bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dysidaminones A–M, cytotoxic and NF-κB inhibitory sesquiterpene aminoquinones from the South China Sea sponge Dysidea fragilis
Authors: Jiao Wei-Hua , Xu Ting-Ting , Yu Hao-Bing , Mu Feng-Rong , Li Jia , Li Yu-Shan , Yang Fan , Han Bing-Nan , Lin Hou-Wen
Published: January 2014

Structural determination, absolute configuration assignments, and biological activities of new sesquiterpene aminoquinones from Dysidea fragilis.
A simple way to achieve superhydrophobicity, controllable water adhesion, anisotropic sliding, and anisotropic wetting based on femtosecond-laser-induced line-patterned surfaces
Authors: Yong Jiale , Yang Qing , Chen Feng , Zhang Dongshi , Farooq Umar , Du Guangqing , Hou Xun
Published: January 2014

A method to realize the superhydrophobicity, controllable adhesion, anisotropic sliding, and anisotropic wetting by a femtosecond-laser-induced line-patterned PDMS surface.
Mapping the reactions of hexavalent chromium [Cr(vi)] in iron nanoparticles using spherical aberration corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy (Cs-STEM)
Authors: Ling Lan , Zhang Wei-xian
Published: January 2014

Mapping Cr(VI) reactions within nanoscale zero-valent iron.
C-terminal peptides modelling constitutive PrPC processing demonstrate ameliorated toxicity predisposition consequent to α-cleavage
Authors: Johanssen Vanessa A. , Johanssen Timothy , Masters Colin L. , Hill Andrew F. , Barnham Kevin J. , Collins Steven J.
Published: January 2014

Misfolding of PrPC (cellular prion protein) to β-strand-rich conformations constitutes a key event in prion disease pathogenesis. PrPC can undergo either of two constitutive endoproteolytic events known as α- and β-cleavage, yielding C-terminal fragments known as C1 and C2 respectively. It is unclear whether C-terminal fragments generated through α- and β-cleavage, especially C2, influence pathogenesis directly. Consequently, we compared the biophysical properties and neurotoxicity of recombinant human PrP fragments recapitulating α- and β-cleavage, namely huPrP-(112–231) (equating to C1) and huPrP-(90–231) (equating to C2). Under conditions we employed, huPrP-(112–231) could not be induced to fold into a β-stranded isoform and neurotoxicity was not a feature for monomeric or multimeric assemblies. In contrast, huPrP-(90–231) easily adopted a β-strand conformation, demonstrated considerable thermostability and was toxic to neurons. Synthetic PrP peptides modelled on α- and β-cleavage of the unique Y145STOP (Tyr145→stop) mutant prion protein corroborated the differential toxicity observed for recombinant huPrP-(112–231) and huPrP-(90–231) and suggested that the persistence of soluble oligomeric β-strand-rich conformers was required for significant neurotoxicity. Our results additionally indicate that α- and β-cleavage of PrPC generate biophysically and biologically non-equivalent C-terminal fragments and that C1 generated through α-cleavage appears to be pathogenesis-averse.
Reaction automata working in sequential manner
Authors: Okubo Fumiya
Published: January 2014

Based on the formal framework of reaction systems by Ehrenfeucht and Rozenberg
[Fund. Inform. 75 (2007) 263–280], reaction automata (RAs)
have been introduced by Okubo et al. [Theoret. Comput. Sci.
429 (2012) 247–257], as language acceptors with multiset rewriting
mechanism. In this paper, we continue the investigation of RAs with a focus on the two
manners of rule application: maximally parallel and sequential. Considering restrictions
on the workspace and the λ-input mode, we introduce the corresponding
variants of RAs and investigate their computation powers. In order to explore Turing
machines (TMs) that correspond to RAs, we also introduce a new variant of TMs with
restricted workspace, called s(n)-restricted TMs. The
main results include the following: (i) for a language L and a function
s(n), L is accepted by an
s(n)-bounded RA with λ-input mode in
sequential manner if and only if L is accepted by a
log s(n)-bounded one-way TM; (ii) if a language
L is accepted by a linear-bounded RA in sequential manner, then
L is also accepted by a P automaton [Csuhaj−Varju and Vaszil, vol. 2597
of Lect. Notes Comput. Sci. Springer (2003) 219–233.] in sequential
manner; (iii) the class of languages accepted by linear-bounded RAs in maximally parallel
manner is incomparable to the class of languages accepted by RAs in sequential manner.
The availability of noun properties during the interpretation of novel noun phrases
Authors: Gagné Christina L. , Spalding Thomas L.
Published: January 2014

The current experiments examine whether recent exposure to a modifier-noun phrase (e.g., unripe peaches) affects the representation of the head noun (e.g, peach). Experiment 1 demonstrates that a property true of the head noun (e.g, sweet) takes longer to verify when preceded by a phrase for which this property is not true (e.g., unripe peaches) than by a phrase for which the property remains true (e.g., orchard peaches). Experiment 2 replicates this finding and, in addition, demonstrates that properties that remain true of both prime phrases (e.g., fuzzy) are equally available during the processing of the head noun. These findings suggest that interpreting a modifier-noun phrase affects the head noun’s representation such that properties that are incompatible with the entire phrase temporarily become less available during subsequent processing of the head noun than do properties that remain compatible with the phrase.
LINGUA
Authors: Westbury Chris , Hollis Geoff , Shaoul Cyrus
Published: January 2014

LINGUA (Language-Independent Neighbourhood Generator of the University of Alberta) is a free, platform-independent (Java) program consisting of a set of tools that have been developed for three purposes: to turn corpora into frequency dictionaries; to calculate orthographic neighbourhood and N-gram counts; and to generate plausible nonwords in an algorithmic way. As its name suggests, it has been specifically developed to be language-independent, and is able to handle input corpora in a wide range of text encodings. In this article we describe the LINGUA tools and how to use them. Since LINGUA requires a large corpus, we also include a tutorial describing in detail how to develop a corpus in a specific language by harvesting text from the World Wide Web. LINGUA is freely available from: http://www.psych.ualberta.ca/~westburylab/
War, language removal and self-identification in the linguistic landscapes of Nagorno-Karabakh
Authors: Muth Sebastian
Published: January 2014

The disintegration of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) resulted in demographic shifts and drew new boundaries in a once borderless region. The South Caucasus, an area that has been characterized by its linguistic diversity witnessed one of the most destructive interethnic wars in the former USSR. Fought between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the Armenian enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh, it resulted in the removal of the Azerbaijani population. Two decades later the political status of the self-declared Nagorno-Karabakh Republic remains unresolved, but apparently a new linguistic self-identity of the population takes shape. While possibilities for extensive sociolinguistic research are limited, linguistic landscape research provides insights into patterns of individual and public language use. This paper analyzes the linguistic landscapes of Stepanakert, the capital of Nagorno-Karabakh, and establishes functional domains of the languages visible. Furthermore, it traces remnants of an Azerbaijani linguistic landscape in abandoned settlements and documents patterns of language use in rural parts of the territory. The demographic situation suggests a majority of Armenians, yet the results point toward a bilingual situation with Russian as a language of wider communication. On the other hand, the study shows the link between the removal of Azerbaijani from the public sphere and the eradication of Azerbaijani culture.
Knowledge and the curriculum
Authors: Scott David
Published: January 2014

The article focuses on knowledge and how it relates to the school curriculum. This means that a reason (or reasons) for designating knowledge as the central dimension of the curriculum has to be provided. Two reason‐giving arguments can be invoked to support this proposition. The first is to conceptualise learning as an epistemic activity, and the second is to suggest that those curriculum ideologies which marginalise knowledge are deficient or inadequate. It is then necessary to determine what this knowledge‐producing activity is, and to distinguish it from those curriculum ideologies which purport to prioritise knowledge but rarely achieve their aim. The issues of how knowledge is transformed at the pedagogic and evaluative sites, and the relationship between these three sites, are also briefly addressed.
Drivers of change in landholder capacity to manage natural resources
Authors: Jacobs Brent C. , Brown Peter R.
Published: January 2014

A program to monitor the capacity for improved natural resource management (NRM) of land managers was implemented under a state-scale monitoring, evaluation and reporting (MER) strategy. We demonstrate detection of change in natural resource (NR) manager capacity by reassessing two groups of landholders at different locations in New South Wales (NSW), Australia that had previously participated in a baseline assessment of capacity for state-wide MER purposes. NR manager capacity in NSW over three years responded to the external influences of the end of a long-term drought, to changes in institutional arrangements that altered the way NRM funding was distributed to regions by the Australian Government and to local investment in capacity building.
Reduced BMPR2 expression induces GM-CSF translation and macrophage recruitment in humans and mice to exacerbate pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Sawada Hirofumi , Saito Toshie , Nickel Nils P. , Alastalo Tero-Pekka , Glotzbach Jason P. , Chan Roshelle , Haghighat Leila , Fuchs Gabriele , Januszyk Michael , Cao Aiqin , Lai Ying-Ju , Perez Vinicio de Jesus , Kim Yu-Mee , Wang Lingli , Chen Pin-I , Spiekerkoetter Edda , Mitani Yoshihide , Gurtner Geoffrey C. , Sarnow Peter , Rabinovitch Marlene
Published: January 2014

Idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH [IPAH]) is an insidious and potentially fatal disease linked to a mutation or reduced expression of bone morphogenetic protein receptor 2 (BMPR2). Because intravascular inflammatory cells are recruited in IPAH pathogenesis, we hypothesized that reduced BMPR2 enhances production of the potent chemokine granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in response to an inflammatory perturbation. When human pulmonary artery (PA) endothelial cells deficient in BMPR2 were stimulated with tumor necrosis factor (TNF), a twofold increase in GM-CSF was observed and related to enhanced messenger RNA (mRNA) translation. The mechanism was associated with disruption of stress granule formation. Specifically, loss of BMPR2 induced prolonged phospho-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in response to TNF, and this increased GADD34–PP1 phosphatase activity, dephosphorylating eukaryotic translation initiation factor (eIF2α), and derepressing GM-CSF mRNA translation. Lungs from IPAH patients versus unused donor controls revealed heightened PA expression of GM-CSF co-distributing with increased TNF and expanded populations of hematopoietic and endothelial GM-CSF receptor α (GM-CSFRα)–positive cells. Moreover, a 3-wk infusion of GM-CSF in mice increased hypoxia-induced PAH, in association with increased perivascular macrophages and muscularized distal arteries, whereas blockade of GM-CSF repressed these features. Thus, reduced BMPR2 can subvert a stress granule response, heighten GM-CSF mRNA translation, increase inflammatory cell recruitment, and exacerbate PAH.
Veech holomorphic families of Riemann surfaces, holomorphic sections, and Diophantine problems
Authors: Shinomiya Yoshihiko
Published: January 2014

In this paper, we construct holomorphic families of Riemann surfaces from Veech groups and characterize their holomorphic sections by some points of corresponding flat surfaces. The construction gives us concrete solutions for some Diophantine equations over function fields. Moreover, we give upper bounds of the number of holomorphic sections of certain holomorphic families of Riemann surfaces.
Engineering of a conditional allele reveals multiple roles of XRN2 in Caenorhabditis elegans development and substrate specificity in microRNA turnover
Authors: Miki Takashi S. , Rüegger Stefan , Gaidatzis Dimos , Stadler Michael B. , Großhans Helge
Published: January 2014

Although XRN2 proteins are highly conserved eukaryotic 5′→3′ exonucleases, little is known about their function in animals. Here, we characterize Caenorhabditis elegans XRN2, which we find to be a broadly and constitutively expressed nuclear protein. An xrn-2 null mutation or loss of XRN2 catalytic activity causes a molting defect and early larval arrest. However, by generating a conditionally mutant xrn-2ts strain de novo through an approach that may be also applicable to other genes of interest, we reveal further functions in fertility, during embryogenesis and during additional larval stages. Consistent with the known role of XRN2 in controlling microRNA (miRNA) levels, we can demonstrate that loss of XRN2 activity stabilizes some rapidly decaying miRNAs. Surprisingly, however, other miRNAs continue to decay rapidly in xrn-2ts animals. Thus, XRN2 has unanticipated miRNA specificity in vivo, and its diverse developmental functions may relate to distinct substrates. Finally, our global analysis of miRNA stability during larval stage 1 reveals that miRNA passenger strands (miR*s) are substantially less stable than guide strands (miRs), supporting the notion that the former are mostly byproducts of biogenesis rather than a less abundant functional species.
Zebrafish forebrain and temporal conditioning
Authors: Cheng Ruey-Kuang , Jesuthasan Suresh J. , Penney Trevor B.
Published: January 2014

The rise of zebrafish as a neuroscience research model organism, in conjunction with recent progress in single-cell resolution whole-brain imaging of larval zebrafish, opens a new window of opportunity for research on interval timing. In this article, we review zebrafish neuroanatomy and neuromodulatory systems, with particular focus on identifying homologies between the zebrafish forebrain and the mammalian forebrain. The neuroanatomical and neurochemical basis of interval timing is summarized with emphasis on the potential of using zebrafish to reveal the neural circuits for interval timing. The behavioural repertoire of larval zebrafish is reviewed and we demonstrate that larval zebrafish are capable of expecting a stimulus at a precise time point with minimal training. In conclusion, we propose that interval timing research using zebrafish and whole-brain calcium imaging at single-cell resolution will contribute to our understanding of how timing and time perception originate in the vertebrate brain from the level of single cells to circuits.
Zrf1 is required to establish and maintain neural progenitor identity
Authors: Aloia Luigi , Di Stefano Bruno , Sessa Alessandro , Morey Lluis , Santanach Alexandra , Gutierrez Arantxa , Cozzuto Luca , Benitah Salvador Aznar , Graf Thomas , Broccoli Vania , Di Croce Luciano
Published: January 2014

The molecular mechanisms underlying specification from embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and maintenance of neural progenitor cells (NPCs) are largely unknown. Recently, we reported that the Zuotin-related factor 1 (Zrf1) is necessary for chromatin displacement of the Polycomb-repressive complex 1 (PRC1). We found that Zrf1 is required for NPC specification from ESCs and that it promotes the expression of NPC markers, including the key regulator Pax6. Moreover, Zrf1 is essential to establish and maintain Wnt ligand expression levels, which are necessary for NPC self-renewal. Reactivation of proper Wnt signaling in Zrf1-depleted NPCs restores Pax6 expression and the self-renewal capacity. ESC-derived NPCs in vitro resemble most of the characteristics of the self-renewing NPCs located in the developing embryonic cortex, which are termed radial glial cells (RGCs). Depletion of Zrf1 in vivo impairs the expression of key self-renewal regulators and Wnt ligand genes in RGCs. Thus, we demonstrate that Zrf1 plays an essential role in NPC generation and maintenance.
Mechanical motion promotes expression of Prg4 in articular cartilage via multiple CREB-dependent, fluid flow shear stress-induced signaling pathways
Authors: Ogawa Hiroyasu , Kozhemyakina Elena , Hung Han-Hwa , Grodzinsky Alan J. , Lassar Andrew B.
Published: January 2014

Lubricin is a secreted proteoglycan encoded by thePrg4locus that is abundantly expressed by superficial zone articular chondrocytes and has been noted to both be sensitive to mechanical loading and protect against the development of osteoarthritis. In this study, we document that running induces maximal expression ofPrg4in the superficial zone of knee joint articular cartilage in a COX-2-dependent fashion, which correlates with augmented levels of phospho-S133 CREB and increased nuclear localization of CREB-regulated transcriptional coactivators (CRTCs) in this tissue. Furthermore, we found that fluid flow shear stress (FFSS) increases secretion of extracellular PGE2, PTHrP, and ATP (by epiphyseal chondrocytes), which together engage both PKA- and Ca++-regulated signaling pathways that work in combination to promote CREB-dependent induction of Prg4, specifically in superficial zone articular chondrocytes. Because running and FFSS both boost Prg4 expression in a COX-2-dependent fashion, our results suggest that mechanical motion may induce Prg4 expression in the superficial zone of articular cartilage by engaging the same signaling pathways activated in vitro by FFSS that promote CREB-dependent gene expression in this tissue.
Why model assumptions matter for natural resource management: interactions between model structure and life histories in fishery models
Authors: Hoshino Eriko , Milner‐Gulland E.J. , Hillary Richard M.
Published: January 2014

Bioeconomic models are increasingly used to provide benchmarks for harvest levels in wildlife and natural resource management, yet uncertainties related to model structure are underexplored. We investigate the importance of a range of uncertainties with a focus on model structure and life histories when estimating bioeconomic target reference point (TRPs) and assess the policy implications of ignoring these uncertainties.

We use three contrasting case studies to investigate the interactions between model, observational and process errors related to life‐history parameters: the short‐lived Japanese common squid Todarodes pacificus and Pacific saury Cololabis saira, and the slow‐growing Patagonian toothfish Dissostichus eleginoides. We developed a simulation framework to test the harvest strategies resulting from bioeconomic TRPs under various assumptions about model structures and parameters.

We found the relative importance of different types of uncertainties affecting precision and accuracy of the model outputs varied according to the life‐history traits. Little difference in TRP estimates was found between simple vs. complex population models for saury, while large differences were found for toothfish. The assumptions made about stock structure for squid not only resulted in different TRP estimates (generally, smaller for the multistock models), but also different economic outcomes depending on the balance of effort allocation between stocks.

Synthesis and applications. We use models similar to those used in the actual management of three case study species to explore the effects of interacting uncertainties on the management advice. We show that the interactions between structural elements of the models lead to very different management advice, depending on the life history of the species concerned. For the long‐lived toothfish, life‐history and gear selectivity parameters interacted strongly. For the short‐lived squid which is managed as two stocks, spatial fishing effort allocation, correlation of environmental drivers between stocks and differential stock productivity interacted, producing very poor economic performance if assumptions about stock structure are incorrect. The key message for model‐based natural resource management is that it is vital to investigate the major uncertainties related to model structure, process and estimation errors simultaneously, because they interact to produce non‐intuitive results.
Evidence of distinct pathways for bacterial degradation of the steroid compound cholate suggests the potential for metabolic interactions by interspecies cross‐feeding
Authors: Holert Johannes , Yücel Onur , Suvekbala Vemparthan , Kulić Žarko , Möller Heiko , Philipp Bodo
Published: January 2014

The distribution and the metabolic pathways of bacteria degrading steroid compounds released by eukaryotic organisms were investigated using the bile salt cholate as model substrate. Cholate‐degrading bacteria could be readily isolated from freshwater environments. All isolated strains transiently released steroid degradation intermediates into culture supernatants before their further degradation. Cholate degradation could be initiated via two different reaction sequences. Most strains degraded cholate via a reaction sequence known from the model organism Pseudomonas sp. strain Chol1 releasing intermediates with a 3‐keto‐Δ1,4‐diene structure of the steroid skeleton. The actinobacterium Dietzia sp. strain Chol2 degraded cholate via a different and yet unexplored reaction sequence releasing intermediates with a 3‐keto‐Δ4,6‐diene‐7‐deoxy structure of the steroid skeleton such as 3,12‐dioxo‐4,6‐choldienoic acid (DOCDA). Using DOCDA as substrate, two Alphaproteobacteria, strains Chol10–11, were isolated that produced the same cholate degradation intermediates as strain Chol2. With DOCDA as substrate for Pseudomonas sp. strain Chol1 only the side chain was degraded while the ring system was transformed into novel steroid compounds accumulating as dead‐end metabolites. These metabolites could be degraded by the DOCDA‐producing strains Chol10–11. These results indicate that bacteria with potentially different pathways for cholate degradation coexist in natural habitats and may interact via interspecies cross‐feeding.
Presuming the influence of the media: teenagers' constructions of gender identity through sexual/romantic relationships and alcohol consumption
Authors: Hartley Jane E K , Wight Daniel , Hunt Kate
Published: January 2014

Using empirical data from group discussions and in‐depth interviews with 13 to 15‐year olds in Scotland, this study explores how teenagers’ alcohol drinking and sexual/romantic relationships were shaped by their quest for appropriate gendered identities. In this, they acknowledged the influence of the media, but primarily in relation to others, not to themselves, thereby supporting Milkie's ‘presumed media influence’ theory. Media portrayals of romantic/sexual relationships appeared to influence teenagers’ constructions of gender‐appropriate sexual behaviour more than did media portrayals of drinking behaviour, perhaps because the teenagers had more firsthand experience of observing drinking than of observing sexual relationships. Presumed media influence may be less influential if one has experience of the behaviour portrayed. Drinking and sexual behaviour were highly interrelated: sexual negotiation and activities were reportedly often accompanied by drinking. For teenagers, being drunk or, importantly, pretending to be drunk, may be a useful way to try out what they perceived to be gender‐appropriate identities. In sum, teenagers’ drinking and sexual/romantic relationships are primary ways in which they do gender and the media's influence on their perceptions of appropriate gendered behaviour is mediated through peer relationships.
A socially situated approach to inform ways to improve health and wellbeing
Authors: Horrocks Christine , Johnson Sally
Published: January 2014

Mainstream health psychology supports neoliberal notions of health promotion in which self‐management is central. The emphasis is on models that explain behaviour as individually driven and cognitively motivated, with health beliefs framed as the favoured mechanisms to target in order to bring about change to improve health. Utilising understandings exemplified in critical health psychology, we take a more socially situated approach, focusing on practicing health, the rhetoric of modernisation in UK health care and moves toward democratisation. While recognising that within these new ways of working there are opportunities for empowerment and user‐led health care, there are other implications. How these changes link to simplistic cognitive behavioural ideologies of health promotion and rational decision‐making is explored. Utilising two different empirical studies, this article highlights how self‐management and expected compliance with governmental authority in relation to health practices position not only communities that experience multiple disadvantage but also more seemingly privileged social actors. The article presents a challenge to self‐management and informed choice, in which the importance of navigational networks is evident. Because health care can become remote and inaccessible to certain sections of the community, yet pervasive and deterministic for others, we need multiple levels of analysis and different forms of action.
Effect of Risk Information Exposure on Consumers’ Responses to Foods with Insect Contamination
Authors: Kimura Atsushi , Magariyama Yukio , Miyanoshita Akihiro , Imamura Taro , Shichiri Kumiko , Masuda Tomohiro , Wada Yuji
Published: January 2014

This study explores the impact that scientific information about insect contamination of food has on consumer perceptions. Participants (n = 320, Japanese consumers) were randomly assigned to 1 of 8 information‐type conditions: (1) information about insect type, (2) information about contamination processes, (3) information about the safety of contaminated food, (4, 5, 6) combinations of 2 of (1), (2), and (3) above, (7) all information, and (8) no‐information, and asked to rate their valuation, behavioral intention, and attitude toward food with insect contamination. Results demonstrated that some combinations of scientific information that include the safety of the contaminated food are effective to reduce consumers’ compulsive rejection of insect contamination in food, whereas the single presentation of information about insect type increases consumers’ explicit rejection of both the contaminated product and the manufacturer. These findings have implications for the coordination of risk communication strategies.
Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy as an Alternative to Determine Dielectric Constant of Potatoes at Various Moisture Contents
Authors: Chee Grace , Rungraeng Natthakan , Han Jung H. , Jun Soojin
Published: January 2014

The dielectric (DE) properties, specifically the DE constant (ε′) and loss factor (ε′′), were measured for vacuum‐dried and freeze‐dried potato samples at a microwave frequency of 2.45 GHz over a range of different moisture contents (MCs) using a DE probe and also a 2‐probe electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Third‐order polynomial models (ε′ = f1(MC); and ε′′ = f2(MC)) at room temperature were developed for regression analysis. Additionally, at various temperatures (T), biphasic 3rd‐order polynomial models (ε′ = f1(MC, T); and ε′′ = f2(MC, T)) were obtained to determine ε′ and ε′′ as a function of MC and T using measured data. The vacuum‐dried potato sample showed a good fitness of ε′ and ε′′ (R2 = 0.95 and 0.96, respectively) to the regression model with the range of MCs from 18% to 80% (w/w), while the freeze‐dried potato sample showed a good fitness of ε′ and ε′′ to the 1st‐phase regression model with MC < 50% w/w (R2 = 0.95 and 0.96, respectively) and the 2nd‐phase regression model with MC > 50% w/w (R2 = 0.94 to 0.96). EIS measurements were also used to obtain correlation impedances for ε′ and ε′′ determined by the DE probe method. The resulted regression analysis meets the demands for simple, rapid, and accurate assessment for transient values of ε′ and ε′′ of food products during dehydration/drying processes. The EIS method was verified to be a successful alternative to direct measurements of ε′ and ε′′.
Genomic analysis of the differential response to experimental infection with porcine circovirus 2b
Authors: McKnite A. M. , Bundy J. W. , Moural T. W. , Tart J. K. , Johnson T. P. , Jobman E. E. , Barnes S. Y. , Qiu J. K. , Peterson D. A. , Harris S. P. , Rothschild M. F. , Galeota J. A. , Johnson R. K. , Kachman S. D. , Ciobanu D. C.
Published: January 2014

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is the etiological agent of a group of associated diseases (PCVAD) that affect production efficiency and can lead to mortality. Using different crossbred lines of pigs, we analyzed host genetic variation of viral load, immune response and weight change following experimental infection with a PCV2b strain (n = 386). Pigs expressed variation in the magnitude and initiation of viremia and immune response recorded weekly until 28 days post‐infection. A higher viral load was correlated with weight gain (r = −0.26, P < 0.0001) and presence of PCV2‐specific antibodies (IgM, r = 0.26–0.34, P < 0.0001; IgG, r = 0.17–0.20, P < 0.01). In genome‐wide association analyses of the responses at different time points, the proportions of phenotypic variation explained by combined effects of 56 433 SNPs were 34.8–59.4% for viremia, 10.1–59.5% for antibody response and 5.6–14.9% for weight change. Relationships between genomic prediction of overall viral load and weight gain during the first weeks of challenge were negative (−0.21 and −0.24 respectively, P < 0.0001). Individuals that carried more favorable alleles across three SNPs on SSC9 (0.60 Mb) and SSC12 (6.8 and 18.2 Mb) partially explained this relationship, having lower viral load (P < 0.0001); lower viremia at day 14 (P < 0.0001), day 21 (P < 0.01) and day 28 (P < 0.05) and greater overall average daily gain during infection (ADGi; P < 0.01), ADGi at week 3 (P < 0.001) and week 4 (P < 0.01). These additive genetic relationships could lead to molecular solutions to improve animal health and reduce production costs.
Rhinitis is associated with a greater risk of intermittent claudication in adults
Authors: Ferrari M. , Pesce G. , Marcon A. , Vallerio P. , Fratta Pasini A. M. , de Marco R.
Published: January 2014

Background

Chronic inflammatory airway disorders have been reported to be associated with vascular diseases of the heart and central nervous system, but their association with peripheral arterial disease (PAD), a high‐prevalence vascular illness, has not been investigated.

Objective

To evaluate the association of asthma and rhinitis with intermittent claudication, which is a typical symptom of PAD.

Methods

The data were collected in the gene–environment interaction in respiratory disease survey, a population‐based, multicase–control study. Participants underwent a standardized interview, skin prick tests and pulmonary function tests. The associations between respiratory diseases and intermittent claudication (i.e. pain in the leg during walking that disappears within 10 min when standing still) were estimated through relative risk ratios (RRR) by multinomial logistic regression models.

Results

1174 subjects (aged 20–64 years, of which 52% were females) underwent clinical examinations and were classified into four groups: asthma only (n = 81), asthma–rhinitis overlap (n = 292), rhinitis only (n = 299) and controls (n = 345). The prevalence of intermittent claudication in these groups was, respectively, 2.5%, 3.4%, 6.4% and 2.3%. After adjusting for smoking habits and a wide range of established and potential vascular risk factors, rhinitis without asthma was associated with intermittent claudication (RRR:4.63, 95% CI:1.72–12.5), whereas no significant association was found with asthma alone (RRR:1.45, 95% CI:0.27–7.76) or asthma–rhinitis overlap (RRR:2.89, 95% CI:0.91–9.18). Atopy did not modify the observed association between intermittent claudication and rhinitis.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that rhinitis is associated with PAD, a predictor of future cerebrovascular and cardiovascular events, independently of the presence of atopy.
Intranasal dexmedetomidine following failed chloral hydrate sedation in children
Authors: Li B. L. , Yuen V. M. , Song X. R. , Ye J. , Ni J. , Huang J. X. , Irwin M. G.
Published: January 2014

Chloral hydrate is the most commonly used sedative for paediatric diagnostic procedures in China with a success rate of around 80%. Intranasal dexmedetomidine is used for rescue sedation in our centre. This prospective investigation evaluated 213 children aged one month to 10 years who were not adequately sedated following administration of chloral hydrate. Children were randomly assigned to receive rescue intranasal dexmedetomidine at 1 μg.kg−1 (group 1), 1.5 μg.kg−1 (group 2) or 2 μg.kg−1 (group 3). The sedation level was assessed every 10 min using a modified observer's assessment of alertness/sedation scale. Successful rescue sedation in groups 1, 2 and 3 were 56 (83.6%), 66 (89.2%) and 51 (96.2%), respectively. Increasing the rescue dose was associated with an increased success rate with an odds ratio of 4.12 (95% CI 1.13–14.98), p = 0.032. We conclude that intranasal dexmedetomidine is effective for sedation in children who do not respond to chloral hydrate.
Force of removal for untunnelled, tunnelled and double‐tunnelled peripheral nerve catheters
Authors: Byrne K. P. A. , Freeman V. Y.
Published: January 2014

We compared the force of extraction for peripheral nerve catheters under three different situations in a porcine model using untunnelled, tunnelled and double‐tunnelled catheters. Following insertion of the catheter into the porcine model, the catheters were either left untunnelled or a single or double tunnel was created for the catheter. The force required to displace the catheter by one centimetre was then measured in each of the three groups. The mean (SD) force required for displacement of the catheter was 0.23 (0.06) N for the untunnelled catheters, 1.16 (0.51) N for the single‐tunnelled catheters, and 4.00 (1.70) N for the double‐tunnelled catheters (p < 0.0001). Tunnelling a peripheral nerve catheter leads to a significant increase in the force required for dislodgement. This is increased further by introducing a second tunnel.
Viral suppression in HIV studies: Combining times to suppression and rebound
Authors: Gouskova Natalia A. , Cole Stephen R. , Eron Joseph J. , Fine Jason P.
Published: January 2014

In HIV‐1 clinical trials the interest is often to compare how well treatments suppress the HIV‐1 RNA viral load. The current practice in statistical analysis of such trials is to define a single ad hoc composite event which combines information about both the viral load suppression and the subsequent viral rebound, and then analyze the data using standard univariate survival analysis techniques. The main weakness of this approach is that the results of the analysis can be easily influenced by minor details in the definition of the composite event. We propose a straightforward alternative endpoint based on the probability of being suppressed over time, and suggest that treatment differences be summarized using the restricted mean time a patient spends in the state of viral suppression. A nonparametric analysis is based on methods for multiple endpoint studies. We demonstrate the utility of our analytic strategy using a recent therapeutic trial, in which the protocol specified a primary analysis using a composite endpoint approach.
Renal function evaluation in patients undergoing orthotopic bladder substitution: a systematic review of literature
Authors: Harraz Ahmed M. , Mosbah Ahmed , El‐Assmy Ahmed , Gad Hosam , Shaaban Atallah A.
Published: January 2014

Renal function (RFn) after orthotopic bladder substitution (OBS) is a critical point to be assessed. We performed a systematic review of MEDLINE for full length peer reviewed English articles from the year 2000 till January 2013. We included only original articles and excluded reviews, editorials and replies and abstracts presented in conferences. The outcome is formulated in research questions; what is the status of RFn after OBS? Which is better, the direct free‐refluxing or anti‐refluxing ureteroileal anastomosis (UIA) techniques? Studies reporting RFn as secondary outcome were also reported. A total of 129 publications were reviewed for full text and only 41 were included in this review. All studies were of low level of evidence and grade of recommendations. Only 3 randomized controlled trials were included and were of poor quality. Renal function after OBS was poorly described in the literature with no universal definition about RFn deterioration or outcome with no consensus on the best evaluation method. Urinary obstruction, chemotherapy and pyelonephritis appeared significant factors but with insufficient evidence. There is a universal trend to use the free refluxing technique for UIA to avoid complications of anti‐refluxing techniques. However, the anti‐reflux technique proved acceptable outcome in experienced hands. There is marked heterogeneity and underestimation of RFn evaluation among reported outcomes after OBS with most publications reporting the incidence of UIA and pyelonephritis with paucity reporting absolute figures about RFn measurements. In conclusion, urinary tract obstruction remains the main factor of RFn deterioration after OBS. Methods evaluating RFn, definitions of RFn outcome and factors predicting it are poorly studied in the literature and the current evidence is relatively weak to draw solid conclusions. Further well‐designed studies and consensus about method of assessment and definitions of RFn are warranted.
NON‐RIGID WAGES AND MERGER PROFITABILITY REVERSAL UNDER CONVEX COSTS AND CENTRALIZED UNIONIZATION
Authors: Fanti Luciano , Meccheri Nicola
Published: January 2014

Can a merger from duopoly to monopoly be detrimental for profits? This paper deals with this issue by focusing on the interaction between decreasing returns to labour (which imply firms’ convex costs) and centralized unionization. First, it is highlighted that a wage ‘non‐rigidity’ result applies: the post‐merger wage is higher than in the pre‐merger equilibrium. Second, it is shown that a ‘reversal result’ in relation to merger profitability actually realizes when the union is sufficiently oriented towards wages. Moreover, the higher the reservation wage, the degree of product differentiation, and the union's relative bargaining power, the higher the probability that a merger reduces profits.
Understanding Perceived Trust to Reduce Regret
Authors: Costante Elisa , den Hartog Jerry , Petković Milan
Published: January 2014

Trust is fundamental for promoting the use of online services, such as e‐commerce or e‐health. Understanding how users perceive trust online is a precondition to create trustworthy marketplaces. In this article, we present a domain‐independent general trust perception model that helps us to understand how users make online trust decisions and how we can help them in making the right decisions, which minimize future regret. We also present the results of a user study describing the weight that different factors in the model (e.g., security, look&feel, and privacy) have on perceived trust. The study identifies the existence of a positive correlation between the user's knowledge and the importance placed on factors such as security and privacy. This indicates that the impact factors as security and privacy have on perceived trust is higher in users with higher knowledge.
A SUPER‐AGENT‐BASED FRAMEWORK FOR REPUTATION MANAGEMENT AND COMMUNITY FORMATION IN DECENTRALIZED SYSTEMS
Authors: Wang Yao , Zhang Jie , Vassileva Julita
Published: January 2014

In this article, we propose a novel super‐agent‐based framework for reputation management and community formation in decentralized systems. We describe this framework in the context of Web service selection where agents with more capabilities act as super‐agents. These super‐agents serve as reputation managers to maintain reputation information of services and share the information with other consumer agents that have fewer capabilities than the super‐agents. In addition, super‐agents can maintain communities and build community‐based reputation for a service based on the opinions from all community members that have similar interests and judgement criteria as the super‐agents or the other community members. A practical reward mechanism is also introduced to create incentives for super‐agents to contribute their resources (to maintain reputation and form communities) and provide truthful reputation information. Experimental results obtained through simulation confirm that our approach achieves better effectiveness and scalability compared to the systems that do not use super‐agents and that do not form communities.
Rectus sheath hematoma due to cough in an elderly patient under antiplatelet therapy
Authors: Çoşğun İ. Güven , Ünal Yılmaz , Çetin Mustafa
Published: January 2014

Background and Aims

Abdominal rectus sheath hematoma (ARSH) is a rare clinical condition that can be confused with other causes of acute abdomen.

Methods

We report an 83‐year‐old woman receiving antiplatelet medication who presented with ARSH following a cough episode.

Results

The patient was hospitalized with a diagnosis of acute chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations. During hospital stay, sudden onset abdominal pain was developed following a severe cough episode. Computed tomography of the abdomen revealed ARSH.

Discussion

Rectus sheath hematoma is a rare and often misdiagnosed clinical condition. It is important to be considered for the diagnosis.

Conclusion

ARSH should be considered in case of development of acute abdominal pain following cough in receiving anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy.
IPOP: A Theory of Experience Preference
Authors: Pekarik Andrew J. , Schreiber James B. , Hanemann Nadine , Richmond Kelly , Mogel Barbara
Published: January 2014

The theory and practice of IPOP emerged from structured observations and interviews with visitors to the Smithsonian Institution museums in Washington, D.C. from the 1990s to the present—a dataset useful in constructing a long view. This research has had one overarching intention: to serve museum visitors better, that is, to provide visitors with experiences that are above average, special, significant, and memorable. In numerous studies and interviews during the last 16 years, visitors have repeatedly spoken about their reactions to Smithsonian museum exhibitions in four typologies distilling their primary interests: I = ideas, P = people, O = objects, and—as we were obliged to add at a later stage—a second P for “physical.” The evidence suggests that exhibitions that strongly appeal to all four visitor typologies will be highly successful with visitors.
“What is Less or More than a Touch?” Multimedia Classics and Hypermedia Hermeneutics
Authors: Kraemer Harald
Published: January 2014

Hypermedia is so diverse that it is in need of documentation, analysis, and methodology. For more than 20 years, online and offline applications of hypermedia technology have combined text, image, video, animation, and sound into a total work of art (Gesamtkunstwerk). This essay provides an insight into my research project, Multimedia Classics and Hypermedia Hermeneutics, focusing on why it is so difficult to describe and analyze hypermedia applications on cultural topics. It suggests how the functions, contents, and forms of hypermedia could be analyzed; to do so, it looks at Notzimmer, an interactive website story about a knockdown furniture construction kit designed by Jewish refugee Mauritius Ehrlich during World War II.
Facial expression recognition and emotion understanding in children after neonatal open‐heart surgery for transposition of the great arteries
Authors: Calderon Johanna , Angeard Nathalie , Pinabiaux Charlotte , Bonnet Damien , Jambaqué Isabelle
Published: January 2014

Aim

Theory of mind impairments are part of the cognitive morbidities associated with transposition of the great arteries (TGA). We sought to assess core components of social cognition in school‐aged children with TGA.

Method

Thirty‐eight children with neonatal corrected TGA (27 males, 11 females; mean age 7y 3mo, SD 1y 2mo) and a comparison group (n=31; 24 males, 7 females; mean age 7y 4mo, SD 1y 1mo) participated in this study. All children completed measures of facial expression recognition, emotion comprehension, and second‐order cognitive and affective false‐belief tasks. The association of medical pre‐, intra‐, and postoperative variables with cognitive outcomes was explored.

Results

After controlling for potential covariates, children with TGA performed significantly less accurately in the mental category of the emotion comprehension battery (p=0.002) and on second‐order affective false‐belief tasks (p<0.05). Preoperative variables including an associated ventricular septal defect (p=0.02), a younger age at open‐heart surgery (p=0.03), and a prenatal diagnosis of TGA (p=0.02) were significantly associated with better outcomes.

Interpretation

School‐aged children with TGA display significant impairment on complex affective mental state understanding even though facial expression recognition was generally preserved. Preoperative factors may be important determinants for long‐term outcomes after cyanotic congenital heart disease.
Developing care pathways – lessons from the Steele Review implementation in England
Authors: Rooney Eric
Published: January 2014

Objective

This paper sets out to discuss the concept of care pathways, review their definition, features and implementation and using an example from the NHS dental system in England guide the development of an elder care pathway.

Background

Care pathways have developed from quality management approaches in industry and focus on a number of steps which are intended to lead to expected outcomes. The existing definition and descriptors of care pathways serve well, but miss the complex process underlying the development of pathways, their structure, implementation and evaluation.

Findings

The literature identifies key features of clinical pathways and from the developing field of implementation science, the factors likely to support pathway implementation. Pathways must be generic enough to enable them to be applicable broadly, but specific enough for them to be locally relevant and population specific. The development of care pathways in the National Health Service (NHS) Dental Service in England is described and when compared with the implementation science literature exhibits features identified as positive factors for implementation. As a result a contribution to the pathway definition literature is offered.

Conclusions

Learning from the literature and the practical experience described from England, the process for developing dental care pathways for dependent elders should begin with the creation of a high level pathway, which is cognisant of the clinical and implementation science evidence base.