bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Designing a financial literacy course for a liberal arts curriculum
Authors: Crain Susan J. , Ragan Kent P.
Published: August 2012

The broad objectives of liberal education include the instilling of a sense of responsible citizenship along with knowledge that creates a better society. Although financial literacy is required at both the individual and public levels for an improved societal outcome to ensue, it is rare to find a finance‐related course within the general education curriculum of most universities. Liberal arts administrators and faculty are reluctant to include finance‐related courses because they are not perceived to be sufficiently broad in scope. The argument is accurate for a typical personal finance course. However, the purpose of this article is to show that it is possible to construct a financial literacy course with design features that make it acceptable for inclusion in the general education curriculum of a liberal arts university. First, the objectives of liberal education are highlighted, as enumerated by three independent organizations [American Academy for Liberal Education (AALE), Association of American Colleges and Universities and the Annapolis Group]. Next, the assessment standards of the AALE are utilized to develop the pedagogical features of the course design. A liberal arts focus can be achieved by including topical readings, in‐class discussions or debates and a research paper that highlights the societal impacts of financial decisions. Finally, it is illustrated how the design features allow the course to fulfil the assessment standards of liberal arts objectives including effective reasoning, broad and deep learning and the inclination to inquire.
Financial literacy education and behaviour unhinged: combating bias and poor product design
Authors: West Jason
Published: August 2012

The growth of products available in the consumer financial market has provided more choice and formal control over household financial decisions than ever before. Financial literacy education programs are generally assumed to improve consumer behaviour in relation to financial products and services. However, there is scant evidence that demonstrates the causal link between education, literacy and behaviour. Through the use of a sample study, we show that the actions of individuals who are financially literate do not necessarily mean they will demonstrate good financial behaviour. We propose that in order to improve the financial behaviour of consumers, two critical areas need to be addressed. Firstly, the objectives of financial literacy programs should be not only to educate consumers about financial markets and products but highlight to individuals the psychological biases and limitations that they as humans cannot easily avoid. Secondly, the regulation of financial products sold to consumers needs alteration to meet the aim of protecting retail consumers from complex financial products that are confusing, ambiguous and inappropriate. We propose regulation and redesign of product information offerings using techniques employed in ecological interface design models to derive a suitability test for consumer financial products.
Reference budgets for counselling on how to manage private household finance – requirements and patterns based on international experience
Authors: Preuße Heide
Published: August 2012

The approach described in the present article intends to create a conceptual design for German reference budgets, which can be used for counselling purposes. The introductory presentation of the term ‘reference budget’ and its significance in general is followed by the explanation of budget management in private households in the microeconomic sense. This determines the requirements on budget counselling and the teaching of financial literacy. Moreover, being the ideal type, these represent the examination criteria applied for the assessment of available reference budgets. By a comparison of existing international approaches, it is then investigated whether and in which form reference budgets are used for counselling in various countries. The information thus obtained will conclusively be used to reflect the previous development process of German reference budgets. Their state of progress can be compared with the ideal type on the one hand and with internationally adopted concepts on the other hand. In conclusion, some requirements that follow from the ideal‐type view can already be fulfilled with the German concept of reference budgets. Others can serve as the distant goal towards which the long‐term process will be geared.
Mitigating diffuse water pollution from agriculture using soft‐engineered runoff attenuation features
Authors: Barber Nicholas John , Quinn Paul Francis
Published: August 2012

Runoff attenuation features (RAFs) are low‐cost, soft‐engineered catchment modifications designed to intercept polluted hydrological flow pathways. They are used to slow, store and filter runoff from agricultural land in order to reduce flood risk and improve water quality, specifically by mitigating diffuse water pollution from agriculture. This study focuses on a sub catchment (30 ha) of the Belford Burn catchment (5.7 km2) where the capacity of two RAFs to reduce concentrations of suspended sediment (SS), phosphorus (P) and nitrate (NO
3) in runoff has been investigated. A field bund RAF, designed to intercept overland flow during storm events, has been shown to retain significant volumes of sediment; however, the underlying field drains are still exporting high concentrations of sediment and nutrients, sometimes exceeding 500 mg SS l−1, 1 mg TP l−1 and 40 mg NO
3 l−1. An on‐line sediment pond is accumulating sediment during normal flow conditions, but event sampling has revealed a lack of retention of any pollutants during storm events, which has been attributed to remobilisation of previously deposited material. In order to address these problems and improve the quality of the water leaving the sub catchment, a novel multi‐stage RAF has been constructed in the ditch network. A low‐cost filter trap, using wood chippings, has been installed and will be the focus of on‐going monitoring and investigations. The ability to help tackle flooding and pollution by managing runoff flow pathways does have great potential, despite being somewhat difficult to evaluate.
From deforestation to reforestation: applying the forest transition to the Cockpit Country of Jamaica
Authors: Timms Benjamin F , Hayes James , McCracken Melissa
Published: August 2012

The forest transition model posits that as a society advances to later stages of demographic and economic transitions, reforestation begins to outpace deforestation. However, this concept was constructed on endogenous factors within more developed nation‐states, giving scant attention to exogenous factors that today's globalising world has made increasingly relevant. Further, the transition period between net deforestation and net reforestation needs to be better understood, particularly in developing countries that may be going through a forest transition. Here we address these issues in the Cockpit Country region of Jamaica through a remote‐sensing analysis of forest‐cover change from 1987 to 2011. Our findings suggest this region is in the turnaround period of the forest transition attributable to changes in demographics and the Jamaican agricultural sector, which has been decimated by neoliberal economic policies leading to agricultural land abandonment. This study contributes to the development of the forest transition concept through adding a Caribbean case study inclusive of exogenous factors related to the changing global political economy and addressing the mechanisms at work during the forest transition turnaround.
Culture of a Gastric Non‐Helicobacter pylori Helicobacter from the Stomach of a 14‐Year‐Old Girl
Authors: Wüppenhorst Nicole , von Loewenich Friederike , Hobmaier Beate , Vetter‐Knoll Marianne , Mohadjer Sona , Kist Manfred
Published: August 2012

Helicobacter felis belongs to the fastidious gastric non‐Helicobacter pylori helicobacter species that are typically found in the stomach of cats and dogs. These bacteria have the potential to colonize the human stomach and are then associated with gastritis, gastroduodenal ulcers, and MALT lymphoma. Strains cultured from the human stomach are rare. Here, we present the first isolation of H. felis from a gastric biopsy specimen of a 14‐year‐old girl who presented with persistent epigastric pain. The strain was cultured using our routine protocol for H. pylori and identified by phylogenetic analyses of partial urease AB and gyrB gene sequences.
Cost‐Effectiveness of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in the MADIT‐CRT Trial
Authors: NOYES KATIA , VEAZIE PETER , HALL WILLIAM JACKSON , ZHAO HONGWEI , BUTTACCIO APRIL , THEVENET‐MORRISON KELLY , MOSS ARTHUR J.
Published: August 2012

Cost Effectiveness of MADIT‐CRT. Background: The Multicenter Automatic Defibrillator Implantation Trial‐Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (MADIT‐CRT) trial demonstrated that cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) when added to the implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) reduces risk of heart failure or death in minimally symptomatic patients with reduced cardiac ejection fraction and wide QRS complex.

Objectives: To evaluate 4‐year cost‐effectiveness of CRT‐ICD compared to ICD alone using MADIT‐CRT data.

Research Design: Patients enrolled in the trial were randomized to implantation of either ICD or CRT‐ICD in a 2:3 ratio, with up to 4‐year follow‐up period. Cost‐effectiveness analyses were conducted, and sensitivity analyses by age, gender, and left bundle branch block (LBBB) conduction pattern were performed.

Subjects: A total of 1,271 patients with ICD or CRT‐ICD (US centers only) who reported healthcare utilization and health‐related quality of life data.

Measures: We used the EQ‐5D (US weights) to assess patient HRQOL and translated utilization data to costs using national Medicare reimbursement rates.

Results: Average 4‐year healthcare expenditures in CRT‐ICD patients were higher than costs of ICD patients ($62,600 vs 57,050, P = 0.015), mainly due to the device and implant‐related costs. The incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio of CRT‐ICD compared to ICD was $58,330/quality‐adjusted life years (QALY) saved. The cost effectiveness improved with longer time horizon and for the LBBB subgroup ($7,320/QALY), with no cost‐effectiveness benefit being evident in the non‐LBBB group.

Conclusions: In minimally symptomatic patients with low ejection fraction and LBBB, CRT‐ICD is cost effective within 4‐year horizon when compared to ICD‐only. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 24, pp. 66‐74, January 2013)
Phase Transition and Electrical Properties of Ba0.7Ca0.3TiO3–BiFeO3 Ceramics
Authors: Li Cai‐Xia , Yang Bin , Zhang Shan‐Tao , Wu Feng‐Min , Cao Wen‐Wu
Published: August 2012

Lead‐free piezoelectric ceramics of (1 − x)Ba0.70 Ca0.30TiO3–xBiFeO3 [(1 − x)BCT–xBF, x = 0–0.065] have been prepared and investigated. The ceramics with x ≤ 0.06 have diphasic tetragonal and orthorhombic crystal structures, whereas tetragonal phase is suppressed by the introduction of BF. As a result, the composition with x = 0.065 is found to have diphasic pseudocubic and orthorhombic phases. Significantly composition‐dependent grain size is observed. With increasing x from 0 to 0.065, the ferroelectric‐paraelectric phase transition temperature decreases monotonically from 128°C to 50°C, accompanied by enhanced ferroelectric relaxor behavior, as indicated by the widened diffused phase transition temperature. The room temperature polarization–electric field (P–E) hysteresis loops and strain–electric field (S–E) curves indicate that the ferroelectricity enhances slightly and reaches the maximum near x = 0.05, and then weakens with increasing x. On the other hand, the piezoelectric coefficient (d33) and electromechanical coupling coefficient (kp) decrease simultaneously with increasing x, whereas the mechanical quality factor (Qm) reaches the maximum near x = 0.05. The structure‐property relationship is discussed intensively. Our results may be helpful for further understanding and designing BaTiO3‐related lead‐free ferroelectric/piezoelectric materials.
Glutamate control of pulpal blood flow in the incisor dental pulp of the rat
Authors: Zerari‐Mailly Fouzia , Braud Adeline , Davido Nicolas , Touré Babacar , Azérad Jean , Boucher Yves
Published: August 2012

Glutamate is present in primary sensory afferents innervating the dental pulp and is known to exert vasoactive effects. The aims of this study were (i) to assess pulpal blood flow (PBF) after glutamate infusion in the dental pulp and (ii) to observe the distribution of glutamatergic nerve fibers expressing the vesicular transporters of glutamate (VGluT). The PBF was monitored with laser Doppler flowmetry before and after glutamate (0.5 M) infusion in the dental pulp vs. saline infusion. Immunochemistry for VGluT1, 2, and 3 was performed in addition to immunochemistry for the vascular and neuronal markers smooth‐muscle actin (SMA), isolectin B4 (IB4), and calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP). Glutamate infusion resulted in a PBF increase that lasted for 60 s. Positive immunolabeling was observed for the three glutamate transporters, but was more pronounced for VGluT3. Moreover, VGluT3 immunoreactivity was observed within nerve fibers entering the dental pulp and terminating at the periphery and at the vicinity of odontoblasts. Also, VGluT3 was colocalized with the vascular marker SMA, and in some nerve fibers with IB4, but not with CGRP. This study provides support for a control of dental pulp microcirculation by neurons expressing VGluT3.
Sociobehavioral aspects of periodontal disease
Authors: Thomson W. Murray , Sheiham Aubrey , Spencer A. John
Published: August 2012

As one of the most common chronic diseases suffered by adults, periodontitis affects sufferers’ day‐to‐day lives and is a threat to the integrity of the dentition. An important part in the condition’s occurrence is played by sociobehavioural factors, the understanding of which is facilitated by using a number of largely complementary theoretical frameworks. Differences among individuals with respect to their periodontal status at any particular point in their life‐course (and particularly once they are into early middle‐age and beyond) are likely to have resulted from prolonged and differential exposure to the various protective and risk factors that determine their periodontal status. Thus, a sound understanding of the psychosocial pathways of the behaviors that are strongly linked to periodontal disease – and how such psychological factors affect the response of the periodontal tissues to pathogens – is essential for improving periodontal health, whether at the personal level or at the population level. Controlling periodontitis in populations therefore requires a number of complementary strategies. The current state of knowledge of its risk factors means that there is sufficient information to enable control of the disease, and public health officials should include it alongside their efforts to control dental caries. Controlling periodontitis has three strategies: (i) a population strategy for altering life practices, particularly those determining smoking behavior and oral self‐care (plaque removal) in the community; (ii) a secondary prevention strategy to detect and treat people with destructive periodontal disease; and (iii) a high‐risk strategy for treating existing disease and preventing further disease in those at special risk. The Common Risk Factor Approach and the health promotion approach are key aspects of these strategies.
Translating science into action – prevention of periodontal disease at patient level
Authors: Baehni Pierre C.
Published: August 2012

For years, prevention of periodontal disease has focused mainly on improving patient oral hygiene. The role of the dentist and dental hygienist was to ‘motivate’ the patient to adopt the proper technique for plaque removal. Today, prevention has shifted to a broader and more comprehensive approach with preventive interventions that target local etiologic as well as general risk factors. The present report, which focuses on prevention at the patient level, describes the current trend in preventive care characterized by a global and patient‐centered approach.
Translating science into action: periodontal health through public health approaches
Authors: Jürgensen Nanna , Petersen Poul E. , Ogawa Hiroshi , Matsumoto Sayaka
Published: August 2012

Clinical and public health research data have shown that a number of individual, professional and community health measures may be valuable in preventing the major oral diseases. The fundamental gap in knowledge, however, is not confined to ‘what to do’ but rather ‘how’ to translate the scientific findings into effective and sustainable programs for groups and populations. The advances in oral health science have not yet benefitted the poor and disadvantaged population groups around the world to the fullest extent possible and this has led to inequalities in periodontal health as well as in other chronic diseases. Research on the causative role of tobacco use in periodontal disease is strong because of the fact that tobacco‐induced disease ultimately may lead to the loss of teeth. Studies also indicate that wound healing may be negatively affected by the use of tobacco. Likewise, research has shown that extreme use of alcohol, poor diet and nutrition, and psychological stress all have negative effects on periodontal health. Research on sociobehavioral risk factors has great implication to prevent periodontal disease. The case for tobacco is illustrated in this report. The global exposure to tobacco use in adults and adolescents is outlined. Because of the global Framework Convention for Tobacco Control (2003), the solid research on the harmful effect of tobacco is now being widely used for public health. The importance of tobacco prevention within the context of health‐promoting schools is emphasized. Research on other population‐directed strategies and their implications on public health would be instrumental to integrated prevention of chronic disease and periodontal disease. Community interventions and delivery of preventive oral care by oral health services may have positive outcomes for periodontal health but periodontal research needs to be further strengthened by the provision of sound evidence. It is somewhat remarkable that research on true population‐directed actions in prevention of periodontal disease is most unusual. The high need for reorientation of periodontal research toward public health is discussed in this report as well as the responsibilities of oral health organizations, research institutions and health authorities.
Oral magnesium for relief in pregnancy‐induced leg cramps: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Supakatisant Chayanis , Phupong Vorapong
Published: August 2012

Leg cramps are common in pregnant women. Currently, there is no standard treatment for pregnancy‐induced leg cramps. The objective of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of oral magnesium in pregnant women with leg cramps. This double‐blinded, randomised, placebo‐controlled trial included 86 healthy pregnant women, 14–34 weeks of gestation who had leg cramps at least twice per week. The study period was 4 weeks. Eighty women completed the study. Forty‐one women were assigned to magnesium bisglycinate chelate (300 mg per day) and 39 women to placebo. Details of leg cramps were recorded before beginning the treatment and the fourth week of study. Outcome measure was the reduction of cramp frequency after treatment and cramp intensity measured by 100‐mm visual analogue scale.

Fifty per cent reduction of cramp frequency was significantly higher in the magnesium group than the placebo group (86.0% vs. 60.5%, P = 0.007). The 50% reduction of cramp intensity was also significantly higher in the treatment group than in the placebo group (69.8% vs. 48.8%, P = 0.048). There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of side effects such as nausea and diarrhoea. These results demonstrated that oral magnesium supplement can improve the frequency and intensity of pregnancy‐induced leg cramps. Therefore, oral magnesium may be a treatment option for women suffering from pregnancy‐induced leg cramps.
TheP1/P2 proteins of the human ribosomal stalk are required for ribosome binding and depurination by ricin in human cells
Authors: May Kerrie L. , Li Xiao‐Ping , Martínez‐Azorín Francisco , Ballesta Juan P. G. , Grela Przemysław , Tchórzewski Marek , Tumer Nilgun E.
Published: August 2012

RicinA‐chain (RTA) depurinates the sarcin–ricin loop of 28S ribosomalRNAand inhibits protein synthesis in mammalian cells. In yeast, the ribosomal stalk facilitates the interaction ofRTAwith the ribosome and subsequent depurination. Despite homology between the stalk structures from yeast and humans, there are notable differences. The human ribosomal stalk contains two identical heterodimers ofP1 andP2 bound toP0, whereas the yeast stalk consists of two different heterodimers,P1α–P2β andP2α–P1β, bound toP0.RTAexhibits higher activity towards mammalian ribosomes than towards ribosomes from other organisms, suggesting that the mode of interaction with ribosomes may vary. Here, we examined whether the human ribosomal stalk proteins facilitate the interaction ofRTAwith human ribosomes and subsequent depurination of the sarcin–ricin loop. Using small interferingRNA‐mediated knockdown ofP1/P2 expression in human cells, we demonstrated that the depurination activity ofRTAis lower whenP1 andP2 levels are reduced. Biacore analysis showed that ribosomes fromP1/P2‐depleted cells have a reduced ability to bindRTA, which correlates with reduced depurination activity bothin vitroand inside cells.RTAinteracts directly with recombinant humanP1–P2 dimer, further demonstrating the importance of humanP1 andP2 in enablingRTAto bind and depurinate human ribosomes.

Structured digital abstract

P2, P1 and RTA physically interact by surface plasmon resonance (View interaction)

P2, P1 and RTA physically interact by anti bait coimmunoprecipitation (View interaction)
X‐ray structure of a protease‐resistant mutant form of human galectin‐8 with two carbohydrate recognition domains
Authors: Yoshida Hiromi , Yamashita Satoshi , Teraoka Misa , Itoh Aiko , Nakakita Shin‐ichi , Nishi Nozomu , Kamitori Shigehiro
Published: August 2012

Galectin‐8 is a tandem‐repeat‐type β‐galactoside‐specific animal lectin possessing N‐terminal and C‐terminal carbohydrate recognition domains (N‐CRD and C‐CRD, respectively), with a difference in carbohydrate‐binding specificity, involved in cell–matrix interaction, malignant transformation, and cell adhesion. N‐CRD shows strong affinity for α2–3‐sialylated oligosaccharides, a feature unique to galectin‐8. C‐CRD usually shows lower affinity for oligosaccharides but higher affinity for N‐glycan‐type branched oligosaccharides than does N‐CRD. There have been many structural studies on galectins with a single carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD), but no X‐ray structure of a galectin containing both CRDs has been reported. Here, the X‐ray structure of a protease‐resistant mutant form of human galectin‐8 possessing both CRDs and the novel pseudodimer structure of galectin‐8 N‐CRD in complexes with α2–3‐sialylated oligosaccharide ligands were determined. The results revealed a difference in specificity between N‐CRD and C‐CRD, and provided new insights into the association of CRDs and/or molecules of galectin‐8.

Database

The atomic coordinates and structure factors of G8Null–Lac, G8Null–2Lac, G8Null–SiaLac–Lac, G8N‐free and G8N–SiaLacNAc have been deposited in the Protein Data Bank under the accession codes 4FQZ, 3VKL, 3VKM, 3VKN, and 3VKO, respectively.

Structured digital abstract

G8 and G8 bind by x‐ray crystallography (View interaction)
A Case Study of Orange Juice Concentration by Recompression Evaporation Techniques
Authors: Sorour M.A. , Mostafa S.R. , Bo Samri S.M.
Published: August 2012

Evaporation is commonly used by various processing industries as a method of concentrating aqueous liquid streams by vaporizing the water component. The comparison of two schemes of evaporation was studied and economically analyzed. Recompression evaporation could be defined as an evaporation process in which a part or the entire evaporated vapor is compressed by means of a suitable compressor to a higher pressure level and then condensed. Two recompression schemes were studied: (1) mechanical compression; and (2) thermal compression. Different economic items, including cost of steam, electricity, fixed cost of compressor and cost of evaporator, in addition to annual total cost for each scheme have been estimated and analyzed. The results indicated that minimum annual total cost is obtained by using a steam jet ejector scheme.

Practical Applications

It is essential that evaporation be approached from the viewpoint of economical energy utilization as well as process effectiveness. This can be done only if the equipment manufacturer is able to offer a full selection of evaporation technology and systems developed to accommodate various product characteristics, the percent of concentration required and regional energy costs.
Neurolaw and Neuroprediction: Potential Promises and Perils
Authors: Nadelhoffer Thomas , Sinnott‐Armstrong Walter
Published: August 2012

Neuroscience has been proposed for use in the legal system for purposes of mind reading, assessment of responsibility, and prediction of misconduct. Each of these uses has both promises and perils, and each raises issues regarding the admissibility of neuroscientific evidence.
Recent Work on Structured Meaning and Propositional Unity
Authors: Jespersen Bjørn
Published: August 2012

Logical semantics includes once again structured meanings in its repertoire. The leading idea is that semantic and syntactic structure are more or less isomorphic. A key motive for reintroducing sensitivity to semantic structure is to obtain fine‐grained meanings, which are individuated more finely than in possible‐world semantics, namely up to necessary equivalence. Just getting the truth‐conditions right is deemed insufficient for a full semantic analysis of sentences. This paper surveys some of the most recent contributions to the program of structured meaning, while providing historical background. I suggest that to make substantial advances the program needs to solve the problem of propositional unity and develop an intensional mereology of abstract objects.
Factor XIII‐A subunit Val34Leu polymorphism in fatal hemorrhagic stroke
Authors: Antalfi B. , Pongrácz E. , Csiki Z. , Mezei Z. A. , Shemirani A. H.
Published: August 2012

Blood coagulation factor XIII (FXIII) plays a key role in the protection of fibrin clot against fibrinolysis, in the cross‐linking of fibrin and its mechanical strength. The role of the FXIII‐A subunit Val34Leu polymorphism with fatal primary intracerebral hemorrhages (PICH) has not been studied. We evaluated retrospectively the prevalence of this polymorphism in stroke patients with fatal PICH and population control matched for age and gender. The prevalence of this polymorphism was determined for patients with fatal PICH (n = 98, female/male: 41/57) and controls. DNA was obtained from peripheral white blood cells in case of controls and from paraffin‐embedded tissue sections in case of fatal PICH. The odds for increasing the risk of PICH against the control group were 5.429, 3.286, and 7.661 for total, female, and male patients, respectively. The Leu34Leu homozygous variant of the FXIII Val34Leu polymorphism significantly increased the risk of fatal PICH stroke in men.
Phylogenetic analysis of the Santolina rosmarinifolia aggregate (Asteraceae: Anthemideae: Santolininae) based on morphological characteristics
Authors: Rivero‐Guerra Aixa O. , Laurin Michel
Published: August 2012

The phylogenetic relationships between taxa of the Santolina rosmarinifolia aggregate were studied using TNT and PAUP parsimony analyses of a morphological data matrix that encompasses 2516 individuals. Two major clades can be distinguished: clade 1 comprises S. semidentata, S. melidensis, S. impressa, S. orocarpetana and S.×oblongifolia; clade 2 comprises S. ageratifolia, S. canescens and the subspecies arrabidensis, rosmarinifolia, castellana, pectinata and montiberica. No qualitative characteristics or groups of characteristics clearly differentiate these clades. Monophyly of the S. rosmarinifolia aggregate is supported. Most populations appear highly polyphyletic. Santolina impressa, S. melidensis, S. ageratifolia and the S. rosmarinifolia subspecies rosmarinifolia and arrabidensis form a monophyletic group whereas Santolina orocarpetana is polyphyletic and Santolina oblongifolia, S. canescens, S. semidentata and the subspecies castellana, pectinata and montiberica are all paraphyletic. The internal branches have an average length of 20.1 steps, with a standard deviation of 8.5 steps. The basal branch of several taxa shows a much higher number than average (20.1 steps) over the tree, which suggests that reasonably good clade support is present for these taxa. Santolina semidentata is the most variable taxon of this aggregate. The presence of a capitulum with three rows of involucral bracts is the ancestral condition in the aggregate. The results suggest that this aggregate arose from an ancient polyploid. A key to the taxa is provided.
Molecular bases for parallel evolution of translucent bracts in an alpine “glasshouse” plantRheum alexandrae(Polygonaceae)
Authors: LIU Bing‐Bing , OPGENOORTH Lars , MIEHE Georg , ZHANG Dong‐Yuan , WAN Dong‐Shi , ZHAO Chang‐Ming , JIA Dong‐Rui , LIU Jian‐Quan
Published: August 2012

Parallel evolution provides an excellent framework to infer the genetic bases of adaptive traits and understand the importance of natural selection in shaping current biodiversity. The upper leaves of the “glasshouse plants” transform into translucent bracts that show numerous adaptions in alpine habitats. It remains unknown whether similar molecular changes occur under the parallel bract evolution of different “glasshouse” species. In this study, we compared the results on phenotypic and physiological differences and presented the results of cDNA‐AFLP analyses of transcriptional changes between translucent bracts and normal leaves inRheum alexandrae. We also examined the homologous candidate genes with the same expression changes between this species and another “glasshouse” species,R. nobile. We found that bracts ofR. alexandraeare similar to those ofR. nobilein anatomical features: chloroplasts have degenerated and chlorophyll contents are greatly reduced, which suggests that foliar photosynthetic functions in bracts of both species have been reduced or totally altered. Among the 6000 transcript‐derived fragments (TDFs) in bracts and leaves ofR. alexandrae, 420 (7%) were differentially expressed (up‐ or downregulated) between bracts and normal leaves. There were a total of 13 homologous TDFs with the same expression changes betweenR. alexandraeand the previously studiedR. nobile. Except for the two that were not functionally annotated, eight of the homologous TDFs were found to be involved in stress and defense responses whereas the other three were related to photosynthesis. The up‐ or downregulation of these candidate genes was highly congruent with anatomical characteristics and adaptive functions of the bracts found for “glasshouse” plants. These findings suggested that the “glasshouse” phenotypes may have common molecular bases underlying their parallel evolution of similar adaptive functions and highlighted the importance of the natural selection in producing such phenotypes.
A confirmatory factor analysis and validation of the forms of self‐criticism/reassurance scale
Authors: Kupeli Nuriye , Chilcot Joseph , Schmidt Ulrike H. , Campbell Iain C. , Troop Nicholas A.
Published: August 2012

Objective: Several studies have used the Forms of Self‐Criticism/Reassurance Scale (FSCRS; Gilbert, Clarke, Hempel, Miles, & Irons, 2004) when exploring the role of emotion regulation in psychopathology. However, psychometric evaluation of the FSCRS is limited. The present study sought to confirm the factor structure of the FSCRS based on theoretical and empirical grounds in a large sample of the general population.

Method: The FSCRS was completed by a large sample of men and women (N= 1,570) as part of an online survey. The data were randomly split in order to perform both independent exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory factor analyses (CFA). One‐, two‐ and three‐factor solutions were examined.

Results: A three‐factor model of reassured‐self (RS) and the two types of self‐criticism, inadequate‐self (IS), and hated‐self (HS), proved to be the best‐fitting measurement model in this sample (χ2= 800.3, df= 148, p < .001; CFI [comparative fit index]= .966, TLI [Tucker Lewis index]= .961, RMSEA [root mean square error of the approximation]= .074). Although very similar to the original questionnaire, there were some differences in terms of the items that were retained. Validity was confirmed with the shortened FSCRS showing the same associations with mood and sex as the original version of the FSCRS.

Conclusion: A three‐factor model (RS, IS and HS) provided the best‐fitting structure and confirmed the separation of different types of self‐criticism. Future research should explore the degree to which these separable aspects of self‐criticism are theoretically and clinically meaningful and to identify the role of self‐reassurance in ameliorating their effects.

Practitioner Points

Positive clinical implications

The current paper has established that the FSCRS consists of self‐reassurance and two separable factors of self‐criticism (inadequate‐self and hated‐self).

The current paper refined a measure to test the role of different kinds of self‐criticism in the aetiology of psychopathology as well as evaluate outcomes following intervention.

Cautions and limitations

The current study did not recruit a clinical sample and responses from a clinical group may have revealed a different factor solution.

A high percentage of the sample was classed as ‘white’ and female so the results of this study may not be representative of the general population.
Sphingosine 1‐Phosphate (S1P) Induces S1P2 Receptor‐Dependent Tonic Contraction in Murine Iliac Lymph Vessels
Authors: Kimizuka Koichiro , Kawai Yoshiko , Maejima Daisuke , Ajima Kumiko , Kaidoh Maki , Ohhashi Toshio
Published: August 2012

Objective

We studied the effects of S1P on the diameter and spontaneous contraction of murine iliac collecting lymph vessels.

Methods

The isolated lymph vessel was cannulated with two glass micropipettes and then pressurized to 4 cmH2O at the intraluminal pressure. The changes in lymph vessel diameter were measured using a custom‐made diameter‐detection device. Immunohistochemical studies were also performed to confirm S1P receptors on the lymph vessels.

Results

S1P (10−7 M) had no significant effect on the frequency or amplitude of the lymph vessels' spontaneous contractions. In contrast, S1P (10−8–10−6 M) produced a concentration‐related reduction in lymph vessel diameter (tonic contraction). Pretreatment with 10−4 M l–NAME or 10−5 M aspirin had no significant effect on the S1P‐induced tonic contraction of the lymph vessels. To evaluate the intracellular signal transduction pathway responsible for the S1P‐induced tonic contractions and their Ca2+‐dependence, we investigated the effects of JTE013, VPC23019, U‐73122, xestospongin C, and nifedipine on the S1P‐induced tonic contractions. All of these inhibitors except VPC23019 and nifedipine significantly reduced the S1P‐induced tonic contractions. S1P (5x10−7 M) also induced significant tonic contractions in the lymph vessels that had been superfused with high K+ Krebs‐bicarbonate solution or Ca2+‐free high K+ Krebs solution containing 1 mM EGTA. S1P2 receptors were immunohistochemically detected in the lymph vessels.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that neither endogenous NO nor prostaglandins are involved in the S1P‐induced tonic contraction of lymph vessels, which is mainly caused by Ca2+ release from intracellular Ca2+ stores through the activation of S1P2 and 1,4,5 IP3 receptors.
Increased severity of dyspeptic symptoms related to mental stress is associated with sympathetic hyperactivity and enhanced endocrine response in patients with postprandial distress syndrome
Authors: De Giorgi F. , Sarnelli G. , Cirillo C. , Savino I. G. , Turco F. , Nardone G. , Rocco A. , Cuomo R.
Published: August 2012

Background  Mental stress (MS) may alter gastric sensory‐motor function. The aim of the study was to assess postprandial autonomic nervous system activity and stress hormones in response to acute mental stress in dyspeptic patients.

Methods  A total of 25 patients with postprandial distress syndrome (PDS; 11 mol L−1, age 35.9 ± 9.3 years) and 12 healthy controls (5 mol L−1, age 25.8 ± 4.6 years) underwent electrogastrography and 13C‐octanoate gastric emptying study using a 480 kcal solid meal. Heart rate variability (LF/HF ratio) and corticotrophin‐releasing factor, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and cortisol serum levels were also evaluated. Dyspeptic symptoms were scored by analogue visual scale and expressed as symptoms total score (TS). The protocol was repeated twice in each subject, with and without a mental stress test before the meal.

Key Results  Mental stress significantly increased postprandial symptoms severity in patients (TS: stress 111 ± 18 vs basal 50 ± 10; P < 0.05). Low‐/high‐frequency component ratio was significantly higher in patients after MS at 120 min (stress 5.46 ± 0.41 vs basal 3.41 ± 0.64; P < 0.01) and 180 min (stress 5.29 ± 0.2 vs basal 3.58 ± 0.19; P < 0.05). During stress session, in patients we found a significantly higher ACTH level than baseline at 30, 60, 90, 150, 210, 240, and 270 min and a significantly higher cortisol level at 30, 60, 90, 120, 210, and 270 min. Gastric emptying rate and electrical activity were not influenced by MS.

Conclusions & Inferences  In PDS patients, administration of MS before meal increases symptoms severity by inducing sympathetic hyperactivity and increased stress hormones levels. As the gastric emptying looks not altered, we conclude that these neurohormonal responses mainly affect sensitive function.
Identification of an intronic splicing regulatory element involved in auto‐regulation of alternative splicing of SCL33 pre‐mRNA
Authors: Thomas Julie , Palusa Saiprasad G. , Prasad Kasavajhala V.S.K. , Ali Gul Shad , Surabhi Giridara‐Kumar , Ben‐Hur Asa , Abdel‐Ghany Salah E. , Reddy Anireddy S.N.
Published: August 2012

In Arabidopsis, pre‐mRNAs of serine/arginine‐rich (SR) proteins undergo extensive alternative splicing (AS). However, little is known about the cis‐elements and trans‐acting proteins involved in regulating AS. Using a splicing reporter (GFP–intron–GFP), consisting of the GFP coding sequence interrupted by an alternatively spliced intron of SCL33, we investigated whether cis‐elements within this intron are sufficient for AS, and which SR proteins are necessary for regulated AS. Expression of the splicing reporter in protoplasts faithfully produced all splice variants from the intron, suggesting that cis‐elements required for AS reside within the intron. To determine which SR proteins are responsible for AS, the splicing pattern of the GFP–intron–GFP reporter was investigated in protoplasts of three single and three double mutants of SR genes. These analyses revealed that SCL33 and a closely related paralog, SCL30a, are functionally redundant in generating specific splice variants from this intron. Furthermore, SCL33 protein bound to a conserved sequence in this intron, indicating auto‐regulation of AS. Mutations in four GAAG repeats within the conserved region impaired generation of the same splice variants that are affected in the scl33 scl30a double mutant. In conclusion, we have identified the first intronic cis‐element involved in AS of a plant SR gene, and elucidated a mechanism for auto‐regulation of AS of this intron.
mRNA Localization: An Orchestration of Assembly, Traffic and Synthesis
Authors: Xing Lei , Bassell Gary J.
Published: August 2012

Asymmetrical mRNA localization and subsequent local translation provide efficient mechanisms for protein sorting in polarized cells. Defects in mRNA localization have been linked to developmental abnormalities and neurological diseases. Thus, it is critical to understand the machineries mediating and mechanisms underlying the asymmetrical distribution of mRNA and its regulation. The goal of this review is to summarize recent advances in the understanding of mRNA transport and localization, including the assembly and sorting of transport messenger ribonucleic protein (mRNP) granules, molecular mechanisms of active mRNP transport, cytoskeletal interactions and regulation of these events by extracellular signals.
Acoustic Response of a Helmholtz Resonator Exposed to Hot-Gas Penetration and High Amplitude Oscillations
Authors: Ćosić Bernhard , Reichel Thoralf G. , Paschereit Christian Oliver
Published: August 2012

Helmholtz resonators are often used in the gas turbine industry for the damping of thermoacoustic instabilities. To prevent thermal destruction, these devices are usually cooled by a purging flow. Since the acoustic velocity inside the neck of the resonator becomes very high already at moderate pressure oscillation levels, hot-gas penetration cannot always be fully avoided. This study extends a well-known nonlinear impedance model to include the influence of hot-gas intrusion into the Helmholtz resonator neck. A time-dependent but spatially averaged density function of the volume flow in the neck is developed. The steady component of this density function is implemented into the nonlinear impedance model to account for the effect of hot-gas intrusion. The proposed model predicts a significant shift in the resonance frequency of the damper towards higher frequencies, depending on the amplitude of the acoustic velocity in the neck and the temperature of the penetrating hot gas. Subsequently, the model is verified by the experimental investigation of two resonance frequencies (86 Hz and 128 Hz) for two hot gas temperatures (1470 K and 570 K) and various pressure oscillation amplitudes. The multimicrophone method, in combination with a microphone flush-mounted in the resonator volume, is used to determine the impedance of the Helmholtz damper. Additionally, a movable ultra-thin thermocouple was used to determine the degree of hot-gas penetration and the change of the mean temperature at various axial positions in the neck. A very good agreement between the model and the experimental data is obtained for all levels of pressure amplitudes and of hot-gas penetration depths. The mean air temperatures in the neck were accurately predicted too.
Development and Validation of a Three-Dimensional Multiphase Flow Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis for Journal Bearings in Steam and Heavy Duty Gas Turbines
Authors: Uhkoetter Stephan , Wiesche Stefan aus der , Kursch Michael , Beck Christian
Published: August 2012

The traditional method for hydrodynamic journal bearing analysis usually applies the lubrication theory based on the Reynolds equation and suitable empirical modifications to cover turbulence, heat transfer, and cavitation. In cases of complex bearing geometries for steam and heavy-duty gas turbines, this approach has its obvious restrictions in regard to detail flow recirculation, mixing, mass balance, and filling level phenomena. These limitations could be circumvented by applying a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach, resting closer to the fundamental physical laws. The present contribution reports about the state of the art of such a fully three-dimensional multiphase-flow CFD approach, including cavitation and air entrainment for high-speed turbomachinery journal bearings. It has been developed and validated using experimental data. Due to the high ambient shear rates in bearings, the multiphase-flow model for journal bearings requires substantial modifications in comparison to common two-phase flow simulations. Based on experimental data, it is found, that particular cavitation phenomena are essential for the understanding of steam and heavy-duty-type gas turbine journal bearings.
Effects of Manufacturing Noise on Microturbine Centrifugal Impeller Performance
Authors: Javed A. , Pecnik R. , Olivero M. , van Buijtenen J. P.
Published: August 2012

This paper presents a study on a small centrifugal impeller for microturbine application from a manufacturing perspective. The aim is to analyze the impact of geometric deviations on part performance using adequate performance modeling tools and statistical methods. A one-dimensional (1D) performance analysis tool was developed in-house derived from the meanline and two-zone modeling methods. The 1D model proved to be a simple and computationally inexpensive tool for having a quick performance analysis of the impeller using basic geometric information extracted from part drawings. For the sensitivity analysis, a total of eight input geometric parameters, including radii, tip-clearance, and blade angles, were varied individually within specific limits in the 1D tool for classifying their influence on the output performance. Since the 1D model is a simplified version of a much more complex three-dimensional (3D) model, a commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tool was used to provide a comparison with the 1D model and scrutinize the effects of such deviations on the fluid behavior inside the impeller passage at a detailed level. For uncertainty quantification, Monte Carlo simulation was performed using the 1D model to assess the variability of overall impeller output performance to simultaneous random deviations in the input geometric parameters. The study is useful to evaluate the possibility of designing gas turbine parts for manufacturability and superior production cost-effectiveness.
Ultrasonic Bonding of Membrane Electrode Assemblies for Low Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells
Authors: Beck Joseph , Walczyk Daniel , Hoffman Casey , Buelte Steve
Published: August 2012

Low temperature proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells currently dominate the fuel cell market, yet there are materials-, cost-, reliability-, and manufacturing-related challenges that hinder widespread commercial success of this promising technology. With regards to manufacturing, one of the main process bottlenecks is thermal bonding of electrode and membrane components into a unitized membrane electrode assembly (MEA). Recent work has shown that ultrasonic bonding can serve as a direct replacement for thermal bonding for high-temperature PEM fuel cells with dramatic reductions in cycle time and energy consumption but no significant degradation in performance. This paper investigates the possible use of ultrasonic bonding for low-temperature PEM MEAs operated at 65 °C. Polarization curves and 1000 Hz impedance were measured for MEAs with a five-layer architecture comprised of Nafion 115 membrane and carbon paper-based gas diffusion electrodes (GDE) that were thermally bonded and ultrasonically bonded using commercial equipment. The effect of membrane condition (conditioned and dry), electrode type (commercially available, custom-made with lower platinum loadings), and process conditions are investigated. Experimental results demonstrate clear trends. Both custom-made GDEs with lower platinum loading performed best suggesting that electrode architecture and composition can be optimized for ultrasonic bonding. There was little difference in performance between dry and conditioned membrane, which helps explain current industrial practice. Statistical analysis of an experimental design where ultrasonic bonding energy and pressure were varied suggests that neither parameter significantly affects MEA performance and that the process is robust. Similar analysis of thermal bonding with temperature and pressure varied suggests that temperature has a significant effect on MEA performance. However, the most important results of all experimentation are that process cycle time and energy consumption are reduced by nearly two orders-of-magnitude using ultrasonic bonding.