bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Expert and the Lay Public: Reflections on Influenza A (H1N1) and the Risk Society
Authors: Dupras Charles , Williams-Jones Bryn
Published: February 2012

Trust between the lay public and scientific experts is a key element to ensuring the efficient implementation of emergency public health measures.

In modern risk societies, the management and elimination of risk have become preeminent drivers of public policy. In this context, the protection of public trust is a complex task. Those actors involved in public health decision-making and implementation (e.g., mass vaccination for influenza A virus) are confronted with growing pressures and responsibility to act. However, they also need to accept the limits of their own expertise and recognize the ability of lay publics to understand and be responsible for public health.

Such a shared responsibility for risk management, if grounded in participative public debates, can arguably strengthen public trust in public health authorities and interventions.
Investigations of Selected Historically Important Syndromic Outbreaks: Impact and Lessons Learned for Public Health Preparedness and Response
Authors: Goodman Richard A. , Posid Joseph M. , Popovic Tanja
Published: February 2012

Public health readiness has increased at all jurisdictional levels because of increased sensitivity to threats. Since 2001, with billions of dollars invested to bolster the public health system’s capacity, the public expects that public health will identify the etiology of and respond to events more rapidly. However, when etiologies are unknown at the onset of the investigation but interventions must be implemented, public health practitioners must benefit from past investigations’ lessons to strengthen preparedness for emerging threats.

We have identified such potentially actionable lessons learned from historically important public health events that occurred primarily as syndromes for which the etiological agent initially was unknown.

Ongoing analysis of investigations can advance our capability to recognize and investigate syndromes and other problems and implement the most appropriate interventions.
Socioeconomic Status and Adolescent Mental Disorders
Authors: McLaughlin Katie A. , Costello E. Jane , Leblanc William , Sampson Nancy A. , Kessler Ronald C.
Published: February 2012

Objectives. Although previous research has shown that low socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with mental illness, it is unclear which aspects of SES are most important. We investigated this issue by examining associations between 5 aspects of SES and adolescent mental disorders.

Methods. Data came from a national survey of US adolescents (n = 6483). Associations among absolute SES (parental income and education), relative SES (relative deprivation, subjective social status), and community level income variation (Gini coefficient) with past-year mental disorders were examined.

Results. Subjective social status (mean 0, variance 1) was most consistently associated with mental disorder. Odds ratios with mood, anxiety, substance, and behavior disorders after controlling for other SES indicators were all statistically significant and in the range of 0.7 to 0.8. Associations were strongest for White adolescents. Parent education was associated with low risk for anxiety disorder, relative deprivation with high risk for mood disorder, and the other 2 indicators were associated with none of the disorders considered.

Conclusions. Associations between SES and adolescent mental disorders are most directly the result of perceived social status, an aspect of SES that might be more amenable to interventions than objective aspects of SES.
Surveillance for Guillain–Barré Syndrome After Influenza Vaccination Among the Medicare Population, 2009–2010
Authors: Burwen Dale R. , Sandhu Sukhminder K. , MaCurdy Thomas E. , Kelman Jeffrey A. , Gibbs Jonathan M. , Garcia Bruno , Markatou Marianthi , Forshee Richard A. , Izurieta Hector S. , Ball Robert ,   the Safety Surveillance Working Group
Published: February 2012

Objectives. We implemented active surveillance for Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) following seasonal or H1N1 influenza vaccination among the Medicare population during the 2009-2010 influenza season.

Methods. We used weekly Medicare claims data to monitor vaccinations and subsequent hospitalizations with principal diagnosis code for GBS within 42 days. Group sequential testing assessed whether the observed GBS rate exceeded a critical limit based on the expected rate from 5 previous years adjusted for claims delay. We evaluated the lag between date of service and date of claims availability and used it for adjustment.

Results. By July 30, 2010 (after 26 interim surveillance tests), 14.0 million seasonal and 3.3 million H1N1 vaccinations had accrued. Taking into account claims delay appropriately lowered the critical limit during early monitoring. The observed GBS rate was below the critical limit throughout the surveillance.

Conclusions. Medicare data contributed rapid safety monitoring among millions of 2009–2010 influenza vaccine recipients. Adjustment for claims delay facilitates early detection of potential safety issues. Although limited by lack of medical record review to confirm cases, this claims-based surveillance did not indicate a statistically significant elevated GBS rate following seasonal or H1N1 influenza vaccination.
The Human GLP-1 Analog Liraglutide and the Pancreas
Authors: Nyborg Niels C.B. , Mølck Anne-Marie , Madsen Lars W. , Bjerre Knudsen Lotte
Published: February 2012

Glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 analogs have been implicated as a risk factor for pancreatitis in humans. We investigated whether liraglutide, the once-daily human GLP-1 analog, induces pancreatitis in rats, mice, and monkeys. Pancreata from mice, rats, and nonhuman primates were examined macro- and microscopically. Evaluation of preneoplastic proliferative lesions in the pancreata from nonhuman primates was performed. After 2 years of treatment, 3 of 79 male mice in the control group and 2, 1, 1, and 1 mice in the different liraglutide groups (of 67–79 mice per group) had pancreatitis based on microscopic criteria. For females, the numbers were 0 of 79 mice in the control group and 3 mice in all the liraglutide groups (of 66–76 mice per group). Pancreatitis was not the cause of death in any animals. There were no cases of pancreatitis, macroscopically or microscopically, in 400 rats. Neither pancreatitis nor preneoplastic proliferative lesions was found in monkeys dosed for 87 weeks, with plasma liraglutide exposure 60-fold higher than that observed in humans at the maximal clinical dose. In conclusion, liraglutide did not induce pancreatitis in mice, rats, or monkeys when dosed for up to 2 years and at exposure levels up to 60 times higher than in humans.
Free Fatty Acids Block Glucose-Induced β-Cell Proliferation in Mice by Inducing Cell Cycle Inhibitors p16 and p18
Authors: Pascoe Jordan , Hollern Douglas , Stamateris Rachel , Abbasi Munira , Romano Lia C. , Zou Baobo , O’Donnell Christopher P. , Garcia-Ocana Adolfo , Alonso Laura C.
Published: February 2012

Pancreatic β-cell proliferation is infrequent in adult humans and is not increased in type 2 diabetes despite obesity and insulin resistance, suggesting the existence of inhibitory factors. Free fatty acids (FFAs) may influence proliferation. In order to test whether FFAs restrict β-cell proliferation in vivo, mice were intravenously infused with saline, Liposyn II, glucose, or both, continuously for 4 days. Lipid infusion did not alter basal β-cell proliferation, but blocked glucose-stimulated proliferation, without inducing excess β-cell death. In vitro exposure to FFAs inhibited proliferation in both primary mouse β-cells and in rat insulinoma (INS-1) cells, indicating a direct effect on β-cells. Two of the fatty acids present in Liposyn II, linoleic acid and palmitic acid, both reduced proliferation. FFAs did not interfere with cyclin D2 induction or nuclear localization by glucose, but increased expression of inhibitor of cyclin dependent kinase 4 (INK4) family cell cycle inhibitors p16 and p18. Knockdown of either p16 or p18 rescued the antiproliferative effect of FFAs. These data provide evidence for a novel antiproliferative form of β-cell glucolipotoxicity: FFAs restrain glucose-stimulated β-cell proliferation in vivo and in vitro through cell cycle inhibitors p16 and p18. If FFAs reduce proliferation induced by obesity and insulin resistance, targeting this pathway may lead to new treatment approaches to prevent diabetes.
Clinical Utility of Creatinine- and Cystatin C–Based Definition of Renal Function for Risk Prediction of Primary Cardiovascular Events in Patients With Diabetes
Authors: Schöttker Ben , Herder Christian , Müller Heiko , Brenner Hermann , Rothenbacher Dietrich
Published: February 2012

OBJECTIVE

To assess the cardiovascular risk of diabetic subjects with chronic kidney disease (CKD) based on different estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) equations and to evaluate which definition of CKD best improves cardiovascular risk prediction of the Framingham Cardiovascular Risk Score (Framingham-CV-RS).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

CKD was defined as eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2, estimated by the creatinine-based Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) and Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equations and a cystatin C–based equation (CKD-CysC). Cox regression was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) of subjects with CKD for incident cardiovascular events in a cohort of 1,153 individuals with diabetes (baseline age 50–74 years). Furthermore, the CKD definitions were added individually to a reference model comprising the Framingham-CV-RS variables and HbA1c, and measures of model discrimination and reclassification were assessed.

RESULTS

During 5 years of follow-up, 95 individuals had a primary cardiovascular event. Crude HRs were increased for all CKD definitions. However, after adjusting for established cardiovascular risk factors, HRs for both creatinine-based CKD definitions were attenuated to point estimates of 1.03, whereas the HRs for the cystatin C–based CKD definition remained significantly increased (HR 1.75 [95% CI 1.07–2.87]). Extension of the reference model by the different CKD definitions resulted in an increase in the c statistic only when adding CKD-CysC (from 0.638 to 0.644) along with a net reclassification improvement of 8.9%.

CONCLUSIONS

Only the cystatin C–based CKD definition was an independent risk predictor for cardiovascular events in our diabetic study cohort and indicated a potentially better clinical utility for cardiovascular risk prediction than creatinine-based equations.
Continuous microwave saturation of EPR spectra of melanin complexes at different temperatures
Authors: Zdybel Magdalena , Pilawa Barbara , Buszman Ewa , Wrzesniok Dorota , Krzyminiewski Ryszard , Kruczynski Zdzislaw
Published: February 2012

Continuous microwave saturation of EPR spectra of melanin complexes at different temperatures

Paramagnetic centers in DOPA-melanin and complexes of DOPA-melanin with netilmicin and Cu(II) were studied by the use of an X-band (9.3 GHz) electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. Measurements of continuous microwave saturation of EPR spectra at temperatures: 125 K, 175 K, 225 K, 275 K, were performed. Homogeneous broadening of all the examined EPR spectra was observed. EPR spectra of DOPA-melanin-Cu(II) complexes saturated at higher microwave powers than the others tested melanin samples. Fast spin-lattice relaxation exists in DOPA-melanin-Cu(II) complexes. Slow spin-lattice relaxation processes exist in melanin's paramagnetic centers of DOPA-melanin and its complexes with netilmicin, and its complexes with both netilimicin and Cu(II). EPR spectra of all the tested samples saturated at higher microwave powers with increasing of the measuring temperature. Faster spin-lattice relaxation processes occurs in DOPA-melanin and its complexes with netilmicin and Cu(II) at higher temperature.
Biometrical Assessment of Interspecific Hybrids of Capsicum Genus
Authors: Olszewska Dorota , Jędrzejczyk Iwona , Nowaczyk Paweł
Published: February 2012

Biometrical Assessment of Interspecific Hybrids of Capsicum Genus

The F1 hybrids obtained as the result of interspecific crosses: C. annuum x C. frutescens, C. frutescens x C. annuum, C. frutescens x C. chinense and C. chinense x C. frutescens were analysed biometrically. The plants were cultured in unheated foil tent. Yield and the number of fruit from plant were qualified. For ten plants of each of the hybrids detailed fruit analysis were performed. The tested traits were: weight of fruit, length, width, technological weight and weight of pericarp, pericarp thickness, the weight of placenta without seeds, the weight of dry seeds and the dry matter content. The analysis of variance was conducted on the obtained results. The tested hybrids were characterised by the large differentiation of the estimated characters. The hybrids obtained from crosses: C. annuum x C. frutescens and C. frutescens x C. annuum seem to be the most valuable material for the future pepper breeding work. Fruits of these hybrids combine high weight, typical for cultivated forms of C. annuum with increased dry matter content characteristic for C. frutescens. These materials will be used as the parental forms of homozygous lines which possess traits valuable in genetic improvement of pepper.
The fragile X syndrome: 13 years of experience
Authors: Daneberga Zanda , Krūmiņa Zita , Lāce Baiba , Bauze Daiga , Lugovska Rita
Published: February 2012

The fragile X syndrome: 13 years of experience

Fragile X syndrome (FXS; MIM #300624; FRAXA, Xq27.3) is well known and a common cause of X-linked mental retardation. The syndrome is caused by dynamic mutation of FMR1 gene CpG island CGG repeats. Clinically FXS patients demonstrate delayed developmental milestones, particularly speech, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autistic features, and psychomotor development delay. Dysmorphic face and macroorchidism are important features in the postpubertal age. We present our 13-year experience with FXS patients who were confirmed by molecular diagnostic. Phenotype-genotype evaluation was made for 12 male FXS patients. Genotype-phenotype analysis did not reveal significant correlation between clinical symptoms observed in FXS patients and genotypes obtained from leucocytes DNA analysis. The prevalence of the fragile X syndrome in the Latvian male population was estimated to be 1/6428 (95% CI 5538-7552) or 15.55/100 000 males (95% CI 13.24 - 18.05). The prevalence of the fragile X syndrome among mentally retarded male patients was estimated to be 2.67%. The low number of diagnosed patients with fragile X syndrome demonstrated in our study led to the conclusion that fragile X syndrome is generally clinically unrecognised.
The role of oral anaerobic bacteria, and influence of social and health factors in halitosis aethiology
Authors: Rostoka Dagnija , Kroiča Juta , Reinis Aigars , Kuzņecova Valentīna
Published: February 2012

The role of oral anaerobic bacteria, and influence of social and health factors in halitosis aethiology

The aim of this work was to identify the bacteria associated with halitosis, and by questionnaire to test whether diet, oral hygiene habits and illness factors were associated with bacterial amounts in the oral cavity and the Il-1α/Il-1β polymorphism. Bad breath is a frequent problem in Latvia and for many patients may cause important emotional and psychological distress. As there are different causes of halitosis, this might be also reflected in the bacterial community of the oral cavity. The concentration of bacteria in the oral cavity was significantly higher in halitosis patients than in the studied control group, who did not complain about halitosis. The PCR results corresponded with halimetric values. The main cause of halitosis was found to be oral pathology — increased amounts of oral anaerobic bacteria Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythietensis, Treponema denticola, and Prevotella intermedia.
Dietary modulation of immune responses by ascorbic acid in healthy and cadmium-induced immunocompromised chickens
Authors: Vasiļjeva Svetlana , Bērziņa Nadežda , Remeza Inesa
Published: February 2012

Dietary modulation of immune responses by ascorbic acid in healthy and cadmium-induced immunocompromised chickens

The assessment of immunological changes induced in chickens by feeding 50 mg cadmium per 1 kg of diet from hatching to 30 days of age was studied. Furthermore, the modulatory effects of different supplemental doses of ascorbic acid (100 and 1000 mg per 1 kg of diet) were investigated. The observed immunocompromise in chickens continuously exposed to cadmium resulted in a decreased growth rate and disturbance of immune responses, both on nonspecific and specific levels. The effect of supplements 100 and 1000 mg of ascorbic acid per 1 kg of diet differed. The low dosage of ascorbic acid had immunostimulative action in healthy cadmium-untreated chickens, provided correction of compromised immunity, and increased tolerance of the birds to subtoxic cadmium intake. In contrast, the higher supplement of ascorbic acid had a slight or no effect on healthy birds and either caused no significant shifts in immunological indices or manifested synergistic effect combined with cadmium.
Distortion in Electrodynamic Loudspeakers Caused by Force Factor Variations
Authors: Erza Mehran , Lemarquand Guy , Lemarquand Valerie
Published: February 2012

The non linearities in the motor of an electrodynamic loudspeaker are still a discussed topic. This paper studies the influence of the force factor variation with the coil displacement on the harmonic and inter-modulation distortions. The real variation is described at least by a linear and a quadratic term. The effect of each term is studied separately, as they don't influence the same kind of frequencies, harmonics or inter-modulation. Both terms considered together result in enhanced effects. The dissymmetry of the Bl variation with regard to the coil centered position has also peculiar effects. This paper presents the method developed to calculate the power of each harmonic and inter-modulation frequency. This allows to compare the obtained values and thus the induced nonlinearities.
Efficiency of Ultrasonic Comb Transducers
Authors: Danicki Eugeniusz
Published: February 2012

Comb transducers are applied in ultrasonic testing for generation of Rayleigh or Lamb waves by scattering of the incident bulk waves onto surface waves at the periodic comb-substrate interface. Hence the transduction efficiency, although rarely discussed in literature, is an important factor for applications determining the quality of the measured ultrasonic signals. This paper presents the full-wave theory of comb transducers concluded by evaluation of their efficiency for a couple of examples of standard and certain novel configurations.
The influence of sampling point on solids suspension density applied in scaling of the hydrodynamics of a supercritical CFB boiler
Authors: Mirek Paweł , Ziaja Jolanta
Published: February 2012

The influence of sampling point on solids suspension density applied in scaling of the hydrodynamics of a supercritical CFB boiler

The article presents the results of laboratory tests carried out on a scaling model of the 966MWth fluidised-bed boiler operating in the Lagisza Power Plant, made on a scale of 1:20 while preserving the geometrical similarity. The tests were carried out for scaled-down material taken from different locations on the circulation contour in the state of full boiler loading. To reflect the hydrodynamic conditions prevailing in the combustion chamber, solids with properly selected density and particle size distribution were used. The obtained results have made it possible to determine the location for taking the most representative granular material sample.
An approach to modeling and thermodynamic analysis of modern power engineering systems
Authors: Kozaczka Jarosław , Kolat Pavel
Published: February 2012

An approach to modeling and thermodynamic analysis of modern power engineering systems

The new efficient method of modeling and thermodynamic analysis of power engineering systems has been presented. With its help a comparison of different structures and investigation of the influence of a particular constituent process onto the whole system efficiency is possible. The shaft work or the exergy is the main thermodynamic quantity taken into account in analyses, and the appropriate dimensionless modeling parameter has been introduced.
The Application of Zoo-Fish Technique for Analysis of Chromosomal Rearrangements in the Equidae Family
Authors: Pawlina Klaudia , Bugno-Poniewierska Monika
Published: February 2012

The Application of Zoo-Fish Technique for Analysis of Chromosomal Rearrangements in the Equidae Family

Genome analysis is necessary to trace evolutionary rearrangements and relationships between species. Initially, to this end, the tools of classical cytogenetics were used but along with the development of molecular cytogenetics methods it became possible to analyse the genome more thoroughly. One of the widely used methods is fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and its different types. Zoo-FISH, or cross-species chromosome painting, which uses painting probes specific for whole chromosomes, enables detecting homologous synteny blocks, the occurrence of which is evidence that species share a common ancestry and are related. Zoo-FISH technique is complemented by FISH with probes specific to chromosome arms or repetitive sequences (telomeres, centromeres), which provide additional information about karyotype organization, as well as karyotype polymorphism and conservation. Another method used is FISH with gene-specific probes, which enable the localization of single loci, thus making it possible to determine linkages between genes and verify data obtained after using painting probes in Zoo-FISH technique. Because of its diverse karyotype and rapid karyotypic evolution, the Equidae family is an ideal object of study using a number of methods based on in situ hybridization, which, in turn, enables information to be obtained at many levels of DNA organization.
The Gonadotropins Subunits, GNRH and GNRH Receptor Gene Expression and Role of Carbon Monoxide in Seasonal Breeding Animals
Authors: Romerowicz-Misielak Maria , Koziorowski Marek
Published: February 2012

The Gonadotropins Subunits,GNRHand GNRH Receptor Gene Expression and Role of Carbon Monoxide in Seasonal Breeding Animals

Seasonality in reproduction occurs mainly in wild species and it is the result of natural selection. Signals to start or finish the period of reproductive activity, both environmental and hormonal depend on the neuroendocrine pathway - synthesis and secretion of pituitary hormones, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), under the control of the hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons. Variable frequency of GnRH pulses is not only the main factor governing primary and preovulatory release of gonadotropins, but it can also play a role in the specific transcriptional activity of gonadotropin subunit genes (LHβ, FSHβandCga). However, changes in release of GnRH pulse pattern do not explain the preferential stimulation of the synthesis and secretion of gonadotropins in the annual reproductive cycle. In this regulation also a GnRH independent mechanism participates. It seems that the main factor responsible for the occurrence of the seasonal modulation of reproduction in sheep and other mammals, is significant changes in response of GnRH systems to gonadal steroids. The effect of carbon monoxide on regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis has not been studied to date. There is substantial evidence to suggest that it may play a role in the transduction of information on day length. The presence of heme oxygenase-2 in hypothalamic areas important for regulation of pituitary secretory function and in the pituitary itself suggests that carbon monoxide, the product of this enzyme, may participate in the regulation of hormone secretion by the pineal gland.
Effect of Pasture or Maize Silage Feeding on the Nutritional Value of Beef
Authors: Łozicki Andrzej , Dymnicka Maria , Arkuszewska Ewa , Pustkowiak Henryk
Published: February 2012

Effect of Pasture or Maize Silage Feeding on the Nutritional Value of Beef

The objective of this study was to evaluate the nutritional value of beef from different production systems. The study was conducted with Hereford bulls on organic and conventional farms. On the organic farm, fattening was mainly based on roughages, including pasture forage in the summer season, when the end of fattening occurred. On the conventional farm the bulls were fed maize silage and concentrate. On both farms, the animals were aged 7-9 months at the beginning of fattening. The bulls were fattened to a final body weight of 550-600 kg. Samples oflongissimus thoracismuscle were collected from half-carcasses of slaughtered bulls originating from each farm to analyse fat content, fatty acid profile, and content of selected minerals and vitamin E. Muscle samples were additionally analysed for the concentration of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances 3 and 7 days after slaughter. Analyses showed a lower fat content inlongissimus thoracismuscle of bulls from the pasture feeding system. The fatty acid profile was also characterized by a lower content of C 14:0, and a higher content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), including C18:3n-3, conjugated linoleic acid, C 20:5n-3, and C 22:5n-3, as well as by a lower ratio ofn-6/n-3 PUFA. The total content of monounsaturated fatty acids was significantly higher in animals fed maize silage and feed concentrate. In turn, the muscle of pasture fed animals had higher levels of Na, Zn and Fe as well as of vitamin E.
In memoriam: prof. dr. Slavko Ziherl (1945-2012)
Authors: Marušič Dorjan
Published: February 2012

In memoriam: prof. dr. Slavko Ziherl (1945-2012)
Annotating photographs of places of interest in Taiwan – a multifaceted photo summarisation method based on TELDAP
Authors: Hsiao Yu-Ting , Cheng Chun-Yuan , Li Cheng-Hung , Wang Yu-Zheng , Wang Hsiang-An
Published: February 2012

As Taiwan was governed by several colonial powers in the past, many places of interest reflect the cultural influences during different periods of the nation's history. However, people may be unaware of the historical background when they visit such places, so they are unable to annotate their photographs with appropriate descriptions. Helping people find historical information about places of interest in a short time is therefore an important issue.

In this paper, we propose a multifaceted photo summarisation approach that exploits a host of analytical techniques. The techniques include content-based image and colour analysis, as well as data mining techniques, which are used to annotate images with relevant information. The system also contains a user interface that provides users with an interactive recommendation method for image annotation, and helps them annotate their collections by suggesting several relevant annotation terms. The annotation database is integrated with related information obtained from the Taiwan e-Learning and Digital Archives Program in order to generate a relevant semantic snippet for each image.
Discovering relationships from imperial court documents of Qing China
Authors: Hsiang Jieh , Chen Shih-Pei , Ho Hou-Ieong , Tu Hsieh-Chang
Published: February 2012

The Qing Imperial Court documents are a major source of primary research material for studying the Qing era China since they provide the most direct and first-hand details of how national affairs were handled. However, the way Qing archived these documents has made it cumbersome to collect documents covering the same event and rebuild their original contexts. In this paper, we describe some information technology that we have developed to discover two important and useful relations among these documents. The first is the citation relation among the Imperial Edicts and the Memorials. We discovered 6,801 pairs from the 37,831 Taiwan-related Imperial Court documents in the Taiwan History Digital Library (THDL) and produced 1,101 graphs of successive citations, which we call IE-M diagrams. The second relation is a template relation, which indicates groups of documents that were created following a specific format. Numerical data can also be tabulated from these documents and be used for further analysis. Our studies show how information technology can be used to discover useful contexts from seemingly unrelated historical documents.
Influences on children's visual cognition capabilities through playing ‘intelligent matrix’ developed by the augmented virtual reality technology
Authors: Ho Pei-Chi , Chung Szu-Ming , Lin Yi-Hua
Published: February 2012

In the development of young children's senses and action mobility, good visual cognition could help them with good habits of reading, writing, and logical learning. Digital teaching materials are common in use of enhancing the creativity and learning effects. Within them, the interacting manners and their influences on learning effects and learning attitudes lead to enhance the learning motivations and effects. The fun of game maintains a longer learning attention and advances the cognitive skills in easy manners. Thus, this study intends to design a learning system – GoGoBox – by using augmented virtual technology. The methodology is to device a testing game, pre-test and after-test, to test a group of young children so as to understand the learning effects of augmented virtual game of GoGoBox on their visual cognitive skills.

The esult of this study is: this learning system – GoGoBox can enhance the young children's cognitive skills. Furthermore, after experiencing this learning system, children's cognitive capability of visual discerning, figure and background, visual memory, and visual closure is all enhanced. The learning effects of visual discerning stand out of four. The capability of special relationship is with no apparent influences. There is no differentiation between male and female. Apparently the older children of 6 have better cognitive skills than those of 5.
A computer-assisted instruction system with a vision-based interactive interface for children
Authors: Wang Hsueh-Wu , Wu Wei-Hsien , Lu Su-Ju , Fan Ping-Lin , Lo Ya-Ting
Published: February 2012

The current study proposes a computer-assisted instruction (CAI) system built on game design, which aims to increase students' enjoyment, motivation, and immersion. Its main objective is to evaluate the effects of CAI with different interactive interfaces in a learning environment. The authors developed an educational game with a vision-based interface and a keyboard/mouse to compare the differences in children's learning experiences when using different input interfaces. The evaluation of the proposed system was based on the questionnaire findings; the participants are 60 third- and fourth-grade students in Taiwan. The authors addressed the issue of the participants' experience in gender and personal preferences for computer games. Through the questionnaire and data analysis, this study found that a vision-based interface not only attracts the interest of children, but also stimulates their learning motivation. The findings have highlighted the value of the present CAI system with a vision-based interface and confirmed an improvement in learning motivation. Classroom observation indicates that the introduction of a CAI system with a novel interface can be a useful tool for enhancing classroom learning activities.
Comparison of BMI Derived from Parent-Reported Height and Weight with Measured Values: Results from the German KiGGS Study
Authors: Brettschneider Anna-Kristin , Ellert Ute , Schaffrath Rosario Angelika
Published: February 2012

The use of parent-reported height and weight is a cost-efficient instrument to assess the prevalence of children’s weight status in large-scale surveys. This study aimed to examine the accuracy of BMI derived from parent-reported height and weight and to identify potential predictors of the validity of BMI derived from parent-reported data. A subsample of children aged 2–17 years (n = 9,187) was taken from the 2003–2006 cross-sectional German KiGGS study. Parent-reported and measured height and weight were collected and BMI was calculated. Besides descriptive analysis, linear regression models with BMI difference and logistic regression models with weight status misclassification as dependent variables were calculated. Height differences varied by gender and were generally small. Weight and BMI were under-reported in all age groups, the under-reporting getting stronger with increasing age. Overall, the proportion for overweight and obesity based on parental and measured reports differed slightly. In the youngest age group, the proportion of overweight children was overestimated, while it was underestimated for older children and adolescents. Main predictors of the difference between parent reported and measured values were age, gender, weight status and parents’ perception of the child’s weight. In summary, the exclusive use of uncorrected parental reports for assessment of prevalence rates of weight status is not recommended.
Structure Based Antibody-Like Peptidomimetics
Authors: Murali Ramachandran , Greene Mark I.
Published: February 2012

Biologics such as monoclonal antibodies (mAb) and soluble receptors represent new classes of therapeutic agents for treatment of several diseases. High affinity and high specificity biologics can be utilized for variety of clinical purposes. Monoclonal antibodies have been used as diagnostic agents when coupled with radionuclide, immune modulatory agents or in the treatment of cancers. Among other limitations of using large molecules for therapy the actual cost of biologics has become an issue. There is an effort among chemists and biologists to reduce the size of biologics which includes monoclonal antibodies and receptors without a reduction of biological efficacy. Single chain antibody, camel antibodies, Fv fragments are examples of this type of deconstructive process. Small high-affinity peptides have been identified using phage screening. Our laboratory used a structure-based approach to develop small-size peptidomimetics from the three-dimensional structure of proteins with immunoglobulin folds as exemplified by CD4 and antibodies. Peptides derived either from the receptor or their cognate ligand mimics the functions of the parental macromolecule. These constrained peptides not only provide a platform for developing small molecule drugs, but also provide insight into the atomic features of protein-protein interactions. A general overview of the reduction of monoclonal antibodies to small exocyclic peptide and its prospects as a useful diagnostic and as a drug in the treatment of cancer are discussed.
Clinical Efficacy of Etanercept Versus Sulfasalazine in Ankylosing Spondylitis Subjects with Peripheral Joint Involvement
Authors: BRAUN JÜRGEN , PAVELKA KAREL , RAMOS-REMUS CESAR , DIMIC ALEKSANDAR , VLAHOS BONNIE , FREUNDLICH BRUCE , KOENIG ANDREW S.
Published: February 2012

Objective.

Etanercept, a fully human tumor necrosis factor soluble receptor, is effective in treatment of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Current guidelines suggest sulfasalazine (SSZ) treatment as initial therapy for the management of patients with AS with peripheral arthritis versus therapy with biologics. We compared the efficacy of etanercept with SSZ in patients with AS with peripheral joint involvement.

Methods.

The efficacy of etanercept 50 mg once weekly was compared with that of SSZ up to 3 g daily in subjects with ≥ 1 swollen peripheral joint at baseline, using data from a 16-week randomized double-blind study in subjects with AS. Efficacy was assessed by the Assessment in AS criteria and the Bath AS Disease Activity, Functional, and Metrology indices. The last observation carried forward method was used for imputation of missing values.

Results.

Of 566 subjects included in original study, 181 (etanercept 121; SSZ 60) had ≥ 1 swollen peripheral joint and 364 (etanercept 250; SSZ 124) had none at baseline. AS patients treated with etanercept showed significantly greater improvement than those treated with SSZ in all joint assessments regardless of swollen joint involvement.

Conclusion.

In this analysis, etanercept was significantly more effective than SSZ for management of patients with AS and peripheral joint involvement.
C-reactive Protein Is a More Sensitive and Specific Marker for Diagnosing Bacterial Infections in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Compared to S100A8/A9 and Procalcitonin
Authors: KIM HYOUN-AH , JEON JA-YOUNG , AN JEONG-MI , KOH BO-RAM , SUH CHANG-HEE
Published: February 2012

Objective.

C-reactive protein (CRP), S100A8/A9, and procalcitonin have been suggested as markers of infection in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We investigated the clinical significance of these factors for indication of infection in SLE.

Methods.

Blood samples were prospectively collected from 34 patients with SLE who had bacterial infections and 39 patients with SLE who had disease flares and no evidence of infection. A second set of serum samples was collected after the infections or flares were resolved.

Results.

CRP levels of SLE patients with infections were higher than those with flares [5.9 mg/dl (IQR 2.42, 10.53) vs 0.06 mg/dl (IQR 0.03, 0.15), p < 0.001] and decreased after the infection was resolved. S100A8/A9 and procalcitonin levels of SLE patients with infection were also higher [4.69 μg/ml (IQR 2.25, 12.07) vs 1.07 (IQR 0.49, 3.05) (p < 0.001) and 0 ng/ml (IQR 0–0.38) vs 0 (0–0) (p < 0.001), respectively]; these levels were also reduced once the infection disappeared. In the receiver-operating characteristics analysis of CRP, S100A8/A9, and procalcitonin, the area under the curve was 0.966 (95% CI 0.925–1.007), 0.732 (95% CI 0.61–0.854), and 0.667 (95% CI 0.534–0.799), respectively. CRP indicated the presence of an infection with a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 90%, with a cutoff value of 1.35 mg/dl.

Conclusion.

Our data suggest that CRP is the most sensitive and specific marker for diagnosing bacterial infections in SLE.
A New Clonal Chromosomal Aberration (47, XY, +21) in Atrial Myxoma from an Elderly Male Patient
Authors: Stępień Ewa , Grudzień Grzegorz , Andres Marek , Jakóbczyk Małgorzata , Czapczak Dorota , Kapusta Przemysław , Frasik Wiesław , Myrdko Tomasz , Sadowski Jerzy
Published: February 2012

Myxomas are the most common primary cardiac tumors, with an estimated incidence of 0.5 per million per year. Familial myxoma constitutes 10% of all myxomas, among these tumors, one in ten is part of Carney complex - an autosomal dominant syndrome, which are related to some mutations in the PRKAR1A gene. We report a case of 75-year-old man with sporadic cardiac myxoma of a 4-cm large tumor, arising from the left side of the atrial septum and causing a severe left ventricle inflow obstruction. Cytogenetic analysis confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization method (FISH), demonstrated a numerical aberration in atrial myxoma cells: 47, XY, +21. Flow cytometry analysis demonstrated that a quarter of tumors cells were hematopoietic progenitor cells (CD34+) and that a similar number were endothelial specific neovascular cells (CD31+). These finding suggest that, hematopoietic progenitor cells may play an important role in the histogenesis of cardiac myxomas and the karyotype aberrations have an impact on sporadic tumor genesis. Nevertheless, genetic screening for sporadic (non-familial) cardiac myxomas is not recommended.
Gravity wave variances and propagation derived from AIRS radiances
Authors: Gong J. , Wu D. L. , Eckermann S. D.
Published: February 2012

Abstract. As the first gravity wave (GW) climatology study using nadir-viewing infrared sounders, 50 Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) radiance channels are selected to estimate GW variances at pressure levels between 2–100 hPa. The GW variance for each scan in the cross-track direction is derived from radiance perturbations in the scan, independently of adjacent scans along the orbit. Since the scanning swaths are perpendicular to the satellite orbits, which are inclined meridionally at most latitudes, the zonal component of GW propagation can be inferred by differencing the variances derived between the westmost and the eastmost viewing angles. Consistent with previous GW studies using various satellite instruments, monthly mean AIRS variance shows large enhancements over meridionally oriented mountain ranges as well as some islands at winter hemisphere high latitudes. Enhanced wave activities are also found above tropical deep convective regions. GWs prefer to propagate westward above mountain ranges, and eastward above deep convection. AIRS 90 field-of-views (FOVs), ranging from +48° to −48° off nadir, can detect large-amplitude GWs with a phase velocity propagating preferentially at steep angles (e.g., those from orographic and convective sources). The annual cycle dominates the GW variances and the preferred propagation directions for all latitudes. Indication of a weak two-year variation in the tropics is found, which is presumably related to the Quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO). AIRS geometry makes its out-tracks capable of detecting GWs with vertical wavelengths substantially shorter than the thickness of instrument weighting functions. The novel discovery of AIRS capability of observing shallow inertia GWs will expand the potential of satellite GW remote sensing and provide further constraints on the GW drag parameterization schemes in the general circulation models (GCMs).
Physical and optical properties of 2010 Eyjafjallajökull volcanic eruption aerosol: ground-based, Lidar and airborne measurements in France
Authors: Hervo M. , Quennehen B. , Kristiansen N. I. , Boulon J. , Stohl A. , Fréville P. , Pichon J.-M. , Picard D. , Labazuy P. , Gouhier M. , Roger J.-C. , Colomb A. , Schwarzenboeck A. , Sellegri K.
Published: February 2012

Abstract. During the Eyjafjallajökull eruption (14 April to 24 May 2010), the volcanic aerosol cloud was observed across Europe by several airborne in situ and ground-based remote-sensing instruments. On 18 and 19 May, layers of depolarizing particles (i.e. non-spherical particles) were detected in the free troposphere above the Puy de Dôme station, (PdD, France) with a Rayleigh-Mie LIDAR emitting at a wavelength of 355 nm, with parallel and crossed polarization channels. These layers in the free troposphere (FT) were also well captured by simulations with the Lagrangian particle dispersion model FLEXPART, which furthermore showed that the ash was eventually entrained into the planetary boundary layer (PBL). Indeed, the ash cloud was then detected and characterized with a comprehensive set of in situ instruments at the Puy de Dôme station (PdD). In agreement with the FLEXPART simulation, up to 65 μg m−3 of particle mass and 2.2 ppb of SO2 were measured at PdD, corresponding to concentrations higher than the 95 percentile of 2 yr of measurements at PdD. Moreover, the number concentration of particles increased to 24 000 cm−3, mainly in the submicronic mode, but a supermicronic mode was also detected with a modal diameter of 2 μm. The resulting optical properties of the ash aerosol were characterized by a low scattering Ångström exponent (0.98), showing the presence of supermicronic particles. For the first time to our knowledge, the combination of in situ optical and physical characterization of the volcanic ash allowed the calculation of the mass-to-extinction ratio (η) with no assumptions on the aerosol density. The mass-to-extinction ratio was found to be significantly different from the background boundary layer aerosol (max: 1.57 g m−2 as opposed to 0.33 ± 0.03 g m−2). Using this ratio, ash mass concentration in the volcanic plume derived from LIDAR measurements was found to be 655 ± 23 μg m−3 when the plume was located in the FT (3000 m above the sea level – a.s.l.). This ratio could also be used to retrieve an aerosol mass concentration of 579 ± 60 μg m−3 on 19 April, when LIDAR observations detected the ash cloud at 3000 m a.s.l. in correspondence with model simulations (FLEXPART). On 22 April, another ash plume entered the BL, and although it was more diluted than during the May episode, the French research aircraft ATR42 that passed over Clermont-Ferrand in the PBL confirmed the presence of particles with a supermicronic mode, again with a modal diameter at 2 μm. This data set combining airborne, ground-based and remote sensing observations with dispersion model simulations shows an overall very good coherence during the volcanic eruption period, which allows a good confidence in the characteristics of the ash particles that can be derived from this unique data set.
Measurement of ambient NH3 over Bay of Bengal during W_ICARB Campaign
Authors: Sharma S. K. , Singh A. K. , Saud T. , Mandal T. K. , Saxena M. , Singh S. , Ghosh S. K. , Raha S.
Published: February 2012

Abstract. Concentrations of ambient NH3, NO, NO2 and SO2 were measured over Bay of Bengal (BoB) during 28 December 2008 to 25 January 2009 to study their diurnal variation and relationship of NH3 with other trace gases over BoB. The measurements were done under the winter phase of Integrated Campaign on Aerosols and Radiation Budget (W_ICARB). For the first time, ambient NH3 was monitored precisely over BoB based on chemiluminescence method, having estimation efficiency more precise than the chemical trap method. The average concentration of ambient NH3, NO, NO2 and SO2 were recorded as 4.78 ± 1.68, 1.89 ± 1.26, 0.31 ± 0.14 and 0.80 ± 0.30 μg m−3, respectively, over BoB. The prominent latitudinal and longitudinal variations of the trace gases were observed over BoB, whereas NH3 and NO showed the non-significant diurnal variation. Results reveal that the concentration of ambient NH3 negatively correlated with ambient NO2 (r2 = −0.56), SO2 (r2 = −0.58) and ambient temperature (r2 = −0.27) during the study.
Constraining fault interpretation through tomographic velocity gradients: application to northern Cascadia
Authors: Ramachandran K.
Published: February 2012

Abstract. Spatial gradients of tomographic velocities are seldom used in interpretation of subsurface fault structures. This study shows that spatial velocity gradients can be used effectively in identifying subsurface discontinuities in the horizontal and vertical directions. Three-dimensional velocity models constructed through tomographic inversion of active source and/or earthquake traveltime data are generally built from an initial 1-D velocity model that varies only with depth. Regularized tomographic inversion algorithms impose constraints on the roughness of the model that help to stabilize the inversion process. Final velocity models obtained from regularized tomographic inversions have smooth three-dimensional structures that are required by the data. Final velocity models are usually analyzed and interpreted either as a perturbation velocity model or as an absolute velocity model. Compared to perturbation velocity model, absolute velocity models have an advantage of providing constraints on lithology. Both velocity models lack the ability to provide sharp constraints on subsurface faults. An interpretational approach utilizing spatial velocity gradients applied to northern Cascadia shows that subsurface faults that are not clearly interpretable from velocity model plots can be identified by sharp contrasts in velocity gradient plots. This interpretation resulted in inferring the locations of the Tacoma, Seattle, Southern Whidbey Island, and Darrington Devil's Mountain faults much more clearly. The Coast Range Boundary fault, previously hypothesized on the basis of sedimentological and tectonic observations, is inferred clearly from the gradient plots. Many of the fault locations imaged from gradient data correlate with earthquake hypocenters, indicating their seismogenic nature.