bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Band‐limited ray tracing
Authors: Yarman Can Evren , Cheng Xin , Osypov Konstantin , Nichols Dave , Protasov Maxim
Published: August 2013

We develop a new ray‐tracing method, namely, band‐limited ray tracing, which aims to overcome some of the limitations of standard high‐frequency ray tracing in complex velocity models that contain complex interfaces. Band‐limited ray tracing is based on the Kirchhoff integral representation of the transmitted wavefield. In our discussion we consider the Kirchhoff integral for the acoustic wave equation, however, our method can be extended to the Kirchhoff integral for the elastic wave equation. When compared to finite‐difference wave propagation, the new method captures the wave kinematics more accurately than conventional ray tracing while staying within the ray‐tracing framework, without requiring processing or alteration to the original model. We present the theory of band‐limited ray tracing and demonstrate its capability. We compare the Kirchhoff migration examples obtained using conventional ray‐tracing and band‐limited ray‐tracing methods. Our synthetic example demonstrates that band‐limited ray tracing provides better results than conventional ray tracing, especially in estimating wavefronts. In the case of the real data example, the results are comparable to each other while presenting different focusing characteristics. The different focusing characteristics indicate the necessity of performing a full model building workflow for an extended evaluation on real data application.
Offspring size in a resident species affects community assembly
Authors: Davis Kurt , Marshall Dustin J.
Published: August 2013

Offspring size is a trait of fundamental importance that affects the ecology and evolution of a range of organisms. Despite the pervasive impact of offspring size for those offspring, the influence of offspring size on other species in the broader community remains unexplored. Such community‐wide effects of offspring size are likely, but they have not been anticipated by theory or explored empirically.

For a marine invertebrate community, we manipulated the size and density of offspring of a resident species (Watersipora subtorquata) in the field and examined subsequent community assembly around that resident species.

Communities that assembled around larger offspring were denser and less diverse than communities that assembled around smaller offspring. Differences in niche usage by colonies from smaller and larger offspring may be driving these community‐level effects.

Our results suggest that offspring size is an important but unexplored source of ecological variation and that life‐history theory must accommodate the effects of offspring size on community assembly. Life‐history theory often assumes that environmental variation drives intraspecific variation in offspring size, and our results show that the converse can also occur.
Differential trafficking of saccharidic probes following aspirin in clinical tests of intestinal permeability in young healthy women
Authors: Sequeira Ivana R , Lentle Roger G , Kruger Marlena C , Hurst Roger D
Published: August 2013

The effects of inflammatory changes on the absorption of different‐sized probes and their permeability ratios are poorly understood. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of a pharmacological agent on the permeability of the gut mucosa to saccharidic probes of larger and smaller molecular weight.

Permeability was assessed by half‐hourly urinary excretion of a combined dose of d‐mannitol, l‐rhamnose and lactulose following consumption of a single 600 mg dose of aspirin and compared with a placebo in a cross‐over study in 20 healthy female volunteers.

The temporal patterns of excretion of all probes were bimodal, being best fitted by polynomial functions. The relatively small early peak was evident for at least 4 h for smaller sugars, but was less evident with lactulose, being overshadowed by a larger second peak. These conclusions were further supported by separate analyses of the segments of the temporal plots between 2.5 and 4 h and between 4.5 and 6 h.

The forms of these curves did not change significantly following dosing with aspirin. A greater proportion of the total dose of mannitol than rhamnose was excreted over the collection period.

Following the consumption of aspirin, the cumulative rate of excretion of the smaller sugars (i.e. mannitol and rhamnose) was significantly reduced whereas that of lactulose was increased over the 6 h collection period.

Aspirin has opposite effects on the absorption of larger and smaller probes, influencing the outcome of the test. These results have important consequences for the design and comparison of clinical tests of permeability.
Kinscapes, timescapes and genescapes: families living with genetic risk
Authors: Atkinson Paul , Featherstone Katie , Gregory Maggie
Published: August 2013

This article synthesises recent research examining how families live with genetic risk and the processes of genetic decision‐making and disclosure among family members who have been or are at risk of transmitting a familial genetic condition. Its aim is to generate substantive theory that can inform our understanding of the interactional processes at work in the distribution of mutual knowledge and awareness of genetic risk in families. The article is structured around three interrelated concepts. Kinscape refers to the constellation of relations and relatedness that are recognised practically; timescape to the multiple temporal frames of social relations and their transformation and genescape to the constellation of knowledge, belief and practice surrounding genetic inheritance. All three concepts are simultaneously natural and cultural. Their intersections create the conditions of kinship and genetics.
Men managing cancer: a gender analysis
Authors: Wenger Lisa M. , Oliffe John L.
Published: August 2013

As researchers consider gendered patterns in men's prostate cancer experiences, little attention has been devoted to how men manage ‘cancer’, more generally. Drawing on the experiences of 30 Canadian men with a variety of cancer types, this article details how men engaged illness self‐management and help‐seeking activities with lay and professional support persons. Results indicate three broad responsive strategies: fortifying resources, maintaining the familiar, and getting through. In these pursuits, the participants drew on a variety of performances to respond to social contexts demanding that men embody masculine ideals including strength, control, and stoicism. Considering gendered dynamics in how men manage the challenges of cancer, this article broadens understandings about men's cancer experiences by highlighting the drivers orienting participants' responsive efforts and challenging assumptions of help‐seeking as essentially problematic for men in Western society.
Managing sleep and wakefulness in a 24‐hour world
Authors: Coveney Catherine M.
Published: August 2013

This article contributes to literature on the sociology of sleep by exploring the sleeping practices and subjective sleep experiences of two social groups: shift workers and students. It draws on data, collected in the UK from 25 semi‐structured interviews, to discuss the complex ways in which working patterns and social activities impact upon experiences and expectations of sleep in our wired awake world. The data show that, typically, sleep is valued and considered to be important for health, general wellbeing, appearance and physical and cognitive functioning. However, sleep time is often cut back on in favour of work demands and social activities. While shift workers described their efforts to fit in an adequate amount of sleep per 24‐hour period, for students, the adoption of a flexible sleep routine was thought to be favourable for maintaining a work–social life balance. Collectively, respondents reported using a wide range of strategies, techniques, technologies and practices to encourage, overcome or delay sleep(iness) and boost, promote or enhance wakefulness/alertness at socially desirable times. The analysis demonstrates how social context impacts not only on how we come to think about sleep and understand it, but also how we manage or self‐regulate our sleeping patterns.
Descriptions of euthanasia as social representations: comparing the views of Finnish physicians and religious professionals
Authors: Jylhänkangas Leila , Smets Tinne , Cohen Joachim , Utriainen Terhi , Deliens Luc
Published: August 2013

In many western societies health professionals play a powerful role in people's experiences of dying. Religious professionals, such as pastors, are also confronted with the issues surrounding death and dying in their work. It is therefore reasonable to assume that the ways in which death‐related topics, such as euthanasia, are constructed in a given culture are affected by the views of these professionals. This qualitative study addresses the ways in which Finnish physicians and religious professionals perceive and describe euthanasia and conceptualises these descriptions and views as social representations. Almost all the physicians interviewed saw that euthanasia does not fit the role of a physician and anchored it to different kinds of risks such as the slippery slope. Most of the religious and world‐view professionals also rejected euthanasia. In this group, euthanasia was rejected on the basis of a religious moral code that forbids killing. Only one of the religious professionals ‐ the freethinker with an atheist world‐view ‐ accepted euthanasia and described it as a personal choice, as did the one physician interviewed who accepted it. The article shows how the social representations of euthanasia are used to protect professional identities and to justify their expert knowledge of death and dying.
Collagenase‐resistant collagen promotes mouse aging and vascular cell senescence
Authors: Vafaie Faran , Yin Hao , O'Neil Caroline , Nong Zengxuan , Watson Alanna , Arpino John‐Michael , Chu Michael W. A. , Wayne Holdsworth David , Gros Robert , Pickering J. Geoffrey
Published: August 2013

Collagen fibrils become resistant to cleavage over time. We hypothesized that resistance to type I collagen proteolysis not only marks biological aging but also drives it. To test this, we followed mice with a targeted mutation (Col1a1r/r) that yields collagenase‐resistant type I collagen. Compared with wild‐type littermates, Col1a1r/r mice had a shortened lifespan and developed features of premature aging including kyphosis, weight loss, decreased bone mineral density, and hypertension. We also found that vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in the aortic wall of Col1a1r/r mice were susceptible to stress‐induced senescence, displaying senescence‐associated ß‐galactosidase (SA‐ßGal) activity and upregulated p16INK4A in response to angiotensin II infusion. To elucidate the basis of this pro‐aging effect, vascular SMCs from twelve patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery were cultured on collagen derived from Col1a1r/r or wild‐type mice. This revealed that mutant collagen directly reduced replicative lifespan and increased stress‐induced SA‐ßGal activity, p16INK4A expression, and p21CIP1 expression. The pro‐senescence effect of mutant collagen was blocked by vitronectin, a ligand for αvß3 integrin that is presented by denatured but not native collagen. Moreover, inhibition of αvß3 with echistatin or with αvß3‐blocking antibody increased senescence of SMCs on wild‐type collagen. These findings reveal a novel aging cascade whereby resistance to collagen cleavage accelerates cellular aging. This interplay between extracellular and cellular compartments could hasten mammalian aging and the progression of aging‐related diseases.
Cultivating Capital: Latino Newcomer Young Men in a U.S. Urban High School
Authors: Hopkins Megan , Martinez‐Wenzl Mary , Aldana Ursula S. , Gándara Patricia
Published: August 2013

Newcomer young men confront numerous obstacles that limit their chances for attainment and achievement. Using social and cultural capital frameworks and a case study methodology, this article examines how four Latino newcomer young men navigated an urban U.S. high school. It reveals how teachers and a counselor cultivated capital and how the young men leveraged this capital, thus challenging traditional depictions of Latino immigrant adolescents and highlighting the importance of belonging for these youth.
The TWEAK‐Fn14 system as a potential drug target
Authors: Wajant Harald
Published: August 2013

Fibroblast growth factor‐inducible 14 (Fn14) is a member of the tumour necrosis factor (TNF) receptor family that is induced in a variety of cell types in situations of tissue injury. Fn14 becomes activated by TNF‐like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK), a typical member of the TNF ligand family. TWEAK is constitutively expressed by monocytes and some tumour cell lines and also shows cytokine inducible expression in various other cell types. Fn14 activation results in stimulation of signalling pathways culminating in the activation of NFκB transcription factors and various MAPKs but might also trigger the PI3K/Akt pathway and GTPases of the Rho family. In accordance with its tissue damage‐associated expression pattern and its pleiotropic proinflammatory signalling capabilities, the TWEAK‐Fn14 system has been implicated in a huge number of pathologies. The use of TWEAK‐ and Fn14‐knockout mice identified the TWEAK‐Fn14 system as a crucial player in muscle atrophy, cerebral ischaemia, kidney injury, atherosclerosis and infarction as well as in various autoimmune scenarios including experimental autoimmune encephalitis, rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. Moreover, there is increasing preclinical evidence that Fn14 targeting is a useful option in tumour therapy. Based on a discussion of the signalling capabilities of TWEAK and Fn14, this review is focused on two major issues. On the one hand, on the molecular and cellular basis of the TWEAK/Fn14‐related pathological outcomes in the aforementioned diseases and on the other hand, on the preclinical experience that have been made so far with TWEAK and Fn14 targeting drugs.
R.A.Fisher's gene‐centred view of evolution and the Fundamental Theorem of Natural Selection
Authors: Edwards A. W. F.
Published: August 2013

The background to R.A. Fisher's enunciation of his Fundamental Theorem of Natural Selection in 1930 is traced and the Theorem in its original form explained. It can now be seen as the centrepiece of Fisher's introduction of the gene‐centred approach to evolutionary biology. Although this paper is a sequel to Edwards (1994) it is not a review of the recent literature on the Theorem, to which, however, reference is made at the end.
The gender wage gap among recent post‐secondary graduates in Canada: a distributional approach
Authors: Boudarbat Brahim , Connolly Marie
Published: August 2013

Using the National Graduates Survey, we examine the trends in the gender wage gap among recent post‐secondary graduates in Canada between 1988 and 2007. Female graduates earn on average 6–14% less than males during the period two to five years after graduation. Decompositions show that observable personal characteristics and job attributes can explain only a small portion of the wage gap. We also find that men earn more than women at every point of the distribution. Interestingly, the wage difference shrank in the lower half of the distribution in recent years, while it increased in the upper half.
Something in the water: contaminated drinking water and infant health
Authors: Currie Janet , Graff Zivin Joshua , Meckel Katherine , Neidell Matthew , Schlenker Wolfram
Published: August 2013

This paper provides estimates of the effects of in utero exposure to contaminated drinking water on fetal health. To do this, we examine the universe of birth records and drinking water testing results for the state of New Jersey from 1997 to 2007. Our data enable us to compare outcomes across siblings who were potentially exposed to differing levels of harmful contaminants from drinking water while in utero. We find small effects of drinking water contamination on all children, but large and statistically significant effects on birth weight and gestation of infants born to less educated mothers. We also show that those mothers who were most affected by contamination were the least likely to move between births in response to contamination.
Seasonal adjustment, demography, and GDP growth
Authors: Dunbar Geoffrey R.
Published: August 2013

Seasonal adjustment removes the predictable seasonal variation in GDP. If there is seasonal variation in factor inputs, then seasonal adjustment factors may be correlated with those inputs. This correlation can obscure statistically the importance of those inputs for GDP. This effect is apparent for the demographic composition of the labour force for Canada. Seasonal adjustment also changes the time‐series properties of GDP. Accounting for the seasonal pattern and trend change in demography suggests that the period of reduced volatility in GDP growth for Canada, the ‘Great Moderation,’ can be traced to the changing demographic structure of the labour force.
Filtering and email pricing as solutions to spam
Authors: Eaton B. Curtis , MacDonald Ian A. , Meriluoto Laura
Published: August 2013

We analyze the success of filtering as a solution to the spam problem when used alone or concurrently with sender pricing, receiver pricing, or both. We find that filtering alone may exacerbate the spam problem in terms of both the total number of spam message sent and the expected number of spam messages received, because it may cause the spammer to send multiple variants of his message to each customer in an attempt to evade the filter. Sender and receiver prices work as expected. The effectiveness of each instrument improves as the levels of other instruments are increased.
Market entry and trade weighted import costs
Authors: Bridgman Benjamin
Published: August 2013

Trade weighting is a common method of aggregating trade frictions. It will understate changes in these costs when there are non‐ad valorem trade costs and quality differences. Newly traded goods enter at higher trade costs than previously traded ones. Lower import costs shift trade to low‐quality goods with higher measured trade costs. These effects are quantitatively important. U.S. import costs fall more than twice as fast as trade weighted measures from 1974 to 2004 after the impact of shifting quality and newly traded goods is accounted for. Empirical estimates that use trade weighting will underestimate the welfare impact of trade costs.
Antioxidant, α‐Glucosidase and Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitory Activity of Bioactive Compounds From Maize (Zea mays L.)
Authors: Nile Shivraj H. , Park Se W.
Published: August 2013

Chemical investigations into maize (Zea mays L.) kernels yielded phenolic compounds, which were structurally established using chromatographic and spectroscopic methods. The isolated phenolic compounds from maize kernel were examined in vitro for their antioxidant abilities by DPPH (2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picryl hydrazine) radical, OH radical scavenging activity, and reducing ability, along with α‐glucosidase and xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibition. The isolated maize phenolics revealed significant xanthine oxidase and α‐glucosidase inhibitory activity to that of allopurinol and acarbose in vitro and in vivo, respectively. The kinetics study with xanthine oxidase revealed competitive type of inhibition by isolated maize vanillic acid (M2), ferulic acid (M5), 3′‐methoxyhirsutrin (M7), and peonidin‐3‐glucoside (M10) as compared to control allopurinol. Overall, with few exceptions, all the phenolic compounds from maize kernel revealed significant biological activities with all parameters examined. Also, the phenolic compounds from maize were found to be more reactive toward DPPH radical and had considerable reducing ability and OH radical scavenging activity. These findings suggest that maize kernel phenolic compounds can be considered as potential antioxidant, α‐glucosidase, and XO inhibitory agents those might be further explored for the design of lead antioxidant, antidiabetic and antigout drug candidates using in vivo trials.
X‐ray Crystallographic and Fluorometric Analysis of the Interactions of Rhein to Human Serum Albumin
Authors: Li Mei , Lee Philbert , Zhang Yao , Ma ZhiYuan , Yang Feng , Zhou ZuPing , Wu XiaoYang , Liang Hong
Published: August 2013

To investigate the interactions between natural drugs and human serum albumin (HSA), we performed fluorescence spectroscopy and X‐ray crystallography to gain insight into binding mechanism and behaviour of rhein to HSA. Our fluorescence results demonstrated that rhein strongly binds with HSA, and other compounds may affect binding affinity of rhein to different extent. Structural analysis revealed that rhein binds to the IIA subdomain of HSA. The carboxylate group of rhein forms hydrogen bonds with Arg218 and Lys199, as well as a salt bond with Arg222. Hydroxyl group (4) of rhein forms a hydrogen bond with His242, and hydroxyl group (5) of rhein forms a hydrogen bond with Arg257. Oxygen atom (7) of rhein forms a hydrogen bond with Arg222, and oxygen atom (6) of rhein forms a hydrogen bond with H2O. Furthermore, hydroxyl group (4) of rhein also forms a hydrogen bond with H2O. Our results reveal the biochemical and structural characteristics of the interaction between rhein and HSA, providing guidance for future development of rhein‐based compounds and a drug–HSA delivery system.
How Symbolic Experience Shapes Children's Symbolic Flexibility
Authors: Thom Emily E. , Sandhofer Catherine M.
Published: August 2013

The current experiments asked whether children with dual‐symbolic experience (e.g., unimodal bilingual and bimodal) develop a preference for words like monolingual children (Namy & Waxman, 1998). In Experiment 1, ninety‐five 18‐ and 24‐month‐olds, with monolingual, unimodal bilingual, or bimodal symbolic experience, were tested in their willingness to treat digitized sounds as referents. In Experiment 2, forty‐seven 24‐month‐olds, with the same types of symbolic experience, were tested in their willingness to treat novel words as referents. Monolingual children performed in ways indicative of a growing preference for words, whereas children with dual‐symbolic experience performed in ways indicative of consistency in symbolic flexibility over time. Results suggest that the developmental trajectory of children's symbolic flexibility might depend on their symbolic experience.
Multiple Light Source Estimation in a Single Image
Authors: Lopez‐Moreno Jorge , Garces Elena , Hadap Sunil , Reinhard Erik , Gutierrez Diego
Published: August 2013

Many high‐level image processing tasks require an estimate of the positions, directions and relative intensities of the light sources that illuminated the depicted scene. In image‐based rendering, augmented reality and computer vision, such tasks include matching image contents based on illumination, inserting rendered synthetic objects into a natural image, intrinsic images, shape from shading and image relighting. Yet, accurate and robust illumination estimation, particularly from a single image, is a highly ill‐posed problem. In this paper, we present a new method to estimate the illumination in a single image as a combination of achromatic lights with their 3D directions and relative intensities. In contrast to previous methods, we base our azimuth angle estimation on curve fitting and recursive refinement of the number of light sources. Similarly, we present a novel surface normal approximation using an osculating arc for the estimation of zenith angles. By means of a new data set of ground‐truth data and images, we demonstrate that our approach produces more robust and accurate results, and show its versatility through novel applications such as image compositing and analysis.
Fast Shadow Removal Using Adaptive Multi‐Scale Illumination Transfer
Authors: Xiao Chunxia , She Ruiyun , Xiao Donglin , Ma Kwan‐Liu
Published: August 2013

In this paper, we present a new method for removing shadows from images. First, shadows are detected by interactive brushing assisted with a Gaussian Mixture Model. Secondly, the detected shadows are removed using an adaptive illumination transfer approach that accounts for the reflectance variation of the image texture. The contrast and noise levels of the result are then improved with a multi‐scale illumination transfer technique. Finally, any visible shadow boundaries in the image can be eliminated based on our Bayesian framework. We also extend our method to video data and achieve temporally consistent shadow‐free results.
Educational Justice, Epistemic Justice, and Leveling Down
Authors: Kotzee Ben
Published: August 2013

Harry Brighouse and Adam Swift argue that education is a positional good; this, they hold, implies that there is a qualified case for leveling down educational provision. In this essay, Ben Kotzee discusses Brighouse and Swift's argument for leveling down. He holds that the argument fails in its own terms and that, in presenting the problem of educational justice as one of balancing education's positional and nonpositional benefits, Brighouse and Swift lose sight of what a consideration of the nonpositional benefits by itself can reveal. Instead of focusing on education's positional benefits, Kotzee investigates what emphasizing education's nonpositional benefits would imply for educational justice. Drawing on recent work in social epistemology, Kotzee holds that theories of educational justice would benefit from a consideration of the virtue of epistemic justice, and he outlines solutions to a number of problems in the area from this perspective.
On the Relations Between Parents' Ideals and Children's Autonomy
Authors: de Ruyter Doret J. , Schinkel Anders
Published: August 2013

In this article Doret J. de Ruyter and Anders Schinkel argue that parents' ideals can enhance children's autonomy, but that they may also have a detrimental effect on the development of children's autonomy. After describing the concept of ideals and elucidating a systems theoretical conception of autonomy, de Ruyter and Schinkel explore the ways in which the ideals of parents may play a role in the development of their children's autonomy. They show that abstract and complex ideals of parents (be it ideals for their children, ideals with regard to their parenthood, or their personal ideals) are most likely to enhance their children's autonomy. They also explain that an authoritative parenting style is most conducive to autonomy, although whether or not it does benefit children's autonomy also depends on the types of ideals pursued by parents.
The Virtuous, Wise, and Knowledgeable Teacher: Living the Good Life as a Professional Practitioner
Authors: Campbell Elizabeth
Published: August 2013

In this essay, Elizabeth Campbell reviews three recent books that address the ethical nature of professional practice: Knowledge and Virtue in Teaching and Learning: The Primacy of Dispositions, by Hugh Sockett; The Good Life of Teaching: An Ethics of Professional Practice, by Chris Higgins; and Towards Professional Wisdom: Practical Deliberation in the People Professions, edited by Liz Bondi, David Carr, Chris Clark, and Cecelia Clegg. While the first two books are situated within the context of teaching and education, the third book, as an edited volume, contains chapters that represent a multidisciplinary perspective on the work of professionals within nursing, social work, counseling, and the ministry, as well as in teaching. Each of the books engages in the careful inquiry into philosophy broadly and educational philosophy specifically from conceptual frameworks widely associated with Aristotelian virtue ethics. Writing from an applied perspective on the field of scholarship relating to the moral and ethical dimensions of teaching, Campbell applauds the books for their timely reminder of the central role or persona of the individual professional as a moral agent and ethical practitioner. She argues that within the contemporary context of teacher education, which tends either to neglect or narrowly define the ethics of the profession, such an emphasis on the cultivation of personal character and responsibility within a framework of clear ethical dispositions or virtues is a welcome contribution to the field. It enables teachers, teacher educators, and student teachers to concentrate on both the ethics of practice and the practice of ethics in the ongoing quest to further their own development of virtue, practical wisdom, and personal and professional knowledge.
14q32 translocations and 13q14 deletions are common cytogenetic abnormalities in POEMS syndrome
Authors: Kang Wen‐Ying , Shen Kai‐Ni , Duan Ming‐Hui , Zhang Wei , Cao Xin‐Xin , Zhou Dao‐Bin , Li Jian
Published: August 2013

Objective

POEMS syndrome is a paraneoplastic syndrome characterized by polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal plasma cell (PC) proliferative disease, and skin changes. Although chromosomal aberrations have been found and extensively described for other PC disorders, whether POEMS syndrome shares similar cytogenetic profiles has been rarely reported. In this study, we aimed to clarify the cytogenetic abnormalities of patients with POEMS syndrome in our center.

Methods

Purified CD138+ PCs from bone marrow samples of twenty patients with POEMS syndrome were studied by interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). FISH results were analyzed for an association between cytogenetic changes and clinical features.

Results

A majority of patients (65%) were found to bear cytogenetic aberrations commonly seen in multiple myeloma. The 14q32 (IGH) translocation was observed in 45% of the cases and included the t(4;14) and t(11;14) translocation (15% and 25% of the cases, respectively). In addition, 25% of the patients had deletions of 13q14 and 20% had an amplification of 1q21. No significant correlation between clinical features with cytogenetic abnormalities was observed, although patients with IGH translocations were more likely to exhibit papilledema (P = 0.018).

Conclusion

Cytogenetic aberrations in POEMS syndrome were similar to other PC dyscrasias, but at different percentages.
Carbon dioxide emissions from biochar in soil: role of clay, microorganisms and carbonates
Authors: Bruun S. , Clauson‐Kaas S. , Bobuľská L. , Thomsen I. K.
Published: August 2013

The stability of biochar in soil is of importance if it is to be used for carbon sequestration and long‐term improvement of soil properties. It is well known that a significant fraction of biochar is highly stable in soil, but carbon dioxide (CO2) is also released immediately after application. This study investigated the nature of the early release of CO2 and the degree to which stabilizing mechanisms protect biochar from microbial attack. Incubations of 14C‐labelled biochar produced at different temperatures were performed in soils with different clay contents and in sterilized and non‐sterilized soils. It emerged that carbonate may be concentrated or form during or after biochar production, resulting in significant carbonate contents. If CO2 released from carbonates in short‐term experiments is misinterpreted as mineralization of biochar, the impact of this process may be significantly over‐estimated. In addition to the CO2 released from carbonates, there appears to be a labile fraction of biochar that is oxidized quickly during the first days of incubation, probably by both abiotic and biotic processes. Later in the incubation, biotic mineralization appears to be the primary cause of CO2 evolution. Finally, we found that both production temperature and clay content affect biochar mineralization. As protective mechanisms hypothesized to prevent degradation of organic matter in soil usually implicate clay, we conclude that biochar is likely to be protected from mineralization during the early stages of incubation by its own recalcitrant chemical and physical nature as well as by physical protective mechanisms.
Transitive or Not: A Critical Appraisal of Transitive Inference in Animals
Authors: Guez David , Audley Charles
Published: August 2013

Transitive inference has been historically touted as a hallmark of human cognition. However, the ability of non‐human animals to perform this type of inference is being increasingly investigated. Experimentally, three main methods are commonly used to evaluate transitivity in animals: those that investigate social dominance relationships, the n‐term task series and the less well known associative transitivity task. Here, we revisit the question of what exactly constitutes transitive inference based upon a formal and habitual definition and propose two essential criteria for experimentally testing it in animals. We then apply these criteria to evaluate the existing body of work on this fundamental aspect of cognition using exemplars. Our evaluation reveals that some methods rely heavily on salient assumptions that are both questionable and almost impossible to verify in order to make a claim of transitive inference in animals. For example, we found shortcomings with most n‐term task designs in that they often do not provide an explicit transitive relationship and/or and ordered set on which transitive inference can be performed. Consequently, they rely on supplementary assumptions to make a claim of transitive inference. However, as these assumptions are either impossible or are extremely difficult to validate in non‐human animals, the results obtained using these specific n‐term tasks cannot be taken as unambiguous demonstrations (or the lack thereof) of transitive inference. This realisation is one that is generally overlooked in the literature. In contrast, the associative transitivity task and the dominance relationship test both meet the criteria for transitive inference. However, although the dominance relationship test can disambiguate between transitive inference accounts and associative ones, the associative transitivity test cannot. Our evaluation also highlights the limitations and future challenges of current associative models of transitive inference. We propose three new experimental methods that can be applied within any theoretical framework to ensure that the experimental behaviour observed is indeed the result of transitive inference whilst removing the need for supplementary assumptions: the test for the opposite transitive relation, the discrimination test between two separate and previously non‐reinforced items, and the control for absolute knowledge.
Prominent EMA ‘dots’ in tumour‐induced Bergmann gliosis
Authors: Gelpi Ellen , Bombi Josep A , Martinez‐Saez Elena , Caral Luis , Ribalta Teresa
Published: August 2013

Aims

To describe an unusual pattern of epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) immunoreactivity in highly proliferative human Bergmann glia.

Methods and results

An immunohistochemical study was performed of postmortem cerebellar tissue from 18 adult patients with cerebellar damage of various aetiologies and 15 biopsies of diverse adult and paediatric cerebellar tumours. We observed marked proliferation of Bergmann glia with unusual prominent dot‐like cytoplasmic EMA immunoreactivity in a case with extensive leptomeningeal sarcomatosis. Similar staining was not observed in association with other types of cerebellar pathology, except for other neoplastic conditions, such as leptomeningeal carcinomatosis, adult medulloblastoma, and pilocytic astrocytoma in children. At an ultrastructural level, the index case showed prominent endoplasmic reticulum with some intermediate filaments and lipofuscin granules, but no structures related to cilia or microvilli were observed.

Conclusions

We consider that prominent EMA dots in Bergmann glia might represent excessive activation induced by an overlying leptomeningeal tumour that stimulates the expression of early developmental antigens. This observation suggests modulation of the glial phenotype when exposed to a neoplastic microenvironment that, in turn, might influence the regenerative potential of Bergmann glia.
Sensory control of clutch size in the Common Swift Apus apus
Authors: Haywood Sacha
Published: August 2013

Clutch size varies among individuals in most bird species. A widespread assumption is that such variation results from variable timing in the disruption of ovarian follicular growth that brings, with a few days' lag, egg‐laying to an end. Currently, there is empirical evidence that this is the case in Blue Tits Cyanistes caeruleus but not in Zebra Finches Taeniopygia guttata, in which the timing of follicular disruption has been shown to be invariant. Here, I investigate clutch size regulation of Common Swifts Apus apus. Using experimental egg removal, I show that, assuming the female gets enough egg contact, the determination of clutch size occurs at noon solar time on the day the first egg of a clutch is laid. In spite of individual variation in clutch size, there was no hint of any variability in the timing of clutch‐size determination. In this species therefore, the timing of the signal disrupting follicular growth appears invariant. The physiological mechanism that controls clutch size is discussed, including the existence of an endogenous circadian clock and potential zeitgeber, the developmental range of clutch size for the species, the sensory nature of the input that triggers follicular disruption, and the stress of laying extra eggs.
Differential use of antivirals for treatment of patients with influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 in Germany
Authors: Reuss Annicka , Dehnert Manuel , Buda Silke , Haas Walter
Published: August 2013

Background

The World Health Organization recommends early antiviral treatment for patients with severe influenza illness or those at increased risk for severe illness.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to determine the proportion of cases with laboratory‐confirmed A(H1N1)pdm09 infection that have been treated with antivirals in Germany during the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 and to investigate factors associated with the use of antivirals.

Methods

We analyzed cases with laboratory‐confirmed A(H1N1)pdm09 infection notified to national health authorities in Germany between week 29/2009 and week 17/2010 using multivariable logistic regression. Severity of disease was defined by pneumonia or death.

Results and conclusions

Of 160 804 cases with laboratory‐confirmed A(H1N1)pdm09 infection, 22% were treated with antivirals. Cases with severe disease were more likely to be treated with antivirals than cases without severe disease (odds ratio = 1·66; 95% confidence interval: 1·46–1·89). In the group with at least one underlying medical condition, only children aged between 1 and 4 years had significant lower odds for receiving antiviral treatment compared with cases in the age group 15 to 49 years (odds ratio = 0·75; 95% confidence interval: 0·6–0·94). In conclusion, the implementation of international recommendations on use of antivirals differed according to the age of patients in Germany during the pandemic (H1N1) 2009. This indicates that the potential of antivirals to prevent severe influenza might not have been fully exhausted. The reasons leading to the observed differences in patient management need to be investigated.
Evaluation of yield of currently available diagnostics by sample type to optimize detection of respiratory pathogens in patients with a community‐acquired pneumonia
Authors: Huijskens Elisabeth G. W. , Rossen John W. A. , Kluytmans Jan A. J. W. , van der Zanden Adri G. M. , Koopmans Marion
Published: August 2013

Background

For the detection of respiratory pathogens, the sampling strategy may influence the diagnostic yield. Ideally, samples from the lower respiratory tract are collected, but they are difficult to obtain.

Objectives

In this study, we compared the diagnostic yield in sputum and oropharyngeal samples (OPS) for the detection of respiratory pathogens in patients with community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP), with the objective to optimize our diagnostic testing algorithm.

Methods

Matched sputum samples, OPS, blood cultures, serum, and urine samples were taken from patients (>18 years) with CAP and tested for the presence of possible respiratory pathogens using bacterial cultures, PCR for 17 viruses and five bacteria and urinary antigen testing.

Results

When using only conventional methods, that is, blood cultures, sputum culture, urinary antigen tests, a pathogen was detected in 49·6% of patients (n = 57). Adding molecular detection assays increased the yield to 80%. A pathogen was detected in 77 of the 115 patients in OPS or sputum samples by PCR. The sensitivity of the OPS was lower than that of the sputum samples (57% versus 74%). In particular, bacterial pathogens were more often detected in sputum samples. The sensitivity of OPS for the detection of most viruses was higher than in sputum samples (72% versus 66%), except for human rhinovirus and respiratory syncytial virus.

Conclusion

Addition of PCR on both OPS and sputum samples significantly increased the diagnostic yield. For molecular detection of bacterial pathogens, a sputum sample is imperative, but for detection of most viral pathogens, an OPS is sufficient.
Obesity as a risk factor for severe influenza‐like illness
Authors: Cocoros Noelle M. , Lash Timothy L. , DeMaria Alfred , Klompas Michael
Published: August 2013

Background

Obesity was recognized as in independent risk factor for influenza during the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic.

Objectives

We evaluated the association between body mass index (BMI) and influenza‐like illness (ILI) during two non‐pandemic influenza seasons (2003–2004 and 2004–2005) and during the spring and fall waves of the 2009 H1N1 pandemic.

Methods

Adults with severe (inpatient) and mild (outpatient) ILI were compared to those without ILI using a case‐cohort design. The study was nested among those insured by a single health insurance company, receiving care from a large multispecialty practice. Data were collected from insurance claims and the electronic health record. The primary exposure was obesity (BMI ≥ 30·0 kg/m2).

Results

Across three seasons, the crude and adjusted ORs for obesity and severe ILI were 1·65 (95% CI 1·31, 2·08) and 1·23 (95% CI 0·97, 1·57), respectively. An association was observed for those aged 20–59 years (adjusted OR 1·92, 95% CI 1·26, 2·90), but not for those 60 and older (adjusted OR 1·08, 95% CI 0·80, 1·46). The adjusted ORs for obesity and severe ILI in 2003–2004, 2004–2005, and during H1N1 were 1·14 (95% CI 0·80, 1·64), 1·24 (95% CI 0·86, 1·79), and 1·76 (95% CI 0·91, 3·42), respectively. Among those with a Charlson Comorbidity Index score of zero, the adjusted ORs for 2003–2004, 2004–2005, and H1N1 were 1·60 (95% CI 0·93, 2·76), 1·43 (95% CI 0·80, 2·56), and 1·90 (95% CI 0·68, 5·27), respectively.

Conclusions

Our results suggest a small to moderate association between obesity and hospitalized ILI among adults.
Introducing the biogeographic species pool
Authors: Carstensen Daniel Wisbech , Lessard Jean‐Philippe , Holt Ben G. , Krabbe Borregaard Michael , Rahbek Carsten
Published: August 2013

The species pool concept has played a central role in the development of ecological theory for at least 60 yr. Surprisingly, there is little consensus as to how one should define the species pool, and consequently, no systematic approach exists. Because the definition of the species pool is essential to infer the processes that shape ecological communities, there is a strong incentive to develop an ecologically realistic definition of the species pool based on repeatable and transparent analytical approaches. Recently, several methodological tools have become available to summarize repeated patterns in the geographic distribution of species, phylogenetic clades and taxonomically broad lineages. Here, we present three analytical approaches that can be used to define what we term ‘the biogeographic species pool’: distance‐based clustering analysis, network modularity analysis, and assemblage dispersion fields. The biogeographic species pool defines the pool of potential community members in a broad sense and represents a first step towards a standardized definition of the species pool for the purpose of comparative ecological, evolutionary and biogeographic studies.
Long‐lived and heavier females give birth earlier in roe deer
Authors: Plard Floriane , Gaillard Jean‐Michel , Coulson Tim , Hewison A. J. Mark , Delorme Daniel , Warnant Claude , Nilsen Erlend B. , Bonenfant Christophe
Published: August 2013

In seasonal environments, parturition of most vertebrates generally occurs within a short time‐window each year. This synchrony is generally interpreted as being adaptive, as early born young survive better over the critical season than late born young. Among large herbivores, the factors involved in driving among‐ and within‐individual variation in parturition date are poorly understood. We explored this question by analyzing the relative importance of attributes linked to female quality (longevity, median adult body mass and cohort), time‐dependent attributes linked to female condition (reproductive success the previous year, relative annual body mass and offspring cohort (year)), and age in shaping observed variation in parturition date of roe deer. A measure of quality combining the effects of female longevity and median adult body mass accounted for 11% of the observed among‐individual variation in parturition date. Females of 2 yr old give birth 5 d later than older females. Our study demonstrates that high quality (heavy and long‐lived) females give birth earlier than low quality females. Temporally variable attributes linked to female condition, such as reproductive success in the previous year and relative annual body mass, had no detectable influence on parturition date. We conclude that parturition date, a crucial determinant of reproductive success, is shaped by attributes linked to female quality rather than by time‐dependent attributes linked to female condition in income breeders (individuals that rely on current resource intake rather than on accumulated body reserves to offset the increased energy requirements due to reproduction) such as roe deer.
Large‐Scale Synthesis of Vertically Aligned ZnO Hexagonal Nanotube‐Rod Hybrids Using a Two‐Step Growth Method
Authors: Kim Seong Been , Kim Sungwoong , Kwon Sun Sang , Lee Won Woo , Kim Jin‐Sang , Park Won Il
Published: August 2013

Zn‐polar (0001) surfaces are more chemically reactive than other surfaces of ZnO crystals and drive preferential anisotropic and asymmetric growth along the [0001] direction, which facilitates growth of c‐axis oriented, one‐dimensional ZnO nanostructures. Accordingly, capping the top (0001) surface of ZnO crystals can impede c‐axis growth and thus serve to modulate growth habits. In this study, we generated vertically aligned ZnO hexagonal nanotube‐rod (h‐NTR) hybrids by modulating growth habits during a second‐stage process. Electron microscopy studies revealed the formation of very thin (10–20 nm) single‐crystalline nanotube walls along the edges of underlying hexagonal rod tops capped with Si. In addition, spatially resolved investigation of ZnO h‐NTR indicated an abrupt increase in the measured bandgap across rod‐tube junctions, which was ascribed to a quantum confinement effect and Burstein–Moss effect of carriers within the very thin nanotube walls.