bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Process intensification routes for mineral carbonation*
Authors: Santos Rafael M. , Van Gerven Tom
Published: September 2011

Mineral carbonation is a realistic route for capture and storage of carbon dioxide. The principal advantages of this approach are the chemical stability and storage safety of mineral carbonates, the opportunities for process integration available, and the potential for conversion of low‐value materials into useful products. In this work, the valorization of alkaline waste materials from thermal processes by mineral carbonation utilizing intensified and integrated mineral carbonation routes is explored. Process intensification aims at providing the paradigm‐shifting techniques needed to revolutionize the chemical engineering industry in the twenty‐first century, particularly focusing on improvements toward process efficiency, yield, and sustainability. The combination of process intensification and process integration strategies has the potential to produce economically feasible and industrially acceptable carbonation technologies that can soon be implemented large scale, several examples of which are already proven at laboratory scale and are herein discussed. © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
High SMAD4 levels appear in microsatellite instability and hypermethylated colon cancers, and indicate a better prognosis
Authors: Isaksson‐Mettävainio Martin , Palmqvist Richard , Dahlin Anna M. , Van Guelpen Bethany , Rutegård Jörgen , Öberg Åke , Henriksson Maria L.
Published: September 2011

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common causes of cancer‐related deaths in western countries. CRC are commonly divided in cancers showing microsatellite stability (MSS) or microsatellite instability (MSI). A more novel classification is dependent on promoter hypermethylation of CpG islands (the CpG island methylator phenotype, CIMP), where cancers show high, low or negative methylation status. SMAD4, located on chromosome 18q, has been thoroughly investigated during the last years. Loss of SMAD4 expression has been reported to correlate with poor CRC patient prognosis. In this study, we analyze the impact of SMAD4 expression on prognosis in relation to MSI screening status and CIMP status. Four hundred and seventy‐nine paraffin‐embedded specimens of CRC were examined for nuclear SMAD4 expression using immunohistochemistry. The tumors were scored loss (−), moderate (+) and high (++) expressing tumors. Loss of SMAD4 correlated significantly with decreased survival in all colon cancer patients. High SMAD4 expression, however, was significantly associated with increased survival, especially in colon cancer patients, which has undergone potential curative surgery. In addition, in MSI tumors and CIMP‐high tumors, high SMAD4 expression was significantly related to increase in survival, while loss of SMAD4 resulted in a significantly poorer prognosis. SMAD4 expression was not correlated to prognosis in rectal cancer cases. We conclude, loss of SMAD4 indicates a poor prognosis in colon cancer patients. The novel findings that high SMAD4 expression predicts a better prognosis suggests that SMAD4 immunohistochemistry could constitute a prognostic marker in combination with CIMP and MSI screening status.
MRI study of cryoinjury infarction in pig hearts: i. Effects of intrapericardial delivery of bFGF/VEGF embedded in alginate beads
Authors: Yang Y. , Gruwel ML. , Dreessen de Gervai P. , Sun J. , Jilkina O. , Gussakovsky E. , Kupriyanov V.
Published: September 2011

The aim of the study was the testing of sustained intrapericardial delivery of vascular growth factors (GFs) from alginate beads on cryoinjury size and perfusion. In domestic pigs (15–20 kg, n = 21), the left ventricular (LV) anterolateral wall of exposed hearts was cryoinjured using an aluminum rod (25 mm o.d.) cooled in liquid nitrogen. Alginate beads (d = 3.2 ± 0.2 mm), containing human recombinant basic fibroblast GF (bFGF, 50 µg) and vascular endothelial GF (VEGF, 50 µg) + heparin (50 µg) or heparin alone (Con, n = 5), were sutured to the cryoinjured epicardium (GF, n = 5; Con, n = 3 ) or pericardium (GF, n = 3; Con, n = 2), or no beads were implanted (n = 4). Four pigs were sham‐operated. Cine and T1‐weighted MRI was performed in vivo at ~2.5 h and 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks after injury in a 3T imager. A double bolus of GdDTPA was injected (0.05 and 0.15 mmol/kg) and first‐pass and late enhancement kinetics were monitored. After 4‐week cryoinjury, following the injection of 5x106 15‐µm NIR fluorescent microspheres (FMS, 645/680 nm), hearts were sliced and examined with fluorescence imaging. Triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining was used to determine infarct areas. Epicardial GF‐containing beads were encapsulated within the hypointense 3‐4‐week infarct tissue. This tissue had a 75% higher LV thickening index, a lower distribution volume for GdDTPA (0.44 ± 0.12 vs 0.68 ± 0.05, p = 0.02), and 25% faster first‐pass Gd kinetics relative to control infarctions. TTC staining revealed TTC‐positive islands in the core of treated infarcts, which showed higher FMS fluorescence relative to surrounding infarct tissue (0.64 ± 0.14 vs. 0.31 ± 0.14; p < 0.0001) and to control infarcts (0.37 ± 0.09, p < 0.05). GF‐beads attached to the pericardium were not effective. We conclude that sustained intrapericardial release of bFGF + VEGF from alginate beads attached to the epicardium facilitated vascular growth in the cryoinjured area. Copyright © 2011 National Research Council Canada.
Common interest, common visions? Chinese science teacher educators' views about the values of teaching nature of science to prospective science teachers
Authors: Wan Zhi Hong , Wong Siu Ling , Yung Benny Hin Wai
Published: September 2011

Teaching nature of science (NOS) is beginning to take root in science education in China. This exploratory study interviewed 24 science teacher educators from economically developed parts of China about their conceptions of teaching NOS to prospective science teachers. Five key dimensions emerged from the data. This paper focuses on the dimension of value of teaching NOS. The values of teaching NOS as perceived by the educators fall into two types. The first type relates to values within the scope of science teaching, which consists of (i) enriching content to be taught in school science, (ii) transforming traditional science teaching methods, (iii) increasing interest in science teaching, and (iv) constituting a foundation of school science teaching. The second type goes beyond classroom teaching, which includes (i) enhancing individual well‐being in daily life and work‐related matter, (ii) enlightening Chinese traditional culture, and (iii) promoting national development. While some of these values share much similarity of those discussed in the Western literature on NOS research, some are distinctively different with a Chinese favor. This paper discusses the social, political, and historical contexts that have contributed to the shaping of such differences. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Sci Ed 95:1101–1123, 2011
Students' views of the nature of science: A critical review of research
Authors: Deng Feng , Chen Der‐Thanq , Tsai Chin‐Chung , Chai Ching Sing
Published: September 2011

This review examines 105 empirical studies that investigate students' views of the nature of science (VNOS), effects of curricular interventions on changing students' VNOS, and relations between VNOS and demographics, majors, and learning of science. The reviewed studies can be categorized into three theoretical frameworks: the unidimension, the multidimension, and the argumentative resource frameworks. Each framework is reviewed first with regard to its theoretical foundation, methods of data collection and analysis, and the respective findings. This is followed by a critical discussion on the methodological issues and the strengths and limitations of the framework. Potential directions regarding theoretical framework, methodology, and pedagogy are suggested in the future directions section. For example, this review proposes the shift to argumentative resource framework for VNOS research and a refinement for judging the “sophistication” of student VNOS. The role of inquiry in student VNOS is also discussed. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Sci Ed 95:961–999, 2011
The dominant logic: A new linkage between diversity and performance
Authors: Prahalad C. K. , Bettis Richard A.
Published: September 2011

Current research offers alternative explanations to the ‘linkage’ between the pattern of diversification and performance. At least four streams of research can be identified. None of these can be considered to be a reliable, predictive theory of successful diversification. They are, at best, partial explanations. The purpose of this paper is to propose an additional ‘linkage’, conceptual at this stage, that might help our understanding of the crucial connection between diversity and performance. The conceptual argument is intended as a ‘supplement’ to the current lines of research, rather than as an alternative explanation.
On tailoring a strategic planning system to its context: Some empirical evidence
Authors: Chakravarthy Balaji S.
Published: September 2011

Based on a survey of 111 senior executives this study finds that tailoring a firm's strategic planning system to its context is not a popular practice, despite its presumed importance. Moreover, the lack of fit between a firm's strategic planning system and its context appears to be inconsequential to how managers rate their planning systems. Implications of the findings are discussed.
Architecture of a multiplatform virtual campus
Authors: Navarro Antonio , Cristóbal Jesús , Fernández‐Chamizo Carmen , Fernández‐Valmayor Alfredo
Published: September 2011

The design, development and maintenance of large virtual campuses are complex issues. This paper describes the architecture of a large university multiplatform virtual campus. Because we have not found virtual campus architectures described in the literature, the goal of this paper is to make our experience available to a wider audience so that organizations interested in the deployment of a large virtual campus can take advantage of our work. Thus, this paper analyzes this architecture from three different points of view: (i) software architecture; (ii) detailed software design; and (iii) hardware architecture. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Statistics, vision, and the analysis of artistic style
Authors: Graham Daniel J. , Hughes James M. , Leder Helmut , Rockmore Daniel N.
Published: September 2011

In the field of literature, there is an established set of techniques that have been successfully leveraged in the statistical analysis of literary style, most often to answer questions of authenticity and attribution. With the digitization of huge troves of art images come significant opportunities for the development of statistical techniques for the analysis of artistic style. In this article, we suggest that the progress made and statistical techniques developed in understanding visual processing as it relates to natural scenes can serve as a useful model and inspiration for visual stylometric analysis.WIREs Comput Stat2012, 4:115–123. doi: 10.1002/wics.197

This article is categorized under:

Statistical Learning and Exploratory Methods of the Data Sciences > Pattern Recognition

Applications of Computational Statistics > Psychometrics

Applications of Computational Statistics > Signal and Image Processing and Coding
Toward toxicity testing of nanomaterials in the 21st century: a paradigm for moving forward
Authors: Lai David Y.
Published: September 2011

A challenge facing hazard identification and safety evaluation of engineered nanomaterials being introduced to market is the diversity and complexity of the types of materials with varying physicochemical properties, many of which can affect their toxicity by different mechanisms. In general, in vitro test systems have limited usefulness for hazard identification of nanoparticles due to various issues. Meanwhile, conducting chronic toxicity/carcinogenicity studies in rodents for every new nanomaterial introduced into the commerce is impractical if not impossible. New toxicity testing systems which rely on predictive, high‐throughput technologies may be the ultimate goal of evaluating the potential hazard of nanomaterials. However, at present, this approach alone is unlikely to succeed in evaluating the toxicity of the wide array of nanomaterials and requires validation from in vivo studies. This article proposes a paradigm for toxicity testing and elucidation of the molecular mechanisms of reference materials for specific nanomaterial classes/subclasses using short‐term in vivo animal studies in conjunction with high‐throughput screenings and mechanism‐based short‐term in vitro assays. The hazard potential of a particular nanomaterial can be evaluated by conducting only in vitro high‐throughput assays and mechanistic studies and comparing the data with those of the reference materials in the specific class/subclass—an approach in line with the vision for ‘Toxicity Testing in the 21st Century’ of chemicals. With well‐designed experiments, testing nanomaterials of varying/selected physicochemical parameters may be able to identify the physicochemical parameters contributing to toxicity. The data so derived could be used for the development of computer model systems to predict the hazard potential of specific nanoparticles based on property–activity relationships. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2012, 4:1–15. doi: 10.1002/wnan.162

This article is categorized under:

Toxicology and Regulatory Issues in Nanomedicine > Toxicology of Nanomaterials
Musculoskeletal Impairment of Traumatic Etiology in Rwanda: Prevalence, Causes, and Service Implications
Authors: Matheson James I. D. M. , Atijosan Oluwarantimi , Kuper Hannah , Rischewski Dorothea , Simms Victoria , Lavy Christopher
Published: September 2011

Background

The present study examines demographics, causes, and diagnoses of traumatic musculoskeletal impairment (MSI) in Rwanda and identifies treatment barriers in order to describe the injury burden and inform service planning.

Methods

In all, 105 clusters were chosen by multistage stratified cluster random sampling with probability proportional to size. Eighty people from each cluster were identified for screening by a modified compact segment sampling method. A screening questionnaire was applied and suspected cases and 10% of suspected non‐cases underwent standardized examination. A structured interview obtained a detailed history, and an algorithmic classification system allocated diagnosis.

Results

Of 8,368 enumerated subjects, 6,756 were screened. Of these, 111 were traumatic MSI cases, with 121 diagnoses, giving a prevalence of 1.64% (95% CI 1.35–1.98). Extrapolation to the Rwandan population estimates 68,716 traumatic MSI cases, mostly in people of working age. Most affected were hand/finger joints (23%), elbow (16%), shoulder region (9%), and knee joint (9%). Some 11% of impairments were severe, 47.7% were moderate, and 41.3% were mild. Most common diagnoses were fracture malunion (21.5%) and post‐traumatic joint stiffness (20.7%). The number of treatments needed was 199, including physiotherapy (87.2%) and surgery (53.7%), but 43% (95% CI 34–53) received less treatment than required. Of those who were undertreated, 63% cited cost.

Conclusions

In Rwanda the prevalence of traumatic MSI of 1.64%, mostly in people of working age, makes usual activities difficult or impossible and is therefore a significant national burden. The results of the present study identify the need for immediate surgical intervention and physiotherapy, with cost as a treatment barrier. This study may direct aid providers toward subsidizing access to orthopedic care and thus reduce the impact of traumatic MSI.
Implementation and Development of Federally‐Funded Systems of Care Over Time
Authors: Brannan Ana María , Brashears Freda , Gyamfi Phyllis , Manteuffel Brigitte
Published: September 2011

This study describes development in federally funded systems of care. Data for this study were collected using the System of Care Assessment that rated grantees’ enactment of system of care principles in the infrastructure and service delivery domains. Data were collected by trained raters who conducted several site visits over the funding period. This study described system development over time across 61 sites and tested whether gains were statistically significant. Latent profile analysis was used to explore whether sites could be meaningfully grouped based on their baseline service delivery domain scores. Differences across groups were tested in terms of community, system, and client characteristics. Differential growth across groups was also examined. Overall, systems of care developed over time in both the infrastructure and service delivery domains. Although infrastructure scores were generally lower than service delivery scores, greater gains were seen for the infrastructure domain. Three groups of sites were identified that could be distinguished in terms of degree of development overall, and for specific system of care principles. The groups of sites differed in terms of community factors, system features, and client characteristics. In addition, repeated measures analyses found differential growth in system development over time across groups.
Un câblage inhabituel dans l’urètre
Authors: Ndiaye A. , Niang L. , Kane R. , Diémé E. , Salif N. , Ogougbemy M.
Published: September 2011

But

Rapporter un cas rare de corps étranger dans l’urètre.

Méthode et résultats

Il s’agit d’un cas de corps étranger intra-urétral: un homme de 32 ans aux antécédents de troubles psychiatriques s’est introduit un câble électrique dans l’urètre. La prise en charge constituait en une ablation chirurgicale par abord périnéal.

Conclusion

Le traitement des corps étrangers intra-urétraux est le plus souvent endoscopique, mais dans certains cas la chirurgie ouverte est nécessaire.
Asymptotic analysis for surfaces with large constant mean curvature and free boundaries
Authors: Laurain Paul
Published: September 2011

We prove that simply connected
H
-surfaces with bounded area and free boundary in a domain necessarily concentrate at a critical point of the mean curvature of the boundary of this domain.
Radial and bifurcating non-radial solutions for a singular perturbation problem in the case of exchange of stabilities
Authors: Karali Georgia , Sourdis Christos
Published: September 2011

We consider the singular perturbation problem

−\varepsilon ^{2}\mathrm{\Delta }u + (u−a(|x|))(u−b(|x|)) = 0

in the unit ball of

\mathbb{R}^{N}

,

N⩾1

, under Neumann boundary conditions. The assumption that

a(r)−b(r)

changes sign in

(0,1)

, known as the case of exchange of stabilities, is the main source of difficulty. More precisely, under the assumption that

a−b

has one simple zero in

(0,1)

, we prove the existence of two radial solutions

u_{ + }

and

u_{−}

that converge uniformly to

\mathrm{\max }\{a,b\}

, as

\varepsilon \rightarrow 0

. The solution

u_{ + }

is asymptotically stable, whereas

u_{−}

has Morse index one, in the radial class. If

N⩾2

, we prove that the Morse index of

u_{−}

, in the general class, is asymptotically given by

[c + o(1)]\varepsilon ^{−\frac{2}{3}(N−1)}

as

\varepsilon \rightarrow 0

, with

c > 0

a certain positive constant. Furthermore, we prove the existence of a decreasing sequence of

\varepsilon _{k} > 0

, with

\varepsilon _{k}\rightarrow 0

as

k\rightarrow + \infty

, such that non-radial solutions bifurcate from the unstable branch

\{(u_{−}(\varepsilon ),\varepsilon ),\:\varepsilon > 0\}

at

\varepsilon = \varepsilon _{k}

,

k = 1,2,…

. Our approach is perturbative, based on the existence and non-degeneracy of solutions of a “limit” problem. Moreover, our method of proof can be generalized to treat, in a unified manner, problems of the same nature where the singular limit is continuous but non-smooth.
Variable reproductive strategies of an African savanna frog, Phrynomantis microps (Amphibia, Anura, Microhylidae)
Authors: Hirschfeld Mareike , Rödel Mark-Oliver
Published: September 2011

West African savannas are habitats with unpredictable rainfall. Species with varying life-history traits may be more successful in these environments than species with fixed traits. We studied the reproduction strategies of the microhylid frog Phrynomantis microps in different savanna types, a humid savanna in Ivory Coast and a drier one in Benin. We recorded 5437 clutches in eight ponds in the humid savanna during five consecutive rainy seasons. A further 694 clutches were investigated in 10 ponds in Benin in one rainy season. For each clutch, we recorded egg numbers, deposition time, location within the pond and rainfall. Precipitation was important in triggering reproduction. However, the amount of rainfall needed differed in relation to rainy season length and total annual rainfall. Especially in years and regions with a late rainy season a threshold of minimum precipitation was needed to initiate spawning, indicating a trade-off between the need to reproduce and the survival probabilities of offspring in ponds with a high desiccation risk. Egg numbers per clutch further differed between pond sizes, breeding season length, as well as to time within the rainy season. Potential explanations for these differences, in particular desiccation and predation risks are discussed, but need further experimental support.
Sapromyiophily in the native orchid, Bulbophyllum variegatum, on Réunion (Mascarene Archipelago, Indian Ocean)
Authors: Humeau Laurence , Micheneau Claire , Jacquemyn Hans , Gauvin-Bialecki Anne , Fournel Jacques , Pailler Thierry
Published: September 2011

Orchid species are well known for their highly specialized pollinator interactions. To better understand the reproductive biology of the tropical epiphytic orchid Bulbophyllum variegatum on Réunion, we investigated the floral morphology, breeding system, pollinator diversity, floral scent profile and fruiting success of about 30 individuals in three natural populations during two consecutive flowering seasons. Controlled hand-pollination experiments in two populations showed that the species is self-compatible, but requires pollinator service to achieve reproduction. Videotape pollinator observations were conducted during two flowering seasons for 56 h and revealed that B. variegatum is pollinated by a single species of fly from the Platystomatidae. This fly seems to be attracted by the unpleasant scent produced by the flowers, and does not receive any reward after achieving pollination. In addition, no egg-laying behaviour was observed. Bulbophyllum variegatum thus exhibits a typical sapromyiophilous pollination syndrome which constitutes the first proven case of sapromyiophily within the genus Bulbophyllum on the Mascarene Archipelago. Hand pollinations further showed that fruit set was not significantly higher for flowers that received outcross pollen than for those that were self-crossed (53% and 44% respectively). Fruit sets under natural conditions were significantly different among populations, ranging from 0.5% to 24.3%. This low fruit production is likely due to infrequent pollinator visits, particularly in disturbed forests where the pollinator has never been observed.
Trade-offs between growth and survival of non-pioneer light-demanding tree seedlings in tropical forest of Hainan Island, China
Authors: Yang Wenjie , Liu Fude , Zhou Lingyan , Zhang Shiting , An Shuqing
Published: September 2011

We performed a pot experiment in which 540 seedlings of nine non-pioneer light-demanding tree species were grown for 12 months in shade houses at three light levels, 46% daylight, 13% daylight and 2% daylight, to examine the mechanisms contributing to the coexistence of seedlings of non-pioneer light-demanding tree species in secondary successional tropical rain forest in Hainan, China. Growth and survival of tree seedlings were compared at different light levels, and the morphological and physiological correlates of high-light seedling growth and low-light survival across species were determined. For all species, mortality was very low in the 46% daylight and 13% daylight treatment but increased significantly in the 2% daylight treatment. Seedling survival in 2% daylight treatment was positively related to seed mass. Trade-off between high-light growth and low-light survival was more evident in the relationship with 2% daylight treatment as compared with 13% daylight treatment. Relative growth rate in the 2% daylight treatment was not significantly related to relative growth rate in the 13% daylight or 46% daylight treatment; although a slight negative correlation was apparent. Interspecific variation in RGRm was only closely correlated with net assimilation rate (NAR). The results provide some support for the niche-partitioning hypothesis.
Leaf-cutting ants proliferate in the Amazon: an expected response to forest edge?
Authors: Dohm Christoph , Leal Inara R. , Tabarelli Marcello , Meyer Sebastian T. , Wirth Rainer
Published: September 2011

Habitat fragmentation is gradually altering tropical forests all around the globe (Wright 2005), as human populations convert large blocks of pristine forest habitats into permanently fragmented or human-modified landscapes (Tabarelli et al. 2004). Fragmentation processes apparently create opportunities for small sets of species, which proliferate across modified landscapes, while others are driven to extinction or remain as minimal populations (Tabarelli et al. 2010). This ‘winners vs. losers paradigm’ (sensu McKinney & Lockwood 1999) probably describes one of the most conspicuous rearrangements of tropical biotas in response to human disturbances (in addition to biomass collapse), with unanticipated consequences for ecosystem functioning and long-term biodiversity persistence (Lôbo et al. 2011). Despite such appeal, the ecological identity of proliferating organisms and the mechanisms underlying their high abundance levels remains poorly appreciated.
Balloon Kyphoplasty Improves Back Pain but does not Result in a Permanent Realignment of the Thoracolumbar Spine
Authors: Friedrich H. C. , Friedrich H. J. , Kneisel P. , Pitzen T. , Drumm J.
Published: September 2011

Balloon kyphoplasty (BKP) has been established as a standard procedure for treatment of osteoporotic compression fractures of the spine in elderly patients, as it results in pain relief for most of the patients. Moreover, BKP may result in a partial realignment of the sagittal shape of the vertebra and the spine. However, it is unclear whether BKP may result in long-term improvement of the sagittal alignment of the spine. The aim of the current study was to investigate if there is a significant loss of correction of the sagittal alignment of the thoracolumbar spine following BKP.

A prospective, noncontrolled, nonrandomized study, consisting of 71 patients treated for single level osteoporotic compression fracture by BKP at 1 institution and by 1 surgeon, was done. We checked the following radiographic outcome parameters: Beck’s ratio, the kyphosis angle of the treated vertebra, the angle of kyphosis including the treated vertebra and the adjacent disc (monosegmental angle), the angle of kyphosis, including the treated segment, the adjacent disc as well as the adjacent vertebra (bisegmental angle).

BKP resulted in significant pain relief with a score decreasing from 7.11 to 1.73 on a visual analogue scale immediately after the procedure. The effekt persisted after 1 year with a score of 1.58 VAS points. BKP also led to an improvement of each radiographic outcome parameter immediately after surgery. Beck’s ratio was improved from 0.71 to 0.83. The Cobb’s angle of the relevant vertebral bodies decreased from 11.4° to 6.8°. Monosegmental and bisegmental kyphosis angles decreased from 8.12° to 4.9° and from 6.9° to 4.5° respectively. Within 1 year, however, there was a significant loss of correction in each radiographic parameter analyzed. Beck’s ratio decreased to 0.72, Cobb’s angle increased to 10.8°, and the mono- and bisegmental kyphosis angles to 8.8° and 8.3°, respectively.

BKP does not result in a permanent realignment of the thoracolumbar spine following treatment of single level osteoporotic compression fractures.
Hospital administration team development and support in a children's cancer service
Authors: Slater Penelope J.
Published: September 2011

The administration team in the Queensland Children’s Cancer Centre at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Brisbane, included a team of 16 administration staff supporting the service and the state-wide clinical network. Shortly after the creation of a new expanded service, issues became apparent in administration team morale, relationships, communication, processes, leadership, support and training. The analysis of these issues included team interviews and surveys, consultation with senior administration staff and monthly sick leave monitoring. Strategies implemented included providing information; the joint development of a team business plan and individual performance plans; a review of the team’s structure, workload and business processes; engaging staff in quality improvements; and the development of relationships and leadership. As a result, the team reported being more comfortable and supported in their roles, had improved morale and worked better together with more consistent and improving business processes. They had clear purpose and expectations of their roles, displayed better customer service and had reduced sick leave. The study shows that in a high stress environment, such as a children’s cancer centre, attention to the team’s culture, vision and purpose, providing information and improving communication and relationships, when combined with a team’s enthusiasm, will improve the team’s growth, cooperation and work outcomes.

What is known about the topic?
Various studies have found anxiety and depression in hospital administration staff, a perceived lack of recognition and value placed in their opinions, and some level of mistreatment. These circumstances have resulted in job absenteeism, high staff turnover, poorer interactions with patients and diminished wellbeing, job satisfaction, motivation and commitment.

What does this paper add?
This paper details successful strategies implemented to improve the support and development of an administration team in a busy and stressful environment. It shows how they improved the team’s direction, processes and relationships.

What are the implications for practitioners?
Administration staff in hospital settings require appropriate support to provide the best service to clinical areas. The study shows that attention to the team’s culture, vision and purpose, providing information and improving communication and relationships, when combined with a team’s enthusiasm, will improve the team’s growth, cooperation and work outcomes.
Phylogeny of Arrhopalites s.l. (Collembola:Symphypleona:Arrhopalitidae): testing the monophyly of the recently erected genera Arrhopalites s.s. and Pygmarrhopalites
Authors: Zeppelini Douglas
Published: September 2011

The genus Arrhopalites (Arrhopalitidae) was proposed by Börner for Symphypleona with separate anal and genital segments, a single bothriotricha on the fifth abdominal segment and lacking capitate tenent hairs. Recently, chaetotaxic features were discovered and used to support a division of the genus into Arrhopalites s.s. for species in the coecus-group and Pygmarrhopalites for the pygmaeus-group s.l. species. A phylogenetic analysis of the genus Arrhopalites s.l. was performed using morphologic data to test its monophyly and the recent proposal to subdivide it into two genera. Results indicate that the genus Arrhopalites s.s. is monophyletic whereas the newly erected genus Pygmarrhopalites is paraphyletic, rendering a non-natural taxon.
The evolutionary and biogeographic history of the armoured harvestmen – Laniatores phylogeny based on ten molecular markers, with the description of two new families of Opiliones (Arachnida)
Authors: Sharma Prashant P. , Giribet Gonzalo
Published: September 2011

We investigated the internal phylogeny of Laniatores, the most diverse suborder of Opiliones, using sequence data from 10 molecular loci: 12S rRNA, 16S rRNA, 18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI), cytochrome b, elongation factor-1α, histones H3 and H4, and U2 snRNA. Exemplars of all previously described families of Laniatores were included, in addition to two families – Petrobunidae, fam. nov. and Tithaeidae, fam. nov. – that we erect herein. Data analyses were based on maximum likelihood and Bayesian approaches on static alignments, and included phylogenetic tree estimation, molecular dating, and biogeographic analysis of ancestral area reconstruction. The results obtained include the monophyly of Laniatores and the infraorder Grassatores – the focus of this study – as well as support for numerous interfamilial relationships. The two new families described cluster with other South-east Asian families (Podoctidae and Epedanidae). Diversification of Laniatores is estimated at ~348 Mya, and origin of most Grassatores superfamilies occurs in a ~25 million year span of time immediately after the end-Permian mass extinction (254 Mya). Ancestral range reconstruction of the clade (Samooidea + Zalmoxoidea) suggests that the ancestral range of Samooidea comprises West Tropical Gondwana (West Africa + Neotropics), whereas that of Zalmoxoidea is exclusively Neotropical. The following additional taxonomic changes are proposed: (1) Remyus is transferred to Phalangodidae, and (2) Escadabiidae and Kimulidae are transferred to Zalmoxoidea.
HIV infection and bone disease: implications for an aging population
Authors: Cotter Aoife G. , Mallon Patrick W. G.
Published: September 2011

Now more than ever, the management of age-related problems, from cardiovascular morbidity to bone pathology, is increasingly relevant for HIV physicians. Low bone mineral density (BMD) and fractures are more common in HIV-infected patients. Although a multifactorial aetiology underlies this condition, increasing evidence suggests a role for antiretroviral therapy in low BMD, especially upon initiation. This review will detail the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis and management of osteoporosis and low BMD in HIV-infected patients, with particular emphasis on aging.
HIV infection and aging of the innate immune system
Authors: Hearps Anna C. , Angelovich Thomas A. , Jaworowski Anthony , Mills John , Landay Alan L. , Crowe Suzanne M.
Published: September 2011

The increased life expectancy of HIV-infected individuals due to improved treatment has revealed an unexpected increase in non-AIDS comorbidities that are typically associated with older age including cardiovascular disease, dementia and frailty. The majority of these diseases arise as the result of dysregulated systemic inflammation, and both the aged and HIV-infected individuals exhibit elevated basal levels of inflammation. In the elderly, increased inflammation and age-related diseases are associated with a state of impaired immunity called immunosenescence, which is thought to result from a lifetime of immune stimulation. It is now apparent that HIV induces premature immunosenescence within T-cells; however, the impact of HIV on aging of cells of the innate arm of the immune system is unknown. Innate immune cells play a central role in inflammation and are thus critical for the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases. Limited evidence suggests HIV infection mimics age-related changes to innate immune cells; however, the extent of this effect and the mechanism underlying these changes remain to be defined. This review focuses on the impact of HIV infection on the function and aging of innate immune cells and discusses potential drivers of premature immunosenescence including chronic endotoxaemia, residual viraemia, telomere attrition and altered cellular signalling.
Mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein (MAVS) monitors commensal bacteria and induces an immune response that prevents experimental colitis
Authors: Li Xiao-Dong , Chiu Yu-Hsin , Ismail Anisa S. , Behrendt Cassie L. , Wight-Carter Mary , Hooper Lora V. , Chen Zhijian J.
Published: September 2011

RIG-I–like receptors (RLRs) activate host innate immune responses against virus infection through recruiting the mitochondrial adaptor protein MAVS (also known as IPS1, VISA, or CARDIF). Here we show that MAVS also plays a pivotal role in maintaining intestinal homeostasis. We found that MAVS knockout mice developed more severe mortality and morbidity than WT animals in an experimental model of colitis. Bone marrow transplantation experiments revealed that MAVS in cells of nonhematopoietic origin plays a dominant role in the protection against colitis. Importantly, RNA species derived from intestinal commensal bacteria activate the RIG-I–MAVS pathway to induce the production of multiple cytokines and antimicrobial peptides, including IFN-β and RegIIIγ. These results unveil a previously unexplored role of MAVS in monitoring intestinal commensal bacteria and maintaining tissue homeostasis.
Subjective wellbeing and its relationship with academic achievement and multilinguality among Lebanese university students
Authors: Ayyash‐Abdo Huda , Sánchez‐Ruiz María‐José
Published: September 2011

The study investigated three subjective wellbeing (SWB) components, namely positive affect (PA), negative affect (NA), and life satisfaction (LS), along with optimism and self‐esteem and their association with academic achievement and multilinguality in a sample of 1401 Lebanese university students. As predicted, optimism and self‐esteem correlated positively with LS and PA, and negatively with NA. Optimism, self‐esteem and each of the SWB components jointly predicted academic achievement (GPA), with PA being an individually significant positive predictor. There were differences in the five key variables across language groups, specifically between Arabic‐only speakers and some other groups: Compared Arabic‐only speakers, bilingual speakers of Arabic and either English or French scored higher on self‐esteem, PA and optimism, and lower on NA, while trilingual speakers of Arabic, English, and French scored higher on self‐esteem, PA and LS. Language grouping was a significant predictor of the SWB components, optimism, and self‐esteem even when controlling for GPA, socioeconomic status (SES), and religion. Lastly, the relevance of SES and religion for the prediction of SWB is discussed, and implications and future research questions are advanced.
The Crowd in The Persian Revolution
Authors: Abrahamian Ervand
Published: September 2011

The Constitutional Revolution of 1905-09 was a major watershed in Persian history. It ended the traditional system of government in which the Shah, as the Shadow of God on Earth, ruled his people without any legal and institutional limitations. And it introduced the constitutional system of government in which “the people” were sovereign, and their elected representatives made and unmade ministers, laws, budgets, concessions and foreign treaties. In this revolution the political crowd played a prominent role. An organized procession in April 1905 raised the issue whether the Shah could freely choose his administrators. A larger assembly, nine months later, initiated the demand to limit the monarch's arbitrary powers by creating a “House of Justice.” Spontaneous riots in June 1906, and the killing of demonstrators, poured a stream of blood into the wide gap between the government (dawlat) and the nation (millat). A general strike in July, and the exodus of 15,000 from Tehran into the British Legation, forced the court to grant the country a written constitution with an elected House of Parliament.
On the Feasibility of an Automated Bibliography of Iranian Studies
Authors: Clinton Jerome W. , Croll Donald C. , Davis Edward W. , Luther Keeneth A.
Published: September 2011

To state that the bibliography of Iranian studies is accumulating at an alarming rate is perhaps to belabor the obvious. It is an impression most students of the field will share. The project described in the following few pages was undertaken in part to explore this impression, and to test a solution to the problem implicit in it. Whatever small part impressionism may have thus played in its conceptual phase, the project's findings are strictly empirical. Our general finding has been that the accumulation of bibliography in Iranian studies is faster than its students dare imagine, and is accelerating. For all practical purposes, it is beyond the control of the traditional methods of compiling and publication. Only the application of modern automated methods of data storage and control can allow the individual scholar to keep abreast of developments in his field, and save him an appreciable amount of time-consuming drudgery.
Letter String Processing and Visual Short-Term Memory
Authors: Ktori Maria , Grainger Jonathan , Dufau Stéphane
Published: September 2011

The present study investigated whether expertise with letter string processing influences visual short-term memory capacity. Specifically, we examined whether performance in a change-detection task would vary as a function of stimulus type (letters vs. symbols) and type of display (horizontal, vertical, and circular). Participants were asked to detect a one-character change in a briefly presented character array following a delay of 900 ms. Concurrent articulation was used to limit effects of rehearsal. Type of display significantly affected performance with letters, but not with symbols, with a selective increase in change-detection accuracy for horizontally presented letter arrays compared with vertical and circular arrays. These findings confirm the standard limits of storage in visual short-term memory, but critically reveal a selective advantage for letter arrays over symbol arrays when presented horizontally. Such an advantage is probably due to the utilization of a specialized encoding mechanism built up over years of reading experience.
Supporting tool suite for production proteomics
Authors: Ma Ze-Qiang , Tabb David L. , Burden Joseph , Chambers Matthew C. , Cox Matthew B. , Cantrell Michael J. , Ham Amy-Joan L. , Litton Michael D. , Oreto Michael R. , Schultz William C. , Sobecki Scott M. , Tsui Tina Y. , Wernke Gregory R. , Liebler Daniel C.
Published: September 2011

Summary: The large amount of data produced by proteomics experiments requires effective bioinformatics tools for the integration of data management and data analysis. Here we introduce a suite of tools developed at Vanderbilt University to support production proteomics. We present the Backup Utility Service tool for automated instrument file backup and the ScanSifter tool for data conversion. We also describe a queuing system to coordinate identification pipelines and the File Collector tool for batch copying analytical results. These tools are individually useful but collectively reinforce each other. They are particularly valuable for proteomics core facilities or research institutions that need to manage multiple mass spectrometers. With minor changes, they could support other types of biomolecular resource facilities.

Availability and Implementation: Source code and executable versions are available under Apache 2.0 License at http://www.vicc.org/jimayersinstitute/data/

Contact:  daniel.liebler@vanderbilt.edu
Relationships between fish stock changes in the Baltic Sea and the M74 syndrome, a reproductive disorder of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)
Authors: Mikkonen Jaakko , Keinänen Marja , Casini Michele , Pönni Jukka , Vuorinen Pekka J.
Published: September 2011

Mikkonen, J., Keinänen, M., Casini, M., Pönni, J., and Vuorinen, P. J. 2011. Relationships between fish stock changes in the Baltic Sea and the M74 syndrome, a reproductive disorder of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 68: 2134–2144. The M74 syndrome of Baltic salmon (Salmo salar), which appears as increased yolk-sac fry mortality (YSFM), impairs the reproduction of salmon stocks. Changes in the prey stocks of Baltic salmon in its two feeding areas, the southern Baltic Proper (BPr), where sprat (Sprattus sprattus) was the main prey species during the high incidence of M74, and the Bothnian Sea, where herring (Clupea harengus) is the dominant species, were analysed in relation to salmon growth and size and in relation to the incidence of M74. The high condition factor (CF > 1.05) of prespawning salmon predicted high YSFM. From the various stock factors of sprat and herring in the southern BPr, the biomass of sprat had the strongest positive relationships with the CF of prespawning salmon, and the total prey biomass with YSFM. It is concluded that the ample but unbalanced food resources for salmon in the BPr, primarily sprat, induce M74. By reducing the fishing pressure on cod (Gadus morhua) and by more effectively managing the sprat fishery in years when the cod stock is weak, the incidence of the M74 syndrome could be reduced and even prevented.
Dynamic regulation of mitochondrial respiratory chain efficiency in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Postmus Jarne , Tuzun Işil , Bekker Martijn , Müller Wally H. , Teixeira de Mattos M. Joost , Brul Stanley , Smits Gertien J.
Published: September 2011

To adapt to changes in the environment, cells have to dynamically alter their phenotype in response to, for instance, temperature and oxygen availability. Interestingly, mitochondrial function in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is inherently temperature sensitive; above 37 °C, yeast cells cannot grow on respiratory carbon sources. To investigate this phenomenon, we studied the effect of cultivation temperature on the efficiency (production of ATP per atom of oxygen consumed, or P/O) of the yeast respiratory chain in glucose-limited chemostats. We determined that even though the specific oxygen consumption rate did not change with temperature, oxygen consumption no longer contributed to mitochondrial ATP generation at temperatures higher than 37 °C. Remarkably, between 30 and 37 °C, we observed a linear increase in respiratory efficiency with growth temperature, up to a P/O of 1.4, close to the theoretical maximum that can be reached in vivo. The temperature-dependent increase in efficiency required the presence of the mitochondrial glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase GUT2. Respiratory chain efficiency was also altered in response to changes in oxygen availibility. Our data show that, even in the absence of alternative oxidases or uncoupling proteins, yeast has retained the ability to dynamically regulate the efficiency of coupling of oxygen consumption to proton translocation in the respiratory chain in response to changes in the environment.