bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Zinc Induced Enzymatic Defense Mechanisms inRhizoctoniaRoot Rot Infected Clusterbean Seedlings
Authors: Wadhwa Neha , Joshi Udai Narayan , Mehta Naresh
Published: May 2014

This investigation was planned to determine the effect of different concentrations of zinc (Zn) on biochemical constituents of clusterbean, which play an important role in disease resistance mechanisms. Clusterbean seedlings were grown with 0, 10, or 20 mg Zn kg−1soil treatments in earthen pots filled with 700 g inoculated soil. Soil was inoculated by pretreatment with 250 mg (wet weight) ofRhizoctoniainoculums per pot. A similar set was maintained in uninoculated soil. Root rot incidence decreased to 41 and 27 per cent with 10 and 20 mg Zn kg−1soil treatments, respectively, as compared to 68 percent at control. Antioxidative enzyme activity (polyphenol oxidase, peroxidase, phenylalanine ammonia lyase, and tyrosine ammonia lyase) increased in inoculated seedlings and was increased further by 20 mg Zn kg−1soil treatment. Antioxidative enzymes play an important role against fungal invasion, as peroxidase is involved in the formation of barrier via lignifications at the site of pathogen penetration. PAL and TAL play a key role in phenylpropanoid metabolism and could perform defense-related functions. Zn acts as a cofactor for these enzymes, so it can be concluded that Zn may be used as a soil-nutritive agent to increase resistance in plants against fungal diseases.
On Counting and Embedding a Subclass of Height-Balanced Trees
Authors: Raman Indhumathi
Published: May 2014

A height-balanced tree is a rooted binary tree in which, for every vertexv, the difference in the heights of the subtrees rooted at the left and right child ofv(called the balance factor ofv) is at most one. In this paper, we consider height-balanced trees in which the balance factor of every vertex beyond a level is0. We prove that there are22t-1such trees and embed them into ageneralized join of hypercubes.
Migration of Toxic Metals from Ceramic Food Packaging Materials into Acid Food Simulants
Authors: Dong Zhanhua , Lu Lixin , Liu Zhigang , Tang Yali , Wang Jun
Published: May 2014

Long‐term extraction experiments were carried out on glazed tile specimens with 4 and 10% (v/v) acetic acid, 1% (w/v) citric acid, and 1% (v/v) lactic acid solution in three temperature conditions (20, 40, and 60°C) to investigate the effect of temperature and pH value on extraction of lead, cobalt, nickel, and zinc from ceramic food packaging materials and to study the extraction kinetics of toxic metals. Results showed that except at 60°C the amount of extraction of lead, cobalt, nickel, and zinc had linear dependence on time at longer times and removal of these toxic metals under other conditions increased linearly with the square root of the time, indicating a diffusion‐controlled process. The amount of these toxic metals leached out from ceramic food packaging materials into the leachate, and the leaching rate increased with temperature and decreased with pH value of the food simulants. In addition, among these four toxic metals lead was the least leachable element, and nickel was the most leachable one. Disagreement between the ratios of the oxide of lead, cobalt, nickel, and zinc in the glaze and their release in the leachate suggested that extraction of these toxic metals was an incongruent dissolution process.
Safety of Moxibustion: A Systematic Review of Case Reports
Authors: Xu Ji , Deng Hongyong , Shen Xueyong
Published: May 2014

Moxibustion is a traditional medical treatment originating in China. It involves using the heat of burning moxa to stimulate acupoints. It is considered safe and effective and is widely used throughout the world. The increasing use of moxibustion has drawn attention to the procedure’s adverse events (AEs). This review covers a total of 64 cases of AEs associated with moxibustion in 24 articles, reported in six countries. Some evidence of the risks of moxibustion has been found in these cases. AEs include allergies, burns, infection, coughing, nausea, vomiting, fetal distress, premature birth, basal cell carcinoma (BCC), ectropion, hyperpigmentation, and even death. The position, duration, distance between moxa and skin, proficiency of the practitioners, conditions of the patients, presence of smoke, and even the environment of treatment can affect the safety of moxibustion. Improving practitioner skill and regulating operations may reduce the incidence of adverse reactions and improve the security of moxibustion.
Reversible Stress Cardiomyopathy Presenting as Acute Coronary Syndrome with Elevated Troponin in the Absence of Regional Wall Motion Abnormalities: A Forme Fruste of Stress Cardiomyopathy?
Authors: Anantha Narayanan Mahesh , Veerappan Kandasamy Vimalkumar , Chandraprakasam Satish , Mooss Aryan
Published: May 2014

We present a case of reversible stress cardiomyopathy in a surgical patient, described here as a forme fruste due to its atypical features. It is important to recognize such unusual presentation of stress cardiomyopathy that mimics acute coronary syndrome. Stress cardiomyopathy commonly presents as acute coronary syndrome and is characterized by typical or atypical variants of regional wall motion abnormalities. We report a 60-year-old Caucasian male with reversible stress cardiomyopathy following a sternal fracture fixation. Although the patient had several typical features of stress cardiomyopathy including physical stress, ST-segment elevation, elevated cardiac biomarkers and normal epicardial coronaries, there were few features that were atypical, including unusual age, gender, absence of regional wall motion abnormalities, high lateral ST elevation, and high troponin-ejection fraction product. In conclusion, this could represent a forme fruste of stress cardiomyopathy.
Study on Dynamic Response Measurement of the Submarine Pipeline by Full-Term FBG Sensors
Authors: Zhou Jinghai , Sun Li , Li Hongnan
Published: May 2014

The field of structural health monitoring is concerned with accurately and reliably assessing the integrity of a given structure to reduce ownership costs, increase operational lifetime, and improve safety. In structural health monitoring systems, fiber Bragg grating (FBG) is a promising measurement technology for its superior ability of explosion proof, immunity to electromagnetic interference, and high accuracy. This paper is a study on the dynamic characteristics of fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors applied to a submarine pipeline, as well as an experimental investigation on a laboratory model of the pipeline. The dynamic response of a submarine pipeline under seismic excitation is a coupled vibration of liquid and solid interaction. FBG sensors and strain gauges are used to monitor the dynamic response of a submarine pipeline model under a variety of dynamic loading conditions and the maximum working frequency of an FBG strain sensor is calculated according to its dynamic strain responses. Based on the theoretical and experimental results, it can be concluded that FBG sensor is superior to strain gauge and satisfies the demand of dynamic strain measurement.
Lifestyle Interventions Targeting Body Weight Changes during the Menopause Transition: A Systematic Review
Authors: Jull Janet , Stacey Dawn , Beach Sarah , Dumas Alex , Strychar Irene , Ufholz Lee-Anne , Prince Stephanie , Abdulnour Joseph , Prud’homme Denis
Published: May 2014

Objective.To determine the effectiveness of exercise and/or nutrition interventions and to address body weight changes during the menopause transition.Methods.A systematic review of the literature was conducted using electronic databases, grey literature, and hand searching. Two independent researchers screened for studies using experimental designs to evaluate the impact of exercise and/or nutrition interventions on body weight and/or central weight gain performed during the menopausal transition. Studies were quality appraised using Cochrane risk of bias. Included studies were analyzed descriptively.Results.Of 3,564 unique citations screened, 3 studies were eligible (2 randomized controlled trials, and 1 pre/post study). Study quality ranged from low to high risk of bias. One randomized controlled trial with lower risk of bias concluded that participation in an exercise program combined with dietary interventions might mitigate body adiposity increases, which is normally observed during the menopause transition. The other two studies with higher risk of bias suggested that exercise might attenuate weight loss or weight gain and change abdominal adiposity patterns.Conclusions.High quality studies evaluating the effectiveness of interventions targeting body weight changes in women during their menopause transition are needed. Evidence from one higher quality study indicates an effective multifaceted intervention for women to minimize changes in body adiposity.
Vaccination Coverage for Infants: Cross-Sectional Studies in Two Regions of Belgium
Authors: Robert Emmanuelle , Dramaix Michèle , Swennen Béatrice
Published: May 2014

Methods and Objectives.To estimate infant vaccination coverage in the French-speaking region of Belgium (Wallonia) and in the Brussels-Capital Region, two cross-sectional studies were performed in 2012. A face-to-face questionnaire was administered by trained investigators. The objective was to evaluate infant vaccination coverage retrospectively in 18- to 24-month-old children. These studies offered the opportunity to assess some factors influencing vaccine uptake in infants.Results and Discussion.Approximately 99% of the children had received the first dose of IPV-DTaP, 90% the fourth dose, 94% the MMR vaccine, 97% the first dose of pneumococcal vaccine, and 90% the third dose. In both regions, when fitting a logistic model, the most associated factor was attendance at maternal and child clinics (MCH). No association was observed between vaccination coverage and the mother’s level of education. For the last immunization session, where the mother was a Belgian native and when she worked more hours, child was better immunized, but only in Brussels.Conclusion.Coverage for the fourth dose of hexavalent vaccine (DTaP-IPV-HBV/Hib) needs to be increased. Indeed, additional effort is needed to increase HIB and pertussis coverage rates because the herd immunity threshold for these two diseases has not been reached.
MHC Class I Presented T Cell Epitopes as Potential Antigens for Therapeutic Vaccine against HBV Chronic Infection
Authors: Comber Joseph D. , Karabudak Aykan , Shetty Vivekananda , Testa James S. , Huang Xiaofang , Philip Ramila
Published: May 2014

Approximately 370 million people worldwide are chronically infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV). Despite the success of the prophylactic HBV vaccine, no therapeutic vaccine or other immunotherapy modality is available for treatment of chronically infected individuals. Clearance of HBV depends on robust, sustained CD8+T activity; however, the limited numbers of therapeutic vaccines tested have not induced such a response. Most of these vaccines have relied on peptide prediction algorithms to identify MHC-I epitopes or characterization of T cell responses during acute infection. Here, we took an immunoproteomic approach to characterize MHC-I restricted epitopes from cells chronically infected with HBV and therefore more likely to represent the true targets of CD8+T cells during chronic infection. In this study, we identified eight novel MHC-I restricted epitopes derived from a broad range of HBV proteins that were capable of activating CD8+T cells. Furthermore, five of the eight epitopes were able to bind HLA-A2 and A24 alleles and activated HBV specific T cell responses. These epitopes also have potential as new tools to characterize T cell immunity in chronic HBV infection and may serve as candidate antigens for a therapeutic vaccine against HBV infection.
A Differential Evolution Based MPPT Method for Photovoltaic Modules under Partial Shading Conditions
Authors: Tey Kok Soon , Mekhilef Saad , Yang Hong-Tzer , Chuang Ming-Kai
Published: May 2014

Partially shaded photovoltaic (PV) modules have multiple peaks in the power-voltage(P-V)characteristic curve and conventional maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm, such as perturbation and observation (P&O), which is unable to track the global maximum power point (GMPP) accurately due to its localized search space. Therefore, this paper proposes a differential evolution (DE) based optimization algorithm to provide the globalized search space to track the GMPP. The direction of mutation in the DE algorithm is modified to ensure that the mutation always converges to the best solution among all the particles in the generation. This helps to provide the rapid convergence of the algorithm. Simulation of the proposed PV system is carried out in PSIM and the results are compared to P&O algorithm. In the hardware implementation, a high step-up DC-DC converter is employed to verify the proposed algorithm experimentally on partial shading conditions, load variation, and solar intensity variation. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm is able to converge to the GMPP within 1.2 seconds with higher efficiency than P&O.
Solving Fractional Partial Differential Equations with Corrected Fourier Series Method
Authors: Zainal Nor Hafizah , Kılıçman Adem
Published: May 2014

The corrected Fourier series (CFS) is proposed for solving partial differential equations (PDEs) with fractional time derivative on a finite domain. In the previous work, we have been solving partial differential equations by using corrected Fourier series. The fractional derivatives are described in Riemann sense. Some numerical examples are presented to show the solutions.
Orbital Stability of Solitary Waves for Generalized Symmetric Regularized-Long-Wave Equations with Two Nonlinear Terms
Authors: Zhang Weiguo , Chen Xu , Li Zhengming , Zhang Haiyan
Published: May 2014

This paper investigates the orbital stability of solitary waves for the generalized symmetric regularized-long-wave equations with two nonlinear terms and analyzes the influence of the interaction between two nonlinear terms on the orbital stability. SinceJis not onto, Grillakis-Shatah-Strauss theory cannot be applied on the system directly. We overcome this difficulty and obtain the general conclusion on orbital stability of solitary waves in this paper. Then, according to two exact solitary waves of the equations, we deduce the explicit expression of discriminationd′′(c)and give several sufficient conditions which can be used to judge the orbital stability and instability for the two solitary waves. Furthermore, we analyze the influence of the interaction between two nonlinear terms of the equations on the wave speed interval which makes the solitary waves stable.
MRI Evaluation of Resection Margins in Bone Tumour Surgery
Authors: Vandergugten Simon , Traore Sidi Yaya , Cartiaux Olivier , Lecouvet Frédéric , Galant Christine , Docquier Pierre-Louis
Published: May 2014

In 12 patients operated on for bone sarcoma resection, a postoperative magnetic resonance imaging of the resection specimens was obtained in order to assess the surgical margins. Margins were classified according to MRI in R0, R1, and R2 by three independent observers: a radiologist and two orthopaedic surgeons. Final margin evaluation (R0, R1, and R2) was assessed by a confirmed pathologist. Agreement for margin evaluation between the pathologist and the radiologist was perfect (κ=1). Agreement between the pathologist and an experienced orthopaedic surgeon was very good while it was fair between the pathologist and a junior orthopaedic surgeon. MRI should be considered as a tool to give quick information about the adequacy of margins and to help the pathologist to focus on doubtful areas and to spare time in specimen analysis. But it may not replace the pathological evaluation that gives additional information about tumor necrosis. This study shows that MRI extemporaneous analysis of a resection specimen may be efficient in bone tumor oncologic surgery, if made by an experienced radiologist with perfect agreement with the pathologist.
Comparison and Optimization of Neural Networks and Network Ensembles for Gap Filling of Wind Energy Data
Authors: Schmidt Andres , Suchaneck Maya
Published: May 2014

Wind turbines play an important role in providing electrical energy for an ever-growing demand. Due to climate change driven by anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases, the exploration and use of sustainable energy sources is essential with wind energy covering a significant portion. Data of existing wind turbines is needed to reduce the uncertainty of model predictions of future energy yields for planned wind farms. Due to maintenance routines and technical issues, data gaps of reference wind parks are unavoidable. Here, we present real-world case studies using multilayer perceptron networks and radial basis function networks to reproduce electrical energy outputs of wind turbines at 3 different locations in Germany covering a range of landscapes with varying topographic complexity. The results show that the energy output values of the turbines could be modeled with high correlations ranging from 0.90 to 0.99. In complex terrain, the RBF networks outperformed the MLP networks. In addition, rare extreme values were better captured by the RBF networks in most cases. By using wind meteorological variables and operating data recorded by the wind turbines in addition to the daily energy output values, the error could be further reduced to more than 20%.
Paradoxical Association of Lipoprotein Measures With Incident Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Mora Samia , Akinkuolie Akintunde O. , Sandhu Roopinder K. , Conen David , Albert Christine M.
Published: May 2014

Background—

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is a strong risk factor for atherosclerosis but has an inverse association with atrial fibrillation (AF). We aimed to provide insight into the paradoxical association of LDL cholesterol with AF by evaluating the relationship of various lipoprotein measures and incident AF.

Methods and Results—

We prospectively evaluated lipoprotein measures among 23 738 healthy middle-aged and older women (median follow-up 16.4 years; N=795 incident AF events). Baseline LDL cholesterol was directly measured, lipoprotein particle concentrations and size were measured by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and apolipoproteins were measured by immunoassay. Cox regression models were adjusted for age, AF risk factors, inflammatory, and dysglycemic biomarkers. After multivariable adjustment, inverse associations with AF were observed (hazard ratio, 95% confidence interval for top versus bottom quintile,
P
value) for LDL cholesterol (0.72, 0.56–0.92,
P
=0.009), the total number of LDL particles (0.77, 0.60–0.99,
P
=0.045), and very-low-density lipoprotein particles (0.78, 0.61–0.99,
P
=0.04), which was driven by the number of cholesterol-poor small LDL (0.78, 0.61–1.00,
P
=0.05) and small very-low-density lipoprotein particles (0.78, 0.62–0.99,
P
=0.04). By contrast, the larger cholesterol-rich LDL particles and all high-density lipoprotein measures were not associated with AF in multivariable models. Adjustment for inflammatory and dysglycemic biomarkers had minimal impact on these associations.

Conclusions—

In this prospective study, the inverse association between LDL cholesterol and AF extended to several other atherogenic lipoproteins, and these associations are unlikely to be mediated by direct cholesterol effects.

Clinical Trial Registration—

ClinicalTrials.gov; Unique Identifier: NCT00000479.
Towards a monophyletic classification of Lejeuneaceae III: the systematic position of Leiolejeunea
Authors: SCHÄFER-VERWIMP ALFONS , FELDBERG KATHRIN , DONG SHANSHAN , VAN MELICK HUUB , PERALTA DENILSON F. , SCHMIDT ALEXANDER R. , SCHNEIDER HARALD , HEINRICHS JOCHEN
Published: May 2014

The derived liverwort Leiolejeunea grandiflora was recollected at the type locality in Jamaica after more than 100 years. The characteristics of its oil bodies were described for the first time based on the new collections. Each leaf cell possesses 2-4(-6) rather small, subhomogeneous to very finely segmented, subglobose to ellipsoidal, colorless oil bodies. The plants were either dioicous or autoicous. DNA sequences of two chloroplast regions (trnL-trnF, rbcL) and the nuclear ribosomal ITS region were obtained for two accessions of Leiolejeunea to enable the inference of the phylogenetic relationships of these plants. Based on Bayesian inference of phylogeny as well as maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood analyses of a dataset including 87 representatives of Lejeuneaceae, Leiolejeunea was found as the putative sister to either Echinolejeuneinae or Cheilolejeuneinae. Thus, we propose the new monogeneric subtribe Leiolejeuneinae with relationships to Cheilolejeuneinae and Echinolejeuneinae. The analyses included also one accession of the generitype of Cheilolejeunea, C. decidua [= Cheilolejeunea adnata]. This species was found in a well supported sister relationship with Cystolejeunea. To avoid nomenclatural confusion, we propose a wide genus concept for Cheilolejeunea including Aureolejeunea, Cyrtolejeunea, Cystolejeunea, Evansiolejeunea, Leucolejeunea, and Omphalanthus.
Taxonomic notes on the Psephellus zuvandicus group (Asteraceae) from Iran
Authors: RANJBAR MASSOUD , NEGARESH KAZEM
Published: May 2014

Psephellus khalkhalensis (Asteraceae) is described and illustrated as a new species of Psephellus sect. Psephellus from NW Iran. The section contains plants characterized by having often ascending or prostrate stems with few branches and a central rosette of leaves, lyrate to pinnatisect leaves, with arachnoid indumentum on the upper side, densely tomentose on the lower, appendages membranous, triangular to ovate, ciliate, without prominent terminal mucro or spinule, not decurrent, flowers purple or the central whitish. The new species is closely related to P. zuvandicus native to Iran, but differs from it by the shape of stem (decumbent or arcuate-ascending vs. ascending rarely erect), basal leaves [segments in 9–11 pairs, narrowly oblong, sometimes triangular, 2–4 mm wide vs. segments in 3–7 pairs, lanceolate or obovate, 5–12(–20) mm wide], colour of appendages (brown-blackish vs. pale brown), and also cilia (brownish vs. whitish). The value and utility of leaf indumentum was also evaluated as an additional source of information for the taxonomy of P. zuvandicus and P. khalkhalensis.
Ficus tubulosa (Moraceae), a new Amazonian species and the re-establishment of Ficus trachelosyce
Authors: PELISSARI GISELA , NETO SERGIO ROMANIUC
Published: May 2014

In this paper a new species of Ficus sect. Americana is described and illustrated as Ficus tubulosa. It is characterized mainly by the tubular shape of the ostiole, and shows morphological similarities with F. pertusa and F. trachelosyce, the latter previously treated as a synonym of F. pertusa is re-established as a valid species in this paper.
The taxonomic identity of Bauhinia bassacensis var. nicobarica (Leguminosae: Caesalpinioideae)
Authors: BANDYOPADHYAY SUBIR
Published: May 2014

Bauhinia bassacensis var. nicobarica has been treated here as a synonym of Phanera bassacensis.
Introducing Philosophy of Social Science
Authors: Agassi Joseph
Published: May 2014

This book succeeds in being nice all round. Its means are slight distortions of issues in dispute. A preferable approach would be to inform readers of the sharp rifts in the field and their ramifications and then to challenge beginners to think about how to deal with the situation.
Intimate gifts and ‘bad’ deaths
Authors: Ibrahim Farhana
Published: May 2014

This article is an ethnographic perspective on organ donation in the western Indian state of Gujarat. It suggests that debates around organ donation—from the perspective of religion as well as state—become critical to an understanding of not just how a global discourse translates into a local cultural context, but also how it configures specific cultural subjectivities around religion, death and violence. Through a discussion on how organ donation is framed by law and society as a desirable social good in general and as dan in particular, the article concludes that the emergent public discourse on organ transplant finds an ‘elective affinity’ with Hindu and Jain debates on death, rendering itself as a discourse that excludes Gujarat’s Muslims. Given the violence that configures recent Gujarati Muslim experiences of death, the article asks what the social consequences of organ donation discourses are for those who cannot share in the discursive construction of organ donation as a celebratory exercise in gift giving.
Pastoral predicaments
Authors: Mayaram Shail
Published: May 2014

This article investigates the growing marginality of pastoralism using the Gujar agitation of 2007–08 in India as a point of entry. Although the process began with colonialism, pastoralism is currently witnessing a crisis in postcolonial India as the consequence of a progressively sedentarising state, intensification of commercialised agriculture and urbanisation. The Gujars of Rajasthan have made claims for recognition demanding scheduled tribe (ST) status to counter inequality. Clearly, this inequality has been historically constituted. Hence, the play of inequality and resistance is addressed through an examination of two clusters of events around the years 2007 and 1857. Currently, the state defines tribes in terms of indices that have been subject to neither review nor public debate. It is not only the vision of the state that is compromised by colonial anthropology and history, but also that of civil society and community. Tragically, communities are forced to format their histories in terms of an archaic indigeneity. Further, claims to social justice and equality are reduced to demands for quotas rather than addressing critically and creatively the violence of development and knowledge. Thus, the politico-administrative category, ST, itself becomes a mode of violence, pointing to the need to debate afresh the grounds on which tribality is constituted.
Situating marriage payments
Authors: Agrawal Anuja
Published: May 2014

There are very few contextual accounts of bride-price payments among north Indian communities. Despite the paucity of ethnographic data, assumptions regarding transitions in the practice are commonplace. This article discusses marriage payments among the Bedia community within the broader context of their survival upon familial prostitution and focusses upon how they construe bride-price and dowry, both practiced under varied circumstances. I argue that Bedia marriage payments do not neatly fit into the prevailing assumptions regarding transitions from dowry to bride-price and are constructed differently under different conditions. The internal variations and contradictions in these constructions are interpreted in light of the social location and practices of Bedias.
Islamic deshbhakti
Authors: Parciack Ronie
Published: May 2014

This article presents an analysis of an iconographical series that has recently emerged in video compact discs (VCDs) devoted to Sufi Chishtiyya shrines (dargahs) in central and north India. This series superimposes the image of the important shrine of Ajmer onto the map of India, hinting at and employing the popular iconography of Goddess Bharat Mata, especially in its relatively recent versions employed by the Hindu right as a significant agent for constituting a Hinduised nation and public space. What significance does the application of this loaded Hindu formula hold in the spaces of popular Islam? Following Bourdieu’s (1985) theory of the Social Space, I address this iconography as an economy of signs hinting at the shifting contours of Hindu nationhood while simultaneously endowing Islamic symbols with a powerful position, claiming for enhanced political participation and, at times, for authority over the Indian nation-space.
Always On and Always With Mobile Tablet Devices
Authors: Park Sora
Published: May 2014

Internet-enabled mobile devices expand the virtual spaces of Internet users. Mobile Internet users encounter continuous connectivity where they are not only always on but also always with the device. Users are presented with situations of continuous connected presence requiring them to deal with the overwhelming volume of virtual interaction. This study reports from a longitudinal study of 35 university students in Australia conducted in 2011/2012. Mobile tablet devices were given to participants who had never owned one before, to be observed over a period of 1 year. By qualitatively exploring how users experience and negotiate with the added virtual space, this study found that while users benefit from continuous connectivity, they also adopt strategies to disconnect from the ubiquitous access especially when engaging in tasks that require undivided attention. New users go through adjustment by developing their own involvement shield strategies while experimenting with online colocation and copresence.
The Combined Impact of Attention to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Environmental Worldview on Views About Nuclear Energy
Authors: Besley John C. , Oh Sang-Hwa
Published: May 2014

A two-wave panel study with data collected before and after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill was used to assess whether the accident changed views toward nuclear energy, a non–fossil fuel energy alternative. While the spill appears to have had little impact on mean attitudes toward nuclear energy, an interaction between environmental worldview and attention to oil spill news suggests the importance of exploring conditional relationships. Specifically, modeling suggests that only those without relatively pro-environmental worldviews became more positive about nuclear energy and nuclear decision makers when they paid more attention to oil spill news.
The Racial Gap in Confidence in Science
Authors: Plutzer Eric
Published: May 2014

African Americans, compared to Whites, are starkly underrepresented in scientific and technological professions, are especially reluctant to participate as research subjects, and they express attitudes that are skeptical of science and scientific institutions. This article seeks to explain the racial gap in confidence in science (race being socially defined), putting to empirical test explanations suggested by research on human capital, inequality in educational opportunity, and culture. The results show that differential returns to schooling account for about a third of the racial divide, with various cultural mechanisms explaining most of the balance.
Critical Science Literacy
Authors: Priest Susanna
Published: May 2014

Increasing public knowledge of science is a widely recognized goal, but what that knowledge might consist of is rarely unpacked. Existing measures of science literacy tend to focus on textbook knowledge of science. Yet constructing a meaningful list of facts, even facts in application, is not only difficult but less than satisfying as an indicator of what people actually know—or need to know—as citizens. Revisiting this concept from a more sociological perspective yields a rather different concept that is here termed “critical science literacy.” The implications of this reconsideration for thinking about citizen perspectives, for the work of science journalists and other professional interpreters, and for the design and evaluation of new approaches to science communication are explored.
Child Maltreatment Fatalities Related to Inadequate Caregiver Supervision
Authors: Damashek Amy , Drass Sabrina , Bonner Barbara L.
Published: May 2014

More than 1,500 children died in the United States in 2011 due to child maltreatment. A substantial portion of these deaths were due to neglect. Previous research has found that a large percentage of child neglect cases involve supervisory neglect; however, the role of inadequate caregiver supervision (ICS) in child maltreatment deaths is unknown. The present study reviewed files from the Child Death Review Board in the state of Oklahoma for the years 2000 to 2003 to examine (a) how many deaths were due to inadequate caregiver supervision and (b) which child, caregiver, family, alleged perpetrator, and incident characteristics predicted risk for death related to ICS. Results indicated that almost half of the child maltreatment deaths were related to ICS. Older children and those living in homes with greater numbers of children were more likely to die from causes related to ICS. In addition, the alleged perpetrators of deaths related to ICS were more likely to be biological parents than alleged perpetrators of non-ICS-related deaths. These findings suggest that interventions to assist caregivers in providing appropriate levels of supervision for their children may be important for reducing children’s risk for death.
Safety Assessment of Citric Acid, Inorganic Citrate Salts, and Alkyl Citrate Esters as Used in Cosmetics
Authors: Fiume Monice M. , Heldreth Bart A. , Bergfeld Wilma F. , Belsito Donald V. , Hill Ronald A. , Klaassen Curtis D. , Liebler Daniel C. , Marks James G. , Shank Ronald C. , Slaga Thomas J. , Snyder Paul W. , Andersen F. Alan
Published: May 2014

The CIR Expert Panel (Panel) assessed the safety of citric acid, 12 inorganic citrate salts, and 20 alkyl citrate esters as used in cosmetics, concluding that these ingredients are safe in the present practices of use and concentration. Citric acid is reported to function as a pH adjuster, chelating agent, or fragrance ingredient. Some of the salts are also reported to function as chelating agents, and a number of the citrates are reported to function as skin-conditioning agents but other functions are also reported. The Panel reviewed available animal and clinical data, but because citric acid, calcium citrate, ferric citrate, manganese citrate, potassium citrate, sodium citrate, diammonium citrate, isopropyl citrate, stearyl citrate, and triethyl citrate are generally recognized as safe direct food additives, dermal exposure was the focus for these ingredients in this cosmetic ingredient safety assessment.
Safety Assessment of Cucumis sativus (Cucumber)-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics
Authors: Fiume Monice M. , Bergfeld Wilma F. , Belsito Donald V. , Hill Ronald A. , Klaassen Curtis D. , Liebler Daniel C. , Marks James G. , Shank Ronald C. , Slaga Thomas J. , Snyder Paul W. , Andersen F. Alan
Published: May 2014

The CIR Expert Panel assessed the safety of 6 Cucumis sativus (cucumber)-derived ingredients and found them safe in cosmetic formulations in the present practices of use and concentration. These ingredients are reported to function in cosmetics as skin-conditioning agents. Cucumber is a commonly consumed food with no history of significant adverse effects, suggesting that its ingredients should not pose any major safety issues following oral exposure. This assessment focused on the dermal exposure to the low concentrations of these ingredients as used in cosmetics. Some of the constituents of cucumbers have been assessed previously for safe use as cosmetic ingredients.
Safety Assessment of Chlorphenesin as Used in Cosmetics
Authors: Johnson Wilbur , Bergfeld Wilma F. , Belsito Donald V. , Hill Ronald A. , Klaassen Curtis D. , Liebler Daniel C. , Marks James G. , Shank Ronald C. , Slaga Thomas J. , Snyder Paul W. , Andersen F. Alan
Published: May 2014

Chlorphenesin functions as a biocide in cosmetics and is used at concentrations up to 0.32% in rinse-off products and up to 0.3% in leave-on products. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel (Panel) noted that chlorphenesin was well absorbed when applied to the skin of rats; however, any safety concern was minimized because available data demonstrated an absence of toxicity. The Panel concluded that chlorphenesin is safe in the present practices of use and concentration.
Human Capital and Public Policy
Authors: Sinha Chaitali
Published: May 2014

This article surveys the theoretical and empirical literature on investment in human capital and the effect of public policies. Empirical literature shows that education carries considerable amount of risk and only 9 per cent of the variability of the returns to college education are forecastable at the time of making college choices. However, uncertain future returns in human capital investment may increase or decrease investment in skill formation. Individuals may prefer to stay in school longer with increasing risk in future earnings. As schooling and training are the two essential elements of investment in human capital, public policies become important for the incentive to acquire human capital. The link between public policies manifested in terms of taxation and subsidies generate interesting outcomes. While in some cases there may be little or no impact of taxation or subsidies on human capital formation, these may more often hamper accumulation of skill. This article discusses these and several other dimensions associated with human capital formation in developing economies.

JEL Classification: H21, H23, H24, J24, J38.
Overcoming Zero Lower Bound on Interest Rate without any Inflation or Inflationary Expectations
Authors: Singh Gurbachan
Published: May 2014

There is a widespread view that inflation or inflationary expectations are the only way to overcome the zero lower bound on interest rate. This article shows that this is not true. It is shown that a tax-subsidy scheme can be used to overcome the zero lower bound on interest rate—without any inflation or inflationary expectations. A simple ‘old’ Keynesian model is used though the treatment is novel and in-depth. The article ends with a discussion that suggests that the ‘non-inflation solution’ is superior to the ‘inflation solution’ under some conditions.

JEL Classification: E31m E43, E63.

The difficulty lies, not in the new ideas, but in escaping from the old ones … . (John Maynard Keynes, 1936)
Sectoral Effects of Monetary Policy in India
Authors: Sengupta Nandini
Published: May 2014

Every economy comprises of different sectors with divergent characteristics. These different sectors respond heterogeneously to identical unanticipated macroeconomic stimuli. Using a Vector Autoregression model this study finds that the impact of a monetary policy shock at the sectoral level is heterogeneous with manufacturing being the most responsive. The sectors such as Manufacturing, Mining and Quarrying, Construction and Trade are the fastest to respond. The differential sectoral effects depend upon factors such as capital intensity, interest sensitivity, export-orientation, production planning strategies among others. The sectors also differ in terms of the most effective channel of monetary transmission. The interest rate channel has emerged as the most efficient channel of the monetary policy transmission in most of the sectors followed by the credit channel. Therefore, the heterogeneous sectoral responses indicate the need for a more sector-specific monetary policy.

JEL Classification: E50, E52, E58, O53
Ownership Choices of Indian Direct Investors: Do FDI Determinants Differ between Joint Ventures and Wholly Owned Subsidiaries?
Authors: Nunnenkamp Peter , Andrés Maximiliano Sosa
Published: May 2014

Using count data on Indian joint ventures (JVs) and wholly owned subsidiaries (WOS), we present an empirical analysis of foreign direct investment (FDI)-related ownership choices and their relation with host country characteristics and indicators of transaction costs. Our Negative Binomial regression models offer only weak support for the bargaining perspective, according to which JVs should be more likely if the host countries were particularly attractive in terms of market access or resource endowments. Geographical and cultural distance has ambiguous effects on the choice between JVs and WOS. The composition of FDI projects tends to shift towards WOS where investment risks are contained by bilateral treaties and better control of corruption.

JEL Classification: F21
Microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of Cu–Al joints by ultrasonic welding
Authors: Yang J. W. , Cao B. , He X. C. , Luo H. S.
Published: May 2014

Dissimilar joints of copper to aluminium were produced by high power ultrasonic welding (USW). The interfacial reaction between copper and 6061 aluminium alloy as a function of welding time was studied. The intermetallic compound (IMC) layer is mainly composed of CuAl2 and Cu9Al4. The thickness of the IMC layer increases with the welding time. For a relatively long welding time (0·7 s) in USW, the dendritic solidification microstructure was observed in local regions, owing to the occurrence of the eutectic reaction, α-Al+θ→ L, in the welding process. The lap shear load (or strength) of the joints first increases and then decreases with increasing welding time, and the failure of the joints occurred dominantly at the interface. This is mainly attributed to the development of IMC layer at the interface.
Clinical features of childhood granulomatosis with polyangiitis (wegener’s granulomatosis)
Authors: Bohm Marek , Gonzalez Fernandez Maria Isabel , Ozen Seza , Pistorio Angela , Dolezalova Pavla , Brogan Paul , Barbano Giancarlo , Sengler Claudia , Klein-Gitelman Marisa , Quartier Pierre , Fasth Anders , Herlin Troels , Terreri Maria Teresa R A , Nielsen Susan , van Rossum Marion A J , Avcin Tadej , Castell Esteban Rodolfo , Foeldvari Ivan , Foell Dirk , Kondi Anuela , Koné-Paut Isabelle , Kuester Rolf-Michael , Michels Hartmut , Wulffraat Nico , Amer Halima Ben , Malattia Clara , Martini Alberto , Ruperto Nicolino ,   the Paediatric Rheumatology International Trials Organisation (PRINTO)
Published: May 2014

Background

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), formerly known as Wegener’s granulomatosis (WG), belongs to the group of ANCA-associated necrotizing vasculitides. This study describes the clinical picture of the disease in a large cohort of GPA paediatric patients.

Children with age at diagnosis ≤ 18 years, fulfilling the EULAR/PRINTO/PRES GPA/WG classification criteria were extracted from the PRINTO vasculitis database. The clinical signs/symptoms and laboratory features were analysed before or at the time of diagnosis and at least 3 months thereafter and compared with other paediatric and adult case series (>50 patients) derived from the literature.

Findings

The 56 children with GPA/WG were predominantly females (68%) and Caucasians (82%) with a median age at disease onset of 11.7 years, and a median delay in diagnosis of 4.2 months. The most frequent organ systems involved before/at the time of diagnosis were ears, nose, throat (91%), constitutional (malaise, fever, weight loss) (89%), respiratory (79%), mucosa and skin (64%), musculoskeletal (59%), and eye (35%), 67% were ANCA-PR3 positive, while haematuria/proteinuria was present in > 50% of the children. In adult series, the frequency of female involvement ranged from 29% to 50% with lower frequencies of constitutional (fever, weight loss), ears, nose, throat (oral/nasal ulceration, otitis/aural discharge), respiratory (tracheal/endobronchial stenosis/obstruction), laboratory involvement and higher frequency of conductive hearing loss than in this paediatric series.

Conclusions

Paediatric patients compared to adults with GPA/WG have similar pattern of clinical manifestations but different frequencies of organ involvement.
Comparative study of the effects of fetal bovine serum versus horse serum on growth and differentiation of primary equine bronchial fibroblasts
Authors: Franke Jana , Abs Vanessa , Zizzadoro Claudia , Abraham Getu
Published: May 2014

Background

Airway fibroblasts have become a critical addition to all facets of structural lung tissue changes such as in human asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, but little is known about their role in the equine recurrent airway obstruction, a disease that resembles to the human asthma. Since the equine bronchial fibroblasts (EBF) have not been isolated and characterized yet, the use of defined medium was investigated.

Results

Primary EBF were cultured on non-collagen coated flasks without serum or in the presence of fetal bovine serum (FBS) or horse serum (HS) or in serum depleted medium. EBF cultured in serum-free basal media and those serum deprived were not able to proliferate and even exhibited considerable cell death. In media containing FBS or HS, proliferation of the cells was reproducible between different primary cultures and cells demonstrated expression of vimentin. Large variations were found in the ability of FBS and HS to support growth and differentiation of EBF in monolayer culture. Indications of growth-promoting actions, increasing passage number as well as maintaining fibroblast morphology were found rather in FBS than in HS. EBF culturing in HS needed longer doubling and confluence time. The protein content of the cell pellets was higher in EBF cultured in medium containing HS than FBS. Alpha-smooth muscle actin seemed to be less expressed in EBF cultured in medium containing FBS than those in HS.

Conclusions

In sum, serum addition to basal EBF medium enhanced EBF differentiation into myofibroblasts, and these findings are useful to develop in vitro fibroblast culture models that mimic in vivo physiological processes and to study airway disease mechanisms and remodeling.
Truncated and modified amyloid-beta species
Authors: Kummer Markus P , Heneka Michael T
Published: May 2014

Alzheimer’s disease pathology is closely connected to the processing of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) resulting in the formation of a variety of amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptides. They are found as insoluble aggregates in senile plaques, the histopathological hallmark of the disease. These peptides are also found in soluble, mostly monomeric and dimeric, forms in the interstitial and cerebrospinal fluid. Due to the combination of several enzymatic activities during APP processing, Aβ peptides exist in multiple isoforms possessing different N-termini and C-termini. These peptides include, to a certain extent, part of the juxtamembrane and transmembrane domain of APP. Besides differences in size, post-translational modifications of Aβ – including oxidation, phosphorylation, nitration, racemization, isomerization, pyroglutamylation, and glycosylation – generate a plethora of peptides with different physiological and pathological properties that may modulate disease progression.
Behçet’s disease in HLA-B*51 negative Germans and Turks shows association with HLA-Bw4-80I
Authors: Kuranov Alexandr Borisovich , Kötter Ina , Henes Jörg Christoph , Abisheva Saule Tleubaevna , Steiert Ingeborg , Riewerts Florian , Momynaliev Kuvat Temirgalievich , Müller Claudia Anna
Published: May 2014

Introduction

Behçet’s disease (BD) as systemic vasculitis of unknown etiology is associated with HLA-B*51 in European and Asian populations. HLA-A*26 was claimed as an additional BD susceptibility marker in Japanese and Greek patients. This study was performed to test for HLA associations in HLA-B*51 negative German and Turkish BD populations.

Methods

In total, 65 German and 46 Turkish patients lacking HLA-B*51 were analyzed in comparison to healthy HLA-B*51 negative Germans (n = 1500) and Turks (n = 130). HLA-A/B genotypes were determined by SSOP. P-values with correction for multiple testing (pc), χ2- test and odds ratio (OR) were used for statistical evaluation.

Results

HLA-A*26 was significantly more frequent in HLA-B*51− German patients [pc = 0.0076, OR = 3.23, 95% CI 1.63 to 6.39] than in respective controls. HLA-A*26 was also elevated in a smaller group of Turkish patients versus the controls. Significant association of HLA-Bw4 with isoleucine at amino-acid position 80 (HLA-Bw4-80I) was found in the HLA-B*51− German cohort of BD patients [pc = 0.0042, OR = 2.35, 95% CI 1.41 to 3.93) and in the Turkish patients in comparison to the respective controls [p = 0.025, OR = 2.17, 95% CI 1.09 to 4.31]. On the contrary, HLA-Bw4-80 T was reduced in both HLA-B*51− BD patient cohorts.

Conclusions

The study shows a significant association of HLA-Bw4-80I present on HLA-B*51 as well as on other B-locus molecules with BD. This indicates that distinctive Bw4 epitopes on HLA-B locus molecules could play a role in BD pathogenesis. The study also indicates an association with HLA-A*26 in German and Turkish BD patients as a genetic risk factor independent of HLA-B*51.