bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biochemical modulation of growth, lipid quality and productivity in mixotrophic cultures of Chlorella sorokiniana
Authors: Ngangkham Momocha , Ratha Sachitra Kumar , Prasanna Radha , Saxena Anil Kumar , Dhar Dolly Wattal , Sarika Chandragiri , Prasad Rachapudi Badari Narayana
Published: October 2012

The genus Chlorella is a widely employed microalga for biodiesel, as it can be grown using photo/mixo/heterotrophic mode of cultivation. The present investigation was undertaken with the hypothesis that addition of different substrates (amino acids, carbon sources, vitamins) along with reducing agents may aid in diverting Acetyl CoA to malonyl CoA or fatty acid biosynthesis, under mixotrophic conditions in Chlorella sorokiniana. Preliminary investigations undertaken with two reducing agents individually (sodium thiosulphate and methyl viologen) along with selected substrates revealed the promise of sodium thiosulphate (1%) in enhancing lipid accumulation significantly. Further, the role of inclusion of twelve substrates and sodium thiosulphate revealed that supplementation with tryptophan (0.1%) recorded 57.28% enhancement in lipid productivity on 4th day. Highest values of lipid productivity of 33% were recorded on 8th day in 0.1% glucose supplemented medium containing sodium thiosulphate. Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME) profiles generated revealed significant reduction in the content of Poly unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and enhanced Mono unsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) (especially oleic acid) in the treatments involving tryptophan, Vitamin B12, sodium pyruvate and glucose. This study reveals the promise of using sodium thiosulphate along with selected substrate for enriching the quality and quantity of lipids, which can be valuable for exploiting algae as a source of biodiesel.
The Cortisol and Androgen Pathways Cross Talk in High Temperature-Induced Masculinization: The 11β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase as a Key Enzyme
Authors: Fernandino Juan Ignacio , Hattori Ricardo Shohei , Kishii Ai , Strüssmann Carlos Augusto , Somoza Gustavo Manuel
Published: October 2012

In many ectotherm species the gonadal fate is modulated by temperature early in life [temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD)] but the transducer mechanism between temperature and gonadal differentiation is still elusive. We have recently shown that cortisol, the glucocorticoid stress-related hormone in vertebrates, is involved in the TSD process of pejerrey, Odontesthes bonariensis. Particularly, all larvae exposed to a male-producing temperature (MPT, 29 C) after hatching showed increased whole-body cortisol and 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT; the main bioactive androgen in fish) levels and developed as males. Moreover, cortisol administration at an intermediate, mixed sex-producing temperature (MixPT, 24 C) caused increases in 11-KT and in the frequency of males, suggesting a relation between this glucocorticoid and androgens during the masculinization process. In order to clarify the link between stress and masculinization, the expression of hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (hsd)11b2, glucocorticoid receptors gr1 and gr2, and androgen receptors ar1 and ar2 was analyzed by quantitative real time PCR and in situ hybridization in larvae reared at MPT, MixPT, and female-producing temperature (FPT, 17 C) during the sex determination period. We also analyzed the effects of cortisol treatment in larvae reared at MixPT and in adult testicular explants incubated in vitro. MPT and cortisol treatment produced significant increases in hsd11b2 mRNA expression. Also, gonadal explants incubated in the presence of cortisol showed increases of 11-KT levels in the medium. Taken together these results suggest that cortisol promotes 11-KT production during high temperature-induced masculinization by modulation of hsd11b2 expression and thus drives the morphogenesis of the testes.
CRH Activation of Different Signaling Pathways Results in Differential Calcium Signaling in Human Pregnant Myometrium before and during Labor
Authors: You Xingji , Gao Lu , Liu Jie , Xu Chen , Liu Chunmin , Li Yuan , Hui Ning , Gu Hang , Ni Xin
Published: October 2012

Context:

Our previous study has demonstrated that CRH has differential effects on human uterine contractility before and after onset of labor. Intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) mobilization plays an important role in the control of uterine contraction.

Objective:

Our objective was to investigate the effects of CRH on [Ca2+]i homeostasis in laboring and nonlaboring myometrial cells and determine subsequent signaling involved in [Ca2+]i regulation by CRH.

Design:

The myometrial tissues were obtained from pregnant women who were undergoing or not undergoing labor at term. [Ca2+]i was determined by Ca2+ imaging system using the fluorescent dye fura-2-acetoxymethyl ester. Western blot analysis, ELISA, and RIA were used to determine the signaling pathways induced by CRH.

Results:

CRH induced Ca2+ transient in laboring cells, which was blocked by CRH receptor type 1 (CRHR1) antagonist antalarmin. CRHR1 knockdown impaired this effect of CRH. CRH activated Gi protein, decreased cAMP production, and induced phosphorylated phospholipase C-β3 and inositol-1,4,5-triphosphate production. Phospholipase C and inositol-1,4,5-triphosphate receptor inhibitors blocked the CRH-induced Ca2+ transient in laboring cells. CRH did not induce whereas antalarmin induced the Ca2+ transient in nonlaboring cells. Knockdown of CRHR1 impaired the effect of antalarmin. CRH acted on CRHR1 to activate Gs in nonlaboring cells. Forskolin blocked antalarmin-induced Ca2+ transient.

Conclusions:

CRH acts on CRHR1 to activate different signaling pathways before and after onset of labor, thereby resulting in differential calcium signaling in response to CRH. The signaling pathways of CRHR1 might serve as a target for the development of new therapeutic strategies for preterm birth.
Agenesis of Internal Carotid Artery and Hypopituitarism: Case Report and Review of Literature
Authors: Savasta S. , Merli P. , Introzzi F. , Strocchio L. , Lanati G. , Incorpora G. , Della Mina E. , Simoncelli A. , Zuffardi O. , Larizza D.
Published: October 2012

Context:

Agenesis of the internal carotid artery and hypoplasia of the internal carotid artery are rare congenital abnormalities, involving less than 0.01% of the general population. Congenital hypopituitarism is also a rare condition; thus, the association of the two entities is unlikely to be casual. We describe one pediatric case of agenesis of the internal carotid artery with hypopituitarism and review other known cases.

Evidence Acquisition and Synthesis:

In this brief clinical case seminar, we summarize the current understanding of this association based on a MEDLINE search of all peer-reviewed publications (original articles and reviews) on this topic between 1980 and 2011. We found nine other cases, mainly diagnosed during childhood. Defects of pituitary function varied among cases; in four, midline anomalies were present.

Conclusion:

There are two theories that are not mutually exclusive to explain the association of congenital vascular malformation and pituitary hypoplasia with hypopituitarism: the first involves hemodynamic mechanisms, and the second, complex neural-crest differentiation and/or migration disorders. Whatever the real physiopathological mechanism responsible for this condition, it could be considered as a new clinical entity.
The Utility of Menstrual Cycle Length as an Indicator of Cumulative Hormonal Exposure
Authors: Mumford Sunni L. , Steiner Anne Z. , Pollack Anna Z. , Perkins Neil J. , Filiberto Amanda C. , Albert Paul S. , Mattison Donald R. , Wactawski-Wende Jean , Schisterman Enrique F.
Published: October 2012

Context:

Associations between menstrual cycle length and chronic diseases are hypothesized to be due to differences in underlying hormonal patterns.

Objective:

The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between menstrual cycle length and the hormonal profile and anovulation.

Design and Setting:

We conducted a prospective cohort study at the University at Buffalo from 2005 to 2007.

Participants:

We recruited 259 healthy, regularly menstruating women aged 18–44 yr.

Main Outcome Measures:

Cycle length was observed for up to two cycles. Serum estradiol, progesterone, LH, and FSH were measured up to eight times per cycle for up to two cycles.

Results:

Women with short cycles (<26 d) had higher FSH concentrations during menses and in the late luteal phase, higher follicular estradiol concentrations, and lower LH concentrations across the cycle. Among women with longer cycles (>35 d), estradiol and LH peaks occurred on average about 3 d later, and FSH peaks about 1 d later compared to women with normal-length cycles. Both short and long cycles, compared with normal-length cycles, had an increased probability of anovulation. In general, per-cycle exposure to hormones was less in short cycles based on the area under the curve, although over time the cumulative exposure to estradiol would be greater for women with short cycles.

Conclusions:

Short ovulatory cycles were associated with higher follicular phase estradiol, an earlier rise in FSH, and an increased risk of anovulation. These results suggest that menstrual cycle length may be a relevant indicator of estradiol exposure and risk of anovulation among regularly cycling women.
Role of 11βHSD Type 2 Enzyme Activity in Essential Hypertension and Children with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
Authors: Mongia Anil , Vecker Risa , George Minu , Pandey Anita , Tawadrous Hanan , Schoeneman Morris , Muneyyirci-Delale Ozgul , Nacharaju Vijaya , Ten Svetlana , Bhangoo Amrit
Published: October 2012

Background:

The mineralocorticoid receptor is protected from excess of glucocorticoids by conversion of active cortisol to inactive cortisone by enzyme 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 present in the kidney. The metabolites of cortisol and cortisone are excreted in the urine as tetrahydrocortisol (5αTHF+5βTHF) and tetrahydrocortisone (THE), respectively.

Hypothesis:

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and essential hypertension have a functional defect in their ability to convert cortisol to cortisone, thus leading to the activation of mineralocorticoid receptor.

Objective:

The objective of the investigation was to study the ratio of urinary steroids (5αTHF+5βTHF) to THE in patients with CKD, postrenal transplant, and essential hypertension and to compare the ratio with controls.

Design/Methods:

We enrolled 44 patients (17 with CKD, eight postrenal transplant, 19 with essential hypertension) and 12 controls. We measured spot urinary 5α-THF, 5β-THF, THE, free active cortisol and inactive cortisone by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. We collected data on age, sex, cause of kidney disease, height, weight, body mass index, blood pressure, serum electrolytes, aldosterone, and plasma renin activity. Blood pressure percentiles and z-scores were calculated. The glomerular filtration rate was calculated using the modified Schwartz formula.

Results:

The ratios of 5αTHF+5βTHF to THE were significantly higher in patients with CKD [mean ± sd score (SDS) = 1.31 ± 1.07] as compared with essential hypertension (mean ± SDS = 0.59 ± 0.23; P = 0.02) and controls (mean ± SDS = 0.52 ± 0.25; P = 0.01). In the postrenal transplant group, the ratio was not significantly different (mean ± SDS = 0.71 ± 0.55). The urinary free cortisol to free cortisone ratios were significantly higher in the hypertension and CKD groups as compared with the controls. The 5αTHF+5βTHF to THE ratio negatively correlated with the glomerular filtration rate and positively correlated with systolic and diastolic blood pressure z-scores. The correlation of the blood pressure z-scores with ratios was stronger in the CKD group than the essential hypertension and posttransplant groups.

Conclusions:

We have elucidated a functional deficiency of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 in children with CKD and a subset of essential hypertension. Urinary 5α-THF, 5β-THF, and THE analysis by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry should be a part of routine work-up of CKD and hypertensive patients.
Association between Physical Activity and Urinary Estrogens and Estrogen Metabolites in Premenopausal Women
Authors: Matthews Charles E. , Fortner Renee T. , Xu Xia , Hankinson Susan E. , Eliassen A. Heather , Ziegler Regina G.
Published: October 2012

Objective:

The objective of the study was to evaluate in premenopausal women the relationships of physically active and sedentary behaviors reported for adulthood and adolescence with a comprehensive profile of estrogen metabolism.

Methodology:

Fifteen estrogens and estrogen metabolites (jointly termed EM) were measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in luteal phase urines from 603 premenopausal women in the Nurses' Health Study II. Geometric means of individual EM, metabolic pathway groups, and pathway ratios were examined by level of exposure after adjustment for age, body mass index, alcohol intake, menstrual cycle length, and sample collection timing.

Results:

High overall physical activity in adulthood (42+ metabolic equivalent h/wk vs. <3 metabolic equivalent h/wk) was associated with a 15% lower level of urinary estradiol (Ptrend = 0.03) and 15% lower level of 16-hydroxylation pathway EM (Ptrend = 0.03). Levels of 2- and 4-hydroxylation pathway EM did not differ significantly by physical activity. High overall activity was also positively associated with four ratios: 2-pathway EM to parent estrogens (Ptrend = 0.05), 2-pathway catechols to parent estrogens (Ptrend = 0.03), 2-pathway catechols to methylated 2-pathway catechols (Ptrend < 0.01), and 2-hydroxyestrone to 16α-hydroxyestrone (Ptrend = 0.01). Similar patterns of association were noted for walking and vigorous physical activity, but there was little evidence of associations with sedentary behaviors or activity during adolescence.

Conclusions:

High levels of physical activity were associated with lower levels of parent estrogens and 16-hydroxylation pathway EM and preferential metabolism to 2-pathway catechols. The results of our analysis, the largest, most comprehensive examination of physical activity and estrogen metabolism to date, may be useful in future studies investigating the etiology of diseases linked to both physical activity and endogenous estrogen.
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Analysis of Food-Related Brain Activity in Patients with Lipodystrophy Undergoing Leptin Replacement Therapy
Authors: Aotani Daisuke , Ebihara Ken , Sawamoto Nobukatsu , Kusakabe Toru , Aizawa-Abe Megumi , Kataoka Sachiko , Sakai Takeru , Iogawa Hitomi , Ebihara Chihiro , Fujikura Junji , Hosoda Kiminori , Fukuyama Hidenao , Nakao Kazuwa
Published: October 2012

Context:

Lipodystrophy is a disease characterized by a paucity of adipose tissue and low circulating concentrations of adipocyte-derived leptin. Leptin-replacement therapy improves eating and metabolic disorders in patients with lipodystrophy.

Objective:

The aim of the study was to clarify the pathogenic mechanism of eating disorders in lipodystrophic patients and the action mechanism of leptin on appetite regulation.

Subjects and Interventions:

We investigated food-related neural activity using functional magnetic resonance imaging in lipodystrophic patients with or without leptin replacement therapy and in healthy controls. We also measured the subjective feelings of appetite.

Results:

Although there was little difference in the enhancement of neural activity by food stimuli between patients and controls under fasting, postprandial suppression of neural activity was insufficient in many regions of interest including amygdala, insula, nucleus accumbens, caudate, putamen, and globus pallidus in patients when compared with controls. Leptin treatment effectively suppressed postprandial neural activity in many of these regions of interest, whereas it showed little effect under fasting in patients. Consistent with these results, postprandial formation of satiety feeling was insufficient in patients when compared with controls, which was effectively reinforced by leptin treatment.

Conclusions:

This study demonstrated the insufficiency of postprandial suppression of food-related neural activity and formation of satiety feeling in lipodystrophic patients, which was effectively restored by leptin. The findings in this study emphasize the important pathological role of leptin in eating disorders in lipodystrophy and provide a clue to understanding the action mechanism of leptin in human, which may lead to development of novel strategies for prevention and treatment of obesity.
Runx2 Isoform I Controls a Panel of Proinvasive Genes Driving Aggressiveness of Papillary Thyroid Carcinomas
Authors: Sancisi Valentina , Borettini Gloria , Maramotti Sally , Ragazzi Moira , Tamagnini Ione , Nicoli Davide , Piana Simonetta , Ciarrocchi Alessia
Published: October 2012

Context:

The ability of tumor cells to invade adjacent tissues is governed by a complicated network of molecular signals, most of which have not yet been identified. In a recent work, we reported that the transcriptional regulator Id1 contributes to thyroid cancer progression by powering the invasion capacity of tumor cells.

Objective:

The intent of this work was to further investigate the biology of invasive thyroid tumors, through the analysis of the molecular interactions existing between Id1 and some of its target genes and through the characterization of the function of these factors in the progression of thyroid tumors.

Results:

We showed that Id1 controls the expression of the Runx2 isoform I and that this transcription factor plays a central role in mediating the Id1 proinvasive function in thyroid tumor cells. We demonstrated that Runx2 regulates proliferation, migration, and invasiveness by activating a panel of genes involved in matrix degradation and cellular invasion, which we previously identified as Id1 target genes in thyroid tumor cells. Finally, we show that Runx2 is strongly expressed in metastatic human thyroid tumors both at the primary site and in metastases.

Conclusion:

Overall, our experiments demonstrate the existence of a previously unknown molecular axis that controls thyroid tumor invasiveness by altering the ability of tumor cells to interact with the surrounding microenvironment. These factors could prove to be valuable markers that permit early diagnosis of aggressive thyroid tumors.
Medical and legal professionals’ attitudes towards confidentiality and disclosure of clinical information in forensic settings: a survey using case vignettes
Authors: Bruggen Marie-Charlotte , Eytan Ariel , Gravier Bruno , Elger Bernice S
Published: October 2012

Objective

When potentially dangerous patients reveal criminal fantasies to their therapists, the latter must decide whether this information has to be transmitted to a third person in order to protect potential victims. We were interested in how medical and legal professionals handle such situations in the context of prison medicine and forensic evaluations. We aimed to explore the motives behind their actions and to compare these professional groups.

Method

A mail survey was conducted among medical and legal professionals using five fictitious case vignettes. For each vignette, participants were asked to answer questions exploring what the professional should do in the situation and to explain their justification for the chosen response.

Results

A total of 147 questionnaires were analysed. Agreement between participants varied from one scenario to another. Overall, legal professionals tended to disclose information to a third party more easily than medical professionals, the latter tending to privilege confidentiality and patient autonomy over security. Perception of potential danger in a given situation was not consistently associated with actions.

Conclusion

Professionals’ opinions and attitudes regarding the confidentiality of potentially dangerous patients differ widely and appear to be subjectively determined. Shared discussions about clinical situations could enhance knowledge and competencies and reduce differences between professional groups.
Pattern of coroner's autopsies at Health Sciences Authority, Singapore: a retrospective study (2009–2010)
Authors: Wang Marian , Ching Chi-Keong
Published: October 2012

Within a two-year period between 2009 and 2010, the Forensic Medicine Division of the Health Sciences Authority conducted a total of 3560 autopsies on cases reported to the coroner. This retrospective study reviews the type and distribution of these cases, and serves as a pilot study for future analysis of the various subgroups. Nearly half of these deaths (48.93%) are a result of natural disease processes, of which a cardiac cause by far predominates (64.64%), followed by diseases of the respiratory (16.92%) and central nervous (5.28%) systems. Of the deaths by unnatural means (51.07%), a substantial number of these deaths are consequent to fall from height, i.e. off a building (35.86%), with a smaller proportion of death arising from traffic and industrial accidents (17.60%), asphyxia (14.25%) and short distance falls (11.00%). Fall from height is the leading mode of suicide in this densely populated urban city where 85% of the population reside in high-rise apartments.
The Association Between the Disclosure and the Realization of Information Security Risk Factors
Authors: Wang Tawei , Kannan Karthik N. , Ulmer Jackie Rees
Published: October 2012

Firms often disclose information security risk factors in public filings such as 10-K reports. The internal information associated with disclosures may be positive or negative. In this paper, we evaluate how the nature of the disclosed security risk factors, believed to represent the firm's internal information regarding information security, is associated with future breach announcements reported in the media. For this purpose, we build a decision tree model, which classifies the occurrence of future security breaches based on the textual contents of the disclosed security risk factors. The model is able to accurately associate disclosure characteristics with breach announcements about 77% of the time. We further explore the contents of the security risk factors using text-mining techniques to provide a richer interpretation of the results. The results show that the disclosed security risk factors with risk-mitigation themes are less likely to be related to future breach announcements. We also investigate how the market interprets the nature of information security risk factors in annual reports. We find that the market reaction following the security breach announcement is different depending on the nature of the preceding disclosure. Thus, our paper contributes to the literature in information security and sheds light on how market participants can better interpret security risk factors disclosed in financial reports at the time when financial reports are released.
Research Note—Do Large Firms Become Smaller by Using Information Technology?
Authors: Im Kun Shin , Grover Varun , Teng James T. C.
Published: October 2012

The relationship between information technology (IT) and a key organizational design variable, firm size, is an important area of study, particularly given the ongoing transition to an information-based economy. To better understand the more nuanced aspects of the relationship, we formulated a bidirectional and time-lagged model that incorporates different perspectives from organizational theories and transaction cost economics. Our two models—the bidirectional and one-year lagged model and the bidirectional and two-year lagged model—were tested using nine-year panel data on IT spending, IT stock, coordination costs, firm size, and relevant control variables for 277 manufacturing firms. We found a sequential interaction between IT and firm size in both of the two models: as a firm grows in size, its coordination activities increase; the firm then uses more IT to handle the increased activities of coordination; this increased use of IT, in turn, decreases coordination costs, and eventually, the size of the firm decreases. It was also found that the presence of coordination costs is necessary for the sequential interaction between IT and firm size, indicating coordination between and within firms is a major reason for firms to invest in IT and for IT effect to take place on firm size. This study has taken an initial step by attempting to empirically examine dual causality and longitudinal effects between IT and firm size, and to reconcile different theoretical perspectives on the relationship between them. We hope this work can act as a catalyst for developing a better understanding of the complex relationship between IT and organizations, with the ultimate goal of offering robust prescriptions for successful structural change.
Sequential Pricing of Multiple Products: Leveraging Revealed Preferences of Retail Customers Online and with Auto-ID Technologies
Authors: Aloysius John , Deck Cary , Farmer Amy
Published: October 2012

Technological advances enable sellers to price discriminate based on a customer's revealed purchasing intentions. E-tailers can track items in online shopping carts and radio frequency identification tags enable retailers to do the same in brick-and-mortar stores. To leverage this information, it is important to understand how this new visibility impacts pricing and market outcomes. We propose a model in which a seller sets prices for goods A and B, allowing for the possibility of sequentially revising the price for good B if the buyer reveals a preference for good A by making an initial purchase decision. We derive comparative statics results for the prices of products that have superadditive or subadditive values, and also for the associated profits. We also run simulations for a range of distributions of buyer values, to compare sequential pricing with mixed bundling. The results indicate that information technology-enabled sequential pricing can increase profits relative to mixed bundling or pure components pricing for substitute goods due to a reduction of intraseller competition. We also consider the case of goods with positively or negatively correlated values and find that when sellers can condition the second good's price on the buyer's decision to purchase the first good, sequential pricing increases profits when customer's values for the goods are highly positively correlated.
Research Note—A Contingency Approach to Investigating the Effects of User-System Interaction Modes of Online Decision Aids
Authors: Wang Weiquan , Benbasat Izak
Published: October 2012

Interactive online decision aids often employ user-decision aid dialogues as forms of user-system interaction to help construct and elicit users' attribute preferences about a product type. This study extends prior research on online decision aids by investigating the effects of a decision aid's user-system interaction mode (USIM), which can be either user-guided or system-controlled, on users' effort-related (number of iterations of using the aid and perceived cognitive effort expended in using it) and quality-related (perceived quality of the aid and acceptance of the product advice it provides) assessments. A contingency approach with two moderating factors is employed. One factor is the decision strategy (additive-compensatory or elimination) employed by the aid, and the other is the users' product knowledge (high or low).

A laboratory experiment was conducted to compare online decision aids with different USIMs. Although the results largely confirm that users assess the user-guided USIM more positively than the system-controlled USIM, the effects of USIM are stronger in two settings: for the elimination-based aid than for the additive-compensatory-based aid and for users with low product knowledge than for those with high product knowledge, especially in terms of effort assessments. This research advances the theoretical understanding of the effects of interaction between two critical components of online decision aids (USIMs and decision strategies) and the moderating role of user characteristics (product knowledge) in affecting users' evaluations. It also provides practitioners with design advice for developing these aids.
The Role of Modular Upgradability as a Green Design Strategy
Authors: Agrawal Vishal V. , Ülkü Sezer
Published: October 2012

Modular upgradability has been suggested as a strategy for improving environmental performance: as technology improves, it allows for independent replacement of improving subsystems, instead of replacing the entire product. This may extend the useful life of stable subsystems, reducing production and disposal impact. However, this argument ignores the effect of modular upgradability on a firm's development and introduction decisions and the environmental impact during the use phase. In this paper, we investigate when modular upgradability leads to lower environmental impact and higher profits. We do so by endogenizing a firm's development and introduction decisions and considering the product's environmental impact during its entire life cycle. Our results show that although modular upgradability may accelerate the replacement of some subsystems, it delays the replacement of others. We find that modular upgradability can increase the environmental impact for some product categories due to accelerated obsolescence arising from more frequent introduction and replacement. However, we also find that accelerated obsolescence, under some conditions, can actually make modular upgradability greener.
The side population phenomenon enriches for designated adrenocortical progenitor cells in mice
Authors: Lichtenauer Urs , Shapiro Igor , Sackmann Simone , Drouin Jacques , Scheele Jürgen , Maneck Matthias , Klein Christoph , Beuschlein Felix
Published: October 2012

Somatic adrenal stem cells are believed to reside in the periphery of the adrenal cortex throughout life for organ maintenance. Herein, we used the side population (SP) phenomenon to enrich for these progenitors, which made up to 0.01–0.64% of the total cell count. Microarray analysis revealed an expression profile of SP cells, which clearly differed from that of non-SP cells. However, a promising adrenal specific stem cell marker could not be identified.In vitro, SP cells could be maintained in long-term culture, whereas non-SP cells did not proliferate. After 4 weeks of culturing, immunohistochemistry revealed the expression of steroidogenic enzymes such as 3β-HSD, StAR, and P450SCC, suggesting spontaneous differentiation. Interestingly, the quantity of SP cells was significantly diminished inPbx1haploinsufficient mice, suggesting a stem cell deficit. By contrast, the subcapsular zone of ACTH-deficientTpit−/−mice was significantly wider compared with wild-type adrenals (Tpit−/−259±10.7 vsTpit+/−100±12.3%;P<0.01). Accordingly, the number of SP cells in these mice was significantly higher (Tpit−/−0.45±0.16 vsTpit+/−0.13±0.04%;P<0.004). ACTH treatment of these animals reverted the subcapsular zone width and the SP fraction back to normal (130±10.2%;P=0.33 and 0.09%), providing indirect evidence for a stem cell ‘arrest’ inTpit−/−mice and the role of ACTH in adrenocortical stem cell modulation and differentiation.
An examination of the factor structure and validity of the Assessing Emotions Scale (AES)
Authors: Nagy Henriett
Published: October 2012

Az AES-HU a vonás-érzelmi intelligencia kutatási gyakorlatban legszélesebb körben alkalmazott mérőeszköze. Kutatásunk egyrészt az AES-HU belső struktúrájának elemzésére irányult, másrészt a skála validitását teszteltük a vonás-érzelmi intelligencia alexithímiával, depresszióval és diszpozicionális optimizmussal mutatott összefüggésein keresztül. Az AES-HU belső struktúrájának igazolásához egy 165 fős egyetemistákból álló mintán megerősítő faktorelemzést, a kérdőív validitásának teszteléséhez pedig egy 186 fős egyetemista mintán korrelációs elemzéseket végeztünk. Eredményeink azt mutatják, hogy a Salovey és Mayer (1990) ‑féle érzelmi intelligencia modell hat dimenziójából kettő (az érzelmek kifejezése, az érzelmek szabályozása másoknál) nem azonosítható egyértelműen a kérdőívben.
A négy azonosított faktor (az érzelmek értékelése önmagunknál, az érzelmek értékelése másoknál, az érzelmek szabályozása önmagunknál, az érzelmek felhasználása a problémamegoldásban) és a fölérendelt másodrendű faktor esetében azonban megfelelő belső konzisztencia mutatókat találtunk. Az érvényesség tesztelésére irányuló vizsgálatunk azt jelezte, hogy az AES-HU útján mért vonás-érzelmi intelligencia negatív kapcsolatban áll az alexithímiával és a depresszióval, illetve pozitív kapcsolatot mutat a diszpozicionális optimizmussal. Eredményeink támogatják a skála érvényességét.
The model’s age as a cue of knowledgeability induces selective imitation
Authors: Elekes Fruzsina , Király Ildikó
Published: October 2012

Hű utánzás révén gyorsan és hatékonyan lehet új információt elsajátítani, feltéve, ha a modell rendelkezik a szükséges fizikai és kulturális tudással ahhoz, hogy a viselkedését érdemes legyen lemásolni. Zmyj, Daum, Prinz, Nielsen és Aschersleben (2011) kutatási eredményei szerint, kisgyerekek a kortársnál nagyobb arányban utánozzák a felnőtt modellt, ha a bemutatott cselekvés irracionálisnak tűnik. Eszerint a modell feltételezett tudása hatással van a társas tanulásra. Kísérletünkkel azt vizsgáltuk, hogy második életévükben lévő gyerekek eltérő tanulási formát mutatnak-e felnőtt, és náluk valamivel idősebb gyermek modell esetében, ha a bemutatott célirányos cselekvés nem hatékony eszközhasználatot tartalmaz. A gyerekek (N = 53) azt figyelték meg, ahogy egy modell, a rendelkezésre álló két eszköz közül a kevésbé hatékonyat választva elér egy célt. Ezt követően a gyerekeknek maguknak is lehetőségük volt elérni a modellált célt. Emellett, az alapszintcsoport mérte a spontán eszközcselekvések gyakoriságát. Bár mindkét modell viselkedésének megfigyelése növelte az eszközhasználat arányát az alapszinthez képest, az utánzás pontosságában különbség mutatkozott. Míg a felnőtt modell csoportban a gyerekek lemásolták a modell nem hatékony eszközválasztását, a gyerek modell csoportban több volt a racionális eszközválasztás (χ2(2) = 6,280; p = 0,043). Ezek az eredmények arra utalnak, hogy, amennyiben a bemutatott eszközcselekvés nem hatékony, a modell hozzáértésének szintje (amelyet kora implikál) befolyásolja, mit sajátítanak el a gyerekek viselkedésének megfigyelése révén.
The attention regulating role of shifting narrative perspective in therapeutic discourse: The analysis of two psychotherapeutic sessions
Authors: Berán Eszter , Unoka Zsolt
Published: October 2012

Háttér: A terápiás diskurzusban megvalósuló narratív konstrukciós folyamat során a páciens és a terapeuta kölcsönösen befolyásolják egymás nézőpontjának változásait. Ez a nézőpont, vagy narratív perspektíva (NP) váltás szorosan kapcsolódik a figyelem irányításának nyelvi eszközökkel megvalósuló szabályozásához, amit korábban Chafe fogalmazott meg a beszédmegértésre vonatkozó kognitív-diskurzív elméletében.
Célkitűzések: Vizsgálatunkban a pszichoterápiás folyamatot a beszélők NP-váltásain keresztül tanulmányozzuk. Hipotézisünk az, hogy a NP-váltással megvalósuló figyelmi szabályozás spontán, nem tudatos használata lehetővé teszi azt, hogy a terapeuta a terápiás célkitűzések szempontjából megfelelő módon befolyásolja a páciens szelf-narratívumainak átszerkesztési, és újraírási folyamatait. Az átszerkesztés, újraírás során a páciens nem pusztán a feldolgozás alatt álló problémára – történetre – tud megváltozott nézőpontból tekinteni, de a számára új típusú perspektíva váltások elsajátításával a figyelmi szabályozás új módjait is megtanulja.
Módszerek: Jelen elemzés egy 1,5 évig tartó megfigyeléses vizsgálat része, melynek során páciens-terapeuta párosok közötti terápiás beszélgetéseket rögzítettünk magnóra. A szövegeket CHILDES módszerrel jegyeztük le, majd kódoltuk a NP-váltásokat. A vizsgálatban résztvevő terapeuta és kliens nem ismerte a szöveg elemzésére használt NP-modellünket, a diskurzív elemzésben általunk leírt NP-váltások nyelvi eszköztárát spontán és nem tudatosan használta.
Eredmények: Elemzésünkben kimutattuk, hogy a terapeuta által végrehajtott perspektívaváltások, vagy váltások sorozata előzte meg azt a momentumot, amikor a páciens képes volt kilépni korábbi perspektívájából, és alternatív nézőpontokat tudott felvenni. A terapeuta a páciens figyelmének irányítása során sikeresen avatkozott közbe olyan perspektíva-váltások indukálásával, amelyekből a páciens megtapasztalhatta, és sajátjaként élhette át szelf-állapotait, és ágenciáját.
Következtetések: Hipotézisünket, miszerint a NP-váltással megvalósuló figyelmi szabályozás használatával a terapeuta befolyásolni tudja a páciens szelf-narratívumainak újraszerkesztési folyamatait, sikerült alátámasztani.
The Validation of Hungarian Work-family conflict questionnaire and the analysis of predictors of work-family balance
Authors: Makra Emese , Farkas Dávid , Orosz Gábor
Published: October 2012

Vizsgálatunk célja az volt, hogy dolgozó felnőtteken (N = 544, F = 227, N = 317) teszteljük az általunk összeállított munka-család egyensúly kérdőívet. Ennek mért dimenziói a munkából származó család-konfliktus, a családból származó munka-konfliktus, az élettel és munkával való elégedettség, valamint a családba és munkába bevonódás voltak. A kérdőív egészének és egyes aldimenzióinak érvényességét feltérképező és ellenőrző faktoranalízissel vizsgáltuk, valamint a faktorok belső konzisztenciáját is elemeztük. Strukturális egyenlet modellezés segítségével (SEM) megvizsgáltuk továbbá a dimenziók egymással való kapcsolati hálóját egy olyan modellben, amelyben a fenti tényezők mellett szerepeltek a munkahelyi klíma (szakmailag támogató és feszült), a munkával kapcsolatos követelmények (munkaórák és túlórák mennyisége), valamint demográfiai adatok (családi állapot és gyermekek száma) hatásai is. Azonfelül, hogy erősen összekapcsolódó rendszerről kaptunk így információkat, elkülönítettük a munkából származó család- és családból származó munka-konfliktus egyedi hátterét is. A feltárt modell kapcsán egyrészt megjelentek a szakirodalom által elvárt hatások és kapcsolatok, másrészt új kapcsolati mintázatokat is sikerült feltárni.
Therapy of pathological gambling
Authors: Körmendi Attila , Pataky Nóra
Published: October 2012

Háttér: A különböző típusú szerencsejátékok elérhetősége folyamatosan nő Magyarországon. A legtöbb ember életében kipróbál legalább egy alkalommal valamilyen szerencsejátékot, vannak, akik rendszeresen játszanak, néhányan pedig problémás játékossá válnak és képtelenek abbahagyni a játékot. Számukra a kórkép progresszív jellegéből adódóan gyors és hatékony segítséget kell nyújtani. A kóros játékszenvedély terápiájával kapcsolatban kevés az elérhető szakirodalom, a szerencsejátékosok kezelése a legtöbb esetben a kémiai addikciók kezelésének irányelvei alapján történik. A gyógyításban részt vevő szakemberek homogén csoportként tekintenek a szerencsejátékosokra annak ellenére, hogy a vizsgálatok a szerencsejátékos populáció heterogenitását emelik ki. A szakembereknek a kezelés során számos nehézséggel kell szembenézniük: szakirodalmi hiány, az együttműködés hiánya, komorbid kórképek jelenléte és hosszantartó kezelés. Jelenleg nincs olyan átfogó terápiás módszer kidolgozva, mely hatékonynak bizonyulna a kórkép kezelésében.
Célkitűzések: Jelen tanulmány célja a főbb kezelési modellek vázlatos ismertetése, a szerencsejátékosok terápiájával kapcsolatos szakirodalom kritikai összefoglalása, és a szerzők néhány szerencsejátékosokkal kapcsolatos terápiás tapasztalatának megfogalmazása.
Eredmények és következtetések: A különböző terápiás megközelítések képesek pozitív eredményeket felmutatni a szerencsejátékkal kapcsolatos problémák kezelésében. Érdemes megjegyezni, hogy a terápiás hatékonyságvizsgálatok a legtöbb esetben módszertani problémákkal jellemezhetőek, ezért egyértelmű következtetéseket nem vonhatunk le eredményeikből. A pszichodinamikus terápiák hasznossága mellett kiemelhető a kognitív-viselkedésterápiák eredményessége, valamint az önsegítő csoportok jelentősége. A spontán remisszió folyamatával kapcsolatban kevés tanulmányra támaszkodhatunk, melyek a spontán remisszió gyakoriságára hívják fel a figyelmet szerencsejáték függőségnél. A terápiás hatékonyságvizsgálatok alapján a kognitív-viselkedéslélektani terápiák a legsikeresebbek annak ellenére, hogy a terápiás ülések száma korlátozott és a kliensek gyakran munkafüzetek vagy instrukciós anyagok alapján dolgoznak.
The effects of categorial empathy on the reception of a historical short story
Authors: Somogyvári Ildikó , László János
Published: October 2012

A művészetet és irodalmat a pszichológia általában az esztétikai élmény szemszögéből tanulmányozza. Igen kevés vizsgálat vesz fel olyan szociálpszichológiai nézőpontot, amelyben a művészet és irodalom szociális funkciója válik hangsúlyossá. Korábbi vizsgálatainkban (László, Vincze és Kőváriné Somogyvári, 2003; Vincze és László, 2004) népszerű történelmi regényeknek a nemzeti identitás mintáinak konstrukciójában és közvetítésében betöltött szerepével foglalkoztunk. Jelen tanulmány ezt a kutatási vonalat folytatja, de ellenkező szemszögből. Azt vizsgálja, hogy a csoportközi viszonyok hogyan hatnak egy történelmi novella befogadására. Az olvasó csoporttagsága miként befolyásolja a szereplők iránti empátiát, és az empátia hogyan közvetíti a befogadást a szereplők és a közöttük lévő kapcsolatok percepciójában? Kísérletet végeztünk, amelyben a személyek egy olyan történelmi novellát olvastak, amit átalakítottunk saját csoport és történelmi konfliktussal terhelt külső csoport elrendezéseket létrehozva. Feltételeztük, hogy egy történelmi novella elhatároló stratégiát alkalmaz a saját csoporton belül, és kategoriális empátiát vált ki a csoporttagokból, míg ugyanaz a történet külső csoport szereplőivel, külső csoport elrendezésben univerzálisabb, közvetítő empátiát használ (Keen, 2006), és szituációs empátiás stratégiát (Hogan, 2003) hív elő az olvasókban. Az eredmények alátámasztották ezeket a feltevéseket, bizonyítékot szolgáltatva arra, hogy a történeti irodalmi narratívumok az empátiás folyamatokon keresztül hozzájárulnak a nemzeti identitás konstrukciójához és közvetítéséhez.
Multiple magnetic transitions and magnetocaloric effect in hydrothermally synthesized single crystalline La0.5Sr0.5MnO3nanowires
Authors: Chandra Sayan , Biswas Anis , Datta Subarna , Ghosh Barnali , Raychaudhuri A.K. , Phan M.H. , Srikanth H.
Published: October 2012

We have successfully prepared La0.5Sr0.5MnO3nanowires using a novel hydrothermal synthesis process and studied their magnetic and magnetocaloric properties. The system exhibits an inverse magnetocaloric effect (IMCE) around 175 K indicating presence of significant AFM correlation. The MCE study reveals a clear paramagnetic (PM) to ferromagnetic (FM) transition near room temperature (T ~ 325K) which is followed by onset of AFM at lower temperatures. The development of the FM-like magnetic state at low temperature is attributed to the enhanced double exchange (DE) driven ferromagnetism in AFM state as predicted by recent theoretical studies.
Buffer Assisted Epitaxial Growth of Bi1.5Zn1Nb1.5O7 Thin Films by Pulsed Laser Deposition for Optoelectronic Applications
Authors: Sasi Krishnaprasad , Mailadil Sebastian , Rojas Fredy , Antony Aldrin , Madambi Jayaraj
Published: October 2012

Bi1.5Zn1Nb1.5O7 (BZN) epitaxial thin films were prepared on Al2O3with a double ZnO buffer layer by pulsed laser deposition. The pole figure analysis and reciprocal space mapping revealed the single crystalline nature of the thin film. The sharp intense spots in the SAED pattern also indicates the highly crystalline nature of BZN thin film. The electrical properties of the as deposited thin films were investigated by patterning an inter digital capacitor (IDC) structure on BZN. A high tunability was observed in this epitaxially grown thin films.
A panel data investigation of real exchange rate misalignment and growth
Authors: Vieira Flávio Vilela , MacDonald Ronald
Published: October 2012

The paper investigates the role of real exchange rate misalignment on long-run growth for a set of ninety countries using time series data from 1980 to 2004. We first estimate a panel data model (fixed and random effects) for the real exchange rate in order to produce estimates of the equilibrium real exchange rate and this is then used to construct measures of real exchange rate misalignment. We provide an alternative set of estimates of RER misalignment using panel cointegration methods. The results for the two-step System GMM panel growth models indicate that the coefficients for real exchange rate misalignment are positive for different model specification and samples, which means that a more depreciated (appreciated) real exchange rate helps (harms) long-run growth. The estimated coefficients are higher for developing and emerging countries.
O efeito do status de sobrevivência sobre gastos com internações hospitalares públicas no Brasil em uma perspectiva temporal
Authors: Rodrigues Cristina Guimarães , Afonso Luís Eduardo
Published: October 2012

As projeções de gastos com saúde apontam para um crescimento considerável das despesas em decorrência do envelhecimento populacional. No entanto, estudos mostram que os gastos se concentram no fim da vida e, dessa forma, projeções que não levam em conta variáveis de proximidade à morte tendem a superestimar as projeções. O objetivo deste trabalho é analisar a magnitude dos gastos com internações públicas no Brasil por status de sobrevivência, e identificar se existe uma relação entre despesas com internações para indivíduos próximos à morte e idade à morte. O banco de dados empregado é oriundo do Sistema de Informações Hospitalares do DATASUS - SIH/DATASUS - para o período de 1995 a 2007 no Brasil. Foi analisada a evolução dos gastos totais e a tendência dos gastos por grupo etário para aqueles pacientes que tiveram como motivo de saída do hospital a alta (sobreviventes) ou o óbito (pacientes terminais). A fim de analisar o efeito do status de sobrevivência sobre os gastos com internações no futuro, simulamos projeções de gastos em 2050, desagregados entre gastos de sobreviventes e gastos relacionados à morte. Os resultados mostram que o padrão de gastos por status de sobrevivência no Brasil é crescente por grupo etário para o grupo de sobreviventes, e decrescente para os indivíduos que faleceram. Também se verificou que a razão de gastos mortos/sobreviventes diminui com a idade. A simulação da projeção de gastos com internações para 2050 mostra que quando se considera apenas o perfil etário dos gastos médios em 2007, há um crescimento de mais de 380% nos gastos com internações em 2050 quando comparado a 2007, mas quando os gastos são projetados segundo o status de sobrevivência, o crescimento não passa de 70%. Projeção retrospectiva para 2007 mostra que o efeito do envelhecimento é menor quando o efeito da proximidade à morte é levado em consideração. Os resultados parecem indicar que os gastos hospitalares serão afetados mais por um aumento no número absoluto de idosos do que por um aumento da longevidade.
Credibility and populism: the economic policy of the Goulart administrations in Brazil
Authors: Monteiro Sérgio Marley Modesto , Fonseca Pedro Cezar Dutra
Published: October 2012

The Goulart Administrations (1961-1964), which consisted of a parliamentary period and a presidential period, are considered typical examples of populism in Brazil. The literature usually defines economic policies advanced by these administrations as "he-sitating", "irrational" or "ambiguous." We use a credibility model to argue that there is actually a consistent pattern in the manner in which economic policy was conducted. The credibility of the economic policies is defined to be the subjective probability that the government is following a monetary rule. Early on, the administrations enacted inflation-fighting measures. However, these policies were costly, and the administrations abandoned the course of austerity. As a result, their credibility was diminished, and attempts to achieve stabilization failed.