bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Artifactual time‐course correlations in echo‐planar fMRI with implications for studies of brain function
Authors: Kriegeskorte Nikolaus , Bodurka Jerzy , Bandettini Peter
Published: December 2008

Brain function is widely investigated with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in humans and animals. In fMRI, the time courses of voxels typically reflect the local blood‐oxygen level, which is taken as an indicator of neuronal activity. Voxel time‐course correlations are often explicitly modeled and interpreted in terms of neuronal interactions. They also affect standard analyses that do not explicitly target neuronal interactions. As a consequence, time‐course correlations between voxels influence conclusions about cognitive and physiological brain processes in many studies. However, voxel correlations are known to arise not only from cognitive and physiological processes, but also as artifacts of fMRI techniques such as the commonly used echoplanar imaging. We empirically demonstrate this phenomenon by plotting time‐course correlation as a function of voxel separation for a human brain in resting state and for a water‐filled sphere (called a “phantom”). The phantom served as a test object known not to contain any interacting neuronal systems. The plots for brain and phantom are surprisingly similar. The correlational structure found in the phantom must be artifactual. Artifactual correlations spanning many centimeters occur within and between different imaging slices. Correlations between voxel time courses do not necessarily reflect brain processes. Instead, fMRI is affected by artifactual correlations, which are very strong for neighboring voxels and clearly present even at large distances. This needs to be taken into account in the neuroscientific interpretation of voxel correlations. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 18, 345–349, 2008
Assessing spatial probabilistic distributional differences in the common space between schizophrenics and normal controls based on a novel automated probabilistic pattern analysis method
Authors: Koo Bang‐Bon , Lee Jong‐Min , Kim June Sic , Park Jun Sung , Kwon Jun Soo , Kim Sun I.
Published: December 2008

Because of the complex nature of the human brain, a full understanding of its various group specific variation factors such as volume, shape, and location related to age, gender, ethnic, and disease might be provided in both structural and functional neuroimaging studies. To serve this purpose, a novel approach for characterizing the group variability information using group specific labeled probabilistic maps was introduced in this article. An automatic labeling technique was applied to encode group specific probabilistic information for each region of interests (ROIs) covering the overall cortical region and a probabilistic pattern analytic method was proposed to assess the difference in the spatial extent between 70 schizophrenics and 70 controls in the common space. From our proposed method, we found major differences in 17 ROIs that had shown large variation in schizophrenics. Most of these ROIs were in the frontal and the temporal lobe and only three ROIs were in the parietal and the occipital lobe. The ROIs highlighted through our proposed method could be connected with previous morphological findings on schizophrenia and it also might be considered in functional analysis. As a result, our method could provide intuitive information on group difference relevant to the overall anatomical variability in the substructural level. Thus, it could be used as a prompting system to search and examine the regions of the brain that are worthy of further precise analysis by various sub‐cortical region based group studies in assessing specific patterns related to diseases. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 18, 310–324, 2008
An improvement in the moment‐preserving thresholding method
Authors: Chen I‐Ping , Lai Ming‐Yi , Wang Ling‐Ling
Published: December 2008

Thresholding is frequently used for image segmentation. One of the most popular approach to thresholding is the moment‐preserving thresholding method proposed by Tsai in 1985. However, it does not work well when the peaks of a histogram have a great size variation. Hence, in this study we propose a simple and effective improvement in Tsai's method such that suitable thresholds can be found even when the histogram has peaks with a great size variation. Experimental results show the effectiveness of the proposed improvement. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 18, 365–370, 2008
Parallel fuzzy segmentation of multiple objects
Authors: Garduño Edgar , Herman Gabor T.
Published: December 2008

The usefulness of fuzzy segmentation algorithms based on fuzzy connectedness principles has been established in numerous publications. New technologies are capable of producing larger‐and‐larger datasets and this causes the sequential implementations of fuzzy segmentation algorithms to be time‐consuming. We have adapted a sequential fuzzy segmentation algorithm to multiprocessor machines. We demonstrate the efficacy of such a distributed fuzzy segmentation algorithm by testing it with large datasets (of the order of 50 million points/voxels/items): a speed‐up factor of ∼5 over the sequential implementation seems to be the norm. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 18, 336–344, 2008
Transform‐domain penalized‐likelihood filtering of tomographic data
Authors: Atkinson Ian C. , Kamalabadi Farzad
Published: December 2008

We present motivation for performing the filtering step of the widely used filtered back‐projection algorithm in a non‐Radon domain. For square‐error optimal penalized‐likelihood regularization, filtering in a domain for which the true projection data is sparse in the angle dimension yields coefficients that are more faithful to the ideal filtered data than directly filtering the observed Radon‐domain data. In contrast to traditional regularization techniques that filter each projection independently, the proposed filtering technique delivers improved reconstructions by exploiting the correlation of the data in the angle dimension. This enables meaningful reconstructions to be created even from very noisy projection data. In addition, this approach allows for simple penalty matrices to be constructed, enables penalty coefficient to be calculated in a straightforward manner, and results in an easily computed, closed‐form solution for the regularizing filters. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 18, 350–364, 2008
Coping as a moderator of disability and psychosocial adaptation among Vietnam theater veterans
Authors: Martz Erin , Bodner Todd , Livneh Hanoch
Published: December 2008

The purpose of this archival research was to investigate whether coping moderated the association between disability status and the outcome of psychosocial adaptation while controlling for demographic variables, posttraumatic stress disorder, and environmental conditions and social support. This research analyzed data from the U.S.'s National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study (NVVRS; R.A. Kulka et al., 1990a). In this study, the existence of a disability significantly and negatively predicted psychosocial adaptation after controlling for specific variables. Further, the multiple regression analysis showed that the association of disability and adaptation was moderated by problem‐solving coping, indicating that the negative effect of disability on adaptation was smaller for participants with lower levels of problem‐solving coping. Clinical implications of these findings are discussed. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 65:1–19, 2009.
Culture analysis and metaphor psychotherapy with Arab‐Muslim clients
Authors: Dwairy Marwan
Published: December 2008

Attempting to reveal unconscious content and promoting self‐actualization may be counterproductive for clients who come from collectivistic cultures. Such treatment goals may expose clients to harsh confrontations with the family. Clients with dependency traits, low ego‐strength, and strict families may be helped through metaphor psychotherapy or culture analysis. Metaphor therapy makes it possible to deal symbolically and indirectly with unconscious content; culture analysis can pave the way to reveal unconscious needs and enable clients to establish a new order within their belief systems and within their families. The present article describes these two therapy methods and illustrates their clinical use with an Arab‐Muslim suffering from depression. Through such therapy anchored in his own culture and religion, the client altered his beliefs, became satisfied with himself, and found successful ways to adapt to his family. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol: In Session 65:1–11, 2009.
Resection of glial scar following spinal cord injury
Authors: Rasouli Alexandre , Bhatia Nitin , Dinh Paul , Cahill Kim , Suryadevara Sourabh , Gupta Ranjan
Published: December 2008

While many studies have focused on modulating the immune response and enhancing axonal regeneration after spinal cord injury (SCI), there is limited work being performed on evaluating the role of glial scar in SCI. We sought to evaluate the effects of glial scar resection in contusion models and dorsal hemisection models of SCI. At 1‐week postinjury, 2 mm of glial scar was excised from specimens in one of the two groups from each injury model. Functional outcome was measured weekly using the Basso, Beattie, Bresnahan (BBB) Locomotor Rating Scale along with histologic evaluation of spinal cord tracts to determine axonal regeneration. Within the dorsal hemisection model, there was no significant difference in recovery for animals that underwent glial scar excision versus animals that did not have scar excision (p = 0.61). Animals subjected to the contusion model, however, demonstrated lower BBB scores in the glial resection group during the earlier postoperative periods (<4 weeks; p < 0.05). Histological analysis revealed no axons within the glial resection contusion model, and moderate axonal growth within the nonresection contusion group and both hemisection groups (p > 0.05 for differences among the three groups). While glial scar may serve to stabilize the preserved axonal tracts and thereby permit modest recovery in a contusion model of SCI, it may be of less importance with a dorsal hemisection model. These experiments highlight that basic biologic processes following SCI may vary tremendously based on the injury mechanism and that the role of glial scar in spinal cord regeneration must be elucidated. © 2008 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 27: 931–936, 2009
Low linolenic soybeans and beyond
Authors: Wilkes Richard S.
Published: December 2008

Low linolenic soybean oil is the first in a series of modified oilseed products to be introduced to meet food company and consumer needs. Consumer packaged goods and foodservice companies are currently using this oil to successfully replace partially hydrogenated soybean oil, resulting in the reduction of trans fatty acids from the food supply. In addition to meeting consumer demand for healthier foods, many food processors have chosen low linolenic soybean oil based on taste, performance and cost benefits. Seed companies continue to utilize traditional breeding, marker assisted breeding and biotechnology approaches to modify oilseeds that produce oils with health and nutrition benefits. Additional modified oilseeds are at various stages of development. Soybeans with increased levels of stearic acid are being developed as an alternative to partially hydrogenated fats and high saturate fats required to provide solids and structure to food. High stability fry oils with increased levels of oleic acid, reduced levels of linolenic acid as well as a version with lower saturated fat are being developed. Soybeans are also being modified to offer more sustainable sources of omega‐3s including stearidonic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid/docosahexaenoic acid which will result in more efficacious sources of omega‐3s compared to alpha‐linolenic acid‐containing vegetable oil and improved functionality/stability compared to fish and algal oils.
Improved Bligh and Dyer extraction procedure
Authors: Jensen Søren K.
Published: December 2008

Fatty acids are specific compounds with well known chemical composition, but they exist in a great variety of molecules which differ in chemical and physical characteristics. Quantitative extraction of fatty acids is therefore a challenge. An acidic Bligh and Dyer method has been developed and compared with the traditional Stoldt fat extraction method. It is shown that depending on the matrix, the HCl‐Bligh and Dyer extraction leads to 10–15% more total fatty acids and a 30–50% increase in polyunsaturated fatty acids compared with the official EU method. Besides being much more efficient for extraction of fatty acids, the HCl‐Bligh and Dyer method is faster, and allows the inclusion of internal standard at the beginning of the sample treatment.
Synthesis, Structure, Chromatic Properties, and Induced Circular Dichromism of Polydiacetylenes with an Extended Conjugated System in the Side Chain
Authors: Dei Satoshi , Matsumoto Akikazu
Published: December 2008

We synthesized PDAs with a 4‐carboxyphenyl substituent directly connected to the conjugating main chain in order to investigate the effects of the side chain structure on the chromatic properties of the polymers. A series of 1,3‐alkadiynyl‐4‐benzoic acids (m,Ph‐DA‐CO2H) and their 1‐naphthylmethylammonium salts (m,Ph‐DA‐Naph) were prepared and polymerized under UV and γ‐ray irradiation. The resulting poly(m,Ph‐DA‐CO2H)s had absorption bands in their UV‐vis spectra in a wavelength region longer than those for the poly(m,Ph‐DA‐Naph)s and the other PDAs. We report the first example of the induced circular dichromism of poly(m,Ph‐DA‐CO2H) in the combination with a chiral (1‐cyclohexyl)ethylamine in the dispersion and in the solid state by an acid/base interaction.

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Comparison of the Effects of an Ionic Liquid and Triethylbenzylammonium Chloride on the Properties of Electrospun Fibers, 1 – Poly(lactic acid)
Authors: Seo Jeong Moon , Arumugam Ganesh Kumar , Khan Sourabh , Heiden Patricia A.
Published: December 2008

Improving the conductivity of electrospinning solutions is often achieved by adding small amounts of conductive additives. HMIMCl, a room temperature ionic liquid, and TEBAC, a quaternary ammonium salt, were added to polylactic acid in chloroform and their effects on solution properties, electrospinning, and fiber properties were investigated. Both additives increased the conductivity which decreased the fiber diameter, but differences were observed on the fiber dispersity and fiber morphology. The conductive solutions caused fiber backbuilding with aggregation and fiber fusion. Reasons for the differences in fiber diameter and fiber morphology are discussed.

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Cost efficiency and value driver analysis of insurers in an emerging economy
Authors: Marie Attiea , Rao Ananth , Kashani Hossein
Published: December 2008

This study investigated cost inefficiencies and its relationship with value drivers of insurers in United Arab Emirates (UAE). The study revealed that there were 21–33% cost inefficiencies in these insurers under different model specifications of stochastic frontier and DEA; value drivers such as lower leverage risk, lower capital risk significantly improved cost efficiencies consistent with Basel II norms; ROE positively influenced cost efficiencies with further trade off between increased profit margin, decreased asset utilization and/or reduced equity multiplier by the insurer managements to achieve a target‐ROE; and the trend of cost efficiency was improving during 2000–2004. The study suggests that stock insurers could overcome their cost inefficiencies through adoption of efficient measures such as risk mapping of clients, risk prioritization besides ALM techniques. The study has direct implications for individual and institutional investors in making their portfolio investment decisions in insurance sector, policymakers, and regulators to closely monitor inefficient insurers consistent with Basel II norms. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ototoxicity in children treated for osteosarcoma
Authors: Lewis Matthew J. , DuBois Steven G. , Fligor Brian , Li Xiaochun , Goorin Allen , Grier Holcombe E.
Published: December 2008

Background

Cisplatin is an effective agent against osteosarcoma. Ototoxicity from osteosarcoma treatment protocols has not been well defined. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and risk factors for hearing loss in children treated for osteosarcoma.

Procedure

Eligible patients had osteosarcoma diagnosed and treated at the Dana‐Farber Cancer Institute/Children's Hospital Boston from January 1, 1995 to December 12, 2004, were 3–18 years of age at diagnosis, and had a normal audiogram prior to the start of chemotherapy. Patients received cisplatin according to the standard practice or current open protocol. Patients who developed hearing loss during treatment had cisplatin held on an individualized basis. Hearing function was evaluated prior to the start of therapy, before each cycle, and off‐therapy. Fisher's exact test and logistic regression models were used to identify univariate and independent predictors of hearing loss, respectively.

Results

Seven out of nine patients (78%) who received cisplatin 120 mg/m2/day on 1 day developed hearing loss compared to 8/27 (30%) who received 60 mg/m2/day for 2 days (P = 0.019). Logistic regression showed that age, cumulative cisplatin dose, and administration of cisplatin 120 mg/m2/day were independent predictors of hearing loss. Cisplatin administered as 60 mg/m2/day for 2 days resulted in a low incidence (30%) of any hearing loss and a very low incidence (4%) of educationally significant hearing loss.

Conclusions

Cisplatin administered as 60 mg/m2/day for 2 days resulted in a low incidence of significant hearing loss. These results suggest that cisplatin as 120 mg/m2/day be avoided due to an unacceptable incidence of hearing loss. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;52:387–391. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Tumor stabilization under treatment with imatinib in progressive hypothalamic‐chiasmatic glioma
Authors: Peyrl Andreas , Azizi Amedeo , Czech Thomas , Gruber‐Olipitz Mariella , Jones Neil , Haberler Christine , Prayer Daniela , Autzinger Eva , Slavc Irene
Published: December 2008

Background

Hypothalamic‐chiasmatic gliomas (HCG) account for up to 20% of tumors in patients under the age of 3 years. While most children respond to chemotherapy, alternative treatment approaches are needed for those with progressive disease refractory to chemotherapy.

Procedure

Six patients (median age: 5.5 years) with progressive HCG were treated with imatinib for 3–29 months at a median daily oral dose of 270 mg/m2. All patients initially presented with extensive tumors during infancy and had undergone two to three surgical resections and two to three prior chemotherapies with multiple agents.

Results

The best response achieved was stable disease in all six patients. Disease control lasted from 5 to 46 months and was sustained longer in comparison to their last prior chemotherapy. Toxicities possibly related to imatinib included edema, elevated liver enzymes and bowel problems. Immunohistochemistry in our patients' tumor cells revealed focal expression of arg and PDGFR‐α in one patient, in the remaining five patients no expression of any of the five known targets of imatinib could be detected. Expression of PDGFR‐α and PDGFR‐β was detected in endothelial cells of tumor capillaries of all six patients.

Conclusions

We conclude that imatinib has possible activity in progressive HCG and may present an additional therapeutic option for patients who are too young or whose tumor is too extensive to receive radiotherapy. However, the optimal use of imatinib in this disease, its mechanism of action, and possible long‐term effects remain unclear and will require additional study. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;52:476–480. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sexual dysfunction and spousal communication in couples coping with prostate cancer
Authors: Badr Hoda , Carmack Taylor Cindy L.
Published: December 2008

Objective: To characterize the sexual function of both prostate cancer patients and their partners, and to examine whether associations between sexual dysfunction and psychosocial adjustment vary depending on spousal communication patterns.

Methods: In this cross‐sectional study, 116 prostate cancer patients and their partners completed psychosocial questionnaires.

Results: Patients and partners reported high rates of sexual dysfunction. Within couples, patients' and their partners' sexual function was moderately to highly correlated (r=0.30–0.74). When patients had poor erectile function, their partners were more likely to report that the couple avoided open spousal discussions; this in turn was associated with partners' marital distress (Sobel'sZ=12.47,p=0.001). Patients and partners who reported high levels (+1SD) of mutual constructive communication also reported greater marital adjustment, regardless of their own sexual satisfaction. In contrast, greater sexual dissatisfaction was associated with poorer marital adjustment in patients and partners who reported low levels (−1SD) of mutual constructive communication (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Our findings underscore the need for psychosocial interventions that facilitate healthy spousal communication and address the sexual rehabilitation needs of patients and their partners after prostate cancer treatment. Although some couples may be reluctant to engage in constructive cancer‐related discussions about sexual problems, such discussions may help alleviate the negative impact that sexual problems have on prostate cancer patients' and their partners' marital adjustment. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Parental optimism in poor prognosis pediatric cancers
Authors: Sung Lillian , Klaassen Robert J. , Dix David , Pritchard Sheila , Yanofsky Rochelle , Ethier Marie‐Chantel , Klassen Anne
Published: December 2008

Objective: The objectives were to describe parent‐rated and physician‐rated prognosis in a wide range of pediatric cancers and to describe the prevalence and predictors of parental prognostic optimism in poor prognosis pediatric cancer patients.

Methods: This Canadian multi‐institutional cross‐sectional study included children with cancer receiving any type of active treatment. The primary caregiver rated child prognosis on a 5‐point categorical rating scale. For each child, five pediatric oncologists rated prognosis according to child‐ and disease‐related characteristics.

Results: Of the 395 included families, 42 (10.6%) of parents rated prognosis as excellent or very good for children in whom physicians rated prognosis as poor.

In multiple regression analysis, in comparison to parents of children with leukemia and lymphoma, parents of children with solid tumors (odds ratio (OR) 11.3, 95% CI 4.6, 27.8; P=0.0009) and brain tumors (OR 7.5, 95% CI 2.7, 21.1; P=0.09), parents of children with relapsed disease (OR 10.7, 95% CI 3.6, 31.3; P<0.0001) and parents with greater dispositional optimism (OR 1.1, 95% CI 1.0, 1.2; P=0.008) were more likely to have optimistic prognostic estimates in the setting of physician‐rated poor prognosis.

Conclusion: Approximately 10% of parents have optimistic prognostic estimates in the setting of physician‐rated poor prognosis. Families of children with solid tumors and relapsed cancer and parents who were more optimistic were more likely to be optimistic in the poor prognosis setting. More research is needed to understand the impact of such discrepancies in prognosis on processes and outcomes. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
How relevant is marital status and gender variables in coping with colorectal cancer? A sample of middle‐aged and older cancer survivors
Authors: Goldzweig Gil , Andritsch Elisabeth , Hubert Ayala , Walach Natalio , Perry Shlomit , Brenner Baruch , Baider Lea
Published: December 2008

Objective: While the population in the western world is aging and cancer survival rates are increasing, there is a lack of knowledge concerning factors affecting social support and its relation to coping and distress among older patients. The aim of the current study is to assess the impact of marital status and gender upon levels of psychological distress, coping, and social support among middle‐aged and older unmarried (divorced/widowed) and married colorectal cancer patients.

Methods: Samples of 339 male and female colorectal patients were recruited from three major cancer centers in Israel. Participants' psychological distress, coping styles and social support were assessed using four self‐report standardized instruments.

Results: Two‐way MANOVAs and Pearson's correlation coefficient were used to assess the relationships between the study variables. High levels of distress were found among unmarried and male patients. Married men reported on significantly higher levels of spouse support than married women. Family support was correlated with psychological distress only among married patients. Surprisingly, spiritual‐religious support was found to be correlated among some of the study groups with Helplessness and Fatalism.

Conclusions: The results support the assumption that married patients cope better with cancer than unmarried patients and that women cope better than men. These differences may be related to the cultural mores of Israeli society in which men are expected to play the ‘hero’ role or to a generally lower ability of men to use social support and of unmarried patients to get family support. Practical conclusions in terms of intervention are discussed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pulmonary cysts in early childhood and the risk of malignancy
Authors: Priest John R. , Williams Gretchen M. , Hill D. Ashley , Dehner Louis P. , Jaffé Adam
Published: December 2008

Surgery for congenital and early childhood lung cysts is often dictated by symptoms such as respiratory distress, infection or pneumothorax. Asymptomatic cysts present a therapeutic dilemma: surgical intervention and “conservative” observation have advocates. The risk of malignancy in such cysts is considered by some an indication for surgical intervention and is reviewed in this paper. Pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB) is the most frequent malignancy associated with childhood lung cysts. Although rare, PPB occurs predictably in certain clinical and familial situations. This unique biology of PPB can inform the cyst management decision. The earliest manifestation of PPB is a malignant lung cyst in young children, clinically and radiographically indistinguishable from benign congenital lung cysts. Histopathologic examination differentiates cystic PPB from the benign cystic variants. Surgical excision of cystic PPB (with or without chemotherapy) cures approximately 85–90% of children. If not excised, cystic PPB evolves to cystic/solid or solid high‐grade sarcoma (cure rate 45–60%) by age 2–6 years. Numerous reports of “malignancy in a congenital lung cyst” are now understood as the characteristic progression of cystic PPB. PPB is genetically determined in many cases. Detailed family history may reveal the hallmarks of PPB in the patient or young relatives: a unique constellation of diseases including lung cysts, cystic nephroma, childhood cancers, stromal sex‐chord ovarian tumors, seminomas or dysgerminomas, intestinal polyps, thyroid hyperplasias, and hamartomas. Pneumothorax and multifocal/bilateral lung cysts also characterize PPB. These diagnoses predict that a lung cyst is more likely PPB than a benign congenital cyst. Patients fitting this pattern deserve histologic diagnosis. The genetic basis for this heritable syndrome is unknown but is being actively investigated. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2009; 44:14–30. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Development and validation of a questionnaire to assess asthma control in pediatrics
Authors: Pérez‐Yarza E.G. , Badía X. , Badiola C. , Cobos N. , Garde J. , Ibero M. , Villa J.R. ,   on behalf of the CAN Investigator Group
Published: December 2008

Objective

To develop and validate a questionnaire to assess asthma control in children (CAN).

Design

Two versions of the CAN (for carers and children) were developed. Both versions were validated in an observational, prospective, multicenter study performed in 38 hospital outpatient clinics throughout Spain. Four hundred fifteen patients and their carers agreed to participate. Of these, 414 patients under 14 years old with frequent episodic or persistent (moderate to severe) asthma completed the questionnaire on 3 occasions (baseline, week 2, and week 12). For patients aged 2–8 the questionnaire was only completed by the carers, but for patients aged 9–14 the questionnaire was completed by the carers and the children. Clinician ratings of asthma control were used as a gold standard to assess the sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of the new measure.

Results

Evaluable responses were obtained from 215 carers for children aged 2–8 years and 199 children aged 9–14 years, and their parents. Using a questionnaire total score cut‐off of 8 the patient version had a sensitivity of 76.3% and a specificity of 62.9%. For carer version these values were 73% and 69.7%, respectively. A cut point of 8 was selected to maximize the screening accuracy of the CAN questionnaire. Effect sizes in patients with clinician‐rated improvements in asthma control were 0.33 and 0.57 for the carer and child versions, respectively.

Conclusions

The screening accuracy and validity of the CAN questionnaire make it suitable for use in research and clinical practice. The sensitivity and specificity were close to 70%, which is acceptable for the study objective: obtain a tool to measure the level of asthma control. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2009; 44:54–63. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Swimming pool, respiratory health, and childhood asthma: Should we change our beliefs?
Authors: Uyan Z.S. , Carraro S. , Piacentini G. , Baraldi E.
Published: December 2008

Swimming is often recommended as a sport because of its several benefits to health. It is also recommended in asthmatic children as a sport with a lower potential for prompting exercise‐induced asthma. However, there is growing interest in the potentially harmful effects of repeated respiratory tract exposure to chlorinated products and the problem of possible swimming‐related health hazards is gaining importance at international level. It is already known that acute exposure to chlorine gas as in swimming pool accidents causes lung damage and also that elite swimmers may have increased airway inflammation and bronchial hyperreactivity, probably as a result of repeated exposure to chlorine derivatives. Recently some studies have been conducted to investigate whether repeated exposure to chlorine by‐products in recreational swimmers might also lead to lung damage. In addition, some studies have been lately published on the even more debated issue of the possible harmful effects of baby swimming on respiratory health. This article reviews and discusses data from the literature on the effects of chlorine derivatives in different categories of people routinely attending swimming pools. The need for longitudinal studies is emphasized to definitely clarify any role of chlorinated swimming pool attendance in the development of asthma in recreational swimmers. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2009; 44:31–37. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Study on sublimation of solid electrolyte (AgI)0.5‐(AgPO3)0.5with Knudsen effusion mass spectrometry
Authors: Bardi Ugo , Caporali Stefano , Tolstogouzov Alexander
Published: December 2008

Knudsen high‐temperature mass spectrometry was used to study the process of sublimation of a solid electrolyte (AgI)0.5‐(AgPO3)0.5. Monoatomic iodine ions were found to be the dominant species in the electron ionization mass spectra below 600°C. With an increase in temperature, the relative content of phosphorus oxide ions, mainly [PO]+and [P4O10]+, increased. Under further heating, we observed silver iodide and iodine dimer ions together with phosphorus dimer and tetramer ions and clusters [IPO2]+, [IP2]+, [I3P]+. Using the experimental logarithmic dependencies of ion signal intensities versus the reciprocal absolute temperature of the effusion cell, the apparent sublimation enthalpies ΔsHof the ions giving the most intense signals were estimated. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chemometric and statistical analyses of ToF‐SIMS spectra of increasingly complex biological samples
Authors: Berman Elena S. F. , Wu Ligang , Fortson Susan L. , Kulp Kristen S. , Nelson David O. , Wu Kuang Jen
Published: December 2008

Characterizing and classifying molecular variations within biological samples are critical for determining the fundamental mechanisms of biological processes. Toward these ends, time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF‐SIMS) was used to examine increasingly complex samples of biological relevance. The large, multivariate datasets were analyzed using five common statistical and chemometric techniques: principal component analysis (PCA), linear discriminant analysis (LDA), partial least‐squares discriminant analysis (PLSDA), soft independent modeling of class analogy (SIMCA), and decision‐tree analysis by recursive partitioning. PCA was found to provide insight into both the relative groupings of samples and the molecular basis for those groupings. For monosaccharide, pure protein, and complex protein mixture samples, LDA, PLSDA, and SIMCA all produced excellent classification. For mouse embryo tissues, however, SIMCA did not classify samples as accurately. The decision‐tree analysis was the least successful for all tested samples, providing neither as accurate a classification nor chemical insight. Based on these results we conclude that as the complexity of samples increases, so must the sophistication of the multivariate technique used to classify the samples. PCA is a preferred first step for understanding ToF‐SIMS data that can be followed by either LDA or PLSDA for effective classification. This study demonstrates the strength of the combination of ToF‐SIMS and multivariate analysis to classify increasingly complex biological samples. Applying these techniques to information‐rich mass spectral data opens the possibilities for new applications including classification of subtly different biological samples that may provide insights into cellular processes, disease progress, and disease diagnosis. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Expanding the genetic code of Saccharomyces cerevisiae with methionine analogues
Authors: Wiltschi Birgit , Wenger Waltraud , Nehring Sebastian , Budisa Nediljko
Published: December 2008

We replaced the single N‐terminal methionine in heterologously expressed human Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase with the non‐canonical methionine analogues homopropargylglycine and norleucine in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Our non‐canonical amino acid incorporation protocol involves a two‐step procedure. In the first step, the methionine auxotrophic yeast cells are accumulated in synthetic medium containing methionine while the target protein production is shut off. After a short methionine depletion phase, the cells are transferred to inducing medium that contains the methionine analogue instead of methionine and target protein expression is switched on. The initially low level incorporation of ∼12% could be elevated to 40% by increasing the non‐canonical amino acid concentration in the medium by 10‐fold. With this approach we were able to produce up to 5 mg substituted protein per litre of yeast culture. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Electronic States and Light Absorption in a Cylindrical Quantum Dot Having Thin Falciform Cross Section
Authors: Dvoyan Karen G , Hayrapetyan David B , Kazaryan Eduard M , Tshantshapanyan Ani A
Published: December 2008

Energy level structure and direct light absorption in a cylindrical quantum dot (CQD), having thin falciform cross section, are studied within the framework of the adiabatic approximation. An analytical expression for the energy spectrum of the particle is obtained. For the one-dimensional “fast” subsystem, an oscillatory dependence of the wave function amplitude on the cross section parameters is revealed. For treatment of the “slow” subsystem, parabolic and modified Pöschl-Teller effective potentials are used. It is shown that the low-energy levels of the spectrum are equidistant. In the strong quantization regime, the absorption coefficient and edge frequencies are calculated. Selection rules for the corresponding quantum transitions are obtained.
A generalization of Aubry–Mather theory to partial differential equations and pseudo-differential equations
Authors: de la Llave Rafael , Valdinoci Enrico
Published: December 2008

We discuss an Aubry–Mather-type theory for solutions of non-linear, possibly degenerate, elliptic PDEs and other pseudo-differential operators.

We show that for certain PDEs and
Ψ
DEs with periodic coefficients and a variational structure it is possible to find quasi-periodic solutions for all frequencies. This results also hold under a generalized definition of periodicity that makes it possible to consider problems in covers of several manifolds, including manifolds with non-commutative fundamental groups.

An abstract result will be provided, from which an Aubry–Mather-type theory for concrete models will be derived.
FGF21 N‐ and C‐termini play different roles in receptor interaction and activation
Authors: Yie Junming , Hecht Randy , Patel Jennifer , Stevens Jennitte , Wang Wei , Hawkins Nessa , Steavenson Shirley , Smith Steve , Winters Dwight , Fisher Seth , Cai Ling , Belouski Ed , Chen Ching , Michaels Mark L. , Li Yue-Sheng , Lindberg Richard , Wang Minghan , Véniant Murielle , Xu Jing
Published: December 2008

MINT‐6799907, MINT‐6799922: FGF21 (uniprotkb: Q9NSA1) binds (MI:0407) to β‐Klotho (uniprotkb: Q86Z14) by surface plasmon resonance (MI:0107)
Nuclear localization of the pre‐mRNA associating protein THOC7 depends upon its direct interaction with Fms tyrosine kinase interacting protein (FMIP)
Authors: El Bounkari Omar , Guria Anuja , Klebba-Faerber Sabine , Claußen Maike , Pieler Tomas , Griffiths John R. , Whetton Anthony D. , Koch Alexandra , Tamura Teruko
Published: December 2008

MINT‐6800071, MINT‐6800089: FMIP (uniprotkb:Q13769) physically interacts (MI:0218) with THOC7 (uniprotkb:Q6I9Y2) and THOC1 (uniprotkb:Q96FV9) by anti tag coimmunoprecipitation (MI:0007)
Novel synthetic collagen fibers, poly(PHG), stimulate platelet aggregation through glycoprotein VI
Authors: Inoue Osamu , Suzuki-Inoue Katsue , Shinoda Daisuke , Umeda Yasuto , Uchino Masazumi , Takasaki Sin-ichi , Ozaki Yukio
Published: December 2008

Novel synthetic collagen fibers, poly(PHG) made by polycondensation of Pro‐Hyp‐Gly, spontaneously assume polymeric structure with molecular weights greater than 105. Its application for biomaterials has been explored, but that for a platelet agonist has not been investigated. Poly(PHG)‐induced platelet aggregation independently of thromboxane A2 and integrin α2β1. Poly(PHG)‐induced tyrosine phosphorylation of glycoprotein VI (GPVI)‐related molecules and failed to activate GPVI/FcRγ‐deficient platelets. Binding of GPVI to poly(PHG) was confirmed by a surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy, suggesting that poly(PHG) activates platelets through GPVI. Poly(PHG) is an useful research tool to investigate GPVI‐mediated signals and a substitute for collagen in platelet functional assays.
Mitochondrial dysfunction leads to reduced chronological lifespan and increased apoptosis in yeast
Authors: Aerts An M. , Zabrocki Piotr , Govaert Gilmer , Mathys Janick , Carmona-Gutierrez Didac , Madeo Frank , Winderickx Joris , Cammue Bruno P.A. , Thevissen Karin
Published: December 2008

We previously isolated a Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutant (HsTnII), which displays 40% reduced chronological lifespan as compared to the wild type (WT). In this study, we found HsTnII cultures to be characterized by fragmented and dysfunctional mitochondria, and by increased initiation of apoptosis during chronological aging as compared to WT. Expression of genes encoding subunits of mitochondrial electron transport chain and ATP synthase is significantly downregulated in HsTnII, and as a consequence, HsTnII is not able to respire ethanol. All these data confirm the importance of functional mitochondria and respiration in determining yeast chronological lifespan and apoptosis.
A critical domain of the Cucumber mosaic virus 2b protein for RNA silencing suppressor activity
Authors: Ye Jian , Qu Jing , Zhang Jian-Feng , Geng Yun-Feng , Fang Rong-Xiang
Published: December 2008

Alignment of Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) 2b protein sequences from two CMV subgroups revealed two highly variable regions. To examine contributions of variable sequence domains to the suppressor activity, we performed a comparative study between 2b proteins of a subgroup I strain (SD‐CMV) and a subgroup II strain (Q‐CMV). Here we show that the suppressor activity of SD2b is stronger than that of Q2b and that a domain existent in SD2b but absent in Q2b is a major determinant of the suppressor activity of SD2b. We further show that the same domain is responsible for inhibition of Nicotiana benthamiana AGO4‐1 transcription. Our results implicate AGO4 as a mediator for CMV 2b to suppress systemic silencing and DNA methylation.
Estimated intakes of meat and fish by children and adolescents in Australia and comparison with recommendations
Authors: Clayton Edward H. , Hanstock Tanya L. , Watson Jane F.
Published: December 2008

Long-chainn-3 PUFA are considered important for cardiovascular health and brain development. Meat other than fish contributes significantly to total intakes of long-chainn-3 PUFA in adults; however, there are limited published data examining the intake of individual meat sources in children and adolescents in the Australian population. A review of literature was conducted using PubMed, Agricola and CAB Abstracts using the terms ‘intake’, ‘beef’, ‘lamb’, ‘pork’, ‘poultry’, ‘fish’, ‘children’ and ‘adolescents’ and using reference lists in published articles. Studies and surveys were identified that contained published values for intakes of meat or fish. Two national dietary surveys of children and adolescents were conducted in Australia in 1985 and 1995 and two regional surveys were conducted in Western Sydney and Western Australia in 1994 and 2003, respectively. Comprehensive data for the intake of individual meat sources were not reported from the 1995 survey, but estimations of intake were calculated from published values. Reported intakes of meat and fish are generally lower in females than males and tend to increase with age. Weighted mean intakes of red meat (beef plus lamb) across the three most recent studies were 67·3 and 52·2 g/d, respectively, for males and females aged between 7 and 12 years and 87·7 and 54·2 g/d, respectively, for males and females aged 12–18 years. These weighted intakes are within Australian guidelines and are likely to contribute significantly to total long-chainn-3 PUFA intake in children and adolescents in the Australian population.
Discourse structure, topicality and questioning
Authors: Kuppevelt Jan Van
Published: December 2008

In this paper we present an alternative approach to discourse structure according to which topicality is the general organizing principle in discourse. This approach accounts for the fact that the segmentation structure of discourse is in correspondence with the hierarchy of topics defined for the discourse units. Fundamental to the proposed analysis is the relation it assumes between the notion of topic and that of explicit and implicit questioning in discourse. This relation implies that (1) the topic associated with a discourse unit is provided by the explicit or implicit question it answers and (2) the relation between discourse units is determined by the relation between these topic-providing questions.
Logic and philology: incommensurability of descriptions of one-vowel systems
Authors: Ramer Alexis Manaster , Bicknell Belinda J.
Published: December 2008

Our purpose is simple: to apply a rudimentary kind of logical analysis to the problem, which sometimes arises in linguistic typology and in comparative linguistics, of whether there are any languages with fewer than two vowels. The principal reason why this question has occupied the attention of linguists is probably the fact that Proto-Indo-European is sometimes said to have had only one vowel phoneme (see especially Hjelmslev (1936–7), Borgstrøm (1949, 1954) and Lehmann (1952), following Saussure (1879). Yet this was precisely one of the features of PIE reconstruction that Jakobson selected for attack on typological grounds, reasoning that ‘a conflict between the reconstructed state of a language and the general laws which typology discovers makes the reconstruction questionable’ (1958: 23).
‘Antecedentless’ anaphors: deixis, anaphora, or what? Some evidence from English and French
Authors: Cornish Francis
Published: December 2008

Taking a cognitive perspective, and concentrating on instances of exophora (or so-called ‘antecedentless’ anaphora), where by definition there is no co-occurring expression in terms of which a given anaphor might be interpreted (i.e. a potential ‘antecedent’), I aim to show, firstly, that so-called exophora falls within the category of anaphora proper and not deixis; secondly, that it is in terms of a conceptual representation of the situation being evoked, and not in terms of the physical situation itself, that the anaphor is interpreted; and finally, that exophora is in reality a more central manifestation of anaphora than the ‘endophoric’ type, where the ‘antecedent’ expression co-occurs with the anaphor.

I will base the discussion on naturally occurring data from French and English, and will consider the contributions of gender- and number-marking within pronominal anaphors, as well as of such features of the anaphoric segment as the argument and referent-order statuses assigned to an anaphor by the governing predicator and its modifiers, and the stress and pitch characteristics of the anaphor. All these features play an important role in the assignment of a full interpretation to so-called ‘endophoric’ anaphors just as much as ‘exophoric’ ones, thereby weakening the theoretical basis for the distinction between the two types.
Mandarin phonological structure
Authors: Cheng Robert L.
Published: December 2008

This paper attempts to present the Mandarin phonological system after the generative fashion.1 We find it convenient to treat this part of the grammar in two components: namely, a syllable grammar and morphophonemics. The former attempts to designate the structure of the basic syllables independently of the syntactic component of the grammar. It consists of a set of P-rules to generate strings of phonemes for the basic syllables. The latter operates on sequences of these syllables with intrasyllabic information designated by the syllable grammar, and with category and intersyllabic information which can be given by the syntactic component. It consists of T-rules and gives a phonetic representation of sentences as its output.