bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Europe: The Worth of a Values-Based Community
Authors: Agramunt Pedro
Published: December 2014

European values, based on human rights, democracy and the rule of law, have helped to foster democratisation in many states on the continent. Countries like Russia and Turkey are an indivisible part of the European continent but have been excluded from a widening Europe, mainly because they are seen as not sharing our common values when, in fact, their values are the same. The effects of this miscalculation are being seen in Europe today. If we treat Turkey and Russia differently, considering them more like intruders than partners, we will feed their distrust. We have to make a bigger effort to bind Russia and Turkey with Europe in a way that allows them to become part of a widening sphere of cooperation, based on shared values and democratic advances. Furthermore, the Council of Europe should extend its objectives so that, going beyond the defence of human rights, it becomes a consultative organisation that brings together all the countries on the continent.
The short- and long-term challenges of climate change and security
Authors: Spencer Tom
Published: December 2014

It is often said that the ‘urgent drives out the important’. Weakened by the financial crisis, and threatened by Russian adventurism to its east and by waves of migration to its south, the EU will be required to respond creatively to both the short- and long-term challenges of climate change. These challenges come at a moment when confidence in the European idea is low, populists have become expert at playing the anti-establishment mood and countries such as the UK are once again allowing the future of Europe to become a football in domestic politics. Wilfried Martens, as always, understood that the best way to focus on the issue was to redefine the challenges of climate change as part of the world of security. The EPP, largely created by him, stands today as a bastion against extremism of all kinds. It is no longer enough for the EU to treat climate change as a purely civilian matter.
Einfluss des Migrationshintergrundes auf die Alltagsmobilität im urbanen Raum
Authors: Welsch Janina , Conrad Kerstin , Wittowsky Dirk , Reutter Ulrike
Published: December 2014

Germany is facing substantial demographic changes. Beside ageing and shrinking there is a growing ethnic diversity due to past and ongoing migration. Migrants and their offspring (people with a migration background) account for a noticeable and growing share of the population. Despite these developments, only very few German transport studies focussed so far on migrants and their mobility behaviour. Therefore, this study examines the mobility behaviour of people with and without a migration background in Offenbach am Main. The results show differences for various mobility indicators such as driving licence, numbers of cars and bicycles per household, cycling ability and the use of different transport modes. Additional multivariate analyses show the main influencing factors for transport mode use. Thus, the study extends the spare empirical knowledge of migrants and their daily urban mobility in Germany.
The individual and congruence effects of core self-evaluation on supervisor–subordinate guanxi and job satisfaction
Authors: Chang Man-Ling
Published: December 2014

Guanxi refers to the quality of social interaction outside of work, developing through social activities. This article explores the antecedent (core self-evaluation, CSE) and consequence (job satisfaction) of the supervisor–subordinate guanxi for identifying the beneficial effect of guanxi. I also consider the effects of (dis)similarity of CSE which refers to individuals’ appraisals of their own worthiness, effectiveness, and capability. The data include 89 supervisors and their corresponding 437 subordinates from financial banks in Taiwan. The results indicate that CSE of the supervisor and subordinate positively relates to their own perceptions of guanxi and job satisfaction. Guanxi acts mediation between CSE and job satisfaction for supervisors and subordinates. The similarity effect of CSE is mostly prevalent for guanxi and job satisfaction. The findings offer implications for selecting an appropriate employee who are comparatively fit with management.
Decreased delta sleep ratio and elevated alpha power predict vulnerability to depression during interferon-alpha treatment
Authors: Lotrich Francis E. , Germain Anne
Published: December 2014

Objective

Although poor sleep accompanies depression, it is unknown which specific sleep abnormalities precede depression. This is similarly the case for depression developing during interferon-α (IFN-α) therapy. Because vulnerability becomes evident in those who slept poorly before IFN-α, we prospectively determined which specific aspect of sleep could predict subsequent depression.

Methods

Two nights of polysomnography with quantitative electroencephalogram (EEG) were obtained in 24 adult, euthymic subjects – all subsequently treated with IFN-α for hepatitis C. Every 2 weeks, a Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) score was obtained, and the maximal increase in BDI-II from pre-treatment baseline – excluding the sleep question – was determined.

Results

The delta sleep ratio (DSR; an index of early-night restorative delta power) was inversely associated with BDI-II increases (p<0.01), as was elevated alpha power (8–12 Hz; p<0.001). Both delta (0.5–4 Hz) and alpha power exhibited high between-night correlations (r=0.83 and 0.92, respectively). In mixed-effect repeated-measure analyses, there was an interaction between alpha power and DSR (p<0.001) – subjects with low alpha power and elevated DSR were resilient to developing depression. Most other sleep parameters – including total sleep time and percentage of time in slow wave sleep – were not associated with subsequent changes in depression.

Conclusions

Both high DSR and low alpha power may be specific indices of resilience. As most other aspects of sleep were not associated with resilience or vulnerability, sleep interventions to prevent depression may need to specifically target these specific sleep parameters.
The Animalistic Gullet and the Godlike Soul: Reframing Sacrifice in Midrash Leviticus Rabbah
Authors: Balberg Mira
Published: December 2014

This article proposes an analysis of two homiletic units in the Palestinian Midrash Leviticus Rabbah, which revolve around biblical chapters pertaining to sacrifices. A theme that pervades these units is that of eating as an animalistic activity that often entails moral depravity. In contrast, the act of sacrificing is constructed in these units as one in which one is willing to give up one's own nourishment, and in a sense one's own “soul,” in order to offer it to God. Many of the motifs used to vilify eating in the Midrash can be traced in moralistic Greek, Roman, and early Christian diatribes preaching for moderation in eating or for asceticism; the homilists in Leviticus Rabbah, however, utilize these popular motifs in order to present sacrifice as the spiritual contrary of eating, and thus to give the obsolete practice of sacrifice cultural cachet and compelling meanings.
“Like an Expert Sharecropper”: Agricultural Halakhah and Agricultural Science in Rabbinic Palestine
Authors: Novick Tzvi
Published: December 2014

The formulation and application of rabbinic Halakhah often depends on the determination of facts that belong, to one degree or another, to the province of professional experts. The resulting structural tension is analogous to that posed by the prominence of the expert witness in the modern American court, or the active role of private industry in administrative law. This article examines the relationship in the classical rabbinic corpus from Palestine between rabbis and farmers, or between rabbinic and agricultural expertise. It considers whether agriculture would have been conceived of in this context as a specialized or technical body of knowledge, and, if so, whether and how agricultural Halakhah accommodates itself to this fact.
A Transgression for the Sake of God—‘Averah Li-shmah: A Tale of a Radical Idea in Talmudic Literature
Authors: Blankovsky Yuval
Published: December 2014

The Babylonian Talmud (BT) attributes the idea of committing a transgression for the sake of God to R. Naḥman b. Isaac (RNBI). RNBI's statement appears in two parallelsugyotin the BT (Nazir 23a; Horayot 10a). Eachsugyahas four textual witnesses. By comparing these textual witnesses, this paper will attempt to reconstruct the sugya's earlier (or, what some might term, original) dialectical form, from which the two familiar versions of the text in Nazir and Horayot evolved. This article reveals the specific ways in which, value-laden conceptualizations have a major impact on the Talmud's formulation, as we know it today.
Response to Azzan Yadin-Israel on Rabbinic Polysemy: Do They “Preach” What They Practice?
Authors: Fraade Steven D.
Published: December 2014

The author revisits texts and arguments from his 2007 article in AJS Review 31 no. 1 in response to a “response” by Azzan Yadin-Israel in the April 2014 issue (38, no. 1). The central question is whether the widespread rabbinic textual practices of interpretive polysemy and legal multivocality are the product of the post-amoraic (“stammaitic”) editorial layer of the Babylonian Talmud (Yadin-Israel) or are already evidenced and theologically thematized in the earlier “tannaitic” rabbinic collections from the Land of Israel (Fraade).
Sperner's Theorem and a Problem of Erdős, Katona and Kleitman
Authors: DAS SHAGNIK , GAN WENYING , SUDAKOV BENNY
Published: December 2014

A central result in extremal set theory is the celebrated theorem of Sperner from 1928, which gives the size of the largest family of subsets of [n] not containing a 2-chain, F1 ⊂ F2. Erdős extended this theorem to determine the largest family without a k-chain, F1 ⊂ F2 ⊂ . . . ⊂ Fk. Erdős and Katona, followed by Kleitman, asked how many chains must appear in families with sizes larger than the corresponding extremal bounds.

In 1966, Kleitman resolved this question for 2-chains, showing that the number of such chains is minimized by taking sets as close to the middle level as possible. Moreover, he conjectured the extremal families were the same for k-chains, for all k. In this paper, making the first progress on this problem, we verify Kleitman's conjecture for the families whose size is at most the size of the k + 1 middle levels. We also characterize all extremal configurations.
Genetics of bovine respiratory disease in cattle: can breeding programs reduce the problem?
Authors: Berry Donagh P.
Published: December 2014

Genetics is responsible for approximately half the observed change in performance internationally in well-structured cattle breeding programs. Almost all, if not all, individual characteristics, including animal health, have a genetic basis. Once genetic variation exists then breeding for improvement is possible. Although the heritability of most health traits is low to moderate, considerable exploitable genetic variation does exist. From the limited studies undertaken, and mostly from limited datasets, the direct heritability of susceptibility to BRD varied from 0.07 to 0.22 and the maternal heritability (where estimated) varied from 0.05 to 0.07. Nonetheless, considerable genetic variation clearly exists; the genetic standard deviation for the direct component (binary trait), although differing across populations, varied from 0.08 to 0.20 while the genetic standard deviation for the maternal component varied from 0.04 to 0.07. Little is known about the genetic correlation between genetic predisposition to BRD and animal performance; the estimation of these correlations should be prioritized. (Long-term) Breeding strategies to reduce the incidence of BRD in cattle should be incorporated into national BRD eradication or control strategies.
Oligodendrocyte ablation triggers central pain independently of innate or adaptive immune responses in mice
Authors: Gritsch Simon , Lu Jianning , Thilemann Sebastian , Wörtge Simone , Möbius Wiebke , Bruttger Julia , Karram Khalad , Ruhwedel Torben , Blanfeld Michaela , Vardeh Daniel , Waisman Ari , Nave Klaus-Armin , Kuner Rohini
Published: December 2014

Mechanisms underlying central neuropathic pain are poorly understood. Although glial dysfunction has been functionally linked with neuropathic pain, very little is known about modulation of pain by oligodendrocytes. Here we report that genetic ablation of oligodendrocytes rapidly triggers a pattern of sensory changes that closely resemble central neuropathic pain, which are manifest before overt demyelination. Primary oligodendrocyte loss is not associated with autoreactive T- and B-cell infiltration in the spinal cord and neither activation of microglia nor reactive astrogliosis contribute functionally to central pain evoked by ablation of oligodendrocytes. Instead, light and electron microscopic analyses reveal axonal pathology in the spinal dorsal horn and spinothalamic tract concurrent with the induction and maintenance of nociceptive hypersensitivity. These data reveal a role for oligodendrocytes in modulating pain and suggest that perturbation of oligodendrocyte functions that maintain axonal integrity can lead to central neuropathic pain independent of immune contributions.
Self-reduction of a copper complex MOD ink for inkjet printing conductive patterns on plastics
Authors: Farraj Yousef , Grouchko Michael , Magdassi Shlomo
Published: December 2014

Highly conductive copper patterns on low-cost flexible substrates are obtained by inkjet printing a metal complex based ink.
Carbonyl trapping and antiglycative activities of olive oil mill wastewater
Authors: Navarro Marta , Fiore Alberto , Fogliano Vincenzo , Morales Francisco J.
Published: December 2014

The use of natural compounds as antiglycative agents to reduce the load of advanced glycation end products from diet is very promising.
Correction: Silk fibroin–keratin based 3D scaffolds as a dermal substitute for skin tissue engineering
Authors: Bhardwaj Nandana , Sow Wan Ting , Devi Dipali , Ng Kee Woei , Mandal Biman B. , Cho Nam-Joon
Published: December 2014

Correction for ‘Silk fibroin–keratin based 3D scaffolds as a dermal substitute for skin tissue engineering’ by Nandana Bhardwaj et al., Integr. Biol., 2015, DOI: 10.1039/c4ib00208c.
Selective chemical vaporization of exogenous tellurium for characterizing the time-dependent biodistribution and dissolution of quantum dots in living rats
Authors: Su Cheng-Kuan , Cheng Ting-Yu , Sun Yuh-Chang
Published: December 2014

Quantum dots (QDs) are generally toxic as a result of their heavy metal content.
Synthesis and characterization of biocompatible tigecycline imbibed electrospun poly ε-caprolactone urethane urea fibers
Authors: Sabitha M. , Rajiv Sheeja
Published: December 2014

Polyester urethane urea fibers were immersed in a broad spectrum glycylcycline antibiotic (tigecycline) and characterized for the treatment of infected wounds.
Attapulgite-doped electrospun poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanofibers enable enhanced osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Wang Zhe , Zhao Yili , Luo Yu , Wang Shige , Shen Mingwu , Tomás Helena , Zhu Meifang , Shi Xiangyang
Published: December 2014

Attapulgite-doped electrospun poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanofibers enable enhanced osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells.
Mechanical properties of normal and binormal double nanohelices
Authors: Dai Lu , Huang Xiaojiang , Zhang Lin , Zhang Li , Ge Lijuan
Published: December 2014

The normal double nanohelices made up of straight wires excel the binormal and rope-like double nanohelices in both load capacity and elasticity, and remain the mechanical stability.
A novel sorbent for lanthanide adsorption based on tetraoctyldiglycolamide, modified carbon inverse opals
Authors: Turanov Alexander N. , Karandashev Vasilii K. , Sukhinina Nadezhda S. , Masalov Vladimir M. , Zhokhov Andrey A. , Emelchenko Gennadi A.
Published: December 2014

Carbon inverse opals (C-IOP) were noncovalently modified with tetraoctyldiglycolamide (TODGA).
Rapid high conversion of high free fatty acid feedstock into biodiesel using continuous flow vortex fluidics
Authors: Britton Joshua , Raston Colin L.
Published: December 2014

Rapid reduction of free fatty acids in biodiesel feedstock: the rapid conversion of problematic free fatty acids in bio-oils has been achieved using room temperature, environmentally benign vortex fluidic flow chemistry.
The use of time resolved aerosol assisted chemical vapour deposition in mapping metal oxide thin film growth and fine tuning functional properties
Authors: Chadwick Nicholas P. , Sathasivam Sanjayan , Bawaked Salem M. , Mokhtar Mohamed , Althabaiti Shaeel A. , Basahel Sulaiman N. , Parkin Ivan P. , Carmalt Claire J.
Published: December 2014

Time resolved analysis of a thin film has allowed, for the first time, analysis of how thin film growth occurs and changes over time by aerosol assisted CVD.
Structure and photoluminescence of boron-doped carbon nanoflakes grown by hot filament chemical vapour deposition
Authors: Wang Biben , Ostrikov Kostya (Ken) , van der Laan Timothy , Shao Ruiwen , Li Lin
Published: December 2014

Boron-doped carbon nanoflakes were directly synthesized by hot filament chemical vapor deposition, nontoxic boron carbide was used as the boron source.
Characterisation of relay selection in cooperative multiple‐input multiple‐output‐orthogonal frequency division multiplexing systems
Authors: Banar Mohsen , Mohammadi Abbas
Published: December 2014

In this study, two relay selection methods in the half‐duplex decode‐and‐forward relaying for cooperative multiple‐input multiple‐output‐orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (MIMO‐OFDM) systems have been introduced. The relay selections are implemented using the symbol‐based and subcarrier‐based methods. By considering different number of antennas for source, each relay, and destination, the authors have derived closed‐form outage expressions for these proposed methods. The MIMO channel model for each subcarrier, between source–relay and relay–destination is considered as a MIMO Rician fading channel with independent but not necessary identically distributed. Moreover, the outage expressions for MIMO independent and identically distributed Rician and Rayleigh fading channels are derived as special cases. Furthermore, the correlation among the OFDM subchannels is analysed. In addition, the implementation issues of both relay selection methods are also investigated. Monte Carlo simulations are performed to validate the outage analysis where the excellent agreement between the analytical and simulation results is observed.
Multiple‐constraint variational framework and image restoration problems
Authors: Nguyen Duc Dung , Jeon Jae Wook
Published: December 2014

In this study, an advanced variational model is presented for problem modelling in computer vision and image processing. The proposed model allows for the definition of multiple constraints in data fidelity, which has not been considered in previous state‐of‐the‐art methods. With this definition, the model is more robust and flexible with regard to problem modelling. Two algorithms are introduced to solve the optimisation problems: one for the vector domain and the other for the frequency domain. The issue of multiple L1‐norms in the data fidelity term is resolved with these algorithms; this remained unsolved in previous research because of the difficulty with optimisation. The proposed model is demonstrated through two problems in image processing: image denoising and image deblurring. The results indicate that, compared to previous methods, images of high visual quality were both produced and recovered when using the proposed model. In addition, good and stable results in real‐world images were yielded by the proposed model, which indicates vast potential for practical uses.
Millifluidics as a simple tool to optimize droplet networks: Case study on drop traffic in a bifurcated loop
Authors: Wang William S. , Vanapalli Siva A.
Published: December 2014

We report that modular millifluidic networks are simpler, more cost-effective alternatives to traditional microfluidic networks, and they can be rapidly generated and altered to optimize designs. Droplet traffic can also be studied more conveniently and inexpensively at the millimeter scale, as droplets are readily visible to the naked eye. Bifurcated loops, ladder networks, and parking networks were made using only Tygon® tubing and plastic T-junction fittings and visualized using an iPod® camera. As a case study, droplet traffic experiments through a millifluidic bifurcated loop were conducted, and the periodicity of drop spacing at the outlet was mapped over a wide range of inlet drop spacing. We observed periodic, intermittent, and aperiodic behaviors depending on the inlet drop spacing. The experimentally observed periodic behaviors were in good agreement with numerical simulations based on the simple network model. Our experiments further identified three main sources of intermittency between different periodic and/or aperiodic behaviors: (1) simultaneous entering and exiting events, (2) channel defects, and (3) equal or nearly equal hydrodynamic resistances in both sides of the bifurcated loop. In cases of simultaneous events and/or channel defects, the range of input spacings where intermittent behaviors are observed depends on the degree of inherent variation in input spacing. Finally, using a time scale analysis of syringe pump fluctuations and experiment observation times, we find that in most cases, more consistent results can be generated in experiments conducted at the millimeter scale than those conducted at the micrometer scale. Thus, millifluidic networks offer a simple means to probe collective interactions due to drop traffic and optimize network geometry to engineer passive devices for biological and material analysis.
Three-dimensional printing-based electro-millifluidic devices for fabricating multi-compartment particles
Authors: Chen Qiu Lan , Liu Zhou , Shum Ho Cheung
Published: December 2014

In this work, we demonstrate the use of stereolithographic 3D printing to fabricate millifluidic devices, which are used to engineer particles with multiple compartments. As the 3D design is directly transferred to the actual prototype, this method accommodates 3D millimeter-scaled features that are difficult to achieve by either lithographic-based microfabrication or traditional macrofabrication techniques. We exploit this approach to produce millifluidic networks to deliver multiple fluidic components. By taking advantage of the laminar flow, the fluidic components can form liquid jets with distinct patterns, and each pattern has clear boundaries between the liquid phases. Afterwards, droplets with controlled size are fabricated by spraying the liquid jet in an electric field, and subsequently converted to particles after a solidification step. As a demonstration, we fabricate calcium alginate particles with structures of (1) slice-by-slice multiple lamellae, (2) concentric core-shells, and (3) petals surrounding the particle centers. Furthermore, distinct hybrid particles combining two or more of the above structures are also obtained. These compartmentalized particles impart spatially dependent functionalities and properties. To show their applicability, various ingredients, including fruit juices, drugs, and magnetic nanoparticles are encapsulated in the different compartments as proof-of-concepts for applications, including food, drug delivery, and bioassays. Our 3D printed electro-millifluidic approach represents a convenient and robust method to extend the range of structures of functional particles.
Enhanced excitonic photoconductivity due to built-in internal electric field in TlGaSe2 layered semiconductor
Authors: Seyidov MirHasan Yu. , Suleymanov Rauf A. , Şale Yasin , Balaban Ertan
Published: December 2014

The strong enhancement, by several orders of magnitude, of the excitonic peak within the photoconductivity spectrum of TlGaSe2 semiconductor was observed. The samples were polarized in external dc electric field, which was applied prior to the measurements. Due to the accumulation of charges near the surface, an internal electric field was formed. Electron-hole pairs that were created after the absorption of light are fallen in and then separated by the built-in electric field, which prevents radiative recombination process.
Nobel Prize in Physics recognizes research leading to high-brightness blue LEDs
Authors: Levi Barbara Goss
Published: December 2014

The newly named Nobelists kept alive work on gallium nitride until their successful innovations paved the way to practical devices.
Fractures are widening on nonproliferation treaty
Authors: Kramer David
Published: December 2014

Nonnuclear states’ patience with weapons states’ inaction on disarmament is wearing thin.
Top-down nanomanufacturing
Authors: Imboden Matthias , Bishop David
Published: December 2014

Integrated circuits with nanomaterial components can revolutionize technology, but only if they can be economically fabricated in large numbers.
Design for acoustics
Authors: Beranek Leo L.
Published: December 2014

The discomforts of noise in working and living can be reduced only by a rational approach to acoustics problems when building houses and factories, writes the technical director of the Acoustics Laboratory at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Effect of Depth Order on Linear Vection with Optical Flows
Authors: Seya Yasuhiro , Tsuji Takayuki , Shinoda Hiroyuki
Published: December 2014

In the present study, the effects of depth order on forward and backward vection were examined using optical flows simulating motion in depth (i.e., approaching or receding). In an experiment, space extending 10 or 20 m in depth was simulated, and the space was divided into foreground and background spaces. In each space, a random-dot pattern was presented and the binocular disparity, size, and velocity of each dot were continuously manipulated in a way consistent with the depth being simulated. Participants reported whether they perceived vection. Latency, total duration (i.e., the amount of time that participants reported perceiving vection during a 60-s presentation), and strong-vection duration (i.e., the amount of time that participants reported perceiving strong vection) were measured. The results indicated that, even though the dots making up the optical flow were much smaller and slower moving in the background space than in the foreground space, vection was strongly dependent on flow motion in the background space. This supports the idea that the perceptual system uses background stimulus motion as a reliable cue for self-motion perception.
Troxler Fading, Eye Movements, and Retinal Ganglion Cell Properties
Authors: Bachy Romain , Zaidi Qasim
Published: December 2014

We present four movies demonstrating the effect of flicker and blur on the magnitude and speed of adaptation for foveal and peripheral vision along the three color axes that isolate retinal ganglion cells projecting to magno, parvo, and konio layers of the LGN. The demonstrations support the eye movement hypothesis for Troxler fading for brightness and color, and demonstrate the effects of flicker and blur on adaptation of each class of retinal ganglion cells.
Prevalence and determinants of direct and generative modes of production of episodic future thoughts in the word cueing paradigm
Authors: Jeunehomme Olivier , D'Argembeau Arnaud
Published: December 2014

Recent research suggests that episodic future thoughts can be formed through the same dual mechanisms, direct and generative, as autobiographical memories. However, the prevalence and determinants of the direct production of future event representations remain unclear. Here, we addressed this issue by collecting self-reports of production modes, response times (RTs), and verbal protocols for the production past and future events in the word cueing paradigm. Across three experiments, we found that both past and future events were frequently reported to come directly to mind in response to the cue, and RTs confirmed that events were produced faster for direct than for generative responses. When looking at the determinants of direct responses, we found that most past and future events that were directly produced had already been thought of on a previous occasion, and the frequency of previous thoughts predicted the occurrence of direct access. The direct production of autobiographical thoughts was also more frequent for past and future events that were judged important and emotionally intense. Collectively, these findings provide novel evidence that the direct production of episodic future thoughts is frequent in the word cueing paradigm and often involves the activation of personally significant “memories of the future.”
Purification of Schwann Cells from the Neonatal and Injured Adult Mouse Peripheral Nerve
Authors: Lutz Amanda Brosius
Published: December 2014

This protocol describes the use of immunopanning for acute purification and primary culture of Schwann cells from intact neonatal and injured adult mouse sciatic nerve.
Proper Care, Husbandry, and Breeding Guidelines for the Zebra Finch,Taeniopygia guttata
Authors: Olson Christopher R. , Wirthlin Morgan , Lovell Peter V. , Mello Claudio V.
Published: December 2014

The zebra finchTaeniopygia guttata castanotisis a songbird commonly used in the laboratory, particularly for studies of vocal learning, neurobiology, and physiology. Within the laboratory, it is important to adopt careful husbandry practices that allow for normal development of the birds. For example, their song is a learned trait, passed culturally from adult males to juveniles, and thus its learning can be influenced by the health and social conditions of the birds present in the laboratory. Here we present guidelines for the successful maintenance and breeding of captive zebra finches.
Effects of beet pulp supplementation on growth performance, fecal moisture, serum hormones and litter performance in lactating sows
Authors: Zhao Pinyao , Zhang Zhengfan , Kim In Ho
Published: December 2014

This study was conducted to evaluate effects of beet pulp supplementation on growth performance, fecal moisture, serum hormones and litter performance in lactating sows. Ninety primiparous sows (Landrace × Yorkshire) were randomly allotted to one of three dietary treatments in a 21‐day trial starting 3 days before parturition. The three dietary treatments were supplemented with 0, 10 and 20% beet pulp, respectively. Backfat loss and fecal moisture content were increased (P < 0.05), where cortisol and norepinephrine levels were decreased (P < 0.05) in sows fed beet pulp supplementation diets compared with control diet, but there was no difference between 10% and 20% beet pulp supplementation treatments. No effect was observed on bodyweight, average daily intake, weaning to estrus interval, epinephrine level in sows and litter weight, litter size, survivability in piglets among dietary treatments. Taken together, beet pulp supplementation has no significant effect of growth performance of lactating sows and piglets with decreased cortisol and norepinephrine levels in lactating sows, but it can increase fecal moisture content which is beneficial for sow feces excretion.
Discrimination of Biomechanically Possible and Impossible Hand Movements at Birth
Authors: Longhi Elena , Senna Irene , Bolognini Nadia , Bulf Hermann , Tagliabue Paolo , Macchi Cassia Viola , Turati Chiara
Published: December 2014

The development of human body perception has long been investigated, but little is known about its early origins. This study focused on how a body part highly relevant to the human species, namely the hand, is perceived a few days after birth. Using a preferential‐looking paradigm, 24‐ to 48‐hr‐old newborns watched biomechanically possible and impossible dynamic hand gestures (Experiment 1, N = 15) and static hand postures (Experiment 2, N = 15). In Experiment 1, newborns looked longer at the impossible, compared to the possible, hand movement, whereas in Experiment 2 no visual preference emerged. These findings suggest that early in life the representation of the human body may be shaped by sensory‐motor experience.
Brivaracetam Differentially Affects Voltage‐Gated Sodium Currents Without Impairing Sustained Repetitive Firing in Neurons
Authors: Niespodziany Isabelle , André Véronique Marie , Leclère Nathalie , Hanon Etienne , Ghisdal Philippe , Wolff Christian
Published: December 2014

Aims

Brivaracetam (BRV) is an antiepileptic drug in Phase III clinical development. BRV binds to synaptic vesicle 2A (SV2A) protein and is also suggested to inhibit voltage‐gated sodium channels (VGSCs). To evaluate whether the effect of BRV on VGSCs represents a relevant mechanism participating in its antiepileptic properties, we explored the pharmacology of BRV on VGSCs in different cell systems and tested its efficacy at reducing the sustained repetitive firing (SRF).

Methods

Brivaracetam investigations on the voltage‐gated sodium current (INa) were performed in N1E‐155 neuroblastoma cells, cultured rat cortical neurons, and adult mouse CA1 neurons. SRF was measured in cultured cortical neurons and in CA1 neurons. All BRV (100–300 μM) experiments were performed in comparison with 100 μM carbamazepine (CBZ).

Results

Brivaracetam and CBZ reduced INa in N1E‐115 cells (30% and 40%, respectively) and primary cortical neurons (21% and 47%, respectively) by modulating the fast‐inactivated state of VGSCs. BRV, in contrast to CBZ, did not affect INa in CA1 neurons and SRF in cortical and CA1 neurons. CBZ consistently inhibited neuronal SRF by 75–93%.

Conclusions

The lack of effect of BRV on SRF in neurons suggests that the reported inhibition of BRV on VGSC currents does not contribute to its antiepileptic properties.
Five‐year review of absconding in three acute psychiatric inpatient wards in Australia
Authors: Gerace Adam , Oster Candice , Mosel Krista , O'Kane Deb , Ash David , Muir‐Cochrane Eimear
Published: December 2014

Absconding, where patients under an involuntary mental health order leave hospital without permission, can result in patient harm and emotional and professional implications for nursing staff. However, Australian data to drive nursing interventions remain sparse. The purpose of this retrospective study was to investigate absconding in three acute care wards from January 2006 to June 2010, in order to determine absconding rates, compare patients who did and did not abscond, and to examine incidents. The absconding rate was 17.22 incidents per 100 involuntary admissions (12.09% of patients), with no significant change over time. Being male, young, diagnosed with a schizophrenia or substance‐use disorder, and having a longer hospital stay were predictive of absconding. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients had higher odds of absconding than Caucasian Australians. Over 25% of absconding patients did so multiple times. Patients absconded early in admission. More incidents occurred earlier in the year, during summer and autumn, and later in the week, and few incidents occurred early in the morning. Almost 60% of incidents lasted ≤24 hours. Formulation of prospective interventions considering population demographic factors and person‐specific concerns are required for evidence‐based nursing management of the risks of absconding and effective incident handling when they do occur.
The Fight Against Ebola
Authors: Majumder Maimuna (Maia)
Published: December 2014

Medical treatment and community interventions are needed to stop the spread of a killer disease in West Africa. But predicting and preparing for all cases of Ebola – both reported and unreported – is easier said than done. Maimuna Majumder reports
On the Effect of Birefringence on Light Transmission in Polycrystalline Magnesium Fluoride
Authors: Wen Tzu‐Chien , Shetty Dinesh K.
Published: December 2014

Light transmission in polycrystalline magnesium fluoride was studied as a function of the mean grain size at different wavelengths. The mean grain size was varied by annealing hot‐pressed billets in argon atmosphere at temperatures ranging from 600°C to 800°C for 1 h. The grain‐size and grain‐orientation distributions were characterized by electron back scatter diffraction. The scattering coefficients were calculated from the in‐line transmittance measured at various wavelengths. The scattering coefficient of polycrystalline magnesium fluoride increased linearly with the mean grain size and inversely with the square of the wavelength of light. It is shown that these trends are consistent with theoretical models based on both a limiting form of the Raleigh–Gans–Debye (RGD) theory of particle scattering and light retardation theories that take refractive index variations along the light path. Quantitative predictions of the theories are, however, subject to uncertainly due to the restrictive assumptions made in the theories and difficulties in representing the microstructure in the theoretical models. In particular, grain‐size distribution has a significant influence on the scattering coefficient calculated using particle scattering models.
Group‐based discrimination, national identification, and British Muslims’ attitudes toward non‐Muslims: the mediating role of perceived identity incompatibility
Authors: Hutchison Paul , Lubna Shumitha Akhtar , Goncalves‐Portelinha Isabelle , Kamali Parul , Khan Noreen
Published: December 2014

In two studies, we tested a model in which the perceived (in)compatibility of being British and Muslim (identity incompatibility) was expected to mediate between group‐based discrimination and the identifications and attitudes of British Muslims. In Study 1 (N = 76), anti‐Muslim discrimination was associated with lower national identification and more negative attitudes toward non‐Muslims, and these relationships were mediated by perceived identity incompatibility. In Study 2 (N = 70), we additionally found that anti‐Muslim discrimination predicted stronger endorsement of Islamic group rights, and this relationship was also mediated by perceived identity incompatibility. The studies highlight the importance of group‐based discrimination in shaping the perceived (in)compatibility of being British and Muslim, and, in turn, the identifications and attitudes of British Muslims.
Importance of the quotient of albumin, quotient of immunoglobulin G and Reibergram in inflammatory neurological disorders with disease‐specific patterns of blood–brain barrier permeability
Authors: Akaishi Tetsuya , Narikawa Koichi , Suzuki Yasushi , Mitsuzawa Shio , Tsukita Kenichi , Kuroda Hiroshi , Nakashima Ichiro , Fujihara Kazuo , Aoki Masashi
Published: December 2014

Background

There are still insufficient quantitative comparisons of phase‐dependent blood–brain barrier permeability among inflammatory central nervous system disorders.

Aim

By using the Reibergram (2‐D diagram of the quotient of albumin and quotient of immunoglobulin G), we visually compared the extent of blood–brain barrier permeability among inflammatory central nervous system disorders.

Methods

Both the quotient of albumin and that of immunoglobulin G in the acute and chronic phase were calculated in non‐herpetic meningitis, septic meningitis, multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica, and were plotted on the Reibergram. As controls, samples from non‐inflammatory patients without pleocytosis were collected. The correlation coefficient between each cerebrospinal fluid biomarker and disease severity index in each disorder was also studied.

Results

In the controls, the distribution differed between males and females, suggesting a sex‐dependent difference in blood–brain barrier‐function, in addition to the age‐related compromise. A compromised blood–brain barrier was confirmed in the acute phase of meningitis and neuromyelitis optica, but not in the acute phase of multiple sclerosis. However, blood–brain barrier permeability significantly correlated with the severity and disability in multiple sclerosis. In meningitis, a compromised blood–brain barrier correlated well with the length of hospitalization rather than cerebrospinal fluid cell count.

Conclusion

Visualization of the blood–brain barrier permeability with a Reibergram indicated distinct pathophysiology in each disorder. The quotient of albumin and quotient of immunoglobulin G would be useful for estimating the pathophysiology in each disorder, and the severity of ongoing inflammation or damage in the central nervous system.
Determining Research Priorities Through Partnership with Patients: An Overview
Authors: Barnieh Lianne , Jun Min , Laupacis Andreas , Manns Braden , Hemmelgarn Brenda
Published: December 2014

There is an increasing level of emphasis being placed on health care providers and funders to incorporate patient‐centered care into research. Involving patients and caregivers in establishing research priorities ensures the relevance of the research produced. Priority setting is a process that can be used to produce a robust set of research questions that researchers can address over the coming years. One of the methods for determining research priorities that involves patients, caregivers and clinicians is the James Lind Alliance priority setting partnership model. This method is focused on being exclusive, transparent, and evidence‐based. Using a recent example of patients on or nearing dialysis, we highlight the key steps to assess research priorities in patients, caregivers and clinicians: (i) formation of a steering committee to guide the overall process; (ii) form priority setting partnerships; (iii) identify and gather research uncertainties; (iv) process and collate submitted research uncertainties; and (v) final priority setting workshop to determine the top 10 research priorities.
Adequacy and Complication Rates with 14‐ vs. 16‐gauge Automated Needles in Percutaneous Renal Biopsy of Native Kidneys
Authors: Chunduri Svetha , Whittier William L. , Korbet Stephen M.
Published: December 2014

In performing percutaneous renal biopsy (PRB) of native kidneys, an increasing use of 16‐gauge automated biopsy needles has been observed. We compare the adequacy and safety of PRBs in adults performed with a 14‐gauge (n = 82) vs. 16‐gauge (n = 55) automated needle using real‐time ultrasound (US) from 1/2010 to 12/2013. Baseline clinical and laboratory data along with outcome data (renal US 1‐hour postbiopsy, biopsy adequacy, and safety) were collected prospectively. There was no difference in age, gender, blood pressure, serum creatinine, or pre‐PRB hemoglobin at baseline for PRBs performed with a 14‐ vs. 16‐gauge needle. The number of glomeruli obtained per biopsy was similar (29 ± 11 vs. 31 ± 14, p = 0.6) and adequate tissue for diagnosis was obtained in 99% and 100% of biopsies. The clinical complication (8.5% vs. 9.1%, p = 1.0), transfusion (7.3% vs. 7.2%, p = 1.0), and embolization (3.7% vs. 1.8%, p = 0.6) rates were not significantly different for 14‐ vs. 16‐gauge needles, but by routine renal US 1‐hour post‐PRB, a perinephric hematoma was demonstrated more often in biopsies done with the 14‐gauge needle (39% vs. 22%, P 0.04). Thus, while the success of PRB of native kidneys is similar for both needle gauges, the potential for complication may be less using a 16‐gauge automated needle.
Investments in blood safety improve the availability of blood to underserved areas in a sub‐Saharan African country
Authors: Pitman J. P. , Wilkinson R. , Basavaraju S. V. , von Finckenstein B. , Smit Sibinga C. , Marfin A. A. , Postma M. J. , Mataranyika M. , Tobias J. , Lowrance D. W.
Published: December 2014

Background and Objectives

Since 2004, several African countries, including Namibia, have received assistance from the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Gains have been documented in the safety and number of collected units in these countries, but the distribution of blood has not been described.

Materials and Methods

Nine years of data on blood requests and issues from Namibia were stratified by region to describe temporal and spatial changes in the number and type of blood components issued to Namibian healthcare facilities nationally.

Results

Between 2004 and 2007 (early years of PEPFAR support) and 2008–2011 (peak years of PEPFAR support), the average number of red cell units issued annually increased by 23.5% in seven densely populated but less‐developed regions in northern Namibia; by 30% in two regions with urban centres; and by 35.1% in four sparsely populated rural regions.

Conclusion

Investments in blood safety and a policy decision to emphasize distribution of blood to underserved regions improved blood availability in remote rural areas and increased the proportion of units distributed as components. However, disparities persist in the distribution of blood between Namibia's urban and rural regions.
Trends in transfusion‐transmissible infections in potential donors in a specialist hospital in Rivers State
Authors: Okoh D. A. , Omunakwe H. E. , Iyalla C.
Published: December 2014

Background and Objectives

Transfusion‐transmissible infections are still a major concern in developing countries because of the endemicity of these infections in the general population. Blood donors can be a source of continued transmission of these infections. This study determines the trends and prevalence of transfusion‐transmissible infections amongst prospective donors.

Materials and Methods

Screening documentation for prospective donors from 2011 to 2013 was reviewed; age, sex and type of donor were identified.

Results

A total of 5600 prospective donors were screened over a 3‐year period (2011–2013). The number of prospective donors increased yearly over this period, and the prevalence of transfusion‐transmissible infections reduced over the 3‐year period. Hepatitis B was the most prevalent transfusion‐transmissible infections in 2·66% of donors, followed by HIV (1·41%), HCV (0·45%) and VDRL (0·21%). The total prevalence of TTI in this study was 4·73%.

Conclusion

Our result shows a steady decrease in the prevalence of TTIs amongst prospective blood donors. This maybe as a result of increase in the number of voluntary unremunerated donors.
Empyema necessitatis due toAspergillus fumigatus
Authors: Lee Hyun Woo , Kim Yeon Wook , Cho Jaeyoung , Lee Chang-Hoon
Published: December 2014

We present an extremely rare case of empyema necessitatis secondary toAspergillus fumigatusinfection. A 58-year-old woman presented to our hospital with a painful skin rash on the right thorax. Three fistulas communicating with the pleural space were found. Since she did not show a clinical improvement despite antituberculous and antibacterial treatment, we looked for other causes. Pleural fungus culture showedA. fumigatusand chest wall biopsy revealed numerous fungal hyphae. Treatment with necrotic tissue debridement and antifungal agents was successful.
Quantum dissonance and deterministic quantum computation with a single qubit
Authors: Ali Mazhar
Published: December 2014

Mixed state quantum computation can perform certain tasks which are believed to be efficiently intractable on a classical computer. For a specific model of mixed state quantum computation, namely, deterministic quantum computation with a single qubit (DQC1), recent investigations suggest that quantum correlations other than entanglement might be responsible for the power of DQC1 model. However, strictly speaking, the role of entanglement in this model of computation was not entirely clear. We provide conclusive evidence that there are instances where quantum entanglement is not present in any part of this model, nevertheless we have advantage over classical computation. This establishes the fact that quantum dissonance (a kind of quantum correlations) present in fully separable (FS) states provide power to DQC1 model.