bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pathogenic and non‐pathogenic Agrobacterium tumefaciens, A. rhizogenes and A. vitis strains form biofilms on abiotic as well as on root surfaces
Authors: Abarca‐Grau A. M. , Penyalver R. , López M. M. , Marco‐Noales E.
Published: November 2010

Pathogenic and non‐pathogenic Agrobacterium tumefaciens, A. rhizogenes and A. vitis strains growing in minimal liquid medium adhered to different abiotic surfaces, forming biofilms at initial stages of development. Agrobacterium tumefaciens and A. vitis strains were able to attach to both polystyrene and polypropylene materials, whereas the A. rhizogenes strains only bound to polystyrene surfaces. Strains of the three species were also able to form biofilms on borosilicate coverslips. It is concluded that their ability to adhere to and form nascent biofilms on abiotic surfaces is dependent on the Agrobacterium species (biovar), surface material and growth conditions. Furthermore, tumorigenic A. tumefaciens and A. vitis strains, and the biological control agent A. rhizogenes strain K84, bound tightly to and formed complex biofilms on the surface of tomato root tips ex planta. More importantly, in planta assays confirmed that all three Agrobacterium spp. strains efficiently colonized tomato seedlings and also formed biofilms on roots. These complex structures, as revealed by scanning electron microscopy, were composed of numerous bacterial cells arranged in different ways: either dense and continuous carpets, large aggregates embedded in extra‐cellular material or globular mushrooms traversed internally by channels. Confocal laser scanning microscopy, using GFP‐marked derivative strains, corroborated the presence of live, three‐dimensional and thick green fluorescent structures attached to plant material. This study illustrates that besides A. tumefaciens, strains of the species A. rhizogenes and A. vitis are also able to build biofilms on abiotic as well as on root surfaces.
Effect of an anti‐inflammatory dose of prednisone on thyroid hormone monitoring in hypothyroid dogs
Authors: O’Neill Sarah H. , Frank Linda A. , Reynolds Lisa M.
Published: November 2010

It is not uncommon for a hypothyroid dog to be receiving concurrent corticosteroids. As hypothyroid dogs receiving thyroid supplement need periodic monitoring, knowledge of whether prednisone alters thyroid hormone concentrations would be useful to determine whether testing can or should be done while the dog is receiving therapy and whether dose adjustments are appropriate. In this study, the effect of short‐term anti‐inflammatory prednisone was determined in dogs with naturally occurring hypothyroidism. Eight adult dogs were given prednisone (1.0 mg/kg, orally) daily for 7 days and then on alternate days for 14 days. Serum total thyroxine (T4), free T4(fT4), and thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH) were measured on days 7, 21 and 28 and compared with baseline data. Total T4concentrations were significantly decreased after 7 days of anti‐inflammatory prednisone, but were not significantly altered from baseline on days 21 or 28. Free T4and TSH concentrations were not significantly altered from baseline at any point during the study. Two dogs had decreased total T4concentrations on day 7, which may have resulted in an alteration in thyroid supplementation. Results showed that administration of prednisone at a dosage of 1 mg/kg, orally, once daily for 7 days decreased total T4, while fT4was unchanged, suggesting that fT4may be less affected by daily prednisone administration. Anti‐inflammatory doses of prednisone administered every other day did not interfere with thyroid hormone monitoring.
Multiple polymorphisms in genes of the adrenergic stress system confer vulnerability to alcohol abuse
Authors: Clarke Toni‐Kim , Dempster Emma , Docherty Sophia J. , Desrivieres Sylvane , Lourdsamy Anbarasu , Wodarz Norbert , Ridinger Moniker , Maier Wolfgang , Rietschel Marcella , Schumann Gunter
Published: November 2010

Environmental factors such as stress influence both the predisposition to and development of alcoholism, as well as have significant implications for alcoholism relapse. One predominant biological response to acute stress is the release of norepinephrine, which activates the peripheral stress response and also the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis. We aimed to examine the role of two genes of the adrenergic system (SLC6A2 and ADRA2A) in alcoholism by genotyping 21 SNPs in 785 adult alcohol‐dependent patients and 1237 controls. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) (rs36020 and rs36029) in SLC6A2 were significantly associated with alcoholism [false discovery rate corrected P‐value (FDR) P = 0.007]. Two SNPs in ADRA2A (rs521674 and rs602618) were associated with a positive family history of alcoholism (FDR P ≤ 0.05). A combined SNP‐set analysis was also carried out to determine the risk of harbouring multiple alcohol risk alleles across SLC6A2 and ADRA2A. Logistic regression analysis revealed that an increase in the number of alcohol risk alleles increased the risk for alcoholism (P = 0.000567, odds ratio = 1.75, 95% confidence interval 1.26–2.44). A three‐SNP haplotype consisting of rs187715, rs36020 and rs40147 alleles, AGC, was also found, which was significantly over‐represented in cases compared with controls (61% versus 56%). We therefore demonstrate an association of SLC6A2 and ADRA2A with adult alcoholism. These data confirm the relevance of the adrenergic stress system when considering genetic predisposition to alcohol dependence and suggest that SLC6A2 and ADRA2A should be studied in additional alcohol‐dependent cohorts.
A C17T polymorphism in the mu opiate receptor is associated with quantitative measures of drug use in African American women
Authors: Crystal Howard A. , Hamon Sara , Randesi Matthew , Cook Judith , Anastos Kathryn , Lazar Jason , Liu Chenglong , Pearce Leigh , Golub Elizabeth , Valcour Victor , Weber Kathleen M. , Holman Susan , Ho Ann , Kreek Mary Jeanne
Published: November 2010

Previous studies of the association of the C17T polymorphism of the mu opiate receptor gene with substance dependence compared cases with substance dependence to controls and usually found no significant association. However, the studies were limited by small sample size—no study had more than 12 subjects with the TT genotype, a genotype that is rare in white and Asian subjects. Moreover, drug use is not dichotomous but follows a spectrum from non‐use to modest, intermittent use, to use several times daily. We asked whether the Kreek–McHugh–Schluger–Kellogg (KMSK) scales for alcohol, cocaine, opiates and tobacco that quantify substance use during the time of a subject's maximal use might be more sensitive measures than dichotomous outcomes. We administered the KMSK scales and completed C17T genotyping on 1009 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐infected and 469 HIV‐uninfected women in The Women's Interagency HIV Study, an ongoing study of HIV in women. Forty‐two of the 697 African American, 1 of the 182 Hispanic and none of the 161 white women had the TT genotype. KMSK cocaine, alcohol and tobacco scores were significantly higher in the African American women with the TT genotype (P = 0.008, 0.0001, and 0.006, respectively), but opiate scores were not. Ordinal regression models controlling for HIV serostatus, age, education, and income had odds ratios for the TT genotype for predicting alcohol, tobacco, cocaine and opiates scores of 2.1 (P = 0.02), 2.4 (P = 0.0004), 2.0 (P = 0.03) and 1.9 (P = 0.07). We conclude that the TT genotype of OPRM1 may increase the risk of substance use and abuse.
Interaction between ALDH2*1*1 and DRD2/ANKK1 TaqI A1A1 genes may be associated with antisocial personality disorder not co‐morbid with alcoholism
Authors: Lu Ru‐Band , Lee Jia‐Fu , Huang San‐Yuan , Lee Sheng‐Yu , Chang Yun‐Hsuan , Kuo Po‐Hsiu , Chen Shiou‐Lan , Chen Shih‐Heng , Chu Chun‐Hsien , Lin Wei‐Wen , Wu Pei‐Lin , Ko Huei‐Chen
Published: November 2010

Previous studies on acetaldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) focused on drinking behavior or alcoholism because the ALDH2*2 allele protects against the risk of developing alcoholism. The mechanism provides that the ALDH2 gene's protective effect is also involved in dopamine metabolism. The interaction of the ALDH2 gene with neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, is suggested to be related to alcoholism. Because alcoholism is often co‐morbid with antisocial personality disorder (ASPD), previous association studies on antisocial alcoholism cannot differentiate whether those genes relate to ASPD with alcoholism or ASPD only. This study examined the influence of the interaction effect of the ALDH2*1*1, *1*2 or *2*2 polymorphisms with the dopamine 2 receptor (DRD2) Taq I polymorphism on ASPD. Our 541 Han Chinese male participants were classified into three groups: antisocial alcoholism (ASPD co‐morbid with alcohol dependence, antisocial ALC; n = 133), ASPD without alcoholism (ASPD not co‐morbid with alcohol dependence, antisocial non‐ALC; n = 164) and community controls (healthy volunteers from the community; n = 244). Compared with healthy controls, individuals with the DRD2 A1/A1 and the ALDH2*1/*1 genotypes were at a 5.39 times greater risk for antisocial non‐ALC than were those with other genotypes. Our results suggest that the DRD2/ANKK1 and ALDH2 genes interacted in the antisocial non‐ALC group; a connection neglected in previous studies caused by not separating antisocial ALC from ASPD. Our study made this distinction and showed that these two genes may be associated ASPD without co‐morbid alcoholism.
Prognostic significance of preoperative serum CYFRA 21‐1 in patients with upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma
Authors: Suyama Taisuke , Nakajima Koichi , Kanbe Shigeki , Tanaka Norie , Hara Hiroshi , Ishii Nobuhisa
Published: November 2010

Objectives:  The prognosis for upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma is generally poorer than that for bladder cancer, and prognostic predictors with a high specificity for upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UUT‐UC) are needed to optimize treatment. In fact, the only preoperative predictor currently available is C‐reactive protein. In the present study, we investigated the usefulness of pretreatment serum CYFRA 21‐1 as a new prognostic predictor in UUT‐UC.

Methods:  A total of 45 UUT‐UC patients for whom serum CYFRA 21‐1 was measured before treatment were included in this retrospective analysis. Patients were separated into high and low serum CYFRA 21‐1 groups based on a cut‐off value of 2.7 ng/mL determined from a receiver operating characteristic curve. Kaplan–Meier survival curves were calculated and the overall survival rate was statistically analyzed for the high and low pretreatment serum CYFRA 21‐1 groups using the log–rank test. Multivariable analysis was carried out using the Cox proportional hazards analysis.

Results:  By the median follow‐up period of 14.4 months, 20 patients (44.4%) had died. Of the 45 patients, 23 (51.1%) were in the high pretreatment serum CYFRA 21‐1 group, and the overall survival rate of this group was significantly lower (P < 0.001). Multivariable analysis identified only distant metastasis (P < 0.001) and pretreatment serum CYFRA 21‐1 (P = 0.039) as independent prognostic predictors. Distant metastasis did not significantly differ between the two groups or correlate with pretreatment serum CYFRA 21‐1.

Conclusion:  These findings suggest that pretreatment serum CYFRA 21‐1 values could serve as a prognostic predictor of UUT‐UC.
Glaucomatous optic neuropathy evaluation project: a standardized internet system for assessing skills in optic disc examination
Authors: Kong Yu Xiang G , Coote Michael A , O'Neill Evelyn C , Gurria Lulu U , Xie Jing , Garway‐Heath David , Medeiros Felipe A , Crowston Jonathan G
Published: November 2010

Abstract

Background:  Development of a standardized internet‐based system to self‐assess skills in optic disc examination for glaucoma risk assessment.

Design:  Prospective internet‐based observational study.

Participants:  Total of 197 participants (glaucoma subspecialists, general ophthalmologists and trainees) from 22 countries.

Methods:  Forty‐two optic disc images demonstrating a range of features were selected from 2500 monoscopic disc photographs of normal and glaucomatous eyes. Images were presented to clinicians via website (http://www.gone‐project.com). Participants were asked to assess nine topographic features and make a subjective assessment of glaucoma likelihood.

Main Outcome Measures:  Inter‐observer agreement using kappa (κ) or weighted kappa (κw).

Results:  There was substantial level of inter‐observer agreement between glaucoma subspecialists for assessment of glaucoma likelihood (κw = 0.63). Inter‐observer agreement was high for haemorrhage (κ = 0.83) and substantial for disc size, disc shape, cup:disc ratio, peripapillary atrophy and cup shape (κw = 0.59–0.68). Subspecialists had stronger inter‐observer agreement for glaucoma likelihood and for most disc characteristics than did trainees: the greatest difference being the assessment for retinal nerve fibre layer loss. Analysis of individual disc answers from ophthalmology trainees showed that discs leading to lower agreement of glaucoma likelihood tend to produce lower agreement for the assessment of cup:disc ratio, cup shape, cup depth and retinal nerve fibre layer. Discs with features of moderate to deep cup or cup:disc ratio between 0.6 and 0.8 also lead to lower agreement in glaucoma likelihood.

Conclusions:  This internet‐based system is a readily accessible and standardized tool, for clinicians globally, that permits self‐assessment and benchmarking of skills in optic disc examination.
Conductive keratoplasty for symptomatic presbyopia following monofocal intraocular lens implantation
Authors: Ye Panpan , Xu Wen , Tang Xiajing , Yao Ke , Li Zhaochun , Xu Hesheng , Shi Junting
Published: November 2010

Abstract

Background:  To evaluate the visual outcomes of conductive keratoplasty for relief of symptomatic presbyopia of pseudophakia with monofocal intraocular lens implantation.

Design:  It was a prospective clinical study and set in Eye Center, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University.

Participants:  This study comprised 27 eyes from 27 patients with presbyopia symptom.

Methods:  The patients received conductive keratoplasty via monovision approach after monofocal intraocular lens implantation and were followed up at 1 week and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively.

Main Outcome Measures:  The main outcomes including uncorrected near visual acuity, uncorrected distance visual acuity, best spectacle‐corrected visual acuity, manifest refraction spherical equivalent, keratometric astigmatism, contrast and glare sensitivity, spherical aberration and pseudoaccommodation were evaluated.

Results:  Twelve months after conductive keratoplasty, the binocular uncorrected near visual acuity was significantly improved from logMAR 0.88 ± 0.16 preoperatively to logMAR 0.30 ± 0.13 (P < 0.05); the binocular uncorrected distance visual acuity and best spectacle‐corrected visual acuity remained unchanged; manifest refraction spherical equivalent was significantly reduced from 0.01 ± 0.68 D preoperatively to −1.68 ± 0.39 D (P < 0.05); spherical aberration was increased from 0.266 ± 0.204 µm preoperatively to 0.358 ± 0.277 µm (P < 0.05), and pseudoaccommodation was from 1.38 ± 0.38 D to 1.73 ± 0.61 D (P < 0.05).

Conclusions:  Conductive keratoplasty is a safe and effective method for relief of symptomatic presbyopia of pseudophakia with monofocal intraocular lens implantation.
Endoscopic management of vesicoueteral reflux in adult women
Authors: Murphy Alana M. , Ritch Chad R. , Reiley Elizabeth A. , Hensle Terry W.
Published: November 2010

Study Type – Therapy (case series)

Level of Evidence 4

OBJECTIVE

To describe our endoscopic management of adult women with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) and associated outcomes.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively identified 19 adult women who presented for the endoscopic treatment of VUR from November 2001 to January 2008.

Each patient was diagnosed with VUR by voiding cystourethrogram or nuclear cystourethrogram after an episode of pyelonephritis or recurrent urinary tract infections with renal scarring on ultrasound.

A dimercaptosuccinic acid renal scan was performed prior to treatment. All patients underwent endoscopic treatment with dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer (Deflux®). Patients with bilateral VUR received bilateral injections during the same procedure.

Follow‐up imaging was obtained and success was strictly defined as no degree of VUR. Patients with residual VUR received repeat endoscopic treatment.

RESULTS

Nineteen patients with a mean age of 22 years old (range 18–33 years old) underwent endoscopic treatment for VUR. A total of 79% (15/19) had pre‐existing risk factors for VUR, including prior open anti‐reflux surgery (26%), family history of VUR (26%) and childhood diagnosis of VUR (26%).

Imaging revealed that 47% (9/19) had renal scarring and 26% (5/19) had bilateral VUR. The success rate was 79% (19/24) after one treatment, 92% (22/24) after 5 patients received a second treatment, and 96% (23/24) after 2 patients received a third treatment. There were no perioperative complications.

CONCLUSION

Endoscopic management of VUR is both safe and effective in adult women.
Influence of age and bladder dysfunction on the contractile properties of isolated human detrusor smooth muscle
Authors: Fry Christopher H. , Bayliss Mark , Young John S. , Hussain Mahreen
Published: November 2010

What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add?

The question to be addressed was whether bladder overactivity or obstruction in patients was associated with any changes to the contractile properties of the detrusor smooth muscle, and in addition were there age‐related and gender‐dependent differences in these?

The study showed that neither age nor gender per se affected the contractile properties of the smooth muscle from the stable bladder. However, in the pathology groups there was an age‐dependent reduction of nerve‐dependent contractile function, and thus in the overactive bladder there is an age‐dependent functional deneravation.

OBJECTIVE

• To test the hypothesis that the in vitro contractile properties of human detrusor smooth muscle are dependent on the age, gender and lower urinary tract pathology of the patient.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

• Contractions were elicited in isolated human detrusor smooth muscle preparations by nerve‐mediated electrical field stimulation, agonist application (carbachol, α,β‐methylene ATP and high‐K solutions) or direct muscle electrical stimulation.

• Biopsies (n= 227) were obtained from four groups of patients with: stable bladders (control), bladder outlet obstruction (BOO), idiopathic (IDO), or neurogenic (NDO) detrusor overactivity.

RESULTS

• The magnitude of nerve‐mediated contractions declined as a function of patients’ age in each of the BOO, IDO and NDO groups but not in the control group.

• Contractions elicited by direct muscle activation (10 µm carbachol or electrical stimulation with 20 ms pulses in the presence of 1 µm tetrodotoxin) did not vary with patient age.

• Carbachol contractions were significantly smaller in samples from NDO bladders.

• Atropine resistance was more prevalent in the pathology groups compared with the control group and was greatest in the IDO group. There was no influence of age in the prevalence or magnitude of atropine‐resistant contractions in any group.

• Muscle excitability to direct electrical stimulation was similar in all groups.

CONCLUSIONS

• In the human bladder there is no evidence for a decline of detrusor smooth muscle contractility or excitability as a function of age, nor any gender difference or presence of pathology.

• In the pathology groups there was evidence for a decline of functional innervation with age.
BANKING AND BORROWING IN THE EU ETS: A REVIEW OF ECONOMIC MODELLING, CURRENT PROVISIONS AND PROSPECTS FOR FUTURE DESIGN
Authors: Chevallier Julien
Published: November 2010

Abstract This paper deals with the issue of banking and borrowing in the context of the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) by attempting to provide a policy‐oriented unifying theoretical framework. After describing the main features of the EU ETS, the core part of the paper consists of variations of an intertemporal continuous time optimization model. Additional elements include flexibility measures currently discussed and proposed in other emissions trading systems (USA, Australia), which include the use of safety valves, minimum price auctioning or offsets from domestic or international projects.
Ageing Populations and Housing Needs: Comparing Strategic Policy Discourses in France and England
Authors: Hillcoat‐Nalletamby Sarah , Ogg James , Renaut Sylvie , Bonvalet Catherine
Published: November 2010

Set against a broad European policy agenda which promotes ‘ageing in place’ and representations of older people as active, independent citizens, this article compares recent English and French policy discourses on population ageing and its implications for the housing needs of increasingly large numbers of older citizens. Through analysis of six recent strategic policy statements representing each government's official responses to population ageing and its social policy implications for the 21st century, we demonstrate how differences in the social representation of the ageing process and of older peoples themselves permeate policy discourse, influencing the perceptions of the housing needs of older citizens and the role that housing itself may play in promoting independent living. In England, demographic ageing, housing and its role in facilitating independent living and active ageing are explicitly articulated, whilst in France, the housing environment has until recently, been portrayed as one which must accommodate the illness, incapacity and dependency of later life. Our article offers explanations for these differences in terms of cultural variations in the social representations or ‘constructions’ of later life, divergences in political philosophies and welfare principles.
The Convention Method Revisited: Does It Have a Future and Does It Matter?
Authors: Karlsson Christer
Published: November 2010

Scholars have argued that the convention method has democratised the process of treaty reform and increased the legitimacy of EU constitutionalisation. This article finds that the convention method has contributed to a slightly more democratic process, but has not, in any fundamental way, improved the democratic status of the EU's treaty reform process. We should accordingly not be too concerned over the future fate of the convention method. From a democratic perspective, we should be more worried over the possible scenario that future changes to the EU's institutional structure will come about through implicit constitutional change without any formal changes being made to the treaties. The often cumbersome ratification process could thereby be bypassed, but this would also deprive EU citizens of the only real opportunity they have of influencing decisions on the overall design of the integration project.
Preparing teachers to teach children with special educational needs and disabilities: the significance of a national PGCE development and evaluation project for inclusive teacher education
Authors: Norwich Brahm , Nash Tricia
Published: November 2010

This paper discusses issues arising from a national development and evaluation project, which (1) surveyed national primary and secondary postgraduate certificate programmes (PGCE) about how they prepare trainees to teach pupils with special educational needs; and (2) conducted a trial of a practical teaching task for preparing primary and secondary teacher trainees to teach pupils with special educational needs. The survey involved 42% of all top‐rated PGCE providers, whereas the trial involved six primary and five secondary PGCE programmes involving 550 trainees overall. Selected findings are reported from the survey, which are relevant to the need for a supervised school‐based teaching task. The evaluation highlighted problems about task preparation, communications, timing, task design, trainee support, use of resources and reporting. Despite these issues, the trial was judged to be successful as almost most participants were positive about the task and its impact. Recommendations for adapting and implementing the task made to the funding agency are outlined; recommendations have been adopted in the national dissemination of the task to all initial 1‐year training providers. The evaluation of the trial is discussed in terms of three key aspects: (1) the challenge for initial teacher training to prepare all teachers to teach pupils with special educational needs; (2) the critical role of partnership between universities and practice schools in initial training; and (3) the potential of ideas and practices about personalisation for including concepts about special educational needs pedagogy into wider pedagogic models.
An examination of teacher attitudes towards children with autism
Authors: Park Meungguk , Chitiyo Morgan
Published: November 2010

Since Leo Kanner first described it in 1943, autism has attracted a flurry of research. That research has transformed an esoteric condition into a better understood disorder. In addition to shifting conceptualisations, the new research seems to have influenced people's attitude towards the disorder. However, few studies have examined people's attitudes towards the disorder within the context of this robust research. This current study was designed to examine teachers' attitudes towards children with autism and to find out if teachers' attitudes have changed amidst this research. Results demonstrated that most of the teachers had positive attitude towards children with autism.
Expatriate adjustment: The role of justice and conflict in intimate relationships
Authors: Van ERP KIM J. P. M. , GIEBELS ELLEN , Van Der ZEE KAREN I. , Van DUIJN MARIJTJE A. J.
Published: November 2010

Framing expatriation as family relocation, this research examines the influence of perceived justice and conflict on the psychological adjustment of 103 expatriate couples. Based on the actor–partner interdependence model, the proposed model simultaneously addresses effects of justice and conflict on own and partner's outcomes. Supporting the current model, and based on the self‐interest model, distributive justice influenced work‐related task conflict among expatriates and household‐related task conflict among expatriate spouses. Among expatriate spouses, and in line with the group‐value model, fairness perceptions regarding interpersonal treatment influenced both parties' personal conflict. Unanticipated, both parties' distributive justice also influenced personal conflict. Personal conflict negatively affected both parties' psychological adjustment and acted as a mediator in the relationship between distributive justice and psychological adjustment.
Meta‐Analysis to Assess the Appropriate Endpoint for Slow Pathway Ablation of Atrioventricular Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia
Authors: STERN JOSHUA D. , ROLNITZKY LINDA , GOLDBERG JUDITH D. , CHINITZ LARRY A. , HOLMES DOUGLAS S. , BERNSTEIN NEIL E. , BERNSTEIN SCOTT A. , KHAIRY PAUL , AIZER ANTHONY
Published: November 2010

Background:
 There are little data on the appropriate endpoint for slow pathway ablation that balances acceptable procedural times, recurrence rates, and complication rates. This study compared recurrence rates of three commonly utilized endpoints of slow pathway ablation for atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT).

Methods:
 We performed a meta‐analysis of AVNRT slow pathway ablation cohorts by searching electronic databases, the Internet, and conference proceedings. Inclusion criteria were age >18 years, >20 human subjects per study, primary AVNRT ablation, English language publication, and >1 month of follow‐up. Data were analyzed with a fixed‐effects model using Comprehensive Meta‐Analysis software version 2.2.046 (Biostat, Englewood, NJ, USA).

Results:
 We included 10 studies encompassing 1,204 patients with a mean age of 41–53 years. Endpoints were complete slow pathway ablation, residual jump only, and single remaining echo beat. Pooled estimates revealed 28 of 641 patients (4.4%) with complete slow pathway ablation, 13 of 192 patients (6.8%) with a residual jump only, and 24 of 371 patients (6.5%) with one echo had recurrences. With uniform isoproterenol use after ablation, there was no significant difference in recurrence rates among the endpoints. However, when isoproterenol was utilized after ablation only if needed to induce AVNRT before ablation, a significantly higher recurrence rate occurred in patients with a residual jump (P = 0.002), a single echo (P = 0.003), or the combined group of a residual jump and/or one echo (P = 0.001).

Conclusions:
 Isoproterenol should be used routinely after slow pathway modification, when a residual jump and/or single echo remain. (PACE 2011; 34:269–277)
Learning Curve for Zero‐Fluoroscopy Catheter Ablation of AVNRT: Early versus Late Experience
Authors: GIST KATJA , TIGGES CODY , SMITH GRACE , CLARK JOHN
Published: November 2010

Introduction/Background:
 Three‐dimensional catheter navigation systems are being utilized more frequently to minimize or eliminate fluoroscopy during catheter ablation. We reviewed our learning curve for a zero‐fluoroscopy approach over a 32‐month period.

Methods:
 Data were obtained retrospectively from 62 consecutive patients who underwent cryoablation of AVNRT without the use of fluoroscopy from December 2005 to August 2008. The early era was defined as the first 12 months of procedures (December 2005–December 2006, n = 27) and the recent era thereafter (January 2007–August 2008, n = 35).

Results:
 In the early era, acute success was achieved in 100% of patients, compared to 97% in the recent era. There were no significant complications in either group. Transient AV block was seen frequently; however, this always resolved quickly. Average procedure time for the early era was 202 minutes (100–419 minutes) compared to 160 minutes (78–332 minutes) in the recent era (P = 0.01). Recurrence rates were 15% and 8% for the early and recent era, respectively.

Conclusion:
 Procedure time significantly shortens as a function of experience. After an adequate learning curve, the procedure can be performed in a very acceptable amount of time. (PACE 2011; 34:264–268)
Characterization of Hafnia Powder Prepared from an Oxychloride Sol–Gel
Authors: McGilvery Catriona M. , McComb David W. , De Gendt Stefan , Payzant E. Andrew , MacKenzie Maureen , Craven Alan J.
Published: November 2010

Hafnium‐containing compounds are of great importance to the semiconductor industry as a high‐κ gate dielectric to replace silicon oxynitrides. Here, the crystallization processes and chemistry of bulk hafnia powders are investigated, which will aid in interpretation of reactions and crystallization events occurring in thin films used as gate dielectrics. Amorphous hafnia powder was prepared via a sol–gel route using the precursor HfOCl2·H2O. The powders were subjected to various heat treatments and analyzed using X‐ray diffraction and thermal analysis techniques. A large change in the crystallization pathway was found to occur when the sample was heated in an inert environment compared with air. Instead of the expected monoclinic phase, tetragonal hafnia also formed under these conditions and was observed up to temperatures of ∼760°C. The tetragonal particles eventually transform into monoclinic hafnia on further heating. Possible mechanisms for the crystallization of tetragonal hafnia are discussed. It is proposed that, in an inert environment, tetragonal hafnia is stabilized due to the presence of oxygen vacancies, formed by the reduction of HfIV to HfIII. As the temperature increases the crystal grows until there are too few oxygen vacancies left in the structure to continue stabilizing the tetragonal phase, and hence transformation to monoclinic hafnia occurs.
Reproducibility and Ferroelectric Fatigue of Lead Zirconate Titanate Thin Films Deposited Directly on Copper Via a Composite Gel Architecture
Authors: Losego Mark D. , Maria Jon‐Paul
Published: November 2010

Integrating ferroelectric lead zirconate titanate (PZT) thin films directly on copper metal foils has high commercialization potential. PZT films on copper foils eliminate costly noble metal or conductive oxide electrodes and make available a flexible substrate technology that can be readily laminated into printed wiring boards. Unlike noble metals, copper substrates are potentially reactive, and therefore susceptible to processing fluctuations that offer negligible consequences to noble metal‐based systems. Herein, the reliability of the composite gel architecture route for synthesizing PZT thin films directly on copper foils is explored. Reproducibility in film properties and avoidance of solution aging effects are demonstrated. Fatigue cycling is used to evaluate electrical durability. Ferroelectric switching with polarization saturation is demonstrated after 1 billion cycles. Loss in spontaneous polarization is recovered with postfatigue annealing demonstrating the high material integrity necessary for commercial device performance, and distinct similarity to the behavior over time with noble metal electrode capacitors.
Handwriting Evidence Evaluation Based on the Shape of Characters: Application of Multivariate Likelihood Ratios*,†
Authors: Marquis Raymond , Bozza Silvia , Schmittbuhl Matthieu , Taroni Franco
Published: November 2010

Abstract: A novel Bayesian methodology has been developed to quantitatively assess handwriting evidence by means of a likelihood ratio (LR) designed for multivariate data. This methodology is presented and its applicability is shown through a simulated case of a threatening anonymous text where a suspect is apprehended. The shape of handwritten charactersa,d,o,andqof the threatening text was compared with characters of the true writer, and then with two other writers, one with similar and one with dissimilar characters shape compared to the true writer. In each of these three situations, 100 draws of characters were made and the resulting distributions of LR were established to consider the natural handwriting variation. LR values supported the correct hypothesis in every case. This original Bayesian methodology provides a coherent and rigorous tool for the assessment of handwriting evidence, contributing undoubtedly to integrate the field of handwriting examination into science.
Predation by native sunfishes (Centrarchidae) on the invasive crayfish Orconectes rusticus in four northern Wisconsin lakes
Authors: Tetzlaff J. C. , Roth B. M. , Weidel B. C. , Kitchell J. F.
Published: November 2010

Tetzlaff JC, Roth BM, Weidel BC, Kitchell JF. Predation by native sunfishes (Centrarchidae) on the invasive crayfish Orconectes rusticus in four northern Wisconsin lakes.  Ecology of Freshwater Fish 2011: 20: 133–143. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S

Abstract –  Introduced rusty crayfish (Orconectes rusticus) often establish abundant populations in lakes where they negatively impact native food webs. However, rusty crayfish do not become abundant in all lakes. Fish predation has been posed as one potential mechanism limiting rusty crayfish density, but there is limited empirical evidence to support this hypothesis. Using a case study approach, we quantified the extent and timing of predation on nonnative rusty crayfish by three native centrarchids in four northern Wisconsin lakes with contrasting crayfish densities. We estimated population‐level predation effects on rusty crayfish using bioenergetics models in combination with fish and crayfish abundance estimates. Bluegill (Lepomis machrochirus) and pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus) consumed young‐of‐year crayfish exclusively whereas rock bass (Ambloplites ruspestris) consumed a wide size range of crayfish. Rusty crayfish were found in Lepomis diets primarily in late June and early July while rock bass consumed crayfish throughout the summer. Per individual, rock bass consumed more crayfish biomass than Lepomis, but at the population‐level, higher Lepomis densities resulted in greater numbers of crayfish and more crayfish biomass consumed by Lepomis than rock bass. Lepomis populations consumed 8 × , 14 × , 22 ×  and 120 ×  more individual crayfish than rock bass populations in the four study lakes. Bioenergetics simulations revealed that dense populations of Lepomis were capable of consuming a large percentage of the juvenile crayfish population in two of our study lakes. In systems with high Lepomis densities, Lepomis consumption of juvenile rusty crayfish may play a significant role in the invasion and establishment dynamics of rusty crayfish.
Hospital admissions from residential aged care facilities to a major public hospital in South Australia (1999–2005)
Authors: Hillen Jodie B , Reed Richard L , Woodman Richard J , Law Deborah , Hakendorf Paul H , Fleming Brian J
Published: November 2010

Aim:  To describe admissions patterns of residential aged care facility (RACF) residents admitted to a major public hospital.

Design, setting:  Retrospective longitudinal study linking hospital admissions and the Department of Health and Ageing RACF provider data from July 1999 to June 2005.

Participants:  All permanent residents of aged care facilities in South Australia admitted to a single public hospital.

Main outcome measures:  Description of primary diagnoses and trends.

Results:  There were 3310 admissions from 147 RACFs across South Australia. The most frequent primary diagnoses were fractured femur/pelvis, pneumonia and ischaemic heart disease. Two diagnoses increased significantly with an 11% annual increase for infections and a 5% increase for femur fractures.

Conclusion:  Admissions from RACFs to a major South Australian public hospital are increasing primarily because of admissions for femur fractures and infections in high care. These conditions could be targeted for interventions to reduce hospital admissions.
Structural Determinants of PERK Inhibitor Potency and Selectivity
Authors: Wang Hong , Blais Jaime , Ron David , Cardozo Timothy
Published: November 2010

The unfolded protein response (UPR) is a coordinated program that promotes cell survival under conditions of endoplasmic reticulum stress and is required in tumor progression as well. To date, no specific small molecule inhibitor targeting this pathway has been identified. Pancreatic endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK), one of the UPR transducers, is an eIF2α kinase. Compromising PERK function inhibits tumor growth in mice, suggesting that PERK may be a cancer drug target, but identifying a specific inhibitor of any kinase is challenging. The goal of this study was to identify some pair‐wise receptor–ligand atomic contacts that confer selective PERK inhibition. Compounds selectively inhibiting PERK‐mediated phosphorylation in vitro were identified using an initial virtual library screen, followed by structure–activity hypothesis testing. The most potent PERK selective inhibitors utilize three specific kinase active site contacts that, when absent from chemically similar compounds, abrogates the inhibition: (i) a strong van der Waals contact with PERK residue Met7, (ii) interactions with the N‐terminal portion of the activation loop, and (iii) groups providing electrostatic complementarity to Asp144. Interestingly, the activation loop contact is required for PERK selectivity to emerge. Understanding these structure–activity relationships may accelerate rational PERK inhibitor design.
Managing Urban Sprawl in Ontario: Good Policy or Good Politics?
Authors: EIDELMAN GABRIEL
Published: November 2010

The Ontario Places to Grow Plan, finalized in 2006, marks the boldest attempt to address urban sprawl in Canada, and arguably North America. Among its many components, the Plan establishes a permanent greenbelt covering roughly 1.8 million acres (728,000 hectares) of environmentally sensitive land. This article seeks to explain the political calculations and conditions that led to the Ontario policy. I argue that the Plan was partially devised to garner support in key suburban ridings (electoral districts) across the Greater Toronto Area in the 2003 provincial election. The campaign marked the final ingredient in the opening of a critical “policy window” through which dramatic changes in land‐use policy could be realized. The Ontario case underlines the utility of adaptive models of policy making to the study of environmental policy, but suggests that these models perhaps underemphasize the desire of politicians and political parties to pursue policies in their electoral interest.

El Plan de Lugares de Ontario para Crecer, publicado en 2006, señala el intento más audaz para hacer frente a la expansión urbana en Canadá, y quizás en toda Norteamérica. Entre sus muchos componentes, el plan establece un cinturón verde permanente que cubre aproximadamente 1.8 millones de acres (728,000 hectáreas) de tierra ambientalmente sensible. Este artículo busca explicar los cálculos políticos y las causas que llevaron a dicha política. Argumento que el plan fue parcialmente ideado para reunir apoyo de distritos suburbanos electorales clave a través del Área Metropolitana de Toronto en la elección provincial de 2003. La campaña marcó el ingrediente final en la apertura de una “ventana política” crítica que permitió cambios dramáticos en la política de uso de suelo. El caso de Ontario subraya la utilidad de modelos adaptativos de hechura de políticas en el estudio de la política ambiental, pero sugiere que quizás estos modelos subestiman el deseo de los políticos y los partidos de buscar políticas que los beneficien electoralmente.
Party Membership Role and Party Cartelization in Belgium and Italy: Two Faces of the Same Medal?
Authors: SANDRI GIULIA , PAUWELS TEUN
Published: November 2010

The cartel party model has triggered a burgeoning literature on its theoretical implications, and has been largely tested empirically. Nevertheless, the dimension of the model that concern the relationship between members and elites has been rather neglected, even though the membership role variables are the sole features of the cartel party that transcend the simple intensification of the previous catch‐all model and that carry the most extensive explanatory power. This article explores the role of party membership and activism in contemporary parties in two West European party systems to assess in a quantitative way the applicability of the cartel party theory. We explore the relationship between party ideology and the degree of cartelization. By examining the relationship between all these different dimensions, we challenge the idea that a retrenched membership role and cartelization are linked processes.

El modelo de partido de cartel ha disparado una floreciente literatura sobre sus implicaciones teóricas y ha sido ampliamente probado empíricamente. Sin embargo, la dimensión del modelo que concierne a la relación entre los miembros y las elites ha sido descuidada, aun cuando las variables del rol de la afiliación son las únicas características del partido de cartel que trascienden la simple intensificación del modelo catch‐all y que tienen el poder de explicación más extenso. Este artículo explora el rol de la afiliación partidista y del activismo en dos sistemas de partidos de Europa Occidental para evaluar de una manera cuantitativa la aplicabilidad de la teoría del partido de cartel. Exploramos la relación entre la ideología del partido y el grado de cartelización. A partir del análisis de la relación entre todas estas dimensiones, desafiamos la idea de que el rol de una afiliación reducida y la cartelización sean procesos relacionados.
Early life nutrition and metabolic programming
Authors: Fernandez‐Twinn Denise S. , Ozanne Susan E.
Published: November 2010

Research investigating the early programming of adult metabolic disease has in recent years provided much mechanistic insight into how the early environment impacts on long‐term health. It includes studies addressing the roles of intrauterine nutrient availability, which is determined by maternal nutrition, maternal exposure to oxygen, toxic events, and infection; the placental interface; and also the early postnatal environment. This review will explore the epidemiological evidence for programming of metabolic disease and provide an overview of the various studies using animals to model metabolic phenotypic outcome. It will also discuss evidence for the proposed molecular mechanisms and the potential for intervention.
CNS leptin and insulin action in the control of energy homeostasis
Authors: Belgardt Bengt F. , Brüning Jens C.
Published: November 2010

The obesity and diabetes pandemics have made it an urgent necessity to define the central nervous system (CNS) pathways controlling body weight, energy expenditure, and fuel metabolism. The pancreatic hormone insulin and the adipose tissue–derived leptin are known to act on diverse neuronal circuits in the CNS to maintain body weight and metabolism in a variety of species, including humans. Because these homeostatic circuits are disrupted during the development of obesity, the pathomechanisms leading to CNS leptin and insulin resistance are a focal point of research. In this review, we summarize the recent findings concerning the mechanisms and novel neuronal mediators of both insulin and leptin action in the CNS.
Improving the Measurement of Psychological Variables: Ideal Point Models Rock!
Authors: Drasgow Fritz , Chernyshenko Oleksandr S. , Stark Stephen
Published: November 2010

Although there is no doubt that Likert scaling suffices for straightforward scale development and use, it is important to appropriately model the response process for more complex measurement problems. In this response, we comment on the response process and four applications: assessment of dimensionality, computerized adaptive testing, differential item functioning, and individual differences in responding. In each case, we argue that correctly modeling the psychology of responding is critical.
Local Fourier transform and epsilon factors
Authors: Abbes Ahmed , Saito Takeshi
Published: November 2010

Laumon introduced the local Fourier transform forℓ-adic Galois representations of local fields, of equal characteristicpdifferent fromℓ, as a powerful tool for studying the Fourier–Deligne transform ofℓ-adic sheaves over the affine line. In this article, we compute explicitly the local Fourier transform of monomial representations satisfying a certain ramification condition, and deduce Laumon’s formula relating the ε-factor to the determinant of the local Fourier transform under the same condition.
Thin polymer films viscosity measurements from nanopatterning method
Authors: Leveder Tanguy , Landis Stefan , Chaix Nicolas , Davoust Laurent
Published: November 2010

Polystyrene films, with thickness ranging from a few tens of nanometers up to several hundreds of nanometers and molecular weight of 27.5 kg mol−1, were patterned with nanoimprint lithography (NIL) technique. A rigid silicon stamp containing nanoscale features was printed into a thin spin coated polystyrene film. Then these patterns were annealed above the glass transition temperature in order to characterize the viscous reflow of the topography. Special attention was paid to provide, at initial times, imprinted nanoscale patterns with a very small aspect ratio and amplitude/wavelength as well as to avoid the nucleation of holes during imprinting or during the course of the reflow. This allowed the authors to process topography data with a high degree of accuracy from a linear viscous stability model. Atomic force microscopy measurements, with a spatial resolution lower than 1 nm, were used to characterize smooth or steep shapes. The mechanical measurements of earlier stages of pattern reflow were directly accessible without any assumption, contrary to the diffraction method usually employed. Our results clearly demonstrate that even the earliest stages of pattern reflow are driven by simple viscous effects and that relaxation dynamics, which is usually considered as following exponential laws, could be more complex. This article also demonstrates that the NIL process can be used for viscosity measurements for ultrathin resist film.