bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
BMP4, a strong better prognosis predictor, has a subtype preference and cell development association in gliomas
Authors: Bao Zhaoshi , Zhang Chuanbao , Yan Wei , Liu Yanwei , Li Mingyang , Zhang Wei , Jiang Tao
Published: April 2013

Background

The bone morphogenetic family proteins (BMP) are phytogenetically conserved proteins, which are essential for embryonic development. The key regulatory subunit, the bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4), is overexpressed and associated with tumor metastasis in a variety of cancers. However, the prognostic and molecular features of gliomas with BMP4 expression is still unclear.

Methods

We obtained whole genome mRNA expression microarray data of 220 glioma samples of all grades from Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA) database (http://www.cgga.org.cn) as discovery set. Of the 123 high-grade gliomas in this set, 33 Grade III tumors and 88 GBMs were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method. Immunohistochemistry was used for validating the expression of BMP4 in another 77 glioma samples. Three additional datasets were obtained as validation sets. Gene ontology (GO) analysis and gene set variation analysis (GSVA) were used for functional annotation of BMP4.

Results

In the discovery set, BMP4 overexpression was significantly associated with low grade as well as the lower mortality of high-grade gliomas in survival analysis (log-rank, p<0.05 in GBM patients and p<0.01 in anaplastic gliomas, respectively). BMP4 also showed a Proneural subtype, G1 subtype and Isocitrate Dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) mutation preference and cell development association. The results of validation 4 datasets showed similar findings. The overexpression of BMP4 was also detected in low grade gliomas compared to the high grade ones by immunohistochemistry (p<0.05, chi-square test).

Conclusion

BMP4 expression was independently associated with grade and good prognosis in grade III and grade IV gliomas, suggesting BMP4 as a novel biomarker with potential important therapeutic implications.
Antiviral activity of stachyflin on influenza A viruses of different hemagglutinin subtypes
Authors: Motohashi Yurie , Igarashi Manabu , Okamatsu Masatoshi , Noshi Takeshi , Sakoda Yoshihiro , Yamamoto Naoki , Ito Kimihito , Yoshida Ryu , Kida Hiroshi
Published: April 2013

Background

The hemagglutinin (HA) of influenza viruses is a possible target for antiviral drugs because of its key roles in the initiation of infection. Although it was found that a natural compound, Stachyflin, inhibited the growth of H1 and H2 but not H3 influenza viruses in MDCK cells, inhibitory activity of the compound has not been assessed against H4-H16 influenza viruses and the precise mechanism of inhibition has not been clarified.

Methods

Inhibitory activity of Stachyflin against H4-H16 influenza viruses, as well as H1-H3 viruses was examined in MDCK cells. To identify factors responsible for the susceptibility of the viruses to this compound, Stachyflin-resistant viruses were selected in MDCK cells and used for computer docking simulation.

Results

It was found that in addition to antiviral activity of Stachyflin against influenza viruses of H1 and H2 subtypes, it inhibited replication of viruses of H5 and H6 subtypes, as well as A(H1N1)pdm09 virus in MDCK cells. Stachyflin also inhibited the virus growth in the lungs of mice infected with A/WSN/1933 (H1N1) and A/chicken/Ibaraki/1/2005 (H5N2). Substitution of amino acid residues was found on the HA2 subunit of Stachyflin-resistant viruses. Docking simulation indicated that D37, K51, T107, and K121 are responsible for construction of the cavity for the binding of the compound. In addition, 3-dimensional structure of the cavity of the HA of Stachyflin-susceptible virus strains was different from that of insusceptible virus strains.

Conclusion

Antiviral activity of Stachyflin was found against A(H1N1)pdm09, H5, and H6 viruses, and identified a potential binding pocket for Stachyflin on the HA. The present results should provide us with useful information for the development of HA inhibitors with more effective and broader spectrum.
Ethanol inducible expression of a mesophilic cellulase avoids adverse effects on plant development
Authors: Klose Holger , Günl Markus , Usadel Björn , Fischer Rainer , Commandeur Ulrich
Published: April 2013

Background

Plant-produced biomass-degrading enzymes are promising tools for the processing of lignocellulose to fermentable sugars. A major limitation of in planta production is that high-level expression of such enzymes could potentially affect the structure and integrity of the plant cell wall and negatively influence plant growth and development.

Results

Here, we evaluate the impact on tobacco plant development of constitutive versus alcohol-inducible expression of the endoglucanase TrCel5A from the mesophilic fungus Trichoderma reesei. Using this system, we are able to demonstrate that constitutive expression of the enzyme, controlled by the doubled Cauliflower Mosaic Virus promoter, leads to lower cellulose content of the plant combined with severe effects on plant growth. However, using an alcohol-inducible expression of the endoglucanase in the plant leaves, we achieved similar enzymatic expression levels with no changes in the crystalline cellulose content.

Conclusion

We were able to produce significant amounts of cellulase in the plant leaves without detrimental effects to plant development. These results demonstrate the potential feasibility of an inducible expression system for producing biomass degrading enzymes in plants.
Designing Transformative Clinical Trials in the Cancer Genome Era
Authors: Sleijfer Stefan , Bogaerts Jan , Siu Lillian L.
Published: April 2013

The incorporation of molecular profiling into routine clinical practice has already been adopted in some tumor types, such as human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) testing in breast cancer and KRAS genotyping in colorectal cancer, providing a guide to treatment selection that is not afforded by histopathologic diagnosis alone. It is inevitable that over time, with rapid advances in scientific knowledge, bioinformatics, and technology to identify oncogenic drivers, molecular profiling will complement histopathologic data to influence management decisions. Emerging technologies such as multiplexed somatic mutation genotyping and massive parallel genomic sequencing have become increasingly feasible at point-of-care locations to classify cancers into molecular subsets. Because these molecular subsets may differ substantially between each other in terms of sensitivity or resistance to systemic agents, there is consensus that clinical trials should be more stratified for or be performed only in such molecularly defined subsets. This approach, however, poses challenges for clinical trial designs because smaller numbers of patients would be eligible for such trials, while the number of novel anticancer drugs warranting further clinical exploration is rapidly increasing. This article provides an overview of the emerging methodologic challenges in the cancer genome era and offers some potential solutions for transforming clinical trial designs so they can identify new active anticancer regimens in molecularly defined subgroups as efficiently as possible.
Magnitude of Trastuzumab Benefit in Patients With HER2-Positive, Invasive Lobular Breast Carcinoma: Results From the HERA Trial
Authors: Metzger-Filho Otto , Procter Marion , de Azambuja Evandro , Leyland-Jones Brian , Gelber Richard D. , Dowsett Mitchell , Loi Sherene , Saini Kamal S. , Cameron David , Untch Michael , Smith Ian , Gianni Luca , Baselga Jose , Jackisch Christian , Bell Richard , Sotiriou Christos , Viale Giuseppe , Piccart-Gebhart Martine
Published: April 2013

Purpose

To evaluate the benefit of adjuvant trastuzumab in patients diagnosed with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) –positive invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) enrolled onto the Herceptin Adjuvant (HERA) trial.

Patients and Methods

Patients randomly assigned to receive one year of trastuzumab and one year of observation in the HERA trial were included (n = 3,401). Centrally reviewed estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PgR), and HER2 copy numbers were used. First site-specific relapse pattern was evaluated for ILC and invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC). The magnitude of trastuzumab benefit was assessed using the Cox proportional hazards model for disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS).

Results

Median follow-up time was 4 years. A total of 187 ILC and 3,213 IDC patients were included. High Allred scores (6 to 8) were more common in patients with ILC than IDC for both ER (36.9% v 22.7%) and PgR (44.1% v 28.5%). A trend toward decreased HER2 copy number was observed in the ILC group. The ILC and IDC subgroups had similar patterns of first site of disease relapse. DFS hazard ratios (HRs) comparing 1 year of trastuzumab versus observation were 0.63 for ILC (95% CI, 0.34 to 1.15) and 0.77 for IDC (95% CI, 0.67 to 0.89; P for interaction = .49). The OS HRs comparing 1 year of trastuzumab versus observation were 0.60 for ILC (95% CI, 0.27 to 1.31) and 0.86 for IDC (95% CI, 0.71 to 1.06; P for interaction = .29).

Conclusion

In this retrospective analysis, there was no suggestion that patients in the ILC cohort experienced a different magnitude of benefit from adjuvant trastuzumab than those in the IDC cohort.
Existing and Emerging Technologies for Tumor Genomic Profiling
Authors: MacConaill Laura E.
Published: April 2013

Ongoing global genome characterization efforts are revolutionizing our knowledge of cancer genomics and tumor biology. In parallel, information gleaned from these studies on driver cancer gene alterations—mutations, copy number alterations, translocations, and/or chromosomal rearrangements—can be leveraged, in principle, to develop a cohesive framework for individualized cancer treatment. These possibilities have been enabled, to a large degree, by revolutionary advances in genomic technologies that facilitate systematic profiling for hallmark cancer genetic alterations at increasingly fine resolutions. Ongoing innovations in existing genomics technologies, as well as the many emerging technologies, will likely continue to advance translational cancer genomics and precision cancer medicine.
Characterization of the perfusate proteome of human donor kidneys
Authors: Snoeijs Maarten G J , Pulinx Bianca , van Dieijen-Visser Marja P , Buurman Wim A , van Heurn L W Ernest , Wodzig Will K W H
Published: April 2013

Background

Preservation of deceased donor kidneys by hypothermic machine perfusion results in superior transplant outcomes as compared with static cold storage and provides the opportunity to measure biomarkers of cellular injury in perfusate samples. Identification of biomarkers predicting early graft dysfunction so far has met with limited success.

Methods

Two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry were used to explore the proteome of perfusate samples from machine-perfused human donor kidneys (N = 18) and to discover novel biomarkers of ischaemic acute kidney injury.

Results

Thirty-two protein spots were successfully identified, representing 19 unique proteins that were derived from renal tissue and from residual plasma in the renal microcirculation. Two unidentified protein spots were significantly up-regulated, whereas one protein spot - identified as haptoglobin - was significantly down-regulated in the perfusate of ischaemically injured kidneys from donors after cardiac death as compared with kidneys from brain-dead donors who had not suffered warm ischaemic injury. Furthermore, two protein spots were up-regulated in kidneys that never functioned after transplantation, whereas one spot was up-regulated - identified as α1-antitrypsin - in kidneys with delayed graft function.

Conclusions

We provide the first description of the renal perfusate proteome and present preliminary evidence of differentially expressed biomarkers in human donor kidneys with different levels of acute ischaemic injury. Their diagnostic value for the selection of marginal kidneys in clinical transplantation should be determined in future studies.
Paradoxical sleep deprivation potentiates epilepsy induced by homocysteine thiolactone in adult rats
Authors: Hrnčić Dragan , Rašić-Marković Aleksandra , Bjekić-Macut Jelica , Šušić Veselinka , Djuric Dragan , Stanojlović Olivera
Published: April 2013

There is an intriguing and still poorly understood relationship between sleep deprivation and epilepsy. It has recently been shown that paradoxical sleep deprivation decreases levels of homocysteine, an amino acid involved together with its thiolactone metabolite in epileptogenesis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of paradoxical sleep deprivation on homocysteine thiolactone (H)-induced seizures in rats, a model of generalized seizures. Selective deprivation of paradoxical sleep in adult male Wistar rats was achieved by the platform method. Animals with implanted electrodes for electroencephalogram (EEG) registration were assigned to appropriate experimental conditions (dry cage for control, large platform for stress control and small platform for paradoxical sleep deprivation) and 72 h later were intraperitoneally treated with either H (5.5 mmol/kg) or saline (0.9% NaCl). This study showed that paradoxical sleep deprivation increased the incidence and number of H-induced seizure episodes, shortened latency time to seizures and led to significant rates of lethality after H administration, but without effect on the seizure severity. Paradoxical sleep deprivation increased the number and duration of spikes-and-wave discharges, while decreased latency to its appearance in EEG. Judging by the behavioral and EEG findings, it could be concluded that paradoxical sleep deprivation can provoke the expression of factors that can potentiate H-induced seizures in adult rats.
Atomization in the Acoustic Field of a Hartmann Whistle
Authors: Narayanan S. , Srinivasan K. , Sundararajan T.
Published: April 2013

The current work experimentally investigates the effect of Hartmann cavity acoustics on the atomization of droplet sprays. Initially, the experiments are conducted on a single droplet to understand its behavior in the sound field of a Hartmann whistle. The atomization studies on single droplet reveal that the existence of sound field causes the droplet to undergo large deformation and become irregular in shape. The degree of droplet deformation is quantified based on smaller circularity and larger Feret's diameter. The increase in cone angle of spray to a higher value in the presence of acoustics in comparison to its absence shows that the acoustics enhances the atomization. The stroboscopic visualization of sprays in the presence of acoustics further reveals the breakup of ligaments, large scatter as well as the formation of more number of droplets, indicating atomization enhancement.
Thermoacoustic Analysis of the Dynamic Pressure inside a Model Combustor during Limit Cycle Oscillations
Authors: Alemela Panduranga Reddy , Casado Juan Roman , Kumar Santosh , Kok Jim
Published: April 2013

In this work comprehensive experimental and numerical studies incorporating the most relevant physical mechanisms causing limit cycle pressure and combustion rate oscillations (LCO) in a laboratory scale combustor will be discussed. The strong interaction between the aerodynamics-combustion-acoustic oscillations (ACA), and under specific conditions the aerodynamics-combustion-structural vibrations (ACS), is studied by a careful selection of experiments and numerical simulations performed using commercially available computational models. It is shown predominantly that the convective time scales due to the aerodynamics at the flame stabilizer and the time period related to acoustic propagation have to be of the same order in magnitude to be able to drive the system into LCO. The measurements indicated that the frequency spectrum of the oscillations of the LCO has a distinct peak close to the natural mode of the combustor along with higher order “harmonics” due to non-linear effects. Some non-harmonic higher order peaks are observed that are associated with the structural (liner) natural frequencies of vibration. A numerical simulation has been performed using the commercial code (ANSYS V13.0) that includes the effects of fluid-structure interaction by means of pressure load transfer on to the structure and vice-versa. The fluid domain is modeled using CFX and the structural domain is represented by ANSYS. The information is exchanged between the two domains dynamically at every time step computed. In order to reduce the computational effort and quickly gain insight into the problem only a 2 mm slice of the whole geometry has been considered making it essentially a 2D analysis. The good agreement between the model and measured instability frequencies shows a very promising approach in predicting the limit cycle oscillations in this kind of configurations.
Thermo-Acoustic Properties of a Burner with Axial Temperature Gradient: Theory and Experiment
Authors: Kosztin Béla , Heckl Maria , Müller Roel , Hermann Jakob
Published: April 2013

This paper presents a model for thermo-acoustic effects in a gas turbine combustor. A quarter-wavelength burner with rectangular cross-section has been built and studied from an experimental and theoretical perspective. It has a premixed methane-air flame, which is held by a bluff body, and spans the width of the burner. The flame is compact, i.e. its length is much smaller than that of the burner. The fundamental mode of the burner is unstable; its frequency and pressure distribution have been measured. The complex pressure reflection coefficients at the upstream and downstream end of the burner were also measured. For the theoretical considerations, we divide the burner into three regions (the cold pre-combustion chamber, the flame region and the hot outlet region), and assume one-dimensional acoustic wave propagation in each region. The acoustic pressure and velocity are assumed continuous across the interface between the precombustion chamber and flame region, and across the interface between the flame region and outlet region. The burner ends are modelled by the measured pressure reflection coefficients. The mean temperature is assumed to have the following profile: uniformly cold and uniformly hot in the pre-combustion chamber and outlet region, respectively, and rising continuously from cold to hot in the flame region. For comparison, a discontinuous temperature profile, jumping directly from cold to hot, is also considered. The eigenfrequencies are calculated, and the pressure distribution of the fundamental mode is predicted. There is excellent agreement with the experimental results. The exact profile of the mean temperature in the flame region is found to be unimportant. This study gives us an experimentally validated Green's function, which is a very useful tool for further theoretical studies.
New Report of Costalimaita ferruginea Fabricius (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) on Eucalyptus sp. (Myrtaceae) in Sinop - Mato Grosso, Brazil
Authors: Pires Evaldo Martins , Corassa Janaína de Nadai , Barreto Marliton Rocha , Soares Marcus Alvarenga
Published: April 2013

Costalimaita ferruginea (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is the main Coleoptera defoliator of eucalyptus in Brazil and has a strong association with plants of the family Myrtaceae, bein the eucalyptus important for the sectors of energy, paper, pulp and furniture industry. The objective of the present study was to record the occurrence of this Chrysomelidae in eucalyptus plants in Sinop, State of Mato Grosso, Brazil, during the months of November 2010 to January 2011, thus contributing to increase in knowledge on the geographic distribution of this insect and also hypothesize that the Coleoptera may soon become a major pest of eucalyptus in the state of Mato Grosso.

Novo Registro de Costalimaita ferruginea (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) em plantas de Eucalyptus sp. (Myrtaceae) em Sinop - Mato Grosso, Brasil

Resumo. Costalimaita ferruginea (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) é o principal Coleoptera desfolhador de eucalipto do Brasil e possui grande associação com plantas da família Myrtaceae, sendo o eucalipto importante nos setores de energia, papel, celulose e indústria moveleira. O objetivo deste estudo foi registrar a ocorrência desse Chrysomelidae em plantas de eucalipto município de Sinop, Mato Grosso, Brasil, durante os meses de novembro de 2010 a janeiro de 2011, contribuindo assim para o aumento no conhecimento sobre a distribuição geográfica desse inseto e ainda, lançar a hipótese de que brevemente esse Coleoptera poderá ser tornar uma importante praga da eucaliptocultura do estado de Mato Grosso.
Triatoma mexicana Herrich-Schaeffer (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae) Descripción de la Genitalia Externa del Macho y Morfología Externa de la Hembra.
Authors: Schettino Paz María Salazar , Wastavino Gloria Elena Rojas , Piña José Santiago Rosales , Blanco Mauro Omar Vences , Bravo Margarita Cabrera
Published: April 2013

Triatoma mexicana fue descrita originalmente en 1848 por Herrich-Schaeffer nombrándola Conorhinus mexicanus Herrich-Schaeffer. Actualmente se registra su hallazgo en los estados de Guanajuato, Hidalgo Querétaro y San Luis Potosí. Los estudios sobre su distribución espacial, índices entomológicos, presencia en el intradomicilio y peridomicilio, biología y riesgo de transmisión de Trypanosoma cruzi Chagas demuestran que es una especie importante desde el punto de vista de salud pública. Con el propósito de ampliar el conocimiento biológico sobre la especie, en el presente estudio se hace la descripción de la hembra así como la genitalia externa del macho, en ejemplares capturados en el estado de Guanajuato.

Triatoma mexicana Herrich-Schaeffer (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae) Description of the Male External Genitalia and External Morphology of the Female.

Abstract. Triatoma mexicana was originally described in 1848 by Herrich-Schaeffer, naming Conorhinus mexicanus Herrich-Schaeffer. Its finding is currently registered in the States of Guanajuato, Hidalgo, Querétaro, and San Luis Potosí. Studies about the spatial distribution, the entomological indices, it presence indoor an outdoor in houses, it biology and risk of transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi Chagas show that it is an important species from the point of view of public health. With the purpose of extending the biological knowledge of this species, the present study is the description of the female as well as the external male genitalia, in specimens captured in the State of Guanajuato.
“Unto Children’s Children”: Clerical families and childrearing advice in the Cape Colony
Authors: Duff S.E.
Published: April 2013

During the nineteenth century, the only organisation in the Cape Colony to evince any sustained interest in children and childhood was the Dutch Reformed Church (DRC). Ministers not only established schools, Sunday schools and children’s clubs and organisations, but also produced a slew of books, journals and articles for and children. Their childrearing manuals were read both locally and abroad. This article argues that ministers’ childrearing advice was shaped by their own experiences as sons and as fathers, particularly as middle class childhood changed over the course of the nineteenth century.
Canadian Multiculturalism in the 21st Century: Emerging Challenges and Debates
Authors: Leung Ho Hon
Published: April 2013

The purpose of the paper is to re-examine the value of multiculturalism and develop an argument that it is a key policy not only for nation-building, but also for ensuring a more inclusive, equal and democratic society for Canadian citizens. First, the paper introduces the historical development of multiculturalism, emphasizing the evolving meaning of multiculturalism. A meaningful evaluation of multiculturalism requires us to reframe the understanding or interpretation of the policy in the twenty-first century Canadian context where the domestic and international situations have changed tremendously in the last forty years. With this context in mind, the paper explores in what directions multiculturalism should be developed along with other Canadian values such as equality and democracy. Finally, a working argument is put forward with a vision to broadening the scope of multiculturalism, with strong emphasis on ethno-religious diversity, to include all types of cultures, so that every citizen is drawn into an inclusive and collective process in which Canada charts its discourse of national identity and nationalism. Le but de cet article est de réexaminer la valeur du multiculturalisme en soutenant qu'il forme une politique essentielle non seulement pour l'édification de la nation, mais aussi pour garantir qu'une société soit plus tolérante, égalitaire et démocratique. L'article présente en premier lieu le développement historique du multiculturalisme, en particulier en mettant l'accent sur l'évolution de ce qu'il signifie. Évaluer sérieusement ce qu'il représente nous oblige à reformuler la compréhension ou l'interprétation de sa politique dans le contexte du Canada du 21e siècle, où les situations nationales et internationales ont considérablement changé au cours de ces quarante dernières années. Dans un tel contexte, nous examinons ici dans quelles directions le multiculturalisme devrait se développer de concert avec d'autres valeurs essentielles au Canada, telles que l'égalité et la démocratie. Finalement, nous proposons d'élargir sa portée, tout en défendant vivement et strictement les questions de diversité ethnologique et religieuse, afin de pouvoir y allier toutes sortes de cultures, de façon à ce que chaque citoyen y soit accueilli dans un processus inclusif et collectif, constituant la base sur laquelle le Canada établit son discours sur l'identité nationale et le nationalisme.
"We Expect Much of You": Enlisting Youth in the Policing of Marginalized Communities
Authors: Chapman-Nyaho Selom , James Carl E. , Kwan-Lafond Dani
Published: April 2013

In this paper, we examine a police summer program for youth from marginalized communities designed to both provide valuable experiences and opportunities as well as improve the problematic relationship between marginalized youth and police. Using the concepts of racialization, governance, and interest-convergence, we consider how such institutionally sponsored programs socialize youth into a value system that fosters self-governance and restraint, particularly in the case of youth who, because of where they live, are considered to be "at risk." Hence, they are subjected to interventions that operate in subtle ways to regulate them into what are deemed appropriate values and beliefs. We found that after six weeks of working with the police, the attitudes of the youth changed from avoidance to enthusiastic endorsements of police practices. In this way, the program worked to advance the institutional interests of the police without the organization having to confront or adjust any of its own practices and assumptions. Ultimately, the program, with its focus on attitudes, behaviour, and opportunity, promotes and achieves the kind of reform that never questions structural and systemic inequalities. Dans cet article, nous examinons un programme estival organisé par la police de Toronto pour les jeunes de communautés marginalisées, conçu à la fois pour leur offrir des occasions et des expériences utiles et pour améliorer la relation problématique qu'ils ont avec la force publique. À partir des concepts de racialisation, de gouvernance et de convergence d'intérêts, nous constatons comment ces programmes, parrainés par les institutions, les socialisent en leur instillant un système de valeur qui les encourage à se prendre en mains et à se contrôler, surtout dans le cas de ceux qui, en raison de leur lieu de résidence, sont considérés comme « à risque ». En conséquence, ces jeunes sont soumis à des interventions qui fonctionnent de manière subtile afin de les convaincre d'adopter de bonnes valeurs, ou ce qui est jugé comme tel. Nous constatons qu'au bout de 6 semaines de travail avec la police, leur attitude a changé : ils passent de l'évitement à une approbation enthousiaste des pratiques policières. Le programme a fait ainsi progresser les intérêts institutionnels des forces de l'ordre sans que l'organisation ait eu à se remettre en question ou à ajuster ses propres pratiques et méthodes. Finalement, en mettant l'accent sur les attitudes, le comportement et les possibilités qui leur sont offertes, il favorise et obtient un type de réforme qui ne questionne jamais les inégalités du système et des structures.
Winning the War: Poverty from the Great Society to the Great Recession
Authors: Meyer Bruce D. , Sullivan James X.
Published: April 2013

We consider the long-run patterns of poverty in the United States from the early 1960s to 2010. Our results contradict previous studies that have argued that poverty has shown little improvement over time or that antipoverty efforts have been ineffective. We find that moving from traditional income-based measures of poverty to a consumption-based measure and, crucially, adjusting for bias in price indexes lead to the conclusion that the poverty rate declined by 26.4 percentage points between 1960 and 2010, 8.5 percentage points of which has occurred since 1980. Our consumption-based measure suggests considerably greater improvement than the income-based measures for single-parent families and the elderly, but relatively less for married-parent families. Changes in tax policy explain a substantial part of the decline in poverty; Social Security has also been important, but other transfer programs have played a small role. Changes in education have also contributed, but other demographic trends have had little impact. Measurement error in income likely explains some of the most noticeable differences between changes in income poverty and in consumption poverty, but saving and dissaving appear to play a modest role for most demographic groups.
The Development Process of Rural Informal Industries in Developing Countries: The Case of Bangladesh
Authors: Mottaleb Khondoker Abdul , Sonobe Tetsushi
Published: April 2013

While the role of rural informal industrial clusters in generating income and employment opportunities for the rural poor is widely acknowledged, studies seldom examine the growth process of informal industries in developing countries. Particularly, studies seldom examine why many of the informal industrial clusters in developing countries perform poorly relative to their growth potential. Using primary data collected from entrepreneurs and workers from an informal hosiery cluster in a northern district in Bangladesh, this paper explains the factors that influence the development process of informal industries in rural areas in developing countries. The paper empirically identifies that entrepreneurs’ human capital acquired through formal education critically determines product quality upgrading efforts, formal credit accessibility by the entrepreneurs, and the performance of enterprises.
Joyce’s Drinking
Authors: Briggs Austin
Published: April 2013

This essay seeks to establish that, far more than has generally been recognized, Joyce drank heavily and habitually from his early twenties to his death. In addition, it speculates on the possible effect of the drinking on Joyce’s children; what part alcohol may have played in his difficulties with many of his friends; and whether it may explain at least in part his notorious extravagance with money as well as problems with insomnia, depression, hypochondria, and, perhaps, the sexual difficulties that have been suspected.
Breakthroughs in the Balance
Authors: Puddington Arch
Published: April 2013

In Freedom House’s annual report on political rights and civil liberties for 2012, the number of countries exhibiting gains, 16, lagged behind the number with declines, 28. The most noteworthy gains were in Egypt, Libya, Burma, and Côte d’Ivoire. While the Middle East experienced some of the most significant improvements, it also registered major declines, with a list of worsening countries that includes Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Syria, and the United Arab Emirates. Declines were also noted in a number of countries in Eurasia and sub-Saharan Africa. An assessment of the Freedom in the World indicators over the past five years shows the greatest gains in the Asia-Pacific and MENA regions, and the most pronounced declines in sub-Saharan Africa. The Eurasia subregion registered the lowest scores for political rights, while MENA had the worst scores for civil liberties categories. The Hispanic America subregion also saw declines in most indicators, especially in the civil liberties categories.
A Picture of Africa: Frenzy, Counternarrative, Mimesis
Authors: Lawtoo Nidesh
Published: April 2013

This article completes a trilogy of essays that reexamine the quarrel between Chinua Achebe and Joseph Conrad from the angle of mimetic theory. Moving beyond the colonial/postcolonial binary, this essay focuses on Achebe’s Things Fall Apart and argues that even with respect to the notion at the heart of the race quarrel (“frenzy”) striking mimetic continuities exist between colonial narratives and postcolonial counternarratives. Rather than adding new fire to what is already an incendiary debate, this essay articulates the narrative, anthropological, and discursive forces that have the power to generate counternarratives that are almost the opposite, but not quite.
Energieautarke Sensorik im Automobil
Authors: Kühne Ingo , Schreiter Matthias , Li Xiaoming , Hehn Thorsten , Thewes Marcell , Wagner Dieter , Manoli Yiannos , Scholl Gerd , Frey Alexander
Published: April 2013

In der vorliegenden Arbeit wird ein kurzer Abriss zur energieautarken Sensorik im Automobil gegeben. Hierzu wird auf die Vielfalt der Sensoren im heutigen Kraftfahrzeug eingegangen und eine Motivation bezüglich der Substitution hin zu energieautarken Sensoren aufgezeigt. Des Weiteren werden potentielle Nutzenergien und die Möglichkeiten deren Energiewandlung vorgestellt. Im Rahmen des Förderprojektes ASYMOF werden zwei Pionieranwendungen — Reifendruckkontrollsystem und Einbruch-Diebstahl-Warnung — untersucht und hier kurz diskutiert.
Drahtloses Messsystem für Temperaturen in Kraftfahrzeugkupplungen
Authors: Funck Jürgen , Knoblich René , Scholz Dustin , Nowoisky Sebastian , Gühmann Clemens
Published: April 2013

Die Kenntnis der Reibbelagstemperatur von Fahrzeugkupplungen während des Betriebs ist von großer Bedeutung für die Verschleißüberwachung und Lebensdauerprognose. Allerdings kann diese bislang nur aus sekundären Größen geschätzt und nicht direkt gemessen werden. In dieser Arbeit wird ein drahtloses Sensorsystem zur direkten Messung der Reibbelagstemperatur von Fahrzeugkupplungen während des Betriebs beschrieben. Es wird mit Messungen an einer Einscheibentrockenkupplung auf einem Getriebeprüfstand erprobt.
Widespread Selection Across Coding and Noncoding DNA in the Pea Aphid Genome
Authors: Bickel Ryan D , Dunham Joseph P , Brisson Jennifer A
Published: April 2013

Genome-wide patterns of diversity and selection are critical measures for understanding how evolution has shaped the genome. Yet, these population genomic estimates are available for only a limited number of model organisms. Here we focus on the population genomics of the pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum). The pea aphid is an emerging model system that exhibits a range of intriguing biological traits not present in classic model systems. We performed low-coverage genome resequencing of 21 clonal pea aphid lines collected from alfalfa host plants in North America to characterize genome-wide patterns of diversity and selection. We observed an excess of low-frequency polymorphisms throughout coding and noncoding DNA, which we suggest is the result of a founding event and subsequent population expansion in North America. Most gene regions showed lower levels of Tajima’s D than synonymous sites, suggesting that the majority of the genome is not evolving neutrally but rather exhibits significant constraint. Furthermore, we used the pea aphid’s unique manner of X-chromosome inheritance to assign genomic scaffolds to either autosomes or the X chromosome. Comparing autosomal vs. X-linked sequence variation, we discovered that autosomal genes show an excess of low frequency variants indicating that purifying selection acts more efficiently on the X chromosome. Overall, our results provide a critical first step in characterizing the genetic diversity and evolutionary pressures on an aphid genome.
The Transcriptional Response to Nonself in the FungusPodospora anserina
Authors: Bidard Frédérique , Clavé Corinne , Saupe Sven J
Published: April 2013

In fungi, heterokaryon incompatibility is a nonself recognition process occurring when filaments of different isolates of the same species fuse. Compatibility is controlled by so-called het loci and fusion of strains of unlike het genotype triggers a complex incompatibility reaction that leads to the death of the fusion cell. Herein, we analyze the transcriptional changes during the incompatibility reaction in Podospora anserina. The incompatibility response was found to be associated with a massive transcriptional reprogramming: 2231 genes were up-regulated by a factor 2 or more during incompatibility. In turn, 2441 genes were down-regulated. HET, NACHT, and HeLo domains previously found to be involved in the control of heterokaryon incompatibility were enriched in the up-regulated gene set. In addition, incompatibility was characterized by an up-regulation of proteolytic and other hydrolytic activities, of secondary metabolism clusters and toxins and effector-like proteins. The up-regulated set was found to be enriched for proteins lacking orthologs in other species and chromosomal distribution of the up-regulated genes was uneven with up-regulated genes residing preferentially in genomic islands and on chromosomes IV and V. There was a significant overlap between regulated genes during incompatibility in P. anserina and Neurospora crassa, indicating similarities in the incompatibility responses in these two species. Globally, this study illustrates that the expression changes occurring during cell fusion incompatibility in P. anserina are in several aspects reminiscent of those described in host-pathogen or symbiotic interactions in other fungal species.
The Impact of Social Networks on Parents’ Vaccination Decisions
Authors: Brunson Emily K.
Published: April 2013

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

Parents decide whether their children are vaccinated, but they rarely reach these decisions on their own. Instead parents are influenced by their social networks, broadly defined as the people and sources they go to for information, direction, and advice. This study used social network analysis to formally examine parents’ social networks (people networks and source networks) related to their vaccination decision-making. In addition to providing descriptions of typical networks of parents who conform to the recommended vaccination schedule (conformers) and those who do not (nonconformers), this study also quantified the effect of network variables on parents’ vaccination choices.

METHODS:

This study took place in King County, Washington. Participation was limited to US-born, first-time parents with children aged ≤18 months. Data were collected via an online survey. Logistic regression was used to analyze the resulting data.

RESULTS:

One hundred twenty-six conformers and 70 nonconformers completed the survey. Although people networks were reported by 95% of parents in both groups, nonconformers were significantly more likely to report source networks (100% vs 80%, P < .001). Model comparisons of parent, people, and source network characteristics indicated that people network variables were better predictors of parents’ vaccination choices than parents’ own characteristics or the characteristics of their source networks. In fact, the variable most predictive of parents’ vaccination decisions was the percent of parents’ people networks recommending nonconformity.

CONCLUSIONS:

These results strongly suggest that social networks, and particularly parents’ people networks, play an important role in parents’ vaccination decision-making.
Quality Improvement Methods Increase Appropriate Antibiotic Prescribing for Childhood Pneumonia
Authors: Ambroggio Lilliam , Thomson Joanna , Murtagh Kurowski Eileen , Courter Joshua , Statile Angela , Graham Camille , Sheehan Brieanne , Iyer Srikant , Shah Samir S. , White Christine M.
Published: April 2013

OBJECTIVE:

In August 2011, the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society and Infectious Disease Society of America published an evidence-based guideline for the management of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children ≥3 months. Our objective was to evaluate if quality improvement (QI) methods could improve appropriate antibiotic prescribing in a setting without a formal antimicrobial stewardship program.

METHODS:

At a tertiary children’s hospital, QI methods were used to rapidly implement the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society/Infectious Disease Society of America guideline recommendations for appropriate first-line antibiotic therapy in children with CAP. QI interventions focused on 4 key drivers and were tested separately in the emergency department and on the hospital medicine resident teams, using multiple plan-do-study-act cycles. Medical records of eligible patients were reviewed weekly to determine the success of prescribing recommended antibiotic therapy. The impact of these interventions on our outcome was tracked over time on run charts.

RESULTS:

Appropriate first-line antibiotic prescribing for children admitted with the diagnosis of CAP increased in the emergency department from a median baseline of 0% to 100% and on the hospital medicine resident teams from 30% to 100% within 6 months of introducing the guidelines locally at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and has been sustained for 3 months.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our study demonstrates that QI methods can rapidly improve adherence to national guidelines even in settings without a formal antimicrobial stewardship program to encourage judicious antibiotic prescribing for CAP.
Change in Adoption of Electronic Health Records by US Children’s Hospitals
Authors: Nakamura Mari M. , Harper Marvin B. , Jha Ashish K.
Published: April 2013

OBJECTIVES

To assess electronic health record (EHR) adoption and meaningful use among US children’s hospitals through 2011 and compare these outcomes with adult hospitals and among subgroups of children’s hospitals. We hypothesized that children’s hospitals would show progress since our initial evaluation of health information technology (HIT) implementation in 2008.

METHODS:

We identified children’s hospitals using the membership directory of the Children’s Hospital Association and analyzed their responses from 2008 to 2011 to the American Hospital Association’s annual HIT survey. EHR adoption rates were determined by using previously specified definitions of the essential functionalities comprising an EHR. Achievement of meaningful use was evaluated based on hospitals’ ability to fulfill 12 core meaningful use criteria. We compared these outcomes in 2011 between children’s and adult hospitals and among subgroups of children’s hospitals.

RESULTS:

Of 162 children’s hospitals, 126 (78%) responded to the survey in 2011. The proportion of children’s hospitals with an EHR increased from 21% (in 2008) to 59% (in 2011). In 2011, 29% of children’s hospitals met the 12 core criteria in our meaningful use proxy measure. EHR adoption rates and meaningful use were significantly higher for children’s hospitals than for adult hospitals as a whole but similar for children’s and adult major teaching hospitals. Among children’s hospitals, major teaching hospitals were significantly more likely to have an EHR.

CONCLUSIONS:

Children’s hospitals have achieved substantial gains in HIT implementation although minor teaching and nonteaching institutions are not keeping pace.
Developmental Scores at 1 Year With Increasing Gestational Age, 37–41 Weeks
Authors: Rose Olga , Blanco Estela , Martinez Suzanna M. , Sim Eastern Kang , Castillo Marcela , Lozoff Betsy , Vaucher Yvonne E. , Gahagan Sheila
Published: April 2013

OBJECTIVE:

To examine the relationship between gestational age and mental and psychomotor development scores in healthy infants born between 37 and 41 weeks.

METHODS:

The cohort included 1562 participants enrolled during infancy in an iron deficiency anemia preventive trial in Santiago, Chile. All participants were healthy, full-term (37–41 weeks) infants who weighed 3 kg or more at birth. Development at 12 months was assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development. Using generalized linear modeling, we analyzed the association between gestational age and 1-year-old developmental status, taking into account potential confounders including birth weight percentile, gender, socioeconomic status, the home environment, iron status, and iron supplementation.

RESULTS:

For each additional week of gestation, the Mental Development Index increased by 0.8 points (95% confidence interval = 0.2–1.4), and the Psychomotor Development Index increased by 1.4 points (95% confidence interval = 0.6–2.1) controlling for birth weight percentile, gender, socioeconomic status, and home environment.

CONCLUSIONS:

In a large sample of healthy full-term infants, developmental scores obtained using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development at 12 months increased with gestational age (37–41 weeks). There is increasing evidence that birth at 39 to 41 weeks provides developmental advantages compared with birth at 37 to 38 weeks. Because cesarean deliveries and early-term inductions have increased to 40% of all births, consideration of ongoing brain development during the full-term period is an important medical and policy issue.
Synthesis and characterization of ceramic composites of the binary system Ba0.75Sr0.25AlSi2O8 - Al2O3
Authors: López-Cuevas Jorge , Ramos-Ramírez Magaly V. , Rodríguez-Galicia José L.
Published: April 2013

Ba0.75Sr0.25AlSi2O8 (SBAS) - Al2O3 composites, with SBAS/Al2O3 weight ratios of: (a) 90/10, (b) 70/30, and (c) 50/50, are in situ synthesized by reactive sintering at 900-1500°C/5h. The effect of mechanical activation of the precursor mixtures for 0, 4 or 8h in an attrition milling device on the microstructure and phase composition of the composites is studied. Only SBAS and Al2O3 phases are obtained at 1300-1500°C, independently of milling time. In general, the relative proportion of the desirable monoclinic SBAS (Celsian) phase increases in the materials with increasing milling time and sintering temperature, which is enhanced by their SrO content. The promotion of surface nucleation of the undesirable hexagonal SBAS (Hexacelsian) phase by mechanical activation results in a maximum Hexacelsian to Celsian conversion fraction of only 81.4%, obtained for composition 2 milled for 8h and sintered at 1500°C/5h. Under these synthesis conditions, an increment in the amount and size of the Al2O3 particles in the composites is detrimental for the Hexacelsian to Celsian conversion.