bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multiscale Analysis of Antarctic Surface Temperature Series by Empirical Mode Decomposition
Authors: Autret Guilhem , Rémy Frédérique , Roques Sylvie
Published: March 2012

This article illustrates the multiscale nature of the Antarctica climatology. Its variability is analyzed from coastal weather stations climate recordings of the continent, supplying temperature data since 1955. Using empirical mode decomposition, coupled to wavelet analysis, climatological signals are detected of a weak near-8-yr rotating wave that could be the so-called Antarctic Circumpolar Wave.
Large-Scale Flow and the Long-Lasting Blocking High over Russia: Summer 2010
Authors: Schneidereit Andrea , Schubert Silke , Vargin Pavel , Lunkeit Frank , Zhu Xiuhua , Peters Dieter H. W. , Fraedrich Klaus
Published: March 2012

Several studies show that the anomalous long-lasting Russian heat wave during the summer of 2010, linked to a long-persistent blocking high, appears mainly as a result of natural atmospheric variability. This study analyzes the large-scale flow structure based on the ECMWF Re-Analysis Interim (ERA-Interim) data (1989–2010). The anomalous long-lasting blocking high over western Russia including the heat wave occurs as an overlay of a set of anticyclonic contributions on different time scales. (i) A regime change in ENSO toward La Niña modulates the quasi-stationary wave structure in the boreal summer hemisphere supporting the eastern European blocking. The polar Arctic dipole mode is enhanced and shows a projection on the mean blocking high. (ii) Together with the quasi-stationary wave anomaly, the transient eddies maintain the long-lasting blocking. (iii) Three different pathways of wave action are identified on the intermediate time scale (~10–60 days). One pathway commences over the eastern North Pacific and includes the polar Arctic region; another one runs more southward and crossing the North Atlantic, continues to eastern Europe; a third pathway southeast of the blocking high describes the downstream development over South Asia.
Effects of Food-Related Interventions for African American Women With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Sumlin Lisa L. , Garcia Alexandra A.
Published: March 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this systematic review is to synthesize research that tested culturally competent food-related interventions designed for African American women with type 2 diabetes, to review the current state of the literature and suggest recommendations for future research. Many African American women with type 2 diabetes are challenged to change their culturally rooted food habits to achieve diabetes control. Diabetes educators and clinicians who work with African American women need knowledge of effective interventions to assist their clients.

Methods

Online databases and research articles’ reference lists were searched for relevant studies published from 1989 to 2010 that tested culturally competent type 2 diabetes management interventions for African American women, that included at least 1 educational session on diet or nutrition, and that addressed a physiologic outcome, such as glycosylated hemoglobin or fasting blood glucose.

Results

Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria for this review. Among them, 64% to 100% of the participants were African Americans, and 65% to 100% were women. Six studies showed significant improvements in food practices, and 8 showed significant improvements in glycemic control as a result of the interventions.

Conclusions

Few studies focused solely on helping African American women make culturally relevant dietary changes to control type 2 diabetes. Most interventions addressed food habits as one of many components for diabetes control, perhaps overwhelming research participants with large amounts of varied information. Targeted interventions are recommended that focus on dietary changes as the foundation for diabetes self-management education for African American women.
Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose Is Associated With Problem-Solving Skills in Hyperglycemia and Hypoglycemia
Authors: Wang Jing , Zgibor Janice , Matthews Judith T. , Charron-Prochownik Denise , Sereika Susan M. , Siminerio Linda
Published: March 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine the association between self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) and problem-solving skills in response to detected hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia among patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods

Data were obtained from the American Association of Diabetes Educators Outcome System, implemented in 8 diabetes self-management education programs in western Pennsylvania. SMBG was measured by asking patients how often they checked, missed checking, or checked blood glucose later than planned. Problem-solving skill was measured by asking how often they modified their behaviors after detecting high or low blood glucose.

Results

Most patients checked their blood glucose at least once per day. However, when blood glucose was high or low, many of them reported doing nothing, and only some of them resolved the problem. There were significant associations between self-monitoring of blood glucose and problem-solving skills for hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia, after controlling for age, gender, ethnicity, education, and time since diagnosis.

Conclusions

Patients reported poor problem-solving skills when detecting hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia via SMBG. Patients need to learn problem-solving skills along with SMBG training to achieve glycemic control.
Making a Meaningful Contribution to Nursing Theory
Authors: Baumann Steven L.
Published: March 2012

The value of being a part of a network of theoretically like-minded individuals for a small group of nurse scholars, namely Richard Cowling, Howard Butcher and William Cody, is here discussed. The like-mindedness in this case is what has been described by some as an angular view of nursing or the simultaneity paradigm. An underlying theme is that joy-sorrow often arises in living the isolation and connectedness of a career in nursing that includes a commitment to scholarship.
Health Economics and Informatics
Authors: Gunson John , Chawngthu Lalnuntluangi
Published: March 2012

The provision of healthcare is a major global preoccupation and there is a continuing challenge due to a growing demand with finite resources. The tensions at play mean that people and their quality of life, which ought to be the main value considered, can be given lower priority than aspects of health economics and informatics. In this paper the authors demystify the economics and informatics of healthcare, and challenge policy makers and project managers to put nursing care in the fore in their decision-making. As an illustration of the non-negotiable patient-centric values Parse’s contributions to nursing are suggested.
Teaching-Learning in Community
Authors: Milton Constance L.
Published: March 2012

Metaphors are creative learning devices that may illustrate novel and different meanings in teaching-learning situations. In this column, the author discusses possible meanings of the metaphor of nurse as guest in nurse-community relationships from a humanbecoming theoretical lens. Humanbecoming teaching-learning essences, paradoxes, and processes are used to illustrate potential ethical meanings and implications for nurse practice.
Mobilizing Mother
Authors: Garner Ana C. , Slattery Karen
Published: March 2012

The American press played a key role in the Wilson administration’s effort to craft an image of the Patriotic Mother of the Great War. The Patriotic Mother of a soldier was encouraged to assume the mantle of the Spartan Mother. This monograph contrasts the Spartan Mother archetype used by the government and the press to another wartime maternal archetype, that of Thetis, the mother of Achilles, who objected to her son’s participation in the Trojan War. U.S. mothers of soldiers were socially and politically positioned to assume the role outlined by the Wilson administration and advocated by the news media.
Genetic basis of rifampicin resistance in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus suggests clonal expansion in hospitals in Cape Town, South Africa
Authors: Jansen van Rensburg Melissa J , Whitelaw Andrew C , Elisha Brenda G
Published: March 2012

Background

Since 2001, several studies have reported high rifampicin resistance rates (45 - 100%) among methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates from South Africa. The authors previously characterised 100 MRSA isolates from hospitals in Cape Town, South Africa; forty-five percent of these isolates were rifampicin-resistant. The majority (44/45) corresponded to ST612-MRSA-IV, which is prevalent in South Africa, but has not been reported frequently elsewhere. The remaining rifampicin-resistant isolate corresponded to ST5-MRSA-I. The aim of this study was to investigate further the prevalence and genetic basis of rifampicin-resistance in MRSA isolates from hospitals in Cape Town.

Results

Between July 2007 and June 2011, the prevalence of rifampicin-resistant MRSA in hospitals in Cape Town ranged from 39.7% to 46.4%. Based on the results of the aforementioned study, nine ST612-MRSA-IV isolates, the rifampicin-resistant ST5-MRSA-I isolate, and two rifampicin-susceptible MRSA isolates were investigated. Four previously described ST612-MRSA-IV isolates, including two each from South Africa and Australia, were also included.

The ST5-MRSA-I isolate carried a single mutational change, H481Y, commonly associated with high-level rifampicin resistance. All ST612-MRSA-IV isolates carried an uncommon double amino acid substitution in RpoB, H481N, I527M, whilst one of the Australian ST612-MRSA-IV isolates carried an additional mutation within rpoB, representing a novel rpoB genotype: H481N, I527M, K579R. All ST612-MRSA-IV isolates also shared a unique silent single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) within rpoB.

Conclusions

That local ST612-MRSA-IV isolates described here share an uncommon rpoB genotype and a unique silent SNP suggests this clone may have undergone clonal expansion in hospitals in Cape Town. Further, the data suggest that these isolates may be related to rifampicin-resistant ST612-MRSA-IV previously described in South Africa and Australia.
Crop to wild introgression in lettuce: following the fate of crop genome segments in backcross populations
Authors: Uwimana Brigitte , Smulders Marinus JM , Hooftman Danny AP , Hartman Yorike , van Tienderen Peter H , Jansen Johannes , McHale Leah K , Michelmore Richard W , Visser Richard GF , van de Wiel Clemens CM
Published: March 2012

Background

After crop-wild hybridization, some of the crop genomic segments may become established in wild populations through selfing of the hybrids or through backcrosses to the wild parent. This constitutes a possible route through which crop (trans)genes could become established in natural populations. The likelihood of introgression of transgenes will not only be determined by fitness effects from the transgene itself but also by the crop genes linked to it. Although lettuce is generally regarded as self-pollinating, outbreeding does occur at a low frequency. Backcrossing to wild lettuce is a likely pathway to introgression along with selfing, due to the high frequency of wild individuals relative to the rarely occurring crop-wild hybrids. To test the effect of backcrossing on the vigour of inter-specific hybrids,Lactuca serriola, the closest wild relative of cultivated lettuce, was crossed withL. sativaand the F1hybrid was backcrossed toL. serriolato generate BC1and BC2populations. Experiments were conducted on progeny from selfed plants of the backcrossing families (BC1S1and BC2S1). Plant vigour of these two backcrossing populations was determined in the greenhouse under non-stress and abiotic stress conditions (salinity, drought, and nutrient deficiency).

Results

Despite the decreasing contribution of crop genomic blocks in the backcross populations, the BC1S1and BC2S1hybrids were characterized by a substantial genetic variation under both non-stress and stress conditions. Hybrids were identified that performed equally or better than the wild genotypes, indicating that two backcrossing events did not eliminate the effect of the crop genomic segments that contributed to the vigour of the BC1and BC2hybrids. QTLs for plant vigour under non-stress and the various stress conditions were detected in the two populations with positive as well as negative effects from the crop.

Conclusion

As it was shown that the crop contributed QTLs with either a positive or a negative effect on plant vigour, we hypothesize that genomic regions exist where transgenes could preferentially be located in order to mitigate their persistence in natural populations through genetic hitchhiking.
Prognostic significance of anti-p53 and anti-KRas circulating antibodies in esophageal cancer patients treated with chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Blanchard Pierre , Quero Laurent , Pacault Vincent , Schlageter Marie-Helene , Baruch-Hennequin Valerie , Hennequin Christophe
Published: March 2012

Background

P53 mutations are an adverse prognostic factor in esophageal cancer. P53 and KRas mutations are involved in chemo-radioresistance. Circulating anti-p53 or anti-KRas antibodies are associated with gene mutations. We studied whether anti-p53 or anti-KRas auto-antibodies were prognostic factors for response to chemoradiotherapy (CRT) or survival in esophageal carcinoma.

Methods

Serum p53 and KRas antibodies (abs) were measured using an ELISA method in 97 consecutive patients treated at Saint Louis University Hospital between 1999 and 2002 with CRT for esophageal carcinoma (squamous cell carcinoma (SCCE) 57 patients, adenocarcinoma (ACE) 27 patients). Patient and tumor characteristics, response to treatment and the follow-up status of 84 patients were retrospectively collected. The association between antibodies and patient characteristics was studied. Univariate and multivariate survival analyses were conducted.

Results

Twenty-four patients (28%) had anti-p53 abs. Abs were found predominantly in SCCE (p = 0.003). Anti-p53 abs were associated with a shorter overall survival in the univariate analysis (HR 1.8 [1.03-2.9], p = 0.04). In the multivariate analysis, independent prognostic factors for overall and progression-free survival were an objective response to CRT, the CRT strategy (alone or combined with surgery [preoperative]) and anti-p53 abs. None of the long-term survivors had p53 abs. KRas abs were found in 19 patients (23%, no difference according to the histological type). There was no significant association between anti-KRas abs and survival neither in the univariate nor in the multivariate analysis. Neither anti-p53 nor anti-KRas abs were associated with response to CRT.

Conclusions

Anti-p53 abs are an independent prognostic factor for esophageal cancer patients treated with CRT. Individualized therapeutic approaches should be evaluated in this population.
Discrepancies between the medical record and the reports of patients with acute coronary syndrome regarding important aspects of the medical history
Authors: Eze-Nliam Chete , Cain Kellie , Bond Kasey , Forlenza Keith , Jankowski Rachel , Magyar-Russell Gina , Yenokyan Gayane , Ziegelstein Roy C
Published: March 2012

Background

Many critical treatment decisions are based on the medical history of patients with an acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Discrepancies between the medical history documented by a health professional and the patient's own report may therefore have important health consequences.

Methods

Medical histories of 117 patients with an ACS were documented. A questionnaire assessing the patient's health history was then completed by 62 eligible patients. Information about 13 health conditions with relevance to ACS management was obtained from the questionnaire and the medical record. Concordance between these two sources and reasons for discordance were identified.

Results

There was significant variation in agreement, from very poor in angina (kappa < 0) to almost perfect in diabetes (kappa = 0.94). Agreement was substantial in cerebrovascular accident (kappa = 0.76) and hypertension (kappa = 0.73); moderate in cocaine use (kappa = 0.54), smoking (kappa = 0.46), kidney disease (kappa = 0.52) and congestive heart failure (kappa = 0.54); and fair in arrhythmia (kappa = 0.37), myocardial infarction (kappa = 0.31), other cardiovascular diseases (kappa = 0.37) and bronchitis/pneumonia (kappa = 0.31). The odds of agreement was 42% higher among individuals with at least some college education (OR = 1.42; 95% CI, 1.00 - 2.01, p = 0.053). Listing of a condition in medical record but not in the questionnaire was a common cause of discordance.

Conclusion

Discrepancies in aspects of the medical history may have important effects on the care of ACS patients. Future research focused on identifying the most effective and efficient means to obtain accurate health information may improve ACS patient care quality and safety.
De novo sequencing, assembly and analysis of the genome of the laboratory strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae CEN.PK113-7D, a model for modern industrial biotechnology
Authors: Nijkamp Jurgen F , van den Broek Marcel , Datema Erwin , de Kok Stefan , Bosman Lizanne , Luttik Marijke A , Daran-Lapujade Pascale , Vongsangnak Wanwipa , Nielsen Jens , Heijne Wilbert HM , Klaassen Paul , Paddon Chris J , Platt Darren , Kötter Peter , van Ham Roeland C , Reinders Marcel JT , Pronk Jack T , de Ridder Dick , Daran Jean-Marc
Published: March 2012

Saccharomyces cerevisiae CEN.PK 113-7D is widely used for metabolic engineering and systems biology research in industry and academia. We sequenced, assembled, annotated and analyzed its genome. Single-nucleotide variations (SNV), insertions/deletions (indels) and differences in genome organization compared to the reference strain S. cerevisiae S288C were analyzed. In addition to a few large deletions and duplications, nearly 3000 indels were identified in the CEN.PK113-7D genome relative to S288C. These differences were overrepresented in genes whose functions are related to transcriptional regulation and chromatin remodelling. Some of these variations were caused by unstable tandem repeats, suggesting an innate evolvability of the corresponding genes. Besides a previously characterized mutation in adenylate cyclase, the CEN.PK113-7D genome sequence revealed a significant enrichment of non-synonymous mutations in genes encoding for components of the cAMP signalling pathway. Some phenotypic characteristics of the CEN.PK113-7D strains were explained by the presence of additional specific metabolic genes relative to S288C. In particular, the presence of the BIO1 and BIO6 genes correlated with a biotin prototrophy of CEN.PK113-7D. Furthermore, the copy number, chromosomal location and sequences of the MAL loci were resolved. The assembled sequence reveals that CEN.PK113-7D has a mosaic genome that combines characteristics of laboratory strains and wild-industrial strains.
Exploiting the behaviour of wild malaria vectors to achieve high infection with fungal biocontrol agents
Authors: Mnyone Ladslaus L , Lyimo Issa N , Lwetoijera Dickson W , Mpingwa Monica W , Nchimbi Nuru , Hancock Penelope A , Russell Tanya L , Kirby Matthew J , Takken Willem , Koenraadt Constantianus JM
Published: March 2012

Background

Control of mosquitoes that transmit malaria has been the mainstay in the fight against the disease, but alternative methods are required in view of emerging insecticide resistance. Entomopathogenic fungi are candidate alternatives, but to date, few trials have translated the use of these agents to field-based evaluations of their actual impact on mosquito survival and malaria risk. Mineral oil-formulations of the entomopathogenic fungi Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana were applied using five different techniques that each exploited the behaviour of malaria mosquitoes when entering, host-seeking or resting in experimental huts in a malaria endemic area of rural Tanzania.

Results

Survival of mosquitoes was reduced by 39-57% relative to controls after forcing upward house-entry of mosquitoes through fungus treated baffles attached to the eaves or after application of fungus-treated surfaces around an occupied bed net (bed net strip design). Moreover, 68 to 76% of the treatment mosquitoes showed fungal growth and thus had sufficient contact with fungus treated surfaces. A population dynamic model of malaria-mosquito interactions shows that these infection rates reduce malaria transmission by 75-80% due to the effect of fungal infection on adult mortality alone. The model also demonstrated that even if a high proportion of the mosquitoes exhibits outdoor biting behaviour, malaria transmission was still significantly reduced.

Conclusions

Entomopathogenic fungi strongly affect mosquito survival and have a high predicted impact on malaria transmission. These entomopathogens represent a viable alternative for malaria control, especially if they are used as part of an integrated vector management strategy.
Iterative algorithms for minimum-norm fixed point of non-expansive mapping in hilbert space
Authors: Cai Yong , Tang Yuchao , Liu Liwei
Published: March 2012

The purpose of this article is to introduce two iterative algorithms for finding the least norm fixed point of nonexpansive mappings. We provide two algorithms, one implicit and another explicit, from which strong convergence theorems are obtained in Hilbert spaces. Then we apply these algorithms to solve some convex optimization problems. Furthermore, we use them to solve some split feasibility problems. The results of this article extend and improve several results presented in the literature in the recent past.

Mathematics Subject Classification (2000): 47H09; 47H10; 90C25.
Coupled fixed point theorems for generalized Mizoguchi-Takahashi contractions with applications
Authors: Ćirić Ljubomir , Damjanović Boško , Jleli Mohamed , Samet Bessem
Published: March 2012

We derive some new coupled fixed point theorems for nonlinear contractive maps that satisfied a generalized Mizoguchi-Takahashi's condition in the setting of ordered metric spaces. Presented theorems extends and generalize many well-known results in the literature. As an application, we give an existence and uniqueness theorem for the solution to a two-point boundary value problem.

2000 Mathematics Subject Classification: 54H25; 47H10.
Orthogonal inactivation of influenza and the creation of detergent resistant viral aggregates: towards a novel vaccine strategy
Authors: Belanger Julie M , Raviv Yossef , Viard Mathias , Baxa Ulrich , Blumenthal Robert
Published: March 2012

Background

It has been previously shown that enveloped viruses can be inactivated using aryl azides, such as 1-iodo-5-azidonaphthalene (INA), plus UVA irradiation with preservation of surface epitopes in the inactivated virus preparations. Prolonged UVA irradiation in the presence of INA results in ROS-species formation, which in turn results in detergent resistant viral protein fractions.

Results

Herein, we characterize the applicability of this technique to inactivate influenza. It is shown that influenza virus + INA (100 micromolar) + UVA irradiation for 30 minutes results in a significant (p < 0.05) increase in pelletablehemagglutinin after Triton X-100 treatment followed by ultracentrifugation. Additionally, characterization of the virus suspension by immunogold labeling in cryo-EM, and viral pellet characterization via immunoprecipitation with a neutralizing antibody, shows preservation of neutralization epitopes after this treatment.

Conclusion

These orthogonally inactivated viral preparations with detergent resistant fractions are being explored as a novel route for safe, effective inactivated vaccines generated from a variety of enveloped viruses.
The dangers of damage control orthopedics: a case report of vascular injury after femoral fracture external fixation
Authors: Staeheli Gregory R , Fraser Michael R , Morgan Steven J
Published: March 2012

Background

Placement of external fixation frames is an expedient and minimally invasive method of achieving bone and joint stability in the setting of severe trauma. Although anatomic safe zones are established for placement of external fixation pins, neurovascular structures may be at risk in the setting of severe trauma.

Case report

We present a case of a 21-year-old female involved in a high speed motorcycle accident who sustained a Type IIIB open segmental femur fracture with significant thigh soft tissue injury. Damage control orthopedic principals were applied and a spanning external fixator placed for provisional femoral stabilization. Intraoperative vascular examination noted absent distal pulses, however an intraoperative angiogram showed arterial flow distal to the trifurcation. Immediately postoperatively the dorsalis pedis pulse was detected using Doppler ultrasound but was then non-detectable over the preceding 12-hours. Femoral artery CT angiogram revealed iatrogenic superficial femoral artery occlusion due to kinking of the artery around an external fixator pin. Although the pin causing occlusion was placed under direct visualization, the degree of soft tissue injury altered the appearance of the local anatomy. The pin was subsequently revised allowing the artery to travel in its anatomic position, restoring perfusion.

Conclusion

This case highlights the dangers associated with damage control orthopedics, especially when severe trauma alters normal local anatomy. Careful assessment of external fixator pin placement is crucial to avoiding iatrogenic injury. We recommend a thorough vascular examination pre-operatively and prior to leaving the operating room, which allows any abnormalities to be further evaluated while the patient remains in a controlled environment. When an unrecognized iatrogenic injury occurs, serial postoperative neurovascular examinations allow early recognition and corrective actions.
High-throughput detection of aberrant imprint methylation in the ovarian cancer by the bisulphite PCR-Luminex method
Authors: Hiura Hitoshi , Okae Hiroaki , Kobayash Hisato , Miyauchi Naoko , Sato Fumi , Sato Akiko , Suzuki Fumihiko , Nagase Satoru , Sugawara Junichi , Nakai Kunihiko , Yaegashi Nobuo , Arima Takahiro
Published: March 2012

Background

Aberrant DNA methylation leads to loss of heterozygosity (LOH) or loss of imprinting (LOI) as the first hit during human carcinogenesis. Recently we developed a new high-throughput, high-resolution DNA methylation analysis method, bisulphite PCR-Luminex (BPL), using sperm DNA and demonstrated the effectiveness of this novel approach in rapidly identifying methylation errors.

Results

In the current study, we applied the BPL method to the analysis of DNA methylation for identification of prognostic panels of DNA methylation cancer biomarkers of imprinted genes. We found that the BPL method precisely quantified the methylation status of specific DNA regions in somatic cells. We found a higher frequency of LOI than LOH. LOI at IGF2, PEG1 and H19 were frequent alterations, with a tendency to show a more hypermethylated state. We detected changes in DNA methylation as an early event in ovarian cancer. The degree of LOI (LOH) was associated with altered DNA methylation at IGF2/H19 and PEG1.

Conclusions

The relative ease of BPL method provides a practical method for use within a clinical setting. We suggest that DNA methylation of H19 and PEG1 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) may provide novel biomarkers useful for screening, diagnosis and, potentially, for improving the clinical management of women with human ovarian cancer.
Patterns of c-reactive protein RATIO response in severe community-acquired pneumonia: a cohort study
Authors: Coelho Luís M , Salluh Jorge IF , Soares Márcio , Bozza Fernando A , Verdeal JuanCarlos R , Castro-Faria-Neto Hugo C , Lapa e Silva José Roberto , Bozza Patrícia T , Póvoa Pedro
Published: March 2012

Introduction

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admission remains a severe medical condition, presenting ICU mortality rates reaching 30%. The aim of this study was to assess the value of different patterns of C-reactive protein (CRP)-ratio response to antibiotic therapy in patients with severe CAP requiring ICU admission as an early maker of outcome.

Methods

In total, 191 patients with severe CAP were prospectively included and CRP was sampled every other day from D1 to D7 of antibiotic prescription. CRP-ratio was calculated in relation to D1 CRP concentration. Patients were classified according to an individual pattern of CRP-ratio response with the following criteria: fast response - when D5 CRP was less than or equal to 0.4 of D1 CRP concentration; slow response - when D5 CRP was > 0.4 and D7 less than or equal to 0.8 of D1 CRP concentration; nonresponse - when D7 CRP was > 0.8 of D1 CRP concentration. Comparison between ICU survivors and non-survivors was performed.

Results

CRP-ratio from D1 to D7 decreased faster in survivors than in non-survivors (p = 0.01). The ability of CRP-ratio by D5 to predict ICU outcome assessed by the area under the ROC curve was 0.73 (95% Confidence Interval, 0.64 - 0.82). By D5, a CRP concentration above 0.5 of the initial level was a marker of poor outcome (sensitivity 0.81, specificity 0.58, positive likelihood ratio 1.93, negative likelihood ratio 0.33). The time-dependent analysis of CRP-ratio of the three patterns (fast response n = 66; slow response n = 81; nonresponse n = 44) was significantly different between groups (p < 0.001). The ICU mortality rate was considerably different according to the patterns of CRP-ratio response: fast response 4.8%, slow response 17.3% and nonresponse 36.4% (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

In severe CAP, sequential evaluation of CRP-ratio was useful in the early identification of patients with poor outcome. The evaluation of CRP-ratio pattern of response to antibiotics during the first week of therapy was useful in the recognition of the individual clinical evolution.
Hetero Bi-Paddle-Wheel Coordination Networks: A New Synthetic Route to Rh-Containing Metal–Organic Frameworks
Authors: Matsunaga Satoshi , Hasada Ken-ichi , Sugiura Kenji , Kitamura Naoki , Kudo Yuri , Endo Nanako , Mori Wasuke
Published: March 2012

We have successfully synthesized rhodium-containing MOFs with 1:1 abundance ratios of paddle-wheel units of Rh2 and Cu2/Zn2, i.e., [Rh2M2(1,4-bdc)4]·nSolvent (M = Cu: RhCu-DMF, RhCu-EtOH; M = Zn: RhZn-DMF; 1,4-bdc: 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate) by a novel synthetic method involving assembly of discrete paddle-wheel dirhodium(II) tetra(1,4-benzenedicarboxylate) with Cu2+ or Zn2+ ions. The diffraction patterns of these complexes were very similar to the predicted and experimental XRPD patterns reported for [Cu2(1,4-bdc)2]. This result indicates that this method enables the incorporation of coordinatively unsaturated noble-metal sites for the many reported MOFs with multi-carboxy ligands and paddle-wheel nodes.
Low-Temperature Complete Combustion of Volatile Organic Compounds over Novel Pt/CeO2–ZrO2–SnO2/γ-Al2O3 Catalysts
Authors: Yasuda Keisuke , Yoshimura Atsuki , Katsuma Atsushi , Masui Toshiyuki , Imanaka Nobuhito
Published: March 2012

Catalytic combustion of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as ethylene, toluene, and acetaldehyde over novel Pt/CeO2–ZrO2–SnO2/γ-Al2O3 catalysts prepared by a coprecipitation method was investigated. The introduction of a small amount of SnO2 within the CeO2–ZrO2 lattice as a promoter was considerably effective to enhance the oxygen release and storage abilities of the catalysts, so that complete oxidation of VOCs was markedly activated. This improvement of the reducibility of the catalyst can be ascribed to the simultaneous reduction of Ce4+ and Sn4+ in the CeO2–ZrO2–SnO2 solid solutions. By the optimization of the composition and the Pt amount, complete oxidation of ethylene, toluene, and acetaldehyde was realized at temperatures as low as 55, 110, and 140 °C over a Pt(10 wt %)/Ce0.68Zr0.17Sn0.15O2.0(16 wt %)/γ-Al2O3 catalyst, respectively.
Catalytic Oxidative Coupling of Methane Assisted by Electric Power over a Semiconductor Catalyst
Authors: Tanaka Keisuke , Sekine Yasushi , Oshima Kazumasa , Tanaka Yoshitaka , Matsukata Masahiko , Kikuchi Eiichi
Published: March 2012

Oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) on La2O3 semiconductor catalysts at 423 K external temperature was investigated. DC power supplied from two electrodes in a catalyst bed enabled stable and selective production of C2H6 and C2H4 over Sr–La2O3 (Sr/La = 1/200 and 1/20), but plasma reactions proceeded over other catalysts. The electrical conductivity of the semiconductor catalyst was important for controlling this reaction. A high yield of C2 (49% selectivity, 51.3% O2 conversion) was obtained using 2.7 W of electricity at a lower external temperature (423 K).
Synthesis and Photovoltaic Properties of Conjugated Polymer Based on 1,3,4-Thiadiazole Unit
Authors: Umeyama Tomokazu , Douvogianni Evgenia , Imahori Hiroshi
Published: March 2012

A novel conjugated polymer based on cyclopenta[2,1-b:3,4-b′]dithiophene and 1,3,4-thiadiazole with two electron-withdrawing imine (C=N) nitrogen atoms in a five-membered ring has been synthesized by the Stille coupling reaction. Optical band gap of the polymer estimated from the absorption edge was found to be 1.77 eV. The photovoltaic device consisting of the polymer and a fullerene derivative (PCBM) showed a power conversion efficiency of 1.06% under simulated AM 1.5G irradiation of 100 mW cm−2.
Ruthenium-catalyzed Ortho-selective Aromatic C–H Silylation: Acceptorless Dehydrogenative Coupling of Hydrosilanes
Authors: Sakurai Toru , Matsuoka Yusuke , Hanataka Tsurugi , Fukuyama Naoaki , Namikoshi Takeshi , Watanabe Shinji , Murata Miki
Published: March 2012

The intermolecular dehydrogenative coupling of 1,1,1,3,5,5,5-heptamethyltrisiloxane with aromatic compounds such as aryloxazolines and arylimines in the presence of a catalytic amount of [RuCl2(p-cymene)]2 gave the corresponding ortho-silylated products in good yields.
Y-branched TiO2 Nanotube Arrays Made by a Simplified Two-step Electrochemical Anodic Oxidation Method
Authors: Yang Xu , Qu Yi , Fan Yi , Liu Xingyuan
Published: March 2012

Perpendicularly aligned and highly ordered Y-branched TiO2 nanotube arrays were fabricated by a simplified two-step electrochemical anodic oxidation method via reducing the anodizing voltage. The optimized growth-voltage range is between 28 and 20 V. Different cross-sectional morphologies can be observed when the nanotube arrays are anodized under different voltage ranges. We illustrate here the synthesis process of Y-branched TiO2 nanotubes and a possible growth mechanism that leads to a variety of tubular branching morphologies.
Nanotemplate Prepared by Means of Vacuum Ultraviolet Patterning of Alkylsilane Self-assembled Monolayer on ITO Using a Porous Alumina Mask: Application to the Fabrication of Gold Nanoparticle Arrays
Authors: Yang Jeonghyeon , Ichii Takashi , Murase Kuniaki , Sugimura Hiroyuki , Kondo Toshiaki , Masuda Hideki
Published: March 2012

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have been arranged on a nanotemplate prepared on indium tin oxide substrate. This template, consisting of circular areas of about 200 nm in diameter hexagonally assembled with an interval of 450 nm, was prepared by using an anodic porous alumina membrane mask and vacuum ultraviolet light at 172 nm. The site-selective immobilization of AuNPs was controlled with the electrostatic affinity difference of AuNPs toward functionalized surface characterized by self-assembled monolayer.
Highly Luminescent Lead Bromide Perovskite Nanoparticles Synthesized with Porous Alumina Media
Authors: Kojima Akihiro , Ikegami Masashi , Teshima Kenjiro , Miyasaka Tsutomu
Published: March 2012

Nanocrystalline lead bromide perovskite was synthesized by rapid self-organization on a mesoporous aluminum oxide film. With UV excitation, the film exhibited an intense green emission with a narrow bandwidth. The photoluminescence intensity is optimized for the conditions of synthesis and the kind of metal oxide.
Synthesis of Triazole-linked Analogues of RNA (TLRNA)
Authors: Fujino Tomoko , Endo Kenta , Yamazaki Naomi , Isobe Hiroyuki
Published: March 2012

A triazole-linked analogue of RNA (TLRNA) has been developed. Monomeric ribonucleoside analogues bearing natural nucleobases were prepared from d-xylose to afford the elongating units in gram quantities. The puckering of the monomeric analogues was similar to that of natural ribonucleosides and preferred the North-type conformation. An efficient elongation reaction via the copper-catalyzed Huisgen cycloaddition on a solid support was used for the synthesis of trinucleotides.
Design and Synthesis of 3-(2-Ethyl-4-{2-[2-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-methyloxazol-4-yl]ethoxy}phenyl)propanoic Acid: A Novel Triple-acting PPARα, -γ, and -δ Agonist
Authors: Zhang Qijun , Sun Peng , Zheng Guojun , Wang Yaping , Wang Xiangjing , Wei Hegeng , Xiang Wensheng
Published: March 2012

The design and synthesis of triple-acting PPARα, -γ, and -δ agonist 3-(2-ethyl-4-{2-[2-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-methyloxazol-4-yl]ethoxy}phenyl)propanoic acid (1a) is described. The compound possesses a potent triple-acting PPARα, -γ, and -δ agonist profile with an EC50 of 0.029, 0.013, and 0.029 µM, respectively. The synthetic route, involving the synthesis of oxazole rings as the key step, starts from commercially available 3-oxopentanoic acid methyl ester and 3-hydroxyacetophenone to afford the target compound 1 with an overall yield of 32%.
A Cointegration Model with Structure Breaks for Customer Migration Analysis
Authors: Jiang Wei , Duan Rong , Au Siu-Tong
Published: March 2012

As new technologies, products, and services emerge, consumers actively or passively migrate from legacy products to new substitutes while enjoying the adventures and benefits of the new everyday technology. However, identifying customers who migrate presents a challenge for service providers in understanding customer needs and business trends. This paper proposes a cointegrated linear regression model with structure breaks for customer migration analysis. The purpose of the cointegration model is to extract important cause–effect relationships for the migrations. The unique characteristic of the proposed cointegration model encompasses structure breaks that represent significant changes of the relationship among multiple data streams of customer activities. The proposed method can help marketing researchers identify migration customers, better understand customer needs, and evaluate their business impacts so that corresponding marketing campaigns can be initiated. An example in the telecommunications industry is discussed to demonstrate the application of the proposed method for migration analysis.
Consumer Responses to Legal Music Download Services that Compete with Illegal Alternatives
Authors: Clement Michel , Rangaswamy Arvind , Vadali Srikant
Published: March 2012

Several legal music download services, including some that are free (e.g., Spotify), are now available to consumers. These services may be viewed as “new service interventions” that could potentially change the mental models of consumers toward illegal file sharing and result in fewer downloads of illegal music files. We apply the theories of planned behavior and cognitive dissonance to articulate hypotheses regarding how such new services would change mental models of consumers for illegal music downloading. We test our hypotheses using data from two natural field experiments at a U.S. university and apply partial least squares estimation with difference-in-differences measures to test our hypotheses.

We find that the introduction of legal music downloading services reduces the extent of favorable attitudes toward illegal file sharing and weakens the relationship between attitude and intent, because of which favorable attitudes toward illegal file sharing do not necessarily translate into a stronger intent to engage in illegal file sharing. However, these new services also strengthen the relationship between the perceived benefits of file sharing and reinforce their positive impact on intent to file share for those who engage in higher levels of illegal file sharing before using the new service. Our results suggest that it is important to introduce legal alternatives that are at least on par with the illegal alternatives in terms of their features and benefits, and to do so before too many consumers become used to the illegal alternatives.
Reflections on ‘governing the family’: the close relationship between child protection and social work in advanced Western societies – the example of England
Authors: Parton Nigel
Published: March 2012

The purpose of this article is to critically reflect on recent developments and debates about child protection policy and practice in advanced Western societies, with particular reference to England. It includes a discussion of the scandal associated with the death of ‘Baby Peter’ and the political reactions to it, together with an analysis of the Munro Review of Child Protection. In the process it considers why the profession of social work is continually subject to criticism in child protection work but, at the same time, continues to be entrusted with playing the central role in it. It is argued that a major reason for this is that social work plays a key role in ‘governing the family’ in advanced Western societies where, while it is important that children are protected from ‘significant harm’, it is also important that the privacy of the family is not seen as being undermined. Social work expertise is key to maintaining this fine balance and mediating between the various tensions involved.
Hard- and Soft-Modeling Approaches for Resolution of Complex Formation of Co2+ and Ni2+ with Glycine
Authors: Shariati-Rad Masoud , Hasani Masoumeh , Shamsipur Mojtaba
Published: March 2012

Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to obtain information about the number of components in the complex formation equilibria of Co2+ and Ni2+ with glycine (Gly). In order to obtain a clearer insight into these complex formation systems, multivariate curve resolution–alternating least squares (MCR-ALS) was used. Using MCR-ALS as a soft-modeling method, well-defined concentration and spectral profiles were obtained under unimodality, non-negativity, and closure constraints. Based on the obtained results, an equilibrium model was proposed and subsequently, a hard-modeling method was used to resolve the complex formation equilibria completely. Due to the presence of multiple equilibria, the resolution of such systems is very difficult. The Co–Gly system was best described by a model consisting of M(GlyH), M(Gly), M(Gly)2, M(Gly)2H, and M(Gly) 3 (M=Co2+) with the overall stability constants determined to be 7.10 ± 0.011, 5.14 ± 0.006, 9.28 ± 0.009, 13.75 ± 0.016, and 11.10 ± 0.010, respectively. On the other hand, the system of Ni–Gly was best fitted by a model containing M(GlyH), M(Gly), M(Gly)2, M(Gly)3, and M(Gly)2(OH) (M = Ni2+) with overall stability constants of 10.95 ± 0.04, 6.41 ± 0.03, 11.31 ± 0.03, 15.39 ± 0.06, and 14.32 ± 0.02, respectively.
Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS), Part II: Review of Instrumental and Methodological Approaches to Material Analysis and Applications to Different Fields
Authors: Hahn David W. , Omenetto Nicoló
Published: March 2012

The first part of this two-part review focused on the fundamental and diagnostics aspects of laser-induced plasmas, only touching briefly upon concepts such as sensitivity and detection limits and largely omitting any discussion of the vast panorama of the practical applications of the technique. Clearly a true LIBS community has emerged, which promises to quicken the pace of LIBS developments, applications, and implementations. With this second part, a more applied flavor is taken, and its intended goal is summarizing the current state-of-the-art of analytical LIBS, providing a contemporary snapshot of LIBS applications, and highlighting new directions in laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, such as novel approaches, instrumental developments, and advanced use of chemometric tools. More specifically, we discuss instrumental and analytical approaches (e.g., double- and multi-pulse LIBS to improve the sensitivity), calibration-free approaches, hyphenated approaches in which techniques such as Raman and fluorescence are coupled with LIBS to increase sensitivity and information power, resonantly enhanced LIBS approaches, signal processing and optimization (e.g., signal-to-noise analysis), and finally applications. An attempt is made to provide an updated view of the role played by LIBS in the various fields, with emphasis on applications considered to be unique. We finally try to assess where LIBS is going as an analytical field, where in our opinion it should go, and what should still be done for consolidating the technique as a mature method of chemical analysis.
Producing News in Mubarak’s Egypt: An analysis of Egyptian newspaper production during the late Hosni Mubarak era
Authors: Elmasry Mohamad Hamas
Published: March 2012

This research explores news production in Egypt during the last half of 2008, relatively late in Hosni Mubarak’s presidency. The study focuses on Al-Ahram, Al-Masry Al-Yom, and Al-Wafd, three major Egyptian dailies representing the range of Egyptian media ownership categories:
government-owned, independent (or non-affiliated) and opposition party-owned. The research included extended ethnography-inspired field observation and interviewing. Against the conceptual backdrops of the sociology of news and press systems scholarship, the project presents a model of the
Egyptian newspaper system during one important period in the Mubarak era. Results suggest that Egyptian journalists at all three newspapers faced numerous obstacles to information gathering and were forbidden from crossing certain legal and cultural lines in their reporting. The president,
security apparatuses and dominant Egyptian cultural beliefs were generally off limits to news organizations, and news content was filtered through mechanisms of control ensuring that content conformed to standards of political, legal and cultural acceptability.
Cross-cultural Communication: Arab and Welsh students’ use of Facebook
Authors: Barry Wail A. , Bouvier Gwen
Published: March 2012

This study focuses on the major sociocultural attributes of communication via Facebook in two different geographical settings. It identifies cross-cultural differences among two different student cohorts in the UAE and the UK.Sociocultural specificities were addressed by means of
quantitative surveying complemented by qualitative interviewing. The social information processing (SIP) theory and Geerte Hofstede theory of ‘cultural dimensions’ represented the epistemological framework for the study.The findings indicate that although the users shared similar
responses in terms of their preferences and uses, the study shows that they differ in certain key points related to online behaviour and communication modes (e.g. preferences for contacting friends), conceptualization of Facebook (an extension to university life or a portal to the world) and
issues of privacy (expressing oneself openly). These deviations reflect essentially a cultural dissimilarity, which is a core point of the study.
New media and Islamism in the Arab Winter: A case study of Huda TV in pre-revolutionary Egypt
Authors: Maguire Thomas E. R.
Published: March 2012

Although Islam promises to play an increasing role in the public life of Muslim societies, scholarly analysis often falls short in comprehending the complex and diverse nature of this revival. As Middle Eastern societies open to wider public participation, the emergence of an active
Muslim polity seems irrepressible. Yet onlookers from afar worry that Islam will only find political expression through narrow and intolerant ideologies that subvert democratic principles. This article seeks to understand the complex evolution of Islamism, and explain how its restricted and
often superficial expression through media may reflect a stunted beginning rather than a permanent state of regressive fundamentalism. Through a case study of Huda TV in the era immediately preceding the rise of social media, this article shows how the powerfully repressive context of Middle
Eastern media ensured the enduring stagnation of a nascent political discourse.