bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Shall we delay teaching characters in teaching Chinese as a foreign language?
Authors: Ye Lijuan
Published: October 2013

The study explored when characters were introduced as part of first‐year Chinese as a foreign language courses as well as students' and instructors' beliefs and rationales within the context of postsecondary programs in the United States. Data were collected through a large‐scale online survey of 914 students and 192 instructors. Results indicated that the majority of Chinese programs did not delay teaching characters. Most instructors and students believed that the best time point to introduce characters was near the beginning of the first semester. However, after they were presented with reasons for and against delaying the introduction of characters, both instructors and students showed a significant increase in support for delaying character introduction. Native and nonnative Chinese instructors expressed similar preferences for an ideal time point to teach Chinese characters, but students at different instructional levels expressed significantly different beliefs regarding the ideal time point at which to begin learning Chinese characters.
Tracing carbon sources in small urbanising streams: catchment‐scale stormwater drainage overwhelms the effects of reach‐scale riparian vegetation
Authors: Imberger Samantha J. , Cook Perran L. M. , Grace Michael R. , Thompson Ross M.
Published: October 2013

Organic matter provides energy and nutrients to aquatic systems. Alterations to its sources and processing have repercussions for water quality and food‐web stability and structure. Despite worldwide recognition of the impacts of urbanisation, there is limited understanding of the relative importance of catchment‐scale urban stormwater drainage connection and reach‐scale riparian vegetation on organic matter sources.

We investigated the effects of catchment‐scale urban stormwater drainage connection and reach‐scale riparian vegetation cover on organic matter sources in small streams. Using stable isotopes and elemental ratios (i.e. δ13C, δ15N and C : N), we traced the origin of microbially respired carbon and standing stocks of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), suspended particulate organic matter (POM) and benthic coarse particulate organic matter (CPOM).

Catchment‐scale urban stormwater drainage connection significantly increased the contribution of labile organic matter to POM and DOC standing stocks. Greater POM lability was a product of increased inputs of autochthonous organic matter in more heavily urbanised streams, although the origin of labile DOC was less clear.

While reach‐scale riparian vegetation was the most likely source of the terrestrially dominated CPOM observed across most sites, increasing cover had no significant effect on the origin of POM or DOC standing stocks. We conclude that catchment‐scale stormwater drainage impacts overwhelm the effects of reach‐scale riparian vegetation on the sources and lability of POM and DOC in small streams.

Our results suggest that the protection or restoration of riparian vegetation, in the absence of modifications to catchment‐scale stormwater drainage connection, is insufficient to mitigate the effects of urbanisation on organic matter sources, lability and processing in these small streams.
Multi‐decadal range changes vs. thermal adaptation for north east Atlantic oceanic copepods in the face of climate change
Authors: Hinder Stephanie L. , Gravenor Mike B. , Edwards Martin , Ostle Clare , Bodger Owen G. , Lee Patricia L. M. , Walne Antony W. , Hays Graeme C.
Published: October 2013

Populations may potentially respond to climate change in various ways including moving to new areas or alternatively staying where they are and adapting as conditions shift. Traditional laboratory and mesocosm experiments last days to weeks and thus only give a limited picture of thermal adaptation, whereas ocean warming occurring over decades allows the potential for selection of new strains better adapted to warmer conditions. Evidence for adaptation in natural systems is equivocal. We used a 50‐year time series comprising of 117 056 samples in the NE Atlantic, to quantify the abundance and distribution of two particularly important and abundant members of the ocean plankton (copepods of the genus Calanus) that play a key trophic role for fisheries. Abundance of C. finmarchicus, a cold‐water species, and C. helgolandicus, a warm‐water species, were negatively and positively related to sea surface temperature (SST) respectively. However, the abundance vs. SST relationships for neither species changed over time in a manner consistent with thermal adaptation. Accompanying the lack of evidence for thermal adaptation there has been an unabated range contraction for C. finmarchicus and range expansion for C. helgolandicus. Our evidence suggests that thermal adaptation has not mitigated the impacts of ocean warming for dramatic range changes of these key species and points to continued dramatic climate induced changes in the biology of the oceans.
A study of clinical profiles of vitiligo in different ages: an analysis of 669 outpatients
Authors: de Barros Juliano Cesar , Filho Carlos D'Apparecida Santos Machado , Abreu Luiz Carlosde , de Barros Jefferson Alfredo , Paschoal Francisco Macedo , Nomura Mariliza Tiemi , Marques Elaine , Martins Lourdes Conceição
Published: October 2013

Introduction

Vitiligo is a skin disorder characterized by achromic macules (white) on the skin and/or mucous membranes, which affects 0.5–2% of the population. Few publications address a vitiligo epidemiological profile worldwide. In Brazil there are only studies in children.

Objective

To assess the clinical and epidemiological profile of individuals affected by vitiligo and to evaluate behavior of the disease in different age groups.

Materials and methods

We conducted a retrospective cross‐sectional study in 669 patients with vitiligo from January 2001 to May 2006, who attended the Faculty of Medicine of ABC, located in the metropolitan region of São Paulo, Brazil.

Results

There was a predominance of females (62.2%) and adult age group (62.5%), with higher prevalence peaks between the second and third decades of life (18.3% and 16.9%, respectively). The most frequent phototype in skin was III (49.9%). Lesions began on the face most commonly in children and adolescents (32.6%) and the elderly (23.3%), and on hands in adults (24.0%). There was a higher prevalence of segmental vitiligo in children and adolescents (36.4%), compared with adults (11.3%) and the elderly (6.7%), and vitiligo with stable evolution was proportionately more frequent in childhood and adolescents (46.2%) than in adults (32.5%) and elderly (36.7%).

Conclusions

Our findings are similar to other countries, mainly regarding the higher prevalence of segmental vitiligo and vitiligo with stable development among children and adolescents.
Diffuse dermal melanocytosis in two patients with Sandhoff disease and mucopolysaccharidosis VI
Authors: Ashrafi Mahmoud Reza , Tavasoli Alireza , Shiva Shadi , Parvaneh Nima , Tamizifar Banafshe
Published: October 2013

Dermal melanocytosis (DM) is described as the presence of ectopic melanocytes in the dermis and could be a normal cutaneous finding. However, diffuse DM or extensive Mongolian spots must be considered as an early sign of neurometabolic diseases, in particular lysosomal storage disorders. The presence of extensive DM should alert the physician to the presence of such disorders, making early diagnosis possible. We describe for the first time the presence of DM in two patients with Sandhoff disease and mucopolysaccharidosis VI.
Peripheral T‐cell lymphoma mimicking 5‐aminosalicylate hypersensitivity in ulcerative colitis
Authors: Kong L. M. , Fok K. C. , Tsui A. , Qian C. , Fisher L.
Published: October 2013

5‐aminosalicylates (5‐ASA) remain an important strategy in the induction and maintenance of remission of inflammatory bowel diseases especially in ulcerative colitis. The prototypical drug of this class, sulfasalazine is generally well tolerated with severe hypersensitivity reactions and hepatotoxicity also described within the literature. When approaching a patient with an adverse reaction to 5‐ASA, it can be difficult to differentiate clinically between a sulfa allergy versus a 5‐ASA allergy versus a malignancy. We report on a case with initial signs and symptoms suggestive of a sulfa/5‐ASA allergy that was subsequently found to be malignant in nature.
Prolonged vitamin D intoxication: presentation, pathogenesis and progress
Authors: Bell D. A. , Crooke M. J. , Hay N. , Glendenning P.
Published: October 2013

Vitamin D toxicity from unactivated vitamin D (calciferol) therapy is currently a rare cause of hypercalcaemia. However, the frequency of this event may increase as high‐dose unactivated vitamin D preparations become available. Prolonged vitamin D toxicity can cause reversible hypercalcaemia and partially reversible renal impairment. Parathyroid hormone may not be suppressed with unactivated vitamin D toxicity, especially if renal disease coexists.
A dynamic programming based local search approach for the double traveling salesman problem with multiple stacks
Authors: Urrutia Sebastián , Milanés Anolan , Løkketangen Arne
Published: October 2013

The double traveling salesman problem with multiple stacks consists in determining a pair of routes (pickup and delivery) for a unique vehicle in two different and disjoint networks. It models a realistic transportation problem with loading/unloading constraints imposed by having a set of last‐in‐first‐out (LIFO) stacks used for storing the goods being transported. The arrangement of the items in the container determines the loading plan that in terms constrains both routes. In this paper, we propose a novel local search approach. The local search heuristic is applied to the loading plan instead of working directly on the routes. A dynamic programming algorithm is used to map the loading plan solution into corresponding optimal routes. Computational results show that the proposed approach is competitive with state‐of‐the‐art heuristics for the problem.
PriEsT: an interactive decision support tool to estimate priorities from pairwise comparison judgments
Authors: Siraj Sajid , Mikhailov Ludmil , Keane John A.
Published: October 2013

Pairwise comparison (PC) is a well‐established method to assist decision makers (DMs) in estimating their preferences. This paper considers the rationale, design, and evaluation of an open‐source priority estimation tool, PriEsT, which has been developed to offer new features related to the PC method. PriEsT is able to assist DMs in interactively identifying and revising their judgments based on different consistency measures and graphical aids. When inconsistency cannot be improved due to practical limitations, PriEsT offers a wide range of Pareto‐optimal solutions based on multiobjective optimization, unlike other tools that offer only a single solution. DMs have the flexibility to select any of these nondominated solutions according to their requirements. The features of PriEsT have been demonstrated and evaluated through its application to a real‐world case study: the selection of the most appropriate telecom infrastructure for rural areas. This case study using PriEsT has highlighted the presence of intransitive judgments in the acquired data, and the correction of these judgments has led to a different ranking of the available alternatives.
The Rise of the Novice Cabinet Minister? The Career Trajectories of Cabinet Ministers in British Government from Attlee to Cameron
Authors: ATKINS JUDI , HEPPELL TIMOTHY , THEAKSTON KEVIN
Published: October 2013

Some commentators have observed that today's Cabinet ministers are younger and less experienced than their predecessors. To test this claim, we analyse the data for Labour and Conservative appointments to Cabinet since 1945. Although we find some evidence of a decline in average age and prior experience, it is less pronounced than for the party leaders. We then examine the data for junior ministerial appointments, which reveals that there is no trend towards youth and inexperience present lower down the hierarchy. Taking these findings together, we propose that public profile is correlated with ‘noviceness’; that is, the more prominent the role, the younger and less experienced its incumbent is likely to be. If this is correct, then the claim that we are witnessing the rise of the novice Cabinet minister is more a consequence of the personalisation of politics than evidence of an emerging ‘cult of youth’.
Concede and Move On? One Nation Labour and the Welfare State
Authors: BALE TIM
Published: October 2013

The idea that Labour has already lost the argument on welfare with the Conservatives, and with it the general election, is probably overplayed. If truth be told, Labour's construction and subsequent defence of the welfare state has always been something of a double‐edged sword for the Party, earning it brickbats as well as support, and sometimes as stranding it in the past, committing it to promises that were undeliverable and ultimately self‐defeating. The political response by Ed Miliband and Ed Balls to the welfare trap set for them by David Cameron and George Osborne owes as much to New Labour as it does to ‘One Nation Labour’. That said, the latter does seem to be informing the Party's policy response, in particular its emphasis on restoring the contributory principle. Whether, however, this is practical politics given the inherently hybrid nature of Britain's welfare state and its heavy skew toward help for the elderly is a moot point. And whether ‘One Nation’ actually helps or hinders the Party in its quest for workable policies and a winning electoral formula is similarly debateable. Certainly, however much it is tempted to do so, Labour shouldn't waste too much valuable time trying to counter widespread myths about welfare. Nor should it overreact and obsess about the issue—or, indeed, pour out detailed policy too soon, if at all. Obviously, Labour needs to provide a direction of travel. However, that should focus not so much on welfare itself but on what the Party is proposing on the economy, on housing and on wages.
The Modernising Antecedents and Historical Origins of One Nation Labour
Authors: WICKHAM‐JONES MARK
Published: October 2013

Launched at the 2012 conference, Ed Miliband's One Nation Labour initiative draws heavily on the party's experience under Neil Kinnock during the late 1980s as well as from Tony Blair's tenure as leader of the opposition between 1994 and 1997. In policy terms, Miliband promised a Labour government would prevent firms from ‘poaching’ trained workers from other businesses and would stop short term predatory behaviour in the economy by offering companies greater protection from takeovers. Both proposals echo those at the heart of Labour's 1989 policy review document, Meet the Challenge, Make the Change. The link between One Nation and Tony Blair's New Labour concerns the discourse with which the party's outlook is articulated. As such, One Nation Labour has not been shaped by current political debates. Rather it reflects the party's ability to learn from previous initiatives, building on their strengths in a reflective fashion.
Report of the Commission on the Consequences of Devolution for the House of Commons (the McKay Commission)
Authors: MCLEAN IAIN
Published: October 2013

The report of the McKay Commission on the Consequences of Devolution for the House of Commons is reviewed. The Commission, which contained experts on parliamentary procedure, raised a number of important and difficult questions; the answers are less impressive than the questions. In view of the difficulties of any scheme, including that proposed by the Commission, for what is popularly known as “English Votes on English Laws,” policymakers should revisit one of the options that was specifically ruled out of McKay's terms of reference. This would be a reduction in the numbers, but not the powers, of MPs from Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland in the way that applied to Northern Ireland between 1922 and 1979.
The Morphology of the Labour Party's One Nation Narrative: Story, Plot and Authorship
Authors: GAFFNEY JOHN , LAHEL AMARJIT
Published: October 2013

By applying narrative theory to the party political texts emerging within the UK Labour Party after 2010, which make up the corpus of One Nation discourse, we can grasp the underlying significance of this ideational revision of Labour Party and leftist thought. Through an identification and analysis of the sequence of texts and their constitution as a “story” that interpolates an underlying “plot,” we can see how a revision of Labour's “tale” offers to leadership a new party discourse appropriate to it, mediating—if not reconciling—the problematic duality of narrative authorship by both party and leader.
Leveson Past, Present and Future: The Politics of Press Regulation
Authors: BARNETT STEVEN
Published: October 2013

As a result of the phone‐hacking scandal and evidence of other serious journalistic abuses by some newspapers, the government set up the Leveson Inquiry to hear evidence from victims and to make recommendations for a new and effective system of press regulation. Leveson's recommendations for independent self‐regulation overseen by a “recogniser” was seen as a moderate solution which would uphold the principle of an unfettered press while providing appropriate protection from unscrupulous or unethical press behaviour. After historic cross‐party agreement, Parliament passed a resolution accepting a Royal Charter which adopted the great majority of his recommendations. In response, Britain's main national newspapers have pursued a campaign of systematic misinformation and distortion, aimed at discrediting the inquiry, its supporters and the cross‐party Charter, while promoting a different system which would remain almost wholly controlled by the industry and would in practice be little different from the discredited Press Complaints Commission. After decades of ineffectual political response to press abuse and press power, there is now a historic opportunity for Parliament to assert its sovereign power. Over the next 12–18 months, we will see whether we have reached a genuine milestone in British public life or whether the British press will remain the last bastion of unaccountable power.
LA‐ICP‐MS Analysis of Small Samples: Carbonate Reference Materials and Larval Fish Otoliths
Authors: Lazartigues Angélique V. , Sirois Pascal , Savard Dany
Published: October 2013

This article proposes a methodology to analyse the composition of very small carbonate samples such as larval fish otoliths. The chemical composition of otoliths, which are carbonate structures in the inner ear, is often used to explore population dynamics in fishes. Recent advances in laser ablation‐inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry have suggested its potential application to this field. In this study, analyses were performed using a 193 nm ArF Resonetics LA system, coupled to an Agilent 7700X‐ICP‐MS, with the following ablation parameters: a beam diameter of 5 μm, energy of 3 mJ, 2.7 J cm−2, laser repetition rate of 10 Hz and translation speed of 2.5 μm s−1. NIST SRM 610 glass was used as the primary calibration material. Performing this protocol, characterisation of a USGS GP‐4 reference material was achieved with suitable precision and accuracy, but the USGS MACS‐3 reference material appeared more heterogeneous under the ablation conditions tested. Calibration was performed using two different beam diameters (5 and 11 μm). Capelin (Mallotus villosus) otoliths measuring between 10 and 20 μm in diameter were tested. Even though a smaller beam diameter and lower energy were used compared with those normally employed to analyse larger otoliths, the method was successful.
The Influence of Pore Solutions Properties on Drying in Cementitious Materials
Authors: Villani Chiara , Spragg Robert , Pour‐Ghaz Mohammad , Jason Weiss W.
Published: October 2013

The drying of cementitious materials can be influenced by the properties of the fluid in the pores. While there are numerous studies on drying, very few explicitly focus on the properties of the pore fluid. This work investigates the influence of deicing salts on the properties of the pore fluid. The change that deicing salts cause in surface tension and viscosity is described in this study as a function of concentration and temperature. As a relatively limited number of measurements have been reported in literature, it can be difficult to describe the properties over a wide range of concentrations or temperatures. To overcome this limitation, this work provides measurements over concentration and temperature ranges. Semiempirical relationships were successfully fitted to the data confirming the possibility to predict viscosity and surface tension changes with temperature and salt concentration. The implications of the fluid properties on the drying behavior are also discussed as they relate to the diffusion coefficient. The models applied effectively predict the initiation of drying. Further improvements are however necessary to describe the diffusion coefficient as function of the degree of saturation in the presence of deicing salts which appear to be needed to account for the chemical interaction between the matrix and the fluid.
Enhanced Activation Energy of Crystallization of Pure Zirconia Nanopowders Prepared via an Efficient Way of Synthesis Using NaBH4
Authors: Nayak Nadiya B. , Nayak Bibhuti B. , Mondal Aparna
Published: October 2013

An efficient way through borohydride synthesis route using NaBH4 was performed to prepare pure zirconia nanopowders via three different conditions such as gelation, precipitation, and constant pH. Zirconia powders prepared through constant pH route show highest activation energy of crystallization (Ea = 260 kJ/mol) or higher exothermic peak temperature (717°C), when compared with gelation or precipitation route due to its controlled growth of smaller crystallites. The released huge amount of H2 gas bubbles during borohydride synthesis via constant pH route play a major role for formation of loose smaller crystallites and thus enhances the activation energy of crystallization of pure zirconia. So, the as‐prepared zirconia powders prepared through constant pH route remain amorphous up to 600°C and pure t‐ZrO2 (~20 nm) was stable up to 800°C.
Acne is an inflammatory disease and alterations of sebum composition initiate acne lesions
Authors: Zouboulis C.C. , Jourdan E. , Picardo M.
Published: October 2013

Hyperseborrhoea has been considered as a major aetiopathogenetic factor of acne. However, changes in sebaceous gland activity not only correlate with seborrhoea but also with alterations in sebum fatty acid composition. Current findings indicate that sebum lipid fractions with proinflammatory properties and inflammatory tissue cascades are associated in the process of the development of acne lesions. The oxidant/antioxidant ratio of the skin surface lipids and alterations of lipid composition are the main players in the induction of acne inflammation. Nutrition may influence the development of seborrhoea, the fractions of sebum lipids and acne. Acne is an inflammatory disease probably triggered, among others, by proinflammatory sebum lipid fractions.
Monopolistic Competition and Public Good Provision with By‐Product Firms
Authors: Pecorino Paul
Published: October 2013

I develop a model in which the voluntary contributions mechanism for the provision of public goods totally breaks down in a large society. A by‐product firm sells a private good and uses its profits to provide a public good. By‐product firms compete with for‐profit firms in a monopolistically competitive industry. If the number of by‐product firms is proportional to the size of the society, then public good provision rises without bound as the society grows large. This stands in strong contrast to the results under the voluntary contributions mechanism.
In Vitro Effect of Antifungal Fractions from the Plants Baccharis glutinosa and Jacquinia macrocarpa on Chitin and β‐1,3‐Glucan Hydrolysis of Maize Phytopathogenic Fungi and on the Fungal β‐1,3‐Glucanase and Chitinase Activities
Authors: Buitimea‐Cantúa Génesis Vidal , Rosas‐Burgos Ema Carina , Cinco‐Moroyoqui Francisco Javier , Burgos‐Hernández Armando , Plascencia‐Jatomea Maribel , Cortez‐Rocha Mario Onofre , Gálvez‐Ruiz Juan Carlos
Published: October 2013

Baccharis glutinosa and Jacquinia macrocarpa are medicinal plants whose antifungal activity has been observed on maize phytopathogenic fungi. However, the specific site where those compounds act has not been studied. The objective of this work was to evaluate the hydrolytic effect of antifungal fractions from B. glutinosa (BgF) and J. macrocarpa (JmF) on β‐glucan and chitin isolated from Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium verticillioides, as well as their inhibition activity on the fungal hydrolases β‐glucanase and chitinase. The antifungal fractions did not show β‐1,3‐glucanase activity, instead, they showed chitinase activity against polymeric extracts from fungi. None of the antifungal fractions inhibited the chitinase activity of the fungi. However, both BgF and JmF antifungal fractions inhibited fungal β‐1,3‐glucanase activity acting as competitive inhibitors. It is possible that the antifungal fractions inhibit the β‐1,3‐glucanase activity affecting β‐1,3‐glucan synthesis, causing the production of a defective cell wall. These defects in the cell wall may allow the antifungal fractions to hydrolyze chitin causing delay in fungal growth.

Practical Applications

Studies have proved that plants are one of the major sources for drug discovery and development, because plant‐derived drugs have been reported to be safe and with no side effects. B. glutinosa and J. macrocarpa are plants used in traditional medicine by native people of Mexico, and their antifungal activity has been observed against mycotoxigenic fungi commonly associated with maize and other cereal grains. Although the effect on hyphae and spores suggests the interaction between the antifungal fractions and the fungal cell walls, as far as we know, there are no studies designed to elucidate the mode of action and the specific site of the cell wall where those compounds act. The results obtained in the present study suggest the presence of chitinase activity and a β‐1,3‐glucanase inhibitor found together in the antifungal fractions, which makes them a potential valuable alternative to synthetic fungicides for protecting maize and other cereal grains from fungal contamination.
Styling the periphery: Linguistic and cultural takeup in Bangladesh and Mongolia
Authors: Sultana Shaila , Dovchin Sender , Pennycook Alastair
Published: October 2013

Focusing on online interactions among young adults in Bangladesh and Mongolia – two countries located politically, culturally and economically on the Asian periphery – this paper looks at how young adults use linguistic and cultural resources in their online interactions as part of a complex and emergent stylization of place. On the one hand, they appropriate the cultural and linguistic flows according to their locations and engage in a playful stylization and reconfiguration of what the local means. On the other hand, they engage in stylization and reflexive language use, often involving exaggerated linguistic variation, mixing, and other semiotic resources in order to produce and perform a range of social and cultural identities. The paper hence shows how the circulation and takeup of popular cultural flows around Asia can involve diverse processes of linguistic and cultural stylization.
Neurobehavioural correlates in older children and adolescents with obesity and obstructive sleep apnoea
Authors: Tan Evan , Healey Dione , Schaughency Elizabeth , Dawes Patrick , Galland Barbara
Published: October 2013

Aim

The relationship between obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and poorer neurobehavioural outcomes in school‐age children is well established, but the relationship in obese children and adolescents, in whom OSA is more common, is not so well established. We aimed to investigate this relationship in 10–18‐year‐olds.

Methods

Thirty‐one participants with a mean body mass index (BMI) of 32.3 ± 4.9 enrolled. BMI‐for‐age cut‐offs were used to define obesity. Participants underwent polysomnography and were classified into OSA (apnoea‐hypopnoea index (AHI) > 2 per hour) and non‐OSA (AHI ≤ 2) groups. Intelligence, memory and learning, academic achievement, behaviour and executive functioning were assessed using the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence, Wide Range Assessment of Memory and Learning 2, Wechsler Individual Achievement Test II (WIAT‐II), Behavioural Assessment System for Children 2 and Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function, respectively.

Results

Forty‐eight per cent (15/31) were classified as having OSA, and 52% (16/31) as non‐OSA. The obese cohort performed below the average of normative data on several neurobehavioural measures. WIAT‐II maths scores were significantly lower (P = 0.034) in the OSA group than in the non‐OSA group (means 84.5 vs. 94.6, respectively), losing significance after adjustment for IQ, age and gender. Self‐reported school problems were significantly worse in the OSA group before and after multivariate adjustment (P = 0.010, Cohen's d = 1.02). No other significant differences were found.

Conclusions

Results suggest that OSA may increase risk for some poorer educational and behavioural outcomes. The findings are reasonably consistent with and add to the evidence base of the few studies that have explored this relationship.
Outcomes of preterm infants receiving positive pressure support at term corrected gestation
Authors: McMorrow Aoife , Smirk Cameron , Davis Peter G , Fox Lisa M
Published: October 2013

Aim

To establish the mortality rate to hospital discharge of very preterm infants who remain on positive pressure support (PPS) at term corrected gestation and describe factors that are associated with increased mortality.

Methods

Infants born <30 weeks' gestation between 1 January 2001 and 31 December 2009 who were receiving PPS at 40 weeks' postmenstrual age (PMA) were identified from our database, and their medical records reviewed. The fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2), mean airway pressure and partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) at 40 weeks' PMA were recorded. Receiver operating characteristic curves for mortality before discharge were generated.

Results

One thousand three hundred fifty‐nine of 1572 infants survived to term. Forty‐nine infants were receiving PPS at 40 weeks' PMA. Of these, 15 (31%) infants died before hospital discharge. All three infants who were ventilated via an endotracheal tube died. Increased oxygen requirement at term was associated with increased risk of death before discharge (area under curve (AUC) 0.75). FiO2 > 0.5 was associated with an 80% risk of death. PaCO2 was not predictive of death (AUC 0.49).

Conclusions

Two thirds of very preterm infants who remained on PPS at 40 weeks' PMA survived to hospital discharge. Risk of death rises with increasing oxygen requirements. All five infants with FiO2 > 0.70 died.
Henoch–Schönlein purpura in children
Authors: Trnka Peter
Published: October 2013

Henoch–Schönlein purpura is the most common systemic vasculitis of childhood. In the majority of children, the outcome of Henoch–Schönlein purpura is excellent with spontaneous resolution of symptoms and signs. However, a small subset of patients will develop long‐term sequelae in the form of chronic kidney disease. While the clinical presentation and diagnosis of Henoch–Schönlein purpura is straightforward, treatment of Henoch–Schönlein purpura nephritis and long‐term renal outcomes of more severely affected children are less certain. This review article gives a general overview of Henoch–Schönlein purpura with emphasis on recently published information, including the new classification of childhood vasculitis, insights into pathogenesis of Henoch–Schönlein purpura and a summary of various treatments of established Henoch–Schönlein purpura nephritis.
Quality of life and anxiety in Turkish patients with anorectal malformation
Authors: Akin Sari Burcu , Demiroğullari Billur , Ozen Onur , İseri Elvan , Kale Nuri , Başaklar Can
Published: October 2013

Aim

The aim of this study was to investigate quality of life (QoL) and anxiety level in Turkish children with anorectal malformation as well as the anxiety level of their mothers and the support group effects on anxiety.

Methods

A total of 87 children and their parents were included. They were grouped according to children's age: <8 years (group 1), 8–12 years (group 2) and >12 years (group 3). The anxiety of all mothers and of children in group 3 was assessed by Spielberger's State–Trait Anxiety Index‐2. The QoL of children in groups 2 and 3 was evaluated with the Ped‐QL 4.0 test by self‐report and proxy report. The QoL results in groups 2 and 3 were compared with age‐matched controls.

Results

Mothers in groups 1 and 3 were more anxious than were those in group 2. Adolescents in group 3 had poorer QoL compared with controls by self‐ and proxy reports. A significant difference was observed in QoL between the children who did and those who did not soil. The anxiety level was significantly lower in parents who attended more than one meeting.

Conclusions

High anxiety and poor QoL levels in adolescence may have been related to the growing importance of body image. The higher anxiety levels of mothers in group 1 could be explained by an encounter with a baby who was different from the imagined baby and the newness of illness. QoL may have been perceived as being worse than what it was for psychological reasons.
Chemical mediation of mutualistic interactions between macroalgae and mesograzers structure unique coastal communities along the western Antarctic Peninsula
Authors: Amsler Charles D. , McClintock James B. , Baker Bill J.
Published: October 2013

Hard bottom communities along the westernAntarcticPeninsula region are dominated by thick macroalgal forests, which support high densities of mesograzers, particularly amphipods, and also numerous gastropods. The macroalgae are chemically defended from consumption by the mesograzers and other herbivores and they provide the mesograzers a chemically defended refuge from predation by omnivorous fish. The macroalgae benefit in return because the mesograzers remove epiphytic algae from them. Since these two assemblages are major components of the community, this can be viewed as a community‐wide mutualism. Most subcomponents of these interactions have also been documented in lower latitude communities and the similarities and differences between the communities in Antarctica and in other regions are discussed.
The role of folate in malaria – implications for home fortification programmes among children aged 6–59 months
Authors: Kupka Roland
Published: October 2013

Folic acid and iron supplementation has historically been recommended as the preferred anaemia control strategy among preschoolers in sub‐Saharan Africa and other resource‐poor settings, but home fortification of complementary foods with multiple micronutrient powders (MNPs) can now be considered the preferred approach. The World Health Organization endorses home fortification with MNPs containing at least iron, vitamin A and zinc to control childhood anaemia, and calls for concomitant malaria control strategies in malaria endemic regions. Among other micronutrients, current MNP formulations generally include 88 μg folic acid (corresponding to 100% of the Recommended Nutrient Intake). The risks and benefits of providing supplemental folic acid at these levels are unclear. The limited data available indicate that folate deficiency may not be a major public health problem among children living in sub‐Saharan Africa and supplemental folic acid may therefore not have any benefits. Furthermore, supraphysiological, and possibly even physiological, folic acid dosages may favour Plasmodium falciparum growth, inhibit parasite clearance of sulphadoxine‐pyrimethamine (SP)‐treated malaria and increase subsequent recrudescence. Even though programmatic options to limit prophylactic SP use or to promote the use of insecticide treated bed nets may render the use of folic acid safer, programmatic barriers to these approaches are likely to persist. Research is needed to characterise the prevalence of folate deficiency among young children worldwide and to design safe MNP and other types of fortification approaches in sub‐Sahara Africa. In parallel, updated global guidance is needed for MNP programmes in these regions.
Genomics and museum specimens
Authors: Nachman Michael W.
Published: October 2013

Nearly 25 years ago, Allan Wilson and colleagues isolated DNA sequences from museum specimens of kangaroo rats (Dipodomys panamintinus) and compared these sequences with those from freshly collected animals (Thomas et al. ). The museum specimens had been collected up to 78 years earlier, so the two samples provided a direct temporal comparison of patterns of genetic variation. This was not the first time DNA sequences had been isolated from preserved material, but it was the first time it had been carried out with a population sample. Population geneticists often try to make inferences about the influence of historical processes such as selection, drift, mutation and migration on patterns of genetic variation in the present. The work of Wilson and colleagues was important in part because it suggested a way in which population geneticists could actually study genetic change in natural populations through time, much the same way that experimentalists can do with artificial populations in the laboratory. Indeed, the work of Thomas et al. () spawned dozens of studies in which museum specimens were used to compare historical and present‐day genetic diversity (reviewed in Wandeler et al. ). All of these studies, however, were limited by the same fundamental problem: old DNA is degraded into short fragments. As a consequence, these studies mostly involved PCR amplification of short templates, usually short stretches of mitochondrial DNA or microsatellites. In this issue, Bi et al. () report a breakthrough that should open the door to studies of genomic variation in museum specimens. They used target enrichment (exon capture) and next‐generation (Illumina) sequencing to compare patterns of genetic variation in historic and present‐day population samples of alpine chipmunks (Tamias alpinus) (Fig. 1). The historic samples came from specimens collected in 1915, so the temporal span of this comparison is nearly 100 years.
Cyclic di‐GMP inhibits Vibrio cholerae motility by repressing induction of transcription and inducing extracellular polysaccharide production
Authors: Srivastava Disha , Hsieh Meng‐Lun , Khataokar Atul , Neiditch Matthew B. , Waters Christopher M.
Published: October 2013

Cyclic di‐GMP (c‐di‐GMP) controls the transition between sessility and motility in many bacterial species. This regulation is achieved by a variety of mechanisms including alteration of transcription initiation and inhibition of flagellar function. How c‐di‐GMP inhibits the motility of Vibrio cholerae has not been determined. FlrA, a homologue of the c‐di‐GMP binding Pseudomonas aeruginosa motility regulator FleQ, is the master regulator of the V. cholerae flagellar biosynthesis regulon. Here we show that binding of c‐di‐GMP to FlrA abrogates binding of FlrA to the promoter of the flrBC operon, deactivating expression of the flagellar biosynthesis regulon. FlrA does not regulate expression of extracellular Vibrio polysaccharide (VPS) synthesis genes. Mutation of the FlrA amino acids R135 and R176 to histidine abrogates binding of c‐di‐GMP to FlrA, rendering FlrA active in the presence of high levels of c‐di‐GMP. Surprisingly, c‐di‐GMP still inhibited the motility of V. cholerae only expressing the c‐di‐GMP blind FlrA(R176H) mutant. We determined that this flagellar transcription‐independent inhibition is due to activation of VPS production by c‐di‐GMP. Therefore, c‐di‐GMP prevents motility of V. cholerae by two distinct but functionally redundant mechanisms.
A new route for polar navigation
Authors: Burrows Lori L.
Published: October 2013

Placement of motility structures at the poles of rod‐shaped bacteria is a common engineering problem with a variety of potential solutions. While investigating the mechanisms for positioning of the single polar flagellum of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Cowles and colleagues discovered a new membrane‐bound three‐component system related to TonB–ExbB–ExbD that they named ‘Poc’ for polar organelle co‐ordinator, which controls polar localization of both the flagellum and type IV pili. The Poc complex itself is not found at the poles, and is required for increased expression of pilus genes upon surface association, suggesting a new paradigm of localization control.
Direct estimation of mass flow and diffusion of nitrogen compounds in solution and soil
Authors: Oyewole Olusegun Ayodeji , Inselsbacher Erich , Näsholm Torgny
Published: October 2013

Plant nutrient uptake from soil is mainly governed by diffusion and transpirationally induced mass flow, but the current methods for assessing the relative importance of these processes are indirect.

We developed a microdialysis method using solutions of different osmotic potentials as perfusates to simulate diffusion and mass flow processes, and assessed how induced mass flow affected fluxes of nitrogen (N) compounds in solution and in boreal forest soil.

Varying the osmotic potential of perfusates induced vertical fluxes in the direction of the dialysis membranes at rates of between 1 × 10−8 and 3 × 10−7 m s−1, thus covering the estimated range of water velocities perpendicular to root surfaces and induced by transpiration.

Mass flow increased N fluxes in solution but even more so in soil. This effect was explained by an indirect effect of mass flow on rates of diffusive fluxes, possibly caused by the formation of steeper gradients in concentrations of N compounds from membrane surfaces out in the soil. Our results suggest that transpiration may be an essential driver of plant N acquisition.
Towards the discovery of novel genetic component involved in stress resistance in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Juraniec Michal , Lequeux Hélène , Hermans Christian , Willems Glenda , Nordborg Magnus , Schneeberger Korbinian , Salis Pietrino , Vromant Maud , Lutts Stanley , Verbruggen Nathalie
Published: October 2013

The exposure of plants to high concentrations of trace metallic elements such as copper involves a remodeling of the root system, characterized by a primary root growth inhibition and an increase in the lateral root density. These characteristics constitute easy and suitable markers for screening mutants altered in their response to copper excess.

A forward genetic approach was undertaken in order to discover novel genetic factors involved in the response to copper excess. A Cu2+‐sensitive mutant named copper modified resistance1 (cmr1) was isolated and a causative mutation in the CMR1 gene was identified by using positional cloning and next‐generation sequencing.

CMR1 encodes a plant‐specific protein of unknown function. The analysis of the cmr1 mutant indicates that the CMR1 protein is required for optimal growth under normal conditions and has an essential role in the stress response. Impairment of the CMR1 activity alters root growth through aberrant activity of the root meristem, and modifies potassium concentration and hormonal balance (ethylene production and auxin accumulation).

Our data support a putative role for CMR1 in cell division regulation and meristem maintenance. Research on the role of CMR1 will contribute to the understanding of the plasticity of plants in response to changing environments.
Understanding the suicidal moment in adolescence
Authors: Miranda Regina , Shaffer David
Published: October 2013

Suicide attempts are more common in adolescence than in any other time in life, despite the low prevalence of actual suicide deaths among adolescents. Studies of adolescent suicide risk tend to focus on factors such as psychiatric diagnosis—particularly depression—and history of previous suicide attempts in predicting risk of future suicidal behavior. However, given that a large number of adolescent suicides are first‐time attempts, understanding the circumstances that precede suicide attempts—including the nature of suicidal ideation and of the cognitive and emotional responses that precede ideation—is a critical part of preventing a potentially lethal attempt. We review the psychological precipitants that may inform how suicidal thoughts are transferred into action and examine the risk conferred by having a history of previous suicide attempts and ideation.
Aprotinin and transfusion requirements in pediatric craniofacial surgery
Authors: Ahmed Zulfiqar , Stricker Lori , Rozzelle Arlene , Zestos Maria
Published: October 2013

Objective

To evaluate transfusion requirements in children receiving aprotinin during craniofacial surgery.

Background

Pediatric craniofacial procedures may involve massive blood loss. Aprotinin may decrease perioperative blood loss and transfusion requirements.

Methods

Patients (aged 1 month to 3 years) who had major reconstructive craniofacial surgery received intraoperative aprotinin (13 patients) or placebo (13 patients). Administered colloids and blood products were recorded.

Results

Patients in the aprotinin and placebo groups had similar mean age, body weight, body surface area, operative time, and length of hospital stay. Mean volumes of total colloids (aprotinin group: 70 ± 40 ml; and placebo group: 120 ± 80 ml; P ≤ 0.05) and packed red blood cells (aprotinin group: 380 ± 90 ml; and placebo group: 550 ± 200 ml; P ≤ 0.004) were less in the aprotinin group than in the placebo group. Mean urine output during surgery was greater in the aprotinin group than in the placebo group (320 ± 200 ml vs 150 ± 70 ml, respectively; P ≤ 0.003). Mean blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine values after surgery were similar between the groups. Complications of aprotinin included anaphylaxis (one patient) and rash (one patient); no deaths occurred.

Conclusions

Aprotinin was associated with decreased packed red blood cell transfusion requirements in children undergoing craniofacial surgery, with no renal toxicity or death. Aprotinin is no longer available for clinical use in the USA because of adverse effects in adults; re‐evaluation of aprotinin is warranted for children scheduled to undergo surgery involving potentially high blood loss.
The first genetic linkage map of crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia) based on amplification fragment length polymorphisms and simple sequence repeats markers
Authors: He Dan , Liu Yang , Cai Ming , Pan Huitang , Zhang Qixiang
Published: October 2013

Lagerstroemia (crape myrtle) are famous ornamental plants with large pyramidal racemes, long flower duration and diverse colours. Genetic maps provide an important genomic resource of basic and applied significance. A genetic linkage map was developed by genotyping 192 F1 progeny from a cross between L. caudata (female) and L. indica (‘Xiang Xue Yun’) (male) with a combination of amplification fragment length polymorphisms (AFLP) and simple sequence repeats (SSR) markers in a double pseudo‐testcross mapping strategy. A total of 330 polymorphic loci consisting of 284 AFLPs and 46 SSRs showing Mendelian segregation were generated from 383 AFLP primer combinations and 150 SSR primers. The data were analysed using JoinMap 4.0 (evaluation version) to construct the linkage map. The map consisted of 20 linkage groups of 173 loci (160 AFLPs and 13 SSRs) covering 1162.1 cM with a mean distance of 10.69 cM between adjacent markers. The 20 linkage groups contained 2–49 loci and ranged in length from 7.38 to 163.57 cM. This map will serve as a framework for mapping QTLs and provide reference information for future molecular breeding work.