bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparing the cost of community pharmacy and mail‐order pharmacy in a US retirement system
Authors: Visaria Jay , Seoane‐Vazquez Enrique , Szeinbach Sheryl L. , Rodriguez‐Monguio Rosa
Published: June 2011

Although community pharmacies have been the mainstay for drug distribution in the USA, plan members are encouraged to use mail‐order pharmacies as a cost‐containment strategy. Both channels differ with respect to reimbursement rates, utilization, and costs. We evaluated the differences in reimbursement rates and in ingredient costs between the two dispensing channels.

We used pharmacy claims from a large Midwestern retirement system for the period 2000–2005. A representative sample of drug products was selected. We estimated the aggregated gross reimbursement, the ingredient cost, dispensing fee, pharmacy incentives for drug substitution, professional fee for other services, sales tax, and reimbursement per payer.

The sample contained 1964 observations—four million claims. There were 58.5% observations for single source brands and 39.0% for generics. Observations with lower unit gross reimbursement rate in community pharmacy increased from 10.3% to 16.5%. Unit ingredient cost and dispensing fees were higher in community pharmacy than in mail‐order pharmacy. Community pharmacy had a lower reimbursement rate per unit of medication (33.5–44.6% observations) compared with mail‐order pharmacy. There were 87.3–98.1% observations with a higher patient co‐financing per unit of medication in community pharmacy.

Gross pharmaceutical reimbursement rates and unit ingredient costs were higher in community pharmacy than in mail‐order pharmacy; but in more than 10% of the observations, the costs were higher in mail‐order pharmacy than in community pharmacy. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A multilevel model of patient safety culture: cross‐level relationship between organizational culture and patient safety behavior in Taiwan's hospitals
Authors: Chen I‐Chi , Ng Hui‐Fuang , Li Hung‐Hui
Published: June 2011

Background

As health‐care organizations endeavor to improve their quality of care, there is a growing recognition of the importance of establishing a culture of patient safety. The main objective of this study was to investigate the cross‐level influences of organizational culture on patient safety behavior in Taiwan's hospitals.

Methods

The authors measured organizational culture (bureaucratic, supportive and innovative culture), patient safety culture and behavior from 788 hospital workers among 42 hospitals in Taiwan. Multilevel analysis was applied to explore the relationship between organizational culture (group level) and patient safety behavior (individual level).

Results

Patient safety culture had positive impact on patient safety behavior in Taiwan's hospitals. The results also indicated that bureaucratic, innovative and supportive organizational cultures all had direct influence on patient safety behavior. However, only supportive culture demonstrated significant moderation effect on the relationship between patient safety culture and patient safety behavior. Furthermore, organizational culture strength was shown correlated negatively with patient safety culture variability.

Conclusions

Overall, organizational culture plays an important role in patient safety activities. Safety behaviors of hospital staff are partly influenced by the prevailing cultural norms in their organizations and work groups. For management implications, constructed patient priority from management commitment to leadership is necessary. For academic implications, research on patient safety should consider leadership, group dynamics and organizational learning. These factors are important for understanding the barriers and the possibilities embedded in patient safety. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Olanzapine augmentation of milnacipran for stage 2 treatment‐resistant major depression: an open study
Authors: Boku Shuken , Inoue Takeshi , Honma Hiroshi , Matsubara Shigehiro , Nakagawa Shin , Koyama Tsukasa
Published: June 2011

Objective

Olanzapine augmentation of fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, is an effective augmentation therapy for treatment‐resistant depression (TRD). However, studies of olanzapine augmentation of other antidepressants are few. We investigated the efficacy and safety of olanzapine augmentation of milnacipran, a serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, for TRD.

Methods

This study covered patients with stage 2 TRD, defined by Thase and Rush. Olanzapine was added to milnacipran, and its dosage was adjusted according to each patient. Previous treatments were continued, but no new treatments were allowed. Response was measured using Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) and Clinical Global Impression at weeks 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 8.

Results

Eleven patients aged 53.2 ± 24.0 years received olanzapine at 5.0 ± 1.9 mg/day with milnacipran. HAMD and Clinical Global Impression scores improved significantly from baseline to endpoint. This improvement occurred in week 1. At endpoint, seven of 11 (64%) were responders on HAMD (≥50% reduction). Four patients (36%) discontinued the trial because of no efficacy. No severe adverse effect occurred.

Conclusions

Olanzapine augmentation of milnacipran for stage 2 TRD might be effective and well tolerated. However, our study is open label and uncontrolled. Therefore, a double‐blind controlled trial is necessary to confirm our results. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
ABO blood group and breast cancer incidence and survival
Authors: Gates Margaret A. , Xu Mousheng , Chen Wendy Y. , Kraft Peter , Hankinson Susan E. , Wolpin Brian M.
Published: June 2011

ABO blood type has been associated with risk and survival for several malignancies; however, data for an association with breast cancer are inconsistent. Our study population consisted of Nurses' Health Study participants with self‐reported serologic blood type and/or ABO genotype. Using Cox proportional hazards regression, we examined the association between serologic blood type and incident breast cancer among 67,697 women, including 3,107 cases. In addition, we examined the association with ABO genotype in a nested case‐control study of 1,138 invasive breast cancer cases and 1,090 matched controls. Finally, we evaluated the association between serologic blood type and survival among 2,036 participants with breast cancer. No clear association was seen between serologic blood type or ABO genotype and risk of total breast cancer, invasive breast cancer or breast cancer subtypes. Compared to women with blood type O, the age‐adjusted incidence rate ratios for serologic blood type and total breast cancer were 1.06 (95% CI, 0.98–1.15) for type A, 1.06 (95% CI, 0.93–1.22) for AB and 1.08 (95% CI, 0.96–1.20) for B. In genetic analyses, odds ratios for invasive breast cancer were 1.05 (95% CI, 0.87–1.27) for A/O, 1.21 (95% CI, 0.86–1.69) for A/A, 0.84 (95% CI, 0.56–1.26) for A/B, 0.84 (95% CI, 0.63–1.13) for B/O and 1.17 (95% CI, 0.35–3.86) for B/B, compared to O/O. No significant association was noted between blood type and overall or breast cancer‐specific mortality. Our results suggest no association between ABO blood group and breast cancer risk or survival.
Labor market entry and earnings dynamics: Bayesian inference using mixtures‐of‐experts Markov chain clustering
Authors: Frühwirth‐Schnatter Sylvia , Pamminger Christoph , Weber Andrea , Winter‐Ebmer Rudolf
Published: June 2011

This paper analyzes patterns in the earnings development of young labor market entrants over their life cycle. We identify four distinctly different types of transition patterns between discrete earnings states in a large administrative dataset. Further, we investigate the effects of labor market conditions at the time of entry on the probability of belonging to each transition type. To estimate our statistical model we use a model‐based clustering approach. The statistical challenge in our application comes from the difficulty in extending distance‐based clustering approaches to the problem of identifying groups of similar time series in a panel of discrete‐valued time series. We use Markov chain clustering, which is an approach for clustering discrete‐valued time series obtained by observing a categorical variable with several states. This method is based on finite mixtures of first‐order time‐homogeneous Markov chain models. In order to analyze group membership we present an extension to this approach by formulating a probabilistic model for the latent group indicators within the Bayesian classification rule using a multinomial logit model. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Finite‐sample comparison of alternative methods for estimating dynamic panel data models
Authors: Akay Alpaslan
Published: June 2011

The Wooldridge method is based on a simple and novel strategy to deal with the initial values problem in nonlinear dynamic random‐effects panel data models. The characteristic of the method makes it very attractive in empirical applications. However, its finite sample performance and robustness are not fully known as of yet. In this paper we investigate the performance and robustness of this method in comparison with an ideal case in which the initial values are known constants; the worst scenario is based on an exogenous initial values assumption, and the Heckman's reduced‐form approximation method, which is widely used in the literature. The dynamic random‐effects probit and Tobit (type I) models are used as working examples. Various designs of the Monte Carlo experiments and two further empirical illustrations are provided. The results suggest that the Wooldridge method works very well only for the panels of moderately long duration (longer than 5–8 periods). Heckman's reduced‐form approximation is suggested for short panels (shorter than 5 periods). It is also found that all the methods tend to perform equally well for panels of long duration (longer than 15–20 periods). Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
GPM6B regulates osteoblast function and induction of mineralization by controlling cytoskeleton and matrix vesicle release
Authors: Drabek Ksenija , van de Peppel Jeroen , Eijken Marco , van Leeuwen Johannes PTM
Published: June 2011

Neuronal membrane glycoprotein gene (GPM6B) encodes a membrane glycoprotein that belongs to the proteolipid protein family. We identified GPM6B as a gene that is strongly upregulated during osteoblast differentiation. To investigate the role of GPM6B in the process of bone formation, we silenced GPM6B expression during osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). GPM6B silencing in hMSCs resulted in reduced alkaline phosphate (ALP) activity along with reduced mineralization of extracellular matrix (ECM). Microarray expression analysis of GPM6B-depleted osteogenic hMSCs revealed significant changes in genes involved in cytoskeleton organization and biogenesis. Immunocytochemistry results confirm changes in the distribution of actin filaments, as well as the shape and size of focal adhesions on GPM6B silencing. Moreover, we demonstrated that production and release of ALP-positive matrix vesicles (MVs) were reduced. In conclusion, we identified GPM6B as a novel regulator of osteoblast function and bone formation. This finding demonstrates the significance of cytoskeleton organization for MV production and subsequent mineralization. © 2011 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
High levels of β-catenin signaling reduce osteogenic differentiation of stem cells in inflammatory microenvironments through inhibition of the noncanonical Wnt pathway
Authors: Liu Na , Shi Songtao , Deng Manjing , Tang Liang , Zhang Guangjing , Liu Ning , Ding Bofu , Liu Wenjia , Liu Yali , Shi Haigang , Liu Luchuan , Jin Yan
Published: June 2011

Periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs), a new population of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), have been isolated from the periodontal ligament (PDL). The capacity of multipotency and self-renewal makes them an excellent cell source for bone regeneration and repair. However, their bone-regeneration ability could be awakened in inflammatory microenvironments, which may be the result of changes in their differentiation potential. Recently, genetic evidences has shown that the Wnt pathway plays an important role in bone homeostasis. In this study we have determined the specific role of β-catenin in osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs obtained from inflammatory microenvironments (P-PDLSCs). The inflammatory microenvironment, while inhibiting osteogenic differentiation potential, promotes proliferation of MSCs. A higher the level of β-catenin in P-PDLSCs than in H-PDLSCs (PDLSCs obtained from a healthy microenvironment) resulted in the same disparity in canonical Wnt signaling pathway activation between each cell type. Here we show that activation of β-catenin suppresses the noncanonical Wnt/Ca2+ pathway, leading to increased proliferation but reduced osteogenic differentiation of P-PDLSCs. Downregulation of the levels of β-catenin by treatment with dickkopf-1 (DKK-1) leads to activation of the noncanonical Wnt/Ca2+ pathway, which, in turn, results in the promotion of osteogenic differentiation in P-PDLSCs. Interestingly, β-catenin can affect both the canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway and the noncanonical Wnt/Ca2+ pathway. Our data indicate that β-catenin plays a central role in regulating osteogenic differentiation of MSCs in inflammatory microenvironments. Given the important role of Wnt signaling in osteogenic differentiation, it is possible that agents that can modify this pathway may be of value in bone regeneration by MSCs in chronic inflammatory microenvironments. © 2011 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
A novel graphical representation of protein sequences and its application
Authors: Liao Bo , Liao Benyou , Lu Xinguo , Cao Zhi
Published: June 2011

On the basis of information on the evolution of the 20 amino acids and their physiochemical characteristics, we propose a new two‐dimensional (2D) graphical representation of protein sequences in this article. By this representation method, we use 2D data to represent three‐dimensional information constructed by the amino acids' evolution index, the class information of amino acid based on physiochemical characteristics, and the order of the amino acids appearing in the protein sequences. Then, using discrete Fourier transform, the sequence signals with different lengths can be transformed to the frequency domain, in which the sequences are with the same length. A new method is used to analyze the protein sequence similarity and to predict the protein structural class. The experiments indicate that our method is effective and useful. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2011
Single electron densities: A new tool to analyze molecular wavefunctions
Authors: Lüchow Arne , Petz René
Published: June 2011

A new partitioning scheme for the electron density of a many‐electron wavefunction into single electron densities is proposed. These densities are based on the most probable arrangement of the electrons in an atom or molecule. Therefore, they contain information about the electron‐electron interaction and, most notably, the Fermi hole due to the antisymmetry of the many‐electron wavefunction. The single electron densities overlap and can be combined to electron pair distributions close to the qualitative electron pairs that represent, for instance, the basis of the valence shell electron pair repulsion model. Single electron analyses are presented for the water, ethane, and ethene molecules. The effect of electron correlation on the single electron and pair densities is investigated for the water molecule.
Theoretical modulation of the color of light emitted by firefly oxyluciferin
Authors: Silva Luís Pinto Da , Da Silva Joaquim C. G. Esteves
Published: June 2011

One of the major mysteries regarding firefly bioluminescence is its pH‐dependent multicolor variation. At basic pH, the emission is on the yellow–green region, whereas at acid pH, the light emission is observed on the red region of the visible spectrum. Theoretical calculations using density functional theory, molecular mechanics, and semiempirical methods were made to investigate the effect exerted by intermolecular forces on light emission, and their modulation by polarity, and the differences in the conformation of the active site at basic and acid pH. Red emission is achieved by the weakening of the interactions of the emitter with ionic and hydrophobic molecules, by the polarization of the benzothiazole microenvironment, by ionization of the enzyme‐emitter complex and by changes of the hydrogen bond network. Arg220, Glu346, Ala350, Leu344 and adenosine‐5′‐monophosphate have blue‐shifting effects, while His247, Phe249, Gly341, Thr253, and Ile288 exert a redshifting one. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2011
Brownian dynamics simulations on CPU and GPU with BD_BOX
Authors: Długosz Maciej , Zieliński Paweł , Trylska Joanna
Published: June 2011

There has been growing interest in simulating biological processes under in vivo conditions due to recent advances in experimental techniques dedicated to study single particle behavior in crowded environments. We have developed a software package, BD_BOX, for multiscale Brownian dynamics simulations. BD_BOX can simulate either single molecules or multicomponent systems of diverse, interacting molecular species using flexible, coarse‐grained bead models. BD_BOX is written in C and employs modern computer architectures and technologies; these include MPI for distributed‐memory architectures, OpenMP for shared‐memory platforms, NVIDIA CUDA framework for GPGPU, and SSE vectorization for CPU. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2011
A systematic review of measures of therapeutic engagement in psychosocial and psychological treatment
Authors: Tetley Amanda , Jinks Mary , Huband Nick , Howells Kevin
Published: June 2011

This article reports a systematic review of engagement measures for psychosocial therapy. MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PsycINFO databases were searched to identify English‐language studies (published 1980 to February 2010) that reported on an instrument/rating scale to measure engagement in psychosocial treatment for mental health difficulties. Forty‐seven studies were identified, reporting information on 40 measures of treatment engagement. Although our findings suggest that therapeutic engagement appears to be considered an important construct to assess, they also reveal that there is little consensus in the definition of engagement employed. Few measures are generalizable across treatment settings and clinical populations, and limited information is reported on the indices of reliability and validity. It is concluded that further work is required to develop adequate measures of therapeutic engagement. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 67:1–15, 2011.
A simple and efficient synthesis of [2H10]deuterated bromfenvinphos by the Perkow reaction
Authors: Huras Bogumiła , Konopski Leszek , Zakrzewski Jerzy
Published: June 2011

(E,Z)‐2‐bromo‐1‐(2,4‐dichlorophenyl)vinyl bis[ethyl‐2H5] phosphate ([2H10]bromfenvinphos), a regiospecifically deuterium‐labelled pesticide, was synthesized in two steps starting from [2H6]ethanol, phosphorus trichloride and 2,4‐dichlorophenacylidene bromide, and fully characterized. The deuterated biologically active bromfenvinphos is an important compound for the advancement of environmental degradation testing and some mass spectrometric studies. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Serine–phosphoric acid cluster ions studied by electrospray ionization and tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Kong Xianglei
Published: June 2011

More than 310 kinds of cluster ions of SmPnHkk+ are observed in a single ESI mass spectrum of a mixed solution of serine and phosphoric acid. Some typical cluster ions are selected, activated by collision in a FT ICR cell, and the dissociation pathways were deduced in detail. For large singly protonated ions, the collisions cause the ejection of subunits of serine or phosphoric acid subsequently producing the ions of S2P4H11+, which can be further dissociated by the loss of phosphoric acid molecules in turn and form the protonated serine dimer and monomer. However, for the doubly protonated ions, the dissociation pathways change from the loss of a protonated serine dimer for the ions of S7P9H22+ to the neutral loss of H3PO4 for the ions of S7P12H22+ or the neutral loss of serine or H3PO4 for the larger clusters, indicating the effect of cluster sizes on the process of dissociation. The structure of S2P4H11+ is suggested based on B3LYP/6‐31G(d,p) calculations. The diversity and structural orderliness of the hetero‐cluster ions are mainly attributed to the network of hydrogen bonds inside the cluster ions and the extraordinary amphotericity of the components. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Presence of galactosylated core fucose on N‐glycans in the planaria Dugesia japonica
Authors: Paschinger Katharina , Razzazi‐Fazeli Ebrahim , Furukawa Kiyoshi , Wilson Iain B. H.
Published: June 2011

Planarial species are of especial interest to biologists due to the phenomenon of pluripotency and, in comparison to other developmental processes, it can be hypothesised that glycan–lectin interactions may play a role. In order to examine the N‐glycans of one of these organisms, Dugesia japonica, peptide:N‐glycosidase A was employed and the released glycans were subject to pyridylamination, HPLC and mass spectrometric analysis. A range of oligomannosidic glycans was observed with a trimethylated Man5GlcNAc2 structure being the dominant species. Three glycans were also observed to contain deoxyhexose; in particular, a glycan with the composition Hex4HexNAc2Fuc1Me2 was revealed by exoglycosidase digestion, in combination with MS/MS, to contain a galactosylated core α1,6‐fucose residue, whereas this core modification was found to be capped with a methylhexose residue in the case of a Hex5HexNAc2Fuc1Me3 structure. This is the first report of these types of structures in a platyhelminth and indicates that the ‘GalFuc’ modification of N‐glycans is not just restricted to molluscs and nematodes. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High spatial resolution imaging mass spectrometry and classical histology on a single tissue section
Authors: Deutskens Fabian , Yang Junhai , Caprioli Richard M.
Published: June 2011

The work presented in this report describes and demonstrates a protocol for protein imaging analysis of biological tissue using MALDI IMS where histological staining and MS analysis are performed on the same tissue section. Spatial image resolution is shown at 35 µm for sagittal sections of the cerebellum from rat brain. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nationwide surveillance of 18 respiratory viruses in patients with influenza‐like illnesses: A pilot feasibility study in the French Sentinel Network
Authors: Falchi Alessandra , Turbelin Clément , Andreoletti Laurent , Arena Christophe , Blanchon Thierry , Bonmarin Isabelle , Hanslik Thomas , Leruez‐Ville Marianne , De Lamballerie Xavier , Carrat Fabrice
Published: June 2011

The aim of the present study was to test the feasibility of integrating the diagnosis of 18 respiratory viruses into clinical surveillance of influenza‐like illness using a PCR‐DNA microarray detection assay. The study took place in the French Sentinel Network, a nationwide surveillance network of General Practitioners (GPs) representative of French GPs in terms age, location, and type of practice (urban/rural). Three virological laboratories also participated in the study. The study was planned for 5 weeks from January 25, 2010 to February 27, 2010. A subset of 150 Sentinel GPs, located in mainland France, was enrolled to collect clinical data and nasopharyngeal samples from every first patient of the week having a medical visit for influenza‐like illness defined as a sudden fever of 39°C or more with respiratory symptoms and myalgia. Sixty‐three GPs (42%) collected 103 samples while 87 GPs (58%) did not. GPs did not differ with respect to their age, gender, urban/rural distribution, or years of inscription in the Sentinel Network. Patients included were of a similar age and had similar vaccination characteristics, but were more frequently men than influenza‐like illness patients reported to the network during the study period. Sixty‐one viruses were detected from 56 of 96 (58%) interpretable samples. The respiratory viruses detected most frequently were metapneumovirus and respiratory syncytial virus. This study showed that virological diagnosis of 18 respiratory viruses can be combined with surveillance of clinical influenza‐like illness in general practice. Although feasibility has not been demonstrated yet, it will be evaluated over the winter of 2010–2011. J. Med. Virol. 83:1451–1457, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evaluation of a black‐footed ferret resource utilization function model
Authors: Eads David A. , Millspaugh Joshua J. , Biggins Dean E. , Jachowski David S. , Livieri Travis M.
Published: June 2011

Resource utilization function (RUF) models permit evaluation of potential habitat for endangered species; ideally such models should be evaluated before use in management decision‐making. We evaluated the predictive capabilities of a previously developed black‐footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) RUF. Using the population‐level RUF, generated from ferret observations at an adjacent yet distinct colony, we predicted the distribution of ferrets within a black‐tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) colony in the Conata Basin, South Dakota, USA. We evaluated model performance, using data collected during post‐breeding spotlight surveys (2007–2008) by assessing model agreement via weighted compositional analysis and count‐metrics. Compositional analysis of home range use and colony‐level availability, and core area use and home range availability, demonstrated ferret selection of the predicted Very high and High occurrence categories in 2007 and 2008. Simple count‐metrics corroborated these findings and suggested selection of the Very high category in 2007 and the Very high and High categories in 2008. Collectively, these results suggested that the RUF was useful in predicting occurrence and intensity of space use of ferrets at our study site, the 2 objectives of the RUF. Application of this validated RUF would increase the resolution of habitat evaluations, permitting prediction of the distribution of ferrets within distinct colonies. Additional model evaluation at other sites, on other black‐tailed prairie dog colonies of varying resource configuration and size, would increase understanding of influences upon model performance and the general utility of the RUF. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.
SOIL QUALITY AND SPATIAL VARIABILITY ASSESSMENT OF LAND USE EFFECTS IN A TYPIC HAPLUSTOLL
Authors: Ozgoz E. , Gunal H. , Acir N. , Gokmen F. , Birol M. , Budak M.
Published: June 2011

Soil management practices can have negative or positive effects on soil quality. Our objective was to assess the effect of long‐term agricultural practices by evaluating selected soil physical and chemical properties. Soil samples were collected from two depths (0 to 15 and 15 to 30 cm) within a native pasture and an adjacent agricultural field that was being used for three different crop rotations. Soil quality was quantified using aggregate stability, bulk density, soil texture and available water content as physical properties and pH, electrical conductivity, organic matter and available phosphorus as chemical properties. The farmland soils were functioning at 71 and 70 per cent of their full potential at the 0‐ to 15‐ and 15 to 30‐cm‐depth increments, respectively, whereas those from the pasture were functioning at 73 and 69 per cent, respectively. The assessment showed substantial loss in soil organic carbon following 50 years of farmland cultivation. Tillage and fertilizer applications were presumably the primary reasons for weaker spatial dependence within farmland at the 0‐ to 15‐cm depth. Grazing was postulated as the main reason for weaker spatial dependence within the pasture soils at the 15‐ to 30‐cm depth. Overall, we conclude that 50 years of cultivation has not caused soil quality to decline to a point that threatens sustainability of the agricultural fields. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Liver allocation and distribution: Possible next steps
Authors: Washburn Kenneth , Pomfret Elizabeth , Roberts John
Published: June 2011

Recent discussions about the distribution of cadaveric liver allografts for transplantation have raised many important issues. Over the past 2 years, a deliberative process including discussions, modeling, a request for information, a public forum, and a concept document has led to a greater focus on a possible path for reducing wait-list mortality. Here we describe that process, our interpretation of the feedback and responses, and possible recommendations. Liver Transpl 17:1005–1012, 2011. © 2011 AASLD.
Sensory perception changes induced by transcranial magnetic stimulation over the primary somatosensory cortex in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Palomar Francisco J. , Díaz‐Corrales Francisco , Carrillo Fatima , Fernández‐del‐Olmo Miguel , Koch Giacomo , Mir Pablo
Published: June 2011

Sensory symptoms are common nonmotor manifestations of Parkinson's disease. It has been hypothesized that abnormal central processing of sensory signals occurs in Parkinson's disease and is related to dopaminergic treatment. The objective of this study was to investigate the alterations in sensory perception induced by transcranial magnetic stimulation of the primary somatosensory cortex in patients with Parkinson's disease and the modulatory effects of dopaminergic treatment. Fourteen patients with Parkinson's disease with and without dopaminergic treatment and 13 control subjects were included. Twenty milliseconds after peripheral electrical tactile stimuli in the contralateral thumb, paired‐pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation over the right primary somatosensory cortex was delivered. We evaluated the perception of peripheral electrical tactile stimuli at 2 conditioning stimulus intensities, set at 70% and 90% of the right resting motor threshold, using different interstimulus intervals. At 70% of the resting motor threshold, paired‐pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation over the right primary somatosensory cortex induced an increase in positive responses at short interstimulus intervals (1–7 ms) in controls but not in patients with dopaminergic treatment. At 90% of the resting motor threshold, controls and patients showed similar transcranial magnetic stimulation effects. Changes in peripheral electrical tactile stimuli perception after paired‐pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation over the primary somatosensory cortex are altered in patients with Parkinson's disease with dopaminergic treatment compared with controls. These findings suggest that primary somatosensory cortex excitability could be involved in changes in somatosensory integration in Parkinson's disease with dopaminergic treatment. © 2011 Movement Disorder Society
Proteomic profiling reveals compartment‐specific, novel functions of ascidian sperm proteins
Authors: Nakachi Mia , Nakajima Ayako , Nomura Mamoru , Yonezawa Kouki , Ueno Keisuke , Endo Toshinori , Inaba Kazuo
Published: June 2011

In this study, we performed extensive proteomic analysis of sperm from the ascidian Ciona intestinalis. Sperm were fractionated into heads and flagella, followed by further separation into Triton X‐100‐soluble and ‐insoluble fractions. Proteins from each fraction and whole sperm were separated by isoelectric focusing using two different pH ranges, followed by SDS–PAGE at two different polyacrylamide concentrations. In total, 1,294 protein spots representing 304 non‐redundant proteins were identified by mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF). On comparison of the proteins in each fraction, we were able to identify the proteins specific to different sperm compartments. Further comparison with the testis proteome allowed the pairing of proteins with sperm‐specific functions. Together with information on gene expression in developing embryos and adult tissues, these results provide insight into novel cellular and functional aspects of sperm proteins, such as distinct localization of actin isoforms, novel Ca2+‐binding proteins in axonemes, localization of testis‐specific serine/threonine kinase, and the presence of G‐protein coupled signaling and ubiquitin pathway in sperm flagella. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 78:529–549, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Therapeutic Foot Health Education for Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Narrative Review
Authors: Graham AS , Hammond A , Williams AE
Published: June 2011

Purpose

Foot health interventions such as foot orthoses for people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) reduce pain, improve function and improve overall quality of life. Additionally, patient education (PE) is considered essential in achieving good outcomes with interventions such as foot orthoses, footwear and self‐care. The aim of this literature review was to identify evidence in relation to the content, use and delivery of PE in the management of RA foot problems.

Methods

An electronic search of the following databases was performed: PubMed, CINAHL, AMED, Medline and the Cochrane Library, between March 2000 and March 2010. In order to be included, studies had to be published in English, involve adults (>18 years) with RA, and assist in answering the research question. No publications regarding PE for the management of foot health‐related problems in RA were found. However, other key terms emerged that embraced PE for people with RA and informed a further search. Thirty‐two papers met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed with regard to the subject area, content of the paper, methodological issues and their key findings.

Results

The present review provides evidence for the effectiveness of PE for people with RA delivered via a staged approach, with the content and timing of education provision being driven by the needs of the patient.

Conclusions

The effect of PE delivered from a podiatric context needs to be explored, and the nature and requirements of PE for individuals with RA‐related foot problems from a patient and practitioner perspective requires investigation. Alternative and innovative ways of providing PE and, potentially, self‐management need to be investigated and defined. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hugh Jidette or huge debt: questioning US fiscal policy using caricature and irony
Authors: Pehlivan Ekin , Berthon Pierre
Published: June 2011

YouTube has become a popular platform for political debate. Issues discussed via the medium of video and hosted on sites such as YouTube increasingly employ rhetorical devices such as humor, satire, and irony. In this paper, we focus on a campaign for fiscal conservatism aimed at reducing US's sizable or ‘huge’ debt. The campaign features a caricaturized personality ‘Hugh Jidette’ and uses irony and satire to convey a point. Drawing on a theory of caricature, we illustrate empathy, gap, differentiation, and exaggeration by using examples from the five advertisements from the campaign for ‘Hugh Jidette for President in 2012’. We find that a political issue such as fiscal policy, and more specifically national debt, can be a good fit for caricature because it contains all the necessary conditions and mechanism described in the theory. However, our analysis suggests a further mechanism that may be at work in political caricature–irony. The dangers of misinterpretation are discussed, and the link between caricature and irony is specified. Future avenues for research are explored. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interplay between the hot phonon effect and intervalley scattering on the cooling rate of hot carriers in GaAs and InP
Authors: Clady Raphael , Tayebjee Murad J. Y. , Aliberti Pasquale , König Dirk , Ekins‐Daukes Nicholas John , Conibeer Gavin J. , Schmidt Timothy W. , Green Martin A.
Published: June 2011

The influence of hot phonon effect and intervalley scattering on the hot carrier cooling rate was investigated using femtosecond time‐resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy in bulk GaAs and InP, two electronically similar but vibrationally distinct semiconductors. In both materials, a broad photoluminescence signal that extends from the band gap energy to values larger than the pump pulse energy was observed during the first few picoseconds after photoexcitation, for different excitation energies (1.7, 1.88, and 2.4 eV) at high carrier densities (>1019 cm−3). Different hot carrier relaxation times were observed in GaAs and InP for different excitation energies, demonstrating the influence of intervalley scattering phenomena in GaAs. When electrons were not energetic enough to access satellite valleys, longer decay transients were observed for InP compared with GaAs. This provides experimental evidence of the hot phonon effect in InP. Temperature transients were calculated by analyzing the topography of the two‐dimensional spectra. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Proteomics of a plant pathogen: Agrobacterium tumefaciens
Authors: Rosen Ran , Ron Eliora Z.
Published: June 2011

Agrobacterium tumefaciens is an important plant pathogen which belongs to the α‐proteobacteria. In addition, it has served as the main tool for plant molecular genetics. Here we focus on three major aspects: (i) proteomic mapping, (ii) the use of proteomics for the understanding of the response of A. tumefaciens to changes in environmental conditions and (iii) the analysis of the changes in genome expression following interaction with the host. These studies convey a global outlook on the functional genomics of A. tumefaciens and help to understand the physiology of this important organism.
Proteome analysis of host–pathogen interactions: Investigation of pathogen responses to the host cell environment
Authors: Schmidt Frank , Völker Uwe
Published: June 2011

Infectious diseases are still a major health risk, and thus a better understanding of the interaction between human host cells and pathogenic microbes is urgently required. Since the interplay between both partners is highly complex, genome‐wide analysis by OMICs approaches will likely make a major contribution to the elucidation of the pathophysiology of infection processes. In the concert of OMICs technologies, proteomics is particularly important because it reveals changes in the active players of the cell and has thus a close relationship to the phenotypic changes observed. While proteomic studies of in vitro‐grown microbial pathogens are routinely established in many labs, in vivo proteomic approaches are still rare. Here, we will review the challenges and recent developments of proteomic analysis of microbial pathogens derived from cell culture or in vivo infection settings and summarize some lessons that have been learned from these studies.
Rapid proteomic remodeling of cardiac tissue caused by total body ionizing radiation
Authors: Azimzadeh Omid , Scherthan Harry , Sarioglu Hakan , Barjaktarovic Zarko , Conrad Marcus , Vogt Andreas , Calzada‐Wack Julia , Neff Frauke , Aubele Michaela , Buske Christian , Atkinson Michael J. , Tapio Soile
Published: June 2011

Accidental nuclear scenarios lead to environmental contamination of unknown level. Immediate radiation‐induced biological responses that trigger processes leading to adverse health effects decades later are not well understood. A comprehensive proteomic analysis provides a promising means to identify and quantify the initial damage after radiation exposure. Early changes in the cardiac tissue of C57BL/6 mice exposed to total body irradiation were studied, using a dose relevant to both intentional and accidental exposure (3 Gy gamma ray). Heart tissue protein lysates were analyzed 5 and 24 h after the exposure using isotope‐coded protein labeling (ICPL) and 2‐dimensional difference‐in‐gel‐electrophoresis (2‐D DIGE) proteomics approaches. The differentially expressed proteins were identified by LC‐ESI‐MS‐MS. Both techniques showed similar functional groups of proteins to be involved in the initial injury. Pathway analyses indicated that total body irradiation immediately induced biological responses such as inflammation, antioxidative defense, and reorganization of structural proteins. Mitochondrial proteins represented the protein class most sensitive to ionizing radiation. The proteins involved in the initial damage processes map to several functional categories involving cardiotoxicity. This prompts us to propose that these early changes are indicative of the processes that lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease after radiation exposure.
Tuning HOMO–LUMO levels: trends leading to the design of 9‐fluorenone scaffolds with predictable electronic and optoelectronic properties
Authors: Eakins Galen L. , Alford Joshua S. , Tiegs Brandon J. , Breyfogle Bryan E. , Stearman Chad J.
Published: June 2011

Highest occupied molecular orbital–lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (HOMO–LUMO) tuning is an important consideration in the development of organic‐based semiconducting materials. A study of the specific effects and overall trends for the HOMO–LUMO tuning of a diverse series of 9‐fluorenones by means of extended conjugation and substituent effects is described. Trends were explored in a range of compounds, beginning with structures having highly electron‐withdrawing substituents and progressing to structures having highly electron‐donating substituents. Compounds with an incremental increase in conjugation were also examined. Electrochemical and optical measurements were used to calculate the HOMO–LUMO levels and HOMO–LUMO bandgap (HLG) for each structure. Results from both methods were compared and correlated with the differences in molecular structure. Increasing the electron‐donating character of the substituents was observed to decrease the HLG and increase the energy levels of the HOMO and the LUMO, whereas an increase in the electron‐withdrawing character produced the opposite results. Increasing conjugation decreased the HLG, increased the HOMO energy level, but decreased the LUMO energy level. Spectroscopic evidence of substituent influence on the carbonyl suggests that substituents directly impact the HLG by influencing the availability of nonbonding electrons within the carbonyl, which impacts the probability of an nπ* transition. The data presented not only elaborate on the HOMO–LUMO tuning of 9‐fluorenone systems but also enable the consideration of 9‐fluorenones as analogous models for HOMO–LUMO tuning in other more complex polyaromatic systems such as bifluorenylidenes. These trends may provide insight into developing materials with specifically tuned HLGs and HOMO–LUMO levels for a variety of applications. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of impulse oscillometry during bronchial challenge testing in children
Authors: Bailly Carole , Crenesse Dominique , Albertini Marc
Published: June 2011

Background

The impulse oscillation system (IOS) allows easy measurement of respiratory system impedance (Zrs). The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the accuracy of IOS parameters obtained during methacholine challenge by comparison with “the gold standard” forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1).

Methods

Measurements of FEV1 and resistances at 5 and 20 Hz, reactance at 5 Hz, impedance at 5 Hz and resonant frequency were performed in 227 children with suspected asthma, before and during methacholine challenge. Data were analyzed in the overall population and in three subgroups according to the final diagnosis: asthma (n = 72), chronic cough and nonspecific respiratory symptoms (n = 122), allergic rhinitis (n = 33).

Results

All IOS parameters changed significantly during the tests but only changes in X5 were significantly different between responders and nonresponders. Moreover, changes in IOS parameters were not correlated with changes in FEV1 apart from a weak correlation for X5. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for changes in X5 (to predict a 20% decrease in FEV1) showed a best decision level for a 50% decrease in X5 with a sensitivity of 36% and a specificity of 85%. Results were not different in the asthma group.

Conclusion

The accuracy of measurements by IOS during methacholine bronchial challenge in children was not suitable when compared with FEV1. It could be assumed that spirometry and IOS, while both providing indirect indices of airway patency, are exploring different mechanisms, each with its own methodological potentials and limitations. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2011; 46: 1209–1214. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Subcritical barrier AlN/GaN E/D‐mode HFETs and inverters
Authors: Zimmermann Tom , Cao Yu , Li Guowang , Snider Gregory , Jena Debdeep , Xing Huili (Grace)
Published: June 2011

Enhancement‐ and depletion‐mode AlN/GaN HFETs have been fabricated with a subcritical barrier design: a two‐dimensional electron gas (2DEG) is induced in the highly resistive as‐grown heterostructure when a suitable capping material is deposited over the ultrathin AlN barrier. In this bottom‐up approach 2DEGs can be locally induced by patterned cap layers on subcritical barrier AlN/GaN heterostructures, which can enable the monolithic integration of enhancement‐ and depletion‐mode HFETs. An inverter circuit with 1.5 nm ultrathin AlN barrier E‐ and D‐mode HFETs was successfully demonstrated with reasonable voltage transfer characteristics, noise margin, and gain. To our best knowledge this is the first reported inverter based on subcritical barrier III–V nitride heterostructures.

magnified image

Integration of E‐ and D‐mode HFETs in a subcritical barrier AlN/GaN heterostructure, where n2DEG ∼ 0 in the as‐grown structure. A patterned cap locally enhances 2DEG at the AlN/GaN hetero‐interface due to barrier lowering. It is an additive approach in contrast to the conventional gate recessing technique.
BENIGN USE OF SALT SLUGS ON AQUATIC MACROINVERTEBRATES: MEASURING DISCHARGE WITH SALT DURING AN AQUATIC ECOLOGY STUDY
Authors: Muehlbauer J. D. , Duncan J. M. , Doyle M. W.
Published: June 2011

Pulsed salt tracer injections (salt slugs) are widely used for measuring discharge in streams, particularly in small streams. However, salt slug usage in stream ecology studies is limited, possibly due to concerns that salt injections may affect biotic results. We used salt slug measurements concomitantly with macroinvertebrate sampling over the course of a summer field season and show that the realistic use of salt slugs to measure discharge at our sites was benign with respect to several common biotic community metrics. Salt slug discharge measurements may warrant more usage as a component of stream ecology studies. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A new approach for semiconductor parameter extraction using cathodoluminescence and artificial neural networks
Authors: Soualmia S. , Bouldjedri A. , Benhaya A.
Published: June 2011

In this paper, a new parameter extraction technique that jointly extracts four semiconductor‐related parameters from theoretical/experimental cathodoluminescence data collected as a function of electron‐beam energy is presented. The extraction technique is based on feed‐forward artificial neural networks (ANN) where the ANN is trained to learn the inherent relationship between the input parameters (absorption coefficient α, diffusion length L, dead layer thickness Zt, and relative quantum efficiency Q) and the output parameter (CL intensity versus electron beam energy). After the training of the ANN, it is possible to observe the reverse process and extract the four parameters from any CL curve using an exhaustive search method. One of the main advantages of the proposed method is that the optimum set of values for the four parameters (α, L, Zt, Q) are obtained because the exhaustive search is performed in the search space spanned by all four parameters. Computational results on an n‐type GaAs free defect semiconductor sample show that a unique set of parameter values with errors less than 5.5% from the nominal values can be obtained for each set of the experimental data points using the proposed algorithm. SCANNING 33: 252–265, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.