bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The important role of civil society groups in eco‐innovation: a triple helix perspective
Authors: Yang Yan , Egelund Holgaard Jette
Published: July 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss, theoretically and practically, the role of civil society groups in eco‐innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

Starting from a discussion on the emergence of “triple helix twins”, “quadruple helix” and “N‐tuple helices”, this paper discusses the role of civil society groups in eco‐innovation by addressing the following research questions: Why is it necessary to stress that civil society groups are as important as university, industry and government in eco‐innovation? What inspiration can “triple helix twins” and “quadruple helix” provide when arguing for a fourth actor of civil society groups in eco‐innovation? How are civil society groups affecting eco‐innovation practice and what does it tell us about the relation between civil society groups and the triple helix actors? In addressing the “How” question the authors draw on examples of eco‐innovation activities in Denmark and China.

Findings

Theoretically, the authors find that eco‐innovation has peculiarities of “intents toward environmental benefits”, “double externality problem” and “regulatory push/pull”. These peculiarities call for an explicit focus on civil society groups in eco‐innovation studies. Practically, eco‐innovation practices from Danish and Chinese companies show that: non‐governmental organizations (NGOs) play an important role as external expert knowledge providers, mediators and supporters of green business; the practices of the Danish case company indicate that civil society groups are not only foundations for developing innovation – they can be actors themselves; the existence of semi‐governmental organizations in the Chinese case company, which is categorized under the concept of NGOs, shows the limitations of the concept of civil society groups in exposing important actors and indicates the importance of analysing “mixed” organizations representing by linkages between the four actors.

Social implications

The peculiarities of eco‐innovation indicate that eco‐innovation policy and strategy making should take civil society groups into consideration, as they are helpful not only to provide pressure and push industry onto a green track, but also as supporters and carriers of green business. Corporate social responsibility is proposed as a stepping‐stone to engage civil society groups in broader eco‐innovation activity.

Originality/value

The paper starts an important and novel discussion on the importance of worldwide acceptance of civil society groups as important actors in eco‐innovation.
Post 80s black leadership: the family and crime
Authors: Stanislas Perry
Published: July 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to direct attention to social and cultural leadership in the area of family matters as they relate to black and disadvantaged communities. It seeks to reject and qualify the prevailing notions of victim status attributed to such groups in debates around the family and crime, while highlighting and challenging the various rationalities of the key actors involved. The paper calls for greater responsibility from those who view themselves as disadvantaged, and others who seek to advocate on their behalf.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on data gained from interviews carried out with black men, community activists, and participatory observation.

Findings

Black leaders for their own political motives continue to uncritically promote notions of female victimhood in the context of discussions around the family, youth delinquency, and crime. However, black lone‐parents are not passive victims and are often rational actors in the pursuit of personal goals, albeit often short‐sighted in terms of their social consequences.

Practical implications

More research is required especially reflecting black male perspectives about parenthood and lone‐parent families. Research is also called for on the issue of policing, crime prevention, and related strategies utilised by community activists in addressing the complex range of problems experienced by their communities. The paper calls for a stop to the practice of demonising black men in the context of debates around family matters, and the adoption of a more balanced approach to the issues in question.

Social implications

The paper contributes to a more informed debate on the topic, especially within affected communities, and discussions about parenting support/education, and the cultural specificity of some of the issues in question.

Originality/value

The paper highlights the role of black women's decision making in the context of family formation, and the role of sexism in black cultural practices in privileging female behaviour.
Police readiness for tackling hate crime against people with learning disabilities – areas for improvement and examples of good practice
Authors: Hoong Sin Chih , Sheikh Sanah , Khanna Mohini
Published: July 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the extent to which police services are set up to deal with hate crime against people with learning disabilities; looking at infrastructure, policies, procedures and levels of awareness and understanding.

Design/methodology/approach

Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with representatives from 14 police services in England. Key documents submitted by the police services were reviewed, and a focus group with eight people with learning disabilities was conducted.

Findings

Many police services are committed to tackling hate crime against people with learning disabilities. A wide variety of individuals have responsibility for dealing with hate crime and accountability structures are often unclear. Many services do not have hate crime policies that deal specifically with people with learning disabilities, or even disabled people in general. More training is required to ensure relevant staff are equipped to deal with the issues. Hate crime statistics are regarded as unreliable due to significant under‐reporting, although a few services have implemented innovative interventions to encourage reporting through awareness‐raising and multi‐agency working.

Originality/value

The Coalition Government has called for greater efforts at combating disability hate crime. It is widely acknowledged that the police are still failing disabled victims and witnesses. This paper identifies specific areas for improvement as well as innovative and effective practice that should be shared more widely.
Ranking of natural disasters in Sri Lanka for mitigation planning
Authors: Wickramaratne Sanjeewa , Ruwanpura Janaka , Ranasinghe Upul , Walawe‐Durage Samanthi , Adikariwattage Varuna , Wirasinghe S.C.
Published: July 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a methodology for a priori classification of natural disasters that occur in Sri Lanka, through the development of a set of weighted parameters based on the product of the disaster impact and the affected area, in order to prepare mitigation plans.

Design/methodology/approach

Experts' opinions were used for developing the parameters. Through a facilitated workshop, the weights of the disasters were obtained from experts involved in disaster mitigation at the local, regional and national levels in Sri Lanka. A correlation analysis was used to determine the most appropriate independent measures of disaster impact and affected area, the product of which was used to rank the identified disasters for further action.

Findings

For the pre‐selection of major disasters, the study showcases four weighted parameters, one of which is identified as the best. In total, five disasters have been singled out for further consideration in Sri Lanka. The product of the affected area factor, based on administrative area classification, and the impact factor, out of the two considered, that places a higher weight on minor disasters, is shown to be the best criterion.

Research limitations/implications

The geographical distribution of the participants (experts) does influence the results, and those available for the workshop were not fully representative of all Sri Lanka's provinces.

Originality/value

The paper emphasizes the importance of the consideration of the area impacted rather than the classification, which is based solely on the severity of the impact. The categorization of disasters based on experts' opinions and the related analysis revealed a priority order for planning for certain identified disasters.
Systematic review: hypomagnesaemia induced by proton pump inhibition
Authors: Hess M. W. , Hoenderop J. G. J. , Bindels R. J. M. , Drenth J. P. H.
Published: July 2012

Background

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are a mainstay therapy for all gastric acid‐related diseases. Clinical concerns arise from a small but growing number of case reports presenting PPI‐induced hypomagnesaemia (PPIH) as a consequence of long‐term PPI use. Current opinion is that reduced intestinal magnesium absorption might be involved, but nothing is known on the molecular mechanism underlying PPIH.

Aim

To investigate whether or not PPIH is a true, long‐term drug‐class effect of all PPIs and to scrutinise a possible role of comorbidity in its aetiology. Therefore, the primary objective in particular was to investigate serum magnesium dynamics in trials drug withdrawal and re‐challenge. The secondary objective was to profile the ‘patient at risk’.

Methods

We reviewed systematically all currently available case reports on the subject and performed a statistical analysis on extracted data.

Results

Proton pump inhibitor‐induced hypomagnesaemia PPIH is a drug‐class effect and occurred after 5.5 years (median) of PPI use, onset was broad and ranged from 14 days to 13 years. Discontinuation of PPIs resulted in fast recovery from PPIH in 4 days and re‐challenge led to reoccurrence within 4 days. Histamine‐2‐receptor antagonists were the preferable replacement therapy in PPIH and prevented reoccurrence of hypomagnesaemia. In PPIH no specific risk profile was identified that was linked to the hypomagnesaemia.

Conclusions

The cases of PPIH show severe symptoms of magnesium depletion and identification of its causation was only possible through withdrawal of the PPI. Clinical awareness of PPIH is key to avoid putting patients at risk.
A sensitive assay of 5‐fluorouracil in plasma by gas chromatography‐ mass spectrometry.
Authors: Hillcoat BL , Kawai M , McCulloch PB , Rosenfeld J , Williams CK
Published: July 2012

1 A gas chromatographic‐mass spectrometric method was developed for determining 5‐fluorouracil in plasma, using methylated thymine as an internal standard. 2 5‐fluorouracil was extracted from plasma by a novel procedure which removed plasma components interferring with the sensitivity of the assay. The method included heating the plasma, washing with ether and extracting the drug under optimum conditions. 3 The sensitivity of the assay was 10 ng/ml plasma, sufficient to determine the low concentrations of 5‐fluorouracil found in plasma during continuous infusion of the drug in patients receiving chemotherapy for cancer.
Comparison of salmefamol and salbutamol in patients with chronic airways obstruction.
Authors: Campbell IA , Dash CH , McHardy GJ , Shotter MV
Published: July 2012

1 Inhaled salmefamol, in doses of 100 mug and 200 mug has been compared with inhaled salbutamol, in a dose of 200 mug, and with placebo in patients with airways obstruction. 2 Both salmefamol and salbutamol are potent bronchodilators with a signficantly superior action over placebo at all times up to 8 h after treatment. 3 The mean peak percentage increases in FEV produced by the three active preparations were similar. The decline from peak values was significantly slower with salmefamol than with salbutamol. Neither drug produced tachycardia.
Plasma concentration of phenylbutazone and its therapeutic effect‐ studies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Authors: Orme M , Holt PJ , Hughes GR , Bulpitt CJ , Draffan GH , Thorgeirsson SS , Williams F , Davies DS
Published: July 2012

1 Phenylbutazone in doses of 50, 100, 200 and 300 mg/day has been given for four periods of 3 weeks to seven patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The trial was double‐blind and the order of administration of doses was arranged to eliminate order and carry‐over effects. 2 Before the trial and at the end of each period, the patient's responses were assessed by measurement of the duration of morning stiffness, the pain score, paracetamol tablet count, grip strength, digital joint size and articular index. 3 The plasma phenybutazone concentration was measured by gas‐liquid chromatography and was also predicted by prior measurement of the phenazone half‐life. 4. Compared with the pretreatment period, phenylbutazone had a significant therapeutic effect, as judged by morning stiffness, pain score and articular index, in a dose of 50 mg/day, but no statistically significant differences in effect were seen between the various doses of phenylbutazone. 5 There were no significant coorelations between the plasma concentration of phenylbutazone and any of the clinical assessments. 6 The plasma phenylbutazone concentration agreed closely with that predicted at doses of 50 and 100 mg, but at higher doses the plasma concentration was significantly lower than predicted (P less than 0.05). This may have been due to saturation of the protein binding sites at these doses.
An intradermal study of the local anaesthetic and vascular effects of the isomers of bupivacaine.
Authors: Aps C , Reynolds F
Published: July 2012

1 L(‐)‐ and D(+)‐bupivacaine in eight different concentrations from 0.06 to 7.69 mmol/l (0.002–0.25%) and physiological saline were given intradermally to seventeen volunteers, using a double‐blind technique. 2 Local colour changes were observed as 'nil', 'pink' or 'pale' and analgesia to pinprick was assessed every 10 min to give an estimate of apparent in vivo potency and duration of action (50% recovery). 3 Both isomers were vasodilator in all cases at 7.69 mmol/l, but the incidence of vasodilatation waned with decreasing concentration, more rapidly with L(‐)‐than with D(+)‐bupivacaine. 4 Only L(‐)‐bupivacaine showed a vasoconstrictor effect. This was maximal at a concentration of 0.48 mmol/l, when the incidence of pallor was 92%. 5 L(‐)‐bupivacaine had a longer duration of analgesic action than the (D+)‐isomer from 0.48‐3.84 mmol/l; this was reflected in a higher apparent in vivo potency.
Plasma concentrations of diazepam and desmethyldiazepam during chronic diazepam therapy.
Authors: Rutherford DM , Okoko A , Tyrer PJ
Published: July 2012

1 Plasma concentrations of diazepam and its metabolite, desmethyldiazepam, have been measured in both in‐ and out‐patient groups treated with diazepam for periods varying between 1 month and 10 years. 2 The diazepam concentration was directly related to the dose of diazepam ingested and inversely related to the age of the patient. 3 A highly significant relationship was obtained between the concentration of desmethyldiazepam and diazepam. 4 The plasma concentrations of both diazepam and its metabolite were independent of sex, duration fo therapy and patient group.
Compliance with anticonvulsant therapy in a hospital clinic and in the community.
Authors: Mucklow JC , Dollery CT
Published: July 2012

1 Seizure control, saliva anticonvulsant concentration, prescribing habits and compliance with anticonvulsant medication have been compared in 86 epileptic subjects attending either a specialist hospital clinic or general practice surgeries. 2 Of all subjects experiencing recurrent seizures 70% had saliva concentrations of phenytoin below the range equivalent to the 'therapeutic range' of plasma concentration. Mean saliva phenytoin concentrations did not differ significantly between the two treatment settings and were low largely because of the low mean dosage prescribed. 3 Eleven subjects in all had no detectable phenytoin in their and could clearly be identified as noncompliant. Freedom from seizures appeared to predispose to poor compliance in these subjects as well as among those admitting repeated omission of doses.
Ensiled sorghum and soybean as ruminant feed in the tropics, with emphasis on Cuba
Authors: Lima‐Orozco R. , Castro‐Alegría A. , Fievez V.
Published: July 2012

The concept is presented of combined cultivation of legumes and sorghum–maize and their use as conserved ruminant feed in tropical regions, with special reference to Cuba. Good yields are obtained during the rainy season through intercropping (alternate rows of either sorghum or maize and soybean). When followed by ensiling, this provides high‐quality ruminant feed for the tropical dry season. Soybean compensates for the low crude protein content of sorghum, whereas sorghum allows good silage quality in combination with legumes. The paper reviews and updates recent studies assessing combined sorghum–soybean cultivation and ensiling as well as determination of their feed value. The high nutritive quality and forage potential when these crops are intercropped demonstrate that silage from these plants can be used successfully in ruminant diets in Cuba and other tropical areas. Perspectives for new studies in this field are suggested, particularly with legume species that are more adapted to specific tropical regions and/or with higher forage yield. In addition, it is suggested that there is a need to assess the supplementation impact on meat and milk production at the farm level, as well as its environmental impact, when ruminants are fed combined silages from whole plants of sorghum–legumes.
The detection of periapical pathosis using digital periapical radiography and cone beam computed tomography – Part 2: a 1‐year post‐treatment follow‐up
Authors: Patel S. , Wilson R. , Dawood A. , Foschi F. , Mannocci F.
Published: July 2012

Patel S, Wilson R, Dawood A, Foschi F, Mannocci F. The detection of periapical pathosis using digital periapical radiography and cone beam computed tomography – Part 2: a 1‐year post‐treatment follow‐up. International Endodontic Journal, 45, 711–723, 2012.

Aim  Part 2 of this clinical study aims to compare the radiographic change in periapical status of individual roots determined using digital periapical radiographs versus cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) 1 year after primary root canal treatment and to determine the radiological outcome of treatment for each tooth.

Methodology  Periapical radiographs and CBCT scans of 123 teeth in 99 patients assessed 1 year after completion of primary root canal treatment by a single operator were compared with their respective pre‐treatment (diagnostic) periapical radiographs and CBCT scans. The presence or absence as well as the increase or decrease in size of existing periapical radiolucency was assessed by a consensus panel consisting of two calibrated examiners. The panel viewed the images under standardized conditions. Paired comparison of the outcome diagnosis of individual roots and teeth was performed using generalized McNemar’s or Stuart–Maxwell test of symmetry analysis.

Results  The ‘healed’ rate (absence of periapical radiolucency) for all roots combined was 92.7% using periapical radiographs and 73.9% for CBCT (P < 0.001). This rate increased to 97.2% and 89.4%, respectively, when the ‘healing’ group (reduced size of periapical radiolucency) was included (P < 0.001). A statistically significant difference in outcome diagnosis of single roots was observed between DPA and CBCT in single‐rooted teeth and the buccal or mesio‐buccal roots of multi‐rooted teeth (P < 0.05). Analysis by tooth revealed that the ‘healed’ rate (absence of periapical radiolucency) was 87% using periapical radiographs and 62.5% using CBCT (P < 0.001). This increased to 95.1% and 84.7%, respectively, when the ‘healing’ group (reduced size of periapical radiolucency) was included (P < 0.002). Outcome diagnosis of teeth showed a statistically significant difference between systems (P < 0.001). Reconstructed CBCT images revealed more failures (17.6%) in teeth with no pre‐operative periapical radiolucencies compared with periapical radiographs (1.3%) (P = 0.031). In teeth with existing pre‐operative periapical radiolucencies, reconstructed CBCT images also showed more failures (13.9%) compared with periapical radiographs (10.4%).

Conclusion  Diagnosis using CBCT revealed a lower healed and healing rate for primary root canal treatment than periapical radiographs, particularly in roots of molars. There was a 14 times increase in failure rate when teeth with no pre‐operative periapical radiolucencies were assessed with CBCT compared with periapical radiographs at 1 year.
Endoplasmic reticulum stress and mineralization inhibition mechanism by the resinous monomer HEMA
Authors: Diamanti E. , Mathieu S. , Jeanneau C. , Kitraki E. , Panopoulos P. , Spyrou G. , About I.
Published: July 2012

Aim

To investigate the expression of two endoplasmic reticulum (ER)‐resident key chaperone proteins, ERdj5 and BiP, under the influence of resinous monomers and its relationship with the inhibition of mineralization caused by the monomer 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA).

Methodology

The ERdj5 and BiP expression was studied in vitro, in primary human pulp cell cultures after treatment with three different HEMA concentrations at different time periods. Subsequently, the expression of both the odontoblast markers dentine sialoprotein (DSP) and osteonectin (OSN) was studied in human pulp cells under the same conditions.

Results

The ERdj5 and BiP expression was upregulated in the pulp cells. DSP and OSN were largely dispersed in the cytoplasm in control cell cultures but accumulated in a perinuclear area after exposure to HEMA. Their expression levels were not affected.

Conclusions

The increased expression of ERdj5 and BiP may reflect activation of ER stress. DSP and OSN accumulation into the cells may lead to their secretion arrest and inhibition of dentine matrix formation. These events may elucidate the mechanism by which HEMA inhibits the mineralization process.
The role of macrophages in healing the wounded lung
Authors: Alber Andreas , Howie Sarah E. M. , Wallace William A. H. , Hirani Nikhil
Published: July 2012

Acute tissue injury is often considered in the context of a wound. The host response to wounding is an orchestrated series of events, the fundamentals of which are preserved across all multicellular organisms. In the human lung, there are a myriad of causes of injury, but only a limited number of consequences: complete resolution, persistent and/or overwhelming inflammation, a combination of resolution/remodelling with fibrosis or progressive fibrosis. In all cases where complete resolution does not occur, there is the potential for significant ongoing morbidity and ultimately death through respiratory failure. In this review, we consider the elements of injury, resolution and repair as they occur in the lung. We specifically focus on the role of the macrophage, long considered to have a pivotal role in regulating the host response to injury and tissue repair.
High thoracic epidural analgesia decreases stress hyperglycemia and insulin need in cardiac surgery patients
Authors: GREISEN J. , NIELSEN D. V. , SLOTH E. , JAKOBSEN C.‐J.
Published: July 2012

Objective

Assuming that high thoracic epidural analgesia (HTEA) with the sympathetic block might decrease postoperative blood glucose (BG) level and reduce the need of insulin, the aim was to evaluate the effect of HTEA on the BG level and insulin requirement in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Materials and methods

Forty‐two low‐risk patients age 65–79 years scheduled for elective coronary artery bypass grafting with or without aortic valve replacement were randomised to receive HTEA as supplement for general anaesthesia. BG and lactate were measured before and after cardiopulmonary bypass and postoperatively at least every 3 h together with administration of insulin. Postoperative pain was evaluated 30 min, 2, 4 and 6 h after extubation, and before discharge from the intensive care unit.

Results

Overall BG levels showed great variation over time (P < 0.001). No statistically significant difference was found in perioperative BG, but postoperative lower BG levels were found in HTEA patients (P = 0.042). The number of patients not receiving insulin in postoperative period was significantly higher in HTEA group (9 vs. 2, P = 0.032). No differences were seen in lactate levels. Patients in the HTEA group had significant lower pain scores (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

HTEA preserves glucose metabolism better and leads to a lesser degree of ‘stress hyperglycaemia’ in cardiac surgery patients.
Dengue virus inactivation by minipool TnBP/Triton X‐45 treatment of plasma and cryoprecipitate
Authors: Burnouf T. , Chou M.‐L. , Cheng L.‐H. , Li Z.‐R. , Wu Y.‐W. , El‐Ekiaby M. , Tsai K.‐H.
Published: July 2012

Background and Objectives  A minipool solvent/detergent (S/D; 1% TnBP/1% Triton X‐45; 31°C) process was developed for viral inactivation of plasma and cryoprecipitate used for transfusion. The goal of this study was to determine the rate and extent of inactivation of dengue virus (DENV) during this process.

Materials and Methods  DENV‐1 was propagated using C6/36 mosquito cells to an infectivity titre close to 9 log and spiked (10% v/v) into individual plasma and cryoprecipitate samples from two distinct donors. Samples were taken right after spiking and during viral inactivation treatment by 1% TnBP‐1% Triton X‐45 at 31°C. DENV‐1 infectivity was assessed on Vero E6 cells by a focus‐forming assay (FFA). Culture medium and complement‐inactivated plasma were used as experimental controls. Experiments were done in duplicate.

Results  DENV‐1 infectivity was 7·5 log in spiked plasma and 7·1 and 7·3 log in spiked cryoprecipitate. There was no loss of DENV‐1 infectivity in the spiked materials, nor in the controls not subjected to S/D treatment. No infectivity was found in plasma and cryoprecipitate subjected to S/D treatment at the first time‐point evaluated (10 min).

Conclusion  DENV‐1 was strongly inactivated in plasma and cryoprecipitate, respectively, within 10 min of 1% TnBP/1% Triton X‐45 treatment at 31°C. These data provide a reassurance of the safety of such S/D‐treated plasma and cryoprecipitate with regard to the risk of transmission of all DENV serotypes and other flaviviruses.
Systemic Infection of Avocado, Persea americana, by Raffaelea lauricola, Does Not Progress Into Fruit Pulp or Seed
Authors: Ploetz Randy C. , Inch Sharon A. , Perez Martinez Jose M. , White Thomas L.
Published: July 2012

Avocado, Persea americana, is an important fruit crop in the tropics and warm subtropics. Laurel wilt, caused by Raffaelea lauricola, is a systemic vascular wilt of avocado that spread recently to Florida, an important producing state in the USA. As fruit and seed of avocado produced in Florida are sold in other states and countries where this crop is produced, there is concern that commerce in these commodities might spread this disease. Potted, fruit‐bearing trees were artificially inoculated with R. lauricola, and plants were systemically colonized by the fungus. In no instance did infection progress further than the hilum (87 total fruit), as determined by re‐isolation of R. lauricola on a semi‐selective medium or its detection, with qPCR and high fidelity PCR, of diagnostic small subunit (SSU) 18s rDNA. Thus, it would apparently be safe to propagate avocado with seed from trees affected by this disease. Pedicels/peduncles and hila associated with these fruit were colonized by the pathogen. The latter tissues would be associated with/attached to marketed fruit, but they do not harbour the pathogen’s ambrosia beetle vector, Xyleborus glabratus. Thus, commerce in avocado fruit appears to be a negligible risk for expanding the geographic range of laurel wilt.
First Report of Sclerotinia nivalis Causing White Mold Disease on Sedum sarmentosum in China
Authors: Fan Xuan , Zhang Jing , Yang Long , Zhang Qinghua , Li Guoqing
Published: July 2012

In 2010 and 2011, a disease exhibiting characteristics of white mold was found on Sedum sarmentosum, a crassulaceous weed under canopies of tea trees, in Zhushan County, Hubei Province, China. Based on the cultural and morphological characteristics, the pathogen was identified as Sclerotinia nivalis Saito. In the phylogenetic tree inferred from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS)‐rDNA sequences, the pathogen was clustered with five previously characterized isolates of S. nivalis, forming a unique clade, thus confirming the morpho‐cultural identification. Koch’s postulates were fulfilled by pathogenicity tests using the isolate SsSn‐24 and Let‐19 of S. nivalis on plants of S. sarmentosum. To our knowledge, this is the first report of S. nivalis on S. sarmentosum in the family Crassulaceae.
Variability of Indian Isolates of Tilletia indica Assessed by Pathogenicity and Molecular Markers
Authors: Thirumalaisamy Polavakkalipalayam Palanisamy , Singh Dharam Vir
Published: July 2012

Twenty isolates of Tilletia indica collected from sites in North and North‐western India showed pathogenic variation on 18 host differentials. Sixteen aggressive pathotypes were identified on the basis of percent coefficient of infection (PCI). Two major clusters were apparent in the dendrogram; cluster 1 comprised 13 isolates and cluster two consisted of seven isolates. One of the isolate Kashipur had a high PCI on most of the host differentials compared to other isolates. Polymerase chain reaction‐based random amplified polymorphic DNA (PCR – RAPD) analysis also divided isolates into two major clusters, one comprising of 5 isolates collected from hill and foot‐hill sites and another group comprising of 15 isolates collected from plain sites. Thus, the clusters identified based on PCI did not match closely with those identified by molecular analysis based on RAPD. Although diversity among the isolates of T. indica was absent in the rDNA‐ITS region, our study based on pathogenicity and molecular markers confirms the existence of great diversity in the pathogen, also shifting of ‘hot spot’ areas from one place to another within Karnal bunt prevailing areas.
Cross‐Species Alleviation of Biotic and Abiotic Stresses by the Endophyte Pseudomonas aeruginosa PW09
Authors: Pandey Pramod Kumar , Yadav Sudheer Kumar , Singh Akanksha , Sarma Birinchi Kumar , Mishra Aradhana , Singh Harikesh Bahadur
Published: July 2012

A wheat endophytic bacterium (Pseudomonas aeruginosa PW09) was evaluated for its ability to trigger an induced systemic resistance response in cucumber against biotic and abiotic stresses. PW09 was applied to cucumber seeds, and the seedlings were subjected to Sclerotium rolfsii infection and NaCl (150 mm). The role of PW09 was evaluated in alleviating the stresses by assessing plant mortality due to S. rolfsii infection and biomass accumulation under NaCl stress as well as at the physiological level through phenylpropanoid metabolism, antioxidant activities and proline accumulation. The endophyte reduced seedling mortality by 60% and increased biomass accumulation significantly under S. rolfsii (7%) and NaCl (18%) stresses, respectively, compared with endophyte‐untreated seedlings. Application of PW09 also induced higher accumulation of proline (1.3‐ and 1.4‐fold) and total phenolics (1.2‐ and 1.1‐fold) and activities of polyphenol oxidase (4.3‐ and 1.5‐fold), phenylalanine ammonia lyase (1.29‐ and 1.27‐fold) and superoxide dismutase (2.5‐ and 1.39‐fold) under S. rolfsii and NaCl stresses, indicating the ability of the wheat endophyte PW09 in alleviating both biotic and abiotic stresses in cucumber.
Ultrastructural and Enzymatic Activity of Membranous Vesicles Isolated from Canine Seminal Plasma
Authors: Zelli R , Bellezza I , Rambotti MG , Minelli A , Polisca A
Published: July 2012

Contents

The objectives of this study were to verify the presence of membranous vesicles (MV) in canine seminal plasma by mean of transmission electron microscopy (TEM), to describe the ultrastructural characteristics and to identify some enzymatic activity associated with them. Semen samples, collected by digital manipulation from dogs with proven fertility, were pooled and used for membrane vesicles preparation according to conventional procedures. TEM observations showed the existence of vesicular membranous structures of more or less spherical shape with different sizes. These vesicles were surrounded by a single‐, double‐ or multiple‐layered laminar membranes. The mean vesicle diameter was 117.6 ± 86.9 nm ranging from 24.4 to 716.6 nm. Enzyme activity determinations showed the presence of adenosine deaminase, 5′‐nucleotidase, ADPase, ATPase, dipeptilpeptidase IV, alkaline phosphatase, total acid phosphatase and prostatic acid phosphatase, while the aminopeptidase activity was absent. In conclusion, results of this study, compatible with results from other mammals, showed for the first time the presence of MV, their ultrastructural and enzymatic characteristics in dog seminal plasma.
Obesity does not affect sodium picosulphate bowel preparation
Authors: Fok K. C. , Turner I. B. , Teoh W. C. , Levy R. L.
Published: July 2012

Background

A previous study utilising oral polyethylene‐glycol by Borg et al. concluded that obesity is an independent predictor of inadequate bowel preparation at colonoscopy.

Aim

To compare bowel preparation quality between obese and non‐obese individuals as assessed by Boston bowel preparation scale (BBPS) after using sodium picosulphate.

Methods

Prospective recruitment of patients at a day surgical unit in a New South Wales academic hospital. Bowel preparation was with Picoprep in all patients. Body Mass Index and epidemiological details were collected. Bowel preparation efficacy was assessed using the Boston Bowel Preparation Score.

Results

One hundred and four patients were enrolled prospectively. Five (4.8%) were excluded owing to poor mental capacity. Sixty‐three (64%) were non‐obese, and 36 (36%) were obese. Fifty‐seven (90%) non‐obese and 32 (89%) obese patients had good bowel preparation. There was no statistical difference for sodium picosulphate bowel preparation between obese and non‐obese individuals (P > 0.99) using Fisher's exact probability tests. The BBPS score in the left colon predicted the overall BBPS score in all patients (P < 0.001). Three of 99 patients (3%) did not tolerate sodium picosulphate, with nausea being the most common side‐effect.

Limitations

Non‐randomised study

Conclusions

There was no difference in bowel preparation quality between obese and non‐obese patients using a low‐volume bowel preparation (sodium picosulphate) and without dose modification of the bowel preparation. Sodium picosulphate was a welltolerated and an effective bowel preparation for obese individuals. With an increasing incidence of obesity and expanding colonoscopic indications within Australia and other Western countries from government‐sponsored programs, it is paramount that procedural quality not be compromised in the obese patient.
Consistent sequential activity across diverse forms of UP states under ketamine anesthesia
Authors: Luczak Artur , Barthó Peter
Published: July 2012

During slow‐wave sleep, the neocortex shows complex, self‐organized spontaneous activity. Similar slow‐wave oscillations are present under anesthesia where massive, persistent network activity (UP states) alternates with periods of generalized neural silence (DOWN states). To investigate the neuronal activity patterns occurring during UP states, we recorded simultaneously from populations of cells in neocortical layer V of ketamine/xylazine‐anesthetized rats. UP states formed a diverse class. In particular, simultaneous‐onset UP states were typically accompanied by sharp field potentials and 10–14 Hz modulation, and were often grouped in a 3 Hz (‘delta’) pattern. Longer, slow‐onset UP states did not exhibit 10–14 Hz modulation, and showed a slow propagation across recording electrodes (‘traveling waves’). Despite this diversity, the temporal patterns of spiking activity were similar across different UP state types. Analysis of cross‐correlograms revealed conserved temporal relationships among neurons, with each neuron having specific timing during UP states. As a group, putative interneurons were most active at the beginning of UP states and putative pyramidal cells were active uniformly throughout the duration of UP states. These results show that UP states under ketamine anesthesia have a stable, fine‐structured firing pattern despite a large variability in global structure.
Impact of contextual cues in the expression of the memory associated with diazepam withdrawal: involvement of hippocampal PKMζin vivo, and Arc expression and LTP in vitro
Authors: Monti Maria C. , Gabach Laura A. , Perez Mariela F. , Ramírez Oscar A.
Published: July 2012

Hippocampal synaptic plasticity has been related to learning and adaptive processes developed during chronic drug administration, suggesting the existence of a common neurobiological mechanism mediating drug addiction and memory. Moreover, protein kinase M zeta (PKMζ) is critical for the maintenance of hippocampal long‐term potentiation (LTP) and spatial conditioned long‐term memories. Also, a link between activity‐regulated cytoskeleton‐associated protein (Arc), PKMζ and LTP has been proposed. Our previous results demonstrated that re‐exposure to the withdrawal environment was able to evoke the memory acquired when the anxiety measured as a diazepam (DZ) withdrawal sign was experienced. In the present work we evaluated if the memory associated with DZ withdrawal could be affected by changes in the contextual cues presented during withdrawal and by intrahippocampal administration of a PKMζ inhibitor. We found that the context was relevant for the expression of withdrawal signs as changes in contextual cues prevented the expression of the anxiety‐like behavior observed during plus‐maze (PM) re‐exposure, the associated enhanced synaptic plasticity and the increase in Arc expression. Furthermore, intrahippocampal administration of PKMζ inhibitor previous to re‐exposure to the PM test also impaired expression of anxiety‐like behavior and the facilitated LTP. These results support the relevance of the hippocampal synaptic plasticity in the maintenance of the memory trace during benzodiazepines withdrawal, adding new evidences for common mechanisms between memory and drug addiction that can be intervened for treatment or prevention of this pathology.
Polynomial Optics: A Construction Kit for Efficient Ray‐Tracing of Lens Systems
Authors: Hullin Matthias B. , Hanika Johannes , Heidrich Wolfgang
Published: July 2012

Simulation of light transport through lens systems plays an important role in graphics. While basic imaging properties can be conveniently derived from linear models (like ABCD matrices), these approximations fail to describe nonlinear effects and aberrations that arise in real optics. Such effects can be computed by proper ray tracing, for which, however, finding suitable sampling and filtering strategies is often not a trivial task. Inspired by aberration theory, which describes the deviation from the linear ray transfer in terms of wavefront distortions, we propose a ray‐space formulation for nonlinear effects. In particular, we approximate the analytical solution to the ray tracing problem by means of a Taylor expansion in the ray parameters. This representation enables a construction‐kit approach to complex optical systems in the spirit of matrix optics. It is also very simple to evaluate, which allows for efficient execution on CPU and GPU alike, including the computation of mixed derivatives of any order. We evaluate fidelity and performance of our polynomial model, and show applications in high‐quality offline rendering and at interactive frame rates.
Tessellation‐Independent Smooth Shadow Boundaries
Authors: Mattausch Oliver , Scherzer Daniel , Wimmer Michael , Igarashi Takeo
Published: July 2012

We propose an efficient and light‐weight solution for rendering smooth shadow boundaries that do not reveal the tessellation of the shadow‐casting geometry. Our algorithm reconstructs the smooth contours of the underlying mesh and then extrudes shadow volumes from the smooth silhouettes to render the shadows. For this purpose we propose an improved silhouette reconstruction using the vertex normals of the underlying smooth mesh. Then our method subdivides the silhouette loops until the contours are sufficiently smooth and project to smooth shadow boundaries. This approach decouples the shadow smoothness from the tessellation of the geometry and can be used to maintain equally high shadow quality for multiple LOD levels. It causes only a minimal change to the fill rate, which is the well‐known bottleneck of shadow volumes, and hence has only small overhead.
Fast Generation of Approximate Blue Noise Point Sets
Authors: Kalantari Nima Khademi , Sen Pradeep
Published: July 2012

Poisson‐disk sampling is a popular sampling method because of its blue noise power spectrum, but generation of these samples is computationally very expensive. In this paper, we propose an efficient method for fast generation of a large number of blue noise samples using a small initial patch of Poisson‐disk samples that can be generated with any existing approach. Our main idea is to convolve this set of samples with another to generate our final set of samples. We use the convolution theorem from signal processing to show that the spectrum of the resulting sample set preserves the blue noise properties. Since our method is approximate, we have error with respect to the true Poisson‐disk samples, but we show both mathematically and practically that this error is only a function of the number of samples in the small initial patch and is therefore bounded. Our method is parallelizable and we demonstrate an implementation of it on a GPU, running more than 10 times faster than any previous method and generating more than 49 million 2D samples per second. We can also use the proposed approach to generate multidimensional blue noise samples.
Example‐Based Fractured Appearance
Authors: Glondu L. , Muguercia L. , Marchal M. , Bosch C. , Rushmeier H. , Dumont G. , Drettakis G.
Published: July 2012

A common weathering effect is the appearance of cracks due to material fractures. Previous exemplar‐based aging and weathering methods have either reused images or sought to replicate observed patterns exactly. We introduce a new approach to exemplar‐based modeling that creates weathered patterns on synthetic objects by matching the statistics of fracture patterns in a photograph. We present a user study to determine which statistics are correlated to visual similarity and how they are perceived by the user. We then describe a revised physically‐based fracture model capable of producing a wide range of crack patterns at interactive rates. We demonstrate how a Bayesian optimization method can determine the parameters of this model so it can produce a pattern with the same key statistics as an exemplar. Finally, we present results using our approach and various exemplars to produce a variety of fracture effects in synthetic renderings of complex environments. The speed of the fracture simulation allows interactive previews of the fractured results and its application on large scale environments.
Unit Social Cohesion in the Israeli Military as a Case Study of “Don't Ask, Don't Tell”
Authors: Kaplan Danny , Rosenmann Amir
Published: July 2012

U.S. military policy “Don't Ask Don't Tell” (DADT) restricted integration of gays in the U.S. military based on the premise that knowledge of gay peers would decrease interpersonal bonds among unit members. Despite the heated debate over DADT, this social cohesion thesis, reflecting the tensions of homosocial desire, has not been tested empirically. The Israeli military provides an operative case‐study for this thesis, given its nonexclusionary policy and intensive combat experience. Measures of perceived social cohesion and knowledge of gay peers were obtained from a sample of 417 combat and noncombat male soldiers using an inventory of interpersonal emotions towards unit members. A MANOVA of social cohesion by knowledge of gay peers and combat/noncombat unit yielded the hypothesized increase in cohesion in combat versus noncombat units. Yet contrary to the DADT premise, knowledge of gay peers did not yield decreased social cohesion. Comparisons with the U.S. military are presented, suggesting in both cases a loose coupling between stated policies and soldiers' experience on the ground. Implications of these findings for the reassessment of DADT and its repeal are discussed.
Student Learning Outcomes for Biblical Studies in the Liberal Arts
Authors: Webster Jane S. , Runions Erin , Gallagher Eugene V. , Lopez Davina C. , McGinn Sheila E. , Penner Todd C. , Howell David B.
Published: July 2012

What is the role of biblical studies in a liberal arts curriculum? At the 2009 North American Society of Biblical Literature conference, a panel of seven Bible scholars provided brief analyses and arguments about the appropriate goals of teaching biblical studies in undergraduate contexts in this historical moment. They consider and critique the notion of specific Student Learning Outcomes or Objectives (SLOs) for courses about the Bible. In the process they address questions such as: what is the relative importance of “coverage” (biblical literacy, disciplinary knowledge and methods, and the historical creation of the biblical texts) versus modern and historical reception and uses of these texts? In their contributions, the authors analyze ways that a biblical studies course can develop the critical reading and writing skills that are the hallmark of undergraduate education. Some authors find these skills furthered by not bracketing from study the normative truth claims in the texts and instead strategically and critically encouraging the identity work and religious seeking associated with religious uses of these texts. Others call attention to the institutional and classroom power dynamics which inform and are constituted by the current student learning outcomes movement.
Child and adolescent predictors of male intimate partner violence
Authors: Theobald Delphine , Farrington David P.
Published: July 2012

Background: This study addresses to what extent child and adolescent explanatory factors predict male perpetrated intimate partner violence (IPV) in adulthood.

Methods: We use prospective longitudinal data from the Cambridge Study in Delinquent Development (CSDD). The CSDD is a survey of 411 male born in the 1950s in an inner London area. The men were interviewed over a period of 40 years with information also gathered from their parents, peers and teachers and later from their female partners.

Results: Family factors such as having a criminal father, a disrupted family, poor supervision and relationship problems with parents predicted later IPV. Individual predictors included unpopularity, daring, impulsivity, aggressiveness and low verbal IQ. There was evidence of cumulative risk for later violence in intimate partnerships.

Conclusions: Early childhood factors predict adult male IPV. No other study has showed the predictability of IPV over a 40‐year time interval in a prospective survey. The IPV men tended to have convictions for violence and tended to be unsuccessful in areas such as employment, drinking and drug use.