bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A multidisciplinary diagnostic approach preliminary to the restoration of the country church “San Maurizio” located in Ittiri (SS), Italy
Authors: Sammartino Maria P , Cau Gavino , Reale Rita , Ronca Sara , Visco Giovanni
Published: February 2014

Background

The knowledge of the structure of an artefact, as well as that of its constituent materials and of the hosting environment surely ensures safe guideline for its restoration. Unfortunately, in most cases, a scientific investigation preliminary to restoration is not accomplished due to its high costs and, as a fact, diagnostics is performed only for very precious artworks.

This paper aims to provide a multidisciplinary diagnostic procedure that, although not exhaustive, is rigorous and relatively low cost. It was employed in view of the restoration works on a country church located in Sardinia. A careful inspection of all the architectural elements was carried out in order to highlight structural damages as well as sources of them. One stone and one plaster samples were analysed. The salt content was determined, in two different areas of the church, using three different sampling procedures while only the normed method was used for the determination along the stratigraphy of the sampled plaster. Microclimate monitoring was also carried out.

Results

Water infiltration through the roof was observed. Natural stones and artificial building materials used in the basic architecture resulted to have local source. Both the preliminary “by eye” inspection and the optical microscopy revealed several finishing layers in the investigated plaster samples. The salt content, with some exception, resulted rather low. Microclimate parameters show significant variations only in few areas of the building.

Conclusions

Damage observed inside the oldest part of the Church seems to be mainly related to water infiltrations through the roof and the lack of an effective drainage of the rainwater due to a previous bad restoration. Masonry from one of the newest rooms, showing a strong biodeterioration, as well as some areas inside the nave, revealed a significantly high sulphate content. Building materials (stone and aggregates of mortars) are of local provenance.
Vitamin D levels in Indian systemic lupus erythematosus patients: association with disease activity index and interferon alpha
Authors: Mandal Manamita , Tripathy Rina , Panda Aditya K , Pattanaik Sarit S , Dakua Simanchal , Pradhan Anjan Kumar , Chakraborty Soumen , Ravindran Balachandran , Das Bidyut K
Published: February 2014

Introduction

Low levels of vitamin D have been associated with several autoimmune disorders including multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The major source of vitamin D is sunlight but exposure of SLE patients to UV rays has been shown to exacerbate disease pathology. Studies in various populations have shown an association between low vitamin D levels and higher SLE disease activity.

Methods

We enrolled 129 patients who fulfilled American College of Rheumatology criteria in the study. There were 79 treatment-naïve cases and 50 patients who were under treatment for underlying SLE. There were 100 healthy subjects from similar geographical areas included as controls. Plasma 25-OH vitamin D3 and interferon (IFN)-α levels were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The gene expression level of IFN-α was determined by quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

Results

Plasma 25-OH vitamin D3 significantly correlated in an inverse manner with systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI) scores (P <0.0001, r = -0.42), anti-dsDNA (P <0.0001, r = -0.39), plasma IFN-α (P <0.0001, r = -0.43) and levels of IFN-α gene expression (P = 0.0009, r = -0.45). Further, plasma levels of IFN-α positively correlated with gene expression of IFN-α (P <0.0001, r = 0.84). Treatment-naïve SLE patients displayed significantly higher plasma levels of IFN-α compared to patients under treatment (P <0.001) and controls (P <0.001).

Conclusions

These results suggest an important role of vitamin D in regulating disease activity in SLE patients and the need to supplement vitamin D in their treatment.
Reducing the variation of Eaton’s exponent for overpressure prediction in a basin affected by multiple overpressure mechanisms
Authors: Suwannasri K. , Promrak W. , Utitsan S. , Chaisomboonpan V. , Groot R. J. , Sognnes H. I. , Morley C. K.
Published: February 2014

Deriving global parameters for velocity-based pore pressure predictions in a complex overpressure origins regime is normally difficult and nonrobust. Applying large variations in Eaton’s exponent is an unsatisfactory work practice for velocity-based pore pressure prediction. This study investigates an alternative potential method to reduce the variation of Eaton’s exponent values in an environment of mixed disequilibrium compaction and fluid expansion overpressure mechanisms. Using 25 input wells, the fluid expansion components are estimated using velocity-vertical effective stress plot and then subtracted from the pressure measurements to obtain the disequilibrium compaction components. Eaton’s exponents are then derived only from the disequilibrium compaction components. The spatial variation of Eaton’s exponent is greatly reduced from the range of 1–5 to the range of 1–1.9 after removing the fluid expansion components from the raw overpressure data set. A constant Eaton’s exponent of 1.44 is used throughout the field to predict the disequilibrium compaction components and the fluid expansion components are predicted from gridding of the well data. The two components are combined to produce a final pore pressure prediction profile, which yields less uncertainty than the traditional Bowers method.
From qualitative to quantitative interpretation: An interpreter’s guide to fluid prediction in Pliocene to Turonian deepwater turbidites from West Africa to Asia Pacific
Authors: Strecker Uwe , de Newton Paola Vera , Smith Maggie
Published: February 2014

To mitigate exploration risk in deepwater settings, subsurface analysis increasingly has to rely on integration of qualitative with quantitative techniques. To predict pay in turbidite sandstones, proven statistical and analytical methods can routinely be run on well and seismic inversion data. However, quantitative interpretation (QI) should begin with a responsible audit of available well logs and seismic data, succeeded by data conditioning, proceeding with quality control, and placing elastic attribute responses within their geologic context. To address these issues, we evaluate geologic controls on porosity change as manifested by overpressure and compaction on calibration and analysis of elastic attributes. Following calibration of seismic inversion data, we provide tutorial-style interpretations of deepwater clastic reservoirs from the Gulf of Guinea, West Africa, to the Sabah trough, Borneo. Case study examples offer interpreters the potential to use workflows surrounding data mining in exploration or during field development. In our first example, a comparison of univariate statistics run on compressional- and shear-wave impedances and Poisson’s ratio is introduced to potentially data mine 3D seismic over turbidite fairways. Joint interpretation of P-wave and S-wave impedances is combined with innovative uses of bivariate statistical analysis for anomaly detection. Additionally, the geologic rationale of interpreting elastic relationships of calibrated attributes, such as Lambda Rho and Mu Rho, is discussed on the seismic scale of a single reservoir layer using a combination of statistical methods and rock physics. Here, qualitative interpretation, via application of principles from seismic stratigraphy and seismic geomorphology, ultimately unlocks ambiguity in rock-physics-driven, quantitative lithology determination, guiding application of QI routines toward correctly predicting the prevailing fluid type. Elastic calibration permits seismic lithofacies classification of Cretaceous turbidite sandstones deposited as middle to lower slope channels canyon-fill and basin-floor channel complexes.
Summary of the ASK14 Ground Motion Relation for Active Crustal Regions
Authors: Abrahamson Norman A. , Silva Walter J. , Kamai Ronnie
Published: February 2014

Empirical ground motion models for the average horizontal component from shallow crustal earthquakes in active tectonic regions are derived using the PEER NGA-West2 database. The model is applicable to magnitudes 3.0–8.5, distances 0–300 km, and spectral periods of 0–10 s. The model input parameters are the same as those used by Abrahamson and Silva (2008) , with the following exceptions: the loading level for nonlinear effects is based on the spectral acceleration at the period of interest rather than the PGA; and the distance scaling for hanging wall (HW) effects off the ends of the rupture includes a dependence on the source-to-site azimuth. Regional differences in large-distance attenuation and V S30 scaling between California, Japan, China, and Taiwan are included. The scaling for the HW effect is improved using constraints from numerical simulations. The standard deviation is magnitude-dependent, with smaller magnitudes leading to larger standard deviations at short periods, but smaller standard deviations at long periods. Directivity effects are not included through explicit parameters, but are captured through the variability of the empirical data.
Randomized Phase III Trial Exploring the Use of Long-Acting Release Octreotide in the Prevention of Chemotherapy-Induced Diarrhea in Patients With Colorectal Cancer: The LARCID Trial
Authors: Hoff Paulo M. , Saragiotto Daniel F. , Barrios Carlos H. , del Giglio Auro , Coutinho Anelisa K. , Andrade Aline C. , Dutra Carolina , Forones Nora M. , Correa Mariangela , Portella Maria do Socorro O. , Passos Vanessa Q. , Chinen Renata N. , van Eyll Brigitte
Published: February 2014

Purpose

Chemotherapy-induced diarrhea (CID) is a relatively common adverse event in the treatment of patients with colorectal cancer. The LAR for Chemotherapy-Induced Diarrhea (LARCID) trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of long-acting release octreotide (octreotide LAR) for the prevention of CID in this population.

Patients and Methods

Patients with colorectal cancer starting adjuvant or first-line treatment with a chemotherapy combination containing fluorouracil, capecitabine, and/or irinotecan were randomly assigned to receive octreotide LAR 30 mg intramuscularly every 4 weeks (experimental arm) or the physician's treatment of choice in case of diarrhea (control arm).

Results

A total of 139 patients were randomly assigned, most of whom received fluorouracil- and oxaliplatin-containing chemotherapy regimens. The rate of diarrhea was 76.1% in the experimental group (n = 68) and 78.9% in the control group (n = 71). Treatment with octreotide LAR did not prevent or reduce the severity of CID. Treatment choices for diarrhea management included loperamide in the majority of patients. No benefit from octreotide LAR was identified in terms of need for diarrhea treatment, opioids, or intravenous hydration or in the rate of hospitalization or quality of life.

Conclusion

This study could not prove the efficacy of octreotide LAR in the prevention of CID.
Impact of Craniospinal Dose, Boost Volume, and Neurologic Complications on Intellectual Outcome in Patients With Medulloblastoma
Authors: Moxon-Emre Iska , Bouffet Eric , Taylor Michael D. , Laperriere Normand , Scantlebury Nadia , Law Nicole , Spiegler Brenda J. , Malkin David , Janzen Laura , Mabbott Donald
Published: February 2014

Purpose

To examine the impact of radiation (ie, craniospinal irradiation [CSR] dose and boost volume) and complications (ie, hydrocephalus and other neurologic complications, including mutism) on patterns of change in intellectual functioning in medulloblastoma survivors.

Patients and Methods

We conducted a retrospective review of 113 patients treated for medulloblastoma between 1983 and 2011 who were seen for neuropsychological assessment, including longitudinal follow-up of intellectual function. Patients were treated with either standard-dose CSR with a posterior fossa (PF) boost (n = 51), standard-dose CSR plus tumor bed (TB) boost (n = 9), reduced-dose CSR plus PF boost (n = 28), or reduced-dose CSR plus TB boost (n = 23), with or without chemotherapy. A subset of patients developed hydrocephalus that required cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversion (n = 54) and/or other neurologic complications (n = 40), more than half of which were postoperative mutism (n = 25). Growth curve analysis was used to determine stability or change in intelligence scores over time.

Results

Patients treated with reduced-dose CSR plus TB boost showed stable intellectual trajectories, whereas patients treated with higher doses and larger boost volumes experienced intellectual declines. Presence of complications was associated with worse intellectual outcome; however, hydrocephalus requiring CSF diversion and mutism differed in their pattern of decline.

Conclusion

These results improve our understanding of factors that impair intellectual outcome in patients treated for medulloblastoma. Lower doses of CSR and smaller boost volumes seem to mitigate intellectual decline. Our findings validate the use of TB boost and suggest PF boost should be reconsidered.
Liver-Specific GH Receptor Gene-Disrupted (LiGHRKO) Mice Have Decreased Endocrine IGF-I, Increased Local IGF-I, and Altered Body Size, Body Composition, and Adipokine Profiles
Authors: List Edward O. , Berryman Darlene E. , Funk Kevin , Jara Adam , Kelder Bruce , Wang Feiya , Stout Michael B. , Zhi Xu , Sun Liou , White Thomas A. , LeBrasseur Nathan K. , Pirtskhalava Tamara , Tchkonia Tamara , Jensen Elizabeth A. , Zhang Wenjuan , Masternak Michal M. , Kirkland James L. , Miller Richard A. , Bartke Andrzej , Kopchick John J.
Published: February 2014

GH is an important regulator of body growth and composition as well as numerous other metabolic processes. In particular, liver plays a key role in the GH/IGF-I axis, because the majority of circulating “endocrine” IGF-I results from GH-stimulated liver IGF-I production. To develop a better understanding of the role of liver in the overall function of GH, we generated a strain of mice with liver-specific GH receptor (GHR) gene knockout (LiGHRKO mice). LiGHRKO mice had a 90% decrease in circulating IGF-I levels, a 300% increase in circulating GH, and significant changes in IGF binding protein (IGFBP)-1, IGFBP-2, IGFBP-3, IGFBP-5, and IGFBP-7. LiGHRKO mice were smaller than controls, with body length and body weight being significantly decreased in both sexes. Analysis of body composition over time revealed a pattern similar to those found in GH transgenic mice; that is, LiGHRKO mice had a higher percentage of body fat at early ages followed by lower percentage of body fat in adulthood. Local IGF-I mRNA levels were significantly increased in skeletal muscle and select adipose tissue depots. Grip strength was increased in LiGHRKO mice. Finally, circulating levels of leptin, resistin, and adiponectin were increased in LiGHRKO mice. In conclusion, LiGHRKO mice are smaller despite increased local mRNA expression of IGF-I in several tissues, suggesting that liver-derived IGF-I is indeed important for normal body growth. Furthermore, our data suggest that novel GH-dependent cross talk between liver and adipose is important for regulation of adipokines in vivo.
Adam Smith’s “Optimistic Deism,” The Invisible Hand of Providence, and the Unhappiness of Nations
Authors: Peach Terry
Published: February 2014

This article questions Adam Smith’s commitment to the notion of a beneficent Deity, or “all-perfect Being,” whose purpose is to promote the “real happiness” of humankind. It is argued that Smith conceals his true position in The Theory of Moral Sentiments by emphasizing the deceptive “love of system” (the fascination with well-crafted contrivances) as the main spur to material acquisitiveness; by using the empty formulation that “all the different ranks of life are nearly upon a level” without specifying which level they are “nearly upon”; and by introducing a contented beggar, who, with his identity as Diogenes the Cynic cloaked in anonymity, could be tendentiously misconstrued as a representative of the poor and lowly. It is concluded that Smith’s commitment to what I call “optimistic deism” must be regarded as deeply suspect and more probably nonexistent, and that as far as “real happiness” is concerned his position was one of pessimism of almost Cynic proportions, albeit a pessimism partially obscured by a veiled reference to the greatest Cynic of them all.
From zebrafish heart jogging genes to mouse and human orthologs: using Gene Ontology to investigate mammalian heart development.
Authors: Khodiyar Varsha K , Howe Doug , Talmud Philippa J , Breckenridge Ross , Lovering Ruth C
Published: February 2014

For the majority of organs in developing vertebrate embryos, left-right asymmetry is controlled by a ciliated region; the left-right organizer node in the mouse and human, and the Kuppfer’s vesicle in the zebrafish. In the zebrafish, laterality cues from the Kuppfer’s vesicle determine asymmetry in the developing heart, the direction of ‘heart jogging’ and the direction of ‘heart looping’.  ‘Heart jogging’ is the term given to the process by which the symmetrical zebrafish heart tube is displaced relative to the dorsal midline, with a leftward ‘jog’. Heart jogging is not considered to occur in mammals, although a leftward shift of the developing mouse caudal heart does occur prior to looping, which may be analogous to zebrafish heart jogging. Previous studies have characterized 30 genes involved in zebrafish heart jogging, the majority of which have well defined orthologs in mouse and human and many of these orthologs have been associated with early mammalian heart development. 

We undertook manual curation of a specific set of genes associated with heart development and we describe the use of Gene Ontology term enrichment analyses to examine the cellular processes associated with heart jogging.  We found that the human, mouse and zebrafish ‘heart jogging orthologs’ are involved in similar organ developmental processes across the three species, such as heart, kidney and nervous system development, as well as more specific cellular processes such as cilium development and function. The results of these analyses are consistent with a role for cilia in the determination of left-right asymmetry of many internal organs, in addition to their known role in zebrafish heart jogging. 

This study highlights the importance of model organisms in the study of human heart development, and emphasises both the conservation and divergence of developmental processes across vertebrates, as well as the limitations of this approach.
Mapping whole genome shotgun sequence and variant calling in mammalian species without their reference genomes
Authors: Kalbfleisch Ted , Heaton Michael P.
Published: February 2014

Genomics research in mammals has produced reference genome sequences that are essential for identifying variation associated with disease.  High quality reference genome sequences are now available for humans, model species, and economically important agricultural animals.  Comparisons between these species have provided unique insights into mammalian gene function.  However, the number of species with reference genomes is small compared to those needed for studying molecular evolutionary relationships in the tree of life.  For example, among the even-toed ungulates there are approximately 300 species whose phylogenetic relationships have been calculated in the 10k trees project.  Only six of these have reference genomes:  cattle, swine, sheep, goat, water buffalo, and bison.  Although reference sequences will eventually be developed for additional hoof stock, the resources in terms of time, money, infrastructure and expertise required to develop a quality reference genome may be unattainable for most species for at least another decade.  In this work we mapped 35 Gb of next generation sequence data of a Katahdin sheep to its own species’ reference genome (Ovis aries Oar3.1) and to that of a species that diverged 15 to 30 million years ago (Bos taurus UMD3.1).  In total, 56% of reads covered 76% of UMD3.1 to an average depth of 6.8 reads per site, 83 million variants were identified, of which 78 million were homozygous and likely represent interspecies nucleotide differences. Excluding repeat regions and sex chromosomes, nearly 3.7 million heterozygous sites were identified in this animal vs. bovine UMD3.1, representing polymorphisms occurring in sheep.  Of these, 41% could be readily mapped to orthologous positions in ovine Oar3.1 with 80% corroborated as heterozygous.  These variant sites, identified via interspecies mapping could be used for comparative genomics, disease association studies, and ultimately to understand mammalian gene function.
A Comparison of Deep Sequencing of TCRG Rearrangements vs Traditional Capillary Electrophoresis for Assessment of Clonality in T-Cell Lymphoproliferative Disorders
Authors: Schumacher Jonathan A. , Duncavage Eric J. , Mosbruger Timothy L. , Szankasi Philippe M. , Kelley Todd W.
Published: February 2014

Objectives:

To design and evaluate a next-generation sequencing (NGS)–based method for T-cell receptor γ (TCRG) gene-based T-cell clonality testing on the Ion Torrent Personal Genome Machine (Life Technologies, Carlsbad, CA) platform.

Methods:

We analyzed a series of peripheral blood, bone marrow, and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue specimens with NGS vs traditional capillary electrophoresis methods.

Results:

Using a custom analysis algorithm that we developed, our NGS assay identified between 2,215 and 48,222 unique TCRG rearrangements in a series of 48 samples. We established criteria for assigning clonality based on parameters derived from both the relative and absolute frequencies of reads. In a comparison with standard capillary electrophoresis, 19 of 19 polyclonal samples and 24 of 27 samples that appeared clonal were in agreement. The three discrepant samples demonstrated some of the pitfalls of amplicon length–based testing. Dilution studies with T-lymphoid cell lines demonstrated that a known clonal sequence could be routinely identified when present in as few as 0.1% of total cells demonstrating suitability in residual disease testing. A series of samples was also analyzed on a second NGS platform and yielded very similar results with respect to the frequency and sequence of the clonal rearrangement.

Conclusions:

In this proof-of-concept study, we describe an NGS-based T-cell clonality assay that is suitable for routine clinical testing either alone or as an adjunct to traditional methods.
MDM2 Copy Numbers in Well-Differentiated and Dedifferentiated Liposarcoma
Authors: Ware Patrick L. , Snow Anthony N. , Gvalani Maya , Pettenati Mark J. , Qasem Shadi A.
Published: February 2014

Objectives:

MDM2 gene amplification is associated with well-differentiated (WDL) and dedifferentiated liposarcomas (DDL). Using fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), we sought to characterize various patterns of MDM2 amplification among the morphologic spectrum of liposarcoma.

Methods:

Forty-six cases of liposarcoma in various sites were examined and included 22 WDLs, 14 DLLs, and 10 negative control subjects.

Results:

The MDM2 amplification ratio (MDM2/CEP12) was lower in WDL (10.2) compared with DDL (18.3) cases (P = .0000002). An amplification ratio of 16 showed optimal sensitivity (0.86) and specificity (0.96) as a cutoff point for progression to DDL. Borderline areas, defined as tumors with increased cellularity and atypia but with preserved lipomatous differentiation, showed a significantly higher MDM2 ratio (17.5; P = .0007) compared with WDL. Central (retroperitoneal and intra-abdominal) tumors also showed a significantly higher MDM2 ratio than peripheral ones (P = .02).

Conclusions:

Differences in MDM2 amplification profiles among liposarcomas could help further define and predict progression to high-grade neoplasia.
Loss of PTEN Expression Is Associated With IGFBP2 Expression, Younger Age, and Late Stage in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Dean Sarah J. R. , Perks Claire M. , Holly Jeff M. P. , Bhoo-Pathy Nirmala , Looi Lai-Meng , Mohammed Nur Aishah Taib , Mun Kein-Seong , Teo Soo-Hwang , Koobotse Moses O. , Yip Cheng-Har , Rhodes Anthony
Published: February 2014

Objectives:

To investigate the association between PTEN loss and IGFBP2 expression in a series of triple-negative breast cancers and to relate this expression to basal cytokeratin expression and clinicopathologic features.

Methods:

One hundred and one formalin-fixed and paraffin-processed triple-negative breast cancer cases from the University of Malaya Medical Centre were tested immunohistochemically for cytokeratins 5/6 and 14, PTEN, and IGFBP2. The resulting slides were scored for proportion and intensity of staining.

Results:

Loss of tumor nuclear and cytoplasmic staining for PTEN occurred in 48.3% of cases and was significantly associated with younger age at diagnosis (47 years compared with 57 years in those without PTEN loss; P = .005). Independent predictors of PTEN loss were late stage at presentation (P = .026), cytokeratin 5/6 positivity (P = .028), and IGFBP2 expression (P = .042). High levels of IGFBP2 expression were seen in 32% of cases; an independent predictor of high levels was cytokeratin 14 negativity (P = .005). PTEN loss and high levels of IGFBP2 expression were associated with poorer survival, but neither of these trends was significant.

Conclusions:

PTEN loss is a frequent event in triple-negative breast cancers and is significantly associated with younger age at onset of breast cancer, late stage, and IGFBP2 expression.
Tobacco Treatment Specialists: A New Profession
Authors: Hughes John R.
Published: February 2014

Tobacco treatment specialists (TTS) are essential to developing an adequate system of treatment for smoking. Tobacco cessation treatment should be seen, not solely as a public health or prevention activity, but rather as a clinical activity. TTS should increase their professionalism by embracing evidence-based medicine. TTS should form professional organizations and credentialing bodies to insure a high quality professional identity.
How Smart Now? The Bligh Government and the Unravelling of the ‘Smart State’ Vision, 2007–11
Authors: Bowden Bradley
Published: February 2014

The articulation of a ‘Smart State’ strategy by the Beattie and Bligh governments since 1998 represents, in large part, the continuation of a long Queensland tradition, in which governments have secured legitimacy by fostering economic growth and employment. For Queensland Labor, however, ‘Smart State’ programs also represented a key survival strategy as Labor's historic base among workers employed in agriculture, mining and manufacturing shrank into political insignificance. By 2009–10, these three sectors together employed only one worker in seven (Queensland Treasury 2010, p. 16). For this reason, in coming to office in September 2007, Anna Bligh sought both to continue and transcend the ‘Smart State’ strategy of her predecessor. In a series of policy documents launched with considerable fanfare in 2008–09 — ‘Towards Q2’, the ‘Smart Industry Policy and Decision Making Framework’ and the ‘Queensland Renewable Energy Plan’ — Bligh outlined her own vision for Queensland. Central to this vision was the embracing of a ‘green’ agenda — one that tapped into concerns shared by many of Queensland's growing cohort of middle-class professionals. In her first two years in office, Bligh pledged to continue the $9 billion Water Grid in the state's south-east corner, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by one-third, spend $300 million on ‘clean coal’ power generation and provide rebates for households installing solar hot water systems. All of this added considerably to the budget commitments made under Beattie. In highlighting its program for Queensland in 2008, the Bligh government proudly declared that it was ‘set to invest $17 billion’ in the ensuing year (Department of Premier and Cabinet 2008, p. 10).
Lesen macht stark
Authors: Schabos Julia
Published: February 2014

Im Juli 2013 startete der Deutsche Bibliotheksverband e.V. (dbv) gemeinsam mit der Stiftung Digitale Chancen das Projekt „Lesen macht stark: Lesen und digitale Medien“. Seit Oktober 2013 setzten lokale Akteure erste Aktionen des dbv zur Leseförderung mit digitalen Medien in die Praxis um. Dieser Artikel bietet einen Überblick über das Projekt sowie einen Praxisbericht der Anna-Seghers-Bibliothek in Berlin-Lichtenberg.
GM1 and GM2 gangliosides: recent developments
Authors: Bisel Blaine , Pavone Francesco S. , Calamai Martino
Published: February 2014

GM1 and GM2 gangliosides are important components of the cell membrane and play an integral role in cell signaling and metabolism. In this conceptual overview, we discuss recent developments in our understanding of the basic biological functions of GM1 and GM2 and their involvement in several diseases. In addition to a well-established spectrum of disorders known as gangliosidoses, such as Tay-Sachs disease, more and more evidence points at an involvement of GM1 in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. New emerging methodologies spanning from single-molecule imaging in vivo to simulations in silico have complemented standard studies based on ganglioside extraction.
Does the Presence of Multinational Corporations Affect a Country’s Gross Domestic Product?
Authors: Anguelov Nikolay
Published: February 2014

This article investigates how using different measures of GDP can lead to conflicting development policies when it comes to industrial recruitment. The results suggest that often-employed policies of competing for inward FDI may not benefit GDP annual growth. A distinction is made between official exchange rate (OER) GDP and purchasing power parity (PPP) GDP. Both measures are employed as dependent variables in separate cross-sectional, time-series regression analyses of 60 nations. A measure of multinational corporation (MNC) concentration per nation is developed and included in the model to examine whether the investing nations benefit from the outward FDI of their firms. The data analysis shows that to be true particularly for developing nations that had top-ranked MNCs incorporated within their borders between 2005 and 2009. The findings challenge industrial recruitment policies and suggest that FDI outflows may be more contributive to GDP growth than FDI inflows. The findings also show conflicting results as to which factors contribute to GDP annual growth when both GDP measures are examined, thus raising questions about metrics fit and interpretations of previous studies.
Targeted Estimation of Nuisance Parameters to Obtain Valid Statistical Inference
Authors: van der Laan Mark J.
Published: February 2014

In order to obtain concrete results, we focus on estimation of the treatment specific mean, controlling for all measured baseline covariates, based on observing independent and identically distributed copies of a random variable consisting of baseline covariates, a subsequently assigned binary treatment, and a final outcome. The statistical model only assumes possible restrictions on the conditional distribution of treatment, given the covariates, the so-called propensity score. Estimators of the treatment specific mean involve estimation of the propensity score and/or estimation of the conditional mean of the outcome, given the treatment and covariates. In order to make these estimators asymptotically unbiased at any data distribution in the statistical model, it is essential to use data-adaptive estimators of these nuisance parameters such as ensemble learning, and specifically super-learning. Because such estimators involve optimal trade-off of bias and variance w.r.t. the infinite dimensional nuisance parameter itself, they result in a sub-optimal bias/variance trade-off for the resulting real-valued estimator of the estimand. We demonstrate that additional targeting of the estimators of these nuisance parameters guarantees that this bias for the estimand is second order and thereby allows us to prove theorems that establish asymptotic linearity of the estimator of the treatment specific mean under regularity conditions. These insights result in novel targeted minimum loss-based estimators (TMLEs) that use ensemble learning with additional targeted bias reduction to construct estimators of the nuisance parameters. In particular, we construct collaborative TMLEs (C-TMLEs) with known influence curve allowing for statistical inference, even though these C-TMLEs involve variable selection for the propensity score based on a criterion that measures how effective the resulting fit of the propensity score is in removing bias for the estimand. As a particular special case, we also demonstrate the required targeting of the propensity score for the inverse probability of treatment weighted estimator using super-learning to fit the propensity score.
Groups which do not possess characters of nontrivial prime power degree
Authors: Du Ni , Lewis Mark L.
Published: February 2014

In this paper, we consider groups where the only prime power that occurs as a character degree is 1. We prove that the nonabelian composition factors of such a group also have this property or are the sporadic simple group M
12. We characterize these groups that have a normal nonabelian Sylow p-subgroup.
Bounding group orders by large character degrees: A question of Snyder
Authors: Lewis Mark L.
Published: February 2014

Let G be a nonabelian finite group and let d be an irreducible character degree of G. Then there is a positive integer e so that |G| = d(d + e). Snyder has shown that if e > 1, then |G| is bounded by a function of e. This bound has been improved by Isaacs and by Durfee and Jensen. In this paper we will show, for groups having a nontrivial, abelian normal subgroup, that |G| ≤ e
4 - e
3. Given that there are a number of solvable groups that meet this bound, it is best possible. Our work makes use of results regarding Camina pairs, Gagola characters, and Suzuki 2-groups.
Maternal serum placental growth factor and fetal SGA in pregnancy complicated by type 1 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Gutaj Paweł , Wender-Ożegowska Ewa , Iciek Rafał , Zawiejska Agnieszka , Pietryga Marek , Brązert Jacek
Published: February 2014

Aim: To analyze the role of maternal placental growth factor (PlGF) in the prediction of small for gestational age (SGA) birth weight in pregnancy complicated by type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).

Methods: A prospective observational study on 59 normotensive T1DM pregnant women, assessing maternal PlGF concentrations between the 10th–14th and 22nd–25th weeks of gestation.

Results: Number of SGA vs. non-SGA newborns was 11 (18.6%) vs. 48 (81.4%), respectively. First trimester PlGF serum concentrations (pg/mL) were similar between SGA vs. non-SGA groups [data given as median (interquartile range)]: 65.5 (35.58–159.20) vs. 68.23 (11.59–150.03), respectively; P=0.44. A trend for lower PlGF concentrations was observed in the second trimester in the SGA vs. non-SGA group: 63.34 (12.79–119.16) vs. 116.75 (33.93–235.82); P=0.07. In the SGA group, PlGF concentrations did not differ between the first and the second trimester: 65.5 (35.58–159.20) vs. 63.34 (12.79–119.16), respectively; P=0.36. In the non-SGA group, PlGF concentrations were significantly higher at the gestational age of 22–25 weeks compared to 10–14 weeks [116.75 (33.93–235.82) vs. 68.23 (11.59–150.03); P=0.03).

Conclusions: Decreased PlGF serum concentration in mid-pregnancy, as well as a lack of physiological increase in PlGF levels between early and mid-gestation, may precede development of SGA in women with T1DM.
Highly-filled hybrid composites prepared using centrifugal deposition
Authors: Daud Norlinda , Shanks Robert A.
Published: February 2014

Natural composites of high filler content, such as nacre, a composite comprised of 95–99% w/w aragonite layers, have been of interest due to their hardness, strength and toughness. High filler content composites have been prepared synthetically, although due to viscosity and processing requirements, the filler content was limited compared with natural systems. In this paper we describe hybrid high filler content composites prepared to be biomimetic of nacre. Development of processing conditions increased the filler content from 50% w/w using a laboratory stirrer to obtain hybrid composites with 77–86% w/w filler content, prepared by centrifugal deposition and hot compression molding techniques. Both methods were very different from natural formation from layer-by-layer (LBL) construction, however, the composites formed were of high filler content approaching the level in nature. The composites exhibited high modulus and strength, although deformation at break was low, consistent with highly filled materials. Glass transition of the resin phase was increased slightly, while damping was decreased by filler content. Surface morphology of the fractured composite showed a layered structure of well dispersed fillers with minute voids scattered evenly, indicating that the composite was effectively compacted.
Oklahoma!, “Lousy Publicity,” and the Politics of Formal Integration in the American Musical Theater
Authors: O'Leary James
Published: February 2014

The achievements of Rodger and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! (1943) are well known: since the musical opened, critics have proclaimed it a new version of the genre, distinguished by its “integrated” form, in which all aspects of the production—score, script, costume, set, and choreography—are interrelated and inseparable. Although today many scholars acknowledge that Oklahoma! was not the first musical to implement the concept of integration, the musical is often considered revolutionary.

Building on the work of Tim Carter, I use the correspondence and press materials in the Theatre Guild Collection of the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library at Yale University to situate the idea of integration into two intimately related discourses: contemporary notions of aesthetic prestige and World War II-era politics. By comparing the advertising of Oklahoma! to the Guild’s publicity for its previous musical productions (especially Porgy and Bess, which was labeled integrated in 1935), I demonstrate that press releases from the show’s creative team strategically deployed rhetoric and vocabulary that variously depicted the show as both highbrow and lowbrow, while distancing it from middlebrow entertainment. I then describe how the aesthetic register implied by this tiered rhetoric carried political overtones, connotations that are lost to us today because the word “integration” has become reified as a purely formal concept.
Preventive and Cautionary Dynamics in the Symphonies of Mendelssohn and his Time
Authors: Schmidt-Beste Thomas
Published: February 2014

From the late eighteenth century onward, composers began to use dynamic signs as an independent layer of expressive meaning, deployed either to reinforce the dynamic tendencies inherent in the music (through melodic or harmonic trajectory, phrasing, texture, etc.) or to counteract them. The study of this phenomenon thus far has been limited to individual observations regarding particular events, such as “surprise dynamics” (for example sudden peaks in volume or a subito piano following a crescendo), with no attempt to reach a systematic understanding. This article elucidates a little-noticed device, the preventive or cautionary dynamic. Some nineteenth-century composers reiterate dynamic instructions in their instrumental music several times in succession. The purpose of these repetitions is to maintain a desired dynamic level that runs counter to the intrinsic ebb and flow of tonal music (the “internal dynamic” as defined by some authors). The device is used most frequently at the extremes of the dynamic spectrum, often to create expressive tension in a poetic/extramusical sense. The first composer to make substantial use of this technique was Beethoven, but it is Mendelssohn who developed and deployed it most fully.

This type of dynamic instruction is most prevalent in large-scale instrumental compositions, such as the symphony, and highlights another aspect of musical practice of the period: composers increasingly had to contend with conductors and performances over which they had no direct control. The increased use of dynamic signs in general and preventive or cautionary dynamics in particular can thus be read as an attempt to assert control over expressive aspects of their compositions that traditionally had been left to performers.
A Drosophila Protease Cascade Member, Seminal Metalloprotease-1, Is Activated Stepwise by Male Factors and Requires Female Factors for Full Activity
Authors: LaFlamme Brooke A , Avila Frank W , Michalski Kevin , Wolfner Mariana F
Published: February 2014

Females and males of sexually reproducing animals must cooperate at the molecular and cellular level for fertilization to succeed, even though some aspects of reproductive molecular biology appear to involve antagonistic interactions. We previously reported the existence of a proteolytic cascade in Drosophila melanogaster seminal fluid that is initiated in the male and ends in the female. This proteolytic cascade, which processes at least two seminal fluid proteins (Sfps), is a useful model for understanding the regulation of Sfp activities, including proteolysis cascades in mammals. Here, we investigated the activation mechanism of the downstream protease in the cascade, the astacin-family metalloprotease Seminal metalloprotease-1 (Semp1, CG11864), focusing on the relative contribution of the male and female to its activation. We identified a naturally occurring semp1 null mutation within the Drosophila Genetic Reference Panel. By expressing mutant forms of Semp1 in males homozygous for the null mutation, we discovered that cleavage is required for the complete activation of Semp1, and we defined at least two sites that are essential for this activational cleavage. These amino acid residues suggest a two-step mechanism for Semp1 activation, involving the action of at least two male-derived proteases. Although the cascade’s substrates potentially influence both fertility and sperm competition within the mated female, the role of female factors in the activation or activity of Semp1 is unknown. We show here that Semp1 can undergo its activational cleavage in male ejaculates, without female contributions, but that cleavage of Semp1’s substrates does not proceed to completion in ejaculates, indicating an essential role for female factors in Semp1’s full activity. In addition, we find that expression of Semp1 in virgin females demonstrates that females can activate this protease on their own, resulting in activity that is complete but substantially delayed.
Ultrasound as a Screening Test for Genitourinary Anomalies in Children With UTI
Authors: Nelson Caleb P. , Johnson Emilie K. , Logvinenko Tanya , Chow Jeanne S.
Published: February 2014

BACKGROUND:

The 2011 American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines state that renal and bladder ultrasound (RBUS) should be performed after initial febrile urinary tract infection (UTI) in a young child, with voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) performed only if RBUS shows abnormalities. We sought to determine test characteristics and predictive values of RBUS for VCUG findings in this setting.

METHODS:

We analyzed 3995 clinical encounters from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2010 during which VCUG and RBUS were performed for history of UTI. Patients who had previous postnatal genitourinary imaging or history of prenatal hydronephrosis were excluded. Sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of RBUS for VCUG abnormalities were determined.

RESULTS:

We identified 2259 patients age <60 months who had UTI as the indication for imaging. RBUS was reported as “normal” in 75%. On VCUG, any vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) was identified in 41.7%, VUR grade >II in 20.9%, and VUR grade >III in 2.8%. Sensitivity of RBUS for any abnormal findings on VCUG ranged from 5% (specificity: 97%) to 28% (specificity: 77%). Sensitivity for VUR grade >III ranged from 18% (specificity: 97%) to 55% (specificity: 77%). Among the 1203 children aged 2 to 24 months imaged after a first febrile UTI, positive predictive value of RBUS was 37% to 47% for VUR grade >II (13% to 24% for VUR grade >III); negative predictive value was 72% to 74% for VUR grade >II (95% to 96% for VUR grade >III).

CONCLUSIONS:

RBUS is a poor screening test for genitourinary abnormalities. RBUS and VCUG should be considered complementary as they provide important, but different, information.
Application of Glass Particles Doped by Zn+2as Antimicrobial and Atoxic Compound in LLDPE and HDPE
Authors: dos Santos Marcel Ferrari , de Oliveira Camila Machado , Tachinski Camila , Júnior Jair Fiori , Piletti Raquel , Ávila Clever Pirola , Tófoli Thiago , Gonçalves Jaqueline Madeira , Fiori Marcio Antônio
Published: February 2014

This study demonstrates the potential application of glass particles doped with Zn+2 (GZn) as antimicrobial additives and atoxic of the HDPE and LLDPE polymers. Toxicity tests indicated the absence of toxicity in human cells. Microbiological tests proved the antimicrobial effect of GZn pure compound and of the additives polymeric compounds (HDPE/GZn and LLDPE/GZn). Have also indicated that with percentages of GZn higher than 2.00 wt% and a time of 4 hours the bactericidal performance is excellent and equal for both polymeric compounds.
Rheological Properties of Multi-Block Associative Polyelectrolytes Obtained by Nitroxide-Mediated Solution Polymerization
Authors: Coronado Alejandro , Velazquez Areli I. , Jiménez Enrique J.
Published: February 2014

A multi-block associative polyelectrolyte based on poly(methacrylic acid-ra-styrene) [MAA-S] and poly(octadecyl methacrylate) [ODMA] was synthesized through stepwise nitroxide-mediated solution polymerizations. The obtained polymer has a heptablock copolymer structure, alternating MAA-S as hydrophilic blocks (theoretical degree of polymerization [DPT] of 250), and ODMA as hydrophobic blocks (DPT = 15). Rheological properties, in the linear-response regime, of aqueous solutions (polymer content = 1.5 wt.%) were studied as a function of the amount of blocks on the polymer using steady-shear and creep-compliance experiments. Rheological experiments demonstrate that the viscoelastic behavior of the polymer bearing an ODMA block in terminal position greatly differs from that of the polymer with MAA-S block terminations. The former behaves as a newtonian fluid on a wider range of shear rates than the latter, which exhibit a shear-thinning behavior, even at low shear rates, independently of the molecular weight and number of blocks.