bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Satellite telemetry reveals long‐distance migration in the Asian great bustard Otis tarda dybowskii
Authors: Kessler A. E. , Batbayar N. , Natsagdorj T. , Batsuur’ D. , Smith A. T.
Published: March 2013

The range of the great bustard stretches 10 000 km across Eurasia, one of the largest ranges of any threatened species. While movement patterns of the western subspecies of great bustard are relatively well‐understood, this is the first research to monitor the movements of the more endangered Asian subspecies of great bustard through telemetry and to link a breeding population of Asian great bustards to their wintering grounds. Using Argos/GPS platform transmitter terminals, we identified the annual movement patterns of three female great bustards captured at their breeding sites in northern Mongolia. The 4000 km round‐trip migration we have recorded terminated at wintering grounds in Shaanxi, China. This route is twice as long as has previously been reported for great bustards, which are among the heaviest flying birds. The journey was accomplished in approximately two months each way, at ground velocities of 48–98 km h−1, and incorporated multiple and variable stopover sites. On their wintering grounds these birds moved itinerantly across relatively large home ranges. Our findings confirm that migratory behavior in this species varies longitudinally. This variation may be attributable to longitudinal gradients in seasonality and severity of winter across Eurasia. The distance and duration of the migratory route taken by great bustards breeding in Mongolia, the crossing of an international border, the incorporation of many stopovers, and the use of a large wintering territory present challenges to the conservation of the Asian subspecies of great bustard in this rapidly changing part of the world.
How do low dispersal species establish large range sizes? The case of the water beetle Graphoderus bilineatus
Authors: Iversen Lars Lønsmann , Rannap Riinu , Thomsen Philip Francis , Kielgast Jos , Sand‐Jensen Kaj
Published: March 2013

Species’ dispersal abilities have been considered a major driving force in establishment and maintenance of large range sizes. However, recent studies question the general validity of this relationship because the relationship between dispersal ability and range size might in some cases be less important than species phylogeny or local spatial attributes. In this study we used the water beetle Graphoderus bilineatus a philopatric species of conservation concern in Europe as a model to explain large range size and to support effective conservation measures for such species that also have limited dispersal. We recorded the presence/absence of G. bilineatus and measured 14 habitat and 20 landscape variables at 228 localities in Estonia, Poland and Sweden within the core range of the species. Using information theory and average multivariate logistic regression models we determined that presence of G. bilineatus depended on landscape connectivity, distance to a possible source habitat, and stability of the site; however, specificity of habitat characteristics was not vital for the species. We reason that the large range of G. bilineatus is best explained by the historical combination of lakes, river systems and wetlands which used to be highly connected throughout the central plains of Europe. Our data suggest that a broad habitat niche can prevent landscape elements from becoming barriers for species like G. bilineatus. Therefore, we question the usefulness of site protection as conservation measures for G. bilineatus and similar philopatric species. Instead, conservation actions should be focused at the landscape level to ensure a long‐term viability of such species across their range.
Optical imaging of the spontaneous depolarization wave in the mouse embryo: origins and pharmacological nature
Authors: Momose‐Sato Yoko , Sato Katsushige
Published: March 2013

Spontaneous embryonic movements, called embryonic motility, are produced by correlated spontaneous activity in the cranial and spinal nerves, which is driven by brainstem and spinal networks. Using optical imaging with a voltage‐sensitive dye, we revealed previously in the chick and rat embryos that this correlated activity is a widely propagating wave of neural depolarization, which we termed the depolarization wave. One important consideration is whether a depolarization wave with similar characteristics occurs in other species, especially in different mammals. Here, we provide evidence for the existence of the depolarization wave in the mouse embryo by summarizing spatiotemporal characteristics and pharmacological natures of the widely propagating wave activity. The findings show that a synchronized wave with common characteristics is expressed in different species, suggesting its fundamental roles in neural development.
A dual spinal cord lesion paradigm to study spinal locomotor plasticity in the cat
Authors: Martinez Marina , Rossignol Serge
Published: March 2013

After a complete spinal cord injury (SCI) at the lowest thoracic level (T13), adult cats trained to walk on a treadmill can recover hindlimb locomotion within 2–3 weeks, resulting from the activity of a spinal circuitry termed the central pattern generator (CPG). The role of this spinal circuitry in the recovery of locomotion after partial SCIs, when part of descending pathways can still access the CPG, is not yet fully understood. Using a dual spinal lesion paradigm (first hemisection at T10 followed three weeks after by a complete spinalization at T13), we showed that major changes occurred in this locomotor spinal circuitry. These plastic changes at the spinal cord level could participate in the recovery of locomotion after partial SCI. This short review describes the main findings of this paradigm in adult cats.
Visual Scorings of Drought Stress Intensity as Covariates for Improved Variety Trial Analysis
Authors: Mühleisen J. , Reif J. C. , Maurer H. P. , Möhring J. , Piepho H.‐P.
Published: March 2013

Abiotic stress can enhance the heterogeneity of fields, which leads to imprecise estimates of genotypic effects in variety trials. Our study is based on multilocation field trials of triticale (×TriticosecaleWittm.). Two of the six locations were affected by drought stress and showed increased field heterogeneity. AtWillstätt, drought stress intensity was visually scored twice, and atIssoudun, overall impression of a plot was scored once. We investigated if the visual scorings can be used as covariates in an analysis of covariance (ancova) to eliminate the influence of different drought stress intensity on plot yields. For evaluation of theancovamodels, we examined if the covariates were independent from the genotypic effects and linearly associated with grain yield. In addition,ancovamodels were compared with baseline and spatial models based on AIC and phenotypic correlation between genotype means estimated with the model under investigation in a drought stress location with genotype means calculated across the remaining locations. We found that both scorings inWillstätt fulfilled the requirements of anancovaand led to an increase in broad‐sense heritability (h2) and efficiency.ancovawith the second scoring increasedh2from 0.03 for the baseline model to 0.60, whereas the best spatial model increasedh2only up to 0.50. The scoring atIssoudun was not independent from the genotypic effects and reduced phenotypic correlations. We concluded that environmental factors causing spatially differing yield potential can be scored or measured and used as covariates to obtain more precise genotypic estimates.
Effects of smoking cessation on the outcomes of non‐surgical periodontal therapy: a systematic review and individual patient data meta‐analysis
Authors: Chambrone Leandro , Preshaw Philip M. , Rosa Ecinele Francisca , Heasman Peter A. , Romito Giuseppe A. , Pannuti Claudio Mendes , Tu Yu‐Kang
Published: March 2013

Aim

To conduct an individual patient data (IPD) meta‐analysis to assess the effect of smoking cessation (SC) on clinical outcomes following the non‐surgical periodontal treatment in patients with chronic periodontitis.

Methods

MEDLINE, EMBASE and CENTRAL were searched up to, and including, August 2012. Prospective cohort studies of at least 6 months' duration were included if the participants met the following criteria: (1) smokers who had expressed an interest in quitting the habit; and (2) a diagnosis of periodontitis. Search was conducted by two independent reviewers. IPD meta‐analyses were undertaken using multiple linear or Poisson regression to evaluate the impact of SC on five different dependent variables.

Results

Of 2455 potentially eligible articles, two studies were included. The two studies found that SC seems to promote additional beneficial effects in reducing probing depths (PD) and improving attachment level following non‐surgical periodontal treatment. The IPD approach allowed data combination but it might not have usefully added strength to the data in this review.

Conclusion

SC seems to be an important component of periodontal therapy, and smokers should be encouraged to quit as part of their overall periodontal management; however, only a limited base of evidence was available for analysis.
Effects of patient‐tailored atorvastatin therapy on ameliorating the levels of atherogenic lipids and inflammation beyond lowering low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Son Jang Won , Kim Dong Jun , Lee Chang Beom , Oh Seungjoon , Song Kee‐Ho , Jung Chan Hee , Mok Ji Oh , Kim Jong Hwa , Moon Min Kyong , Choi Kyung Mook , Cho Jae Hyoung , Choi Sung Hee , Kim Soo Kyung , Park Kang Seo , Kim Hye Soon , Kim In Joo , Kim Young Il , Kim Hae Jin , Kim Sang Yong , Kim Sungrae
Published: March 2013

Aims/Introduction

Recently, patient‐tailored statin therapy was proven effective for achieving target low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. It is unclear, however, whether this therapeutic modality would be effective for atherogenic lipid profiles and inflammation in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Materials and Methods

The present study was an 8‐week, multicenter, single‐step titration trial of patient‐tailored atorvastatin therapy (10, 20 and 40 mg) according to baseline LDL cholesterol levels in 440 patients with type 2 diabetes. We measured the LDL particle size by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and used high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hsCRP) and adiponectin as surrogate markers of inflammation.

Results

In the intention‐to‐treat analysis, 91% of the patients achieved their LDL cholesterol targets (<2.6 mmol/L) at week 8. There were significant reductions at week 8 in total cholesterol, triglycerides, non‐high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) cholesterol, and the total cholesterol:HDL cholesterol ratio compared with the baseline values for all of the doses. The mean LDL particle size was significantly increased, and the small, dense LDL cholesterol levels were decreased in a dose‐dependent manner over the study period. In addition, the hsCRP levels were decreased in those high‐risk patients with baseline hsCRP levels over 3 mg/L (P < 0.001), and the adiponectin levels tended to increase with all of the doses (P = 0.004) at 8 weeks.

Conclusions

Patient‐tailored atorvastatin therapy based on LDL cholesterol at baseline was effective in ameliorating atherogenic LDL particle size and inflammation, in addition to achieving the target LDL cholesterol level without an undesirable effect on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. This trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (no. NCT01239849).
Treatment of frontal fibrosing alopecia and lichen planopilaris: a systematic review
Authors: Rácz E. , Gho C. , Moorman P.W. , Noordhoek Hegt V. , Neumann H.A.M.
Published: March 2013

Frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) is a primary lymphocytic cicatricial alopecia with characteristic clinical pattern of progressive frontotemporal hairline recession, perifollicular erythema and hyperkeratosis and symptoms of itch and burning, occurring mainly in post‐menopausal women. FFA is considered a subtype of lichen planopilaris (LPP), based on their identical histopathology. Currently, no evidence‐based treatment is available for FFA. Our aim was to determine the effectiveness of available treatment options for FFA, and to identify promising treatment options for future studies. For this, literature search was conducted to find all primary studies on the treatment of FFA and LPP. From the primary studies, data were subtracted and analysed. No randomized controlled trials were found, and one controlled trial. Treatment of 114 patients is described in the literature. They received 10 different regimes, of which oral 5‐alpha‐reductase inhibitors were provided most often, resulting in good clinical response in 45% of them. Hydroxychloroquine resulted in good clinical response in 30% of the 29 treated patients. Topical corticosteroid preparations are ineffective in FFA. The remaining treatments were all reported in less than 10 patients. For the treatment of LPP, topical corticosteroid preparations are the first line of treatment, followed by oral cyclosporine and systemic corticosteroids, although they are characterized by a high relapse rate. Summarizing, there is currently no effective treatment of FFA, the most effective being oral 5‐alpha‐reductase inhibitors that possibly affect the accompanying androgenetic alopecia. We argue that oral cyclosporine A might be a good candidate for future studies on the treatment of FFA.
Guidelines‐based indicators to measure quality of antenatal care
Authors: Bollini Paola , Quack‐Lötscher Katharina
Published: March 2013

Rationale, aims and objectives

No comprehensive measurement of quality of antenatal care is available. Late booking or low number of checks are often used as surrogate for poor quality, leaving uncertainty on the actual content of the care received. In order to fill this gap, we have reviewed two sets of clinical guidelines and developed corresponding indicators of quality.

Method

A group of clinicians and methodologists reviewed the National Institute for Clinical Excellency Clinical Guidelines on antenatal care, and the list of prenatal care interventions recommended by the Research and Development Group, both based on evidence of effectiveness of specific interventions. We identified single aspects in three domains: (1) services utilization; (2) screening; and (3) interventions. For each indicator, we defined: (1) eligibility, that is the characteristics of the women to whom the indicator applies; (2) standard, that is the situation when the target is met; and (3) moderators, that is all conditions which legitimately hamper the fulfilment of the standard.

Results

We developed four indicators of service utilization, 25 of screening and 17 of intervention. The respective eligibility, standard and moderators criteria were described for each indicator. While many indicators could be retrospectively evaluated from medical charts, quality of communication with provider, screening for sensible issues and counselling on behaviours to be avoided could only be obtained with a prospective data collection.

Conclusions

The indicators of quality of antenatal care, complemented by measures of social position, social support and immigrant/ethnic status, allow for a careful description of the gaps in quality of care for specific groups of women.
Fine‐scale movements and habitat use of juvenile southern flounder Paralichthys lethostigma in an estuarine seascape
Authors: Furey N. B. , Dance M. A. , Rooker J. R.
Published: March 2013

Habitat use of juvenile southern flounder Paralichthys lethostigma was examined within a shallow estuarine seascape during June and July 2011 using acoustic telemetry. Fine‐scale movement and habitat use of P. lethostigma was investigated with an acoustic positioning system placed in a seascape that varied in habitat type, physicochemical conditions and bathymetry. The use of different habitat types was examined with Euclidean distance‐based analyses, and generalized additive models were used to determine the relative importance of habitat type relative to physicochemical conditions and bathymetry. Tracks of P. lethostigma ranged in distance between 1477 and 8582 m and speed was 4·2 ± 1·1 m min−1 (mean ± s.e.) for all P. lethostigma combined. Depth, slope and habitat type had the most influence on P. lethostigma occurrence and deep sandy areas with shallow slopes were used most frequently. In addition, depth use by P. lethostigma was influenced by tidal cycles, indicating habitat use varies temporally and is dynamic. Finally, temperatures <30·5° C were used more than warmer waters within the study area. The results successfully identify movements by juvenile P. lethostigma, and indicate that definitions of essential habitats need to account for dynamics in habitat use.
Stop CRMPing my style: a new competitive model of CRMP oligomerization
Authors: Petratos Steven , Lee Jae Young
Published: March 2013

Read the full article ‘Insights into the oligomerization of CRMPs: crystal structure of human collapsin response mediator protein 5’
on doi: 10.1111/jnc.12188.
ORGANIC FACIES VARIATIONS AND HYDROCARBON GENERATION POTENTIAL OF PERMIAN GONDWANA GROUP COALS AND ASSOCIATED SEDIMENTS, BARAPUKURIA AND DIGHIPARA BASINS, NW BANGLADESH
Authors: Farhaduzzaman Md. , Abdullah Wan Hasiah , Islam Md. Aminul , Pearson M. J.
Published: March 2013

In the Barapukuria and Dighipara coal basins, NW Bangladesh, the Basement Complex is overlain by the coal‐bearing Permian Gondwana Group. In the present study, 36 core samples collected from five boreholes in these two basins were analysed using organic geochemical and organic petrological methods. Based on the results of biomarker analyses (TIC, m/z 191 and m/z 217 fragmentograms) and maceral composition (proportions of vitrinite, liptinite, inertinite), three organic facies were identified: coals, carbargillites and mudstones. Together with other evidence, cross‐plots of HI versus Tmax and Pr/nC17 versus Ph/nC18 indicate that the coals, as expected, were dominated by terrestrial organic matter (OM). The carbargillites contained a mixture of terrestrial and probable Type II aquatic OM, and the mudstones contained mostly terrestrial OM. Accordingly the coals, carbargillites and mudstones are interpreted to have been deposited in swamp‐dominated environments in a delta‐plain setting which was subject, in the case of carbargillites, to periodic flooding. Suboxic conditions were indicated by very high Pr/Ph ratios and a high content of inertinite macerals.

All the samples analysed were immature or early mature for hydrocarbon generation, as indicated by mean vitrinite reflectance (%Ro) of 0.60–0.81%, Rock‐Eval Tmax of 430–439°C, and biomarker ratios (hopane C32 22S/(22S+22R)) of 0.57–0.60. Carbargillites showed potential for both liquid and gaseous hydrocarbon generation; coals were mainly gas‐prone with minor liquid hydrocarbon potential; and mudstones were dominantly gas‐prone. The oil‐prone nature of the samples was attributed to the presence of resinite, cutinite, bituminite and fluorescent vitrinite. The presence of exsudatinite within crack networks, solid bitumen and oil droplets as well as bituminite at early oil‐window maturities suggests that the organic matter may have expelled some hydrocarbons.
Hepatosteatosis and hepatic insulin resistance are blunted by argirein, an anti-inflammatory agent, through normalizing endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis in diabetic liver
Authors: Shi Fang-Hong , Wu You , Dai De-Zai , Cong Xiao-Dong , Zhang Yu-Mao , Dai Yin
Published: March 2013

Objectives

Insulin resistance represents a mechanism underlying defect metabolism of carbohydrate and lipid linked to inflammatory reactions in diabetic liver. We hypothesized that the changes may be secondary to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, which could be alleviated by either argirein or valsartan.

Methods

Hepatosteatosis in diabetic liver was induced in rats fed with a high-fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks combined with a single low dose of streptozotocin (STZ 35 mg/kg, ip). Interventions (mg/kg/d, po)with either argirein (50, 100 and 200) or valsartan (12) were conducted in the last 4 weeks.

Key findings

In diabetic liver fat was significantly accumulated in association with elevated hepatic glucose, serum insulin and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance value. Downregulated glucose transporter 4, insulin receptor substrate-1 and leptin receptor (P < 0.01) were found relative to normal, where DNA ladder, downregulated B cell lymphoma/leukemia-2, upregulated B cell lymphoma/leukemia-2 Associated X protein and upregulated ER stress chaperones such as Bip/GRP78 (also known as Binding Protein, BiP), PKR-like ER kinase (PERK), p-PERK/PERK and C/EBP homologous protein were significant. These abnormalities were significantly ameliorated by argirein and valsartan.

Conclusions

Hepatosteatosis induced by HFD/low STZ manifests insulin resistance and apoptosis, linked to an entity of low-grade inflammation due to activated ER stress sensors. With anti-inflammatory activity either argirein or valsartan blunts hepatosteatosis through normalizing ER stress and apoptosis in the diabetic liver.
A Psychometric Investigation of the Hypersexual Disorder Screening Inventory among Highly Sexually Active Gay and Bisexual Men: An Item Response Theory Analysis
Authors: Parsons Jeffrey T. , Rendina H. Jonathon , Ventuneac Ana , Cook Karon F. , Grov Christian , Mustanski Brian
Published: March 2013

Introduction

The Hypersexual Disorder Screening Inventory (HDSI) was designed as an instrument for the screening of hypersexuality by the American Psychiatric Association's taskforce for the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

Aim

Our study sought to conduct a psychometric analysis of the HDSI, including an investigation of its underlying structure and reliability utilizing item response theory (IRT) modeling, and an examination of its polythetic scoring criteria in comparison to a standard dimensionally based cutoff score.

Methods

We examined a diverse group of 202 highly sexually active gay and bisexual men in New York City. We conducted psychometric analyses of the HDSI, including both confirmatory factor analysis of its structure and IRT analysis of the item and scale reliabilities.

Main Outcome Measures

We utilized the HDSI.

Results

The HDSI adequately fit a single-factor solution, although there was evidence that two of the items may measure a second factor that taps into sex as a form of coping. The scale showed evidence of strong reliability across much of the continuum of hypersexuality, and results suggested that, in addition to the proposed polythetic scoring criteria, a cutoff score of 20 on the severity index might be used for preliminary classification of HD.

Conclusion

The HDSI was found to be highly reliable, and results suggested that a unidimensional, quantitative conception of hypersexuality with a clinically relevant cutoff score may be more appropriate than a qualitative syndrome comprised of multiple distinct clusters of problems. However, we also found preliminary evidence that three clusters of symptoms may constitute an HD syndrome as opposed to the two clusters initially proposed. Future research is needed to determine which of these issues are characteristic of the hypersexuality and HD constructs themselves and which are more likely to be methodological artifacts of the HDSI.
Cognitive and Emotional Determinants Characterizing Women with Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder
Authors: Carvalho Joana , Veríssimo Ana , Nobre Pedro J.
Published: March 2013

Introduction

Persistent genital arousal disorder (PGAD) is a relatively unknown clinical condition affecting several women. Moral standards, as well as conservative beliefs regarding sexuality, are believed to be involved in the etiology and maintenance of this syndrome. Nevertheless, there are no consistent data on the content of the beliefs system presented by these women.

Aim

The aim of this study was to characterize the cognitive and emotional style of women reporting PGAD. More precisely, the content of sexual beliefs, thoughts, and emotions during sexual intercourse was explored.

Methods

Forty-three women presenting PGAD and 42 controls responded to a web survey. This study was cross-cultural in nature and women worldwide (over 18 years old) were asked to participate.

Main Outcome Measures

Participants answered the following online questionnaires: Sexual Dysfunctional Beliefs Questionnaire, Sexual Modes Questionnaire, Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, and Brief Symptom Inventory. Additionally, participants responded to a checklist assessing the presence and frequency of PGAD symptoms.

Results

After controlling for sociodemographic characteristics and psychopathology, findings showed that women reporting PGAD symptoms presented significantly more dysfunctional sexual beliefs (e.g., sexual conservatism, sexual desire as a sin), as well as more negative thoughts (e.g., thoughts of sexual abuse and of lack of partner's affection) and dysfunctional affective states (more negative and less positive affect) during sexual activity than non-PGAD women.

Conclusions

Notwithstanding the impact of neurophysiological determinants in the etiology of this syndrome, results support the psychological conceptualization of PGAD and highlight the role of cognitive–behavioral therapy (CBT) for PGAD symptomatology. More specifically, cognitive and behavioral strategies would be aimed at targeting maladaptive sexual beliefs and thoughts, as well as regulating negative affective states resulting from a dysfunctional cognitive style regarding sexuality. In all, CBT in association with a medical/pharmacological approach, could be clinically relevant in the management of PGAD.
Demographic and serological characteristics of Asian Americans with hepatitis B infection diagnosed at community screenings
Authors: Xu J. J. , Tien C. , Chang M. , Rhee J. , Tien A. , Bae H. S. , Ho F. C.‐S. , Chan L. S. , Fong T.‐L.
Published: March 2013

There is limited information regarding follow‐up and hepatitis B serological status of Asian Americans diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) through community screening. The aims of this study were to evaluate the prevalence and characterize CHB among Asians living in Los Angeles, assess follow‐up of individuals with CHB diagnosed at screening and compare with patients with CHB followed by community gastroenterologists. Between October 2007 and May 2010, 7387 Asians were tested for HBV. HBsAg positive individuals (CHB) underwent additional testing for ALT, HBeAg/anti‐HBe and HBV DNA. Patients with CHB were contacted 6 months later to determine whether they received follow‐up care. We compared serological patterns of these individuals with CHB to patients with CHB who were seen for the first time (treatment naïve) by community gastroenterologists during the study period. Prevalence of CHB was 5.2%. About 99% patients with CHB were foreign‐born, and only 27% could read/write English. 297 (77%) patients with CHB could be reached 6 months after diagnosis; 43% did not receive follow‐up care, mostly because of lack of medical insurance. Patients with CHB followed by gastroenterologists were more likely to have insurance (69% vs 26%, P < 0.0001). 90% patients with CHB at screening were HBeAg negative/anti‐HBe positive with 62% having inactive disease compared to only 30% of patients seen by gastroenterologists (P < 0.0001). Among CHB participants, 13% met criteria for treatment compared to 51% of patients with CHB (P < 0.0001). Only a small number of CHB screening participants require antiviral therapy. Lack of medical insurance is the main reason for most patients with CHB not seeking follow‐up care after screening.
Effect of colibacillosis or coccidiosis on expression of breast cancer resistance protein in small intestine and liver of chickens
Authors: Su L. , Dong L. , Bughio S. , Guo M. , Wang L.
Published: March 2013

Breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP, ABCG2) is a member of ABC (ATP‐binding cassette) transporter superfamily that occurs in a variety of tissues including liver and small intestine of animals. As BCRP is involved in drug absorption, distribution, and elimination, modulation of its expression may affect the clinical efficacy of drugs. However, little is known about the effects of coccidiosis or colibacillosis infection on the levels of BCRP expression in chickens. Here, we studied the effect of infection with Escherichia coli (E. coli) or Eimeriida mixture (E. necatrix and E. tenella) on the expression levels of ABCG2 mRNA and BCRP in the different segments of small intestine and liver in chickens. Expression of ABCG2 mRNA or BCRP was detected in the entire small intestine and liver of healthy chickens, and the expression levels in liver and ileum were significantly higher than duodenum and jejunum. Infection with E. coli or Eimeriida mixture resulted in significant decrease in ABCG2 mRNA and BCRP expression in liver, ileum, and jejunum, but not in duodenum, in comparison with noninfection control. The results indicate that coccidiosis or colibacillosis infection inhibits BCRP expression in chickens, which may consequently influence drug distribution and therapeutic efficacy.
Clinical utility of viscoelastic tests of coagulation in patients with liver disease
Authors: Mallett Susan V. , Chowdary Pratima , Burroughs Andrew K.
Published: March 2013

The prothrombin time (PT) and international normalised ratio (INR) are used in scoring systems (Child‐Pugh, MELD, UKELD) in chronic liver disease and as a prognostic tool and for dynamic monitoring of hepatic function in acute liver disease. These tests are known to be poor predictors of bleeding risk in liver disease; however, they continue to influence clinical management decisions. Recent work on coagulation in liver disease, in particular thrombin generation studies, has led to a paradigm shift in our understanding and it is now recognised that haemostasis is relatively well preserved. Whole blood global viscoelastic tests (TEG®/ROTEM®) produce a composite dynamic picture of the entire coagulation process and have the potential to provide more clinically relevant information in patients with liver disease. We performed a systematic review of all relevant studies that have used viscoelastic tests (VET) of coagulation in patients with liver disease. Although many studies are observational and small in size, it is clear that VET provide additional information that is in keeping with the new concepts of how coagulation is altered in these patients. This review provides the basis for large scale, prospective outcome studies to establish the clinical value of these tests.
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi reduce growth and infect roots of the non‐host plant Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: VEIGA RITA S. L. , FACCIO ANTONELLA , GENRE ANDREA , PIETERSE CORNÉ M. J. , BONFANTE PAOLA , van der HEIJDEN MARCEL G. A.
Published: March 2013

The arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis is widespread throughout the plant kingdom but most terrestrial ecosystems also contain a considerable number of non‐mycorrhizal plants. The interaction of such non‐host plants with AM fungi is still poorly understood. In this study, we investigated whether the non‐mycorrhizal plant
Arabidopsis thaliana, the model organism for plant molecular biology and genetics, interacts with AM fungi. We demonstrate, for the first time, that the presence of fungal networks formed by the AM fungus
Rhizophagus irregularis reduces
A. thaliana growth by 50% or more. In addition, by using bright field, confocal and electronic microscopy we show that this fungus can colonize roots of
A. thaliana, although arbuscules were never observed. These results reveal high susceptibility of
A. thaliana to
R. irregularis, suggesting that
A. thaliana is a suitable model plant to study non‐host/AM fungi interactions and the biological basis of AM incompatibility.

Commentary: Interactions between arbuscular mycorrhizal and non‐mycorrhizal plants: do non‐mycorrhizal species at both extremes of nutrient‐availability play the same game?
Vagueness: Subvaluationism
Authors: Cobreros Pablo
Published: March 2013

Supervaluationism is a well known theory of vagueness. Subvaluationism is a less well known theory of vagueness. But these theories cannot be taken apart, for they are in a relation of duality that can be made precise. This paper provides an introduction to the subvaluationist theory of vagueness in connection to its dual, supervaluationism. A survey on the supervaluationist theory can be found in the Compass paper of Keefe (2008); our presentation of the theory in this paper will be short to get rapidly into the logical issues. This paper is relatively self‐contained. A modest background on propositional modal logic is, though not strictly necessary, advisable. The reader might find useful the Compass papers Kracht (2011) and Negri (2011) (though these papers cover issues of more complexity than what is demanded to follow this paper).
Naturalising Representational Content
Authors: Shea Nicholas
Published: March 2013

This paper sets out a view about the explanatory role of representational content and advocates one approach to naturalising content – to giving a naturalistic account of what makes an entity a representation and in virtue of what it has the content it does. It argues for pluralism about the metaphysics of content and suggests that a good strategy is to ask the content question with respect to a variety of predictively successful information processing models in experimental psychology and cognitive neuroscience; and hence that data from psychology and cognitive neuroscience should play a greater role in theorising about the nature of content. Finally, the contours of the view are illustrated by drawing out and defending a surprising consequence: that individuation of vehicles of content is partly externalist.

The contents list is as follows:

 The Project of Naturalising Representational Content

 The Explanatory Role of Content

 Existing Theories

 Pluralism

 Externalist Syntax

 Conclusion
Chinese Dialectical Thinking—the Yin Yang Model
Authors: Jiang Xinyan
Published: March 2013

The yin yang model of thinking is most essential to the Chinese cosmology, ontology and outlook on life. This paper is a systematic discussion of such a dialectical way of thinking and its significance. It starts with investigating the origin and the meaning of terms “yin” and “yang”, and explains the later developed yin yang doctrine; it then shows how greatly and profoundly the yin yang model of thinking has influenced Chinese philosophy and Chinese character. It concludes that Chinese naturalistic, dialectical, and optimistic attitudes toward the world and life are all based on the yin yang model of thinking and that the yin yang doctrine is the starting point for anyone to understand Chinese people and their philosophies.
Atheism
Authors: Lorkowski CM
Published: March 2013

Philosophical atheism claims not only that there are no sufficient reasons for believing there is a God, but also that there are sufficient reasons for thinking no such deity exists. The purpose of this article is to explicate the typical commitments of this position. After distinguished several related views, the article will then consider typical grounds for the rejection of theistic commitments, first by showing that the theistic position makes a stronger claim and therefore carries the burden of proof. The article will then consider rejections of theistic attempts to shift this burden and atheist responses, including considerations of both natural and revealed theology. The intent is to present the general shape of rejections and commitments rather than proffering conclusive refutations and defenses.
Pricing and Replenishment of Competing Perishable Product Variants under Dynamic Demand Substitution
Authors: Sainathan Arvind
Published: March 2013

I consider pricing and ordering decisions faced by a retailer selling a perishable product with a two‐period shelf life over an infinite horizon. In the first period, the product is “new”; in the next, it becomes “old.” The new product is perceived by customers to have a higher quality than the old product. Every period, the retailer makes three decisions: prices for the new and old products and how much new product to order. I first show, with some simple cases, that demand uncertainty can make the sale of the old product profitable. I then consider a more realistic case with dynamic demand substitution among customers. I recognize that the retailer's decisions may be constant or may vary across different periods, under different contexts. For instance, varying the price of the new product can sometimes be difficult due to the negative impact it generates among customers. I find that (i) the benefit obtained from selling the old product with constant decisions is much higher than the benefit from allowing all the decisions to vary; (ii) the former benefit increases with a higher procurement cost, a higher quality of the new product, and higher demand volatility; however, the latter benefit is non‐monotone in these parameters; (iii) most of the latter benefit can be obtained by just changing the order quantity; and (iv) as the inventory of the old product increases, when all the decisions vary, the optimal price of the new product may increase or decrease.
Beyond the North–South Dichotomy in International Climate Law: The Distinctive Adaptation Responsibilities of the Emerging Economies
Authors: Farber Daniel
Published: March 2013

This article focuses on uneven development within emerging economies. The result of this unevenness, which often separates urban from rural populations, is that emerging economies contain two large groups: one that is enjoying rapid economic growth and begins to see a trajectory toward developed country lifestyles, and another that is lagging behind and is still more similar to developing country residents. In short, an emerging economy can be seen as containing within itself a quasi‐developed country and a quasi‐developing one. The article argues that these internal divisions are distinctive to emerging economies and that they provide a basis for differentiating the responsibilities of emerging economies from the developed/developing country situations. Internally, populations within emerging economies have common but differentiated responsibilities themselves, and emerging economies have a duty to use national resources funded by the more developed portion of the society to assist with adaptation in less‐developed areas.
The End of Differential Treatment for Developing Countries? Lessons from the Trade and Climate Change Regimes
Authors: Pauwelyn Joost
Published: March 2013

Dividing the world in two groups of countries – developed and developing – remains deeply engrained. This bifurcation is increasingly problematic. It has led to deadlock in negotiations and equity concerns. This article traces parallel developments of differential treatment in the trade and environmental regimes. It demonstrates that in both regimes a radical shift is in the making, away from differential treatment for developing countries as a group, and toward individualized differentiation between countries based on objective, issue‐specific criteria. The question is less whether China or Russia are developing countries. The challenge is to find criteria to differentiate between countries – both developed and developing – tailored to each negotiation or regime. Half a century after the start of decolonization, this may be the end of differential treatment for developing countries. Yet, ironically, it leads to more (not less) differentiation and, though not without risks, can make regimes more effective and equitable.
The Importance of Information and Participation Principles in Environmental Law in Brazil, the United States and Beyond
Authors: Cassuto David N. , Sampaio Rômulo S.R.
Published: March 2013

This article explores the two different kinds of uncertainty, ‘hard’ uncertainty (unknown unknowns) and ‘soft’ uncertainty (known unknowns), in the context of environmental law decision making. First, it is argued that these different categories should not be treated the same when facing decisions under uncertainty. To deal with these different uncertainties, a tiered risk analysis process is called for, wherein participatory techniques are used both to turn hard uncertainty into (more manageable) soft uncertainty as well as to increase the legitimacy of environmental decision making, even in cases of hard uncertainty. This methodology can and should apply to all instances of domestic, transnational and international environmental law making. This article applies this conceptual platform to analyze how participatory techniques can be factored in to manage uncertainty by reference to two domestic systems – American and Brazilian environmental law – as well as to international (environmental) law. The article concludes that managing uncertainty in the environmental decision‐making process is a procedural justice tool to promote more balanced and equitable outcomes.
Hindu space: urban dislocations in post‐partition Calcutta
Authors: Sanyal Romola
Published: March 2013

This article explores the relationship between refugees and urban segregation, using Calcutta as a site of analysis. Using interviews and other sources, it shows how refugees displaced Muslims in the process of squatting in the post‐partition period. The aims of the article are two‐fold. First, it aims to investigate the ways in which refugees, often considered ‘victims’ of persecution, can in fact become hegemonic forces within the urban environments to which they are displaced. This complicates their subject positions within larger geopolitical and urban discourses. Second, it aims to historicise current discussions of communalism in India by linking them to the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947 and to interrogate the ways in which the latter continues to haunt urbanisation in India. The article thus reveals some of the ways in which various ‘marginal’ groups displace and dominate each other enabling the spatialisation of Hindu hegemony.
Chronic venous leg ulcers are associated with high levels of metalloproteinases‐9 and neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin
Authors: Serra Raffaele , Buffone Gianluca , Falcone Daniela , Molinari Vincenzo , Scaramuzzino Monica , Gallelli Luca , de Franciscis Stefano
Published: March 2013

Venous ulcers are related to dysfunctions in extracellular matrix. Both matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) and neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin (NGAL) could play a role in the healing process in patients with chronic venous ulcers. We evaluated the role of MMP‐9 and NGAL in the healing process in venous ulceration. We performed an open‐label, parallel groups, single clinical center study. Patients with chronic venous leg ulcers represented the test group (Group I), whereas patients without chronic ulcers represented the control group (Group II). In Group I plasma and wound fluid samples were collected at the time of admission, at the time of the surgery, and at the follow‐up, while ulcer tissues were taken at the time of the surgery. In Group II, plasma and wound fluid were collected at admission and at the time of the surgery, whereas skin tissues were collected at the time of the surgery. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay test was used to evaluate the levels of MMP‐9 and NGAL in plasma and wound fluid, whereas Western blot analysis was performed to estimate the expression of MMP‐9 and NGAL in tissues. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay tests revealed significantly higher levels of MMP‐9 and NGAL in both plasma and wound fluid of patients with ulcers compared to patients without ulcers (p < 0.01). Moreover, Western blot analysis documented an increased expression of MMP‐9 and NGAL in biopsy tissue of patients with ulcers compared to patients without ulcers (p < 0.01). In conclusion MMP‐9 and NGAL may correlate with the clinical course of venous ulcers.
Heat Transfer Performance of a Showerhead and Shaped Hole Film Cooled Vane at Transonic Conditions
Authors: Xue S. , Newman A. , Ng W. , Moon H. K. , Zhang L.
Published: March 2013

An experimental study was performed to measure surface Nusselt number and film cooling effectiveness on a film cooled first stage nozzle guide vane (NGV) at high freestream turbulence, using a transient thin film gauge (TFG) technique. The information presented attempts to further characterize the performance of shaped hole film cooling by taking measurements on a row of shaped holes downstream of leading edge showerhead injection on both the pressure and suction surfaces (hereafter PS and SS) of a first stage NGV. Tests were performed at engine representative Mach and Reynolds numbers and high inlet turbulence intensity and large length scale at the Virginia Tech 2D Linear Transonic Cascade facility. Three exit Mach/Reynolds number conditions were tested: 1.0/1,400,000, 0.85/1,150,000, and 0.60/850,000 where Reynolds number is based on exit conditions and vane chord. At Mach/Reynolds numbers of 1.0/1,450,000 and 0.85/1,150,000, three blowing ratio conditions were tested: BR = 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0. At a Mach/Reynolds number of 0.60/850,000, two blowing ratio conditions were tested: BR = 1.5 and 2.0. All tests were performed at inlet turbulence intensity of 12% and length scale normalized by the cascade pitch of 0.28. Film cooling effectiveness and heat transfer results compared well with previously published data, showing a marked effectiveness improvement (up to 2.5×) over the showerhead-only NGV and also agreement with published showerhead-shaped hole data. Net heat flux reduction (NHFR) was shown to increase substantially (average 2.6 × ) with the addition of shaped holes with an increase (average 1.6×) in required coolant mass flow. Based on the heat flux data, the boundary layer transition location was shown to be within a consistent region on the suction side regardless of blowing ratio and exit Mach number.
Methane Storage in Spherical Fullerenes
Authors: Adisa Olumide O. , Cox Barry J. , Hill James M.
Published: March 2013

In this paper, we investigate methane encapsulation in five spherical fullerenes C60,C240,C540,C960, and C1500. We exploit the 6–12 Lennard-Jones potential function and the continuum approximation to model the surface binding energies between methane and spherical fullerenes of varying sizes. Our results show that for a methane molecule interacting inside a spherical fullerene, the binding energies are minimized at locations which become closer to the fullerene wall as the size of the fullerene increases. However, we find that the methane molecule would require an applied external force to overcome the repulsive energy barrier in order to be encapsulated into a C60 fullerene. The present modeling indicates that the optimal minimum energy for methane storage in any spherical fullerene occurs for a fullerene with radius ≃6.17 Å, with a corresponding potential energy of ≃0.22 eV which occurs for a fullerene bigger than a C60 but slightly smaller than a C240 as the ideal spherical fullerene for methane encapsulation. Overall, our results are in very good agreement with other theoretical studies and molecular dynamics simulations, and show that fullerenes might be good candidates for gas storage. However, the major advantage of the approach adopted here is the derivation of explicit analytical formulae from which numerical results for varying physical scenarios may be readily obtained.