bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New records of Caligidae (Copepoda, Siphonostomatoida) from the Philippines
Authors: MARAN BALU ALAGAR VENMATHI , CRUZ-LACIERDA ERLINDA R. , OHTSUKA SUSUMU , NAGASAWA KAZUYA
Published: October 2016

Parasitic copepods, especially sea lice (Caligidae) are causing economic problems in both aquaculture and to wild fishes around the world, but their study in at least some of the southeastern Asian countries, is still scanty. Here we provide new information on the distribution of 11 known species of parasitic copepods collected from 11 marine fish hosts from Iloilo, central part of the Philippines. Two species of the genus Anuretes Heller, 1865 and nine species of the genus Caligus Müller, 1785 were found to infest these hosts, i.e. Anuretes branchialis Rangnekar, 1953 from Platax orbicularis (Forsskål, 1775); A. plectorhynchi Yamaguti, 1936 from P. orbicularis and Plectorhinchus pictus (Tortonese, 1936); Caligus absens Ho, Lin et Chen, 2000 from Priacanthus macracanthus Cuvier in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1829; C. asymmetricus Kabata, 1965 and C. coryphaenae (Steenstrup & Lütken, 1861) from Auxis thazard (Lacepède, 1800); C. bonito Wilson, 1905 from Coryphaena hippurus Linnaeus, 1758; C. cordyla Pillai, 1963 from Megalaspis cordyla (Linnaeus, 1758); C. cornutus Heegaard, 1962 from Sphyraena jello Cuvier in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1829; C. epinepheli Yamaguti, 1936 from Scomberoides commersonnianus Lacepède, 1801; C. kanagurta Pillai, 1961 from Decapterus kurroides Bleeker, 1855, D. macarellus (Cuvier in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1833) and C. hippurus; and C. rotundigenitalis Yü, 1933 from Scatophagus argus (Linnaeus, 1766). Attachment sites included the gill filaments and the body surface. Prevalence and mean intensity of caligids are provided in addition to an update on the checklist of caligids of the Philippines. Although reports on caligids in the Philippines are few, the published records indicate that sea lice are widely distributed throughout the archipelago.
Redescription of two species of Asterocheres Boeck, 1860 (Copepoda: Siphonostomatoida), A. corneliae Schirl, 1973 and A. boeckii (Brady, 1880), and proposal of a new genus for Asterocheres fastigatus Kim, 2010
Authors: BANDERA EUGENIA , CONRADI MERCEDES
Published: October 2016

Asterocheres Boeck, 1860 is the largest genus in the family Asterocheridae and includes approximately 96 nominal species. Nevertheless, according to Kim (2010), the current assignment of twelve of these species to Asterocheres is debatable, and fifteen species are too incompletely described for reliable comparisons to be made. In this paper, two species, A. corneliae Schirl, 1973 and A. boeckii (Brady, 1880), are redescribed and compared with their congeners. As a result of the comparison between A. boeckii and A. fastigatus Kim, 2010, a new genus, Kimcheres, is erected to accommodate the only species of Asterocheres displaying the armature formula (0-1) on the second endopodal segment of leg 4. The taxonomic position of A. longisetosus Nair & Pillai, 1984, considered as species inquirenda by Kim (2010), is discussed. Examination of the original description and illustrations, especially the antennules and the mandible, casts doubts on the validity of the species. Asterocheres Boeck, 1860 is the largest genus in the family Asterocheridae and includes approximately 96 nominal species. Nevertheless, according to Kim (2010), the current assignment of twelve of these species to Asterocheres is debatable, and fifteen species are too incompletely described for reliable comparisons to be made. In this paper, two species, A. corneliae Schirl, 1973 and A. boeckii (Brady, 1880), are redescribed and compared with their congeners. As a result of the comparison between A. boeckii and A. fastigatus Kim, 2010, a new genus, Kimcheres, is erected to accommodate the only species of Asterocheres displaying the armature formula (0-1) on the second endopodal segment of leg 4. The taxonomic position of A. longisetosus Nair & Pillai, 1984, considered as species inquirenda by Kim (2010), is discussed. Examination of the original description and illustrations, especially the antennules and the mandible, casts doubts on the validity of the species.
Copepods associated with scleractinian corals: a worldwide checklist and a case study of their impact on the reef-building coral Pocillopora damicornis (Linnaeus, 1758) (Pocilloporidae)
Authors: CHENG YU­RONG , MAYFIELD ANDERSON B. , MENG PEI­JIE , DAI CHANG­FENG , HUYS RONY
Published: October 2016

The Cnidaria have more symbiotic copepods than any other group of invertebrates, and the greatest numbers of these associates occur on hard corals. A review of the scattered literature on the diversity and taxonomic composition of scleractinian-associated copepods and their hosts revealed a total of 148 coral species, representing 66 genera and 15 families that serve as hosts to copepods. At present, 363 copepod species, representing 99 genera, 19 families and three orders, have been recorded as associates of scleractinian corals. The total included 288 cyclopoids, 68 siphonostomatoids and seven harpacticoids. Within the Cyclopoida the representation of species varied greatly among the 13 families, with a disproportionate number of species belonging to the Anchimolgidae (141 species) and Xarifiidae (92 species). Data on host utilization and geographical distribution of all copepods living symbiotically with hard corals is synthesized and host specificity patterns are highlighted.The prevalence, intensity, density, and biodiversity of copepod infection of 480 colonies of the reef-building coral Pocillopora damicornis (Linnaeus, 1758) from Nanwan Bay, southern Taiwan were documented between July 2007 and November 2008. It was hypothesized that certain environmental factors and physiological coral traits, such as the density of Symbiodinium, could influence these infection parameters. Analysis revealed that ectoparasitic copepods were the most likely to infect P. damicornis, and that Asteropontius minutus Kim, 2003 accounted for more than 50% of total copepod density in July–September 2007 when temperatures were high and bleaching occurred in ~75% of the sampled colonies. The data further showed that copepod virulence may be related to their life history strategies, as well as to Symbiodinium density, surface area of the host coral colonies, and concentration of nitrate and chlorophyll-a in the surrounding seawater. By tracking the abundance, diversity, and performance of infectious copepods prior, throughout, and after a natural bleaching event, the potential to use these parasites as bioindicators for predicting the future physiological performance of P. damicornis in response to environmental change, particularly bleaching events, may ultimately be further explored, developed and maximized.Humesimyzon Kim, 2010, previously placed in the Asterocheridae, is tentatively transferred to the recently resurrected family Coralliomyzontidae. The authorship and spelling of Pseudanthessius thorellii (Brady, 1880) are corrected.
A new family of poecilostomatoid copepods (Strepidae fam. nov.) associated with the sun coral, Tubastraea coccinea Lesson, 1829 in Taiwan
Authors: CHENG YU-RONG , LIU SHANG-YIN VANSON , DAI CHANG-FENG
Published: October 2016

Both sexes of Strepus elongatus gen. et sp. nov. are described based on specimens obtained from the coral host, Tubastraea coccinea Lesson, 1829, collected from shallow water reefs in Taiwan. The new species belongs to a new family of the copepod order Poecilostomatoida and displays the following morphological characteristics: (1) poecilostome type of well developed piercing mandibles, (2) absence of an oral cone, (3) highly transformed body, (4) 4-segmented antennules, (5) 2-segmented maxilliped, (6) caudal rami with only two setae, and (7) complete loss of legs 1–5 in the female, but legs 1–2 being represented by a free segment bearing two terminal setae in the male. In addition, the phylogenetic analysis based on 18S ribosomal RNA sequence data showed that S. elongatus clustered with a Sabelliphilus–Anchimolgus clade (Sabelliphilidae + Xarifiidae + Rhynchomolgidae + Anchimolgidae), and that the average genetic distance between S. elongatus gen. et sp. nov. and representatives of the six most closely related families (0.064) was higher than the average distances among those families (0.028). Therefore, based on both morphological and molecular data, a new family Strepidae fam. nov. is proposed to accommodate its only known species, S. elongatus gen. et sp. nov.
Discovery of the male of the rare caligiform copepod Kabataia Kazachenko, Korotaeva & Kurochkin, 1972 (Copepoda: Siphonostomatoida), with a reconsideration of its phylogenetic affinities
Authors: HUTSON KATE S. , BOXSHALL GEOFFREY A.
Published: October 2016

We report the discovery of the male of the rare caligiform copepod Kabataia ostorhynchi Kazachenko, Korotaeva & Kurochkin, 1972 on the gills of the type-host Oplegnathus woodwardi (Waite, 1900) captured in the Southern Ocean, off Australia. Light and scanning electron microscopy confirmed the unusual body plan of Kabataia Kazachenko, Korotaeva & Kurochkin, 1972, where only the first pedigerous somite is incorporated into the cephalothorax and the second and third pedigerous somites are fused to form a double-somite, visible both dorsally and ventrally. The adult female carries paired dorsal plates originating from the second pedigerous somite within this double-somite. In the male the second and third pedigerous somites are free and paired dorsal plates are present on the former. Kabataia exhibits sexual dimorphism in an unusually wide range of limbs. Most remarkable is the tubular extension from the exit pore of the maxillary gland at the base of the maxilla which reaches beyond the anterior margin of the mouth tube; this is present in the male only. Kabataia exhibits a functional articulation between the first and second pedigerous somites and thus lacks the diagnostic apomorphy of the family Trebiidae (incorporation of both first and second pedigerous somites into the cephalothorax). We propose to transfer Kabataia to the Pandaridae, since it shares the key synapomorphies of this family. Furthermore, we propose to transfer Innaprokofevnas Kazachenko, 2001 to the Dissonidae, which leaves Trebius Krøyer, 1838 as the only genus within the Trebiidae. The correct spelling of Philorthragoriscus Horst, 1897 is noted.
Request Fulfilling: When Citizens Demand Clientelist Benefits
Authors: Nichter Simeon , Peress Michael
Published: October 2016

Traditional accounts of clientelism typically focused on patron–client relations with minimal scope for citizen autonomy. Despite the heightened agency of many contemporary citizens, most studies continue to depict clientelism as a phenomenon that is firmly under elite control. The prevailing tendency is to view clientelism as a top-down process in which machines target citizens with offers of material benefits. Without denying the importance of elites, we emphasize the role of citizen demands in clientelism. Citizens often approach machines of their own volition to ask for help and may vote for a competitor if requests are unfulfilled. In response to these citizens, machines often engage in what we call “request fulfilling.” Interviews with citizens and politicians, coupled with cross-national survey data from Africa and Latin America, suggest the importance of this phenomenon. In addition, Argentine survey data in studies by Stokes and Nichter are better explained by request fulfilling than alternative explanations.
Unfinished Business
Authors: Kasara Kimuli , Mares Isabela
Published: October 2016

This article explains legislators’ support for electoral reforms reducing electoral irregularities and protecting voters’ autonomy at the ballot box in Britain and Germany in the late 19th century. We argue that the main political cleavage over the adoption of new legislation to limit illicit electoral practices pitted politicians able to take advantage of opportunities for vote buying and intimidation against those who could not do so because of unfavorable political and economic conditions in their district. We examine the political, partisan, and economic factors accounting for candidates’ ability to engage in electoral irregularities and show that, in both countries, resource-constrained candidates were more likely to support the introduction of electoral reforms. Because the primary illicit electoral practice differs across these two cases—vote buying in Britain and economic intimidation in Germany—some of the political and economic factors accounting for legislators’ support for reform differ across these cases.
Weapons of the Powerful: Authoritarian Elite Competition and Politicized Anticorruption in China
Authors: Zhu Jiangnan , Zhang Dong
Published: October 2016

What motivates authoritarian regimes to crack down on corruption? We argue that just as partisan competition in democracies tends to politicize corruption, authoritarian leaders may exploit anticorruption campaigns to target rivals’ power networks during internal power struggles for consolidating their power base. We apply this theoretical framework to provincial leadership turnover in China and test it using an anticorruption data set. We find that intraelite power competition, captured by the informal power configuration of government incumbents and their predecessors, can increase investigations of corrupt senior officials by up to 20%. The intensity of anticorruption propaganda exhibits a similar pattern. The findings indicate that informal politics can propel strong anticorruption drives in countries without democratically accountable institutions, although these drives tend to be selective, arbitrary, and factionally biased.
Upgrading power and energy engineering curricula in Jordanian universities: a case study at PSUT
Authors: Faza Ayman , Batarseh Majd , Abu-Elhaija Wejdan
Published: October 2016

The field of power and energy engineering in Jordan went through a period of decline during the period between 1990 and 2000, which resulted in students of electrical engineering pursuing other fields such as communications and computing, as the advances in the technologies of cellular communications and computer networking created more opportunities for recent graduates, and provided an attractive field of study for the students at that time. However, the recent increase in the prices of oil, and the advances in the technology of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind energy, resulted in a sudden revival in the field of power and energy engineering. In addition, due to the recent advances in the technologies of communication and computing, the notion of a “smart grid” emerged as the future of power and energy, which promised more career opportunities in this field. This decline in the number of skilled professionals in the field of power and energy, combined with the sudden increase in the available opportunities in the field created a gap in the Jordanian market requirements, which necessitated remedial actions to fix this phenomenon. That gap was noticeably felt in Amman, the capital of Jordan, which is also the center for the largest number of businesses in the country. Therefore, it became essential for the universities in Jordan to address this issue by offering degrees specializing in power and energy engineering. With its central location in the heart of Amman, and given its role as a leading technological university in the country and the region, Princess Sumaya University for Technology (PSUT) established a new “power and energy engineering” program, in which a number of specialized courses were developed, and a number of state-of-the-art laboratories were established to create a competitive degree program that produces high-quality graduates, capable of tackling the challenges presented in the field of power and energy. This paper presents the most recent upgrade that was made in the power and energy laboratories in the department of electrical engineering at the university, and evaluates their overall effect on the newly established degree program, and on the quality of education and research in the university.
Role of SiC ceramic particles on the physical and mechanical properties of Al–4%Cu metal matrix composite fabricated via mechanical alloying
Authors: Keneshloo Mahnaz , Paidar Moslem , Taheri Morteza
Published: October 2016

In the present investigation, Al–Cu composites with SiC particulates were fabricated via mechanical alloying process. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of milling time (8, 12, 16 and 32 h), particle size (30 nm and 15 µm) and volume fractions (5, 10 and 15 wt.%) of SiC particles on the metallurgical and mechanical properties. Scanning electron microscopy equipped with X-ray diffraction method was used to investigate the microstructural evolution and morphological changes created during mechanical alloying. Microstructural study indicated that SiC particles were well distributed after the mechanical alloying process. A homogenous distribution of the particles was obtained by 15 wt.% of SiC particles in the aluminum matrix. The results revealed that the SiC particle size also affected the distribution and size of the powders in the matrix and it improved as particle size decreased from 15 µm to 30 nm. The study of mechanical properties clearly showed that a reduction in hardness of composite occurs which is attributed to positive effect of reinforcement particles in resistance to the movement of dislocations. Furthermore, it was found that the wear weight loss of Al–Cu/SiC composite decreases monotonically with increasing SiC content and more uniform particle size distribution. The excellent wear rate was primarily attributed to uniform distribution of the SiC particles.
Ectodysplasin A in Biological Fluids and Diagnosis of Ectodermal Dysplasia
Authors: Podzus J. , Kowalczyk-Quintas C. , Schuepbach-Mallepell S. , Willen L. , Staehlin G. , Vigolo M. , Tardivel A. , Headon D. , Kirby N. , Mikkola M.L. , Schneider H. , Schneider P.
Published: October 2016

The tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family ligand ectodysplasin A (EDA) is produced as 2 full-length splice variants, EDA1 and EDA2, that bind to EDA receptor (EDAR) and X-linked EDA receptor (XEDAR/EDA2R), respectively. Inactivating mutations in Eda or Edar cause hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (HED), a condition characterized by malformations of the teeth, hair and glands, with milder deficiencies affecting only the teeth. EDA acts early during the development of ectodermal appendages—as early as the embryonic placode stage—and plays a role in adult appendage function. In this study, the authors measured EDA in serum, saliva and dried blood spots. The authors detected 3- to 4-fold higher levels of circulating EDA in cord blood than in adult sera. A receptor binding-competent form of EDA1 was the main form of EDA but a minor fraction of EDA2 was also found in fetal bovine serum. Sera of EDA-deficient patients contained either background EDA levels or low levels of EDA that could not bind to recombinant EDAR. The serum of a patient with a V262F missense mutation in Eda, which caused a milder form of X-linked HED (XLHED), contained low levels of EDA capable of binding to EDAR. In 2 mildly affected carriers, intermediate levels of EDA were detected, whereas a severely affected carrier had no active EDA in the serum. Small amounts of EDA were also detectable in normal adult saliva. Finally, EDA could be measured in spots of wild-type adult or cord blood dried onto filter paper at levels significantly higher than that measured in EDA-deficient blood. Measurement of EDA levels combined with receptor-binding assays might be of relevance to aid in the diagnosis of total or partial EDA deficiencies.
Does Persistent Inflammatory Catabolic Syndrome Exist in Critically Ill Neonates?
Authors: Ellis Nicole , Hughes Caitlin , Mazurak Vera , Joynt Chloe , Larsen Bodil
Published: October 2016

Background: Persistent inflammatory catabolic syndrome (PICS) has not been described in the infant population. This study proposes a definition of PICS in critically ill infants. Methods: A published adult criterion of PICS was modified using anthropometric and biochemical reference ranges for infants. A prospective chart review of admissions to a tertiary surgical neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) was performed over 65 days. Demographic, anthropometric, biochemical, and other clinical variables such as length of stay and medication use were collected daily throughout admission. Infants were categorized as having or not having PICS. Results: Twenty percent of admitted infants (n = 15) developed PICS using the proposed criteria. Infants with PICS were more likely to be classified as failure to thrive (53%), meeting only 75% of their anticipated weight gain. Significantly more infants with PICS had undergone surgery (100%; P = .01), received inotropic medication (40%; P = .05), and had longer NICU and total hospital length of stay (P < .001 and P < .001). Infants with PICS had higher peak glucose levels (11.8 ± 7.3 mmol/L) and elevated urea concentrations (7.9 ± 4.6 mmol/L). Conclusions: PICS does exist in a critically ill neonatal population and may be identified using the definition proposed in this study. Infants with PICS displayed metabolic dysregulation, impaired expected growth velocity, and longer length of stay despite no differences in severity scores or diagnosis between the groups. Validation of this work is required, and research into timely identification of infants with PICS is needed to inform whether these infants would benefit from earlier and novel nutrition intervention.
Uhl’s anomaly: rare but does exist
Authors: Kumar Parveen , Chaturvedi Hemant , Khatri Payal , Khatri Sanjay
Published: October 2016

A 17-year-old boy presented with facial puffiness and swelling in the lower limbs for 6 months and one episode of syncope 15 days earlier. Transthoracic echocardiography showed a dilated right atrium and right ventricle with right ventricular systolic dysfunction. The free wall of the right ventricle was thinned out and devoid of myocardium and trabeculations. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging showed an extremely dilated thin-walled right ventricle and absence of trabeculations, with no fat signal in the right ventricular wall, in contrast to that seen in arrhythmogenic ventricular dysplasia, which confirmed the diagnosis of Uhl’s anomaly.
Modal and harmonic analysis of three-dimensional wind turbine models
Authors: Sellami Takwa , Berriri Hanen , Darcherif A Moumen , Jelassi Sana , Mimouni M Faouizi
Published: October 2016

In this article, the dynamic responses of wind turbine systems are analytically and numerically investigated. For this purpose, analytic differential equations of motion of wind turbine components subjected to vibration (the blades, the nacelle, and the tower) are solved. This allows determining their dynamic characteristics, mode shapes, and natural frequencies. Two models of two three-dimensional (3D) micro-turbine that are created by the finite element method are set up using the new version of the academic finite element analysis software ANSYS. The first wind turbine is a standard micro three-bladed turbine and the second one is a micro six-bladed Rutland 504. Their natural frequencies and mode shapes are identified based on the modal analysis principle to check the validity of designed models. Dynamic behaviors at several operating conditions of wind turbines are established. Then, spectrum graphs of the structures along x-, y- and z-axis are analyzed.
The Youth Throwing Score: Validating Injury Assessment in Young Baseball Players
Authors: Ahmad Christopher S. , Padaki Ajay S. , Noticewala Manish S. , Makhni Eric C. , Popkin Charles A.
Published: October 2016

Background:

Epidemic levels of shoulder and elbow injuries have been reported recently in youth and adolescent baseball players. Despite the concerning frequency of these injuries, no instrument has been validated to assess upper extremity injury in this patient population.

Purpose/Hypothesis:

The purpose of this study was to validate an upper extremity assessment tool specifically designed for young baseball players. We hypothesized that this tool will be both reliable and valid.

Study Design:

Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2.

Methods:

The Youth Throwing Score (YTS) was constructed by an interdisciplinary team of providers and coaches as a tool to assess upper extremity injury in youth and adolescent baseball players (age range, 10-18 years). The psychometric properties of the test were then determined.

Results:

A total of 223 players completed the final survey. The players’ mean age was 14.3 ± 2.7 years. Pilot analysis showed that none of the 14 questions received a mean athlete importance rating less than 3 of 5, and the final survey read at a Flesch-Kincaid level of 4.1, which is appropriate for patients aged 9 years and older. The players self-assigned their injury status, resulting in a mean instrument score of 59.7 ± 8.4 for the 148 players “playing without pain,” 42.0 ± 11.5 for the 60 players “playing with pain,” and 40.4 ± 10.5 for the 15 players “not playing due to pain.” Players playing without pain scored significantly higher than those playing with pain and those not playing due to pain ( P < .001). Psychometric analysis showed a test-retest intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.90 and a Cronbach alpha intra-item reliability coefficient of 0.93, indicating excellent reliability and internal consistency. Pearson correlation coefficients of 0.65, 0.62, and 0.31 were calculated between the YTS and the Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument sports/physical functioning module, the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic Shoulder and Elbow score, and the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH) score, respectively. Injured players scored a mean of 9.4 points higher after treatment ( P < .001), and players who improved in their self-assigned pain categorization scored 16.5 points higher ( P < .001).

Conclusion:

The YTS is the first valid and reliable instrument for assessing young baseball players’ upper extremity health.
Some biological activities of pigments extracted from Micrococcus roseus (PTCC 1411) and Rhodotorula glutinis (PTCC 5257)
Authors: Rostami Hossein , Hamedi Hassan , Yolmeh Mahmoud
Published: October 2016

The importance of replacing synthetic pigments with natural types is increasing day by day in the food industry due to the harmful effects of some synthetic pigments. Microorganisms are a major source of natural pigments, which nowadays have attracted the attention of researchers. In this study, carotenoid pigments were produced by Micrococcus roseus and Rhodotorula glutinis, and some of their biological properties such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory activities were evaluated. Given the results, bacteria, especially gram-positive bacteria, had higher sensitivity to the pigments extracted from M. roseus (PEM) and R. glutinis (PER) compared to molds so that Bacillus cereus and Alternaria citri had the highest and the lowest sensitivity, respectively. PER showed a higher antioxidant activity compared with PEM in the various methods of measuring antioxidant activity. In vitro and in vivo anti-tumor-promoting activities of PER were measured significantly more than PEM ( P <0.05). Both pigment extracts remarkably inhibited the 12- O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced inflammation, so that ID50 (50% inhibitory dose) of PEM and PER were 0.22 and 0.09 mg/ear, respectively.
Copper Theft in the United States
Authors: Depken Craig A. , Stephenson E. Frank
Published: October 2016

Using monthly data for three proxies of copper theft, this article uses multivariate regression models to examine the relationship between copper prices and copper theft in the United States from 2006 through mid-2013. The findings indicate that copper thefts, as proxied by insurance claims for copper theft, newspaper articles in LexisNexis mentioning copper theft, and Google searches, are positively related to copper prices with the former two reflecting a constant elasticity not statistically different from unity. There is some evidence that copper thefts are related to the general pattern of property crime but there is no evidence that copper thefts are related to unemployment or foreclosures.
Globalization and Moral Personhood: Dyadic Perspectives of the Moral Self in Rural and Urban Thai Communities
Authors: McKenzie Jessica
Published: October 2016

Although the psychology of globalization is a burgeoning area of research, literature on the topic remains primarily theoretical to date. This study empirically examined the moral psychological impact of globalization in northern Thailand, a rapidly globalizing cultural context. Eighty participants (20 adolescents and 20 parents in both a rural and an urban community) took part in semi-structured interviews on perceptions of morality and globalization. This article shares three sets of mixed-methods analyses of participants’ private moral experiences. Results indicated varying conceptions of morality and self across cultural and dyadic lines, and thus revealed a double-gap in moral personhood across contexts of globalization. Whereas the moral experiences, evaluations, and reasoning of rural adolescents and parents were characterized by similitude, those of urban adolescents and parents were characterized by divergence. Findings indicate an emergent intergenerational moral disconnect in the urban Thai setting. Situating interview data in light of ethnographic evidence gathered in community, school, and home contexts, this study suggests that globalization profoundly impacts moral reasoning and perceptions of oneself as a moral person.
In-depth Characterization of Firefly Luciferase as a Reporter of Circadian Gene Expression in Mammalian Cells
Authors: Feeney Kevin A. , Putker Marrit , Brancaccio Marco , O’Neill John S.
Published: October 2016

Firefly luciferase (Fluc) is frequently used to report circadian gene expression rhythms in mammalian cells and tissues. During longitudinal assays it is generally assumed that enzymatic substrates are in saturating excess, such that total bioluminescence is directly proportional to Fluc protein level. To test this assumption, we compared the enzyme kinetics of purified luciferase with its activity in mammalian cells. We found that Fluc activity in solution has a lower Michaelis constant (Km) for luciferin, lower temperature dependence, and lower catalytic half-life than Fluc in cells. In consequence, extracellular luciferin concentration significantly affects the apparent circadian amplitude and phase of the widely used PER2::LUC reporter in cultured fibroblasts, but not in SCN, and we suggest that this arises from differences in plasma membrane luciferin transporter activity. We found that at very high concentrations (>1 mM), luciferin lengthens circadian period, in both fibroblasts and organotypic SCN slices. We conclude that the amplitude and phase of circadian gene expression inferred from bioluminescence recordings should be treated with some caution, and we suggest that optimal luciferin concentration should be determined empirically for each luciferase reporter and cell type.
The Effect of In-School Saccadic Training on Reading Fluency and Comprehension in First and Second Grade Students
Authors: Dodick David , Starling Amaal J. , Wethe Jennifer , Pang Yi , Messner Leonard V. , Smith Craig , Master Christina L. , Halker-Singh Rashmi B. , Vargas Bert B. , Bogle Jamie M. , Mandrekar Jay , Talaber Alexandra , Leong Danielle
Published: October 2016

Efficient eye movements provide a physical foundation for proficient reading skills. We investigated the effect of in-school saccadic training on reading performance. In this cross-over design, study participants (n = 327, 165 males; mean age [SD]: 7 y 6 mo [1y 1 mo]) were randomized into treatment and control groups, who then underwent eighteen 20-minute training sessions over 5 weeks using King-Devick Reading Acceleration Program Software. Pre- and posttreatment reading assessments included fluency, comprehension, and rapid number naming performance. The treatment group had significantly greater improvement than the control group in fluency (6.2% vs 3.6%, P = .0277) and comprehension (7.5% vs 1.5%, P = .0002). The high-needs student group significantly improved in fluency ( P < .001) and comprehension ( P < .001). We hypothesize these improvements to be attributed to the repetitive practice of reading-related eye movements, shifting visuospatial attention, and visual processing. Consideration should be given to teaching the physical act of reading within the early education curriculum.
Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome With Spinal Cord Involvement in Children
Authors: Chen Tai-Heng , Lin Wei-Chen , Kao Wei-Tsun , Tseng Chien-Ming , Tseng Yong-Hao
Published: October 2016

We characterized a cohort of patients with posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome with spinal cord involvement. We encountered 2 children and identified an additional 19 patients from the internet databases. Of the 21 patients analyzed, 8 were children. The mean peak systolic blood pressure in adults was significantly higher than in children (221.8 ± 14.3 vs 191.4 ± 31.3 mm Hg; P < .01). Regardless of age, the most common clinical symptom was headache (90%) and the least common clinical symptom was seizures (28%). Atypical neuroimaging was more common in children (63%) than in adults (8%). Abnormal cerebrospinal fluid results were frequently found in children (83%). All children recovered uneventfully, but 3 adults had sequelae. A broader clinicoradiologic spectrum makes the diagnosis of children more complex than in adults. Awareness of the atypical features with a meticulous management of hypertension is imperative to avoid unnecessary invasive workups and to achieve an uneventful recovery.
Alexander Disease
Authors: Tavasoli Ali , Armangue Thais , Ho Cheng-Ying , Whitehead Matthew , Bornhorst Miriam , Rhee Jullie , Hwang Eugene I. , Wells Elizabeth M. , Packer Roger , van der Knaap Marjo S. , Bugiani Marianna , Vanderver Adeline
Published: October 2016

Alexander disease is a leukodystrophy caused by dominant missense mutations in the gene encoding the glial fibrillary acidic protein. Individuals with this disorder often present with a typical neuroradiologic pattern including white matter abnormalities with brainstem involvement, selective contrast enhancement, and structural changes to the basal ganglia/thalamus. In rare cases, focal lesions have been seen and cause concern for primary malignancies. Here the authors present an infant initially diagnosed with a chiasmatic astrocytoma that was later identified as having glial fibrillary acidic protein mutation-confirmed Alexander disease. Pathologic and radiologic considerations that were helpful in arriving at the correct diagnosis are discussed.
Antisocial Behavior and Victimization Over 2-Year Follow-Up in Subgroups of Childhood Arrestees
Authors: van Domburgh Lieke , Geluk Charlotte , Jansen Lucres , Vermeiren Robert , Doreleijers Theo
Published: October 2016

Not only are childhood onset offenders at high risk of becoming serious persistent offenders, they are also at high risk of becoming victimized themselves. Furthermore, studies in the general population suggest that a combined perpetrator–victim group can be distinguished from a perpetrator-only and a victim-only group on individual and family risk factors. The current study investigated the co-occurrence of offending and victimization among first-time arrestees and the 2-year predictive value of previously found clusters of dynamic risk factors of offending. Childhood first-time arrestees ( N = 308; Mage = 10.3, SD = 1.45) were clustered into three groups based on dynamic risk factors of offending in the individual, peer, school, and family domains: a pervasive high, an externalizing intermediate, and a low problem group. Police records and self-report data on re-offending and victimization of these children were collected over a 2-year follow-up period. Compared with the low problem group, the prevalence of re-offending was higher in both the externalizing intermediate group and the pervasive high group. The pervasive high group was most likely to display co-occurring future antisocial behavior and victimization. These findings emphasize that attention should be paid to victimization in addition to future antisocial behavior, especially if additional internalizing and family problems are present. Furthermore, the differences in re-offending and victimization between subgroups of childhood onset offenders stress the need for specific interventions tailored to the risk profile of a child.
The Mediating Effect of Perceived Social Acknowledgment on the Relationship Between Patient Assaults and Posttraumatic Stress Reactions in Emergency Nurses
Authors: Guan Ruiyuan , Gao Jun , Liu Guangzhi , Cheng Fei , Ge Baolan
Published: October 2016

This study explored whether posttraumatic stress symptoms resulted from workplace assaults were mediated by the perception of social acknowledgment by the victim. A sample of 444 emergency room nurses in China completed questionnaires measuring the frequency and types of patient assaults, the severity of physical injury, the perception of social acknowledgment, and the posttraumatic stress symptoms. Cross-sectional design, multiregression, and bootstrapping mediation analyses were used to test the hypotheses. Results showed that general disapproval and family disapproval mediated the relationship between the frequency of patient assaults and the severity of posttraumatic stress symptoms. These two factors also mediated the links between the injury severity of patient assaults and the development of posttraumatic stress symptoms. Implications for clinical practice and future research were discussed.
Evaluating Teach One Reach One—An STI/HIV Risk-Reduction Intervention to Enhance Adult–Youth Communication About Sex and Reduce the Burden of HIV/STI
Authors: Dave Gaurav , Ritchwood Tiarney , Young Tiffany L. , Isler Malika Roman , Black Adina , Akers Aletha Y. , Gizlice Ziya , Blumenthal Connie , Atley Leslie , Wynn Mysha , Stith Doris , Cene Crystal , Ellis Danny , Corbie-Smith Giselle
Published: October 2016

Purpose:

Parents and caregivers play an important role in sexual socialization of youth, often serving as the primary source of information about sex. For African American rural youth who experience disparate rates of HIV/sexually transmitted infection, improving caregiver–youth communication about sexual topics may help to reduce risky behaviors. This study assessed the impact of an intervention to improve sexual topic communication.

Design:

A Preintervention–postintervention, quasi-experimental, controlled, and community-based trial.

Setting:

Intervention was in 2 rural North Carolina counties with comparison group in 3 adjacent counties.

Subjects:

Participants (n = 249) were parents, caregivers, or parental figures for African American youth aged 10 to 14.

Intervention:

Twelve-session curriculum for participating dyads.

Measures:

Audio computer-assisted self-interview to assess changes at 9 months from baseline in communication about general and sensitive sex topics and overall communication about sex.

Analysis:

Multivariable models were used to examine the differences between the changes in mean of scores for intervention and comparison groups.

Results:

Statistically significant differences in changes in mean scores for communication about general sex topics ( P < .0001), communication about sensitive sex topics ( P < .0001), and overall communication about sex ( P < .0001) existed. Differences in change in mean scores remained significant after adjusting baseline scores and other variables in the multivariate models.

Conclusions:

In Teach One Reach One intervention, adult participants reported improved communication about sex, an important element to support risk reduction among youth in high-prevalence areas.
Exploring Online Asynchronous Counseling With Tobacco Treatment Specialists in the QUIT-PRIMO and National Dental PBRN HI-QUIT Studies: Who Uses It and What Do They Say?
Authors: Williams Jessica H. , DeLaughter Kathryn , Volkman Julie E. , Sadasivam Rajani S. , Ray Midge N. , Gilbert Gregg H. , Houston Thomas K.
Published: October 2016

Purpose:

To describe the content of messages sent by smokers through asynchronous counseling within a Web-based smoking cessation intervention.

Design:

Qualitative.

Setting:

National community-based setting of patients who had been engaged by the medical or dental practices at which they attended or via Google advertisements.

Participants:

Adults older than 19 years who were current smokers and interested in quitting. Participants throughout the United States referred to a Web-based cessation intervention by their medical or dental provider or by clicking on a Google advertisement.

Methods:

We conducted a qualitative review of 742 asynchronous counseling messages sent by 270 Web site users. Messages were reviewed, analyzed, and organized into qualitative themes by the investigative team.

Results:

The asynchronous counseling feature of the intervention was used most frequently by smokers who were white (87%), female (67%), aged 45 to 54 (32%), and who had at least some college-level education (70%). Qualitative analysis yielded 7 basic themes—Talk about the Process of Quitting, Barriers to Quitting, Reasons to Quit, Quit History, Support and Strategies for Quitting, Quitting with Medication, and Quit Progress. The most common theme was Support and Strategies for Quitting with 255 references among all messages.

Conclusion:

We found rich communication across the spectrum of the quit process, from persons preparing to quit to those who had successfully quit. Asynchronous smoking cessation counseling provides a promising means of social support for smokers during the quit process.
Case report of three consecutive lues maligna infections in an HIV-infected patient
Authors: Sammet Stefanie , Draenert Rika
Published: October 2016

Lues maligna is a rare presentation of an infection with Treponema pallidum. Here we report three lues maligna infections with severe dermatological manifestations in a single HIV-1 infected individual. Despite the start of highly active antiretroviral therapy and a substantial increase in CD4 cell count after the first episode, he developed consecutive episodes. We assume a specific immunological predisposition to react to T. pallidum in this patient.
Jacques Prévert met en scène la crise de février 1934
Authors: Dalmas Franck
Published: October 2016

Au moment de la poussée des fascismes européens, les émeutes antiparlementaires de février 1934 ont ébranlé le régime républicain. Cela a correspondu dans l’œuvre de Jacques Prévert avec l’engagement politisé du théâtre ouvrier du Groupe Octobre. Une pièce en particulier, Le Réveillon tragique, présente une puissante satire des circonstances qui ont contribué à asseoir l’extrémisme en France. Il s’agit du scandale financier Stavisky et des manœuvres des ligues de droite. Prévert s’attaque aux corruptions d’affaires et à l’opportunisme nationaliste en subvertissant l’actualité et caricaturant les personnages. Son texte porte témoignage des dangers qui présageaient un nouvel embrasement mondial.
(Re)-discovering the sacred in the material universe: An exploration of cosmic spirituality in the works of Malcolm de Chazal and Michel Serres
Authors: Moser Keith
Published: October 2016

The purpose of this comparative study is to probe the common threads that exist between the relatively unknown Mauritian author Malcolm de Chazal and the underutilised philosopher of science Michel Serres. In Sens-Plastique and throughout Serres’s diverse oeuvre, both authors clearly valorise life and all it has to offer despite the apparent absurdity of the human condition. Although Chazal and Serres’s passion for scientific inquiry leads them to the conclusion that existence has no predetermined meaning en-soi, both writers unwaveringly assert that life can be extremely meaningful and worthwhile. However, in order to access terrestrial, ontological remedies that are capable of effacing existential anguish, the modern subject must (re)-establish a primordial connection to elemental matter. According to Chazal and Serres, (re)-connecting to the biosphere that tossed us into the chaos of existence also (re)-awakens our dormant senses. Serres and Chazal maintain that our senses are vital organs that open up a spiritual pathway which allows us to catch a small glimpse of the divine universe and our minute place in it.
Hepatoprotective potential of glyceryl trinitrate against chemically induced oxidative stress and hepatic injury in rats
Authors: Rahman A , Vasenwala SM , Iqbal M
Published: October 2016

Glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) has been used widely as a potent vasodilator to treat heart conditions, such as angina pectoris and chronic heart failure. This study aims to elucidate the effect of exogenous nitric oxide (NO) administration, using GTN, on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced oxidative stress and liver injury in rats. The results obtained demonstrated that NO generated by the administration of GTN affords protection against CCl4-induced oxidative stress and liver injury. Administration of CCl4 resulted in a significant ( p < 0.001) increase in lipid peroxidation and tissue damage markers (aspartate and alanine transaminase and lactate dehydrogenase) release in serum. Parallel to these changes, CCl4 also caused downregulation of antioxidant enzymes including glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST), and several fold induction in γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) activity. Subsequent administration of GTN resulted in significant ( p < 0.001) recovery of GSH-metabolizing enzymes in a dose-dependent manner. Further, administration of NO inhibitor, NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME), exacerbated CCl4-induced oxidative tissue injury. Overall, the study suggests that GTN might suppress oxidant-induced tissue injury and hepatotoxicity in rats.
Folic acid-conjugated polyethylene glycol-coated magnetic nanoparticles for doxorubicin delivery in cancer chemotherapy: Preparation, characterization and cytotoxicity on HeLa cell line
Authors: Erdem M , Yalcin S , Gunduz U
Published: October 2016

Conventional chemotherapy is the most valid method to cope with cancer; however, it has serious drawbacks such as decrease in production of blood cells or inflammation of the lining of the digestive tract. These side effects occur since generally the drugs used in chemotherapy are distributed evenly within the body of the patient and cannot distinguish the cancer cells from the healthy ones. In this study, folic acid (FA)-conjugated, polyethylene-coated magnetic nanoparticles (FA-MNPs), and doxorubicin (Dox)-loaded formulation (Dox-FA-MNPs) were prepared. The cytotoxicity of these nanoparticles on HeLa and Dox-resistant HeLa cells was investigated. Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), polyethylene glycol (PEG)-coated MNPs (PEG-MNPs), and FA-MNPs were successfully synthesized and characterized by several methods. Dox loading of FA-MNPs and release profile of Dox from the nanoparticles were studied. Cytotoxic effects of FA-MNPs and Dox-FA-MNPs on HeLa cells were analyzed. MNPs, PEG-MNPs, and FA-MNPs all had small sizes and supermagnetic behavior. High amounts of Dox could be loded onto the nanoparticles (290 μgmL−1). In 24 h, 15.7% of Dox was released from the Dox-FA-MNPs. The release was increased in acidic conditions (pH 4.1). Internalization studies showed that FA-MNPs and Dox-FA-MNPs were taken up efficiently by HeLa cells. The investigation of cytotoxicity of the particles indicated that 38–500 μgmL−1 Dox-FA-MNPs significantly decreased the proliferation of HeLa cells compared to FA-MNPs. Due to their size, magnetic properties, internalization, drug release, and cytotoxicity characteristics, the MNPs prepared in this study may have potential application as a drug delivery system in cancer chemotherapy.