bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Random Modeling of Daily Rainfall and Runoff Using a Seasonal Model and Wavelet Denoising
Authors: Chou Chien-ming
Published: June 2014

Instead of Fourier smoothing, this study applied wavelet denoising to acquire the smooth seasonal mean and corresponding perturbation term from daily rainfall and runoff data in traditional seasonal models, which use seasonal means for hydrological time series forecasting. The denoised rainfall and runoff time series data were regarded as the smooth seasonal mean. The probability distribution of the percentage coefficients can be obtained from calibrated daily rainfall and runoff data. For validated daily rainfall and runoff data, percentage coefficients were randomly generated according to the probability distribution and the law of linear proportion. Multiplying the generated percentage coefficient by the smooth seasonal mean resulted in the corresponding perturbation term. Random modeling of daily rainfall and runoff can be obtained by adding the perturbation term to the smooth seasonal mean. To verify the accuracy of the proposed method, daily rainfall and runoff data for the Wu‐Tu watershed were analyzed. The analytical results demonstrate that wavelet denoising enhances the precision of daily rainfall and runoff modeling of the seasonal model. In addition, the wavelet denoising technique proposed in this study can obtain the smooth seasonal mean of rainfall and runoff processes and is suitable for modeling actual daily rainfall and runoff processes.
A Novel KLF4/LDHA Signaling Pathway Regulates Aerobic Glycolysis in and Progression of Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Shi Min , Cui Jiujie , Du Jiawei , Wei Daoyan , Jia Zhiliang , Zhang Jun , Zhu Zhenggang , Gao Yong , Xie Keping
Published: June 2014

Purpose: Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) is a transcription factor and putative tumor suppressor. However, little is known about its effect on aerobic glycolysis in pancreatic tumors. Therefore, we investigated the clinical significance, biologic effects, and mechanisms of dysregulated KLF4 signaling in aerobic glycolysis in pancreatic cancer cells.

Experimental Design: Expression of KLF4 and lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) in 70 primary pancreatic tumors and 10 normal pancreatic tissue specimens was measured. Also, the underlying mechanisms of altered KLF4 expression and its impact on aerobic glycolysis in pancreatic cancer cells were investigated.

Results: We found a negative correlation between KLF4 and LDHA expression in pancreatic cancer cells and tissues and that their expression was associated with clinicopathologic features of pancreatic cancer. KLF4 underexpression and LDHA overexpression were correlated with disease stage and tumor differentiation. Experimentally, KLF4 overexpression significantly attenuated the aerobic glycolysis in and growth of pancreatic cancer cells both in vitro and in orthotopic mouse models, whereas knockdown of KLF4 expression had the opposite effect. Enforced KLF4 expression decreased LDHA expression, whereas small interfering RNA–mediated knockdown of KLF4 expression had the opposite effect. Mechanistically, KLF4 bound directly to the promoter regions of the LDHA gene and negatively regulated its transcription activity.

Conclusions: Dysregulated signaling in this novel KLF4/LDHA pathway significantly impacts aerobic glycolysis in and development and progression of pancreatic cancer. Clin Cancer Res; 20(16); 4370–80. ©2014 AACR.
Myostatin and Sarcopenia: Opportunities and Challenges - A Mini-Review
Authors: White Thomas A. , LeBrasseur Nathan K.
Published: June 2014

The progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass, strength and/or function with advancing age, termed sarcopenia, poses a major threat to independence and quality of life. Therefore, there is significant merit in better understanding the biology of sarcopenia and developing therapeutic interventions to prevent, slow or reverse its progression. Since the discovery of myostatin, a potent negative regulator of growth that is highly enriched in skeletal muscle, there has been great interest in it as a potential mediator of sarcopenia as well as a therapeutic target. The complex biology of myostatin, the promise of myostatin inhibition as an effective means to counter sarcopenia, and the challenges facing its clinical translation are reviewed herein.
Crohn's Disease: Loss of Tolerance or a Disorder of Autophagy?
Authors: Spalinger Marianne R. , Rogler Gerhard , Scharl Michael
Published: June 2014

Crohn's disease (CD) is characterized by a breakdown of the intestinal epithelial barrier function leading to an uncontrolled immune response to bacterial antigens. Available data demonstrate that appropriate response and early host defense against invading bacteria are crucial to maintain tolerance towards commensal bacteria. When the mechanisms of early removal of invading bacteria are disturbed, a loss of tolerance and a full-blown adaptive immune reaction, which is mounted against the usually harmless commensal flora, are induced. Dysfunction of autophagy caused by genetic variations within CD susceptibility genes, such as ATG16L1 and IRGM, results in defective handling of intracellular and invading bacteria and causes prolonged survival and defective clearance of those microbes. Dysfunction of ATG16L1 and IRGM has also been shown to cause aberrant Paneth cell function and uncontrolled secretion of proinflammatory cytokines finally resulting in increased susceptibility to bacterial infection and the onset of colitis. Interestingly, autophagy can also be regulated by other CD susceptibility genes, such as NOD2 (nucleotide oligomerization domain 2) or PTPN2 (protein tyrosine phosphatase nonreceptor type 2) and the presence of the CD-associated variations within these genes results in similar effects. Taken together, more and more evidence suggests a close functional correlation between loss of tolerance and defective autophagy in CD patients. Therefore, most likely, the onset of CD is triggered by both a loss of tolerance as well as a dysfunction of autophagy, which finally results in the onset of chronic intestinal inflammation.
Dietary Clues to the Pathogenesis of Crohn's Disease
Authors: Pfeffer-Gik Tamar , Levine Arie
Published: June 2014

Crohn's disease is a complex inherited disorder of unknown pathogenesis with environmental, genetic and microbial factors involved in the development of the disease. A remarkable feature of this disease in childhood is the effective response to exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) therapy and the need for complete exclusion of normal diet required for success (principle of exclusivity). EEN or dietary interventions might act through removal of dietary components, which affect microbial composition, decrease a proinflammatory response and promote restitution of the epithelial barrier, likewise allowing termination of this vicious disease-forming cycle before a critical threshold is reached. Multiple traditional and nontraditional dietary components may affect the microbiome, mucous layer, intestinal permeability, or adherence and translocation of pathobionts. We review the epidemiological data, as well as data from animal models and cell lines, and propose a model for pathogenesis we have termed the ‘bacterial penetration cycle', whereby dietary components such as animal fat, high sugar intake and gliadin, and consumption of emulsifiers, maltodextrin as well as low-fiber diets may be able to cause a localized acquired bacterial clearance defect, leading to bacterial adhesion and penetration, and subsequently inflammation in the gut.
Are We Using and Monitoring Thiopurines and Biologics Optimally?
Authors: Irving Peter M.
Published: June 2014

The use of biologics and thiopurines in patients with inflammatory bowel disease has increased rapidly over the last 2 decades with both classes of drugs being used more frequently and earlier in the disease course. This vogue has come about through a realisation that for some patients Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are progressive diseases and that use of these therapies can sometimes prevent that progression. However, knowledge about the optimal way in which to use these drugs continues to evolve. In this paper, the evidence regarding optimal timing and dosing of thiopurines and biologics will be reviewed as will the role of thiopurine methyltransferase testing along with therapeutic drug monitoring of both thiopurines and biologics. In addition, possible future applications of biologic drug level and anti-drug antibody testing will be considered.
Relapsing and Refractory Ulcerative Colitis in Children
Authors: Turner Dan
Published: June 2014

Approximately half of the children with ulcerative colitis (UC) have refractory, relapsing or steroid-dependent disease. UC in children is more extensive than in adults, presents more often with severe attacks and carries a more aggressive disease course. Therefore, although a step-up approach is usually recommended in UC, aggressive therapy will often be indicated in children since steroid dependency should never be tolerated. It is vital to ensure that in every resistant case, the symptoms are truly related to the inflammatory disease activity and not to other conditions such as poor adherence to treatment, infections, adverse reactions to drugs, irritable bowel syndrome, lactose intolerance, celiac disease and bacterial overgrowth. The clinician should be ready to escalate therapy in a timely manner but only after ensuring optimization of current treatments. Optimization may include, among others, appropriate dosage, utilization of assays that determine thiopurine, calcineurin inhibitors and anti-tumor necrosis factor levels, introduction of combination therapy when indicated (enemas and immunomodulators) and a long enough time for treatment to become effective. Colectomy is always a valid option and should be discussed before major treatment escalations. Experimental therapies can be considered when all else fails and the family prefers to avoid colectomy. The management of refractory and relapsing disease is particularly challenging in children, and this review summarizes the available evidence to guide treatment decisions in this setup.
Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis
Authors: Williamson Kate D. , Chapman Roger W.
Published: June 2014

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic, cholestatic liver disease caused by diffuse inflammation and fibrosis that can involve the entire biliary tree. It is a progressive disorder which can ultimately lead to biliary cirrhosis, portal hypertension and hepatic failure. PSC is a complex genetic disorder with male predominance. Environmental predisposing factors include non-smoking. It is closely associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), particularly ulcerative colitis, which occurs in about two thirds of PSC cases. Recent studies have suggested that PSC-IBD is a separate disease entity from IBD alone with distinctive genetic and phenotypic characteristics. Most PSC patients are asymptomatic at presentation; clinical symptoms include fatigue, jaundice, weight loss, right upper quadrant pain and pruritis. Serum biochemical tests indicate cholestasis, and diagnosis is usually established by cholangiography. In symptomatic patients, median survival from presentation to death or liver transplantation is about 12 years. It is a premalignant condition, and the majority of deaths are from malignancy, particularly cholangiocarcinoma or colonic cancer. PSC has no curative treatment. Medical treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid may slow progression of the disease and reduce colonic dysplasia, though trials lack statistical significance. Liver transplantation is the only option in young patients with PSC and advanced liver disease.
Cannabis for Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Naftali Timna , Mechulam Raphael , Lev Lihi Bar , Konikoff Fred M.
Published: June 2014

The marijuana plant Cannabis sativa has been used for centuries as a treatment for a variety of ailments. It contains over 60 different cannabinoid compounds. Studies have revealed that the endocannabinoid system is involved in almost all major immune events. Cannabinoids may, therefore, be beneficial in inflammatory disorders. In murine colitis, cannabinoids decrease histologic and microscopic inflammation. In humans, cannabis has been used to treat a plethora of gastrointestinal problems, including anorexia, emesis, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and diabetic gastroparesis. Despite anecdotal reports on medical cannabis in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), there are few controlled studies. In an observational study in 30 patients with Crohn's disease (CD), we found that medical cannabis was associated with improvement in disease activity and reduction in the use of other medications. In a more recent placebo-controlled study in 21 chronic CD patients, we showed a decrease in the CD activity index >100 in 10 of 11 subjects on cannabis compared to 4 of 10 on placebo. Complete remission was achieved in 5 of 11 subjects in the cannabis group and 1 of 10 in the placebo group. Yet, in an additional study, low-dose cannabidiol did not have an effect on CD activity. In summary, evidence is gathering that manipulating the endocannabinoid system can have beneficial effects in IBD, but further research is required to declare cannabinoids a medicine. We need to establish the specific cannabinoids, as well as appropriate medical conditions, optimal dose, and mode of administration, to maximize the beneficial effects while avoiding any potential harmful effects of cannabinoid use.
Multifocal Electroretinograms in Stargardt's Disease/Fundus Flavimaculatus
Authors: Kuniyoshi Kazuki , Terasaki Hiroko , Arai Mikki , Hirose Tatsuo
Published: June 2014

Purpose: To determine whether the characteristics of multifocal electroretinograms (mfERGs) were correlated with the ophthalmic appearance of the fundus in patients with Stargardt's disease/fundus flavimaculatus (SFF). Methods: Full-field ERGs, mfERGs, and general ophthalmic examinations were performed on 49 eyes with SFF. Results: The SFF patients were divided into four subtypes according to the classification of Noble and Carr [Arch Ophthalmol 1979;97:1281-1285]. The patients with type 1 SFF had severely reduced mfERGs in the macular area and reduced and delayed responses in the mid-periphery. The type 2 SFF patients had reduced but recordable mfERGs from the center of the macula with more depressed responses in the paramacular area, and the type 3 SFF patients had reduced and delayed mfERGs both in the macula and periphery. The patients with type 4 SFF had normal mfERGs in the macular area and delayed responses in all outer zones. Conclusions: These mfERG findings indicate that each subtype of SFF has unique characteristics corresponding to the abnormal retinal functions.
A Previously Unknown Mutation in the Pyruvate Kinase Gene (PKLR) Identified from a Neonate with Severe Jaundice
Authors: Yaish Hassan M. , Nussenzveig Roberto H. , Agarwal Archana M. , Siddiqui Abdul H. , Christensen Robert D.
Published: June 2014

We report a neonate with early and severe hemolytic jaundice and low erythrocyte pyruvate kinase enzymatic activity (<2 U/g hemoglobin, reference interval 9-22). We found her asymptomatic mother to be heterozygous for a novel PKLR mutation (c.1573delT) with an erythrocyte PK activity of 6.2 U/g hemoglobin. Her asymptomatic father was heterozygous for the common Northern European PKLR mutation (c.1529A) with an erythrocyte PK activity of 3.6 U/g. The neonate was a compound heterozygote with both mutations, but with no other mutations identified by sequencing a panel of 27 genes involved in severe neonatal jaundice.
Transplanted Perivascular Adipose Tissue Accelerates Injury-Induced Neointimal Hyperplasia
Authors: Manka David , Chatterjee Tapan K. , Stoll Lynn L. , Basford Joshua E. , Konaniah Eddy S. , Srinivasan Ramprasad , Bogdanov Vladimir Y. , Tang Yaoliang , Blomkalns Andra L. , Hui David Y. , Weintraub Neal L.
Published: June 2014

Objective—

Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) expands during obesity, is highly inflamed, and correlates with coronary plaque burden and increased cardiovascular risk. We tested the hypothesis that PVAT contributes to the vascular response to wire injury and investigated the underlying mechanisms.

Approach and Results—

We transplanted thoracic aortic PVAT from donor mice fed a high-fat diet to the carotid arteries of recipient high-fat diet–fed low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout mice. Two weeks after transplantation, wire injury was performed, and animals were euthanized 2 weeks later. Immunohistochemistry was performed to quantify adventitial macrophage infiltration and neovascularization and neointimal lesion composition and size. Transplanted PVAT accelerated neointimal hyperplasia, adventitial macrophage infiltration, and adventitial angiogenesis. The majority of neointimal cells in PVAT-transplanted animals expressed α-smooth muscle actin, consistent with smooth muscle phenotype. Deletion of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in PVAT substantially attenuated the effects of fat transplantation on neointimal hyperplasia and adventitial angiogenesis, but not adventitial macrophage infiltration. Conditioned medium from perivascular adipocytes induced potent monocyte chemotaxis in vitro and angiogenic responses in cultured endothelial cells.

Conclusions—

These findings indicate that PVAT contributes to the vascular response to wire injury, in part through monocyte chemoattractant protein-1–dependent mechanisms.
Sequencing of 2 Subclinical Atherosclerosis Candidate Regions in 3669 Individuals
Authors: Bis Joshua C. , White Charles C. , Franceschini Nora , Brody Jennifer , Zhang Xiaoling , Muzny Donna , Santibanez Jireh , Gibbs Richard , Liu Xiaoming , Lin Honghuang , Boerwinkle Eric , Psaty Bruce M. , North Kari E. , Cupples L. Adrienne , O’Donnell Christopher J.
Published: June 2014

Background—

Atherosclerosis, the precursor to coronary heart disease and stroke, is characterized by an accumulation of fatty cells in the arterial intimal-medial layers. Common carotid intima media thickness (cIMT) and plaque are subclinical atherosclerosis measures that predict cardiovascular disease events. Previously, genome-wide association studies demonstrated evidence for association with cIMT (
SLC17A4
) and plaque (
PIK3CG
).

Methods and Results—

We sequenced 120 kb around
SLC17A4
(6p22.2) and 251 kb around
PIK3CG
(7q22.3) among 3669 European ancestry participants from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study, Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS), and Framingham Heart Study (FHS) in Cohorts for Heart and Aging Research in Genomic Epidemiology (CHARGE) Consortium. Primary analyses focused on 438 common variants (minor allele frequency ≥1%), which were independently meta-analyzed. A 3′ untranslated region
CCDC71L
variant (rs2286149), upstream from
PIK3CG
, was the most significant finding in cIMT (
P
=0.00033) and plaque (
P
=0.0004) analyses. A
SLC17A4
intronic variant was also associated with cIMT (
P
=0.008). Both were in low linkage disequilibrium with the genome-wide association study single nucleotide polymorphisms. Gene-based tests including T1 count and sequence kernel association test for rare variants (minor allele frequency <1%) did not yield statistically significant associations. However, we observed nominal associations for rare variants in
CCDC71L
and
SLC17A3
with cIMT and of the entire
7q22
region with plaque (
P
=0.05).

Conclusions—

Common and rare variants in
PIK3CG
and
SLC17A4
regions demonstrated modest association with subclinical atherosclerosis traits. Although not conclusive, these findings may help to understand the genetic architecture of regions previously implicated by genome-wide association studies and identify variants within these regions for further investigation in larger samples.
Elevation of Urinary Adipsin in Preeclampsia
Authors: Wang Tao , Zhou Rong , Gao Linbo , Wang Yanyun , Song Changping , Gong Yunhui , Jia Jin , Xiong Wei , Dai Li , Zhang Lin , Hu Huaizhong
Published: June 2014

Early diagnosis and treatment of preeclampsia are essential for prevention of seizure development and fetus maturation. Although various methods have been developed for predicting or monitoring the onset of preeclampsia, a simple assay that can be used as a home or point of care test remains unavailable. We attempted to find a urinary protein that could be used as a biomarker for developing such a test. Urinary samples were collected from 124 preeclampsia and 135 healthy pregnant women for screening using a protein array technology and quantification by ELISA. A urinary protein, adipsin, was found significantly increased, and the adipsin creatinine ratio was closely correlated with the urinary 24-hour protein in patients with preeclampsia. When combined with the increased diastolic blood pressure (≥90 mm Hg), the sensitivity was 90.3% and the specificity reached 100.0% for preeclampsia diagnosis. We then developed a laminar flow immunoassay for rapid diagnosis, and the sensitivity and specificity were 89.04% and 100%, respectively, when combined with increased diastolic blood pressure. Because of the easiness of sample collection, assay conduction, and result interpretation, this urine test can be potentially used as a home test for monitoring preeclampsia onset for high-risk pregnant women and as a rapid test for a preliminary diagnosis for emergency patients at hospitals.
Longitudinal Assessment of Growth in Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome: Results From the Single Ventricle Reconstruction Trial
Authors: Burch Phillip T. , Gerstenberger Eric , Ravishankar Chitra , Hehir David A. , Davies Ryan R. , Colan Steven D. , Sleeper Lynn A. , Newburger Jane W. , Clabby Martha L. , Williams Ismee A. , Li Jennifer S. , Uzark Karen , Cooper David S. , Lambert Linda M. , Pemberton Victoria L. , Pike Nancy A. , Anderson Jeffrey B. , Dunbar‐Masterson Carolyn , Khaikin Svetlana , Zyblewski Sinai C. , Minich L. LuAnn ,   the Pediatric Heart Network Investigators
Published: June 2014

Background

We sought to characterize growth between birth and age 3 years in infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome who underwent the Norwood procedure.

Methods and Results

We performed a secondary analysis using the Single Ventricle Reconstruction Trial database after excluding patients <37 weeks gestation (N=498). We determined length‐for‐age
z
score (
LAZ
) and weight‐for‐age
z
score (
WAZ
) at birth and age 3 years and change in
WAZ
over 4 clinically relevant time periods. We identified correlates of change in
WAZ
and
LAZ
using multivariable linear regression with bootstrapping. Mean
WAZ
and
LAZ
were below average relative to the general population at birth (
P
<0.001,
P
=0.05, respectively) and age 3 years (
P
<0.001 each). The largest decrease in
WAZ
occurred between birth and Norwood discharge; the greatest gain occurred between stage
II
and 14 months. At age 3 years,
WAZ
and
LAZ
were <−2 in 6% and 18%, respectively. Factors associated with change in
WAZ
differed among time periods. Shunt type was associated with change in
WAZ
only in the Norwood discharge to stage II period; subjects with a Blalock‐Taussig shunt had a greater decline in
WAZ
than those with a right ventricle‐pulmonary artery shunt (
P
=0.002).

Conclusions

WAZ
changed over time and the predictors of change in
WAZ
varied among time periods. By age 3 years, subjects remained small and three times as many children were short as were underweight (>2
SD
below normal). Failure to find consistent risk factors supports the strategy of tailoring nutritional therapies to patient‐ and stage‐specific targets.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL:
http://clinicaltrials.gov/
. Unique identifier: NCT00115934.
Leonardo da Vinci Our Contemporary?
Authors: Witoszek Nina
Published: June 2014

This essay polemicizes with a number of historians who claim that the European Renaissance has either “failed” or “continues to recede from us at an accelerating rate” (Burke 1998: 41; Barzun 2000; Bouswma 2002). I explore and revalue the ideas and representations of Renaissance humanism and the way they become manifest in the work of Leonardo da Vinci. I argue three main points: Firstly, that there is a fascinating, and much underestimated, ecological strain in Leonardo’s opus, a view of relationship between humans and nature, which has a bearing on a paradigm shift required by the current environmental and social crisis. Secondly, in the project of re-imagining a sustainable future, there is much to learn from the way in which a small and subversive community of Renaissance umanisti managed—against all odds—to forge a ground-breaking ethical vision which became the foundation of Western modernity. Finally, both Leonardo’s legacy and a reinvention of humanity and nature in the ideas of the Renaissance writers and thinkers, draw attention to a unique code of “eco-humanism”—a value platform emphasizing human dignity, nature’s autonomy and authority, the importance of free inquiry and dialogue, as well as the codex of limitations to human pursuits.
Did Jesus Oppose the prosbul in the Forgiveness Petition of the Lord’s Prayer?
Authors: Drake Lyndon
Published: June 2014

The forgiveness petition of the Lord’s Prayer includes the condition that the petitioner must forgive their own “debtors,” widely taken to be a metaphorical reference to sin-forgiveness. In this article, I argue that to Jesus’ contemporaries “debt” would have been an unusual way of referring to sin, and that the choices made by the Matthean and Lukan redactors show that they understood the Jesus-saying to enjoin debt-forgiveness as well as sin-forgiveness. The prosbul was the only way for pious contemporaries to avoid the Torah’s requirement to periodically forgive debts, and so Jesus opposed the prosbul by enjoining precisely the behaviour which the prosbul made unnecessary.
The Dark Side of Prayer for Healing
Authors: Clifton Shane
Published: June 2014

This paper explores the relationship between disability and pentecostal theologies and practices of healing. First, it draws on the testimony of people with a disability, describing the challenge of being the “elephant in the room”: the obviously unhealed in a social space in which supernatural healing is understood to be connected to the gospel, a reward of faith, and a central part of a life and ministry of the church. Second, it deconstructs pentecostal theologies and practices of healing, identifying their potentially alienating effect. Finally, it proposes an alternative orientation, replacing the emphasis upon divine healing with a focus on well-being. To this end, it draws on the holistic intention of the pentecostal Full Gospel and relates this to the virtue tradition, with its concern for long-term flourishing in the midst of the hardship and fragility of life.
Relational Empowerment
Authors: Reichard Joshua D.
Published: June 2014

This article comprises a reformulation of the pentecostal-charismatic notion of spiritual power from a process-relational theological perspective. The problem of power is investigated in terms of coercive and persuasive power, followed by a proposal concerning the role of love in persuasion over coercion. The notion of “relational empowerment” suggests that co-suffering and other-orientedness represent healthier perspectives on persuasive love than typical notions of raw empowerment for domination or control. The primacy of God’s responsive love while co-suffering with creation is central to this affirmation. A Spirit-filled life is proposed as one that fully and enthusiastically embraces the “other-oriented nature” of God’s persuasive love. Moreover, the use of power metaphors is critiqued and alternatives presented. Ultimately, it is argued that the unsurpassable power of such unconditional love must remind the world that “Christ is not Caesar.”
The identity of Ailanthus guangxiensis (Simaroubaceae) and lectotypification of A. integrifolia Lamarck
Authors: Song Zhuqiu , Xu Dongxian
Published: June 2014

The genus Ailanthus Desfontaines (1788: 265) of the family Simaroubaceae comprises 5–10 species distributed in South and Southeast Asia as well as northern Australia (Nooteboom 1962, Peng & Thomas 2008). The species can be classified into two groups, i.e., one with toothed leaflets and the other with entire-margined leaflets. The latter group currently includes five species, A. triphysa (Dennstedt 1818: 32) Alston (1931: 41), A. vietnamensis H.V.Sam & Nooteboom (2007: 555), A. fordii Nooteboom (1962: 220), A. integrifolia Lamarck (1792: 417), and A. guangxiensis S.L.Mo ex C.F.Liang & S.L.Mo (1982: 145). The last species was described based on two fruit collections from Longzhou County, Guangxi Province, China. In the protologue, the authors stated that it was clearly distinguished from its congeneric species by the large samaras. After that, A. guangxiensis is always considered as an endemic species of Guangxi (Peng & Thomas 2008, Qin & Liu 2010, Mo 2011). In 2010, it was listed as a key protected wild plant of Guangxi by the local government.
Crepidomanes inopinatum var. tamonii (Hymenophyllaceae), a new lowland variety endemic to semi-dry forests in La Réunion
Authors: Dubuisson Jean-Yves , Hennequin Sabine , Robert Yannis
Published: June 2014

Unexpected populations of Hymenophyllaceae ferns were observed and collected at low to middle elevations as epilithic in wet ravines within the semi-dry forest in La Réunion Island. These populations would represent lowland ecotypes of the montane Crepidomanes inopinatum, which is usually restricted to humid rainforests at higher elevations. Because of this unexpected habitat and the dwarfed size of the specimens by comparison to typical populations, we thus describe a new variety for the island.
Two new species and records of the genus Lesteva Latreille, 1797 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Omaliinae) from southeastern China
Authors: SHAVRIN ALEXEY V.
Published: June 2014

Two new species of the genus Lesteva Latreille, 1792 are described from southeastern China: L. (s. str.) hajeki sp. n. from Jiangxi province (Jinggang Shan Mts.) and L. (inc. sed.) ruzickai sp. n. from Guangdong province (Nanling Mts.). L. (s. str.) elegantula Rougemont, 2000 and L. (s. str.) flavopunctata Rougemont, 2000 are recorded for Jiangxi province for the first time.
The genus Ctenothrips from India (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)
with description of one new species and one new record
Authors: TYAGI KAOMUD , GHOSH BISWATOSH , KUMAR VIKAS
Published: June 2014

Ctenothrips barapatharensis sp.n. is described from specimens collected on ferns from Himachal Pradesh state of India. This is the only species in this genus having dark thickenings attached to fore ocellus. Ctenothrips niger Kudô is newly recorded from India, and the brachypterous form is described for the first time. A key to the three species of Ctenothrips from India is provided.
Revision of the genus Tanycypris (Ostracoda, Cypricercinae) with the description of Tanycypris alfonsi n. sp., and an identification key to the genus
Authors: NAGLER CHRISTINA , GEIST JUERGEN , MATZKE-KARASZ RENATE
Published: June 2014

Specimens of a new species of the non-marine ostracod genus, Tanycypris Triebel, 1959 were found in samples from water plant containers, displayed in a greenhouse of the botanical garden in Munich, Germany. Beside the ubiquitous species Cypridopsis vidua O.F. Müller, 1776, the samples contained four alien species of the subfamily Cypricercinae, namely Chlamydotheca arcuata Sars, 1901, Strandesia bicuspis Claus, 1892, Tanycypris centa Chang et al., 2012, and Tanycypris alfonsi n. sp.. The genus Tanycypris has mainly been reported (native) from Asia, and (invasive) from Italian rice fields.        The Cypricercinae unite all species possessing a Triebel loop, a character of the caudal rami attachment. The subfamily is split into the tribes Cypricercini McKenzie, 1971, Bradleystrandesiini Savatenalinton & Martens, 2009 and Nealecypridini Savatenalinton & Martens, 2009, the latter of which comprises the genera Tanycypris Triebel, 1959, Astenocypris G.W. Müller, 1912, Diaphanocypris Würdig & Pinto, 1990 and Nealecypris Savatenalinton & Martens, 2009.        During the process of describing the new species, a number of taxonomic uncertainties were detected within the genus Tanycypris, leading to a revision of the nine species currently ascribed to it: Tanycypris camaguinensis (Tressler, 1937), Tanycypris centa Chang et al., 2012 Tanycypris clavigera (G.W. Müller, 1898) (now: Nealecypris clavigera nov. comb.), Tanycypris madagascarensis (G.W. Müller, 1898), Tanycypris marina (Hartmann, 1965) (now: Dolerocypris marina nov. comb.), Tanycypris pedroensis (Tressler, 1950) (now: Diaphanocypris pedroensis nov. comb.), Tanycypris pellucida (Klie, 1932), Tanycypris siamensis Savatenalinton & Martens, 2009a, and Tanycypris telavivensis (Krampner, 1928) (now: Herpetocypris telavivensis). An identification key has been developed to the species of the genus Tanycypris.
Proportionality and Turnout
Authors: Eggers Andrew C.
Published: June 2014

Many studies find that voter turnout is higher in proportional representation (PR) elections than in plurality elections, but because the two systems differ in multiple ways and are used in different contexts it is difficult to know precisely why. I focus on municipal elections in France, where cities above a certain population threshold are required to use a PR system while those below use a type of plurality rule; this setting allows me to compare political outcomes across electoral systems while holding fixed a large set of social and political features. I find that the PR system noticeably increases turnout compared with plurality. I provide evidence suggesting that it does so in part by encouraging turnout in lopsided races and in part by inducing entry of new candidates. The findings highlight the importance of electoral proportionality in explaining cross-national differences in voter turnout.
Regulation and time: temporal patterns in regulatory development
Authors: Newman Joshua , Howlett Michael
Published: June 2014

Given the complex decision-making that goes into policy choices for regulatory regimes, it would seem intuitive that such regimes might develop under distinct national styles. By revisiting several historical models of regulatory development, including Bernstein's classic life-cycle model, and then by analyzing six case studies from the US and UK, for example, we explore the possibility that regulatory regimes vary more prominently along the temporal dimension rather than along spatial ones. We conclude that regulatory regimes have similar developmental patterns, although the time spent at each stage in the process can vary significantly according to unique domestic factors.

Points for practitioners

Existing theories of regulation would suggest that regulatory activity should either follow identical development trajectories in different countries or it should be entirely idiosyncratic in every jurisdiction in which it is used. Clearly neither is true, as some regulatory regimes display similar qualities and development patterns, while others appear to be unique. A comparison of regulatory activities in the US and UK reveals that regulatory regimes in these countries develop through similar stages along similar pathways, but that the rate of development and the transition through the stages can occur at different speeds. This development is mainly stimulated by periodic crises that force changes in regulation.
Long-Term Outcomes of Aftercare Participation following Various Forms of Drug Abuse Treatment in Scotland
Authors: Vanderplasschen Wouter , Bloor Michael , McKeganey Neil
Published: June 2014

Due to high relapse rates after leaving treatment, drug users are often recommended to participate in some form of lower intensity continuing care. The importance of aftercare is widely accepted, but little empirical data are available about the effectiveness of continuing services over longer periods of time and following various treatment modalities. In this study, we assessed the influence of various forms of aftercare on treatment outcomes and service utilization over a 33-month period among a naturalistic cohort of 653 drug users treated in prison or community settings, as part of the Drug Outcome Research in Scotland (DORIS study). Although participation in aftercare after initial treatment is rather unusual, the odds of having experienced a drug-free period (after 8 months) (OR = 1.91, 95% CI 1.10–3.33) and of being abstinent from heroin (after 33 months) (OR= 0.56, 95% CI 0.34–0.94) almost doubled. Program aftercare was of little additional value after intensive residential treatment, but particularly important after prison-based and community treatment and if combined with self-help participation. Consequently, attractive and fitted aftercare services should be offered as an integrated part of various treatment modalities.
Structural Validity of the WISC-IV for Students With Learning Disabilities
Authors: Styck Kara M. , Watkins Marley W.
Published: June 2014

The structural validity of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children–Fourth Edition (WISC-IV) was evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis for a clinical sample of 1,537 students diagnosed with specific learning disabilities (SLD) by school psychologists in two large southwestern school districts. Results indicated that a bifactor model consisting of four first-order domain specific factors and a general intelligence breadth factor fit the data best. Consequently, the structural validity of the WISC-IV for students with SLD was supported by the results of the present study. The general intelligence factor contributed the most information, accounting for 48% of the common variance. Given this structure, it was recommended that score interpretation should emphasize the Full-Scale IQ score because of the marginal contributions of the first-order domain-specific factors and their low precision of measurement independent of the general factor.
Manual versus automated blood sampling: impact of repeated blood sampling on stress parameters and behavior in male NMRI mice
Authors: Teilmann A C , Kalliokoski Otto , Sørensen Dorte B , Hau Jann , Abelson Klas S P
Published: June 2014

Facial vein (cheek blood) and caudal vein (tail blood) phlebotomy are two commonly used techniques for obtaining blood samples from laboratory mice, while automated blood sampling through a permanent catheter is a relatively new technique in mice. The present study compared physiological parameters, glucocorticoid dynamics as well as the behavior of mice sampled repeatedly for 24 h by cheek blood, tail blood or automated blood sampling from the carotid artery. Mice subjected to cheek blood sampling lost significantly more body weight, had elevated levels of plasma corticosterone, excreted more fecal corticosterone metabolites, and expressed more anxious behavior than did the mice of the other groups. Plasma corticosterone levels of mice subjected to tail blood sampling were also elevated, although less significantly. Mice subjected to automated blood sampling were less affected with regard to the parameters measured, and expressed less anxious behavior. We conclude that repeated blood sampling by automated blood sampling and from the tail vein is less stressful than cheek blood sampling. The choice between automated blood sampling and tail blood sampling should be based on the study requirements, the resources of the laboratory and skills of the staff.
Gender Inequalities in the Education of the Second Generation in Western Countries
Authors: Fleischmann Fenella , Kristen Cornelia ,   with contributions, including the provision of data and analyses instrumental to the research, by, Heath Anthony F. , Brinbaum Yaël , Deboosere Patrick , Granato Nadia , Jonsson Jan O. , Kilpi-Jakonen Elina , Lorenz Georg , Lutz Amy C. , Mos David , Mutarrak Raya , Phalet Karen , Rothon Catherine , Rudolphi Frida , van de Werfhorst Herman G.
Published: June 2014

Drawing on comparative analyses from nine Western countries, we ask whether local-born children from a wide range of immigrant groups show patterns of female advantage in education that are similar to those prevalent in their host Western societies. We consider five outcomes throughout the educational career: test scores or grades at age 15, continuation after compulsory schooling, choice of academic track in upper-secondary education, completion of upper secondary, and completion of tertiary education. Despite great variation in gender gaps in education in immigrants’ origin countries (with advantages for males in many cases), we find that the female advantage in education observed among the majority population is usually present among second-generation immigrants. We interpret these findings in light of ideas about gender role socialization and immigrant selectivity.
Effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory meloxicam on stomach, kidney, and liver of rats
Authors: Burukoglu Dilek , Baycu Cengiz , Taplamacioglu Fulya , Sahin Erhan , Bektur Ezgi
Published: June 2014

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAI) drugs are the most commonly used group of drugs today. Increase in the use of standard NSAI for treating pain and inflammation was restricted by the fact that these drugs were proven to possibly cause gastrointestinal and renal toxicity. Meloxicam is a NSAI that has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic effects. This study aims to investigate the effects of meloxicam on stomach, kidney, and liver of rats under light microscopy level. Based on the light microscopic observations, mononuclear cell infiltration and pseudolobular formation was established in liver samples of animals in the experimental group. Metaplasia in surface and glandular epithelia and atrophy were observed in stomach samples. Glomerular stasis-related hypertrophy and focal interstitial nephritis were found in kidneys. It was concluded in this study that meloxicam might cause hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and gastric metaplasia in rats at a used dose and duration.
Child Sexual Abuse, Attachment Style, and Depression
Authors: Cantón-Cortés David , Cortés María Rosario , Cantón José
Published: June 2014

The aim of the current study was to examine the effects of secure, avoidant, and anxious attachment styles on depressive symptomatology in child sexual abuse (CSA) among young female adult victims. The role of attachment style was studied by considering possible interactive effects with the type of abuse, the relationship with the perpetrator, and the continuity of abuse. Participants were 168 female victims of CSA. Information about the abuse was obtained from a self-reported questionnaire. Attachment style was assessed with the Attachment Style Measure (ASM), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was used to assess depressive symptomatology. Secure and anxious attachment styles were correlated with low and high depression scores respectively. The effects of attachment style were stronger in cases where the abuse consisted of oral sex/penetration, a non-family member as perpetrator, and in isolated, compared with continued, abuse. These results confirm that characteristics of CSA (type of abuse, relationship with the perpetrator, and continuity of abuse) can affect the impact of attachment style on depressive symptomatology.
Current compensation control for low-cost servo system
Authors: Song Bao , Cheng Tianhang , Tang Xiaoqi , Zheng Shiqi , Lu Shaowu
Published: June 2014

Three-phase current is very important in the vector control scheme of permanent magnet synchronous motor, and its sampling precision affects the servo control performance directly. In the low-cost servo system, to simplify the structure and reduce the volume, three-phase current is often not accurately detected because the current sensors are usually replaced by the sampling resistors, which will cause the undesirable torque ripple. Therefore, to enhance the closed-loop control performance for the low-cost servo system, an adaptive control method is proposed to compensate the current measurement error. In this approach, first, the estimated currents can be obtained online by a current state observer. Then, a three-phase current error compensator is designed based on the mathematical relation between three-phase current error and torque current. Next, based on the model reference adaptive control algorithm, two proportional–integral controllers are used to further strengthen the compensation effect. Finally, experimental results confirm that this method is effective and precise, and three-phase current error does not affect the servo control performance.
Holocene carbon dynamics of boreal and subarctic peatlands from Québec, Canada
Authors: Garneau Michelle , van Bellen Simon , Magnan Gabriel , Beaulieu-Audy Véronique , Lamarre Alexandre , Asnong Hans
Published: June 2014

Peatlands constitute major sinks of organic carbon (C) and play a key role in the global C cycle. Here, we present a synthesis of peat records from six ecoclimatic regions in Québec, Canada, in order to quantify Holocene patterns of C accumulation and relationships with contemporary climate data. Average long-term apparent rates of C accumulation (LORCA) were calculated for 21 peat cores and range from 10 to 70 g C/m2/yr with a mean of 26.1 (standard error of mean (SEM) = 3.6) g C/m2/yr, which is slightly higher than the mean value for northern peatlands as a whole (Loisel et al., 2014). We found that regional climate has been a major factor controlling long-term peatland C accumulation and that site-specific factors may explain some variability between sites. Our data show that LORCA tend to decrease with latitude. The lowest LORCA are found in the northernmost peatlands located at the boreal forest/forest-tundra ecotone, whereas the highest values are recorded in the peatlands along the St. Lawrence Estuary, characterized by the highest mean summer temperature, number of growing degree-days above 0°C and mean annual precipitation. Temporal variations in Holocene C accumulations rates were synthesized for 16 peat cores, which show high values during the mid-Holocene (6000–4000 cal. yr BP) followed by a decline during the Neoglacial cooling, especially between 2000 and 1200 cal. yr BP. Our study contributes to a better understanding of sensitivity of peatland C balance to climate change in a poorly documented part of the circumboreal region.
Test Characteristics of Faecal Immunochemical Tests (FIT) Compared with Optical Colonoscopy
Authors: Levy Barcey T , Bay Camden , Xu Yinghui , Daly Jeanette M , Bergus George , Dunkelberg Jeffrey , Moss Carol
Published: June 2014

Background

Faecal occult blood tests are often the initial test in population-based screening. We aimed to: 1) compare the results of single sample faecal immunochemical tests (FITs) with colonoscopy, and 2) calculate the sensitivity for proximal vs. distal adenomatous polyps or cancer.

Methods

Individuals scheduled for a colonoscopy were invited to complete a FIT prior to their colonoscopy preparation. FIT results were classified as positive, negative, or invalid. Colonoscopy reports were reviewed and abstracted. Because of product issues, four different FIT manufacturers were used. The test characteristics for each FIT manufacturer were calculated for advanced adenomatous polyps or cancer according to broad reason for colonoscopy (screening or surveillance/diagnostic).

Results

Of those invited, 1,026 individuals (43.9%) completed their colonoscopy and had a valid FIT result. The overall sensitivity of the FITs (95% confidence intervals) was 0.18 (0.10 to 0.28) and specificity was 0.90 (0.87 to 0.91) for advanced adenomas or cancer. The sensitivity for distal lesions was 0.23 (0.11 to 0.38) and for proximal lesions was 0.09 (0.02 to 0.25). The odds ratio of an individual with a distal advanced adenoma or cancer testing positive was 2.68 (1.20 to 5.99). The two individuals with colorectal cancer tested negative, as did one individual with high-grade dysplasia.

Conclusions

The sensitivity of a single-sample FIT for advanced adenomas or cancer was low. Individuals with distal adenomas had a higher odds of testing positive than those with proximal lesions or no lesions.