bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Institutional Investors’ Reaction to SEC Concerns about IFRS and US GAAP Reporting
Authors: Gietzmann Miles B. , Isidro Helena
Published: October 2013

For the period of 2006 to 2008, we collect Comment Letters issued by the SEC that question the application of US GAAP by US firms or the application of IFRS by European firms registered with the SEC. We investigate whether institutional investors react to the letters by changing their holdings and whether their responses vary for US registrants and European registrants. We do this via a treatment‐effects model in which we test the hypothesis that institutional investors rebalance their portfolio holdings because they view Comment Letters as informative public signals. We find that institutional investors reduce their equity holdings when firms receive SEC Comment Letters, and their negative reactions are most marked for low turnover institutional investors, who we use to represent those informed investors most prepared to incur costs to closely monitor firms. Next, while noting that the number of Letters questioning application of IFRS are smaller in number relative to those questioning application of US GAAP, we investigate whether there are different reactions to Comment Letters questioning different standards. We show that there is a higher probability of the SEC questioning the application of IFRS as compared to US GAAP. After controlling for firm‐specific conditions that impact the issuance of a Comment Letter, we show that this higher probability has economic significance because institutional investors’ react more negatively to Comment Letters that question the application of IFRS as compared to US GAAP. A content analysis confirms the economic importance of the Comment Letters. We find that in almost half of all IFRS cases the Comment Letters request amendments to financial statements.
Earnings Announcements, Differences of Opinion and Management Guidance
Authors: Keskek Sami , Rees Lynn , Thomas Wayne B.
Published: October 2013

Berkman, Dimitrov, Jain, Koch, and Tice (2009) document a negative relationship between differences of opinion and earnings announcement returns, and this relationship is more pronounced when short‐sale constraints are likely to be high. These findings are interpreted as support for the theory in Miller (1977) that binding short sale constraints cause pessimists to be underrepresented in price formation. We conjecture that accounting information (i.e., earnings news) is likely to play a role in this returns pattern. After controlling for the level of earnings news, we find that the relationship between differences of opinion and stock returns is either eliminated or opposite from what is predicted by Miller's theory. Further, we present evidence that suggests the confounding effect of earnings news can be explained by (pessimistic) management earnings guidance. Our findings offer an alternative explanation for why low differences of opinion stocks earn greater abnormal returns around earnings announcements.
Private Equity, Buy‐outs and Insolvency Risk
Authors: Wilson Nick , Wright Mike
Published: October 2013

Private equity restructuring using debt has been criticized for increasing financial distress and bankruptcy especially following the financial crisis. We build a unique dataset comprising the population of over 9 million firm‐year observations and 153,000 insolvencies during the period 1995–2010. We compare the insolvency hazard of the spectrum of buy‐out types within the corporate population over time and investigate the risk profile of the companies pre‐buy‐out. Controlling for size, age, sector and macro‐economic conditions, private‐equity backed buy‐outs are no more prone to insolvency than non‐buy‐outs or other types of management buy‐ins. Moreover, leverage is not the characteristic that distinguishes failed buy‐outs from those surviving.
Impact of polyunsaturated vegetable oils on adiponectin levels, glycaemia and blood lipids in individuals with type 2 diabetes: a randomised, double‐blind intervention study
Authors: Müllner E. , Plasser E. , Brath H. , Waldschütz W. , Forster E. , Kundi M. , Wagner K.‐H.
Published: October 2013

Background

Low adiponectin levels are discussed as risk factor for cardiovascular events. This is of special importance in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) because they are at higher risk for cardiovascular diseases. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of two plant oils rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), with different content of omega‐3 fatty acids, on adiponectin levels, glucose and lipid metabolism in T2DM individuals treated either with insulin or oral anti‐diabetics (OAD).

Methods

Ninety‐two subjects with T2DM [34 treated with insulin (T2DM‐Ins) and 58 treated with OAD (T2DM‐OAD)] participated in this randomised, double‐blind, parallel intervention study. Individuals received either 9 g of nut oil (n‐3:n‐6 ratio: 1.3 : 6.1) or mixed oil (n‐3:n‐6 ratio: 0.6 : 5.7) per day for 10 weeks. The fatty acid profile, tocopherol, adiponectin levels and parameters regarding glucose and lipid metabolism were assessed at baseline, during and after the intervention.

Results

Compliance was confirmed by significant increases in γ‐tocopherol and PUFA in both oil groups. An increase in adiponectin levels in T2DM‐Ins participants (+6.84% in nut oil and +4.47% in mixed oil group after 10 weeks compared to baseline) was observed, albeit not significantly different from T2DM‐OAD individuals (P = 0.051). Lipid and glucose metabolism were not affected by the intervention.

Conclusions

The present study provides evidence that a small and easy change in dietary behaviour towards better fat quality moderately increases adiponectin levels in T2DM‐Ins subjects, independently of the administered plant oil.
Acrolein involvement in sensory and behavioral hypersensitivity following spinal cord injury in the rat
Authors: Due Michael R. , Park Jonghyuck , Zheng Lingxing , Walls Michael , Allette Yohance M. , White Fletcher A. , Shi Riyi
Published: October 2013

Growing evidence suggests that oxidative stress, as associated with spinal cord injury (SCI), may play a critical role in both neuroinflammation and neuropathic pain conditions. The production of the endogenous aldehyde acrolein, following lipid peroxidation during the inflammatory response, may contribute to peripheral sensitization and hyperreflexia following SCI via the TRPA1‐dependent mechanism. Here, we report that there are enhanced levels of acrolein and increased neuronal sensitivity to the aldehyde for at least 14 days after SCI. Concurrent with injury‐induced increases in acrolein concentration is an increased expression of TRPA1 in the lumbar (L3–L6) sensory ganglia. As proof of the potential pronociceptive role for acrolein, intrathecal injections of acrolein revealed enhanced sensitivity to both tactile and thermal stimuli for up to 10 days, supporting the compound's pro‐nociceptive functionality. Treatment of SCI animals with the acrolein scavenger hydralazine produced moderate improvement in tactile responses as well as robust changes in thermal sensitivity for up to 49 days. Taken together, these data suggest that acrolein directly modulates SCI‐associated pain behavior, making it a novel therapeutic target for preclinical and clinical SCI as an analgesic.

image

Following spinal cord injury (SCI), acrolein involvement in neuropathic pain is likely through direct activation and elevated levels of pro‐nociceptive channel TRPA1. While acrolein elevation correlates with neuropathic pain, suppression of this aldehyde by hydralazine leads to an analgesic effect. Acrolein may serve as a novel therapeutic target for preclinical and clinical SCI to relieve both acute and chronic post‐SCI neuropathic pain.
Rotational Atherectomy as Endovascular Haute Couture: A Road Map of Tools and Techniques for the Interventional Management of Burr Entrapment
Authors: DAHDOUH ZIAD , ABDEL‐MASSIH TONY , ROULE VINCENT , SARKIS ANTOINE , GROLLIER GILLES
Published: October 2013

Objectives and Background

Rotational atherectomy (RA) is used as a debulking technique prior to stenting in some specialized cardiac centers for calcified coronary lesions amenable to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). A specific possible complication, burr entrapment, is unusual but carries serious risks and may sometimes necessitate surgery as a rescue procedure. However, different modalities using a percutaneous approach were proposed as a bail‐out. We aim to propose a framework for possible management for trapped RA burr.

Methods and Results

A literature review of the most relevant cases of entrapped burr during PCI was performed. Twelve cases were reported and different solutions were discussed. Surgery was needed in only 1 patient to retrieve the trapped burr, and in all the other cases, different percutaneous solutions were successful to retract the trapped device.

Conclusions

These cases illustrate that burr entrapment during RA, albeit rare, may occur and may transform a relatively simple PCI to a procedure failure. Although prevention is better than treatment, the operators should be aware of such serious complication and they should keep in mind that various possible percutaneous solutions may be successful to retrieve the burr and to avoid surgery.
The effect of surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion on sleep architecture: an exploratory risk study in healthy young adults
Authors: Bach N. , Tuomilehto H. , Gauthier C. , Papadakis A. , Remise C. , Lavigne F. , Lavigne G. J. , Huynh N.
Published: October 2013

Maxillary transverse deficiencies (MTD) cause malocclusions. Rapid maxillary expansion treatment is commonly used treatment for correcting such deficiencies and has been found to be effective in improving respiration and sleep architecture in children with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). However, thus far, the effect of surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion (SARME) treatment on sleep architecture and breathing of normal subjects has not been assessed. We hypothesised that sleep quality will improve after maxillary expansion treatment. The objective of this study is to access the effect of maxillary expansion treatment on sleep structure and respiratory functions in healthy young adults with severe MTD. This is a prospective and exploratory clinical study. Twenty‐eight consecutive young adult patients (15 males and 13 females, mean age 20·6 ± 5·8 years) presenting with severe MTD at the orthodontic examination were recruited into the study. All the participants underwent a standardised SARME procedure (mean expansion 6·5 ± 1·8 and 8·2 ± 1·8 mm, intercanine and intermolar distance, respectively) to correct malocclusion caused by MTD. An overnight in‐laboratory polysomnography, before and after the treatment, was performed. The mean follow‐up time was 9 months. The main outcome parameters were the changes in sleep architecture, including sleep stages, arousals, slow‐wave activity (SWA) and respiratory variables. Before surgery, young adult patients with MTD presented no evidence of sleep breathing problems. At baseline sleep recording, 7 of 28 (25%) had apnoea‐hypopnoea index (AHI) ≥ 5 events per hour. No negative effect of the SARME was observed in questionnaires or sleep laboratory parameters. In the patients with a higher baseline AHI (AHI ≥ 5 h of sleep), we observed a reduction in AHI after surgical treatment (P = 0·028). SARME did not have a negative effect on any sleep or respiration parameters in healthy young individuals with MTD. It normalised the breathing index in the patients with a mild AHI index.
Levamisole and low‐dose prednisolone in the treatment of reccurent aphthous stomatitis
Authors: Sharda Neelkamal , Shashikanth M.C. , Kant Priyanka , Jain Manika
Published: October 2013

Context

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is the most common oral mucosal disease. However, the available therapies for RAS only relieve symptoms and do not provide a cure.

Aims

This study assessed the response to treatment with levamisole and low‐dose prednisolone drug combination in patients with RAS.

Methods and Material

Fifty RAS subjects were enrolled in the single‐blind randomized placebo‐controlled trial. Study medications were administered thrice daily for 3 consecutive days/week for 3 consecutive weeks. Patients in Group 1 received placebo, Group 2 received levamisole (50 mg) and Group 3 received levamisole (50 mg) and low‐dose prednisolone (5 mg). Patients were followed up for 60 days after treatment. Response to treatment was assessed using the following clinical parameters: pain due to ulcers, number of ulcers/episode, size of ulcers, duration of ulcers, and frequency of ulcers (episodes/month). Statistical analysis used: Mann–Whitney U‐test.

Results

A statistically significant improvement was noted in all parameters except for the size of ulcers in patients treated with levamisole alone and with combination of levamisole and low‐dose prednisolone. There was no statistically significant improvement in the placebo group. Both active groups had significantly better improvement when compared to placebo group, while there was no significant difference between the two active groups.

Conclusions

Levamisole alone and combination of levamisole and low‐dose prednisolone are effective modes of therapy for RAS.
STAG2 loss of expression is rare in aneuploid malignant salivary gland neoplasms
Authors: Gomes Carolina Cavaliéri , Bernardes Vanessa Fátima , Odell Edward William , Gomez Ricardo Santiago
Published: October 2013

Background

STAG2 depletion leads to loss of centromere cohesion in vitro, and some human neoplasms have been shown to lose expression of this protein. As a result, STAG2 loss has been shown to cause chromosomal instability and aneuploidy in human cancer cell lines.

Methods

We tested the hypothesis that aneuploid salivary gland tumours lose immunoexpression of STAG2 compared with diploid tumours using image cytometry to determine DNA ploidy and immunohistochemistry to assess STAG2 protein expression in 30 malignant salivary gland neoplasms.

Results

There was no difference in the immunoexpression of STAG2 between aneuploid (n = 9) and diploid (n = 21) samples. In all but two samples, more than 50% of cells stained for STAG2.

Conclusion

Aneuploidy in human salivary gland carcinomas is not driven by loss of expression of STAG2.
ARE IMMIGRANTS MORE MOBILE THAN NATIVES? EVIDENCE FROM GERMANY
Authors: Schündeln Matthias
Published: October 2013

Low rates of internal migration in many European countries contribute to the persistence of significant regional labor market differences. I use the Mikrozensus, a large annual sample of households living in Germany, to further our understanding of the underlying reasons. This paper makes two main contributions: first, the paper quantifies the disutility of migrating. To this end, I estimate conditional logit models of the migration decision across the German federal states. Second, I then focus on the differences between immigrants and natives. I find significantly higher responsiveness to labor market differentials in the immigrant population than in the native population. Unobserved moving costs for immigrants are estimated to be only about 31 percent of this same cost for natives. The findings bear on the assessment of the economic impact of immigration, and the paper contributes to the current immigration‐related policy debates that feature prominently in many European countries, and that likely will continue to be important in light of the ongoing EU expansion and the resulting east–west migration.
IS SPATIAL BOOTSTRAPPING A PANACEA FOR VALID INFERENCE?
Authors: Klarl Torben
Published: October 2013

Bootstrapping methods have so far been rarely used to evaluate spatial datasets. Based on an extensive Monte Carlo study we find that also for spatial, cross‐sectional data, the wild bootstrap test proposed by Davidson and Flachaire () based on restricted residuals clearly outperforms asymptotic as well as competing bootstrap tests, like the pairs bootstrap.
Evaluating the Wellness School Assessment Tool for Use in Public Health Practice to Improve School Nutrition and Physical Education Policies in New York
Authors: Brissette Ian , Wales Kathleen , O'Connell Meghan
Published: October 2013

BACKGROUND

Addressing the limitations of existing Local Wellness Policies (LWPs) and promoting their implementation remain priorities for health and education agencies. One gap has been the absence of a standard assessment to support LWP revision. During planning for an initiative to improve school nutrition and physical education policy, the Wellness School Assessment Tool (WellSAT) was evaluated.

METHODS

Five public health practitioners used WellSAT to assess 50 LWPs. A randomized, counterbalanced design ensured each LWP was coded twice by separate raters. Models evaluated the extent to which WellSAT ratings reflected differences in the LWPs and order, familiarity and rater effects. During field testing, 18 public health practitioners used WellSAT as part of a statewide public health initiative.

RESULTS

In pilot testing the majority of the variability in WellSAT scores (median = 88%; range = 76% to 100%) was attributable to differences between policies. Correlations between independent raters' strength and comprehensiveness scores were strong, r = .88 and r = .77, respectively. During field testing, WellSAT was well accepted by public health practitioners and members of the school community.

CONCLUSIONS

WellSAT represents a reliable and feasible tool for health and education agencies to use in improving LWPs and aligning them with recognized standards.
Effectiveness of the Energize Elementary School Program to Improve Diet and Exercise
Authors: Herbert Patrick C. , Lohrmann David K. , Seo Dong‐Chul , Stright Anne D. , Kolbe Lloyd J.
Published: October 2013

BACKGROUND

The rate of childhood obesity has more than tripled during the past 30 years. Research shows that prevention at an early age is more effective than treatment later in life. Energize is a multicomponent intervention incorporated into the school day that combines nutrition education and physical activity aimed at maintaining healthy weight among elementary school youth. This study evaluated the effectiveness of the Energize program for changing dietary and physical activity habits compared to a control group of children not participating in the program.

METHODS

A total of 104, 3rd and 4th graders in 3 southern Indiana elementary schools took part in the study. A quasi‐experimental design was used to assess dietary and exercise habits of students in Energize and control groups through 12‐week diet/activity logs and post‐test questionnaires after controlling for the pre‐test results.

RESULTS

Energize reduced consumption of French fries and potato chips, but did not increase physical activity.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides future researchers with a foundation for preparing longer studies of Energize or to compare multiple years of a standardized Energize curriculum.
Does a Socio‐Ecological School Model Promote Resilience in Primary Schools?
Authors: Lee Patricia C. , Stewart Donald E.
Published: October 2013

BACKGROUND

This research investigates the extent to which the holistic, multistrategy “health‐promoting school” (HPS) model using a resilience intervention can lead to improved resilience among students.

METHODS

A quasi‐experimental design using a study cohort selected from 20 primary schools in Queensland, Australia was employed. Ten intervention schools using HPS protocols, with training support, were compared with 10 control schools in student resilience scores and protective factors. Baseline data explored the interactive effect of protective factors on overall resilience scores. Postintervention analysis compared changes in protective factors and resilience, after implementing the HPS project.

RESULTS

Baseline data analysis indicated no significant differences in the mean scores of protective factors and resilience scores between intervention and control groups (except for school connection). After 18 months of implementation, a resurvey showed that the intervention group had significantly higher scores than the control group on students' family connection, community connection, peer support, and their overall resilience.

CONCLUSIONS

Results showed that students in the HPS group had significantly higher scores on resilience than did students in the control group. A comprehensive, whole‐school approach to building resilience that integrates students, staff, and community can strengthen important protective factors and build student resilience.
Family Homework and School‐Based Sex Education: Delaying Early Adolescents' Sexual Behavior
Authors: Grossman Jennifer M. , Frye Alice , Charmaraman Linda , Erkut Sumru
Published: October 2013

BACKGROUND

Early sexual activity can undermine adolescents' future school success and health outcomes. The purpose of this study was to assess the role of a family homework component of a comprehensive sex education intervention in delaying sexual initiation for early adolescents and to explore what social and contextual factors prevent adolescents from completing these family homework activities.

METHODS

This mixed methods study included 6th‐ and 7th‐grade survey responses from 706 students at 11 middle school schools receiving a sex education intervention, as well as interviews from a subset of 33, 7th‐grade students from the larger sample.

RESULTS

Adolescents who completed more family homework assignments were less likely to have vaginal intercourse in 7th grade than those who completed fewer assignments, after controlling for self‐reports of having had vaginal intercourse in 6th grade and demographic variables. Participants' explanations for not completing assignments included personal, curriculum, and family‐based reasons.

CONCLUSIONS

Family homework activities designed to increase family communication about sexual issues can delay sex among early adolescents and contribute to school‐based sex education programs. Successful sex education programs must identify and address barriers to family homework completion.
Sports Game Play: A Comparison of Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activities in Adolescents
Authors: Patience Marcia A. , Kilpatrick Marcus W. , Sun Haichun , Flory Sara B. , Watterson Thomas A.
Published: October 2013

BACKGROUND

Research suggests participation in sports is an important contributor to overall adolescent physical activity (PA). Sports play has become increasingly important in physical education (PE) classes as a means for promoting healthful and enjoyable PA. Research is needed that investigates physiological and perceptual responses to sport play.

METHODS

We studied 101 (55 males; 46 females, age 11‐14) students who participated in flag football (FF), basketball (BB), and flag rugby (FR). Activity counts were collected using accelerometers. Perceived competence and enjoyment were measured using the intrinsic motivation inventory.

RESULTS

Each sport activity produced acceptable levels of activity and positive perceptual responses, but differences among sports were noted. Accelerometry data indicated that FR and BB were more intense than FF (p < .001). Perceptual data indicated participation in FR elicited higher perceptions of competence and greater enjoyment when compared to FF and BB (p < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Participation in sport activity within middle school PE classes provides excellent opportunities for energy expenditure and positive perceptual responses. Most importantly, FR provides an activity stimulus that has potential benefits both physiologically and psychologically.
Purchasing Managers' Perceived Bias in Supplier‐Selected Referrals
Authors: Hada Mahima , Grewal Rajdeep , Lilien and Gary L.
Published: October 2013

In evaluating suppliers in complex purchasing decisions involving customized solutions, purchasing managers must judge the capabilities suppliers have to provide the solutions, a judgment that often includes considerable uncertainty. To reduce this uncertainty, suppliers often ask their existing customers to be reference customers and give a referral to purchasing managers — that is, suppliers and purchasing managers consider a supplier‐selected referral as a source of information. However, in contrast to other information sources, reference customers are selected by suppliers, not by purchasing managers; thus, purchasing managers may perceive a bias in the supplier‐selected referral. We study the antecedents of purchasing managers' perceived bias with a mixed‐design experiment with purchasing managers as respondents. We find that the greater the experience of purchasing managers, the less the bias in the referral they perceive. We also find that reference customers can reduce purchasing managers' perceived bias in the supplier‐selected referral by giving a referral that has some negative information in an otherwise positive referral.
Strengthening the Innovation Chain: The Role of Internal Innovation Climate and Strategic Relationships with Supply Chain Partners
Authors: Oke Adegoke , Prajogo Daniel I. , Jayaram Jayanth
Published: October 2013

In this study, we use blended theoretical arguments from resource dependence theory, social capital theory, and the knowledge‐based view to posit that supply chain partner innovativeness enhances a firm's innovation strategy which in turn positively influences innovation performance. In addition, we argue that the effect of supply chain partner innovativeness on product innovation strategy could be further enhanced by innovation climate and having strategic relationships with key supply chain partners. Using data collected from 207 manufacturing firms in Australia, the findings show that key supply chain partner innovativeness has a positive effect on product innovation strategy. Further, the effect of supply chain partner innovativeness on innovation strategy is enhanced when firms have stronger strategic relationships with their key supply chain partners. Finally, we find that the joint influence of innovation climate and strategic relationships with key supply chain partners enhances the effect of supply chain partner innovativeness on innovation strategy. The theoretical and practical implications of the study are discussed.
Ambidextrous Governance in Supply Chains: The Impact on Innovation and Cost Performance
Authors: Blome Constantin , Schoenherr Tobias , Kaesser Matthias
Published: October 2013

Ambidexterity has been gaining attention among supply chain scholars due to its potential for overcoming trade‐offs. Associated with these complexities is the choice of an appropriate governance mechanism in buyer–supplier relationships, which can include relational and contractual approaches. Extending ambidexterity research to the supply chain management domain, we focus in the present study on ambidextrous governance, which we define as the simultaneous pursuit of both relational and contractual governance elements. We investigate the effect of ambidextrous governance on innovation and cost performance. In addition, as this relationship is highly dependent on the ambidexterity that may be present on the firm level, we theorize about the moderating effect of organizational ambidexterity. We further consider external contextual factors as influencing the ability of ambidextrous governance to effectuate performance, recognizing that the former may not be as effective under conditions of greater demand uncertainty and product complexity. We delineate our hypotheses based on extensions of complementarity theory, and test them, taking a buyer's perspective, with data collected in a multirespondent survey of manufacturing firms. Our results demonstrate the positive relationship between ambidextrous governance and both innovation and cost performance, and highlight the critical role of organizational ambidexterity as an enabler for innovation performance. We furthermore detect mixed effects for the contextual variables considered—demand uncertainty and product complexity—as moderators, emphasizing that the impact of ambidextrous governance on performance is subject to dynamics that are more complex than originally perceived. With our investigation, we extend ambidexterity research to the supply chain management domain and offer important implications for research and practice.
Special Topic Forum On Innovation In Business Networks From A Supply Chain Perspective: Current Status and Opportunities for Future Research
Authors: Arlbjørn Jan Stentoft , Paulraj Antony
Published: October 2013

This editorial introduces the special topic forum on “innovations in business networks from a supply chain perspective.” Additionally, it highlights the gap between the importance attributed by practice and the current state of academic research focusing on the confluence of innovation and supply chain perspectives. By specifically assessing the current status of research as well as practice, this paper not only identifies the key issues in current research and proposes an agenda for future research, but also points out the challenges that scholars will encounter in pursuing the proposed research agenda.
Measurement of IL‐12 (p40, p35), IL‐23p19, and IFN‐γ mRNA in Duodenal Biopsies of Cats with Inflammatory Enteropathy
Authors: Waly N.E. , Peters I.R. , Day M.J. , Stokes C.R. , Bailey M. , Gruffydd‐Jones T.J.
Published: October 2013

Background

Dietary hypersensitivity and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are important causes of chronic vomiting and diarrhea in cats. IL‐23 has been recently found to be a key factor in the immunopathogenesis of IBD in humans but the involvement in IBD has not been investigated in cats.

Hypothesis/Objectives

Expression of genes encoding Il‐12p35 and p40, IL‐23p19, and IFN‐γ may be up‐regulated in duodenal biopsy specimens taken from cats with histologic evidence of inflammation.

Animals and Methods

Duodenal biopsy specimens were collected from control cats (n = 21) and cats with inflammatory enteropathy (n = 13). Routine histopathology, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and qRT‐PCR were used to assess expression of MHC class II and to measure gene transcripts encoding the p35, p40, and p19 subunits of the IL‐12 family of cytokines and IFN‐γ.

Results

There were significant differences in expression of mRNA encoding IL‐12p35 and IL‐23p19 between healthy cats and cats with inflammatory enteropathy. IL‐12p35 mRNA was lower in the duodenal mucosa of cats with inflammatory enteropathy compared with the mucosa of healthy cats (P = .001). In contrast, IL‐23p19 mRNA expression was higher in duodenal biopsy specimens from cats with inflammatory enteropathy than in those from healthy controls (P = .001). There was no difference in expression of IL‐12p40 and IFN‐γ mRNA (P > .05). The majority of cats with inflammatory enteropathy had histologic evidence of moderate to severe colitis (score 2).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

The results of this preliminary study suggest that IL‐23 plays a role in the pathogenesis of feline inflammatory enteropathy.
Addition by Subtraction? A Longitudinal Analysis of the Impact of Deportation Efforts on Violent Crime
Authors: Stowell Jacob I. , Messner Steven F. , Barton Michael S. , Raffalovich Lawrence E.
Published: October 2013

Contemporary criminological research on immigration has focused largely on one aspect of the immigration process, namely, the impact of in-migration (i.e., presence or arrival) of foreign-born individuals on crime. A related but understudied aspect of the immigration process is the impact that the removal of certain segments of the foreign-born population, and specifically undocumented or deportable aliens, has on aggregate levels of criminal violence. In an effort to cast new light on the association between forced out-flows of immigrants and crime, we begin with descriptive analyses of patterns of deportation activity across the continental United States over an eleven-year period (1994–2004). We then examine the relationship between deportation activity and violent crime rates in a multilevel framework wherein Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) are situated within border patrol sectors. The results of dynamic regression modeling indicate that changing levels of deportation activity are unrelated to changing levels of criminal violence for the sample of MSAs for the national at large. However, we also detect significant interactions by geographic location for selected violent offenses. For MSAs within sectors along the Mexican border, the deportation measure exhibits a significant negative effect on one indicator of criminal violence—the aggravated assault rate. For MSAs within non-border sectors, the effect of the deportation measures is significantly positive for the violence crime index and the aggravated assault rate. Overall, our analyses indicate that the relationship between deportation and criminal violence is complex and dependent on local context.
Legislating Change? Responses to Criminalizing Female Genital Cutting in Senegal
Authors: Shell-Duncan Bettina , Wander Katherine , Hernlund Ylva , Moreau Amadou
Published: October 2013

Although the international community has recently promoted legislation as an important reform strategy for ending female genital cutting (FGC), there exist divergent views on its potential effects. Supporters argue that legal prohibition of FGC has a general deterrent effect, while others argue legislation can be perceived as coercive, and derail local efforts to end the practice. This study examines the range of responses observed in rural Senegal, where a 1999 anti-FGC law was imposed on communities in which the practice was being actively contested and targeted for elimination. Drawing on data from a mixed-methods study, we analyze responses in relation to two leading theories on social regulation, the law and economics and law and society paradigms, which make divergent predictions on the interplay between social norms and legal norms. Among supporters of FGC, legal norms ran counter to social norms, and did little to deter the practice, and in some instances incited reactance or drove the practice underground. Conversely, where FGC was being contested, legislation served to strengthen the stance of those contemplating or favoring abandonment. We conclude that legislation can complement other reform strategies by creating an “enabling environment” that supports those who have or wish to abandon FGC.
Primetime Dispute Resolution: Reality TV Mediation Shows in China's “Harmonious Society”
Authors: Hawes Colin S. , Kong Shuyu
Published: October 2013

Through a case study of reality TV mediation shows, this article joins the debate about the recent promotion of formal and informal mediation by the Chinese government, what some scholars have called a “turn against law” (Minzner 2011). We identify three converging reasons for the sudden popularity of mediation shows on Chinese primetime television: (1) the desire of TV producers to commercially exploit interpersonal conflicts without fanning the flames of social instability; (2) the demands of official censors for TV programming promoting a “harmonious society”; and (3) the requirement for courts and other government institutions to publicly demonstrate their support for mediation as the most “appropriate” method for resolving interpersonal and neighborhood disputes. Cases drawn from two top-rated mediation shows demonstrate how they privilege morality and “human feeling” (ganqing) over narrow application of the law. Such shows could be viewed merely as a form of propaganda, what Nader has called a “harmony ideology”—an attempt by the government to suppress the legitimate expression of social conflict. Yet while recognizing that further political, social, and legal reforms are necessary to address the root causes of social conflict in China, we conclude that TV mediation shows can help to educate viewers about the benefits and drawbacks of mediation for resolving certain narrow kinds of domestic and neighborhood disputes.
Two Kinds of Definites Cross‐linguistically
Authors: Schwarz Florian
Published: October 2013

Definite descriptions constitute a core device for managing reference in natural language, and their semantics has been explored in great detail within formal approaches. There also is a rich descriptive literature on cross‐linguistic phenomena concerning definites, but the theoretical literature has only recently begun to incorporate a wider range of languages and phenomena in this realm. The present paper provides an illustrative overview of one class of recently discussed cross‐linguistic phenomena, focusing on languages that differentiate between different kinds of definites (namely German, Fering, Akan, Mauritian Creole, Lakhota, Hausa, and Haitian Creole) and the theoretical views that seem to capture the two types most straightforwardly: one type of definite, involving ‘weak articles’, is based on uniqueness, whereas ‘strong article’ definites crucially involve an anaphoric link. The contrast extends to so‐called bridging uses in interesting ways, and the fact that there is a striking resemblance in the contrast across typologically unrelated languages points to a fundamental distinction that natural languages can utilize in organizing their referential system. The paper closes with an outlook on directions for future research.
RURAL CHILDREN AT RISK
Authors: Conger Rand D.
Published: October 2013

The Family Life Project (FLP) is the most ambitious study ever launched to chart the course of social, emotional, and cognitive development of young, rural children—beginning at birth. The present monograph describes important findings from the research through three years of age. This commentary addresses several issues raised by the authors including the need for more rural research on child development, the representativeness of the study population and retention rates, methods for measuring socioeconomic disadvantage, the implications of the findings for theoretical models of socioeconomic influences on families and children, and the guidance the current findings provide for future research, social policy, and preventive interventions. I especially emphasize the extreme poverty and disadvantage of the African American families in the study.
A negative MYB regulator of proanthocyanidin accumulation, identified through expression quantitative locus mapping in the grape berry
Authors: Huang Yung‐Fen , Vialet Sandrine , Guiraud Jean‐Luc , Torregrosa Laurent , Bertrand Yves , Cheynier Véronique , This Patrice , Terrier Nancy
Published: October 2013

Flavonoids are secondary metabolites with multiple functions. In grape (Vitis vinifera), the most abundant flavonoids are proanthocyanidins (PAs), major quality determinants for fruit and wine. However, knowledge about the regulation of PA composition is sparse. Thus, we aimed to identify novel genomic regions involved in this mechanism.

Expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) mapping was performed on the transcript abundance of five downstream PA synthesis genes (dihydroflavonol reductase (VvDFR), leucoanthocyanidin dioxygenase (VvLDOX), leucoanthocyanidin reductase (VvLAR1), VvLAR2 and anthocyanidin reductase (VvANR)) measured by real‐time quantitative PCR on a pseudo F1 population in two growing seasons.

Twenty‐one eQTLs were identified; 17 of them did not overlap with known candidate transcription factors or cis‐regulatory sequences. These novel loci and the presence of digenic epistasis support the previous hypothesis of a polygenic regulatory mechanism for PA biosynthesis.

In a genomic region co‐locating eQTLs for VvDFR, VvLDOX and VvLAR1, gene annotation and a transcriptomic survey suggested that VvMYBC2‐L1, a gene coding for an R2R3‐MYB protein, is involved in regulating PA synthesis. Phylogenetic analysis showed its high similarity to characterized negative MYB factors. Its spatiotemporal expression profile in grape coincided with PA synthesis. Its functional characterization via overexpression in grapevine hairy roots demonstrated its ability to reduce the amount of PA and to down‐regulate expression of PA genes.
Development of chloroplast‐specific microsatellite markers for molecular characterization of alloplasmic lines and phylogenetic analysis in wheat
Authors: Tomar Ram Sewak S. , Deshmukh Rupesh K. , Naik K. Bhojaraja , Tomar Shiv Mangal S. , Vinod
Published: October 2013

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is strictly a self‐pollinated crop, where hybrid breeding requires well‐characterized cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) lines. The CMS has mostly been developed by substituting nuclear genome of wheat into the cytoplasm from wild relatives. Molecular characterization of 90 genotypes including 82 CMS lines originating from five different species, namely Aegilops speltoides, Ae. kotschyi, Ae. variabilis, Triticum araraticum and T. timopheevii, and eight popular varieties was carried out. Consequently, a set of 25 microsatellite markers specific to chloroplast (cpSSRs) were designed and successfully validated for specificity of amplification. A total of 15 cpSSRs (60%) were found polymorphic, of which three cpSSRs (TaCM7, TaCM8 and TaCM11) in genic region and twelve cpSSRs were located in intergenic region. Phylogenetic analysis of genotypes using cpSSRs revealed two major groups well in accordance with respective origin. A set of cpSSRs and phylogeny of CMS belonging to different origins developed, which will be helpful for the improvement in CMS system in wheat. The genic cpSSRs can be used for the allele mining and evolutionary studies.
Congenital Infantile Fibrosarcoma of the Lip
Authors: Bellfield Edward J. , Beets‐Shay Linda
Published: October 2013

Infantile congenital fibrosarcomas are rare neoplasms that usually present on the extremities, and although they are locally invasive, they rarely metastasize. They are commonly misdiagnosed as hemangiomas or other vascular tumors, so further evaluation by pathology is required for proper diagnosis. We describe a newborn with a neoplastic growth of the lower lip that was thought to be an infantile hemangioma that did not respond to therapy. When the child was 2 months old, an incisional biopsy demonstrated a fibrosarcoma. This case highlights congenital infantile fibrosarcoma as a mimic of infantile hemangioma. To our knowledge this is first case report of congenital infantile fibrosarcoma involving the lip.
Treatment of Pediatric Pyogenic Granulomas Using β‐Adrenergic Receptor Antagonists
Authors: Wine Lee Lara , Goff Kiera L. , Lam Joseph M. , Low David W. , Yan Albert C. , Castelo‐Soccio Leslie
Published: October 2013

Propranolol and timolol are nonselective ß‐adrenergic antagonists that induce peripheral vasoconstriction and affect angiogenic cytokines. Oral and topical ß‐blocker therapy has become the de facto first‐line treatment for complicated infantile hemangiomas because of its superior efficacy and tolerability. Pyogenic granulomas or lobular capillary hemangiomas are common acquired vascular tumors accounting for 0.5% of all skin nodules in children. Although they are benign vascular proliferations, treatment is often sought because of recurrent episodes of bleeding and for cosmetic considerations. Numerous treatment options are available, but recurrence rates are high. Noninvasive methods of treatment are being sought, particularly for young children. Herein we report a series of seven cases of cutaneous and mucosal pyogenic granulomas treated successfully using oral or topical ß‐blockers.
Crusted Scabies Misdiagnosed as Erythrodermic Psoriasis in a 3‐Year‐Old Girl with Down Syndrome
Authors: Fonseca Vanessa , Price Harper N. , Jeffries Michelle , Alder Steven L. , Hansen Ronald C.
Published: October 2013

Scabies is a highly contagious infestation with the Sarcoptes scabiei var hominis mite. The variety of clinical presentations make timely, accurate diagnosis problematic. We report the case of a 3‐year‐old girl with Down syndrome and crusted scabies initially misdiagnosed as erythrodermic psoriasis.
The Construction of Cloned Sika Deer Embryos (Cervus nippon hortulorum) by Demecolcine Auxiliary Enucleation
Authors: Yin Y , Mei M , Zhang D , Zhang S , Fan A , Zhou H , Li Z
Published: October 2013

Contents

The objective of our study was to establish the feasibility of experimental protocols for cloning sika deer. We performed auxiliary enucleation to improve the efficiency of nuclear transfer operation by optimizing the demecolcine concentration to induce cytoplasmic protrusions in the sika deer oocytes. In the present study,we had studied the impact of different demecolcine concentrations on cytoplasmic protrusions and enucleation rates. We determined that 95.9% of the sika deer oocytes formed cytoplasmic protrusions when treated for 1 h with 0.8 μg/ml demecolcine. The lowest observed rate of protrusion was 19.3% after overnight treatment with demecolcine. When the oocytes aged or had a poor cumulus expansion, they exhibited a significant decrease in the ability to form cytoplasmic protrusions. The rates of enucleation (94.9% vs 85.8%, p < 0.05), cell fusion (84.6% vs 70.1%, p < 0.05) and blastocyst formation (15.4% vs 10.9%, p < 0.05) using demecolcine auxiliary enucleation were significantly higher than those after blind enucleation. These results demonstrated that sika deer oocytes could be enucleated quickly and effectively using demecolcine auxiliary enucleation, which could enhance the enucleation rate, cell fusion rate and blastocyst rate of cloned embryos in vitro.
Comparison of Shearography to Scanning Laser Vibrometry as Methods for Local Stiffness Identification of Beams
Authors: Zastavnik F. , Pyl L. , Gu J. , Sol H. , Kersemans M. , Van Paepegem W.
Published: October 2013

Local stiffness of Euler–Bernoulli beams can be identified by dividing the bending moment of a deformed beam by the local curvature. Curvature and moment distributions can be derived from the modal shape of a beam vibrating at resonance. In this article, the modal shape of test beams is measured by both scanning laser vibrometry (SLV) and shearography. Shearography is an interferometric optical method that produces full‐field displacement gradients of the inspected surface. Curvature can be obtained by two steps of derivation of the modal amplitude (in the case of SLV) or one step of derivation of the modal shape slope (in the case of shearography). Three specially prepared aluminium beams with a known stiffness distribution are used for the validation of both techniques. The uncertainty of the identified stiffness distributions with both techniques is compared and related to their signal‐to‐noise ratios. A strength and weakness overview at the end of the article reveals that the shearography is the technique that shows the most advantages.
Synthetic biology in plastids
Authors: Scharff Lars B. , Bock Ralph
Published: October 2013

Plastids (chloroplasts) harbor a small gene‐dense genome that is amenable to genetic manipulation by transformation. During 1 billion years of evolution from the cyanobacterial endosymbiont to present‐day chloroplasts, the plastid genome has undergone a dramatic size reduction, mainly as a result of gene losses and the large‐scale transfer of genes to the nuclear genome. Thus the plastid genome can be regarded as a naturally evolved miniature genome, the gradual size reduction and compaction of which has provided a blueprint for the design of minimum genomes. Furthermore, because of the largely prokaryotic genome structure and gene expression machinery, the high transgene expression levels attainable in transgenic chloroplasts and the very low production costs in plant systems, the chloroplast lends itself to synthetic biology applications that are directed towards the efficient synthesis of green chemicals, biopharmaceuticals and other metabolites of commercial interest. This review describes recent progress with the engineering of plastid genomes with large constructs of foreign or synthetic DNA, and highlights the potential of the chloroplast as a model system in bottom‐up and top‐down synthetic biology approaches.