bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pipeline Politics: Russian Energy Sanctions and the 2010 Ukrainian Elections
Authors: Newnham Randall E.
Published: May 2013

In early 2010, the ‘Orange Revolution’ in the Ukraine came to an end. The pro-Western President, Viktor Yushchenko, was replaced by the pro-Russian Viktor Yanukovych. This paper argues that Russian energy sanctions helped pave the way for Yanukovych's election. The Kremlin undermined the Ukrainian economy by exploiting the country's dependence on Russian oil and gas, imposing harsh price increases and financial terms and even cutting off supplies in 2006 and 2009. In the end, I argue, these measures fit the ‘classic model’ of economic sanctions: impose pain until the population turns against its government and removes it. Uniquely, however, this paper links sanctions to the long-standing literature on elections in the U.S. and other democracies which shows how economic decline influences voting behavior. A certain level of sanctions may cause a predictable change in election outcomes in the targeted state. This opens, I believe, an important new potential avenue in research on sanctions.
Risk factors for mild cognitive impairment among Mexican Americans
Authors: O'Bryant Sid E. , Johnson Leigh , Reisch Joan , Edwards Melissa , Hall James , Barber Robert , Devous Michael D. , Royall Donald , Singh Meharvan
Published: May 2013

Background

Although a great deal of literature has focused on risk factors for mild cognitive impairment (MCI), little published work examines risk for MCI among Mexican Americans.

Methods

Data from 1628 participants (non‐Hispanicn= 1002; Mexican Americann= 626) were analyzed from two ongoing studies of cognitive aging and Alzheimer's disease, Project FRONTIER (Facing Rural Obstacles to health Now Through Intervention, Education & Research) and TARCC (Texas Alzheimer's Research & Care Consortium).

Results

When looking at the full cohorts (non‐Hispanic and Mexican American), age, education, Apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 status and gender were consistently related to MCI diagnosis across the two cohorts. However, when split by ethnicity, advancing age was the only significant risk factor for MCI among Mexican Americans across both cohorts.

Conclusions

The current data suggest that many of the previously established risk factors for MCI among non‐Hispanic cohorts may not be predictive of MCI among Mexican Americans and point to the need for additional work aimed at understanding factors related to cognitive aging among this underserved segment of the population.
Sermons, Separatists, and Succession Politics in Late Elizabethan England
Authors: Questier Michael
Published: May 2013

In late 1599 the population of York was able to witness a fairly extraordinary sight. In York Castle, the Catholic prisoners of conscience, as they saw themselves (though others regarded them as dangerous political dissidents), were being compelled to listen, once a week, to a Protestant sermon. These sermons were preached at them by a slate of godly ministers. This exercise was something the prisoners actively contested by murmuring, blocking their ears, shouting, and attempting to rush out of the hall. The prisoners' antics provoked the authorities into increasingly coercive measures to make them hear the Word of God. This outwardly rather ridiculous and unseemly charade went on, week after week, for nearly a year, at which point the whole business was abandoned by the lord president, Lord Burghley, as a waste of time. However, by decoding the extant manuscript narrative that we have of the sermon series and by looking at who was involved in this business and why, and what political messages were being sent during the course of it, we can say something about the popular politics of late Elizabethan England. In particular, we can comment on the strategies adopted by those who were anticipating the moment, surely not far off, when Tudor power would be extinguished and Elizabeth's crown would pass to her successor.
L'abstention sélective, ou pourquoi certains jeunes qui votent au fédéral boudent les élections municipales
Authors: Dostie-Goulet Eugénie , Blais André , Fournier Patrick , Gidengil Elizabeth
Published: May 2013

Résumé.Les études sur le comportement électoral au niveau municipal sont rares. Sont encore plus rares celles qui comparent les élections municipales avec celles d'un autre niveau. Cette recherche vise à combler ce vide, mais d'une manière particulière : nous nous intéressons aux gens qui choisissent de s'abstenir de façon sélective. Il s'agit donc de voir pourquoi certains votent lors des élections fédérales mais non lors des élections municipales, ou pourquoi une élection de « deuxième niveau » serait moins attirante qu'une élection de « premier niveau ». Cette question est examinée à l'aide d'un échantillon composé de jeunes montréalais ayant entre 19 et 31 ans. Quatre déterminants sont plus fortement liés à l'abstention sélective : l'identification partisane, l'enracinement local, l'intérêt pour la politique et l'utilisation des services municipaux.

Abstract.Studies of electoral behaviour at the municipal level are rare. Even less frequent are those comparing behaviour in municipal elections and in elections at other levels of government. Our aim is to address this gap in the research, with particular interest paid to people who choose to abstain in a selective way. This study considers those who participate in federal elections but not in municipal elections. Stated alternatively, why might second-order elections be less attractive to voters than first-order elections? To address this question, we use a sample composed of young Montrealers aged 19 to 31. Four determinants were found to be important when explaining selective abstention : partisan identification, local attachment, political interest and use of municipal services.
Extremal sequences of polynomial complexity
Authors: HARE KEVIN G. , MORRIS IAN D. , SIDOROV NIKITA
Published: May 2013

The joint spectral radius of a bounded set of d × d real matrices is defined to be the maximum possible exponential growth rate of products of matrices drawn from that set. For a fixed set of matrices, a sequence of matrices drawn from that set is called extremal if the associated sequence of partial products achieves this maximal rate of growth. An influential conjecture of J. Lagarias and Y. Wang asked whether every finite set of matrices admits an extremal sequence which is periodic. This is equivalent to the assertion that every finite set of matrices admits an extremal sequence with bounded subword complexity. Counterexamples were subsequently constructed which have the property that every extremal sequence has at least linear subword complexity. In this paper we extend this result to show that for each integer p ≥ 1, there exists a pair of square matrices of dimension 2p(2p+1 − 1) for which every extremal sequence has subword complexity at least 2−p2np.
Positive Beliefs about Rumination Are Associated with Ruminative Thinking and Affect in Daily Life: Evidence for a Metacognitive View on Depression
Authors: Kubiak Thomas , Zahn Daniela , Siewert Kerstin , Jonas Cornelia , Weber Hannelore
Published: May 2013

Background:Self-regulatory executive function theory (Wells and Matthews, 1994; Wells, 2008) stresses the role of metacognitions in the development of emotional disorders. Within this metacognitive model, positive beliefs about ruminative thinking are thought to be a risk factor for engaging in rumination and subsequently for depression. However, most of the existing research relies on retrospective self-report trait measures.Aims:The aim of the present study was to examine the theory's predictions with an Ecological Momentary Assessment approach capturing rumination as it occurs in daily life.Method:Non-clinical participants (N= 93) were equipped with electronic diaries and completed four signal-contingent momentary self-reports per day for 4 weeks. A multilevel mediation model was computed to examine associations between positive beliefs about rumination and ruminative thinking and negative affect in daily life.Results:Positive beliefs about rumination were significantly associated with ruminative thinking as it occurs in daily life. We further found evidence for a negative association with positive affect that was completely mediated via ruminative thinking in daily life occurring in response to negative emotions.Conclusions:Our results add ecologically valid corroborating evidence for the metacognitive model of emotional disorders within the framework of self-regulatory executive function theory.
Marketing foods to children: a comparison of nutrient content between children's and non-children's products
Authors: Lythgoe Amelia , Roberts Caireen , Madden Angela M , Rennie Kirsten L
Published: May 2013

Objective

The predominance of marketing of products high in fat, sugar and/or salt to children has been well documented and implicated in the incidence of obesity. The present study aimed to determine whether foods marketed to children in UK supermarkets are nutritionally similar to the non-children's equivalent, focusing on food categories that may be viewed as healthier options.

Design

Nutritional data were collected on yoghurts (n 147), cereal bars (n 145) and ready meals (n 144) from seven major UK supermarkets and categorised as children's or non-children's products based on the characteristics, promotional nature or information on the product packaging. Fat, sugar and salt content was compared per 100 g and per recommended portion size.

Setting

UK.

Results

Per 100 g, children's yoghurts and cereal bars were higher in total sugars, fat and saturated fat than the non-children's; this was significant for all except sugar and total fat in cereal bars. Per portion these differences remained, except for sugars in yoghurts. Conversely children's ready meals were significantly lower in these nutrients per portion than non-children's, but not when expressed per 100 g. Children's yoghurts and ready meals had significantly lower sodium content than non-children's both per portion and per 100 g.

Conclusions

Significant differences between the nutritional composition of children's and non-children's products were observed but varied depending on the unit reference. A significant number of products marketed towards children were higher in fat, sugar and salt than those marketed to the general population.
Monte Carlo simulation of electron modes of a Siemens Primus linac (8, 12 and 14 MeV)
Authors: Bahreyni Toossi Mohammad Taghi , Ghorbani Mahdi , Akbari Fateme , Sabet Leila Sobhkhiz , Mehrpouyan Mohammad
Published: May 2013

Background

Electron mode is used for treatment of superficial tumours in linac-based radiotherapy.

Purpose

The aim of present study is simulation of 8, 12 and 14 MeV electrons from a Siemens Primus linac using MCNPX Monte Carlo (MC) code and verification of the results based on comparison of the results with the measured data.

Materials and methods

Electron mode for 8, 12 and 14 MeV electron energies of a Siemens Primus linac was simulated using MCNPX MC code. Percent depth dose (PDD) data for 10 × 10, 15 × 15 and 25 × 25 cm2 applicators obtained from MC simulations were compared with the corresponding measured data.

Results

Gamma index values were less than unity in most of points for all the above-mentioned energies and applicators. However, for 25 × 25 cm2 applicator in 8 MeV energy, 10 × 10 cm2 applicator and 15 × 15 cm2 applicator in 14 MeV energy, there were four data points with gamma indices higher than unity. However among these data points, there are a number of cases with relatively large value of gamma index, these cases are positioned on the bremsstrahlung tail of the PDD curve which is not normally used in treatment planning.

Conclusion

There was good agreement between the results of MC simulations developed in this study and the measured values. The obtained simulation programmes can be used in dosimetry of electron mode of Siemens Primus linac in the cases in which it is not easily feasible to perform experimental in-phantom measurements.
‘Callback’: increasing access to, and improving choice in, a multi-level, multi-purpose low-intensity service
Authors: White Jim , Ross Michael , Richards Carol , Manson Vicky , Johnston Sandra
Published: May 2013

In a previous paper auditing individual therapy in the STEPS team, we demonstrated a significant problem with attrition for both CBT and person-centred therapy. We argued that a root-and-branch change to the referral process was needed. This paper looks at the system which replaced it. ‘Callback’ allows self-referral with service users able to leave a phone message at any time. Clinicians call back and carry out a protocol-driven assessment, arranging, where appropriate, services at the end of the call. Reporting on the first 2500 calls, 92% of callers were successfully called back. Individuals were, on average, called back in 8.4 hours. Eighty-six percent of callers were offered an intervention within the STEPS service. They entered these STEPS services, on average, 9.4 days after the initial phone call. Of all callers 15.6% were offered individual therapy. Of these, 93% attended the first appointment and 82% completed a course of treatment. The results suggest that Callback is a significant improvement on the GP-referral system it replaced and provide evidence supporting the utility of ‘multi-level, multi-purpose’ services in primary care.
Millimeter-wave coplanar stripline power dividers
Authors: Li Chong , Lok Lai Bun , Khalid Ata , Papageorgiou Vasileios , Grant James , Cumming David R. S.
Published: May 2013

We present the design, fabrication, and measurement of a 2-way modified Wilkinson divider constructed in a coplanar geometry exhibiting ultra wideband isolation, transmission, and port matching in the millimeter-wave frequency range. The proposed divider replaces the lumped resistor in the conventional Wilkinson divider with two quarter-wave length transmission lines, a phase inverter, and two 2Z0 resistors. Except for the three ports that are coplanar waveguides (CPWs), the main body of the divider uses coplanar striplines (CPS). The phase inverter is realized using a simple airbridge-based crossover which is compatible with a modern monolithic microwave integrated circuit process. The divider has a ring-like configuration fabricated on a 620 µm thick semi-insulating GaAs wafer using electron beam lithography (EBL) technology. Three-dimensional (3D) full-wave electromagnetic simulations have been carried out to optimize the design and investigate the possible effect of fabrication tolerance on the performance of the crossover and the divider. Two dividers working at center frequencies of 25 and 80 GHz have been designed, fabricated, and tested. They all show consistent performance in terms of bandwidth, isolation, and port matching. Experimental and simulation results are in excellent agreement.
Initial results of a computerized screening alert for abdominal aortic aneurysm in patients undergoing vascular assessment
Authors: Meyer Mathias , Dick Florian , Masshardt Willi , Willenberg Torsten , Do Dai-Do , Kucher Nils , Baumgartner Iris , Diehm Nicolas
Published: May 2013

Background: Although routine ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) reduces mortality in subjects at risk, it is often omitted in clinical practice. Because computerized alerts may systematically identify subjects at risk of AAA, we hypothesized that such alerts would encourage physicians to perform an ultrasound screening test. Patients and methods: We designed and implemented a computer alert system into the patient database of our vascular outpatient clinic at a tertiary referral hospital in Switzerland. An electronic alert was issued instantaneously each time a physician accessed non-invasive arterial work-up data from a male subject aged ≥ 60 years. The physician was forced to acknowledge the alert and could then order or withhold ultrasound screening. Results: From 2008 to 2012, alerts were issued for 1673 subjects. Following the alert, ultrasound screening was withheld in 1107 (65.6 %) subjects, and it was performed in 576 (34.4 %) of whom 155 were excluded for numerous reasons. Among 421 screened subjects, aortic diameters were < 25 mm in 353 (84 %), 25 to 29 mm in 20 (5 %), 30 to 54 mm in 40 (10 %), and ≥ 55 mm in 8 (2 %). Conclusions: The AAA prevalence among screened subjects with computerized alerts was high, confirming the necessity to routinely screen male subjects ≥ 60 years undergoing non-invasive arterial work-up. However, physician compliance with alerts was poor since only one quarter of subjects with alerts underwent screening. Further quality improvement initiatives are urgently required to facilitate routine AAA screening among subjects at high risk.
Grafted polymers inside cylindrical tubes: Chain stretching vs layer thickness
Authors: Suo Tongchuan , Whitmore Mark D.
Published: May 2013

We present a study of the detailed structure of grafted polymer chains and the layers they form inside cylindrical tubes, using the finitely extensible nonlinear elastic chain model and numerical self-consistent field theory. For very large tube radius, the chain stretching and layer thicknesses are the same as for polymers grafted to a planar surface. For decreasing radius, our calculations indicate that the layer almost always gets thinner, although there can be situations where it is very slightly thicker. However, we find that this thinning is not necessarily due to changes to the polymers: in fact, the root-mean-squared layer thickness would decrease even if the polymers themselves are completely unchanged. Furthermore, we find that the polymer stretching can increase at the same time that the layer thickness decreases. These apparent paradoxes are resolved by analyzing and distinguishing between the volume fraction profiles and monomer number distributions in these systems, including how they change and why. We also find that, in a given system, parts of each polymer move towards the curved surface and parts away from it, and that these differences are key to understanding the behavior.
Differences in n-type doping efficiency between Al- and Ga-ZnO films
Authors: Gabás Mercedes , Landa-Cánovas Angel , Luis Costa-Krämer José , Agulló-Rueda Fernando , González-Elipe Agustín R. , Díaz-Carrasco Pilar , Hernández-Moro Jorge , Lorite Israel , Herrero Pilar , Castillero Pedro , Barranco Angel , Ramón Ramos-Barrado José
Published: May 2013

A careful and wide comparison between Al and Ga as substitutional dopants in the ZnO wurtzite structure is presented. Both cations behave as n-type dopants and their inclusion improves the optical and electrical properties of the ZnO matrix, making it more transparent in the visible range and rising up its electrical conductivity. However, the same dopant/Zn ratio leads to a very different doping efficiency when comparing Al and Ga, being the Ga cation a more effective dopant of the ZnO film. The measured differences between Al- and Ga-doped films are explained with the hypothesis that different quantities of these dopant cations are able to enter substitutionally in the ZnO matrix. Ga cations seem to behave as perfect substitutional dopants, while Al cation might occupy either substitutional or interstitial sites. Moreover, the subsequent charge balance after doping appear to be related with the formation of different intrinsic defects that depends on the dopant cation. The knowledge of the doped-ZnO films microstructure is a crucial step to optimize the deposition of transparent conducting electrodes for solar cells, displays, and other photoelectronic devices.
Pure spin current in a double quantum dot device generated by thermal bias
Authors: Yang X. F. , Liu Y. S.
Published: May 2013

We propose a pure-spin-current thermal generator based on a double quantum dot device. When an external magnetic field is applied on the quantum dots, a pure spin current induced by the thermal bias emerges. This is ascribed to a mirror symmetry configuration of spin-up and spin-down electron transmission probabilities with respect to chemical potentials. Furthermore, the pure spin current can be modulated by the magnetic field and the interdot tunnel coupling. The proposed device can be realized by using today's technologies.
Self-consistent Bloch equation and Landau-Lifshitz-Bloch equation of ferromagnets: A comparison
Authors: Xu Lei , Zhang Shufeng
Published: May 2013

Magnetization dynamics at high temperatures involves both transverse and longitudinal relaxation. The recently formulated Landau-Lifshitz-Bloch and self-consistent Bloch equations are capable of addressing some essential features of magnetization dynamics near Curie temperatures. Here, we analyze these two effective equations in detail and compare their dynamic properties near the Curie temperature.
Temperature dependence of conductivity enhancement induced by nanoceramic fillers in polymer electrolytes
Authors: Gao S. , Yan X. L. , Zhong J. , Xue G. B. , Wang B.
Published: May 2013

The microstructure and ionic conductivity of polymer nanocomposite electrolytes doped with ZnO have been systematically studied. Compared with the undoped one, a less crystalline phase, a restrained main chain movement, a reduced symmetry in the configuration of ethylene oxide/lithium ion, and an at least five-fold increase in conductivity were observed for the filler incorporated electrolyte. Lewis acid-base interactions are determining in causing these changes. The temperature dependence of conductivity is explained by the Vogel-Tammann-Fulcher equation based on the free volume theory. The mechanism of temperature dependent conductivity enhancement is interpreted by a modeling function proposed.
Nanoscale fluctuations on epithelial cell surfaces investigated by scanning ion conductance microscopy
Authors: Mizutani Yusuke , Choi Myung-Hoon , Cho Sang-Joon , Okajima Takaharu
Published: May 2013

Nanoscale fluctuations on the apical surfaces of epithelial cells connected to neighboring cells were investigated by scanning ion conductance microscopy. Mapping the ion current as a function of the tip–surface distance revealed that in untreated cells, the apparent fluctuation amplitude increased towards the cell center. We found that the spatial dependence was less correlated with the heterogeneities of cell stiffness but was significantly reduced when actin filaments were disrupted. The results indicate that apical surface fluctuations are highly constrained at the cell–cell interface, in the vertical direction to the surface and by the underlying actin filaments.
Magnetoelectric coupling at the EuO/BaTiO3 interface
Authors: Cao S. , Liu P. , Tang J. , Lu H. , Bark C.-W. , Ryu S. , Eom C. B. , Gruverman A. , Dowben P. A.
Published: May 2013

Magnetization modulation by ferroelectric polarization switching is reported for the ferromagnetic-ferroelectric EuO/BaTiO3 heterostructure. The value of the magnetization critical exponent β is consistent with the expected Heisenberg-like ferromagnetism of EuO and reported Curie temperature. The critical exponent is seen to decrease with increased magnetic coupling. The results are discussed in the context of data obtained earlier for epitaxial La0.67Sr0.33MnO3/BaTiO3 heterostructures, where magnetization increases and critical exponent β also declines with ferroelectric polarization pointing away from ferromagnetic layer. The observed similarity between two systems illustrates an importance of charge doping in magnetoelectric coupling, which can be modulated by ferroelectric polarization reversal.
Half-metallicity and anisotropic magnetoresistance of epitaxial Co2FeSi Heusler films
Authors: Yang F. J. , Wei C. , Chen X. Q.
Published: May 2013

In this paper, the anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR) effect was investigated to check the half-metallic/non-half-metallic nature of epitaxial Co2FeSi films. The evolution of the microstructure shows that the B2 and L21-ordering of Co2FeSi films will increase with increasing annealing temperature which causes a decrease of the d-states in the down-spin channel. When Co2FeSi films are annealed at 650 °C, better B2 and L21-ordering will change the dominant s-d scattering from s↑→d↓ to s↑→d↑. The change from a non-half-metallic to a half-metallic nature of the Co2FeSi films induces a sign change of the AMR ratio from positive to negative and a small value of the Gilbert constant (α = 0.0022).
Measurements of atmospheric mercury species at a German rural background site from 2009 to 2011 – methods and results
Authors: Weigelt Andreas , Temme Christian , Bieber Elke , Schwerin Andreas , Schuetze Maik , Ebinghaus Ralf , Kock Hans Herbert
Published: May 2013

Environmental context
Mercury is a very hazardous substance for human and environmental health. Systematic long-term direct measurements in the atmosphere can provide valuable information about the effect of emission controls on the global budget of atmospheric mercury, and offer insight into source–receptor transboundary transport of mercury. A complete setup for the measurement of the four most relevant atmospheric mercury species (total gaseous mercury, gaseous oxidised mercury, particle-bound mercury, and gaseous elemental mercury) has been operating at the rural background site of Waldhof, Germany, since 2009. We present the dataset for 2009–2011, the first full-speciation time series for atmospheric mercury reported in Central Europe.

Abstract
Measurements of mercury species started in 2009 at the air pollution monitoring site ‘Waldhof’ of the German Federal Environmental Agency. Waldhof (52°48′N, 10°45′E) is a rural background site located in the northern German lowlands in a flat terrain, 100km south-east of Hamburg. The temporally highly resolved measurements of total gaseous mercury (TGM), gaseous oxidised mercury (GOM), particle-bound mercury (PBMPM2.5, with particulate matter of a diameter of ≤2.5µm) and gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) cover the period from 2009 to 2011. The complete measurement procedure turned out to be well applicable to detect GOM and PBMPM2.5 levels in the range of 0.4 to 65pgm–3. As the linearity of the analyser was proven to be constant over orders of magnitude, even larger concentrations can be measured accurately. The 3-year median concentration of GEM is found to be 1.61ngm–3, representing typical northern hemispheric background concentrations. With 6.3pgm–3, the 3-year average concentration of PBMPM2.5 is found to be approximately six times higher than the 3-year average GOM concentration. During winter the PBMPM2.5 concentration is on average twice as high as the PBMPM2.5 summer concentration, whereas the GOM concentration shows no clear seasonality. However, on a comparatively low level, a significant diurnal cycle is shown for GOM concentrations. This cycle is most likely related to photochemical oxidation mechanisms. Comparison with selected North American long-term mercury speciation datasets shows that the Waldhof 3-year median speciated mercury data represent typical rural background values.
Flow induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition, cellular heterogeneity and biomarker modulation in 3D ovarian cancer nodules
Authors: Rizvi Imran , Gurkan Umut A. , Tasoglu Savas , Alagic Nermina , Celli Jonathan P. , Mensah Lawrence B. , Mai Zhiming , Demirci Utkan , Hasan Tayyaba
Published: May 2013

Seventy-five percent of patients with epithelial ovarian cancer present with advanced-stage disease that is extensively disseminated intraperitoneally and prognosticates the poorest outcomes. Primarily metastatic within the abdominal cavity, ovarian carcinomas initially spread to adjacent organs by direct extension and then disseminate via the transcoelomic route to distant sites. Natural fluidic streams of malignant ascites triggered by physiological factors, including gravity and negative subdiaphragmatic pressure, carry metastatic cells throughout the peritoneum. We investigated the role of fluidic forces as modulators of metastatic cancer biology in a customizable microfluidic platform using 3D ovarian cancer nodules. Changes in the morphological, genetic, and protein profiles of biomarkers associated with aggressive disease were evaluated in the 3D cultures grown under controlled and continuous laminar flow. A modulation of biomarker expression and tumor morphology consistent with increased epithelial–mesenchymal transition, a critical step in metastatic progression and an indicator of aggressive disease, is observed because of hydrodynamic forces. The increase in epithelial–mesenchymal transition is driven in part by a posttranslational up-regulation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression and activation, which is associated with the worst prognosis in ovarian cancer. A flow-induced, transcriptionally regulated decrease in E-cadherin protein expression and a simultaneous increase in vimentin is observed, indicating increased metastatic potential. These findings demonstrate that fluidic streams induce a motile and aggressive tumor phenotype. The microfluidic platform developed here potentially provides a flow-informed framework complementary to conventional mechanism-based therapeutic strategies, with broad applicability to other lethal malignancies.
(Ir)regularity of verbs revisited
Authors: Trompelt Helena , Bordag Denisa , Pechmann Thomas
Published: May 2013

In three experiments we explored the representation and encoding of verb regularity. Contrasting articulation
latencies of present and past regular and irregular forms from paradigms consisting of regular, irregular, or hybrid verbs
(regular in present, but irregular in past tense), allowed us to differentiate between affixation and stem selection processes.
The analyses revealed that regular verbs in the present and past tense were produced significantly faster than all other
forms. Crucially, the naming latencies of hybrid and irregular verbs did not differ from each other in both tenses.
We conclude that regularity is not a property of individual verb forms, but generalizes to all forms within a paradigm.
In a third, picture word interference experiment, we tested whether regularity, when not bound to individual verb forms, is
represented in the form of abstract regularity nodes, as assumed for gender or conjugational class. However, the critical
conditions did not exhibit the expected congruency effect. Consequently we conclude that the paradigmatic effects could
be explained as a result of the complexity of lexical entries. The retrieval of a complex entry (irregular and hybrid verbs)
takes longer than the retrieval of a single stem entry (regular verbs).
Dynamism and context in specialized knowledge
Authors: León Araúz Pilar , Reimerink Arianne , García Aragón Alejandro
Published: May 2013

EcoLexicon is a terminological knowledge base (TKB) on the environment which seeks to enhance both cognitive and communicative needs of different users. In order to achieve this, TKBs should reflect conceptual structures in a similar way to how concepts relate in the human mind (Meyer et al. 1992). Categorization itself is a dynamic context-dependent process. Therefore, representation and acquisition of specialized knowledge should certainly focus on contextual variation. In EcoLexicon, such contextualization takes the form of dynamic information modules, such as conceptual networks, images, textual information, and terminological variance. Recontextualization provides a way of representing the dynamic and multidimensional nature of conceptualization processes in the mind. On the one hand, it offers a qualitative criterion for the representation of specialized concepts in line with the workings of the human conceptual system. On the other hand, it provides a quantitative solution to the problem of information overload, as it significantly reduces irrelevant context-free information.
Inhibition of nuclear factor-erythroid 2–related factor (Nrf2) by caveolin-1 promotes stress-induced premature senescence
Authors: Volonte Daniela , Liu Zhongmin , Musille Paul M. , Stoppani Elena , Wakabayashi Nobunao , Di Yuan-Pu , Lisanti Michael P. , Kensler Thomas W. , Galbiati Ferruccio
Published: May 2013

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) can induce premature cellular senescence, which is believed to contribute to aging and age-related diseases. The nuclear erythroid 2 p45–related factor-2 (Nrf2) is a transcription factor that mediates cytoprotective responses against stress. We demonstrate that caveolin-1 is a direct binding partner of Nrf2, as shown by the binding of the scaffolding domain of caveolin-1 (amino acids 82–101) to the caveolin-binding domain of Nrf2 (amino acids 281–289). Biochemical studies show that Nrf2 is concentrated into caveolar membranes in human and mouse fibroblasts, where it colocalizes with caveolin-1, under resting conditions. After oxidative stress, caveolin-1 limits the movement of Nrf2 from caveolar membranes to the nucleus. In contrast, Nrf2 is constitutively localized to the nucleus before and after oxidative stress in caveolin-1–null mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs), which do not express caveolin-1. Functional studies demonstrate that caveolin-1 acts as an endogenous inhibitor of Nrf2, as shown by the enhanced up-regulation of NQO1, an Nrf2 target gene, in caveolin-1–null MEFs and the activation or inhibition of a luciferase construct carrying an antioxidant responsive element (ARE) after down-regulation of caveolin-1 by small interfering RNA or overexpression of caveolin-1, respectively. Expression of a mutant form of Nrf2 that cannot bind to caveolin-1 (Φ→A-Nrf2) hyperactivates ARE and inhibits oxidative stress–induced activation of the p53/p21Waf1/Cip1 pathway and induction of premature senescence in fibroblasts. Finally, we show that overexpression of caveolin-1 in colon cancer cells inhibits oxidant-induced activation of Nrf2-dependent signaling, promotes premature senescence, and inhibits their transformed phenotype. Thus, by inhibiting Nrf2-mediated signaling, caveolin-1 links free radicals to the activation of the p53/senescence pathway.
A universal open-source Electronic Laboratory Notebook
Authors: Voegele Catherine , Bouchereau Baptiste , Robinot Nivonirina , McKay James , Damiecki Philippe , Alteyrac Lucile
Published: May 2013

Motivation: Laboratory notebooks remain crucial to the activities of research communities. With the increase in generation of electronic data within both wet and dry analytical laboratories and new technologies providing more efficient means of communication, Electronic Laboratory Notebooks (ELN) offer equivalent record keeping to paper-based laboratory notebooks (PLN). They additionally allow more efficient mechanisms for data sharing and retrieval, which explains the growing number of commercial ELNs available varying in size and scope but all are increasingly accepted and used by the scientific community. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) having already an LIMS and a Biobank Management System for respectively laboratory workflows and sample management, we have developed a free multidisciplinary ELN specifically dedicated to work notes that will be flexible enough to accommodate different types of data.

Availability and implementation: Information for installation of our freeware ELN with source codes customizations are detailed in supplementary data.

Contact:  voegele@iarc.fr

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Central sleep apnoea and inflammation are independently associated with arrhythmia in patients with heart failure
Authors: Sano Kan , Watanabe Eiichi , Hayano Junichiro , Mieno Yuuki , Sobue Yoshihiro , Yamamoto Mayumi , Ichikawa Tomohide , Sakakibara Hiroki , Imaizumi Kazuyoshi , Ozaki Yukio
Published: May 2013

Aims

We examined whether the severity of central sleep apnoea (CSA) and the level of C‐reactive protein are associated with the prevalence and complexity of arrhythmias, and whether these factors contribute to increased risk of nocturnal sudden death.

Methods and results

We prospectively examined 178 patients (age 70 ± 1 years) who were admitted to our hospital due to worsening heart failure. We recorded a simultaneous overnight cardiorespiratory polygraph and Holter ECG. Obstructive sleep apnoea was excluded and patients were dichotomized based on the median value of the central apnoea index (CAI) of 7.5/h. The prevalence and complexity of arrhythmias were compared between daytime (06:00 h to 15:00 h) and night‐time (21:00 h to 06:00 h). A multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the CAI was associated with prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) [odds ratio 1.03, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02–2.51)] and sinus pause during the night‐time period (1.12, 95% CI 1.08–1.35). The CAI and C‐reactive protein were independently associated with non‐sustained ventricular tachycardia during both daytime (1.22, 95% CI 1.00–6.92; and 5.82, 2.58–56.1, respectively) and night‐time periods (3.57, 95% CI 1.06–13.1; and 10.7, 3.30–44.4, respectively). During a mean follow‐up period of 22 months, 30 (17%) patients had cardiovascular deaths and the CSA was an independent predictor (hazard ratio 1.29, 95% CI 1.16–2.32); only 5 (2.8%) of them died due to ventricular tachyarrhythmia, occurring during wakefulness.

Conclusions

We demonstrated that the severity of CSA and C‐reactive protein levels are independently associated with the prevalence and complexity of arrhythmias. CSA was associated with increased mortality risk, but it was not related directly to nocturnal death due to ventricular tachyarrhythmia.
The role of solar wind electrons at the solar wind termination shock
Authors: Chalov S. V. , Fahr H. J.
Published: May 2013

Voyager 2 plasma observations have recently revealed that, as predicted by theory, there exists a solar wind termination shock at 87 au. However, it is evidently different from classical expectations, for instance revealing the downstream solar wind protons still to be in a supersonic mode. In this paper we show that in order to explain the non-classical structure and facts of this shock, one has to start from a multi-fluid magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) approach describing the shock transition. Different from our earlier attempt, here we consider solar wind electrons as an additional extra fluid and allow for preferential heating of electrons compared to thermal solar wind protons at the shock. As we can then show, with this enlargement of the MHD theory by a separate electron fluid we are able to describe observed features of the solar wind termination shock. We arrive at the conclusion that the downstream solar wind thermal plasma is energetically dominated by the pressure of quasi-mass-less electrons.
Different Propofol–Remifentanil or Sevoflurane–Remifentanil Bispectral Index Levels for Electrocorticographic Spike Identification during Epilepsy Surgery
Authors: Dahaba Ashraf A. , Yin Jian , Xiao Zhaoyang , Su Jing , Bornemann Helmar , Dong Hailong , Xiong Lize
Published: May 2013

Background:

Medical therapy, the cornerstone of managing epilepsy, still fails a substantial portion of patients. Little information is available regarding the potential impact of different bispectral index (BIS) levels on electrocorticographic spike identification for surgical epileptic foci resection.

Methods:

Twenty-two intractable epilepsy subjects were randomly allocated to the propofol–remifentanil or sevoflurane–remifentanil groups, and were further randomized to four BIS85 (BIS 71–85), BIS70 (BIS 56–70), BIS55 (BIS 41–55), and BIS40 (BIS ≤40) sequence order.

Results:

Two-way ANOVA revealed no differences between groups in spike frequency (P = 0.720), spike amplitude (P = 0.647), or number of spiking leads (P = 0.653). In the propofol and sevoflurane groups, decreasing BIS levels increased mean ± SD spike/min frequency (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001) at BIS85 (10 ± 12 and 10 ± 8), BIS70 (19 ± 17 and 17 ± 15), BIS55 (22 ± 17 and 18 ± 8), and BIS40 (25 ± 15 and 23 ± 17). Furthermore, in the propofol and sevoflurane groups, decreasing BIS levels increased spike microvolt amplitude (P = 0.006 and P = 0.009) at BIS85 (1,100 ± 400 and 750 ± 400), BIS70 (1,200 ± 460 and 850 ± 490), BIS55 (1,300 ± 560 and 940 ± 700), and BIS40 (1,400 ± 570 and 1,300 ± 700). Whereas, in the propofol and sevoflurane groups, there was no difference in the location or number of spiking leads (P = 0.057 and P = 0.109) at the four BIS levels. Compared with BIS85, spike frequency in the propofol and sevoflurane groups increased 100 and 170% at BIS70, 116 and 180% at BIS55, and 132 and 230% at BIS40. Compared with BIS85, spike amplitude increased 108 and 113% at BIS70, 121 and 125% at BIS55, and 128 and 170% at BIS40.

Conclusion:

Decreasing BIS levels in the propofol and sevoflurane groups enhanced epileptogenic spike frequency and amplitude with the same location and number of spiking leads.
Application of the Continual Reassessment Method to Dose-finding Studies in Regional Anesthesia
Authors: Kant Abhinav , Gupta Pawan Kumar , Zohar Sarah , Chevret Sylvie , Hopkins Philip M.
Published: May 2013

Background

Previously reported estimates of the ED95 doses for local anesthetics used in brachial plexus blocks vary. The authors used the continual reassessment method, already established in oncology trials, to determine the ED95 dose for 0.5% bupivacaine for the ultrasound-guided supraclavicular block.

Methods

A double-blind, prospective trial was scheduled for 40 patients of American Society of Anesthesiologists class I–III presenting for upper limb surgery and supraclavicular block. The study dose to be administered was arbitrarily divided into six dose levels (12, 15, 18, 21, 24, and 27 ml) with a priori probabilities of success of 0.5, 0.75, 0.90, 0.95, 0.98, and 0.99 respectively. A continual reassessment method statistical program created a dose–response curve, which would shift direction depending on the success or failure of the block. Our starting dose was 21 ml and the next allocated dose was reestimated by the program to be the dose level with the updated posterior response probability closest to 0.95.

Results

After recruitment of eight patients, our initial dose levels and associated probabilities were deemed too low to determine the ED95. Updated a prioris were calculated from the statistical program, and the study recommenced with a new starting dose of 30 ml. On completion, the ED95 dose was estimated to be 27 ml (95% CI, 24–28 ml).

Conclusions

The continual reassessment method trial design provided a credible estimate for the ED95 dose for 0.5% bupivacaine for our technique of supraclavicular block and may be of value as a statistically robust method for dose-finding studies in anesthesiology.
Nocardioides

daeguensis sp. nov., a nitrate-reducing bacterium isolated from activated sludge of an industrial wastewater treatment plant
Authors: Cui Yingshun , Woo Sung-Geun , Lee Jangho , Sinha Sahastranshu , Kang Myung-Suk , Jin Long , Kim Kwang Kyu , Park Joonhong , Lee Myungjin , Lee Sung-Taik
Published: May 2013

A Gram-reaction-positive, rod-shaped, non-spore-forming bacterium (strain 2C1-5T) was isolated from activated sludge of an industrial wastewater treatment plant in Daegu, South Korea. Its taxonomic position was investigated by using a polyphasic approach. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, the closest phylogenetic relatives were the type strains of

Nocardioides nitrophenolicus

(98.6 % similarity),

N. kongjuensis

(98.5 %),

N. caeni

(98.4 %),

N. simplex

(98.3 %),

N. aromaticivorans

(98.1 %) and

N. ginsengisoli

(97.5 %); the phylogenetic distance from other species with validly published names within the genus

Nocardioides

was greater than 3 %. Strain 2C1-5T was characterized chemotaxonomically as having ll-2,6-diaminopimelic acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan, MK-8(H4) as the predominant menaquinone and iso-C16 : 0, C16 : 0 and C17 : 1ω6c as the major fatty acids. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 74.9 mol%. These chemotaxonomic properties and phenotypic characteristics supported the affiliation of strain 2C1-5T to the genus

Nocardioides

. The results of physiological and biochemical tests allowed genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of strain 2C1-5T from existing species with validly published names. Therefore, strain 2C1-5T represents a novel species of the genus

Nocardioides

, for which the name

Nocardioides

daeguensis sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain 2C1-5T ( = JCM 17460T = KCTC 19799T).
Azospirillum

fermentarium sp. nov., a nitrogen-fixing species isolated from a fermenter
Authors: Lin Shih-Yao , Liu You-Cheng , Hameed Asif , Hsu Yi-Han , Lai Wei-An , Shen Fo-Ting , Young Chiu-Chung
Published: May 2013

An aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, spiral or rod-shaped, non-spore-forming, diazotrophic bacterium (strain CC-LY743T) was isolated from a fermentative tank in Taiwan. Strain CC-LY743T was able to grow at 20–37 °C and pH 6.0–8.0 and tolerated up to 3.0 % (w/v) NaCl. It was positive for nitrogen fixation, with activity of 10.6 nmol ethylene h−1. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis of strain CC-LY743T showed highest similarity to

Azospirillum picis

DSM 19922T (96.1 %),

Azospirillum oryzae

JCM 21588T (96.0 %) and

Azospirillum rugosum

DSM 19657T (96.0 %) and lower similarity (<96.0 %) to all other

Azospirillum

species. Highest nifH gene sequence similarities were obtained with

Azospirillum brasilense

BCRC 12270T (92.0 %),

Azospirillum formosense

BCRC 80273T (92.3 %) and

A. rugosum

DSM 19657T (91.8 %). It was positive in the rapid identification by a genus-specific primer set. The predominant quinone system was ubiquinone 10 (Q-10) and the DNA G+C content was 69.6±0.1 mol%. The major fatty acids found in strain CC-LY743T were n-C16 : 0, C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c, C14 : 0 3-OH/C16 : 1 iso I, C16 : 1ω7c/C16 : 1ω6c and C18 : 1ω7c/C18 : 1ω6c. Based on its phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic features, strain CC-LY743T is considered to represent a novel species within the genus

Azospirillum

for which the name

Azospirillum

fermentarium sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-LY743T ( = BCRC 80505T = JCM 18688T = LMG 27264T).
Amycolatopsis

cihanbeyliensis sp. nov., a halotolerant actinomycete isolated from a salt mine
Authors: Tatar Demet , Sazak Anil , Guven Kiymet , Cetin Demet , Sahin Nevzat
Published: May 2013

A novel halotolerant actinomycete, designated strain BNT52T, was isolated from soil collected from Cihanbeyli Salt Mine in the central Anatolia region of Turkey, and examined using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. The isolate was found to have chemical and morphological properties typical of the genus

Amycolatopsis

and formed a distinct phyletic line in the 16S rRNA gene tree. Strain BNT52T was most closely related to

Amycolatopsis nigrescens

CSC17Ta-90T (96.7 %),

Amycolatopsis magusensis

KT2025T (96.6 %),

Amycolatopsis sulphurea

DSM 46092T (96.6 %),

Amycolatopsis dongchuanensis

YIM 75904T (96.5 %),

Amycolatopsis ultiminotia

RP-AC36T (96.4 %) and

Amycolatopsis sacchari

DSM 44468T (96.4 %). Sequence similarities with other strains of species of the genus

Amycolatopsis

were lower than 96.2 %. The isolate grew at 20–37 °C, pH 6–12 and in the presence of 0–10 % (w/v) NaCl. The cell wall of the novel strain contained meso-diaminopimelic acid and arabinose and galactose as the diagnostic sugars. Major fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0 2-OH and iso-C16 : 0. The predominant menaquinone was MK-9(H4). The polar lipids detected were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylmethylethanolamine. The genomic DNA G+C content was 68.8 mol%. On the basis of the data from this polyphasic taxonomic study, strain BNT52T represents a novel species within the genus

Amycolatopsis

for which the name

Amycolatopsis

cihanbeyliensis sp. nov. is proposed (type strain BNT52T = KCTC 29065T = NRRL B-24886T = DSM 45679T).