bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Roflumilast with long-acting β2-agonists for COPD: influence of exacerbation history
Authors: Bateman E.D. , Rabe K.F. , Calverley P.M.A. , Goehring U.M. , Brose M. , Bredenbröker D. , Fabbri L.M.
Published: July 2011

The oral, selective phosphodiesterase type-4 inhibitor roflumilast reduces exacerbations and improves lung function in patients with severe-to-very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

We investigated the efficacy and safety of roflumilast used concomitantly with long-acting β2-agonists (LABAs) to reduce exacerbations, and the influence of exacerbation history. Pooled data were analysed from two 12-month, placebo-controlled roflumilast (500 μg once daily) studies involving 3,091 patients with severe-to-very severe COPD.

Approximately half of patients used concomitant LABAs; 39% used concomitant short-acting muscarinic antagonists (SAMAs); 27% were frequent exacerbators (two or more exacerbations per year). Roflumilast reduced the rate of moderate or severe exacerbations, with LABA (rate ratio (RR) 0.79, 95% CI 0.69–0.91; p=0.001) or without LABA (RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.74–0.99; p=0.039) and prolonged time both to first (p=0.035 with LABA, p=0.300 without LABA) and second (p=0.018 with LABA, p=0.049 without LABA) exacerbations. Frequent exacerbators experienced a reduction in moderate or severe exacerbations (RR 0.78, 95% CI 0.66–0.91; p=0.002). Similarly, roflumilast remained effective with concomitant SAMA. No differences arose in adverse events between these subgroups.

Roflumilast may be used to reduce exacerbations and improve dyspnoea and lung function, without increasing adverse events in COPD patients receiving concomitant LABAs.
Targeted gene delivery ofBMPR2attenuates pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Reynolds A.M. , Holmes M.D. , Danilov S.M. , Reynolds P.N.
Published: July 2011

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) remains a fatal disease despite modern pharmacotherapy. Mutations in the gene for bone morphogenetic protein receptor type II (BMPR2) lead to reduced BMPR2 expression, which is causally linked to PAH. BMPR2 is predominantly expressed on pulmonary endothelium and has complex interactions with transforming growth factor (TGF)-β signalling mechanisms.

Our objectives were to assess the effect on PAH of upregulatingBMPR2by targeted adenoviralBMPR2gene delivery to the pulmonary vascular endothelium. We used two established rat models of PAH: chronic hypoxia and monocrotaline (MCT).

In both hypertensive models, those receivingBMPR2had less right ventricular hypertrophy, less pulmonary vascular resistance, improved cardiac function and reduced vascular remodelling. In the MCT model, there was an increase in TGF-β, which was prevented byBMPR2treatment.In vitro, TGF-β1-induced endothelial–mesenchymal transition (EndMT) in human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells, which was associated with reduced BMPR2 expression. EndMT was partially ameliorated by stimulating BMPR2 signalling with appropriate ligands even in the ongoing presence of TGF-β1.

Collectively, these results indicate therapeutic potential for upregulation of theBMPR2axis in PAH, which may be, in part, mediated by countering the remodelling effects of TGF-β.
Surrogate markers predicting overall survival for lung cancer: ELCWP recommendations
Authors: Berghmans T. , Pasleau F. , Paesmans M. , Bonduelle Y. , Cadranel J. , Cs Toth I. , Garcia C. , Giner V. , Holbrechts S. , Lafitte J.J. , Lecomte J. , Louviaux I. , Markiewicz E. , Meert A.P. , Richez M. , Roelandts M. , Scherpereel A. , Tulippe Ch. , Van Houtte P. , Van Schil P. , Wachters C. , Westeel V. , Sculier J.P.
Published: July 2011

The present systematic review was performed under the auspices of the European Lung Cancer Working Party (ELCWP) in order to determine the role of early intermediate criteria (surrogate markers), instead of survival, in determining treatment efficacy in patients with lung cancer. Initially, the level of evidence for the use of overall survival to evaluate treatment efficacy was reviewed. Nine questions were then formulated by the ELCWP. After reviewing the literature with experts on these questions, it can be concluded that overall survival is still the best criterion for predicting treatment efficacy in lung cancer. Some intermediate criteria can be early predictors, if not surrogates, for survival, despite limitations in their potential application: these include time to progression, progression-free survival, objective response, local control after radiotherapy, downstaging in locally advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC), complete resection and pathological TNM in resected NSCLC, and a few circulating markers. Other criteria assessed in these recommendations are not currently adequate surrogates of survival in lung cancer.
Tuberculosis and HIV co-infection in European Union and European Economic Area countries
Authors: Pimpin L. , Drumright L.N. , Kruijshaar M.E. , Abubakar I. , Rice B. , Delpech V. , Hollo V. , Amato-Gauci A. , Manissero D. , Ködmön C.
Published: July 2011

In order to ensure the availability of resources for tuberculosis (TB) and HIV management and control, it is imperative that countries monitor and plan for co-infection in order to identify, treat and prevent TB–HIV co-infection, thereby reducing TB burden and increasing the years of healthy life of people living with HIV.

A systematic review was undertaken to determine the burden of TB–HIV infection in the European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA). Data on the burden of HIV infection in TB patients and risk factors for TB–HIV co-infection in the EU/EEA were extracted from studies that collected information in 1996 and later, regardless of the year of initiation of data collection, and a narrative synthesis presented.

The proportion of HIV-co-infected TB patients varied from 0 to 15%. Western and eastern countries had higher levels and increasing trends of infection over time compared with central EU/EEA countries. Groups at higher risk of TB–HIV co-infection were males, young adults, foreign-born persons, the homeless, injecting drug users and prisoners.

Further research is needed into the burden and associated risk factors of co-infection in Europe, to help plan effective control measures. Increased HIV testing of TB patients and targeted and informed strategies for control and prevention could help curb the co-infection epidemic.
The evolutionary history of the catenin gene family during metazoan evolution
Authors: Zhao Zi-Ming , Reynolds Albert B , Gaucher Eric A
Published: July 2011

Background

Catenin is a gene family composed of three subfamilies; p120, beta and alpha. Beta and p120 are homologous subfamilies based on sequence and structural comparisons, and are members of the armadillo repeat protein superfamily. Alpha does not appear to be homologous to either beta or p120 based on the lack of sequence and structural similarity, and the alpha subfamily belongs to the vinculin superfamily. Catenins link the transmembrane protein cadherin to the cytoskeleton and thus function in cell-cell adhesion. To date, only the beta subfamily has been evolutionarily analyzed and experimentally studied for its functions in signaling pathways, development and human diseases such as cancer. We present a detailed evolutionary study of the whole catenin family to provide a better understanding of how this family has evolved in metazoans, and by extension, the evolution of cell-cell adhesion.

Results

All three catenin subfamilies have been detected in metazoans used in the present study by searching public databases and applying species-specific BLAST searches. Two monophyletic clades are formed between beta and p120 subfamilies using Bayesian phylogenetic inference. Phylogenetic analyses also reveal an array of duplication events throughout metazoan history. Furthermore, numerous annotation issues for the catenin family have been detected by our computational analyses.

Conclusions

Delta2/ARVCF catenin in the p120 subfamily, beta catenin in the beta subfamily, and alpha2 catenin in the alpha subfamily are present in all metazoans analyzed. This implies that the last common ancestor of metazoans had these three catenin subfamilies. However, not all members within each subfamily were detected in all metazoan species. Each subfamily has undergone duplications at different levels (species-specific, subphylum-specific or phylum-specific) and to different extents (in the case of the number of homologs). Extensive annotation problems have been resolved in each of the three catenin subfamilies. This resolution provides a more coherent description of catenin evolution.
A genetic linkage map and comparative mapping of the prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster) genome
Authors: McGraw Lisa A , Davis Jamie K , Young Larry J , Thomas James W
Published: July 2011

Background

The prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster) is an emerging rodent model for investigating the genetics, evolution and molecular mechanisms of social behavior. Though a karyotype for the prairie vole has been reported and low-resolution comparative cytogenetic analyses have been done in this species, other basic genetic resources for this species, such as a genetic linkage map, are lacking.

Results

Here we report the construction of a genome-wide linkage map of the prairie vole. The linkage map consists of 406 markers that are spaced on average every 7 Mb and span an estimated ~90% of the genome. The sex average length of the linkage map is 1707 cM, which, like other Muroid rodent linkage maps, is on the lower end of the length distribution of linkage maps reported to date for placental mammals. Linkage groups were assigned to 19 out of the 26 prairie vole autosomes as well as the X chromosome. Comparative analyses of the prairie vole linkage map based on the location of 387 Type I markers identified 61 large blocks of synteny with the mouse genome. In addition, the results of the comparative analyses revealed a potential elevated rate of inversions in the prairie vole lineage compared to the laboratory mouse and rat.

Conclusions

A genetic linkage map of the prairie vole has been constructed and represents the fourth genome-wide high-resolution linkage map reported for Muroid rodents and the first for a member of the Arvicolinae sub-family. This resource will advance studies designed to dissect the genetic basis of a variety of social behaviors and other traits in the prairie vole as well as our understanding of genome evolution in the genusMicrotus.
A fixed point of generalized T
F
-contraction mappings in cone metric spaces
Authors: Khojasteh Farshid , Razani Abdolrahman , Moradi Sirous
Published: July 2011

In this paper, the existence of a fixed point for T
F
-contractive mappings on complete metric spaces and cone metric spaces is proved, where T : X → X is a one to one and closed graph function and F : P → P is non-decreasing and right continuous, with F-1(0) = {-0} and F(t
n
) → 0 implies t
n
→ 0. Our results, extend previous results given by Meir and Keeler (J. Math. Anal. Appl. 28, 326-329, 1969), Branciari (Int. J. Math. sci. 29, 531-536, 2002), Suzuki (J. Math. Math. Sci. 2007), Rezapour et al. (J. Math. Anal. Appl. 345, 719-724, 2010), Moradi et al. (Iran. J. Math. Sci. Inf. 5, 25-32, 2010) and Khojasteh et al. (Fixed Point Theory Appl. 2010).

MSC(2000): 47H10; 54H25; 28B05.
Representation of Multiplication Facts-Evidence for partial verbal coding
Authors: Moeller Korbinian , Klein Elise , Fischer Martin H , Nuerk Hans-Christoph , Willmes Klaus
Published: July 2011

Background

The current view in numerical cognition research is that multiplication facts are stored and retrieved in a phonological code. Consistent with this view, it was found that multiplication could be impaired by a phonological but not by a visuo-spatial loading task. However, because the authors used an active production task, it remained unclear whether concurrent articulation impaired either access to multiplication facts or their retrieval.

Methods

In the current study, we investigated the influence of concurrent articulation on multiplication fact knowledge without active production of multiplication results.

Results

In a number bisection task, number triplets, which are part of a multiplication table, were classified faster as being correctly bisected than other triplets. Interestingly, concurrent articulation led to a relative slowing of the multiplicative triplets which reduced the multiplicativity effect.

Conclusions

This result indicates that concurrent articulation modulates access to phonologically stored multiplication facts and corroborates the notion of multiplication facts being represented in an at least partially verbal code.
Bath Breakfast Project (BBP) - Examining the role of extended daily fasting in human energy balance and associated health outcomes: Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial [ISRCTN31521726]
Authors: Betts James A , Thompson Dylan , Richardson Judith D , Chowdhury Enhad A , Jeans Matthew , Holman Geoffrey D , Tsintzas Kostas
Published: July 2011

Background

Current guidance regarding the role of daily breakfast in human health is largely grounded in cross-sectional observations. However, the causal nature of these relationships has not been fully explored and what limited information is emerging from controlled laboratory-based experiments appears inconsistent with much existing data. Further progress in our understanding therefore requires a direct examination of how daily breakfast impacts human health under free-living conditions.

Methods/Design

The Bath Breakfast Project (BBP) is a randomised controlled trial comparing the effects of daily breakfast consumption relative to extended fasting on energy balance and human health. Approximately 70 men and women will undergo extensive laboratory-based assessments of their acute metabolic responses under fasted and post-prandial conditions, to include: resting metabolic rate, substrate oxidation, dietary-induced thermogenesis and systemic concentrations of key metabolites/hormones. Physiological and psychological indices of appetite will also be monitored both over the first few hours of the day (i.e. whether fed or fasted) and also following a standardised test lunch used to assess voluntary energy intake under controlled conditions. Baseline measurements of participants' anthropometric characteristics (e.g. DEXA) will be recorded prior to intervention, along with an oral glucose tolerance test and acquisition of adipose tissue samples to determine expression of key genes and estimates of tissue-specific insulin action. Participants will then be randomly assigned either to a group prescribed an energy intake of ≥3000 kJ before 1100 each day or a group to extend their overnight fast by abstaining from ingestion of energy-providing nutrients until 1200 each day, with all laboratory-based measurements followed-up 6 weeks later. Free-living assessments of energy intake (via direct weighed food diaries) and energy expenditure (via combined heart-rate/accelerometry) will be made during the first and last week of intervention, with continuous glucose monitors worn both to document chronic glycaemic responses to the intervention and to verify compliance.

Trial registration

Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN31521726.
Atypical burkitt's lymphoma transforming from follicular lymphoma
Authors: Hwang Yu Y , Loong Florence , Chung Lap P , Chim Chor S
Published: July 2011

Amongst follicular lymphoma that transforms into a high-grade lymphoma, majority are diffuse large B cell lymphoma. Here we reported a rare atypical Burkitt's lymphoma transformation from an asymptomatic follicular lymphoma. Lymph node biopsy showed a composite lymphoma with infiltration of the inter-follicular areas by high grade small non-cleaved lymphoma cells amongst neoplastic follicles. Moreover, FISH and molecular genetic study confirmed concomitant MYC translocations and t(14;18) in the high-grade component, thereby suggesting the transformation of atypical Burkitt's lymphoma from an undiagnosed antecedent follicular lymphoma. The disease followed an aggressive clinical course, terminating in refractory disease 13 months after diagnosis. This is followed by a comprehensive review of the literature on lymphoma transformations from underlying follicular lymphoma after acquisition of MYC translocation, using Burkitt's lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, transformation and MYC translocations as keywords.
Should patents for antiretrovirals be waived in the developing world? Annual varsity medical debate - London, 21 January 2011
Authors: Corrick Fenella , Watson Robert , Budhdeo Sanjay
Published: July 2011

The 2011 Varsity Medical Debate, between Oxford and Cambridge Universities, brought students and faculty together to discuss the waiving of patents for antiretroviral therapies in the developing world. With an estimated 29.5 million infected by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in low- and middle-income countries and only 5.3 million of those being treated, the effective and equitable distribution of anti-retroviral therapy (ART) is an issue of great importance. The debate centred around three areas of contention. Firstly, there was disagreement about whether patents were the real barrier to the access of anti-retroviral therapy in the developing world. Secondly, there were differing views on the effectiveness of a patent pool. Thirdly, concerns were raised over the impact of waiving patents on research to produce new and better anti retro-viral drugs.
The membrane-spanning 4-domains, subfamily A (MS4A) gene cluster contains a common variant associated with Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Antúnez Carmen , Boada Mercè , González-Pérez Antonio , Gayán Javier , Ramírez-Lorca Reposo , Marín Juan , Hernández Isabel , Moreno-Rey Concha , Morón Francisco Jesús , López-Arrieta Jesús , Mauleón Ana , Rosende-Roca Maitée , Noguera-Perea Fuensanta , Legaz-García Agustina , Vivancos-Moreau Laura , Velasco Juan , Carrasco José Miguel , Alegret Montserrat , Antequera-Torres Martirio , Manzanares Salvadora , Romo Alejandro , Blanca Irene , Ruiz Susana , Espinosa Anna , Castaño Sandra , García Blanca , Martínez-Herrada Begoña , Vinyes Georgina , Lafuente Asunción , Becker James T , Galán José Jorge , Serrano-Ríos Manuel ,   Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, Vázquez Enrique , Tárraga Lluís , Sáez María Eugenia , López Oscar L , Real Luis Miguel , Ruiz Agustín
Published: July 2011

Background

In order to identify novel loci associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD), we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) in the Spanish population.

Methods

We genotyped 1,128 individuals using the Affymetrix Nsp I 250K chip. A sample of 327 sporadic AD patients and 801 controls with unknown cognitive status from the Spanish general population were included in our initial study. To increase the power of the study, we combined our results with those of four other public GWAS datasets by applying identical quality control filters and the same imputation methods, which were then analyzed with a global meta-GWAS. A replication sample with 2,200 sporadic AD patients and 2,301 controls was genotyped to confirm our GWAS findings.

Results

Meta-analysis of our data and independent replication datasets allowed us to confirm a novel genome-wide significant association of AD with the membrane-spanning 4-domains subfamily A (MS4A) gene cluster (rs1562990, P = 4.40E-11, odds ratio = 0.88, 95% confidence interval 0.85 to 0.91, n = 10,181 cases and 14,341 controls).

Conclusions

Our results underscore the importance of international efforts combining GWAS datasets to isolate genetic loci for complex diseases.
Prediction of Nonlinear Production Performance in Waterflooding Project Using a Multi-Objective Evolutionary Algorithm
Authors: Han Yumi , Park Changhyup , Kang Joe M.
Published: July 2011

The paper presents a multi-objective evolutionary algorithm applied to history matching of waterflooding projects, which is to search a feasible set of geological properties showing the reliable future performance. Typical history matching has concentrated on single objective function with linearly weighted terms, even as a realistic field includes many wells and well measurements in time and type. The optimal solution is sensitive to weight factor and competing match criteria of individual term in the objective function often reduce the likelihood of finding an acceptable match. The unacceptable error at a specified well can be observed in a heterogeneous reservoir where shows nonlinear well performances. To overcome the inaccuracy, a new history matching approach is developed that allows the performance characteristics of the whole wells. Individual well performance is optimized separately using genetic algorithm coupled with non-dominated sorting and diversity preservation. The fitness is sorted along to the proximity and then the diversity is added by examining the crowding distance as the approach to arrive at the global optimum. Waterflooding is demonstrated in a heterogeneous oil reservoir with multiple production wells. The predictability of unknown future production performance is compared with that of single objective function, the conventional history matching method.

The model represents individualized well-performance more accurately than the conventional history matching. It improves a certainty of the conventional model by showing small error range. The selection of adequate set of reservoir properties is possible among the feasible solutions unlike the conventional model. The developed method can be applied as a useful tool for uncertainty analyses in waterflooding projects.
Are Fluctuations in Energy Consumption per Capita Transitory? Evidence from Turkey
Authors: Ozturk Ilhan , Aslan Alper
Published: July 2011

The aim of this study is to test the unit root null hypothesis for energy consumption variables in Turkey. We consider the integrational properties of energy consumption for seven sectors during 1970–2006 period. When we apply the LM univariate test without break, we find a unit root in energy consumption for industrial, transportation, agriculture, non-energy field, final energy consumption and circuit and energy sectors. Thus, shocks to energy consumption have a permanent effect on these sectors. However, when we apply one break LM unit root test for each sector we find that all disaggregate energy sectors are stationary, which means that shocks to energy consumption have transitory effects. Generally, except for residential energy consumption, we find strong support that shocks to energy consumption have a permanent effect on energy consumption in Turkey. However, by allowing break, the null hypothesis of a unit root is also rejected for other energy consumption cases where shocks are transitory in nature.
Coal Forming Environments of the Third Member of Yacheng Formation of the Paleogene in Qiongdongnan Basin for an Example
Authors: Li Zengxue , Lv Dawei , Han Meilian , Liu Haiyan , Zhang Gongcheng , Wang Dongdong
Published: July 2011

Qiongdongnan basin is located in the Southeastern waters area of the Hainan Islands China. In this paper, many methods were used such as sedimentology, coal geology, and geochemistry to study the geochemical characteristics and coal-forming environments of the coal seams in the third member of Yacheng Formation. The results indicate that the coal seams were characterized by thin-beds, multi-layered and unstability forms. Through the analysis of the moisture content, ash content, volatile content, total sulfur, carbons, coal maceral and the maximum reflectivity of the vitrinite, we found that the coals belong to the medium rank bituminous coal, of which the metamorphic grade between the fat coal and coking coal. This result is consistent with that reflected by the volatile content. The coal macerals are mainly desmocollinite, which means the plant lignocellulose tissues have undergone more complete gelation during coalification, so the sedimentary environment should be the light oxidation to reduction. The sediment facies plan of the period of the sedimentation of the third member of Yacheng Formation indicate that the coal seams were mainly formed in the environments both near the sea and the sources such as fan or braided delta plains, or delta front with shallow water where could be easily influenced by the sea water. The general trend of sedimentation showed as transgression, that is, with the intrusion of sea water, the sedimentary environments in the region of interest involved into transitional environments such as fan delta, braided delta and shallow sea, then involved into marine environments such as tidal flat, lagoon and shallow sea.
Enzymatic catalysis of proton transfer and decarboxylation reactions
Authors: Richard John P.
Published: July 2011

Deprotonation of carbon and decarboxylation at enzyme active sites proceed through the same carbanion intermediates as for the uncatalyzed reactions in water. The mechanism for the enzymatic reactions can be studied at the same level of detail as for nonenzymatic reactions, using the mechanistic tools developed by physical organic chemists. Triosephosphate isomerase (TIM)-catalyzed interconversion of D-glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate (GAP) and dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP) is being studied as a prototype for enzyme-catalyzed proton transfer, and orotidine monophosphate decarboxylase (OMPDC)-catalyzed decarboxylation of orotidine 5'-monophosphate (OMP) is being studied as a prototype for enzyme-catalyzed decarboxylation. 1H NMR spectroscopy is an excellent analytical method to monitor proton transfer to and from carbon catalyzed by these enzymes in D2O. Studies of these partial enzyme-catalyzed exchange reactions provide novel insight into the stability of carbanion reaction intermediates, which is not accessible in studies of the full enzymatic reaction. The importance of flexible enzyme loops and the contribution of interactions between these loops and the substrate phosphodianion to the enzymatic rate acceleration are discussed. The similarity in the interactions of OMPDC and TIM with the phosphodianion of bound substrate is emphasized.
Defining the hydrogen bond: An account (IUPAC Technical Report)
Authors: Arunan Elangannan , Desiraju Gautam R. , Klein Roger A. , Sadlej Joanna , Scheiner Steve , Alkorta Ibon , Clary David C. , Crabtree Robert H. , Dannenberg Joseph J. , Hobza Pavel , Kjaergaard Henrik G. , Legon Anthony C. , Mennucci Benedetta , Nesbitt David J.
Published: July 2011

The term “hydrogen bond” has been used in the literature for nearly a century now. While its importance has been realized by physicists, chemists, biologists, and material scientists, there has been a continual debate about what this term means. This debate has intensified following some important experimental results, especially in the last decade, which questioned the basis of the traditional view on hydrogen bonding. Most important among them are the direct experimental evidence for a partial covalent nature and the observation of a blue-shift in stretching frequency following X–H···Y hydrogen bond formation (XH being the hydrogen bond donor and Y being the hydrogen bond acceptor). Considering the recent experimental and theoretical advances, we have proposed a new definition of the hydrogen bond, which emphasizes the need for evidence. A list of criteria has been provided, and these can be used as evidence for the hydrogen bond formation. This list is followed by some characteristics that are observed in typical hydrogen-bonding environments.
Predictors of Helping Profession Choice and Volunteerism Among Siblings of Adults With Mild Intellectual Deficits
Authors: Taylor Julie Lounds , Shivers Carolyn M.
Published: July 2011

This study examined aspects of the sibling relationship that predicted helping profession choice and volunteerism in siblings of individuals with mild intellectual deficits at 3 points in adulthood: their mid-30s, early 50s, and mid-60s. The 393 respondents were from the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study, a prospective, longitudinal study following participants from ages 18 to 64 years. Being an only sibling predicted greater helping profession choice for female but not male siblings. Being older than the brother or sister with mild intellectual deficits as well as having more contact with and feeling closer to that brother or sister predicted more volunteerism for female but not for male siblings. Earlier measures of contact and closeness were better predictors of volunteerism than concurrent measures.
Association Between Fatigue and Autistic Symptoms in Children With Cri du Chat Syndrome
Authors: Claro Anthony , Cornish Kim , Gruber Reut
Published: July 2011

In the current study, the authors examined whether the fatigue level of children diagnosed with cri du chat syndrome was associated with the expression of autistic symptoms. Sixty-nine children with cri du chat syndrome were compared with 47 children with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities who did not differ on intellectual severity. Participants were assessed using the Infant Sleep Questionnaire (J. M. B. Morrell, 1999) for fatigue-level rating and the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (E. Schopler, R. J. Reichler, & B. R. Renner, 1988) for autism-level rating. In support of the authors' hypothesis, results indicated that children who exhibited high levels of fatigue were more likely to express high levels of autistic symptoms. Contrary to the authors' hypothesis, children in the comparison group who exhibited high levels of fatigue conferred the greatest vulnerability to the expression of autistic symptoms.
Moving From Family Care to Residential and Supported Accommodation: National, Longitudinal Study of People With Intellectual Disabilities
Authors: McConkey Roy , Kelly Fionnola , Mannan Hasheem , Craig Sarah
Published: July 2011

A cohort of nearly 11,000 persons was traced over 8 years to determine those who had moved from family care and those who had remained. The majority (85%) continued to live with families, and, for two thirds (67%), no future move was deemed necessary. The 2 main predictors of moving were as follows: A need had been previously recorded and the family had used out-of-home respite services during the 8 years. However, just one quarter of those identified as needing to move had done so in the 8 years. Conversely, no prior indication of need had been recorded for two thirds of people who had moved in this period. The complexities of assessing need and equitably meeting demands are discussed.
Designs and Analyses of Psychotropic and Behavioral Interventions for the Treatment of Problem Behavior Among People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Authors: Courtemanche Andrea B. , Schroeder Stephen R. , Sheldon Jan B.
Published: July 2011

A combination of behavioral and medication-based interventions has been the most effective form of treatment for reducing problem behavior in individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Evaluating the 2 types of interventions in combination and separately may require that researchers adapt methods traditionally used to evaluate drug interventions for individuals without disabilities. Some methodological difficulties that arise when evaluating drug treatments with this population include the withholding of treatment from control groups, identifying large homogeneous samples of participants, predicting individual clinical responsiveness, and many others. The purpose of this article is to summarize the methodological problems that arise when studying drug–behavior interactions among people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and to suggest alternative methods that may ameliorate these issues.
Dynamics of septin ring and collar formation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Chen Hsin , Howell Audrey S. , Robeson Alex , Lew Daniel J.
Published: July 2011

Although the septin ring and collar in budding yeast were described over 20 years ago, there is still controversy regarding the organization of septin filaments within these structures and about the way in which the ring first forms and about how it converts into a collar at the mother-bud neck. Here we present quantitative analyses of the recruitment of fluorescently-tagged septins to the ring and collar through the cell cycle. Septin ring assembly began several minutes after polarity establishment and this interval was longer in daughter than in mother cells, suggesting asymmetric inheritance of septin regulators. Septins formed an initial faint and irregular ring, which became more regular as septins were recruited at a constant rate. This steady rate of septin recruitment continued for several minutes after the ring converted to a collar at bud emergence. We did not detect a stepwise change in septin fluorescence during the ring-to-collar transition. After collar formation, septins continued to accumulate at the bud neck, though at a reduced rate, until the onset of cytokinesis when the amount of neck-localized septins rapidly decreased. Implications for the mechanism of septin ring assembly are discussed.
Lignocellulosic biorefinery: process integration of hydrolysis and fermentation (SSF process)
Authors: Poth Sebastian , Monzon Magaly , Tippkötter Nils , Ulber Roland
Published: July 2011

The aim of the present work is the process integration and the optimization of the enzymatic hydrolysis of wood and the following fermentation of the products to ethanol. The substrate is a fiber fraction obtained by organosolv pre-treatment of beech wood. For the ethanol production, a co-fermentation by two different yeasts (Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Pachysolen tannophilus) was carried out to convert glucose as well as xylose. Two approaches has been followed: 1. A two step process, in which the hydrolysis of the fiber fraction and the fermentation to product are separated from each other. 2. A process, in which the hydrolysis and the fermentation are carried out in one single process step as simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF). Following the first approach, a yield of about 0.15 g ethanol per gram substrate can be reached. Based on the SSF, one process step can be saved, and additionally, the gained yield can be raised up to 0.3 g ethanol per gram substrate.
Changes in chemistry, color, dimensional stability and fungal resistance of Pinus radiata D. Don wood with oil heat-treatment
Authors: Dubey Manoj Kumar , Pang Shusheng , Walker John
Published: July 2011

Pinus radiata wood specimens were heat-treated at 160–210°C in linseed oil and the effects of treatment on chemical composition, color, dimensional stability, and fungal resistance were examined. The degradation of hemicelluloses was the most remarkable feature, which is the principal reason for alterations in wood properties. Removal or migration of extractives, oil uptake and the accumulation of oil on the wood surface were observed. The color of heat-treated wood became more uniform and darker, and its dimensional stability (i.e., anti-swelling efficiency) and fungal resistance were improved by up to 60% and 36%, respectively. The viscosity of the oil after treatment was elevated with the treatment temperature and was higher in comparison to heated oil without wood present.
Zeitgeschichte im digitalen Zeitalter. Neue und alte Herausforderungen
Authors: Patel Kiran Klaus
Published: July 2011

Vorspann

Wer archiviert die SMS von Angela Merkel? Was geschieht mit dem E-Mail-Verkehr großer Unternehmen? Die Zeitgeschichte steht im digitalen Zeitalter vor vielen solchen Fragen und Herausforderungen. Die Quellen und nicht zuletzt ihre Verfügbarkeit ändern sich, neue methodische Zugriffe sind unabweisbar, ohne dass alte ihre Bedeutung verlieren. Die Zeitgeschichte steht vor einer Zeitenwende – und merkt es nicht, so der in Maastricht lehrende Historiker Kiran Klaus Patel in seinem Plädoyer für eine umfassende Debatte über die Grundlagen der Zeitgeschichte.
Inna Golubovskaya: The Life of a Geneticist Studying Meiosis
Authors: Cande W Zacheus , Freeling Michael
Published: July 2011

Maize, with its excellent forward genetics and male sterility screens, was used to identify >50 meiotic mutants representing at least 35 genes that affect key prophase processes such as pairing, synapsis, and homologous recombination. Most of these mutants were found by Inna Golubovskaya during the course of her remarkable career as a cytogeneticist. In addition to undertaking general cytological surveys to classify mutant phenotypes, Golubovskaya focused her efforts on characterizing several key regulatory mutants: ameiotic1 (am1), required to establish the meiotic cell cycle in maize; absence of first division (afd1), required for proper prophase chromosome morphology and for meiotic sister-chromatid cohesion leading to a reductive chromosome segregation at the first meiotic division; and plural abnormalities of meiosis (pam1), required for the clustering of telomeres on the nuclear envelope needed for pairing and synapsis. Her dramatic childhood in Leningrad during its siege in World War II, her fortuitous education in genetics at Leningrad State University, her continued research at the forward-looking Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the USSR Academy of Science Siberian branch, her plight at the fall of the Soviet Union, and her work in America helped engender a unique and valuable plant geneticist. Inna Golubovskaya related this personal history to the authors in conversation.
DC/AC Performance Analysis of Indium Antimonide Nanowires
Authors: Guvenc Ali Bilge , Penchev Miroslav , Zhong Jiebin , Ozkan Cengiz , Ozkan Mihrimah
Published: July 2011

We investigated the electrical properties and transmission line performance of indium antimonide nanowires. The results indicate that the of nanowires suffer from low mobility values on the order of 10-to-15 cm2V-1s-1 because of the contact resistances, scattering due to their small diameters, crystal defects and oxidation occurs during growth and cooling. nanowires show extremely inductive behavior during the AC measurements and due to these parasitic parameters, they can sustain transmission for the signals having frequencies up to 10 MHz. The bandwidth of the nanowires is directly proportional to the diameter of the nanowires. Improving the mobility to higher values and introducing de-embedding and impedance matching to the measurements and analysis could easily carry the bandwidth beyond GHz levels.
Electrochemical sensing of aerobic marine bacterial biofilms and the influence of nitric oxide attachment control
Authors: Werwinski Stéphane , Wharton Julian A. , Iglesias-Rodriguez M. Debora , Stokes Keith R.
Published: July 2011

Suitable in situ techniques capable of sensing for the presence of a biofilm on metallic surfaces are becoming increasingly necessary, especially in order to maintain seawater pipe system performance. This study has investigated the detection of aerobic marine bacterial biofilms using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy by monitoring the interfacial response of Pseudoalteromonas sp. NCIMB 2021 attachment and growth in order to identify characteristic events on a 0.2 mm diameter gold electrode surface. Uniquely, the applicability of surface charge density has been proven to be valuable in determining biofilm attachment and cell enumeration over 72 h duration on a gold surface within a modified continuous culture flow cel(lsa controlled low laminar flow regime with a Reynolds number ≈ 1).In addition, the potential for biofilm disruption has been evaluated using 500 nM of the nitric oxide (NO) donor sodium nitroprusside (NO is important for the regulation of a number of diverse biological processes). Ex situ confocal microscopy studies were performed to confirm biofilm coverage and morphology, plus the determination and quantification of the NO biofilm dispersal effects. Overall, the capability of the sensor to electrochemically detect the presence of initial bacterial biofilm formation and extent has been established and shown to have potential for real-time biofilm monitoring.
Capacity contribution of the interfacial layer on anode current collectors and their electrochemical properties in Lithium ion batteries
Authors: Kim Tae Kwon , Chen Wei , Chen Chunhui , Wang Chunlei
Published: July 2011

Current collectors in lithium ion batteries are considered to give the electronic conduction to the electrode materials without electrochemical reactions. However, once the current collectors are thermally treated with active electrode materials, thermally treated current collectors might induce electrochemical reaction that affects the whole cell performance due to the interfacial layer formed by the thermal treatment. In this work, Ni foam and Cu foil current collectors were investigated to understand their capacity contribution and electrochemical properties after thermal treatment.
Morphology-controlled Growth of Manganese Oxide Electrodes
Authors: Babakhani Banafsheh , Ivey Douglas G.
Published: July 2011

Manganese oxide electrodes are synthesized by anodic deposition on Au coated Si substrates from acetate-containing aqueous solutions. By changing the deposition parameters including deposition current density, electrolyte composition, pH and temperature, a series of nanocrystalline manganese oxide electrodes with various morphologies (non–uniform continuous coatings, rod–like structures, aggregated rods and thin sheets) is obtained. Detailed microstructural characterization of as-deposited electrodes is conducted using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Electrochemical analysis using cyclic voltammetry showed that manganese oxide electrodes with rod–like and thin sheet morphology exhibit enhanced electrochemical performance by improving manganese oxide utilization. The highest specific capacitance (~230 F g−1) and capacitance retention rates (~88%) are obtained for manganese oxide thin sheets after 250 cycles in 0.5M Na2SO4 at 20 mV s−1.
Mindfulness in Schools: Learning Lessons from the Adults, Secular and Buddhist
Authors: Burnett Richard
Published: July 2011

This paper explores the adult mindfulness landscape, secular and Buddhist, in order to inform an approach to the teaching of mindfulness in secondary schools. The Introduction explains the background to the project and the significant overlap between secular and Buddhist practices. I explain what mindfulness is and highlight a number of important practical differences between the teaching of mindfulness in the adult world and in schools. ‘Balancing Calm and Insight’ looks at mindfulness through a lens infrequently explored in the therapeutic literature, and suggests that a slight shift in the centre of gravity towards Calm might be appropriate. ‘Defining Objectives’ considers how difficult it is to clearly articulate the objective of mindfulness in schools given a new context in which it functions as neither clinical application nor spiritual practice. A range of alternatives is considered. ‘Building a Scaffolding’ explains the importance of context in both Buddhist and secular practice. To succeed, mindfulness should be nested within a broader framework of understanding, or what Kabat-Zinn calls a ‘scaffolding’. I suggest that perhaps the best ‘scaffolding’ for mindfulness in schools is its sense of possibility. ‘Ethics and Community’ describes how ethics are more important in secular mindfulness than they at first appear. The shape ethics might take in a school context is considered, then an assessment of the role of the teacher and what equivalent there might be for what Buddhists call sa?gha, or Community.
O poder simbólico e a distância entre os dois Brasis: o formal e o informal
Authors: Gaglietti Mauro
Published: July 2011

Neste texto, examina-se a dimensão simbólica do discurso jurídico como construtor de realidades, entre os agentes institucionais ligados às profissões do trabalho social. Demonstra-se, assim, que as opiniões - tecnicamente fundamentadas - desses agentes transformam-se em pareceres que podem corroborar as decisões judiciais, contribuindo para a construção de concepções sociais a respeito da população. Ao mesmo tempo, analisam-se as formas diferenciadas de vivência da lei por um expressivo conjunto do corpo social brasileiro que experiencia uma subjetividade específica. Para tanto, estudam-se os aspectos que demarcam a separação entre a lei formal, de um lado, e os usos e costumes praticados cotidianamente pela maioria das pessoas, de outro. Por fim, examinam-se as razões pelas quais os brasileiros se reconhecem muito mais nas normas informais, estabelecidas pelas experiências grupais e aceitas pela maioria, do que nas leis formais. Essa legislação informalmente estruturada é reveladora da obediência a códigos implícitos, porque não legalizados oficialmente.
Criminalidade juvenil e estratégias de (des)confinamento na cidade
Authors: Oliveira Carmen S. de , Wolff Maria Palma , Henn Ronaldo , Conte Marta
Published: July 2011

A problematização apresentada neste trabalho integra um projeto transdisciplinar de pesquisa, cujo ponto de partida é a preocupação das comunidades com a criminalidade. A cidade de São Leopoldo - município com 200 mil habitantes, situado na Região Metropolitana da capital do estado do Rio Grande do Sul - é tomada como referência na análise da cultura do medo relacionada ao jovem infrator. Os dados do município apontam os maiores indicadores na região, que apresenta a maior taxa de internação de adolescentes e a menor proporção de aplicação de medidas em meio aberto. Tais fatores, aliados à escassa cobertura de acompanhamento dessas medidas concorrem para colocar estes jovens em permanente risco, o que leva os autores à discussão dos conceitos de vulnerabilidade e inclusão social. Propõe-se que um dos enfrentamentos necessários em meio aberto é o imaginário social, onde a adolescência pobre e infratora se define como um tipo peculiar de figura-limite, resultante da dificuldade de distinguir entre pertencimento e inclusão, entre o que está fora e o que está dentro, entre exceção e norma.
A judicializaçao dos conflitos de adolescentes infratores: solução ou mito?
Authors: Monteiro Luciana de Oliveira
Published: July 2011

Com o propósito de examinar, através de uma perspectiva crítica, sob quais condições pode o Estado executar a finalidade educativa das medidas e penas aplicáveis aos adolescentes em conflito com a lei, no presente trabalho são analisados os problemas e as limitações de se reduzir a busca de soluções para essas questões à atuação do Estado, através do acesso à justiça, ao Poder Judiciário e às instâncias administrativas de atendimento, como única fonte de direitos e de garantia de direitos. Apontam-se as conseqüências negativas de se utilizar a educação como finalidade das medidas e penas aplicáveis nos modelos de justiça juvenil vigentes tanto na Espanha como no Brasil. Com base nesta análise crítica, sugere-se um amplo debate, que implique as partes diretamente envolvidas no conflito, para a construção de alternativas emancipatórias a partir da democratização de respostas que ultrapassem a juridificação da vida e a judicialização dos conflitos.
Percepções e experiências de participação cidadã de crianças e adolescentes no Rio de Janeiro
Authors: Rizzini Irene , Pereira Luciléia , Thapliyal Nisha
Published: July 2011

Este artigo discute os resultados de uma pesquisa desenvolvida com crianças e adolescentes sobre suas percepções e experiências de participação, cidadania, direitos e responsabilidades¹. O estudo foi conduzido em escolas públicas e privadas na cidade do Rio de Janeiro, e realizado com crianças e adolescentes em situação de rua e do Movimento Sem-Terra (MST). A pesquisa abordou questões relativas às dimensões sociais, econômicas e políticas, assim como, as percepções de gênero em relação aos direitos e à participação. O estudo demonstrou que as crianças e os adolescentes apresentam uma noção ampla sobre participação e os demais conceitos. E revelou também que estão conscientes de que os seus direitos são, com freqüência, ignorados e violados. Esta pesquisa é parte de um estudo internacional realizado paralelamente em seis países e que abarcou a mesma temática e metodologia de trabalho.