bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sensory neurone‐specific receptor‐mediated regulation of micturition reflex in urethane‐anaesthetized rats
Authors: Honda Masashi , Takenaka Atsushi , Inoue Seiya , Chancellor Michael B. , Yoshimura Naoki
Published: July 2011

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

A novel family of G‐protein‐coupled receptors has been identified in rat dorsal root ganglia and named as sensory neuron‐specific receptors (SNSRs) and these receptors are expressed exclusively in a subset of small‐diameter primary afferent neurons involved in transmission of nociceptive information. However, it is not known whether SNSRs have a role in the control of the micturition reflex.

This study demonstrated that in urethane‐anaesthetised rats activation of SNSRs can inhibit the micturition reflex via the pathways independent of capsaicin sensitive C‐fibres.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of sensory neurone‐specific receptors (SNSRs) activation on the micturition reflex in rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Continuous cystometrograms (CMGs, 0.04 mL/min) were performed in female Sprague‐Dawley rats under urethane anaesthesia.

After stable micturition cycles were established, a selective rat SNSR1 agonist, bovine adrenal medulla 8–22 (BAM8–22), was administered intravenously (i.v.) or intrathecally (i.t.) in normal rats or rats pretreated with capsaicin 4 days before the experiments.

Micturition variables were recorded and compared before and after drug administration.

RESULTS

Administration (i.v.) of BAM8–22 (3–100 µg/kg) significantly increased intercontraction intervals in a dose‐dependent fashion, but did not affect residual urine or baseline pressure at any doses tested.

Administration (i.t.) of BAM8–22 (0.01–0.3 µg) also increased intercontraction intervals in a dose‐dependent fashion, but did not affect residual urine or baseline pressure at any doses tested.

These inhibitory effects of i.v. (30 µg/kg) or i.t. (0.3 µg) administration of BAM8–22 still occurred after capsaicin pretreatment.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that in urethane‐anaesthetized rats activation of SNSRs can inhibit the micturition reflex via pathways independent of capsaicin‐sensitive C‐fibres.

Thus SNSRs could be a potential target for the treatment of bladder dysfunction, e.g. overactive bladder.
The nature and strength of the relationship between expenditure on alcohol and food: An analysis of adult‐only households in the UK
Authors: GELL LUCY , MEIER PETRA
Published: July 2011

Introduction and Aims. Unhealthy lifestyle behaviours can cluster to produce more detrimental overall health consequences than expected with a simple additive effect. This study aims to expand current knowledge of the nature and strength of the relationship between two such health behaviours, alcohol and diet, through analysis of household expenditure on food and drink from a nationally representative UK sample.

Design and Methods. Data from the Expenditure and Food Survey for 2005–2006 was used to analyse expenditure on alcohol and diet for 3146 UK households. The classification of a food as healthy or unhealthy was determined using dietary advice provided by the Food Standards Agency. Alcohol expenditure was disaggregated into spending in pubs, bars, clubs and restaurants (on‐trade expenditure) and spending in off‐licenses and supermarkets (off‐trade expenditure). Analyses were stratified according to household disposable income quintile and household beverage preference.

Results. As household expenditure on alcohol increases, spending on both healthy and unhealthy food decreases. Higher income households spend proportionately more on on‐trade alcohol and healthy food than lower income households, and less on unhealthy food. Off‐trade alcohol expenditure does not differ significantly according to household income. Households that prefer to purchase wine have healthier expenditure patterns than those that prefer to buy beer or spirits, even after controlling for income.

Discussion and Conclusions. Low‐income households and those that purchase more beer or spirits than wine could be targeted for health promotion interventions to reduce their risk of negative health outcomes from the clustering of alcohol consumption and unhealthy diet.[Gell L, Meier P. The nature and strength of the relationship between expenditure on alcohol and food: An analysis of adult‐only households in the UK. Drug Alcohol Rev 2012;31:422–430]
Predisposed violent drug users versus drug users who commit violence: Does the order of onset translate to differences in the severity of violent offending?
Authors: TOROK MICHELLE , DARKE SHANE , KAYE SHARLENE
Published: July 2011

Introduction and Aims. To determine whether there were differences in drug use profiles, psychopathology, and severity of violence among regular illicit drug users in respect to the order of onset of drug use and violence.

Design and Methods. A cross‐sectional survey utilising self‐report data was administered to 327 regular illicit drug users in Sydney, Australia.

Results. Those who first committed violent crime prior to illicit drug use were found to have more serious offending patterns (greater frequency, arrest for more serious violence, earlier age of onset, and more weapon use). Being male, having a history of child abuse and greater severity of conduct disorder were independent predictors of committing violence before drug use.

Discussion and Conclusions. Whilst the nature of the data does not permit causative conclusions, it appears that the order of onset of illicit drug use and violent crime is associated with heterogeneous offending patterns. Early onset violence was associated with more severe violent crimes in later adulthood, whereas violence which proceeded drug use was more strongly linked to systemic risks. The findings have implications for early intervention among children with conduct disorder and also for using drug and alcohol treatment services to reduce specific risks associated with violence.[Torok M, Darke S, Kaye S. Predisposed violent drug users versus drug users who commit violence: Does the order of onset translate to differences in the severity of violent offending? Drug Alcohol Rev 2012;31:558–565]
USE OR REFUSE REPRODUCTIVE GENETIC TECHNOLOGIES: WHICH WOULD A ‘GOOD PARENT’ DO?
Authors: MALEK JANET
Published: July 2011

A number of authors have objected to potential parents' use of reproductive genetic technologies on the grounds that the use of these technologies reflects a morally problematic attitude toward parenting. More specifically, proponents of this view have argued that such a choice is inconsistent with the unconditional acceptance that lies at the heart of praiseworthy parental attitudes. This paper offers a rebuttal of this view by arguing that it is possible for a parent to exhibit unconditional acceptance of the child herself without accepting each of that child's traits. If this is true, the use of reproductive genetic technologies does not inherently undermine appropriate parental attitudes. Further, by working to change some of a child's specific traits, a parent may instead exemplify an aspirational aspect of praiseworthy parenting and so demonstrate appropriate parental attitudes.
NO ETHICAL BYPASS OF MORAL STATUS IN STEM CELL RESEARCH
Authors: BROWN MARK
Published: July 2011

Recent advances in reprogramming technology do not bypass the ethical challenge of embryo sacrifice. Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPS) research has been and almost certainly will continue to be conducted within the context of embryo sacrifice. If human embryos have moral status as human beings, then participation in iPS research renders one morally complicit in their destruction; if human embryos have moral status as mere precursors of human beings, then advocacy of iPS research policy that is inhibited by embryo sacrifice concerns renders one morally complicit in avoidable harms to persons. Steps may be taken to address these complicity concerns, but in the final analysis there is no alternative to achieving clarity with respect to the moral status of the human embryo.
A General Statistical Framework for Multistage Designs
Authors: GRÜNEWALD MARIA , HÖSSJER OLA
Published: July 2011

Abstract.  The efficiency of observational studies may be increased by applying multistage sampling designs. It is, however, not always transparent how to construct such a design to obtain increased efficiency. We here present a general statistical framework for describing and constructing multistage designs. We also provide tools for efficiency and cost‐efficiency comparisons, to facilitate the choice of sampling scheme. The comparisons are based on Fisher information matrices and the results are presented in graphs, where either efficiency or cost‐adjusted efficiency is plotted against a normalized measure of cost. The former curve resides in the unit square and is analogous to the receiver operating characteristic curve used for testing.
Deepening College Students' Engagement with Religion and Theology through Community Service Learning
Authors: Seider Scott
Published: July 2011

The Serve Program at Ignatius University combines academic study of theology with a year‐long community service project focused on combating poverty. An analysis of the Serve Program during the 2008–09 academic year revealed that participating students demonstrated a significant increase in their interest in theology; a greater desire to enroll in theology coursework; and a deeper interest in theology than classmates not participating in the service‐learning program. Interviews with Serve participants revealed that their exposure to poverty and inequality through their service placements led them to read the program's assigned theological texts with a particular focus on the authors' messages about individual and social responsibility for struggling fellow citizens.
Thick Pen Transformation for Time Series
Authors: Fryzlewicz P. , Oh H.-S.
Published: July 2011

Traditional visualization of time series data often consists of plotting the time series values against time and ‘connecting the dots’. We propose an alternative, multiscale visualization technique, motivated by the scale–space approach in computer vision. In brief, our method also ‘connects the dots’ but uses a range of pens of varying thicknesses for this. The resulting multiscale map, which is termed the thick pen transform, corresponds to viewing the time series from a range of distances. We formally prove that the thick pen transform is a discriminatory statistic for two Gaussian time series with distinct correlation structures. Further, we show interesting possible applications of the thick pen transform to measuring cross-dependence in multivariate time series, classifying time series and testing for stationarity. In particular, we derive the asymptotic distribution of our test statistic and argue that the test is applicable to both linear and non-linear processes under low moment assumptions. Various other aspects of the methodology, including other possible applications, are also discussed.
Dynamic Multiscale Spatiotemporal Models for Gaussian Areal Data
Authors: Ferreira Marco A. R. , Holan Scott H. , Bertolde Adelmo I.
Published: July 2011

We introduce a new class of dynamic multiscale models for spatiotemporal processes arising from Gaussian areal data. Specifically, we use nested geographical structures to decompose the original process into multiscale coefficients which evolve through time following state space equations. Our approach naturally accommodates data that are observed on irregular grids as well as heteroscedasticity. Moreover, we propose a multiscale spatiotemporal clustering algorithm that facilitates estimation of the nested geographical multiscale structure. In addition, we present a singular forward filter backward sampler for efficient Bayesian estimation. Our multiscale spatiotemporal methodology decomposes large data analysis problems into many smaller components and thus leads to scalable and highly efficient computational procedures. Finally, we illustrate the utility and flexibility of our dynamic multiscale framework through two spatiotemporal applications. The first example considers mortality ratios in the state of Missouri whereas the second example examines agricultural production in Espírito Santo State, Brazil.
Comparing Alternative Predictors Based on Large‐Panel Factor Models
Authors: D’ Agostino Antonello , Giannone Domenico
Published: July 2011

This article compares the predictive ability of the factor models of Stock and Watson (2002a) and Forni, Hallin, Lippi and Reichlin (2005) using a ‘large’ panel of macroeconomic variables of the United States. We propose a nesting procedure of comparison that clarifies and partially overturns the results of similar exercises in the literature. Our main conclusion is that with the dataset at hand the two methods have a similar performance and produce highly collinear forecasts.
Diagnostic Tests of Cross‐section Independence for Limited Dependent Variable Panel Data Models*
Authors: Hsiao Cheng , Pesaran M. Hashem , Pick Andreas
Published: July 2011

This article considers the problem of testing for cross‐section independence in limited dependent variable panel data models. It derives a Lagrangian multiplier (LM) test and shows that in terms of generalized residuals of Gourieroux et al. (1987) it reduces to the LM test of Breusch and Pagan (1980). Because of the tendency of the LM test to over‐reject in panels with large N (cross‐section dimension), we also consider the application of the cross‐section dependence test (CD) proposed by Pesaran (2004). In Monte Carlo experiments it emerges that for most combinations of N and T the CD test is correctly sized, whereas the validity of the LM test requires T (time series dimension) to be quite large relative to N. We illustrate the cross‐sectional independence tests with an application to a probit panel data model of roll‐call votes in the US Congress and find that the votes display a significant degree of cross‐section dependence.
Truth and Rhetoric: The Promise of John Dean's Memory to the Discipline of Psychology
Authors: KAPOSI DAVID
Published: July 2011

The paper unpacks the far‐reaching theoretical and practical issues that underlay the classical debate between cognitive psychologist Ulric Neisser and discursive social psychologists Derek Edwards and Jonathan Potter on Watergate witness John Dean's memory. Accounting for their disagreements, Neisser claimed the mantle of the cognitive‐ecological approach to memory and emphasized the psychologist's ultimate priority of truth over discourse, while Edwards and Potter claimed that of discursive/rhetorical psychology and focused exclusively on discourse over truth. As such, the debate at the time ended in mutual misunderstanding and the shadow of theoretical incommensurability. However, a rhetorical analysis of the arguments suggests that Neisser was right about truth when he intuitively sensed the importance of discourse, and Edwards and Potter were right about discourse when they did not lose sight of truth. Therefore, beyond the impasse there has remained a promise inherent in the debate: it demonstrated an imaginative attempt to undermine the absolute dichotomy of truth and rhetoric and demonstrate their mutual inter‐dependence. As will be argued, such integration of traditional concerns of the psychologist entails the re‐conceptualization of the discipline as political and moral science.
Using Landsat images to map habitat availability for waterbirds in rice fields
Authors: TORAL GREGORIO M. , ARAGONÉS DAVID , BUSTAMANTE JAVIER , FIGUEROLA JORDI
Published: July 2011

Rice fields are an important habitat for waterbirds. Knowledge of the availability of this habitat is important since the reduction in the area of natural wetlands has converted rice fields into vital refuges. This paper presents a method for mapping habitat availability in rice fields according to different waterbirds’ habitat preferences and examining its phenology during the crop cycle. Data from bird censuses carried out in the Doñana rice fields were analysed to determine the habitat preferences of 22 species of waterbird at different stages in the rice production cycle. Discriminant function analysis of seven Landsat images was used to classify paddy field stages. The phenology of habitat availability in rice fields during autumn and winter was examined. Waterfowl and waders preferentially used the ‘flooded’ and ‘mudflats with water’ paddy field stages, respectively, and the ‘rice growing’ and ‘dry’ stages were rejected by waterbirds. The area of preferred habitats within rice fields increased during autumn; subsequently, the area of the ‘flooded’ paddy fields decreased in January, whereas that of ‘mudflats with water’ remained available until March. The automatic classification of paddy field stages with Landsat images allowed habitat availability for different species of waterbirds to be monitored and provides relevant information for understanding behavioural and population responses in waterbirds that use rice fields. After examining the phenology of the availability of habitat and comparing it with dates of arrival and departure of migrant waterbirds, best crop practices could be defined to favour waterbirds (i.e. adjusting harvest, ploughing and flooding dates). Taking into account climatic change and loss of wetlands this method could help in the integration of agriculture and conservation, in particular in areas where there is no remaining natural wetland habitat.
Mechanical Assistance by Intra‐Aortic Balloon Pump Counterpulsation During Reperfusion Increases Coronary Blood Flow and Mitigates the No‐Reflow Phenomenon: An Experimental Study
Authors: Pierrakos Charalampos N. , Bonios Michael J. , Drakos Stavros G. , Charitos Efstratios I. , Tsolakis Elias J. , Ntalianis Argirios , Nanas Serafim N. , Charitos Christos E. , Nanas John N. , Terrovitis John V.
Published: July 2011

The effects of the intra‐aortic balloon pump (IABP) counterpulsation on the extent of myocardial infarction (MI), the no‐reflow phenomenon (NRP), and coronary blood flow (CBF) during reperfusion in an ischemia‐reperfusion experimental model have not been clarified. Eleven pigs underwent occlusion of the mid left anterior descending coronary artery for 1 h, followed by reperfusion for 2 h. CBF, distal to the occlusion site, was measured. In six experiments, IABP support began 10 min before, and continued throughout reperfusion (IABP Group). Five pigs without IABP support served as controls. At the end of each experiment, the myocardial area at risk (MAR) of infarction and the extent of MI and NRP were measured. Hemodynamic measurements at baseline and during coronary occlusion were similar in both groups. During reperfusion, systolic aortic blood pressure was significantly lower in the IABP Group than in controls. In the IABP Group, CBF reached a peak at 5 min of reperfusion, gradually decreased, but remained higher than at baseline, and significantly higher than in controls throughout the 2 h of reperfusion. In controls, CBF increased significantly above baseline immediately after the onset of reperfusion, then returned to baseline within 90 min. The extent of NRP (37 ± 25% vs. 68 ± 17%, P = 0.047) and MI (39 ± 23% vs. 67 ± 13%, P = 0.036), both expressed as percentage of MAR, was significantly less in the IABP group than in controls. After prolonged myocardial ischemia, IABP assistance started just 10 min before and throughout reperfusion increased CBF and limited infarct size and extent of NRP.
Lowell Immigrant Communities in the Climate of Deportations
Authors: Sládková Jana , Mangado Sandra M. García , Quinteros Johana Reyes
Published: July 2011

In the climate of increased anti‐immigrant sentiment, deportations of immigrants from the United States are on the upsurge. This article begins with a review of current immigration laws enabling detentions and deportations of undocumented immigrants, as well as permanent legal residents with a prior criminal conviction. It then explores how immigrants and refugees interact with this national climate in Lowell, Massachusetts, a traditional immigrant city in the Northeast of the United States. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions have clearly had an impact on Lowell. Our findings indicate that fear and mistrust of local authorities is driving behavior of immigrants, who are reluctant to seek medical services or to report violence to the police, whom they suspect of collaborating with ICE.
Six‐Month‐Olds Comprehend Words That Refer to Parts of the Body
Authors: Tincoff Ruth , Jusczyk Peter W.
Published: July 2011

Comprehending spoken words requires a lexicon of sound patterns and knowledge of their referents in the world.Tincoff and Jusczyk (1999)demonstrated that 6‐month‐olds link the sound patterns “Mommy” and “Daddy” to video images of their parents, but not to other adults. This finding suggests that comprehension emerges at this young age and might take the form of very specific word‐world links, as in “Mommy” referring only to the infant’s mother and “Daddy” referring only to the infant’s father. The current study was designed to investigate if 6‐month‐olds also show evidence of comprehending words that can refer to categories of objects. The results show that 6‐month‐olds link the sound patterns “hand” and “feet” to videos of an adult’s hand and feet. This finding suggests that very early comprehension has a capacity beyond specific, one‐to‐one, associations. Future research will need to consider how developing categorization abilities, social experiences, and parent word use influence the beginnings of word comprehension.
Social Networks as a Shortcut to Correct Voting
Authors: Ryan John Barry
Published: July 2011

This article reports on a small group experiment studying how the preferences of an individual's social network affect her ability to vote for the candidate who will provide her with the greater benefit on both valence issues and position issues. The research diverges from traditional formal models and experimental studies of social communication by expanding the communication network beyond the dyad. The results suggest that social communication is a useful information shortcut for uninformed independents, but not uninformed partisans. Informed individuals incorporate biased social messages into their candidate evaluations, which results in higher levels of incorrect voting in certain types of networks.
Public–Private Partnerships in Urban Regeneration Projects: Organizational Form or Managerial Capacity?
Authors: Kort Michiel , Klijn Erik‐Hans
Published: July 2011

Urban regeneration companies (URCs) are public‐private entities appearing across Europe. They are created specifically to manage and implement more effectively urban regeneration projects. Core ideas behind the establishment of these newly emerging partnerships aim to tackle the challenging process of restructuring these organizations so as to function at arm’s length from political oversight. However, contemporary literature on governance suggests that organizational form may be less a factor than managerial capability. Using survey data obtained from individuals who are heavily involved in Dutch urban regeneration partnerships, this article points out why twin URC organizational characteristics, i.e., functioning at arm’s length from politics plus its tight organizational format, are not significant to their effective performance. Instead, use of multiple management strategies is ultimately more relevant to their effective performance.
City Managers, Career Incentives, and Municipal Service Decisions: The Effects of Managerial Progressive Ambition on Interlocal Service Delivery
Authors: LeRoux Kelly , Pandey Sanjay K.
Published: July 2011

City managers play an influential role in brokering intergovernmental service arrangements on behalf of their jurisdiction, yet their motivations for doing so are not well understood. One argument, drawn from theories of bureaucratic entrepreneurship and ambition theory, suggests that cities with managers who are motivated to advance their careers will parlay more interlocal service delivery as means of capturing economic efficiencies. Such strategies serve to build their personal resumes of career achievements. An alternative argument suggests more altruistic motives, including a desire for increased social equity and valuing the common good of the region, compel city managers to pursue interlocal service arrangements. These competing theories are tested on 134 large municipalities, using survey data from the city managers of these jurisdictions, coupled with interlocal revenue and expenditure data for these cities. Results yield greater support for the first theory. However, progressive ambition possesses complex consequences for interlocal service delivery choices. Jurisdictions managed by city managers with career‐enhancement ambitions are more likely to sell services to other local governments. Yet, they are significantly less inclined to buy services from other jurisdictions, thereby underscoring entrepreneurship in shaping managers’ professional trajectories.
With Strings Attached: Statutory Delegations of Authority to the Executive Branch
Authors: Taratoot Cole D. , Nixon David C.
Published: July 2011

While research on the influence of divided government upon legislative outputs is available, relatively little identifies the effects of divided government on legislative control of bureaucratic discretion. Some suggest that inter‐branch conflict between the President and Congress leads legislators to seek to retain legislative control over the bureaucracy. As a result, periods of divided government increase statutory control and reduce agency autonomy. Close examination of statutes creating each federal agency between 1946 and 1997 reveal that divided government increases specificity of statutory control. In addition, the particular type of divided government involving split partisan control between the chambers of Congress fosters greater specific statutory control when new government agencies are created.
Foucault in the forest: Questioning environmentality in Amazonia
Authors: CEPEK MICHAEL L.
Published: July 2011

In this article, I analyze the encounter between the Field Museum of Natural History and Amazonian Ecuador's Cofán people to question the concept of “environmentality”: the idea that environmentalist programs and movements operate as forms of governmentality in Michel Foucault's sense. I argue that, although the Field Museum's community conservation projects constitute a regulatory rationale and technique, they do not transform Cofán subjectivity according to plan. By exploring Cofán people's critical consciousness of environmentalist interventions, I aim to cast doubt on the governmentality paradigm's utility for analyzing the complexities of cultural difference, intercultural encounter, and directed change.
Pueblo street fighting to national martial art: Nation building and the nationalization of a Venezuelan civilian combative practice
Authors: RYAN MICHAEL J.
Published: July 2011

In this article, I examine how local groups are often instrumental in the establishment of nation‐states whose legitimacy is later threatened through acts of resistance or subversion by these same groups or their heirs. In Venezuela, groups who maintain a tradition of stick fighting provide a case in point. Developed among the rural civilian population in the postcolonial era for defensive purposes and sometimes deployed in the service of the nascent Venezuelan state, stick fighting has recently been promoted as a national martial art. As one group of stick fighters helped link the popularization of this art with Venezuelan nationalism, it simultaneously drew on strategies of misdirection and secrecy associated with the art to restrict its dissemination. In doing so, it maintained local forms of sociality against the cultural domination of state and global forces.
Digital distrust: Uzbek cynicism and solidarity in the Internet Age
Authors: KENDZIOR SARAH
Published: July 2011

In this article, I examine how Uzbek exiles have used the Internet to attempt to forge solidarity in a political culture of cynicism and distrust. Tracing the development of internal divisiveness in the Uzbek political opposition, I show how cynicism has been reconstituted as an essential part of Uzbek political integrity, and then I examine how some dissidents have attempted to counteract this cynical political culture through the online promotion of a new political repertoire. I argue that the Internet changes patterns of political dissent by allowing greater interaction between geographically dispersed, like‐minded parties but also allows the doubts and antagonisms that existed within those parties to be more easily perceived and, in some cases, exacerbated.
Piezoelectric Ceramics with Compositions at the Morphotropic Phase Boundary in the BiFeO3–PbZrO3–PbTiO3 Ternary System
Authors: Hu Wei , Tan Xiaoli , Rajan Krishna
Published: July 2011

Since ceramics in the PbZrO3–PbTiO3 binary system display excellent piezoelectric properties and those in BiFeO3–PbTiO3 exhibit high Curie temperatures, morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) compositions in the BiFeO3–PbZrO3–PbTiO3 ternary solid solution system are investigated for the development of piezoelectric ceramics for high temperature applications. It is found that the MPB compositions in the ternary system deviate away from the mixture of two binary MPB compositions 0.70BiFeO3–0.30PbTiO3 and 0.52PbZrO3–0.48PbTiO3. With decreasing amount of BiFeO3 in the MPB compositions in the ternary system, the Curie temperature TC is observed to decrease while the piezoelectric coefficient d33 is found to increase. Accompanied with this trend are the decrease in the c/a ratio of the tetragonal phase, the increase in the dielectric constant and the decrease in the loss tangent of the ceramics at room temperature. It is further noticed that the compositions in the rhombohedral‐rich side of MPB exhibit slightly better piezoelectric properties. An example of such compositions is 0.511BiFeO3–0.326PbZrO3–0.163PbTiO3, with TC of 431°C, d33 of 101 pC/N, and the electromechanical coupling factor kp of 0.50.
The System Ca3(PO4)2–Ca2SiO4: The Sub‐System Ca2SiO4–7CaOP2O52SiO2
Authors: Rubio Virtudes , de la Casa‐Lillo Miguel A. , De Aza Salvador , De Aza Piedad N.
Published: July 2011

A study of the sub‐system Ca2SiO4–7CaOP2O52SiO2 within the system Ca3(PO4)2–Ca2SiO4 was conducted as a preliminary step toward obtaining new biomaterials with controlled microstructures. Phase composition of the resulting ceramics was studied using X‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy with attached wavelength dispersive spectroscopy. The results showed that the sub‐system presents an invariant eutectoid point at 518°C ± 6°C with a composition of 31 wt% Ca3(PO4)2 and 69 wt% Ca2SiO4, and typical eutectoid microstructure of lamellae morphology. These results are in disagreement with the previous reported data, which locate the invariant eutectoid point at 500 ± 20°C with a composition of 36.75 wt% Ca3(PO4)2 and 63.25 wt% Ca2SiO4.
Community Consultation and Public Disclosure: Preliminary Results From a New Model
Authors: Ramsey Cornelia A. , Quearry Bonnie , Ripley Elizabeth
Published: July 2011

ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2011; 18:733–740 © 2011 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Emergency medicine research conducted under the exception from informed consent (EFIC) regulation enables critical scientific advancements. When EFIC is proposed, there is a requirement for broad community consultation and public disclosure (CC/PD) regarding the risks and benefits of the study. At the present time, no clear guidelines or standards exist for conducting and evaluating the CC/PD.

This preliminary study tested the feasibility and acceptability of a new approach to CC/PD for a large‐scale EFIC trial by engaging community members in designing and conducting the strategies. The authors enrolled key community members (called community advocates for research, or CARs) to use community‐based participatory methods to design and implement CC/PD.

By partnering with community members who represent target populations for the research study, this new approach has demonstrated a feasible CC/PD plan with greater community participation and less cost than previous studies. In a community survey, the percentage of community members reporting having heard about the EFIC trial more than doubled after employing the new approach. This article discusses initial implementation and results.

ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2011; 18:1–8 © 2011 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
Ontogenetic behaviour and swimming ability of the endangered eastern freshwater cod, Maccullochella ikei, with notes on growth and development
Authors: Butler Gavin L. , Rowland Stuart J. , Baverstock Peter R. , Morris Stephen
Published: July 2011

Abstract –  Understanding the larval ecology of individual fish species is fundamental in ensuring their long‐term conservation. The endangered eastern freshwater cod, Maccullochella ikei, is endemic to the Clarence and Richmond River systems of north‐eastern New South Wales, Australia. Little is known about the behaviour of larval M. ikei in the wild, particularly before and after the swim‐up stage, and following dispersal from the nest site. The aims of this study were to quantify the swimming ability, depth selection, light preference and substrate selection of hatchling to day‐30 M. ikei under controlled laboratory conditions, and to describe its growth and development over the same period. Maccullochella ikei larvae grew constantly but not consistently during the experiment. Exogenous feeding commenced around day 12, prior to the full exhaustion of the yolk. Maximal swimming ability improved daily, but maximum swimming speed declined significantly between days 12 and 13 and remained low. Maccullochella ikei larvae were initially photonegative but were positively phototactic by day 10. Depth selection was for the benthos until day 8, beyond which time larvae dispersed to all depths when released. Substrate selection was for sand in younger larvae but changed to upstream substrates as the experiment progressed. The results of the current study suggest that the period between day 10 and day 20 is critical in the early ontogeny of M. ikei, when it switched phototrophic behaviour, transitioned from endogenous to exogenous feeding and experienced a decline in swimming ability.
Increasing prevalence of coeliac disease in Denmark: a linkage study combining national registries
Authors: Dydensborg Stine , Toftedal Peter , Biaggi Matteo , Lillevang Søren T , Hansen Dorte G , Husby Steffen
Published: July 2011

Aim:  To determine the prevalence and incidence of diagnosed coeliac disease (CD) in Danish children and adolescents and to describe trends over time.

Methods:  All children with a CD diagnosis registered in the Danish National Patient Registry (DNPR) were included in the study. Data were validated by combining this information with registrations of small‐bowel biopsies in the National Registry of Pathology (NRP) and with a selected sample of hospital records.

Results:  Data were obtained from 1996 to 2010. The prevalence of CD registered in DNPR increased from 43.2 [95% CI 39.3–47.1] to 83.6 [95% CI 78.4–88.7] per 100 000, and the incidence increased from 2.8 [95% CI 1.9–3.9] to 10.0 [95% CI 8.4–12.0] per 100 000; 56% of the children had at least one biopsy compatible with CD registered in NRP. The incidence of biopsy‐verified CD increased from 0.8 [95% CI 0.3–1.4] to 6.9 [95% CI 5.4–8.4] per 100 000. The mean age at diagnosis increased from 5.1 [95% CI 3.5–6.6] to 8.1 [95% CI 7.2–9.0] years of age. The proportion of children with associated diseases did not change over time.

Conclusion:  The prevalence of diagnosed CD in Danish children and adolescents has increased over the last 15 years.
Oral and general health status in patients treated in a dental consultation clinic of a geriatric ward in Bern, Switzerland
Authors: Katsoulis Joannis , Schimmel Martin , Avrampou Marianna , Stuck Andreas E. , Mericske‐Stern Regina
Published: July 2011

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2011.00529.x

Oral and general health status in patients treated in a dental consultation clinic of a geriatric ward in Bern, Switzerland

Introduction:  This audit reports on the oral and general health of patients who were treated in a dental consultation clinic of a geriatric hospital.

Material and Methods:  Dental and medical records were obtained from 112 female and 80 male patients (mean age, 83.7 ± 8.2 years) who attended a dental consultation. Data analysis included the general health [American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification, number of diagnoses, cognitive function] and dental state in the age strata 60–69, 70–79, 80–89 and 90–99 years.

Results:  Seventy‐four per cent of patients were aged over 80 years. The prevalence of ASA‐P4 and P3 varied between age groups. Most patients (>86%) had more than three chronic diseases. Cognitive impairment was present in almost half of both older age cohorts (43 and 50%). Half of the patients (52%) were edentulous. In dentate patients, the average number of teeth was 12 ± 6 and differed in the maxilla significantly between age groups (p = 0.005). There was no significant association between dental state, ASA classification and systemic conditions.

Conclusions:  The profile of this cohort reflects a poor oral and general health status. The results underline the importance of an interdisciplinary consultation in a geriatric ward where oral health care is an integral part.
Trigeminal neuralgia: a retrospective study of 188 Thai cases
Authors: Jainkittivong Aree , Aneksuk Vilaiwan , Langlais Robert P.
Published: July 2011

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2011.00530.x

Trigeminal neuralgia: a retrospective study of 188 Thai cases

Objective:  To describe the clinical characteristics and treatment of trigeminal neuralgia (TN) in a group of Thai patients.

Materials and methods:  Records of 188 patients with TN were reviewed retrospectively for patient demographics, the characteristics of the pain and treatment modalities.

Results:  Of the 188 patients, 37.2% were men and 62.8% were women. The peak incidence (46.8%) was in the age range of 50–69 years. Pain occurred on the right side of the face more often than on the left (1.8:1). The mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve was the most frequently affected (30.3%), followed by the combined maxillary and mandibular divisions (29.3%) and the maxillary division alone (25%). The majority described their attack as a sharp pain (77.6%), and the most common primary locations were at previous extraction sites (40.5%). The most common triggers were chewing (61.2%) and speaking (47.3%). Carbamazepine was the most common prescribed drug (76.1%) for the initial treatment. Combination drug therapy was introduced when the monotherapy failed to control the pain. Surgical intervention was the alternative choice of treatment in refractory cases.

Conclusion:  TN affected women more than men, and this disorder occurred most frequently in patients aged 50 years and older. The mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve was most commonly involved.
PRDM1/Blimp1 downregulates expression of germinal center genes LMO2 and HGAL
Authors: Cubedo Elena , Maurin Michelle , Jiang Xiaoyu , Lossos Izidore S. , Wright Kenneth L.
Published: July 2011

Human germinal center‐associated lymphoma (HGAL) and LIM domain only‐2 (LMO2) are proteins highly expressed in germinal center (GC) B lymphocytes. HGAL and LMO2 are also expressed in GC‐derived lymphomas and distinguish biologically distinct subgroups of diffuse large B‐cell lymphomas (DLBCL) associated with improved survival. However, little is known about their regulation. PRDM1/Blimp1 is a master regulator of terminal B cell differentiation and may also function as a tumor suppressor in the pathogenesis of DLBCL, where it is frequently inactivated by mutations and deletions. We now demonstrate that both HGAL and LMO2 are directly regulated by the transcription repressor PRDM1. In vivo studies demonstrate that PRDM1 directly binds to the recognition sites within the upstream promoters of both HGAL and LMO2. PRDM1 binding suppresses endogenous protein and mRNA levels of HGAL and LMO2. In addition, promoter analysis reveals that site‐specific binding of PRDM1 to the promoters is capable of repressing transcriptional activity. This inhibitory effect of PRDM1 suggests that it has a key role in the loss of HGAL and LMO2 expression upon differentiation of GC B cells to plasma cells and may also contribute to absence of HGAL and LMO2 expression in post‐GC lymphoid tumors.
Water quality monitoring during the construction of the M3 motorway in Ireland
Authors: Purcell Patrick , Bruen Michael , O'Sullivan John , Cocchiglia Letizia , Kelly‐Quinn Mary
Published: July 2011

The M3 motorway in Ireland was constructed between the years 2007 and 2010. The motorway crosses the River Boyne, which is a designated salmonid water under the EU Freshwater directive, and its tributaries. The paper describes the measures taken to mitigate any potential impacts which the road scheme might have had on the aquatic environment and the water quality of the Boyne watercourses before‐, during‐ and post‐construction. The success of the mitigation measures undertaken is assessed by: (a) comparing pre‐construction, during‐construction and post‐construction water quality data, (b) comparing measured water quality with relevant standards, (c) comparing water quality data upstream and downstream of river crossings, (d) the establishment of a pilot‐scale real‐time water quality monitoring station at the downstream end of the works before discharge into the river Boyne. The study concluded that the measures taken have been successful in minimising the water quality impacts associated with the road scheme.
Seasonal changes in the local distribution of Yangtze finless porpoises related to fish presence
Authors: Kimura Satoko , Akamatsu Tomonari , Li Songhai , Dong Lijun , Wang Kexiong , Wang Ding , Arai Nobuaki
Published: July 2011

Abstract

The Yangtze finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis asiaeorientalis) is an endangered freshwater porpoise subspecies unique to the Yangtze River basin. Seasonal variations in local distribution of the animal, as well as fish presence, sand dredging, ship navigation, and bridges were examined as potential factors affecting the occurrence of the animals. Passive acoustic surveys were performed regularly from May 2007 to August 2010, near the conjunction of the Yangtze River and Poyang Lake. The distribution of the porpoises was seasonally site‐specific. In May and August, the animals were detected more often at river junctions than in the lake, but vice versa from November to February. The rate of the porpoise detection was significantly higher in areas of fish presence than in areas of absence. The number of porpoises detected did not differ significantly between the sand dredging operation and the prohibition period (in 2008), although the number of vessels obviously declined in 2008. Ship traffic and bridges also did not appear to affect the presence of porpoises. These results showed the relative importance of the various environmental factors, which is important for conservation of not only Yangtze finless porpoise but also endangered isolated cetaceans.
Optimality Theory and Morphology
Authors: Xu Zheng
Published: July 2011

This article introduces Realization Optimality Theory, a novel and promising morphological framework which adopts the formalism of Optimality Theory and encodes the morphological realization rules of, for example,Aronoff (1994)as ranked violable constraints. These language‐particular realization constraints are interspersed with universal markedness constraints of morphology. This treatment of morphological realization in terms of constraints successfully accounts for various widely discussed morphological phenomena such as blocking and extended morphological exponence, the emergence of an unmarked morph under morpho‐phonological conditions, syncretism and partial identity of forms.
Prosodic Breaks in Sentence Processing Investigated by Event‐Related Potentials
Authors: Bögels Sara , Schriefers Herbert , Vonk Wietske , Chwilla Dorothee J.
Published: July 2011

Prosodic breaks (PBs) can indicate a sentence’s syntactic structure. Event‐related brain potentials (ERPs) are an excellent way to study auditory sentence processing, since they provide an on‐line measure across a complete sentence, in contrast to other on‐ and off‐line methods. ERPs for the first time allowed investigating the processing of a PB itself. PBs reliably elicit a closure positive shift (CPS). We first review several studies on the CPS, leading to the conclusion that it is elicited by abstract structuring or phrasing of the input. Then we review ERP findings concerning the role of PBs in sentence processing as indicated by ERP components like the N400, P600 and LAN. We focus on whether and how PBs can (help to) disambiguate locally ambiguous sentences. Differences in results between different studies can be related to differences in items, initial parsing preferences and tasks. Finally, directions for future research are discussed.
Enhanced Antiviral Activity of Soybean β‐Conglycinin‐Derived Peptides by Acylation with Saturated Fatty Acids
Authors: Matemu Athanasia O. , Nakamura Kosuke , Kayahara Hisataka , Murasawa Hisashi , Katayama Shigeru , Nakamura Soichiro
Published: July 2011

Abstract:  Peptide mixtures prepared from soybean β‐conglycinin (7S‐peptides) were acylated with saturated fatty acids of different chain length (6C‐18C) in order to improve their antiviral activity against Feline calicivirus (FCV) strain F9 which is a typical norovirus surrogate. Among the fatty acids varieties, it was revealed that 7S‐peptides acylated with myristic and palmitic acids potently inhibited FCV replication. Myristorylation and palmitoylation of 7S‐peptides kept host cells viability at 91.51% and 98.90%, respectively. The infectivity of FCV on Crandell–Reese feline kidney cells was further determined after exposure of initial titer of 106.47 TCID50/mL. Myristoylated and palmitoylated 7S‐peptides significantly (P < 0.006) reduced FCV infectivity as compared to native 7S‐peptides. Native 7S‐peptides showed 25% FCV inhibitory activity while myristoylated and palmitoylated 7S‐peptides exhibited 98.59% and 99.98% reduction in FCV infectivity, respectively. Myristoylated and palmitoylated 7S‐peptides demonstrated higher anti‐FCV activity in a wide range of concentration with complete reduction at 25 μg/mL. Surface hydrophobicity was significantly (P < 0.05) increased after attachment of long hydrocarbon fatty acids to 7S‐peptides as supported by changes in fluorescence intensity. Enzymatic hydrolysis together with acylation will give an insight into surface and physiological functional lipopeptides derived from soy β‐conglycinin.