bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rock hyrax (Procavia capensis) den site selection: preference for artificial sites
Authors: Kershenbaum Arik , Kershenbaum Anne , Blaustein Leon
Published: July 2011

Context
Objective assessments of habitat requirements for endangered species are often lacking when planning management strategies, and inappropriate landscape manipulation can sometimes turn an endangered species into a pest. Recent expansive population growth of the rock hyrax Procavia capensis in northern Israel has been attributed largely to the proliferation of man-made boulder piles on the fringes of new residential developments.

Aims
The hyrax is a protected species, but when in proximity to residential areas it can be a garden pest and is medically important as a reservoir of cutaneous leishmaniasis. Management should thus consider preservation of hyrax populations in combination with minimising pest potential. We examined the hypothesis that hyraxes prefer artificial boulder piles to natural outcrop crevices as den sites.

Methods
We surveyed all 57 potential den sites in a 1 × 1 km area around a village in northern Israel, and conducted logistic regression to examine the correlation of hyrax presence with site type (pile or crevice), size, distance from the village, distance from other den sites and network centrality within the den site network. We used the Aikaike information criterion (AIC) to compare logistic models.

Key results
Occupancy was well predicted by site type, site size, and distance from other sites, explaining 59% of the variation in the logistic regression. These three predictors were selected both by considering the combination of predictors that gave the lowest AIC value, and also by the stepwise logistic algorithm.

Conclusions and implications
Hyrax den site preference, and in particular preference for boulder piles over natural crevices, should be integrated into managing this species simultaneously for conservation and pest control in the face of continuing residential encroachment on natural areas.
O2(1Δg) Deactivation on O2-adsorbed Metal Surfaces
Authors: Du Shu-yan , Leng Jing , Yang He-ping , Sha Guo-he , Zhang Cun-hao
Published: July 2011

A flow system was set up to measure the quenching probability γ of O2(1Δg) on various O2-adsorbed metal surfaces including Cu, Cr, Ni, and Ag. γ increased with both the duration of the experiment and the O2(1Δg) concentration. After several hours evacuation to a few Pa, γ can return to its original value. A deactivation mechanism of O2(1Δg) is suggested by considering first the weak chemisorption of O2(1Δg) on the surface adsorption sites, followed by the near resonant energy transfer between the gas phase O2(1Δg) and surface O2(3Σ−g). A phenomenological model in accord with the experimental fact has been proposed together with relevant kinetic equations.
Structural Investigation of Technetium-Diphosphonate Complex 99mTc-MDP
Authors: Qiu Ling , Lin Jian-guo , Ju Xue-hai , Gong Xue-dong , Luo Shi-neng
Published: July 2011

Density functional theory method has been employed to investigate the structures of the prototypical technetium-labeled diphosphonate complex 99mTc-MDP, where MDP represents methylenediphosphonic acid. A total of 14 trial structures were generated by allowing for the geometric, conformational, charge, and spin isomerism. Based on the optimized structures and calculated energies at the B3LYP/LANL2DZ level, two stable isomers were determined for the title complex. And they were further studied systematically in comparison with the experimental structure. The basis sets 6-31G*(LANL2DZ for Tc), 6-31G*(cc-pVDZ-pp for Tc), and DGDZVP have also been employed in combination with the B3LYP functional to study the basis set effect on the geometries of isomers. The optimized structures agree well with the available experimental data, and the bond lengths are more sensitive to the basis set than the bond angles. The charge distributions were studied by the Mulliken population analysis and natural bond orbital analysis. The results reflect a significant ligand-to-metal electron donation.
Influence of Preparation Conditions on Structural Stability of Ordered Mesoporous Carbons Synthesized by Evaporation-induced Triconstituent Co-assembly Method
Authors: You Bo , Yang Jun , Yong Guo-ping , Liu Shao-min , Xie Wei , Su Qing-de
Published: July 2011

Various ordered mesoporous carbons (OMCs) have been prepared by evaporation-induced triconstituent co-assembly method. Their mesostructural stability under different carbon content, aging time and acidity were conveniently monitored by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and N2 sorption isotherms techniques. The results show mesostructural stability of OMCs is enhanced as the carbon content increases from 36% to 46%, further increasing carbon content deteriorates the mesostructural stability. Increasing aging time from 0.5 h to 5.0 h make the mesostructural stability go through an optimum (2.0 h) and gradually reduce framework shrinkage of the OMCs. Highly OMCs can only be obtained in the acidity range of 0.2–1.2 mol/L HCl, when the acidity is near the isoelectric point of silica, the resulting OMCs have the best mesostructure stability. Under the optimum condition, the carbon content of 46%, aging time of 2.0 h, and 0.2 mol/L HCl, the resulting OMCs have the best mesostructure stability and the highest BET surface areas of 2281 m2/g.
Separating invariants for the basic 𝔾ₐ-actions
Authors: Elmer Jonathan , Kohls Martin
Published: July 2011

We explicitly construct a finite set of separating invariants for the basicGa{\mathbb G}_{a}-actions. These are the finite dimensional indecomposable rational linear representations of the additive groupGa{\mathbb G}_{a}of a field of characteristic zero, and their invariants are the kernel of the Weitzenböck derivation<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="upper D Subscript n Baseline equals x 0 StartFraction partial-differential Over partial-differential x 1 EndFraction plus ellipsis plus x Subscript n minus 1 Baseline StartFraction partial-differential Over partial-differential x Subscript n Baseline EndFraction">Dn=x0∂∂x1+…+xn−1∂∂xnD_{n}=x_{0}\frac {\partial }{\partial {x_{1}}}+\ldots + x_{n-1}\frac {\partial }{\partial {x_{n}}}.
The distribution of alcohol consumption and the prevention paradox in Brazil
Authors: Caetano Raul , Mills Britain , Pinsky Ilana , Zaleski Marcos , Laranjeira Ronaldo
Published: July 2011

Aims To examine the proportion of self‐reported alcohol consumed by different gender and age groups in Brazil over the past year, and to examine whether the ‘prevention paradox’ applies to Brazilian data on alcohol‐related problems.

Design A multi‐stage cluster sample, representative of the Brazilian household population.

Setting This study was conducted in Brazil between November 2005 and April 2006.

Participants Respondents were aged ≥ 14 years (n =  3007).

Measurements Measures included past year estimates of (i) number of standard drinks, (ii) frequency of binge drinking, and (iii) alcohol‐related problems.

Findings The survey response rate was 66.4%. The top 2.5% of the drinkers by volume consume 14.9%, the top 5% consume 27.4% and the top 10% consume 44.2% of all alcohol consumed in Brazil. Men consume 77.8% of the total alcohol, and 18–29‐year‐olds consume 40.3%. Individuals below risky drinking guidelines for weekly volumetric intake account for 49–50% of all problem drinkers and 45–47% of all problem types reported. Individuals who do not binge or who binge infrequently (1–3 times/year) account for 50–51% of all problem drinkers and 45–46% of all reported problem types. Most binge drinkers are low‐volume drinkers.

Conclusions Consistent with the prevention paradox literature, most drinking problems in Brazil are associated with low or moderate drinking. Binge drinking accounts more clearly for the distribution of alcohol problems than total volume consumed.
Changes occurring during the parboiling of upland rice and in the maceration water at different temperatures and soaking times
Authors: da Fonseca Flávia Araújo , Soares Júnior Manoel Soares , Caliari Márcio , Bassinello Priscila Zaczuk , da Costa Eifert Eduardo , Garcia Diva Mendonça
Published: July 2011

The objective of this work was to investigate the influence of temperature and soaking time on the quality of grains from two upland rice cultivars. Response surface methodology and a central compound rotational design were used. The data obtained for the cultivars BRS Primavera and BRS Sertaneja varied, respectively, between 27.7–55.0% and 26.0–51.7% for the Husk‐Splitting Index; between 0.8–5.0% and 0.0–4.0% for the incidence of ‘banana’ grains; between 0.0–2.0% and 0.0–1.2% for non‐gelatinised grains; and between 0.2–0.7% and 0.2–0.8% for soluble solids in the maceration water. Because BRS Primavera grains had a narrower shape, they absorbed the water faster and consequently presented a greater amount of physical defects, although the losses to the water were smaller than BRS Sertaneja.
Quality of care from patients’ perspective: impact of the combination of person‐related and external objective care conditions
Authors: Grøndahl Vigdis Abrahamsen , Karlsson Ingela , Hall‐Lord Marie Louise , Appelgren Jari , Wilde‐Larsson Bodil
Published: July 2011

Aims and objectives.  To describe patients’ perceptions of quality of care and to explore combinations of person‐related and external objective care conditions as potential predictors of these perceptions.

Background.  Several studies have examined various single factors of person‐related and external objective care conditions in relation to quality of care. None of these has included the effect of over‐occupancy on patients’ perception of quality of care. Furthermore, little is known about how combinations of different factors are related to each other and to the perception of quality of care using multivariate analysis.

Design.  A cross‐sectional design.

Method.  A total of 528 patients (83·7%) from 12 medical, surgical or medical‐surgical wards in five hospitals in Norway participated. Perceptions of quality of care and person‐related conditions were measured with the ‘Quality from Patient’s Perspective’ instrument. Data on external objective care conditions was collected from ward statistics provided by head nurses. Multivariate general linear modelling was used (p < 0·05).

Results.  The combination of person‐related and external objective care conditions revealed five factors that predict patients’ perception of quality of care. Three of these are person‐related conditions: sex, age and self‐reported psychological well‐being and two of them are external objective care conditions: RNs (headcount) on the wards and frequency of over‐occupancy. These five factors explained 55% of the model. Patients rated the quality of care high.

Conclusions.  Sex, age, psychological well‐being, frequency of over‐occupancy and the number of RNs are important factors that must be emphasised if patients are to perceive the quality of care as high.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Head nurses and healthcare authorities must continually prepare the wards for over‐occupancy and they must consider the number of RNs working on the wards.
Orbitally forced sedimentary rhythms in the stratigraphic record: is there room for tidal forcing?
Authors: DE BOER POPPE L. , ALEXANDRE JOÃO TRABUCHO
Published: July 2011

The imprint of orbital cycles, which result from the varying eccentricity of the Earth’s orbit and changes in the orientation of its axis, have been recognised throughout the Phanerozoic rock record. Variations in insolation and their effect on climate are generally considered to be the sole transfer mechanism between the orbital variables and cyclic sedimentary successions. Common oceanographic principles, however, show that the ocean tide also responds to variations in the orbital parameters. The ocean tide has not yet been considered to be a valid, additional transfer mechanism for the orbital variations. In geological studies of Milankovitch cycles in sedimentary successions the insolation paradigm offers satisfying explanations, and the role of long‐term variations of the ocean tide has not yet been appreciated. Variations in the ocean tide, related to changing eccentricity (at present 0·0165, theoretical maximum 0·0728), affect a variety of oceanographic and sedimentary processes. In addition to the widely accepted paradigm of orbitally forced insolation changes, the tidal transfer of orbital signals may explain certain less well‐understood aspects of orbitally induced cycles in the stratigraphic record related to ocean mixing, organic productivity, and tidal processes in shallow seas and deep water. Variations of the ocean tide in relation to the 18·6 year lunar nodal cycle, which has no insolation counterpart by which they may be obscured, indeed show that these relatively small variations can produce significant effects in sedimentary environments that are sensitive to variations in the strength of the ocean tide. In analogy with the 18·6 year lunar nodal cycle, orbital variations of the tide on Milankovitch time scales are likely to have affected sedimentary systems in the past.
Acute inhibitory effects of clenbuterol on force, Ca2+ transients and action potentials in rat soleus may not involve the β2‐adrenoceptor pathway
Authors: Head Stewart I , Ha Tuyen NV
Published: July 2011

1. Clenbuterol, a β2‐adrenoceptor agonist, can have inhibitory and myotoxic effects on slow‐twitch muscles. Clenbuterol is lipophilic and may enter into the intracellular compartment, and because of this, it is likely that clenbuterol will have different effects to classical β2‐adrenoceptor agonists such as terbutaline. The aim of the present study is to investigate clenbuterol’s effect on force, intracellular [Ca2+] and electrophysiology, and the role of the β2‐adrenoceptor pathway in these effects.

2. Simultaneous measurements of isometric force and [Ca2+]i were made from small bundles of rat soleus muscle fibres in which several superficial fibres had been pressure‐injected with the fluorescence Ca2+ indicator Indo‐1. The muscle’s electrophysiological response was measured using glass intracellular microelectrodes.

3. The most robust effect of clenbuterol was a concentration‐ (10–50 μmol/L) and frequency‐dependent (10–80 Hz) loss of force and [Ca2+]i maintenance during tetanic stimulation of muscle fibres. None of these effects were reduced in the presence of the β2‐antagonist ICI 118551.

4. In addition clenbuterol had a significant effect on muscle electrophysiology, with action potentials measured during tetanic trains being inhibited in a concentration‐ and frequency‐dependent manner. This response was also unchanged by pre‐treatment with the β2‐antagonist ICI 118551.

5. These results indicate that some of clenbuterol’s effects are mediated through a pathway other than the β2‐adrenoceptors.
Nursing and competencies — a natural fit: the politics of skill /competency formation in nursing
Authors: Windsor Carol , Douglas Clint , Harvey Theresa
Published: July 2011

WINDSOR C, DOUGLAS C and HARVEY T. Nursing Inquiry 2012; 19: 213–222  Nursing and competencies — a natural fit: the politics of skill/competency formation in nursing

The last two decades have seen a significant restructuring of work across Australia and other industrialised economies, a critical part of which has been the appearance of competency based education and assessment. The competency movement is about creating a more flexible and mobile labour force to increase productivity and it does so by redefining work as a set of transferable or ‘soft’ generic skills that is transportable and is the possession of the individual. This article sought to develop an analysis of competency based clinical assessment of nursing students across a bachelor of nursing degree course. This involved an examination of a total of 406 clinical assessment tools that covered the years 1992–2009 and the three years of a bachelor degree. Data analysis generated three analytical findings: the existence of a hierarchy of competencies that prioritises soft skills over intellectual and technical skills; the appearance of skills as personal qualities or individual attributes; and the absence of context in assessment. The article argues that the convergence in nursing of soft skills and the professionalisation project reform has seen the former give legitimacy to the enduring invisibility and devaluation of nursing work.
Language assessment of non‐handicapped twins at 5 years of age
Authors: Gucuyener Kivilcim , Arhan Ebru , Soysal A. Sebnem , Ergenekon Ebru , Turan Ozden , Onal Esra , Koç Esin , Turkyılmaz Canan , Atalay Yıldız
Published: July 2011

Background:  The aim of the present study was to determine language levels in twins and singletons born after at least 34 weeks gestation and without identifiable neurological abnormality and to evaluate whether in vitro fertilization (IVF) affects language development in twin pregnancies.

Methods:  A prospective study of a large cohort of all children born between 1 January 2001 and 31 December 2003 was carried out at Gazi University Hospital. All live‐born twin pairs in which both twins survived were identified, and a comparable sample of families with pairs of singletons were chosen. The Stanford–Binet Intelligence Scale Form and the translated Turkish form of the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test were completed at 60 months.

Results:  Even after excluding the most premature twins and those with diagnosable neurological damage, twins performed worse than singletons on language development tests. Twin girls had better scores than twin boys. A statistically significant difference was found between the scores of term and preterm twins. No significant difference was noted when compared according to birth order. Appropriate for gestational age (AGA) twins did better than small for gestational age (SGA) twins in the test scores. All twin girls did not differ from singleton girls, but all twin boys performed worse than singleton boys. Term twins had similar results with term singletons, but preterm twins had lower scores than preterm singletons. SGA singletons had better scores than SGA twins, while AGA twins and singletons did not differ. When the children were compared with regard to method of conception, IVF children had significantly lower scores on the tests than those in the spontaneous conception group.

Conclusion:  It is hoped that the present findings could lead to a more precise assessment of children for speech impairment and, above all, to more efficient preventive intervention. Whatever mechanisms are involved, the present results indicate that twins born as a result of IVF, are at a disadvantage in terms of language development in comparison with spontaneously conceived twins.
Impaired endothelial function and elevated levels of pentraxin 3 in early‐onset preeclampsia
Authors: HAMAD RANGEEN RAFIK , ERIKSSON MARIA J. , BERG ELISABETH , LARSSON ANDERS , BREMME KATARINA
Published: July 2011

Objective. To study endothelial function in relation to anti‐angiogenic biomarkers and the inflammatory process in preeclampsia. Design. Observational study. Setting. Data were obtained from pregnant women who were admitted to the obstetrical ward at the Karolinska University Hospital, Solna, Stockholm, Sweden. Population. Thirty‐five women with newly developed and untreated preeclampsia and 30 healthy controls. Methods. Flow‐mediated dilation of the brachial artery, levels of anti‐angiogenic and inflammatory markers were measured in plasma during pregnancy and 3–6 months after delivery. Main outcome measures. Flow‐mediated dilation of the brachial artery, anti‐angiogenic and inflammatory markers. Results. Flow‐mediated dilation was decreased in the preeclamptic group at inclusion and at follow‐up (p<0.05). Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) and ratio of soluble fms‐like tyrosine kinase‐1 (sFlt‐1) to placental growth factor (PlGF) were elevated in women with preeclampsia during pregnancy (p<0.001). Furthermore flow‐mediated dilation was lower and the ratio sFlt‐1/PlGF and PTX3 were higher in early‐onset preeclampsia than late preeclampsia (p=0.018, 0.002 and 0.039). Levels of PTX3 at inclusion correlated inversely with flow‐mediated dilation at follow‐up both in the preeclampsia and control groups (Spearman, rs=–0.47, p=0.02 and rs=–0.46, p=0.02 respectively). Conclusion. Impaired endothelial function and increased ratio sFlt/PlGF, elevated PTX3 is present in women with preeclampsia and is especially pronounced in women with early‐onset preeclampsia.
Effect of Administration of Moxifloxacin plus Rifampin against Mycobacterium tuberculosis for 7 of 7 Days versus 5 of 7 Days in an
In Vitro
Pharmacodynamic System
Authors: Drusano G. L. , Sgambati N. , Eichas A. , Brown D. , Kulawy R. , Louie A.
Published: July 2011

Some trials administered antituberculosis agents for 5 of 7 days (5/7-day regimen) to optimize adherence. Since moxifloxacin has a longer half-life than rifampin, rifampin concentrations are <1% of the maximum concentration in serum (
C
max
) on day 6 and nondetectable on day 7, while concentrations of moxifloxacin remain and are able to induce error-prone replication. We determined if functional moxifloxacin monotherapy for 24 h/week caused resistance. In
in vitro
pharmacodynamic experiments,
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
was treated with mean area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) exposures for moxifloxacin and rifampin of 400 and 600 mg/kg/day and exposures equal to 1 standard deviation (SD) above and below the mean values. The drugs were administered on schedules of 7/7 days and 5/7 days. Over the 28-day experiments, bacteria were plated onto antibiotic-free agar to determine the effects of exposure and schedule on the total population. MICs were checked for emergence of resistance. At days 7 and 14, there was a 0.56- to 1.22-log
10
-CFU/ml greater cell kill with the 7/7-day regimen versus the 5/7-day regimen (low exposure). This difference was not seen for the larger exposures at day 21. At day 23, the low-exposure 5/7-day arm had breakthrough resistance, with the total count increasing to >2 log
10
CFU/ml above the low-exposure 7/7-day arm. Pharmacokinetic mismatching of drugs in the therapy of tuberculosis may result in emergence of resistance when a drug holiday is imposed during which there is functional monotherapy and where the remaining agent induces error-prone replication. This is particularly true for the portion of the population where the clearance is higher (1 SD above the mean).

IMPORTANCE
Directly observed therapy is a cornerstone of treatment of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
. Patients are often given a drug holiday to facilitate the direct observation of therapy. With rifampin and moxifloxacin, there is a discordance between the half-lives of these agents (1.9 versus 6.5 h when employed in combination). In addition, moxifloxacin induces error-prone replication in
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
. In this experiment, we demonstrate that the drug holiday (5 of 7 days of therapy [5/7-day regimen]) allows the emergence of resistance to moxifloxacin, which was not seen with 7/7-day therapy. If drug holidays are used, it is imperative to better match pharmacokinetics to minimize the risk of emergence of resistance.
BLACK HOLE PHASE TRANSITIONS VIA BRAGG–WILLIAMS
Authors: BANERJEE SOUVIK , CHAKRABARTI SAYAN K. , MUKHERJI SUDIPTA , PANDA BINATA
Published: July 2011

We argue that a convenient way to analyze instabilities of black holes in AdS space is via Bragg–Williams construction of a free energy function. Starting with a pedagogical review of this construction in condensed matter systems and also its implementation to Hawking–Page transition, we study instabilities associated with hairy black holes and also with the R-charged black holes. For the hairy black holes, an analysis of thermal quench is presented.
LIVER TISSUE MODEL FOR DRUG TOXICITY SCREENING
Authors: ANENE-NZELU CHUKWUEMEKA , WANG YAN , YU HANRY , LIANG LEO HWA
Published: July 2011

Understanding the mechanisms involved in the biotransformation of new drugs and their toxicological implications is important for drug development. In this regard, a lot of effort has been put into research to recreate the liver tissue in the laboratory for the purpose of drug screening. This has also helped to minimize the use of laboratory animal and reduce incidence of post-market withdrawal of drugs. Despite the progress made so far, cell source remains a major limitation since primary human hepatocytes are scarce and the various cell alternatives do not express all the genes found in the normal liver. In terms of tissue construct, there is a current shift to 3D models since the cell–cell interactions found in the 3D configuration enhance the morphology and function of hepatocytes. Furthermore, the engineered tissue's performance can be optimized by cocultures, perfusion-based systems, and the use of scaffolds. Nanotechnology seems promising in the field of tissue engineering, as it has been proven that cell–matrix interactions at the nano level can influence greatly on the outcome of the tissue. The review explores the various cell sources, the 3D model, flow-based systems, cocultures, and nanoscaffolds use in hepatocytes in vitro drug testing
PREPARING HIGHLY ENTANGLED SIX-QUBIT GENUINE STATE IN ION-TRAP SYSTEM
Authors: ZHANG WEN , LIU YI-MIN , ZHANG ZI-YUN , ZHANG ZHAN-JUN
Published: July 2011

We propose a scheme for preparing a highly entangled six qubit genuine state [J. Phys. A40 (2007) 13407] in an ion-trap system. We evaluate the influence of lasers' small intensity fluctuation and find it is negligible in our scheme. Our scheme is feasible with the present techniques.
Novel Interventional Approaches for ALI/ARDS: Cell-Based Gene Therapy
Authors: Zhu Ying-Gang , Qu Jie-Ming , Zhang Jing , Jiang Hong-Ni , Xu Jin-Fu
Published: July 2011

Acute lung injury (ALI) and its more severe form, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), continue to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients. The present therapeutic strategies for ALI/ARDS including supportive care, pharmacological treatments, and ventilator support are still controversial. More scientists are focusing on therapies involving stem cells, which have self-renewing capabilities and differentiate into multiple cell lineages, and, genomics therapy which has the potential to upregulate expression of anti-inflammatory mediators. Recently, the combination of cell and gene therapy which has been demonstrated to provide additive benefit has opened up a new chapter in therapeutic strategy and provides a basis for the development of an innovative approach for the prevention and treatment of ALI/ARDS.
Phase I Trial of Cixutumumab Combined with Temsirolimus in Patients with Advanced Cancer
Authors: Naing Aung , Kurzrock Razelle , Burger Angelika , Gupta Sachin , Lei Xiudong , Busaidy Naifa , Hong David , Chen Helen X. , Doyle Lawrence A. , Heilbrun Lance K. , Rohren Eric , Ng Chaan , Chandhasin Chandtip , LoRusso Patricia
Published: July 2011

Purpose: Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors mediate AKT activation through a type 1 insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-1R)–dependent mechanism. Combining the mTOR inhibitor temsirolimus with cixutumumab, a fully human immunoglobulin G1 monoclonal antibody directed against IGF-1R, was expected to enhance mTOR-targeted anticancer activity by modulating resistance to mTOR inhibition. The objectives of this phase I study were to evaluate the tolerability and activity of temsirolimus and cixutumumab.

Experimental Design: Patients in sequential cohorts (“3 + 3” design) received escalating doses of temsirolimus with cixutumumab weekly for 28 days. At the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), 21 patients were randomized into three separate drug sequence treatment groups for serial blood draws and 2[18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose positron emission tomography combined with X-ray computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) scans for pharmacodynamic analyses (PD).

Results: Forty-two patients with advanced cancer (19 male/23 female, median age = 53, median number of prior therapies = 4) were enrolled. MTD was reached at cixutumumab, 6 mg/kg IV and temsirolimus, 25 mg IV. Dose-limiting toxicities included grade 3 mucositis, febrile neutropenia, and grade 4 thrombocytopenia. The most frequent toxicities were hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hyperglycemia, thrombocytopenia, and mucositis. Tumor reduction was observed in 2 of 3 patients with Ewing's sarcoma and in 4 of 10 patients with adrenocortical carcinoma. PD data suggest that cixutumumab alone or combined with temsirolimus increased plasma IGF-1 and IGF binding protein 3. FDG-PET/CT showed the odds of achieving stable disease decreased by 58% (P = 0.1213) with a one-unit increase in absolute change of standard uptake value from baseline to day 3.

Conclusions: Temsirolimus combined with cixutumumab was well tolerated. We are currently enrolling expansion cohorts at the MTD for Ewing's sarcoma and adrenocortical carcinoma. Clin Cancer Res; 17(18); 6052–60. ©2011 AACR.
Management of the trauma airway
Authors: Crewdson Kate , Nolan Jerry P
Published: July 2011

A priority for all trauma patients is rapid assessment and appropriate, prompt and effective management of the airway. Adequate ventilation and tissue oxygenation can prevent hypoxic injury, particularly within the central nervous system. Failure to secure the airway soon enough is a major cause of preventable death following significant injury (Ivatury and Guilford, 2008). Many controversial issues surround the management of the trauma airway including the effect of early tracheal intubation on morbidity and mortality, the variation in failed intubation rates for paramedics compared with physicians, and the use of manual in-line stabilisation and cricoid pressure during tracheal intubation. Studies have attempted to address these and other questions related to airway management in trauma patients. Unfortunately, many variables within the studies make interpretation of the results difficult. This review aims to summarise the key issues in relation to all of these controversies.
Understanding consumption as political and moral practice: Introduction to the special issue
Authors: Thompson Craig J.
Published: July 2011

This special issue of the Journal of Consumer Culture addresses the complex intersections and interrelationships that exist among everyday consumption practices, broader ideological structures, and moralistically infused citizenship ideals. The politicized marketplace relationships (and recursive effects) that emanate from these intersections are not reducible to conventional dichotomies between the marketplace and the body politic or between consumption and civic engagement. Building upon this insight, the articles in this special issue cast new theoretical light on how political ideologies and moralistic narratives — often reproducing entrenched class, gender, and racial hierarchies — are institutionalized and contested through consumption practices.
Bread God, Blood God: Wonderhosts and Early Encounters with Secularization
Authors: Gordon C. J.
Published: July 2011

This article challenges the secularization thesis, which envisions a bewildered medieval subjectivity that stands in stark contrast to our rational modernity, by way of an analysis of bleeding Eucharists. These artifacts throw into relief the complex skein of problems woven together under the name of secularism, especially the degree of enchantment experienced by subjects in the century leading up to the Reformation. The complex series of responses to miraculous Eucharists in the Wilsnack blood cult and in the Croxton Play of the Sacrament demonstrate that skepticism is a structural moment in the creation of belief; the disavowal of faith is a lure that dupes subjects into ideological conformity. In this respect, the defensive mode of iconoclastic debunking is not the exclusive possession of a modern and cynical age but an implicit property of an image worship that is essentially an agent of its own secularization, inspiring bewilderment and demystification in turn.
Studies relating to an electrochemically assisted coagulation for the removal of chromium from water using zinc anode
Authors: Vasudevan S. , Lakshmi J.
Published: July 2011

In this work, an electrochemically assisted coagulation for the removal of chromium from water has been studied using zinc as anode and galvanized iron as cathode. The effects of pH, current density, concentration of chromium, temperature, adsorption kinetics and isotherms on the removal of chromium were investigated. The results showed that the optimum removal efficiency of 96.5% was achieved at a current density of 0.2 A/dm2, at a pH of 7.0. First- and second-order rate equations, Elovich and intraparticle diffusion models were applied to study adsorption kinetics. The adsorption process follows second-order kinetics model with good correlation. An equilibrium isotherm was measured experimentally and the results were analyzed by the Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin-Redushkevich model using linearized correlation co-efficient. The Langmuir adsorption isotherm was found to fit the equilibrium data for chromium adsorption. Temperature studies showed that the adsorption was endothermic and spontaneous in nature.
Comparison of environmental impact and energy efficiency of desalination processes by LCA
Authors: Tarnacki K. M. , Melin T. , Jansen A. E. , van Medevoort J.
Published: July 2011

In this study two desalination technologies have been compared by means of LCA with the focus on energy supply with a variety of scenarios based on different assumptions. The studied technologies are reverse osmosis and the newly developed technology Memstill where electrical energy demand is reduced by using external thermal energy source and use of chemicals is reduced. The scenarios are chosen to simulate different locations of sea water desalination plants and to demonstrate the impact of energy demand and energy source, chemical use and longer components' life times on the environment. The results show the dominant impact of energy demand on the overall results for all applied environmental impact assessment methods; transports, material and even chemical use are of negligible impact on the total score. The use of waste heat in case of Memstill offers a great opportunity to reduce the negative environmental impacts related to energy use. As the LCA analysis tool the GaBi software has been applied with the Ecoindicator99, CML 2001 and Ecopoints environmental impact assessment methods.
Comparison between decoherence time for a two-state spin ½ system with its corresponding quantum retrieval period
Authors: Shafiee Afshin , Tirandaz Arash
Published: July 2011

The evolution of a two-state quantum system (a spin ½ particle) in both the framework of standard quantum mechanics and under the decoherence regime is considered. The former approach on this issue is the well-known quantum flipping process of a dichotomic system subjected to a time-dependent magnetic field. In the latter approach, the Spin-Boson model is utilized to describe the interaction of system with its environment and the Born-Markov master equation is derived to obtain the decoherence time. It is possible to show that under certain conditions, one may find a potential conflict between the predictions of decoherence theory and the result observed in a typical quantum flipping experiment.
La perspective sonore
Authors: Chatauret Jean
Published: July 2011

La perspective sonore, le « point d’écoute », ou « point d’ouïe », sont pour le preneur de son des concepts familiers, comme le « point de vue » l’est au photographe, et à l’« honnête homme ». Partant de l’expérience perceptive de ce phénomène, le texte tente de dégager, en s’appuyant sur le vécu d’un ingénieur du son spécialisé dans la musique classique, les tendances esthétiques actuelles de l’« art » de capter et de reproduire le sonore.
Reliability and Internal Consistency Findings from the C-SEI
Authors: Adamson Katie Anne , Parsons Mary E. , Hawkins Kim , Manz Julie A. , Todd Martha , Hercinger Maribeth
Published: July 2011

Human patient simulation (HPS) is increasingly being used as both a teaching and an evaluation strategy in nursing education. To meaningfully evaluate student performance in HPS activities, nurse educators must be equipped with valid and reliable instruments for measuring student performance. This study used a novel method, including leveled, video-archived simulation scenarios, a virtual classroom, and webinar and e-mail communication, to assess the reliability and internal consistency of data produced using the Creighton Simulation Evaluation Instrument. The interrater reliability, calculated using intraclass correlation (2,1) and 95% confidence interval, was 0.952 (0.697, 0.993). The intrarater reliability, calculated using intraclass correlation (3,1) and 95% confidence interval, was 0.883 (–0.001, 0.992), and the internal consistency, calculated using Cronbach’s alpha, was α = 0.979. This article includes a sample of the instrument and provides valuable resources and reliability data for nurse educators and researchers interested in measuring student performance in HPS activities.
Occupational Participation of Older Adults: Reliability and Validity of the Activity Card Sort—Puerto Rican Version
Authors: Orellano Elsa M. , Ito Max , Dorne Rachelle , Irizarry Dyhalma , Dávila René
Published: July 2011

The Activity Card Sort was developed to measure the level of participation of older adults in instrumental, social, and leisure activities. The purpose of this study was to determine the psychometric properties of the translated and culturally adapted Puerto Rican Spanish version of the Activity Card Sort (PR-ACS). This study included 106 community-dwelling older adults aged 60 years and older and 40 adults with multiple sclerosis aged 50 years and older. Results showed that the PR-ACS was able to discriminate between clients with different levels of functioning ( t = 6.86; p < .001), and was positively associated with the Puerto Rican version of the RAND-36 Short Form Health Survey ( r = 0.66; p < .001). Good test—retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.82) and high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.91) were demonstrated. Initial evidence of construct validity, concurrent validity, internal consistency, and test—retest reliability was found to support the use of the PR-ACS to assess occupational participation of Puerto Rican older adults living in the community.
1997–2007 CO trend at the high Alpine site Jungfraujoch: a comparison between NDIR surface in situ and FTIR remote sensing observations
Authors: Dils B. , Cui J. , Henne S. , Mahieu E. , Steinbacher M. , De Mazière M.
Published: July 2011

Abstract. Within the atmospheric research community, there is a strong interest in integrated datasets, combining data from several instrumentations. This integration is complicated by the different characteristics of the datasets, inherent to the measurement techniques. Here we have compared two carbon monoxide time series (1997 till 2007) acquired at the high-Alpine research station Jungfraujoch (3580 m above sea level), with two well-established measurement techniques, namely in situ surface concentration measurements using Non-Dispersive Infrared Absorption technology (NDIR), and ground-based remote sensing measurements using solar absorption Fourier Transform Infrared spectrometry (FTIR). The profile information available in the FTIR signal allowed us to extract an independent layer with a top height of 7.18 km above sea level, appropriate for comparison with our in situ measurements. We show that, even if both techniques are able to measure free troposphere CO concentrations, the datasets exhibit marked differences in their overall trends (−3.21 ± 0.03 ppb year−1 for NDIR vs. −0.8 ± 0.4 ppb year−1 for FTIR). Removing measurements that are polluted by uprising boundary layer air has a strong impact on the NDIR trend (now −2.62 ± 0.03 ppb year−1), but its difference with FTIR remains significant. Using the LAGRANTO trajectory model, we show that both measurement techniques are influenced by different source regions and therefore are likely subject to exhibit significant differences in their overall trend behaviour. However the observation that the NDIR-FTIR trend difference is as significant before as after 2001 is at odds with available emission databases which claim a significant Asian CO increase after 2001 only.
Gene expression profile in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells exposed to a 300 mT static magnetic field
Authors: Polidori Emanuela , Zeppa Sabrina , Potenza Lucia , Martinelli Chiara , Colombo Evelin , Casadei Lucia , Agostini Deborah , Sestili Piero , Stocchi Vilberto
Published: July 2011

In a previous investigation we reported that exposure to a moderate (300 mT) static magnetic field (SMF) causes transient DNA damage and promotes mitochondrial biogenesis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). To better understand the response of HUVECs to the 300 mT SMF, a high‐quality subtracted cDNA library representative of genes induced in cells after 4 h of static magnetic exposure was constructed. The global gene expression profile showed that several genes were induced after the SMF exposure. The characterized clones are involved in cell metabolism, energy, cell growth/division, transcription, protein synthesis, destination and storage, membrane injury, DNA damage/repair, and oxidative stress response. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) experiments were performed at 4 and 24 h on four selected genes. Their expression profiles suggest that HUVEC's response to SMF exposure is transient. Furthermore, compared to control cells, an up‐regulation of several genes involved in cell growth and division was observed. This up‐regulation is likely to be the cause of the slight, but significant, increase in cell proliferation at 12 h post‐treatment. These results provide additional support to the notion that SMFs may be harmless to human health, and could support the rationale for their possible use in medical treatments. Bioelectromagnetics 33:65–74, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Measurement setup and protocol for characterizing and testing radio frequency personal exposure meters
Authors: Lauer Oliver , Neubauer Georg , Röösli Martin , Riederer Markus , Frei Patrizia , Mohler Evelyn , Fröhlich Jürg
Published: July 2011

Body‐worn radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF‐EMF) personal exposure meters (PEMs) have been increasingly used for exposure assessment in epidemiological research. However, little research on the measurement accuracy of these devices is available. In this article a novel measurement setup and a measurement protocol are presented for characterizing and testing PEMs. The whole setup and procedure is tested using two EME SPY 120 devices. The performance of the PEM was analyzed for absolute measurements in an anechoic chamber. Modulated signals representing the different services as real signals generated by appropriate testers were used. Measurement results were evaluated with respect to a root mean square detector. We found that measurement accuracy depends strongly on the carrier frequency and also on the number of occupied time slots for Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA)‐based services. Thus, correction factors can only be derived if the distribution of the network configuration over the measurement time for all measurement points is available. As a result of the simplicity of the measurement setup and the straightforward measurement protocol, the possibility of fast validation leads to a higher accuracy in the characterization and testing of PEMs. Bioelectromagnetics 33:75–85, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Lentivectors are efficient tools to manipulate the dendritic cell cytoskeleton
Authors: Metelo Joao , Ward Natalie , Thrasher Adrian J. , Burns Siobhan O.
Published: July 2011

Dendritic cells (DC) are key cells of the innate immune system required to prime adaptive immunity. Central DC functions including antigen uptake and presentation and DC migration are critically dependent on dynamic cytoskeletal reorganisation, the regulation of which remains poorly understood. Cytoskeletal studies are complicated by the fact that DC cytoarchitecture is altered considerably by maturation stimuli, including many tools employed for biological manipulation. Lentiviral vectors, capable of transducing non‐dividing cells such as DC, hold promise both for experimental and therapeutic manipulation of DC gene and protein expression but controversy remains about their effect on DC maturation. Here, we have examined the potential of lentiviral vectors as tools for gene delivery to monocyte derived human DC with preservation of immature DC cytoskeletal structure and function. We show that vesicular stomatitis virus G glycoprotein (VSVG)‐pseudotyped lentivectors are most efficient at transducing immature DC and their precursor monocytes. Even at high multiplicities of infection transduced DC retained an immature cytoskeletal phenotype, with no significant alteration of migration, antigen uptake or T‐cell stimulation capacities. Furthermore, lentivectors did not alter subsequent functional maturation of the DC cytoskeleton in response to lipopolysaccharide exposure. Together our data show that VSVG‐psudotyped lentiviral vectors are an effective tool for gene manipulation in human DC with preservation of functional immaturity and plasticity, making them ideal for studies of the DC cytoskeleton. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Impact of Bulimic Syndromes, Mood and Anxiety Disorders and Their Comorbidity on Psychosocial Impairment: What Drives Impairment in Comorbidity?
Authors: Bodell Lindsay P. , Brown Tiffany A. , Keel Pamela K.
Published: July 2011

Objective

To examine associations between psychosocial impairment and comorbid disorders in bulimic syndromes.

Method

Participants (N = 391; 91% women) completed structured clinical interviews to determine the presence of Axis I disorders (bulimic syndromes, anxiety disorders and mood disorders) and current psychosocial functioning.

Results

Individuals with a current bulimic syndrome and comorbid anxiety disorder had worse psychosocial functioning than either disorder alone. In contrast, there was no additional effect of a current bulimic syndrome in individuals with a current mood disorder on psychosocial impairment.

Discussion

Findings highlight the importance of addressing comorbid disorders in individuals with bulimic syndromes to improve overall functioning and reduce risk of relapse. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
NSAIDs for RA, osteoarthritis and ankylosing spondylitis
Authors: Chaplin Steve , Hawkins Tina , Emery Paul
Published: July 2011

A concise guide to the properties of NSAIDs and their current recommended place in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. Copyright © 2011 Wiley Interface Ltd
2011 German Escherichia coli outbreak: Prophage analysis of close-assembled TY2482 against 55989 using PHAST
Authors: Cheung Man Kit , LI Lei , Nong Wenyan , Kwan Hoi Shan
Published: July 2011

Using the Hiseq data of the German E. coli outbreak isolate TY2482, preliminary prophage analyses have been performed by some researchers previously. With the closed assembly of the same isolate being available, another round of analysis might help in resolving questions that remain unclear due to the incompleteness of the dataset.
Mesoscopic scale description of nucleation processes in glasses
Authors: Dargaud Olivier , Cormier Laurent , Menguy Nicolas , Patriarche Gilles , Calas Georges
Published: July 2011

Mesoscale ordering of a Zr-bearing aluminosilicate glass is determined using high-angle annular dark field scanning transmission microscopy, corrected from aberration. This method reveals evidences for the presence of nanometer-size inhomogeneities in a macroscopically isotropic glass, with regions enriched in Zr. The nucleation step is largely overcome by the initial glass organization and can be understood as a local aggregation process, made easier as a result from the intrinsic heterogeneous organization of the initial glass structure.