bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electronic behavior of superconducting SmFeAsO0.75
Authors: Sun Y. , Ding Y. , Zheng B. C. , Shi Z. X. , Ren Z. A.
Published: April 2011

High-quality polycrystalline SmFeAsO0.75 was synthesized with a superconducting transition width less than 1 K, and the electronic behavior was systematically studied by transport and specific heat measurements. An obvious superconducting jump was witnessed, together with a very small normalized superconducting jump, ΔC/γnTc ∼ 0.2, which is much smaller than expected from the BCS theory. A strong temperature-dependent Hall coefficient was found and attributed to the partial gapping of the Fermi surface up to the temperature of 160 K, which was predicted and supported by the emergence of the pseudogap. The charge-carrier density as well as the effective mass were also obtained and discussed in detail.
Analysis of artificial opals by scanning near field optical microscopy
Authors: Barrio J. , Lozano G. , Lamela J. , Lifante G. , Dorado L. A. , Depine R. A. , Jaque F. , Míguez H.
Published: April 2011

Herein we present a detailed analysis of the optical response of artificial opal films realized employing a near-field scanning optical microscope in collection and transmission modes. Near-field patterns measured at the rear surface when a plane wave impinges on the front face are presented with the finding that optical intensity maps present a clear correlation with the periodic arrangement of the outer surface. Calculations based on the vector Korringa–Kohn–Rostoker method reproduce the different profiles experimentally observed as well as the response to the polarization of the incident field. These observations constitute the first experimental confirmation of the collective lattice resonances that give rise to the optical response of these three dimensional periodic structures in the high-energy range.
Dysprosium-saving improvement of coercivity in Nd-Fe-B sintered magnets by Dy2S3 additions
Authors: Gabay A. M. , Marinescu M. , Li W. F. , Liu J. F. , Hadjipanayis G. C.
Published: April 2011

Dysprosium-added sintered magnets were prepared from blends of Nd15.5(Fe,Co,Ga)78.2B6.3 and Dy2S3 powders; their microstructure and magnetic properties were compared to those of the magnets made with Dy2O3 additions or from single (Nd,Dy)-(Fe,Co,Ga)-B alloys. The addition of Dy2S3 leads to replacement of the neodymium oxide phases in the sintered magnets by the Nd2O2S and NdS phases. The magnets prepared with both the Dy2S3 and Dy2O3 powders exhibited inhomogeneous distribution of Dy within the (Nd,Dy)2Fe14B grains with Dy-rich outer grain regions. However, in a marked difference from the Dy2O3-added and single-alloy magnets, where the grain-boundary oxide phases were Dy-rich, the magnets prepared with Dy2S3 had their sulfur-containing grain-boundary phases depleted of Dy. With the larger fraction of Dy atoms available for alloying the main (Nd,Dy)2Fe14B phase, the magnets prepared with Dy2S3 showed the largest coercivity gain per 1 at.% of the added Dy.
Observation of nonspherical particle behaviors for continuous shape-based separation using hydrodynamic filtration
Authors: Sugaya Sari , Yamada Masumi , Seki Minoru
Published: April 2011

Selection of particles or cells of specific shapes from a complex mixture is an essential procedure for various biological and industrial applications, including synchronization of the cell cycle, classification of environmental bacteria, and elimination of aggregates from synthesized particles. Here, we investigate the separation behaviors of nonspherical and spherical particles/cells in the hydrodynamic filtration (HDF) scheme, which was previously developed for continuous size-dependent particle/cell separation. Nonspherical particle models were prepared by coating the hemisphere of spherical polymer particles with a thin Au layer and by bonding the Janus particles to form twins and triplets resembling dividing and aggregating cells, respectively. High-speed imaging revealed a difference in the separation behaviors of spherical and nonspherical particles at a branch point; nonspherical particles showed rotation behavior and did not enter the branch channel even when their minor axis was smaller than the virtual width of the flow region entering the branch channel, w1. The confocal-laser high-speed particle intensity velocimetry system visualized the flow profile inside the HDF microchannel, demonstrating that the steep flow-velocity distribution at the branch point is the main factor causing the rotation behavior of nonspherical particles. As applications, we successfully separated spherical and nonspherical particles with various major/minor lengths and also demonstrated the selection of budding/single cells from a yeast cell mixture. We therefore conclude that the HDF scheme can be used for continuous shape-based particle/cell separation.
A new scaling for the streamwise turbulence intensity in wall-bounded turbulent flows and what it tells us about the “outer” peak
Authors: Alfredsson P. Henrik , Segalini Antonio , Örlü Ramis
Published: April 2011

One recent focus of experimental studies of turbulence in high Reynolds number wall-bounded flows has been the scaling of the root mean square of the fluctuating streamwise velocity, but progress has largely been impaired by spatial resolution effects of hot-wire sensors. For the near-wall peak, recent results seem to have clarified the controversy; however, one of the remaining issues in this respect is the emergence of a second (so-called outer) peak at high Reynolds numbers. The present letter introduces a new scaling of the local turbulence intensity profile, based on the diagnostic plot by Alfredsson and Örlü [Eur. J. Mech. B/Fluids 42, 403 (2010)], which predicts the location and amplitude of the “outer” peak and suggests its presence as a question of sufficiently large scale separation.
Topography and near-field image measurement of soft biological samples in liquid by using a tuning fork based bent optical-fiber sensor
Authors: Kwon Sangjin , Jeong Sungho , Kang Yongseok
Published: April 2011

The fabrication of a tuning fork based bent optical-fiber sensor and its application for topography and near-field image measurement of soft biological samples in physiological solution are reported. By adopting the bent optical fiber and tuning fork feedback scheme, the possibility of signal interference with stray light is minimized, which is especially important for near-field applications. From the measured tuning fork amplitude and its calibration with the preamplifier output voltage, it was determined that the interaction force between the fiber tip and a soft sample in liquid needs to be controlled within approximately 10 nN level and that the image quality depends sensitively to the interaction force. The results of topography measurements of fixed COS-7 and MCF-7 cells in phosphate buffered saline and of the near-field imaging of red blood cell also in phosphate buffered saline with a resolution of about 100 nm are presented.
Precise ab initio calculations of the 3d transition-metal clusters: Sc2
Authors: Kaplan Ilya G. , Miranda Ulises
Published: April 2011

The ground ${}^5\Sigma _u^ -$5Σu− state of Sc2 was studied by the valence multireference configuration interaction method with single and double excitations plus Davidson correction (MRCISD(+Q)) at the complete basis set limit. The calculations were made under C2v symmetry restrictions, which allowed us to obtain at the dissociation limit the Sc atoms in different states (in all previous studies of Sc2 the D2h symmetry group was employed). From the Mulliken population analysis and energy calculations follows that in the ground state Sc2 dissociates in one Sc in the ground state and the other in the second excited quartet state, 4Fu. The corrected parameters of the ground potential curve are the following: Re = 5.2 bohr, De = 50.37 kcal/mol, and ωe = 234.5 cm-1. The dissociation energy in respect to the dissociation on two Sc in the ground states was estimated as De = 9.98 kcal/mol.
Mehrjui's Social Comedy and the Representation of the Nation in the Age of Globalization
Authors: Esfandiary Shahab
Published: April 2011

Despite being one of the pioneers of Iranian cinema's “new wave” in the 1960s, Daryush Mehrjui has maintained his position in the cinema as an influential filmmaker. He is still capable of making films which are both popular with public audiences and highly acclaimed by Iranian critics. Mehmaneh Maman (Mum's Guests), a social comedy he made in 2004, is one such film which has received little critical attention outside Iran. In this paper, the representation of “the nation” in Mum's Guests and the latter film's reception by local critics is contrasted with that of Ejareh Neshinha (The Lodgers, 1986); another popular social comedy which Mehrjui made almost two decades earlier. This comparison aims to examine the differences between the two films in the light of theories of postmodernism and globalization. It is argued that Mehrjui's representation of the nation in Mum's Guests demonstrates a more conscious acknowledgment of differences based on class, gender, ethnicity and religion; and a more inclusive approach to marginalized sections of Iranian society. The collapse of boundaries between “the local” and “the global,” as well as that of “high-art” and “low-art” are other key elements of Mehrjui's more recent film. The two films also differ in terms of their portrayal of themes such as happiness and solidarity, political/ideological conflict, and science and consumerism, which are explained with reference to the impact and consequences of globalization.
The effect of artificial boundary grain on the magneto- and electro-transport properties of (1 − x)La0.7Ca0.3MnO3+xA (A=Al2O3 and Ag) nanocomposite
Authors: Phong Pham Thanh , Nguyen Luu Huu , Manh Do Hung , Thanh Tran Dang , Khiem Nguyen Van , Hong Le Van , Phuc Nguyen Xuan
Published: April 2011

The magneto- and electro-transport properties of two series of nanocrystalline (1−x)La
0.7
Ca
0.3
MnO
3+x
A (A: Al
2
O
3 and Ag) composites have been systematically and thoroughly studied. The observed electronic transport behavior over the whole temperature range (5–300 K), especially the change in metal–insulator transition temperature with increasing Al
2
O
3 and Ag content while the ferromagnetic–paramagnetic transition remained unaffected, was explained by applying a two-component phenomenological model. We have attributed the unusual low-temperature resistivity upturn of composites to a change in charging energy. Most interestingly, magneto-transport measurements showed that the low-field magnetoresistance (LFMR), as well as the high-field magnetoresistance (HFMR), displayed a Curie–Weiss-like law behavior. Basing on the spin-polarized transport of conduction electrons at the grain boundaries, we have analyzed our experimental data and found that the temperature dependence of low- and high-field magnetoresistance is controlled predominantly by the nature of the temperature response of surface magnetization of particles. The competition between grain-boundary pinning strength (k), magnetic field and thermal energy (k

B

T) created the temperature sensitive behavior of magnetoresistance as well as that of surface spin susceptibility (χ
b
).
Scc2 regulates gene expression by recruiting cohesin to the chromosome as a transcriptional activator during yeast meiosis
Authors: Lin Weiqiang , Jin Hui , Liu Xiuwen , Hampton Kristin , Yu Hong-Guo
Published: April 2011

To tether sister chromatids, a protein-loading complex, including Scc2, recruits cohesin to the chromosome at discrete loci. Cohesin facilitates the formation of a higher-order chromosome structure that could also influence gene expression. How cohesin directly regulates transcription remains to be further elucidated. We report that in budding yeast Scc2 is required for sister-chromatid cohesion during meiosis for two reasons. First, Scc2 is required for activating the expression of REC8, which encodes a meiosis-specific cohesin subunit; second, Scc2 is necessary for recruiting meiotic cohesin to the chromosome to generate sister-chromatid cohesion. Using a heterologous reporter assay, we have found that Scc2 increases the activity of its target promoters by recruiting cohesin to establish an upstream cohesin-associated region in a position-dependent manner. Rec8-associated meiotic cohesin is required for the full activation of the REC8 promoter, revealing that cohesin has a positive feedback on transcriptional regulation. Finally, we provide evidence that chromosomal binding of cohesin is sufficient for target-gene activation during meiosis. Our data support a noncanonical role for cohesin as a transcriptional activator during cell differentiation.
An Innovative Approach for Building Health Promotion Program Capacity: A Generic Volunteer Training Curriculum
Authors: Schneider Ellen C. , Altpeter Mary , Whitelaw Nancy
Published: April 2011

Purpose: We examined the feasibility of creating a generic training curriculum for volunteers in health promotion programs for older adults by identifying common core content topics across 10 national programs. We also considered additional material that could augment common core content topics. Design and Methods: We reviewed in detail program manuals and associated materials from 10 national evidence-based or best practice health promotion programs for older adults that use volunteers. In Phase I, we created a spreadsheet matrix to track and tabulate the frequency of inclusion of elements across all 10 programs. We arrayed elements under appropriate topics, and program administrators reviewed and verified the information. In Phase II, we reviewed the matrix for comprehensiveness and added elements to augment the identified core topics. Program administrators again reviewed the matrix to ensure accuracy. Results: We found 67 elements of core content across 50% or more of the reviewed health promotion programs. We added 17 elements to enhance curriculum comprehensiveness; these included elements that were (a) in less than 50% of the reviewed programs but recommended by research staff, (b) introduced by research staff, or (c) recommended by program administrators. Implications: Although there are many steps, questions, and issues yet to consider, our findings identify a significant body of general core content that supports the feasibility of creating a generic training curriculum for volunteers as an approach to enhance capacity in evidence-based or best practice health promotion programs.
Characterization of herring populations west of the British Isles: an investigation of mixing based on otolith microchemistry
Authors: Geffen Audrey J. , Nash Richard D. M. , Dickey-Collas Mark
Published: April 2011

Geffen, A. J., Nash, R. D. M., and Dickey-Collas, M. 2011. Characterization of herring populations west of the British Isles: an investigation of mixing based on otolith microchemistry. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 68: 1447–1458. Herring along the west coast of the British Isles are managed and assessed as a series of discrete stocks. The relationship between the spawning components, mixed (feeding) aggregations, and juveniles in nursery areas for these stocks was modelled by discriminant analysis and integrated stock mixture analysis based on otolith elemental composition data. The relative elemental concentrations produced otolith signals corresponding to three main groupings of nursery-ground fish representing the Irish Sea, Scottish sea lochs, and the Minch. There were significant differences among spawning groups in the otolith concentrations of Li, Na, Mg, Mn, Sr, and Ba. Inclusion of length-at-age information improved the classification rates, ranging overall from 35 to 100%. Spawning groups consist of individuals from a number of different nursery areas and originate from several different management areas. Each of the mixed aggregations contained at least three spawning components. Results suggest that most west coast herring belong to interconnected populations subject to mixing and that populations are not discrete, so the current practice of assessments based on individual spawning components will probably not provide sufficiently robust information for management advice. The complexity of herring populations needs to be considered for both fisheries and coastal-zone management.
Rediscovery and genomic characterization of bovine astroviruses
Authors: Tse Herman , Chan Wan-Mui , Tsoi Hoi-Wah , Fan Rachel Y. Y. , Lau Candy C. Y. , Lau Susanna K. P. , Woo Patrick C. Y. , Yuen Kwok-Yung
Published: April 2011

The genus Mamastrovirus belongs to the family Astroviridae and consists of at least six members infecting different mammalian hosts, including humans, cattle and pigs. In recent years, novel astroviruses have been identified in other mammalian species like roe deer, bats and sea lions. While the bovine astrovirus was one of the earliest astroviruses to have been studied, no further research has been performed recently and its genome sequence remains uncharacterized. In this report, we describe the detection and genomic characterization of astroviruses in bovine faecal specimens obtained in Hong Kong. Five of 209 specimens were found to be positive for astrovirus by RT-PCR. Two of the positive specimens were found to contain sequences from two different astrovirus strains. Complete genome sequences of approximately 6.3 kb in length were obtained for four strains, which showed similar organization of the genome compared to other astroviruses. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed their identities as members of the genus Mamastrovirus, and showed them to be most closely related to the Capreolus capreolus astrovirus. Based on the pairwise genetic distances among their full-length ORF2 sequences, these bovine astroviruses may be assigned into at least three different genotype species. Sequence analysis revealed evidence of potential recombination in ORF2. In summary, we report the first genome sequences of bovine astroviruses and clearly establish the species status of the virus. Additionally, our study is among the first to report co-infection by different astrovirus genotypes in the same host, which is an essential step for recombination to occur.
Rearrangements of mycoreovirus 1 S1, S2 and S3 induced by the multifunctional protein p29 encoded by the prototypic hypovirus Cryphonectria hypovirus 1 strain EP713
Authors: Tanaka Toru , Sun Liying , Tsutani Kouhei , Suzuki Nobuhiro
Published: April 2011

Mycoreovirus 1 (MyRV1), a member of the family Reoviridae possessing a genome consisting of 11 dsRNA segments (S1–S11), infects the chestnut blight fungus and reduces its virulence (hypovirulence). Studies have previously demonstrated reproducible induction of intragenic rearrangements of MyRV1 S6 (S6L: almost full-length duplication) and S10 (S10ss: internal deletion of three-quarters of the ORF), mediated by the multifunctional protein p29 encoded by the prototype hypovirus, Cryphonectria hypovirus 1 (CHV1) strain EP713, of the family Hypoviridae with ssRNA genomes. The current study showed that CHV1 p29 also induced rearrangements of the three largest MyRV1 segments, S1, S2 and S3, which encode structural proteins. These rearranged segments involved in-frame extensions of almost two-thirds of the ORFs (S1L, S2L and S3L, respectively), which is rare for a reovirus rearrangement. MyRV1 variants carrying S1L, S2L or S3L always contained S10ss (MyRV1/S1L+S10ss2, MyRV1/S2L+S10ss2 or MyRV1/S3L+S10ss2). Levels of mRNAs for the rearranged and co-existing unaltered genome segments in fungal colonies infected with each of the MyRV1 variants appeared to be comparable to those for the corresponding normal segments in wild-type MyRV1-infected colonies, suggesting that the rearranged segments were fully competent for packaging and transcription. Protein products of the rearranged segments were detectable in fungal colonies infected with S2L MyRV1/S2L+S10ss2 and S3L MyRV1/S3L+S10ss2, whilst S1L-encoded protein remained undetectable. S1L, S2L and S3L were associated with enhancement of the aerial hyphae growth rate. This study has provided additional examples of MyRV1 intragenic rearrangements induced by p29, and suggests that normal S1, S2 and S3 are required for the symptoms caused by MyRV1.
Initial elemental analysis by X-ray crystallography
Authors: Feng Jianglin
Published: April 2011

A method is proposed for the initial identification of non-hydrogen atomic species in a crystal from X-ray diffraction intensities when the chemical composition is not available. When atom positions are determined, a portion of the scattering factor curve for each atom can be obtained by Fourier synthesis with reflections from concentric shells. From these curves, the atomic number and the isotropic displacement parameter for all non-H atoms, and the scaling constant of the structure factors, can be approximately determined.
Interleukin‐27 enhances the production of tumour necrosis factor‐α and interferon‐γ by bone marrow T lymphocytes in aplastic anaemia
Authors: Li Jianping , Zhao Qinjun , Xing Wen , Feng Jianming , Wu Hao , Li Huiyuan , Ge Meili , Tian Kun , Li Xingxin , Zhou Jianfeng , Liu Bin , Zhang Lei , Zheng Yizhou , Han Zhong C.
Published: April 2011

Aplastic anaemia (AA) is considered as an immune‐mediated bone marrow failure syndrome. The mechanism is involved with a variety of immune molecules including interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ), tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and interleukins (ILs). IL‐27 is a novel member of the IL‐12 family, which mediates T cell response and enhances the production of IFN‐γ. However, little is known about the role of IL‐27 in the development of AA. This study investigated the role of IL‐27 and its receptor IL‐27R in the pathogenesis of AA. Both the mRNA expression of IL‐27/IL‐27R subunits in the bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNCs) and the levels of IL‐27 in the marrow plasma in AA were found to be higher than in controls. Increased IL‐27 correlated with the disease severity of AA. Subsequently, we stimulated marrow T lymphocytes with recombinant human (rh)IL‐27 and found that rhIL‐27 enhanced the production of TNF‐α and IFN‐γ in both CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes from AA patients. We also detected increased TNF‐α and IFN‐γ in the supernatants of BMMNCs from AA patients after IL‐27 stimulation. In conclusion, our data suggest that elevated IL‐27 and IL‐27‐induced TNF‐α and IFN‐γ overproduction might be involved in the pathogenesis of AA.
The impact of foster children's behavioural problems on Flemish foster mothers' parenting behaviour
Authors: Vanderfaeillie Johan , Van Holen Frank , Trogh Lenny , Andries C.
Published: April 2011

Foster children often have behavioural problems. Behavioural problems influence the level of parenting stress and can lead to a breakdown. In this study, parenting behaviour of foster mothers is mapped, and the influence of behavioural problems and parenting stress on the parenting behaviour 2 years later is examined. Data of behavioural problems, family stress and parenting were gathered from 49 foster mothers. Problem behaviour has a direct negative impact on parenting and leads to less support and more negative control. It also results in more parenting stress. Foster parents need to be trained aiming at preventing ineffective parenting. The well‐being of foster parents needs to be guarded. Higher levels of parenting stress lead to less effective parenting.
Temperature effects on forest herbs assessed by warming and transplant experiments along a latitudinal gradient
Authors: De FRENNE PIETER , BRUNET JÖRG , SHEVTSOVA ANNA , KOLB ANNETTE , GRAAE BENTE J , CHABRERIE OLIVIER , COUSINS SARA AO , DECOCQ GUILLAUME , De SCHRIJVER AN , DIEKMANN MARTIN , GRUWEZ ROBERT , HEINKEN THILO , HERMY MARTIN , NILSSON CHRISTER , STANTON SHARON , TACK WESLEY , WILLAERT JUSTIN , VERHEYEN KRIS
Published: April 2011

Slow‐colonizing forest understorey plants are probably not able to rapidly adjust their distribution range following large‐scale climate change. Therefore, the acclimation potential to climate change within their actual occupied habitats will likely be key for their short‐ and long‐term persistence. We combined transplant experiments along a latitudinal gradient with open‐top chambers to assess the effects of temperature on phenology, growth and reproductive performance of multiple populations of slow‐colonizing understorey plants, using the spring flowering geophytic forbAnemone nemorosaand the early summer flowering grassMilium effusumas study species. In both species, emergence time and start of flowering clearly advanced with increasing temperatures. Vegetative growth (plant height, aboveground biomass) and reproductive success (seed mass, seed germination and germinable seed output) ofA. nemorosabenefited from higher temperatures. Climate warming may thus increase future competitive ability and colonization rates of this species. Apart from the effects on phenology, growth and reproductive performance ofM. effusumgenerally decreased when transplanted southwards (e.g., plant size and number of individuals decreased towards the south) and was probably more limited by light availability in the south. Specific leaf area of both species increased when transplanted southwards, but decreased with open‐top chamber installation inA. nemorosa. In general, individuals of both species transplanted at the home site performed best, suggesting local adaptation. We conclude that contrasting understorey plants may display divergent plasticity in response to changing temperatures which may alter future understorey community dynamics.
Conceptual framework for cognitive function enhancement in people with dementia
Authors: Cheung Daphne SK , Chien Wai T , Lai Claudia KY
Published: April 2011

Aim.  This aim of this study is to propose a conceptual framework for guiding interventions to enhance the cognitive function of people with dementia.

Background.  Few studies have been published on non‐pharmacological approaches with a conceptual framework for an intervention to enhance cognitive function. The Progressive Lowered Stress Threshold model is one of the useful theoretical models for predicting the occurrence of dysfunctional behaviour in people with dementia. Based on the theoretical assertion of the Progressive Lowered Stress Threshold model and empirical findings on the relationship of anxiety and depression with cognitive function, an expanded model is proposed.

Design.  Discursive paper.

Method.  Literature regarding stress and anxiety in people with dementia was reviewed and critically analysed, and then integrated into the Progressive Lowered Stress Threshold Model. With careful considerations about the relationships between the variables indicated in the Model and the evidences and limitations suggested in the literature reviewed, an expanded model has been proposed, which may guide the development of non‐pharmacological intervention for promoting cognitive functions of people with dementia. Recommendations or implications for practice have been given.

Conclusion.  There are three commonly used models in dementia care, including the biomedical, behavioural and Progressively Lowered Stress Threshold model. Their uses and weaknesses are given. An expanded model is suggested, and explanations are provided with regard to its merits in guiding the development of interventions for people with dementia. Further testing on this model is suggested.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Cognitive function and dysfunctional behaviour are the major concerns of caregivers of dementia patients. Interventions that can alleviate the symptoms and enhance cognition are likely to improve the well‐being of patients and their caregivers. This purposed model can guide the development of interventions.
Improving our understanding of the colicky infant: a prospective observational study
Authors: Kvitvær Bente G , Miller Joyce , Newell David
Published: April 2011

Aim.  To investigate characteristics differentially associated with infants suffering from colicky‐crying vs. other infants.

Background.  The crying baby is the most common presentation in every clinician’s office in the first 16 weeks of life. As little agreement exists in the literature, attempts to establish differential diagnosis, aetiology, incidence, risk factors and natural progression in addition to appropriate intervention guidelines are urgently needed.

Design.  Prospective observational study.

Subjects.  Infants ≤12 months, 159 colicky and 27 non‐colicky infants (n = 186) from whom complete data sets were collected.

Methods.  Parents of infants presented to the clinic completed questionnaires of their infant’s characteristics. The data were analysed using logistic regression.

Results.  Symptoms supporting the diagnosis of colicky‐crying infants included ‘child flexes/curls legs’, ‘child has difficulty/discomfort on bowel movement’, ‘child is more irritable postfeeding’, ‘child is more irritable when put into cot’, ‘child appears in pain’, ‘child wants frequent cuddling’, ‘family allergy/asthma’ and ‘child changes from happy to crying in an instant’. A nomogram illustrated if a mother suggests colic as a diagnosis and the infant has the symptoms supporting the diagnosis, then the chances of being a colicky infant rise from the initial prevalence 85% to approximately 98%. If the symptoms are not present, the chances of being a colicky infant drop from 85% to around 3%.

Conclusion.  Because the literature lacks consensus regarding a gold standard for the diagnosis of the colicky‐crying infant, these findings may offer help to the health care practitioner when faced with an excessively crying infant.

Relevance to clinical practice.  It has been hypothesised that there may be multiple reasons for excessive crying in an infant. It is necessary to differentiate between the types of crying infants that present to the clinician to determine the best course of action.
Social marketing self‐esteem: a socio‐medical approach to high‐risk and skin tone alteration activities
Authors: Karelas Gregory D.
Published: April 2011

This paper proposes social marketing as a tool to build individual self‐esteem and thus prevent the uptake of activities that pose risk to health. Evidence supporting this approach can be drawn from pioneer social marketing campaigns of the last 30 years that successfully addressed the prevention, treatment and stigmatization of skin cancer and leprosy with a fraction of the communication and media tools available today. Focusing primarily on the practices of skin tanning and lightening, this paper builds on studies that validate the ties between self‐esteem and behavior, and addresses popular conceptions of skin color as drivers for individual behavior.
Collaboration with traditional health practitioners in the provision of skin care for all in Africa
Authors: Ryan Terence J. , Hirt Hans‐Martin , Willcox Merlin
Published: April 2011

The Task force for Skin Care for All: Community Dermatology seeks to meet WHO objectives, to draw attention to the role of Traditional Health Practitioners and to develop integrated skin care. In many African countries patients will first use traditional medicine to treat skin diseases. Many traditional practices are beneficial but some are harmful. The Task Force recommends education of traditional and modern health practitioners to improve collaboration, safety and efficacy. Thereby, it aims to improve skin care and to reinforce the best practices.
Association of the PTPN22 gene polymorphism with autoantibody positivity in Turkish rheumatoid arthritis patients
Authors: Ates A. , Karaaslan Y. , Karatayli E. , Ertuğrul E. , Aksaray S. , Türkyilmaz A. , Özet G.
Published: April 2011

The PTPN22 C1858T gene polymorphism has been recently reported to be associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in European and North American ancestry. In contrast, the frequency of PTPN22 C1858T polymorphism is extremely rare in Asian and African populations. As the genetic heterogeneity between populations is clearly present in RA, we wanted to investigate whether the PTPN22 C1858T polymorphism is associated with RA in Turkey and with autoantibody positivity. A total of 323 RA patients and 426 healthy controls were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism for the PTPN22 C1858T polymorphism (rs2476601). The frequencies of heterozygote genotype (CT) were 8.4% in RA patients and 5.4% in the healthy controls, respectively [odds ratio (OR): 1.6, P = 0.14]. The homozygote genotype (T/T) was absent in both RA patients and the healthy controls. When compared with the healthy controls, we found the significant associations between the frequency of PTPN22 heterozygote (CT) polymorphism and RA patients with RF positivity and anti‐CCP positivity, respectively (OR: 2.05, P = 0.04 and OR: 2.1, P = 0.03, respectively). Our study suggests that the PTPN22 C1858T polymorphism acts as a susceptibility gene for autoantibody‐positive RA in Turkey.
Pantoea agglomerans pneumonia in a heart–lung transplant recipient: case report and a review of an emerging pathogen in immunocompromised hosts
Authors: Shubov A. , Jagannathan P. , Chin‐Hong P.V.
Published: April 2011

A. Shubov, P. Jagannathan, P. V. Chin‐Hong. Pantoea agglomerans pneumonia in a heart–lung transplant recipient: case report and a review of an emerging pathogen in immunocompromised hosts. Transpl Infect Dis 2011. All rights reserved

Abstract: Pantoea agglomerans is a gram‐negative rod that is frequently found on the exterior of many plants, fruits, vegetables, and in soil, and it is used as a biopesticide in the agriculture industry. Recent reports have implicated P. agglomerans in systemic infections of immunocompromised hosts and neonates, as well as more localized infections in healthy hosts. P. agglomerans as a cause of hospital‐acquired pneumonia has not been well characterized. We report a case of P. agglomerans pneumonia in a heart–lung transplant recipient following transplantation. The organism was susceptible to multiple antimicrobial agents and treated successfully with ertapenem. We review the patient's course and the relevant literature, and discuss implications for the future.
The bacterial biogeography of British soils
Authors: Griffiths Robert I. , Thomson Bruce C. , James Phillip , Bell Thomas , Bailey Mark , Whiteley Andrew S.
Published: April 2011

Despite recognition of the importance of soil bacteria to terrestrial ecosystem functioning there is little consensus on the factors regulating belowground biodiversity. Here we present a multi‐scale spatial assessment of soil bacterial community profiles across Great Britain (> 1000 soil cores), and show the first landscape scale map of bacterial distributions across a nation. Bacterial diversity and community dissimilarities, assessed using terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism, were most strongly related to soil pH providing a large‐scale confirmation of the role of pH in structuring bacterial taxa. However, while α diversity was positively related to pH, the converse was true for β diversity (between sample variance in α diversity). β diversity was found to be greatest in acidic soils, corresponding with greater environmental heterogeneity. Analyses of clone libraries revealed the pH effects were predominantly manifest at the level of broad bacterial taxonomic groups, with acidic soils being dominated by few taxa (notably the group 1 Acidobacteria and Alphaproteobacteria). We also noted significant correlations between bacterial communities and most other measured environmental variables (soil chemistry, aboveground features and climatic variables), together with significant spatial correlations at close distances. In particular, bacterial and plant communities were closely related signifying no strong evidence that soil bacteria are driven by different ecological processes to those governing higher organisms. We conclude that broad scale surveys are useful in identifying distinct soil biomes comprising reproducible communities of dominant taxa. Together these results provide a baseline ecological framework with which to pursue future research on both soil microbial function, and more explicit biome based assessments of the local ecological drivers of bacterial biodiversity.
Applying the Strategic‐Relational Approach to Urban Political Ecology: The Water Management Problems of the Baixada Fluminense, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Authors: Ioris Antonio Augusto Rossotto
Published: April 2011

Abstract:  The complexity of water management requires an explanatory framework that is able to capture the multidimensionality of the relations between nature and society increasingly mediated by the state. The evolution of water problems in the Baixada Fluminense, a wetland area situated to the north of Rio de Janeiro, provides a paradigmatic example of how water management becomes incorporated into the fluid politics between state, nature and society. The local experience is examined by making use of the strategic‐relational approach (after Bob Jessop) expanded to urban political ecology. The concept of “trialectics” is proposed as an ontological representation of the interconnections between the state apparatus, class‐based relations and the socionatural elements of the water cycle. The empirical results show that, in a situation of precarious water supply, regular flooding and severe river degradation, state interventions have tended to favour certain groups and areas, which only intensifies the politicisation of water management.
Fast Mean‐Curvature Flow via Finite‐Elements Tracking
Authors: Chuang Ming , Kazhdan Michael
Published: April 2011

In this paper, we present a novel approach for efficiently evolving meshes using mean‐curvature flow. We use a finite‐elements hierarchy that supports an efficient multigrid solver for performing the semi‐implicit time‐stepping. Although expensive to compute, we show that it is possible to track this hierarchy through the process of surface evolution. As a result, we provide a way to efficiently flow the surface through the evolution, without requiring a costly initialization at the beginning of each time‐step. Using our approach, we demonstrate a factor of nearly seven‐fold improvement over the non‐tracking implementation, supporting the evolution of surfaces consisting of 1M triangles at a rate of just a few seconds per update.
A Survey of Image Statistics Relevant to Computer Graphics
Authors: Pouli Tania , Cunningham Douglas W. , Reinhard Erik
Published: April 2011

The statistics of natural images have attracted the attention of researchers in a variety of fields and have been used as a means to better understand the human visual system and its processes. A number of algorithms in computer graphics, vision and image processing take advantage of such statistical findings to create visually more plausible results. With this report we aim to review the state of the art in image statistics and discuss existing and potential applications within computer graphics and related areas.
Non‐Linear Beam Tracing on a GPU
Authors: Liu Baoquan , Wei Li‐Yi , Yang Xu , Ma Chongyang , Xu Ying‐Qing , Guo Baining , Wu Enhua
Published: April 2011

Beam tracing combines the flexibility of ray tracing and the speed of polygon rasterization. However, beam tracing so far only handles linear transformations; thus, it is only applicable to linear effects such as planar mirror reflections but not to non‐linear effects such as curved mirror reflection, refraction, caustics and shadows. In this paper, we introduce non‐linear beam tracing to render these non‐linear effects. Non‐linear beam tracing is highly challenging because commodity graphics hardware supports only linear vertex transformation and triangle rasterization. We overcome this difficulty by designing a non‐linear graphics pipeline and implementing it on top of a commodity GPU. This allows beams to be non‐linear where rays within the same beam do not have to be parallel or intersect at a single point. Using these non‐linear beams, real‐time GPU applications can render secondary rays via polygon streaming similar to how they render primary rays. A major strength of this methodology is that it naturally supports fully dynamic scenes without the need to pre‐store a scene database. Utilizing our approach, non‐linear ray tracing effects can be rendered in real‐time on a commodity GPU under a unified framework.
LABOR MARKET INSTITUTIONS AND MACROECONOMIC VOLATILITY IN A PANEL OF OECD COUNTRIES
Authors: Rumler Fabio , Scharler Johann
Published: April 2011

In this paper we analyze empirically how labor market institutions influence business cycle volatility in a sample of 20 OECD countries. Our results suggest that countries characterized by high union density tend to experience more volatile movements in output, whereas the degree of coordination of the wage bargaining system and the strictness of employment protection legislation appear to be only of limited importance. We also find some evidence suggesting that highly coordinated wage bargaining systems have a dampening impact on inflation volatility.
RICH STATES, POOR STATES: CONVERGENCE AND POLARISATION IN INDIA
Authors: Bandyopadhyay Sanghamitra
Published: April 2011

The distribution dynamics of incomes across Indian states are examined using the entire income distribution. Unlike standard regression approaches this approach allows us to identify specific distributional characteristics such as polarisation and stratification. The period between 1965 and 1997 exhibits the formation of two convergence clubs: one at 50% and another at 125% of the national average income. Income disparities across the states declined over the 1960s and then increased from the 1970s to the nineties. Conditioning exercises reveal that the observed polarisation is associated with the disparate distribution of infrastructure. In particular, education, the extent of irrigation and literacy are found to be associated with the formation of the lower convergence club.
Patterns of linguistic variation among Glaswegian adolescent males1
Authors: Lawson Robert
Published: April 2011

This article presents the results of an ethnographically informed sociolinguistic investigation of Glaswegian Vernacular and examines the intersection between language and identity using data collected from a group of working‐class adolescent males, over the course of three years, from a high school in the south side of Glasgow, Scotland, called Banister Academy. Through the fine‐grained acoustic analysis of the phonetic variable cat (equivalent to the trap/bath/palm set, Johnston 1997), coupled with ethnographic observations, this article shows how patterns of variation are related to Community of Practice membership, how the members of the Communities of Practice in Banister Academy use linguistic and social resources to differentiate themselves from one another, and how certain patterns of variation acquire social meaning within the peer‐group. This article contributes to the under‐researched area of adolescent male language use and offers one of the first ethnographically supported accounts of linguistic variation in Glasgow.
Inside Luciano Berio's Serialism
Authors: NEIDHÖFER CHRISTOPH
Published: April 2011

Like many other composers who later distanced themselves from serialism, Luciano Berio (1925–2003) embraced its principles in the 1950s and beyond. While Berio's early serial techniques from the Due pezzi of 1951 to Nones of 1954 are well known, his subsequent serial practice is still little understood for three principal reasons: in his writings and interviews Berio provided only limited information on his serial works; it is very difficult to decipher Berio's later complex serial techniques from the published scores alone; and only one sketch survives for any of his serial works from 1951 to 1958 (for Allelujah I, 1955–6).

Following a brief examination of the integral serialism in Nones (whose principles have been known for some time thanks to an analytical note by Berio), the present study investigates the serial techniques deployed in the Quartetto per archi (1955–6) and Allelujah I. Berio's serial materials are reconstructed with the help of distributional analyses and from an historical angle that has been little explored thus far: the influence of Bruno Maderna (1920–1973), Berio's mentor and close collaborator at the Studio di fonologia musicale in Milan.
Reconsidering Messiaen as Serialist
Authors: BENITEZ VINCENT
Published: April 2011

The present study challenges prevailing interpretations of Messiaen's serial practice by arguing that it not only focused on rhythm but also was ongoing, extending far beyond the years (1949–52) in which he supposedly used and then abandoned serial techniques. Messiaen's serial practice emerged from his theological preoccupation with time and eternity and his fascination with number. His temporal ideas and efforts to express them in his music are indebted to the philosophies of Henri Bergson (1859–1941) and Gaston Bachelard (1884–1962). These precepts are examined in the context of several works dating from the 1960s to the 1990s.
Gérard Grisey and the ‘Nature’of Harmony
Authors: HASEGAWA ROBERT
Published: April 2011

Gérard Grisey (1946–1998) was a founder of the influential ‘spectral’ movement. Reacting against the abstractions of serialism, spectral composers derived their musical material from the physics of sound and the mechanisms of aural perception. The present study explores the tensions between Grisey's natural sonic models and their alterations and distortions in his music. One common spectral technique is ‘instrumental synthesis’– the scoring for instrumental ensemble of the partials of a complex natural sound. Instrumental synthesis creates a musical effect which is neither atonal nor tonal in the traditional sense – rather, we can best understand this music as exhibiting an extended tonality based on the upper overtones of the harmonic series. The analysis of this extended tonality calls for new theoretical tools which can account for the complex harmonic relationships between high overtones.

I propose a modification of Hugo Riemann's theory of Tonvorstellung (tone representation): the idea that, given a collection of pitches, we will understand them as connected by the simplest possible just intervals. As a model of harmonicmeaning based on our processes of auditory cognition, tone representation can illuminate the way we hear and understand harmony in a wide variety of works. The theory is demonstrated in a discussion of Sehoenberg's Piano Piece, Op. 11 No. 2, then applied in an analysis of Grisey's Vortex Temporum (1994–6). Sketches for the piece indicate Grisey's use of distorted –‘stretched’ and ‘compressed’– spectra in addition to the familiar harmonic series. Applying my theory of tone representation makes possible a sensitive description of the aural effect of such distorted spectra, rather than the interpretations we frequently find of these sonorities which contradict their natural origins in Grisey's sketches.