bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Inhibin B Response to Testicular Toxicants Ethylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether or Dibromoacetic Acid in Male Rats
Authors: Enright Brian P. , Tornesi Belen , Lorenz Helga , Whitney Katharine
Published: January 2013

BACKGROUND

This study was conducted as part of an ILSI‐HESIconsortium effort to assess the utility of circulating inhibin B as an early biomarker of testicular toxicity in rats.

METHODS

Two known testicular toxicants were selected for use in this study: ethylene glycol monomethyl ether (EGME) and dibromoacetic acid (DBAA). EGME (200 mg/kg/day), DBAA (250 mg/kg/day), or vehicle control (0.2% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose [HPMC]) was administered orally to male rats for 3, 6, or 14 consecutive days. On study days 4, 7, and 15, serum was collected for evaluation of inhibin B levels from all surviving animals and a subset of animals was necropsied from each of the control, EGME, and DBAAgroups.

RESULTS

Administration of EGMEresulted in spermatocyte degeneration in late stage tubules and spermatocyte depletion to stage III on day 4, progressing to loss of spermatocytes and round spermatids to stage VI by day 7 and continued germ cell loss and degeneration of elongating spermatids by day 15. Inhibin B levels among EGME‐treated animals progressively decreased relative to their respective controls at all time points. Administration of DBAA was associated with spermatid retention at all three time points and abnormal residual bodies at days 7 and 15. Inhibin B levels among DBAA‐treated animals decreased progressively relative to their respective controls on days 7 and 15.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum inhibin B levels in rats provided a signal of testicular toxicity for each of these known testicular toxicants administered at high levels; however, histopathology provided the earliest evidence of toxic effects.
Analytic Evaluation of a Human ELISA Kit for Measurement of Inhibin B in Rat Samples
Authors: Coulson Michelle , Bickerton Sue , Betts Catherine J , Jacobsen Matt , Stewart Jane , Chapin Robert E. , Reagan William J. , Alvey James , Erdos Zoltan , Saldutti Louise Parks , Sonee Manisha , Bogdan Nancy , Singer Monica , Vinken Petra , Barlow Valerie , Czajkowski Karen , Kim James H.
Published: January 2013

BACKGROUND

A cross‐laboratory analytic evaluation of a commercially available human inhibin B ELISA for measuring inhibin B in rat serum and plasma has been undertaken.

METHODS

Dilution linearity, spiked recovery, intra‐ and inter‐assay precision, functional sensitivity, matrix effects, and frozen stability were assessed across five laboratories. Reference ranges were generated for male Sprague Dawley and Han Wistar rats.

RESULTS

Acceptable performance was defined as an overall assay coefficient of variation ≤ 20% with an intraday LLOQ ≤ 20 pg/ml. Intra‐ and inter‐assay precision and functional sensitivity (≤6.4 pg/ml) generally met these criteria, but with occasional evidence of greater variability, particularly at lower concentrations. Dilution linearity was acceptable with occasional low recovery. Acceptable recovery of kit calibrators from rat serum confirmed the absence of matrix effects. Matched serum and plasma samples gave comparable results. The signal increased on freezing, remained constant for ≥3 freeze‐thaw cycles and was generally stable for at least 8 weeks. Mean inhibin B ranged from 33.5 to 140.6 pg/ml in adult rats across laboratories, with some evidence for a decline from 6 to 9 weeks of age. Power calculations using preliminary reference range data indicated 10 animals/group would generally detect a 40% decrease in inhibin B at AstraZeneca, but laboratories with lower control values would require larger groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The assay meets the analytical performance criteria; however, precision at the low end of the standard curve, biological variability, and low control values observed in some laboratories indicate that the utility of the assay may be limited in some laboratories.
Optimization and validation of spectrofluorimetric method for determination of cefadroxile and cefuroxime sodium in pharmaceutical formulations
Authors: Elbashir Abdalla A. , Ahmed Shazalia M. A. , Aboul‐Enein Hassan Y.
Published: January 2013

A simple, accurate, precise and validated spectrofluorimetric method is proposed for the determination of two cephalosporins, namely, cefadroxile (cefa) and cefuroxime sodium (cefu) in pharmaceutical formulations. The method is based on a reaction between cephalosporins with 1,2‐naphthoquinone‐4‐sulfonate in alkaline medium, to form fluorescent derivatives that are extracted with chloroform and subsequently measured at 610 and 605 nm after excitation at 470 and 460 nm for cefa and cefu respectively. The optimum experimental conditions have been studied. Beer's law is obeyed over the concentrations of 20–70 ng/mL and 15–40 ng/mL for cefa and cefu, respectively. The detection limits were 4.46 ng/mL and 3.02 ng/mL with a linear regression correlation coefficient of 0.9984 and 0.998, and recoveries ranging 97.50–109.96% and 95.73–98.89% for cefa and cefu, respectively. The effects of pH, temperature, reaction time, 1,2‐naphthoquinone‐4‐sulfonic concentration and extraction solvent on the determination of cefa and cefu, have been examined. The proposed method can be applied for the determination of cefa and cefu in pharmaceutical formulations in quality control laboratories. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of liquid viscosity on hydrodynamics and bubble behaviour of an external‐loop airlift reactor
Authors: Wu Qian , Wang Xuekui , Wang Tiefeng , Han Mei , Sha Zuoliang , Wang Jinfu
Published: January 2013

The effect of liquid viscosity on hydrodynamics and bubble behaviour of an external‐loop airlift reactor within air–water system were studied by an electrical conductivity probe. Carboxyl methyl cellulose (CMC) was used to change liquid viscosity (1.00–51.25 cP). Gas holdup increased with superficial gas velocity increasing, as well as bubble Sauter diameter and bubble rise velocity. With liquid viscosity increasing, average gas holdup increased first then decreased, while bubble Sauter diameter was opposite, with critical viscosity µl ≈ 3.7 cP. The cross‐sectional average bubble Sauter diameter increased obviously after µl > 3.7 cP, and its size distribution was wider within the higher viscosity. Bubble rise velocity increased significantly and nearly unchanged after µl > 10.3 cP. Gas holdup first increased then remained unchanged with the axial height increasing. The radial profile of local gas holdup presented a central peak distribution, and the value at inlet was smaller than that at the higher position. Average gas holdup was correlated greatly with superficial gas velocity and liquid viscosity.
In vivo characterization of a bigenic fluorescent mouse model of Alzheimer's disease with neurodegeneration
Authors: Crowe Sarah E. , Ellis‐Davies Graham C.R.
Published: January 2013

The loss of cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients is strongly correlated with the loss of neurons in various regions of the brain. We have created a new fluorescent bigenic mouse model of AD by crossing “H‐line” yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) mice with the 5xFAD mouse model, which we call the 5XY mouse model. The 5xFAD mouse has been shown to have significant loss of L5 pyramidal neurons by 12 months of age. These neurons are transgenically labeled with YFP in the 5XY mouse, which enable longitudinal imaging of structural changes. In the 5XY mice, we observed an appearance of axonal dystrophies, with two distinct morphologies in the early stages of the disease progression. Simple swelling dystrophies are transient in nature and are not directly associated with amyloid plaques. Rosette dystrophies are more complex structures that remained stable throughout all imaging sessions, and always surrounded an amyloid plaque. Plaque growth was followed over 4 weeks, and significant growth was seen between weekly imaging sessions. In addition to axonal dystrophy appearance and plaque growth, we were able to follow spine stability in 4‐month old 5XY mice, which revealed no significant loss of spines. 5XY mice also showed a striking shrinkage of the neocortex at older ages (12–14 months). The 5XY mouse model may be a valuable tool for studying specific events in the degeneration of the neocortex, and may suggest new avenues for therapeutic intervention. J. Comp. Neurol. 521:2181–2194, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Power of Music
Authors: Unterstell Rembert
Published: January 2013

Physician and musician Eckart Altenmüller talks about the goose‐bump factor in music, the wonder of neuroplasticity and the potential for sound‐assisted therapies. An expert interview
Reading Gas Emissions like Hieroglyphs
Authors: Bobrowski Nicole
Published: January 2013

Volcano research: Scientists who investigate what is going on inside our planet often work very close to active volcanic craters and use complex techniques. Recent international measuring campaigns have revealed that some information can also be obtained with simpler instruments and from a relatively great distance to the volcanic sites.
Digital curation in the academic library job market
Authors: Kim Jeonghyun , Warga Edward , Moen William
Published: January 2013

With the increasingly important role librarians play in the fast‐paced and data‐intensive digital curation environment, there is a need to identify the qualifications and responsibilities expected by employers. An investigation of 110 recent job advertisements was conducted to identify competencies required of individuals working in the digital curation field. The job ads analysis serves as an important indicator of the emerging requirements for a qualified workforce in the field of digital curation in the academic library job market.
Two‐staged hindfoot reconstruction with vascularized fibula graft for calcaneal osteomyelitis caused by methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus: A case report
Authors: Endo Jun , Kuniyoshi Kazuki , Mochizuki Makondo , Shimoyama Katsuhito , Koyama Tadaaki , Aiba Atsuomi , Kadota Ryo , Sasaki Yasuhito
Published: January 2013

Hindfoot reconstruction after calcaneal osteomyelitis is a challenging procedure designed to restore the weight bearing function of the heel and to allow a functional reconstruction of the Achilles tendon. Some patients require subtalar arthrodesis after primary calcaneal osteosyntesis or hindfoot reconstruction due to the considerable pain associated with weight‐bearing caused by the irregular surface of the subtalar joint. To date, no reports have shown a case of hindfoot reconstruction with subtalar arthrodesis using a pedicled vascularized fibula graft. We report a case of a 24‐year‐old woman who presented with calcaneal methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus osteomyelitis after open comminuted fracture due to a fall. Radical debridement of bone and soft tissue was repeated six times in combination with negative pressure wound therapy, followed by hindfoot reconstruction with pedicled vascularized fibula and subtalar arthrodesis. Good functional restoration had been achieved by the final follow‐up 18 months after surgery. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery, 2013.
WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM SCHOOL‐BASED EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCE ASSESSMENT PRACTICES? IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE AND PREPARATION IN SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY
Authors: Allen Ryan A. , Hanchon Timothy A.
Published: January 2013

The federal definition of emotional disturbance (ED) provides limited guidance to educational professionals charged with making Individuals with Disabilities in Education Improvement Act eligibility determinations. Despite calls to revise the definition, the ED category remains largely unchanged nearly four decades after being codified into federal law. To navigate the vague, ambiguous, and outdated eligibility criteria, school psychologists must adhere to comprehensive assessment strategies whenever an ED placement is considered. In this study, we examined the ED assessment practices of 214 school psychologists. The results indicated that respondents all too frequently relied on only select sources of data (e.g., behavior rating scales), rather than taking a multimethod, multisource approach, when evaluating children referred for emotional and behavioral concerns. Implications for both the practice and preparation of school psychologists are discussed.
Advantage of tapered and graded AlGaN electron blocking layer in InGaN‐based blue laser diodes
Authors: Yang Wei , Li Ding , He Juan , Hu Xiaodong
Published: January 2013

We investigate the advantage of tapered and graded AlGaN electron blocking layer (EBL) in InGaN‐based blue laser diodes (LDs) theoretically by self‐consistent Schrödinger‐Poisson method together with transfer matrix method. Such optimized EBLs was found to suppress electron leakage current as well as enhance hole injection compared to their conventional counterpart. More uniform carrier distribution and thus uniform local gain profile is obtained in the active region of LDs with optimized EBLs. Slightly enhancement of optical confinement factor is also obtained. As a result, LDs with new EBL structure demonstrate better device performance with decrease of threshold current density and increase of light output power (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Extended Defects in Semiconductors
Authors: Komninou Philomela
Published: January 2013

This Proceedings issue of physica status solidi contains papers presented as oral and poster contributions at the International Conference on Extended Defects in Semiconductors (EDS 2012). EDS 2012 belonged to the biennial Extended Defects in Semiconductors conference series that started in 1978 with a meeting in Hünfeld, Germany. Subsequent meetings took place in Poland, France, Great Britain, Germany, Russia, and Italy. EDS 2010 was held at the University of Sussex in Brighton, UK.

EDS 2012 took place in Thessaloniki, Greece, on June 24‐29, 2012. It was organized by the Department of Physics of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

The aim of the conference was to target the overall vision of research activities of the scientific community, based on needs that stem from technological bottlenecks involving structural defects in present day and future polynanocrystalline and nanostructured semiconductor material systems and their role in the functionality of innovative nanodevices. Within this objective, invited talks and contributions provided a stimulating conference program covering the following topics:

– Thin films and heterostructures

– Low‐dimensional systems and related defects: semiconductor nanocrystals, quantum wells, quantum dots, nanowires

– Interface structures and defect interactions

– Doping/irradiation/implantation‐induced defects

– Electronic structure of defects

– Defect engineering, strain engineering

– Mechanical properties and dislocation dynamics

– Role of defects in opto‐electronic and magnetic properties

– Degradation mechanisms in semiconductor devices

– Atomistic and multiscale simulations, modeling approaches of defects, interfaces and nanostructures

– Advanced characterization techniques and methods for the investigation of semiconductor materials

I would like to thank the members of the EDS 2012 International Advisory, Program and Organizing Committees, as well as the authors, referees, and guest editors, for their invaluable contributions towards the success of this conference and proceedings (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
3‐Methylglutaconic aciduria—lessons from 50 genes and 977 patients
Authors: Wortmann Saskia B. , Kluijtmans Leo A. J. , Rodenburg Richard J. , Sass Jörn Oliver , Nouws Jessica , van Kaauwen Edwin P. , Kleefstra Tjitske , Tranebjaerg Lisbeth , de Vries Maaike C. , Isohanni Pirjo , Walter Katharina , Alkuraya Fowzan S. , Smuts Izelle , Reinecke Carolus J. , van der Westhuizen Francois H. , Thorburn David , Smeitink Jan A. M. , Morava Eva , Wevers Ron A.
Published: January 2013

Elevated urinary excretion of 3‐methylglutaconic acid is considered rare in patients suspected of a metabolic disorder. In 3‐methylglutaconyl‐CoA hydratase deficiency (mutations in AUH), it derives from leucine degradation. In all other disorders with 3‐methylglutaconic aciduria the origin is unknown, yet mitochondrial dysfunction is thought to be the common denominator. We investigate the biochemical, clinical and genetic data of 388 patients referred to our centre under suspicion of a metabolic disorder showing 3‐methylglutaconic aciduria in routine metabolic screening. Furthermore, we investigate 591 patients with 50 different, genetically proven, mitochondrial disorders for the presence of 3‐methylglutaconic aciduria. Three percent of all urine samples of the patients referred showed 3‐methylglutaconic aciduria, often in correlation with disorders not reported earlier in association with 3‐methylglutaconic aciduria (e.g. organic acidurias, urea cycle disorders, haematological and neuromuscular disorders). In the patient cohort with genetically proven mitochondrial disorders 11 % presented 3‐methylglutaconic aciduria. It was more frequently seen in ATPase related disorders, with mitochondrial DNA depletion or deletion, but not in patients with single respiratory chain complex deficiencies. Besides, it was a consistent feature of patients with mutations in TAZ, SERAC1, OPA3, DNAJC19 and TMEM70 accounting for mitochondrial membrane related pathology. 3‐methylglutaconic aciduria is found quite frequently in patients suspected of a metabolic disorder, and mitochondrial dysfunction is indeed a common denominator. It is only a discriminative feature of patients with mutations in AUH, TAZ, SERAC1, OPA3, DNAJC19TMEM70. These conditions should therefore be referred to as inborn errors of metabolism with 3‐methylglutaconic aciduria as discriminative feature.
Obesity: criteria and classification
Authors: Xavier Pi-Sunyer F.
Published: January 2013

Obesity is defined as an excess accumulation of body fat. To measure fat in the body accurately is difficult, and no method is easily available for routine clinical use. Traditionally, overweight and obesity have been evaluated by anthropometric measurement of weight-for-height. More recently, BMI has been used. The normal range is 19–24·9 kg/m2, overweight is 25–29·9 kg/m2, and obesity ≥ 30 kg/m2. Not only is the total amount of fat an individual carries important, but also where the fat is distributed in the body. Fat in a central or upper body (android) distribution is most related to health risk. The most accurate way to measure central obesity is by magnetic resonance imaging or computer-assisted tomography scanning, but this approach is too expensive for routine use. Simple anthropometric measurements can be used, such as waist circumference. A waist circumference of greater than 1020 mm in men and 880 mm in women is a risk factor for insulin resistance, diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. There is a clear genetic predisposition for obesity. The genetic contribution to obesity is between 25 and 40 % of the individual differences in BMI. For the overwhelming majority of individuals, the genetic predisposition will not be defined by one gene, but by multiple genes. Eventually, classification of obesity may be done by genetic means, but this approach will require more knowledge.
Variance of the quantum dwell time for a nonrelativistic particle
Authors: Hahne G. E.
Published: January 2013

Muñoz, Seidel, and Muga [Phys. Rev. A 79, 012108 (2009)10.1103/PhysRevA.79.012108], following an earlier proposal by Pollak and Miller [Phys. Rev. Lett. 53, 115 (1984)10.1103/PhysRevLett.53.115] in the context of a theory of a collinear chemical reaction, showed that suitable moments of a two-flux correlation function could be manipulated to yield expressions for the mean quantum dwell time and mean square quantum dwell time for a structureless particle scattering from a time-independent potential energy field between two parallel lines in a two-dimensional spacetime. The present work proposes a generalization to a charged, nonrelativistic particle scattering from a transient, spatially confined electromagnetic vector potential in four-dimensional spacetime. The geometry of the spacetime domain is that of the slab between a pair of parallel planes, in particular, those defined by constant values of the third (z) spatial coordinate. The mean Nth power, N = 1, 2, 3, …, of the quantum dwell time in the slab is given by an expression involving an N-flux-correlation function. All these means are shown to be nonnegative. The N = 1 formula reduces to an S-matrix result published previously [G. E. Hahne, J. Phys. A 36, 7149 (2003)10.1088/0305-4470/36/25/316]; an explicit formula for N = 2, and of the variance of the dwell time in terms of the S-matrix, is worked out. A formula representing an incommensurability principle between variances of the output-minus-input flux of a pair of dynamical variables (such as the particle's time flux and others) is derived.
The influence of space charge regions on effective charge carrier lifetime in thin films and resulting opportunities for materials characterization
Authors: Leendertz C. , Teodoreanu A.-M. , Korte L. , Rech B.
Published: January 2013

The analysis of injection-dependent charge carrier lifetimes is a well-established method to determine material and interface quality in crystalline silicon wafer-based device structures such as solar cells. However, for thin films, this method has rarely been used. One reason is that the physical interpretation of experimental data must rely on advanced theoretical models. In this study, we show by numerical simulations and analytical approximations that the effective charge carrier lifetime in thin films is heavily affected by space charge regions (SCR) over a wide range of injection levels. By analysis of the characteristic features in the injection-dependent effective charge carrier lifetime curves, qualitative information about SCRs that occur at grain boundaries or interfaces can be obtained. In contrast, information about the defect density can only be extracted in a very limited range of injection levels and the relationship between effective charge carrier lifetime and the quasi-Fermi level splitting, which is limiting the open circuit voltage of wafer-based solar cells, is not valid in thin films. On the basis of this theoretical study, we analyze measurements of effective charge carrier lifetime in 1.5 μm thin and 2 μm fine-grained polycrystalline silicon films with lifetimes of up to 100 μs and find experimental evidence for grain boundary potential barriers. Finally, we present guidelines for optimized photoconductance measurements and the evaluation of charge carrier lifetimes in thin films, in general.
Corporate propping through related‐party transactions
Authors: Williams Maggie P. , Taylor Dennis W.
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the phenomenon in China of listed companies propping up their reported earnings through the use of abnormal related‐party sales. It is hypothesised that two factors associated with securities regulation of listed companies in China will distort the market for ownership control and consequently impact on the practice of propping. The first factor is the firm's risk of being classified as a “special treatment” firm and potentially being delisted. The second factor is the proportion of non‐tradable shares retained by a State‐based controlling shareholder from a government allocation.

Design/methodology/approach

The hypotheses are modelled and tested using secondary data from 2010 annual reports and a financial database for companies sampled from the top 100 on the Shanghai and Shenzen Stock Exchanges.

Findings

Both hypotheses are supported. Abnormal sales (a proxy for propping) are found to be higher for firms whose ROE had fallen to a level that potentially put them under “special treatment” scrutiny, and also are higher for firms whose proportion of non‐tradeable shares had declined.

Originality/value

Prior studies on propping have focused on companies faced with moderate financial shock being propped up by controlling shareholders so as to preserve their future opportunities to tunnel funds away from minority shareholders. Not previously investigated are the potential side effects of securities regulations on controlling shareholders' incentive for propping, namely, the identification that propping relates to the level of ROE needed to avoid “special treatment” status and the proportion of non‐tradable shares needed as a buffer in the market for corporate control.
Exploring the nature and effects of perception and image in hospitality and tourism
Authors: Ingram Hadyn , Grieve Deborah
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a general exploratory review of perception and image in hospitality and tourism. The paper considers the nature of perception and image and how they can affect buying behaviour for hospitality and tourism products.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use the literature to explore the nature of perception and image and how these can be manifested. A model is elucidated which might help to explain purchase decision making for hospitality and tourism products and services.

Findings

Findings supplement the authors' views about the importance of this issue for managing and marketing hospitality and tourism products more effectively. The model seeks to make explicit the stages in the process from image formation to purchase.

Practical implications

As both authors are working practitioners, this paper offers a model and a practical approach which will form the basis for a practitioner panel, from which the model will be refined.

Originality/value

There has been little research in an area which seeks to integrate image formation with practical implications for hospitality and tourism organizations.
Research on complex product cost estimation based on the N‐GM (0, N) model
Authors: Hongzhuan Chen , Kaifeng Fan , Zhigeng Fang
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a prediction model to predict the cost of complex products with lack of data. The cost estimating is one of the key elements of arguments around technological economy and investment decision‐making process of complex product.

Design/methodology/approach

A complex product has many characteristics, such as complex structure, large investment, high risk and it usually falls into small‐batch‐production category. Its cost estimation samples are small and cost data are very limited. Based on the characteristics of complex product and cost estimating, this paper introduces performance parameters sequence of associated known data, establishes an N‐GM (0, N) model of characteristic sequence with straddle missing data.

Findings

On the basis of the known key performance parameter sequence, N‐GM (0, N) model is used to predict the grey interval of overall cost vacancy data. Overall cost vacancy data is whitened by sorting reference sequence and realizing complex product overall cost estimation.

Practical implications

The method introduced in the paper can be used to solve practical problems, especially cost prediction of complex products with poor data. The model is also applied on the overall cost and the key component cost estimation of similar but different complex products. Moreover, it provides potential theoretical support for the development of complex product industry in the future.

Originality/value

In this paper, the complex product, which now plays a strategic industrial role in China, is systematically studied by utilizing a new methodology based on grey systems, especially the cost evaluation of the complex product. The use of grey correlation analysis in screening control key item index of complex product cost, the overall cost sequence of the complex product as related sequence and sorting reference sequence, the paper predicts and whitens vacant key item index, obtaining the key item cost index of complex product.
Exploring an Ediacaran ‘nursery’: growth, ecology and evolution in a rangeomorph palaeocommunity
Authors: Liu Alexander G. , McIlroy Duncan , Matthews Jack J. , Brasier Martin D.
Published: January 2013

The recent discovery of a fossilized assemblage of juvenile Ediacaran rangeomorph macro‐organisms, fern‐like impressions from the Drook Formation of Newfoundland, suggests that the morphological diversity present within the earliest known communities of the Ediacaran biota was relatively high. The fledgling population of these Proterozoic organisms was smothered by volcanic material from a nearby eruption, preserving the standing community on the seafloor. As many as six different genera are identified, present less than three million years after the end of the Gaskiers glacial event. This hints at a hidden evolutionary history for these organisms that is yet to be discovered. Co‐occurring filamentous impressions, and other fossils interpreted to represent the remains of decayed and ‘effaced’ organisms, suggest that the bedding plane exhibits unusual ecological completeness, with the assemblage as a whole documenting an early example of secondary community succession. Discoveries such as this reveal the potential for high‐quality preservation of soft‐bodied Ediacaran organisms in siliciclastic successions, and provide valuable insights into rangeomorph development and palaeoecology.
Leader–member exchange and industrial relations climate: mediating of participatory management in China
Authors: Cheung Millissa FY , Wu Wei‐ping
Published: January 2013

This study investigates the link between leader–member exchange (LMX) and the industrial relations climate (IRC) in the Chinese context. More specifically, we propose that the relationship between LMX and the IRC is mediated by effective participatory management. Based on data collected from three manufacturing firms in Zhejiang Province, China, we find that effective participatory management fully mediates the effects of LMX on openness and apathy dimensions of IRC. However, effective participatory management has a partial mediating effect on the relationships between LMX and harmony and hostility dimensions of IRC. Both the theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.
Pitfalls in CT diagnosis of appendicitis: Pictorial essay
Authors: Shademan Ashkan , Tappouni Rafel FR
Published: January 2013

Despite the high diagnostic accuracy of CT for appendicitis, numerous pitfalls exist that may result in a misdiagnosis. This pictorial review outlines the potential pitfalls in the CT diagnosis of appendicitis that includes atypical position of the appendix and coexisting pathologies. Various mimickers of appendicitis and clinical dilemmas will be highlighted. Upon completion, the reviewer should have an improved ability to recognise appendicitis mimickers and identify equivocal or atypical findings.
A RING‐type E3 ligase controls anther dehiscence by activating the jasmonate biosynthetic pathway gene DEFECTIVE IN ANTHER DEHISCENCE1 in Arabidopsis
Authors: Peng Yan‐Jhu , Shih Ching‐Fang , Yang Jun‐Yi , Tan Choon‐Meng , Hsu Wei‐Han , Huang Yu‐Pei , Liao Pei‐Chun , Yang Chang‐Hsien
Published: January 2013

Suppression of expression of DAF [DEFECTIVE IN ANTHER DEHISCENCE1 (DAD1)‐Activating Factor], a gene that encodes a putative RING‐finger E3 ligase protein, causes non‐dehiscence of the anthers, alters pollen development and causes sterility in 35S:DAF RNAi/antisense Arabidopsis plants. This mutant phenotype correlates with the suppression of DAF but not with expression of the two most closely related genes, DAFL1/2. The expression of DAD1 was significantly reduced in 35S:DAF RNAi/antisense plants, and complementation with 35S:DAF did not rescue the dad1 mutant, indicating that DAF acts upstream of DAD1 in jasmonic acid biosynthesis. This assumption is supported by the finding that 35S:DAF RNAi/antisense plants showed a similar cellular basis for anther dehiscence to that found in dad1 mutants, and that external application of jasmonic acid rescued the anther non‐dehiscence and pollen defects in 35S:DAF antisense flowers. We further demonstrate that DAF is an E3 ubiquitin ligase and that its activity is abolished by C132S and H137Y mutations in its RING motif. Furthermore, ectopic expression of the dominant‐negative C132S or H137Y mutations causes similar indehiscence of anthers and reduction in DAD1 expression in transgenic Arabidopsis. This result not only confirms that DAF controls anther dehiscence by positively regulating the expression of DAD1 in the jasmonic acid biosynthesis pathway, but also supports the notion that DAF functions as an E3 ubiquitin ligase, and that the conserved RING‐finger region is required for its activity.
Routine bacterial screening of apheresis platelets on Day 4 using a rapid test: a 4‐year single‐center experience
Authors: Dunbar Nancy M. , Kreuter Justin D. , Marx‐Wood Cynthia R. , Dumont Larry J. , Szczepiorkowski Zbigniew M.
Published: January 2013

Background

The platelet (PLT) Pan Genera Detection test (PGD) is a rapid bacterial detection system used to screen PLTs for bacterial contamination. We report a single center 46‐month experience with secondary screening of apheresis PLTs by PGD testing.

Study Design and Methods

Existing testing records of apheresis PLTs screened by PGD from July 2008 to April 2012 were reviewed. All PLT units were initially screened by routine postcollection culture methods. Secondary screening using PGD was performed for indated PLTs on PLT storage Day 4 and for outdated PLTs on Day 8.

Results

A total of 8535 apheresis PLTs were available in inventory during the study period. Of these, 5030 (58.9%) were dispensed and transfused before PGD testing and 3505 (41.1%) underwent PGD testing on Day 4. Twenty‐five units tested on Day 4 were PGD initial reactive (0.71%). All were confirmed to be false positive by repeat PGD testing in triplicate (n = 20) or by confirmatory culture (n = 5). An additional 364 units that were PGD nonreactive on Day 4 were approved for transfusion on Day 6 or Day 7 due to urgent clinical need. A total of 371 outdated units underwent repeat PGD testing before discard on Day 8; all were nonreactive.

Conclusion

Secondary PGD testing of culture‐screened apheresis PLTs results in low yield in a medium‐sized transfusion service. Use of PGD testing on Day 4 may allow for extension of the apheresis PLT shelf life to Day 7 for hospitals that face supply constraints.
Making Sense of Rising IQ Scores
Are We Getting Smarter?
Rising IQ in the Twenty-First Century

by James R. Flynn

Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2012. 324 pp. Paper, $22, £16.99, C$22.95. ISBN 9781107609174.
Authors: Schleicher Andreas
Published: January 2013

Flynn considers the rise of IQ test scores over the 20th century and what it may reveal about intelligence, our minds, and society.
Did Eve Acquire, Create, or Procreate with Yahweh? A Grammatical and Contextual Reassessment Of קנה in Genesis 4:1
Authors: Bokovoy David E.
Published: January 2013

Abstract

Eve’s statement that she had קנה a man in Genesis 4:1 has been the subject of considerable academic debate. A grammatical reassessment of the Semitic root qnh/qny, as well as a contextual analysis of Eve’s expression קָנִיתִי אִישׁ אֶת־יְהוָה supports a reading for Genesis 4:1b as “I have procreated a man with Yahweh.” This observation illustrates that some biblical authors perceived their deity as an active creative agent in the mysterious process of human conception, a view that accords with Yahweh’s participatory role in the tradition of Isaac’s conception in Genesis 21:1-3.1
White tea (Camellia sinensis) extract reduces oxidative stress and triacylglycerols in obese mice
Authors: Teixeira Lílian Gonçalves , Lages Priscilla Ceci , Jascolka Tatianna Lemos , Aguilar Edenil Costa , Soares Fabíola Lacerda Pires , Pereira Solange Silveira , Beltrão Nathalia Ribeiro Mota , Matoso Rafael de Oliveira , Nascimento André Márcio do , Castilho Rachel Oliveira de , Leite Jacqueline Isaura Alvarez
Published: January 2013

White tea is an unfermented tea made from young shoots of Camellia sinensis protected from sunlight to avoid polyphenol degradation. Although its levels of catechins are higher than those of green tea (derived from the same plant), there are no studies addressing the relationship between this tea and obesity associated with oxidative stress.The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of white tea on obesity and its complications using a diet induced obesity model. Forty male C57BL/6 mice were fed a high-fat diet to induce obesity (Obese group) or the same diet supplemented with 0.5% white tea extract (Obese + WTE) for 8 weeks. Adipose tissue, serum lipid profile, and oxidative stress were studied. White tea supplementation was not able to reduce food intake, body weight, or visceral adiposity. Similarly, there were no changes in cholesterol rich lipoprotein profile between the groups. A reduction in blood triacylglycerols associated with increased cecal lipids was observed in the group fed the diet supplemented with white tea. White tea supplementation also reduced oxidative stress in liver and adipose tissue. In conclusion, white tea extract supplementation (0.5%) does not influence body weight or adiposity in obese mice. Its benefits are restricted to the reduction in oxidative stress associated with obesity and improvement of hypertriacylglycerolemia.
New arenas for small media: towards an ethnological exploration of family cinema
Authors: Vailati Alex
Published: January 2013

The advent of cheap, user friendly, video technology has created a huge revolution in representational agency. Videos are now made by production units that are at times comprised of families, churches, music groups, community associations or individuals. In this way, videos produced and distributed within local and atypical networks profoundly shape contemporary imaginaries. This article is an analysis of the so called family cinema phenomenon that is still peripheral in ethnological research. The analysis of experiences of "family film archives", a recognized field of studies for historical sciences, shows for example how these media become "memories" of events for families and individuals. This article will address the importance of field-based research on how "local videos" are produced from an economic, political and aesthetic perspective. This can be a key strategy for understanding how imaginaries are "locally produced" and how they relate to global narratives.
Voyages as exercises of the gaze
Authors: Novaes Sylvia Caiuby
Published: January 2013

This article focuses the relationship between journeys and photographs especially among anthropologists who travel. Having travelled to the Upper Negro River as an advisor of a PhD student, I discuss what digital photographs may mean in a context where verbal communication is impossible. Real or imaginary journeys are a source of images, reports, or travel logs in which it is difficult to discern what is real and what is fiction. After discussing a few famous scientific and literary journeys, the article focuses on some anthropological journeys and concludes that images produced by anthropologists are a result of trained intuition, a sensitive gaze, and memories of former travels. The article includes photographic essays that incorporate pictures I took in February 2012 among the Hupd'äh, in the Upper Negro River region.
Machinima and ethnographic research in three-dimensional virtual worlds
Authors: Leitão Débora Krischke , Gomes Laura Graziela
Published: January 2013

In this paper we propose to share our experience of ethnographic research in the virtual world Second Life. We intend to narrate our experience producing machinima the method we used to enter the field and interact with residents. The production of films from the software and or hardware of video games or other real-time 3D graphics programs is called machinima. Our goal here is to discuss the possibility of using machinima as a technique for obtaining, presenting and interpreting ethnographic data.
Water quality assessment of fifth-order tributaries of the reservoir at the Marechal Mascarenhas de Morais Hydroelectric Power Station in the Rio Grande watershed (State of Minas Gerais, Brazil)
Authors: Andrade Douglas de Pádua , Paschoal Lucas Rezende Penido , Sá Odila Rigolin de , França Norival
Published: January 2013

Aim: This study assessed the water quality from the springs and river mouths of the fifth-order tributaries which compose the reservoir of Marechal Mascarenhas de Morais HPS in the middle Rio Grande watershed, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Methods: It has been studied 14 tributaries distributed in the reservoir, two points for tributary - spring and river mouth. Eighteen limnological variables added to the Rapid Assessment Protocol and Trophic Level Index were evaluated. The benthic macroinvertebrates had been collected by the use of a granulometric sieve and a Petersen-type sampler. Results: The cluster analysis of limnological data revealed the existence of two tributary groups. Group I consisted of eutrophic tributaries degraded by human activities, while group II exhibited good water quality and well-preserved environments. Group I was divided into two subgroups, Ia tributaries were characterized by being altered by human activities, while the Ib subgroup was composed of highly impacted tributaries. By ordering the PCA, it can be observed spatial segregation of groups, where the most polluted tributaries were separated from those which are better preserved. A total of 8,987 individuals belonging to 36 families of macroinvertebrates were identified. The family Chironomidae was the most abundant. There was no significant difference in total abundance and the richness of macroinvertebrates taxa inhabiting springs, by those who inhabiting the river mouths. Conclusions: It was noticed that most of the tributaries which supply and composes the reservoir are already degraded and have low quality water. It is observed that the human presence drastically affected water quality and faunal composition of tributaries. Thus, it is necessary a complementary study of the tributaries in working with issues related to reservoirs, as these components have direct influence on the water quality and composition of these lentic environments.
Human Behavior Cognition Using Smartphone Sensors
Authors: Pei Ling , Guinness Robert , Chen Ruizhi , Liu Jingbin , Kuusniemi Heidi , Chen Yuwei , Chen Liang , Kaistinen Jyrki
Published: January 2013

This research focuses on sensing context, modeling human behavior and developing a new architecture for a cognitive phone platform. We combine the latest positioning technologies and phone sensors to capture human movements in natural environments and use the movements to study human behavior. Contexts in this research are abstracted as a Context Pyramid which includes six levels: Raw Sensor Data, Physical Parameter, Features/Patterns, Simple Contextual Descriptors, Activity-Level Descriptors, and Rich Context. To achieve implementation of the Context Pyramid on a cognitive phone, three key technologies are utilized: ubiquitous positioning, motion recognition, and human behavior modeling. Preliminary tests indicate that we have successfully achieved the Activity-Level Descriptors level with our LoMoCo (Location-Motion-Context) model. Location accuracy of the proposed solution is up to 1.9 meters in corridor environments and 3.5 meters in open spaces. Test results also indicate that the motion states are recognized with an accuracy rate up to 92.9% using a Least Square-Support Vector Machine (LS-SVM) classifier.
Resenha do Livro "Os Climas na Cidade de São Paulo: teoria e prática"
Authors: Alves Rafael Souza , Fialho Edson Soares
Published: January 2013

O presente trabalho é uma resenha do livro intitulado Os Climas na Cidade de São Paulo: teoria e prática, organizado por José Roberto Tarifa e Tarik Rezende de Azevedo. A obra apresenta diferentes métodos, técnicas e procedimentos que possibilitam investigar as manifestações do clima urbano, bem como resultados alcançados em pesquisas desenvolvidas na metrópole de São Paulo.
Application of hybrid Cartesian grid and gridless approach to moving boundary flow problems
Authors: Cai Xiao Wei , Tan Jun Jie , Ma Xin Jian , Zhang Min , Wang Hua Sheng
Published: January 2013

The paper presents a hybrid Cartesian grid and gridless approach to solve unsteady moving boundary flow problems. Unlike the Chimera clouds of points approach, the hybrid approach uses a Cartesian grid to cover most of the computational domain and a gridless method to calculate a relatively small region adjacent to the body surface, making use of the flexibility of the gridless method in handling surface grid with complicated geometry and the computational efficiency of the Cartesian grid. Four cases were conducted to examine the applicability, accuracy and robustness of the hybrid approach. Steady flows over a single NACA0012 airfoil and dual NACA0012 airfoils at different Mach numbers and angles of attack were simulated. Moreover, by implementing a dynamic hole cutting, node identification and information communication between the Cartesian grid and the gridless regions, unsteady flows over a pitching NACA0012 airfoil (small displacement) and two‐dimensional airfoil/store separation (large displacement) were performed. The computational results were found to agree well with earlier experimental data as well as computational results. Shock waves were accurately captured. The computational results show that the hybrid approach is of potential to solve the moving boundary flow problems. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Thoracic and lumbar spinal cord diffusion tensor imaging in dogs
Authors: Griffin John F. , Cohen Noah D. , Young Benjamin D. , Eichelberger Bunita M. , Padua Abraham , Purdy David , Levine Jonathan M.
Published: January 2013

Purpose:

To analyze four clinically applicable diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) protocols (two each in the transverse and sagittal planes) in the normal dog.

Materials and Methods:

Seven healthy Dachshund dogs were scanned with four DTI protocols. Within each plane, identical spatial resolution was used while the number of diffusion‐encoding directions and averages varied. Agreement of measured fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) was analyzed with Bland–Altman methods, subjective image quality within each plane was compared, and FA and ADC were explored as a function of anatomic location.

Results:

There was good agreement in FA and ADC values within each plane. FA had the smallest bias and most precision. No difference was detected in subjective image quality within each plane. FA and ADC were slightly higher cranial to the lumbar intumescence compared to within it.

Conclusion:

DTI is a promising tool in the assessment of spinal cord injury (SCI) in the study of dogs with intervertebral disk herniation as a preclinical model of human SCI. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;37:632–641. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.