bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Proximal tibial derotation osteotomy for torsion of the tibia: A review of 43 cases
Authors: Walton David M. , Liu Raymond W. , Farrow Lutul D. , Thompson George H.
Published: January 2012

Purpose

Persistent tibial torsion in the older child can be treated with a derotation osteotomy. Distal tibial osteotomy has been recommended due to concerns of peroneal nerve palsy, vascular injury, and compartment syndrome with a proximal tibial osteotomy. However, an osteotomy in the proximal tibia may achieve union more rapidly and skin issues, as described for distal tibial osteotomies, are less likely. This study investigates the safety and efficacy of proximal tibial derotation osteotomies.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 43 tibiae in 25 consecutive children with persistent tibial torsion treated with a proximal tibial derotation osteotomy between 1991 and 2006. Patients with concomitant varus or valgus osteotomies were excluded. Diaphyseal fibular osteotomies were performed in five patients, while all patients had a prophylactic anterior compartment fasciotomy.

Results

The mean age at surgery was 10.4 ± 4.0 years and the mean follow-up was 3.2 ± 3.5 years. Patients with internal tibial torsion had a mean preoperative thigh–foot angle (TFA) of −14° ± 6° and a mean postoperative TFA of 8° ± 4°. Patients with external tibial torsion had a mean preoperative TFA of 38° ± 9° and a mean postoperative TFA of 7° ± 5°. The overall mean correction was 26° ± 9°. Major postoperative complications occurred in 4 patients (9%), including one peroneal nerve palsy which resolved, one delayed union requiring revision surgery, and two patients with mild postoperative valgus deformities.

Conclusions

Proximal tibial derotation osteotomy with an anterior compartment fasciotomy is a reliable method for treating tibial torsion with an acceptable complication rate. Given the larger bony surface area and improved soft tissue envelope, proximal tibial derotation osteotomy can be considered as an alternative to a distal tibial derotation osteotomy.
Perioperative Pharmacology: Patient‐Controlled Analgesia
Authors: Hicks Rodney W. , Hernandez Johnanna , Wanzer Linda J.
Published: January 2012

Patient‐controlled analgesia (PCA) is an effective treatment option for reducing pain, but PCA errors can be quite serious. Opioid analgesics are among the most effective pain relievers available, but all have contraindications and can have adverse effects, including respiratory depression and other effects on the central nervous system. Practitioners must weigh the potential benefits of PCA use against the risks. Errors associated with the PCA process have been documented in each phase of the medication‐use process; therefore, practice improvements in prescribing, transcribing, dispensing, administering, and monitoring PCA may reduce the likelihood of errors. Perioperative nurses can make important contributions to safe PCA use by establishing standardized processes to help ensure positive patient outcomes in pain management.
Bone Products in Surgery: A Blueprint for Standardization
Authors: Smith Francis Duval
Published: January 2012

Surgical facilities often stock many types of bone and bone products to meet the needs of multiple surgeons. In this era of cost containment, product standardization is necessary for the financial well‐being of health care facilities. By familiarizing themselves with bone and bone product harvesting and processing and the US Food and Drug Administration requirements for approval of these products, perioperative nurses and managers can more easily standardize the bone and tissue products stocked and reduce costs. Steps toward standardization include establishing a multidisciplinary surgical product use committee to evaluate products used in the OR, limiting the number of tissue vendors for the facility to as few as possible, completing a product inventory to identify what is currently available, and constructing charts to share with surgeons that provide the rationales for standardizing products.
Nursing 2012 Drug Handbook
Authors: Gasiorowski Kara L.
Published: January 2012

Nursing 2012 Drug Handbook 32nd edition 2011, Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins 1568 pages, hardcover
Essentials of Nursing Research: Appraising Evidence for Nursing Practice
Authors: Stannard Daphne
Published: January 2012

Essentials of Nursing Research: Appraising Evidence for Nursing Practice Denise F. Polit, Cheryl Tatano Beck 7th edition 2011, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 624 pages, paperback
Selenomodification of tRNA in archaea requires a bipartite rhodanese enzyme
Authors: Su Dan , Ojo Temitope T. , Söll Dieter , Hohn Michael J.
Published: January 2012

5‐Methylaminomethyl‐2‐selenouridine (mnm5Se2U) is found in the first position of the anticodon in certain tRNAs from bacteria, archaea and eukaryotes. This selenonucleoside is formed in Escherichia coli from the corresponding thionucleoside mnm5S2U by the monomeric enzyme YbbB. This nucleoside is present in the tRNA of Methanococcales, yet the corresponding 2‐selenouridine synthase is unknown in archaea and eukaryotes. Here we report that a bipartite ybbB ortholog is present in all members of the Methanococcales. Gene deletions in Methanococcus maripaludis and in vitro activity assays confirm that the two proteins act in trans to form in tRNA a selenonucleoside, presumably mnm5Se2U. Phylogenetic data suggest a primal origin of seleno‐modified tRNAs.
MIG‐13 controls anteroposterior cell migration by interacting with UNC‐71/ADM‐1 and SRC‐1 in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Masuda Hitomi , Nakamura Kuniaki , Takata Nozomu , Itoh Bunsho , Hirose Takashi , Moribe Hiroki , Mekada Eisuke , Okada Masato
Published: January 2012

The transmembrane protein MIG‐13 is a key regulator required for anterior migration of neural cells in Caenorhabditis elegans, but the signaling mechanisms involved remain unknown. Here, we isolated a suppressor mutation in the unc‐71/adm‐1 gene, which rescued the AVM neuron migration defect in mig‐13 mutants. Genetic analyses revealed that UNC‐71 at least partly acts downstream of MIG‐13 and has an inhibitory effect on the anterior cell migration. The unc‐71 mutation also rescued the anterior migration defect of AVM neuron in src‐1 mutants. These findings suggest that MIG‐13 controls anteroposterior cell migration by interacting with UNC‐71 and SRC‐1 in C. elegans.
Maternal prenatal omega‐3 fatty acid supplementation attenuates hyperoxia‐induced apoptosis in the developing rat brain
Authors: Tuzun Funda , Kumral Abdullah , Ozbal Seda , Dilek Mustafa , Tugyan Kazım , Duman Nuray , Ozkan Hasan
Published: January 2012

Supraphysiologic amounts of oxygen negatively influences brain maturation and development. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether maternal ω‐3 long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (ω‐3 FA) supplementation during pregnancy protects the developing brain against hyperoxic injury. Thirty‐six rat pups from six different dams were divided into six groups according to the diet modifications and hyperoxia exposure. The groups were: a control group (standard diet + room air), a hyperoxia group (standard diet + 80% O2 exposure), a hyperoxia + high‐dose ω‐3 FA‐supplemented group, a hyperoxia + low‐dose ω‐3 FA‐supplemented group, a room air + low‐dose ω‐3 FA‐supplemented + group, and a room air + high dose ω‐3 FA‐supplemented group. The ω‐3 FA's were supplemented as a mixture of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) from the second day of pregnancy until birth. Rat pups in the hyperoxic groups were exposed to 80% oxygen from birth until postnatal day 5 (P5). At P5, all animals were sacrificed. Neuronal cell death and apoptosis were evaluated by cell count, TUNEL, and active Caspase‐3 immunohistochemistry. Histopathological examination showed that maternally ω‐3 FA deficient diet and postnatal hyperoxia exposure were associated with significantly lower neuronal counts and significantly higher apoptotic cell death in the selected brain regions. Ω‐3 FA treatment significantly diminished apoptosis, in the selected brain regions, in a dose dependent manner. Our results suggest that the maternal ω‐3 FA supply may protect the developing brain against hyperoxic injury.
Opinion and experience of Brazilian women regarding menstrual bleeding and use of combined oral contraceptives
Authors: Makuch Maria Y. , Duarte‐Osis Maria J. , de Pádua Karla S. , Petta Carlos , Bahamondes Luis
Published: January 2012

Objective

To describe the opinion and experience of Brazilian women regarding menstruation and the use of combined oral contraceptives (COCs) to control monthly bleeding and induce amenorrhea.

Methods

Women attending regional public healthcare clinics for non‐gynecologic conditions, and female members of staff from university schools unrelated to the field of medicine completed a questionnaire.

Results

Of the 1111 women interviewed, 64.3% reported disliking menstruation. The desired frequency of bleeding was never (65.3%), less than monthly (18.2%), and every month or more often (16.5%). More than 60% of the women reported that they would use COCs to control menstrual bleeding, 82.0% would use COCs to reduce the amount of bleeding experienced, and 86.1% would use COCs to induce amenorrhea. When compared with women who disliked menstruation, those who reported that they liked to experience monthly bleeding had fewer years of schooling (OR1.98; 95% CI, 1.30–2.97), low socioeconomic status (OR 1.66; 95%CI, 1.12–2.46), fewer days of menstruation each month (OR 1.62; 95%CI, 1.11–2.36), and 1 or more child (OR 1.13; 95%CI, 1.01–1.26).

Conclusion

Many of the women surveyed disliked monthly menstruation and were interested in the use of COCs to control menstrual bleeding and induce amenorrhea.
Effects of individual resilience intervention on indigenous people who experienced Typhoon Morkot in Taiwan
Authors: Cheng Su‐Fen , Cheng Chi‐Wei , Hsieh Wen‐Chung , Chi Meng‐Chun , Lin Szu‐Ju , Liao Yi‐Ting
Published: January 2012

In 2009, Typhoon Morakot struck Taiwan and caused serious harm to the indigenous peoples living in the southern mountainous regions. The objective of this study is to examine the effects of and the factors involved in individual resilience intervention of typhoon victims. Quantitative research was performed from October 2009 through September 2010. Purposive sampling yielded 77 indigenous persons who were willing to serve as participants in this study. These participants all maintained legal or actual residence in the areas of Kaohsiung that were affected by the typhoon. An individual resilience intervention program was implemented. The findings show the following: (1) after completing the individual resilience intervention program, the participants had higher individual resilience scores than before participating in the intervention program; and (2) individual resilience scores were significantly affected by residency after the typhoon. These findings suggest that an individual resilience intervention program is a useful approach that can be used to enhance the individual resilience of a victim and that professionals should pay more attention to victims who have to leave their hometowns after disasters.
Stable isotope composition of subfossilCerastoderma glaucumshells from the szczecin bay brackish deposits and its palaeogeographical implications (South Baltic Coast, Poland)
Authors: Borówka Ryszard K. , Strobel Wacław , Hałas Stanisław
Published: January 2012

The environmental conditions of the Szczecin Bay, which existed prior to Szczecin Lagoon, have been reconstructed on the basis of the stable carbon and oxygen isotope (18O and13C) analysis and radiocarbon dates obtained for subfossil shells ofCerastoderma (Cardium) glaucum. The shells in the collected core were well preserved in their life positions, representing a geochemical record of past temperature variation over the middle Holocene. Three major periods with different thermal conditions have been distinguished in the interval ~ 6000–4300 cal yr BP, when the important Littorina regional transgression took place. During the first period, 6000–5250 cal yr BP, water temperature decreased by 1.4°C, and then remained constant over the second period (5250–4750 cal yr BP). In contrast, during the third period (4750–4300 cal yr BP) both δ-values were highly variable and the mean summer temperature (March–November) increased by about 3.5°C. During first two periods, δ18O and δ13C were significantly correlated, indicating stability of the environmental conditions.
The Value of Active Investing: Can Active Institutional Investors Remove Excess Comovement of Stock Returns?
Authors: Ye Pengfei
Published: January 2012

This study uses Cremers and Petajisto’s (2009) method to separate active institutional investors from passive ones and shows that active investors can alleviate the anomalous comovement of stock returns. Focusing on 2 events linked to the excess comovement anomaly, Standard & Poor’s 500 Index additions and stock splits, I find that if an event stock has more active institutional investors trading in the post-event period, the anomalous comovement effect disappears. In contrast, if an event stock experiences a massive exit of active investors, this anomaly persists. The exit of active institutional investors also results in a strong price synchronicity effect.
Why many theories of shock waves are necessary: kinetic relations for non-conservative systems
Authors: Berthon Christophe , Coquel Frédéric , LeFloch Philippe G.
Published: January 2012

For a class of non-conservative hyperbolic systems of partial differential equations endowed with a strictly convex mathematical entropy, we formulate the initial-value problem by supplementing the equations with a kinetic relation prescribing the rate of entropy dissipation across shock waves. Our condition can be regarded as a generalization to non-conservative systems of a similar concept introduced by Abeyaratne, Knowles and Truskinovsky for subsonic phase transitions and by LeFloch for non-classical undercompressive shocks to nonlinear hyperbolic systems. The proposed kinetic relation for non-conservative systems turns out to be equivalent, for the class of systems under consideration at least, to Dal Maso, LeFloch and Murat's definition based on a prescribed family of Lipschitz continuous paths. In agreement with previous theories, the kinetic relation should be derived from a phase-plane analysis of travelling-wave solutions associated with an augmented version of the non-conservative system. We illustrate with several examples that non-conservative systems arising in the applications fit in our framework, and for a typical model of turbulent fluid dynamics we provide a detailed analysis of the existence and properties of travelling waves which yields the corresponding kinetic function.
On a class of Schrödinger systems with critical exponents
Authors: Wang Youjun , Zou Wenming
Published: January 2012

We consider the elliptic system

where N ≥ 4, λ > 0, α1, α2, β ε ℝ, p, p > 1, p + q = 2* = 2N/(N − 2) and α1(x), a2(x) ≥ 0 have potential well. By using variational methods and the category theory, we establish the existence of least energy and multiplicity of solutions.
Construction of regular and singular Green's functions
Authors: Wang Aiping , Ridenhour Jerry , Zettl Anton
Published: January 2012

The Green function of singular limit-circle problems is constructed directly for the problem, not as a limit of sequences of regular Green's functions. This construction is used to obtain adjointness and self-adjointness conditions which are entirely analogous to the regular case. As an application, a new and explicit formula for the Green function of the classical Legendre problem is found.
On the Struwe—Jeanjean—Toland monotonicity trick
Authors: Squassina Marco
Published: January 2012

The abstract version of Struwe's monotonicity trick developed by Jeanjean and Toland for functionals depending on a real parameter is strengthened in the sense that it provides, for almost every value of the parameter, the existence of a bounded almost symmetric Palais–Smale sequence at the mountain-pass level whenever a mild symmetry assumption is set on the energy functional. In addition, the whole theory is extended to the case of continuous functionals on Banach spaces, in the framework of non-smooth critical point theory.
Composition of bi-Sobolev homeomorphisms
Authors: Greco Luigi , Sbordone Carlo , Schiattarella Roberta
Published: January 2012

We give sharp conditions under which the composition of two homeomorphisms of finite distortion is of finite distortion and has integrable distortion. As an application, we obtain a generalization of the classical uniqueness theorem of homeomorphic solution to the measurable Riemann mapping problem.
FINANCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE, TECHNOLOGICAL SHIFT, AND INEQUALITY IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Authors: Horii Ryo , Ohdoi Ryoji , Yamamoto Kazuhiro
Published: January 2012

This paper presents an overlapping generations model with technology choice and imperfect financial markets, and examines the evolution of the income distribution in economic development. The model shows that improvements in financial infrastructure facilitate economic development both by raising the aggregate capital–labor ratio and by causing a technological shift to more capital-intensive technologies. Although a higher capital–labor ratio under a given technology reduces inequality, a technological shift can lead to a concentration of economic rents among a smaller number of agents. We derive the condition under which an improvement in financial infrastructure actually decreases the average utility of agents.
Transmitting seismic station monitors fault zone at depth
Authors: Wang Baoshan , Ge Hongkui , Yang Wei , Wang Weitao , Wang Bin , Wu Guohua , Su Youjin
Published: January 2012

Imaging subsurface structure and monitoring related temporal variations are two of the main tasks for modern seismology. With the accumulation of seismic data, clearer and clearer pictures of the Earth's interior are being achieved. However, precise monitoring of subtle subsurface changes associated with tectonic events remains tricky and is subject to high‐performance repeatable seismic sources. Although many observations have been reported on temporal seismic velocity changes in fault zones and volcanic areas, velocity change measurements based on passive sources, such as earthquakes and ambient seismic noise, are limited in resolution by the repeatability and by the spatial and temporal distribution of natural events.
Binational collaboration to study Gulf of Mexico's harmful algae
Authors: Soto Inia , Hu Chuanmin , Steidinger Karen , Muller‐Karger Frank , Cannizzaro Jennifer , Wolny Jennifer , Cerdeira‐Estrada Sergio , Santamaria‐del‐Angel Eduardo , Tafoya‐del‐Angel Fausto , Alvarez‐Torres Porfirio , Herrera Silveira Jorge , Allen Jeanne
Published: January 2012

Blooms of the toxic marine dinoflagellate Karenia brevis cause massive fish kills and other public health and economic problems in coastal waters throughout the Gulf of Mexico [Steidinger, 2009]. These harmful algal blooms (HABs) are a gulf‐wide problem that require a synoptic observing system for better serving decision‐making needs. The major nutrient sources that initiate and maintain these HABs and the possible connectivity of blooms in different locations are important questions being addressed through new collaborations between Mexican and U.S. researchers and government institutions. These efforts were originally organized under the U.S./Mexico binational partnership for the HABs Observing System (HABSOS), led by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Gulf of Mexico Program (EPAGMP) and several agencies in Veracruz, Mexico, since 2006. In 2010 these efforts were expanded to include other Mexican states and institutions with the integrated assessment and management of the Gulf of Mexico Large Marine Ecosystem (GoMLME) program sponsored by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (SEMARNAT), and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Nominations sought for U.S. National Medal of Science
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: January 2012

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2012 U.S. National Medal of Science, which is the nation's highest honor for American scientists and engineers, presented annually by the president. The award is given to individuals “deserving of special recognition by reason of their outstanding cumulative contributions to knowledge” in the physical, biological, chemical, mathematical, engineering, or behavioral or social sciences, in combination with exemplary service to the nation, according to the program, which is administered by the National Science Foundation (NSF) on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. A note in NSF's call for nominations states, “We are especially interested in identifying women, members of minority groups, and persons with disabilities for consideration.”
Honors
Authors: Anonymous
Published: January 2012

Several AGU members are among scientists recently honored by the Royal Society of Canada (RSC). Keith Hipel, with the Department of Systems Design Engineering at the University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, received the Sir John William Dawson Medal in recognition of “important and sustained contributions in two domains of interest to RSC or in interdisciplinary research.” Andrew Weaver, with the School of Earth and Ocean Sciences at the University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, received the Miroslaw Romanowski Medal “for significant contributions to the resolution of scientific aspects of environmental problems or for important improvements to the quality of an ecosystem in all aspects—terrestrial, atmospheric and aqueous—brought about by scientific means.” In addition, the following AGU members were honored as new RSC fellows: Bernard Paul Boudreau, Department of Oceanography, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Dante Canil, School of Earth and Ocean Sciences, University of Victoria; Raymond Desjardins, Research Branch, Agriculture and Agri‐Food Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Keiko Hattori, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; andDanny Summers, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
Inaugural AGU Science Policy Conference
Authors: Uhlenbrock Kristan
Published: January 2012

AGU will present its inaugural Science Policy Conference, 30 April to 3 May 2012, at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, located in downtown Washington, D. C. This conference will bring together leading scientists, policy makers, industry professionals, press, and other stakeholders to discuss natural hazards, natural resources, oceans, and Arctic science and the role these sciences play in serving communities. To bridge the science and policy fields, AGU plans to host this conference every 2 years and focus on the applications of Earth and space sciences to serve local and national communities. “Our nation faces a myriad of challenges such as the sustainability of our natural resources, current and future energy needs, and the ability to mitigate and adapt to natural and manmade hazards,” said Michael McPhaden, president of AGU. “It is essential that policies to address these challenges be built on a solid foundation of credible scientific knowledge.”
Preventing coral bleaching, one hurricane at a time
Authors: Schultz Colin
Published: January 2012

In recent decades, sea surface temperatures and the occurrence of heat stress in coral communities have soared. High surface water temperatures lead coral populations to evict their symbiotic, and colorful, algal residents. The photosynthesizing algae are what feed the coral, and the process—known as bleaching—can eventually kill it, leaving parched white exoskeletons in place of formerly vibrant reefs. However, not all coral reefs seem equally affected by mass bleaching at the hands of global warming. Some processes, like deep water upwelling, are known to offset rising temperatures locally, butCarrigan and Puotinen investigate a novel mechanism that they suggest may be responsible for protecting some susceptible populations.
IVMBIX-01294, an inhibitor of the histone methyltransferase EHMT2, disrupts histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9) dimethylation in the cleavage-stage porcine embryo
Authors: Park Ki-Eun , Johnson Christine M. , Cabot Ryan A.
Published: January 2012

Global patterns of histone methylation are remodelled during cleavage development. Of the five histone methyltransferases known to mediate methylation of the lysine 9 residue of histone H3 (H3K9), euchromatic histone-lysine N-methyltransferase 2 (EHMT2; also known as G9a) has been shown to be a primary mediator of H3K9 dimethylation; BIX-01294 has been shown to be a specific inhibitor of EHMT2. The objective of the present study was to determine the effect of BIX-01294 treatment on global H3K9 dimethylation in porcine embryos. We hypothesised that inhibition of EHMT2 by BIX-01294 would result in reduced levels of H3K9 dimethylation and compromised embryo development. Our results showed that incubation in 5 µM BIX-01294 markedly reduced global levels of H3K9 dimethylation at the pronuclear, 2-cell and 4-cell stages of development and resulted in developmental arrest before blastocyst formation. Although transient exposure of embryos to BIX-01294 did not alter in vitro development, embryos transiently exposed to BIX-01294 did not establish pregnancy. These data demonstrate that BIX-01294 is a potent inhibitor of H3K9 dimethylation and that transient alterations in global histone modifications can have profound effects on embryo developmental potential.
Past and Present Processes Influencing Genetic Diversity and Effective Population Size in a Natural Population of Atlantic Sturgeon
Authors: Moyer G. R. , Sweka J. A. , Peterson D. L.
Published: January 2012

Threats such as habitat loss, invasive species, and overexploitation cause species extinctions; however, stochastic processes can accelerate extinction rates as census sizes decline. Using molecular and ecological data, we explored the influence of these processes on the demography of a candidate species under the U.S. Endangered Species Act—the Atlantic sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus. We used molecular microsatellite markers to estimate the effective population size (Ne) and effective number of breeders (Nb) and we used mark–recapture data to estimate the number of spawners (Na) for Atlantic sturgeon of the Altamaha River, Georgia. We found that estimates of Nb were 7–45% less than the estimated Na over four consecutive cohorts and that skewed sex ratios could explain the relative decrease of Nb to Na. Our estimate of contemporary Ne was 125 (95% confidence interval = 75–348) and was at least an order of magnitude less than our estimate of historical Ne. To explain the large discrepancy between these estimates, we tested several alternative evolutionary scenarios that might explain the observed pattern of genetic diversity. Our results indicated that the observed genetic data were indeed best explained (i.e., 0.998 posterior probability of the data given the hypothesis) by overexploitation during the last half of the 20th century.
The relation between perceived parental involvement and academic achievement: The roles of Taiwanese students’ academic beliefs and filial piety
Authors: Chen Wei‐Wen , Ho Hsiu‐Zu
Published: January 2012

The excellent academic performance among East‐Asian students has drawn international attention from educators and psychologists. However, the process that underlies student academic achievement for this particular group has rarely been documented. The present study examines how the relation between perceived parental involvement and Taiwanese students’ academic achievement is mediated by student academic beliefs (i.e., beliefs about effort, academic self‐concept, and perceived control). The study further explores whether this mediating effect varies with types of filial piety. Participants were 468 first‐year students from colleges and universities in Taiwan. Multiple‐group mediating models were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM). Results indicated that, for the Taiwanese sample, students’ academic beliefs mediated the relation between perceived parental involvement and academic achievement. Furthermore, the mediational effect was significant for the reciprocal filial type, but not for the authoritarian filial type. The importance of the quality of the parent–child relationship and the internalization process related to children's assumptions of their parents’ educational values indicate the need for a contextual view when examining predictors of student academic achievement.
Influence of Substrate and Salinity on Air-Incubated Gulf Killifish Embryos
Authors: Coulon M P , Gothreaux C T , Green C C
Published: January 2012

Gulf killifish Fundulus grandis have evolved the ability to utilize air incubation in marsh grass to protect embryos from aquatic predators and allow for synchronous hatching during the following diurnal peak tide. This incubation strategy provides a humid, oxygen-rich environment for the embryos to develop. The current project investigated practical materials that could be used in an aquaculture setting to mimic the air incubation strategy at different salinities, and determined the effect of substrate (moistened with 7.5-g/L salinity water) on embryo size after an extended incubation period (19 d) at 22°C. Air-incubated embryos were placed on synthetic foam, bamboo batting, or burlap cloth substrates. Substrates were moistened with 3.5-, 7.5-, 14-, 20-, or 27-g/L-salinity water, and hatching was induced by submersion in water after 19 d of incubation. Embryos incubated in water (3.5- and 7.5-g/L salinity) at the same temperature began hatching at 8 d and continued intermittently until 14 d. These water-incubated embryos had a hatch rate (mean ± SE) of 44.2 ± 1.1% in 3.5-g/L-salinity water and 49.1 ± 0.5% in 7.5-g/L-salinity water. The percentage of air-incubated embryos that hatched was significantly affected by both substrate and salinity. For all air incubation substrates, the 7.5-g/L salinity treatment provided the numerically highest overall percentage of hatched embryos, 69.9 ± 3.6%, 69.9 ± 6.5%, and 73.8 ± 4.6% hatching on foam, bamboo, and burlap, respectively. Overall, the foam substrate had the highest hatch rate among salinity treatments. Embryo size at hatch was assessed at the 7.5-g/L salinity for water and all air incubation substrates. The air-incubated larvae were found to be significantly larger than their water-incubated counterparts, and foam-incubated larvae had the smallest abdominal area. Air incubation of Gulf killifish eggs on foam substrate can be used as a production tool to produce larvae that can be synchronously hatched after an extended incubation period.
Apical Ca2+-activated potassium channels in mouse parotid acinar cells
Authors: Almassy Janos , Won Jong Hak , Begenisich Ted B. , Yule David I.
Published: January 2012

Ca2+ activation of Cl and K channels is a key event underlying stimulated fluid secretion from parotid salivary glands. Cl channels are exclusively present on the apical plasma membrane (PM), whereas the localization of K channels has not been established. Mathematical models have suggested that localization of some K channels to the apical PM is optimum for fluid secretion. A combination of whole cell electrophysiology and temporally resolved digital imaging with local manipulation of intracellular [Ca2+] was used to investigate if Ca2+-activated K channels are present in the apical PM of parotid acinar cells. Initial experiments established Ca2+-buffering conditions that produced brief, localized increases in [Ca2+] after focal laser photolysis of caged Ca2+. Conditions were used to isolate K+ and Cl− conductances. Photolysis at the apical PM resulted in a robust increase in K+ and Cl− currents. A localized reduction in [Ca2+] at the apical PM after photolysis of Diazo-2, a caged Ca2+ chelator, resulted in a decrease in both K+ and Cl− currents. The K+ currents evoked by apical photolysis were partially blocked by both paxilline and TRAM-34, specific blockers of large-conductance “maxi-K” (BK) and intermediate K (IK), respectively, and almost abolished by incubation with both antagonists. Apical TRAM-34–sensitive K+ currents were also observed in BK-null parotid acini. In contrast, when the [Ca2+] was increased at the basal or lateral PM, no increase in either K+ or Cl− currents was evoked. These data provide strong evidence that K and Cl channels are similarly distributed in the apical PM. Furthermore, both IK and BK channels are present in this domain, and the density of these channels appears higher in the apical versus basolateral PM. Collectively, this study provides support for a model in which fluid secretion is optimized after expression of K channels specifically in the apical PM.
Pixel electrode structure for high transmittance in a multi-domain vertical alignment liquid crystal display device
Authors: Kim Ki-Han , Jeon Eun-Young , Park Byung Wok , Song Dong Han , Lee Ji-Hoon , Lee Gak Seok , Shin Ki-Chul , Kim Hee Seop , Yoon Tae-Hoon
Published: January 2012

We propose a pixel electrode structure for the multi-domain vertical alignment liquid crystal mode with high optical efficiency. We form a micro-slit electrode structure on the top substrate to reduce the width of disclination lines at domain boundaries. We insert additional electrodes on the bottom substrate to improve the transmittance at the edges of each pixel. We confirm that using both structures, the transmittance can be increased from 22.9% to 27.3% with no change in the operating voltage.
Inhibition of HIV-1 protease: the rigidity perspective
Authors: Heal J. W. , Jimenez-Roldan J. E. , Wells S. A. , Freedman R. B. , Römer R. A.
Published: January 2012

Motivation: HIV-1 protease is a key drug target due to its role in the life cycle of the HIV-1 virus. Rigidity analysis using the software First is a computationally inexpensive method for inferring functional information from protein crystal structures. We evaluate the rigidity of 206 high-resolution (2 Å or better) X-ray crystal structures of HIV-1 protease and compare the effects of different inhibitors binding to the enzyme.

Results: Inhibitor binding has little effect on the overall rigidity of the protein homodimer, including the rigidity of the active site. The principal effect of inhibitor binding on rigidity is to constrain the flexibility of the β-hairpin flaps, which move to allow access to the active site of the enzyme. We show that commercially available antiviral drugs which target HIV-1 protease can be divided into two classes, those which significantly affect flap rigidity and those which do not. The non-peptidic inhibitor tipranavir is distinctive in its consistently strong effect on flap rigidity.

Contact:  jack.heal@warwick.ac.uk; r.roemer@warwick.ac.uk

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
ELPIS-JP: a dataset of local-scale daily climate change scenarios for Japan
Authors: Iizumi Toshichika , Semenov Mikhail A. , Nishimori Motoki , Ishigooka Yasushi , Kuwagata Tsuneo
Published: January 2012

We developed a dataset of local-scale daily climate change scenarios for Japan (called ELPIS-JP) using the stochastic weather generators (WGs) LARS-WG and, in part, WXGEN. The ELPIS-JP dataset is based on the observed (or estimated) daily weather data for seven climatic variables (daily mean, maximum and minimum temperatures; precipitation; solar radiation; relative humidity; and wind speed) at 938 sites in Japan and climate projections from the multi-model ensemble of global climate models (GCMs) used in the coupled model intercomparison project (CMIP3) and multi-model ensemble of regional climate models form the Japanese downscaling project (called S-5-3). The capability of the WGs to reproduce the statistical features of the observed data for the period 1981–2000 is assessed using several statistical tests and quantile–quantile plots. Overall performance of the WGs was good. The ELPIS-JP dataset consists of two types of daily data: (i) the transient scenarios throughout the twenty-first century using projections from 10 CMIP3 GCMs under three emission scenarios (A1B, A2 and B1) and (ii) the time-slice scenarios for the period 2081–2100 using projections from three S-5-3 regional climate models. The ELPIS-JP dataset is designed to be used in conjunction with process-based impact models (e.g. crop models) for assessment, not only the impacts of mean climate change but also the impacts of changes in climate variability, wet/dry spells and extreme events, as well as the uncertainty of future impacts associated with climate models and emission scenarios. The ELPIS-JP offers an excellent platform for probabilistic assessment of climate change impacts and potential adaptation at a local scale in Japan.
Model complexity versus ensemble size: allocating resources for climate prediction
Authors: Ferro Christopher A. T. , Jupp Tim E. , Lambert F. Hugo , Huntingford Chris , Cox Peter M.
Published: January 2012

A perennial question in modern weather forecasting and climate prediction is whether to invest resources in more complex numerical models or in larger ensembles of simulations. If this question is to be addressed quantitatively, then information is needed about how changes in model complexity and ensemble size will affect predictive performance. Information about the effects of ensemble size is often available, but information about the effects of model complexity is much rarer. An illustration is provided of the sort of analysis that might be conducted for the simplified case in which model complexity is judged in terms of grid resolution and ensemble members are constructed only by perturbing their initial conditions. The effects of resolution and ensemble size on the performance of climate simulations are described with a simple mathematical model, which is then used to define an optimal allocation of computational resources for a range of hypothetical prediction problems. The optimal resolution and ensemble size both increase with available resources, but their respective rates of increase depend on the values of two parameters that can be determined from a small number of simulations. The potential for such analyses to guide future investment decisions in climate prediction is discussed.
Nonlinear softening as a predictive precursor to climate tipping
Authors: Sieber Jan , Thompson J. Michael T.
Published: January 2012

Approaching a dangerous bifurcation, from which a dynamical system such as the Earth's climate will jump (tip) to a different state, the current stable state lies within a shrinking basin of attraction. Persistence of the state becomes increasingly precarious in the presence of noisy disturbances. We argue that one needs to extract information about the nonlinear features (a ‘softening’) of the underlying potential from the time series to judge the probability and timing of tipping. This analysis is the logical next step if one has detected a decrease of the linear decay rate. If there is no discernible trend in the linear analysis, nonlinear softening is even more important in showing the proximity to tipping. After extensive normal-form calibration studies, we check two geological time series from palaeo-climate tipping events for softening of the underlying well. For the ending of the last ice age, where we find no convincing linear precursor, we identify a statistically significant nonlinear softening towards increasing temperature.
Quantitative trait loci for resistance to infection in sheep using a live Salmonella Abortusovis vaccine
Authors: Lantier I. , Moreno C. R. , Berthon P. , Sallé G. , Pitel F. , Schibler L. , Gautier‐Bouchardon A. V. , Boivin R. , Weisbecker J. L. , François D. , Bouix J. , Cribiu E. P. , Elsen J. M. , Lantier F.
Published: January 2012

Quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping for susceptibility to a Salmonella Abortusovis vaccinal strain was performed using an experimental design involving 30 Romane sheep sire families (1216 progenies). Nine QTL corresponding to bacterial load, weight variations and antibody response criteria were mapped on eight chromosomes, including the major histocompatibility complex area on chromosome 20. Surprisingly, none was found to be significant in the SLC11A1 region (formerly NRAMP1) that has been shown to influence Salmonella susceptibility in other species.
Ade novotranscriptome assembly ofLucilia sericata(Diptera: Calliphoridae) with predicted alternative splices, single nucleotide polymorphisms and transcript expression estimates
Authors: Sze S‐H. , Dunham J. P. , Carey B. , Chang P. L. , Li F. , Edman R. M. , Fjeldsted C. , Scott M. J. , Nuzhdin S. V. , Tarone A. M.
Published: January 2012

The blow flyLucilia sericata(Diptera: Calliphoridae) (Meigen) is a nonmodel organism with no reference genome that is associated with numerous areas of research spanning the ecological, evolutionary, medical, veterinary and forensic sciences. To facilitate scientific discovery in this species, the transcriptome was assembled from more than six billion bases of Illumina and twenty‐one million bases of 454 sequence derived from embryonic, larval, pupal, adult and larval salivary gland libraries. The assembly was carried out in a manner that enabled identification of putative single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and alternative splices, and that provided expression estimates for various life history stages and for salivary tissue. The assembled transcriptome was also used to identify transcribed transposable elements inL. sericata. The results of this study will enable blow fly biologists, dipterists and comparative genomicists to more rapidly develop and test molecular and genetic hypotheses, especially those regarding blow fly development and salivary gland biology.
The impact of hepatitis C virus donor and recipient status on long‐term kidney transplant outcomes: University of Wisconsin experience
Authors: Singh Neeraj , Neidlinger Nikole , Djamali Arjang , Leverson Glen , Voss Barbara , Sollinger Hans W. , Pirsch John D.
Published: January 2012

Singh N, Neidlinger N, Djamali A, Leverson G, Voss B, Sollinger HW, Pirsch JD. The impact of hepatitis C virus donor and recipient status on long‐term kidney transplant outcomes: University of Wisconsin experience.

Abstract:  The survival benefit of transplanting hepatitis C (HCV)‐positive donor kidneys into HCV‐positive recipients remains uncertain. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of HCV‐status of the donor (D) kidney on the long‐term outcomes in kidney transplant recipients (R). We evaluated 2169 consecutive recipients of deceased‐donor kidney transplants performed between 1991 and 2007. The following HCV cohorts were identified: D−/R− (n = 1897), D−/R+ (n = 59), D+/R− (n = 118), and D+/R+ (n = 95). Patients were followed for a mean of 6.02 (standard deviation = 4.26) yr. In a mulitvariable Cox‐proportional hazards model, D+/R+ cohort had significantly lower patient survival (adjusted‐hazard ratio [HR] 2.1, 95% CI [1.4–2.9]) with respect to the reference D−/R− group, whereas mortality was not increased in D−/R+ group. The rate of graft loss was increased in both D+/R+ and D−/R+ but was comparable with each other (adjusted‐HR 1.8, 95% CI [1.4–2.5]) vs. adjusted‐HR 2.0, 95% CI [1.4–2.8], respectively). D−/R+ cohort experienced significantly higher rate of rejection (adjusted‐HR 1.7, 95% CI [1.2–2.5]) and chronic allograft nephropathy (adjusted‐HR 2.1, 95% CI [1.2–3.7]). Neither donor nor recipient HCV‐status impacted the risk of recurrent or de novo GN. Transplanting HCV‐positive kidneys as opposed to HCV‐negative kidneys into HCV‐positive recipients provided similar graft survival but compromised patient survival in the long term.
Peritransplant kidney biopsies: comparison of pathologic interpretations and practice patterns of organ procurement organizations
Authors: Singh Pooja , Farber John L. , Doria Cataldo , Francos George C. , Gulati Rakesh , Ramirez Carlo B. , Maley Warren R. , Frank Adam M.
Published: January 2012

Singh P, Farber JL, Doria C, Francos GC, Gulati R, Ramirez CB, Maley WR, Frank AM. Peritransplant kidney biopsies: comparison of pathologic interpretations and practice patterns of organ procurement organizations.  Clin Transplant 2012 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399‐0012.2011.01584.x.  © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Abstract:  The preimplantation kidney biopsy affects utilization by diagnosing glomerulosclerosis, interstitial fibrosis (IF), arteriosclerosis, and arteriolar hyalinosis. Organ procurement organizations (OPOs) determine whether a donor warrants this biopsy and the donor hospital pathologists (DHPs) report on an OPO‐specific pathology interpretation form. Biopsy slides from 40 deceased donor kidneys transplanted at our institution were used to compare interpretations between our transplant pathologist and the DHPs. Thirty‐three of these kidneys also had post‐perfusion biopsies (PPB). All 58 OPOs were queried for criteria used to request a preimplantation biopsy, and their pathology interpretation forms were also analyzed. The transplant and DHPs had substantial agreement for percent glomerulosclerosis with 75% of biopsies being interpreted within five percentage points. Concordance for IF was poor. The DHP rarely reported arterial pathology. Seventy percent of preimplantation and PPB were read similarly for glomerulosclerosis; concordance for other lesions was weaker. There were no cues for arterial disease on our OPO’s pathology interpretation form. Criteria for obtaining a preimplantation biopsy lacked uniformity for the 21 OPOs with a self‐generated policy. The pathology interpretation forms varied widely among the OPOs. Current OPO practices with regard to the preimplantation biopsy should be improved.
Rapidly progressive fatal hemorrhagic pneumonia caused by Stenotrophomonas maltophilia in hematologic malignancy
Authors: Araoka H. , Fujii T. , Izutsu K. , Kimura M. , Nishida A. , Ishiwata K. , Nakano N. , Tsuji M. , Yamamoto H. , Asano‐Mori Y. , Uchida N. , Wake A. , Taniguchi S. , Yoneyama A.
Published: January 2012

Background

Pneumonia caused by Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is rare, but can be lethal in severely immunocompromised patients. However, its clinical course remains unclear.

Patients and methods

Patients with pneumonia caused by S. maltophilia in Toranomon Hospital (890 beds, Tokyo, Japan) were reviewed retrospectively between April 2006 and March 2010.

Results

During the study period, 10 cases of S. maltophilia pneumonia were identified. Seven patients had acute myeloid leukemia, 2 had myelodysplastic syndrome, and 1 had malignant lymphoma. All patients developed symptoms after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Five patients received first cord blood transplantation (CBT), 4 patients received second CBT, and 1 patient received first peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT). The overall incidence of S. maltophilia pneumonia among 508 patients who received HSCT during the period was 2.0%. The incidence was 0% (0/95) in patients after bone marrow transplantation, 0.8% (1/133) after PBSCT, and 3.2% (9/279) after CBT. Pneumonia developed a median of 13.5 days (range, 6–40) after transplantation. At onset, the median white blood cell count was 10/μL (range, 10–1900), and the median neutrophil count was 0/μL (range, 0–1720). In all patients, S. maltophilia bacteremia developed with bloody sputum or hemoptysis. The 28‐day mortality rate was 100%; the median survival after onset of pneumonia was 2 days (range, 1–10).

Conclusions

Hemorrhagic S. maltophilia pneumonia rapidly progresses and is fatal in patients with hematologic malignancy. Attention should be particularly paid to the neutropenic phase early after HSCT or prolonged neutropenia due to engraftment failure. A prompt trimethoprim‐sulfamethoxazole‐based multidrug combination regimen should be considered to rescue suspected cases of S. maltophilia pneumonia in these severely immunosuppressed patients.