bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spoken sentence comprehension in children with dyslexia and language impairment: The roles of syntax and working memory
Authors: ROBERTSON ERIN K. , JOANISSE MARC F.
Published: December 2009

We examined spoken sentence comprehension in school-age children with developmental dyslexia or language impairment (LI), compared to age-matched and younger controls. Sentence–picture matching tasks were employed under three different working memory (WM) loads, two levels of syntactic difficulty, and two sentence lengths. Phonological short-term memory (STM) skills and their relation to sentence comprehension performance were also examined. When WM load was minimized, the LI group performed more poorly on the sentence comprehension task compared to the age-matched control group and the dyslexic group. Across groups, sentence comprehension performance generally decreased as the WM load increased, but this effect was somewhat more pronounced in the dyslexic group compared to the age-matched group. Moreover, both the LI and dyslexic groups showed poor phonological STM compared to the age-matched control group, and a significant correlation was observed between phonological STM and sentence comprehension performance under demanding WM loads. The results indicate subtle sentence processing difficulties in dyslexia that might be explained as resulting from these children's phonological STM limitations.
The Legal Development of the Informed Consent Doctrine: Past and Present
Authors: DOLGIN JANET L.
Published: December 2009

For millennia physicians were admonished to obscure the details of patients’ illnesses and poor prognoses. The Hippocratic ethic precludes physicians from including patients in medical decisionmaking. That ethic demanded of doctors that they “[p]erform [their duties] calmly and adroitly, concealing most things from the patient … revealing nothing of the patient's future or present condition.”
Conventional research on controversial issues: an exercise in futility?
Authors: Francis Charles A.
Published: December 2009

Results from research on controversial topics are often interpreted according to the world view of the reader. With conflicting results from different researchers or institutions, it is likely that vested financial interests or adherence to conventional wisdom will lead to rejection of science-based conclusions. An example from the past is the comparison of multiple cropping with monocrop systems, where clear advantages of complex systems are discounted by those committed to the monoculture paradigm. A current example is comparison of organic with conventional farming systems and food products, where food price, suspicion about certification and philosophy about perceived ‘non-scientific’ results cloud the technical conclusions. An emerging example is comparisons of local versus global food systems, where multiple issues including comparative advantage and food preferences obscure the key questions of energy investment, food equity and local well-being. A proposed solution to this dilemma is to instead focus scarce research funds on improving the development of alternative agroecosystems, rather than invest human energy into futile comparisons that are unlikely to convince the skeptics. In this way, more creative alternatives can be explored and greater progress made toward food equity and sufficiency.
Effect of stair‐step and piecewise linear topography on internal wave propagation in a geophysical flow model
Authors: Simanjuntak M. A. , Imberger J. , Nakayama K.
Published: December 2009

The paper describes the effect of a stair‐step representation of bottom topography, common in most numerical models, on the propagation of internal waves in a geophysical flow. An analytical solution was used to predict the effect of stair‐step and piecewise linear representations of topography on the reflection and transmission of internal waves. The Estuary Lake and Coastal Model (ELCOM) was used to simulate the transmission of a train of small‐amplitude internal gravity waves propagated along a variable depth rectangular channel containing a linearly stratified fluid. The effect of the different obstacle approximations was examined in terms of the interference of the resulting wave number content, and hence the associated reflection coefficients, which could be directly compared to the analytical theory. It was shown that for Gaussian obstacles of varying lengths and heights, the full bottom cells and partial bottom cells solutions from ELCOM agree with the stair‐step and piecewise linear solutions from the theory, respectively. It was shown that when Gaussian obstacles with weak slopes are represented by stair steps, an aliasing that is similar to that in discrete Fourier transform can occur, resulting in reflection coefficients that are much higher than the exact solution. On the other hand, piecewise linear approximations produce significantly attenuated aliasing. An immersed boundary technique that enforces a no‐flux condition at the actual sloping bottom, similar to that of the analytical solution, is found not to produce better numerical results.
Shock aurora: Ground‐based imager observations
Authors: Zhou X.‐Y. , Fukui K. , Carlson H. C. , Moen J. I. , Strangeway R. J.
Published: December 2009

This paper studies dayside shock aurora forms and their variations observed by the ground‐based all‐sky imager (ASI) in Svalbard on 30 November 1997. The interplanetary shock arrived at Earth when Svalbard was at ∼1120 magnetic local time. The ASI detected an auroral intensification by a factor of 2 or more in both green and red line emissions within 5 min after the shock arrival. The intensified green emissions were mainly diffuse aurora on closed field lines. They were latitudinally below and adjacent to the red aurora, which was mainly in the form of arcs and beams along the magnetic east‐west direction. The diffuse aurora expanded equatorward and eastward, and its intensity exceeded the red arcs that were at ∼5 kR. We confirmed that the eastward propagating diffuse aurora was actually moved antisunward along the oval, which suggests that the antisunward propagating shock aurora seen in space is mainly diffuse aurora. The intense diffuse aurora could be caused by wave instabilities led by a temperature anisotropy and/or caused by an enlarged loss cone. After the shock arrival, the detected low‐latitude boundary of the cusp moved equatorward at a speed of ∼18 km min−1. As a result, the cusp meridional width was doubled from ∼0.8° to 1.6° in latitude in 10 min. This finding implies that a low‐latitude reconnection occurred during the compression. In this study the auroral signatures and speculated mechanisms are consistent with those revealed by in situ particle and wave observations from FAST and DMSP.
Altering the nucleation of thermally annealed hydrogenated amorphous silicon with laser processing
Authors: Dabney M. S. , Parilla P. A. , Gedvilas L. M. , Mahan A. H. , Ginley D. S.
Published: December 2009

We demonstrate the use of laser processing to affect the nucleation of crystallites in thermally annealed hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) thin films. The influence of film H content and subcrystallization threshold laser fluence are investigated by x-ray diffraction measurements during in situ thermal annealing at 600 °C. All laser-treated films show a reduced incubation time for crystallization compared to as-grown films, with the largest differences exhibited for samples with higher film H and higher laser fluences. These results are consistent with multivacancy annihilation by laser processing, based upon a recently developed model for a nucleation center in a-Si:H.
Micropipe absorption mechanism of pore growth at foreign polytype boundaries in SiC crystals
Authors: Gutkin M. Yu. , Sheinerman A. G. , Smirnov M. A. , Argunova T. S. , Je J. H. , Nagalyuk S. S. , Mokhov E. N.
Published: December 2009

Formation of pores at foreign polytype boundaries in bulk SiC crystals is studied by means of synchrotron radiation phase-sensitive radiography, optical and scanning electron microscopies, and color photoluminescence. It is demonstrated that pores are formed through coalescence of micropipes and extend along the polytype boundaries by means of micropipe absorption. A theoretical model is suggested, which describes the micropipe absorption by an elliptic pore nucleated at the boundary of a foreign polytype inclusion. It is shown that depending on the inclusion distortion, the pore can either be a separate micropipe, or grow up to a certain length, or occupy the whole facet of the inclusion.
Terahertz-field-induced tunneling current with nonlinear effects in a double quantum well coupled to a continuum
Authors: Maialle Marcelo Z. , Degani Marcos H. , Madureira Justino R. , Farinas Paulo F.
Published: December 2009

We have theoretically investigated the tunneling current induced by a terahertz (THz) field applied to an asymmetric double quantum well. The excitation couples an initially localized state to a nearby continuum of extended states. We have shown that the calculated current has similar features as those present in the optical spectra, such as interference effects due to the interaction between the continuum and the localized states, in addition to many-photon transition effects. The induced current is calculated as a function of the intensity of the THz field. A second THz field is used to yield nonlinear processes, useful to control the interference effects. We believe that part of the issues studied here can be useful for the integration of novel switching mechanisms based on optics (THz) and electronic current.
Recombination of polaron and exciton in conjugated polymers
Authors: Meng Y. , Liu X. J. , Di B. , An Z.
Published: December 2009

Both polarons and excitons, which are composite particles with internal lattice structure, play an important role in the transport and light-emitting properties of conjugated polymers for the use in, e.g., polymer based light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The scattering and recombination processes between a triplet exciton and a polaron are investigated using a nonadiabatic evolution method based on an extended Su–Schrieffer–Heeger model including interchain interactions. The results show that an excited polaron state can be formed, besides a triplet exciton is converted into a singlet exciton by the polaron. Moreover, the yields of both the singlet exciton and the excited polaron states increase with increasing interchain coupling strength. The excited polaron is luminescent due to radiative decay as is the singlet exciton. Therefore, our results indicate that the quantum efficiency of polymer LEDs could be enhanced by polaron-exciton recombination.
Autophosphorylation at serine 1981 stabilizes ATM at DNA damage sites
Authors: So Sairei , Davis Anthony J. , Chen David J.
Published: December 2009

Ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) plays a critical role in the cellular response to DNA damage. In response to DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), ATM is autophosphorylated at serine 1981. Although this autophosphorylation is widely considered a sign of ATM activation, it is still not clear if autophosphorylation is required for ATM functions including localization to DSBs and activation of ATM kinase activity. In this study, we show that localization of ATM to DSBs is differentially regulated with the initial localization requiring the MRE11–RAD50–NBS1 complex and sustained retention requiring autophosphorylation of ATM at serine 1981. Autophosphorylated ATM interacts with MDC1 and the latter is required for the prolonged association of ATM to DSBs. Ablation of ATM autophosphorylation or knock-down of MDC1 protein affects the ability of ATM to phosphorylate downstream substrates and confer radioresistance. Together, these data suggest that autophosphorylation at serine 1981 stabilizes ATM at the sites of DSBs, and this is required for a proper DNA damage response.
Disorders related with ageing in the gerbil female prostate (Skene’s paraurethral glands)
Authors: Custodio Ana M. G. , Santos Fernanda C. A. , Campos Silvana G. P. , Vilamaior Patricia Simone Leite , Oliveira Sérgio M. , Góes Rejane M. , Taboga Sebastião R.
Published: December 2009

The female organs, which are regulated by steroid hormones, are targets of studies especially those related to senescence. However, although the female prostate is an organ influenced by hormones and susceptible to lesions, there is still little information about its histopathology. Thus, given the morphophysiological similarity between the prostate in women and female gerbils, the present study aimed to identify the spontaneous histopathological changes in this rodent to provide contributions to the understanding of lesions that also affect the human female prostate. The structural, ultrastructural, immunohistochemical, morphometric‐stereological and serological aspects, as well as the quantification of the incidence, multiplicity and percentage of acini affected by different lesions were analyzed. Benign prostate lesions including hyperplasia, prostatitis, microcalculi and calculi; preneoplastic lesions like dysplasias; premalignant lesions, such as high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia as well as malignant ones, specifically adenocarcinoma, were identified in the adult gland, but they were intensified during senescence, which is possibly due to the imbalance among steroid hormone levels. Although clinical attention focuses on other urogenital organs, the real condition of the histopathological injuries in the human female prostate should be considered. A serious preventive work regarding the female prostate could be applied in the gynaecological context in order to monitor the gland and avoid possible disturbances to women’s health and consequently provide better quality of life.
Reproductive decision‐making in the context of mitochondrial DNA disorders: views and experiences of professionals
Authors: Bredenoord AL , Krumeich A , De Vries MC , Dondorp W , De Wert G
Published: December 2009

Bredenoord AL, Krumeich A, De Vries MC, Dondorp W, De Wert G. Reproductive decision‐making in the context of mitochondrial DNA disorders: views and experiences of professionals.

Although a scientific and ethical debate about the possible reproductive options for carriers of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations is developing, not much information regarding the views and experiences of professionals exists. This paper explores the attitudes and experiences of professionals involved on a daily basis with their patients' reproductive decision‐making in the context of mtDNA disease. Qualitative international multicenter design using in‐depth semi‐structured interviews with 20 professionals has been utilized. We identified four main themes emerging from the interviews. Firstly, we illustrate the discussion among professionals as to what extent mitochondrial genetics differs from other areas in genetics, both technically and ethically. Secondly, we show the discomfort and doubts of professionals when an mtDNA mutation is involved, because of the uncertainty remaining after testing. Thirdly, we discuss how professionals struggle with the tension between, on the one hand, the ideal of reproductive autonomy and, on the other hand, the reality of their professional responsibility and complex clinical decision‐making. Fourthly, we delineate the strategies used by professionals in order to make attempts to control uncertainty.

This paper illustrates the impact on professionals of reproductive decision‐making in the context of mtDNA disease. It shows their feelings of discomfort when interpreting and explaining uncertain or ambiguous data and may be perceived as an example of how professionals deal with the inherent limitations in genetic knowledge representing the state of the art. Insight into the experiences of professionals may contribute to a further improvement of reproductive genetic counseling in the context of mtDNA disorders.
Children's Nomenclatural Adventurism and Medical Evaluation study
Authors: Willis Francis R , Adams Stephen L , Doyle Sarah , Everitt Ian J , Lovegrove Michael , Slee Jennie , Sparrow Annie , Willis Judith
Published: December 2009

Aim:  The aim of this study was to determine whether there is an association between a child's first name and the likelihood of inpatient admission following presentation to a paediatric emergency department (ED).

Methods:  This was a retrospective review of electronic records held in the ED of an urban tertiary paediatric hospital. Data were obtained for all presentations up to the age of 16 years for a single month (n= 4260), each being allocated to 1 of the 10 predetermined first name categories.

Results:  A statistically significant increased risk for hospital admission was found for the following first name categories: popular culture (relative risk (RR) = 1.91, P= 0.000, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.60–2.28), apparently unique (RR = 1.52, P= 0.000, 95% CI = 1.23–1.87), Old Testament (RR = 1.39, P= 0.001, 95% CI = 1.14–1.69) and surname as first name (RR = 1.36, P= 0.015, 95% CI = 1.07–1.72).

Conclusions:  Our data confirm the impression that children with certain categories of first names have an increased likelihood of admission to hospital after presenting to the ED. We speculate that our findings, which are in concordance with those from educational and psychological literature, may reflect socio‐economic status and/or a ‘self‐fulfilling prophecy’. Further research may make it possible to assign names an RR rating (e.g. for hospital admission in the first 16 years of life), thus providing parents with another factor to consider when choosing names for their children. More studies are of course needed.
Adult Hirschsprung’s disease in Jamaica: operative treatment and outcome
Authors: Duncan N. D. , Plummer J. , Dundas S. E. , Martin A. , McDonald A. H.
Published: December 2009

Aim  This study reviewed the operative management and outcome of patients with adult Hirschsprung’s disease treated at the University Hospital of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica.

Method  The case notes for 11 patients with adult Hirschsprung's disease, treated operatively between January 1986 and December 2007, were reviewed and data on preoperative diagnosis, operative procedures and postoperative complications were retrieved.

Results  Diagnosis was by open rectal biopsy in nine patients and by rectal suction biopsy in two patients. The time taken for preoperative bowel preparation ranged from 10 to 35 days, and colostomy was required in three patients to facilitate bowel cleansing. The Soave and Swenson procedures were used in six and five patients, respectively, leading to anastomotic stricture in one patient treated using the Soave procedure and to leakage in two patients treated using the Swenson procedure. All procedures took longer than 300 min, and 300–800 ml of blood or plasma was transfused.

Conclusion  Therapeutic procedures for adult Hirschsprung's disease may result in life‐threatening anastamotic complications. A protective colostomy is recommended when Swenson’s procedure is used.
Globalization, Domestic Inflation and Global Output Gaps: Evidence from the Euro Area*
Authors: Calza Alessandro
Published: December 2009

This paper tests whether the proposition that globalization has led to greater sensitivity of domestic inflation to the global output gap (the ‘global output gap hypothesis’) holds for the euro area. The empirical analysis uses quarterly data over the period 1979–2003. Measures of the global output gap using two different weighting schemes (based on purchasing power parities and trade data) are considered. We find limited evidence that global capacity constraints have explanatory power for domestic consumer price inflation in the euro area. Based on these findings, the prescription that central banks should specifically react to developments in global output gaps does not seem to be justified for the euro area.
Women’s expectations of management in their next pregnancy after an unexplained stillbirth: An Internet‐based empirical study
Authors: ROBSON Stephen J. , LEADER Leo R. , DEAR Keith B. G. , BENNETT Michael J.
Published: December 2009

Background:  Unexplained stillbirth is the largest contributor to perinatal death, accounting for one‐third of stillbirths. There appears to be no increase in perinatal death rates in the pregnancies that follow an unexplained stillbirth. However, these pregnancies have increased rates of induced labour and elective caesarean section, as well as preterm birth, low birthweight, instrumental delivery, ‘fetal distress’ and postpartum haemorrhage.

Aim:  To study the wishes for future pregnancy management in women who have suffered an unexplained stillbirth.

Methods:  An Internet‐based survey of women after an unexplained stillbirth, seeking demographic information and reproductive history, details of management of the index stillbirth and information about their wishes for subsequent pregnancy management (antenatal surveillance, early delivery and caesarean delivery).

Results:  Of the total respondents included in the study, 93% wanted ‘testing’ over and above normal pregnancy care in their next pregnancy. Of the respondents, 81% wanted early delivery and 26% wanted a Caesarean delivery, irrespective of obstetric indications. These wishes were not influenced by socio‐demographic factors, management of the index stillbirth (with the exception of having had a Caesarean delivery) or advice received on management of the next pregnancy (with the exception of being advised to have an early or Caesarean delivery).

Conclusions:  The women surveyed wanted increased fetal surveillance and early delivery, but not necessarily elective caesarean section.
Sustainable strategies on water supply management in Hong Kong
Authors: Yue Derek P. T. , Tang S. L.
Published: December 2009

The growth in population and of the economy of Hong Kong has caused a significant increase in the demand for fresh water. To secure sufficient water supply and to reduce reliance on imported water from Dongjiang (East River) in Mainland China, the Hong Kong Special Administration Region (HKSAR) government has implemented a wide range of water conservation measures which include the use of seawater for toilet flushing, metering and a tiered water tariff, large‐scale replacement and rehabilitation of ageing pipelines to reduce leakage, valve‐type toilet flushing apparatus and education and publicity programmes. To ensure sustainable and safe water supply, the HKSAR government is actively exploring alternative water resources including the treated effluent from sewage treatment plant, desalination of seawater and the extension of water‐gathering grounds in the territory.
Healthy corals maintain Vibrio in the VBNC state
Authors: Sharon Gil , Rosenberg Eugene
Published: December 2009

Vibrio species play an important role in the health and disease of corals. To gain a better understanding of the interactions between Vibrio and coral holobionts we examined the growth of Vibrio in the mucus of the coral Oculina patagonica while the mucus was attached and detached from the coral. Fresh mucus contained ca. 102Vibrio cfu ml−1, representing c. 1% of the total viable count. Incubation of detached mucus resulted in a 50 000‐fold increase in Vibrio cfu from 1 to 4 h, corresponding to 60% of the total viable counts. This large increase in Vibrio would require an unreasonable doubling time of 11 min. Furthermore, the total microscopic bacterial count increased only 17‐fold during the 1–4 h incubation period. These data led to the conclusion that Vibrio species in the mucus were largely in the VBNC state when attached to the coral and ‘resuscitated’ when the mucus was detached from the coral. We suggest that the coral signal for maintaining Vibrio in the VBNC state is diffusible and unstable. Maintenance of Vibrio in the VBNC state did not require photosynthetic products of the coral holobiont. Vibrio species in the VBNC state may contribute to the health of corals by preventing infections by pathogens.
Vibrio harveyi as a causative agent of the White Syndrome in tropical stony corals
Authors: Luna Gian Marco , Bongiorni Lucia , Gili Claudia , Biavasco Francesca , Danovaro Roberto
Published: December 2009

We investigated bacterial assemblages associated with corals displaying symptoms of the ‘White Syndrome’ (WS), a general term used for indicating the appearance of bands, spots or patches of tissue loss, which is devastating wide areas of tropical ecosystems worldwide. We collected WS‐diseased (n = 15) and healthy (n = 15) corals from the natural reef (Indonesia, Indian Ocean) and from four large public aquaria. By using culture‐dependent and culture‐independent techniques, we found that a large fraction (73%) of the investigated WS events was associated with the presence of a high bacterial abundance and, specifically, of Vibrio spp. Vibrio harveyi, a pathogen of many marine organisms and recently involved in coral Yellow Band disease, was the most represented species, being recovered from five out of 15 diseased corals. In experimental infection assays, two V. harveyi strains, isolated from diseased corals, were inoculated on a total of 62 healthy colonies of Pocillopora damicornis. WS signs appeared in 57 corals, confirming the ability of V. harveyi strains to induce the disease. We conclude that V. harveyi is one of the coral pathogens involved in the appearance of WS. However, not all of the investigated WSs were associated to V. harveyi detection, nor to other Vibrio species (such as V. coralliilyticus), which supports the hypothesis that WS is not caused exclusively by Vibrio spp., but rather can have a multifactorial aetiology, or can represent a group of diseases caused by a variety of agents. Further investigations to identify specific virulence traits will contribute to the understanding of the role of V. harveyi in WS pathogenesis.
Aeroelastic Stability of Axially Moving Webs Coupled to Incompressible Flows
Authors: Vaughan Merrill , Raman Arvind
Published: December 2009

The aeroelastic flutter of thin flexible webs severely limits their transport speeds and consequently the machine throughputs in a variety of paper, plastics, textiles, and sheet metal industries. The aeroelastic stability of such high-speed webs is investigated using an assumed mode discretization of an axially moving, uniaxially tensioned Kirchhoff plate coupled with cross and machine direction flows of a surrounding incompressible fluid. The corresponding aerodynamic potentials are computed using finite element solutions of certain mixed boundary value problems that arise in the fluid domain. In the absence of air coupling, the cross-span mode frequencies tightly cluster together, and the web flutters via mode coalescence at supercritical transport speed. Web coupling to an initially quiescent incompressible potential flow significantly reduces the web frequencies, substantially modifies the mode shapes, and separates the frequency clusters, while only marginally affecting the flutter speed and frequency. The inclusion of machine direction base flows significantly modifies the web stability and mode shapes. Cross machine direction flows lead to the flutter with vanishing frequency of very high cross-span nodal number modes, and the unstable vibration naturally localizes at the leading free edge. These results corroborate several previous experimental results in literature and are expected to guide ongoing experiments and the design of reduced flutter web handling systems.
Dynamics and Control of Bridge Cranes Transporting Distributed-Mass Payloads
Authors: Manning Raymond , Clement Jeffrey , Kim Dooroo , Singhose William
Published: December 2009

The large-amplitude and lightly-damped oscillation of crane payloads is detrimental to safe and efficient operation. The problem is further complicated when the payload creates a double-pendulum effect. Previous researches have shown that single-mode oscillations can be greatly reduced by properly shaping the inputs to the crane motors. This paper builds on previous developments by thoroughly describing the double-pendulum dynamic effects as a function of payload parameters and the crane configuration. Furthermore, an input-shaping control method is developed to suppress double-pendulum oscillations created by a payload with distributed-mass properties. Experiments performed on a 10-ton industrial bridge crane verify the effectiveness of the method. A critical aspect of the testing was human operator studies, wherein numerous operators utilized the input-shaping controller to perform manipulation tasks. The performance improvements provided by the input-shaping controller, as well as operator learning effects, are reported.
“The errors were the results of errors”: Promoting Good Writing by Bad Example
Authors: Korsunsky Boris
Published: December 2009

We learn best by example—this adage is probably as old as teaching itself. In my own classroom, I have found that very often the students learn best from the “negative” examples. Perhaps, this shouldn't come as a surprise at all. After all, we don't react strongly to the norm—but an obvious deviation from the norm may attract our attention and make for a great teachable moment. And, if the deviation happens to be either scary or funny, the added emotional impact can create a truly powerful and lasting memory in the minds of the students.
Artificial Video for Video Analysis
Authors: Gallis Michael R.
Published: December 2009

This paper discusses the use of video analysis software and computer-generated animations for student activities. The use of artificial video affords the opportunity for students to study phenomena for which a real video may not be easy or even possible to procure, using analysis software with which the students are already familiar. We will present three example activities: two lab activity “add ons” as well as a complete virtual laboratory exercise.
Large Capacitance Measurement by Multiple Uses of MBL Charge Sensor
Authors: Lee Jung Sook , Chae Min , Kim Jung Bog
Published: December 2009

A recent article by Morse1 described interesting electrostatics experiments using an MBL charge sensor. In this application, the charge sensor has a large capacitance compared to the charged test object, so nearly all charges can be transferred to the sensor capacitor from the capacitor to be measured. However, the typical capacitance of commercial charge sensors is 10 nF, which is quite small compared to general capacitances for electric circuit experiments. In this paper, we will describe how to use the commercial charge sensor to measure a large capacitance.
Energy in a String Wave
Authors: Ng Chiu-king
Published: December 2009

When one end of a taut horizontal elastic string is shaken repeatedly up and down, a transverse wave (assume sine waveform) will be produced and travel along it.1 College students know this type of wave motion well. They know when the wave passes by, each element of the string will perform an oscillating up-down motion, which in mechanics is termed simple harmonic2. They also know elements of the string at the highest and the lowest positions—the crests and the troughs—are momentarily at rest, while those at the centerline (zero displacement) have the greatest speed, as shown in Fig. 1. Irrespective of this, they are less familiar with the energy associated with the wave. They may fail to answer a question such as, “In a traveling string wave, which elements have respectively the greatest kinetic energy (KE) and the greatest potential energy (PE)?” The answer to the former is not difficult; elements at zero position have the fastest speed and hence their KE, being proportional to the square of speed, is the greatest. To the PE, what immediately comes to their mind may be the simple harmonic motion (SHM), in which the PE is the greatest and the KE is zero at the two turning points. It may thus lead them to think elements at crests or troughs have the greatest PE. Unfortunately, this association is wrong. Thinking that the crests or troughs have the greatest PE is a misconception.3
Calcium signaling-mediated endogenous protection of cell energetics in the acutely diabetic myocardiumThis article is one of a selection of papers published in a special issue on Advances in Cardiovascular Research.
Authors: Ziegelhöffer Attila , Waczulíková Iveta , Ferko Miroslav , Kincelová Dana , Ziegelhöffer Barbara , Ravingerová Táňa , Cagalinec Michal , Schönburg Markus , Ziegelhoeffer Tibor , Šikurová Libuša , Uličná Oľga , Mujkošová Jana
Published: December 2009

In acute diabetic myocardium, calcium signals propagated by intracellular calcium transients participate in the protection of cell energetics via upregulating the formation of mitochondrial energy transition pores (ETP). Mechanisms coupling ETP formation with an increase in membrane fluidity and a decrease in transmembrane potential of the mitochondria are discussed. Our results indicate that the amplification of calcium transients in the diabetic heart is associated with an increase in their amplitude. Moreover, the signals transferred by calcium transients also regulated ETP formation in nondiabetic myocardium. Evidence for the indispensable role of calcium in the regulation of transition pore formation is provided whereby an exchange of cadmium for calcium ions led to a rapid and dramatic decrease in the amount of ETP. Another possible regulatory factor of the mitochondrial function may be radical-induced damage to the diabetic heart. Nevertheless, our data indicate that radical-induced changes in mitochondria predominantly concern the respiratory chain and have no appreciable effect on the fluidity of the mitochondrial membranes. The residual mitochondrial production of ATP owing to its augmented transfer to the cytosol proved to be adequate to preserve sufficient levels of adenine nucleotides in the acute diabetic myocardium.
LORENTZ VIOLATION IN THREE-FAMILY NEUTRINO OSCILLATION
Authors: YANG SHIMIN , MA BO-QIANG
Published: December 2009

We analyze the consequences of Lorentz violation (LV) to three-generation neutrino oscillation in the massless neutrino sector. We present a general formalism of three-family neutrino oscillation with neutrino flavor states being mixing states of energy eigenstates. It is also found that the mixing parts could strongly depend on neutrino energy by special choices of LV parameters. By confronting with the existing experimental data on neutrino oscillation, the upper bounds on LV parameters are derived. Because the oscillation amplitude could vary with the neutrino energy, neutrino experiments with energy dependence may test and constrain the LV scenario for neutrino oscillation.
Management of Esophageal Carcinoma Associated with Cirrhosis: A Retrospective Case-Control Analysis
Authors: Trivin Florence , Boucher Eveline , Vauléon Elodie , Cumin Isabelle , Le Prisé Elisabeth , Audrain Odile , Raoul Jean-Luc
Published: December 2009

Objectives. Esophageal carcinoma and cirrhosis have the overlapping etiologic factors.Methods. In a retrospective analysis conducted in 2 Breton institutions we wanted to asses the frequency of this association and the outcome of these patients in a case-control study where each case (cirrhosis and esophageal cancer) was paired with two controls (esophageal cancer).Results. In a 10-year period, we have treated 958 esophageal cancer patients; 26 (2.7%) had a cirrhosis. The same treatments were proposed to the 2 groups; cases received nonsignificantly different radiation and chemotherapy dose than controls. Severe toxicities and deaths were more frequent among the cases. At the end of the treatment 58% of the cases and 67% of the controls were in complete remission; median and 2-year survival were not different between the 2 groups. All 4 Child-Pugh B class patients experienced severe side effects and 2 died during the treatment.Conclusions. This association is surprisingly infrequent in our population! Child-Pugh B patients had a dismal prognosis and a bad tolerance to radiochemotherapy; Child-Pugh A patients have the same tolerance and the same prognosis as controls and the evidence of a well-compensated cirrhosis has not modified our medical options.
Enzymatic Detoxification of Cyanide: Clues from Pseudomonas aeruginosa Rhodanese
Authors: Cipollone Rita , Ascenzi Paolo , Tomao Paola , Imperi Francesco , Visca Paolo
Published: December 2009

Cyanide is a dreaded chemical because of its toxic properties. Although cyanide acts as a general metabolic inhibitor, it is synthesized, excreted and metabolized by hundreds of organisms, including bacteria, algae, fungi, plants, and insects, as a mean to avoid predation or competition. Several cyanide compounds are also produced by industrial activities, resulting in serious environmental pollution. Bioremediation has been exploited as a possible alternative to chemical detoxification of cyanide compounds, and various microbial systems allowing cyanide degradation have been described. Enzymatic pathways involving hydrolytic, oxidative, reductive, and substitution/transfer reactions are implicated in detoxification of cyanide by bacteria and fungi. Amongst enzymes involved in transfer reactions, rhodanese catalyzes sulfane sulfur transfer from thiosulfate to cyanide, leading to the formation of the less toxic thiocyanate. Mitochondrial rhodanese has been associated with protection of aerobic respiration from cyanide poisoning. Here, the biochemical and physiological properties of microbial sulfurtransferases are reviewed in the light of the importance of rhodanese in cyanide detoxification by the cyanogenic bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Critical issues limiting the application of a rhodanese-based cellular system to cyanide bioremediation are also discussed.
Use of Body Surface Area for Assessing Extracellular Fluid Volume and Glomerular Filtration Rate in Obesity
Authors: Peters A. Michael , Glass Daphne M.
Published: December 2009

Objective: To examine body surface area (BSA) for scaling extracellular fluid volume (ECV) in obesity. ECV varies less than glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in a clinical population and was therefore used as a surrogate for GFR on the grounds that if BSA is unsuitable for scaling GFR, it will also be unsuitable for ECV. Methods: GFR was measured in 917 patients using 51Cr-EDTA. GFR scaled to ECV was measured exclusively from the slope rate constant. ECV was calculated as GFR divided by GFR/ECV. Results: BSA correlated strongly with body mass index (BMI). ECV correlated strongly with BSA but the intercept was significantly lower than zero, indicating a disproportionate relation. ECV/BSA correlated with BSA but not with BMI. ECV in obese subjects was significantly less than in non-obese subjects individually matched for BSA. ECV/BSA was similar between obese and lean subjects matched for GFR/ECV and height. Conclusions: For subjects of similar BSA, a high BMI decreases ECV (the ‘obesity effect’). Subjects with high BMI generally have high BSA, which tends to increase ECV/BSA because of the disproportionate relation between ECV and BSA (the ‘BSA effect’). These opposing effects serendipitously and erroneously create the impression that BSA is suitable for scaling ECV (and by implication, GFR) in obesity.
Weakening of the Winter Monsoon and Abrupt Increase of Winter Rainfalls over Northern Taiwan and Southern China in the Early 1980s
Authors: Hung Chih-wen , Kao Pei-ken
Published: December 2009

The rainfall characteristic of the East Asian winter monsoon (EAWM) is less emphasized in previous works. This study reveals that the circulation of the EAWM weakened in recent decades, which results in a decrease of winter rainfall over several windward coastal areas over East Asia including the hills in northern Taiwan. In contrast, there is an abrupt increase of rainfall in southern China and the plains of northern Taiwan during the early 1980s. This is due to the increase in sea surface temperature and lower-troposphere moisture over the South China Sea and the anomalous northward flow that enhances the moisture transport to southern China. Because more moisture is provided for the frontal system that moves eastward, the fronts frequently come with abundant moisture and a well-developed rainband in winter. Therefore, the plains of northern Taiwan receive more rainfall after the 1980s.
Identification and characterization of endonuclein binding proteins: evidence of modulatory effects on signal transduction and chaperone activity
Authors: Ludvigsen Maja , Østergaard Morten , Vorum Henrik , Jacobsen Christian , Honoré Bent
Published: December 2009

Background

We have previously identified endonuclein as a cell cycle regulated WD-repeat protein that is up-regulated in adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. Now, we aim to investigate its biomedical functions.

Results

Using the cDNA encoding human endonuclein, we have expressed and purified the recombinant protein from Escherichia coli using metal affinity chromatography. The recombinant protein was immobilized to a column and by affinity chromatography several interacting proteins were purified from several litres of placenta tissue extract. After chromatography the eluted proteins were further separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and identified by tandem mass spectrometry. The interacting proteins were identified as; Tax interaction protein 1 (TIP-1), Aα fibrinogen transcription factor (P16/SSBP1), immunoglobulin heavy chain binding protein (BiP), human ER-associated DNAJ (HEDJ/DNAJB11), endonuclein interaction protein 8 (EIP-8), and pregnancy specific β-1 glycoproteins (PSGs). Surface plasmon resonance analysis and confocal fluorescence microscopy were used to further characterize the interactions.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate that endonuclein interacts with several proteins indicating a broad function including signal transduction and chaperone activity.
Isolation and characterization of a novel plasma membrane protein, osteoblast induction factor (obif), associated with osteoblast differentiation
Authors: Kanamoto Takashi , Mizuhashi Koji , Terada Koji , Minami Takashi , Yoshikawa Hideki , Furukawa Takahisa
Published: December 2009

Background

While several cell types are known to contribute to bone formation, the major player is a common bone matrix-secreting cell type, the osteoblast. Chondrocytes, which plays critical roles at several stages of endochondral ossification, and osteoblasts are derived from common precursors, and both intrinsic cues and signals from extrinsic cues play critical roles in the lineage decision of these cell types. Several studies have shown that cell fate commitment within the osteoblast lineage requires sequential, stage-specific signaling to promote osteoblastic differentiation programs. In osteoblastic differentiation, the functional mechanisms of transcriptional regulators have been well elucidated, however the exact roles of extrinsic molecules in osteoblastic differentiation are less clear.

Results

We identify a novel gene, obif (osteoblast induction factor), encoding a transmembrane protein that is predominantly expressed in osteoblasts. During mouse development, obif is initially observed in the limb bud in a complementary pattern to Sox9 expression. Later in development, obif is highly expressed in osteoblasts at the stage of endochondral ossification. In cell line models, obif is up-regulated during osteoblastic differentiation. Exogenous obif expression stimulates osteoblastic differentiation and obif knockdown inhibits osteoblastic differentiation in preosteblastic MC3T3-E1 cells. In addition, the extracellular domain of obif protein exhibits functions similar to the full-length obif protein in induction of MC3T3-E1 differentiation.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that obif plays a role in osteoblastic differentiation by acting as a ligand.
Survivin gene levels in the peripheral blood of patients with gastric cancer independently predict survival
Authors: Bertazza Loris , Mocellin Simone , Marchet Alberto , Pilati Pierluigi , Gabrieli Joseph , Scalerta Romano , Nitti Donato
Published: December 2009

Background

The detection of circulating tumor cells (CTC) is considered a promising tool for improving risk stratification in patients with solid tumors. We investigated on whether the expression of CTC related genes adds any prognostic power to the TNM staging system in patients with gastric carcinoma.

Methods

Seventy patients with TNM stage I to IV gastric carcinoma were retrospectively enrolled. Peripheral blood samples were tested by means of quantitative real time PCR (qrtPCR) for the expression of four CTC related genes: carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), cytokeratin-19 (CK19), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and Survivin (BIRC5).

Results

Gene expression of Survivin, CK19, CEA and VEGF was higher than in normal controls in 98.6%, 97.1%, 42.9% and 38.6% of cases, respectively, suggesting a potential diagnostic value of both Survivin and CK19. At multivariable survival analysis, TNM staging and Survivin mRNA levels were retained as independent prognostic factors, demonstrating that Survivin expression in the peripheral blood adds prognostic information to the TNM system. In contrast with previously published data, the transcript abundance of CEA, CK19 and VEGF was not associated with patients' clinical outcome.

Conclusions

Gene expression levels of Survivin add significant prognostic value to the current TNM staging system. The validation of these findings in larger prospective and multicentric series might lead to the implementation of this biomarker in the routine clinical setting in order to optimize risk stratification and ultimately personalize the therapeutic management of these patients.
Investigating AP-2 and YY1 protein expression as a cause of high HER2 gene transcription in breast cancers with discordant HER2 gene amplification
Authors: Powe Desmond G , Akhtar Gulfareen , Habashy Hany Onsy , Abdel-Fatah Tarek , Rakha Emad A , Green Andrew R , Ellis Ian O
Published: December 2009

Introduction

Candidacy for anti-HER2 adjuvant therapy in breast cancer is assessed using tumour HER2 status but recently it has been proposed that the transcription factors AP-2α and YY1 may cause Her2 protein overexpression independently of gene amplification.

Methods

We characterised AP-2α/β, AP-2α and YY1 with HER2 gene and protein expression, other relevant biomarkers, and clinical outcome using tissue microarrays (TMAs) and immunohistochemistry in a large (n = 1,176) clinically annotated series of early stage operable breast cancer. The associations and prognostic independence of AP-2 and YY1 was assessed in all patients and an oestrogen receptor negative subgroup.

Results

Nuclear expression of AP-2α/β, AP-2α and YY1 was detected in 23%, 44% and 33% of cases respectively. AP-2α/β significantly correlated with YY1 and both markers were increased in luminal oestrogen receptor (ER) positive tumours of small size and low grade but only AP-2α/β correlated with good prognosis breast cancer specific survival and disease free interval (BCSS and DFI). These characteristics were lost in oestrogen receptor negative patients. AP-2α also correlated with luminal-type tumours but not with YY1 expression or good prognosis. AP-2α and YY1 showed a significant correlation with Her2 protein expression and in addition, YY1 correlated with HER2 gene expression. Discordant HER2 gene and protein expression was identified in six cases (0.71% of the study group) with four of these showing AP-2α but absence of AP-2α/β and YY1 expression.

Conclusions

AP-2α/β and YY1 are markers of good prognosis principally due to their association with oestrogen receptor but are not independent predictors. Discordant HER2 protein/gene expression is a rare event that is not always explained by the actions of AP-2 and YY1.