bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Custodial Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Lack of Legal Relationship Is a Barrier for Services
Authors: Van Etten Deborah , Gautam Ramraj
Published: May 2012

In the United States, the majority of custodial grandparents are raising their grandchildren without a legal relationship. The lack of a legal relationship (i.e., foster care, custody, adoption) is a barrier for obtaining services and has resulted in limited access to information and public services, inadequate financial assistance, and difficulty providing medical and educational consent. This situation arises not only as a consequence of eligibility criteria, but also because children being raised by custodial grandparents remain outside the child welfare system. Federal and state policies were not designed for this population; subsequently, the majority of grandparent caregivers remain without access to services and support. In this article, perceptions of custodial grandparents concerning family obligations and the child welfare system as a barrier to pursuing a legal relationship are reviewed. Challenges with existing financial and health services, educational needs of grandparents and providers, and suggestions for policy changes are presented.
Minimizing Health Risks Among Older Adults With Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities: Clinical Considerations to Promote Quality of Life
Authors: Hahn Joan Earle
Published: May 2012

The number of individuals aging with lifelong intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD) is increasing and is expected to double by 2030. People with I/DD have faced a number of health disparities, including health care professionals unprepared to meet their health needs. This article will review age- and health-related clinical considerations among individuals aging with I/DD. The aim is to provide nurses with suggested interventions that promote health, prevent secondary conditions, and foster person-centered care among individuals aging with I/DD to help them live healthy and meaningful lives in their later years.
Prevalence of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Motorcyclists
Authors: Manes Harvey R.
Published: May 2012

Carpal tunnel syndrome is prevalent in patients who have a repetitive motion, vibration, or pressure exerted on the wrist joint for an extended period of time. The prevalence of this condition in the general population is approximately 5%. Motorcyclists subject themselves to high levels of vibration from the road and use their wrists to control the motorcycle’s brakes, gas intake, and gears via the handlebars. Under these conditions, the author hypothesized that an increased prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome would be observed in this population.
Combined Anterior and Lateral Approaches for Bone Tumors of the Femoral Neck and Head
Authors: Hu Yong-cheng , Lun Deng-xing , Zhao Shang-kun
Published: May 2012

Few reports in the literature describe the treatment experience of benign lesions of the femoral head and neck. Between July 2005 and August 2009, twenty-four patients with bone tumor of the femoral neck and head were treated at the authors’ institution. Fourteen patients had pathological fractures of the femoral neck; in the other 10 patients, the bone cortex was involved. Average tumor size was 78 cc (range, 45–130 cc). The patients were treated by curettage plus bone grafting via an anterior approach (Smith-Petersen incision) and internal fixation via a lateral approach (Hardinge approach). Average follow-up was 34 months (range, 10–68 months).

Average blood loss and operative time were 450 mL and 87 minutes, respectively. Six patients experienced complications: 2 superficial wound infections, 2 immunological rejections, and 2 hollow screw loosenings and slight limps at 12 and 16 months postoperatively, respectively. No recurrence or other serious complications, such as pathological fracture, ischemic necrosis of the femoral head, or joint degeneration, occurred. Average Musculoskeletal Tumor Society score for lower extremity function was 29.2 (range, 27–30) at final follow-up, and all patients resumed their normal preoperative work and were pain free postoperatively, although 1 patient had a slight limp at final follow-up.

A combination of anterior and lateral approaches may produce good clinical and functional results with minimal complications in bone tumors of the femoral neck.
Clinical Outcomes After Computer-assisted Versus Conventional Total Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Xie Chunming , Liu Kai , Xiao Luxin , Tang Rong
Published: May 2012

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the use of computer-assisted surgery can improve the clinical results in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) compared with conventional methods of TKA.

A literature search of PubMed (1966 to August 2011), CENTRAL (Cochrane Controlled Trials Register; issue 3, 2011), and EMBASE (1984 to August 2011) was conducted. Randomized, controlled trials detecting the clinical outcomes of TKA with or without the use of computer-assisted surgery were identified. A meta-analysis of these clinical trials was then performed. Twenty-one articles were included in the meta-analysis. The results confirmed that operative time was significantly increased with the use of computer-assisted TKA (mean standard difference, 14.68; 95% confidence interval [CI], 11.74 to 17.62;P<.00001], whereas no significant difference existed between the 2 groups regarding the total operative blood loss (mean standard difference, −54.38; 95% CI, −119.76 to 11.00;P=.10). As for other clinical outcomes, including the Knee Society Score (mean standard difference, 4.47; 95% CI, −1.05 to 9.99;P=.36) and range of motion (mean standard difference, 1.38; 95% CI, −1.43 to 4.18;P=.34), the use of computer-assisted TKA did not help to improve function recovery postoperatively.
Functional Disabilities and Issues of Concern for Asian Patients Before Total Ankle Arthroplasty
Authors: Lee Kyung Tai , Choi Jae Hyuck , Lee Young Koo , Young Ki Won , Kim Jun Beom , Kim Jin Su , Kim Wook Joong , Kim Jun Ho , Lee Ji Yun
Published: May 2012

Total ankle arthroplasty is a commonly performed invasive procedure that can be distressing to patients. Therefore, surgeons should consider patients’ issues of greatest interest and concerns at the time of surgery and the function that patients hope to recover. Many studies have reported surgeon concerns before total knee arthroplasty and total hip arthroplasty, but few have focused on patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate patients’ functional disabilities and issues of concern regarding total ankle arthroplasty.

Between May 2008 and June 2010, eighty-five patients (52 men and 33 women; mean age, 60 years) were recruited for the study. All patients were asked to complete a questionnaire divided into 3 parts: sociodemographic data, current functional disabilities and their perceived importance, and issues concerning patients before total ankle arthroplasty. Regarding functional disability based on severity, the top 5 issues were limping, difficulty squatting, daytime pain, difficulty kneeling, and difficulty climbing stairs. Regarding functional disability based on perceived importance, the top 5 issues were daytime pain, limping, difficulty walking, difficulty kneeling, and difficulty working. Regarding issues of concern, the top 5 issues were pain intraoperatively, ability to walk as much as desired, ability to climb stairs, pain after discharge from the hospital, and pain immediately postoperatively. The most important issue before total ankle arthroplasty was pain. Patients had a strong interest in high ankle extension and increased range of motion due to the lifestyle and religious activities of Eastern populations.
Thoracic Disk Herniation With Paraparesis Treated With Transthoracic Microdiskectomy in a 14-year-old Girl
Authors: Ueda Yasuhiro , Kawahara Norio , Murakami Hideki , Demura Satoru , Tsuchiya Hiroyuki
Published: May 2012

Herniated thoracic intervertebral disk causing spinal cord compression with paraparesis is uncommon in adults and rare in children. This article describes a case of pediatric thoracic disk herniation with paraparesis treated surgically.

A 14-year-old girl presented with a 4-month history of diffuse back pain and sudden onset paraparesis. Motor strength was 4/5 in both legs, and she had lost the ability to ambulate. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed spinal cord compression due to a herniated intervertebral disk at T5–T6. Computed tomography scan after myelogram demonstrated anterior dural sac compression at T5–T6 but no intervertebral disk calcification. She underwent transthoracic microdiskectomy. The herniated disk was removed, and the thoracic spinal cord was decompressed. No fusion was performed after microdiskectomy. The postoperative course was uncomplicated, and neurologic deficit resolved within 2 weeks postoperatively. The patient was pain free with no neurologic deficit at 24-month follow-up, and computed tomography scan showed remodeling of the T5 and T6 vertebral bodies.

Most cases of thoracic disk herniation are asymptomatic. If no compression of the spinal cord exists, the natural history of the disease justifies conservative management. Although the treatment of choice is conservative, surgery is required in patients who develop progressive neurologic deficit or severe radicular pain. Transthoracic microdiskectomy without fusion is considered a treatment in similar cases.
National Survey of RN-to-BSN Programs
Authors: McEwen Melanie , White Mary Joe , Pullis Bridgette R. , Krawtz Susan
Published: May 2012

More than 600 RN-to-BSN programs exist in the United States. Little information is available describing many aspects of these programs (e.g., curricula, program length, prerequisites). This study was undertaken to obtain a snapshot of RN-to-BSN education. This review is vital given the rapid growth of these programs and the anticipated increase in number of “completion” students necessary to meet the Institute of Medicine’s goal that 80% of RNs be BSN-prepared by 2020. Data were collected and analyzed within general areas, including background information, curriculum, instructional formats, and evaluation. Findings from the survey can be used by educators to evaluate their RN-to-BSN programs and compare them with other programs. Further, evidence of potential weaknesses were identified, and educators are challenged to ensure that encouraging growth, focusing on flexibility, and making programs more user friendly does not result in inferior education. Rather, academic and programmatic rigor must be maintained.
Providing Mental Health Care to Veterans in Rural Areas: Using Telehealth in Mobile Clinics
Authors: Wynn Stephanie D. , Sherrod Roy Ann
Published: May 2012

The purpose of this article is to provide information to improve the quality of care of veterans living in geographically isolated areas who require treatment for mental health issues. Because interactive care solutions are currently hot topics in the health care community, they should be viewed as possible strategies to meet the needs of this specialty group of veterans. An intervention using a mobile clinic and clinical video telehealth reduces distance barriers by making it possible for mental health specialists to come to rural veterans instead of the veteran attempting to find a way to get to the practitioner, who may be located in a clinic or hospital many miles away. This article focuses on an alternate strategy—telehealth in mobile clinics—as a possible solution to the mental health crisis of veterans in rural areas.
Ultra Wide Field Fluorescein Angiography Can Detect Macular Pathology in Central Retinal Vein Occlusion
Authors: Tsui Irena , Franco-Cardenas Valentina , Hubschman Jean-Pierre , Yu Fei , Schwartz Steven D.
Published: May 2012

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether ultra wide field fluorescein angiography (UWFFA), a tool established for the detection of peripheral non-perfusion, can also detect macular pathology. A retrospective imaging review was performed on patients with central retinal vein occlusion. UWFFA was graded for angiographic leakage (petalloid and/or diffuse leakage) and presence of abnormalities in the foveal avascular zone and was then correlated to spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Sixty-six eyes met inclusion criteria. Intergrader agreement was highly reliable for grading macular leakage on UWFFA (kappa = 0.75) and moderately reliable for the evaluation of an abnormal foveal avascular zone (kappa = 0.43). Angiographic leakage on UWFFA correlated to macular edema on SD-OCT (
P
> .0001), and abnormalities in the foveal avascular zone on UWFFA correlated to ganglion cell layer atrophy on SD-OCT (
P
= .0002). Intergrader reliability in grading UWFFA was better when assessing macular leakage than when assessing macular ischemia. UWFFA findings correlated to macular edema and signs of macular ischemia on SD-OCT.
Present and Prospective Therapeutic Regimens for COPD
Authors: Schweiger Teresa A.
Published: May 2012

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is a prevalent disease throughout the world. Recently updated treatment guidelines were published and still endorse a general step-wise approach to therapy based on severity of disease. The heterogeneity of the disease makes it difficult to determine appropriate therapy based on the data available. Currently, combination therapy, specifically triple therapy with a long acting beta2 agonist, a long acting anticholinergic agent, and an inhaled corticosteroid appear to achieve the best patient outcomes. In addition, there is a desperate need for new therapy with a different mechanism of action than those already on the market. The recommendations concerning stable COPD treatment will be reviewed, as well as, efficacy data regarding combination therapy. In addition, a few new and prospective therapies will be evaluated.
Acoustic detection of gas bubbles in saturated sands at high spatial and temporal resolution
Authors: Wildman Richard A. , Huettel Markus
Published: May 2012

Small gas bubbles embedded near the surface of submerged sand affect physical, chemical, and biological processes, and so their detection and characterization is important. So far, a noninvasive method for the detection of such bubbles has not been available. We developed a portable acoustic detection technique that offers high spatial and temporal resolution. The measuring system consists of a hand‐held ultrasonic transmitterreceiver that we operated with transducers generating 1 MHz and 2.27 MHz pulses. Bubble detection was based on changes in amplitude and travel time of backscatter data collected from bubbles that were either manually injected into sediment or created by sedimentary microalgal photosynthesis. Laboratory experiments showed that individual bubbles of 6 mm diameter can be detected as deep as 60 mm beneath the sediment‐water interface. Vertical and horizontal resolutions of 0.4–1 mm and 8–13 mm were achieved, depending on the transducer used. Measurements in a coastal bay demonstrated that our technique discriminates between sands with and without bubbles and locates embedded gas. We found that gas accumulations develop in the upper 10 mm of shallow sandy sediment in shallow water during daytime, revealing that the combination of photosynthetic oxygen production and porewater transport in permeable sands can lead to bubble generation below the photosynthetically active layer.
Measurement of planktonic CO2 respiration in the light
Authors: Carvalho Matheus C. , Eyre Bradley D.
Published: May 2012

Respiration is an essential physiological process for all organisms and is a significant component of the global carbon cycle. However, CO2 release rates in the light (CRR) by aquatic communities have seldom been measured directly; instead, the typical procedure is to measure oxygen consumption rates in the dark (OCR) and assume that they are approximately equivalent to CRR. Here we describe a method to measure CRR (and consequently gross photosynthesis rates) based on 13C addition to incubation water in a closed system. We quantified planktonic CRR in situ in a lake, and also in laboratory experiments, where we tested the effects of temperature and irradiance on respiration rates. We also measured O2 rates (respiration in the dark and net production in the light) to compare with those based on CO2, and found that in the lake, these rates were similar both for photosynthesis and respiration. In laboratory, however, they were very different, with CO2‐based photosynthesis being higher, and CRR being lower than correspondent O2 rates. These findings show that the usual approach of assuming similar OCR and CRR can be erroneous. We also found that higher temperature and irradiance caused higher CRR. The method was successful to provide CRR and photosynthetic measurements, but would greatly benefit from more precise techniques to measure the concentration of dissolved inorganic carbon in water.
GEOTRACES intercalibration of neodymium isotopes and rare earth element concentrations in seawater and suspended particles. Part 1: reproducibility of results for the international intercomparison
Authors: van de Flierdt Tina , Pahnke Katharina , Amakawa Hiroshi , Andersson Per , Basak Chandranath , Coles Barry , Colin Christophe , Crocket Kirsty , Frank Martin , Frank Norbert , Goldstein Steven L. , Goswami Vineet , Haley Brian A. , Hathorne Ed C. , Hemming Sidney R. , Henderson Gideon M. , Jeandel Catherine , Jones Kevin , Kreissig Katharina , Lacan Francois , Lambelet Myriam , Martin Ellen E. , Newkirk Derrick R. , Obata Haijme , Pena Leopoldo , Piotrowski Alexander M. , Pradoux Catherine , Scher Howie D. , Schöberg Hans , Singh Sunil Kumar , Stichel Torben , Tazoe Hirofumi , Vance Derek , Yang Jingjing
Published: May 2012

One of the key activities during the initial phase of the international GEOTRACES program was an extensive international intercalibration effort, to ensure that results for a range of trace elements and isotopes (TEIs) from different cruises and from different laboratories can be compared in a meaningful way. Here we present the results from the intercalibration efforts on neodymium isotopes and rare earth elements in seawater and marine particles. Fifteen different laboratories reported results for dissolved 143Nd/144Nd ratios in seawater at three different locations (BATS 15 m, BATS 2000 m, SAFe 3000 m), with an overall agreement within 47 to 57 ppm (2σ standard deviation of the mean). A similar agreement was found for analyses of an unknown pure Nd standard solution carried out by 13 laboratories (56 ppm), indicating that mass spectrometry is the main variable in achieving accurate and precise Nd isotope ratios. Overall, this result is very satisfactory, as the achieved precision is a factor of 40 better than the range of Nd isotopic compositions observed in the global ocean. Intercalibration for dissolved rare earth element concentrations (REEs) by six laboratories for two water depths at BATS yielded a reproducibility of 15% or better for all REE except Ce, which seems to be the most blank‐sensitive REE. Neodymium concentrations from 12 laboratories show an agreement within 9%, reflecting the best currently possible reproducibility. Results for Nd isotopic compositions and REE concentrations on marine particles are inconclusive, and should be revisited in the future.
Distance maps to estimate cell volume from two‐dimensional plankton images
Authors: Moberg Emily A. , Sosik Heidi M.
Published: May 2012

We describe and evaluate an algorithm that uses a distance map to automatically calculate the biovolume of a planktonic organism from its two‐dimensional boundary. Compared with existing approaches, this algorithm dramatically increases the speed and accuracy of biomass estimates from plankton images, and is thus especially suited for use with automated cell imaging technologies that produce large quantities of data. The algorithm operates on a two‐dimensional image processed to identify organism boundaries. First, the distance of each interior pixel to the nearest boundary is calculated; next these same distances are assumed to apply for projection in the third dimension; and finally the resulting volume is adjusted by a multiplicative factor assuming locally circular cross‐sections in the third dimension. Other cross‐sectional shape factors can be applied as needed. In this way, the simple, computationally efficient, volume calculation can be refined to include taxon‐specific shape information if available. We show that compared to traditional manual microscopic analysis, the distance map algorithm is unbiased and accurate (mean difference = −0.25%, standard deviation = 17%) for a range of cell morphologies, including those with concave boundaries that deviate from simple geometric shapes and whose volumes are not well represented by a solid of revolution around a single axis. Automated calculation of cell volumes can now be implemented with a combination of this new distance map algorithm for complex shapes and the solid of revolution approach for simple shapes, with an automated decision criterion to choose the appropriate approach for each image.
Health Care and Women's Empowerment: The role of Self Help Groups
Authors: Chakravarty S , Jha A N
Published: May 2012

Over the last couple of decades the concept of Self Help Groups (SHGs) and its potential as an effective tool to alleviate poverty and empower women has garnered considerable interest worldwide. Considering the importance given by policy makers across various nations to the group approach while conceptualizing, formulating and implementing any scheme or programme for the welfare of marginalized and underprivileged sections of the society (especially women), we identified the need to critically examine and explore the role of SHGs in the empowerment of women with a special emphasis on health status. To date, the functioning of SHGs has essentially been viewed only from an economic perspective. The existing approach puts encourages the economic development of women, with SHGs a mechanism to achieving this. However, how these economic benefits are being translated into the change in women’s status, particularly their health status, remains unexplored and ultimately unaddressed. This working research paper attempts to review the scope and limitations of SHGs in improving women’s health and empowerment based upon empirical work undertaken in the Jharkhand state of India. Our paper also explores the extent to which SHGs can be involved in attaining better health status for women, and thereby point the way for further research.
The Health System Dynamics Framework: The introduction of an analytical model for health system analysis and its application to two case-studies
Authors: Olmen J Van , Criel B , Bhojani U , Marchal B , Belle S Van , Chenge M F , Hoerée T , Pirard M , Damme W Van , Kegels G
Published: May 2012

Frameworks can clarify concepts and improve understanding of underlying mechanisms in the domain of health systems research and strengthening. Many existing frameworks have a limited capacity to analyze interactions and equilibriums within a health system overlooking values as an underlying steering mechanism. This paper introduces the health system dynamics framework and demonstrates its application as a tool for analysis and modelling. The added value of this framework is: 1) consideration of different levels of a health system and tracing how interventions or events at one level influence other elements and other levels; 2) emphasizes the importance of values; 3) a central axis linking governance, human resources, service delivery and population, and 4) taking into account the key elements of complexity in analysis and strategy development. We urge  the analysis of individual health systems and meta-analysis, for a better understanding of their functioning and strengthening.
In Their Eyes: HIV prevention from an Islamic perspective in Lamu, Kenya.
Authors: Maulana A O , Krumeich A , Van den Borne B
Published: May 2012

Despite efforts to curb the spread of HIV amongst the youth and its positive indication of success in Kenya, the epidemic continues to pose serious challenges to these efforts amongst all demographic groupings across Kenya. This article presents findings of a qualitative study involving 45 youth and 23 Islamic leaders from Lamu, Kenya. The study looked at participant’s perceptions of HIV/AIDS. It also explored participant’s perceptions on what they see as the factors influencing HIV transmission amongst the Lamu youth. Additionally a literature review was used together with the study findings to identify elements for an Islamic based HIV prevention intervention. Our findings indicated that both the youth and religious leaders’ perceptions of HIV/AIDS comprise a mixture of facts and misconceptions. The participants identified idleness, drug abuse and premarital sex as key factors contributing to the risk of HIV infection amongst the Lamu youth. The symbiotic relationship between religious leaders and youth on various aspects of daily practices was evident throughout the study thereby suggesting the importance of working with both in addressing HIV/AIDS in Lamu.
Optimization of Antioxidant Potential of Penicillium granulatum Bainier by Statistical Approaches
Authors: Chandra Priyanka , Arora Daljit Singh
Published: May 2012

A three-step optimization strategy which includes one-factor-at-a-time classical method and different statistical approaches (Plackett-Burman design and response surface methodology) that were applied to optimize the antioxidant potential of Penicillium granulatum. Antioxidant activity was assayed by different procedures and compared with total phenolic content. Primarily, different carbon and nitrogen sources were screened by classical methods, which revealed sucrose and NaNO3 to be the most suitable. In second step, Plackett-Burman design also supported sucrose and NaNO3 to be the most significant. In third step, response surface analysis showed 4.5% sucrose, 0.1% NaNO3, and incubation temperature of 25°C to be the optimal conditions. Under these conditions, the antioxidant potential assayed through different procedures was 78.2%, 70.1%, and 78.9% scavenging effect for DPPH radical, ferrous ion, and nitric oxide ion, respectively. The reducing power showed an absorbance of 1.6 with 68.5% activity for FRAP assay.
VEGF Is Involved in the Increase of Dermal Microvascular Permeability Induced by Tryptase
Authors: Bai Qianming , Li Xiaobo , Wang Xinhong , Xu Yali , Wang Li , Zhang Qingyong , Yin Lianhua
Published: May 2012

Tryptases are predominantly mast cell-specific serine proteases with pleiotropic biological activities and play a critical role in skin allergic reactions, which are manifested with rapid edema and increases of vascular permeability. The exact mechanisms of mast cell tryptase promoting vascular permeability, however, are unclear and, therefore, we investigated the effect and mechanism of tryptase or human mast cells (HMC-1) supernatant on the permeability of human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HDMECs). Both tryptase and HMC-1 supernatant increased permeability of HDMECs significantly, which was resisted by tryptase inhibitor APC366 and partially reversed by anti-VEGF antibody and SU5614 (catalytic inhibitor of VEGFR). Furthermore, addition of tryptase to HDMECs caused a significant increase of mRNA and protein levels of VEGF and its receptors (Flt-1 and Flk-1) by Real-time RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. These results strongly suggest an important role of VEGF on the permeability enhancement induced by tryptase, which may lead to novel means of controlling allergic reaction in skin.
The Role of Energy in the Industrial Revolution and Modern Economic Growth
Authors: Stern David I. , Kander Astrid
Published: May 2012

The expansion in the supply of energy services over the last couple of centuries has reduced the apparent importance of energy in economic growth despite energy being an essential production input. We demonstrate this by developing a simple extension of the Solow growth model, which we use to investigate 200 years of Swedish data. We find that the elasticity of substitution between a capital-labor aggregate and energy is less than unity, which implies that when energy services are scarce they strongly constrain output growth resulting in a low income steady-state. When energy services are abundant the economy exhibits the behavior of the “modern growth regime” with the Solow model as a limiting case. The expansion of energy services is found to be a major factor in explaining economic growth in Sweden, especially before the second half of the 20th century. After 1950, labor-augmenting technological change becomes the dominant factor driving growth though energy still plays a role.
The Impact of Different Unbundling Scenarios on Wholesale Prices in Energy Markets
Authors: Bremberger Christoph , Bremberger Francisca , Rammerstorfer Margarethe
Published: May 2012

A recent highly disputed subject of regulating energy markets in Europe is the unbundling of vertically integrated up- and downstream firms. While legal unbundling is already implemented in most countries and indisputable in its necessity for approaching regulatory aims, continuative models such as ownership unbundling are still ambiguous. The following article contributes to the economic analysis of identifying the differences of these separate types of unbundling by concentrating on competition effects and the possibility to conceal true marginal costs. Via simulation, we find that legal unbundling yields the lowest prices in a market under Cournot competition. Moreover, under Bertrand competition, no differences between legal unbundling and ownership unbundling can be identified.
Systemic Risk in Energy Derivative Markets: A Graph-Theory Analysis
Authors: Lautier Delphine , Raynaud Franck
Published: May 2012

This article uses graph theory to provide novel evidence regarding market integration, a favorable condition for systemic risk to appear in. Relying on daily futures returns covering a 12-year period, we examine cross- and intermarket linkages, both within the commodity complex and between commodities and other financial assets. In such a high dimensional analysis, graph theory enables us to understand the dynamic behavior of our price system. We show that energy markets—as a whole—stand at the heart of this system. We also establish that crude oil is itself at the center of the energy complex. Further, we provide evidence that commodity markets have become more integrated over time. Keywords: Systemic risk, Energy, Derivative markets, High dimensional analysis, Graph theory, Minimum spanning trees
Molybdenum‐Containing Hydroxylases
Authors: Zientek Michael , Kang Ping , Hutzler Matthew J. , Obach Scott R.
Published: May 2012

This chapter contains a comprehensive summary about molybdenum‐containing hydroxylases and what role these enzymes play in drug metabolism. The molybdenum‐containing hydroxylases of interest to drug discovery consist of mainly two enzymes: aldehyde oxidase (AO) EC 1.2.3.1 and xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) EC 1.2.3.2. These two enzymes will be compared and contrasted. Topics covered for both of these enzymes are structure, function, genetics, biotransformation, known inhibitors, tissue distribution, species and ethnic differences, enzyme activity variation and possible clinical implications.
Amine Oxidases and Reductases
Authors: Hines Ronald N. , Prough Russell A.
Published: May 2012

FAD‐containing, copper‐containing, and the cytochrome P450‐dependent monooxygenases are widely recognized for their ability to catalyze amine oxidation and/or reduction of a variety of compounds. Substrates include a variety of drugs, endogenous amines important in signaling, and both man‐made and natural environmental chemicals. This chapter describes the genes encoding these enzymes, the protein products themselves, as well as possible tools that investigators might use to determine which enzyme is catalyzing a particular reaction.
Epoxide Hydrolases
Authors: Omiecinski Curtis J. , Yang Xi , Laurenzana Elizabeth M.
Published: May 2012

Epoxides are three‐membered carbon–oxygen compounds that typically arise from the metabolism of endogenous and xenobiotic compounds via chemical and enzymatic oxidation processes. Many different oxygenase enzymes are capable of forming epoxide derivates, from either arene or alkene substrate; however, the cytochrome P450 monooxygenases are principal contributors to their generation. Certain epoxides are highly electrophilic and chemically reactive, and they have been implicated as initiators of various cellular toxicities, including the formation of DNA mutations and ultimately, cancers. Therefore, it is of vital importance for the organism to regulate levels of these reactive species. A single mammalian enzyme, microsomal epoxide hydrolase (EPHX1, mEH), functions as a predominant pathway responsible for detoxification of xenobiotic epoxides, as well as bioactivation pathway for certain xenobiotic epoxides. In contrast, another important epoxide hydrolase, soluble epoxide hydrolase (EPHX2, sEH), has more recently been established as a mediator of epoxide hydrolysis of several endogenously derived epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs), intermediates resulting from arachidonic acid metabolism. In this respect, EPHX2 is now characterized as an important regulator of physiological processes, such as blood pressure and inflammation, and has emerged as a promising therapeutic target for pharmacological intervention. This chapter reviews the biochemistry, biological regulation, genetics, and pharmacological relevance of these important enzyme systems.
Direct Biofluid Analysis Systems
Authors: Blair Ian A.
Published: May 2012

The extraction and concentration of samples prior to analysis represents a major hurdle for the implementation of routine assays and for assays when there are large number of samples such as in drug disposition studies. This review will provide a survey on the use of four different direct injection techniques that have been employed in combination with liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry over the last decade for the analysis of biofluid samples‐solid phase extraction, restricted access media, monolithic chromatography, and turbulent flow chromatography have been reviewed. On‐line solid‐phase extraction offers numerous advantages including the ability to readily automate the analyses. Turbulent flow chromatography is a flexible high sensitivity system, which can be employed to concentrate the sample and to remove proteins and phospholipids. The resulting extract is then separated on an analytical column, which provides enormous flexibility. A particularly attractive feature of the turbulent flow systems is the ability to remove constituents from the biofluid that cause suppression or enhancement of ionization in the mass spectrometer. Clearly direct analysis of biofluid samples has come of age and is now a realistic alternative to more time consuming off‐line purification procedures particularly when large numbers of sampled are involved.
Bioactivation and Reactive Metabolite Assays
Authors: Tang Wei , Zhang Zhoupeng
Published: May 2012

A number of small‐molecule drugs that cause severe adverse effects (AEs) undergo metabolism to form reactive species capable of covalently modifying proteins and/or nucleic acids. This has led to a working hypothesis that eliminating compounds susceptible to bioactivation in drug discovery should eventually produce safer medicines. A technical challenge associated with this strategy is to identify reactive metabolites that are often short lived either in biological systems or during sample preparation. Current bioanalytical options include capture of reactive metabolites with various trapping agents, such as glutathione (GSH) derivatives, synthetic peptides, cyanide, and nucleobase derivatives. These agents “trap” different types of reactive species, presenting the first hint on the mechanism of bioactivation.
In vitro
incubations usually are carried out in the presence of an appropriate trapping agent, with liver microsomes or hepatocytes serving as the source of enzymes responsible for bioactivation. The resulting samples are subjected to chromatographic separations and mass spectrometry (MS)‐based detection of the trapped stable products. Similar procedures are applicable to specimens from preclinical species and humans for identification of GSH‐related adducts formed
in vivo
via the mercapturic acid pathway. Sample analyses by triple quadrupole or ion trap mass spectrometers follow primarily a stepwise manner from neutral loss and/or parent ion scans to multiple‐stage mass fragmentations in order to acquire sufficient data for metabolite structural assignment. Recent developments in instrumentation have centered on coupling ultraperformance liquid chromatography (UPLC) and high resolution MS; this combination is able to achieve a superior separation of analytes and acquisition of accurate mass spectra, hence a significant increase in sample throughput and improvement of metabolite detection. Use of accurate mass‐based data‐processing software further simplifies data interpretation, enabling quick structural assignment of the trapped products from which reactive species and bioactivation mechanisms are deduced. From a bioanalytical perspective, these experiments often require minimal sample preparation and method development, with a throughput usually satisfying the need of medicinal chemistry to construct a structure–activity relationship (SAR) with respect to the formation of reactive metabolites. The database accumulated, together with preclinical and clinical safety information, should also lead to better understanding of drug treatment‐related adverse effects (AEs).
Oral Chemotherapeutic Agents
Authors: Ogita Shin , LoRusso Patricia , Li Jing
Published: May 2012

Oral chemotherapeutic agents have been available for decades, and there has been an accelerated expansion in their development during the recent decade. Oral chemotherapeutic agents offer obvious advantages in terms of convenient and noninvasive administration, flexibility and adaptability of dosing, as well as financial and staff time savings. Compared to intravenous agents, oral chemotherapeutic agents generally exhibit substantial interindividual pharmacokinetic variability. Many factors contribute to this variability, including physiological, pathological, environmental, and genetic factors. Unique to oral agents, poor and variable bioavailability is one important source of the interindividual pharmacokinetic variability. This chapter discusses the factors influencing bioavailability of oral chemotherapeutic agents, with focus on the first‐pass metabolism by cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4), intestinal efflux by ABCB1 transporter, and other factors such as concomitant administration of antiacid medications, food effect, and surgery. Oral chemotherapeutic agents can be classified as traditional cytotoxic agents and novel molecularly targeted agents, hormonal agents, and immune‐modulating agents. Each class of agents is unique with regard to its mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics, mechanisms of drug resistance, and clinical use. This chapter provides an overview of the major classes of oral chemotherapeutic agents, particularly highlighting examples whereby genetic variations in the genes involved in the drug disposition or drug–target interaction influence the pharmacokinetics and/or response.
Clinical Pharmacology in Drug Labeling. The Impact of Drug Metabolism and Clinical Pharmacology on Recommended Dose of Drugs
Authors: Dombey Stuart
Published: May 2012

Drugs have extensive investigation of clinical pharmacology during development, leading to comprehensive drug labels. However, modification of the dose of a drug in different metabolic states or in the presence of concomitant disease is not clearly labeled. Most drugs seem robust enough to be used with minimal dose modification.
Losing Your Car in the Parking Lot: Spatial Memory in the Real World
Authors: Postma Albert , van Oers Marijn , Back Florinda , Plukaard Sarah
Published: May 2012

The present study investigated qualitative aspects of spatial memory for the parking place of one's car during an incidental visit to a shopping mall. A total of 115 participants (59 men, age range: 19–85 years) performed a number of short tests, designed to measure several aspects of applied spatial memory, prior to leaving a shopping mall in order to return to their car. Gender differences were observed on two aspects of spatial memory. First, women reported more landmarks in their route descriptions than men, whereas men used metric terms more often than women. Second, men outperformed women with respect to estimating the distance to their car. A main effect of age was observed for map location reconstruction: Older participants had more difficulty in relocating their car on a map. Overall, participants were fairly good in finding back their car. Only 14% made a substantial detour, most of them women. This searching behaviour appeared to depend on sense of direction as well as on map relocation ability. Participants employed a variety of strategies, but the number of strategies used was not related to the measured aspects of spatial memory. The current results give further insight into spatial memory usage in the real world. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Practicing Safe Text: the Impact of Texting on Walking Behavior
Authors: Lopresti‐Goodman Stacy M. , Rivera Ana , Dressel Christen
Published: May 2012

Sending and receiving text messages on cell phones is increasingly common. Texting while walking or driving, however, increases the likelihood of accidents. One possible cause is that distracted individuals are unable to detect safe opportunities for action. To investigate this, we asked participants to walk through doorways of differing widths while holding or texting on their phone. We measured walking speed, doorway‐to‐shoulder‐width ratio, and the number of bumps into the doorframes. Our results revealed that texters were more cautious than non‐texters; they walked slower and rotated their body through doorways they could have safely walked straight through. There were no significant differences, however, in the number of bumps into the doorframes. If texters in the real world behave like those in our laboratory, then the number of texting‐related accidents reported in other studies might suggest that being overcautious while texting does not actually decrease the likelihood of accidents. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multiple loci influencing hippocampal degeneration identified by genome scan
Authors: Melville Scott A. , Buros Jacqueline , Parrado Antonio R. , Vardarajan Badri , Logue Mark W. , Shen Li , Risacher Shannon L. , Kim Sungeun , Jun Gyungah , DeCarli Charles , Lunetta Kathryn L. , Baldwin Clinton T. , Saykin Andrew J. , Farrer Lindsay A. ,   the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: May 2012

Objective:

Large genome‐wide association studies (GWASs) have identified many novel genes influencing Alzheimer disease (AD) risk, but most of the genetic variance remains unexplained. We conducted a 2‐stage GWAS for AD‐related quantitative measures of hippocampal volume (HV), total cerebral volume (TCV), and white matter hyperintensities (WMH).

Methods:

Brain magnetic resonance imaging measures of HV, TCV, and WMH were obtained from 981 Caucasian and 419 African American AD cases and their cognitively normal siblings in the MIRAGE (Multi Institutional Research in Alzheimer's Genetic Epidemiology) Study, and from 168 AD cases, 336 individuals with mild cognitive impairment, and 188 controls in the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative Study. A GWAS for each trait was conducted in the 2 Caucasian data sets in stage 1. Results from the 2 data sets were combined by meta‐analysis. In stage 2, 1 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) from each region that was nominally significant in each data set (p < 0.05) and strongly associated in both data sets (p < 1.0 × 10−5) was evaluated in the African American data set.

Results:

Twenty‐two markers (14 for HV, 3 for TCV, and 5 for WMH) from distinct regions met criteria for evaluation in stage 2. Novel genome‐wide significant associations (p < 5.0 × 10−8) were attained for HV with SNPs in the APOE, F5/SELP, LHFP, and GCFC2 gene regions. All of these associations were supported by evidence in each data set. Associations with different SNPs in the same gene (p < 1 × 10−5 in Caucasians and p < 2.2 × 10−4 in African Americans) were also observed for PICALM with HV, SYNPR with TCV, and TTC27 with WMH.

Interpretation:

Our study demonstrates the efficacy of endophenotypes for broadening our understanding of the genetic basis of AD. ANN NEUROL 2012;
Functional Organic Materials Based on Polymerized Liquid‐Crystal Monomers: Supramolecular Hydrogen‐Bonded Systems
Authors: Broer Dirk J. , Bastiaansen Cees M. W. , Debije Michael G. , Schenning Albertus P. H. J.
Published: May 2012

Functional organic materials are of great interest for a variety of applications. To obtain precise functional properties, well‐defined hierarchically ordered supramolecular materials are crucial. The self‐assembly of liquid crystals has proven to be an extremely useful tool in the development of well‐defined nanostructured materials. We have chosen the illustrative example of photopolymerizable hydrogen‐bonding mesogens to show that a wide variety of functional materials can be made from a relatively simple set of building blocks. Upon mixing these compounds with other reactive mesogens, nematic, chiral nematic, and smectic or columnar liquid‐crystalline phases can be formed that can be applied as actuators, sensors and responsive reflectors, and nanoporous membranes, respectively.
Improved adsorption and separation of palladium(II) and platinum(IV) in strong hydrochloric acid solutions using thiocyanate‐retaining tannin gel
Authors: Morisada Shintaro , Kim Yoen‐Ho , Yakuwa Shinpei , Ogata Takeshi , Nakano Yoshio
Published: May 2012

A tannin gel (TG) synthesized from condensed tannin molecules has a remarkable ability to adsorb various metal ions in aqueous solutions. In the present study, we have investigated the adsorption behaviors of palladium and platinum ions, Pd(II) and Pt(IV), in strong HCl solutions using the thiocyanate‐retaining tannin gel (SCN‐TG) prepared by adsorption of thiocyanate ion (SCN−) onto the TG in acidic thiocyanate solutions as reported previously (Ind Eng Chem Res 2011, 50, 12366). Although the adsorption rate of Pt(IV) is slow compared to that of Pd(II), the SCN‐TG was able to adsorb both Pd(II) and Pt(IV) in a 1 M HCl solution, where the TG can never adsorb them. Besides, we have succeeded in the selective adsorption of Pd(II) from the mixture solution of Pd(II) and Pt(IV) at a temperature somewhat lower than room temperature using the SCN‐TG. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Why More Intelligent Individuals Like Classical Music
Authors: Kanazawa Satoshi , Perina Kaja
Published: May 2012

The origin of values and preferences is an unresolved theoretical problem in social and behavioral sciences. The Savanna‐IQ Interaction Hypothesis, derived from the Savanna Principle and a theory of the evolution of general intelligence, suggests that more intelligent individuals are more likely to acquire and espouse evolutionarily novel values and preferences than less intelligent individuals but that general intelligence has no effect on the acquisition and espousal of evolutionarily familiar values and preferences. Recent work on the evolution of music suggests that music in its evolutionary origin was always vocal and that purely instrumental music is evolutionarily novel. The Savanna‐IQ Interaction Hypothesis would then imply that more intelligent individuals are more likely to prefer purely instrumental music than less intelligent individuals, but general intelligence has no effect on the preference for vocal music. The analyses of American (General Social Surveys) and British (British Cohort Study) data are consistent with this hypothesis. Additional analyses suggest that the effect of intelligence on musical preference is not a function of the cognitive complexity of music. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.