bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancing early breast cancer diagnosis through automated microcalcification detection using an optimized ensemble deep learning framework
Authors: Teoh Jing Ru , Hasikin Khairunnisa , Lai Khin Wee , Wu Xiang , Li Chong
Published: May 2024

Background

Breast cancer remains a pressing global health concern, necessitating accurate diagnostics for effective interventions. Deep learning models (AlexNet, ResNet-50, VGG16, GoogLeNet) show remarkable microcalcification identification (>90%). However, distinct architectures and methodologies pose challenges. We propose an ensemble model, merging unique perspectives, enhancing precision, and understanding critical factors for breast cancer intervention. Evaluation favors GoogleNet and ResNet-50, driving their selection for combined functionalities, ensuring improved precision, and dependability in microcalcification detection in clinical settings.

Methods

This study presents a comprehensive mammogram preprocessing framework using an optimized deep learning ensemble approach. The proposed framework begins with artifact removal using Otsu Segmentation and morphological operation. Subsequent steps include image resizing, adaptive median filtering, and deep convolutional neural network (D-CNN) development via transfer learning with ResNet-50 model. Hyperparameters are optimized, and ensemble optimization (AlexNet, GoogLeNet, VGG16, ResNet-50) are constructed to identify the localized area of microcalcification. Rigorous evaluation protocol validates the efficacy of individual models, culminating in the ensemble model demonstrating superior predictive accuracy.

Results

Based on our analysis, the proposed ensemble model exhibited exceptional performance in the classification of microcalcifications. This was evidenced by the model’s average confidence score, which indicated a high degree of dependability and certainty in differentiating these critical characteristics. The proposed model demonstrated a noteworthy average confidence level of 0.9305 in the classification of microcalcification, outperforming alternative models and providing substantial insights into the dependability of the model. The average confidence of the ensemble model in classifying normal cases was 0.8859, which strengthened the model’s consistent and dependable predictions. In addition, the ensemble models attained remarkably high performances in terms of accuracy, precision, recall, F1-score, and area under the curve (AUC).

Conclusion

The proposed model’s thorough dataset integration and focus on average confidence ratings within classes improve clinical diagnosis accuracy and effectiveness for breast cancer. This study introduces a novel methodology that takes advantage of an ensemble model and rigorous evaluation standards to substantially improve the accuracy and dependability of breast cancer diagnostics, specifically in the detection of microcalcifications.
Investigating molecular markers linked to acute myocardial infarction and cuproptosis: bioinformatics analysis and validation in the AMI mice model
Authors: Wang Bingyu , Zhou Jianqing , An Ning
Published: May 2024

Cuproptosis-related key genes play a significant role in the pathological processes of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, a complete understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind this participation remains elusive. This study was designed to identify genes and immune cells critical to AMI pathogenesis. Based on the GSE48060 dataset (31 AMI patients and 21 healthy persons, GPL570-55999), we identified genes associated with dysregulated cuproptosis and the activation of immune responses between normal subjects and patients with a first myocardial attack. Two molecular clusters associated with cuproptosis were defined in patients with AMI. Immune infiltration analysis showed that there was significant immunity heterogeneity among different clusters. Multiple immune responses were closely associated with Cluster2-specific differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The generalized linear model machine model presented the best discriminative performance with relatively lower residual and root mean square error, and a higher area under the curve (AUC = 0.870). A final two-gene-based generalized linear model was constructed, exhibiting satisfactory performance in two external validation datasets (AUC = 0.719, GSE66360 and AUC = 0.856, GSE123342). Column graph, calibration curve, and decision curve analyses also proved the accuracy of AMI prediction. We also constructed a mouse C57BL/6 model of AMI (3 h, 48 h, and 1 week) and used qRT-PCR and immunofluorescence to detect the expression changes of CBLB and ZNF302. In this study, we present a systematic analysis of the complex relationship between cuproptosis and a first AMI attack, and provide new insights into the diagnosis and treatment of AMI.
Educação ambiental no ensino fundamental: atividades extracurriculares e seus impactos na percepção socioambiental dos alunos
Authors: Silva Sabrina Soares da , Ferreira Patrícia Aparecida , Araújo Fernanda Letícia Silva
Published: May 2024

A educação ambiental é uma importante ferramenta na conscientização e mudança de atitude da população, oferecendo informações que incentivam um melhor relacionamento entre os homens e a natureza. Este trabalho procurou identificar o impacto de atividades de educação ambiental realizadas com alunos do sexto e sétimo ano do Ensino Fundamental, por meio de uma avaliação de suas percepções e atitudes, antes e depois do desenvolvimento dessas atividades. Para tanto, a pesquisa foi dividida em duas etapas. A primeira etapa precedeu as atividades de educação ambiental, quando foram realizados dois grupos focais e aplicados questionários aos estudantes, com intuito de realizar um diagnóstico da percepção e atitudes dos alunos. A segunda fase ocorreu após o término das atividades de educação ambiental, quando foram aplicados questionários e realizado um grupo focal, com os alunos que participaram das atividades de educação ambiental, com intuito de identificar possíveis mudanças nas suas percepções e atitudes em relação ao meio ambiente. Os resultados indicaram que os alunos mudaram sua percepção sobre o meio ambiente, passando de uma visão inicial de que apenas elementos naturais faziam parte do ambiente para uma visão na qual os seres humanos são percebidos como parte desse ambiente. Outra importante modificação observada foi com relação ao papel da escola na apresentação de novas informações relacionadas ao ambiente e como capaz de influenciar na atitude dos indivíduos frente a esses problemas.
Premium Estimation of General Insurance Contracts Using Buhlmann Credibility Model
Authors: Oyakapeli Oscar , Ikamari Cynthia , Karanjah Anthony
Published: May 2024

Insurance coverage is reliant on appropriate premium determination, a focus addressed in this study through the application credibility theory. The aim was to compute short-term insurance premiums by leveraging authentic data from general insurance contracts as published in the IRA annual reports spanning from 2013 to 2021. The study employed the Buhlmann credibility model to derive net credible premiums for 13 non-life insurance contracts, assuming constant changes in business volumes. The estimation of credibility premiums was conducted by initially calculating within and between-portfolio variance with an aim of determining these premiums through linear estimation approach with the help of the credibility premium formula. The results revealed consistent credibility factors across all contracts, although other influencing factors were neglected. Therefore, it was highly recommended that an appropriate credibility model alongside other factors that influence premium estimation be considered to enhance the accuracy of premium estimates. Moreover, embracing heterogeneity over homogeneity is advised to better reflect individual risk profiles. The research underscores the importance of effective premium determination in insurance firms, as premiums constitute their primary revenue. Stakeholders, including insurers and regulators, are encouraged to integrate this approach and other relevant factors to enhance pricing accuracy and overall sector practices.
Soil Health of Rubber Plantations in Southern Côte D'ivoire: The Case of Cnra Anguédédou Rubber Plantations
Authors: Djézou Konan , Fernand Yao Guy , Thierry Lekadou Tacra , Armand Amani Abissaley Boris , Antoine Koffi , Dogniméton Soro
Published: May 2024

The rubber tree, a species of Amazonian forest tree, is cultivated for its natural rubber-rich latex. Its cultivation is of economic, social, climatic and environmental importance. However, it has been criticized as a soil-destroying crop. To clear up this ambiguity, a study was launched to assess the health of soils under rubber cover in southern Côte d'Ivoire. The methodology involved selecting rubber plantations of [1 to 5 years], [6 to 10 years], [11 to 20] and [20-40 years], and two (02) 42-year-old rubber tree plantations, abandoned for 8 years, were compared to those of a forest. In these biotopes, soil samples were taken using an auger and a metal cylinder, then analyzed in the laboratory to determine soil fertility and ecological parameters. The results showed that the saturated soils of young plantations aged 6 to 10 years are poor in organic matter and cation exchange capacity, mainly calcium and magnesium. However, organic carbon stocks are high in abandoned plantations (182.38 mg/ha) and plantations over 20 years old (164.5 mg/ha). The assessed deterioration index reveals that soils in young plantations aged 6 to 10 years are degraded, with an SDI = -40%. These soils recovered as the plantations aged, with a SDI of 151% in abandoned plantations.
Effect of Different Treatments on Chemical Components of Fermented Probiotic Millet Dried Mix
Authors: Jayashree H  , Devaraju R  , Raju Naik B  , Malashree L  , Shilpashree B  , Ramachandra B
Published: May 2024

Aims: The purpose of this study was to develop fermented probiotic millet dried mix by incorporating a probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus and to ascertain how different processes used in the product's development affected its chemical components.
Study Design: Fermented probiotic millet dried mix was developed by fermentation of germinated finger millet flour and Reconstituted Skim Milk (RSM) with L. acidophilus.  The impact of various treatments on moisture, crude protein, crude fiber, total ash, alcoholic acidity and phytate content were investigated.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Dairy Microbiology, Dairy Science College, Hebbal, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India between June 2023 and April 2024.
Methodology: Moisture, crude protein, crude fiber, total ash, alcoholic acidity and phytate content were examined after various treatments such as soaking, germination, autoclaving, fermentation and drying of millet dried mix.
Results: At 10% L. acidophilus inoculum level and a 1:1.5 millet to RSM ratio, a maximum viability of 9.52 log10 cfu/g was reported after 30 h of fermentation. After freeze drying of fermented probiotic millet mix with 2% Skim Milk Powder (SMP) as a cryoprotective agent, viability was retained to 9.50 log10 cfu/g.   The optimized fermented probiotic millet dried mix had 4.76% moisture, 11.94% crude protein, 6.50% crude fiber, 4.74% total ash, 1.90% alcoholic acidity and 1.73 mol/kg of phytate.
Conclusion: The resultant fermented probiotic millet dried mix was rich in nutrients and the probiotic L. acidophilus helps to improve gut health. Thus, the product had combined therapeutic and nutritional benefits of probiotics with millet.
Safety evaluation of sinus surfactant solution on respiratory cilia function
Authors: Chiu Alexander G. , Chen Bei , Palmer James N. , O'Malley Bert W. , Cohen Noam A.
Published: June 2011

Background:

A common complaint of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is thickened inspissated nasal secretions and concomitant postnasal drip. Recently, the use of diluted, baby shampoo demonstrated modest improvement in these complaints. Removal of hair‐specific ingredients, such as thickeners and fragrances, and addition of a humectant and optimization of mucoactive ingredients generated a topical surfactant solution designed for sinonasal use. This study evaluates the safety of this solution on respiratory cilia function.

Methods:

Murine nasal explants as well as murine nasal air‐liquid interface cultures were tested. Using high‐speed video microscopy, baseline ciliary beat frequency (CBF) was established, followed by addition of the surfactant solution. CBF was recorded every 30 seconds for 15 minutes.

Results:

Sinonasal surfactant solution diluted in bicarbonate buffered saline resulted in a transient increase of CBF in murine explants and mature epithelial cultures with no evidence of toxicity on respiratory cilia over the 15 minutes.

Conclusion:

Respiratory mucosal explants and air‐liquid interface cultures demonstrate robust ciliary beating and represent 2 model systems for screening topical agents for ciliotoxicity. In both systems, application of a novel sinonasal surfactant solution diluted in bicarbonate buffered saline was not ciliotoxic to respiratory epithelium over a 15‐minute period. © 2011 ARS‐AAOA, LLC.
Systematic review of immunohistochemical biomarkers to identify prognostic subgroups of patients with pancreatic cancer
Authors: Ansari D , Rosendahl A , Elebro J , Andersson R
Published: June 2011

Background

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) carries a dismal prognosis. There is a need to identify prognostic subtypes of PDAC to predict clinical and therapeutic outcomes accurately, and define novel therapeutic targets. The purpose of this review was to provide a systematic summary and review of available data on immunohistochemical (IHC) prognostic and predictive markers in patients with PDAC.

Methods

Relevant articles in English published between January 1990 and June 2010 were obtained from PubMed searches. Other articles identified from cross-checking references and additional sources were reviewed. The inclusion was limited to studies evaluating IHC markers in a multivariable setting.

Results

Database searches identified 76 independent prognostic and predictive molecular markers implicated in pancreatic tumour growth, apoptosis, angiogenesis, invasion and resistance to chemotherapy. Of these, 11 markers (Ki-67, p27, p53, transforming growth factor β1, Bcl-2, survivin, vascular endothelial growth factor, cyclo-oxygenase 2, CD34, S100A4 and human equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1) provided independent prognostic or predictive information in two or more separate studies.

Conclusion

None of the molecular markers described can be recommended for routine clinical use as they were identified in small cohorts and there were inconsistencies between studies. Their prognostic and predictive values need to be validated further in prospective multicentre studies in larger patient populations. A panel of molecular markers may become useful in predicting individual patient outcome and directing novel types of intervention.
Treatment of aortocoronary dissection complicating anomalous origin right coronary artery and chronic total intervention with intravascular ultrasound guided stenting
Authors: Abdou Sayed M. , Wu Chiung‐Jen
Published: June 2011

Acute dissection of the ascending aorta is a rare complication of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Its mechanism involves disruption of the coronary intima by mechanical trauma, followed by subintimal injection of contrast, which, in turn, contributes to subsequent extension of the dissection. In contrast to spontaneous aortic dissection of ascending aorta, which mandates immediate surgical intervention, the appropriate therapy and outcome of this rare entity are not well established. We report a case of iatrogenic aortocoronary dissection, complicating transradial PCI for recanalization of anomalous origin right coronary artery (RCA) from the left coronary cusp with chronic total occlusion. The intimal tear was created by a balloon rupture in the proximal RCA, with propagation of dissection into the ostium and the coronary sinus of Valsalva. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) guided coronary stenting was performed to seal the entry port, and to break down the dissection route. This case indicates that IVUS can be a useful tool to ensure complete coverage of the intracoronary dissection and precise placement of the stent to fully cover the ostium of the culprit vessel. This can be particularly important in difficult situations, such as anomalous origin of RCA from the left cusp, with acute downward anterior angulation. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Emergency manual systemic‐to‐pulmonary artery autotransfusion for severe cyanotic spell
Authors: Kothari Shyam S. , Ramakrishnan Sivasubramanian , Bisoi Akshay K.
Published: June 2011

Cyanotic spell is an important complication of tetralogy of Fallot. We report a simple, innovative method that bailed out a patient with life‐threatening, refractory cyanotic spell in the catheterization laboratory. Manual autotransfusion of blood from aorta into the pulmonary arteries resulted in significant clinical improvement. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Making and evaluating a statistical prediction model for the absolute risk of prostate cancer recurrence
Authors: Kattan Michael W. , Gerds Thomas A.
Published: June 2011

Here are provided some general rules and insights for the making of a prediction model for patient counseling. Issues abound regarding what to predict, and how to know if the prediction model works.
Pairwise subcarriers weighting for suppressing out‐of‐band radiation of OFDM
Authors: Xu Renhui , Zhang Jianfeng , Chen Ming , Wu Bingyang , Wang Hai
Published: June 2011

This paper proposes a subcarrier weighting technique to suppress the out‐of‐band radiation of OFDM signals. By mapping and weighting the same data on an adjacent pair of subcarriers, the spectrum sidelobes are suppressed perfectly through sidelobes mutual cancellation. The optimum weighting factor is derived based on a rectangular pulse‐shaped OFDM spectrum model. Compared with existing out‐of‐band suppression schemes, the proposed scheme not only requires less computational burden but also achieves better spectral roll‐off. For example, when the cyclic prefix of a one‐eighth OFDM‐block length is added, the proposed scheme suppresses the 10‐dB radiation at the center frequency between two subbands which are using cognitive radio. Analytical and simulation results also show that the proposed scheme improves the system carrier‐to‐interference ratio by 10 dB at a normalized frequency offset above 0.1, which leads to the performance improvement in terms of the BER on AWGN channel and multipath fading channel. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gene expression profile of the regeneration epithelium during axolotl limb regeneration
Authors: Campbell Leah J. , Suárez‐Castillo Edna C. , Ortiz‐Zuazaga Humberto , Knapp Dunja , Tanaka Elly M. , Crews Craig M.
Published: June 2011

Urodele amphibians are unique among adult vertebrates in their ability to regenerate missing limbs. The process of limb regeneration requires several key tissues including a regeneration‐competent wound epidermis called the regeneration epithelium (RE). We used microarray analysis to profile gene expression of the RE in the axolotl, a Mexican salamander. A list of 125 genes and expressed sequence tags (ESTs) showed a ≥1.5‐fold expression in the RE than in a wound epidermis covering a lateral cuff wound. A subset of the RE ESTs and genes were further characterized for expression level changes over the time‐course of regeneration. This study provides the first large scale identification of specific gene expression in the RE. Developmental Dynamics 240:1826–1840, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Discrete regulatory regions control early and late expression of D‐Pax2 during external sensory organ development
Authors: Johnson Seth A. , Harmon Katharine J. , Smiley Sarah G. , Still Frances M. , Kavaler Joshua
Published: June 2011

The transcription factor D‐Pax2 is required for the correct differentiation of several cell types in Drosophila sensory systems. While the regulation of its expression in the developing eye has been well studied, little is known about the mechanisms by which the dynamic pattern of D‐Pax2 expression in the external sensory organs is achieved. Here we demonstrate that early activation of D‐Pax2 in the sensory organ lineage and its maintenance in the trichogen and thecogen cells are governed by separate enhancers. Furthermore, the initial activation is controlled in part by proneural proteins whereas the later maintenance expression is regulated by a positive feedback loop. Developmental Dynamics 240:1769–1778, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prescribing sunshine: A cross‐sectional survey of 500 Australian general practitioners' practices and attitudes about vitamin D
Authors: Bonevski Billie , Girgis Afaf , Magin Parker , Horton Graeme , Brozek Irena , Armstrong Bruce
Published: June 2011

This study aimed to assess the attitudes, practices and knowledge of general practitioners (GPs) with regards to vitamin D. A cross‐sectional survey of a random sample of GPs stratified by location of practice (rural/remote or metropolitan) and employment status (full‐time or part‐time) in New South Wales (NSW), Australia was conducted. Of 500 respondents, 58.1% (95% CI 53.8–62.4) reported that up to 39% of their tested patients showed vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency and a further 37.7% (95% CI 33.5–41.9) of respondents said that over 40% of their patients were vitamin D insufficient. Vitamin D supplementation and advice to receive more natural sunlight were the most common ways vitamin D insufficiency was managed (97.1%; 95% CI 95.6–98.6 and 82%, 95% CI 78.6–85.4, respectively). Some gaps in knowledge were identified. Most respondents (64%; 95% CI 59.8–68.2) believed that a person of average sun sensitivity required 10 min of direct sun exposure during summer in peak UV time and a further 21.6% (95% CI 18.0–25.2) believed that people required 30 min of direct sun. A third of respondents (33.1%; 95% CI 29.0–37.2) advised their patients to use sun protection at all times during winter. In general, the attitude items showed that respondents expressed greater concern about vitamin D deficiency than skin cancer. The results reveal some confusion in general practice regarding vitamin D, sun exposure, sun protection and skin cancer risk. Some of the advice that GPs are offering may needlessly increase their patients' risk for vitamin D insufficiency or skin cancer.
Deregulation of Snai2 is associated with metastasis and poor prognosis in tongue squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Wang Cheng , Liu Xiqiang , Huang Hongzhang , Ma Huibin , Cai Weixin , Hou Jingsong , Huang Lei , Dai Yang , Yu Tianwei , Zhou Xiaofeng
Published: June 2011

The members of the Snail superfamily of zinc‐finger transcription factors, including Snai1 and Snai2, are involved in essential biological processes, such as epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). Although Snai1 has been investigated in a number of cancers, our knowledge on Snai2 and its role(s) in squamous cell carcinoma of oral tongue (SCCOT) is limited. In this study, we confirmed the previous observation that over‐expression of Snai2 is a frequent event in SCCOT. We further demonstrated that Snai2 over‐expression is associated with lymph node metastasis in two independent SCCOT patient cohorts (total n = 129). Statistical analysis revealed that Snai2 over‐expression was correlated with reduced overall survival. Furthermore, over‐expression of Snai2 was correlated with reduced E‐cadherin expression and enhanced Vimentin expression, suggesting a functional role of Snai2 in EMT. These observations were confirmed in vitro, in which knockdown of Snai2 induced a switch from a mesenchymal‐like morphology to an epithelial‐like morphology in SCCOT cell lines, and suppressed the cell invasion and migration. In contrast, ectopic transfection of Snai2 led to enhanced cell invasion and migration. Furthermore, Snai2 knockdown attenuated TGFβ1‐induced EMT in SCCOT cell lines. Taken together, these data suggest that Snai2 plays major roles in EMT and the progression of SCCOT and may serve as a therapeutic target for patients at risk of metastasis.
Development of a biodegradable foam for use in negative pressure wound therapy
Authors: Liu Jie , Morykwas Michael J. , Argenta Louis C. , Wagner William D.
Published: June 2011

Treatment of wounds using negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) uses a nondegradable polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) foam in the application of negative pressures typically for 1–3 days. The purpose of this study was to construct and test biodegradable poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) foam as a substitute for the PVA foam. Such a foam would be left within the wound until healing was achieved and form a biodegradable matrix into which tissue would grow. The use of such foam would obviate the need for any serial foam changes and a final foam removal, thus making patient care much easier and more economical. PCL foams were prepared by salt leaching and phase separation. Morphological and mechanical properties of the foams were characterized and compared to PVA foam. PCL and PVA foams were tested on the uncut surface of a pig liver maintained in a hydration chamber continuously replenished with saline under the conditions of negative pressure of 50 mm Hg for 72 h. The results demonstrated that PCL foam made from phase separation had the similar properties and function as the PVA foam. The results demonstrate that PCL foam is an appropriate substitute for currently used nondegradable PVA foam in NPWT applications. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2011.
Evaluation of the vessels of the cardinal ligament by transrectal ultrasonography with color Doppler imaging
Authors: Furukawa Naoto , Kawaguchi Ryuji , Kajihara Hirotaka , Kobayashi Hiroshi
Published: June 2011

Purpose.

Radical hysterectomy is the standard treatment for early‐stage cervical cancer. Although during surgery the vessels of the cardinal ligament are divided one by one until the splanchnic nerve is identified before they are dissected, there are individual differences in the numbers of vessels. In this preliminary study, we evaluated the accuracy of preoperative detection of the vessels of the cardinal ligament by transrectal sonography with color Doppler imaging (TR‐CDUS) with respect to the number of vessels detected intraoperatively.

Methods.

We included patients that underwent radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer in our hospital. The vessels of the cardinal ligament were detected preoperatively by TR‐CDUS. Radical hysterectomy was subsequently performed and the number of vessels found at surgery was recorded.

Results.

A total of 21 patients were included. The median number of the left vessels detected by TR‐CDUS and intraoperatively were 2 (range, 1–4) and 2 (range, 1–5), respectively. The median numbers of the right vessels detected were 3 (range, 2–4) and 3 (range, 2–4), respectively. The accuracy rates were 90.5% for the left cardinal ligament, 85.7% for the right ligament, and 81.0% for both cardinal ligaments.

Conclusions.

The results suggest that TR‐CDUS may be useful for preoperative detection of the number of the vessels of the cardinal ligament. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2011
Comparison of monolithic and 1.8‐μm RP‐18 silica capillary columns using chromatographic data and mass spectrometric identification scores for proteins
Authors: Rozenbrand Johan , de Jong Gerhardus J. , van Bennekom Wouter P.
Published: June 2011

A goal in proteomics is the analysis of proteins by LC‐MS. The proteins are enzymatically digested and the resulting peptides are chromatographically separated and introduced into a tandem MS. The obtained MS data are used for a search in sequence databases, providing identification scores for the proteins. A method to improve that score is to increase the chromatographic separation and peak capacity. In this study, the chromatographic conditions were optimized for a relatively large gradient time by varying the flow rate and gradient composition. The influence of the monolithic column length (15 and 64 cm) and particle diameter (1.8 μm; 15‐cm length) on the sample peak capacity, productivity and identification score was studied. For comparison of gradient systems, a scaling factor was introduced to normalize the properties/performance of columns for material, diameter and length. As model proteins/digests, a simple (myoglobin) and a larger (BSA) protein were used. The smallest peak width, highest identification scores (54 and 89% for BSA and myoglobin, respectively) and productivity (5.0 and 4.0, respectively) were obtained for the 15‐cm particulate column. The study also demonstrates that a further increase in the chromatographic performance is beneficial for BSA but hardly increases the identification score for the relatively small myoglobin.
The extent of lead fragmentation observed in deer culled by sharpshooting
Authors: Stewart Chad M. , Veverka Norman B.
Published: June 2011

Sharpshooting is a proven management technique to lower white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) densities in areas where hunting is precluded. A donation program that allows for the consumptive use of these culled deer is often necessary to gain public approval for such a program. We culled 40 deer in Indiana using sharpshooting methods (head and neck shot placement) and radiographed the carcasses to determine if lead fragmentation spread throughout the skeletal muscle system. In 30 deer where shot placement was between the cranium and fourth cervical vertebrae, we observed no lead fragments in any thoracic or crural muscle tissue. Of 10 deer where shot placement was between the fifth and seventh cervical vertebrae, 8 deer experienced lead fragments in the extensor spinae muscle. Deer culled with highly frangible bullets via sharpshooting in the cranium or upper cervical spine have minimal risk of experiencing lead fragmentation in the thoracic or crural muscle systems. Deer shot in the lower neck may experience lead fragmentation in the anterior extensor spinae muscle, and up to 40 cm of that muscle should be removed before consumption. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.
Postoperative pain after adult tonsillectomy with plasmaknife compared to monopolar electrocautery
Authors: Clenney Timothy , Schroeder Ashley , Bondy Peter , Zizak Vincent , Mitchell Allen
Published: June 2011

Objectives/Hypothesis:

Monopolar cautery is the most commonly used technique for tonsillectomy. The aim of the present study is to compare postoperative pain using a new technology, PlasmaKnife tonsillectomy (PKT), in comparison with monopolar cautery tonsillectomy (MCT).

Study Design:

Prospective, randomized, single‐blinded, self‐controlled study using paired organs.

Methods:

Thirty‐two adult patients, aged 18 to 30 years, scheduled for tonsillectomy for recurrent tonsillitis were included. Patients were randomly assigned to undergo PKT on one side and MCT on the opposite side. The primary outcome was self‐rated daily pain assessed by using a 10‐point scale. Patients were provided 21‐day pain diaries and were phoned twice weekly by a research assistant to assess pain and remind them to complete diaries. Secondary outcomes included comparisons of operative time, blood loss, and postoperative complications.

Results:

Repeated measures analysis of variance comparing PKT to MCT during the 21‐day postoperative period revealed no difference in postoperative pain between the two groups (P = .131). In addition, total operative time (P = .276) and blood loss (P = .418) did not differ significantly between PKT and MCT.

Conclusions:

Adult subjects undergoing PKT do not experience less postoperative pain in comparison to MCT.
Evaluation of Norbornene‐Based Adhesives to Amine‐Cured Epoxy for Self‐Healing Applications
Authors: Huang Guang Chun , Lee Jong Keun , Kessler Michael R.
Published: June 2011

High adhesive strengths are essential in self‐healing polymers. In these novel materials, healing is triggered by crack propagation through embedded microcapsules in an epoxy matrix, which then release the liquid healing agent into the crack plane. Subsequent exposure of the healing agent to an embedded chemical initiator triggers ring‐opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP), bonding the crack faces closed. In order to improve self‐healing efficiencies in these systems, it is necessary to improve the adhesion of the polymerized healing agent with the epoxy matrix. In this study, the adhesive shear strength between different norbornene‐based healing agents and an amine‐cured epoxy resin was evaluated using single lap shear specimens. The healing agents tested include endo‐dicyclopentadiene (DCPD), 5‐ethylidene‐2‐norbornene (ENB) and DCPD/ENB blends. 5‐Norbornene‐2‐methanol (NBM) and 5‐norbornene‐2‐exo,3‐exo‐dimethanol (NBDM) were used as adhesion promoters because they contain hydroxyl groups which can form hydrogen bonds with the amine‐cured epoxy adherend. A custom synthesized norbornene‐based crosslinking agent was also added to improve the adhesion of the polymerized ENB by increasing its crosslink density after ROMP. The effects of catalyst loading, polymerization time and cure temperature on the adhesive bond strength are studied in detail.

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Reference data for ulnar nerve short segment conduction studies at the elbow
Authors: Korkmaz Murat , On Arzu Yağiz , Çaliş Funda Atamaz
Published: June 2011

Introduction: The aim of this study was to generate reference data for ulnar nerve short segment conduction studies (SSCSs) at 2‐cm intervals. Methods: Ulnar nerve SSCS data were collected from dominant and non‐dominant arms of 200 healthy volunteers. The effects of age, gender, weight, height, and body mass index (BMI) on SSCSs were also investigated. Results: High percentile values for short segment latency changes varied from 0.4 to 0.7 ms. Ulnar nerve conductions were slower in the segments 2 cm below and above the elbow compared with the other segments. The amplitude was found not to decrease by >15% in subsequent short segments. There were no significant effects of age and gender on the SSCS parameters. Conductions over the short segments tended to be faster as BMI increased. Conclusions: Reference values should be determined separately over each 2‐cm segment, and the effect of BMI should be considered when interpreting SSCSs. Muscle Nerve, 2011
Validity of hospital discharge data for identifying cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Stickler David E. , Royer Julie A. , Hardin James W.
Published: June 2011

Inpatient hospital encounters and emergency department visits were examined to identify cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).The ninth edition of the International Classification of Disease, clinical modification (ICD‐9‐CM) for ALS was confirmed for ALS was confirmed in 93% of inpatient discharges and in 91% of emergency department visits by the diagnostic standard (chart review). Yearly prevalence rates ranged from 2.94 to 3.28 per 100,000 residents. The low calculated prevalence rates suggest that this method of case identification is inadequate and must be combined with other data sets to maximize confirmation of the clinical diagnosis. Muscle Nerve, 2011
Synthesis, Characterization, and Crystal Structure of a Metallamacrocycle
Authors: Zhang Dingjun , Chen Yuxian , Zhao Qiang , Wu Youzhi
Published: June 2011

The novel macrocyclic decanuclear manganese(III) 30‐metallacrown‐10 compound [Mn10(RS‐3‐chmshz)10(DMF)10]·9DMF (1) was synthesized by self‐assembly and characterized (H3RS‐3‐chmshz = N‐((R,S)‐3‐cyclohexenoyl)‐5‐methylsalicylhydrazide). Compound 1 is a 30‐membered decanuclear metallamacrocycle and crystallizes in triclinic space group P21/c, in an alternating …ΔΛΔΛ…‐type chiral configuration. The decanuclear systems measure ~2.6 nm in diameter and ~1.1 nm in thickness. The racemic N‐(R,S)‐3‐cyclohexenoyl group directing into the cavity of the metallamacrocycle shows the alternate R,S chiral configuration. Magnetic measurements on the title 30‐metallacrown‐10 compound show weak antiferromagnetic exchange interaction.
A d10 Metal Coordination Polymer Containing a Thiodiphthalic Ligand: Crystal Structure and Luminescent Property
Authors: Cao Li‐Hui , Zang Shuang‐Quan , Li Jia‐Bin
Published: June 2011

A new two‐dimensional metal‐organic coordination polymer [Cd2(2,3,2′,3′‐sdpa)(H2O)3]·2H2O (1) were hydro(solvo)thermally synthesized by the reaction of 2,3,2′,3′‐sulfonyldiphthalic acid (2,3,2′,3′‐H4sdpa) with Cd(NO3)2·4H2O and characterized by elemental analysis, thermogravimetry, IR and luminescence spectroscopy, and X‐ray diffraction. In complex 1, two kinds of cadmium atoms are linked together by anionic sdpa4– ligands to form a 2D metal‐organic network. The adjacent 2D layers further interact with each other through hydrogen bonds and π···π interactions to form a 3D supramolecular structure. The luminescence spectra and thermal properties of 1 were also investigated.
Synthesis, Characterization and Surface‐Activity of Hydroxyethyl Group‐Containing Quaternary Ammonium Surfactants
Authors: Yunling Li , Qiuxiao Li , Lifei Zhi , Minghui Zhang
Published: June 2011

A novel series of hydroxyethyl group‐containing quaternary ammonium salts were synthesized from mono‐, di‐, tri‐alkyl tertiary amines, hydrochloric acid and ethylene oxide by a two‐step process with mild reaction conditions. The structures of the quaternary ammonium salts were characterized by infrared spectroscopy and 1H‐nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The surface tensions at the critical micelle concentrations were measured to investigate the surface activities of the prepared compounds. The results showed that the hydroxyethyl group quaternary ammonium salts exhibit high surface activities.
Nonlinear stability of spatially-periodic traveling-wave solutions of systems of reaction–diffusion equations
Authors: Johnson Mathew A. , Zumbrun Kevin
Published: June 2011

Using spatial domain techniques developed by the authors and Myunghyun Oh in the context of parabolic conservation laws, we establish under a natural set of spectral stability conditions nonlinear asymptotic stability with decay at Gaussian rate of spatially periodic traveling waves of systems of reaction–diffusion equations. In the case that wave-speed is identically zero for all periodic solutions, we recover and slightly sharpen a well-known result of Schneider obtained by renormalization/Bloch transform techniques; by the same arguments, we are able to treat the open case of nonzero wave-speeds to which Schneiderʼs renormalization techniques do not appear to apply.
Islet‐1 expression in thoracic spinal motor neurons in prenatal mouse
Authors: Kobayashi Miki , Nakano Masato , Atobe Yoshitoshi , Kadota Tetsuo , Funakoshi Kengo
Published: June 2011

The LIM homeodomain protein Islet‐1, an embryonic marker for motoneurons in the spinal cord, has been reported to be heterogeneously expressed among motoneuron groups in mouse. In the present study, we examined Islet‐1 expression in the thoracic and rostral lumbar spinal cord in prenatal mice. In the thoracic spinal cord at embryonic day 12.5 (E12.5) and E13.5, strong Islet‐1 immunoreactivity was observed in the lateral group of the ventral horn, whereas weaker immunoreactivity was observed in the ventral group. Strong Islet‐1 immunoreactivity was also observed in the intermediolateral area and more medial part of the intermediate zone. In the rostral lumbar spinal cord at E12.5 and E13.5, strong Islet‐1 immunoreactivity was observed in the lateral group of the ventral horn, and in the intermediolateral nucleus, whereas weaker immunoreactivity was observed in the ventral, and dorsolateral groups. At E14.5, the number of Islet‐1 immunoreactive neurons was reduced in the spinal cord, but the distribution pattern was similar to that at E12.5 and E13.5. At E15.5, Islet‐1 immunoreactivity was almost completely confined to the intermediolateral area. Some weakly immunoreactive neurons were observed in the ventral horn. The findings of the present study indicated that Islet‐1 expression at embryonic stages differs among the motoneuron groups in the thoracic and rostral lumbar spinal cord.
Editorial
Authors: BURNARD PAMELA , SPRUCE GARY
Published: June 2011

In this issue, we witness different ways in which to illuminate the complexities of music teachers and music teaching processes and the conditions through which students learn and teachers embody different and contested images of professional ideals, ideologies and practices. In studies drawn from as far afield as New Zealand, Australia, Republic of Ireland and the UK, authors locate current debates about practice and offer careful analysis, insights and compelling ideas for change that range from teacher professionalism and accountability to community engagement and government policy. There are a range of theoretical frameworks incorporated (including cognitive psychology, constructivism, interpretative phenomenology, and sociocultural theories of situated learning, zone of proximal learning, and concept formation) and the authors' work relates to a range of contested areas. The articles move between teacher thinking and classroom practice to key factors in students’ learning and achievement and music learning in the ‘third age’. All are concerned with the ways in which beliefs, values and identities, structural and curriculum reforms, informal and formal learning sites, and pre-service and continuing professional development, shape and affirm the importance in building understandings of students and teachers' musical lives and how particular practices get embodied in particular contexts. The sites of practice include secondary school music, conservatoire research, university programmes, music communities and local government sectors. The articles draw on diverse data generated via in-depth interview methods, questionnaires, document analysis, observation and accounts of musical experiences.
The organisation and assessment of composing at Key Stage 4 in English secondary schools
Authors: Savage Jonathan , Fautley Martin
Published: June 2011

This paper explores secondary school music teachers' current practice with regard to the organisation and assessment of composing at Key Stage 4. It draws on research undertaken on a nation-wide basis in England, via the use of two online surveys and face-to-face interviews. In terms of the organisation of classroom composition, the study found that the place of staff notation is currently under-theorised in terms of a developmental musical thinking tool, as opposed to what might be termed a ‘storage system’. The research also found that ICT has brought composing to a wider range of participants. Considerably more time is spent on composing than other musical processes within a typical Key Stage 4 music classroom. The study found that music teachers are, in general, satisfied with the sorts of assessments which are being done at Key Stage 4. Examination Board criteria for assessing composing are universally utilised but there is a feeling that whilst these criteria are fit for purpose, they do not always reflect the effort that students have put into their work. Some styles which are ‘set’ by examination boards are seen as being inappropriate for some students to access.
The pragmatics of Irish English
Authors: Vaughan Elaine , Clancy Brian
Published: June 2011

The utteranceIt's raining(of great relevance to the Irish!) can have a variety of different meanings according to who says it, to whom one is talking, and where it is said, amongst other things. The fact that language in use (whether in spoken or written mode) is obviously much more than the sum of its constituent parts – the individual sounds that make up words, the combinations of words that create sentences or utterances, the meaning that can be derived from different words and combinations thereof – has been what has driven pragmatics as a discipline, from its origins in the philosophy of language. Initially, what drove the research agenda was the potential of words to perform acts, or speech act theory (Austin, 1962; Searle, 1969), and later, the complexities of the relationship between what is said and what is meant, the study ofconversational implicatures(Grice, 1975) or ‘how people can understand one another beyond the literal words that are spoken’ (Eelen, 2001: 2). Pragmatics is now an inherently inter-disciplinary approach which has as its central orientation this study of, essentially, how speaker meaning is interpreted in context. Critical to interpretation is the concept of context itself, a complex and multi-layered notion involving cultural setting, speech situation and shared background assumptions (Goodwin and Duranti, 1992). Linguistic choices made by conversational participants can simultaneously encode situational indices of position and time, and interpersonal and cultural indices such as power, status, gender and age. Pragmatic research comprises a diverse range of research strands including how linguistic choices encode politeness (Brown and Levinson, 1987; Watts, 2003), reference and deixis (Levinson, 2004) and the relationship between domain specific discourse, such as workplace or media discourse, and specialised pragmatic characteristics (O'Keeffe, Clancy and Adolphs, 2011). Thus, pragmatics provides, as Christie (2000: 29) maintains, ‘a theoretical framework that can account for the relationship between the cultural setting, the language user, the linguistic choices the user makes, and the factors that underlie those choices’.
Effort – What is it, How Should it be Measured?
Authors: Bigler Erin D.
Published: June 2011

(JINS, 2011, 17, 751–752)
Not in Our Right Minds: The Implications of Reason and Passion in the Law
Authors: Warrick Catherine
Published: June 2011

In this study, an examination of the legal treatment of “crimes of passion” points to important gendered aspects of the construction of both reason and passion in the law. In crimes of passion, criminal responsibility is mitigated because the perpetrator was in the grip of a strong emotion – in other words, not in his or her right mind. The legal concept of passion is, therefore, society's formal recognition of the limits of reason as a basis for social behavior.

Feminist scholarship has long argued that reason in law is not neutral but reflects dominant social interests. Less attention has been given to passion as reason's recognized opposite. It might be expected that the law's partial toleration of passion would privilege different interests. But this is not the case; in effect, although passion is reason's opposite, its construction in law reflects the same dominant values. Recent efforts to eradicate gender disparities in criminal law have led to some reconsideration of the construction of reason and the recognition of passion in some systems.