bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Software for nonprofit fundraising and marketing
Authors: Rodd John
Published: February 2011

This paper discusses whether or not nonprofit donation processing software can be developed for nonprofit marketing. It shows, from previous research, that money‐raising rather than money‐processing is a crucial justification for a fundraising computer system. However, it is in money‐processing rather than money‐raising that most fundraising systems have their origins.

It identifies key differences in software purpose; transaction processing is reactive, money‐focused, and task‐oriented, whereas nonprofit marketing is proactive, donor‐focused and process‐oriented.

The paper looks at IT evolution over the last 50 years and recognises three phases: automate, informate and transformate. The paper suggests that fundraising systems are somewhere between automate and informate. Transformational IT has yet to come for the nonprofit world.

The paper shows where the strains occur when a transaction processing system is pressed into use for marketing, and the most common causes of problems are identified.

Finally it sets an agenda for nonprofit marketing systems which focus on holistic donor management, and suggests a number of data and functional needs that set marketing systems apart from transaction processing systems.
‘Meeting need: Successful charity marketing’
Authors: Pegram Giles
Published: February 2011

Ian Bruce (ICSA/Prentice Hall (Charities Management Series), Hemel Hempstead, UK; 1994; ISBN 1 872860 58 3; 292 pp; paperback; £17.95; hot line ordering No. +1442 881883)
Sensitive groups and marketing communications
Authors: Kent Ray , Horne Suzanne
Published: February 2011

Marketing communications by organisations offering nonprofit and largely voluntary services to sensitive groups in the population raise issues and problems that are totally different and vastly more complex than the normal marketing of consumer goods and services for profit. This paper reviews bereavement care services as epitomising these issues and suggests that the analysis of communication networks offers the best way forward for describing and analysing these complexities.

Using a self‐completed diary, bereavement care organisations recorded communications they had made to, and received from, the bereaved and other organisations. The data highlight the problems of communication when offering voluntary services to sensitive groups.
Medium‐sized charities and their advertising agencies: An exploratory investigation
Authors: Bennett Roger
Published: February 2011

Respondents in 103 medium‐sized charities completed a mail questionnaire designed to explore the nature of the relationships between these charities and their advertising agencies. It emerged that some, but not all, of the factors known to influence interactions between agencies and their commercial clients were equally relevant within the charity sector. Variables crucial to charity clients' levels of satisfaction with their advertising agencies included agency provision of functional assistance with media planning and the creative design of advertisements, trust and an agency's willingness to act as a member of its client's team, and the ability to generate new ideas. Additionally, an agency's experience of work within the charity sector and its empathy with charitable aims, ideals and philosophies were key determinants of satisfaction ratings. Assistance with market research and public relations and an agency's ability to offer extensive ancillary services did not appear to exert significant influence.
Marketing for change ‐ Giving brands a soul
Authors: Thompson Marjorie
Published: February 2011

Is it possible to avoid becoming flavour of the month and then being dismissed by bored consumers as a marketing gimmick? Saatchi & Saatchi Cause Connection offers a different twist: corporates should be taking the long view and lending substance and ‘soul’ to their brands by effective thought‐through charity link‐ups. Cause‐related marketing or CRM, as it is known, has been familiar to American consumers for a number of years, whereas it has only really become topical in Britain since 1996. In some cases this might mean taking on an issue, but in Britain, where the voluntary/charity sector has a long tradition of delivering services, promoting awareness and is highly professional, there is a real role for advertising to play in communicating social responsibility in conjunction with a charity. This paper provides a potted history of the anti‐racist and anti‐nuclear campaigns, challenges the current emphasis on ‘discretion’ in corporate giving and outlines a simple checklist for undertaking a relationship.
Corporate funding: A necessary evil?
Authors: Barrington Robert
Published: February 2011

Earthwatch has a highly successful track record of fundraising from the corporate sector, and developing corporate donors into long‐term partners. This paper examines how this has happened in an environment that favours publicity‐driven programmes run by large charities, and questions whether the long‐term health of the voluntary sector will be better served by such partnerships rather than by high‐value transactions.
The third way: The repositioning of the voluntary sector
Authors: Sternberg Paul
Published: February 2011

This paper explores some of the ways in which the voluntary sector can enter into a series of professional and creatively led communications alliances with the burgeoning media/communications industry. From design to advertising, from programme making to telecommunications, from regulatory bodies to multimedia companies, the paper demonstrates how the formation of the media/communications industry is at a critical stage of its life cycle having witnessed an almost meteoric proliferation of skills, profiles, professional codes and competences.

The paper demonstrates that with its emphasis on creative skills, its ability to amplify and legitimise social messages and values and its constitution being determined by portfolio ‘specialist’ careers the media/communications industry presents a unique opportunity for the renewal of the voluntary sector. It also argues that the professional rules of the media/communications industry, its alliances and its ethical codification still have to be defined. Further, that this definition is integral to the growth of a profession and could, if channelled effectively, underpin the repositioning of the voluntary sector for the 21st century.
Youth development volunteers: Their motives, how they differ from other volunteers and correlates of involvement intensity
Authors: Wymer Walter W.
Published: February 2011

The research objectives were to understand better the motives of youth development volunteers, determine if youth development volunteers could be differentiated from other volunteers using determinant variables from multiple conceptual domains and to discover correlates that may predict more intensive volunteering involvement.

Social‐lifestyle, demographic, personality and terminal value measures were obtained from a sample of 164 youth development volunteers and 849 volunteers serving in other organisations. Survey respondents were derived from over 40 nonprofit organisations in two mid‐western US cities. Results, managerial implications and recommendations for future research are presented.
Trustee decision making in small UK charities
Authors: Vincent Jeremy , Harrow Jenny , Palmer Paul
Published: February 2011

Management theory suggests that increasing the quantity and quality of management information available to key members in organisations will lead to improvements in their decision making. However, judgements as to what counts as ‘management information’, and in what its quality consists may vary according to organisational location, size and purpose. Where those ‘key members’ are volunteers, as with charity trustees, perceptions of management information need, amount and value, may vary further. This paper explores aspects of this theory, with particular reference to trustees of small charities in the United Kingdom. It outlines a research programme drawing on trustees in organisations working for children and for people with disabilities. A range of findings is presented, recording trustee experiences of and responses to management information, as this affects their charities' performance. Following from three in‐depth case studies in small charities, findings show that informal systems are in operation, whereby trustees devolve much of the responsibility for management information to their chief officers, who are then monitored by their chairs. While this system is viewed by participants as an effective and practical means of enabling decision making, certain questions are raised regarding trustee liability and accountability.
Infotorials as a charity marketing weapon
Authors: Bennett Roger , Gabriel Helen
Published: February 2011

A feature of the development of charity marketing over the last decade has been the increasing use for promotional purposes of human interest press stories prepared by charity employees and published in newspapers and magazines. These ‘infotorials’ follow the editorial style and layout of the host publication and present information about a social or medical problem in a readable and entertaining way. They are read in the same frame of mind as surrounding items, but their source is not revealed (as would be necessary for an orthodox commercial advertorial). This paper outlines the results of a survey of 45 charities known to employ infotorials for marketing communications, focusing on placement policies, management and evaluation, and respondents' perceptions of the benefits involved. Three clusters of charities engaging in the practice became apparent, differing mainly in the degree to which infotorials were seen as a means for gaining competitive advantage over rivals rather than for disseminating information about a charity and its work.
Polyethersulfone/polyacrylonitrile blend ultrafiltration membranes with different molecular weight of polyethylene glycol: preparation, morphology and antifouling properties
Authors: Amirilargani Mohammad , Sabetghadam Anahid , Mohammadi Toraj
Published: February 2011

Asymmetric ultrafiltration (UF) membranes were prepared from blends of polyethersulfone (PES)/polyacrylonitrile (PAN) via phase inversion method induced by immersion precipitation. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) with four different molecular weights was used as pore former and hydrophilic polymeric additive. N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) and water were used as solvent and coagulant (nonsolvent), respectively. The effects of different proportion of PES/PAN and molecular weight of PEG on morphology and performance of the prepared membranes were investigated. Performance of the membranes was evaluated using UF experiments of pure water and buffered bovine serum albumin (BSA) solution as feed. The contact angle measurements indicated that the hydrophilicities of PES/PAN membrane increase by increasing the PAN concentration in the casting solution. However, performance of the membranes improves by increasing the PAN concentration in the casting solution up to 20% and then decreases with further addition of PAN. It was found out that the rejection of BSA decreases with increasing the PAN concentration in the casting solution. Furthermore, it was found that the performance of the membranes increases by increasing the molecular weight of PEG up to 1500 Da and then decreases with the higher molecular weights. The morphology of the prepared membranes was studied by scanning electron microscopy. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Patient views and experiences of making adverse drug reaction reports to the Yellow Card Scheme in the UK
Authors: McLernon David J , Bond Christine M , Lee Amanda J , Watson Margaret C , Hannaford Philip C , Fortnum Heather , Krska Janet , Anderson Claire , Murphy Elizabeth , Avery Anthony ,   on behalf of the Yellow Card Study Collaboration
Published: February 2011

Purpose

To describe the characteristics of patient reporters to the UK's Yellow Card Scheme (YCS) and the suspect drugs reported, and to determine patient views and experiences of making a Yellow Card report.

Methods

A questionnaire was developed for distribution by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to all patients reporting through the YCS between March 2008 and January 2009. Associations between reporting method (online, postal and telephone) and questionnaire responses were examined using Pearson's Chi‐squared test.

Results

Evaluable questionnaires were returned by 1362 out of 2008 reporters (68%). Respondents' median (IQR) age was 56.5 (43.0, 67.0) years, 910 (66.8%) were female, 1274 (93.5%) were white and 923 (67.8%) had at least a further education qualification. The most frequent reporting method was postal (59.8%), followed by online (32.8%) and telephone (6.3%). Online reporters were younger with a higher education level than those using other reporting methods. Most respondents, 1274 (93.6%), thought that the report was fairly or very easy to complete, although many identified the need for improvements to the system. One third (n = 448; 32.9%) expected feedback from the MHRA and 828 (60.8%) would have liked feedback. Almost all respondents (n = 1302; 95.6%) would report again.

Conclusions

The majority of patients found the current methods of reporting suspected ADRs easy to use and would recommend them to others. Different methods of reporting were used by different demographic subgroups of reporters. Improvements to the system, including the provision of feedback to reporters, could be made. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Breast cancer recurrence risk reduction beliefs in breast cancer survivors: prevalence and relation to behavior
Authors: Burris Jessica L. , Jacobsen Paul B. , Loftus Loretta S. , Andrykowski Michael A.
Published: February 2011

Objective: There is a growing body of evidence suggesting breast cancer (BC) recurrence risk might be linked to behavioral factors. However, little is known about BC survivors' beliefs regarding the link between their behavior and recurrence risk. The objective of this study was to describe BC survivors' beliefs regarding performance of behaviors potentially associated with BC recurrence risk reduction, and to examine the link between these behaviors and BC recurrence risk reduction beliefs, worry, and risk perception.

Methods: 200 female BC survivors (age, years: mean=57.7, standard deviation=9.2) completed a questionnaire assessing beliefs about the effectiveness of 14 potential BC recurrence risk reduction behaviors, their performance of these potential risk reduction behaviors, recurrence worry, and perception of personal lifetime BC recurrence risk.

Results: The behaviors most frequently endorsed as potentially reducing BC recurrence risk included avoiding tobacco use (84%), exercising at least three times per week (74%), eating an average of five servings a day of fruits and vegetables (72%), and limiting food intake to maintain current weight or lose weight (70%). Multivariate logistic regression analyses predicting behavioral performance showed that beliefs were consistently associated with behavior while worry and risk perception were largely unrelated to behavior.

Conclusions: BC survivors' beliefs about the effectiveness of potential BC recurrence risk reduction behaviors are largely consistent with empirical findings and relate strongly to actual behavioral performance. Misconceptions about the effects of behavior to reduce BC recurrence risk are important targets for clinical and public health efforts. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A model for acceptor doping in ZnO based on nitrogen pair formation
Authors: Lautenschlaeger S. , Hofmann M. , Eisermann S. , Haas G. , Pinnisch M. , Laufer A. , Meyer B. K.
Published: February 2011

We reconsider acceptor doping of ZnO with Li and Cu published nearly 40 years ago by comparing it with the behaviour of nitrogen in ZnO. While Cu plays an exceptional role due to the d‐shell configuration (acceptor level at 190 meV below conduction band) Li and N as single acceptors give rise to deep distorted acceptors with binding energies between 700 and 800 meV above valence band. With these binding energies no hole conductivity at room temperature can be expected, having in mind that typical background donor densities in ZnO are between 1016 and 1017 cm−3. We propose a defect model to explain the role of lithium and nitrogen doping in ZnO which is based on two acceptor–one donor pairing as proposed by theory in the framework of co‐doping. Hydrogen is a key candidate for the donor role. The luminescence properties in ZnO:N can be understood on the basis of the calculation of the hole densities without and with compensation assuming pair formation. We compare our experimental findings with published results on nitrogen doped ZnO explaining the limitations of p‐type doping of ZnO with nitrogen.
Concentration‐dependent study of electronic and optical properties of c‐Si and c‐Si:H
Authors: Núñez‐González R. , Posada‐Amarillas A. , Galván D. H. , Reyes‐Serrato A.
Published: February 2011

Electronic and optical properties of crystalline silicon (c‐Si) and hydrogen‐doped crystalline silicon (c‐Si:H) were calculated using the full‐potential linearized augmented plane waves (FLAPWs) method, within the density functional theory (DFT), and the supercell method to model different hydrogen concentrations. Hydrogen was introduced in both bond‐centered (BC) and tetrahedral (Td) interstitial sites to find out the most favorable configuration by searching for the lowest energy structure. The Td interstitial site yields the most stable and lowest energy structure. For several hydrogen concentrations we found that the effect of interstitial hydrogen is to introduce electronic states at the silicon band gap, turning it into a metallic system. Analysis of the calculated energy‐loss function of doped silicon shows the existence of a plasmon peak at low energy of the loss spectrum, and the position of this plasmon peak is highly dependent on hydrogen concentration into silicon.
Physiological Aspects of Male Libido Enhanced by Standardized Trigonella foenum‐graecum Extract and Mineral Formulation
Authors: Steels Elizabeth , Rao Amanda , Vitetta Luis
Published: February 2011

The aim of the clinical study was to evaluate the effect of Testofen, a standardized Trigonella foenum‐graecum (Fenugreek) extract and mineral formulation, on male libido (sexual drive, urge or desire) in a double blind randomized placebo controlled study. The study recruited 60 healthy males aged between 25 and 52, without erectile dysfunction and randomized to an oral dose (two tablets per day) of the active treatment (600 mg Testofen per day) or placebo for 6 weeks. The primary outcome measure was the DISF‐SR (male) self‐administered QOL total score and the four domain scores. The secondary outcome was specific quality of life parameters. Testofen had an overall positive effect on physiological aspects of libido. In particular, there was a significant increase in the subdomains of sexual arousal and orgasm. Testofen had a positive effect on QOL in self‐reported satisfaction with muscle strength, energy and well‐being but did not have an effect on mood or sleep. Serum prolactin and testosterone levels remained within the reference range. It was concluded that Testofen demonstrated a significant positive effect on physiological aspects of libido and may assist to maintain normal healthy testosterone levels. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of Cinnamoyl and Flavonol Glucosides Derived from Cherry Blossom Flowers on the Production of Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) and AGE‐induced Fibroblast Apoptosis
Authors: Shimoda Hiroshi , Nakamura Seiko , Morioka Makoto , Tanaka Junji , Matsuda Hisashi , Yoshikawa Masayuki
Published: February 2011

Cherry blossom flowers are familiar to the Japanese, and some species of the flowers soaked in salty vinegar are used as processed foods. The constituents of aqueous ethanol extract from cherry blossom (Prunus lannesiana) flowers (CBE) were examined and cinnamoyl and flavonol glucosides were isolated. To elucidate the pharmacological functions of CBE and its constituents, their effects on the production of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and on AGE‐induced fibroblast damage were examined. CBE and 1‐O‐(E)‐caffeoyl‐β‐d‐glucopyranoside (CaG), a principal compound in CBE, significantly suppressed the production of AGEs derived from glucose and albumin at 100 μg/mL. Among the flavonol glucosides, quercetin 3‐O‐β‐d‐glucopyranoside (QG) exhibited potent suppressive activity (IC50: 30 μg/mL). CBE and CaG suppressed glyoxal‐induced AGE production in fibroblasts at 10 μg/mL, but QG did not. In addition, CBE and CaG recovered collagen lattice formation consisting of collagen and glycated fibroblasts at 10 μg/mL. Moreover, CBE and its constituents, except kaempferol 3‐O‐(6″‐malony)‐β‐d‐glucopyranoside, significantly suppressed fibroblast apoptosis induced by carboxymethyl lysine‐collagen at 10 μg/mL. These results show that cinnamoyl and flavonol glucosides of cherry blossom flowers suppress AGE production and AGE‐induced fibroblast apoptosis. Cherry blossom flowers may be effective against skin AGE production and fibroblast damage by AGEs. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Service‐level assurance in high‐availability multi‐unit systems using the M‐for‐N backup scheme
Authors: Ozaki, Hirokazu , Kara Atsushi , Cheng Zixue
Published: February 2011

In this paper, we investigate service‐level assurance in high‐availability multi‐unit systems using the M‐for‐N backup scheme. M‐for‐N shared protection (backup) systems with priority control (i.e. prioritized protection switching and prioritized re‐housing of repaired units) can be applied to actual telecommunication devices that are subject to service‐level agreement (SLA) involving reliability measures. A priority level is assigned to each end user in such a system and the switching and unit re‐housing process is subject to the priority. The main contribution of this paper is to give a practical computation method of the user‐perceived availability under the priority control. Our case studies for real telecommunication systems reveal the effect of priority control on the user‐perceived availability. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Some methodological issues in biosurveillance
Authors: Fricker Ronald D.
Published: February 2011

This paper briefly summarizes a short course I gave at the 12th Biennial Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) Symposium held in Decatur, Georgia on April 6, 2009. The goal of this short course was to discuss various methodological issues of biosurveillance detection algorithms, with a focus on the issues related to developing, evaluating, and implementing such algorithms. The PowerPoint slides from the complete talk can be accessed at http://faculty.nps.edu/rdfricke/Biosurveillance.htm. Published in 2011 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ecological‐type inference in matched‐pair studies with fixed marginal totals
Authors: Barker Laurie K. , Griffin Susan O. , Jeon Seonghye , Gray Shellie Kolavic , Vidakovic Brani
Published: February 2011

This paper applies a Bayesian approach to ecological‐type inference in matched‐pair studies because traditional methods that assume parallel tables are not directly applicable. The proposed procedure is based on a hierarchical Bayes structure which models information about the within‐pair association. The proposed algorithm relies on Markov chain Monte Carlo simulation, recovers the full table, and reports its accuracy in terms of credible sets for the cell counts. This methodology is motivated and illustrated with examples from split‐mouth designs assessing the effectiveness of dental sealant materials and cross‐over trials comparing two forms of insulin. Published in 2011 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of various maillard reaction products on in vitro starch hydrolysis and blood glucose responses in mice
Authors: Chung Soo Yeon , Lee Seog Won , Rhee Chul
Published: February 2011

This study investigated the effects of Maillard reaction products (MRPs) on in vitro starch hydrolysis, and in vivo blood glucose responses in mice. Four MRPs of various dextrose equivalents were prepared by heating a mixture of hydrolyzed rice starch and glycine at 200°C for 4 min. The starch hydrolysis rates of gelatinized rice starch (GRS) decreased as the browning reaction of added MRPs increased. The hydrolysis kinetic constants of the GRS with 5% MRPs were relatively lower than that of GRS without MRPs. Blood glucose responses showed similar tendencies to the in vitro starch hydrolysis results. The activity of digestive enzymes was inhibited by the MRPs. The relative crystallinity of all MRPs (29.9–60.1%) appeared to have higher values than GRS (15.1%). The samples heated to induce the Maillard reaction showed a more compact and flat structure compared to that of GRS. Therefore, it is possible that MRPs have not only a structure which is difficult for the enzyme to degrade but also function to suppress digestive enzyme activity.
Physicochemical, thermal, and pasting properties of Chinese chestnut (Castanea mollissima Bl.) starches as affected by different drying methods
Authors: Zhang Min , Chen Haixia , Zhang Yan
Published: February 2011

Starches from raw Chinese chestnut (Castanea mollissima Bl.) were isolated and dried by freeze drying and oven drying methods and the physicochemical, thermal, and the pasting properties were evaluated. Results showed that the two drying methods clearly affected the properties of the Chinese chestnut starches (CCS), both in composition, physicochemical, thermal, pasting properties, and functional characteristics. Freeze dried CCS presented the higher RS content, higher thermal properties, higher pasting values, higher solubility, lower syneresis to freezing, and thawing when compared with oven dried CCS. These properties of freeze dried CCS represented a unique starch for food ingredient usage of chestnut.
The global recession issue: Introduction—Part I
Authors: Shoham Amir
Published: February 2011

This special issue concentrates on the global economic downturn that reached its lowest point in late 2008. Signals of an impending crisis started in 2007 with a wave of insolvent subprime mortgages in the United States, but the seeds were planted years earlier. In its scope, length, and countries affected, this downturn is the worst in over 70 years. It is changing and will continue to change local and global business and economic environments. This issue aims to learn from past mistakes and better understand the new environment. Each part contains five articles and an introduction. Part I has a global perspective; Part II focuses on specific national economies. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Learning from the “worst behaved”: Iceland's financial crisis and the Nordic comparison
Authors: Sigurjonsson Throstur Olaf , Mixa Mar Wolfgang
Published: February 2011

This article explores how the financial crisis in 2008 could have been partially avoided by Iceland through observing the warning signs. Iceland experienced the harshest consequences from the financial crisis in the Western world, such as the total collapse of its banking sector. This article compares the prelude of Iceland's financial crisis to the Scandinavian one, less than 20 years ago, providing an understanding of the sources of the crisis and its impact. Results show that signs of overexpansion in Iceland were clear and numerous. Iceland's structural weaknesses resemble many other badly hit countries, simply more extreme. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Increased uterine artery pulsatility index at 34 weeks and outcome of pregnancy
Authors: Maroni E. , Youssef A. , Arcangeli T. , Nanni M. , De Musso F. , Contro E. , Kuleva M. , Bellussi F. , Pilu G. , Rizzo N. , Ghi T.
Published: February 2011

Objectives

To evaluate pregnancy outcome in patients with increased uterine artery (UtA) pulsatility at 34 weeks' gestation as an isolated finding.

Methods

Normotensive women attending at 34 weeks' gestation for fetal growth assessment were enrolled in the study if fetal growth was appropriate for age and mean UtA pulsatility index (PI) was persistently above the 95th centile for gestational age. Patients were excluded with any of the following conditions: multiple pregnancy, sonographic suspicion of fetal anomaly or fetal growth restriction, history of chronic maternal disease, hypertensive disorder or diabetes in the current pregnancy or one or more adverse events in their past obstetric history. The control group consisted of age‐ and body mass index‐matched low‐risk women attending at 34 weeks with normal uterine artery Doppler since the midtrimester.

Results

Sixty‐six normotensive patients with normal fetal growth and increased UtA‐PI at 34 weeks were included in the study group. Women with abnormal Doppler findings compared with controls showed significantly lower gestational age at delivery (38.2 ± 1.6 vs. 38.9 ± 1.3 weeks, P = 0.006), birth weight (2942 ± 583 vs. 3404 ± 469 g, P < 0.001), birth‐weight Z‐score (−0.61 ± 1.07 vs. 0.19 ± 1.05, P < 0.001) and increased risk of a small‐for‐gestational‐age (SGA) newborn (13/66 vs. 1/66, P < 0.001). The occurrence of late pre‐eclampsia (3/66 vs. 0/66, P = 0.24), admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (6/66 vs. 4/66, P = 0.74), rate of induction of labor (16/66 vs. 14/66, P = 0.83) and rate of Cesarean section due to fetal distress (6/66 vs. 3/66, P = 0.49) were comparable between the two groups.

Conclusion

Increased UtA‐PI as an isolated finding at 34 weeks' gestation is associated with an increased risk of delivering an SGA neonate. Copyright © 2011 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparison of the atmospheric stability and wind profiles at two wind farm sites over a long marine fetch in the North Sea
Authors: Sathe Ameya , Gryning Sven‐Erik , Peña Alfredo
Published: February 2011

A comparison of the atmospheric stability and wind profiles using data from meteorological masts located near two wind farm sites in the North Sea, Egmond aan Zee (up to 116 m) in the Dutch North Sea and Horns Rev (HR; up to 45 m) in the Danish North Sea, is presented. Only the measurements that represent long marine fetch are considered. It was observed that within a long marine fetch, the conditions in the North Sea are dominated by unstable [41% at Egmond aan Zee Offshore Wind Farm (OWEZ) and 33% at HR] and near‐neutral conditions (49% at OWEZ and 47% at HR), and stable conditions (10% at OWEZ and 20% at HR) occur for a limited period. The logarithmic wind profiles with the surface‐layer stability correction terms and Charnock's roughness model agree with the measurements at both sites in all unstable and near‐neutral conditions. An extended wind profile valid for the entire boundary layer is compared with the measurements. For the tall mast at Egmond aan Zee, it was found that for stable conditions, the scaling of the wind profiles with respect to boundary‐layer height is necessary, and the addition of another length scale parameter is preferred. At the lower mast at HR, the effect was not noticeable. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
SMN in spinal muscular atrophy and snRNP biogenesis
Authors: Coady Tristan H. , Lorson Christian L.
Published: February 2011

Ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes function in nearly every facet of cellular activity. The spliceosome is an essential RNP that accurately identifies introns and catalytically removes the intervening sequences, providing exquisite control of spatial, temporal, and developmental gene expressions. U‐snRNPs are the building blocks for the spliceosome. A significant amount of insight into the molecular assembly of these essential particles has recently come from a seemingly unexpected area of research: neurodegeneration. Survival motor neuron (SMN) performs an essential role in the maturation of snRNPs, while the homozygous loss of SMN1 results in the development of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a devastating neurodegenerative disease. In this review, the function of SMN is examined within the context of snRNP biogenesis and evidence is examined which suggests that the SMN functional defects in snRNP biogenesis may account for the motor neuron pathology observed in SMA. WIREs RNA 2011 2 546–564 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.76

This article is categorized under:

RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > RNA–Protein Complexes

RNA Processing > Processing of Small RNAs

RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease
Synthesis and Properties of Complexes with Unusual {MnIII4} and {MnII4} Cages
Authors: Hołyńska Małgorzata , Pietzonka Clemens , Dehnen Stefanie
Published: February 2011

Two types of manganese complexes with [Mn4] cores featuring the unusual distorted cube topology are presented, the first of which comprises new modifications of the reported complex [MnIII4(sao)4(saoH)4]·3CHCl3: [Mn4(sao)4(saoH)4]·1.32(C4H10O)·0.43(CH4O) (1a) and [Mn(sao)4(saoH)4]·0.5(CH4O)·0.5(C2H3N) (1b) sao = salicylaldoxime. The second, 0.55[Mn4Cl4(C12H9N2O)4(CH3OH)2(H2O)2]·0.45[Mn4Cl4(C12H9N2O)4(CH3OH)4] (2), is the first reported case of a {MnII4} core of this topology besides known {MnIII4} compounds. Differences between the {MnII4} and {MnIII4} situation are discussed, and so far overlooked differences in magnetic properties between different {MnIII4} compounds are pointed out.
Synthesis and Characterization of Guanidinium Difluoroiodate, [C(NH2)3]+[IF2O2]– and its Evaluation as an Ingredient in Agent Defeat Weapons‡
Authors: Fischer Dennis , Klapötke Thomas M. , Stierstorfer Jörg
Published: February 2011

Ammonium and guanidinium difluoroiodate(V), [NH4]+[IF2O2]– (1a) and [C(NH2)3]+[IF2O2]– (1b), and diazidoglyoxime, [N3C=N–OH]2 (2) were synthesized and the molecular structures in the solid state of 1b and 2 were elucidated by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. 1b: P$\bar{1}$, a = 6.6890(5), b = 10.2880(6), c = 10.30.92(8) Å, α = 105.447(6), β = 108.568(7), γ = 91.051(5)°, V = 644.08(8) Å3, ρ = 2.650 g·cm–3; 2: P21/n, a = 4.4211(3), b = 13.7797(9), c = 4.9750(3) Å, β = 98.735(6), V = 299.57(3) Å3, ρ = 1.886 g·cm–3. The suitability of compounds 1a and 1b as active ingredients for agent defeat weapons (ADW) with biocidal activity has been shown in detonation tests using geobacillus stearothermophilus spores. In addition, a complete energetic characterization of the promising primary explosive 2 is given.
Über das magnetische Verhalten der Nioboxyde
Authors: Brauer G.
Published: February 2011

Es werden die molaren Susceptibilitäten im System Nb‐O zwischen Nb und Nb2O5 bestimmt. Ihr Verlauf mit der Zusammensetzung ist mit den röntgenographisch ermittelten Phasengrenzen des Systems in Einklang. Im Gebiet zwischen Nb2O5 und NbO2 können nach dem magnetischen Verhalten Aussagen über die Konstitution gemacht werden.
Einwertige Aluminiumverbindungen III): Niedere Halogenide des Aluminiums
Authors: Klemm W. , Voss E. , Geiersberger K.
Published: February 2011

Es wurde der Nachweis geführt, daβ alle Halogene Subverbindungen des Aluminiums der Formel AlX bilden. In dem temperatur‐ (und vermutlich auch druck‐) abhängigen Gleichgewicht über geschmolzenem Aluminium‐Metall nimmt mit steigender Temperatur der Monohalogenid‐Gehalt auf Kosten des Trihalogenids zu. Beim Kondensieren zerfallen die Subhalogenide in Metall und Trihalogenid. Von Eisen und anderen Bestandteilen von Aluminium‐Legierungen läβt sich das Aluminium durch Verflüchtigung als Subhalogenid leicht abtrennen.
Über binäre Systeme aus Halogeniden II): Das Verhalten von NaCI, KCI, RbCI, NaJ und KJ zu den entsprechenden Magnesiumhalogeniden
Authors: Klemn Wilhelm , Beyersdorfer Kurt , Oryschkewitsch Jareslau
Published: February 2011

1. Das System NaCl/MgCl2 wird nachgeprüft und die Zusammensetzung der Verbindungen als NaMgCl3 und Na2MgCl4 sichergestellt.

2. Das System KCl/MgCl2 wird thermoanalytisch und röntgenographisch untersucht; es treten die kongruent schmelzenden Verbindungen KMgCl2 und K2MgCl4 auf.

3. Eine vorläufige Untersuchung des Systems RbCl/MgCl3 ergab die Existenz der kongruent schmelzenden Verbindungen RbMgCl3 und Rb2MgCl4.

4. NaJ bildet mit MgJ2 Mischkristalle, vermutlich mit schmaler Lücke; bei tiefen Temperaturen tritt Entmischung ein.

5. KJ bildet mit MgJ2 ein eutektisches System.

6. Die Faktoren, die zu den verschiedenen Arten von Systemen führen, werden besprochen.
Die Löslichkeit des Kobaltxanthates in organischen Lösungsmittein und ihre analytische Anwendung
Authors: Kutzelnigg Artur
Published: February 2011

Kobaltxanthat ist in einer Anzahl organischer Lösungsmittel mit grüner Farbe löslich. Gute Lösungsmittel sind gechlorte und aromatische Kohlenwasserstoffe, die besten Methylenchlorid und Cyclohexanon. In bestimmten Lösungsmittelgemischen treten starke Abweichungen von der Additivität auf. Die grünen Kobaltxanthat‐Lösungen ermöglichen den Nachweis, die kolorimetrische Bestimmung und die Trennung des Kobalts von anderen Metallen.
Selen‐organische Verbindungen
Authors: Brisntzinger H. , Pfannstiel K. , Vogel H.
Published: February 2011

Selenchlorid ‐ SeCl2 ‐ ist nach der bisherigen Auffassung nur als dampfförmiges Dissoziationsprodukt von Selentetrachlorid existenzfähig:

Auf Grund unserer Überlegungen müβte Selendichlorid aber auch dadurch entstehen, daβ man Selen zu Selentetrachlorid fügt:

Gibt man schwarzes, metallisches Selen zum Selentetrachlorid, so erfolgt keine Reaktion, das schwarze Selen ist als stabile Selenmodifikation mit geringem Energieinhalt offenbar zu reaktionsträge. Mit dem viel reaktionsfähigeren gefällten, roten Selen, das einen wesentlich höheren Energieinhalt als das schwarze Selen hat, tritt aber das Selentetrachlorid in Reaktion.

Über die Reaktion der Selentetrahalogenide mit rotem Selen wird später ausführlich berichtet werden.

Die vorliegende Arbeit behandelt die Auswertung der Umsetzung von Selentetrachlorid mit rotem Selen für die Darstellung organischer Selenide, die vorzugsweise durch die Einwirkung von 1,2‐Dichloräthylen oder von Vinylchlorid auf Selendichlorid erhalten wurden. Aus den so gewonnenen Verbindungen Se(CHCl‐CHCl2)2, Se(CH2‐CHCl2)2 und Cl2CH‐CH2‐Se‐Cl wurden durch Halogenwasserstoffabspaltung unter verschiedenen Bedingungen sowie durch Halogenierung die verschiedenartigsten Derivate dargestellt.

Selenocyanide wurden sowohl durch die Einwirkung von Kaliumeyanid auf Alkylselenhalogenide als auch durch die Umsetzung von Alkylbromiden mit Kaliumselenocyanid erhalten.

Alkylselentribromide wurden durch Bromieren der Alkylselenocyanide gewonnen.

Durch die Einwirkung von Feuchtigkeit bei tiefer Temperatur auf Alkylselentrichloride, am besten gleich bei deren Bildung, entstehen Alkylselenin‐säurechlorhydrate.
Über die Störungen an Graphitanoden bei der elektrolytischen Fluordarstellung
Authors: RÜdorff Walter , Hofmann Ulrich , RÜdorff Gerda , Endell Joachim , Ruess Gerhard
Published: February 2011

Bei der Elektrolyse von KHF2 an Graphit‐ und Kohleanoden treten an der Anode Störungen auf, die durch die Reaktion des Fluors mit dem Anodenmaterial hervorgerufen werden. Es sind dies die Alterungserscheinungen und der Anodeneffekt.

Die Alterungserscheinungen haben ihre Ursache in der durch HF katalysierten Bildung von Kohlenstoffmonofluorid, (CF)x. Dieses kann durch Abbrennen, d. h. durch Elektrolyse bei der hohen Spannung des Anodeneffekts (40‐50 V) entfernt werden, wodurch die Alterungserscheinungen aufgehoben werden.

Beim Anodeneffekt, (AE), verbrennt das Fluor mit der Anode zu Kohlenstofffluoriden. Die während des AE an den aufsteigenden Gasblasen zu beobachtende Leuchterscheinung rührt von der bei der Verbrennung freiwerdenden Wärme her. Durch die Reaktion des Fluors mit dem Kohlenstoff der Anode wird die Oberfläche der Anode wie mit einem feinen Hobel poliert und nimmt ein spiegelnd glänzendes Aussehen an.

Der Eintritt des AE wird wesentlich durch Unebenheiten der Anodenoberfläche begünstigt. Elektroden, deren Oberfläche durch den AE glänzend poliert sind, sind bei der weiteren Elektrolyse besonders widerstandsfähig gegen das Auftreten des AE.

Wahrscheinlich wird der AE durch das Einsetzen der Verbrennung der Anode zu flüchtigen C‐Fluoriden ausgelöst.
Use of the new ultrasonically curved shear in pancreaticoduodenectomy for periampullary cancer
Authors: Satoi Sohei , Yanagimoto Hiroaki , Toyokawa Hideyoshi
Published: February 2011

Objectives

To examine whether the use of the new ultrasonically curved shear (UCS) can reduce the number of surgical stitches, extent of blood loss, and operation time in (pylorus‐preserving) pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for periampullary cancer.

Methods

The study population comprised 26 consecutive patients who underwent PD for periampullary cancer. Intraoperative data, including number of stitches used, was prospectively collected. Results from 13 patients who underwent conventional PD (Group A) were compared with those from 13 patients who underwent PD using UCS (Group B).

Results

There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between the two patient groups. The extent of blood loss in Group B was significantly less than in Group A (p < 0.0001). Although there was no difference in total operation time, the time spent on hilar lymph node dissection was significantly shorter in Group B patients than in Group A patients (p = 0.0189). The number of surgical stitches used was significantly less in Group B patients than in Group A patients (p < 0.0001). There were no incidences of post‐pancreatectomy hemorrhage.

Conclusion

The use of the new UCS was safe and associated with the economical benefit of fewer surgical stitches as well as reduced blood loss.
Borderline resectable pancreatic cancer: rationale for multidisciplinary treatment
Authors: Takahashi Shinichiro , Kinoshita Taira , Konishi Masaru , Gotohda Naoto , Kato Yuichiro , Kinoshita Takahiro , Kobayashi Tatsushi , Mitsunaga Syuichi , Nakachi Kohei , Ikeda Masafumi
Published: February 2011

Background

Borderline resectable pancreatic cancer (BRPC) appears to be most frequently related to a positive surgical margin and has a poor prognosis after resection. However, few reports are available on differences in tumor characteristics and prognoses among resectable pancreatic cancer (PC), BRPC, and unresectable PC.

Methods

Records of 133 patients resected for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and 185 patients treated as locally advanced PC (LAPC) were reviewed.

Results

Twenty‐four patients who initially underwent resection (BRPC‐s) and 10 patients who were initially treated as LAPC (BRPC‐n) met the criteria for BRPC. Prognosis of BRPC was significantly better than that of unresectable PC, but was significantly worse than that of resectable PC. BRPC‐s showed more frequent nerve plexus invasion (p < 0.01), portal vein invasion (p < 0.01), and loco‐regional recurrence (p = 0.03) than resectable PC. The positive surgical margin rate was not significantly higher in BRPC‐s (29%) than in resectable PC (19%) (p = 0.41).

Conclusions

BRPC had a poorer prognosis with more local failure than resectable PC although prognosis of BRPC was significantly better than that of unresectable PC. Considering the tumor and treatment characteristics, multidisciplinary treatment including resection is required for BRPC.
Nociceptive input from the rat thoracolumbar fascia to lumbar dorsal horn neurones
Authors: Hoheisell Ulrich , Taguchil Toru , Treedel Rolf‐Detlef , Mensel Siegfried
Published: February 2011

In anaesthetised rats, systematic electrophysiological recordings from dorsal horn neurones in spinal segments Th13–L5 were made to obtain information about the spinal nociceptive processing from the lumbar thoracolumbar fascia. Six to fourteen percent of the neurones in the spinal segments Th13–L2 had nociceptive input from the thoracolumbar fascia in naïve animals, no neurones responsive to input from the lumbar fascia were found in segments L3–L5. The segmental location of the receptive fields in the fascia was shifted 2–4 segments caudally relative to the spinal segment recorded from. Most neurones were convergent in that they received additional input from other deep somatic tissues in the low back (87%) and from the skin in the abdominal wall or the proximal leg (50%). The proportion of neurones responsive to input from the thoracolumbar fascia rose significantly from 4% to 15% (P <0.05) in animals with an experimentally‐induced inflammation of a low back muscle (multifidus). Moreover, neurones in spinal segment L3 – that did not receive input from the fascia in normal animals—responded to fascia input in animals with inflamed muscle. The data suggest that the nociceptive input from the thoracolumbar fascia contributes to the pain in low back pain patients.
Is it appropriate to routinely use a nucleic acid amplification test for the diagnosis of tuberculosis?
Authors: Lin Chih‐Bin , Chou Hsu‐Wen , Lin Wei‐Chiao , Lin Teng‐Yi , Lin Tao‐Ping , Luh Kwen‐Tay , Lee Jen‐Jyh
Published: February 2011

The purpose of this study was to compare the usefulness of the nucleic acid amplification (NAA) test against conventional tests under normal laboratory operational conditions. The NAA test was performed on the first sputum specimen of all patients. Liquid media culture, solid media culture, and Ziehl–Neelsen stain for an acid‐fast bacilli (AFB) smear were performed on three sputum specimens. The results were calculated using the gold standard of either the culture results or the clinical diagnosis. Of the 593 patients tested, 151 (25.5%) were diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis. The sensitivity of the first specimen only was 64% for the NAA test, 54% for the AFB smear, 77% for BACTEC MGIT 960 culture, 40% for Lowestain‐Jensen (LJ) culture, and 25% for 7H11 culture. The sensitivity when using all three specimens increased to 63% for AFB smear, 87% for BACTEC MGIT 960 culture, 51% for LJ culture, and 40% for 7H11 culture. The specificity was 100% for all culture tests, 99% for the AFB smear, and 99.5% for NAA test. The mean turnaround time was 1.34 days for NAA, 0.59 days for AFB smear, 11 days for BACTEC MGIT 960 culture, 23 days for LJ culture, and 20 days for 7H11 culture. We conclude that the sensitivity of NAA is still far from ideal, and the test is not cost effective. Thus, the COBAS AMPLICOR PCR system is not suitable for routine use in microbiology laboratories.
Association between psychosomatic symptoms and work stress among Taiwan police officers
Authors: Chueh Ke‐Hsin , Yen Cheng‐Fang , Lu Luo , Yang Mei‐Sang
Published: February 2011

The aim of the study was to explore the association between the severity of psychosomatic symptoms and perceived work stress among male police officers in southern Taiwan. By stratified random sampling, a total of 698 male police officers were recruited into this study (the response rate was 73.4%; 512 of 698). A structured self‐administered questionnaire on demographic and working characteristics, the severity of psychosomatic symptoms, perceived work stress, and social support was used to collect data anonymously. The results of multiple regression analysis revealed that (1) the police officers who perceived high‐work stress reported more severe psychosomatic symptoms than those who perceived low‐work stress; and (2) perceived social support had a moderating effect on the association between severity of psychosomatic symptoms and perceived work stress. Perceived work stress is an indicator of psychosomatic symptoms in police officers. Strategies for reducing psychosomatic symptoms of police officers include police administrators taking into account the level of work stress as well as more attention being paid to the resources of social support.