bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Digestibility for dogs and cats of meat and bone meal processed at two different temperature and pressure levels*
Authors: de‐Oliveira L. D. , de Carvalho Picinato M. A. , Kawauchi I. M. , Sakomura N. K. , Carciofi A. C.
Published: September 2011

This study evaluated the effect of two rendering processes applied to meat and bone meal (MBM) production, associated or not with extrusion, by measuring diet apparent total tract digestibility of dogs and cats, and true digestibility of amino acids (AA) by cecectomized roosters. Four diets were evaluated, with the main protein source as follows: conventional and extruded MBM; high temperature and pressure (HPT; 135 °C, 3 bar, 20 min) and extruded MBM; conventional non‐extruded MBM; HPT non‐extruded MBM. Nutrient digestibility and food metabolizable energy content were evaluated with dogs and cats by the method of total collection of faeces. True AA digestibility was evaluated by a precision‐fed assay with cecectomized roosters. The evaluated MBM had high‐ash content. The HPT process of MBM increased the digestibility of crude protein of the diets by cats, and the true digestibility of several AA by cecectomized roosters. The extrusion process did not modify the apparent total tract nutrient digestibility of MBM by dogs and their amino acid digestibility by roosters, but increased the digestibility of the dietary protein by cats. Dogs fed HPT MBM presented a higher urea post‐prandial response, suggesting reductions in bioavailability and protein synthesis from absorbed AA.
Assessment of the effects of the Gpc‐B1 allele on senescence rate, grain protein concentration and mineral content in hard red spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) from the Pacific Northwest Region of the USA
Authors: Carter Arron H. , Santra Dipak K. , Kidwell Kimberlee K.
Published: September 2011

With 1 figure and 4 tables

Grain protein concentration (GPC) impacts the end‐use quality of products made from flour extracted from wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grain; therefore, it is a high priority in wheat improvement efforts. Recently, researchers determined that the Gpc‐B1 gene increases the rate of senescence in wheat, consequently increasing GPC. The objective of this study was to incorporate the Gpc‐B1 gene into regionally adapted hard red spring wheat cultivars ‘Tara 2002’ and ‘Scarlet’ to evaluate the impact of this gene under irrigated and rainfed production conditions. Three isogenic derivates with and three without Gpc‐B1 were evaluated in replicated field trials in Pullman, WA, in 2006 and 2007 in a split‐plot design, with genotype and production system as the main‐ and subplot factors, respectively. Increased senescence rates (1.8 days earlier; P = 0.03) were only detected for Tara 2002 isolines with the Gpc‐B1 gene in 2007 when averaged across irrigation conditions. Increased GPC (0.5%; P = 0.01) was only detected in Tara 2002 isolines with the gene in 2006, although no increases in senescence were detected. Significant (P < 0.01) decreases in grain weight were detected in both years for all isolines, whereas grain yields of the isolines did not differ significantly (P = 0.14). Significant (P < 0.02) differences in mineral content in Scarlet isolines also were identified. Differences in environmental conditions appear to impact the expression of the Gpc‐B1 gene, which may limit its utility as a breeding strategy for increasing GPC for spring wheat cultivars produced in regions with short growing seasons.
Morphological traits of phytomers and shoots in the first year of growth as markers for predicting apple tree canopy architecture
Authors: Bendokas Vidmantas , Gelvonauskiene Dalia , Siksnianas Tadeusas , Staniene Grazina , Siksnianiene Jurate B. , Gelvonauskis Bronislovas , Stanys Vidmantas
Published: September 2011

With 1 figure and 7 tables

Apple tree canopy architecture is very important for productivity, fruit quality and ripening. Our objective was to evaluate inheritance traits of an apple tree canopy and to identify morphological phytomer or shoot parameters, which could be used as a marker for selection of apple trees with desired canopy architecture. Crosses between apple trees with different canopy architecture using top‐cross scheme were performed. Combining ability of parental cultivars and clones was evaluated. Progeny of columnar and spur ideotype apple trees will have the shortest internodes according to general combining ability effects. Offspring of standard and weeping apple trees will have moderate and long internodes. Data show that apple phytomer parameters, such as internode length and lamina angle to shoot, are inherited and related to future plant canopy architecture. These phytomer traits are easily detected in the first year of growth of apple hybrid. It was shown that short internode is directly related to columnar tree canopy, and high lamina angle to shoot in the juvenile phase is a morphological marker of weeping apple tree canopy.
Leptin and cardiovascular diseases
Authors: Hou Ning , Luo Jian‐Dong
Published: September 2011

1. Leptin is a 16‐kDa hormone, synthesized primarily by adipocyte, which acts as a key factor for maintenance of energy homeostasis in central and peripheral tissues. In most obese individuals, serum leptin levels are increased and correlate with the individual’s body mass index.

2. Abundant investigations ranging from clinical and animal model studies to in vitro analyses show that leptin plays a pivotal role in obesity‐related cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Hyperleptinaemia has been confirmed to be a predictor of acute cardiovascular events. However, some studies have shown that leptin has a cardioprotective effect in leptin‐deficient models. These data suggest the influences of leptin on the pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases are complex and not completely understood.

3. In the present review, we summarize the major leptin signalling pathways, including Janus‐activated kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (Jak/STAT), mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPK), and phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI‐3K) signalling pathways, and analyse the probable mechanisms of selective leptin resistance. We then provide a detailed review of the effects of leptin on the cardiovascular system, including sympathoactivation, oxidative stress, vascular inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, vascular cell proliferation, cardiomyocytes hypertrophy, as well as fatty acid metabolism, all of which contribute to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases (e.g. ischaemic heart disease). The central premise of this review is to elucidate the mechanisms by which leptin affects the cardiovascular function and provide insight into obesity‐related CVD.
Economic burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: TEO W.‐S. KELVIN , TAN WOAN‐SHIN , CHONG WAI‐FUNG , ABISHEGANADEN JOHN , LEW YII‐JEN , LIM TOW‐KEANG , HENG BEE‐HOON
Published: September 2011

Background and objective:  The aim of this study was to estimate the direct medical costs of COPD in two public health clusters in Singapore from 2005 to 2009.

Methods:  Patients aged 40 years and over, who had been diagnosed with COPD, were identified in a Chronic Disease Management Data‐mart. Annual utilization of health services in inpatient, specialist outpatient, emergency department and primary care settings was extracted from the Chronic Disease Management Data‐mart. Trends in attributable costs, proportions of costs and health‐care utilization were analyzed across each level of care. A weighted attribution approach was used to allocate costs to each health‐care utilization episode, depending on the relevance of co‐morbidities.

Results:  The mean total cost was approximately $9.9 million per year. Inpatient admissions were the major cost driver, contributing an average of $7.2 million per year. The proportion of hospitalization costs declined from 75% in 2005 to 68% in 2009. Based on the 5‐year average, attendances at primary care clinics, emergency department and specialist clinics contributed 3%, 5% and 17%, respectively, of overall COPD costs. On average, 42% of the total cost burden was incurred for the medical management of COPD. The share of cost incurred for the treatment of conditions related and unrelated to COPD were 29% and 26%, respectively, of the total average costs.

Conclusions:  COPD is likely to represent a significant burden to the public health system in most countries. The findings are particularly relevant to understanding the allocation of health‐care resources and informing appropriate cost containment strategies.
Surgical outcome in children undergoing hypospadias repair under caudal epidural vs penile block
Authors: Kundra Pankaj , Yuvaraj Kotteeswaran , Agrawal Karoon , Krishnappa Sudeep , Kumar Lalla T.
Published: September 2011

Aim and Objective:  To evaluate the effect of penile block vs caudal epidural on the quality of analgesia and surgical outcome following hypospadias repair.

Background:  Intraoperative penile engorgement because of caudal epidural may result in tension on surgical sutures and alter surgical outcome.

Methods:  Fifty‐four ASA I and II children were randomly allocated to group P (penile block, 0.25% bupivacaine, 0.5 mg·kg−1; n = 27) and group C (caudal epidural, 0.25% bupivacaine, 0.5 ml·kg−1; n = 27), respectively. Quality of analgesia was assessed by visual analog scale (VAS) score recorded at 0, 0.5, 3, 6, 12, 24 h, and once a day for the next 4 days. Duration of analgesia was calculated from the institution of block to the first analgesic demand by child or VAS > 5. Total morphine consumption in the first 48 h and oral paracetamol consumption till 5th day were recorded. Children were regularly followed up in their respective outpatient clinic for early or late complications.

Results:  In group P, lower mean VAS scores were seen from 0.5 h after surgery till day 3 and analgesia lasted for significantly longer duration (82 min) when compared with caudal epidural, P < 0.001. Incidence of urethral fistula formation after primary hypospadias repair was 19.2%, and all had received caudal epidural. An increase of 27% in penile volume from baseline value was observed 10 min after caudal epidural placement, P < 0.05.

Conclusion:  Penile block provided better analgesia when compared with caudal epidural in children undergoing primary hypospadias repair. Postoperative urethral fistula formation was more likely in children who received caudal epidural.
Substantial postoperative pain is common among children undergoing laparoscopic appendectomy
Authors: Tomecka Maggie J. , Bortsov Andrey V. , Miller Natalie R. , Solano Natalie , Narron John , McNaull Peggy P. , Ricketts Karene J. , Lupa Concetta M. , McLean Samuel A.
Published: September 2011

Background:  Laparoscopic appendectomy is one of the most common surgical procedures performed in children. However, to our knowledge, the postoperative pain experience of children undergoing laparoscopic appendectomy has never been described. In this study, we assessed the postoperative pain experience of children undergoing laparoscopic appendectomy.

Methods:  A retrospective chart review of children aged 9–17 years undergoing laparoscopic appendectomy at a large academic medical center from 2004 to 2010 was performed. Demographic and clinical characteristics and self‐reported pain scores (0–10 numeric rating scale) during hospitalization were abstracted from the medical record. Pain scores ≥4 were classified as moderate or severe. If ≥60% of pain ratings were moderate or severe during a specified time period (e.g., particular postoperative day), then the child was defined as experiencing substantial pain during that time. Pain outcomes were summarized using descriptive statistics. Secondary analyses assessed the predictors of substantial postoperative pain.

Results:  Hundred and eighty‐six children underwent laparoscopic appendectomy during the study period. One in three children experienced substantial postoperative pain on the day of surgery, and one in five children continued to have substantial pain the next day. Commonly available clinical and demographic characteristics were poor predictors of substantial postoperative pain.

Conclusion:  These preliminary data suggest that substantial postoperative pain is common in children undergoing laparoscopic appendectomy. More studies of postoperative pain outcomes among children undergoing laparoscopic appendectomy and other common pediatric surgical procedures are needed.
Seasonal change in the abundance of Synechococcus and multiple distinct phylotypes in Monterey Bay determined by rbcL and narB quantitative PCR
Authors: Paerl Ryan W. , Turk Kendra A. , Beinart Roxanne A. , Chavez Francisco P. , Zehr Jonathan P.
Published: September 2011

Synechococcus is a cosmopolitan marine cyanobacterial genus, and is often the most abundant picocyanobacterial genus in coastal waters. Little is known about Synechococcus seasonal dynamics in coastal zones highly impacted by upwelling. This was investigated by collecting seasonal samples from an upwelling‐impacted Monterey Bay (MB) monitoring station M0, in parallel with measurements of oceanographic conditions during 2006–2008. Synechococcus abundances were determined using quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays and flow cytometry (FCM). A new qPCR assay was designed to target dominant Synechococcus in MB using the rbcL gene, while previously designed assays targeted distinct phylotypes (called narB subgroups) with the narB gene. The rbcL qPCR assay successfully tracked abundant Synechococcus in MB, accounting for on average 89% (± 57%) of FCM‐based counts. Annual spring upwelling caused decreases in Synechococcus and narB subgroup abundances. Differences in narB subgroup abundance maxima and abundance patterns support the view that subgroups differ in their ecologies, including subgroup D_C1, which seems to specifically thrive in coastal waters. Correlations between narB subgroup abundances and measured environmental variables were similar among the subgroups. Therefore, non‐measured environmental factors (e.g. metals, mortality) likely had different influences on subgroups, which led to their distinct abundance patterns at M0.
New directions in coral reef microbial ecology
Authors: Garren Melissa , Azam Farooq
Published: September 2011

Microbial processes largely control the health and resilience of coral reef ecosystems, and new technologies have led to an exciting wave of discovery regarding the mechanisms by which microbial communities support the functioning of these incredibly diverse and valuable systems. There are three questions at the forefront of discovery: What mechanisms underlie coral reef health and resilience? How do environmental and anthropogenic pressures affect ecosystem function? What is the ecology of microbial diseases of corals? The goal is to understand the functioning of coral reefs as integrated systems from microbes and molecules to regional and ocean‐basin scale ecosystems to enable accurate predictions of resilience and responses to perturbations such as climate change and eutrophication. This review outlines recent discoveries regarding the microbial ecology of different microenvironments within coral ecosystems, and highlights research directions that take advantage of new technologies to build a quantitative and mechanistic understanding of how coral health is connected through microbial processes to its surrounding environment. The time is ripe for natural resource managers and microbial ecologists to work together to create an integrated understanding of coral reef functioning. In the context of long‐term survival and conservation of reefs, the need for this work is immediate.
Guidelines for pregnancy: What's an acceptable risk, and how is the evidence (finally) shaping up?
Authors: O'LEARY COLLEEN M. , BOWER CAROL
Published: September 2011

Issues.The lack of consensus about whether low to moderate levels of prenatal alcohol exposure are a risk factor for fetal development has generated considerable debate about what advice policies and guidelines should provide.

Approach.This paper reviews the evidence from systematic reviews and meta‐analyses examining the risk from low and moderate levels of prenatal alcohol exposure, along with the results of articles published 2009–2010, after the reviews.

Key Findings.The reported significant effects from low levels of prenatal alcohol exposure are likely due to methodological issues such as confounding and/or misclassification of exposure or outcome and there is no strong research evidence of fetal effects from low levels of alcohol exposure. However, harm is well‐documented with heavy exposure and moderate levels of exposure, 30–40 g per occasion and no more than 70 g per week, have been demonstrated to increase the risk of child behaviour problems.

Implications.With such a small margin before there is increased risk to the fetus, it would be morally and ethically unacceptable for policies and guidelines to condone consumption of alcohol during pregnancy. Not all women will follow this advice and some women will inadvertently consume alcohol prior to pregnancy awareness requiring non‐judgmental counselling and the provision of rational advice about the likelihood of risk to the fetus.

Conclusions.The policy advice that ‘the safest choice for pregnant women is to abstain from alcohol during pregnancy’ should be maintained. However, the abstinence message needs to be presented in a balanced and rational manner to prevent unintended negative consequences.[O'Leary CM, Bower C. Guidelines for pregnancy: What's an acceptable risk, and how is the evidence (finally) shaping up?Drug Alcohol Rev2012;31:170–183]
Managerial ownership, board monitoring and firm performance in a family‐concentrated corporate environment
Authors: Cheng Peter , Su Lixin (Nancy) , Zhu Xindong (Kevin)
Published: September 2011

Using data from Hong Kong, a market that has family‐concentrated ownership structure, we examine the relation between managerial ownership, the board of directors and firm performance. We first conduct analysis on the managerial ownership and firm performance to derive the turning points where either ‘convergence of interest’ or ‘entrenchment’ effect of managerial ownership is dominant. Based on these estimated turning points, we find that at low and high level of ownership, effective board mitigates the entrenchment effect associated with managerial ownership; at medium level of ownership, board effectiveness is less demanded. These findings suggest that managerial ownership and board monitoring are substitutes in mitigating the agency problem between managers and shareholders. We also find that effective board curbs the excessive compensation by entrenched managers to themselves at low level of managerial ownership.
Cisgenic barley with improved phytase activity
Authors: Holme Inger B. , Dionisio Giuseppe , Brinch‐Pedersen Henrik , Wendt Toni , Madsen Claus K. , Vincze Eva , Holm Preben B.
Published: September 2011

The cisgenesis concept implies that plants are transformed only with their own genetic materials or genetic materials from closely related species capable of sexual hybridization. Furthermore, foreign sequences such as selection genes and vector‐backbone sequences should be absent. We used a barley phytase gene (HvPAPhy_a) expressed during grain filling to evaluate the cisgenesis concept in barley. The marker gene elimination method was used to obtain marker‐free plant lines. Here, the gene of interest and the selection gene are flanked by their own T‐DNA borders to allow unlinked integration of the two genes. We analysed the transformants for co‐transformation efficiency, increased phytase activities in the grain, integration of the kanamycin resistance gene of the vector‐backbone and segregation between the HvPAPhy_a insert and the hygromycin resistance gene. The frequencies of the four parameters imply that it should be possible to select 11 potentially cisgenic T1‐lines out of the 72 T0‐lines obtained, indicating that the generation of cisgenic barley is possible at reasonable frequencies with present methods. We selected two potential cisgenic lines with a single extra copy of the HvPAPhy_a insert for further analysis. Seeds from plants homozygous for the insert showed 2.6‐ and 2.8‐fold increases in phytase activities and the activity levels were stable over the three generations analysed. In one of the selected lines, the flanking sequences from both the left and right T‐DNA borders were analysed. These sequences confirmed the absence of truncated vector‐backbone sequences linked to the borders. The described line should therefore be classified as cisgenic.
What You See Is (Not) What You Get? The Taiwan Question, Geo‐economic Realities, and the “China Threat” Imaginary
Authors: Lim Kean Fan
Published: September 2011

Abstract: Despite emergent trends of geo‐economic integration between nation‐states, the role of realist‐driven geopolitical calculation appears highly enduring. This paper explores the potential contradictions between state‐centric geopolitical concerns and transnational geo‐economic formation through an exploration of China–US tensions over Taiwan, a territory of indeterminate geo‐legal status and which China regards as its own province. I consider how the Taiwan Relations Act, a domestic public law of the US that frames US–Taiwan relations and has a major influence on East Asian geopolitics, could contradict emergent “China region”, and possibly even China–US, geo‐economic integration. This is because the US‐sustained arms sales to Taiwan rest on imagining and containing China as a “threat”, while geo‐economic integration entails enrolling China as a strategic partner, if not an ally. Consequently, the Taiwan issue could stifle the enhancement of Sino‐American relations at a historical juncture when the Chinese and American economies are more intertwined than ever.
The Relation between Sovereignty and Guilt inNietzsche'sGenealogy
Authors: Zamosc Gabriel
Published: September 2011

This paper interprets the relation between sovereignty and guilt inNietzsche'sGenealogy. I argue that, contrary to received opinion,Nietzsche was not opposed to the moral concept of guilt. I analyseNietzsche's account of the emergence of the guilty conscience out of a pre‐moral bad conscience. Drawing attention toNietzsche's references to many different forms of conscience and analogizing to his account of punishment, I propose that we distinguish between the enduring and the fluid elements of a ‘conscience’, defining the enduring element as the practice of forming self‐conceptions. I show that forNietzsche, the moralization of the bad conscience results from mixing it with the material concepts of guilt and duty, a process effected by prehistoric religious institutions by way of the concept of god. This moralization furnishes a new conception of oneself as a responsible agent and holds the promise of sovereignty by giving us a freedom unknown to other creatures, but at the price of our becoming subject to moral guilt. According toNietzsche, however, the very forces that made it possible have spoiled this promise and, under the pressures of the ascetic ideal, a harmful notion of responsibility understood in terms of sin now dominates our lives. Thus, to fully realize our sovereignty, we must liberate ourselves from this sinful conscience.
Pulsed dye laser as an excellent choice of treatment for lupus tumidus: a prospective study
Authors: Truchuelo M.T. , Boixeda P. , Alcántara J. , Moreno C. , de las Heras E. , Olasolo P.J.
Published: September 2011

Background  Clinical manifestations of cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) vary widely, and different subtypes of this autoimmune disease exist. Tumidus subtype (LT) has been recently separated from the chronic subtypes and is now considered an independent entity due to its particular clinical and histological features. Different treatments are usually prescribed for CLE. Our group has experience of CLE effectively treated with pulsed dye laser (PDL). It was our impression that better responses were achieved in the LT subtype, but no controlled prospective studies with PDL have been specifically performed.

Materials and methods  A prospective study was performed on 10 patients with histologically confirmed LT treated with PDL. All patients were treated with 595 nm PDL using the 10 mm spot size at 0.5 ms pulse width and a fluence of 8 J/cm2. Biopsies were taken before and 4 weeks after treatment and were stained with haematoxylin–eosin.

Results  Evaluation after PDL treatment showed clinical improvement in all of them without side‐effects and reduction of the dermal lymphocytic infiltrate in 9/10 of the patients. Epidermal changes were absent in all patients. Mucin deposition persisted only in one patient. However, 50% of the patients developed new lesions nearby or distant to the treated zones.

Conclusions  PDL therapy is an effective and fast treatment option for acute flares of LT; however, it does not prevent recurrences. A histological improvement has been confirmed in this study. Purpura seems to be necessary to achieve a good response.
A small molecule inhibitor of Mitf‐E‐box DNA binding and its depigmenting effect in melan‐a cells
Authors: Um J.‐M. , Kim H.J. , Lee Y. , Choi C.‐H. , Hoang Nguyen D. , Lee H.‐B. , Shin J.‐H. , Tai No K. , Kim E.‐K.
Published: September 2011

Background  Microphthalmia associated transcription factor (Mitf) is a key regulatory transcriptional factor of pigmentation‐related genes including tyrosinase. Inhibition of tyrosinase transcription by blocking the binding of Mitf with its promoter E‐box DNA can control the pigmentation. However, no such chemicals were reported so far.

Objective  To discover and evaluate the small molecule inhibitors of Mitf‐E‐box DNA.

Methods  Candidate chemicals were screened by virtual screening from pharmacophore data followed by Mitf E‐box DNA protein chip. After selecting the chemical, its inhibitory activity on binding interaction between Mitf and E‐box DNA, electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) was performed. To evaluate the depigmenting activity of Compound #17, cellular melanin assa, and Western blot were performed in melan‐a cells.

Results  Among 27 chemicals selected from a pharmacophore data by virtual screening, Compound #17 was screened, which showed the most potent inhibitory activity against Mitf‐E‐box DNA binding in protein chip. EMSA results confirmed the specific inhibition of Compound #17 on Mitf‐E‐box DNA binding. In melan‐a cells, Compound #17 reduced tyrosinase expression and melanin synthesis (62.5% at 25 μM).

Conclusions  The results show that Compound #17 is the first small molecule inhibitor of Mitf‐E‐box DNA binding with depigmenting activity.
Changes in Option‐Based Compensation Around the Issuance of SFAS 123R
Authors: Brown Lawrence D. , Lee Yen‐Jung
Published: September 2011

Abstract:  We investigate the extent to which employee stock option (ESO) cutbacks around issuance of SFAS 123R are explained by eliminating the favorable accounting treatment available to firms prior to SFAS 123R and the economic consequences of such ESO cutbacks. We find a reduction in the grant day fair value of ESOs to all employees, which is an increasing function of the accounting benefits the firm derived from ESOs’ favorable accounting treatment prior to SFAS 123R. The removal of these accounting benefits explains 20% (45%) of ESO cutbacks around the issuance of SFAS 123R for our sample median (mean) firm. We do not find that firms cutting back more on the use of ESOs experienced a greater decrease in firm performance. Rather, a dollar increase in ESOs is associated with higher future productivity and higher future firm value in the post‐SFAS 123R period. Collectively, our evidence suggests that ESOs’ favorable accounting treatment prior to SFAS 123R provided firms with incentives to make compensation decisions that minimized accounting expense but did not maximize firm value. We show that firms were more likely to replace ESOs with restricted stock and long‐term incentive plans post‐SFAS 123R but the substitution was far less than dollar for dollar.
Overpressure generation by load transfer following shale framework weakening due to smectite diagenesis
Authors: LAHANN R. W. , SWARBRICK R. E.
Published: September 2011

Basin model studies which have addressed the importance of smectite conversion to illite as a source of overpressure in the Gulf of Mexico have principally relied on a single‐shale compaction model and treated the smectite reaction as only a fluid‐source term. Recent fluid pressure interpretation and shale petrology studies indicate that conversion of bound water to mobile water, dissolution of load‐bearing grains, and increased preferred orientation change the compaction properties of the shale. This results in substantial changes in effective stress and fluid pressure. The resulting fluid pressure can be 1500–3000 psi higher than pressures interpreted from models based on shallow compaction trends. Shale diagenesis changes the mineralogy, volume, and orientation of the load‐bearing grains in the shale as well as the volume of bound water. This process creates a weaker (more compactable) grain framework. When these changes occur without fluid export from the shale, some of the stress is transferred from the grains onto the fluid. Observed relationships between shale density and calculated effective stress in Gulf of Mexico shelf wells confirm these changes in shale properties with depth. Further, the density–effective stress changes cannot be explained by fluid‐expansion or fluid‐source processes or by prediagenesis compaction, but are consistent with a dynamic diagenetic modification of the shale mineralogy, texture, and compaction properties during burial. These findings support the incorporation of diagenetic modification of compaction properties as part of the fluid pressure interpretation process.
Integrating a hydrodynamically‐titled OWC and a salt‐withdrawal depositional model to explore the Ula Trend
Authors: O’CONNOR S. , RASMUSSEN H. , SWARBRICK R. , WOOD J.
Published: September 2011

The Ula Trend lies on the eastern margin of the Central Trough in the Norwegian North Sea and contains the Ula, Gyda and Tambar oilfields. In this Trend, the development of late Jurassic shallow‐marine Ula reservoir sands is complex, because of the deposition of these sands in salt‐dissolution features, separated by inverted Triassic pods. In this paper, attribute mapping (derived from newly re‐processed 3D seismic surveys) has enabled a predictive model to be established for the presence of the Jurassic sands, corroborated by well data, in salt collapse and sand fairway grabens. This model suggests that the Ula sand is laterally continuous over large areas of the Trend. Pressure data from the Chalk in Ula Field wells, and from Jurassic reservoirs on the Cod Terrace, suggest that these continuous sands of the Ula Trend have significantly less pressure than would be expected for their depth of burial. Pressure escape of this nature is often associated with hydrodynamic aquifers, in which overpressure gradients are demonstrable. In this paper, we have used both virgin and postproduction water pressure data from the vicinity of the Ula Field (as well as a new sedimentological model for the reservoir) to test the applicability of a hydrodynamic aquifer versus other models to explain differing oil–water contacts. We establish that the hydrodynamic and structural spill‐points are coincident on the SE of the Ula Field, and that, therefore, hydrocarbons have potentially spilt out of the Ula structure SE towards a series of salt‐flank traps, generating prospectivity up‐dip. The salt features themselves are considered to act as pressure‐release valves or vertical ‘leak‐points’, as Ula sands on their flanks are sufficiently shallow, because of salt movement that overpressures exceed the fracture pressure of the rock, therefore allowing the Ula sands to de‐pressurise over geological time, setting up this hydrodynamic flow.
Reliability and sensitivity to change of the Family Life Questionnaire in a clinical population
Authors: Last Anna , Miles Rebecca , Wills Laura , Brownhill Louise , Ford Tamsin
Published: September 2011

Background:  The Family Life Questionnaire (FLQ) is a new measure of family functioning, which acknowledges that the experience of the family unit may vary between different children. This study examined the reliability and sensitivity to change of the FLQ in a clinical population.

Method:  The FLQ was administered to 91 parents attending the first session of the Incredible Years parenting programmes in Devon during 2009, 71 of them completed it on a second occasion a week later and 55 on a third occasion at the end of the programme. Internal consistency, test–retest reliability and sensitivity to change were calculated.

Results:  Internal consistency and test–retest reliability of the scales varied between moderate and very good, except for the discipline and special allowances items which had poor internal consistency when grouped as a scale. The measures showed promising evidence of sensitivity to change.

Conclusions:  The FLQ is a reliable measure of family function that seems sensitive to change. There is some evidence of validity but a lack of suitable comparators limited this part of the study. The study sample was too small to explore the scale structure.
Private Control Benefits and Earnings Management: Evidence from Insider Controlled Firms
Authors: GOPALAN RADHAKRISHNAN , JAYARAMAN SUDARSHAN
Published: September 2011

We examine earnings management practices of insider controlled firms across 22 countries to shed light on the link between consumption of private benefits and earnings management. Insider controlled firms are associated with more earnings management than noninsider controlled firms in weak investor protection countries. Consistent with the private benefits motive, insider controlled firms with greater divergence between cash‐flow rights and control rights are associated with more earnings management in these countries. Growth opportunities attenuate the association between insider control and earnings management even in weak investor protection countries. We also find some weak evidence that insider controlled firms are associated with less earnings management in strong investor protection countries. Overall, our results highlight a strong link between private benefits consumption and earnings management.
The Standpoint of Art/Criticism: Cindy Sherman as Feminist Artist?*
Authors: Sprague‐Jones Jessica , Sprague Joey
Published: September 2011

Feminist Standpoint Theory identifies knowledge as a social product developed from a specific social position. We apply this theory to explore the dominant standpoint informing the social organization of Western art via an institution we call art/criticism. We find that the assumptions, values, and analytic strategies informing mainstream art and art criticism express the standpoint of privileged men. As a test of our argument, we consider the case of an artist who is often hailed as a feminist artist and yet is one of the most successful woman artists today: Cindy Sherman. We find that while Sherman is working with some fertile possibilities for feminist analysis, her work ends up re‐directing this potential into a disempowering play with images. We conclude that rather than countering our argument, the celebration of Sherman’s work as feminist reveals the workings, as well as the limits, of the privileged male standpoint in art.
Beliefs about Alcohol and the College Experience, Locus of Self, and College Undergraduates’ Drinking Patterns*
Authors: Crawford Lizabeth A. , Novak Katherine B.
Published: September 2011

The purpose of this study is to assess the extent to which locus of self (institutional versus impulse), measured using the Twenty Statements Test (TST), moderates the relationship between beliefs about alcohol and the college experience (BACE) and alcohol use among college undergraduates. Although the majority of our respondents listed more idiosyncratic personal characteristics and preferences than consensual social roles in response to the TST, the number of students classified as institutionals was notably higher than what has been reported within the literature. In opposition to our hypothesis that BACE would affect levels of alcohol consumption primarily among these individuals, our results indicated that the perception that alcohol use is integral to the college experience had a relatively minimal effect on drinking among respondents who defined themselves in terms of institutional roles. Moreover, multiple social roles themselves appeared to reduce the effects of BACE on levels of alcohol consumption. More impulse‐oriented personal characteristics and preferences did not exhibit this moderating influence. Thus, our findings suggest that role occupation may be more important than locus of self in shaping students’ susceptibility to beliefs about drinking and college life.
Why Do Black Men Suffer from Low Self‐Rated Job Productivity? A Multi‐Theory Approach*
Authors: Yang Song , Morimoto Shauna A.
Published: September 2011

This article uses data from a national representative employer–employee matched dataset to assess the race/sex disparity in workers’ self‐rated productivity levels. Findings show that a significant proportion of black men report that they cannot achieve high job productivity. We conduct regression analyses based on human capital, social closure, and social psychological models to identify the specific mechanisms that account for black men’s low self‐rated job productivity. We find that social psychological work relational issues such as closeness of supervision and job evaluation explain the race/sex disparity in self‐rated productivity. Findings are considered in the context of emergent intersections of race and gender in accounting for disparities in workplace outcomes.
Infant Health, Race/Ethnicity, and Early Educational Outcomes Using the ECLS‐B*
Authors: Lynch Jamie L.
Published: September 2011

Using data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study—Birth Cohort, this article emphasizes the central role of poor infant health as a mechanism in the formation of early educational disparities. Results indicate that the varying prevalence of poor infant health across racial/ethnic groups explains a significant portion of the black disadvantage and a moderate portion of the Asian advantage relative to whites in math and reading skills at age four. Results also demonstrate that infant health is an equal opportunity offender across social groups as children with poor health are equally disadvantaged in terms of early cognitive development, regardless of racial/ethnic status. Overall, results indicate that health at birth has important consequences for individual educational achievement and racial/ethnic disparities in cognitive development and school readiness.
Inhibiting the TLR4‐MyD88 signalling cascade by genetic or pharmacological strategies reduces acute alcohol‐induced sedation and motor impairment in mice
Authors: Wu Yue , Lousberg Erin L , Moldenhauer Lachlan M , Hayball John D , Coller Janet K , Rice Kenner C , Watkins Linda R , Somogyi Andrew A , Hutchinson Mark R
Published: September 2011

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Emerging evidence implicates a role for toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) in the CNS effects of alcohol. The aim of the current study was to determine whether TLR4–MyD88‐dependent signalling is involved in the acute behavioural actions of alcohol and if alcohol can activate TLR4‐downstream MAPK and NF‐κB pathways.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH The TLR4 pathway was evaluated using the TLR4 antagonist (+)‐naloxone (µ‐opioid receptor‐inactive isomer) and mice with null mutations in the TLR4 and MyD88 genes. Sedation and motor impairment induced by a single dose of alcohol were assessed by loss of righting reflex (LORR) and rotarod tests, separately. The phosphorylation of JNK, ERK and p38, and levels of IκBα were measured to determine the effects of acute alcohol exposure on MAPK and NF‐κB signalling.

KEY RESULTS After a single dose of alcohol, both pharmacological inhibition of TLR4 signalling with (+)‐naloxone and genetic deficiency of TLR4 or MyD88 significantly (P < 0.0001) reduced the duration of LORR by 45–78% and significantly decreased motor impairment recovery time to 62–88% of controls. These behavioural actions were not due to changes in the peripheral or central alcohol pharmacokinetics. IκBα levels responded to alcohol by 30 min in mixed hippocampal cell samples, from wild‐type mice, but not in cells from TLR4‐ or MyD88‐deficient mice.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS These data provide new evidence that TLR4–MyD88 signalling is involved in the acute behavioural actions of alcohol in mice.

LINKED ARTICLE This article is commented on by Pandey, pp. 1316–1318 of this issue. To view this commentary visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1476‐5381.2011.01695.x
Local Structure of Amorphous EuO–TiO2 Thin Films Probed by X‐Ray Absorption Fine Structure
Authors: Zong Yanhua , Fujita Koji , Akamatsu Hirofumi , Nakashima Seisuke , Murai Shunsuke , Tanaka Katsuhisa
Published: September 2011

We have investigated the local structure of amorphous oxides in EuO–TiO2 system to understand the mechanism that gives rise to curious ferromagnetic properties recently observed in the system. X‐ray absorption spectroscopy has been performed on amorphous EuTiO3 and Eu2TiO4 thin films prepared by the pulsed‐laser‐deposition method. The Ti K‐edge X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure (XANES) and extended X‐ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) data analyses reveal that the coordination number of Ti4+ in the amorphous thin films is around 4, which is in sharp contrast to their crystalline counterparts, where Ti4+ ions are octahedrally coordinated by oxide ions. It is therefore inferred that Ti4+ acts as a network‐forming cation in the random network structure of the amorphous oxides. From the Eu L3‐edge EXAFS data analyses, it is found that the coordination number of Eu2+ is much lower and the nearest Eu–O bond length is shorter in the amorphous thin films than in the crystalline counterparts. The amorphization‐induced enhancement of ferromagnetic interactions observed in the EuO–TiO2 system is discussed in terms of the local environment around Eu2+ ions.
Triglycerides as an early pathophysiological marker of endothelial dysfunction in nondiabetic women with a previous history of gestational diabetes
Authors: SOKUP ALINA , GÓRALCZYK BARBARA , GÓRALCZYK KRZYSZTOF , ROŚĆ DANUTA
Published: September 2011

Abstract  Objective. To investigate whether baseline triglyceride levels are associated with early glucose dysregulation and/or cardiovascular risk in women with a previous history of gestational diabetes. Design. Prospective postpregnancy cohort study. Setting. Polish university hospitals. Sample. Participants included 125 women with previous gestational diabetes and 40 women with normal glucose regulation during pregnancy. Methods. All women were studied 2–24months (mean 12±10months) after the index pregnancy. Women with previous gestational diabetes were divided into tertiles in accordance with baseline triglyceride levels. Main Outcome Measures. We assessed glucose regulation (oral glucose tolerance test), insulin resistance (homeostasis model assessment), markers of endothelial dysfunction (soluble: intercellular adhesion molecule‐1, vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1, E‐selectin, tissue plasminogen activator antigen, von Willebrand factor antigen), fibrinolysis (plasminogen activator inhibitor antigen), inflammation (high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein) and lipid levels. Results. Women with previous gestational diabetes (78% normal glucose regulation, 22% impaired glucose tolerance) had a high cardiometabolic risk profile compared with control women (100% normal glucose regulation). Baseline triglycerides >0.83mmol/l were associated with a higher prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance, higher high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein and triglyceride/high‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol ratio. Triglycerides >1.22mmol/l were associated with higher body fat indexes, higher insulin resistance, higher levels of endothelial dysfunction biomarkers, higher plasminogen activator inhibitor antigen and dyslipidemia. Only E‐selectin was independently associated with triglyceride levels. Conclusions. Baseline triglyceride levels are a cardiovascular risk marker as well as a pathophysiological parameter independently associated with endothelial dysfunction in nondiabetic women with previous gestational diabetes at 2–24months after an index pregnancy. Normalization of triglycerides should be included in preventive therapy after a pregnancy complicated by gestational diabetes.
Distribution of killer cell immunoglobulin‐like receptor genes in Roma from Republic of Macedonia
Authors: Petlichkovski A. , Djulejic E. , Trajkov D. , Efinska‐Mladenovska O. , Hristomanova S. , Kirijas M. , Senev A. , Spiroski M.
Published: September 2011

The aim of this study was to analyze Killer Ig‐Like Receptor (KIR) gene polymorphisms in Roma people from Republic of Macedonia. The studied sample consists of 103 healthy unrelated individuals, aged 20–45 years. All individuals are of Roma origin, residents of different geographical regions (Gostivar, Skopje, and Kochani). The population genetics analysis package, Arlequin, was used for analysis of the data. We found that all 16 KIR genes were observed in the Roma individuals and framework genes (KIR3DL3, KIR3DP1, KIR‐ 2DL4, and KIR3DL2) were present in all individuals. The frequencies of other KIR genes were: KIR2DP1 (1), KIR2DL1 (0.961), KIR2DL2 (0.544), KIR2DL3 (0.874), KIR2DL5 (0.311), KIR3DL1 (0.990), KIR‐ 2DS1 (0.330), KIR2DS2 (0.553), KIR2DS3 (0.359), KIR2DS4 (0.981), KIR2DS5 (0.291), and KIR3DS1 (0.379). The results of tested linkage disequilibrium (LD) among KIR genes demonstrated that KIR genes present a wide range of linkage disequilibrium. The obtained results for KIR genes and genotype frequencies in Macedonian Roma individuals can be used for anthropological comparisons.
Cryofiltration in the Treatment of Cryoglobulinemia and HLA Antibody‐Incompatible Transplantation
Authors: Sinha Devan , Lambie Mark , Krishnan Nithya , McSorley Kath , Hamer Rizwan , Lowe Dave , Briggs David , Fletcher Simon , Zehnder Daniel , Higgins Rob M
Published: September 2011

Cryofiltration is a technique in which plasma is separated from blood and chilled, leading to the formation of “cryogel”, a composite of heparin, fibronectin, fibrinogen, immunoglobulins, and other proteins. This is retained by further filtration and plasma is returned to the patient. There may be a role for cryofiltration in the treatment of cryoglobulinemia or where the application of other forms of plasmapheresis or immunoadsorption is limited. Five patients received six courses of cryofiltration. Two patients had cryoglobulinemia and three were treated before HLA antibody‐incompatible renal transplantation. The treatment was associated with few adverse effects, and it was possible to treat up to 120 mL/kg plasma per session. There was a good clinical response in four patients. One patient was switched back to double filtration plasmapheresis (DFPP) because cryofiltration seemed to remove HLA antibodies less effectively, but the other two transplants have excellent function. In the cryoglobulinemia patients there was excellent clearance of cryoglobulins during each treatment (mean decrease of 78.2 (SD 14.1)% per treatment). Compared with DFPP, fewer immunoglobulins were removed and the mean percentage reductions in immunoglobulin G per treatment were 36.0 (4.0)% for cryoglobulinemia and 59.2 (2.5)% for DFPP (P < 0.01), with respective mean plasma volumes of 64.2 (10.3) and 71.1 (6.8) mL/kg treated. Cryofiltration offers a treatment choice in patients with cryoglobulinemia and in those who may not be able to tolerate high‐volume DFPP. The technique used in the patients described here was less effective than DFPP; however, use of an alternative fractionator and treatment of higher plasma volumes may enhance the efficiency of cryofiltration.