bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long-term health consequences of early-life exposure to substance abuse: an epigenetic perspective
Authors: Vaiserman A. M.
Published: April 2013

A growing body of evidence highlights the importance of the nutritional or other environmental stimuli during critical periods of development in the long-term programming of organ systems and homeostatic pathways of the organism. The adverse influences early in development and particularly during intrauterine life have been shown to programme the risks for adverse health outcomes in adult life. The mechanisms underlying developmental programming remain still unclear. However, increasing evidence has been accumulated indicating the important role of epigenetic regulation including DNA methylation, histone modifications and non-coding RNAs in the developmental programming of late-onset pathologies, including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and type 2 diabetes. The maternal substance abuse during pregnancy, including smoking, drinking and psychoactive drug intake, is one of the important factors determining the process of developmental programming in modern human beings. The impact of prenatal drug/substance exposure on infant and early childhood development is currently in the main focus. The long-term programming effects of such exposures on aging and associated pathologies, however, have been reported only rarely. The purpose of this review is to provide a summary of recent research findings which indicate that maternal substance abuse during pregnancy and/or neonatal period can programme not only a child's health status, but also can cause long-term or even life-long health outcomes via mechanisms of epigenetic memory.
Icosahedral capsid formation by capsomers and short polyions
Authors: Zhang Ran , Linse Per
Published: April 2013

Kinetical and structural aspects of the capsomer–polyion co-assembly into icosahedral viruses have been simulated by molecular dynamics using a coarse-grained model comprising cationic capsomers and short anionic polyions. Conditions were found at which the presence of polyions of a minimum length was necessary for capsomer formation. The largest yield of correctly formed capsids was obtained at which the driving force for capsid formation was relatively weak. Relatively stronger driving forces, i.e., stronger capsomer–capsomer short-range attraction and/or stronger electrostatic interaction, lead to larger fraction of kinetically trapped structures and aberrant capsids. The intermediate formation was investigated and different evolving scenarios were found by just varying the polyion length.
Fast ion confinement and stability in a neutral beam injected reversed field pinch
Authors: Anderson J. K. , Almagri A. F. , Den Hartog D. J. , Eilerman S. , Forest C. B. , Koliner J. J. , Mirnov V. V. , Morton L. A. , Nornberg M. D. , Parke E. , Reusch J. A. , Sarff J. S. , Waksman J. , Belykh V. , Davydenko V. I. , Ivanov A. A. , Polosatkin S. V. , Tsidulko Y. A. , Lin L. , Liu D. , Fiksel G. , Sakakita H. , Spong D. A. , Titus J.
Published: April 2013

The behavior of energetic ions is fundamentally important in the study of fusion plasmas. While well-studied in tokamak, spherical torus, and stellarator plasmas, relatively little is known in reversed field pinch plasmas about the dynamics of fast ions and the effects they cause as a large population. These studies are now underway in the Madison Symmetric Torus with an intense 25 keV, 1 MW hydrogen neutral beam injector (NBI). Measurements of the time-resolved fast ion distribution via a high energy neutral particle analyzer, as well as beam-target neutron flux (when NBI fuel is doped with 3–5% D2) both demonstrate that at low concentration the fast ion population is consistent with classical slowing of the fast ions, negligible cross-field transport, and charge exchange as the dominant ion loss mechanism. A significant population of fast ions develops; simulations predict a super-Alfvénic ion density of up to 25% of the electron density with both a significant velocity space gradient and a sharp radial density gradient. There are several effects on the background plasma including enhanced toroidal rotation, electron heating, and an altered current density profile. The abundant fast particles affect the plasma stability. Fast ions at the island of the core-most resonant tearing mode have a stabilizing effect, and up to 60% reduction in the magnetic fluctuation amplitude is observed during NBI. The sharp reduction in amplitude, however, has little effect on the underlying magnetic island structure. Simultaneously, beam driven instabilities are observed as repetitive ∼50 μs bursts which coincide with fast particle redistribution; data indicate a saturated core fast ion density well below purely classical predictions.
Crossover from weak localization to anti-weak localization in indium oxide systems with wide range of resistivity
Authors: Shinozaki B. , Hidaka K. , Ezaki S. , Makise K. , Asano T. , Tomai S. , Yano K. , Nakamura H.
Published: April 2013

We investigated the magnetoconductivity Δσ(H)≡1/ρ(H)−1/ρ(0) in a wide range of magnetic fields for three-dimensional indium oxide films doped with zinc, tin, or gallium in the range of resistivity ρ(300K) between 4.1×10−6 Ωm and 1.7×10−3 Ωm. The weak localization theory was fitted to data for Δσ(H) at various temperatures in the range 2.0 K≤T≤50 K by the use of suitable characteristics Dτin(T) and Dτso, where D, τin, and τso are the electron diffusion constant, inelastic scattering time, and spin-orbit (s-o) scattering time, respectively. It was found that (i) for films with a large value of ρ, the sign of Δσ(H) changes from positive to negative with decreasing temperature as a precursor to an anti-weak localization effect; (ii) the ratio τso/τin decreases from ≈4000 to≈4.0 with increasing ρ; (iii) the strong ρ dependence of Dτso cannot be explained by the model with a constant atomic number Z in a formula τso∝1/Z4 proposed by Abrikozov and Gorkov Zh. Eksp. Teor. Fiz. 42, 1088 (1962); [Sov. Phys. JETP 15, 752 (1962)]. As a reason for this ρ dependence, we suggest that the s-o scattering changes with increasing ρ from light oxygen atoms to heavy atoms, i.e., indium, zinc, and gallium, because of the decrease in the number of oxygen vacancies acting as s-o scattering centers.
Demonstration of a stable erbium-fiber-laser-based frequency comb based on a single rubidium atomic resonator
Authors: Hou Dong , Ning Bo , Wu Jiutao , Wang Zhong , Zhao Jianye
Published: April 2013

We propose a compact stabilization system for erbium(Er)-fiber-laser-based frequency comb with wavelengths ranging from 1510 nm to 1610 nm, which is widely used in fiber-based optical communication. In this stabilization scheme, both the repetition rate and mode of the comb is directly stabilized to a Rb atomic resonator, based on the physical phenomenon of coherent population trapping (CPT) and saturated absorption resonance, respectively. The stabilized frequency comb provides the long-term instabilities of ∼3 × 10−12 for repetition rate and of ∼7 × 10−12 for each optical mode of comb and can meet the requirement of optical-comb-based communication.
Frequency dependence of the electrical asymmetry effect in dual-frequency capacitively coupled discharges
Authors: Lafleur T. , Booth J. P.
Published: April 2013

Using experimental measurements complemented with particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations, we demonstrate a reduction in the electrical asymmetry effect in capacitively coupled discharges for low excitation frequencies (0.8 MHz < f<10 MHz). These results confirm PIC simulation predictions made by [I. Korolov, Z. Donkó, U. Czarnetzki, and J. Schulze, J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys. 45, 465205 (2012)], where this effect was investigated for dual-frequency discharges in which the driving frequencies are phase-shifted harmonics. Because the reduction in electrical asymmetry is a sensitive function of the secondary electron emission coefficient, we are able to non-invasively estimate this coefficient as 0.035 for argon ions incident on aluminium electrodes.
Germanization, Polonization, and Russification in the partitioned lands of Poland-Lithuania
Authors: Kamusella Tomasz
Published: April 2013

Two main myths constitute the founding basis of popular Polish ethnic nationalism: first, that Poland-Lithuania was an early Poland, and second, that the partitioning powers at all times unwaveringly pursued policies of Germanization and Russification. In the former case, the myth appropriates a common past today shared by Belarus, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Ukraine. In the latter case, Polonization is written out of the picture entirely, as also are variations and changes in the polices of Germanization and Russification. Taken together, the two myths to a large degree obscure (and even falsify) the past, making comprehension of it difficult, if not impossible. This article seeks to disentangle the knots of anachronisms that underlie the Polish national master narrative, in order to present a clearer picture of the interplay between the policies of Germanization, Polonization, and Russification as they unfolded in the lands of the partitioned Poland-Lithuania during the long nineteenth century.
Temperature-size rule is mediated by thermal plasticity of critical size inDrosophila melanogaster
Authors: Ghosh Shampa M. , Testa Nicholas D. , Shingleton Alexander W.
Published: April 2013

Most ectotherms show an inverse relationship between developmental temperature and body size, a phenomenon known as the temperature-size rule (TSR). Several competing hypotheses have been proposed to explain its occurrence. According to one set of views, the TSR results from inevitable biophysical effects of temperature on the rates of growth and differentiation, whereas other views suggest the TSR is an adaptation that can be achieved by a diversity of mechanisms in different taxa. Our data reveal that the fruitfly,Drosophila melanogaster, obeys the TSR using a novel mechanism: reduction in critical size at higher temperatures. In holometabolous insects, attainment of critical size initiates the hormonal cascade that terminates growth, and hence,Drosophilalarvae appear to instigate the signal to stop growth at a smaller size at higher temperatures. This is in contrast to findings from another holometabolous insect,Manduca sexta, in which the TSR results from the effect of temperature on the rate and duration of growth. This contrast suggests that there is no single mechanism that accounts for the TSR. Instead, the TSR appears to be an adaptation that is achieved at a proximate level through different mechanisms in different taxa.
Policy Change and Industry Associability: The Australian Mining Sector
Authors: Kellow Aynsley , Simms Marian
Published: April 2013

In this paper we use evidence from the recent trajectories of mining industry associations in the Australian federation to argue for the significance of institutional explanations for the formation and maintenance of interest groups. We argue that the recent lack of consultation by the Commonwealth government with the Minerals Council of Australia over resources rent taxation proposals reflected a weakness that resulted from the shifting basis of associability stemming from institutional changes.
Single Center Experience of Cell‐Free and Concentrated Ascites Reinfusion Therapy in Malignancy Related Ascites
Authors: Ito Tetsuya , Hanafusa Norio , Fukui Mieko , Yamamoto Hiroko , Watanabe Yasuyuki , Noiri Eisei , Iwase Satoru , Miyagawa Kiyoshi , Fujita Toshiro , Nangaku Masaomi
Published: April 2013

Cell‐Free and Concentrated Ascites Reinfusion Therapy (CART) is expected to improve patients’ symptoms related to ascites. Use of a patient's own proteins in ascites might reduce the risk of infection. However, several reports have described that reinfusion of concentrated ascites might elevate body temperature. The aim of this study is to examine the safety and efficacy of the CART system performed exclusively on patients with malignancies. In this retrospective cohort observational study, we examined 81 CART processes performed on 24 patients with malignancies. Data were collected from medical records and records during processing of ascites. We investigated the effectiveness and adverse events during the procedures. The amount of ascites processed was 2.6 ± 1.4 L on average. The concentration ratio was 9.31 ± 5.45 on average. We found an increase in the urine volume after the procedure, which was significantly related to the amount of reinfused protein. The body temperature increased by 0.44°C. Systolic blood pressure decreased by 4 mm Hg after paracentesis, but no significant difference was found between the pressure before paracentesis and after reinfusion. In platelet counts, no significant change was observed. After all, no clinically significant adverse event was confirmed during CART procedures. Results show that CART can be performed safely even on patients with malignancy‐related ascites and that the procedure might improve diuresis.
Deletion of the major peroxiredoxin Tsa1 alters telomere length homeostasis
Authors: Lu Jian , Vallabhaneni Haritha , Yin Jinhu , Liu Yie
Published: April 2013

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are proposed to play a major role in telomere length alterations during aging. The mechanisms by which ROS disrupt telomeres remain unclear. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, telomere DNA consists of TG(1–3) repeats, which are maintained primarily by telomerase. Telomere length maintenance can be modulated by the expression level of telomerase subunits and telomerase activity. Additionally, telomerase‐mediated telomere repeat addition is negatively modulated by the levels of telomere‐bound Rap1‐Rif1‐Rif2 protein complex. Using a yeast strain defective in the major peroxiredoxin Tsa1 that is involved in ROS neutralization, we have investigated the effect of defective ROS detoxification on telomere DNA, telomerase, telomere‐binding proteins, and telomere length. Surprisingly, the tsa1 mutant does not show significant increase in steady‐state levels of oxidative DNA lesions at telomeres. The tsa1 mutant displays abnormal telomere lengthening, and reduction in oxidative exposure alleviates this phenotype. The telomere lengthening in the tsa1 cells was abolished by disruption of Est2, subtelomeric DNA, Rap1 C‐terminus, or Rif2, but not by Rif1 deletion. Although telomerase expression and activity are not altered, telomere‐bound Est2 is increased, while telomere‐bound Rap1 is reduced in the tsa1 mutant. We propose that defective ROS scavenging can interfere with pathways that are critical in controlling telomere length homeostasis.
Assessment and management of chronic orofacial pain associated with a disease in children: a multidisciplinary approach
Authors: Smaïl‐Faugeron Violaine , Courson Frédéric , Arrêto Charles‐Daniel
Published: April 2013

To summarize the diversity of assessment and management for chronic orofacial pain associated with a disease (COFPAD) in children. We performed a review of the literature up toMay 2012. Hetero‐evaluation and self‐assessment are used according to age of children. Strict management of the cause is not sufficient for children withCOFPADwithout a multidisciplinary approach combining pharmacotherapy, psychology and physiotherapy.

Conclusion

The multidisciplinary approach is the key of management for children withCOFPAD.
Surgical treatment of buccal soft tissue recessions around single implants: 1‐year results from a prospective pilot study
Authors: Roccuzzo Mario , Gaudioso Luigi , Bunino Marco , Dalmasso Paola
Published: April 2013

Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of a soft tissue dehiscence coverage technique, at single non‐submerged implant sites, presenting shallow isolated buccal mucosal recession.

Material and Methods

Sixteen patients were included in this prospective study. A connective tissue graft (CTG) was harvested from the maxillary tuberosity. The donor soft tissue was de‐epithelialized and trimmed with a mucotome for an optimal adaptation to the collar of the implant.

Results

Surgery and healing proceeded with no complications and minimal post‐operative discomfort. One‐year follow‐up demonstrated clinical and esthetic improvements. Treatment resulted in 89.6 ± 13.1% mean coverage, and complete implant soft tissue coverage was achieved in nine of 16 cases, corresponding to a 56.3%. The VAS esthetic analysis showed a significant improvement from 3.6 ± 0.2 to 8.5 ± 0.3.

Conclusions

These positive preliminary results suggest that, by means of the surgical technique presented, buccal soft tissue dehiscences around single implants can be successfully treated. Additional Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) should be encouraged to assess the most effective variation to the technique in the various clinical situations and around implants of different designs.
Impact of complications of single tooth restorations on oral health‐related quality of life
Authors: Lam Walter Y. H. , McGrath Colman P. J. , Botelho Michael G.
Published: April 2013

Objective

To compare oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL) among subjects who received implant‐supported crowns (ISC) and 2‐unit cantilevered resin‐bonded bridges (cRBB) in a bounded single tooth space (BSTS) after at least 5 years and to investigate factors associated with their OHRQoL.

Methods

A case–control study among 78 subjects who received ISC or cRBB rehabilitation at a teaching hospital (39 ISCs and 39 cRBBs). OHRQoL was measured using the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP‐49) and compared between treatment modality. Variations in OHIP scores with respect to “minor complications” (repair of the original “survived” restorations) and “major complications” (replacement of “failed” restorations); and number of complications were determined in bivariate and multivariate analyses (negative binominal regression) controlling for socio‐demographic and clinical factors.

Results

Oral Health Impact Profile scores were similar among those who received ISC and cRBB (P = 0.53). Among subjects with complicated restorations, those with major complications reported significantly higher OHIP scores (poorer OHRQoL) than those with minor complications (P = 0.02). Subjects who experienced multiple complications had significantly higher OHIP scores (poorer OHRQoL) than those with a single complication (P = 0.04). In regression analyses (which considered OHIP scores of those with complications), the nature of complications (P < 0.01), treatment modality (P = 0.04), and gender (P = 0.02) emerged as significant factors.

Conclusion

In the rehabilitation of a BSTS patients, OHRQoL was similar irrespective of treatment modality (ISC or cRBB). Among those who experienced complications their OHRQoL was associated with the nature of complications, treatment modality and gender.
Protective effects of ranolazine and propranolol, alone or combined, on the structural and functional alterations of cardiomyocyte mitochondria in a pig model of ischemia/reperfusion
Authors: Dehina Leila , Descotes Jacques , Chevalier Philippe , Bui‐Xuan Bernard , Romestaing Caroline , Dizerens Nicole , Mamou Zahida , Timour Quadiri
Published: April 2013

Preventing the consequences of ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)‐induced lesions in the clinic requires the administration of pharmacological agents prior to restoring coronary vascularization. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of ranolazine and propranolol when administered either alone or combined prior to I/R induction in a pig model. Thirty domestic pigs were randomly assigned to five groups of six animals including (i) sham animals; (ii) untreated animals with 45‐min ischemia and 1‐min reperfusion; animals administered intravenously with (iii) ranolazine, or (iv) propranolol, or (v) both combined, prior to 45‐min ischemia and 1‐min reperfusion. The heart rate (HR), duration of monophasic action potentials (dMAP), and peak of the time derivative of left ventricular pressure (LV dP/dt max) were measured during ischemia and after 1 min of reperfusion. Structural and functional parameters of mitochondria were analyzed in tissue samples taken from the left ventricle ischemic area at the end of the experiment. I/R induced expected effects, namely accelerated HR, decreased dMAP and LV dP/dt max, and altered mitochondrial structural and functional parameters including decreased oxygen consumption, increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and reduced calcium retention capacity resulting in the opening of mitochondrial permeability transition pores (mPTP). Ranolazine and propranolol administered either alone or combined prior to I/R significantly decreased all of these deleterious consequences. The protective effects of ranolazine and propranolol are seemingly due to the prevention of calcium overload and resulting lesions in mitochondria.
Development of the diaphragm – a skeletal muscle essential for mammalian respiration
Authors: Merrell Allyson J. , Kardon Gabrielle
Published: April 2013

The mammalian diaphragm muscle is essential for respiration, and thus is one of the most critical skeletal muscles in the human body. Defects in diaphragm development leading to congenital diaphragmatic hernias (CDH) are common birth defects and result in severe morbidity or mortality. Given its functional importance and the frequency of congenital defects, an understanding of diaphragm development, both normally and during herniation, is important. We review current knowledge of the embryological origins of the diaphragm, diaphragm development and morphogenesis, as well as the genetic and developmental aetiology of diaphragm birth defects.
Establishing a harmonized haemophilia registry for countries with developing health care systems
Authors: Alzoebie A. , Belhani M. , Eshghi P. , Kupesiz A. O. , Ozelo M. , Pompa M. T. , Potgieter J. , Smith M.
Published: April 2013

Over recent decades tremendous progress has been made in diagnosing and treating haemophilia and, in resource‐rich countries, life expectancy of people with haemophilia (PWH) is now close to that of a healthy person. However, an estimated 70% of PWH are not diagnosed or are undertreated; the majority of whom live in countries with developing health care systems. In these countries, designated registries for people with haemophilia are often limited and comprehensive information on the natural history of the disease and treatment outcomes is lacking. Taken together, this means that planning efforts for future treatment and care of affected individuals is constrained in countries where it is most needed. Establishment of standardized national registries in these countries would be a step towards obtaining reliable sociodemographic and clinical data for an entire country. A series of consensus meetings with experts from widely differing countries with different health care systems took place to discuss concerns specific to countries with developing health care systems. As a result of these discussions, recommendations are made on parameters to include when establishing and harmonizing national registries. Such recommendations should enable countries with developing health care systems to establish standardized national haemophilia registries. Although not a primary objective, the recommendations should also help standardized data collation on an international level, enabling treatment and health care trends to be monitored across groups of countries and providing data for advocacy purposes. Greater standardization of data collation should have implications for optimizing resources for haemophilia care both nationally and internationally.
Patients with nodular regenerative hyperplasia should be considered for hepatocellular carcinoma screening
Authors: Sood Archita , Cox Gerald A. , McWilliams Justin P. , Wang Hanlin L. , Saab Sammy
Published: April 2013

The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) appears to be increasing across the globe. Well‐established protocols for screening are available, and the most common underlying liver problem associated with the development of HCC is cirrhosis. However, with few exceptions, patients without cirrhosis are generally not screened for HCC. Nodular regenerative hyperplasia (NRH) is not associated with the development of significant fibrosis or impaired liver synthetic function. The major clinical impact of NRH appears to be in the development of portal hypertension. Patients with NRH are also not recommended to undergo routine screening for the development of HCC. This report describes a case of a 44‐year‐old woman with NRH found to have de novo HCC. Emerging evidence suggest a possible pathogenetic relationship between NRH and HCC. The case described here and our review of the published work suggests that additional studies regarding the epidemiological association between NRH and HCC may change the current notion that NRH is not a premalignant lesion, and further studies assessing the utility of routine screening of NRH patients for HCC should be considered.
Trajectories of Parenting During Infancy: The Role of Infant Temperament and Marital Adjustment for Mothers and Fathers
Authors: Planalp Elizabeth M. , Braungart‐Rieker Julia M. , Lickenbrock Diane M. , Zentall Shannon R.
Published: April 2013

Although it is well accepted that parents greatly impact infant development, it is less clear which factors impact change in quantity and quality of parenting across infancy. This longitudinal study (N = 120 families) investigated how infant temperament and marital adjustment related to trajectories of mother and father involvement and sensitivity across infancy using multilevel models. Parental involvement (caregiving and play), infant temperament (surgency, negative affectivity, regulation), and marital adjustment were assessed from questionnaires when the infant was 3, 5, 7, 12, 14, and 20 months of age; parental sensitivity was coded from two episodes of the Still‐Face Paradigm in early infancy (3, 5, and 7 months). On average, mothers showed higher levels of caregiving, play, and sensitivity than fathers. Mother caregiving, play, and sensitivity increased over time. Father caregiving and play also increased over time, whereas sensitivity did not change with age. Happier marriages were related to increased play for both mothers and fathers. Infant surgency was also significantly related to caregiving, play, and sensitivity trajectories for mothers but not fathers. Findings are discussed in relation to parenting roles and family dynamics.
A clinical and histopathological study of histoid leprosy
Authors: Pradeep Nair Sukumaran , Nanda Kumar Gopinathan
Published: April 2013

Background

Histoid leprosy (HL) is a rare variant of lepromatous leprosy presenting with well‐defined smooth shiny papules and nodules. This can mimic many other dermatoses and can be missed clinically.

Methods

This is a retrospective 10‐year study. Data were obtained and analyzed from case records of the urban leprosy clinic at the Government Medical College, Trivandrum, Kerala (India).

Results

There were 17 cases of HL in this study. The male/female ratio was 16 : 1 and the 41–50‐year‐old age group accounted for the maximum number of cases (six, 35.29%); 11 cases (64.70%) were de novo cases of HL. Papules were the commonest skin lesions encountered (17, 100%), while the upper and lower limbs and trunk were the most common sites involved (11, 64.70%). Earlobe infiltration was seen in 10 cases (58.82%). Lepra reactions were seen in four (23.52%) cases. Deformity/disability occurred only in two cases (11.76%). The mean morphological index was 30.58%, while the mean bacteriological index was 5.17. Epidermal atrophy and a well‐circumscribed dermal area packed with spindle‐shaped histiocytes and positive for acid‐fast bacilli were the main histopathological features seen.

Conclusions

The majority of cases in this study were de novo. HL can occur even when there is no history of inadequate or irregular treatment. Papules rather than nodules were the most common skin lesions seen. Earlobe infiltration was seen in the majority of cases unlike that reported in the literature. Lepra reactions are very rare in HL.
Reconstruction of upper eyelid and medial canthus following basal cell carcinoma resection: a successful one‐stage repair with three local flaps
Authors: Yan Jianliang , Liu Lunfei , Qian Jiange
Published: April 2013

Background

Excision of upper eyelid skin cancer often leads to moderate to large defect. Numerous procedures are available to reconstruct such defects, and the reconstructive path chosen should be individualized for each patient. The aim of the reconstruction is a movable eyelid, perfect corneal protection, good aesthetic quality, and acceptable sequelae at the donor site. The purpose of this paper was to present a unique one‐stage eyelid reconstruction procedure.

Methods

A 79‐year‐old male suffered from a skin carcinoma on his left medial canthus, which also involved medial tarsal palate of the upper eyelid. The carcinoma was excised by Mohs micrographic surgery, resulting in a 24 × 10 mm tissue defect on the upper eyelid and medial canthus. A tarsoconjunctival flap pedicled superiorly with the levator aponeurosis, Müller's muscle, and conjunctiva, was designed to reconstruct the posterior lamellar defect. The anterior lamellar defect was repaired with two local skin flaps.

Results

The tarsoconjunctival flap and skin flaps survived well. At the third month postoperative visit, the patient was symptom free, and there was no donor site morbidity at the site where tarsus was taken or at the skin flap donor sites. Complete eyelid closure was maintained.

Conclusions

Reconstruction of moderate to large upper eyelid defects with the similar one‐stage procedure is recommended.
Getting Lost on the Way to the Party: Ambivalence, Indifference, and Defection with Evidence from Two Presidential Elections
Authors: Thornton Judd R.
Published: April 2013

Objectives

Building on work noting the difference between ambivalence and indifference, and long‐standing theories of partisanship, this article seeks to examine the extent to which ambivalence and indifference differ in their impact on the likelihood of individuals defecting from their party when voting.

Methods

Examining two national surveys, the voting behavior of ambivalent, indifferent, and one‐sided individuals are compared.

Results

It is shown that indifferent individuals are the most likely to defect from their partisanship and vote for the other major party or a third party and one‐sided the least.

Conclusion

Those who are indifferent toward the parties are distinct from those with one‐sided or ambivalent evaluations, and this difference leads to a greater likelihood of voting against one's party in presidential elections.
Fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) target strength measurements
Authors: Bernasconi Matteo , Patel Ruben , Nøttestad Leif , Brierley Andrew S.
Published: April 2013

Active acoustic techniques can be used to detect whales. The ability to detect whales from a moving vessel or stationary buoy could reduce conflicts between hazardous human activities and whales, enabling implementation of mitigation procedures. In order to identify acoustic targets correctly as whales, knowledge of whale target strength (TS) is required. Active acoustic detections of fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) were made in the Norwegian Sea; acoustic data were collected using calibrated omnidirectional sonar, operating at a discrete frequency of 110 kHz. Three fin whales of similar size (estimated between 16 and 18 m total length) had an overall average TS for all insonified body aspects of −11.4 dB [95% CI −12.05, −10.8] at 110 kHz, with a total spread of nearly 14 dB. As expected, the received signals were stronger when the fin whales were insonified at broadside (−5.6 dB). Individual fin whale TS varied by approximately 12 dB, probably due to variation in lung volume with breathing, and to dynamic swimming kinematics. Our TS values are consistent with values reported previously for other large whales. All data together pave the way for development of automated acoustic whale detection protocols that could aid whale conservation.
Metabolic responses of Quercus ilex seedlings to wounding analysed with nuclear magnetic resonance profiling
Authors: Sardans J. , Gargallo‐Garriga A. , Pérez‐Trujillo M. , Parella T.J. , Seco R. , Filella I. , Peñuelas J.
Published: April 2013

Plants defend themselves against herbivory at several levels. One of these is the synthesis of inducible chemical defences. Using NMR metabolomic techniques, we studied the metabolic changes of plant leaves after a wounding treatment simulating herbivore attack in the Mediterranean sclerophyllous tree Quercus ilex. First, an increase in glucose content was observed in wounded plants. There was also an increase in the content of C‐rich secondary metabolites such as quinic acid and quercitol, both related to the shikimic acid pathway and linked to defence against biotic stress. There was also a shift in N‐storing amino acids, from leucine and isoleucine to asparagine and choline. The observed higher content of asparagine is related to the higher content of choline through serine that was proved to be the precursor of choline. Choline is a general anti‐herbivore and pathogen deterrent. The study shows the rapid metabolic response of Q. ilex in defending its leaves, based on a rapid increase in the production of quinic acid, quercitol and choline. The results also confirm the suitability of 1H NMR‐based metabolomic profiling studies to detect global metabolome shifts after wounding stress in tree leaves, and therefore its suitability in ecometabolomic studies.
Modeling of Income and Indicators of Poverty and Social Exclusion Using the Generalized Beta Distribution of the Second Kind
Authors: Graf Monique , Nedyalkova Desislava
Published: April 2013

There are three reasons why estimation of parametric income distributions may be useful when empirical data and estimators are available: to stabilize estimation; to gain insight into the relationships between the characteristics of the theoretical distribution and a set of indicators, e.g. by sensitivity plots; and to deduce the whole distribution from known empirical indicators, when the raw data are not available. The European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (EU‐SILC) survey is used to address these issues. In order to model the income distribution, we consider the generalized beta distribution of the second kind (GB2). A pseudo‐likelihood approach for fitting the distribution is considered, which takes into account the design features of the EU‐SILC survey. An ad‐hoc procedure for robustification of the sampling weights, which improves estimation, is presented. This method is compared to a non‐linear fit from the indicators. Variance estimation within a complex survey setting of the maximum pseudo‐likelihood estimates is done by linearization (a sandwich variance estimator), and a simplified formula for the sandwich variance, which accounts for clustering, is given. Performance of the fit and estimated indicators is evaluated graphically and numerically.
Self‐Assessed Social Position and Poverty
Authors: Hasegawa Hikaru , Ueda Kazuhiro
Published: April 2013

In this article, we use microlevel data extracted from the 2006 Japanese General Social Surveys to analyze the relationships between self‐assessed social position and socioeconomic factors such as income and poverty. We provide the posterior results of the estimation of the Bayesian multivariate ordered probit model and propose an inequality measure for self‐assessed social position on the basis of the posterior results. We call the inequality measure “regret” and show that the distributions of regret differ for people above and below the poverty line.
Multidimensional Future Time Perspective as Moderators of the Relationships between Suicide Motivation, Preparation, and Its Predictors
Authors: Chin Jacqueline , Holden Ronald R.
Published: April 2013

The moderating impact of future time perspective (FTP) components on the relationships of hopelessness, depressive symptoms, and psychache with suicide motivation and preparation was investigated. In a sample of first year college students (N = 87) recruited on the basis of elevated suicide ideation and depressive symptoms, future thinking, optimism, and future connectedness attenuated the relationship of suicide motivation with depressive symptoms and hopelessness. Future thinking moderated the impact of depressive symptoms on suicide preparation. No moderating effects were found for psychache. This study demonstrates thatFTPmay buffer against the worst effects of salient suicide predictors among high‐risk students.
Microbes Hold the Key to Metformin-Induced Longevity
Authors: Polage Christopher R.
Published: April 2013

Metformin-induced alterations in microbial folate metabolism mediate life-span extension in
Caenorhabditis elegans
.
Border Security in the Lung: Detail(s) at the Direction of CD1c
+
Dendritic Cells
Authors: Zidar David A.
Published: April 2013

The CD1c
+
subset of human dendritic cells direct epithelial retention of CD8 lymphocytes through TGF-β–mediated CD103 expression.
MANIPULATING PERFORMANCE OF A MOLECULAR WIRE WITH CHEMICAL MODIFICATION AND EXTERNAL ELECTRIC FIELD
Authors: FARMANZADEH DAVOOD , ASHTIANI ZEINAB
Published: April 2013

In this work, a detailed theoretical investigation of the substituent groups effect on the geometric and electronic properties of the newly proposed molecular wire has been performed with the DFT-B3LYP/6-31G* level of theory by considering the influence from the external electric field (EF). The results show that the performance of molecular wire is very sensitive to the electron donating (– NH2 and – OH ), electron withdrawing (– NO2 and – F ) groups and external EF intensities. The energy gap between the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO), ELUMO–EHOMO (HLG) in all cases decreased, furthermore, the electron withdrawing – NO2 group had a much lower HLG than the other substituted groups. Results of this study indicate that the substitutions and external electric field can be used to tune the properties of a molecular scale device effectively.
A B3LYP AND MP2(FULL) THEORETICAL INVESTIGATION INTO THEC–NO2BOND STRENGTH UPON THE FORMATION OF HF ORNa+COMPLEX INVOLVING THE NITRO GROUP OF NITRO-1,2,4-TRIAZOLE
Authors: WANG YONG , SHI WEN-JING , REN FU-DE , CAO DUAN-LIN , CHEN FANG
Published: April 2013

The change of bond dissociation energy (ΔBDE) in the C–NO2bond upon the formation of the intermolecular hydrogen-bonding or molecule-cation interaction between the nitro group of seven kinds of nitro-1,2,4-triazoles and HF or Na+was investigated using the B3LYP and MP2(full) methods with the 6-311++G**, 6-311++G(2df, 2p) and aug-cc-pVTZ basis sets. The C–NO2bond strength was enhanced and the charge of nitro group turned more negative in complex in comparison with those in isolated nitro-1,2,4-triazole molecule. The increment of the C–NO2BDEs correlated well with the H-bonding interaction energy or molecule-cation interaction energy. The analysis of AIM, NBO and electron density shifts showed that the electron density shifted toward the C–NO2bond upon complex formation, leading to the strengthened C–NO2bond and the possibly reduced explosive sensitivity. The ΔBDE of the C–NO2bond in the Na+complex is far larger greater than that in the corresponding HF system. Thus, introducing cation into the structure of the nitrotriazole might be more efficacious to reduce explosive sensitivity than the formation of the intermolecular hydrogen-bonded complex.
Discotic liquid crystals of transition metal complexes 48: Synthesis of novel phthalocyanine-fullerene dyads and effect of a methoxy group on their clearing points
Authors: Shimizu Masahiro , Tauchi Lisa , Nakagaki Takahiro , Ishikawa Aya , Itoh Eiji , Ohta Kazuchika
Published: April 2013

In our previous work, we could successfully synthesize the 1:1 phthalocyanine-fullerene (Pc- C60 ) dyads, (OFbaC60)PcCu(OCH3) 2, in very high yields (81 ~ 96%) by using Prato reaction. In this study, we have prepared novel Pc- C60 dyads, (OFbaC60)PcM ( M = Co (a), Ni (b), Cu (c), metal free (d)) 3a–3d without the methoxy group. The target Pc- C60 dyads 3a–3d could be successfully synthesized in good yields also by Prato reaction. It is surprising for us that removal of a very small methoxy group from the big (OFbaC60)PcCu(OCH3) molecule (2) significantly lowers the cp of (OFbaC60)PcCu (3c) by about 70 °C in comparison with that of 2 having the methoxy group. Very interestingly, each of the novel dyads 3a–3d synthesized here shows perfect homeotropic alignment in the tetragonal columnar phase (Coltet). Moreover, it is noteworthy that 3c and 3d show only one Coltet.o mesophase having ordered stacking distance with perfect homeotropic alignment. Such simple phase transition can contribute to maintain stable performance in wide temperature range, when they will be applied to organic thin film solar cells.
SIMULATED PERFORMANCE OF A COMBINED RADIANT FLOOR HEATING AND DOMESTIC HOT WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM UNDER DIFFERENT CONTROL STRATEGIES
Authors: LI L. , ZAHEERUDDIN M. , CHO SUNG-HWAN , HONG SEONG-KI
Published: April 2013

A dynamic model of a combined radiant floor heating (RFH) and domestic hot water supply (DHWS) system is developed and validated by using measured data gathered from an experimental test facility. The validated model was used to study the dynamic responses of the system under different operating conditions. Optimal control and predictive control strategies were designed and simulated to study system performance and energy consumption. Results showed that the control strategy with the heating load prediction could save up to 12.7% energy. Also, the optimal control strategy with optimal set-points could save 8.6% energy input to the boiler and 42.9% pump energy consumption while maintaining the zone temperatures and DHWS temperatures close to their respective set-points.
Porosity Analysis of Plasma Sprayed Coating by Application of Soft Computing
Authors: Behera Ajit , Mishra S. C. , Behera Asit , Dhal J. P.
Published: April 2013

The present piece of work describes the industrial wastes and low grade ores (fly ash + quartz + ilmenite, as the coating material), deposited on mild steel substrates. In many cases it is found that porosity is an important factor on the coating surface. Knowledge about the extent of these porosity imperfections is critical since they influence a wide range of spray coated properties and behaviors. To decrease the porosity by optimizing necessary operating parameters, artificial neural network (ANN) technique is used. The aim of this investigation is to find out appropriate input vectors in ANN model. ANN experimental results indicate that the projection network has good generalization capability to optimize the porosity.
Microwave-Assisted Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Dihydropyrimidinone Derivatives as Anti-Inflammatory, Antibacterial, and Antifungal Agents
Authors: Bhatewara Anjna , Jetti Srinivasa Rao , Kadre Tanuja , Paliwal Pradeep , Jain Shubha
Published: April 2013

A simple protocol for the efficient preparation of aryl and heteroaryl substituted dihydropyrimidinone has been achieved via initial Knoevenagel, subsequent addition, and final cyclization of aldehyde, ethylcyanoacetate, and guanidine nitrate in the presence of piperidine as a catalyst in solvent-free under microwave irradiation. The synthesized compounds showed a good anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal activity.
Synthesis and Antiviral Activity of Hydrogenated Ferulic Acid Derivatives
Authors: Cui Can , Wang Zhi-Peng , Du Xiu-jiang , Wang Li-Zhong , Yu Shu-Jing , Liu Xing-Hai , Li Zheng-Ming , Zhao Wei-Guang
Published: April 2013

A series of hydrogenated ferulic acid amide derivatives 4 were synthesized. The molecular structures of the synthesized compounds were analyzed by  1H NMR and HRMS. The biological activity study showed that some of them displayed excellent protection activity and curative activity against TMV at 500 μg/mL.
Dealing with Energy-QoE Trade-Offs in Mobile Video
Authors: Liberal Fidel , Taboada Ianire , Fajardo Jose-Oscar
Published: April 2013

Scalable video coding allows an efficient provision of video services at different quality levels with different energy demands. According to the specific type of service and network scenario, end users and/or operators may decide to choose among different energy versus quality combinations. In order to deal with the resulting trade-off, in this paper we analyze the number of video layers that are worth to be received taking into account the energy constraints. A single-objective optimization is proposed based on dynamically selecting the number of layers, which is able to minimize the energy consumption with the constraint of a minimal quality threshold to be reached. However, this approach cannot reflect the fact that the same increment of energy consumption may result in different increments of visual quality. Thus, a multiobjective optimization is proposed and a utility function is defined in order to weight the energy consumption and the visual quality criteria. Finally, since the optimization solving mechanism is computationally expensive to be implemented in mobile devices, a heuristic algorithm is proposed. This way, significant energy consumption reduction will be achieved while keeping reasonable quality levels.
Sorption of Tetracycline, Oxytetracycline, and Chlortetracycline in Illite and Kaolinite Suspensions
Authors: Bansal O. P.
Published: April 2013

The sorption interaction of three widely used tetracycline antibiotics, namely, tetracycline, chlortetracycline, and oxytetracycline, under various conditions of time, pH, temperature, ionic strength, and exchangeable cations on illites and kaolinites was examined. First-order reaction indicated diffusion-controlled adsorption, maximum adsorption occurring at pH values of 3.5, 3, and 4 for tetracycline, oxytetracycline, and chlortetracycline, respectively. Adsorption isotherms of “L” type showed that the adsorption of antibiotics was in the order of chlortetracycline > oxytetracycline > tetracycline. Adsorption was maximum for Al-saturated complexes and followed the order of Al- > Na- > K- Ca. The adsorption varied inversely with changes in temperature and ionic strength up to 0.6 after which it became constant. Free energy changes (ΔG) were negative signifying a spontaneous reaction; the values of ΔG suggest a partial physical adsorption. Enthalpy changes showed that the process is exothermic. The positive values of entropy change suggest that adsorption of tetracyclines molecules is in disordered arrangement on clay surfaces. The data of these parameters with IR and X-ray studies revealed the existence of protonation and/or coordination between exchangeable cation and oxygen of >C=O group of antibiotics. The amount of cations desorbed indicated that cation exchange phenomena played an important role during adsorption.
Heterocyclic Aromatic Amines Heterocomplexation with Biologically Active Aromatic Compounds and Its Possible Role in Chemoprevention
Authors: Woziwodzka Anna , Gołuński Grzegorz , Piosik Jacek
Published: April 2013

Food-borne heterocyclic aromatic amines (HCAs) are known mutagens and carcinogens present especially in Western population diet, which contains large amount of meat and its products. HCAs are capable of interacting with DNA directly through the formation of covalent adducts, however this process requires biological activation in liver, mainly by cytochrome P450 enzymes. This process may produce mutations and in consequence may contribute to the development of cancer. However, there are many studies showing that several biologically active aromatic compounds (BACs) may protect against genotoxic effects of HCAs. Direct interactions and noncovalent heterocomplexes formation may be one of the most important mechanisms of such protection. This work describes several BACs present in human diet, which are capable of molecular complexes formation with HCAs and protect cells as well as whole organisms against HCAs action.