bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
“In the shadows of hierarchy”: Intergovernmental governance in Canada and the European Union
Authors: Bakvis Herman 
Published: May 2013

AbstractThe articles in this issue suggest that intergovernmental governance takes a different form in Canada and the EU, raising questions about the transference of practices and institutions from one to the other. In both systems, non‐hierarchical modes of governance provide coordination in social policy. Hierarchy also plays a role, though not in a manner that one might expect. In the EU, hierarchy is tempered by members' direct participation in policy formulation. In Canada, hierarchy is important, but within rather than between governments, resulting in executive dominance of the intergovernmental process at the expense of devolving power to civil society and sub‐provincial governments.
S100A9 promotes human lung fibroblast cells activation through receptor for advanced glycation end-product-mediated extracellular-regulated kinase 1/2, mitogen-activated protein-kinase and nuclear factor-κB-dependent pathways
Authors: Xu X , Chen H , Zhu X , Ma Y , Liu Q , Xue Y , Chu H , Wu W , Wang J , Zou H 
Published: May 2013

SummaryS100A9 belongs to the S100 family of calcium-binding proteins and plays a key role in many inflammatory conditions. Recent studies have found that S100A9 was elevated significantly in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients, and might be a biomarker for fibrotic interstitial lung diseases. However, the exact function of S100A9 in pulmonary fibrosis needs further studies. We performed this study to investigate the effect of S100A9 on human embryo lung fibroblast (HLF) proliferation and production of cytokines and collagen, providing new insights into the possible mechanism. S100A9 promoted proliferation of fibroblasts and up-regulated expression of both proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-1β and collagen type III. S100A9 also induced HLF cells to produce α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and receptor for advanced glycation end-product (RAGE). In addition, S100A9 caused a significant increase in extracellular-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation, while the status of p38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation remained unchanged. Treatment of cells with S100A9 also enhanced nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) activation. RAGE blocking antibody pretreatment inhibited the S100A9-induced cell proliferation, cytokine production and pathway phosphorylation. S100A9-mediated cell activation was suppressed significantly by ERK1/2 MAPK inhibitor and NF-κB inhibitor. In conclusion, S100A9 promoted HLF cell growth and induced cells to secret proinflammatory cytokines and collagen through RAGE signalling and activation of ERK1/2 MAPK and NF-κB pathways.
Conservation outside Protected Areas and the Effect of Human‐Dominated Landscapes on Stress Hormones in Savannah Elephants
Authors: AHLERING M. A. , MALDONADO J. E. , EGGERT L. S. , FLEISCHER R. C. , WESTERN D. , BROWN J. L. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractBiodiversity conservation strategies are increasingly focused on regions outside national protected areas, where animals face numerous anthropogenic threats and must coexist with human settlements, livestock, and agriculture. The effects of these potential threats are not always clear, but they could have profound implications for population viability. We used savannah elephants (Loxodonta africana) as a case study to assess the physiological stress associated with living in a human‐livestock‐dominated landscape. We collected samples over two 3‐month periods in 2007 and 2008. We used fecal DNA to identify 96 individual elephants in a community conservation area (CCA) and measured fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGM) concentrations as a proxy for stress. The CCA is community Maasai land managed for livestock and wildlife. We compared the FGM concentrations from the CCA to FGM concentrations of 40 elephants in Amboseli National Park and 32 elephants in the Maasai Mara National Reserve, where human settlements and intense livestock grazing were absent. In the CCA, we found no significant individual differences in FGM concentrations among the elephants in 2007 (p = 0.312) or 2008 (p = 0.412) and no difference between years (p = 0.616). The elephants in the CCA had similar FGM concentrations to the Maasai Mara population, but Amboseli elephants had significantly lower FGM concentrations than those in either Maasai Mara or the CCA (Tukey pairwise test, p < 0.001), due primarily to females excreting significantly lower FGM relative to males (p = 0.025). In the CCA, there was no relation among female group size, average pairwise group relatedness, and average group FGM concentration. We found no clear evidence of chronic stress in elephants living on CCA communal land, which is encouraging for conservation strategies promoting the protection of animals living outside protected areas.Conservación Fuera de Áreas Protegidas y el Efecto de Paisajes Dominados por Humanos sobre Hormonas del Estrés en Elefantes Africanos
Contrasts in Livelihoods and Protein Intake between Commercial and Subsistence Bushmeat Hunters in Two Villages on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea
Authors: VEGA MARÍA GRANDE , CARPINETTI BRUNO , DUARTE JESÚS , FA JULIA E. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractAcross West and Central Africa, wildlife provides a source of food and income. We investigated the relation between bushmeat hunting and household wealth and protein consumption in 2 rural communities in Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea. One village was dedicated to commercial hunting, the other trapped game primarily for food. We tested whether commercial‐hunter households were nutritionally advantaged over subsistence‐hunter households due to their higher income from the bushmeat trade and greater access to wild‐animal protein. We conducted bushmeat‐offtake surveys in both villages (captures by hunters and carcasses arriving to each village). Mammals (including threatened primates: black colobus [Colobus satanas], Preussi's guenon [Allochrocebus preussi], and russet‐eared guenon [Cercopithecus erythrotis]), birds, and reptiles were hunted. The blue duiker (Philantomba monticola), giant pouched rat (Cricetomys emini), and brush‐tailed porcupine (Atherurus africanus) contributed almost all the animal biomass hunted, consumed, or sold in both villages. Monkeys and Ogilbyi's duikers (Cephalophus ogilbyi) were hunted only by commercial hunters. Commercial hunters generated a mean of US$2000/year from bushmeat sales. Households with commercial hunters were on average wealthier, generated more income, spent more money on nonessential goods, and bought more products they did not grow. By contrast, households with subsistence hunters spent less on market items, spent more on essential products, and grew more of their own food. Despite these differences, average consumption of vegetable protein and domestic meat and bushmeat protein did not differ between villages. Our results highlight the importance of understanding the socioeconomic and nutritional context of commercial and subsistence bushmeat hunting to correctly interpret ways of reducing their effects on threatened species and to enable the sustainable offtake of more productive taxa.Contrastes en el Sustento y la Ingesta de Proteínas entre Carne de Caza de Subsistencia y Comercial en Dos Aldeas en Isla Bioko, Guinea Ecuatorial
A Comparison of American and Nepalese Children's Concepts of Freedom of Choice and Social Constraint
Authors: Chernyak Nadia , Kushnir Tamar , Sullivan Katherine M. , Wang Qi 
Published: May 2013

AbstractRecent work has shown that preschool‐aged children and adults understand freedom of choice regardless of culture, but that adults across cultures differ in perceiving social obligations as constraints on action. To investigate the development of these cultural differences and universalities, we interviewed school‐aged children (4–11) in Nepal and the United States regarding beliefs about people's freedom of choice and constraint to follow preferences, perform impossible acts, and break social obligations. Children across cultures and ages universally endorsed the choice to follow preferences but not to perform impossible acts. Age and culture effects also emerged: Young children in both cultures viewed social obligations as constraints on action, but American children did so less as they aged. These findings suggest that while basic notions of free choice are universal, recognitions of social obligations as constraints on action may be culturally learned.
Immune function assay (ImmuKnow) as a predictor of allograft rejection and infection in kidney transplantation
Authors: He Jun , Li Yang , Zhang Hui , Wei Xudong , Zheng Hao , Xu Chao , Bao Xiaojing , Yuan Xiaoni , Hou Jianquan 
Published: May 2013

AbstractBackgroundThe Cylex ImmuKnow (IK) assay provides a rapid and quantitative assessment of T‐cell‐mediated immune function. Studies have shown correlations between ImmuKnow assay and adverse events, such as immunosuppression and low or high calcineurin inhibitor trough levels. We investigated the correlation between IK changes and rejection or infection in kidney transplant patients and studied the potential application of the IK assays in optimizing individual immunosuppressive therapy.MethodsImmuKnow assay was used to determine dynamic intracellular ATP changes in CD4 cells in 193 samples from 42 kidney transplant patients and 25 healthy subjects. Patients were categorized into rejection, infection, and event‐free groups. The IK values were assayed and analyzed between kidney transplant patients and healthy controls.ResultsMost IK values fell between 200 and 599 ng/mL from pre‐transplantation to 30 months post‐transplantation. The mean IK values continuously increased throughout 30 months. Incidental allograft rejection patients had significantly higher IK values compared with the event‐free patients and controls. However, infection patients had significantly lower IK values. Seven days after treatment, IK values in rejection/infection patients were different compared with the values in autograft patients, and there was a significant correlation between calcineurin inhibitor (FK506) trough levels and IK values in rejection/infection patients. Serum creatinine levels in the rejection patients were significantly higher than those in the event‐free patients, and C‐reactive protein levels were significantly higher in the infection patients compared with the event‐free patients.ConclusionsThe IK assay combined with other biomarkers can be used to identify kidney transplant patients at high risk of rejection and infection.
Longitudinal Youth‐At‐Risk Study (LYRIKS): outreach strategies based on a community‐engaged framework
Authors: Mitter Natasha , Nah Guo Quan Ryan , Bong Yioe Ling , Lee Jimmy , Chong Siow‐Ann 
Published: May 2013

AbstractSchizophrenia and psychoses are debilitating disorders often leading to serious functional impairments. Early detection efforts have shifted focus to the prodromal phase and the emphasis is now on individuals at risk of developing psychosis.AimThe Longitudinal Youth‐At‐Risk Study (LYRIKS) seeks to elucidate the biological markers of psychosis. This paper describes the application of a community‐engaged framework to the outreach strategies of LYRIKS. It describes the outreach goals, strategies used and their impact, as well as the various challenges faced by the research team and community partners.MethodsThe target population was defined. Community organizations having close ties with the target population were identified and approached for collaboration. These included educational and healthcare institutions, and government and welfare organizations. Strategies were categorized as active or passive. Active strategies included clinical screening and recruitment, workshops, roadshows and student internships. Passive strategies included utilizing print and social media.ResultsThree thousand three hundred twenty‐one youth were approached and 401 called the hotline to find out more about the study. Three thousand five hundred one were pre‐screened; 864 were further screened using the Comprehensive Assessment of At Risk Mental State. One hundred seventy‐eight and 346 were eventually recruited as subjects and controls, respectively.ConclusionsChallenges encountered included differing priorities, maintaining collaborative relationships, stigmatization and inadequate understanding of the profile of at risk youth. Future community‐engaged research should be conducted more comprehensively to generate maximum benefits.
Odorant responsiveness of embryonic mouse olfactory sensory neurons expressing the odorant receptors S1 or MOR23
Authors: Lam Rebecca S. , Mombaerts Peter 
Published: May 2013

AbstractThe mammalian olfactory system has developed some functionality by the time of birth. There is behavioral and limited electrophysiological evidence for prenatal olfaction in various mammalian species. However, there have been no reports, in any mammalian species, of recordings from prenatal olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) that express a given odorant receptor (OR) gene. Here we have performed patch‐clamp recordings from mouse OSNs that express the OR gene S1 or MOR23, using the odorous ligands 2‐phenylethyl alcohol or lyral, respectively. We found that, out of a combined total of 20 OSNs from embryos of these two strains at embryonic day (E)16.5 or later, all responded to a cognate odorous ligand. By contrast, none of six OSNs responded to the ligand at E14.5 or E15.5. The kinetics of the odorant‐evoked electrophysiological responses of prenatal OSNs are similar to those of postnatal OSNs. The S1 and MOR23 glomeruli in the olfactory bulb are formed postnatally, but the axon terminals of OSNs expressing these OR genes may be synaptically active in the olfactory bulb at embryonic stages. The upper limit of the acquisition of odorant responsiveness for S1 and MOR23 OSNs at E16.5 is consistent with the developmental expression patterns of components of the olfactory signaling pathway.
Kv7 potassium channel activation with ICA‐105665 reduces photoparoxysmal EEG responses in patients with epilepsy
Authors: Kasteleijn‐Nolst Trenité Dorotheé G. A. , Biton Victor , French Jacqueline A. , Abou‐Khalil Bassel , Rosenfeld William E. , Diventura Bree , Moore Elizabeth L. , Hetherington Seth V. , Rigdon Greg C. 
Published: May 2013

SummaryPurposeTo assess the effects of ICA‐105665, an agonist of neuronal Kv7 potassium channels, on epileptiform EEG discharges, evoked by intermittent photic stimulation (IPS), the so‐called photoparoxysmal responses (PPRs) in patients with epilepsy.MethodsMale and female patients aged 18–60 years with reproducible PPRs were eligible for enrollment. The study was conducted as a single‐blind, single‐dose, multiple‐cohort study. Four patients were enrolled in each of the first three cohorts. Six patients were enrolled in the fourth cohort and one patient was enrolled in the fifth cohort. PPR responses to 14 IPS frequencies (steps) were used to determine the standard photosensitivity range (SPR) following placebo on day 1 and ICA‐105665 on day 2. The SPR was quantified for three eye conditions (eyes closing, eyes closed, and eyes open), and the most sensitive condition was used for assessment of efficacy. A partial response was defined as a reduction in the SPR of at least three units at three separate time points following ICA‐105665 compared to the same time points following placebo with no time points with more than three units of increase. Complete suppression was defined by no PPRs in any eye condition at one or more time points.Key FindingsSix individual patients participated in the first three cohorts (100, 200, and 400 mg). Six patients participated in the fourth cohort (500 mg), and one patient participated in the fifth cohort (600 mg). Decreases in SPR occurred in one patient at 100 mg, two patients receiving 400 mg ICA‐105665 (complete abolishment of SPR occurred in one patient at 400 mg), and in four of six patients receiving 500 mg. The most common adverse events (AEs) were those related to the nervous system, and dizziness appeared to be the first emerging AE. The single patient in the 600 mg cohort developed a brief generalized seizure within 1 h of dosing, leading to the discontinuation of additional patients at this dose, per the predefined protocol stopping rules.SignificanceICA‐105665 reduced the SPR in patients at single doses of 100 (one of four), 400 (two of four), and 500 mg (four of six). This is the first assessment of the effects of activation of Kv7 potassium channels in the photosensitivity proof of concept model. The reduction of SPR in this patient population provides evidence of central nervous system (CNS) penetration by ICA‐105665, and preliminary evidence that engagement with neuronal Kv7 potassium channels has antiseizure effects.
Computational characterization of reflectance confocal microscopy features reveals potential for automated photoageing assessment
Authors: Raphael Anthony P. , Kelf Timothy A. , Wurm Elizabeth M. T. , Zvyagin Andrei V. , Soyer Hans Peter , Prow Tarl W. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractSkin photoageing results from a combination of factors including ultraviolet (sun) exposure, leading to significant changes in skin morphology and composition. Conventional methods assessing the degree of photoageing, in particular histopathological assessment involve an invasive multistep process. Advances in microscopy have enabled a shift towards non‐invasive in vivo microscopy techniques such as reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) in this context. Computational image analysis of RCM images has the potential to be of use in the non‐invasive assessment of photoageing. In this report, we computationally characterized a clinical RCM data set from younger and older Caucasians with varying levels of photoageing. We identified several mathematical relationships that related to the degree of photoageing as assessed by conventional scoring approaches (clinical photography, SCINEXA and RCM). Furthermore, by combining the mathematical features into a single computational assessment score, we observed significant correlations with conventional RCM (P < 0.0001) and the other clinical assessment techniques.
The unintended consequences of simplifying the sea: making the case for complexity
Authors: Howarth Leigh M , Roberts Callum M , Thurstan Ruth H , Stewart Bryce D 
Published: May 2013

AbstractMany over‐exploited marine ecosystems worldwide have lost their natural populations of large predatory finfish and have become dominated by crustaceans and other invertebrates. Controversially, some of these simplified ecosystems have gone on to support highly successful invertebrate fisheries capable of generating more economic value than the fisheries they replaced. Such systems have been compared with those created by modern agriculture on land, in that existing ecosystems have been converted into those that maximize the production of target species. Here, we draw on a number of concepts and case‐studies to argue that this is highly risky. In many cases, the loss of large finfish has triggered dramatic ecosystem shifts to states that are both ecologically and economically undesirable, and difficult and expensive to reverse. In addition, we find that those stocks left remaining are unusually prone to collapse from disease, invasion, eutrophication and climate change. We therefore conclude that the transition from multispecies fisheries to simplified invertebrate fisheries is causing a global decline in biodiversity and is threatening global food security, rather than promoting it.
Magnesium alloy defectology AZ91D high‐pressure die cast and influence on the fatigue behaviour
Authors: Lorenzo M. , Alegre J. M. , Cuesta I. I. 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACTThe fatigue results of a high‐pressure die cast of AZ91D magnesium alloy revealed the presence of different types of casting defects, which account for the large scattering in the number of cycles until failure. In this paper, this magnesium alloy has been analysed, and in an effort to reproduce the same surface and material conditions exhibited in automotive service components, the fatigue test samples were manufactured using a die that employs the same casting process and equipment. To examine the fracture surface of all the fatigue tests, a scanning electron microscope was used, and the source of the failure, so as to relate fatigue life with casting defect type, was identified. Five casting defect types that influence the fatigue behaviour were observed and classified: (a) isolated pores (blowholes), (b) micro‐porosity areas, (c) circular shrinkage cavities associated with the contraction and geometry of the casted specimen, (d) surface burrs associated with the die‐casting mould and (e) the presence of oxides or inclusions.
Oral Proficiency Standards and Foreign Language Teacher Candidates: Current Findings and Future Research Directions
Authors: Glisan Eileen W. , Swender Elvira , Surface Eric A. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractThe renewed national focus on teacher quality and effectiveness has resulted in more rigorous standards that describe the knowledge and skills required of teacher candidates across all disciplines. In the area of foreign languages, three sets of professional standards address the oral proficiency of teachers in the target languages they teach across the career continuum. For teacher candidates, the ACTFL/NCATE Program Standards for the Preparation of Foreign Language Teachers (2002) establish minimum oral proficiency levels based on the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines—Speaking (2012). Utilizing ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) data, this study examines to what extent candidates are attaining the ACTFL/NCATE Oral Proficiency Standard of Advanced Low in most languages or Intermediate High in Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. Findings indicate that 54.8% of candidates attained the required standard between 2006 and 2012 and that significant differences emerged for language, year tested, and university program results. Further research that takes into account additional contextual information about candidates and programs will inform continuing professional dialogue about the oral proficiency of teacher candidates entering the profession.