bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Serum fibrinogen alpha C‐chain 5.9 kDa fragment as a biomarker for early detection of hepatic fibrosis related to hepatitis C virus
Authors: Sogawa Kazuyuki , Noda Kenta , Umemura Hiroshi , Seimiya Masanori , Kuga Takahisa , Tomonaga Takeshi , Nishimura Motoi , Kanai Fumihiko , Imazeki Fumio , Takizawa Hirotaka , Yoneda Masato , Nakajima Atsushi , Tsutsumi Mikihiro , Yokosuka Osamu , Nomura Fumio
Published: February 2013

Purpose

Clinical application of biomarker candidates discovered by proteomic analysis is challenging. The purpose of this study was to standardize preanalytical conditions for measurement of serum levels of fibrinogen alpha C‐chain 5.9 kDa fragment (FIC 5.9) and to test the diagnostic value of this peptide for detection of early hepatic fibrosis in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐related chronic hepatitis.

Experimental design

Serum FIC 5.9 levels were measured by a sandwich ELISA. Effects on the serum FIC 5.9 level of temperature, the time between venipuncture and serum separation, and the types of collection tubes used were examined. The diagnostic value of serum FIC 5.9 as an early indicator of hepatic fibrosis due to HCV was then assessed.

Results

FIC 5.9 was produced in a time‐ and temperature‐dependent manner after venipuncture. Abnormal FIC 5.9 values were found in 89.5% of FI stage patients. Receiver operating characteristic analyses confirmed the superiority of FIC 5.9 over other conventional markers for early detection of fibrosis.

Conclusions and clinical relevance

The serum FIC 5.9 level may be an early indicator of hepatic fibrosis in HCV‐related chronic liver diseases. This study provides an example of a pipeline from biomarker discovery by proteome analysis to assay optimization and preliminary clinical validation.
Proteomic patterns of colonic mucosal tissues delineate Crohn's colitis and ulcerative colitis
Authors: Seeley Erin H. , Washington Mary K. , Caprioli Richard M. , M'Koma Amosy E.
Published: February 2013

Purpose

Although Crohn's colitis (CC) and ulcerative colitis (UC) share several clinical features, they have different causes, mechanisms of tissue damage, and treatment options. Therefore, the accurate diagnosis is of paramount importance in terms of medical care. The distinction between CC/UC is made on the basis of clinical, radiologic, endoscopic, and pathologic interpretations but cannot be differentiated in up to 15% of inflammatory bowel disease patients. Correct management of this “indeterminate colitis” depends on the accuracy of future, and yet not known, destination diagnosis (CC/UC).

Experimental design

We have developed a proteomic methodology that has the potential to discriminate between UC/CC. The histologic layers of 62 confirmed UC/CC tissues were analyzed using MALDI‐MS for proteomic profiling.

Results

A Support Vector Machine algorithm consisting of 25 peaks was able to differentiate spectra from CC and UC with 76.9% spectral accuracy when using a leave‐20%‐out cross‐validation. Application of the model to the entire dataset resulted in accurate classification of 19/26 CC patients and 36/36 UC patients when using a 2/3 correct cutoff. A total of 114 peaks were found to have Wilcoxin rank sum p‐values of less than 0.05.

Conclusion and clinical relevance

This information may provide new avenues for the development of novel personalized therapeutic targets.
Role of defects in enhancing room temperature ferromagnetism of Mn doped ZnO nanoparticles
Authors: Ekhande L. V. , Dhas V. V. , Kolekar Y. D. , Ghosh K. , Date S. K. , Patil S. I.
Published: February 2013

The soft chemical route was used in the synthesis of undoped and 5% Mn doped ZnO nanocrystalline powders. XRD, TEM, TGA/DTA, FTIR, and superconducting quantum interference device techniques were used to study the structural, nano/microstructural, thermal decomposition and metastability aspects as a function of calcination temperatures (400–1100 °C) and magnetic properties. The evolution of the major wurtzite phase (ZnO) and minor non‐stoichiometric nanocrystalline defect cubic spinel phase (ZnMnO3–δ) at various temperatures is clearly seen. The magnetic hysteresis loop is observed at room temperature in the undoped and doped samples calcined at 400 °C. Interestingly, the hysteresis loop parameters (Ms, Hc) are found to enhance dramatically as soon as the concentration of the minor phase is large enough up to the calcination temperature 700 °C. In contrast, the magnetic hysteresis loop vanishes slowly for the sample calcined at 1000 °C, it disappears completely. The room temperature ferromagnetic behavior at 400 °C is understood in terms of intrinsic cationic/anionic defects, extrinsic defects associated with the various species chemisorbed on the surface of the nanoparticles of undoped and Mn doped ZnO. During thermal annealing a nanocrysatllline seconadary phase of non‐stoichiometric defect cubic spinel ZnMnO3–δ is formed, contributing to the enhancement of ferromagnetic behavior. All our experimental results are discussed in terms of model comparing various structural and localized electronic defects formed in the nanocrystalline powder.
Lgr5-EGFP Marks Taste Bud Stem/Progenitor Cells in Posterior Tongue
Authors: Yee Karen K. , Li Yan , Redding Kevin M. , Iwatsuki Ken , Margolskee Robert F. , Jiang Peihua
Published: February 2013

Until recently, reliable markers for adult stem cells have been lacking for many regenerative mammalian tissues. Lgr5 (leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein-coupled receptor 5) has been identified as a marker for adult stem cells in intestine, stomach, and hair follicle; Lgr5-expressing cells give rise to all types of cells in these tissues. Taste epithelium also regenerates constantly, yet the identity of adult taste stem cells remains elusive. In this study, we found that Lgr5 is strongly expressed in cells at the bottom of trench areas at the base of circumvallate (CV) and foliate taste papillae and weakly expressed in the basal area of taste buds and that Lgr5-expressing cells in posterior tongue are a subset of K14-positive epithelial cells. Lineage-tracing experiments using an inducible Cre knockin allele in combination with  Rosa26-LacZ  and  Rosa26-tdTomato  reporter strains showed that Lgr5-expressing cells gave rise to taste cells, perigemmal cells, along with self-renewing cells at the bottom of trench areas at the base of CV and foliate papillae. Moreover, using subtype-specific taste markers, we found that Lgr5-expressing cell progeny include all three major types of adult taste cells. Our results indicate that Lgr5 may mark adult taste stem or progenitor cells in the posterior portion of the tongue.
Innovative Leichtbau‐Fügetechnologien
Authors: Emrich Stefan , Kopnarski Michael
Published: February 2013

An Beispielen aus der Kleb‐ und Ultraschallschweißtechnik wird dargestellt, wie verschiedene Methoden der Vakuum gestützten Analytik im Bereich innovativer Leichtbau‐Fügetechnologien eingesetzt werden. Ziel dabei ist es, Fügemechanismen aufzuklären und somit Optimierungspotentiale für Festigkeit und Alterungsbeständigkeit von Verbunden zu erschließen. Die Flugzeit‐Sekundärionenmassenspektrometrie (ToF‐SIMS) wird zur Charakterisierung von Epoxidharzklebstoffen eingesetzt und liefert quantitative und lokale Informationen zur Zusammensetzung und Struktur der duroplastischen Kunststoffe. Hierbei erweisen sich multivariate Datenanalysemethoden als sehr hilfreich.

Bei ultraschallgeschweißten Aluminiumverbunden liefern hoch ortsaufgelöste Analysemethoden Informationen zur Rekonstruktion der physikalischchemischen Prozesse und Bedingungen während des Fügevorgangs.

Die Steigerung von Festigkeit und Langzeitbeständigkeit ultraschallbzw. induktionsgeschweißten Hybridverbunde aus Aluminium und carbonfaserverstärkten thermoplastischen Kunststoffen (CFK‐PA66) kann durch den Einsatz Vakuum gestützter Analyseverfahren auf eine intensive mikromechanische Verklammerung des Matrixpolymers mit der Aluminiumoxidschicht zurückgeführt werden.
Reinigung vor der Beschichtung
Authors: Tränkenschuh Barbara
Published: February 2013

Vor der Beschichtung wird die Oberfläche des zu beschichtenden Bauteils gereinigt. Dafür gibt es verschiedene Reinigungsanlagen und Chemikalien. Nach der Reinigung vor der Beschichtung muss die Oberfläche beschichtungsfähig sein.

Es wird vorgestellt, welchen Einfluss die Bearbeitung des Bauteils auf seine Oberfläche hat. Die Effektivität der Reinigung vor der Beschichtung wird aufgezeigt und in den Kontext des gesamten Fertigungsprozesses gestellt. Die Unterteilung des Fertigungsprozesses sollte nicht nach Orten getrennt werden. Stattdessen sollten die Bearbeitungsschritte, die einen Einfluss auf die Beschaffenheit und Beschichtungsfähigkeit der Metalloberfläche haben, als eine Einheit betrachtet werden. All diese Schritte sind im Idealfall so aufeinander abgestimmt, dass die Oberfläche fehlerfrei beschichtet werden kann.
Optik braucht Vakuum
Authors: Rietmann Thomas , Gottschall Sophie , Sahib Christoffer , Flämmich Michael , Bergner Ute
Published: February 2013

Eine Vielzahl von Anwendungen in der Hochtechnologie verwenden optische Signale, optische Informationen oder Laserstrahlung im Vakuum. Diese Sinale müssen oftmals in ein Vakuum hinein oder aus einem Vakuum heraus überführt werden.

Dieser Artikel stellt die Anforderungen und Eigenschaften für Bauteile dar, die ein optisches Element und ein Vakuumbauteil hermetisch dicht miteinander verbinden. Vier Verbindungsmethoden werden vorgestellt, mit denen es möglich ist, optische und vakuumtechnisch relevante Anforderungen zu erfüllen und diese insbesondere nach der Verbindung zu erhalten. Es werden Vor‐ und Nachteile dieser Verbindungsmethoden diskutiert und typische Eigenschaftsprofile abgeleitet.

Aus diesen Betrachtungen ergibt sich, dass die Vakuumoptik letztlich für jede Anwendung die für die spezifischen Anforderungen angepasste Lösung bereithält.
Coupled hydromechanical and electromagnetic disturbances in unsaturated porous materials
Authors: Revil A. , Mahardika H.
Published: February 2013

Key Points

First model built for unsaturated materials

Basis for new methods to investigate the vadose zone

All the material properties are related to measurable parameters
Seawater circulation in sediments driven by interactions between seabed topography and fluid density
Authors: Konikow L. F. , Akhavan M. , Langevin C. D. , Michael H. A. , Sawyer A. H.
Published: February 2013

Key Points

Seawater recirculation can be driven by seabed topography‐density interaction

Topography‐density seawater circulation occurs under limited conditions

Topography‐density seawater circulation typically comprises 20‐30% of SGD
Colorectal Cancer and Crohn’s Colitis: Clinical Implications From 313 Surgical Patients
Authors: Scaringi Stefano , Di Martino Carmela , Zambonin Daniela , Fazi Marilena , Canonico Giuseppe , Leo Francesca , Ficari Ferdinando , Tonelli Francesco
Published: February 2013

Background

The relation between Crohn’s colitis (CC) and colorectal cancer is still controversial. Several case reports and retrospective studies have shown that patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) have a 6‐ to 20‐fold higher risk to develop CRC than does the normal population. The extent of disease (extensive colitis), presence of anal fistula, age > 40 years, strictures, and length of disease >10 years may be important determinants for increasing risk. Despite this evidence, other population‐based studies have shown no increased risk of colon or rectal cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate retrospectively factors that may predict the development of cancer.

Methods

We searched the histopathologic database of the Digestive Surgery Unit at Careggi University Hospital for CC patients (January 1987 to September 2011) and identified 313 patients with CC who underwent surgery.

Results

There are 11 (3.5 %) of adenocarcinomas. Multivariate analysis showed disease duration (p = 0.001), age at CD diagnosis (p = 0.002), distal localization (p = 0.045), and penetrating disease (p = 0.041) to be risk factors. Multivariate analysis showed that 40 patients who had undergone previous immunosuppressive therapy had a significant risk of developing CRC (p = 0.026).

Conclusions

Crohn’s colitis patients who require surgery are at higher risk for developing CRC, particularly those whose disease duration is >10 years, have distal localization, age at diagnosis was <40 years, and have penetrating disease. Previous immunosuppressive therapy should be better investigated. We recommend surgery for any patient presenting with colonic strictures.
Quantitative imaging of directional transport through plasmodesmata in moss protonemata via single-cell photoconversion of Dendra2
Authors: Kitagawa Munenori , Fujita Tomomichi
Published: February 2013

Cell-to-cell transport of molecules in plants must be properly regulated for plant growth and development. One specialized mechanism that plants have evolved involves transport through plasmodesmata (PD), but when and how transport of molecules via PD is regulated among individual cells remains largely unknown, particularly at the single-cell level. Here, we developed a tool for quantitatively analyzing cell-to-cell transport via PD at a single-cell level using protonemata of Physcomitrella patens and a photoconvertible fluorescent protein, Dendra2. In the filamentous protonemal tissues, one-dimensional intercellular communication can be observed easily. Using this system, we found that Dendra2 was directionally transported toward the apex of the growing protonemata. However, this directional transport could be eliminated by incubation in the dark or treatment with a metabolic inhibitor. Thus, we propose that directional transport of macromolecules can occur via PD in moss protonemata, and may be affected by the photosynthetic and metabolic activity of cells.
Genetic analysis of D-xylose metabolism pathways in Gluconobacter oxydans 621H
Authors: Zhang Minhua , Wei Liujing , Zhou Yi , Du Liqin , Imanaka Tadayuki , Hua Qiang
Published: February 2013

D-xylose is one of the most abundant carbohydrates in nature. This work focuses on xylose metabolism of Gluconobacter oxydans as revealed by a few studies conducted to understand xylose utilization by this strain. Interestingly, the G. oxydans 621H Δmgdh strain (deficient in membrane-bound glucose dehydrogenase) was greatly inhibited when grown on xylose and no xylonate accumulation was observed in the medium. These experimental observations suggested that the mgdh gene was responsible for the conversion of xylose to xylonate in G. oxydans, which was also verified by whole-cell biotransformation. Since 621H Δmgdh could still grow on xylose in a very small way, two seemingly important genes in the oxo-reductive pathway for xylose metabolism, a xylitol dehydrogenase-encoding gox0865 (xdh) gene and a putative xylulose kinase-encoding gox2214 (xk) gene, were knocked out to investigate the effects of both genes on xylose metabolism. The results showed that the gox2214 gene was not involved in xylose metabolism, and there might be other genes encoding xylulose kinase. Though the gox0865 gene played a less important role in xylose metabolism compared to the mgdh gene, it was significant in xylitol utilization in G. oxydans, which meant that gox0865 was a necessary gene for the oxo-reductive pathway of xylose in vivo. To sum up, when xylose was used as the carbon source, the majority of xylose was directly oxidized to xylonate for further metabolism in G. oxydans, whereas only a minor part of xylose was metabolized by the oxo-reductive pathway.
Peer Substance Use and Homelessness Predicting Substance Abuse from Adolescence Through Early Adulthood
Authors: Tompsett Carolyn J. , Domoff Sarah E. , Toro Paul A.
Published: February 2013

Adolescents who experience homelessness are at higher risk for abusing substances, and for being exposed to substance‐using peers. The current study used a longitudinal design to track substance abuse, affiliation with substance‐using peers, and episodes of homelessness among a sample of 223 adolescents who were housed at the baseline data collection and 148 adolescents who were housed at baseline. Participants were interviewed at six waves over 6.5 years, covering an age range from 13 to 25. Many participants experienced a recurrence of homelessness during follow‐up, with 64.6 % of the baseline homeless group and 22.6 % of the baseline housed group reporting an additional episode of homelessness. Both alcohol abuse and other drug abuse symptoms showed an increase in adolescence followed by slowing in early adulthood. Recent homelessness and friend alcohol use predicted alcohol abuse symptoms, and the strength of the influence of friend use decreased over time. Recent homelessness and friend drug use predicted other drug abuse symptoms. Duration of the initial episode of adolescent homelessness showed no influence on substance abuse over time, or the effects of other predictors, highlighting the importance of conceptualizing the experience of homelessness as a recent stressor rather than an enduring personal characteristic.
Aspekte der interprofessionellen Kooperation im Gesundheitsnetz QuE Nürnberg
Authors: Lindenthal Jörg , Wambach Veit
Published: February 2013

Einleitung

Der verbindliche Zusammenschluss von niedergelassenen Ärzten mit Kooperationspartnern aus Pflege, Klinik, Selbsthilfe und komplementären Dienstleistern sowie die Einführung innovativer Versorgungsansätze haben dazu geführt, dass es dem Gesundheitsnetz QuE Nürnberg als einem der ersten Praxisnetze in Deutschland dauerhaft gelungen ist, die Prozess-, Struktur- und Ergebnisqualität der Netzversorgung transparent abzubilden und fortlaufend zu verbessern.
Exponential chi-squared distributions in infinite ergodic theory
Authors: AARONSON JON , SARIG OMRI
Published: February 2013

We prove distributional limit theorems for random walk adic transformations obtaining ergodic distributional limits of exponential$\chi ^2$form.
Magnetic-field effect on thermal convection of a nematic liquid crystal at large Rayleigh numbers
Authors: Weiss Stephan , Ahlers Guenter
Published: February 2013

We report on near-turbulent thermal convection of a nematic liquid crystal heated from below in a cylindrical cell with an aspect ratio (diameter/height) equal to 0.50 for Rayleigh numbers$2\times 1{0}^{7} \lesssim \mathit{Ra}\lesssim 3\times 1{0}^{8} $and a Prandtl number of about 355. The Nusselt number$\mathit{Nu}$as a function of$\mathit{Ra}$did not differ significantly from that of an isotropic fluid. In a vertical magnetic field$\mathbi{H}$, we found$\mathit{Nu}(H)/ \mathit{Nu}(0)= 1+ a(\mathit{Ra}){H}^{2} $, with$a(\mathit{Ra})= 0. 24{\mathit{Ra}}^{0. 75} ~{\mathrm{G} }^{- 2} $. We present a model that describes the$H$dependence in terms of a change of the thermal conductivity in the thermal boundary layers due to a field-induced director alignment.
On the bubble shape in a magnetically compensated gravity environment
Authors: Duplat Jérôme , Mailfert Alain
Published: February 2013

We investigate the shape of bubbles in liquid oxygen under magnetic levitation conditions: a magnetic field is applied that polarizes bulk oxygen, and its spatial variation induces a body force opposed to its weight. In these conditions, bubbles appear to have a smooth ellipsoidal shape, which may be prolate (elongated in the vertical direction), oblate (elongated in the horizontal plane) or perfectly spherical. The dependence of the elongation ratio $\eta $ on the volume and levitation position is explored. It is found that the bubble shape is prescribed by the minimization of the sum of surface tension, demagnetization and magnetic–gravitational potential energies.
Heritability of the metabolic syndrome and its components in the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS)
Authors: ZARKESH MARYAM , DANESHPOUR MARYAM SADAT , FAAM BITA , FALLAH MOHAMMAD SADEGH , HOSSEINZADEH NIMA , GUITY KAMRAN , HOSSEINPANAH FARHAD , MOMENAN AMIR ABBAS , AZIZI FEREIDOUN
Published: February 2013

Growing evidence suggests that metabolic syndrome (MetS) has both genetic and environmental bases. We estimated the heritability of the MetS and its components in the families from the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS). We investigated 904 nuclear families in TLGS with two biological parents and at least one offspring (1565 parents and 2448 children), aged 3–90 years, for whom MetS information was available and had at least two members of family with MetS. Variance component methods were used to estimate age and sex adjusted heritability of metabolic syndrome score (MSS) and MetS components using SOLAR software. The heritability of waist circumference (WC), HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides (TGs), fasting blood sugar (FBS), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) as continuous traits after adjusting for age and gender were 27, 46, 36, 29, 25, 26 and 15%, respectively, and MSS had a heritability of 15%. When MetS components were analysed as discrete traits, the estimates of age and gender adjusted heritability for MetS, abdominal obesity, low HDL-C, high TG, high FBS and high blood pressure (BP) were 22, 40, 34, 38 and 23%, respectively (P < 0·05). Three factors were extracted from the six continuous traits of the MetS including factor I (BP), factor II (lipids) and factor III (obesity and FBS). Heritability estimation for these three factors were 7, 13 (P < 0·05) and 2%, respectively. The highest heritability was for HDL-C and TG. The results strongly encourage efforts to identify the underlying susceptibility genes.
Capital Allocation by Public and Private Firms
Authors: Mortal Sandra , Reisel Natalia
Published: February 2013

We compare investment policies across public and private firms in different institutional settings. Using a large cross-country data set, we find that public listed firms are better positioned to take advantage of growth opportunities than private firms. Specifically, public listed firms exhibit higher investment sensitivity to growth opportunities than private firms. This differential, however, only exists in countries with well-developed stock markets. Furthermore, the relative advantage public firms have at allocating capital depends on the degree of agency costs and reliance on external equity.
CEO Overconfidence and International Merger and Acquisition Activity
Authors: Ferris Stephen P. , Jayaraman Narayanan , Sabherwal Sanjiv
Published: February 2013

This study examines the role that chief executive officer (CEO) overconfidence plays in an explanation of international mergers and acquisitions during the period 2000–2006. Using a sample of CEOs of Fortune Global 500 firms over our sample period, we find that CEO overconfidence is related to a number of critical aspects of international merger activity. Overconfidence helps to explain the number of offers made by a CEO, the frequencies of nondiversifying and diversifying acquisitions, and the use of cash to finance a merger deal. Although overconfidence is an international phenomenon, it is most extensively observed in individuals heading firms headquartered in Christian countries that encourage individualism while de-emphasizing long-term orientation in their national cultures.
Fatal cutaneous anthrax in a heroin user
Authors: Meghji S , Judd O , Carr E
Published: February 2013

Background and objective:

Cutaneous anthrax usually has a mortality rate of less than 1 per cent. However, since December 2009 there have been more than 13 deaths in the UK due to anthrax-contaminated heroin. We therefore wish to raise clinical awareness of this treatable disease.

Case report:

We describe the case of a heroin user with an equivocal presentation of cellulitis in the neck. Within 36 hours, this led to death due to cutaneous anthrax.

Conclusion:

Whilst cutaneous anthrax remains rare, this case report aims to raise awareness of the fact that the symptoms and signs of this condition in intravenous drug users may not always fit the typical picture.
Cervical neck dissection without drainage in papillary thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Abboud B , Tannoury J , Sleilaty G , Daher R , Abadjian G , Ghorra C
Published: February 2013

Objective:

To review the safety of thyroidectomy combined with cervical neck dissection without drainage, in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Materials and methods:

Two groups were defined depending on whether cervical neck dissection was or was not performed (groups one and two, respectively).

Results:

Group one included 153 patients with central neck dissection and 52 patients with central and lateral neck dissection. Group two included 121 patients. Post-operative drainage was not used in either group. Overall, 17 patients (5 per cent) developed post-operative haematoma and/or seroma: 12 patients (6 per cent) in group one and 5 patients (4 per cent) in group two. There were no major bleeding episodes; only minor bleeding or seroma was encountered, not requiring surgical intervention. Overall, 91 per cent of patients had a post-operative stay of 1 day. The number of peri-operative local complications and length of stay did not differ significantly between the two groups.

Conclusion:

Thyroidectomy plus cervical neck dissection without drainage is safe and effective in the treatment of papillary thyroid carcinoma.
Ego function of morality and developing tensions that are “within”
Authors: Rochat Philippe , Robbins Erin
Published: February 2013

We applaud Baumard et al.'s mutualistic account of morality but detect circularity in their articulation of how morality emerged. Contra the authors, we propose that mutualism might account for a sensitivity to convention (the ways things are done within a group) rather than for a sense of fairness. An ontogenetic perspective better captures the complexity of what it means to be moral.
On the Theology of Romeo Castellucci's Theatre and the Politics of the Christian ‘Occupation’ of His Stage
Authors: D'URSO SANDRA
Published: February 2013

In a short video documenting the occupation of a stage at the Théâtre de la Ville in France, a group of young Christian protesters are shown interrupting the scheduled theatre production of Romeo Castellucci's On the Concept of the Face of Christ (October 2011). A number of security personnel emerge onto the stage and a physical struggle erupts with the Christians; bodies push and pull against each other in an unscheduled theatre of religiously motivated protest. Finally, a group of police march purposefully onto the stage and close down the Christians’ protest. I will argue that the affirmative use of the police to shut down the Christians’ protest undermines a philosophy of the public sphere that positions the theatre stage as a possible site of dissensus. My intention is to problematize the police presence on the stage, with a view to restoring the vision of the theatre as a public sphere in which dissensus may be supported rather than policed.
Athletes’ Age, Sex, and Years of Education Moderate the Acute Neuropsychological Impact of Sports-Related Concussion: A Meta-analysis
Authors: Dougan Brooke K. , Horswill Mark S. , Geffen Gina M.
Published: February 2013

The objective of this study is to determine which pre-existing athlete characteristics, if any, are associated with greater deficits in functioning following sports-related concussion, after controlling for factors previously shown to moderate this effect (e.g., time since injury). Ninety-one independent samples of concussion were included in a fixed+systematic effects meta-analysis (n = 3,801 concussed athletes; 5,631 controls). Moderating variables were assessed using analogue-to-ANOVA and meta-regression analyses. Post-injury assessments first conducted 1–10 days following sports-related concussion revealed significant neuropsychological dysfunction, postural instability and post-concussion symptom reporting (d = −0.54, −1.10, and −1.14, respectively). During this interval, females (d = −0.87), adolescent athletes competing in high school competitions (d = −0.60), and those with 10 years of education (d = −1.32) demonstrated larger post-concussion neuropsychological deficits than males (d = −0.42), adults (d = −0.25), athletes competing at other levels of competition (d = −0.43 to −0.41), or those with 16 years of education (d = −0.15), respectively. However, these sub-groups’ differential impairment/recovery beyond 10 days could not be reliably quantified from available literature. Pre-existing athlete characteristics, particularly age, sex and education, were demonstrated to be significant modifiers of neuropsychological outcomes within 10 days of a sports-related concussion. Implications for return-to-play decision-making and future research directions are discussed. (JINS, 2013, 19, 1–17).
L1 word order and sensitivity to verb bias in L2 processing
Authors: LEE EUN-KYUNG , LU DORA HSIN-YI , GARNSEY SUSAN M.
Published: February 2013

Using a self-paced reading task, this study examines whether second language (L2) learners are flexible enough to learn L2 parsing strategies that are not useful in their first language (L1). Native Korean-speaking learners of English were compared with native English speakers on resolving a temporary ambiguity about the relationship between a verb and the noun following it (e.g.,The student read [that] the article. . .). Consistent with previous studies, native English reading times showed the usual interaction between the optional complementizerthatand the particular verb's bias about the structures that can follow it. Lower proficiency L1-Korean learners of L2-English did not show a similar interaction, but higher proficiency learners did. Thus, despite native language word order differences (English: SVO; Korean: SOV) that determine the availability of verbs early enough in sentences to generate predictions about upcoming sentence structure, higher proficiency L1-Korean learners were able to learn to optimally combine verb bias and complementizer cues on-line during sentence comprehension just as native English speakers did, while lower proficiency learners had not yet learned to do so. Optimal interactive cue combination during L2 sentence comprehension can probably be achieved only after sufficient experience with the target language.
Short-Term Response of Mitomycin C on the Human Rectus Muscle Following Strabismus Surgery: Histological, Ultrastructural, and Biomechanical Evaluation
Authors: Choi Samjin , Cheong Youjin , Shin Jae-Ho , Kim Kyung A , Bang Jae Beum , Jin Kyung-Hyun , Park Hun-Kuk
Published: February 2013

This study investigated the inflammatory effect of intraoperative mitomycin C (MMC) on adhesion reformation in human rectus muscles. Ten consecutive patients who underwent medial rectus resection had their postoperative rectus muscles divided into two groups: control group (n= 10) and MMC group (n= 10). In the MMC group, the muscle was soaked for 2 min with MMC, prepared as a 0.2 mg/mL (0.02%) solution. The 0.02% MMC reactions were examined using histological analysis with hematoxylin-eosin (inflammatory response) and Masson's trichrome (collagen fibrils), immunoreactivities of cyclooxygenase-II (inflammatory response), and collagen type I and III, scanning electron microscopy analysis to quantify the diameter and D-periodicity of collagen fibrils, and atomic force microscopy analysis to quantify the diameter, D-periodicity, and adhesion force of collagen fibrils. The rectus muscles treated with 0.02% MMC showed a significantly increased inflammatory response (p< 0.05), increased collagen density (p< 0.0001), increased fibril diameter (p< 0.001 orp< 0.05), and decreased fibril adhesion force (p< 0.005) compared to the rectus muscles in the control group. MMC simultaneously caused an inflammatory response as well as nanostructural and biomechanical property changes in the collagen fibril network.
Low-Dosage Maximum-A-Posteriori Focusing and Stigmation
Authors: Binding Jonas , Mikula Shawn , Denk Winfried
Published: February 2013

Radiation damage is often an issue during high-resolution imaging, making low-dose focusing and stigmation essential, in particular when no part of the sample can be “sacrificed” for this. An example is serial block-face electron microscopy, where the imaging resolution must be kept optimal during automated acquisition that can last months. Here, we present an algorithm, which we call “Maximum-A-Posteriori Focusing and Stigmation (MAPFoSt),” that was designed to make optimal use of the available signal. We show that MAPFoSt outperforms the built-in focusing algorithm of a commercial scanning electron microscope even at a tenfold reduced total dose. MAPFoSt estimates multiple aberration modes (focus and the two astigmatism coefficients) using just two test images taken at different focus settings. Using an incident electron dose density of 2,500 electrons/pixel and a signal-to-noise ratio of about one, all three coefficients could be estimated to within <7% of the depth of focus, using 19 detected secondary electrons per pixel. A generalization to higher-order aberrations and to other forms of imaging in both two and three dimensions appears possible.
Cocaine self-administration by rats is inhibited by cyclic GMP-elevating agents: involvement of epigenetic markers
Authors: Deschatrettes Elodie , Romieu Pascal , Zwiller Jean
Published: February 2013

The C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) exerts its action via stimulation of the cyclic GMP (cGMP) signalling pathway, which includes the activation of cGMP-dependent protein kinases. The pathway can also be activated by inhibitors of phosphodiesterases (PDE) that hydrolyse cGMP. The present report shows that activation of the cGMP pathway by CNP, by bromo-cGMP, a cell-permeant cGMP analogue, or by the PDE inhibitor zaprinast dose dependently reduces intravenous cocaine self-administration by rats. The effect was found when the compounds were injected in situ into the prefrontal cortex, but not when they were injected into the nucleus accumbens. A decrease in the number of cocaine infusions performed by rats was obtained under the fixed ratio-1 schedule of reinforcement as well as under a progressive ratio schedule, which evaluates the motivation of the animals for the drug. Decrease in cocaine self-administration was accompanied with reduced expression of the epigenetic markers methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2) and histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) in dopaminergic projection areas. An increase in the acetylation level of histone H3, but not of histone H4, was also noticed. Since MeCP2 and HDAC2 are known to modulate dynamic functions in the adult brain, such as synaptic plasticity, our results showing that activation of the cGMP signal transduction pathway decreased both cocaine intake and expression of the epigenetic markers strongly suggest that the MeCP2/HDAC2 complex is involved in the analysis of the reinforcing properties of cocaine in the prefrontal cortex.
Liquid-vapor equilibrium and interfacial properties of square wells in two dimensions
Authors: Armas-Pérez Julio C. , Quintana-H Jacqueline , Chapela Gustavo A.
Published: February 2013

Liquid-vapor coexistence and interfacial properties of square wells in two dimensions are calculated. Orthobaric densities, vapor pressures, surface tensions, and interfacial thicknesses are reported. Results are presented for a series of potential widths λ* = 1.4, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, and 5, where λ* is given in units of the hard core diameter σ. Critical and triple points are explored. No critical point was found for λ* < 1.4. Corresponding states principle analysis is performed for the whole series. For λ* = 1.4 and 1.5 evidence is presented that at an intermediate temperature between the critical and the triple point temperatures the liquid branch becomes an amorphous solid. This point is recognized in Armas-Pérez et al. [unpublished] as a hexatic phase transition. It is located at reduced temperatures T* = 0.47 and 0.35 for λ* = 1.4 and 1.5, respectively. Properties such as the surface tension, vapor pressure, and interfacial thickness do not present any discontinuity at these points. This amorphous solid branch does not follow the corresponding state principle, which is only applied to liquids and gases.
Optimized production of hyperpolarized 129Xe at 2 bars for in vivo lung magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Norquay Graham , Parnell Steven R. , Xu Xiaojun , Parra-Robles Juan , Wild Jim M.
Published: February 2013

In this work, the production rate of a spin-exchange optical pumping 129Xe gas polarizer was optimized for routine generation of hyperpolarized 129Xe for in vivo lung MRI. This system uses a narrow (∼ 0.1 nm linewidth), tuneable external cavity laser (operating at ∼25 W) for SEOP of 3% gas mixtures of Xe inside a mid-pressure (2 bars) cell of 491 cm3 volume. Under this regime, theoretical and experimentally measured 129Xe polarizations were calculated to be 24% and 12%, respectively, for a gas flow rate of 300 sccm and a cell temperature of 373 K. The photon efficiency was evaluated, yielding theoretical and experimental values of 0.039 and 0.046, respectively. The theoretical efficiency was calculated from spin-exchange and spin-destruction cross sections and the experimental photon efficiency was measured under flow for a gas-cell residency time equal to an empirically determined spin-exchange time of 45 s. In addition, details of the Xe freeze-out process were analyzed with a model of polarization decay during Xe accumulation in the frozen phase, where a T1 of 87 ± 2 min was observed. To demonstrate the system's application, in vivo lung magnetic resonance images (signal-to-noise ratio ∼ 50 from a voxel of 15 mm× 4 mm× 4 mm) were acquired using modest volumes (<400 ml) of isotopically enriched (86% 129Xe) Xe gas polarized to >10%. Despite the experimental polarization being a factor of 2 lower than the predicted polarization for typical operating parameters, the system is close to the theoretical photon efficiency and the system has so far produced polarized gas for more than 100 in vivo 129Xe lung imaging studies.
Precipitated iron: A limit on gettering efficacy in multicrystalline silicon
Authors: Fenning D. P. , Hofstetter J. , Bertoni M. I. , Coletti G. , Lai B. , del Cañizo C. , Buonassisi T.
Published: February 2013

A phosphorus diffusion gettering model is used to examine the efficacy of a standard gettering process on interstitial and precipitated iron in multicrystalline silicon. The model predicts a large concentration of precipitated iron remaining after standard gettering for most as-grown iron distributions. Although changes in the precipitated iron distribution are predicted to be small, the simulated post-processing interstitial iron concentration is predicted to depend strongly on the as-grown distribution of precipitates, indicating that precipitates must be considered as internal sources of contamination during processing. To inform and validate the model, the iron distributions before and after a standard phosphorus diffusion step are studied in samples from the bottom, middle, and top of an intentionally Fe-contaminated laboratory ingot. A census of iron-silicide precipitates taken by synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence microscopy confirms the presence of a high density of iron-silicide precipitates both before and after phosphorus diffusion. A comparable precipitated iron distribution was measured in a sister wafer after hydrogenation during a firing step. The similar distributions of precipitated iron seen after each step in the solar cell process confirm that the effect of standard gettering on precipitated iron is strongly limited as predicted by simulation. Good agreement between the experimental and simulated data supports the hypothesis that gettering kinetics is governed by not only the total iron concentration but also by the distribution of precipitated iron. Finally, future directions based on the modeling are suggested for the improvement of effective minority carrier lifetime in multicrystalline silicon solar cells.
Comparative study of chemically synthesized and exfoliated multilayer MoS2 field-effect transistors
Authors: Sik Hwang Wan , Remskar Maja , Yan Rusen , Kosel Tom , Kyung Park Jong , Jin Cho Byung , Haensch Wilfried , (Grace) Xing Huili , Seabaugh Alan , Jena Debdeep
Published: February 2013

We report the realization of field-effect transistors (FETs) made with chemically synthesized multilayer 2D crystal semiconductor MoS2. Electrical properties such as the FET mobility, subthreshold swing, on/off ratio, and contact resistance of chemically synthesized (s-) MoS2 are indistinguishable from that of mechanically exfoliated (x-) MoS2, however, flat-band voltages are different, possibly due to polar chemical residues originating in the transfer process. Electron diffraction studies and Raman spectroscopy show the structural similarity of s-MoS2 to x-MoS2. This initial report on the behavior and properties of s-MoS2 illustrates the feasibility of electronic devices using synthetic layered 2D crystal semiconductors.
Cytotoxicity In Vitro, Apoptosis, Cellular Uptake, Cell Cycle Distribution, Mitochondrial Membrane Potential Detection, DNA Binding, and Photocleavage of Ruthenium(II) Complexes
Authors: Lin Gan-Jian , Li Zheng-Zheng , Yao Jun-Hua , Huang Hong-Liang , Xie Yang-Yin , Liu Yun-Jun
Published: February 2013

Four new ruthenium(ii) complexes [Ru(bpy)2(NHPIP)](ClO4)2 (Ru-1), [Ru(phen)2(NHPIP)](ClO4)2 (Ru-2), [Ru(bpy)2(AHPIP)](ClO4)2 (Ru-3), and [Ru(phen)2(AHPIP)](ClO4)2 (Ru-4) (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine; phen = 1,10-phenanthroline; NHPIP = 2-(3-nitro-4-hydroxylphenyl)imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline; AHPIP = 2-(3-amino-4-hydroxylphenyl)imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, electrospray mass spectrometry, and 1H NMR spectroscopy. The cytotoxicity in vitro of these complexes against BEL-7402, HeLa, MG-63, and MCF-7 cells was evaluated by the MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) method. Ru-4 shows the highest cytotoxic activity towards the selected cell lines among the four complexes. The morphological apoptosis was assayed by an acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining method, and the percentages of necrotic and apoptotic cells were determined by flow cytometry. The cellular uptake and the cell cycle arrest in BEL-7402 cell was investigated. The results showed these complexes inhibit the proliferation of BEL-7402 cells at G0/G1 phase arrest. The detection of mitochondrial membrane potentials using the fluorescence probe JC-1 (5,5′,6,6′-tetrachloro-1,1′,3,3′-tetraethylbenzimidazolcarbocyanine iodide) exhibited that the mitochondrial membrane potentials decrease. Upon irradiation, these complexes can effectively cleave pBR322 DNA.
APC binds intermediate filaments and is required for their reorganization during cell migration
Authors: Sakamoto Yasuhisa , Boëda Batiste , Etienne-Manneville Sandrine
Published: February 2013

Intermediate filaments (IFs) are components of the cytoskeleton involved in most cellular functions, including cell migration. Primary astrocytes mainly express glial fibrillary acidic protein, vimentin, and nestin, which are essential for migration. In a wound-induced migration assay, IFs reorganized to form a polarized network that was coextensive with microtubules in cell protrusions. We found that the tumor suppressor adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) was required for microtubule interaction with IFs and for microtubule-dependent rearrangements of IFs during astrocyte migration. We also show that loss or truncation of APC correlated with the disorganization of the IF network in glioma and carcinoma cells. In migrating astrocytes, vimentin-associated APC colocalized with microtubules. APC directly bound polymerized vimentin via its armadillo repeats. This binding domain promoted vimentin polymerization in vitro and contributed to the elongation of IFs along microtubules. These results point to APC as a crucial regulator of IF organization and confirm its fundamental role in the coordinated regulation of cytoskeletons.
Erratum to “Some geometric properties of hypersurfaces with constant 𝑟-mean curvature in Euclidean space”
Authors: Impera Debora , Mari Luciano , Rigoli Marco
Published: February 2013

An erratum to the paper [D. Impera, L. Mari, and M. Rigoli, Some geometric properties of hypersurfaces with constant

r
r

-mean curvature in Euclidean space, Proc. Amer. Math. Soc. 139 (2011), no. 6, 2207-2215] is presented.
The 𝑆𝐿₃ colored Jones polynomial of the trefoil
Authors: Garoufalidis Stavros , Morton Hugh , Vuong Thao
Published: February 2013

Rosso and Jones gave a formula for the colored Jones polynomial of a torus knot, colored by an irreducible representation of a simple Lie algebra. The Rosso-Jones formula involves a plethysm function, unknown in general. We provide an explicit formula for the second plethysm of an arbitrary representation ofsl3\mathfrak {sl}_3, which allows us to give an explicit formula for the colored Jones polynomial of the trefoil and, more generally, forT(2,n)T(2,n)torus knots. We give two independent proofs of our plethysm formula, one of which uses the work of Carini and Remmel. Our formula for thesl3\mathfrak {sl}_3colored Jones polynomial ofT(2,n)T(2,n)torus knots allows us to verify the Degree Conjecture for those knots, to efficiently determine thesl3\mathfrak {sl}_3Witten-Reshetikhin-Turaev invariants of the Poincaré sphere, and to guess a Groebner basis for the recursion ideal of thesl3\mathfrak {sl}_3colored Jones polynomial of the trefoil.
Anatolian States
Authors: Bryce Trevor
Published: February 2013

This chapter explores the history of state formation in the Anatolian States, focusing on the Hittite state, which it explains arose in north-central Anatolia early in the Late Bronze Age while the Middle Bronze Age saw the rise of an Indo-European dynasty. It also considers the role of Pithana and his son and successor Anitta in establishing the first great Anatolian empire and the conquests made by the Hittites.
The GreekKoinon
Authors: Mackil Emily
Published: February 2013

This chapter examines the history of the koinon, a form of regional state in ancient Greece comprised of multiple poleis and in some instances other forms of community, and characterized by the division of sovereignty among the regional government and its constituent communities. It explains that the koinon was a remarkably widespread phenomenon and that almost of mainland Greece and the Peloponnese became part of a koinon. The chapter suggests that the koinon arose amidst a world of poleis against a background of strong group identities and that its nature was profoundly altered in the process of the Roman conquest of Greece in the second century.
The Germanic Successor States
Authors: Wood Ian
Published: February 2013

This chapter examines the history of the Germanic successor states of the Roman Empire, explaining that it remains unclear whether the Roman territories were conquered or handed over to the German barbarians because the German tribes were not numerous enough to have overthrown the Empire militarily. It suggests that the overall image of the successor kingdoms is one of a run-down version of the late Empire and on a much reduced scale. The chapter also highlights the fact that while the Germanic incomers brought new vitality to the western provinces, it is hard to find much that can be genuinely described as Germanic.
War and Society in Greece
Authors: Sekunda Nicholas V.
Published: February 2013

This chapter explains Greek warfare and society. The concept of the soldier-citizen was an important component in the Greek city-state or polis. The large-scale wars that took place throughout the Greek world from the death of Alexander until the battle of Corupedium in 281 deprived many of Greek city-states, whic had chronic problems with finances. The Greeks employed a bewildering range of words for payments in kind or cash. The mercenaries were vital in the Hellenistic period. If a city fell after a siege, the impacts on trade and prices were mostly local. The drastic human losses could have important social, political, and demographic effects. It is impossible to quantify the number of persons uprooted by war in the Greek world, but they must have been considerable.