setting additional linear restrictions on the parameter vectors. This estimator is a generalization of the restricted least squares estimator (RLSE) and includes the restricted ridge estimator (RRE) proposed by Groß in 2003. A numerical example is provided and a simulation study is conducted for the comparisons of the RTRE with the OLSE, RLSE, RE, RRE and TRE.
Radiocontrast‐induced thyroid dysfunction: is it common and what should we do about it?
Authors: Hudzik Bartosz , Zubelewicz‐Szkodzińska Barbara
Published: November 2013

There has been a substantial increase in the use of radiocontrast‐enhanced imaging studies in the past two decades (particularly computed tomography and coronary angiography). Sudden exposure to high levels of iodide may result in thyroid dysfunction (hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism alike). Although the adverse‐event rate is not very high, the condition is notable considering the large number of contrast‐enhanced radiographic studies performed. Clinicians often have to decide on the most suitable diagnostic modality and the safest contrast medium when it comes to certain patients. In this study, we stress that the thyroid function of the patients should also be taken into consideration while making such decisions. We discuss in detail the prevalence and types (hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism) of radiocontrast‐induced thyroid dysfunction. We list the subsets of the population that are at a higher risk of radiocontrast‐induced thyroid dysfunction and summarize the necessary prophylaxis and possible treatment. The presented principles apply to intravenous, intra‐arterial and enteral (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) routes of iodinated contrast medium administration.
Surface Damage on Dental Implants with Release of Loose Particles after Insertion into Bone
Authors: Senna Plinio , Antoninha Del Bel Cury Altair , Kates Stephen , Meirelles Luiz
Published: November 2013

Background

Modern dental implants present surface features of distinct dimensions that can be damaged during the insertion procedure into bone.

Purpose

The aims of this study were (1) to quantify by means of roughness parameters the surface damage caused by the insertion procedure of dental implants and (2) to investigate the presence of loose particles at the interface.

Materials and Methods

Three groups of dental implants representing different surface topographies were inserted in fresh cow rib bone blocks. The surface roughness was characterized by interferometry on the same area before and after the insertion. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)–back‐scattered electron detector (BSD) analysis was used to identify loose particles at the interface.

Results

The amplitude and hybrid roughness parameters of all three groups were lower after insertion. The surface presenting predominance of peaks (Ssk [skewness] > 0) associated to higher structures (height parameters) presented higher damage associated to more pronounced reduction of material volume. SEM‐BSD images revealed loose titanium and aluminum particles at the interface mainly at the crestal cortical bone level.

Conclusions

Shearing forces during the insertion procedure alters the surface of dental implants. Loose metal particles can be generated at bone‐implant interface especially around surfaces composed mainly by peaks and with increased height parameters.
Interactive Effects of Water Diversion and Climate Change for Juvenile Chinook Salmon in the Lemhi River Basin (U.S.A.)
Authors: WALTERS ANNIKA W. , BARTZ KRISTA K. , MCCLURE MICHELLE M.
Published: December 2013

The combined effects of water diversion and climate change are a major conservation challenge for freshwater ecosystems. In the Lemhi Basin, Idaho (U.S.A.), water diversion causes changes in streamflow, and climate change will further affect streamflow and temperature. Shifts in streamflow and temperature regimes can affect juvenile salmon growth, movement, and survival. We examined the potential effects of water diversion and climate change on juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), a species listed as threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA). To examine the effects for juvenile survival, we created a model relating 19 years of juvenile survival data to streamflow and temperature and found spring streamflow and summer temperature were good predictors of juvenile survival. We used these models to project juvenile survival for 15 diversion and climate‐change scenarios. Projected survival was 42–58% lower when streamflows were diverted than when streamflows were undiverted. For diverted streamflows, 2040 climate‐change scenarios (ECHO‐G and CGCM3.1 T47) resulted in an additional 11–39% decrease in survival. We also created models relating habitat carrying capacity to streamflow and made projections for diversion and climate‐change scenarios. Habitat carrying capacity estimated for diverted streamflows was 17–58% lower than for undiverted streamflows. Climate‐change scenarios resulted in additional decreases in carrying capacity for the dry (ECHO‐G) climate model. Our results indicate climate change will likely pose an additional stressor that should be considered when evaluating the effects of anthropogenic actions on salmon population status. Thus, this type of analysis will be especially important for evaluating effects of specific actions on a particular species.

Efectos Interactivos de la Desviación del Agua y el Cambio Climático en Individuos Juveniles de Salmón Chinook en la Cuenca del Río Lemhi (E.U.A.)
Incorporating Climate and Ocean Change into Extinction Risk Assessments for 82 Coral Species
Authors: BRAINARD RUSSELL E. , WEIJERMAN MARISKA , EAKIN C. MARK , MCELHANY PAUL , MILLER MARGARET W. , PATTERSON MATT , PINIAK GREGORY A. , DUNLAP MATTHEW J. , BIRKELAND CHARLES
Published: December 2013

Many marine invertebrate species facing potential extinction have uncertain taxonomies and poorly known demographic and ecological traits. Uncertainties are compounded when potential extinction drivers are climate and ocean changes whose effects on even widespread and abundant species are only partially understood. The U.S. Endangered Species Act mandates conservation management decisions founded on the extinction risk to species based on the best available science at the time of consideration—requiring prompt action rather than awaiting better information. We developed an expert‐opinion threat‐based approach that entails a structured voting system to assess extinction risk from climate and ocean changes and other threats to 82 coral species for which population status and threat response information was limited. Such methods are urgently needed because constrained budgets and manpower will continue to hinder the availability of desired data for many potentially vulnerable marine species. Significant species‐specific information gaps and uncertainties precluded quantitative assessments of habitat loss or population declines and necessitated increased reliance on demographic characteristics and threat vulnerabilities at genus or family levels. Adapting some methods (e.g., a structured voting system) used during other assessments and developing some new approaches (e.g., integrated assessment of threats and demographic characteristics), we rated the importance of threats contributing to coral extinction risk and assessed those threats against population status and trend information to evaluate each species’ extinction risk over the 21st century. This qualitative assessment resulted in a ranking with an uncertainty range for each species according to their estimated likelihood of extinction. We offer guidance on approaches for future biological extinction risk assessments, especially in cases of data‐limited species likely to be affected by global‐scale threats.

Incorporación del Cambio Climático y Oceánico en Estudios de Riesgo de Extinción para 82 Especies de Coral
Investment and the Policy Process in Conservation Monitoring
Authors: SANCHIRICO JAMES N. , SPRINGBORN MICHAEL R. , SCHWARTZ MARK W. , DOERR ANGELA N.
Published: December 2013

Despite decades of discussion and implementation, conservation monitoring remains a challenge. Many current solutions in the literature focus on improving the science or making more structured decisions. These insights are important but incomplete in accounting for the politics and economics of the conservation decisions informed by monitoring. Our novel depiction of the monitoring enterprise unifies insights from multiple disciplines (conservation, operations research, economics, and policy) and highlights many underappreciated factors that affect the expected benefits of monitoring. For example, there must be a strong link between the specific needs of decision makers and information gathering. Furthermore, the involvement of stakeholders other than scientists and research managers means that new information may not be interpreted and acted upon as expected. While answering calls for sharply delineated objectives will clearly add focus to monitoring efforts, for practical reasons, high‐level goals may purposefully be left vague, to facilitate other necessary steps in the policy process. We use the expanded depiction of the monitoring process to highlight problems of cooperation and conflict. We critique calls to invest in monitoring for the greater good by arguing that incentives are typically lacking. Although the benefits of learning accrued within a project (e.g., improving management) provide incentives for investing in some monitoring, it is unrealistic, in general, to expect managers to add potentially costly measures to generate shared benefits. In the traditional linear model of the role of science in policy decisions, monitoring reduces uncertainty and decision makers are rational, unbiased consumers of the science. However, conservation actions increasingly involve social conflict. Drawing insights from political science, we argue that in high‐conflict situations, it is necessary to address the conflict prior to monitoring.

Las Inversiones y el Proceso de Políticas en el Monitoreo de la Conservación Sanchirico et al.
Functional imaging in lung cancer
Authors: Harders S. W. , Balyasnikowa S. , Fischer B. M.
Published: December 2013

Lung cancer represents an increasingly frequent cancer diagnosis worldwide. An increasing awareness on smoking cessation as an important mean to reduce lung cancer incidence and mortality, an increasing number of therapy options and a steady focus on early diagnosis and adequate staging have resulted in a modestly improved survival. For early diagnosis and precise staging, imaging, especially positron emission tomography combined with CT (PET/CT), plays an important role. Other functional imaging modalities such as dynamic contrast‐enhanced CT (DCE‐CT) and diffusion‐weighted MR imaging (DW‐MRI) have demonstrated promising results within this field. The purpose of this review is to provide the reader with a brief and balanced introduction to these three functional imaging modalities and their current or potential application in the care of patients with lung cancer.
Positron emission tomography of the vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque in man – a contemporary review
Authors: Pedersen Sune F. , Hag Anne Mette F. , Klausen Thomas L. , Ripa Rasmus S. , Bodholdt Rasmus P. , Kjær Andreas
Published: December 2013

Atherosclerosis is the primary underlying cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD). It is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the Western world today and is set to become the prevailing disease and major cause of death worldwide by 2020. In the 1950s surgical intervention was introduced to treat symptomatic patients with high‐grade carotid artery stenosis due to atherosclerosis – a procedure known as carotid endarterectomy (CEA). By removing the atherosclerotic plaque from the affected carotid artery of these patients, CEA is beneficial by preventing subsequent ipsilateral ischemic stroke. However, it is known that patients with low to intermediate artery stenosis may still experience ischemic events, leading clinicians to consider plaque composition as an important feature of atherosclerosis. Today molecular imaging can be used for characterization, visualization and quantification of cellular and subcellular physiological processes as they take place in vivo; using this technology we can obtain valuable information on atherosclerostic plaque composition. Applying molecular imaging clinically to atherosclerotic disease therefore has the potential to identify atherosclerotic plaques vulnerable to rupture. This could prove to be an important tool for the selection of patients for CEA surgery in a health system increasingly focused on individualized treatment. This review focuses on current advances and future developments of in vivo atherosclerosis PET imaging in man.
Enhanced development of auditory change detection in musically trained school‐aged children: a longitudinal event‐related potential study
Authors: Putkinen Vesa , Tervaniemi Mari , Saarikivi Katri , Ojala Pauliina , Huotilainen Minna
Published: November 2013

Adult musicians show superior auditory discrimination skills when compared to non‐musicians. The enhanced auditory skills of musicians are reflected in the augmented amplitudes of their auditory event‐related potential (ERP) responses. In the current study, we investigated longitudinally the development of auditory discrimination skills in musically trained and nontrained individuals. To this end, we recorded the mismatch negativity (MMN) and P3a responses from children who play a musical instrument and age‐matched children with no musical training at ages 7, 9, 11, and 13. Basic auditory processing was investigated by recording ERPs in the Multi‐Feature Paradigm that included frequency, duration, intensity, location, and gap deviants. The detection of musically more relevant sound changes was examined in an oddball paradigm with major chords as standards and minor chords as deviants. The musically trained children showed larger increase in MMN and P3a amplitudes with age for the chord deviants than the control children. There was also a strong trend (p = .054) for larger increase in MMN amplitude in the musically trained children for the location deviant. As no group differences in response amplitudes were evident at the early stages of the training, our results suggest that the superior neural auditory discrimination in adult musicians is due to training and not pre‐existing differences between musicians and non‐musicians.
Sensitivity to social and non‐social threats in temperamentally shy children at‐risk for anxiety
Authors: LoBue Vanessa , Pérez‐Edgar Koraly
Published: November 2013

In the current brief report, we examined threat perception in a group of young children who may be at‐risk for anxiety due to extreme temperamental shyness. Results demonstrate specific differences in the processing of social threats: 4‐ to 7‐year‐olds in the high‐shy group demonstrated a greater bias for social threats (angry faces) than did a comparison group of low‐shy children. This pattern did not hold for non‐social threats like snakes: Both groups showed an equal bias for the detection of snakes over frogs. The results suggest that children who are tempermentally shy have a heightened sensitivity to social signs of threat early in development. These findings have implications for understanding mechanisms of early threat sensitivity that may predict later socioemotional maladjustment.
Measure of Processes of Care: a review of 20 years of research
Authors: Cunningham Barbara J , Rosenbaum Peter L
Published: November 2013

Aim

This article reviews literature on findings from the Measure of Processes of Care (MPOC) to assess family‐centred services.

Method

Systematic searches for papers citing MPOC in both PubMed and Web of Science identified 107 articles. Fifty‐five met the criterion for inclusion in this review in that they reported MPOC data.

Results

Over the past 20 years MPOC has been used in settings additional to the children's treatment centres for which it was designed; used in 11 countries and translated into 14 languages; and used to measure change in respondents' perceptions over time. MPOC findings have also informed our understanding of the provision of family‐centred services. Overall, parents report that service providers do a good job of providing respectful, comprehensive services in partnership with families, but that there remain limitations in the provision of general information, an area for improvement. Finally, MPOC has been shown to correlate with various other measures related to the provision of family‐centred services.

Interpretation

The MPOC ‘family’ of measures can be used to assess both families' and service providers' experiences and perceptions of the family‐centredness of services received/provided. Opportunities abound for further research enquiries.
How Does Individual Recognition Evolve? Comparing Responses to Identity Information in Polistes Species with and Without Individual Recognition
Authors: Sheehan Michael J. , Straub Michael A. , Tibbetts Elizabeth A.
Published: November 2013

A wide range of complex social behaviors are facilitated by the recognition of individual conspecifics. Individual recognition requires sufficient phenotypic variation to provide identity information as well as receivers that process and respond to identity information. Understanding how a complex trait such as individual recognition evolves requires that we consider how each component has evolved. Previous comparative studies have examined phenotypic variability in senders and receiver learning abilities, although little work has compared receiver responses to identity information among related species with and without individual recognition. Here, we compare responses to identity information in two Polistes paper wasps: P. fuscatus, which visually recognizes individuals, and P. metricus, which does not normally show evidence of individual recognition. Although the species differ in individual recognition, the results of this study show that receiver responses to experimentally manipulated identity information are surprisingly similar in both species. Receivers direct less aggression toward identifiable individuals than unidentifiable individuals. Therefore, the responses necessary for individual recognition may pre‐date its evolution in the P. fuscatus lineage. Additionally, our data demonstrate the apparent binary differences in a complex behavior between the two species, such as individual recognition, likely involve incremental differences along a number of axes.
Inflammatory peeling skin syndrome caused by homozygous genomic deletion in the PSORS1 region encompassing the CDSN gene
Authors: Ishida‐Yamamoto Akemi , Furio Laetitia , Igawa Satomi , Honma Masaru , Tron Elodie , Malan Valerie , Murakami Masamoto , Hovnanian Alain
Published: December 2013

Peeling skin syndrome (PSS) type B is a rare recessive genodermatosis characterized by lifelong widespread, reddish peeling of the skin with pruritus. The disease is caused by small‐scale mutations in the Corneodesmosin gene (CDSN) leading to premature termination codons. We report for the first time a Japanese case resulting from complete deletion of CDSN. Corneodesmosin was undetectable in the epidermis, and CDSN was unamplifiable by PCR. QMPSF analysis demonstrated deletion of CDSN exons inherited from each parent. Deletion mapping using microsatellite haplotyping, CGH array and PCR analysis established that the genomic deletion spanned 49–72 kb between HCG22 and TCF19, removing CDSN as well as five other genes within the psoriasis susceptibility region 1 (PSORS1) on 6p21.33. This observation widens the spectrum of molecular defects underlying PSS type B and shows that loss of these five genes from the PSORS1 region does not result in an additional cutaneous phenotype.