bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Beliefs and barriers to medication use in parents of Latino children with asthma
Authors: McQuaid Elizabeth L. , Vasquez Juan , Canino Glorisa , Fritz Gregory K. , Ortega Alexander N. , Colon Angel , Klein Robert B. , Kopel Sheryl J. , Koinis‐Mitchell Daphne , Esteban Cynthia A. , Seifer Ronald
Published: August 2009

Objective:

Disparities in asthma outcomes exist between Latino and non‐Latino white (NLW) children. We examined rates of medication use, medication beliefs, and perceived barriers to obtaining medication in US and island Puerto Rican parents of children with asthma.

Hypotheses:

Island PR parents would report the lowest rates of controller medication use, followed by RI Latino and RI NLW parents; Latino parents would report more medication concerns than NLW parents; and Island PR parents would report the most barriers to medication use.

Study Design:

Five hundred thirty families of children with persistent asthma participated, including 231 Island PR, 111 RI NLW, and 188 RI Latino. Parents completed survey measures.

Results:

Group differences were found on reported use of ICS (X2 = 50.96, P < 0.001), any controller medication (X2 = 56.49, P < 0.001), and oral steroids (X2 = 10.87, P < 0.01). Island PR parents reported a greater frequency of barriers to medication use than the other two groups (X2 = 61.13, P < 0.001). Latino parents in both sites expressed more medication concerns than NLW parents (F = 20.18, P < 0.001). Medication necessity was associated with ICS use in all three groups (all P's < 0.01). Medication concerns were positively associated with ICS use in PR only (OR = 1.64, P < 0.05).

Conclusions:

Differences in medication beliefs and the ability to obtain medications may explain the reported disparity in controller medication use. Further studies are needed to evaluate these obstacles to medication use. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2009; 44:892–898. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Exhaled breath condensate pH and ammonia in cystic fibrosis and response to treatment of acute pulmonary exacerbations
Authors: Newport Sharon , Amin Nikhil , Dozor Allen J.
Published: August 2009

Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) pH reflects the acid–base homeostasis of the airway lining fluid and is up to 3 log order lower in various inflammatory lung diseases including asthma, COPD, bronchiectasis, and cystic fibrosis (CF) than in normal controls. The aim of this study was to confirm this finding in CF and determine if there was a significant change in EBC pH after treatment of an acute pulmonary exacerbation. Ten subjects with CF and a pulmonary exacerbation, and 10 healthy age‐matched control subjects were studied. EBC was collected at the onset of an acute pulmonary exacerbation and after treatment with intravenous antibiotics (median duration: 14 days (interquartile range, IQR): 12–14) when the exacerbation was considered resolved. The median age for CF patients was 15.9 years (IQR: 13–18.8), compared to 18 years (IQR: 15–24.8) for the control group, P = 0.242. All CF subjects had severe lung disease, median FEV1 = 41.5% of predicted (IQR: 30.8–46.5%). Median EBC pH in CF subjects at the onset of a pulmonary exacerbation was 6.61 (IQR: 6.17–7.91) compared to median EBC pH of 8.14 (IQR: 7.45–9.08) in the control group, P < 0.02. Median EBC pH after resolution of an exacerbation was 7.02 (IQR: 5.8–8.64), not significantly different (P = 0.667) than during the acute exacerbation. EBC pH decreased in five subjects, increased in three subjects and there was no change in two subjects. There was no correlation between EBC pH and FEV1 either before or after intravenous antibiotics. EBC ammonia, an important buffer of ASL, was also measured and similarly found to be lower than in normal controls. EBC pH is lower in CF than age‐matched controls, and did not change consistently in response to treatment of an acute pulmonary exacerbation. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2009; 44:866–872. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Correlation between usage of macrolide antibiotic and resistance of Streptococcus pneumoniae clinic isolates from chongqing children's hospital
Authors: Chen Jiong , Liu Lan , Wang Gang , Chen Yuan , Luo Zhengxiu , Huang Ying , Fu Zhou , Yang Yonghong , Liu Enmei
Published: August 2009

To investigate the reasons of growing resistance problem of Streptococcus pneumoniae against macrolide in Chongqing, a retrospective method was employed to measure the minimal inhibition concentrations (MIC) of macrolide antibiotic against 1,210 S. pneumoniae clinic isolates. The defined daily doses (DDDs) of macrolide antibiotic were calculated. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to determine the presence of the erythromycin‐resistant genes in 100 macrolide‐resistant S. pneumoniae isolates. A decrease in macrolide consumption, from 371,100 DDDs in 2002 to 182,500 DDDs in 2005 (51% reduction); however, the rate of erythromycin resistance in S. pneumoniae showed continued increase from 88.0% in 2002 to 96.0% in 2005. No linear correlation was observed between the decline in macrolide consumption and continued increase in resistant rate in S. pneumoniae. In 100 macrolide‐resistant S. pneumoniae isolates, 68 had both erm(B) and mef(A) genotypes, 10 only had the erm(B), 20 only had the mef(A). Co‐existences of ribosomal modification coded by erm(B) gene and efflux effects coded by mef(A) gene were the main resistance mechanism against macrolides and might be attributed to the high drug resistance of S. pneumoniae in Chongqing. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2009; 44:917–921. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Texture formation in epitaxial hard magnetic Sm2Co7 thin films
Authors: Tamm R. , Rao K. S. , Fähler S. , Neu V. , Singh A. , Oertel C.‐G. , Schultz L. , Holzapfel B. , Skrotzki W.
Published: August 2009

The crystallographic and magnetic texture of epitaxial, hard magnetic Sm2Co7 films prepared on Cr‐buffered MgO single‐crystal substrates are analyzed. Substrate symmetry, deposition temperature, and deposition rate are systematically varied, resulting in a variety of different, but epitaxial orientations. On Cr‐buffered MgO(001), Sm2Co7 grows with three different types of orientations: one inplane orientation with the c‐axis aligned in the substrate plane parallel to MgO[100] and [010], and two tilted orientations, where the c‐axes of the Sm2Co7 crystals have a 45° and 60° orientation to the substrate plane. The volume fraction of the tilted orientations decreases with decrease in the Sm2Co7 deposition temperature. A lower limit is given by the epitaxial growth temperature, which is necessary to form a fully crystalline, epitaxial film. This temperature can be reduced by lowering the deposition rate. Thus, almost completely inplane aligned films can be achieved by a low‐rate/low‐temperature deposition. On a Cr‐buffered MgO(011) substrate Sm2Co7 grows with a single orientation, i.e., with the c‐axis aligned onto the substrate plane parallel to MgO[100]. The findings are discussed considering elastic strain minimization, thermodynamics and kinetics of film growth, surface faceting, and Co‐particle formation.
Effects of Fe doping on magnetic and transport properties in Pr0.75Na0.25MnO3
Authors: Li Yu , Cheng Qian , Su Runzhou , Sui Yu , Su Wenhui
Published: August 2009

Single‐phase polycrystalline perovskites Pr0.75Na0.25Mn1−xFexO3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.30) were prepared by a sol–gel technique, which can reduce the volatilization of Na, and avoid the precipitation of manganese oxide. The effects of Fe doping at the Mn site upon the charge and the magnetic order in Pr0.75Na0.25MnO3 have been investigated combining magnetic and transport properties measurements. The results show that for low temperatures long range charge order (CO) is weakened even at doping concentration as low as 2%. The ferromagnetic (FM) fraction increases with increase in the Fe doping for x ≤ 5%, and decreases by further Fe doping. This complex behavior is interpreted in terms of the competition between geometric effect (size of the dopant) and the effect of electronic configuration of the dopant. The steplike metamagnetic transition for the x ≤ 5% samples is observed and the origin is ascribed to the phase transition from CO antiferromagnetic (AFM) phase to FM phase in a phase separation scenario.
Influence of the Hall effect on domain wall mobility in a cylindrical sample with circumferential easy axis
Authors: Kladivová Mária , Ziman Ján
Published: August 2009

The influence of the Hall effect on magnetization reversal was studied in a cylindrical sample with circumferential easy axis of magnetization. It was shown that due to the Hall effect the mobility of the single boundary between adjacent domains with opposite magnetization (“circular” domain wall – cdw) depends on the relative orientation of the current flow and orientation of wall displacement, and that the magnetic field structure on the wall also depends on the Hall effect. The expression for velocity of a single planar cdw was obtained. The mobility of the wall depends on the value of the tangent of the Hall angle β. It was shown that for small values of β the dependence is linear and that the theorems formulated by Berger for “Domain‐drag” effect (DDE) in a rectangular sample are applicable also for the studied cylindrical sample if $|\beta | \ll 1$.
Ultrafast carrier dynamics in semiconductor nanowires
Authors: Prasankumar Rohit P. , Upadhya Prashanth C. , Taylor Antoinette J.
Published: August 2009

Semiconductor nanowires (NWs) are nanostructures with a number of novel optical and electronic properties that offer great promise for applications in areas including nanoelectronics, thermoelectrics, sensing, and nanophotonics. To realize the full potential of these unique nanosystems, however, a deep understanding of their response to optical excitation on a sub‐picosecond time scale is required. Here, we review recent ultrafast optical studies of carrier dynamics in semiconductor NWs. These experiments have been performed on different materials as a function of both intrinsic NW parameters such as diameter and doping as well as experimental parameters including photoexcited carrier density and wavelength. A variety of phenomena, including one‐dimensional (1D) exciton dynamics, rapid carrier trapping at surface and bulk defects, and lasing from an electron‐hole plasma (EHP) have been observed. These first measurements of ultrafast carrier dynamics are a tantalizing hint of the rich physics yet to be discovered in these quasi‐1D systems.

magnified image

Ultrafast optical spectroscopy can track the temporal evolution of carrier populations in semiconductor NWs with femtosecond time resolution.
Inverse shift of absorption peak versus applied dc magnetic field in interlayer exchange‐coupled trilayer ferromagnetic films with inplane uniaxial anisotropy
Authors: Chen Jihong , Chen Jiangwei , Tang Dongming , Zhang Baoshan , Yang Yi , Lu Mu , Lu Huaixian
Published: August 2009

In this paper, we theoretically demonstrate the somewhat novel properties of normally incident microwaves in interlayer exchange‐coupled trilayer ferromagnetic films induced by external dc magnetic fields. It is found that, under suitable conditions, one absorption peak associated with an optic mode may shift inversely versus the applied dc magnetic field in the magnetizations abnormally, which is also attributed to the coexistence of gyrotropy of the permeability tensor, interlayer exchange coupling (IEC), and inhomogeneous exciting fields along the film thickness. This work proposes a feasible way to tailor microwave properties of the multilayer ferromagnetic films by combining the effects of the multiple factors mentioned above.
On the effect of the Poisson's ratio (positive and negative) on the stability of pressure vessel heads
Authors: Ellul Brian , Muscat Martin , Grima Joseph N.
Published: August 2009

Materials with negative Poisson's ratio (auxetic) exhibit an unusual property of expanding when stretched in the direction normal to an applied uniaxial tension and vice versa when compressed, a phenomenon which is known to result in many beneficial effects in the performance of materials in various practical situations. In particular, it has long been suggested that spherical shells made from isotropic materials having Poisson's ratio less than −0.5 exhibit enhanced resistance to buckling as a result of externally applied normal pressure. This work uses finite elements (FEs) modelling to assess the behaviour of various spherical, torispherical and ellipsoidal shells when they are subjected to external (in all cases) or internal (in the case of torispherical and ellipsoidal shells) pressures. We find that to a first approximation, the critical buckling pressures scale linearly with (1 − ν2)−1/2 thus suggesting that the critical buckling pressures tends to infinity as ν tends to −1, this being in accordance to what was known for spherical shells. We also find that the Poisson's ratio has an effect on the amplitude and the number of buckling wavelengths that occur when the shells buckle.
On the evaluation of Six Sigma projects
Authors: Tkáč M. , Lyócsa Š.
Published: August 2009

Most of the research on the success in implementing Six Sigma agrees upon the fact that one of the key success factors is the selection of profitable projects. This seems to be especially important for high‐risk, large‐scope and long‐term projects, as is mostly the case in the design for Six Sigma projects. The purpose of this paper is to outline Six Sigma project characteristics and to present a new model for evaluating Six Sigma projects. To design a Six Sigma project evaluation model, we utilized mathematical optimization modeling techniques and real options theory. The model allows for the quantification of not only the project's value prior to its start but also its progress and the consideration of possible decisions based on this progress. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Placental size and the prediction of severe early‐onset intrauterine growth restriction in women with low pregnancy‐associated plasma protein‐A
Authors: Proctor L. K. , Toal M. , Keating S. , Chitayat D. , Okun N. , Windrim R. C. , Smith G. C. S. , Kingdom J. C. P.
Published: August 2009

Objectives

Screening studies for trisomy 21 demonstrate that low maternal serum pregnancy‐associated plasma protein‐A (PAPP‐A) at 11–13 weeks' gestation is associated with stillbirth, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and pre‐eclampsia in chromosomally normal fetuses. However, the strength of these associations is too weak to justify screening for these placental insufficiency syndromes. Our objective was to evaluate placental size and uterine artery (UtA) Doppler imaging as second‐stage screening tests for women with low PAPP‐A.

Methods

We prospectively studied 90 normal singleton pregnancies with first‐trimester PAPP‐A ≤ 0.30 multiples of the median. Maternal serum α‐fetoprotein (AFP) at 15–18 weeks' gestation, and second‐trimester placental size and UtA Doppler indices were assessed as predictors of pregnancy outcome.

Results

The risks of IUGR, preterm delivery before 32 weeks' gestation and stillbirth were significantly associated with small placental size (relative risk (RR), 3.96; 95% CI, 2.21–5.98; RR, 3.96; 95% CI, 2.21–5.98; and RR, 6.44, 95% CI, 2.74–14.54, respectively) and elevated AFP (RR, 3.67; 95% CI, 1.78–7.71; RR, 2.48; 95% CI, 1.23–4.94; and RR, 5.14; 95% CI, 1.66–16.85, respectively), but not with abnormal UtA Doppler indices. The combination of elevated AFP and small placental size further increased the risk of IUGR (RR, 4.88; 95% CI, 2.88–5.31), delivery before 32 weeks' gestation (RR, 4.25; 95% CI, 2.38–4.98) and stillbirth (RR, 7.44; 95% CI, 3.04–3.75).

Conclusions

Small placental size and elevated AFP, but not UtA Doppler indices, identify women with low PAPP‐A at high risk of IUGR, extreme preterm delivery and stillbirth. These additional screening tests may directly improve perinatal outcomes in women with low PAPP‐A. Copyright © 2009 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
X‐ray computed microtomography for determination of relationships between structure and breaking of scored tablets
Authors: Sovány T. , Kása P. , Vakli K. , Pintye‐Hódi K.
Published: August 2009

This paper reports on the relationship between the structure and halving properties of scored tablets. The results of the density measurements and structure determination by X‐ray computed microtomography revealed that this analytical technique is very suitable for the investigation of porous structures and aggregates thanks to its noninvasive character. The results of the analyses show that besides various porosities also big differences exist in the arrangement of the particles inside the comprimates. These basic qualitative differences in the structure of tablets prepared with different tablet presses greatly influence their breaking, and must be taken into consideration during the production of dosage forms. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Valence‐Electron‐Driven Ru/Ti Site Preference in the New Ternary Boride Ti10Ru19B8: Synthesis and Single‐Crystal Structure Refinement
Authors: Fokwa Boniface P. T.
Published: August 2009

Powder samples and single crystals of Ti10Ru19B8 were synthesized by arc‐melting the elements in a water‐cooled copper crucible under an argon atmosphere and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and energy‐dispersive X‐ray analysis. The new silver‐like compound crystallizes in the tetragonal system with the Zn11Rh18B8‐type structure [space group P4/mbm, Z = 2; a = 17.591(5) Å, c = 2.9645(13) Å, R1 = 0.0708, wR2 = 0.0992, GooF = 1.047 for all 1266 reflections and 58 parameters]. The interesting characteristic in this new ternary variant is the valence electron driven site‐preferential mixture of both titanium and ruthenium forming ladders along the [001] direction
Synthesis and Characterisation of a New Schiff‐Base‐like Ligand and its Iron(II) Complexes
Authors: Weber Birgit , Obel Jaroslava
Published: August 2009

The reaction of iron(II) acetate with the tetradentate Schiff base like ligand H2L [(E,E)‐[{diethyl 2,2’‐[4,5‐dihydroxy‐1,2‐phenylenebis(iminomethylidyne)]bis3‐oxobutanato}]) leads to the formation of the octahedral N2O4 coordinated complex [FeL(MeOH)2]·MeOH (1). Conversion of 1 with N‐methylimidazole (N‐meim) leads to the N4O2 coordinated complex [FeL(N‐meim)2]·MeOH (2). Both complexes are pure HS compounds that were characterised using magnetic measurements and X‐ray crystallography. A special attention was given to the role of the two hydroxyl groups at the phenyl ring on the formation of a hydrogen bond network and the influence of this network on the magnetic properties.
Predictive Factors for Rebleeding and Death in Alcoholic Cirrhotic Patients with Acute Variceal Bleeding: A Multivariate Analysis
Authors: Krige Jake E. J. , Kotze Urda K. , Distiller Greg , Shaw John M. , Bornman Philippus C.
Published: August 2009

Background

Bleeding from esophageal varices is a leading cause of death in alcoholic cirrhotic patients. The aim of the present single‐center study was to identify risk factors predictive of variceal rebleeding and death within 6 weeks of initial treatment.

Methods

Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed on 310 prospectively documented alcoholic cirrhotic patients with acute variceal hemorrhage (AVH) who underwent 786 endoscopic variceal injection treatments between January 1984 and December 2006. All injections were administered during the first 6 weeks after the patients were treated for their first variceal bleed.

Results

Seventy‐five (24.2%) patients experienced a rebleed, 38 within 5 days of the initial treatment and 37 within 6 weeks of their initial treatment. Of the 15 variables studied and included in a multivariate analysis using a logistic regression model, a bilirubin level >51 mmol/l and transfusion of >6 units of blood during the initial hospital admission were predictors of variceal rebleeding within the first 6 weeks. Seventy‐seven (24.8%) patients died, 29 (9.3%) within 5 days and 48 (15.4%) between 6 and 42 days after the initial treatment. Stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that six variables were predictors of death within the first 6 weeks: encephalopathy, ascites, bilirubin level >51 mmol/l, international normalized ratio (INR) >2.3, albumin <25 g/l, and the need for balloon tube tamponade.

Conclusions

Survival was influenced by the severity of liver failure, with most deaths occurring in Child‐Pugh grade C patients. Patients with AVH and encephalopathy, ascites, bilirubin levels >51 mmol/l, INR >2.3, albumin <25 g/l and who require balloon tube tamponade are at increased risk of dying within the first 6 weeks. Bilirubin levels >51 mmol/l and transfusion of >6 units of blood were predictors of variceal rebleeding.
Comparison of Enzymatic and Non-Enzymatic Means of Dissociating Adherent Monolayers of Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Heng Boon C , Cowan Catherine M , Basu Shubhayu
Published: August 2009

The dissociation of adherent mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) monolayers with trypsin and enzyme-free dissociation buffer was compared. A significantly lower proportion of viable cells were obtained with enzyme-free dissociation buffers compared to trypsin. Subsequently, the dissociated cells were re-seeded on new cell culture dishes and were subjected to the MTT assay 24 h later. The proportion of viable cells that reattached was significantly lower for cells obtained by dissociation with enzyme-free dissociation buffer compared to trypsin. Frozen–thawed MSC displayed a similar trend, yielding consistently higher cell viability and reattachment rates when dissociated with trypsin compared to enzyme-free dissociation buffer. It was also demonstrated that exposure of trypsin-dissociated MSC to enzyme-free dissociation buffer for 1 h had no significant detrimental effect on cell viability.
MicroRNA Expression Profiling by Bead Array Technology in Human Tumor Cell Lines Treated with Interferon-Alpha-2a
Authors: Siegrist Fredy , Singer Thomas , Certa Ulrich
Published: August 2009

MicroRNAs are positive and negative regulators of eukaryotic gene expression that modulate transcript abundance by specific binding to sequence motifs located prevalently in the 3' untranslated regions of target messenger RNAs (mRNA). Interferon-alpha-2a (IFNα) induces a large set of protein coding genes mediating antiproliferative and antiviral responses. Here we use a global microarray-based microRNA detection platform to identify genes that are induced by IFNα in hepatoma- or melanoma-derived human tumor cell lines. Despite the enormous differences in expression levels between these models, we were able to identify microRNAs that are upregulated by IFNα in both lines suggesting the possibility that interferon-regulated microRNAs are involved in the transcriptional repression of mRNA relevant to cytokine responses.
Neonatal maternal separation alters the development of glucocorticoid receptor expression in the interpositus nucleus of the cerebellum
Authors: Wilber A.A. , Wellman C.L.
Published: August 2009

Adverse early experience impairs adult learning and memory. Previously, we showed that neonatal maternal separation impaired eyeblink conditioning in adult male rats. This impairment was correlated with increases in glucocorticoid receptor expression in the posterior region of the cerebellar interpositus nucleus, a key structure in the neural circuitry controlling eyeblink conditioning. To begin to establish how separation results in altered glucocorticoid receptor expression in adulthood, we assessed the developmental pattern of glucocorticoid receptor expression in the interpositus nucleus in controls versus rats that had undergone maternal separation for 1 h per day on postnatal days 2–14. Rat pups were exposed to either standard rearing (control) or maternal separation and glucocorticoid receptor expression was assessed at postnatal day 15, postnatal day 21, and adulthood. In control males, glucocorticoid receptor expression in the interpositus nucleus declined between postnatal days 15 and 21, then increased into adulthood. On postnatal day 15, there was less glucocorticoid receptor expression in the interpositus nucleus in males that were maternally separated than in controls. However, neonatal separation significantly attenuated the normal decline in the third postnatal week, resulting in significantly greater glucocorticoid receptor expression in the interpositus in separated males than in control rats at postnatal day 21. The developmental pattern of glucocorticoid receptor expression was not altered by maternal separation in female rats. Thus, maternal separation may impair learning and memory in adult males by altering normal developmental changes in glucocorticoid receptor expression.
Uzbekistan among the great powers
Authors: Spechler Dina Rome , Spechler Martin C.
Published: August 2009

Under the authoritarian regime of Islam Karimov, Uzbekistan has achieved independence and stability by exploiting its natural resources through a strategy of “staple globalism” and by balancing the great powers against each other. Since the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991, the new regime first distanced itself from Russia and tried regional alliances, then accepted help from NATO, and most recently turned cautiously to Russia (and China). Throughout, Uzbekistan has managed to receive considerable assistance from international agencies and military aid from several outside powers, albeit relatively little private foreign investment, owing to its poor business climate. The country has also handled potential conflicts with neighbors without significant violence.
Reduced glycaemic and insulinaemic responses following isomaltulose ingestion: implications for postprandial substrate use
Authors: van Can Judith G. P. , IJzerman T. Herman , van Loon Luc J. C. , Brouns Fred , Blaak Ellen E.
Published: August 2009

The impact of slow digestible sources of dietary carbohydrate in reducing the risk of developing obesity and related metabolic disorders is unclear. The aim of the present study was to compare the postprandial metabolic response to the ingestion of sucrose v. isomaltulose. We hypothesised that the reduced digestion and absorption rate of isomaltulose would result in lower glycaemic and insulinaemic responses when compared with the ingestion of sucrose, leading to greater postprandial fat oxidation rates. In a randomised, single-blind, cross-over study, ten overweight subjects ingested two different carbohydrate drinks (sucrose and isomaltulose, 75 g carbohydrate equivalents) following an overnight fast (08.40 hours) and with a standardised meal (12.30 hours, 25 % of total energy content was provided as either a sucrose or isomaltulose drink). Blood samples were taken before ingestion and every 30 min thereafter for a period of 3 h, substrate use was assessed by indirect calorimetry and breath samples were collected. Ingestion of carbohydrates with a mixed meal resulted in a lower peak glucose and insulin response and a lower change in area under the curve (ΔAUC) following isomaltulose when compared with sucrose. Together with the lower glucose and insulin responses, postprandial fat oxidation rates were higher (14 %) with isomaltulose when compared with sucrose when ingested with a mixed meal (P = 0·02). The attenuated rise in glucose and insulin concentrations following isomaltulose results in reduced inhibition of postprandial fat oxidation. The metabolic response to isomaltulose co-ingestion suggests that this may represent an effective nutritional strategy to counteract overweight-induced metabolic disturbances.
SCREENING OF SESBANIA FOR TOLERANCE TO ALUMINUM TOXICITY AND SYMBIOTIC EFFECTIVENESS WITH ACID TOLERANT RHIZOBIA STRAINS IN ACID SOIL IN WESTERN KENYA
Authors: GUDU S. O. , KISINYO P. O. , MAKATIANI E. T. , ODEE D. W , ESEGU J. F. O. , SHAMCHAMA S. A. O. , OTHIENO C. O. , OKALEBO J. R. , OSIYO J. R. , OWUOCHE J. O.
Published: August 2009

Nitrogen fixation by leguminous trees such as sesbania (Sesbania sesban) in acid soils is limited by aluminium (Al) toxicity and phosphorus (P) deficiency. We screened 214 East African sesbania accessions for Al toxicity tolerance, P use efficiency and sesbania–rhizobia symbiosis. Aluminium toxicity tolerance or sensitivity was measured by the relative root elongation index. Highly Al tolerant and sensitive accessions were screened for P use efficiency. Highly P use efficient and Al sensitive accessions were assessed for symbiotic effectiveness with acid tolerant rhizobia. Eighty-eight per cent of the accessions were Al toxicity tolerant. High Al levels reduced shoot P content by 88% and total dry matter (TDM) by 83%. P addition increased shoot P content and TDM. Rhizobia inoculation increased nodulation by 28–82%, shoot N content by 28–45% and TDM by 15–34% in the low rhizobia density acid soil of Bumala, Kenya. P use efficient accessions had higher nodulation, shoot N content and TDM in the ranges 32–70, 20–52 and 22–36%, respectively, compared to sensitive genotypes. The combination of sesbania accession (SSUG10) and rhizobia strain ASs48 was superior in shoot N accumulation. Inoculation of P use efficient germplasm with acid tolerant rhizobia can improve N-rich biomass accumulation suitable for N replenishment in acid soils.
Aggressive verrucous carcinoma of the paranasal sinuses invading the orbit: case report and literature review
Authors: Yiotakis J , Vamvakidis T , Iakovou E , Manolopoulos L
Published: August 2009

Introduction:

Verrucous carcinoma is a variant of well differentiated squamous cell carcinoma characterised by an exophytic, warty growth which is slowly but locally invasive and which can cause extensive local destruction if left untreated.

Case report:

We report the first known case of veruccous carcinoma of the paranasal sinuses with rapid orbital invasion. A 58-year-old man presented with right-sided nasal obstruction, a huge right intranasal lesion, intractable dacryocystitis and cutaneous involvement of the nasolacrimal sac region. The tumour was partially removed using an endoscopic transnasal approach. Post-operatively, and while waiting for the histological result, the patient developed signs of rapid invasion of the orbit, with uniocular visual acuity deficit. He underwent combined radiochemotherapy, with a moderate response.

Conclusion:

Knowledge of the potentially aggressive nature of verrucous carcinoma may be helpful in early management of intraorbital invasion and salvaging of the eye.
An unusual cause of pre-auricular swelling
Authors: Harris A T , Bhatti I , Bajaj Y , Smelt G J C
Published: August 2009

Objective:

To present an interesting cause of pre-auricular swelling.

Case report:

We report the case of a 39-year-old woman who presented to the ENT department as an emergency with swelling in the left pre-auricular region. The patient had recently travelled to Central America, where the botfly is endemic. On examination, there was a raised, indurated area with a central orifice. A botfly larva was suspected. The larva was suffocated with paraffin paste, allowing removal without remnants being retained.

Conclusion:

Suffocation of botfly larvae is favoured to surgical removal, due to the possibility of larval remnants being retained and acting as a nidus for infection. The increasing frequency of exotic travel means doctors need to be more aware of tropical medicine.
TEST USE AND POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY
Authors: Fulcher Glenn
Published: August 2009

Since Messick (1989) included test use in his validity matrix, there has been extensive debate about professional responsibility for test use. To theorize test use, some researchers have relied upon Foucault's social criticism, thereby stressing the negative role of tests in the surveillance of the marginalized. From a wider perspective, Shohamy (2001a) sees negative test impact as stemming from centralizing agencies, which still leaves open the possibility of positive test use. In this article I argue that how tests are used is a reflection of the wider political philosophy of a society. Political philosophy can generally be characterized as placing more emphasis on either the state or the citizen, leading to collectivist or individualist solutions to problems, be they real or perceived. In collectivist societies, tests, like history, are used to achieve conformity, control, and identity. In individualistic societies, they are used to promote individual progress. The role of tests within each broad approach will be described and illustrated. Finally, I briefly describe effect-driven test architecture as a method for testers to proscribe unintended uses of their tests.
Perceived Group Climate as a Predictor of Long-Term Outcome in a Randomized Controlled Trial of Cognitive-Behavioural Group Therapy for Patients with Comorbid Psychiatric Disorders
Authors: Ryum Truls , Hagen Roger , Nordahl Hans M. , Vogel Patrick A. , Stiles Tore C.
Published: August 2009

Background: Research on group therapy indicates that various dimensions of the helpful relationship qualities (cohesion, climate, empathy, alliance) are associated with outcome. However, the use of a wide variety of empirical scales makes comparisons between studies as well as generalizations somewhat difficult. Although a generic, trans-theoretical measure such as the Group Climate Questionnaire-Short Form (GCQ-S; MacKenzie, 1983) is available and applicable to most treatment conditions, it has never been tested with cognitive-behavioural group therapy. Aims: To investigate perceived dimensions of group climate (engagement, avoidance and conflict) as predictors of long-term (1 year) follow-up in a manualized, structured time-limited cognitive-behavioural group therapy (CBGT) for out-patients with comorbid psychiatric disorders. Methods: Data from 27 patients were analysed using hierarchical multiple regression analyses. Outcome measures used were general symptomatic complaints (SCL-90-R), interpersonal problems (IIP-64), specific mood- and anxiety symptoms (BDI; BAI) and early maladaptive schemas (YSQ). After controlling for scores on the relevant dependent variables at both intake and treatment termination, dimensions of group climate measured close to termination were entered as predictors in separate analyses. Results: Higher ratings of engagement were associated with reduced scores on all outcome measures at follow-up, except for anxiety symptoms (BAI). Higher ratings of avoidance were associated with lower anxiety symptoms at follow up, whereas ratings of conflict were unrelated to all follow-up scores. Conclusions: The results provide partial support for the use of the GCQ-S as a predictor of long-term follow-up in CBGT, and highlights perceived engagement as the most important dimension. Clinical implications are discussed.
Le Corbusier and the Art of Architecture
Authors: Samuel Flora
Published: August 2009

Le Corbusier – The Art of Architecture is the vague and loaded title given to a marvellous but somewhat random collection of Le Corbusier material that has been touring Europe, until recently housed in Lutyens' crypt in Liverpool Cathedral before landing in London this spring at the Barbican, where it feels at home in Brutalist surroundings. The exhibition has provided the inspiration for a festival of Le Corbusier events and talks, competitions and workshops across the country. The question, however, is why?
‘Worlds in Miniature’: some reflections on scale and the microcosmic meaning of cabinets of curiosities
Authors: Weston Dagmar Motycka
Published: August 2009

This paper springs from some reflections in the context of the design studio on the meaning of miniature representations (such as drawings or scaled models, for example), in art and architecture. In the pre-reflective understanding of the world which characterises direct human experience, the size of things is an integral and deeply meaningful aspect of their phenomenal reality. Our primary perception of the size of things is, of course, a function of our embodied condition and is inseparable from their essential nature. Things seem great or small to us from the point of view of our moving body and its ability to act upon and manipulate objects of that scale. A mountain is large, difficult to see all at once from close by, and requires a great physical effort to climb. The size of a doll's house provides us with a marvellous power to see and control the life within, a power which is one of the reasons why the miniature pervades our daydream world. The size of a bacterium makes it invisible to the naked eye and immune to the manipulation of our hand, and this condition endows it for us with a degree of mystery and unreality in our daily life. The phenomenon of size, like most things we perceive, is given to us as situated in our experiential world.
4000 dwellings from a Paris factory: Le procédé Camus and state sponsorship of industrialised housing in the 1950s
Authors: Bullock Nicholas
Published: August 2009

In early 1949, Eugéne Claudius-Petit, the new Minister of Reconstruction and Urbanism, had announced a campaign to build 20,000 dwellings a year for forty years, a measure of his determination to shift priorities from post-war reconstruction to the longer-term goals of renovation and modernisation of France's cities. For Claudius-Petit, the State had a duty to offer assistance not just to the sinistrés de la guerre but, as he put it, to the sinistrés de la vie, to the long suffering victims of France's inadequate housing conditions. To do so France had to build more housing and to do so more quickly. Since the Liberation there had been general agreement that the only way to achieve this was to transform the way that housing was built and that ‘industrialisation’ in one form or another was critical to doing so.
The theory of nothing
Authors: Main Peter
Published: August 2009

Early architects paid much attention to the relationship between space and time: the earliest buildings had structures linked to the cycle of the heavenly clock. Indeed, the notion of time emerges naturally from the diurnal rise and fall of the Sun as well as the more leisurely progression of the seasons. Space, on the other hand, is defined by the relationship between objects, implicit as a void. What is more, there is no natural scale, no spatial equivalent of the length of the day.
Flops on holomorphic symplectic fourfolds and determinantal cubic hypersurfaces
Authors: Hassett Brendan , Tschinkel Yuri
Published: August 2009

We study the birational geometry of irreducible holomorphic symplectic varieties arising as varieties of lines of general cubic fourfolds containing a cubic scroll. We compute the ample and moving cones, and exhibit a birational automorphism of infinite order explaining the chamber decomposition of the moving cone.
Impact of atmospheric coastal jet off central Chile on sea surface temperature from satellite observations (2000–2007)
Authors: Renault Lionel , Dewitte Boris , Falvey Mark , Garreaud René , Echevin Vincent , Bonjean Fabrice
Published: August 2009

The coast of central Chile is characterized by intermittent low‐level along‐shore southerly wind periods, called coastal jets (CJs). In this study, we take advantage of long‐term satellite data to document the CJs characteristics over 2000–2007 and investigate its impact on upwelling. The CJ structure has a core some 100 km from the shore and a cross‐shore scale of ∼160 km, and it usually lasts for several days (3–10). Its period of occurrence ranges from weekly to a few months. On the basis of covariance analyses between wind stress and sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies, it is found that CJ activity is seasonally phase locked with SST, with a peak season in August–October. The statistically dominant forcing mechanisms of the SST cooling during CJ event is a combination of seaward advection of temperature resulting from Ekman transport, air‐sea heat exchange, and Ekman‐driven coastal divergence. However, case studies of two events suggest a significant sensitivity of the dominant upwelling forcing mechanisms to the background conditions. For instance, the upward Ekman pumping associated with cyclonic wind stress curl is enhanced for the event with the CJ located more to the south. Although there are limitations associated with both the formulation of the heat budget and the data sets, the results illustrate the complexity of the upwelling forcing mechanisms in this region and the need for realistic high‐resolution forcing fluxes. A CJ activity index is also proposed that takes into account the coastal upwelling variability, which can be used for teleconnection studies.
ENSO influence on zonal mean temperature and ozone in the tropical lower stratosphere
Authors: Randel William J. , Garcia Rolando R. , Calvo Natalia , Marsh Dan
Published: August 2009

Analyses of a whole atmosphere chemistry‐climate model simulation forced by historical sea‐surface temperature variations show that tropospheric El Nino – Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events are linked to coherent variations of zonal mean temperature and ozone in the tropical lower stratosphere, tied to fluctuations in tropical upwelling. ENSO temperature variations in the lower stratosphere are out of phase with tropospheric variations, and stratospheric ozone and temperatures are in phase. These model results motivated revisiting observational data sets for both temperature and ozone, and the observational data reveal coherent signals in the tropical stratosphere, very similar to the model results. The stratospheric ENSO variability has been masked in the observational data to some degree by the volcanic eruptions of El Chichon (1982) and Pinatubo (1991), which both occurred during ENSO warm events. The coherent temperature and ozone signals are evidence that ENSO modulates upwelling in the tropical lower stratosphere.
Nonlinear saturation of relativistic Weibel instability driven by thermal anisotropy
Authors: Kaang Helen H. , Ryu Chang-Mo , Yoon Peter H.
Published: August 2009

The present paper investigates nonlinear saturation of the relativistic Weibel instability by employing theory and a particle-in-cell simulation technique. It is found that the early phase of the instability is in excellent agreement with linear theory. Qualitative agreement with quasilinear prediction is also found. An analysis based on an alternative magnetic trapping saturation theory reveals that a relativistic formula leads to a substantial discrepancy between theory and simulation. However, excellent agreement is recovered in the nonrelativistic regime. The analysis of the Weibel instability beyond the quasilinear saturation stage reveals an inverse cascade process via a nonlinear decay instability involving electrostatic fluctuation.
Further analysis and comparative study of intermolecular interactions using dimers from the S22 database
Authors: Molnar Laszlo Fusti , He Xiao , Wang Bing , Merz Kenneth M.
Published: August 2009

Accurate MP2 and CCSD(T) complete basis set (CBS) interaction energy curves (14 points for each curve) have been obtained for 20 of the dimers reported in the S22 set and analytical Morse curves have been fitted that can be used in developing updated density functional theory (DFT) and force field models. The magnitude and the effect of the basis set superposition error (BSSE) were carefully investigated. We found that going up to aug-cc-pVDZ and aug-cc-pVTZ basis sets is enough to obtain accurate CBS MP2 energies when BSSE corrected values are used but aug-cc-pVTZ and aug-cc-pVQZ basis sets are needed when the BSSE uncorrected total energies are used in CBS extrapolations. MP2 interaction energies with smaller basis sets such as 6-31G∗ are found to have very little dispersion energy and that the true source of dispersion attributed attractive interactions is almost entirely due to BSSE. MP2 and CCSD(T) CBS interaction energies are found to be very close to one another if aromatic systems are not involved. Comparative analyses have been performed with semiempirical and ab initio methods utilizing the moderate in size but affordable 6-31G∗ basis set both of which can be readily applied to macromolecular systems. The new M06-2X and M06-L DFT functionals were found to be more accurate than all methods tested herein. Interaction energy curves using the SG1 grid showed discontinuities for several of the dimer systems but this problem disappeared when finer DFT numerical grids were used.
Spatiotemporal system identification on nonperiodic domains using Chebyshev spectral operators and system reduction algorithms
Authors: Khanmohamadi Omid , Xu Daolin
Published: August 2009

A system identification methodology based on Chebyshev spectral operators and an orthogonal system reduction algorithm is proposed, leading to a new approach for data-driven modeling of nonlinear spatiotemporal systems on nonperiodic domains. A continuous model structure is devised allowing for terms of arbitrary derivative order and nonlinearity degree. Chebyshev spectral operators are introduced to realm of inverse problems to discretize that continuous structure and arrive with spectral accuracy at a discrete form. Finally, least squares combined with an orthogonal system reduction algorithm are employed to solve for the parameters and eliminate the redundancies to achieve a parsimonious model. A numerical case study of identifying the Allen–Cahn metastable equation demonstrates the superior accuracy of the proposed Chebyshev spectral identification over its finite difference counterpart.
Stability of LS and LS2 crystal structures in binary mixtures of hard and charged spheres
Authors: Hynninen A.-P. , Filion L. , Dijkstra M.
Published: August 2009

We study by computer simulations the stability of various crystal structures in a binary mixture of large and small spheres interacting either with a hard sphere or a screened-Coulomb potential. In the case of hard-core systems, we consider structures that have atomic prototypes CrB, γCuTi, αIrV, HgBr2, AuTe2, Ag2Se and the Laves phases (MgCu2, MgNi2, and MgZn2) as well as a structure with space group symmetry 74. By utilizing Monte Carlo simulations to calculate Gibbs free energies, we determine composition versus pressure and constant volume phase diagrams for diameter ratios of q=0.74, 0.76, 0.8, 0.82, 0.84, and 0.85 for the small and large spheres. For diameter ratios 0.76≤q≤0.84, we find the Laves phases to be stable with respect to the other crystal structures that we considered and the fluid mixture. By extrapolating to the thermodynamic limit, we show that the MgZn2 structure is the most stable one of the Laves structures. We also calculate phase diagrams for equally and oppositely charged spheres for size ratio of 0.73 taking into consideration the Laves phases and CsCl. In the case of equally charged spheres, we find a pocket of stable Laves phases, while in the case of oppositely charged spheres, Laves phases are found to be metastable with respect to the CsCl and fluid phases.