bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A nomogram for perioperative prognostic risk‐assessment in twin–twin transfusion syndrome
Authors: Stirnemann J. J. , Nasr B. , Essaoui M. , Bussieres L. , Ville Y.
Published: November 2012

Objective

Prognostic assessment in twin‐to‐twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) is ill‐defined. The objective of this study is to define a perioperative prognostic score for TTTS treated by percutaneous laser coagulation.

Methods

Consecutive cases of TTTS treated by percutaneous fetoscopic laser coagulation over a 6‐year period were reviewed. Twin survival at 28 days was considered using a 3‐level polytomous variable defined by 0, 1, or 2 fatal events. A multivariate prognostic analysis with internal validation was conducted using gestational age at diagnosis, weight discordance, umbilical artery, and ductus venosus abnormalities in the donor and the recipient respectively, cervical length, selectivity of surgery, and transplacental approach.

Results

On the basis of 507 cases, the perinatal survival rate of 2 and 1 twin was 46.2% and 31.5%, respectively. Statistically significant factors included umbilical artery abnormalities in the donor, gestational age, and transplacental approach, but with different effects regarding survival of 0, 1, or 2 twins. A scoring chart was subsequently constructed together with a nomogram for both a preoperative and immediate post‐operative prognostic assessment.

Conclusion

Part of the prognosis can be anticipated by perioperative findings. Although further validation is required, the presented nomogram should help unify the prognostic assessment in TTTS. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analytical goal setting in aneuploidy screening: within person biological variability of first trimester biochemical markers
Authors: Spencer Kevin , Cowans Nicholas J.
Published: November 2012

Objective

To determine the average within person biological variability of free‐β human chorionic gonadotrophin (free hCGβ), intact hCG and pregnancy‐associated plasma protein A (PAPP‐A), and to establish analytical goals for the measurement of these markers when used in first trimester screening.

Methods

Free hCGβ, PAPP‐A and intact hCG were measured on paired first trimester samples collected during the same pregnancy. Results were converted to Multiple of the Median (MoMs).The overall total variation at each day log was determined from a correlation of the marker MoMs in the log domain. Biological variation was calculated after taking into account analytical variation.

Results

The within person biological variability for free hCGβ varied from 1.30% at 2 days separation to 5.25% at 5 days. For PAPP‐A this was 1.96% and 5.03%, respectively, and for intact hCG this was 14.59% and 21.09%. All markers exhibit a rapid increase in biological variability as the time separation increased.

Conclusions

Setting analytical goals for precision of measurement of first trimester biochemical markers from within person biological variability would suggest that free hCGβ and PAPP‐A needs to be measured with a precision of 2.5%, targets close to those set empirically by the Fetal Medicine Foundation and achieved in practice by some analytical system in routine use. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Empirical assessment of short‐term variability from utility‐scale solar PV plants
Authors: van Haaren Rob , Morjaria Mahesh , Fthenakis Vasilis
Published: November 2012

Variability of solar power is a key driver in increasing the cost of integrating solar power into the electric grid because additional system resources are required to maintain the grid's reliability. In this study, we characterize the variability in power output of six photovoltaic plants in the USA and Canada with a total installed capacity of 195 MW (AC); it is based on minute‐averaged data from each plant and the output from 390 inverters. We use a simple metric, “daily aggregate ramp rate” to quantify, categorize, and compare daily variability across these multiple sites. With this metric, the effect of geographic dispersion is observed, while controlling for climatic differences across the plants. Additionally, we characterized variability due to geographical dispersion by simulating a step by step increase of the plant size at the same location. We observed maximum ramp rates for 5, 21, 48, and 80 MWAC plants, respectively, as 0.7, 0.58, 0.53, and 0.43 times the plant's capacity. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Test Anxiety Interventions for Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review of Treatment Studies from 2000–2010
Authors: von der Embse Nathaniel , Barterian Justin , Segool Natasha
Published: November 2012

High‐stakes tests have played an increasingly important role in how student achievement and school effectiveness are measured. Test anxiety has risen with the use of tests in educational decision making. Students with high test anxiety perform poorly on tests when compared to students with low test anxiety. School psychologists can play an important role as experts both in tests and measurement and mental health in providing consultation and treatment for students with test anxiety. This article describes the results of a systematic literature review of the last 10 years of test‐anxiety interventions. Results indicate that there are few studies that have examined test‐anxiety interventions with elementary and secondary school students. However, techniques including biofeedback, behavior therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, priming competency, and mixed approaches have demonstrated promising results. Suggestions are made for school psychologists for the delivery of evidenced‐based test anxiety interventions.
Plant proteins under oxidative attack
Authors: Jacques Silke , Ghesquière Bart , Van Breusegem Frank , Gevaert Kris
Published: November 2012

Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species can modify various biomolecules, including proteins. The resulting protein modifications are highly diverse, can be reversible as well as irreversible, and might affect protein structure and function. Besides random modifications, targeted modifications at specific amino acids in surface‐accessible protein regions occur. These changes are of particular interest as, e.g. by altering the local protein conformation; they might initiate specific (oxidative) signaling pathways. Here, we focus on two protein modifications that are found under conditions of oxidative stress in plants: oxidation of the sulfur‐containing methionine and nitration of tyrosine. We review the functional consequences caused by the oxidation of several plant proteins and line‐up those proteomics technologies that are amenable to study these selected modifications.
Studying the fragmentation behavior of peptides with arginine phosphorylation and its influence on phospho‐site localization
Authors: Schmidt Andreas , Ammerer Gustav , Mechtler Karl
Published: November 2012

Phospho‐proteomic studies opened a broad view onto the main mechanisms of regulating cellular processes. Our recent discovery of a protein arginine kinase and its target in bacteria added a previously undescribed type of phosphorylation to control protein activity. Several challenges arise from large in vivo studies of this and other types of phosphorylations. The main factors impeding correct localization are low spectral quality, neutral loss of phosphoric acid, and gas‐phase rearrangements, which have recently been described for phospho‐serine, ‐threonine, and ‐tyrosine. Studies on histidine‐phosphorylated peptides, a nitrogen‐bound phosphorylation, also reported loss of phosphoric acid upon collision‐induced dissociation. We were interested in studying the behaviour of arginine phosphorylation under different fragmentation conditions and its influence on site localization. First, we determined the percentage of false localizations obtained by three different search engines and a software tool dedicated for phospho‐site determination. Next, we demonstrate that application of collisional activation for analysis of arginine‐phosphorylated peptides leads to extensive elimination of phosphoric acid and increases the numbers of false localizations, while the modification is maintained on the arginine side chain upon electron‐transfer dissociation. Furthermore, we also observed a rearrangement of the phosphorylation onto serine and glutamic acid side chains upon collisional activation.
Probing thermopower on the microscale
Authors: Ziolkowski Pawel , Karpinski Gabriele , Dasgupta Titas , Müller Eckhard
Published: November 2012

Thermoelectric (TE) generators provide electrical energy from direct conversion of heat by means of the Seebeck effect; without moving parts, completely silent, and with negligible maintenance. As any other heat engine this conversion exploits only a fraction of the Carnot efficiency (Rowe (ed.), CRC Handbook of Thermoelectrics (CRC Press Inc., 1995), p. 19 1). The TE efficiency is linked to the thermoelectric figure of merit Z, which itself is given by basic material properties: Z = S2σ/κ. These are the electrical conductivity σ, the thermal conductivity κ and the Seebeck coefficient or thermopower S, which is known as the factor of proportionality between voltage output and applied temperature difference in a given TE sample. A distinct sensitivity to the carrier concentration and structural variations make the control and stabilisation of thermopower very challenging in complex material structures since degradation by diffusion, decomposition or evaporation can be observed in many cases during synthesis, operation and even in the process of characterisation of TE semiconductors; particularly at elevated temperatures. Investigating structural and compositional properties, stability, and performance of TE materials, and consequently aiming to understand their interaction, mainly methods like X‐ray diffraction (XRD), energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) or integral temperature dependent measurements of particular transport properties are used. Although TE materials research satisfies highest requirements on accuracy, the above mentioned techniques are not perfectly qualified to investigate promising material classes thoroughly. Against the background of usually complex material structures this article aims to show, that an efficient characterisation of TE materials becomes accessible for several questions by use of a spatially resolved determination of the thermopower.
Fabrication of fast and sensitive IR‐detectors based on PbS quantum dots passivated by organic ligands
Authors: Miri S. , Rostami A. , Dolatyari M. , Baghban H. , Rasooli H. , Amini E.
Published: November 2012

Functional molecules have been combined with colloidal quantum dots to build robust, closely packed, conductive solid state devices. In this research work, we report on the fabrication, characterization, and evaluation of infrared (IR) photodetectors based on lead sulfide (PbS) quantum dots capped with thioacetamide and L‐cystein ligands. Results indicate that thioacetamide treatment increases responsivity by a factor of 100. The fabricated detector based on PbS–thioacetamide nanomaterials shows fast temporal response with rise and decay times of 140 and 180 µs, respectively.
CONTROLS ON THE LONGITUDINAL DISTRIBUTION OF CHANNEL‐SPANNING LOGJAMS IN THE COLORADO FRONT RANGE, USA
Authors: Wohl E. , Beckman N.
Published: November 2012

Channel‐spanning logjams completely span the active channel and create longitudinal discontinuities of the water surface and stream bed across at least two‐thirds of the channel width. These jams disproportionately affect channel process and form relative to smaller jams that do not span the entire channel width. We analyze a spatially extensive dataset of 859 channel‐spanning jams distributed along 124 km of 16 distinct rivers on the eastern side of Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, USA, with drainage areas spanning 2.6 to 258 km2 and diverse valley geometry and forest stand age. We categorized valley geometry in terms of lateral confinement (confined, partly confined, or unconfined), which correlates with gradient. Jams exhibit substantial downstream variability in spacing at channel lengths of 102–103 m. The number of jams within a reach is explained by a statistical model that includes drainage area, valley type (lateral confinement), and channel width. Longitudinal spacing of jams drops substantially at drainage areas greater than ~20 km2, although jam spacing exhibits tremendous variability at smaller drainage areas. We interpret the lack of jams at larger drainage areas to reflect increasing transport capacity for instream wood. We interpret the variability in jam spacing at small drainage areas to reflect local controls of valley geometry and associated wood recruitment and fluvial transport capacity. Our results suggest that management of instream wood designed to facilitate the formation of channel‐spanning jams can be most effectively focused on smaller drainage areas where these jams are most abundant in the absence of management that alters instream wood recruitment or retention. Unmanaged streams in the study region with drainage area <60 km2 have ~1.1 channel‐spanning jams per 100 m length of stream. The cumulative effects of these jams on instream storage of sediment and organic matter, hyporheic exchange, instream habitat, stream metabolism, and channel–floodplain connectivity are likely to be enormous. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Study of the electron standing wave states in scanning tunneling spectroscopy of Si(111) surface
Authors: Xue Kun , Wang Ruzhi , Ho Ho‐pui , Xu Jianbin
Published: November 2012

Electron standing wave (ESW) states excited in the vacuum gap near sample surface by operating the scanning tunneling microscopy in field emission regime have been widely used to probe the local electronic properties of novel materials and structures. For accurate interpretation of the ESW states spectra, a simple numerical approach is developed based on a one‐dimensional model, and the transmission coefficient is accurately calculated using the transfer matrix method. Effects correlated with the potential distribution in the tunneling gap are discussed. By this method, main features of the experimental spectra obtained on Si(111)7 × 7 surfaces are successfully simulated. Factors affecting the spectra are discussed. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Estimation of useful yields for electrospray droplet impact/secondary ion mass spectrometry (EDI/SIMS)
Authors: Hiraoka Kenzo , Asakawa Daiki , Takaishi Rio
Published: November 2012

Useful yield for electrospray droplet impact/secondary ion mass spectrometry was estimated. The mixtures of C60/rhodamine B and C60/Aerosol OT were used as the samples for the positive and negative mode of operations, respectively. By assuming that (i) the desorption efficiencies are about the same for C60, rhodamine B and Aerosol OT, and (ii) desorption of ionic compounds directly gives the secondary ion signals, the useful yields (i.e. total ions generated divided by the total molecules desorbed) for C60 were estimated to be ~0.1. This value should be regarded as the upper limit because the neutralization of positive and negative ions in the plume and desorption of ionic compounds as neutral species are not taken into account. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
How Do the Electrical Properties of Graphene Change with its Functionalization?
Authors: Sreeprasad T. S. , Berry Vikas
Published: November 2012

Functionalization of graphene is essential to interface it with other moieties to expand the scope of its electrical/electronic applications. However, chemical functionalization and/or molecular interactions on graphene sensitively modulate its electrical properties. To evaluate and take advantage of the properties of functionalized graphene, it is important to understand how its electrical attributes (such as carrier scattering, carrier concentration, charge polarity, quantum‐capacitance enhanced doping, energy levels, transport mechanisms, and orbital hybridization of energy‐bands) are influenced by a change in carbon's structural conformation, hybridization state, chemical potential, local energy levels, and dopant/interface coupling induced via functionalization or molecular interactions. Here, a detailed and integrated model describes factors influencing these electrical characteristics of functionalized graphene (covalent bonds, adsorption, π–π bonds, and lattice incorporation). The electrical properties are governed via three mechanisms: (a) conversion of carbon's hybridized state, (b) dipole interactions enhanced via quantum capacitance, and (c) orbital hybridization with an interfacing molecule. A few graphenic materials are also identified where further studies are essential to understand the effect of their functionalization.
Interactions of Polymer/Coke Blends with Molten Steel at 1823 K: Interfacial Phenomena
Authors: Kongkarat Somyote , Khanna Rita , Sahajwalla Veena
Published: November 2012

With an aim to recycle waste polymers as a carbon resource in steelmaking, in‐depth investigations have been carried out on polymer/coke blends and molten steel at 1823 K. Three polymers, namely high density polyethylene (HDPE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and bakelite were blended with metallurgical coke and devolatilized at 1473 K using a drop tube furnace. High temperature interactions of various chars with molten steel were investigated at 1823 K using the sessile drop technique in argon atmosphere; the influence of polymers on the interfacial phenomena and carbon dissolution was determined. While the residual volatiles from HDPE did not affect the chemical composition of interfacial products, the coverage of the interfacial region was somewhat slower than metallurgical coke. Oxygen present in PET was found to oxidize liquid steel leading to the formation of FeO at the interface modifying both the chemical composition and the morphology of the interfacial region. CaCO3, present as a filler impurity in bakelite was found to act as a fluxing agent and lowered the melting point of the ash layer at the metal/carbon interface. The addition of polymers improved the overall carbon dissolution into molten steel by a small extent as compared to metallurgical coke. This study has shown that a variety of waste polymers can be utilized to partially replace metallurgical coke in steelmaking.
Recent findings on seismic earth pressures
Authors: Lew Marshall
Published: November 2012

Despite a lack of evidence or credible case histories of engineered retaining walls and basement walls being damaged during earthquakes, design codes and standard of engineering practice have dictated that seismic earth pressures should be included in the design of earth retaining structures in seismic regions. Methods of estimating seismic earth pressures are based on experiments and theories performed and developed decades ago without consideration of geometric and material property equivalence or scaling. More recent experiments using centrifuges that can properly scale geometry and material properties have given new insights on the development of seismic earth pressures on various types of earth retaining wall systems with different types of retained soil. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Juxtamembrane tryptophans of synaptobrevin 2 control the process of membrane fusion
Authors: Fang Qinghua , Zhao Ying , Lindau Manfred
Published: November 2012

Synaptobrevin 2 (Syb2), syntaxin (Sx1A), and SNAP‐25, generate a force to induce fusion pore formation. The v‐SNARE, Syb2, is anchored to the vesicle membrane by a single transmembrane domain. Here we show that 2 tryptophans (W89/W90) located in the juxtamembrane domain of Syb2, which stabilize the transmembrane (TM) domain position, control the ratio of spontaneous vs. stimulated membrane fusion events in chromaffin cells. Changing the 2 hydrophobic tryptophans to neutral alanines promotes spontaneous membrane fusion, faster transmitter release kinetics and complete release from individual vesicles. The results indicate that the two tryptophans act as a fusion clamp making fusion stimulus‐dependent.
SnoN/SkiL expression is modulated via arsenic trioxide‐induced activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway in ovarian cancer cells
Authors: Kodigepalli Karthik M. , Dutta Punashi S. , Bauckman Kyle A. , Nanjundan Meera
Published: November 2012

EGFR physically interacts with GRB2 and ShcA by anti bait coimmunoprecipitation (View interaction)
Novel heterocyst‐specific flavodiiron proteins in Anabaena sp. PCC 7120
Authors: Ermakova Maria , Battchikova Natalia , Allahverdiyeva Yagut , Aro Eva-Mari
Published: November 2012

Flavodiiron proteins present in many prokaryotic and some eukaryotic organisms have a capacity to protect cells against nitrosative or oxidative stress. In Anabaena sp. PCC 7120, Flv1 and Flv3 proteins are encoded by families of two genes. We demonstrate here that flv1A and flv3A genes are up‐regulated in vegetative cells in low CO2 and high light conditions. In contrast, flv1B and flv3B genes are expressed in N2‐fixing conditions and corresponding proteins are located exclusively in heterocysts. It is suggested that Flv1B and Flv3B protect enzymes of N2‐fixation in heterocysts of Anabaena 7120 by reducing molecular oxygen directly to water.
Improved dietary intake among overweight and obese children followed from 8 to 12 years of age in a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Waling Maria , Larsson Christel
Published: November 2012

More knowledge about improving dietary intake in secondary preventive actions against childhood overweight and obesity is needed. The objective was to evaluate the impact of a 2-year intervention on energy, macronutrient and food intake of overweight and obese children participating in a randomised controlled trial. Children (8–12 years old) living in Sweden were recruited to participate for 2 years between 2006 and 2009. The children were randomised into either an intervention group (n58), participating in an intervention concerning food habits, physical activity and behavioural change, or a control group (n47). Dietary intake at baseline and the 2-year measurement were assessed with a diet history interview covering 14 d. Energy intake (EI) of the intervention and control groups was underestimated by 28 and 21 %, respectively, after 2 years, but with no difference between the groups (P = 0·51). After 2 years of intervention, the intervention group, compared with the control group, had a lower intake of sugar-sweetened beverages (P = 0·015) as well as a higher intake of foods high in fibre, low in saturated fat, sugar and salt (P = 0·031). Further, a lower EI in relation to BMR, lower total fat, MUFA and cholesterol was seen in the intervention group compared with the control group. In conclusion, the food and nutrient intake of overweight and obese children was improved after participating in a 2-year intervention programme. Dietary counselling should be included in secondary preventive actions against childhood overweight and obesity to promote healthy food habits.
Collective Guilt and Attitudes Toward Recycling: Data From a North Queensland Sample
Authors: Pensini Pamela M. , Caltabiano Nerina J.
Published: November 2012

There is overwhelming evidence that environmental concerns currently facing the modern world are, at least partly, due to the unsustainable use of resources in developed countries. In this study, feelings of collective guilt in members of a developed nation, Australia, were investigated as a factor motivating individuals to recycle. Eighty-five participants from North Queensland (24 male, 61 female; aged 17 to 64,M= 24.16,SD= 8.42) completed self-report measures of collective guilt, social desirability, social norms, attitudes toward recycling and percentage of household rubbish recycled. As predicted, those accepting more collective guilt for the actions of their ingroup reported more favourable attitudes toward recycling. However, collective guilt failed to predict actual recycling behaviour. The same was found for social norms in that they predicted attitudes to recycling, but not the amount of rubbish recycled. Attitudes toward recycling were the only successful predictor of the amount of rubbish recycled. This study has demonstrated the role of the emotion of collective guilt and social norms in one environmentally relevant domain. Avenues for future research regarding the implications of collective guilt on ecological behaviour have been discussed.
ARENS REGULARITY AND AMENABILITY OF LAU PRODUCT OF BANACH ALGEBRAS DEFINED BY A BANACH ALGEBRA MORPHISM
Authors: BHATT S. J. , DABHI P. A.
Published: November 2012

Given a morphism T from a Banach algebra ℬ to a commutative Banach algebra 𝒜, a multiplication is defined on the Cartesian product space 𝒜×ℬ perturbing the coordinatewise product resulting in a new Banach algebra 𝒜×Tℬ. The Arens regularity as well as amenability (together with its various avatars) of 𝒜×Tℬ are shown to be stable with respect to T.
THE PROBABILITY THAT AND COMMUTE IN A COMPACT GROUP
Authors: HOFMANN KARL H. , RUSSO FRANCESCO G.
Published: November 2012

In a recent article [K. H. Hofmann and F. G. Russo, ‘The probability that$x$and$y$commute in a compact group’,Math. Proc. Cambridge Phil Soc., to appear] we calculated for a compact group$G$the probability$d(G)$that two randomly selected elements$x, y\in G$satisfy$xy=yx$, and we discussed the remarkable consequences on the structure of$G$which follow from the assumption that$d(G)$is positive. In this note we consider two natural numbers$m$and$n$and the probability$d_{m,n}(G)$that for two randomly selected elements$x, y\in G$the relation$x^my^n=y^nx^m$holds. The situation is more complicated whenever$n,m\gt 1$. If$G$is a compact Lie group and if its identity component$G_0$is abelian, then it follows readily that$d_{m,n}(G)$is positive. We show here that the following condition suffices for the converse to hold in an arbitrary compact group$G$: for any nonopen closed subgroup$H$of$G$, the sets$\{g\in G: g^k\in H\}$for both$k=m$and$k=n$have Haar measure$0$. Indeed, we show that if a compact group$G$satisfies this condition and if$d_{m,n}(G)\gt 0$, then the identity component of$G$is abelian.
TRACE INEQUALITIES FOR MATRICES
Authors: SHEBRAWI KHALID , ALBADAWI HUSSIEN
Published: November 2012

Trace inequalities for sums and products of matrices are presented. Relations between the given inequalities and earlier results are discussed. Among other inequalities, it is shown that if A and B are positive semidefinite matrices then for any positive integer k.
HEISENBERG–PAULI–WEYL UNCERTAINTY INEQUALITY FOR THE DUNKL TRANSFORM ON ℝd
Authors: SOLTANI FETHI
Published: November 2012

In this paper, we give analogues of the local uncertainty inequality for the Dunkl transform on ℝd, and indicate how the local uncertainty inequality implies a global uncertainty inequality.
SLANT CURVES AND PARTICLES IN THREE-DIMENSIONAL WARPED PRODUCTS AND THEIR LANCRET INVARIANTS
Authors: CĂLIN CONSTANTIN , CRASMAREANU MIRCEA
Published: November 2012

Slant curves are introduced in three-dimensional warped products with Euclidean factors. These curves are characterised by the scalar product between the normal at the curve and the vertical vector field, and an important feature is that the case of constant Frenet curvatures implies a proper mean curvature vector field. A Lancret invariant is obtained and the Legendre curves are analysed as a particular case. An example of a slant curve is given for the exponential warping function; our example illustrates a proper (that is, not reducible to the two-dimensional) case of the Lancret theorem of three-dimensional hyperbolic geometry. We point out an eventuality relationship with the geometry of relativistic models.
Accelerated muscle and adipose tissue loss may predict survival in pancreatic cancer patients: the relationship with diabetes and anaemia
Authors: Sebastiano Katie M. Di , Yang Lin , Zbuk Kevin , Wong Raimond K. , Chow Tom , Koff David , Moran Gerald R. , Mourtzakis Marina
Published: November 2012

Weight loss leading to cachexia is associated with poor treatment response and reduced survival in pancreatic cancer patients. We aim to identify indicators that allow for early detection that will advance our understanding of cachexia and will support targeted anti-cachexia therapies. A total of fifty pancreatic cancer patients were analysed for skeletal muscle and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) changes using computed tomography (CT) scans. These changes were related to physical characteristics, secondary disease states and treatment parameters. Overall, patients lost 1·72 (sd 3·29) kg of muscle and 1·04 (sd 1·08) kg of VAT during the disease trajectory (413 (sd 213) d). After sorting patients into tertiles by rate of VAT and muscle loss, patients losing VAT at > − 0·40 kg/100 d had poorer survival outcomes compared with patients with < − 0·10 kg/100 d of VAT loss (P= 0·020). Patients presenting with diabetes at diagnosis demonstrated significantly more and accelerated VAT loss compared with non-diabetic patients. In contrast, patients who were anaemic at the first CT scan lost significantly more muscle tissue and at accelerated rates compared with non-anaemic patients. Accelerated rates of VAT loss are associated with reduced survival. Identifying associated features of cachexia, such as diabetes and anaemia, is essential for the early detection of cachexia and may facilitate the attenuation of complications associated with cachexia.
Effects of lifestyle intervention and meal replacement on glycaemic and body-weight control in Chinese subjects with impaired glucose regulation: a 1-year randomised controlled trial
Authors: Xu Dan-Feng , Sun Jian-Qin , Chen Min , Chen Yan-Qiu , Xie Hua , Sun Wei-Jia , Lin Yi-Fan , Jiang Jing-Jing , Sun Wei , Chen Ai-Fang , Tang Qian-Ru
Published: November 2012

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the impact of a lifestyle intervention programme, combined with a daily low-glycaemic index meal replacement, on body-weight and glycaemic control in subjects with impaired glucose regulation (IGR). Subjects with IGR were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n 46) and a control group (n 42). Both groups received health counselling at baseline. The intervention group also received a daily meal replacement and intensive lifestyle intervention to promote healthy eating habits during the first 3 months of the study, and follow-up visits performed monthly until the end of the 1-year study. Outcome measurements included changes in plasma glucose, glycated Hb (HbA1c), plasma lipids, body weight, blood pressure and body composition (such as body fat mass and visceral fat area). The results showed that body-weight loss after 1 year was significant in the intervention group compared with the control group ( − 1·8 (sem 0·35) v.− 0·6 (sem 0·40) 2·5 kg, P< 0·05). The 2 h plasma glucose concentration decreased 1·24 mmol/l in the intervention group and increased 0·85 mmol/l in the control group (P< 0·05) compared with their baseline, respectively. A 5 kg body-weight loss at 1 year was associated with a decrease of 1·49 mmol/l in 2 h plasma glucose (P< 0·01). The incidence of normal glucose regulation (NGR) in the two groups was significantly different (P= 0·001). In conclusion, the combination of regular contact, lifestyle advice and meal replacement is beneficial in promoting IGR to NGR.
A comparative study of the metabolic response in rainbow trout and Nile tilapia to changes in dietary macronutrient composition
Authors: Figueiredo-Silva A. Cláudia , Saravanan Subramanian , Schrama Johan W. , Panserat Stéphane , Kaushik Sadasivam , Geurden Inge
Published: November 2012

Metabolic mechanisms underlying the divergent response of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) to changes in dietary macronutrient composition were assessed. Fish were fed one of four isoenergetic diets having a digestible protein-to-digestible energy (DP:DE) ratio above or below the optimal DP:DE ratio for both species. At each DP:DE ratio, fat was substituted by an isoenergetic amount of digestible starch as the non-protein energy source (NPE). Dietary DP:DE ratio did not affect growth and only slightly lowered protein gains in tilapia. In rainbow trout fed diets with low DP:DE ratios, particularly with starch as the major NPE source, growth and protein utilisation were highly reduced, underlining the importance of NPE source in this species. We also observed species-specific responses of enzymes involved in amino acid catabolism, lipogenesis and gluconeogenesis to dietary factors. Amino acid transdeamination enzyme activities were reduced by a low dietary DP:DE ratio in both species and in tilapia also by the substitution of fat by starch as the NPE source. Such decreased amino acid catabolism at high starch intakes, however, did not lead to improved protein retention. Our data further suggest that a combination of increased lipogenic and decreased gluconeogenic enzyme activities accounts for the better use of carbohydrates and to the improved glycaemia control in tilapia compared with rainbow tront fed starch-enriched diets with low DP:DE ratio.
Type of milk feeding in infancy and health behaviours in adult life: findings from the Hertfordshire Cohort Study
Authors: Robinson Siân , Ntani Georgia , Simmonds Shirley , Syddall Holly , Dennison Elaine , Sayer Avan Aihie , Barker David , Cooper Cyrus ,   the Hertfordshire Cohort Study Group
Published: November 2012

A number of studies suggest that breast-feeding has beneficial effects on an individual's cardiovascular risk factors in adulthood, although the mechanisms involved are unknown. One possible explanation is that adults who were breastfed differ in their health behaviours. In a historical cohort, adult health behaviours were examined in relation to type of milk feeding in infancy. From 1931 to 1939, records were kept on all infants born in Hertfordshire, UK. Their type of milk feeding was summarised as breastfed only, breast and bottle-fed, or bottle-fed only. Information about adult health behaviours was collected from 3217 of these men and women when they were aged 59–73 years. Diet was assessed using an administered FFQ; the key dietary pattern was a ‘prudent’ pattern that described compliance with ‘healthy’ eating recommendations. Of the study population, 60 % of the men and women were breastfed, 31 % were breast and bottle-fed, and 9 % were bottle-fed. Type of milk feeding did not differ according to social class at birth, and was not related to social class attained in adult life. There were no differences in smoking status, alcohol intake or reported physical activity according to type of milk feeding, but there were differences in the participants' dietary patterns. In a multivariate model that included sex and infant weight gain, there were independent associations between type of feeding and prudent diet scores in adult life (P= 0·009), such that higher scores were associated with having been breastfed. These data support experimental findings which suggest that early dietary exposures can have lifelong influences on food choice.
Long-term vitamin D3 supplementation is more effective than vitamin D2 in maintaining serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D status over the winter months
Authors: Logan Victoria F. , Gray Andrew R. , Peddie Meredith C. , Harper Michelle J. , Houghton Lisa A.
Published: November 2012

Public health recommendations do not distinguish between vitamin D2 and vitamin D3, yet disagreement exists on whether these two forms should be considered equivalent. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of a daily physiological dose of vitamin D2 or vitamin D3 on 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) status over the winter months in healthy adults living in Dunedin, New Zealand (latitude 46°S). Participants aged 18–50 years were randomly assigned to 25 μg (1000 IU) vitamin D3 (n 32), 25 μg (1000 IU) vitamin D2 (n 31) or placebo (n 32) daily for 25 weeks beginning at the end of summer. A per-protocol approach, which included ≥ 90 % supplement compliance, was used for all analyses. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3), 25-hydroxyvitamin D2 (25(OH)D2) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) were measured at baseline and at 4, 8, 13 and 25 weeks. Geometric mean total serum 25(OH)D concentrations (sum of 25(OH)D2 and 25(OH)D3) at baseline was 80 nmol/l. After 25 weeks, participants randomised to D2 and placebo had a significant reduction in serum 25(OH)D3 concentrations over the winter months compared with vitamin D3-supplemented participants (both P< 0·001). Supplementation with vitamin D2 increased serum 25(OH)D2 but produced a 9 (95 % CI 1, 17) nmol/l greater decline in the 25(OH)D3 metabolite compared with placebo (P< 0·036). Overall, total serum 25(OH)D concentrations were 21 (95 % CI 14, 30) nmol/l lower in participants receiving vitamin D2 compared with those receiving D3 (P< 0·001), among whom total serum 25(OH)D concentrations remained unchanged. No intervention-related changes in PTH were observed. Daily supplementation of vitamin D3 was more effective than D2; however, the functional consequence of the differing metabolic response warrants further investigation.
Reversible brain response to an intragastric load of l-lysine under l-lysine depletion in conscious rats
Authors: Tsurugizawa Tomokazu , Uematsu Akira , Uneyama Hisayuki , Torii Kunio
Published: November 2012

l-Lysine (Lys) is an essential amino acid and plays an important role in anxiogenic behaviour in both human subjects and rodents. Previous studies have shown the existence of neural plasticity between the Lys-deficient state and the normal state. Lys deficiency causes an increase in noradrenaline release from the hypothalamus and serotonin release from the amygdala in rats. However, no studies have used functional MRI (fMRI) to compare the brain response to ingested Lys in normal, Lys-deficient and Lys-recovered states. Therefore, in the present study, using acclimation training, we performed fMRI on conscious rats to investigate the brain response to an intragastric load of Lys. The brain responses to intragastric administration of Lys (3 mmol/kg body weight) were investigated in six rats intermittently in three states: normal, Lys-deficient and recovered state. First, in the normal state, an intragastric load of Lys activated several brain regions, including the raphe pallidus nucleus, prelimbic cortex and the ventral/lateral orbital cortex. Then, after 6 d of Lys deprivation from the normal state, an intragastric load of Lys activated the ventral tegmental area, raphe pallidus nucleus and hippocampus, as well as several hypothalamic areas. After recovering from the Lys-deficient state, brain activation was similar to that in the normal state. These results indicate that neural plasticity in the prefrontal cortex, hypothalamic area and limbic system is related to the internal Lys state and that this plasticity could have important roles in the control of Lys intake.
Two sugar isomers influence host plant acceptance by a cereal caterpillar pest
Authors: Juma G. , Thiongo M. , Dutaur L. , Rharrabe K. , Marion-Poll F. , Le Ru B. , Magoma G. , Silvain J.-F. , Calatayud P.-A.
Published: November 2012

Plant sugars are often considered as primary feeding stimuli, conditioning host plant acceptance by herbivorous insects. Of the nine sugars identified from methanolic extracts of seven grass species, only turanose, a sucrose isomer, was negatively correlated with the survival and growth of the noctuid larva of cereal stemborer,Busseola fusca. Sucrose was the most abundant sugar, although it did not vary significantly in concentration among the plant species studied. Using Styrofoam™ cylinders impregnated with increasing concentrations of turanose or sucrose, the two sugars had opposing effects: turanose appeared phagodeterrent while sucrose was phagostimulatory. Electrophysiological studies indicated thatB. fuscalarvae were able to detect both sugars via their styloconic sensilla located on the mouthparts. The findings indicate that, whereas sucrose is a feeding stimulant and positively influences food choice byB. fuscalarvae, turanose negatively contributes to larval food choice. The balance in concentrations of both sugars, however, somehow influences the overall host plant choice made by the larvae. This can partly explain host plant suitability and choice by this caterpillar pest in the field.
Supercharacters and pattern subgroups in the upper triangular groups
Authors: Le Tung
Published: November 2012

Let Un(q) denote the upper triangular group of degree n over the finite field $\mathbb{F}_q$ with q elements. It is known that irreducible constituents of supercharacters partition the set of all irreducible characters Irr(Un(q)). In this paper we present a correspondence between supercharacters and pattern subgroups of the form Uk(q) ∩ wUk(q), where w is a monomial matrix in GLk(q) for some k < n.
Elizabeth Bishop in Brazil and the New Yorker
Authors: GREEN FIONA
Published: November 2012

This article reads Elizabeth Bishop's poems of the 1950s in their first publishing context, the New Yorker magazine, and in relation to their scene of production, the economic and architectural environments of mid-century Brazil. The New Yorker had an important mediating function in relation to Bishop's own role as cultural go-between, and remains a crucial interpretative context for her poetry's characteristic provisionality and self-ironies. In specifying these material aspects of the outside world in which the Brazil poems were accommodated – the buildings in which they were written and the magazine in which they were published – the article offers a new perspective on the questions of belonging that lie at the heart of Bishop's unsettled poetics, and so on the politics of her writing at mid-century.
The Optimal Use of Return Predictability: An Empirical Study
Authors: Abhyankar Abhay , Basu Devraj , Stremme Alexander
Published: November 2012

In this paper we study the economic value and statistical significance of asset return predictability, based on a wide range of commonly used predictive variables. We assess the performance of dynamic, unconditionally efficient strategies, first studied by Hansen and Richard (1987) and Ferson and Siegel (2001), using a test that has both an intuitive economic interpretation and known statistical properties. We find that using the lagged term spread, credit spread, and inflation significantly improves the risk-return trade-off. Our strategies consistently outperform efficient buy-and-hold strategies, both in and out of sample, and they also incur lower transactions costs than traditional conditionally efficient strategies.
Do invasive bullfrogs in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, show evidence of parasite release?
Authors: Dare O.K. , Forbes M.R.
Published: November 2012

Few studies have examined vertebrate models of invasive species to explore parasite release as a proposed mechanism through which host species might become invasive. In this study, we examined evidence for parasite release in invasive American bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana/Lithobates catesbeianus) from five sites in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. We examined helminth species richness, as well as the prevalence, intensity and abundance of lung and kidney fluke infections. These flukes are expected to impose costs on host survival, growth and reproductive output. We compared measures of these parasite taxa with bullfrogs from Ontario and New Brunswick where they are endemic. Helminth species richness in bullfrogs from the Victoria sites was lower than in Ontario bullfrogs, but comparable to reported indices for other endemic populations. The prevalence of lung flukes (Haematoloechusspp.) in bullfrogs from Victoria was twice as high as was observed in the Ontario bullfrogs, and higher than has been reported from other endemic locations. In four of the five study sites in Victoria, numbers ofEchinostomaspp. kidney cysts were lower than observed in endemic populations; however, the fifth site had uncharacteristically high numbers of cysts. In this study, there did not appear to be clear evidence to support parasite release using either parasite species numbers, or infection by specific parasite taxa. Instead, the invasive bullfrogs demonstrated high parasite species richness and high levels of infection for parasites known to be harmful to their hosts.
Spermatological characteristics ofElstia stossichianum(Digenea, Mesometridae) from the intestine of the cow bream (Sarpa salpa) off Dakar, Senegal
Authors: Bakhoum A.J.S. , Ndiaye P.I. , Bâ C.T. , Miquel J.
Published: November 2012

The current study was designed to increase the spermatological ultrastructural database on Digenea, thus contributing to the future establishment of phylogenetic relationships within this group based on ultrastructural characteristics of both spermiogenesis and spermatozoa. Spermiogenesis inElstia stossichianumbegins with the formation of a differentiation zone containing two centrioles, two striated rootlets, a nucleus, several mitochondria and an intercentriolar body constituted by seven electron-dense layers. Each centriole develops into a free flagellum growing orthogonally to the median cytoplasmic process. Proximo-distal fusion of the flagella with the median cytoplasmic process occurs after flagellar rotation. Both nucleus and mitochondria migrate before the complete proximo-distal fusion of both flagella with the median cytoplasmic process. Finally, the constriction of the ring of arched membranes gives rise to the young spermatozoon. The mature spermatozoon ofE. stossichianumexhibits two axonemes of different length of the 9+‘1’ trepaxonematan pattern, a nucleus, a mitochondrion, two bundles of parallel cortical microtubules, external ornamentation of the plasma membrane, a lateral expansion, spine-like bodies, cytoplasmic ornamented buttons and granules of glycogen. The formation of cytoplasmic ornamented buttons during the final stages of spermiogenesis is reported here for the first time.
Transposition of a lingual thyroid to the submandibular space using a modified technique
Authors: Bao Tingwei , Wang Huiming , Wei Dong , Yu Di
Published: November 2012

Objective:

We report a modified surgical technique for transplanting an ectopic, lingual thyroid to the submandibular space, in order to maintain thyroid function while relieving obstructive symptoms.

Case report:

A 52-year-old woman complained of progressive dysphagia and dyspnoea. Ectopic lingual thyroid tissue was diagnosed. The ectopic thyroid gland was transplanted into the submandibular region via a lateral pharyngeal approach. A random muscle pedicle was prepared to provide a vascular supply to the transposed gland.

Results:

Twelve-month follow up confirmed the survival of the transplanted thyroid gland, with preserved thyroid function.

Conclusion:

Surgical transplantation of a lingual thyroid to the submandibular region offers an alternative treatment method for this anomaly, which avoids the need for resection and lifelong thyroxine replacement.
Comparative study of management of inferior turbinate hypertrophy using turbinoplasty assisted by microdebrider or 980 nm diode laser
Authors: Kassab A N , Rifaat M , Madian Y
Published: November 2012

Objective:

This study aimed to compare the outcomes of turbinoplasty assisted by microdebrider and by diode laser (980 nm wavelength).

Methods:

Forty patients suffering from bilateral nasal obstruction were randomly divided into two equal groups. One group was managed with microdebrider-assisted turbinoplasty and the other with diode laser assisted turbinoplasty. The patients were followed up for six months post-operatively.

Results:

After six months, total success rates were 90 per cent for the microdebrider group and 85 per cent for the diode laser group. There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding success rate, post-operative complications or operative time.

Conclusion:

These two techniques are equally safe, reliable, successful and non-invasive.