bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
L’abandon des soins corporels
Authors: Giret Émilie
Published: December 2010

During her six-month stay in the austral winter of 2004 at Kerguelenon base, Port-aux-Français, the author observed the fifty-five winterers’ daily life from an ethnographic point of view. The article focuses on the specific hygiene habits of the inhabitants, from rediscovery to final abandonment. At the beginning of the journey, the body’s biological processes, being influenced by prior social norms and different “hexis corporelles”, lead inhabitants to differentiate their body appearance. Progressively during the winter, a abandonment of hygienic measures was observed, resulting in a uniform degradation of their physical appearance.
Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) for Examining Healthcare Professionals’ Assessments of Risk Factors
Authors: Bath P. A. , Pendleton N. , Bracale M. , Pecchia L.
Published: December 2010

Background: A gap exists between evidence-based medicine and clinical-practice. Every day, healthcare professionals (HCPs) combine empirical evidence and subjective experience in order to maximize the effectiveness of interventions. Consequently, it is important to understand how HCPs interpret the research evidence and apply it in everyday practice. We focused on the prevention of falls, a common cause of injury-related morbidity and mortality in later life, for which there is a wide range of known risk factors.

Objectives: To use the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to investigate the opinions of HCPs in prioritizing risk factors for preventing falls.

Methods: We used the AHP to develop a hierarchy of risk factors for falls based on the knowledge and experience of experts. We submitted electronic questionnaires via the web, in order to reach a wider number of respondents. With a web service, we pooled the results and weighted the coherence and the experience of respondents.

Results: Overall, 232 respondents participated in the study: 32 in the technical pilot study, nine in the scientific pilot study and 191 respondents in the main study. We identified a hierarchy of 35 risk factors, organized in two categories and six sub-categories.

Conclusions: The hierarchy of risk factors provides further insights into clinicians’ perceptions of risk factors for falls. This hierarchy helps understand the relative importance that clinicians place on risk factors for falls in older people and why evidence-based guidelines are not always followed. This information may be helpful in improving intervention programs and in understanding how clinicians prioritize multiple risk factors in individual patients. The AHP method allows the opinions of HCPs to be investigated, giving appropriate weight to their coherence, background and experience.
Testing for HER2 in Breast Cancer: A Continuing Evolution
Authors: Shah Sejal , Chen Beiyun
Published: December 2010

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is an important prognostic and predictive factor in breast cancer. HER2 is overexpressed in approximately 15%–20% of invasive breast carcinomas and is associated with earlier recurrence, shortened disease free survival, and poor prognosis. Trastuzumab (Herceptin) a “humanized” monoclonal antibody targets the extracellular domain of HER2 and is widely used in the management of HER2 positive breast cancers. Accurate assessment of HER2 is thus critical in the management of breast cancer. The aim of this paper is to present a comprehensive review of HER2 with reference to its discovery and biology, clinical significance, prognostic value, targeted therapy, current and new testing modalities, and the interpretation guidelines and pitfalls.
Biological contributions to well-being: The relationships amongst temperament, character strengths and resilience
Authors: Hutchinson Ann-Marie K. , Stuart Anita D. , Pretorius Hester G.
Published: December 2010

Orientation: Positive psychology emphasises the nurturing of personal strengths, yet little research to date has investigated the role of nature in psychological wellness.Research purpose: The study aimed to address this dearth by investigating the relationship between temperament, with its biological roots, and psychological well-being and also to ascertain whether character strengths and resilience can be predicted by certain temperament traits.Motivation for the study: Although the biological bases of mental illness have been researched extensively in past studies, there is very little research regarding the biological bases of psychological wellness.Research design, approach and method: This quantitative study selected a sample of 620 participants and applied four measuring instruments, namely the Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire, the Values in Action – Inventory of Strengths (VIA-IS) , the Sense of Coherence scale and the Resilience scale to measure temperament and well-being. Correlations and logistic regression analyses were used to analyse the data.Main findings: There are relationships between certain biologically based temperament traits and the psychological constructs of character strengths and resilience. Logistic regression models, using temperament as the independent variable, correctly predicted high and low scores on the Sense of Coherence scale, the Resilience scale and the (VIA-IS) with 64% – 76.1% accuracy.Pratical/managerial implications: Understanding the physiological substrates of flourishing and being able to predict strengths based on temperament promise advances in applying positive psychology concepts.Contribution/value-add: Values, ethics, character strengths, virtues and resilience are universal and may be entrenched in biology, according to some theorists. This has not been researched much, however. The current study addressed this dearth.
The exile of the patriarchs amongst the prophets: A new beginning or first beginnings?
Authors: Lombaard Christo J.S.
Published: December 2010

Usually, the primary texts on the patriarchs of the Old Testament are considered to be those in Genesis, not only as to the extent of the material offered, but also regarding the dating accorded the patriarchs in relation to the texts concerned. References to the Old Testament patriarchs in the prophetic texts are often considered to be on the margins. In this article, this �exile� is reversed, at least as far as the dating of the patriarchs in relation to textual references to them are concerned. Repatriating the importance of the earliest prophetic mention of the patriarchs makes possible new insights into where the patriarchs could most plausibly fit into the religious history of ancient Israel.
Giant intrathoracic mycotic aneurysm of left subclavian artery
Authors: Bansal R P , Gupta Prerna , Sharma Lalit M
Published: December 2010

Fungal infections are serious and important cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. Angioinvasive aspergillosis causing mycotic aneurysm of major blood vessels is very rare and only a few cases are reported in literature. We hereby report one case of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia presenting with this fatal complication.
Primary plasma cell leukemia with light chain secretion and multiple chromosomal abnormalities: How successfully treated? - A case report with review of literature
Authors: Goyal Manu , Mohammad Noorjahan , Palanki Satya Dattatreya , Vaniawala Salil N
Published: December 2010

Primary plasma cell leukemia is a rare form of plasma cell dyscrasia. We present a case which had leukocytosis with numerous circulating plasma cells in the peripheral blood. Flow cytometry revealed an unusual CD117 expression. Free light chain analysis in the serum showed a markedly elevated level of free lambda light chains. Radiography did not reveal any lytic lesions. Fluorescent in-situ hybridization analysis revealed deletion of 13q14.3 and t(4;14)/t(11;14), while the cytogenetic analysis was normal. The patient was given chemotherapy and was subjected to autologous stem cell transplant, after which she is in complete remission till date.
Pulsed and Tissue Doppler Echocardiographic Changes in Patients with Thalassemia Major
Authors: Garadah Taysir S. , Kassab Salah , Mahdi Najat , Abu-Taleb Ahmed , Jamsheer Anwer
Published: December 2010

Background

Doppler echocardiographic studies of left ventricle (LV) systolic and diastolic function in patients with β-Thalassemia Major (β-TM) had shown different patterns of systolic and diastolic dysfunction.

Aim

This cross-sectional study was designed to study the LV systolic and diastolic function in patients with β-TM using Pulsed Doppler (PD) and Tissue Doppler (TD) echocardiography.

Methods

All patients were evaluated clinically and by echocardiography, The study included patients with β-TM (n = 38, age 15.7 ± 8.9 years) compared with an age-matched control group (n = 38, age 15.9 ± 8.9 years). The pulse Doppler indices were normalized for age and heart rate.

Results

Compared with control patients, M-Mode showed that patients with β-TM have thicker LV septal wall index (0.659 ± 0.23 vs. 0.446 ± 0.219 cm, P ≤ 0.001), posterior wall index (0.659 ± 0.235 vs. 0.437 ± 0.214 cm, P ≤ 0.01), and larger LVEDD index is (3.99 ± 0.48 vs. 2.170 ± 0.57 mm. P = 0.035). Pulsed Doppler showed high LV trans-mitral E wave velocity (70.818 ± 10.139 vs. 57.532 ± 10.139, p = 0.027) and E/A ratio (1.54 vs. 1.23, P ≤ 0.01). The duration of Deceleration time (DT) and isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT) were significantly shorter in patients with β-TM (150.234 ± 20.0.23 vs. 167.123 ± 19.143 msec, P ≤ 0.01) and (60.647 ± 6.77 vs. 75.474 ± 5.83 msec, P ≤ 0.001), respectively. The ratio of transmitral E wave velocity to the tissue Doppler E wave at the basal septal mitral annulus E/Em–was significantly higher in β-TM group (14.024 ± 2.29 vs. 12.132 ± 1.82, P ≤ 0.01). The Tissue Doppler systolic velocity (Sm) and the early diastolic velocity (Em) were significantly lower in β-TM group compared to control (4.31 ± 1.2 cm/s vs. 6.95 ± 2.1, P ≤ 0.01 and 4.31 ± 2.7 cm/s vs. 5.82 ± 2.5, P ≤ 0.01) respectively. The tricuspid valve velocity was significantly higher than controls (2.993 ± 0.569 vs. 1.93 ± 0.471 m/sec, respectively, P ≤ 0.01). However, the LVEF% and fractional shortening were normal with no significant difference in both groups.

Conclusion

In this study, patients with β-thalassemia major compared with controls, have significantly thicker LV wall, and larger LV cavity and LV diastolic filling indices suggestive of restrictive pattern with a higher tricuspid valve velocity. These data showed that left ventricle diastolic indices are compromised initially in patients with β-thalassemia major.
Towards a community centred approach to corporate community involvement in the sporting events agenda
Authors: Misener Laura , Mason Daniel
Published: December 2010

The purpose of this paper was to examine ways that corporations can make a greater contribution to civic and community development through strategic ties to a city's development agenda surrounding the hosting of sporting events. Using the perspective of Corporate Community Involvement (CCI), we draw upon data collected as part of a larger study on sporting events and community development to explore how cities and corporations can make socially responsible contributions to communities. The guiding principles of community involvement in decision-making, full public disclosure and transparency, and grassroots legacy planning underscore the importance of community-based strategies for CCI. We offer three related strategies: comprehensive social and community impact assessments, facilitation of local knowledge capital and providers, and cross-sectoral management event programming as ways for corporations to begin to engage in CCI activities related to events. These strategies offer opportunities for organisation to use sport to make a valuable contribution to communities and community development activities.
The impact of cause-related marketing (CRM) in spectator sport
Authors: Kim Ki Tak , Kwak Dae Hee , Kim Yu Kyoum
Published: December 2010

Cause-related marketing (CRM) refers to the marketing strategy an organization uses to associate itself with a good cause. Even though CRM decisions may be partly charitable, they may also serve corporate self-interest. Although this area of inquiry is growing, CRM's strategic potential as an effective management tool for connecting sport organizations (i.e., teams) with consumers has not been thoroughly examined in a sport management context. In order to provide an improved picture of spectator sport consumers' perceptions toward a sport team's CRM initiatives, we developed a structural model that incorporates perceived CRM, attitudes toward the team, and re-attendance intention. Using LISREL analysis, the findings showed that CRM's effect on re-attendance intention was completely mediated through the attitude toward the team. In addition, perceptions toward the team's motive for CRM did not vary CRM's effect on attitude and behavioral intention. The lack of interaction effect might provide evidence that there may be universal appeal and effectiveness of CRM in a spectator sport context. Consequently, the findings provide a useful rationale for making managerial decisions about implementing and maintaining CRM efforts in sport organization.
Cause-related sport marketing: Can this marketing strategy affect company decision-makers?
Authors: Irwin Richard L , Lachowetz Tony , Clark John
Published: December 2010

In an effort to sustain social responsibility initiatives, cause related marketing (CRM) has become more prevalent in the corporate marketing toolbox, due to the benefits realized by the sponsoring company, such as switching behavior by a desired consumer segment. The utilization of cause related sport marketing (CRSM) has also increased, as corporate entities position firms with high profile sport entities to obtain certain objectives. Little research has examined the impact of such programs on key business stakeholders, which this survey study attempts to address. Analysis of Variance results indicate respondents possessed positive opinions about the corporation's CRSM efforts, with significant differences existing between respondents with direct decision-making authority and those with limited or no decision-making authority on key items. Additionally, respondents expressed a more positive opinion toward continuing their business relationship with the corporation, or, for those respondents who were prospective clients, beginning a business relationship with the corporation.
Addressing ecology and sustainability in mega-sporting events: The 2006 football World Cup in Germany
Authors: Dolles Harald , Söderman Sten
Published: December 2010

For the first time in the history of FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association), the football (soccer) World Cup held in Germany 2006 specifically addressed environmental concerns. By doing so, the German Organizing Committee did not have the objective of creating a short-term vision, but rather of making a long-term and lasting contribution to the improvement of environmental protection in hosting a mega-sporting event. By taking the football world cup in Germany as a case study, we will provide insights into the so-called ‘Green Goal’ programme and its four main areas: water, waste, energy, and transportation. From a global point of view, climate protection was added by the Organizing Committee as the fifth area of action and was recognised as a cross-sectorial task. Finally, questions are addressed on how to apply those measurements in the planning and organisation of other mega (-sporting) events.
Diurnal variations of humidity and ice water content in the tropical upper troposphere
Authors: Eriksson P. , Rydberg B. , Johnston M. , Murtagh D. P. , Struthers H. , Ferrachat S. , Lohmann U.
Published: December 2010

Abstract. Observational results of diurnal variations of humidity from Odin-SMR and AURA-MLS, and cloud ice mass from Odin-SMR and CloudSat are presented for the first time. Comparisons show that the retrievals of humidity and cloud ice from these two satellite combinations are in good agreement. The retrieved data are combined from four almost evenly distributed times of the day allowing mean values, amplitudes and phases of the diurnal variations around 200 hpa to be estimated. This analysis is applied to six climatologically distinct regions, five located in the tropics and one over the subtropical northern Pacific Ocean. The strongest diurnal cycles are found over tropical land regions, where the amplitude is ~7 RHi for humidity and ~50% for ice mass. The greatest ice mass for these regions is found during the afternoon, and the humidity maximum is observed to lag this peak by ~6 h. Over tropical ocean regions the variations are smaller and the maxima in both ice mass and humidity are found during the early morning. Observed results are compared with output from three climate models (ECHAM, EC-EARTH and CAM3). Direct measurement-model comparisons were not possible because the measured and modelled cloud ice masses represent different quantities. To make a meaningful comparison, the amount of snow had to be estimated from diagnostic parameters of the models. There is a high probability that the models underestimate the average ice mass (outside the 1-σ uncertainty). The models also show clear deficiencies when it comes to amplitude and phase of the regional variations, but to varying degrees.
Comparison of ambient aerosol extinction coefficients obtained from in-situ, MAX-DOAS and LIDAR measurements at Cabauw
Authors: Zieger P. , Weingartner E. , Henzing J. , Moerman M. , de Leeuw G. , Mikkilä J. , Ehn M. , Petäjä T. , Clémer K. , van Roozendael M. , Yilmaz S. , Frieß U. , Irie H. , Wagner T. , Shaiganfar R. , Beirle S. , Apituley A. , Wilson K. , Baltensperger U.
Published: December 2010

Abstract. In the field, aerosol in-situ measurements are often performed under dry conditions (relative humidity RH<30–40%). Since ambient aerosol particles experience hygroscopic growth at enhanced RH, also their microphysical and optical properties – especially the aerosol light scattering – are strongly dependent on RH. The knowledge of this RH effect is of crucial importance for climate forcing calculations or for the comparison of remote sensing with in-situ measurements. Here, we will present results from a four-month campaign which took place in summer 2009 in Cabauw, The Netherlands. The aerosol scattering coefficient σsp(λ) was measured dry and at various, predefined RH conditions between 20 and 95% with a humidified nephelometer. The scattering enhancement factor f(RH,λ) is the key parameter to describe the effect of RH on σsp(λ) and is defined as σsp(RH,λ) measured at a certain RH divided by the dry σsp(dry,λ). The measurement of f(RH,λ) together with the dry absorption measurement (assumed not to change with RH) allows the determination of the actual extinction coefficient σep(RH,λ) at ambient RH. In addition, a wide range of other aerosol properties were measured in parallel. The measurements were used to characterize the effects of RH on the aerosol optical properties. A closure study showed the consistency of the aerosol in-situ measurements. Due to the large variability of air mass origin (and thus aerosol composition) a simple parameterization of f(RH,λ) could not be established. If f(RH,λ) needs to be predicted, the chemical composition and size distribution needs to be known. Measurements of four MAX-DOAS (multi-axis differential optical absorption spectroscopy) instruments were used to retrieve vertical profiles of σep(λ). The values of the lowest layer were compared to the in-situ values after conversion of the latter to ambient RH. The comparison showed a good correlation of R2=0.62–0.78, but the extinction coefficients were a factor of 1.5–3.4 larger than the in-situ values. Best agreement is achieved for a few cases characterized by low aerosol optical depths and low planetary boundary layer heights. Differences showed to be dependent on the applied MAX-DOAS retrieval algorithm. The comparison of the in-situ data to a Raman lidar (light detection and ranging) showed a good correlation and higher values measured by the lidar (R2=0.79, slope of 1.81) if the Raman retrieved profile was used to extrapolate the directly measured extinction coefficient to the ground. The comparison improved if only nighttime measurements were used in the comparison (R2=0.93, slope of 1.19).
Recent developments in predictive uncertainty assessment based on the model conditional processor approach
Authors: Coccia G. , Todini E.
Published: December 2010

Abstract. The work aims at discussing the role of predictive uncertainty in flood forecasting and flood emergency management, its relevance to improve the decision making process and the techniques to be used for its assessment. Real time flood forecasting requires taking into account predictive uncertainty for a number of reasons. Deterministic hydrological/hydraulic forecasts give useful information about real future events, but their predictions, as usually done in practice, cannot be taken and used as real future occurrences but rather used as pseudo-measurements of future occurrences in order to reduce the uncertainty of decision makers. Predictive uncertainty (PU) is in fact defined as the probability of occurrence of a future value of a predictand (such as water level, discharge or water volume) conditional upon prior observations and knowledge as well as on all the information we can obtain on that specific future value from model forecasts. When dealing with commensurable quantities, as in the case of floods, PU must be quantified in terms of a probability distribution function which will be used by the emergency managers in their decision process in order to improve the quality and reliability of their decisions. After introducing the concept of PU, the presently available processors are introduced and discussed in terms of their benefits and limitations. In this work the Model Conditional Processor has been extended to the possibility of using a joint truncated normal distribution, in order of improving adaptation to low and high flows. The paper concludes by showing the results of the application of the MCP on the Baron Fork River, OK, USA. The data set provided by the NOAA's National Weather Service, within the DMIP 2 Project, allowed two physically based models, the TOPKAPI model and TETIS model, to be calibrated and a data driven model to be implemented using the Artificial Neural Network. The three model forecasts have been combined with the aim of reducing the PU and improving the probabilistic forecast taking advantage of the different capabilities of each model approach.
Snacking while watching TV impairs food recall and promotes food intake on a later TV free test meal
Authors: Mittal Dolly , Stevenson Richard J. , Oaten Megan J. , Miller Laurie A.
Published: December 2010

Eating while viewing TV may impair memory of food intake and promote over‐consumption on a later meal. In Experiment 1, females ate a similar amount of snack–food either with or without TV. Later, participants who had snacked with TV ate more food on a TV‐free lunch and were less accurate in recalling their earlier snack–food intake. Experiment 2 explored whether the nature of the TV content might alter these effects. Using a similar design, females watched boring, sad or funny TV, or no‐TV at all. Relative to the no‐TV control, all TV while snacking conditions ate a similarly greater amount on the later TV‐free test lunch. Recall accuracy for the snack phase was also similarly poorer in all TV conditions. These findings suggest that eating with TV per se impacts on later food intake, and a mnemonic‐based explanation seems to be the best account for these findings. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Diabetes mellitus and insulin resistance in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: Risk reduction in a chronic inflammatory disease
Authors: Wasko Mary Chester , Kay Jonathan , Hsia Elizabeth C. , Rahman Mahboob U.
Published: December 2010

Objective

To perform a systematic literature review of the potential association among molecular markers of inflammation, alterations in body composition, and insulin resistance (IR), a precursor to type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. To determine the impact of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) as a pivotal proinflammatory cytokine in the pathophysiology of type 2 DM and RA, and the effect of antirheumatic drugs on glycemic control.

Methods

We performed a search of PubMed to identify articles on IR and body habitus in patients with RA.

Results

Patients with RA had characteristics placing them at high risk for IR and type 2 DM. The incidence and prevalence of type 2 DM in RA was not clearly increased compared with the general population; however, studies suggested that patients with RA are likely to have IR and have increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The prevalence of type 2 DM and IR could be estimated from reports of risk factors for CVD in RA patients. The TNFα antagonists provided rapid and effective control of RA‐related inflammation. Evidence indicated that extended use of TNFα antagonists in RA may provide the additional benefit of improving insulin sensitivity. These treatment‐related changes may contribute to an overall reduction in the risk of type 2 DM and CVD in RA patients.

Conclusion

Controlling inflammation may improve insulin sensitivity and subsequently reduce the risk of developing type 2 DM in RA patients. This may also reduce the risk of CVD in this high‐risk group. Future studies are required to elucidate the relationships between inflammation, body composition, IR, TNFα antagonist use, and the risk of developing type 2 DM in RA patients.
Exercise programs in trials for patients with ankylosing spondylitis: Do they really have the potential for effectiveness?
Authors: Dagfinrud Hanne , Halvorsen Silje , Vøllestad Nina K. , Niedermann Karin , Kvien Tore K. , Hagen Kåre B.
Published: December 2010

Objective

To evaluate if exercise programs in trials for patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) have the potential for effectiveness.

Methods

A systematic literature search was performed and randomized trials examining the effectiveness of exercise programs for AS patients were analyzed according to 3 elements: whether the exercise programs were designed according to the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommendations for developing cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, and flexibility; whether physiologic responses were properly measured; and whether adherence to programs was monitored.

Results

Twelve trials with a total of 826 AS patients were evaluated. Five trials included cardiorespiratory exercise as a part of the exercise programs. One of these met the ACSM recommendations for intensity, duration, frequency, and length of the exercise period. This trial showed the greatest within‐group improvement in aerobic capacity (effect size [ES] 2.19). Five trials included muscular strength training, but none measured the physiologic responses nor met the recommendations for improving muscular strength. Eleven trials included flexibility training, but the programs were poorly described overall. Small improvements in spinal mobility (ES range 0.02–0.67) were reported in all trials. Finally, 4 trials reported on participants' adherence to the exercise programs, but only 1 provided sufficient information to evaluate the possible influence of the adherence.

Conclusion

The quality of interventions in exercise trials for patients with AS can be improved. Future trials should also focus on measuring and reporting physiologic responses and adherence to exercise interventions.
Modeling smoking in systemic sclerosis: A comparison of different statistical approaches
Authors: Hudson Marie , Lo Ernest , Baron Murray , Steele Russell ,   Canadian Scleroderma Research Group
Published: December 2010

Objective

To determine the effect of different methods of modeling smoking on vascular outcomes in rheumatic diseases.

Methods

Data from the Canadian Scleroderma Research Group Registry were used. Patients self‐reported their smoking history. Vascular outcomes were severity of Raynaud's phenomenon, presence of finger ulcers, and severity of finger ulcers. Several models were developed to capture the experience of smoking: 1) ever compared to never smoking; 2) current and past smoking compared to never smoking; 3) never, past, and current smoking compared using polynomial contrasts; 4) smoking intensity, duration, and time since cessation assessed separately; and 5) smoking modeled using the Comprehensive Smoking Index (CSI), which integrates intensity, duration, and time since cessation into a single covariate.

Results

This study included 606 patients, of which 16% were current, 42% were past, and 42% were never smokers. Current and past smokers smoked a mean ± SD of 25 ± 17 and 17 ± 18 pack‐years, respectively. Smoking duration was shorter in past compared to current smokers (18.3 versus 31.7 years). Past smokers reported having stopped smoking approximately mean ± SD 16 ± 12 years prior, although this ranged from 1 to 50 years. Smoking had no effect on vascular outcomes in the simplest model comparing ever to never smokers. Models that isolated past smokers revealed the presence of a healthy smoker bias in that group. The model using the CSI demonstrated a strong negative effect of smoking on vascular outcomes.

Conclusion

Proper modeling of the effect of smoking is essential in studies of vascular outcomes of rheumatic diseases.
Mechanically Switchable Biocide Plasma‐Polymer Coatings for Biomaterials
Authors: Airoudj Aissam , Kulaga Emilia , Roucoules Vincent , Ploux Lydie
Published: December 2010

Silver nanoparticles are enclosed between two plasma‐polymer layers. We show that the second cross‐linked plasma‐polymer network acts as a barrier and significantly reduces the delivery of the silver nanoparticles into a surrounding aqueous environment. When the film is stretched, cracks appear in the plasma‐polymer layer, which allow an increase in the release of the silver. When the system returns to its initial length, the release is reduced because of the cracks' closure. The principle is described and the release of silver is evaluated under mechanical stimuli cycles. The antibacterial effect is stopped by the barrier of the plasma‐polymer layer but restored by stretching the coated material.
Microscopic and Nanoscopic Three‐Phase‐Boundaries of Platinum Thin‐Film Electrodes on YSZ Electrolyte
Authors: Ryll Thomas , Galinski Henning , Schlagenhauf Lukas , Elser Pierre , Rupp Jennifer L. M. , Bieberle‐Hutter Anja , Gauckler Ludwig J.
Published: December 2010

Agglomerated Pt thin films have been proposed as electrodes for electrochemical devices like micro‐solid oxide fuel cells (μ‐SOFCs) operating at low temperatures. However, comprehensive studies elucidating the interplay between agglomeration state and electrochemical properties are lacking. In this contribution the electrochemical performance of agglomerated and “dense” Pt thin film electrodes on yttria‐stabilized‐zirconia (YSZ) is correlated with their microstructural characteristics. Besides the microscopically measurable triple‐phase‐boundary (tpb) where Pt, YSZ and air are in contact, a considerable contribution of “nanoscopic” tpbs to the electrode conductivity resulting from oxygen permeable grain boundaries is identified. It is demonstrated that “dense” Pt thin films are excellent electrodes provided their grain size and thickness are in the nanometer range. The results disprove the prevailing idea that the performance of Pt thin film electrodes results from microscopic and geometrically measurable tpbs only.
Organic Light‐Emitting Diodes with a White‐Emitting Molecule: Emission Mechanism and Device Characteristics
Authors: Kim Se Hun , Park Sanghyuk , Kwon Ji Eon , Park Soo Young
Published: December 2010

The unique and unprecedented electroluminescence behavior of the white‐emitting molecule 3‐(1‐(4‐(4‐(2‐(2‐hydroxyphenyl)‐4,5‐diphenyl‐1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)phenoxy)phenyl)‐4,5‐diphenyl‐1H‐imidazol‐2‐yl)naphthalen‐2‐ol (W1), fluorescence emission from which is controlled by the excited‐state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) is investigated. W1 is composed of covalently linked blue‐ and yellow‐color emitting ESIPT moieties between which energy transfer is entirely frustrated. It is demonstrated that different emission colors (blue, yellow, and white) can be generated from the identical emitter W1 in organic light‐emitting diode (OLED) devices. Charge trapping mechanism is proposed to explain such a unique color‐tuned emission from W1. Finally, the device structure to create a color‐stable, color reproducible, and simple‐structured white organic light‐emitting diode (WOLED) using W1 is investigated. The maximum luminance efficiency, power efficiency, and luminance of the WOLED were 3.10 cd A−1, 2.20 lm W−1, 1 092 cd m−2, respectively. The WOLED shows white‐light emission with the Commission Internationale de l′Eclairage (CIE) chromaticity coordinates (0.343, 0.291) at a current level of 10 mA cm−2. The emission color is high stability, with a change of the CIE chromaticity coordinates as small as (0.028, 0.028) when the current level is varied from 10 to 100 mA cm−2.
One‐Pot Conversion of L‐Threonine into L‐Homoalanine: Biocatalytic Production of an Unnatural Amino Acid from a Natural One
Authors: Park Eulsoo , Kim Minji , Shin Jong‐Shik
Published: December 2010

A novel biocatalytic process for production of L‐homoalanine from L‐threonine has been developed using coupled enzyme reactions consisting of a threonine deaminase (TD) and an ω‐transaminase (ω‐TA). TD catalyzes the dehydration/deamination of L‐threonine, leading to the generation of 2‐oxobutyrate which is asymmetrically converted to L‐homoalanine via transamination with benzylamine executed by ω‐TA. To make up the coupled reaction system, we cloned and overexpressed a TD from Escherichia coli and an (S)‐specific ω‐TA from Paracoccus denitrificans. In the coupled reactions, L‐threonine serves as a precursor of 2‐oxobutyrate for the ω‐TA reaction, eliminating the need for employing the expensive oxo acid as a starting reactant. In contrast to α‐transaminase reactions in which use of amino acids as an exclusive amino donor limits complete conversion, amines are exploited in the ω‐TA reaction and thus maximum conversion could reach 100%. The ω‐TA‐only reaction with 10 mM 2‐oxobutyrate and 20 mM benzylamine resulted in 94% yield of optically pure L‐homoalanine (ee>99%). However, the ω‐TA‐only reaction did not produce any detectable amount of L‐homoalanine from 10 mM L‐threonine and 20 mM benzylamine, whereas the ω‐TA reaction coupled with TD led to 91% conversion of L‐threonine to L‐homoalanine.
Biochemical specificity of von economo neurons in hominoids
Authors: Stimpson Cheryl D. , Tetreault Nicole A. , Allman John M. , Jacobs Bob , Butti Camilla , Hof Patrick R. , Sherwood Chet C.
Published: December 2010

Objectives: Von Economo neurons (VENs) are defined by their thin, elongated cell body and long dendrites projecting from apical and basal ends. These distinctive neurons are mostly present in anterior cingulate (ACC) and fronto‐insular (FI) cortex, with particularly high densities in cetaceans, elephants, and hominoid primates (i.e., humans and apes). This distribution suggests that VENs contribute to specializations of neural circuits in species that share both large brain size and complex social cognition, possibly representing an adaptation to rapidly relay socially‐relevant information over long distances across the brain. Recent evidence indicates that unique patterns of protein expression may also characterize VENs, particularly involving molecules that are known to regulate gut and immune function.

Methods: In this study, we used quantitative stereologic methods to examine the expression of three such proteins that are localized in VENs—activating‐transcription factor 3 (ATF3), interleukin 4 receptor (IL4Rα), and neuromedin B (NMB). We quantified immunoreactivity against these proteins in different morphological classes of ACC layer V neurons of hominoids.

Results:Among the different neuron types analyzed (pyramidal, VEN, fork, enveloping, and other multipolar), VENs showed the greatest percentage that displayed immunostaining. Additionally, a higher proportion of VENs in humans were immunoreactive to ATF3, IL4Rα, and NMB than in other apes. No other ACC layer V neuron type displayed a significant species difference in the percentage of immunoreactive neurons.

Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that phylogenetic variation exists in the protein expression profile of VENs, suggesting that humans might have evolved biochemical specializations for enhanced interoceptive sensitivity. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Social and developmental influences on urinary androgen levels in young male white‐faced marmosets (Callithrix geoffroyi)
Authors: Birnie Andrew K. , Smith Adam S. , Nali Camila , French Jeffrey A.
Published: December 2010

Callitrichine primates (marmosets and tamarins) often remain in their natal groups beyond the time of sexual maturity. Although studies have characterized the development of female reproductive function in callitrichine offspring, less is known about the male reproductive development. To document reproductive development in male marmosets, we monitored urinary androgen (uA) excretion in males housed in a captive colony of white‐faced marmosets (Callithrix geoffroyi). Young male marmosets showed relatively low and stable rates of uA excretion early in life, with elevated production at the end of the juvenile period (9–10 months) and again at the onset of adulthood (16 months). uA levels of adult breeding males were also measured to compare to adult‐aged sons. Although breeding males did have higher uA levels than their adult‐aged sons, these differences did not reach conventional levels of significance. Evidence from some other reports has suggested that androgen levels of males in other species are influenced by social factors, such as the presence of a sexually receptive female or of dependent offspring. In this study, however, uA levels did not vary, based on their mothers' pregnancy status or the presence of younger siblings in the natal group. Patterns of androgen excretion in the white‐faced marmoset roughly reflect those of other callitrichine species. Furthermore, unlike callitrichine daughters, gonadal activity in sons does not seem to be sensitive to within‐group social cues. Am. J. Primatol. 73:378–385, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Influence of succinylation on the properties of cast films from red bean protein isolate at various plasticizer levels
Authors: Tang Chuan‐He , Xiao Ming‐Li , Chen Zhong , Yang Xiao‐Quan
Published: December 2010

The effects of succinylation at three anhydride levels (0.2, 0.4, and 0.6 g g−1) on the properties of cast films from red bean protein isolate (RPI) at three glycerol levels of 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6 g g−1 were investigated. The tested properties included tensile strength (TS) and elongation at break (EB), surface hydrophobicity, moisture content (MC), total soluble matter (TSM), water vapor transmission rate, and permeability (WVTR and WVP), permeability coefficient of oil (PO). The results showed that the succinylation greatly improved the mechanical properties (especially the EB), but decreased the surface hydrophobicity of cast films. The MC, TSM, WVTR, WVP, and PO were considerably increased by the succinylation. The size exclusion chromatography analysis indicated that the succinylation resulted in protein aggregation or association, and transformation of insoluble precipitates (initially present) to soluble protein components. The dependence of the influence of succinylation upon some selected properties on the plasticizer level suggests interactions between introduced anionic succinic moieties and the hydroxyl groups of the plasticizer. These results suggest that the succinylation treatment could be applied to modify the mechanical properties of legume proteins, especially in the case that requires excellent flexibility of cast films. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Age‐ and task‐dependent foraging gene expression in the bumblebee Bombus terrestris
Authors: Tobback Julie , Mommaerts Veerle , Vandersmissen Hans Peter , Smagghe Guy , Huybrechts Roger
Published: December 2010

In eusocial insects, the division of labor within a colony, based on either age or size, is correlated with a differential foraging (for) gene expression and PKG activity. This article presents in the first part a study on the for gene, encoding a cGMP‐dependent protein kinase (PKG) in the bumblebee Bombus terrestris. Cloning of the open reading frame allowed phylogenetic tracing, which showed conservation of PKGs among social insects. Our results confirm the proposed role for PKGs in division of labor. Btfor gene expression is significantly higher in the larger foragers compared with the smaller sized nurses. More importantly, we discovered an age‐related decrease in Btfor expression in both nursing and foraging bumblebees. We therefore speculate that the presence of BtFOR is required for correct adaptation to new external stimuli and rapid learning for foraging. In a second series of experiments, worker bumblebees of B. terrestris were treated with two insecticides imidacloprid and kinoprene, which have shown to cause impaired foraging behavior. Compared with controls, only the latter treatment resulted in a decreased Btfor expression, which concurs with a stimulation of ovarian growth and a shift in labor toward nest‐related tasks. The data are discussed in relation to Btfor expression in the complex physiological event of foraging and side‐effects by pesticides. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Optimal dividend strategies in discrete risk model with capital injections
Authors: Wu Yidong , Guo Junyi , Tang Lian
Published: December 2010

In this paper we consider a doubly discrete model used in Dickson and Waters (biASTIN Bulletin 1991; 21:199–221) to approximate the Cramér–Lundberg model. The company controls the amount of dividends paid out to the shareholders as well as the capital injections which make the company never ruin in order to maximize the cumulative expected discounted dividends minus the penalized discounted capital injections. We show that the optimal value function is the unique solution of a discrete Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman equation by contraction mapping principle. Moreover, with capital injection, we reduce the optimal dividend strategy from band strategy in the discrete classical risk model without external capital injection into barrier strategy, which is consistent with the result in continuous time. We also give the equivalent condition when the optimal dividend barrier is equal to 0. Although there is no explicit solution to the value function and the optimal dividend barrier, we obtain the optimal dividend barrier and the approximating solution of the value function by Bellman's recursive algorithm. From the numerical calculations, we obtain some relevant economical insights. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bisphenol A: developmental toxicity from early prenatal exposurea
Authors: Golub Mari S. , Wu Katherine Lily , Kaufman Farla L. , Li Ling‐Hong , Moran‐Messen Francisco , Zeise Lauren , Alexeeff George V. , Donald James M.
Published: December 2010

Bisphenol A (BPA) exposure has been documented in pregnant women, but consequences for development are not yet widely studied in human populations. This review presents research on the consequences for offspring of BPA exposure during pregnancy. Extensive work in laboratory rodents has evaluated survival and growth of the conceptus, interference with embryonic programs of development, morphological sex differentiation, sex differentiation of the brain and behavior, immune responsiveness, and mechanism of action. Sensitive measures include RAR, aryl hydrocarbon receptor, and Hox A10 gene expression, anogenital distance, sex differentiation of affective and exploratory behavior, and immune hyperresponsiveness. Many BPA effects are reported at low doses (10–50 µg/kg d range) by the oral route of administration. At high doses (>500,000 µg/kg d) fetal viability is compromised. Much of the work has centered around the implications of the estrogenic actions of this agent. Some work related to thyroid mechanism of action has also been explored. BPA research has actively integrated current knowledge of developmental biology, concepts of endocrine disruption, and toxicological research to provide a basis for human health risk assessment. Birth Defects Res (Part B) 89:441–466, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Developing key capabilities in child care and protection
Authors: Bruce Margaret , Whincup Helen
Published: December 2010

Over the last 20 years, research has questioned how well equipped newly qualified social workers are in relation to child care and protection. Recent inquiries have highlighted that some social workers have not recognised their responsibilities towards children and young people when they encounter them in the course of their duties. In England, Lord Laming's (2009) report The Protection of Children in England, following the death of Peter Connelly in Haringey, recommended a specialist child protection route as part of the social work degree and re‐opened the debate about the benefits of specialism versus genericism. In Scotland, when faced with similar challenges, Key Capabilities in Child Care and Protection were introduced to ensure that all social workers at the point of qualifying can evidence their knowledge and skills in relation to child care and protection. This paper describes their development. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

‘Introduced to ensure that all social workers at the point of qualifying can evidence their knowledge and skills’
Chiral and Extended π‐Conjugated Bis(2‐pyridyl)phospholes as Assembling N,P,N Pincers for Coordination‐Driven Synthesis of Supramolecular [2,2]Paracyclophane Analogues
Authors: Aranda Perez Ana Isabel , Biet Thomas , Graule Sébastien , Agou Tomohiro , Lescop Christophe , Branda Neil R. , Crassous Jeanne , Réau Régis
Published: December 2010

Chiral, π‐conjugated 3,4‐butano‐1‐phenyl‐2,5‐bis(2‐pyridyl)phosphole derivatives 1 a2,2′ and 1 a3 with chiral trans‐1,2‐diol moieties and fused pinene derivatives, respectively, were prepared from the corresponding chiral diynes by using the Fagan–Nugent method. Their UV/Vis absorption and chiroptical properties (optical rotation and circular dichroism) were studied. Their behavior as N,P,N chelates towards coordination of CuI and formation of chiral supramolecular assemblies with π‐conjugated ditopic dicyano ligands was investigated. Chiral C2‐symmetric rectangles that are [2,2]paracyclophane analogues were obtained, as demonstrated by X‐ray crystallography. During the course of this study, the first stable water‐soluble phosphole derivative (1 a2⋅2 HCl) was prepared. Furthermore, achiral 3,4‐butano‐1‐phenyl‐2,5‐bis(aza[4]helicene)phosphole 1 a4 was synthesized and displays extended π conjugation. A supramolecular rectangle was obtained by coordination to CuI and assembly with a dicyano stilbene. This coordination‐driven supramolecular assembly contains a total of four aza[4]helicene moieties and displays two types of π–π stacking interactions in the solid state, that is, between two helicene moieties and between one helicene and a bridging dicyano ligand. All the supramolecular arrangements are discussed by comparing them with previous work on the parent 3,4‐butano‐1‐phenyl‐2,5‐bis(2‐pyridyl)phosphole.