bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Drying Parameters of Half-Cut and Ground Figs (Ficus caricaL.) var. Mission and the Effect on Their Functional Properties
Authors: Martínez-García Juan José , Gallegos-Infante José Alberto , Rocha-Guzmán Nuria Elizabeth , Ramírez-Baca Patricia , Candelas-Cadillo María Guadalupe , González-Laredo Rubén Francisco
Published: February 2013

Drying of ground and half-cut figs (Ficus caricaL., var. Mission) was investigated at three temperatures (45, 55, and 65°C). Their effective moisture diffusivity () was estimated by using the slope method. values for ground figs were 5.15 × 10−10, 9.96 × 10−10, 1.07 × 10−9 m2 s−1and for half cut figs 5.88 × 10−10, 1.66 × 10−9, and 2.08 × 10−9 m2 s−1at 45, 55, and 65°C, respectively. Dehydrating fig samples showed a similar behavior: higher values at higher temperatures and activation energy () values in the range of other foodstuffs. Half-cut figs needed about twice more energy and time than ground figs to carry out the dehydration; values were 56.86 and 28.21 kJ mol−1, respectively. The drying process increased the total phenolic content and degraded the anthocyanin content of figs; however, it enhanced the dried figs antioxidant activity. Dehydrating ground figs was faster and maintained its functional properties better than half-cut figs.
Ear Acupressure, Heart Rate, and Heart Rate Variability in Patients with Insomnia
Authors: Wang Lu , Cheng Weiping , Sun Zhongren , Xu Yangyang , Cheng Guangyu , Gaischek Ingrid , Kuang Haixue , Litscher Gerhard
Published: February 2013

This high-tech “teleacupuncture study” describes a neurovegetative ear acupressure effect in patients with chronic insomnia by using heart rate variability analysis. Heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) measurements in 31 patients (mean age ± SD: 54.3 ± 10.6 years) were performed under standardized conditions in Harbin, China, and the data analysis was performed in Graz, Austria. Similar to our previous clinical and basic teleacupuncture research works, the electrocardiograms (ECGs) were recorded by an HRV Medilog AR12 system during ear acupressure of the Shenmen point on the left ear. HR decreased significantly (P<0.05) during and after acupressure stimulation. The effect was not visible after the first stimulation, rather it appeared in the phase following the second acupressure stimulation (10 min after the first stimulation). Total HRV showed significant stimulation-dependent increases (P<0.05), immediately after each acupressure stimulation with a maximum after the third stimulation (20 min after the first stimulation), but there was no long-lasting effect. The present results can serve as a solid basis for the further investigations of auricular point stimulation for noninvasive complementary use in treating insomnia.
A Triple Fixed Point Theorem for Multimap in a Hausdorff Fuzzy Metric Space
Authors: Rao K. P. R. , Rao K. R. K.
Published: February 2013

We obtain two triple fixed point theorems for a multimap in a Hausdorff fuzzy metric space.
Differential Expression of Na+/H+-Exchanger (NHE-1, 2, and 4) Proteins and mRNA in Rodent’s Uterus under Sex Steroid Effect and at Different Phases of the Oestrous Cycle
Authors: Gholami Khadijeh , Muniandy Sekaran , Salleh Naguib
Published: February 2013

Precise uterine fluid pH regulation may involve the Na+/H+-exchanger (NHE). We hypothesized that NHE isoforms are differentially expressed under different sex steroid treatment and at different oestrous cycle phases which may explain the uterine fluid pH changes observed under these conditions.Method. Oestrous cycle phases of intact WKY rats were identified by vaginal smear. Another group of rats was ovariectomized and treated with 0.2 μg 17β-oestradiol (E), 4 mg progesterone (P), and E followed by P (E + P). The animals were then sacrificed and the uteri were removed for mRNA and protein expression analyses by real-time PCR and western blotting, respectively. NHE isoforms distribution was detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC).Results. NHE-1 mRNA and protein were upregulated at diestrus (Ds) and following P treatment. Meanwhile, NHE-2 and NHE-4 proteins and mRNA were upregulated at proestrus (Ps) and estrus (Es) and following E treatment. NHE-1 was found predominantly at the apical membrane, while NHE-2 and NHE-4 were found at the apical and basolateral membranes of the luminal epithelia. NHE-4 is the main isoform upregulated by E.Conclusion. Differential expressions of uterine NHE isoforms 1, 2, and 4 could explain the observed changes in the uterine fluid pH under these conditions.
Layers of Self- and Co-Regulation: Teachers Working Collaboratively to Support Adolescents' Self-Regulated Learning through Reading
Authors: Butler Deborah L. , Schnellert Leyton , Cartier Sylvie C.
Published: February 2013

This paper reports findings from a longitudinal project in which secondary teachers were working collaboratively to support adolescents' self-regulatedlearning through reading(LTR) in subject-area classrooms. We build from prior research to “connect the dots” between teachers' engagement in self- and co-regulated inquiry, associated shifts in classroom practice, and student self-regulation. More specifically, we investigated whether and how teachers working within a community of inquiry were mobilizing research to shape classroom practice and advance student learning. Drawing on evidence from 18 teachers and their respective classrooms, we describe findings related to the following research questions: (1) While engaged in self- and co-regulated inquiry, what types of practices did teachers enact to support LTR in their subject-area classrooms? (2) How did teachers draw on research-based resources to inform practice development? (3) What kinds of practices could be associated with gains in students' self-regulated LTR? In our discussion, we highlight contributions to understanding how teachers can be supported to situate research in authentic classroom environments and about qualities of practices supportive of students' self-regulated LTR. We also identify limitations of this work and important future directions.
Ptotic Gall Bladder with Hepatic Masses: A Case Report
Authors: Aydin Hasan , Aydin Z. Banu , Hekimoğlu Baki , Görmeli Ayşe
Published: February 2013

Gall bladder (GB) may be found in a variety of abnormal positions. Most of them are due to arrested development of embryonic growth at different stages. A 63-year-old female patient was admitted to our radiology unit for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the liver for the lesions identified in abdominal ultrasonography (US) and computed tomography (CT). MRI showed that there was a lobulated heterogenous mass in the left lobe of the liver and a smaller one in the right lobe of the liver with the same appearance. The inferior pole of the liver was located in the pelvic space, and the GB, which contained sludges and stones, was lying down to the upper pelvic space. Hepatic masses were considered to be hemangiomas, and GB was diagnosed as ptotic GB with luminal sludge and stones. In this case, especially, MR imaging helped the surgeon to plan a proper approach to the GB in abnormal localization.
Transverse Momentum, Centrality, and Participant Nucleon Number Dependence of Elliptic Flow
Authors: Li Bao-Chun , Fu Yuan-Yuan , Wang Li-Li , Liu Fu-Hu
Published: February 2013

In the combined framework of a multisource and participant-spectator model, we study the elliptic flow as a function of transverse momentum and number of participating nucleons insNN=200 GeV Au-Au andsNN=2.76 TeV Pb-Pb collisions and argue that the geometry of the initial overlap region in the collisions determines the experimentally measured azimuthal asymmetries. Our results are approximately in agreement with the data from PHENIX and ALICE collaborations.
A New Algorithm to Accelerate Harmonic Analysis of Time Series
Authors: Martínez-Ortiz Pedro A. , Ferrándiz José M.
Published: February 2013

The Lomb periodogram has been traditionally a tool that allows us to elucidate if a frequency turns out to be important for explaining the behaviour of a given time series. Many linear and nonlinear reiterative harmonic processes that are used for studying the spectral content of a time series take into account this periodogram in order to avoid including spurious frequencies in their models due to the leakage problem of energy from one frequency to others. However, the estimation of the periodogram requires long computation time that makes the harmonic analysis slower when we deal with certain time series. Here we propose an algorithm that accelerates the extraction of the most remarkable frequencies from the periodogram, avoiding its whole estimation of the harmonic process at each iteration. This algorithm allows the user to perform a specific analysis of a given scalar time series. As a result, we obtain a functional model made of (1) a trend component, (2) a linear combination of Fourier terms, and (3) the so-called mixed secular terms by reducing the computation time of the estimation of the periodogram.
Activating Mutations in HER2: Neu Opportunities and Neu Challenges
Authors: Weigelt Britta , Reis-Filho Jorge S.
Published: February 2013

Summary: Twenty-five years after the publication of seminal studies showing that HER2 gene amplification and protein overexpression are oncogenic in breast cancer, Bose and colleagues report on the identification of activating HER2 somatic mutations that, albeit rare, may determine the response of breast cancer cells to anti-HER2 agents. These results herald a new era for the potential use of existing HER2-targeted agents for the treatment of patients with HER2-mutant breast cancer. Cancer Discov; 3(2); 145–7. ©2012 AACR.

See related article by Bose et al., p. 224
Mitotic Control of Cancer Stem Cells
Authors: Venere Monica , Miller Tyler E. , Rich Jeremy N.
Published: February 2013

Summary: Cancer stem cells are self-renewing, tumorigenic cells at the apex of tumor hierarchies, and postulated to be quiescent in many tumor types. This issue of Cancer Discovery highlights a study that links the presentation of kinetochores within mitosis to an essential requirement for BUB1B/BubR1, broadening our understanding of the cell-cycle machinery in cancer stem cells. Cancer Discov; 3(2); 141–4. ©2013 AACR.

See related article by Ding et al., p. 198
Elevated Blood Pressure in Pregnancy and Subsequent Chronic Disease Risk
Authors: Männistö Tuija , Mendola Pauline , Vääräsmäki Marja , Järvelin Marjo-Riitta , Hartikainen Anna-Liisa , Pouta Anneli , Suvanto Eila
Published: February 2013

Background—

Preeclampsia, a new-onset hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, is associated with lifetime cardiovascular disease risk, but less is known about risk after other pregnancy-related hypertension.

Methods and Results—

The Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 included all expected births from 1 year (
N
=12 055 women). Blood pressure measurements and other prospective data were determined from prenatal care records and questionnaires for 10 314 women. Subsequent diagnoses were ascertained from Finnish registries (average follow-up, 39.4 years). Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) estimate risks in hypertensive women compared with normotensive women. Hypertension during pregnancy was associated with increased risk of subsequent cardiovascular disease and arterial hypertension. Women with chronic hypertension and superimposed preeclampsia/eclampsia had high risk for future diseases. Gestational hypertension was associated with increased risk of ischemic heart disease (HR, 1.44 [95% CI, 1.24–1.68]), myocardial infarcts (HR, 1.75 [95% CI, 1.40–2.19]), myocardial infarct death (HR, 3.00 [95% CI, 1.98–4.55]), heart failure (HR, 1.78 [95% CI, 1.43–2.21]), ischemic stroke (HR, 1.59 [95% CI, 1.24–2.04]), kidney disease (HR, 1.91 [95% CI, 1.18–3.09]), and diabetes mellitus (HR, 1.52 [95% CI, 1.21–1.89]). Isolated systolic hypertension was associated with increased risk of myocardial infarct death (HR, 2.15 [95% CI, 1.35–3.41]), heart failure (HR, 1.43 [95% CI, 1.13–1.82]), and diabetes mellitus (HR, 1.42 [95% CI, 1.13–1.78]), whereas isolated diastolic hypertension was associated with increased risk of ischemic heart disease (HR, 1.26 [95% CI, 1.05–1.50]). Results were similar in nonsmoking women aged <35 years with normal weight and no diabetes mellitus during pregnancy.

Conclusions—

Elevated blood pressure during pregnancy, regardless of type and even without known risk factors, signals high risk of later cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, and diabetes mellitus. Clinical monitoring, risk factor evaluation, and early intervention could benefit women with hypertension in pregnancy.
Taxonomy and redescription of the Fawn Antechinus, Antechinus bellus (Thomas) (Marsupialia: Dasyuridae)
Authors: BAKER ANDREW M , DYCK STEVE VAN
Published: February 2013

We provide a taxonomic redescription of the Fawn Antechinus, Antechinus bellus (Thomas). A. bellus is the only member of its genus to occur in Australia’s Northern Territory, where it can be found in savannah woodlands of the Top End. It is perhaps the most distinctive antechinus, and clearly distinguishable from the other 10 extant species of antechinus found in Australia: externally, A. bellus has pale body fur, white feet and large ears; A. bellus skulls have large auditory bullae and narrow interorbital width, while broadening abruptly at the molar row; mitochondrial and nuclear genes clearly dis-tinguish A. bellus from all congeners, phylogenetically positioning the Fawn Antechinus as sister to Queensland’s A. leo Van Dyck, 1980, with which it shares a curled supratragus of the external ear and a similar tropical latitudinal range.
Some new species and new record of the genus Arboridia Zachvatkin (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Typhlocybinae) from six provinces of China
Authors: SONG YUE-HUA , LI ZI-ZHONG
Published: February 2013

In the present paper, nine new species, Arboridia anteoculara, A. baiyunensis, A. reniformis, A. lunula, A. cuihuashana, A. paraprocessa, A. echinata, A. tridentata, A. zhenyuana spp. n. and a new record, A. agrillacea from China, are de-scribed and illustrated and a key for identification of Chinese species is provided.
A revision of the genus Notodascillus Carter (Coleoptera: Dascillidae)
Authors: JIN ZHENYU , ŚLIPIŃSKI ADAM , PANG HONG
Published: February 2013

The Australian species of Notodascillus Carter are revised based on examination of available type material and extensive collections. Three very closely related species have been recognised: N. brevicornis (Macleay), N. sublineatus Carter and N. iviei sp. n. Detailed generic and species descriptions, key to the species and distribution data are provided.
Potential economic pests of solanaceous crops: a new species of Solanum-feeding psyllid from Australia and first record from New Zealand of Acizzia solanicola (Hemiptera: Psyllidae)
Authors: TAYLOR GARY S. , KENT DEBORAH S.
Published: February 2013

Acizzia credoensis sp. n. is described from a single population on the native plant, Solanum lasiophyllum, from semi-arid Western Australia. The host range of Acizzia solanicola Kent & Taylor, initially recorded as damaging eggplant, S. mel-ongena, in commercial crops and gardens and on wild tobacco bush, S. mauritianum in eastern Australia, is expanded to include the following Solanaceae: rock nightshade, S. petrophilum, cape gooseberry, Physalis peruviana, and an undeter-mined species of angel’s trumpet Brugmansia and Datura. New Zealand specimens of A. solanicola collected in early 2012 from S. mauritianum are the first record for this species from outside Australia, and possibly represent a very recent incursion. The potential for the solanaceous-inhabiting Psyllidae to vector Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum, an ec-onomically important plant pathogen, on native Australian Solanaceae is discussed. The occurrence of A. credoensis and A. solanicola on native Australian Solanum supports the Australian origin for the solanaceous-inhabiting Acizzia psyllids.
Lamprempis Wheeler & Melander (Diptera, Empididae, Empidinae) from Maranhão, Brazil
Authors: CÂMARA J. T. , RAFAEL J. A.
Published: February 2013

Lamprempis Wheeler & Melander, 1901 is a Neotropical genus with 22 known species. Two species collected in the Bra-zilian state of Maranhão, L. longipenis sp. nov. and L. triangulata sp. nov., are here described and illustrated. A published Lamprempis key is modified to include the newly described species.
New paedomorphic brachiopods from the abyssal zone of the north-eastern Pacific Ocean
Authors: BITNER MARIA ALEKSANDRA , MELNIK VJACHESLAV P. , ZEZINA OLGA N.
Published: February 2013

New Recent very small but sexually mature brachiopods have been found at abyssal depths (4580–4850 m) in the Clarion- Clipperton Zone of the Pacific Ocean. They are characterized by simple (under-developed, juvenile) morphological fea-tures, which are interpreted here as paedomorphic, indicating the importance of heterochrony in the evolution of deep-sea brachiopods. We have described these brachiopods as representing two new genera and species, i.e. Oceanithyris juveni-formis Bitner & Zezina (Family ?Dyscoliidae) and Simpliciforma profunda Bitner & Zezina (Superfamily Gwynioidea).
On the nymphs of lantana lace bug Teleonemia scrupulosa Stål (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Tingidae: Tinginae): ontogenetic features of integumentary structures highlighted
Authors: GUIDOTI MARCUS , BARCELLOS ALINE
Published: February 2013

The five instars of Teleonemia scrupulosa Stål are described. The postembryonic ontogenetic development of integumen-tary structures is emphasized, with a discussion on its potential use in cladistic studies within Tingidae.
A new species of Amphipyra Ochsenheimer, 1816 (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae) from China
Authors: BABICS JÁNOS , BENEDEK BALÁZS , SALDAITIS AIDAS
Published: February 2013

The genus Amphipyra Ochsenheimer, 1816 has been rife with taxonomic problems including numerous undescribed taxa and cryptic species, due to its circumscribed species-groups and the similarities in genitalia to other member-species. Description of this new Amphipyra species which was first encountered in expeditions to China by V. Siniaev, A. Plutenko and S. Murzin is now facilitated by better comparative material and more extensive professional relationships but the need for further revision of the genus Amphipyra is well recognized. Material for this study was collected in July, 2005 and August, 2011, by using artificial light.Taxonomic nomenclature used in this study were constituted according to taxonomical experts and relevant literature (Draudt 1950; Yoshimoto 1994; Hreblay & Ronkay 1998; Kononenko et al. 1998; Chen 1999; Hreblay & Ronkay 2000; Kononenko 2005; Kononenko & Han 2007).
First description of comb-tailed spiders (Araneae: Hahniidae) from Vietnam
Authors: ZHANG ZHI-SHENG , LI SHUQIANG , PHAM DINH-SAC
Published: February 2013

Spider family Hahniidae was firstly recorded from Vietnamin the present paper. In total, three genera and five species were recorded in three national parks of Northern Vietnam: Alistra hamata sp. nov. (male), Hahnia himalayaensis Hu & Zhang, 1990 (male, female), H. rimiformis sp. nov. (male, female), H. zhejiangensis Song & Zheng, 1982 (male, female) and Scotospilus longus sp. nov. (male, female). Morphological illustrations and photos of new species as well as descrip-tions and copulatory organs’ photos of known species are given. The genus Scotospilus and the position of S. longus sp. nov. are discussed.
The caudinid sea cucumbers of New Zealand (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea: Molpadida: Caudinidae)
Authors: DAVEY NICOLA , O’LOUGHLIN MARK
Published: February 2013

Five species of Caudinidae occur in New Zealandwaters. Two new species are described: Paracaudina alta sp. nov.; Pa-racaudina reductia sp. nov. Two species reported previously are discussed: Paracaudina chilensis (Müller) and Paracau-dina coriacea (Hutton). A lectotype has been established for P. coriacea (Hutton). Hedingia albicans var. glabra (Théel) is raised out of synonymy with Hedingia albicans (Théel), and the variety elevated to species status as Hedingia glabra (Théel). A key is provided for theNew Zealand species of Caudinidae.
Silhouettea chaimi Goren, 1978, a junior synonym of Papillogobius melanobranchus (Fowler, 1934) (Teleostei: Gobiidae)
Authors: KOVAČIĆ MARCELO , BOGORODSKY SERGEY
Published: February 2013

The high resemblance of Silhouettea chaimi Goren, 1978 to two Papillogobius species, P. melanobranchus and P. reichei was noticed from their published descriptions. The comparison of types of S. chaimi with comparative material of P. mel-anobranchus and P. reichei confirmed the lack of morphological differences between two nominal species, S. chaimi and P. melanobranchus. Therefore, S. chaimi is placed as a junior synonym of P. melanobranchus.
A new species of the hermit crab genus Diogenes (Crustacea: Decapoda: Anomura: Diogenidae) from southern India
Authors: KOMAI TOMOYUKI , RESHMI REMA , KUMAR APPUKUTTANNAIR BIJU
Published: February 2013

A new species of the hermit crab genus Diogenes Dana, 1851 (Diogenidae), D. canaliculatus, is described and illustrated on the basis of material from off the Kerala State, southern India. It is referred to the D. edwardsii (De Haan, 1849) species group, and compared with D. bicristimanus Alcock, 1905, D. fasciatus Rahayu & Forest, 1995, D. laevicarpus Rahayu, 1996 and D. moosai Rahayu & Forest, 1995. The characteristically sculptured left chela and the unarmed dorsal margins of the propodi of the second and third pereopods distinguish the new species from these congeners.
VIIRS Captures Aurora Motions
Authors: Seaman Curtis J. , Miller Steven D.
Published: February 2013

It has been found that the day/night band of the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite is capable of observing rapid motions of the aurora. The images that led to this discovery are shown. Shifts in the apparent position of the aurora boundary between consecutive scans of the instrument, which occur ~1.79 s apart, allow the cross-track relative speed of the aurora to be calculated. The physical basis for these observations and the method for determining the speed of auroral motions are discussed. These new satellite observations compare favorably with ground-based measurements presented in previous studies.
A Glider Network Design Study for a Synoptic View of the Oceanic Mesoscale Variability
Authors: L'Hévéder Blandine , Mortier Laurent , Testor Pierre , Lekien François
Published: February 2013

This study presents an Observing System Simulation Experiment (OSSE) with a network of gliders in a realistic mesoscale field of eddies and filaments. The main objective is to demonstrate that the analysis skill evaluation, performed with different statistics, determines the optimal number of gliders needed to survey a “glider observatory” with a given simple topology of the glider array, in the shape of a “double comb.” Metrics, based on a spatial interpolation of the sampled data with a multiscale objective analysis method, are elaborated to evaluate the reconstruction of the three-dimensional temperature field with several glider networks, at a weekly time scale. The mesoscale structures obtained by the optimal network (front, eddies, eddies detachment) are also compared with the structures of the original simulation. This comparison demonstrates the efficiency of a glider fleet to sample a well-defined area at a given spatiotemporal scale. In this particular situation (midlatitude region, domain of 400 km × 600 km, reconstruction of weekly snapshots), the optimum network is composed of 10 gliders. A relationship is highlighted between the spatial scales of the sampled area, the physical characteristics of the studied region, the reconstruction time scale, and the optimum number of gliders. The results presented here can be applied to design an actual in situ experiment.
A Harmonic Approach for Calculating Daily Temperature Normals Constrained by Homogenized Monthly Temperature Normals
Authors: Arguez Anthony , Applequist Scott
Published: February 2013

NOAA released the new 1981–2010 climate normals in July 2011. These included monthly and daily normals of minimum and maximum temperature. Monthly normals were computed from monthly temperature values that were corrected for biases (i.e., homogenized) due to changes in observing practices over the course of the normals period (station moves, changes in observation time, and changes in instrumentation). Daily temperature observations, however, are not homogenized, which could lead to inconsistencies between the daily and monthly normals. This study offers a constrained harmonic technique that forces the daily temperature normals to be consistent with the monthly temperature normals. This approach replaces the cubic spline interpolation of monthly temperature normals that was used to compute earlier versions of NOAA's daily temperature normals. It effectively passes the homogenization applied at the monthly scale down to the daily scale, resulting in a smooth annual cycle devoid of day-to-day sampling variability and intermonth discontinuities.
The role of experience in the acquisition and production of diminutives and gender in Spanish: Evidence from L2 learners and heritage speakers
Authors: Montrul Silvina , de la Fuente Israel , Davidson Justin , Foote Rebecca
Published: February 2013

This study examined whether type of early language experience provides advantages to heritage speakers over second language (L2) learners with morphology, and investigated knowledge of gender agreement and its interaction with diminutive formation. Diminutives are a hallmark of Child Directed Speech in early language development and a highly productive morphological mechanism that facilitates the acquisition of declensional noun endings in many languages (Savickienė and Dressler, 2007). In Spanish, diminutives regularize gender marking in nouns with a non-canonical ending. Twenty-four Spanish native speakers, 29 heritage speakers and 37 L2 learners with intermediate to advanced proficiency completed two picture-naming tasks and an elicited production task. Results showed that the heritage speakers were more accurate than the L2 learners with gender agreement in general, and with non-canonical ending nouns in particular. This study confirms that early language experience and the type of input received confer some advantages to heritage speakers over L2 learners with early-acquired aspects of language, especially in oral production.
Plural-marking in L2 Korean: A feature-based approach
Authors: Hwang Sun Hee , Lardiere Donna
Published: February 2013

This study examined the second language (L2) acquisition of the Korean plural marker -tul by native speakers of English. Seventy-seven learners at four Korean proficiency levels along with 31 native Korean-speaking controls completed five tasks designed to probe for knowledge of particular features and restrictions associated with so-called intrinsic and extrinsic plural-marking in Korean. The results suggest that knowledge of both types of plural developed with increasing proficiency. However, the features associated with the intrinsic plural, which is more similar to the English plural in terms of grammatical function, were more easily acquired than those of the extrinsic (distributive) plural, which requires recruiting the features of a completely distinct morpholexical item from the first language (L1). We also found some developmental evidence for a feature hierarchy in quantified Korean noun phrases, in which the most deeply-embedded featural co-occurrence restriction on intrinsic plural-marking was the latest acquired.
The time course of morphological processing in a second language
Authors: Clahsen Harald , Balkhair Loay , Schutter John-Sebastian , Cunnings Ian
Published: February 2013

We report findings from psycholinguistic experiments investigating the detailed timing of processing morphologically complex words by proficient adult second (L2) language learners of English in comparison to adult native (L1) speakers of English. The first study employed the masked priming technique to investigate - ed forms with a group of advanced Arabic-speaking learners of English. The results replicate previously found L1/L2 differences in morphological priming, even though in the present experiment an extra temporal delay was offered after the presentation of the prime words.

The second study examined the timing of constraints against inflected forms inside derived words in English using the eye-movement monitoring technique and an additional acceptability judgment task with highly advanced Dutch L2 learners of English in comparison to adult L1 English controls. Whilst offline the L2 learners performed native-like, the eye-movement data showed that their online processing was not affected by the morphological constraint against regular plurals inside derived words in the same way as in native speakers. Taken together, these findings indicate that L2 learners are not just slower than native speakers in processing morphologically complex words, but that the L2 comprehension system employs real-time grammatical analysis (in this case, morphological information) less than the L1 system.
The United States, PMSCs and the state monopoly on violence: Leading the way towards norm change
Authors: Krahmann Elke
Published: February 2013

The proliferation of private military and security companies (PMSCs) in Iraq and Afghanistan has raised many questions regarding the use of armed force by private contractors. This article addresses the question of whether the increased acceptance of PMSCs indicates a transformation of the international norm regarding the state monopoly on the legitimate use of armed force. Drawing on theoretical approaches to the analysis of norm change, the article employs four measures to investigate possible changes in the strength and meaning of this norm: modifications in state behaviour, state responses to norm violation, the promulgation of varying interpretations of the norm in national and international laws and regulations, and changes in norm discourse. Based on an analysis of empirical evidence from the United States of America and its allies, the article concludes that these measures suggest that the USA is leading the way towards a transformation of the international norm of the state monopoly on violence, involving a revised meaning. Although this understanding has not yet been formally implemented in international law, it has allowed a growing number of countries to tolerate, accept or legalize the use of armed force by PMSCs in the international arena.
Some humans are more Human than Others: Troubling the ‘human’ in human security from a critical feminist perspective
Authors: Marhia Natasha
Published: February 2013

This article develops critical feminist engagement with human security by interrogating the taken-for-granted category of the ‘human’ therein. Failure to reflectively deconstruct this category has contributed to human security’s reproduction of dominant norms and the emptiness of its apparent radical promise. The article shows how the ‘human’ has historically been constructed as an exclusionary – and fundamentally gendered – category, and examines its construction in human security discourse and the capabilities approach in which the latter is rooted, as well as its discursive effects. The article troubles the model of the autonomous, rational human subject who is the bearer of capabilities, which human security inherits from the liberal humanist tradition of thought, and which obscures the matrices of power through which individuals become socially differentiated. It then considers the implication of human security in demarcating differences as ‘morally relevant’, including its instrumentalization in the ‘war on terror’.
‘New wars’ at sea: A critical transformative approach to the political economy of Somali piracy
Authors: Oliveira Gilberto Carvalho
Published: February 2013

Relying on the literature on the political economy of new wars, this article aims to challenge the policy articulation of Somali piracy through the security–development nexus in recent resolutions of the UN Security Council. The article’s central argument is that the UN Security Council’s assumption that the political economy of piracy can be transformed by external top-down intervention based on a formulaic security–development nexus seems to be bound to fail for two main reasons: First, the ‘nexus’ is based on a virtual liberal state-building project in Somalia that is disconnected from the local context involving piracy; second, the ‘nexus’ works as a securitized dispositif, hence prioritizing security goals over social changes. Therefore, instead of the liberal peace recipe proposed by the Security Council as remedy for everything, including piracy, the article suggests a critical transformative approach, centred in actually existing forms of local politics and governance in areas affected by piracy, where the articulation between security and development can be made in a more balanced and nuanced way, taking into account the concrete needs of protection and development of people dependent on piracy.
CP7_E2alf oral vaccination confers partial protection against early classical swine fever virus challenge and interferes with pathogeny-related cytokine responses
Authors: Renson Patricia , Le Dimna Mireille , Keranflech André , Cariolet Roland , Koenen Frank , Le Potier Marie-Frédérique
Published: February 2013

The conventional C-strain vaccine induces early protection against classical swine fever (CSF), but infected animals cannot be distinguished from vaccinated animals. The CP7_E2alf marker vaccine, a pestivirus chimera, could be a suitable substitute for C-strain vaccine to control CSF outbreaks. In this study, single oral applications of CP7_E2alf and C-strain vaccines were compared for their efficacy to induce protection against a CSF virus (CSFV) challenge with the moderately virulent Bas-Rhin isolate, in pigs as early as two days post-immunization. This work emphasizes the powerful potential of CP7_E2alf vaccine administered orally by a rapid onset of partial protection similar to that induced by the C-strain vaccine. Furthermore, our results revealed that both vaccinations attenuated the effects induced by CSFV on production of the pig major acute phase protein (PigMAP), IFN-α, IL-12, IL-10, and TGF-β1 cytokines. By this interference, several cytokines that may play a role in the pathogeny induced by moderately virulent CSFV strains were revealed. New hypotheses concerning the role of each of these cytokines in CSFV pathogeny are discussed. Our results also show that oral vaccination with either vaccine (CP7_E2alf or C-strain) enhanced CSFV–specific IgG2 production, compared to infection alone. Interestingly, despite the similar antibody profiles displayed by both vaccines post-challenge, the production of CSFV-specific IgG1 and neutralizing antibodies without challenge was lower with CP7_E2alf vaccination than with C-strain vaccination, suggesting a slight difference in the balance of adaptive immune responses between these vaccines.
Global analyses of Ceratocystis cacaofunesta mitochondria: from genome to proteome
Authors: Ambrosio Alinne Batista , do Nascimento Leandro Costa , Oliveira Bruno V , L Teixeira Paulo José P , Tiburcio Ricardo A , Toledo Thomazella Daniela P , Leme Adriana F P , Carazzolle Marcelo F , Vidal Ramon O , Mieczkowski Piotr , Meinhardt Lyndel W , Pereira Gonçalo A G , Cabrera Odalys G
Published: February 2013

Background

The ascomycete fungus Ceratocystis cacaofunesta is the causal agent of wilt disease in cacao, which results in significant economic losses in the affected producing areas. Despite the economic importance of the Ceratocystis complex of species, no genomic data are available for any of its members. Given that mitochondria play important roles in fungal virulence and the susceptibility/resistance of fungi to fungicides, we performed the first functional analysis of this organelle in Ceratocystis using integrated “omics” approaches.

Results

The C. cacaofunesta mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) consists of a single, 103,147-bp circular molecule, making this the second largest mtDNA among the Sordariomycetes. Bioinformatics analysis revealed the presence of 15 conserved genes and 37 intronic open reading frames in C. cacaofunesta mtDNA. Here, we predicted the mitochondrial proteome (mtProt) of C. cacaofunesta, which is comprised of 1,124 polypeptides - 52 proteins that are mitochondrially encoded and 1,072 that are nuclearly encoded. Transcriptome analysis revealed 33 probable novel genes. Comparisons among the Gene Ontology results of the predicted mtProt of C. cacaofunesta, Neurospora crassa and Saccharomyces cerevisiae revealed no significant differences. Moreover, C. cacaofunesta mitochondria were isolated, and the mtProt was subjected to mass spectrometric analysis. The experimental proteome validated 27% of the predicted mtProt. Our results confirmed the existence of 110 hypothetical proteins and 7 novel proteins of which 83 and 1, respectively, had putative mitochondrial localization.

Conclusions

The present study provides the first partial genomic analysis of a species of the Ceratocystis genus and the first predicted mitochondrial protein inventory of a phytopathogenic fungus. In addition to the known mitochondrial role in pathogenicity, our results demonstrated that the global function analysis of this organelle is similar in pathogenic and non-pathogenic fungi, suggesting that its relevance in the lifestyle of these organisms should be based on a small number of specific proteins and/or with respect to differential gene regulation. In this regard, particular interest should be directed towards mitochondrial proteins with unknown function and the novel protein that might be specific to this species. Further functional characterization of these proteins could enhance our understanding of the role of mitochondria in phytopathogenicity.
Combined ChIP-Seq and transcriptome analysis identifies AP-1/JunD as a primary regulator of oxidative stress and IL-1β synthesis in macrophages
Authors: Hull Richard P , Srivastava Prashant K , D’Souza Zelpha , Atanur Santosh S , Mechta-Grigoriou Fatima , Game Laurence , Petretto Enrico , Cook H Terence , Aitman Timothy J , Behmoaras Jacques
Published: February 2013

Background

The oxidative burst is one of the major antimicrobial mechanisms adopted by macrophages. The WKY rat strain is uniquely susceptible to experimentally induced macrophage-dependent crescentic glomerulonephritis (Crgn). We previously identified the AP-1 transcription factor JunD as a determinant of macrophage activation in WKY bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs). JunD is over-expressed in WKY BMDMs and its silencing reduces Fc receptor-mediated oxidative burst in these cells.

Results

Here we combined Jund RNA interference with microarray analyses alongside ChIP-sequencing (ChIP-Seq) analyses in WKY BMDMs to investigate JunD-mediated control of macrophage activation in basal and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated cells. Microarray analysis following Jund silencing showed that Jund activates and represses gene expression with marked differential expression (>3 fold) for genes linked with oxidative stress and IL-1β expression. These results were complemented by comparing whole genome expression in WKY BMDMs with Jund congenic strain (WKY.LCrgn2) BMDMs which express lower levels of JunD. ChIP-Seq analyses demonstrated that the increased expression of JunD resulted in an increased number of binding events in WKY BMDMs compared to WKY.LCrgn2 BMDMs. Combined ChIP-Seq and microarray analysis revealed a set of primary JunD-targets through which JunD exerts its effect on oxidative stress and IL-1β synthesis in basal and LPS-stimulated macrophages.

Conclusions

These findings demonstrate how genetically determined levels of a transcription factor affect its binding sites in primary cells and identify JunD as a key regulator of oxidative stress and IL-1β synthesis in primary macrophages, which may play a role in susceptibility to Crgn.
2D ultrasonography and contrast enhanced ultrasound for the evaluation of cavitating mesenteric lymph node syndrome in a patient with refractory celiac disease and enteropathy T cell lymphoma
Authors: Pojoga Cristina , Ciobanu Lidia , Badea Alexandru Florin , Boţan Emil , Caraiani Cosmin , Hagiu Claudia , Băciuţ Grigore , Badea Radu
Published: February 2013

Background

The cavitating mesenteric lymph node syndrome (CMLNS) is a rare manifestation of celiac disease, with an estimated mortality rate of 50%. Specific infections and malignant lymphoma may complicate its clinical course and contribute to its poor prognosis. Diagnosing the underlying cause of CMLNS can be challenging. This is the first report on contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) findings in enteropathy associated T-cell lymphoma (EATL) complicating CMLNS in a gluten-free compliant patient with persistent symptoms and poor outcome.

Case presentation

We present the case of a 51-year old Caucasian male patient, diagnosed with celiac disease and CMLNS. Despite his compliance to the gluten-free diet the symptoms persisted and we eventually considered the possible development of malignancy. No mucosal changes suggestive of lymphoma were identified with capsule endoscopy. Low attenuation mesenteric lymphadenopathy, without enlarged small bowel segments were seen on computed tomography. CEUS revealed arterial rim enhancement around the necrotic mesenteric lymph nodes, without venous wash-out. No malignant cells were identified on laparoscopic mesenteric lymph nodes biopsies. The patient died due to fulminant liver failure 14 months later; the histopathological examination revealed CD3/CD30-positive atypical T-cell lymphocytes in the liver, mesenteric tissue, spleen, gastric wall, kidney, lung and bone marrow samples; no malignant cells were present in the small bowel samples.

Conclusions

CEUS findings in EATL complicating CMLNS include arterial rim enhancement of the mesenteric tissue around the cavitating lymph nodes, without venous wash-out. This vascular pattern is not suggestive for neoangiogenesis, as arteriovenous shunts from malignant tissues are responsible for rapid venous wash-out of the contrast agent. CEUS failed to provide a diagnosis in this case.
Prevalence of hyperglycemia among adults with newly diagnosed HIV/AIDS in China
Authors: Shen Yinzhong , Wang Zhenyan , Liu Li , Zhang Renfang , Zheng Yufang , Lu Hongzhou
Published: February 2013

Background

The prevalence of hyperglycemia among HIV-infected persons who are not receiving antiretroviral therapy is unknown. We conducted a cross-sectional survey to estimate the prevalence of hyperglycemia among Chinese adults with newly diagnosed HIV/AIDS.

Methods

Two thousand and six newly diagnosed HIV/AIDS patients from 10 provinces and municipalities in China were selected during 2009 to 2010. After an overnight fast, serum samples were collected to measure glucose concentrations. Demographics and medical histories were recorded. Factors associated with the presence of diabetes were analysed by logistic regression.

Results

Among the 2006 patients, 75.67% were male. Median age was 40 years (range: 18–86 years). 19.99% had hyperglycemia, 9.47% had impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and 10.52% had diabetes. The prevalences of hyperglycemia, of IFG and of diabetes were 21.54%, 10.28% and 11.27% among men and 15.16%, 6.97% and 8.20% among women, respectively. The prevalence of diabetes increased with increasing age (7.00%, 13.36% and 21.21% among patients who were 18–40, 40–60, and ≥60 years of age respectively) and with decreasing CD4 count (6.74%, 8.45%, 9.69%, and 12.66% among patients with CD4 count of ≥350, 200–350, 50–200, and < 50/mm3respectively). The prevalence of diabetes was higher among ethnic minority patients than among the Han patients (14.37% versus 9.24%). The logistic analysis showed that older age, lower CD4 count and minority ethnicity were significantly associated with an increased risk of diabetes.

Conclusions

Hyperglycemia is highly prevalent among Chinese adults with newly diagnosed HIV/AIDS. Older age, lower CD4 count and minority ethnicity are associated with increased risk of diabetes. All newly diagnosed HIV/AIDS individuals should be routinely evaluated for hyperglycemia.
Antioxidant supplementation for the prevention of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Gu Wan-Jie , Wei Chun-Yin , Yin Rui-Xing
Published: February 2013

Background

Acute pancreatitis remains the most common major complication of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). The pathogenesis of post-ERCP acute pancreatitis may be mediated by oxygen-derived free radicals, which could be ameliorated by antioxidants. Antioxidant supplementation may potentially prevent post-ERCP pancreatitis. We performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to evaluate the effect of prophylactic antioxidant supplementation compared with control on the prevention of post-ERCP pancreatitis.

Methods

PubMed and Embase databases were searched to identify relevant trials. A standardized Excel file was used to extract data by two independent authors. Results were expressed as risk ratio (RR) with accompanying 95% confidence interval (CI). The meta-analysis was performed with the fixed-effects model or random-effects model according to heterogeneity.

Results

Eleven studies involving 3,010 patients met our inclusion criteria. Antioxidant supplementation did not significantly decrease the incidence of post-ERCP pancreatitis (RR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.65-1.32; P = 0.665). There was also no statistical difference in the severity grades between the antioxidant group and control group.

Conclusions

Based on current evidence, antioxidant supplementation shows no beneficial effect on the incidence and the severity of post-ERCP pancreatitis; thus, there is currently a lack of evidence to support using antioxidants for the prevention of post-ERCP pancreatitis.
I3S: Intelligent spectrum sensing scheme for cognitive radio networks
Authors: Ejaz Waleed , ul Hasan Najam , Lee Seok , Kim Hyung Seok
Published: February 2013

Reliable spectrum sensing is one of the most crucial aspects for the successful deployment of cognitive radio (CR) technology. For CR, it is not possible to transmit on a licensed band and sense it simultaneously, therefore sensing must be interleaved with transmission. Spectrum sensing in CR is challenged by a number of uncertainties, which degrade the sensing performance and in turn require much more time to achieve the targeted sensing efficiency. Hence, the authors propose a spectrum sensing scheme which obtains reliable results with less mean detection time. First, the scheme determines a better matched filter, or a combination of energy and cyclostationary detectors based on the power and band of interest. In the combined energy and cyclostationary detector, an energy detector with a bi-threshold is used, and the cyclostationary detector is applied only if the energy of the signal lies between two thresholds. Second, sensing is performed by the selection choice resulting from the first step. To evaluate the scheme’s performance, the results are compared with those where only an energy detector, matched filter, or cyclostationary detector are performed. The performance metrics are the probability of detection, probability of false alarm, and mean detection time.