bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Allergic fungal sinusitis and eosinophilic mucin rhinosinusitis: diagnostic criteria
Authors: Uri N , Ronen O , Marshak T , Parpara O , Nashashibi M , Gruber M 
Published: August 2013

AbstractBackground:Chronic sinusitis is one of the most common otolaryngological diagnoses. Allergic fungal sinusitis and eosinophilic mucin rhinosinusitis can easily be misdiagnosed and treated as chronic sinusitis, causing continuing harm.Aim:To better identify and characterise these two subgroups of patients, who may suffer from a systemic disease requiring multidisciplinary treatment and prolonged follow up.Methods:A retrospective, longitudinal study of all patients diagnosed with allergic fungal sinusitis or eosinophilic mucin rhinosinusitis within one otolaryngology department over a 15-year period.Results:Thirty-four patients were identified, 26 with eosinophilic mucin rhinosinusitis and 8 with allergic fungal sinusitis. Orbital involvement at diagnosis was commoner in allergic fungal sinusitis patients (50 per cent) than eosinophilic mucin rhinosinusitis patients (7.7 per cent;p < 0.05). Asthma was diagnosed in 73 per cent of eosinophilic mucin rhinosinusitis patients and 37 per cent of allergic fungal sinusitis patients.Conclusion:Allergic fungal sinusitis and eosinophilic mucin rhinosinusitis have the same clinical presentation but different clinical courses. The role of fungus and the ability to confirm its presence are still problematic issues, and additional studies are required.
Modified use of Kocher's dissector in ligation of the superior thyroid pedicle
Authors: Syed M I , Jenkinson P W , Denholm S 
Published: August 2013

AbstractBackground:More than a century has passed since Emil Theodor Kocher first described the use of ‘Kocher's thyroid dissector’ to secure the superior thyroid pedicle.Method:Despite the technological advances in thyroid surgery, the dissector remains an extremely useful instrument. This paper describes a modified use of the dissector, and reports on how this facilitates safer and easier surgery.Results and conclusion:Application of this simple, modified technique can improve the safety and efficiency of thyroid surgery, with negligible financial outlay.
Trophic habitat of the Pacific sharpnose shark,Rhizoprionodon longurio, in the Mexican Pacific
Authors: Alatorre-Ramirez Vanessa Guadalupe , Galván-Magaña Felipe , Torres-Rojas Yassir Edén 
Published: August 2013

The Pacific sharpnose sharkRhizoprionodon longuriois caught seasonally by inshore artisanal fisheries in the Mexican Pacific. Our study focuses on the feeding ecology of this shark species in the southern Gulf of California. The prey species obtained from stomach contents were identified and quantified, and variations between sexes and maturity stages were determined. A total of 98 stomachs were analysed during two periods (2000–2001 and 2003–2004); 64% of stomachs contained food. The trophic spectrum was composed of four cephalopod species, three crustacean species, and 13 pelagic and benthic fish species. According to the index of relative importance (%IRI), the fishEchiophis brunneus(IRI = 14.4%),Opisthopterus dovii(IRI = 12.2%) andScomber japonicus(IRI = 9.6%) were the main prey items. Based on diversity values, IRI values and diet breadth,R. longuriois an opportunistic predator. The trophic position ofR. longuriowas above four in all categories, which indicates that this shark is a tertiary consumer.
Human activity negatively affects stone tool-using Burmese long-tailed macaquesMacaca fascicularis aureain Laem Son National Park, Thailand
Authors: Gumert Michael D. , Hamada Yuzuru , Malaivijitnond Suchinda 
Published: August 2013

AbstractAnimal traditions can affect survival by improving how individuals use their environment. They are inherited through social learning and are restricted to small subpopulations. As a result, traditions are rare and their preservation needs to be considered in biodiversity conservation. We studied Burmese long-tailed macaquesMacaca fascicularis aurealiving on Piak Nam Yai Island in Laem Son National Park, Thailand, which maintain a rare stone tool-using tradition for processing hard-shelled invertebrate prey along the island's shores. We found the population had 192 individuals in nine groups and most individuals used stone tools. This population is under pressure from the local human community through the development of farms and release of domestic dogsCanis familiarisonto the island. The level of anthropogenic impact varied in each macaque groups' range and juvenile–infant composition varied with impact. The proportion of young was smaller in groups overlapping farms and was negatively correlated with the amount of dog activity in their range. We also found that coastal use by macaques was negatively related to living near plantations and that the dogs displaced macaques from the shores in 93% of their encounters. We conclude that human impact is negatively affecting Piak Nam Yai's macaques and are concerned this could disrupt the persistence of their stone-use tradition. we discuss the impact and the potential consequences, and we recommend better protection of coastal areas within Laem Son National Park.
Elemental composition and bacterial incidence in firn-cores at Midre Lovénbreen glacier, Svalbard
Authors: Singh Shiv Mohan , Gawas-Sakhalkar Puja , Naik Simantini , Ravindra Rasik , Sharma Jagdev , Upadhyay Ajay Kumar , Mulik Ravindra Uttam , Bohare Priyanka 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACTThe present study was conducted to measure the elemental concentration and bacterial deposition in the firn-cores at the Midre Lovénbreen glacier, Svalbard. Firn-cores up to 1m deep were collected and divided into three subsections. These were subjected to elemental analysis using inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICPMS). In all 20 elements were analysed. The crustal enrichment factors calculated for these elements on the basis of Fe values, demonstrate that the elements have derived from both crustal and anthropogenic sources. For certain elements there also exists a possibility of input from sea salt spray. Total bacterial counts in these firn samples ranged from 1.03 × 105to 3.67 × 105per ml of meltwater. Culturability of these bacterial cells, in comparison to the total count was very low. At 4°C the maximum culturability was <1.4% of the total count while at 15°C it was still lower (~1%).
A longitudinal examination of psychosocial impairment across the anxiety disorders
Authors: Naragon-Gainey K. , Gallagher M. W. , Brown T. A. 
Published: August 2013

BackgroundAnxiety disorders are highly prevalent disorders associated with substantial psychosocial impairment, but few studies have examined impairment within specific anxiety disorders. Furthermore, it is unclear how change in different types of anxiety has an impact on change in impairment, particularly given high rates of co-morbidity. The current study assessed the temporal associations of impairment and symptoms of three common anxiety disorders in a large, diagnostically heterogeneous clinical sample.MethodData were collected from 606 treatment-seeking individuals at an anxiety clinic, most of whom subsequently enrolled in cognitive-behavioral therapy. Symptoms of panic, social anxiety and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), as well as levels of impairment, were assessed three times over 2 years. In addition to examining levels of impairment across diagnostic groups, latent growth modeling was used to evaluate the longitudinal associations of anxiety symptoms and impairment.ResultsThose with a principal diagnosis of GAD reported higher levels of impairment in some domains at baseline; however, at follow-up assessments individuals with social anxiety disorder reported greater impairment than those with panic disorder. Anxiety symptoms and impairment both declined over time. Change in all three anxiety symptoms was closely associated with change in impairment, but only GAD remained a significant (positive) predictor of change in impairment after accounting for co-morbidity.ConclusionsImpairment and all three anxiety disorders were closely associated, both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. Because change in GAD was most specifically related to change in impairment, treatment for those with multiple anxiety disorders could focus on treating GAD symptoms first or treating transdiagnostic processes.
Endothelial dysfunction is associated with a greater depressive symptom score in a general elderly population: the Hoorn Study
Authors: van Sloten T. T. , Schram M. T. , Adriaanse M. C. , Dekker J. M. , Nijpels G. , Teerlink T. , Scheffer P. G. , Pouwer F. , Schalkwijk C. G. , Stehouwer C. D. A. , Henry R. M. A. 
Published: August 2013

BackgroundEndothelial dysfunction (ED), low-grade inflammation (LGI) and oxidative stress (OxS) may be involved in the pathobiology of depression. Previous studies on the association of these processes in depression have yielded contradictory results. We therefore investigated comprehensively, in a population-based cohort study, the association between ED, LGI and OxS on the one hand and depressive symptoms on the other.MethodWe used data from the Hoorn Study and determined biomarkers of ED [flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), von Willebrand factor, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (sICAM-1), soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule 1, soluble thrombomodulin and soluble endothelial selectin], LGI [C-reactive protein, tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin 6, interleukin 8, serum amyloid A, myeloperoxidase (MPO) and sICAM-1] and OxS (oxidized low density lipoprotein and MPO). Depressive symptoms were quantified by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) questionnaire (n = 493; age 68 years; 49.9% female). Regression analyses were performed with the use of biomarker Z scores. Adjustments were made for age, sex and glucose metabolism status (cohort stratification variables) and prior cardiovascular disease, hypertension, waist-to-hip ratio, cholesterol levels, education level, physical activity, dietary habits, and the use of antihypertensive and/or lipid-lowering medication and/or metformin (potential confounders).ResultsAfter adjustment for age, sex and glucose metabolism status, one standard deviation increase in the ED Z score was associated with a 1.9 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.7–3.1] higher CES-D score. Additional adjustments did not materially change this result. LGI and OxS were not associated with the CES-D score.ConclusionsED, as quantified by an array of circulating biomarkers and FMD, was independently associated with depressive symptoms. This study supports the hypothesis that ED plays an important role in the pathobiology of depression.
Glottal replacement of /t/ in two British capitals: Effects of word frequency and morphological compositionality
Authors: Schleef Erik 
Published: August 2013

AbstractThis study examines the internal and external constraints on glottal replacement of /t/ among adolescents in London and Edinburgh. Results show that phonological and stylistic constraints play an important role in determining the realizational variation of /t/, as many similar studies have shown. However, there is also clear evidence that our understanding of this phenomenon has been restricted by the limited set of factors that have been investigated previously, as results show that this feature is also constrained by word frequency and morphophonological factors. These findings raise important questions concerning the role of morphological compositionality in language change and the nature of lexical diffusion.
Browsing Alone: The Differential Impact of Internet Platforms on Political Participation
Authors: IKEDA KEN'ICHI , RICHEY SEAN , TERESI HOLLY 
Published: August 2013

AbstractWe research the political impact of how users access the Internet. Recent research suggests that Internet usage may promote political participation. Internet usage is proposed to be beneficial because it increases activity in diverse politicized social networks and through greater access to information. Even though Internet usage may begin as a non-political activity, we outline several reasons to believe that it may spark later political participation. This impact, however, is likely to be non-existent in new forms of Internet browsing such as through mobile phones, where users do less full-scale browsing. The more difficult browsing interface of mobile phones reduces activity in chat rooms and in-depth browsing of online sources of information which promote participation. To test these ideas, we use nationally representative survey data from Japan, a country which has more pronounced usage of mobile phone browsing. Using a Seemingly Unrelated Regression Model, we also show that the chief determinants of using PC's over mobile phones for Internet browsing are age and education. We then show that PC-based Internet activity correlates with increased political participation, but mobile phone usage correlates with less participation.
The Politics of Financial Crisis Response in Japan and the United States
Authors: LIPSCY PHILLIP Y. , TAKINAMI HIROFUMI 
Published: August 2013

AbstractWe examine the politics of financial crisis response in Japan and the United States. Many existing accounts of Japan's ‘lost decade’ of the 1990s have emphasized Japan-specific factors, such as structural problems, policy errors, and political dysfunction. We argue that Japan may have been subject to a form offirst-mover disadvantage. Like innovation in the private sector, developing effective solutions to novel policy problems requires a messy process of discovery, experimentation, and repeated failure. Much as late-industrializing countries adapted the methods and technologies of early developers, second-movers can apply effective policies demonstrated by first-movers in a more targeted, efficient, and rapid manner. We show that the behavior of Japan and the United States during their respective financial crises is broadly consistent with this theory. In addition, policy adoption in the United States most clearly reflected lessons from Japan in areas where the lessons were considered clear and implementation was less politicized.
Dose Response and Pharmacokinetics of Tofacitinib (CP‐690,550), an Oral Janus Kinase Inhibitor, in the Treatment of Chronic Plaque Psoriasis
Authors: Tan H , Gupta P , Harness J , Wolk R , Chapel S , Menter A , Strober B , Langley RG , Krishnaswami S , Papp KA 
Published: August 2013

Longitudinal nonlinear mixed effects modeling was used to characterize the dose–response profile of tofacitinib using data from a placebo‐controlled dose‐ranging study, where tofacitinib 2, 5, and 15 mg twice daily (b.i.d.) were evaluated for plaque psoriasis treatment. Bayesian estimation was applied with prior information derived from the literature: nonclinical and clinical data in psoriasis, as well as other indications. The probability to achieve a certain target effect associated with a given dose was calculated from the posterior samples. On the basis of these probabilities along with safety considerations, tofacitinib 5 and 10 mg b.i.d. were selected for further testing in confirmatory phase III clinical trials. Pharmacokinetics in patients with psoriasis was characterized using a population‐based modeling approach, and body weight was identified as an important covariate. A subgroup analysis suggested reduced efficacy of tofacitinib with increasing body weight; however, it is unclear whether this trend could be explained by systemic exposure alone.CPT: Pharmacometrics & Systems Pharmacology (2013) 2, e44; doi:10.1038/psp.2013.22; advance online publication 22 May 2013
Hydrophobic amino acids as a new class of kinetic inhibitors for gas hydrate formation
Authors: Sa Jeong-Hoon , Kwak Gye-Hoon , Lee Bo Ram , Park Da-Hye , Han Kunwoo , Lee Kun-Hong 
Published: August 2013

AbstractAs the foundation of energy industry moves towards gas, flow assurance technology preventing pipelines from hydrate blockages becomes increasingly significant. However, the principle of hydrate inhibition is still poorly understood. Here, we examined natural hydrophobic amino acids as novel kinetic hydrate inhibitors (KHIs) and investigated hydrate inhibition phenomena by using them as a model system. Amino acids with lower hydrophobicity were found to be better KHIs to delay nucleation and retard growth, working by disrupting the water hydrogen bond network, while those with higher hydrophobicity strengthened the local water structure. It was found that perturbation of the water structure around KHIs plays a critical role in hydrate inhibition. This suggestion of a new class of KHIs will aid development of KHIs with enhanced biodegradability and the present findings will accelerate the improved control of hydrate formation for natural gas exploitation and the utilization of hydrates as next-generation gas capture media.
High-speed video study of laser-induced forward transfer of silver nano-suspensions
Authors: Mathews S. A. , Auyeung R. C. Y. , Kim H. , Charipar N. A. , Piqué A. 
Published: August 2013

High-speed video (100 000 fps) is used to examine the behavior of silver nanoparticle suspensions ejected from a donor substrate during laser-induced forward transfer (LIFT) as a function of viscosity, donor film thickness, and voxel area. Both high-speed video and inspection of the post-transferred material indicate dramatic changes in the behavior of the fluid as the viscosity of the nano-suspensions increases from that of inks (∼0.01 Pa·s) to pastes (&gt;100 Pa·s). Over a specific range of viscosities (90–150 Pa·s) and laser fluences (35–65 mJ/cm2), the ejected voxels precisely reproduce the size and shape of the laser spot. This LIFT regime is known as laser decal transfer or LDT. Analysis of the high-speed video indicates that the speeds of the voxels released by the LDT process do not exceed 1 m/s. Such transfer speeds are at least an order of magnitude lower than those associated with other LIFT processes, thus minimizing voxel deformation during flight and upon impact with the receiving substrate. Variation in the threshold fluence for initiating the LDT process is measured as a function of donor film thickness and transfer spot size. Overall, the congruent nature of the silver nanopaste voxels deposited by LDT is unique among non-contact digital printing techniques given its control of the voxel's size and shape, thus allowing partial parallelization of the direct-write process.
In vivo genetic dissection of O2-evoked cGMP dynamics in aCaenorhabditis elegansgas sensor
Authors: Couto Africa , Oda Shigekazu , Nikolaev Viacheslav O. , Soltesz Zoltan , de Bono Mario 
Published: August 2013

SignificanceAlthough cGMP is a prominent second messenger in neurons, it has proven difficult to follow its dynamics in an intact nervous system in real time. Here, we use a genetically encoded cGMP sensor, cGi500, to visualize and genetically dissect endogenous cGMP dynamics in vivo. As a model, we use aCaenorhabditis elegansO2-sensing neuron. We uncover mutually regulating negative feedback mechanisms mediated by cGMP and Ca2+that involve PDE-1 and PDE-2 phosphodiesterases, protein kinase G, and cyclic nucleotide-gated channels. By simultaneously imaging Ca2+and cGMP, we provide evidence of compartmentalization of cGMP signaling in different cellular domains.
Hyperactivated MyD88 signaling in dendritic cells, through specific deletion of Lyn kinase, causes severe autoimmunity and inflammation
Authors: Lamagna Chrystelle , Scapini Patrizia , van Ziffle Jessica A. , DeFranco Anthony L. , Lowell Clifford A. 
Published: August 2013

Significance
The pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus, a complex autoimmune inflammatory disease triggered by genetic and environmental factors, is generally attributed to defects in lymphocyte function. We show that dendritic cells (DCs) also drive autoimmune disease in mice. Our observations that dysregulation of Toll-like receptor signaling (a key pathway that alerts the immune system of encounter with infectious agents) in DCs alone is sufficient to induce autoimmunity sheds new light on the pathogenesis of this disease. This work implies that DC-specific reduction of Toll-like receptor signaling may prove to be a highly specific approach to reduce the symptoms of autoimmune diseases.
let-7 and miR-140 microRNAs coordinately regulate skeletal development
Authors: Papaioannou Garyfallia , Inloes Jennifer B. , Nakamura Yukio , Paltrinieri Elena , Kobayashi Tatsuya 
Published: August 2013

SignificanceA global reduction of microRNAs (miRNAs) in growth plate chondrocytes results in defects in both proliferation and differentiation; however, specific miRNAs that regulate these processes have not been identified. In this study, we provide evidence that let-7 miRNAs and microRNA-140 (miR-140), among other miRNAs, play major roles in endochondral bone development. We found that suppression of let-7 miRNAs in chondrocytes reduced proliferation, whereas the chondrocyte-specific miR-140 was necessary for differentiation into proliferating chondrocytes. Deficiency of both let-7 and miR-140 caused a dramatic growth defect, synergistically reducing proliferating chondrocyte mass. Thus, these miRNAs coordinately regulate distinct steps of endochondral bone development.
Human NAIP and mouse NAIP1 recognize bacterial type III secretion needle protein for inflammasome activation
Authors: Yang Jieling , Zhao Yue , Shi Jianjin , Shao Feng 
Published: August 2013

Significance
Our analyses uncover general immunogenic activity of bacterial T3SS needle protein and identify human NAIP and mouse NAIP1 as cytosolic innate immune sensors of bacterial T3SS needle protein. These results, together with our previous studies, establish a complete framework for understanding NLRC4-mediated detection of bacterial virulence products by the NAIP family inflammasome receptors. The inflammasome-stimulating activity of bacterial T3SS needle proteins and the difference between mouse and human NAIP inflammasome also may provide guidance in vaccine development.
Badger—an accessible genome exploration environment
Authors: Elsworth Ben , Jones Martin , Blaxter Mark 
Published: August 2013

Abstract
Summary: High-quality draft genomes are now easy to generate, as sequencing and assembly costs have dropped dramatically. However, building a user-friendly searchable Web site and database for a newly annotated genome is not straightforward. Here we present Badger, a lightweight and easy-to-install genome exploration environment designed for next generation non-model organism genomes.
Availability: Badger is released under the GPL and is available at http://badger.bio.ed.ac.uk/. We show two working examples: (i) a test dataset included with the source code, and (ii) a collection of four filarial nematode genomes.
Contact: mark.blaxter@ed.ac.uk
Do Political Protests Matter? Evidence from the Tea Party Movement*
Authors: Madestam Andreas , Shoag Daniel , Veuger Stan , Yanagizawa-Drott David 
Published: August 2013

Abstract
Can protests cause political change, or are they merely symptoms of underlying shifts in policy preferences? We address this question by studying the Tea Party movement in the United States, which rose to prominence through coordinated rallies across the country on Tax Day, April 15, 2009. We exploit variation in rainfall on the day of these rallies as an exogenous source of variation in attendance. We show that good weather at this initial, coordinating event had significant consequences for the subsequent local strength of the movement, increased public support for Tea Party positions, and led to more Republican votes in the 2010 midterm elections. Policy making was also affected, as incumbents responded to large protests in their district by voting more conservatively in Congress. Our estimates suggest significant multiplier effects: an additional protester increased the number of Republican votes by a factor well above 1. Together our results show that protests can build political movements that ultimately affect policy making and that they do so by influencing political views rather than solely through the revelation of existing political preferences.