bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Growth environment determines light sensitivity of shoot hydraulic conductance
Authors: Aasamaa Krõõt , Kõivik Kristi , Kupper Priit , Sõber Anu 
Published: December 2013

AbstractAcclimation of light sensitivity of hydraulic conductance of shoots of silver birch (Betula pendula) and hybrid aspen (Populus × wettsteinii) to growth environments with three different air humidities was studied. Hydraulic conductance of shoots kept for 1–2 h in darkness (D) or in light (L) was measured by the pressure chamber method, and light sensitivity was defined as a significant difference between D and L shoots. Light sensitivity of shoots grown in three different air humidities was found to vary. Amongst shoots grown in current natural air, only the hydraulic conductance of the whole shoot and that of the leaf blades of birch upper foliage were significantly light sensitive. Amongst shoots grown in decreased air humidity, hydraulic conductance of the whole shoot, the leaf blades, and the stem and petioles of birch upper foliage, the conductance of the whole shoot and the leaf blades of birch lower foliage, and the conductance of the whole shoot of aspen upper foliage were light sensitive. None of the shoots grown in increased air humidity were significantly light sensitive. We predict that light sensitivity will become more widespread among species in regions where air humidity decreases as a result of global climate change, and vice versa. Low white light always caused the same increase in hydraulic conductance as high white light, and blue and white light always caused an increase in conductance about two times greater than red light, indicating that growth environment did not markedly modify the mechanism of light sensitivity.
Plasma Levels of 14:0, 16:0, 16:1n‐7, and 20:3n‐6 are Positively Associated, but 18:0 and 18:2n‐6 are Inversely Associated with Markers of Inflammation in Young Healthy Adults
Authors: Perreault Maude , Roke Kaitlin , Badawi Alaa , Nielsen Daiva E. , Abdelmagid Salma A. , El‐Sohemy Ahmed , Ma David W. L. , Mutch David M. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractInflammation is a recognized risk factor for the development of chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and atherosclerosis. Evidence suggests that individual fatty acids (FA) may have distinct influences on inflammatory processes. The goal of this study was to conduct a cross‐sectional analysis to examine the associations between circulating FA and markers of inflammation in a population of young healthy Canadian adults. FA, high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hsCRP), and cytokines were measured in fasted plasma samples from 965 young adults (22.6 ± 0.1 years). Gas chromatography was used to measure FA. The following cytokines were analyzed with a multiplex assay: regulated upon activation normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES/CCL5), interleukin 1‐receptor antagonist (IL‐1Ra), interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ), interferon‐γ inducible protein 10 (IP‐10), and platelet‐derived growth factor β (PDGF‐ββ). Numerous statistically significant associations (p < 0.05, corrected for multiple testing) were identified between individual FA and markers of inflammation using linear regression. Myristic (14:0), palmitic (16:0), palmitoleic (16:1n‐7), and dihomo‐γ‐linolenic (20:3n‐6) acids were positively associated with all markers of inflammation. In contrast, stearic acid (18:0) was inversely associated with hsCRP and RANTES, and linoleic acid (18:2n‐6) was inversely associated with hsCRP, RANTES and PDGF‐ββ. In conclusion, our results indicate that specific FA are distinctly correlated with various markers of inflammation. Moreover, the findings of this study suggest that FA profiles in young adults may serve as an early indicator for the development of future complications comprising an inflammatory component.
Gypenosides pre‐treatment protects the brain against cerebral ischemia and increases neural stem cells/progenitors in the subventricular zone
Authors: Wang Xiao‐Jing , Sun Tao , Kong Liang , Shang Zhen‐Hua , Yang Kun‐Qi , Zhang Qing‐Yu , Jing Fang‐Miao , Dong Lun , Xu Xu‐Feng , Liu Jia‐xin , Xin Hua , Chen Zhe‐Yu 
Published: December 2013

AbstractGypenosides (GPs) have been reported to have neuroprotective effects in addition to other bioactivities. The protective activity of GPs during stroke and their effects on neural stem cells (NSCs) in the ischemic brain have not been fully elucidated. Here, we test the effects of GPs during stroke and on the NSCs within the subventricular zone (SVZ) of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) rats. Our results show that pre‐treatment with GPs can reduce infarct volume and improve motor function following MCAO. Pre‐treatment with GPs significantly increased the number of BrdU‐positive cells in the ipsilateral and contralateral SVZ of MCAO rats. The proliferating cells in both sides of the SVZ were glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)/nestin‐positive type B cells and doublecortin (DCX)/nestin‐positive type A cells. Our data indicate that GPs have neuroprotective effects during stroke which might be mediated through the enhancement of neurogenesis within the SVZ. These findings provide new evidence for a potential therapy involving GPs for the treatment of stroke.
Factors Influencing Smoking Cessation Counselling: A Qualitative Study of Medical Residents
Authors: Lubansky Stasi , Jurgens Corrine Y. , Boutin-Foster Carla 
Published: December 2013

Introduction: Physicians in training must be able to counsel their patients on smoking cessation, however, little is known about the barriers that they face to counselling their patients.Aims: The study sought to identify barriers to smoking cessation counselling specific to physicians in training.Methods: Qualitative interviews in the form of focus groups were conducted with 30 medical residents. Focus groups were audio taped, transcribed verbatim and coded by two independent reviewers. Similar codes were grouped to form categories and then aggregated to form themes.Results: Seven themes emerged describing resident barriers to provision of smoking cessation counselling : (1) Lack of self-efficacy for providing counselling; (2) their perception that patients are not willing to change; (3) a lack of available resources/information for providers and patients; (4) differences in supervising physician's recommendations; (5) perceived lack of time; (6) a perception of lack of continuous care; and (7) a lack of practical skills in counselling.Conclusions: This study highlighted residents’ perceived barriers to providing smoking cessation counselling. These barriers are similar to those encountered by other providers. Additional barriers specific to residency exist and more training is necessary.Practice Implications: The barriers that physicians encounter to smoking cessation counselling must be addressed early on in residency training.
Molecular markers reveal narrow genetic base and culturing-associated genetic drift inTeretrius nigrescensLewis populations released for the biological control of the larger grain borer in Africa
Authors: Omondi B.A. , van den Berg J. , Masiga D. , Schulthess F. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractIn biological control, successful establishment of a natural enemy species depends on its adaptability in the introduced range including its ability to re-establish desired ecological interactions with the pest. These are affected by genetic parameters hitherto largely unresolved in biological control. The larger grain borer (LGB),Prostephanus truncatus, an invasive species from meso-America, is the most important post-harvest pest of maize in Africa. We studied the genetic structure ofTeretrius nigrescens, a predatory beetle previously released for the control of the pest in Africa, to test the hypothesis that establishment patterns were a result of ecotype–environment mismatch and to follow up on our earlier reports of distinct lineages of the predator. We studied 13 populations ofT. nigrescens, using 16 polymorphic microsatellite markers. Five genetic populations with a hierarchical structure and significant isolation by distance were detected. The most diverse population was found in southern Mexico, consistent with earlier lineage coexistence observations. Populations introduced to Africa maintained genetic similarity to local geographic populations of their area of origin. The more successful Benin releases were also more genetically diverse. Loss of rare alleles and a higher frequency of existing private alleles in some populations indicated population expansions following bottleneck events. Sustainable biological control should accommodate pest and natural enemy species, and monitor genetic changes associated with introduction and release.
Application of multipole moments and magnetic techniques for determination of tokamak plasma shift
Authors: Salar Elahi A. , Ghoranneviss M. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractIn this contribution, we presented approaches for the determination of tokamak plasma column shift based on multipole moments and magnetic techniques. First, we presented analytical details for using this technique. Then, the principle of different models based on this technique for the design and fabrication of six coils will be presented: four modified Rogowski coils (two cosine coils and two sine coils) and two saddle coils (saddle sine coil and saddle cosine coil). Also, to compare the results, the flux loops technique is used. Because of continuous measurements of magnetic field distribution around the tokamak plasma using multipole coils, this technique gives us more reliable information about the plasma current displacement. Moreover, we deduced the plasma current and plasma boundary centers shift using the two semi-empirical techniques in the IR-T1 tokamak. First, the plasma current center is calculated from the vertical field coil characteristics. The calculation is made focusing on the vertical field coil current and voltage changes due to a horizontal displacement of the plasma column. Also, the plasma boundary center shift was measured from the external magnetic coils. The results from these two techniques are compared and discussed.
Age and growth of forkbeard, Phycis phycis, in Portuguese continental waters
Authors: Vieira Ana Rita , Neves Ana , Sequeira Vera , Paiva Rafaela Barros , Gordo Leonel Serrano 
Published: December 2013

The forkbeard, Phycis phycis, is an important commercial species in Portugal; however, little information is available on its biology. Age and growth of the forkbeard from Portuguese continental waters were studied using 687 otoliths from specimens caught between May 2011 and December 2012. Otoliths were transversally sectioned, and assigned ages were validated by marginal increment analysis and edge analysis, and indices of precision were also calculated to corroborate ageing within and between readers. Validation techniques showed that an annual growth increment is formed every year, corresponding to the succession of an opaque and a translucent growth zone. Specimens ranged from 15.5 to 67.1 cm total length (TL), and their estimated ages ranged between 0 and 18 years. The forkbeard is a relatively slow growing, long lived species, that does not show sexual dimorphism in growth. The von Bertalanffy growth parameters estimated for forkbeard from the Portuguese continental waters were L∞ = 75.14 cm TL, k = 0.10 yr−1 and t0 = −2.09 yr.
The neuroscience of free will: implications for psychiatry
Authors: Pierre J. M. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractBelief in free will has been a mainstay in philosophy throughout history, grounded in large part in our intuitive sense that we consciously control our actions and could have done otherwise. However, psychology and psychiatry have long sought to uncover mechanistic explanations for human behavior that challenge the notion of free will. In recent years, neuroscientific discoveries have produced a model of volitional behavior that is at odds with the notion of contra-causal free will and our sense of conscious agency. Volitional behavior instead appears to have antecedents in unconscious brain activity that is localizable to specific neuroanatomical structures. Updating notions of free will in favor of a continuous model of volitional self-control provides a useful paradigm to conceptualize and study some forms of psychopathology such as addiction and impulse control disorders. Similarly, thinking of specific symptoms of schizophrenia as disorders of agency may help to elucidate mechanisms of psychosis. Beyond clinical understanding and etiological research, a neuroscientific model of volitional behavior has the potential to modernize forensic notions of responsibility and criminal punishment in order to inform public policy. Ultimately, moving away from the language of free will towards the language of volitional control may result in an enhanced understanding of the very nature of ourselves.
Who Wants to Be a Communist? Career Incentives and Mobilized Loyalty in China
Authors: Dickson Bruce J. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractThis article analyses trends in the Chinese Communist Party's recruitment strategy and the composition of Party members. Based on original survey data, it analyses the motives for joining the CCP, the consequences on career mobility, and the effects of Party membership on political beliefs and behaviour in contemporary China. These data reveal three key findings. First, for those who aspire to positions in the Party/government bureaucracy or SOEs, Party membership is a necessary, if not sufficient, condition; for those in the non-state sector, it is youth and college education that are the keys to top jobs, and not Party membership. Second, CCP members are more likely to donate time, money, and even blood, for various causes, and to vote in local people's congress elections. This behaviour demonstrates mobilized loyalty: the CCP mobilizes its members to participate in these activities to demonstrate their loyalty to the regime and to serve as examples to the rest of the population. Third, Party members are not more likely to support and trust their state institutions: while they do have higher levels of support for the centre than the rest of population generally, Party membership does not produce increased support for the local state. Nor does economic development: all else being equal, support for central and local party-state institutions is lower in the most developed cities. These findings call into question the Party's recruitment and development policies, as well as the conventional wisdom on the link between economic development and popular support for the status quo.
How to switch to agomelatine after an unsuccessful try with paroxetine or venlafaxine
Authors: Lejoyeux Michel , Matharan Sophie , de Bodinat Christian 
Published: December 2013

Objective/introductionThe present trial informs clinicians about switching conditions with the antidepressant agomelatine after the failure of a treatment with either paroxetine or venlafaxine.MethodsThe total number of discontinuation-emergent symptoms, according to the Discontinuation-Emergent Signs and Symptoms checklist, was compared in double-blind conditions after 3 switching options: immediate substitution or initiation of agomelatine (25 mg/day p.o.) with either a short- or long-tapering of the previous drug. Secondary objectives included tolerability and safety assessments and the early clinical benefit after the switch.ResultsFor all switching options, a withdrawal syndrome was observed 1 week after cessation of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)/serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) treatment. Psychic symptoms were the most frequently reported, and somatic symptoms were comparatively few. Early discontinuation symptoms after cessation of SSRI/SNRI treatment did not prejudice the antidepressant benefits of agomelatine over 8 weeks.ConclusionsBoth abrupt and start–taper switching with agomelatine are options in everyday practice for those patients who have not responded to either paroxetine or venlafaxine. However, regardless of the switching strategy, the present double-blind study shows that early discontinuation symptoms that arise upon cessation of SSRI/SNRI can alter the patients’ perception of the clinical benefit of the new antidepressant. Both practitioners and patients must be warned about these early discontinuation symptoms to prevent the symptoms from being confounded with a lack of therapeutic benefit of the new treatment.
Compact MIMO antenna with optimized mutual coupling reduction using DGS
Authors: Ibrahim Ahmed A. , Abdalla Mahmoud A. , Abdel-Rahman Adel B. , Hamed Hesham F. A. 
Published: December 2013

A design of low mutual coupling between two microstrip patch antennas for multi input multi output antenna is presented. The two antenna elements operate at 5.8 GHz for wireless applications. The reduction of mutual coupling between the antenna elements is achieved by using a defected ground structure (DGS). The DGS is inserted between the microstrip patch antenna elements to limit the surface waves between them. The separation between the edges of the two elements has been achieved to be only 0.058λ0. The analysis of the correlation coefficient, diversity gain and total active reflection coefficient is presented to validate the performance of the multiple-input–multiple-output (MIMO) antenna. The isolation of the proposed MIMO antenna is 28 dB at 5.8 GHz and the envelope correlation equals 0.003. Owing to these good performances each antenna can operate almost independently. A good agreement is achieved between the simulated and the measured results.
A new challenge or a new role? The ICRC in Northern Ireland
Authors: Loane Geoff 
Published: December 2013

AbstractDespite the narrative of success surrounding the Northern Ireland peace process, which culminated in the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, there remain significant humanitarian consequences as a result of the violence. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has opened an office in Belfast after its assessments demonstrated a need for intervention. While a two-year ‘dirty protest’ in Northern Ireland's main prison has been recently resolved, paramilitary structures execute punishments, from beatings to forced exile and even death, outside of the legal process and in violation of the criminal code. This article examines the face of modern humanitarianism outside of armed conflict, its dilemmas, and provides analysis as to why the ICRC has a role in the Northern Ireland context.
Managers' reactions towards employees' disclosure of psychiatric or somatic diagnoses
Authors: Mendel R. , Kissling W. , Reichhart T. , Bühner M. , Hamann J. 
Published: December 2013

Aims.To study whether employees who disclose a psychiatric diagnosis, such as depression risk stigmatisation and discrimination at the workplace.Methods.Randomised experimental study with 748 managers from German companies incorporating four case vignettes displaying an employee with different ‘diagnoses’ (depression, burnout, private crisis and thyroid dysfunction), but identical unspecific complaints. Main outcome measures were the managers' attitudes and their impact on stigmatisation with respect to job performance.Results.In nearly all aspects of job performance, the diagnosis depression (psychiatric disorder) was seen as more critical than the diagnosis of a thyroid dysfunction (somatic disease). The diagnosis ‘burnout’ did not prove to be less stigmatising than ‘depression’. Likewise ‘private crisis’ was rated less favourably than thyroid dysfunction.Conclusions.Therefore, employees have to evaluate if they disclose their psychiatric disorder or if they conceal it as a somatic illness.
The antigen 43 structure reveals a molecular Velcro-like mechanism of autotransporter-mediated bacterial clumping
Authors: Heras Begoña , Totsika Makrina , Peters Kate M. , Paxman Jason J. , Gee Christine L. , Jarrott Russell J. , Perugini Matthew A. , Whitten Andrew E. , Schembri Mark A. 
Published: December 2013

Significance
Many persistent and chronic bacterial infections are associated with the formation of large cell aggregates and biofilms that are difficult to treat. This includes respiratory and urinary tract infections, infections on medical devices, and infections of the ear, gums, and heart. One mechanism used by bacteria to aggregate and form biofilms involves the expression of self-associating surface-located autotransporter proteins such as Antigen 43 (Ag43). Here we present the crystal structure of the functional passenger domain of Ag43 and demonstrate that its unique L-shaped structure drives the formation of cell aggregates via a molecular Velcro-like handshake mechanism. This work provides insight into the structure–function mechanisms that facilitate bacterial interactions during infection.
“He made her feel the beauty”
Authors: Sopčák Paul 
Published: December 2013

In this paper, I discuss claims according to which literary reading may initiate a form of reflection that leads to “a shift in understanding” (e.g., Miall, 2006, p. 145). I focus particularly on reflection on one’s own finitude and draw on phenomenology to distinguish between two current models of “shifts in understanding” through reading literature: one involves shifts in abstract beliefs and the other involves shifts in embodied and experiential understandings. I argue that for some readers the engagement with literary texts not only moves them from the denial of death to the understanding of their own finitude, but that it also affords them an embodied experience of this finitude, as opposed to an abstract acknowledgement of it.
I begin by describing the difference between knowing about one’s death and the experience of one’s finitude. I then present a phenomenological alternative to current suggestions for how literary texts may initiate “a shift in understanding.” Finally, I present a series of empirical studies that investigate readers’ engagements with texts dealing with human finitude.
Aesthetic engagement during moments of suffering
Authors: Kuiken Don , Oliver Mary Beth 
Published: December 2013

We provide a review of the literature concerning aesthetic engagement (especially with literature and film) during times of distress. The objective is to offer a conceptual framework for this fledging research area and to provide a context for several manuscripts on this topic included in a Special Issue of Scientific Study of Literature (Volume 3, Issue 2). Particular attention is given to processes that arguably are distinctively aesthetic, including (1) the role of prosodic/semantic structures in the generation of local aesthetic objects within a longer narrative; (2) the identification of an affective theme through reflective consideration of a series of separate — but resonant — local aesthetic objects; and (3) the consequent emergence of poignantly bivalent feelings tinged with loss. This framework invites reconsideration of the Aristotelian conception of catharsis (understood as clarification rather than purgation), as well as examination of how poignant aesthetic engagement invites revaluation of personal priorities during moments of vulnerability.
Is Timber Insurable? A Study of Wildfire Risks in the U.S. Forest Sector Using Spatio‐temporal Models
Authors: Chen Xuan , Goodwin Barry K. , Prestemon Jeffrey P. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractIn the U.S. forest products industry, wildfire is one of the leading causes of damage and economic losses. While individual wildfire behavior is well studied, new literature is emerging on broad‐scale (e.g., county‐level) wildfire risks. Our paper studies wildfire risks using crucial informational variables across both spatial units and time periods. Several statistical models are used to quantify the risks. We develop several maximum likelihood estimation methods to account for spatio‐temporal auto‐correlation in conditional risks. A group index insurance scheme is proposed, and its associated actuarially fair premium rates are estimated and presented. Implications for wildfire management policies are also discussed.