bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cellulose acetate/nano‐porous zeolite mixed matrix membrane for CO2 separation
Authors: Sanaeepur Hamidreza , Nasernejad Bahram , Kargari Ali
Published: December 2014

The aim of this research is to investigate the fabrication and evaluation of a new mixed matrix membrane for CO2/N2 separation. Micro‐sized nano‐porous sodium zeolite‐Y (NaY zeolite) particles (0–25 wt.%) were incorporated into the dense (homogeneous) cellulose acetate (CA) membrane to prepare the CA/NaY mixed matrix membranes. One of the most important features of this study is to explore the simultaneous effect of annealing and particle loadings on the morphology and gas permeation properties of the prepared membranes. The membranes were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy – attenuated total reflectance (FTIR‐ATR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses. Also, the CO2/N2 separation performance of the membranes was evaluated by single gas permeation measurements. The results showed that annealing causes a considerable improvement in the morphology of the CA and the related mixed matrix membranes. Additionally, more than a two‐fold increase in CO2 permeability with no considerable decrease in CO2/N2 selectivity was achieved by a 20 wt.% NaY loading into the CA membrane. The results of investigating the effect of pressure (4–22 bars) on CO2 permeability showed a reduction in the CO2‐induced plasticization of glassy CA with a significant shift in the plasticization pressure toward higher values. The introduction of NaY zeolite in the annealed CA membranes, shifted the plasticization pressure from 12.76 to 16.86 bars when the zeolite loading was changed from 0 to 25 wt.%.
An Efficient Approach to the Synthesis of Hydrazinyl Pseudo‐Peptides
Authors: Fathi Vaezeh , Ramezanpour Sorour , Balalaie Saeed , Rominger Frank , Reza Bijanzadeh Hamid
Published: December 2014

New hydrazinyl pseudo‐peptides have been obtained from Ugi four‐component reaction (4CR). The 5‐hydrazinyl‐5‐oxopentanoic acids used as starting materials were prepared by the reaction of hydrazides with anhydrides. Mild reaction conditions, high atom economy, bond‐forming efficiency, and easy workup are advantages of this approach. The products have four amide bonds and high potential for H‐bonding.
Six New Steroidal Saponins from Helleborus thibetanus
Authors: Zhang Hui , Su Yan‐Fang , Yang Feng‐Ying , Zhao Ze‐Qing , Gao Xiu‐Mei
Published: December 2014

Six steroidal saponins, including five spirostanol glycosides, 1–5, and one furostanol glycoside 1‐sulfonate, 6, previously unknown in nature, together with three known compounds, 7–9, were isolated from dried roots and rhizomes of Helleborus thibetanus. Their structures were elucidated by extensive 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR experiments, along with IR and HR‐ESI‐MS data, as well as the results of acid hydrolysis. Compounds 1–5 possessed a C(25)C(27) bond and were glycosylated at HOC(1), which was unusual in steroidal saponins.
Secondary Metabolites from the Endophytic Fungus Xylaria cubensis
Authors: Fan Nai‐Wen , Chang Hsun‐Shuo , Cheng Ming‐Jen , Hsieh Sung‐Yuan , Liu Ta‐Wei , Yuan Gwo‐Fang , Chen Ih‐Sheng
Published: December 2014

Seven new metabolites, including three sesquiterpenoids, 10‐hydroxythujopsene (1), akotriol (2), and xylaritriol (3), one diterpenoid, cubentriol (4), one aliphatic derivative, akoenic acid (5), one alkaloid, akodionine (6), and one isocoumarin, akolitserin (7), together with seven known compounds, 8–14, were isolated from the AcOEt‐soluble fraction of the fermentation broth of the endophytic fungus Xylaria cubensis, derived from the leaves of Litsea akoensis Hayata (Lauraceae). Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses, including 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR experiments, and by HR‐ESI‐MS mass spectrometry. Among the isolates, (−)‐(R)‐7‐hydroxymellein showed IL‐6 inhibitory activity with an IC50 value of 9.41 μM.
New Isoprenylated Xanthones from Cudrania tricuspidata
Authors: Lei Chun , Liu Chang‐Chang , Pi En‐Hao , Hou Ai‐Jun
Published: December 2014

A phytochemical investigation of the roots of Cudrania tricuspidata afforded three new isoprenylated xanthones, cudratricusxanthones N–P (1–3, resp.), together with five known compounds, 4–8. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analyses.
Chemical Constituents of the Leaves of Desmos cochinchinensis var. fulvescensBan
Authors: Wu Tung‐Ying , Cheng Yuan‐Bin , Cheng Fu‐Ting , Hsu Yu‐Ming , Tran Dinh Thang , Chang Fang‐Rong , Wu Yang‐Chang
Published: December 2014

A phytochemical investigation of MeOH extract of Desmos cochinchinensis var. fulvescens Ban afforded two new compounds, 1β,7α‐dihydroxyeudesman‐4‐one (1) and 5αH‐megastigm‐7‐ene‐3α,4α,6β,9‐tetrol (2), together with nine known terpenoids. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR spectroscopic analysis. Their relative configurations were assigned by NOESY experiments.
Enantioselective Sulfur‐Michael Addition of Thioacetic Acid to Nitroalkenes Catalyzed by Bifunctional Amine‐Thiourea Catalysts
Authors: Wang Renchao , Xu Jiaxi
Published: December 2014

An enantioselective Michael addition of thioacetic acid (AcSH) to nitroalkenes, catalyzed by a leucine‐derived bifunctional aminethiourea, was developed with high yields and moderate enantioselectivities. The thiourea‐ammonium salt formed in the reaction is identified as the active catalyst, and the multiple H‐bonding system is responsible for the stereocontrol. The resulting thioester products are useful intermediates for the synthesis of enantiomerically enriched S‐containing compounds.
Induction of the estrogen‐responsive genes encoding choriogenin H and L in the liver of male medaka (Oryzias latipes) upon exposure to estrogen receptor subtype‐selective ligands
Authors: Yamaguchi Akemi , Kato Keisuke , Arizono Koji , Tominaga Nobuaki
Published: December 2014

Choriogenin (Chg) H and L are estrogen‐induced chorion precursors. We measured the induction of ChgH and ChgL mRNA in the livers of male medaka fish treated with Orthoester‐2k, a selective ligand for estrogen receptor (ER) α, and 2‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐5‐hydroxy‐1,3‐benzoxazole (HPHB), a selective ligand of ERβ. Although both ChgH and ChgL mRNA were induced by treatment with Orthoester‐2k or HPHB separately, their combination induced much greater expression of each Chg. ChgH expression correlated more closely with Orthoester‐2k dosage when combined with a small fixed dose of HPHB (1 μm), whereas ChgL mRNA expression was more responsive to HPHB dose when combined with a fixed dose of Orthoester‐2k (2.8 nm). Moreover, upon long‐term treatment with Orthoester‐2k, ChgH mRNA and ERα mRNA expression showed similar patterns with peak expression between days 6 and 10. These results imply that ERβ primarily regulates ChgL mRNA expression and ERα action primarily regulates ChgH mRNA expression. Thus, it is necessary to develop screening methods for fish ER subtype‐specific ligands. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Inner Ear Vestibular Signals Regulate Bone Remodeling via the Sympathetic Nervous System
Authors: Vignaux Guillaume , Ndong Jean DLC , Perrien Daniel S , Elefteriou Florent
Published: December 2014

The inner ear vestibular system has numerous projections on central brain centers that regulate sympathetic outflow, and skeletal sympathetic projections affect bone remodeling by inhibiting bone formation by osteoblasts and promoting bone resorption by osteoclasts. In this study, we show that bilateral vestibular lesions in mice cause a low bone mass phenotype associated with decreased bone formation and increased bone resorption. This reduction in bone mass is most pronounced in lower limbs, is not associated with reduced locomotor activity or chronic inflammation, and could be prevented by the administration of the β-blocker propranolol and by genetic deletion of the β2-adrenergic receptor, globally or specifically in osteoblasts. These results provide novel experimental evidence supporting a functional autonomic link between central proprioceptive vestibular structures and the skeleton. Because vestibular dysfunction often affects the elderly, these results also suggest that age-related bone loss might have a vestibular component and that patients with inner ear pathologies might be at risk for fracture. Lastly, these data might have relevance to the bone loss observed in microgravity, as vestibular function is altered in this condition as well. © 2015 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Dual gas diffusion cathode design for microbial fuel cell (MFC): optimizing the suitable mode of operation in terms of bioelectrochemical and bioelectro‐kinetic evaluation
Authors: Pasupuleti Suresh Babu , Srikanth Sandipam , Dominguez‐Benetton Xochitl , Mohan S Venkata , Pant Deepak
Published: December 2014

BACKGROUND

Upscaling microbial fuel cells (MFCs) to make them energy‐competitive systems requires a systematic understanding of their operating conditions. This study emphasizes the operation of a new MFC design with two gas diffusion cathodes under three different operational modes (batch mode (MFC‐BM), semi‐continuous mode (MFC‐SCM) and continuous mode (MFC‐CM)), towards increasing the power density, substrate utilization, bioelectrochemical kinetics and energy conversion efficiencies.

RESULTS

Higher power density was recorded with MFC‐SCM (20.54 mW m−2) followed by MFC‐CM (17.22 mW m−2) and MFC‐BM (0.75 mW m−2). Such power density magnitudes were obtained with high anode projected surface area 220 cm2, which is about 10–100 times larger than frequently used in laboratory‐scale MFCs. On the contrary, susbtrate utilization was higher with MFC‐BM (91–96%) followed by MFC‐SCM (74–84%) and MFC‐CM (53–81%). A higher coulombic efficiency (CE) was obtained with the MFC‐CM (7.5–11.2%), followed by MFC‐SCM (5.4–5.6%) and MFC‐BM (0.5–4%). This is of interest due to its dependence on both current generation as well as substrate utilization. Cyclic voltammograms along with derived bioelectro‐kinetic parameters, i.e. redox Tafel's slopes (βa/βc) and electron transfer co‐efficients (αa/αc), also explained the higher performance of MFC‐CM and MFC‐SCM.

CONCLUSION

Output from this study demonstrates clearly that the new MFC design can be effectively operated under continuous mode operation with high retention time to enhance wastewater treatment along with good amounts of power output. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
The extreme drought episode of August 2011–May 2012 in the Czech Republic
Authors: Zahradníček Pavel , Trnka Miroslav , Brázdil Rudolf , Možný Martin , Štěpánek Petr , Hlavinka Petr , Žalud Zdeněk , Malý Antonín , Semerádová Daniela , Dobrovolný Petr , Dubrovský Martin , Řezníčková Ladislava
Published: December 2014

The weather conditions from August 2011 to May 2012 produced an extreme drought in the eastern Czech Republic (Moravia), whereas the patterns were nearly normal in its western region (Bohemia). The Southern and Central Moravia regions, which represent the most important agricultural areas, were most affected by the drought. The precipitation totals for the studied period were 50–70% of the long‐term mean, which was calculated for 1961–2000. In autumn 2011, the total precipitation accounted for 10–30% of the long‐term mean for most of Moravia, increasing to 30–50% in spring 2012. Moreover, 7.5% of the Czech Republic experienced a 100‐year drought; 20% of the country experienced a 20‐year drought. According to the Palmer Drought Severity Index, the 2012 drought was classified as the worst in the past 130 years. The drought patterns were related to the prevailing high‐pressure systems over Central Europe and the occurrence of weather types with different precipitation amounts in Bohemia and Moravia. The most substantial drought effects occurred in the agricultural sector. A decrease in cereal yields was observed in the analysed production areas in Moravia, which was unprecedented in the past 52 years. Moreover, winter crops were affected more than spring crops. An increased risk of fire occurred due to the drought conditions; the largest forest fire in the past 15 years was recorded during this period. Furthermore, signs of hydrological drought were also reported in rivers. The 2011–2012 drought was compared with the significant droughts in 2000, 2003 and 2007. Austria and Slovakia, which neighbour the Czech Republic, experienced a similar drought. Global circulation model sensitivity experiments appear to indicate that droughts similar to this episode may be occurring at a recurrence interval of 20 years by the 2050s.
Separation and purification of both tea seed polysaccharide and saponin from camellia cake extract using macroporous resin
Authors: Yang Pengjie , Zhou Mingda , Zhou Chengyun , wang Qian , Zhang Fangfang , Chen Jian
Published: December 2014

A novel method to separate and purify tea seed polysaccharide and tea seed saponin from camellia cake extract by macroporous resin was developed. Among four kinds of resins (AB‐8, NKA‐9, XDA‐6, and D4020) tested, AB‐8 macroporous resin possessed optimal separating capacity for the two substances and thus was selected for the separation, in which deionized water was used to elute tea seed polysaccharide, 0.25% NaOH solution to remove the undesired pigments, and 90% ethanol to elute tea seed saponin. Further dynamic adsorption/desorption experiments on AB‐8 resin‐based column chromatography were conducted to obtain the optimal parameters. Under optimal dynamic adsorption and desorption conditions, 18.7 and 11.8% yield of tea seed polysaccharide and tea seed saponin were obtained with purities of 89.2 and 96.0%, respectively. The developed method provides a potential approach for the large‐scale production of tea seed polysaccharide and tea seed saponin from camellia cake.
In the Field: Coase an Exemplar in the Tradition of Smith, Marshall and Ostrom
Authors: Reid Gavin C.
Published: December 2014

This paper argues that Coase provides the primary 20th century exemplar of the grounding of analytical developments in economics in direct fieldwork observation. In particular, his focus on the business enterprise, its internal functions (including decision‐making), and its external relations (including contracting) has provided a stimulus for radical developments in microeconomics and in managerial and decision economics in particular. The argument is developed by a stylization of the development of economics, referring to Adam Smith in the 18th century, Alfred Marshall in the 19th century, Ronald Coase in the 20th century, and Elinor Ostrom in the 21st century. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Subjective and Objective Sleep Quality in Individuals with Osteoarthritis in Taiwan
Authors: Chen Ching‐Ju , McHugh Gretl , Campbell Malcolm , Luker Karen
Published: December 2014

Objectives

The negative effects of osteoarthritis (OA), such as pain and depression, interfere with an individual's sleep quality. The main objective of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of poor quality of sleep in individuals with OA in Taiwan and identify potential predictors. A secondary objective was to examine agreement between objective and subjective measures of sleep quality.

Methods

In a cross‐sectional survey, OA outpatients in Taiwan completed a self‐administered questionnaire, incorporating validated measurements for assessing quality of sleep (the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)), pain and physical functioning, anxiety and depression, and health‐related quality of life. In a nested feasibility study, a sub‐sample of participants wore an Actigraph wrist monitor to measure sleep objectively over a three‐day period.

Results

Of 192 individuals with OA who completed the survey, 30 completed the Actigraph study. The mean PSQI global score was 9.0 (standard deviation 4.5); most participants (135, 70.3%) had poor quality of sleep (global PSQI >5). Key predictors of poor quality of sleep included role limitation due to poor physical functioning, poor social functioning, higher anxiety levels and higher pain levels. There were moderate correlations between subjective and objective measures of sleep quality, although participants underestimated their true sleeping time by two hours.

Conclusions

Health professionals need to discuss sleep issues with individuals with OA and include strategies for coping with these difficulties. For reduced night‐time pain which may interfere with sleep, additional and appropriate advice about medication is required. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
State environmental regulators: perspectives about trust with their regulatory counterparts
Authors: Pautz Michelle , Rinfret Sara
Published: December 2014

Although numerous studies explore the regulatory enforcement styles of regulators and the regulated community's compliance motivations, existing research does not provide adequate insight into regulatory interactions themselves. We use data from a nationwide survey of more than 1200 state environmental regulators to empirically assess the role of trust in regulatory interactions. We find statistical support of trust in these regulatory interactions and find that trust appears to be a function of cooperative behavior, information sharing, respect, perceptions of motivations, and proactive assistance seeking. These findings could support the increasing calls for a fundamental restructuring of environmental regulation in favor of a next‐generation approach to environmental policy that calls for more collaborative working relationships between regulators and their regulatory counterparts. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of formulation and repeated applications on the enantioselectivity of metalaxyl dissipation and leaching in soil
Authors: Celis Rafael , Gámiz Beatriz , Adelino María A , Cornejo Juan , Hermosín María C
Published: December 2014

BACKGROUND

Soil incubation and column leaching experiments were conducted to address the question of whether the type of formulation (unsupported versus clay supported) and repeated applications of the chiral fungicide (RS)‐metalaxyl affected the enantioselectivity of its dissipation and leaching in a slightly alkaline, loamy sand agricultural soil.

RESULTS

Regardless of the type of formulation and the number of fungicide applications, the R‐enantiomer of metalaxyl was degraded faster than the S‐enantiomer, but the individual degradation rates of R‐ and S‐metalaxyl were highly affected by the different application regimes assayed (t1/2 = 2–104 days). Repeated applications accelerated the degradation of the biologically active R‐metalaxyl enantiomer, whereas they led to slower degradation of the non‐active S‐metalaxyl enantiomer. The type of formulation had less influence on the dissipation rates of the enantiomers. For all formulations tested, soil column leachates became increasingly enriched in S‐enantiomer as the number of fungicide applications was increased, and application of metalaxyl to soil columns as clay‐based formulations reduced the leaching of both enantiomers.

CONCLUSION

Pesticide application conditions can greatly influence the enantioselective dissipation of chiral pesticides in soil, and hence are expected to exert a great impact on both the biological efficacy and the environmental chiral signatures of pesticides applied as mixtures of enantiomers or racemates to agricultural soils. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Robust ridge regression estimators for nonlinear models with applications to high throughput screening assay data
Authors: Lim Changwon
Published: December 2014

Nonlinear regression is often used to evaluate the toxicity of a chemical or a drug by fitting data from a dose–response study. Toxicologists and pharmacologists may draw a conclusion about whether a chemical is toxic by testing the significance of the estimated parameters. However, sometimes the null hypothesis cannot be rejected even though the fit is quite good. One possible reason for such cases is that the estimated standard errors of the parameter estimates are extremely large. In this paper, we propose robust ridge regression estimation procedures for nonlinear models to solve this problem. The asymptotic properties of the proposed estimators are investigated; in particular, their mean squared errors are derived. The performances of the proposed estimators are compared with several standard estimators using simulation studies. The proposed methodology is also illustrated using high throughput screening assay data obtained from the National Toxicology Program. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Histological, histochemical and ultrastructural analysis reveals functional division of the oesophagogastric segment in freshwater tubenose goby Proterorhinus semilunaris Heckel, 1837
Authors: Wołczuk Katarzyna , Nowakowska Julita , Płąchocki Dariusz , Kakareko Tomasz
Published: December 2014

Histological and histochemical features of the oesophagogastric segment of the alimentary canal as well as ultrastructure of gastric gland cells of freshwater tubenose goby Proterorhinus semilunaris were examined. The studies revealed that despite the lack of anatomical distinction, the oesophagogastric segment is histologically divided into the oesophagus, oesogaster and stomach, which provides evidence for the functional compartmentation of this organ. The oesophagus was characterised by the presence of numerous goblet cells secreting mainly a mixture of neutral and acid mucopolysaccharides. In the stomach, the apical zone of the surface epithelial cells contained neutral mucopolysaccharides. Numerous proliferating cells were scattered throughout the surface epithelium. In the lamina propria of the stomach, a well-developed layer of gastric glands was observed. The glands were of the alveolar type and occupied nearly the entire length of the stomach except the pyloric region. The gastric gland cells were varied into light and dark; however, their ultrastructure was identical. All cells had numerous mitochondria and a well-developed tubulovesicular system typical for the oxynticopeptic cells, but pepsinogen granules were not present in the cytoplasm of these cells. These findings contribute new evidence to literature reports that not all gobiid fish are stomachless. Moreover, they suggest higher adaptation of the species to utilise protein-rich food compared to stomachless fish, and its ability to adjust the alimentary canal quickly to changing diet. How this may facilitate establishment of P. semilunaris in invaded environments remains an open question.
Robustness of Taylor's law under spatial hierarchical groupings of forest tree samples
Authors: Xu Meng , Schuster William S. F. , Cohen Joel E.
Published: December 2014

Testing how well Taylor's law (TL) describes spatial variation of the population density of a species requires grouping sampling areas (patches of habitat) into blocks so that a mean and a variance of the population density can be calculated over the patches in each block. The relationship between specific groupings and TL remains largely unknown. Here, using tree counts from a deciduous forest, we studied the effect of four biological methods of grouping sampling areas into blocks on the form and parameters of TL. Regardless of the method of grouping, the species‐specific basal area densities obeyed TL, and the estimated slopes were not significantly different from one grouping method to another. Surprisingly, TL remained valid when four kinds of randomizations were performed to the biological groupings and tree census. These randomizations randomly assigned sampling areas to blocks, and/or randomized the species composition within or across sampling areas. We found that the form of TL was robust to different grouping methods and species randomizations, but its parameter values depended significantly on species compositions at sampling areas.
Thermodynamic Modeling of Multi‐phase Solid–Liquid Equilibria in Industrial‐Grade Oils and Fats
Authors: Hjorth Jeppe L. , Miller Rasmus L. , Woodley John M. , Kiil Søren
Published: December 2014

Compositional thermodynamic phase separation is investigated for industrial‐grade vegetable oils with complex compositions. Solid–liquid equilibria have been calculated by utilizing the Margules 2‐suffix activity‐coefficient model in combination with minimization of the Gibb's free energy of the system. On the basis of quasi‐equilibrium solid‐fat content (SFC) measurements, a new approach to the estimation of the interaction parameters, needed for the activity‐coefficient model, has been developed. The parameters are fitted by matching the SFC of two oils at various degrees of dilution and isothermal temperatures. Subsequently, the parameters are successfully validated against three oils, rich in asymmetric and symmetric triacylglycerols (TAG), respectively. The new approach developed is shown to be very flexible, allowing incorporation of additional TAG and polymorphic states. It thereby provides a simple way to dealing with multi‐component, multi‐phase TAG mixtures without having the required binary interaction parameters at hand a priori. This ultimately provides a powerful, predictive tool which may serve as a starting point for laboratory screening and creation of tailor‐made products because many different oil mixtures can be evaluated quickly with respect to specific properties, prior to more time‐consuming experimental evaluation.
Manufacturer and Retailer Brands: Is Strategic Coexistence the Norm?
Authors: Chimhundu Ranga , McNeill Lisa S. , Hamlin Robert P.
Published: December 2014

This article reports the results of research that investigated long-term strategic relationships between manufacturer and retailer brands, in the FMCG/supermarket industry, within New Zealand. The research utilised a multiple-case study methodology involving near-census samples of supplier and retailer managers drawn from several product categories. Data was collected via in-depth interviews and in-store category observation. The research found a clear perception among managers that manufacturer brands have a greater collective capacity for product innovation and marketing support than retailer brands. Retail managers believed that category dominance by retailer brands was not desirable, as retailer brands would then not be able to replicate the product innovation and related marketing activities of manufacturer brands, which would be detrimental to long-term growth and profitability of the categories studied. As excessively high retailer brand share in categories compromised overall product innovation and category support, respondents believed that varying optimum levels of retailer brand penetration existed for each category, and that these levels should be actively maintained over the long term. There was no evidence of retailer manager ambitions to either exceed these optimum points or to eliminate manufacturer brands.
Tumor necrosis factor‐α reduces beta‐amyloid accumulation primarily by lowering cellular prion protein levels in a brain endothelial cell line
Authors: Yasutaka Yuki , Watanabe Takuya , Nakashima Akio , Matsumoto Junichi , Futagami Koujiro , Yamauchi Atsushi , Kataoka Yasufumi
Published: December 2014

Disruption of beta‐amyloid (Aβ) transport across the blood–brain barrier is thought to cause Aβ accumulation in the brain, thus leading to the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). As AD patients show increased serum tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNFα) levels, we examined the effect of TNFα on the function and expression of Aβ transport‐related proteins including cellular prion protein (PrPC) in the mouse brain microvascular endothelial cell line MBEC4. TNFα decreased PrPC levels and intracellular radiolabeled Aβ. Similarly, anti‐prion protein antibody also decreased radiolabeled Aβ. These results suggest that TNFα lowers PrPC levels, which in turn, reduces Aβ in the brain endothelium.
Carriers of a common variant in the dopamine transporter gene have greater dementia risk, cognitive decline, and faster ventricular expansion
Authors: Roussotte Florence F. , Gutman Boris A. , Hibar Derrek P. , Madsen Sarah K. , Narr Katherine L. , Thompson Paul M. ,   Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI)
Published: December 2014

Introduction

Genetic variants in DAT1, the gene encoding the dopamine transporter (DAT) protein, have been implicated in many brain disorders. In a recent case‐control study of Alzheimer's disease (AD), a regulatory polymorphism in DAT1 showed a significant association with the clinical stages of dementia.

Methods

We tested whether this variant was associated with increased AD risk, and with measures of cognitive decline and longitudinal ventricular expansion, in a large sample of elderly participants with genetic, neurocognitive, and neuroimaging data from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative.

Results

The minor allele—previously linked with increased DAT expression in vitro—was more common in AD patients than in both individuals with mild cognitive impairment and healthy elderly controls. The same allele was also associated with poorer cognitive performance and faster ventricular expansion, independently of diagnosis.

Discussion

These results may be due to reduced dopaminergic transmission in carriers of the DAT1 mutation.
The Effect of Chronic Victimisation on Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties of Adolescents
Authors: Lester Leanne , Cross Donna
Published: December 2014

The current study used developmental trajectories to examine the relationship between internalising and externalising behaviours and victimisation over the transition period from primary to secondary school. Data were collected using a self-completion questionnaire four times over 3 years from 3,459 students aged 11–14 years. Students were tracked longitudinally to assess their knowledge, attitudes, mental health and bullying experiences during the transition period. Multilevel modelling was used to examine the relationship between developmental victimisation trajectories and behavioural and emotional difficulties over time of students’ transitioning from primary to secondary school. Males who experienced low, but increasing, levels of victimisation over secondary school had greater emotional symptoms, conduct problems, hyperactivity, peer problems and lower pro-social behaviour than those who had not been victimised. Whereas females who experienced low, but increasing, levels of victimisation over secondary school had greater emotional symptoms and peer problems than those who had not been victimised. The current results highlight the need to prevent the continuation or escalation of chronic victimisation from primary to secondary school and to improve the emotional wellbeing of adolescents. It is recommended that whole-school bullying prevention and intervention programs and social wellbeing programs are implemented during primary school and the transition to secondary school.
Editorial
Authors: Gilmore Linda
Published: December 2014

This issue contains a range of interesting articles on topics that are highly relevant for the work of psychologists, guidance and counselling professionals. Many of the articles address aspects of social-emotional functioning and behaviour, several are related to social networking and online communication, and one focuses on career guidance. The various authors have highlighted the implications of their research for professional practice, especially with respect to prevention and intervention. Spanning children, adolescents and young adults, and covering topics as diverse as ADHD, giftedness, bereavement, career planning, bullying, virtual connectedness, and online counselling, this is an issue with something for everyone. Those of you who will be enjoying summer vacations over the next few months will undoubtedly find some stimulating articles to intersperse with your usual holiday reading.
We believe in your conspiracy if we distrust you: the role of intergroup distrust in structuring the effect of Islamic identification, competitive victimhood, and group incompatibility on belief in a conspiracy theory
Authors: Mashuri Ali , Zaduqisti Esti
Published: December 2014

This study examined how distrust towards an out-group believed to be an actor of a conspiracy theory moderates the role of Islamic identification, group incompatibility and competitive victimhood in explaining belief in said conspiracy. The contextual background we used to verify this idea is the belief in a conspiracy theory among Indonesian Muslims about the involvement of Western countries behind terrorism in Indonesia. More precisely, we found only among Muslim participants with high distrust towards Western people that Islamic identification and group incompatibility positively predicted the perception that Muslims, more than other religious groups, are the victim of the Western people and the belief in a theory that these people have conspired to create terrorism in Indonesia. We also hypothesized and found that competitive victimhood significantly mediated the effects of Islamic identification and group incompatibility on the belief in a conspiracy theory. However, in line with the prediction, these mediation roles of victimhood were obtained only among participants with high distrust. We discussed these findings with reference to theoretical and practical implications.
Climate Change, California Wine, and Wildlife Habitat
Authors: Roehrdanz Patrick R. , Hannah Lee
Published: December 2014

Climate change may drive shifts in global agriculture that will affect remaining natural lands, with important consequences for the conservation of species and ecosystems. Wine production is an excellent model for examining this type of impact, because suitable climate is central to product quality and production is centered in Mediterranean climate regions that are all global biodiversity hotspots. Adaptation to climate change in existing vineyards may involve water use to ameliorate heat stress or drought, resulting in additional conservation issues. Global studies of wine, climate, and conservation have highlighted the need for more detailed regional analyses to better understand these complex multiple issues. Here we examine impacts of climate change on winegrape suitability in California and its possible implications for nature conservation and water use. Under two global climate models and two emissions scenarios, winegrape suitability in California is projected to decline overall and to move into undeveloped areas that provide important habitats for native species. Coastal and upslope areas retain and improve in suitability, respectively, while inland areas see the largest losses in suitability. Areas of declining suitability are regions in which heightened water use for vineyard adaptation may lead to declines in stream flow or conflicts with other water uses. Continued growth in global demand for wine and reduced production in areas of declining suitability will drive expansion into newly suitable areas, potentially impacting important species native to California. Existing vineyards in areas of declining suitability will likely need to adapt to remain viable. Advance planning for a changing climate and adaptation options that are not water intensive (e.g. vine orientation, trellising, or varietal switch) will help reduce potential water conservation issues in those areas. (JEL Classifications: Q15, Q54, Q57)
Six Portraits of Political Ambition in Xenophon'sMemorabilia
Authors: FALLIS LEWIS
Published: December 2014

In this article I claim that the Greek philosopher Xenophon, in the third book of hisMemorabilia, catalogues six—and perhapsthesix—essential and enduring forms of human ambition. Most treatments of ambition depict the phenomenon as monolithic; or, at best, as dichotomous. That is, ambition is understood as a single trait or passion shared by all ambitious people, its manifestations differing only according to circumstance; or, alternatively, as a trait or passion with one good (or high) form and one bad (or base) form. Little attention is paid to an enterprise of cataloguing various types of human beings as embodying distinct forms of ambition, forms which a political community must tolerate or encourage, channel or confront, in different ways. This enterprise is best carried out through the dialectical approach, in which the personality of a particular interlocutor emerges in light of, and in response to, Socratic scrutiny.
Vetoes and Venues: Economic Crisis and the Roads to Recovery in Michigan and Ontario
Authors: Constantelos John
Published: December 2014

This article examines executive responses to economic decline in Ontario and Michigan from 2003 to 2012, when the two governments struggled to adjust to a severe manufacturing crisis which greatly worsened during the Great Recession in 2008–2009. Sharing an international border, these cases offer control over an unusually large number of economic, social and political factors, permitting a focused analysis of the impact of divided government and fiscal decentralization on executive policy making. The research finds that greater fiscal decentralization in Canada and unified government in Ontario allowed the province to develop a more rapid and more robust response to the economic crisis in comparison to the State of Michigan. Budgetary constraints and a partisan veto at the state level forced Michigan's governor to redirect her efforts to the federal venue.
Generalized Morrey Regularity for Parabolic Equations with Discontinuous Data
Authors: Guliyev Vagif S. , Softova Lubomira G.
Published: December 2014

We prove continuity in generalized parabolic Morrey spacesof sublinear operators generated by the parabolic Calderón—Zygmund operator and by the commutator of this operator with bounded mean oscillation (BMO) functions. As a consequence, we obtain a global-regularity result for the Cauchy—Dirichlet problem for linear uniformly parabolic equations with vanishing mean oscillation (VMO) coefficients.
Vitamin D as a novel therapy in inflammatory bowel disease: new hope or false dawn?
Authors: O'Sullivan Maria
Published: December 2014

There is increasing scientific interest in the field of vitamin D research, moving the focus beyond bone health to other disease processes. Low circulating vitamin D levels have been reported as a risk factor for several pathophysiologically divergent diseases, including cancers, diabetes, CVD, multiple sclerosis and inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). But, therein, remains the challenge: can any single nutrient contribute to multiple complex disease mechanisms and, ultimately, have therapeutic potential? The aim of this review is to critically evaluate several strands of scientific evidence surrounding vitamin D and inflammation, primarily focusing on IBD. Epidemiological studies suggest an increased incidence of IBD and rheumatoid arthritis in countries of more northern latitudes, mirroring sunlight patterns. A considerable body of evidence supports the anti-inflammatory effects of vitamin D, at least in animal models of IBD. Although it is accepted that suboptimal vitamin D status is common in IBD, some studies suggest that this associates with more severe disease. With regard to treatment, the data are only beginning to emerge from randomised controlled trials to suggest that people with IBD may remain in remission longer when treated with oral vitamin D. In conclusion, several strands of evidence suggest that vitamin D may modify the immune response in IBD. There is a continued need for large well-designed clinical trials and mechanistic studies to determine if, and how, this emerging promise translates into tangible clinical benefits for people with chronic debilitating diseases such as IBD.
States' Rights, Welfare Rights, and the “Indian Problem”: Negotiating Citizenship and Sovereignty, 1935–1954
Authors: Tani Karen M.
Published: December 2014

“What distinguishes the American Indians from other native groups is . . . the nature of their relationship with a government which, while protecting their welfare and their rights, is committed to the principles of tribal self-government and the legal equality of races.”

Felix S. Cohen, Chairman, Board of Appeals, United States Department of Interior (1942)

“[T]he objective of Congress is to make the Indians self-supporting and into good individual American citizens . . . . You cannot have a good American citizen . . . unless you have a good citizen of the State.”

United States Representative Antonio M. Fernández (D., New Mexico) (1949)

“While all this red tape is being untangled, one in need dies without assistance.”

David A. Johnson, Sr., Governor and Chairman of the Gila River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (1949)

These three quotations come from a period in modern American history often remembered for economic depression and war, but perhaps most remarkable for the accompanying changes in governance. Building on Progressive Era innovations, America's federal system became ever more “cooperative”— that is, marked by intricate federal-state personnel and revenue sharing. Meanwhile, Americans witnessed the steady expansion of central state authority. By the 1940s, neither the states nor the federal government enjoyed many areas of exclusive jurisdiction. The federal and state governments' relationships with their subjects were similarly in flux, and the stakes were high. As a result of New Deal social welfare programs, as well as numerous war-related measures, the benefits of state and national citizenship had expanded by the late 1940s. The burdens of citizenship had expanded, too, in the form of higher and broader taxation, compulsory military service, and more government oversight. The stage was set for fierce conflicts over the borders of the nation's political communities and the terms of belonging.
Closing the Gap: the Five Essential Attributes of the Modern Information Professional
Authors: Lord Simon
Published: December 2014

This paper is based on a research study commissioned by the Financial Times and the Special Libraries Association (SLA) to explore the evolving value of information management to organisations around the world. Drawing on responses from both full-time information professionals and corporate executives, the research highlights the challenges facing both audiences and reveals a fundamental shift in the model of information management. The paper aims to provide an actionable framework for the continuing success of the information function in any organisation, describing the five essential attributes for modern information professionals. The research was presented by Simon Lord at the BIALL Annual Conference, 2014 and is published in full at: www.ft.com/sla
Law Making in a Devolved Wales: Work in Progress
Authors: Williams John
Published: December 2014

Devolution for Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales resulted in an asymmetrical constitutional framework. The Welsh settlement was more limited than that for Northern Ireland and Scotland. However, since the Government of Wales Acts of 1998 and 2006, Wales has eventually achieved primary law-making powers. Regrettably, the stages leading to the present position resulted in an often confused and confusing body of law. Practitioners wishing to know the content of Welsh law on a subject may encounter a complex tapestry of different types of enactments. The next step for Wales must be improved accessibility and codification. The process of devolution continues. This paper by Professor John Williams was delivered at the BIALL Annual Conference in June 2014.
Building Free Access to Law in Africa: Some Examples of Successful Projects
Authors: Ward Ruth
Published: December 2014

Ruth Ward explains how open access to legislation in Africa is a much more recent development than in the developed world. Several recently launched projects are well underway, and are contributing towards promoting justice and the rule of law in Africa. Access to legislation facilitates great transparency and access to the law for the promotion of trade and investment; and supports the resulting economic development on the continent. Several different approaches to establishing projects which deliver reliable consolidated access to legislation are illustrated, and show that successful projects can be established and maintained on modest budgets by very small teams.
The 10th Anniversary of GlobaLex: A Portal Dedicated to Foreign, Comparative and International Law Research
Authors: Roznovschi Mirela
Published: December 2014

Since it was established, GlobaLex has become a recognised and heavily accessed worldwide database of international, foreign, and comparative law research articles. As Mirela Roznovschi explains, GlobaLex represents a valuable component of legal research in today's cyberlegal environment. In February 2015 GlobaLex celebrates a 10 year anniversary. This article celebrates the success of the service.
Using Data to Understand How the Statute Book Works
Authors: Sheridan John
Published: December 2014

The statute book is a large, complex system; a vast corpus of texts dating back to the thirteenth century, now evolving at a rate of around 100,000 words a month1. The volume and pace of change combine with the constraints of current generation of digital tools to present a real barrier to researchers, limiting the type of research that is currently possible. The statute book is simply too big, and changes too rapidly, for any one person to easily comprehend. This situation is transformed if you view legislation as data, and then apply big data technologies and new data analysis techniques to that data. The aim of the Big Data for Law research project2 is to do just that; applying the latest analytical techniques to legislation, making it possible to research, interrogate and understand the statute book as a whole system. An important part of the initiative is to make available the raw data for conducting this type of research, alongside new tools and methods for working with the content. In this article, John Sheridan, Head of Legislation Services at The National Archives, sets out some of the ideas that underpin the project and describes the new service that researchers can use from Spring 2015.
Exceptional or just well connected? Political entrepreneurs and brokers in policy making
Authors: Christopoulos Dimitris , Ingold Karin
Published: December 2014

Policy brokers and policy entrepreneurs are assumed to have a decisive impact on policy outcomes. Their access to social and political resources is contingent on their influence on other agents. In social network analysis (SNA), entrepreneurs are often closely associated with brokers, because both are agents presumed to benefit from bridging structural holes; for example, gaining advantage through occupying a strategic position in relational space. Our aim here is twofold. First, to conceptually and operationally differentiate policy brokers from policy entrepreneurs premised on assumptions in the policy-process literature; and second, via SNA, to use the output of core algorithms in a cross-sectional analysis of political brokerage and political entrepreneurship. We attempt to simplify the use of graph algebra in answering questions relevant to policy analysis by placing each algorithm within its theoretical context. In the methodology employed, we first identify actors and graph their relations of influence within a specific policy event; then we select the most central actors; and compare their rank in a series of statistics that capture different aspects of their network advantage. We examine betweenness centrality, positive and negative Bonacich power, Burt’s effective size and constraint and honest brokerage as paradigmatic. We employ two case studies to demonstrate the advantages and limitations of each algorithm for differentiating between brokers and entrepreneurs: one on Swiss climate policy and one on EU competition and transport policy.