bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
α(E)-Catenin Regulates BMP-7 Expression and Migration in Renal Epithelial Cells
Authors: Nichols LaNita A. , Slusarz Anna , Grunz-Borgmann Elizabeth A. , Parrish Alan R.
Published: May 2014

Background: The aging kidney has a decreased ability to repair following injury. We have shown a loss in expression of α-catenin in the aging rat kidney and hypothesize that decreased α-catenin expression in tubular epithelial cells results in diminished repair capacity. Methods: In an effort to elucidate alterations due to the loss of α-catenin, we generated NRK-52E cell lines with stable knockdown of α(E)-catenin. Results: α(E)-catenin knockdown resulted in decreased wound repair due to alterations in cell migration. Analysis of gene expression in the α(E)-catenin knockdown cells demonstrated almost a complete loss of bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) expression that was associated with decreased phospho-Smad1/5/8 staining. However, addition of exogenous BMP-7 increased phospho-Smad1/5/8, suggesting that the BMP-7 pathway remained intact in C2 cells. Given the potential role of BMP-7 in repair, we investigated its role in wound repair. Inhibition of BMP-7 decreased repair in non-targeted control cells; conversely, exogenous BMP-7 restored repair in α(E)-catenin knockdown cells to control levels. Conclusions: Taken together, the data suggests that the loss of α(E)-catenin expression and subsequent downregulation of BMP-7 is a mechanism underlying the altered migration of tubular epithelial cells that contributes to the inability of the aging kidney to repair following injury.
Left Ventricular Mass Progression despite Stable Blood Pressure and Kidney Function in Stage 3 Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Seifert Michael E. , de las Fuentes Lisa , Ginsberg Charles , Rothstein Marcos , Dietzen Dennis J. , Cheng Steven C. , Ross Will , Windus David , Dávila-Román Victor G. , Hruska Keith A.
Published: May 2014

Background/Aims: Progressive chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with worsening cardiovascular (CV) risk not explained by traditional risk factors. Left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy (LVH) is an important CV risk factor, but its progression has not been documented in early CKD. We explored whether progression of LVH in early CKD would occur despite stable kidney function. Methods: We conducted a post hoc analysis of a 12-month study of lanthanum carbonate in stage 3 CKD, which included longitudinal assessments of CV biomarkers. Primary outcome for the analysis was the change in LV mass (LVM) indexed to height in meters2.7 (LVM/Ht2.7). Secondary outcomes were changes in blood pressure (BP), pulse-wave velocity, LV systolic/diastolic function, fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), klotho, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Results: Thirty-one of 38 original subjects had sufficient data for analysis. LVM/Ht2.7 increased (47 ± 13 vs. 53 ± 13 g/m2.7, p = 0.006) over 12 months despite stable BP, stable eGFR and normal LV systolic function. Vascular stiffness and LV diastolic dysfunction persisted throughout the study. Klotho levels decreased (748 ± 289 to 536 ± 410 pg/ml, p = 0.03) but were unrelated to changes in LVM/Ht2.7. The change in FGF23/klotho ratio was strongly correlated with changes in LVM/Ht2.7 (r2 = 0.582, p = 0.03). Conclusion: Subjects with stage 3 CKD exhibited increasing LVM, persistent LV diastolic dysfunction and vascular stiffness despite stable kidney function, BP and LV systolic function. Abnormal FGF23 signaling due to reduced klotho expression may be associated with increasing LVM. These findings deserve further evaluation in a larger population given the adverse prognostic value of these CV biomarkers.
Prevalence and Clinical Features of Patients with the Cardiorenal Syndrome Admitted to an Internal Medicine Ward
Authors: Gigante Antonietta , Liberatori Marta , Gasperini Maria Ludovica , Sardo Liborio , Di Mario Francesca , Dorelli Barbara , Barbano Biagio , Rosato Edoardo , Rossi Fanelli Filippo , Amoroso Antonio
Published: May 2014

Background: Many patients admitted to a Department of Internal Medicine have different degrees of heart and kidney dysfunction. Mortality, morbidity and cost of care greatly increase when cardiac and renal diseases coexist. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 1,087 patients admitted from December 2009 to December 2012 to evaluate the prevalence of the cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) and clinical features. Results: Out of 1,087 patients discharged from our unit during the study period, 190 (17.5%) were diagnosed as having CRS and classified into five types. CRS was more common in males (68.9%). CRS type 1 was associated with higher age (79.9 ± 8.9 years) and accounted for 61.5% of all deaths (p < 0.001), representing a risk factor for mortality (OR 4.23, 95% CI 1.8-10). Congestive heart failure was significantly different among the five CRS types (p < 0.0001) with a greater frequency in type 1 patients. Infectious diseases were more frequent in CRS types 1, 3 and 5 (p < 0.05). Pneumonia presented a statistically higher frequency in CRS types 1 and 5 compared to other classes (p < 0.01), and community-acquired infections were statistically more frequent in CRS types 1 and 5 (p < 0.05). The distribution of community-acquired pneumonia was different among the classes (p < 0.01) with a higher frequency in CRS types 1, 3 and 5. Conclusion: CRS is a condition that is more frequently observed in the clinical practice. The identification of predisposing trigger factors, such as infectious diseases, particularly in the elderly, plays a key role in reducing morbidity and mortality. An early recognition can be useful to optimize therapy, encourage a multidisciplinary approach and prevent complications.
Physical Activity and Heart Rate Variability in Older Adults
Authors: Soares-Miranda Luisa , Sattelmair Jacob , Chaves Paulo , Duncan Glen E. , Siscovick David S. , Stein Phyllis K. , Mozaffarian Dariush
Published: May 2014

Background—

Cardiac mortality and electrophysiological dysfunction both increase with age. Heart rate variability (HRV) provides indices of autonomic function and electrophysiology that are associated with cardiac risk. How habitual physical activity among older adults prospectively relates to HRV, including nonlinear indices of erratic sinus patterns, is not established. We hypothesized that increasing the levels of both total leisure-time activity and walking would be prospectively associated with more favorable time-domain, frequency-domain, and nonlinear HRV measures in older adults.

Methods and Results—

We evaluated serial longitudinal measures of both physical activity and 24-hour Holter HRV over 5 years among 985 older US adults in the community-based Cardiovascular Health Study. After multivariable adjustment, greater total leisure-time activity, walking distance, and walking pace were each prospectively associated with specific, more favorable HRV indices, including higher 24-hour standard deviation of all normal-to-normal intervals (
P
trend
=0.009, 0.02, 0.06, respectively) and ultralow-frequency power (
P
trend
=0.02, 0.008, 0.16, respectively). Greater walking pace was also associated with a higher short-term fractal scaling exponent (
P
trend
=0.003) and lower Poincaré ratio (
P
trend
=0.02), markers of less erratic sinus patterns.

Conclusions—

Greater total leisure-time activity, and walking alone, as well, were prospectively associated with more favorable and specific indices of autonomic function in older adults, including several suggestive of more normal circadian fluctuations and less erratic sinoatrial firing. Our results suggest potential mechanisms that might contribute to lower cardiovascular mortality with habitual physical activity later in life.
Microsatellite Polymorphism in the Heme Oxygenase-1 Promoter Is Associated With Nonsevere and Late-Onset Preeclampsia
Authors: Kaartokallio Tea , Klemetti Miira M. , Timonen Anni , Uotila Jukka , Heinonen Seppo , Kajantie Eero , Kere Juha , Kivinen Katja , Pouta Anneli , Lakkisto Päivi , Laivuori Hannele
Published: May 2014

Preeclampsia is a serious and phenotypically heterogeneous vascular pregnancy disorder. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is a stress response enzyme that may protect the maternal endothelium and facilitate adequate metabolic adaptation to pregnancy by its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory functions. HO-1 stress response is modulated by HO-1 gene (
HMOX1
) polymorphisms. Individuals with the long allele of a guanine-thymine (GT
n
) microsatellite repeat located in the promoter region of
HMOX1
have a higher risk of cardiometabolic diseases compared with those with the short allele. We investigated whether the long GT
n
allele of
HMOX1
is associated with subtypes of preeclampsia. The GT
n
repeat was genotyped in 759 patients and in 779 controls from the Finnish Genetics of Preeclampsia Consortium (FINNPEC) cohort using DNA fragment analysis. In subtype analyses, the long-long (LL) genotype was associated with nonsevere (additive model: odds ratio [OR], 1.94; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13–3.31; recessive model: OR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.02–1.89) and late-onset (additive model: OR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.02–2.05; recessive model: OR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.02–1.59) preeclampsia and with preeclampsia without a small-for-gestational-age infant (recessive model: OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.02–1.58). The long allele was associated with nonsevere (OR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.07–1.70) and late-onset (OR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.03–1.42) preeclampsia and with preeclampsia without a small-for-gestational-age infant (OR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.02–1.40). Moreover, both the LL genotype and the long allele were associated with preeclampsia in women who had smoked during pregnancy. In conclusion, the GT
n
long allele seems to predispose to late-onset, less severe form of preeclampsia. This finding supports the role of HO-1 in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia and suggests that the HO-1 pathway may provide a potential target for the treatment of preeclampsia.
Angiotensin 1–7 Reduces Mortality and Rupture of Intracranial Aneurysms in Mice
Authors: Peña Silva Ricardo A. , Kung David K. , Mitchell Ian J. , Alenina Natalia , Bader Michael , Santos Robson A.S. , Faraci Frank M. , Heistad Donald D. , Hasan David M.
Published: May 2014

Angiotensin II (Ang II) stimulates vascular inflammation, oxidative stress, and formation and rupture of intracranial aneurysms in mice. Because Ang 1–7 acts on Mas receptors and generally counteracts deleterious effects of Ang II, we tested the hypothesis that Ang 1–7 attenuates formation and rupture of intracranial aneurysms. Intracranial aneurysms were induced in wild-type and Mas receptor–deficient mice using a combination of Ang II–induced hypertension and intracranial injection of elastase in the basal cistern. Mice received elastase+Ang II alone or a combination of elastase+Ang II+Ang 1–7. Aneurysm formation, prevalence of subarachnoid hemorrhage, mortality, and expression of molecules involved in vascular injury were assessed. Systolic blood pressure was similar in mice receiving elastase+Ang II (mean±SE, 148±5 mm Hg) or elastase+Ang II+Ang 1–7 (144±5 mm Hg). Aneurysm formation was also similar in mice receiving elastase+Ang II (89%) or elastase+Ang II+Ang 1–7 (84%). However, mice that received elastase+Ang II+Ang 1–7 had reduced mortality (from 64% to 36%;
P
<0.05) and prevalence of subarachnoid hemorrhage (from 75% to 48%;
P
<0.05). In cerebral arteries, expression of the inflammatory markers, Nox2 and catalase increased similarly in elastase+Ang II or elastase+Ang II+Ang 1–7 groups. Ang 1–7 increased the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and decreased the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 induced by elastase+Ang II (
P
<0.05). In Mas receptor–deficient mice, systolic blood pressure, mortality, and prevalence of subarachnoid hemorrhage were similar (
P
>0.05) in groups treated with elastase+Ang II or elastase+Ang II+Ang 1–7. The expression of Mas receptor was detected by immunohistochemistry in samples of human intracranial arteries and aneurysms. In conclusion, without attenuating Ang II–induced hypertension, Ang 1–7 decreased mortality and rupture of intracranial aneurysms in mice through a Mas receptor–dependent pathway.
Redefined Blood Pressure Variability Measure and Its Association With Mortality in Elderly Primary Care Patients
Authors: Gao Sujuan , Hendrie Hugh C. , Wang Chenkun , Stump Timothy E. , Stewart Jesse C. , Kesterson Joe , Clark Daniel O. , Callahan Christopher M.
Published: May 2014

Visit-to-visit blood pressure (BP) variability has received considerable attention recently. The objective of our study is to define a variability measure that is independent of change over time and determine the association between longitudinal summary measures of BP measurements and mortality risk. Data for the study came from a prospective cohort of 2906 adults, aged ≥60 years, in an urban primary care system with ≤15 years of follow-up. Dates of death for deceased participants were retrieved from the National Death Index. Systolic and diastolic BP measurements from outpatient clinic visits were extracted from the Regenstrief Medical Record System. For each patient, the intercept, regression slope, and root mean square error for visit-to-visit variability were derived using linear regression models and used as independent variables in Cox proportional hazards models for both all-cause mortality and mortality attributable to coronary heart disease or stroke. Rate of change was associated with mortality risk in a U-shaped relationship and that participants with little or no change in BP had the lowest mortality risk. BP variability was not an independent predictor of mortality risk. By separating change over time from visit-to-visit variability in studies with relatively long follow-up, we demonstrated in this elderly primary care patient population that BP changes over time, not variability, were associated with greater mortality risk. Future research is needed to confirm our findings in other populations.
Metaphorical Sentences Are More Emotionally Engaging than Their Literal Counterparts
Authors: Citron Francesca M. M. , Goldberg Adele E.
Published: May 2014

Why do people so often use metaphorical expressions when literal paraphrases are readily available? This study focuses on a comparison of metaphorical statements involving the source domain of taste (e.g., “She looked at him sweetly”) and their literal paraphrases (e.g., “She looked at him kindly”). Metaphorical and literal sentences differed only in one word and were normed for length, familiarity, imageability, emotional valence, and arousal. Our findings indicate that conventional metaphorical expressions are more emotionally evocative than literal expressions, as the amygdala and the anterior portion of the hippocampus were more active in the metaphorical sentences. They also support the idea that even conventional metaphors can be grounded in sensorimotor and perceptual representations in that primary and secondary gustatory areas (lateral OFC, frontal operculum, anterior insula) were more active as well. A comparison of the individual words that distinguished the metaphorical and literal sentences revealed greater activation in the lateral OFC and the frontal operculum for the taste-related words, supporting the claim that these areas are relevant to taste.
Feature Diagnosticity Affects Representations of Novel and Familiar Objects
Authors: Hsu Nina S. , Schlichting Margaret L. , Thompson-Schill Sharon L.
Published: May 2014

Many features can describe a concept, but only some features define a concept in that they enable discrimination of items that are instances of a concept from (similar) items that are not. We refer to this property of some features as feature diagnosticity. Previous work has described the behavioral effects of feature diagnosticity, but there has been little work on explaining why and how these effects arise. In this study, we aimed to understand the impact of feature diagnosticity on concept representations across two complementary experiments. In Experiment 1, we manipulated the diagnosticity of one feature, color, for a set of novel objects that human participants learned over the course of 1 week. We report behavioral and neural evidence that diagnostic features are likely to be automatically recruited during remembering. Specifically, individuals activated color-selective regions of ventral temporal cortex (specifically, left fusiform gyrus and left inferior temporal gyrus) when thinking about the novel objects, although color information was never explicitly probed during the task. Moreover, multiple behavioral and neural measures of the effects of feature diagnosticity were correlated across participants. In Experiment 2, we examined relative color association in familiar object categories, which varied in feature diagnosticity (fruits and vegetables, household items). Taken together, these results offer novel insights into the neural mechanisms underlying concept representations by demonstrating that automatic recruitment of diagnostic information gives rise to behavioral effects of feature diagnosticity.
The Origins of Blind Autobiography in Visionary Antebellum New England
Authors: Clark Justin
Published: May 2014

During the antebellum period, blind Americans began telling their life stories in print for the first time. This essay argues that these blind autobiographers succeeded not only by engaging the public's sympathy but also by illuminating New England's ongoing transcendentalist and visionary Protestant debates on the nature of sight.
Melville's Epitaphs: On Time, Place, and War
Authors: Caddell Jillian Spivey
Published: May 2014

In poetry and fiction, Herman Melville explored the epitaphic genre's capacity for destabilizing poetic voice and producing a temporality that is recursive but not necessarily recuperative. The epitaphs of Battle-Pieces (1866) invigorate the form while questioning its ability to memorialize the dead of the American Civil War.
A new name for Epigeneium arunachalense A.N.Rao (Orchidaceae)
Authors: VERMA DURGESH , BARBHUIYA HUSSAIN AHMED
Published: May 2014

Molecular and morpho-taxonomic studies (Schuiteman 2011, Xiang 2013, Schuiteman 2014) have established that the genus Epigeneium Gagnepain (1932: 593) forms a clade with the genus Dendrobium Swartz (1799: 82) and in view of the minor genetic and morphological differences it has been merged with the latter. Most of the names treated under Epigeneium have combinations in Dendrobium already. However, Epigeneium arunachalense Rao (2010: 3) has not yet been transferred to Dendrobium. The existence of the previously published Dendrobium arunachalense Deori, Sarma, Phukan & Mao (2006: 81) raises the need of a new name for the species.
Bibliographic Catalogue of the Marine Benthic Algae in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (Northwestern Hawaiian Islands)
Authors: TSUDA ROY T.
Published: May 2014

The algal bibliographic catalogue of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (PMNM) is based on previously published records for the 10 northwestern islands, atolls and shoals in the Hawaiian Archipelago, and includes, aligned from northwest to southeast, Kure Atoll (90 species), Midway Atoll (123 species), Pearl & Hermes Atoll (74 species), Lisianski Island including Neva Shoals (52 species), Laysan Island (131 species), Maro Reef (79 species), Gardner Pinnacles (75 species), French Frigate Shoals including La Pérouse Pinnacle (173 species), Necker Island (118 species) and Nihoa Island (33 species). The first section (I. Classification) provides a listing of classes, orders, and families of the 148 genera reported from the PMNM. The second section (II. Species-Reference Index) provides an alphabetized listing of the 335 algal species under the four Phyla, i.e., Cyanobacteria (18 species), Rhodophyta (198 species), Ochrophyta (45 species) and Chlorophyta (74 species) with the applicable reference citations for each island, atoll or shoal. Brief notes are provided, when appropriate, for selected species. The third section (III. Island-Reference Index) provides a chronological listing of all published algal references for each respective island, atoll or shoal. The Reference section contains the complete citation for each reference.
Spatiotemporal evolution of Reaumuria (Tamaricaceae) in Central Asia: insights from molecular biogeography
Authors: ZHANG MINGLI , HAO XIAOLI , SANDERSON STEWART C. , VYACHESLAV BYALT V. , SUKHORUKOV ALEXANDER P. , ZHANG XIA
Published: May 2014

Reaumuria is an arid adapted genus with a distribution center in Central Asia; its evolution and dispersal is investigated in this paper. Eighteen species of Reaumuria and nine species of two other genera in the Tamaricaceae, Tamarix and Myricaria, were sampled, and four markers ITS, rps16, psbB-psbH, and trnL-trnF were sequenced. The reconstructed phylogenetic tree is fundamentally consistent with previous morphological classification, except that R. soongorica, sometimes considered to be a separate genus or subgenus, is completely nested within Reaumuria. The ancestral area of the genus is suggested to be western Central Asia, and distributions in the Iran-Mediterranean area and the Tianshan and Pamir-Alai mountains are inferred as dispersals. Westward dispersals to the Iran-Mediterranean were ancient Oligocene to Miocene , whereas dispersals eastward were recent. The spatiotemporal evolution of Reaumuria is used as a link to abiotic paleoclimatic and geological events, in particular, increased aridity beginning at the Eocene-Oligocene Transition (EOT), and as a result of uplift of the Himalayas and Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP). The diversification of the two sections (22.51–19.78 Ma) suggests a response to increasing aridification in response to QTP uplift and expansion.
New species and new records of mites of the genus Stigmaeus
(Acari: Prostigmata: Stigmaeidae) from Crimea
Authors: KHAUSTOV ALEXANDER A.
Published: May 2014

Three new species of the genus Stigmaeus Koch, 1836 (Acari: Stigmaeidae) are described from various habitats in Crimea: Stigmaeus kuznetsovi sp. nov. from nests of Microtus socialis (Rodentia: Cricetidae); S. mitrofanovi sp. nov. from galleries of Pityogenes bistridentatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) under the bark of Pinus pallasiana, and S. silvestris sp. nov. from rotten log of Pinus pallasiana. Stigmaeus corticeus Kuznetsov and Wainstein, 1977 and S. maraghehiensis Bagheri and Ueckermann, 2012 are recorded for the first time in Crimea. A key to species of the genus Stigmaeus of Crimea is provided.
New records of the caridean shrimp genus Processa Leach, 1815 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Processidae) from Japan, with descriptions of two new species
Authors: KOMAI TOMOYUKI , FUJITA YOSHIHISA
Published: May 2014

Three species of the processid shrimp genus Processa Leach, 1815, including two new species, are reported from shallow coastal waters in Okinawa Island, Ryukyu Islands, Japan: P. affinis Hayashi, 1975, P. filipes n. sp. and P. hayashii n. sp. The present specimens of P. affinis represent the rediscovery and range extension of this poorly known species, originally described from Indonesia. Male characteristics of P. affinis are documented for the first time. The two new species are referred to the P. aequimana Paulson, 1875 species group. Processa filipes n. sp. is characteristic in the greatly elongate fifth pereopod and the transverse ridge on thoracic sternite 8 consisting of soft cuticle. Processa hayashii n. sp. is characterized by the presence of a deep concavity on the anterolateral margin of the carapace just inferior to the antennal tooth. The number of species of Processa known from Japanese waters is raised from five to eight.
Gymnancyla (Gymnancyla) iranella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae, Phycitinae),a new species from Iran
Authors: Alipanah Helen , Asselbergs Jan , Shams-Zadeh Mehdi
Published: May 2014

A full description of Gymnancyla (Gymnancyla) iranella sp. n. is given; adult, head and appendages, male and female genitalia and the larva are described and illustrated, based on 15 males, 12 females and three last instar larvae collected in central Iran, Yazd Province, Abarkuh region. Larvae were found on Salsola sp. (family Chenopodiaceae).
‘Googleology’ revisited: an additional tool for preventing zoological homonymy
Authors: LOW MARTYN E.Y. , NG PETER K.L.
Published: May 2014

Homonyms at the genus-group level in zoological nomenclature are not just “embarrassing for an author to discover or be told that his proposed name is preoccupied, but for all concerned it is a nuisance and an expense to make the corrections required” (Oehser 1935: 962). Names at the genus-group level are also the most “abundant source of homonyms” (Patterson et al. 2009: 688). Most preoccupied names will require a published article of at least half a page to replace them, and can lead to acrimonious debates in scientific literature, especially if this is done by data-miners who are not specialists of the groups (see Krell 2009: 274).
Discretion in Student Discipline
Authors: Findlay Nora M.
Published: May 2014

Little research exists that examines the exercise of discretion by principals in their disciplinary decision making. This study sought to understand the application of values by principals as they engage in student disciplinary decision making within legally fixed parameters of their administrative discretion. This qualitative methodology used semistructured in-depth interviews of 10 urban elementary school principals in western Canada. Data were analyzed through coding into data segments and then by grouping segments into categories, patterns, and themes. The principals appeared to understand discretion as being part of larger, more complex issues or a gray area; the exercise of good judgment; and necessary in order for them to be fair and reasonable in their disciplinary decision making. Influences upon their decision making included pressure from their superiors, the expectations of parents and staff, and the threat of legal action. The principals understood discretion as allowing them to differentiate in order to be fair and to adapt rules for their personal definitions of equity. Discretion delegated to school leaders should be structured through clear and specific discipline plans and policies and limited by restricting the circumstances and context under which it will be considered. Discretionary decisions also should be subject to review by the appropriate stakeholders. Elementary principals should gain a greater understanding of applicable case law in order that their decision making aligns with current jurisprudence. Future directions for research include examining students’ perception of fairness of principals’ discretionary decision making in disciplinary matters.
IEC 61508 Systematic Capability
Authors: Creech Gerry
Published: May 2014

The term ‘systematic capability’ has been introduced in Edition 2 of IEC 61508. This article will explain what is meant by systematic capability and give some guidance on its use.
Intended Self-Presentation Tactics in Job Interviews
Authors: Sandal Gro M. , van de Vijver Fons , Bye Hege H. , Sam David L. , Amponsah Benjamin , Cakar Nigar , Franke Gabriele H. , Ismail Rosnah , Kjellsen Kristine , Kosic Ankica , Leontieva Anna , Mortazavi Shahrnaz , Tien-Lun Sun Catherine
Published: May 2014

Intended self-presentation in job interviews was examined among university students in 10 countries ( N = 3,509). The aim was to assess cross-cultural differences in the endorsement of self-presentation tactics, and whether such differences could be explained by cultural values and socioeconomic variables. The Cultural Impression Management Scale–Applicant Scale (CIM-A) was used that measures assertiveness, individual excellence, accommodation, and pointing out obstacles. Cross-cultural differences were found in endorsement of all tactics, most notably in individual excellence and pointing out obstacles. Importance assigned to self-presentation tactics was larger among individuals from cultures emphasizing embeddedness, mastery, and hierarchy, and with larger income disparities. The exception to this pattern was the American sample. Implications for personnel selection in international contexts are discussed.
BET Inhibitor JQ1 Blocks Inflammation and Bone Destruction
Authors: Meng S. , Zhang L. , Tang Y. , Tu Q. , Zheng L. , Yu L. , Murray D. , Cheng J. , Kim S.H. , Zhou X. , Chen J.
Published: May 2014

BET proteins are a group of epigenetic regulators controlling transcription through reading acetylated histone tails and recruiting transcription complexes. They are considered as potential therapeutic targets in many distinct diseases. A novel synthetic bromodomain and extraterminal domain (BET) inhibitor, JQ1, was proved to suppress oncogene transcription and inflammatory responses. The present study was aimed to investigate the effects of JQ1 on inflammatory response and bone destruction in experimental periodontitis. We found that JQ1 significantly suppressed lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated inflammatory cytokine transcription, including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), as well as receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclast markers, such as c-Fos, nuclear factor of activated T-cells, cytoplasmic, calcineurin-dependent 1 (NFATc1), tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) and cathepsin K in vitro. JQ1 also inhibited toll-like receptors 2/4 (TLR2/4) expression and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) phosphorylation and nuclear translocation. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (ChIP-qPCR) revealed that JQ1 neutralized BRD4 enrichment at several gene promoter regions, including NF-κB, TNF-α, c-Fos, and NFATc1. In a murine periodontitis model, systemic administration of JQ1 significantly inhibited inflammatory cytokine expression in diseased gingival tissues. Alveolar bone loss was alleviated in JQ1-treated mice because of reduced osteoclasts in periodontal tissues. These unprecedented results suggest the BET inhibitor JQ1 as a prospective new approach for treating periodontitis.
DPP and DSP are Necessary for Maintaining TGF-β1 Activity in Dentin
Authors: Yamakoshi Y. , Kinoshita S. , Izuhara L. , Karakida T. , Fukae M. , Oida S.
Published: May 2014

Porcine dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) is the most abundant non-collagenous protein in dentin. It is processed by proteases into 3 independent proteins: dentin sialoprotein (DSP), dentin glycoprotein (DGP), and dentin phosphoprotein (DPP). We fractionated DPP and DSP along with TGF-β activity by ion exchange (IE) chromatography from developing pig molars and measured their alkaline phosphatase (ALP)-stimulating activity in human periodontal (HPDL) cells with or without TGF-β receptor inhibitor. We then purified TGF-β-unbound or -bound DPP and DSP by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) using the ALP-HPDL system. The TGF-β isoform bound to DPP and DSP was identified as being TGF-β1 by both ELISA and LC-MS/MS analysis. We incubated carrier-free human recombinant TGF-β1 (CF-hTGF-β1) with TGF-β-unbound DPP or DSP and characterized the binding on IE-HPLC using the ALP-HPDL system. When only CF-hTGF-β1 was incubated, approximately 3.6% of the ALP-stimulating activity remained. DPP and DSP rescued the loss of TGF-β1 activity. Approximately 19% and 10% of the ALP stimulating activities were retained by the binding of TGF-β to DPP and DSP, respectively. The type I collagen infrequently bound to CF-hTGF-β1. We conclude that both DPP and DSP help retain TGF-β1 activity in porcine dentin.
Gender, Family Functioning, and Violence across Immigrant Generations
Authors: DiPietro Stephanie M. , Cwick Jaclyn
Published: May 2014

Objectives:

Despite growing empirical and theoretical interest in the role of the family in immigrant offending, gender remains a traditionally overlooked dimension in the study of generational differences in crime. The present study examines the uniquely gendered pathways linking generational status, family functioning, and violence.

Methods:

Using ordinary least-squares (OLS) regression and overdispersed Poisson regression, the authors examine predictors of family functioning and violence using data from the Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods study.

Results:

Generational status influences family dynamics for both males and females, although the strength and significance of the effects vary by gender. For boys, generational status is a significant predictor of conflict and harsh parenting, net of other factors; for girls, it is associated with religiosity and conflict. Further, family processes attenuate the relationship between generational status and violence for girls only, implying alternative mechanisms for boys.

Conclusions:

The associations among immigrant generational status, family functioning, and violence differ for males and females, which has implications for intervention strategies aimed at promoting the well-being of immigrant youth. A noted limitation of this work is the inability to consider how gender interacts with ethnicity to impact these patterns.
A simulation method to generate commute trips—for agent-based modeling on co-diffusion of alternative fuel vehicles and their filling stations
Authors: Ma Tieju , Zhu Ya , Liu Peipei , Chi Chunjie
Published: May 2014

Existing agent-based models of co-diffusion of alternative fuel vehicles and their corresponding filling stations are very stylized. In addition, there is a lack of methodologies for linking such models with a real social and economic background. Aiming at solving this problem, this paper puts forward a method that uses widely available social, economic, and spatial data to generate driver agents’ commute trips, which play an important role in such models. We tested the method with the data of Shanghai and Beijing, two of the largest cities in China, and found the commute times resulting from the method were in accordance with survey results, which validates the potential usefulness of the method.
A mixed-flow simulation model for congested intersections with high pedestrian–vehicle traffic flows
Authors: Zhang Xin , Chang Gang-Len
Published: May 2014

In design of plans for major metropolitan areas, it should be recognized that a potentially large percentage of the population is walking instead of driving. The massive number of pedestrians may cause tremendous burden to vehicles in the roadway network, and thus should be adequately accommodated. However, limited research has been done to qualitatively evaluate the effectiveness of different control plans at such mixed-flow intersections. Hence, the development of a simulation tool, capable of replicating the realistic road conditions for both the pedestrian and vehicle flows, is an imperative task. Such a simulation tool should be able to account for conflicts between pedestrians, between vehicles, and between pedestrians and vehicles. In this study, we attempt to address this vital subject with the mixed-cellular automata (MCA) method. Our proposed simulation model has integrated the strengths of the CA method with some probabilistic functions, offering a realistic mechanism to reflect the competing and conflict interactions between vehicle and pedestrian flows. To ensure the proposed model’s applicability, this study has used field data to demonstrate the parameter calibration process and examples of some applications. Our extensive experimental results clearly indicate that the simulation model could realistically capture the behaviors and characteristics of mixed flows, offering an effective tool for potential real-world applications.
Modeling and simulation standards development, adoption and conformity in the attainment of system values: A framework for the tension between two process ideals
Authors: Behr Joshua G , Diaz Rafael
Published: May 2014

This article discusses the dynamics inherent in modeling and simulation (M&S) standards development processes within the context of the competitive struggle for resources and market dominance. A conceptual framework is presented that provides the theoretical logic for the tension between inclusive, consensus-driven standards development processes and exclusive, preferential processes. Standards development is conceptualized as a porous process subject to both cooperative interests and competitive pressures. We elucidate how the tension between these two process ideals shapes the adoption and conformity of M&S standards and, in turn, how these processes facilitate broader system values. Normative questions are explicated about the proper tradeoffs among the desire to realize collective efficiencies gained through standards, the drive to create, own, and financially exploit new, emerging technologies through the concept of intellectual property, and the objective of economic development through fostering innovation. Both the organizational and individual incentives to engage in standards processes are discussed, together with how the politics of participation may shape standards development. This research contributes a compelling theoretical perspective not fully developed in the growing and changing discipline of M&S. The significance of exploring these questions is found in that there is a national interest in M&S standards development activities that contribute to our technological innovation and economic competitiveness.
Pulsed Melodic Affective Processing: Musical structures for increasing transparency in emotional computation
Authors: Kirke Alexis , Miranda Eduardo
Published: May 2014

Pulsed Melodic Affective Processing (PMAP) is a method for the processing of artificial emotions in affective computing. PMAP is a data stream designed to be listened to, as well as computed with. The affective state is represented by numbers that are analogues of musical features, rather than by a binary stream. Previous affective computation has been done with emotion category indices, or real numbers representing various emotional dimensions. PMAP data can be generated directly by sound (e.g. heart rates or key-press speeds) and turned directly into music with minimal transformation. This is because PMAP data is music and computations done with PMAP data are computations done with music. This is important because PMAP is constructed so that the emotion that its data represents at the computational level will be similar to the emotion that a person “listening” to the PMAP melody hears. Thus, PMAP can be used to calculate “feelings” and the result data will “sound like” the feelings calculated. PMAP can be compared to neural spike streams, but ones in which pulse heights and rates encode affective information. This paper illustrates PMAP in a range of simulations. In a multi-agent simulation, initial results support that an affective multi-robot security system could use PMAP to provide a basic control mechanism for “search-and-destroy”. Results of fitting a musical neural network with gradient descent to help solve a text emotional detection problem are also presented. The paper concludes by discussing how PMAP may be applicable in the stock markets, using a simplified order book simulation.
Differentiating Subjective and Objective Attributes of Experience Products to Estimate Willingness to Pay Price Premium
Authors: Adhikari Atanu
Published: May 2014

Innovative experiences created by designers, architects, and artists are being combined with foods and services in the tourism industry. These experience products often combine subjective and objective attributes, and travelers’ evaluation of these attributes determine their willingness to pay. However, there is currently no structured approach for determining willingness to pay for the separate subjective and objective attributes of an experience product. This research adopts a categorical hybrid conjoint analysis for pricing such experiences within the restaurant industry, considering 13 attributes and 40 attribute levels under four facets, using data collected from 315 respondents in India. The study found that customers have a separate utility for subjective and objective attributes and will pay significant premiums for subjective attributes. There is scope for marketers to redesign experience products by combining different proportions of subjective and objective attributes. We thus define an optimal bundle of experience, and derive the price for this.
Monuments to Academic Carelessness
Authors: Rekdal Ole Bjørn
Published: May 2014

In 1942, Katherine Frost Bruner published an article titled “Of psychological writing: Being some valedictory remarks on style.” It was published in Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, the journal for which she served as editorial assistant between 1937 and 1941. Her collection of advice to writing scholars has been widely quoted, including by several editions of The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. The most frequently quoted message in Bruner’s article deals with the importance of making sure that references in academic texts are complete and accurate. Exploring the citation history of this particular message reveals an ironic point: the great majority of those who have quoted Bruner’s words on reference accuracy have not done so accurately. The case may serve as a reminder of the importance of the basic academic principle of striving to use primary sources. The most startling finding in this study is how frequently this principle is violated, even by authors who advise and educate academic writers.
Economic Evaluation of a Steroid‐Eluting Sinus Implant following Endoscopic Sinus Surgery for Chronic Rhinosinusitis
Authors: Rudmik Luke , Smith Timothy L.
Published: May 2014

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the cost‐effectiveness of a mometasone steroid‐eluting sinus implant compared to a nonsteroid‐eluting sinus implant following endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) for chronic rhinosinusitis.

Study Design

Economic evaluation using a decision tree model.

Setting

Academic and nonacademic otolaryngology practices.

Subjects

Patients with refractory chronic rhinosinusitis undergoing ESS.

Methods

The economic perspective was the health care third party payer. Effectiveness and probability data were obtained from a single meta‐analysis of 2 randomized, double‐blind, controlled trials. Costs were obtained from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services database and wholesale pharmaceutical pricing. Multiple sensitivity analyses were performed including a probabilistic sensitivity analysis. Comparative treatment groups were (1) placement of the mometasone steroid‐eluting sinus implant following ESS and (2) placement of a nonsteroid‐eluting implant following ESS. The primary outcome was cost per postoperative intervention avoided within 60 days after ESS.

Results

The mean cost for the steroid‐eluting and nonsteroid‐eluting sinus implant strategies were $1,572.91 and $365.18, respectively. The steroid‐eluting strategy incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio was $5,489.68. The sensitivity analysis demonstrated a 74.3%, 87.2%, and 90.5% certainty that the steroid‐eluting implant strategy is cost‐effective at willingness‐to‐pay thresholds of $10,000, $25,000, and $50,000, respectively.

Conclusion

Results from this economic evaluation suggest that placement of a mometasone steroid‐eluting sinus implant into the ethmoid cavity following ESS for refractory chronic rhinosinusitis is a cost‐effective intervention for preventing a postoperative intervention within 60 days after surgery.
Structural Properties of the Meniscal Roots
Authors: Ellman Michael B. , LaPrade Christopher M. , Smith Sean D. , Rasmussen Matthew T. , Engebretsen Lars , Wijdicks Coen A. , LaPrade Robert F.
Published: May 2014

Background:

Current surgical techniques for meniscal root repair reattach the most prominent, dense portion of the meniscal root and fail to incorporate recently identified peripheral, supplemental attachment fibers. The contribution of supplemental fibers to the biomechanical properties of native meniscal roots is unknown.

Hypothesis/Purpose:

The purpose was to quantify the ultimate failure strengths, stiffness, and attachment areas of the native posterior medial (PM), posterior lateral (PL), anterior medial (AM), and anterior lateral (AL) meniscal roots compared with the most prominent, dense meniscal root attachment after sectioning of supplemental fibers. It was hypothesized that the ultimate failure strength, stiffness, and attachment area of each native root would be significantly higher than those of the respective sectioned root.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

Twelve matched pairs of male human cadaveric knees were used. The 4 native meniscal roots were left intact in the native group, whereas the roots in the contralateral knee (sectioned group) were dissected free of all supplemental fibers. A coordinate measuring device quantified the amount of tissue resected in the sectioned group compared with the native group. A dynamic tensile testing machine pulled each root in line with its circumferential fibers. All root attachments were preconditioned from 10 to 50 N at a rate of 0.1 Hz for 10 cycles and subsequently pulled to failure at a rate of 0.5 mm/s.

Results:

Supplemental fibers composed a significant percentage of the native PM, PL, and AM meniscal root attachment areas. Mean ultimate failure strengths (in newtons) of the native PM, PL, and AM roots were significantly higher than those of the sectioned state, while the ultimate failure strength of the native AL root was indistinguishable from that of the sectioned state.

Conclusion:

Three of the 4 meniscal root attachments (PM, PL, AM) contained supplemental fibers that accounted for a significant percentage of the native root attachment areas, and these fibers significantly contributed to the failure strengths of the native roots.

Clinical Relevance:

These supplemental fibers are not routinely reattached during root repair surgery, suggesting that current techniques fail to reattach the biomechanically relevant attachments of native meniscal roots.