bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
EVOLVING DYNAMICS: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF DIGITAL MARKETING AND TRADITIONAL MARKETING STRATEGIES IN RESHAPING BRAND CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS
Authors:   Amity Business School, Amity University, Lucknow Campus, Uttar Pradesh, Singh Adesh Kumar
Published: April 2024

The dynamic evolution of marketing strategies from traditional to digital methodologies has fundamentally reshaped the landscape of brand-customer relationships. This paper presents a comprehensive comparative analysis of digital marketing and traditional marketing strategies, focusing on their respective impacts on brand-consumer interactions. Traditional marketing, rooted in tangible mediums like print ads and television commercials, operated on a broadcast model with limited customization. In contrast, digital marketing harnesses the power of online platforms, social media, and data analytics to engage with consumers on a personal level, offering unparalleled opportunities for targeted advertising, real-time interaction, and measurable campaign effectiveness. The significance of integrating digital marketing into overall business strategies is highlighted, emphasizing advantages such as targeted marketing, real-time performance tracking, cost-effectiveness, deeper customer connections, and global reach. Case studies of successful transitions from traditional to digital marketing by companies like Nike and Dove illustrate the transformative impact of embracing digital strategies to cultivate authentic brand-consumer relationships. Moreover, the paper delves into the rise of digital marketing catalysts, including the accessibility of the internet, democratization of information, data analytics, and mobile technology, driving innovation and connectivity in marketing practices. It underscores the importance of integrating traditional and digital marketing strategies to create cohesive, omnichannel campaigns that resonate with diverse audiences. Additionally, the paper discusses the significance of personalized experiences, ethical considerations, and the need for agility in navigating the evolving digital landscape. Future research avenues include exploring emerging technologies like AR, VR, and blockchain in marketing, as well as addressing ethical implications such as data privacy and algorithmic bias.
Penerapan Projek Penguatan Profil Pelajar Pancasila dalam Bidang Konservasi Alam di Sekolah Penggerak SMAN 1 Gerung
Authors: Respasari Barinta Nur , Domroh Siti
Published: April 2024

The Pancasila student profile strengthening project is an interdisciplinary project to observe and think about solutions to environmental problems. By utilizing natural resources through the nature conservation program on the independent campus, especially at the driving school in the West Lombok region. The method used in this research is descriptive method with research instruments through interviews, observations, and documentation studies. This research explains and provides an overview of the application of the Pancasila student profile strengthening project in the field of nature conservation at the driving school of SMAN 1 Gerung which produces a work in the form of descriptions of nature, words of wisdom, rhymes, poems by linking several subjects at school. Thus, the importance of implementing an independent curriculum for teachers, students applied in the driving school.
There is no place like home: Den and rendezvous site selection of Indian wolves in the human-dominated landscape of Maharashtra
Authors: Khan Shaheer , Sadhukhan Sougata , Habib Bilal
Published: April 2024

Den-dependent species play a vital role in maintaining ecosystem balance, and understanding their den selection criteria is crucial for effective conservation. The Indian Wolf Canis lupus pallipes is found in various habitats, mostly human-dominated areas in India. They are social animals and use dens and rendezvous sites for rearing pups. We collected the data from 32 dens and 25 rendezvous sites in Maharashtra from 2016 to 2021. We measured 11 habitat and anthropogenic variables at den and rendezvous sites and 60 contrast random locations within the 95% MCP of all the collared wolves. Out of 32 dens and 25 rendezvous sites evaluated, the maximum dens and rendezvous sites were found in grassland and the lowest number of dens in agriculture. The den sites were positively associated with the presence of water (β=-4.55; p=0.006), vegetation cover (β=1.97; p=0.008), plantation (β=1.52; p= 0.001), presence of grassland (β=1.41; p=0.004), and scrub forest (β=1.09; p=0.02). The human footprint was negatively associated with the den sites (β=-0.88; p=0.05). The distance from escape cover (β=-5.17; p=0.02), presence of plantation (β=1.81; p=0.003), presence of grassland (β=1.46; p=0.01), presence of scrub (β=1.23; p=0.006) was positively associated with rendezvous sites and negative association with vegetation cover (β=-1.72; p=0.01). This study underscores the significance of understanding den and rendezvous site selection for the Indian Wolf in human-dominated landscapes. The identified factors provide essential information for conservationists, helping them design effective management plans to ensure the survival of Indian wolves and their coexistence with humans in the changing environmental context
Medidas de Segurança e violação de Direitos Humanos
Authors: Donizeti de Oliveira Adilson , Oiye Emília
Published: April 2024

Nesta pesquisa procuramos analisar as condições de acolhimento dos egressos do sistema penitenciário que cumpriram medida de segurança, levando-se em consideração que o Brasil é signatário de diversos Tratados Internacionais de Direitos Humanos e que, com a edição da Lei n. 10.216/2001, houve redirecionamento da lógica manicomial para assistência integral à pessoa com transtorno mental. Por outro lado, o Código Penal Brasileiro, aparentemente na contramão, prevê a aplicação da medida de segurança como instrumento de neutralização do indivíduo perigoso para a proteção da sociedade. Após análise de caso concreto e, comparado com relatos em outras pesquisas, concluímos que a previsão legal de assistência integral à pessoa com transtorno mental e, em benefício da sua saúde, não alcançou, no plano da realidade, a superação do modelo manicomial, sendo um desafio humanitário a ser alcançado.
Multidisciplinariedad artística e influencia de la estética en las Fiestas de Moros y Cristianos
Authors: Gil Igual Moises José
Published: April 2024

La fiesta de Moros y Cristianos se yergue etnológicamente en una de las representaciones de la reconquista que comienzan a aparecer alrededor del siglo XVIII. Desde el inicio y durante la evolución de esta tradición, el arte ha sido pieza fundamental, empezando por la música, el diseño de vestuario, la gastronomía y las artes plásticas, que sobre todo se han incorporado en personalidad propia a partir de la segunda mitad del siglo XX. Las artes plásticas se manifiestan nutriendo los desfiles de escenografías, cromatismo, las disposiciones espaciales y la ordenación de los séquitos de los distintos personajes protagonistas de las fiestas, sin dejar de lado las diferentes formas de desfilar de cada una de las filaes (o comparsas) y de pueblo. En este trabajo pretendemos mostrar lo indispensable que es el arte en general, y en particular las Bellas Artes, como motor de la evolución de estas fiestas, y cómo, al revés, la industria ligada a la fiesta mantiene oficios que están en proceso de extinción. La parte principal de la investigación que presentamos es tratar de enclavar en un marco sistematizado el arte ligado a esta fiesta. La innovación del arte va íntimamente ligada a la evolución de la fiesta. Las fiestas de moros y cristianos marcan la identidad de un pueblo y la liga con la cultura y las tradiciones a través de las Artes Visuales, que valoran los rasgos identitarios, la idiosincrasia del pueblo.
A new ‘CFS tracking’ paradigm reveals uniform suppression depth regardless of target complexity or salience
Authors: Alais David , Coorey Jacob , Blake Randolph , Davidson Matthew J
Published: April 2024

When the eyes view separate and incompatible images, the brain suppresses one image and promotes the other into visual awareness. Periods of interocular suppression can be prolonged during continuous flash suppression (CFS) – when one eye views a static ‘target’ while the other views a complex dynamic stimulus. Measuring the time needed for a suppressed image to break CFS (bCFS) has been widely used to investigate unconscious processing, and the results have generated controversy regarding the scope of visual processing without awareness. Here, we address this controversy with a new ‘CFS tracking’ paradigm (tCFS) in which the suppressed monocular target steadily increases in contrast until breaking into awareness (as in bCFS) after which it decreases until it again disappears (reCFS), with this cycle continuing for many reversals. Unlike bCFS, tCFS provides a measure of suppression depth by quantifying the difference between breakthrough and suppression thresholds. tCFS confirms that (i) breakthrough thresholds indeed differ across target types (e.g. faces vs gratings, as bCFS has shown) – but (ii) suppression depth does not vary across target types. Once the breakthrough contrast is reached for a given stimulus, all stimuli require a strikingly uniform reduction in contrast to reach the corresponding suppression threshold. This uniform suppression depth points to a single mechanism of CFS suppression, one that likely occurs early in visual processing because suppression depth was not modulated by target salience or complexity. More fundamentally, it shows that variations in bCFS thresholds alone are insufficient for inferring whether the barrier to achieving awareness exerted by interocular suppression is weaker for some categories of visual stimuli compared to others.
Lineage-specific intersection of endothelin and GDNF signaling in enteric nervous system development
Authors: Poltavski Denise M , Cunha Alexander T , Tan Jaime , Sucov Henry M , Makita Takako
Published: April 2024

Two major ligand-receptor signaling axes – endothelin Edn3 and its receptor Ednrb, and glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and its receptor Ret – are required for migration of enteric nervous system (ENS) progenitors to the hindgut. Mutations in either component cause colonic aganglionosis, also called Hirschsprung disease. Here, we have used Wnt1Cre and Pax2Cre in mice to show that these driver lines label distinct ENS lineages during progenitor migration and in their terminal hindgut fates. Both Cre lines result in Hirschsprung disease when combined with conditional Ednrb or conditional Ret alleles. In vitro explant assays and analysis of lineage-labeled mutant embryos show that GDNF but not Edn3 is a migration cue for cells of both lineages. Instead, Edn3-Ednrb function is required in both for GDNF responsiveness albeit in different ways: by expanding the Ret+ population in the Pax2Cre lineage, and by supporting Ret function in Wnt1Cre-derived cells. Our results demonstrate that two distinct lineages of progenitors give rise to the ENS, and that these divergently utilize endothelin signaling to support migration to the hindgut.
Energetic demands regulate sleep-wake rhythm circuit development
Authors: Poe Amy R , Zhu Lucy , Tang Si Hao , Valencia Ella , Kayser Matthew S
Published: April 2024

Sleep and feeding patterns lack strong daily rhythms during early life. As diurnal animals mature, feeding is consolidated to the day and sleep to the night. In Drosophila, circadian sleep patterns are initiated with formation of a circuit connecting the central clock to arousal output neurons; emergence of circadian sleep also enables long-term memory (LTM). However, the cues that trigger the development of this clock-arousal circuit are unknown. Here, we identify a role for nutritional status in driving sleep-wake rhythm development in Drosophila larvae. We find that in the 2nd instar larval period (L2), sleep and feeding are spread across the day; these behaviors become organized into daily patterns by the 3rd instar larval stage (L3). Forcing mature (L3) animals to adopt immature (L2) feeding strategies disrupts sleep-wake rhythms and the ability to exhibit LTM. In addition, the development of the clock (DN1a)-arousal (Dh44) circuit itself is influenced by the larval nutritional environment. Finally, we demonstrate that larval arousal Dh44 neurons act through glucose metabolic genes to drive onset of daily sleep-wake rhythms. Together, our data suggest that changes to energetic demands in developing organisms trigger the formation of sleep-circadian circuits and behaviors.
Energetic Demands Regulate Sleep-Wake Rhythm Circuit Development
Authors: Poe Amy R. , Zhu Lucy , Tang Si Hao , Valencia Ella , Kayser Matthew S.
Published: April 2024

Sleep and feeding patterns lack strong daily rhythms during early life. As diurnal animals mature, feeding is consolidated to the day and sleep to the night. In
Drosophila
, circadian sleep patterns are initiated with formation of a circuit connecting the central clock to arousal output neurons; emergence of circadian sleep also enables long-term memory (LTM). However, the cues that trigger the development of this clock-arousal circuit are unknown. Here, we identify a role for nutritional status in driving sleep-wake rhythm development in
Drosophila
larvae. We find that in the 2
nd
instar larval period (L2), sleep and feeding are spread across the day; these behaviors become organized into daily patterns by the 3
rd
instar larval stage (L3). Forcing mature (L3) animals to adopt immature (L2) feeding strategies disrupts sleep-wake rhythms and the ability to exhibit LTM. In addition, the development of the clock (DN1a)-arousal (Dh44) circuit itself is influenced by the larval nutritional environment. Finally, we demonstrate that larval arousal Dh44 neurons act through glucose metabolic genes to drive onset of daily sleep-wake rhythms. Together, our data suggest that changes to energetic demands in developing organisms trigger the formation of sleep-circadian circuits and behaviors.
A systematic review on diabetic retinopathy detection and classification based on deep learning techniques using fundus images
Authors: Bhulakshmi Dasari , Rajput Dharmendra Singh
Published: April 2024

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the leading cause of visual impairment globally. It occurs due to long-term diabetes with fluctuating blood glucose levels. It has become a significant concern for people in the working age group as it can lead to vision loss in the future. Manual examination of fundus images is time-consuming and requires much effort and expertise to determine the severity of the retinopathy. To diagnose and evaluate the disease, deep learning-based technologies have been used, which analyze blood vessels, microaneurysms, exudates, macula, optic discs, and hemorrhages also used for initial detection and grading of DR. This study examines the fundamentals of diabetes, its prevalence, complications, and treatment strategies that use artificial intelligence methods such as machine learning (ML), deep learning (DL), and federated learning (FL). The research covers future studies, performance assessments, biomarkers, screening methods, and current datasets. Various neural network designs, including recurrent neural networks (RNNs), generative adversarial networks (GANs), and applications of ML, DL, and FL in the processing of fundus images, such as convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and their variations, are thoroughly examined. The potential research methods, such as developing DL models and incorporating heterogeneous data sources, are also outlined. Finally, the challenges and future directions of this research are discussed.
Density of cannabis outlets vs. cannabis use behaviors and prevalent cannabis use disorder: findings from a nationally-representative survey
Authors: Wichaidit Wit , Chapakiya Ilham , Waeuseng Aneesah , Chumchuen Kemmapon , Assanangkornchai Sawitri
Published: April 2024

Background

Thailand recently decriminalized (de facto legalized) cannabis use and sales. However, nationally representative data are scarce with regard to cannabis use behaviors and its association with cannabis outlet density. The objectives of this study are: (1) to describe the prevalence of cannabis use behaviors and cannabis use disorder among the general adult population of Thailand; (2) to describe the extent that the density of cannabis outlets is associated with cannabis use behaviors, cannabis use disorder, and the amount of cannabis smoked per day.

Methods

We conducted a community-based cross-sectional study in 11 provinces and the Bangkok Metropolitan Area. Participants were residents of sampled communities aged 20 years or older. We requested literate participants to self-administer the questionnaire and interviewed participants who could not read. We analyzed data using descriptive statistics with sampling weight adjustments and multivariate logistic regression analyses.

Results

The prevalence of current cannabis use was 15 percent. At a 400-m radius, participants who reported three cannabis outlets had 4.2 times higher odds of being current users than participants who reported no outlet (Adjusted OR = 4.82; 95% CI [3.04–7.63]). We found no association between outlet density and hazardous cannabis use or cannabis use disorder, nor association with the amount of cannabis use among cannabis smokers.

Discussion and Conclusion

The patterns of association between outlet density and cannabis use behaviors were inconsistent. Furthermore, limitations regarding outlet density measurement and lack of temporality should be considered as caveats in the interpretation of the study findings.
Viral structural transition mechanisms revealed by multiscale molecular dynamics/order parameter extrapolation simulation
Authors: Miao Yinglong , Ortoleva Peter J.
Published: September 2009

On the basis of an all‐atom multiscale analysis theory of nanosystem dynamics, a multiscale molecular dynamics/order parameter extrapolation (MD/OPX) approach has recently been developed. It accelerates MD for long‐time simulation of large bionanosystems and addresses rapid atomistic fluctuations and slowly varying coherent dynamics simultaneously. In this study, MD/OPX is optimized and implemented to simulate viral capsid structural transitions. Specifically, 200 ns MD/OPX simulation of the swollen state of cowpea chlorotic mottle virus capsid reveals that it undergoes significant energy‐driven shrinkage in vacuum, which is a symmetry‐breaking process involving local initiation and front propagation. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 93: 61–73, 2010.

This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com
Peptidomimetics – A Versatile Route to Biologically Active Compounds
Authors: Grauer Andreas , König Burkhard
Published: September 2009

Proteins are vital for basically every known organism. Therefore the investigation of their structure, the development of a deeper understanding of protein–protein interactions and the design of novel peptides, which selectively interact with proteins are fields of active research. Small peptides consisting of the 20 natural amino acids typically show high conformational flexibility and a low in‐vivo stability which hampers their application as tools in medicinal diagnostics or molecular biology. One very versatile strategy to overcome such drawbacks is the use of peptidomimetics. These are small molecules which mimic natural peptides or proteins and thus produce the same biological effects as their natural role models. As the field of peptidomimetics is developing fast this review can only provide selected approaches together with examples and is not intended to be comprehensive. We focus on the discussion of amino acid modifications, backbone modifications, global restrictions by cyclisation and on synthetic backbone scaffolds. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
Discrimination of cyclic peptide diastereomers by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Zheng Bo , Liu Yiquan , Li Huihui , Ye Yunhua , Gao Xingming , Yuan Gu
Published: August 2009

In this research, the characteristic ions' abundance ratio between two isomers A and B in MS/MS mass spectra was defined as a parameter for discriminating diastereomers. Through this ratio, the discrimination of four pairs of cyclic peptide (CP) diastereomers was successfully achieved. Furthermore, in the analysis of diastereomers' mixtures, both calibration curve and calculational methods were substantiated to have high precision and accuracy. The average absolute errors of the two methods were 2.0 and 2.5% in the 48 measurements of 16 samples, respectively. This research provided a promising approach for the analysis of the CP diastereomers in the fields of asymmetrical synthesis, chiral natural products and structural biology by ESI‐MS/MS. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A note on the Hodges–Lehmann estimator
Authors: Rosenkranz Gerd K.
Published: August 2009

The Hodges‐Lehmann estimator was originally developed as a non‐parametric estimator of a shift parameter. As it is widely used in statistical applications, the question is investigated what it is estimating if the shift model does not hold. It is shown that for data whose distributions are symmetric about their median the Hodges–Lehmann estimator based on the Wilcoxon Rank Sum test estimates the difference between the medians of the distributions. This result does generally not hold if the symmetry assumption is violated. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Investigation of uremic analytes in hemodialysate and their structural elucidation from accurate mass maps generated by a multi‐dimensional liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry approach
Authors: Godfrey A. R. , Williams C. M. , Dudley E. , Newton R. P. , Willshaw P. , Mikhail A. , Bastin L. , Brenton A. G.
Published: August 2009

Historically, structural elucidation of unknown analytes by mass spectrometry alone has involved tandem mass spectrometry experiments using electron ionization. Most target molecules for bioanalysis in the metabolome are unsuitable for detection by this previous methodology. Recent publications have used high‐resolution accurate mass analysis using an LTQ‐Orbitrap with the more modern approach of electrospray ionization to identify new metabolites of known metabolic pathways. We have investigated the use of this methodology to build accurate mass fragmentation maps for the structural elucidation of unknown compounds. This has included the development and validation of a novel multi‐dimensional LC/MS/MS methodology to identify known uremic analytes in a clinical hemodialysate sample. Good inter‐ and intra‐day reproducibility of both chromatographic stages with a high degree of mass accuracy and precision was achieved with the multi‐dimensional liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) system. Fragmentation maps were generated most successfully using collision‐induced dissociation (CID) as, unlike high‐energy CID (HCD), ions formed by this technique could be fragmented further. Structural elucidation is more challenging for large analytes >270 Da and distinguishing between isomers where their initial fragmentation pattern is insufficiently different. For small molecules (<200 Da), where fragmentation data may be obtained without loss of signal intensity, complete structures can be proposed from just the accurate mass fragmentation data. This methodology has led to the discovery of a selection of known uremic analytes and two completely novel moieties with chemical structural assignments made. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Urinary metabolic profile of phenylketonuria in patients receiving total parenteral nutrition and medication
Authors: Kuhara Tomiko , Ohse Morimasa , Inoue Yoshito , Shinka Toshihiro , Okano Yoshiyuki , Shintaku Haruo , Hongou Kazuhisa , Miyawaki Toshio , Morinobu Wakaba , Tamai Hirosi , Omura Kenji
Published: August 2009

Nutrition and drugs are main environmental factors that affect metabolism. We performed metabolomics of urine from an 8‐year‐old patient (case 1) with epilepsy and an 11‐year‐old patient (case 2) with malignant lymphoma who was being treated with methotrexate. Both patients were receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN). We used our diagnostic procedure consisting of urease pretreatment, partial adoption of stable isotope dilution, gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) measurement and target analysis for 200 analytes including organic acids and amino acids. Surprisingly, their metabolic profiles were identical to that of phenylketonuria. The neopterin level was markedly above normal in case 1, and both neopterin and biopterin were significantly above normal in case 2. Mutation analysis of genomic DNA from case 1 showed neither homozygosity nor heterozygosity for phenylalanine hydroxylase deficiency. The metabolic profiles of both cases were normal when they were not receiving TPN. TPN is presently prohibited for individuals who have inherited disorders that affect amino acid metabolism. Although the Phe content of the TPN was not the sole cause of the PKU profile, its effect, combined with other factors, e.g. specific medication or possibly underlying diseases, led to this metabolic abnormality. The present study suggests that GC/MS‐based metabolomics by target analysis could be important for assuring the safety of the treatments for patients receiving both TPN and methotrexate. Metabolomic profiling, both before and during TPN, is useful for determining the optimal nutritional formula not only for neonates, but also for young children who are known heterozygotes for metabolic disorders or whose status is unknown. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Study of human neutrophil peptides in saliva by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry
Authors: Yang Ming‐Hui , Lo Li‐Hua , Chen Yi‐Hsuan , Shiea Jentaie , Wu Pei‐Chang , Tyan Yu‐Chang , Jong Yuh‐Jyh
Published: August 2009

Matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight (MALDI‐TOF) mass spectrometry is used to rapidly characterize the human neutrophil peptides – HNP 1, 2, and 3 – in saliva. The saliva excreted from the parotid and sublingual/submandibular glands of 70 individuals were collected and examined using MALDI‐TOF. The MALDI approach requires no sample pretreatment other than mixing the saliva‐absorbing material with the matrix and drying under ambient conditions. Tissue paper was the best material for collecting the saliva samples because of its strong texture and high absorbance, and sinapinic acid was the best MALDI matrix for the analysis of the HNPs. HNPs were detected in almost all the samples collected from the parotid glands, with no obvious differences among age or gender. In contrast, the distribution of the HNPs in the samples collected from the sublingual/submandibular glands was age‐dependent: no HNPs were detected for those collected from individuals younger than 30, but the HNPs were present in all of the samples collected from those older than 60 years. The increased probability of detecting saliva HNPs with age suggests that HNPs may function as a biomarker for aging. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structural Analysis of Highly Relaxed GaSb Grown on GaAs Substrates with Periodic Interfacial Array of 90° Misfit Dislocations
Authors: Jallipalli A , Balakrishnan G , Huang SH , Rotter TJ , Nunna K , Liang BL , Dawson LR , Huffaker DL
Published: August 2009

We report structural analysis of completely relaxed GaSb epitaxial layers deposited monolithically on GaAs substrates using interfacial misfit (IMF) array growth mode. Unlike the traditional tetragonal distortion approach, strain due to the lattice mismatch is spontaneously relieved at the heterointerface in this growth. The complete and instantaneous strain relief at the GaSb/GaAs interface is achieved by the formation of a two-dimensional Lomer dislocation network comprising of pure-edge (90°) dislocations along both [110] and [1-10]. In the present analysis, structural properties of GaSb deposited using both IMF and non-IMF growths are compared. Moiré fringe patterns along with X-ray diffraction measure the long-range uniformity and strain relaxation of the IMF samples. The proof for the existence of the IMF array and low threading dislocation density is provided with the help of transmission electron micrographs for the GaSb epitaxial layer. Our results indicate that the IMF-grown GaSb is completely (98.5%) relaxed with very low density of threading dislocations (105 cm−2), while GaSb deposited using non-IMF growth is compressively strained and has a higher average density of threading dislocations (>109 cm−2).
Could co‐transplantation of iPS cells derived hepatocytes and MSCs cure end‐stage liver disease?
Authors: Liu Tao , Wang Yingjie , Tai Guangping , Zhang Shichang
Published: August 2009

Orthotopic liver transplantation is, to date, the only proven effective treatment for end‐stage liver disease. However, it suffers from lack of donors and immunorejection. Here, we speculate that co‐transplantation of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells derived hepatocytes and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) may offer an alternative way to treat patients with end‐stage liver disease. Recently, progress on iPS cells, homogeneous differentiation of hepatocyte‐like cells from embryonic stem cells (ESCs), and paracrine effects by MSCs highlight the possibility. Safe, efficient and rapid generation of iPS cells has been reliably produced by several experimental laboratories. Methods for highly efficient and homogeneous differentiation of ESCs into functional hepatocytes have been established as well. Moreover, paracrine effects by MSCs have been proven to play an important role in liver regeneration and repair, and the effects can be used as an enhancer for engraftment. All of these remarkable developments lead to this hypothesis which may offer a novel therapeutic strategy for treatment of patients with end‐stage liver disease, though some issues about safety and efficacy need to be further guaranteed.
Development of a brief screen for violence risk (V-RISK-10) in acute and general psychiatry: An introduction with emphasis on findings from a naturalistic test of interrater reliability
Authors: Bjørkly S. , Hartvig P. , Heggen F.-A. , Brauer H. , Moger T.A.
Published: August 2009

Most violence risk assessment scales were originally developed for use in forensic settings at the time of discharge or release of patients into the community after long-term treatment. However, there is a considerable need for specialized, brief and structured risk assessment tools to inform risk decisions in short-term psychiatric treatment. The present study reports on research findings from the development and implementation of the violence risk screening-10 (V-RISK-10) in two acute psychiatric settings in Norway. The 10-item screen is easy to use, time-saving and may be used for screening of violence risk during hospital stay and after discharge into the community. Prospective validation studies of the screen concerning inpatient and post-release community violence have been conducted. Although data analyses are not yet complete, preliminary findings indicate that the screen has good predictive validity. This suggests that the screen is a promising tool in short-term acute psychiatric settings. However, the importance of reliability in mental health data and tests is well recognized, and a screen with good predictive validity is not worth much if clinicians are unable to agree on the scoring of one and the same patient. In this article we report results from a naturalistic interrater reliability investigation that involved 25 mental health professionals and 73 acute psychiatric patients. V-RISK-10 scoring was accomplished by two raters for each patient. The interrater reliability value for total scores was acceptable. Variations pertaining to the individual V-RISK-10 item, patient characteristics and rater characteristics are discussed.
Short telomeres are preferentially elongated by telomerase in human cells
Authors: Britt-Compton Bethan , Capper Rebecca , Rowson Jan , Baird Duncan M.
Published: August 2009

Short telomeres have been shown to be preferentially elongated in both yeast and mouse models. We examined this in human cells, by utilising cells with large allelic telomere length differentials and observing the relative rates of elongation following the expression of hTERT. We observed that short telomeres are gradually elongated in the first 26 PDs of growth, whereas the longer telomeres displayed limited elongation in this period. Telomeres coalesced at similar lengths irrespective of their length prior to the expression of hTERT. These data indicate that short telomeres are marked for gradual elongation to a cell strain specific length threshold.
Broadly neutralizing anti‐HBV antibody binds to non‐epitope regions of preS1
Authors: Chi Seung-Wook , Kim Jinki , Yi Gwan-Su , Hong Hyo Jeong , Ryu Seong Eon
Published: August 2009

Broadly neutralizing anti‐hepatitis B virus (HBV) antibody HzKR127 undergoes a fairly large conformational change of CDR H3 loop upon binding to HBV preS1 epitope peptide. In this study, we identified low‐affinity antibody‐binding sites in the largely unstructured preS1 region by nuclear magnetic resonance and biochemical studies, indicating that the antibody binds to the preS1 region outside the major immune epitope with low affinity. Surface plasma resonance experiments showed that the full‐length preS1 has approximately three fold higher affinity for HzKR127 Fab than the preS1 epitope peptide, suggesting that the presence of low‐affinity sites in the preS1 region increases the antibody‐binding affinity. Therefore, the low‐affinity binding of the antibody to non‐epitope regions of preS1 may contribute to effective neutralization.
SIRT1 markedly extends replicative lifespan if the NAD+ salvage pathway is enhanced
Authors: Ho Cynthia , van der Veer Eric , Akawi Oula , Pickering J. Geoffrey
Published: August 2009

Sir2 mediates lifespan extension in lower eukaryotes but whether its mammalian homolog, sirtuin 1, silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog (SIRT1), is a longevity protein is controversial. We stably introduced the SIRT1 gene into human vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and observed minimal extension of replicative lifespan. However, SIRT1 activity was found to be exquisitely dependent on nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (Nampt) activity. Moreover, overexpression of Nampt converted SIRT1‐overexpressing SMCs to senescence‐resistant cells together with heightened SIRT1 activity, suppressed p21, and strikingly lengthened replicative lifespan. Thus, SIRT1 can markedly postpone SMC senescence, but this requires overcoming an otherwise vulnerable nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide salvage reaction in aging SMCs.
Real time analysis of lipoprotein transfer from LolA to LolB by means of surface plasmon resonance
Authors: Tsukahara Jun , Narita Shin-ichiro , Tokuda Hajime
Published: August 2009

MINT‐7259948: mlolB (uniprotkb:P61320) binds (MI:0407) to pal (uniprotkb:P0A912) by surface plasmon resonance (MI:0107)
Phosphorylation of the Arabidopsis AtrbohF NADPH oxidase by OST1 protein kinase
Authors: Sirichandra Caroline , Gu Dan , Hu Heng-Cheng , Davanture Marlène , Lee Sangmee , Djaoui Michaël , Valot Benoît , Zivy Michel , Leung Jeffrey , Merlot Sylvain , Kwak June M.
Published: August 2009

MINT‐7260208: OST1 (uniprotkb:Q940H6) and ATRBOHF (uniprotkb:O48538) physically interact (MI:0915) by bimolecular fluorescence complementation (MI:0809)
Inhibition of farnesylpyrophosphate synthase prevents angiotensin II‐induced hypertrophic responses in rat neonatal cardiomyocytes: Involvement of the RhoA/Rho kinase pathway
Authors: Ye Yang , Hu Shen-Jiang , Li Liang
Published: August 2009

MINT‐7260047:Rhotekin‐RBD(uniprotkb:Q9BST9)physically interacts(MI:0915) withRhoa(uniprotkb:P61589) bypull down(MI:0096)
Male partner involvement in reducing loss to follow‐up after cervical cancer screening in Uganda
Authors: Mutyaba Twaha , Mirembe Florence , Sandin Sven , Weiderpass Elisabete
Published: August 2009

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy of male partner involvement in reducing loss to follow‐up among women in Uganda referred for colposcopy after a positive cervical cancer‐screening test.

Methods

In 2 family‐planning/postnatal clinics at Mulago Hospital, Kampala, Uganda, 5094 women were screened for cervical lesions. Those who screened positive were referred for colposcopy; half were allocated to the intervention group and half to the control group. In the intervention group, information about the screening findings and a request to assist their partner in attending the next examination were sent to male partners. In the control group, a standard service was provided, which did not include a letter to the male partner. Logistic regression models were applied to calculate the probability of women returning for colposcopy.

Results

Of the 834 women referred, 209 (25%) did not return for colposcopy: 143/419 (34%) from the control group and 66/415 (16%) from the intervention group. Women in the intervention group were more likely to return (odds ratio 2.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.9–3.9).

Conclusion

Male partner involvement significantly reduced loss to follow‐up among women referred for colposcopy.
Knowledge, awareness, and attitudes of female sex workers toward HPV infection, cervical cancer, and cervical smears in Thailand
Authors: Kietpeerakool Chumnan , Phianmongkhol Yupin , Jitvatcharanun Kriangsak , Siriratwatakul Usanee , Srisomboon Jatupol
Published: August 2009

Objective

To determine the knowledge, attitudes, and awareness of female sex workers (FSWs) regarding cervical cancer and its prevention in Thailand.

Method

From August through November 2008, 402 consecutive FSWs were recruited for interviews.

Results

The mean knowledge score was 4.9 (maximum possible, 15; range, 0–14). Approximately 60% of the FSWs had knowledge scores less than 5. Low education and a lack of health insurance were significant independent predictors of low knowledge scores (adjusted odds ratios, 3.17 and 1.97, respectively). More than half of the FSWs were unaware of being at higher risk for HPV infection or of the possible consequences of HPV infection. The negative attitude regarding cervical screening was caused by the fear of abnormal results (27.9%), experiencing pain (18.4%), and embarrassment (14.7%).

Conclusion

The knowledge and awareness of HPV infection, cervical cancer, and utility of cervical smears is low among FSWs in Thailand. Designing and implementing effective interventions is crucial and merits attention in future research.
Factors associated with the risk of progression to precursor lesions or cervical cancer in women with negative cytologic findings
Authors: Girianelli Vania Reis , Azevedo e Silva Gulnar , Thuler Luiz Claudio Santos
Published: August 2009

Objective

To evaluate factors associated with progression to cervical cancer or moderate to severe precursor lesions (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 [CIN 2] or higher) in women with negative cervical screening results.

Method

A cohort of 1236 women from the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was followed up for 36 months. Hazards ratios (HR) and related 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated, and the Cox proportional hazards model was used to evaluate factors associated with the development of lesions grade CIN 2 or higher.

Results

After adjusting for age, education level, number of sexual partners, and parity, the presence of CIN 2 or more advanced lesions was associated with HPV infection (HR, 39.0; 95% CI, 9.8–156.0), smoking (HR, 7.7; 95% CI, 2.0–29.6), and early age at first sexual intercourse (HR, 4.1; 95% CI, 1.1–15.1).

Conclusion

These findings suggest that women at increased risk for cervical cancer be screened for HPV at the time of cervical screening, particularly in areas where access to health services is difficult. Antismoking strategies especially targeting young women should be a priority in a comprehensive women's health care program.
Polycystic kidney disease in a Chartreux cat
Authors: Volta Antonella , Manfredi Sabrina , Gnudi Giacomo , Gelati Aldo , Bertoni Giorgio
Published: August 2009

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is one of the most common genetic diseases in cats. It has been widely described in Persians and Persian-related cats and sporadically in other breeds. The purpose of the present paper is to describe the first reported case of PKD in a 12-year-old female Chartreux cat. The cat was referred with polyuria and polydipsia and enlarged and irregular kidneys at palpation. Multiple renal cysts and a single liver cyst were identified by ultrasound and the inherited pattern was confirmed by genetic test (polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR/RFLP) assay). Chartreux cats should be included in the screening programme of PKD, and PKD should be always considered as a possible cause of chronic renal failure in this breed.
Comparing fire-history interpretations based on area, number and estimated volume of macroscopic charcoal in lake sediments
Authors: Ali Adam A. , Higuera Philip E. , Bergeron Yves , Carcaillet Christopher
Published: August 2009

Sedimentary charcoal particles from lakes are commonly used to investigate fire history. Fire-history reconstructions are based on measuring the surface area or counting the number of charcoal fragments in adjacent samples. Recently, the volume of charcoal particles was advised as a more accurate method for quantifying past charcoal production. Large charcoal datasets, used to synthesize global fire history, include these different types of charcoal measurements and implicitly assume that they provide comparable fire-history information. However, no study has demonstrated that this assumption is valid. Here we compare fire-frequency reconstructions based on measurements of charcoal area and number, and estimates of charcoal volume from two lake sediment records from the eastern Canadian boreal forest. Results indicate that the three proxies provide comparable fire-history interpretations when using a locally defined threshold to identify fire events.
Simulating pancake and frazil ice growth in the Weddell Sea: A process model from freezing to consolidation
Authors: Doble Martin J.
Published: September 2009

Processes controlling the formation and transformation of frazil to pancake ice are examined using data from an array of drifting buoys deployed at the advancing ice edge in the Weddell Sea. A simple thermodynamic model is coupled to the buoy dynamics and to an ice redistribution model to determine the influence of deformation, thermodynamics, and mechanical scavenging, incorporating frazil crystals from the surrounding slick into the pancakes, on the partitioning of ice volume between frazil and pancakes. Ice production was examined from the time the buoys were deployed until the frazil/pancake cover consolidated into the more familiar pack ice. The model reproduced the expected ice cover thickness at consolidation (60 cm). Rafting was the dominant contribution to thickening in the region owing to large‐scale compression of the initial area by northerly winds from passing low‐pressure weather systems, which are rather typical in the region. High‐resolution positional forcing from the buoys (20‐min intervals) doubled the contribution of mechanical scavenging to final pancake thickness compared to the coarser (2‐h) result, owing to the larger path length that the pancakes traverse through the frazil slick, and produced a significantly larger volume of ice in the pancake phase. The ice cover generated at consolidation was approximately twice as thick as would have formed by the more familiar congelation ice growth under the same forcing, reinforcing the importance of correctly parameterizing the early stages of ice formation in the Antarctic. The study highlighted uncertainties in the effect of the frazil/pancake cover on ocean‐atmosphere heat exchange, both in terms of the area contributing to ice production and the effect on turbulent exchange coefficients. Further work placing the empirical parameters into a more constrained physical framework and introducing wave properties is suggested.
Characteristics of the Transition to Spoken Words in Two Young Cochlear Implant Recipients
Authors: Ertmer David J. , Inniger Kelli J.
Published: August 2009

Purpose

This investigation addressed two main questions: (a) How do toddlers' spoken utterances change during the first year of cochlear implant (CI) use? and (b) How do the time-courses for reaching spoken word milestones after implant activation compare with those reported for typically developing children? These questions were explored to increase understanding of early semantic development in children who receive CIs before their second birthdays.

Methods

Monthly recordings of mother-child interactions were gathered during the first year of CI use by a boy and a girl whose CIs were activated at 11 and 21 months of age, respectively. Child utterances were classified as nonwords, pre-words, single words, or word combinations, and the percentages of these utterance types were calculated for each month. Data were compared to published findings for typically developing children for the number of months of robust hearing (i.e., auditory access to conversational speech) needed to reach spoken word milestones and the chronological ages at which milestones were achieved.

Results

The main findings were that the percentages of nonwords and pre-words decreased as single words and word combinations increased. Both children achieved most spoken word milestones with fewer months of robust hearing experience than reported for typically developing children; the youngest recipient achieved more milestones within typical age ranges than the child implanted later in life.

Conclusions

The children’s expeditious gains in spoken word development appeared to be facilitated by interactions among their pre-implant hearing experiences; their relatively advanced physical, cognitive, and social maturity; participation in intervention programs; and the introduction of robust hearing within the Utterance Acquisition phase of language development according to the neurolingusitic theory (J. Locke, 1997).
Factorial Temperament Structure in Stuttering, Voice-Disordered, and Typically Developing Children
Authors: Eggers Kurt , De Nil Luc F. , Van den Bergh Bea R. H.
Published: August 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the underlying temperamental structure of the Dutch Children’s Behavior Questionnaire (CBQ; B. Van den Bergh & M. Ackx, 2003) was identical for children who stutter (CWS), typically developing children (TDC), and children with vocal nodules (CWVN).

Method

A principal axis factor analysis was performed on data obtained with the Dutch CBQ from 69 CWS, 149 TDC, and 41 CWVN. All children were between the ages of 3;0 (years;months) and 8;11.

Results

Results indicated a 3-factor solution, identified as Extraversion/Surgency, Negative Affect, and Effortful Control, for each of the participant groups, showing considerable similarity to previously published U.S., Chinese, Japanese, and Dutch samples. Congruence coefficients were highest for CWS and TDC and somewhat more modest when comparing CWVN and TDC. The Effortful Control factor consistently yielded the lowest congruence coefficients.

Conclusion

These data confirm that although stuttering, voice-disordered, and typically developing children may differ quantitatively with regard to mean scores on temperament scales, they are similar in terms of their overall underlying temperament structure. The equivalence of temperament structure provides a basis for further comparison of mean group scores on the individual temperament scales.