bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antiangiogenic Effects of P‐Coumaric Acid in Human Endothelial Cells
Authors: Kong Chang‐Seok , Jeong Chul‐Ho , Choi Jae‐Sun , Kim Kil‐Jung , Jeong Joo‐Won
Published: May 2012

p‐Coumaric acid, a hydroxy derivative of cinnamic acid, has been known to possess antioxidant and anticancer activities. Despite its potential contribution to chemopreventive effects, the mechanism by which p‐coumaric acid exerts its antiangiogenic actions remains elusive. In this study, we revealed that p‐coumaric acid inhibited the sprouting of endothelial cells in rat aortic rings and inhibited the tube formation and migration of endothelial cells. We observed that p‐coumaric acid could downregulate mRNA expression levels of the key angiogenic factors vascular endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor. Also, we demonstrated that p‐coumaric acid inhibited both the AKT and ERK signaling pathways, which are known to be crucial for angiogenesis. Using a mouse model, we also showed that p‐coumaric acid effectively suppressed tumor growth in vivo by lowering hemoglobin contents. Collectively, these findings indicate that p‐coumaric acid possesses potent anticancer properties due to the inhibition of angiogenesis in vivo. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of Crataegus microphylla on Vascular Dysfunction in Streptozotocin‐induced Diabetic Rats
Authors: Topal Gökçe , Koç Ebru , Karaca Çetin , Altuğ Tuncay , Ergin Bülent , Demirci Cihan , Melikoğlu Gülay , Meriçli Ali H. , Kucur Mine , Özdemir Osman , Uydeş Doğan B. Sönmez
Published: May 2012

Vascular dysfunction plays a key role in the pathogenesis of diabetic vascular disease. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether chronic in vivo treatment of Crataegus microphylla (CM) extract in diabetic rats induced with streptozotocin (STZ, intraperitoneal, 65 mg/kg) preserves vascular function and to evaluate whether the reduction of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), proinflammatory cytokines, and lipid peroxidation mediates its mechanisms of action. Starting at 4 weeks of diabetes, CM extract (100 mg/kg) was administrated to diabetic rats for 4 weeks. In aortic rings, relaxation to acetylcholine and vasoreactivity to noradrenaline were impaired, whereas aortic iNOS expression and plasma tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), total nitrite–nitrate, and malondialdehite levels were increased in diabetic rats compared with controls. Chronic CM treatment significantly corrected all the above abnormalities in diabetic rats. In comparison, pretreatment of the aorta of diabetic rats with N‐[3(aminomethyl) benzyl]‐acetamidine, dihydrochloride (10–5 M), a selective inhibitor of iNOS, produced a similar recovery in vascular reactivity. These results suggest that chronic in vivo treatment of CM preserves endothelium‐dependent relaxation and vascular contraction in STZ‐induced diabetes, possibly by reducing iNOS expression in the aorta and by decreasing plasma levels of TNF‐α and IL‐6 and by preventing lipid peroxidation. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Study of a quadrupole ion trap with damping force by the two‐point one block method
Authors: Seddighi Chaharborj S. , Phang P. S. , Sadat Kiai S. M. , Majid Z. A. , Abu Bakar M. R. , Fudziah I.
Published: May 2012

RATIONALE

The capabilities and performances of a quadrupole ion trap under damping force based on collisional cooling is of particular importance in high‐resolution mass spectrometry and should be analyzed by Mathieu's differential solutions. These solutions describe the stability and instability of the ion's trajectories confined in quadrupole devices. One of the methods for solving Mathieu's differential equation is a two‐point one block method. In this case, Mathieu's stability diagram, trapping parameters az and qz and the secular frequency of the ion motion wz, can be derived in a precise manner. The two‐point one block method (TPOBM) of Adams Moulton type is presented to study these parameters with and without the effect of damping force and compared to the 5th‐order Runge–Kutta method (RKM5). The simulated results show that the TPOBM is more accurate and 10 times faster than the RKM5. The physical properties of the confined ions in the r and z axes are illustrated and the fractional mass resolutions m/Δm of the confined ions in the first stability region were analyzed by the RKM5 and the TPOBM.

METHODS

The Lagrange interpolation polynomial was applied in the derivation of the proposed method. The proposed method will be utilized to obtain a series solution directly without reducing it to first order equations.

RESULTS

The problem was tested with the ion trajectories in real time with and without the effect of damping force using constant step size. Numerical results from the two‐point one block method have been compared with the fifth order Runge–Kutta method.

CONCLUSIONS

The proposed two‐point one block method has a potential application to solve complicated linear and nonlinear equations of the charged particle confinement in a quadrupole field especially in fine tuning accelerators, and, generally speaking, in physics of high energy. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simultaneous quantification of microcystins and nodularin in aerosol samples using high‐performance liquid chromatography/negative electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Gambaro Andrea , Barbaro Elena , Zangrando Roberta , Barbante Carlo
Published: May 2012

RATIONALE

Cyanobacteria are a small group of photosynthetic planktonic bacteria, producing a large group of strong hepatotoxins called microcystins (MCs). Many studies have been conducted to evaluate the presence of MCs and nodularin (NOD) in water or in marine organisms, but little research has been done on the atmospheric environment. Waterborne toxins can be found in the aerosol phase due to bubble‐bursting processes.

METHODS

The aim of this study was to obtain a sensitive method for the simultaneous determination of trace concentrations of individual cyanotoxins in aerosol samples, using liquid chromatography coupled with a triple quadrupole (HPLC/MS/MS). During method development improved electrospray ionization was found in negative ion mode. In contrast with other authors, we have developed a chromatographic separation using alkaline conditions, thus achieving good resolution, improved electrospray ionization and therefore better sensitivity.

RESULTS

A sensitive analytical method was set up to simultaneously measure trace concentrations of cyanotoxins in aerosol samples in a single chromatographic analysis using the internal standard method. The limit of detection for all the toxins was determined to be between 1 fg/μL (MC LA and LF) and 9 fg/μL (NOD).

CONCLUSIONS

The method was applied to ten aerosol samples from the Venice Lagoon. In these samples, trace concentrations of MC‐LA ranging between 90 fg m−3 and 706 fg m−3, MC‐LF between n.d. and 369 fg m−3 and MC‐LW between n.d. and 262 fg m−3. This is the first study to quantify the cyanotoxins in Venetian aerosol samples using the HPLC/(−)ESI‐MS/MS. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Autonomous scale control of multiagent formations with only shape constraints
Authors: Huang Huang , Yu Changbin , Wu Qinghe
Published: May 2012

This paper considers a novel problem of how to choose an appropriate geometry for a group of agents with only shape constraints but with a flexible scale. Instead of assigning the formation system with a specific geometry, here, the desired geometry is only characterized by its shape without any location, rotation, and most importantly, scale constraints. Optimal rigid transformation between two different geometries is discussed with especial focus on the scaling operation, and the cooperative performance of the system is evaluated by what we call the geometries' degrees of similarity with respect to the desired shape during the entire convergence process. The design of the scale when measuring the degree of similarity is discussed from constant value and time‐varying function perspectives, respectively. Fixed structured nonlinear control laws that are functions on the scale and the relative positions of agents are developed to guarantee the exponential convergence of the system to the assigned shape. Our research is originated from a three‐agent formation system and is further extended to multiple (n > 3) agents by defining a triangular complement graph. Simulations demonstrate that a formation system with the time‐varying scale function outperforms the one with an arbitrary constant scale, and the relationship between underlying topology and the system performance is further discussed according to the simulation observations. Moveover, the control scheme is applied to bearing‐only sensor–target localization to show its application potentials. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
DiaSim: a simulator for pervasive computing applications
Authors: Bruneau Julien , Consel Charles
Published: May 2012

Pervasive computing applications involve both software concerns, such as any software system, and integration concerns, for the constituent networked devices of the pervasive computing environment. This situation is problematic for testing because it requires acquiring, testing, and interfacing a variety of software and hardware entities. This process can rapidly become costly and time‐consuming when the target environment involves many entities.

This paper introduces DiaSim, a simulator for pervasive computing applications. To cope with widely heterogeneous entities, DiaSim is parameterized with respect to a description of a target pervasive computing environment. This description is used to generate both a programming framework to develop the simulation logic and an emulation layer to execute applications. Furthermore, a simulation renderer is coupled to DiaSim to allow a simulated pervasive system to be visually monitored and debugged.

DiaSim has been implemented and used to simulate various pervasive computing systems in different application areas, demonstrating the generality of our parameterized approach. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Size and volume charts of fetal kidney, renal pelvis and adrenal gland
Authors: van Vuuren S. H. , Damen‐Elias H. A. M. , Stigter R. H. , van der Doef R. , Goldschmeding R. , de Jong T. P. V. M. , Westers P. , Visser G. H. A. , Pistorius L. R.
Published: May 2012

Objective

To establish reference curves for size and volume of the fetal kidney, renal pelvis and adrenal gland, as measured using ultrasound from the 15th week of gestation.

Methods

This was a prospective, longitudinal study of 96 fetuses in low‐risk singleton pregnancies, in which we performed serial ultrasound examinations at 4‐week intervals. The length and anteroposterior and transverse diameters of both kidneys, the anteroposterior and transverse diameters of the renal pelvises and the length of the adrenal glands were measured three times at each examination, with the average being used for further analysis. Reference charts were constructed using multilevel statistical analysis and comparisons were made with previously published charts derived from cross‐sectional data.

Results

We present nomograms for fetal kidney dimensions and volume, renal pelvis dimensions and adrenal gland length. The new charts show differences in shape and have narrower percentile bands in comparison to previously published reference ranges.

Conclusions

These new charts of measurements of the fetal kidney, renal pelvis and adrenal gland, from a prospective, longitudinal study, may be useful in the diagnosis and assessment of pathology of the kidney and adrenal gland.
Climate change ‘science’ on the London stage
Authors: Bottoms Stephen
Published: May 2012

This article considers climate change as a contested cultural idea, which is mediated to the public through varying forms of cultural narrative whose conventions and rhetorics impact significantly on how the ‘story’ is told. Specifically, it examines four recent British stage plays, each of which depict climate change scientists as central characters. These are Steve Waters' The Contingency Plan (Bush Theatre, 2009), Mike Bartlett's Earthquakes in London (National Theatre, 2010), Richard Bean's The Heretic (Royal Court Theatre, 2011), and the multiauthored Greenland (National Theatre, 2011). The essay argues that these plays represent an evolutionary step forward from the rather crude, apocalyptic narratives apparent in mainstream film treatments of the subject, insofar that they attempt to grapple—in various ways—with the necessary uncertainty around scientific findings and future projections. They also attempt to dramatize the ‘new cultural politics of climate change’ (Smith) by examining the relationships between, and contrasting responsibilities of, scientists, politicians, and the lay public. This article considers various critical questions arising from the plays' varying treatments of these interactions. Waters' play sees a pragmatic, technocratic role for scientific advisers in government; Bean's argues for empirical purism (and satirises the UEA Climategate ‘scandal’ of 2009); Bartlett's presents a Lovelockian scientist figure as the tortured villain in a kaleidoscopic theatrical treatment of cultural despair (following the failure of 2009's Copenhagen Summit); Greenland presents scientists old and young as ethically engaged witnesses to environmental change. WIREs Clim Change 2012 doi: 10.1002/wcc.173

This article is categorized under:

Trans‐Disciplinary Perspectives > Humanities and the Creative Arts
An Unprecedented Process of Peroxide Ion Formation and its Localization in the Crystal Structure of Strontium Peroxy‐HydroxyapatiteSr10(PO4)6(O2)x(OH)2–2x.
Authors: Kazin Pavel E. , Zykin Mikhail A. , Dinnebier Robert E. , Magdysyuk Oxana V. , Tretyakov Yury D. , Jansen Martin
Published: May 2012

Formation of strontium peroxy‐hydroxyapatite solid solution Sr10(PO4)6(O2)x(OH)2–2x was studied on annealing the hydroxyapatite in the temperature range 900–1350 °C in oxygen, air, and argon atmosphere. The redox process was found to display unprecedented features: (i) the peroxide content increased with raising temperature, (ii) the peroxide content remained substantial even at a low oxygen pressure of 1.013 Pa, (iii) the peroxide content was extremely persistent, and even at a temperature of 1350 °C in oxygen atmosphere the peroxide groups substituted more than two‐third of the original hydroxide groups. Chemical processes consistent with these features are suggested. In the UV/Vis spectrum, an absorption peak at 300 nm was recorded, which was attributed to an electronic transition in the peroxide ion, since its intensity depended linearly on the peroxide content. In the Raman spectra, a weak band at 765–770 cm–1 was ascribed to symmetric stretching vibrations of O22–. The structures of the compounds were refined from powder X‐ray diffraction data using the Rietveld method supported by a maximum entropy method (MEM) electron density calculation. The peroxide ions are localized in the center of the hexagonal channel. At high concentration they tend to order with the associated vacancies along the channels. As a consequence, the width of the channel sections varies, the PO4 tetrahedra tilt, and the remote strontium atoms are displaced leading to changes in their coordination. Generally, the peroxide for hydroxide substitution manifests itself in the reduction of the overall channel diameter (and its volume), while the volume occupied by out‐of‐channel ions remains the same.
Preparation of Cationic [(R2N)P5Cl]+‐Cage Compounds from [(R2N)PCl]+and P4
Authors: Holthausen Michael H. , Weigand Jan J.
Published: May 2012

The reaction of several amino‐substituted mono‐ and dichlorophosphanes (R2N)nPCl3–n(n= 2, R =i‐Pr;n= 1, R =i‐Pr, Cy) with GaCl3to form phosphenium cations [(i‐Pr2N)2P]+(13+) and [(R2N)PCl]+(14a, b+) has been investigated. The isolation and fully characterization of the first amino‐ and chloro‐substituted phosphenium cation14b[GaCl4] was accomplished. The insertion of these phosphenium ions into P–P bonds of dissolved P4was examined. Amino‐ and chloro‐substituted phosphenium cations14a, b+readily form the corresponding P5+‐cages15a, b+. No reaction was observed for the less electrophilic diamino‐substituted phosphenium cation13+. The molecular structures of [14b][GaCl4] and [15b][Ga2Cl7] are presented and, furthermore, the intriguing NMR spectra of the P5+‐cations15a, b+are discussed.
Intravenous Lornoxicam Is More Effective than Paracetamol as a Supplemental Analgesic After Lower Abdominal Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Mowafi Hany A. , Elmakarim Ehab Abou , Ismail Salah , Al‐Mahdy Mohammed , El‐Saflan Abd Elhady , Elsaid Ayman S.
Published: May 2012

Background

The aim of this prospective, randomized, double‐blind study was to determine the more effective supplemental analgesic, paracetamol or lornoxicam, for postoperative pain relief after lower abdominal surgery.

Methods

Sixty patients scheduled for lower abdominal surgery under general anesthesia were randomly allocated to receive either isotonic saline (control group), intravenous paracetamol 1 g every 6 h (paracetamol group), or lornoxicam 16 mg then 8 mg after 12 h (lornoxicam group). Additionally pain was treated postoperatively with morphine patient‐controlled analgesia. Postoperative pain scores measured by the verbal pain score (VPS), morphine consumption, and the incidence of side effects were measured at 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 h postoperatively.

Results

Morphine consumption at 12 and 24 h was significantly lower in the lornoxicam group (19.25 ± 5.7 mg and 23.1 ± 6.5 mg) than in the paracetamol group (23.4 ± 6.6 mg and 28.6 ± 7.6 mg). Both treatment groups had less morphine consumption than the control group (28.5 ± 5 mg and 38.1 ± 6.6 mg) at 12 and 24 h, respectively. Additionally, VPS was reduced in the paracetamol and the lornoxicam groups compared with the control group both at rest and on coughing. Further analysis revealed that VPS in the lornoxicam group was significantly lower than that in the paracetamol group only during coughing. Drug‐related side effects were comparable in all groups.

Conclusions

Lornoxicam is superior to paracetamol for postoperative analgesia after lower abdominal surgery. However, paracetamol could be an alternative supplemental analgesic whenever an NSAID is unsuitable. Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov.identifier:NCT01564680.
Amino acid substitutions in the N-terminus, cord and α-helix domains improved the thermostability of a family 11 xylanase XynR8
Authors: Xue Huping , Zhou Jungang , You Chun , Huang Qiang , Lu Hong
Published: May 2012

The thermostability of xylanase XynR8 from uncultured Neocallimastigales rumen fungal was improved by combining random point mutagenesis with site-directed mutagenesis guided by rational design, and a thermostable variant, XynR8_VNE, was identified. This variant contained three amino acid substitutions, I38V, D137N and G151E, and showed an increased melting temperature of 8.8 °C in comparison with the wild type. At 65 °C the wild-type enzyme lost all of its activity after treatment for 30 min, but XynR8_VNE retained about 65 % activity. To elucidate the mechanism of thermal stabilization, three-dimensional structures were predicted for XynR8 and its variant. We found that the tight packing density and new salt bridge caused by the substitutions may be responsible for the improved thermostability. These three substitutions are located in the N-terminus, cord and α-helix domains, respectively. Hence, the stability of these three domains may be crucial for the thermostability of family 11 xylanases.
Early alcohol exposure disrupts visual cortex plasticity in mice
Authors: Lantz Crystal L. , Wang Weili , Medina Alexandre E.
Published: May 2012

There is growing evidence that deficits in neuronal plasticity underlie the cognitive problems seen in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). However, the mechanisms behind these deficits are not clear. Here we test the effects of early alcohol exposure on ocular dominance plasticity (ODP) in mice and the reversibility of these effects by phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors. Mouse pups were exposed to 5 g/kg of 25% ethanol i.p. on postnatal days (P) 5, 7 and 9. This type of alcohol exposure mimics binge drinking during the third trimester equivalent of human gestation. To assess ocular dominance plasticity animals were monocularly deprived at P21 for 10 days, and tested using optical imaging of intrinsic signals. During the period of monocular deprivation animals were treated with vinpocetine (20 mg/kg; PDE1 inhibitor), rolipram (1.25 mg/kg; PDE4 inhibitor), vardenafil (3 mg/kg; PDE5 inhibitor) or vehicle solution. Monocular deprivation resulted in the expected shift in ocular dominance of the binocular zone in saline controls but not in the ethanol group. While vinpocetine successfully restored ODP in the ethanol group, rolipram and vardenafil did not. However, when rolipram and vardenafil were given simultaneously ODP was restored. PDE4 and PDE5 are specific to cAMP and cGMP respectively, while PDE1 acts on both of these nucleotides. Our findings suggest that the combined activation of the cAMP and cGMP cascades may be a good approach to improve neuronal plasticity in FASD models.
Mass transport under standing waves over a sloping beach
Authors: Scandura Pietro , Foti Enrico , Faraci Carla
Published: May 2012

This paper deals with the mass transport induced by sea waves propagating over a sloping beach and fully reflected from a wall. It is shown that for moderate slopes the classical recirculation cell structure holds for small Reynolds numbers only. When the Reynolds number is large, the cells interact among themselves giving rise to the merging of the negative cells and the confinement of the positive ones near the bottom. Under such circumstances the fluid moves onshore near the bottom and offshore near the free surface. The seaward decrease of the vorticity produced at the bottom appears to be the reason for the merging phenomenon.
The Missionary Roots of Liberal Democracy
Authors: WOODBERRY ROBERT D.
Published: May 2012

This article demonstrates historically and statistically that conversionary Protestants (CPs) heavily influenced the rise and spread of stable democracy around the world. It argues that CPs were a crucial catalyst initiating the development and spread of religious liberty, mass education, mass printing, newspapers, voluntary organizations, and colonial reforms, thereby creating the conditions that made stable democracy more likely. Statistically, the historic prevalence of Protestant missionaries explains about half the variation in democracy in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Oceania and removes the impact of most variables that dominate current statistical research about democracy. The association between Protestant missions and democracy is consistent in different continents and subsamples, and it is robust to more than 50 controls and to instrumental variable analyses.
The Presbytery Vault at St Albans
Authors: Harrison Hugh , McNeill John , Plummer Pauline , Simpson Gavin
Published: May 2012

The presbytery vault at St Albans is one of only two thirteenth-century wooden vaults over a main span to survive in England. A programme of cleaning and conservation carried out between 1997 and 2002, coupled with an analysis of the source and date of the timber used in its construction, significantly advanced our understanding of both the late thirteenth-century presbytery campaign at St Albans and thirteenth-century timber vault construction generally. As the inevitable density and restricted circulation of the final report on that work has hindered its wider reception, the following paper offers a summary, drawing attention to two features that may have wider implications for an appreciation of vaulting in timber. The first is that, although the general form adopted at St Albans is one associated with masonry vaulting, the wooden boards used for the vault webbing required a junction between the wall and the ridge rib, meaning that shallow liernes were originally deployed to run parallel to the central ridge. It is difficult to see this as imitative of vaulting in stone; rather it is likely to be the result of carpenters developing their own solutions to the constraints imposed by timber. Secondly, the late medieval remodelling of the vault replaced these liernes with false tiercerons, and rather nicely illustrates the ease with which timber vaulting could be modified. The dendrochronology gives a date range of 1273–93, and a date of around 1285 is suggested for the primary build. The major late medieval alterations are here associated with the second abbacy of John of Wheathampstead (1452–65).
The Ravenna Cosmography, Argistillum and Wales
Authors: Breeze Andrew
Published: May 2012

The location of Argistillum in the Ravenna Cosmography has been obscure. This paper uses linguistic and historical analysis to suggest that it was the Roman fort at Caersws, in the cantref (district) of Arwystli, still with a name relatable to Argistillum.
Does Collective Responsibility for Performance Alter Party Strategies? Policy-Seeking Parties in Proportional Systems
Authors: Adams James , Ezrow Lawrence , Merrill Samuel , Somer-Topcu Zeynep
Published: May 2012

Adams and Merrill have developed a model of policy-seeking parties in a parliamentary democracy competing in a PR electoral system, in which party elites are uncertain about voters’ evaluations of the parties’valenceattributes such as competence, integrity and charisma. This article extends that model to situations where voters hold coalitions of partiescollectivelyresponsible for their valence-related performances, such as how voters evaluate governing parties’ competence in handling issues like the economy, crime and foreign policy crises. It may also be relevant to voters’ evaluations of proto-coalitions of opposition parties. Computations suggest the central substantive conclusions reported in Adams and Merrill extend to this generalized model, and that collective responsibility enhances coalition members’ incentives to converge to similar policy positions but depresses their prospects of achieving their policy objectives.
Eastern Europe Abroad: Exploring Actor-Networks in Transnational Movements and Migration History, The Case of the Bund
Authors: Wolff Frank
Published: May 2012

The “transnational turn” is one of the most discussed topics in historiography, yet it has inspired more theoretical tension than empirically saturated studies. This article combines both aspects by examining the transnational network formation of one of the most important social movements in late imperial Russia, the Jewish Labour Bund. It furthermore introduces into historiography one of the most fruitful theories in recent social sciences, “actor-network theory”. This opens the view on the steady recreation of a social movement and reveals how closely the history of the Bund in eastern Europe was interwoven with large socialist organizations in the New World. Based on a large number of sources, this contribution to migration and movement history captures the creation and the limits of global socialist networks. As a result, it shows that globalization did not only create economic or political networks but that it impacted the everyday lives of authors and journalists as well as those of tailors and shoemakers.
Malignant glomus tumour of larynx: first case report and literature review
Authors: Aslam N , Qazi Z-U-S , Ahmad A H , Khan R U
Published: May 2012

Objective:

We describe the first reported case of a malignant glomus tumour of the larynx.

Method:

Case report and review of the world literature concerning malignant glomus tumours.

Results:

A 37-year-old man presented with progressive hoarseness and dyspnoea. A smooth, right-sided laryngeal mass was found on flexible nasolaryngoscopy. Initial biopsy of this lesion was reported as a true ‘glomus tumour’, which is a benign lesion. Wide local excision was performed. The final histology of this specimen showed it to be a ‘malignant glomus tumour’. Immunohistochemistry was positive for smooth muscle actin, collagen type IV, vimentin and cluster of differentiation 34 glycoprotein. Total laryngectomy was then performed as a definitive curative procedure.

Conclusion:

Glomus tumour is rarely found in visceral locations. This tumour and its malignant counterpart are rare differential diagnoses of laryngeal masses.
Incidence of vestibular schwannoma and incidental findings on the magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography scans of patients from a direct referral audiology clinic
Authors: Wong B Y W , Capper R
Published: May 2012

Objective:

To identify the incidence of vestibular schwannoma amongst patients referred from a direct referral audiology clinic, and also the number of incidental findings, as seen on magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography scans.

Method:

Prospective data collection for patients referred from a direct referral audiology clinic due to audiological evidence of asymmetrical hearing loss. The audiograms, magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography scans of patients with diagnosed vestibular schwannoma were subsequently reviewed.

Results:

A total of 4100 patients were seen during the study period, with 396 scans performed. Six (1.5 per cent) patients had vestibular schwannoma, while 12 (3 per cent) had significant incidental findings.

Conclusion:

Patients referred from the direct referral audiology clinic had a low incidence of vestibular schwannoma detection. Their detection rate for significant incidental findings was similar to previous reports. If the current protocol had not been in place, over 300 patients would have been needlessly added to the ENT clinic list. Thus, general practitioner referral to direct referral audiology clinics provides a cost-effective way of managing asymmetrical sensorineural hearing loss in older patients. The number of such clinics could be expanded.
Iatrogenic tracheal flap mimicking tracheal stenosis with resultant stridor
Authors: Tan K L , Chong A W , Amin M A , Raman R
Published: May 2012

Objective:

To illustrate a case of an iatrogenic mucosal tear in the trachea which caused a one-way valve effect, obstructing the airway and manifesting as post-extubation stridor.

Case report:

We report a case of iatrogenic tracheal mucosal tear secondary to violent movement during intubation. The patient presented with post-extubation stridor that worsened over three days. Initial evidence suggested tracheal stenosis. Computed tomography scans revealed a mucosal tear at the level of the seventh cervical to second thoracic vertebrae. The tear was caused by forceful inflow of air as breathing became more and more difficult, resulting in a false tract. A tracheostomy changed the direction of airflow, bypassing the tear. The inflated tracheostomy tube cuff acted as a stent to keep the flap in place as healing occurred.

Conclusion:

Iatrogenic laryngotracheal injuries are common, especially when endotracheal intubation is performed under unfavourable emergency conditions. A tracheal mucosal tear is a rare entity which is almost always undiagnosed. However, a tracheal mucosal flap may be suspected when changes in patient position alter the nature and severity of the resultant stridor and/or respiratory distress. In such cases, an inflated tracheostomy tube cuff should be kept in place for an adequate period, to act as a stent and help keep the flap in place while healing occurs.
Event-related potential examination of facial affect processing in bipolar disorder and schizophrenia
Authors: Wynn J. K. , Jahshan C. , Altshuler L. L. , Glahn D. C. , Green M. F.
Published: May 2012

Background

Patients with bipolar disorder exhibit consistent deficits in facial affect identification at both behavioral and neural levels. However, little is known about which stages of facial affect processing are dysfunctional.

Method

Event-related potentials (ERPs), including amplitude and latency, were used to evaluate two stages of facial affect processing: N170 to examine structural encoding of facial features and N250 to examine decoding of facial features in 57 bipolar disorder patients, 30 schizophrenia patients and 30 healthy controls. Three conditions were administered: participants were asked to identify the emotion of a face, the gender of a face, or whether a building was one or two stories tall.

Results

Schizophrenia patients' emotion identification accuracy was lower than that of bipolar patients and healthy controls. N170 amplitude was significantly smaller in schizophrenia patients compared to bipolar patients and healthy controls, which did not differ from each other. Both patient groups had significantly longer N170 latency compared to healthy controls. For N250, both patient groups showed significantly smaller amplitudes compared with controls, but did not differ from each other. Bipolar patients showed longer N250 latency than healthy controls; patient groups did not differ from each other.

Conclusions

Bipolar disorder patients have relatively intact structural encoding of faces (N170) but are impaired when decoding facial features for complex judgments about faces (N250 latency and amplitude), such as identifying emotion or gender.
DOES FIRST LANGUAGE MAINTENANCE HAMPER NATIVELIKENESS IN A SECOND LANGUAGE?
Authors: Bylund Emanuel , Abrahamsson Niclas , Hyltenstam Kenneth
Published: May 2012

Within the field of SLA, the incidence of nativelikeness in second language (L2) speakers has typically been explained as a function of age of acquisition. An alternative interpretation, however, is that L2 learners do not attain nativelike proficiency because of first language (L1) maintenance. This interpretation has nevertheless remained mostly theoretical due to the lack of empirical evidence. This study sets out to address the role of L1 proficiency in L2 ultimate attainment by examining L1 and L2 proficiency in 30 early L1 Spanish–L2 Swedish bilinguals. Language proficiency was assessed through grammaticality judgment tests and cloze tests, and additional data on language aptitude were collected through the Swansea Language Aptitude Test (v.2.0; Meara, Milton, & Lorenzo-Dus, 2002). The results showed positive correlations between nativelike L1 and L2 behavior. Additionally, it was found that language aptitude was positively correlated with nativelike L1 and L2 performance. In view of these findings, it is suggested that (a) L1 maintenance does not hamper L2 nativelikeness and (b) language aptitude is an important factor for bilingual ultimate attainment.
ON THE ROLE OF LINGUISTIC CONTEXTUAL FACTORS FOR MORPHOSYNTACTIC STABILIZATION IN HIGH-LEVEL L2 FRENCH
Authors: Bartning Inge , Lundell Fanny Forsberg , Hancock Victorine
Published: May 2012

The purpose of this article is to offer contextual linguistic explanations for morphosyntactic deviances (MSDs) in high-level second language (L2) French (30 nonnative speakers vs. 10 native speakers). It is hypothesized that the distribution of formulaic sequences (FSs) and the complexity of information structure will influence the occurrence of MSDs. The study reports that MSDs rarely occur within FSs, and if they do, they occur within sequences containing open slots for creative rule application. The rhematic part of the utterance attracts more MSDs due to the fact that this part is more syntactically complex than the preamble (the thematic part). An additional explanation is the mean length of the rhematic part, which is longer than the preamble and implies a higher processing load. A final explanation of MSD occurrence in the rheme is linked to the distribution of FSs in the information structure. The results are discussed in relation to the ongoing debate on the constructs of complexity, accuracy, and fluency—a promising area of study.
STUDYING HIGH-LEVEL (L1-L2) DEVELOPMENT AND USE AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE IN MULTILINGUAL STOCKHOLM
Authors: Bijvoet Ellen , Fraurud Kari
Published: May 2012

This article makes a case for studying the perceptions that young people have of the ways of speaking of both themselves and others on the supposition that constructions of ambient sociolinguistic variation have an impact on the language development and use of individual language users. Such a study is particularly relevant in multilingual contexts in which differences with regard to social as well as ethnic and linguistic background may generate significantly different perceptions. In a speaker evaluation study, Swedish speech stimuli from 12 young Stockholmers were evaluated by 343 listeners from different backgrounds. The results show that young people may divide and relate to the linguistic space of Stockholm in very different ways and that they vary in their degree of accuracy regarding linguistic self-perception.
HIGH PROFICIENCY IN MARKETS OF PERFORMANCE
Authors: Magnusson Josefina Eliaso , Stroud Christopher
Published: May 2012

High-proficiency second language (L2) learners challenge much theory and methodology in contemporary sociolinguistic and L2 acquisition research, which suggests the need for honest interdisciplinarity when working in the interstices of style, stylization, and advanced acquisition processes. When to consider fluent and highly competent speakers of a language to be language learners in ways relevant to SLA theory is a fraught and contentious issue. This study suggests that highly fluent multilinguals provide key data on notions of nativelikeness and near-nativelikeness that are of value for understanding processes of acquisition and use. It suggests that relative judgments of nativelikeness are interactionally accomplished (membership) categorizations made on the basis of specific linguistic features relative to particular linguistic markets. The data for the study are taken from a unique population—namely, young people from multilingual family backgrounds, born and raised in Sweden, all of whom ethnically self-identify as Assyrian-Syrian but whose repertoires are complexly multilingual. All participants are generally perceived to be native speakers of Swedish on a daily basis. Nevertheless, at certain moments, these young people are reclassified as near-native or nativelike. The study analyzes their narrative accounts of metalinguistic reflexivity from occasions and interactional moments when they are classified as nonstandard speakers and, therefore, near-natives or learners. The findings suggest the necessity of revisiting notions of nativelikeness and account for the phenomenon in terms of register, voice, and identity relative to different symbolic and linguistic markets.
The company that words keep: comparing the statistical structure of child- versus adult-directed language
Authors: HILLS THOMAS
Published: May 2012

Does child-directed language differ from adult-directed language in ways that might facilitate word learning? Associative structure (the probability that a word appears with its free associates), contextual diversity, word repetitions and frequency were compared longitudinally across six language corpora, with four corpora of language directed at children aged 1 ; 0 to 5 ; 0, and two adult-directed corpora representing spoken and written language. Statistics were adjusted relative to shuffled corpora. Child-directed language was found to be more associative, repetitive and consistent than adult-directed language. Moreover, these statistical properties of child-directed language better predicted word acquisition than the same statistics in adult-directed language. Word frequency and repetitions were the best predictors within word classes (nouns, verbs, adjectives and function words). For all word classes combined, associative structure, contextual diversity and word repetitions best predicted language acquisition. These results support the hypothesis that child-directed language is structured in ways that facilitate language acquisition.
Effect of foster care on language learning at eight years: Findings from the Bucharest Early Intervention Project
Authors: WINDSOR JENNIFER , MORARU ANA , NELSON CHARLES A. , FOX NATHAN A. , ZEANAH CHARLES H.
Published: May 2012

This study reports on language outcomes at eight years from the Bucharest Early Intervention Project, a randomized controlled study of foster care. We previously have shown that children placed in foster care by age two have substantially stronger preschool language outcomes than children placed later and children remaining in institutional care. One hundred and five children participated in the current study, fifty-four originally assigned to foster care and fifty-one to continued institutional care. Even though current placements varied, children originally in foster care had longer sentences and stronger sentence repetition and written word identification. Children placed in foster care by age two had significant advantages in word identification and nonword repetition; children placed by age 1 ; 3 performed equivalently to community peers. The results show the continuing adverse effects of early poor institutional care on later language development and the key importance of age of placement in a more optimal environment.
Granitoids and dykes of the Pine Island Bay region, West Antarctica
Authors: Kipf Andrea , Mortimer Nicholas , Werner Reinhard , Gohl Karsten , Van Den Bogaard Paul , Hauff Folkmar , Hoernle Kaj
Published: May 2012

We present geochronological and geochemical data for eight plutonic rocks from five locations in the Pine Island Bay area of West Antarctica, collected during RVPolarsternexpedition ANT-XXIII/4. Ar-Ar laser method dating yielded closure temperatures ages ofc.147–98 Ma for dioritic and granitic plutonic rocks and an age range ofc.97–95 Ma for granitoid and trachyandesitic dykes. Major and trace element compositions indicate that all rocks have an I-type subduction-related chemistry. There are no A-type granitic rocks in our dataset, and none are yet reported from the Pine Island Bay area. Our results confirm earlier models of post 100 Ma subduction on this part of the Gondwana margin.
Depression and Anxiety Following Psychosis: Associations with Mindfulness and Psychological Flexibility
Authors: White Ross G. , Gumley Andrew I. , McTaggart Jacqueline , Rattrie Lucy , McConville Deirdre , Cleare Seonaid , Mitchell Gordon
Published: May 2012

Background: Individuals experiencing psychosis can present with elevated levels of depression and anxiety. Research suggests that aspects of depression and anxiety may serve an avoidant function by limiting the processing of more distressing material. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy suggests that avoidance of aversive mental experiences contributes to psychological inflexibility. Depression and anxiety occurring in the context of psychosis have a limiting effect on quality of life. No research to date has investigated how levels of psychological flexibility and mindfulness are associated with depression and anxiety occurring following psychosis. Aims: This study investigated associations psychological flexibility and mindfulness had with depression and anxiety following psychosis. Method: Thirty participants with psychosis were recruited by consecutive referral on the basis that they were experiencing emotional dysfunction following psychosis. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (AAQ-II) and the Kentucky Inventory of Mindfulness Skills (KIMS) were used. A cross-sectional correlational design was used. Results: The depression and anxiety subscales of the HADS both had significant correlations with psychological flexibility (as assessed by the AAQ-II) and aspects of mindfulness (as assessed by the KIMS). Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that psychological flexibility, but not mindfulness, contributed significantly to models predicting 46% of variance in both depression and anxiety scores. Conclusions: Although aspects of mindfulness are associated with depression and anxiety following an episode of psychosis, psychological flexibility appears to account for a larger proportion of variance in depression and anxiety scores in this population.
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT, START-UPS, AND PRODUCTIVITY DURING TRANSITION
Authors: Brixiová Zuzana , Égert Balázs
Published: May 2012

The transition paths from plan to market have varied markedly across countries. Central and Eastern European and Baltic countries, which opted for fast and deep reforms including transformation of their business environments, rapidly narrowed the productivity gap with advanced economies. In contrast, in countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States, which embarked on reforms later and with less depth, the productivity gap remains large. Whereas the literature has focused mainly on empirical studies, this paper develops a dynamic search model of firm start-ups that reflects these trends. The model shows that an enabling business climate contributes to start-ups of highly productive firms at an earlier stage of transition, underscoring the importance of early reforms. The role of the state sector as an employer during transition rises in countries where reforming the business environment is particularly costly.
Dairy food intake of Australian children and adolescents 2–16 years of age: 2007 Australian National Children's Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey
Authors: Baird Danielle L , Syrette Julie , Hendrie Gilly A , Riley Malcolm D , Bowen Jane , Noakes Manny
Published: May 2012

Objective

Dairy food consumption is important for Australian children as it contributes key nutrients such as protein and Ca. The aim of the present paper is to describe dietary intake from dairy foods for Australian children aged 2–16 years in 2007.

Design

Secondary analysis of a quota-sampled survey using population-weighted, 1 d (24 h) dietary recall data.

Setting

Australian national survey conducted from February to August 2007.

Subjects

Children (n4487) aged 2–16 years.

Results

Most Australian children consumed dairy foods (84–98 %), with the proportion consuming tending to decrease with age and males consuming significantly more than females from the age of 4 years. Milk was the most commonly consumed dairy food (58–88 %) and consumed in the greatest amount (243–384 g/d). Most children consumed regular-fat dairy products. The contribution of dairy foods to total energy intake decreased with age; from 22 % of total energy at age 2–3 years to 11 % at age 14–16 years. This trend was similar for all nutrients analysed. Dairy food intake peaked between 06.00 and 10.00 hours (typical breakfast hours) corresponding with the peak in dairy Ca intake. Australian children (older than 4 years) did not reach recommendations for dairy food intake, consuming ≤2 servings/d.

Conclusions

The under-consumption of dairy foods by Australian children has important implications for intake of key nutrients and should be addressed by multiple strategies.