bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Challenges and Opportunities
Authors: Livermore Michael A.
Published: May 2013

While the potential of cost-benefit analysis as a regulatory tool is almost universally acknowledged, researchers must continue to work to overcome obstacles associated with data collection and discretionary valuation, especially in the context of developing countries. This chapter discusses how developing and emerging countries have challenged, and may be challenged by, cost-benefit analysis. Some of the recurring practical and theoretical issues in cost-benefit analysis in developing countries include the use of benefit-transfer, and how issues like employment can be incorporated into cost-benefit analysis. The question of how cost-benefit analysis fits into the political process is also discussed, drawing on more recent experience in the United States to offer a set of general observations about how politics is likely to affect the future of cost-benefit analysis around the world.
The Life of Rog Bande Sherab Ö
Authors: Cabezón José Ignacio
Published: May 2013

This is a biography of Rog Bande Sherab drawn principally from the only extant source, the Blue Annals.
How the Dharma Was Taught and Compiled
Authors: Cabezón José Ignacio
Published: May 2013

This chapter of the translation discusses the Buddha’s teaching career from both the exoteric and exoteric perspectives. The exoteric teachings are discussed under the rubric of the “three wheels of the doctrine” (when and where it was “turned,” who the patron and audience was, and the subject matter). The tantra or esoteric teachings are discussed using the rubric of where they were taught: e.g., in various heavens or different places on the earth. The chapter then discusses how these teachings were compiled during the different “councils.”
The Mind-Only School
Authors: Cabezón José Ignacio
Published: May 2013

This is the Lamp’s treatment of the Cittamātra School. Rogben discusses the major tenets and subschools of the Cittamātra and offers a refutation of the various views of this school, including the so-called “three characteristics: or trilakṣaṇa. He also discusses the path, practice, and the effect that is achieved by following the Cittamātra path.
The Outer Tantras
Authors: Cabezón José Ignacio
Published: May 2013

This chapter deals with vehicles 4-6, the so-called three “outer tantras": kriyā, upāya, and yoga tantra. Each of these various vehicles is treated under four main topics: (1) view, (2) meditation, (3) practice, and (4) result. The discussion of these vehicles ends with Rogben’s refutation of each.
The Inner Tantras
Authors: Cabezón José Ignacio
Published: May 2013

The three inner tantras—mahāyoga, anuyoga, and atiyoga—are the highest tantras of the Nyingma school. This is the subject of chapter 14. As in the previous chapters, the rubric of view, meditation, practice, and result structure the discussion. In his discussion of atiyoga, Rogben mentions some of the systems (lugs) known in his day: the Myang system, Skor system, and So system. After discussing each of the first two tantric classes, Rogben refutes them from the perspective of atiyoga. The atiyoga, Rogben believes, cannot be refuted, but he responds to criticisms of atiyoga or Dzogchen that have been put forward by others. This is his defense of the Great Perfection tradition.
Appendix II The Relationship of Rog’sLampto the TwoDeuHistories
Authors: Cabezón José Ignacio
Published: May 2013

This appendix discusses the relationship of the Lamp to two other doctrinal histories written in the early to mid-thirteenth centuries: the Long and Short Deu (Lde’u) Chronicles.
Assembling the 20 Gb white spruce (Picea glauca) genome from whole-genome shotgun sequencing data
Authors: Birol Inanc , Raymond Anthony , Jackman Shaun D. , Pleasance Stephen , Coope Robin , Taylor Greg A. , Yuen Macaire Man Saint , Keeling Christopher I. , Brand Dana , Vandervalk Benjamin P. , Kirk Heather , Pandoh Pawan , Moore Richard A. , Zhao Yongjun , Mungall Andrew J. , Jaquish Barry , Yanchuk Alvin , Ritland Carol , Boyle Brian , Bousquet Jean , Ritland Kermit , MacKay John , Bohlmann Jörg , Jones Steven J.M.
Published: May 2013

White spruce (Picea glauca) is a dominant conifer of the boreal forests of North America, and providing genomics resources for this commercially valuable tree will help improve forest management and conservation efforts. Sequencing and assembling the large and highly repetitive spruce genome though pushes the boundaries of the current technology. Here, we describe a whole-genome shotgun sequencing strategy using two Illumina sequencing platforms and an assembly approach using the ABySS software. We report a 20.8 giga base pairs draft genome in 4.9 million scaffolds, with a scaffold N50 of 20 356 bp. We demonstrate how recent improvements in the sequencing technology, especially increasing read lengths and paired end reads from longer fragments have a major impact on the assembly contiguity. We also note that scalable bioinformatics tools are instrumental in providing rapid draft assemblies.

Availability: The Picea glauca genome sequencing and assembly data are available through NCBI (Accession#: ALWZ0100000000 PID: PRJNA83435). http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/bioproject/83435.

Contact:  ibirol@bcgsc.ca

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Spontaneous formation of double bars in dark-matter-dominated galaxies
Authors: Saha Kanak , Maciejewski Witold
Published: May 2013

Although nearly one-third of barred galaxies host an inner, secondary bar, the formation and evolution of double barred galaxies remain unclear. We show here an example model of a galaxy, dominated by a live dark matter halo, in which double bars form naturally, without requiring gas, and we follow its evolution for a Hubble time. The inner bar in our model galaxy rotates almost as slowly as the outer bar, and it can reach up to half of its length. The route to the formation of a double bar may be different from that of a single strong bar. Massive dark matter halo or dynamically hot stellar disc may play an important role in the formation of double bars and their subsequent evolution.
Efficacy and Limitations of Pulse Cyclophosphamide Therapy in Polymyositis and Dermatomyositis
Authors: Nagappa M. , Taly A. B. , Sinha S. , Gayathri N. , Bindu P. S. , Mahadevan A. , Yasha T.
Published: May 2013

Objectives:

To assess the therapeutic response of intravenous (IV) pulse cyclophosphamide therapy in polymyositis and dermatomyositis.

Methods:

Data of 9 patients (M:F = 2:7) who received IV pulse cyclophosphamide therapy were retrospectively analyzed.

Results:

The mean symptom duration was 11.33 ± 10.6 months (range, 2–34 months). The cohort comprised (1) primary idiopathic polymyositis (n = 1), (2) primary idiopathic dermatomyositis (n = 1), (3) childhood type associated with vasculitis (n = 1), and (4) associated with collagen vascular disease (n = 6). All patients improved and became clinically asymptomatic after a mean period of 12.33 ± 6.5 months (range, 4–24 months); 5 remained asymptomatic at the end of a median follow-up period of 22 months. All patients received concomitant steroid therapy, and in 6, steroids could be tapered after the initiation of IV pulse cyclophosphamide therapy.

Conclusions:

In this cohort of polymyositis/dermatomyositis, treatment with IV pulse cyclophosphamide was associated with improvement; the therapeutic response was sustained in majority of the patients.
Exploitation of bacterialN-linked glycosylation to develop a novel recombinant glycoconjugate vaccine againstFrancisella tularensis
Authors: Cuccui Jon , Thomas Rebecca M. , Moule Madeleine G. , D'Elia Riccardo V. , Laws Thomas R. , Mills Dominic C. , Williamson Diane , Atkins Timothy P. , Prior Joann L. , Wren Brendan W.
Published: May 2013

Glycoconjugate-based vaccines have proved to be effective at producing long-lasting protection against numerous pathogens. Here, we describe the application of bacterial protein glycan coupling technology (PGCT) to generate a novel recombinant glycoconjugate vaccine.We demonstrate the conjugation of theFrancisella tularensisO-antigen to thePseudomonas aeruginosacarrier protein exotoxin A using theCampylobacter jejuniPglB oligosaccharyltransferase.The resultant recombinantF. tularensisglycoconjugate vaccine is expressed inEscherichia coliwhere yields of 3 mg l−1of culture were routinely produced in a single-step purification process. Vaccination of BALB/c mice with the purified glycoconjugate boosted IgG levels and significantly increased the time to death upon subsequent challenge withF. tularensissubsp.holarctica. PGCT allows different polysaccharide and protein combinations to be produced recombinantly and could be easily applicable for the production of diverse glycoconjugate vaccines.
Seroprevalence of Chlamydia psittaci infection in market-sold adult chickens, ducks and pigeons in north-western China
Authors: Cong W. , Huang S. Y. , Zhang X. Y. , Zhou D. H. , Xu M. J. , Zhao Q. , Song H. Q. , Zhu X. Q. , Qian A. D.
Published: May 2013

Chlamydia psittaci, the agent of psittacosis in humans, infects a wide range of avian species. To assess the risk of psittacosis posed by domestic birds in the urban environment, the prevalence of C. psittaci antibodies in 413 chickens (Gallus domesticus; 305 caged and 108 free-range), 334 ducks (Anas spp.; 111 caged and 223 free-range) and 312 pigeons (Columba livia) in Lanzhou, north-western China, was detected using the indirect haemagglutination assay. The specific antibodies were found in sera of 55 (13.32 %) chickens, 130 (38.92 %) ducks and 97 (31.09 %) pigeons. Statistical analysis showed that the seroprevalence of C. psittaci infection in chickens was significantly lower than that in ducks and pigeons (P<0.05). The C. psittaci seroprevalence in caged and free-range chickens was 7.54 % and 29.63 %, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The C. psittaci seroprevalence in caged and free-range ducks was 26.13 % and 45.29 %, respectively (P<0.05). To our knowledge, this is the first study indicating the presence of C. psittaci infection in market-sold chickens, ducks and pigeons in north-western China. Close contact with these birds is associated with a risk of zoonotic transmission of C. psittaci. Public education should be implemented to reduce the risk of avian to human transmission of such a pathogenic agent.
Do Changes in Hospital Outpatient Payments Affect the Setting of Care?
Authors: He Daifeng , Mellor Jennifer M.
Published: May 2013

Objective

To examine whether decreases in Medicare outpatient payment rates under the Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) caused outpatient care to shift toward the inpatient setting.

Data Sources/Study Setting

Hospital inpatient and outpatient discharge files from the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration from 1997 through 2008.

Study Design

This study focuses on inguinal hernia repair surgery, one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures in the United States. We estimate multivariate regressions of inguinal hernia surgery counts in the outpatient setting and in the inpatient setting. The key explanatory variable is the time‐varying Medicare payment rate specific to the procedure and hospital. Control variables include time‐varying hospital and county characteristics and hospital and year‐fixed effects.

Principal Findings

Outpatient hernia surgeries fell in response to OPPS‐induced rate cuts. The volume of inpatient hernia repair surgeries did not increase in response to reductions in the outpatient reimbursement rate.

Conclusions

Potential substitution from the outpatient setting to the inpatient setting does not pose a serious threat to Medicare's efforts to contain hospital outpatient costs.
Novel antibodies targeting immune regulatory checkpoints for cancer therapy
Authors: Lee Chern Siang , Cragg Mark , Glennie Martin , Johnson Peter
Published: May 2013

Cancers must evade or suppress the immune system in order to develop. Better understanding of the molecular regulation governing tumour detection and effective activation of the immune system (so called immune regulatory checkpoints) has provided new targets for cancer immunotherapy. Therapeutic monoclonal antibodies against these targets are currently undergoing clinical evaluation with more in pre‐clinical development; buoyed by the recent licence approval of the anti‐CTLA‐4 antibody, ipilumumab, for use in melanoma. This article will review the current status of the various antibodies and target molecules being investigated.
Increased apoptosis and suburothelial inflammation in patients with ketamine‐related cystitis: a comparison with non‐ulcerative interstitial cystitis and controls
Authors: Lee Cheng‐Ling , Jiang Yuan‐Hong , Kuo Hann‐Chorng
Published: May 2013

Objective

To investigate the suburothelial inflammation and urothelial dysfunction that occurs with ketamine‐related cystitis (KC) and interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS).

Patients and Methods

Bladder tissues from 16 patients with KC, 17 patients with IC/BPS and 10 control subjects were analysed.

Immunofluorescence staining of the junction protein E‐cadherin was carried out, and tryptase levels and a TUNEL assay were used to assess mast‐cell activation and urothelial apoptosis, respectively.

The fluorescence intensity of E‐cadherin was measured using the ImageJ method. The percentages of activated mast cells and apoptotic cells were calculated as positive cells per unit area (4 μm2).

Results

The mean (sd) ages of the patients in the KC, IC/BPS and control groups were 25.0 (3.8), 41.3 (13.7) and 50.5 (9.6) years, respectively (P < 0.05).

The mean (sd) distributions of E‐cadherin in KC (10.1 [11.2]) and IC/BPS (25.1 [16.3]) tissues were significantly lower than in the control tissues (42.4 [16.7]; both P < 0.05).

The mean (sd) number of activated mast cells, measured by tryptase signals in the KC (6.5 [3.7]) and IC/BPS (4.6 [3.0]) tissues, were significantly higher than in the control tissues (1.3 [1.12]; both P < 0.05).

TUNEL staining showed a significantly higher mean (sd) number of apoptotic cells in KC (4.4 [2.5]) and IC/BPS (2.4 [1.7]) tissues than in control tissues (0.1 [0.3]; both P < 0.05).

Tissues from the KC bladders had significantly lower expression of E‐cadherin (P = 0.024) and significantly higher numbers of apoptotic cells (P = 0.02) compared with the IC/BPS bladder tissues.

Greater numbers of apoptotic cells and lower expression levels of E‐cadherin significantly correlated with maximum bladder capacity in the overall patient samples (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

KC and IC/BPS tissues both showed defective junction protein, increased suburothelial inflammation and increased urothelial cell apoptosis.

Decreased expression of E‐cadherin and increased apoptosis were more severe in KC than in IC/BPS bladder tissues and these findings were associated with the clinical symptoms of KC and IC/BPS.
Prospective evaluation of urinary incontinence, voiding symptoms and quality of life after open and robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy
Authors: Geraerts Inge , Van Poppel Hendrik , Devoogdt Nele , Van Cleynenbreugel Ben , Joniau Steven , Van Kampen Marijke
Published: May 2013

Objective

To compare functional outcomes, i.e. urinary incontinence (UI), voiding symptoms and quality of life, after open (ORP) and robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP).

Patients and Methods

Between September 2009 and July 2011, 180 consecutive patients underwent radical prostatectomy; of these, 116 underwent ORP and 64 underwent RARP. We prospectively assessed the functional outcomes of each group during the first year of follow‐up.

We measured UI on the 3 days before surgery (24‐h pad test) and daily after surgery until total continence, defined as 3 consecutive days of 0 g urine leak, was achieved. Additionally, all patients were assessed before surgery and at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and the King's Health Questionnaire (KHQ).

All patients received pelvic floor muscle training until continence was achieved.

Kaplan–Meier analyses and Cox regression with correction for covariates were used to compare time to continence. A Mann–Whitney U‐test was used to assess IPSS and KHQ.

Results

Patients in the RARP group had a significantly lower D'Amico risk group allocation and underwent more nerve‐sparing surgery. Other characteristics were similar.

Patients in the RARP group regained continence sooner than those in the ORP group (P = 0.007). In the RARP group, the median time to continence (16 vs 46 days, P = 0.026) was significantly shorter and the median amount of first day UI (44 vs 186 g, P < 0.01) was significantly smaller than in the ORP group. After correction for all covariates, the difference remained significant (P = 0.036, hazard ratio [HR] 1.522 (1.027–2.255). In addition, younger men, men with positive surgical margins and men without preoperative incontinence achieved continence sooner.

A comparison of time to continence between groups with a sufficient number of patients (intermediate risk and/or bilateral nerve‐sparing) still showed a faster return of continence after RARP, but the effect decreased in size and was nonsignificant (HR>1.2, P > 0.05).

Only six patients (two in the RARP and four in the ORP group) still had UI after 1 year.

Patients in the RARP group had significantly better IPSS scores at 1 (P = 0.013) and 3 (P = 0.038) months, and scored better in almost all KHQ aspects.

Conclusion

In this prospective trial, patients treated with RARP tended to regain urinary continence sooner than patients treated with ORP, but in subgroup analyses statistical significance disappeared and effect size decreased dramatically, indicating that the results must be interpreted with caution.
“Where there's a will …”: Reforming postsecondary education in Canada's and the European Union's decentralized systems
Authors: Haskel Barbara
Published: May 2013

The Bologna Process that created the European Higher Education Area is an elaborate open method of coordination (OMC)‐type process involving the member states, interested parties, social partners and experts. It is the product of the incentives of the actors who created and who sustain it; it embodies a purpose. Is such a process relevant for policy making on postsecondary education in the Canadian federal system? One would need to know if there is a compelling vision, objective or anxiety that motivates the key actors.
A high antithymocyte globulin dose increases the risk of relapse after reduced intensity conditioning HSCT with unrelated donors
Authors: Remberger Mats , Ringdén Olle , Hägglund Hans , Svahn Britt‐Marie , Ljungman Per , Uhlin Michael , Mattsson Jonas
Published: May 2013

The study included 110 consecutive patients with hematological malignancies receiving fludarabine‐based reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) from matched unrelated donors. The median age was 55 yr (range 11–68) and all but 15 patients received peripheral blood stem cell grafts. Antithymocyte globulin (ATG) (Thymoglobulin, Genzyme) at a total dose of 6 mg/kg (n = 66) or 8 mg/kg (n = 44) was given to all patients according to protocol. The ATG dose did not affect time‐to‐neutrophil or platelet engraftment. The incidences of acute GVHD grades II–IV were 34% and 18% (p = 0.11) and of chronic GVHD were 40% and 26% (p = 0.46) in patients receiving 6 and 8 mg/kg of ATG, respectively. The five‐yr relapse‐free survival (RFS) was 61% and 36% (p = 0.14) in patients, given low and high ATG dose, respectively. In patients given low‐dose ATG, the incidence of relapse was lower compared to those given high‐dose ATG, 19% vs. 41% (p = 0.04). In multivariate analysis, age >50 yr (p < 0.001), absence of acute (p < 0.001) and chronic GVHD (p = 0.001) were correlated to relapse, and low‐dose ATG was associated with improved RFS (p < 0.05). A high dose (8 mg/kg) of ATG in RIC HSCT with unrelated donors increased the risk for relapse and reduced the RFS.
Differences between men and women in the regulation of adipose 11β‐HSD1 and in its association with adiposity and insulin resistance
Authors: deSchoolmeester J. , Palming J. , Persson T. , Pereira M. J. , Wallerstedt E. , Brown H. , Gill D. , Renström F. , Lundgren M. , Svensson M. K. , Rees A. , Eriksson J. W.
Published: May 2013

This study explored sex differences in 11β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β‐HSD1) activity and gene expression in isolated adipocytes and adipose tissue (AT), obtained via subcutaneous biopsies from non‐diabetic subjects [58 M, 64 F; age 48.3 ± 15.3 years, body mass index (BMI) 27.2 ± 3.9 kg/m2]. Relationships with adiposity and insulin resistance (IR) were addressed. Males exhibited higher 11β‐HSD1 activity in adipocytes than females, but there was no such difference for AT. In both men and women, adipocyte 11β‐HSD1 activity correlated positively with BMI, waist circumference, % body fat, adipocyte size and with serum glucose, triglycerides and low‐density lipoprotein:high‐density lipoprotein (LDL:HDL) ratio. Positive correlations with insulin, HOMA‐IR and haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and a negative correlation with HDL‐cholesterol were significant only in males. Conversely, 11β‐HSD1 activity in AT correlated with several markers of IR and adiposity in females but not in males, but the opposite pattern was found with respect to 11β‐HSD1 mRNA expression. This study suggests that there are sex differences in 11β‐HSD1 regulation and in its associations with markers of obesity and IR.
Arthropod food webs become increasingly lipid‐limited at higher trophic levels
Authors: Wilder Shawn M. , Norris Michael , Lee Raymond W. , Raubenheimer David , Simpson Stephen J.
Published: May 2013

Understanding why food chains are relatively short in length has been an area of research and debate for decades. We tested if progressive changes in the nutritional content of arthropods with trophic position limit the availability of a key nutrient, lipid, for carnivores. Arthropods at higher trophic levels had progressively less lipid and more protein in their bodies compared with arthropods at lower trophic levels. The nutrients present in arthropod bodies were directly related to the nutrients that predators extracted when feeding on those arthropods. As a consequence, nutrient assimilation shifted from lipid‐biased to protein‐biased as arthropods ascended trophic levels from herbivores to secondary carnivores. Successive changes in the nutritional consequences of predation may ultimately set an upper limit on the number of trophic levels in arthropod communities. Further work is needed to examine the influence of lipid and other nutrients on food web traits in a range of ecosystems.
Black tattoo inks induce reactive oxygen species production correlating with aggregation of pigment nanoparticles and product brand but not with the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon content
Authors: Høgsberg Trine , Jacobsen Nicklas Raun , Clausen Per Axel , Serup Jørgen
Published: May 2013

Black tattoo inks are composed of carbon nanoparticles, additives and water and may contain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). We aimed to clarify whether reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by black inks in vitro is related to pigment chemistry, physico‐chemical properties of the ink particles and the content of chemical additives and contaminants including PAHs. The study included nine brands of tattoo inks of six colours each (black, red, yellow, blue, green and white) and two additional black inks of different brands (n = 56). The ROS formation potential was determined by the dichlorofluorescein (DCFH) assay. A semiquantitative method was developed for screening extractable organic compounds in tattoo ink based on gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) and matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF‐MS). Two black inks produced high amounts of ROS. Peroxyl radicals accounted for up to 72% of the free radicals generated, whereas hydroxyl radicals and H2O2 accounted for <14% and 16%, respectively. The same two inks aggregated strongly in water in contrast to the other black inks. They did not exhibit any shared pattern in PAHs and other organic substances. Aggregation was exclusively shared by all ink colours belonging to the same two brands. Ten of 11 black inks had PAH concentrations exceeding the European Council's recommended level, and all 11 exceeded the recommended level for benzo(a)pyrene. It is a new finding that aggregation of tattoo pigment particles correlates with ROS production and brand, independently of chemical composition including PAHs. ROS is hypothesized to be implicated in minor clinical symptoms.
Native bees buffer the negative impact of climate warming on honey bee pollination of watermelon crops
Authors: Rader Romina , Reilly James , Bartomeus Ignasi , Winfree Rachael
Published: May 2013

If climate change affects pollinator‐dependent crop production, this will have important implications for global food security because insect pollinators contribute to production for 75% of the leading global food crops. We investigate whether climate warming could result in indirect impacts upon crop pollination services via an overlooked mechanism, namely temperature‐induced shifts in the diurnal activity patterns of pollinators. Using a large data set on bee pollination of watermelon crops, we predict how pollination services might change under various climate change scenarios. Our results show that under the most extreme IPCC scenario (A1F1), pollination services by managed honey bees are expected to decline by 14.5%, whereas pollination services provided by most native, wild taxa are predicted to increase, resulting in an estimated aggregate change in pollination services of +4.5% by 2099. We demonstrate the importance of native biodiversity in buffering the impacts of climate change, because crop pollination services would decline more steeply without the native, wild pollinators. More generally, our study provides an important example of how biodiversity can stabilize ecosystem services against environmental change.
Company and meal choices considered by Nordic adolescents
Authors: Janhonen Kristiina , Benn Jette , Fjellström Christina , Mäkelä Johanna , Palojoki Päivi
Published: May 2013

This article examines the meal choices considered by Nordic adolescents in two social situations: for themselves and for the family. In addition, the frequency of family meals is compared between the countries studied. The survey data (n = 1539) were collected during 2006–2007 from 9th grade students (aged 14–17 years) in Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Norway. Analysis was based on both quantitative variables and open‐ended data. Family meals were found to be less common among Finnish respondents than in the remaining data. In all countries but Denmark, the number of parents in the family had an effect on the frequency of family meals. Meals echoing or fully meeting the structural definition of a ‘proper meal’ were most common when describing meals for the family. The difference between the two social situations was most apparent for those who mentioned ‘Fast food dishes’ for themselves. Gender differences in open‐ended questions were smallest in Denmark and most apparent in Norway. Future studies should focus not only on how many of adolescents eat in what is termed an unhealthy way but also on how they themselves perceive and conceptualize eating, and what kinds of justifications they give to their everyday choices in different social contexts.
Evaluation of amotosalem treated platelets over 7 days of storage with an automated cytometry assay panel
Authors: Diquattro M. , De Francisci G. , Bonaccorso R. , Tagliavia A. M. , Marcatti M. , Palma B. , Agliastro R.
Published: May 2013

Introduction

Pathogen Inactivation allows to overcome microbial contamination and growth related to storage of platelets concentrates (PC) at room temperature. The aim of our study was to evaluate the platelet storage lesion extending the storage period of pathogen inactivated platelet concentrates over 7 days using an automated cytometry assay panel.

Methods

We analyzed 43 concentrates subjected to pathogen inactivation (CPPI) at 3, 5 and 7 days evaluating: platelet count, mean platelet volume, platelets at low optical density, platelets at high density, GPIIb‐IIIa glycoprotein, platelet microparticles, lactate dehydrogenase. The collection bags (Fenwal) and the IBS kit made in PL2410/PL2411 are approved for the conservation of PC up to 7 days. Data analysis was performed with anova test.

Results

All the parameters except small platelets and PMP were statistically different among day 7 vs. 3 and day 7 vs. 5.

Conclusions

Our study showed a progressive modification of pathogen inactivated platelet concentrates observed up to 7 days. The persistence of the secretory pool and the presence of the platelet membrane fibrinogen receptor suggest the persistence of a potential hemostatic efficacy. Clinical studies are necessary to directly correlate this type of analysis to 24 h recovery or survival of transfused platelets in humans.
Intergenerational Change in Religious Salience Among Immigrant Families in Four European Countries
Authors: Jacob Konstanze , Kalter Frank
Published: May 2013

This paper investigates religiosity among immigrant children in four European countries: England, Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden. Drawing on major strands of theories in the sociology of religion and of migration, we analyse intergenerational change in religiosity within immigrant families of different religious affiliation and test how far common arguments can contribute to explaining existing patterns. We overcome several challenges and shortcomings in this field by studying adolescent‐parent dyads. Using strictly comparable and comprehensive data from the new Children of Immigrants Longitudinal Survey in Four European Countries (CILS4EU), we find a considerable stability of religiosity or even an increase therein within Muslim immigrant families, in contrast to Christian immigrant families, whose religiosity declines over generations. This finding is astonishingly stable across the four countries. Our analyses furthermore suggest that interfamilial change in religiosity is only weakly related to assimilation processes in other domains of life.
Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation Burden Before and After Pulmonary Veins Isolation: An Observational Study Through a Subcutaneous Leadless Cardiac Monitor
Authors: PEDROTE ALONSO , ARANA‐RUEDA EDUARDO , GARCÍA‐RIESCO LORENA , SÁNCHEZ‐BROTONS JUAN , DURÁN‐GUERRERO MANUEL , GÓMEZ‐PULIDO FEDERICO , ARCE‐LEÓN ÁLVARO , FRUTOS‐LÓPEZ MANUEL
Published: May 2013

Preablation Atrial Fibrillation Burden

Aims

Data on the success rate of ablation in atrial fibrillation (AF) are controversial. Our hypothesis is that the efficacy must be evaluated considering the AF burden (AFB) before the procedure. Moreover, the clinical significance of early recurrence (ERAT) of AF or atrial tachyarrhythmias (AT) is debatable. The aim is to describe the outcome of pulmonary vein isolation in paroxysmal AF through a subcutaneous cardiac monitor (ICM) implanted before the procedure.

Methods

Using CARTO 3, circumferential lesions around the pulmonary veins were placed. The study endpoint was the first documented recurrence of AF/AT by ICM after the blanking period (3 months). AFB (percentage of time in AF/AT) was collected every month before and after the procedure during the 12‐month follow‐up.

Results

The ICM was implanted 94 ± 23 days before the procedure in 35 patients with paroxysmal AF (54 ± 11 years, refractory to 1.8 ± 0.6 antiarrhythmic drugs). Cumulative AFB before the procedure and after the blanking period was 2.5% (1–5%) versus 0% (0–0.25%), P < 0.001. Twenty patients (57.1%) were free of documented AF/AT recurrence, 5 patients (14.2%) reduced the AFB 90%, 6 patients (17.1%) continued the same, and 4 patients (11.4%) increased the AFB 90% for AT. The success rate with second procedure was 71.4%. All 13 patients with ERAT had recurrence after the blanking period.

Conclusions

The outcome of pulmonary vein isolation in patients with paroxysmal AF is well documented by an ICM. The success rate is dependent of the previous AFB that can be randomly variable and lower than expected. ERATs predict late recurrence.
Decoupling of taxonomic diversity and morphological disparity during decline of the Cambrian trilobite family Pterocephaliidae
Authors: Hopkins M. J.
Published: May 2013

Although discordance between taxonomic diversity and morphological disparity is common, little is known about the underlying dynamics that drive this decoupling. Early in the history of the Cambrian trilobite family Pterocephaliidae, there was an increase in taxonomic diversity and morphological diversity. As taxonomic diversity declined in the later history of the clade, range of variation stayed high and disparity continued to increase. However, per‐branch rates of morphological evolution estimated from a recent phylogeny decreased with time. Neither within‐trait nor within‐species variation increased or decreased, suggesting that the declining rates of morphological evolution were more likely related to ecological opportunity or niche partitioning, rather than increasing intrinsic constraints. This is further supported by evidence for increased biofacies associations throughout the time period. Thus, the high disparity seen at low taxonomic diversity late in the history of this clade was due to extinction – either random or targeting mean forms – rather than increased rates of morphological evolution. This pattern also provides a scenario that could account for instances of low taxonomic diversity but high morphological disparity in modern groups.
Anatomy and function of cholinergic C bouton inputs to motor neurons
Authors: Witts Emily C. , Zagoraiou Laskaro , Miles Gareth B.
Published: May 2013

Motor control circuitry of the central nervous system must be flexible so that motor behaviours can be adapted to suit the varying demands of different states, developmental stages, and environments. Flexibility in motor control is largely provided by neuromodulatory systems which can adjust the output of motor circuits by modulating the properties and connectivity of neurons within them. The spinal circuitry which controls locomotion is subject to a range of neuromodulatory influences, including some which are intrinsic to the spinal cord. One such intrinsic neuromodulatory system, for which a wealth of anatomical information has recently been combined with new physiological data, is the C bouton system. C boutons are large, cholinergic inputs to motor neurons which were first described over 40 years ago but whose source and function have until recently remained a mystery. In this review we discuss how the convergence of anatomical, molecular genetic and physiological data has recently led to significant advances in our understanding of this unique neuromodulatory system. We also highlight evidence that C boutons are involved in spinal cord injury and disease, revealing their potential as targets for novel therapeutic strategies.
Benefits of physical exercises in developing certain fitness levels in children with hyperactivity
Authors: Golubović Š. , Milutinović D. , Golubović B.
Published: May 2013

Accessible summary

We examined effects of physical activity on fitness of children with and without hyperactivity.

No significant differences were observed in fitness levels between two groups.

Hyperactive children improved coordination of whole body, trunk strength and agility.

The objectives of this study were to assess the effects of participating in regular physical activity on the fitness of children with hyperactivity. The study compared a sample of children who were assessed as hyperactive with the same number of children rated as non‐hyperactive. The Conners' Rating Scale was used for hyperactivity evaluation, while fitness levels were assessed using a battery of six motor tests prior to and following the completion of the physical exercise programme. The findings indicated that while overall fitness levels of both groups improved, the differences were not statistically significant. However, improvements shown within the group of hyperactive children with regard to coordination of the whole body, trunk strength and agility were statistically significant. Physical activity may be associated with enhanced levels of some aspects of physical fitness.
Changes in tissue free amino acid pools in growing chickens fed thermally treated vetch diets
Authors: Fernández‐Fígares I. , Nieto R. , Aguilera J. F. , Lachica M.
Published: May 2013

A three‐day assay was developed to evaluate the effect of autoclaving on protein quality of vetch as an alternative to classical growth methods. Male chickens (n = 10/diet) were given approximately isonitrogenous diets based on raw or autoclaved vetch for 3 days. Samples of plasma, muscle and liver were obtained for free amino acid analysis. Heating vetch depressed growth (11.9 vs. 23.2 g/d; p < 0.05). Plasma methionine and histidine increased (0.05 < p < 0.06), while gluconeogenic amino acids tended to decrease (p < 0.10) after heating. Muscle free amino acids did not change except for a trend to increased methionine (p = 0.06) in birds fed autoclaved vetch. In liver, most essential amino acids, glycine, proline and tyrosine increased markedly with heated vetch diet. Correlations between plasma and muscle free amino acids were poor compared with those between plasma and liver free amino acids. Liver free amino acid pool was more sensitive than muscle or plasma pool to amino acid inflow modifications after vetch heating.
Severity of child pedestrian injuries due to bonnet‐type‐vehicle collision
Authors: Hitosugi Masahito , Kawato Hitoshi , Gomei Sayaka , Mizuno Koji , Tokudome Shogo
Published: May 2013

Background

The aim of this study was to clarify the pattern of child pedestrian injury, injury severity, and its relation to collision velocity in bonnet‐type‐vehicle collision.

Methods

In‐depth data were retrospectively collected from the Institute for Traffic Accident Research and Data Analysis on pedestrians younger than 13 years old with any bodily injuries from collisions with bonnet‐type vehicles between 1993 and 2004.

Results

Forty‐seven patients from 43 collisions with a mean age of 6.9 ± 2.5 years were included in the study. Injury severity was not significantly different between patients who were hit by the front of the vehicle and those who were hit by the side of the vehicle. In front collisions, impact with the vehicle was associated with significantly higher Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) scores than those for impact with the road, especially for the lower extremities (mean: 1.2 vs 0.2, P < 0.001). Injury severity of the lower extremities and collision velocity were examined. The estimated collision velocity of the vehicle was not significantly different between patients with lower extremity AIS scores of 0 or 1 and those of 2 or 3.

Conclusions

Some pediatric pedestrians suffer from collisions with bonnet‐type vehicles without lower extremity fractures owing to the characteristics of child pedestrians. Providing injury prevention programs for children in communities and schools, developing active safety devices in the vehicle, and modifying the vehicle body to a pediatric pedestrian‐friendly structure may increase pedestrian protection.
Soil Moisture Deficit as a predictor of the trend in soil water status of grass fields
Authors: Kerebel A. , Cassidy R. , Jordan P. , Holden N. M.
Published: May 2013

Nutrient loss from agricultural land following organic fertilizer spreading can lead to eutrophication and poor water quality. The risk of pollution is partly related to the soil water status during and after spreading. In response to these issues, a decision support system (DSS) for nutrient management has been developed to predict when soil and weather conditions are suitable for slurry spreading. At the core of the DSS, the Hybrid Soil Moisture Deficit (HSMD) model estimates soil water status relative to field capacity (FC) for three soil classes (well, moderately and poorly drained) and has potential to predict the occurrence of a transport vector when the soil is wetter than FC. Three years of field observation of volumetric water content was used to validate HSMD model predictions of water status and to ensure correct use and interpretation of the drainage classes. Point HSMD model predictions were validated with respect to the temporal and spatial variations in volumetric water content and soil strength properties. It was found that the HSMD model predictions were well related to topsoil water content through time, but a new class intermediate between poor and moderate, perhaps ‘imperfectly drained’, was needed. With correct allocations of a field into a drainage class, the HSMD model predictions reflect field scale trends in water status and therefore the model is suitable for use at the core of a DSS.
Filtered Dynamic Inversion for Vibration Control of Structures With Uncertainty
Authors: Seigler T. M. , Hoagg Jesse B.
Published: May 2013

This paper presents a controller for uncertain structures that are minimum phase and potentially subject to unknown-and-unmeasured disturbances. The controller combines dynamic inversion with a low-pass filter to yield a single-parameter high-gain-stabilizing controller. Filtered dynamic inversion requires limited model information, is independent of system order, requires only output feedback, and makes the average power of the command following error arbitrarily small despite the presence of unknown disturbances. The controller is applied to structures modeled by finite-dimensional vector second-order systems with unknown and arbitrarily large order. We also present an adaptive filtered-dynamic-inversion controller, which uses a high-gain adaptive law to increase the controller parameter until the desired performance is achieved. Finally, the controller is extended to vector second-order nonlinear systems, in which case full-state feedback may be required. Examples are given to demonstrate the application and performance of the controller.
More Power from Below
Authors: Moore Joseph N. , Simmons Stuart F.
Published: May 2013

Geothermal energy production is increasing across the world, but challenges remain.
Identification of a Heteromeric Complex That Promotes DNA Replication Origin Firing in Human Cells
Authors: Boos Dominik , Yekezare Mona , Diffley John F. X.
Published: May 2013

Keeping Coordinated

Before a cell divides, it must replicate its genome so that both daughter cells receive a copy of the parental DNA. Replication must be tightly regulated to ensure that the genome is replicated only once, because over- or underreplication could result in aberrations that cause genome instability. Thus, replication must be coordinated with other events in the cell, such as the cell cycle and DNA damage response systems.

Boos
et al.

(p.
981
) analyzed the function of the Treslin/TICRR protein, an essential DNA replication factor regulated by cyclin-dependent kinases and the DNA damage checkpoint. Treslin interacts with the Mdm Two Binding Protein (MTBP), implicated in oncogenesis. MTBP and Treslin appear to integrate signals from the cell cycle and the DNA damage–response pathway, thereby controlling the initiation of DNA replication.
Report Reignites Battle Over Low-Salt Diets
Authors: Kupferschmidt Kai
Published: May 2013

The Institute of Medicine calls into question recommendations advising people to consume less sodium, reviving a passionate debate.
Unique N-Linked Glycosylation of CasBrE Env Influences Its Stability, Processing, and Viral Infectivity but Not Its Neurotoxicity
Authors: Renszel Krystal M. , Traister Russell S. , Lynch William P.
Published: May 2013

The envelope protein (Env) from the CasBrE murine leukemia virus (MLV) can cause acute spongiform neurodegeneration analogous to that induced by prions. Upon central nervous system (CNS) infection, Env is expressed as multiple isoforms owing to differential asparagine (N)-linked glycosylation. Because N-glycosylation can affect protein folding, stability, and quality control, we explored whether unique CasBrE Env glycosylation features could influence neurovirulence. CasBrE Env possesses 6/8 consensus MLV glycosylation sites (gs) but is missing gs3 and gs5 and contains a putative site (gs*). Twenty-nine mutants were generated by modifying these three sites, individually or in combination, to mimic the amino acid sequence in the nonneurovirulent Friend 57 MLV. Three basic viral phenotypes were observed: replication defective (dead; titer < 1 focus-forming unit [FFU]/ml), replication compromised (RC) (titer = 10
2
to 10
5
FFU/ml); and wild-type-like (WTL) (titer > 10
5
FFU/ml). Env protein was undetectable in dead mutants, while RC and WTL mutants showed variations in Env expression, processing, virus incorporation, virus entry, and virus spread. The newly introduced gs3 and gs5 sites were glycosylated, whereas gs* was not. Six WTL mutants tested in mice showed no clear attenuation in disease onset or severity versus controls. Furthermore, three RC viruses tested by neural stem cell (NSC)-mediated brainstem dissemination also induced acute spongiosis. Thus, while unique N-glycosylation affected structural features of Env involved in protein stability, proteolytic processing, and virus assembly and entry, these changes had minimal impact on CasBrE Env neurotoxicity. These findings suggest that the Env protein domains responsible for spongiogenesis represent highly stable elements upon which the more variable viral functional domains have evolved.
In Vivo
Bioluminescent Imaging of Influenza A Virus Infection and Characterization of Novel Cross-Protective Monoclonal Antibodies
Authors: Heaton Nicholas S. , Leyva-Grado Victor H. , Tan Gene S. , Eggink Dirk , Hai Rong , Palese Peter
Published: May 2013

Influenza A virus is a major human pathogen responsible for seasonal epidemics as well as pandemic outbreaks. Due to the continuing burden on human health, the need for new tools to study influenza virus pathogenesis as well as to evaluate new therapeutics is paramount. We report the development of a stable, replication-competent luciferase reporter influenza A virus that can be used for
in vivo
imaging of viral replication. This imaging is noninvasive and allows for the longitudinal monitoring of infection in living animals. We used this tool to characterize novel monoclonal antibodies that bind the conserved stalk domain of the viral hemagglutinin of H1 and H5 subtypes and protect mice from lethal disease. The use of luciferase reporter influenza viruses allows for new mechanistic studies to expand our knowledge of virus-induced disease and provides a new quantitative method to evaluate future antiviral therapies.