bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Supporting the Student-Athlete's Return to the Classroom After a Sport-Related Concussion
Authors: McGrath Neal
Published: September 2010

Objective:

This article provides a framework for school athletic trainers to use in advising colleagues about the health and academic needs of student-athletes presenting with concussions.

Background:

Management of sport-related concussions has been an area of growing concern for school athletic programs. Recent work in this area has highlighted significant risks for student-athletes presenting with these mild traumatic brain injuries.

Description:

Topics covered include general teaching points for the athletic trainer to use with school colleagues. An integrated model for school management of sport concussion injuries is presented that includes involvement of the student's athletic trainer, school nurse, guidance counselor, teachers, social worker, psychologist, physicians, and parents.

Clinical Advantages:

Academic accommodations for specific postconcussion symptoms are proposed that may help the student-athlete strike an optimum balance between rest and continued academic progress during recovery.
A comparative analysis of the health status of men aged 60–72 years and men aged 73+ years in Jamaica: Are there differences across municipalities?
Authors: Bourne Paul A.
Published: September 2010

Background: Since 1990, the number of older men (60+ years) in Jamaica has increased to in excess of 100 000, while there are 30 000 men aged 73+ years. This is despite the fact that men have higher mortality and morbidity rates than women and seek medical treatment less frequently than women.There exists, however, a dearth in literature regarding this phenomenon and, therefore, this study has endeavoured to reduce this gap.Objectives: The aims of this study were to, (1) model the health status of men aged 60–72 years in Jamaica, (2) model the health status of men aged 73+ years in Jamaica and (3) examine the disparity in health status of the two groups in order to ascertain the factors that influence the good health status of elderly men.Method: A sample of 1432 men aged 60+ years were extracted from a survey of 25 018 Jamaicans.Secondly, a sub-sample of 633 men aged 73+ years was extracted from the 1432 men aged over 60.The data from which those samples were extracted is called the Jamaica survey of living conditions(JSLC). The JSLC began in 1988 from a model of the World Bank’s Living conditions survey and is a nationally cross-sectional probability sample. The current study used descriptive statistics to provide background information on the sociodemographic characteristics of the sample and logistic regressions were utilised to examine the factors that predict good health of men aged 60–72 years and men aged 73+ years in Jamaica.Results: The average age of the sample of men aged 60+ years was 71.14 years (SD = 5.64 years)and 78.5 years for the sample of men aged 73+ years (SD = 7.97 years). Approximately 63% of men aged 60–72 years indicated that their health was good compared to 53.3% for men aged 73+ years.Rural men recorded the least health status across the age cohorts. With regard to predictors of good health, the same factors were found to determine approximately 27% of the variability in good health. Ownership of health insurance was found to be the most influential predictor of good health and positive affective psychological condition the least significant predictor of good health for men aged 73+ years and second to last of five factors for older men.Conclusion: The highest self-reported good health was indicated by men aged 60–72 years and men aged 73+ years who dwelled in towns other than Kingston, the capital. The least good health was experienced by rural men. For older men, health insurance coverage does not indicate preventative health, but preparation for curative ill-health.
Polyphosphate in Trichodesmium from the low‐phosphorus Sargasso Sea
Authors: Orchard Elizabeth D. , Benitez-Nelson Claudia R. , Pellechia Perry J. , Lomas Michael W. , Dyhrman Sonya T.
Published: September 2010

Polyphosphate (polyP) is often considered to be the product of luxury uptake in areas of excess phosphorus (P), but can also accumulate in P‐depleted cells in response to P resupply. To test the hypothesis that polyP is present in phytoplankton from oligotrophic systems, the marine diazotroph Trichodesmium was collected from the low‐P surface waters of the Sargasso Sea and assayed with solid‐state 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Up to 25% of Trichodesmium cellular P was characterized as polyP, despite physiological data that indicated the colonies were P deplete. This was consistent with culture studies where there were high percentages of polyP under P‐deplete conditions. All Trichodesmium species examined had the genetic machinery to produce and degrade polyP. Trends in the amount of Trichodesmium polyP along the cruise transect showed that allocation of P to polyP was consistently high, and that the ratio of polyP : carbon varied with changes in temperature and mixed‐layer depth. It may be that Trichodesmium was taking advantage of pulses in P supply, and that polyP is a physiological fingerprint of this variability. Additionally, if polyP formation is a common trait in phytoplankton, polyP released from cells could be an additional bioavailable component of the dissolved organic P pool. Taken together, this study highlights the importance of polyP to P cycling and cellular P allocation even in oligotrophic regions.
Marine effect of introduced salmonids: Prey consumption by exotic steelhead and anadromous brown trout in the Patagonian Continental Shelf
Authors: Ciancio Javier , Beauchamp David A. , Pascual Miguel
Published: September 2010

On the basis of stable isotope analysis, we estimated the marine diet of the most abundant anadromous salmonid species in Patagonian Atlantic basins. The results were coupled with bioenergetic and population models to estimate the consumption of food by salmonids and was compared with that by seabirds, the most abundant top predators in the area. Amphipods were the main salmonid prey, followed by sprat, silversides, squid, and euphausiids. The total consumption, even assuming large anadromous salmonid populations, represented <5% of the total consumption by seabirds. We also identified the particular seabird colonies and artisanal fisheries with which salmonid trophic interactions at a more local scale could be significant.
Does predation controls adult sex ratios and longevities in marine pelagic copepods?
Authors: Hirst A. G. , Bonnet D. , Conway D. V. P. , Kiørboe T.
Published: September 2010

We assess the causes of adult sex ratio skew in marine pelagic copepods by examining changes in these ratios between the juveniles and adults, sexual differences in juvenile stage durations, and mortality rates of adults in the field and laboratory (when free from predators). In the field, late copepodite stages (CIV and CV) commonly have sex ratios that are either not significantly different from equity (1 : 1), or slightly male biased. By contrast, in adults, these ratios are commonly significantly biased toward female dominance. Sex ratio skews are therefore primarily attributable to processes in adults. Members of the non‐Diaptomoidea have especially skewed adult ratios; in the members Oithonidae and Clausocalanidae this is not generated from differences between male and female adult physiological longevity (i.e., laboratory longevity when free of predators). In the genera Acartia, Oithona, and Pseudocalanus, we estimate that predation mortality contributed ≥ 69% of the field mortality rate in adult males, whereas in Acartia, Oithona, and Calanus adult females, this is ≥ 36%.We conclude that (1) adult sex ratio skew in pelagic copepods is primarily due to differential mortality of the sexes in the adult stage and not in juveniles, (2) mortality rates of adult Acartia, Pseudocalanus, and Oithona are dominated by predation mortality rather than physiological longevity (except under extreme food limitation), and (3) in Pseudocalanus and Oithona, elevated mortality rates in adult males to females is predominantly due to higher predation on males. Our work demonstrates that we now need to develop a more comprehensive understanding of the importance of feeding preferences in predators.
The relative influences of El Niño‐Southern Oscillation and Pacific Decadal Oscillation on paralytic shellfish toxin accumulation in northwest Pacific shellfish
Authors: Moore Stephanie K. , Mantua Nathan J. , Hickey Barbara M. , Trainer Vera L.
Published: September 2010

Historical records of paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs) in shellfish from a coastal embayment in the Pacific Northwest of the United States are used to examine the influence of large‐scale climate variations on aspects of Alexandrium catenella bloom dynamics on interannual and interdecadal timescales. An annual index of shellfish toxicity covaries with the number of days annually that sea surface temperature (SST) exceeds 13°C—a known temperature threshold for increased shellfish toxicity in this region—and with an index of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO). In contrast, no robust relationship exists between our shellfish toxicity index and an index of the El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO). We hypothesize that this is because anomalously warm water temperatures created during El Niño winters do not generally persist into the seasonal time period that shellfish in this region accumulate PSTs, which is typically in the summer and fall. In contrast, anomalously warm water temperatures created during warm‐phase PDO winters and springs typically persist into the summer and fall, thereby increasing the number of days annually that SST exceeds 13°C, and increasing the window of opportunity for Alexandrium blooms that ultimately lead to shellfish acquiring higher concentrations of PSTs.
Nutrient enrichment differentially affects body sizes of primary consumers and predators in a detritus‐based stream
Authors: Davis John M. , Rosemond Amy D. , Eggert Susan L. , Cross Wyatt F. , Wallace J. Bruce
Published: September 2010

We assessed how a 5‐yr nutrient enrichment affected the responses of different size classes of primary consumers and predators in a detritus‐based headwater stream. We hypothesized that alterations in detritus availability because of enrichment would decrease the abundance and biomass of large‐bodied consumers. In contrast, we found that 2 yr of enrichment increased the biomass and abundance of all consumers regardless of body size. Furthermore, during the fourth and fifth year of enrichment, the abundance and biomass of largebodied primary consumers continued to increase, while small‐bodied primary consumers returned to pretreatment levels. The size structure of a dominant primary consumer (Pycnopsyche spp.) also shifted during the 5‐yr enrichment: its average and maximum individual body size increased in the treatment stream compared with the reference stream. Positive enrichment effects also occurred on small‐bodied predators, but not on large‐bodied predators. Thus, enrichment increased prey body size, but these positive effects on large prey did not propagate up to higher trophic levels to affect large predators. Because consumer body size can be an important species‐specific trait determining population dynamics and ecosystem processes, these observed shifts in consumer size distributions suggest a potentially important pathway for global increases in nutrient enrichment to alter stream structure and function.
Killer storms: North Atlantic hurricanes and disease outbreaks in sea urchins
Authors: Scheibling Robert E. , Lauzon-Guay Jean-Sébastien
Published: September 2010

An increase in the incidence of disease in various marine organisms over the past few decades has been linked to ocean climate change. In Nova Scotia, Canada, mass mortalities of sea urchins, due to an amoebic disease, are associated with tropical cyclones of relatively high intensity that pass close to the coast when water temperature is above a threshold for disease propagation. These conditions increase the likelihood of introduction and spread of a nonindigenous water‐borne pathogen through turbulent mixing. Our analysis shows that the most deadly storms, in terms of the probability of a sea urchin mass mortality, have become more deadly over the past 30 years. We also found that storms have been tracking closer to the coast and that surface temperature has increased during the hurricane season. These trends are likely to continue with climate warming, resulting in a regional shift to a kelp bed ecosystem and the loss of the urchin fishery.
Internal waves and the generation of turbulence in the thermocline of a large lake
Authors: Preusse Martina , Peeters Frank , Lorke Andreas
Published: September 2010

High‐resolution thermistor chain data collected between 5 and 20 m in a large stratified freshwater lake (Lake Constance) at a water depth of 60 m reveal the frequent occurrence of large‐amplitude (≥ 1‐m) vertical density inversions that indicate overturns in the pelagic thermocline. Velocity data collected simultaneously with the temperature measurements indicate that the density inversions are mainly produced by shear instabilities. A comparison between the timing of the passage of the basin‐scale internal Kelvin wave and the density inversions demonstrates a pronounced phase relationship, implying that the processes leading to the occurrence of turbulence and mixing are connected to the passage of the Kelvin wave. Two different processes are identified during which density inversions were particularly common. An increased number of density inversions and especially high dissipation rates of turbulent kinetic energy were observed when Kelvin wave–induced critical shear supported the generation of large Kelvin–Helmholtz billows. A particularly large number of density inversions was also associated with the passage of nonlinear highfrequency waves of large amplitudes. The density inversions typically occurred at the wave troughs, which indicates breaking of these waves. These observations indicate that self‐induced shear generated by the basinscale seiche and by high‐frequency internal waves leads to a significant amount of turbulence and mixing in the pelagic thermocline.
Composition and temporal behavior of ambient ions in the boreal forest
Authors: Ehn M. , Junninen H. , Petäjä T. , Kurtén T. , Kerminen V.-M. , Schobesberger S. , Manninen H. E. , Ortega I. K. , Vehkamäki H. , Kulmala M. , Worsnop D. R.
Published: September 2010

Abstract. A recently developed atmospheric pressure interface mass spectrometer (APi-TOF) measured the negative and positive ambient ion composition at a boreal forest site. As observed in previous studies, the negative ions were dominated by strong organic and inorganic acids (e.g. malonic, nitric and sulfuric acid), whereas the positive ions consisted of strong bases (e.g. alkyl pyridines and quinolines). Several new ions and clusters of ions were identified based on their exact masses, made possible by the high resolution, mass accuracy and sensitivity of the APi-TOF. Time series correlograms aided in peak identification and assigning the atomic compositions to molecules. Quantum chemical calculations of proton affinities and cluster stabilities were also used to confirm the plausibility of the assignments. Acids in the gas phase are predominantly formed by oxidation in the gas phase, and thus the concentrations are expected to vary strongly between day and night. This was also the case in this study, where the negative ions showed strong diurnal behavior, whereas the daily changes in the positive ions were considerably smaller. A special focus in this work was the changes in the ion distributions occurring during new particle formation events. We found that sulfuric acid, together with its clusters, dominated the negative ion spectrum during these events. The monomer (HSO4−) was the largest peak, together with the dimer (H2SO4 · HSO4−) and trimer ((H2SO4)2 · HSO4−). SO5− also tracked HSO4− at around 20% of the HSO4− concentration at all times. During the strongest events, the tetramer and a cluster with the tetramer and ammonia were also detected. Quantum chemical calculations predict that sulfuric acid clusters containing ammonia are much more stable when neutral, thus the detection of a single ion cluster implies that ammonia can be an important compound in the nucleation process. We also believe to have made the first observations of an organosulfate (glycolic acid sulfate) in the gas phase. This ion, and its cluster with sulfuric acid, correlates with the HSO4−, but peaks in the early afternoon, some hours later than HSO4− itself. A list of all identified ions is presented in the supplementary material, and also a list of all detected masses not yet identified.
Measurement of fossil fuel derived carbon dioxide and other anthropogenic trace gases above Sacramento, California in Spring 2009
Authors: Turnbull J. C. , Karion A. , Fischer M. L. , Faloona I. , Guilderson T. , Lehman S. J. , Miller B. R. , Miller J. B. , Montzka S. , Sherwood T. , Saripalli S. , Sweeney C. , Tans P. P.
Published: September 2010

Abstract. Direct quantification of fossil fuel CO2 (CO2ff) in atmospheric samples can be used to examine several carbon cycle and air quality questions. We collected in-situ CO2, CO, and CH4 measurements and flask samples in the boundary layer and free troposphere over Sacramento, California, USA, during two aircraft flights over and downwind of this urban area during spring of 2009. The flask samples were analyzed for Δ14CO2 and CO2 to determine the recently added CO2ff mole fraction. A suite of additional greenhouse gases including hydrocarbons and halocarbons were measured in the same samples. Strong correlations were observed between CO2ff and numerous trace gases associated with urban emissions. From these correlations we estimate emission ratios between CO2ff and these species, and compare these with bottom-up inventory-derived estimates. Recent county level inventory estimates for carbon monoxide (CO) and benzene from the California Air Resources Board CEPAM database are in good agreement with our measured emission ratios, whereas older emissions inventories appear to overestimate emissions of these gases. For most other trace species, there are substantial differences between our measured emission ratios and those derived from available emission inventories. For the first flight, we combine in situ CO measurements with the measured CO:CO2ff emission ratio of 14±2 ppbCO/ppmCO2 to derive an estimate of CO2ff mole fraction throughout this flight, and also estimate the biospheric CO2 mixing ratio (CO2bio) from the difference of total and fossil CO2. The resulting CO2bio varies substantially between air in the urban plume and the surrounding boundary layer air. Finally, we use the in situ estimates of CO2ff mole fraction to infer total fossil fuel CO2 emissions from the Sacramento region, using a mass balance approach. However the resulting emissions are uncertain to within a factor of two due to uncertainties in wind speed and boundary layer height. Nevertheless, this first attempt to estimate urban-scale CO2ff from atmospheric radiocarbon measurements shows that CO2ff can be used to verify and improve emission inventories for many poorly known anthropogenic species, separate biospheric CO2, and indicates the potential to constrain the CO2ff emissions if transport uncertainties are reduced.
Influence of spatial interpolation methods for climate variables on the simulation of discharge and nitrate fate with SWAT
Authors: van der Heijden S. , Haberlandt U.
Published: September 2010

Abstract. For ecohydrological modeling climate variables are needed on subbasin basis. Since they usually originate from point measurements spatial interpolation is required during preprocessing. Different interpolation methods yield data of varying quality, which can strongly influence modeling results. Four interpolation methods to be compared were selected: nearest neighbour, inverse distance, ordinary kriging, and kriging with external drift (Goovaerts, 1997). This study presents three strategies to evaluate the influence of the interpolation method on the modeling results of discharge and nitrate load in the river in a mesoscale river catchment (~1000 km2) using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT, Neitsch et al., 2005) model: I. Automated calibration of the model with a mixed climate data set and consecutive application of the four interpolated data sets. II. Consecutive automated calibration of the model with each of the four climate data sets. III. Random generation of 1000 model parameter sets and consecutive application of the four interpolated climate data sets on each of the 1000 realisations, evaluating the number of realisations above a certain quality criterion threshold. Results show that strategies I and II are not suitable for evaluation of the quality of the interpolated data. Strategy III however proves a significant influence of the interpolation method on nitrate modeling. A rank order from the simplest to the most sophisticated method is visible, with kriging with external drift (KED) outperforming all others. Responsible for this behaviour is the variable temperature, which benefits most from more sophisticated methods and at the same time is the main driving force for the nitrate cycle. The missing influence of the interpolation methods on discharge modeling is explained by a much higher measuring network density for precipitation than for all other climate variables.
Reference Quality Upper-Air Measurements: guidance for developing GRUAN data products
Authors: Immler F. J. , Dykema J. , Gardiner T. , Whiteman D. N. , Thorne P. W. , Vömel H.
Published: September 2010

Abstract. The accurate monitoring of climate change imposes strict requirements upon observing systems, in particular regarding measurement accuracy and long-term stability. Currently available data records of the essential climate variables (temperature-T, geopotential-p, humidity-RH, wind, and cloud properties) in the upper-air generally fail to fulfil such requirements. This raises serious issues about the ability to detect, quantify and understand recent climate changes and their causes. GCOS is currently implementing a Reference Upper-Air Network (GRUAN) in order to fill this major void within the global observing system. As part of the GRUAN implementation plan we provide herein fundamental guidelines for establishing and maintaining reference quality atmospheric observations which are based on principal concepts of metrology, in particular traceability. It is argued that the detailed analysis of the uncertainty budget of a measurement technique is the critical step for achieving this goal. As we will demonstrate with an example, detailed knowledge of the calibration procedures and data processing algorithms are required for determining the uncertainty of each individual data point. Of particular importance is the careful assessment of the uncertainties introduced by correction schemes adjusting for systematic effects.
Estimating the location of the open-closed magnetic field line boundary from auroral images
Authors: Longden N. , Chisham G. , Freeman M. P. , Abel G. A. , Sotirelis T.
Published: September 2010

Abstract. The open-closed magnetic field line boundary (OCB) delimits the region of open magnetic flux forming the polar cap in the Earth's ionosphere. We present a reliable, automated method for determining the location of the poleward auroral luminosity boundary (PALB) from far ultraviolet (FUV) images of the aurora, which we use as a proxy for the OCB. This technique models latitudinal profiles of auroral luminosity as both a single and double Gaussian function with a quadratic background to produce estimates of the PALB without prior knowledge of the level of auroral activity or of the presence of bifurcation in the auroral oval. We have applied this technique to FUV images recorded by the IMAGE satellite from May 2000 until August 2002 to produce a database of over a million PALB location estimates, which is freely available to download. From this database, we assess and illustrate the accuracy and reliability of this technique during varying geomagnetic conditions. We find that up to 35% of our PALB estimates are made from double Gaussian fits to latitudinal intensity profiles, in preference to single Gaussian fits, in nightside magnetic local time (MLT) sectors. The accuracy of our PALBs as a proxy for the location of the OCB is evaluated by comparison with particle precipitation boundary (PPB) proxies from the DMSP satellites. We demonstrate the value of this technique in estimating the total rate of magnetic reconnection from the time variation of the polar cap area calculated from our OCB estimates.
Local scaling property of seismicity: an example of getting valuable information from complex hierarchical system
Authors: Li Q. , Xu G.-M.
Published: September 2010

Abstract. In order to get valuable information about the scale invariance in the process of seismogeny of Lijiang M 7.0 earthquake, the scaling property of the interevent time series of the seismic sequences for Lijiang area in China were studied by using the method of the local scaling property, the generalised dimension spectrum, and the correlation dimension. It is found that there is a clear characteristic variation of local scaling property prior to Lijiang M 7.0 earthquake while there is no characteristic variation of the generalised dimension spectrum and the correlation dimension. The reason for producing this phenomenon is that the fractal seismic system is a complex hierarchical system. For such a system, searching for a relevant choice in application of the three methodologies is needed. Compared with the generalised dimension spectrum and mono-fractal dimension which focus on the global description of the scaling properties of fractal objects, the local scaling property emphasizes the local features, and can give the local information of the singularity of the fractal system, therefore, it is easier for us to get valuable information from complex hierarchical structure with this method.
The effect of tides on dense water formation in Arctic shelf seas
Authors: Postlethwaite C. F. , Morales Maqueda M. A. , Le Fouest V. , Tattersall G. R. , Holt J. , Willmott A. J.
Published: September 2010

Abstract. Ocean tides are not explicitly included in many ocean general circulation models, which will therefore omit any interactions between tides and the cryosphere. We present model simulations of the wind and buoyancy driven circulation and tides of the Barents and Kara Seas, using a 25 km × 25 km 3-D ocean circulation model coupled to a dynamic and thermodynamic sea ice model. The modeled tidal amplitudes are compared with tide gauge data and sea ice extent is compared with satellite data. Including tides in the model is found to have little impact on overall sea ice extent but is found to delay freeze up and hasten the onset of melting in tidally active coastal regions. The impact that including tides in the model has on the salt budget is investigated and found to be regionally dependent. The vertically integrated salt budget is dominated by lateral advection. This increases significantly when tides are included in the model in the Pechora Sea and around Svalbard where tides are strong. Tides increase the salt flux from sea ice by 50% in the Pechora and White Seas but have little impact elsewhere. This study suggests that the interaction between ocean tides and sea ice should not be neglected when modeling the Arctic.
Exploring Zebrafish Genomic, Functional and Phenotypic Data Using ZFIN
Authors: Ramachandran Sridhar , Ruef Barbara , Pich Christian , Sprague Judy
Published: September 2010

The zebrafish model organism database (ZFIN) provides a Web resource of zebrafish genomic, genetic, developmental, and phenotypic data. ZFIN curates and integrates data from current literature and from direct data submissions from laboratories. In addition, ZFIN collaborates with other bioinformatics organizations to provide links to other relevant data. These data can be accessed through a variety of Web‐based search and display tools. This unit focuses on some of the basic methods to search, visualize, and analyze ZFIN data, including genes, gene expression, mutants, morphants, transgenics, anatomical structures, and antibodies. ZFIN's GBrowse genome viewer, BLAST, and protocol and antibody wikis are also discussed. Curr. Protoc. Bioinform. 31:1.18.1‐1.18.44. © 2010 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Measuring process of arthritis care: A proposed set of quality measures for the process of care in juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Authors: Lovell Daniel J. , Passo Murray H. , Beukelman Timothy , Bowyer Suzanne L. , Gottlieb Beth S. , Henrickson Michael , Ilowite Norman T. , Kimura Yukiko , DeWitt Esi Morgan , Segerman Jill , Stein Leonard D. , Taylor Janalee , Vehe Richard K. , Giannini Edward H.
Published: September 2010

Objective

The ability to assess quality of care is a necessary component of continuous quality improvement. The assessment typically is accomplished by determination of compliance with a defined set of quality measures (QMs). The objective of this effort was to establish a set of QMs for the assessment of the process of care in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).

Methods

A 12‐member working group composed of representatives from the American College of Rheumatology, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Board of Pediatrics, and Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals was assembled to guide the project. Delphi questionnaires were sent to 237 health professionals involved in the care of children with JIA. A total of 471 items in 23 domains were identified. The working group met via 4 live e‐meetings during which results from the Delphi questionnaires were distilled to a reduced draft set. Each working group member selected a proposed QM to investigate and present evidence from the literature as to its attributes and appropriateness for inclusion into the set. Nominal group technique was used to come to consensus on a proposed set of QMs.

Results

The proposed set contains 12 QMs within 4 health care domains. Each QM consists of a statement of 1) the assessment to be completed, 2) when the first assessment should be completed and a suggested frequency of assessment during followup, 3) recommendations of appropriate tools or methods of assessment, and 4) initial performance goals.

Conclusion

Implementation of the proposed QM set will improve the process of care, facilitate continuous quality improvement, and eventuate in improved health outcomes of children with JIA.
Sintering of Magnesium
Authors: Wolff Martin , Ebel Thomas , Dahms Michael
Published: September 2010

Sintering of magnesium powder is strongly inhibited by a stable oxide layer that is formed immediately after exposure to air. In contrast to e.g. titanium, no solubility of oxygen in solid magnesium is reported; therefore, the oxide layer is not dissolved during sintering. In this study, different methods are investigated in order to overcome this problem. It is shown that magnesium can be sintered if the sintered parts are surrounded by magnesium getter material. Calcium additions improve sinterability. The optimum calcium content lies in the range of 0.6 wt%.
Attomolar Electrochemical Detection of DNA Hybridization Based on Enhanced Latex/Gold Nanoparticles
Authors: Pinijsuwan Suttiporn , Rijiravanich Patsamon , Somasundrum Mithran , Surareungchai Werasak
Published: September 2010

We report a highly sensitive method for detecting DNA hybridization by anodic‐stripping voltammetry, using assemblies of AuNPs as electrochemical labels. The assemblies are made by layer‐by‐layer modification of sub‐micrometer latex spheres, followed by the uptake of the negatively charged AuNPs by ion exchange. The Au content can be considerably enhanced by autocatalytic reduction. Under the optimized conditions of enhancement, using differential pulse voltammetry for the stripping, 30 mer targets common to five strains of E. coli could be calibrated across the range 10 × 10−18 M to 100 × 10−18 M with a detection limit of 20 × 10−18 M, which corresponds to ≈240 DNA hybridizations.
Infrared Colloidal Quantum Dots for Photovoltaics: Fundamentals and Recent Progress
Authors: Tang Jiang , Sargent Edward H.
Published: September 2010

Colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) are solution‐processed semiconductors of interest in low‐cost photovoltaics. Tuning of the bandgap of CQD films via the quantum size effect enables customization of solar cells’ absorption profile to match the sun's broad visible‐ and infrared‐containing spectrum reaching the earth. Here we review recent progress in the realization of low‐cost, efficient solar cells based on CQDs. We focus in particular on CQD materials and approaches that provide both infrared and visible‐wavelength solar power conversion CQD photovoltaics now exceed 5% solar power conversion efficiency, achieved by the introduction of a new architecture, the depleted‐heterojunction CQD solar cell, that jointly maximizes current, voltage, and fill factor. CQD solar cells have also seen major progress in materials processing for stability, recently achieving extended operating lifetimes in an air ambient. We summarize progress both in device operation and also in gaining new insights into materials properties and processing – including new electrical contact materials and deposition techniques, as well as CQD synthesis, surface treatments, film‐forming technologies – that underpin these rapid advances.
Cross‐sectional geometry in the humeri of foragers and farmers from the prehispanic American Southwest: Exploring patterns in the sexual division of labor
Authors: Ogilvie Marsha D. , Hilton Charles E.
Published: September 2010

The work effort of prehistoric males relative to females has long been of interest to anthropologists, particularly in foraging versus farming groups. This knowledge requires a clear understanding of the sexual division of labor, or the dichotomy in subsistence roles allocated to males and females. Such research in the Prehispanic American Southwest has been limited. As previous work has shown that bone is the osseous template that reflects in vivo activity levels, it is possible to assess gender‐based differences in past work effort using analyses of geometric properties of bone and calculations of bilateral asymmetry. Our research comparatively analyzed upper limb work effort by sex and subsistence in two skeletal samples from disparate economic groups, foragers and farmers, both from similar desert environments. The residentially mobile foragers are from the Lower Pecos region of southwest Texas and the farmers are from the aggregated pueblo of Pottery Mound in south central New Mexico. Humeri from 27 adult foragers (n = 11 males; n = 17 females) and 65 adult farmers (n = 38 males; n = 27 females) were selected for study. All humeri were radiographed and/or scanned and digitized. Statistical comparisons using two‐way ANOVAs indicate that female farmers exhibited the greatest humeral strength and the least asymmetry. Relative to all other groups examined, female farmers engaged in higher levels of upper limb work effort implying a substantial economic contribution to their agricultural economy. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The role of CYP26 enzymes in defining appropriate retinoic acid exposure during embryogenesis
Authors: Pennimpede Tracie , Cameron Don A. , MacLean Glenn A. , Li Hui , Abu‐Abed Suzan , Petkovich Martin
Published: September 2010

Retinoic acid (RA) is a pleiotropic derivative of vitamin A, or retinol, which is responsible for all of the bioactivity associated with this vitamin. The teratogenic influences of vitamin A deficiency and excess RA in rodents were first observed more than 50 years ago. Efforts over the last 15–20 years have refined these observations by defining the molecular mechanisms that control RA availability and signaling during murine embryonic development. This review will discuss our current understanding of the role of RA in teratogenesis, with specific emphasis on the essential function of the RA catabolic CYP26 enzymes in preventing teratogenic consequences caused by uncontrolled distribution of RA. Particular focus will be paid to the RA‐sensitive tissues of the caudal and cranial regions, the limb, and the testis, and how genetic mutation of factors controlling RA distribution have revealed important roles for RA during embryogenesis. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Birth defects surveillance in Florida: Infant death certificates as a case ascertainment source
Authors: Tanner Jean Paul , Salemi Jason L. , Hauser Kimberlea W. , Correia Jane A. , Watkins Sharon M. , Kirby Russell S.
Published: September 2010

BACKGROUND: Completeness of case ascertainment is a concern for all birth defects registries and generally requires a multisource approach. Using infant death certificates as one case ascertainment source may identify cases of birth defects that would have otherwise been missed. We sought to examine the utility of adding infant death certificates to the Florida Birth Defect Registry's (FBDR) case ascertainment methods and to determine what factors are associated with the registry's failure to capture infants that die from birth defects. METHODS: FBDR cases from 1999 to 2006 were matched to a statewide linked birth‐infant death file. Descriptive statistics were used to assess the FBDR's ability to capture infants with a birth defect‐related cause of death (COD) and identify conditions most commonly missed. Factors associated with the FBDR's failure to capture an infant who died from a birth defect during the first year of life were identified with logistic regression models. RESULTS: There were 2558 (21.1%) infant deaths with birth defects listed as the underlying or an associated COD, of which the FBDR captured 73.3%. Most often missed defects included malformation of the coronary vessels, lung hypoplasia/dysplasia, anencephaly, and unspecified congenital malformations. Logistic regression identified gestational age/birth weight, age at death, autopsy decision, plurality, adequacy of prenatal care, and maternal nativity as factors associated with the FBDR's failure to capture an infant with a birth defect‐related COD. CONCLUSIONS: Although the overall potential contribution of infant death certificates to the FBDR is small, this source contributes to the prevalence of specific defects. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Micro‐computed tomographic evaluation of fetal skeletal changes induced by all‐trans‐retinoic acid in rats and rabbits
Authors: Wise L. David , Xue Dahai , Winkelmann Christopher T.
Published: September 2010

BACKGROUND: Our laboratory has been conducting positive control studies to evaluate the utility of micro‐computed tomography (micro‐CT) for qualitative evaluation of fetal skeletal morphology. All‐trans‐retinoic acid (atRA) was used to produce a different spectrum of defects compared to our previous studies with boric acid and hydroxyurea. METHODS: Groups of five mated Crl:CD(SD) female rats each were administered vehicle or atRA (2.5–50 mg/kg) on GD 10, and groups of four mated Dutch Belted rabbits each were dosed with vehicle or atRA (6.25–25 mg/kg) on GD 9. Cesarean sections were performed on GD 21 and 28, respectively. Following external examination the viscera were removed and fetuses scanned in a micro‐CT imaging system. Fetuses were subsequently stained with alizarin red. Skeletal morphology was evaluated by each method without the knowledge of treatment group. Total bone mineral content (BMC) of each fetus was quantitated using the micro‐CT images. RESULTS: In rats there were dose‐related increases in the incidence of extra lumbar vertebra and non‐dose‐related increases in supernumerary ribs at all dose levels. There were decreases in mean number of ossified sacrocaudal vertebra at ≥5 mg/kg, and increases in skull bone malformations at ≥10 mg/kg. Rabbits were less sensitive on a mg/kg basis since skeletal malformations and a decrease in mean number of ossified sacrocaudal vertebra were observed only in the 25‐mg/kg group. Micro‐CT evaluation detected essentially the same incidence of skeletal abnormalities as seen in alizarin red‐stained rat and rabbit fetuses. BMC analysis showed a trend toward slight decreases in atRA‐treated rats, but no notable changes in rabbits. CONCLUSIONS: These results add support to our previous work that demonstrates that micro‐CT imaging can effectively assess rat and rabbit fetal skeletal morphology. Birth Defects Res (Part B) 89:408–417, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Fucoxanthin‐rich seaweed extract suppresses body weight gain and improves lipid metabolism in high‐fat‐fed C57BL/6J mice
Authors: Jeon Seon‐Min , Kim Hye‐Jin , Woo Myoung‐Nam , Lee Mi‐Kyung , Shin Young Chul , Park Yong Bok , Choi Myung‐Sook
Published: September 2010

An ethanol extract of fucoxanthin‐rich seaweed was examined for its effectiveness as a nutraceutical for body fat‐lowering agent and for an antiobese effect based on mode of actions in C57BL/6J mice. Animals were randomized to receive a semi‐purified high‐fat diet (20% dietary fat, 10% corn oil and 10% lard) supplemented with 0.2% conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) as the positive control, 1.43% or 5.72% fucoxanthin‐rich seaweed ethanol extract (Fx‐SEE), equivalent to 0.05% or 0.2% dietary fucoxanthin for six weeks. Results showed that supplementation with both doses of Fx‐SEE significantly reduced body and abdominal white adipose tissue (WAT) weights, plasma and hepatic triglyceride (TG), and/or cholesterol concentrations compared to the high‐fat control group. Activities of adipocytic fatty acid (FA) synthesis, hepatic FA and TG synthesis, and cholesterol–regulating enzyme were also lowered by Fx‐SEE supplement. Concentrations of plasma high‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol, fecal TG and cholesterol, as well as FA oxidation enzyme activity and UCP1 mRNA expression in epididymal WAT were significantly higher in the Fx‐SEE groups than in the high‐fat control group. CLA treatment reduced the body weight gain and plasma TG concentration. Overall, these results indicate that Fx‐SEE affects the plasma and hepatic lipid profile, fecal lipids and body fat mass, and alters hepatic cholesterol metabolism, FA synthesis and lipid absorption.
Necessary and sufficient conditions for the asymmetric synthesis of chiral amines using ω‐aminotransferases
Authors: Seo Joo‐Hyun , Kyung Dohyun , Joo Keehyoung , Lee Jooyoung , Kim Byung‐Gee
Published: September 2010

The half reactions of ω‐aminotransferase (ω‐AT) from Vibrio fluvialis JS17 (ω‐ATVf) were carried out using purified pyridoxal 5′‐phosphate‐enzyme (PLP‐Enz) and pyridoxamine 5′‐phosphate‐enzyme (PMP‐Enz) complexes to investigate the relative activities of substrates. In the reaction generating PMP‐Enz from PLP‐Enz using L‐alanine as an amine donor, L‐alanine showed about 70% of the initial reaction rate of (S)‐α‐methylbenzylamine ((S)‐α‐MBA). However, in the subsequent half reaction recycling PLP‐Enz from PMP‐Enz using acetophenone as an amine acceptor, acetophenone showed nearly negligible reactivity compared to pyruvate. These results indicate that the main bottleneck in the asymmetric synthesis of (S)‐α‐MBA lies not in the amination of PLP by alanine, but in the amination of acetophenone by PMP‐Enz, where conformational restraints of the enzyme structure is likely to be the main reason for limiting the amine group transfer from PMP‐Enz to acetophenone. Based upon those half reaction experiments using the two amino acceptors of different activity, it appears that the relative activities of the two amine donors and the two acceptors involved in the ω‐AT reactions can roughly determine the asymmetric synthesis yield of the target chiral amine compound. Predicted conversion yields of several target chiral amines were calculated and compared with the experimental conversion yields. Approximately, a positive linear correlation (Pearson's correlation coefficient = 0.92) was observed between the calculated values and the experimental conversion yields. To overcome the low (S)‐α‐MBA productivity of ω‐ATVf caused by the possible disadvantageous structural constraints for acetophenone, new ω‐ATs showing higher affinity to benzene ring of acetophenone than ω‐ATVf were computationally screened using comparative modeling and protein‐ligand docking. ω‐ATs from Streptomyces avermitilis MA‐4680 (SAV2612) and Agrobacterium tumefaciens str. C58 (Atu4761) were selected, and the two screened ω‐ATs showed higher asymmetric synthesis reaction rate of (S)‐α‐MBA and lower (S)‐α‐MBA degradation reaction rate than ω‐ATVf. To verify the higher conversion yield of the variants of ω‐ATs, the reaction with 50 mM acetophenone and 50 mM alanine was performed with coupling of lactate dehydrogenase and two‐phase reaction system. SAV2612 and Atu4761 showed 70% and 59% enhanced yield in the synthesis of (S)‐α‐MBA compared to that of ω‐ATVf, respectively. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2011;108: 253–263. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Production of Dehydrogingerdione Derivatives in Escherichia coli by Exploiting a Curcuminoid Synthase from Oryza sativa and a β‐Oxidation Pathway from Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Katsuyama Yohei , Ohnishi Yasuo , Horinouchi Sueharu
Published: September 2010

Gingerol derivatives are bioactive compounds isolated from the rhizome of ginger. They possess various beneficial activities, such as anticancer and hepatoprotective activities, and are therefore attractive targets of bioengineering. However, the microbial production of gingerol derivatives has not yet been established, primarily because the biosynthetic pathway of gingerol is unknown. Here, we report the production of several dehydrogingerdione (a gingerol derivative) analogues from a recombinant Escherichia coli strain that has an “artificial” biosynthesis pathway for dehydrogingerdione that was not based on the original biosynthesis pathway of gingerol derivatives in plants. The system consists of a 4‐coumarate:CoA ligase from Lithospermum erythrorhizon, a fatty acid CoA ligase from Oryza sativa, a β‐oxidation system from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and a curcuminoid synthase from O. sativa. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the microbial production of a plant metabolite the biosynthetic pathway of which has not yet been identified.
Catalytic Aerobic Dehydrogenative Coupling of Primary Alcohols and Water to Acids Promoted by a Rhodium(I) Amido N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Complex
Authors: Annen Samuel , Zweifel Theo , Ricatto Federica , Grützmacher Hansjörg
Published: September 2010

The amino diolefin complex [Rh(trop2NH)(TMIY)]+(OTf)− (OTf−=CF3SO3−; trop=5‐H‐dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten‐5yl), incorporating N‐heterocyclic carbene ligand 1,3,4,5‐tetramethylimidazole‐2‐ylidene (TMIY), has been prepared. The structure is determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, which shows a butterfly structure with the NH and TMIY groups in the apical and the two olefinic binding sites in the equatorial position of a trigonal bipyramid with one vacant site in the equatorial plane. This complex can be deprotonated to give the amide [Rh(trop2N)(TMIY)], which cleaves H2 heterolytically across the RhN bond to give the amino hydride [RhH(trop2NH)(TMIY)]. In dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), both the amide and amino hydride complexes are active as catalysts in the dehydrogenative coupling (DHC) of various primary alcohols with water to give the corresponding acids under aerobic conditions. O2 serves as hydrogen acceptor. One O atom is converted into water while the other is transferred to DMSO as oxygen acceptor, to yield Me2SO2. Hence, the net reaction RCH2OH+2 O2+2 DMSO→RCOOH+2 Me2SO2+H2O is catalyzed by the butterfly‐shaped rhodium amide complexes.