bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimisation of Radiation Exposure to Gastroenterologists and Patients during Therapeutic ERCP
Authors: Alzimami Khalid , Sulieman Abdelmoneim , Paroutoglou Georgios , Potamianos Spiros , Vlychou Marianna , Theodorou Kiki
Published: March 2013

This study intended to optimize the radiation doses for gastroenterologists and patients during therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and to compare the doses based on available data obtained by other researchers. A total of 153 patients were studied in two Gastroenterology Departments, (group A, 111; group B, 42). Thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD) were used to measure the staff and patients entrance surface air kerma (ESAK) at different body sites. The mean ESAK and effective doses per procedure were estimated to be 68.75 mGy and 2.74 mSv, respectively. Staff was exposed to a heterogonous doses. The third examiner (trainee) was exposed to a high dose compared with other examiners because no shield was located to protect him from stray radiation. Patients and examiners doses were lower compared to the lowest values found in previous studies taking into consideration the heterogeneity of patients and equipment. Staff doses during ERCP are within the safety limit in the light of the current practice.
Platelet-Rich Fibrin Promotes Periodontal Regeneration and Enhances Alveolar Bone Augmentation
Authors: Li Qi , Pan Shuang , Dangaria Smit J. , Gopinathan Gokul , Kolokythas Antonia , Chu Shunli , Geng Yajun , Zhou Yanmin , Luan Xianghong
Published: March 2013

In the present study we have determined the suitability of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) as a complex scaffold for periodontal tissue regeneration. Replacing PRF with its major component fibrin increased mineralization in alveolar bone progenitors when compared to periodontal progenitors, suggesting that fibrin played a substantial role in PRF-induced osteogenic lineage differentiation. Moreover, there was a 3.6-fold increase in the early osteoblast transcription factor RUNX2 and a 3.1-fold reduction of the mineralization inhibitor MGP as a result of PRF application in alveolar bone progenitors, a trend not observed in periodontal progenitors. Subcutaneous implantation studies revealed that PRF readily integrated with surrounding tissues and was partially replaced with collagen fibers 2 weeks after implantation. Finally, clinical pilot studies in human patients documented an approximately 5 mm elevation of alveolar bone height in tandem with oral mucosal wound healing. Together, these studies suggest that PRF enhances osteogenic lineage differentiation of alveolar bone progenitors more than of periodontal progenitors by augmenting osteoblast differentiation, RUNX2 expression, and mineralized nodule formation via its principal component fibrin. They also document that PRF functions as a complex regenerative scaffold promoting both tissue-specific alveolar bone augmentation and surrounding periodontal soft tissue regeneration via progenitor-specific mechanisms.
Durability of LDPE Nanocomposites with Clay, Silica, and Zinc Oxide—Part I: Mechanical Properties of the Nanocomposite Materials
Authors: Redhwi Halim Hamid , Siddiqui Mohammad Nahid , Andrady Anthony L. , Hussain Syed
Published: March 2013

Three types of LDPE‐based nanocomposites with montmorillonite clay, silica, and zinc oxide were prepared by melt blending the nanofiller with the resin. As a prelude to studying their durability, the extent of reinforcement of the LDPE matrix by the nanofillers was investigated using mechanical, thermal, and microscopic studies of the composites. No significant chemical modification of the polyethylene matrix was observed as a result of the processing of the composite compound. While reinforcement was obtained in all cases, the efficiency of reinforcement appears to be qualitatively influenced by surface functionalization, filler interactions, and the extent of dispersion of the filler in the matrix as well as the specific surface area of the nanoparticle fillers.
The Analysis of the Properties of Bus Network Topology in Beijing Basing on Complex Networks
Authors: Zhang Hui , Zhao Peng , Gao Jian , Yao Xiang-ming
Published: March 2013

The transport network structure plays a crucial role in transport dynamics. To better understand the property of the bus network in big city and reasonably configure the bus lines and transfers, this paper seeks to take the bus network of Beijing as an example and mainly use space L and space P to analyze the network topology properties. The approach is applied to all the bus lines in Beijing which includes 722 lines and 5421 bus station. In the first phase of the approach, space L is used. The results show that the bus network of Beijing is a scale-free network and the degree of more than 99 percent of nodes is lower than 10. The results also show that the network is an assortative network with 46 communities. In a second phase, space P is used to analyze the property of transfer. The results show that the average transfer time of Beijing bus network which is 1.88 and 99.8 percent of arbitrary two pair nodes is reachable within 4 transfers.
Pomegranate Extracts in the Management of Men's Urologic Health: Scientific Rationale and Preclinical and Clinical Data
Authors: N. Kroeger , A. S. Belldegrun , A. J. Pantuck
Published: March 2013

Multiple strands of research provide growing evidence that diet, nutrition, and life style play a role in the development and the course of urological diseases. Numerous micronutrients and polyphenols found in soy, green tea, and many fruits and vegetables have been described to impact diseases including erectile dysfunction, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and prostate cancer. However, oftentimes these reports lack both a scientific rationale and supportive evidence base. The efficacy of pomegranate, on the other hand, in the modulation of central biological processes like inflammation, hypoxia, and oxidative stress that are important in the pathogenesis of urological maladies has been robustly demonstrated in preclinicalin vitroandin vivostudies. Moreover, clinical trials have further supported its use in the treatment of several diseases, in particular in the management of prostate cancer. Herein, we critically review the scientific knowledge about the current role and future prospects for the use of pomegranate extracts in the therapy of erectile dysfunction, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and prostate cancer.
Modeling the Formation and Chemical Composition of Partially Oxidized Zn/ZnO Particles Formed by Rapid Cooling of a Mixture of Zn(g) and O2
Authors: Alxneit Ivo , Tschudi Hans Rudolf
Published: March 2013

A model and its numerical implementation are presented which describe the formation of mixed Zn/ZnO droplets by rapid cooling of a mixture of zinc vapor and oxygen. The model incorporates a nucleation step producing pure metal droplets of a fixed size and three condensation-like processes determining the further growth of the droplets by adding metal atoms and oxygen. Properties to characterize the resulting droplet population are obtained from the model. Examples such as the number density of particles, their average chemical composition and surface area, or the particle mass distribution are presented. The model is verified on a qualitative level by comparing with experimental data the influence of the quench rate and the initial partial pressures of the reactants on the average chemical composition of the product. The model predicts, conforming qualitatively with experimental findings, that increasing the quench rate has little influence on the chemical composition of the products but that decreasing the initial partial pressures of zinc results in less oxidized products, thus, a higher average zinc content.
The Periodicity of Positive Solutions of the Nonlinear Difference Equationxn+1=α+(xn−kp)/(xnq)
Authors: Gümüş Mehmet
Published: March 2013

We give a remark about the periodic character of positive solutions of the difference equationxn+1=α+xn−kp/xnq,n=0,1,…, wherek>1is an odd integer,α,p, q∈(0,∞),and the initial conditionsx−k,…,x0are arbitrary positive numbers.
Seasonal Selection Preferences for Woody Plants by Breeding Herds of African Elephants (Loxodonta africana) in a Woodland Savanna
Authors: Viljoen J. J. , Reynecke H. C. , Panagos M. D. , Langbauer W. R. , Ganswindt A.
Published: March 2013

To evaluate dynamics of elephant herbivory, we assessed seasonal preferences for woody plants by African elephant breeding herds in the southeastern part of Kruger National Park (KNP) between 2002 and 2005. Breeding herds had access to a variety of woody plants, and, of the 98 woody plant species that were recorded in the elephant's feeding areas, 63 species were utilized by observed animals. Data were recorded at 948 circular feeding sites (radius 5 m) during wet and dry seasons. Seasonal preference was measured by comparing selection of woody species in proportion to their estimated availability and then ranked according to the Manly alpha (α) index of preference. Animals demonstrated a selection preference in feeding on woody vegetation, andGrewia hexamita, Grewia bicolor, Grewia flavescens, andGrewia monticolawere selected consistently more over all seasons. In addition, our results indicate that elephant herds have a low preference for at least some of the woody species prone to extirpation and that feeding preferences for woody plants do not account for the association of elephants and riparian fringe habitat.
Influence of Various Surfactants on Size, Morphology, and Optical Properties of CeO2 Nanostructures via Facile Hydrothermal Route
Authors: Gnanam S. , Rajendran V.
Published: March 2013

Different surfactants such as sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), polyethylene glycol (PEG), and cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB,) assisted cerium oxide (CeO2) nanoparticles were synthesized by using cerium chloride and potassium hydroxide as the starting materials via facile hydrothermal route. The powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) shows that cubic fluorite-type structure of pure CeO2 and the average crystallite sizes were calculated to be ~12–16 nm. Raman spectra of various surfactants assisted CeO2 consist of a single triply degenerated F2g mode characteristic of the fluorite structure. The elongated spherical-like morphology of SDS assisted CeO2 samples was observed from the SEM and TEM studies. Optical absorption spectra showed a blue shift by the capped CeO2 due to the quantum confinement effect. Photoluminescence (PL) emission studies shows that there is a change in the intensity of emission peaks by the capping agents, which indicates that the capping layers did result in size changes or increased surface defect.
On the M-Projective Curvature Tensor of -Contact Metric Manifolds
Authors: Singh R. N. , Pandey Shravan K.
Published: March 2013

The object of the present paper is to study some curvature conditions on -contact metric manifolds.
Soccer and Sudden Cardiac Death in Young Competitive Athletes: A Review
Authors: Higgins John P. , Andino Aldo
Published: March 2013

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) in young competitive athletes (<35 years old) is a tragic event that has been brought to public attention in the past few decades. The incidence of SCD is reported to be 1-2/100,000 per year, with athletes at a 2.5 times higher risk. Soccer is the most popular sport in the world, played by people of all ages. However, unfortunately it is cardiovascular diseases such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy that have subtly missed screening and claimed the lives of soccer stars such as Marc Vivien Foe and Antonio Puerta during live action on the field and on an internationally televised stage. This paper covers the physiological demands of soccer and the relationship between soccer and SCD. It also reviews the most common causes of SCD in young athletes, discusses the current guidelines in place by The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) for screening among professional soccer players, and the precautions that have been put in place to prevent SCD on the field in professional soccer.
Activation of AMP-Activated Protein Kinase α and Extracelluar Signal-Regulated Kinase Mediates CB-PIC-Induced Apoptosis in Hypoxic SW620 Colorectal Cancer Cells
Authors: Cho Sung-Yun , Lee Hyo-Jeong , Lee Hyo-Jung , Jung Deok-Beom , Kim Hyunseok , Sohn Eun Jung , Kim Bonglee , Jung Ji Hoon , Kwon Byoung-Mog , Kim Sung-Hoon
Published: March 2013

Here, antitumor mechanism of cinnamaldehyde derivative CB-PIC was elucidated in human SW620 colon cancer cells. CB-PIC significantly exerted cytotoxicity, increased sub-G1 accumulation, and cleaved PARP with apoptotic features, while it enhanced the phosphorylation of AMPK alpha and ACC as well as activated the ERK in hypoxic SW620 cells. Furthermore, CB-PIC suppressed the expression of HIF1 alpha, Akt, and mTOR and activated the AMPK phosphorylation in hypoxic SW620 cells. Conversely, silencing of AMPKα blocked PARP cleavage and ERK activation induced by CB-PIC, while ERK inhibitor PD 98059 attenuated the phosphorylation of AMPKα in hypoxic SW620 cells, implying cross-talk between ERK and AMPKα. Furthermore, cotreatment of CB-PIC and metformin enhanced the inhibition of HIF1α and Akt/mTOR and the activation of AMPKα and pACC in hypoxic SW620 cells. In addition, CB-PIC suppressed the growth of SW620 cells inoculated in BALB/c athymic nude mice, and immunohistochemistry revealed that CB-PIC treatment attenuated the expression of Ki-67, CD34, and CAIX and increased the expression of pAMPKα in CB-PIC-treated group. Interestingly, CP-PIC showed better antitumor activity in SW620 colon cancer cells under hypoxia than under normoxia, since it may be applied to chemoresistance. Overall, our findings suggest that activation of AMPKα and ERK mediates CB-PIC-induced apoptosis in hypoxic SW620 colon cancer cells.
Smooth Muscle Cells Differentiated From Reprogrammed Embryonic Lung Fibroblasts Through DKK3 Signaling Are Potent for Tissue Engineering of Vascular Grafts
Authors: Karamariti Eirini , Margariti Andriana , Winkler Bernhard , Wang Xiaocong , Hong Xuechong , Baban Dilair , Ragoussis Jiannis , Huang Yi , Han Jing-Dong J. , Wong Mei Mei , Sag Can M. , Shah Ajay M. , Hu Yanhua , Xu Qingbo
Published: March 2013

Rationale:

Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) are a key component of tissue-engineered vessels. However, the sources by which they can be isolated are limited.

Objective:

We hypothesized that a large number of SMCs could be obtained by direct reprogramming of fibroblasts, that is, direct differentiation of specific cell lineages before the cells reaching the pluripotent state.

Methods and Results:

We designed a combined protocol of reprogramming and differentiation of human neonatal lung fibroblasts. Four reprogramming factors (OCT4, SOX2, KLF4, and cMYC) were overexpressed in fibroblasts under reprogramming conditions for 4 days with cells defined as partially-induced pluripotent stem (PiPS) cells. PiPS cells did not form tumors in vivo after subcutaneous transplantation in severe combined immunodeficiency mice and differentiated into SMCs when seeded on collagen IV and maintained in differentiation media. PiPS-SMCs expressed a panel of SMC markers at mRNA and protein levels. Furthermore, the gene dickkopf 3 was found to be involved in the mechanism of PiPS-SMC differentiation. It was revealed that dickkopf 3 transcriptionally regulated SM22 by potentiation of Wnt signaling and interaction with Kremen1. Finally, PiPS-SMCs repopulated decellularized vessel grafts and ultimately gave rise to functional tissue-engineered vessels when combined with previously established PiPS-endothelial cells, leading to increased survival of severe combined immunodeficiency mice after transplantation of the vessel as a vascular graft.

Conclusions:

We developed a protocol to generate SMCs from PiPS cells through a dickkopf 3 signaling pathway, useful for generating tissue-engineered vessels. These findings provide a new insight into the mechanisms of SMC differentiation with vast therapeutic potential.
C2238 Atrial Natriuretic Peptide Molecular Variant Is Associated With Endothelial Damage and Dysfunction Through Natriuretic Peptide Receptor C Signaling
Authors: Sciarretta Sebastiano , Marchitti Simona , Bianchi Franca , Moyes Amie , Barbato Emanuele , Di Castro Sara , Stanzione Rosita , Cotugno Maria , Castello Lorenzo , Calvieri Camilla , Eberini Ivano , Sadoshima Junichi , Hobbs Adrian J. , Volpe Massimo , Rubattu Speranza
Published: March 2013

Rationale:

C2238 atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) minor allele (substitution of thymidine with cytosine in position 2238) associates with increased risk of cardiovascular events.

Objective:

We investigated the mechanisms underlying the vascular effects of C2238-αANP.

Methods and Results:

In vitro, human umbilical vein endothelial cell were exposed to either wild-type (T2238)- or mutant (C2238)-αANP. Cell survival and apoptosis were tested by Trypan blue, annexin V, and cleaved caspase-3 assays. C2238-αANP significantly reduced human umbilical vein endothelial cell survival and increased apoptosis. In addition, C2238-αANP reduced endothelial tube formation, as assessed by matrigel. C2238-αANP did not differentially modulate natriuretic peptide receptor (NPR)-A/B activity with respect to T2238-αANP, as evaluated by intracellular cGMP levels. In contrast, C2238-αANP, but not T2238-αANP, markedly reduced intracellular cAMP levels in an NPR-C–dependent manner. Accordingly, C2238-αANP showed higher affinity binding to NPR-C, than T2238-αANP. Either NPR-C inhibition by antisense oligonucleotide or NPR-C gene silencing by small interfering RNA rescued survival and tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cell exposed to C2238-αANP. Similar data were obtained in human aortic endothelial cell with NPR-C knockdown. NPR-C activation by C2238-αANP inhibited the protein kinase A/Akt1 pathway and increased reactive oxygen species. Adenovirus-mediated Akt1 reactivation rescued the detrimental effects of C2238-αANP. Overall, these data indicate that C2238-αANP affects endothelial cell integrity through NPR-C–dependent inhibition of the cAMP/protein kinase A/Akt1 pathway and increased reactive oxygen species production. Accordingly, C2238-αANP caused impairment of acetylcholine-dependent vasorelaxation ex vivo, which was rescued by NPR-C pharmacological inhibition. Finally, subjects carrying C2238 minor allele showed early endothelial dysfunction, which highlights the clinical relevance of our results.

Conclusions:

C2238-αANP reduces endothelial cell survival and impairs endothelial function through NPR-C signaling. NPR-C targeting represents a potential strategy to reduce cardiovascular risk in C2238 minor-allele carriers.
Vascular Endothelial Cell Growth–Activated XBP1 Splicing in Endothelial Cells Is Crucial for Angiogenesis
Authors: Zeng Lingfang , Xiao Qingzhong , Chen Mei , Margariti Andriana , Martin Daniel , Ivetic Aleksandar , Xu Heping , Mason Justin , Wang Wen , Cockerill Gillian , Mori Kazutoshi , Li Julie Yi-shuan , Chien Shu , Hu Yanhua , Xu Qingbo
Published: March 2013

Background—

Vascular endothelial cell growth factor plays a pivotal role in angiogenesis via regulating endothelial cell proliferation. The X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1) is believed to be a signal transducer in the endoplasmic reticulum stress response. It is unknown whether there is crosstalk between vascular endothelial cell growth factor signaling and XBP1 pathway.

Methods and Results—

We found that vascular endothelial cell growth factor induced the kinase insert domain receptor internalization and interaction through C-terminal domain with the unspliced XBP1 and the inositol requiring enzyme 1 α in the endoplasmic reticulum, leading to inositol requiring enzyme 1 α phosphorylation and XBP1 mRNA splicing, which was abolished by siRNA-mediated knockdown of kinase insert domain receptor. Spliced XBP1 regulated endothelial cell proliferation in a PI3K/Akt/GSK3β/β-catenin/E2F2–dependent manner and modulated the cell size increase in a PI3K/Akt/GSK3β/β-catenin/E2F2–independent manner. Knockdown of XBP1 or inositol requiring enzyme 1 α decreased endothelial cell proliferation via suppression of Akt/GSK3β phosphorylation, β-catenin nuclear translocation, and E2F2 expression. Endothelial cell–specific knockout of XBP1 (
XBP1ecko
) in mice retarded the retinal vasculogenesis in the first 2 postnatal weeks and impaired the angiogenesis triggered by ischemia. Reconstitution of XBP1 by Ad-XBP1s gene transfer significantly improved angiogenesis in ischemic tissue in
XBP1ecko
mice. Transplantation of bone marrow from wild-type o
XBP1ecko
mice could also slightly improve the foot blood reperfusion in ischemic
XBP1ecko
mice.

Conclusions—

These results suggest that XBP1 can function via growth factor signaling pathways to regulate endothelial proliferation and angiogenesis.
High Blood Pressure and Cerebral White Matter Lesion Progression in the General Population
Authors: Verhaaren Benjamin F.J. , Vernooij Meike W. , de Boer Renske , Hofman Albert , Niessen Wiro J. , van der Lugt Aad , Ikram M. Arfan
Published: March 2013

High blood pressure is considered an important risk factor for cerebral white matter lesions (WMLs) in the aging population. In a longitudinal population-based study of 665 nondemented persons, we investigated the longitudinal relationship of systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and pulse pressure with annual progression of WMLs. Means of blood pressure were calculated over a 5-year period before longitudinal MRI scanning. WML progression was subsequently measured on 2 scans 3.5 years apart. We performed analyses with linear regression models and evaluated adjustments for age, sex, cardiovascular risk factors, and baseline WML volume. In addition, we evaluated whether treatment of hypertension is related to less WML progression. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly associated with annual WML progression (regression coefficient [95% confidence interval], 0.08 [0.03; 0.14] mL/y and 0.09 [0.03; 0.15] mL/y per SD increase in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, respectively). Pulse pressure was also significantly associated with WML progression, but not independent from hypertension. After adjustment for baseline WML volume, only systolic blood pressure remained significantly associated: 0.05 (0.00; 0.09) mL/y per SD increase. People with uncontrolled untreated hypertension had significantly more WML progression than people with uncontrolled treated hypertension (difference [95% confidence interval], 0.12 [0.00; 0.23] mL/y). The present study further establishes high blood pressure to precede WMLs and implies that hypertension treatment could reduce WML progression in the general population.
Intensive Blood Pressure Lowering Increases Cerebral Blood Flow in Older Subjects With Hypertension
Authors: Tryambake Dinesh , He Jiabao , Firbank Michael J. , O’Brien John T. , Blamire Andrew M. , Ford Gary A.
Published: March 2013

Hypertension is associated with reduced cerebral blood flow (CBF). Intensive (<130/80 mm Hg) blood pressure (BP) lowering in older people might give greater reduction in cardiovascular risk, but there are concerns that this might produce hypoperfusion which may precipitate falls and possibly stroke. We determined the effect of intensive compared with usual BP lowering on CBF in hypertensive older subjects. Individuals aged >70 years with a history of systolic hypertension on 1 or no BP lowering drugs were recruited from primary care (n=37; age, 75±4 years; systolic BP, >150 mm Hg) and randomized to receive intensive (target BP, <130/80 mm Hg) or usual (target BP, <140/85 mm Hg) BP lowering for 12 weeks, with reviews every 2 weeks. CBF, determined using 3T arterial spin labeling MRI, and 24-hour ambulatory BP were performed at baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment. Baseline BP (ambulatory or in clinic) and baseline gray matter CBF were not significantly different between the groups. After treatment, BP was reduced significantly in both groups but fell more in the intensive group (26/17 versus 15/5 mm Hg;
P
<0.01). Over the same period, gray matter CBF increased significantly in the intensive group (7±11 mL/min per 100 g;
P
=0.013) but was unchanged in the usual BP target group (−3±9 mL/min per 100 g;
P
=0.23);
P
<0.01 for comparison. Intensive BP lowering in older people with hypertension increases CBF, compared with BP lowering to usual target. These findings suggest hypertension in older people shifts the autoregulatory CBF curve rightward and downward and is reversible with BP lowering.
Podocyturia Predates Proteinuria and Clinical Features of Preeclampsia
Authors: Craici Iasmina M. , Wagner Steven J. , Bailey Kent R. , Fitz-Gibbon Patrick D. , Wood-Wentz Christina M. , Turner Stephen T. , Hayman Suzanne R. , White Wendy M. , Brost Brian C. , Rose Carl H. , Grande Joseph P. , Garovic Vesna D.
Published: March 2013

Podocyturia, the shedding of live podocytes, is present at delivery in women with preeclampsia. The aim of this study was to test whether podocyturia is present earlier in pregnancy and predicts for preeclampsia. We also aimed to compare test characteristics of podocyturia with those of angiogenic factors previously implicated in the pathogenesis of this disorder. We prospectively enrolled 315 women who provided blood and urine samples at the end of the second trimesters of their pregnancies (median, 27 gestational weeks) and within 24 hours of their deliveries (median, 39.5 gestational weeks). Blood samples were analyzed for angiogenic markers, including placental growth factor, the soluble receptor fms-like tyrosine kinase receptor-1 for vascular endothelial growth factor, and endoglin. The urine sediments were analyzed for podocytes, identified by staining for podocin after culturing the urinary sediments for 24 hours. This analysis included all women who developed preeclampsia (n=15), gestational hypertension (n=15), and a subsample of women who remained normotensive throughout pregnancy (n=44), matched for maternal age and number of previous pregnancies to those who developed preeclampsia. At the second trimester collection, all women who developed preeclampsia had podocyturia, compared with none of those who remained normotensive or were diagnosed with gestational hypertension. Podocyturia in the second trimester had a significantly greater sensitivity and specificity for the subsequent diagnosis of preeclampsia than any single angiogenic marker or a combination thereof. Screening for podocyturia at the end of the second trimester may allow for accurate identification of pregnant women at risk for preeclampsia.
A Retinotopic Attentional Trace after Saccadic Eye Movements: Evidence from Event-related Potentials
Authors: Talsma Durk , White Brian J. , Mathôt Sebastiaan , Munoz Douglas P. , Theeuwes Jan
Published: March 2013

Saccadic eye movements are a major source of disruption to visual stability, yet we experience little of this disruption. We can keep track of the same object across multiple saccades. It is generally assumed that visual stability is due to the process of remapping, in which retinotopically organized maps are updated to compensate for the retinal shifts caused by eye movements. Recent behavioral and ERP evidence suggests that visual attention is also remapped, but that it may still leave a residual retinotopic trace immediately after a saccade. The current study was designed to further examine electrophysiological evidence for such a retinotopic trace by recording ERPs elicited by stimuli that were presented immediately after a saccade (80 msec SOA). Participants were required to maintain attention at a specific location (and to memorize this location) while making a saccadic eye movement. Immediately after the saccade, a visual stimulus was briefly presented at either the attended location (the same spatiotopic location), a location that matched the attended location retinotopically (the same retinotopic location), or one of two control locations. ERP data revealed an enhanced P1 amplitude for the stimulus presented at the retinotopically matched location, but a significant attenuation for probes presented at the original attended location. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that visuospatial attention lingers in retinotopic coordinates immediately following gaze shifts.
Affective and Executive Network Processing Associated with Persuasive Antidrug Messages
Authors: Ramsay Ian S. , Yzer Marco C. , Luciana Monica , Vohs Kathleen D. , MacDonald Angus W.
Published: March 2013

Previous research has highlighted brain regions associated with socioemotional processes in persuasive message encoding, whereas cognitive models of persuasion suggest that executive brain areas may also be important. The current study aimed to identify lateral prefrontal brain areas associated with persuasive message viewing and understand how activity in these executive regions might interact with activity in the amygdala and medial pFC. Seventy adolescents were scanned using fMRI while they watched 10 strongly convincing antidrug public service announcements (PSAs), 10 weakly convincing antidrug PSAs, and 10 advertisements (ads) unrelated to drugs. Antidrug PSAs compared with nondrug ads more strongly elicited arousal-related activity in the amygdala and medial pFC. Within antidrug PSAs, those that were prerated as strongly persuasive versus weakly persuasive showed significant differences in arousal-related activity in executive processing areas of the lateral pFC. In support of the notion that persuasiveness involves both affective and executive processes, functional connectivity analyses showed greater coactivation between the lateral pFC and amygdala during PSAs known to be strongly (vs. weakly) convincing. These findings demonstrate that persuasive messages elicit activation in brain regions responsible for both emotional arousal and executive control and represent a crucial step toward a better understanding of the neural processes responsible for persuasion and subsequent behavior change.
Attention-modulated Alpha-band Oscillations Protect against Intrusion of Irrelevant Information
Authors: Payne Lisa , Guillory Sylvia , Sekuler Robert
Published: March 2013

Combining high-density scalp EEG recordings with a sensitive analog measure of STM's fidelity, we characterized the temporal dynamics of intentional ignoring and related those dynamics to the intrusion of task-irrelevant information. On each trial of the task, two study Gabors were briefly presented in succession. A green or red disc preceding each Gabor signified whether that Gabor should be remembered or ignored, respectively. With cue–stimulus intervals of 300, 600, or 900 msec presented in separate sessions, we found that the onset of posterior, prestimulus alpha oscillations varied with the length of the interval. Although stimulus onset time was entirely predictable, the longer the cue–stimulus interval, the earlier the increase in prestimulus alpha power. However, the alpha-band modulation was not simply locked to the cue offset. The temporal envelopes of posterior alpha-band modulation were strikingly similar for both cued attending and cued ignoring and differed only in magnitude. This similarity suggests that cued attending includes suppression of task-irrelevant, spatial processing. Supporting the view that alpha-band oscillations represent inhibition, our graded measure of recall revealed that, when the stimulus to be ignored appears second in the sequence, peristimulus alpha power predicted the degree to which that irrelevant stimulus distorted subsequent recall of the stimulus that was to be remembered. These results demonstrate that timely deployment of attention-related alpha-band oscillations can aid STM by filtering out task-irrelevant information.
Mononchida (Nematoda) from Silent Valley National Park, India
Authors: NUSRAT TABINDA , ANJUM ASHHER , AHMAD WASIM
Published: March 2013

Four known and a new species of nematodes belonging to the Order Mononchida Jairajpuri, 1969 are described and illustrated from Silent Valley National Park, India. Cobbonchus vulvastriatus n. sp. has 0.92–0.11 mm long body; buccal cavity 25–27×12–13 μm, dorsal tooth comparatively large with its apex at 72–81% from base of stoma; subventral teeth slightly smaller with their apices at 40–41% from the base of stoma; female genital system amphidelphic, 1–3 pre-vulval and 2–4 post-vulval cuticular infoldings present; spicules 1.2–1.4 times the cloacal body diameter long; gubernaculum trough-shaped with distal thickening; lateral guiding pieces small; ventromedian supplements six, spaced; tail conoid, curved ventrad with a strong angular bending, slender portion of tail about twice the anterior part; caudal glands well developed, arranged in tandem, spinneret terminal. Clarkus sheri (Mulvey, 1967) Jairajpuri, 1970; Mylonchulus amurus Khan & Jairajpuri, 1979; Mylonchulus mulveyi Jairajpuri, 1970 and Mylonchulus paraindex Ahmad, Baniyamuddin & Jairajpuri, 2005 are recorded for the first time from this park.
Larvae of Amphipsyche species (Trichoptera: Hydropsychidae) from Thailand
Authors: PEUMWARUNYOO PRONTHIP , PROMMI TAENG-ON
Published: March 2013

Morphological characters and scanning electron microscope images of the larvae of Amphipsyche meridiana and A. gratiosa are given. Pupal identifications are based on genitalic features in common with described adults, and larvae were associated with the pupae based on residual larval sclerites captured in the pupal case. Herein, the final larval instar is described, diagnosed, and photographed for each species.
Three new caddisflies species of the fossil genus Archaeotinodes (Insecta: Trichoptera: Ecnomidae) from the Baltic Amber
Authors: MELNITSKY STANISLAV I. , IVANOV VLADIMIR D.
Published: March 2013

Three new caddisflies species of the fossil genus Archaeotinodes: Archaeotinodes petropolitana sp. nov., Archaeotinodes regiomontana sp. nov., and Archaeotinodes rossica sp. nov. from the Baltic amber (Upper Eocene, 40 million years old), are described and illustrated.
The bioregionalisation revival
Authors: EBACH MALTE C.
Published: March 2013

The aim of this paper is to review some of the economic drivers of large scale bioregionalisation, using examples from deep sea hydrothermal vent communities, the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic, andAustralia. These economic drivers are mainly recent conservation efforts, while early 20th century bioregionalisation was driven by 19th century taxonomy and exploration to assess available biological resources for economic exploitation. Modern regionalisation, particularly of the Antarctic and deep sea hydrothermal vent communities, are driven by conservation studies to protect areas from economic exploitation, rather than biogeographical questions concerning endemism and natural classification.
Les conceptions de l’après-mort chez les jeunes Belges francophones en Wallonie et à Bruxelles : transactions symboliques et recompositions de l’objet « religion »
Authors: Osés Bermejo José Juan
Published: March 2013

In a highly secularized context such as Belgium, the decline of religious orthodoxies and the development of conceptions of a cyclic afterlife, especially among young people, raises issues for contemporary religious and symbolic dynamics. The structural analysis of 35 semi-structured interviews of young French-speaking men and women from various social strata in Wallonia and Brussels leads the author to define four types of life-after-death symbolism, each type including a variable number of modes. Inviting a critical dialogue with Karel Dobbelaere’s theory of secularization, Danièle Hervieu-Léger’s sociology of ‘religious modernity’ and Pierre Bourdieu’s field theory, the potential and limits of the author’s contribution claim to be within the scope of contemporary debates in the sociology of culture and religion.
Vatican biopolitics
Authors: Turina Isacco
Published: March 2013

The author argues that the Vatican’s teaching on family, sexuality and human life is best understood within the frame of Foucault’s concept of biopolitics. His hypothesis is based on two major claims: first, that in the 20th century the Pope took on a new role, that of manager of populations of believers; and second, that a number of essential functions for the Church as an organization, such as the recruitment of members and of clergy, the maintaining of a distinctive Catholic identity, competition with other faiths and competition with nation states, have increasingly revolved around biopolitical issues, particularly around contraception and human life. Therefore, religious teaching on these topics should be read as a discourse where power and morals intertwine.
False-twister as a yarn formation factor in wrap spinning
Authors: Konova Hristina , Angelova Radostina
Published: March 2013

The aim of the research published in the paper was to study the role of the false-twister in the formation of wrap yarns on a hollow spindle machine. Three cases were investigated as follows: without use of false-twister, with single wrapping around the false-twister, and with double wrapping around the false-twister. Wrap yarn structure, geometrical characteristics, and mechanical properties were analyzed. The results obtained showed some discrepancies with former statements in literature, but demonstrated the significant importance of the false-twister for the morphology and properties of the plain wrap yarns.
Young Australian Christians reading Dawkins and Hitchens: A qualitative study
Authors: Pembroke Neil
Published: March 2013

The method of interpretive phenomenology was used to investigate the responses of twelve young Australian Christian University students to selected writings by Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens. In analysing the interview data, the following six themes emerged: the style is entertaining and humorous; the style is disrespectful and mocking; many of the arguments are perceived as lacking depth and philosophical sophistication; constructive engagement with ‘the other side’ was found to be lacking; the ‘religion poisons everything’ argument cannot be sustained (it’s a human rather than a specifically religious failing); and, finally, the arguments that cast doubt on the historicity and reliability of the biblical accounts are troubling. Though the capacity for critical analysis is variable in the cohort, all of the participants were able to point up serious flaws in the arguments. No one found her- or himself ‘falling under the spell’ of the authors.
Theology and the new atheism: Science, religion and metaphysics
Authors: Ormerod Neil
Published: March 2013

The ‘new atheism’ has difficulty distinguishing scientific issues from metaphysical ones. Still many theologians and philosophers have the same difficulty. This paper argues for the necessity of something like what Bernard Lonergan calls ‘intellectual conversion’ to help make this distinction. Drawing on the work of physicist Lawrence Krauss and Augustine’s narrative of his own intellectual conversion, the paper illustrates the confusions that arise when such conversion is lacking, and how such conversion can assist in moving the discussion about science and religion forward.
Completing the Circle of the Social Sciences? William Beveridge and Social Biology at London School of Economics during the 1930s
Authors: Renwick Chris
Published: March 2013

Much has been written about the relationship between biology and social science during the early twentieth century. However, discussion is often drawn toward a particular conception of eugenics, which tends to obscure our understanding of not only the wide range of intersections between biology and social science during the period but also their impact on subsequent developments. This paper draws attention to one of those intersections: the British economist and social reformer William Beveridge’s controversial efforts to establish a Department of Social Biology at London School of Economics during the 1920s and 1930s. Featuring a fully equipped laboratory headed by a leading geneticist, the Department of Social Biology was Beveridge’s attempt to “cross-fertilise” biology and social science and, in so doing, take the ideological heat out of social scientific, in particular economic, methods of investigation. Exploring why Beveridge’s project failed and throwing light on its long-term legacies, this paper considers what we can learn from the short-lived Department of Social Biology.
Chickens and Eggs
Authors: Casper Stephen T.
Published: March 2013

Why would anyone want there to be natural foundations for the social sciences? In a provocative essay exploring precisely that question, historian Chris Renwick uses an interwar debate featuring William Beveridge, Lancelot Hogben, and Friedrich Hayek to begin to imagine what might have been had such a program calling for biological knowledge to form the natural bases of the social sciences been realized at the London School of Economics. Yet perhaps Renwick grants too much attention to differences and “what-ifs” and not enough to the historical question of “what happened” afterward. “Chickens and Eggs” offers an alternative view of this rather vexed question—one grounded in what happened, which suggests that Renwick’s concerns may be somewhat misplaced.
Understanding the development of school psychology in Mainland China
Authors: D’Amato Rik Carl , van Schalkwyk Gertina J. , Zhao B. Yang , Hu Juan
Published: March 2013

School psychology is an important area within psychology, which has a short developmental history in Mainland China. Nonetheless, along with economic advances and social changes in Mainland China, school psychology is developing and becoming more important. Currently, people need to work harder and longer. This places many under pressure that may cause all kinds of mental difficulties and disorders. School psychological services can work with learners and their families for the healthy development of children and adolescents, and is also the fundamental route to prevent and solve mental-health problems in Mainland China. This article explains the significance and the important effects of school psychology in Mainland China, and provides a general account of the developmental history and the status quo of school psychology. It also compares mental health services in Mainland China with those in other countries. The objective of this article is to present an overall description of school psychology, understand new trends, and discuss the need for the future development of school psychology in Mainland China. This article completed a comparative analysis with the USA and considered current practices in Mainland China.
School psychology and school-based child and family interventions in Singapore
Authors: Chong Wan Har , Lee Boon Ooi , Tan Soo Yin , Wong Shyh Shin , Yeo Lay See
Published: March 2013

This article presents an overview of the range of primary, secondary, and tertiary interventions based on the Singapore Education Ministry-developed whole-school framework for pupil management and support. At the preventive level, a range of school-wide programmes are implemented to provide learning, emotional, and behavioural support for students. Where school-level programmes are inadequate to address specific student concerns, there are school counsellors or teacher-counsellors to work with those at-risk or experiencing difficulties. Students with specific learning disabilities receive in-class or pull-out support from allied educators, often in consultation with educational psychologists from the Ministry. Although parent support and collaboration are often sought, school-based family interventions are not within the purview of schools. This article further discusses issues that may be of concern to schools as they work to support students more effectively.
A holistic approach to school-based counselling and guidance services in Malaysia
Authors: Low Sew Kim , Kok Jin Kuan , Lee Mah Ngee
Published: March 2013

Counselling services in Malaysian schools were first established in 1963. Several local research studies investigated the provision of school counselling services and revealed that they were unpopular among students and could be further improved. School-aged children are still under the care of their family, mostly their parents, and many authors suggested that the school counselling services for these children are inseparable from their family and community. A qualitative research study was conducted with 12 secondary school counsellors from Perak state in Malaysia. The counsellors were interviewed to explore their experiences of working in the existing counselling services system. The findings showed that there was a lack of collaboration among various educational stakeholders and the resources from the community were not utilized effectively. As a result of this study, a comprehensive integrative model for school counselling is proposed and discussed. Some possible challenges faced by counsellors and suggestions on ways to further improve counselling services within the Malaysian context are discussed.
Political religion vs non-establishment
Authors: Cohen Jean L.
Published: March 2013

This article defends the principle of non-establishment against 21st-century projects of political religion, constitutional theocracy and political theology. It is divided into two parts, which will appear in two consecutive issues of Philosophy & Social Criticism, 39(4–5) and 39(6). Part 1 proceeds by constructing an ideal type of political secularism, and then discussing the innovative American model of constitutional dualism regarding religion that combined constitutional protection for the freedom of religious conscience and exercise with the principle of non-establishment. The article analyses the strengths and limits of the ‘separation– accommodation’ frame that became hegemonic in 1st amendment jurisprudence from the 1940s to the 1990s. It challenges the standard caricature of the American model as strictly separationist and privatizing. It then critically assesses two contemporary alternatives to that frame: the integrationist approach and the equal liberty approach. The first, disguised as a concern for pluralism and fairness, challenges ‘separation’ and political secularism in a subtle attack on the non-establishment principle, aimed at drastically narrowing its scope. Successes of this approach in recent Supreme Court jurisprudence and politics have triggered a response by liberal egalitarians. The author addresses this response – the equal liberty model – in part 2, which will appear in Philosophy & Social Criticism 39(6), arguing that although on the right track, it fails to find a middle ground between political secularism and integration.