bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Past climate and species ecology drive nested species richness patterns along an east‐west axis in the Himalaya
Authors: Srinivasan Umesh , Tamma Krishnapriya , Ramakrishnan Uma
Published: June 2013

Aim

Although global species richness patterns appear consistent across taxa and continents, patterns are elusive at smaller spatial scales. At regional/subcontinental scales, climatic, environmental and taxon‐specific contingencies are likely to interact to modify general richness patterns. We develop a biogeographical paradigm for the Himalayan range as representative of regions at similar spatial scales, and where historical climate fluctuations might interact with species ecology to drive species richness patterns.

Location

Himalayan range, Asia

Methods

We obtained a cell × species presence–absence matrix for babblers and murid rodents in 1° latitude × 1° longitude cells in the Himalayan range. We investigated nestedness in species richness patterns in these taxa along a distance gradient from the species‐rich eastern towards the relatively depauperate west. We also investigated the relationship between species autecology and westward extent along the Himalaya. Climate data were obtained from published sources.

Results

Himalayan babbler and murid assemblages are nested along an east–west axis, with assemblages in westward cells tending to be subsets of assemblages immediately to the east. Distance westward from the eastern Himalaya was related positively to altitudinal mobility of babbler assemblages, while body size increased with distance westward for murid assemblages.

Main conclusions

The eastern Himalaya, which was not glaciated over during glacial maxima, was a potential refugium for babbler and murid species. Following glacial retreat, species could have recolonized the Himalaya westwards to different extents based on ecological traits (size, altitudinal migration) determining ability to deal with the more seasonal west. This produces both (1) a nested species richness pattern, and (2) correlations between ‘filtering’ autecological traits and distance. Such patterns should be replicated in other regions with historical climatic refugia; investigating nestedness along distance gradients from refugia would be a powerful tool in mapping biogeographical history, especially in separating historical effects from currently proposed energy‐productivity relationships.
High normotension is associated with higher metabolic syndrome risk in postmenopausal women
Authors: Hsu Chun‐Hsien , Lin Jiunn‐Diann , Wu Chung‐Ze , Lau Shu Chuen , Chen Yen‐Lin , Tang Sai‐Hung , Yu Shu‐Man , Pei Dee
Published: June 2013

Aim

Cardiovascular disease and diabetes are important causes for mortality in older people. Both hypertension and prehypertension are correlated with them. Recently, health promotion and disease prevention in postmenopausal women have become an essential issue of public health policy. The present study aimed to evaluate whether the harmful effects of blood pressure (BP) could still be found in normotensive postmenopausal women (below 120/80 mmHg).

Methods

A total of 4539 normotensive postmenopausal women aged 51 years or older, undergoing routine health examinations, were enrolled in the cross‐sectional analyses. To mitigate the effect of age on BP, participants within the same age were divided into tertiles according to their systolic BP (SBP). Then, participants in the low‐SBP tertile of each age stratum were pooled together to form a larger group (low‐normal SBP group [LNSBP]). Similarly, the middle‐ and high‐normal SBP were grouped accordingly (MNSBP and HNSBP). Metabolic syndrome (MetS) was considered to be a surrogate for future cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Results

The study showed that HNSBP bore a higher likelihood of having abnormal MetS components, elevated low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and a higher odds ratio (1.46; 95% confidence interval 1.17–1.81) for having MetS than LNSBP. In contrast, age, body mass index, fasting plasma glucose and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol were significantly related to SBP in multiple regression analysis.

Conclusions

The risk of having MetS was significantly associated with higher SBP even within normotension. Primary prevention, such as lifestyle modification, and more strict control of BP should be stressed in postmenopausal women. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2014; 14: 293–300.
Retracted: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation: Outcome and its predictors among hospitalized elderly patients in Egypt
Authors: Amer Moatasem Salah , Abdel Rahman Tomader Taha , Aly Walaa Wessam , Ahmad Nesma Gamal
Published: June 2013

Aim

Our aim was to study the outcome and the predictors of in‐hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) among elderly patients admitted to Ain Shams University Hospitals, Egypt.

Methods

We carried out a cross‐sectional study for all elderly patients (age ≥60 years) who underwent CPR after cardiac arrest at Ain Shams University Hospitals, Egypt, during a 1.5‐year study period. We excluded patients who were declared dead on arrival.

Results

We found 380 cases of elderly in‐hospital cardiac arrest that underwent CPR. Asystole was the most common arrhythmia detected at the time of arrest (85.1%), followed by ventricular tachycardia (8.7%) and ventricular fibrillation (6.2%). Return of spontaneous circulation was achieved in 32.6% of patients and 8.4% survived to discharge from hospital. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified three independent predictors of better outcome (survival >24 h): response time ≤5 min (OR 5.1, 95% CI 1.9–13.4), location of CPR in emergency department (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.6–6.4) and pre‐arrest morbidity (PAM) score ≤7 (OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.6–6.1).

Conclusion

Outcome of CPR after in‐hospital cardiac arrest in our setting was poor. The response time ≤5 min, CPR in the emergency department and PAM score ≤7 were independent predictors of good outcome. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2014; 14: 309–314.
Ausweitung der Deckung von Renten‐ und Sparplänen auf den informellen Sektor: Der Mbao Pension Plan in Kenia
Authors: Musonye Kwena Rose , Turner John A.
Published: June 2013

Auszug

Der Mbao Pension Plan ist ein freiwilliger Sparplan mit individuellen Konten, an dem alle Arbeitnehmer in Kenia ungeachtet ihres Einkommens oder ihres Alters teilnehmen können. Ziel des Mbao Vorsorgeplans ist es, ein für die spezifischen Eigenschaften des informellen Sektors geeignetes Programm zur Verfügung zu stellen sowie eine Sparkultur bei diesen Arbeitnehmern zu fördern. Die wichtigste Neuerung besteht darin, dass Arbeitnehmer mit niedrigem Einkommen ihre Beiträge auf einfache und relativ kostengünstige Art und Weise leisten können, da diese gering sind und der Saldo tief ist. Mithilfe ihres Mobiltelefons können die Beitragsleistenden ihre Beiträge jederzeit und von jedem beliebigen Ort aus einzahlen. Diese Neuerung wurde dank technischer Innovationen möglich gemacht, welche die Kosten von Mobiltelefonen und Nutzungsgebühren massiv verbilligt haben, sowie durch die innovativen mobilen Geldtransaktionen. Der Sparplan wird von Unternehmen des privaten Sektors angeboten.
Ruhestands‐ und Gesundheitsleistungen für aus den Vereinigten Staaten zurückkehrende mexikanische Arbeitsmigranten
Authors: Aguila Emma , Zissimopoulos Julie
Published: June 2013

Auszug

Angesichts einer fehlenden bilateralen Vereinbarung über die Übertragbarkeit und Summierung von Beiträgen der sozialen Sicherheit zwischen den Vereinigten Staaten und Mexiko widmet sich diese Untersuchung den Fragen zum Zugang zurückkehrender älterer mexikanischer Migranten zu Renten‐ und Krankenversicherungsleistungen sowie ihres Beschäftigungsstatus. Wir kommen zum Ergebnis, dass zurückgekehrte Migranten, die sich weniger als ein Jahr in den Vereinigten Staaten aufhielten, ähnliche Leistungen der sozialen Sicherheit erhalten wie Nichtmigranten. Bei zurückgekehrten Migranten, die mindestens ein Jahr in den Vereinigten Staaten verbrachten, ist die Wahrscheinlichkeit geringer, dass sie über eine staatliche Krankenversicherung verfügen oder Leistungen der sozialen Sicherheit beziehen. Sie könnten daher im Alter in höherem Maß armutsgefährdet sein. Vor diesem Hintergrund würde die Ausarbeitung einer bilateralen Übereinkunft im Bereich der sozialen Sicherheit zwischen den Vereinigten Staaten und Mexiko helfen, die soziale Sicherheit zurückkehrender Migranten zu verbessern.
EXTREME VALUE THEORY IN FINANCE: A SURVEY
Authors: Rocco Marco
Published: June 2013

Extreme value theory is concerned with the study of the asymptotic distribution of extreme events, that is to say events which are rare in frequency and huge in magnitude with respect to the majority of observations. Statistical methods derived from it have been employed increasingly in finance, especially for risk measurement. This paper surveys some of those main applications, namely for testing different distributional assumptions for the data, for Value‐at‐Risk and Expected Shortfall calculations, for asset allocation under safety‐first type constraints, and for the study of contagion and dependence across markets under conditions of stress.
Endothelial Cells Exposed to Anoxia/Reoxygenation Are Hyperadhesive to T‐lymphocytes: Kinetics and Molecular Mechanisms
Authors: KOKURA SATOSHI , WOLF ROBERT E. , YOSHIKAWA TOSHIKAZU , ICHIKAWA HIROSHI , GRANGER D. NEIL , AW TAK YEE
Published: June 2013

Objective: The objectives of this study were to 1) determine the time‐course of T‐lymphocyte adhesion to monolayers of human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) that were exposed to 60 min of anoxia followed by 24 h of reoxygenation, and 2) define the mechanisms responsible for the hyperadhesivity of post‐anoxic HUVEC to human T‐lymphocytes.

Methods: Human peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes were isolated from heparinized peripheral blood. T‐lymphocytes were obtained by negative selection using a MACS column. HUVEC monolayers were exposed to anoxia/reoxygenation (A/R), and then reacted with 51Cr ‐labeled T‐lymphocytes in adhesion assays.

Results: A/R leads to an increased adhesion of T‐lymphocytes to HUVEC monolayers, with peak responses occurring at 8 h after reoxygenation. This adhesion response was largely attributed to the CD4+ T‐cell subset. The hyperadhesivity of A/R‐exposed HUVEC was inhibited by monoclonal antibodies directed against either LFA‐1, VLA‐4, ICAM‐1, or VCAM‐1, indicating a contribution of these adhesion molecules and their ligands. Moreover, T‐cell hyperadhesivity was attenuated by anti‐ IL‐8, consistent with a role for this chemokine in the adhesion response. Protein synthesis inhibitors (actinomycin D and cycloheximide) as well as chemical inhibitors of (and binding ds‐oligonucleotides to) NFκB and AP‐1 significantly attenuated the A/R‐induced T‐lymphocyte adhesion responses. The kinetics of VCAM‐1 on post‐anoxic HUVEC correlated with the T‐lymphocyte adhesion response.

Conclusions: A/R elicits a T‐lymphocyte‐endothelial cell adhesion response that involves transcription‐dependent surface expression of VCAM‐ 1.
Endothelium‐Dependent, Shear‐Induced Vasodilation Is Rate‐Sensitive
Authors: BUTLER PETER J. , WEINBAUM SHELDON , CHIEN SHU , LEMONS DANIEL E.
Published: June 2013

Objectives: To quantify the relative contributions of the rate of change and the magnitude of shear stress to endothelium‐mediated arteriolar dilation.

Methods: A feedback control system was designed in which shear stress (τ) and the temporal shear gradient (TSG) were prescribed and dynamically controlled in isolated rat cremaster 1A arterioles. The TSG was the quotient of the maximum shear stress and the ramp duration. This system was used to assess the roles of τ and TSG in the initial, transient vasodilations and the secondary, sustained vasodilations in response to steps and ramps in shear stress.

Results: Both step‐ and ramp‐shear experiments revealed time‐dependent biphasic vasodilations that we report for the first time. Application of a step‐shear stress of 20 dynes/cm2 elicited an initial transient vasodilation that peaked at about 4 min. When the shear stress was applied as a ramp that reached the maximum value of 20 dynes/cm2 over 5 min, a vasodilation was observed over the ramp period, which reached a peak at the end of the ramp period that was much lower than that observed after step shear. After 20 dynes/cm2 was attained, the vessel diameter decreased despite constant maintenance of the maximum shear stress. In both step‐ and ramp‐shear experiments, after the decrease of the initial vasodilation, a second phase of vasodilation began approximately 15 min after the beginning of the shear application. The second phase of vasodilation reached a steady state that was essentially the same for both the step and the ramp shear. By refining the ramping apparatus further, we varied the TSG up to 40 dynes/cm2 per second and showed that the early vasodilation was highly rate sensitive to TSGs greater than 5 dynes/cm2 per second for a given intermediate value of final shear stress (20 dynes/cm2) and was magnitude sensitive when shear was increased gradually (TSG < 5 dynes/cm2 per second).

Conclusions: Our results suggest that two fundamentally different responses to shear stress are mediated by microvascular endothelium: one vasodilation is elicited by shear stress changes on a time scale of a few seconds or less and another is elicited by shear stress changes on a longer time scale. The former response is potent, transient, and rate sensitive; the latter is more modest, sustained, and magnitude sensitive.
Relative and Absolute Fit Evaluation in Cognitive Diagnosis Modeling
Authors: Chen Jinsong , de la Torre Jimmy , Zhang Zao
Published: June 2013

As with any psychometric models, the validity of inferences from cognitive diagnosis models (CDMs) determines the extent to which these models can be useful. For inferences from CDMs to be valid, it is crucial that the fit of the model to the data is ascertained. Based on a simulation study, this study investigated the sensitivity of various fit statistics for absolute or relative fit under different CDM settings. The investigation covered various types of model–data misfit that can occur with the misspecifications of the Q‐matrix, the CDM, or both. Six fit statistics were considered: –2 log likelihood (–2LL), Akaike's information criterion (AIC), Bayesian information criterion (BIC), and residuals based on the proportion correct of individual items (p), the correlations (r), and the log‐odds ratio of item pairs (l). An empirical example involving real data was used to illustrate how the different fit statistics can be employed in conjunction with each other to identify different types of misspecifications. With these statistics and the saturated model serving as the basis, relative and absolute fit evaluation can be integrated to detect misspecification efficiently.
Replicated radiations of the alpine genusAndrosace(Primulaceae) driven by range expansion and convergent key innovations
Authors: Roquet Cristina , Boucher Florian C. , Thuiller Wilfried , Lavergne Sébastien
Published: June 2013

Aim

We still have limited understanding of the contingent and deterministic factors that have fostered the evolutionary success of some species lineages over others. We investigated how the interplay of intercontinental migration and key innovations promoted diversification of the genusAndrosace.

Location

Mountain ranges and cold steppes of theNorthernHemisphere.

Methods

We reconstructed ancestral biogeographical ranges at regional and continental scales by means of a dispersal–extinction–cladogenesis analysis using datedBayesian phylogenies and contrasting two migration scenarios. Based on diversification analyses under two frameworks, we tested the influence of life form on speciation rates and whether diversification has been diversity‐dependent.

Results

We found that three radiations occurred in this genus, at different periods and on different continents, and that life form played a critical role in the history ofAndrosace. Short‐lived ancestors first facilitated the expansion of the genus' range fromAsia toEurope, while cushions, which appeared independently inAsia andEurope, enhanced species diversification in alpine regions. One long‐distance dispersal event fromEurope toNorthAmerica led to the diversification of the nested genusDouglasia. We found support for a model in which speciation of the NorthAmerican–European clade is diversity‐dependent and close to its carrying capacity, and that the diversification dynamics of the NorthAmerican subclade are uncoupled from this and follow a pure birth process.

Main conclusions

The contingency of past biogeographical connections combined with the evolutionary determinism of convergent key innovations may have led to replicated radiations ofAndrosacein three mountain regions of the world. The repeated emergence of the cushion life form was a convergent key innovation that fostered radiation into alpine habitats. Given the large ecological similarity ofAndrosacespecies, allopatry may have been the main mode of speciation.
Data Science, Predictive Analytics, and Big Data: A Revolution That Will Transform Supply Chain Design and Management
Authors: Waller Matthew A. , Fawcett Stanley E.
Published: June 2013

We illuminate the myriad of opportunities for research where supply chain management (SCM) intersects with data science, predictive analytics, and big data, collectively referred to as DPB. We show that these terms are not only becoming popular but are also relevant to supply chain research and education. Data science requires both domain knowledge and a broad set of quantitative skills, but there is a dearth of literature on the topic and many questions. We call for research on skills that are needed by SCM data scientists and discuss how such skills and domain knowledge affect the effectiveness of an SCM data scientist. Such knowledge is crucial to develop future supply chain leaders. We propose definitions of data science and predictive analytics as applied to SCM. We examine possible applications of DPB in practice and provide examples of research questions from these applications, as well as examples of research questions employing DPB that stem from management theories. Finally, we propose specific steps interested researchers can take to respond to our call for research on the intersection of SCM and DPB.
Measurement and Moderation: Finding the Boundary Conditions in Logistics and Supply Chain Research
Authors: Goldsby Thomas J. , Michael Knemeyer A. , Miller Jason W. , Wallenburg Carl Marcus
Published: June 2013

A moderator is any variable that affects the strength of a relationship between a predictor and an outcome variable. While simple in concept, the application of moderation analysis can yield profound implications to research conducted in logistics and supply chain management. Moderation analysis illuminates boundary conditions to purported relationships, providing a deeper perspective on what may, to date, represent generalizable findings and commonly held beliefs in the field. Such findings prove interesting and enrich our theories. Further, moderation relies on precise measurement of theoretical constructs in order to avoid attenuation of statistical tests and detect interaction effects. This thought leadership piece seeks to: (1) assert the value of moderation analysis and encourage a more prominent place in our survey‐based research projects, (2) provide best practice approaches for using this type of analysis in pursuit of greater depth and clarity in our research, and (3) provide seeds for potential research projects that could benefit from the use of this type of analysis. Guidance is also provided for reviewers who assess manuscripts featuring moderation.
Conceptualizations of Trust: Can We Trust Them?
Authors: Whipple Judith M. , Griffis Stanley E. , Daugherty Patricia J.
Published: June 2013

Although logistics and supply chain management research efforts have continued to become more sophisticated, opportunities still exist for further advancement. One critical area needing improvement is enhanced scale development and validation. This study provides insights into the strengths and weaknesses of one specific construct, trust, by examining how trust has been measured in our literature. A methodology for improving scale development, the Q‐sort procedure, is used to demonstrate a need for better measurement scales. Our findings suggest that numerous measures of trust have been used for logistics and supply chain research—most of which have been borrowed from other disciplines—without significant replication. More importantly, the results illustrate that all too often content validity is less than adequate. It appears as though we are not always measuring what we want to. Greater focus is recommended for future research that examines theory‐based scale development, purification of measures, and replication of scales to further refine and improve construct measurement for enhanced survey research.
Essential role of Pin1 via STAT3 signalling and mitochondria‐dependent pathways in restenosis in type 2 diabetes
Authors: Lv Lei , Zhang Jiwei , Zhang Lan , Xue Guanhua , Wang Peng , Meng Qiurong , Liang Wei
Published: June 2013

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is associated with accelerated restenosis rates after angioplasty. We have previously proved that Pin1 played an important role in vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) cycle and apoptosis. But neither the role of Pin1 in restenosis by T2D, nor the molecular mechanism of Pin1 in these processes has been elucidated. A mouse model of T2D was generated by the combination of high‐fat diet (HFD) and streptozotocin (STZ) injections. Both Immunohistochemistry and Western blot revealed that Pin1 expression was up‐regulated in the arterial wall in T2D mice and in VSMCs in culture conditions mimicking T2D. Next, increased activity of Pin1 was observed in neointimal hyperplasia after arterial injury in T2D mice. Further analysis confirmed that 10% serum of T2D mice and Pin1‐forced expression stimulated proliferation, inhibited apoptosis, enhanced cell cycle progression and migration of VSMCs, whereas Pin1 knockdown resulted in the converse effects. We demonstrated that STAT3 signalling and mitochondria‐dependent pathways played critical roles in the involvement of Pin1 in cell cycle regulation and apoptosis of VSMCs in T2D. In addition, VEGF expression was stimulated by Pin1, which unveiled part of the mechanism of Pin1 in regulating VSMC migration in T2D. Finally, the administration of juglone via pluronic gel onto injured common femoral artery resulted in a significant inhibition of the neointima/media ratio. Our findings demonstrated the vital effect of Pin1 on the VSMC proliferation, cell cycle progression, apoptosis and migration that underlie neointima formation in T2D and implicated Pin1 as a potential therapeutic target to prevent restenosis in T2D.
Modeling Item‐Position Effects Within an IRT Framework
Authors: Debeer Dries , Janssen Rianne
Published: June 2013

Changing the order of items between alternate test forms to prevent copying and to enhance test security is a common practice in achievement testing. However, these changes in item order may affect item and test characteristics. Several procedures have been proposed for studying these item‐order effects. The present study explores the use of descriptive and explanatory models from item response theory for detecting and modeling these effects in a one‐step procedure. The framework also allows for consideration of the impact of individual differences in position effect on item difficulty. A simulation was conducted to investigate the impact of a position effect on parameter recovery in a Rasch model. As an illustration, the framework was applied to a listening comprehension test for French as a foreign language and to data from the PISA 2006 assessment.
Xanthan Gum as a Carrier of Preservative Agents and Calcium Chloride Applied on Fresh‐Cut Apple
Authors: Freitas Irene Rodrigues , Cortez‐Vega William Renzo , Pizato Sandriane , Prentice‐Hernández Carlos , Borges Caroline Dellinghausen
Published: June 2013

This study aimed to evaluate xanthan gum as a carrier of preservative solution and calcium chloride in edible coating applied to fresh‐cut apple. The utilized coatings, prepared in aqueous solution, were: (T1) control, (T2) 1% glycerol, (T3) 1% glycerol and 0.5% xanthan gum, (T4) 1% glycerol, 0.5% xanthan gum and 1% CaCl2 (T5) 1% CaCl2 (T6) 1% ascorbic acid and 0.25% citric acid, (T7) 1% glycerol, 0.5% xanthan gum, 1% ascorbic acid and 0.25% citric acid (T8) 1% glycerol, 0.5% xanthan gum, 1% CaCl2, 1% ascorbic acid and 0.25% citric acid. The T8 treatment presented the best combination of results, with reduction of mass loss and oxidative browning, increase of firmness, lower growth of psychrotrophic microorganisms, molds and yeasts, and absence of total and thermotolerant coliforms, Escherichia coli and Salmonella sp.

Practical Applications

Fresh‐cut apples are appreciated worldwide for their flavor and nutritional composition. However, their shelf life is limited by changes in color, texture, appearance and microbial growth. An alternative to try to minimize the losses and increase the shelf life of this product is the use of edible coatings, maintaining the quality parameters of fresh fruit. Xanthan gum, a thickening agent, can be used as a carrier of preservative solution (citric and ascorbic acid) and calcium chloride to be used in edible coating in fresh‐cut apples. It can be considered useful to the minimal processing industry and used as an alternative to fast food and other ready‐to‐eat products, attending the demand for healthy and convenient foodstuffs.
Targeting and Regulation of Cell Wall Synthesis During Tip Growth in Plants
Authors: Gu Fangwei , Nielsen Erik
Published: June 2013

Root hairs and pollen tubes are formed through tip growth, a process requiring synthesis of new cell wall material and the precise targeting and integration of these components to a selected apical plasma membrane domain in the growing tips of these cells. Presence of a tip‐focused calcium gradient, control of actin cytoskeleton dynamics, and formation and targeting of secretory vesicles are essential to tip growth. Similar to cells undergoing diffuse growth, cellulose, hemicelluloses, and pectins are also deposited in the growing apices of tip‐growing cells. However, differences in the manner in which these cell wall components are targeted and inserted in the expanding portion of tip‐growing cells is reflected by the identification of elements of the plant cell wall synthesis machinery which have been shown to play unique roles in tip‐growing cells. In this review, we summarize our current understanding of the tip growth process, with a particular focus on the subcellular targeting of newly synthesized cell wall components, and their roles in this form of plant cell expansion.

image

Erik Nielsen

(Corresponding author)
Exit Interviews from Adolescent Girls Who Participated in a Sexual Risk‐Reduction Intervention: Implications for Community‐Based Health Education Promotion for Adolescents
Authors: Morrison‐Beedy Dianne , Passmore Denise , Carey Michael P.
Published: June 2013

Introduction

The purpose of this study was to invite girls who participated in a gender‐specific sexual risk‐reduction intervention to describe their experiences and identify program characteristics most or least beneficial to their involvement.

Methods

Semistructured interviews were completed with 26 African American, low‐income girls aged 15 to 19 years who had participated in a sexual risk‐reduction intervention as part of a randomized controlled trial. The girls were interviewed after completing a 12‐month postintervention survey. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed for categories.

Results

Analyses of the interview data identified 6 categories: 1) reasons for participating, 2) strategies for maintaining behavior changes, 3) interacting with others, 4) communicating with mothers, 5) disseminating information to friends and family, and 6) disseminating information to the males in the community.

Discussion

Many of the girls participating in the theory‐based behavior change intervention reported selecting from a menu of strategies learned through the intervention to reduce their sexual risk. Having the opportunity to discuss sexual health with peers and trained facilitators, particularly in an all‐female environment, was cited as a positive benefit. Community health organizations and clinicians who care for adolescent girls can adapt many aspects of this intervention to help reduce their sexual risk.
Cryoplasty for the Treatment of Coronary Bifurcation Stenoses Following Main Vessel Stenting
Authors: SCHOB ALAN , BHATT MEHUL , ALFONSO CARLOS , DE MARCHENA EDUARDO
Published: June 2013

Objectives

This retrospective study sought to assess the safety and clinical efficacy of cryoplasty for treatment of side‐branch stenoses following main vessel stenting in coronary bifurcation lesions.

Background

Cryoplasty prevents restenosis by reducing smooth muscle proliferation and extracellular matrix synthesis. Clinical effectiveness has been demonstrated in the peripheral circulation. Treatment of coronary bifurcation lesions remains a challenge. We used a novel strategy of main vessel stenting combined with side‐branch cryoplasty to treat high‐grade stenoses following main vessel stenting.

Methods

Eighteen patients with bifurcation lesions had significant plaque shift into a side branch after main vessel intervention. Drug‐eluting stents were placed in the main vessel and cryoplasty was performed on the side‐branch vessel. Quantitative coronary analysis was performed on all side‐branch vessels both pre– and post–main vessel stenting. All patients had clinical follow‐up 3 months or more after cryoplasty including either nuclear stress testing or diagnostic coronary angiogram.

Results

Mean percent stenosis decreased from 80.6% post main vessel stenting to 24.8% following cryoplasty (P < 0.0001). Of the 17 patients who had pre‐cryoplasty nuclear stress testing 1 patient had ischemia identified in the distribution of the treated vessel at follow‐up. Five patients had follow up angiography. One patient had restenosis, the other 2 were unchanged. There was a low incidence of MACE.

Conclusions

In this first report of its use in the coronary circulation, cryoplasty for bifurcation side‐branch disease was safe and associated with a low rate of clinical recurrence in carefully selected patients. (J Interven Cardiol 2013;26:239–244)
Aortic Annulus Measurement and Relevance to Successful Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: A New Technique Using 3D TEE
Authors: PERSHAD ASHISH , STONE DIANA , MORRIS MICHAEL F. , FANG KENITH , GELLERT GEORGE
Published: June 2013

Background

There are limitations of using 2D imaging to accurately size the aortic annulus. This article highlights the limitations of 2D technology and proposes a new 3D TEE method for sizing of the aortic annulus.

Methods

Three‐dimensional echocardiography with the method described can identify the “true” aortic annulus with precision. A 3D dataset of the aortic annulus is collected. The 3D quantification program is then activated. The three multiplanar reconstruction planes (the aortic short‐axis, long‐axis, and coronal planes) are aligned during systole, to obtain the 3 nadirs of the sinuses of Valsalva simultaneously in the short‐axis MPR. Rotating the sagittal and coronal planes to identify the hinge points is necessary to measure the diameter of the “true” annulus. The “true” aortic annulus is defined by the blood–tissue interface in the aortic short‐axis MPR.

Results

This method has been prospectively validated with surgical AVR sizing in a small study of 10 patients. During surgical AVR, the annulus was directly measured using a sizer. This served as a gold standard for comparison. The annulus was measured using the method described in a blinded fashion by the cardiac anesthesiologist and then confirmed offline by a blinded echocardiographer. In this small study, the Pearson correlation coefficient was 0.9833 with 23.4 and 23.22 mm being the mean measurements with the 2 methods.

Discussion

The method described in this article is complementary to multidetector computed tomography and provides a real‐time measurement of the annulus during the TAVR procedure without need for radiographic contrast. (J Interven Cardiol 2013;26:302–309)
Genome‐wide analysis of recurrent copy‐number alterations and copy‐neutral loss of heterozygosity in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Marescalco Maria Sebastiana , Capizzi Carmela , Condorelli Daniele Filippo , Barresi Vincenza
Published: June 2013

Background

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the eighth most commonly diagnosed malignancy worldwide, and it is generally characterized by a poor prognosis. The aim of our study has been to identify possible recurring genomic abnormalities in this malignancy, likely to have a key role in pathogenesis.

Methods

The single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)‐array data relative to 19 HNSCC samples (submitted by Poage et al., PloS ONE 2010; 5: e9651), accessible at NCBI GEO database (GSE20939), were analyzed using criteria that take into account both genotyping and intensity data. By this method, we determined the number and localization of recurrent copy‐neutral loss of heterozygosity (CN‐LOH) regions and compared them with recurrent somatic copy‐number alterations (CNAs).

Results

Single‐nucleotide polymorphism‐array data analysis allowed us to detect, for the first time in HNSCC, chromosomal segment of CN‐LOHs in addition to CNAs. Chromosomal alterations have been detected in 14 (73.7%) of 19 samples, and the 12.1% of all alterations observed (LOHs, gains, and CN‐LOHs) were CN‐LOHs. The most recurrent gain events, occurring in 78.5% of cases (11 samples), were harbored within 8q21.11‐q21.13 and 8q23.1‐q24.22 loci, while the most recurrent loss and CN‐LOH events were present at 3p21.31‐p21.1 (57.1%; 8 samples) and 17p13.3‐p13.1 (28.6%; 4 samples) loci, respectively.

Conclusion

The investigated chromosomal regions, in particular those with CN‐LOH, harbored some interesting genes, such as HIC1, DOCK8, KANK1, and NOTCH1 whose role, mutations and epigenetic modifications in HNSCC deserve to be investigated, in order to understand the significance of CN‐LOH events in HNSCC pathogenesis.
Impression Management (“Lie”) Scales Are Associated With Interpersonally Oriented Self‐Control, Not Other‐Deception
Authors: Uziel Liad
Published: June 2013

This article explores the status of impression management (IM) scales (“lie scales,” notably, BIDR‐IM) as measures of response bias, offers theory‐driven substantive meaning to them, and compares them with self‐deception enhancement (SDE). Study 1 (N = 99) compared self‐descriptions of actual self and ideal self given in a non‐anonymous setting. High similarity indicates self‐enhancement. Study 2 (70 dyads) analyzed self‐other agreement about IM and SDE. Agreement indicates substantive basis to the scales' scores. Study 3 (N = 182) explored the centrality of self‐control in the self‐perception of individuals varying in IM and SDE. Study 4 (95 dyads) corroborated self‐reports about self‐control using informants' reports. In Study 1, IM was associated with relative humility, whereas SDE was associated with self‐enhancement. In Study 2, strong self‐other agreement was found only for IM, indicating that high IM (but not SDE) is grounded in real‐life behavior. In Study 3, self‐control was central in the self‐perception of high IM and high SDE individuals. In Study 4, strong relations with self‐control were corroborated by informants only for IM. IM scales measure substantive content associated with self‐control aimed at social adaptation, whereas the SDE scale depicts individuals with a grandiose self‐perception, who fail to impress knowledgeable others.
Yes, But Are They Happy? Effects of Trait Self‐Control on Affective Well‐Being and Life Satisfaction
Authors: Hofmann Wilhelm , Luhmann Maike , Fisher Rachel R , Vohs Kathleen D. , Baumeister Roy F.
Published: June 2013

Does trait self‐control (TSC) predict affective well‐being and life satisfaction—positively, negatively, or not? We conducted three studies (Study 1: N = 414, 64% female, Mage = 35.0 years; Study 2: N = 208, 66% female, Mage = 25.24 years; Study 3: N = 234, 61% female, Mage = 34.53 years). The key predictor was TSC, with affective well‐being and life satisfaction ratings as key outcomes. Potential explanatory constructs including goal conflict, goal balancing, and emotional distress also were investigated. TSC is positively related to affective well‐being and life satisfaction, and managing goal conflict is a key as to why. All studies, moreover, showed that the effect of TSC on life satisfaction is at least partially mediated by affect. Study 1's correlational study established the effect. Study 2's experience sampling approach demonstrated that compared to those low in TSC, those high in TSC experience higher levels of momentary affect even as they experience desire, an effect partially mediated through experiencing lower conflict and emotional distress. Study 3 found evidence for the proposed mechanism—that TSC may boost well‐being by helping people avoid frequent conflict and balance vice‐virtue conflicts by favoring virtues. Self‐control positively contributes to happiness through avoiding and dealing with motivational conflict.
The effect of palm oil addition to the diet of dairy sheep on the immune response
Authors: Bianchi A. E. , Macedo V. P. , Duarte M. M. M. F. , Lopes L. S. , Stefani L. M. , Rossett J. , Klauck V. , Radavelli W. , Pazinato R. , Bottari N. B. , Da Silva A. S.
Published: June 2013

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a diet based on palm oil has any influence on the immune response and on the number of eggs per gram of faeces (EPG) of gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) in dairy sheep. To address this issue, 30 ewes in early lactation were confined and divided into three groups (n = 10) receiving a daily isoproteic and isoenergetic diet. Palm oil was added to the feed at different concentrations: 0% (control; group A), 4% (group B) and 6% (group C). The animals were treated with levamisole 10 days before the beginning of the experiment. Faecal samples were collected and analysed for EPG on day zero of the experiment. On days 60 and 120, individual faecal and blood samples were collected, and the FAMACHA© score for assessing clinical anaemia was carried out. The groups receiving palm oil showed a significant reduction in EPG in relation to the control group (A) on day 120. Serum immunoglobulin levels (IgG, IgM and IgE) and proinflammatory cytokine levels (TNF‐α, IL‐1 and IL‐6) were significantly increased on days 60 and 120 (p < 0.05) in groups B and C. Therefore, these results suggest that palm oil stimulates the immune response in sheep, thus reducing EPG of GIN. The hypothesis that palm oil has direct anthelmintic activity should be tested in future studies.
Are differences in functional diversity among plant communities on Mediterranean coastal dunes driven by their phylogenetic history?
Authors: Carboni Marta , Acosta Alicia T.R. , Ricotta Carlo
Published: June 2013

Question

Variability in species function is often studied by using phylogenetic relatedness as a surrogate for functional similarity between species, rather than by measuring functional traits directly. The phylogenetic‐based method is far less data‐intensive than trait‐based methods. However, to what extent community‐level variability in species function is driven by phylogenetic history has rarely been explored in terms of composition and diversity. In this paper we test this empirically by asking: do differences in the functional composition and diversity of species assemblages (i.e. plots) along an environmental gradient mirror differences in phylogenetic structure?

Location

Coastal dune communities of the Tyrrhenian coast of Italy.

Methods

We calculated fuzzy‐weighted mean trait values and the Rao index for dominant species in 405 plots using 16 functional traits that were measured in the field or from other sources. Based on a phylogenetic distance matrix among species obtained from an aged phylogenetic supertree, we applied matrix correlation tested against appropriate null models to calculate how much of the plot‐to‐plot variability in functional composition (measured through fuzzy weighting) and diversity (measured with the Rao index) is predicted by the corresponding phylogenetic metrics.

Results

At the species pool level there was evidence for a phylogenetic signal in trait variation. Furthermore, we found that differences in species functional diversity among plots were closely related to their phylogenetic variability, but this was not true for functional composition.

Conclusions

The results show that even when there is evidence of phylogenetic trait conservatism at the species pool level, phylogeny may be unable to capture all aspects of functional community structure. This emphasizes the need for caution when interpreting measures of phylogenetic community structure as proxies of functional community structure.
Herbivory strains resilience in drought‐prone aspen landscapes of the western United States
Authors: Rogers Paul C. , Mittanck Cody M.
Published: June 2013

Question

Aspen forests in the northern hemisphere provide richer biodiversity compared to surrounding vegetation types. In both North America and Europe, however, aspen stands are threatened by a variety of human impacts: clear felling, land development, water diversion, fire suppression and both wild and domestic ungulate herbivory. We conducted a landscape assessment of quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) for the purpose of identifying key components of resilience. Specifically, we tested novel measures linking plant–animal interactions, compared crucial functional differences in aspen types and made restorative recommendations based on the outcome of these assessments.

Location

Book Cliffs region, eastern Utah and western Colorado, USA.

Methods

Seventy‐seven 1‐ha plots were sampled for forest structure, composition, regeneration and recruitment, landscape elements, browse level and herbivore use. Use was determined by counting the number of pellet groups from ungulate species at each sample location. We tested the efficacy of a visual stand condition rating system when compared to objective metrics. A series of non‐parametric analyses were used to compare functional aspen types and stand condition groups by key variables. Non‐metric multidimensional scaling (NMS) allowed us to explore all our data to find the most critical measures of aspen stand conditions for the purpose of better informing future aspen monitoring.

Results

Plots differed significantly in seral or stable aspen functional types, stand condition rating and browse species use. Ordination analysis revealed that regeneration level and herbivore use were the strongest objective indicators of aspen stand conditions, while stand condition rating proved a valuable subjective index of forest status. While ungulate herbivory of aspen is problematic internationally, our results show acute impacts where moderate slopes, relatively low water availability and intense browsing predominate.

Conclusions

Appropriate measures for aspen communities, informed by crucial functional divisions, allowed us to gain a clear understanding of conditions across this large landscape. Overall, aspen in our study landscape is highly vulnerable to collapse due to narrow physiographic and climate limitations and browse levels. Without herbivory reduction, future conservation in such areas will be strained and widespread system failure may occur.
Age proximity influences herd composition in wild giraffe
Authors: Bercovitch F. B. , Berry P. S. M.
Published: June 2013

In many mammalian species, animals form subunits within larger groups that are often associated with kinship and/or age proximity. Kinship mediates fission/fusion social dynamics of giraffe herds, but the role of age proximity has been unexamined. Here, we analyze 34 years of data from a population of Thornicroft's giraffe,Giraffa camelopardalis thornicroftii, living inZambia in order to assess the extent to which age proximity influences herd composition. We show for the first time that calves born into the same cohort have stronger social associations than calves born into different age cohorts, and that the strength of their association is independent of the strength of maternal associations. Duration of time co‐resident in the population did not influence the strength of social associations. Mothers and adult daughters have significantly stronger social associations than do unrelated adult females. We suggest that giraffe have evolved mechanisms for fostering the formation of social associations with similar aged non‐kin. Giraffes live in a complex society incorporating both kinship and age proximity as factors modulating the formation of social associations that underlie the fission/fusion dynamics of their flexible herd structure.
Traffic Responsive Control of Intersections with Predicted Arrival Times: A Markovian Approach
Authors: Haijema René , Hendrix Eligius M. T.
Published: June 2013

The dynamic adaptive control of traffic lights can be formulated as a Markov decision problem (MDP). This framework is hardly used, as solving an MDP can be very time‐consuming and is only possible for simple infrastructures with a small number of traffic flows. Nevertheless, we show that the MDP framework can be used to construct control policies that approximately minimize the long‐run average waiting time at intersections. The MDP‐based approach is fast and thus allows real‐time use of actual information on traffic conditions, like queue lengths and the arrival times of near‐future arrivals. Simulation of an isolated intersection as well as a small network shows that the new policies with arrival information improve pretimed as well as exhaustive control. The new control policies and underlying algorithms scale up well to control networks.
Sensorial differences according to sex and ages
Authors: da Silva LA , Lin SM , Teixeira MJ , de Siqueira JTT , Jacob Filho W , de Siqueira SRDT
Published: June 2013

Objective

To investigate age and sex differences in orofacial sensory detection.

Methods

One hundred and twenty‐six (126) healthy subjects were divided into five groups according to their ages. They were assessed with a quantitative sensory testing protocol for gustative, olfactory, thermal (cold/warm), mechanical (tactile/vibration/electric), and pain (deep/superficial) detection thresholds. The corneal reflex was also evaluated. Data were analyzed with the one‐way ANOVA, chi‐squared, Fisher's exact, Mann–Whitney, and Kruskal–Wallis tests.

Results

The groups of subjects over 61 years old had higher olfactory (P < 0.001), gustative (sweet P = 0.004, salty P = 0.007, sour P = 0.006), thermal (warm P < 0.001, cold P < 0.001), and tactile (P < 0.001) detection thresholds than the others. The vibration detection threshold was high only for subjects over 75 years old (P < 0.001). The electric and deep pain detection thresholds were different for the 61–75 years old group (P ≤ 0.001). Women in all age groups had lower gustative (sweet P = 0.020, salty P = 0.002, sour P < 0.001, and bitter P = 0.002), olfactory (P = 0.010), warm (P < 0.001) and deep (P < 0.001), and superficial pain (P = 0.008) detection thresholds than men, and men from all age groups had lower vibratory detection thresholds (P = 0.006) than women.

Conclusion

High sensory detection thresholds were observed in subjects over the 6th decade of life, and women had a more accurate sensory perception than men.