bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spore germination of Trichoderma atroviride is inhibited by its LysM protein TAL6
Authors: Seidl‐Seiboth Verena , Zach Simone , Frischmann Alexa , Spadiut Oliver , Dietzsch Christian , Herwig Christoph , Ruth Claudia , Rodler Agnes , Jungbauer Alois , Kubicek Christian P.
Published: January 2013

LysM motifs are carbohydrate‐binding modules found in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. They have general N‐acetylglucosamine binding properties and therefore bind to chitin and related carbohydrates. In plants, plasma‐membrane‐bound proteins containing LysM motifs are involved in plant defence responses, but also in symbiotic interactions between plants and microorganisms. Filamentous fungi secrete LysM proteins that contain several LysM motifs but no enzymatic modules. In plant pathogenic fungi, for LysM proteins roles in dampening of plant defence responses and protection from plant chitinases were shown. In this study, the carbohydrate‐binding specificities and biological function of the LysM protein TAL6 from the plant‐beneficial fungus Trichoderma atroviride were investigated. TAL6 contains seven LysM motifs and the sequences of its LysM motifs are very different from other fungal LysM proteins investigated so far. The results showed that TAL6 bound to some forms of polymeric chitin, but not to chito‐oligosaccharides. Further, no binding to fungal cell wall preparations was detected. Despite these rather weak carbohydrate‐binding properties, a strong inhibitory effect of TAL6 on spore germination was found. TAL6 was shown to specifically inhibit germination of Trichoderma spp., but interestingly not of other fungi. Thus, this protein is involved in self‐signalling processes during fungal growth rather than fungal–plant interactions. These data expand the functional repertoire of fungal LysM proteins beyond effectors in plant defence responses and show that fungal LysM proteins are also involved in the self‐regulation of fungal growth and development.
Translational enhancing activity in 5′ UTR of peste des petits ruminants virus fusion gene
Authors: Chulakasian Songkhla , Chang Tien‐Jye , Tsai Ching‐Hsiu , Wong Min‐Liang , Hsu Wei‐Li
Published: January 2013

The fusion gene of peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV‐F), a paramyxovirus, contains an unusual long 5′ untranslated region (5′ UTR) with a high GC content that is capable of folding into secondary structure proximally to the 5′ cap. Sequence analysis further suggested that the proximal end of this UTR contains a nine‐nucleotide sequence which could perfectly complement the 18S rRNA and might affect translation through mRNA–rRNA interaction. Based on these features, we examined the functional role of the proximal PPRV‐F 5′ UTR on translational efficiency compared with two other morbilliviruses. From reporter gene assays, PPRV‐F 5′ UTR functioned as a strong enhancer of translational efficiency independent of cell and gene specificity. Northern blot analysis of the accumulative RNA levels and mRNA stability suggested that elevated gene expression driven by PPRV‐F 5′ UTR was accompanied by an increased mRNA level and enhanced mRNA stability. Deletion analysis identified the complementary sequence and distal nucleotides necessary for the enhancing activity, and results suggest RNA structural conformation is important. Taken together, we conclude that the proximal PPRV‐F 5′ UTR functions as a translational enhancer by promoting translation efficiency and mRNA stability.
Fractographic insights into cracking mechanisms and microstructure
Authors: James M. N.
Published: January 2013

This Special Issue celebrates the first 30 years of the existence of the Italian Group on Fracture (IGF). In that time, the fractographic imaging capability afforded by scanning electron microscopes had undergone a technological revolution, offering unparalleled opportunities to characterize very fine fracture surface features and to characterize chemical species and microstructure via such techniques as energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), wavelength dispersive spectroscopy (WDS) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). A wavelength‐dispersive spectrometer uses the characteristic X‐rays generated by individual elements to enable quantitative analysis (down to trace element levels) to be performed with spot sizes as small as a few micrometres. This complements EDS where a user can acquire a full elemental spectrum in only a few seconds but where energy peaks may overlap among different elements, particularly those corresponding to X‐rays generated by emission from different energy‐level shells (K, L and M) in different elements. It then becomes easier to acquire a quantitative elemental map alongside excellent fracture surface images. This paper considers some of the areas in fractography where the increased capability of modern scanning electron microscopes confers advantages.
Patterns of Use and Reasons for Discontinuation of Prophylactic Medications for Episodic Migraine and Chronic Migraine: Results From the Second International Burden of Migraine Study (IBMS‐II)
Authors: Blumenfeld Andrew M. , Bloudek Lisa M. , Becker Werner J. , Buse Dawn C. , Varon Sepideh F. , Maglinte Gregory A. , Wilcox Teresa K. , Kawata Ariane K. , Lipton Richard B.
Published: January 2013

Objective

Our objective was to characterize patterns of preventive medication use in persons with episodic migraine (EM) and chronic migraine (CM).

Background

Several classes of medications are used both on‐ and off‐label for the prevention of migraine, including β‐blockers (eg, propranolol, timolol), tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline), anti‐epileptic drugs (eg, topiramate, valproic acid), and neurotoxins (eg, onabotulinumtoxinA).

Methods

Preventive medication use and reasons for discontinuation were collected in an international, Web‐based, cross‐sectional survey of adults with migraine during 2010. Descriptive analyses were conducted on demographics and headache‐related disability as measured by the Migraine Disability Assessment Scale, stratified by use of preventive medication, and EM or CM. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were constructed to assess predictors of preventive medication use.

Results

One thousand one hundred and sixty‐five respondents completed the survey. Only 28.3% of EM and 44.8% of CM respondents were currently using preventive medication; any use of prophylaxis (prior or current) was reported by 43.4% of those with EM and 65.9% with CM. The mean number of prophylactic medications ever used was 2.92 for EM and 3.94 for CM. Antidepressants were used most frequently (EM 60.9%; CM 54.7%), followed by β‐blockers (EM 35.4%; CM 36.8%) and anti‐epileptics (EM 28.6%; CM 36.3%). Odds of preventive medication use were higher among CM than EM, adjusting for age, gender, race, years of daily headache, and country (odds ratio 2.72; 95% confidence interval 2.15 to 3.57). Greater headache‐related disability and older age were also associated with greater odds of ever having used prophylaxis, regardless of headache frequency.

Conclusions

Less than half the persons with EM and CM were currently using preventive medication for migraine, with treatment rates being higher for CM, as expected. Those with CM tried more medications than those with EM, possibly reflecting higher levels of treatment need.
Damselflies use different movement strategies for short‐ and long‐distance dispersal
Authors: Keller Daniela , Holderegger Rolf
Published: January 2013

Dispersal is an important process for any organism, but especially for endangered species in fragmented landscapes. To enhance the dispersal of a certain species, connectivity measures are implemented, which require knowledge on the species' dispersal behaviour and habitat. It is often assumed, that the preferred reproductive habitat of a species is also used as the main dispersal habitat. Although this assumption has often been confirmed, there are also cases where it has been disproved.

With a combination of a mark‐resight study and genetic analysis conducted in a fragmented agricultural landscape in Switzerland, the dispersal habitats of the threatened damselfly Coenagrion mercuriale were analysed for different distance classes. In addition, maximum dispersal distances were estimated.

The mark‐resight study detected movement over short distances (≤500 m) mainly within the reproductive habitat of C. mercuriale (i.e. streams).

In contrast, the genetic study detected both short‐ and long‐distance dispersal. Short‐distance dispersal occurred along streams, and discontinuity of streams hindered dispersal. Long‐distance dispersal was suggested to happen along more or less straight lines and crossing agricultural land. Genetic analysis also showed that populations were well connected and that few individuals dispersed over larger distances (≤4500 m).

Our study showed that connected reproductive habitat enhanced short‐distance dispersal in C. mercuriale. Although short‐distance dispersal occurred frequently, long‐distance dispersal was rare, but important to connect more isolated populations. Therefore, it would be relevant to differentiate between these two dispersal types when planning connectivity measures.
Perspectives on How FDA Assesses Exposure to Food Additives When Evaluating Their Safety: Workshop Proceedings
Authors: Alger Heather M. , Maffini Maricel V. , Kulkarni Neesha R. , Bongard Erin D. , Neltner Thomas
Published: January 2013

Food additives and substances considered “generally recognized as safe” must not be allowed in food unless there is a reasonable certainty in the minds of competent scientists that the substance is not harmful under the intended conditions of use. Scientists determine safety by ensuring that the expected exposure is less than the acceptable daily intake. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provides guidance documents to assist safety assessors in this analysis. A November 2011 workshop sponsored by The Pew Charitable Trusts, the Institute of Food Technologists, and the journal Nature reviewed the agency's exposure assessment approaches. More than 70 experts from government (including FDA), industry, academia, and public interest organizations examined the principles underlying dietary exposure assessments for substances added to human food, and responded to questions about current methods. FDA's approach was seen as serving the agency reasonably well, but participants identified opportunities for improvement. Although reaching a consensus was not a goal, general agreements emerged that FDA should develop a science‐based framework to prioritize and reassess prior safety decisions, and conduct more extensive postmarket monitoring. Participants discussed the possibility of harmonizing different approaches to assess dietary exposure. They generally agreed that collaboration, communication, and exchanging scientific information between agencies and stakeholders would help assessors use the most current information to make better decisions. Participants identified data gaps and opportunities to fill the gaps using new tools and technologies. Participants generally agreed on the need to consider all dietary sources in a cumulative dietary exposure assessment.
Loss of lingual sensitivity and slightly increased size signaling schwannoma in a patient with mixed conjunctive tissue disease
Authors: Ferreira D. C. , Nogueira G. , Cancio V. A. , Cavalcante F. S. , Godefroy P. , Sousa D. S. C. , Hespanhol W. , dos Santos K. R. N. , Cavalcante M. A. B.
Published: January 2013

The purpose of this study was to describe an unusual case of a lingual schwannoma associated with a mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD). A case report. A lingual schwannoma with loss of lingual sensitivity and slightly increased size in an 18‐year‐old patient with MCTD was correctly diagnosed through a biopsy and no reoccurrence was observed one year after the surgical removal of the tumor and sensitivity returned 3 months after surgery. This case was considered uncommon, making the clinical diagnosis challenging in view of the diversity of possibilities for its differential diagnosis, thus showing the importance of a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis and long term follow up in such cases.
Rethinking Conditionality: Turkey's European Union Accession and the Kurdish Question
Authors: Cengiz Firat , Hoffmann Lars
Published: January 2013

This article assesses the recent developments in the Turkish democratic reform processes, particularly those affecting the Kurdish minority, induced by Turkey's ambition to accede to the European Union (EU). The analysis is rooted in the Europeanization literature, specifically the external incentives model. In addition to providing a systematic review of recent political developments in this area, the analysis leads us to question some of the model's basic premises. Most notably, it is found that credible EU commitment, rather than low adoption costs and weak veto players, has constituted a necessary and sufficient condition for the reform process. Likewise, there is a dynamic relationship between EU‐induced democratic reforms and adoption costs that is largely overlooked in the existing literature.
MultisystemicTherapy forDisruptiveBehaviorProblems inYouthsWithAutismSpectrumDisorders:A ProgressReport
Authors: Wagner David V. , Borduin Charles M. , Kanne Stephen M. , Mazurek Micah O. , Farmer Janet E. , Brown Rachel M. A.
Published: January 2013

Youths with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) often engage in serious disruptive behaviors that interfere with their ability to successfully manage day‐to‐day responsibilities and contribute to relationship problems with caregivers, peers, and teachers. Effective treatments are needed to address the factors linked with disruptive behavior problems in this population of youths. Multisystemic therapy (MST) is a comprehensive family‐ and community‐based treatment approach that has been effective with other difficult‐to‐treat populations of youths and holds promise for youths withASD. In this article, we review the broad range of factors associated with disruptive behaviors among youths withASDand discuss howMSTinterventions can be adapted to address those factors. We also present a framework for our adaptation of theMSTmodel for youths withASD. This framework includes a recently completed pilot study as well as an ongoing efficacy trial that together have served to identify key interventions for our adaptation of theMSTmodel.
Geographic accessibility and utilization of orthodontic services among Medicaid children and adolescents
Authors: McKernan Susan C. , Kuthy Raymond A. , Momany Elizabeth T. , McQuistan Michelle R. , Hanley Paul F. , Jones Michael P. , Damiano Peter C.
Published: January 2013

Objectives

To describe rates of Medicaid‐funded services provided by orthodontists in Iowa to children and adolescents, identify factors associated with utilization, and describe geographic barriers to care.

Methods

We analyzed enrollment and claims data from the Iowa Medicaid program for a 3‐year period, January 2008 through December 2010. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed with utilization of orthodontic services as the main outcome variable. Service areas were identified by small area analysis in order to examine regional variability in utilization.

Results

The overall rate of orthodontic utilization was 3.1 percent. Medicaid enrollees living in small towns and rural areas were more likely to utilize orthodontic services than those living in urban areas. Children who had an oral evaluation by a primary care provider in the year prior to the study period were more likely to receive orthodontic services. Service areas with lower population density and greater mean travel distance to participating orthodontists had higher utilization rates than smaller, more densely populated areas.

Conclusions

Rural residency and increased travel distances do not appear to act as barriers to orthodontic care for this population. The wide variability of utilization rates seen across service areas may be related to workforce supply in the form of orthodontists who accept Medicaid‐insured patients. Referrals to orthodontists from primary care dentists may improve access to specialty care for Medicaid enrollees.
Purinergic signalling during sterile liver injury
Authors: Oliveira André G. , Marques Pedro E. , Amaral Sylvia S. , Quintão Jayane L. D. , Cogliati Bruno , Dagli Maria L. Z. , Rogiers Vera , Vanhaecke Tamara , Vinken Mathieu , Menezes Gustavo B.
Published: January 2013

The liver plays a vital role in the organism, and thousands of patients suffer and even die from hepatic complications every year. Viral hepatitis is one of the most important causes of liver‐related pathological processes. However, sterile liver diseases, such as drug‐induced liver injury, cirrhosis and fibrosis, are still a worldwide concern and contribute significantly to liver transplantation statistics. During hepatocyte death, several genuine intracellular contents are released to the interstitium, where they will trigger inflammatory responses that may boost organ injury. Intracellular purines are key molecules to several metabolic pathways and regulate cell bioenergetics. However, seminal studies in early 70s revealed that purines may also participate in cell‐to‐cell communication, and more recent data have unequivocally demonstrated that the purinergic signalling plays a key role in the recognition of cell functionality by neighbouring cells and also by the immune system. This new body of knowledge has pointed out that several promising therapeutic opportunities may rely on the modulation of purine release and sensing during diseases. Here, we review the most recent data on the physiological roles of purinergic signalling and how its imbalance may contribute to injury progression during sterile liver injury.
5‐HT2A receptor antagonists inhibit hepatic stellate cell activation and facilitate apoptosis
Authors: Kim Dong Chan , Jun Dae Won , Kwon Young Il , Lee Kang Nyeong , Lee Hang Lak , Lee Oh Young , Yoon Byung Chul , Choi Ho Soon , Kim Eun Kyung
Published: January 2013

Background

5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT) receptors are upregulated in activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), and are therefore thought to play an important role in their activation.

Aim

The aim of this study was to determine whether 5‐HT2A receptor antagonists affect the activation or apoptosis of HSCs in vitro and/or in vivo.

Methods

For the in vitro experiments, the viability, apoptosis and wound healing ability of LX‐2 cells were examined after treatment with various 5‐HT2A receptor antagonists. Levels of HSC activation markers (procollagen type I, α‐SMA, TGF‐β and Smad 2/3) were measured. For in vivo experiments, rats were divided into three groups: (i) a control group, (ii) a disease group, in which cirrhosis was induced by thioacetamide (iii) a treatment group, in which cirrhosis was induced and a 5‐HT2A receptor antagonist (sarpogrelate, 30 mg/kg) was administered.

Results

5‐HT2A, but not 5‐HT2B receptor mRNA increased with time upon HSC activation. 5‐HT2A receptor antagonists (ketanserin and sarpogrelate) inhibited viability and wound healing in LX‐2 cells and induced apoptosis. Expression of α‐SMA and procollagen type I was also inhibited. In the in vivo study, lobular inflammation was reduced in the sarpogrelate‐treated group, but there was only slight and statistically insignificant attenuation of periportal fibrosis. Expression of α‐SMA, TGF‐β and Smad 2/3 was also reduced in the treatment group.

Conclusions

5‐HT2A receptor antagonists can reduce inflammation and the activation of HSCs in this cirrhotic model.
Perivascular Innervation: A Multiplicity of Roles in Vasomotor Control and Myoendothelial Signaling
Authors: Westcott Erika B. , Segal Steven S.
Published: January 2013

The control of vascular resistance and tissue perfusion reflect coordinated changes in the diameter of feed arteries and the arteriolar networks they supply. Against a background of myogenic tone and metabolic demand, vasoactive signals originating from perivascular sympathetic and sensory nerves are integrated with endothelium‐derived signals to produce vasodilation or vasoconstriction. PVNs release adrenergic, cholinergic, peptidergic, purinergic, and nitrergic neurotransmitters that lead to SMC contraction or relaxation via their actions on SMCs, ECs, or other PVNs. ECs release autacoids that can have opposing actions on SMCs. Respective cell layers are connected directly to each other through GJs at discrete sites via MEJs projecting through holes in the IEL. Whereas studies of intercellular communication in the vascular wall have centered on endothelium‐derived signals that govern SMC relaxation, attention has increasingly focused on signaling from SMCs to ECs. Thus, via MEJs, neurotransmission from PVNs can evoke distinct responses from ECs subsequent to acting on SMCs. To integrate this emerging area of investigation in light of vasomotor control, the present review synthesizes current understanding of signaling events that originate within SMCs in response to perivascular neurotransmission in light of EC feedback. Although often ignored in studies of the resistance vasculature, PVNs are integral to blood flow control and can provide a physiological stimulus for myoendothelial communication. Greater understanding of these underlying signaling events and how they may be affected by aging and disease will provide new approaches for selective therapeutic interventions.
ParA of Mycobacterium smegmatis co‐ordinates chromosome segregation with the cell cycle and interacts with the polar growth determinant DivIVA
Authors: Ginda Katarzyna , Bezulska Martyna , Ziółkiewicz Małgorzata , Dziadek Jarosław , Zakrzewska‐Czerwińska Jolanta , Jakimowicz Dagmara
Published: January 2013

Mycobacteria are among the clinically most important pathogens, but still not much is known about the mechanisms of their cell cycle control. Previous studies suggested that the genes encoding ParA and ParB (ATPase and DNA binding protein, respectively, required for active chromosome segregation) may be essential in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Further research has demonstrated that a Mycobacterium smegmatis parB deletion mutant was viable but exhibited a chromosome segregation defect. Here, we address the question if ParA is required for the growth of M. smegmatis, and which cell cycle processes it affects. Our data show that parA may be deleted, but its deletion leads to growth inhibition and severe disturbances of chromosome segregation and septum positioning. Similar defects are also caused by ParA overproduction. EGFP–ParA localizes as pole‐associated complexes connected with a patch of fluorescence accompanying two ParB complexes. Observed aberrations in the number and positioning of ParB complexes in the parA deletion mutant indicate that ParA is required for the proper localization of the ParB complexes. Furthermore, it is shown that ParA colocalizes and interacts with the polar growth determinant Wag31 (DivIVA homologue). Our results demonstrate that mycobacterial ParA mediates chromosome segregation and co‐ordinates it with cell division and elongation.
Tuberculosis presenting as a neck abscess
Authors: Dunphy L. , Boyd D. , Holland I.
Published: January 2013

Tuberculosis is a chronic granulomatous infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and is still the most fatal infectious disease worldwide. It remains a therapeutic and diagnostic challenge because it mimics other pathological processes and yields inconsistent physical and laboratory findings. We present a case of tuberculous lymphadenitis presenting in the cervical lymph nodes of a young male.
A psychological preoperative program: effects on anxiety and cooperative behaviors
Authors: Cuzzocrea Francesca , Gugliandolo Maria C. , Larcan Rosalba , Romeo Carmelo , Turiaco Nunzio , Dominici Tiziana
Published: January 2013

Aim

To evaluate the effectiveness of a psychological preoperative program in reducing preoperative anxiety and in promoting compliance of pediatric participants with surgical procedures.

Methods

Fifty children and their mothers were subjected to two conditions of treatment to investigate whether psychological preparation activities and psychologist's support during all phases of the operatory iter (group 1) were as efficient in reducing mothers' and child's anxiety and in increasing the child's compliance as distraction activities (group 2). The observed child anxiety was assessed using mYPAS; compliant behaviors with Induction Compliance Checklist; and mothers' anxiety with Amsterdam Pre‐operative Anxiety and Information Scale.

Results

Children of the first group were less anxious and more cooperative in the preoperative period and during anesthesia induction than in the other condition. The psychological program was also more efficient in reducing mothers' anxiety. Finally, the mothers of group 1 showed a significantly higher satisfaction and judged as significantly more effective the program proposed to prepare their children than the mothers of group 2.

Conclusions

Preparing children through playful dramatization of the operative procedure, manipulation of medical instruments and psychologist's support may be useful in pediatric surgery structures.
Endoscopic airway findings in children with or without prior endotracheal intubation
Authors: Weiss Markus , Dave Mital , Bailey Martin , Gysin Claudine , Hoeve Hans , Hammer Jürg , Nicolai Thomas , Spielmann Nelly , Gerber Andreas
Published: January 2013

Background

Airway alterations found after endotracheal intubation are usually associated with mechanical trauma from the tube. However, no studies are available concerning alterations in airways that have never been intubated before. It was the aim of the study to compare endoscopic findings in the larynx and trachea of children who had undergone prior endotracheal intubation with findings in children who had not been intubated before.

Methods

In 1021 children aged from 0 to 6 years, rigid endoscopies were performed before planned elective endotracheal intubation. The anonymized endoscopy videos were reviewed and graded by five international airway experts. Data was compared between the two groups using the chi‐square test (P ≤ 0.05).

Results

Endoscopic records of 971 children (473 with prior intubation; 498 without prior airway intubation) were included in the final calculations. Most patients (93.7%) with prior intubation had been intubated with a cuffed tube. The number of intubations ranged from 1 to 27. The median interval between intubation and endoscopy was 0.53 years (0.003–5.57 years). Abnormal findings were observed in 31.7% and 26.8% of patients with and without prior intubation, respectively (P = 0.063). Glottic granulomas were significantly more common after intubation (3.6% vs 1.4%; P = 0.028). The incidence of other abnormal findings was similar in both groups.

Conclusion

Endoscopic airway alterations can be observed in about one‐quarter of children presenting for routine surgery without prior intubation. Except for glottic granulomas, the abnormalities are found with similar frequency in patients with and without prior intubation. No relevant airway damage from short‐term endotracheal intubation was found.
Journeys through aroma space: a novel approach towards the selection of aroma‐enriched strawberry cultivars in breeding programmes
Authors: Vandendriessche Thomas , Geerts Pascal , Membrebe Bernard N. , Keulemans Johan , NicolaÏ Bart M. , Hertog Maarten L.A.T.M.
Published: January 2013

Consumers often criticize the sensory quality of modern strawberry cultivars. Therefore, a new and fast workflow for cultivar selection was developed to aid in the development of cultivars with enhanced aroma. This workflow consists of Headspace (HS) solid‐phase microextraction (SPME) fast GC‐MS used for high‐throughput aroma analysis of parents and hybrids. For data analysis, a chemometrical workflow was created. With a principal component analysis (PCA), the aroma similarity between the samples and a target aroma was evaluated. In order to know how the aroma profiles of the parents and hybrids are situated towards this target aroma, the Euclidean distances were calculated. These were then further used for a partial least‐squares (PLS) regression analysis to determine which aroma compounds are responsible for the observed distance to the target. By using this new approach, hybrids showing aroma profiles similar to the target aroma can be identified as most suitable candidates for further breeding cycles. Besides being time‐saving, the suggested workflow introduces aroma analysis as an integral part of breeding programmes. It prevents losing the coherence within the aroma profile and subsequently the loss of important information.
Hagiography and Early Medieval History1
Authors: Taylor Anna
Published: January 2013

In the first half of the 1990s, several scholars challenged the idea of hagiography as a genre in late antiquity and the early and central Middle Ages. Focusing on pre‐twelfth‐century Latin narratives about saints, I briefly survey scholarship from the last two decades and consider how it has engaged with this issue. Using examples of neglected and unusual “hagiographic” texts, I explore the possibilities and limitations of alternative approaches. Hagiography is a modern construct that is often treated as a medieval reality. Not only hagiography, but the idea of genre itself, is overly restrictive for understanding the great diversity of writings about saints. Anachronistic ideas of hagiography and genre have obscured the creativity of many works and the fluidity of literary traditions. Instead of appealing to modern classifications, we need to pay attention to the full range of evidence for the multiple literary traditions that writers, readers, and scribes invoked, and for the various uses to which they put the individual works.
Oral health in older adults with dementia living in different environments: a propensity analysis
Authors: Chen Xi , Clark Jennifer J.J. , Naorungroj Supawadee
Published: January 2013

This study was to compare oral health in dementia patients living in different environments. One hundred two dementia patients living in the community, assisted living facilities and nursing homes (NH) were retrospectively selected from a community‐based dental clinic. Participants’ sociodemographics, medical, dental, functional, and cognitive assessment were documented at arrival. Poisson and negative‐binomial regressions were developed to assess impacts of residential status on the number of missing teeth and number of caries/retained roots, respectively. Oral health was poor in study participants, regardless of their residential status. Nearly 30% of NH residents were edentulous, about two times higher than those in the community. Dentate participants averaged about 5.9 caries/retained roots at arrival. Forty‐four percent of community‐dwelling participants and 54% of NH residents presented with five or more caries/retained roots. Holding other factors constant, living environment was not associated with oral health measures, indicating oral health had declined in dementia patients before they were placed into NH.
Concealable Stigmatized Identities and Psychological Well‐Being
Authors: Quinn Diane M. , Earnshaw Valerie A.
Published: January 2013

Many people have concealable stigmatized identities: Identities that can be hidden from others and that are socially devalued and negatively stereotyped. Understanding how these concealable stigmatized identities affect psychological well‐being is critical. We present our model of the components of concealable stigmatized identities including valenced content– internalized stigma, experienced discrimination, anticipated stigma, disclosure reactions, and counter‐stereotypic/positive information – and magnitude– centrality and salience. Research has shown that negatively valenced content is related to increased psychological distress. However, smaller identity magnitude may buffer this distress. We review the research available and discuss important areas for future work.
Meditation and Health: The Search for Mechanisms of Action
Authors: Kok Bethany E. , Waugh Christian E. , Fredrickson Barbara L.
Published: January 2013

Psychological interest in the impact of mental states on biological functioning is growing rapidly, driving a need for new methods for inducing mental states that last long enough, and are sufficiently impactful, to have significant effects on physical health. The many traditions of meditative practice are one potential pathway for studying mind‐body interactions. The purpose of this review is to introduce personality and social psychologists to the field of meditation research. Beginning with a brief introduction to meditation and the heterogeneity of meditative practices, we showcase research linking meditative practice to changes in immune and cardiovascular functioning and pain perception. We then discuss theoretical and empirical evidence that meditation works by inducing changes in psychological capacities such as emotion regulation and self‐regulation or through repeated induction of specific mental states such as love or meta‐cognitive awareness. At the frontier of the science of meditation is the need to empirically test whether meditation‐driven changes in cognitive and affective processes are the cause of improvements in physical health. Emerging challenges in meditation research include a need for large studies using randomized controlled and dual‐blind designs with active control groups and an increased focus on measuring mechanisms of action as well as outcomes. Meditation represents a potentially powerful tool for generating new knowledge of mind‐body interactions.
A Closer Look Into the Multi‐Layer Structure of Motivational Intensity Theory
Authors: Richter Michael
Published: January 2013

Drawing on the idea that humans aim to avoid wasting energy that is important for survival, motivational intensity theory postulates that task difficulty and success importance determine energy investment. Additionally, the theory makes predictions on how task characteristics moderate the relationship between task difficulty, success importance, and energy investment. In this article, I will show how the different predictions of motivational intensity theory relate to one another and to what extent they can be derived from the fundamental principle of energy conservation. I will also discuss the application of the theory to effort mobilization and cardiovascular reactivity. Specifically, I will discuss the additional assumptions and predictions that are necessary to link these applications to motivational intensity theory’s basic rationale, the energy conservation principle.
Social Effects of Facial Blushing: Influence of Context and Actor Versus Observer Perspective
Authors: de Jong Peter J. , Dijk Corine
Published: January 2013

Blushing is restricted to the facial area that is uncovered and in the center of social attention. Together with the observation that blushing typically occurs in interpersonal situations, it has been proposed that the blush might have acquired signaling properties with relevant social implications. Following such a functional perspective, this article evaluates the signal value and social effects of the blush. First, it is argued that the blush fulfils all criteria for being a reliable social signal. It seems impossible to fake or to suppress, and it seems to co‐occur with a specific mental state: The acute awareness that one’s goal of esteem before others is at stake. Second, it is illustrated that the social effects of the blush may greatly vary as a function of context. In contexts that clearly imply some kind of misbehavior, the blush has face‐saving properties. Yet, in many other contexts, such as merely being the center of attention or situations that are ambiguous with regard to the blushing actors’ antecedent behaviors, the blush may have undesirable effects. Third, it is illustrated that the signal value of the blush not only affects the observers but also the blushing actors. It is shown that the anticipated influence of one’s blushing on other people’s judgments may help explain why actors often consider blushing as a highly undesirable response, and why some people may even develop a phobic fear of blushing.
Adaptation of a general primary care package for HIV‐infected adults to an HIV centre setting in Gaborone, Botswana
Authors: Davis Stephanie , Patel Premal , Sheikh Abid , Anabwani Gabriel , Tolle Michael A.
Published: January 2013

Background

As life expectancy of HIV‐infected patients improves due to antiretroviral treatment (ART) and the importance of associated co‐morbidities and chronic diseases increases, preventive care will become increasingly important. Adaptation of existing preventive guidelines to local environments will become a priority for HIV treatment programmes.

Methods

Guidance from the World Health Organization, a focused evidenced‐based literature review, Botswana national guidelines, Botswana‐specific morbidity and mortality data and centre‐specific data were used to adapt a published general primary care package for limited‐resource areas to our centre's specific setting.

Results

The preventive care package contains recommendations on tuberculosis prevention, malnutrition, depression, cervical and breast cancer, hepatitis B coinfection, cardiovascular risk factors, external injury prevention, domestic violence screening, tobacco and substance‐abuse counselling, contraception and screening and treatment of sexually transmitted infections.

Conclusion

This preventive care package addresses the comprehensive health needs of HIV‐infected adults in the FMC in an evidence‐based manner. The process of combining clinic‐specific prevalence data, national guidelines, regional literature and assessment of public‐sector resources to adapt an existing general package could be utilised to develop similar guidelines in other resource‐limited locales.
Review: Addressing the challenge of neonatal mortality
Authors: Blencowe H. , Cousens S.
Published: January 2013

Reducing neonatal mortality remains a challenge with an estimated 3.0 million neonatal deaths in 2011, three‐quarters of these in sub‐Saharan Africa and Southern Asia. The leading causes of neonatal death globally are complications of preterm birth, intrapartum‐related causes and infections. While post‐neonatal, under‐5 deaths fell by 47% between 1990 and 2011, neonatal deaths only fell by 32% and they now account for 43% of all under‐5 child deaths. This article reviews the progress in reducing neonatal deaths in high‐burden countries and presents an overview of known effective interventions to reduce neonatal mortality and the challenges faced in implementing these in high‐burden settings. Effective action is possible to reduce neonatal mortality, but innovative approaches to implementation will be required if these preventable deaths are to be avoided.
Long‐term clinical and immunologic outcomes of HIV‐infected women with and without previous exposure to nevirapine
Authors: Mudiope Peter K. , Kim Soyeon , Wabwire Deo , Nyende Louis , Bagenda Danstan , Mubiru Mike , Mulira Robinah , Elbireer Sawsan , Namukwaya Zikulah , Fowler Mary Glenn , Musoke Philippa
Published: January 2013

Objectives

To determine and compare the clinical and immunologic outcomes for HIV‐infected women initiated on antiretroviral therapy (ART), with and without previous exposure to single‐dose nevirapine in the MTCT‐Plus programme – Kampala, Uganda, from 2003 to 2011.

Methods

Retrospective comparison of prospectively collected programmatic data of clinical and immunologic treatment outcomes among HIV‐infected Ugandan women, with and without prior exposure to sdNVP, who received NNRTI‐based ART for a median follow‐up of 6 years.

Results

Of the 408 women in the programme, 289 (70.8%) were started on ART, of whom 205 (70.9%) had prior exposure to sdNVP. Clinical, immunologic and combined (clinical and or immunologic) treatment failure occurred in 29 (10.0%), 132 (45.7%) and 142 (49.1%) women, respectively. There was no significant difference in the distribution of time to immunologic failure for women by exposure to sdNVP (log‐rank P = 0.98). In Cox proportional hazard modelling, exposure to sdNVP was not associated with immunologic failure [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) = 0.89, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.61–1.30]. CD4 count >100 cells/mm3 at initiation was associated with reduced incidence of immunologic failure in adjusted analyses (HR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.22–0.48).

Conclusions

HIV‐infected Ugandan women initiated on an NVP‐based ART regimen had similar immunologic treatment outcomes irrespective of previous NVP exposure. CD4 cell count prior to initiating HAART was a key prognostic factor for successful long‐term immunologic treatment outcomes. In poor settings, regular follow‐up of patients on HAART with adequate counselling to promote adherence and safe disclosure may promote low clinical failure rates.
Molecular phylogenetics of the burrowing crayfish genus Fallicambarus (Decapoda: Cambaridae)
Authors: Ainscough Benjamin J. , Breinholt Jesse W. , Robison Henry W. , Crandall Keith A.
Published: January 2013

Ainscough, B.J., Breinholt, J.W., Robison, H.W. & Crandall, K.A. (2013). Molecular phylogenetics of the burrowing crayfish genus Fallicambarus (Decapoda: Cambaridae). —Zoologica Scripta, 42, 306–316.

The crayfish genus Fallicambarus contains 19 species of primary burrowing freshwater crayfish divided into two distinct subgenera. We test current hypotheses of the phylogenetic relationships among species within the genus as well as the monophyly of the genus. Our study samples all 19 species for five gene regions (both nuclear and mitochondrial) to estimate a robust phylogenetic hypothesis for the genus. We show that the genus is not a monophyletic group. The subgenus Creaserinus does fall out as a monophyletic group, but distinct from the subgenus Fallicambarus. The subgenus Fallicambarus appears to be monophyletic with the exception of the species Procambarus (Tenuicambarus) tenuis, which falls in the midst of this subgenus suggesting that it might be better classified as a Fallicambarus species. We also show that the species Fallicambarus fodiens is a species complex with distinct evolutionary lineages that are regionalized to different geographic areas.
Optimal Control Of A Bilinear System Subjected To A Quadratic Cost Function Using Lie Algebra
Authors: Jamaluddin Hishamuddin
Published: January 2013

Optimal control for a Biliner System subjected to a quadratic cost functional was derived by applying Lie Algerbra. Interesting results were obtained when the system matrice commute and when the Lie sub-algebra generated by the system matrices is nilpotent.
Legislation On Oil Pollution Prevention And Control During Petroleum Production
Authors: Md. Yassin Dr. Abu Azam
Published: January 2013

Malaysia has long been victim of oil pollution well before the start of her own offshore exploitation of oil. With the effort to exploit offshore oil and gas, Malaysia has now become causer of pollution herself. Legislation existed for oil pollution prevention and control, along each and every stage of offshore petroleum operations which include exploration, development, production, transportation, treatment and storage. But procedures to explain the existing legislation is lacking and hence it is important to expound the existing legislation for controlling and preventing oil pollution from offshore operation in line with current practices around the world.
Sifat-Sifat Batu-Bata Klinker Kelapa Sawit
Authors: Zakaria Mat Lazim , Saim Abdul Aziz
Published: January 2013

Klinker kelapa sawit ialah suatu bahan sisa di dalam industri pengeluaran minyak kelapa sawit. Boleh dikatakan setiap kilang minyak kelapa sawit akan menghasilkan bahan sisa ini. Kajian dibuat untuk menggunakan bahan ini sebagai batu baur halus dalam pembuatan batu bata. Kajian ini meliputi ujikaji ke atas sifat-sifat kekuatan mampatan, penyerapan air, pengecutan kering dan pengembangan basah. Keputusan ujikaji diringkaskan di sini. Berdasarkan keputusan ujikaji didapati klinker kelapa sawit sesuai digunakan untuk membuat batu-bata dan blok mortar (pasir-simen).
Nucleation Studies In Convergent Nozzle
Authors: Hj. Ani Farid Nasir
Published: January 2013

The problem of instability in condensing flows of steam understand parallel to the care of heat addition to a compressible fluid. For any specific mach number, there is a maximum amount of heat release that the flow can cope with. If the heat release by condensation is more than the heat required to reduce the flow Mach number to unity, then instability occurs. This quantity of heat released is a function of the limiting supercooling attained by the fluid. A description is given on the theoretical treatment of nucleation in flowing steam employing an equation of state based on the third virial coefficiant. Calculated results covering the pressure range 0.1-1.5 bar in a convergent nozzle of expansion rate P = l000 s-1 are presented.
Phenomena And Problems In The Condensation Of Binary Vapours Of Immiscible Liquids
Authors: Musa Mohd. Nor
Published: January 2013

The paper describes the phenomena of immiscible binary mixtures when condensed on a flat plate or a single tube and over a tube bank. lt discusses the resistances of heat and mass transfers from the bulk vapour to the condenser outside wall and the condensate flow patterns. The paper finally addresses some of the problems associated with the condensation of the binary vapours of immiscible liquids through tube bundle as well a the effect of vapour hear on the condensation process.
Pembinaan Sistem Pakar Dalam Bidang Penyakit Tanaman Ladang
Authors: Mohd Sidek Zailani , Othman Mohamed
Published: January 2013

Artikel in membincangkan satu kajian penyelidikan untuk merekabentuk dan membangunkan satu contoh-dasar (prototaip) sistem pakar dalam bidang penyakit tanaman ladang khususnya getah. Sistem pakar yang telah dibina ini ialah sistem pakar penyakit tanaman getah atau lebih dikenali sebagai RUDES (RUBBER PLANT DISEASE EXPERT SYSTEM). Sistem pakar ini merupakan satu sistem berfungsi untuk mendiagnosis penyakit-penyakit tanaman getah khususnya penyakit-penyakit yang terdapat di Malaysia. Setelah selesai mendiagnosis sesuatu penyakit, sistem pakar akan menentukan darjah kepercayaan tentang kewujudan penyakit tersebut berserta langkah-langkah kawalannya. Sistem pakar yang telah direkabentuk ini menggunakan konsep kepintaran buatan.

Kata Kunci: Sistem pakar, kepintaran bulatan, pangkalan pengetahuan, jentera pentadbiran, antaramuka pengguna, PROLOG (programming in logic), heuristik
Dynamic Secure Economic Dispatch For Large Scale Power Systems
Authors: Ab. Ghani M. Ruddin , Singh Prof. M.G
Published: January 2013

Dynamic multi-period economic dispatch for large-scale power systems is considered. The formulation presented caters for loading and deloading rates, limits on generators outputs, spinning reserves requirements and group power import-export limits. It is also suitable for implementation within a constraint relaxation strategy. The solution algorithm is based on a Dantzig-Wolfe decomposition, which yields a capacitated transshipment subproblem along with a master problem solved by the Revised Simplex method.The computational efficiency of the algorithm renders it suitable for on-line dispatch.