bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Leading Group Meetings
Authors: Baran Benjamin E. , Shanock Linda Rhoades , Rogelberg Steven G. , Scott Cliff W.
Published: November 2011

This study focuses on a common-yet-understudied group process: supervisor-led group meetings at work. Specifically, the study explores the relationships among employees’ perceptions and reported behaviors with regard to such meetings. Respondents are 291 adults working in different organizations. Structural equation modeling of the data largely supports the hypothesized model. Employee perceptions of relationship quality with their supervisors (leader–member exchange) fully mediates the relationship between perceptions of supervisors’ fairness (interactional justice) in group meetings and perceived organizational support. Leader–member exchange also fully mediates the relationship between interactional justice perceptions and meeting citizenship behaviors—a new construct describing extra-role behaviors that support meeting processes—and between good meeting practices by the supervisors and meeting citizenship behaviors. Leader–member exchange partially mediates the relationship between good meeting practices and perceived organizational support. These findings highlight the importance both of supervisors’ behaviors within meetings that they lead and of the supervisor-led group meeting itself as a phenomenon worthy of future exploration.
Facilitators and Barriers to Implementation of an Evidence-Based Parenting Intervention to Prevent Child Maltreatment
Authors: Shapiro Cheri J. , Prinz Ronald J. , Sanders Matthew R.
Published: November 2011

The prevention of child maltreatment via parenting interventions requires implementation on a broad scale, which is facilitated by drawing on a multidisciplinary array of service workers located in multiple settings. This underscores the importance of understanding factors that impact worker implementation of evidenced-based parenting and family support interventions. This study involved structured interviews with 174 service providers from several disciplines who had been trained previously in the delivery of the Triple P-Positive Parenting Program. These follow-up interviews, conducted an average of about 2 years after professional in-service training, provided the basis for examining predictors of sustained program use. Predictors examined included facilitators and barriers to program use, as well as organizational and provider-level characteristics such as attitudes toward evidence-based interventions. Highlighting the importance of a systems–contextual perspective on implementation, several provider and organization-level characteristics significantly predicted program use including provider self-confidence after training, fit of program with ongoing duties, availability of posttraining support, and perceived benefit of intervention for children and families. Implications for prevention and implementation science are discussed in view of the challenges inherent in the field of child maltreatment.
‘I didn’t really like it, but it sounded exciting’
Authors: Ford Karen
Published: November 2011

It is a mark of respect for children that their views around their healthcare are listened to and considered. To date, too little attention has been paid to children’s views and experiences of admission to hospital for surgery. This paper presents findings from a constructivist grounded theory study of children’s experiences of admission to hospital for surgery (from their perspectives). Age appropriate data collection techniques were used and included interviews with children and their drawings and stories.

Ten children, aged 6–12 years, who were admitted to hospital for surgery participated in the research. The children were able to clearly articulate aspects of their experience, including their fears and anxieties, the things they enjoyed and the things that assisted them to cope with their experience. The substantive theory developed was ‘children’s reframing of their sense of selves to incorporate the experiences of hospitalization and surgery’.

Children require information and support to alleviate their anxieties around the time of their surgery. With pressures on children’s services, increased day surgery rates and shorter admissions, nurses who care for children around this time are challenged to find ways of knowing each child’s story and the fears that they have.
Rethinking transnational studies
Authors: Boccagni Paolo
Published: November 2011

Once an alternative approach to the mainstream, transnationalism has gained increasing currency and salience in migration studies. What is left of its theoretical import, however, after establishing that proper transnational activities, aside from remittances, are relatively infrequent; and that such practices are not incompatible with – and are even facilitated by – successful integration overseas? This article contends that the theoretical toolkit of transnationalism can still be helpful in studying migrant life trajectories, with particular respect to their everyday life sphere. Theoretical progress should be made, however, in three regards: (1) a stronger connection with globalization studies; (2) further elaboration on the reference points of transnational ties; and (3) a deeper reflection on the relevance of identifications and senses of belonging to migrant connectedness with their homeland. Along these lines, an understanding of transnational ties and relationships is outlined, in terms of potential and selective attributes of day-to-day interactions between migrants and their non-migrant counterparts.
Developing the model of pulmonary rehabilitation for chronic heart failure
Authors: Evans Rachael A
Published: November 2011

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and chronic heart failure (CHF) commonly suffer from exertional symptoms of breathlessness and fatigue. The similar systemic manifestations of the conditions, including skeletal muscle dysfunction, are a major contributing factor to the limitation in exercise capacity. A period of exercise training has been shown to improve exercise performance and health-related quality of life for both conditions. Exercise training is a key component of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) which is now a standard of care for patients with COPD and is symptom based. Although it may be assumed that patients with CHF could be incorporated into cardiac rehabilitation, this is predominantly a secondary prevention programme for patients who are largely asymptomatic. It has been shown that patients with CHF can be successfully trained together with patients with COPD by the same therapists within PR. There are comparable outcome measures that can be used for both COPD and CHF. Many patients with CHF still do not have access to an exercise rehabilitation programme and incorporating them into the PR model of care could be one solution. This article reviews the (1) similar symptoms, mechanisms and consequences between COPD and CHF, (2) rationale and evidence for exercise training in CHF, (3) model of PR, (4) safety of exercise training in CHF, (5) evidence for combined exercise rehabilitation for CHF and COPD, (6) adaptations necessary to include patients with CHF into PR, (7) the chronic care model and (8) summary.
Efficacy of diaphragmatic breathing in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Fernandes Marcelo , Cukier Alberto , Feltrim Maria Ignêz Zanetti
Published: November 2011

This study investigated the effects of diaphragmatic breathing (DB) on ventilation and breathing pattern, seeking to identify predictors of its efficacy in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Twenty-nine patients with moderate and severe COPD were monitored using respiratory inductance plethysmography and metabolic gas analysis. After 4 minutes of natural breathing, subjects completed 2 minutes of DB followed by 4 minutes of natural breathing. Dyspnea was measured using a visual analogue scale. Diaphragmatic mobility was assessed using chest radiography. DB was associated with a significant increase in tidal volume and reduction in breathing frequency, leading to higher ventilation and oxygen saturation, with a reduction in dead space ventilation and ventilatory equivalent for carbon dioxide. A total of 10 subjects with moderate (5) and severe (5) COPD performed DB with asynchronous thoracoabdominal motion, worsening the dyspnea, and decreasing the gain of tidal volume. Diaphragmatic mobility, inspiratory muscular strength, lower scores for dyspnea and hypoxemia as well as coordinated thoracoabdominal motion are associated with effective DB. In patients with COPD, DB can improve breathing pattern and ventilatory efficiency without causing dyspnea in patients whose respiratory muscular system is preserved.
Is Meth the New Crack for Women in the War on Drugs? Factors Affecting Sentencing Outcomes for Women and Parallels Between Meth and Crack
Authors: Bush-Baskette Stephanie R. , Smith Vivian C.
Published: November 2011

Between 1996 and 2006, the federal laws that pertain to methamphetamine changed significantly. By 2006, methamphetamine offenses ranked number two among drugs for which women were convicted. There was a major increase in the number of women convicted of methamphetamine offenses. Using U.S. Sentencing Commission (USSC) data for 1996 and 2006 , this research investigates the factors affecting sentencing outcomes among women convicted of methamphetamine in the federal system. A major finding is that mandatory minimum sentencing attached to the new thresholds for methamphetamine has a major affect on the likelihood of incarceration of women convicted of methamphetamine offenses in the federal system.
The genealogical novel as a way of defining and/or deconstructing cultural identity: Flemish fiction since 1970
Authors: Brems Elke
Published: November 2011

This article focuses on the genre of the genealogical novel, which has boomed in Flanders since 1970. This type of novel deals with the narrativization of the past (individual and collective) and with the link between origin and identity. The Flemish genealogical novel portrays the formation of individuals against the background of an emerging Flemish cultural identity. The link between cultural identity and literature is complex and nuanced. A territorializing approach of this relation leads to the reading of genealogical novels as ‘typically Flemish’. This view is often taken in the critical reception of the genre. A deterritorializing approach shows how genealogical novels can be read as comments on the concept of territorialization and as a critique of the stereotypical image of Flanders and its ‘roots’.
Decorin in atherosclerosis
Authors: Singla Sandeep , Hu Changping , Mizeracki Adam , Mehta Jawahar L.
Published: November 2011

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the Western world. Despite tremendous strides in understandings its pathogenesis, it still remains a challenge because of gaps in our understanding of its initiation, progression and complications leading to the clinical syndromes of angina, acute coronary syndrome, cerebrovascular disease and peripheral vascular disease. Recent studies have provided impetus on the shift from models of atherosclerosis based on cellular interactions to models where the important role of extracellular matrix is recognized. Proteoglycans, especially those belonging to the small leucine-rich proteoglycan family of which decorin is a representative example, have come under close scrutiny for their role in atherogenesis. There is evidence from in vitro and in vivo animal models as well as humans to suggest an important role of decorin in attenuating progression of atherosclerosis. Decorin distribution in different blood vessels has been shown to inversely correlate with the tendency to develop atherosclerosis. Decorin seems to interact closely with different cellular components of the plaque milieu, thereby suggesting its role in influencing atherogenesis at different steps. Here we review the current understanding of the role of decorin in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.
A fresh look at preoperative body washing
Authors: Tanner Judith , Gould Dinah , Jenkins Philip , Hilliam Rachel , Mistry Neetesh , Walsh Susannah
Published: November 2011

National guidelines do not support preoperative body washing to reduce surgical site infections, instead recommending bathing or showering with soap. Yet preoperative body washing continues to be widely used in many hospitals across Europe. This paper suggests that existing trials of preoperative body washing, upon which guidelines are based, are dated and proposes a new investigation of preoperative body washing using modern definitions of surgical site infection with standardised patient follow up, modern surgical techniques and well designed trials. This paper provides a critique of existing guidelines and describes a randomised trial with 60 participants to compare the effect of soap and two antiseptic washing products on colony forming units (CFUs) for up to six hours. Chlorhexidine gluconate and octenidine were significantly more effective than soap in reducing CFUs in the underarm, and chlorhexidine was significantly more effective than soap in reducing CFUs in the groin.
Varenicline-induced psychotic depressive episode in a patient with bipolar disorder
Authors: Annagur Bilge Burcak , Bez Yasin
Published: November 2011

Varenicline is a relatively novel medication for smoking cessation. Increased neuropsychiatric symptoms have been reported with its use and it is listed among drugs with a black box warning. History of a psychiatric diagnosis is suggested to be a vulnerability factor for the development of some psychiatric side effects with its use. However, empirical evidence to support this point is very limited. Here, we report the case of a bipolar patient who developed a depressive episode with psychotic features immediately after varenicline use. Clinicians should be careful about the varenicline-induced neuropsychiatric effects. Healthcare professionals can provide an important role in helping to prevent and manage worsening psychiatric symptoms.
Reliability of Pb-free solders for harsh environment electronic assemblies
Authors: Desmarest S Godard
Published: November 2011

Since 2006 and the implementation of environmental regulations, the electronic industry has moved to Pb-free solders. Harsh environment industries that were exempted from the regulations will soon have to follow suit. However, a suitable replacement solder for use in harsh environments still has to be validated and reliability models are yet to be established. In this review, research that led to the selection of currently used Pb-free alloys and the continuing search for high reliability alloys are described. Sn pest and Sn whiskers, potential major threats for electronics operating in harsh environments, are highlighted. This review also focuses on the microstructure, mechanical properties and deformation mechanisms of Pb-free alloys. Emphasis is placed on Sn–Ag–Cu alloys, now considered to be the alloys of choice for replacement of Sn–Pb solders. The reliability of Pb-free electronic assemblies is studied, focusing on thermal fatigue, believed to be the main source of failure through creep–fatigue mechanisms. The validity of models for Pb-free solder joints life time prediction is assessed and the lack of cohesiveness among the available reliability data is examined.
AFM studies of metallic and organic nanosized structures ion beam sputtered onto functionalised surfaces
Authors: Crisan A D , Crisan* O
Published: November 2011

The growth of submonolayer metallic or molecular nanostructures via ion beam sputtering onto reconstructed semiconductor surfaces followed by in situ scanning probe imaging of the formed nanostructures provides an interesting basis for future development of new molecular multifunctional nanoarchitectured materials for various applications. The observed growth modes, structure and topology of pentacene, which is one of the most important candidates in the field of organic thin film electronic molecules, and Au metallic nanostructures deposited in the submonolayer regime onto reconstructed InP (0 0 1) surface, are discussed. During the initial stages of growth, a uniaxial diffusion channel dominates, and long pentacene molecular chains self-organise parallel to the [110] crystallographic direction on the InP surface. The study is performed by in situ non-contact atomic force microscopy (AFM) investigations with atomic resolution. It is shown that self-assembling of molecular structures onto flat terraces is dependent on the flatness and orientation of the terraces reconstructed onto the semiconductor surface. Moreover, it is possible to create functional molecular nanoarchitectures by nanomanipulation of single molecules with the AFM tip. This procedure may have large impact for technological applications such as organic thin film transistors and molecular nanowires.
Modelling of entire friction stir welding process by explicit finite element method
Authors: Yu M , Li W Y , Li J L , Chao Y J
Published: November 2011

A coupled thermomechanical three-dimensional finite element model was developed for friction stir welding in the ABAQUS environment using Johnson–Cook material law and Johnson–Cook failure model. The temperature evolution during the plunge, dwell and moving stages of a friction stir welded 7050 aluminium alloy and the effect of heat conduction by the back plate were investigated. Results show that the temperature almost symmetrically distributes across the plate cross-section, and the temperature contour in the weld nugget zone presents a V type shape after the plunge stage. In the dwell stage, the frictional heat conducts around to preheat the plate. While in the moving stage, the heat gradually accumulates until a quasi-stable temperature field is formed. Moreover, it is shown that the heat conduction through the back plate has a significant effect on the temperature field. With the increasing heat convective coefficient of the back plate, the temperature field remarkably shrinks.
Influence of aluminium additions upon CCT diagrams for hot rolled TRIP assisted dual phase steel
Authors: Mein A , Fourlaris G , Crowther D , Evans P
Published: November 2011

The influence of aluminium upon continuous cooling transformation (CCT) diagrams for hot rolled ferrite–martensite dual phase steel is investigated, with continuous cooling experiments performed through the use of dilatometry. Results indicate that additions of aluminium significantly raise the Ar3 and Ar1 temperatures accounting for the increased polygonal ferrite stabilisation during cooling. Acceleration of ferrite transformation is observed, with aluminium displacing both ferrite and pearlite transformations to the left of the CCT diagram. Aluminium is also seen to suppress bainite formation and decrease the martensite start temperature by increasing the hardenability within austenite grains.
Formability of Ti14 alloy during semisolid deformation
Authors: Chen Y N , Liu G , Zhao Y Q , Zhang X M
Published: November 2011

The semisolid formability for Ti14, an α+Ti2Cu alloy, is compared with the conventional warm formability from the point of forgeability. The forgeability is evaluated by upsetting and die forging tests. The results show that excellent upsettability with the upsetting reduction in height of 70–85 and low upsetting force could be obtained in semisolid state ranging from 1000 to 1100°C, which is better than that in conventional processing. Die forging tests also show excellent workability with a forging ratio of 75 at the temperature range of 1000–1050°C. It can be concluded that the existence of liquid may serve to relax the stress concentrations caused by solid deformation, which causes low deformation resistance and results in improvement of forgeability. Furthermore, dynamic recrystallisation occurred during thixoforging, and the grain refinement was attained, which also results in the improvement of the semisolid formability.
Histone deacetylases mediate the silencing of miR-15a, miR-16, and miR-29b in chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: Sampath Deepa , Liu Chaomei , Vasan Karthik , Sulda Melanie , Puduvalli Vinay K. , Wierda William G. , Keating Michael J.
Published: November 2011

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) demonstrates a global down-regulation of miR-15a and miR-16 and a selective silencing of the related miR-29b in aggressive disease. Deletions in chromosome 13 [del(13q14)] partially account for the loss of expression of miR-15a and miR-16, but the mechanisms by which miR-29b becomes silenced is unknown. In the present study, we show that the histone deacetylases (HDACs) are overexpressed in CLL and mediate the epigenetic silencing of miR-15a, miR-16, and miR-29b. HDAC inhibition triggered the accumulation of the transcriptionally activating chromatin modification H3K4me2 and restored the expression of miR-15a, miR-16, and miR-29b in approximately 35% of samples. Ectopic expression of miR-15a and miR-16 and HDAC inhibition–induced expression of miR-15a, miR-16, or miR-29b in primary CLL cells was associated with declines in the levels of Mcl-1, but not Bcl-2, mitochondrial dysfunction, and induction of cell death. Therefore, our results show that HDACs aberrantly silence the expression of the critical tumor suppressors miR-15a, miR-16, and miR-29b in CLL. Deacetylase inhibition may be a therapeutic strategy that restores the expression of these miRs to antagonize Mcl-1, an important survival protein in these cells. Consequently, CLL patients who exhibit such epigenetic silencing may benefit from HDAC inhibitor–based therapy.
Arsenic exposure from drinking water and dyspnoea risk in Araihazar, Bangladesh: a population-based study
Authors: Pesola Gene R. , Parvez Faruque , Chen Yu , Ahmed Alauddin , Hasan Rabiul , Ahsan Habibul
Published: November 2011

Bangladesh has high well water arsenic exposure. Chronic arsenic ingestion may result in diseases that manifest as dyspnoea, although information is sparse.

Baseline values were obtained from an arsenic study. Trained physicians ascertained data on dyspnoea among 11,746 subjects. Data were collected on demographic factors, including smoking, blood pressure and arsenic exposure. Logistic regression models estimated odds ratios and confidence intervals for the association between arsenic exposure and dyspnoea.

The adjusted odds of having dyspnoea was 1.32-fold (95% CI 1.15–1.52) greater in those exposed to high well water arsenic concentrations (≥50 μg·L−1) compared with low-arsenic-exposed nonsmokers (p<0.01). A significant dose–response relationship was found for arsenic (as well as smoking) in relation to dyspnoea. In nonsmokers, the adjusted odds of having dyspnoea were 1.36, 1.96, 2.34 and 1.80-fold greater for arsenic concentrations of 7–38, 39–90, 91–178 and 179–864 μg·L−1, respectively, compared with the reference arsenic concentration of <7 μg·L−1(p<0.01; Chi-squared test for trend).

Arsenic exposure through well water is associated with dyspnoea, independently of smoking status. This study suggests that mandated well water testing for arsenic with reduction in exposure may significantly reduce diseases that manifest as dyspnoea, usually cardiac or pulmonary.
Ventilation/perfusion lung scan in pulmonary veno-occlusive disease
Authors: Seferian Andrei , Helal Badia , Jaïs Xavier , Girerd Barbara , Price Laura C. , Günther Sven , Savale Laurent , Dorfmüller Peter , Parent Florence , Sitbon Olivier , Humbert Marc , Simonneau Gérald , Montani David
Published: November 2011

Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (PVOD), a rare form of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), requires histological proof for definitive diagnosis; however, lung biopsy is not recommended in PAH. Recent conjoint European Respiratory Society/European Society of Cardiology guidelines suggest that nonmatched perfusion defects on ventilation/perfusion (V′/Q′) lung scanning in PAH patients may suggest PVOD. The aim of our study was to evaluateV′/Q′ lung scans in a large cohort of PVOD and idiopathic or heritable PAH patients.

V′/Q′ lung scans from 70 patients with idiopathic or heritable PAH and 56 patients with confirmed or highly probable PVOD were reviewed in a double-blind manner.

The vast majority ofV′/Q′ lung scans were normal or without significant abnormalities in both groups. No differences in ventilation or perfusion lung scans were observed between PAH and PVOD patients (all p>0.05). Furthermore, no differences were observed between confirmed (n=31) or highly probable PVOD (n=25). Nonmatched perfusion defects were found in seven (10%) idiopathic PAH patients and four (7.1%) PVOD patients (p>0.05).

Nonmatched perfusion defects were rarely seen in a large cohort of idiopathic or heritable PAH and PVOD patients. Future recommendations should be amended according to these results suggesting thatV′/Q′ lung scanning is not useful in discriminating PVOD from idiopathic PAH.
Community-acquired pneumonia in younger patients is an entity on its own
Authors: Klapdor Benjamin , Ewig Santiago , Pletz Mathias W. , Rohde Gernot , Schütte Hartwig , Schaberg Tom , Welte Tobias
Published: November 2011

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is now most frequent in elderly patients. CAP in the younger patient has attracted much less attention. Therefore, we compared patients with CAP aged 18 to <65 yrs with those aged ≥65 yrs.

Data from the prospective multicentre Competence Network for Community Acquired Pneumonia Study Group (CAPNETZ) database were analysed for potential differences in baseline characteristics, comorbidities, clinical presentation, microbial investigations, aetiologies, antimicrobial treatment and outcomes.

Overall, 7,803 patients were studied. The proportion of younger patients (aged <65 yrs) was 52.3% (18 to <30 yrs 6.4%; <40 yrs 17.1%; <50 yrs 29.4%). Comorbidity was present in only half of the younger patients (46.6%versus88.2%). Fever and chest pain were more common. Most younger patients presented with mild CAP (74.0% had a CURB-65 score of 0 (confusion of new onset, urea >7 mmol·L−1, respiratory rate of ≥30 breaths·min−1, blood pressure <90 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure ≤60 mmHg, age ≥65 yrs)). Overall,Streptococcus pneumoniaeandMycoplasma pneumoniaewere the most frequent pathogens in the younger patients. Short-term mortality was very low (1.7%versus8.2%) and even lower in patients without comorbidity (0.3%versus2.4%). Long-term mortality was 3.2%versus15.9%, also lower in patients without comorbidity (0.8%versus6.1%).

Most of the differences found clearly arise after the fifth or within the middle of the sixth decade. CAP in the younger patient is a clinically distinct entity.
CXCR1andCXCR2haplotypes synergistically modulate cystic fibrosis lung disease
Authors: Kormann Michael S.D. , Hector Andreas , Marcos Veronica , Mays Lauren E. , Kappler Matthias , Illig Thomas , Klopp Norman , Zeilinger Sonja , Carevic Melanie , Rieber Nikolaus , Eickmeier Olaf , Zielen Stefan , Gaggar Amit , Moepps Barbara , Griese Matthias , Hartl Dominik
Published: November 2011

Cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease severity is largely independent on the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) genotype, indicating the contribution of genetic modifiers. The chemokine receptors CXCR1 and CXCR2 have been found to play essential roles in the pathogenesis of CF lung disease. Here, we determine whether genetic variation ofCXCR1andCXCR2influences CF lung disease severity.

Genomic DNA of CF patients in Germany (n=442) was analysed for common variations inCXCR1andCXCR2using a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) tagging approach. Associations ofCXCR1andCXCR2SNPs and haplotypes with CF lung disease severity, CXCR1 and CXCR2 expression, and neutrophil effector functions were assessed.

Four SNPs inCXCR1and three inCXCR2strongly correlated with age-adjusted lung function in CF patients. SNPs comprising haplotypesCXCR1_Ha andCXCR2_Ha were in high linkage disequilibrium and patients heterozygous for theCXCR1-2haplotype cluster (CXCR1-2_Ha) had lower lung function compared with patients with homozygous wild-type alleles (forced expiratory volume in 1 s ≤70% predicted, OR 7.24; p=2.30×10−5). CF patients carryingCXCR1-2_Ha showed decreased CXCR1 combined with increased CXCR2 mRNA and protein expression, and displayed disturbed antibacterial effector functions.

CXCR1andCXCR2genotypes modulate lung function and antibacterial host defence in CF lung disease.
Tandemly repeated DNA families in the mouse genome
Authors: Komissarov Aleksey S , Gavrilova Ekaterina V , Demin Sergey Ju , Ishov Alexander M , Podgornaya Olga I
Published: November 2011

Background

Functional and morphological studies of tandem DNA repeats, that combine high portion of most genomes, are mostly limited due to the incomplete characterization of these genome elements. We report here a genome wide analysis of the large tandem repeats (TR) found in the mouse genome assemblies.

Results

Using a bioinformatics approach, we identified large TR with array size more than 3 kb in two mouse whole genome shotgun (WGS) assemblies. Large TR were classified based on sequence similarity, chromosome position, monomer length, array variability, and GC content; we identified four superfamilies, eight families, and 62 subfamilies - including 60 not previously described. 1) The superfamily of centromeric minor satellite is only found in the unassembled part of the reference genome. 2) The pericentromeric major satellite is the most abundant superfamily and reveals high order repeat structure. 3) Transposable elements related superfamily contains two families. 4) The superfamily of heterogeneous tandem repeats includes four families. One family is found only in the WGS, while two families represent tandem repeats with either single or multi locus location. Despite multi locus location, TRPC-21A-MM is placed into a separated family due to its abundance, strictly pericentromeric location, and resemblance to big human satellites.

To confirm our data, we next performed in situ hybridization with three repeats from distinct families. TRPC-21A-MM probe hybridized to chromosomes 3 and 17, multi locus TR-22A-MM probe hybridized to ten chromosomes, and single locus TR-54B-MM probe hybridized with the long loops that emerge from chromosome ends. In addition to in silico predicted several extra-chromosomes were positive for TR by in situ analysis, potentially indicating inaccurate genome assembly of the heterochromatic genome regions.

Conclusions

Chromosome-specific TR had been predicted for mouse but no reliable cytogenetic probes were available before. We report new analysis that identified in silico and confirmed in situ 3/17 chromosome-specific probe TRPC-21-MM. Thus, the new classification had proven to be useful tool for continuation of genome study, while annotated TR can be the valuable source of cytogenetic probes for chromosome recognition.
Do-it-yourself: construction of a custom cDNA macroarray platform with high sensitivity and linear range
Authors: Boonefaes Tom , Houthuys Erica , Van den Bergh Rafael , Vander Beken Seppe , Raes Geert , Brouckaert Peter , De Baetselier Patrick , Grooten Johan
Published: November 2011

Background

Research involving gene expression profiling and clinical applications, such as diagnostics and prognostics, often require a DNA array platform that is flexibly customisable and cost-effective, but at the same time is highly sensitive and capable of accurately and reproducibly quantifying the transcriptional expression of a vast number of genes over the whole transcriptome dynamic range using low amounts of RNA sample. Hereto, a set of easy-to-implement practical optimisations to the design of cDNA-based nylon macroarrays as well as sample 33P-labeling, hybridisation protocols and phosphor screen image processing were analysed for macroarray performance.

Results

The here proposed custom macroarray platform had an absolute sensitivity as low as 50,000 transcripts and a linear range of over 5 log-orders. Its quality of identifying differentially expressed genes was at least comparable to commercially available microchips. Interestingly, the quantitative accuracy was found to correlate significantly with corresponding reversed transcriptase - quantitative PCR values, the gold standard gene expression measure (Pearson's correlation test p < 0.0001). Furthermore, the assay has low cost and input RNA requirements (0.5 μg and less) and has a sound reproducibility.

Conclusions

Results presented here, demonstrate for the first time that self-made cDNA-based nylon macroarrays can produce highly reliable gene expression data with high sensitivity and covering the entire mammalian dynamic range of mRNA abundances. Starting off from minimal amounts of unamplified total RNA per sample, a reasonable amount of samples can be assayed simultaneously for the quantitative expression of hundreds of genes in an easily customisable and cost-effective manner.
p-Cu2O-shell/n-TiO2-nanowire-core heterostucture photodiodes
Authors: Tsai Tsung-Ying , Chang Shoou-Jinn , Hsueh Ting-Jen , Hsueh Han-Ting , Weng Wen-Yin , Hsu Cheng-Liang , Dai Bau-Tong
Published: November 2011

This study reports the deposition of cuprous oxide [Cu2O] onto titanium dioxide [TiO2] nanowires [NWs] prepared on TiO2/glass templates. The average length and average diameter of these thermally oxidized and evaporated TiO2 NWs are 0.1 to 0.4 μm and 30 to 100 nm, respectively. The deposited Cu2O fills gaps between the TiO2 NWs with good step coverage to form nanoshells surrounding the TiO2 cores. The p-Cu2O/n-TiO2 NW heterostructure exhibits a rectifying behavior with a sharp turn-on at approximately 0.9 V. Furthermore, the fabricated p-Cu2O-shell/n-TiO2-nanowire-core photodiodes exhibit reasonably large photocurrent-to-dark-current contrast ratios and fast responses.
A Functional equation related to inner product spaces in non-archimedean normed spaces
Authors: Gordji Madjid Eshaghi , Khodabakhsh Razieh , Khodaei Hamid , Park Choonkil , shin Dong Yun
Published: November 2011

In this paper, we prove the Hyers-Ulam stability of a functional equation related to inner product spaces in non-Archimedean normed spaces.

2010 Mathematics Subject Classification: Primary 46S10; 39B52; 47S10; 26E30; 12J25.
On a class of second-order nonlinear difference equation
Authors: Dongsheng Li , Shuliang Zou , Maoxin Liao
Published: November 2011

In this paper, we consider the rule of trajectory structure for a kind of second-order rational difference equation. With the change of the initial values, we find the successive lengths of positive and negative semicycles for oscillatory solutions of this equation, and the positive equilibrium point 1 of this equation is proved to be globally asymptotically stable.

Mathematics Subject Classification (2000)

39A10
The Contribution of Spinal Glial Cells to Chronic Pain Behaviour in the Monosodium Iodoacetate Model of Osteoarthritic Pain
Authors: Sagar Devi Rani , Burston James J , Hathway Gareth J , Woodhams Stephen G , Pearson Richard G , Bennett Andrew J , Kendall David A , Scammell Brigitte E , Chapman Victoria
Published: November 2011

Background:

Clinical studies of osteoarthritis (OA) suggest central sensitization may contribute to the chronic pain experienced. This preclinical study used the monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) model of OA joint pain to investigate the potential contribution of spinal sensitization, in particular spinal glial cell activation, to pain behaviour in this model. Experimental OA was induced in the rat by the intra-articular injection of MIA and pain behaviour (change in weight bearing and distal allodynia) was assessed. Spinal cord microglia (Iba1 staining) and astrocyte (GFAP immunofluorescence) activation were measured at 7, 14 and 28 days post MIA-treatment. The effects of two known inhibitors of glial activation, nimesulide and minocycline, on pain behaviour and activation of microglia and astrocytes were assessed.

Results:

Seven days following intra-articular injection of MIA, microglia in the ipsilateral spinal cord were activated (p < 0. 05, compared to contralateral levels and compared to saline controls). Levels of activated microglia were significantly elevated at day 14 and 21 post MIA-injection. At day 28, microglia activation was significantly correlated with distal allodynia (p < 0.05). Ipsilateral spinal GFAP immunofluorescence was significantly (p < 0.01) increased at day 28, but not at earlier timepoints, in the MIA model, compared to saline controls. Repeated oral dosing (days 14-20) with nimesulide attenuated pain behaviour and the activation of microglia in the ipsilateral spinal cord at day 21. This dosing regimen also significantly attenuated distal allodynia (p < 0.001) and numbers of activated microglia (p < 0.05) and GFAP immunofluorescence (p < 0.001) one week later in MIA-treated rats, compared to vehicle-treated rats. Repeated administration of minocycline also significantly attenuated pain behaviour and reduced the number of activated microglia and decreased GFAP immunofluorescence in ipsilateral spinal cord of MIA treated rats.

Conclusions:

Here we provide evidence for a contribution of spinal glial cells to pain behaviour, in particular distal allodynia, in this model of osteoarthritic pain. Our data suggest there is a potential role of glial cells in the central sensitization associated with OA, which may provide a novel analgesic target for the treatment of OA pain.
Transcriptome analysis of Aspergillus niger grown on sugarcane bagasse
Authors: de Souza Wagner R , de Gouvea Paula F , Savoldi Marcela , Malavazi Iran , de Souza Bernardes Luciano A , Goldman Maria Helena S , de Vries Ronald P , de Castro Oliveira Juliana V , Goldman Gustavo H
Published: November 2011

Background

Considering that the costs of cellulases and hemicellulases contribute substantially to the price of bioethanol, new studies aimed at understanding and improving cellulase efficiency and productivity are of paramount importance. Aspergillus niger has been shown to produce a wide spectrum of polysaccharide hydrolytic enzymes. To understand how to improve enzymatic cocktails that can hydrolyze pretreated sugarcane bagasse, we used a genomics approach to investigate which genes and pathways are transcriptionally modulated during growth of A. niger on steam-exploded sugarcane bagasse (SEB).

Results

Herein we report the main cellulase- and hemicellulase-encoding genes with increased expression during growth on SEB. We also sought to determine whether the mRNA accumulation of several SEB-induced genes encoding putative transporters is induced by xylose and dependent on glucose. We identified 18 (58% of A. niger predicted cellulases) and 21 (58% of A. niger predicted hemicellulases) cellulase- and hemicellulase-encoding genes, respectively, that were highly expressed during growth on SEB.

Conclusions

Degradation of sugarcane bagasse requires production of many different enzymes which are regulated by the type and complexity of the available substrate. Our presently reported work opens new possibilities for understanding sugarcane biomass saccharification by A. niger hydrolases and for the construction of more efficient enzymatic cocktails for second-generation bioethanol.
Mifepristone Effects on Tumor Somatostatin Receptor Expression in Two Patients with Cushing's Syndrome due to Ectopic Adrenocorticotropin Secretion
Authors: de Bruin C. , Hofland L. J. , Nieman L. K. , van Koetsveld P. M. , Waaijers A. M. , Sprij-Mooij D. M. , van Essen M. , Lamberts S. W. J. , de Herder W. W. , Feelders R. A.
Published: November 2011

Context:

Two patients presented with Cushing's syndrome due to ectopic ACTH secretion. Initial localization studies included computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and octreoscans (111In-pentreotide scintigraphy), which were negative in both patients. They were treated with the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist mifepristone, with improvement in their clinical symptoms. Follow-up octreoscans after, respectively, 6 and 12 months showed the unequivocal presence of a bronchial carcinoid in both patients.

Objective:

The objective of the study was to correlate in vivo and in vitro findings in patients with ectopic ACTH-producing syndrome.

Methods:

We determined the expression of somatostatin and dopamine receptors by immunohistochemistry (patients 1 and 2), quantitative PCR, and in vitro culturing of tumor cells (patient 1 only).

In Vitro Results:

Both tumors were strongly positive for somatostatin receptor type 2 (sst2) on immunohistochemistry, whereas one of the tumors (patient 1) was also dopamine receptor subtype 2 (D2) positive on both immunohistochemistry and quantitative PCR. Octreotide (a sst2 preferring analog) and cabergoline (D2 agonist) both decreased the ACTH levels in the cultured tumor cells of patient 1.

Conclusion:

We describe two patients with ACTH-producing bronchial carcinoids, in whom a direct down-regulatory effect of glucocorticoid levels on tumoral sst2 receptor expression is suggested by a remarkable change in octreoscan status after successful mifepristone therapy. Further studies will have to demonstrate whether glucocorticoid lowering or antagonizing therapy may be used to improve the diagnostic accuracy of somatostatin receptor scintigraphy in patients with ectopic ACTH production of unknown primary origin.
Depth Perception
Authors: Belling Catherine
Published: November 2011

We do not have direct, real-time visual access to the entities and events inside living human bodies. Despite the increasingly precise apparent access facilitated by medical-imaging technology, we still rely, finally, on representational and discursive tools in order to visualize and think about living organs, or microbes, or pathophysiological processes that we cannot simply watch. Focusing on a range of representations of events beneath surfaces, from Jaws to X-rays to a short story about a white blood cell, this article examines the ways in which metaphor and narrative function, both in biomedical science and the popular imagination, as interdependent technologies for visualizing entities and events inside human bodies.
Robust stable control of haptic devices based on transparency maximization
Authors: Ahmadian M T , Vossoughi G , Tajaddodianfar F
Published: November 2011

The performance of haptic devices is evaluated based on the concept of transparency, while their stability has prevalently been evaluated based on the passivity criterion. Due to the conservativeness of passivity, it appears as an obstacle to improving transparency. In the present paper, passivity is suggested to be replaced by the complementary stability criterion which accounts for the robust stability of the interaction in the presence of uncertain user hand dynamics. In this respect, an algorithm is proposed which guarantees transparency of the haptic device in a stable manner. Assuming that the dynamics of the device is known, a certain compensatory structure is assigned. This special structure guarantees transparency of the device by compensating for the dynamics of the device and its control loop. The design objective is to obtain a stabilizing controller which achieves robust interaction stability in the presence of parametric uncertainties of user hand dynamics and other sources of uncertainties. An iterative method is implemented, in conjunction with the D-K iteration algorithm, to derive controller dynamics. The algorithm is applied to a series elastic actuator-based haptic device. This results in a widened frequency range of transparent impedance emulation. Simulation results confirm enhanced transparency and robust stability.
Determination of the Syringyl/Guaiacyl Ratio of Eucalyptus Globulus Wood Lignin by near Infrared-Based Partial Least Squares Regression Models Using Analytical Pyrolysis as the Reference Method
Authors: Alves Ana , Simões Rita , Stackpole Desmond J. , Vaillancourt René E. , Potts Brad M. , Schwanninger Manfred , Rodrigues José
Published: November 2011

High syringly/guaiacyl (S/G) ratios are advantageous for chemical pulp production due to higher delignification rates, higher pulp yields and lower chemical consumption. Near infrared-based partial least-squares regression (PLS-R) models were developed to assess the S/G ratio of Eucalyptus globulus wood using analytical pyrolysis as the reference method. The PLS-R models obtained using the wavenumber range from 6100cm−1 to 5450cm−1 (1639–1835nm) of the preprocessed spectra using first derivative (1stDer) and first derivative in combination with; vector normalisation (1stDerVN), multiplicative scatter correction (1stDerMSC) and straight-line-subtraction (1stDerSLS), and the second derivative (2ndDer), are well qualified for rapid screening the S/G ratio of Eucalyptus globulus wood. Overall, models using 1stDerVN and 1stDerMSC preprocess (78 samples) requiring only three PLS components have the best statistics with coefficient of determination ( r2) = 0.97, root mean square error of cross-validation ( RMSECV)=0.025 and residual prediction deviation ( RPD) = 5.7
Determination of Basic Density and Moisture Content of Loblolly Pine Wood Disks Using a near Infrared Hyperspectral Imaging System
Authors: Mora Christian R. , Schimleck Laurence R. , Yoon Seung-Chul , Thai Chi N.
Published: November 2011

The use of near infrared (NIR) hyperspectral imaging for the estimation of basic density (BD) and moisture content (MC) of loblolly pine ( Pinus taeda L.) disks is reported. A total of 125 wood disks, ranging in age from 13 years to 19 years, were analysed. Hyperspectral images were collected using an imaging system composed of an InGaAs camera from Sensors Unlimited, Inc. (sensitive between 1000nm and 1700nm at 5nm increments) and a Liquid Crystal Tunable Filter from CRI, Inc., continuously tunable between 1000 nm and 1800 nm. Owing to noise, spectra were truncated to 1005–1645nm and smoothed using a five-point median filter prior to calibration development. Sixteen samples were detected as outliers, reducing the number of disks available for analysis to 109, which were subsequently split into calibration (85) and validation (24) sets. Successful models, based on the hyperspectral data, were obtained for disk basic density ( R2c=0.81) and moisture content ( R2c=0.77). The predictive ability of the calibrations was acceptable, with root mean square errors ( RMSEP) of 23.6 kg m−3 for BD and 2.1% for MC. The calibrations were compared to those obtained using NIR spectra collected from the surface of the disks using a Foss XDS NIR System coupled with a Smart Probe Analyser using the same wavelength range and number of samples (each disk was represented by an average of eight spectra which had been divided into four quadrants with two spectra collected per quadrant). Probe-based calibrations were more successful; however, the hyperspectral-based calibrations were of sufficient strength to suggest that hyperspectral imaging could be used for the estimation of BD and MC of loblolly pine disks.