bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lamellar stack formation and degradative behaviors of hydrolytically degraded poly(ε‐caprolactone) and poly(glycolide‐ε‐caprolactone) blended fibers
Authors: Chung Amy S. , Hwang Ho Seong , Das Debobrato , Zuk Patricia , McAllister David R. , Wu Benjamin M.
Published: November 2011

Electrospun fibrous mats have gained popularity in bioengineering over the past decade, but few papers detail their degradative mechanisms. To address this, blends of hydrophobic poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) and hydrophilic PGA‐PCL‐PGA triblock copolymer were electrospun into aligned fibrous mats to assess the copolymers' mechanical and degradative properties. Increased hydrophilic triblock content led to enhanced morphological uniformity of fiber, tightening of fiber diameters, increased storage and Young's modulus, and decreased elongation. The corresponding decrease in hydrophobic PCL content led to faster hydrolytic degradation rate, as reflected by enhanced decrease in mass, molecular weight, and modulus loss at 25, 37, and 45°C. The activation energy for hydrolytic degradation for 15:85 PCL: triblock copolymer was approximately half that of 85:15 PCL: triblock copolymer. Detailed examination of fiber morphology and crystallinity revealed initial surface erosion followed by the evolution of crystalline lamellar stacks and bulk degradation at 37°C. Because of the high surface to volume and short diffusion length scale of the small diameter fibers, surface and bulk degradation may both contribute to the hydrolytic degradative behavior of these electrospun fibrous mats. Electrospun mats' distinct architecture that embodies high specific surface to volume and interfiber porous ultrastructures that lead to their unique degradative behaviors hold much potential for significant impact in the field of tissue engineering and controlled drug delivery. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2012.
New functionalities in the GROMOS biomolecular simulation software
Authors: Kunz Anna‐Pitschna E. , Allison Jane R. , Geerke Daan P. , Horta Bruno A. C. , Hünenberger Philippe H. , Riniker Sereina , Schmid Nathan , van Gunsteren Wilfred F.
Published: November 2011

Since the most recent description of the functionalities of the GROMOS software for biomolecular simulation in 2005 many new functions have been implemented. In this article, the new functionalities that involve modified forces in a molecular dynamics (MD) simulation are described: the treatment of electronic polarizability, an implicit surface area and internal volume solvation term to calculate interatomic forces, functions for the GROMOS coarse‐grained supramolecular force field, a multiplicative switching function for nonbonded interactions, adiabatic decoupling of a number of degrees of freedom with temperature or force scaling to enhance sampling, and nonequilibrium MD to calculate the dielectric permittivity or viscosity. Examples that illustrate the use of these functionalities are given. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2012
Aurelia aurita–Cnidarian with a prominent medusiod stage
Authors: Matveev Ivan V. , Adonin Leonid S. , Shaposhnikova Tatiana G. , Podgornaya Olga I.
Published: November 2011

Aurelia aurita has a complex life cycle that consists of several stages including alternating generations of medusa and polyps, huge sexual, and tiny asexual stages. Cnidarian is thought to possess two tissue layers: endoderm (gastroderm) and ectoderm, which are separated by mesoglea in medusa. The determination of the composition of the A. aurita jellyfish mesoglea was performed. New protein “mesoglein” was determined as one of the main components of mesoglea. Mesoglein is synthesized by mesogleal cells (Mc), which are populated A. aurita mesoglea as a high molecular mass precursor. Mc are involved in the formation of noncollagenous “elastic” fibers. Deduced amino acid sequence of mesoglein contains Zona Pellucida (ZP) domain and Delta/Serrate/Lag‐2 domain. According to reverse transcription PCR, mesoglein is expressed in the mature medusa exclusively in the Mc. The sperm binding to the ZP is particularly important for successful fertilization. Antibodies against mesoglein stain the plate in the place of contact of germinal epithelium and oocyte. The structure found was named the “contact plate.” The contact plate could be the precursor of the ZP. All our data suggest that Mc and, probably, the whole mesoglea originate from the epidermis (ectoderm). Computer search for mesoglein relatives reveals Nematostella and Trichoplax proteins as predicted ORFs, indicating that ZP proteins are quite ancient purchase in the evolution. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 318:1–12, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Fire and vegetation change during the Early Pleistocene in southeastern Australia
Authors: Sniderman J. M. Kale , Haberle Simon G.
Published: November 2011

Early Pleistocene vegetation in upland southeastern Australia included diverse rainforests and sclerophyll forests, which alternated on precessional timescales. The nature and timing of transitions between these biomes, and the role of fire in maintaining or driving transitions between them, are uncertain. Here we present a high‐resolution pollen record from Stony Creek Basin, a small Early Pleistocene palaeolake in southeastern Australia. The pollen record documents a pattern of vegetation change, over ca. 10 ka at ca. 1590–1600 ka, between sclerophyll forests, dominated by Eucalyptus, Callitris (Cupressaceae) or Casuarinaceae, and rainforests dominated by either angiosperms or conifers of the family Podocarpaceae. Transitions between these biomes typically occurred within ca. 1–2 ka. The associated charcoal record suggests that greatest biomass combustion occurred when local vegetation was dominated by Eucalyptus, and the least biomass combustion occurred when local vegetation was dominated by Podocarpaceae. However, local fires burnt in both sclerophyll and angiosperm‐dominated rainforest vegetation, at least once every several centuries. Fire was very rare (less than about one fire per millennium) only when the local vegetation was rainforest dominated by Podocarpaceae. This suggests that fire was an irregular presence in both sclerophyll‐ and angiosperm‐dominated rainforest biomes during the late Neogene, though was largely absent in Podocarpaceae‐dominated rainforests. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Label‐free detection of binary mixtures of proteins using surface‐enhanced Raman scattering
Authors: Zhou Zhen , Han Xiaoxia , Huang Genin Gary , Ozaki Yukihiro
Published: November 2011

The surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra of five binary mixtures of proteins were studied, including mixtures of apomyoglobin (apMb) and lysozyme, insulin and lysozyme, Mb and cytochrome c (cyt c), Mb and apoMb, and cyt c and human serum albumin. For mixtures in which both proteins did not contain chromophores, the variations in the intensities of SERS signals with changes in the relative concentration of the two proteins were largely proportional to the relative concentration of the protein mixtures. Similar results were obtained for mixtures in which both the proteins contained chromophores. However, for mixtures in which one protein contained chromophores and the other did not, the SERS intensities of the protein mixtures showed a bell‐shaped variation with changes in the compositions of the mixtures. The present study provides new insights into the application of SERS spectroscopy to label‐free detection in a binary of mixture of proteins. The complexities in both SERS phenomena and protein structures should be considered in the analysis of the SERS spectra of protein mixtures. By monitoring the heme band of a protein containing a heme and the NO3– band of a protein without a heme, the simultaneous detection of both proteins in a binary mixture may be possible. It has also been found that the larger the size of the protein, the smaller is the SERS intensity of that protein. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Controlled SnO2 nanocrystal growth in SiO2–SnO2 glass‐ceramic monoliths
Authors: Van Tran T. T. , Si Bui T. , Turrell S. , Capoen B. , Roussel P. , Bouazaoui M. , Ferrari M. , Cristini O. , Kinowski C.
Published: November 2011

Crack‐free (100–x) SiO2–x SnO2 glass‐ceramic monoliths have been prepared by the sol–gel method obtaining for the first time SnO2 concentrations of 20% with annealing at 1100 °C. Heat‐treatment resulted in the formation and growth of SnO2 nanocrystals within the silica matrices. Combined use of Fourier transform–Raman spectroscopy and in situ high‐temperature X‐Ray diffraction shows that SnO2 particles begin to crystallize in the cassiterite‐type phase at 80 °C and that their average apparent size remains around 7 nm, even after annealing at 1100 °C. Nanocrystal sizes and size distributions determined by low‐wavenumber Raman are in good agreement with those obtained from transmission electron microscopy measurements. Results indicate that the formation and the growth of SnO2 nanocrystals impose a residual porosity in the silica matrix. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
NMR study on iridium(III) complexes for identifying disulfonate substituted bathophenanthroline regio‐isomers
Authors: Liu Chenchen , Yu Linpo , Liu Yang , Li Fang , Zhou Ming
Published: November 2011

A series of novel biscyclometalated iridium (III) complexes with an ancillary disulfonated bathophenanthroline (DSBP2‐) ligand, Ir(L)2DSBPNa, L = 2‐phenylpyridine (ppy), 2,4‐difluorophenylpyridine (fppy), and 1‐phenylisoquinoline (piq) were found to have two isomeric forms. The chemical structures of the isomers were determined by the one‐ and two‐dimensional 1H and 13 C NMR studies. The isomeric state was proved to have originated from the disulfonate‐related regio‐isomer of the DSBP2‐ ligand. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Psychiatric adverse drug reactions reported during a 10‐year period in the Swedish pediatric population
Authors: Bygdell Maria , Brunlöf Gertrud , Wallerstedt Susanna M. , Kindblom Jenny M.
Published: November 2011

Purpose

Psychiatric Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) are frequent in the pediatric population. The aim of the present study was to analyze spontaneously reported psychiatric ADRs in children during a 10‐year period.

Methods

All spontaneously reported Individual Case Safety Reports (ICSRs) concerning children (<18 years old) and psychiatric adverse reactions assessed as at least possible, registered in the Swedish Drug Information System (SWEDIS) during the period 2001–2010, were extracted and characterized. Age and sex distribution and labeling/registration status were studied.

Results

A total of 600 ICSRs concerning 744 psychiatric adverse reactions were identified and included in the analysis. Boys were overrepresented among included ICSRs (60.3% vs. 39.7%; p < .001). After exclusion of vaccines, the three most frequently suspected drugs were montelukast, centrally working sympathomimetic drugs, and inhaled glucocorticoids. Serious adverse reactions were reported more frequently for drugs used off‐label than for drugs used according to the Swedish Physician's Desk Reference. Aggressiveness was reported more frequently for boys than for girls as were suicidal conditions.

Conclusions

Psychiatric ADRs in the pediatric population have been reported for a wide range of reactions and drugs and display age and sex differences including a higher number of suicidal reactions in boys. An association was seen between serious reactions and off‐label drug use. Further studies are needed to elucidate safety aspects of unlicensed drugs and drugs used off‐label and whether there are differences in children's susceptibility to develop ADRs. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and self‐assembly of diblock copolymers bearing 2‐nitrobenzyl photocleavable side groups
Authors: Schumers Jean‐Marc , Bertrand Olivier , Fustin Charles‐André , Gohy Jean‐François
Published: November 2011

The light‐responsive behavior in solution and in thin films of block copolymers bearing 2‐nitrobenzyl photocleavable esters as side groups is discussed in this article. The polymers were synthesized by grafting 2‐nitrobenzyl moieties onto poly(acrylic acid)‐block‐polystyrene (PAA‐b‐PS) precursor polymers, leading to poly(2‐nitrobenzyl acrylate‐random‐acrylic acid)‐block‐polystyrene (P(NBA‐r‐AA)‐b‐PS) block copolymers. The UV irradiation of the block copolymers in a selective solvent for PS led to the formation of micelles that were used to trap hydrophilic molecules inside their core (light‐induced encapsulation). In addition, thin films consisting of light‐responsive P(NBA‐r‐AA) cylinders surrounded by a PS matrix were achieved by the self‐assembly of P(NBA‐r‐AA)‐b‐PS copolymers onto silicon substrates. Exposing these films to UV irradiation generates nanostructured materials containing carboxylic acids inside the cylindrical nanodomains. The availability of these chemical functions was demonstrated by reacting them with a functional fluorescent dye. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011
Resolution‐adapted recombination of structural features significantly improves sampling in restraint‐guided structure calculation
Authors: Lange Oliver F. , Baker David
Published: November 2011

Recent work has shown that NMR structures can be determined by integrating sparse NMR data with structure prediction methods such as Rosetta. The experimental data serve to guide the search for the lowest energy state towards the deep minimum at the native state which is frequently missed in Rosetta de novo structure calculations. However, as the protein size increases, sampling again becomes limiting; for example, the standard Rosetta protocol involving Monte Carlo fragment insertion starting from an extended chain fails to converge for proteins over 150 amino acids even with guidance from chemical shifts (CS‐Rosetta) and other NMR data. The primary limitation of this protocol—that every folding trajectory is completely independent of every other—was recently overcome with the development of a new approach involving resolution‐adapted structural recombination (RASREC). Here we describe the RASREC approach in detail and compare it to standard CS‐Rosetta. We show that the improved sampling of RASREC is essential in obtaining accurate structures over a benchmark set of 11 proteins in the 15‐25 kDa size range using chemical shifts, backbone RDCs and HN‐HN NOE data; in a number of cases the improved sampling methodology makes a larger contribution than incorporation of additional experimental data. Experimental data are invaluable for guiding sampling to the vicinity of the global energy minimum, but for larger proteins, the standard Rosetta fold‐from‐extended‐chain protocol does not converge on the native minimum even with experimental data and the more powerful RASREC approach is necessary to converge to accurate solutions. Proteins 2011. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Ultra‐sharp boron interfaces for delta doped diamond structures
Authors: Volpe P. N. , Tranchant N. , Arnault J. C. , Saada S. , Jomard F. , Bergonzo P.
Published: November 2011

Delta doping of diamond constitutes a very promising route to fabricate novel generation of high power and high frequency electronic devices. However, the achievement of abrupt interfaces between highly boron doped and undoped layers requires the shortest residence times of reactive species in the substrate vicinity. We report here on an innovative gas injection system especially designed to reduce this residence time. This technique was applied to fabricate sharp rising and decaying boron interfaces. According to SIMS profiles, the sharpest profiles were obtained on decaying interfaces exhibiting doping gradients close to 1.5 nm per decade over five decades of boron concentrations, namely from 1016 to 1021 atoms/cm3. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Space‐charge effects with mass‐selective axial ejection from a linear quadrupole ion trap
Authors: Qiao Hui , Gao Cong , Mao Dunmin , Konenkov Nikolai , Douglas D. J.
Published: November 2011

Methods to reduce mass shifts caused by space charge with mass‐selective axial ejection from a linear quadrupole ion trap are investigated. For axial ejection, dipole excitation is applied to excite ions at q ≈ 0.85. The trapping radiofrequency (rf) voltage is scanned to bring ions of different m/z values into resonance for excitation. In the fringing field at the quadrupole exit, excited ions gain axial kinetic energy, overcoming the trapping potential, and are ejected from the trap. Space charge causes the frequencies of ion oscillation to decrease. Thus, greater rf voltages are required to bring ions into resonance for excitation and ejection, and the ions shift to higher apparent masses in a mass spectrum. At the same time, the peaks broaden, lowering resolution. The effects of injection q value, ejection q value, excitation amplitude, quadrupole dc voltages applied to the electrodes, applying an rf voltage to the exit lens, and scan speed, on mass shifts have been studied experimentally. Most experiments were done with only ions of protonated reserpine (m/z 609.3 and its isotopic peaks) in the trap. Some experiments were done with ions of protonated reserpine and ions of m/z 622 in the trap. In general, the mass shifts are reduced with higher ejection q values, higher excitation amplitudes, with quadrupole dc applied, and at higher scan speeds. The application of quadrupole dc appears to increase the ion cloud temperature, which lowers mass shifts. Thus, a proper choice of operating conditions can reduce, but not eliminate, mass shifts caused by space charge. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Product ion mobility as a promising tool for assignment of positional isomers of drug metabolites
Authors: Cuyckens Filip , Wassvik Carola , Mortishire‐Smith Russell J. , Tresadern Gary , Campuzano Iain , Claereboudt Jan
Published: November 2011

Travelling wave ion mobility spectrometry – mass spectrometry (TWIMS‐MS) was evaluated as a tool for structural identification of metabolites of small molecule drugs in cases where the exact position of the biotransformation could not be identified by conventional tandem mass spectrometry. Test sets of compounds containing biotransformations at aromatic positions were analyzed. These present a problem for traditional MS methods since an atomic level localization of the biotransformation cannot normally be determined from MSn spectra. In addition to ion mobility measurements of the intact metabolite ions, ion mobility measurements of product ions were also made and the results compared with calculated values. This approach reduces the complexity of the problem, making theoretical calculations easier and more predictable when a modeled collision cross section (CCS) is required. A good relative correspondence between theoretical and measured CCSs was obtained allowing the identification of the exact position of the biotransformation. It was also demonstrated that authentic standards with substructures identical to those in the unknown can be used to assign the exact position of the biotransformation. In this approach the identification was based on the comparison of the drift times or CCSs for product ions of the standard, with those of the same product ions in the unknown. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Towards power and sample size calculations for the comparison of two groups of patients with item response theory models
Authors: Hardouin Jean‐Benoit , Amri Sarah , Feddag Mohand‐Larbi , Sébille Véronique
Published: November 2011

Evaluation of patient‐reported outcomes (PRO) is increasingly performed in health sciences. PRO differs from other measurements because such patient characteristics cannot be directly observed. Item response theory (IRT) is an attractive way for PRO analysis. However, in the framework of IRT, sample size justification is rarely provided or ignores the fact that PRO measures are latent variables with the use of formulas developed for observed variables. It might therefore be inappropriate and might provide inadequately sized studies. The objective was to develop valid sample size methodology for the comparison of PRO in two groups of patients using IRT. The proposed approach takes into account questionnaire's items parameters, the difference of the latent variables means, and its variance whose derivation is approximated using Cramer–Rao bound (CRB). We also computed the associated power. We realized a simulation study taking into account sample size, number of items, and value of the group effect. We compared power obtained from CRB with the one obtained from simulations (SIM) and with the power based on observed variables (OBS). For a given sample size, powers using CRB and SIM were similar and always lower than OBS. We observed a strong impact of the number of items for CRB and SIM, the power increasing with the questionnaire's length but not for OBS. In the context of latent variables, it seems important to use an adapted sample size formula because the formula developed for observed variables seems to be inadequate and leads to an underestimated study size. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of acid treatment on the physicochemical and structural characteristics of starches from different botanical sources
Authors: Palma‐Rodriguez Heidi M. , Agama‐Acevedo Edith , Mendez‐Montealvo Guadalupe , Gonzalez‐Soto Rosalia A. , Vernon‐Carter E. Jaime , Bello‐Pérez Luis A.
Published: November 2011

Starch and starch derivatives (maltodextrins) are used as encapsulating materials. Starch for use as encapsulating material could be subjected to mild acid treatment. However, the granule size and organization of starch components (AM and AP) play an important role in the acid treatment. The aim of this research was to produce modified starch that might be used as encapsulate material, applying moderate acid‐treatment with 3 N sulphuric acid in a ratio 1:5 w/v for 3 h at 60°C, in starches from different granule size, evaluating their morphological, physicochemical, and structural features. Acid treatment has an effect in the AM content and the outcome was higher in starch with larger granule size. Bimodal granule size distribution was found in acid‐treated rice and maize starches. Erosion and exo‐corrosion were observed in acid‐treated starches with SEM. The XRD pattern did not change with the acid treatment, the native and acid‐treated samples showed similar crystallinity values, except rice starch. The branching degree was higher for modified potato starch, showing higher branching points, modified starches had shorter chains with increased A‐chains, and decreased B3+ chains, and the effect was higher in cereal starches; modified starches had a higher degree of retrogradation and they did not show pasting properties. The internal organization given by the granule size is an important parameter in the acid treatment of starches as it affected their physicochemical and structural features, and in the end, their functionality as encapsulate agent.
Angiogenic and antiangiogenic factors before and after resolution of maternal mirror syndrome
Authors: Llurba E. , Marsal G. , Sanchez O. , Dominguez C. , Alijotas‐Reig J. , Carreras E. , Cabero L.
Published: November 2011

Mirror syndrome is a rare condition that involves fetal hydrops, placentomegaly and severe maternal edema. The pathogenesis of this syndrome mimics endothelial dysfunction observed in pre‐eclampsia. We report a case of maternal mirror syndrome caused by bilateral fetal hydrothorax that resolved after intrauterine pleuroamniotic shunt placement. At the time of the clinical manifestation there was an antiangiogenic state similar to that seen in pre‐eclampsia, which resolved after fetal treatment. Our findings suggest that mirror syndrome is a manifestation of a broad spectrum of pathological conditions that induces an antiangiogenic state. Copyright © 2012 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of various surfactants and solutions on the morphology of polyaniline composite and nanocomposite
Authors: Tanzifi Marjan , Eisazadeh Hossein
Published: November 2011

Polyaniline composite and nanocomposite were generated in aqueous and aqueous/nonaqueous media by using ammonium peroxydisulfate as an oxidant in the presence of various surfactants such as sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, poly(vinyl alcohol), hydroxypropylcellulose, poly(ethylene glycol), and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone). The results indicated that the morphology and size of the particles were dependent on the type of surfactant and solution used. The size range of the particles and nanoparticles was about 75–160 nm. The molecular structure was studied by using Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy,and the results showed that the intensities of the peaks were dependent on the nature of the surfactant. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers
Hydrothermal pretreatment of sugarcane bagasse using response surface methodology improves digestibility and ethanol production by SSF
Authors: da Cruz Sandra Helena , Dien Bruce S , Nichols Nancy N , Saha Badal C , Cotta Michael A
Published: November 2011

Sugarcane bagasse was characterized as a feedstock for the production of ethanol using hydrothermal pretreatment. Reaction temperature and time were varied between 160 and 200°C and 5–20 min, respectively, using a response surface experimental design. The liquid fraction was analyzed for soluble carbohydrates and furan aldehydes. The solid fraction was analyzed for structural carbohydrates and Klason lignin. Pretreatment conditions were evaluated based on enzymatic extraction of glucose and xylose and conversion to ethanol using a simultaneous saccharification and fermentation scheme. SSF experiments were conducted with the washed pretreated biomass. The severity of the pretreatment should be sufficient to drive enzymatic digestion and ethanol yields, however, sugars losses and especially sugar conversion into furans needs to be minimized. As expected, furfural production increased with pretreatment severity and specifically xylose release. However, provided that the severity was kept below a general severity factor of 4.0, production of furfural was below an inhibitory concentration and carbohydrate contents were preserved in the pretreated whole hydrolysate. There were significant interactions between time and temperature for all the responses except cellulose digestion. The models were highly predictive for cellulose digestibility (R2 = 0.8861) and for ethanol production (R2 = 0.9581), but less so for xylose extraction. Both cellulose digestion and ethanol production increased with severity, however, high levels of furfural generated under more severe pretreatment conditions favor lower severity pretreatments. The optimal pretreatment condition that gave the highest conversion yield of ethanol, while minimizing furfural production, was judged to be 190°C and 17.2 min. The whole hydrolysate was also converted to ethanol using SSF. To reduce the concentration of inhibitors, the liquid fraction was conditioned prior to fermentation by removing inhibitory chemicals using the fungus Coniochaeta ligniaria.
10 years outcome from childhood traumatic brain injury
Authors: Anderson Vicki , Godfrey Celia , Rosenfeld Jeffrey V. , Catroppa Cathy
Published: November 2011

Childhood traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a common, acquired disability, which has significant implications for subsequent development, and for later quality of life. To date few studies have documented outcomes in these children into adolescence, when academic, social and personal demands increase. The objective of this study was to document functional outcomes at 10 years post‐injury, and to identify predictors of outcome including injury, socio‐demographic and pre‐injury characteristics. The study employed consecutive recruitment to a prospective, longitudinal study. Children with a diagnosis of TBI between 2 and 12 years were initially recruited and divided according to injury severity (mild, moderate, severe). The sample was reviewed at 10 years post‐injury and intellectual, adaptive, executive and social domains were investigated. Results indicated that, at 10 years post child TBI, survivors’ functional abilities fell overall within the low average to average range regardless of injury severity, suggesting no extreme impairments at a group level for any of the domains under investigation. Significant group differences were identified, though, for adaptive abilities and for speed of processing, with more severe injury associated with poorer performances in each instance. Further, a similar trend was identified for measures of intellectual ability and executive functions. Individual rates of impairment were considerably higher than population expectations across all severity groups for these domains. Although rates of social impairment were also elevated, they were less related to injury factors, suggesting that cognitive/adaptive outcomes and social consequences of TBI may have different bases.
The patrimonial value of water: How to approach water management while avoiding an exclusively market perspective
Authors: Calvo-Mendieta Iratxe , Petit Olivier , Vivien Franck-Dominique
Published: November 2011

This article proposes an economic alternative to the traditional approach to calculating non-market values of the environment and natural resources, which we refer to here as “patrimonial”. We will first examine the traditional economic approach and its tendency to apply market categories to the economic valuation of non-market goods and services associated with the environment and natural resources. We will then move on to examine the way in which the question is perceived within the context of patrimonial economics by focusing on another form of economic rationality, based on the notion of a shared legacy or patrimony. Lastly, we will illustrate the tension between market values and patrimonial values in the field of water management and untreated water distribution infrastructure by analysing the recent evolution of Associations syndicales autorisées (“Authorized Union Associations”, or ASAs) in France and their approaches to pricing.
LEARNING TO READ (AGAIN): THE SOCIAL EXPERIENCES OF TURKEY'S 1928 ALPHABET REFORM
Authors: Yılmaz Hale
Published: November 2011

This article reconsiders Turkey's 1928 alphabet reform by shifting the focus from the state to the social experiences of alphabet change. Rather than assuming an obedient and indifferent public silently following the decrees of an authoritarian and repressive regime, it explores the actual processes, institutions, and lived experiences of the alphabet reform by drawing on a variety of sources, including unpublished archival evidence and personal narratives collected through oral interviews. It draws attention to the multiplicity of experiences of learning to read and write (the new letters) as well as to the persistence of the Ottoman script; it also examines the variety of ways that state authorities dealt with this persistence. The analysis of this particular reformist measure has implications for understanding social change and the emergence of a nationalist culture in the early republican period as well as state–society relations and the nature of the Kemalist state.
Role of a computer-generated three-dimensional laryngeal model in anatomy teaching for advanced learners
Authors: Tan S , Hu A , Wilson T , Ladak H , Haase P , Fung K
Published: November 2011

Objectives:

(1) To investigate the efficacy of a computer-generated three-dimensional laryngeal model for laryngeal anatomy teaching; (2) to explore the relationship between students' spatial ability and acquisition of anatomical knowledge; and (3) to assess participants' opinion of the computerised model.

Subjects and methods:

Forty junior doctors were randomised to undertake laryngeal anatomy study supplemented by either a three-dimensional computer model or two-dimensional images. Outcome measurements comprised a laryngeal anatomy test, the modified Vandenberg and Kuse mental rotation test, and an opinion survey.

Results:

Mean scores ± standard deviations for the anatomy test were 15.7 ± 2.0 for the ‘three dimensions’ group and 15.5 ± 2.3 for the ‘standard’ group (p = 0.7222). Pearson's correlation between the rotation test scores and the scores for the spatial ability questions in the anatomy test was 0.4791 (p = 0.086, n = 29). Opinion survey answers revealed significant differences in respondents' perceptions of the clarity and ‘user friendliness’ of, and their preferences for, the three-dimensional model as regards anatomical study.

Conclusion:

The three-dimensional computer model was equivalent to standard two-dimensional images, for the purpose of laryngeal anatomy teaching. There was no association between students' spatial ability and functional anatomy learning. However, students preferred to use the three-dimensional model.
Innovations in ‘African solutions to African problems’: the evolving practice of regional peacekeeping in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Coleman Katharina P.
Published: November 2011

Three critical trends in the evolving practice of regional peacekeeping in sub-Saharan Africa have undermined the usefulness of the common conceptual dichotomy between regional peacekeeping and UN/global peacekeeping. First, sub-Saharan African states have distanced themselves from long-term autonomous regional peacekeeping, and currently favour explicitly interim missions that are a prelude rather than an alternative to UN peacekeeping. Second, the analytically clear line between regional peacekeeping and the separate sub-Saharan African tradition of solidarity deployments (i.e. military support of embattled governments) has in practice become blurred, and the regional vs global peacekeeping dichotomy not only fails to acknowledge this trend but helps to obscure it. Finally, sub-Saharan African states are increasingly addressing regional conflicts by participating in UN operations deployed in the region. UN peacekeeping has thus emerged as a preferred form of regional peacekeeping in sub-Saharan Africa.
Spatial–temporal variation of Paralonchurus brasiliensis (Actinopterygii: Sciaenidae) density in relation to some environmental factors on the inner shelf of south-eastern Brazilian coast
Authors: Costa Eudriano Florêncio dos Santos , Teixeira Gustavo Monteiro , de Morais Freire Fúlvio Aurélio , Fransozo Adilson
Published: November 2011

The temporal and spatial variation of Paralonchurus brasiliensis density (fish per m2) in relation to environmental factors was studied on the coasts of Ubatuba and Caraguatatuba, south-eastern Brazil. The fish were collected by shrimp fishery trawl on a monthly basis from January to December, 2002. Seven depths were previously established and for each one the temperature, salinity, organic matter content and grain size of the sediment (φ) was measured. The seasonal analysis of temperature and salinity indicated the presence of the water masses South Atlantic Central Water (SACW) and Coastal Waters (CW) acting in the study area. A total of 29,808 fish were collected during the study period. The highest densities were registered during the summer and autumn indicating an association with CW. The fish population moved to shallow depths during the intrusion of the cold water mass, SACW. The highest densities were registered in depths where the sediment composition ranged from fine sand to silt–clay. Thus, the temperature and type of the sediment are the main environmental factors which affect the spatial–temporal variation of P. brasiliensis density in south-eastern Brazil.
Adaptive timing of detachment in a tick parasitizing hole-nesting birds
Authors: WHITE J. , HEYLEN D. J. A. , MATTHYSEN E.
Published: November 2011

In non-permanent parasites with low intrinsic mobility such as ticks, dispersal is highly dependent on host movements as well as the timing of separation from the hosts. Optimal detachment behaviour is all the more crucial in nidicolous ticks as the risk of detaching in non-suitable habitat is high. In this study, we experimentally investigated the detachment behaviour ofIxodes arboricola, a nidicolous tick that primarily infests birds roosting in tree-holes. We infested great tits withI. arboricolalarvae or nymphs, and submitted the birds to 2 experimental treatments, a control treatment in which birds had normal access to nest boxes and an experimental treatment, in which the birds were prevented access to their nest boxes for varying lengths of time. In the control group, most ticks detached within 5 days, whereas in the experimental group, ticks remained on the bird for as long as the bird was prevented access (up to 14 days). This prolonged attachment caused a decrease in survival and engorgement weight in nymphs, but not in larvae. The capacity ofI. arboricolalarvae to extend the duration of attachment in non-suitable environments with no apparent costs, may be an adaptation to unpredictable use of cavities by roosting hosts during winter, and at the same time may facilitate dispersal of the larval instars.
Genetic diversity ofBabesia bovisin virulent and attenuated strains
Authors: MAZUZ M. L. , MOLAD T. , FISH L. , LEIBOVITZ B. , WOLKOMIRSKY R. , FLEIDEROVITZ L. , SHKAP V.
Published: November 2011

The aim of this study was to compare the genetic diversity of the single copyBv80gene sequences ofBabesia bovisin populations of attenuated and virulent parasites. PCR/ RT-PCR followed by cloning and sequence analyses of 4 attenuated and 4 virulent strains were performed. Multiple fragments in the range of 420 to 744 bp were amplified by PCR or RT-PCR. Cloning of the PCR fragments and sequence analyses revealed the presence of mixed subpopulations in either virulent or attenuated parasites with a total of 19 variants with 12 different sequences that differed in number and type of tandem repeats. High levels of intra- and inter-strain diversity of theBv80gene, with the presence of mixed populations of parasites were found in both the virulent field isolates and the attenuated vaccine strains. In addition, during the attenuation process, sequence analyses showed changes in the pattern of the parasite subpopulations. Despite high polymorphism found by sequence analyses, the patterns observed and the number of repeats, order, or motifs found could not discriminate between virulent field isolates and attenuated vaccine strains of the parasite.
Low prevalence of Haemoproteus infections in Chiffchaffs
Authors: BENSCH STAFFAN , JÖNSSON JANE , COPETE JOSÉ LUIS
Published: November 2011

Parasite prevalence is an important variable in many evolutionary and ecological studies. In birds, haemosporidian blood parasites have been in focus of many comparative analyses. Because low prevalence is difficult to estimate precisely and that studies finding low prevalence are more likely to remain unpublished, our knowledge of parasite prevalence is biased towards highly infected taxa. Species with naturally low levels of infection are nonetheless interesting as they may provide models for studying the evolution of pathogen resistance. In the present study we show that the prevalence of Haemoproteus parasites is markedly lower in several taxa within the widely distributed chiffchaff species-complex compared to other species within the genus Phylloscopus. Since chiffchaffs, P. collybita, commonly coexists in the same habitat as congeners frequently infected with Haemoproteus parasites, immediate ecological variables like abundance of vectors can hardly explain this difference. Some of the parasites infecting coexisting congeners are broad host generalists leaving it enigmatic why chiffchaffs are almost free of Haemoproteus infections. We propose that detailed infection experiments are needed to illuminate whether chiffchaffs possess a genetic immunity against Haemoproteus parasites or if other more subtle ecological processes, like anti-vector behaviour, play a role in its generally low level of infestation.
‘REPRESENTING’ AFRICA: AMBASSADORS AND PRINCES FROM CHRISTIAN AFRICA TO RENAISSANCE ITALY AND PORTUGAL, 1402–1608
Authors: Lowe Kate
Published: November 2011

During the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, a number of sub-Saharan envoys and ambassadors from Christian countries, predominantly Ethiopia and the Congo, were sent to Portugal and Italy. This essay shows how cultural assumptions on both sides complicated their task of ‘representing’ Africa. These African ambassadors and princes represented the interests of their rulers or their countries in a variety of ways, from forging personal relationships with the king or pope, to providing knowledge of the African continent and African societies, to acquiring knowledge of European languages and behaviours, to negotiating about war, to petitioning for religious or technological help, to carrying out fact-finding missions. But Renaissance preconceptions of Africa and Africans, reinforced by the slave trade, and Renaissance and papal assumptions about diplomatic interaction, ensured that the encounters remained unsatisfactory, as this cultural history of diplomacy makes clear. The focus of the essay is on religious and cultural exchange and the ceremonial culture of embassies.
L’accès des aînés francophones aux foyers de soins en milieu minoritaire, un enjeu linguistique en santé et mieux-être
Authors: Forgues Éric , Doucet Michel , Guignard Noël Josée
Published: November 2011

Access to long-term nursing homes by French-speaking seniors in minority situations is a very real problem. However, few studies have been conducted on this subject. We wanted to better understand this issue in New Brunswick while taking into account the language aspect. In this article, we will present the problem based on different issues encountered by Francophones in minority situations and by giving an overview of the studies conducted on French-speaking seniors in minority situations. We will then address the issue related to the rights of French-speaking senior to receive services in French in nursing homes by analyzing briefly the province’s legal requirements. Furthermore, we will present the regulatory framework of nursing homes in New Brunswick. Finally, we will provide a geographic analysis of existing New Brunswick nursing homes while taking into account the language aspect, the levels of service and the distribution of French-speaking seniors within the territory.
State-Level Forecasts of U.S. Senate Elections
Authors: Bardwell Kedron , Lewis-Beck Michael S.
Published: November 2011

Election forecasting, as a science with models to be tested, got its start in political science 20 years ago (Lewis-Beck and Rice 1984; Rosenstone 1983). When the enterprise began, it was not popular. Forecasts, while entertaining, were not held to be serious research. As high-quality models with accurate forecasts were published in leading journals (see review in Lewis-Beck and Rice 1992), forecasting achieved more respect in the discipline. The 1996 presidential election was a high point. Forecasters formulated models that accurately predicted, well in advance, the presidential winner's vote share (Campbell and Garand 2000). This encouraged forecasters to ply their trade for new elections, and in 2000 scholars again met media demands to predict the presidential vote. On the front page of the Washington Post in May, one forecaster predicted a Gore victory and was quoted as saying, “It's not even going to be close” (Kaiser 2000). In the end, most of the 2000 forecasts greatly overestimated Gore's share of the vote.
Measuring metasyntactic ability among heritage language children
Authors: SIMARD DAPHNÉE , FORTIER VÉRONIQUE , FOUCAMBERT DENIS
Published: November 2011

Metasyntactic Ability(MSA) refers to the conscious reflection about syntactic aspects of language and the deliberate control of these aspects (Gombert, 1992). It appears from previous studies that heritage-language learners tend to demonstrate lower MSA than their monolingual counterparts (Lesaux & Siegel, 2003). In the present study, we verified whether the same results would be obtained among Portuguese heritage children living in a French-speaking environment when their MSA is measured using two different tasks. The participants were 22 Portuguese heritage children and 22 French monolingual elementary school children (mean age = 10.9 years). Five measurement instruments were used: a reading comprehension task; a language proficiency task; two metasyntactic tasks: a replication task in which the children had to identify and reproduce an error, and a repetition task, in which they had to repeat sentences containing syntactic errors; and a sociodemographic questionnaire. The results showed that when reading comprehension and language proficiency were controlled for, no effect of language background could be observed. However, reading comprehension and language proficiency differently influenced performances on MSA tasks.
Using focus groups in radiation therapy research: Ethical and practical considerations
Authors: Wright Caroline. A. , Schneider-Kolsky Michal. E. , Jolly Brian , Baird Marilyn. A.
Published: November 2011

Focus groups are a means of gathering qualitative data from a group of participants who discuss a given topic. This method has been used in health care research for the past 30 years, but has seen limited use in radiation therapy research. Focus group discussions are a useful tool for investigating a variety of educational, training and clinical issues from the perspective of practitioners, students and patients. This paper reviews the issues associated with using focus groups as a means of data collection. In particular, it addresses some of the decisions which have to be made about group composition and conduct of the discussions. The literature review is contextualised using a recent example of how the authors used focus groups to investigate fitness to practise in radiation therapy. Other challenges such as familiarity between participants and researchers, power relationships and anonymity are addressed. The paper concludes with a consideration of data analysis.
Achtsamkeit und Akzeptanz
Authors: Heinz Kathrin , Heidenreich Thomas , Wenhold Franziska , Brand Ralf
Published: November 2011

Zusammenfassung.„Achtsamkeit und Akzeptanz“ beschreiben die individuelle Fähigkeit, im Alltag auftretende (im sportpsychologischen Kontext z. B. leistungseinschränkende) Emotionen und Gedanken bewusst wahrzunehmen und als solche anzunehmen, ohne sie zu bewerten. Der Artikel stellt den Ansatz und seine Einsatzmöglichkeiten im Kontext Leistungssport vor. Dazu werden zunächst die Begriffe definiert sowie der derzeitige Forschungsstand zu Wirkmechanismen und differentialpsychologischen Aspekten abgebildet. Darauf aufbauend wird der Ansatz wissenschaftlich bewertet. Anschließend wird die Vorgehensweise eines für den Leistungssportkontext adaptierten Interventionsansatzes (des Mindfulness-Acceptance-Commitment-Approaches) an einem Beispielfall illustriert. Abschließend wird eine Wirksamkeitserwartung für achtsamkeits- und akzeptanzbasierte Ansätze im Anwendungsfeld Leistungssport formuliert.