bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determining the instar of mountain pine beetle (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) larvae by the width of their head capsules
Authors: Bleiker K.P. , Régnière J.
Published: October 2014

Cut-points to distinguish larval instars of the mountain pine beetle (MPB), Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), from the measurement of head-capsule width were determined using a maximum likelihood approach. The cut-points that distinguish the four instars are suitable to classify individual larvae from field populations collected from lodgepole pine Pinus contorta var. latifolia Engelmann (Pinaceae) or jack pine (P. banksiana Lambert)×lodgepole pine hybrids throughout most of the beetle’s current range in British Columbia and Alberta, Canada. The ability to designate the instar of field-collected larvae will facilitate the calibration of phenology and populations models that assess the climatic suitability of habitats and the potential for MPB to continue expanding its range.
Virulence factors in environmental and clinical Vibrio cholerae from endemic areas in Kenya
Authors: Kimani Racheal W. , Muigai Anne W. T. , Sang Willie , Kiiru John N. , Kariuki Samuel
Published: October 2014

Background: Since 1971, Kenya has had repeated cholera outbreaks. However, the cause of seasonal epidemics of cholera is not fully understood and neither are the factors that drive epidemics, both in Kenya and globally.Objectives: The objectives of the study were to determine the environmental reservoirs of V. cholerae during an interepidemic period in Kenya and to characterise their virulence factors.Methods: One hundred (50 clinical, 50 environmental) samples were tested for V. cholerae isolates using both simplex and multiplex polymerase chain reaction.Results: Both sediments and algae from fishing and landing bays yielded isolates of V. cholerae. Clinical strains were characterised along with the environmental strains for comparison. All clinical strains harboured ctxA, tcpA (El Tor), ompU, zot, ace, toxR, hylA (El Tor) and tcpI genes. Prevalence for virulence genes in environmental strains was hylA (El Tor) (10%), toxR (24%), zot (22%), ctxA (12%),tcpI (8%), hylA (26%) and tcpA (12%).Conclusion: The study sites, including landing bays and beaches, contained environmental V. cholerae, suggesting that these may be reservoirs for frequent epidemics. Improved hygiene and fish-handling techniques will be important in reducing the persistence of reservoirs.
Attitudes, knowledge and practices of healthcare workers regarding occupational exposure of pulmonary tuberculosis
Authors: Bhebhe Lesley T. , Van Rooyen Cornel , Steinberg Wilhelm J.
Published: October 2014

Background: Healthcare-associated tuberculosis (TB) has become a major occupational hazard for healthcare workers (HCWs). HCWs are inevitably exposed to TB, due to frequent interaction with patients with undiagnosed and potentially contagious TB. Whenever there is a possibility of exposure, implementation of infection prevention and control (IPC) practices is critical.Objective: Following a high incidence of TB among HCWs at Maluti Adventist Hospital in Lesotho, a study was carried out to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of HCWs regarding healthcare-associated TB infection and infection controls.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study performed in June 2011; it involved HCWs at Maluti Adventist Hospital who were involved with patients and/or sputum. Stratified sampling of 140 HCWs was performed, of whom, 129 (92.0%) took part. A self-administered, semi-structured questionnaire was used.Results: Most respondents (89.2%) had appropriate knowledge of transmission, diagnosis and prevention of TB; however, only 22.0% of the respondents knew the appropriate method of sputum collection. All of the respondents (100.0%) were motivated and willing to implement IPC measures. A significant proportion of participants (36.4%) reported poor infection control practices, with the majority of inappropriate practices being the administrative infection controls (> 80.0%). Only 38.8% of the participants reported to be using the appropriate N-95 respirator.Conclusion: Poor infection control practices regarding occupational TB exposure were demonstrated, the worst being the first-line administrative infection controls. Critical knowledge gaps were identified; however, there was encouraging willingness by HCWs to adapt to recommended infection control measures. Healthcare workers are inevitably exposed to TB, due to frequent interaction with patients with undiagnosed and potentially contagious TB. Implementation of infection prevention and control practices is critical whenever there is a possibility of exposure.
The diabetic foot risks profile in Selebi Phikwe Government Hospital, Botswana
Authors: Tshitenge Stephane , Ganiyu Adewale , Mbuka Deogratias , Shama Joseph M.
Published: October 2014

Aim: The present study aimed: (1) to evaluate the proportion of each diabetic foot (DF) risk category, according to the International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot (IWGDF) consensus, in patients attending the diabetic clinic in Selebi Phikwe Government Hospital (SPGH) and (2) to examine some of the factors that may be associated with the progression to higher risk categories such as anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and lipid profile.Methods: A retrospective, cross sectional chart review of patients who had attended the diabetic clinic in SPGH from January 2013 to December 2013 was performed. Patients were included if they had undergone a foot examination. Patients with amputation due to accident were excluded. The DF risk category was assessed by determining the proportion of patients in each of four risk categories, as described by the IWGDF consensus.Results: The study encompassed 144 records from patients reviewed for foot examination from January to December 2013. Patients’ ages were between 16 and 85 years, 46 (40%) were male and 98 (60%) were female. The majority (122, [85%]) of patients were in DF risk category 0, whilst a limited number of patients were classified in risk category 1 (10, [6.9%]), risk category 2 (7, [4.9%]) and risk category 3 (5, [3.5%]). Most of the patients had the type 2 diabetes mellitus (139, [97%; 95% CI 92% − 99%]). Patients’ ages were associated with the progressively higher DF risk categories. The adjusted odd ratio was 1.1 (95% CI 1.03−1.14; p = 0.004).Conclusion: The present study revealed that about 15% of patients attending the SPGH diabetic clinic were categorised in higher risk groups for diabetic foot; patients’ ages were linked to the higher DF risk categories.
Neuroprotective effects of tetracyclines on blunt head trauma: An experimental study on rats
Authors: Uckun Ozhan Merzuk , Alagoz Fatih , Secer Mehmet , Karakoyun Oguz , Ocakcioglu Ayhan , Yildirim Ali Erdem , Yılmaz Fevzi , Sahinoglu Mert , Divanlioglu Denizhan , Dalgic Ali , Daglioglu Ergun , Belen Ahmet Deniz
Published: October 2014

Background: Prevention of primary damage caused by head trauma may be avoided with protective measures and techniques which is a public health concern. Experimental and clinical studies about treatment of head trauma were all centered to prevent secondary damage caused by physiopathological changes following primary injury. Neuroprotective features of tetracyclines were the focus of several experimental studies in the last decade. In the present study we aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effects of tetracycline in an experimental model of blunt brain injury in rats. Materials and Methods: 32 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four experimental groups (n = 8). Head trauma was not performed in control group (group 1, craniectomy only). In the second group, head trauma and craniectomy were performed. Intraperitoneal saline was used in addition to trauma and craniectomy for treatment in group 3 whereas intraperitoneal tetracycline and saline were used for treatment in group 4. Results: When histological examinations performed by transmission electron microscopy were evaluated, injury at ultrastructural level was demonstrated to be less pronounced in tetracycline group with decreased lipid peroxidation levels. Conclusion: In accordance with these findings, we conclude that systemic tetracycline administration is effective in reduction of secondary brain damage and brain edema and thus it may be considered as a therapeutic option.
Computerized tomographic study of normal Evans index in adult Nigerians
Authors: Hamidu Ahmed Umdagas , Olarinoye-Akorede Sefiya Adebanke , Ekott David Solomon , Danborno Barnabas , Mahmud Muhammad Raji , Balogun Muhammad Shakir
Published: October 2014

Background: The evaluation of degree of ventricular enlargement should be based on established indices rather than on personal experience as this is highly subjective. Our aim was to establish normal values for Evans index in a Nigerian adult population as none has been found in the Nigerian medical literature. Materials and Methods: Axial computerized tomographic brain scans of 488 normal subjects were reviewed retrospectively. Of them, 319 (65.36%) of the patients were males and 169 (34.63%) were females; their ages ranged from 18 to 84 years with a mean age of 37.26 years. The images were acquired using a multi-slice GE Sigma excite scanner. Evans index was measured as the linear ratio of the total width of the frontal horns of the cerebral lateral ventricles to the maximum intracranial diameter. Results: The mean value for Evans index for the studied population was 0.252 ± 0.04. The EI increased with age and it was slightly higher among males. The difference in Evans value in males and females was not statistically significant. Individuals above 60 years old had the highest Evans values in both sexes. Conclusion: This study has established ranges of normal value for Evans index in a Nigerian population. It agrees with the diagnostic cut-off value of > 0.3 for hydrocephalus and it compares well with that of the Caucasians.
A rare case of thoracic myelocystocele associated with type 1 split cord malformation with low lying tethered cord, dorsal syrinx and sacral agenesis: Pentad finding
Authors: Mankotia Dipanker Singh , Satyarthee Guru Dutta , Sharma Bhawani Shankar
Published: October 2014

Myelocystocele is a rare form of spinal dysraphism. Thoracic myelocystocele is still rarer. The occurrence of thoracic myelocystocele associated with type-1 split cord malformation, low lying tethered cord, dorsal syrinx and spina bifida is extremely rare. Clinical presentation of such a rare case and an early surgical management is discussed briefly.
Successful operative management of an upper lumbar spinal canal stenosis resulting in multilevel lower nerve root radiculopathy
Authors: McClelland Shearwood , Kim Stefan S.
Published: October 2014

Lumbar stenosis is a common disorder, usually characterized clinically by neurogenic claudication with or without lumbar/sacral radiculopathy corresponding to the level of stenosis. We present a case of lumbar stenosis manifesting as a multilevel radiculopathy inferior to the nerve roots at the level of the stenosis. A 55-year-old gentleman presented with bilateral lower extremity pain with neurogenic claudication in an L5/S1 distribution (posterior thigh, calf, into the foot) concomitant with dorsiflexion and plantarflexion weakness. Imaging revealed grade I spondylolisthesis of L3 on L4 with severe spinal canal stenosis at L3-L4, mild left L4-L5 disc herniation, no stenosis at L5-S1, and no instability. EMG revealed active and chronic L5 and S1 radiculopathy. The patient underwent bilateral L3-L4 hemilaminotomy with left L4-L5 microdiscectomy for treatment of his L3-L4 stenosis. Postoperatively, he exhibited significant improvement in dorsiflexion and plantarflexion. The L5-S1 level was not involved in the operative decompression. Patients with radiculopathy and normal imaging at the level corresponding to the radiculopathy should not be ruled out for operative intervention should they have imaging evidence of lumbar stenosis superior to the expected affected level.
Sensitivity estimations for cloud droplet formation in the vicinity of the high alpine research station Jungfraujoch (3580 m a.s.l.)
Authors: Hammer E. , Bukowiecki N. , Luo B. P. , Lohmann U. , Marcolli C. , Weingartner E. , Baltensperger U. , Hoyle C. R.
Published: October 2014

Abstract. Aerosol radiative forcing estimates suffer from large uncertainties as a result of insufficient understanding of aerosol–cloud interactions. The main source of these uncertainties are dynamical processes such as turbulence and entrainment but also key aerosol parameters such as aerosol number concentration and size distribution, and to a much lesser extent, the composition. From June to August 2011 a Cloud and Aerosol Characterization Experiment (CLACE) was performed at the high-alpine research station Jungfraujoch (Switzerland, 3580 m a.s.l.) focusing on the activation of aerosol to form liquid-phase clouds (in the cloud base temperature range of −8 to 5 °C). With a box model the sensitivity of the effective peak supersaturation (SSpeak), an important parameter for cloud activation, to key aerosol and dynamical parameters was investigated. It was found that the updraft velocity, defining the cooling rate of an air parcel, is the parameter with the largest influence on SSpeak. Small-scale variations in the cooling rate with large amplitudes can significantly alter CCN activation. Thus, an accurate knowledge of the air parcel history is required to estimate SSpeak. The results show that the cloud base updraft velocities estimated from the horizontal wind measurements made at the Jungfraujoch can be divided by a factor of approximately 4 to get the updraft velocity required for the model to reproduce the observed SSpeak.
Simulating aerosol–radiation–cloud feedbacks on meteorology and air quality over eastern China under severe haze conditions in winter
Authors: Zhang B. , Wang Y. X. , Hao J. M.
Published: October 2014

Abstract. The aerosol–radiation–cloud feedbacks on meteorology and air quality over eastern China under severe winter haze conditions during January~2013 are simulated using the fully coupled on-line Weather Research and Forecasting/Chemistry (WRF-Chem) model. Three simulation scenarios including different aerosol configurations are undertaken to distinguish the impact of aerosol radiative (direct and semi-direct) and indirect effects on meteorological variables and air quality. Simulated spatial and temporal variations of PM2.5 are generally consistent with surface observations, with a mean bias of −18.9 μg m−3 (−15.0%) averaged over 71 big cities in China. Comparisons between different scenarios reveal that aerosol radiative effects (direct effect and semi-direct effects) result in reductions of downward shortwave flux at the surface, 2 m temperature, 10 m wind speed and planetary boundary layer (PBL) height by up to 84.0 W m−2, 3.2 °C, 0.8 m s−1, and 268 m, respectively. The simulated impact of the aerosol indirect effects is comparatively smaller. Through reducing the PBL height and wind speeds, the aerosol effects lead to increases in surface concentrations of primary pollutants (CO and SO2) and PM2.5. The aerosol feedbacks on secondary pollutants such as surface ozone and PM2.5 mass concentrations show some spatial variations. Surface O3 mixing ratio is reduced by up to 6.9 ppb due to reduced incoming solar radiation and lower temperature. Comparisons of model results with observations show that inclusion of aerosol feedbacks in the model significantly improves model's performances in simulating meteorological variables and improves simulations of PM2.5 temporal distributions over the North China Plain, the Yangtze River Delta, the Pearl River Delta, and Central China. Although the aerosol–radiation–cloud feedbacks on aerosol mass concentrations are subject to uncertainties, this work demonstrates the significance of aerosol–radiation–cloud feedbacks for real-time air quality forecasting under haze conditions.
The patterns and implications of diurnal variations in the d-excess of plant water, shallow soil water and air moisture
Authors: Zhao L. , Wang L. , Liu X. , Xiao H. , Ruan Y. , Zhou M.
Published: October 2014

Abstract. Deuterium excess (d-excess) of air moisture is traditionally considered a conservative tracer of oceanic evaporation conditions. Recent studies challenge this view and emphasize the importance of vegetation activity in controlling the dynamics of air moisture d-excess. However, direct field observations supporting the role of vegetation in d-excess variations are not well documented. In this study, we quantified the d-excess of air moisture, shallow soil water (5 and 10 cm) and plant water (leaf, root and xylem) of multiple dominant species at hourly intervals during three extensive field campaigns at two climatically different locations within the Heihe River basin, northwestern China. The ecosystems at the two locations range from forest to desert. The results showed that with the increase in temperature (T) and the decrease in relative humidity (RH), the δD–δ18O regression lines of leaf water, xylem water and shallow soil water deviated gradually from their corresponding local meteoric water line. There were significant differences in d-excess values between different water pools at all the study sites. The most positive d-excess values were found in air moisture (9.3‰) and the most negative d-excess values were found in leaf water (−85.6‰). The d-excess values of air moisture (dmoisture) and leaf water (dleaf) during the sunny days, and shallow soil water (dsoil) during the first sunny day after a rain event, showed strong diurnal patterns. There were significantly positive relationships between dleaf and RH and negative relationships between dmoisture and RH. The correlations of dleaf and dmoisture with T were opposite to their relationships with RH. In addition, we found opposite diurnal variations for dleaf and dmoisture during the sunny days, and for dsoil and dmoisture during the first sunny day after the rain event. The steady-state Craig–Gordon model captured the diurnal variations in dleaf, with small discrepancies in the magnitude. Overall, this study provides a comprehensive and high-resolution data set of d-excess of air moisture, leaf, root, xylem and soil water. Our results provide direct evidence that dmoisture of the surface air at continental locations can be significantly altered by local processes, especially plant transpiration during sunny days. The influence of shallow soil water on dmoisture is generally much smaller compared with that of plant transpiration, but the influence could be large on a sunny day right after rainfall events.
A satellite-based analysis of the Val d'Agri Oil Center (southern Italy) gas flaring emissions
Authors: Faruolo M. , Coviello I. , Filizzola C. , Lacava T. , Pergola N. , Tramutoli V.
Published: October 2014

Abstract. In this paper, the robust satellite techniques (RST), a multi-temporal scheme of satellite data analysis, was implemented to analyze the flaring activity of the Val d'Agri Oil Center (COVA), the largest Italian gas and oil pre-treatment plant, owned by Ente Nazionale Idrocarburi (ENI). For this site, located in an anthropized area characterized by a large environmental complexity, flaring emissions are mainly related to emergency conditions (i.e., waste flaring), as industrial processes are regulated by strict regional laws. While regarding the peculiar characteristics of COVA flaring, the main aim of this work was to assess the performances of RST in terms of sensitivity and reliability in providing independent estimations of gas flaring volumes in such conditions. In detail, RST was implemented for 13 years of Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) medium and thermal infrared data in order to identify the highly radiant records associated with the COVA flare emergency discharges. Then, using data provided by ENI about gas flaring volumes in the period 2003–2009, a MODIS-based regression model was developed and tested. The results achieved indicate that the such a model is able to estimate, with a good level of accuracy (R2 of 0.83), emitted gas flaring volumes at COVA.
Development of a global fire weather database for 1980–2012
Authors: Field R. D. , Spessa A. C. , Aziz N. A. , Camia A. , Cantin A. , Carr R. , de Groot W. J. , Dowdy A. J. , Flannigan M. D. , Manomaiphiboon K. , Pappenberger F. , Tanpipat V. , Wang X.
Published: October 2014

Abstract. The Canadian Fire Weather Index (FWI) System is the mostly widely used fire danger rating system in the world. We have developed a global database of daily, gridded FWI System calculations from 1980–2012. Input weather data were obtained from the NASA Modern Era Retrospective-Analysis for Research, and two different estimates of daily precipitation from rain gauges over land. FWI System Drought Code (DC) calculations from the gridded datasets were compared to calculations from individual weather station data for a representative set of stations in North, Central and South America, Europe, Russia, Southeast Asia and Australia. Agreement between gridded calculations and the station-based calculations tended to be most different over the tropics for strictly MERRA-based calculations. This dataset can be used for analyzing historical relationships between fire weather and fire activity at continental and global scales, in identifying large-scale atmosphere–ocean controls on fire weather, and calibration of FWI-based fire prediction models.
Bicycles, Airplanes and Peter Pans: Flying Scenes in Steven Spielberg's Films
Authors: Audissino Emilio
Published: October 2014

In Steven Spielberg's cinema the flight is a recurring theme. Flying scenes can be sorted into two classes: those involving a realistic flight – by aircraft – and those involving a magical flight – by supernatural powers. The realistic flight is influenced by the war stories of Spielberg's father – a radio man in U.S. Air-force during WWII – and it is featured in such films as Empire of the Sun (1987), Always (1989), and 1941 (1979). The magical flight is influenced by James M. Barries' character Peter Pan (Peter and Wendy, 1911), which is quoted directly in E.T. the Extraterrestrial (1982) and, above all, in Hook (1991), which is a sequel to Barrie's story. These two types of flying scenes are analysed as to their meanings, compared to the models that influenced them, and surveyed as to their evolution across Spielberg's films. A central case study is the episode The Mission from Amazing Stories (1985), in which the realistic and the magical flights overlap.
Bikes and Movies: A Brief History Of Motorcycle In Cinema
Authors: Martinez Sandra , Sanjuán Antonio
Published: October 2014

Bikers, gangs, heroes and villains, cops, races... after an exhaustive compilation and categorization fo more than 2.500 movies, this article explores the biker image on films through the most representatives.This is a brief review of the motorcycle use from the Early Cinema to the end of the 20th century, highlighting the fifties and seventies. Some movies of those years marked the biker genre and the biker and gang aesthetics, both in costume and in the way they relate to the world. Also the presence of "soft motorbikes", the scooter and the European image of the motorcycle is reviewed.
Tree Species Composition and Diversity in Oban Forest Reserve, Nigeria
Authors: Aigbe Humphrey Igbinosa , Omokhua Godwin Ejakhe
Published: October 2014

Tree species composition and diversity were assessed in Oban Forest Reserve. Three stage sampling procedure was used to collect data on tree parameters – diameter at breast height (dbh); diameters over bark at the base, middle and top; merchantable height and total height using a minimum dbh limit of ≥10 cm in the tertiary sample plots. A total of 808 trees were measured and 72 species identified in the study area. Stand level parameters were estimated and tree diversity assessed. Results indicate that an average number of stems encountered per hectare were 306. Population densities of individual tree species ranged from 1 to 22 ha-1. Population densities of species were poor. The basal area/ha estimated is 34.67m2 and the species richness index obtained was 10.605, which indicate high species richness. The value of Shannon’s Index (HI) is 3.795 which is quite high.The results show that the forest reserve is a well-stocked tropical rainforest in Nigeria. The relative richness of the forest reserve in terms of individual tree species does not correlate well with the abundance because the abundance of each of the species was quite low and density poor. While there is paucity of most species, Staudtia stipitata was the most abundant (22 tree/ha). The forest has reverted back to the turbulent agrading stage of the forest growth cycle.
Protein-Polymer Matrix Mediated Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles
Authors: Mishra Swati , Nayar Suprabha
Published: October 2014

Silver nanoparticles were synthesized in the protein-polymer matrices of two different ratios to obtain a stringent control over the morphology. UV-visible spectrophotometry showed a single plasmon resonance peak at 416nm and 418nm respectively, confirming the formation of silver nanoparticles. X-ray diffractometry confirmed that the peaks matched with that of the reference silver. Both confocal microscopy and FEG-SEM confirmed the uniform morphology of the synthesized particles dependent on the template ratio. Doubling the protein-polymer concentration results in greater stability, more nucleation sites and hence restricted growth. Photoluminescence of the sample in the doubled matrix was found to be much greater at any given wavelength, meaning the flexibility and rigidity of interacting molecules affects the luminescence signal. The interaction in turn is dependent on the proximity of the proteins and polymer in the dispersion that forms a template and dictates the synthesis.
The Right to Pain Control
Authors: Diamond Eugene F. ,   The National Catholic Bioethics Center
Published: October 2014

Since the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in 2010, public concern persists about health care rationing and the use of quality-of-life criteria in end-of-life counseling by public providers of health care funding. Advisors to the Obama administration have shown an overriding concern for the cost rather than the quality of highly technical interventions in cases of life-threatening illness. In addition, subtle encouragement of physicianassisted suicide has been detected in hospice and long-term-care facilities. Modern advances have made pain control an achievable right. Recognizing the right of patients who are terminally ill to obtain effective pain control is an important factor in the opposition to health care rationing and euthanasia. National Catholic Bioethics Quarterly 13.2 (Summer 2013): 237–241.
Survey to Determine Why People Drink Raw Milk
Authors: Mullin Gerard E. , Belkoff Stephen M. , Box Rachel
Published: October 2014

Background:

Fragility fractures associated with osteoporosis extract a large financial and personal toll on society. Pharmaceutical or dietary calcium intake is needed to increase bone mineral density to prevent fragility fractures. Although dairy products are a good source of calcium, patients who are unable to digest lactose tend to avoid them and are put at a greater risk for fracture than the general population. Anecdotal reports suggest that lactose maldigesters, when consuming raw milk, have a dramatic reduction in symptoms relative to pasteurized milk. The mechanism of the reported reduction in symptoms, if true, is unknown. The purpose of the current study was to survey raw milk drinkers to ascertain their health-related motivations for consuming raw milk, especially as they relate to lactose maldigestion.

Methods:

An online survey regarding raw milk was completed by 153 of 1527 members of a raw milk–buying community.

Results:

The primary reason the respondents cited for drinking raw milk was that they believed it was more healthful; 30% reported some gastrointestinal discomfort when drinking pasteurized milk, yet almost all (99%) reported consuming raw milk without discomfort. Despite the reports of gastrointestinal discomfort, only 5% of respondents had been diagnosed as lactose intolerant by a medical professional, and only 1% had been diagnosed as lactose intolerant via the gold-standard hydrogen breath test.

Conclusions:

The primary motivation for drinking raw milk is its perceived health value, not its digestibility. Although raw milk appears to be more easily digested than pasteurized milk in our survey sample, the mechanism of digestibility remains unknown.
Neural mechanisms of economic commitment in the human medial prefrontal cortex
Authors: Tsetsos Konstantinos , Wyart Valentin , Shorkey S Paul , Summerfield Christopher
Published: October 2014

Neurobiologists have studied decisions by offering successive, independent choices between goods or gambles. However, choices often have lasting consequences, as when investing in a house or choosing a partner. Here, humans decided whether to commit (by acceptance or rejection) to prospects that provided sustained financial return. BOLD signals in the rostral medial prefrontal cortex (rmPFC) encoded stimulus value only when acceptance or rejection was deferred into the future, suggesting a role in integrating value signals over time. By contrast, the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) encoded stimulus value only when participants rejected (or deferred accepting) a prospect. dACC BOLD signals reflected two decision biases–to defer commitments to later, and to weight potential losses more heavily than gains–that (paradoxically) maximised reward in this task. These findings offer fresh insights into the pressures that shape economic decisions, and the computation of value in the medial prefrontal cortex.
The Ecosystem Management and Enterprise Development of the Local Public Policy in the Philippines
Authors: BUENO CHRISTOPHER FUSTER
Published: October 2014

The study dealt on environmental and economic governance to showcaseits relevance, responsiveness and commitment of the Philippine government totake its share in providing scientific support through the complementation of the local public policy relevant to multidisciplinary researches that contribute to the country’s positive image as “the Rising Tiger Economy in Asia.” The studyutilized the descriptive and documentary analysis primarily through e-report ofthe Local Government Performance Monitoring System on Environmental andEconomic Governance in the Philippines. It provided the generated knowledgeas applied in the by-product of science research within the inclusion of economicand environmental governance on the Philippine government. The study onlocal public policy in the implementation of Republic Act No. 7160 (LocalGovernment Code of 1991) showed the importance in the Local GovernmentUnits (LGU) to respond particularly to economic and environmental governance. This is in support with the scientific complementation along the areas of enterprisedevelopment, environment, solid waste management, and eco-system developmenton agriculture, fishery and forestry, as a result of the public policy implementationof the Local Government Units in the Philippines.Keywords: Social Science, development administration, public policy, ecosystem,enterprise development, local governance, descriptive design, Philippines
Age as Determinant of Performance in Local Governance and Community Development of the Sangguniang Kabataan (Youth Organization)
Authors: DUMBRIQUE JEAN S.
Published: October 2014

Participation of stakeholders is the key element of good governance. Provided with direct participation through the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK), the youth areempowered in various government structures at the local level. The study lookedinto the performance in local governance and community development of theSK of Vigan City, Ilocos Sur as affected by some personal and social factors.It utilized the evaluative and correlational research designs of the descriptivemethod of research. Findings revealed that the SK of Vigan City were similarlyevaluated to have a high or very satisfactory level of performance by themselves,their members, and by their Punong Barangay in all the roles and responsibilitiesthat impact local governance and community development. Thus, in Vigan, the youth are treated not only as beneficiaries but as partners of the city government in molding a better community. With youth empowerment as its continuingprogram and priority, Vigan has earned the reputation as the Most Child-FriendlyCity Component of the Philippines from 2009 to 2011 and now elevated tothe Hall of Fame. Age came out as good determinant of SK performance along administrative function, legislative function and on over-all SK performance inlocal governance and community development.Keywords: Management, Sangguniang Kabataan, performance, youth participation inlocal government, descriptive-correlational design, Philippines
Rights-Based Indicators Validation for Millennium Development Goals Localization in the Selected Municipalities of Ilocos Sur
Authors: ROCAMORA FATIMA F.
Published: October 2014

This study dealt with the validation of rights-based indicators for MillenniumDevelopment Goals localization in the municipalities of Narvacan, Sinait, Sta.Catalina, and Bantay in Ilocos Sur. It is in response to the call of institutionalizingrights-based approach for MDG development planning and governance. Itlooked into the indicators’ availability, relevance, measurability, and feasibility andthe extent of availability of data in the LGUs. The respondents were the MunicipalSocial Welfare and Development officers, rural health officers, Municipal Planningand Development coordinators and the Municipal Local Government officers. Indeveloping the data gathering instrument, educators, researchers, statisticians,human rights advocates, stakeholders and the Commission on Human Rightsof Region I were involved. Results show that only a few of the indicators werehighly available; almost all were relevant and had good level of measurability.Only MDG 3 was highly feasible. Most had no sufficient data available exceptfor MDG 2- Achieve Universal Primary Education, MDG 3- Promote GenderEquality, and MDG 4- Reduce Child Mortality. These findings can be used inthe mainstreaming of human rights in the development of plans, projects andprograms especially in the monitoring and evaluation of development.Keywords: Social Science, rights-based indicators, Millennium Development Goals,localization, descriptive design, Philippines
Studies in the liverwort family Metzgeriaceae (Metzgeriales) from southern Africa. 2. The African species
Authors: Phephu Nonkululo , Van Rooy Jacques
Published: October 2014

Of the seven species that occur in southern Africa, Metzgeria quadrifaria and M. saxbyi are endemic to mainland Africa and M. madagassa and M. nudifrons are also known from the East African Islands. Metzgeria madagassa and M. quadrifaria are described, illustrated and distribution maps provided. Metzgeria nudifrons is newly reported from Gauteng and M. saxbyi from Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal Provinces of South Africa. Updated distribution maps are provided.
Impact of diurnal forcing on intraseasonal sea surface temperature oscillations in the Bay of Bengal
Authors: Thushara V. , Vinayachandran P. N.
Published: October 2014

The diurnal cycle is an important mode of sea surface temperature (SST) variability in tropical oceans, influencing air‐sea interaction and climate variability. Upper ocean mixing mechanisms are significant at diurnal time scales controlling the intraseasonal variability (ISV) of SST. Sensitivity experiments using an Ocean General Circulation Model (OGCM) for the summer monsoon of the year 2007 show that incorporation of diurnal cycle in the model atmospheric forcings improves the SST simulation at both intraseasonal and shorter time scales in the Bay of Bengal (BoB). The increase in SST‐ISV amplitudes with diurnal forcing is ∼0.05°C in the southern bay while it is ∼0.02°C in the northern bay. Increased intraseasonal warming with diurnal forcing results from the increase in mixed layer heat gain from insolation, due to shoaling of the daytime mixed layer. Amplified intraseasonal cooling is dominantly controlled by the strengthening of subsurface processes owing to the nocturnal deepening of mixed layer. In the southern bay, intraseasonal variability is mainly determined by the diurnal cycle in insolation, while in the northern bay, diurnal cycle in insolation and winds have comparable contributions. Temperature inversions (TI) develop in the northern bay in the absence of diurnal variability in wind stress. In the northern bay, SST‐ISV amplification is not as large as that in the southern bay due to the weaker diurnal variability of mixed layer depth (MLD) limited by salinity stratification. Diurnal variability of model MLD is not sufficient to create large modifications in mixed layer heat budget and SST‐ISV in the northern bay.
Glycine Receptors
Authors: Breitinger Hans‐Georg
Published: October 2014

Absract

The inhibitory glycine receptor is a ligand‐gated chloride channel of the cys‐loop receptor family. As a chloride‐selective channel, it mediates rapid synaptic inhibition in mammalian spinal cord, brainstem, higher brain centres and nonneuronal tissues. In recent years, our understanding of glycine receptors has steadily grown, adding considerable depth to our knowledge of receptor function, structure, cellular trafficking and tissue distribution. Furthermore, new roles for glycinergic transmission in higher brain function have been uncovered. Glycine receptors should no longer be considered only as mediators of spinal reflexes, but were also found to play an important role in the modulation of higher brain function, including vision, hearing and pain signalling. The identification of novel agonists and modulators underlines the relevance of the inhibitory glycine receptor as a therapeutic target. This review extends a previous article of this series and highlights key developments in glycine receptor research over the past 2–3 years.

Key Concepts:

Glycine receptors are key mediators of rapid synaptic inhibition in mammalian spinal cord and higher brain centres.

Glycine receptors are members of the cys‐loop family of ligand‐gated ion channel receptors.

Glycinergic signalling is involved in motor control, pain signalling, vision, hearing and other brain functions.

Mutations in glycine receptor genes underlie human hyperekplexia and related myoclonic diseases.

New modulators of glycine receptor function are rare and of considerable medicinal interest.
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
Authors: Yau Mabel , Pina Christian , Khattab Ahmed , New Maria I
Published: October 2014

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) describes a family of inherited disorders whose common feature is impaired cortisol synthesis. Cortisol is produced from cholesterol in the adrenal glands through a series of enzymatic reactions. A genetic mutation of the gene encoding one of these enzymes can lead to CAH. In some forms of CAH, a build up of steroid precursors to the defective enzyme leads to an overproduction of androgens, sex steroids, causing to virilization of a female foetus affected with CAH. Most cases of CAH are owed to a defect in the enzyme, 21‐hydroxylase. This family of disorders is treatable with oral glucocorticoids.

Key Concepts:

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia describes a group of autosomal recessive genetic defects in the enzymes of steroidogenesis.

The adrenal glands produce steroids including glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids and sex steroids (androgens).

Deficiency of 21‐hydroxylase causes more than 90% of cases of CAH and is characterised by glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid deficiency associated with virilization in females.

There are two forms of CAH: the classical form, which includes the salt‐wasting and the simple virilizing forms and the nonclassical form, which is associated with milder symptoms.

The main goals of medical therapy for CAH are to replace deficient cortisol with a suitable glucocorticoid, deficient aldosterone with mineralocorticoid replacement and sodium supplements, and to prevent excessive androgen secretion.

Prenatal dexamethasone treatment can prevent genital ambiguity in an affected female foetus with classical CAH. The presence of cell‐free foetal DNA in maternal plasma has opened up new possibilities for noninvasive prenatal testing of 21‐hydroxylase deficiency and other genetic steroid disorders.
Cell Line Authentication and Characterisation
Authors: Masters John R , Reid Yvonne A
Published: October 2014

Cell lines are widely used in biomedical research as surrogates for human tissues and for physiological studies on live cells. Despite being easy to maintain and manipulate, cell lines must be carefully characterised. When a new cell line is acquired, and when preparing a new cell bank for storage, it is mandatory to confirm the identity of the cells and ensure that they are free of
Mycoplasma
and other microbial contaminants. These tests must be repeated whenever another cell bank is prepared. Cell lines must be replaced from the bank within 10 passages or 3 months of continuous growth, whichever is the shorter period. Moreover, it is important that cells are examined microscopically for morphological changes and contamination every time they are taken out of the incubator.

Key Concepts:

Every time cells are taken out of the incubator, they must be examined microscopically for changes in morphology or the presence of microbial and cellular contamination.

Every time a new cell line is acquired or a cell stock is frozen for storage, it should be authenticated by interspecies (DNA barcoding) and intraspecies (STR profiling) identification.

Every time a new cell line is acquired or a cell stock is cryopreserved, it is essential to check for
Mycoplasma
contamination (and other microbial contamination if tests are available).

An established cell line should never be grown continuously for more than 3 months or 10 passages, whichever is the shorter period.

All cell stocks entering the tissue culture laboratory must be kept in quarantine until microbial and cellular contaminations are excluded.

If there are any doubts concerning the authenticity of cells, consult the ICLAC (International Cell Line Authentication Committee) database of misidentified cell lines –
http://iclac.org/databases/cross‐contaminations/

When obtaining cells from a cell bank or another reliable source, always ask for proof of authenticity and lack of
Mycoplasma
contamination.

Always follow good tissue culture practices.

Determine key characteristics and morphology at various magnifications and densities.

STR profiling (human) and DNA barcoding (animal) are commercially available, and are cheap, robust and reliable methods of authenticating cell lines.
EF‐Hand Calcium‐Binding Proteins
Authors: Johnson Christopher N , Damo Steven M , Chazin Walter J
Published: October 2014

Calcium and the proteins that bind to it play important roles in normal physiological processes and have been implicated in a variety of diseases. The importance of calcium is due mainly to its role as a second messenger in signal transduction. The calcium signal is mediated and controlled by many proteins, the majority of which belong to the EF‐hand superfamily of calcium‐binding proteins. EF‐hand proteins are classified into calcium signal sensors and modulators. The signal modulators fine‐tune the shape and duration of calcium signals. The calcium sensors undergo significant conformational changes when they bind calcium, which exposes new surfaces that interact with target proteins. Together, EF‐hand calcium‐binding proteins serve in the critical process of converting the ionic signal into activation of intracellular signalling pathways.

Key Concepts:

The EF‐hand is a helix–loop–helix structural motif.

Calcium binds to oxygen atoms from the backbone and side‐chain atoms of specific amino acids in EF‐hand calcium‐binding proteins.

The basic structural and functional unit of EF‐hand calcium‐binding proteins is a pair of EF‐hand motifs.

EF‐hand calcium‐binding proteins can be classified as sensors or modulators of calcium signals.

EF‐hand calcium senor proteins need to transition from an ‘off’ state at the resting level of calcium in the cell, to an ‘on’ (activated) state when calcium signals increase the concentration of calcium.

The binding of calcium by EF hand calcium sensing proteins induces structural changes that activate the protein for interaction with other target proteins.

EF‐hand calcium‐binding proteins play important roles in health and disease.
Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching (
FRAP
)
Authors: Ishikawa‐Ankerhold Hellen , Ankerhold Richard , Drummen Gregor
Published: October 2014

Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) is a fluorescence microscope technique to measure molecular diffusion and transport. FRAP is a valuable technique in cell biological research and evolved conjointly with microscope and fluorescent probes advancements. Although developed in the 1970s, the discovery and further development of fluorescent proteins revolutionised FRAP. After the discovery of green fluorescence protein and its application as a noninvasive and genetically coded protein‐tag,
in vivo
studies of protein dynamics and interactions became possible. FRAP is based on irreversibly bleaching a pool of fluorescent probes and monitoring the recovery in fluorescence due to movement of surrounding intact probes into the bleached spot. Although measurements are straightforward, quantitative FRAP requires careful experimental design, solid controls, data collection, and analysis. Over the past years, several FRAP‐related techniques have been tailored to suit particular cell biological questions, including inverse FRAP, fluorescence loss in photobleaching, and fluorescence localisation after photobleaching.

Key Concepts:

Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) is a method to qualitatively and quantitatively study biomolecule dynamics in living cells.

FRAP is based on irreversibly bleaching a pool of fluorescent probes with high intensity light and monitoring the recovery in fluorescence due to movement of surrounding intact probes into the bleached spot.

FRAP experiments are often conducted on confocal microscopes. To derive quantitative results from such experiments, several parameters and controls need to be considered and utilised in the analysis.

There are several FRAP‐related methods that have been developed for specific applications and biological questions.

FRAP is a versatile and popular method in modern biomedical research. Its application is broad and is increasingly applied in pharmacological, therapeutic and diagnostic areas.
Theoretical Ecology
Authors: Lundberg Per
Published: October 2014

Theoretical ecology is the study of the fundamental forces and processes determining the course of evolution and how ecological systems are assembled and maintained. Theoretical ecology therefore typically encompasses almost all levels of biological organisation (from genes to ecosystems). Behavioural ecology, life history evolution and demography, population ecology, and the ecology of communities and ecosystems are the typical domains. Theoretical ecology usually, but not always, uses mathematics for modelling and building of theories. Some models of ecological systems are deterministic, that is, assuming that there is no or little environmental variability; others are stochastic and take into account that the environment is (randomly) variable in space and time. Theoretical ecology progresses under the common scientific attitude that we indeed are able to reveal generalities and law‐like behaviours of nature despite the overwhelming diversity of life on Earth.

Key Concepts:

Theoretical ecology is simplifying complex problems and using mathematical models to reach general insights.

Theoretical ecology has close and natural ties to evolutionary biology.

Synthesis and bringing research disciplines together (e.g. behaviour ecology and population dynamics), hallmarks of good theory.

Theoretical ecology is an important part of applied ecology, for example, in conservation biology and in fisheries management.

Theory and data are naturally inseparable.