bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A treatment goal checklist for people with personality disorder
Authors: Wood Katherine , McMurran Mary
Published: June 2013

Background

Agreement between client and therapist on treatment goals has been consistently linked with improved treatment outcomes. Having clear and collaborative goals may be particularly important when working with clients diagnosed with personality disorders who are often difficult to engage and test the boundaries of therapy. This paper outlines the development of a personality disorder treatment goal checklist aimed at helping clients and therapists to identify and prioritize their goals for therapy.

Method

The checklist was developed using self‐reported problems of the first 90 participants randomized into the psychoeducation and problem solving (PEPS) trial. Problems were coded and categorized into problem areas. The checklist was viewed by two service users who gave suggestions for improvements.

Results

The final checklist consists of 161items in 16 problem areas.

Conclusions

The checklist may provide a clinically useful tool for working with this client group. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A tailored, supportive care intervention using systematic assessment designed for people with inoperable lung cancer: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Schofield Penelope , Ugalde Anna , Gough Karla , Reece John , Krishnasamy Meinir , Carey Mariko , Ball David , Aranda Sanchia
Published: June 2013

Objective

People with inoperable lung cancer experience higher levels of distress, more unmet needs and symptoms than other cancer patients. There is an urgent need to test innovative approaches to improve psychosocial and symptom outcomes in this group. This study tested the hypothesis that a tailored, multidisciplinary supportive care programme based on systematic needs assessment would reduce perceived unmet needs and distress and improve quality of life.

Methods

A randomised controlled trial design was used. The tailored intervention comprised two sessions at treatment commencement and completion. Sessions included a self‐completed needs assessment, active listening, self‐care education and communication of unmet psychosocial and symptom needs to the multidisciplinary team for management and referral. Outcomes were assessed with the Needs Assessment for Advanced Lung Cancer Patients, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Distress Thermometer and European Organization of Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Q‐C30 V2.0.

Results

One hundred and eight patients with a diagnosis of inoperable lung or pleural cancer (including mesothelioma) were recruited from a specialist facility before the trial closed prematurely (original target 200). None of the primary contrasts of interest were significant (all p > 0.10), although change score analysis indicated a relative benefit from the intervention for unmet symptom needs at 8 and 12 weeks post‐assessment (effect size = 0.55 and 0.40, respectively).

Conclusion

Although a novel approach, the hypothesis that the intervention would benefit perceived unmet needs, psychological morbidity, distress and health‐related quality of life was not supported overall. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transparent Ceramics for Photonic Applications
Authors: Palashov Oleg V. , Khazanov Efim A. , Kravchenko Valery B. , Fedorov Pavel P.
Published: June 2013

The International Symposium on Transparent Ceramics for Photonic Applications is an annual international conference since 2005. The previous LCS events were held in Poland (2005), Japan (2006), France (2007), China (2008), Spain (2009), Germany (2010), and Singapore (2011). The 8th LCS was held in Russia in the city of Nizhny Novgorod on December 4–7, 2012. The aim of the symposium was to provide a forum for material scientists, chemists and physicists, to discuss the state of the art of optical transparent ceramics, including basic aspects and promising applications, and to give an insight into future advances and research possibilities in this field.

The symposium program included invited talks as well as contributed presentations. This year the main focuses of the symposium were:

– Synthesis of high purity powders and transparent ceramics

– Optical spectroscopy and characterization of physical properties

– New materials and novel fabrication methods

– Ceramic lasers and amplifiers

– Composite structured laser ceramics.

The International Program Committee had 24 members from 16 countries worldwide (http://www.8lcs.iapras.ru/committees.html). The OSA representative in the International Program Committee was academician S. N. Bagayev. After revision, the symposium program consisted of 42 reports, including 13 invited talks (invited speaker names can be found on the webpage: http://www.8lcs.iapras.ru/invited.html). Among the 67 participants of the LSC 2012, 44 were from Russia, 9 from P.R. China, 6 from Japan, 3 from Ukraine, 2 from South Korea, 1 from UK, 1 from Germany, and 1 from Singapore. The oral presentations were given in English.

The symposium took four days and was divided into three sessions: “Ceramics fabrication ”, “Ceramics characterization ” and “Ceramic lasers ”.

As representatives of the industry, Dr. Hideki Yagi from Konoshima Chemical Co. Ltd. (Japan) gave the interesting review “Transparent ceramics for photonic applications ” and Dr. Ken‐ichi Ueda from Hamamatsu Photonics K.K. (Japan) told about important applications of laser ceramics in his lecture “Thermal lens free ceramic laser ”.

The fellow of the Optical Society of America, director of the Institute of Extreme Light (France), Gerard Mourou, has visited the technical sessions and a subsequent discussion of the Laser Ceramics Symposium.

The LCS has brought together leading experts from around the world, stimulated active discussions and contacts between the scholars and gave a brilliant opportunity for the participants to start further fruitful research collaborations.

The four‐days LCS 2012 was attended by 67 scientists and engineers from around the world. Pictures could be found in the gallery at: http://www.8lcs.iapras.ru/photoshots.html.

The next, the 9th Laser Ceramics Symposium will be held in Seoul, South Korea in 2013.
A novel remote center of motion mechanism for the force‐reflective master robot of haptic tele‐surgery systems
Authors: Hadavand Mostafa , Mirbagheri Alireza , Behzadipour Saeed , Farahmand Farzam
Published: June 2013

Background

An effective master robot for haptic tele‐surgery applications needs to provide a solution for the inversed movements of the surgical tool, in addition to sufficient workspace and manipulability, with minimal moving inertia.

Method

A novel 4 + 1‐DOF mechanism was proposed, based on a triple parallelogram linkage, which provided a Remote Center of Motion (RCM) at the back of the user's hand. The kinematics of the robot was analyzed and a prototype was fabricated and evaluated by experimental tests.

Results

With a RCM at the back of the user's hand the actuators far from the end effector, the robot could produce the sensation of hand‐inside surgery with minimal moving inertia. The target workspace was achieved with an acceptable manipulability. The trajectory tracking experiments revealed small errors, due to backlash at the joints.

Conclusions

The proposed mechanism meets the basic requirements of an effective master robot for haptic tele‐surgery applications. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Natural killer cell-activating receptor NKG2D mediates innate immune targeting of allogeneic neural progenitor cell grafts
Authors: Phillips Lori K. , Gould Elizabeth A. , Babu Harish , Krams Sheri M. , Palmer Theo D. , Martinez Olivia M.
Published: June 2013

Cell replacement therapy holds promise for a number of untreatable neurological or psychiatric diseases but the immunogenicity of cellular grafts remains controversial. Emerging stem cell and reprogramming technologies can be used to generate autologous grafts that minimize immunological concerns but autologous grafts may carry an underlying genetic vulnerability that reduces graft efficacy or survival. Healthy allogeneic grafts are an attractive and commercially scalable alternative if immunological variables can be controlled. Stem cells and immature neural progenitor cells (NPC) do not express major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens and can evade adaptive immune surveillance. Nevertheless, in an experimental murine model, allogeneic NPCs do not survive and differentiate as well as syngeneic grafts, even when traditional immunosuppressive treatments are used. In this study, we show that natural killer (NK) cells recognize the lack of self-MHC antigens on NPCs and pose a barrier to NPC transplantation. NK cells readily target both syngeneic and allogeneic NPC, and killing is modulated primarily by NK-inhibiting “self” class I MHC and NK-activating NKG2D-ligand expression. The absence of NKG2D signaling in NK cells significantly improves NPC-derived neuron survival and differentiation. These data illustrate the importance of innate immune mechanisms in graft outcome and the potential value of identifying and targeting NK cell-activating ligands that may be expressed by stem cell derived grafts.
PDGF signaling is required for primitive endoderm cell survival in the inner cell mass of the mouse blastocyst
Authors: Artus Jérôme , Kang Minjung , Cohen-Tannoudji Michel , Hadjantonakis Anna-Katerina
Published: June 2013

At the end of the preimplantation period, the inner cell mass (ICM) of the mouse blastocyst is composed of two distinct cell lineages, the pluripotent epiblast (EPI) and the primitive endoderm (PrE). The current model for their formation involves initial co-expression of lineage-specific markers followed by mutual-exclusive expression resulting in a salt-and-pepper distribution of lineage precursors within the ICM. Subsequent to lineage commitment, cell rearrangements and selective apoptosis are thought to be key processes driving and refining the emergence of two spatially distinct compartments. Here, we have addressed a role for Platelet Derived Growth Factor (PDGF) signaling in the regulation of programmed cell death during early mouse embryonic development. By combining genetic and pharmacological approaches, we demonstrate that embryos lacking PDGF activity exhibited caspase-dependent selective apoptosis of PrE cells. Modulating PDGF activity did not affect lineage commitment or cell sorting, suggesting that PDGF is involved in the fine-tuning of patterning information. Our results also indicate that PDGF and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) tyrosine kinase receptors exert distinct and non-overlapping functions in PrE formation. Taken together, these data uncover an early role of PDGF signaling in PrE cell survival at the time when PrE and EPI cells are segregated.
Pediatric psychopharmacology: too much or too little?
Authors: Rapoport Judith L.
Published: June 2013

This paper provides a selective overview of the past, present and future of pediatric psychopharmacology. The acceptance of medication use in child psychiatry was based on the results of double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trials documenting the efficacy of drug treatments for attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder, enuresis, depression, anxiety disorders, obsessive‐compulsive disorder and psychoses. This period of success was followed by a series of challenges, including a growing awareness of the long‐term adverse effects of medications and of the inadequacy of long‐term drug surveillance. There is great concern today that children are being overtreated with medication, especially in the US. Further advances in pediatric psychopharmacology may come from examination of large medical data sets including both pharmacological and psychiatric information, which could lead to drug repurposing, as well as from preclinical translational studies such as those using human induced pluripotent stem cells.
Rhodium(III), Palladium(II) and Rhenium(I) Complexes with 7‐(Diphenylphosphine)‐indole and ‐indolate
Authors: Kammerer Susanne , Neumann Bernd , Köhler Brigitte , Mayer Peter , Lorenz Ingo‐Peter
Published: June 2013

We present the synthesis of 7‐(diphenylphosphine)‐indole 1 (HPinol) as a novel mono‐ and bidentate P‐ and N, P‐ligand and its coordination chemical behaviour towards the d6‐ and d8‐transition metals rhodium(III), palladium(II) and rhenium(I). The reaction of 1 with [Cp*RhCl2]2 in a 1:2 molar ratio leads to the formation of the P‐coordinated complex [RhCl2(P–(HPinol))] (2). In the presence of the weak base NEt3, HCl elimination occurs by forming the neutral amido‐phosphine chelated complex [RhCl(N, P–(Pinol))] (3). The same P‐ and N, P‐coordination is observed for palladium(II), where two ligands 1 coordinate to the metal centre forming the neutral complexes [PdCl2(P–HPinol)2] (4) and [Pd(N, P–Pinol)2] (5). The reaction of Re(CO)5Br in the presence of NEt3 and PPh3 delivers the amido‐phosphine complex [Re(CO)3PPh3(N, P–Pinol)] (6). All products were characterised by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, MS and IR spectra as well as elemental analysis. Furthermore, crystal structures of ligand 1 and all complexes 2–6 are presented.
Syntheses of Novel Fe/S Clusters with μ‐Aminocarbyne Ligands
Authors: Shi Yao‐Cheng , Fu Qiang
Published: June 2013

The reaction of Fe3(CO)12 with (C3H5)2NCS2K in THF at room temperature afforded a red‐brown solution. Treatment of the thus‐obtained solution with MeI and PhCH2Br afforded clusters 1, (μ‐MeS)Fe2(CO)6(μ4‐S)Fe2(CO)6(μ‐CN(C3H5)2), and 2, (μ‐PhCH2CO)Fe2(CO)6(μ4‐S)Fe2(CO)6(μ‐CN(C3H5)2). Their structures were unambiguously determined by X‐ray crystallography. Therefore, this methodology provides a novel route for the syntheses of spiro‐S Fe/S clusters with aminocarbyne ligands.
Energetic Materials Based on the 5‐Azido‐3‐nitro‐1, 2,4‐tri­azolate Anion
Authors: Izsák Dániel , Klapötke Thomas M. , Scharf Regina , Stierstorfer Jörg
Published: June 2013

This study presents the preparation of 5‐azido‐3‐nitro‐1H‐1, 2,4‐triazole (1) in both good yield and high purity, starting from commercially available chemicals in a three step synthesis. Furthermore, several metal and nitrogen‐rich salts with sodium (3), potassium (4), cesium (5), silver (6), lead (7), ammonium (8), guanidinium (9), and aminoguanidinium (10) were prepared by simple acid‐base reactions. All compounds were well characterized by various means, including vibrational (IR, Raman) and multinuclear (1H, 13C, 14N, 15N) NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and DSC. Additionally the structure of 7 was determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The sensitivities towards various outer stimuli (impact, friction, electrostatic discharge) were determined according to BAM standards. The metal salts were tested as potential primary explosives utilizing various preliminary tests.
Laparoscopy‐Assisted Hybrid Left‐Side Donor Hepatectomy
Authors: Marubashi Shigeru , Wada Hiroshi , Kawamoto Koichi , Kobayashi Shogo , Eguchi Hidetoshi , Doki Yuichiro , Mori Masaki , Nagano Hiroaki
Published: June 2013

Background

Laparoscopic liver resection developed for live liver donors has the advantage of reducing the physical and mental stress in donors. However, its safety and efficacy still remain to be established. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility, safety and efficacy of laparoscopy‐assisted hybrid donor hepatectomy (LADH) to obtain left side grafts.

Patients and methods

A total of 31 consecutive live liver donors of left side liver grafts underwent LADH, including left lateral segmentectomy (n = 17) and left liver resection with or without the caudate lobe (n = 14) (LADH group). We compared the clinical data between the LADH group and the group of donors in whom traditional open donor hepatectomy was performed to procure the liver graft (open donor hepatectomy [ODH] group, n = 79).

Results

Laparoscopy‐assisted hybrid donor hepatectomy was feasible in all patients, and there was no mortality over a follow‐up period of 13.9 ± 9.8 months. The operative time to procure a left‐lobe graft was significantly longer in the LADH group (510 ± 90 min) than in the ODH group (P < 0.001). A large right lobe on CT (RPv distance) was identified as a significant risk factor for prolonged operative time (P = 0.007). Evaluation using the SF36‐v2 questionnaire revealed faster recovery of the physical component summary score and bodily pain score in the LADH group than in the ODH group.

Conclusions

Laparoscopy‐assisted hybrid donor hepatectomy for procuring left side grafts was safe and effective up to the left liver with the caudate lobe. Left‐lobe LADH in donors with a large right lobe should be carefully planned in view of the potential surgical difficulty.
Impacts of Refining and Antioxidants on the Physico‐Chemical Characteristics and Oxidative Stability of Watermelon Seed Oil
Authors: Wani Ali Abas , Sogi D. S. , Singh Preeti , Götz Alexander
Published: June 2013

Compositional analyses of seeds from two cultivars (Mateera and Sugar baby) was performed to evaluate their suitability as oilseeds. Watermelon seeds and kernels contained 21.9–25.5 % and 38.9–46.9 % oil of exceptionally high quality. The crude oil was expelled with a screw press and then refined to obtain a odor free and colorless oil. The moisture content, unsaponifiable matter content, refractive index, and specific gravity were within the narrow ranges. Refining influenced the color, acid value, saponification value, peroxide value, and free fatty acid contents. Linoleic acid (C18:2) was the principal fatty acid constituting 64.5–67.2 % of the total fatty acids. Oxidative stability increased with the addition of tocopherols, butylated hydroxyl anisole (BHA), and tert‐butyl hydroxyl quinine (TBHQ). The high amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) along with physicochemical properties were similar to soybeans, sunflower and other common vegetable oils, suggesting the suitabilty of watermelon seed oil for industrial production.
Green synthesis of gold nanoparticles and their anticancer activity
Authors: Geetha Ravi , Ashokkumar Thirunavukkarasu , Tamilselvan Selvaraj , Govindaraju Kasivelu , Sadiq Mohamed , Singaravelu Ganesan
Published: June 2013

As the nano revolution unfolds, it is imperative to integrate nanoscience and medicine. The secret gleaned from nature have led to the generation of biogenic technologies for the fabrication of advanced nanomaterials. Present investigation discloses the gold nanoparticles biosynthesizing capability of the flower of pharmacologically important treeCouroupita guianensis. Rapid, cost-effective, one-step process of synthesis has been achieved. Newly genre gold nanoparticles were characterized by involving UV–vis spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD, SEM, and TEM analysis. Interestingly, as a result of extensive screening on the application of newly synthesized gold nanoparticles their anticancer potential has been discovered using MTT assay, DNA fragmentation, apoptosis by DAPI staining, and comet assay for DNA damage.
Assessment of the Health Impacts of the 2011 Summer Floods in Brisbane
Authors: Alderman Katarzyna , Turner Lyle R. , Tong Shilu
Published: June 2013

Objective

To assess the effects of the 2011 floods in Brisbane, Australia, on residents’ physical and mental health.

Methods

Residents who had been affected by the floods completed a community-based survey that examined the direct impact of flooding on households and their perceived physical and mental health. Outcome variables included overall and respiratory health and mental health outcomes related to psychological distress, sleep quality, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the association between flooding and perceived health outcome variables, adjusted for current health status and sociodemographic factors.

Results

Residents whose households were directly affected by flooding were more likely to report poor overall (Odds Ratio [OR] 5.3; 95% CI, 2.8-10.1) and respiratory (OR 2.3; 95% CI, 1.1-4.6) health, psychological distress (OR 1.9; 95% CI, 1.1-3.5), poor sleep quality (OR 2.3; 95% CI, 1.2-4.4), and probable PTSD (OR 2.3; 95% CI, 1.2-4.5).

Conclusions

The 2011 Brisbane floods had significant impact on the physical and psychosocial health of residents. Improved support strategies may need to be integrated into existing disaster management programs to reduce flood-related health impacts, particularly those related to mental health. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2013;0:1–7)
Federalism and Policy Change: An Analytic Narrative of Indigenous Land Rights Policy in Australia (1966–1978)
Authors: Scholtz Christa
Published: June 2013

Abstract. The paper argues that a direct causal role for federalism must link policy makers' actions to costs and uncertainties unique to federalism, those associated with maintaining jurisdictional autonomy. The paper develops a formal model of imperfect information between two government actors, one preferring policy change and the other the status quo. A government chooses to change policy (or not) in a context where two things are uncertain: the stomach for intergovernmental retaliation, and the jurisdictional bona fides of the government in the policy area. The model shows how policy change is endogenous to beliefs about whom courts will support during federalism review. The model is then used in a detailed analysis of Australian cabinet archives at the state and Commonwealth levels, pertaining to the issue of Indigenous land rights policy between 1966 and 1978.

Résumé. Le présent document soutient qu'un rôle causal direct du fédéralisme doit lier les actions des décideurs aux coûts et aux incertitudes uniques du fédéralisme : ceux associés au maintien de l'autonomie juridictionnelle. Dans cet article, je développe un modèle formel d'information imparfaite entre deux acteurs gouvernementaux, l'un préférant un changement de politique et l'autre le statu quo. Un gouvernement choisit de changer (ou non) une politique dans un contexte où deux éléments sont incertains : la propension à entrer dans des représailles intergouvernementales, et la bonne foi juridictionnelle du gouvernement dans le domaine en question. Le modèle montre que le changement de politique est endogène avec la perception de qui les tribunaux soutiendront dans un jugement de partage des compétences. Le modèle est ensuite utilisé pour analyser en détail les archives du Cabinet australien au niveau des états et du Commonwealth, relativement à la question des droits territoriaux autochtones entre 1966 et 1978.
Phenotypes of intermediate forms of Fasciola hepatica and F. gigantica in buffaloes from Central Punjab, Pakistan
Authors: Afshan K. , Valero M.A. , Qayyum M. , Peixoto R.V. , Magraner A. , Mas-Coma S.
Published: June 2013

Fascioliasis is an important food-borne parasitic disease caused by the two trematode species, Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica. The phenotypic features of fasciolid adults and eggs infecting buffaloes inhabiting the Central Punjab area, Pakistan, have been studied to characterize fasciolid populations involved. Morphometric analyses were made with a computer image analysis system (CIAS) applied on the basis of standardized measurements. Since it is the first study of this kind undertaken in Pakistan, the results are compared to pure fasciolid populations: (a) F. hepatica from the European Mediterranean area; and (b) F. gigantica from Burkina Faso; i.e. geographical areas where both species do not co-exist. Only parasites obtained from bovines were used. The multivariate analysis showed that the characteristics, including egg morphometrics, of fasciolids from Central Punjab, Pakistan, are between F. hepatica and F. gigantica standard populations. Similarly, the morphometric measurements of fasciolid eggs from Central Punjab are also between F. hepatica and F. gigantica standard populations. These results demonstrate the existence of fasciolid intermediate forms in endemic areas in Pakistan.
Population biology and ageing of the deep water sharks Galeus melastomus, Centroselachus crepidater and Apristurus aphyodes from the Rockall Trough, north-east Atlantic
Authors: Moore D.M. , Neat F.C. , McCarthy I.D.
Published: June 2013

This study presents new information on the population biology, growth and maturation schedules of Galeus melastomus, Centroselachus crepidater and Apristurus aphyodes sampled from the Rockall Trough, a region where deep sea fishing activity has been prevalent for the past 40 years and where shark by-catch is considerable. Both G. melastomus and C. crepidater showed significant sexual size dimorphism with females attaining a greater length and mass. The size (L50) at first maturity was estimated to be 55.6 cm total length (TL) for males and 59.7 cm TL for females in G. melastomus, 57.2 cm TL for males and 75.4 cm TL for females in C. crepidater and 49.0 cm TL for males and 56.9 cm TL for females in A. aphyodes. This represents the first TL50 analysis for Apristurus aphyodes globally. Sharks were aged using a technique which employed cobalt (II) nitrate to stain growth bands in vertebra centra. Band pairs were successfully viewed in G. melastomus and pair counts ranged from 0 to 5 in males and 2 to 7 in females. A higher asymptotic length was deduced from the von Bertalanffy growth equation for females than males (females: L∞ = 69.3 cm; males: L∞ = 60.8 cm) in G. melastomus. Staining was unsuccessful in C. crepidater and A. aphyodes and age could not be determined using this technique.
Cloning and molecular analysis of the aspartic protease Sc-ASP110 gene transcript in Steinernema carpocapsae
Authors: BALASUBRAMANIAN NATESAN , SIMÕES NELSON
Published: June 2013

Many protease genes have previously been shown to be involved in parasitism and in the development of Steinernema carpocapsae, including a gene predicted to encode an aspartic protease, Sc-ASP110, which was cloned and was analysed in this study. A cDNA encoding Sc-ASP110 was cloned based on an expressed sequence tag (EST) fragment from our EST library. The full-length cDNA of Sc-ASP110 consists of 1112 nucleotides with a catalytic aspartic domain (aa18–337). The putative 341 amino acid residues have a calculated molecular mass of 37·1 kDa and a theoretical pI of 4·7. BLASTp analysis of the Sc-ASP110 amino acid sequence showed 45–77% amino acid sequence identity to parasitic and non-parasitic nematode aspartic proteases. An expression analysis showed that the sc-asp110 gene was upregulated during the late parasitic stage, L4, and 24 h after induction of in vitro nematodes. A sequence comparison revealed that Sc-ASP110 was a member of an aspartic protease family; additionally, a phylogenetic analysis indicated that Sc-ASP110 was clustered with the closely related nematode Steinernema feltiae. In situ hybridization showed that sc-asp110 was expressed in the body walls of dorsal cells. The upregulated Sc-ASP110 expression revealed that this protease could play a role in the late parasitic process. In this study, we have cloned and analysed the gene transcript of Sc-ASP110 in S. carpocapsae.
Cytological, molecular and life cycle characterization of Anostracospora rigaudi n. g., n. sp. and Enterocytospora artemiae n. g., n. sp., two new microsporidian parasites infecting gut tissues of the brine shrimp Artemia
Authors: RODE NICOLAS OLIVIER , LANDES JULIE , LIEVENS EVA J. P. , FLAVEN ELODIE , SEGARD ADELINE , JABBOUR-ZAHAB ROULA , MICHALAKIS YANNIS , AGNEW PHILIP , VIVARÈS CHRISTIAN P. , LENORMAND THOMAS
Published: June 2013

Two new microsporidia, Anostracospora rigaudi n. g., n. sp., and Enterocytospora artemiae n. g., n. sp. infecting the intestinal epithelium of Artemia parthenogenetica Bowen and Sterling, 1978 and Artemia franciscana Kellogg, 1906 in southern France are described. Molecular analyses revealed the two species belong to a clade of microsporidian parasites that preferentially infect the intestinal epithelium of insect and crustacean hosts. These parasites are morphologically distinguishable from other gut microsporidia infecting Artemia. All life cycle stages have isolated nuclei. Fixed spores measure 1·3×0·7 μm with 5–6 polar tube coils for A. rigaudi and 1·2×0·9 μm with 4 polar tube coils for E. artemiae. Transmission of both species is horizontal, most likely through the ingestion of spores released with the faeces of infected hosts. The minute size of these species, together with their intestinal localization, makes their detection and identification difficult. We developed two species-specific molecular markers allowing each type of infection to be detected within 3–6 days post-inoculation. Using these markers, we show that the prevalence of these microsporidia ranges from 20% to 75% in natural populations. Hence, this study illustrates the usefulness of molecular approaches to study prevalent, but cryptic, infections involving microsporidian parasites of gut tissues.
The Mad, Bad, or God argument explained
Authors: FRISE MATTHEW
Published: June 2013

According to Stephen Davis's Mad, Bad, or God (MBG) argument, Jesus must be divine since all other leading explanations of his alleged claim to be divine can be ruled out. I criticize Davis's argument and then sketch an ‘inference to best explanation’ MBG argument. I argue that proponents and critics of MBG arguments should focus on mine since it avoids common pitfalls at no cost and it best respects (for better or worse) a massive but too easily ignored body of evidence relevant to its conclusion.
Effects of shade cocoa plantation on artificial fruit consumption by birds in two contrasting landscapes in Southern Bahia, Brazil
Authors: Bomfim Jamille de Assis , Silva Roberta Mariano , de Fernandes Souza Virgínia , de Andrade Edyla Ribeiro , Cazetta Eliana
Published: June 2013

To investigate the influence of forests and agroforestry systems on fruit consumption by birds, we studied two landscapes, one covered predominantly with forests and the other dominated by traditional shade cocoa plantations. In each landscape, we sampled three forest fragments and three shade cocoa plantations. We placed 15 artificial fruits in 25, 1–2-m-tall shrubs spaced every 50 m and evaluated the detection and consumption of fruits after 72 h. We used hemispherical photographs positioned above each fruit station to evaluate canopy openness. We found a statistically significant difference in fruit consumption between landscapes, which means that more fruits were detected and consumed in the forest-dominated landscape. However, forests and shade cocoa plantations within each landscape exhibited similar fruit consumption. Canopy openness was similar between the landscapes, however, the cocoa plantations exhibited greater canopy openness than forests. The results of this study reinforce the importance of the presence of forests in the agricultural landscape. Thus, to evaluate the capacity of agroforest to protect species and maintain ecological interactions it is also necessary to consider the landscape context.
An inverse theorem for Gowers norms of trace functions over Fp
Authors: FOUVRY ÉTIENNE , KOWALSKI EMMANUEL , MICHEL PHILIPPE
Published: June 2013

We study the Gowers uniformity norms of functions over Z/pZ which are trace functions of ℓ-adic sheaves. On the one hand, we establish a strong inverse theorem for these functions, and on the other hand this gives many explicit examples of functions with Gowers norms of size comparable to that of “random” functions.
Stable geometric properties of analytic and harmonic functions
Authors: HERNÁNDEZ RODRIGO , MARTÍN MARÍA J.
Published: June 2013

Given any sense preserving harmonic mapping f=h+ḡ in the unit disk, we prove that for all |λ|=1 the functions fλ=h+λḡ are univalent (resp. close-to-convex, starlike, or convex) if and only if the analytic functions Fλ=h+λg are univalent (resp. close-to-convex, starlike, or convex) for all such λ. We also obtain certain necessary geometric conditions on h in order that the functions fλ belong to the families mentioned above. In particular, we see that if fλ are univalent for all λ on the unit circle, then h is univalent.
Measuring the effect of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09: the epidemiological experience in the West Midlands, England during the ‘containment’ phase
Authors: INGLIS N. J. , BAGNALL H. , JANMOHAMED K. , SULEMAN S. , AWOFISAYO A. , DE SOUZA V. , SMIT E. , PEBODY R. , MOHAMED H. , IBBOTSON S. , SMITH G. E. , HOUSE T. , OLOWOKURE B.
Published: June 2013

The West Midlands was the first English region to report sustained community transmission during the ‘containment’ phase of the influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 pandemic in England. To describe the epidemiological experience in the region, West Midlands and national datasets containing laboratory-confirmed A(H1N1)pdm09 virus cases in the region during the ‘containment’ phase were analysed. The region accounts for about 10·5% of England's population, but reported about 42% of all laboratory-confirmed cases. Altogether 3063 cases were reported, with an incidence rate of 56/100 000 population. School-associated cases accounted for 25% of cases. Those aged <20 years, South Asian ethnic groups, and residents of urban and socioeconomically deprived areas were disproportionately affected. Imported cases accounted for 1% of known exposures. Regional R0 central estimates between 1·41 and 1·43 were obtained. The West Midlands experience suggests that interpretation of transmission rates may be affected by complex interactions within and between sub-populations in the region.
Foveal visual acuity is worse and shows stronger contour interaction effects for contrast-modulated than luminance-modulated Cs
Authors: HAIROL MOHD IZZUDDIN , FORMANKIEWICZ MONIKA A. , WAUGH SARAH J.
Published: June 2013

Contrast-modulated (CM) stimuli are processed by spatial mechanisms that operate at larger spatial scales than those processing luminance-modulated (LM) stimuli and may be more prone to deficits in developing, amblyopic, and aging visual systems. Understanding neural mechanisms of contour interaction or crowding will help in detecting disorders of spatial vision. In this study, contour interaction effects on visual acuity for LM and CM C and bar stimuli are assessed in normal foveal vision. In Experiment 1, visual acuity is measured for all-LM and all-CM stimuli, at ∼3.5× above their respective modulation thresholds. In Experiment 2, visual acuity is measured for Cs and bars of different type (LM C with CM bars and vice versa). Visual acuity is degraded for CM compared with LM Cs (0.46 ± 0.04 logMAR vs. 0.18 ± 0.04 logMAR). With nearby bars, CM acuity is degraded further (0.23 ± 0.01 logMAR or ∼2 lines on an acuity chart), significantly more than LM acuity (0.11 ± 0.01 logMAR, ∼1 line). Contour interaction for CM stimuli extends over greater distances (arcmin) than it does for LM stimuli, but extents are similar with respect to acuities (∼3.5× the C gap width). Contour interaction is evident when the Cs and bars are defined differently: it is stronger when an LM C is flanked by CM bars (0.17 ± 0.03 logMAR) than when a CM C is flanked by LM bars (0.08 ± 0.02 logMAR). Our results suggest that contour interaction for foveally viewed acuity stimuli involves feature integration, such that the outputs of receptive fields representing Cs and bars are combined. Contour interaction operates at LM and CM representational stages, it can occur across stage, and it is enhanced at the CM stage. Greater contour interaction for CM Cs and bars could hold value for visual acuity testing and earlier diagnosis of conditions for which crowding is important, such as in amblyopia.
How to Make Wagner Normal: Lohengrin's ‘tour de France’ of 1891–92
Authors: ELLIS KATHARINE
Published: June 2013

The traditional story reception historians tell of Wagner in France is really a centralist story about Wagner in Paris. This article reverses the direction in light of the fact that seven French regional towns presented Lohengrin on publicly funded stages in 1891 before the directors of the Paris Opéra dared follow suit. Since the work's ‘job’ in the regions was to prove to Paris that Wagner stagings did not necessarily bring rioting with them, the focus is more on previews than on the usual (and logical) reception material of reviews. In addition, via its multi-centre approach and a sideways glance at a parallel phenomenon – the reception of Victorien Sardou's Thermidor – the article integrates reception study into a broader-based cultural history rather than treating it in potentially more limited fashion as an approach in and of itself.
Expedited Electronic Entry: A New Way to Manage Mass-Casualty Radiology Order Workflow
Authors: Bookman Kelly , Zane Richard
Published: June 2013

One of the important tenets of emergency preparedness is that planning for disaster response should resemble standard operating procedure whenever possible. Electronic order entry has become part of the standard operating procedures of most institutions but many of these systems are either too cumbersome for use during a surge or can even be rendered non-functional during a sudden patient surge such as a mass-casualty incident (MCI). Presented here is an experience with delayed radiology order entry during a recent MCI and the after action programming of the system based on this real experience. In response to the after action analysis of the MCI, a task force was assigned to solve the MCI radiology order entry problem and a solution to streamline disaster image ordering was devised. A “browse page” was created that lists every x-ray and every CT scan that might be needed in such an event with all required information defaulted to “Disaster.” This created a way to order multiple images for any one patient, with 40% time saving over standard electronic order entry. This disaster radiology order entry solution is an example of the surge preparedness needed to promote patient safety and efficient care delivery as the widespread deployment of electronic health records and order entry continues across the United States.

BookmanK, ZaneR. Delayed electronic entry: a new way to manage mass-casualty radiology order workflow. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2013;28(4):1-2.
Personal Medication Preparedness Among Veteran and Nonveteran Men and Women in the California Population
Authors: Heslin Kevin C. , Gin June L. , Afable Melissa K. , Ricci Karen , Dobalian Aram
Published: June 2013

Introduction

The health of people with chronic medical conditions is particularly vulnerable to the disruptions caused by public health disasters, especially when there is massive damage to the medical infrastructure. Government agencies and national organizations recommend that people with chronic illness prepare for disasters by stockpiling extra supplies of medications.

Problem

A wide range of chronic illnesses has long been documented among veterans of the US armed forces. Veterans with chronic illness could be at great risk of complications due to disaster-related medication disruptions; however, the prevalence of personal medication preparedness among chronically ill veterans is not currently known.

Methods

Data was used from the 2009 California Health Interview Survey on 28,167 respondents who reported taking daily medications. After adjusting for differences in age, health status, and other characteristics, calculations were made of the percentage of respondents who had a two-week supply of emergency medications and, among respondents without a supply, the percentage who said they could obtain one. Veteran men, veteran women, nonveteran men, and nonveteran women were compared.

Results

Medication supplies among veteran men (81.9%) were higher than among nonveteran women (74.8%; P < .0001) and veteran women (81.1%; P = 0.014). Among respondents without medication supplies, 67.2% of nonveteran men said that they could obtain a two-week supply, compared with 60.1% of nonveteran women (P = .012).

Discussion

Among adults in California with chronic illness, veteran men are more likely to have personal emergency medication supplies than are veteran and nonveteran women. Veteran men may be more likely to be prepared because of their training to work in combat zones and other emergency situations, which perhaps engenders in them a culture of preparedness or self-reliance. It is also possible that people who choose to enlist in the military are different from the general population in ways that make them more likely to be better prepared for emergencies.

Conclusion

Veterans in California have a relatively high level of emergency medication preparedness. Given the health complications that can result from disaster-related medication disruptions, this is a promising finding. Disasters are a national concern, however, and the personal preparedness of veterans in all parts of the nation should be assessed; these findings could serve as a useful reference point for such work in the future.

HeslinK, GinJ, AfableM, RicciK, DobalianA. Personal medication preparedness among veteran and nonveteran men and women in the California population. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2013; 28(4):1-8.
THE ROLE OF TRANSITORY AND PERSISTENT SHOCKS IN THE CONSUMPTION CORRELATION AND INTERNATIONAL COMOVEMENT PUZZLES
Authors: Wada Tatsuma
Published: June 2013

We study a two-country model with changes in the technological growth rate. Such changes are attributed to transitory and persistent shocks in the growth rate of technology. Cases are considered in which agents in two countries do not have enough information to distinguish between the two types of shocks; gradually, however, the persistence of the shock is recognized through the learning process. Utilizing a set of parameters obtained from U.S. and European productivity growth rates, it is then shown that (i) when persistent shocks affect the two countries identically, there is no consumption-correlation puzzle, and the international comovement puzzle becomes imperceptible; and (ii) even when persistent shocks affect the two countries differently, imperfect information plays an important role in explaining both the consumption-correlation puzzle and the international comovement puzzle (provided transitory shocks are strongly internationally correlated and are relatively larger than persistent shocks).
Language contact outcomes as the result of bilingual optimization strategies
Authors: MUYSKEN PIETER
Published: June 2013

This paper sketches a comprehensive framework for modeling and interpreting language contact phenomena, with speakers’ bilingual strategies in specific scenarios of language contact as its point of departure. Bilingual strategies are conditioned by social factors, processing constraints of speakers’ bilingual competence, and perceived language distance. In a number of domains of language contact studies important progress has been made, including Creole studies, code-switching, language development, linguistic borrowing, and areal convergence. Less attention has been paid to the links between these fields, so that results in one domain can be compared with those in another. These links are approached here from the perspective of speaker optimization strategies. Four strategies are proposed: maximize structural coherence of the first language (L1); maximize structural coherence of the second language (L2); match between L1 and L2 patterns where possible; and rely on universal principles of language processing. These strategies can be invoked to explain outcomes of language contact. Different outcomes correspond to different interactions of these strategies in bilingual speakers and their communities.
Reading Russian–English homographs in sentence contexts: Evidence from ERPs
Authors: JOURAVLEV OLESSIA , JARED DEBRA
Published: June 2013

The current study investigated whether Russian–English bilinguals activate knowledge of Russian when reading English sentences. Russian and English share only a few letters, but there are some interlingual homographs (e.g., POT, which means “mouth” in Russian). Critical sentences were written such that the Russian meaning of the homographs fit the context. Sentences presented to participants contained either the English translation of the Russian meaning of a homograph, an interlingual homograph, or a control word (e.g., TO SEE TOM'S THROAT, THE DOCTOR ASKED TOM TO OPEN HIS MOUTH/POT/NET WIDELY). Bilinguals showed a reduction in the N400 component of the event-related potential (ERP) signal for interlingual homographs compared to control words, whereas the N400 of monolingual English speakers was of a similar magnitude in the two conditions. The finding provides evidence that bilinguals automatically activate representations in both of their languages when reading in one language, even when the combination of a language-specific script and the preceding language context indicates that the other language is not relevant.
A performance comparison of CDA and ICDA in ADRP
Authors: Sathiskumar Sathya
Published: June 2013

Broadcasting is an inevitable operation in networks. This paper addresses the issues related to broadcasting such as node interference and latency delay in ad-hoc networks .These problems could be overcome by our proposed algorithm approximate directional routing protocol (ADRP) which is mainly inspired by the existing on-demand directional routing protocol (DRP). DRP is also similar to Dynamic Source Routing (DSR). The use of directional antennas for broadcasting is gaining acceptance in ad-hoc networks. The key benefits of smart antennas are minimum energy consumption and bandwidth conservation. Although excess of literature is directed toward the use of smart antennas, a powerful protocol for reducing redundancy, end-to-end delay, and interference is being researched. One such protocol is ADRP. ADRP is a reactive protocol that combines the effect of DRP and approximation algorithm that finds optimal solution for broadcast problems. Omni-directional antennas are capable of wide angle signal transmission. Compared with omni-directional antennas, its successor directional antennas have come up with significant advantages of reducing packet redundancy and interference by gaining higher signal-to-noise ratio. The duo pack will considerably decrease end-to-end delay and node interference giving out significant performance benefits thereby substantially increasing throughput.
Modified RSSI Technique for the Localization of Passive UHF RFID Tags in LOS Channels
Authors: Duroc Y. , Andia Vera G. , Garcia Martin J. P.
Published: June 2013

This paper presents a new approach for improving the localization of passive ultra high frequency radio frequency identification (RFID) tags in line-of-sight channels using a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) technique. In practice, the complex propagation in the indoor channels and also the variability of some parameters of the RFID equipment itself introduces significant amount of errors when the operation of localization carries out the RSSI technique. Indeed, as the calculation is based on a trilateration, the incomplete knowledge of the propagation and some parameters of RFID tags leads to estimate distances which are wrong, and therefore the localization cannot be correct. In order to overcome this drawback, the proposed method takes into account the presence of unknown parameters relying on a dichotomous algorithm which includes probabilistic parameters. The presented simulation results are in good agreement with the expected theoretical results. Experimental results show that the proposed method strongly increases the accuracy of the estimated position of tags. Compared to other approaches based on the improvement of the RSSI technique, this method does not require too much complexity in terms of materials (no need for specific architecture or reference tags) and processing (fast and simple algorithm).