bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of global forest change between 1986 and 1993 using satellite-derived terrestrial net primary productivity
Authors: Jang Christine J. , Nishigami Yasuko , Yanagisawa Yukio
Published: October 2009

Although forest removal has been well documented at a global level, knowledge of how major forest processes such as photosynthesis have been affected remains poor. Global forest change between 1986 and 1993 was assessed using the NOAA/AVHRR satellite data converted to terrestrial net primary productivity (NPP). Forest loss was a dominant feature in tropical regions, with the most severe destruction in Latin America followed by southeast Asia and Africa. Loss of high-productivity forests over wide areas was observed for countries such as Brazil and Bolivia. Further analysis showed that approximately 12% (9100999 km2) and 19% (2 600000 km2) of the low-NPP regions (<500 g m−2yr−1, e.g., deserts, tundra) and the high-NPP regions (> 2000 g m−2yr−1, e.g., tropical rain forests), respectively, were transformed to intermediate-NPP regions (500–1500 g m−2yr−1, e.g., savanna, grassland, or cultivated land), between 1986 and 1993. The extent of global forest degradation or fragmentation may be more severe than the deforestation itself. Low-latitude ecosystems were more prone to decline in NPP than mid- and high-latitude ecosystems. The NPP method offers insight into global forest change in a timely, practical and consistent manner.
The social role of protected areas in the new South Africa
Authors: Wells Michael P.
Published: October 2009

South Africa contains an extensive, well-managed protected area network which generates considerable economic benefits from tourism, but the extensive land and financial resources required by the parks and reserves are difficult to reconcile with the acute social and economic development needs of poor rural people with very limited access to any kind of resources. Local communities have incurred substantial costs from the establishment of these parks while receiving few benefits in return. National and provincial governments, as well as the conservation authorities, have now recognized that the long-term future of parks and reserves depends on taking effective steps to redress the local imbalance of benefits and costs. Integrated conservation-development projects (ICDPs) are beginning to test a range of specific measures to increase local community participation in the benefits from protected areas. Parks have considerable resources and expertise which they can use to support local development through ICDPs, although it would be unrealistic to expect parks to solve widespread rural poverty amongst their neighbours. Instead, park authorities should take the lead in forming partnerships to mobilize the combined resources and expertise of other national and provincial government agencies, NGOs and the private sector, as well as the local communities themselves. Community participation in wildlife tourism may best be achievable through joint ventures with the private sector or park management authorities.
Schizophonic Performance:Guitar Hero, Rock Band, and Virtual Virtuosity
Authors: MILLER KIRI
Published: October 2009

This article addressesGuitar HeroandRock Bandgameplay as a developing form of collaborative, participatory rock music performance. Drawing on ethnomusicology, performance studies, popular music studies, gender and sexuality studies, and interdisciplinary digital media scholarship, I investigate the games' models of rock heroism, media debates about their impact, and players' ideas about genuine musicality, rock authenticity, and gendered performance conventions. Grounded in ethnographic research—including interviews, a Web-based qualitative survey, and media reception analysis—this article enhances our understanding of performance at the intersection of the “virtual” and the “real,” while also documenting the changing nature of amateur musicianship in an increasingly technologically mediated world.
Orale Antidiabetika 2009
Authors: Schwab Silvia , Diem Peter
Published: October 2009

In den vergangenen Jahren sind neue orale Antidiabetika entwickelt worden und haben die Therapiemöglichkeiten beim Diabetes mellitus Typ 2 (T2DM) verändert. Inzwischen stehen mit den Biguaniden, Sulfonylharnstoffe, Gliniden, Glitazonen, α-Glucosidase-Inhibitoren und DDP-4-Hemmern sechs verschiedene Substanzgruppen zu Verfügung. Diese große Auswahl erleichtert jedoch nicht unbedingt die Wahl des für den einzelnen Diabetiker richtigen Medikaments. Im Artikel werden die spezifischen Wirkmechanismen, Nebenwirkungen, Vor- und Nachteile der Substanzgruppen besprochen. Jede medikamentöse Therapie sollte immer von Lifestyleänderungen begleitet werden, die eine vernünftige Ernährung und körperliche Aktivitäten beinhalten. Trotz der Fülle der Medikamente bleibt der T2DM eine chronische, langsam fortschreitende Erkrankung und kann nicht geheilt werden. Präventive Maßnahmen zur Verhinderung des T2DM sind deshalb wichtig.
Insulin und Diabetes mellitus Typ 2
Authors: Lanker Andrea , Müller Bruno , Diem Peter
Published: October 2009

Immer mehr Menschen erkranken weltweit an Typ 2-Diabetes. Oft ist eine Behandlung mit oralen Antidiabetika (OAD) für eine suffiziente Stoffwechselkontrolle nicht ausreichend, und es bedarf einer Insulintherapie. Die SGED (Schweizerische Gesellschaft für Endokrinologie und Diabetologie) empfiehlt als Behandlungsziel ein HbA1c von < 7 % anzustreben, bei Patienten mit geringem Hypoglykämierisiko sogar ein HbA1c möglichst Nahe am Normalwert. Eine Therapie mit Insulin ist dann angezeigt, wenn trotz ausgebauter Therapie mit OAD und geändertem Lebensstil das HbA1c nicht unter 7 % gesenkt werden kann. Folgende klinische Situationen stellen zudem unabhängig von der Stoffwechselkontrolle eine Indikation für eine Insulintherapie dar: Schwangerschaft, größere Operationen, Behandlung auf der Intensivstation, hochdosierte Glucocorticoidtherapie, schwere periphere Polyneuropathie, Kontraindikationen für OAD. Die Wahl der Insulintherapie richtet sich nach den BZ-Tagesprofilen und den Bedürfnissen des Patienten. Denn nur mit einem motivierten Patienten kann eine Verbesserung der Stoffwechselkontrolle erreicht werden.
Diabetes mellitus und Alter
Authors: Noth Daniel , Sahli Rahel , Elsässer Imboden Petra , Christ Emanuel
Published: October 2009

Diabetes mellitus Typ 2 ist im Alter häufig. Dennoch gibt es wenig Daten über die adäquate blutzuckersenkende Therapie. Bei älteren Patienten ( > 70 Jahre) oder kurzer Lebenserwartung (< 10 Jahre) ist HbA1c um 7 % (bis max 8.0 %) erstrebenswert. Bei schwerer Komorbidität ist das Ziel Symptomkontrolle und Stabilisierung des Gewichtes, insbesondere der Muskelmasse. Insulin ist bei symptomatischen Patienten aufgrund seiner Effizienz und anabolen Wirkung das bevorzugte Therapeutikum. Alle Behandlungskonzepte sollten Hypoglykämien möglichst vermeiden. Regelmäßige Ernährung vereinfacht die Therapie und trägt zur Lebensqualität bei. Die Bedeutung der Therapie assoziierter kardiovaskulärer Risikofaktoren wird ebenfalls von den Komorbiditäten mitbestimmt.
Fehlerorientierung und Eigeninitiative im Bankensektor
Authors: Gartmeier Martin , Hetzner Stefanie , Gruber Hans , Heid Helmut
Published: October 2009

In einer querschnittlichen Feldstudie wurden Einstellungen gegenüber Fehlern am Arbeitsplatz als Prädiktoren der Eigeninitiative untersucht. Die Wahrnehmung von Psychological Safety in Bezug auf die Kollegenschaft und die Vorgesetzten wurde als Mediatorvariable berücksichtigt. Für die Studie wurden 84 Beschäftigte der Privatkundenberatung einer Bank befragt, deren Arbeitsplätze zum Zeitpunkt der Erhebung von gravierenden Arbeitsplatzveränderungen betroffen waren. Regressionsanalysen zeigten Fehlerkompetenz, Lernen aus Fehlern sowie Nachdenken über Fehler als bedeutsame Prädiktoren von Eigeninitiative. Für alle genannten Einflüsse konnte eine Mediation durch Psychological Safety – Kollegenschaft nachgewiesen werden; Psychological Safety – Vorgesetzte mediierte nur die Einflüsse von Fehlerkompetenz und Lernen aus Fehlern auf Eigeninitiative. Die Ergebnisse weisen darauf hin, dass die befragten Beschäftigten Innovationen eher innerhalb ihrer eigenen Arbeitsgruppe anstoßen.
Romance of Leadership und die Qualität von Managemententscheidungen
Authors: Herrmann Daniel , Felfe Jörg
Published: October 2009

Das Konzept der Romantisierung von Führung (Romance of Leadership) besagt, dass der Einfluss von Führungskräften auf den Unternehmenserfolg überschätzt und der Bedeutung wichtiger Kontextfaktoren zu wenig Beachtung geschenkt wird ( Meindl et al., 1985 ). Als Weiterführung dieses Ansatzes wird in dieser Studie untersucht, inwieweit Romance of Leadership die Qualität von Managemententscheidungen negativ beeinflussen kann. Dazu wurden 124 Führungskräften standardisierte Managementszenarien vorgelegt, bei denen es um die Befürwortung oder Ablehnung von Projekten ging. In den Szenarien wurden die Erfolgsaussichten der Projektleiter systematisch variiert. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass Personen, die stärker zur Romantisierung von Führung neigen, weniger rationale und angemessene Entscheidungen treffen. Obwohl explizit darauf hingewiesen wurde, dass der Erfolg eines bestimmten Projekts nicht von dem Projektleiter abhängig ist, machen Personen, die stärker zur Romantisierung von Führung neigen, ihre Entscheidung dennoch von den Erfolgsaussichten der Führungskraft abhängig. Die theoretischen und praktischen Implikationen z. B. für Führungskräftetrainings werden diskutiert.
FEAT – Fragebogen zur Erhebung von Arbeitszufriedenheitstypen
Authors: Ferreira Yvonne
Published: October 2009

Das Züricher Modell zur Bestimmung von Arbeitszufriedenheitstypen ( Bruggemann, 1976 ; Büssing & Bissels, 1998 ) beschreibt die Entstehung von Arbeitszufriedenheit und die Möglichkeiten, Einfluss darauf zu nehmen. Um bestehende Kritikpunkte am Modell abzuarbeiten und zu beseitigen ist es notwendig, eine Erfassungsmethode im Sinne des Züricher Modells zu entwickeln. Dies wurde mit dem Fragebogen zur Erhebung von Arbeitszufriedenheitstypen FEAT umgesetzt, der es ermöglicht, nicht nur die bereits postulierten Arbeitszufriedenheitstypen zu erheben, sondern auch alle weiteren theoretisch aus dem Züricher Modell ableitbaren. Die Kenntnis der in einem Betrieb vorhandenen Arbeitszufriedenheitstypen ermöglicht es, gezielte Gestaltungsverbesserungen vorzunehmen und deren Auswirkungen zu dokumentieren. Die Arbeitszufriedenheitstypen geben eindeutigere und detailliertere Informationen über Mitarbeiter/-innen und deren Engagement für den Betrieb, als dies die Erhebung der typischen Arbeitszufriedenheitsfacetten alleine ermöglichen kann.
NEO-Fünf-Faktoren-Inventar nach Costa und McCrae (NEO-FFI)
Authors: Kanning Uwe Peter
Published: October 2009

Das NEO-Fünf-Faktoren-Inventar nach Costa und McCrae (NEO-FFI, Borkenau & Ostendorf, 2007 ) ist ein Fragebogen zur Selbstbeschreibung und erfasst die sog. „Big Five“: Neurotizismus, Extraversion, Offenheit für Erfahrungen, Verträglichkeit und Gewissenhaftigkeit. Es liegt in einer zweiten, neu normierten und vollständig überarbeiteten deutschsprachigen Auflage vor. Die Gütekriterien weisen es als ein hochwertiges Verfahren aus, das – mit Einschränkungen – auch in der personaldiagnostischen Praxis eingesetzt werden kann.
One‐norm misfit statistics
Authors: Revets S. A.
Published: October 2009

Estimating the confidence interval of a variable or an aggregate of any type of variables is an essential part of scientific activity. It is equally important to ensure that the appropriate, correct statistical measure is used. I discovered inaccuracies in the derivation of a one‐norm misfit measure widely used in geophysics and show the exact derivation.
Stratification‐dependent mixing may increase sensitivity of a wind‐driven Atlantic overturning to surface freshwater flux
Authors: Marzeion B. , Levermann A.
Published: October 2009

Stratification‐dependent mixing is employed in a coupled climate model of intermediate complexity with a 3‐dimensional ocean component. Oceanic vertical diffusivity is calculated as κ ∼ N−α, where N is the local buoyancy frequency. The sensitivity of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) to freshwater forcing is tested for exponents 0 ≤ α ≤ 2 by first slowly increasing, then decreasing the freshwater forcing over the North Atlantic, keeping the model close to equilibrium. The surface fresh anomaly imposed between 20°N and 50°N in the Atlantic reaches the deep ocean by vertical diffusion, and by AMOC advection via the northern convection sites. The fresh anomaly leads to enhanced stratification and thereby reduces vertical mixing stronger for higher values of α. Consequently, the freshwater anomaly reaches the northern deep water formation regions less diluted, and reduces the AMOC more strongly compared to lower values of α. Our findings indicate that modeled changes in the AMOC depend critically on the details of the mixing parameterization employed in the model.
Calibration of a water and energy balance model: Recursive parameter estimation versus particle swarm optimization
Authors: Scheerlinck Karolien , Pauwels Valentijn R. N. , Vernieuwe Hilde , De Baets Bernard
Published: October 2009

It is well known that one of the major problems in the application of land surface models is the determination of the various model parameters. In most cases, only one or a limited number of variables are used to estimate these parameters. This study evaluates the use of two fundamentally different global optimization methods, multistart weight‐adaptive recursive parameter estimation (MWARPE) and particle swarm optimization (PSO), for the estimation of hydrologic model parameters on the basis of data for multiple variables. MWARPE iteratively uses the linear recursive filter equations in a Monte Carlo setting and therefore does not rely on the explicit minimization of an objective function. However, a major drawback of the MWARPE method is the high dimensionality, determined by the number of observations, of the matrix to be inverted. On the other hand, PSO is a stochastic optimization method based on the collective strength of a population of individuals with flocking or herding behavior, as observed in a wide number of biological systems. In situ observations of net radiation; latent, sensible, and ground heat fluxes; and the soil moisture profile are used to determine the parameters of a simplified water and energy balance model. Both optimization methods are analyzed in terms of model performance and computational efficiency. Comparable results, expressed in terms of the root mean square error values, were obtained for both methods. However, it was found that MWARPE tends to slightly overfit the data.
Variability and abundance of the epiphytic bacterial community associated with a green marine Ulvacean alga
Authors: Tujula Niina A , Crocetti Gregory R , Burke Catherine , Thomas Torsten , Holmström Carola , Kjelleberg Staffan
Published: October 2009

Marine Ulvacean algae are colonized by dense microbial communities predicted to have an important role in the development, defense and metabolic activities of the plant. Here we assess the diversity and seasonal dynamics of the bacterial community of the model alga Ulva australis to identify key groups within this epiphytic community. A total of 48 algal samples of U. australis that were collected as 12 individuals at 3 monthly intervals, were processed by applying denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), and three samples from each season were subjected to catalyzed reporter deposition fluorescence in situ hybridization (CARD-FISH). CARD-FISH revealed that the epiphytic microbial community was comprised mainly of bacterial cells (90%) and was dominated by the groups Alphaproteobacteria (70%) and Bacteroidetes (13%). A large portion (47%) of sequences from the Alphaproteobacteria fall within the Roseobacter clade throughout the different seasons, and an average relative proportion of 19% was observed using CARD-FISH. DGGE based spatial (between tidal pools) and temporal (between season) comparisons of bacterial community composition demonstrated that variation occurs. Between individuals from both the same and different tidal pools, the variation was highest during winter (30%) and between seasons a 40% variation was observed. The community also includes a sub-population of bacteria that is consistently present. Sequences from excised DGGE bands indicate that members of the Alphaproteobacteria and the Bacteroidetes are part of this stable sub-population, and are likely to have an important role in the function of this marine epiphytic microbial community.
In Central Obesity, Weight Loss Restores Platelet Sensitivity to Nitric Oxide and Prostacyclin
Authors: Russo Isabella , Traversa Monica , Bonomo Katia , De Salve Alessandro , Mattiello Luigi , Del Mese Paola , Doronzo Gabriella , Cavalot Franco , Trovati Mariella , Anfossi Giovanni
Published: October 2009

Central obesity shows impaired platelet responses to the antiaggregating effects of nitric oxide (NO), prostacyclin, and their effectors—guanosine 3′,5′‐cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) and adenosine 3′,5′‐cyclic monophosphate (cAMP). The influence of weight loss on these alterations is not known. To evaluate whether a diet‐induced body‐weight reduction restores platelet sensitivity to the physiological antiaggregating agents and reduces platelet activation in subjects affected by central obesity, we studied 20 centrally obese subjects before and after a 6‐month diet intervention aiming at reducing body weight by 10%, by measuring (i) insulin sensitivity (homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMAIR)); (ii) plasma lipids; (iii) circulating markers of inflammation of adipose tissue and endothelial dysfunction, and of platelet activation (i.e., soluble CD‐40 ligand (sCD‐40L) and soluble P‐selectin (sP‐selectin)); (iv) ability of the NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP), the prostacyclin analog Iloprost and the cyclic nucleotide analogs 8‐bromoguanosine 3′,5′‐cyclic monophosphate (8‐Br‐cGMP) and 8‐bromoadenosine 3′,5′‐cyclic monophosphate (8‐Br‐cAMP) to reduce platelet aggregation in response to adenosine‐5‐diphosphate (ADP); and (v) ability of SNP and Iloprost to increase cGMP and cAMP. The 10 subjects who reached the body‐weight target showed significant reductions of insulin resistance, adipose tissue, endothelial dysfunction, and platelet activation, and a significant increase of the ability of SNP, Iloprost, 8‐Br‐cGMP, and 8‐Br‐cAMP to reduce ADP‐induced platelet aggregation and of the ability of SNP and Iloprost to increase cyclic nucleotide concentrations. No change was observed in the 10 subjects who did not reach the body‐weight target. Changes of platelet function correlated with changes of HOMAIR. Thus, in central obesity, diet‐induced weight loss reduces platelet activation and restores the sensitivity to the physiological antiaggregating agents, with a correlation with improvements in insulin sensitivity.
Weight Loss Through Gastric Banding: Effects on TSH and Thyroid Hormones in Obese Subjects With Normal Thyroid Function
Authors: Dall'Asta Chiara , Paganelli Michele , Morabito Alberto , Vedani Paola , Barbieri Michelangela , Paolisso Giuseppe , Folli Franco , Pontiroli Antonio E.
Published: October 2009

Studies on thyroid function in obesity yielded inconsistent results; high thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were generally shown; high free triiodothyronine (fT)‐3 or fT4 levels were described in some, but not in other studies. After weight loss, TSH and thyroid hormones have been described to either increase or decrease. Our aim was to describe TSH, fT3, and fT4 in obese subjects with normal thyroid function before and after durable and significant weight loss, obtained through laparoscopic gastric banding (LAGB), in comparison with nonobese subjects. TSH, fT3, fT4, and fT3/fT4 ratio (an index of D1 and D2 deiodinase activity), were evaluated in 99 healthy controls and in 258 obese subjects, at baseline and 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after LAGB, together with indexes of glucose (glucose, insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index) and lipid (triglycerides, total and high‐density lipoprotein–cholesterol) metabolism, and anthropometric measures (BMI and waist circumference). Under basal conditions, TSH, fT3, and fT4 were all in the normal range, but higher in obese than in nonobese subjects, and fT3/fT4 ratio was normal; with weight loss, fT3 and fT3/fT4 ratio decreased in obese subjects, while fT4 increased and TSH remained steady; all values were again within the normal range. Albumin and cholesterol levels remained steady, while triglycerides, insulin, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance decreased, and high‐density lipoprotein–cholesterol increased. These changes, however, do not modify TSH, letting us to hypothesize that the changes are due to a decrease of D1 and D2 deiodinase activities.
Postprandial Vascular Reactivity in Obese and Normal Weight Young Adults
Authors: Ayer Julian G. , Harmer Jason A. , Steinbeck Katherine , Celermajer David S.
Published: October 2009

As humans spend a significant amount of time in the postprandial state, we examined whether vascular reactivity (a key indicator of cardiovascular health) was different after a high‐fat meal in 11 obese (median BMI 46.4, age 32.1 ± 6.3 years, 7 men) and 11 normal weight (median BMI 22.6) age‐ and sex‐matched controls. At baseline and 1 and 3 h postmeal, blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), reactive hyperemia peripheral artery tonometry (RH‐PAT) index, radial augmentation index adjusted for HR (AIx75), brachial pulse wave velocity (PWVb), glucose, insulin, total and high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides were measured. Brachial flow‐mediated dilatation (FMD) and, by venous plethysmography, resting and hyperemic forearm blood flows (FBFs) were measured at baseline and 3 h. At baseline, obese subjects had higher systolic BP, HR, resting FBF, insulin and equivalent FMD, RH‐PAT, hyperemic FBF, AIx75, PWVb, glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and lower HDL cholesterol. In obese and lean subjects, FMD at baseline and 3 h was not significantly different (6.2 ± 1.7 to 5.8 ± 4.3% for obese and 4.7 ± 4.1 to 4.3 ± 3.9% for normal weight, P = 0.975 for group × time). The meal did not produce significant changes in RH‐PAT, hyperemic FBF, and PWVb in either group (P > 0.1 for the effect of time and for group × time interactions). In conclusion, the vascular responses to a high‐fat meal are similar in obese and normal weight young adults. An exaggerated alteration in postprandial vascular reactivity is thus unlikely to contribute importantly to the increased cardiovascular risk of obesity.
Release of 12 Adipokines by Adipose Tissue, Nonfat Cells, and Fat Cells From Obese Women
Authors: Fain John N. , Tagele Balkachew M. , Cheema Paramjeet , Madan Atul K. , Tichansky David S.
Published: October 2009

The relative release in vitro of endothelin‐1, zinc‐α2‐glycoprotein (ZAG), lipocalin‐2, CD14, RANTES (regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted protein), lipoprotein lipase (LPL), osteoprotegerin (OPG), fatty acid–binding protein 4 (FABP‐4), visfatin/PBEF/Nampt, glutathione peroxidase‐3 (GPX‐3), intracellular cell adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM‐1), and amyloid A was examined using explants of human adipose tissue as well as the nonfat cell fractions and adipocytes from obese women. Over a 48‐h incubation the majority of the release of LPL was by fat cells whereas that of lipocalin‐2, RANTES, and ICAM‐1 was by the nonfat cells present in human adipose tissue. In contrast appreciable amounts of OPG, amyloid A, ZAG, FABP‐4, GPX‐3, CD14, and visfatin/PBEF/Nampt were released by both fat cells and nonfat cells. There was an excellent correlation (r = 0.75) between the ratios of adipokine release by fat cells to nonfat cells over 48 h and the ratio of their mRNAs in fat cells to nonfat cells at the start of the incubation. The total release of ZAG, OPG, RANTES, and amyloid A by incubated adipose tissue explants from women with a fat mass of 65 kg was not different from that by women with a fat mass of 29 kg. In contrast that of ICAM‐1, FABP‐4, GPX‐3, visfatin/PBEF/Nampt, CD14, lipocalin‐2, LP, and endothelin‐1 was significantly greater in tissue from women with a total fat mass of 65 kg.
HDL‐paraoxonase and Membrane Lipid Peroxidation: A Comparison Between Healthy and Obese Subjects
Authors: Ferretti Gianna , Bacchetti Tiziana , Masciangelo Simona , Bicchiega Virginia
Published: October 2009

High‐density lipoproteins (HDLs) play a key role in the protection against oxidative damage. The enzyme paraoxonase‐1 (PON1) associated at the surface of HDL modulates the antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory role of HDL. Previous studies have demonstrated a decrease of serum PON in obese patients. The aim of this study was to investigate whether modifications of PON1 activity reflect in a different ability to protect and/or repair biological membranes against oxidative damage. Thirty obese patients at different grades of obesity (BMI ranging from 30.4 to 64.0 kg/m2) and 62 age‐matched control subjects (BMI <25 kg/m2) were included in the study. The ability of HDL to protect membranes against oxidative damage was studied using erythrocyte membranes oxidized with 2,2‐azobis(2 amidinopropane)dihydrochloride (AAPH) (ox‐membrane). The membrane lipid hydroperoxide levels were evaluated after the incubation of ox‐membranes in the absence or in the presence of HDL of controls or obese patients. The results confirm that HDL exerts a protective effect against lipid peroxidation. The ability of HDL to repair erythrocyte membranes was positively correlated with HDL‐PON activity and negatively correlated with lipid hydroperoxide levels in HDL. These results suggest that PON modulates the HDL repairing ability. HDL from obese patients repaired less efficiently erythrocyte membranes against oxidative damage with respect to HDL from healthy subjects. A negative relationship has been established between BMI of obese patients and the protective effect of HDL. In conclusion, the decrease of HDL‐PON activity and the lower HDL protective action against membrane peroxidation in obese patients could contribute to accelerate the cellular oxidative damage and arteriosclerosis in obesity.
Accuracy of Self‐reported Weight and Height in Binge Eating Disorder: Misreport Is Not Related to Psychological Factors
Authors: White Marney A. , Masheb Robin M. , Grilo Carlos M.
Published: October 2009

This study examined the degree of misreport in weight, height, and BMI among overweight adults (n = 392) with binge eating disorder (BED) and tested whether the degree of misreport was associated with eating disorder psychopathology and psychological variables. Male (n = 97) and female (n = 295) participants self‐reported height and weight, and were subsequently measured by clinic staff. Participants also completed a series of diagnostic interviews and self‐report assessments. Discrepancies between self‐reported and measured values were modest. The degree of misreport for weight, height, and BMI was not related to eating disorder features, depression, and self‐esteem. Overall, the errors in self‐reported weight and height by overweight patients with BED were very slight. The degree of discrepancy between self‐reported and measured values was not related to eating disorder or psychological features, suggesting that such data are not biased or systematically related to individual differences in overweight patients with BED.
Dynamics of Change in Total and Regional Body Composition After Gastric Bypass in Obese Patients
Authors: Ciangura Cecile , Bouillot Jean‐Luc , Lloret‐Linares Celia , Poitou Christine , Veyrie Nicolas , Basdevant Arnaud , Oppert Jean‐Michel
Published: October 2009

Little is known on patterns of change over time in body composition, especially lean body mass (LBM), during massive weight loss after Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass (RYGB) in obese patients. We performed sequential measurements of total and regional body composition in patients after RYGB, and we compared a subsample of patients after surgery to a nonsurgical control group of similar age and body fatness. We used dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) before and at 3, 6, and 12 months after RYGB in 42 obese women (before surgery: age 39.5 ± 11.6 years; BMI 44.6 ± 6.1 kg/m2; mean ± s.d.) and in 48 control obese women referred for nonsurgical weight management, before weight loss. During 1‐year follow‐up after RYGB, there was a continuous decrease in body weight (−36.0 ± 12.5 kg at 1 year), total fat mass (FM) (−26.0 ± 9.1 kg), as well as in trunk and appendicular FM. In contrast, the decrease in total LBM (−9.8 ± 4.8 kg at 1 year), as well as in trunk and appendicular LBM, plateaued after 3–6 months. Rates of loss in weight, FM, and LBM were highest during the first 3‐month period after RYGB (6.4 ± 1.8, 4.1 ± 1.7, and 2.3 ± 1.2 kg/month, respectively), then decreased continuously for FM but plateaued for LBM. There was no evidence of a decrease in total, trunk, or appendicular LBM in weight‐reduced subjects compared to the control group. In conclusion, follow‐up of these obese women revealed a differential pattern of change in FM and LBM after RYGB. Despite an important loss in LBM, especially during the 3–6 months of initial period, LBM appears to be spared thereafter.
Comparison of Fat–Water MRI and Single‐voxel MRS in the Assessment of Hepatic and Pancreatic Fat Fractions in Humans
Authors: Hu Houchun H. , Kim Hee‐Won , Nayak Krishna S. , Goran Michael I.
Published: October 2009

The ability to accurately and noninvasively quantify fatty infiltration in organs such as the liver and the pancreas remains a critical component in understanding the link between obesity and its comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease. Single‐voxel (1H) proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) has long been regarded as the gold‐standard noninvasive technique for such measurements. Recent advances in three‐dimensional fat–water magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods have led to the development of rapid, robust, and quantitative approaches that can accurately characterize the proportion of fat and water content in underlying tissues across the full imaging volume, and hence entire organs of interest. One such technique is called IDEAL (Iterative Decomposition with Echo Asymmetry and Least squares estimation). This article prospectively compares three‐dimensional (3D) IDEAL‐MRI and single‐voxel MRS in the assessment of hepatic (HFF) and pancreatic fat fraction (PFF) in 16 healthy subjects. MRS acquisitions took 3–4 min to complete whereas IDEAL acquisitions were completed in 20‐s breath‐holds. In the liver, there was a strong correlation (slope = 0.90, r2 = 0.95, P < 0.001) between IDEAL and MRS‐based fat fractions. In the pancreas, a poorer agreement between IDEAL and MRS was observed (slope = 0.32, r2 = 0.51, P < 0.02). The discrepancy of PFF is likely explained by MRS signal contamination from surrounding visceral fat, presumably during respiratory motion. We conclude that IDEAL is equally accurate in characterizing hepatic fat content as MRS, and is potentially better suited for fat quantification in smaller organs such as the pancreas.
A one‐step exclusion‐binding procedure for the purification of functional heavy‐chain and mammalian‐type γ‐globulins from camelid sera
Authors: Blanc Michel R. , Anouassi Abdelhaq , Abed Mohanad Ahmed , Tsikis Guillaume , Canepa Sylvie , Labas Valérie , Belghazi Maya , Bruneau Gilles
Published: October 2009

A new approach has recently been proposed for the purification of ‘mammalian‐type’ IgG, consisting of exclusion binding. The technique uses a gel (‘Melon gel’; Pierce) that binds to all plasma proteins, but not to IgGs, thus allowing IgGs to be recovered in the FT (flow‐through) fraction. Here, the technique was applied to camelid IgGs, which are known to be composed of not only classic mammalian‐type IgGs (IgG1) but also HC‐IgGs (heavy chain IgGs). Both mammalian type and HC‐IgGs can be purified in the FT fraction of dromedary (Camelus dromedarius) plasma samples with less than 8.5% contamination, by making minor improvements to the conditions recommended by the manufacturer. The contaminant proteins, as determined by LC‐MS/MS (liquid chromatography–tandem MS), are mainly transferrin and albumin. The recovery rate is elevated for both types of IgGs (95±14% and 88±25% for IgG1 and HC‐IgGs respectively). IgGs thus purified maintain their ability to bind to their antigen, as measured by surface plasmon resonance and Western ligand blotting. Furthermore, IgGs can be purified from plasma samples of all camelid species in a similar manner, although the ratio of HC‐IgGs to total IgGs was lower for Lama (llama) and Vicugna (vicuña) than for Camelus species. The ‘Melon gel’ technique can thus be used to satisfactorily purify IgG1 and HC‐IgGs from all camelid species.
Adrenomedullin is expressed during rodent dental tissue development and promotes cell growth and mineralization
Authors: Musson David S. , McLachlan Julia L. , Sloan Alastair J. , Smith Anthony J. , Cooper Paul R.
Published: October 2009

Background information. ADM (adrenomedullin) has pleiotropic effects, including regulation of inflammation, infection, angiogenesis, mineralized‐tissue formation and development. Recently, we demonstrated up‐regulation of the ADM transcript in diseased pulpal tissue while the protein is sequestered within the dentine extracellular matrix during dentinogenesis. The present study aimed to characterize ADM localization during rodent dental tissue development and determine its potential effects on dental cells. Finally, we sought to profile ADM transcript levels in adult organs and tissues to compare its expression in teeth relative to other tissues.

Results. Immunohistochemical analysis of developmental rat oral tissues indicated that, at E16 (embryonic day 16), ADM was present in dental epithelium and, by E18, ADM localized to the dental papilla and inner and outer dental epithelia. By E20, ADM was detected in secretory odontoblasts and ameloblasts and exhibited a similar expression profile to that of the key dentinogenesis signalling molecule, TGF‐β1 (transforming growth factor‐β1). Cell growth analysis in the dental MDPC‐23, OD‐21 and control 3T3 cell lines exposed to ADM (range 10−15–10−7 M) together with EDTA‐extracted DMPs (dentine matrix proteins) (range 0.00001–1000 mg/ml) containing comparable concentrations of ADM demonstrated that ADM stimulated a biphasic response in dental cell growth, comparable with that of DMPs, with peak stimulation observed at ∼10−11 M. For mineralization analysis, cell lines were exposed to combinations of 50 μg/ml ascorbic acid, 10 mM β‐G (β‐glycerophosphate), 10−8 M DEX (dexamethasone) and ADM (range 10−15–10−7 M). The results demonstrated that ADM could substitute for DEX to stimulate mineralization. Postnatally, multiple tissue expression profiling indicated abundant ADM levels in tongue and pulpal tissues.

Conclusions. During oral and dental tissue development ADM initially localizes to epithelial tissue, whereas during later stages it is present in mineralized secreting cells, including odontoblasts. ADM may regulate proliferation and mineralization processes during development, whereas, in adulthood, it may be important for maintaining dental tissue homoeostasis.
Prognostic value of admission blood glucose concentration and diabetes diagnosis on survival after acute myocardial infarction: results from 4702 index cases in routine practice
Authors: Squire Iain B. , Nelson Christopher P. , Ng Leong L. , Jones David R. , Woods Kent L. , Lambert Paul C.
Published: October 2009

The diagnosis of diabetes and admission blood glucose concentration are associated with adverse outcome after acute coronary syndromes. We compared the relative association with survival after ST elevation AMI (acute myocardial infarction) of admission blood glucose concentration and of diabetes diagnosis. We carried out a retrospective cohort study in 4702 consecutive patients with STEMI (ST elevation AMI) occurring from 1 April 1993 to 31 December 2005, assessed for mortality at 30 days and 1 year. Patients were classified according to antecedent diabetes and by blood glucose concentration at admission (quartile 1, <7mmol/l; quartile 2, 7–8.2 mmol/l; quartile 3, 8.3–10.9 mmol/l; quartile 4, ≥11 mmol/l). Multivariable models were constructed for determinants of mortality, including year of STEMI and demographic variables, entering blood glucose concentration and antecedent diabetes individually and together. All-cause 30-day and 1-year mortality were 22.8% and 31.3% for patients with antecedent diabetes, compared with 16.3% and 23.0% respectively for those without. For glucose quartiles 1, 2, 3 and 4, crude 30-day mortality was 9.0%, 10.6%, 17.9% and 31.0%. Adjusted 30-day mortality risk was similar in quartile 2, higher by >80% in quartile 3 and by >150% in quartile 4, compared with glucose quartile 1. Antecedent diabetes was associated with an increase in mortality [unadjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.52 (95% CI 1.24, 1.86)]. On multivariable analysis (excluding glucose quartile), this reduced to 1.24 (0.98, 1.58) and changed to a small, statistically non-significant reduction in risk when glucose quartile was added to the analysis [adjusted OR 0.87 (0.67, 1.13)]. Inclusion of antecedent diabetes in multivariable models did not add to the predictive value for mortality of glucose quartile (P=0.368). Similar relationships were observed for 1 year mortality. In patients with STEMI, blood glucose concentration shows graded association with risk of 30-day and 1-year mortality and is of greater prognostic relevance than antecedent diabetes diagnosis. Moderate elevation of blood glucose, below levels previously considered to be clinically relevant, is associated with adverse impact on survival.
Undergraduate Research: A Cognitive Apprenticeship Model
Authors: Hagstrom Fran , Baker Kimberly F. , Agan Joseph P.
Published: October 2009

This article presents a cognitive apprenticeship model that can be used to organize undergraduate research. The purpose is to encourage students and faculty to become involved in undergraduate research by providing an outline of the undergraduate research program at the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville. Theoretical articles and empirical studies are used to describe the relevance of this approach to undergraduate research. Procedural descriptions and student comments are included to demystifying the research process.
Collaborate to Celebrate!
Authors: Ridge JoAnn , Vogel Patty
Published: October 2009

When speech-language pathologists and other school professionals collaborate, powerful teams working together for student success develop. Partnerships, achievement, and celebrating learning are important components of collaborative relationships that empower students, speech-language pathologists, and teachers. This paper describes a collaborative framework for school-based team building and intervention.
Administration of a Literacy-Based Curriculum by Teacher and SLP Teams
Authors: Loeb Diane Frome , Daniels Debora Burns
Published: October 2009

A literacy-based language curriculum for Native American and Hispanic American children was jointly administered by four speech-language pathologist (SLP) and teacher teams. Analyses indicated that teachers, when trained and provided with structured lessons, were able to co-administer a curriculum designed to improve language and literacy skills in the classroom.
Academic Preparation for the School-Based SLP: A National Survey
Authors: Means Jennifer
Published: October 2009

The purpose of this study was to ascertain the number of ASHA accredited graduate Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) programs offering specific course work addressing school-based issues for the speech-language pathologist. This research was conducted through e-mail survey distribution to 250 universities and colleges across the United States. The results are presented with pedagogy development and program planning suggestions.
Pt metallization of laser transformed medical grade silicone rubber: Last step toward a miniaturized nerve electrode fabrication process
Authors: Dupas-Bruzek C. , Dréan P. , Derozier D.
Published: October 2009

Chronic nerve recording and stimulation became possible through the use of implanted electrodes cuffs. In particular, self-sizing spiral electrode cuffs limit mechanical damage to the tissue: these have been shown to be suitable for long term implantation in animal and in man. However, up to now, such electrode cuffs were handmade and were hardly reproducible. They possessed a small number of electrodes (dot contacts), each being linked to its own wire. In order to improve the selectivity of nerve recording and/or stimulation (functional electrical stimulation), the numbers of electrodes and tracks have to be increased within the same electrode cuff surface. To fulfill this requirement, we have developed a fabrication process that uses an UV laser to induce surface modification, which activates the silicone rubber and is used with a mask to give high definition tracks and electrodes. After this primary step, silicone rubber is immersed in a Pt autocatalytic bath leading to a selective Pt metallization of the laser activated tracks and electrodes. We report our process as well as the results on the Pt metallization, including its morphology, how the DC resistance of Pt tracks depends on the laser used and the irradiation conditions, and also the electrical resistance of Pt tracks submitted to Scotch tape tests or to imposed strains. We show that (i) the type of laser and the irradiation conditions have a strong influence on the nucleation and growth rate of platinum and thus on the DC resistance of the tracks, (ii) the tracks of width 400 μm and thickness 10 μm have a sheet resistivity of 0.2 Ω/sq, (iii) DC resistance does not change much during a 6 month soak in saline, (iv) strains above 2% breaks the track continuity, and (v) when strains below 53% are relaxed, the DC resistance returns to a low value. This recovery from large tensile strains means that nerve cuffs with such metallization could be handled by the surgeon without great care before and during implantation.
Self-rectifying effect in gold nanocrystal-embedded zirconium oxide resistive memory
Authors: Zuo Qingyun , Long Shibing , Liu Qi , Zhang Sen , Wang Qin , Li Yingtao , Wang Yan , Liu Ming
Published: October 2009

The ZrO2 films with Au nanocrystals embedded (ZrO2:nc-Au) are fabricated by e-beam evaporation, and the self-rectifying effect in the Au/ZrO2:nc-Au/n+ Si sandwich structure is investigated. Self-rectifying resistive switching characteristics are obtained when the resistive memory is switched to low-resistance state (LRS). It is found that the Schottky contact at the Au/ZrO2 interface limits charge injection under reverse bias, while under forward bias the current is limited by space charge, resulting in a rectification of 7×102 under ±0.5 V at LRS, which enables the resistive memory to alleviate the cross-talk effect without additional switching elements in crossbar structure arrays. This self-rectifying resistive switching is believed to occur at a localized region and explained by a proposed model.
Morphological instability of ferromagnetic thin films
Authors: Wu Kuo-An , Voorhees Peter W.
Published: October 2009

We investigate the morphological instability of ferromagnetic planar thin films using linear perturbation theory. We find that, for a uniformly magnetized ferromagnetic planar film with a nonzero component of the magnetization along the normal to the planar film, the planar surface is unstable with respect to perturbations having a wave number smaller than a critical value. In addition, the critical wave number changes with the direction of the surface perturbations, with the perturbations perpendicular to the in-plane component of the magnetization having the largest critical wave number. Such anisotropy could be important in controlling the evolution of the morphology of the film and nanoscale-island formation.
Epitaxial Sr1.8Ca0.2NaNb5O15 thin film waveguides grown by pulsed laser deposition: Optical properties and microstructure
Authors: Liu W. C. , Yao Y. B. , Lam C. Y. , Ng C. S. , Mak C. L. , Wong K. H. , Zhou W. , Sooryakumar R.
Published: October 2009

Epitaxial Sr1.8Ca0.2NaNb5O15 (SCNN) thin films slab waveguide structures that support several low-loss transverse electric (TE) and transverse magnetic (TM) modes were grown on MgO(100) substrates by pulsed laser deposition. To optimize the waveguiding properties, the relationship between film microstructure and deposition temperature was investigated by x-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The prism coupler technique provides for the refractive indices and structural anisotropy of the core SCNN films deposited at various temperatures. Characterization based on this technique is proposed as a mean to relate the surface morphology to optical features such as the full width at half maximum of the excited guide mode.
Imprint effect in ferroelectric poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene) thin films
Authors: Zhu GuoDong , Luo XiaoYa , Zhang JiHao , Yan XueJian
Published: October 2009

The imprint effect in ferroelectrics often hinders their performance in practical applications. Large numbers of observations have been reported on the imprint effect in inorganic ferroelectrics, while the imprint effect in ferroelectric polymers has attracted attention just in recent years. Here we reported our recent studies on the imprint effect in ferroelectric poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene) thin films. We measured the shift of ferroelectric switching peaks and the increase in switching time as a function of the waiting time. The influences of imprint pulse profile and short-circuit condition on the imprint effect were also determined. According to the interface screening model, we discussed the origin of the imprint effect in ferroelectric polymers and explained our experimental observations.
GaN transistor characteristics at elevated temperatures
Authors: Pérez-Tomás A. , Placidi M. , Baron N. , Chenot S. , Cordier Y. , Moreno J. C. , Constant A. , Godignon P. , Millán J.
Published: October 2009

The characteristics of different GaN transistor devices characterized at elevated temperatures for power applications are compared in this paper. High temperature characteristics of GaN metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) and GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) are reported. For MOSFETs, the transconductance current (gm) increases with temperature, while for HEMTs is reduced. Their specific on resistance (Ron) follows the same trend. Specific contact resistivity (ρc) to implanted Si N+ GaN also diminishes with T, whereas for AlGaN/GaN ρc remains practically constant. We bring a more physical insight into the temperature behavior of these GaN devices by means of physics-based modeling in Sec. VI of this paper. The MOSFET’s field-effect mobility increases with T due to interface trap Coulomb scattering. Analogously, the HEMT’s gm decrease with T is attributed to a significant reduction in the two-dimensional electron gas carrier mobility due to polar-optical-phonon scattering. Simplified analytical expressions are presented for carrier mobility versus temperature which can be included in simulation packages.
Interpretation of particle pinches and diffusion coefficients in the edge pedestal of DIII-D H-mode plasmas
Authors: Stacey W. M. , Groebner R. J.
Published: October 2009

A procedure is described for evaluating particle pinches to be used in interpreting particle diffusion coefficients from measured density and temperature profiles in the edge pedestal of tokamak plasmas. Application to the interpretation of two DIII-D [J. Luxon, Nucl. Fusion 42, 614 (2002)]. discharges yields new information about particle pinches and particle diffusion coefficient profiles in the edge pedestal.