bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sensitivity improvement of 1H‐15N cross‐polarization at high MAS frequency applied to NMR structural characterization of organic solids
Authors: Palmas Pascal , Ilas Simon , Girard Elzéar
Published: November 2011

15N CP/MAS solid state NMR should be a method of choice to obtain essential structural information on organic materials containing nitrogen atoms. However, the technique is generally not selected for the characterization of non‐labelled chemical compounds, which represents the most common situation encountered by chemists. Actually, due to the poor sensitivity of 15N the method is time‐consuming and a very fine calibration is often a prerequisite to reach a sufficient signal/noise. The main drawback comes from the weakness of 15N‐1H dipolar couplings which leads to a splitting of the static Hartman Hahn condition into very narrow sideband conditions under MAS. Practically, it is more difficult to obtain a high enough CP transfer level on 15N for the entire spectrum than on other more conventional nuclei like 13C. An experimental investigation of the CP efficiency using the ramp and adiabatic CP transfer experiments is here proposed. Preliminary adjustments of experimental settings were first made on an 15N‐labeled substituted heterocyclic model system, and then applied to several other organic compounds. Particular attention was paid to the detection of non‐protonated nitrogen atoms with a significant chemical shift anisotropy, which represented the least favourable case. It was experimentally demonstrated that, for these atoms, the adiabatic passage provided a much higher transfer level than the more conventional ramp sequence leading to an enhancement factor of up to 3.5 at a MAS frequency of 30 kHz. The resulting sensitivity rendered possible the detection of non‐protonated nitrogen atoms at natural abundance with 2.5‐mm rotors at 9.4 T. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Statistical process control in nursing research
Authors: Polit Denise F. , Chaboyer Wendy
Published: November 2011

In intervention studies in which randomization to groups is not possible, researchers typically use quasi‐experimental designs. Time series designs are strong quasi‐experimental designs but are seldom used, perhaps because of technical and analytic hurdles. Statistical process control (SPC) is an alternative analytic approach to testing hypotheses about intervention effects using data collected over time. SPC, like traditional statistical methods, is a tool for understanding variation and involves the construction of control charts that distinguish between normal, random fluctuations (common cause variation), and statistically significant special cause variation that can result from an innovation. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of SPC and to illustrate its use in a study of a nursing practice improvement intervention. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 35:82–93, 2012
Acid‐modified carbon nanotubes distribution and mechanical enhancement in polystyrene/elastomer blends
Authors: Fan Xi , Wang Zhicheng , Wang Ke , Deng Hua , Chen Feng , Fu Qiang
Published: November 2011

The incorporation of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is expected as an effective path for tailoring mechanical properties of polymer blends. In this study, acid‐modified multiwalled CNTs (A‐MWCNTs) were introduced into polystyrene/maleic anhydride‐g‐(styrene‐ethylene‐butadiene‐styrene) (PS/SEBS‐MA) blends. By altering the mass ratio of PS/SEBS‐MA from 80/20 to 60/40, the biphase structure of blend was changed from sea‐island‐like type to quasi co‐continuous structure, of different mechanical behaviors. In 80/20 mass ratio, the impact strength was improved while the tensile strength was unchanged with increasing A‐MWCNTs content, whereas a simultaneously toughening and strengthening effect was achieved for the compound with 60/40 mass ratio. Scanning electron microscopy, polarized light microscopy, dynamic mechanical analysis, and rheological measurements were carried out to detect the distribution of A‐MWCNTs in the blends. The results demonstrated as increasing the nanotube loading from 0 to 3 wt%, A‐MWCNTs might gradually migrate into continuous PS phase in 80/20 mass ratio, due to the low content of SEBS‐MA, while they were totally packed in SEBS‐MA region within the entire loading range used in 60/40 mass ratio due to its high content of SEBS‐MA. This study provides guidance on the design and preparation of high performance ternary polymer/elastomer/inorganic filler composites. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2012. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers
Anthrax toxin protective antigen—Insights into molecular switching from prepore to pore
Authors: Bann James G.
Published: November 2011

The protective antigen is a key component of the anthrax toxin, as it allows entry of the enzymatic components edema factor and lethal factor into the host cell, through the formation of a membrane spanning pore. This event is absolutely critical for the pathogenesis of anthrax, and although we have yet to understand the mechanism of pore formation, recent developments have provided key insights into how this process may occur. Based on the available data, a model is proposed for the kinetic steps for protective antigen conversion from prepore to pore. In this model, the driving force for pore formation is the formation of the phi (ϕ)‐clamp, a region that forms a leak‐free seal around the translocating polypeptide. Formation of the ϕ‐clamp elicits movements within the prepore that provide steric freedom for the subsequent conformational changes required to form the membrane spanning pore.
Global search for stable screw dislocation cores in III‐N semiconductors
Authors: Kraeusel S. , Hourahine B.
Published: November 2011

The promise of the broad range of direct band gaps of the {Al, Ga, In}N system is limited by the crystal quality of current material. As grown defect densities of InN, when compared with the more mature GaN, are extremely high and InN is strongly influenced by these defects. This is particularly important due to the unusual position of the charge neutrality level of InN, leading to both the well‐known surface charge accumulation and difficulties in p‐type doping. While impurities and native defects clearly impact on the bulk carrier density in InN, the effects of threading dislocations on the electrical properties are still in dispute. Issues such as whether the dislocation line is charged or contains dangling bonds remain open. We present the results of a global search for possible dislocation core reconstructions for a range of screw dislocations in wurtzite III‐N material, utilizing empirical Stillinger–Weber inter‐atomic potentials. In addition, we investigate a wide range of non‐stoichiometric core structures.
High carrier concentration in high Al‐composition AlGaN‐channnel HEMTs
Authors: Hashimoto Shin , Akita Katsushi , Yamamoto Yoshiyuki , Ueno Masaki , Nakamura Takao , Yafune Norimasa , Sakuno Keiichi , Tokuda Hirokuni , Kuzuhara Masaaki , Takeda Kenichiro , Iwaya Motoaki , Amano Hiroshi
Published: November 2011

High Al‐composition (Al = 51%) and low Al‐composition (Al = 20%) AlGaN‐channel high‐electron‐mobility transistors (HEMTs) on AlN layers with very high carrier concentration were demonstrated. In two types of HEMTs, 2‐dimensional electron gases (2DEG) were clearly observed and peak carrier concentration and sheet carrier concentration were approximately 1020 cm‐3 and higher than 2 × 1013 cm‐2, respectively. From the X‐ray diffraction (XRD) measurements, it was observed that the AlGaN channel layers on the AlN layers were partially relaxed and the degree of relaxation decreased with increasing Al‐composition of AlGaN channel layers. Therefore the misfit dislocations in the high Al‐composition HEMTs were considered to be lower than those in the low Al‐composition HEMTs. Furthermore, it was revealed that very high Al‐composition of AlGaN barrier layers can be grown coherently on the AlGaN channel layers in consequence of the partly relaxation of the AlGaN channel layers, which of lattice constants of a‐axis were smaller than that of fully relaxed AlGaN channel layers. Therefore very high carrier concentration of 2DEG can be obtained in spite of the high Al‐composition of AlGaN channel layers. We considered that this high carrier concentration of 2DEG was necessary to demonstrate high Al‐composition AlGaN‐channel HEMTs. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Arrays of 850 nm photodiodes and vertical cavity surface emitting lasers for 25 to 40 Gbit/s optical interconnects
Authors: Lott J. A. , Payusov A. S. , Blokhin S. A. , Moser P. , Ledentsov N. N. , Bimberg D.
Published: November 2011

We report the design and characterization of arrays of compact, energy efficient, multi‐ and single‐mode GaAs‐based 850 nm vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) and complementary p‐i‐n photodiodes (PDs) for 25 to 40 Gb/s optical interconnection applications in computing and data communications. Using foundry service epitaxial growth and processing we obtain over 50k operational devices from each 76.2 mm‐diameter wafer. Using randomly selected on‐wafer‐probed, individually‐probed, and packaged VCSEL and PD dice for single‐channel link tests we consistently achieve record error‐free operation (defined as a bit error ratio (BER) of less than 1x10‐12) at 25 Gbit/s over up to 500 m of OM3 multimode optical fiber. We use our high speed VCSELs to characterize our high speed PDs and vice versa, and achieve open optical eye diagrams at up to 40 Gbit/s (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Measurements of water vapor isotope ratios with wavelength‐scanned cavity ring‐down spectroscopy technology: new insights and important caveats for deuterium excess measurements in tropical areas in comparison with isotope‐ratio mass spectrometry
Authors: Tremoy Guillaume , Vimeux Françoise , Cattani Olivier , Mayaki Salla , Souley Ide , Favreau Guillaume
Published: November 2011

The new infrared laser spectroscopic techniques enable us to measure the isotopic composition (δ18O and δ2H) of atmospheric water vapor. With the objective of monitoring the isotopic composition of tropical water vapor (West Africa, South America), and to discuss deuterium excess variability (d = δ2H – 8δ18O) with an accuracy similar to measurements arising from isotope‐ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS), we have conducted a number of tests and calibrations using a wavelength‐scanned cavity ring‐down spectroscopy (WS‐CRDS) technique. We focus in this paper on four main aspects regarding (1) the tubing material, (2) the humidity calibration of the instrument, (3) the water vapor concentration effects on δ, and (4) the isotopic calibration of the instrument. First, we show that Synflex tubing strongly affects δ2H measurements and thus leads to unusable d values. Second, we show that the mixing ratio as measured by WS‐CRDS has to be calibrated versus atmospheric mixing ratio measurements and we also suggest possible non‐linear effects over the whole mixing ratio range (~2 to 20 g/kg). Third, we show that significant non‐linear effects are induced by water vapor concentration variations on δ measurements, especially for mixing ratios lower than ~5 g/kg. This effect induces a 5 to 10‰ error in deuterium excess and is instrument‐dependent. Finally, we show that an isotopic calibration (comparison between measured and true values of isotopic water standards) is needed to avoid errors on deuterium excess that can attain ~10‰. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
IT‐supported innovation management in the automotive supplier industry to drive idea generation and leverage innovation
Authors: Neumann Martin , Riel Andreas , Brissaud Daniel
Published: November 2011

Innovative product development is highly dependent on new product ideas and product information. This especially applies to companies that obtain their competitive advantages by technological lead like the automotive supplier industry. Innovation management in these industries has to focus on an efficient idea generation, implementation and capitalisation, and on technology tracking. This paper gives an insight into the industry‐sector‐specific characteristics of innovation management within the automotive supplier industry, and outlines a basic scheme of an innovation management system that aims at improving the existing innovation management at the automotive supplier Kolbenschmidt Pierburg AG. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Morphogen gradients in development: from form to function
Authors: Christian Jan L.
Published: November 2011

Morphogens are substances that establish a graded distribution and elicit distinct cellular responses in a dose‐dependent manner. They function to provide individual cells within a field with positional information, which is interpreted to give rise to spatial patterns. Morphogens can consist of intracellular factors that set up a concentration gradient by diffusion in the cytoplasm. More commonly, morphogens comprise secreted proteins that form an extracellular gradient across a field of cells. Experimental studies and computational analyses have provided support for a number of diverse strategies by which extracellular morphogen gradients are formed. These include free diffusion in the extracellular space, restricted diffusion aided by interactions with heparan sulfate proteoglycans, transport on lipid‐containing carriers or transport aided by soluble binding partners. More specialized modes of transport have also been postulated such as transcytosis, in which repeated rounds of secretion, endocytosis, and intracellular trafficking move morphogens through cells rather than around them, or cytonemes, which consist of filopodial extensions from signal‐receiving cells that are hypothesized to reach out to morphogen‐sending cells. Once the gradient has formed, cells must distinguish small differences in morphogen concentration and store this information even after the gradient has dissipated. This is often achieved by translating ligand concentration into a proportional increase in numbers of activated cell surface receptors that are internalized and continue to signal from endosomal compartments. Ultimately, this leads to activation of one or a few transcription factors that transduce this information into qualitatively distinct gene responses inside the nucleus. WIREs Dev Biol 2012, 1:3–15. doi: 10.1002/wdev.2

This article is categorized under:

Establishment of Spatial and Temporal Patterns > Gradients
Comparisons of the embryonic development of Drosophila, Nasonia, and Tribolium
Authors: Lynch Jeremy A. , El‐Sherif Ezzat , Brown Susan J.
Published: November 2011

Studying the embryogenesis of diverse insect species is crucial to understanding insect evolution. Here, we review current advances in understanding the development of two emerging model organisms: the wasp Nasonia vitripennis and the beetle Tribolium castaneum in comparison with the well‐studied fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. Although Nasonia represents the most basally branching order of holometabolous insects, it employs a derived long germband mode of embryogenesis, more like that of Drosophila, whereas Tribolium undergoes an intermediate germband mode of embryogenesis, which is more similar to the ancestral mechanism. Comparing the embryonic development and genetic regulation of early patterning events in these three insects has given invaluable insights into insect evolution. The similar mode of embryogenesis of Drosophila and Nasonia is reflected in their reliance on maternal morphogenetic gradients. However, they employ different genes as maternal factors, reflecting the evolutionary distance separating them. Tribolium, on the other hand, relies heavily on self‐regulatory mechanisms other than maternal cues, reflecting its sequential nature of segmentation and the need for reiterated patterning. WIREs Dev Biol 2012, 1:16–39. doi: 10.1002/wdev.3

This article is categorized under:

Comparative Development and Evolution > Model Systems

Comparative Development and Evolution > Body Plan Evolution
Salivary gland organogenesis
Authors: Knosp Wendy M. , Knox Sarah M. , Hoffman Matthew P.
Published: November 2011

Our understanding of vertebrate salivary gland organogenesis has been largely informed by the study of the developing mouse submandibular gland (SMG), which will be the major focus of this review. The mouse SMG has been historically used as a model system to study epithelial–mesenchymal interactions, growth factor–extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions, and branching morphogenesis. SMG organogenesis involves interactions between a variety of cell types and their stem/progenitor cells, including the epithelial, neuronal, and mesenchymal cells, and their ECM microenvironment, or niche. Here, we will review recent literature that provides conceptual advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms of salivary gland development. We will describe SMG organogenesis, introduce the model systems used to study development, and outline the key signaling pathways and cellular processes involved. We will also review recent research focusing on the identification of stem/progenitor cells in the SMG and how they are directed along a series of cell fate decisions to form a functional gland. The mechanisms that drive SMG organogenesis provide a template to regenerate functional salivary glands in patients who suffer from salivary hypofunction due to irreversible glandular damage after irradiation or removal of tumors. Additionally, these mechanisms may also control growth and development of other organ systems. WIREs Dev Biol 2012, 1:69–82. doi: 10.1002/wdev.4

This article is categorized under:

Vertebrate Organogenesis > From a Tubular Primordium: Branched
The microRNA regulation of stem cells
Authors: Huang Xiao Albert , Lin Haifan
Published: November 2011

The microRNA (miRNA) pathway, as a fundamental mechanism of gene regulation, plays a key role in controlling the establishment, self‐renewal, and differentiation of stem cells. Such regulation is manifested as fine tuning the temporal‐ and tissue‐specificity of gene expression. This fine‐tuning function is achieved by (1) miRNAs form positive and negative feedback loops with transcription factors and epigenetic factors to exert concerted control of given biological processes and/or (2) different miRNAs converge to control one or more mRNA targets in a signaling pathway. These regulatory mechanisms are found in embryonic stem cells, iPS cells, and adult tissue stem cells. The distinct expression profiles of miRNAs and their regulatory roles in various types of stem cells render these RNAs potentially effective tools for clinical diagnosis and therapy. WIREs Dev Biol 2012, 1:83–95. doi: 10.1002/wdev.5

This article is categorized under:

Gene Expression and Transcriptional Hierarchies > Regulatory RNA

Adult Stem Cells, Tissue Renewal, and Regeneration > Tissue Stem Cells and Niches

Adult Stem Cells, Tissue Renewal, and Regeneration > Stem Cell Differentiation and Reversion

Adult Stem Cells, Tissue Renewal, and Regeneration > Stem Cells and Disease
The role of RNA in mammalian prion protein conversion
Authors: Gomes Mariana P. B. , Vieira Tuane C. R. G. , Cordeiro Yraima , Silva Jerson L.
Published: November 2011

Prion diseases remain a challenge to modern science in the 21st century because of their capacity for transmission without an encoding nucleic acid. PrPSc, the infectious and alternatively folded form of the PrP prion protein, is capable of self‐replication, using PrPC, the properly folded form of PrP, as a template. This process is associated with neuronal death and the clinical manifestation of prion‐based diseases. Unfortunately, little is known about the mechanisms that drive this process. Over the last decade, the theory that a nucleic acid, such as an RNA molecule, might be involved in the process of prion structural conversion has become more widely accepted; such a nucleic acid would act as a catalyst rather than encoding genetic information. Significant amounts of data regarding the interactions of PrP with nucleic acids have created a new foundation for understanding prion conversion and the transmission of prion diseases. Our knowledge has been enhanced by the characterization of a large group of RNA molecules known as non‐coding RNAs, which execute a series of important cellular functions, from transcriptional regulation to the modulation of neuroplasticity. The RNA‐binding properties of PrP along with the competition with other polyanions, such as glycosaminoglycans and nucleic acid aptamers, open new avenues for therapy. WIREs RNA 2012, 3:415–428. doi: 10.1002/wrna.118

This article is categorized under:

RNA Structure and Dynamics > Influence of RNA Structure in Biological Systems

RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein–RNA Interactions: Functional Implications

RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease
Preoperative Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) Is a Better Predictor of Adverse Cardiac Events Compared to Preoperative Scoring System in Patients Who Underwent Abdominal Surgery
Authors: Mercantini Paolo , Di Somma Salvatore , Magrini Laura , Kazemi Nava Andrea , Scarinci Andrea , La Torre Marco , Ferri Mario , Ferri Enrico , Petrucciani Niccolò , Ziparo Vincenzo
Published: November 2011

Background

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of perioperative death in surgical patients. A variety of clinical scoring systems have been developed to predict adverse cardiovascular events. B‐type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a sensitive and specific predictor of left ventricular systolic dysfunction and predicts first cardiovascular event and death in the general population. We present a prospective, single‐center, observational cohort study of patients undergoing major abdominal surgery and evaluate the role of BNP in predicting adverse cardiac events.

Method

A total of 205 patients were included in the study. All patients were assessed by a cardiological clinical evaluation, a 12‐lead ECG report, and a preoperative and postoperative blood sample for plasmatic BNP assessment. The primary end point was the predictive power of preoperative BNP levels for adverse cardiac events until 30 days after discharge.

Results

Thirty‐one of 205 (15%) patients had adverse cardiac events in the postoperative period up to 30 days after discharge. Five patients (2.4%) of these died of cardiac events. Preoperative BNP values were significantly increased in the 31 patients compared to the other patients in the postoperative period [mean = 112.93 pg/ml (range = 5–2,080) vs. 178.99 pg/ml (range = 5–3,980); median = 117 vs. 23 pg/ml; 95% CI = 49–181; p < 0.0001]. At logistic regression, a preoperative BNP value of >36 pg/ml was the only effective predictor of adverse cardiac events.

Conclusion

We have demonstrated that elevated preoperative BNP levels are independent predictors of adverse cardiac events in a cohort of patients undergoing major abdominal surgery in a general surgery department, and this is the first study about this specific cohort of patients.
Thermal, food and vegetation effects on winter bird species richness of Mediterranean oakwoods
Authors: Carrascal L. M. , Villén‐Pérez S. , Seoane J.
Published: November 2011

A better understanding of species–energy relationships needs to be developed using fine‐grained approaches that involve the use of small geographical scales of known characteristics, such as habitat heterogeneity, food availability, direct measures of temperature, and functional groups of species. We carried out a 2‐year study to analyze the effects of the thermal environment and food availability, while controlling for the influence of habitat structure, on winter species richness of birds living in oakwoods of a mountanious region of Central Spain of Mediterranean continental climate. The guild of ground‐foraging birds was selected as model organisms considering its susceptibility to winter conditions associated with unpredictable snowfalls. The spatial variation in species richness of this guild was determined by food availability, but only for those stable and predictable resources not affected by frequent snowfall (shrubs producing fruits; a complete lack of association was found with arthropod abundance on the ground). Thermal effects associated directly with air temperature, and mediated indirectly by vegetation structure providing a mosaic of sun‐shade patches, were also very influential. These patterns were highly repeatable across years. Daytime temperature had no influence on determining spatial variation in species richness, but night (minimum) temperature was a very important predictor (explained considering the lower temperatures at night, the longer duration of night, and the inability of diurnal birds to develop active behavioral thermoregulation during nighttime). This result highlights the need to consider physiological processes mediating species–environment relationships when analyzing the relationship between climatic variables and biodiversity phenomena.
Generalizations of Paradoxical Results in Multidimensional Item Response Theory
Authors: Jordan Pascal , Spiess Martin
Published: November 2011

Maximum likelihood and Bayesian ability estimation in multidimensional item response models can lead to paradoxical results as proven by Hooker, Finkelman, and Schwartzman (Psychometrika 74(3): 419–442, 2009): Changing a correct response on one item into an incorrect response may produce a higher ability estimate in one dimension. Furthermore, the conditions under which this paradox arises are very general, and may in fact be fulfilled by many of the multidimensional scales currently in use. This paper tries to emphasize and extend the generality of the results of Hooker et al. by (1) considering the paradox in a generalized class of IRT models, (2) giving a weaker sufficient condition for the occurrence of the paradox with relations to an important concept of statistical association, and by (3) providing some additional specific results for linearly compensatory models with special emphasis on the factor analysis model.
Low Levels of Lipogenic Enzymes in Peritumoral Adipose Tissue of Colorectal Cancer Patients
Authors: Notarnicola Maria , Miccolis Angelica , Tutino Valeria , Lorusso Dionigi , Caruso Maria Gabriella
Published: November 2011

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is the crucial enzyme for intravascular catabolism of triglyceride‐rich lipoproteins. Fatty acid synthase (FAS) is a key anabolic enzyme that catalyzes the terminal steps in the novo biosynthesis of 18:2n‐6. The involvement of both LPL and FAS in tumor biology has been widely demonstrated in different studies and to verify whether there are regional differences in the expression of these enzymes in visceral adipose tissue from patients with colorectal cancer might be representative of events which sustain tumor growth. The objective of this study was to evaluate LPL and FAS activity and expression of their genes in adipose tissue adjacent to neoplasia and distant from it from patients operated for colorectal cancer. LPL enzymatic activity was evaluated by a fluorescent method and FAS activity by a radiometer assay. Reverse‐transcription and real‐time PCR were used to detect mRNA levels of two enzymes. Our findings show a significant reduction in both LPL and FAS gene expression and activity levels in adipose tissue adjacent to tumor lesion compared to those detected in paired tissue distant from neoplasia. These results underline the influence of tumor microenvironment on lipid metabolism in adipose tissue, demonstrating a tumor‐induced impairment in the formation and lipid storing capacity of adipose tissue in patients with colorectal cancer.
The Future of the Eu Cohesion Policy: How Much, What for and How?
Authors: Olbrycht Jan , Sapała Magdalena
Published: November 2011

This article addresses the ongoing debate on the future of the EU cohesion policy and changes in its management rules, as anticipated by the European Commission, for the period after 2013. There are many reasons to assume that the cohesion policy has entered a new stage of development, as its future outlook will depend much on the intensity of the current economic crisis, the financial difficulties of EU Member States, the ruling atmosphere of euroscepticism and the lack of European solidarity. For supporters of a strong EU cohesion policy, it is as much of a challenge to demonstrate its positive effects on all European regions as it is to introduce the necessary reforms to make it even more effective, modern and central to realising the Europe 2020 strategy.
Gangrène des organes génitaux externes (GOGE): traitement chirurgical et reconstruction plastique
Authors: Dekou A. , Konan P. -G. , Gowe E. , Vodi C. , Kouame B. , Fofana A. , Ouegnin G. -A. , Manzan K.
Published: November 2011

Buts

Présenter notre contribution à la reconstruction chirurgicale de la gangrène des organes génitaux externes (GOGE), selon les lésions.

Matériel et méthodes

Il s’agit d’une étude rétroprospective, portant sur 14 patients traités et guéris dans le service d’urologie du CHU de Cocody à Abidjan, de GOGE entre janvier 2000 et juin 2009.

Résultats

L’âge moyen des patients était de 39 (20–67) ans. Tous étaient des hommes de race noire. Ils présentaient tous un tableau infectieux traité par une réanimation hydroélectrolytique et une triantibiothérapie. Les lésions cutanées observées intéressaient les organes génitaux externes (OGE) dans neuf cas (64,29 %), puis le scrotum et le périnée dans cinq cas (35,71 %). Toutes les lésions cutanées ont été décapées, suivies de pansements locaux. Ainsi, 14 patients (100 %) ont été guéris, complètement cicatrisés, dont trois cas (21,43 %) de lésions scrotales minimes qui ont cicatrisé spontanément à la suite de pansement uniquement, neuf patients (64,29 %) ont cicatrisé à la suite de suture sans tension de la peau scrotale après débridement, décollement, enfin deux patients (14,28 %) avaient cicatrisé après une greffe de peau mince prélevée à la face interne de la cuisse pour plaie périnéopénoscrotale étendue, d’une part, et, d’autre part, pour une perte complète du fourreau pénien. Conclusion: La GOGE est une affection grave, qui réalise, d’une part, une toxi-infection traitée par une réanimation et une triantibiothérapie, d’autre part, des lésions cutanées plus ou moins étendues nécessitant débridement, décapage, pansement, puis une reconstruction chirurgicale plastique qui restaure un environnement pénoscrotal adéquat qui ne compromette pas la qualité des rapports sexuels ainsi que la fonction de reproduction des testicules, surtout chez le sujet jeune.
Mitochondrial energetics in liver and skeletal muscle after energy restriction in young rats
Authors: Crescenzo Raffaella , Bianco Francesca , Falcone Italia , Coppola Paola , Dulloo Abdul G. , Liverini Giovanna , Iossa Susanna
Published: November 2011

The present study investigated the effect of 2 weeks of energy restriction on whole body, liver and skeletal muscle energy handling. We measured whole-body oxygen consumption, as well as mitochondrial protein mass, respiratory capacity and energetic coupling in liver and skeletal muscle from food-restricted (FR) rats, age- and weight-matched controls. We also assessed markers of oxidative damage and antioxidant defences. The present results show that, in response to energy restriction, an adaptive decrease in whole-body energy expenditure is coupled with structural and functional changes in mitochondrial compartment, both in liver and skeletal muscle. In fact, liver mitochondrial mass per g of liver significantly increased, whereas total hepatic mitochondrial oxidative capacity was lower in FR than in control rats, because of a significant decrease in liver contribution to total body weight. In skeletal muscle, sub-sarcolemmal (SS) mitochondrial respiratory capacity, as well as SS and inter-myofibrillar (IMF) mitochondrial protein mass per g of tissue, was significantly lower in FR rats, compared to controls. Finally, a decrease in oxidative damage was found in liver but not in skeletal muscle mitochondria from FR rats, whereas an increase in antioxidant defence was found in both tissues. From the present results, it appears that skeletal muscle is involved in the decrease in energy expenditure induced by energy restriction. Energy sparing is achieved through changes in the activity (SS), mass (SS and IMF) and efficiency (IMF) of mitochondrial compartment.
THE EXTENT OF FIDUCIARY ACCOUNTING AND THE IMPORTANCE OF AUTHORISATION MECHANISMS
Authors: Conaglen Matthew
Published: November 2011

This article is concerned with the extent of a fiduciary's obligation to account for profits that have been made in breach of fiduciary duty. In particular, it responds to suggestions made recently by some senior judges that the courts ought to have a wide-ranging discretion to alter the degree to which a fiduciary must account for profits. It is well-settled that a fiduciary must account for profits that have been generated from his fiduciary position or in circumstances involving a conflict between the fiduciary's duty and his interest. The fiduciary need not account if the profit or conflict was properly authorised, in which case there was no breach of fiduciary duty. But in the absence of such authorisation, the fiduciary must account for all of the profit that has been made in breach of fiduciary duty, other than insofar as the court grants an equitable allowance to the fiduciary for work done in generating that profit. The question addressed here is whether the court ought to have a wider discretion to award an account of only part of the profits that a fiduciary has made in breach of fiduciary duty, leaving the remainder of the profits in the fiduciary's hands?
TO SELL OR NOT TO SELL: THAT IS THE QUESTION THE IRONY OF THE TRUSTS OF LAND AND APPOINTMENT OF TRUSTEES ACT 1996
Authors: Dixon Martin
Published: November 2011

The 1925 property statutes, particularly the Settled Land Act 1925 and the original sections 30 to 36 Law of Property Act 1925, were premised on a fairly narrow view of the prevalence and purpose of co-owned land. Successive interests either fell within the awkward provisions of the Settled Land Act 1925 or were organised under a trust for sale within the ambit of the Law of Property Act 1925. Concurrent co-ownership could exist, also under a trust for sale, but the Law of Property Act 1925 was premised on the assumption that such trusts would be expressly created, with readily identifiable beneficiaries, holding in defined shares, often for investment purposes and primarily in respect of larger land holdings. That is why the original scheme was a trust for sale, why sections 34 and 36 Law of Property Act 1925 appear not to contemplate the implied trust of land at all,1 why interests behind trusts originally were not regarded as proprietary,2 why statutory overreaching is so powerful and why sections 2 and 27 Law of Property Act 1925 stipulate a requirement of at least two trustees or a trust corporation before overreaching can occur.3 Concurrent co-ownership was, essentially, a financial not a residential matter, and the ready conversion of land to liquid asset was regular and expected. The position today is virtually the reverse, with concurrent co-ownership being the normal way by which the family home4 is owned and with the expectation that it will be retained as that home. Realisation of its capital value is intended to be postponed until the family's needs have changed.
Is maternal smoking during pregnancy a causal environmental risk factor for adolescent antisocial behavior? Testing etiological theories and assumptions
Authors: D'Onofrio B. M. , Van Hulle C. A. , Goodnight J. A. , Rathouz P. J. , Lahey B. B.
Published: November 2011

Background

Although many studies indicate that maternal smoking during pregnancy (SDP) is correlated with later offspring antisocial behavior (ASB), recent quasi-experimental studies suggest that background familial factors confound the association. The present study sought to test alternative etiological hypotheses using multiple indices of adolescent ASB, comparing differentially exposed siblings, and testing assumptions in the sibling-comparison design.

Method

The study examined the association between maternal SDP and adolescent-reported ASB, criminal convictions and membership in a group of individuals with early-starting and chronic ASB among 6066 offspring of women from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, a representative sample of women in the USA. The analyses controlled for statistical covariates and examined associations while comparing differentially exposed siblings.

Results

At the population level, each additional pack of cigarettes per day predicted greater mean adolescent-reported ASB symptoms [ratio of means 1.15, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.08–1.22], odds of being in the top 10% of ASB [odds ratio (OR) 1.34, 95% CI 1.10–1.65], hazard of a criminal conviction [hazard ratio (HR) 1.51, 95% CI 1.34–1.68] and odds of chronic ASB (OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.25–1.99). SDP robustly predicted most assessments of ASB while controlling for measured covariates. When siblings exposed to differing levels of SDP were compared, however, all of the associations were attenuated and were not statistically significant: adolescent-reported mean ASB (ratio of means 0.86, 95% CI 0.74–1.01), high ASB (OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.41–1.12), criminal conviction (HR 0.98, 95% CI 0.66–1.44) and chronic ASB (OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.46–1.38).

Conclusions

The results strongly suggest that familial factors account for the correlation between SDP and offspring adolescent ASB, rather than a putative causal environmental influence of SDP.
Association between public views of mental illness and self-stigma among individuals with mental illness in 14 European countries
Authors: Evans-Lacko S. , Brohan E. , Mojtabai R. , Thornicroft G.
Published: November 2011

Background

Little is known about how the views of the public are related to self-stigma among people with mental health problems. Despite increasing activity aimed at reducing mental illness stigma, there is little evidence to guide and inform specific anti-stigma campaign development and messages to be used in mass campaigns. A better understanding of the association between public knowledge, attitudes and behaviours and the internalization of stigma among people with mental health problems is needed.

Method

This study links two large, international datasets to explore the association between public stigma in 14 European countries (Eurobarometer survey) and individual reports of self-stigma, perceived discrimination and empowerment among persons with mental illness (n=1835) residing in those countries [the Global Alliance of Mental Illness Advocacy Networks (GAMIAN) study].

Results

Individuals with mental illness living in countries with less stigmatizing attitudes, higher rates of help-seeking and treatment utilization and better perceived access to information had lower rates of self-stigma and perceived discrimination and those living in countries where the public felt more comfortable talking to people with mental illness had less self-stigma and felt more empowered.

Conclusions

Targeting the general public through mass anti-stigma interventions may lead to a virtuous cycle by disrupting the negative feedback engendered by public stigma, thereby reducing self-stigma among people with mental health problems. A combined approach involving knowledge, attitudes and behaviour is needed; mass interventions that facilitate disclosure and positive social contact may be the most effective. Improving availability of information about mental health issues and facilitating access to care and help-seeking also show promise with regard to stigma.
Depressed mood enhances anxiety to unpredictable threat
Authors: Robinson O. J. , Overstreet C. , Letkiewicz A. , Grillon C.
Published: November 2011

Background

Depression and anxiety disorders (ADs) are highly co-morbid, but the reason for this co-morbidity is unclear. One possibility is that they predispose one another. An informative way to examine interactions between disorders without the confounds present in patient populations is to manipulate the psychological processes thought to underlie the pathological states in healthy individuals. In this study we therefore asked whether a model of the sad mood in depression can enhance psychophysiological responses (startle) to a model of the anxiety in ADs. We predicted that sad mood would increase anxious anxiety-potentiated startle responses.

Method

In a between-subjects design, participants (n=36) completed either a sad mood induction procedure (MIP;n=18) or a neutral MIP (n=18). Startle responses were assessed during short-duration predictable electric shock conditions (fear-potentiated startle) or long-duration unpredictable threat of shock conditions (anxiety-potentiated startle).

Results

Induced sadness enhanced anxiety- but not fear-potentiated startle.

Conclusions

This study provides support for the hypothesis that sadness can increase anxious responding measured by the affective startle response. This, taken together with prior evidence that ADs can contribute to depression, provides initial experimental support for the proposition that ADs and depression are frequently co-morbid because they may be mutually reinforcing.
Dynamical properties of profinite actions
Authors: ABÉRT MIKLÓS , ELEK GÁBOR
Published: November 2011

We study profinite actions of residually finite groups in terms of weak containment. We show that two strongly ergodic profinite actions of a group are weakly equivalent if and only if they are isomorphic. This allows us to construct continuum many pairwise weakly inequivalent free actions of a large class of groups, including free groups and linear groups with property (T). We also prove that for chains of subgroups of finite index, Lubotzky’s property (τ) is inherited when taking the intersection with a fixed subgroup of finite index. That this is not true for families of subgroups in general leads to the question of Lubotzky and Zuk: for families of subgroups, is property (τ) inherited by the lattice of subgroups generated by the family? On the other hand, we show that for families of normal subgroups of finite index, the above intersection property does hold. In fact, one can give explicit estimates on how the spectral gap changes when passing to the intersection. Our results also have an interesting graph theoretical consequence that does not use the language of groups. Namely, we show that an expanding covering tower of finite regular graphs is either bipartite or stays bounded away from being bipartite in the normalized edge distance.
An improved kinematic model for calibration of serial robots having closed-chain mechanisms
Authors: To Minh , Webb Phil
Published: November 2011

Many industrial robots employ closed-loop actuating elements such as the parallelogram mechanism for increased stiffness. Modeling these manipulators for the purpose of calibration presents a challenge due to complex nonlinear couplings between parameters of the chains. The modeling method presented in this paper involves the integration of the open- and closed-loop elements whose errors can be resolved as linear functions of their parameters. As a result, the model is similar to that of a serial-link robot, which makes it possible to use existing well-defined calibration techniques in the area. Simulation and experimental studies on an industrial robot for verifying the correctness and effectiveness of the proposed model are also described.
2. Europäisches Symposium zur Diagnostik der Beschwerdenvalidität
Authors: Plohmann Andrea M.
Published: November 2011

This is a brief report on the Second European Symposium on Symptom Validity Assessment in London, May 20 – 21, 2011. The symposium organizers had brought together leading international experts to share their knowledge and experience. The meeting provided delegates with up-to-date information and clinical guidelines on SVA.
Androgens Modulate Brain Networks of Empathy in Female-to-Male Transsexuals: An fMRI Study
Authors: Ye Zheng , Kopyciok Robert , Mohammadi Bahram , Krämer Ulrike M. , Brunnlieb Claudia , Heldmann Marcus , Samii Amir , Münte Thomas F.
Published: November 2011

Women show higher sensitivity than men to emotional and social cues and are therefore better in showing empathy with others and in deciphering other’s intentions and mental states. These sex differences have been linked to hormonal levels. However, it remains unclear how hormones modulate neural mechanisms underlying empathic processes. To assess effects of chronic hormonal treatment, functional magnetic resonance imaging was used in a group of female-to-male transsexuals before and during androgen therapy and a group of female and male controls while they watched pictures portraying emotionally negative or neutral situations (emotional content) involving one or two persons (social relation). Before therapy, the medial superior frontal gyrus and left inferior frontal gyrus showed greater activations for emotional than neutral stimuli. The posterior superior temporal sulcus showed greater activations for emotional vs. neutral stimuli and for social relations relative to pictures of single persons. Long-term androgen administration reduced the pSTS activity in response to emotional stimuli as well as its response to social relation. More importantly, the functional connectivity among frontal, temporal and striatal regions was weakened while the connectivity among limbic regions was strengthened as the androgen level increased during hormone therapy. This pattern of change was similar to the sex difference observed between female vs. male controls. Thus, making a brain more male by the application of androgens not only reduced the activity of a core neural hub but also markedly altered the organization of the brain network supporting emotional and social cognitive processes related to empathy and mentalizing.
Ionosphere response to recurrent geomagnetic activity in 1974
Authors: Fang Tzu‐Wei , Forbes Jeffrey M.
Published: November 2011

The 9 day variation of Earth's thermosphere neutral density in 2005 and 2006 is known to have been influenced by rotating solar coronal holes and the quasiperiodic solar wind high‐speed streams (HSSs) and by the concomitant recurrent geomagnetic activity that they induce. The corresponding responses in ion temperature, ionospheric electron density, and total electron content have also been reported during the same period. In 1974, a significant 13.5 day periodicity in geomagnetic activity was created by the quasiperiodic HSS associated with two major solar coronal hole regions separated by about 180°. In the present paper, ionospheric F‐region peak plasma density (NmF2) and height (hmF2) in the daytime and nighttime from 12 ionosonde stations are analyzed to delineate the responses to this epoch of HSS forcing of the geospace system. Results show that the ionospheric responses to this 13.5 day periodic forcing are similar in some ways to responses to the 9 day periodicity. For instance, in middle and high latitudes, daytime and nighttime NmF2 is mostly out of phase with the fluctuations in the daily mean Kp index (
), while the daytime hmF2 are in phase with the
fluctuations. Empirical model results confirm the important role of thermal expansion in connecting thermospheric and ionospheric changes driven by high‐speed streams and recurrent geomagnetic activity. At low latitudes, the 13.5 day signatures are not as straightforward as those at middle and high latitudes, and significant spectral energy thought to be connected with planetary waves and perhaps other lower‐atmosphere influences exists at periods of less than 13.5 days.