bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long‐term outcome of elderly patients (75 years or older) with hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Hori Maisa , Tanaka Masatoshi , Ando Eiji , Sakata Masahiro , Shimose Shigeo , Ohno Miki , Yutani Shigeru , Kuraoka Kei , Kuromatsu Ryoko , Sumie Shuji , Sata Michio
Published: November 2013

Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate the long‐term outcome of elderly patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) aged 75 years or older.

Methods

The study included 422 patients with HCC, who were divided into two age groups: 75 years or older (n = 140) and younger than 75 (n = 282). Outcomes were compared between the two groups.

Results

The number of elderly patients treated with supportive care alone (33 patients; 24%) was significantly higher than younger patients (30 patients; 11%, P < 0.01). The 1‐, 3‐, 5‐ and 7‐year overall survival rates of the elderly patients (81%, 55%, 39% and 23%, respectively) were worse than those of younger patients (85%, 64%, 49% and 36%, respectively, P = 0.042). However, the overall survival rate of the elderly group after excluding 63 patients treated with supportive care alone, was similar to that of the younger group (P = 0.615). Multivariate analysis identified age, total bilirubin levels, albumin levels, serum des‐γ‐carboxy prothrombin levels, tumor size, number of HCC nodules, vascular invasion, extrahepatic metastasis and treatment modality as independent and significant factors of overall survival.

Conclusion

Advanced age is a negative prognostic factor in patients with HCC due to the tendency for frequent use of conservative treatment rather than locoregional or surgical treatment.
An exploration of Chinese EFL students' emotional intelligence and foreign language anxiety
Authors: Shao Kaiqi , Yu Weihua , Ji Zhongmin
Published: November 2013

This study examined 510 Chinese students' emotional intelligence (EI) and English classroom learning anxiety at three universities in Hangzhou, People's Republic of China. Results obtained from the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire–Short Form (TEIQue–SF) and the Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale (FLCAS) showed the following results: (a) More than half of the Chinese college students possessed a middle to high level of EI and at least one third experienced language anxiety in English class; (b) Moderate to relatively strong associations were found among students' EI, foreign language anxiety (FLA), English achievement, and self‐rated English proficiency; (c) FLA had a significant and partial mediating effect on EI in predicting students' English achievement; and (d) FLA also significantly and partially mediated the relationship between EI and self‐rated English proficiency. Results and implications are discussed in the context of the importance of emotional factors affecting the learning of English.
Investigating age in the use of L1 or english‐only instruction: Vocabulary acquisition by Korean EFL learners
Authors: Lee Jang Ho , Macaro Ernesto
Published: November 2013

This study examines the effects of teachers' language use—first language Korean (L1) or second language English (L2)—on the vocabulary acquisition and retention of two age groups: elementary school children after only a few years of English study (n = 443) and adults at university with demonstrably higher levels of proficiency (n = 286). Its context is the frequent recommendation by policy makers that L2 teachers should maximize the use of the target language and do so from the very beginning of instruction. We focused on the effects of language use on vocabulary learning because vocabulary teaching frequently involves L1 use even in an otherwise L2 communicative classroom. Our findings suggest that both age groups benefit from links being made with the L1, but that young learners benefit more and that differences in L2 proficiency levels, which often accompany age differences of L2 instructed learners, are a possible contributing, though not a deciding, factor in this conclusion.
Do Energy‐Based PET Models Require More Input Data than Temperature‐Based Models? — An Evaluation at Four Humid FluxNet Sites
Authors: Archibald Josephine A. , Walter M. Todd
Published: November 2013

It is well established that wet environment potential evapotranspiration (PET) can be reliably estimated using the energy budget at the canopy or land surface. However, in most cases the necessary radiation measurements are not available and, thus, empirical temperature‐based PET models are still widely used, especially in watershed models. Here we question the presumption that empirical PET models require fewer input data than more physically based models. Specifically, we test whether the energy‐budget‐based Priestley‐Taylor (P‐T) model can reliably predict daily PET using primarily air temperature to estimate the radiation fluxes and associated parameters. This method of calculating PET requires only daily minimum and maximum temperature, day of the year, and latitude. We compared PET estimates using directly measured radiation fluxes to PET calculated from temperature‐based radiation estimates at four humid AmeriFlux sites. We found good agreement between P‐T PET calculated from measured radiation fluxes and P‐T PET determined via air temperature. In addition, in three of the four sites, the temperature‐based radiation approximations had a stronger correlation with measured evapotranspiration (ET) during periods of maximal ET than fully empirical Hargreaves, Hamon and Oudin methods. Of the three fully empirical models, the Hargreaves performed the best. Overall, the results suggest that daily PET estimates can be made using a physically based approach even when radiation measurements are unavailable.
Greece in Crisis: Austerity, Populism and the Politics of Blame
Authors: Vasilopoulou Sofia , Halikiopoulou Daphne , Exadaktylos Theofanis
Published: November 2013

Within the broader debate on the Greek crisis, the theory of ‘populist democracy’ postulates that populism is fundamental to the sustenance of the Greek political system and is at the heart of Greece's endemic domestic weaknesses. This article tests this assumption empirically through the use of a sophisticated framing analysis of speeches delivered by the leaders of the five parties in the Greek parliament in the period 2009–11. The findings confirm that populism: (a) is expressed through the narratives of political actors; (b) is observed across the party system; (c) is expressed in the forms of blame‐shifting and exclusivity; and (d) differs depending on position in the party system. The article contributes to the debate by testing and building on the theory of democratic populism, providing a novel way of measuring and operationalizing populism and identifying a new typology that distinguishes between mainstream and fringe populism.
Bone healing with oxytocin‐loaded microporous β‐TCPbone substitute in ectopic bone formation model and critical‐sized osseous defect of rat
Authors: Park Jin‐Woo , Kim Jae‐Min , Lee Heon‐Jin , Jeong Seong‐Hwa , Suh Jo‐Young , Hanawa Takao
Published: November 2013

Aim

This study investigated the efficacy of the hypothalamic nonapeptide oxytocin (OT) by direct delivery to local defects using a microporous β‐tricalcium phosphate (TCP) as the carrier for the future applications as a method to achieve predictable bone regeneration of large osseous defects requiring sinus bone graft and guided bone regeneration procedures for implant placement.

Material and Methods

Both the ectopic and new bone formation induced by theOT‐loaded microporous β‐TCPpowder was histomorphometrically compared with unloaded β‐TCPin a subcutaneous ectopic bone formation model and calvarial critical‐sized defects (CSDs) in 45 rats.

Results

TheOT‐loaded β‐TCPclearly enhanced ectopic bone formation compared with the unloaded control group. A High initialOTdose (250 μg) significantly increased ectopic bone formation at an early healing time‐point compared with a lowerOTdose (50 μg). TheOT‐loaded samples displayed greater new bone formation in the rat calvarialCSDs. Extensive new bone formation was achieved in the calvarialCSDs with the higherOTdose.

Conclusion

These results suggest that localOTdelivery to bone substitute promotes new bone formation via an osteoinductive mode of action.
One‐stage full‐mouth disinfection combined with a periodontal dressing: a randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Keestra Johan A. J. , Coucke Wim , Quirynen Marc
Published: November 2013

Aim

To compare the clinical benefit of a periodontal dressing applied after a one‐stage full‐mouth disinfection (OSFMD) in patients with chronic periodontitis up to 3 months after therapy.

Material and Methods

This randomized, controlled split‐mouth study included 24 patients. After OSFMD, a test and a control side were selected by means of a computer‐generated randomization list. Test sides received a periodontal dressing (Coepak®) for 7 days and the control sides received no periodontal dressing. After 7 days the periodontal dressing was removed and the pain experience was recorded. After 3 months, the clinical periodontal parameters were recorded.

Results

The periodontal dressing group showed a significant (p < 0.05) additional pocket depth reduction and additional clinical attachment gain for the moderate pockets of single‐ and multi‐rooted teeth compared with the control group. A significant (p < 0.05) lower percentage of sites with probing pocket depth ≥5 mm were shown for the periodontal dressing group compared with the control group (2.7 ± 16.3% versus 4.8 ± 21.4%). The pain intensity was significantly reduced when using a periodontal dressing (5.13 ± 0.89 versus 3.42 ± 1.27).

Conclusion

The use of a periodontal dressing for 7 days after a OSFMD offers an additional short‐term clinical improvement and lowers the pain intensity.
Clopidogrel enhances periodontal repair in rats through decreased inflammation
Authors: Coimbra Leila S. , Steffens Joao Paulo , Rossa Carlos , Graves Dana T. , Spolidorio Luis C.
Published: November 2013

Aim

We hypothesized that platelet inactivation induced by drugs might interfere with periodontal repair in experimental periodontitis by suppressing the release of biological mediators from platelets at the site of injury.

Material and Methods

Sixty rats were randomly assigned to six groups (n = 10) and ligatures were placed around lower first molars of three groups. The other three groups were used as negative controls. Ligatures were removed after 10 days of periodontitis induction and all groups were submitted to treatment with aspirin (Asp) (30 mg/kg), clopidogrel (Clop) (75 mg/kg) or NaCl 0.9% intra‐gastrically once daily for 3 days. Periodontal tissue was assessed by the measurement of CXCL12, CXCL4, CCL5 and platelet‐derived growth factor (PDGF) by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay; histomorphometrical analysis of polymorphonuclear (PMN) infiltration, attachment loss, bone loss and osteoclast numbers and quantification of blood vessels by imunnohistochemistry.

Results

During periodontal repair and treatment with NaCl 0.9%, CCL5 was decreased and CXCL12 increased when compared with negative control groups. Asp and Clop did not affect CCL5 expression, decreased CXCL12 but only Clop decreased CXCL4 and PDGF content compared with saline‐treated animals. Clop increased blood vessel number, reduced PMN count and decreased attachment and bone loss, also decreased osteoclast number in animals submitted or not to periodontal repair.

Conclusion

Systemic administration of Clop for 3 days improved the repair process associated with experimental periodontal disease, suggesting that it may have therapeutic value under situations where tissues undergo a transition from inflammation to repair.
Development of a walleye cell line and use to study the effects of temperature on infection by viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus group IVb
Authors: Vo N T K , Bender A W , Lee L E J , Lumsden J S , Lorenzen N , Dixon B , Bols N C
Published: November 2013

A cell line, WE‐cfin11f, with a fibroblast‐like morphology was developed from a walleye caudal fin and used to study the intersection of thermobiology of walleye, Sander vitreus (Mitchill), with the thermal requirements for replication of viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus (VHSV) IVb. WE‐cfin11f proliferated from 10 to 32 °C and endured as a monolayer for at least a week at 1–34 °C. WE‐cfin11f adopted an epithelial shape and did not proliferate at 4 °C. Adding VHSV IVb to cultures at 4 and 14 °C but not 26 °C led to cytopathic effects (CPE) and virus production. At 4 °C, virus production developed more slowly, but Western blotting showed more N protein accumulation. Infecting monolayer cultures at 4 °C for 7 days and then shifting them to 26 °C resulted in the monolayers being broken in small areas by CPE, but with time at 26 °C, the monolayers were restored. These results suggest that at 26 °C, the VHSV IVb life cycle stages responsible for CPE can be completed, but the production of virus and the initiation of infections cannot be accomplished.
Obesity and associated factors in adults with intellectual disability
Authors: Hsieh K. , Rimmer J. H. , Heller T.
Published: November 2013

Background

We examined the prevalence of obesity in adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) compared with the general population, and the factors associated with obesity and weight management status, comparing individuals with ID who were overweight or obese to those who were not.

Methods

We analysed baseline data (n = 1450) from the ongoing 4‐year Longitudinal Health and Intellectual Disabilities Study (LHIDS) using a multivariate approach. Measures included body mass index (BMI), demographics, level of ID, diagnoses related to ID, health behaviours (i.e. physical activity, dietary habits, smoking, and alcohol consumption), various health parameters (e.g. mobility limitation, medications), and residential type and location.

Results

Compared with the general population, adults (≥18 years) with ID had a higher prevalence of obesity (38.3% vs. 28%) and morbid obesity (7.4% vs. 4.2%). Being female (AOR = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.09–1.81), having Down syndrome (AOR = 2.53, 95% CI = 1.86–3.45), taking medications that cause weight gain (AOR = 1.80, 95% CI = 1.38–2.37), engaging in less moderate physical activity (AOR = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.79–0.99), and drinking greater amounts of soda (AOR = 1.20, 95% CI = 1.02–1.42) were associated with higher rates of obesity.

Conclusion

Adults with ID, in general, have a high risk of developing obesity, and women with ID have a high risk of developing morbid obesity. Health promotion initiatives should target individuals with the greatest risk.
N‐nitrosomelatonin enhances photic synchronization of mammalian circadian rhythms
Authors: Baidanoff Fernando M. , Plano Santiago A. , Doctorovich Fabio , Suárez Sebastián A. , Golombek Diego A. , Chiesa Juan J.
Published: November 2013

Most physiological processes in mammals are synchronized to the daily light:dark cycle by a circadian clock located in the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus. Signal transduction of light‐induced phase advances of the clock is mediated through a neuronal nitric oxide synthase‐guanilyl cyclase pathway. We have employed a novel nitric oxide‐donor, N‐nitrosomelatonin, to enhance the photic synchronization of circadian rhythms in hamsters. The intraperitoneal administration of this drug before a sub‐saturating light pulse at circadian time 18 generated a twofold increase of locomotor rhythm phase‐advances, having no effect over saturating light pulses. This potentiation was also obtained even when inhibiting suprachiasmatic nitric oxide synthase activity. However, N‐nitrosomelatonin had no effect on light‐induced phase delays at circadian time 14. The photic‐enhancing effects were correlated with an increased suprachiasmatic immunoreactivity of FBJ murine osteosarcoma viral oncogene and period1. Moreover, in vivo nitric oxide release by N‐nitrosomelatonin was verified by measuring nitrate and nitrite levels in suprachiasmatic nuclei homogenates. The compound also accelerated resynchronization to an abrupt 6‐h advance in the light:dark cycle (but not resynchronization to a 6‐h delay). Here, we demonstrate the chronobiotic properties of N‐nitrosomelatonin, emphasizing the importance of nitric oxide‐mediated transduction for circadian phase advances.

image

We demonstrated the chronobiotic effects of a novel nitric oxide donor, N‐nitrosomelatonin (NO‐Mel), which enhanced light‐induced circadian entrainment and gene expression in the suprachiasmatic nuclei, the site of the mammalian biological clock, as well as promoted and accelerated rate of reentrainment to an experimental jetlag protocol. NO‐Mel increased nitrate/nitrite levels in the SCN and we suggest our findings represent a novel strategy for the treatment of human circadian disorders.
The Real Effects of Government‐Owned Banks: Evidence from an Emerging Market
Authors: CARVALHO DANIEL
Published: November 2013

Using plant‐level data for Brazilian manufacturing firms, this paper provides evidence that government control over banks leads to significant political influence over the real decisions of firms. I find that firms eligible for government bank lending expand employment in politically attractive regions near elections. These expansions are associated with additional (favorable) borrowing from government banks. Further, these persistent expansions take place just before competitive elections, and are associated with lower future employment growth by firms in other regions. The analysis suggests that politicians in Brazil use bank lending to shift employment towards politically attractive regions and away from unattractive regions.
Non‐sentential vs. Ellipsis Approaches: Review and Extensions
Authors: Progovac Ljiljana
Published: November 2013

Non‐sententials (also known as fragments, elliptical structures) can be roughly characterized as free‐standing utterances, which are, or at least appear to be, smaller than a sentence. The persisting controversy regarding non‐sententials is the following: are they pretty much what you see, base‐generated words, phrases, or small clauses (non‐sentential analysis), or are they full finite sentences that have undergone deletion/ellipsis (sentential/ellipsis analysis). This issue is all the more important today given that various interdisciplinary enterprises hinge on how it is resolved, including studies of language acquisition, language disorders, language evolution, and language representation in the brain. This review focuses on the most recent wave of controversy pertaining to non‐sententials and provides a critical assessment of the crucial connectivity/anti‐connectivity arguments, which are the backbone of both approaches, including islandhood, case, preposition stranding, and complementizer effects. The conclusion of this review is that a careful reexamination of each of these (anti‐)connectivity phenomena demonstrates that the non‐sentential approach is at least as successful as the ellipsis approach in accommodating these effects. Moreover, the non‐sentential approach opens up new and exciting prospects for enriching syntactic theory with new data and perspectives, as well as provides a better framework for interdisciplinary extensions mentioned above.
The Role of Descending Inhibitory Pathways on Chronic Pain Modulation and Clinical Implications
Authors: Kwon Mikwang , Altin Murat , Duenas Hector , Alev Levent
Published: November 2013

The treatment and management of chronic pain is a major challenge for clinicians. Chronic pain is often underdiagnosed and undertreated, and there is a lack of awareness of the pathophysiologic mechanisms that contribute to chronic pain. Chronic pain involves peripheral and central sensitization, as well as the alteration of the pain modulatory pathways. Imbalance between the descending facilitatory systems and the descending inhibitory systems is believed to be involved in chronic pain in pathological conditions. A pharmacological treatment that could restore the balance between these 2 pathways by diminishing the descending facilitatory pain pathways and enhancing the descending inhibitory pain pathways would be a valuable therapeutic option for patients with chronic pain. Due to the lack of evidence for pharmacological options that act on descending facilitation pathways, in this review we summarize the role of the descending inhibitory pain pathways in pain perception. This review will focus primarily on monoaminergic descending inhibitory pain pathways and their contribution to the mechanism of chronic pain and several pharmacological treatment options that enhance these pathways to reduce chronic pain. We describe anatomical structures and neurotransmitters of the descending inhibitory pain pathways that are activated in response to nociceptive pain and altered in response to sustained and persistent pain which leads to chronic pain in various pathological conditions.
Fibrin Glue to Treat Spinal Fluid Leaks Associated with Intrathecal Drug Systems
Authors: Freeman Eric D. , Hoelzer Bryan C. , Eldrige Jason S. , Moeschler Susan M.
Published: November 2013

Intrathecal drug delivery systems (IDDSs) are used to treat resistant pain states as well as intractable spasticity via medication delivery into the spinal fluid. Risks associated with implantation of these devices include infection, bleeding, intrathecal granuloma formation, and neurologic sequelae similar to other neuraxial procedures. Intrathecal catheter placement creates the additional risk of persistent spinal fluid leak, which can lead to postdural puncture headaches as well as seroma formation and may require subsequent surgical exploration or explantation. This retrospective case series examines 3 patients at a single institution with persistent spinal fluid leak after IDDS placement (and explantation in one case) resulting in headache and/or seroma formation that were treated with epidural fibrin glue.

Three patients underwent IDDS implantation with baclofen for spasticity. In 1 patient, a cerebral spinal fluid leak developed at 1‐week postoperatively. After several unsuccessful epidural blood patches and surgical exploration with a catheter revision, she was ultimately treated successfully with a fibrin glue patch. The second patient received an IDDS and did well until a seroma developed 1 year later. He was likewise treated with an epidural fibrin glue patch after 2 failed blood patches. In a third patient, a spinal fluid leak developed after explantation of an IDDS and was treated with an epidural fibrin glue patch as initial therapy.
A study of the psychometric properties of the Beck Depression Inventory‐II, the Montgomery and Åsberg Depression Rating Scale, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale in a sample from a healthy population
Authors: Kjærgaard Marie , Arfwedson Wang Catharina Elisabeth , Waterloo Knut , Jorde Rolf
Published: November 2013

The objective of this study is to evaluate internal consistency and psychometric properties of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Beck Depression inventory‐II (BDI‐II) and the Montgomery and Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) for screening for major depressive episode (MDE) in a selected sample from a healthy population. Participants answered the BDI‐II and the HADS questionnaires and were interviewed with MADRS. The Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)‐IV Axis I Disorders‐Clinician Version (SCID‐CV) was used to diagnose MDE. Current MDE was diagnosed in 20 (6%) of the 357 participants. All three scales including the depression sub‐scale for HADS had high area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (ROC) (AUC) (0.84–0.87), and internal consistency was also high for all scales (0.75–0.89). Optimal cut‐off for MDE was ≥ 12 for BDI‐II, MADRS ≥ 8, HADS total ≥ 9, and HADS‐D ≥ 4, which all resulted in sensitivities = 85% and specificities > 78%. Diagnostic accuracy was low on all depression scales (Cohen's kappa = 0.20–0.40). Reports of the properties of depression scales in a healthy population are limited. We found BDI‐II, HADS and MADRS to be acceptable as screening instruments for MDE in a selected sample from healthy population with recommend cut‐offs as mentioned above.
Strategic coupling in ‘next wave cities’: Local institutional actors and the offshore service sector in the Philippines
Authors: Kleibert Jana Maria
Published: November 2013

The outsourcing and offshoring of services to developing countries has created new opportunities for economic development for countries in the global South. This paper looks at the scope for agency of local institutional actors in the investment attraction of business process outsourcing companies. Drawing on empirical work from the Philippines, an analysis of the process of integrating lower‐tier cities into global service production networks is presented. Specifically, the roles of local institutional actors in facilitating FDI attraction and strategically coupling local assets with the needs of multinational service corporations are discussed. Two contrasting cases, the cities of Baguio and Bacolod, show that considerable scope for intervention rests with local institutional actors. The findings have implications for policymaking and research concerned with the newest phase of outsourcing and offshoring in developing countries.
Increased risk of atrial fibrillation among elderly Norwegian men with a history of long‐term endurance sport practice
Authors: Myrstad M. , Løchen M‐L. , Graff‐Iversen S. , Gulsvik A. K. , Thelle D. S. , Stigum H. , Ranhoff A. H.
Published: November 2013

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia. The prevalence increases with increasing age. In middle‐aged men, endurance sport practice is associated with increased risk of AF but there are few studies among elderly people. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of long‐term endurance sport practice as a risk factor for AF in elderly men. A cross‐sectional study compared 509 men aged 65–90 years who participated in a long‐distance cross‐country ski race with 1768 men aged 65–87 years from the general population. Long‐term endurance sport practice was the main exposure. Self‐reported AF and covariates were assessed by questionnaires. Risk differences (RDs) for AF were estimated by using a linear regression model. After multivariable adjustment, a history of endurance sport practice gave an added risk for AF of 6.0 percent points (pp) (95% confidence interval 0.8–11.1). Light and moderate leisure‐time physical activity during the last 12 months reduced the risk with 3.7 and 4.3 pp, respectively, but the RDs were not statistically significant. This study suggests that elderly men with a history of long‐term endurance sport practice have an increased risk of AF compared with elderly men in the general population.
Sustaining Democracy: Localization, Globalization, and Feminist Praxis
Authors: Naples Nancy A.
Published: November 2013

Following contemporary discussions of environmental sustainability, I view sustainable democracy as an approach that remains open to diversity, promotes well‐being for all social actors, and advances social justice. The notion of sustaining democracy that I adopt foregrounds everyday practical and participatory strategies that are self‐consciously tied to a vision of the future which will be more economically equitable, peaceful, inclusive, and socially just. However, I argue, a political vision cannot be enacted without an epistemological articulation that informs political practice. Feminist praxis contains, in its epistemological formulation, a reflexive process by which lessons from past activist engagements are incorporated into contemporary efforts, which, in turn, are further reflected upon in changing political and cultural contexts. Feminist praxis is further deepened by incorporating epistemological insights from feminist theories of intersectionality to inform its political methodology. I illustrate the possibilities of intersectional feminist praxis for sustaining democratic practice with attention to five different dimensions: strategies for inclusion, methods of empowerment, countering power imbalances, organizing across differences, and processes of reflexivity.
Racial/Ethnic Composition and Violence: Size‐of‐Place Variations in Percent Black and Percent Latino Effects on Violence Rates
Authors: Feldmeyer Ben , Steffensmeier Darrell , Ulmer Jeffery T.
Published: November 2013

According to racial invariance positions and mainstream sociological perspectives on race and crime, race differences in structural conditions should account for most if not all of the racial composition (or percent black) effect on aggregate‐level violence rates. However, prior research (mostly conducted prior to 1990) generally provides mixed or contrary evidence for this position, showing instead that greater concentrations of blacks are linked to increased violence even after accounting for racial differences in socioeconomic conditions. The current study uses recent data and a novel unit of analysis to go beyond extant research in two ways. First, we include percent Latino in our examination of the extent to which both racial and ethnic composition effects on violent crime rates are mediated by racial/ethnic disparities in socioeconomic disadvantage. Second, we test whether racial/ethnic composition effects are conditioned by size of place, through the use of census places as a uniquely varying unit of analysis. We find that both black and Latino composition effects are partly explained by controlling for structural conditions (especially structural disadvantage), but this characterizes smaller places much more than the largest, most urbanized places.
Vibrational spectroscopy coupled to classical least square analysis, a new approach for determination of skin moisturizing agents' mechanisms
Authors: Vyumvuhore R. , Tfayli A. , Manfait M. , Baillet‐Guffroy A.
Published: November 2013

Background

Skin dryness is an omnipresent symptom in various types of skin disorders. Thereby, a large panel of skin care products is developed for therapeutic purposes. However, there is still a lack of non‐invasive methods to determine the mechanisms of action of moisturizers at the molecular level.

Methods

In the present study, confocal Raman spectroscopy coupled to classical least square analyses and ATR‐FTIR were used to investigate the effect of different molecules on the stratum corneum (SC) hydration degree and barrier state. First, hygroscopic property was determined by analyzing samples at 90% RH; secondly, the water barrier function was evaluated after the dehydration process (4% RH). The molecules penetration kinetics across SC were also studied for 2 h.

Results

Using the present approach, glycerin and propylene glycol were found to be humectants; lanoline showed occlusive action, lactic acid has both humectant and barrier enhancer properties, and ethylhexyl palmitate and caprylic/capric acid triglyceride seemed to be emollients. These observations are in accordance with literature.

Conclusion

The present method non‐invasively characterizes the mechanism of action of tested molecules. This may improve knowledge of new molecules' structure–activity relationship and help make an effective therapeutic concept dealing with the various skin dysfunctions.
Comments on Episodic Superposition of Memory States
Authors: Lambert‐Mogiliansky Ariane
Published: November 2013

This article develops a commentary to Charles Brainerd, Zheng Wang and Valerie F. Reyna's article entitled “Superposition of episodic memories: Overdistribution and quantum models” published in a special number of topiCS 2013 devoted to quantum modelling in cognitive sciences.
Pathogenic and molecular diversity in highly virulent populations of the parasitic weedOrobanche cumana(sunflower broomrape) fromEurope
Authors: Molinero‐Ruiz L , García‐Carneros A B , Collado‐Romero M , Raranciuc S , Domínguez J , Melero‐Vara J M
Published: November 2013

The parasitic weedOrobanche cumana(sunflower broomrape) constrains sunflower production in eastern and southernEurope and in theMiddleEast. Although genetic resistance is the most effective control method, new parasite races evolve overcoming sunflower resistance. In this work, highly virulent populations ofO. cumanawere analysed for pathogenicity and genetic diversity. The virulence of 11 populations fromHungary,Romania,Spain andTurkey was assessed and compared after infection of sunflower inbred lines to differentiate races of the parasite under glasshouse conditions. Molecular diversity among and within 27 parasite populations was studied byRAPD‐PCR,UPGMAandamovaanalyses. Highly virulent raceFwas identified inHungary,Spain andTurkey. The most virulent race (G) was also found inTurkey. The molecular analysis among highly virulent populations ofO. cumana identified four molecular clusters, respectively, grouping populations fromCentralSpain,Hungary,SouthSpain andTurkey. The genetic homogeneity within parasite populations was confirmed, since no molecular divergences were found within them. This work constitutes the first geographical study ofO. cumanatogether with pathogenicity and molecular traits inherent to each geographical group, and provides useful information for possible phylogenetic analyses ofO. cumana. In addition, molecular markers associated with geographical origin could be developed and used as diagnostic tools to track new broomrape introductions into areas free of virulent races where they might represent a threat to sunflower production.
Impacts of mowing and bud destruction on Centaurea solstitialis growth, flowering, root dynamics and soil moisture
Authors: Spencer D F , Enloe S F , Pitcairn M J , Ditomaso J M
Published: November 2013

Centaurea solstitialis (yellow starthistle) has invaded rangelands and natural areas in the western USA. There is evidence that mowing is a more effective method of reducing growth and seed production, compared with the well‐established and distributed bioagents. To test this hypothesis we measured C. solstitialis's growth and reproduction following two treatments (late spring and early summer bud/capitula destruction and shoot mowing) and measured C. solstitialis's growth and reproduction. We measured changes in soil moisture content to test the hypothesis that these manipulations differentially affect water usage by the invasive plant. Mowing produced shorter plants that weighed less. Bud damaged plants were not statistically different from untreated controls. The number of developed capitula was reduced 67% by mowing but was unaffected by bud damage. Mowed plants redistributed resources from root to flower production. Both treatments reduced mean capitulum diameter. This resulted in reductions of 76% and 21% in estimated seed number for mowed and bud damaged plants respectively. Root abundance decreased and root life‐span was reduced by both treatments. Soil moisture depletion was greatest from mid‐May to mid‐July (from 21% to 9%) and occurred after maximum root abundance. Mowing resulted in a delay in soil moisture depletion compared with the bud damaged plants or the untreated controls. Bud/capitula damage did not affect C. solstitialis's requirement for soil water. Overall, this study supported the hypothesis that mowing reduced C. solstitialis growth and reproduction more than bud damage alone. This information will aid managers in selecting a strategy for managing C. solstitialis in a particular habitat.
Flow Patterns in High Pressure Steam Turbines During Low-Load Operation
Authors: Binner Matthias , Seume Joerg R.
Published: November 2013

Due to the legislative efforts of promoting renewable energy sources, electricity from these sources is preferentially fed into the electrical grid. This requires more frequent part- and low-load operation of peak- and even of base-load power plants to compensate for the varying energy output of renewable energy sources. These requirements ultimately lead to an increased part- and low-load operation not only of low pressure (LP) steam turbines but also of high pressure (HP) steam turbines, putting them at risk of damage due to windage, i.e., strongly separated flow with associated heat generation. For the first time measurements of the steady-state flow field in a 7-stage model air turbine with a modern HP steam turbine blading are conducted in order to extend the understanding of the part- and low-load operation from LP to HP steam turbines. In comparison with LP steam turbines, similar flow fields develop during windage. However, differences exist especially concerning the vortex development in front of the turbine vane rows. The present, geometrically realistic 7-stage turbine, unlike other turbines investigated before, does not show these vortices, which is explained by the shape of the vane passages of this turbine blading. Furthermore, steady-state flow field measurements at different rotor speeds show that the flow coefficient can be used as a nondimensional parameter for maintaining flow field similarity even in part- or low-load operation. Additionally, unsteady circumferential pressure measurements show the existence of pressure perturbations moving circumferentially in front of the stage 7 blades. Seven pressure perturbations moving at 60% of the rotor speed are identified. Due to the shrouded design of the HP steam turbine blading used, the pressure perturbations are not due to tip leakage vortices. Hence, they are identified as features which are similar to “Rotating Stall” cells known from compressors.
Wear and Friction of Diamondlike-Carbon Coated and Uncoated Steel Roller Bearings Under High Contact Pressure Oil Lubricated Rolling/Sliding Conditions
Authors: Dearnley P. A. , Elwafi A. M. , Chittenden R. J. , Barton D. C.
Published: November 2013

Diamondlike-carbon (DLC) coatings have received a lot of research attention by physicists and engineers, especially in the past 25 years. Attempts to use such materials in tribological applications have achieved variable success. The rationale for this work was to investigate the wear durability of three types of DLC coatings applied to hardened and tempered bearing steel and subject them to realistic high pressure cyclic loading under oil lubricated conditions for long duration. A thrust bearing design was deployed for this purpose. The wear and friction behavior of the DLC coated materials relative to uncoated materials was compared when using base (additive free) oils and typical autoengine formulated oils. The type of oil used made no difference to the dynamic friction and oil temperature for all the material and oil combinations used. Durability of the coated and uncoated roller bearings was determined by the type of material. For the uncoated bearings, life was limited after very many test cycles (approaching a billion) via classical rolling contact fatigue pitting. For all the DLC coated rollers life was governed by wear of their coatings. In the case of the tungsten doped DLCs (a-C:H:W), these were worn progressively and uniformly via microabrasion, whereas the nondoped ta-C and a-C DLC coatings were principally worn via delamination and tearing. The latter effect was relatively rapid and was considered to be initiated by blistering of the coating, a process that was probably driven by the high elastic energy/internal stress within the nondoped coating materials. The durability to delamination and tearing of the ta-C coatings was slightly lowered in formulated oil compared to tests made in base oil. Overall, for the test conditions used here, there was no apparent benefit in using DLC coatings.
Using split-ring resonators to measure the electromagnetic properties of materials: An experiment for senior physics undergraduates
Authors: Bobowski J. S.
Published: November 2013

A spilt-ring resonator experiment suitable for senior physics undergraduates is described and demonstrated in detail. The apparatus consists of a conducting hollow cylinder with a narrow slit along its length and can be accurately modelled as a series LRC circuit. The resonance frequency and quality factor of the split-ring resonator are measured when the apparatus is suspended in air, submerged in water, and submerged in an aqueous solution of various concentrations of NaCl. The experimental results are used to extract the dielectric constant of water and to investigate the dependence of the resonator quality factor on the conductivity of the NaCl solution. The apparatus provides opportunities to experimentally examine radiative losses, complex permittivity, the electromagnetic skin depth, and cutoff frequencies of rf propagation in cylindrical waveguides, which are all concepts introduced in an undergraduate course in electrodynamics. To connect with current research, the use of split-ring resonators as a tool to precisely measure the electromagnetic properties of materials is emphasized.
Instructional Complexity and the Science to Constrain It
Authors: Koedinger Kenneth R. , Booth Julie L. , Klahr David
Published: November 2013

School-researcher partnerships and large in vivo experiments help focus on useful, effective, instruction.
Constraints on the Late Holocene Anthropogenic Contribution to the Atmospheric Methane Budget
Authors: Mitchell Logan , Brook Ed , Lee James E. , Buizert Christo , Sowers Todd
Published: November 2013

Bipolar Signature

Atmospheric methane has increased approximately 2.5-fold since the start of the industrial revolution, a consequence of human activity. However, a smaller and more gradual rise began around 6000 years ago, near the time when human agriculture began to develop and expand.

Mitchell
et al.

(p.
964
) present two, high-resolution ice core methane records of the past 2500 years, one from each pole. Methane emissions were primarily from the tropics, with secondary contributions from the higher latitudes where most humans lived. Thus, both natural and human sources are needed to explain the late-Holocene atmospheric methane record.
Running in Social Media Circles
Status Update
Celebrity, Publicity, and Branding in the Social Media Age

by Alice E. Marwick

Yale University Press, New Haven, CT, 2013. 368 pp. $27.50, £17.99. ISBN 9780300176728.
Authors: Dutton William H.
Published: November 2013

Marwick provides an embedded ethologist's account of "how, and why, social media---or Web 2.0---produce subjects" who she finds to be "ideal neoliberal selves."
When Mice Mislead
Authors: Couzin-Frankel Jennifer
Published: November 2013

Tackling a long-standing disconnect between animal and human studies, some charge that animal researchers need stricter safeguards and better statistics to ensure their science is solid.
The Macrophage Galactose-Type Lectin Can Function as an Attachment and Entry Receptor for Influenza Virus
Authors: Ng Wy Ching , Liong Stella , Tate Michelle D. , Irimura Tatsuro , Denda-Nagai Kaori , Brooks Andrew G. , Londrigan Sarah L. , Reading Patrick C.
Published: November 2013

Specific protein receptors that mediate internalization and entry of influenza A virus (IAV) have not been identified for any cell type. Sialic acid (SIA), the primary attachment factor for IAV hemagglutinin, is expressed by numerous cell surface glycoproteins and glycolipids, confounding efforts to identify specific receptors involved in virus infection. Lec1 Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) epithelial cells express cell surface SIA and bind IAV yet are largely resistant to infection. Here, we demonstrate that expression of the murine macrophage galactose-type lectin 1 (MGL1) by Lec1 cells enhanced Ca2+-dependent IAV binding and restored permissivity to infection. Lec1 cells expressing MGL1 were infected in the presence or absence of cell surface SIA, indicating that MGL1 can act as a primary receptor or as a coreceptor with SIA. Lec1 cells expressing endocytosis-deficient MGL1 mediated Ca2+-dependent IAV binding but were less sensitive to IAV infection, indicating that direct internalization via MGL1 can result in cellular infection. Together, these studies identify MGL1 as a cell surface glycoprotein that can act as an authentic receptor for both attachment and infectious entry of IAV.
Evolutionary Conservation of Primate Lymphocryptovirus MicroRNA Targets
Authors: Skalsky Rebecca L. , Kang Dong , Linnstaedt Sarah D. , Cullen Bryan R.
Published: November 2013

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and rhesus lymphocryptovirus (rLCV) are closely related gammaherpesviruses in the lymphocryptovirus subgroup that express viral microRNAs (miRNAs) during latent infection. In addition to many host mRNAs, EBV miRNAs are known to target latent viral transcripts, specifically those encoding LMP1, BHRF1, and EBNA2. The mRNA targets of rLCV miRNAs have not been investigated. Using luciferase reporter assays, photoactivatable cross-linking and immunoprecipitation (PAR-CLIP), and deep sequencing, we demonstrate that posttranscriptional regulation of LMP1 expression is a conserved function of lymphocryptovirus miRNAs. Furthermore, the mRNAs encoding the rLCV EBNA2 and BHRF1 homologs are regulated by miRNAs in rLCV-infected B cells. Homologous to sites in the EBV LMP1 and BHRF1 3′-untranslated regions (UTRs), we also identified evolutionarily conserved binding sites for the cellular miR-17/20/106 family in the LMP1 and BHRF1 3′UTRs of several primate LCVs. Finally, we investigated the functional consequences of LMP1 targeting by individual EBV BART miRNAs and show that select viral miRNAs play a role in the previously observed modulation of NF-κB activation.
Bacteriophage mv4 Site-Specific Recombination: the Central Role of the P2
mv4
Int-Binding Site
Authors: Coddeville Michèle , Spinella Jean-François , Cassart Pauline , Girault Guillaume , Daveran-Mingot Marie-Line , Le Bourgeois Pascal , Ritzenthaler Paul
Published: November 2013

The contributions of the five
mv4
Int- and two
mv4
Xis arm-binding sites to the spatial intasome organization of bacteriophage mv4 were found not to be equivalent. The 8-bp overlap region was mapped to the left extremity of the core region and is directly flanked by the P2 Int arm-binding site. These results and the absence of characteristic Int core-binding sites suggest that the P2 site is the determinant for integrase positioning and recognition of the core region.
Insights into the Complexity and Functionality of Hepatitis C Virus NS5A Phosphorylation
Authors: Ross-Thriepland Douglas , Harris Mark
Published: November 2013

The hepatitis C virus nonstructural NS5A protein has roles in genome replication, virus assembly, and modulation of host pathways. NS5A is a phosphoprotein, and it has been proposed that differential phosphorylation could regulate the various roles of the protein. By SDS-PAGE, two forms of NS5A with distinct apparent molecular weights can be observed, referred to as basally phosphorylated and hyperphosphorylated species. However, the sites of phosphorylation on these two species have not been unequivocally identified, hampering our understanding of the function and regulation of NS5A. To address this, we purified tagged NS5A from cells harboring a replicating subgenomic replicon and analyzed the purified protein by mass spectrometry. We identified six peptide fragments containing 12 phosphorylated residues and were able to assign four of these to serines 146, 222, and 225 and threonine 348. A serine-rich peptide fragment spanning residues 221 to 240 was highly phosphorylated. Using mutagenesis, we identified roles for a subset of these phosphoacceptors in virus genome replication. We further showed that phosphorylation at S146 regulates hyperphosphorylation, and by generating a phospho-specific antibody targeted to pS222, we identified that S222 phosphorylation predominates in the hyperphosphorylated species. Last, by introducing phosphomimetic mutations across residues 221 to 240, we demonstrated changes in the mobility of the basally phosphorylated species suggestive of a sequential phosphorylation cascade within this serine-rich cluster. We propose that this regulation could drive a conformational switch between the dimeric structures of NS5A and could also explain the different functions of the protein in the virus life cycle.