bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring the location and function of a Late Neolithic house at Crossiecrown, Orkney by geophysical, geochemical and soil micromorphological methods
Authors: Jones Richard , Challands Adrian , French Charles , Card Nick , Downes Jane , Richards Colin
Published: January 2010

Magnetic prospection was instrumental in the discovery of a multiphase Neolithic settlement at Crossiecrown on Mainland Orkney. Subsequent excavation revealed a number of structures, including a large circular walled house of Late Neolithic date with a range of well‐defined architectural features in its interior. This paper presents the discovery, excavation and in particular the functional analysis of this house. Soil micromorphology established the sequence from the house's initial floor construction to its abandonment. On the basis of multi‐element and magnetic susceptibility data obtained from analysis of samples taken from the floor of the house, several element distributions were found to be distinctive in the way they correlated with some of the house's ‘fixed furniture’ and moreover with the distributions of certain artefacts, notably the stone tools. The archaeological implications of these findings are discussed. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Toward a new way of mapping scientific fields: Authors' competence for publishing in scholarly journals
Authors: Minguillo David
Published: January 2010

The objective of this article is to introduce a socially oriented approach to the analysis and representation of the social and intellectual structure of scientific fields. A sociological perspective is introduced as the theoretical basis to analyze scientific fields, and the social network framework is adopted to develop a multidisciplinary approach to analyze the organization of science. This approach is then applied to study the Spanish Library and Information Science community from 1999 to 2007. The underlying notion is that science is organized work, in which the pursuit of impact shapes the specific scientific organization. This generates mutual dependence and control among researchers, which may restrict access when formally communicating with other scientific communities. On the other hand, scholarly journals facilitate the coordination of new knowledge and serve as platforms for interaction among scientists. Consequently, the interaction of well‐defined groups of homogenous researchers, concentrated around particular sets of journals, leads to the formation of cohesive (sub)groups tied together by the degree of similarity of the researchers' competence. An empirical test suggests that this consideration can accurately reveal a segment of the structure of the scientific field. This study therefore introduces a new approach for mapping the structure of scientific fields that differs from most existing methods, which are based on (co)citation.
Driving situations and driver decisions at road traffic signals
Authors: Koh P. P. , Wong Y. D.
Published: January 2010

Driver performance in responding to the green‐amber‐red signal change was studied based on a sample of 2316 last crossing and first stopping vehicles collected by unobtrusive observations at 10 junction approaches in Singapore. Two schemes, a speed‐distance diagram (S‐D) and an acceleration‐deceleration (A‐D) diagram, were used to demarcate the driving situations; the driver actions, as revealed outcomes of driver decision‐making, were mapped onto these diagrams. The speed‐distance diagram can give some indication on what a driver would possibly do. The more complicated acceleration‐deceleration diagram is useful for diagnosing the appropriateness of the driver actions. An application of the A‐D diagram was demonstrated, and several situations prone to red‐running were noted.
Accident severity analysis using ordered probit model
Authors: Rifaat S. M. , Chin H. C.
Published: January 2010

To reduce injuries in road crashes, better understanding is needed between the relationship of injury severity and risk factors. This study seeks to identify the contributing factors affecting crash severity with broad considerations of driver characteristics, roadway features, vehicle types, pedestrian characteristics and crash characteristics using an ordered probit model. It also explores how the interaction of these factors will affect accident severity risk. Three types of accidents were investigated: two‐vehicle crashes, single vehicle crashes and pedestrian accidents. The reported crash data in Singapore from 1992 to 2001 were used to illustrate the process of parameter estimation. Several factors such as vehicle type, road type, collision type, location type, pedestrian age, time of day of accident occurrence were found to be significantly associated with injury severity. It was also found that injury severity decreases over time for the three types of accident investigated.
Dispatching control at transfer stations in multi‐hub transit networks
Authors: Ting Ching‐Jung , Schonfeld Paul
Published: January 2010

Among dispatching control approaches, the holding option has attracted the most attention in bus control. However, holding a vehicle at a transfer station may exacerbate the delays because more passengers might accumulate at downstream stations and may also affect other connecting routes at other transfer stations. Our problem is to minimize the total costs of dispatching ready vehicles at each transfer station along coordinated routes in a multi‐hub transit network. The total costs include the waiting cost for on‐board passengers, the missed connection costs for late arrival passengers at the subject transfer station and possible transfer costs at downstream transfer stations. We develop a heuristic algorithm to optimize the holding times based on real time information about late vehicles. The results show that ready vehicles should be held longer when the arrival variances of late vehicles are small or when many late connecting passengers are expected.
Factors contributing to the severity of intersection crashes
Authors: Tay Richard , Rifaat Shakil Mohammad
Published: January 2010

Road crashes are a leading cause of death and serious injuries both developed and developing countries. Intersections are recognized as being among the most hazardous locations on the roads. Although crashes at intersections form about 35 % of the reported accidents account for about 32% of traffic‐related serious injuries and fatalities in Singapore, there is no known study that examines the factors contributing to the severity of these crashes. In this study, the ordinal probit model was applied to crash data from 1992 to 2002 to investigate the role a variety of factors play in determining the severity of intersection crashes. Our study shows that vehicle type, road type, collision type, driver's characteristics and time of day are important determinants of the severity of crashes at intersections in Singapore.
Evaluation of driver satisfaction of travel information on variable message signs using fuzzy aggregation
Authors: Lee Dongmin , Lee Chungwon , Pietrucha Martin T.
Published: January 2010

Driver satisfaction regarding travel information provided by variable message signs (VMS), which are part of the Nam‐Mountain Tunnel ATIS, was evaluated using fuzzy aggregation. Application of fuzzy aggregation to analyze driver satisfaction allows one to represent the variability and complexity of human perception with great fidelity. A fuzzy weighted average using two sets of fuzzy membership functions was applied to evaluate individual satisfactions of delay and travel time information provided. Then, those individual satisfactions were aggregated to estimate the driver group's overall satisfaction. The evaluated overall satisfaction was 0.65 for delay information and 0.63 for travel time information. Through these results, it was found that users of the travel information provided by the VMS in the Nam‐Mountain Tunnel ATIS were somewhat satisfied with the service quality. Those overall satisfactions were compared with a conventional weighted average and traffic operational effects to demonstrate the usefulness of the developed fuzzy method.
Public perceptions of the use of dynamic message signs
Authors: Tay Richard , de Barros Alexandre G.
Published: January 2010

Intelligent transportation systems have been promoted as a means to improve both the efficiency and safety of the road network. The effectiveness of advanced technologies in improving road safety has been an area of research which has thus far yielded mixed results. In order to ensure that advanced technologies deliver on their intended outcomes, more research has to be devoted to understanding road users' perceptions and reactions to these systems. This study examines drivers' perceptions of the use of dynamic message signs and their self‐reported reactions to the messages displayed. In general, drivers support the use of highway electronic boards for traffic incident reports and weather information which have an impact on traffic delays and level of service. They also think that it is a good idea to display road safety messages and to remind drivers to drive safely and be courteous on the roads. Moreover, most drivers reported that they do read and think about the messages displayed and react positively to some of the road safety messages.
A methodology on the automatic recognition of poor lane keeping
Authors: Gunay Banihan
Published: January 2010

Driving disorder, such as having difficulty in staying in the lane, abrupt lane changes and driving on the shoulder are typical consequences of many dangerous driving circumstances, and can be grouped under the heading of “lateral discipline of driving”. Recognition of these situations is largely observational and spotted/examined by police at high costs. The work provides a theoretical description of an automatic detection system to recognise irregular lateral vehicle movements resulted by various forms of dangerous driving. It is based on establishing certain threshold values for normal driving (lateral) patterns and by checking given traffic instances against these criteria. The system described is thought to offer substantial time and money savings to the responsible authorities, after having applied and validated the system in practice as part of ongoing research.
Robust control of traffic networks under uncertain conditions
Authors: Hoogendoorn S. P. , Knoop V. L. , van Zuylen H. J.
Published: January 2010

Uncertainty of traffic network operations has been a subject of lively debate in the last decade. However, little effort has been put in developing control frameworks that are not only aimed at improving the average performance of the system, but also at improving the system robustness and reliability. In fact, it can be argued that most of the current control approaches are only aimed at improving the efficiency, which can even be counterproductive from a robustness point of view. The main contributions of this article is the proposition of a new control framework based on the notion of controlled Markov processes, which explicitly takes into account the uncertainty in predicted traffic conditions and system performance. Furthermore, in contrast to traditional optimal control approaches, the objective function can include general statistic of the random system performance, such as the mean, standard deviation or 95‐percentile. The contribution aims to make clear how different performance function specifications yield different control strategies. This is shown for a relatively simple case study.
Platooning on two‐lane two‐way highways: An empirical investigation
Authors: Al‐Kaisy Ahmed , Durbin Casey
Published: January 2010

This paper presents an empirical investigation into platooning on two‐lane two‐way highways. The main objective is to better understand this phenomenon that has important implications on traffic performance and safety. Field data from three study sites in the state of Montana were used in this study. Separate investigations were performed to examine the relationships among platoon‐related variables, namely; time headway, travel speed, and platoon size. The study confirmed that interaction between successive vehicles in the traffic stream generally diminishes beyond a time headway threshold value that fell in the range of 5–7 seconds. Also, the study revealed that very short headways (less than one second) are more associated with aggressive driving and higher speeds than with slow‐moving platoons due to lack of passing opportunities. Further, the study found that amount of impedance to traffic is proportional to the size of platoon as evidenced by the relative difference between mean speed of various size platoons and the mean speed of unimpeded vehicles. The study provided other valuable insights into the platooning phenomenon on two‐lane highways that are essential in developing a better understanding of traffic operation on two‐lane highways.
Multiple criteria and fuzzy based evaluation of logistics performance for intermodal transportation
Authors: Hanaoka Shinya , Kunadhamraks Pichet
Published: January 2010

This paper presents a framework to evaluate the logistics performance of intermodal freight transportation. Fuzzy set techniques are applied to assess the logistics performance within the decision process of freight operators. Using a fuzzy‐based approach, fuzzy‐AHP is applied to assess the criteria by different judgment procedures. Consequently, fuzzy‐MCDM is used to assess operators' perception of the logistics performance via proper assignment of numerical scores. The subjective judgments for hierarchical criteria are transformed into fuzzy degrees of score. The methodology provides an alternative approach to facilitate the importance of a set of performance criteria. It can also entail use of improved corresponding parameters to develop a better freight transport system.
A multiobjective model for maximizing fleet availability under the presence of flight and maintenance requirements
Authors: Kozanidis George
Published: January 2010

Every aircraft, military or civilian, must be grounded for maintenance after it has completed a certain number of flight hours since its last maintenance check. In this paper, we address the problem of deciding which available aircraft should fly and for how long, and which grounded aircraft should perform maintenance operations, in a group of aircraft that comprise a combat unit. The objective is to achieve maximum availability of the unit over the planning horizon. We develop a multiobjective optimization model for this problem, and we illustrate its application and solution on a real life instance drawn from the Hellenic Air Force. We also propose two heuristic approaches for solving large scale instances of the problem. We conclude with a discussion that gives insight into the behavior of the model and of the heuristics, based on the analysis of the results obtained.
Macroscopic modeling of lane‐changing for two‐lane traffic flow
Authors: Tang Tie‐Qiao , Wong S. C. , Huang Hai‐Jun , Zhang Peng
Published: January 2010

We propose a macroscopic model of lane‐changing that is consistent with car‐following behavior on a two‐lane highway. Using linear stability theory, we find that lane‐changing affects the stable region and the propagation speeds of the first‐order and second‐order waves. In analyzing a small disturbance, our model effectively reproduces certain non‐equilibrium traffic‐flow phenomena—small disturbance instability, stop‐and‐go waves, and local clusters that are affected by lane‐changing. The model also gives the flow‐density relationships in terms of the actual flow rate, the lane‐changing rate, and the difference between the potential flow rate (the flow rate that would have occurred without lane‐changing) and the actual flow rate. The relationships between the actual flow rate and traffic density and between the lane‐changing rate and traffic density follow a reverse‐lambda shape, which is largely consistent with observed traffic phenomena.
Cellular automata model for heterogeneous traffic
Authors: Mallikarjuna Ch. , Rao K. Ramachandra
Published: January 2010

Cellular Automata (CA) modelling is extended to study the heterogeneous traffic observed in developing countries. In heterogeneous traffic, the physical and mechanical characteristics of different vehicles vary widely which in turn leads to complex traffic behaviour resulting in no‐lane discipline. This nature of the heterogeneous traffic is modelled with the help of an improved discrete CA model. A detailed description of the methodology used in developing the basic structure of the CA model is presented and the modified methodology is used to generate different traffic scenarios. From the results, it is observed that with the help of simple updating rules along with typical heterogeneous traffic characteristics of the region, this model is able to reproduce real traffic behaviour. An added advantage is that the modified structure of the CA model can also be used to extract some basic traffic characteristics which are useful in understanding the heterogeneous traffic behaviour. The simulation model is finally validated using the flow and occupancy relationship obtained from the field.
Multi‐criteria analysis procedure for sustainable mobility evaluation in urban areas
Authors: Campos Vânia Barcellos Gouvêa , Ramos Rui António Rodrigues , de Miranda e Silva Correia Denise
Published: January 2010

This paper proposes a procedure to evaluate sustainable mobility in urban areas. A set of indicators according to three dimensions of sustainability, i.e., environment, economics, and social aspects, are proposed to evaluate mobility in urban areas. The sustainable mobility evaluation is based on an Index calculated through a weighted multi‐criteria combination procedure. A group of specialists in Brazil was involved in the development of the Index by defining the weights for the criteria. An application of the methodology in the city of Belo Horizonte, capital of the State of Minas Gerais, with 2.24 million inhabitants, is presented to validate the methodology.
MEG detection of delayed auditory evoked responses in autism spectrum disorders: towards an imaging biomarker for autism
Authors: Roberts Timothy P.L. , Khan Sarah Y. , Rey Mike , Monroe Justin F. , Cannon Katelyn , Blaskey Lisa , Woldoff Sarah , Qasmieh Saba , Gandal Mike , Schmidt Gwen L. , Zarnow Deborah M. , Levy Susan E. , Edgar J. Christopher
Published: January 2010

Motivated by auditory and speech deficits in autism spectrum disorders (ASD), the frequency dependence of superior temporal gyrus (STG) 50 msec (M50) and 100 msec (M100) neuromagnetic auditory evoked field responses in children with ASD and typically developing controls were evaluated. Whole‐cortex magnetoencephalography (MEG) was obtained from 17 typically developing children and 25 children with ASD. Subjects were presented tones with frequencies of 200, 300, 500, and 1,000 Hz, and left and right STG M50 and M100 STG activity was examined. No M50 latency or amplitude Group differences were observed. In the right hemisphere, a Group×Frequency ANOVA on M100 latency produced a main effect for Group (P=0.01), with an average M100 latency delay of 11 msec in children with ASD. In addition, only in the control group was the expected association of earlier M100 latencies in older than younger children observed. Group latency differences remained significant when hierarchical regression analyses partialed out M100 variance associated with age, IQ, and language ability (all P‐values <0.05). Examining the right‐hemisphere 500 Hz condition (where the largest latency differences were observed), a sensitivity of 75%, a specificity of 81%, and a positive predictive value (PPV) of 86% was obtained at a threshold of 116 msec. The M100 latency delay indicates disruption of encoding simple sensory information. Given similar findings in language impaired and nonlanguage impaired ASD subjects, a right‐hemisphere M100 latency delay appears to be an electrophysiological endophenotype for autism.
Fetal skin fibroblasts: A cell model for studying the retinoid pathway in congenital diaphragmatic hernia
Authors: Goumy Carole , Coste Karen , Marceau Geoffroy , Gouas Laetitia , Tchirkov Andreï , Vago Philippe , Gallot Denis , Sapin Vincent
Published: January 2010

BACKGROUND

Although there is strong evidence that genetic factors play a pathogenic role in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), few causal genes have been identified in humans. A number of studies, essentially in animal models, have suggested that disruption of the retinoid signaling pathway plays a major role in the pathogenesis of CDH. Our hypothesis is that human fetal skin fibroblasts express some metabolic and molecular actors of the retinoid pathway and that they offer convenient cellular material for investigating the molecular retinoid pathway defects associated with CDH.

METHODS

We first established the expression of receptors, enzymes and binding proteins involved in the retinoic acid (RA) pathway in non‐CDH fetal skin fibroblasts using RT‐PCR and immunocytochemistry approaches. We then studied the expression of these genes in skin fibroblasts from seven fetuses with isolated and nonisolated CDH.

RESULTS

Fetal skin fibroblasts expressed enzymes involved in RA metabolism as well as nuclear receptors for signal transduction. Basal levels of retinoic acid receptor, retinaldehyde dehydrogenase 2, and CYP26 (cytochrome P450 RAI) expression were altered in two of seven fetuses. Interestingly, these genes were previously described as abnormally expressed in CDH physiopathology.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that human fetal skin fibroblasts could be useful for studying retinoid signaling pathway disruption in the context of CDH. Our proposal is strengthened by the fact that we identified CDH fetuses for which molecular and metabolic actors of the retinoid pathway were not detected. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Protein–Inorganic Array Construction: Design and Synthesis of the Building Blocks
Authors: Bogdan Niculina D. , Matache Mihaela , Meier Veronika M. , Dobrotă Cristian , Dumitru Ioana , Roiban Gheorghe D. , Funeriu Daniel P.
Published: January 2010

Herein we describe the design and synthesis of the first series of di‐functional ligands for the directed construction of inorganic‐protein frameworks. The synthesized ligands are composed of a metal‐ion binding moiety (terpyridine‐based) conjugated to an epoxysuccinyl peptide, known to covalently bind active cysteine proteases through the active‐site cysteine. We explore and optimize two different conjugation chemistries between the di‐functionalized metal‐ion ligand and the epoxysuccinyl‐containing peptide moiety: peptide‐bond formation (with limited success) and CuI‐catalysed click chemistry (with good results). Further, the complexation of the synthesized ligands with FeII and NiII ions is investigated: the di‐functional ligands are confirmed to behave similarly to the parent terpyridine. As designed, the peptidic moiety does not interfere with the complexation reaction, in spite of the presence of two triazole rings that result from the click reaction. ES‐MS together with NMR and UV/Vis studies establish the structure, the stoichiometry of the complexation reactions, as well as the conditions under which chemically sensitive peptide‐containing polypyridine ligands can undergo the self‐assembly process. These results establish the versatility of our approach and open the way to the synthesis of di‐functional ligands containing more elaborated polypyridine ligands as well as affinity labels for different enzyme families. As such, this paper is the first step towards the construction of robust supramolecular species that cover a size‐regime and organization level previously unexplored.
Remote Monitoring of Patients With Implanted Cardiac Devices
Authors: Kusumoto Fred , Goldschlager Nora
Published: January 2010

Three different types of implantable cardiac devices are now commonly used in clinical medicine: pacemakers (including cardiac resynchronization systems), cardiac defibrillators, and loop recorders. Although pacing specialists and electrophysiologists have traditionally been responsible for device follow‐up, the newest generation of implanted devices stores a wealth of information that can be useful to the clinical cardiologist. Important information, in addition to device function, such as incidence and type of arrhythmias, general clinical condition of the patient, and hemodynamic status can now be stored on large databases that are available via web access to all physicians caring for an individual patient. The advent of the remote monitoring capability of implanted devices has initiated a rapidly accelerating paradigm shift in device follow‐up that can potentially improve patient care at lower cost. Copyright © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Long‐term Outcome of Atrial Synchronous Mode Pacing in Patients With Atrioventricular Block Using a Single Lead
Authors: Blich Miry , Suleiman Mahmoud , Shwiri Tawfiq Zeidan , Marai Ibrahim , Boulos Monther , Amikam Shlomo
Published: January 2010

Background

Current guidelines suggest the use of atrial synchronous mode (VDD) pacemakers in patients with atrioventricular (AV) block and normal sinus node function. However VDD mode is being used much less than expected. The objectives of our study were to evaluate the efficacy of VDD pacing in long‐term follow‐up and to find risk factors for VDD loss.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated all patients with VDD pacemakers who were implanted in our center between 1995 and 2007.

Results

During the study period, 123 consecutive patients with AV block (51% men, age 62 ± 17.8 years) received a VDD pacemaker. Mean follow up duration was 4.5 ± 3.2 years. At the last follow up visit, 21 patients (21.6%) lost their original VDD mode and were programmed to ventricular‐based pacing (VVIR) (undersensing, 11; chronic AF, 7; SND, 3). In 28 patients, VDD mode was restored or maintained by increasing atrial sensitivity. No episodes of atrial oversensing were observed. In multivariate analysis history of paroxysmal AF (p = 0.007, odds ratio 36.6, 95% confidence interval 2.7–493.7) and p wave lower than 1 mv during the follow up (p = 0.021, odds ratio 7, 95% confidence interval 1.3–36.7), were found risk factors to VDD loss.

Conclusions

VDD pacing has good long‐term performance. Absence of paroxysmal AF history predicts maintenance of VDD pacing mode. Taking into account that no atrial oversensing was observed, our recommendation is to increase atrial sensitivity when P wave amplitude declines to less than 1 mv. Copyright © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Role of bone morphogenetic proteins on cochlear hair cell formation: Analyses of Noggin and Bmp2 mutant mice
Authors: Hwang Chan Ho , Guo Dayong , Harris Marie A. , Howard Omar , Mishina Yuji , Gan Lin , Harris Stephen E. , Wu Doris K.
Published: January 2010

The mammalian organ of Corti of the inner ear is a highly sophisticated sensory end organ responsible for detecting sound. Noggin is a secreted glycoprotein, which antagonizes bone morphogenetic proteins 2 and 4 (Bmp2 and Bmp4). The lack of this antagonist causes increased rows of inner and outer hair cells in the organ of Corti. In mice, Bmp2 is expressed transiently in nascent cochlear hair cells. To investigate whether Noggin normally modulates the levels of Bmp2 for hair cell formation, we deleted Bmp2 in the cochlear hair cells using two cre strains, Foxg1cre/+ and Gfi1cre/+. Bmp2 conditional knockout cochleae generated using these two cre strains show normal hair cells. Furthermore, Gfi1cre/+;Bmp2lox/− mice are viable and have largely normal hearing. The combined results of Noggin and Bmp2 mutants suggest that Noggin is likely to regulate other Bmps in the cochlea such as Bmp4. Developmental Dynamics 239:505–513, 2010. Published 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hedgehog signaling and laminin play unique and synergistic roles in muscle development
Authors: Peterson Matthew T. , Henry Clarissa A.
Published: January 2010

Hedgehog (Hh) signaling and laminin‐111, a basement membrane protein, are required for early muscle development. Hh signaling specifies different populations of muscle fibers and laminin‐111 is critical for early muscle morphogenesis. However, additional requirements for Hh signaling and laminin during later phases of muscle development are not known. Furthermore, interactions between Hh signaling and laminin in this context are unknown. We used laminin gamma1 mutant zebrafish and cyclopamine to block Hh signal transduction separately and in combination to investigate their functions and interactions. We found that both Hh signaling and laminin are required for normal myosin chain expression. In addition, Hh signaling and laminin act synergistically during fast‐twitch fiber elongation: fast muscle cells do not elongate in embryos deficient for both Hh signaling and laminin. Finally, we present evidence that suggests that Hh signaling is indirectly required via slow fiber specification for recovery of fast fiber elongation in laminin gamma1 mutant embryos. Developmental Dynamics 239:905–913, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Analysis of conserved residues in the βpat‐3 cytoplasmic tail reveals important functions of integrin in multiple tissues
Authors: Xu Xiaojian , Ahn Jeong H. , Tam Phebe , Yu Eun Jeong , Batra Sushil , Cram Erin J. , Lee Myeongwoo
Published: January 2010

Integrin cytoplasmic tails contain motifs that link extracellular information to cell behavior such as cell migration and contraction. To investigate the cell functions mediated by the conserved motifs, we created mutations in the Caenorhabditis elegans βpat‐3 cytoplasmic tail. The β1D (799FK800), NPXY, tryptophan (784W), and threonine (797TT798) motifs were disrupted to identify their functions in vivo. Animals expressing integrins with disrupted NPXY motifs were viable, but displayed distal tip cell migration and ovulation defects. The conserved threonines were required for gonad migration and contraction as well as tail morphogenesis, whereas disruption of the β1D and tryptophan motifs produced only mild defects. To abolish multiple conserved motifs, a β1C‐like variant, which results in a frameshift, was constructed. The βpat‐3(β1C) transgenic animals showed cold‐sensitive larval arrests and defective muscle structure and gonad migration and contraction. Our study suggests that the conserved NPXY and TT motifs play important roles in the tissue‐specific function of integrin. Developmental Dynamics 239:763–772, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ror2 is required for midgut elongation during mouse development
Authors: Yamada Makiko , Udagawa Jun , Matsumoto Akihiro , Hashimoto Ryuju , Hatta Toshihisa , Nishita Michiru , Minami Yasuhiro , Otani Hiroki
Published: January 2010

The receptor tyrosine kinase Ror2 acts as a receptor for Wnt5a to mediate noncanonical Wnt signaling, and it plays essential roles in morphogenesis. Ror2−/− embryos exhibit phenotypes similar to, albeit generally milder than, those of Wnt5a−/− embryos. During mouse embryogenesis, Ror2 is expressed in various organs and regions, although little is known about its expression pattern and roles in the developing gut, while Wnt5a is expressed in the developing gut, where its absence causes abnormal phenotypes. Here, we demonstrated that Ror2 was strongly and differentially expressed in the rostral and middle midgut endoderm from embryonic day (E) 10.5 through embryonic day (E) 12.5. At E11.5, Ror2−/− embryos exhibited a shorter middle midgut with a larger diameter and more accumulation of epithelial cells in the middle midgut than control embryos, while the total cell numbers remained unaltered. These findings suggest that Ror2 plays important roles in midgut elongation by means of an epithelial convergent extension mechanism. Developmental Dynamics 239:941–953, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Med24 and Mdh2 are required for Drosophila larval salivary gland cell death
Authors: Wang Lei , Lam Geanette , Thummel Carl S.
Published: January 2010

The steroid hormone ecdysone triggers the rapid destruction of larval tissues through transcriptional cascades that culminate in rpr and hid expression and caspase activation. Here, we show that mutations in Mdh2 and Med24 block caspase cleavage and larval salivary gland cell death. Mdh2 encodes a predicted malate dehydrogenase that localizes to mitochondria. Consistent with this proposed function, Mdh2 mutants have significantly lower levels of ATP and accumulate late‐stage citric acid cycle intermediates, suggesting that the cell death defects arise from a deficit in energy production. Med24 encodes a component of the Mediator transcriptional coactivator complex. Unexpectedly, however, expression of the key death regulator genes is normal in Med24 mutant salivary glands. This study identifies novel mechanisms for controlling the destruction of larval tissues during Drosophila metamorphosis and provides new directions for our understanding of steroid‐triggered programmed cell death. Developmental Dynamics 239:954–964, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Eeg in adolescent anorexia nervosa: Impact of refeeding and weight gain
Authors: Hatch Ainslie , Madden Sloane , Kohn Michael R. , Clarke Simon , Touyz Stephen , Gordon Evian , Williams Leanne M.
Published: January 2010

Objective:

To examine resting awake EEG in adolescent AN participants before and after refeeding to determine if EEG abnormalities in Anorexia Nervosa (AN) are reversible.

Method:

In 37 adolescent first admission AN patients and 45 healthy controls, EEG was recorded during short duration “eyes open” and “eyes closed” awake resting conditions. Repeat testing occurred in 28 AN participants after refeeding and subsequent weight gain.

Results:

In “eyes open,” underweight AN participants exhibit reduced relative alpha power and increased beta power in frontal brain regions. A significant increase in alpha, and decrease in beta and delta power was observed within participants after refeeding. In “eyes closed”, underweight AN participants had elevated theta in parietal‐occipital regions which remained after refeeding.

Discussion:

EEG abnormalities (reduced alpha/increased beta power) in AN normalizes with refeeding, while increased theta power persists in parietal‐occipital regions in an eyes closed context. © 2010 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2011; 44:65–75)
Characterization of the hemodynamic modes associated with interictal epileptic activity using a deformable model‐based analysis of combined EEG and functional MRI recordings
Authors: Grouiller Frédéric , Vercueil Laurent , Krainik Alexandre , Segebarth Christoph , Kahane Philippe , David Olivier
Published: January 2010

Simultaneous electroencephalography and functional magnetic resonance imaging (EEG/fMRI) have been proposed to contribute to the definition of the epileptic seizure onset zone. Following interictal epileptiform discharges, one usually assumes a canonical hemodynamic response function (HRF), which has been derived from fMRI studies in healthy subjects. However, recent findings suggest that the hemodynamic properties of the epileptic brain are likely to differ significantly from physiological responses. Here, we propose a simple and robust approach that provides HRFs, defined as a limited set of gamma functions, optimized so as to elicit strong activations after standard model‐driven statistical analysis at the single subject level. The method is first validated on healthy subjects using experimental data acquired during motor, visual and memory encoding tasks. Second, interictal EEG/fMRI data measured in 10 patients suffering from epilepsy are analyzed. Results show dramatic changes of activation patterns, depending on whether physiological or pathological assumptions are made on the hemodynamics of the epileptic brain. Our study suggests that one cannot assume a priori that HRFs in epilepsy are similar to the canonical model. This may explain why a significant fraction of EEG/fMRI exams in epileptic patients are inconclusive after standard data processing. The heterogeneous perfusion in epileptic regions indicates that the properties of brain vasculature in epilepsy deserve careful attention. Hum Brain Mapp, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Functional response in ventral temporal cortex differentiates mild cognitive impairment from normal aging
Authors: Gold Brian T. , Jiang Yang , Jicha Greg A. , Smith Charles D.
Published: January 2010

This study sought to identify altered brain activation patterns in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) that could precede frank task impairment and neocortical atrophy. A high‐accuracy lexical decision (LD) task was therefore employed. Both MCI and normal seniors (NS) groups completed the LD task while functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was performed. Accuracy on the LD task was high (≥89% correct for both groups), and both groups activated a network of occipitotemporal regions and inferior frontal cortex. However, compared with the NS group, the MCI group showed reduced fMRI activation in these regions and increased activation in bilateral portions of anterior cingluate cortex. The results from a voxel‐based morphometry analysis indicated that altered activations in the MCI group were not within regions of atrophy. Receiver operating characteristic curves demonstrated that reduced fMRI response in the left and right midfusiform gyri accurately discriminated MCI from NS. When activation magnitude in both fusiform gyri were included in a single logistic regression model, group classification accuracy was very high (area under the curve = 0.93). These results showed that a disrupted functional response in the ventral temporal lobe accurately distinguishes individuals with MCI from NS, a finding which may have implications for identifying seniors at risk for cognitive decline. Hum Brain Mapp, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An assessment of the water budget for contrasting vegetation covers associated with waste management
Authors: Yunusa Isa A. M. , Zeppel Melanie J. B. , Fuentes, Sigfredo , Macinnis‐Ng Catriona M. O. , Palmer Anthony R. , Eamus Derek
Published: January 2010

Revegetation is critical to restoring hydrological function on waste disposal sites in order to minimize runoff and drainage and safeguard the water quality of the catchment. In this study, we determined the components of soil–water balance between late 2006 and the end of 2008 for three vegetation types established over sites used for waste disposal: (i) a juvenile plantation of mixed Australian woody species; (ii) a block of mixed tree seedlings; (iii) and an ungrazed grass pasture. These were compared against a nearby natural woodland taken as an analogue of a pre‐existing hydrological state. Evapotranspiration (ET) was the major component of the soil–water balance in all the four vegetation types. In the plantation and woodland, ET accounted for 60–93% of the annual rainfall compared to 44–88% in the grass and seedling blocks. While the balance of rainfall was largely lost to runoff in the plantation and the woodland, it was split almost equally between runoff and drainage in the other two vegetation covers. The plantation maintained parity in its ET with woodland due to groundcover that contributed at least 70% of the water use, while seasonal growth and periodic mowing reduced ET from the grass. Over the 2 years, the height of the deep (∼19 m above sea level) water table under the plantation and grass declined by an average of 0·3 m, while it rose by a similar magnitude in the woodland. The height of the shallow water table (∼8 m above sea level) showed no consistent change. We conclude that, with a good groundcover of mixed herbaceous species, a juvenile plantation can restore hydrological function and minimize deep recharge of a waste disposal site to the status of that under a pre‐existing undisturbed woodland. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modelling investigation of water partitioning at a semiarid ponderosa pine hillslope
Authors: Guan Huade , Simunek Jirka , Newman Brent D. , Wilson John L.
Published: January 2010

The effects of vegetation root distribution on near‐surface water partitioning can be two‐fold. On the one hand, the roots facilitate deep percolation by root‐induced macropore flow; on the other hand, they reduce the potential for deep percolation by root‐water‐uptake processes. Whether the roots impede or facilitate deep percolation depends on various conditions, including climate, soil, and vegetation characteristics. This paper examines the effects of root distribution on deep percolation into the underlying permeable bedrock for a given soil profile and climate condition using HYDRUS modelling. The simulations were based on previously field experiments on a semiarid ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) hillslope. An equivalent single continuum model for simulating root macropore flow on hillslopes is presented, with root macropore hydraulic parameterization estimated based on observed root distribution. The sensitivity analysis results indicate that the root macropore effect dominates saturated soil water flow in low conductivity soils (Kmatrix below 10−7 m/s), while it is insignificant in soils with a Kmatrix larger than 10−5 m/s, consistent with observations in this and other studies. At the ponderosa pine site, the model with simple root‐macropore parameterization reasonably well reproduces soil moisture distribution and some major runoff events. The results indicate that the clay‐rich soil layer without root‐induced macropores acts as an impeding layer for potential groundwater recharge. This impeding layer results in a bedrock percolation of less than 1% of the annual precipitation. Without this impeding layer, percolation into the underlying permeable bedrock could be as much as 20% of the annual precipitation. This suggests that at a surface with low‐permeability soil overlying permeable bedrock, the root penetration depth in the soil is critical condition for whether or not significant percolation occurs. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Glycine‐catalyzed easy and efficient one‐pot synthesis of polyhydroquinolines through Hantzsch multicomponent condensation under controlled microwave
Authors: Singh Satish Kumar , Singh Krishna Nand
Published: January 2010

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Glycine, a novel heterogeneous organocatalyst, is found to be highly effective for the synthesis of polyhydroquinoline derivatives in a one‐pot multicomponent reaction via Hantzsch condensation under controlled microwave (MW) irradiation. The combination of glycine and MW has promising features for the reaction response, such as the shortest reaction time, excellent product yields, and simple work‐up of the products. J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2010).
Management of ischemic stroke: Part 1. Emergency room management
Authors: Lu‐Emerson Christine , Likosky David , Amin Alpesh , Tirschwell David
Published: January 2010

BACKGROUND:

Acute ischemic stroke is commonly encountered by the hospitalist. There have been dramatic changes in our ability to care for these patients acutely. The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) primary stroke center certification has become progressively more important to institutions nationally and includes many aspects of initial evaluation and treatment.

PURPOSE:

Acute treatment involves the rapid assimilation of patient characteristics, laboratory results, and imaging results. There are a growing number of potential acute therapies with a range of risk, benefit, necessary time windows, and specific eligibility criteria.

DATA SOURCES:

Primary trials, current guidelines.

CONCLUSIONS:

The hospitalist is well‐positioned to play a major role in the treatment of stroke patients as well as the systems work that aids in the management of this population. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2010;5:33–40. © 2010 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Effect of clinician advice and patient preparedness to quit on subsequent quit attempts in hospitalized smokers
Authors: Shah Lisa M. , King Andrea C. , Basu Anirban , Krishnan Jerry A. , Borden William B. , Meltzer David , Arora Vineet
Published: January 2010

BACKGROUND:

Although smoking cessation counseling for cardiac inpatients is a quality measure, little data exist regarding postdischarge quit attempts in a primarily urban, African American, underserved population. This study aimed to assess preparedness to quit smoking and quit behaviors.

METHODS:

Smokers on the cardiology service were asked to rate preparedness using the 10‐step Contemplation Ladder. During phone surveys given 30‐days postdischarge, patients reported whether they made quit attempts, method and success of attempts, and recall of receiving advice to quit.

RESULTS:

From February 2006 through July 2007, 2906 of 3364 of inpatients were interviewed. Fifteen percent (436/2906) were current smokers and 415/436 completed the inpatient assessment. Of these, 75% (310/415) indicated they were prepared to quit. At the 1‐month follow‐up, 67% (276/415) were interviewed and 71% of those patients (195/276) reported making a quit attempt, with most (76%) reporting quitting “cold turkey” (without aid). Compared with less prepared patients, prepared patients were more likely to report making a quit attempt after discharge (77% [163/212] vs. 50% [32/64], P < 0.001) and were successful in that attempt (43% [90/212] vs. 25% [16/64], P = 0.010).

CONCLUSIONS:

The majority of smokers hospitalized with cardiac disease reported being prepared to quit smoking. Those prepared, and who received advice to quit, were more likely to make a quit attempt and report abstinence than those less prepared. However, most quit attempts were made using the least effective methods. Future studies in a population of primarily African American patients should assess preparedness to quit and target prepared patients with more effective interventions. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2010;5:26–32. © 2010 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Hospitalists and intensivists: Partners in caring for the critically ill—The time has come
Authors: Heisler Michael
Published: January 2010

A report by the Committee on Manpower for Pulmonary and Critical Care Societies (COMPACCS), published in 2000, predicted that beginning in 2007 a gap between the demand and availability of intensivists in the United States would become apparent and steadily increase to 22% by 2020 and to 35% by 2030. Subsequent reports have reiterated those projections including a report to congress in 2006 by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services/Health Resources and Services Administration. This “gap” has been called a health system “crisis” by multiple authors. Two important documents have published specific recommendations for how to resolve this crisis: the Framing Options for Critical Care in the United States (FOCCUS) Task Force Report in 2004 and the Prioritizing the Organization and Management of Intensive Care Services in the Unites States (PrOMIS) Conference Report in 2007. Since the initial COMPACCS report and since these 2 additional reports were published, a new opportunity to take a major step in resolving this crisis has emerged: the growing number of hospitalists providing critical care services at secondary and tertiary care facilities. According to the 2005/2006 Society of Hospital Medicine (SHM) National Survey, that number has increased to 75%. Since the number of intensivists is unlikely to change significantly over the next 25 years, the question is no longer “if” hospitalists should be in the intensive care unit (ICU); rather the question is how to assure quality and improved clinical outcomes through enhanced collaboration between hospital medicine and critical care medicine. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2010;5:1–3. © 2010 Society of Hospital Medicine.