bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative Evaluation of the Consistency of Three‐dimensional Spatial Representations used in Autonomous Robot Navigation
Authors: Stoyanov Todor , Magnusson Martin , Lilienthal Achim J.
Published: January 2013

An increasing number of robots for outdoor applications rely on complex three‐dimensional (3D) environmental models. In many cases, 3D maps are used for vital tasks, such as path planning and collision detection in challenging semistructured environments. Thus, acquiring accurate three‐dimensional maps is an important research topic of high priority for autonomously navigating robots. This article proposes an evaluation method that is designed to compare the consistency with which different representations model the environment. In particular, the article examines several popular (probabilistic) spatial representations that are capable of predicting the occupancy of any point in space, given prior 3D range measurements. This work proposes to reformulate the obtained environmental models as probabilistic binary classifiers, thus allowing for the use of standard evaluation and comparison procedures. To avoid introducing localization errors, this article concentrates on evaluating models constructed from measurements acquired at fixed sensor poses. Using a cross‐validation approach, the consistency of different representations, i.e., the likelihood of correctly predicting unseen measurements in the sensor field of view, can be evaluated. Simulated and real‐world data sets are used to benchmark the precision of four spatial models—occupancy grid, triangle mesh, and two variations of the three‐dimensional normal distributions transform (3D‐NDT)—over various environments and sensor noise levels. Overall, the consistency of representation of the 3D‐NDT is found to be the highest among the tested models, with a similar performance over varying input data. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Unified phase and magnitude speech spectra data hiding algorithm
Authors: Djebbar Fatiha , Ayad Beghdad , Abed‐Meraim Karim , Hamam Habib
Published: January 2013

In this paper, we present a unified algorithm for phase and magnitude speech spectra data hiding. The phase and the magnitude speech spectra are concurrently investigated to increase the capacity and the security of the embedded information. The proposed algorithm in this paper is based on finding secure spectral embedding areas in wideband magnitude speech spectrum. Our approach exploits these areas to hide data in both speech components (i.e., phase and magnitude). The embedding locations and hiding capacity are defined according to a controlled acceptable distortion in the magnitude spectrum. The latter is expressed as a set of parameters controlled by the sender. Consequently, the hiding capacity and the locations of concealed data change for each data communication instance to further prevent malicious intrusions. Objective results show that the presented algorithm in this paper secures hidden data and achieves interesting tradeoffs between the hiding capacity and the speech quality. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An Oct4-pRb Axis, Controlled by MiR-335, Integrates Stem Cell Self-Renewal and Cell Cycle Control
Authors: Schoeftner Stefan , Scarola Michele , Comisso Elisa , Schneider Claudio , Benetti Roberta
Published: January 2013

The pluripotency of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) is controlled by a network of transcription factors, mi-RNAs, and signaling pathways. Here, we present a new regulatory circuit that connects miR-335, Oct4, and the Retinoblastoma pathway to control mESC self-renewal and differentiation. Oct4 drives the expression of Nipp1 and Ccnf that inhibit the activity of the protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) complex to establish hyperphosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein 1 (pRb) as a hallmark feature of self-renewing mESCs. The Oct4-Nipp1/Ccnf-PP1-pRb axis promoting mESC self-renewal is under control of miR-335 that regulates Oct4 and Rb expression. During mESC differentiation, miR-335 upregulation co-operates with the transcriptional repression of Oct4 to facilitate the collapse of the Oct4-Nipp1/Ccnf-PP1-pRb axis, pRb dephosphorylation, the exit from self-renewal, and the establishment of a pRb-regulated cell cycle program. Our results introduce Oct4-dependent control of the Rb pathway as novel regulatory circuit controlling mESC self-renewal and differentiation.
A ubiquitous chromatin opening element prevents transgene silencing in pluripotent stem cells and their differentiated progeny
Authors: Pfaff Nils , Lachmann Nico , Ackermann Mania , Kohlscheen Saskia , Brendel Christian , Maetzig Tobias , Niemann Heiner , Antoniou Michael N. , Grez Manuel , Schambach Axel , Cantz Tobias , Moritz Thomas
Published: January 2013

Methylation-induced gene silencing represents a major obstacle to efficient transgene expression in pluripotent cells and thereof derived tissues. As ubiquitous chromatin opening elements (UCOE) have been shown to prevent transgene silencing in cell lines and primary hematopoietic cells, we hypothesized a similar activity in pluripotent cells. This concept was investigated in the context of cytidine deaminase (CDD) gene transfer, an approach to render hematopoietic cells resistant to the chemotherapeutic agent Ara-C. When murine induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC)/embryonic stem cells (ESCs) were transduced with self-inactivating lentiviral vectors using housekeeping (truncated elongation factor 1α; EFS) or viral (spleen focus-forming virus; SFFV) promoters, incorporation of an heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins A2 B1/chromobox protein homolog 3 locus-derived UCOE (A2UCOE) significantly increased transgene expression and Ara-C resistance and effectively prevented silencing of the SFFV-promoter. The EFS promoter showed relatively stable transgene expression in naïve iPSCs, but rapid transgene silencing was observed upon hematopoietic differentiation. When combined with the A2UCOE, however, the EFS promoter yielded stable transgene expression in 73% ± 6% of CD41+ hematopoietic progeny, markedly increased CDD expression levels, and significantly enhanced Ara-C resistance in clonogenic cells. Bisulfite sequencing revealed protection from differentiation-induced promoter CpG methylation to be associated with these effects. Similar transgene promoting activities of the A2UCOE were observed during murine neurogenic differentiation, in naïve human pluripotent cells, and during nondirected multilineage differentiation of these cells. Thus, our data provide strong evidence that UCOEs can efficiently prevent transgene silencing in iPS/ESCs and their differentiated progeny and thereby introduce a generalized concept to circumvent differentiation-induced transgene silencing during the generation of advanced iPSC/ESC-based gene and cell therapy products.
Brief Report: Blockade of Notch Signaling in Muscle Stem Cells Causes Muscular Dystrophic Phenotype and Impaired Muscle Regeneration
Authors: Lin Shuibin , Shen Huangxuan , Jin Baofeng , Gu Yumei , Chen Zirong , Cao Chunxia , Hu Chengbin , Keller Charles , Pear Warren S. , Wu Lizi
Published: January 2013

Muscular dystrophies are a group of devastating diseases characterized by progressive muscle weakness and degeneration, with etiologies including muscle gene mutations and regenerative defects of muscle stem cells. Notch signaling is critical for skeletal myogenesis and has important roles in maintaining the muscle stem cell pool and preventing premature muscle differentiation. To investigate the functional impact of Notch signaling blockade in muscle stem cells, we developed a conditional knock-in mouse model in which endogenous Notch signaling is specifically blocked in muscle stem cell compartment. Mice with Notch signaling inhibition in muscle stem cells showed several muscular dystrophic features and impaired muscle regeneration. Analyses of satellite cells and isolated primary myoblasts revealed that Notch signaling blockade in muscle stem cells caused reduced activation and proliferation of satellite cells but enhanced differentiation of myoblasts. Our data thus indicate that Notch signaling controls processes that are critical to regeneration in muscular dystrophy, suggesting that Notch inhibitor therapies could have potential side effects on muscle functions.
Canonical Wnt Signaling Induces a Primitive Endoderm Metastable State in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells
Authors: Price Feodor D. , Yin Hang , Jones Andrew , van Ijcken Wilfred , Grosveld Frank , Rudnicki Michael A.
Published: January 2013

Activation of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway synergizes with leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) to maintain pluripotency of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). However, in the absence of LIF, Wnt signaling is unable to maintain ESCs in the undifferentiated state. To investigate the role of canonical Wnt signaling in pluripotency and lineage specification, we expressed Wnt3a in mESCs and characterized them in growth and differentiation. We found that activated canonical Wnt signaling induced the formation of a reversible metastable primitive endoderm state in mESC. Upon subsequent differentiation, Wnt3a-stimulated mESCs gave rise to large quantities of visceral endoderm. Furthermore, we determined that the ability of canonical Wnt signaling to induce a metastable primitive endoderm state was mediated by Tbx3. Our data demonstrates a specific role for canonical Wnt signaling in promoting pluripotency while at the same time priming cells for subsequent differentiation into the primitive endoderm lineage.
Comparison of Availability and Accessibility of Oral Oncology Products between Medicare, Commercial U.S., and U.K. National Health Service (NHS) Patient Populations
Authors: Aworunse Olubiyi , Lal Lincy S. , Ewer Michael S. , Rosenau Pauline
Published: January 2013

This paper explores some of the concerns associated with the new group of oral anti‐cancer agents from the standpoint of availability, direct costs to the patient, and pricing strategies. We sought to evaluate the availability in the United States and the United Kingdom based on approval times. We then consulted select insurance companies' websites for 2011, the online Medicare Part D donut‐hole calculator, and the Cancer U.K. website for cost information. Nine oral targeted agents are approved both in the United States and United Kingdom. The date of approval was earlier in the United States compared to the United Kingdom for every medication, and Medicare patients have the highest out‐of‐pocket payments. Oral oncology products are available earlier in United States than in United Kingdom. Potential high out‐of‐pocket liability for Medicare patients is a greater obstacle to access than is the case for U.S. commercial insurance or National Health System (NHS) patients in the United Kingdom.
Sustainable Practices Within a School‐Based Intervention: A Report from Project Healthy Schools
Authors: Mohan Sathish , Smith Cydni A. , Corriveau Nicole L. , Kline‐Rogers Eva , Jackson Elizabeth A. , Eagle Kim A. , Goldberg Caren , DuRussel‐Weston Jean
Published: January 2013

Over the past three decades the proportion of students classified as overweight has almost tripled. This trend in childhood obesity is a cause for concern. Stakeholders have come together to stem growth and implement healthy habits in childhood to not only prevent obesity, but also future cardiovascular risk. School‐based health interventions have proven to be an effective medium to reach youth. Sustainable practices remain the largest determinant of long‐term success of these programs. Project Healthy Schools, a community–university collaborative school‐based health intervention program, sustainable practices have led to positive changes in participating middle schools. This collaborative has provided important insight on key factors needed for long‐term sustainability for a school‐based wellness program. These key factors are described under leadership, policy, finances, and reproducibility. Future school‐based programs may plan for success with sustainability while drawing from our experience.
Wind-driven changes in Southern Ocean residual circulation, ocean carbon reservoirs and atmospheric CO2
Authors: Lauderdale Jonathan M. , Garabato Alberto C. Naveira , Oliver Kevin I. C. , Follows Michael J. , Williams Richard G.
Published: January 2013

The effect of idealized wind-driven circulation changes in the Southern Ocean on atmospheric CO2 and the ocean carbon inventory is investigated using a suite of coarse-resolution, global coupled ocean circulation and biogeochemistry experiments with parameterized eddy activity and only modest changes in surface buoyancy forcing, each experiment integrated for 5,000 years. A positive correlation is obtained between the meridional overturning or residual circulation in the Southern Ocean and atmospheric CO2: stronger or northward-shifted westerly winds in the Southern Hemisphere result in increased residual circulation, greater upwelling of carbon-rich deep waters and oceanic outgassing, which increases atmospheric pCO2 by ∼20 μatm; weaker or southward-shifted winds lead to the opposing result. The ocean carbon inventory in our model varies through contrasting changes in the saturated, disequilibrium and biogenic (soft-tissue and carbonate) reservoirs, each varying by O(10–100) PgC, all of which contribute to the net anomaly in atmospheric CO2. Increased residual overturning deepens the global pycnocline, warming the upper ocean and decreasing the saturated carbon reservoir. Increased upwelling of carbon- and nutrient-rich deep waters and inefficient biological activity results in subduction of unutilized nutrients into the ocean interior, decreasing the biogenic carbon reservoir of intermediate and mode waters ventilating the Northern Hemisphere, and making the disequilibrium carbon reservoir more positive in the mode waters due to the reduced residence time at the surface. Wind-induced changes in the model carbon inventory are dominated by the response of the global pycnocline, although there is an additional abyssal response when the peak westerly winds change their latitude, altering their proximity to Drake Passage and changing the depth extent of the southward return flow of the overturning: a northward shift of the westerly winds isolates dense isopycnals, allowing biogenic carbon to accumulate in the deep ocean of the Southern Hemisphere, while a southward shift shoals dense isopycnals that outcrop in the Southern Ocean and reduces the biogenic carbon store in the deep ocean.
Allometric scaling among tree components in Pinus massoniana stands with different sites
Authors: Xue Li , Lie Ganwen , Lu Guangchao , Shao Yiruo
Published: January 2013

The WBE model was used to predict intraspecific scaling relationships among mean branch, needle, stem, root, and above‐ground masses across eight stands of Pinus massoniana to test whether the scaling exponent was (1) dependent on site and (2) in accordance with WBE theory. The results showed that mean stem and root masses as well as mean above‐ground and root masses scaled in a near‐isometric manner across sites, except at two sites, which exhibited an exponent slightly less than unity. Mean needle mass scaled as 3/4 power of mean stem mass, except at one site, which exhibited an exponent slightly higher than 3/4. Mean branch mass scaled isometrically with mean stem mass at each site. These results supported the WBE theory. However, mean branch mass across sites scaled neither as 3/4 nor 1 power of mean stem mass, indicating that the scaling relationship predicted by WBE theory for these two components did not hold in P. massoniana stands.
Thirty years of physical activity in oncology in Germany—from the birth of the first rehabilitative cancer sports group until today
Authors: Schüle Klaus
Published: January 2013

Since 1978, exercise and sport therapy for oncological patients is a research and education focus at the German Sport University of Cologne. Back then, the top priority for almost all oncological patients was to “rest”. Therefore, uncharted territory was entered. Aside from acute care hospitals, rehabilitation hospitals especially for oncological patients exist in Germany. In terms of the rehabilitation chain, which consists of acute care hospital, rehabilitation center, and home-based training, and the aspect of exercise therapy for breast cancer patients, the following progress could be observed in the last 30 years: In the 1980s, less than 50 % of the breast cancer patients received supervised exercise therapy during their 2- to 3-week hospital stay. Today, the length of hospital stay was reduced to 4 to 6 days and some hospitals have gym equipment to increase strength and endurance. In the beginning of the 1980s, passive applications (physiotherapy, massages, bubble baths, short hikes) were still dominant. While the rehabilitation stay took 6 weeks back then, it was reduced to 3 weeks today. Further, mainly group-based and active measures are applied today. The aim is to encourage and motivate patients to long-term physical exercise. In the meantime, mainly exercise and sports therapists are employed, in order to meet the holistic bio-psychosocial requirements. The first cancer sports groups for breast cancer patients in the aftercare were founded in 1981 in Germany. Today, nearly 1,000 groups exist. Breast cancer and 15 other entities are represented, however mainly women take part. In the early days, research focused on the influence of physical activities on psychosocial aspects. Lately the effects on molecular, biological, and immunological parameters are also examined, in order to explore canceroprotective mechanisms.
A 1,408 km bicycle tour with prostate cancer patients—results of a pilot study
Authors: Baumann Freerk T. , Zopf Eva M. , Westhof Tanja , Krohe Stefanie , Stempin Alexandra , Müsgens Matthias , Krause Anne , Zimmer Philipp , Beulertz Julia , Bloch Wilhelm , Jäger Elke
Published: January 2013

Negative psychological and physical effects of prostate cancer and its medical treatment may persist many years after diagnosis. The influence of a long cycling tour on rehabilitative or health-related effects with prostate cancer patients has not yet been studied. In practice, physicians and therapists rarely recommend cycling to prostate cancer. In May 2010, eight prostate cancer patients rode their bikes for over 1,408 km from Cologne to Marseille within 5 weeks. Endurance test, blood examinations (prostate-specific antigen (PSA), total testosterone, interleukin-6, oxidative stress, and antioxidant capacity) and quality of life questionnaires were completed before and after the tour. All eight subjects reached Marseille. Significant improvements could be observed in physical performance and certain quality of life scores (p = 0.008), as well as a reduction of total testosterone (p = 0.19). PSA levels did not change. This pilot study suggests that long bicycle tours with prostate cancer patients are feasible. Due to the missing control group and the small sample size, the results of this pilot study are limited.
Sleep duration, positive attitude toward life, and academic achievement: The role of daytime tiredness, behavioral persistence, and school start times
Authors: Perkinson‐Gloor Nadine , Lemola Sakari , Grob Alexander
Published: January 2013

Sleep timing undergoes profound changes during adolescence, often resulting in inadequate sleep duration. The present study examines the relationship of sleep duration with positive attitude toward life and academic achievement in a sample of 2716 adolescents in Switzerland (mean age: 15.4 years, SD = 0.8), and whether this relationship is mediated by increased daytime tiredness and lower self‐discipline/behavioral persistence. Further, we address the question whether adolescents who start school modestly later (20 min; n = 343) receive more sleep and report better functioning.

Sleeping less than an average of 8 h per night was related to more tiredness, inferior behavioral persistence, less positive attitude toward life, and lower school grades, as compared to longer sleep duration. Daytime tiredness and behavioral persistence mediated the relationship between short sleep duration and positive attitude toward life and school grades. Students who started school 20 min later received reliably more sleep and reported less tiredness.
Improved interpolation inequalities, relative entropy and fast diffusion equations
Authors: Dolbeault Jean , Toscani Giuseppe
Published: January 2013

We consider a family of Gagliardo–Nirenberg–Sobolev interpolation inequalities which interpolate between Sobolevʼs inequality and the logarithmic Sobolev inequality, with optimal constants. The difference of the two terms in the interpolation inequalities (written with optimal constant) measures a distance to the manifold of the optimal functions. We give an explicit estimate of the remainder term and establish an improved inequality, with explicit norms and fully detailed constants. Our approach is based on nonlinear evolution equations and improved entropy–entropy production estimates along the associated flow. Optimizing a relative entropy functional with respect to a scaling parameter, or handling properly second moment estimates, turns out to be the central technical issue. This is a new method in the theory of nonlinear evolution equations, which can be interpreted as the best fit of the solution in the asymptotic regime among all asymptotic profiles.
Commercial proteases: Present and future
Authors: Li Qing , Yi Li , Marek Peter , Iverson Brent L.
Published: January 2013

This review presents a brief overview of the general categories of commercially used proteases, and critically surveys the successful strategies currently being used to improve the properties of proteases for various commercial purposes. We describe the broad application of proteases in laundry detergents, food processing, and the leather industry. The review also introduces the expanding development of proteases as a class of therapeutic agents, as well as highlighting recent progress in the field of protease engineering. The potential commercial applications of proteases are rapidly growing as recent technological advances are producing proteases with novel properties and substrate specificities.
Recent Advances in Computational Methods for Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Data Processing
Authors: Gao Xin
Published: January 2013

Although three-dimensional protein structure determination using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is a computationally costly and tedious process that would benefit from advanced computational techniques, it has not garnered much research attention from specialists in bioinformatics and computational biology. In this paper, we review recent advances in computational methods for NMR protein structure determination. We summarize the advantages of and bottlenecks in the existing methods and outline some open problems in the field. We also discuss current trends in NMR technology development and suggest directions for research on future computational methods for NMR.
The Trouble with Class
Authors: Carrier James G.
Published: January 2013

This article considers aspects of the use of class in sociology and anthropology since the period around 1970, when Neo-Marxism became important in the social sciences, and is concerned primarily with Marxist and Weberian uses of the concept. It considers changes in the use of class in terms of two dimensions. One is the degree to which class is placed in a more macroscopic or more microscopic frame. The other is the degree to which class is defined in more objectivist terms or relies more on the way that the people being studied use the term. It is argued that since around 1970 writing on class has tended to become more microscopic and subjectivist. This tendency is related to changes within the two disciplines and within society more generally. The article closes with a consideration of some of the costs of this changing scholarly orientation to class.
“Diversity” and the Social Imaginary
Authors: Vertovec Steven
Published: January 2013

“Diversity” is the focus of a wide-ranging corpus of normative discourses, institutional structures, policies and practices in business, public sector agencies, the military, universities and professions. Here, a brief account of the rise and diffusion of the term is provided. It now addresses a wide variety of social differences, while at least six distinct facets or goals of diversity policy can be discerned. Ambiguity, multivocality and banality are key characteristics of diversity discourse, but these function to strengthen, rather than weaken, the spread and acceptance of the notion. In many settings the commitment to diversity is mainstreamed, expected, and even taken-for-granted. Diversity discourse is related to ongoing processes of social diversification, but its diffusion is not driven by these processes. Overall, despite its many imprecisions, the impacts of the diversity corpus entail a transformation, or at least refinement, of the social imaginary.
Diosmectite–zinc oxide composite improves intestinal barrier function, modulates expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and tight junction protein in early weaned pigs
Authors: Hu Caihong , Song Juan , Li Yali , Luan Zhaoshuang , Zhu Kang
Published: January 2013

The study evaluated whether feeding diosmectite–ZnO composite (DS-ZnO) at 500 mg Zn/kg to early weaned pigs would alleviate the weaning-related intestinal disorders as a substitute for high concentration of ZnO (2250 mg Zn/kg). The pigs weaned at an age of 21 ± 1 d were allotted to four treatments groups as follows: (1) control; (2) DS-ZnO, 500 mg Zn/kg diet; (3) ZnO, 2250 mg Zn/kg diet; and (4) mixture of 2·0 g DS/kg and 500 mg Zn/kg from ZnO (equal amount of DS and ZnO in the DS-ZnO treatment group). The results showed that, compared with the control on days 7 and 14 post-weaning, addition of DS-ZnO at 500 mg Zn/kg improved (P< 0·05) daily gain and feed intake, decreased (P< 0·05) post-weaning scour scores, increased (P< 0·05) jejunal villus height and the ratio of villus height and crypt depth, decreased (P< 0·05) jejunal paracellular permeability of fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran 4 kDa and up-regulated (P< 0·05) tight junction protein expression of occludin, claudin-1 and zonula occludens-1 in jejunal mucosa. The mRNA levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) on day 7 post-weaning were also decreased (P< 0·05). The piglets fed DS-ZnO at 500 mg Zn/kg did not differ in the above parameters from those fed ZnO at 2250 mg Zn/kg, while they had better performance than those fed the mixture of DS and ZnO. Supplementation with DS-ZnO at 500 mg Zn/kg was effective in alleviating diarrhoea, barrier dysfunction and inflammatory cytokine expression and up-regulating tight junction protein expression.
The effect of dietary administration of 2-oxoglutaric acid on the cartilage and bone of growing rats
Authors: Dobrowolski Piotr , Tomaszewska Ewa , Bienko Marek , Radzki Radoslaw P. , Pierzynowski Stefan G.
Published: January 2013

2-Oxoglutaric acid (2-Ox), a precursor to hydroxyproline – the most abundant amino acid in bone collagen, exerts protective effects on bone development during different stages of organism development; however, little is known about the action of 2-Ox on cartilage. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the influence of dietary 2-Ox supplementation on the growth plate, articular cartilage and bone of growing rats. A total of twelve male Sprague–Dawley rats were used in the study. Half of the rats received 2-oxoglutarate at a dose of 0·75 g/kg body weight per d in their drinking-water. Body and organ weights were measured. Histomorphometric analyses of the cartilage and bone tissue of the femora and tibiae were conducted, as well as bone densitometry and peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT). Rats receiving 2-Ox had an increased body mass (P< 0·001) and absolute liver weight (P= 0·031). Femoral length (P= 0·045) and bone mineral density (P= 0·014), overall thickness of growth plate (femur P= 0·036 and tibia P= 0·026) and the thickness of femoral articular cartilage (P< 0·001) were also increased. 2-Ox administration had no effect on the mechanical properties or on any of the measured pQCT parameters for both bones analysed. There were also no significant differences in histomorphometric parameters of tibial articular cartilage and autofluorescence of femoral and tibial growth plate cartilage. Dietary supplementation with 2-Ox to growing rats exerts its effects mainly on cartilage tissue, having only a slight influence on bone. The effect of 2-Ox administration was selective, depending on the particular bone and type of cartilage analysed.
Grains of paradise (Aframomum melegueta) extract activates brown adipose tissue and increases whole-body energy expenditure in men
Authors: Sugita Jun , Yoneshiro Takeshi , Hatano Takuya , Aita Sayuri , Ikemoto Takeshi , Uchiwa Hideyo , Iwanaga Toshihiko , Kameya Toshimitsu , Kawai Yuko , Saito Masayuki
Published: January 2013

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is responsible for cold- and diet-induced thermogenesis, and thereby contributes to the control of whole-body energy expenditure (EE) and body fat content. BAT activity can be assessed by fluoro-2-deoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET) in human subjects. Grains of paradise (GP, Aframomum melegueta), a species of the ginger family, contain pungent, aromatic ketones such as 6-paradol, 6-gingerol and 6-shogaol. An alcohol extract of GP seeds and 6-paradol are known to activate BAT thermogenesis in small rodents. The present study aimed to examine the effects of the GP extract on whole-body EE and to analyse its relation to BAT activity in men. A total of nineteen healthy male volunteers aged 20–32 years underwent FDG-PET after 2 h of exposure to cold at 19°C with light clothing. A total of twelve subjects showed marked FDG uptake into the adipose tissue of the supraclavicular and paraspinal regions (BAT positive). The remaining seven showed no detectable uptake (BAT negative). Within 4 weeks after the FDG-PET examination, whole-body EE was measured at 27°C before and after oral ingestion of GP extract (40 mg) in a single-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, crossover design. The resting EE of the BAT-positive group did not differ from that of the BAT-negative group. After GP extract ingestion, the EE of the BAT-positive group increased within 2 h to a significantly greater (P< 0·01) level than that of the BAT-negative group. Placebo ingestion produced no significant change in EE. These results suggest that oral ingestion of GP extract increases whole-body EE through the activation of BAT in human subjects.
Policy Diffusion of Emission Standards Is There a Race to the Top?
Authors: Saikawa Eri
Published: January 2013

In a dramatic example of policy diffusion, the past three decades have witnessed the spread of automobile emission standards throughout the world. Contrary to fears that global competition would produce a race to the bottom, there appears to be a race to the top, not only among rich countries but also among poor ones. Using econometric analysis of the adoption of automobile emission standards over the past twenty years for 129 countries, the author argues that this global diffusion results from countries' efforts to stay competitive in the international market. Due to the pressure from importing countries that have adopted stringent emission standards, even developing countries have rapidly moved to adopt rich country standards. The evidence shows that adoption of automobile emission standards correlates with an increase in the total value of automobile exports. Under some conditions, economic incentives in a global market can be a complement to environmental protection.
Path Shifting of the Welfare State: Electoral Competition and the Expansion of Work-Family Policies in Western Europe
Authors: Morgan Kimberly J.
Published: January 2013

What explains the surprising growth of work-family policies in several West European countries? Much research on the welfare state emphasizes its institutional stickiness and immunity to major change. Yet, over the past two decades, governments in Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom have introduced important reforms to their welfare regimes, enacting paid leave schemes, expanded rights to part-time work, and greater investments in child care. A comparison of these countries reveals a similar sequence of political and policy change. Faced with growing electoral instability and the decline of core constituencies, party leaders sought to attract dealigning voter groups, such as women. This led them to introduce feminizing reforms of their party structures and adopt policies to support mothers' employment. In all three cases, women working within the parties played an important role in hatching or lobbying for these reforms. After comparing three countries that moved in a path-shifting direction, this article engages in a brief traveling exercise, examining whether a similar set of dynamics are lacking in two countries—Austria and Italy—that have moved more slowly in reforming these policies. Against the prevailing scholarly literature that emphasizes path dependence and slow-moving change, this article reveals the continued power of electoral politics in shaping redistributive policies.
Economic Development and Gender Equality: Is There a Gender Kuznets Curve?
Authors: Eastin Joshua , Prakash Aseem
Published: January 2013

This research note examines the relationship between economic development and gender equality. Drawing on the concept of the Kuznets curve, the authors hypothesize that the relationship between economic development and gender inequality is curvilinear (S shaped), with three distinct stages. In the first stage, economic development improves gender equality because it enables greater female labor-force participation. An independent income stream increases women's intrahousehold bargaining power. The opportunity to develop human capital confers greater political and social recognition. In the second stage, labor-force stratification and gender discrimination encourage divergent male/female income trajectories, which decrease the opportunity costs of female labor-force withdrawal and lend traction to social resistance against burgeoning gender norms. Consequently, there is a deceleration in initial equality gains. In the final stage, gender equality again improves, as greater educational participation and technological advancement provide new employment opportunities for women, increase the opportunity costs of staying home, and encourage the evolution of new social institutions and norms that overcome prior discriminatory practices. The authors find support for this argument in statistical tests of the relationship between economic development and gender equality on a panel of 146 developing countries for the period 1980–2005. They employ four indicators that reflect distinct dimensions of women's political, social, and economic status. They find economic development positively influences gender equality when per capita incomes are below $8,000–$10,000. These equality gains level off or decline slightly in the second stage, from $8,000–10,000 to about $25,000–$30,000. Beyond this level, economic development is again associated with improvements in gender equality. The key implication is that the effect of economic development on gender equality is contingent on the level of development. Policymakers and social activists should develop policy correctives to ensure that economic development confers improvements in gender equality across phases of development.
Socio-economic inequalities in mortality persist into old age in New Zealand: study of all 65 years plus, 2001–04
Authors: JATRANA SANTOSH , BLAKELY TONY
Published: January 2013

A number of studies have explored the relationship between socio-economic status and mortality, although these have mostly been based on the working-age population, despite the fact that the burden of mortality is highest in older people. Using Poisson regression on linked New Zealand census and mortality data (2001–04, 1.3 million person years) with a comprehensive set of socio-economic indicators (education, income, car access, housing tenure, neighourhood deprivation), we examined the association of socio-economic characteristics and older adult mortality (65+ years) in New Zealand. We found that socio-economic mortality gradients persist into old age. Substantial relative risks of mortality were observed for all socio-economic factors, except housing tenure. Most relative risk associations decreased in strength with ageing [e.g.most deprived compared to least deprived rate ratio for males reducing from 1.40 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.28–1.53) for 65–74-year-olds to 1.13 (CI 1.00–1.28) for 85 + -year-olds], except for income and education among women where the rate ratios changed little with increasing age. This suggests individual-level measures of socio-economic status are more closely related to mortality in older women than older men. Comparing across genders, the only statistically significantly different association between men and women was for a weaker association for women for car access.
A robust, multi-hypothesis approach to matching occupancy grid maps
Authors: Blanco Jose-Luis , González-Jiménez Javier , Fernández-Madrigal Juan-Antonio
Published: January 2013

This paper presents a new approach to matching occupancy grid maps by means of finding correspondences between a set of sparse features detected in the maps. The problem is stated here as a special instance of generic image registration. To cope with the uncertainty and ambiguity that arise from matching grid maps, we introduce a modified RANSAC algorithm which searches for a dynamic number of internally consistent subsets of feature pairings from which to compute hypotheses about the translation and rotation between the maps. By providing a (possibly multi-modal) probability distribution of the relative pose of the maps, our method can be seamlessly integrated into large-scale mapping frameworks for mobile robots. This paper provides a benchmarking of different detectors and descriptors, along extensive experimental results that illustrate the robustness of the algorithm with a 97% success ratio in loop-closure detection for ~1700 matchings between local maps obtained from four publicly available datasets.
Serological survey of leptospirosis in livestock in Thailand
Authors: SUWANCHAROEN D. , CHAISAKDANUGULL Y. , THANAPONGTHARM W. , YOSHIDA S.
Published: January 2013

A cross-sectional serological survey was conducted during January to August 2001 to determine the seroprevalence ofLeptospiraserovars in five species of livestock in Thailand and to identify associations between seropositivity and sex, age, species and geographical locations. Sera from 14188 livestock (9288 cattle, 1376 buffaloes, 1898 pigs, 1110 sheep, 516 goats) from 36 provinces were tested for antibodies against 24Leptospiraserovars with the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) for which the criterion for a positive result was set at a titre of ⩾1:50. A total of 1635 [11·5%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 11·0–12·0] animals were seropositive and the highest prevalence (30·4%, 95% CI 28·2–32·5) of evidence of infection was recorded in the northeast region followed by the central region (22·2%, 95% CI 20–24·6). Seroprevalences recorded for cattle, buffaloes, pigs, sheep and goats were 9·9% (95% CI 9·3–10·5), 30·5% (95% CI 28·1–32·9), 10·8% (95% CI 9·5–12·3), 4·7% (95% CI 3·6–6·1) and 7·9% (95% CI 5·8–10·5), respectively. Buffaloes were 3·1 (95% CI 2·8–3·4) times more likely than cattle to be seropositive. The most commonly detected antibodies were againstL. interrogansserovars Ranarum, Sejroe, and Mini in cattle, Mini, Sejroe, and Bratislava in buffaloes, Ranarum, Pomona, and Bratislava in pigs and Mini, Shermani, and Ranarum in sheep and goats. Seroprevalences in cattle and buffaloes trended upwards with increasing age and there was no difference in the risk of seropositivity between males and females.
Persistent organic pollutants in bird, fish and invertebrate samples from King George Island, Antarctica
Authors: Cipro Caio V.Z. , Colabuono Fernanda I. , Taniguchi Satie , Montone Rosalinda Carmela
Published: January 2013

Despite small direct anthropic/anthropogenic influence, Antarctica cannot be considered out of the reach of pollutants. The present study evaluated the distribution and transfer of the following organic pollutants: PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), organochlorine pesticides and PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers) in invertebrates, fish, bird eggs and liver samples from Admiralty Bay, King George Island, South Shetland Islands. The prevailing compounds were (in ng g-1 wet weight for species averages): PCBs up to 1821 for birds, 6.82 for fish and 41.3 for invertebrates, HCB (hexachlorobenzene) up to 69.8 for birds, 0.66 for fish and 0.56 for invertebrates and DDTs (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) up to 524 for birds, 3.04 for fish and 0.74 for invertebrates. PBDEs (detected only in bird eggs and liver, up to 39.1 and 7.95, respectively) occurred in levels one or two orders of magnitude lower than organochlorines, probably due to the lower and more recent usage of PBDEs. The qualitative profiles of PCBs agree with trophic level and diet data. PBDEs showed small difference in composition when compared to the technical product available in the Americas, especially in endemic species, which could indicate that fractionation does not have a major role for this contaminant group. Trophic level, but also and more importantly, diet, range, ecological niche and “growth dilution” effect explain the variation of pollutants concentrations found in this study.
Factors determining nematode distributions at Cape Hallett and Gondwana station, Antarctica
Authors: Raymond Mélianie R. , Wharton David A. , Marshall Craig J.
Published: January 2013

The distribution of nematodes at Cape Hallett and Gondwana station was found to be patchy but consistent, broad-scale habitat preferences were identified. These had been previously noted in McMurdo Dry Valleys soils and on Ross Island, indicating that habitat preferences are consistent across large scales and may play a role in determining range limits. Soil geochemistry, especially salinity, has a strong impact on distribution patterns. The distinct distribution patterns of the four species indicate different niches.Panagrolaimus davidiTimm is the only nematode that can survive within penguin rookeries, where salinity is high but bacterial food is plentiful.Scottnema lindsayaeTimm was found across the greatest range of habitats, including the driest sites and largest salinity range.Plectussp. was found in the wettest sites, with high organic content and low salinity.Eudorylaimus antarcticusSteiner (Yeates) was found at low densities and with other nematodes indicating a dependence on prey availability, an example of a biotic interaction structuring even these simplest ecosystems. Field-identifiable features could be used to identify probable nematode habitats, providing useful information for sampling and the selection of conservation areas.
Effect of insulin on the cell cycle of germinating maize seeds (Zea maysL.)
Authors: Avila-Alejandre Alma X. , Espejel Fulgencio , Paz-Lemus Esmeralda , Cortés-Barberena Edith , Díaz de León-Sánchez Fernando , Dinkova Tzvetanka D. , Sánchez de Jiménez Estela , Pérez-Flores Laura J.
Published: January 2013

During seed germination, metabolism is reactivated, DNA is repaired and cell division is restarted in the meristems. The mechanisms that co-ordinate cell growth and division in maize embryonic axes during germination are not well understood. However, the presence of a factor similar to IGF (insulin-like growth factor) that accelerates germination has been reported. In the present work, the regulation of the cell-cycle restart by bovine insulin [which has been demonstrated to produce similar effects as insulin-like growth factor of maize (ZmIGF) in maize seeds] was studied in germinating embryonic axes. Our results showed that bovine insulin differentially stimulates growth, S6K phosphorylation,S6rptranscript accumulation on the polysomal fraction, as well asde novoDNA synthesis in the radicles and the coleoptiles of the embryonic axis. A stronger and earlier effect was observed in radicles compared to coleoptiles; therefore, the effect of insulin on the cell cycle of the root meristem was studied by flow cytometry. The G1–S transition was stimulated and cell proliferation was induced. Furthermore, it was determined by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) that bovine insulin increased E2F and PCNA (proliferating cell nuclear antigen) transcription after 15 h of germination and PCNAde novosynthesis at 15 h of germination. These results show that bovine insulin preferentially stimulates growth in the radicles of germinating embryonic axes and suggest that its effect on the G1–S transition and the activation of cell proliferation is mediated by the induction of E2F and PCNA transcription.
The Compensation Approach for Walks With Small Steps in the Quarter Plane
Authors: ADAN IVO J. B. F. , van LEEUWAARDEN JOHAN S. H. , RASCHEL KILIAN
Published: January 2013

This paper is the first application of the compensation approach (a well-established theory in probability theory) to counting problems. We discuss how this method can be applied to a general class of walks in the quarter plane+2with a step set that is a subset of\[ \{(-1,1),(-1,0),(-1,-1),(0,-1),(1,-1)\}\]in the interior of+2. We derive an explicit expression for the generating function which turns out to be non-holonomic, and which can be used to obtain exact and asymptotic expressions for the counting numbers.
Game on: do children absorb sports sponsorship messages?
Authors: Pettigrew Simone , Rosenberg Michael , Ferguson Renee , Houghton Stephen , Wood Lisa
Published: January 2013

Objective

It is likely that there are substantial subconscious effects of organizations’ efforts to associate their products with sport via sponsorships, but most research methods are unable to capture these effects. The present study employed a novel projective technique to explore children's implicit associations between popular sports and a range of sports sponsors.

Design

Children participated in an activity using magnets bearing the logos of numerous sports and sponsors. They were invited to arrange the magnets on a whiteboard without being advised that the activity related to sponsorship.

Setting

Perth, Western Australia.

Subjects

Children (n 164) aged 5–12 years.

Results

Three-quarters (76 %) of the children aligned at least one correct sponsor magnet with the relevant sport. Just over half the children (54 %) correctly matched the most popular sport (an Australian Football League team) with its relevant sponsor (a fast-food chain).

Conclusions

Given the unstructured nature of the projective task, the results provide some support for the argument that sports sponsorship can effectively reach child audiences. This is of concern given the current extent of sponsorship by alcohol and fast-food companies.
Prison Health Discharge Planning – Evidence of an Integrated Care Pathway or the End of the Road?
Authors: Dyer Wendy , Biddle Paul
Published: January 2013

Improvements in offender healthcare are key to the current UK Government's reform of the criminal justice system and the aims of reducing reoffending and protecting the public. Current approaches to offender health care emphasise the importance of ‘continuity of care’. Reference to the ‘offender health pathway’ suggests the existence of seamless delivery and experience of care; however, evidence suggests these remain some way off. This research explores prison health discharge planning in four North East prisons and uncovers elements of good practice, but also a number of challenges the prisons continue to face in their attempts to improve clinical pathways for prisoners being released or transferred, including institutional, staffing and prisoner issues. These challenges need to be acknowledged and addressed if robust discharge planning and continuity of care at the end of the offender health pathway is to be achieved.