bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hierarchical Electrohydrodynamic Structures for Surface‐Enhanced Raman Scattering
Authors: Goldberg‐Oppenheimer Pola , Mahajan Sumeet , Steiner Ullrich
Published: April 2012

Surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is a well‐established spectroscopic technique that requires nanoscale metal structures to achieve high signal sensitivity. While most SERS substrates are manufactured by conventional lithographic methods, the development of a cost‐effective approach to create nanostructured surfaces is a much sought‐after goal in the SERS community. Here, a method is established to create controlled, self‐organized, hierarchical nanostructures using electrohydrodynamic (HEHD) instabilities. The created structures are readily fine‐tuned, which is an important requirement for optimizing SERS to obtain the highest enhancements. HEHD pattern formation enables the fabrication of multiscale 3D structured arrays as SERS‐active platforms. Importantly, each of the HEHD‐patterned individual structural units yield a considerable SERS enhancement. This enables each single unit to function as an isolated sensor. Each of the formed structures can be effectively tuned and tailored to provide high SERS enhancement, while arising from different HEHD morphologies. The HEHD fabrication of sub‐micrometer architectures is straightforward and robust, providing an elegant route for high‐throughput biological and chemical sensing.
Neonatal cholinergic lesion alters the acoustic structure of infant rat vocalization but not the early cognitive development
Authors: Krüger Hanna‐Sophie , Hanganu‐Opatz Ileana L.
Published: April 2012

Cholinergic innervation is critically required for cytoarchitectonic maturation of the cerebral cortex as well as functional assembling of neuronal networks and their behavioral readout. Selective lesion of cortically projecting cholinergic neurons initiated immediately after birth by the immunotoxin 192 IgG‐saporin (SAP) led to abnormal wiring of prefrontal–hippocampal networks, yet the neurobehavioral and cognitive consequences of this impairment are still poorly understood. Here, we show that partial cholinergic depletion initiated at birth did not impact the general development of rat pups during the first 2 postnatal weeks, their homing behavior, and the maturation of recognition memory. However, the acoustic structure of infant ultrasonic vocalization was significantly affected by SAP, indicating that early neurobehavioral development relies on intact cholinergic drive. This altered vocalization did not elicit differential maternal care, suggesting that the previously reported SAP‐induced behavioral deficits at adulthood are the direct result of cholinergic depletion rather than of abnormal mother–pup interactions. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 55: 294–308, 2013
Long‐term air temperature changes in a Central European sedge‐grass marsh
Authors: Dušek Jiří , Stellner Stanislav , Komárek Arnošt
Published: April 2012

In this study, we have analysed the series of daily air temperatures from 1977 to 2009 measured in a sedge‐grass marsh ecosystem near the town of Třeboň, Czech Republic (Central Europe). Annual averages of daily mean, minimum and maximum temperatures were analysed. Possible significant increases were recorded for all these values during the study period. The annual average of daily maximum temperatures increased on average by 0.0827 °C per year. The annual average of daily mean air temperatures increased by 0.0544 °C per year. The rise of the annual average of daily minimum air temperature was the lowest, namely by 0.0374 °C per year. The air temperature rise was not the same in all periods of the year, and different increases were found in individual months. The daily mean air temperature rose significantly in the growing season (April–August). In all the other months except December, a statistically non‐significant rise of daily mean air temperatureswas recorded. From the ecological point of view, the different monthly increases are more important for the wetland ecosystem than the slow gradual rise of air temperature over the years. The air temperature rise recorded in the wetland studied was lower than that predicted by climatic models. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reading, Writing, and Thinking Like a Scientist
Authors: Cervetti Gina , Pearson P.
Published: April 2012

In this commentary, the authors bring insights from their work on science‐literacy integration at the elementary level to bear on the ongoing conversation about disciplinary literacy at the middle and secondary levels. In particular, the authors discuss what they have learned about inquiry, disciplinary reading strategies, and the role of text in disciplinary learning. The authors conclude that reading, writing, and language are best viewed as closely tied to inquiry and meaning‐making in different disciplines, and, as such, are best positioned as a set of tools used to support student involvement in the unique practices of each discipline.
Recognizing the “Social” in Literacy as a Social Practice: Building on the Resources of Nonmainstream Students
Authors: Kelly Courtney R.
Published: April 2012

This article describes an after‐school program in which immigrant and urban low‐income middle school students collaborated to create social maps of their school and to produce a multilingual video against gossip. These literacy‐based projects combined critical pedagogy and culturally relevant pedagogy to promote meaningful interactions between young people from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds. The data presented reveal the potential power of learning environments that use the cultural and social resources of nonmainstream youth to promote agency and engagement.
Effect of pore architecture and stacking direction on mechanical properties of solid freeform fabrication‐based scaffold for bone tissue engineering
Authors: Lee Jung‐Seob , Cha Hwang Do , Shim Jin‐Hyung , Jung Jin Woo , Kim Jong Young , Cho Dong‐Woo
Published: April 2012

Fabrication of a three‐dimensional (3D) scaffold with increased mechanical strength may be an essential requirement for more advanced bone tissue engineering scaffolds. Various material‐ and chemical‐based approaches have been explored to enhance the mechanical properties of engineered bone tissue scaffolds. In this study, the effects of pore architecture and stacking direction on the mechanical and cell proliferation properties of a scaffold were investigated. The 3D scaffold was prepared using solid freeform fabrication technology with a multihead deposition system. Various types of scaffolds with different pore architectures (lattice, stagger, and triangle types) and stacking directions (horizontal and vertical directions) were fabricated with a blend of polycaprolactone and poly lactic‐co‐glycolic acid. In compression tests, the triangle‐type scaffold was the strongest among the experimental groups. Stacking direction affected the mechanical properties of scaffolds. An in vitro cell counting kit‐8 assay showed no significant differences in optical density depending on the different pore architectures and stacking directions. In conclusion, mechanical properties of scaffolds can be enhanced by controlling pore architecture and stacking direction. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2012.
Systemic therapy for advanced adrenal cancer
Authors: Dreicer Robert
Published: April 2012

The systemic management of advanced adrenal cancer remains a major therapeutic dilemma as it is both highly resistant to systemic agents and very rare epithelial neoplasm making clinical investigation a significant challenge. The role of mitotane, systemic chemotherapy and novel targeted agents are reviewed. J. Surg. Oncol. 2012; 106:643–646. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Being within or being between? The cultural context of Arab women's experience of coping with breast cancer in Israel
Authors: Goldblatt Hadass , Cohen Miri , Azaiza Faisal , Manassa Rimon
Published: April 2012

Background

Coping with cancer is affected by cultural norms, beliefs, and perceptions. To date, only a few studies have examined how Arab women cope with breast cancer and how the illness affects their lives. We aimed to study how Arab women perceive and ascribe meaning to their illness and its personal, familial, and social implications and to examine their coping strategies within the religious and traditional cultural context.

Methods

The study was qualitative. Participants were 20 Muslim and Christian Arab women with breast cancer (stages I–III) from northern Israel, aged 20–50 years. Participants were between 1 and 5 years after chemotherapy and radiotherapy. In‐depth, semi‐structured interviews were conducted and later transcribed.

Results

Four main themes emerged: (i) “Family Comes First”: The Woman and Her Family; (ii) To Expose or not to Expose? That's the Dilemma; (iii) Faith in God as a Source of Coping; and (iv) Constructing New Meanings Following Recovery from Cancer. Findings stressed a duality in participants' cancer coping experience according to the traditional cultural norms of concealment, while simultaneously encountering more open Western attitudes through interactions with healthcare providers and Jewish women receiving treatment alongside them.

Conclusions

Healthcare professionals should be aware of the unique implications of cancer in the context of the traditional Arab culture intertwined with modernization processes. This context calls for interventions that consider the understandings depicted in the present study. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Spider mite control and resistance management: does a genome help?
Authors: Van Leeuwen Thomas , Dermauw Wannes , Grbic Miodrag , Tirry Luc , Feyereisen René
Published: April 2012

The complete genome of the two‐spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae, has been reported. This is the first sequenced genome of a highly polyphagous and resistant agricultural pest. The question as to what the genome offers the community working on spider mite control is addressed. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Sailing into the wind: Exploring the relationships among ambidexterity, vacillation, and organizational performance
Authors: Boumgarden Peter , Nickerson Jackson , Zenger Todd R.
Published: April 2012

While sustainable high performance requires the capacity to simultaneously explore and exploit, the management literature is divided on the most feasible and efficient route toward this end. We review two proposed approaches for achieving simultaneously high levels of exploration and exploitation: organizational ambidexterity and organizational vacillation. To facilitate comparison, we map these approaches onto a common performance landscape, making precise the empirical question of which delivers superior long run performance. We then analyze canonical cases from both literatures, examining patterns of decision making and corresponding performance over time. These cases suggest that vacillation may offer higher long run performance than ambidexterity, while ambidexterity enhances performance on the margin when utilized within larger epochs of vacillation. We conclude that ambidexterity and vacillation are complements with respect to performance, albeit through different mechanisms. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Word Detectives: Using Units of Meaning to Support Literacy
Authors: Goodwin Amanda , Lipsky Miriam , Ahn Soyeon
Published: April 2012

This study examines the effect of morphological instruction and synthesizes instructional methods from 30 morphological interventions into four recommended morphological instructional strategies. Results suggest children receiving morphological instruction performed significantly better on measures of literacy achievement, especially in the areas of phonological and morphological awareness, decoding, spelling, and vocabulary skills. Analysis of instructional trends suggests five ways to increase morphological knowledge including 1) segment and build with morphemes, 2) teach affix and root meanings, 3) use morphemes to improve spelling, 4) segment and put together compound words, and 5) identify cognates to support ELLs. This study demonstrates why morphological knowledge is important, determines the overall effect of morphological instruction, and suggests ways teachers can incorporate morphological instruction within their teaching.
Connecting Reading and Mathematical Strategies
Authors: Halladay Juliet L. , Neumann Maureen D.
Published: April 2012

Recent years have witnessed a growing interest in interdisciplinary teaching and learning in the elementary grades. Teachers are increasingly looking for ways to help their students integrate literacy instruction with content area learning. This article highlights some of the similarities between reading comprehension and mathematical problem‐solving strategies. It provides examples of ways that teachers can use common language to promote learning across subject areas and emphasizes the importance of having teachers understand pedagogical connections between reading and mathematics.
Antipsychotic Medications: Linking Receptor Antagonism to Neuropsychological Functioning in First Episode Psychosis
Authors: Baitz Heather A. , Thornton Allen E. , Procyshyn Ric M. , Smith Geoffrey N. , MacEwan G. William , Kopala Lili C. , Barr Alasdair M. , Lang Donna J. , Honer William G.
Published: April 2012

Antipsychotic medications can contribute to neurocognitive and motor impairments, but specific links to individualized pharmacological treatment regimens are unclear. In 68 participants with stabilized first-episode psychosis (FEP), we investigated the links between neuropsychological functions and an established anticholinergic potency index and a new D2 antagonist potency index developed in our lab. Each participant's psychiatric medication regimen was converted into estimated receptor antagonist loads based upon specific medication dosage(s) and reported in vitro brain muscarinic cholinergic and D2 receptor antagonism. In addition to the global neuropsychological impairments of FEP participants, the findings supported the hypothesized links between receptor antagonist loads and specific deficits. Higher anticholinergic load was associated with poorer delayed verbal memory but was not related to motor functioning. In contrast, higher D2 load was associated with poorer motor functioning but not verbal memory. These selective antagonist load associations explained 19% of the variance in motor functioning and 17% of the variance in delayed verbal memory. Evidently, some of the neuropsychological impairments found in persons with FEP are selectively related to the specific pharmacodynamics and the dosing of their medication regimens. Moreover, these effects can be readily estimated from practical and inexpensive indices. (JINS, 2012, 18, 1–11)
Trend and abrupt changes in long‐term geomagnetic indices
Authors: Lu Hua , Li Yun , Clilverd Mark A. , Jarvis Martin J.
Published: April 2012

Advanced statistical methods are employed to analyze three long‐term time series of geomagnetic activity indices (aa, IHV, and IDV) together with sunspot number (Rz) to examine whether or not the aa index can realistically represent long‐term variations of geomagnetic activity. We make use of a decomposition method called STL, which is a time domain filtering procedure that decomposes a time series into trend, cyclic, and residual components using nonparametric regression. A Bayesian change point analysis is also applied to the geomagnetic indices, as well as to sunspot number, to detect abrupt changes that may be caused by either instrumental changes, calibration errors, or sudden changes in solar activity. Our analysis shows that all three long‐term geomagnetic indices share a similar centennial‐scale variation that resembles the long‐term trend of sunspot number Rz. The amplitude ratio between the centennial‐scale variation and 11‐year cycle of aa and IHV are closely comparable. Overall, our analysis suggests that the majority of the changes in the aa index are controlled by solar activity. Instrumental change or site relocation has only a limited effect on the long‐term trend of aa. This is in good agreement with those previous studies which have shown aa to be a reliable long‐term index.
A comparison of magnetic field measurements and a plasma‐based proxy to infer EMIC wave distributions at geosynchronous orbit
Authors: Blum L. W. , MacDonald E. A. , Clausen L. B. N. , Li X.
Published: April 2012

Wave‐particle interactions are fundamental to the dynamics of the outer radiation belt. Electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves can resonate with energetic electrons, causing pitch angle diffusion and scattering of the electrons into Earth's atmosphere. These waves act locally; thus, accurately measuring their spatial and temporal distributions is critical to understanding their contribution to radiation belt electron losses. Using Los Alamos National Laboratory Magnetospheric Plasma Analyzer data from geosynchronous orbit, we examine a plasma‐based proxy for enhanced EMIC wave growth during a set of 52 relativistic electron flux dropout events. This proxy is compared to in situ wave measurements from the GOES satellites, also at geosynchronous orbit, for single‐wave events as well as a superposed epoch statistical analysis. The proxy is extended to calculate an amplitude for the inferred waves, to enable a more quantitative comparison to the in situ GOES EMIC measurements. Signatures of EMIC waves are present in both the proxy and the direct wave observations at similar local times as well as epoch times. The waves are most prevalent in the afternoon sector, with enhanced occurrences beginning half a day before the onset of the dropouts and peaking in the day following. We see agreement in occurrence between the proxy and waves both statistically and in individual instances. This study demonstrates the powerful applications of plasma data to infer wave distributions in space.
Land use changes contribute to climate extremes
Authors: Balcerak Ernie
Published: April 2012

Temperature extremes such as severe heat waves and cold spells are likely to occur more frequently in a warming climate as carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations rise. But land use change, such as clearing forests for agriculture, also has a large impact on extreme temperature events. To determine the relative contribution of the two effects,Avila et al. ran simulations using a climate model coupled to a sophisticated land surface model. They found that land use changes can have a significant effect on temperature extreme indices. On regional scales, land use changes in some cases amplified the effects of increased CO2 concentrations, while land use changes in other cases masked their effects. In some regions, the effects of land use changes on temperature extremes were similar in magnitude to those of doubling CO2. The authors conclude that land use changes are a major source of human influence on the climate. (Journal of Geophysical Research‐Atmospheres, doi:10.1029/2011JD016382, 2012)
Translocator Protein (18 kDa) Polymorphism (rs6971) Explains in-vivo Brain Binding Affinity of the PET Radioligand [18F]-FEPPA
Authors: Mizrahi Romina , Rusjan Pablo M , Kennedy James , Pollock Bruce , Mulsant Benoit , Suridjan Ivonne , De Luca Vincenzo , Wilson Alan A , Houle Sylvain
Published: April 2012

[18F]-FEPPA binds to the 18-kDa translocator protein (TSPO) and is used in positron emission tomography (PET) to detect microglial activation. However, quantitative interpretations of the PET signal with new generation TSPO PET radioligands are confounded by large interindividual variability in binding affinity. This presents as a trimodal distribution, reflecting high-affinity binders (HABs), low-affinity binder (LAB), and mixed-affinity binders (MABs). Here, we show that one polymorphism (rs6971) located in exon 4 of the TSPO gene, which results in a nonconservative amino-acid substitution from alanine to threonine (Ala147Thr) in the TSPO protein, predicts [18F]-FEPPA total distribution volume in human brains. In addition, [18F]-FEPPA exhibits clearly different features in the shape of the time activity curves between genetic groups. Testing for the rs6971 polymorphism may allow quantitative interpretation of TSPO PET studies with new generation of TSPO PET radioligands.
A thermal study of cellular motility by optical time-resolved correlation
Authors: Sierra-Valdez F. J. , Cisneros-Mejorado A. J. , Sánchez Herrera D. P. , Ruiz-Suárez J. C.
Published: April 2012

The study of motor properties of cells under appropriate physical-chemical conditions is a significant problem nowadays. The standard techniques presently used do not allow to evaluate neither large samples nor to control their thermodynamic conditions. In this work, we report a cell motility sensor based on an optical technique with a time-resolved correlation, adapted in a system able to study several samples simultaneously. Image correlation analysis is used to follow their temporal behavior. A wide variety of motile cells, such as archaea, bacteria, spermatozoa, and even contractile cells, can be studied using this technique. Here, we tested our technique with the study of sperm motility. In particular, both the sperm motility and its prevalence are studied under a temperature range from 0 to 37 °C. We found that incubation at 10 °C presents the lengthiest prevalence in motility and observed, for the first time, an interesting thermal reversibility behavior.
Ab initio magnetocrystalline anisotropy at nanoscale: The case of FePt
Authors: Chepulskii Roman V. , Butler W. H.
Published: April 2012

The effect of the transition from bulk to nanoscale on the magnetocrystalline anisotropy (MCA) is studied from first principles for L10-ordered FePt nanoslabs and nanocrystals. It is shown that the nano size of slabs does not kill bulk MCA but may even slightly increase it. The effect of lattice parameter change on MCA is much stronger than that of slab thickness. The design of the shape of a nanocrystal may also be used to increase the MCA.
Frozen Bread Dough Properties Modified by Thermostable Ice Structuring Proteins Extract from Chinese Privet (Ligustrum vulgare) Leaves
Authors: Jia Chunli , Huang Weining , Wu Chao , Zhong Jing , Rayas‐Duarte Patricia , Guo Chengxiang
Published: April 2012

Thermostable ice structuring proteins (TSISPs) extracted from Chinese privet (Ligustrum vulgare) leaves were used in frozen dough. TSISPs extract thermal hysteresis activity ranged from 0 to 0.27°C based on different ice fractions in solution. The effects of the TSISPs extract on melting enthalpy of ice (ΔH), water molecular state, microstructure, rheofermentation capacity, and baking properties of doughs during frozen storage were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, thermal gravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, rheofermentometer, and texture analyzer. The addition of TSISPs in frozen dough caused a decrease in freedom of water molecules and ΔH, which resulted in improved microstructure, fermentation capacity, and baking properties of frozen doughs. Residual gluten fibril increased, exposed starch granules decreased, and gas production and retention of frozen doughs was enhanced. These effects resulted in an increase in specific volume and a decrease in crumb hardness of baked frozen dough.
Reassessment of genome size in turtle and crocodile based on chromosome measurement by flow karyotyping: close similarity to chicken
Authors: Kasai Fumio , O'Brien Patricia C. M. , Ferguson-Smith Malcolm A.
Published: April 2012

The genome size in turtles and crocodiles is thought to be much larger than the 1.2 Gb of the chicken (
Gallus gallus domesticus
, GGA), according to the animal genome size database. However, GGA macrochromosomes show extensive homology in the karyotypes of the red eared slider (
Trachemys scripta elegans
, TSC) and the Nile crocodile (
Crocodylus niloticus
, CNI), and bird and reptile genomes have been highly conserved during evolution. In this study, size and GC content of all chromosomes are measured from the flow karyotypes of GGA, TSC and CNI. Genome sizes estimated from the total chromosome size demonstrate that TSC and CNI are 1.21 Gb and 1.29 Gb, respectively. This refines previous overestimations and reveals similar genome sizes in chicken, turtle and crocodile. Analysis of chromosome GC content in each of these three species shows a higher GC content in smaller chromosomes than in larger chromosomes. This contrasts with mammals and squamates in which GC content does not correlate with chromosome size. These data suggest that a common ancestor of birds, turtles and crocodiles had a small genome size and a chromosomal size-dependent GC bias, distinct from the squamate lineage.
Epigenetic rejuvenation
Authors: Manukyan Maria , Singh Prim B.
Published: April 2012

Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells have provided a rational means of obtaining histo‐compatible tissues for ‘patient‐specific’ regenerative therapies (Hanna et al. 2010; Yamanaka & Blau 2010). Despite the obvious potential of iPS cell‐based therapies, there are certain problems that must be overcome before these therapies can become safe and routine (Ohi et al. 2011; Pera 2011). As an alternative, we have recently explored the possibility of using ‘epigenetic rejuvenation’, where the specialized functions of an old cell are rejuvenated in the absence of any change in its differentiated state (Singh & Zacouto 2010). The mechanism(s) that underpin ‘epigenetic rejuvenation’ are unknown and here we discuss model systems, using key epigenetic modifiers, which might shed light on the processes involved. Epigenetic rejuvenation has advantages over iPS cell techniques that are currently being pursued. First, the genetic and epigenetic abnormalities that arise through the cycle of dedifferentiation of somatic cells to iPS cells followed by redifferentiation of iPS cells into the desired cell type are avoided (Gore et al. 2011; Hussein et al. 2011; Pera 2011): epigenetic rejuvenation does not require passage through the de‐/redifferentiation cycle. Second, because the aim of epigenetic rejuvenation is to ensure that the differentiated cell type retains its specialized function it makes redundant the question of transcriptional memory that is inimical to iPS cell‐based therapies (Ohi et al. 2011). Third, to produce unrelated cell types using the iPS technology takes a long time, around three weeks, whereas epigenetic rejuvenation of old cells will take only a matter of days. Epigenetic rejuvenation provides the most safe, rapid and cheap route to successful regenerative medicine.
Solitary, multifocal and generalized myofibromas: clinicopathological and immunohistochemical features of 114 cases
Authors: Oudijk Lindsey , den Bakker Michael A , Hop Wim C J , Cohen Marta , Charles Adrian K , Alaggio Rita , Coffin Cheryl M , de Krijger Ronald R
Published: April 2012

Oudijk L, den Bakker M A, Hop W C J, Cohen M, Charles A K, Alaggio R, Coffin C M & de Krijger R R

(2012) Histopathology 60, E1–E11

Solitary, multifocal and generalized myofibromas: clinicopathological and immunohistochemical features of 114 cases

Aims:  To report a large series of solitary and multiple myofibromas with systematic clinicopathological correlations.

Methods and results:  We report on 114 patients with myofibromas, 97 of which were solitary and 17 multifocal. The age at presentation ranged from newborn to 70 years. All multifocal myofibromas and 91% of solitary myofibromas occurred in children. The head and neck region was the most common site (n = 43), followed by the trunk (n = 24), lower limbs (n = 14), upper limbs (n = 11), and viscera (n = 4). Solitary and multifocal myofibromas stained positively for smooth muscle actin (SMA) in 95% and 92% of cases, muscle‐specific actin (MSA) in 75% and 50% of cases, and desmin in 10% and 14% of cases, respectively. Regressive features were seen in 34 solitary myofibromas and in nine multifocal myofibromas. Most patients were treated with complete excision (n = 79) or partial excision (n = 12). There were no recurrences after treatment.

Conclusions:  Solitary and multiple myofibromas are benign tumours that predominantly occur in infancy and childhood. Myofibromas occur especially in the head and neck region, and are characterized by SMA and, to a lesser extent, MSA expression. The clinical course is self‐limiting, and local excision appears to be sufficient.
Alternative Pathway Activation of Complement in Laparoscopic and Open Rectal Surgery
Authors: Kvarnström A. , Sokolov A. , Swartling T. , Kurlberg G. , Mollnes T. E. , Bengtsson A.
Published: April 2012

The study was designed to investigate whether complement is activated in patients subject to rectal surgery and whether the choice of surgical technique (open or laparoscopic) has any impact on the activation of complement. Our hypothesis is that laparoscopic surgery leads to a lower‐level activation of complement than open surgery. Patients (n = 24) subject to rectal surgery owing to rectal cancer were included. The study was prospective and randomized. The patients were randomized to either laparoscopic surgery (n = 12) or open surgery (n = 12). Blood samples for determination of complement activation (C4d, Bb, C3bc and the terminal C5b‐9 complex TCC) were drawn before start of surgery (T0) and at the following time‐points after start of surgery: 180 min (T1), 360 min (T2), 24 h (T3) and 3–5 days (T4). A significant increase in the alternative pathway activation product Bb and in the terminal pathway activation product TCC was seen over time in both groups (P < 0.001). Bb peaked early (T1) and returned to baseline levels post‐operatively, whereas TCC increased steadily with maximum values in the late post‐operative period. The plasma concentrations of C4d and C3bc decreased significantly in both groups at T1 and T2 and returned to baseline levels at T4. There was no significant difference between the groups. Rectal surgery causes activation of the complement system. Complement is activated through the alternative pathway. Results mostly showed no significant differences between laparoscopic and open rectal surgery apart from lower levels of factor Bb in the former group in the perioperative period.
Associations between six classical HLA loci and rheumatoid arthritis: a comprehensive analysis
Authors: Mitsunaga S. , Suzuki Y. , Kuwana M. , Sato S. , Kaneko Y. , Homma Y. , Narita A. , Kashiwase K. , Okudaira Y. , Inoue I. , Kulski J. K. , Inoko H.
Published: April 2012

Although the HLA region contributes to one‐third of the genetic factors affecting rheumatoid arthritis (RA), there are few reports on the association of the disease with any of the HLA loci other than the DRB1. In this study we examined the association between RA and the alleles of the six classical HLA loci including DRB1. Six HLA loci (HLA‐A, ‐B, ‐C, ‐DRB1, ‐DQB1 and ‐DPB1) of 1659 Japanese subjects (622 cases; 488 anti‐cyclic citrullinated peptides (CCP) antibody (Ab) positive (82.6%); 103 anti‐CCP Ab negative (17.4%); 31 not known and 1037 controls) were genotyped. Disease types and positivity/negativity for CCP autoantibodies were used to stratify the cases. Statistical and genetic assessments were performed by Fisher's exact tests, odds ratio, trend tests and haplotype estimation. None of the HLA loci were significantly associated with CCP sero‐negative cases after Bonferroni correction and we therefore limited further analyses to using only the anti CCP‐positive RA cases and both anti‐CCP positive and anti‐CCP negative controls. Some alleles of the non‐DRB1 HLA loci showed significant association with RA, which could be explained by linkage disequilibrium with DRB1 alleles. However, DPB1*02:01, DPB1*04:01 and DPB1*09:01 conferred RA risk/protection independently from DRB1. DPB1*02:01 was significantly associated with the highly erosive disease type. The odds ratio of the four HLA‐loci haplotypes with DRB1*04:05 and DQB1*04:01, which were the high‐risk HLA alleles in Japanese, varied from 1.01 to 5.58. C*07:04, and B*15:18 showed similar P‐values and odds ratios to DRB1*04:01, which was located on the same haplotype. This haplotype analysis showed that the DRB1 gene as well as five other HLA loci is required for a more comprehensive understanding of the genetic association between HLA and RA than analyzing DRB1 alone.
Clinical development of micafungin in children and neonates
Authors: Groll Andreas H. , Bochennek Konrad , Schrey Dominik , Lehrnbecher Thomas
Published: April 2012

Invasive fungal infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised children and premature neonates. The new class of echinocandin lipopeptides offers alternative options for treatment and prevention through a distinct mechanism of action, broad spectrum antifungal activity against Candida and Aspergillus spp., linear pharmacokinetics, few relevant drug–drug interactions and excellent tolerance. Micafungin has been the first echinocandin approved in Europe for the use in children of all age groups, including preterm neonates. Its favourable safety profile and documented clinical efficacy in all paediatric age groups make it an attractive choice for treatment of candidemia and other forms of invasive candidiasis and for prophylaxis of Candida infections in haematopoietic stem cell transplant and severely neutropenic patients. This article reviews the clinical development of micafungin and provides an update on pharmacokinetics, safety and dosing of the compound in paediatric age groups.
Risk and preventive factors of low‐dose aspirin‐induced gastroduodenal injuries: A comprehensive review
Authors: Shiotani Akiko , Manabe Noriaki , Kamada Tomoari , Fujimura Yoshinori , Sakakibara Takashi , Haruma Ken
Published: April 2012

The risk of peptic ulcer complications, particularly bleeding, is increased in association with the use of low‐dose aspirin (LDA). Risk factors for upper gastrointestinal (GI) ulcer or bleeding among LDA users include a history of prior GI events, older age, chronic renal failure, combined antithrombotic therapy and nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Helicobacter pylori and aspirin seem to be independent risk factors for peptic ulcer and bleeding. The studies report conflicting findings about the effect of H. pylori infection on NSAID‐related ulcers, and proton‐pump inhibitors (PPIs) seem to be superior to eradication only to prevent recurrent ulcer bleeding with LDA. Previous studies indicate that hypoacidity related to corpus atrophy, as well as taking PPIs and co‐treatment with angiotensin type 1 receptor blockers (ARBs) and statins seem to reduce peptic ulcer among LDA users. In addition, the interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β)‐511 T allele and angiotensinogen (AGT)‐20 CC, which work as the high‐producer allele of IL‐1β and AGT, are significantly associated with ulcer or ulcer bleeding. The SLCO1B1*1b haplotype, which has the highest transport activity, may diminish the preventive effect of statins or ARBs. The data are still lacking and further prospective studies are needed to identify the specific risk or protective factors for upper GI ulcer and its complications associated with LDA.
Severe pollen limitation in populations of the New Zealand shrub Alseuosmia macrophylla (Alseuosmiaceae) can be attributed to the loss of pollinating bird species
Authors: PATTEMORE DAVID E. , ANDERSON SANDRA H.
Published: April 2012

The loss of bird species following human colonization of New Zealand has raised concerns about the consequences for crucial ecosystem functions such as pollination. The understorey shrub Alseuosmia macrophylla (Alseuosmiaceae) exhibits characteristics typical of a bird pollination syndrome, but populations still persist in northern North Island forest remnants despite the local extinction of most endemic bird pollinators, leading to the suggestion that moths – rather than birds – may be the primary pollinators. The aim of this study was to quantify the importance of endemic birds as pollinators of A. macrophylla over several years by comparing plants on Little Barrier Island (LBI), where all extant endemic bird pollinators still occur, to plants at sites on the adjacent North Island in the Waitakere Ranges (WTK), where only one of these species remains common. Flowers on LBI were visited by endemic bellbirds (Anthornis melanura) and stitchbirds (Notiomystis cincta), while at WTK sites the most common visitors were the recently arrived silvereye (Zosterops lateralis) and the introduced honeybee (Apis mellifera), both of which acted principally as nectar robbers. Caged flowers on LBI had significantly lower fruit set than open flowers, and plants at WTK were significantly more pollen‐limited than plants on LBI. This provides evidence that the loss of endemic pollinating birds is the most likely reason for the high pollen limitation found in some North Island A. macrophylla populations, and the very low seed set of these populations could have serious implications for the long‐term persistence of this species.
Neural control of dopamine neurotransmission: implications for reinforcement learning
Authors: Aggarwal Mayank , Hyland Brian I. , Wickens Jeffery R.
Published: April 2012

In the past few decades there has been remarkable convergence of machine learning with neurobiological understanding of reinforcement learning mechanisms, exemplified by temporal difference (TD) learning models. The anatomy of the basal ganglia provides a number of potential substrates for instantiation of the TD mechanism. In contrast to the traditional concept of direct and indirect pathway outputs from the striatum, we emphasize that projection neurons of the striatum are branched and individual striatofugal neurons innervate both globus pallidus externa and globus pallidus interna/substantia nigra (GPi/SNr). This suggests that the GPi/SNr has the necessary inputs to operate as the source of a TD signal. We also discuss the mechanism for the timing processes necessary for learning in the TD framework. The TD framework has been particularly successful in analysing electrophysiogical recordings from dopamine (DA) neurons during learning, in terms of reward prediction error. However, present understanding of the neural control of DA release is limited, and hence the neural mechanisms involved are incompletely understood. Inhibition is very conspicuously present among the inputs to the DA neurons, with inhibitory synapses accounting for the majority of synapses on DA neurons. Furthermore, synchronous firing of the DA neuron population requires disinhibition and excitation to occur together in a coordinated manner. We conclude that the inhibitory circuits impinging directly or indirectly on the DA neurons play a central role in the control of DA neuron activity and further investigation of these circuits may provide important insight into the biological mechanisms of reinforcement learning.
Anthropology and the covert: Methodological notes on researching military and intelligence programmes (Respond to this article at http://www.therai.org.uk/at/debate)
Authors: González Roberto J.
Published: April 2012

This article reflects upon the methodological challenges posed by the study of secretive organizations and programmes. In particular, it examines the question: when participant‐observation is not a feasible option, what techniques can anthropologists use to shed light upon covert military and intelligence agencies and the corporations that they contract? After reviewing anthropological research on secret societies from the late 18th and early 19th century, the author turns to contemporary anthropological work on bureaucratic institutions and initiatives that operate in secret. The author's own research into the US Army's Human Terrain System serves as an illustration. By adapting Laura Nader's suggestions for ‘studying up, down, and sideways’, the article suggests that documentary analysis (of both openly accessible and classified documents), interviews, and ‘self‐analysis’ provide a fruitful combination of methods for an anthropology of the covert.
Bandit Heroes: Social, Mythical, or Rational?*
Authors: CUROTT NICHOLAS A. , FINK ALEXANDER
Published: April 2012

Abstract

Bandits steal from their fellow men. Yet they are regularly subjects of folksongs, novels, and movies. In these outlets they are presented as folk heroes despite their crimes. Sociological explanations for this phenomenon based upon Eric Hobsbawm's concept of the “social bandit” and psychological explanations based upon myth building have been brought forth to explain the seeming contradiction. We propose an alternative explanation for the bandit hero phenomenon. We argue that bandits, acting solely in their own self‐interest, unintentionally provide valuable services to societies under the rule of a predatory government. We identify three separate mechanisms by which bandits benefit society that do not necessarily hinge upon class struggles or historical dialectics. The social benefits that bandits generate form the foundation for their positive reception.
Assessing Trust Through Social Capital? A Possible Experimental Answer
Authors: MIGHELI MATTEO
Published: April 2012

Abstract

Trust is important in economics: several transactions are based on it; unfortunately it is difficult to measure. The recent economic literature on social capital shows a positive association between this concept and trust. As social capital is easier to measure than trust, this paper analyzes the possibility of assessing trust using a measure of social capital. A basic trust game is played in three Western European countries with undergraduate students; a questionnaire measures their level of social capital as time spent within social networks. This measure is stronger and more precise than the ones generally used. The use of an experiment instead of a questionnaire allows for constructing a measure of trust that is continuous in principle. Moreover, to play an experiment allows for observing the behavior of the participants better than by the means of a survey. The results are supportive of the fact that trust can be assessed through social capital, although the presence of a strong geographical effect has to be accounted for.
Inequity Aversion and the International Distribution of Trade Protection
Authors: Lü Xiaobo , Scheve Kenneth , Slaughter Matthew J.
Published: April 2012

One important puzzle in international political economy is why lower‐earning and less‐skilled intensive industries tend to receive relatively high levels of trade protection. This pattern of protection holds across countries with vastly different economic and political characteristics and is not well accounted for in existing political economy models. We propose and model one possible explanation: that individual inequity aversion leads to systematic differences in support for trade protection across industries. We conduct original survey experiments in China and the United States and provide strong evidence that individual policy opinions about sector‐specific trade protection depend on the earnings of workers in the sector. We also present structural estimates that advantageous and disadvantageous inequality influence support for trade protection in the two countries.
A Case of Severe Mitral Regurgitation Due to an Unusually Long Aberrant Chorda Tendinea Straddling the Anterior Mitral Leaflet
Authors: Ivanova Valentyna , Anreddy Sandeep , Bailey Stephen , Schuett Amy , Hughes‐Doichev Rachel
Published: April 2012

We present a case of a 27‐year‐old female with severe mitral regurgitation caused by a single long aberrant chorda tendinea. This chorda extended from the base of the right coronary cusp of the aortic valve, through the A2 scallop of the mitral valve, and attached to the dome of the left atrium. Initial transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) demonstrated a mildly redundant anterior mitral leaflet with thickened leaflet tip and moderate eccentric, posteriorly directed mitral regurgitation. Repeat TTE revealed a chord‐like structure attached to the midportion of the anterior mitral leaflet and extending to the left ventricular outflow tract. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) suggested two aberrant chordae tendineae tethering the A2 scallop on both the left atrial and left ventricular side. Patient underwent surgical resection of the aberrant chorda. During the excision of the chorda the structural integrity of the A2 scallop was compromised, necessitating mitral valve repair with excellent results.
Ecosystem engineering varies spatially: a test of the vegetation modification paradigm for prairie dogs
Authors: Baker Bruce W. , Augustine David J. , Sedgwick James A. , Lubow Bruce C.
Published: April 2012

Colonial, burrowing herbivores can be engineers of grassland and shrubland ecosystems worldwide. Spatial variation in landscapes suggests caution when extrapolating single‐place studies of single species, but lack of data and the need to generalize often leads to ‘model system’ thinking and application of results beyond appropriate statistical inference. Generalizations about the engineering effects of prairie dogs (Cynomys sp.) developed largely from intensive study at a single complex of black‐tailed prairie dogs C. ludovicianus in northern mixed prairie, but have been extrapolated to other ecoregions and prairie dog species in North America, and other colonial, burrowing herbivores. We tested the paradigm that prairie dogs decrease vegetation volume and the cover of grasses and tall shrubs, and increase bare ground and forb cover. We sampled vegetation on and off 279 colonies at 13 complexes of 3 prairie dog species widely distributed across 5 ecoregions in North America. The paradigm was generally supported at 7 black‐tailed prairie dog complexes in northern mixed prairie, where vegetation volume, grass cover, and tall shrub cover were lower, and bare ground and forb cover were higher, on colonies than at paired off‐colony sites. Outside the northern mixed prairie, all 3 prairie dog species consistently reduced vegetation volume, but their effects on cover of plant functional groups varied with prairie dog species and the grazing tolerance of dominant perennial grasses. White‐tailed prairie dogs C. leucurus in sagebrush steppe did not reduce shrub cover, whereas black‐tailed prairie dogs suppressed shrub cover at all complexes with tall shrubs in the surrounding habitat matrix. Black‐tailed prairie dogs in shortgrass steppe and Gunnison's prairie dogs C. gunnisoni in Colorado Plateau grassland both had relatively minor effects on grass cover, which may reflect the dominance of grazing‐tolerant shortgrasses at both complexes. Variation in modification of vegetation structure may be understood in terms of the responses of different dominant perennial grasses to intense defoliation and differences in foraging behavior among prairie dog species. Spatial variation in the engineering role of prairie dogs suggests spatial variation in their keystone role, and spatial variation in the roles of other ecosystem engineers. Thus, ecosystem engineering can have a spatial component not evident from single‐place studies.
Copyright and the pursuit of justice: a Rawlsian analysis
Authors: Liu Deming
Published: April 2012

This paper seeks to explore copyright from the perspective of John Rawls's egalitarian conception of justice. It first evaluates the classical theories for copyright. Next, it examines Rawls's principles of justice with particular emphasis on the difference principle. Then, it applies Rawls to the design of copyright law and debates on two doctrines of copyright law – namely the idea/expression dichotomy and the relevance of the merit of a work for copyright. The significance of the debate is to show that Rawls's perspective on justice offers a better justification for copyright and its principles and would potentially induce better justice.