bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of Cubic AgSbS2 Nanostructured Flowers Synthesized by Microwave‐Assisted Refluxing Method
Authors: Tipcompor Narongrit , Thongtem Somchai , Thongtem Titipun
Published: September 2013

Cubic AgSbS2 nanostructured flowers of nanorods were successfully synthesized by microwave‐assisted refluxing of AgNO3, Sb(CH3COO)3, and L‐cysteine (C3H7NO2S) dissolved in ethylene glycol at the pH of 4, characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and electron microscopy (EM). The 1.89 eV direct energy gap was determined by UV‐visible absorption, including two 688 and 857 nm emission wavelengths by photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. A possible formation mechanism of AgSbS2 nanostructured flowers was also proposed according to the experimental results.
Diallel Anaysis of Oil Production Components in Peanut (Arachis hypogaeaL.)
Authors: Wilson Jeffrey N. , Baring Michael R. , Burow Mark D. , Rooney William L. , Simpson Charles E.
Published: September 2013

Peanut (Arachis hypogaeaL.) has the potential to become a major source of biodiesel, but for market viability, peanut oil yields must increase. Oil yield in peanut is influenced by many different components, including oil concentration, seed mass, and mean oil produced per seed. All of these traits can potentially be improved through selection as long as there is sufficient genetic variation. To assess the variation for these traits, a diallel mating design was used to estimate general combining ability, specific combining ability, and heritability. General combining ability estimates were significant for oil concentration, weight of 50 sound mature kernels (50 SMK), and mean milligrams oil produced per SMK (OPS). Specific combining ability was significant for oil concentration. Reciprocal effects were detected for OPS. Narrow-sense heritability estimates were very high for oil concentration and 50 SMK and low for OPS. The low OPS heritability estimate was caused by the negative correlation between oil concentration and seed size. Consequently, oil concentration and seed mass alone can be improved through early generation selection, but large segregating populations from high oil crosses will be needed to identify progeny with elevated oil concentrations that maintain acceptable seed sizes.
Targeting of NAD Metabolism in Pancreatic Cancer Cells: Potential Novel Therapy for Pancreatic Tumors
Authors: Chini Claudia C.S. , Guerrico Anatilde M. Gonzalez , Nin Veronica , Camacho-Pereira Juliana , Escande Carlos , Barbosa Maria Thereza , Chini Eduardo N.
Published: September 2013

Purpose: Here, we describe a novel interplay between NAD synthesis and degradation involved in pancreatic tumor growth.

Experimental Design: We used human pancreatic cancer cells, both in vitro (cell culture experiments) and in vivo (xenograft experiments), to demonstrate the role of NAD synthesis and degradation in tumor cell metabolism and growth.

Results: We demonstrated that pharmacologic and genetic targeting of Nampt, the key enzyme in the NAD salvage synthesis pathway, inhibits cell growth and survival of pancreatic cancer cells. These changes were accompanied by a reduction of NAD levels, glycolytic flux, lactate production, mitochondrial function, and levels of ATP. The massive reduction in overall metabolic activity induced by Nampt inhibition was accompanied by a dramatic decrease in pancreatic tumor growth. The results of the mechanistic experiments showed that neither the NAD-dependent enzymes PARP-1 nor SIRT1 play a significant role on the effect of Nampt inhibition on pancreatic cancer cells. However, we identified a role for the NAD degradation pathway mediated by the NADase CD38 on the sensitivity to Nampt inhibition. The responsiveness to Nampt inhibition is modulated by the expression of CD38; low levels of this enzyme decrease the sensitivity to Nampt inhibition. In contrast, its overexpression decreased cell growth in vitro and in vivo, and further increased the sensitivity to Nampt inhibition.

Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that NAD metabolism is essential for pancreatic cancer cell survival and proliferation and that targeting NAD synthesis via the Nampt pathway could lead to novel therapeutic treatments for pancreatic cancer. Clin Cancer Res; 20(1); 120–30. ©2013 AACR.
A Narrow-Band Ultraviolet B Course Improves Vitamin D Balance and Alters Cutaneous CYP27A1 and CYP27B1 mRNA Expression Levels in Haemodialysis Patients Supplemented with Oral Vitamin D
Authors: Ala-Houhala Meri J. , Vähävihu Katja , Snellman Erna , Hasan Taina , Kautiainen Hannu , Karisola Piia , Dombrowski Yvonne , Schauber Jürgen , Saha Heikki , Reunala Timo
Published: September 2013

Background/Aims: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients on dialysis are prone to vitamin D insufficiency despite oral vitamin D supplementation. Here, we studied whether narrow-band ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) exposures improve vitamin D balance. Methods: 14 haemodialysis patients and 15 healthy subjects receiving oral cholecalciferol 20 µg daily got nine NB-UVB exposures on the entire body. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) was measured by radioimmunoassay. Cutaneous mRNA expression levels of CYP27A1 and CYP27B1, two enzymes required for hydroxylation of vitamin D into its active metabolite, were also measured. Results: The baseline serum 25(OH)D concentration was 57.6 ± 18.2 nmol/l in the CKD patients and 74.3 ± 14.8 nmol/l in the healthy subjects. The NB-UVB course increased serum 25(OH)D by 14.0 nmol/l (95% CI 8.7-19.5) and 17.0 nmol/l (CI 13.7-20.2), respectively. At baseline the CKD patients showed significantly increased CYP27B1 levels compared to the healthy subjects. Conclusions: A short NB-UVB course is an efficient way to improve vitamin D balance in CKD patients on dialysis who are receiving oral vitamin D supplementation. The increased cutaneous CYP27B1 levels in the CKD patients suggest that the loss of renal activity of this enzyme is at least partially compensated for by the skin.
Comparison of Transendocardial and Intracoronary CD34
+
Cell Transplantation in Patients With Nonischemic Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Vrtovec Bojan , Poglajen Gregor , Lezaic Luka , Sever Matjaz , Socan Aljaz , Domanovic Dragoslav , Cernelc Peter , Torre-Amione Guillermo , Haddad François , Wu Joseph C.
Published: September 2013

Background—

In an open-label blinded study, we compared intracoronary and transendocardial CD34
+
cell transplantation in patients with nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy.

Methods and Results—

Of the 40 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy, 20 were randomized to receive intracoronary injection and 20 received transendocardial CD34
+
cell delivery. In both groups, CD34
+
cells were mobilized by filgrastim, collected via apheresis, and labeled with technetium-99m radioisotope for single-photon emission computed tomographic imaging. In the intracoronary group, cells were injected intracoronarily in the artery supplying segments of greater perfusion defect on myocardial perfusion scintigraphy. In the transendocardial group, electroanatomic mapping was used to identify viable but dysfunctional myocardium, and transendocardial cell injections were performed. Nuclear single-photon emission computed tomographic imaging for quantification of myocardial retention was performed 18 hours thereafter. At baseline, groups did not differ in age, sex, left ventricular ejection fraction, or N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels. The number of CD34
+
cells was also comparable (105±31×10
6
in the transendocardial group versus 103±27×10
6
in the intracoronary group,
P
=0.62). At 18 hours after procedure, myocardial retention was higher in the transendocardial group (19.2±4.8%) than in the intracoronary group (4.4±1.2%,
P
<0.01). At 6 months, left ventricular ejection fraction improved more in the transendocardial group (+8.1±4.3%) than in the intracoronary group (+4.2±2.3%,
P
=0.03). The same pattern was observed for the 6-minute walk test distance (+125±33 m in the transendocardial group versus +86±13 m in the intracoronary group,
P
=0.03) and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (−628±211 versus −315±133 pg/mL,
P
=0.04).

Conclusions—

In patients with dilated cardiomyopathy, transendocardial CD34
+
cell transplantation is associated with higher myocardial retention rates and greater improvement in ventricular function, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, and exercise capacity compared with intracoronary route.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT01350310.
Tetrahydrobiopterin Determines Vascular Remodeling Through Enhanced Endothelial Cell Survival and Regeneration
Authors: Ali Ziad A. , Rinze Ruth , Douglas Gillian , Hu Yanhua , Xiao Qingzhong , Qi Wei , McNeill Eileen , Bursill Christina , George Isaac , Greaves David R. , Xu Qingbo , Channon Keith M.
Published: September 2013

Background—

Endothelial cell (EC) survival and regeneration are important determinants of the response to vascular injury that leads to neointimal hyperplasia and accelerated atherosclerosis. Nitric oxide (NO) is a key regulator of EC and endothelial progenitor cell function, but the pathophysiological mechanisms that regulate endothelial NO synthase in endothelial regeneration remain unclear.

Methods and Results—

Endothelium-targeted overexpression of GTP cyclohydrolase (GCH) I increased levels of the endothelial NO synthase cofactor, tetrahydrobiopterin, in an EC-specific manner and reduced neointimal hyperplasia in experimental vein grafts in GCH/apolipoprotein E-knockout mice. These effects were mediated through enhanced donor-derived survival and recipient-derived repopulation of GCH transgenic ECs, revealed by tracking studies in Tie2-LacZ/GCH-Tg/apolipoprotein E-knockout recipient mice or donor grafts, respectively. Endothelial GCH overexpression increased endothelial NO synthase coupling and enhanced the proliferative capacity of ECs and circulating endothelial progenitor cell numbers after vascular injury.

Conclusions—

These observations indicate that endothelial tetrahydrobiopterin availability modulates neointimal hyperplasia after vascular injury via accelerated EC repopulation and growth. Targeting tetrahydrobiopterin-dependent endothelial NO synthase regulation in the endothelium is a rational therapeutic target to enhance endothelial regeneration and reduce neointimal hyperplasia in vascular injury states.
Monitoring of Monocyte Recruitment in Reperfused Myocardial Infarction With Intramyocardial Hemorrhage and Microvascular Obstruction by Combined Fluorine 19 and Proton Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Ye Yu-Xiang , Basse-Lüsebrink Thomas C. , Arias-Loza Paula-Anahi , Kocoski Vladimir , Kampf Thomas , Gan Qiang , Bauer Elisabeth , Sparka Stefanie , Helluy Xavier , Hu Kai , Hiller Karl-Heinz , Boivin-Jahns Valerie , Jakob Peter M. , Jahns Roland , Bauer Wolfgang R.
Published: September 2013

Background—

Monocytes and macrophages are indispensable in the healing process after myocardial infarction (MI); however, the spatiotemporal distribution of monocyte infiltration and its correlation to prognostic indicators of reperfused MI have not been well described.

Methods and Results—

With combined fluorine 19/proton (
1
H) magnetic resonance imaging, we noninvasively visualized the spatiotemporal recruitment of monocytes in vivo in a rat model of reperfused MI. Blood monocytes were labeled by intravenous injection of
19
F-perfluorocarbon emulsion 1 day after MI. The distribution patterns of monocyte infiltration were correlated to the presence of microvascular obstruction (MVO) and intramyocardial hemorrhage. In vivo,
19
F/
1
H magnetic resonance imaging performed in series revealed that monocyte infiltration was spatially inhomogeneous in reperfused MI areas. In the absence of MVO, monocyte infiltration was more intense in MI regions with serious ischemia-reperfusion injuries, indicated by severe intramyocardial hemorrhage; however, monocyte recruitment was significantly impaired in MVO areas accompanied by severe intramyocardial hemorrhage. Compared with MI with isolated intramyocardial hemorrhage, MI with MVO resulted in significantly worse pump function of the left ventricle 28 days after MI.

Conclusions—

Monocyte recruitment was inhomogeneous in reperfused MI tissue. It was highly reduced in MVO areas defined by magnetic resonance imaging. The impaired monocyte infiltration in MVO regions could be related to delayed healing and worse functional outcomes in the long term. Therefore, monocyte recruitment in MI with MVO could be a potential diagnostic and therapeutic target that could be monitored noninvasively and longitudinally by
19
F/
1
H magnetic resonance imaging in vivo.
Planktonic ostracods (Myodocopa: Halocyprididae) from abyssopelagic depths in the Atlantic, North Pacific and Gulf of Oman: Chavturia abyssopelagica (n. gen., n. sp.), alocypretta profunda (n. sp.), Halocypretta parvirostrata Chavtur and Stovbun, 2008 and Halocypretta striata (Müller, 1906)
Authors: ANGEL MARTIN V.
Published: September 2013

A novel species and genus of halocyprid ostracod, Chavturia abyssopelagica, and a new species of Halocypretta are described from depths >3000 m in the Atlantic. The new genus is related to Halocypretta, itself a genus that has only recently been described from deep waters in the North Pacific. Supplementary observations are made on the type species, Halocypretta parvirostrata, based on additional specimens from the North Pacific. Halocypretta striata from the Gulf of Oman is reported for the first time since it was first described and is redescribed in detail. All four species are illustrated and compared using a set of meristic characters.
Two new species of the genus Longicheles Valle, 1953 from the Kelkit Valley, Turkey, with redescription Longicheles lagrecai (Valle, 1963) (Acari: Macrochelidae)
Authors: ÖZBEK HASAN HÜSEYİN , BAL DURMUŞ ALİ , DOĞAN SALİH
Published: September 2013

The Kelkit Valley is geographically a transitional zone between the Middle Black Sea and Inner Anatolia regions in Turkey. Two new species of Macrochelidae are described from this area—Longicheles ozkani sp. nov. and Longicheles ayyildizi sp. nov. Longicheles lagrecai (Valle, 1963) is recorded for the Turkish fauna and redescribed on the basis of specimens collected from the Valley. A world-wide key to species of Longicheles Valle is provided.
New species of plant bug associated with pastures in Colombia, and notes on the genera Dolichomiris, Cynodonmiris, and Megaloceroea (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Miridae)
Authors: FERREIRA PAULO SERGIO F. , BARRETO-TRIANA NANCY , OSORIO-MEJÍA PABLO ANDRÉS
Published: September 2013

Cynodonmiris corpoicanus, a new species of Miridae belonging to the subfamily Mirinae and the tribe Stenodemini, is described from Colombia. Similarities and differences between Cynodonmiris, Dolichomiris, and Megaloceroea are presented. Geographic distribution of C. corpoicanus and its host plants are given. Diagnoses and illustrations of the female and male genitalia characters are provided to distinguish the Neotropical species of Cynodonmiris and Dolichomiris, and Holarctic Megaloceroea.
Copelatus cessaima sp. nov. (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae: Copelatinae): first record of a troglomorphic diving beetle from Brazil
Authors: CAETANO DANIEL S. , BENÁ DANIELA DE C. , VANIN SERGIO A.
Published: September 2013

Copelatus cessaima sp. nov. is described from Brazil. The new species was collected in water puddles inside of caves found in an ironstone formation and has typical troglomorphic characters: the eyes and metathoracic wings are absent, the elytra are fused and the body has long setae. This is the second species of Copelatinae reported as troglomorphic and the first record of a troglomorphic Dytiscidae species in Brazil. The modified morphology of the new species and the lack of elytral striae make the placement of C. cessaima sp. nov. in one of the 15 recognized Copelatus species groups difficult. Thus, we assign the new species to a “group unknown” as defined in Nilsson's world catalogue of the family Dytiscidae.
Chondropyga insignicosta, a new species of Cetoniinae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) from Queensland, Australia
Authors: HUTCHINSON PAUL M. , MOESENEDER CHRISTIAN H.
Published: September 2013

Chondropyga insignicosta, new species (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Cetoniinae) is described from Queensland, Australia.
Differences between Faster versus Slower Components of Convectively Coupled Equatorial Waves
Authors: Yasunaga Kazuaki , Mapes Brian
Published: September 2013

This paper describes an analysis of multiyear satellite datasets that subdivide two halves (faster and slower) of the space–time spectral signal peaks corresponding to convectively coupled equatorial waves such as Kelvin and inertia–gravity waves [n = 0 eastward inertia–gravity wave (EIGn0 wave), and n = 1 and n = 2 westward inertia–gravity waves (WIGn1 and WIGn2 waves, respectively)]. The faster (slower) component of an equatorial wave is defined as that which has a spectral signal peak in the regions with deeper (shallower) equivalent depths. The data obtained from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) precipitation radar (TRMM-PR) are composited around space–time-filtered equatorial-belt data from the TRMM-3B42 rainfall product to separately estimate the convective and stratiform rainfall modulations.

Results indicate that the faster components of WIGn1 and WIGn2 waves modulate convective rain relatively more (and stratiform rain relatively less) than their slower counterparts. For Kelvin and EIGn0 waves, however, there is no significant difference in the rainfall modulation between their faster and slower components. A space–time cospectral analysis of the satellite-retrieved rainfall and moisture shows that in the spectral regions corresponding to WIGn1 and WIGn2 waves, precipitation is significantly correlated with low-level moisture but not with midlevel moisture. In contrast, significant coherence between rainfall and moisture at these levels is found in the spectral regions corresponding to the Kelvin and EIGn0 waves. These results may bear on different convection–wave coupling mechanisms for these “divergent” waves (stratiform instability versus moisture–stratiform instability).
Assimilation of Time-Averaged Pseudoproxies for Climate Reconstruction
Authors: Steiger Nathan J. , Hakim Gregory J. , Steig Eric J. , Battisti David S. , Roe Gerard H.
Published: September 2013

The efficacy of a novel ensemble data assimilation (DA) technique is examined in the climate field reconstruction (CFR) of surface temperature. A minimalistic, computationally inexpensive DA technique is employed that requires only a static ensemble of climatologically plausible states. Pseudoproxy experiments are performed with both general circulation model (GCM) and Twentieth Century Reanalysis (20CR) data by reconstructing surface temperature fields from a sparse network of noisy pseudoproxies. The DA approach is compared to a conventional CFR approach based on principal component analysis (PCA) for experiments on global domains. DA outperforms PCA in reconstructing global-mean temperature in all experiments and is more consistent across experiments, with a range of time series correlations of 0.69–0.94 compared to 0.19–0.87 for the PCA method. DA improvements are even more evident in spatial reconstruction skill, especially in sparsely sampled pseudoproxy regions and for 20CR experiments. It is hypothesized that DA improves spatial reconstructions because it relies on coherent, spatially local temperature patterns, which remain robust even when glacial states are used to reconstruct nonglacial states and vice versa. These local relationships, as utilized by DA, appear to be more robust than the orthogonal patterns of variability utilized by PCA. Comparing results for GCM and 20CR data indicates that pseudoproxy experiments that rely solely on GCM data may give a false impression of reconstruction skill.
Strong Westerly Wind Events in the Strait of Juan de Fuca
Authors: Mass Clifford F. , Warner Michael D. , Steed Rick
Published: September 2013

Strong westerly wind events occur regularly within and downstream of the Strait of Juan de Fuca of Washington State. During such strong gap wind periods, flow can accelerate to 30–50 kt (1 kt = 0.51 m s−1), with gusts sometimes reaching 80 kt or more. Strong winds in the strait and downstream of its eastern exit have caused substantial damage and loss of life. Strait of Juan de Fuca westerly wind events are often associated with sharp short-wave troughs coming out of the northwest, strong lower-tropospheric northwesterly geostrophic flow roughly paralleling the axis of the strait, and a large along-strait pressure gradient near the surface. Strong westerly flow in the strait also accompanies the passage of intense low pressure centers across northwest Washington State and southern British Columbia. The climatology of westerly wind events in the strait is presented, as well as their composite synoptic evolution. Using both mesoscale observations and high-resolution numerical simulations, it is shown that modern modeling systems can realistically simulate the mesoscale evolution of strait wind events. It is shown that strait gap wind events are associated with downward mixing of strong gap-parallel geostrophic winds in the lower troposphere and acceleration down a low-level pressure gradient produced by the passage of a synoptic trough and terrain-induced pressure perturbations.
Interfacial polarization phenomena in palm tree fiber-reinforced epoxy and polyester composites
Authors: Amor I Ben , Arous M , Kallel A
Published: September 2013

The use of short palm tree lignocellulosic fibers as a reinforcing phase in polyester and epoxy matrices has been reported. Dielectric spectra were measured in the frequency range 0.1 Hz–100 kHz and at temperature intervals from ambient to 200℃. For the polyester/palm tree, different relaxations process were identified, namely the orientation polarization imputed to the presence of water molecules in palm tree fiber and the relaxation process associated with conductivity and interfacial relaxation. In the case of epoxy/palm tree, the α mode transition associated with the glass transition of the epoxy resin, the phenomenon of conduction, and the interfacial relaxation are present. The water dipoles relaxation was not observed in this case. Dielectric measurements show that interfacial adhesion is strong for epoxy-based materials.
The Specific Role of FAM20C in Amelogenesis
Authors: Wang X. , Jung J. , Liu Y. , Yuan B. , Lu Y. , Feng J.Q. , Qin C.
Published: September 2013

Previously, we showed that Sox2- Cre;Fam20Cfl/fl mice in which Fam20C was ubiquitously inactivated had severe defects in dentin, enamel, and bone, along with hypophosphatemia. It remains to be determined if the enamel defects in the mice with universal inactivation of Family with sequence similarity 20-C (FAM20C) were associated with the dentin defects and whether hypophosphatemia in the knockout mice contributed to the enamel defects. In this study, we crossed Fam20Cfl/fl mice with keratin 14-Cre ( K14- Cre) transgenic mice to specifically inactivate Fam20C in the epithelial cells, including the dental epithelial cells that are responsible for forming tooth enamel. X-ray, backscattered scanning electron microscopic, and histological analyses showed that the K14- Cre;Fam20Cfl/fl mice had severe enamel and ameloblast defects, while their dentin and alveolar bone were not significantly affected. Accordingly, serum biochemistry of the K14- Cre;Fam20Cfl/fl mice showed normal phosphate and FGF23 levels in the circulation. Analysis of these data indicates that, while FAM20C is a molecule essential to amelogenesis, its inactivation in the dental epithelium does not significantly affect dentinogenesis. Hypophosphatemia makes no significant contribution to the enamel defects in the mice with the ubiquitous deletion of Fam20C.
Increasing the Usefulness of Academic Scholarship for Local Government Practitioners
Authors: Wang Junfeng , Bunch Beverly S. , Stream Christopher
Published: September 2013

The connection between public administration scholarship and practice has been a challenge since the establishment of the profession of public administration. This raises several key issues such as whether practitioners have access to scholarly research, whether scholars are addressing topics that the practitioners are interested in, and the extent to which the practitioners can understand and apply material they have acquired from research articles. This article uses the results from a panel discussion with local government managers and information from leading public administration journals to explore the causes of the divide and offer options to help bridge the gap.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Strategies for Minimizing Liability and Enhancing Patient Safety
Authors: Svider Peter F. , Pashkova Anna A. , Folbe Adam J. , Eloy Jean Daniel , Setzen Michael , Baredes Soly , Eloy Jean Anderson
Published: September 2013

Objective

To characterize malpractice litigation regarding obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and educate physicians on frequently cited factors.

Study Design and Setting

Analysis of the Westlaw legal database

Methods

Jury verdict and settlement reports were examined for outcome, awards, patient demographic factors, defendant specialty, and alleged causes of malpractice

Results

Out of 54 identified cases, 33 (61.1%) cases were resolved in favor of defendants, 12 (22.2%) via settlement, and 9 (16.7%) through jury award. Median settlement and jury awards did not significantly differ ($750,000 vs $550,000, P >. 50). Age and gender did not affect outcome. Otolaryngologists and anesthesiologists were the most frequently named defendants. Forty‐seven cases (87.1%) stemmed from OSA patients who underwent procedures with resultant perioperative adverse events. Common alleged factors included death (48.1%), permanent deficits (42.6%), intraoperative complications (35.2%), requiring additional surgery (25.9%), anoxic brain injury (24.1%), inadequate informed consent (24.1%), inappropriate medication administration (22.2%), and inadequate monitoring (20.4%).

Conclusion

Litigation related to OSA is frequently associated with perioperative complications more than nonoperative issues such as a failure to diagnose this disorder. Nonetheless, OSA is considerably underdiagnosed, and special attention should be paid to at‐risk patients, including close monitoring of their clinical status and the medications they receive. For patients with diagnosed or suspected OSA with planned operative intervention, whether for OSA or an unrelated issue, a comprehensive informed consent process detailing the factors outlined in this analysis is an effective strategy to increase communication and improve the physician‐patient relationship, minimize liability, and ultimately improve patient safety.
Valuing SF-6D Health States Using a Discrete Choice Experiment
Authors: Norman Richard , Viney Rosalie , Brazier John , Burgess Leonie , Cronin Paula , King Madeleine , Ratcliffe Julie , Street Deborah
Published: September 2013

Background. SF-6D utility weights are conventionally produced using a standard gamble (SG). SG-derived weights consistently demonstrate a floor effect not observed with other elicitation techniques. Recent advances in discrete choice methods have allowed estimation of utility weights. The objective was to produce Australian utility weights for the SF-6D and to explore the application of discrete choice experiment (DCE) methods in this context. We hypothesized that weights derived using this method would reflect the largely monotonic construction of the SF-6D. Methods. We designed an online DCE and administered it to an Australia-representative online panel ( n = 1017). A range of specifications investigating nonlinear preferences with respect to additional life expectancy were estimated using a random-effects probit model. The preferred model was then used to estimate a preference index such that full health and death were valued at 1 and 0, respectively, to provide an algorithm for Australian cost-utility analyses. Results. Physical functioning, pain, mental health, and vitality were the largest drivers of utility weights. Combining levels to remove illogical orderings did not lead to a poorer model fit. Relative to international SG-derived weights, the range of utility weights was larger with 5% of health states valued below zero. Conclusions. DCEs can be used to investigate preferences for health profiles and to estimate utility weights for multi-attribute utility instruments. Australian cost-utility analyses can now use domestic SF-6D weights. The comparability of DCE results to those using other elicitation methods for estimating utility weights for quality-adjusted life-year calculations should be further investigated.
Organic wastes to enhance phyto-treatment of diesel-contaminated soil
Authors: Dadrasnia Arezoo , Agamuthu P
Published: September 2013

Toxic inorganic and organic chemicals are major contributors to environmental contamination and pose major health risks to human population. In this work, Dracaena reflexa and Podocarpus polystachyus were investigated for their potential to remove hydrocarbons from 2.5% and 1% diesel fuel-contaminated soil amended individually with 5% organic wastes (tea leaf, soy cake and potato skin) for a period of 270 days. Loss of 90% and 99% oil was recorded in soil contaminated with 2.5% and 1% oil with soy cake amendment, respectively, compared with 52% and 62% in unamended soil with D. reflexa at the end of 270 days. Similarly, 84% and 91% oil loss was recorded for P. polystachyus amended with organic wastes in 2.5% and 1% oil, respectively. Diesel fuel disappeared more rapidly in the soil amendment with SC than in other organic waste supplementation. It was evident that plants did not accumulate hydrocarbon from the soil, while the number of hydrocarbon-utilizing bacteria was high in the rhizosphere, thus suggesting that the mechanism of the oil degradation was rhizodegradation. The kinetic model result indicated a high rate of degradation in soil amendment with SC at 1% with D. reflexa compared with other treatments. Thus, a positive relationship was observed between diesel hydrocarbon degradation with plant biomass production. Dracaena reflexa with organic wastes amendment has a greater potential of restoring hydrocarbon-contaminated soil compared to P. polystachyus plant.
Addressing watercourse sanitation in dense, water pollution-affected urban areas in Taiwan
Authors: Chou Rung-Jiun
Published: September 2013

The process of urbanization places urban watercourses at greater risk of the kind of pollution that affects public health, ecology and the environment. In Taiwan, municipal wastewater is the largest source of pollution in rivers and canals, particularly in dense urban areas that lack adequate sewer systems. As research on Taiwan’s watercourses is dominated by landscape design and ecological engineering, watercourse sanitation is rarely examined in any depth. This paper presents findings on the impact of wastewater on two natural and two artificial waterways located in major cities in Taiwan. As a result of interviews, direct observation, photographs and a review of government documents, several issues emerge. First, due to the poor water quality, local residents prefer watercourses to be concealed, leading to underground culverts; however, water pollution is made worse, the ecological value is damaged and the amenity benefit reduced. Second, despite large investments in improving channel-side landscapes, poor water quality diminishes the success of watercourse rehabilitation. Third, because of the low completion rate of municipal sewer systems, the construction of channel-side sewage-intercepting facilities is effective against riparian wastewater in the short term. In conclusion, improving water quality may be the first step towards successful watercourse redevelopment. A combination of establishing short-term sewage-intercepting facilities and long-term municipal sewer systems is suggested to advance national environmental quality in Taiwan.
Inverse model–based iterative learning control on hysteresis in giant magnetostrictive actuator
Authors: Liu Xiaoliang , Wu Yijie , Zhang Yizhi , Wang Bin , Peng Huanghu
Published: September 2013

This article presents a new iterative learning control algorithm based on inverse model to decrease the hysteresis-caused tracking error of a giant magnetostrictive actuator. The first iteration input is calculated by the inverse model of the giant magnetostrictive actuator system according to the desired output. Compared to a standard iterative learning control algorithm—in which the first iteration input usually is proportional to the desired output—the proposed algorithm converges more rapidly. Performance of the approach is demonstrated both theoretically and experimentally. The experimental results show that the inverse model–based iterative learning control converges about twice as fast as standard iterative learning control and reduces the hysteresis-caused error of giant magnetostrictive actuator to 0.5% of the total displacement range, which is comparable to the noise level of sensor measurement. Two sets of model parameters were identified by 0–1.5 and 0–5 V major hysteresis loop, respectively, and evaluated. The best convergence rate is obtained with the former case.
The symbolic purpose of hate crime law: Ideal victims and emotion
Authors: Mason Gail
Published: September 2013

This article examines the symbolic function of hate crime law. By challenging the norms that sustain and promote prejudice, hate crime law seeks to contribute to claims for social justice on behalf of victim groups. This symbolic function cannot be achieved by legal rules alone. Drawing upon theories of emotional thinking, the article argues that the moral work of hate crime laws is dependent upon the capacity of victim groups to engender compassionate thinking that helps reconfigure perceptions of them as dangerous, illegitimate or inferior Others. This analysis seeks to contribute to our understanding of the processes through which some minority communities fall short of the image of ideal victims capable of contributing to the moral claim embedded in hate crime law.
‘It seemed churlish not to’: How living non-directed kidney donors construct their altruism
Authors: Challenor Julianna , Watts Jay
Published: September 2013

Our objective was to explore how prospective altruistic kidney donors construct their decision to donate. Using a qualitative design and biographical-narrative semi-structured interviews, we aimed to produce text for analysis on two levels: the social implications for subjectivity and practice and a tentative psychodynamic explanation of the participants’ psychological investment in the discourses they used. A total of six prospective altruistic kidney donors were interviewed. A psychosocial approach to the analysis was taken. In-depth discourse analysis integrated Foucauldian with psycho-discursive approaches and psychodynamic theory was applied to sections of text in which participants seemed to have particular emotional investment. Analysis generated three major discursive themes: other-oriented, rational and self-oriented discourses. The desire to donate was experienced as compelling by participants. Participants used discourses to position themselves as concerned with the needs of the recipient, to resist questioning and criticism, and to manage difficult feelings around mortality. Participants tended to reject personal motivations for altruistic donation, positioning relatives’ disapproval as selfish and illogical. These results suggest that the term ‘altruistic’ for living non-directed organ donation constrains available discourses, severely limiting what can be said, felt, thought and done by donors, clinicians and the public. A more useful approach would acknowledge potential psychological motives and gains for the donor.
Publish and be damned: New media publics and neoliberal risk
Authors: Gershon Ilana
Published: September 2013

The public sphere is increasingly being depicted as a site of inadequately assessed risk when American undergraduates post blogs, videos, and Facebook updates that become viral, prompting others to mutter ‘don’t they know better than to press send?’ In this article, I offer an analytical frame for such posting that does not re-inscribe US tendencies to attribute ignorance or misguided selfishness to unwelcome behavior. In the United States, there are multiple and mutually defining understandings of how publics are constituted. Historically, these ideas often change when Americans respond to the ways new technologies alter how communication is made public or private. This is an ethnographic account of one way that multiple publics are seen to co-exist uneasily as people negotiate the newness of new media. Grounded in my ethnographic research, I explore how cautionary stories about ‘pressing send’ reflect neoliberal concerns about allocating risk and responsibility among individual choice-makers.
Is It Possible for Critical Social Sciences to Trespass the Biomedical Sciences Bunker in a Neoliberal Era?
Authors: Consuelo Chapela María del
Published: September 2013

The biomedical scientific institution is one principal cogwheel for the meanings construction neoliberal machine. Despite the official recognition of the social determinants of disease by the medical institution, critical social sciences are not taken seriously in this field where the tolerated social sciences paradigm is positivistic, looking for biological answers and ‘hard’ evidence to embodied social problems. In this paper I look at the chances of critical social sciences to affect the medical field in present neoliberal context. I argue that, at present time, it seems not possible for a progressive critical social sciences to effectively penetrate the medical field. This is not to say that critical social sciences have not chance at all to penetrate the health culture. I sketch then some possibilities to penetrate the health culture pinpointing out the role of Qualitative Inquiry in this quest.
Effectiveness testing of non-lethal weapons
Authors: Mezzacappa Elizabeth
Published: September 2013

Non-lethal weapons (NLWs) provide the warfighter with tools to effectively wage full spectrum operations, particularly in counterinsurgency, stability and support, and peace operations. However, it is widely recognized that evaluation of a NLW’s performance and effectiveness is problematic. The principal difficulty is that a NLW must be evaluated as both a non-lethal device (based on clinical testing methods of life science) and as a weapon (based on US Department of Defense (DoD) evaluation and testing methods of engineering and physics). This paper argues that live-virtual-constructive (LVC) methods constitute a critical component of a comprehensive research program on NLW effectiveness. In support of this contention, the article has three parts. Section 2 reviews briefly NLW effectiveness testing. This section will then present general LVC methods and the advantages they have over typical methods of evaluating NLW effects. Following this introduction, and in line with the intent of the special issue, an overview will be given on LVC methods as employed in NLW testing by the US Army’s Target Behavioral Response Laboratory (TBRL). Since its inception in 2004, the TBRL at Picatinny Arsenal has conducted comprehensive LVC studies on NLW effectiveness. These experiments examine NLW effectiveness against intended targets under controlled laboratory experimentation. A third component presents empirical quantitative results from LVC experimentation with NLW effectiveness in a crowd scenario. The article concludes with a brief summary of the use and particular benefits of LVC methods on NLW effectiveness testing.
Differential regulation of cell functions by CSD peptide subdomains
Authors: Reese Charles , Dyer Shanice , Perry Beth , Bonner Michael , Oates James , Hofbauer Ann , Sessa William , Bernatchez Pascal , Visconti Richard P , Zhang Jing , Hatfield Corey M , Silver Richard M , Hoffman Stanley , Tourkina Elena
Published: September 2013

Background

In fibrotic lung diseases, expression of caveolin-1 is decreased in fibroblasts and monocytes. The effects of this deficiency are reversed by treating cells or animals with the caveolin-1 scaffolding domain peptide (CSD, amino acids 82–101 of caveolin-1) which compensates for the lack of caveolin-1. Here we compare the function of CSD subdomains (Cav-A, Cav-B, Cav-C, Cav-AB, and Cav-BC) and mutated versions of CSD (F92A and T90A/T91A/F92A).

Methods

Migration toward the chemokine CXCL12 and the associated expression of F-actin, CXCR4, and pSmad 2/3 were studied in monocytes from healthy donors and SSc patients. Fibrocyte differentiation was studied using PBMC from healthy donors and SSc patients. Collagen I secretion and signaling were studied in fibroblasts derived from the lung tissue of healthy subjects and SSc patients.

Results

Cav-BC and CSD at concentrations as low as 0.01 μM inhibited the hypermigration of SSc monocytes and TGFβ-activated Normal monocytes and the differentiation into fibrocytes of SSc and Normal monocytes. While CSD also inhibited the migration of poorly migrating Normal monocytes, Cav-A (and other subdomains to a lesser extent) promoted the migration of Normal monocytes while inhibiting the hypermigration of TGFβ-activated Normal monocytes. The effects of versions of CSD on migration may be mediated in part via their effects on CXCR4, F-actin, and pSmad 2/3 expression. Cav-BC was as effective as CSD in inhibiting fibroblast collagen I and ASMA expression and MEK/ERK signaling. Cav-C and Cav-AB also inhibited collagen I expression, but in many cases did not affect ASMA or MEK/ERK. Cav-A increased collagen I expression in scleroderma lung fibroblasts. Full effects on fibroblasts of versions of CSD required 5 μM peptide.

Conclusions

Cav-BC retains most of the anti-fibrotic functions of CSD; Cav-A exhibits certain pro-fibrotic functions. Results obtained with subdomains and mutated versions of CSD further suggest that the critical functional residues in CSD depend on the cell type and readout being studied. Monocytes may be more sensitive to versions of CSD than fibroblasts and endothelial cells because the baseline level of caveolin-1 in monocytes is much lower than in these other cell types.
Changes to mitochondrial ultrastructure in optic nerve vulnerable to secondary degeneration in vivo are limited by irradiation at 670 nm
Authors: Cummins Nadia , Bartlett Carole A , Archer Michael , Bartlett Elora , Hemmi Jan M , Harvey Alan R , Dunlop Sarah A , Fitzgerald Melinda
Published: September 2013

Background

Traumatic injury to the central nervous system results in damage to tissue beyond the primary injury, termed secondary degeneration. Key events thought to be associated with secondary degeneration involve aspects of mitochondrial function which may be modulated by red/near-infrared irradiation therapy (R/NIR-IT), but precisely how mitochondria are affected in vivo has not been investigated. Secondary degeneration was modelled by transecting the dorsal aspect of the optic nerve in adult rats and mitochondrial ultrastructure in intact ventral optic nerve vulnerable to secondary degeneration investigated with transmission electron microscopy.

Results

Despite reported increases in fission following central nervous system injury, we saw no change in mitochondrial densities in optic nerve vulnerable to secondary degeneration in vivo. However, in axons, frequency distributions of mitochondrial profile areas showed higher cumulative probabilities of smaller mitochondrial profiles at day 1 after injury. Glial mitochondrial profiles did not exhibit changes in area, but a more elliptical mitochondrial shape was observed at both day 1 and 7 following injury. Importantly, mitochondrial autophagic profiles were observed at days 1 and 7 in optic nerve vulnerable to secondary degeneration in vivo. Citrate synthase activity was used as an additional measure of mitochondrial mass in ventral optic nerve and was decreased at day 7, whereas mitochondrial aconitase activity increased at day 1 and day 28 after injury in optic nerve vulnerable to secondary degeneration. R/NIR-IT has been used to treat the injured central nervous system, with reported improvements in oxidative metabolism suggesting mitochondrial involvement, but ultrastructural information is lacking. Here we show that R/NIR-IT of injured animals resulted in distributions of mitochondrial areas and shape not significantly different from control and significantly reduced mitochondrial autophagic profiles. R/NIR-IT also resulted in decreased citrate synthase activity (day 7) and increased aconitase activity (day 1) in optic nerve vulnerable to secondary degeneration.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that mitochondrial structure and activity of enzymes of the citric acid cycle are dynamically altered during secondary degeneration in vivo and R/NIR-IT may protect mitochondrial structure.
Molecular cloning and characterisation of SlAGOfamily in tomato
Authors: Xian Zhiqiang , Yang Yingwu , Huang Wei , Tang Ning , Wang Xinyu , Li Zhengguo
Published: September 2013

Background

AGO (Argonaute) protein participates in plant developmental processes and virus defense as a core element of transcriptional regulator or/and post-transcriptional regulator in RNA induced silencing complex (RISC), which is guided by small RNAs to repress target genes expression. Previously, it was revealed that 15 putative AGO genes in tomato genome.

Results

In present study, out of 15 detected SlAGO genes, only SlAGO4C and SlAGO15 couldn’t be detected in roots, stems, leaves, buds, flowers and fruit of tomato by 30 cycles of PCR. SlAGO7 could be detected in early stage of fruit (-2 dpa, 0 dpa and 4 dpa), but it was significantly down-regulated in fruit collected on the 6 days post anthesis. Moreover, SlAGO5 could only be detected in reproductive tissues and SlAGO4D was specifically detected in fruit. According to blast result with miRNA database, three SlAGO genes harbored complementary sequences to miR168 (SlAGO1A and SlAGO1B) or miR403 (SlAGO2A). 5′ RACE (Rapid amplification of cDNA ends) mapping was used to detect the 3′ cleavage products of SlAGO mRNAs. In addition, subcellular localization of SlAGO proteins was detected. Our results showed that most SlAGO proteins localized to nucleus and cytoplasm. Importantly, nuclear membrane localization of AGO proteins was observed. Furthermore, mutated miR168 complementary site of SlAGO1A resulted in expanded localization of SlAGO1A, indicating that miR168 regulated localization of SlAGO1A.

Conclusions

Our results contribute to demonstration of potential roles of these newly isolated AGO family in tomato developmental processes and proved the conserved relationships between AGO genes and miRNAs in tomato, which might play important roles in tomato development and virus defense.