bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Paucity of evidence for urinary tract outcomes in closed spinal dysraphism: a systematic review
Authors: Veenboer Paul W. , Bosch J.L.H. Ruud , van Asbeck Floris W.A. , de Kort Laetitia M.O.
Published: June 2013

Objectives

To describe the long‐term upper (UUT) and lower urinary tract (LUT) outcomes in patients with closed spinal dysraphism (CSD).

CSD differs from open spinal dysraphism (OSD) by its long asymptomatic course and consequent later diagnosis. The outcome of UUT and LUT function in adults with CSD is relatively unknown.

Patients and Methods

A systematic review was performed following the standards of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. An extensive search was made of PubMed and EMBASE.

Included were papers on adults with any form of primary CSD that described bladder and/or kidney function. Only English and Dutch language papers were included. Excluded were papers on patients aged <18 years and patients with secondary tethered cord following childhood OSD repair. International Continence Society terminology was used to describe LUT outcomes.

Results

Eventually, only seven studies (90 patients) were included and none of these described renal outcomes. Five of the seven papers were on outcomes after untethering surgery during adulthood.

Urological complaints were present in 54/79 (68.4%) patients.

Urodynamic studies (48 patients available) revealed detrusor underactivity in 46.5% of the evaluated cases, detrusor overactivity in 32.6% and normal findings in 16.3% of the studied patients.

Symptomatic improvement after surgery for tethered cord occurred in 33.3–90.0%, depending on the subgroup studied. Urodynamic improvement rates ranged from 11.1% to 54.5% (but based on three studies with only 24 patients). Success of surgery depended on the time between onset of symptoms and operation, and (sometimes) type of lesion.

Conclusions

Few data are available on long‐term urological outcomes in adult patients with CSD.

More extensive research on follow‐up, including the functional status of the UUT, is recommended.

Based upon the little evidence available, we think life‐long follow‐up (from birth into adulthood) of those with CSD and neurogenic bladder is advisable.
Dermatitis artefacta in a vulnerable adult with a dissociative state
Authors: Ahmed A. , Bewley A. , Taylor R.
Published: June 2013

Dermatitis artefacta (DA), a factitious skin disorder, often occurs as a response to traumatic life events or as a factitious behaviour, which may result in secondary gain. It can be difficult to get patients to engage with health services, and they seldom admit to causing the lesions themselves. The possibility of DA lesions occurring in dissociative states is less well known. We present a case of DA diagnosed in a vulnerable adult, who we believe caused the lesions during periods of dissociation. We discuss the way in which the concept of dissociation can provide an acceptable way of discussing the behaviour with patients and initiating psychological therapy.
The role of diet and physical activity in post‐transplant weight gain after renal transplantation
Authors: Zelle Dorien M. , Kok Trijntje , Dontje Manon L. , Danchell Eva I. , Navis Gerjan , van Son Willem J. , Bakker Stephan J.L. , Corpeleijn Eva
Published: June 2013

Background

Long‐term survival of renal transplant recipients (RTR) has not improved over the past 20 yr. The question rises to what extent lifestyle factors play a role in post‐transplant weight gain and its associated risks after transplantation.

Methods

Twenty‐six RTR were measured for body weight, body composition, blood lipids, renal function, dietary intake, and physical activity at six wk, and three, six, and 12 months after transplantation.

Results

Weight gain ranged between −2.4 kg and 19.5 kg and was largely due to increase in body fat. RTR who remained body fat stable, showed more daily physical activity (p = 0.014), tended to consume less energy from drinks and dairy (p = 0.054), consumed less mono‐ and disaccharides (sugars) (p = 0.021) and ate more vegetables (p = 0.043) compared with those who gained body fat. Gain in body fat was strongly related to total cholesterol (r = 0.46, p = 0.017) and triglyceride (r = 0.511, p = 0.011) at one yr after transplantation.

Conclusions

Gain in adiposity after renal transplantation is related to lifestyle factors such as high consumption of energy‐rich drinks, high intake of mono‐ and disaccharides and low daily physical activity. RCTs are needed to investigate potential benefits of lifestyle intervention on long‐term morbidity and mortality.
Safety and efficacy of sorafenib for the treatment of recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma after liver transplantation
Authors: Waghray Abhijeet , Balci Bengi , El‐Gazzaz Galal , Kim Richard , Pelley Robert , Narayanan Menon KV , Estfan Bassam , Romero‐Marrero Carlos , Aucejo Federico
Published: June 2013

Introduction

Recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) following liver transplantation (LT) carries a poor prognosis. The aim of our study was to assess the safety and efficacy of sorafenib in patients with recurrent HCC following LT.

Methods

A prospectively maintained LT database was retrospectively analyzed for patients with recurrent HCC following LT between 2001 and 2011–34 patients. Patients were divided into two groups based on whether they were prescribed sorafenib (n = 17) or not prescribed sorafenib (n = 17). The primary endpoint was overall survival.

Results

There were no significant differences between the two groups analyzed. Seventeen patients were on sorafenib for recurrent HCC, with a mean daily dose of ~444 mg. Mean duration of treatment was ~10 months. Side effects included: thrombocytopenia, diarrhea, rising transaminases, fatigue, hand–foot skin reaction, and nausea. Survival in the sorafenib vs. non‐sorafenib group was greater at three‐, six‐, nine‐, and 12‐month intervals and overall survival.

Conclusion

Sorafenib can be well tolerated and safe in patients with recurrent HCC following LT and may be associated with a modest survival benefit. To our knowledge, this is the largest single‐center retrospective analysis of patients prescribed sorafenib for recurrent HCC after LT.
Apamin modulates electrophysiological characteristics of the pulmonary vein and the Sinoatrial Node
Authors: Chen Wei‐Ta , Chen Yao‐Chang , Lu Yen‐Yu , Kao Yu‐Hsun , Huang Jen‐Hung , Lin Yung‐Kuo , Chen Shih‐Ann , Chen Yi‐Jen
Published: June 2013

Background

Small‐conductance calcium‐activated potassium (SK) channels play an important role in atrial electrophysiology. Blocking SK channels prolongs action potential (AP) duration and attenuate electrical remodelling. The effects of SK blocking on the pulmonary vein (PV) and the sinoatrial node (SAN) remain unclear.

Materials and methods

Conventional microelectrodes were used to record the AP in SANs and in isolated rabbit PVs with and without denudation before and after treatment with apamin (1, 10 nM). Using the whole‐cell patch‐clamp technique, the SK current was investigated in isolated single PV and SAN myocytes.

Results

In nondenudated PVs (n = 6), apamin (1 and 10 nM) increased PV spontaneous activity (from 1·8 ± 0·2 Hz to 2·4 ± 0·2 Hz and 2·3 ± 0·2 Hz, P < 0·05) and increased the PV tension by 42 ± 14% and 37 ± 11%. Conversely, in denudated PVs (n = 6), apamin (1 and 10 nM) decreased spontaneous activity (from 2·2 ± 0·3 Hz to 1·9 ± 0·2 Hz and 1·8 ± 0·2 Hz, P < 0·05) and prolonged AP duration without changing PV tensions. Additionally, apamin (1 and 10 nM) decreased spontaneous activity (from 2·8 ± 0·1 Hz to 2·4 ± 0·1 Hz, and 2·4 ± 0·1 Hz, P < 0·05) and prolonged AP duration in SAN (n = 6). SAN myocytes had larger SK currents than did PV cardiomyocytes. Treatment with apamin (10 nM) resulted in a greater decrease (25 ± 8 vs. 20 ± 13%, P < 0·05) in spontaneous activity in isolated single SAN (n = 17) vs. PV cardiomyocytes (n = 16).

Conclusion

Small‐conductance calcium‐activated potassium channels play a key role in SAN and PV spontaneous activity and AP morphology. Apamin may modulate PV electrical activity with and without endothelium dependence.
TAX RATES, GOVERNANCE, AND THE INFORMAL ECONOMY IN HIGH‐INCOME COUNTRIES
Authors: KUEHN ZOË
Published: June 2013

Approximately 16.7% of output in high‐income OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) countries is produced informally. I present a model economy where entrepreneurs decide how much of their production to keep informal. Informality carries a risk of getting caught, taxed, and fined. Results from a model with differences in tax rates alone only agree to approximately 23% with data on informality. Taking into account both governance quality and tax rates, agreement between the model's results and data increases to 72%. A policy experiment raising governance quality in Greece, Italy, Spain, and Portugal to Finnish standards reduces informality by 13 percentage points. (JEL E26, H26, J24)
Efficacy of tooth whitening with different calcium phosphate‐based formulations
Authors: Jin Jian , Xu Xiaohui , Lai Guangyun , Kunzelmann Karl‐Heinz
Published: June 2013

The aim of this in‐vitro study was to evaluate the efficacy of tooth whitening using different calcium phosphate‐based formulations. Teeth were treated with three different hydroxyapatite preparations at different concentrations and with two control preparations; each tooth was treated a total of three times. After application of the last material, hydrodynamic shear force was applied to mimic mechanical loading. After each treatment, tooth color was measured using a dental spectrophotometer, and the mean changes in L*a*b* values between different measurements were expressed as ∆E. The results indicated significant differences between the materials, but neither dose‐ nor time‐dependent associations were found. The suspension containing tricalcium phosphate (10 wt%) showed the most obvious color change (∆E = 2.20 ± 0.90), while the suspension containing zinc‐carbonate‐apatite (20 wt%) showed the least obvious color change (∆E = 0.91 ± 0.50). Calcium phosphate‐based formulations that can adhere to the enamel surface and contribute to tooth whitening have promising tooth‐whitening potential.
Teaching Outside the Lines: Education History for a World in Motion
Authors: Finkelstein Barbara
Published: June 2013

Lurking in the shadows of education history are networks of human interaction, transcultural encounters, forms of global connection, and dispersed sites of cultural teaching and learning that are barely visible in the master narratives of education history. This is no surprise really. Who would have thought a half-century ago that we would become witnesses and participants in an increasingly interconnected world, bound together by global systems of commerce, transnational structures of communication, tsunami-proportion migratory flows, and ever more complex and puzzling transcultural encounters? Who could have imagined that a rising generation of globally conscious, mobile, and empowered young people—the progeny of Marshall McLuhan, Bill Gates, and Mark Zuckerberg—could refashion social and cultural networks, produce novel communicative and linguistic forms, mobilize worldwide social movements, inspire political action, unravel regimes of governance, and shape the contours of cultural life worldwide? Who could have imagined that historians of education would need to situate education history in relationship to newly evolving educational contexts of dazzling and unprecedented diversities: where encounters between total strangers from around the globe are the stuff of daily life in schools; the contours of community life and bonds of affiliation are trans-local, poly-focal, and subject to negotiation; where time-honored habits of heart, mind, and association are multitudinous and deeply challenged; where the languages of instruction, communication, and daily discourse are continually shifting and fusing; where designations of insiders and outsiders are manifold and fluid? Who could have imagined that sites of teaching and learning could become geographically unbound, disentangled from life in face-to-face communities, and the traditional boundaries of nation-state and imperial empire?
A Partial Agenda for Modern European Educational History
Authors: Albisetti James C.
Published: June 2013

Attempting to establish an agenda for one's own research is often challenging; trying to do so for a broad swath of one's field is even more so. I accepted the invitation to propose one in the hope that graduate students and younger colleagues—especially those willing to put in the work to obtain at least reading fluency in foreign languages—might benefit from the suggestions of potentially fruitful research topics from someone who has been reading widely in modern European educational history for almost forty years. Such an agenda is partial in both meanings of the word: it does not come close to exhausting all possible topics, and it necessarily reflects my own areas of expertise and interest. That means a focus primarily on the nineteenth century, with more attention both to secondary than to either elementary or university education, and to girls’ schooling than to boys’. As a caveat, I may not be cognizant of all that has been published or is in the works even for the themes suggested.
Is it Time for Another Historiographical Revolution?
Authors: Gaither Milton
Published: June 2013

As I read through the fascinating ruminations of Drs. Albisetti, Finkelstein, Thelin, and Urban, it seemed to me that two basic points emerge, one conceptual and one methodological. Conceptually, Albisetti, Finkelstein, and Urban are asking historians of education to move away from national frames of reference to either a global, transcontinental purview (Albisetti and Finkelstein) or a small, local one (Urban). The two alternatives become complementary as we read on, however, for many examples given of such globalism are actually case studies on a small scale—the lives of single individuals in Finkelstein's case, and of single institutions in Albisetti's. Similarly, Urban's localism becomes the starting point for comparative history between one location (Alabama) and another (Georgia), which in turn expands into regional comparisons (the American South and other parts of the country) and institutional ones (Catholic and public systems). The portmanteau “globalocal,” or the commonplace “think globally, act locally” seem to capture this conceptual recommendation nicely.
The Safety and Soundness Effects of Bank M&A in the EU: Does Prudential Regulation Have any Impact?
Authors: Hagendorff Jens , J. Nieto Maria
Published: June 2013

This paper studies the impact of European bank mergers on changes in key safety and soundness measures of both acquirers and targets. We find that acquirers in cross‐border deals tend to perform better when their home country prudential supervisors and deposit insurance funding systems are stricter than that of the target. For target banks, we find that stronger supervision and tougher deposit insurance funding regimes result in positive post merger changes in liquidity and performance. Overall, while bank mergers have undermined bank safety and soundness in some cases, our evidence indicates that strong regulation and supervision can partly ameliorate this.
Chronotopographical distribution patterns of cell death and of lectin‐positive macrophages/microglial cells during the visual system ontogeny of the small‐spotted catshark Scyliorhinus canicula
Authors: Bejarano‐Escobar Ruth , Blasco Manuel , Durán Ana Carmen , Martín‐Partido Gervasio , Francisco‐Morcillo Javier
Published: June 2013

The patterns of distribution of TUNEL‐positive bodies and of lectin‐positive phagocytes were investigated in the developing visual system of the small‐spotted catshark Scyliorhinus canicula, from the optic vesicle stage to adulthood. During early stages of development, TUNEL‐staining was mainly found in the protruding dorsal part of the optic cup and in the presumptive optic chiasm. Furthermore, TUNEL‐positive bodies were also detected during detachment of the embryonic lens. Coinciding with the developmental period during which ganglion cells began to differentiate, an area of programmed cell death occurred in the distal optic stalk and in the retinal pigment epithelium that surrounds the optic nerve head. The topographical distribution of TUNEL‐positive bodies in the differentiating retina recapitulated the sequence of maturation of the various layers and cell types following a vitreal‐to‐scleral gradient. Lectin‐positive cells apparently entered the retina by the optic nerve head when the retinal layering was almost complete. As development proceeded, these labelled cells migrated parallel to the axon fascicles of the optic fiber layer and then reached more external layers by radial migration. In the mature retina, lectin‐positive cells were confined to the optic fiber layer, ganglion cell layer and inner plexiform layer. No evident correlation was found between the chronotopographical pattern of distribution of TUNEL‐positive bodies and the pattern of distribution of lectin‐labelled macrophages/microglial cells during the shark′s visual system ontogeny.
What Is Organizational Strategy? A Language‐Based View
Authors: Mantere Saku
Published: June 2013

Under what conditions does a collective strategy exist among organizational members? Where should a scholar look for one? To offer one way to start solving these puzzles I propose a view of organizational strategy as a language game that governs the use of strategy labels at the level of the organization. Organizational strategy exhibits a division of linguistic labour, where responsibility for key concepts is assigned to particular individuals or organizational functions. Such linguistic experts oversee the proper use and maintenance of strategy language. The language‐based view helps to understand linkages between institutional, network, organizational, and micro level views on strategy. It also problematizes widely held intuitions regarding the relationship between strategy and organizational outcomes.
Phylogeography ofKorean raccoon dogs: implications of peripheral isolation of a forest mammal inEastAsia
Authors: Kim S.‐I. , Park S.‐K. , Lee H. , Oshida T. , Kimura J. , Kim Y.‐J. , Nguyen S. T. , Sashika M. , Min M.‐S.
Published: June 2013

TheKoreanPeninsula is a problematic place for tracing the evolutionary history of manyEastAsian species because of its location on the eastern edge of theEurasian continent. This peninsula probably experienced peripheral isolation as one of several possiblePleistocene refugia. Historical population fluctuations and peripatric speciation of vertebrates in theKoreanPeninsula are poorly understood. As an endemic species inEastAsia, the raccoon dogNyctereutes procyonoidesis an appropriate model for describing the evolutionary history of mammal species in theKoreanPeninsula. Therefore, we used mitochondrial cytochromebsequences of raccoon dogs fromKorea,Russia,China,Vietnam andJapan to test four hypotheses: (1) during glacial periods, a single contiguous refugium may have existed in north‐easternAsia that permitted genetic exchange between raccoon dogs fromKorea andJapan; (2) the presence of one large refugium did not permit gene flow between raccoon dogs inKorea andJapan; (3) several refugia existed on the north‐eastAsian mainland, one located in the southern part of theKoreanPeninsula, with some population movement toJapan; (4) the presence of several refugia, but no gene flow between the raccoon dogs ofKorea andJapan. Our results support the last hypothesis. Haplotype distributions indicate postglacial expansion of raccoon dogs in theKoreanPeninsula. Conspicuous genetic differences betweenJapanese and continental populations might be the result of limited gene flow after geographical isolation. This phylogeographical pattern shows the effect of peripheral isolation in theKoreanPeninsula, the southernmost refugium for raccoon dogs.
The Effects of Quality of Care on Costs: A Conceptual Framework
Authors: NUCKOLS TERYL K. , ESCARCE JOSÉ J. , ASCH STEVEN M.
Published: June 2013

Context

The quality of health care and the financial costs affected by receiving care represent two fundamental dimensions for judging health care performance. No existing conceptual framework appears to have described how quality influences costs.

Methods

We developed the Quality‐Cost Framework, drawing from the work of Donabedian, the RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method, reports by the Institute of Medicine, and other sources.

Findings

The Quality‐Cost Framework describes how health‐related quality of care (aspects of quality that influence health status) affects health care and other costs. Structure influences process, which, in turn, affects proximate and ultimate outcomes. Within structure, subdomains include general structural characteristics, circumstance‐specific (e.g., disease‐specific) structural characteristics, and quality‐improvement systems. Process subdomains include appropriateness of care and medical errors. Proximate outcomes consist of disease progression, disease complications, and care complications. Each of the preceding subdomains influences health care costs. For example, quality improvement systems often create costs associated with monitoring and feedback. Providing appropriate care frequently requires additional physician visits and medications. Care complications may result in costly hospitalizations or procedures. Ultimate outcomes include functional status as well as length and quality of life; the economic value of these outcomes can be measured in terms of health utility or health‐status‐related costs. We illustrate our framework using examples related to glycemic control for type 2 diabetes mellitus or the appropriateness of care for low back pain.

Conclusions

The Quality‐Cost Framework describes the mechanisms by which health‐related quality of care affects health care and health status–related costs. Additional work will need to validate the framework by applying it to multiple clinical conditions. Applicability could be assessed by using the framework to classify the measures of quality and cost reported in published studies. Usefulness could be demonstrated by employing the framework to identify design flaws in published cost analyses, such as omitting the costs attributable to a relevant subdomain of quality.
Characterization of nitrite uptake in Arabidopsis thaliana: evidence for a nitrite‐specific transporter
Authors: Kotur Zorica , Siddiqi Yaeesh M. , Glass Anthony D. M.
Published: June 2013

Nitrite‐specific plasma membrane transporters have been described in bacteria, algae and fungi, but there is no evidence of a nitrite‐specific plasma membrane transporter in higher plants. We have used to characterize nitrite influx into roots of Arabidopsis thaliana.

Hydroponically grown Arabidopsis mutants, defective in high‐affinity nitrate transport, were used to distinguish between nitrate and nitrite uptake by means of the short‐lived tracers and . This approach allowed us to characterize a nitrite‐specific transporter.

The Atnar2.1‐2 mutant, lacking a functional high‐affinity nitrate transport system, is capable of nitrite influx that is constitutive and thermodynamically active. The corresponding fluxes conform to a rectangular hyperbola, exhibiting saturation at concentrations above 200 μM (Km = 185 μM and Vmax = 1.89 μmol g−1 FW h−1). Nitrite influx via the putative nitrite transporter is not subject to competitive inhibition by nitrate but is downregulated after 6 h exposure to ammonium.

These results signify the existence of a nitrite‐specific transporter in Arabidopsis. This transporter enables Atnar2.1‐2 mutants, which are incapable of sustained growth on low nitrate, to maintain significant growth on low nitrite. In wild‐type plants, this nitrite flux may increase nitrogen acquisition and also participate in the induction of genes specifically induced by nitrite.
Play, attention, and learning: How do play and timing shape the development of attention and influence classroom learning?
Authors: Hedges James H. , Adolph Karen E. , Amso Dima , Bavelier Daphne , Fiez Julie A. , Krubitzer Leah , McAuley J. Devin , Newcombe Nora S. , Fitzpatrick Susan M. , Ghajar Jamshid
Published: June 2013

The behavioral and neurobiological connections between play and the development of critical cognitive functions, such as attention, remain largely unknown. We do not yet know how these connections relate to the formation of specific abilities, such as spatial ability, and to learning in formal environments, such as in the classroom. Insights into these issues would be beneficial not only for understanding play, attention, and learning individually, but also for the development of more efficacious systems for learning and for the treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders. Different operational definitions of play can incorporate or exclude varying types of behavior, emphasize varying developmental time points, and motivate different research questions. Relevant questions to be explored in this area include, How do particular kinds of play relate to the development of particular kinds of abilities later in life? How does play vary across societies and species in the context of evolution? Does play facilitate a shift from reactive to predictive timing, and is its connection to timing unique or particularly significant? This report will outline important research steps that need to be taken in order to address these and other questions about play, human activity, and cognitive functions.
Energy disclosure, market behavior, and the building data ecosystem
Authors: Kontokosta Constantine E.
Published: June 2013

Energy disclosure laws represent one of the most promising public policy tools to accelerate market transformation around building energy efficiency. For this type of information to have an impact on market behavior, it must be collected, analyzed, and disseminated to support the decision‐making processes of each end user and influence both the producers and consumers of building performance data. This paper explores the significance of energy disclosure requirements and outlines a framework for utilizing these new sources of transparent, publicly available information. It presents the mechanisms by which information can alter market behavior in the commercial real estate sector and develops a wiring diagram for the flows of information through the building data ecosystem. It concludes with a discussion of the motivations, metrics, and constraints faced by the various stakeholders in the ecosystem and how these factors influence investment decision models.
Reduced Incidence of Chronic Postsurgical Pain after Epidural Analgesia for Abdominal Surgery
Authors: Bouman Esther A. , Theunissen Maurice , Bons Sabrina A. , van Mook Walther N. , Gramke Hans‐F. , van Kleef Maarten , Marcus Marco A.
Published: June 2013

Background

Chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) is a common complication of surgery with high impact on quality of life. Peripheral and central sensitization caused by enhanced and prolonged afferent nociceptive input are considered important mechanisms for the development of CPSP. This case–control study investigated whether epidural analgesia is associated with a reduced incidence of CPSP after open abdominal surgery.

Methods

Six months after surgery, Short‐Form‐36 Health Survey (SF‐36) pain scores, possible predictors of chronic pain, and quality of life were assessed. Patients treated with epidural analgesia in combination with general anesthesia (epidural group, N = 51) were compared to patients undergoing matched surgical procedures receiving general anesthesia alone (GA‐group, N = 50). Multivariate analysis was performed by logistic regression analysis.

Results

Twenty‐six (25.7%) patients experienced chronic pain, 9 in the epidural group (17.6%), 17 in the GA‐group (34%), crude odds ratio (OR) 0.42 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.16 to 1.05). After adjustment for the most prominent predictors of CPSP, such as age, sex, pre‐operative pain, and acute postoperative pain, the OR for chronic pain in the epidural group was 0.19 (95% CI 0.05 to 0.76). Patients with CPSP reported a significantly lower quality of life compared to patients without CPSP (SF‐36 total score median (IQR) 39.2 (27.2 to 56.7) vs. 84.3 (69.9 to 92.5, P < 0.001) and a lower level of long‐term global perceived recovery (70.0% (50.0 to 80.0) vs. 90.0% (80.0 to 100.0), P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Chronic postsurgical pain occurs in a significant number of patients 6 months after open abdominal surgery. Postoperative epidural analgesia is associated with a reduced incidence of CPSP after abdominal surgery.
Comparative genomics analysis in Prunoideae to identify biologically relevant polymorphisms
Authors: Koepke Tyson , Schaeffer Scott , Harper Artemus , Dicenta Federico , Edwards Mark , Henry Robert J. , Møller Birger L. , Meisel Lee , Oraguzie Nnadozie , Silva Herman , Sánchez‐Pérez Raquel , Dhingra Amit
Published: June 2013

Prunus is an economically important genus with a wide range of physiological and biological variability. Using the peach genome as a reference, sequencing reads from four almond accessions and one sweet cherry cultivar were used for comparative analysis of these three Prunus species. Reference mapping enabled the identification of many biological relevant polymorphisms within the individuals. Examining the depth of the polymorphisms and the overall scaffold coverage, we identified many potentially interesting regions including hundreds of small scaffolds with no coverage from any individual. Non‐sense mutations account for about 70 000 of the 13 million identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Blast2GO analyses on these non‐sense SNPs revealed several interesting results. First, non‐sense SNPs were not evenly distributed across all gene ontology terms. Specifically, in comparison with peach, sweet cherry is found to have non‐sense SNPs in two 1‐aminocyclopropane‐1‐carboxylate synthase (ACS) genes and two 1‐aminocyclopropane‐1‐carboxylate oxidase (ACO) genes. These polymorphisms may be at the root of the nonclimacteric ripening of sweet cherry. A set of candidate genes associated with bitterness in almond were identified by comparing sweet and bitter almond sequences. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report in plants of non‐sense SNP abundance in a genus being linked to specific GO terms.
Detection of Glycosylated Proteins in Rabbit Oviductal Isthmus and Uterine Endometrium During Early Embryo Development
Authors: Marco‐Jiménez F , López‐Bejar M
Published: June 2013

Contents

In this study, lectin histochemistry was performed on paraffin sections to compare carbohydrate expression of oviductal isthmus and uterine endometrium in rabbits during early embryo development. Rabbit embryos are surrounded not only by the zona pellucida but also by tubal secretion‐derived mucinous coat material, the mucin coat. Twenty sexually mature females were euthanized at 0 (pre‐ovulatory group) and 24, 72 and 96 h after insemination (pseudopregnancy group). The following lectin‐binding agents were used:Arachis hypogaea,Peanut (PNA) to label galactosyl (β‐1,3)N‐ acetyl‐galactosamine, Dolichos biflorus Agglutinin (DBA) to label galactosyl (β‐1,4)N‐ acetyl‐galactosamine,Lens curinaris (LCA) to label α‐‐mannose, α‐d‐glucose andPisum sativum agglutinin (PSA) to label α‐d‐mannose, α‐d‐glucose. Blood was collected by cardiac puncture, and direct enzyme immunoassay technique was used to measure progesterone concentration. A significant increase in total plasma progesterone concentrations was detected at 96 h post‐ovulation when compared with 0, 24 and 72 h post‐ovulation (2.9 ± 0.5 vs 0.5 ± 0.15, 1.6 ± 0.5 and 1.5 ± 0.4 ng/ml, at 96 h vs 0, 24 and 72 h post‐ovulation, respectively). No differences between pre‐ovulatory and pseudopregnant females were observed for glycoprotein localization in isthmus. In contrast, in the endometrium, differences in the glycoprotein detection between pre‐ovulatory and pseudopregnant stages were detected.PNAto label galactosyl (β‐1,3)N‐ acetyl‐galactosamine was not detected at the pre‐ovulatory stage, but its presence was detected at 24 h after ovulation. BothPSAandLCAto label α‐d‐mannose, α‐d‐glucose were only detected at 72 h after ovulation.DBAdetection was similar for all stages of the reproductive cycle. Therefore, N‐acetyl‐galactosamine secreted from isthmus could be involved in the formation of the embryonic mucin coat.d‐galactose (PNA),d‐glucose andd‐mannose (PSAandLCA) might be crucial for the implantation period.
Quantifying the Hurricane Catastrophe Risk to Offshore Wind Power
Authors: Rose Stephen , Jaramillo Paulina , Small Mitchell J. , Apt Jay
Published: June 2013

The U.S. Department of Energy has estimated that over 50 GW of offshore wind power will be required for the United States to generate 20% of its electricity from wind. Developers are actively planning offshore wind farms along the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf coasts and several leases have been signed for offshore sites. These planned projects are in areas that are sometimes struck by hurricanes. We present a method to estimate the catastrophe risk to offshore wind power using simulated hurricanes. Using this method, we estimate the fraction of offshore wind power simultaneously offline and the cumulative damage in a region. In Texas, the most vulnerable region we studied, 10% of offshore wind power could be offline simultaneously because of hurricane damage with a 100‐year return period and 6% could be destroyed in any 10‐year period. We also estimate the risks to single wind farms in four representative locations; we find the risks are significant but lower than those estimated in previously published results. Much of the hurricane risk to offshore wind turbines can be mitigated by designing turbines for higher maximum wind speeds, ensuring that turbine nacelles can turn quickly to track the wind direction even when grid power is lost, and building in areas with lower risk.
The widespread plant‐colonizing bacterial species Pseudomonas syringae detects and exploits an extracellular pool of choline in hosts
Authors: Chen Chiliang , Li Shanshan , McKeever Dana R. , Beattie Gwyn A.
Published: June 2013

The quaternary ammonium compound (QAC) choline is a major component of membrane lipids in eukaryotes and, if available to microbial colonists of plants, could provide benefits for growth and protection from stress. Free choline is found in homogenized plant tissues, but its subcellular location and availability to plant microbes are not known. Whole‐cell bacterial bioreporters of the phytopathogen Pseudomonas syringae were constructed that couple a QAC‐responsive transcriptional fusion with well‐characterized bacterial QAC transporters. These bioreporters demonstrated the presence of abundant free choline compounds released from germinating seeds and seedlings of the bean Phaseolus vulgaris, and a smaller but consistently detectable amount of QACs, probably choline, from leaves. The localization of P. syringae bioreporter cells to the surface and intercellular sites of plant tissues demonstrated the extracellular location of these QAC pools. Moreover, P. syringae mutants that were deficient in the uptake of choline compounds exhibited reduced fitness on leaves, highlighting the importance of extracellular choline to P. syringae on leaves. Our data support a model in which this choline pool is derived from the phospholipid phosphatidylcholine through plant‐encoded phospholipases that release choline into the intercellular spaces of plant tissues, such as for membrane lipid recycling. The consequent extracellular release of choline compounds enables their interception and exploitation by plant‐associated microbes, and thus provides a selective advantage for microbes such as P. syringae that are adapted to maximally exploit choline.
Restless legs syndrome, pica, and iron status in blood donors
Authors: Spencer Bryan R. , Kleinman Steven , Wright David J. , Glynn Simone A. , Rye David B. , Kiss Joseph E. , Mast Alan E. , Cable Ritchard G. ,   REDS‐II RISE Analysis Group
Published: June 2013

Background

The association of blood donation–related iron deficiency with pica or restless legs syndrome (RLS) remains poorly elucidated. This study evaluated the prevalence of RLS and pica in blood donors completing the REDS‐II Iron Status Evaluation (RISE) study.

Study Design and Methods

RISE enrolled 2425 blood donors in a prospective cohort study; 1334 donors provided blood samples to characterize iron status and answered a questionnaire inquiring into symptoms of RLS and pica at a final visit after 15 to 24 months of follow‐up. Associations between both conditions and iron status were evaluated.

Results

There were 9 and 20% of donors reporting symptoms of probable or probable/possible RLS, respectively. Iron depletion and donation intensity were not predictive of RLS. Pica was reported by 65 donors (5.5%), half of whom reported daily cravings. Prevalence of pica increased with degree of iron depletion in women (2% in iron‐replete females, 13% in those with ferritin < 12 ng/mL), but not in men. Probable RLS and pica coexpressed in eight individuals, but no more frequently than expected by chance.

Conclusion

RLS and pica have been associated with iron deficiency in nondonor populations. This study indicates a potentially high prevalence of RLS in frequent blood donors but shows no association with iron status or donation intensity. Low iron stores were associated with higher prevalence of pica, but only in females. Furthermore, the results are incompatible with RLS and pica sharing a common pathophysiology.
The minimum number of cord blood units needed forKoreans is 51,000
Authors: Yoon Jong Hyun , Oh Sohee , Shin Sue , Park Jeong Soo , Roh Eun Youn , Song Eun Young , Park Myoung Hee , Han Kyou Sup
Published: June 2013

Background

The inventory size for cord blood (CB) depends on the ethnic diversity of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) and the size estimation is important for public health in each ethnicity.

Study Design and Methods

We estimate theCBinventory size inKoreans with storedCBunits (CBUs) and patients who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Two‐digitHLAspecificities were determined using intermediateDNAtyping. From 17,508 storedKoreanCBUs, 1460 haplotypes with a frequency greater than 0.001% were used for reconstitution of theHLA. A total of 1002 transplanted patients'HLAwas used for matching probability calculation.

Results

The best probability for 6/6 matching is 47% in 500,000 hypothetical size. Ninety‐five percent probability is achieved with 51,000CBUsin 5/6, and 2150 in 4/6 matching condition. Because 4/6 matchedCBis rarely selected in theKorean situation, 51,000 units is the lowest limit ofCBUsrequired and the number will be adjusted depending on the cell number required for patients and the resolution ofHLAtyping.

Conclusion

Approximately 51,000 units could provide the minimum requirement for hematopoietic transplantation inKorea.
Numerical Simulation of Cold–Formed Steel Top–Seat Flange Cleat Connection
Authors: Tan Cher–Siang , Lee Yeong–Huei , Lee Yee–Ling , Mohammad Shahrin , Sulaiman Arizu , Md Tahir Mahmood , She Poi–Ngian
Published: June 2013

This paper presents the numerical simulation of cold–formed steel top–seat flange cleat connection in light steel framing. The cold–formed steel channel sections are assembled back–to–back to form I–shaped beam and column members. Angle sections are used to connect the beam to column with the profile of top–seat flange cleat connection. Numerical models are developed to predict the moment–rotation behaviour of such joint profile. Verification of numerical model with Eurocode 3 is carried out for solving mathematical problems, whereas validation with experimental results is done to investigate the physical uncertainties such as errors removal and uncertainties evaluation. Convergence study is carried out from the perspectives of geometry and meshing in order to optimise the developed finite element models. The result indicated that finite element analysis is suitable for the structural analysis on cold–formed steel top-seat flange cleat connection.
Comparative Study on Prediction of Axial Bearing Capacity of Driven Piles in Granular Materials
Authors: Momeni Ehsan , Maizir Harnedi , Gofar Nurly , Nazir Ramli
Published: June 2013

Estimation of axial bearing capacity plays an essential role in pile design. A part from semi-empirical and numerical methods, axial bearing capacity of piles can be either predicted by means of a maintain load test or dynamic load test. The latter test is based on wave equation analysis and it is provided by Pile driving analyzer (PDA). Combination of wave equation analysis with dynamic monitoring of the pile can result in prediction of axial bearing capacity of the pile and its distribution. This paper compares the axial capacity of pile obtained from PDA records and  maintain load test (static load test) with predicted axial capacities obtained using analytical, empirical and finite element analysis. From the results it is observed that axial bearing capacity derived from numerical modelling with the aid of the finite element code, Plaxis, is in a good agreement with estimated axial capacity through analytical-empirical methods, PDA, and maintain load test.
Analysis on the Thoughts of Imam Abu Hanifah and Imam Syafi’i on the Ijtihad Method for Sukuk Instrument
Authors: Noyo Sarkun Mif Rohim , Mohamed Saniff Shereeza
Published: June 2013

The paper aims to analyse the thoughts of Imam Abu Hanifah and Imam Syafi’i on sukuk instruments. This paper is divided into two  parts. The first part presents the need yet destructive forces of globalization and free trade era in today’s civilization dominated by a capitalistic system which had inadvertently caused global financial crisis and accelerated the issue on poverty, knowledge deficiency and moral decadence. These destructive forces have led to the rise of the Islamic economy concept, amongst others on the need for sukuk instruments. The discussion focuses on sukuk instrument as sukuk has an important role in free trade to fulfill the increased extraordinary economic needs of Islamic countries as well as to realize the economic needs of the entire world. The second part of the paper then analyses the legal aspects of sukuk being a subject of ongoing debate among the experts of Islamic law that seemingly has a negative tendencies on the development of sukuk. The group that rejects sukuk are influenced by the qiyas (analogical) method of Imam Syafi‘i who assumed that sukuk has the conventional elements of risk (gharar) and gambling (maisir).  The group that accepts sukuk is influenced by the thoughts of Imam Abu Hanifah who assumed that sukuk is a case of individual interpretation and judgment of Islamic law that should go through the ijtihad method. It is found that both schools of thoughts in essence accepted sukuk as an Islamic financial instrument. This is because Imam Abu Hanifah relied on the istihsan method whilst when Imam Syafi‘i digressed from the qiyas method and used the takhsis theory, the resource levels of legal sources theory and the language approach theory. These theories relied by Imam Syafi’i are all in essence the istihsan theory according to Imam Abu Hanifah.
Dependency on Smartphones: An Analysis of Structural Equation Modelling
Authors: Mohd Suki Norazah , Mohd Suki Norbayah
Published: June 2013

This study aims to examine the influence of social needs, social influences and convenience of smartphone on students’ dependency on smartphones. A total of 200 completed and usable questionnaires were received from the respondents which comprises of students from one of the public higher education institution in Federal Territory of Labuan, Malaysia by utilizing simple random sampling method where every unit in the population have an equal chance to be selected in the sample. Results via the analysis of structural equation modelling (SEM) show that the relationship between social needs, social influences and convenience of smartphone with dependency on smartphone were supported. The first was found to be the strongest effect. A strong relationship also existed between students’ dependency on smartphone and their purchase behavior. Based on the findings, the implications are discussed in the paper and directions for future research are also highlighted.
Model Persamaan Struktur untuk Mengkaji Penggunaan Kenderaan tidak Bermotor Berdasarkan Teori Tingkah Laku Terancang
Authors: Mat Yazid Muhamad Razuhanafi
Published: June 2013

Konsep pengangkutan tidak bermotor adalah penting bagi menjamin kehidupan dalam persekitaran yang bersih, sihat dan berkualiti tinggi. Hari ini, sistem pengangkutan bandar-bandar di Malaysia mempunyai imej buruk seperti kesesakan, kemalangan, ketiadaan pengangkutan awam sebagai alternatif serta konflik pembebasan gas karbon ke ruang atmosfera menyumbang kepada pencemaran alam dan kepincangan dari aspek kualiti mobiliti kehidupan secara umumnya. Tujuan kajian ini adalah untuk mengukur kesahan dan kebolehpercayaan Instrumen model kenderaan tidak bermotor. Instrumen 4 konstruk yang mengandungi 17 item skala 5 mata telah digunakan dalam kajian ini. Instrumen ini telah ditadbirkan kepada 400 orang responden di bandar Kota Bharu yang dipilih secara rawak berkelompok. Perisian Amos versi 7 digunakan untuk menganalisis data. Nilai Comparative Fit Index (CFI), Tucker Lewis Index (TLI) dan RMSEA digunakan untuk mengekal dan menggugurkan item. Dapatan akhir kajian menggunakan model pengukuran confirmatory factor analisis telah menggugurkan 7 item dan mengekalkan 10 item yang sah dan boleh dipercayai untuk mengukur 4 konstruk. Instrumen ini boleh digunakan untuk membentuk model penggunaan kenderaan tidak bermotor berdasarkan teori tingkah laku terancang (TPB) iaitu berbasikal dan berjalan kaki dalam menjadikannya sebagai mod pengangkutan pilihan di Malaysia.
Persepsi Pelajar Terhadap Hasil Pembelajaran Bidang Kejuruteraan
Authors: Mustafa Zainol , Wai Ling Wong , Ab Hamid Mohd Rashid
Published: June 2013

Makalah ini bertujuan untuk menentusahkan elemen penting dalam hasil pembelajaran dari segi persepsi pelajar yang terlibat dalam bidang kejuruteraan bagi meningkatkan kualiti perkhidmatan sektor pengajian tinggi (IPT) khususnya universiti. Kajian ini melibatkan 500 orang responden dari lima buah IPT terpilih di Malaysia. Instrumen soal selidik berskala Likert 7 markat digunakan untuk mendapatkan maklum balas. Secara keseluruhannya, soal selidik mencapai tahap kebolehpercayaan yang tinggi dengan nilai alfa Cronbach 0.967. Data yang diperoleh diproses melalui analisis faktor penerokaan (EFA) untuk melihat struktur faktor-faktor hasil pembelajaran. Tambahan itu, analisis faktor pengesahan (CFA) juga dilakukan bagi menentusahkan konstruk yang terumpuk. Kesimpulannya, hasil kajian daripada dua analisis berkenaan dapat mengenal pasti dan mengesahkan dua elemen penting dalam hasil pembelajaran bidang kejuruteraan dari segi (i) persepsi dalam pengetahuan bidang teknikal dan (ii) persepsi dalam pengetahuan bidang umum.
Using Value Stream Mapping to Improve Medical Device Development
Authors: Sweem Christopher , Crossett Stan , Lucke Lori
Published: June 2013

In this paper a method is presented for using value stream mapping for improving the development process of medical devices. Two examples are shown to demonstrate the utility of this approach.
Subangstrom Resolution X-Ray Structure Details Aquaporin-Water Interactions
Authors: Kosinska Eriksson Urszula , Fischer Gerhard , Friemann Rosmarie , Enkavi Giray , Tajkhorshid Emad , Neutze Richard
Published: June 2013

Choosing Water

Aquaporins are proteins that facilitate transport of water across biological membranes. They must be selective for water, without binding it so tightly as to impede transport, and they must prevent proton transfer by rapid exchange between hydrogen-bonded water molecules.

Kosinska Eriksson
et al.

(p.
1346
; see the Perspective by

Abramson and Vartanian

) describe the subangstrom resolution structure of yeast aquaporin, which allows assignment of side-chain conformations and shows that the H-bond geometry of water molecules prevents proton conductance without compromising water transport.