bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Visual capabilities and cortical maps in BALB/c mice
Authors: Yeritsyan Naira , Lehmann Konrad , Puk Oliver , Graw Jochen , Löwel Siegrid 
Published: June 2012

AbstractBy combining behavioural analyses with intrinsic signal optical imaging, we analysed visual performance and visual cortical activity in the albino mouse strain BALB/c, which is increasingly being used as an animal model of neuropsychological disorders. Visual acuity, as measured by a virtual‐reality optomotor system, was 0.12 cycles per degree (cyc/deg) in BALB/c mice and 0.39 cyc/deg in pigmented C57BL/6 mice. Surprisingly, BALB/c mice showed reflexive head movements against the direction of the rotating stimulus. Contrast sensitivity was significantly lower in BALB/c mice (45% contrast at 0.064 cyc/deg) than in C57BL/6 mice (6% contrast). In the visual water task, visual acuity was 0.3 cyc/deg in BALB/c mice and 0.59 cyc/deg in C57BL/6 mice. Thus, the visual performance of BALB/c mice was significantly impaired in both behavioural tests – visual acuity was ∼ 0.3 cyc/deg lower than in C57BL/6 mice, and contrast sensitivity was reduced by a factor of ∼ 8. In BALB/c mice, visual cortical maps induced by stimulation of the contralateral eye were normal in both activation strength and retinotopic map quality. In contrast, maps induced by ipsilateral eye stimulation differed significantly between the strains – activity in a region representing 15° to 19° elevation in the visual field was significantly weaker in BALB/c mice than in C57BL/6 mice. Taken together, our observations show that BALB/c mice, like the albino animals of other species, have a significantly lower visual performance than C57BL/6 mice and a modified cortical representation of the ipsilateral eye that may impair stereopsis. Thus, our results caution against disregarding vision as a confounding factor in behavioural tests of neuropsychological disorders.
The expanding burden of cardiometabolic risk in China: the China Health and Nutrition Survey
Authors: Yan S. , Li J. , Li S. , Zhang B. , Du S. , Gordon‐Larsen P. , Adair L. , Popkin B. 
Published: June 2012

SummaryChina faces a major increase in cardiovascular disease, yet there is limited population‐based data on risk factors, particularly in children. Fasting blood samples, anthropometry and blood pressure were collected on 9,244 children and adults aged ≥7 years in late 2009 as part of the national China Health and Nutrition Survey. Prevalent overweight, elevated blood pressure, and cardiometabolic risk factors: glucose, HbA1c, triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high‐ and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C and LDL‐C), and C‐reactive protein (CRP) are presented. We found that 11% of Chinese children and 30% of Chinese adults are overweight. Rates of diabetes, dyslipidaemia, hypertension and inflammation are high and increased with age and were associated with urbanization. Approximately 42% of children have at least one of the following: pre‐diabetes or diabetes, hypertension, high TC, LDL‐C, TG, and CRP and low HDL‐C, as do 70% men and 60% women aged 18–40 years and >90% of men and women ≥60 years. In sum, the HbA1c findings suggest that as many as 27.7 million Chinese children and 334 million Chinese adults may be pre‐diabetic or diabetic. The high prevalence in less urban areas and across all income levels suggests that cardiometabolic risk is pervasive across rural and urban China.
Youth and wellbeing: experiencing bereavement and ill health in marginalised young people’s transitions
Authors: MacDonald Robert , Shildrick Tracy 
Published: June 2012

AbstractResearch that explores youth transitions, health, bereavement and wellbeing is rare. Rarer still is research that does this on the basis of long‐term, longitudinal, qualitative research with socioeconomically disadvantaged young people. This article draws upon biographical interviews undertaken with 186 young adults in some of England’s poorest neighbourhoods (in Teesside, North East England) to examine how experiences of health, wellbeing and bereavement interact with processes of youth transition and social exclusion. Depression was the most widespread health problem arising from the multiple pressures and hardships encountered in contexts of severe socioeconomic deprivation. Unpredictable ‘critical moments’ (for example, of bereavement) were common and had unpredictable consequences for youth transitions. It is argued that research of this sort, particularly with a close, qualitative and biographical focus on critical moments, has value for research about youth, health and wellbeing that seeks to better understand how spatially concentrated, class‐based inequalities are lived by young people and play out in their lives.
US Analyst Regulation and the Earnings Forecast Bias around the World
Authors: Hovakimian Armen , Saenyasiri Ekkachai 
Published: June 2012

AbstractWe examine the spillover effects of the Global Analyst Research Settlement (or Global Settlement) on analysts’ earnings forecasts in 40 developed and emerging markets. Prior to the Global Settlement, analysts generally made overly optimistic forecasts, this bias tending to be higher in countries with less investor protection. This forecast bias declined significantly after passage of the Global Settlement, the spillover effect being stronger for countries with lower investor protection. The spillover effect is also stronger for countries with a more significant presence of the analysts of the 12 banks directly involved in the Global Settlement.
Investigation of friction and perceived skin feel after application of suspensions of various cosmetic powders
Authors: Timm K. , Myant C. , Nuguid H. , Spikes H.A. , Grunze M. 
Published: June 2012

SynopsisThe perceived skin feel during and after application of skin care products is highly important to the consumer and therefore to cosmetic formulators. Powder particles are commonly incorporated in cosmetic formulations to improve their sensory properties. Although a large variety of cosmetic powders is available, it is presently uncertain how the particles' properties affect the perceived skin feel. Well‐trained panellists usually assess the perceived skin feel; however, these tests are time‐consuming and by nature subjective. To address this complexity, the authors have systematically investigated various suspensions of cosmetic powders with regard to the perceived skin feel after application. Furthermore, an in vitro friction measurement set‐up was developed which features a tribological contact similar to the mechanical properties and the topography of the contact between finger tip and human skin. A correlation was found between the friction coefficients determined in vitro and the perceived skin feel after sample application (as assessed by a descriptive panel). The results indicate that cosmetic powder particles should be small with a rather irregular shape to better lubricate the tribological contact between finger tip and skin surface, which leads to a more ‘powdery’ skin feel. It is suggested to carry out further tests with different powder particles or other skin care formulations to fully understand the underlying mechanisms of skin feel improvement and to validate or even partly replace the results of panel testing.
Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi extract and linoleic acid from Passiflora edulis synergistically decrease melanin synthesis in B16 cells and reconstituted epidermis
Authors: Jorge A. T. S. , Arroteia K. F. , Santos Í. A. , Andres E. , Medina S. P. H. , Ferrari C. R. , Lourenço C. B. , Biaggio R. M. T. T. , Moreira P. L. 
Published: June 2012

SynopsisSeveral treatments for skin whitening are available today, but few of them are completely adequate, especially owing to the carcinogenic potential attributed to classical drugs like hydroquinone, arbutin and kojic acid. To provide an alternative and safer technology for whitening, we developed two botanical compounds originated from Brazilian biodiversity, an extract of Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi and a linoleic acid fraction isolated from Passiflora edulis oil. The whitening effect of these compounds was assessed using biochemical assays and in vitro models including cellular assays and equivalent skin. The results showed that S. terebinthifolius Raddi extract is able to reduce the tyrosinase activity in vitro, and the combination of this extract with linoleic acid is able to decrease the level of melanin produced by B16 cells cultured with melanocyte‐stimulating hormone. Furthermore, melanin was also reduced in human reconstituted epidermis (containing melanocytes) treated with the compounds. The combination of the compounds may provide a synergistic positive whitening effect rather than their isolated use. Finally, we demonstrated that the performance of these mixed compounds is comparable to classical molecules used for skin whitening, as kojic acid. This new natural mixture could be considered an alternative therapeutic agent for treating hyperpigmentation and an effective component in whitening cosmetics.
Preferential solubilization behaviours and stability of some phenolic‐bearing essential oils formulated in different microemulsion systems
Authors: Edris A. E. , Malone C. F. R. 
Published: June 2012

SynopsisThe solubilization behaviour of a number of essential oils (EOs) containing volatile phenolic constituents was investigated in five different micellar solutions. These oils include clove bud (Eugenia caryophyllata), thyme (Thymus serpyllum) and oregano (Thymus capitatus). Ternary and pseudo‐ternary phase diagrams were constructed to assess the ability for microemulsion formation and dilutability of each system using non‐ionic surfactants. Results showed that Tween 20 (T20) was more suitable to solubilize these oils compared with Tween 80 (T80). Clove EO was found to be easily microemulsifiable compared with the other EOs, whereas oregano showed the least tendency to form a microemulsion. Particle sizes measured at different dilution lines ranged between 5.9 and 16.9 nm. The chemical composition of each EO was revealed by gas chromatography and was correlated with the observed solubilization behaviour. The presence of solubilization enhancers like poly‐ols and short‐chain alcohols improved solubilization of all EOs; however, establishment of new dilution lines was controlled by EO type. Physical stability assessment showed that all microemulsions were stable against alternate freeze/thaw cycles which extended for 1 week. On the contrary, each system showed different temperature sensitivity in the thermal stress assessment. The results of this investigation can be useful in fabrication of thermodynamically stable aqueous system carrying aromatic and bioactive phenolics for different applications in personal hygiene, cosmetic, fragrance and pharmaceutical products.
Biomarkers of oxidative stress in epidermis of Tunisian pemphigus foliaceus patients
Authors: Abida O. , Gargouri B. , Ben Mansour R. , Mseddi‐Djemal M. , Masmoudi A. , Ben Ayed M. , Abdelmoula M. , Turki H. , Lassoued S. , Masmoudi H. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractBackground  Reactive oxygen species play a key role in the development of many dermatological disorders.Objective  The purpose of this study is to examine the lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation and antioxidative profile in Tunisian pemphigus foliaceus (PF) patients.Methods  Malondialdehyde (MDA), conjugated dienes (CD), protein thiol levels, catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were evaluated in skin biopsies of 13 patients compared to biopsies of 7 healthy controls.Results  Oxidative stress was confirmed in these three types of patient biopsies as compared to controls. Thus, MDA, CD levels and catalase CAT and SOD activities were significantly increased in lesional, perilesional and normal biopsies of PF patients than in those of control subjects. Protein oxidative was confirmed by lower levels of protein thiols in lesional, perilesional and normal biopsies than in control’s biopsies. Otherwise, in patients, a significant rise of these biomarkers was observed in lesional and perilesional biopsies compared with normal biopsies.Conclusion  This study shows that oxidative stress could be involved in the pathogenesis of PF by the spread of skin lesions and/or by the increase in auto‐antibodies’ reactivity.
Consumers' expectations of furniture labels during their pre‐purchase information search: an explication of proposed furniture labelling specifications
Authors: Labuschagne Adri , van Zyl Sonna , van der Merwe Daleen , Kruger Annamarie 
Published: June 2012

AbstractThis study aimed to investigate consumers' expectations of furniture labels during the pre‐purchase information search, in order to propose furniture labels that would serve as a more relevant source of external information during the consumer decision‐making process. A mixed‐method approach using a two‐phase exploratory design was followed. The qualitative phase consisted of semi‐structured interviews with experienced sales assistants, while the quantitative phase entailed a questionnaire filled out by consumers during furniture shopping. These results were used to design potential furniture labels during a final phase. Qualitative findings indicated participants' opinions regarding the appearance of and information on specific types of furniture. General information requested to be on furniture labels included price, care instructions, guarantees, warrantees, style and dimensions. Quantitative results showed that the majority of respondents deemed the price, materials used, cleaning instructions, guarantees and warrantees as important information that should appear on furniture labels. This coincided with their pre‐purchase search criteria. There was no practically significant difference between consumers' expectations of the information and appearance of different types of furniture labels. Consumers therefore expect all labels to be similar in appearance and to contain general information, apart from product‐specific information that would be necessary on different types of furniture, for example leather furniture. Appearance characteristics of furniture labels, such as colour, size and layout, were summarized and potential furniture labels were recommended accordingly. These labels can be used by product developers, marketers and the furniture industry to assist consumers during their pre‐purchase information search.
Gender differences in sources of shopping enjoyment
Authors: Kotzé Theuns , North Ernest , Stols Marilize , Venter Lezanne 
Published: June 2012

AbstractA steady stream of research over the past few decades has focused on store and shopping mall patronage and consumers' associated enjoyment of the shopping experience. Based on previous research, the sources of shopping enjoyment were identified as shopping to socialize, shopping for bargains, shopping for gratification, shopping for entertainment, shopping for others, shopping to browse, shopping for exercise and shopping for sensory stimulation. The objective of this study was to investigate gender differences in the sources of shopping enjoyment. Data were collected through self‐administered questionnaires distributed at a large metropolitan shopping centre in the eastern suburbs of Pretoria. The findings indicate significant gender differences on all the sources of shopping enjoyment except ‘shopping for entertainment’. This study contributes to the current literature and provides valuable information to South African retailers, specifically with regard to marketing and promotional strategies aimed at male and female shoppers separately. Suggestions for future research are offered.
The power of food images to communicate important information to consumers
Authors: Fisher Hennie , du Rand Gerrie , Erasmus Alet 
Published: June 2012

AbstractThis paper reports on an investigative study of food magazine readers' responses when examining food images matched with aesthetic indicators. Findings could guide food stylists in compiling food images to better communicate intended messages. The Q‐sort method applied in this study is a reliable psychometric technique that involves the use of photographs, often in non–food‐related contexts such as architecture and the travel industry. In this novel application in a foods context, six food images, matched with six aesthetic indicators, were Q‐sorted by a predetermined sample of the readership of two of South Africa's most eminent food magazines. The data was factor analysed, from which seven factors emerged. Findings confirmed that Q‐sort, employing food images, could be a useful research approach for non‐verbal communication settings where the technical and artistic messaging of food stylists needs to be clarified to appropriately manipulate the assembly of food image content in order to communicate specific information to consumers. It is proposed that food stylists could purposely create images that could communicate on a non‐verbal level with consumers to ultimately change behavioural intent and eventual purchasing behaviour. This report deals with the implementation of Q‐methodology within food image research and consumers' responses to food images as part of a larger exploratory study that also investigated subsequent behavioural intent. Further investigation may expand the theoretic base upon which food stylists could pursue ways to alter consumer's behavioural intent.
Prolactin – to be reconsidered in canine mammary tumourigenesis?
Authors: Michel E. , Rohrer Bley C. , Kowalewski M. P. , Feldmann S. K. , Reichler I. M. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractMammary tumours represent the most common neoplastic disease of the female dog, and the incidence in female dogs is much higher than in women. Whereas the influence of sexual steroids on breast cancer (BC) development in dogs has been studied, very little is known about the role of prolactin (PRL). New studies show that until recently, the importance of PRL in human BC development and progression has been highly underestimated. PRL plays a role in promoting benign as well as malignant neoplastic cell growth in BCin vitroandin vivo. Sporadic publications proposed a tumour promotor role in the dog. The goal of this review is to summarize our knowledge about PRL and human BC as well as canine mammary tumourigenesis, and propose future research in this area.
Use of adjuvant carboplatin for treatment of dogs with oral malignant melanoma following surgical excision
Authors: Dank G. , Rassnick K. M. , Sokolovsky Y. , Garrett L. D. , Post G. S. , Kitchell B. E. , Sellon R. K. , Kleiter M. , Northrup N. , Segev G. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractMelanoma is the most common oral malignancy in dogs. This retrospective study evaluated adjuvant carboplatin chemotherapy (with or without radiation therapy) in 17 dogs with malignant oral melanoma following surgical resection. The median dosage and number of doses of carboplatin administered to the 17 dogs was 300 mg m−2(range, 150–300 mg m−2) and 4 (range, 2–11), respectively. The overall median progression‐free survival for all dogs was 259 days [95% confidence interval (CI95), 119–399 days]. The first progression‐free survival event was local recurrence in seven dogs (41%) and metastases in seven dogs (41%). The median overall survival for all dogs was 440 days (CI95, 247–633 days). The tumour was the cause of death in 10 dogs (59%). On the basis of this study, systemic therapy with carboplatin may be an appropriate adjunct to local treatment for canine malignant melanoma, although future prospective controlled studies are needed to compare treatment modalities for this aggressive neoplasia.
Frequency of glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase–deficient red blood cell units in a metropolitan transfusion service
Authors: Francis Richard O. , Jhang Jeffrey , Hendrickson Jeanne E. , Zimring James C. , Hod Eldad A. , Spitalnik Steven L. 
Published: June 2012

BACKGROUND: Glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is characterized by red blood cell (RBC) destruction in response to oxidative stress. Although blood donors are not routinely screened for G6PD deficiency, the transfusion of stored G6PD‐deficient RBCs may have serious adverse outcomes. By measuring G6PD enzyme activity of RBC units from a large metropolitan hospital transfusion service, we sought to determine 1) the prevalence of G6PD‐deficient RBC units, 2) if G6PD activity changes during storage, and 3) if G6PD activity in segments correlates with its activity in the bags.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Quantitative G6PD activity was measured in 301 randomly selected RBC units and 73 D+C−E− (i.e., R0r or R0R0) RBC units, all stored in additive solutions. G6PD deficiency was defined as activity less than 60% of the normal mean.RESULTS: The frequency of G6PD‐deficient units in the general inventory was 0.3% (1/301; 95% confidence interval [CI], <0.01%‐2.1%). In contrast, its frequency in D+C−E− RBC units was 12.3% (9/73; 95% CI, 6.4%‐22.0%). G6PD activity did not significantly change during the 42‐day storage period, and G6PD activity measured in RBC storage bags and attached segments correlated well (r = 0.7‐0.9, p ≤ 0.001, Spearman rank correlation).CONCLUSIONS: Although the frequency of G6PD‐deficient RBC units in the transfusion service general inventory was relatively low, it was significantly higher among a subset of R0r or R0R0 units. The latter are preferentially allocated for transfusion to patients with sickle cell disease to decrease the risk of RBC alloimmunization, possibly allowing more of these units to be inadvertently targeted to these patients.
The Impact of Catastrophes on Insurer Stock Volatility
Authors: Thomann Christian 
Published: June 2012

AbstractThis article investigates the impact of natural catastrophes and the 9‐11 attacks on (1) the volatility of insurance stocks and (2) the correlation of insurance stocks with the market. We find that natural catastrophes increase the volatility of insurance stocks. They also have a tendency to reduce the correlation of insurance stocks and the market. Investors can, consequently, diversify natural catastrophe risk by additionally holdings of a market portfolio. However, this does not hold for 9‐11. The events of 9‐11 led to increases in volatility and, simultaneously, to an increase in correlation. We also find evidence that 9‐11 increased the beta of insurance stocks.
Minority Policies and Political Participation Among Latinos: Exploring Latinos’ Response to Substantive Representation*
Authors: Jeong Hoi Ok 
Published: June 2012

ObjectivesThis study examines the impact of substantive representation—measured by pro‐minority policies enacted in the United States—on political participation among Latinos.MethodsTo deal with the reverse causality that might flow from political participation to substantive representation, this study employs instrument variable regression analysis.ResultsThe results of the analysis show that Latinos in states with many pro‐minority policies are more likely to take part in politics.ConclusionsThe previous studies on empowerment have mainly focused on descriptive representation as the source of empowerment, ignoring another dimension of minority representation—substantive representation. This study attempts to add to this literature by considering the effect of substantive representation on empowerment. The results indicate that Latinos respond to substantive representation in a positive way.