bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fetal ethanol exposure attenuates aversive oral effects of TrpV1, but not TrpA1 agonists in rats
Authors: Glendinning John I , Simons Yael M , Youngentob Lisa , Youngentob Steven L
Published: March 2012

In humans, fetal ethanol exposure is highly predictive of adolescent ethanol use and abuse. Prior work in our labs indicated that fetal ethanol exposure results in stimulus-induced chemosensory plasticity in the taste and olfactory systems of adolescent rats. In particular, we found that increased ethanol acceptability could be attributed, in part, to an attenuated aversion to ethanol's aversive odor and quinine-like bitter taste quality. Here, we asked whether fetal ethanol exposure also alters the oral trigeminal response of adolescent rats to ethanol. We focused on two excitatory ligand-gated ion channels, TrpV1 and TrpA1, which are expressed in oral trigeminal neurons and mediate the aversive orosensory response to many chemical irritants. To target TrpV1, we used capsaicin, and to target TrpA1, we used allyl isothiocyanate (or mustard oil). We assessed the aversive oral effects of ethanol, together with capsaicin and mustard oil, by measuring short-term licking responses to a range of concentrations of each chemical. Experimental rats were exposed in utero by administering ethanol to dams through a liquid diet. Control rats had ad libitum access to an iso-caloric iso-nutritive liquid diet. We found that fetal ethanol exposure attenuated the oral aversiveness of ethanol and capsaicin, but not mustard oil, in adolescent rats. Moreover, the increased acceptability of ethanol was directly related to the reduced aversiveness of the TrpV1-mediated orosensory input. We propose that fetal ethanol exposure increases ethanol avidity not only by making ethanol smell and taste better, but also by attenuating ethanol's capsaicin-like burning sensations.
Who shall coordinate the coordinators? Facilitating the work of telemedicine networks which provide humanitarian services
Authors: Wootton Richard , McGoey Suzanne T
Published: March 2012

Telemedicine networks for humanitarian purposes have evolved over the last decade or so in a largely autonomous way. Communication between them has been informal and relatively limited in scope. This situation could be improved by developing a comprehensive approach to the collection and dissemination of information. We propose the formation of a central ‘clearing house’ which would allow networks to exchange information and cases where appropriate. In order for a network to belong to the clearing house, it would need to conform to certain guidelines, which would ensure that safe and satisfactory standards would be maintained. We propose that a coordinators' conference should be held to discuss who would operate the clearing house and how it would be resourced. The creation of a central clearing house would facilitate the operation of the networks, particularly during periods of heavy workload, and lead to improved sustainability, thereby benefiting individual patients. We believe that more can be achieved by the networks acting together than by them acting independently.
Implementation of an education and skills programme in a teledermatology project for rural veterans
Authors: McFarland Lynne V , Raugi Greg J , Taylor Leslie L , Reiber Gayle E
Published: March 2012

In July 2009 we implemented a store-and-forward teledermatology project to provide dermatology care to veterans living in underserved rural areas of the Pacific Northwest region of the US. We also developed an educational programme for rural primary care providers and imaging technicians. Participants were tested and their competencies were assessed at baseline and during a two-year project. Participation in a comprehensive education programme improved the knowledge of dermatology diagnosis and treatment care plans. All of the providers were performing dermatology procedures (e.g. biopsies, excisions, cauteries) after two years and more patients were being seen at their rural clinics than when the teledermatology project began (85% vs 39%). After two years, 71% of the providers and 56% of the imaging technicians had completed surgical training sessions and all passed their competency assessments. The educational component of the teledermatology project created teams of primary care health-care providers and imaging technicians with improved dermatology educational levels and new dermatology skills.
Validation of the 3-lead tele-ECG versus the 12-lead tele-ECG and the conventional 12-lead ECG method in older people
Authors: Antonicelli Roberto , Ripa Chiara , Abbatecola Angela M , Capparuccia Carlo A , Ferrara Letizia , Spazzafumo Liana
Published: March 2012

We compared the diagnostic accuracy of 3-lead tele-ECGs to both 12-lead tele-ECGs and a conventional 12-lead ECG device (the gold standard). The subjects were older people ( n = 107) with a mean age of 66 years. The overall agreement between two cardiologists on interpreting the 3-lead tele-ECG recordings was 97% (kappa = 0.96, P < 0.001) and it was 91% for the 12-lead tele-ECGs (kappa = 0.90, P < 0.001). We also found excellent agreement on the interpretation of the 3-lead tele-ECGs compared to the gold standard: 98% (kappa = 0.96, P < 0.001) and for the 12-lead tele-ECG compared to the gold standard: 98% (kappa = 0.96, P < 0.001). Bland-Altman plots showed that the apparent differences between the techniques were not clinically relevant. The use of a 3-lead tele-ECG device may be useful for reducing the delay in treating specific heart disease conditions, e.g. in older people affected by chronic heart disease who need frequent ECG monitoring.
A qualitative study of ethical, medico-legal and clinical governance matters in Australian telehealth services
Authors: Wade Victoria A , Eliott Jaklin A , Hiller Janet E
Published: March 2012

We examined how Australian telehealth service providers perceived and addressed ethical, medico-legal and clinical governance matters arising from service delivery. Thirty-seven telehealth clinicians and managers were interviewed and a qualitative content analysis was conducted. The services covered six Australian jurisdictions and a range of clinical disciplines. There were 11 medical specialities, surgery, mental health, paediatrics, nursing and allied health. Thirty services (83%) used video consulting and 25 (68%) delivered services to rural areas. Telehealth was reported to be beneficial by reducing adverse events, improving health outcomes, offering increased patient choice of service delivery, and improving access to services for rural areas and home care. There were observations of gains or no change in patient-provider rapport compared to face-to-face communication, with some patients reportedly preferring video. Those interviewed reported some problems with privacy and security, and variable informed consent practices. No examples of malpractice were raised, although there was a common misperception that distant providers were not responsible for clinical care. With respect to clinical governance, telehealth was seen as enabling improved quality, integration and implementation of evidence-based care, and to be a major support for the rural health workforce. Although there were potential ethical, medico-legal and governance problems in Australian telehealth services, these had been easily managed in practice.
Long-Lasting Plasticity of Hippocampal Adult-Born Neurons
Authors: Lemaire Valérie , Tronel Sophie , Montaron Marie-Françoise , Fabre Annabelle , Dugast Emilie , Abrous Djoher Nora
Published: March 2012

Adult neurogenesis occurs in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus, which is a key structure in learning and memory. It is believed that adult-born neurons exert their unique role in information processing due to their high plasticity during immature stage that renders them malleable in response to environmental demands. Here, we demonstrate that, in rats, there is no critical time window for experience-induced dendritic plasticity of adult-born neurons as spatial learning in the water maze sculpts the dendritic arbor of adult-born neurons even when they are several months of age. By ablating neurogenesis within a specific period of time, we found that learning was disrupted when the delay between ablation and learning was extended to several months. Together, these results show that mature adult-born neurons are still plastic when they are functionally integrated into dentate network. Our results suggest a new perspective with regard to the role of neo-neurons by highlighting that even mature ones can provide an additional source of plasticity to the brain to process memory information.
Nicotinic Receptor-Mediated Filtering of Mitral Cell Responses to Olfactory Nerve Inputs Involves the α3β4 Subtype
Authors: D'Souza Rinaldo D. , Vijayaraghavan Sukumar
Published: March 2012

Acetylcholine (ACh) plays a major role in the processing of sensory inputs. Cholinergic input to the mammalian olfactory bulb modulates odor discrimination and perceptual learning by mechanisms that have yet to be elucidated. We have used the mouse olfactory bulb to examine the role of nicotinic ACh receptors (nAChRs) in regulating the responses of mitral cells (MCs), the output neurons of the olfactory bulb, to olfactory nerve input. We show that ACh activates α3β4* nAChRs (* denotes the possible presence of other subunits) on MCs, leading to their excitation. Despite depolarizing MCs directly, the net effect of nAChR activation is to suppress olfactory nerve-evoked responses in these cells via activity-dependent feedback GABAergic mechanisms. Our results indicate that nAChRs gate incoming olfactory nerve input wherein weak input stimuli are filtered out, whereas strong stimuli are transmitted via the MCs. Based on our observations, we provide a mechanistic model for the sharpening of MC receptive fields by nAChRs, which could aid in odor discrimination and perceptual learning.
Foxg1Has an Essential Role in Postnatal Development of the Dentate Gyrus
Authors: Tian Chuanxi , Gong Yifan , Yang Ying , Shen Wei , Wang Kun , Liu Junhua , Xu Bokai , Zhao Jing , Zhao Chunjie
Published: March 2012

Foxg1, formerlyBF-1, is expressed continuously in the postnatal and adult hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG). This transcription factor (TF) is thought to be involved in Rett syndrome, which is characterized by reduced hippocampus size, indicating its important role in hippocampal development. Due to the perinatal death ofFoxg1−/−mice, the function ofFoxg1in postnatal DG neurogenesis remains to be explored. Here, we describe the generation of aFoxg1fl/flmouse line.Foxg1was conditionally ablated from the DG during prenatal and postnatal development by crossing this line with aFrizzled9-CreERTMline and inducing recombination with tamoxifen. In this study, we first show that disruption ofFoxg1results in the loss of the subgranular zone and a severely disrupted secondary radial glial scaffold, leading to the impaired migration of granule cells. Moreover, detailed analysis reveals thatFoxg1may be necessary for the maintenance of the DG progenitor pool and that the lack ofFoxg1promotes both gliogenesis and neurogenesis. We additionally show thatFoxg1may be required for the survival and maturation of postmitotic neurons and thatFoxg1may be involved in Reelin signaling in regulating postnatal DG development. Last, prenatal deletion ofFoxg1suggests that it is rarely involved in the migration of primordial granule cells. In summary, we report thatFoxg1is critical for DG formation, especially during early postnatal stage.
Robustness of Traveling Waves in Ongoing Activity of Visual Cortex
Authors: Nauhaus Ian , Busse Laura , Ringach Dario L. , Carandini Matteo
Published: March 2012

Numerous studies have revealed traveling waves of activity in sensory cortex, both following sensory stimulation and during ongoing activity. We contributed to this body of work by measuring the spike-triggered average of the local field potential (stLFP) at multiple concurrent locations (Nauhaus et al., 2009) in the visual cortex of anesthetized cats and macaques. We found the stLFP to be progressively delayed at increasing distances from the site of the triggering spikes, and interpreted this as a traveling wave of depolarization originating from that site. Our results were criticized, however, on two grounds. First, a study using the same recording techniques in the visual cortex of awake macaques reported an apparent lack of traveling waves, and proposed that traveling waves could arise artifactually from excessive filtering of the field potentials (Ray and Maunsell, 2011). Second, the interpretability of the stLFP was questioned (Kenneth Miller, personal communication), as the stLFP must reflect not only interactions between spike trains and field potentials, but also correlations within and across the spike trains. Here, we show that our data and interpretation are not imperiled by these criticisms. We reanalyzed our field potentials to remove any possible artifact due to filtering and to discount the effects of correlations within and across the triggering spike trains. In both cases, we found that the traveling waves were still present. In fact, closer inspection of Ray and Maunsell's (2011) data from awake cortex shows that they do agree with ours, as they contain clear evidence for traveling waves.
Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone (TRH) Inhibits Melanin-Concentrating Hormone Neurons: Implications for TRH-Mediated Anorexic and Arousal Actions
Authors: Zhang Xiaobing , van den Pol Anthony N.
Published: March 2012

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) increases activity and decreases food intake, body weight, and sleep, in part through hypothalamic actions. The mechanism of this action is unknown. Melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) and hypocretin/orexin neurons in the lateral hypothalamus (LH) together with neuropeptide Y (NPY) and proopiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons in the arcuate nucleus play central roles in energy homeostasis. Here, we provide electrophysiological evidence from GFP-reporter transgenic mouse brain slices that shows TRH modulates the activity of MCH neurons. Using whole-cell current-clamp recording, we unexpectedly found that TRH and its agonist, montrelin, dose-dependently inhibited MCH neurons. Consistent with previous reports, TRH excited hypocretin/orexin neurons. No effect was observed on arcuate nucleus POMC or NPY neurons. The TRH inhibition of MCH neurons was eliminated by bicuculline and tetrodotoxin, suggesting that the effect was mediated indirectly through synaptic mechanisms. TRH increased spontaneous IPSC frequency without affecting amplitude and had no effect on miniature IPSCs or EPSCs. Immunocytochemistry revealed little interaction between TRH axons and MCH neurons, but showed TRH axons terminating on or near GABA neurons. TRH inhibition of MCH neurons was attenuated by Na+-Ca2+exchanger (NCX) inhibitors, TRPC channel blockers and the phospholipase C inhibitor U-73122. TRH excited LH GABA neurons, and this was also reduced by NCX inhibitors. Finally, TRH attenuated the excitation of MCH neurons by hypocretin. Together, our data suggest that TRH inhibits MCH neurons by increasing synaptic inhibition from local GABA neurons. Inhibition of MCH neurons may contribute to the TRH-mediated reduction in food intake and sleep.
Ribosome Deficiency Protects Against ER Stress in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Steffen Kristan K , McCormick Mark A , Pham Kim M , MacKay Vivian L , Delaney Joe R , Murakami Christopher J , Kaeberlein Matt , Kennedy Brian K
Published: March 2012

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, 59 of the 78 ribosomal proteins are encoded by duplicated genes that, in most cases, encode identical or very similar protein products. However, different sets of ribosomal protein genes have been identified in screens for various phenotypes, including life span, budding pattern, and drug sensitivities. Due to potential suppressors of growth rate defects among this set of strains in the ORF deletion collection, we regenerated the entire set of haploid ribosomal protein gene deletion strains in a clean genetic background. The new strains were used to create double deletions lacking both paralogs, allowing us to define a set of 14 nonessential ribosomal proteins. Replicative life-span analysis of new strains corresponding to ORF deletion collection strains that likely carried suppressors of growth defects identified 11 new yeast replicative aging genes. Treatment of the collection of ribosomal protein gene deletion strains with tunicamycin revealed a significant correlation between slow growth and resistance to ER stress that was recapitulated by reducing translation of wild-type yeast with cycloheximide. Interestingly, enhanced tunicamycin resistance in ribosomal protein gene deletion mutants was independent of the unfolded protein response transcription factor Hac1. These data support a model in which reduced translation is protective against ER stress by a mechanism distinct from the canonical ER stress response pathway and further add to the diverse yet specific phenotypes associated with ribosomal protein gene deletions.
A Naturally Thermolabile Activity Compromises Genetic Analysis of Telomere Function in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Paschini Margherita , Toro Tasha B , Lubin Johnathan W , Braunstein-Ballew Bari , Morris Danna K , Lundblad Victoria
Published: March 2012

The core assumption driving the use of conditional loss-of-function reagents such as temperature-sensitive mutations is that the resulting phenotype(s) are solely due to depletion of the mutant protein under nonpermissive conditions. However, prior published data, combined with observations presented here, challenge the generality of this assumption at least for telomere biology: for both wild-type yeast and strains bearing null mutations in telomere protein complexes, there is an additional phenotypic consequence when cells are grown above 34°. We propose that this synthetic phenotype is due to a naturally thermolabile activity that confers a telomere-specific defect, which we call the Tmp− phenotype. This prompted a re-examination of commonly used cdc13-ts and stn1-ts mutations, which indicates that these alleles are instead hypomorphic mutations that behave as apparent temperature-sensitive mutations due to the additive effects of the Tmp− phenotype. We therefore generated new cdc13-ts reagents, which are nonpermissive below 34°, to allow examination of cdc13-depleted phenotypes in the absence of this temperature-dependent defect. A return-to-viability experiment following prolonged incubation at 32°, 34°, and 36° with one of these new cdc13-ts alleles argues that the accelerated inviability previously observed at 36° in cdc13-1 rad9-Δ mutant strains is a consequence of the Tmp− phenotype. Although this study focused on telomere biology, viable null mutations that confer inviability at 36° have been identified for multiple cellular pathways. Thus, phenotypic analysis of other aspects of yeast biology may similarly be compromised at high temperatures by pathway-specific versions of the Tmp− phenotype.
Remarkably High Rate of DNA Amplification Promoted by the Mating-Type Switching Mechanism in Schizosaccharomyces pombe
Authors: Yu Chuanhe , Bonaduce Michael J , Klar Amar J S
Published: March 2012

A novel mating-type switching-defective mutant showed a highly unstable rearrangement at the mating-type locus (mat1) in fission yeast. The mutation resulted from local amplification of a 134-bp DNA fragment by the mat1-switching phenomenon. We speculate that the rolling-circle-like replication and homologous recombination might be the general mechanisms for local genome region expansion.
A Theoretic Framework to Consider the Effect of Immunizing Schoolchildren Against Influenza: Implications for Research
Authors: Longini Ira M.
Published: March 2012

The illness attack rate and annual morbidity caused by infection with influenza is high in schoolchildren. Because schoolchildren are 1 of the most important sources of community-wide transmission of influenza, vaccinating them could have a major effect on reducing morbidity and mortality in older adults. Stochastic modeling shows that a vaccination rate as low as 20% in schoolchildren reduces overall mortality in adults aged ≥64 years more effectively than a vaccination rate of 90% for older adults. Additional modeling shows that vaccinating schoolchildren against influenza is optimal for reducing morbidity and mortality caused by influenza in the overall population. Although supported by simulated models, the benefits of mass vaccination need to be confirmed in a real-world setting. The best way to demonstrate the effectiveness of mass vaccination of schoolchildren is to implement the process in several localities in several states by using properly designed studies that incorporate accurate viral surveillance with at least 10 pairs of intervention and comparison populations. Pediatrics 2012;129:S63–S67
Pediatrician Attitudes Concerning School-located Vaccination Clinics for Seasonal Influenza
Authors: Keane Virginia A. , Hudson Andrew R. , King James C.
Published: March 2012

OBJECTIVE

Vaccinating all children aged 6 months to 18 years every year has potentially large ramifications for office-based primary care pediatricians. We determined the degree to which pediatricians support routine annual influenza vaccination outside the medical home, especially in school-located mass influenza vaccination clinics.

METHODS

Internet-based survey sent in May and June 2009 to all 623 currently practicing primary care general pediatricians who were members of the Maryland Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

RESULTS

Of those surveyed, 193 (31%) responded. Approximately 67% reported they vaccinated more than half the children in their practice with at least one dose in the 2008–2009 influenza season, and about half anticipated that, in their office, they would not attain ≥75% coverage of all patients older than 5 months of age. Approximately 27% of respondents predicted they would likely have difficulty obtaining sufficient vaccine to cover commercially insured patients, and 32% were likely to have difficulty getting sufficient vaccine to cover Medicaid, underinsured, and uninsured patients because of ordering or distribution problems. Approximately 78% of respondents cited borderline or poor reimbursement for influenza vaccinations, and 53% had unused vaccine at the end of the 2008–2009 influenza season. Ninety-six percent of respondents supported school-located influenza vaccination programs in their community for their patients.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate awareness by primary care pediatricians in Maryland of the potential difficulties involved in implementing universal influenza vaccinations in their practice and their support of school-located vaccination programs managed by the local health department in their community.
Characterization of iron and steelmaking wet dust for arsenic remove in wastewaters
Authors: Narvaez-García V. , Martínez-Luevanos A. , Carrillo-Pedroza F. , Soria-Aguilar M. , Guajardo-Castillo M. , Chirino M. , Castro E.
Published: March 2012

Dust originated from the iron and steelmaking containing undesirable compounds are not completely recycled because affects the process efficiency. These types of dust represents an economical lost as a consequence of values contents. However, dust have been characterized physically and chemically in order to study their potential environmental applications, as the removal of arsenic in wastewater. The results shows that dust have a superficial specific area between 16 and 20 m2/g, values considered high, typical of a material with adsorbent properties. Representative results of different tests adsorption of arsenic in the material described indicate that it is possible to reduce the arsenic levels in up to 95% from an initial concentration of 1 mg/L of total arsenic. The results indicate that the iron and steelmaking wet dust may represent a new option as material for the removal of heavy metals in water treatment.
ZnO/ZnSe Type II Core-Shell Nanowire Array Solar Cell
Authors: Zhang Y. , Li D. , Wu Z. , Zheng J. , Lin X. , Zhan H. , Li S. , Kang J. , Bleuse J. , Grenet L. , Rapisarda D. , Mariette H.
Published: March 2012

Shockley-Queisser detailed balance theory predicts that under one sun a semiconductor with its bandgap in the range of 1.0 – 1.6 eV can potentially achieve an energy conversion efficiency > 30%. Therefore, the conversional wisdom would suggest looking for a semiconductor with a bandgap in this range for a single junction solar cell. Here we explore an alternative way of selecting the absorber material for PV, which allows using semiconductors with much larger bandgaps, in conjunction with new device architecture. Specifically, our device is based on an array of core-shell semiconductor nanowires, such as ZnO-ZnSe, where the two components exhibit type II band alignment. Our approach relies on the most basic property of a type II heterojunction, i.e., the staggered band alignment, that provides the function of charge separation, as in the case of dye-sensitized solar cell or (organic) bulk heterojunction solar cell. However, they differ in two important aspects: (1) the current structure is all inorganic, thus, expected to offer better chemical and photo- stability; and (2) In this approach, the interfacial transition provides an effective absorption or photo-response threshold that can be much lower than that of either component. In this work, using a ZnO-ZnSe core-shell nanowire array, we report the observation of the key signatures associated with the type II optical transition, and the demonstration of a solar cell based on the core-shell nanowire array.
Hermetically Coated Nanosilver: No Ag+ Ion Leaching
Authors: Sotiriou G. , Gass S. , Pratsinis S.E.
Published: March 2012

Dry-coated nanosilver is a promising material for bio-applications. Its inert and non-porous nanothin SiO2 coating preserves the plasmonic properties of the nanosilver and cures its toxicity by (1) preventing direct cell to silver contact and (2) blocking the release of toxic silver ions. However, fully hermetic coatings have, to date, not been produced. During the coating process, a certain number of core particles are either coated only partially, or escape the coating process entirely. Here, a systematic parametric study was undertaken in order to optimize an aerosol reactor for the synthesis and dry-coating of nanosilver. The reactor was optimized with respect to coating injection height, jet number, mixing flow rate. By synthesizing xAg/SiO2 composite particles, small silver sizes (9-11 nm) with relatively high Ag ion release were obtained. This enabled the quantitative evaluation of the coatings by Ag ion release measurements.
Synthesis and Characterization of Hydroxy-telechelic Four-arm Star-shaped Oligo(tetrahydrofuran), Their Crosslinking, and Thermomechanical Investigation of the Poymer Network
Authors: Yang Ke-Ke , Zotzmann J. , Lendlein A. , Behl M.
Published: March 2012

Here the synthesis of hydroxy-telechelic four-arm star-shaped oligotetrahydrofuran (4PTHF) with controllable molecular weight was explored, which was perfomed as living cationic ring-opening polymerization of THF using pentaerythritol and trifluoromethanesulfonicanhydride as initiation system. The molecular weights of the 4PTHF were a function of the reaction time. A polymer network was prepared from the hydroxy-telechelic 4PTHF precursor by crosslinking with diisocyanate and the shape-memory properties were determined. High values for Rf and Rr > 98% were obtained even at high programmed elongations, which suggest the 4PTHF-network as a promising shape-memory material. These materials might have a great potential, as the upscaling of synthesis could be successfully demonstrated.
Thermal Properties and Crystallinity of Grafted Copolymer Networks containing a Crystallizable Poly(ε-caprolactone) Crosslinker in an aqueous environment
Authors: Kratz Karl , Narendra Kumar Uttamchand , Noechel Ulrich , Lendlein Andreas
Published: March 2012

Here we introduce a multifunctional copolymer network system with adjustable thermomechanical properties, which is also capable to show a substantial water uptake and in this way should allow the additional alteration of the overall elastic properties besides the variation of the crosslinking density. The swelling capacity in water, the thermal properties as well as the crystallinity of a series of grafted copolymer networks named CLEG composed of water swellable poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) side chains and crystallizable poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) segments acting as covalent crosslinker were explored in an aqueous environment.

The water swelling capability of the CLEG polymer networks was found to increase from 120% to 240% with increasing weight content of PEG. In contrast to the dry state, where two well separated melting temperatures could be observed for all CLEG samples, in aqueous environment only one melting temperature slightly above 40 °C, was obtained, whereby the overall crystallinity after swelling with water was strongly related to the PCL content in the CLEG polymer networks.
Caries Experience of Chinese Children with Cleft Lip and Palate
Authors: King Nigel M. , Wong Wai Lan , Wong Hai Ming
Published: March 2012

Objective

This study evaluated the caries experience in the primary teeth of children with and without cleft lip and palate (CLP).

Design

Observational study.

Setting

Dental hospital clinic.

Patients

The sample consisted of 132 pairs of Chinese children with and without CLP matched by gender, age, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. Their ages were between 2 and 7 years.

Methods

The children were dichotomized into 2- to 4-year-old (n = 71) and 5- to 7-year-old groups (n = 61). The oral examination was performed by one trained and calibrated dentist, and the caries experience was determined using the dmft (decay missing filled teeth) index.

Results

For the 2- to 4-year-old group, the dmft values were 1.5 for the cleft group and 1.6 for the non-CLP group, but the difference was not statistically significant. For the 5- to 7-year-old group, the dmft indices were 5.2 for the cleft group compared with 2.9 for the control group; this difference was statistically significant ( p = .0006). The caries rate for the various tooth types in the 5- to 7-year-old group was higher in the CLP group than in the non-CLP group; the most marked difference was for the lateral incisors, mandibular molars, and maxillary left first molars ( p = .0001).

Conclusions

The 5- to 7-year-old children with CLP had a higher caries experience in the primary dentition than the children without CLP.
ESTABLISHING BOOKS AS CONDITIONED REINFORCERS FOR PRESCHOOL CHILDREN AS A FUNCTION OF AN OBSERVATIONAL INTERVENTION
Authors: Singer‐Dudek Jessica , Oblak Mara , Greer R. Douglas
Published: March 2012

We tested the effects of an observational intervention (Greer & Singer‐Dudek, 2008) on establishing children's books as conditioned reinforcers using a delayed multiple baseline design. Three preschool students with mild language and developmental delays served as the participants. Prior to the intervention, books did not function as reinforcers for any of the participants. The observational intervention consisted of a situation in which the participant observed a confederate being presented with access to books contingent on correct responses and the participant received nothing for correct responses. After several sessions of this treatment, the previously neutral books acquired reinforcing properties for maintenance and acquisition responses for all three participants.
PREVALENCE OF MULTIPLY CONTROLLED PROBLEM BEHAVIOR
Authors: Beavers Gracie A. , Iwata Brian A.
Published: March 2012

We examined articles in the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis in which results of functional analyses indicated that problem behavior was maintained by multiple sources of reinforcement. Data for 88 (16.9%) of 521 subjects reported in 168 studies met the criteria for multiple control. Data for 11 subjects (2.1%) involved a single response topography, whereas data for 77 subjects involved multiple, collapsed response topographies (14.8% of the total [521 cases] or 87.5% of the multiple control cases), suggesting that when multiple control is observed, it often may be a by‐product of response aggregation during assessment.
A COMPARISON OF PROMPTING TACTICS TO ESTABLISH INTRAVERBALS IN CHILDREN WITH AUTISM
Authors: Ingvarsson Einar T. , Hollobaugh Tatia
Published: March 2012

We compared the efficacy of tact‐to‐intraverbal (i.e., using picture prompts) and echoic‐to‐intraverbal transfer‐of‐stimulus‐control procedures to establish intraverbal responding in 3 boys (4 years old) with autism. For all 3 participants, the picture prompts resulted in fewer trials to criterion, but both prompting tactics were eventually effective.
Solution of Complex Tasks during Implementation of a Project for Construction, Survey and Testing of Exploration Wells in Kirinsky Block on the Sakhalin Shelf
Authors: Tsemkalo M.. , Sorokin D.. , Zorina S.. , Zaprometov A.. , Zhdaneev O..
Published: March 2012

This paper discusses the hydrocarbons exploration project in the conditions of the Russian continental shelf, at the examples of exploration wells Kirinskaya-2, Kirinskaya-3 and Yuzhno-Kirinskaya-1, in the Kirinskiy license block, offshore Sakhalin Island.

Operations were held in summer seasons of 2009 and 2010, and comprised planning, key risks analysis and mitigation, optimization of drilling, well logging and testing technology mix. Technical specifics of the projects were caused by insufficiently developed infrastructure, short operation period (from summer to early autumn), simultaneous operations from a number of semi-submersible drilling rigs (2010), and necessity of quick decision making in real time.

Technical input

Systematic selection of well logging technologies and testing program, data integration for further wildcatting and exploration drilling tasks; Description of problems and complications while well drilling, logging and testing and remedial measures. A list of preparatory works for project implementation was compiled at the early planning stage. Organization and personnel qualification requirements were described. Time-schedule breakdown was provided for each type of operations. Issues of logistics and customs regulation related to mobilization of personnel, materials, and equipment were discussed.

The paper was divided into the following sections: Project Planning: Schedule CompilingEstimating Key Risks of Project ImplementationProject Participants Cooperation ArrangementLogging-While-Drilling, Wireline logging and Well Testing technology mix OptimizationLogistics and Customs SupportTime Efficiency Analysis by the types of operations: Case StudyQHSE IssuesLessons Learned and Operation Efficiency Enhancement potential

Application

The described approach could be used for exploration drilling and completion project implementation in the Russian offshore environment. The lessons learned will be used by the project participants at the next Russian offshore drilling projects.

Results

The Project was successfully implemented within the schedule. The selected technological complex enabled to find efficient solution to specified geological tasks.
New Targets in Pain, Non-Neuronal Cells, and the Role of Palmitoylethanolamide
Authors: M. Keppel Hesselink Jan
Published: March 2012

Persistent pain in neuropathic conditions is often quite refractory to conventional analgesic therapy, with most patients obtaining, at best, only partial relief of symptoms. The tendency still exists to treat these complex pains with one or a combination of two analgesics at the most. Given the complex nature of the underlying pathogenesis, this approach more often than not fails to produce a meaningful improvement. New targets are therefore badly needed. In this regard non-neuronal cells – glia and mast cells in particular - are emerging as new targets for the treatment of neuropathic pain. An extensive preclinical database exists showing that the naturally occurring fatty acid amide palmitoylethanolamide is endowed with anti-inflammatory activity, and clinical trials assessing the efficacy and safety of palmitoylethanolamide in neuropathic pain have been successful in generating proof-of-concept for treatment in man. Here I will review salient preclinical
and clinical evidence supporting non-neuronal cells as viable targets in the treatment of neuropathic pain. This will be followed by a discussion of recent proof-of-concept clinical trials demonstrating the efficacy and safety of palmitoylethanolamide in the treatment of various neuropathic pain states.
Exostoses on the palmar or plantar aspect of the diaphysis of the third metacarpal or metatarsal bone in horses: 16 cases (2001–2010)
Authors: Bertoni Lélia , Forresu Daniela , Coudry Virginie , Audigie Fabrice , Denoix Jean-Marie
Published: March 2012

Objective—To characterize the clinical features, diagnostic procedures, treatment, and outcome for horses with an exostosis on the palmar or plantar cortex of the third metacarpal bone (MC3) or third metatarsal bone (MT3).

Design—Retrospective case series.

Animals—16 horses.

Procedures—Records from 2001 through 2010 were evaluated to identify horses with radiographic and ultrasonographic evidence of an exostosis on an MC3 or MT3. Signalment, history, lameness examination results, diagnostic imaging results, surgical and histopathologic findings, treatment, and outcome were evaluated.

Results—9 horses (group A) had unilateral lameness of the exostosis-affected limb that was alleviated with local or perineural analgesia. Seven horses (group B) had inconsistent lameness of the affected limb. The exostosis was located between the middle and distal third of the MC3 or MT3 in all horses. Desmopathy or peritendinous fibrosis (or both) of the suspensory ligament at the exostosis site was identified in 6 horses. All horses in group A returned to full function after conservative or surgical management. Lameness did not recur in any of the horses in group B despite no treatment or only conservative management.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Exostosis of the palmar cortex of an MC3 or plantar cortex of an MT3 should be considered as a cause of lameness in horses. The diagnosis can be made by the use of radiography and ultrasonography combined with specific diagnostic analgesia. Prognosis for return to athletic activity can be good but should be modified contingent on concurrent desmopathy of the suspensory ligament.
Reorienting Leadership Styles for Sustainable Education
Authors: Oyetunji Christianah
Published: March 2012

Reorienting Leadership Styles for Sustainable Education

This paper describes the leadership style which can sustain education in Botswana community junior secondary schools (CJSS). The concept was examined based on the policy of education in Botswana, Botswana's vision for 2016 and the current situation in schools. Data was collected by means of a questionnaire and semi-structured interviews from a random sample of community junior secondary school teachers and head-teachers in Botswana. The data suggests that the head-teacher's leadership style affects teachers' and pupils' attitude towards a job and studies and that a participatory leadership style promotes sustainable education in schools. These findings can be useful for education policy makers, school administrators and researchers seeking to promote sustainable improvement in education.
From the manuscript to the screen: Implementing electronic editions of mediaeval handwritten material
Authors: Calle-Martín Javier , Miranda-García Antonio
Published: March 2012

From the manuscript to the screen: Implementing electronic editions of mediaeval handwritten material

This paper describes the electronic editing of the Middle English material housed in the Hunterian Collection at Glasgow University Library (GUL), a joint project undertaken by the universities of Málaga, Glasgow, Oviedo, Murcia and Jaén which pursues the compilation of an electronic corpus of mediaeval Fachprosa in the vernacular (http://hunter.filosofia.uma.es/manuscripts). The paper therefore addresses the concept of electronic editing as applied to The corpus of Late Middle English scientific prose with the following objectives: (a) to describe the editorial principles and the theoretical implications adopted; and (b) to present the digital layout and the tool implemented for data retrieval. A diplomatic approach is then proposed wherein the editorial intervention is kept to a minimum. Accordingly, features such as lineation, punctuation and emendations are every now and then accurately reproduced as by the scribe's hand whilst abbreviations are yet expanded in italics. GUL MS Hunter 497, holding a 15th-century English version of Aemilius Macer's De viribus herbarum, will be used as a sample demonstration (Calle-Martín - Miranda-García, forthcoming).
The breakup of Old English to-infinitive: Causes and consequences
Authors: Jarad Najib
Published: March 2012

The breakup of Old English to-infinitive: Causes and consequences

The main goal of this paper is to account for the recategorisation of the Old English to-infinitive and the consequent rise of for before the Middle English to-infinitive. We argue that the loss of D feature has two consequences. The first consequence is that V?to-D movement was lost resulting in the break-up of the (morphological and) syntactic unity of the to-infinitive. The second consequence, a consequence of the first consequence, concerns the appearance of the so-called split infinitive, i.e. the development of a preverbal adverb, negation and object position. This crucial evidence marks the drift of the infinitive towards VP behaviour. Given that D was lost in early Middle English (i.e. 1150-1200) and the split infinitive appeared in the 13th century, the paper concludes that the change from a PP to a TP status was gradual and not simultaneous with other changes.
Living in the face of menacing ‘unreason’ - Martin Amis's The second plane as a response to ideological fundamentalisms
Authors: Bartnik Ryszard
Published: March 2012

Living in the face of menacing ‘unreason’ - Martin Amis's The second plane as a response to ideological fundamentalisms

This work touches upon Martin Amis's diagnosis of the Western world and its cultural foundations which seem to have been threatened, as maintained by the author, by a specific form of "de-Enlightenment" (2008). Amis, a repository of Western intellectual ethos, steps to the fore to defend reason. In view of the world's unrests, he fosters a thorough investigation of public beliefs, either of a religious or political nature, highlighting how deeply individual freedom has been censored and imperiled by various fundamentalisms. In his highly controversial, often blasphemous, collection of essays and short stories titled The second plane Amis renounces in an uncompromising way religious militancy, intellectual insularity, and political dogmatism. Politically incorrect and willfully offensive, the novelist appears unsparing in his criticism of Islamic integrity and right-wing ‘theological’ intransigence. My intention, thus, is to discuss Amis's overall standpoint referring both to the short story "The last days of Muhammad Atta" and a number of his articles written between 2002-2007.
Locus amoenus or locus horridus: The Forest of Arden as a setting in As you like it
Authors: Wojciechowska Sylwia
Published: March 2012

Locus amoenus or locus horridus: The Forest of Arden as a setting in As you like it

As you like it stands out from the rest of Shakespeare's plays as a comedy of conspicuously unusual dramaturgy. Critics have vindicated its idiosyncratic form claiming that As you like it's uneventful plot is due to the pastoral character of the play. Along with such typically pastoral elements as song contests or lover's woes they have listed its setting as an example of an idyllic locus amoenus. This article examines the actual character of the Forest of Arden and turns readers' attention towards the equivocal image of the place.
A new literary history of America. Greil Marcus - Werner Sollors (eds.)
Authors: Fruzińska Justyna
Published: March 2012

A new literary history of America. Greil Marcus - Werner Sollors (eds.)
Dubious American license: The first in flight
Authors: Semrau Janusz
Published: March 2012

Dubious American license: The first in flight

The symbols, colours and slogans on vehicle registration plates are part and parcel of the United States iconography. While not everybody relates readily to Ohio's license plate motto "Birthplace of Aviation", everybody seems to know North Carolina's motto "First in Flight". (Although the Wright brothers came from Ohio they chose North Carolina as the site for their 1903 groundbreaking experiment.) With the open horizon as the obligatory conceit of the U.S. landscape, North Carolina's license plate projects a homonymic mis-association with the dominant motif of American popular cultural discourse recognized emblematically by Leslie Fiedler (1960: 318) as the razzle-dazzle of escape.
The B-effect, or: How to do literary criticism with a nuclear power-plant
Authors: Stachura Paweł
Published: March 2012

The B-effect, or: How to do literary criticism with a nuclear power-plant

The essay, in the process of making its meta-critical point, reviews the collection Co-memorative essays on Herman Melville's ‘Bartleby the scriverner’ edited by Janusz Semrau (2009). The collection was published almost simultaneously with the new Polish translation of Melville's story, published as a companion volume with Gilles Deleuze's and Giorgio Agamben's pertinent essays (Melville 2009). There follows a wave of interest among Polish critics, which amounts to a new, local Bartleby industry (Czaplińki 2009; Jankowicz 2009; Kapela 2010). This review is inspired by one important example, a lecture delivered on March 24th, at the Department of Polish Studies of Poznań's Adam Mickiewicz University, in which one of the preeminent Polish literary critics presented the ‘melancholic vampire’, the predatory writer, the walking death that lingers, does not want to go, stalks, and sucks out the life of his friends and admirers. Although the speech was primarily about Arthur Miller, Bartleby loomed (stalked) behind, until he surfaced, with a reference to the new Polish translation.
Change in meaning and the meaning of change. Matti Rissanen - Marianna Hintikka - Leena Kahlas-Tarkka - Rod McConchie (eds.)
Authors: Molencki Rafał
Published: March 2012

Change in meaning and the meaning of change. Matti Rissanen - Marianna Hintikka - Leena Kahlas-Tarkka - Rod McConchie (eds.)
Allen Tate. A study in Southern modernism and the religious imagination. By Joseph Kuhn
Authors: Semrau Janusz
Published: March 2012

Allen Tate. A study in Southern modernism and the religious imagination. By Joseph Kuhn
Applying CEAS method to UV, VIS, and IR spectroscopy sensors
Authors: Wojtas J. , Mikolajczyk J. , Nowakowski M. , Rutecka B. , Medrzycki R. , Bielecki Z.
Published: March 2012

Applying CEAS method to UV, VIS, and IR spectroscopy sensors

In the paper, several applications of Cavity Enhanced Absorption Spectroscopy (CEAS) for trace mater detection are described. NO2sensor was constructed using this technique with blue-violet lasers (395-440 nm). The sensor sensitivity reaches the level of single ppb and it was applied in security portal. For detection of two gases at the same time, two-channel sensor was constructed. Used method allows a significant reduction in the cost of optoelectronic CEAS sensor designed to measure of concentrations of many gases simultaneously. Successful monitoring of N2O and NO in the air requires high precision mid-infrared spectroscopy. The constructed sensors are able to measure concentration at ppb level. These sensors might be used for monitoring of atmospheric purity as well as for detection of explosives.