bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In vivo barrier challenge and long‐term recovery in human facial skin
Authors: Gorcea Mihaela , Hadgraft Jonathan , Lane Majella E. , Moore David J.
Published: December 2012

Synopsis

Recently, we developed a biophysical approach to characterize in vivo facial cheek skin as a function of stratum corneum (SC) depth, barrier function and during a 24‐h recovery period. The current study extends this work and characterizes the human facial cheek after barrier challenge and, for the first time, facial SC barrier recovery over a 4‐week period. Changes in the corneocyte size over the 4‐week recovery period, and correlations with changes in Trans‐Epidermal Water Loss (TEWL) were monitored. This approach allows complete characterization of SC barrier function after a full biological regeneration of the SC barrier following tape stripping. The structural and compositional changes in facial cheek were investigated using Attenuated Total Reflectance‐Fourier Transform Infra Red (ATR‐FTIR) spectroscopy, tape stripping, TEWL measurements and image analysis combined with optical microscopy to characterize the SC depth profile during the tape stripping stress and over 4‐week recovery period. TEWL increased significantly from baseline after sequential tape stripping. Corneocyte size decreased with successive tape stripping. An inverse direct correlation was determined between TEWL and corneocyte surface area. After 4 weeks, the corneocyte size and TEWL for the facial cheek recovered 100% from the tape stripping procedure. The in vivo ATR‐FTIR data demonstrated that lipid and sebum components on the surface of the facial cheek SC recovered within 24 h post tape stripping, whereas protein (Amide II) and water components recovered after 1 week.
16th IHIW: International Histocompatibility Working Group in Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation
Authors: Petersdorf E. W. , Malkki M. , Hsu K. , Bardy P. , Cesbron A. , Dickinson A. , Dubois V. , Fleischhauer K. , Kawase T. , Madrigal A. , Morishima Y. , Shaw B. , Spellman S. , Spierings E. , Stern M. , Tiercy J.‐M. , Velardi A. , Gooley T. ,   The International Histocompatibility Working Group in Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation
Published: December 2012

The International Histocompatibility Working Group is a collaborative international effort to understand the HLA and non‐HLA genetics of the transplantation barrier. The Working Group is comprised of experts in the fields of histocompatibility and immunogenetics, hematopoietic cell transplantation and outcomes research. Data for 25 855 unrelated donor transplants were submitted in support of research studies for the 16th International Histocompatibility Workshop. Active investigation is in progress in seven key areas: the impact of HLA matching, role of race and ethnicity, identification of permissible HLA mismatches, haplotype‐associated determinants, minor histocompatibility antigens, immune response genes and KIR genetics. New hypotheses for the 16th workshop were developed for immunogenetic studies in cord blood and haploidentical‐related donor transplantation.
Evidence of a conserved functional role forDNAmethylation in termites
Authors: Glastad K. M. , Hunt B. G. , Goodisman M. A. D.
Published: December 2012

Many organisms are capable of developing distinct phenotypes from the same genotype. This developmental plasticity is particularly prevalent in insects, which can produce alternate adaptive forms in response to distinct environmental cues. The ability to develop divergent phenotypes from the same genotype often relies on epigenetic information, which affects gene function and is transmitted through cell divisions. One of the most important epigenetic marks,DNAmethylation, has been lost in several insect lineages, yet its taxonomic distribution and functional conservation remain uninvestigated in many taxa. In the present study, we demonstrate that the signature of high levels ofDNAmethylation exists in the expressed genes of two termites,Reticulitermes flavipesandCoptotermes formosanus. Further, we show thatDNAmethylation is preferentially targeted to genes with ubiquitous expression among morphs. Functional associations ofDNAmethylation are also similar to those observed in other invertebrate taxa with functionalDNAmethylation systems. Finally, we demonstrate an association betweenDNAmethylation and the long‐term evolutionary conservation of genes. Overall, our findings strongly suggestDNAmethylation is present at particularly high levels in termites and may play similar roles to those found in other insects.
The combination of IκB kinase β inhibitor and everolimus modulates expression of interleukin‐10 in human T‐cell lymphotropic virus type‐1‐infected T cells
Authors: Nishioka Chie , Ikezoe Takayuki , Yang Jing , Udaka Keiko , Yokoyama Akihito
Published: December 2012

Adult T‐cell leukaemia‐lymphoma (ATLL) is an aggressive malignancy of CD4+ CD25+ T lymphocytes, characterized by a severely compromised immunosystem, in which the human T‐cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV‐1) has been recognized as the aetiological agent. This study found that an IκB kinase β (IKKβ) inhibitor Bay11‐7082 inactivated mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 and transcription factor nuclear factor‐κB in HTLV‐1‐infected T cells; this was significantly enhanced in the presence of the mTOR inhibitor everolimus. In addition, Bay11‐7082 decreased production of the immunosuppressive cytokine interleukin‐10 (IL‐10), which was further down‐regulated when Bay11‐7082 was combined with evelolimus in HTLV‐1‐infected T and ATLL cells isolated from patients. Interleukin‐10 is known to inhibit maturation and the antigen‐presenting function of dendritic cells (DCs). The culture media of HTLV‐1‐infected MT‐1 cells, which contained a large amout of IL‐10, hampered tumour necrosis factor‐α‐induced maturation of DCs isolated from healthy volunteers. Culture supernatant of MT‐1 cells treated with a combination of Bay11‐7082 and everolimus augmented maturation of DCs in association with a decrease in production of IL‐10 and enhanced the allostimulatory function of DCs. Similarly, when DCs isolated from patients with ATLL were treated with the combination of Bay11‐7082 and everolimus, they were fully matured and their capability to stimulate proliferation of lymphocytes was augmented. Taken together, the combination of Bay11‐7082 and everolimus might exhibit immunostimulatory properties in HTLV‐1‐infected T and ATLL cells isolated from patients, and this combination may be potentially therapeutic to regain the compromised immunosystem in ATLL patients.
Neuraminidase inhibitors for influenza: a review and public health perspective in the aftermath of the 2009 pandemic
Authors: Beck Charles R. , Sokal Rachel , Arunachalam Nachiappan , Puleston Richard , Cichowska Anna , Kessel Anthony , Zambon Maria , Nguyen‐Van‐Tam Jonathan S. ,   on behalf of the UK Antiviral Effectiveness Review Group
Published: December 2012

Please cite this paper as: Beck et al. on behalf of the UK Antiviral Effectiveness Review Group. (2012) Neuraminidase inhibitors for influenza: a review and public health perspective in the aftermath of the 2009 pandemic. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 7(Suppl. 1), 14–24.

Objectives  The objectives of this study were to: (1) reflect on key stages in the discovery, development and pre‐pandemic use of neuraminidase inhibitors (NAIs), (2) summarise the evidence of NAI effectiveness for treatment and prophylaxis of seasonal influenza prior to the 2009 pandemic, and (3) summarise the evidence base generated during the 2009 pandemic period.

Design  A rapid systematic review of evidence published to June 2010 was conducted where existing high‐quality systematic reviews formed a baseline and were supplemented with data from other reviews, randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies.

Main Outcome Measures  Severity and duration of symptoms; rates of severe illness, complications and death following treatment for influenza or influenza‐like illness; rates of influenza and influenza‐like illness following long‐term prophylaxis or post‐exposure prophylaxis of household contacts.

Results  Prior to the 2009 pandemic, evidence from RCTs conducted in seasonal influenza epidemics indicated that NAIs used to treat laboratory‐confirmed influenza in healthy adults reduced the duration of illness by one day. NAIs provide high levels of protective efficacy in adults when given long‐term or in household‐based post‐exposure prophylaxis for seasonal influenza. Several 2009 pandemic period observational studies suggest that early treatment may reduce rates of hospitalisation and in‐hospital mortality, but data from that period do not substantially increase the evidence base on prophylaxis, although they confirm effectiveness.

Conclusions  NAIs should be deployed during a future pandemic for either post‐exposure prophylaxis or treatment depending on national policy considerations and logistics. The existing evidence base on effectiveness against severe outcomes requires supplementation.
Antivirals in seasonal and pandemic influenza—future perspectives*
Authors: Wathen Michael W. , Barro Mario , Bright Rick A.
Published: December 2012

Please cite this paper as: Wathen et al. (2012) Antivirals in seasonal and pandemic influenza—future perspectives. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 7(Suppl. 1), 76–80.

Antiviral drugs continue to be an important option for the treatment of influenza disease and will likely be the only option during the early phases of pandemic. However, the limited number of drug classes licensed for treatment of influenza raises several issues, particularly in the face of drug resistance. Two classes of drugs are presently licensed for treatment of influenza, M2 and neuraminidase inhibitors. M2 inhibitors are currently not recommended for treatment of influenza because of widespread resistance and resistance to neuraminidase inhibitors has been observed during the past influenza seasonal outbreaks. Additional antiviral drugs with novel mechanisms of action are clearly needed for the treatment of influenza. Fortunately, the landscape of drugs in early and advanced development has dramatically increased over the last 5 years. Drugs targeting viral functions such as attachment, entry/fusion, transcription, and polymerase and drugs targeting host factors affecting viral replication are currently in clinical trials. Examples of these novel antiviral drugs and the challenges for influenza antiviral drug development are discussed in this article.
Estimating diet in individual pumpkinseed sunfish Lepomis gibbosus using stomach contents, stable isotopes and parasites
Authors: Locke S. A. , Bulté G. , Forbes M. R. , Marcogliese D. J.
Published: December 2012

The diets of 99 pumpkinseed sunfish Lepomis gibbosus from a pair of small, adjacent lakes in Ontario, Canada, were estimated from their stomach contents, trophically transmitted parasites and stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen in fish tissue. The three methods provided virtually unrelated information. There was no significant correlation in the importance of any prey item across all three methods. Fish with similar diets according to one method of estimating diet showed no tendency to be similar according to other methods. Although there was limited variation in fish size and the spatial scale of the study was small, both fish size and spatial origin showed comparatively strong associations with diet data obtained with all three methods. These results suggest that a multidisciplinary approach that accounts for fish size and spatial origins is necessary to accurately characterize diets of individual fish.
Beliefs Don't Always Persevere: How Political Figures Are Punished When Positive Information about Them Is Discredited
Authors: Cobb Michael D. , Nyhan Brendan , Reifler Jason
Published: December 2012

Recent research has extended the belief‐perseverance paradigm to the political realm, showing that negative information about political figures has a persistent effect on political opinions even after it has been discredited. However, little is known about the effects of false positive information about political figures. In three experiments, we find that discrediting positive information generates a “punishment effect” that is inconsistent with the previous literature on belief perseverance. We argue people attempt to adjust for the perceived influence of the false claim when the information is discredited. In this case, when trying to account for the effects of discredited positive information about a politician, people overestimate how much correction is needed and thus end up with a more negative opinion. (By contrast, people underestimate how much correction is needed to adjust for false negative information, leading to belief perseverance.) These results suggest that bogus credit claiming or other positive misinformation can have severe repercussions for politicians.
Finding Science with Science: Evaluating a Domain and Scientific Ontology User Interface for the Discovery of Scientific Resources
Authors: Stock Kristin , Karasova Vera , Robertson Anne , Roger Guillaume , Small Mark , Bishr Mohamed , Ortmann Jens , Stojanovic Tim , Reitsma Femke , Korczynski Lukasz , Brodaric Boyan , Gardner Zoe
Published: December 2012

Current approaches to the discovery of scientific resources (publications, data sets and web services) are dominated by keyword search. These approaches do not allow scientists to search on the deeper semantics of scientific resources, or to discover resources on the basis of the scientific approaches taken. This article evaluates a user interface that allows users to discover scientific resources through structured knowledge in the form of ontologies describing the domain and the scientific knowledge inherent within the scientific resource, and also through informal user tags. These combined capabilities provide scientists with new and powerful options for resource discovery. A qualitative user evaluation explored how scientists felt about the approach for resource discovery in the context of their scientific work. The study showed that marine scientists were enthusiastic about the capabilities of such an approach and appreciated the ability to browse the visual structure of the knowledge and query on scientific method but, overall, preferred the use of tags over ontologies. The exploratory nature of the user study was used to identify future directions for such improvements.
Predicting Inflation Dynamics with Singular Spectrum Analysis
Authors: Hassani Hossein , Soofi Abdol S. , Zhigljavsky Anatoly
Published: December 2012

We use univariate and multivariate singular spectrum analyses to predict the rate of inflation as well as changes in the direction of inflation time series for the USA. We use consumer price indices and realtime chain-weighted gross domestic product price index series in these prediction exercises. Moreover, we compare our out-of-sample, h-step-ahead moving prediction results with other prediction results based on methods such as the activity-based non-accelerating inflation rate of unemployment Phillips curve, auto-regressive AR(p) model, the dynamic factors model and random-walk models with the last as a naive forecasting method. We use short-run (quarterly) and long-run (1–6 years) time windows for predictions and find that multivariate singular spectrum analysis outperforms all other competing prediction methods. Also, we confirm the results of earlier studies that prediction of the rate of inflation in the USA during the period of the ‘Great Moderation’ is less challenging compared with the more volatile inflationary period of 1970–1985.
Statistical Analysis of Varieties of English
Authors: Nam Christopher F. H. , Mukherjee Sach , Schilk Marco , Mukherjee Joybrato
Published: December 2012

Linguistic corpora are databases of text which are linguistically marked up or otherwise structured and designed to be representative of a specific language. The growing availability of such corpora has brought with it opportunities for statistical analysis. The paper develops and uses statistical approaches to address questions pertaining to an important linguistic phenomenon: the use of different syntactic alternatives. We present a model-selection-based approach for determining possible driving attributes affecting verb complementation for written sentence constructions using the verb ‘give’ in three varieties of English. We are interested in explaining the choice of alternatives in terms of a variety of sentence level linguistic features such as the meaning of the verb, in addition to the country of origin.
Prevalence of dementia and dementing diseases in the old‐old population in Japan: the Kurihara Project. Implications for Long‐Term Care Insurance data
Authors: MEGURO Kenichi , TANAKA Naofumi , KASAI Mari , NAKAMURA Kei , ISHIKAWA Hiroyasu , NAKATSUKA Masahiro , SATOH Masayuki , OUCHI Yoshitaka
Published: December 2012

Background:  There have been no reports on the prevalence of dementia among the old‐old people in Japan.

Methods:  We studied the old‐old population in Kurihara, northern Japan. Analysis 1 of Participants 1 (n = 590) was performed to evaluate the prevalence of dementia and dementing diseases by intensive evaluation including MRI. Analysis 2 aimed to determine a good indicator for detecting ‘suspected dementia condition’ based on the Long‐Term Care Insurance index. Analysis 3 of Participants 2 (n = 3915) aimed to estimate the prevalence of ‘suspected dementia condition’.

Results:  In Analysis 1, 73 people (12.4%) were diagnosed with dementia. The most common cause was Alzheimer's disease with cerebrovascular disease. In Analysis 2, level I of the Impairment Level of Dementia was found to be a good indicator of ‘suspected dementia condition’. In Analysis 3, the overall estimated prevalence of ‘suspected dementia condition’ was 23.6%. In men, the ratio increased gradually from 75 to 87 years old to about 20%, increased to 40% at the age of 88 and became stable thereafter. In contrast, in women, the ratio increased from 75 to 95+ years old, reaching about 70%.

Conclusions:  The prevalence was higher than that reported previously. There was a difference between the sexes: an ‘age‐related’ increase occurred in men and an ‘ageing‐related’ increase in women. Alzheimer's disease with cerebrovascular disease was the most common cause, which coincided with the previous findings of individuals aged 65 years and older; however, the ratio of mixed dementia was greater.
Mortgage Default and Prepayment Risks among Moderate‐ and Low‐Income Households
Authors: Quercia Roberto G. , Pennington‐Cross Anthony , Yue Tian Chao
Published: December 2012

Using a unique sample of community reinvestment loans, we study the propensity of very low‐income households to terminate a mortgage and compare it to the outcomes for low‐income and moderate‐income households. The results indicate that, even within moderate‐ and low‐income segments, lower or very low income is associated with higher default and lower prepayment probabilities. In addition, depending on how low the borrower's income is, classic determinants of loan termination such as credit scores, the amount of equity in the home and local labor market conditions can have different impacts on default and prepayment probabilities.
Short‐Selling Bans Around the World: Evidence from the 2007–09 Crisis
Authors: BEBER ALESSANDRO , PAGANO MARCO
Published: December 2012

Most regulators around the world reacted to the 2007–09 crisis by imposing bans on short selling. These were imposed and lifted at different dates in different countries, often targeted different sets of stocks, and featured varying degrees of stringency. We exploit this variation in short‐sales regimes to identify their effects on liquidity, price discovery, and stock prices. Using panel and matching techniques, we find that bans (i) were detrimental for liquidity, especially for stocks with small capitalization and no listed options; (ii) slowed price discovery, especially in bear markets, and (iii) failed to support prices, except possibly for U.S. financial stocks.
Influence of Hematoma Location on Acute Mortality after Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Authors: Lee Ji‐Yong , King Caroline , Stradling Dana , Warren Michael , Nguyen Dennis , Lee Johnny , Riola Mark A. , Montoya Ricardo , Patel Dipika , Le Vu H. , Welbourne Susan J. , Cramer Steven C.
Published: December 2012

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

This study aimed to identify predictors of acute mortality after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), including voxel‐wise analysis of hematoma location.

METHODS

In 282 consecutive patients with acute ICH, clinical and radiological predictors of acute mortality were identified. Voxel‐based lesion‐symptom mapping examined spatial correlates of acute mortality, contrasting results in basal ganglia ICH and lobar ICH.

RESULTS

Acute mortality was 47.9%. In bivariate analyses, one clinical (serum glucose) and two radiological (hematoma volume and intraventricular extension) measures significantly predicted mortality. The relationship was strongest for hematoma volume. Multivariable modeling identified four significant predictors of mortality (ICH volume, intraventricular extension, serum glucose, and serum hemoglobin), although this model only minimally improved the predictive value provided by ICH volume alone. Voxel‐wise analysis found that for patients with lobar ICH, brain regions where acute hematoma was significantly associated with higher acute mortality included inferior parietal lobule and posterior insula; for patients with basal ganglia ICH, a large region extending from cortex to brainstem.

CONCLUSIONS

For patients with lobar ICH, acute mortality is related to both hematoma size and location, with findings potentially useful for therapeutic decision making. The current findings also underscore differences between the syndromes of acute deep and lobar ICH.
Brain Metastases from Prostate Cancer: An 11‐Year Analysis in the MRI Era with Emphasis on Imaging Characteristics, Incidence, and Prognosis
Authors: Hatzoglou Vaios , Patel Gita V. , Morris Michael J. , Curtis Kristen , Zhang Zhigang , Shi Weiji , Huse Jason , Rosenblum Marc , Holodny Andrei I. , Young Robert J.
Published: December 2012

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Brain metastases from prostate cancer are uncommon and their imaging appearance has not been well defined. The main objectives of this study were to evaluate the incidence, MRI characteristics, and prognosis of parenchymal brain metastases originating in prostate cancer.

METHODS

We retrospectively identified 21 patients with prostate cancer and evidence of brain metastases from 2000 to 2010. We reviewed the initial brain MRI scans and characterized the lesions according to location and appearance on MRI, while also determining patient demography, staging, and survival.

RESULTS

The incidence of brain metastasis from prostate cancer was .16%. At the time of brain metastasis detection, 95% of the patients had concurrent osseous metastases, 86% lymph node metastases, and 76% liver and/or lung metastases. Brain metastases were multifocal in 71% of patients, hemorrhagic in 33%, diffusion restricted in 19%, and partially cystic/necrotic in 19%. The median overall survival after brain metastasis detection was 2.8 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Brain metastasis from prostate cancer remains a rare phenomenon that most frequently occurs in the setting of widely disseminated bone and soft tissue disease. Patients with nonadenocarcinoma pathology are more likely to develop brain metastases. The MRI appearance is highly variable and prognosis is poor.
Continental shelf as potential retreat areas for Austral‐Asian estrildid finches (Passeriformes: Estrildidae) during the Pleistocene
Authors: Schidelko Kathrin , Wüstenhagen Nicole , Stiels Darius , van den Elzen Renate , Rödder Dennis
Published: December 2012

Studies dealing with changes of biodiversity in time and space constitute an important part of biogeography, ecology and conservation biology. Areas of long‐term climate stability are particularly interesting as they might have facilitated the survival of species over historical times and thus are crucial for understanding contemporary diversity patterns. In this study, we assessed the potential distribution of 23 estrildid finch species in order to analyse stability in recent and past diversity patterns and diversity centres in the Austral‐Asiatic region. We used Maxent to predict recent distributions of each species and to project them onto the climatic conditions of the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM, 21 000 yr BP) using two different scenarios (CCSM, MIROC). The resulting diversity patterns were tested on presence and possible shifts of distribution centres. Diversity patterns of forest‐ and savannah‐living species were considered combined and separately. During the LGM, potential diversity patterns of forest‐living species corroborated well with postulated rainforest refuges situated on the eastern coast of Cape York Peninsula. Our results indicate a remarkably high stability of existing diversity centres. Although projections into the past show some differences in detail in the extent and exact position of the diversity centres, they reveal largely congruent large scale patterns in both time slices. However, the models suggest a northward shift towards exposed continental shelf areas that where dry during the LGM. Clearly, centres of diversity were situated on this land bridge between Australia and New Guinea, highlighting their importance as areas of retreat for estrildid finches and maybe other savannah species in times of changing climatic conditions and associated sea‐level fluctuations.
Trends in the Economic Independence of Young Adults in the United States: 1973–2007
Authors: Sironi Maria , Furstenberg Frank F.
Published: December 2012

One of the major milestones of adulthood is achieving economic independence. Without sufficient income, young people have difficulty leaving their childhood home, establishing a union, or having children—or they do so at great peril. Using the National Longitudinal Survey, this article compares the employment and economic circumstances of young adults aged 22–30 in 1973, 1987, and 2007, and their possible determinants. The results show that achieving economic independence is more difficult now than it was in the late 1980s and especially in the 1970s, even for the older age groups (age 27–28). The deterioration is more evident among men. From the 1970s there has been convergence in the trajectories for the achievement of economic self‐sufficiency between men and women, suggesting that the increase in gender parity, especially in education and labor market outcomes, is making their opportunities to be employed and to earn good wages more similar. This convergence also suggests that union formation increasingly may depend on a capacity to combine men's and women's wages.
On the Role of Human Development in the Arab Spring
Authors: Kuhn Randall
Published: December 2012

This essay traces the effects of human development on political change, focusing on the events of the Arab Spring. Over the past generation, the Arab world experienced rapid progress in human development outcomes, including declining child mortality, extended schooling, and increasing status of women. These development gains penetrated most Arab states and subpopulations. The pathway from human development to political mobilization rests on three interlinked propositions. First, basic human development led to a significant increase in population needs and expectations, creating new policy challenges and reducing public dependency on regimes. Second, human development and new information technologies created new opportunities for political protest. Finally, the collective realization of human development gains resulted in new values conducive to regime change. Each proposition builds on theories of human capital accumulation over the life course that isolate the human dimension of national development. I provide provisional support for these pathways through cross‐regional comparison and evidence from specific populations and sub‐populations. I highlight the need for new study designs and datasets that further test this model.
Geopolitical Aspects of Population in the Twenty‐First Century
Authors: Demeny Paul
Published: December 2012

Over the second half of the twentieth century rapid population growth in the less developed countries has redrawn the global demographic map. Many once‐poor countries have also experienced strong economic growth, which in combination with the demographic change has yielded marked shifts in the world's economic balance, with far‐reaching geopolitical implications. At the same time, low fertility in much of the developed world presages a future of population shrinkage, accompanied by pronounced population aging. In per capita terms, the economic advantages of the developed countries will likely persist for many years, but their actual and potential falls in population may accentuate their loss of relative economic power and eventually lead to marginalization of their international standing and influence. Preventing population shrinkage will be an urgent task for them, requiring either large‐scale immigration (likely to be ruled out) or raising the birth rate. Existing pro‐family policies have had at best modest effects on fertility levels. Two novel approaches are described that would plausibly have greater impact. One would counteract the disproportionate influence of older voters in the electorate by granting voting rights to all citizens, allowing custodial parents to vote on behalf of their children. The second would reform the public pension system to reestablish the link between the financial security of retired persons and the number of children they have raised to productive adulthood.
Using a Modified Payment Card Survey to Measure Chinese Consumers’ Willingness to Pay for Fair Trade Coffee: Considering Starting Points
Authors: Yang Shang‐Ho , Qing Ping , Hu Wuyang , Liu Yun
Published: December 2012

Coffee consumption in China has increased rapidly in recent years. This study offers one of the few existing attempts to understand Chinese consumers’ coffee consumption behavior with a special focus on the viability of fair trade coffee in the Chinese market. A modified payment card approach was adopted to elicit consumer willingness to pay (WTP). Survey results suggest a positive attitude toward coffee and WTP for fair trade coffee. This study also explores the potential impact of starting point bias, which has been relatively well documented in the dichotomous choice literature, but less thoroughly in a payment card context.

La consommation de café en Chine s’est accrue rapidement au cours des dernières années. La présente étude figure parmi les quelques tentatives déployées pour comprendre le comportement de consommation de café des consommateurs chinois et se penche sur la viabilité du cafééquitable sur le marché chinois. Nous avons utilisé une méthode modifiée de la carte de paiement pour déterminer le consentement à payer des consommateurs. Les résultats de notre étude montrent une attitude positive envers le café et un consentement à payer pour obtenir du cafééquitable. L’étude se penche également sur l’impact probable du biais de position initiale, qui est assez bien documenté dans la littérature sur le choix dichotomique, mais qui l’est moins dans le contexte de la carte de paiement.
Meaning vs. Power: Are Thick Description and Power Analysis Intrinsically at Odds? Response to Interpretation, Explanation, and Clifford Geertz
Authors: Springs Jason
Published: December 2012

This paper responds critically and synthetically to forgoing papers by Kevin Jung, Robert Segal, and Stephen Bush. Placing their respective arguments into conversation helpfully illuminates the methodological multidimensionality and improvisational character of Geertz’s account of interpretation and explanation. I argue that these features of Geertz’s work enable it to simultaneously attend to meaning, power, identity, and experience in understanding and assessing religious practices and cultural formations.
“Are Meanings the Name of the Game? Religion as Symbolic Meaning and Religion as Power”
Authors: Bush Stephen S.
Published: December 2012

“Searching for symbolic meanings,” Talal Asad says, “is not the name of my game.” In putting things like this, Asad leads us to believe that the approach to the study of religion he favors, which focuses on social power, is at odds with the approach Clifford Geertz advances, which focuses on the interpretation of symbolic meaning. However, for a particular action or pattern of behavior to affect social power structures, it must possess symbolic meaning. So the social power approach and the interpretive approach are not as different as some of their respective advocates indicate.
Yttrium Bearing Silicon Carbide Matrices for Robust Ceramic Composites
Authors: Poerschke David L. , Levi Carlos G.
Published: December 2012

Application of SiC‐based ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) in combustion environments demands the use of an environmental barrier coating (EBC) to prevent volatilization of the protective SiO2 scale in flowing water vapor. The EBC only provides protection while present on the surface; cracking and spallation of the coating leaves the underlying SiC vulnerable to the oxidation–volatilization processes. A robust matrix material chemically tailored to regrow a yttrium silicate scale in the event of EBC loss has been developed by incorporating yttrium bearing species including YB2, Y2O3, and Y5Si3 into the SiC. During oxidation a borosilicate glass helps seal cracks while Y2O3 and SiO2 react to form Y2Si2O7 for environmental protection. Candidate compositions were oxidized for 10 min to 100 h at 1400°C and for 24 h at 1500°C to understand the scale growth. The prospects for effectively applying this approach in CMCs are discussed.
Combined Hydrothermal Conversion and Vapor Transport Sintering of Ag‐Modified Calcium Phosphate Scaffolds
Authors: Schlosser Margarete , Fröls Sabrina , Hauf Ulla , Sethmann Ingo , Schultheiss Stefanie , Pfeifer Felicitas , Kleebe Hans‐Joachim
Published: December 2012

Two processing methods were successfully combined to obtain Ag‐modified calcium phosphate scaffolds with antibacterial properties: (i) hydrothermal conversion of macroporous biogenic carbonates and (ii) vapor transport sintering. Hydrothermal conversion of two precursor materials, i.e., coral skeletons and sea urchin spines, resulted in the pseudomorphic replacement of highly porous calcium carbonates by calcium phosphate scaffolds. Vapor transport sintering of these scaffolds within a reactive AgCl atmosphere facilitated near net‐shape processing accompanied by the condensation of finely dispersed Ag‐bearing particles over the scaffold's surface. Chemical and phase compositions were analyzed using WDXRF, XRD, and DRIFTS (FTIR), and the microstructure development was characterized by SEM and TEM imaging. The dissolution kinetics of Ag+ ions in aqueous solution was determined and growth inhibition experiments with Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria were performed to assess the antibacterial properties of Ag‐modified ceramics.
Transparent Conducting Oxides: Electronic Structure–Property Relationship from Photoelectron Spectroscopy with in situ Sample Preparation
Authors: Klein Andreas
Published: December 2012

The various applications of transparent conducting oxides (TCO), e.g., as electrodes in flat panel displays and solar cells or as low‐emissivity coatings have stimulated extensive research on their fabrication and properties. Recent experimental and theoretical studies of defect properties have considerably improved the understanding of the limitations of the electrical conductivity of both n‐ and p‐type transparent conductors and of the structural and electronic surface properties of the most important TCO materials. Development of emerging and future applications in the area of transparent thin film electronics with oxide semiconductors as well as the improvement of existing applications require a detailed control of the Fermi level position in the bulk and at surfaces and interfaces of polycrystalline and amorphous TCO materials. This feature article describes how the important parameters for such control can be identified using photoelectron spectroscopy with in situ sample preparation. The parameters influencing doping, work functions, ionization potentials, and surface band bending as well as energy band alignment at interfaces are described and discussed providing a fundamental understanding of important material properties for tailoring TCOs in electronic devices.
An Evaluation of the EQUIP Treatment Programme with Men who have Intellectual or Other Developmental Disabilities
Authors: Langdon Peter E. , Murphy Glynis H. , Clare Isabel C.H. , Palmer Emma J. , Rees Joanna
Published: December 2012

Background

The Equipping Youth to Help One Another Programme (EQUIP) was designed for young offenders to address a developmental delay in moral reasoning, distorted cognitions and social skills.

Methods

The present authors undertook a single case series study and piloted an adapted version of the EQUIP programme with three men with intellectual disabilities and four men with a diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome, all of whom were detained in a medium‐secure forensic unit for people with intellectual disabilities. Treatment was delivered over a 12‐week period, and participants took part in four‐one‐hour sessions per week.

Results

The results suggested that treatment was successful at increasing moral reasoning ability, reducing distorted cognitions and improving ability to choose effective solutions to problems. However, treatment did not have a significant effect upon anger.

Conclusions

The EQUIP programme is a promising treatment, but further research is needed to investigate its effectiveness with men with intellectual or other developmental disabilities.
The contribution of dominance and inbreeding depression in estimating variance components for litter size in Pannon White rabbits
Authors: Nagy I. , Gorjanc G. , Curik I. , Farkas J. , Kiszlinger H. , Szendrő Z.
Published: December 2012

In a synthetic closed population of Pannon White rabbits, additive (VA), dominance (VD) and permanent environmental (VPe) variance components as well as doe (bFd) and litter (bFl) inbreeding depression were estimated for the number of kits born alive (NBA), number of kits born dead (NBD) and total number of kits born (TNB). The data set consisted of 18,398 kindling records of 3883 does collected from 1992 to 2009. Six models were used to estimate dominance and inbreeding effects. The most complete model estimated VA and VD to contribute 5.5 ± 1.1% and 4.8 ± 2.4%, respectively, to total phenotypic variance (VP) for NBA; the corresponding values for NBD were 1.9 ± 0.6% and 5.3 ± 2.4%, for TNB, 6.2 ± 1.0% and 8.1 ± 3.2% respectively. These results indicate the presence of considerable VD. Including dominance in the model generally reduced VA and VPe estimates, and had only a very small effect on inbreeding depression estimates. Including inbreeding covariates did not affect estimates of any variance component. A 10% increase in doe inbreeding significantly increased NBD (bFd = 0.18 ± 0.07), while a 10% increase in litter inbreeding significantly reduced NBA (bFl = −0.41 ± 0.11) and TNB (bFl = −0.34 ± 0.10). These findings argue for including dominance effects in models of litter size traits in populations that exhibit significant dominance relationships.
Glacial expansion and diversification of an East Asian montane bird, the green‐backed tit (Parus monticolus)
Authors: Wang Wenjuan , McKay Bailey D. , Dai Chuanyin , Zhao Na , Zhang Ruiying , Qu Yanhua , Song Gang , Li Shou‐Hsien , Liang Wei , Yang Xiaojun , Pasquet Eric , Lei Fumin
Published: December 2012

Aim

We combined genetic sequence data and ecological niche modelling to resolve the impacts of past climatic fluctuations on the distribution, genetic diversification, and demographic dynamics of an East Asian montane bird, the green‐backed tit (Parus monticolus).

Location

East Asia.

Methods

Phylogenetic analyses were carried out using four mitochondrial fragments and seven nuclear loci from 161 birds sampled from 29 localities spanning the entire geographical range of the green‐backed tit. We used *beast to estimate the species tree and calculate divergence times. Extended Bayesian skyline plots were used to infer potential historical shifts in population size. We used MaxEnt to predict potential distributions during three periods: the present day, the Last Glacial Maximum and the Last Interglacial.

Results

The mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) gene tree showed strong support for three reciprocally monophyletic groups: a south‐western clade, a central clade and a Taiwanese clade. Taiwanese and Vietnamese samples had fixed differences at several nuclear loci, but the south‐western and central samples shared haplotypes at all nuclear loci. The mtDNA gene tree topology differed from the species tree topology. The species tree suggested sister relationships between Taiwanese and Vietnamese operational taxonomic units (OTUs) and between south‐western and central OTUs. Diversification within the green‐backed tit was relatively recent, probably within the last 0.9 million years. Extended Bayesian skyline plots suggested rapid population expansion in the south‐western and central phylogroups after the Last Interglacial, and this result was consistent with ecological niche models.

Main conclusions

Our results suggest that genetic diversification within the green‐backed tit was affected by the later Pleistocene climate fluctuations. Ecological niche models indicated that the present‐day vegetation distribution was, in many ways, more similar to that of the Last Glacial Maximum than it was to that of the Last Interglacial. Continental populations of the green‐backed tit experienced unusual demographic and range expansion that is likely to have occurred during the cooling transition between the Last Interglacial and the Last Glacial Maximum. We found incongruence between the mtDNA gene tree and the species tree, which underscores the importance of using both mitochondrial and nuclear markers when estimating the evolutionary history of populations.
Differentiation of Atrioventricular Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia from Orthodromic Reciprocating Tachycardia by the Resetting Response to Ventricular Extrastimuli: Comparison to Response to Continuous Ventricular Pacing
Authors: JAVIER GARCÍA‐FERNÁNDEZ F. , ALMENDRAL JESÚS , MARTA PACHÓN  , GONZÁLEZ‐TORRECILLA ESTEBAN , MARTÍN JAVIER , GALLARDO RODRIGO
Published: December 2012

Resetting Response to Differentiate SVT

Background

The usefulness of ventricular entrainment to differentiate AV nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) from orthodromic reciprocating tachycardia (ORT) by substracting the corrected postpacing interval (cPPI) from the tachycardia cycle length (TCL) or the ventriculoatrial interval during stimulation (SA) from that during tachycardia (VA) have been widely validated. However, some tachycardias are interrupted by pacing trains but may not be so by ventricular extrastimuli resulting in resetting.

Objectives

To validate prospectively the diagnostic yield of cPPI‐TCL and SA‐VA measurements after resetting and to determine the proportion of AVNRT and ORT that can be entrained and/or reset from the right ventricular apex (RVA).

Methods

223 consecutive patients with inducible AVNRT or ORT underwent pacing trains and single extrastimulus (also double extrastimuli if singles did not reset tachycardia) at the RVA. We calculated cPPI‐TCL and SA‐VA during entrainment and resetting.

Results

Entrainment could not be achieved in 15.2% of tachycardias because of consistent tachycardia interruption by pacing; resetting was observed in 99.5%. Values of cPPI‐TCL and SA‐VA > 110 milliseconds after resetting identified AVNRT as accurately as after entrainment. Values for cPPI‐TCL/ SA‐VA were: sensitivity: 98/100%; specificity: 96/98%; positive predictive value: 98/99%; negative predictive value: 98/100%.

Conclusions

Determinations of cPPI‐TCL and SA‐VA after resetting with single or double RVA extrastimuli are useful maneuvers to differentiate AVNRT from ORT and can be used for nearly every inducible AVNRT or ORT, even if they are interrupted by ventricular trains.
Effects of learning experience on behaviour of the generalist parasitoid Sclerodermus pupariae to novel hosts
Authors: Wei K. , Tang Y. L. , Wang X. Y. , Yang Z. Q. , Cao L. M. , Lu J. F. , Liu E. S. , Liu G. J.
Published: December 2012

Massicus raddei Blessig (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), also referred to as the oak long‐horned beetle (OLB), is a non‐natural host for the generalist parasitoid Sclerodermus pupariae Yang et Yao (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae). To determine whether this generalist parasitoid might be a suitable agent for the control of OLB, the adaptive learning experience of adult female parasitoids to OLB larvae was investigated in the laboratory. A Y‐tube olfactometer bioassay was used to examine the effects of adaptive learning experience on the foraging ability of parasitoids for OLB larvae. The results indicated that parasitoids were significantly attracted by the volatiles of ash bark, Fraxinus velutina, with emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) larvae and larval frass, after exposure to ash bark mixed with EAB larval frass (learning condition A). In contrast, after exposure to oak bark, Quercus liaotungensis, mixed with OLB larval frass (learning condition C), parasitoids showed significant preference for the volatiles of oak bark with OLB larvae and larval frass. On the basis of the results of no‐choice tests, we found that parasitoids exposed to learning condition C had greater paralysis efficiency and higher OLB larvae parasitism rates than those exposed to learning condition A or no experience. Furthermore, parasitoids fed on OLB larvae in learning condition C had significantly greater paralysis efficiency and higher OLB larvae parasitism rates than other parasitoids tested. Parasitoids fed on EAB larvae in learning condition A had the lowest paralysis efficiency and OLB larvae parasitism rates among the parasitoids tested. These findings suggested that adaptive learning significantly enhanced the ability of a generalist parasitoid to utilize a novel host. This may provide a new approach to controlling non‐natural hosts using generalist parasitoids.