bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ultraviolet detection from energetically deposited titania films
Authors: Field M. R. , Murdoch B. J. , McCulloch D. G. , Partridge J. G.
Published: April 2014

Thin films of unintentionally doped n-type titania have been energetically deposited from a filtered cathodic vacuum arc. All films were dense, smooth, and transparent with crystallinity depending on the deposition/annealing temperature. At a growth temperature of 600 °C, the preferred phase could be changed from rutile to anatase by increasing the oxygen process pressure thereby reducing dynamic annealing. Pt/TiOx/Pt ultraviolet detectors exhibiting rectifying current-voltage characteristics and ultraviolet-visible rejection ratios exceeding 104:1 were formed on selected films.
Anisotropic self-biased dual-phase low frequency magneto-mechano-electric energy harvesters with giant power densities
Authors: Patil Deepak Rajaram , Zhou Yuan , Kang Ju-Eun , Sharpes Nathan , Jeong Dae-Yong , Kim Yang-Do , Kim Kee Hoon , Priya Shashank , Ryu Jungho
Published: April 2014

We report the physical behavior of self-biased multi-functional magneto-mechano-electric (MME) laminates simultaneously excited by magnetic and/or mechanical vibrations. The MME laminates composed of Ni and single crystal fiber composite exhibited strong ME coupling under Hdc = 0 Oe at both low frequency and at resonance frequency. Depending on the magnetic field direction with respect to the crystal orientation, the energy harvester showed strong in-plane anisotropy in the output voltage and was found to generate open circuit output voltage of 20 Vpp and power density of 59.78 mW/Oe2 g2 cm3 under weak magnetic field of 1 Oe and mechanical vibration of 30 mg, at frequency of 21 Hz across 1 MΩ resistance.
Field theory of a terahertz staggered double-grating arrays waveguide Cerenkov traveling wave amplifier
Authors: Xie Wenqiu , Wang Zicheng , He Fangming , Luo Jirun , Zhao Ding , Liu Qinglun
Published: April 2014

Based on a rectilinear sheet electron beam propagating through the tunnel of a staggered double-grating arrays waveguide (SDGAW) slow-wave structure (SWS), a three dimensional field theory for describing the modes and the beam-wave interaction is presented, in which the higher order terms inside the grooves are retained. The fields' distribution and the conductivity losses are also calculated utilizing the theoretical model. With the optimized parameters of the SWS and the electron beam, a 1 THz SDGAW Cerenkov traveling wave amplifier may obtain a moderate net gain (the peak gain is 12.7 dB/cm) and an ultra 3 dB wideband (0.19 THz) considering the serious Ohmic losses. The theoretical results have been compared with those calculated by 3D HFSS code and CST STUDIO particle-in-cell simulations.
Field-induced macroscopic barrier model for persistent photoconductivity in nanocrystalline oxide thin-film transistors
Authors: Choi Hyun-Sik , Jeon Sanghun
Published: April 2014

Persistent photoconductivity (PPC) in nanocrystalline InZnO thin-film transistors (TFTs) was studied using carrier fluctuation measurements and transient analysis. Low-frequency noise measurements and decay kinetics indicate that the band bending by the external field together with the ionized oxygen vacancy (Vo++) generated during the light exposure is the main cause of the PPC phenomenon. Based on these observations, a field-induced macroscopic barrier model is proposed as the origin of PPC for InZnO TFTs. In particular, this model explains that the carrier separation between e and Vo++ is induced by the external field applied to the three electrodes inside the transistor.
Ultrathin, epitaxial cerium dioxide on silicon
Authors: Flege Jan Ingo , Kaemena Björn , Höcker Jan , Bertram Florian , Wollschläger Joachim , Schmidt Thomas , Falta Jens
Published: April 2014

It is shown that ultrathin, highly ordered, continuous films of cerium dioxide may be prepared on silicon following substrate prepassivation using an atomic layer of chlorine. The as-deposited, few-nanometer-thin Ce2O3 film may very effectively be converted at room temperature to almost fully oxidized CeO2 by simple exposure to air, as demonstrated by hard X-ray photoemission spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. This post-oxidation process essentially results in a negligible loss in film crystallinity and interface abruptness.
Remotely-sensed analysis of ground-cover change in Queensland’s rangelands, 1988–2005
Authors: Bastin G. , Denham R. , Scarth P. , Sparrow A. , Chewings V.
Published: April 2014

A dynamic reference-cover method and remotely-sensed ground cover were used to determine the change in the state of ~640 000 km2 of rangelands in Queensland at a sub-bioregional scale between 1988 and 2005. The method is based on persistence of ground cover in years of lower rainfall and objectively separates grazing effects on ground cover from those due to inter-annual variation in rainfall. The method is applied only to areas where trees and shrubs were not cleared. An indicator of rangeland state was derived, at Landsat-TM pixel resolution, by subtracting automatically-calculated reference ground cover from actual ground cover and then spatially averaging these deviations across the area of each sub-bioregion. Landscape heterogeneity may affect reference cover but, because it is stable over time, change in mean cover deficit between sequences of dry years reliably indicates change due to grazing. All 34 sub-regions analysed had similar or increased levels of seasonally-adjusted ground cover at the end of the analysis period, which was either 2003 or 2005. Allowing for possible landscape heterogeneity effects on assessed condition, the Einasleigh Uplands bioregion was comparatively in a better state and those analysed parts of the Mulga Lands bioregion in poorer state at the first assessment in 1988. Most sub-regions of the Cape York Peninsula, Brigalow Belt North, Desert Uplands, Gulf Plains and Mitchell Grass Downs bioregions lay between these two end-states. Simulated levels of pasture utilisation based on modelled pasture growth and statistically-based grazing pressure supported the results of this regional assessment of land condition. The dynamic reference-cover method will allow the Queensland Government to monitor future grazing effects on rangeland ground cover between sequences of drier years – quantitatively and efficiently across the entire state. The method can potentially be adapted to other rangeland jurisdictions where a suitable multi-temporal database of remotely sensed ground cover exists. The results from further analyses of remotely sensed ground cover will be reported through the Australian Collaborative Rangelands Information System.
Is fire exclusion in mountain big sagebrush communities prudent? Soil nutrient, plant diversity and arthropod response to burning
Authors: Davies Kirk W. , Bates Jon D. , Boyd Chad S. , Nafus Aleta M.
Published: April 2014

Fire has largely been excluded from many mountain big sagebrush communities. Managers are reluctant to reintroduce fire, especially in communities without significant conifer encroachment, because of the decline in sagebrush-associated wildlife. Given this management direction, a better understanding of fire exclusion and burning effects is needed. We compared burned to unburned plots at six sites in Oregon. Soil nutrient availability generally increased with burning. Plant diversity increased with burning in the first post-burn year, but decreased by the third post-burn year. Burning altered the arthropod community, which included doubling the density of arthropods in the first post-burn year. Some arthropod Orders increased and others decreased with burning. For example, Araneae were 1.7- and 1.8-fold less and Hemiptera were 6.6- and 2.1-fold greater in the burn compared with the control in 2008 and 2009. Our results provide evidence that burning can create spatial and temporal heterogeneity in sagebrush communities and thus, it is an important component of the ecosystem. We suggest that management plans for many mountain big sagebrush communities may need to include infrequent burning. At the very least managers should be aware that fire exclusion has some potentially negative effects other than the encroachment of conifers in these communities.
On the distribution of eigenvalues of Maass forms on certain moonshine groups
Authors: Jorgenson Jay , Smajlović Lejla , Then Holger
Published: April 2014

In this paper we study, both analytically and numerically, questions involving the distribution of eigenvalues of Maass forms on the moonshine groups

Γ
0

(
N

)
+

\Gamma _0(N)^+

, where

N
N

is a positive, square-free integer. After we prove that

Γ
0

(
N

)
+

\Gamma _0(N)^+

has one cusp, we compute the constant term of the associated non-holomorphic Eisenstein series. We then derive an “average” Weyl’s law for the distribution of eigenvalues of Maass forms, from which we prove the “classical” Weyl’s law as a special case. The groups corresponding to

N
=
5

N=5

and

N
=
6

N=6

have the same signature; however, our analysis shows that, asymptotically, there are infinitely more cusp forms for

Γ
0

(
5

)
+

\Gamma _0(5)^+

than for

Γ
0

(
6

)
+

\Gamma _0(6)^+

. We view this result as being consistent with the Phillips-Sarnak philosophy since we have shown, unconditionally, the existence of two groups which have different Weyl’s laws. In addition, we employ Hejhal’s algorithm, together with recently developed refinements from [H. Then, Computing large sets of consecutive Maass forms, in preparation], and numerically determine the first

3557
3557

eigenvalues of

Γ
0

(
5

)
+

\Gamma _0(5)^+

and the first

12474
12474

eigenvalues of

Γ
0

(
6

)
+

\Gamma _0(6)^+

. With this information, we empirically verify some conjectured distributional properties of the eigenvalues.
Uncoupling of the apyrimidinic/apurinic endonucleolytic and 3′→5′ exonucleolytic activities of the Nfo protein of Mycoplasma pneumoniae through mutation of specific amino acid residues
Authors: Estevão Silvia , van der Spek Pieternella E. , van Rossum Annemarie M. C. , Vink Cornelis
Published: April 2014

The DNA recombination and repair machineries ofMycoplasma pneumoniaeandMycoplasma genitaliumwere predicted to consist of a set of ~11 proteins. The function of one of these proteins was inferred from its homology with proteins belonging to the Endo IV enzyme family. The members of this family function in the repair of apyrimidinic/apurinic (AP) sites in DNA. As such activity may be crucial in the mycoplasmal life cycle, we set out to study the Endo IV-like proteins encoded byM. pneumoniaeandM. genitalium. Both proteins, termed NfoMpnand NfoMge, respectively, were assessed for their ability to interact with damaged and undamaged DNA. In the absence of divalent cations, both proteins exhibited specific cleavage of AP sites. Surprisingly, the proteins also recognized and cleaved cholesteryl-bound deoxyribose moieties in DNA, showing that these Nfo proteins may also function in repair of large DNA adducts. In the presence of Mg2+, NfoMpnand NfoMgealso showed 3′→5′ exonucleolytic activity. By introduction of 13 single point mutations at highly conserved positions within NfoMpn, two major types of mutants could be distinguished: (i) mutants that showed no, or limited, AP cleavage activity in the presence of EDTA, but displayed significant levels of AP cleavage activity in the presence of Mg2+; these mutants displayed no, or very low, exonucleolytic activity; and (ii) mutants that only demonstrated marginal levels of AP site cleavage activity in the presence of Mg2+and did not show exonucleolytic activity. Together, these results indicated that the AP endonucleolytic activity of the NfoMpnprotein can be uncoupled from its 3′→5′ exonucleolytic activity.
The impact of strategic consistency on market share and ROA
Authors: P. Pleshko Larry , A. Heiens Richard , Peev Plamen
Published: April 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to take a contingency theory approach to examine how performance is affected by the relationships between the Miles & Snow strategic groupings and a variety of marketing strategy concepts, including a firm's service focus, service growth, market coverage, marketing initiative, market growth, Porter strategy, and market orientation.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data for the study were gathered from a statewide survey among 125 chief executives of credit unions belonging to the Florida Credit Union League (FCUL). ROA figures were derived from government-mandated accounting reports in the state of Florida. ANOVA and correlation analysis were employed to analyze data.

Findings

– This study shows that firms that match an aggressive Miles and Snow profile with a more aggressive approach to seven other strategy dimensions often enjoy higher market share relative to credit unions characterized by a different alignment of the various aspects of marketing strategy. The results also suggest that achieving such a fit is not relevant to maximizing a firm's ROA.

Research limitations/implications

– The research sample was biased toward medium to larger firms that may possess strategic resources superior to those of the smaller firms in the industry. Also, credit unions may tend to have somewhat less aggressive profit objectives compared to other institutions in the banking industry.

Practical implications

– The findings outline to financial services executives the benefits of considering all dimensions of corporate strategy simultaneously, rather than one at a time.

Originality/value

– The paper illustrates how aligning certain aspects of marketing strategy can boost particular performance indicators and provides insight as to what the most appropriate alignments are depending on the circumstances.
Early career attitudes and satisfaction during recession
Authors: O'Shea Deirdre , Monaghan Sinead , D. Ritchie Timothy
Published: April 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of protean and boundaryless career attitudes in early career employees during a time of economic recession in Ireland, specifically regarding their relationship to work characteristics, job satisfaction and career satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using a quantitative design, data were obtained from a variety of Irish organizations. Employees in the trial career stage (aged between 18 and 29) responded to questions pertaining to their career attitudes, perceived work context and satisfaction.

Findings

– Skill variety was related to higher job satisfaction for those with a strong organizational mobility preference, and skill specialization was related to lower job satisfaction for those with a weak organizational mobility preference. Autonomy and skill specialization were positively related to career satisfaction for those who held a strong self-directed career attitude.

Research limitations/implications

– For researchers, this study contributes to our understanding of the boundary conditions of the work design-satisfaction relationship, and provides further insights into how these findings extend to career satisfaction.

Practical implications

– For managers, they demonstrate the importance of considering career attitudes when considering the relationship between job design and satisfaction during recessionary times.

Originality/value

– The research extends past findings on careers attitudes during times of recession, and provides insights into psychological and contextual variables that contribute to satisfaction during such economic periods.
Anticipated regret in time-based work-family conflict
Authors: Bagger Jessica , Reb Jochen , Li Andrew
Published: April 2014

Purpose

– The primary purpose of this research was to investigate the role of anticipated regret in time-based work-family conflict decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

– A total of 90 working parents responded to a decision making problem describing a time-based conflict between a work event and a family event. Participants' preference for which event to attend constituted the dependent variable. Independent variables were participants' work and family centralities. Anticipated regret for choosing the work option and anticipated regret for choosing the family option were measured as hypothesized mediators.

Findings

– Structural equation modeling revealed that anticipated regret for choosing the family option mediated the relationship between work centrality and preference for the family option. Similarly, it was found that anticipated regret for choosing the work option mediated the relationship between family centrality and preference for the family option.

Originality/value

– This article contributes to work-family and decision making literatures by studying the intersection of the two fields. Although most work-family research studies ongoing conflict, this study focuses on one decision event. The findings suggest that anticipated regret plays a significant role in how individuals resolve time-based work-family conflict.
“Diversity,” immigration, and the new American multi-racial hierarchy
Authors: P. Bell Myrtle , Marquardt Dennis , P. Berry Daphne
Published: April 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to analyze the new multi-racial hierarchy in the USA. The authors propose that despite increasing diversity, a multi-racial hierarchy of privilege and disadvantage continues to exist. Due to the history of anti-Black discrimination and stereotyping in the USA, employers prefer native and immigrant non-Blacks to native and immigrant Blacks, and use non-Blacks to claim organizational diversity success.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors propose that a multi-racial hierarchy, ordered as Whites, Non-White Non-Blacks, and Collective Blacks now exists, and use history, relevant theory, existing research, and government data to support their ideas.

Findings

– Evidence suggests that despite increased diversity, Whites remain most privileged, Blacks least privileged, and Asians and Hispanics tend to comprise the middle of the hierarchy. Even in organizations that are “diverse,” a multi-racial hierarchy results in different compensation, promotion, and layoff rates and differential treatment across groups.

Research limitations/implications

– Diversity within and across different racial and ethnic groups should be investigated. Employers' apparent diversity success may obscure the continued dominance of Whites, disadvantage of Blacks, and a color-based multi-racial hierarchy.

Practical implications

– Analyses of human resources data could help organizations identify and avoid discrimination and inequality even in “diverse” organizations.

Originality/value

– This paper focuses on the meaning of a new multi-racial hierarchy in ways that have not been previously considered.
Financing successful small business projects
Authors: Comeig Irene , B. Del Brio Esther , O. Fernandez-Blanco Matilde
Published: April 2014

Purpose

– The current credit rationing strongly influences the viability of SMEs innovation projects. In this context, the practice of screening borrowers by project success probability has become a paramount consideration for both lenders and firms. The aim of this paper is to test the screening role of loan contracts that consider collateral-interest margins simultaneously.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper presents an empirical analysis that uses a unique data set composed of 323 bank loans granted by 28 banks to SMEs backed by a Spanish Mutual Guarantee Institution.

Findings

– The results show that appropriate combinations of collateral and interest rates can distinguish between borrowers with different project success probability: low success probability borrowers finance its projects without collateral and with high interest rates, whereas high success probability borrowers accept loans with real estate collateral and low interest rates.

Practical implications

– This screening mechanism reduces credit rationing, thus increasing good projects' access to credit.

Originality/value

– This study provides the first empirical evidence on the effectiveness of collateral-interest pairs as a self-selection mechanism.
A 66‐bp deletion in growth hormone releasing hormone gene 5′‐flanking region with largemouth bass recessive embryonic lethal
Authors: Ma D. M. , Han L. Q. , Bai J. J. , Li S. J. , Fan J. J. , Yu L. Y. , Quan Y. C.
Published: April 2014

Growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) regulates the secretion of growth hormone (GH) in the pituitary gland. A 66‐bp deletion (c.‐923_‐858del) was detected in the 5′‐flanking sequence of the largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) GHRH gene. In two cultured random populations of adult individuals (A: n = 170 and B: n = 150), the genotype ratios of +/+:+/− were 2.5:1 and 2.8:1 respectively. Only one −/− fish was detected. A Largemouth bass family was constructed with two heterozygous individuals (+/−) as parents. The genotype ratio of +/+:+/−:−/− in the filial generation embryos was 1:1.6:0.1 at the neurula and 1:2:0 at hatched larvae stages. This indicated that the 66‐bp deletion was a recessive lethal site and that homozygous individuals (−/−) died off in embryonic development. The growth traits (body weight, body length and body depth) were measured, and the GHRH mRNA expression levels in brain tissue were detected using real‐time PCR. The effects of genotype (+/−) on growth traits and GHRH mRNA expression were not significant. Although the cause of death was not clear, the results hint that the 66‐bp deletion site in GHRH 5′‐flanking sequence significantly affects the livability in largemouth bass embryonic development.
Increased prevalence and altered species composition of filamentous fungi in respiratory specimens from cystic fibrosis patients
Authors: Nielsen Signe M. , Kristensen Lise , Søndergaard Annette , Handberg Kurt J. , Stenderup Jørgen , Nørskov‐Lauritsen Niels
Published: April 2014

Filamentous fungi cultured from respiratory tract specimens submitted to the department of clinical microbiology, Aarhus University Hospital, during 2010 were identified by morphology and by internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequencing. Of 343 fungal isolates, discrepancies between identification methods were observed for four isolates (1.2%), while identification to species was achieved only with ITS sequencing for 16 isolates (4.7%). Filamentous fungi were isolated from 15% of cystic fibrosis (CF) respiratory samples in contrast to 2% of non‐CF samples. From CF patients, a total of nine different species were found in 188 samples from 48 patients, whereas from non‐CF patients, 24 different species were found in 155 samples from 111 patients. CF was associated with a significant overrepresentation of Aspergillus fumigatus and Scedosporium species; in contrast, the frequency of Penicillium spp. and other putative contaminants were significantly increased in non‐CF patients. The altered species variation of filamentous fungi in CF respiratory specimens is contradictory to a scenario of incidentally inhaled spores, trapped in the viscous airway mucus of these patients and subsequently expectorated; rather, our data most likely reflect both an increased prevalence and an increased proportion of truly colonizing fungi in this patient group.
The Influence of Soil Moisture, Temperature and Oxygen on the Oxic Decay of Organic Archaeological Deposits
Authors: Hollesen J. , Matthiesen H.
Published: April 2014

The sensitivity of organic‐rich archaeological layers at Bryggen in Bergen, Norway, to changes in soil temperatures, water contents and oxygen concentrations is investigated. This is done by linking measurements of oxic decay at varying temperatures and water contents with on‐site monitoring data using a one‐pool decomposition model. The results show that the model can be used to elucidate the current in situ decay and to evaluate where and when the decay takes place. Future investigations need to include long‐term incubation experiments and decay studies at zero or very low oxygen contents in order to improve the robustness of predictions.
Hippocampal Sclerosis in Feline Epilepsy
Authors: Wagner Eva , Rosati Marco , Molin Jessica , Foitzik Ulrike , Wahle Andrea M. , Fischer Andrea , Matiasek Lara A. , Reese Sven , Flegel Thomas , Matiasek Kaspar
Published: April 2014

Hippocampal sclerosis (HS) refers to loss of hippocampal neurons and astrogliosis. In temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE),HSis a key factor for pharmacoresistance, even though the mechanisms are not quite understood. While experimentalTLEmodels are available, there is lack of models reflecting the naturalHSdevelopment. Among domestic animals, cats may present withTLE‐like seizures in natural and experimental settings. With this study on the prevalence, segmental pattern and clinicopathological correlates of felineHS, we evaluated the translational value for human research. Evaluation schemes for human brains were applied to epileptic cats. The loss of neurons was morphometrically assessed and the degree of gliosis was recorded. Hippocampal changes resembling humanHSwere seen in about one third of epileptic cats. Most of these were associated with infiltrative diseases such as limbic encephalitis. Irrespective of the etiology and semiology of seizures, total hippocampal sclerosis was the most prevalent form seen in epileptic animals. OtherHStypes also occur at varying frequencies. Segmental differences to humanHScan be explained by species‐specific synaptic connectivities and a different spectrum of etiologies. All these variables require consideration when translating results from feline studies regarding seizure‐associated changes of the temporal lobe and especiallyHS.
LOVE, TOIL, AND HEALTH INSURANCE: WHY AMERICAN HUSBANDS RETIRE WHEN THEY DO
Authors: Congdon‐Hohman Joshua
Published: April 2014

The provision of health insurance has previously been shown to be an important determinant of retirement timing among older Americans, but the existing literature has largely ignored some aspects of the interspousal dependence of health insurance benefits. Specifically, the literature examines only how retirement may affect the health insurance available to the potential retiree but not how it might affect a spouse's options. Using data from the Health and Retirement Study, I find that the impact a husband's retirement might have on a wife's health insurance options has a statistically significant impact on a husband's rate of retirement that is independent of considerations of his own health insurance options. In households where the wife is the only one at risk of losing affordable health insurance if the husband retires, the husband is 30% less likely to retire than if neither spouse is at risk (a 5 percentage point decrease in the retirement rate). Based on these findings, prior research is missing one avenue that changes to the Medicare eligibility age and health insurance policy changes through the Affordable Care Act might impact the labor supply of older workers. (JELI13, J26, J32)
TAXPAYER WILLINGNESS TO PAY FOR HEALTH INSURANCE REFORM: A CONTINGENT VALUATION ANALYSIS
Authors: LAVETTI KURT , SIMON KOSALI , WHITE WILLIAM D.
Published: April 2014

A key criterion for evaluating policies to expand health insurance coverage is weighing the costs of such policies against the willingness of the public to pay for coverage expansions. We use new panel survey data from New York State to estimate residents' willingness to pay (WTP) to expand public insurance coverage. Using a nonparametric double‐bounded contingent valuation (CV) approach, we specifically ask residents about their WTP to reduce the rate of uninsurance in the state. Our results imply an aggregate lower‐bound WTP of over $2,800 per year to cover one person. We also analyze heterogeneity in WTP by sub‐group and changes in individual WTP over time between 2008 and 2010. We find that a large majority of residents are willing to pay additional taxes to reduce the number of uninsured in the state, and that average WTP remained remarkably stable despite the economic downturn and the politically polarized discussions surrounding the Affordable Care Act. Decomposing the changes in individual WTP, we find that economic factors related to the recession, including changes in income and employment status, cannot explain changes in individual WTP, whereas individual changes in political opinions about health insurance reform between 2008 and 2010 are strongly correlated with changes in WTP. (JEL H20, H42, H51, H75, I13)
Olfactory coding in the insect brain: data and conjectures
Authors: Galizia C. Giovanni
Published: April 2014

Much progress has been made recently in understanding how olfactory coding works in insect brains. Here, I propose a wiring diagram for the major steps from the first processing network (the antennal lobe) to behavioral readout. I argue that the sequence of lateral inhibition in the antennal lobe, non‐linear synapses, threshold‐regulating gated spring network, selective lateral inhibitory networks across glomeruli, and feedforward inhibition to the lateral protocerebrum cover most of the experimental results from different research groups and model species. I propose that the main difference between mushroom bodies and the lateral protocerebrum is not about learned vs. innate behavior. Rather, mushroom bodies perform odor identification, whereas the lateral protocerebrum performs odor evaluation (both learned and innate). I discuss the concepts of labeled line and combinatorial coding and postulate that, under restrictive experimental conditions, these networks lead to an apparent existence of ‘labeled line’ coding for special odors. Modulatory networks are proposed as switches between different evaluating systems in the lateral protocerebrum. A review of experimental data and theoretical conjectures both contribute to this synthesis, creating new hypotheses for future research.
Public Sector Accounting Reform at Local Government Level in Indonesia
Authors: McLeod Ross H. , Harun Harun
Published: April 2014

This paper describes and analyses the challenges encountered in attempting to reform public sector accounting in Indonesia, the main objective of which is to combat corruption and thus help improve governance. Our observations suggest that this reform has been seriously hindered by a lack of staff with adequate accounting skills — a problem exacerbated by the decision to continue to prepare old‐style cash‐based reports alongside the new accrual‐based reports. Our key contribution is to demonstrate the danger of rushing to copy public sector financial management techniques from quite different country contexts, especially when there are significant differences of opinion as to the appropriate design of these reforms among the influential policy‐making agencies.
Allelic variation in HLA‐DRB1* loci in Syrian pemphigus vulgaris patients
Authors: Harfouch Elham , Daoud Saleh
Published: April 2014

Background

Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is known to be strongly associated with particular alleles of the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐DRB1* loci. However, to date, the association of HLA with pemphigus has not been studied in a Syrian population.

Objectives

We aimed to study HLA‐DRB1* loci variation in Syrian PV patients.

Methods

We used a sequence‐specific primer polymerase chain reaction method to define the allele type of the DRB1* loci in 91 patients with PV and 270 healthy control subjects.

Results

We noticed an increased frequency of HLA‐DRB1*04 and DRB1*14 alleles in patients with PV compared with healthy control subjects (67.0% vs. 26.3%; odds ratio [OR] = 5.7, corrected P < 0.0001 for DRB1*04; 54.9% vs. 11.0%; OR = 9.5, corrected P < 0.0001 for DRB1*14). Among DRB1*04‐positive PV patients, the DRB1*402 subtype was markedly increased compared with DRB1*04‐positive healthy controls (84.3% vs. 26.7%; corrected P = 0.002), whereas the DRB1*0403 variant was represented more commonly in DRB1*04‐positive healthy individuals than in DRB1*04‐positive PV patients (45.0% vs. 1.6%; corrected P < 0.0001). In addition, the frequency of DRB1*11 was significantly decreased in PV patients compared with healthy controls (19.7% vs. 50.4%; OR = 0.25, corrected P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

The occurrence of PV is positively associated with HLA‐DRB1*14 and HLA‐DRB1*0402 but negatively associated with HLA‐DRB1*11 in the Syrian population.
Broadband ultraviolet A in the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: El‐Mofty Medhat , Mostafa Wedad Z. , Yousef Randa , Abdel Halim Mona R. E. , El Hawary Marwa , Abdel Kader Hanaa , Assaad Soheir , Ghannam Bahaa B.
Published: April 2014

Background

Broadband ultraviolet A (BB‐UVA) has been successfully used in the treatment of scleroderma, a UVA1‐responsive dermatosis.

Objective

To compare the efficacy of BB‐UVA versus psoralen + UVA (PUVA) in psoriasis treatment and assess apoptosis as an effector mechanism.

Patients and methods

This randomized controlled trial included 61 patients with chronic plaque psoriasis randomly divided into group I or II. Group I were further randomized to either IA or IB who received UVA 10 or 15 J/cm2 per session, respectively, while group II received PUVA. Therapy was delivered thrice weekly until clearance or 48 treatments at most. The primary outcome measured was clearance of psoriasis. Dermal lymphocytic counts and bcl‐2 expression were measured in 20 patients from each group.

Results

Final Psoriasis Area Severity Index scores were reduced within each group. The UVA group achieved results comparable to PUVA until session 24 but failed to match it at final evaluation, with significantly better clinical, immunohistochemical, and histopathological results achieved by PUVA (P ≤ 0.05). Both modalities caused a reduction in dermal lymphocytic counts and epidermal bcl‐2 expression.

Conclusion

BB‐UVA appears to be safe and acceptable for the treatment of chronic plaque psoriasis possibly through bcl‐2‐mediated apoptosis of keratinocytes and epidermal lymphocytes.
Ocular melanoma and the BAP1 hereditary cancer syndrome: implications for the dermatologist
Authors: Martorano Lisa M. , Winkelmann Richard R. , Cebulla Colleen M. , Abdel‐Rahman Mohamed H. , Campbell Shannon M.
Published: April 2014

Ocular melanoma is a rare subtype of melanoma, which includes uveal melanoma (UM) and conjunctival melanoma. UM is associated with an increased risk of cutaneous melanoma (CM) in addition to mesothelioma, skin lesions such as epithelioid atypical Spitz tumors, and other internal malignancies due to a germline mutation of the BRCA1‐associated protein 1 (BAP1) gene. Such familial risks are important for dermatologists to recognize when screening patients with a history of UM for CM and other malignancies. Molecular genetics further help to elucidate the connections between UM and CM by revealing similarities and differences in important mutations among the melanoma subtypes. Both UM and CM have been shown to harbor germline mutation of BAP1. However, somatic mutations in either GNAQ or GNA11 are unique to UM tumors and could be used as potential markers to differentiate UM from metastatic CM and act as direct therapeutic targets. However, CM‐associated BRAF and CDKN2A mutations are rare in UM. This review addresses the clinical features, pathogenesis, and current treatment options of UM, focusing on UM and the BAP1 cancer syndrome to raise awareness of ocular melanoma and its greater role in the predisposition to a hereditary cancer syndrome.
Treatment of stage Ia and Ib mycosis fungoides with psoralen UVA monotherapy: an observational study in tertiary hospitals in the Canary Islands
Authors: Hernández Zaida , Peñate Yeray , Hernández‐Machín Buenaventura , Pérez‐Méndez Lina , Suárez‐Hernández Jose , Hernández Javier , Fernández‐de‐Misa Ricardo
Published: April 2014

Background

Mycosis fungoides (MF) is the most common form of primary cutaneous T cell lymphoma. Psoralen combined with ultraviolet A (PUVA) is a first‐line treatment for early‐stage disease.

Objectives

This study was conducted to assess the clinical effectiveness of and tolerance to PUVA monotherapy in MF.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the files of patients who received PUVA for stage I disease. The study included 31 patients, of whom 32% presented with stage Ia and 67% with stage Ib disease, and 68% presented with patch and 32% with plaque disease. All patients received treatment three times per week.

Results

Complete response (CR) was achieved in 71% of patients. The median cumulative dose of UVA at CR was 211.7 J/cm2. There was a significant difference in median cumulative dose at CR between patients with plaque and patch disease, respectively, but not between patients with stage Ia and Ib disease. Median disease‐free survival (DFS) was 230 weeks. Patients with patch disease achieved longer DFS than those with plaque disease (P = 0.004), although DFS was similar in stage Ia and Ib patients. Of the patients who received maintenance therapy, 58% relapsed. Univariate analysis showed patch disease to be a predictive factor for CR, but no predictors of relapse were identified. A total of 71% of patients developed clinical adverse reactions.

Conclusions

Psoralen with UVA is a safe and effective treatment for early‐stage MF. Patch disease responds more favorably than plaque disease and is associated with a longer period of DFS. Maintenance treatment does not appear to reduce recurrence. Current evidence suggests that the proposed revision to the classification of MF, which takes into account the extent and type of disease, more accurately predicts response to PUVA.
Cutaneous stigmata associated with insulin resistance and increased cardiovascular risk
Authors: Schilling William H. K. , Crook Martin A.
Published: April 2014

Certain cutaneous conditions have been reported to be associated with diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome. In this novel review paper, the evidence linking various cutaneous phenomena (e.g. skin tags, acanthosis nigricans, ear lobe creases, and xanthelasma) and metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease is examined, and explanations for these associations are proposed.
Exploring the Emergence of Side Biases and Familiarity–Novelty Preferences from the Real‐Time Dynamics of Infant Looking
Authors: Fisher‐Thompson Donna
Published: April 2014

This study examined how look dynamics contribute to infants’ emerging novelty preferences. Time‐series analyses were used to study the temporal nature of looking displayed by 3‐ to 5‐month‐old infants during a serial paired‐comparison task. Evidence was found only for short‐term stability: Novelty preferences and side biases were not stable from one visit to the next, but looking was consistent from one moment to the next producing stability within trials and temporarily across trials leading to the formation of behavioral runs. Persistence in looking left or right across multiple trials did not change from one visit to the next, but persistence in looking at familiar stimuli declined with age. By Visit 3, familiarity runs occurred less often than did novelty runs. Frequent but highly variable runs, including surprisingly late familiarity preferences, suggest that overall side biases and novelty preferences found during visual preference tasks are emergent phenomena affected by moment‐to‐moment changes in looking.
Reconstruction of large alopecia with old technique: V‐Y‐S plasty
Authors: Sahin Baris
Published: April 2014

Treatment of alopecia following burns, trauma or tumour surgery is challenging. Local flaps for small or medium sized defects and tissue expansion for larger defects is the common approach. Tissue expansion is a two‐stage procedure and the inflation process causes difficulty for patients. V‐Y‐S plasty is safe and one‐stage method of tissue reconstruction for scalp, face and other parts of the body. We performed this method safely for very large alopecia reconstructions in the scalp.
CURRENT AND FUTURE TRENDS IN LASER MEDICINE
Authors: Parrish John A. , Wilson Brian C.
Published: April 2014

Abstract— —In this overview, a number of the major current, and possible future developments in laser medicine are explored. In therapeutic applications, particular emphasis is given to obtaining selectivity in tissue targets and interaction mechanisms in order to achieve specific biological effects. This includes spatial confinement of thermal damage by pulsed laser irradiation and targetting by exogenous photothermal or photochemical chromophores. The potential for diagnostic applications of lasers in medicine is illustrated primarily by various in vivo spectroscopic techniques. Both therapeutic and diagnostic applications will rely increasingly on the development of total systems in which lasers will form only one, albeit an essential, part. Numerous scientific and technical problems need to be solved in order to realize the full clinical potential of the many new concepts in laser medicine. The impetus for such progress will come from integrated, multidisciplinary collaborations between medical, scientific and industrial groups.
ENHANCED TUMOUR SELECTIVITY OF PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY IN THE RAT COLON USING A RADIOPROTECTIVE AGENT
Authors: Bedwell J. , Chatlani P. T. , MacRobert A. J. , Roberts J. E. , Barr H. , Dillon J. , Bown S. G.
Published: April 2014

Abstract— —Radioprotective agents have been found to protect normal tissues during photodynamic therapy (PDT). We have investigated a phosphorylated thiol protectant WR‐77913 (W7) with the photosensitizer aluminium sulphonated phthalocyanine (AlSPc). We compared the effects of PDT on normal and tumour tissue in the rat colon, with and without this protectant. In normal colon no necrosis was seen in sites treated after administration of the W7. Necrosis of mean diameter 4.2 mm was seen in those given the protectant after light exposure. At tumour sites the area of necrosis was similar after light exposure before and after the administration of the protective agent. These results suggest a possible role for W7 in enhancement of selectivity of PDT action. Several mechanisms of protection against porphyrin phototoxicity by these drugs have been proposed, including acceleration of photobleaching. We used fluorescence to detect AlSPc in strips of rat colon before and after laser treatment, with and without W7. However, a primary role for the photobleaching of AlSPc as the mechanism for the protection shown is not supported by these observations.
FLUORESCENCE IMAGING AND POINT MEASUREMENTS OF TISSUE: APPLICATIONS TO THE DEMARCATION OF MALIGNANT TUMORS AND ATHEROSCLEROTIC LESIONS FROM NORMAL TISSUE
Authors: Andersson‐Engels S. , Johansson J. , Svanberg K. , Svanberg S.
Published: April 2014

Abstract— —The possibilities of using laser‐induced fluorescence for tissue diagnostics are discussed. The tissue types investigated are malignant tumors and atherosclerotic lesions. Studies with natural autofluorescence as well as with fluorescent tumor markers are included in this paper. Fluorescence emission and decay data are presented for some tissue chromophores contributing to tissue autofluorescence. Optical spectroscopic characteristics of fluorescent malignant tumor markers are analyzed and instrumental designs for clinical applications are discussed. Images recorded with a multicolor fluorescence imaging system developed in Lund are presented.
PATHOLOGIC ANALYSIS OF PHOTOTHERMAL AND PHOTOMECHANICAL EFFECTS OF LASER–TISSUE INTERACTIONS
Authors: Thomsen Sharon
Published: April 2014

Abstract— —Pathologic analysis of the biologic effects and mechanisms of laser–tissue interactions requires correlation of the irradiation parameters with the biologic status and response of the target tissues over time. The photobiologic mechanisms of laser‐induced tissue injury can be separated into three categories, photochemical, photothermal and photomechanical. Anatomic pathologic analysis of laser‐induced lesions reveals alterations that represent either specific markers of the photobiologic mechanism or non‐specific reactions to tissue injury. Repair, regeneration and wound healing of laser induced lesions appear to be non‐specific responses to the type of tissue damage rather than the photobiologic mechanism producing the lesion.
Handbook of Natural Products Data, Volume I. Diterpenoid and Steroidal Alkaloids. By Atta‐ur‐Rahman
Authors: Wheeler Desmond M. S.
Published: April 2014

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Musa aurantiaca (Musaceae) and its intraspecific taxa in India
Authors: Gogoi Rajib
Published: April 2014

Musa aurantiaca Baker (Musaceae) is distributed from northeast India, Tibet to northern Myanmar. In the present study its intraspecific taxa are thoroughly investigated. Two new varieties are described and illustrated based on live plants in the field: M. aurantiaca Baker var. homenborgohainiana Gogoi and M. aurantiaca Baker var. jengingensis Gogoi. A key to the varieties of Musa aurantiaca Baker and closely related taxa is also provided.
Oxytocin: Its Mechanism of Action and Receptor Signalling in the Myometrium
Authors: Arrowsmith S. , Wray S.
Published: April 2014

Oxytocin is a nonapeptide hormone that has a central role in the regulation of parturition and lactation. In this review, we address oxytocin receptor (OTR) signalling and its role in the myometrium during pregnancy and in labour. The OTR belongs to the rhodopsin‐type (Class 1) of the G‐protein coupled receptor superfamily and is regulated by changes in receptor expression, receptor desensitisation and local changes in oxytocin concentration. Receptor activation triggers a number of signalling events to stimulate contraction, primarily by elevating intracellular calcium (Ca2+). This includes inositol‐tris‐phosphate‐mediated store calcium release, store‐operated Ca2+ entry and voltage‐operated Ca2+ entry. We discuss each mechanism in turn and also discuss Ca2+‐independent mechanisms such as Ca2+ sensitisation. Because oxytocin induces contraction in the myometrium, both the activation and the inhibition of its receptor have long been targets in the management of dysfunctional and preterm labours, respectively. We discuss current and novel OTR agonists and antagonists and their use and potential benefit in obstetric practice. In this regard, we highlight three clinical scenarios: dysfunctional labour, postpartum haemorrhage and preterm birth.
Neuropeptide Y and Leptin Sensitivity is Dependent on Diet Composition
Authors: van den Heuvel J. K. , Eggels L. , van Rozen A. J. , Luijendijk M. C. M. , Fliers E. , Kalsbeek A. , Adan R. A. H. , la Fleur S. E.
Published: April 2014

Rats on different free‐choice (fc) diets for 1 week of either chow, saturated fat and liquid sugar (fcHFHS), chow and saturated fat (fcHF), or chow and liquid sugar (fcHS) have differential levels of neuropeptide Y (NPY) mRNA in the arcuate nucleus. Because these differences were not explained by plasma leptin levels but did predict subsequent feeding behaviour, in the present study, we first examined whether leptin sensitivity could explain these differences. Second, we focused on the role of NPY on feeding behaviour, and measured NPY mRNA levels and sensitivity to NPY after 4 weeks on the different choice diets. To determine leptin sensitivity, we measured food intake after i.p. leptin or vehicle injections in male Wistar rats subjected to the fcHFHS, fcHS, fcHF or Chow diets for 7 days. Next, we measured levels of arcuate nucleus NPY mRNA with in situ hybridisation in rats subjected to the choice diets for 4 weeks. Finally, we studied NPY sensitivity in rats subjected to the fcHFHS, fcHS, fcHF or Chow diet for 4 weeks by measuring food intake after administration of NPY or vehicle in the lateral ventricle. Leptin decreased caloric intake in rats on Chow, fcHS and fcHF but not in rats on the fcHFHS diet. After 4 weeks, rats on the fcHFHS diet remained hyperphagic, whereas fcHS and fcHF rats decreased caloric intake to levels similar to rats on Chow. By contrast to 1 week, after 4 weeks, levels of NPY mRNA were not different between the diet groups. Lateral ventricle administration of NPY resulted in higher caloric intake in fcHFHS rats compared to rats on the other choice diets or rats on Chow. Our data show that consuming a combination of saturated fat and liquid sugar results in leptin resistance and increased NPY sensitivity that is associated with persistent hyperphagia.