bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Limits of Learning: Habermas' Social Theory and Religion
Authors: Cooke Maeve 
Published: July 2014

AbstractHabermas' view that contemporary philosophy and social theory can learn from religious traditions calls for closer consideration. He is correct to hold that religious traditions constitute a reservoir of potentially important meanings that can be critically appropriated without emptying them of their motivating and inspirational power. However, contrary to what he implies, his theory allows for learning from religion only to a very limited degree. This is due to two core elements of his conceptual framework, both of which are key features of his account of postmetaphysical thinking. The first is the requirement of ethical agnosticism; this requires philosophy and social theory to refrain from offering guidance on questions of the good life. The second is his language‐immanent conception of truth in the domain of practical reason; this follows from his rejection of any source of validity beyond human communication in this domain. I make the case for a more robust account of learning from religious traditions and metaphysical worldviews, arguing that for this purpose Habermas must modify his requirement of ethical agnosticism and relinquish his language‐immanent conception of truth.
Interactions among nitrogen fixation and soil phosphorus acquisition strategies in lowland tropical rain forests
Authors: Nasto Megan K. , Alvarez‐Clare Silvia , Lekberg Ylva , Sullivan Benjamin W. , Townsend Alan R. , Cleveland Cory C. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractParadoxically, symbiotic dinitrogen (N2) fixers are abundant in nitrogen (N)‐rich, phosphorus (P)‐poor lowland tropical rain forests. One hypothesis to explain this pattern states that N2 fixers have an advantage in acquiring soil P by producing more N‐rich enzymes (phosphatases) that mineralise organic P than non‐N2 fixers. We assessed soil and root phosphatase activity between fixers and non‐fixers in two lowland tropical rain forest sites, but also addressed the hypothesis that arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) colonisation (another P acquisition strategy) is greater on fixers than non‐fixers. Root phosphatase activity and AM colonisation were higher for fixers than non‐fixers, and strong correlations between AM colonisation and N2 fixation at both sites suggest that the N–P interactions mediated by fixers may generally apply across tropical forests. We suggest that phosphatase enzymes and AM fungi enhance the capacity of N2 fixers to acquire soil P, thus contributing to their high abundance in tropical forests.
Immunological profile of periapical endodontic infections from HIV− and HIV+ patients
Authors: de Brito L. C. N. , Teles F. R. , Teles R. P. , Nogueira P. M. , Vieira L. Q. , Ribeiro Sobrinho A. P. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractAimTo evaluate CD4+CD28+ and CD8+ T‐cell genes and the gene expression of IFN‐γ, TNF‐α, IL‐1‐β, IL‐17A, IL‐10, CCL‐2/MCP‐1, CCL‐4, CCL‐5 (RANTES), CXCR4, CCR5 and RANKL from cells in the periapical interstitial fluid from root canal infections in healthy patients (HIV−) and HIV‐positive individuals (HIV+).MethodologySubjects included 20 HIV− and 23 HIV+ patients referred to the School of Dentistry at the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil). Almost all HIV+ patients were undergoing highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Clinical samples were taken from teeth with pulp necrosis, and no patients had acute periapical symptoms at the time of the appointments. After cleaning and drying, 3 paper points were introduced into the root canal, passing passively through the root apex (2 mm) into the periapical tissues for 1 min. The samples were collected immediately after root canal cleaning and 7 days later (restrained root canal bacterial load) to characterize those gene expressions using real‐time PCR.ResultsSignificantly higher levels of CD4+CD28+ and CD8+ T cells in teeth with restrained bacterial loads (second collection) compared with the first collection were observed in both HIV− and HIV+ samples. In HIV− patients, an increase in IL‐10 and CXCR4 expression was demonstrated as well as a decrease in pro‐inflammatory cytokines such as RANKL, IFN‐γ, IL1‐β and CCL5. However, in HIV+ patients an increase in cytokines IFN‐γ, IL‐1‐β, TNF‐α and IL‐17A, and chemokines CCL‐2, CXCR4 and CCR5 were observed. The chemokine CCL‐5 was not detected in HIV+ individuals.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that after reducing the root canal bacterial load in HIV− individuals an anti‐inflammatory response is generated whilst in HIV+ patients a pro‐inflammatory response is sustained in the periapical area.
Rapid Formation of Nanocrystalline BaTiO3 and Its Highly Stable Sol
Authors: Hao Yanan , Wang Xiaohui , Kim Jinyong , Li Longtu 
Published: July 2014

Ultrafine BaTiO3 nanoparticles and their highly stable sols are prepared by a novel and rapid route. In this method, the formation mechanism that lies between the chemical precipitation and the sol–gel process is proposed. The BaTiO3 nanocrystal sols are synthesized in as fast as 15 min in an air atmosphere. Dynamic light scattering analysis and the observation of the Tyndall effect confirm the existence of crystalline nanoparticles in these sols. After careful separation, nanocrystalline BaTiO3 powders with an average particle size as small as 2.8 nm are obtained. These particles have perovskite phase structures as determined by X‐ray diffraction and selected‐area electron‐diffraction analysis. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) and thermal analysis are used to detect the characteristic functional groups of the solvents on the particles to reveal the formation mechanism. Uniform BaTiO3 nanocrystal films with high dielectric constants, low dielectric losses, and paraelectric behavior are prepared through solvent evaporation of the nanocrystal sols, providing a new low‐temperature route for the fabrication of perovskite thin films.
Spinel Mg(Al, Ga)2O4 Solid Solution as High‐Performance Microwave Dielectric Ceramics
Authors: Wu Songping , Xue Juanjuan , Fan Yingxian 
Published: July 2014

Spinel Mg(Al1−xGax)2O4 (x = 0–1) solid solutions were synthesized via solid‐state method. Replacement of Al3+ by Ga3+ in MgAl2O4 gave rise to the expansion of the lattice, as well as blueshifts of FT‐IR and Raman peaks. The homogeneous solid solutions, high relative densities, large grain sizes, and compact microstructures resulted in excellent microwave dielectric properties for spinel Mg(Al1−xGax)2O4 (x = 0.6) ceramics sintered at 1485°C: that is, εr = 8.87, Q × f = 107 000 GHz (at 14.8 GHz), and τf = −16 ppm/°C. Spinel‐structured Mg(Al1−xGax)2O4 (x = 0–1) solid solutions possessed low sintering temperatures, wide temperature regions (~100°C), and small negative τf values. These outstanding performance make Mg(Al, Ga)2O4 a promising candidate material for millimeter‐wave devices.
Treatment of lower extremity telangiectasias in women by foam sclerotherapy vs. Nd:YAG laser: a prospective, comparative, randomized, open‐label trial
Authors: Parlar B. , Blazek C. , Cazzaniga S. , Naldi L. , Kloetgen H.W. , Borradori L. , Buettiker U. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractBackgroundTelangiectasias of the lower extremities are very common. There are no blinded, randomized, controlled clinical trials comparing laser modalities with the gold standard sclerotherapy, while the few available studies encompass small patients cohorts.ObjectiveThis prospective, randomized, open‐label trial compares the efficacy of sclerotherapy with polidocanol vs. long‐pulsed neodymium‐doped yttrium aluminium garnet (Nd:YAG) laser in the treatment of leg telangiectasias.Patients and methodsFifty‐six female patients with primary leg telangiectasias and reticular veins (C1A or SEpAS1PN) were included in the study. One leg was randomly assigned to get treatment with the multiple synchronized long‐pulsed Nd:YAG laser, while the other received foam sclerotherapy with polidocanol 0.5%. The patients were treated in two sessions at intervals of 6 weeks. The patients were evaluated by the handling physician after 6 weeks and 6 months. Two investigators assessed blindly at the end of the study the photographs for clearing of the vessels using a six‐point scale from 1 (no change) to 6 (100% cleared). Patients reported about pain sensation and outcome satisfaction.ResultsAccording to the handling dermatologist, at the last follow‐up, there was an improvement of 30–40% with a median of 3 (IQR 2) and a good improvement of 50–70% with a median of 4 (IQR 2) after laser treatment and sclerotherapy respectively. In contrast, according to the blinded investigators, there was a median of 5 (IQR 1) with a very good improvement of >70% after both therapies. Improvement was achieved more quickly by sclerotherapy, although at the last follow‐up visit there was no difference in clearance between the two groups as assessed by the blinded experts (P‐value 0.84). The degree of patient's satisfaction was very good and similar with both therapeutic approaches. There was a significant difference (P‐value 0.003) regarding pain perception between the types of therapy. Laser was felt more painful than sclerotherapy.ConclusionTelangiectasias of the lower extremities can be successfully treated with either synchronized long‐pulsed Nd:YAG laser or sclerotherapy. The 1064‐nm long‐pulsed Nd:YAG laser is associated with more pain and is suitable especially in case of needle phobia, allergy to sclerosants and in presence of small veins with telangiectatic matting, while sclerotherapy can also treat the feeder veins.
Quantitative trait loci and candidate genes underlying genotype by environment interaction in the response of Arabidopsis thaliana to drought
Authors: EL‐SODA MOHAMED , KRUIJER WILLEM , MALOSETTI MARCOS , KOORNNEEF MAARTEN , AARTS MARK G. M. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractDrought stress was imposed on two sets of Arabidopsis thaliana genotypes grown in sand under short‐day conditions and analysed for several shoot and root growth traits. The response to drought was assessed for quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping in a genetically diverse set of Arabidopsis accessions using genome‐wide association (GWA) mapping, and conventional linkage analysis of a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population. Results showed significant genotype by environment interaction (G×E) for all traits in response to different watering regimes. For the RIL population, the observed G×E was reflected in 17 QTL by environment interactions (Q×E), while 17 additional QTLs were mapped not showing Q×E. GWA mapping identified 58 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) associated with loci displaying Q×E and an additional 16 SNPs associated with loci not showing Q×E. Many candidate genes potentially underlying these loci were suggested. The genes for RPS3C and YLS7 were found to contain conserved amino acid differences when comparing Arabidopsis accessions with strongly contrasting drought response phenotypes, further supporting their candidacy. One of these candidate genes co‐located with a QTL mapped in the RIL population.
Use of Factor XIII (FXIII) concentrate in patients with congenital FXIII deficiency undergoing surgical procedures
Authors: Janbain Maissaa , Nugent Diane J. , Powell Jerry S. , St‐Louis Jean , Frame Virginia B. , Leissinger Cindy A. 
Published: July 2014

BackgroundPatients with congenital Factor XIII (FXIII) deficiency have impaired fibrin stabilization and are at high risk for surgical bleeding. Data regarding the use of FXIII concentrates before and during surgery are lacking. The objective of this study was to report the use of plasma‐derived FXIII concentrate (Corifact in the United States; Fibrogammin P in other countries) in patients with congenital FXIII deficiency undergoing surgical procedures.Study Design and MethodsFXIII concentrate at preoperative doses ranging from 25 to 40 U/kg was administered to six patients with congenital FXIII deficiency undergoing major or minor surgeries.ResultsFXIII concentrate was administered immediately before surgery for five surgical cases; three of these patients achieved excellent hemostasis during and after surgery, while two had intraoperative bleeding. In one surgical case, a regular prophylactic dose of FXIII concentrate was administered to the patient 1 week before minor surgery. FXIII concentrate provided rapid replacement of FXIII activity. In all but one of the patients given a dose of FXIII designed to increase FXIII levels more than 50%, there was satisfactory intraoperative and postoperative hemostasis. One patient undergoing aortic valve replacement on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was the exception. Intraoperative bleeding in this patient was associated with lower‐than‐expected blood levels of FXIII.ConclusionPreoperative plasma‐derived FXIII concentrate allowed for sufficient hemostasis in most patients with FXIII deficiencies. Additional doses were necessary to achieve hemostasis in one patient who underwent a CPB procedure.
Reduced
In Vitro
Doxycycline Susceptibility in Plasmodium falciparum Field Isolates from Kenya Is Associated with PfTetQ KYNNNN Sequence Polymorphism
Authors: Achieng Angela O. , Ingasia Luiser A. , Juma Dennis W. , Cheruiyot Agnes C. , Okudo Charles A. , Yeda Redemptah A. , Cheruiyot Jelagat , Akala Hoseah M. , Johnson Jacob , Andangalu Ben , Eyase Fredrick , Jura Walter G. Z. O. , Kamau Edwin 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACT

Doxycycline is widely used for malaria prophylaxis by international travelers. However, there is limited information on doxycycline efficacy in Kenya, and genetic polymorphisms associated with reduced efficacy are not well defined.
In vitro
doxycycline susceptibility profiles for 96
Plasmodium falciparum
field isolates from Kenya were determined. Genetic polymorphisms were assessed in
P. falciparum
metabolite drug transporter (Pf
mdt
) and
P. falciparum
GTPase
tetQ
(Pf
tetQ
) genes. Copy number variation of the gene and the number of KYNNNN amino acid motif repeats within the protein encoded by Pf
tetQ
were determined. Reduced
in vitro
susceptibility to doxycycline was defined by 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC
50
s) of ≥35,000 nM. The odds ratio (OR) of having 2 PfTetQ KYNNNN amino acid repeats in isolates with IC
50
s of >35,000 nM relative to those with IC
50
s of <35,000 nM is 15 (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.0 to 74.3;
P
value of <0.0002). Isolates with 1 copy of the Pf
mdt
gene had a median IC
50
of 6,971 nM, whereas those with a Pf
mdt
copy number of >1 had a median IC
50
of 9,912 nM (
P
= 0.0245). Isolates with 1 copy of Pf
tetQ
had a median IC
50
of 6,370 nM, whereas isolates with a Pf
tetQ
copy number of >1 had a median IC
50
of 3,422 nM (
P
< 0.0007). Isolates with 2 PfTetQ KYNNNN motif repeats had a median IC
50
of 26,165 nM, whereas isolates with 3 PfTetQ KYNNNN repeats had a median IC
50
of 3,352 nM (
P
= 0.0023). PfTetQ sequence polymorphism is associated with a reduced doxycycline susceptibility phenotype in Kenyan isolates and is a potential marker for susceptibility testing.
Population Pharmacokinetics of Abacavir in Pregnant Women
Authors: Fauchet Floris , Treluyer Jean-Marc , Préta Laure-Helene , Valade Elodie , Pannier Emmanuelle , Urien Saik , Hirt Déborah 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACT
For the first time, a population approach was used to describe abacavir (ABC) pharmacokinetics in HIV-infected pregnant and nonpregnant women. A total of 266 samples from 150 women were obtained. No covariate effect (from age, body weight, pregnancy, or gestational age) on ABC pharmacokinetics was found. Thus, it seems unnecessary to adapt the ABC dosing regimen during pregnancy.
Pleiotropic and Epistatic Behavior of a Ring-Hydroxylating Oxygenase System in the Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Metabolic Network from Mycobacterium vanbaalenii PYR-1
Authors: Kweon Ohgew , Kim Seong-Jae , Kim Dae-Wi , Kim Jeong Myeong , Kim Hyun-lee , Ahn Youngbeom , Sutherland John B. , Cerniglia Carl E. 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACT

Despite the considerable knowledge of bacterial high-molecular-weight (HMW) polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) metabolism, the key enzyme(s) and its pleiotropic and epistatic behavior(s) responsible for low-molecular-weight (LMW) PAHs in HMW PAH-metabolic networks remain poorly understood. In this study, a phenotype-based strategy, coupled with a spray plate method, selected a
Mycobacterium vanbaalenii
PYR-1 mutant (6G11) that degrades HMW PAHs but not LMW PAHs. Sequence analysis determined that the mutant was defective in
pdoA2
, encoding an aromatic ring-hydroxylating oxygenase (RHO). A series of metabolic comparisons using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis revealed that the mutant had a lower rate of degradation of fluorene, anthracene, and pyrene. Unlike the wild type, the mutant did not produce a color change in culture media containing fluorene, phenanthrene, and fluoranthene. An
Escherichia coli
expression experiment confirmed the ability of the Pdo system to oxidize biphenyl, the LMW PAHs naphthalene, phenanthrene, anthracene, and fluorene, and the HMW PAHs pyrene, fluoranthene, and benzo[
a
]pyrene, with the highest enzymatic activity directed toward three-ring PAHs. Structure analysis and PAH substrate docking simulations of the Pdo substrate-binding pocket rationalized the experimentally observed metabolic versatility on a molecular scale. Using information obtained in this study and from previous work, we constructed an RHO-centric functional map, allowing pleiotropic and epistatic enzymatic explanation of PAH metabolism. Taking the findings together, the Pdo system is an RHO system with the pleiotropic responsibility of LMW PAH-centric hydroxylation, and its epistatic functional contribution is also crucial for the metabolic quality and quantity of the PAH-MN.
"Copy content, copy friends: studies of content curation and social bootstrapping on Pinterest" by Changtao Zhong and Nishanth Sastry with Ching-man Au Yeung as coordinator
Authors: Zhong Changtao , Sastry Nishanth 
Published: July 2014

Copying, sharing and linking have always been important for the functioning and the growth of the World Wide Web. Two recent copying trends which have emerged are social content curation, and social logins. Social curation involves the copying, categorization and sharing of links and images from third party websites on the social curation website. Social logins enable the copying of user identities and their friends from an established social network such as Facebook or Twitter, onto third party websites.
In this article, we chronicile our ongoing work on Pinterest, a popular image sharing website and social network. The highly active user community on Pinterest has been instrumental in making social curation a mainstream phenomenon. Interestingly, a large fraction (nearly 60%) of the users have also linked their Pinterest accounts with Facebook and have copied their Facebook friends over onto the new website. Thus, using a large dataset crawled from Pinterest, we uncover both the practices used for sharing content, as well as how the copying of friends has helped the content sharing.
We find that social curation tends to copy and share hard-to-find niche interest content from websites with a low Alexa Rank or Google Page Rank, and curators with consistent updates and a diversity of interests are popular and attract more followers. On the other hand, Pinterest users can also copy friends from Faceebook, or Twitter. We find that this copying of friends create a community with higher levels of social interaction; thus social logins serve as a social bootstrapping tool. But beyond bootstrapping, we also find a weaning process, where active and influential users tend to form more links natively on Pinterest interact with native friends rather than copied friends.
Combination therapy with aliskiren versus ramipril or losartan added to conventional therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, uncontrolled hypertension and microalbuminuria
Authors: Imbalzano Egidio , Scarpelli Mirko , Mandraffino Giuseppe , Creazzo Michele , Lizio Giuseppina , Trapani Giovanni , Dattilo Giuseppe , Dalbeni Andrea , Tomasello Carmelo , Sardo Maria Adriana , Saitta Antonino 
Published: July 2014

Hypothesis/Introduction: The aim of this study was to assess the antihypertensive efficacy and safety of aliskiren versus ramipril or losartan in hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, microalbuminuria and uncontrolled hypertension, despite the use of optimal conventional antihypertensive therapy. Materials and methods: In this open-label active comparator study, 126 patients were randomly assigned to receive 24 weeks of additional therapy with aliskiren (Group A) or either losartan or ramipril (Group B), according to whether a patient was already treated with an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or an angiotensin receptor blocker, respectively. Results: After 24 weeks, both treatment groups experienced a significant reduction of systolic blood pressure (−11.37% and −8.47%, respectively; both p <0.001 vs. baseline) and diastolic blood pressure levels (−10.67% and −9.28%, respectively; both p <0.001 vs. baseline), with a greater reduction of mean systolic values in Group A compared with Group B ( p <0.001). Furthermore, after six months microalbuminuria was significantly decreased in both treatment groups (−67.62% and −49.1%, respectively; both p <0.001), with a reduction rate in Group A significantly higher than in Group B ( p<0.001). Conclusions: The addition of aliskiren to optimal conventional therapy provided a higher reduction of blood pressure and urinary albumin excretion when compared with the addition of losartan or ramipril.
ACE2 activity was increased in atherosclerotic plaque by losartan: Possible relation to anti-atherosclerosis
Authors: Zhang Yue Hui , Hao Qing Qing , Wang Xiao Yu , Chen Xu , Wang Nan , Zhu Li , Li Shu Ying , Yu Qing tao , Dong Bo 
Published: July 2014

Introduction: Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a new member of the renin–angiotensin system (RAS) and it has been proposed that ACE2 is a potential therapeutic target for the control of cardiovascular disease. The effect of losartan on the ACE2 activity in atherosclerosis was studied. Methods: Atherosclerosis was induced in New Zealand white rabbits by high-cholesterol diet for 3 months. An Angiotensin II (Ang II) receptor blocker (losartan, 25 mg/kg/d) was given for 3 months. ACE2 activity was measured by fluorescence assay and the extent of atherosclerosis was evaluated by H&E and Oil Red O staining. In addition, the effect of losartan on ACE2 activity in smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in vitro was also evaluated. Results: Losartan increased ACE2 activity in atherosclerosis in vivo and SMCs in vitro. Losartan inhibited atherosclerotic evolution. Addition of losartan blocked Ang II-induced down-regulation of ACE2 activity, and blockade of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) with PD98059 prevented Ang II-induced down-regulation of ACE2 activity. Conclusions: The results showed that ACE2 activity was regulated in atherosclerotic plaque by losartan, which may play an important role in treatment of atherosclerosis. The mechanism involves Ang II–AT1R-mediated mitogen-activated protein kinases, MAPKs (MAPKs) signaling pathway.