bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The use of digitized aerial photographs and local operation for classification of stand development classes
Authors: Wang Guangxing , Poso Simo , Waite Mark-Leo , Holopainen Markus
Published: October 2014

The increasing capacity of modern computers has created the opportunity to routinely process the very large data sets derived by digitizing aerial photographs. The very fine resolution of such data sets makes them better suited than satellite imagery for some applications; however, there may be problems in implementation resulting from variation in radial distortion and illumination across an aerial photograph. We investigated the feasibility of using local operators (e.g., non-overlapping moving window means and standard deviations) as auxiliary data for generating stand development classes via three steps: (i) derive 6 local operators intended to represent texture for a 16 by 16 m window corresponding to a forest inventory sampling unit, (ii) apply a calibration process (e.g., accounting for location relative to a photo's principal point and solar position) to these local operators, and (iii) apply the calibrated local operators to classify the forest for stand development. Results indicate that calibrated local operators significantly improve the classification compared to what is possible using uncalibrated local operators and satellite images.
Root electrolyte leakage and root growth potential as indicators of spruce and larch establishment
Authors: McKay H.
Published: October 2014

The relationship between the condition of bare-rooted 2-year-old seedlings of Sitka spruce and larch at the time of planting and their survival and growth after 2 years was examined. Data were analysed for 2 experiments using seedlings lifted and stored at +1 Â°C throughout the winter for planting in April and also for 2 experiments using seedlings planted directly on different dates without cold storage. Electrolyte leakage from the fine roots of spruce was closely correlated to survival following direct planting at different times from September to April and fine root leakage was a more accurate indicator of spruce performance than root growth potential. However the pattern of larch survival of directly planted stock was more closely related to root growth potential than to root leakage. When seedlings were cold-stored, root electrolyte leakage and root growth potential were modified during storage and following cold storage, the performance of both species was more closely related to root electrolyte leakage than root growth potential. These results are interpreted as meaning that successful establishment of bare-rooted seedlings requires a functional nursery root system that is capable of both supplying adequate water for a limited period immediately after transplanting and of producing roots to meet the seedlingâs increased water demand later in the growing season.
Pine mortality after planting on post-agricultural lands in South Africa
Authors: Zwolinski Janusz , South David , Droomer E.
Published: October 2014

Successful afforestation has been practiced in South Africa for more than a century. Recently, however, problems with afforestation of pines have occurred in the northeastern part of the Eastern Cape Province. Rapid mortality of Pinus patula and P. elliottii have occurred when small container seedlings were planted on old-agricultural soils. Death would often occur within 5 months of planting. Growth of surviving trees was retarded and new needles were chlorotic and stunted. Acceptable survival was obtained when seedlings were planted on virgin grasslands. Apparently, some unseen factor in the post-agricultural soil reduces root growth, increases mortality, and decreases uptake of nutrients. Removal of the infested soil by scalping greatly improves survival and growth as does soil fumigation with methyl bromide.
Phenotypic selection compared to restricted combined index selection for many generations
Authors: Andersson Erik , Spanos Kostas , Mullin Timothy , Lindgren Dag
Published: October 2014

A breeding population has been subjected to repeated selection and crossing by simulation. Unrestricted phenotypic selection and restricted combined index selection were compared at the same effective number for five generations. Results show that phenotypic selection often achieves the gain and diversity possible to achieve by combined index selection but the relative efficiency is different for different family sizes and heritabilities. When phenotypic selection was compared with restricted combined index method at low heritabilities, both methods performed almost equally in terms of gain at the same effective number in small family sizes, although in large families, phenotypic selection was less efficient. At high heritabilities phenotypic selection was as efficient as combined index selection. Phenotypic selection was more efficient in conserving additive variance than combined index selection over five generations compared at the same gain and effective number. The introduction of a dominance component to the total variance had little effect. An increased breeding population size by a factor of ten resulted in an increased additive gain by app. 15%. The conclusion is that even though combined index selection is superior in identifying and extracting the potential for breeding achievements, it is generally not performing better than mass selection when compared at the same effective population size in small families.
Exchange rate changes and the Finnish sawnwood demand and price in the UK market
Authors: Hänninen Riitta
Published: October 2014

This paper examines the long-run influence of exchange rate changes on the Finnish sawnwood price in the United Kingdom (UK) using quarterly data for the period 1978â1994. The degree of influence was measured by a pass-through coefficient (PT) obtained from a markup pricing relation of a system model. The model, which included export demand and price equations, was estimated with the cointegration method of Johansen. The results indicated a large PT, which means that exchange rate changes are reflected almost proportionately in Finnish export price expressed in pounds sterling. Thus, the Finnish price of sawnwood in pounds has lowered as a result of depreciation of the Finnish markka (FIM). This has improved Finnish competitiveness and market share in the UK. Appreciation of the FIM has had the opposite effect. It seems that Finnish exporters have made use of depreciations and devaluations of the FIM to maintain and increase their market shares but not necessarily their markups. For Finland, which is in the process of joining the European economic and monetary union (EMU), knowing the size of the PT is also important in assessing the economic impact of membership.
The analysis of return and its components of non-industrial private forest ownership by forestry board districts in Finland
Authors: Lausti Antrei , Penttinen Markku
Published: October 2014

Non-industrial private forest ownership returns and risks in Finland are both estimated and disaggregated to local Forestry Board Districts (FBD) level. Additionally, the FBD level return is divided into price change, felling and change in the growing stock components, which are compared with the inflation rate. The results are based on a complete count of the stumpage prices, silvicultural costs and state subsidies as well as the National Forest Inventory (NFI) data. The influence of taxation is discussed as well. Although this database is excellent for economic studies as well, the estimation methodology is vitiated by a host of problems, the resolution of which is the major contribution of this study. The study period is 1972â1996. The results show that there have been fairly large differences in forest ownership returns and prices depending on the Forestry Board District. Results show that the price change component has been larger in Northern Forestry Board Districts, as much as 0.9% above the inflation rate in Lapland FBD, than in Southern Forestry Board Districts, 1.5% less than the inflation rate in southern Helsinki FBD. The net increase, however, has been larger in Southern Forestry Board Districts than in Northern Forestry Board Districts. Using the average net increment in Finland as a comparison base, the net increment in South Karelia exceeded it by 0.6%, but fell below it by 1.8% in Northeastern Finland. Finally, the return over the whole period is compared to the return on private housing and inflation in the case of North Savo. In all, the estimation methodology developed also serves as spin-off product development for the Forest Statistics Information Service (FSIS).
Estado nutricional, hábitos alimentarios y perfil sociosanitario de los usuarios del servicio de comida a domicilio para personas mayores de Vitoria-Gasteiz
Authors: Gómez-Busto Fernando , Andía-Muñoz Virginia , Ruiz-de-Alegría Loli , Rica Pilar , Mogollón Estíbaliz
Published: October 2014

Introducción: El servicio de comida a domicilio (SCD) es un recurso para la atención domiciliaria de personas mayores poco desarrollado en el País Vasco y dependiente de los servicios sociales. El objetivo de este trabajo es conocer el estado nutricional, los hábitos alimentarios y las principales características sociosanitarias de los mayores de 65 años usuarios de este servicio en el municipio de Vitoria-Gasteiz.Material y Métodos: Estudio descriptivo y transversal desarrollado en 2 etapas: (a) primera etapa: valoración del estado nutricional y de hábitos alimentarios mediante el Mini Nutritional Assessement (forma abreviada) y un cuestionario de consumo de alimentos; (b) segunda etapa: valoración del riesgo de dependencia en el domicilio y de la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud mediante los cuestionarios de Barber y EuroQoL-5D.Resultados: Cumplieron los criterios de inclusión 80 usuarios (35 varones, 45 mujeres); edad media: 83,62 (±5,53) años. Estado nutricional: la prevalencia de desnutrición y riesgo de desnutrición era de 11% y 39% respectivamente. Hábitos alimentarios: la comida servida garantizaba un aporte mínimo de legumbres, pasta, arroz o patatas (1-2 veces/semana), de pescado (1-2 veces/semana) y de carne (3-4 veces/semana). A pesar de ello, la frecuencia de consumo de verduras, pescado, arroz, huevos y carne era inferior al recomendado en más del 70% del colectivo. Perfil sociosanitario: participaron 127 usuarios (60 varones, 67 mujeres); edad media: 83,82 (±6,17) años. Cuestionario de Barber: el 48% vivían solos; el 20% estaban confinados por enfermedad; el 44% tenía mala audición y el 34% mala visión. Aunque el 30% precisaban ayudas, el 95% de ellos contaban con apoyos. EuroQoL-5D: Problemas graves referidos: el 4,7% tenía problemas de movilidad; el 7,9% de cuidado personal; el 23,6% tenía problemas para realizar actividades cotidianas; el 15% refería dolor/malestar; el 3,9% ansiedad/depresión. Estado de salud percibido: el 32,3% consideraba que su estado de salud era bueno o muy bueno, el 34,6% regular y el 33% malo o muy malo.Conclusiones: El grupo estudiado representa un colectivo vulnerable con problemas sociosanitarios y más desnutrición que el conjunto de la población mayor en domicilio. En este contexto, el SCD mejoró sustancialmente la oferta de alimentos fuente de carbohidratos complejos, verduras y proteínas y podría constituir un recurso útil para el mantenimiento de los mayores en su domicilio.
Asociación entre el momento de introducción de alimentos en el primer año de vida y la prevalencia de alergias alimentarias
Authors: San Mauro-Martín Ismael , Bodega-Villanueva Patricia , Romero-Caamaño Elena , Micó-Moreno Victor , Garicano-Vilar Elena
Published: October 2014

Introducción: La alergia a los alimentos es una respuesta anormal tras la ingesta de un alérgeno presente en un alimento, donde existe un mecanismo inmunológico comprobado. Durante el periodo de lactancia materna, los bebés van introduciendo los nuevos alimentos en pequeñas cantidades y de forma separada para detectar posibles alergias. Todo ello en relación al calendario sugerido para la introducción de los diferentes grupos de alimentos sugerido por la Agencia Española de Seguridad Alimentaria y Nutrición. Nuestro proyecto se centró en estudiar la posible relación entre la variabilidad de introducción de los distintos grupos de alimentos y la aparición de alergias en el bebé.Material y Métodos: Estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo, en una muestra incidental (n=30). Se desarrolló en una plataforma online con una encuesta Ad Hoc, en la que se recopilaron datos sobre las características de la alergia, alimentación, tipo de parto, e introducción de los alimentos en el tiempo.Resultados: Las alergias encontradas fueron, fruta 36%, huevo 20%, frutos secos 16% y lácteos 12%; cereales, legumbres, marisco y verdura 4% respectivamente. Un 89% recibió lactancia materna. Un 78% nacieron por parto vaginal. El 46,2% cumple con el protocolo de introducción y el 53,8% adelantan o posponen la introducción.Conclusiones: Los datos revisados sugieren que las alergias alimentarias están influidas por varios condicionantes que pueden influir y afectar, al número de alérgicos de una región concreta, por lo que es necesario concretar dichas variables en los estudios para poder tener mayor fiabilidad en los necesarios estudios que se realicen.
New pre-coded food record form validation
Authors: Rodríguez Víctor Manuel , Elbusto-Cabello Ana , Alberdi-Albeniz Mireia , De la Presa-Donado Amaia , Gómez-Pérez de Mendiola Francisco , Portillo-Baquedano Maria Puy , Churruca-Ortega Itziar
Published: October 2014

Introduction: For some research fields, simple and accurate food intake quantification tools are needed. The aim of the present work was to design a new self-administered and pre-coded food intake record form and assess its reliability and validity when quantifying the food intake of adult population, in terms of food or food-groups portions.Material and Methods: First of all, a new food-record form was designed, which included food usually consumed and which sought to be easy-to-use, short, and intuitive. The validation process consisted in analyzing both the reliability and validity of the tool’s design in a representative population sample (n=330; age: 19-77). Reliability was checked by comparing (Spearman’s CC, ICC) food intake (mean value of portions) between two series of five-day food records in a one-month period. Validity was checked by comparing the food intake mean value of two records to results obtained from a gold standard (24-hour recall).Results: 73.7% of the food from the record presented correlations higher than 0.5 for reliability (ICCs from 0.38 to 0.94) and 97.4% showed higher values than 0.7 and 68.4% than 0.8 for validity (ICCs from 0.28 to 0.97).Conclusions: The solid correlation coefficients and ICCs obtained indicate that this is a reliable tool for the quantification of food intake in adults in terms of food or food group portions.
Selective versus Exclusive Use of Drug-Eluting Stents in Treating Multivessel Coronary Artery Disease: A Real-World Cohort Study
Authors: Karbassi Arsha , Kassaian Seyed Ebrahim , Poorhosseini Hamidreza , Salarifar Mojtaba , Jalali Arash , Nematipour Ebrahim , Kazazi Elham Hakki , Alidoosti Mohammad , Hajizeinali Ali Mohammad , Tokaldani Masoumeh Lotfi
Published: October 2014

There have been attempts to find new approaches to the treatment of multivessel coronary artery disease without increasing adverse events. Deployment of drug-eluting stents (DES) for complex lesions and bare-metal stents (BMS) for simpler lesions, although already in wide use, has not been well supported by clinical study.

A cohort of 1,658 patients who underwent multivessel percutaneous coronary intervention from March 2003 through June 2011 was studied for 1 year. These patients were divided into 3 groups: BMS only (599 patients); DES only (481 patients); and hybrid stenting (578 patients). Baseline characteristics were similar except for hyperlipidemia and moderate-to-severe mitral regurgitation, which were more frequent in the DES and hybrid groups, respectively. Lesion characteristics were more complex in the DES group, compared with the other groups: more B2/C type lesions, longer stents, and smaller reference-vessel diameters (P <0.001). The rates of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) at 1 year were similar between the groups (BMS=5.2%, hybrid=3.9%, and DES=3.4%; P=0.248). Subgroup analysis yielded no differences in death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, target-vessel revascularization, or target-lesion revascularization. On multivariable analysis, the strongest predictors of 1-year MACE were percutaneous intervention complicated by dissection, renal failure, left ventricular ejection fraction below 0.40, mean lesion length, reference vessel diameter, and percutaneous intervention on the left circumflex coronary artery. The latter two had inverse relationships with MACE.

In conclusion, implanting the DES for more complex lesions and the BMS for simpler lesions seems more sensible than the exclusive use of the DES or the BMS.
Resolution of Right-Sided Heart Failure Symptoms after Resection of a Primary Ovarian Carcinoid Tumor
Authors: Goldman Todd , Adamson Kathi , Yang Eugene
Published: October 2014

Carcinoid tumors are rare neuroendocrine malignancies that typically originate from the gastrointestinal tract. Patients who are diagnosed with carcinoid heart disease generally have poor prognoses because of advanced metastases during staging and few therapeutic options. We present the case of a 61-year-old woman with right-sided heart failure, secondary to carcinoid heart disease caused by a primary ovarian carcinoid tumor. After undergoing surgical resection of the left ovary and fallopian tube, the patient experienced complete resolution of her heart failure symptoms. In addition to the patient's case, we discuss the diagnosis, nature, and treatment of this rare condition.
Cardiac Plasmacytoma: A Rare Clinical Entity
Authors: Vrettou Agathi-Rosa , Heffner L. Thompson , Rossi Peter J. , Clements Stephen D.
Published: October 2014

Primary malignant cardiac tumors are rare. Among these tumors, cardiac plasmacytoma is extremely rare and is the subject of few case reports. We present the case of a 73-year-old man who had isolated cardiac plasmacytoma 26 years after successful treatment of an axillary plasmacytoma. Multiple imaging methods—including echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance, and positron-emission tomography/computed tomography—were valuable and complementary to each other in this patient's diagnosis and optimal management. His case illustrates the use of these techniques in the successful diagnosis and treatment of a rare clinical entity, cardiac plasmacytoma.
Changing Profile of Infective Endocarditis: A Clinicopathologic Study of 220 Patients in a Single Medical Center from 1998 through 2009
Authors: Li Li , Wang Hongyue , Wang Linlin , Pu Jielin , Zhao Hong
Published: October 2014

The epidemiologic profile of infective endocarditis has changed substantially over the past few years, especially in industrialized countries. Our study evaluates the clinical and pathologic characteristics of infective endocarditis patients treated by cardiac surgery in China during a 12-year period.

We retrospectively evaluated 220 surgically treated infective endocarditis patients and analyzed their changes from the beginning of 1998 through 2009. The mean age of the patients increased from 36.9 to 42.7 years during those 12 years (P=0.036). The chief predisposing disease was congenital heart disease (32.8%), rather than rheumatic heart disease (13.2%); this rate did not change significantly during the 12 years. The prevalent congenital lesion was bicuspid aortic valve, the rate of which (55.6%) increased significantly over the 3 time intervals studied (P=0.016). The frequency of infective endocarditis after non-dental surgical and nonsurgical intervention was significantly greater (23.3%) during 1998 through 2001, compared with the 2 intervals that followed (9%; P=0.019). Streptococcus viridans was the most frequent causative agent overall (25.6%). Forty-seven of the 220 patients (21.4%) carried the clinical diagnosis of some other form of heart disease before surgery, but at surgery they were found to have infective endocarditis as the fundamental disease process. Of 47 patients, 33 (70.2%) had either very small or no vegetations but had focal necrosis and inflammation of valve tissue that supported the diagnosis of infective endocarditis.
Pulmonary Artery Sarcoma Mimicking Pulmonary Embolism
Authors: El-Sayed Ahmed Magdy M. , Aftab Muhammad , Al-Najjar Raed M. , de la Cruz Kim I. , Benjamin Robert S. , Hallman Charles H.
Published: October 2014

Primary sarcomas that arise from major blood vessels are exceedingly rare, and some of the published cases have been autopsy reports. Most patients are adults. We report a case of pulmonary artery sarcoma in a 77-year-old man who presented with acute onset of dyspnea. Magnetic resonance imaging of the chest revealed a large mass within the pulmonary trunk and its main branches. Because massive pulmonary embolism was suspected, both anticoagulant and thrombolytic therapies were initiated. The patient responded poorly to these therapies, which then necessitated resection of both the mass and the pulmonary valve. A bioprosthetic porcine valve replaced the native valve, and we reconstructed the right ventricular outflow tract with a Dacron patch. Histopathologic examination revealed a high-grade sarcoma with focal myogenic and chondrogenic differentiation. The patient tolerated the procedure well and was discharged from the hospital on postoperative day 7. He was subsequently treated with chemotherapy and radiation and continued to show no evidence of disease.

The diagnosis of pulmonary artery sarcoma should be suspected in patients who present with manifestations of pulmonary embolism, especially when there is no evidence of deep venous thrombosis and poor response to anticoagulant therapy. Multimodal therapy can provide prolonged survival.
Contemporary Use of Balloon Aortic Valvuloplasty in the Era of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation
Authors: Hui Dawn S. , Shavelle David M. , Cunningham Mark J. , Matthews Ray V. , Starnes Vaughn A.
Published: October 2014

The development of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has increased the use of balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) in treating aortic stenosis. We evaluated our use of BAV in an academic tertiary referral center with a developing TAVI program.

We reviewed 69 consecutive stand-alone BAV procedures that were performed in 62 patients (mean age, 77 ± 10 yr; 62% men; baseline mean New York Heart Association functional class, 3 ± 1) from January 2009 through December 2012. Enrollment for the CoreValve® clinical trial began in January 2011. We divided the study cohort into 2 distinct periods, defined as pre-TAVI (2009–2010) and TAVI (2011–2012). We reviewed clinical, hemodynamic, and follow-up data, calculating each BAV procedure as a separate case.

Stand-alone BAV use increased 145% from the pre-TAVI period to the TAVI period. The mean aortic gradient reduction was 13 ± 10 mmHg. Patients were successfully bridged as intended to cardiac or noncardiac surgery in 100% of instances and to TAVI in 60%. Five patients stabilized with BAV subsequently underwent surgical aortic valve replacement with no operative deaths. The overall in-hospital mortality rate (17.4%) was highest in emergent patients (61%).

The implementation of a TAVI program was associated with a significant change in BAV volumes and indications. Balloon aortic valvuloplasty can successfully bridge patients to surgery or TAVI, although least successfully in patients nearer death. As TAVI expands to more centers and higher-risk patient groups, BAV might become integral to collaborative treatment decisions by surgeons and interventional cardiologists.
A Practice Theory Approach to Sustainable Consumption
Authors: Jaeger-Erben Melanie , Offenberger Ursula
Published: October 2014

Sustainable consumption is often reduced to consumer choices or forms of product appropriation. Such a narrow focus on individual acts neglects their role in reproducing social order and only shows the top of the iceberg of consumption. In contrast, reconstructing consumption as a part
of social practices sheds light on the fundament of the iceberg and shows how everyday consumption patterns are embedded in socio-cultural and socio-technical settings. A qualitative study on life course transitions to parenthood is taken as an example to show how changes in a household's
consumption patterns is pre-structured by the social construction of parental practices. The paper concludes with a call for a more reflexive, collaborating and experimental policy approach towards sustainable consumption.
Key Competencies for and beyond Sustainable Consumption An Educational Contribution to the Debate
Authors: Fischer Daniel , Barth Matthias
Published: October 2014

Sustainable consumption is a field characterized by complex system relations that do not allow prescribing easy solutions for changing consumer behavior. This paper provides an educational perspective on the controversial debates that have evolved in GAIA and the broader scholarly
literature about the roles and responsibilities of individuals in the context of sustainable consumption. We introduce an educational key competencies approach comprising of seven generic competencies, and argue that the promotion of key competencies is a transversal contribution to this debate,
as it does not favor any particular normative position, but is relevant across all. We advocate for a more comprehensive and effective conception of an educational contribution to promoting sustainable consumption that goes beyond the narrow focus of training skills, providing information,
and testing for results.
Słuchająca „zamilkłych głosów” i jej opowieść. Myśl feministyczna Rachel Elior
Authors: Kornacka-Sareło Katarzyna
Published: October 2014

The aim of this article is to present the feminist thought of Prof. Rachel Elior (the Hebrew University, Jerusalem), who is a world-known scholar working, mainly, in the field of Jewish mysticism in its different forms and aspects. Nevertheless, Prof. Elior dedicated some of her works also to the problem of Jewish women who, for centuries, have been, generally, absent, in social, religious and cultural life of Jewish communities living in different parts of the world. As the analysis of Elior’s feminist literature shows, the aforementioned absence of the women has been mainly caused by the patriarchal order, created “by men and for men”, by means of some male narratives and male mythology, in which women seem to be – usually - perceived as some inferior creatures or they are simply demonized.
O naruszaniu podstawowych zasad postępowania naukowego. “Wzgórze przeznaczenia archeologii” górą skandalu
Authors: Kolb Frank , Mrozewicz Leszek
Published: October 2014

The article discusses ethical aspects and thoroughness of scientific research on the example of German excavations in Troy, conducted in 1988 by a team from Tübingen University. The author demonstrates how archaeologists became entangled in various relationships with polictical and economic circles, which subsequently yielded an interpretation of findings which ensured financial and media support. The text is an emphatic call for independence and objectivity of scientific investigations that should remain free of any pressure. Although the paper relies on an example from the milieu of archaeologists. historians and classical philologists, the appeal of the authors is a universal one.
Host–microbe interactions in the gut: lessons learned from models of inflammatory bowel diseases
Authors: Wine Eytan
Published: October 2014

The mammalian gut is the richest immune organ in the body and serves as a central location for immune system development, processing, and education. Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) provide excellent models for studying both innate and adaptive responses to gut microbes and the host-immune system – microbe interactions in the gut. Microbes are linked to almost all of the known disease-associated genetic polymorphisms in IBD and are critical mediators of environmental effects (through food, hygiene, and infection). Human and animal-based research supports the central role of microbes in IBD pathogenesis at multiple levels. Animal models of IBD only develop in the presence of microbes, and co-housing mice that are genetically susceptible to gut inflammation with normal mice can lead to the development of bowel injury. Recent advances in research technologies, such as deep-sequencing that enables detailed compositional analyses, have revolutionized the study of host–microbe interactions in the gut; however, knowing which bacteria are present in the bowel is likely not sufficient. The function of the microbiota as a community is recognized as a critical factor for gut homeostasis. Animal models of IBD have provided critical insight into basic biology and disease pathogenesis, especially regarding the role of microbes in IBD pathogenesis. Although many of these recent discoveries on host–microbe interactions are not yet applied to patient care, these basic observations will certainly revolutionize patient care in the future. Using such data, we may be able to predict risk of disease, define biological subtypes, establish tools for prevention, and even cure IBD using microbes or their products. A broad spectrum of therapeutic tools spanning from fecal transplantation, probiotics, prebiotics, and microbial products to microbe-tailored diets may supplement current IBD treatments.
Alternative Banking and Theory
Authors: Butzbach Olivier , von Mettenheim Kurt E.
Published: October 2014

Unlike business models of private banks based on profit maximization and shareholder-oriented governance, alternative banks (such as cooperative banks, government savings banks, and special purpose banks) share business models based on sustainable returns with longer time horizons, corporate missions that include social and public policy goals, and stakeholder-oriented governance. Strong evidence from recent research suggests that alternative banks often equal or outperform joint-stock banks in terms of efficiency, profitability, and risk management. This counters core ideas in contemporary banking theory and expectations of regulators about the superiority of private ownership and market-based banking. Concepts and theories from banking studies help explain how alternative banks outperform private banks in core functions such as creating and managing liquidity, pooling deposits, and reducing information asymmetries and agency costs. However, heterodox theories of the firm and institutional approaches to competitive advantage broaden the scope of analysis to explain further historical, social, and organizational advantages (and risks) in alternative banking. Alternative banks therefore require, and may inspire, alternative theories of banking and new approaches to bank regulation.
A measure of Chinese language learning anxiety: Scale development and preliminary validation
Authors: Luo Han
Published: October 2014

As the Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale (FLCAS), the most widely used measure for foreign language anxiety, is a generic instrument that mainly addresses speaking anxiety and does not take into consideration of the characteristics of target languages, this study attempts to develop a Chinese Language Learning Anxiety Scale reflective of anxieties associated with the four skills. The initial pool of items approved by five experts were administered to 447 Chinese language learners from two large public universities in the U.S. Exploratory factor analyses yielded a three-factor solution of the scale, i.e., Speaking Anxiety, Listening Anxiety, and Reading & Writing Anxiety, lending support to the construct validity of the scale. Results of reliability analysis and correlation analyses indicated that the Chinese Language Learning Anxiety Scale and its three sub-scales have good internal consistency reliability, convergent and discriminant validity, and criterion-related validity.
The interactional achievements of repair and correction in a Mandarin language classroom
Authors: Cheng Tsui-Ping
Published: October 2014

This study examines the different interactional achievements of repair and correction in a Mandarin language classroom from a conversation analysis perspective. The sequential analysis of teacher-initiated repair and correction shows that while repair indicates participants' relative epistemic stance and makes visible the contingent process of securing intersubjectivity, correction serves to monitor students' language production and accomplish teaching. By means of various repair practices, teacher and students are able to maintain and restore a shared understanding of the instructional activity that they are doing together. This intersubjectivity is the foundation upon which a space for teaching and learning is created, maintained, and defended. In correction sequences, the practices of repetition and overlap underscore teacher and students' alignment with a pedagogical focus of linguistic accuracy and make relevant their situated institutional identities. Regardless of the distinctive achievements in interaction, repair and correction are both practical resources that enable and sustain classroom instruction.
Primitive ideals, twisting functors and star actions for classical Lie superalgebras
Authors: Coulembier Kevin , Mazorchuk Volodymyr
Published: October 2014

We study three related topics in representation theory of classical Lie superalgebras. The first one is
classification of primitive ideals, i.e. annihilator ideals of simple modules, and inclusions between
them. The second topic concerns Arkhipov’s twisting functors on the BGG category

𝒪

{\mathcal{O}}

. The third
topic addresses deformed orbits of the Weyl group. These take over the role of the usual Weyl group orbits
for Lie algebras, in the study of primitive ideals and twisting functors for Lie superalgebras.
Terrorism, Armed Conflict and Foreign Aid
Authors: Lis Piotr
Published: October 2014

Armed conflict, and to a lesser extent terrorism, have detrimental effect on economic and social development through destruction of human and physical capital and ensuing disruption to economic activity. There is also likely to be an indirect effect of political instability through its impact on foreign aid. The net effect is not obvious; violence may discourage aid donors and hence lead to a fall in received aid on the one hand, but it may well lead to an increase in foreign aid as donors offer reimbursement for counterterrorism efforts on the other hand. This paper uses a panel of countries to identify the net effect of armed conflict and terrorism, both domestic and international, on aid receipts. It shows that armed conflict has a negative effect on the amounts of both bilateral and multilateral aid. It also finds that terrorism tends to increase foreign assistance. The effect is stronger for bilateral aid; this is consistent with the expectation that they are likely to use foreign aid to directly or indirectly assist governments fighting terrorism. Nonetheless, these results do not hold for Muslim countries which do not receive increased aid when suffering from terrorism.
Synthesis and characterization of mullite-type (Al1-xGax)4B2O9
Authors: Hoffmann Kristin , Murshed M. Mangir , Fischer Reinhard X. , Schneider Hartmut , Gesing Thorsten M.
Published: October 2014

Mullite-type (Al1-xGax)4B2O9 compounds were synthesized using the glycerine method. The end members Al4B2O9 and Ga4B2O9 were produced at different temperatures. Starting from the Al4B2O9 composition the incorporation limit of Ga ranges between 60 and 70 mol-%, while starting from Ga4B2O9 the Al incorporation limit is 70 mol-% in the Ga4B2O9 structure. The crystal structures were refined from the X-ray powder diffraction data and analyzed by the Rietveld method. The positions of B atoms were determined by distance least squares modeling. The temperature-dependent investigations demonstrate that the stability of a given member is a function of Al/Ga ratio in the structure. The incorporation of Ga in the Al4B2O9 structures leads to a successive decrease of the decomposition temperatures. Pure Al4B2O9 decomposes above 1323 K, whereas pure Ga4B2O9 is stable up to 1073 K. The thermal expansions of the lattice parameters were fit using extended Grüneisen first-order approximation for the zero-pressure equation of state. Changes of the internal energy of the crystal were calculated by the Debye-Einstein-Anharmonicity model. The thermal stability of each member has been explained in terms of the obtained Debye temperature.
EOL-1, the Homolog of the Mammalian Dom3Z, Regulates Olfactory Learning inC. elegans
Authors: Shen Yu , Zhang Jiangwen , Calarco John A. , Zhang Yun
Published: October 2014

Learning is an essential function of the nervous system. However, our understanding of molecular underpinnings of learning remains incomplete. Here, we characterize a conserved protein EOL-1 that regulates olfactory learning inCaenorhabditis elegans. A recessive allele ofeol-1(enhanced olfactory learning) learns better to adjust its olfactory preference for bacteria foods andeol-1acts in the URX sensory neurons to regulate learning. The mammalian homolog of EOL-1, Dom3Z, which regulates quality control of pre-mRNAs, can substitute the function of EOL-1 in learning regulation, demonstrating functional conservation between these homologs. Mutating the residues of Dom3Z that are critical for its enzymatic activity, and the equivalent residues in EOL-1, abolishes the function of these proteins in learning. Together, our results provide insights into the function of EOL-1/Dom3Z and suggest that its activity in pre-mRNA quality control is involved in neural plasticity.
GluA1 Phosphorylation Contributes to Postsynaptic Amplification of Neuropathic Pain in the Insular Cortex
Authors: Qiu Shuang , Zhang Ming , Liu Yan , Guo Yanyan , Zhao Huan , Song Qian , Zhao Minggao , Huganir Richard L. , Luo Jianhong , Xu Hui , Zhuo Min
Published: October 2014

Long-term potentiation of glutamatergic transmission has been observed after physiological learning or pathological injuries in different brain regions, including the spinal cord, hippocampus, amygdala, and cortices. The insular cortex is a key cortical region that plays important roles in aversive learning and neuropathic pain. However, little is known about whether excitatory transmission in the insular cortex undergoes plastic changes after peripheral nerve injury. Here, we found that peripheral nerve ligation triggered the enhancement of AMPA receptor (AMPAR)-mediated excitatory synaptic transmission in the insular cortex. The synaptic GluA1 subunit of AMPAR, but not the GluA2/3 subunit, was increased after nerve ligation. Genetic knock-in mice lacking phosphorylation of the Ser845 site, but not that of the Ser831 site, blocked the enhancement of the synaptic GluA1 subunit, indicating that GluA1 phosphorylation at the Ser845 site by protein kinase A (PKA) was critical for this upregulation after nerve injury. Furthermore, A-kinase anchoring protein 79/150 (AKAP79/150) and PKA were translocated to the synapses after nerve injury. Genetic deletion of adenylyl cyclase subtype 1 (AC1) prevented the translocation of AKAP79/150 and PKA, as well as the upregulation of synaptic GluA1-containing AMPARs. Pharmacological inhibition of calcium-permeable AMPAR function in the insular cortex reduced behavioral sensitization caused by nerve injury. Our results suggest that the expression of AMPARs is enhanced in the insular cortex after nerve injury by a pathway involving AC1, AKAP79/150, and PKA, and such enhancement may at least in part contribute to behavioral sensitization together with other cortical regions, such as the anterior cingulate and the prefrontal cortices.
The Amyloid Precursor Protein Controls Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis through GABAergic Interneurons
Authors: Wang Baiping , Wang Zilai , Sun Lu , Yang Li , Li Hongmei , Cole Allysa L. , Rodriguez-Rivera Jennifer , Lu Hui-Chen , Zheng Hui
Published: October 2014

Impaired neurogenesis in the adult hippocampus has been implicated in AD pathogenesis. Here we reveal that the APP plays an important role in the neural progenitor proliferation and newborn neuron maturation in the mouse dentate gyrus. APP controls adult neurogenesis through a noncell-autonomous mechanism by GABAergic neurons, as selective deletion of GABAergic, but not glutamatergic, APP disrupts adult hippocampal neurogenesis. APP, highly expressed in the majority of GABAergic neurons in the dentate gyrus, enhances the inhibitory tone to granule cells. By regulating both tonic and phasic GABAergic inputs to dentate granule cells, APP maintains excitatory–inhibitory balance and preserves cognitive functions. Our studies uncover an indispensable role of APP in the GABAergic system for controlling adult hippocampal neurogenesis, and our findings indicate that APP dysfunction may contribute to impaired neurogenesis and cognitive decline associated with AD.
Impaired Contextual Modulation of Memories in PTSD: An fMRI and Psychophysiological Study of Extinction Retention and Fear Renewal
Authors: Garfinkel Sarah N. , Abelson James L. , King Anthony P. , Sripada Rebecca K. , Wang Xin , Gaines Laura M. , Liberzon Israel
Published: October 2014

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) patients display pervasive fear memories, expressed indiscriminately. Proposed mechanisms include enhanced fear learning and impaired extinction or extinction recall. Documented extinction recall deficits and failure to use safety signals could result from general failure to use contextual information, a hippocampus-dependent process. This can be probed by adding a renewal phase to standard conditioning and extinction paradigms. Human subjects with PTSD and combat controls were conditioned (skin conductance response), extinguished, and tested for extinction retention and renewal in a scanner (fMRI). Fear conditioning (light paired with shock) occurred in one context, followed by extinction in another, to create danger and safety contexts. The next day, the extinguished conditioned stimulus (CS+E) was re-presented to assess extinction recall (safety context) and fear renewal (danger context). PTSD patients showed impaired extinction recall, with increased skin conductance and heightened amygdala activity to the extinguished CS+ in the safety context. However, they also showed impaired fear renewal; in the danger context, they had less skin conductance response to CS+E and lower activity in amygdala and ventral-medial prefrontal cortex compared with combat controls. Control subjects displayed appropriate contextual modulation of memory recall, with extinction (safety) memory prevailing in the safety context, and fear memory prevailing in the danger context. PTSD patients could not use safety context to sustain suppression of extinguished fear memory, but they also less effectively used danger context to enhance fear. They did not display globally enhanced fear expression, but rather showed a globally diminished capacity to use contextual information to modulate fear expression.
Gcn5 and PCAF negatively regulate interferon‐β production through HAT‐independent inhibition of TBK1
Authors: Jin Qihuang , Zhuang Lenan , Lai Binbin , Wang Chaochen , Li Wenqian , Dolan Brian , Lu Yue , Wang Zhibin , Zhao Keji , Peng Weiqun , Dent Sharon YR , Ge Kai
Published: October 2014

Viral infection triggers innate immune signaling, which in turn induces interferon‐β (IFN‐β) production to establish innate antiviral immunity. Previous studies showed that Gcn5 (Kat2a), a histone acetyltransferase (HAT) with partial functional redundancy with PCAF (Kat2b), and Gcn5/PCAF‐mediated histone H3K9 acetylation (H3K9ac) are enriched on the active IFNB gene promoter. However, whether Gcn5/PCAF and H3K9ac regulate IFN‐β production is unknown. Here, we show that Gcn5/PCAF‐mediated H3K9ac correlates well with, but is surprisingly dispensable for, the expression of endogenous IFNB and the vast majority of active genes in fibroblasts. Instead, Gcn5/PCAF repress IFN‐β production and innate antiviral immunity in several cell types in a HAT‐independent and non‐transcriptional manner: by inhibiting the innate immune signaling kinase TBK1 in the cytoplasm. Our results thus identify Gcn5 and PCAF as negative regulators of IFN‐β production and innate immune signaling.
R‐flurbiprofen attenuates experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in mice
Authors: Schmitz Katja , de Bruin Natasja , Bishay Philipp , Männich Julia , Häussler Annett , Altmann Christine , Ferreirós Nerea , Lötsch Jörn , Ultsch Alfred , Parnham Michael J , Geisslinger Gerd , Tegeder Irmgard
Published: October 2014

R‐flurbiprofen is the non‐cyclooxygenase inhibiting R‐enantiomer of the non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug flurbiprofen, which was assessed as a remedy for Alzheimer's disease. Because of its anti‐inflammatory, endocannabinoid‐modulating and antioxidative properties, combined with low toxicity, the present study assessed R‐flurbiprofen in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) models of multiple sclerosis in mice. Oral R‐flurbiprofen prevented and attenuated primary progressive EAE in C57BL6/J mice and relapsing‐remitting EAE in SJL mice, even if the treatment was initiated on or after the first flare of the disease. R‐flurbiprofen reduced immune cell infiltration and microglia activation and inflammation in the spinal cord, brain and optic nerve and attenuated myelin destruction and EAE‐evoked hyperalgesia. R‐flurbiprofen treatment increased CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ regulatory T cells, CTLA4+ inhibitory T cells and interleukin‐10, whereas the EAE‐evoked upregulation of pro‐inflammatory genes in the spinal cord was strongly reduced. The effects were associated with an increase of plasma and cortical endocannabinoids but decreased spinal prostaglandins, the latter likely due to R to S inversion. The promising results suggest potential efficacy of R‐flurbiprofen in human MS, and its low toxicity may justify a clinical trial.
Coiling of a recurrent broad-necked posterior communicating aneurysm incorporating a fetal cerebral artery: A technical case report
Authors: Kim Young-Joon , Ko Jung Ho
Published: October 2014

We describe a case of a right broad-necked posterior communicating artery (PcomA) aneurysm with a fetal posterior cerebral artery (PCA) incorporated in the aneurysm neck. We performed waffle cone stent-assisted coiling and achieved almost complete occlusion of the aneurysm. At 18-month follow-up angiography, the aneurysm was recanalized and further coiling was needed. The same waffle cone method of coiling might be expected to produce the same unsatisfactory results on follow-up, so we decided to use retrograde stent navigation and placement through the anterior communicating artery (AcomA) from the contralateral internal carotid artery (ICA) to the ipsilateral ICA and fetal PCA. The stent delivery microcatheter from the contralateral ICA could not be introduced in the AcomA. So 2 mg nimodipine was infused through the stent delivery microcatheter to the AcomA and the stent delivery microcatheter was passed through the AcomA easily and could be navigated to the ipsilateral A1, ICA, and to the fetal PCA. With this additional stent, the aneurysm was completely separated from the fetal PCA and ICA. Further coiling could be performed safely through the microcatheter in the ipsilateral ICA. The patient had stable aneurysm occlusion at the six-month follow up.