bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factors affecting attendance at postpartum diabetes screening in women with gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Sterne VL , Logan T , Palmer MA
Published: March 2011

Up to 50% of women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) will be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes within five years. Attendance rates at postpartum screening are only 48‐56%. As the barriers or facilitators to screening attendance among women diagnosed with GDM have not previously been determined, this study aimed to examine the barriers and facilitators to attendance at postpartum diabetes screening as reported by women following a recent history of GDM.

This study was a cross‐sectional telephone survey of Australian women diagnosed with GDM in a Queensland hospital during the period July 2006 to June 2007. Rates of attendance at postpartum diabetes screening were assessed, and reported barriers and facilitators to postpartum screening were grouped into themes.

Of 187 eligible participants, 88 women were surveyed (aged 33±6 years, parity 1 [0‐5]). Half (53.4%) of respondents attended postpartum diabetes screening. Barriers to screening included a lack of awareness of the need to attend screening, the inconvenience associated with the two to three hour length of the OGTT, and the need to attend screening with infants and young children. Reported facilitators included improved awareness of the need for screening, multiple reminders, and a more pleasant and convenient test.

Facilitation strategies aimed at increasing the awareness of postpartum diabetes risks and promoting the provision of accurate and consistent screening advice from medical providers may assist in improving attendance at postpartum diabetes screening. A more acceptable screening test and establishment of a national database for routine screening reminders may also encourage women to attend postpartum diabetes screening. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons.
What do patients prefer: insulin pumps or multiple daily injections and structured education?
Authors: Clark LF , Bilbie JC , Abraham P
Published: March 2011

Potential advantages of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) over multiple daily injections (MDI) include improved glycaemia, and reduced frequency and severity of hypoglycaemia. In our hospital, to be considered for CSII, patients must be using MDI, and then undergo a Dose Adjustment For Normal Eating (DAFNE) structured education course.

We reviewed the records of the 21 patients with type 1 diabetes who had sequentially undergone MDI, then DAFNE and are now treated with CSII.

HbA1c improved as patients increased the intensity of the management of diabetes despite reductions in total daily insulin dose. Patients did a similar number of home blood glucose tests per day and spent a similar amount of time managing their diabetes.

Contacts with health care team members were the same for all modalities in the first three months but reduced for those on MDI with or without having completed a structured education course, while contacts with the health care team remained higher on pumps. Patients were generally satisfied with all modalities of treatment and would recommend each modality.

The input into the management of diabetes from both patients and health care professionals remained high even after the initial stages of being commenced on CSII therapy. This reflects the additional input needed in assessing the various basal rates and other ratios. However, patient preference was in favour of pumps in this select group who had sequentially experienced all three options. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons.
Proteomic analysis reveals a virtually complete set of proteins for translation and energy generation in elementary bodies of the amoeba symbiont Protochlamydia amoebophila
Authors: Sixt Barbara S. , Heinz Christian , Pichler Peter , Heinz Eva , Montanaro Jacqueline , Op den Camp Huub J. M. , Ammerer Gustav , Mechtler Karl , Wagner Michael , Horn Matthias
Published: March 2011

Chlamydiae belong to the most successful intracellular bacterial pathogens. They display a complex developmental cycle and an extremely broad host spectrum ranging from vertebrates to protozoa. The family Chlamydiaceae comprises exclusively well‐known pathogens of humans and animals, whereas the members of its sister group, the Parachlamydiaceae, naturally occur as symbionts of free‐living amoebae. Comparative analysis of these two groups provides valuable insights into chlamydial evolution and mechanisms for microbe–host interaction. Based on the complete genome sequence of the Acanthamoeba spp. symbiont Protochlamydia amoebophila UWE25, we performed the first detailed proteome analysis of the infectious stage of a symbiotic chlamydia. A 2‐D reference proteome map was established and the analysis was extensively complemented by shotgun proteomics. In total, 472 proteins were identified, which represent 23.2% of all encoded proteins. These cover a wide range of functional categories, including typical house‐keeping proteins, but also putative virulence‐associated proteins. A number of proteins that are not encoded in genomes of Chlamydiaceae were observed and the expression of 162 proteins classified as hypothetical or unknown proteins could be demonstrated. Our findings indicate that P. amoebophila exploits its additional genetic repertoire (compared with the Chlamydiaceae), and that its elementary bodies are remarkably well equipped with proteins involved in transcription, translation, and energy generation.
Membrane‐SPINE: An improved method to identify protein–protein interaction partners of membrane proteins in vivo
Authors: Müller Volker S. , Jungblut Peter R. , Meyer Thomas F. , Hunke Sabine
Published: March 2011

Membrane proteins are crucial for many essential cellular processes. As membrane proteins function in complexes, methods to detect and to characterize membrane protein–protein interactions are undoubtedly required. Therefore, we developed the “Membrane‐Strep‐tagged protein interaction experiment” (Membrane‐SPINE) that combines the specific purification of a Strep‐tagged membrane protein with the reversible fixation of protein complexes by formaldehyde cross‐linking. In combination with MS analysis, we suggest Membrane‐SPINE as a powerful tool to identify unknown interaction partners of membrane proteins in vivo.
Protein spot detection and quantification in 2‐DE gel images using machine‐learning methods
Authors: Tsakanikas Panagiotis , Manolakos Elias S.
Published: March 2011

Two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis (2‐DE) is the most established protein separation method used in expression proteomics. Despite the existence of sophisticated software tools, 2‐DE gel image analysis still remains a serious bottleneck. The low accuracies of commercial software packages and the extensive manual calibration that they often require for acceptable results show that we are far from achieving the goal of a fully automated and reliable, high‐throughput gel processing system. We present a novel spot detection and quantification methodology which draws heavily from unsupervised machine‐learning methods. Using the proposed hierarchical machine learning‐based segmentation methodology reduces both the number of faint spots missed (improves sensitivity) and the number of extraneous spots introduced (improves precision). The detection and quantification performance has been thoroughly evaluated and is shown to compare favorably (higher F‐measure) to a commercially available software package (PDQuest). The whole image analysis pipeline that we have developed is fully automated and can be used for high‐throughput proteomics analysis since it does not require any manual intervention for recalibration every time a new 2‐DE gel image is to be analyzed. Furthermore, it can be easily parallelized for high performance and also applied without any modification to prealigned group average gels.
TMPRSS2/ERG fusion gene expression alters chemo‐ and radio‐responsiveness in cell culture models of androgen independent prostate cancer
Authors: Swanson Todd A. , Krueger Sarah A. , Galoforo Sandra , Thibodeau Bryan J. , Martinez Alvaro A. , Wilson George D. , Marples Brian
Published: March 2011

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES

The androgen regulated transmembrane serine protease (TMPRSS2) and ETS transcription factor (ERG) gene fusion is a strong prognostic factor for disease recurrence following prostatectomy. Expression of TMPRSS2/ETS‐related gene (ERG) fusion gene transcripts is linked with tumor proliferation, invasion, and an aggressive phenotype. The aim of this study was to define the effect of TMPRSS2/ERG fusion gene expression on chemo‐ and radiosensitivity in prostate tumor cell lines.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Clonogenic survival of PC3 and DU145 cells stably expressing TMPRSS2/ERG Types III and VI fusion genes was measured after X‐irradiation (0–8 Gy) and Paclitaxel. Cell cycle changes and DNA double‐strand break induction and repair were assessed. Differential gene expression was measured by microarray analysis. ERG signaling pathway interactions were studied using Ariadne Pathway Studio.

RESULTS

Expression of the TMPRSS2/ERG fusions in PC3 cells increased radiation sensitivity and decreased paclitaxel sensitivity. Increased radiosensitivity was associated with persistent DNA breaks 24 hr post‐irradiation, down‐regulation of genes involved in DNA repair and mitosis and up‐regulation of ETV, an ETS transcription factor. However, DU145 Types III and VI demonstrated a different sensitivity phenotype and gene expression changes. Pathway analysis of ERG signaling further illustrated the variation between the PC3 and DU145 cell lines containing TMPRSS2/ERG fusions.

CONCLUSIONS

The effect of TMPRSS2/ERG gene fusions had differing effects on radiosensitivity and chemosensitivity depending on cell line and fusion type. Further work is needed with clinical samples to establish whether TMPRSS2/ERG gene fusions affect radio‐ and chemosensitivity in vivo. Prostate 71:1548–1558, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Enzymatically active prostate‐specific antigen promotes growth of human prostate cancers
Authors: Williams Simon A. , Jelinek Christine A. , Litvinov Ivan , Cotter Robert J. , Isaacs John T. , Denmeade Samuel R.
Published: March 2011

BACKGROUND

Prostate specific antigen (PSA) is the best‐known member of the kallikrein‐related peptidase family, with an established role as a prostatic disease biomarker. Although it is produced at high levels by all stages of prostate cancer, it is uncertain if PSA plays a role in prostate cancer initiation and progression. We decided to investigate the impact of PSA and its enzymatic activity on tumor cell growth rates.

METHODS

A gene‐specific shRNA lentiviral construct reduced endogenous PSA expression in the LNCaP human prostate cancer cell line. Resulting changes in growth rates in vitro and in vivo were determined. Using a mass spectroscopy‐based approach, alterations to the LNCaP proteome due to reduced PSA were measured. Finally, to evaluate the importance of PSA's proteolytic activity, the PSA‐null Du145 human prostate cancer cell line was engineered to express either enzymatically inactive pro‐PSA (WT) or a furin‐activated variant (FR) with high enzymatic activity. The resulting clones were evaluated for PSA‐induced changes in growth rates in vivo and in vitro.

RESULTS

Lowered PSA levels dramatically reduced LNCaP growth rates. Expressing active PSA (FR), but not the inactive WT variant, conferred a growth advantage on Du145 cells. Proteomics analysis revealed global changes to the LNCaP proteome as a result of reduced PSA expression.

CONCLUSIONS

These studies demonstrate the importance of PSA to prostate cancer cell growth. We also show that the enzymatic activity of PSA confers an enhanced growth rate to human prostate cancer cells, suggesting a causal role in prostate cancer progression. Prostate 71:1595–1607, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The 17th Annual Prostate Cancer Foundation scientific retreat: Meeting report
Authors: Ericson Katrin Rhodes , Simons Jonathan W. , Soule Howard R.
Published: March 2011

Annually the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) organizes a scientific retreat to assemble the premier prostate cancer researchers from around the world to share and review the latest progress made in the field and to evaluate future directions. This report highlights some of the most significant advances made in prostate cancer research in 2010 that were presented at the 17th Annual PCF Scientific Retreat. Prostate 71:1616–1620, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Control failure likelihood and spatial dependence of insecticide resistance in the tomato pinworm, Tuta absoluta
Authors: Silva Gerson A , Picanço Marcelo C , Bacci Leandro , Crespo André Luiz B , Rosado Jander F , Guedes Raul Narciso C
Published: March 2011

BACKGROUND: Insecticide resistance is a likely cause of field control failures of Tuta absoluta, but the subject has been little studied. Therefore, resistance to ten insecticides was surveyed in seven representative field populations of this species. The likelihood of control failures was assessed, as well as weather influence and the spatial dependence of insecticide resistance.

RESULTS: No resistance or only low resistance levels were observed for pyrethroids (bifenthrin and permethrin), abamectin, spinosad, Bacillus thuringiensis and the mixture deltamethrin + triazophos (<12.5‐fold). In contrast, indoxacarb exhibited moderate levels of resistance (up to 27.5‐fold), and chitin synthesis inhibitors exhibited moderate to high levels of resistance (up to 222.3‐fold). Evidence of control failures was obtained for bifenthrin, permethrin, diflubenzuron, teflubenzuron, triflumuron and B. thuringiensis. Weather conditions favour resistance to some insecticides, and spatial dependence was observed only for bifenthrin and permethrin.

CONCLUSION: Insecticide resistance in field populations of the tomato pinworm prevails for the insecticides nowadays most frequently used against them—the chitin synthesis inhibitors (diflubenzuron, triflumuron and teflubenzuron). Local selection favoured by weather conditions and dispersal seem important for pyrethroid resistance evolution among Brazilian populations of T. absoluta and should be considered in designing pest management programmes. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Field evaluation of a self‐propelled sprayer and effects of the application rate on spray deposition and losses to the ground in greenhouse tomato crops
Authors: Sánchez‐Hermosilla Julián , Rincón Víctor J , Páez Francisco , Agüera Francisco , Carvajal Fernando
Published: March 2011

BACKGROUND: In the greenhouses of south‐eastern Spain, plant protection products are applied using mainly sprayers at high pressures and high volumes. This results in major losses on the ground and less than uniform spray deposition on the canopy. Recently, self‐propelled vehicles equipped with vertical spray booms have appeared on the market. In this study, deposition on the canopy and the losses to the ground at different spray volumes have been compared, using a self‐propelled vehicle with vertical spray booms versus a gun sprayer. Three different spray volumes have been tested with a boom sprayer, and two with a spray gun.

RESULTS: The vehicle with the vertical spray boom gave similar depositions to those made with the gun, but at lower application volumes. Also, the distribution of the vertical spray boom was more uniform, with lower losses to the ground.

CONCLUSIONS: The vertical spray booms used in tomato crops improve the application of plant protection products with respect to the spray gun, reducing the application volumes and the environmental risks of soil pollution. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Non‐equilibrium carrier dynamics and many body effects in highly excited GaN
Authors: Kyhm Kwangseuk , Rota Lucio , Taylor Robert A.
Published: March 2011

Ultrafast non‐equilibrium carrier dynamics and many body effects have been investigated in GaN beyond the Mott density. The transient (∼1 ps) induced absorption was observed near the band edge due to band gap renormalisation; collision broadening and temporal evolution of the mean carrier energy were also obtained experimentally. The development of the longitudinal optical (LO)‐phonon induced non‐thermal electron distribution observed in the pump‐probe at early times (≤1 ps) was in excellent agreement with a Monte‐Carlo simulation, where the mean carrier energy loss rate of screened carrier‐phonon interactions was found to be further reduced due to the hot phonon effect.

magnified image

Schematic diagram of non‐equilibrium carrier dynamics.
Synthesis and physical properties of solar material Cu1+xIn1‐xSe2
Authors: Zheng Shiyou , Wang Yaoming , Huang Fuqiang
Published: March 2011

Bulk samples of Cu1+xIn1‐xSe2 (x = 0–0.5) have been prepared by solid‐state reaction method at 1073 K. The crystal structure, thermal stability, optical absorbance and electrical properties were systematically studied. With the value x increasing from 0 to 0.5, the optical band gap is gradually reduced from 0.90 to 0.86 eV, moreover, the room temperature electrical conductivity has been greatly enhanced from 5 to 850 S/cm, but the Seebeck coefficient is slightly decreased from 80 to 57 µV/K even at 625 K. It is likely that lattice distortions, additional holes, and/or second phase introduced by Cu doping lead to these changes.

magnified image
Structural phase transition in lanthanum gallate as studied by Raman and X‐ray diffraction measurements
Authors: Dhak P. , Pramanik P. , Bhattacharya S. , Roy Anushree , Achary S. N. , Tyagi A. K.
Published: March 2011

Lanthanum gallate (LaGaO3) is known to undergo orthorhombic to rhombohedral first order phase transition at 150 °C. In this article we have shown that by introducing 2% La deficiency in the system, coexistence of above two phases can be obtained at lower temperature and a complete phase transition occurs at 200 °C. The evolution of structural parameters of the system with temperature is reported from X‐ray diffraction measurements and Rietveld analysis of the diffraction patterns. The change in local octahedral distortion due to 2% La deficiency is revealed through the shift in the phonon modes of GaO6 octahedra, in both orthorhombic and rhombohedral phase.
Nickel‐related defects in ZnO – A deep‐level transient spectroscopy and photo‐capacitance study
Authors: Schmidt Matthias , Brachwitz Kerstin , Schmidt Florian , Ellguth Martin , von Wenckstern Holger , Pickenhain Rainer , Grundmann Marius , Brauer Gerhard , Skorupa Wolfgang
Published: March 2011

Electronic defects in nickel‐doped zinc oxide thin films have been investigated by means of capacitance spectroscopy. The samples were grown by pulsed laser deposition on a‐plane sapphire substrates. Nickel was introduced into the films (a) during growth and (b) by implantation of Ni ions and subsequent thermal annealing. From deep‐level transient spectroscopy it was concluded that a nickel‐related trap, TNi2, with an energy level approximately 540 meV below the conduction band edge was formed. Photo‐capacitance (PCAP) measurements performed on the nickel‐implanted sample proved the existence of a further nickel‐related trap, TNi1, in the midgap. The photo‐ionisation cross‐section spectra of this state were calculated from the PCAP transients and gave evidence that TNi1 and TNi2 are two levels of the same defect, TNi, which is possibly nickel on a tetrahedral lattice site. A model for TNi is proposed.
Effect of electrostatic interaction on the mechanism of dehalogenation catalyzed by haloalkane dehalogenase
Authors: Zhang Yuhua , Chen Dezhan , Zhang Honghong , Liu Jianbiao , Mi Shizhen , Zhang Guiqiu
Published: March 2011

Theoretical calculation has been carried out for the nucleophilic displacement reaction of 1,2‐dichloroethane catalyzed by haloalkane dehalogenase. The results indicate that different hydrogen bond patterns of the oxyanion hole and the halide‐stabilizing residues play an important role in the dehalogenation reaction. They cause concertedly an earlier transition state (TS) with the activation barrier of 16.60 kcal/mol. The stabilization effect of Trp125 and Trp175 on chlorine atom in the TS is larger than that of the reactant complex by 15.67 kcal/mol so that, they make contribution to the stabilization of the TS. Moreover, the reaction shows the enzymatic action can be attributed to a combination of reactant‐state destabilization and transition‐state electrostatic stabilization. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011
Transferability of conformational dependent charges from protein simulations
Authors: Genheden Samuel , Söderhjelm Pär , Ryde Ulf
Published: March 2011

We have studied the transferability of atomic charges for proteins, fitted to the quantum mechanical electrostatic potential and extensively averaged over a set of structures sampled by molecular dynamics (MD) and over all residues of the same kind in the protein sequence (xAvESP). Previously, such charges were obtained for one single protein (avidin). In this study, we use five additional proteins. The aim of this study is fourfold. First, we provide xAvESP charges for all amino acids, including amino‐ and carboxy‐terminal variants of all, as well as alternative protonation states of His, Asp, Glu, Lys, Arg, Cys, and Tyr. Second, we show that the xAvESP charges averaged over the five new proteins are similar to charges obtained in the same way for avidin, with a correlation coefficient of 0.997. This shows that the charges are transferable and system‐independent. Electrostatic protein–ligand interaction energies calculated with charges obtained from different proteins differ by only 1–3 kJ/mol on average. The xAvESP charges correlate rather well with Amber charges (except for the N atom of amino‐terminal residues that are erroneous in Amber), although they are obtained in a more general way. Third, the conformational dependence of the charges is significant and gives rise to quite large differences in energies. However, these differences are to a large extent screened by solvation effects. For example, the solvent‐screened electrostatic interaction energy between the protein galectin‐3 and five different ligands varies with the charge sets by less than 3 kJ/mol on average. Finally, we show that the xAvESP charges give a comparable root‐mean‐squared deviation as the Amber charges for the MD simulations of 18 protein–ligand complexes, they give comparable or slightly worse backbone NH order parameters for two galectin‐3 complexes, but they give a better correlation between calculated and experimental affinities for the binding of seven biotin analogues to avidin and for nine inhibitors of factor Xa. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem 112:1768–1785, 2012
Optimizing single port surgery: a case report and review of technique in colon resection
Authors: Singh Jasvinder , Podolsky Erica R , Castellanos Andres E , Stein David E
Published: March 2011

Background

Minimally invasive colon surgery was first described in the early 1990s, decreasing the morbidity compared with open procedures. Recently, single port laparoscopy has emerged, with reports of applications to colon surgery. Although feasible, many new technical challenges exist.

Methods

An optimal operative technique for colon resection entirely through the umbilicus, using a robot and a GelPort is described.

Results

The robotic advantages of visualization and articulation minimize the disadvantages of single incision surgery. Programming the robotic arms in reverse decreases instrument clashing. In addition, the GelPort allows for trocar spacing and freedom of placement while providing a wound protector for specimen extraction.

Conclusions

As single port surgery develops, disadvantages must be overcome. Using a combination of the robot and GelPort, these disadvantages are addressed and minimized. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On controllability of a class of discrete‐time homogeneous bilinear systems with solvable controls
Authors: Tie Lin , Cai Kai‐Yuan
Published: March 2011

This paper studies the controllability of a class of discrete‐time homogeneous bilinear systems. Necessary and sufficient conditions for the controllability are obtained. In particular, an algorithm for computing the controls, which achieve given states transition, for the controllable systems is given with examples. Furthermore, the necessary and sufficient conditions are applied to present four cases of the change of the controllability for Euler discretization, which show that Euler discretization may and may not change the controllability of nonlinear systems. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Introduction of a process maturity model for market‐driven product management and requirements engineering
Authors: Gorschek Tony , Gomes Andrigo , Pettersson Andreas , Torkar Richard
Published: March 2011

The area of software product development of software intensive products has received much attention, especially in the area of requirements engineering and product management. Many companies are faced with new challenges when operating in an environment where potential requirements number in thousands or even tens of thousands, and where a product does not have a customer, but any number of customers or markets. The development organization carries not only all the costs of development, but also takes all the risks. In this environment traditional bespoke requirements engineering, together with traditional process assessment and improvement models fall short as they do not address the unique challenges of a market‐driven environment. This paper introduces the Market‐driven Requirements Engineering Process Model, aimed at enabling process improvement and process assurance for organizations faced with these new challenges. The model is also validated in the industry through three case studies where the model is used for process assessment and improvement suggestion. Initial results show that the model is appropriate for process improvement for organizations operating in a market‐driven environment. In addition, the model was designed to be light weight in terms of low cost and thus adapted not only for large organizations but suitable for small and medium enterprises as well. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Progress in Technologies of Vanadium‐Bearing Titanomagnetite Smelting in PanGang
Authors: Fu Wei Guo , Xie Hong En
Published: March 2011

The smelting of vanadium‐bearing titanomagnetite by blast furnace was very difficult because the content of TiO2 of blast furnace slag could amount to 20‐25%. After long term development and continuous improvement, special intensified smelting technologies for vanadium‐bearing titanomagnetite by blast furnace were obtained and improved gradually. With the improvement of beneficiated material and equipment, smelting intensity has been increasing gradually and the highest comprehensive smelting intensity that is fuel comsumption per unit useful volume per day reached 1.45t/(m3·d). Technical‐and‐economic indexes of blast furnace have also been increasing remarkably. The highest monthly utilization coefficient exceeded 2.7t/(m3·d) on the condition that the burden total ferrum grade was only about 50%.
DNA methylation, the early-life social environment and behavioral disorders
Authors: Szyf Moshe
Published: March 2011

One of the outstanding questions in behavioral disorders is untangling the complex relationship between nurture and nature. Although epidemiological data provide evidence that there is an interaction between genetics (nature) and the social and physical environments (nurture) in a spectrum of behavioral disorders, the main open question remains the mechanism. Emerging data support the hypothesis that DNA methylation, a covalent modification of the DNA molecule that is a component of its chemical structure, serves as an interface between the dynamic environment and the fixed genome. We propose that modulation of DNA methylation in response to environmental cues early in life serves as a mechanism of life-long genome adaptation. Under certain contexts, this adaptation can turn maladaptive resulting in behavioral disorders. This hypothesis has important implications on understanding, predicting, preventing, and treating behavioral disorders including autism that will be discussed.
Proximal humerus fractures in the pediatric population: A systematic review
Authors: Pahlavan Sohrab , Baldwin Keith D. , Pandya Nirav K. , Namdari Surena , Hosalkar Harish
Published: March 2011

Purpose

Proximal humerus fractures and epiphyseal separations in skeletally immature children and adolescents are traditionally treated non-operatively. Recently, authors have described the operative fixation of these injuries, particularly in older children and adolescents with displaced fractures. We performed a systematic review of the literature to identify operative indications for proximal humerus fractures in children and to compare the results by age, displacement, and treatment modality.

Methods

A systematic review of the literature from January 1960 to April 2010 was performed. All studies with patients under the age of 18 years who were treated for a proximal humerus fracture either operatively or non-operatively were included.

Results

The available literature is largely composed of uncontrolled case series (Level IV). According to findings, the literature shows that asymptomatic union is the rule in proximal humerus fractures in children and adolescents. Poorer outcomes were noted in operatively treated patients, patients with more displaced fractures, and older patients.

Conclusions

The currently available literature supports a non-operative treatment approach, particularly in younger children with more growth remaining. Older patients (>13 years) with more widely displaced fractures may benefit from anatomic reduction with stabilization, though the data in the literature at this point is too weak to strongly recommend this approach. Further analysis with a more rigorous scientific method is necessary to evaluate the optimum treatment modality in this subgroup.
The Effects of Childhood, Adult, and Community Socioeconomic Conditions on Health and Mortality among Older Adults in China
Authors: Wen Ming , Gu Danan
Published: March 2011

Using a large, nationally representative longitudinal sample of Chinese aged 65 and older, this study examines the effects of childhood, adult, and community socioeconomic conditions on mortality and several major health outcomes. The role of social mobility is also tested. We find that childhood socioeconomic conditions exert long-term effects on functional limitations, cognitive impairment, self-rated health, and mortality independent of adult and community socioeconomic conditions. Achieved conditions matter for most outcomes as well, considering that adult and community socioeconomic conditions have additional impacts on health among Chinese elders. The majority of the effects of childhood conditions are not mediated by adult and community conditions. The results also show that social mobility and health in later life are linked in complex ways and that psychosocial factors have marginal explanatory power for the effects of socioeconomic conditions. Overall, this study provides new longitudinal evidence from China to support the notion that health and mortality at older ages are influenced by long-term and dynamic processes structured by the social stratification system. We discuss our findings in the context of the life course and ecological perspective, emphasizing that human development is influenced by a nexus of social experiences that impact individuals throughout life.
A combination of molecular and morphological approaches resolves species in the taxonomically difficult genus Procladius Skuse (Diptera: Chironomidae) despite high intra-specific morphological variation
Authors: Carew M.E. , Marshall S.E. , Hoffmann A.A.
Published: March 2011

Molecular approaches for identifying aquatic macroinvertebrate species are increasingly being used but there is ongoing debate about the number of DNA markers needed to differentiate species accurately. Here, we use two mitochondrial genes (cytochrome oxidase I, cytochrome b) and a nuclear gene (carbamoylphosphate synthetase) to differentiate species variation within the taxonomically challenging chironomid genus Procladius from southern Australia, a genus which is important for pollution monitoring. The mitochondrial genes indicated cryptic species that were subsequently linked to morphological variation at the larval and pupal stage. Two species previously described based on morphological criteria were linked to molecular markers, and there was evidence for additional cryptic species. Each genetic marker provided different information, highlighting the importance of considering multiple genes when dissecting taxonomically difficult groups, particularly those used in pollution monitoring.
PRINCIPAL MATRIX SOLUTIONS AND VARIATION OF PARAMETERS FOR VOLTERRA INTEGRO-DYNAMIC EQUATIONS ON TIME SCALES
Authors: ADIVAR MURAT
Published: March 2011

We introduce the principal matrix solution Z(t, s) of the linear Volterra-type vector integro-dynamic equation

and prove that it is the unique matrix solution of

We also show that the solution of

is unique and given by the variation of parameters formula
THE CONVEX INTERSECTION BODY OF A CONVEX BODY
Authors: MEYER MATHIEU , REISNER SHLOMO
Published: March 2011

Let L be a convex body in n and z an interior point of L. We associate with L and z a new, convex and centrally symmetric, body CI(L, z). This generalizes the classical intersection bodyI(L, z) (whose radial function at u ∈ Sn−1 is the volume of the hyperplane section of L through z, orthogonal to u). CI(L, z) coincides with I(L, z) if and only if L is centrally symmetric about z. We study the properties of CI(L, z).
LOWER BOUNDS FOR BLOW-UP TIME IN SOME NON-LINEAR PARABOLIC PROBLEMS UNDER NEUMANN BOUNDARY CONDITIONS
Authors: ENACHE CRISTIAN
Published: March 2011

This paper deals with some non-linear initial-boundary value problems under homogeneous Neumann boundary conditions, in which the solutions may blow up in finite time. Using a first-order differential inequality technique, lower bounds for blow-up time are determined.
INFLUENCE OF STRONGLY CLOSED 2-SUBGROUPS ON THE STRUCTURE OF FINITE GROUPS
Authors: TONG-VIET HUNG P.
Published: March 2011

Let H ≤ K be subgroups of a group G. We say that H is strongly closed in K with respect to G if whenever ag ∈ K, where a ∈ H, g ∈ G, then ag ∈ H. In this paper, we investigate the structure of a group G under the assumption that every subgroup of order 2m (and 4 if m = 1) of a 2-Sylow subgroup S of G is strongly closed in S with respect to G. Some results related to 2-nilpotence and supersolvability of a group G are obtained. This is a complement to Guo and Wei (J. Group Theory13(2) (2010), 267–276).
A THEOREM OF PHRAGMÉN-LINDELÖF TYPE FOR SUBFUNCTIONS IN A CONE
Authors: QIAO LEI , DENG GUANTIE
Published: March 2011

For a subfunction u, associated with the stationary Schrödinger operator, which is dominated on the boundary by a certain function on a cone, we generalise the classical Phragmén-Lindelöf theorem by making an a-harmonic majorant of u.
ON THE LOW REGULARITY SOLUTIONS FOR A MODIFIED TWO-COMPONENT CAMASSA–HOLM SHALLOW WATER SYSTEM
Authors: LIU XINGXING , YIN ZHAOYANG
Published: March 2011

We first study the regularised version of a modified two-component Camassa–Holm shallow water system and obtain the energy estimates of the corresponding approximate solutions. Then, we present a sufficient condition which guarantees that these approximate solutions converge to a low regularity weak solution of the modified two-component Camassa–Holm shallow water system.
Performance of the RothC-26.3 model in short-term experiments in Mexican sites and systems
Authors: GONZÁLEZ-MOLINA L. , ETCHEVERS-BARRA J. D. , PAZ-PELLAT F. , DÍAZ-SOLIS H. , FUENTES-PONCE M. H. , COVALEDA-OCÓN S. , PANDO-MORENO M.
Published: March 2011

Information on the performance of the Rothamsted organic carbon turnover model (RothC model) in predicting changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) in short-term experiments is scarce. In Mexico, it was found that these experiments covered not more than 20 years. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate short-term SOC prediction performance of the RothC model in the following systems: (1) farming with residues added (A+R), (2) farming with no added residues (A−R), (3) pure forest stands (F), (4) grasslands (GR) and (5) rangeland (RL). Work was done in five experimental sites: Atécuaro, Michoacán; Santiago Tlalpan, Tlaxcala; El Batán, State of Mexico; Sierra Norte, Oaxaca; and Linares, Nuevo León. Carbon (C) inputs to the soil were plant residues and organic fertilizers, which need to be known to operate the RothC model. The adjustment coefficients for site modelling hadR2values of 0·77–0·95 and model efficiency (EF) was −0·60 to 0·93. When RothC performance was evaluated by a system,R2values were 0·06–0·92 and EF was −0·24 to 0·90. The lowR2and EF values in rangelands were attributed to the fact that these systems are complex because of heterogeneous vegetation, soil and climate. In general, the evaluation of the RothC model indicates that it can be useful in simulating SOC changes in temperate and warm climate sites and in farming, forest and grassland systems in Mexico.
Entry, start up and stability effects in visco-plastically lubricated pipe flows
Authors: HORMOZI S. , WIELAGE-BURCHARD K. , FRIGAARD I. A.
Published: March 2011

Interfacial instabilities of multi-layer shear flows may be eliminated by astute positioning of yield stress fluid layers that remain unyielded at the interface(s). We study the initiation, development lengths and temporal stability of such flows in the setting of a Newtonian core fluid surrounded by a Bingham lubricated fluid, within a pipe. Flow initiation is effected by starting the flow with a pipe full of stationary Bingham fluid and injecting both inner and outer fluids simultaneously. Initial instability and dispersive mixing at the front remains localised and is advected from the pipe leaving behind a stable multi-layer configuration, found for moderate Reynolds numbers (Re), for a broad range of interface radii (ri) and for different inlet diameters (Ri), whenever the base flow parameters admit a multi-layer flow with unyielded interface. The established flows have three distinct entry lengths. These relate to: (i) establishment of the first unyielded plug close to the interface (shortest); (ii) establishment of the interface radius; (iii) establishment of the velocity profile (longest). The three entry lengths increase with Re and decrease with both the Bingham number (B) and the viscosity ratio (m). Nonlinear temporal stability to axisymmetric perturbations is studied numerically, considering initial perturbations that are either localised in yielded parts of the flow or that initially break the unyielded plug regions. The aim is to understand structural aspects of the flow stability, not easily extracted from the energy stability results of Moyers-Gonzalez, Frigaard & Nouar (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 506, 2004, p. 117). The initial stages of a stable perturbed flow are characterised by a very rapid decay of the perturbation kinetic energy during which time the unyielded plug reforms (or breaks and reforms). This is followed by slower exponential decay on a viscous timescale (t ~ Re). For smaller Re and moderate initial amplitudes A, the perturbations decay to the numerical tolerance. As either Re or A is increased sufficiently, a number of interesting phenomena arise. The amount of dispersion increases, making the interfacial region increasingly diffuse and limiting the final decay. At larger Re or A, we find secondary flow structures that persist. A first example of these is when the shear stress decays below the yield stress before the velocity perturbation has decayed, leading to freezing in of the interface shape. This can lead to flows with a rigid wavy interface. Secondly, depending on the core fluid radius and thickness of the surrounding plug region, we may observe a range of dispersive structures akin to the pearls and mushrooms of d'Olce et al. (Phys. Fluids, vol. 20, 2008, art. 024104).
Mechanics of thermohaline interleaving: beyond the empirical flux laws
Authors: RADKO TIMOUR
Published: March 2011

An analytical theory is developed which illustrates the dynamics of the spontaneous generation of thermohaline intrusions in the stratified ocean with density compensated lateral temperature and salinity gradients. Intrusions in the model are driven by the interaction with the initially homogeneous field of salt fingers, whose amplitude and spatial orientation is weakly modulated by the long wavelength perturbations introduced into the system. The asymptotic multiscale analysis makes it possible to identify intrusive instabilities resulting from the positive feedback of salt fingers on large-scale perturbations and analyse the resulting patterns. The novelty of the proposed analysis is related to our ability to avoid using empirical double-diffusive flux laws – an approach taken by earlier models. Instead, we base our analytical explorations directly on the governing (Navier–Stokes) equations of motion. The model predictions of the growth rates and preferred slopes of intrusions are in general agreement with the laboratory and field measurements.
Optimal frequency for flow energy harvesting of a flapping foil
Authors: ZHU QIANG
Published: March 2011

Inspired by the correlation between the propulsion efficiency of a flapping foil propeller and stability of the wake behind it (which leads to the optimal Strouhal number for propulsion), we numerically simulated a heaving/pitching foil in energy harvesting regime, and investigated the relation between wake stability and the energy harvesting efficiency. The base flow is computed using a Navier–Stokes algorithm and the stability analysis is performed via the Orr–Sommerfeld equation. The wake is found to be convectively unstable and the frequency of the most unstable modefwis determined. The case whenfw~fcoincides with maximum energy harvesting efficiency of the system (fis the frequency of foil oscillation), suggesting that flow energy extraction is closely related to efficient evolution of the wake. This occurs at a frequency off~ 0.15 (fis normalized by the chord length and the flow speed), under the constraint that there is significant vortex shedding from the leading edge at sufficiently large effective angles of attack. Indeed, this ‘foil–wake resonance’ is usually associated with multi-vortex shedding from the leading edge. Furthermore, detailed examination of energy extractions from the heaving and the pitching motions indicates that near the optimal performance point the average energy extraction from the pitching motion is close to zero. This suggests the feasibility of achieving high-efficient energy harvesting through a simple fully passive system we proposed earlier in which no activation is needed.
Cooperatives before cooperative law: business law and cooperatives in Spain, 1869-1931
Authors: Guinnane Timothy W. , Martínez-Rodríguez Susana
Published: March 2011

Studies of Spanish cooperatives date their spread from the Law on Agrarian Syndicates of 1906. But the first legislative appearance of cooperatives is an 1869 measure that permitted general incorporation for lending companies. The 1931 general law on cooperatives, the first act permitting the formation of cooperatives in any activity, reflects the gradual disappearance of the cooperative's «business» characteristics. In this paper, we trace the Spanish cooperative's legal roots in business law and its connections to broader questions of the freedom of association, the formation of joint-stock enterprises and the liability of investors in business and cooperative entities. Our account underscores the similarities of the organizational problems approach by cooperatives and business firms, while at the same time respecting the distinctive purposes cooperatives served.
Coppice shoot dynamics in a tropical dry forest after human disturbance
Authors: Lévesque Mathieu , McLaren Kurt P. , McDonald Morag A.
Published: March 2011

Coppicing is an important regeneration mechanism in tropical dry forest after disturbance, but little is known about the long-term dynamics and the rate of recovery of the coppice shoots following clearance. This study reports on the growth and dynamics of coppice shoots following experimental cutting in a tropical dry forest in Jamaica. The fate of coppice shoots was tracked on a total of 481 stumps, representing 51 species over 10 y. The number of coppice shoots and the height and dbh of the leading shoots were measured on the tree stumps 14 mo and 10 y after cutting. Coppicing was vigorous for most tree species, but the average number of shoots per stump decreased significantly over the 9 y period, from 25 to 8 shoots per stump. The average height and diameter of the leading shoots after 10 y were 4.5 m and 3.8 cm, respectively, and the average percentage diameter recovered by the shoots varied between 36% and 95% among the species. Coppicing facilitates the long-term persistence of this dry forest, and the rapid growth of coppice shoots contributed to the resilience of most species after cutting.
Overlap and seasonal shifts in use of woody plant species amongst a guild of savanna browsers
Authors: O'Kane Christopher A. J. , Duffy Kevin J. , Page Bruce R. , Macdonald David W.
Published: March 2011

To clarify the potential influence of different browsers in the same guild on woody vegetation, dietary overlap and separation between elephant, giraffe, kudu, nyala and impala was assessed in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, South Africa. Woody species browsed, browsing heights, plant-parts browsed and browsing versus grazing were recorded over 2 y by direct observation. We obtained 3068 browse records. Niche breadth (Levins' measure) and overlap (Schoener's index) in species browsed and browsing heights were calculated. Annual and seasonal differences in these measurements, plant-part use and browsing versus grazing were assessed. Elephant utilized the largest number (n = 78) of different woody plant species. Overlap in species browsed was lower between elephant and other browsers than amongst the latter. Seasonal rainfall influenced the range of woody plants utilized, niche breadth in terms of species browsed and browsing versus grazing. Marked resource depletion caused elephant, contrary to theoretical predictions, to narrow niche breadth in terms of species browsed. However, resource depletion rarely had a significant effect on interspecific overlap in species browsed or overlap in browsing heights, on actual browsing heights or plant-parts utilized. A small suite (n = 8) of woody species formed the core diet of all guild members, implying the potential for synergistic impacts by guild members on these species and for competition between populations of different guild members.
Influence of terrestrial habitat isolation on the diversity and temporal distribution of anurans in an agricultural landscape
Authors: da Silva Fernando Rodrigues , Rossa-Feres Denise de Cerqueira
Published: March 2011

Discontinuity between suitable aquatic and terrestrial habitats forces many amphibian species with aquatic larvae to undertake risky breeding migrations through disturbed environments, potentially contributing to population declines by reducing survival of adults and juveniles (Beckeret al. 2007). The north-western region of the state of São Paulo, Brazil, is characterized by fragments of mesophytic semideciduous forest and savanna, surrounded by a matrix of pasture, plantations and urban areas with only 4% of the remaining original vegetation of the state (Ribeiroet al. 2009). Currently, 36 anuran species have been recorded in this region, corresponding to almost 15% of the state's species (Araújoet al. 2009). The anuran species of this region are associated with open environments or are widely distributed in the different Brazilian biomes (Duellman 1999). Silva & Rossa-Feres (2007) showed the importance of forest fragments in this region for 12 anuran species that breed in pools located in a pasture matrix.