bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Resonance Raman Spectra of β-Diketiminatocopper(II) Complexes
Authors: Miyazaki Tomoko , Shimokawa Chizu , Matsushita Toshio , Itoh Shinobu , Teraoka Junji
Published: October 2010

Resonance Raman spectra are measured for copper(II) complexes ([Cu(RL)2]) using a series of β-diketiminate ligands (L) carrying different α-substituents (R = Me, H, CN, and NO2), and quantum chemical calculations based on density functional theory (DFT) are carried out in order to derive the force fields of the copper(II) complexes. The complexes show characteristic νsym(Cu–N) frequencies, reflecting the relatively long distance of Cu–N bond in [Cu(CNL)2]. No obvious correlations were found for the other Raman bands between frequencies and the electron-withdrawal properties of the ligands. Resonance Raman profiles for [Cu(MeL)2] and [Cu(HL)2] suggest that two intense electronic absorption bands should be assigned to a charge-transfer transition accompanied by changing the Cu–N bond length and π* ← π transition by lengthening the Cβ–N bond with the aid of theoretical calculations. It is found that the complexes, [Cu(CNL)2] and [Cu(NO2L)2] with electron-withdrawing ligands, which yield only one strong absorption band around the visible region, show mainly π* ← π transition by lengthening the Cβ–N bond.
Long-range tertiary interactions in single hammerhead ribozymes bias motional sampling toward catalytically active conformations
Authors: McDowell S. Elizabeth , Jun Jesse M. , Walter Nils G.
Published: October 2010

Enzymes generally are thought to derive their functional activity from conformational motions. The limited chemical variation in RNA suggests that such structural dynamics may play a particularly important role in RNA function. Minimal hammerhead ribozymes are known to cleave efficiently only in ∼10-fold higher than physiologic concentrations of Mg2+ ions. Extended versions containing native loop–loop interactions, however, show greatly enhanced catalytic activity at physiologically relevant Mg2+ concentrations, for reasons that are still ill-understood. Here, we use Mg2+ titrations, activity assays, ensemble, and single molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) approaches, combined with molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, to ask what influence the spatially distant tertiary loop–loop interactions of an extended hammerhead ribozyme have on its structural dynamics. By comparing hammerhead variants with wild-type, partially disrupted, and fully disrupted loop–loop interaction sequences we find that the tertiary interactions lead to a dynamic motional sampling that increasingly populates catalytically active conformations. At the global level the wild-type tertiary interactions lead to more frequent, if transient, encounters of the loop-carrying stems, whereas at the local level they lead to an enrichment in favorable in-line attack angles at the cleavage site. These results invoke a linkage between RNA structural dynamics and function and suggest that loop–loop interactions in extended hammerhead ribozymes—and Mg2+ ions that bind to minimal ribozymes—may generally allow more frequent access to a catalytically relevant conformation(s), rather than simply locking the ribozyme into a single active state.
“It's Our Job”: Qualitative Study of Family Responses to Ableism
Authors: Neely-Barnes Susan L. , Graff J. Carolyn , Roberts Ruth J. , Hall Heather R. , Hankins Jane S.
Published: October 2010

Forty-five parents of children with autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and sickle cell disease participated in 8 focus groups. Parents discussed how they, the child with the disability, and the siblings addressed community perceptions about the child's disability. Themes evolving from the interviews included (a) support and lack of support, (b) inclusion and exclusion, and (c) the family members' roles during their interactions with the community. Parents viewed their roles in the community as (a) advocating, (b) educating, (c) informing, (d) ignoring, and (e) hiding. The relationship between themes is presented, and the relationship between themes and parent empowerment is discussed as well as the ways in which the themes reflect underlying ableism.
Nursing Perspectives on Cancer Screening in Adults With Intellectual and Other Developmental Disabilities
Authors: Tyler Carl V. , Zyzanski Stephen J. , Panaite Vanessa , Council Linda
Published: October 2010

Health care disparities have been documented in cancer screenings of adults with intellectual and other developmental disabilities. Developmental disabilities nurses were surveyed to better understand and improve this deficiency. Two thirds of respondents believed that adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities received fewer cancer screenings compared with the general population. The most frequently cited barriers to cancer screenings were as follows: patient need for sedation, unsuccessful attempts at screening, and failure of the primary care clinician to order cancer screening tests. Nurses observed that health care providers frequently did not tailor cancer screening recommendations to individuals' family histories, life expectancies, or their disability-specific cancer risks. The authors suggest interventions to improve cancer screening centered around education and training, accessibility, financing–insurance, modification of procedures, and patient tracking.
Public Attitudes Toward People With Intellectual Disabilities: A Cross-Cultural Study
Authors: Scior Katrina , Kan Ka-ying , McLoughlin Anna , Sheridan Joel
Published: October 2010

This study investigated attitudes toward people with intellectual disabilities among the general Hong Kong Chinese population and compared these to a White British sample, using the Community Living Attitudes Scale—Mental Retardation form (CLAS-MR; D. Henry, C. Keys, F. Balcazar, & D. Jopp, 1996). As predicted, attitudes among the Hong Kong Chinese public (n  =  149) were less favorable than the British sample (n  =  135). The former were less opposed to the exclusion of people with intellectual disabilities, less likely to view them as similar to themselves and more in favor of sheltering such individuals. Of all demographic variables examined, ethnicity was the strongest predictor of attitudes, although it only accounted for a small part of the variance in attitudes. The results are discussed in terms of policy implementation and additional research.
Twenty Years of Communication Intervention Research With Individuals Who Have Severe Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Authors: Snell Martha E. , Brady Nancy , McLean Lee , Ogletree Billy T. , Siegel Ellin , Sylvester Lorraine , Mineo Beth , Paul Diane , Romski Mary Ann , Sevcik Rose
Published: October 2010

This literature review was conducted to evaluate the current state of evidence supporting communication interventions for individuals with severe intellectual and developmental disabilities. We reviewed 116 articles published between 1987 and 2007 in refereed journals meeting three criteria: (a) described a communication intervention, (b) involved one or more participants with severe intellectual and developmental disabilities, and (c) addressed one or more areas of communication performance. Many researchers failed to report treatment fidelity or to assess basic aspects of intervention effects, including generalization, maintenance, and social validity. The evidence reviewed indicates that 96% of the studies reported positive changes in some aspects of communication. These findings support the provision of communication intervention to persons with severe intellectual and developmental disabilities. Gaps in the research were reported as were recommendations for future research.
Use of Special Education Services Among Children With and Without Congenital Gastrointestinal Anomalies
Authors: Hamrick Shannon E. G. , Strickland Matthew J. , Shapira Stuart K. , Autry Andrew , Schendel Diana
Published: October 2010

Our objective was to evaluate the relationship between congenital gastrointestinal anomalies requiring neonatal surgery and neurodevelopmental outcome. Among the children born in metropolitan Atlanta during 1982–2001 who survived to age 1 year (N  =  762,824), we identified children with congenital gastrointestinal anomalies via linkage with the Metropolitan Atlanta Congenital Defects Program and children who received special education services via linkage with the Special Education Database of Metropolitan Atlanta. Several modest increases in special education service use were observed among children with isolated congenital gastrointestinal anomalies; no association was statistically significant. Among children with Hirschsprung disease, gastroschisis, esophageal atresia, intestinal malrotation, bowel atresia, or imperforate anus who had multiple anomalies, we observed statistically significant increases in special education service use.
Using Participant Data to Extend the Evidence Base for Intensive Behavioral Intervention for Children With Autism
Authors: Eldevik Sigmund , Hastings Richard P. , Hughes J. Carl , Jahr Erik , Eikeseth Svein , Cross Scott
Published: October 2010

We gathered individual participant data from 16 group design studies on behavioral intervention for children with autism. In these studies, 309 children received behavioral intervention, 39 received comparison interventions, and 105 were in a control group. More children who underwent behavioral intervention achieved reliable change in IQ (29.8%) compared with 2.6% and 8.7% for comparison and control groups, respectively, and reliable change in adaptive behavior was achieved for 20.6% versus 5.7% and 5.1%, respectively. These results equated to a number needed to treat of 5 for IQ and 7 for adaptive behavior and absolute risk reduction of 23% and 16%, respectively. Within the behavioral intervention sample, IQ and adaptive behavior at intake predicted gains in adaptive behavior. Intensity of intervention predicted gains in both IQ and adaptive behavior.
Fourier Transform Infrared Analysis of the Thermal Modification of Human Cornea Tissue during Conductive Keratoplasty
Authors: Zhang Li , Aksan Alptekin
Published: October 2010

This paper presents a study using in vitro Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis to determine the thermal damage induced to the human cornea by the conductive keratoplasty (CK) procedure. Human cornea tissues were treated with CK at different radiofrequency power (58–4%) and pulse duration (0.6–1.0 s) settings. The cornea tissues were cryo-sectioned and FT-IR analysis was performed to detect the extent of thermal damage by the second-derivative analysis of the infrared (IR) spectral bands corresponding to protein secondary structure. The protein amide I and II spectral bands measured in vitro mainly arose from collagen. The denatured cornea tissue showed a higher β-sheet content than the native tissue. The extent of the thermal damage created by the CK treatment depended on power and duration settings, with the latter having a stronger effect. With clinical settings (60%, 0.6 s), the thermal damage area was confined within a radius of 100 μm. CK treatment duration had a more significant effect on the damage zone than the power setting.
Temporal and Spatial Resolution in Transmission Raman Spectroscopy
Authors: Everall Neil , Matousek Pavel , Macleod Neil , Ronayne Kate L. , Clark Ian P.
Published: October 2010

Picosecond time-resolved transmission Raman data were acquired for 1 mm thick powder samples of trans-stilbene, and a Monte Carlo model was developed that can successfully model the laser and Raman pulse profiles. Photon migration broadened the incident (∼1 ps) probe pulse by two orders of magnitude. As expected from previous studies of Raman photon migration in backscattering mode, the transmitted Raman pulse was broader than the transmitted laser pulse and took longer to propagate through the sample. The late-arriving photons followed tortuous flight paths in excess of 50 mm on traversing the 1 mm sample. The Monte Carlo code was also used to study the spatial resolution (lateral and depth) of steady-state transmission Raman spectroscopy in the diffusion regime by examining the distribution of Raman generation positions as a function of incident beam size, sample thickness, and transport length. It was predicted that the lateral resolution should worsen linearly with sample thickness (typically the resolution was about 50% of the sample thickness), and this is an inevitable consequence of operating in the diffusion regime. The lateral resolution was better at the sample surface (essentially determined by the probe beam diameter or the collection aperture) than for buried objects, but transmission sampling was shown to be biased towards the mid-point of thick samples. Time-resolved transmission experiments should improve the lateral resolution by preferentially detecting snake photons, subject to constraints of signal-to-noise ratio.
Feasibility of Near-Infrared Spectroscopy for On-Line Grading of Sawn Lumber
Authors: Fujimoto Takaaki , Kurata Yohei , Matsumoto Kazushige , Tsuchikawa Satoru
Published: October 2010

Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, coupled with multivariate analysis, has been used to evaluate the wood properties of sawn lumber of Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi), whose diffuse reflection spectra were acquired under static and moving conditions. Prediction models of the dynamic modulus of elasticity (Efr), the modulus of elasticity in bending tests (Eb), the bending strength (Fb), the wood density (DEN), and the moisture content (MC) were developed using partial least squares (PLS) analysis. For all wood properties, models obtained from data collected under the moving condition as an analogue of on-line measurement were superior to those from the static condition data. The regression coefficients for the PLS models predicting the mechanical properties in both static and moving conditions showed clear peaks at the absorption bands due to the three major polymers of wood, i.e., cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. NIR spectroscopy has high potential for the on-line grading of sawn lumber.
Identification of Single Fluorescent Labels Using Spectroscopic Microscopy
Authors: Heider Emily C. , Barhoum Moussa , Peterson Eric M. , Schaefer Jonathan , Harris Joel M.
Published: October 2010

Detection of single, fluorescently labeled biomolecules is providing a powerful approach to measuring molecular transport, biomolecular interactions, and localization in biological systems. Because the biological molecules of interest rarely exhibit sufficient intrinsic fluorescence to allow observation of individual molecules, they are usually labeled with fluorescent dye molecules, fluorescent proteins, semiconductor nanocrystals or quantum dots, or fluorescently doped silica or polymer nanospheres to allow their detection. Differences in the photophysical and spectral properties of different labels allow one to identify individual molecules by distinguishing their corresponding labels. A simple approach to measuring fluorescence spectra of individual fluorescent labels can be implemented in a standard wide-field fluorescence microscope, where a grating or prism is incorporated into the path from the microscope to an imaging detector to disperse the emission spectrum. In this work, principal components and cluster analysis are applied to the identification of fluorescence spectra from single fluorescent labels, with statistical tests of the classification results. Spectra are determined from diffracted images of fluorescent nanospheres labels, where emission maxima are separated by less than 20 nm, and of single dye-molecule labels with 30 nm separation. Clusters of points in an eigenvector representation of the spectra correctly classify known labels (both nanospheres and single molecules) and unambiguously identify unknown labels in mixtures.
Combined Apertureless Near-Field Optical Second-Harmonic Generation/Atomic Force Microscopy Imaging and Nanoscale Limit of Detection
Authors: Meyer Kent A. , Ng Kin C. , Gu Zhanjun , Pan Zhengwei , Whitten William B. , Shaw Robert W.
Published: October 2010

A dual function atomic force/near-field scanning optical microscope (AFM/NSOM) with an ultrafast laser excitation source was used to investigate apertureless, tip enhanced second-harmonic generation (SHG) of ZnO nanowires with spatial resolution below the optical diffraction limit. Single-wire SHG spectra show little to no contribution from bandgap or other emission. Polarization data established values for X33/X31 close to previous estimates and confirm the SHG process. Experimental results indicate that the SHG signal was reduced for nanowires after exposure to an atmosphere of carbon dioxide and water vapor. An equation was derived for estimating the minimum X(2) detectable using apertureless SHG NSOM.
Infrared Spectroscopy of Ionic Liquids: Quantitative Aspects and Determination of Optical Constants
Authors: Buffeteau Thierry , Grondin Joseph , Lassègues Jean-Claude
Published: October 2010

The infrared (IR) spectra of ionic liquids involving 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium (BMI) and the (CF3SO2)2N-, BF4-, or PF6- anions, recorded in the transmission and attenuated total reflection (ATR) modes, exhibit strong differences in the most intense anion absorption profiles. These distortions come from optical effects and make difficult any quantitative analysis of, for example, the antisymmetric stretching vibrations of the BF4- and PF6- anions. A method is proposed to determine the optical constants, from which any type of experimental spectrum can be simulated. It is then possible to use the anion vibrational bands as spectroscopic probes of the local interactions occurring in the neat ionic liquids and in solutions. This is illustrated by a direct identification of ion pairs and separated ions in the IR spectra of BMI-PF6 solutions.
Multivariate Near-Infrared Reflection Spectroscopy Strategies for Ensuring Correct Labeling at Feed Bagging in the Animal Feed Industry
Authors: Fernández-Ahumada E. , Roger J. M. , Palagos B. , Guerrero J. E. , Pérez-Marin D. , Garrido-Varo A.
Published: October 2010

A key concern in animal feed factories is guaranteeing the correct labeling of compound feeds. Therefore, due to incorrect labeling, there is an urgent need for new control methods on the claims that can be made. In this study, this question has been tackled with different multivariate classification algorithms based on the near-infrared spectral fingerprint obtained from a given compound feed analyzed in its original physical market presentation form (i.e., cubes, coarse meals, pellets). The objective of this paper is the evaluation of different methods for establishing a separation among 24 feed types. Two linear methods, soft independent modeling of class analogy (SIMCA) and partial least squares (PLS) with two approaches to classification (PLSD and PLS-LDA); and one nonlinear method, support vector machines (SVM), were studied. The database used had the following structure: a first division was made between granules and meals; within these two groups, there was a second division according to three animal species to which the feed was marketed (bovine, ovine, and porcine); within each species there was a third division according to the age or physiological status of the animal (i.e., lactating dairy cattle, starters, etc.). Given the database structure, all the methods were evaluated following two strategies: (1) development of a model composed of the nine classification models corresponding to the structure of the data; and (2) development of a unique model that discriminates among the 24 classes of different feeds. With both strategies the lowest percentage of misclassified samples was achieved with the SVM method (3.96% with strategy 1 and 2.31% with strategy 2). Among the linear methods evaluated, SIMCA yielded the best results, with a percentage of 8.47% misclassified samples with strategy 1 and 4.05% misclassified samples with strategy 2. The results in this study show the ability of near-infrared spectroscopy to make acceptable classifications of feed types based only on spectral information, with differences in performance depending on the multivariate algorithm used.
Fluorescent Determination of Hg2+ in Water and Fish Samples Using a Chemodosimeter Based in a Rhodamine 6G Derivative and a Portable Fiber-Optic Spectrofluorimeter
Authors: Gil Diego Bohoyo , Rodriguez-Cáceres María Isabel , del Carmen María , Peña Arsenio Muñoz De La
Published: October 2010

A fluorimetric chemodosimeter (FC1), based on a Rhodamine 6G derivative, is proposed for the recognition of Hg2+ ions in water and fish samples. The reagent shows a highly selective and sensitive reaction with Hg2+, giving rise to strong fluorescence emission at 555 nm. The obvious color change of the solution from colorless to pink upon the addition of Hg2+ demonstrates that FC1 can be used for “naked-eye” detection of Hg2+ in water effluents. The fluorescence intensity is proportional to the amount of Hg2+ at ng mL−1 levels, and it is capable of distinguishing between safe and toxic levels of inorganic mercury in drinking water and fish samples. The procedure has been implemented in a portable instrument composed of a 515 nm light-emitting diode (LED) excitation source, two fiber optics, and a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera as detector, connected to a portable computer for data acquisition and analysis, intended for in situ determination of mercury, offering a viable alternative to a conventional spectrofluorimeter. The proposed method has been applied to different water and fish samples with satisfactory results.
Electroless Deposition of Silver onto Silicon as a Method of Preparation of Reproducible Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Substrates and Tip-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Tips
Authors: Brejna Przemyslaw R. , Griffiths Peter R.
Published: October 2010

A simple method for the production of silver nanoparticles on a silicon substrate that is suitable for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is presented. The method is based on spontaneous reduction of Ag+ ionsby elemental silicon. The oxide layer is removed from the surface of a silicon disk by etching with dilute HF that is present in the same dilute solution of silver nitrate that is used to form the silver nanoparticles. By controlling the concentrations of HF and AgNO3, the morphology of the deposited silver nanostructures can be varied dramatically. The reproducibility of SERS measurements for substrates produced with a given concentration of HF and AgNO3 is good (relative standard deviation ∼ 10%). The application was extended to coating the tips of silicon cantilevers designed for atomic force microscopy (AFM) with silver nanoparticles to permit measurements of tip-enhanced Raman spectra (TERS). The feasibility of TERS measurements with AFM tips prepared in this way is demonstrated.
Determination of Water-Soluble Hexavalent Chromium in Clinker Samples by Wavelength-Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry after Concentration in Activated Layers
Authors: Marguí Eva , Fontàs Claudia , Toribio Marta , Guillem Manel , Hidalgo Manuela , Queralt Ignacio
Published: October 2010

The determination of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) in cement-related material extracts is frequently monitored in cement industries to comply with the European Directive (2003/53/EC) that limits the use of cements containing more than 2 mg kg−1 of water-soluble Cr(VI). In the present work, a rapid and simple method for the determination of water-soluble Cr(VI) in clinker samples has been developed. The analytical methodology is based on the combined use of a low cost Cr(VI) isolation procedure using activated layers followed by their analysis using wavelength-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (WDXRF) spectrometry. WDXRF instrumentation is a common tool used for determining the chemical composition of all materials involved in cement production and also for the quality control of the products produced in cement and concrete factories. Therefore, the presented methodology does not imply the use of additional instrumentation in cement-industries laboratories and can be used as a comparative method to the spectrophotometric reference (EN 196–10:2006). The analytical parameters evaluated (selectivity, limit of detection, linearity, and precision) prove to be suitable for the intended purpose, and the methodology has successfully been applied to determine water-soluble Cr(VI) in several clinker samples.
Wiener Bounds for Complex Permittivity in Terahertz Spectroscopy: Case Study of Two-Phase Pharmaceutical Tablets
Authors: Tuononen Heikki , Fukunaga Kaori , Kuosmanen Marko , Ketolainen Jarkko , Peiponen Kai-Erik
Published: October 2010

The terahertz measurement technique has become popular in the field of pharmaceutical technology for tablet quality inspection. Spectral data obtained from the tablets is based on the utilization of Fresnel's formulas for an ideal slab. However, a tablet is a porous medium. Hence, in the THz gap one has to assume that a tablet constitutes at least an effective medium if the Fresnel theory is applied in quantitative permittivity spectra analysis. Hence, it is suggested that one should consider instead of the permittivity of homogeneous media the concept of efective permittivity in the THz terminology of porous tablets. Usually the fill factor of a component of a tablet is known but not the detailed bulk structure. Nevertheless, it is possible to estimate the complex effective permittivity of a tablet with the aid of so-called Wiener bounds. The idea of this article is to present a modification of Wiener bounds applied to the estimation of the real and imaginary part of the permittivity of the pure component of a tablet. As an example, the effective complex permittivity of a starch acetate tablet is considered.
A Bioluminescent Microbial Biosensor for In Vitro Pretreatment Assessment of Cytarabine Efficacy in Leukemia
Authors: Alloush Habib M , Anderson Elizabeth , Martin Ashley D , Ruddock Mark W , Angell Johanna E , Hill Phil J , Mehta Priyanka , Smith M Ann , Smith J Graham , Salisbury Vyv C
Published: October 2010

BACKGROUND

The nucleoside analog cytarabine (Ara-C [cytosine arabinoside]) is the key agent for treating acute myeloid leukemia (AML); however, up to 30% of patients fail to respond to treatment. Screening of patient blood samples to determine drug response before commencement of treatment is needed. This project aimed to construct and evaluate a self-bioluminescent reporter strain of Escherichia coli for use as an Ara-C biosensor and to design an in vitro assay to predict Ara-C response in clinical samples.

METHODS

We used transposition mutagenesis to create a cytidine deaminase (cdd)-deficient mutant of E. coli MG1655 that responded to Ara-C. The strain was transformed with the luxCDABE operon and used as a whole-cell biosensor for development an 8-h assay to determine Ara-C uptake and phosphorylation by leukemic cells.

RESULTS

Intracellular concentrations of 0.025 μmol/L phosphorylated Ara-C were detected by significantly increased light output (P < 0.05) from the bacterial biosensor. Results using AML cell lines with known response to Ara-C showed close correlation between the 8-h assay and a 3-day cytotoxicity test for Ara-C cell killing. In retrospective tests with 24 clinical samples of bone marrow or peripheral blood, the biosensor-based assay predicted leukemic cell response to Ara-C within 8 h.

CONCLUSIONS

The biosensor-based assay may offer a predictor for evaluating the sensitivity of leukemic cells to Ara-C before patients undergo chemotherapy and allow customized treatment of drug-sensitive patients with reduced Ara-C dose levels. The 8-h assay monitors intracellular Ara-CTP (cytosine arabinoside triphosphate) levels and, if fully validated, may be suitable for use in clinical settings.
Simultaneous Quantification of Apolipoprotein A-I and Apolipoprotein B by Liquid-Chromatography–Multiple- Reaction–Monitoring Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Agger Sean A , Marney Luke C , Hoofnagle Andrew N
Published: October 2010

BACKGROUND

If liquid-chromatography–multiple-reaction–monitoring mass spectrometry (LC-MRM/MS) could be used in the large-scale preclinical verification of putative biomarkers, it would obviate the need for the development of expensive immunoassays. In addition, the translation of novel biomarkers to clinical use would be accelerated if the assays used in preclinical studies were the same as those used in the clinical laboratory. To validate this approach, we developed a multiplexed assay for the quantification of 2 clinically well-known biomarkers in human plasma, apolipoprotein A-I and apolipoprotein B (apoA-I and apoB).

METHODS

We used PeptideAtlas to identify candidate peptides. Human samples were denatured with urea or trifluoroethanol, reduced and alkylated, and digested with trypsin. We compared reversed-phase chromatographic separation of peptides with normal flow and microflow, and we normalized endogenous peptide peak areas to internal standard peptides. We evaluated different methods of calibration and compared the final method with a nephelometric immunoassay.

RESULTS

We developed a final method using trifluoroethanol denaturation, 21-h digestion, normal flow chromatography-electrospray ionization, and calibration with a single normal human plasma sample. For samples injected in duplicate, the method had intraassay CVs <6% and interassay CVs <12% for both proteins, and compared well with immunoassay (n = 47; Deming regression, LC-MRM/MS = 1.17 × immunoassay − 36.6; Sx|y = 10.3 for apoA-I and LC-MRM/MS = 1.21 × immunoassay + 7.0; Sx|y = 7.9 for apoB).

CONCLUSIONS

Multiplexed quantification of proteins in human plasma/serum by LC-MRM/MS is possible and compares well with clinically useful immunoassays. The potential application of single-point calibration to large clinical studies could simplify efforts to reduce day-to-day digestion variability.
Unveiling the dramatic secret of ‘Ghost’ in Hamlet
Authors: Kikuchi Shigeo
Published: October 2010

This article examines Shakespeare's dramatic secret of a “Ghost” in Hamlet. The idea of a “Ghost,” a being of uncertain existence, whether an idea or an event or the soul of a deceased person, is effectively used in this work to create a world of doubt into which Hamlet is drawn by the words of what seems to be the ghost of King Hamlet. Through Hamlet's words and behavior, Claudius is drawn into this world, which I call the world of SEEMING. It is in this world that Hamlet utters the famous phrase “To be, or not to be.” Finally, Hamlet kills his uncle without obtaining evidence of Claudius's crime and himself dies without knowing whether Claudius actually killed his father. In this circumstance, Hamlet cannot be said to have taken vengeance, which even in Elizabethan times was not allowed by law or religion; and yet vengeance is seemingly created in the audience's belief world.
Towards a new convergence between Anglo-American and Russian literary linguistics: “mind style” and “kartina mira”
Authors: Dhooge Ben W.
Published: October 2010

Anglo-American and Russian stylistics influenced each other substantially in the 1960s and 1970s. From the 1980s on, however, this fruitful mutual influence came to an end. The two schools started to grow apart, but despite that, they would develop almost parallel to each other, displaying many theoretical and methodological similarities. The present paper illustrates this by highlighting one such specificity – the idea of the possible reflection of one's conceptualization of the world in the use of literary language, and the possibility of reconstructing that conceptualization by means of a stylistic analysis (‘mind style’–‘kartina mira’). By comparing the Anglo-American and Russian theories on the topic, it is shown that the separately evolved conceptions are similar and even complement each other: the differences between them clarify and help solve possible theoretical and methodological gaps. Moreover, the juxtaposition of both conceptions allows us to perfect the notion of ‘mind style’ and its practical applications. A similar approach to other conceptions and tendencies in current seemingly mutually independent Anglo-American and Russian stylistics have the same potential, and may lead to a new convergence between the two schools.
Trophic niche comparison of American mink and Eurasian otter under different winter conditions
Authors: Skierczyński Michał , Wiśniewska Anna
Published: October 2010

No abstract available
Das Breviarium des Liberatus von Karthago. Einige Hypothesen zu seiner Intention
Authors: Meier Mischa
Published: October 2010

The aim of this article is to demonstrate that some current views on Liberatus and his Breviarium must be modified. The author suggests that Liberatus did not write the small book in order to criticize Justinian's religious policy in the Three Chapters Controversy. He rather intended to defend Justinian and to introduce his African contemporaries in the structure and mechanisms of the now ruling East Roman church policy.
Retinal Hemorrhage in Abusive Head Trauma
Authors: Levin Alex V.
Published: October 2010

Retinal hemorrhage is a cardinal manifestation of abusive head trauma. Over the 30 years since the recognition of this association, multiple streams of research, including clinical, postmortem, animal, mechanical, and finite element studies, have created a robust understanding of the clinical features, diagnostic importance, differential diagnosis, and pathophysiology of this finding. The importance of describing the hemorrhages adequately is paramount in ensuring accurate and complete differential diagnosis. Challenges remain in developing models that adequately replicate the forces required to cause retinal hemorrhage in children. Although questions, such as the effect of increased intracranial pressure, hypoxia, and impact, are still raised (particularly in court), clinicians can confidently rely on a large and solid evidence base when assessing the implications of retinal hemorrhage in children with concern of possible child abuse.
A Systematic Review of Faces Scales for the Self-report of Pain Intensity in Children
Authors: Tomlinson Deborah , von Baeyer Carl L. , Stinson Jennifer N. , Sung Lillian
Published: October 2010

CONTEXT:

Numerous faces scales have been developed for the measurement of pain intensity in children. It remains unclear whether any one of the faces scales is better for a particular purpose with regard to validity, reliability, feasibility, and preference.

OBJECTIVES:

To summarize and systematically review faces pain scales most commonly used to obtain self-report of pain intensity in children for evaluation of reliability and validity and to compare the scales for preference and utility.

METHODS:

Five major electronic databases were systematically searched for studies that used a faces scale for the self-report measurement of pain intensity in children. Fourteen faces pain scales were identified, of which 4 have undergone extensive psychometric testing: Faces Pain Scale (FPS) (scored 0–6); Faces Pain Scale–Revised (FPS-R) (0–10); Oucher pain scale (0–10); and Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale (WBFPRS) (0–10). These 4 scales were included in the review. Studies were classified by using psychometric criteria, including construct validity, reliability, and responsiveness, that were established a priori.

RESULTS:

From a total of 276 articles retrieved, 182 were screened for psychometric evaluation, and 127 were included. All 4 faces pain scales were found to be adequately supported by psychometric data. When given a choice between faces scales, children preferred the WBFPRS. Confounding of pain intensity with affect caused by use of smiling and crying anchor faces is a disadvantage of the WBFPRS.

CONCLUSIONS:

For clinical use, we found no grounds to switch from 1 faces scale to another when 1 of the scales is in use. For research use, the FPS-R has been recommended on the basis of utility and psychometric features. Data are sparse for children below the age of 5 years, and future research should focus on simplified measures, instructions, and anchors for these younger children.
Recombinant Human Growth Hormone in the Treatment of Patients With Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Phung Olivia J. , Coleman Craig I. , Baker Erica L. , Scholle Jennifer M. , Girotto Jennifer E. , Makanji Sagar S. , Chen Wendy T. , Talati Ripple , Kluger Jeffrey , White C. Michael
Published: October 2010

CONTEXT:

Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) improves growth in patients with growth hormone deficiency or idiopathic short stature. Its role in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) is unclear.

OBJECTIVE:

To review the effectiveness of rhGH in the treatment of patients with CF.

METHODS:

Medline and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched from the earliest date through April 2010. Randomized controlled trials, observational studies, systematic reviews/meta-analyses, or case reports were included if rhGH therapy was administered to patients with CF and data on prespecified harms, intermediate outcomes, or final health outcomes were reported. When applicable, end points were pooled by using a random-effects model. The overall body of evidence was graded for each outcome as insufficient, low, moderate, or high.

RESULTS:

Ten unique controlled trials (n = 312) and 8 observational studies (n = 58) were included. On quantitative synthesis of controlled trials, several markers of pulmonary function, anthropometrics, and bone mineralization were significantly improved versus control. Results of single-arm observational studies for the aforementioned outcomes were generally supportive of findings in clinical trials. There is insufficient evidence to determine the effect of rhGH on intravenous antibiotic use during therapy, pulmonary exacerbations, health-related quality-of-life, bone consequences, or total mortality, but moderate evidence suggests that rhGH therapy reduces the rate of hospitalization versus control.

CONCLUSIONS:

rhGH improved almost all intermediate measures of pulmonary function, height, and weight in patients with CF. Improvements in bone mineral content are also promising. However, with the exception of hospitalizations, the benefits on final health outcomes cannot be directly determined at this time.
What Does it Take to Prove Fermat's Last Theorem? Grothendieck and the Logic of Number Theory
Authors: McLarty Colin
Published: October 2010

This paper explores the set theoretic assumptions used in the current published proof of Fermat's Last Theorem, how these assumptions figure in the methods Wiles uses, and the currently known prospects for a proof using weaker assumptions.
Measuring Perceived Emotional Intelligence in the Adolescent Population: Psychometric Properties of the Trait Meta-Mood Scale
Authors: Salguero José M. , Fernández-Berrocal Pablo , Balluerka Nekane , Aritzeta Aitor
Published: October 2010

The Trait Meta-Mood Scale (TMMS; Salovey, Mayer, Goldman, Turvey, & Palfai, 1995) is a well-established measure of perceived emotional intelligence, an aspect of emotional intelligence that includes people's beliefs and attitudes about their own emotional experience. Although the
TMMS has been widely used in adult populations, until now no data have been reported on its validity in the adolescent population. In the present work we analyzed the psychometric properties of the TMMS in a sample of 1,497 adolescents aged 12 to 17. The results of the confirmatory factor
analysis corroborated the 3-factor structure of the original scale (attention to feelings, clarity of feelings, and mood repair); moreover, these dimensions showed adequate reliability and correlated among themselves in the expected fashion. We also found evidence of discriminant validity
with the Big Five personality factors and analyzed differences in the TMMS dimensions according to participants' age and sex. We discuss both the implications of these results and the utility of this scale in research on the emotional intelligence construct.
Trending and Mapping the Intellectual Structure of Social Behavior Studies: A Study of the Social Behavior and Personality Journal
Authors: Lin Tsai-Yuan , Wang Yi-Chou , Tsai Chung-Lin
Published: October 2010

Our aim in this research was to map the intellectual structure of social behavior studies in the past 27 years, by comparing works from two specific periods – 1982-1995 and 1996-2008. A model of an invisible network of knowledge was used in this study to identify the most important
studies, the most influential scholars, and the correlations among these publications. The results of this research help in perceiving the network that records the academic movement of social behavior, and will facilitate access for researchers to the literature in this field.
Asset Securitization, Securitization Recourse, and Information Uncertainty
Authors: Cheng Mei , Dhaliwal Dan S. , Neamtiu Monica
Published: October 2010

ABSTRACT: In this study, we examine some of the consequences of asset securitization. Specifically, using a sample of bank holding companies, we investigate whether the difficulty in assessing the true extent of risk transfer, between securitizing banks and investors in asset-backed securities, affects bank information uncertainty. We find that when market participants have a greater difficulty in estimating risk transfer, banks face greater information uncertainty (i.e., larger bid-ask spreads and analyst forecast dispersion). In addition, we find that this effect is mitigated for banks that operate in a higher quality information environment. We also find that banks that securitize financial assets have higher spreads and analyst forecast dispersion as compared to non-securitizing banks.
Voluntary Disclosure to Influence Investor Reactions to Merger Announcements: An Examination of Conference Calls
Authors: Kimbrough Michael D. , Louis Henock
Published: October 2010

ABSTRACT: We find that bidders are more likely to hold conference calls at merger announcements when the mergers are financed with stock and when the transactions are large. After controlling for endogeneity, we also find that conference calls are associated with more favorable market reactions to merger announcements. A content analysis of merger-related information releases for a limited subsample indicates that the more favorable reaction is related to the fact that, compared to press releases, conference calls provide a greater volume of information and place greater emphasis on forward-looking details. We find no evidence that the superior announcement returns associated with conference calls subsequently reverse or that conference calls are positively associated with pre-merger announcement abnormal accruals. Overall, the results suggest that managers use conference calls around merger announcements to credibly convey favorable private information to the market.
Stock Repurchases and Executive Compensation Contract Design: The Role of Earnings per Share Performance Conditions
Authors: Young Steven , Yang Jing
Published: October 2010

ABSTRACT: We examine the link between firms’ stock repurchase activity and the presence of earnings per share (EPS) performance conditions in executive compensation contracts. Findings reveal a strong positive association between repurchases and EPS-contingent compensation arrangements. Further analysis suggests net benefits to shareholders from this association. Specifically, repurchasers experience larger increases in total payouts; the positive association between repurchases and cash performance is more pronounced for firms with EPS targets in the presence of surplus cash; undervalued firms with EPS targets are more likely to signal mispricing through a repurchase; and repurchasers with EPS conditions are associated with lower abnormal accruals. We find no evidence that EPS-driven repurchases impose costs on shareholders in the form of investment myopia.
Lack of TRPM2 Impaired Insulin Secretion and Glucose Metabolisms in Mice
Authors: Uchida Kunitoshi , Dezaki Katsuya , Damdindorj Boldbaatar , Inada Hitoshi , Shiuchi Tetsuya , Mori Yasuo , Yada Toshihiko , Minokoshi Yasuhiko , Tominaga Makoto
Published: October 2010

OBJECTIVE

TRPM2 is a Ca2+-permeable nonselective cation channel activated by adenosine dinucleotides. We previously demonstrated that TRPM2 is activated by coapplication of heat and intracellular cyclic adenosine 5′-diphosphoribose, which has been suggested to be involved in intracellular Ca2+ increase in immunocytes and pancreatic β-cells. To clarify the involvement of TRPM2 in insulin secretion, we analyzed TRPM2 knockout (TRPM2-KO) mice.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Oral and intraperitoneal glucose tolerance tests (OGTT and IPGTT) were performed in TRPM2-KO and wild-type mice. We also measured cytosolic free Ca2+ in single pancreatic cells using fura-2 microfluorometry and insulin secretion from pancreatic islets.

RESULTS

Basal blood glucose levels were higher in TRPM2-KO mice than in wild-type mice without any difference in plasma insulin levels. The OGTT and IPGTT demonstrated that blood glucose levels in TRPM2-KO mice were higher than those in wild-type mice, which was associated with an impairment in insulin secretion. In isolated β-cells, smaller intracellular Ca2+ increase was observed in response to high concentrations of glucose and incretin hormone in TRPM2-KO cells than in wild-type cells. Moreover, insulin secretion from the islets of TRPM2-KO mice in response to glucose and incretin hormone treatment was impaired, whereas the response to tolbutamide, an ATP-sensitive potassium channel inhibitor, was not different between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that TRPM2 is involved in insulin secretion stimulated by glucose and that further potentiated by incretins. Thus, TRPM2 may be a new target for diabetes therapy.
IQ Variations across Time, Race, and Nationality: An Artifact of Differences in Literacy Skills
Authors: Marks David F.
Published: October 2010

A body of data on IQ collected over 50 years has revealed that average population IQ varies across time, race, and nationality. An explanation for these differences may be that intelligence test performance requires literacy skills not present in all people to the same extent. In eight analyses, population mean full scale IQ and literacy scores yielded correlations ranging from .79 to .99. In cohort studies, significantly larger improvements in IQ occurred in the lower half of the IQ distribution, affecting the distribution variance and skewness in the predicted manner. In addition, three Verbal subscales on the WAIS show the largest Flynn effect sizes and all four Verbal subscales are among those showing the highest racial IQ differences. This pattern of findings supports the hypothesis that both secular and racial differences in intelligence test scores have an environmental explanation: secular and racial differences in IQ are an artifact of variation in literacy skills. These findings suggest that racial IQ distributions will converge if opportunities are equalized for different population groups to achieve the same high level of literacy skills. Social justice requires more effective implementation of policies and programs designed to eliminate inequities in IQ and literacy.
Personality Disorders and Premature Dropout from Psychological Treatment for Smoking Cessation
Authors: del Río Elena Fernández , López Ana , Becoñta Elisardo
Published: October 2010

The relation between personality disorders and premature dropout (attending half of the sessions or fewer) from a psychological treatment for giving up smoking was examined in a sample of 202 smokers. Percent of premature dropout was significantly higher for smokers with personality disorder in general, specifically for smokers with dependent personality disorder and with Cluster C personality disorder, than in smokers without such psychopathology.