bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prenatal Testosterone Exposure Induces Hypertension in Adult Females via Androgen Receptor–Dependent Protein Kinase Cδ–Mediated Mechanism
Authors: Blesson Chellakkan S. , Chinnathambi Vijayakumar , Hankins Gary D. , Yallampalli Chandra , Sathishkumar Kunju
Published: December 2014

Prenatal exposure to excess testosterone induces hyperandrogenism in adult females and predisposes them to hypertension. We tested whether androgens induce hypertension through transcriptional regulation and signaling of protein kinase C (PKC) in the mesenteric arteries. Pregnant Sprague–Dawley rats were injected with vehicle or testosterone propionate (0.5 mg/kg per day from gestation days 15 to 19, SC) and their 6-month-old adult female offspring were examined. Plasma testosterone levels (0.84±0.04 versus 0.42±0.09 ng/mL) and blood pressures (111.6±1.3 versus 104.5±2.4 mm Hg) were significantly higher in prenatal testosterone–exposed rats compared with controls. This was accompanied with enhanced expression of PKCδ mRNA (1.5-fold) and protein (1.7-fold) in the mesenteric arteries of prenatal testosterone–exposed rats. In addition, mesenteric artery contractile responses to PKC activator, phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate, was significantly greater in prenatal testosterone–exposed rats. Treatment with androgen receptor antagonist flutamide (10 mg/kg, SC, BID for 10 days) significantly attenuated hypertension, PKCδ expression, and the exaggerated vasoconstriction in prenatal testosterone–exposed rats. In vitro exposure of testosterone to cultured mesenteric artery smooth muscle cells dose dependently upregulated PKCδ expression. Analysis of
PKCδ
gene revealed a putative androgen responsive element in the promoter upstream to the transcription start site and an enhancer element in intron-1. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays showed that androgen receptors bind to these elements in response to testosterone stimulation. Furthermore, luciferase reporter assays showed that the enhancer element is highly responsive to androgens and treatment with flutamide reverses reporter activity. Our studies identified a novel androgen-mediated mechanism for the control of PKCδ expression via transcriptional regulation that controls vasoconstriction and blood pressure.
Uric Acid Promotes Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction in Mice Fed a Western Diet
Authors: Jia Guanghong , Habibi Javad , Bostick Brian P. , Ma Lixin , DeMarco Vincent G. , Aroor Annayya R. , Hayden Melvin R. , Whaley-Connell Adam T. , Sowers James R.
Published: December 2014

The rising obesity rates parallel increased consumption of a Western diet, high in fat and fructose, which is associated with increased uric acid. Population-based data support that elevated serum uric acids are associated with left ventricular hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction. However, the mechanism by which excess uric acid promotes these maladaptive cardiac effects has not been explored. In assessing the role of Western diet–induced increases in uric acid, we hypothesized that reductions in uric acid would prevent Western diet–induced development of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, cardiac stiffness, and impaired diastolic relaxation by reducing growth and profibrotic signaling pathways. Four-weeks-old C57BL6/J male mice were fed excess fat (46%) and fructose (17.5%) with or without allopurinol (125 mg/L), a xanthine oxidase inhibitor, for 16 weeks. The Western diet–induced increases in serum uric acid along with increases in cardiac tissue xanthine oxidase activity temporally related to increases in body weight, fat mass, and insulin resistance without changes in blood pressure. The Western diet induced cardiomyocte hypertrophy, myocardial oxidative stress, interstitial fibrosis, and impaired diastolic relaxation. Further, the Western diet enhanced activation of the S6 kinase-1 growth pathway and the profibrotic transforming growth factor-β1/Smad2/3 signaling pathway and macrophage proinflammatory polarization. All results improved with allopurinol treatment, which lowered cardiac xanthine oxidase as well as serum uric acid levels. These findings support the notion that increased production of uric acid with intake of a Western diet promotes cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, inflammation, and oxidative stress that lead to myocardial fibrosis and associated impaired diastolic relaxation.
The Effect of Hurricane Sandy on Cardiovascular Events in New Jersey
Authors: Swerdel Joel N. , Janevic Teresa M. , Cosgrove Nora M. , Kostis John B. ,   the Myocardial Infarction Data Acquisition System (MIDAS 24) Study Group
Published: December 2014

Background

Hurricane Sandy made landfall in New Jersey (
NJ
) on October 29, 2012. We studied the impact of this extreme weather event on the incidence of, and 30‐day mortality from, cardiovascular (CV) events (
CVEs
), including myocardial infarctions (
MI
) and strokes, in
NJ
.

Methods and Results

Data were obtained from the MI data acquisition system (
MIDAS
), a database of all inpatient hospital discharges with CV diagnoses in
NJ,
including death certificates. Patients were grouped by their county of residence, and each county was categorized as either high‐ (41.5% of the
NJ
population) or low‐impact area based on data from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other sources. We utilized Poisson regression comparing the 2 weeks following Sandy landfall with the same weeks from the 5 previous years. In addition, we used
CVE
data from the 2 weeks previous in each year as to adjust for yearly changes. In the high‐impact area,
MI
incidence increased by 22%, compared to previous years (attributable rate ratio [
ARR]
, 1.22; 95% confidence interval [
CI],
1.16, 1.28), with a 31% increase in 30‐day mortality (
ARR,
1.31; 95%
CI,
1.22, 1.41). The incidence of stroke increased by 7% (
ARR,
1.07; 95%
CI,
1.03, 1.11), with no significant change in 30‐day stroke mortality. There were no changes in incidence or 30‐day mortality of
MI
or stroke in the low‐impact area.

Conclusion

In the 2 weeks following Hurricane Sandy, there were increases in the incidence of, and 30‐day mortality from,
MI
and in the incidence of stroke.
Two new species of monoraphid diatom (Bacillariophyceae) from South of China
Authors: LIU YAN , KOCIOLEK JOHN PATRICK , WANG QUANXI , FAN YAWEN
Published: December 2014

Two new monoraphid diatoms, Psammothidium hainanii Kociolek & Liu sp. nov. and Platessa guagnzhouae Liu & Kociolek sp. nov., are described. Both species were collected from southern China, from Hainan and Guangzhou province, respectively. Psammothidium hainanii is distinguished from other species by its unique outline and rectangular central area on the rapheless valve. Platessa guangzhouae has uniseriate areolae in both valves, similar to some Psammothidium species, but it also has features of a flat valve, terminal raphe fissures lacking, a hyaline ring round the margin, and one areola at the end of each stria. Based on these features we have placed it in the genus Platessa. The bow-tie shaped central area on the raphe valve and uniseriate areolae on the rapheless valve help to separate it from other Platessa species.
Taxonomy and phylogeny of Pluteus glaucotinctus sensu lato (Agaricales, Basidiomycota), a multicontinental species complex
Authors: Menolli Jr. Nelson , JUSTO ALFREDO , ARRILLAGA PEDRO , PRADEEP C. K. , MINNIS ANDREW M. , CAPELARI MARINA
Published: December 2014

In order to better understand species delimitation in the Pluteus glaucotinctus species complex, we present a detailed study based on morphological and DNA sequence (nrITS + tef1) data. Pluteus glaucotinctus sensu stricto is known only from the type collection (Democratic Republic of the Congo), which is re-examined here. Four other species are recognized in this complex and described herein as new: P. izurun from Spain, P. meridionalis from Brazil, P. padanilus from India and P. thoenii from Africa. Phylogenetic analyses based on nrITS + tef1 sequence data support the recognition of all species in this complex.
Typification of Láng’s names in Polycnemum (Amaranthaceae s.l.)
Authors: Iamonico Duilio , SOMLYAY LAJOS
Published: December 2014

As part of the treatment of Polycnemum by D. Iamonico for a new edition of the Flora of Italy (e.g., Iamonico 2011, 2012, 2013), and the ongoing taxonomic revision of the genus in Europe (Iamonico et al., in prep.), we hereby typify the names in Polycnemum Linnaeus (1753: 35) introduced by the Hungarian pharmacist and botanist, A.F. Láng (1795–1863). Láng’s contribution to European Polycnemum taxonomy was substantial, because of the currently accepted four species (Ball 1993), two [P. heuffelii Láng (1828: 219), P. verrucosum Láng (1824: 179)] were described by him. The greatest part of his huge herbarium (ca 60.000 specimens) was moved to Austria (Gombocz 1936), but many of his specimens are scattered in different herbaria worldwide.
Systematics of the Monomorium rothsteini Forel species complex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), a problematic ant group in Australia
Authors: SPARKS KATHRYN S. , ANDERSEN ALAN N. , AUSTIN ANDREW D.
Published: December 2014

A recent molecular, morphological and distributional analysis of Monomorium rothsteini demonstrated that it comprises many separately evolving lineages that could be recognised morphologically and/or genetically based on mitochondrial DNA sequences. Based on these results M. rothsteini is revised, resulting in four species being brought out of synonymy (M. bogischi Wheeler, M. leda Forel, M. humilior Forel and M. subapterum Wheeler) and 18 new species recognised: M. broschorum n. sp., M. capeyork n. sp., M. eremoides n. sp., M. eremum n. sp., M. geminum n. sp., M. hertogi n. sp., M. hoffmanni n. sp., M. kidman n. sp., M. maryannae n. sp., M. merepah n. sp., M. mitchell n. sp., M. oodnadatta n. sp., M. pilbara n. sp., M. speculum n. sp., M. stagnum n. sp., M. tenebrosum n. sp., M. topend n. sp., M. torrens n. sp. Monomorium rothsteini v. doddi Santschi is recognised as a valid synonomy of M. rothsteini s.str. Along with M. rothsteini Forel s. str., there are now 23 described species in the complex, however it likely comprises many more species given the number of additional CO1 lineages and morphotypes that remain unresolved due to incomplete data. Biological notes are provided as well as a key to workers, descriptions, images and distribution maps for each species.
Three new Prothemenops species (Araneae: Idiopidae) from central Thailand
Authors: SCHWENDINGER PETER J. , HONGPADHARAKIREE KOMSON
Published: December 2014

Prothemenops irineae sp. n., P. khirikhan sp. n. and P. phanthurat sp. n. are described from males and females collected in the Thai provinces of Prachuap Khiri Khan and Phetchaburi. The diagnosis of the genus Prothemenops is emended to include these three species and others to be described later. Notes on variation of morphological characters, biology and phenology are given.
Removing Diurnal Cycle Contamination in Satellite-Derived Tropospheric Temperatures: Understanding Tropical Tropospheric Trend Discrepancies
Authors: Po-Chedley Stephen , Thorsen Tyler J. , Fu Qiang
Published: December 2014

Independent research teams have constructed long-term tropical time series of the temperature of the middle troposphere (TMT) using satellite Microwave Sounding Unit (MSU) and Advanced MSU (AMSU) measurements. Despite careful efforts to homogenize the MSU/AMSU measurements, tropical TMT trends beginning in 1979 disagree by more than a factor of 3. Previous studies suggest that the discrepancy in tropical TMT trends is caused by differences in both the NOAA-9 warm target factor and diurnal drift corrections. This work introduces a new observationally based method for removing biases related to satellite diurnal drift. Over land, the derived diurnal correction is similar to a general circulation model (GCM) diurnal cycle. Over ocean, the diurnal corrections have a negligible effect on TMT trends, indicating that oceanic biases are small. It is demonstrated that this method is effective at removing biases between coorbiting satellites and biases between nodes of individual satellites. Using a homogenized TMT dataset, the ratio of tropical tropospheric temperature trends relative to surface temperature trends is in accord with the ratio from GCMs. It is shown that bias corrections for diurnal drift based on a GCM produce tropical trends very similar to those from the observationally based correction, with a trend difference smaller than 0.02 K decade−1. Differences between various TMT datasets are explored further. Large differences in tropical TMT trends between this work and that of the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) are attributed to differences in the treatment of the NOAA-9 target factor and the diurnal cycle correction.
North American Pancontinental Droughts in Model Simulations of the Last Millennium*
Authors: Coats Sloan , Cook Benjamin I. , Smerdon Jason E. , Seager Richard
Published: December 2014

Pancontinental droughts in North America, or droughts that simultaneously affect a large percentage of the geographically and climatically distinct regions of the continent, present significant on-the-ground management challenges and, as such, are an important target for scientific research. The methodology of paleoclimate-model data comparisons is used herein to provide a more comprehensive understanding of pancontinental drought dynamics. Models are found to simulate pancontinental drought with the frequency and spatial patterns exhibited by the paleoclimate record. They do not, however, agree on the modes of atmosphere–ocean variability that produce pancontinental droughts because simulated El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), Pacific decadal oscillation (PDO), and Atlantic multidecadal oscillation (AMO) dynamics, and their teleconnections to North America, are different between models and observations. Despite these dynamical differences, models are able to reproduce large-magnitude centennial-scale variability in the frequency of pancontinental drought occurrence—an important feature of the paleoclimate record. These changes do not appear to be tied to exogenous forcing, suggesting that simulated internal hydroclimate variability on these time scales is large in magnitude. Results clarify our understanding of the dynamics that produce real-world pancontinental droughts while assessing the ability of models to accurately characterize future drought risks.
Interannual and Interdecadal Variability of the Number of Cold Days in Hong Kong and Their Relationship with Large-Scale Circulation
Authors: Cheung Hoffman H. N. , Zhou Wen , Lee Sai-ming , Tong Hang-wai
Published: December 2014

During the past decade (2004/05–2013/14), the number of cold days in Hong Kong (NCD), as a proxy of the temperature of southern China, appeared to have increased from the historical minimum, in contrast to a remarkable decline in the entire postwar period. This is related to the recent apparent changes in the large-scale circulation upstream and downstream of the East Asian winter monsoon (EAWM) region: the increase in Ural blocking (UB) that enhances cold advection from the polar region and reinforces the Siberian high and the decrease in a western Pacific (WP)-like index that corresponds to increasing meridional gradient of geopotential height over the EAWM region. Overall, UB and WP account for 26.4% of the interannual (≤8 yr) variance and 83.7% of the decadal (>8 yr) variance of NCD for the period 1948/49–2013/14, indicating that further study could lead to improvement in the prediction of NCD.
Creativity from Constraint? How the Political Correctness Norm Influences Creativity in Mixed-sex Work Groups
Authors: Goncalo Jack A. , Chatman Jennifer A. , Duguid Michelle M. , Kennedy Jessica A.
Published: December 2014

As work organizations become increasingly gender diverse, existing theoretical models have failed to explain why such diversity can have a negative impact on idea generation. Using evidence from two group experiments, this paper tests theory on the effects of imposing a political correctness (PC) norm, one that sets clear expectations for how men and women should interact, on reducing interaction uncertainty and boosting creativity in mixed-sex groups. Our research shows that men and women both experience uncertainty when asked to generate ideas as members of a mixed-sex work group: men because they may fear offending the women in the group and women because they may fear having their ideas devalued or rejected. Most group creativity research begins with the assumption that creativity is unleashed by removing normative constraints, but our results show that the PC norm promotes rather than suppresses the free expression of ideas by reducing the uncertainty experienced by both sexes in mixed-sex work groups and signaling that the group is predictable enough to risk sharing more—and more-novel—ideas. Our results demonstrate that the PC norm, which is often maligned as a threat to free speech, may play an important role in promoting gender parity at work by allowing demographically heterogeneous work groups to more freely exchange creative ideas.
A normal polymorphism site of TLR2 3′ untranslated region is related to rheumatic heart disease by up-regulating TLR2 expression
Authors: Li Yanhua , Zhang Shu , Xu Wenhuan , Guo Xinhong , Xu Qiang , Chen Yundai
Published: December 2014

Background

The worldwide incidence of rheumatic heart disease is at least 15.6 million cases and is responsible for around 233,000 deaths per year. The pathogenesis of rheumatic heart disease is complex and involves genetic factors that predispose a person to the development of autoimmune reactions. Although Arg753Gln polymorphism of the TLR2 gene was considered to be related to acute rheumatic fever susceptibility in child, two groups have identified that there were no relations between this Arg753Gln polymorphism and rheumatic heart disease susceptibility.

Methods

In this study, we scanned the full length 826 bp of 3′ untranslated region of TLR2 in a Chinese-Han population and found that the rare allele G of rs35514500 was highly related to rheumatic heart disease.

Results

Results of dual-luciferase assay indicated that this T->G variation weakens the interaction between miR-340 and TLR2 3′ untranslated region and up-regulated firefly luciferase expression. Further results about the patients’ serum cytokines concentration detection constructed a relationship between G allele of rs35514550 and up-regulated serum IL-6 and TNFα.

Conclusions

These findings may give insight into understanding of rheumatic heart disease development and create an opportunity to approach the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatic heart disease.
Serum protein electrophoresis patterns in human immunodeficiency virus-infected individuals not on antiretroviral treatment
Authors: Zemlin Annalise E , Ipp Hayley , Maleka Sechaba , Erasmus Rajiv T
Published: December 2014

Background

B lymphocyte stimulation is described in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and results in ongoing immunoglobulin production with abnormal serum protein electrophoresis patterns. We hypothesized that serum protein electrophoresis patterns would be abnormal in untreated HIV subjects and correlate with markers of disease severity.

Methods

Serum protein electrophoresis was performed on 70 HIV-positive, clinically well treatment-naïve subjects and 42 HIV-negative controls and correlated with markers of disease severity, namely CD4+ counts, viral loads, IgG and albumin.

Results

The mean age for both groups was 33 years, and female-to-male ratios were 4:1. All were of Black ethnicity. Mean CD4 counts ± SD for HIV group and controls were 419.5 ± 218.6 and 960.4 ± 378.5 cells/mm3, respectively. Of the HIV-infected group, 44% showed polyclonal hypergammaglobulinaemia versus 10% of controls ( P < 0.01). The HIV group had 27% with an abnormal pattern requiring immunofixation which revealed nine (12.5% of total) had oligoclonal bands, seven (10.3% of total) had polyclonal hypergammaglobulinaemia and three (4% of total) had monoclonal bands. CD4+ counts were lower in those with polyclonal hypergammaglobulinaemia or abnormal serum protein electrophoresis. Interestingly, viral load results showed no statistically significant differences.

Conclusion

We found a remarkably high level (53%) of polyclonal hypergammaglobulinaemia in our untreated population compared with uninfected controls (10%). Only 4% of the HIV-positive group had a monoclonal band. Polyclonal hypergammaglobulinaemia correlated significantly with lower CD4+ counts. These results highlight the generalized B cell stimulation in untreated HIV infection. Future longitudinal studies will be important to determine the prognostic value of these findings.
Life in the Fast Lane
Authors: McClarty Katie Larsen
Published: December 2014

Research has repeatedly demonstrated the positive effects of acceleration for gifted and talented students. This study expands the literature by not only evaluating the impact of early grade skipping on high school and college outcomes but also examining the role of postacceleration opportunities on subsequent performance. Using a representative national sample, accelerated students were compared with older grade-level peers who had similar academic and demographic backgrounds. Results suggest that, on average, accelerated students consistently and significantly outperformed their nonaccelerated peers, both in high school and in college. Furthermore, postacceleration educational opportunities provided additional benefit; students who skipped a grade and also participated in challenging academic programs (e.g., Advanced Placement, high-ability instructional groups) demonstrated particularly high achievement. Results suggest that gifted learners profit most when acceleration is coupled with additional opportunities for advanced study.
Birthdate Effects and Gifted Program Participation in Kindergarten
Authors: Huang Francis L.
Published: December 2014

Research has suggested that relatively older children are more likely to be identified as gifted and talented students compared with their younger peers. Such a phenomenon disadvantages the youngest students while at the same time confers additional advantages to the older students as a result of receiving specialized and/or extra instruction. The current study investigated the presence of this phenomenon on a national level using the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Kindergarten Cohort. Data were analyzed using multiple logistic regression analyses that accounted for the nested structure of the data and included student demographic variables as well as academic achievement skills as controls. Findings showed that even though a weak correlation indicated that relatively older students, on average, were more likely to be in a gifted and talented program, the association disappeared once academic achievement skills were accounted for.
Preparations for the Forthcoming Redefinition of the Kilogram
Authors: Davidson Stuart , Robinson Ian A
Published: December 2014

In the next few years, the world’s measurement system, the SI, will be changing. One of the most significant changes will be the replacement of the existing definition of the kilogram, which depends on the stability of an artefact made in the 19th century, with a definition based on a constant, the Planck constant h, which lies at the heart of modern quantum physics. This change will strengthen, stabilise and reunify the SI and, in addition, provide advantages to science and engineering. This paper describes the reasons for the change, the innovations which have enabled the change to be made and the efforts to ensure that the transition to the new definition is as problem-free as possible.
Proposed Revisions to the International System of Units
Authors: Mills Ian M
Published: December 2014

The proposals approved by the 24th General Conference on Weights and Measures in 2011 for revisions to be made to the International System of Units are reviewed in non-technical terms, appropriate for readers with interests from all fields of science and its applications.
Social work in a multicultural society: New challenges and needs for competence
Authors: Bø Bente Puntervold
Published: December 2014

Social work in a multicultural society represents new and different challenges for practitioners. We have turned to social workers in the field to find out how they experience working with clients from diverse backgrounds, cultures and nationalities and how they respond to the challenges they are faced with. In the first part of the article, the answers given by the social workers will be presented; in the second part of the article we will focus upon the schools of social work and discuss how these institutions may prepare the students for their professional roles in a multicultural society.
Focus on stability: A cohort of young children in statutory care in Aotearoa New Zealand
Authors: Connolly Marie , de Haan Irene , Crawford Jonelle
Published: December 2014

This article reports on a sample of young New Zealand children under two years of age entering care in 2005 ( n = 228) and follows their progress over a five-year period. The study, the first of its kind in New Zealand, used a clinical data mining method to focus particularly on issues of stability, continuity and permanency. In these areas the research findings were generally positive for this cohort of children. Most children had only one or two caregivers. Almost all were ethnically matched with their caregivers in both kinship and foster care, and permanency, or a stable, permanent living situation, was achieved for the majority of the children.
Electronic information systems in human service organizations: Using theory to inform future design
Authors: Gillingham Philip
Published: December 2014

The problems with current forms of electronic information systems (IS) implemented in human service organizations have been well documented and attention is now focussed on how they might be redesigned for the future. The aim in this article is to demonstrate how previous research and theory can provide useful insights into these problems, which, in turn, can provide guidance for future research-based approaches to redesign. Ideas from ‘cognitive systems theory’ (CSE) and more specifically ‘joint cognitive systems’ (JCS) are explored in relation to the main problems that have been identified with current forms of IS.
Why Do States Join Some Universal Treaties but Not Others? An Analysis of Treaty Commitment Preferences
Authors: Lupu Yonatan
Published: December 2014

Preferences are crucial to the analysis of many key questions regarding international institutions. This article analyzes the key predictors of states’ preferences over universal treaties. It does so by using a spatial-modeling approach that conceptualizes a treaty commitment preference space that includes agreements across multiple policy areas. I analyze the treaty commitment preference space in order to better understand the key dimensions of these preferences. I find that economics, and particularly trade, is the clearest and most consistent predictor of treaty commitment preferences, including with respect to many treaties in noneconomic policy areas.
Maternal weight as an alternative determinant of the gestational day of Wistar rats housed in individually-ventilated cages
Authors: Paronis E , Samara A , Polyzos A , Spyropoulos C , Kostomitsopoulos N G
Published: December 2014

One of the commonly used animal models in fertility, developmental and neurobiological studies is the laboratory rat. The early recognition of rat pregnancy and confirmation of the exact embryonic day are vital. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation of maternal weight at the time of conception to its increase throughout gestation, aiming to develop a mathematical model, which can be used for the determination of the exact day of pregnancy, set the threshold, and monitor pregnancy from the onset. We studied a total of 173 Wistar rats with a mean body weight of 238.22 ± 34.9 g. After 72 h at the male’s cages, we considered as Day 0 (D0) the day in which a copulatory plug or sperm was found during the vaginal smear examination. After that period the female animals were transferred into their cages, and weight monitoring started 14 days (D14) after D0, until parturition. Based on the statistical analysis, there is a correlation between maternal body weight at D0 and maternal body weight from D14 to D19. Moreover, the average weight gain from D14 to D19 is positively correlated to initial female body weight, while there is no correlation between each pregnant animal’s weight from D14 to D19 and litter size. A mathematical model was developed as a tool for the verification of the day of pregnancy. In conclusion, continuous monitoring of maternal weight after D14 can be a reliable method for the recognition of pregnancy and determination of the exact gestational day.
Buprenorphine for pain relief in mice: repeated injections vs sustained-release depot formulation
Authors: Jirkof P , Tourvieille A , Cinelli P , Arras M
Published: December 2014

Sustained-release formulations of analgesic drugs are promising alternatives to repeated drug injections. Here, we compared a sustained-release formulation of buprenorphine (SB, 2.2 mg/kg) with a standard protocol of three injections of buprenorphine (Temgesic, 0.1 mg/kg/8 h) in mice. Buprenorphine serum concentration and analgesic action (thermal sensitivity) were determined in healthy mice. Additionally, the pain relief properties of both protocols were assessed after laparotomy using physiological and ethological measures of pain and recovery. Serum concentrations and thermal sensitivity tests indicated duration of action of at least 4 h (but less than 8 h) with the Temgesic protocol, and 24–48 h with SB. Behavioural and clinical parameters indicated at least partial pain relief after surgery for both protocols. Observed side-effects of buprenorphine independent of the protocol were increased activity, disturbed circadian rhythm and several abnormal behaviours. A tendency for decreased food and water intake as well as body weight reduction was also seen. Body weight decreased significantly in animals that received three injections of Temgesic, regardless of whether surgery was performed or not ( P = 0.015; P = 0.023), hinting at a stress response towards this repeated intervention. In conclusion, an application interval of 8 h (Temgesic) appears too long and might lead to repeated periods with insufficient analgesia in animals undergoing lasting and/or substantial pain after surgery. In comparison to the standard protocol, SB provided a long-lasting, assured analgesia without possible stressful repeated injections in a standard surgical model, with only limited and acceptable behavioural side-effects.
The body and being of God in Ezekiel
Authors: McCall Robin C.
Published: December 2014

Understanding the way Ezekiel conceives of God as an embodied deity helps us see how he understands God as a “self.” In his visions of the kebôd YHWH (“Glory of YHWH”), Ezekiel describes the divine body in anthropomorphic and non-anthropomorphic ways, using language and imagery from both the Priestly (P) and Zion-Sabaoth (Z-S) traditions. As a result, Ezekiel blends two different ways of understanding God’s nature. Like P, God in Ezekiel is unified in body, but like Z-S, Ezekiel understands God to be capable of being radically present with different groups of Israelites simultaneously—that is, fluid in nature. This has implications for the way Ezekiel understands sacred space: he looks forward to a time when the sacred center is stable, but depicts a present reality in which no sacred center exists at all.
No one shall make them afraid! Ezekiel 34:1–16, 28, 30–31
Authors: Lloyd Richard Raymond
Published: December 2014

Ezekiel 34 gives the preacher a wide and creative platform to proclaim a prophetic word. Set in the horror and desperation of the Babylonian captivity, defined as “a day of cloud and darkness” (34:12) and further exacerbated by the immediate announcement of the fall of Jerusalem (33:21), Ezekiel 34 announces judgment, offers reassurance, proclaims hope, and re-establishes the covenant between God and God’s people. In Ezekiel 34, the delineated picture of the Good Shepherd (34:11–16) who is actively searching for the lost sheep of Israel offers intertextual connections to Jesus as the Good Shepherd (John 10). Furthermore, Ezekiel 34 provides additional insight into the Messiah from the House of David (34:23–24) and to the role played by covenants between God and God’s people (34:30–31). From the judgment upon the undershepherd kings (vv. 1–10) and the separation of the sheep and goats (vv. 17–22), to the restoration of the Good Shepherd to Israel (vv. 11–16) and the new covenant (vv. 30–31), the preacher has a plethora of options that will be limited only by one’s imagination and creativity.
“I went in bitterness”: Theological implications of a trauma theory reading of Ezekiel
Authors: Garber David G.
Published: December 2014

Recent trends in scholarship of the exile, particularly on the book of Ezekiel, have been influenced by refugee and trauma studies. In addition, some evaluations of Ezekiel’s theology have decried the book’s misogynistic tendencies as well as one of the over-arching theological messages of the prophet: that the community in exile suffered dislocation and the destruction of the temple because of religious infidelity. This article will explore the theological implications of a conversation between Ezekiel scholarship and literary trauma theory. A reading of Ezekiel that focuses on the way the text testifies to trauma (instead of how it explains it) provides room to explore the community’s articulation of its experience while acknowledging the possible dangers of its theological conclusions.
Obscure preaching: Postmodern homiletical insights from Ezekiel the prophet
Authors: Myers Jacob D.
Published: December 2014

Preaching is in trouble today. On some level, this is always the case, and in this article I consider the problems of contemporary preaching with another preacher, from another time and place: Ezekiel ben Buzi. Ezekiel’s modes of prophetic signification constitute radically performative acts of sermonic discourse, and as such, they are able to instruct those using signs to communicate today. Instead of arguing that we should do what Ezekiel did, I suggest that Ezekiel opens a mode of discourse—obscure preaching—that overcomes the homiletical confines of logocentrism, opening a way of preaching to postmoderns.
Innovative Education? A Test of Specialist Mimicry or Generalist Assimilation in Trends in Charter School Specialization Over Time
Authors: Renzulli Linda A. , Barr Ashley B. , Paino Maria
Published: December 2014

By most media accounts, charter schools are innovative schools. But little empirical work interrogates this idea. We examine the growth and decline of specialist charter school mission statements as one indicator of innovation. In line with theories of resource partitioning, we find that specialist charter school missions—those asserting innovation with regards to populations served, curricula utilized, and/or educational focus—have become increasingly diverse over time. However, simultaneously, we find support for a generalist assimilation hypothesis: Charter schools have come to resemble traditional schools through isomorphic tendencies over time. Hence, we show that although specialist charter schools are becoming increasingly diverse in their missions, these charter schools are increasingly making up a smaller portion of the population. We also find, counter to charter school advocates’ intentions, that states with more permissive charter school laws are those that also tend to have a great proportion of charter schools with generalist missions. Our findings contribute to a theoretical understanding of specialist organizations by considering specialization as an example of innovation in the charter school population. Furthermore, our findings have implications for the way charter school laws are created and enacted to foster innovation through specialization.
Assimilating the photo-induced functions of TiO2-based compounds in textiles: emphasis on the sol-gel process
Authors: Pakdel Esfandiar , Daoud Walid A , Wang Xungai
Published: December 2014

Numerous investigations have recently been conducted to enhance the intrinsic properties of textiles and add new functionalities to textile products. The photocatalytic features of nanoparticles, notably titanium dioxide (TiO2), have played a pivotal role in this pursuit. This review article presents an overview of the use of pure as well as modified TiO2 in textiles. In addition, some of TiO2 modification methods, pertinent photocatalytic mechanisms and potential applications of metallic and non-metallic nanocomposites of TiO2 in functionalizing textiles, are highlighted. Furthermore, current research accomplishments and future prospects in this field are discussed.
The strength of ethnic ties: Routes into the labour market in spaces of segregation
Authors: Klinthäll Martin , Urban Susanne
Published: December 2014

This study analyses whether ethnic segregation leads to social isolation and lack of access to valuable informal channels into the labour market. We use a survey of Swedish-born young adults in Stockholm, whose parents were born either in Turkey (Stratum T) or in Sweden (Stratum S). Stratum T was randomly sampled, whereas Stratum S was sampled according to the residential distribution of Stratum T. Our results show that persons in Stratum T use informal contacts in order to find employment more often than Stratum S. Living in immigrant-dense areas increases the likelihood of finding employment through informal contacts. For Stratum T, co-ethnic contacts are more important than other contacts, in particular if they are neighbours. Access to ethnic networks and the use of ethnic contacts in the labour market differ between persons of Turkish, Kurdish and Assyrian/Syriac backgrounds. In contrast to the isolation thesis, this study shows that young adults in immigrant-dense neighbourhoods have access to and benefit more from informal channels in order to find ways into labour market.
The Increased Importance of Sector Switching: A Study of Trends Over a 27-Year Period
Authors: Frederiksen Anders , Hansen Jesper Rosenberg
Published: December 2014

Sector switching is an important phenomenon that casts light on public–private differences. Yet our knowledge about its prevalence and trends is limited. We study sector switching using unique Danish register-based employer–employee data covering more than 25 years. We find that sector switching constitutes 18.5% of all job-to-job mobility, and the trend is increasing both from public to private and from private to public. Sector switching is also generally increasing for middle managers, but for administrative professionals only the flows from private to public increase and for top managers only the flows from public to private increase.
Changing Teachers’ Negative Attitudes Toward Persons With Intellectual Disabilities
Authors: Hassanein Elsayed Elshabrawy Ahmed
Published: December 2014

The current study aims at changing teachers’ negative attitudes toward persons with intellectual disabilities. The intervention is based on the argument that providing information is not sufficient to achieve lasting change of attitudes toward people with disabilities, and that contact is required as an additional element to show positive results. A pretest-posttest intervention was conducted using three conditions: (a) cognitive intervention, (b) cognitive and behavioral intervention involving contact with the target group, and (c) no-intervention control. The participants comprised 18 teachers, with 6 teachers in each group. Following baseline assessments of attitudes, attitude change was measured immediately following the intervention and at a follow-up 12 weeks postintervention. The cognitive intervention provided information about intellectual disability and challenged stereotypic conceptions about persons with intellectual disabilities. The behavioral intervention involved being engaged in work with and training persons with intellectual disabilities in sheltered workshops. The results showed that the cognitive intervention alone did not result in significant changes in attitudes toward persons with intellectual disabilities. However, the combined cognitive-behavioral intervention resulted in greater attitude change than the no-intervention condition, both immediately postintervention and at a 12-week follow-up. The findings are discussed with regard to models of attitude change. The study concludes with some recommendations for teacher training programs to be attended to.
A Randomized Controlled Trial to Provide Adherence Information and Motivational Interviewing to Improve Diabetes and Lipid Control
Authors: Pladevall Manel , Divine George , Wells Karen E. , Resnicow Ken , Williams L. Keoki
Published: December 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to assess whether providing medication adherence information with or without motivational interviewing improves diabetes and lipid control.

Methods

Study participants were adult members of a health system in southeast Michigan, were using both oral diabetes and lipid-lowering medications, and had glycated hemoglobin (A1C) or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels not at goal. Participants were randomly assigned to receive usual care (UC), n = 567; have medication adherence information (AI) provided to their physician, n = 569; or have AI and receive motivational interviewing (MI) though trained staff (AI + MI), n = 556. Primary outcomes were A1C and LDL-C levels at 18 months post randomization.

Results

Primary outcomes were not significantly different between patients in the AI or AI + MI study arms when compared with UC. Similarly, neither oral diabetes nor lipid-lowering medication adherence was significantly different between groups. Patient participation in the AI + MI arm was low and limit the interpretation of the study results, but post hoc analysis of the AI + MI study arm showed that the number of MI sessions received was positively associated with only oral diabetes medication adherence.

Conclusion

Neither AI nor MI significantly improved diabetes and lipid control when compared with UC. Moreover, patient participation appeared to be a particular barrier for MI.
Reliability and Validity of Nonverbal Thin Slices in Social Interactions
Authors: Murphy Nora A. , Hall Judith A. , Schmid Mast Marianne , Ruben Mollie A. , Frauendorfer Denise , Blanch-Hartigan Danielle , Roter Debra L. , Nguyen Laurent
Published: December 2014

Four studies investigated the reliability and validity of thin slices of nonverbal behavior from social interactions including (a) how well individual slices of a given behavior predict other slices in the same interaction; (b) how well a slice of a given behavior represents the entirety of that behavior within an interaction; (c) how long a slice is necessary to sufficiently represent the entirety of a behavior within an interaction; (d) which slices best capture the entirety of behavior, across different behaviors; and (e) which behaviors (of six measured behaviors) are best captured by slices. Notable findings included strong reliability and validity for thin slices of gaze and nods, and that a 1.5-min slice from the start of an interaction may adequately represent some behaviors. Results provide useful information to researchers making decisions about slice measurement of behavior.
Quidditch
Authors: Cohen Adam , Peachey Jon Welty
Published: December 2014

This study examines the sport of quidditch, based on the Harry Potter franchise, an alternative sport growing in popularity. The purpose of this research was to examine the impact and benefits participants of this sport received and determine similarities and differences to mainstream sport activities. Findings suggest involvement with quidditch provided leadership skills, social gains, self-confidence, and pride, along with a positive sporting experience, all of which have been recognized in more mainstream sports. Considering the need for inventive and fiscally viable sports programs due to shrinking budgets and increased burnout, this study advocates the potential value of alternative sport initiatives and the benefit of their implementation.
Urban economics by design down under
Authors: Mentz Kobus , Goble Susannah
Published: December 2014

Sustainable environments which offer greater efficiency, prosperity, and social equity can be delivered at differing levels of city scale, but to do so urban economics, urban design, and local governance need to be considered concurrently. To be effective, economic, employment, and wealth creation strategies need to be reflected in the physical design of urban networks, precincts, and public places, however the physical environment is both a political system and a product of politics. Different political approaches, on a socialist to libertarian continuum, will deliver different environments, often with deficient results. This paper includes methods and examples to unlock complex planning challenges while directing local authorities to achieve evidence-based decision-making and leverage off external entities, by aligning strategies and resolving internal disconnects.
A survey of clinician attitudes and self-reported practices regarding end-of-life care in heart failure
Authors: Dunlay Shannon M , Foxen Jilian L , Cole Terese , Feely Molly A , Loth Ann R , Strand Jacob J , Wagner Jean A , Swetz Keith M , Redfield Margaret M
Published: December 2014

Background:

As heart failure often follows an unpredictable clinical trajectory, there has been an impetus to promote iterative patient-provider discussions regarding prognosis and preferences for end-of-life care.

Aim:

To examine clinicians’ practices, expectations, and personal level of confidence in discussing goals of care and providing end-of-life care to their patients with heart failure.

Design:

Multi-site clinician survey.

Setting and Participants:

Physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants at Mayo Clinic (Rochester, Minnesota, USA) and its surrounding health system were asked to participate in an electronic survey in October 2013. Tertiary Care Cardiology, Community Cardiology, and Primary Care clinicians were surveyed.

Results:

A total of 95 clinicians participated (52.5% response rate). Only 12% of clinicians reported having annual end-of-life discussions as advocated by the American Heart Association. In total, 52% of clinicians hesitated to discuss end-of-life care citing provider discomfort (11%), perception of patient (21%) or family (12%) unreadiness, fear of destroying hope (9%), or lack of time (8%). Tertiary and Community Cardiology clinicians (66%) attributed responsibility for end-of-life discussions to the heart failure cardiologist, while 66% of Primary Care clinicians felt it was their responsibility. Overall, 30% of clinicians reported a low or very low level of confidence in one or more of the following: initiating prognosis or end-of-life discussions, enrolling patients in hospice, or providing end-of-life care. Most clinicians expressed interest in further skills acquisition.

Conclusion:

Clinicians vary in their views and approaches to end-of-life discussions and care. Some lack confidence and most are interested in further skills acquisition.