bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Liberalism and Its Other: The Politics of Primitivism in Colonial and Postcolonial Indian Law
Authors: Chandra Uday
Published: February 2013

Liberalism is widely regarded as a modern intellectual tradition that defends the rights and freedoms of autonomous individuals. Yet, in both colonial and postcolonial contexts, liberal theorists and lawmakers have struggled to defend the rights and freedoms of political subjects whom they regard as “primitive,” “backward,” or “indigenous.” Liberalism thus recurrently encounters its primitive other, a face-off that gives rise to a peculiar set of dilemmas and contradictions for political theory and law. In what ways can postcolonial law rid itself of its colonial baggage? How can the ideal of universal liberal citizenship overcome paternalistic notions of protection? How might “primitive” subjects become full and equal citizens in postcolonial societies? To explore these dilemmas and contradictions, I study the intellectual trajectory of “primitivism” in India from the construction of so-called tribal areas in the 1870s to legal debates and official reports on tribal rights in contemporary India. Through a close reading of these legal provisions for tribal peoples and places, I explore the continuing tension between the constitutional ideal of liberal citizenship and the disturbing reality of tribal subjecthood produced by colonial and postcolonial Indian states.
Proximal tubule-dominant transfer of AT1a receptors induces blood pressure responses to intracellular angiotensin II in AT1a receptor-deficient mice
Authors: Li Xiao C. , Zhuo Jia L.
Published: February 2013

The role of intracellular ANG II in proximal tubules of the kidney remains poorly understood. We tested the hypothesis that proximal tubule-dominant transfer of AT1a receptors in the cortex mediates intracellular ANG II-induced blood pressure responses in AT1a receptor-deficient (Agtr1a-/-) mice. A GFP-tagged AT1a receptor, AT1aR/GFP, and an enhanced cyan fluorescent intracellular ANG II fusion protein, ECFP/ANG II, were expressed in proximal tubules of Agtr1a-/- mouse kidneys via the adenoviral transfer using a sodium and glucose cotransporter 2 promoter. Transfer of AT1aR/GFP alone or with ECFP/ANG II induced proximal tubule-dominant expression of AT1aR/GFP and/or ECFP/ANG II with a peak response at 2 wk. No significant AT1aR/GFP and/or ECFP/ANG II expression was observed in the glomeruli, medulla, or extrarenal tissues. Transfer of AT1aR/GFP alone, but not ECFP/ANG II, increased systolic blood pressure by 12 ± 2 mmHg by day 14 ( n = 9, P < 0.01). However, cotransfer of AT1aR/GFP with ECFP/ANG II increased blood pressure by 18 ± 2 mmHg ( n = 12, P < 0.01). Twenty-four hour urinary sodium excretion was decreased by day 7 with proximal tubule-dominant transfer of AT1aR/GFP alone ( P < 0.01) or with AT1aR/GFP and ECFP/ANG II cotransfer ( P < 0.01). These responses were associated with twofold increases in phosphorylated ERK1/2, lysate, and membrane NHE-3 proteins in freshly isolated proximal tubules ( P < 0.01). By contrast, transfer of control CMV-GFP (a recombinant human adenovirus type 5 expresses enhanced green fluorescent protein under the control of a cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter), ECFP/ANG II, or a scrambled control ECFP/ANG IIc alone in proximal tubules had no effect on all indices. These results suggest that AT1a receptors and intracellular ANG II in proximal tubules of the kidney play an important physiological role in blood pressure regulation.
Does Anticoagulation Promote Mural Hematoma Growth or Delayed Occlusion in Spontaneous Cervical Artery Dissections?
Authors: Machet A. , Fonseca A.C. , Oppenheim C. , Touzé E. , Meder J.-F. , Mas J.-L. , Naggara O.
Published: February 2013

Background: In case of spontaneous cervical artery dissection (CAD), a medical treatment with anticoagulant or antiplatelet (AP) drugs would avoid the occurrence of an ischemic stroke. Although immediate anticoagulation (AC) is advocated, evidence from randomized trials is lacking. Since CAD is characterized by a mural accumulation of blood, the dissecting hematoma may enlarge under AC, with subsequent lumen narrowing. Although direct evidence of mural hematoma enlargement is lacking in the literature, such a complication may not only be theoretical. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the mural hematoma on transverse sections through the neck is the current diagnostic gold standard. Our aim was to compare the evolution of the mural hematoma in CAD during the first week after treatment initiation (AP agent: groupAP, AC: groupAC), using dedicated cervical MRI of the arterial wall. Methods: The study was -approved by the Ethics Committee of Ile de France III. Informed consent was waived. The manuscript was prepared in accordance with the STROBE statement. Fast spin-echo T1-weighted fat-suppressed axial sequences were performed at admission (MRI1) and during the first week after initiation of the treatment (MRI2). Two readers measured volumes, craniocaudal length of the mural hematoma and lumen patency, and searched for early recurrent CAD. They also searched for extension or recurrence of ischemic brain lesions and for hemorrhagic transformation on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and gradient echo T2 (T2*) sequences, respectively. Results: The population included 44 patients (31 in groupAC, 13 in groupAP) with 49 CAD (35 carotid, 14 vertebral). Recurrent CAD and reduction of the lumen did not occur in either group. We did not observe recurrent DWI lesions or occurrence of hemorrhagic transformation. Interobserver agreement [intraclass correlation coefficient (95% CI)] was excellent for volume measurement [0.98 (0.97-0.99) and 0.99 (0.98-1.0) for volume1 and volume2, respectively]. While mean volumes and length of the mural hematoma decreased after treatment in both groups (volume: groupAC -13 ± 22%, groupAP -12 ± 24%, p = 0.33; length: groupAC -10 ± 27%, groupAP -10 ± 20%, p = 0.18), approximately one third of patients in each group had some growth of the mural hematoma as well as an increase in length. Conclusion: Limited growth of the mural hematoma was seen with both treatments in approximately one third of patients during the first week after treatment initiation. However, neither AC nor AP agents promote reduction of the lumen or recurrent dissection.
The relationship between first-trimester haemoglobin a1c and pregnancy loss in women with type 1 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Albai Alin , Șerban Viorel , Timar Romulus , Vlad Adrian , Timar Bogdan , Ilie Cristina , Sdic Oana
Published: February 2013

Background and aims: A precarious glycemic control in the first 10 weeks ofpregnancy, the period defining organogenesis, increases the risk of pregnancy loss.The aim of this study was to estimate the relationship between pregnancy loss andHbA1c values in early pregnancy in type 1 diabetic women.Material and method: The present study included all pregnancies in type 1 diabetic women followed atDiabetes Clinic, Emergency County Clinical Hospital, Timişoara, from 1990-2011.Results: The risk of pregnancy loss was significantly increased compared with thebackground control group. In our study the relative risk of pregancy loss increasedwhen HbA1c exceeded 6.5%. We found a consistent increasing risk with stepwiseincreasing levels of HbA1c. Conclusions: A better glycemic control in this periodand throughout the pregnancy could reduce the risk of severe adverse outcomes intype 1 diabetic pregnancies.
Reengineering a Green Business
Authors: Lan Yi-Chen
Published: February 2013

A green environment is a social as well as business issue. Business enterprises, as a large part of the global community, are obliged to make endeavours toward an environmentally sustainable operation that reflects their corporate social responsibility. One of the effective approaches of making business operations more environmental friendly is to undertake business process reengineering with the strategic focus on green perspective. This paper discusses the reengineering of a green business from its process viewpoint. This reengineering of business processes is undertaken in the context of five areas of green business characteristics (necessary, effective, efficient, agile, and measureable) and their corresponding life cycles. This analysis paves the path for an in-depth research agenda for developing and operating green business processes in organizations. The framework is explained with five key phases namely, 1) examining business processes with green process characteristics, 2) integrating business processes with the environmental standards, 3) green business process redesign, 4) training programs development and change management, and 5) performance monitoring and process improvement. The paper concludes with a suggestion of the framework validation and future research directions.
Resuscitating Team Roles within Wayburn Health System
Authors: Stefaniak Jill E.
Published: February 2013

Administrative leadership of Wayburn Health System decided to move forward with a training program to address communication between healthcare professionals within their emergency center. After a few sentinel events where errors had occurred that compromised patient safety due to miscommunication amongst healthcare team members, hospital administration decided that communication processes needed to be standardized within the emergency center during trauma resuscitations. Four hundred employees from various departments and disciplines would require training. An instructional designer was brought onto the project to ensure that training was customized to fit the specific needs of the trauma resuscitation team.
El Pancarpium Marianum de Jan David: grabados y conceptos para la Capilla de Nuestra Señora de los Ojos Grandes (Lugo)
Authors: López Calderón Carme
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACT: The Nuestra Señora de los Ojos Grandes Chapel, in the Lugo cathedral, houses in its interior a rich Iconographic Program consecrated to the praise of the Mother of God. Its XVIIIth century paintings can be divided into two groups according to the source from which they proceed: Sacred Emblematics or the Pancarpium Marianum by Jan David (1607). Concretely, this study focuses on this latter work, in which we introduce the Pancarpium in order first, to demonstrate how some of its engravings were mimetically copied in the ovals of Lugo and, second, to make use of the explanations given by the author in order to analyze in depth the meanings hidden behind the images of our chapel. KEY WORDS: Marian Apologia, Engraving Sources, Pancarpium Marianum, Nuestra Señora de los Ojos Grandes Chapel   RESUMEN: La capilla de Nuestra Señora de los Ojos Grandes, en la catedral de Lugo, alberga en su interior un complejo programa iconográfico consagrado a la alabanza de la Madre de Dios. Las pinturas que lo integran, ejecutadas en el siglo XVIII, pueden dividirse en dos grupos atendiendo a la fuente de la que proceden: la emblemática sacra o el Pancarpium Marianum de Jan David (1607). Precisamente, en torno a esta obra gira el presente artículo, en el cual, por tanto, sacamos a la luz el Pancarpium al objeto de, primero, demostrar cómo parte de sus grabados fueron mimetizados en los óvalos lucenses y, segundo, valernos de las explicaciones que nos ofrece su autor para profundizar en los significados que encierran las imágenes de nuestra capilla. PALABRAS CLAVES: Apología mariana, fuentes grabadas, Pancarpium marianum, Capilla de Nuestra Señora de los Ojos Grandes
Fernando R. de la Flor: Mundo simbólico. Poética, política y teúrgia en el Barroco hispano
Authors: Vives-Ferrándiz Sánchez Luis
Published: February 2013

Recensión crítica del libro de Fernando R. de la Flor: Mundo simbólico. Poética, política y teúrgia en el Barroco hispano, Madrid, Akal, 2012.
Antonio Bernat, John Cull y Tamás Sajó: Book of Honors for Empress Maria of Austria
Authors: García Arranz José Julio
Published: February 2013

Reseña del libro: BERNAT VISTARINI, Antonio, CULL, John T. y SAJÓ, Tamás (Eds.), Book of Honors for Empress Maria of Austria Composed by the College of the Society of Jesus of Madrid on the Occasion of her Death, 1603, Early Modern Catholicism and the Visual Arts Series, vol. 5, Filadelfia, Saint Joseph’s University Press, 2011, 240 pp. y un apéndice facsímil, numerosas ilustraciones en blanco y negro, I.S.B.N.: 978-0-916101-73-2.
Feeding Ecology of Northern Bearded Sakis (Chiropotes sagulatus) in Guyana
Authors: SHAFFER CHRISTOPHER A.
Published: February 2013

Bearded sakis (genus Chiropotes) are among the most highly specialized primate seed predators. However, long‐term studies of the genus in continuous forests, with a full community of sympatric primates, are rare. Here I present data on monthly variation in the diet of Chiropotes sagulatus from a long‐term study in a continuous forest in Guyana. Bearded sakis had an extremely diverse diet, exploiting more than 175 species of plants. Consistent with their highly specialized dental morphology for seed eating, seeds made up 75% of the annual diet. Sakis exploited a wide variety of mechanically protected fruits and often exploited the same plant species for more than 3 months. They consumed a high percentage of seeds in all months and seed consumption was significantly correlated with fruit abundance. When fruit became scarcer, sakis consumed a higher percentage of non‐seed food items, including insects, mature fruit, and flowers. Insects were especially important during the leanest months, making up almost 40% of feeding time. Bearded saki dietary diversity (in terms of plant species) showed little variability across months. These results confirm sakis to be highly specialized seed predators. Sakis preferentially consume seeds when they are available. However, when seeds become scarce, sakis become generalists, supplementing their diet with mature fruit, insects, and flowers. The ability of bearded sakis to consume a diversity of highly abundant plant species, fruit in several stages of maturity, and a variety of different types of resources buffers them from the detrimental effects of resource scarcity. Am. J. Primatol. 75:568‐580, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Investigation of ultrasonic effect on synthesis of nano zero valent iron particles and comparison with conventional method
Authors: Jamei Mir Roozbeh , Khosravi Mohamad Reza , Anvaripour Bagher
Published: February 2013

In this work, a new method of the synthesis of nano zero valent iron (nZVI) is presented. Ultrasonic wave as a novel method is used to synthesize nanoparticles and the physico‐chemical properties of particles compared with conventional synthesis method. Among the various synthesis methods, chemical reduction is widely used because of its simplicity. The effect of ultrasonic power (500 W, 1000 W), FeSO4.7H2O concentration (0.02, 0.05 and 0.08 M), NaBH4 concentrations (0.1, 0.25 and 0.4 M) and delivery rate of reducing agent on nZVI characteristics were investigated. Particle size distribution, morphology and surface composition were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer, Emmett and Teller (BET) surface area and particle size analyzer. It was found that the morphology of nanoparticles changed from spherical type to plate and needle type under high ultrasonic power. The size of 50% of nanoparticles was decreased from 90.3 to 29.9 nm under high precursor/reductant concentration and high ultrasonic power. Also, BET surface area was increased from 10 to 42 m2/g while using ultrasonic waves. The XRD patterns showed that the crystallinity of the nZVI prepared using ultrasonic conditions was poor because of the inadequate time for nuclei growth and crystallization. Therefore, the ultrasonic power could impose dramatic effect on the characteristics of the nanoparticles. © 2013 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Integrated Prospection Methods to Define Small‐site Settlement Structure: a Case Study from Neolithic Hungary
Authors: Salisbury Roderick B. , Bertók Gábor , Bácsmegi Gábor
Published: February 2013

Different human activities produce different material signatures, and therefore integrating several complementary prospection data sets provides a more comprehensive picture of site structure than any one method. We combine magnetic prospection data with soil chemistry and surface collection data from two small late Neolithic (ca. 5000 bc) settlements in eastern Hungary. Magnetic gradiometer survey helps to define basic subsurface features. Semi‐quantitative soil phosphate analysis improves our understanding of vertical and horizontal settlement boundaries and the locations of some activity zones. Through the surface distribution of burnt daub and pottery, controlled surface collection aids in our interpretations of structure and preservation at these settlements, as well as providing dating evidence. Spatial analysis, including the interpolation of chemical data, is performed in a geographical information system. Results indicate two different settlement types at contemporaneous sites, and suggest excellent preservation for site types that are poorly understood, relatively rare and generally poorly preserved in the archaeological record of eastern Hungary. In addition, this work provides the first comprehensive depiction of spatial organization at small late Neolithic settlements in the region. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Letting a Typical Mouse Judge Whether Mouse Social Interactions Are Atypical
Authors: Shah Charisma R. , Forsberg Carl Gunnar , Kang Jing‐Qiong , Veenstra‐VanderWeele Jeremy
Published: February 2013

Diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) requires a qualitative assessment of social aptitude: one person judging whether another person interacts in a “typical” way. We hypothesized that mice could be used to make a similar judgment if they prefer “typical” over “atypical” social interactions with mouse models relevant to ASD. We used wild‐type C57BL/6 (B6) mice as “judges” and evaluated their preference for a chamber containing a “typical” (B6 or 129S6) or an “atypical” mouse. For our atypical mouse stimuli, we chose two inbred strains with well‐documented social phenotypes (BTBR and BALB/c), as well a mutant line with abnormal social behavior and seizures (Gabrb3 +/−). Overall, we observed a stimulus by time interaction (P < 0.0001), with B6 mice preferring the typical mouse chamber during the last 10 min of the 30‐min test. For two of the individual stimulus pairings, we observed a similar chamber by time interaction (BALB/c vs. 129S6, P = 0.0007; Gabrb3 +/− vs. 129S6, P = 0.033). For the third stimulus pairing, we found a trend for preference of the typical mouse across time (BTBR vs. B6, P = 0.051). We repeated the experiments using 129S6 mice as judges and found a significant overall interaction (P = 0.034), but only one stimulus pairing reached significance on its own (BALB/c vs. 129S6, P = 0.0021). These data suggest that a characteristic pattern of exploration in B6 mice can distinguish some socially atypical animals from controls. Autism Res 2013, 6: 212–220. © 2013 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Being ‘nuff’ and ‘scudding class’: exploring girls’ and boys’ perceptions of popularity, gender and achievement in Antiguan secondary schools
Authors: Cobbett Mary
Published: February 2013

This paper will report on the findings from classroom observations and focus group discussions conducted on the topic of popularity and fitting in at school with girls and boys from four government secondary schools in Antigua. The findings show that whilst boys did experience difficulties negotiating academic success and acceptable masculinities, the consensus was that popularity was associated with low achievement for both girls and boys. However, there was evidence that some girls were able to work hard and maintain better peer relations than other high achieving students, but that this ‘balancing’ required conformity to hetero‐feminine norms as well as the espousal of rigid views about what girls can and can't do. This suggests that real equality is far from being reached.
Investigation of biomass concentration, lipid production, and cellulose content inChlorella vulgariscultures using response surface methodology
Authors: Aguirre Ana‐Maria , Bassi Amarjeet
Published: February 2013

The microalgaeChlorella vulgarisproduce lipids that after extraction from cells can be converted into biodiesel. However, these lipids cannot be efficiently extracted from cells due to the presence of the microalgae cell wall, which acts as a barrier for lipid removal when traditional extraction methods are employed. Therefore, a microalgae system with high lipid productivity and thinner cell walls could be more suitable for lipid production from microalgae. This study addresses the effect of culture conditions, specifically carbon dioxide and sodium nitrate concentrations, on biomass concentration and the ratio of lipid productivity/cellulose content. Optimization of culture conditions was done by response surface methodology. The empirical model for biomass concentration (R2 = 96.0%) led to a predicted maximum of 1123.2 mg dw L−1when carbon dioxide and sodium nitrate concentrations were 2.33% (v/v) and 5.77 mM, respectively. For lipid productivity/cellulose content ratio (R2 = 95.2%) the maximum predicted value was 0.46 (mg lipid L−1 day−1)(mg cellulose mg biomass−1)−1when carbon dioxide concentration was 4.02% (v/v) and sodium nitrate concentration was 3.21 mM. A common optimum point for both variables (biomass concentration and lipid productivity/cellulose content ratio) was also found, predicting a biomass concentration of 1119.7 mg dw L−1and lipid productivity/cellulose content ratio of 0.44 (mg lipid L−1 day−1)(mg cellulose mg biomass−1)−1for culture conditions of 3.77% (v/v) carbon dioxide and 4.01 mM sodium nitrate. The models were experimentally validated and results supported their accuracy. This study shows that it is possible to improve lipid productivity/cellulose content by manipulation of culture conditions, which may be applicable to any scale of bioreactors. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2013; 110: 2114–2122. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Prevalence of and risk factors for acute occlusive arterial injury following pediatric cardiac catheterization: A large single‐center cohort study
Authors: Glatz Andrew C. , Shah Samir S. , McCarthy Ann L. , Geisser Diana , Daniels Kaitlyn , Xie Dawei , Hanna Brian D. , Grundmeier Robert W. , Gillespie Matthew J. , Rome Jonathan J.
Published: February 2013

Objectives

To describe the prevalence of and identify risk factors for acute occlusive arterial injury (AOAI) in a large volume pediatric cardiac catheterization laboratory.

Background

AOAI is a known complication after pediatric cardiac catheterization. Prevalence and risk factors in the modern era are incompletely described.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study including all cardiac catheterization procedures performed between January 1, 2005 and June 30, 2010 was performed. Case status was defined by ≥1 of the following: exam consistent with occlusive arterial injury, use of an anticoagulant within 48 hr of catheterization to restore or maintain patency of the artery, or documented occlusive arterial injury by radiologic study.

Results

3,254 patients had 5,715 catheterization procedures, which included 3,859 arterial access events. 167 cases of AOAI were identified for an overall prevalence of 4.3% among arterial access events. Multiple logistic regression identified independent risk factors: weight category [<4 kg: odds ratio (OR) 4.5 (95% CI: 2.6–7.7), P < 0.001; 4–6 kg: OR 2.1 (1.3–3.5), P = 0.002, compared to 6–8 kg referent group]; largest catheter outer diameter French size [OR 1.6 (1.3–1.9), P < 0.001]; final activated clotting time (ACT) <250 sec [OR 1.9 (1.4–2.7), P < 0.001]; and need for arterial catheter exchange [OR 1.8 (1.02–3.2), P = 0.04].

Conclusions

AOAI occurred in 4.3% of pediatric cardiac catheterizations, and was most likely in smaller children and those with larger arterial catheters. Risk was also independently increased by arterial catheter exchange and having a final ACT <250 sec. These data act as an important benchmark and identify areas for intervention for future studies. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Catalysis with N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes under Oxidative Conditions
Authors: De Sarkar Suman , Biswas Anup , Samanta Ramesh C. , Studer Armido
Published: February 2013

This Concept article discusses the potential of oxidative carbene catalysis in synthesis and comprehensively covers pioneering studies as well as recent developments. Oxidative carbene catalysis can be conducted by using inorganic and organic oxidants. Applications in cascade processes, in enantioselective catalysis, and also in natural product synthesis are discussed.
Spectroscopic, radiochemical, and theoretical studies of the Ga3+‐N‐2‐hydroxyethyl piperazine‐N′‐2‐ethanesulfonic acid (HEPES buffer) system: evidence for the formation of Ga3+‐ HEPES complexes in 68 Ga labeling reactions
Authors: Martins André F. , Prata M. I. M. , Rodrigues S. P. J. , Geraldes Carlos F. G. C. , Riss P. J. , Amor‐Coarasa A. , Burchardt C. , Kroll C. , Roesch F.
Published: February 2013

Recent reports have claimed a superior performance of HEPES buffer in comparison to alternative buffer systems for 67/68 Ga labeling in aqueous media. In this paper we report spectroscopic (1H and 71 Ga NMR), radiochemical, mass spectrometry and theoretical modeling studies on the Ga3+/HEPES system (HEPES = N‐2‐hydroxyethylpiperazine‐N′‐2‐ethanesulfonic acid) performed with the aim of elucidating a potential contribution of HEPES in the 68/67 Ga radiolabeling process. Our results demonstrate that HEPES acts as a weakly but competitive chelator of Ga3+ and that this interaction depends on the relative Ga3+: HEPES concentration. A by‐product formed in the labeling mixture has been identified as a [68 Ga]Ga(HEPES) complex via chromatographic comparison with the nonradioactive analog. The formation of this complex was verified to compete with [68 Ga]Ga(NOTA) complexation at low NOTA concentration. Putative chelation of Ga3+ by the hydroxyl and adjacent ring nitrogen of HEPES is proposed on the basis of 1H NMR shifts induced by Ga3+ and theoretical modeling studies. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Measuring the semantic discrimination capability of association relations
Authors: Xu Zheng , Luo Xiangfeng , Mei Lin , Hu Chuanping
Published: February 2013

Association relations between concepts are a class of simple but powerful regularities in binary data, which play important roles in enterprises and organizations with huge amounts of data. However, although there can be easily large number of association relation mined from databases, since existing objective and subjective methods scarcely take semantics into consideration, it has been recognized early in the knowledge discovery literature that most of them are of no interest to the user. In this paper, the semantic discrimination capability (SDC) of association relation is measured based on discrimination value model first. The formula of SDC integrating both statistical and graph features is proposed from five different strategies. The high correlation coefficient of the proposed method against discrimination value shows that the proposed SDC measure is accuracy. Moreover, an application using SDC on document clustering is carried out, which shows that SDC has broad prospects on data‐related task such as document clustering. Copyright 2013 John Wiley © Sons, Ltd.
UNDERSTANDING QUANTITATIVE STRUCTURE–PROPERTY RELATIONSHIPS UNCERTAINTY IN ENVIRONMENTAL FATE MODELING
Authors: Sarfraz Iqbal M. , Golsteijn Laura , Öberg Tomas , Sahlin Ullrika , Papa Ester , Kovarich Simona , Huijbregts Mark A.J.
Published: February 2013

In cases in which experimental data on chemical-specific input parameters are lacking, chemical regulations allow the use of alternatives to testing, such as in silico predictions based on quantitative structure–property relationships (QSPRs). Such predictions are often given as point estimates; however, little is known about the extent to which uncertainties associated with QSPR predictions contribute to uncertainty in fate assessments. In the present study, QSPR-induced uncertainty in overall persistence (POV) and long-range transport potential (LRTP) was studied by integrating QSPRs into probabilistic assessments of five polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), using the multimedia fate model Simplebox. The uncertainty analysis considered QSPR predictions of the fate input parameters' melting point, water solubility, vapor pressure, organic carbon–water partition coefficient, hydroxyl radical degradation, biodegradation, and photolytic degradation. Uncertainty in POV and LRTP was dominated by the uncertainty in direct photolysis and the biodegradation half-life in water. However, the QSPRs developed specifically for PBDEs had a relatively low contribution to uncertainty. These findings suggest that the reliability of the ranking of PBDEs on the basis of POV and LRTP can be substantially improved by developing better QSPRs to estimate degradation properties. The present study demonstrates the use of uncertainty and sensitivity analyses in nontesting strategies and highlights the need for guidance when compounds fall outside the applicability domain of a QSPR. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2013;32:1069–1076. © 2013 SETAC
Network analysis of auditory hallucinations in nonpsychotic individuals
Authors: van Lutterveld Remko , Diederen Kelly M. J. , Otte Willem M. , Sommer Iris E
Published: February 2013

Background: Auditory verbal hallucinations (AVH) are a cardinal feature of schizophrenia and can severely disrupt behavior and decrease quality of life. Identification of areas with high functional connectivity (so‐called hub regions) that are associated with the predisposition to hallucinate may provide potential targets for neuromodulation in the treatment of AVH. Methods: Resting‐state fMRI scans during which no hallucinations had occurred were acquired from 29 nonpsychotic individuals with AVH and 29 matched controls. These nonpsychotic individuals with AVH provide the opportunity to study AVH without several confounds associated with schizophrenia, such as antipsychotic medication use and other symptoms related to the illness. Hub regions were identified by assessing weighted connectivity strength and betweenness centrality across groups using a permutation analysis. Results: Nonpsychotic individuals with AVH exhibited increased functioning as hub regions in the temporal cortices and the posterior cingulate/precuneus, which is an important area in the default mode network (DMN), compared to the nonhallucinating controls. In addition, the right inferior temporal gyrus, left paracentral lobule and right amygdala were less important as a hub region in the AVH group. Conclusions: These results suggest that the predisposition to hallucinate may be related to aberrant functioning of the DMN and the auditory cortices. Hum Brain Mapp 35:1436–1445, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Biological synthesis of copper nanoparticles using Magnolia kobus leaf extract and their antibacterial activity
Authors: Lee Hyo‐Jeoung , Song Jae Yong , Kim Beom Soo
Published: February 2013

Bakground

Biological methods for metal nanoparticle synthesis using plant extracts have been suggested as possible ecofriendly alternatives to chemical and physical methods. In the present study, copper nanoparticles were biologically synthesized using Magnolia kobus leaf extract as reducing agent and their antibacterial activity was evaluated against Escherichia coli.

Results

On treatment of aqueous solution of CuSO4·5H2O with Magnolia kobus leaf extract, stable copper nanoparticles were formed. UV–vis spectroscopy was used to monitor the quantitative formation of copper nanoparticles. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized with inductively coupled plasma spectrometry (ICP), energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR‐TEM). Electron microscopy analysis of copper nanoparticles indicated that they ranged in average size from 37 to 110 nm. Antibacterial tests were carried out by counting viable E. coli cells after 24 h growth in shake flasks containing latex foams coated with copper nanoparticles. As a result, foams coated with biologically synthesized copper nanoparticles showed higher antibacterial activity compared with foams untreated and foams treated with chemically synthesized copper nanoparticles using sodium borohydride and Tween 20. The antibacterial activities were inversely proportional to the average nanoparticle sizes.

Conclusion

The present results show that stable copper nanoparticles can be ecofriendly synthesized using Magnolia kobus leaf extract, offering an inexpensive alternative to antibacterial silver nanoparticles. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Glia cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor mediates survival of murine sympathetic precursors
Authors: Heermann Stephan , Mätlik Kert , Hinz Ursula , Fey Jutta , Arumae Urmas , Krieglstein Kerstin
Published: February 2013

During embryonic development, neurons are first produced in excess, and final numbers are adjusted by apoptosis at later stages. Crucial to this end is the amount of target‐derived growth factor available for the neurons. By this means, the target size correctly matches the innervating neuron number. This target‐derived survival has been well studied for sympathetic neurons, and nerve growth factor (NGF) was identified to be the crucial factor for maintaining sympathetic neurons at late embryonic and early postnatal stages, with a virtual complete loss of sympathetic neurons in NGF knockout (KO) mice. This indicates that all sympathetic neurons are dependent on NGF. However, also different glia cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) KO mice consistently presented a loss of sympathetic neurons. This was the rationale for investigating the role of GDNF for sympathetic precursor/neuron survival. Here we show that GDNF is capable of promoting survival of 30% sympathetic precursors dissociated at E13. This is in line with data from GDNF KOs in which a comparable sympathetic neuron loss was observed at late embryonic stages, although the onset of the phenotype was unclear. We further present data showing that GDNF ligand and canonical receptors are expressed in sympathetic neurons especially at embryonic stages, raising the possibility of an autocrine/paracrine GDNF action. Finally, we show that GDNF also maintained neonatal sympathetic neurons (40%) cultured for 2 days. However, the GDNF responsiveness was lost at 5 days in vitro. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Origins of the solvent effect on the propagation kinetics of acrylic acid and methacrylic acid
Authors: Degirmenci Isa. , Ozaltın Tugba Furuncuoglu , Karahan Ozlem , Van Speybroeck Veronique , Waroquier Michel. , Aviyente Viktorya
Published: February 2013

In this study, the relative rate of polymerization of acrylic acid (AA) versus methacrylic acid (MAA) and the effect of water on the polymerization kinetics are investigated within a combined static and molecular dynamics set of computational tools. Experimentally the relative rate of propagation of AA versus MAA is around 35 in bulk and 31 in water. Classical Molecular Dynamics calculations have been carried out to determine the location of the solvent molecules in the proximity of the dimeric poly(AA) and poly(MAA) units. A combined implicit/explicit solvent model was used for the evaluation of the kinetics of the dimeric polymer chains. We show that the rate acceleration of both polymers in water is mainly due to entropic rather than electrostatic effects and is in agreement with experimental findings. Moreover the slower propagation rate of MAA versus AA is ascribed to additional steric effects present in MAA due to the methyl group at the α position of the monomer. Among the functionals used, the M06‐2X/6‐311+G(3df,2p)//B3LYP/6‐31+G(d) methodology reproduces the experimental rate constants quantitatively the best. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013
Effect of local irradiation with 630 and 860 nm low-level lasers on tympanic membrane perforation repair in guinea pigs
Authors: Maleki Sh , Kamrava S K , Sharifi D , Jalessi M , Asghari A , Ghalehbaghi S , Yazdanifard P
Published: February 2013

Objective:

In this study, we evaluated the effect of low-level lasers on the healing of tympanic membrane perforation, one of the most common otological pathologies.

Methods and materials:

Twenty-four guinea pigs were randomly assigned to either the experimental or control group. One day after the induction of a 2 mm diameter, centred myringotomy in all animals, the tympanic membranes in the experimental group were irradiated with 630 and 860 nm lasers for 10 days. Two weeks later, histological changes in the membranes were evaluated.

Results:

Tympanic membrane thickening and inflammatory cell infiltration in the tympanic membranes and surrounding tissues were significantly less in the experimental group (p < 0.001). The distance from the external auditory canal wall to the malleus tip did not differ significantly between the two groups (p = 0.42).

Conclusion:

The results show that the combined application of 630 and 860 nm lasers had a significant effect on the healing of tympanic membrane perforation, and on the prevention of thick fibrotic or atelectatic neomembrane formation.
Temporal dynamics of spore release of the crayfish plague pathogen from its natural host, American spiny-cheek crayfish (Orconectes limosus), evaluated by transmission experiments
Authors: SVOBODA J. , KOZUBÍKOVÁ-BALCAROVÁ E. , KOUBA A. , BUŘIČ M. , KOZÁK P. , DIÉGUEZ-URIBEONDO J. , PETRUSEK A.
Published: February 2013

The crayfish plague pathogen, Aphanomyces astaci, is one of the most serious threats to indigenous European crayfish species. The North American invasive spiny-cheek crayfish, Orconectes limosus, is an important source of this pathogen in central and western Europe. We evaluated potential changes in A. astaci spore release rate from infected individuals of this species by experiments investigating the pathogen transmission to susceptible noble crayfish, Astacus astacus. We filtered defined volumes of water regularly to quantify spore concentration, and sampled crayfish tissues at the end of the experiment. The filters and tissues were then tested for the presence of A. astaci DNA by species-specific quantitative PCR. Additionally, we tested the efficiency of horizontal transmission to apparently uninfected O. limosus. The experiments confirmed that A. astaci can be transmitted to susceptible crayfish during intermoult periods, and that the pathogen was more frequently detected in noble crayfish recipients than in American ones. The pathogen spore concentrations substantially varied in time, and significantly increased during moulting of infected hosts. Our study strengthens the evidence that although the likelihood of crayfish plague transmission by water transfer from localities with infected American crayfish might increase when these are moulting or dying, no time-periods can be proclaimed safe.
Parasite infection and host group size: a meta-analytical review
Authors: PATTERSON JESSE E. H. , RUCKSTUHL KATHREEN E.
Published: February 2013

Many studies have identified various host behavioural and ecological traits that are associated with parasite infection, including host gregariousness. By use of meta-analyses, we investigated to what degree parasite prevalence, intensity and species richness are correlated with group size in gregarious species. We predicted that larger groups would have more parasites and higher parasite species richness. We analysed a total of 70 correlations on parasite prevalence, intensity and species richness across different host group sizes. Parasite intensity and prevalence both increased positively with group size, as expected. No significant relationships were found between host group size and parasite species richness, suggesting that larger groups do not harbour more rare or novel parasite species than smaller groups. We further predicted that the mobility of the host (mobile, sedentary) and the mode of parasite transmission (direct, indirect, mobile) would be important predictors of the effects of group sizes on parasite infection. It was found that group size was positively correlated with the prevalence and intensity of directly and indirectly transmitted parasites. However, a negative relationship was observed between group size and mobile parasite intensity, with larger groups having lower parasite intensities. Further, intensities of parasites did not increase with group size of mobile hosts, suggesting that host mobility may negate parasite infection risk. The implications for the evolution and maintenance of sociality in host species are discussed, and future research directions are highlighted.
Impact ofHaemophilus influenzaetype b vaccination on the incidence of invasiveHaemophilus influenzaedisease in France, 15 years after its introduction
Authors: GEORGES S. , LEPOUTRE A. , DABERNAT H. , LEVY-BRUHL D.
Published: February 2013

We assessed the impact ofHaemophilus influenzaetype b (Hib) vaccination, introduced in France in early 1993, on the incidence of invasiveHaemophilus influenzae(Hi) disease up to 2008. The incidence of Hi meningitis fell from 0·9/100 000 in 1991–1992 to 0·09/100 000 in 1996–2008, with a marked decline (96%) in children aged <5 years, including infants aged <3 months, from 12 to 0·4/100 000. The incidence of invasive Hi disease also decreased in children aged <15 years from 6 to 0·7/100 000, remained stable in the 15–64 years age group at about 0·5/100 000, and increased slightly from 2·0 to 2·4/100 000 in persons aged >64 years. No emergence of non-encapsulated or encapsulated non-vaccine serotypes was observed. These findings confirm the major direct impact of Hib vaccination on the incidence of Hi invasive disease in children and the indirect benefit of vaccination for infants too young to be vaccinated.
Altered Effective Connectivity of the Default Mode Network in Resting-State Amnestic Type Mild Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Yan Hao , Zhang Yumei , Chen Hongyan , Wang Yonghui , Liu Yijun
Published: February 2013

Amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) is the transitional, heterogeneous continuum from normal elderly to Alzheimer's disease (AD). Previous studies have shown that brain functional activity in the default mode network (DMN) is impaired in aMCI patients with saliently cognitive and memory decline. However, the effective connectivity among the spatially isolated, but functionally related areas within the DMN in aMCI patients remains largely unknown. The present study examined dysfunctional connectivity of the DMN by combining an independent component analysis (ICA) approach with multivariate Granger causality analysis (mGCA) in 18 aMCI patients and 18 age-matched cognitively normal elderly. Results from mGCA showed decreased effective connectivity occurred among the middle temporal gyrus (MTG), hippocampus (HC) and fusiform gyrus (FG), as well as between the precuneus/posterior cingulate cortex (PreCN/PCC) and HC in patients with aMCI. Such an impaired connectivity was also correlated with patients’ cognitive performance of the auditory verbal learning. Moreover, enhanced effective connectivity within frontal cortex emerged, which may maintain memory functions after attenuated connections within DMN activity. These findings may elucidate the dysfunctional processes in brain networks of aMCI patients, highlighting the importance of connectivity changes in the pathophysiology of aMCI. (JINS, 2013, 19, 1–10)
Coronal ejection and heating in variable-luminosity X-ray sources
Authors: Kluźniak Włodek
Published: February 2013

A sudden increase in stellar luminosity may lead to the ejection of a large part of any optically thin gas orbiting the star. Test particles in circular orbits will become unbound, and will escape to infinity (if radiation drag is neglected), when the luminosity changes from zero to at least one half the Eddington value, or more generally, from L to (LEdd+L)/2 or more. Conversely, a decrease in luminosity will lead to the tightening of orbits of optically thin fluid. Even a modest fluctuation of luminosity of accreting neutron stars or black holes is expected to lead to substantial coronal heating. Luminosity fluctuations may thus account for the high temperatures of the X-ray corona in accreting black hole and neutron star systems.
Zusammenhang von Therapeutischer Beziehung mit Symptomminderung und Behandlungszufriedenheit
Authors: Kinnen Claudia , Döpfner Manfred
Published: February 2013

Fragestellung: Der Zusammenhang von therapeutischer Beziehung und Therapieerfolg wird in verhaltenstherapeutisch orientierten ambulanten Psychotherapien von expansiven Kindern und Jugendlichen untersucht. Methodik: Die Therapeut-Patient- und Therapeut-Eltern-Beziehung wurde bei N = 53 Patienten zu zwei Erhebungszeitpunkten im Behandlungsverlauf mit dem Beziehungsfragebogen für die Kinder- und Jugendlichenpsychotherapie (BeKi) erhoben. Als Maß für den Therapieerfolg wurden die Prä-Post-Differenz der kindlichen Symptombelastung, die Behandlungszufriedenheit im Therapeuten-, Eltern- und Patientenurteil sowie die Verbesserungen im kindlichen Funktionsniveau im Therapeutenurteil herangezogen. Ergebnisse: Die Korrelationen zwischen therapeutischer Beziehung und Symptomminderung variieren je nach Perspektive zwischen keinem und einem hohen Zusammenhang (maximal: r = .57), liegen aber zumeist im Bereich einer geringen bis mittleren Korrelation. Die Höhe des Zusammenhangs entspricht damit den Befunden neuerer Metaanalysen sowie von Studien aus der Erwachsenenpsychotherapie. Therapeut-Patient- und Therapeut-Eltern-Beziehung weisen zudem mittlere Korrelationen mit der retrospektiv berichteten Behandlungszufriedenheit und geringe bis mittlere Korrelationen mit der Verbesserung des kindlichen Funktionsniveaus auf. Schlussfolgerungen: Behandlungszufriedenheit und Verbesserungen im kindlichen Funktionsniveau wurden bisher selten als Maße des Therapieerfolgs betrachtet. Sie korrelieren aber, ebenso wie die Symptomminderung, signifikant mit der Therapeut-Kind- und der Therapeut-Eltern-Beziehung. Die Höhe des Zusammenhangs ist stark perspektivenabhängig, eine Erfassung von Beziehung und Therapieerfolg aus verschiedenen Perspektiven scheint daher ratsam.