bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determinants of Early Case-Fatality among Stroke Patients in Maputo, Mozambique and Impact of in-Hospital Complications
Authors: Gomes Joana , Damasceno Albertino , Carrilho Carla , Lobo Vitória , Lopes Hélder , Madede Tavares , Pravinrai Pius , Silva-Matos Carla , Diogo Domingos , Azevedo Ana , Lunet Nuno
Published: January 2013

The burden of stroke is increasing in developing countries that struggle to manage it efficiently. We identified determinants of early case-fatality among stroke patients in Maputo, Mozambique, to assess the impact of in-hospital complications. Patients admitted to any hospital in Maputo with a new stroke event were prospectively registered ( n = 651) according to the World Health Organization's STEPwise approach, in 2005–2006. We assessed the determinants of in-hospital and 28-day fatality, independently of age, gender and education, and computed population attributable fractions. In-hospital mortality was higher among patients with Glasgow score at admission ≤6 (more than fivefold) or needing cardiopulmonary resuscitation during hospitalization (approximately 2·5-fold). Pneumonia and deep vein thrombosis/other cardiovascular complications during hospitalization were responsible for 19·6% (95% confidence interval, 5·3 to 31·7) of ischaemic stroke and 15·9% (95% confidence interval, 5·8 to 24·9) of haemorrhagic stroke deaths until the 28th day. Ischaemic stroke patients with systolic blood pressure 160–200 mmHg had lower in-hospital mortality (relative risk = 0·32, 95% confidence interval, 0·13 to 0·78), and, for those with haemorrhagic events (haemorrhagic stroke), 28-day mortality was higher when systolic blood pressure was over 200 mmHg (hazard ratio = 3·42; 95% confidence interval, 1·02 to 11·51), compared with systolic blood pressure 121–140 mmHg. Regarding diastolic blood pressure, the risk was lowest at 121–150 mmHg for ischaemic stroke and at 61–90 mmHg for haemorrhagic stroke. Early case-fatality was mostly influenced by stroke severity and in-hospital complications. The allocation of resources to the latter may have a large impact on the reduction of the burden of stroke in this setting.
The Role of Operations Management Across the Entrepreneurial Value Chain
Authors: Joglekar Nitin , Lévesque Moren
Published: January 2013

This special issue contains articles that exemplify the role of operations management across the entrepreneurial value chain. This value chain encompasses all stages of the entrepreneurial phenomenon, including technology commercialization, where discovery, commitment, organization, and growth must take place. We report on a literature search that identifies research questions categorized with respect to topics crucial to operations management scholars and classify these questions under each stage of this value chain. The search guides the development of an evolutionary path for the use of resources, routines, and reputation (3Rs), often lacking in this process, and enables us to propose modeling and topical gaps in the literature. We offer a framework to set up exemplars for operational tradeoffs uniquely associated with the entrepreneurial value chain. We also articulate how five contributed articles in this issue tackle some of these tradeoffs, prior to introducing four perspective pieces. We hope this discussion motivates follow‐on work and triggers a significant increase in the flow of articles that make it to both entrepreneurship and operations management top‐tier academic and practitioner publications.
Chronic Poverty in Rural Ethiopia through the Lens of Life Histories
Authors: Camfield Laura , Roelen Keetie
Published: January 2013

Studying chronic poverty using retrospective qualitative data (life histories) in conjunction with longitudinal panel data is now widely recognised to provide deeper and more reliable insights (Davis and Baulch, 2009). This paper uses three rounds of panel data and life histories collected by Young Lives, a longitudinal study of childhood poverty, to identify factors that contribute to households becoming or remaining poor in rural Ethiopia, with related effects on the children within those households. It combines a case‐centred and a variable‐centred approach (Ragin, 1987), analysing and comparing the experiences of individual households on the basis of qualitative and quantitative techniques and interrogating these findings by looking at attributes of households (variables) across a larger sample. The substantive findings on poverty ‘drivers’ and ‘maintainers’ (Baulch, 2011) support those of previous studies: rainfall, illness, debt, exclusion from the main form of social protection. But by mixing different types of data and analysis, the paper was able to show that combinations of factors rather than single events drive households into poverty, and that household characteristics can play an important factor. The primary contribution of the paper is methodological as it presents a novel method of using life histories to investigate chronic poverty in rural Ethiopia by generating or testing hypotheses/findings on poverty drivers and maintainers.
Natural selection. VI. Partitioning the information in fitness and characters by path analysis
Authors: Frank S. A.
Published: January 2013

Three steps aid in the analysis of selection. First, describe phenotypes by their component causes. Components include genes, maternal effects, symbionts and any other predictors of phenotype that are of interest. Second, describe fitness by its component causes, such as an individual's phenotype, its neighbours’ phenotypes, resource availability and so on. Third, put the predictors of phenotype and fitness into an exact equation for evolutionary change, providing a complete expression of selection and other evolutionary processes. The complete expression separates the distinct causal roles of the various hypothesized components of phenotypes and fitness. Traditionally, those components are given by the covariance, variance and regression terms of evolutionary models. I show how to interpret those statistical expressions with respect to information theory. The resulting interpretation allows one to read the fundamental equations of selection and evolution as sentences that express how various causes lead to the accumulation of information by selection and the decay of information by other evolutionary processes. The interpretation in terms of information leads to a deeper understanding of selection and heritability, and a clearer sense of how to formulate causal hypotheses about evolutionary process. Kin selection appears as a particular type of causal analysis that partitions social effects into meaningful components.
Physiology vs. environment: what drives oviposition decisions in mango fruit flies (Bactrocera invadens and Ceratitis cosyra)?
Authors: Migani V. , Ekesi S. , Hoffmeister T. S.
Published: January 2013

In frugivorous insects, the physiological state of the female (e.g. age, egg load) as well as environmental parameters like fruit availability and characteristics may affect oviposition decision, host choice and the resulting clutch size. We studied host acceptance and clutch size decision as a function of fly egg load as physiological state and mango variety and ripeness stage as the environmental parameter in two major mango pests in sub‐Saharan Africa, Bactrocera invadens and Ceratitis cosyra, under laboratory conditions. In addiction, egg maturation dynamics were investigated because for both species, egg production had never been explored before. Female egg load was the most important factor influencing host acceptance in both species. With respect to fruit characteristics, ripeness stage was significant for oviposition decisions only in C. cosyra. In particular, ripe and fully ripe fruits had more probability of oviposition than unripe ones. In contrast, fruit variety affected clutch size in B. invadens, with, respectively, the local variety Ngowe receiving the biggest clutches and the export Kent the smallest. Moreover, the invasive species showed a significantly higher egg production compared with the native species. Implications in terms of competitive displacement between the two species are also discussed.
Identification of multiple genes and their expression profiles in four strains of Oreochromis spp. in response to Streptococcus iniae
Authors: Wang R. , Chen M. , Li C. , Li L.‐P. , Gan X. , Huang J. , Lei A.‐Y. , Xu Z.‐H. , Liang W.‐W.
Published: January 2013

Two subtractive complementary DNA libraries were constructed from Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus vaccinated with formalin‐killed Streptococcus iniae cells, and a further two constructed from O. niloticus infected with S. iniae. Of the 68 distinct expressed sequence tag (EST) contigs and singletons, 45 and 13 EST shared high similarities with genes of known and unknown functions, respectively. Ten EST contigs and singletons had no significant similarity to any sequences. Five putative immune‐relevant genes, β2m, α‐ha, mmp9, pgrn and cxcr4, were selected for quantitative reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction in four strains of Oreochromis spp.: genetically improved farmed tilapia (O. niloticus), Oreochromis aureus, O. niloticus and O. niloticus×O. aureus, with different disease resistance following infection with S. iniae. pgrn was up‐regulated more significantly in disease‐resistant strains than in the susceptible. α‐ha was markedly down‐regulated, and no significant differences in the expression level of β2m were detected. A negative correlation was observed between the expression of mmp9 and that of cxcr4. The results provide insight into the molecular response of O. niloticus to S. iniae infection.
Immigration Policy and Self‐Selecting Migrants
Authors: BIANCHI MILO
Published: January 2013

I build a simple model of self‐selection into migration and immigration policy determination. I first show that the effect of any immigration policy can be decomposed into a size and a composition effect. I then explore how the optimal policy may change once the latter effect is considered.
Are mouflon Ovis gmelini musimon really grazers? A review of variation in diet composition
Authors: Marchand Pascal , Redjadj Claire , Garel Mathieu , Cugnasse Jean‐Marc , Maillard Daniel , Loison Anne
Published: January 2013

We reviewed data on the diets of mouflon (Mediterranean island populations Ovis gmelini musimon and introduced hybridized populations Ovis gmelini musimon × Ovis sp.) from 33 field studies (comprising 51 independent data points suitable for analysis) to detect general patterns in the botanical composition of the diet and identify ecological factors explaining its variation. We expected mouflon, generally classified as grazers, to include botanical entities other than grass in their diet, especially when they are forced to do so by low resource availability, and in certain seasons.

Diet composition was investigated based on samples of rumen content and faeces. We combined these data with environmental characteristics at each site using a co‐inertia analysis.

As expected, grass often constituted the highest proportion in the diet (in 28 of the 51 data points) and represented on average 35% (range = 0–91%) of mouflon diet, confirming the importance of this food for the species. However, referring strictly to commonly used thresholds (>75% or >90%) shows that the classification of mouflon as grazers could be questioned. Indeed, forbs and shrubs constituted 24% (range: 0–93%) and 16% (range: 0–55%) of their diet, respectively, so that mouflon should at least be considered as variable grazers. Forbs represented a high percentage of the overall diet in the Kerguelen Archipelago, southern Indian Ocean (autumn and winter: 73%) and Teide National Park, Canary Islands, Spain (autumn and winter: 83%), whereas shrubs represented a high proportion of the overall diet in Mediterranean areas (19%).

Diet composition varied with spatio‐temporal variation in forage availability (documented as habitat related or seasonal variation), confirming that mouflon are able to feed on a large variety of plants.

Further investigations concerning both digestive morphology and consequences of the inclusion of browse in the diet on population dynamics of mouflon are needed to understand the persistence of this species over a wide range of habitats despite a potential mismatch between its digestive ability and its observed diet.
The history of pediatric allergy in Europe – From a working group to ESPACI and SP‐EAACI
Authors: Dreborg Sten , Roberts Graham , Lau Susanne , Santos Alexandra F. , Halken Susanne , Høst Arne
Published: January 2013

A Working Group on Pediatric Allergology was formed in 1984, which rapidly developed to become the European Society on Pediatric Allergology and Clinical Immunology (ESPACI) in 1988 with its own journal, Pediatric Allergology and Immunology. ESPACI worked together with the European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) to form a Section of Pediatrics within EAACI (SP‐EAACI) in 1996. The ESPACI and the SP‐EAACI formally merged in 2001. Within the EAACI organization, the Pediatric Section has continued to grow. The Pediatric Section is working to develop pediatric allergology across Europe, focusing on postgraduate education, facilitating the research agenda and advocating for children and adolescents with allergies.
Bronchial allergen challenges in children – safety and predictors
Authors: Schulze Johannes , Reinmüller Wanda , Herrmann Eva , Rosewich Martin , Rose Markus A. , Zielen Stefan
Published: January 2013

Background

In allergic asthma, the diagnosis of house dust mite (HDM) allergy is mainly based on the patient's history, allergy testing by the skin prick test (SPT) or the levels of allergen‐specific IgE. We retrospectively analysed data from 350 bronchial provocations with HDM and related it to the following parameters: specific IgE, bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) to methacholine testing (MCT) and exhaled NO (eNO).

Methods

Approximately 350 patients (5–18 yr of age) with allergic asthma and a positive SPT to HDMs were included. To define the sensitivity and specificity for the detection method of an early asthmatic response (EAR), a receiver‐operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted. The accuracy was measured by the area under the ROC curve (AUC). A logistic regression model was used to predict the individual probability of a positive challenge. The results of the regression model were validated in a prospective group of n = 75 patients.

Results

The following cut‐off values showed the best combination of sensitivity and specificity: specific IgE Dermatophagoides farinae 19.6 kU/l (AUC, 0.88), PD20FEV1 0.13 mg methacholine (AUC, 0.73) and eNO 20.1 ppb (AUC, 0.71). The following equation predicted the individual probability of a positive challenge in the retrospective and prospective group: p = 1.[1 + exp[−(−1.78 + 2.46.10log D. far − 1.25.10logPD20 metha)]]−1, (AUC = 0.88).

Conclusions

The value of using the specific IgE and MCT as predictors was confirmed in a large number of patients. We also showed, for the first time, that the eNO predicted the EAR. The logistic regression model is repeatable with a good accuracy.
Network analysis for gene discovery in plant‐specialized metabolism
Authors: HIGASHI YASUHIRO , SAITO KAZUKI
Published: January 2013

Recent omics technologies provide information on multiple components of biological networks. Web‐based data mining tools are continuously being developed. Because genes involved in specialized (secondary) metabolism are often co‐ordinately regulated at the transcriptional level, a number of gene discovery studies have been successfully conducted using network analysis, especially by integrating gene co‐expression network analysis and metabolomic investigation. In addition, next‐generation sequencing technologies are currently utilized in functional genomics investigations of Arabidopsis and non‐model plant species including medicinal plants. Systems‐based approaches are expected to gain importance in medicinal plant research. This review discussed network analysis in Arabidopsis and gene discovery in plant‐specialized metabolism in non‐model plants.
Effects of menopause on brain structural changes in schizophrenia
Authors: Fukuta Hajime , Ito Itsuo , Tateno Amane , Nogami Tsuyoshi , Taiji Yasutomo , Arakawa Ryosuke , Suhara Tetsuya , Asai Kunihiko , Okubo Yoshiro
Published: January 2013

Aim

The aim of this study was to investigate the influences of menopause on brain morphological changes in schizophrenia using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods

Forty female schizophrenia patients, 20 premenopausal and 20 postmenopausal, and 50 female controls underwent cerebral MRI. Optimized voxel‐based morphometry was performed with Statistical Parametric Mapping version 5.

Results

Compared with controls, regional gray matter reductions in schizophrenia patients were observed in the insula, superior temporal gyrus, anterior cingulate, parahippocampal gyrus, and thalamus. Direct comparison between the patient groups showed that the gray matter of postmenopausal patients was significantly smaller when compared with premenopausal patients in the left middle frontal gyrus, and no region had significantly lower gray matter volume in premenopausal patients relative to postmenopausal patients. Significant negative correlation between gray matter volume and the interval after menopause was found in the right superior frontal gyrus in the postmenopause patient group.

Conclusion

Differential morphological alterations between postmenopausal and premenopausal schizophrenia patients were observed, suggesting that the female hormone plays a protective role against schizophrenia.
Mapping Grape Berry Photosynthesis by Chlorophyll Fluorescence Imaging: The Effect of Saturating Pulse Intensity in Different Tissues
Authors: Breia Richard , Vieira Sónia , da Silva Jorge Marques , Gerós Hernâni , Cunha Ana
Published: January 2013

Grape berry development and ripening depends mainly on imported photosynthates from leaves, however, fruit photosynthesis may also contribute to the carbon economy of the fruit. In this study pulse amplitude modulated chlorophyll fluorescence imaging (imaging‐PAM) was used to assess photosynthetic properties of tissues of green grape berries. In particular, the effect of the saturation pulse (SP) intensity was investigated. A clear tissue‐specific distribution pattern of photosynthetic competence was observed. The exocarp revealed the highest photosynthetic capacity and the lowest susceptibility to photoinhibition, and the mesocarp exhibited very low fluorescence signals and photochemical competence. Remarkably, the seed outer integument revealed a photosynthetic ability similar to that of the exocarp. At a SP intensity of 5000 μmol m−2 s−1 several photochemical parameters were decreased, including maximum fluorescence in dark‐adapted (Fm) and light‐adapted (F'm) samples and effective quantum yield of PSII (ΦII), but the inner tissues were susceptible to a SP intensity as low as 3200 μmol m−2 s−1 under light‐adapted conditions, indicating a photoinhibitory interaction between SP and actinic light intensities and repetitive exposure to SP. These results open the way to further studies concerning the involvement of tissue‐specific photosynthesis in the highly compartmentalized production and accumulation of organic compounds during grape berry development.
An African Growth Miracle? Or: What do Asset Indices Tell Us About Trends in Economic Performance?
Authors: Harttgen Kenneth , Klasen Stephan , Vollmer Sebastian
Published: January 2013

Using changes in the possession of household assets over the past 20 years, several recent papers have argued that economic growth and poverty reduction in Africa was substantially better than suggested by national income data and income poverty statistics, which suffer from well‐known weaknesses. We scrutinize these claims and first argue that trends in assets provide biased proxies for trends in incomes or consumption. In particular we show that the relationship between growth in assets and growth in incomes or consumption is extremely weak; instead, we find evidence of asset drift using macro and micro data, which is consistent with the claims we make about possible biases in the use of asset indices. As a result, we find no evidence supporting the claim of an African growth miracle that extends beyond what has been reported in official GDP/capita and consumption figures.
Techniques for assessing spatial heterogeneity of carbonate δ13C values: Implications for craton‐wide isotope gradients
Authors: Garrecht Metzger J. , Fike David A.
Published: January 2013

The sedimentary record of carbonate carbon isotopes (δ13Ccarb) provides one of the best methods for correlating marine strata and understanding the long‐term evolution of the global carbon cycle. This work focuses on the Late Ordovician Guttenberg isotopic carbon excursion, a ca 2·5‰ positive δ13Ccarb excursion that is found in strata globally. Substantial variability in the apparent magnitude and stratigraphic morphology of the Guttenberg excursion at different localities has hampered high‐resolution correlations and led to divergent reconstructions of ocean chemistry and the biogeochemical carbon cycle. This work investigates the magnitude, spatial scale and sources of isotopic variability of the Guttenberg excursion in two sections from Missouri, USA. Centimetre‐scale isotope transects revealed variations in δ13Ccarb and δ18Ocarb greater than 2‰ across individual beds. Linear δ13Ccarb to δ18Ocarb mixing lines, together with petrographic and elemental abundance data, demonstrate that much of the isotopic scatter in single beds is due to mixing of isotopically distinct components. These patterns facilitated objective sample screening to determine the ‘least‐altered’ data. A δ18Ocarb filter based on empirical δ18Ocarb values of well‐preserved carbonate mudstones allowed further sample discrimination. The resulting ‘least‐altered’ δ13Ccarb profile improves the understanding of regional as well as continental‐scale stratigraphic relations in this interval. Correlations with other Laurentian sections strongly suggest that: (i) small‐scale variability in Guttenberg excursion δ13Ccarb values may result in part from local diagenetic overprinting; (ii) peak‐Guttenberg excursion δ13Ccarb values of the Midcontinent are not distinct from their Taconic equivalents; and (iii) no primary continental‐scale spatial gradient in δ13Ccarb (for example, arising from chemically distinct ‘aquafacies’) is required during Guttenberg excursion‐time. This study demonstrates the importance of detailed petrographic and geochemical screening of samples to be used for δ13Ccarb chemostratigraphy and for enhancing understanding of epeiric ocean chemistry.
Influence of compost amendments on the hydraulic functioning of brownfield soils
Authors: Whelan A. , Kechavarzi C. , Coulon F. , Sakrabani R. , Lord R.
Published: January 2013

This study assessed the impact of compost on the hydraulic properties of three soils (sandy loam, clay loam and diesel‐contaminated sandy loam) with relatively poor physical quality typical of brownfield sites. Soils were amended with two composts at 750 t/ha. Samples were also collected from a clay‐capped brownfield site, previously amended with 250, 500 or 750 t/ha of compost. Water‐release characteristics and saturated hydraulic conductivity were determined for all soils and physical quality indicators derived. Unsaturated flow in field profiles after compost application with two depths of incorporation and two indigenous subsoils was simulated using Hydrus‐1D. Compost generally increased water retention. Hydraulic conductivity tended to decrease following compost application in sandy loam but increased in clay and clay loam, where compost addition resulted in a larger dominant pore size. Although compost improved physical quality indicators, they remained suboptimum in clay and clay loam soil, which exhibited poor aeration, and in the contaminated sandy loam, where available water capacity was limited, possibly due to changes in wettability. Increasing application rates in the field enhanced water retention at low potentials and hydraulic conductivity near saturation but did not alter physical quality indicators. Numerical simulation indicated that the 500 t/ha application resulted in the best soil moisture regime. Increasing the depth of incorporation in the clay cap improved drainage and reduced waterlogging, but incorporation in more permeable subsoil resulted in prolonged dry conditions to greater depths.
Identification of a novel HLA‐A allele, A*24:128 in a Chinese individual
Authors: Wang L. , Zhang Z. , Wang L. , Cui S. , Shan X.
Published: January 2013

The novel HLA‐A*24:128 shows one nucleotide change from HLA‐A*24:02:01:01 in exon 2 at position 155 from A to G.
Association of 14‐bp insertion/deletion polymorphism of HLA‐G gene with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Wang X. , Jiang W. , Zhang D.
Published: January 2013

A meta‐analysis was performed to assess the association of the human leukocyte antigen‐G (HLA‐G) 14 bp insertion (ins)/deletion (del) polymorphism with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortions (URSA). The fixed or random effect pooled measure was selected based on the homogeneity test among studies that was evaluated with I2. Odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to assess the strength of the association. In this meta‐analysis, 14 studies with 1464 cases and 1247 controls corresponded to the inclusion criteria were included. Significant associations between 14 bp ins/del polymorphism and risk of URSA were observed in both dominant [random effect model (REM) OR = 1.469, 95% CI = 1.127–1.914] and codominant (REM OR = 1.195, 95% CI = 1.005–1.420) models. After excluding two articles that deviated from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium in cases and sensitivity analysis, significant associations were also observed in dominant [fixed effect model (FEM) OR = 1.224, 95% CI = 1.020–1.470] and codominant (FEM OR = 1.158, 95% CI = 1.028–1.305) models. This meta‐analysis suggests that the 14 bp ins HLA‐G allele is associated with increased risk of URSA. The results are of importance to the clinical practice of URSA and infertility.
Histoplasmosis and subcutaneous nodules in a kidney transplant recipient: erythema nodosum versus fungal panniculitis
Authors: Dufresne S.F. , LeBlanc R.E. , Zhang S.X. , Marr K.A. , Neofytos D.
Published: January 2013

Erythema nodosum (EN)‐like lesions are a rare occurrence after solid organ transplantation. Differential diagnosis includes infective panniculitis, which can be a feature of progressive disseminated histoplasmosis (PDH), an uncommon but severe form affecting primarily immunocompromised hosts. We report on a fatal case of PDH, which presented as fungal panniculitis masquerading as EN in a renal allograft recipient 25 years after transplantation. We discuss the clinical, histopathological, and microbiological characteristics of this rare complication, with focus on its distinction from EN. This case emphasizes the central role of biopsy in transplant recipients presenting with cutaneous lesions, and the importance of clinicopathologic correlation and complementary microbiological investigations.
Evaluation of a novel rapid diagnostic test for Schistosoma haematobium based on the detection of human immunoglobulins bound to filtered Schistosoma haematobium eggs
Authors: Sheele Johnathan M. , Kihara Jimmy H. , Baddorf Sarah , Byrne Jonathan , Ravi Bhaskara
Published: January 2013

Objectives

To determine whether the detection of human IgG bound to Schistosoma haematobium eggs from filtered urine could be used as a rapid diagnostic test (RDT‐Sh).

Methods

We filtered 160 urine samples from children in the Kwale District of Kenya to isolate S. haematobium eggs and used anti‐human IgG antibody conjugated to horseradish peroxidase to bind to the human IgG attached to the eggs. We then added 3,3′5,5′‐tetramethylbenzidine base (TMB), which turns blue in the presence of horseradish peroxidase to detect the S. haematobium eggs. The RDT‐Sh was compared in a blinded manner to urine microscopy.

Results

The RDT‐Sh was positive in 89% of urine samples containing >1 egg/10 ml (58/65 samples) and 97% of urine samples containing >11 eggs/10 ml urine (35/36 samples) seen by microscopy. The RDT‐Sh was negative 79% of the time when no eggs were seen on urine microscopy, but because up to three times more urine was used for the RDT‐Sh, there were likely cases in which eggs were on the RDT‐Sh filter but not detected by microscopy. We used latent class analysis incorporating urine microscopy, haematuria, proteinuria and RDT‐Sh results to determine an overall 97% sensitivity and 78% specificity for RDT‐Sh, 96% and 81% for urine microscopy, 71% and 98% for microscopic haematuria and 46% and 89% for proteinuria, respectively.

Conclusions

The RDT‐Sh is quick, inexpensive and easy to perform in the field for the diagnosis of S. haematobium.
Multilocus phylogeny reveals unexpected diversification patterns inAsian wolf snakes (genusLycodon)
Authors: Siler Cameron D. , Oliveros Carl H. , Santanen Anssi , Brown Rafe M.
Published: January 2013

The diverse group of Asian wolf snakes of the genusLycodonrepresents one of many poorly understood radiations of advanced snakes in the superfamilyColubroidea. Outside of three species having previously been represented in higher‐level phylogenetic analyses, nothing is known of the relationships among species in this unique, moderately diverse, group. The genus occurs widely from central to Southeast Asia, and contains both widespread species to forms that are endemic to small islands. One‐third of the diversity is found in thePhilippine archipelago. Both morphological similarity and highly variable diagnostic characters have contributed to confusion over species‐level diversity. Additionally, the placement of the genus among genera in the subfamilyColubrinae remains uncertain, although previous studies have supported a close relationship with the genusDinodon. In this study, we provide the first estimate of phylogenetic relationships within the genusLycodonusing a new multi‐locus data set. We provide statistical tests of monophyly based on biogeographic, morphological and taxonomic hypotheses. With few exceptions, we are able to reject many of these hypotheses, indicating a need for taxonomic revisions and a reconsideration of the group's biogeography. Mapping of color patterns on our preferred phylogenetic tree suggests that banded and blotched types have evolved on multiple occasions in the history of the genus, whereas the solid‐color (and possibly speckled) morphotype color patterns evolved only once. Our results reveal that the colubrid genusDinodonis nested withinLycodon—a clear finding that necessitates the placing of the former genus in synonymy with the latter.
Migratory strategies of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) postsmolts and implications for marine survival of endangered populations
Authors: Lacroix Gilles L.
Published: January 2013

The migration of wild and hatchery Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) postsmolts of different origins was monitored using ultrasonic tags and arrays of acoustic receivers across the Bay of Fundy (BoF), Canada. Postsmolts from outer BoF populations migrated rapidly into the Gulf of Maine (GoM) and did not return, and most were classified as distant migrants (77%–100%). In contrast, postsmolts from inner BoF populations were usually classified as coastal migrants that returned to the BoF for the summer (30%–90%). They used well-defined migration corridors, close to shore, associated with prevailing surface currents. An Akaike information criterion (AIC) evaluation of migration models identified region and watershed, date of river exit, and migration speed as important predictive variables for coastal residency. A late or slow migration increased residency, as did delaying hatchery releases. The BoF provided returning postsmolts with a summer thermal refuge (8–14 °C) encircled by warm water (>20 °C), but extended residency in this coastal habitat increased exposure to sources of mortality absent further at sea. This reduced marine survival of inner BoF salmon to almost nothing. It is likely that the different migratory strategies of inner and outer BoF salmon populations influenced their relative marine survival and endangered status.
DISPOM: A DISCRIMINATIVE DE-NOVO MOTIF DISCOVERY TOOL BASED ON THE JSTACS LIBRARY
Authors: GRAU JAN , KEILWAGEN JENS , GOHR ANDRÉ , PAPONOV IVAN A. , POSCH STEFAN , SEIFERT MICHAEL , STRICKERT MARC , GROSSE IVO
Published: January 2013

DNA-binding proteins are a main component of gene regulation as they activate or repress gene expression by binding to specific binding sites in target regions of genomic DNA. However, de-novo discovery of these binding sites in target regions obtained by wet-lab experiments is a challenging problem in computational biology, which has not yet been solved satisfactorily.

Here, we present a detailed description and analysis of the de-novo motif discovery tool Dispom, which has been developed for finding binding sites of DNA-binding proteins that are differentially abundant in a set of target regions compared to a set of control regions. Two additional features of Dispom are its capability of modeling positional preferences of binding sites and adjusting the length of the motif in the learning process.

Dispom yields an increased prediction accuracy compared to existing tools for de-novo motif discovery, suggesting that the combination of searching for differentially abundant motifs, inferring their positional distributions, and adjusting the motif lengths is beneficial for de-novo motif discovery. When applying Dispom to promoters of auxin-responsive genes and those of ABI3 target genes from Arabidopsis thaliana, we identify relevant binding motifs with pronounced positional distributions. These results suggest that learning motifs, their positional distributions, and their lengths by a discriminative learning principle may aid motif discovery from ChIP-chip and gene expression data.

We make Dispom freely available as part of Jstacs, an open-source Java library that is tailored to statistical sequence analysis. To facilitate extensions of Dispom, we describe its implementation using Jstacs in this manuscript. In addition, we provide a stand-alone application of Dispom at http://www.jstacs.de/index.php/Dispom for instant use.
PAINLEVÉ TEST AND SOME EXACT SOLUTIONS FOR (2+1)-DIMENSIONAL MODIFIED KORTEWEG–DE VRIES–BURGERS EQUATION
Authors: ABOURABIA ALY MAHER , HASSAN KAWSAR MOHAMED , SELIMA EHAB SAID
Published: January 2013

In this paper, we investigate the solitary wave solutions for the two-dimensional modified Korteweg–de Vries–Burgers (mKdV-B) equation in shallow water model. Despite that Painlevé test fails to prove the integrability of the mKdV-B equation by using the WTC-Kruskal algorithm, the Bäcklund transformation is obtained via the truncation expansion. The exact solutions of the mKdV-B equation are found using factorization techniques, Exp-function and energy integral approach of the corresponding ordinary differential equation. We found that the dispersion relation of the linearized mKdV-B equation lies on the complex plane yielding a damping character. By keeping the water height relatively small, we illustrate the resulting solutions in several figures showing the shock and solitary wave nature in the flow. The stability for the mKdV-B equation is analyzed by using the phase plane method.
DOPAMINE SERVES AS A STABLE SURFACE MODIFIER FOR IRON OXIDE NANOPARTICLES
Authors: CHI XIAOQIN , WANG XIAOMIN , HU JUAN , WANG LIRONG , GAO JINHAO , ZHANG BEI , ZHANG XIXIANG
Published: January 2013

Iron oxide nanoparticles are an important class of nanomaterials in a broad range of biomedical applications because of their superparamagnetism and biocompatibility. The success of biomedical applications of iron oxide nanoparticles relies on the particles' surface functionalization, which requires robust and versatile surface anchors. Here, we report on a detailed examination of the dopamine-based surface modification of iron oxide nanoparticles. We used dopamine (2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethylamine) and L-dopa (3,4-dihydroxy-L-phenylalanine) as two surface modifiers and chose Fe 2 O 3 hollow nanoparticles and Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles as two representative substrates. Optical and TEM images showed that iron oxide nanoparticles dispersed very well in water after surface modification. The analysis of the UV-Vis spectra indicated that dopamine and L-dopa are stable after being immobilized on the surface of iron oxide nanoparticles when the pH value of the environment is about 7. The magnetic properties analysis further showed that the blocking temperature of the dopamine- or L-dopa-decorated iron oxide nanoparticles hardly changed over 20 days, confirming long-term stability of these surface modified nanoparticles. Cell assay indicated that these dopamine- or L-dopa-modified iron oxide nanoparticles were biocompatible. These results confirm that dopamine serves as a stable modifier and a robust anchor to functionalize iron oxide nanoparticles in biomedical applications.
The Brain Renin-Angiotensin System and Mitochondrial Function: Influence on Blood Pressure and Baroreflex in Transgenic Rat Strains
Authors: Nautiyal Manisha , Arnold Amy C. , Chappell Mark C. , Diz Debra I.
Published: January 2013

Mitochondrial dysfunction is implicated in many cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension, and may be associated with an overactive renin-angiotensin system (RAS). Angiotensin (Ang) II, a potent vasoconstrictor hormone of the RAS, also impairs baroreflex and mitochondrial function. Most deleterious cardiovascular actions of Ang II are thought to be mediated by NADPH-oxidase- (NOX-) derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) that may also stimulate mitochondrial oxidant release and alter redox-sensitive signaling pathways in the brain. Within the RAS, the actions of Ang II are counterbalanced by Ang-(1–7), a vasodilatory peptide known to mitigate against increased oxidant stress. A balance between Ang II and Ang-(1–7) within the brain dorsal medulla contributes to maintenance of normal blood pressure and proper functioning of the arterial baroreceptor reflex for control of heart rate. We propose that Ang-(1–7) may negatively regulate the redox signaling pathways activated by Ang II to maintain normal blood pressure, baroreflex, and mitochondrial function through attenuating ROS (NOX-generated and/or mitochondrial).
Wireless Sensor Network and RFID Fusion Approach for Mobile Robot Navigation
Authors: Enriquez Guillermo , Park Sunhong , Hashimoto Shuji
Published: January 2013

There are numerous applications for mobile robots that require relatively high levels of speed and precision. For many systems, these two properties are a tradeoff, as oftentimes increasing the movement speed can mean failing to detect some sensors. This research attempts to create a useful and practical system by combining a wireless sensor network with a passive
radio frequency identification system. The sensor network provides fast general navigation in open areas and the radio frequency identification system provides precision navigation near static obstacles. By fusing the data from both systems, we are able to provide fast and accurate navigation for a mobile robot. Additionally, with WSN nodes and passive RFID tag mats, the system infrastructure can be easily installed in existing environments.
High Blood Pressure Effects on the Blood to Cerebrospinal Fluid Barrier and Cerebrospinal Fluid Protein Composition: A Two-Dimensional Electrophoresis Study in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats
Authors: González-Marrero Ibrahim , Castañeyra-Ruiz Leandro , González-Toledo Juan M. , Castañeyra-Ruiz Agustín , de Paz-Carmona Hector , Castro Rafael , Hernandez-Fernaud Juan R. , Castañeyra-Perdomo Agustín , Carmona-Calero Emilia M.
Published: January 2013

The aim of the present work is to analyze the cerebrospinal fluid proteomic profile, trying to find possible biomarkers of the effects of hypertension of the blood to CSF barrier disruption in the brain and their participation in the cholesterol andβ-amyloid metabolism and inflammatory processes. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a system linked to the brain and its composition can be altered not only by encephalic disorder, but also by systemic diseases such as arterial hypertension, which produces alterations in the choroid plexus and cerebrospinal fluid protein composition. 2D gel electrophoresis in cerebrospinal fluid extracted from the cistern magna before sacrifice of hypertensive and control rats was performed. The results showed different proteomic profiles between SHR and WKY, thatα-1-antitrypsin, apolipoprotein A1, albumin, immunoglobulin G, vitamin D binding protein, haptoglobin andα-1-macroglobulin were found to be up-regulated in SHR, and apolipoprotein E, transthyretin,α-2-HS-glycoprotein, transferrin,α-1β-glycoprotein, kininogen and carbonic anhidrase II were down-regulated in SHR. The conclusion made here is that hypertension in SHR produces important variations in cerebrospinal fluid proteins that could be due to a choroid plexus dysfunction and this fact supports the close connection between hypertension and blood to cerebrospinal fluid barrier disruption.
New Polymer Syntheses Part 57: Thermally Stable New Ferrocene‐Polyazomethines, Synthetic Methodology, and Characterization
Authors: Abdel-Rahman Mona Ahmed , Hussein Mahmoud Ali , Aly Kamal Ibrahim , Sarhan Abdelwareth Abdel-Haleam
Published: January 2013

A new interesting category of higher thermally stable polyazomethines containing ferrocene in the polymers main chain 6a–e  was synthesized by solution‐polycondensation reaction of 1‐(m‐formylphenyl)‐1′‐(5‐formyl‐2‐methoxyphenyl)‐ferrocene monomer 4 with different aliphatic and aromatic diamines. A model compound 5 was synthesized from dialdehyde monomer 4 with aniline and was characterized by elemental and spectral analyses. The desirable resulting polymers were characterized by elemental and spectral analyses, in addition to solubility measurement using different solvents. The thermal properties of these polymers were evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements. The redox behaviours were studied for the ferrocene polymers in comparison with both the parent ferrocene monomer and the model compound by using cyclic voltammetry (CV).
Environmental and Socioeconomic Indicators for Bioenergy Sustainability as Applied toEucalyptus
Authors: Dale Virginia H. , Langholtz Matthew H. , Wesh Beau M. , Eaton Laurence M.
Published: January 2013

Eucalyptusis a fast-growing tree native to Australia and could be used to supply biomass for bioenergy and other purposes along the coastal regions of the southeastern United States (USA). At a farmgate price of $66 dry Mg−1, a potential supply of 27 to 41.3 million dry Mg year−1ofEucalyptuscould be produced on about 1.75 million ha in the southeastern USA. A proposed suite of indicators provides a practical and consistent way to measure the sustainability of a particular situation whereEucalyptusmight be grown as a feedstock for conversion to bioenergy. Applying this indicator suite toEucalyptusculture in the southeastern USA provides a basis for the practical evaluation of socioeconomic and environmental sustainability in those systems. Sustainability issues associated with usingEucalyptusfor bioenergy do not differ greatly from those of other feedstocks, for prior land-use practices are a dominant influence. Particular concerns focus on the potential for invasiveness, water use, and social acceptance. This paper discusses opportunities and constraints of sustainable production ofEucalyptusin the southeastern USA. For example, potential effects on sustainability that can occur in all five stages of the biofuel life cycle are depicted.
Blunt Facial Trauma Causing Isolated Optic Nerve Hematoma
Authors: Parab R. , Fung C. I. , Van Der Merwe Gerrit
Published: January 2013

Traumatic optic neuropathy is an uncommon, yet serious, result of facial trauma. The authors present a novel case of a 59-year-old gentleman who presented with an isolated blunt traumatic left optic nerve hematoma causing vision loss. There were no other injuries or fractures to report. This case highlights the importance of early recognition of this rare injury and reviews the current literature and management of traumatic optic neuropathy.
Dry Sliding Friction and Wear Studies of Fly Ash Reinforced AA-6351 Metal Matrix Composites
Authors: Uthayakumar M. , Kumaran S. Thirumalai , Aravindan S.
Published: January 2013

Fly ash particles are potentially used in metal matrix composites due to their low cost, low density, and availability in large quantities as waste by-products in thermal power plants. This study describes multifactor-based experiments that were applied to research and investigation on dry sliding wear system of stir-cast aluminum alloy 6351 with 5, 10, and 15 wt.% fly ash reinforced metal matrix composites (MMCs). The effects of parameters such as load, sliding speed, and percentage of fly ash on the sliding wear, specific wear rate, and friction coefficient were analyzed using Grey relational analysis on a pin-on-disc machine. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was also employed to investigate which design parameters significantly affect the wear behavior of the composite. The results showed that the applied load exerted the greatest effect on the dry sliding wear followed by the sliding velocity.
Atypical Antipsychotics in the Treatment of Depressive and Psychotic Symptoms in Patients with Chronic Schizophrenia: A Naturalistic Study
Authors: Innamorati Marco , Baratta Stefano , Di Vittorio Cristina , Lester David , Girardi Paolo , Pompili Maurizio , Amore Mario
Published: January 2013

Objectives. The aim of this naturalistic study was to investigate whether treatment with clozapine and other atypical antipsychotics for at least 2 years was associated with a reduction in psychotic and depressive symptoms and an improvement in chronic schizophrenia patients’ awareness of their illness.Methods. Twenty-three adult outpatients (15 men and 8 women) treated with clozapine and 23 patients (16 men and 7 women) treated with other atypical antipsychotics were included in the study. Psychotic symptoms were evaluated using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), depressive symptoms were assessed with the Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS), and insight was assessed with the Scale to Assess Unawareness of Mental Disorder (SUMD).Results. The sample as a whole had a significant reduction in positive, negative, and general symptoms, whereas the reduction in depression was significant only for patients with CDSS scores of 5 and higher at the baseline. At the follow-up, patients treated with other atypical antipsychotics reported a greater reduction in depression than patients treated with clozapine, but not when limiting the analyses to those with clinically relevant depression.Conclusions. Atypical antipsychotics may be effective in reducing psychotic and depressive symptoms and in improving insight in patients with chronic schizophrenia, with no differences in the profiles of efficacy between compounds.
Macrophage Autophagy in Atherosclerosis
Authors: Maiuri Maria Chiara , Grassia Gianluca , Platt Andrew M. , Carnuccio Rosa , Ialenti Armando , Maffia Pasquale
Published: January 2013

Macrophages play crucial roles in atherosclerotic immune responses. Recent investigation into macrophage autophagy (AP) in atherosclerosis has demonstrated a novel pathway through which these cells contribute to vascular inflammation. AP is a cellular catabolic process involving the delivery of cytoplasmic contents to the lysosomal machinery for ultimate degradation and recycling. Basal levels of macrophage AP play an essential role in atheroprotection during early atherosclerosis. However, AP becomes dysfunctional in the more advanced stages of the pathology and its deficiency promotes vascular inflammation, oxidative stress, and plaque necrosis. In this paper, we will discuss the role of macrophages and AP in atherosclerosis and the emerging evidence demonstrating the contribution of macrophage AP to vascular pathology. Finally, we will discuss how AP could be targeted for therapeutic utility.