bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Conformational Changes of Calmodulin on Calcium and Peptide Binding Monitored by Film Bulk Acoustic Resonators
Authors: Nirschl Martin , Ottl Johannes , Vörös Janos
Published: December 2011

Film bulk acoustic resonators (FBAR) are mass sensitive, label-free biosensors that allow monitoring of the interaction between biomolecules. In this paper we use the FBAR to measure the binding of calcium and the CaMKII peptide to calmodulin. Because the mass of the calcium is too small to be detected, the conformational change caused by the binding process is measured by monitoring the resonant frequency and the motional resistance of the FBAR. The resonant frequency is a measure for the amount of mass coupled to the sensor while the motional resistance is influenced by the viscoelastic properties of the adsorbent. The measured frequency shift during the calcium adsorptions was found to be strongly dependent on the surface concentration of the immobilized calmodulin, which indicates that the measured signal is significantly influenced by the amount of water inside the calmodulin layer. By plotting the measured motional resistance against the frequency shift, a mass adsorption can be distinguished from processes involving measurable conformational changes. With this method three serial processes were identified during the peptide binding. The results show that the FBAR is a promising technology for the label-free measurement of conformational changes.
Environmental Impacts from Pesticide Use: A Case Study of Soil Fumigation in Florida Tomato Production
Authors: Sande Doris , Mullen Jeffrey , Wetzstein Michael , Houston Jack
Published: December 2011

The search for alternative fumigants has been ongoing since the 1992 Parties of the Montreal Protocol classified methyl bromide as a Class I controlled substance with an ozone depletion potential (ODP) of 0.7 and destined it for phase-out. This paper focuses on the hazards from fumigants proposed as alternatives for pre-plant soil fumigation in tomato production. We use the Environmental Impact Quotient (EIQ) developed by Kovach et al. to estimate the hazards from methyl bromide and the proposed alternative fumigants to workers, consumers, beneficial arthropods, birds, fish, and bees. Our findings indicate that iodomethane 98/2 has the lowest EIQ index value and field use rating, and is the alternative with the lowest relative risk. Among environmental categories, workers and beneficial arthropods experience the highest relative risks from the proposed tomato fumigants, and fish and consumers the least risks.
QSAR Study and Molecular Design of Open-Chain Enaminones as Anticonvulsant Agents
Authors: Garro Martinez Juan C. , Duchowicz Pablo R. , Estrada Mario R. , Zamarbide Graciela N. , Castro Eduardo A.
Published: December 2011

Present work employs the QSAR formalism to predict the ED50 anticonvulsant activity of ringed-enaminones, in order to apply these relationships for the prediction of unknown open-chain compounds containing the same types of functional groups in their molecular structure. Two different modeling approaches are applied with the purpose of comparing the consistency of our results: (a) the search of molecular descriptors via multivariable linear regressions; and (b) the calculation of flexible descriptors with the CORAL (CORrelation And Logic) program. Among the results found, we propose some potent candidate open-chain enaminones having ED50 values lower than 10 mg·kg−1 for corresponding pharmacological studies. These compounds are classified as Class 1 and Class 2 according to the Anticonvulsant Selection Project.
Electrochromic Type E-Paper Using Poly(1H-Thieno[3,4-d]Imidazol-2(3H)-One) Derivatives by a Novel Printing Fabrication Process
Authors: Kondo Yoshiro , Tanabe Hirofumi , Kudo Hidetoshi , Nakano Kirihiro , Otake Tomiaki
Published: December 2011

In this study, we report poly(1H-thieno[3,4-d]imidazol-2(3H)-one) (pTIO) derivatives for an electrochromic (EC) type e-paper and its novel printing fabrication process. pTIO is a kind of conductive polymer (CP) s which are known as one of the EC materials. The electrochromism of pTIO is unique, because its color in doped state is almost transparent (pale gray). A transparent state is required to show a white color in a see-through view of an EC type e-paper. An electrochromism of CP has a good memory effect which is applicable for e-paper. The corresponding monomers of CP are able to be polymerized with an electrochemical method, which be made good use of for the fabrication process of e-paper. pTIO derivatives are copolymerized with other pi-conjugated X unit, which adjusts the color of electrochromism. Finally, we fabricated a segment matrix EC display using pTIO derivatives by ink-jet printing.
Novel Concept to Detect an Optimum Thixoforming Condition of Al-Al3Ni Functionally Graded Material by Wavelet Analysis for Online Operation
Authors: Kumazawa Noriyoshi , Fukui Yasuyoshi , Nara Daisaku
Published: December 2011

A novel technique to characterize the transition phenomenon from solid to melt of Al-Al3Ni functionally graded material (FGM) through a wavelet analysis for the development of a thixoforming system is investigated. Identification of an optimum semi-solid condition for thixoforming is necessary not only for the construction of a system but also the fabrication of a near-net-shape product with fine microstructure. An online wavelet analysis system using Haar’s wavelet function, which is applied for its simplicity compared with Daubechies’ wavelet function, is developed to find the optimum operating condition. A thixoforming system, which is constructed adapting a threshold value as an index, monitors successfully a discontinuity of deformation of Al-Al3Ni FGM with the temperature rise. Thus, the timing of an operation is not at pre-fixed temperature but at the time when the index related to a wavelet function is satisfied. The concept is confirmed to be suitable from the micro-structural observation of the Al-Al3Ni FGM product, because the product under the optimum condition is found to have refined Al3Ni grains, which change from coarse grains and are expected to improve the mechanical properties.
Improved Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors as Therapeutics for the Neurodegenerative Disease Friedreich’s Ataxia: A New Synthetic Route
Authors: Xu Chunping , Soragni Elisabetta , Jacques Vincent , Rusche James R. , Gottesfeld Joel M.
Published: December 2011

Friedreich’s ataxia (FRDA) is caused by transcriptional repression of the nuclear FXN gene encoding the essential mitochondrial protein frataxin. Based on the hypothesis that the acetylation state of the histone proteins is responsible for gene silencing in FRDA, previous work in our lab identified a first generation of HDAC inhibitors (pimelic o-aminobenzamides), which increase FXN mRNA in lymphocytes from FRDA patients. Importantly, these compounds also function in a FRDA mouse model to increase FXN mRNA levels in the brain and heart. While the first generation of HDAC inhibitors hold promise as potential therapeutics for FRDA, they have two potential problems: less than optimal brain penetration and metabolic instability in acidic conditions. Extensive optimization focusing on modifying the left benzene ring, linker and the right benzene ring lead to a novel class of HDAC inhibitors that have optimized pharmacological properties (increased brain penetration and acid stability) compared to the previous HDAC inhibitors. This article will describe the chemical synthesis and pharmacological properties of these new HDAC inhibitors.
Remote Sensing Open Access Journal: Leading a New Paradigm in Publishing
Authors: Thenkabail Prasad S.
Published: December 2011

Remote Sensing is a pathfinding open access journal providing great opportunities for the growing community of remote sensing and geoscience scientists and practitioners to publish high quality research and practical papers expeditiously. It is a journal keeping up with the changing times we live in: open access, instant access, free access, and global access from whichever precise latitude and longitude you live in on the planet Earth or for that matter anywhere in space as long as we have internet access! So, open access journals are breaking many paradigms and setting forth new ones that will soon become the norm as we advance into the twenty-first century. The days of inordinate delays in publishing good science research articles are fast disappearing with open access journals. In remote sensing and geoscience, Remote Sensing (http://www.mdpi.com/journal/remotesensing/) is one of the pioneers, thanks to the vision of Dr. Shu-Kun Lin, the publisher. It started in the year 2009 with headquarters in Basel, Switzerland and a branch office in Beijing, China. It will soon complete Volume 3 by the end of 2011. [...]
Croissance de la population et dynamique du peuplement au Sénégal depuis l'indépendance
Authors: Lericollais André , Roquet Dominique
Published: December 2011

Le Sénégal compte un peu plus de 8 millions d'habitants (estimation 1994) pour une superficie de 196 722 km2, soit une densité moyenne de 41,3 habitants au km2. Cette population est en croissance rapide depuis plusieurs décennies. Elle est passée de 2,8 millions d'habitants en 1960 à 5 millions en 1976 et à plus de 8 millions en 1994, soit un taux de croissance annuel moyen d'environ 2,7 %. C'est une population jeune, 47,2 % de jeunes de moins de 15 ans, du fait d'une fécondité élevée et stable, 6 enfants en moyenne par femme en 1992. En revanche la mortalité reste forte, 18 %o, notamment chez les plus jeunes.

Les disparités sont grandes aussi bien en termes de densité que de croissance de population d'une région à l'autre. Elles le sont plus encore quand elles sont envisagées à l'échelle du département, de l'arrondissement ou de la communauté rurale. Elles illustrent le redéploiement de la population entre les différentes entités spatiales, conséquence de la mobilité de la force de travail. Les zones urbaines pèsent d'un poids de plus en plus important, contrairement aux régions rurales qui subissent de façon brutale les conséquences de la sécheresse des années 70-80. Cependant, les migrations internatio nales et l'importance de leur impact sur les économies locales doivent conduire à relativiser la signification des densités et de la croissance de la population dans certaines régions.
Acquisition de logements anciens en milieu urbain et mobilité résidentielle
Authors: Madoré François
Published: December 2011

La mobilité résidentielle des Français passe de plus en plus fréquemment par l'achat d'un logement ancien, grâce à la détente des marchés immobiliers, à l'évolution du système de financement du logement à l'affirmation d'une dimension patrimoniale au sein de la société. Toutefois, il est difficile de saisir, à l'échelle locale, cette composante désormais primordiale de la dynamique urbaine, étant donné l'inadaptation de l'appareil statistique à mesurer ce phénomène. Quelques sources existent, mais leur accès ou leur utilisation ne sont pas toujours aisés. L'étude de cette mobilité résidentielle est pourtant un indicateur clé de l'évolution des configurations socio-spatiales en milieu urbain et elle confirme la difficulté de cerner le rôle de la localisation dans la stratégie résidentielle des ménages.
L'adaptation des transports en commun à l'évolution urbaine (l'exemple de Rouen)
Authors: Mondou Véronique
Published: December 2011

Public Transportation Adaptation to urban Development (the Case Study of Caen).

Mobility has today a major impact on the urban structure. It has a key action on the development of the city. The motorized means of transport answer to the main part of this need of mobility, households privileging the car to the detriment of public transportation network, whose role encounters stagnation or decrease. However, the public network has a dual aspect. On the one hand they are marginalized and used by a part of the population in the last resort. On the other hand, the political powers grant them the priority over the car. They are even conferred a power in matter of urbanism. The main idea is to confront the urban transport and the mobility of the population. Is there an homogeneous supply on the whole officially covered territory ? Does it offer the same possibilities for all to circulate within the urban space ? Does it give an advantage to some categories of population ?
Le cimetière de Friedrichsfelde, construction d'un espace socialiste (des années 1880 aux années 1970)
Authors: Julien Élise , Vonau Elsa
Published: December 2011

Résumé Décidée en 1879, l’ouverture du cimetière de Friedrichsfelde à Berlin s’inscrit dans une politique municipale d’aménagement urbain : le cimetière est conçu à la fois comme un parc d’agrément et comme un lieu d’inhumation de toutes les catégories de citoyens. Accueillant ainsi de nombreux déshérités, il est rapidement assimilé à un « cimetière de pauvres ». L’enterrement de Wilhelm Liebknecht en 1900 puis celui des spartakistes en 1919 lui valent le qualificatif de « cimetière socialiste ». Malgré cette estampille durable, ce lieu cristallise de multiples usages qui se déclinent selon l’échelle espace-temps : cérémonie funéraire et commémoration politique, cortège populaire et rituel orchestré par l’appareil des partis. À partir de l’analyse des pratiques collectives qui se sont relayées à Friedrichsfelde, cet article se propose de décrypter les phénomènes à l’œuvre dans la construction d’un espace comme vecteur de mémoire.
Les cimetières militaires de la Grande Guerre, 1914-1940
Authors: Prost Antoine
Published: December 2011

Résumé La Grande Guerre a donné naissance à des cimetières militaires immédiatement identifiables comme tels qui constituent des nouveautés. Donner aux soldats des tombes individuelles était une conquête démocratique. Mais les cimetières britanniques, américains, français, italiens et allemands présentent des différences qu’expliquent plusieurs raisons. Le sort donné aux restes non identifiés et aux soldats disparus, l’autorisation donnée ou refusée aux familles de reprendre les corps de leurs proches introduisent une première différence. Une seconde raison tient aux modalités de réalisation de ces cimetières et aux autorités qui s’en sont chargées. Mais ils répondent avant tout à des projets architecturaux, politiques et idéologiques différents.
Optimal Fiscal Policy when Agents Fear Government Default
Authors: Caprioli Francesco , Rizza Pietro , Tommasino Pietro
Published: December 2011

Résumé Nous étudions la politique budgé taire d’ un État qui s’ est engagé à honorer le remboursement de sa dette, mais qui fait face à des agents qui craignent néanmoins un défaut de remboursement. Comme Marcet et Sargent [1989], nous supposons que les investisseurs utilisent les nouvelles informations à leur disposition pour modifier au fur et à mesure leur point de vue sur la crédibilité de la politique du gouvernement. Nous montrons que dans ce type d’ économie, et contrairement aux conclusions des modèles standard, la politique optimale consiste à mener une consolidation budgé taire à la suite d’ un choc négatif. JEL Code : E62, H63, D83
Comment la croissance américaine aurait-elle réagi à une politique monétaire expansionniste en 1929 ?
Authors: Diebolt Claude , Parent Antoine , Trabelsi Jamel
Published: December 2011

Résumé Cet article examine la pertinence d’une politique monétaire expansionniste dans une période de crise financière. Nous visons, plus particulièrement, à examiner les stratégies appropriées pour sortir de la crise financière dans une perspective historique. Par une lecture monétaire renouvelée et pour enrichir les politiques monétaires courantes, notre ambition principale est de simuler, dans un cadre svar , les effets qu’aurait engendrées sur la croissance américaine une politique monétaire expansionniste au cours de la période 1929-1933.
Jadis et Naguère, la vision des crises financières dans l'histoire, selon Reinhart et Rogoff
Authors: Parent Antoine
Published: December 2011

Résumé Cet article analyse ce que l’histoire économique et la cliométrie peuvent apporter à notre compréhension des crises financières. Il s’appuie principalement sur les contributions de Reinhart et Rogoff, Bordo et Eichengreen. L’enseignement que l’on peut tirer des travaux récents de Reinhart et Rogoff est que, de jadis à aujourd’hui, les temps n’ont pas changé. Si différente que puisse paraître la crise la plus récente, elle présente des similitudes remarquables avec les expériences d’autres pays et d’autres époques. Cette idée s’oppose à la thèse défendue par Bordo et Eichengreen au début des années 2000 selon laquelle, après 1973, les crises sont devenues plus fréquentes et plus sévères. Cependant, cette divergence dans les conclusions ne doit pas nous conduire à ignorer l’histoire. Pour justifier cette thèse, nous illustrons, à partir de travaux de Flandreau et Zumer, que, depuis longtemps, les économistes et les praticiens ont cherché à comprendre le rôle de la dette et du risque de défaut dans le déclenchement des crises financières.
Public Debt Managers' Behaviour Interactions with Macro Policies
Authors: Hoogduin Lex , Öztürk Bahar , Wierts Peter
Published: December 2011

Résumé Nous étudions l’évolution de la gestion de la dette publique, le comportement des gestionnaires de la dette publique et leur interaction avec la stabilité financière et la politique monétaire. Nous nous centrons sur la zone euro. L’estimation d’une fonction de réaction des gestionnaires de la dette montre que ces derniers réagissent aux variables suivantes : le niveau des taux d’intérêt dans le cadre de leur stratégie de minimisation du coût de la dette, la crise économique. L’accroissement de la dette à court terme des pays de la zone euro implique des risques financiers plus élevés et un renforcement des interactions entre la politique de gestion de la dette publique, la stabilité financière et la politique monétaire. La recommandation de politique économique que l’on peut faire est une plus grande transparence dans l’utilisation des actifs dérivés, ainsi qu’une gestion prudente de la dette. JEL Code : E62, E65, E52
Do Fiscal Imbalances Deteriorate Sovereign Debt Ratings ?
Authors: Afonso António , Gomes Pedro
Published: December 2011

Résumé Nous utilisons les estimations de notation souveraine de Afonso, Gomes et Rother [2009, 2011] pour examiner que les déséquilibres budgétaires récents expliquent les notations souveraines des États. À l’aide de données macroéconomiques et budgétaires passées (jusqu’en 2009) et des projections jusqu’en 2012, nous calculons la note qui devrait être attribuée à un certain nombre de pays de l’ ocde . Ces notes reflètent effectivement les déséquilibres budgétaires, mais de manière non uniforme. Notre modèle révèle une forte hétérogénéité entre les pays. JEL Code : C23 ; E44 ; G15.
An unusual new genus of eurychoromyiine Lauxaniidae (Diptera)
Authors: Gaimari Stephen D.
Published: December 2011

The unusual new Neotropical genus Exalla is described and illustrated, along with three new species, E. browni, E. macalpinei, and E. shewelli. A key to the species is provided. The species are known from wet montane rainforest habitats in Colombia and Ecuador at elevations above 1500m.
Activated Charcoal—A Potential Material in Glucoamylase Recovery
Authors: Kareem S. O. , Akpan I. , Popoola T. O. S. , Sanni L. O.
Published: December 2011

The potential of activated charcoal in the purification of fungal glucoamylase was investigated. Various concentrations of activated charcoal (1–4% w/v) were used to concentrate crude glucoamylase from Rhizopus oligosporus at different temperature values (30–50°C). Effects of pH (3.0–6.0) and contact time (0–60 min) on enzyme purification were also monitored. Activated charcoal (3% w/v) gave a 16-fold purification in a single-step purification at 50°C for 20 min and pH 5.5. The result of SDS-PAGE analysis of purified glucoamylase showed two major protein bands with corresponding molecular weight of 36 kDa and 50 kDa. The method is inexpensive, rapid, and simple which could facilitate downstream processing of industrial enzyme.
Comparative Analyses of Exoproteinases Produced by Three Phytopathogenic Microorganisms
Authors: Valueva Tatiana A. , Kudryavtseva Natalia N. , Sof'in Alexis V. , Revina Tatiana A. , Gvozdeva Ekaterina L. , Ievleva Elena V.
Published: December 2011

Proteinases secreted by the oomycetePhytophthora infestans(Mont.) de Bary,Rhizoctonia solani,andFusarium culmorumbelonging to different families of fungi have been studied to determine if the exoenzyme secretion depends on the environmental conditions and the phylogenetic position of the pathogen. The substrate specificity of the extracellular proteinases ofF. culmorum,R. solani, andP. infestansand their sensitivity to the action of synthetic and protein inhibitors suggest that they contain trypsin-like and subtilisin-like enzymes regardless of culture medium composition. The relation of trypsin-like and subtilisin-like enzymes is dependent on the culture medium composition, especially on the form of nitrogen nutrition, particularly in the case of the exoenzymes secreted byR. solani. Phylogenetic analyses have shown that the exoproteinase set of ascomycetes and oomycetes has more similarities than basidiomycetes although they are more distant relatives. Our data suggests that the multiple proteinases secreted by pathogenic fungi could play different roles in pathogenesis, increasing the adaptability and host range, or could have different functions in survival in various ecological habitats outside the host.
Factors influencing the retention of registered nurses in the Gauteng Province of South Africa
Authors: Mokoka Kgaogelo E. , Ehlers Valerie J. , Oosthuizen Martha J.
Published: December 2011

Background: South Africa is a source country for many destination countries that recruit registered nurses who emigrate for personal and/or professional reasons. A large number of South African nurses belong to the baby boomer generation (born between 1943 and 1964) who will retire within the foreseeable future. Statistics from the South African Nursing Council show a decline of 42.0% in the number of nurses who completed their training in South Africa from 1996 to 2005. These aspects combine to predict a potential dire shortage of nurses in South Africa within the foreseeable future.Objectives: Retention of registered nurses should be the focus of health-care planners to avoid crises in South Africa’s health-care services. This study attempted to identify factors that would influence registered nurses’ decisions to stay with their current employers in the Gauteng Province of South Africa.Methods: An exploratory descriptive quantitative design was adopted and questionnaires were sent to a sample of nurses, registered with the South African Nursing Council (SANC), with addresses in the Gauteng Province. A total of 108 nurses completed and returned questionnaires, of whom 77 (73.1%) had considered leaving their current employers.Results: The most important factors that would influence more than 90.0% of these nurses’ decisions to stay with their current employers related to finances, safety and security, equipment and/or supplies, management, staff and patients.Conclusions: In terms of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Theory, deficiency needs (physiological, safety and social needs) should be met by improved salaries revised on an annual basis, paying long-service and outstanding-service bonuses, and improving the safety and security, as well the available equipment and supplies, at institutions. Sufficient numbers of nurses should be employed and vacancies should be filled rapidly. However, not all changes required to enhance nurses’ retention rates involve increased costs. Managers should lead by example and respect nurses, and encourage doctors as well as patients to do so, to meet nurses’ self-esteem needs. Recognising and rewarding outstanding service would meet nurses’ self-actualisation needs, as well as opportunities to further their education.
$W^{1,1}_0$ minima of noncoercive functionals
Authors: Boccardo Lucio , Croce Gisella , Orsina Luigi
Published: December 2011

We study an integral non coercive functional defined on

H^1_0(\Omega)

, proving the existence of a minimum in

W^{1,1}_0 (\Omega)

.
Strong semiclassical approximation of Wigner functions for the Hartree dynamics
Authors: Athanassoulis Agissilaos , Paul Thierry , Pezzotti Federica , Pulvirenti Mario
Published: December 2011

We consider the Wigner equation corresponding to a nonlinear Schrödinger evolution of the Hartree type in the semiclassical limit

h \rightarrow 0

.Under appropriate assumptions on the initial data and the interaction potential, we show that the Wigner function is close in

L^2

to its weak limit, the solution of the corresponding Vlasov equation. The strong approximation allows the construction of semiclassical operator-valued observables, approximating their quantum counterparts in Hilbert-Schmidt topology.The proof makes use of a pointwise-positivity manipulation, which seems necessary in working with the

L^2

norm and the precise form of the nonlinearity. We employ the Husimi function as a pivot between the classical probability density and the Wigner function, which—as it is well known—is not pointwise positive in general.
Response to Medication Dosing Alerts for Pediatric Inpatients Using a Computerized Provider Order Entry System
Authors: Fabrizio L. , Shaha S.H. , Magid S.K. , Perlman S.L.
Published: December 2011

Objective: Medication dosing errors are of particular concern in hospitalized children. Avoidance of such errors is essential to quality improvement and patient safety. Computerized provider order entry (CPOE) systems with clinical decision support (CDS) have the potential to reduce medication errors. The objective of this study was to evaluate provider response to the dosing alerts in a CPOE system with CDS for pediatric inpatients and to identify differences in provider response based on clinician specialty.

Patients and methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of all medication dosing alerts over a 1-year period (January 1 through December 31, 2008) for all pediatric inpatients at Hospital for Special Surgery. Alerts were analyzed with respect to medication dosing, prescriber, and action taken by the prescriber after the alert was triggered (i.e., accepted suggested change, ignored recommendation/overrode, or cancelled the order).

Results: During the study period, 18,163 medication orders were placed and 1,024 dosing alerts were fired. Overdosing of medications accounted for 91% of the alerts and underdosing 9%. The pediatric-trained providers ignored more alerts and cancelled fewer orders than the non-pediatric-trained providers (p<0.001). Both groups changed the order similarly based on CDS recommendations.

Conclusions: Differences in response to CDS were found between pediatric-trained and non-pediatric-trained providers caring for pediatric patients; however, both groups changed orders based on CDS similarly. CPOE with built-in CDS may be of particular value when providers with different specialties and types of training are caring for pediatric patients.
Non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections in the Scottish Borders: identification, management and treatment outcomes – a retrospective review
Authors: McCallum AD , Watkin SW , Faccenda JF
Published: December 2011

Non-tuberculous mycobacteria are opportunist pathogens increasingly recognised as a cause of pulmonary and extrapulmonary disease. Treatment is complicated, prolonged and potentially toxic, and due to a limited evidence base, potentially contentious and idiosyncratic. This is a retrospective review of nontuberculous mycobacteria cases in the NHS Borders Health Board between 1992 and 2010. We consider incidence, species identified, drug sensitivity testing and treatment outcome with reference to the British and American Thoracic Society guidelines. Thirty-eight cases of non-tuberculous mycobacteria isolates were identified; 84.21% were pulmonary and 42.11% were Mycobacterium avium complex. Incidence rose from 1.92/100,000 in 1993 to 4.43/100,000 in 2010. The British Thoracic Society guidelines were followed in 45.45% of cases. A total of 36.36% were successfully treated with another 36.36% still being treated with antimicrobials. There is a clear need for more research on treatment for this group of ‘emerging pathogens’ and it remains to be seen if concordance with current guidelines will improve treatment outcomes.
Should we be giving enhanced vitamin D intakes to all?
Authors: Boucher BJ , Witham MD
Published: December 2011

It is widely established that vitamin D is critical for bone health. There is also an increasing body of evidence from observational studies that low levels of vitamin D are associated with a range of other disorders, including cancer and cardiovascular disease. People in temperate climates are often deficient in vitamin D, particularly in wintertime. The key question is whether there is sufficient evidence to justify supplementing vitamin D intakes for all. In this 'Controversy in Medicine', two international experts argue the case 'for' and 'against' universal vitamin D supplementation.
Severe peripartum sepsis
Authors: Sriskandan S
Published: December 2011

Despite global efforts to reduce maternal mortality, maternal deaths from bacterial sepsis have actually risen in the UK. The group A streptococcus, also known as Streptococcus pyogenes, is the leading cause of infection-related death in pregnancy and the puerperium. Many clinicians remain unaware of the risks posed to this particular group of otherwise fit, healthy patients despite the fact that S. pyogenes has been the leading infective cause of puerperal deaths since records began. S. pyogenes has a specific but unexplained predilection for the recently pregnant woman, and has an attributable mortality greater than many other invasive bacteria. Here, the epidemiology, aetiology, and management of severe peripartum sepsis are discussed, as are potential approaches to reduce risks. While fundamental changes in healthcare access can lead to dramatic reductions in maternal deaths in developing countries, an improvement in maternal sepsis deaths in the UK will require heightened awareness among both hospital and community-based clinical staff.
A story of heartache: the understanding of angina pectoris in the pre-surgical period
Authors: Beasley AW
Published: December 2011

This paper traces the understanding of angina pectoris over two centuries from its first description by William Heberden, emphasising the Scottish dimension in this process. Such a retrospect is appropriate at a time when natural disasters in several parts of the world are drawing attention to their effect in increasing the incidence of heart attacks.
Viability of the probiotic bacteria L. acidophilus in dairy products
Authors: Koreňová Janka
Published: December 2011

A number of health benefits have been claimed for probiotic bacteria such as Lactobacillus acidophilus. Because of the potential health benefits, these organisms are increasingly incorporated into dairy foods. Viability of probiotic bacteria is important in order to provide health benefits. However, many studies have shown low viability of probiotics in market preparations. This study cover selective enumeration and survival of probiotic bacteria L. acidophilus in some dairy drinks. L. acidophilus was found in the range from 106 to 107 CFU.g-1 in five types of fermented milk products containing probiotic cultures. Two investigated products were up to standard according to Regulation of Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Health of Slovak Republic.
Monitoring of genetic diversity in farmed deer populations using microsatellite markers
Authors: Maršálková Lenka , Belej Ľubomí­r , Bajzí­k Pavol , Pokorádi Jaroslav
Published: December 2011

Deer (Cervidaei) belong to the most important species used as farmed animals. We focused on assesing the genetic diversity among five deer populations. Analysis has been performed on a total of 183 animals originating from Czech Republic, Hungary, New Zealand, Poland and Slovak Republic. Genetic variability were investigated using 8 microsatellite markers used in deer. Statistical data of all populations we obtained on the basis of Nei statistics, using by POWERMARKER 3.23 programme. Graphical view of relationships among populations and individuals in the populations was obtained using the Dendroscope software. Molecular genetic data combinated with evaluation in statistical programmes could lead to a complex view of populations and diffrences among them.
Exile and Post-1946 Haitian Literature
Authors: Munro Martin
Published: December 2011

Exile and Post-1946 Haitian Literature reinterprets and analyses post-1946 Haitian writing as a literature of exile. It moves between texts that have emerged out of different places and different times, and outlines generational shifts and changes in Haitian exiled writing. The breadth and scope of this book will attract scholars and students with interests in fields such as Caribbean studies, postcolonial studies, francophone studies, migration studies, and AfricanAmerican studies.
Brief Report: A phase IIa, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial of apilimod mesylate, an interleukin‐12/interleukin‐23 inhibitor, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Krausz Sarah , Boumans Maria J. H. , Gerlag Danielle M. , Lufkin Joelle , van Kuijk Arno W. R. , Bakker Alian , de Boer Maarten , Lodde Beatrijs M. , Reedquist Kris A. , Jacobson Eric W. , O'Meara Michael , Tak Paul P.
Published: December 2011

Objective

To investigate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy of apilimod mesylate, an oral interleukin‐12 (IL‐12)/IL‐23 inhibitor, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

We performed a phase IIa, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled proof‐of‐concept study of apilimod, in combination with methotrexate, in 29 patients with active RA (3:1 ratio of apilimod‐treated to placebo‐treated patients) in 3 stages. Patients received apilimod 100 mg/day or placebo for 4 weeks (stage 1) or 8 weeks (stage 2). In stage 3, patients received apilimod 100 mg twice a day or placebo for 8 weeks, with an optional extension of 4 weeks. Clinical response (Disease Activity Score in 28 joints [DAS28] and American College of Rheumatology [ACR] criteria) was assessed throughout; synovial tissue samples collected at baseline and on day 29 (stages 1 and 2) or day 57 (stage 3) were stained for cellular markers and cytokines for immunohistochemistry analysis.

Results

While only mild adverse events were observed in stages 1 and 2, in stage 3, all patients experienced headache and/or nausea. Among apilimod‐treated patients (100 mg/day), there was a small, but significant, reduction in the DAS28 on day 29 and day 57 compared with baseline. ACR20 response was reached in only 6% of patients on day 29 and 25% of patients on day 57, similar to the percentage of responders in the placebo group. Increasing the dosage (100 mg twice a day) did not improve clinical efficacy. Consistent with clinical results, apilimod did not have an effect on expression of synovial biomarkers. Of importance, we also did not observe an effect of apilimod on synovial IL‐12 and IL‐23 expression.

Conclusion

Our results do not support the notion that IL‐12/IL‐23 inhibition by apilimod is able to induce robust clinical improvement in RA.
Integrated smart feeder/shuttle transit service: simulation of new routing strategies
Authors: Ceder Avishai (Avi)
Published: December 2011

The idea of designing an integrated smart feeder/shuttle service stemmed from the need to overcome the problem of using an excessive number of cars arriving and parking at a train station within the same time span. This problem results in high parking demand around the train station. Moreover, some potential train riders will, instead, use their cars and hence become a party to increasing the traffic congestion. This work develops a new idea of an integrated and innovative feeder/shuttle system with new operating and routing concepts. The fulfilled objectives are as follows: (i) to construct and examine different operating strategies from both the user and operator perspectives; (ii) to examine different routing models and scenarios; and (iii) to construct a simulation tool for (i) and (ii). Ten different routing strategies are examined, with all the combinations of fixed/flexible routes, fixed/flexible schedules, a unidirectional or bidirectional concept, and shortcut (shortest path) and/or short‐turn (turnaround) concepts. These strategies are investigated by employing a simulation model specifically developed and constructed for this purpose. This simulation model is used in a case study of Castro Valley in California in which the feeder/shuttle service is coordinated with the Bay Area Rapid Transit service, and the 10 routing strategies are compared in regard to four fleet‐size scenarios. One of the interesting results found is that the fixed‐route and flexible‐route concepts are comparable in performance measures when applying a combination of operating strategies. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nonparametric estimation for cumulative duration of adverse events
Authors: Wang Jixian , Quartey George
Published: December 2011

Analysis of adverse events (AE) for drug safety assessment presents challenges to statisticians in observational studies as well as in clinical trials since AEs are typically recurrent with varying duration and severity. Routine analyses often concentrate on the number of patients who had at least one occurrence of a specific AE or a group of AEs, or the time to occurrence of the first event. We argue that other information in AE data particularly cumulative duration of events is also important, particularly for benefit‐risk assessment. We propose a nonparametric method to estimate the mean cumulative duration (MCD) based on the nonparametric cumulative mean function estimate, together with a robust estimate for the variance of the estimate, as in Lawless and Nadeau (1995). This approach can be easily used to analyze multiple, overlapped and severity weighted AE durations. This method can also be used for estimating the difference between two MCDs. Estimation in the presence of censoring due to informative dropouts and/or a terminal event is also considered. The method can be implemented in standard softwares such as SAS. We illustrate the use of the method with a numerical example. Small sample properties of this approach are examined via simulation.
Advances in Switchable Supramolecular Nanoassemblies
Authors: Fenske Tassilo , Korth Hans‐Gert , Mohr Andreas , Schmuck Carsten
Published: December 2011

Supramolecular nanoassemblies are gaining increasing importance as promising new materials with considerable potential for novel and promising applications. Within supramolecular nanoassemblies the connectivity of the monomeric units is based on reversible noncovalent interactions, like van der Waals interactions, hydrogen bonding, or ionic interactions. As the strength of these interactions depends on the molecular surrounding, the formation of nanoassemblies in principle can be controlled externally by changing the environment and/or the molecular shape of the underlying monomer. This way it is not only possible to switch the self‐assembly on or off, but also to change between different aggregation states. In this minireview we present some recent selected approaches to supramolecular stimuli‐responsive nanoassemblies.
Oriented Morphogenesis of ZnO Nanostructures from Water‐Soluble Zinc Salts under Environmentally Mild Conditions and Their Optical Properties
Authors: Manna Joydeb , Rana Rohit Kumar
Published: December 2011

Herein, we report a bottom‐up, mineralization strategy, which borrows key principles from biomineralization processes, to synthesize nanostructured materials. A long‐chain polyamine simultaneously mineralizes and assembles ZnO nanoparticles directly from water‐soluble zinc salts under sustainable synthesis conditions. These thus‐generated oriented structures undergo interesting morphogenesis that is controlled by changing the ratio of polyamine/Zn2+ ions. As the ratio increases, the morphology changes from a spherical shape to oval‐, dumbbell‐, and finally hexagonal‐rod‐shaped structures that contain unique hollow rod structures. Using XPS, XRD, FT‐IR, Raman spectroscopy, DLS, and confocal fluorescence microscopic analysis, we elucidate the mechanism of structural evolution; this mechanism involves the initial formation of a zinc/amine complex that is furnished with polyamine chains. These chains facilitate the condensation process to form ZnO nanoparticles and their assembly in aqueous medium at neutral pH. Further, the presence of defects in the thus‐morphogenized ZnO structures leads to blue luminescence and efficient photoinduced activity, assisted by the surface‐hole‐trapping effect of polyamines.
Exploring Meso‐/Microporous Composite Molecular Sieves with Core–Shell Structures
Authors: Qian Xufang F. , Li Bin , Hu Yuanyuan Y. , Niu Guoxing X. , Zhang D. Yahong H. , Che Renchao C. , Tang Yi , Su Dangsheng S. , Asiri Abdullah M. , Zhao Dongyuan Y.
Published: December 2011

A series of core–shell‐structured composite molecular sieves comprising zeolite single crystals (i.e., ZSM‐5) as a core and ordered mesoporous silica as a shell were synthesized by means of a surfactant‐directed sol–gel process in basic medium by using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as a template and tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) as silica precursor. Through this coating method, uniform mesoporous silica shells closely grow around the anisotropic zeolite single crystals, the shell thickness of which can easily be tuned in the range of 15–100 nm by changing the ratio of TEOS/zeolite. The obtained composite molecular sieves have compact meso‐/micropore junctions that form a hierarchical pore structure from ordered mesopore channels (2.4–3.0 nm in diameter) to zeolite micropores (≈0.51 nm). The short‐time kinetic diffusion efficiency of benzene molecules within pristine ZSM‐5 (≈7.88×10−19 m2 s−1) is almost retainable after covering with 75 nm‐thick mesoporous silica shells (≈7.25×10−19 m2 s−1), which reflects the greatly opened junctions between closely connected mesopores (shell) and micropores (core). The core–shell composite shows greatly enhanced adsorption capacity (≈1.35 mmol g−1) for large molecules such as 1,3,5‐triisopropylbenzene relative to that of pristine ZSM‐5 (≈0.4 mmol g−1) owing to the mesoporous silica shells. When Al species are introduced during the coating process, the core–shell composite molecular sieves demonstrate a graded acidity distribution from weak acidity of mesopores (predominant Lewis acid sites) to accessible strong acidity of zeolite cores (Lewis and Brønsted acid sites). The probe catalytic cracking reaction of n‐dodecane shows the superiority of the unique core–shell structure over pristine ZSM‐5. Insight into the core–shell composite structure with hierarchical pore and graded acidity distribution show great potential for petroleum catalytic processes.
A Novel Aptamer Developed for Breast Cancer Cell Internalization
Authors: Zhang Kejing , Sefah Kwame , Tang Lili , Zhao Zilong , Zhu Guizhi , Ye Mao , Sun Weijia , Goodison Steve , Tan Weihong
Published: December 2011

Breast cancer affects one in eight women in the United States, with a mortality rate that is second only to lung cancer. Although chemotherapy is widely used in breast cancer treatment, its side effects remain a challenge. One way to address this problem is through drug delivery by the internalization of cell‐type‐specific probes. Although nucleic acid aptamers are excellent probes for molecular recognition, only a few studies have demonstrated that aptamers can be internalized into living cells. Therefore, herein we report the development of a cancer‐cell‐specific DNA aptamer probe, KMF2‐1a. By using the cell‐SELEX method, this aptamer was selected against breast cancer cell line MCF‐10AT1. Our results show that KMF2‐1a is internalized efficiently and specifically to the endosome of target breast cancer cells. These results indicate that KMF2‐1a is a promising agent for cell‐type‐specific intracellular delivery with both diagnostic and therapeutic implications.
Successive interference cancelation for a CDMA system with diversity reception in non‐Gaussian noise
Authors: Abuhilal H. , Hocanin A. , Bilgekul H.
Published: December 2011

A large class of physical phenomenon observed in practical wireless systems exhibits non‐Gaussian behavior. The performance of many multiuser detectors can degrade substantially in the presence of such impulsive ambient noise. In this paper, multiuser detection of space coded MIMO and code division multiple access (CDMA) signals under impulsive noise with diversity reception are investigated. We analyze and derive the probability of bit error (Pb) performance of a successive interference cancelation (SIC) system under impulsive noise and maximal ratio combining. We use Middleton's class A model for the noise distribution. Furthermore, we employ post detection SIC as the robust multiuser detection technique for combating the impulsive noise at specific noise parameters in a CDMA setting. The performance of the system under power imbalance is also shown. Novel analytical derivations for both combining techniques are presented, and simulations were performed, which confirm the theoretical results. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
β‐ but not γ‐secretase proteolysis of APP causes synaptic and memory deficits in a mouse model of dementia
Authors: Tamayev Robert , Matsuda Shuji , Arancio Ottavio , D'Adamio Luciano
Published: December 2011

A mutation in the BRI2/ITM2b gene causes loss of BRI2 protein leading to familial Danish dementia (FDD). BRI2 deficiency of FDD provokes an increase in amyloid‐β precursor protein (APP) processing since BRI2 is an inhibitor of APP proteolysis, and APP mediates the synaptic/memory deficits in FDD. APP processing is linked to Alzheimer disease (AD) pathogenesis, which is consistent with a common mechanism involving toxic APP metabolites in both dementias. We show that inhibition of APP cleavage by β‐secretase rescues synaptic/memory deficits in a mouse model of FDD. β‐cleavage of APP yields amino‐terminal‐soluble APPβ (sAPPβ) and β‐carboxyl‐terminal fragments (β‐CTF). Processing of β‐CTF by γ‐secretase releases amyloid‐β (Aβ), which is assumed to cause AD. However, inhibition of γ‐secretase did not ameliorate synaptic/memory deficits of FDD mice. These results suggest that sAPPβ and/or β‐CTF, rather than Aβ, are the toxic species causing dementia, and indicate that reducing β‐cleavage of APP is an appropriate therapeutic approach to treating human dementias. Our data and the failures of anti‐Aβ therapies in humans advise against targeting γ‐secretase cleavage of APP and/or Aβ.
Designing internal evaluation for a small organization with limited resources
Authors: Baron Michelle E.
Published: December 2011

The chapter outlines strategies that small organizations at the early, midterm, and seasoned levels of evaluation capacity can cultivate, and offers some practical tips for evaluators on developing and maintaining internal evaluation within a small organization. The author deliberates that as organizational and evaluative skills work in tandem, members of the organization turn to the internal evaluator for support, are proactive in resolving program difficulties, and are open to future evaluations and capacity‐building efforts. © Wiley Periodicals, Inc., and the American Evaluation Association.