bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using Two‐Photon Excitation to Control Bending Motions in Molecular‐Crystal Nanorods
Authors: Good Jacob T. , Burdett Jonathan J. , Bardeen Christopher J.
Published: October 2009

Molecular‐crystal nanorods composed of 9‐anthracenecarboxylic acid can undergo reversible bending due to molecular‐level geometry changes associated with the photodimerization of the molecules in the crystal lattice. The use of highly focused near‐IR femtosecond laser pulses results in two‐photon excitation of micrometer‐scale regions and is used to induce transient bends at various locations along the length of a single 200‐nm‐diameter nanorod. Bending can be observed in nanorods with diameters as small as 35 nm, and translational motion of a single nanorod could be induced by sequential bending of longer segments. A kinetic model is presented that quantitatively describes the bending and relaxation dynamics of individual rods. The results of this work show that it is possible to use laser excitation conditions to control the location, rate, and magnitude of photodeformations in these nanorods. The ability to control the motion of these ultrasmall photomechanical structures may be useful for manipulating objects on the nanoscale.
Biofunctionalized, Phosphonate‐Grafted, Ultrasmall Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Combined Targeted Cancer Therapy and Multimodal Imaging
Authors: Das Manasmita , Mishra Debasish , Dhak Prasanta , Gupta Satyajit , Maiti Tapas Kumar , Basak Amit , Pramanik Panchanan
Published: October 2009

A novel, inexpensive biofunctionalization approach is adopted to develop a multimodal and theranostic nanoagent, which combines cancer‐targeted magnetic resonance/optical imaging and pH‐sensitive drug release into one system. This multifunctional nanosystem, based on an ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) nanocore, is modified with a hydrophilic, biocompatible, and biodegradable coating of N‐phosphonomethyl iminodiacetic acid (PMIDA). Using appropriate spacers, functional molecules, such as rhodamine B isothiocyanate, folic acid, and methotrexate, are coupled to the amine‐derivatized USPIO–PMIDA support with the aim of endowing simultaneous targeting, imaging, and intracellular drug‐delivering capability. For the first time, phosphonic acid chemistry is successfully exploited to develop a stealth, multifunctional nanoprobe that can selectively target, detect, and kill cancer cells overexpressing the folate receptor, while allowing real‐time monitoring of tumor response to drug treatment through dual‐modal fluorescence and magnetic resonance imaging.
Prenatal diagnosis of brachytelephalangic chondrodysplasia punctata: case report
Authors: Benaicha A. , Dommergues M. , Jouannic J. M. , Jacquette A. , Alexandre M. , Le Merrer M. , Ducou Le Pointe H. , Garel C.
Published: October 2009

Brachytelephalangic chondrodysplasia punctata is a rare congenital skeletal dysplasia. Within the heterogeneous group of chondrodysplasia punctata, the brachytelephalangic type is noteworthy because it has a better prognosis than do the other types. We report a case of brachytelephalangic chondrodysplasia punctata diagnosed by ultrasound imaging at 30 weeks' gestation; it was associated with polyhydramnios and a normal cervical spinal canal. Imaging features are described and differential diagnosis with other forms of chondrodysplasia punctata is discussed. Copyright © 2009 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characterization of nanomaterials for toxicity assessment
Authors: Sayes Christie M. , Warheit David B.
Published: October 2009

A key element of any nanomaterial toxicity screening strategy is a detailed and comprehensive physicochemical characterization of the test material being studied. This is a critical factor for correlating the nanoparticle surface characteristics with any measured biological/toxicological responses, as well as to provide an adequate reference point for comparing toxicity results with the hazard‐based findings of other investigators. Moreover, when hazard or risk‐based evaluations are made on a particular nanomaterial (based on a variety of studies), it is important to ensure that the nanoparticle‐types are identical or very similar in composition. This can only be accomplished if rigorous characterization is conducted. In the absence of an adequate assessment of the physical characteristics, it is easy to draw general conclusions on nanoparticle‐types which may have similar chemical compositions but, in fact, have different sizes, shapes, crystal structures, surface coatings, and surface reactivity characteristics. The determination of nanomaterial physicochemical properties is vitally important to nanomedicinal applications in that the fate, accumulation, and transport of nanomaterials through the body over time may be predicted based on specific surface characteristics. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

This article is categorized under:

Toxicology and Regulatory Issues in Nanomedicine > Toxicology of Nanomaterials
An Investigation of the Formation Mechanism of Copper(II) Carbodiimide
Authors: Liu Xiaohui , Puspitosari Hari , Dronskowski Richard
Published: October 2009

The formation mechanism of copper(II) carbodiimide in aqueous ammonia solution was studied by synthetic and crystallographic means. The reduction of the starting CuII solution led to the synthesis of solid CuI intermediates, and the crystal structures of the two new compounds Cu(NCNH2)Cl (a = 8.2925(4), b = 3.7275(1), c = 12.4534(4) Å, Pnma) and the isostructural Cu(NCNH2)Br (a = 8.406(3), b = 3.9229(9), c = 12.656(3) Å, Pnma) were elucidated. A further increase in pH value by adding more ammonia led to the crystallization of two additional CuI intermediates, Cu2NCN and the ammine adduct Cu4(NCN)2NH3. The former can be also made by the thermal decomposition of the latter whereas mild oxidation of Cu4(NCN)2NH3 led to the formation of perfectly crystalline CuNCN.
Unsteady three dimensional flow of thin liquid film due to the stretching of a surface
Authors: Dandapat B.S. , Singh S.N. , Singh R.P.
Published: October 2009

Three‐dimensional unsteady flow of thin liquid film over an impulsively stretching sheet is studied. Full 3D momentum equations are considered and solved analytically by using the singular perturbation technique to obtain an analytic expression for film thickness and liquid velocity inside the film. It is found that the film thickness decreases as time increases and it is independent of the stretching strength b at which the sheet is stretched along the y direction.
A simple example of a fluid‐structure coupling
Authors: Marušić‐Paloka E.
Published: October 2009

In this paper we study a simple case of fluid‐structure interaction. The ideal fluid is placed in a cylinder and it interacts with a piston attached to an elastic spring moving through the cylinder. The solution is computed by reduction to quadratures and described in details.
Stability analysis of the melt spinning process with respect to parameters
Authors: Götz T. , Perera S.S.N.
Published: October 2009

We investigate the stability of the melt spinning process with respect to variations of external parameters such as the velocity and temperature of the quench air. Newtonian and non‐Newtonian models are used to describe the rheology of the polymer the fiber is made of. The critical draw ratio, indicating the onset of instabilities, is computed numerically solving the eigenvalue problem arising from the linear stability analysis.
The influence of environmental variables on capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris: Rodentia, Hydrochoeridae) detectability in anthropogenic environments of southeastern Brazil
Authors: Ferraz Katia Maria Paschoaletto Micchi de Barros , Manly Bryan , Verdade Luciano Martins
Published: October 2009

Capybaras were monitored weekly from 1998 to 2006 by counting individuals in three anthropogenic environments (mixed agricultural fields, forest and open areas) of southeastern Brazil in order to examine the possible influence of environmental variables (temperature, humidity, wind speed, precipitation and global radiation) on the detectability of this species. There was consistent seasonality in the number of capybaras in the study area, with a specific seasonal pattern in each area. Log‐linear models were fitted to the sample counts of adult capybaras separately for each sampled area, with an allowance for monthly effects, time trends and the effects of environmental variables. Log‐linear models containing effects for the months of the year and a quartic time trend were highly significant. The effects of environmental variables on sample counts were different in each type of environment. As environmental variables affect capybara detectability, they should be considered in future species survey/monitoring programs.
RFT1‐CDG: Deafness as a novel feature of congenital disorders of glycosylation
Authors: Jaeken J. , Vleugels W. , Régal L. , Corchia C. , Goemans N. , Haeuptle M. A. , Foulquier F. , Hennet T. , Matthijs G. , Dionisi‐Vici C.
Published: October 2009

Congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG) are genetic diseases due to defects in the synthesis of glycans and in the attachment of glycans to lipids and proteins. Actually, some 42 CDG are known including defects in protein N‐glycosylation, in protein O‐glycosylation, in lipid glycosylation, and in multiple and other glycosylation pathways. Most CDG are multisystem diseases and a large number of signs and symptoms have already been reported in CDG. An exception to this is deafness. This symptom has not been observed as a consistent feature in CDG. In 2008, a novel defect was identified in protein N‐glycosylation, namely in RFT1. This is a defect in the assembly of N‐glycans. RFT1 is involved in the transfer of Man5GlcNAc2‐PP‐Dol from the cytoplasmic to the luminal side of the endoplasmic reticulum. According to the novel nomenclature (non‐italicized gene symbol followed by ‐CDG) this defect is named RFT1‐CDG. Recently, three other patients with RFT1‐CDG have been reported and here we report two novel patients. Remarkably, all six patients with RFT1‐CDG show sensorineural deafness as part of a severe neurological syndrome. We conclude that RFT1‐CDG is the first ‘deafness‐CDG’. CDG should be included in the work‐up of congenital, particularly syndromic, hearing loss.
An improved method of microhabitat assessment relevant to predation risk
Authors: Glen Al S. , Sutherland Duncan R. , Cruz Jennyffer
Published: October 2009

Animals may select the microhabitats they use in response to a real or perceived risk of attack by visually hunting predators. However, to demonstrate this requires measuring visual cover at the microhabitat level, which can be labor‐intensive and may require specialized equipment. Simpler methods lack repeatability, particularly when multiple observers are involved. We devised, and describe here, the quadrant cover method (QCM), which provides rapid, objective assessment of the degree of concealment that microhabitats provide from visual predators. Our method gives results that correlate strongly with those obtained using a conventional sight board, but requires less than 25% of the time. The method is highly repeatable, with negligible observer bias. The QCM is ideal in microhabitat studies in which the variable of interest is visual exposure to other animals such as predators.
Quantitative Determination of Geranyl Diphosphate Levels in Cultured Human Cells
Authors: Holstein Sarah A. , Tong Huaxiang , Kuder Craig H. , Hohl Raymond J.
Published: October 2009

Geranyl diphosphate (GPP), a 10‐carbon isoprenoid, is a key intermediate in the isoprenoid biosynthetic pathway. This pathway, in addition to leading to sterol synthesis, results in the synthesis of farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) and geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP), which serve as substrates for protein isoprenylation reactions. Basal levels of GPP in mammalian cells previously have been undetectable. Here we present a novel, sensitive, nonradioactive method which allows for measurement of GPP in mammalian cells. This methodology involves extraction of isoprenoids from cultured cells followed by enzymatic conjugation of GPP to a fluorescent dansylated‐peptide via farnesyl transferase and quantification with high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The lower limit of detection of GPP is 5 pg, or 0.015 pmol. Basal levels of GPP were determined in three human multiple myeloma cell lines (RPMI‐8226, U266, H929). Treatment of cells with inhibitors of the isoprenoid biosynthetic pathway results in marked changes in GPP levels: the HMG‐CoA reductase inhibitor lovastatin decreases GPP levels by over 50%, while the FPP synthase inhibitor zoledronic acid increases GPP levels 16‐ to 107‐fold. This method also allows for the simultaneous measurement of GPP, FPP, and GGPP, thus leading to improved understanding of the pathway in a multitude of biological systems. Furthermore, as drugs targeting this pathway are developed, their biological activity can be more directly linked to effects on isoprenoid levels.
Telemedizin – Einsatzmöglichkeiten in der Notfallversorgung
Authors: Schultz Martin , Carius-Düssel Christine
Published: October 2009

Einleitung

Ausgehend vom NOAH-Projekt Ende der 90er Jahre wurden in Deutschland zahlreiche telemedizinische Projekte gestartet, die die Akutversorgung verbessern sollen. Leider sind nur wenige der Projekte in die medizinische Routineversorgung übernommen worden. Unter Telemedizin wird hier die Erbringung von Gesundheitsdienstleistungen unter Einsatz von Informations- und Kommunikationstechnologien (IKT) verstanden. Telemedizin in der Akutversorgung umfasst häufig Telekonsildienste, die im weiteren Verlauf eine schnelle fachgerechte Behandlung des Patienten ermöglichen sowie Prozessoptimierungen durch das elektronische Erfassen, Verarbeiten und Aufbereiten von Daten, die dann relevanten Akteuren zeitgerecht zur Verfügung gestellt werden. In diesem Beitrag werden ausgewählte Telemedizin Projekte vorgestellt, die die Akutversorgung deutlich verbessern (können).
Leninist beneficiaries? Pre-1989 legacies and the radical right in post-1989 Central and Eastern Europe. Some introductory observations
Authors: Minkenberg Michael
Published: October 2009

A central topos in the study of Central and Eastern European contemporary politics in general, and of its radical right politics in particular is the emphasis on the extraordinary relevance of history and geography. In fact, the entire transformation process after 1989 is often clothed in terms of historical and geographical categories, either as a “return of history” or a “return to Europe”, or both. In these various scenarios, the radical right claims a prominent place in this politics of return, and the study of this current echoes the more general concern, in the analyses of the region, with historical analogies and the role of legacies. Sometimes analogies are drawn between the post-1989 radical right and interwar fascism, in terms of a “Weimarization” of the transformation countries and the return of the pre-socialist, ultranationalist or even fascist past e the “return of history”. Others argue that since some Central and Eastern European party systems increasingly resemble their Western European counterparts, so does the radical right, at least where it is electorally successful e the “return to Europe”. According to yet another line of thought, the radical right in the region is a phenomenon sui generis, inherently shaped by the historical forces of state socialism and the transformation process and, as a result and in contrast to Western Europe, ideologically more extreme and anti-democratic while organizationally more a movement than a party phenomenon. In all these approaches, the key concepts of “legacies” and the radical right are often underspecified. This volume takes a closer look at the intersection of history or particular legacies, and the mobilization of the radical right in the post-1989 world of the region, while attempting to provide a sharper focus on key concepts. Regardless of the different approaches, all contributions show that with the radical right, a peculiar “syncretic construct” (Tismaneanu) has emerged in Central and Eastern Europe after 1989, which is derived from both pre-communist and communist legacies.
Induction for Banach Algebras, Groupoids and KKban
Authors: Paravicini Walther
Published: October 2009

Given two equivalent locally compact Hausdorff groupoids, We prove that the Bost conjecture with Banach algebra coefficients is true for one if and only if it is true for the other. This also holds for the Bost conjecture with C*- coefficients. To show these results, the functoriality of Lafforgue's KK-theory for Banach algebras and groupoids with respect to generalised morphisms of groupoids is established. It is also shown that equivalent groupoids have Morita equivalent L1-algebras (with Banach algebra coefficients).
Quantitative differences in intestinal Faecalibacterium prausnitzii in obese Indian children
Authors: Balamurugan Ramadass , George Gemlyn , Kabeerdoss Jayakanthan , Hepsiba Jancy , Chandragunasekaran Aarthy M. S. , Ramakrishna Balakrishnan S.
Published: October 2009

Gut bacteria contribute to energy conservation in man through their ability to ferment unabsorbed carbohydrate. The present study examined the composition of predominant faecal microbiota in obese and non-obese children. The participants (n 28) aged 11–14 years provided fresh faecal samples and completed a dietary survey consisting of 24 h diet recall and a FFQ of commonly used foods taken over the previous 3 months. Faecal bacteria were quantitated by real-time PCR using primers targeted at 16S rDNA. Of the participants, fifteen (seven female) were obese, with median BMI-for-age at the 99th percentile (range 97 to>99) while thirteen participants (seven female) were normal weight, with median BMI-for age being at the 50th percentile (range 1–85). Consumption of energy, carbohydrates, fat and protein was not significantly different between the obese and non-obese participants. There was no significant difference between the two groups in faecal levels of Bacteroides–Prevotella, Bifidobacterium species, Lactobacillus acidophilus group or Eubacterium rectale. Levels of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii were significantly higher in obese children than in non-obese participants (P = 0·0253). We concluded that the finding of increased numbers of F. prausnitzii in the faeces of obese children in south India adds to the growing information on alterations in faecal microbiota in obesity.
Epigenetic transcriptional gene silencing inEntamoeba histolytica: insight into histone and chromatin modifications
Authors: HUGUENIN MAYA , BRACHA RIVKA , CHOOKAJORN THANAT , MIRELMAN DAVID
Published: October 2009

We have previously discovered a unique mechanism of epigenetic transcriptional gene silencing in theEntamoeba histolyticatrophozoites of strain HM-1:IMSS that resulted in the persistent downregulation of the amoebapore A (ap-a) gene, and that could be successfully applied to silence other virulence genes (cpA5, lgl1). In order to understand how the silencing is maintained throughout generations, we analysed whether modifications occurred at the chromatin level. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays were done with antibodies specific to the methylated lysine 4 ofE. histolyticahistone H3. When the genes were in a transcriptionally silent state, the methylation levels of H3K4 in their coding region were significantly reduced. In contrast, the levels of core histone H3 were consistently higher in the silenced genes. Controlled chromatin digestion with micrococcal nuclease was used to assess changes in nucleosome compaction. We found a significant resistance to digestion in the promoter region of the silencedap-aandcpA5genes as compared to the parental strain that expresses those genes. Our data lend further support to the idea that histone modifications and heterochromatin formations are at the basis of the transcriptional silencing of genes inE. histolytica.
Experimental transmission of malacosporean parasites from bryozoans to common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and minnow (Phoxinus phoxinus)
Authors: GRABNER D. S. , EL-MATBOULI M.
Published: October 2009

To address whether a fish host is involved in the life cycles of malacosporeans of the genus Buddenbrockia, cohabitation experiments with different bryozoan and fish species were conducted. Samples were analysed by malacosporean-specific PCR, partial sequencing of the 18S rDNA, and light and electron microscopy. Co-habitation challenges with bryozoans resulted in malacosporean infections detected mainly in the kidney of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and minnow (Phoxinus phoxinus). Sequences of the minnow parasite and of worm-like Buddenbrockia stages in Plumatella repens were identical and showed 99·5% similarity to Buddenbrockia plumatellae and 96·3% similarity to the sequence obtained from carp. One sample, comprising 4–5 zooids of statoblast-raised bryozoans cohabitated with infected carp was PCR-positive, but no overt infection could be observed in the remaining colony. Light and electron-microscopy of kidney samples of infected minnows revealed single cells within kidney tubules, whereas in carp, sporogonic stages were found in kidney tubules. Phylogenetic analysis of the Buddenbrockia spp. known to date placed the carp-infecting species at the base of the B. plumatellae clade, but low posterior probability makes this node questionable. The present study showed that Buddenbrockia spp. were able to infect cyprinid fish, showing stages in kidney-tubules strikingly similar to those of T. bryosalmonae.
Transplacental transfer of filarial antigens fromWuchereria bancrofti-infected mothers to their offspring
Authors: BAL M. S. , MANDAL N. N. , DAS M. K. , KAR S. K. , SARANGI S. S. , BEURIA M. K.
Published: October 2009

Objective.Maternal infection has been considered to be a risk factor for filarial infection in offspring. In order to examine the influence of maternal infection in neonates, we have determined the prevalence of circulating filarial antigen (CFA) and anti-filarial antibodies in 119 maternal and corresponding cord blood samples collected from an area endemic for bancroftian filariasis.Method.Prevalence of antigenaemia was detected using Og4C3 circulating filarial antigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The presence of microfilariae was determined by filtration of a 1 ml sample through a Nuclepore membrane. Antibody isotypes (IgG, IgM, and IgE) to filarial antigen (Setariadigitataantigenic extract) were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results.Microfilariae were detected in 14 cases (11·8%), whereas the Og4C3 assay could detect filarial antigen in 44·5% of pregnant mothers. Interestingly, 24·5% of samples born from CFA-positive mothers were found positive for CFA. None of the cord samples from CFA-negative mothers were found positive for CFA. No significant difference was observed in prevalence of filarial-specific IgG, IgM and IgE antibodies in CFA-positive and negative mothers. IgG antibody was detected in 60·5% of maternal and 21·8% of cord samples. IgG antibody in the cord does not differ with the antigen status of the mother. In contrast IgM and IgE antibody prevalence was significantly higher in cord from infected mothers than non-infected mothers (11·3%vs0 for IgM, 24·5%vs3·03% for IgE).Conclusion.Our study demonstrates the transplacental transfer of circulating filarial antigen from mother to cord. Filaria-specific IgM and IgE antibodies were higher in cord blood from infected mothers than from non-infected mothers. The findings of the study provide additional circumstantial evidence for pre-natal sensitization to filarial antigens developedin utero.
Introduction: Sociolinguistics
Authors: Gregersen Frans , Røyneland Unn
Published: October 2009

First of all we want to thank the general editors of the Nordic Journal of Linguistics for this opportunity to present to the readers of one of the most important linguistics journals in Northern Europe some specimens of sociolinguistic research. When we were approached by the general editors, we wholeheartedly agreed that this would be a good idea, although – or rather, precisely for this reason – sociolinguists in general have not been keen on publishing in NJL in the past. We have a modest hope that the present issue will change this.
Wolla I swear this is typical for the conversational style of adolescents in multiethnic areas in Oslo
Authors: Opsahl Toril
Published: October 2009

This paper argues that the conversational style of adolescents in multiethnic areas in Oslo is characterized by an extended degree of epistemic focus and expressions pointing explicitly towards the news value of utterances. The linguistic traits contributing to this notion is a set of discourse markers where wallah, or as it is often referred to in Norwegian; wolla (orig. Arab. ‘I swear by Allah’), seems to be prominent, together with Norwegian counterparts such as sverg, jeg sverger and helt ærlig (‘swear’, ‘I swear’ and ‘quite honestly’). Equipped with methodological insights from Interactional linguistics, the distribution and discourse functions of the markers are analysed in a corpus of conversations between adolescents growing up in multiethnic areas (the Upus/Oslo-corpus) and compared to another larger, representative corpus of modern Oslo dialect (the NoTa/Oslo-corpus). The discourse markers in question are also discussed in light of grammaticalization processes.
A REVISION OF AESCHYNANTHUS (GESNERIACEAE) IN CAMBODIA, LAOS AND VIETNAM
Authors: Middleton D. J.
Published: October 2009

The species of Aeschynanthus Jack (Gesneriaceae) in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam are revised. Eighteen species are recognised, keys to the species are given, all names are typified, and detailed descriptions of all species are provided. Conservation assessments are given for all species. Aeschynanthus cambodiensis D.J.Middleton, Aeschynanthus jouyi D.J.Middleton and Aeschynanthus pedunculatus D.J.Middleton are newly described.
Fruit: Edible, Inedible, Incredible . Wolfgang Stuppy & Rob Kesseler.
Authors: Leong-Škorničková J.
Published: October 2009

..
Adherence to Treatment Among Children with Cardiac Disease
Authors: Ittenbach Richard F. , Cassedy Amy E. , Marino Bradley S. , Spicer Robert L. , Drotar Dennis
Published: October 2009

Objective

Our purpose was to review the literature with respect to issues of adherence to treatment among children with congenital and acquired cardiac disease.

Materials and Methods

Databases used for this review included MEDLINE, Pub Med’s Single Citation Manager, Cochrane Library, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Scopus, and Google Scholar. We did not use any restrictions on date when locating peer-reviewed articles published worldwide through December of 2008.

Results

There exists a lack of published research regarding adherence to medical treatment for children with cardiac conditions. Of the few published studies, rates of adherence for children with congenital and acquired cardiac disease ranged from a high of 96% for an in-patient exercise programme, to a low of 33% among those who made all of their medical appointments. Risk factors for nonadherence included older age, one as opposed to two parents in the home, lack of emotional availability of parents, smoking, sedentary lifestyle, use of illicit drugs, presence of tattoos, and multiple body piercings. Clinical outcomes associated with non adherence in the population of children undergoing transplantation included mortality, acute episodes of rejection, lower levels of Cyclosporine A, and lower values for the International Normalised Ratio of prothrombin.

Conclusions

For children with congenital and acquired heart disease, the challenges of adherence to treatment can often be overwhelming. Recommendations designed to maximize the impact and scientific rigour of future studies include obtaining quantitative and qualitative measures of adherence, identifying primary and secondary endpoints, emphasizing factors of interest, planning studies with sufficient power to impact on the adherence to treatment, and developing epidemiologic foundations.
Valve-Sparing Replacement of the Aortic Root for a 2-year-old Child with Loeys-Dietz Syndrome
Authors: Ootaki Yoshio , Uddin Minhaz , Ungerleider Ross M.
Published: October 2009

Loeys-Dietz syndrome is a newly recognized constellation that presents with aortic aneurysm or dissection similar to Marfan’s syndrome. We describe successful surgical treatment in a 2-year-old with the syndrome in whom we performed a valve-sparing replacement of the aortic root because of significant dilation of the aortic root and the ascending aorta.
Stress imaging in congenital cardiac disease
Authors: Robbers-Visser Daniëlle , Luijnenburg Saskia E. , van den Berg Jochem , Moelker Adriaan , Helbing Willem A.
Published: October 2009

In patients with coronary arterial disease, stress imaging is able to demonstrate abnormalities in the motion of the ventricular walls, and abnormalities in coronary arterial perfusion not apparent at rest. It can also provide information on prognostic factors. In patients with congenitally malformed hearts, stress imaging is used to determine contractile reserve, abnormalities of mural motion, and global systolic function, but also to assess diastolic and vascular function. In most of these patients, stress is usually induced using pharmacological agents, mainly dobutamine given in varying doses. The clinical usefulness of abnormal responses to the stress induced in such patients has to be addressed in follow-up studies. The abnormal stress might serve as surrogate endpoints, predicting primary endpoints at an early stage, which are useful for stratification of risk in this population of growing patients. We review here the stress imaging studies performed to date in patients with congenitally malformed hearts, with a special emphasis on echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.
Differential engagement of cognitive and affective neural systems in pediatric bipolar disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Authors: PASSAROTTI ALESSANDRA M. , SWEENEY JOHN A. , PAVULURI MANI N.
Published: October 2009

This fMRI study investigates the neural bases of cognitive control of emotion processing in pediatric bipolar disorder (PBD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Seventeen un-medicated PBD patients, 15 un-medicated ADHD patients, and 14 healthy controls (HC) (mean age = 13.78 ± 2.47) performed an emotional valence Stroop Task, requiring them to match the color of an emotionally valenced word to the color of either of two adjacent circles. Both patient groups responded significantly slower than HC, but there were no group differences in accuracy. A voxel-wise analysis of variance on brain activation revealed a significant interaction of group by word valence [F(2,41) = 4.44; p = .02]. Similar group differences were found for negative and positive words. For negative versus neutral words, both patient groups exhibited greater activation in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and parietal cortex relative to HC. The PBD group exhibited greater activation in ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC) and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) relative to HC. The ADHD group exhibited decreased VLPFC activation relative to HC and the PBD group. During cognitive control of emotion processing, PBD patients deployed the VLPFC to a greater extent than HC. The ADHD patients showed decreased VLPFC engagement relative to both HC and PBD patients. (JINS, 2010, 16, 106–117.)
Examining predictors of reaction times in children with ADHD and normal controls
Authors: EPSTEIN JEFFERY N. , HWANG MICHELLE E. , ANTONINI TANYA , LANGBERG JOSHUA M. , ALTAYE MEKIBIB , ARNOLD L. EUGENE
Published: October 2009

A microanalysis of task events in a common go/no-go task was completed to examine how task events impact individual reaction times. Predictors of long reaction times were analyzed to better understand increased intra-individual variability (IIV) among children with ADHD compared with normal controls. Sixty-five children with ADHD and 65 normal controls matched on gender, ethnicity, and age completed a go/no-go task. Children across both groups were slower before and after omission errors than all other trials. They were also slower on the trial before successfully inhibiting their response to no-go trials. Children with ADHD exhibited a pronounced slowing on trials prior to omission errors and trials prior to successful inhibitions compared with the normal control group. Pre-error slowing in children with ADHD may represent the beginning stages of attentional disengagement that subsequently results in the absence of responding (i.e., errors of omission or successful inhibition). While these event-related increases in reaction time explain some of the increased IIV observed in children with ADHD, the removal of these trials did not remove the pronounced between-group differences in IIV, suggesting that additional unmeasured processes are contributing to IIV in children with ADHD. (JINS, 2010, 16, 138–147.)
Cognitive development after traumatic brain injury in young children
Authors: GERRARD-MORRIS AIMEE , TAYLOR H. GERRY , YEATES KEITH OWEN , WALZ NICOLAY CHERTKOFF , STANCIN TERRY , MINICH NORI , WADE SHARI L.
Published: October 2009

The primary aims of this study were to examine post-injury cognitive development in young children with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and to investigate the role of the proximal family environment in predicting cognitive outcomes. Age at injury was 3–6 years, and TBI was classified as severe (n = 23), moderate (n = 21), and complicated mild (n = 43). A comparison group of children who sustained orthopedic injuries (OI, n = 117) was also recruited. Child cognitive assessments were administered at a post-acute baseline evaluation and repeated at 6, 12, and 18 months post-injury. Assessment of the family environment consisted of baseline measures of learning support and stimulation in the home and of parenting characteristics observed during videotaped parent–child interactions. Relative to the OI group, children with severe TBI group had generalized cognitive deficiencies and those with less severe TBI had weaknesses in visual memory and executive function. Although deficits persisted or emerged across follow-up, more optimal family environments were associated with higher scores for all injury groups. The findings confirm other reports of poor recovery of cognitive skills following early childhood TBI and suggest environmental influences on outcomes. (JINS, 2010,16, 157–168.)
The motives for cooperation in work organizations
Authors: LOPES HELENA , SANTOS ANA C. , TELES NUNO
Published: October 2009

This paper aims to contribute to a better understanding of cooperation in productive ventures, conceived of as collective action endeavours that require cooperation rather than mere coordination. It is argued that cooperative behaviour is grounded on three kinds of ‘common goods’, defined as goods that are shared and recognized as beneficial by the workers. These comprise common goals, relational satisfaction, and moral norms and values. The commonly held goods are associated with motives and behavioural rules which constitute both the reasons for cooperating and the means through which the dilemmatic nature of cooperation is overcome. It is further argued that the binding character of these rules is closely linked to humans’ ability and opportunity to communicate. Normative guidelines relative to management practices and directions for future research are also derived.
Interests versus culture in the theory of institutional change?
Authors: ZWEYNERT JOACHIM
Published: October 2009

In Douglass C. North's works on institutional change, his focus shifted from formal institutions and highly rational actors to the links between culture, cognition, and the evolution of institutions. This has led to a corresponding shift in his basic explanation of institutional change: In his earlier works, institutional change is mainly caused by actions of highly rational utility-maximizing political actors. In his later works, the evolution of a society's institutions is above all a function of changes in the dominant belief system. The paper tries to contribute to the obvious task of bringing these two explanations of institutional change together. My synthetic approach rests basically on a Northian framework supplemented with three further elements: firstly, with the idea of the transfer of institutions; secondly, with the concept of functional differentiation; and, thirdly, and decisively, with an understanding of culture as a toolkit, leaving room for interest, choice, and strategic action.
Process‐based modeling of silicate mineral weathering responses to increasing atmospheric CO2 and climate change
Authors: Banwart Steven A. , Berg Astrid , Beerling David J.
Published: October 2009

A mathematical model describes silicate mineral weathering processes in modern soils located in the boreal coniferous region of northern Europe. The process model results demonstrate a stabilizing biological feedback mechanism between atmospheric CO2 levels and silicate weathering rates as is generally postulated for atmospheric evolution. The process model feedback response agrees within a factor of 2 of that calculated by a weathering feedback function of the type generally employed in global geochemical carbon cycle models of the Earth's Phanerozoic CO2 history. Sensitivity analysis of parameter values in the process model provides insight into the key mechanisms that influence the strength of the biological feedback to weathering. First, the process model accounts for the alkalinity released by weathering, whereby its acceleration stabilizes pH at values that are higher than expected. Although the process model yields faster weathering with increasing temperature, because of activation energy effects on mineral dissolution kinetics at warmer temperature, the mineral dissolution rate laws utilized in the process model also result in lower dissolution rates at higher pH values. Hence, as dissolution rates increase under warmer conditions, more alkalinity is released by the weathering reaction, helping maintain higher pH values thus stabilizing the weathering rate. Second, the process model yields a relatively low sensitivity of soil pH to increasing plant productivity. This is due to more rapid decomposition of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) under warmer conditions. Because DOC fluxes strongly influence the soil water proton balance and pH, this increased decomposition rate dampens the feedback between productivity and weathering. The process model is most sensitive to parameters reflecting soil structure; depth, porosity, and water content. This suggests that the role of biota to influence these characteristics of the weathering profile is as important, if not more important, than the role of biota to influence mineral dissolution rates through changes in soil water chemistry. This process‐modeling approach to quantify the biological weathering feedback to atmospheric CO2 demonstrates the potential for a far more mechanistic description of weathering feedback in simulations of the global geochemical carbon cycle.
Trends in the North Atlantic carbon sink: 1992–2006
Authors: Ullman David J. , McKinley Galen A. , Bennington Val , Dutkiewicz Stephanie
Published: October 2009

A biogeochemical general circulation model is used to assess the impact of climate variability from 1992 to 2006 on air‐sea CO2 fluxes and ocean surface pCO2 in the North Atlantic and to understand trends in the North Atlantic carbon sink over this time period. The model indicates that the North Atlantic carbon sink increased from the mid‐1990s to the mid‐2000s. Consistent with observations, the model output indicates large changes in the physical and chemical systems of the basin. An analysis of the changes in dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), alkalinity (ALK), and sea‐surface temperature (SST), combined with model‐derived DIC tendency terms, allow for an investigation of the mechanisms that dominate the spatial variability and magnitude of the trends in the air‐sea fluxes and pCO2. Modeled parameters compare favorably with available data from the Bermuda Atlantic Time Series in the subtropical gyre and the SURATLANT volunteer observation ship data in the subpolar gyre. Subtropical changes are controlled primarily by changes in sea‐surface temperature. Subpolar changes in pCO2 are instead driven dynamically, primarily through changing vertical supply of DIC. The amplitude of the ocean pCO2 and air‐sea flux trends are largely related to the increase in atmospheric CO2, but changes to the forcing and circulation of the North Atlantic during this period set the spatial patterns. Model changes are consistent with variation in the North Atlantic Oscillation over the period of study.
An oceanic box model of the Miocene Mediterranean Sea with emphasis on the effects of closure of the eastern gateway
Authors: Karami M. P. , Meijer P. T. , Dijkstra H. A. , Wortel M. J. R.
Published: October 2009

The early Miocene Mediterranean Sea had two gateways toward the open ocean: the Indian Ocean in the east and the Atlantic Ocean in the west. Closure of the eastern connection during the middle Miocene had important effects on the water properties and circulation of the Mediterranean Sea. To gain insight into the circulation of the Mediterranean Sea during the Miocene and the effects of closure, we apply a box model. The model has three boxes representing the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Indian Ocean. The boxes exchange water, heat, and salt through surface and deep flow. The deep flow is driven by the density contrast between the boxes. We analyze the variation of (1) temperature, salinity, and residence time and (2) magnitude and configuration of the gateway flows in response to changes in the gateways and in atmospheric forcing (freshwater and heat fluxes). The analysis is presented in three parts: preclosure, closure, and postclosure. Model results are compared with observations reported in literature. The model analysis indicates that (1) prior to closure of the eastern gateway, deep flow was most likely west to east in both gateways provided the density of the Indian Ocean was relatively low, (2) the preclosure system was not very sensitive to freshwater and heat flux, (3) the response of the Mediterranean water properties and flow to gradual closure is nonlinear, (4) closure probably resulted in cooling and a rise of salinity and residence time of the Mediterranean Sea if evaporation exceeded freshwater input, and (5) multiple equilibrium states are possible (i.e., different surface and deep flow for the same value of freshwater flux) in the case of two gateways. In addition, we tentatively propose a best‐fit scenario for the history of closure, linking the available data and our model results.
Deep and intermediate layer warming in the western Mediterranean: Water mass changes and heaving
Authors: Zunino Patricia , Vargas‐Yáñez M. , Moya Francina , García‐Martínez M. C. , Plaza Francisco
Published: October 2009

Temperature and salinity have increased in the Western Mediterranean Deep Water during the second half of the 20th century, but surprisingly, the two water masses contributing to its formation (Atlantic Water and Levantine Intermediate Water) show no clear warming trends, at least for the same period of time. Previous studies concerned with long term TS property changes in the Western Mediterranean had dealt with changes on isobaric surfaces. In this study we decompose these changes into their two natural contributions: Changes on isopycnal surfaces and changes induced by heaving (vertical displacements of density surfaces). This decomposition shows that LIW temperature and salinity have increased when changes on density surfaces are analyzed. The upward movement of deep layers has induced cooling on isobaric levels masking LIW temperature trends and underestimating deep layers temperature trends.
Intra‐seasonal variability of polar mesospheric clouds due to inter‐hemispheric coupling
Authors: Karlsson B. , Randall C. E. , Benze S. , Mills M. , Harvey V. L. , Bailey S. M. , Russell J. M.
Published: October 2009

Polar mesospheric cloud (PMC) observations have revealed that interannual variability near the polar summer mesopause can be forced by planetary wave activity in the winter stratosphere. We use data from the Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere (AIM) satellite to investigate coupling between the Arctic winter stratosphere and PMC variability in the Antarctic summer of 2007–2008. We find a high correlation between zonal mean PMC frequency and Arctic winter zonal mean winds from the Goddard Earth Observing System, as well as Microwave Limb Sounder zonal mean temperatures. The time lag between changes in the winter stratosphere and the connected response in PMCs varies from 2 to 8 days. We suggest that the differences in lag times are related to the evolution of cloud altitudes throughout the season. The results here are the first to show evidence for intra‐seasonal PMC variability forced by inter‐hemispheric coupling.
Simultaneous observations of flux transfer events by THEMIS, Cluster, Double Star, and SuperDARN: Acceleration of FTEs
Authors: Fear R. C. , Milan S. E. , Fazakerley A. N. , Fornaçon K.‐H. , Carr C. M. , Dandouras I.
Published: October 2009

We present simultaneous observations of flux transfer events (FTEs) made by the THEMIS and Cluster spacecraft on 3 May 2007, along with supporting observations of fast flows in the dayside ionosphere observed by the SuperDARN radar network. The THEMIS spacecraft were in a string‐of‐pearls formation approximately 20,000 km long and crossed the postnoon magnetopause at low latitudes between 1200 UT (TH‐C) and 1430 UT (TH‐E). The Cluster spacecraft were situated in the magnetosheath at high latitudes in the Southern Hemisphere, approaching the magnetopause which was crossed at about 1600 UT. THEMIS observed “standard” polarity FTE signatures between 1100 and 1500 UT, while Cluster observed “reverse” polarity signatures at the same time. The two sets of signatures are consistent with being generated at the same small region of a subsolar reconnection line. Between 1100 and 1230 UT, the Double Star TC‐1 satellite was near the magnetopause closer to local noon but still ∼7 RE from the subsolar point. TC‐1 only observed a single FTE, suggesting that the variability of the reconnection rate differed between these two locations on the X line. Fast poleward ionospheric flows were observed in the noon and prenoon sector, at similar magnetic local times to the footprints of both Cluster and THEMIS, after 1200 UT. The long string formation of the THEMIS constellation allows the motion of the FTE structures to be tracked, and the acceleration is found to be small but consistent with a model prediction.