bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hospital‐based influenza surveillance in Korea: Hospital‐based influenza morbidity and mortality study group
Authors: Song Joon Young , Cheong Hee Jin , Choi Sung Hyuk , Baek Ji Hyeon , Han Seung Baik , Wie Seong‐Heon , So Byung Hak , Kim Hyo Youl , Kim Young Keun , Choi Won Suk , Moon Sung Woo , Lee Jacob , Kang Gu Hyun , Jeong Hye Won , Park Jung Soo , Kim Woo Joo
Published: March 2013

Influenza epidemics occur annually with variations in size and severity. Hospital‐based Influenza Morbidity & Mortality was established to monitor influenza epidemics and their severity, which is composed of two surveillance systems: emergency room‐based and inpatient‐based surveillance. Regarding emergency room‐based surveillance, influenza‐like illness index (influenza‐like illness cases per 1,000 emergency room‐visiting subjects), number of laboratory‐confirmed cases and the distribution of influenza types were estimated weekly. Inpatient‐based surveillance included monitoring for hospitalization, complications, and mortality. The emergency room influenza‐like illness index correlated well with the number of laboratory‐confirmed influenza cases, and showed a bimodal peak at Week 4 (179.2/1,000 emergency room visits) and Weeks 13‐14 (169.6/1,000 emergency room visits) of 2012. Influenza A was the predominant strain during the first epidemic peak, while influenza B was isolated exclusively during the second peak. In 2011–2012 season, the mean admission rate of emergency room‐visiting patients with influenza‐like illness was 16.3% without any increase over the epidemic period. Among the hospitalized patients with influenza, 33.6% (41 out of 122 patients) were accompanied by complications, and pneumonia (28.7%, 35 out of 122 patients) was the most common. Most fatal cases were caused by influenza A (96.2%) after the first epidemic peak. In conclusion, Hospital‐based Influenza Morbidity & Mortality was effective for monitoring the trends in circulating influenza activity concurrently with its severity. In the 2011–2012 season, the influenza epidemic persisted for a ≥5‐month period, with a bimodal peak of influenza A and B in sequence. Overall, influenza A was more severe than influenza B. J. Med. Virol. 85:910–917, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
First description of Merkel Cell polyomavirus DNA detection in a patient with Stevens–Johnson syndrome
Authors: Maximova Natalia , Granzotto Marilena , Kiren Valentina , Zanon Davide , Comar Manola
Published: March 2013

Merkel Cell polyomavirus (MCPyV), a ubiquitous DNA tumor virus, has been found to be associated with Merkel cell carcinoma and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia while other associations are still being explored. MCPyV sequences have also been detected in normal tissues of tumor patients and in the blood of healthy donors. This report documents a new MCPyV association with the Stevens–Johnson syndrome, a rare immune‐modulated mucocutaneous process particularly associated with specific drugs and infective agents. A high MCPyV viral load was detected simultaneously in fluid from skin lesions (2.0 × 104 copies/ml) and in matched blood (7.4 × 105 copies/ml) from a young adult patient after bone marrow transplant for a relapsed T‐cell acute lymphatic leukaemia. MCPyV clearance concurred with the complete resolution of skin lesions after 5 days of cidofovir treatment. DNA sequencing classified the amplicons as the European/Italian MKL‐1 strain. Given its ubiquitous nature, MCPyV could account for part of Stevens–Johnson syndrome idiopathic cases. J. Med. Virol. 85:918–923, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Basement membrane molecule expression attendant to chondrogenesis by nucleus pulposus cells and mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Toh Wei Seong , Foldager Casper Bindzus , Olsen Bjorn Reino , Spector Myron
Published: March 2013

Bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) represent an autologous cell source for nucleus pulposus (NP) tissue engineering and regeneration. Although studies have demonstrated the ability of MSCs to differentiate to NP‐like chondrocytic cells, few have comparatively studied the matrix synthesis and composition of the cartilaginous tissue formed in vitro from both cell types, particularly with respect to the expression of basement membrane (BM) molecules. The objective of this study was to evaluate chondrogenesis and expression of BM molecules, laminin and type IV collagen, in monolayer and in pellet cultures of caprine NP cells and MSCs. Both cell types demonstrated comparable levels of chondrogenesis, indicated by the percentage of chondrocytic cells, and the amounts of glycosaminoglycan and type II collagen. Laminin and type IV collagen were expressed intracellularly by NP cells and MSCs cultured in monolayer. During chondrogenesis in pellet cultures, the deposition of BM molecules in NP and MSC pellets followed an orderly spatiotemporal shift in pattern from a diffuse territorial and interterritorial distribution to a defined pericellular localization, as seen in normal adult NP. These results inform the use of MSCs for NP regeneration and suggest the possible involvement of certain BM molecules in chondrogenesis and cartilage regeneration. © 2013 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 31:1136–1143, 2013
Raman‐induced Kerr effect microscopy with balanced detection
Authors: Molotokaite Egle , Kumar Vikas , Manzoni Cristian , Polli Dario , Cerullo Giulio , Marangoni Marco
Published: March 2013

We present a new coherent Raman scattering technique, which we call balanced‐detection Raman‐induced Kerr effect. The technique relies on a balanced detection architecture, inspired to that applied for electro‐optic sampling in the terahertz domain, which allows one to sensitively measure the Raman‐induced Kerr effect‐induced polarization rotation of the Stokes field. Balanced detection allows for an intrinsic rejection of laser noise, thus making possible to approach shot‐noise limited conditions even when using fiber laser sources and relatively low modulation frequencies. Balanced‐detection Raman‐induced Kerr effect removes both linear and nonlinear background, provides self‐heterodyne amplification of the nonlinear Raman signal, and scales linearly the sample concentration. Furthermore, by properly changing the detection conditions, it allows the reconstruction of the full complex vibrational response, both in amplitude and phase, greatly increasing chemical selectivity in single‐color excitation. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Survival and recurrence free benefits with different lymphadenectomy for resectable gastric cancer: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Jiang Lei , Yang Ke‐Hu , Guan Quan‐Lin , Zhao Peng , Chen Yan , Tian Jin‐Hui
Published: March 2013

Background

The objective of the present meta‐analysis was to estimate the magnitude of survival and recurrence free benefits from different lymphadenectomy in patients with resectable gastric cancer.

Methods

A comprehensive search was performed for original studies published from their inception to 2012. Two reviewers independently assessed search results, methodological quality, and data extraction of included studies. Results regarding the overall survival (OS) and recurrence free survival (RFS) in the meta‐analysis were expressed as hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

Twelve randomized control trials (RCTs) were eligible for final meta‐analysis. There was not significant difference in OS between D1 and D2 lymphadenectomy (HR = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.77–1.10, P = 0.36), but subgroup analysis of patients without splenectomy and/or pancreatectomy has a trend for OS much more benefiting D2 compared to D1 patients. A significant RFS improvement was found in favor of D2 lymphadenectomy, sensitivity analysis also gives similar fixed effect estimates (HR = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.58–0.81, P = 0.84). There were no significant differences in OS and RFS between D2 group and D3 group (1 trial).

Conclusions

The present meta‐analysis indicates that D2 lymphadenectomy with spleen and pancreas preservation offers the most survival benefit for patients with gastric cancer when done safety. J. Surg. Oncol. 2013;107:807–814. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Coupled finite‐element simulation of injection well testing in unconsolidated oil sands reservoir
Authors: Xu Bin , Wong Ron C.K.
Published: March 2013

This paper presents a finite‐element (FE) model for simulating injection well testing in unconsolidated oil sands reservoir. In injection well testing, the bottom‐hole pressure (BHP) is monitored during the injection and shut‐in period. The flow characteristics of a reservoir can be determined from transient BHP data using conventional reservoir or well‐testing analysis. However, conventional reservoir or well‐testing analysis does not consider geomechanics coupling effects. This simplified assumption has limitations when applied to unconsolidated (uncemented) oil sands reservoirs because oil sands deform and dilate subjected to pressure variation. In addition, hydraulic fracturing may occur in unconsolidated oil sands when high water injection rate is used. This research is motivated in numerical modeling of injection well testing in unconsolidated oil sands reservoir considering the geomechanics coupling effects including hydraulic fracturing. To simulate the strong anisotropy in mechanical and hydraulic behaviour of unconsolidated oil sands induced by fluid injection in injection well testing, a nonlinear stress‐dependent poro‐elasto‐plastic constitutive model together with a strain‐induced anisotropic permeability model are formulated and implemented into a 3D FE simulator. The 3D FE model is used to history match the BHP response measured from an injection well in an oil sands reservoir. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Two Procedures for Anterior Vaginal Wall Prolapse
Authors: Minassian Vatche A. , Parekh Mitesh , Poplawsky Deborah , Gorman Jennifer , Litzy Louise
Published: March 2013

Objective

To compare success rates between anterior colporrhaphy and abdominal paravaginal defect repair for treatment of anterior vaginal wall prolapse.

Methods

This was a prospective randomized controlled trial comparing anterior colporrhaphy plus polyglactin 910 mesh (vaginal) to paravaginal defect repair (abdominal) in women with symptomatic anterior vaginal wall prolapse. Pelvic organ prolapse quantification staging (POP‐Q), pelvic floor distress inventory, pelvic floor impact questionnaire, and pelvic organ prolapse/urinary incontinence sexual questionnaires were administered pre and post‐operatively. Women were followed up to 2 years. The primary outcome was anterior POP‐Q stage, with failure defined as ≥stage II.

Results

We enrolled 70 patients, 35 in each group. Demographic and most peri‐operative characteristics were similar between the groups. Mean anterior vaginal wall prolapse repair time (39 min) was shorter for vaginal versus abdominal repair (60 min; P < 0.001), with more concurrent hysterectomies in the vaginal (71%) versus abdominal group (42%), P = 0.01. At 2 years, objective failure rates for the vaginal and abdominal groups were 32% and 40%, respectively, P = 0.56. Subjective failure rates were lower and similar for both groups. Patient satisfaction rates were 88% for the vaginal and 73% for the abdominal group, P = 0.11. Quality of life questionnaires showed significant improvement from baseline but no difference between the groups (P = 0.12).

Conclusions

At 2 years follow‐up, anterior colporrhaphy with polyglactin 910 mesh and abdominal paravaginal defect repair have similar success rates, with most objective failures being asymptomatic. Neurourol. Urodynam. 33:72–77, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Stroke with intracranial stenosis is associated with increased platelet activation in sickle cell anemia
Authors: Majumdar Suvankar , Webb Samantha , Norcross Erin , Mannam Venkat , Ahmad Naveed , Lirette Seth , Iyer Rathi
Published: March 2013

Background

Overt stroke in sickle cell anemia (SCA) is associated with intracranial stenosis and thrombus formation. Platelet activation is critical for thrombus formation.

Procedure

Platelet activation studies were performed in 50 subjects: 18 SCA patients with history of stroke or abnormal transcranial Doppler (TCD) and intracranial stenosis seen by magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA), 7 SCA patients with history of stroke or abnormal TCD but no intracranial stenosis, 13 SCA patients with no history of stroke or abnormal TCD, and 12 healthy African‐Americans.

Results

Of the 18 patients with intracranial stenosis, 11 (61%) had evidence of the moyo‐moya phenomenon on MRA. SCA children with intracranial stenosis had a significantly greater total white cell count compared to both healthy African‐American controls and SCA patients in the steady‐state (P < 0.001). In addition, SCA patients with history of stroke or abnormal TCD had a significantly higher platelet count compared to healthy African‐American controls (P < 0.002). The percentage of platelet surface P‐selectin expression was significantly greater in patients with intracranial stenosis compared to the other groups (P < 0.05), particularly in individuals that did not have the moya‐moya phenomenon seen on MRA.

Conclusion

Stroke with intracranial stenosis is associated with increased platelet activation in sickle cell anemia, and further investigation is needed on the role of anti‐platelet agents in this high‐risk population. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2013; 60: 1192–1197. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A study of molecular weight regulation in polyethylene by titanium diolate catalysts
Authors: Mehta Akshay , Tembe Gopal , Parikh Parimal , Mehta Girish
Published: March 2013

A series of homogeneous titanium(IV) complexes derived from cyclohexanediol were synthesized and characterized. These catalysts, formulated as [Ti–(O∩O)(OR)2], [Ti–(O∩O)OPriCl] and [Ti–(O∩O)2], were found to be highly active in the polymerization of ethylene at high temperature in combination with ethylaluminium sesquichloride (Et3Al2Cl3, EASC) as co‐catalyst. The resultant polyethylene had a low polydispersity index indicating the formation of single‐site catalytic species with molecular weight in the range 639–1036 g mol−1 which was analysed using 1H NMR spectroscopy and found to be linear, suggesting that a chain transfer to the aluminium of EASC occurs. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Hairy fluorescent nanoparticles from one‐pot click chemistry and atom transfer radical emulsion polymerization
Authors: Yao Fang , Yan Guan‐Cang , Xu Li‐Qun , Fu Guo‐Dong , Yin Li‐Hong , Pu Yue‐Pu , Kang En‐Tang
Published: March 2013

Well‐defined hairy and crosslinked fluorescent nanoparticles with diameters in the range 70–220 nm were obtained from simultaneous copper‐catalyzed alkyne–azide cycloaddition (CuAAC) and atom transfer radical emulsion polymerization (ATREP) of a mixture of styrene, divinylbenzene, 4‐vinylbenzylazide and 7‐propinyloxycoumarin (Cr), using bromide‐terminated poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) as macroinitiator, Tween‐20 as emulsifier, copper(I) bromide as catalyst and pentamethyldiethylenetriamine as ligand. The generation of biocompatible PEG brushes and the introduction of fluorescent functionalities as well as crosslinking of nanoparticles were realized in one step. In order to verify that functionalization and propagation of polymer chains could be realized in a controlled manner by one‐pot simultaneous ATREP and CuAAC, linear block copolymers of PEG and polystyrene (PS) with partially clicked pendent Cr groups (PEG‐b‐(PS‐c‐Cr)) were synthesized. All prepared PEG‐b‐(PS‐c‐Cr) copolymers had a controlled molecular weight and defined molecular structure. The hairy fluorescent nanoparticles exhibit a low cytotoxicity and could find applications in cell labeling. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Proteomic profile of carbonylated proteins in rat liver: Exercise attenuated oxidative stress may be involved in fatty liver improvement
Authors: Hu Xiaofei , Duan Zhigui , Hu Hui , Li Guolin , Yan Siyu , Wu Jinfeng , Wang Jun , Yin Dazhong , Xie Qingji
Published: March 2013

To screen target proteins of oxidative stress which mediate the effects of exercise on preventing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the methods for selecting carbonylated proteins were modified, and carbonylated proteins were profiled. The results showed that treadmill training reduced oxidative stress and the levels of intrahepatic triglyceride (IHTG). The changes in IHTG showed a significant positive correlation with oxidative stress as indicated by malondialdehyde level. Further results from proteomics illustrated that 17 functional proteins were susceptible to oxidative modification, and exercise protected three proteins from carbonylation. The latter three proteins may serve as both direct target proteins of oxidative stress and mediators contributing to the beneficial effects of exercise. In particular, a long‐chain specific acyl‐CoA dehydrogenase (ACADL) which was a key enzyme in lipid metabolism was not carbonylated and with higher activities in exercise group. These findings indicate that this modified technique is practical and powerful in selecting carbonylated proteins. Long‐term treadmill training is effective in ameliorating oxidative stress and preventing the accumulation of IHTG. Among the 17 target proteins of oxidative modification, three proteins contribute to the beneficial effects of exercise. Preventing ACADL from carbonylation may be involved in the physiological mechanism of exercise‐induced NAFLD improvement.
Hybrid ionic/covalent polymer networks derived from functional imidazolium ionomers
Authors: Ozvald Adam , Scott Parent J. , Whitney Ralph A.
Published: March 2013

A new class of ionomers is described wherein ion‐pairs bear reactive functionality, thereby facilitating further chemical modification. Halide displacement from brominated poly(isobutylene‐co‐isoprene) by 1‐vinylimidazole is used to prepare ionomer derivatives that can be crosslinked by radical oligiomerization of pendant vinyl groups. The resulting thermosets contain a labile network of imidazolium bromide ion‐pair aggregates as well as a stable covalent network. As a result of their hybrid ionic/covalent composition, these thermoset elastomers provide a unique combination of rheological, tensile and stress relaxation properties that cannot be achieved from conventional covalent or ionic networks. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013, 51, 2438–2444
Spectroscopy of radiation defects in rutile TiO2
Authors: Rosário C. M. M. , Graça M. P. F. , Valente M. A. , Costa L. C. , Rodrigues J. , Monteiro T. , Alves E. , Sobolev N. A.
Published: March 2013

TiO2 is a prototypical memristive material, very promising for applications in ReRAMs, a new kind of nonvolatile memories. The electromigration of oxygen vacancies in TiO2 is commonly accepted as a key mechanism of the memristive phenomena. However, spectroscopic studies of defects involved in the electromigration are rare. In this work we created defects in rutile TiO2 single crystals by irradiation with 50 keV Ar+ ions to fluences up to 2 × 1017 ion cm−2 at 1000 K and investigated them by means of Raman scattering, photoluminescence, impedance spectroscopy and electron paramagnetic resonance. With the latter, Ti interstitials have been detected. Against expectations, spectra of isolated vacancies have not been observed. Instead, a rich variety of defects appeared, indicating a very complex character of the defect creation and transformation processes in rutile. An interaction of the Fe3+ and Cr3+ impurities with radiation‐induced defects has been concluded. The activation process observed in our IS measurements is identified as the thermal ionization of defect‐related donors.
Dominant mechanisms of electron scattering in ultra‐dilute GaAsN
Authors: Inagaki Makoto , Ikeda Kazuma , Kowaki Hiroyuki , Ohshita Yoshio , Kojima Nobuaki , Yamagichi Masafumi
Published: March 2013

The dominant electron scattering mechanisms in GaAsN were investigated by analysing the Hall electron mobility and photoluminescence (PL) spectrum. The GaAsN thin films were grown by chemical beam epitaxy. The temperature dependence of the electron mobility indicated that polar optical phonon (POP) scattering was dominant in GaAs and GaAs:N0.0003 near room temperature. By increasing nitrogen compositions up to around 0.1%, the temperature dependence of the electron mobility became from T‐1.23 to T‐0.5. It indicated that the dominant scattering changed from POP to alloy scattering with nitrogen composition. The full width at half maximum of the PL spectra suggested that the large potential fluctuation at conduction band edge did not exist in GaAsN grown by chemical beam epitaxy. The theoretical electron mobility of POP and alloy scattering with large effective mass which was obtained by Masia et al., Dennecker et al., and Ibáñez et al. agreed with the determined electron mobility. Therefore, the POP and alloy scattering with the large effective mass were considered to be the origin of the low electron mobility of GaAsN. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Concise Review: Current Concepts in Bone Marrow Microenvironmental Regulation of Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells
Authors: Smith Julianne N. P. , Calvi Laura M.
Published: March 2013

Hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) behavior is governed in large part by interactions of the blood system with the bone microenvironment. Increasing evidence demonstrates the profound role the local HSC microenvironment or niche plays in normal stem cell function, in therapeutic activation and in the setting of malignancy. A number of cellular and molecular components of the microenvironment have been identified thus far, several of which are likely to provide exciting therapeutic targets in the near future. Clinically effective strategies for niche manipulation, however, require careful study of the interaction of these niche components. Some of the key findings defining these regulatory interactions are explored in this concise review, with special emphasis on potential translational applications.
An integrated approach for optimal coordination of wind power and hydro pumping storage
Authors: Castronuovo Edgardo D. , Usaola Julio , Bessa Ricardo , Matos Manuel , Costa I.C. , Bremermann L. , Lugaro Jesus , Kariniotakis George
Published: March 2013

The increasing wind power penetration in power systems represents a techno‐economic challenge for power producers and system operators. Because of the variability and uncertainty of wind power, system operators require new solutions to increase the controllability of wind farm output. On the other hand, producers that include wind farms in their portfolio need to find new ways to boost their profits in electricity markets. This can be done by optimizing the combination of wind farms and storage so as to make larger profits when selling power (trading) and reduce penalties from imbalances in the operation. The present work describes a new integrated approach for analysing wind‐storage solutions that make use of probabilistic forecasts and optimization techniques to aid decision making on operating such systems. The approach includes a set of three complementary functions suitable for use in current systems. A real‐life system is studied, comprising two wind farms and a large hydro station with pumping capacity. Economic profits and better operational features can be obtained from the proposed cooperation between the wind farms and storage. The revenues are function of the type of hydro storage used and the market characteristics, and several options are compared in this study. The results show that the use of a storage device can lead to a significant increase in revenue, up to 11% (2010 data, Iberian market). Also, the coordinated action improves the operational features of the integrated system. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tobacco‐free Take Action!: Increasing Policy Adherence on a College Campus
Authors: Ickes Melinda J. , Hahn Ellen J. , McCann Melissa , Kercmar Sarah
Published: March 2013

One in five college students report tobacco use, thus universities are making strides to reduce tobacco use by adopting smoke‐ or tobacco‐free policies. The purpose of this article is to describe an innovative ambassador program to increase adherence with a tobacco‐free campus policy. The Tobacco‐Free Take Action! (TFTA!) Ambassador program was created to form an environment of compliance. Hot spots were targeted by Ambassadors, who were trained to use scripted messages. Ambassadors completed an online documentation form to assess the number of violators observed and approached. The Tobacco‐Free Compliance Assessment Tool (TF‐CAT) was used to collect pre‐ and post‐cigarette butt data at each hot spot. During the 4‐week intervention period, Ambassadors approached 332 violators (529 observed), of which 68 percent responded positively and complied with the policy. The number of cigarette butts declined by 25 percent. Adherence with campus tobacco‐free policies remains a challenge. Lessons learned from this innovative approach will benefit those currently implementing and planning tobacco‐free campus policies.
An inventory of European data sources for the long-term safety evaluation of methylphenidate
Authors: Murray Macey L. , Insuk Suppachai , Banaschewski Tobias , Neubert Antje C. , McCarthy Suzanne , Buitelaar Jan K. , Coghill David , Dittmann Ralf W. , Konrad Kerstin , Panei Pietro , Rosenthal Eric , Sonuga-Barke Edmund J. , Wong Ian C. K.
Published: March 2013

To compile an inventory of European healthcare databases with potential to study long-term effects of methylphenidate (MPH) in patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Potential databases were identified through expert opinion, the website of the European Network of Centres for Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacovigilance, and literature search. An online survey was conducted among database providers/coordinators to ascertain the databases’ appropriateness for inclusion into the inventory. It included questions about database characteristics, sample size, availability of information on drug exposure, clinical data and accessibility. Forty-two databases from 11 countries were identified and their coordinators invited to participate; responses were obtained for 22 (52.4 %) databases of which 15 record ADHD diagnoses. Eleven had sufficient data on ADHD diagnosis, drug exposure, and at least one type of outcome information (symptoms/clinical events, weight, height, blood pressure, heart rate) to assess MPH safety. These were Aarhus University Prescription Database, Danish National Birth Cohort (Denmark); German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents; Health Search Database Thales, Italian ADHD Register, Lombardy Region ADHD Database (Italy); Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, General Practice Research Database, The Health Improvement Network, QResearch (UK) and IMS Disease Analyzer (UK, Germany, France). Of the 20 databases with no responses, information on seven from publications and/or websites was obtained; Pedianet and the Integrated Primary Care Information database were considered suitable. Many European healthcare databases can be used for multinational long-term safety studies of MPH. Methodological research is underway to investigate the feasibility of their pooling and analysis.
Chromatographic determination of 1, 4-β-xylooligosaccharides of different chain lengths to follow xylan deconstruction in biomass conversion
Authors: Li Hongjia , Qing Qing , Kumar Rajeev , Wyman Charles E
Published: March 2013

Xylooligosaccharides released in hydrothermal pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass can be purified for high-value products or further hydrolyzed into sugars for fermentation or chemical conversion. In addition, characterization of xylooligosaccharides is vital to understand hemicellulose structure and removal mechanisms in pretreatment of cellulosic biomass. In this study, gel permeation chromatography was applied to fractionate xylooligosaccharides produced from birchwood xylan according to their specific degree of polymerization (DP). Then, each fraction was identified by high-performance anion exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection (HPAEC-PAD) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF–MS); and their concentrations were determined by a downscaled post-hydrolysis method. Based on PAD responses and sugar concentrations for each fraction, a series of response factors were developed that can be used to quantify xylooligosaccharides of DP from 2 to 14 without standards. The resulting approach can profile xylooligosaccharides and help gain new insights into biomass deconstruction.
2-Ketogluconic acid production by Klebsiella pneumoniae CGMCC 1.6366
Authors: Wei Dong , Xu Jiqing , Sun Junsong , Shi Jiping , Hao Jian
Published: March 2013

Klebsiella pneumoniae CGMCC 1.6366 is a bacterium isolated for 1,3-propanediol or 2,3-butanediol production previously. K. pneumoniae ΔbudA, a 2,3-butanediol synthesis pathway truncated mutant with the gene deletion of budA which encodes alpha-acetolactate decarboxylase, was found to execrate an unknown chemical at a high titer when grown in the broth using glucose as carbon source. Later this chemical was identified to be 2-ketogluconic acid, which was formed through the glucose oxidation pathway in K. pneumoniae. It was found that 2-ketogluconic can also be produced by the wild strain. The fermentation studies showed that the production of this metabolite is strictly pH dependent, when the fermenting broth was maintained at pH 6–7, the main metabolite produced by K. pneumoniae CGMCC 1.6366 was 2,3-butanediol, or some organic acids in the budA mutated strain. However, if the cells were fermented at pH 4.7, 2-ketogluconic acid was formed, and the secretion of all other organic acids or 2,3-butanediol were limited. In the 5L bioreactors, a final level of 38.2 and 30.2 g/L 2-ketogluconic acid were accumulated by the wild type and the budA mutant K. pneumoniae, respectively, in 26 and 56 h; and the conversion ratios of glucose to 2-ketogluconic acid reached 0.86 and 0.91 mol/mol for the wild and the budA mutant, respectively.
Evoked potentails and neurocognitive functions in pediatric Egyptian Gaucher patients on enzyme replacement therapy: a single center experience
Authors: Tantawy Azza Abdel Gawad , Sherif Eman Mounir , Adly Amira Abdel Moneam , Hassanine Sahar , Awad Amina Hafez
Published: March 2013

Background

Effectiveness of enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) in reverting hematologic, skeletal, and visceral symptoms in Gaucher disease (GD) has been demonstrated, although, its efficacy in neurologic involvement is still debated.

Aim

We evaluated the extent of neuro‐cognitive dysfunction using brain stem evoked potential in GD3 patients, age‐matched controls, and GD1 patients without neurological manifestations served as disease control group.

Methods

Study included 56 GD (36 had type 1, 20 had type 3) under ERT. Investigations included complete blood count, beta glucosidase assay in peipheral leucocytes, plasma chitotriosidase and bone marrow examination, electroencephalography, brain stem auditory (AEP), somatosensory (SSEP) and visual evoked potentials (VEP) as well as IQ testing.

Results

Both types of GD showed significantly higher mean latency at 75 on left eye, lower PP amplitude ratio, higher latency at 75, 100, 145, lower amplitude, and higher Lat Diff LT‐RT ms and Lt‐Rt % compared to controls (p < 0.05) with no difference between both groups in other values of VEP. Both groups showed significantly prolonged latency of N 13–19 compared to controls (p < 0.05) with positive correlation between age and duration of therapy with parameters of SSEP (p < 0.01). Both groups of GD had significantly prolonged latency of the mean waves of AEP compared to controls (p < 0.05) with no significant difference between both groups. There was a negative correlation between age and waves II, III, I–III, I–V and threshold values of AEP. IQ level was positively correlated with AEP values. Severity scoring tool was positively correlated with AEP and SSEP values.

Conclusions

Electrophysiological abnormalities were present in both types of GD and have been correlated to cognitive function and disease characteristics.
100% Renewables as a Focus for Environmental Education
Authors: Adlong William
Published: March 2013

The rapid development of renewable energy technologies has a number of implications for environmental educators and educators more generally. The costs of a number of renewable energy technologies are expected to be competitive with fossil fuels within 10–15 years and some installations are competitive already. From 2006–2011 global installations increased an average of 26% per annum for wind power and 58% per annum for solar photovoltaics (REN21, 2012). Investment in renewables (excluding hydropower) has increased by 20–30% per annum, reaching $US260 billion (AUD 245 billion) in 2011. The credibility of proposals for economies based largely on renewables is gaining recognition. These developments suggest that a satisfactory response to the dire projections around climate change can be implemented. To do so, understanding of the potential and status of renewables needs to be more widespread and accelerated on formal, informal and policy-making levels. Environmental educators within formal and informal settings can promote understanding and action so that the potential of such renewable energies is realised.
Aperiodic sequences and aperiodic geodesics
Authors: SCHROEDER VIKTOR , WEIL STEFFEN
Published: March 2013

We introduce a quantitative condition on orbits of dynamical systems, which measures their aperiodicity. We show the existence of sequences in the Bernoulli shift and geodesics on closed hyperbolic manifolds which are as aperiodic as possible with respect to this condition.
Refractory mania and inability to consent: an important role for involuntary ECT
Authors: Lally J. , McDonald C.
Published: March 2013

We present the case of a 23-year-old man with a first episode of severe mania, which was refractory to pharmacotherapy. The case demonstrates a rapid response and full recovery after the use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). The ECT was administered involuntarily under Section 59(1) (b) of the Irish Mental Health Act 2001 as the patient was unable to consent to the treatment. The case highlights the benefits of ECT for this serious condition and emphasises the importance of retaining the legislative capacity to provide such an effective treatment for patients unable to consent because of severe psychotic illness.
The clustering morphology of freely rising deformable bubbles
Authors: Tagawa Yoshiyuki , Roghair Ivo , Prakash Vivek N. , van Sint Annaland Martin , Kuipers Hans , Sun Chao , Lohse Detlef
Published: March 2013

We investigate the clustering morphology of a swarm of freely rising deformable bubbles. A three-dimensional Voronoï analysis enables us to distinguish quantitatively between two typical preferential clustering configurations: a regular lattice arrangement and irregular clustering. The bubble data are obtained from direct numerical simulations using the front-tracking method. It is found that the bubble deformation, represented by the aspect ratio $\chi $, plays a significant role in determining which type of clustering is realized: nearly spherical bubbles form a regular lattice arrangement, while more deformed bubbles show irregular clustering. Remarkably, this criterion for the clustering morphology holds for different diameters of the bubbles, surface tensions and viscosities of the liquid in the studied parameter regime. The mechanism of this clustering behaviour is most likely connected to the amount of vorticity generated at the bubble surfaces.
Improving the Achievement, Motivation, and Engagement of Students With ADHD: The Role of Personal Best Goals and Other Growth-Based Approaches
Authors: Martin Andrew J.
Published: March 2013

In light of recent evidence suggesting the academic benefits of personal best (PB) goals for students with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), this article explores practical approaches to implementing PB goals in the counselling and classroom context. Beginning with a brief summary of how and why PB goals impact academic outcomes and the relevance of this to students with ADHD, concrete steps to implementing PB goals are described. Following this, the broader concept of academic growth is discussed, along with some guidance as to how to operationalise growth approaches with students. Taken together, a greater focus on academically at-risk students’ personal trajectories is suggested as a potentially fruitful approach to enhancing their educational outcomes.
EDITORIAL
Authors: Campbell Marilyn
Published: March 2013

Welcome to the first edition of 2013. This particular edition has been compiled differently due to new technology afforded us by Cambridge University Press. In the past, authors have had to wait for their accepted paper to be published when the next edition was due, which could be up to 6 months. However, Cambridge is now able to publish the paper as soon as it is accepted, online, in what is known as First View. When it is time for the printed journal to be published, the articles on First View are selected and reorganised to group papers together and printed. This is a great advantage for those authors wanting their paper to be out there so that their results are publicised. Hopefully, this will make the journal even more attractive for the best possible papers to be submitted.
In Defense of Genopolitics
Authors: FOWLER JAMES H. , DAWES CHRISTOPHER T.
Published: March 2013

TheAmerican Political Science Reviewrecently published a critique of an article we published in theJournal of Politicsin 2008. In that article we showed that variants of the genes 5HTT and MAOA were significantly associated with voter turnout in a sample of 2,300 subjects from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. Here, we address the critique first by conducting a replication study using an independent sample of 9,300 subjects. This study replicates the gene-environment interaction of the 5HTT gene variant with church attendance, but not the association with MAOA. We then focus on the general argument of the critique, showing that many of its characterizations of the literature in genetics and in political science are misleading or incorrect. We conclude by illustrating the ways in which genopolitics has already made a lasting contribution to the field of political science and by offering guidelines for future studies in genopolitics that are based on state-of-the-art recommendations from the field of behavior genetics.
Energy compensation after an aerobic exercise session in high-fat/low-fit and low-fat/high-fit young male subjects
Authors: Charlot Keyne , Chapelot Didier
Published: March 2013

There is general agreement that exercise-induced energy expenditure is not entirely compensated for at the next meal or over the following 24 h, but inter-individual variability is high. The role of ‘fatness and fitness’ in this variability has never been assessed. Therefore, eighteen non-obese male subjects aged 22·2 (sd2·0) years were selected and separated into a ‘high-fatness and low-fitness’ (Hfat/Lfit,n9) and a ‘low-fatness and high-fitness’ (Lfat/Hfit,n9) group, according to three criteria: maximal oxygen uptake; weekly hours of physical activity; fat mass index. At 1 h before lunch, they were subjected to 60 min of exercise on a cycle ergometer (70 % VO2max), or stayed at rest. Then, they self-reported food intake in diaries until the next breakfast. Intake at lunch was not different between conditions, but was higher after exercise than after rest over the 24 h, leading to a significant but partial mean level of compensation of 49·8 (sem16·5) and 37·8 (sem24·6) % for the Hfat/Lfit and Lfat/Hfit groups, respectively. Energy compensation at lunch and over the 24 h were strongly correlated (r0·76,P< 0·001). Both groups consumed more fat and protein after exercise than after rest over the 24 h, but the percentage of energy derived from fat increased only in the Hfat/Lfit group (2·1 (sem0·6) %,P= 0·026). Thus, the energy cost of an aerobic exercise session was partially compensated over the next 24 h independently of the ‘fatness and fitness’ status, but ‘high-fat and low-fit’ individuals compensated more specifically on fats.
Galacto-oligosaccharides increase calcium absorption and gut bifidobacteria in young girls: a double-blind cross-over trial
Authors: Whisner Corrie M. , Martin Berdine R. , Schoterman Margriet H. C. , Nakatsu Cindy H. , McCabe Linda D. , McCabe George P. , Wastney Meryl E. , van den Heuvel Ellen G. H. M. , Weaver Connie M.
Published: March 2013

Adolescence is a time for rapid growth that represents an opportunity to influence peak bone mass. Prebiotic agents, such as galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS), increase Ca absorption in animal models and postmenopausal women. The objectives of the present study were to investigate the dose–response relationship of GOS supplementation on Ca absorption during growth and to assess changes in colonic microbiota to better understand the mechanism by which GOS is acting. A total of thirty-one healthy adolescent girls aged 10–13 years consumed smoothie drinks twice daily with 0, 2·5 or 5 g GOS for three 3-week periods in a random order. Fractional Ca absorption was determined from urinary Ca excretion over 48 h at the end of each 3-week period using a dual stable isotope method. Faecal microbiota and bifidobacteria were assessed by PCR–denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and quantitative PCR. Fractional Ca absorption after the 48 h treatment with control, 5 and 10 g GOS/d was 0·393 (sd 0·092), 0·444 (sd 0·086) and 0·419 (sd 0·099), respectively. Significant improvements in Ca absorption were seen with both low and high doses of GOS compared with the control (P< 0·02), but it was not a dose–response relationship. The increase in absorption was greatest in the urine collected after 24 h, which is consistent with lower gut absorption. Faecal bifidobacteria increased (control 10·89 (sd 13·86), 5 g GOS 22·80 (sd 15·74) and 10 g GOS 11·54 (sd 14·20)) with the GOS treatment (P< 0·03). The results suggest that daily consumption of 5 g GOS increases Ca absorption, which may be mediated by the gut microbiota, specifically bifidobacteria.
Assessment of bacterial diversity in breast milk using culture-dependent and culture-independent approaches
Authors: Jost Ted , Lacroix Christophe , Braegger Christian , Chassard Christophe
Published: March 2013

Initial neonatal gut colonisation is a crucial stage for developing a healthy physiology, beneficially influenced by breast-feeding. Breast milk has been shown not only to provide nutrients and bioactive/immunological compounds, but also commensal bacteria, including gut-associated anaerobic Bifidobacterium spp. The aim of the present study was to investigate bacterial diversity in breast milk, with emphasis on identifying gut-associated obligate anaerobes. Breast milk collected from seven mothers at three sampling points (days 3–6, 9–14 and 25–30 postpartum) was analysed by combined culture-dependent and state-of-the-art, culture-independent methods (Sanger sequencing and 454-pyrosequencing). In addition to the predominance of facultative anaerobes such as Staphylococcus, Streptococcus and Propionibacterium (>90 % of isolated strains and 23·7 % relative abundance using pyrosequencing), significant populations of obligate anaerobes, including Bifidobacterium and Veillonella, were detected using pyrosequencing and confirmed by the isolation of viable strains (3·4 % of isolates and 1·4 % relative abundance). Pyrosequencing also revealed the presence of DNA of multiple major gut-associated obligate anaerobes (6·2 % relative abundance) such as Bacteroides and, for the first time, several members of the Clostridia, including butyrate producers, such as Faecalibacterium and Roseburia, which are important for colonic health. The present study suggests that breast milk may be a major source of bacterial diversity to the neonatal gut, including gut-associated obligate anaerobes, and may thus significantly influence gut colonisation and maturation of the immune system.
Stars to the State and Beyond: Globalization, Identity, and Asian Popular Music
Authors: Matsue Jennifer Milioto
Published: March 2013

Popular music is a dynamic portal through which to gain a greater understanding of a vast array of social phenomena within Asia. In particular, the power of pop to actively shape conceptions of self and inform the ways in which we interact with others at the individual, communal, and even national and transnational levels has taken center stage, but understanding just how these identities are formed through the performance of popular music is quite complex in the current global moment. Through comparison of recent scholarship covering diverse types of popular music throughout Asia, this article explores how identity formation is informed by an increasingly nuanced understanding of globalization. Moving from a most intimate sense to broad transnational and inter-ethnic contexts, it not only expands the concept of identity in Asia, but also reveals how the study of popular music in general can illuminate other social issues important to Asianists.
Warlord Colonialism: State Fragmentation and Chinese Rule in Kham, 1911–1949
Authors: Lawson Joseph D.
Published: March 2013

This article investigates Chinese warlord authority in the east of the Kham Tibetan region between 1911 and 1949. The colonial government established by the Qing Empire in Kham during the five years before the end of dynastic rule relied on central government funding. With the fragmentation of the Chinese state in the Republican period, Chinese regimes in Kham were forced to raise more revenue locally and reduce expenditure. Responding to these challenges shaped the nature of Chinese authority in Kham. The late Qing colonial government had paid Tibetans who provided livestock and labor for transport as part of the 'u-lagcorvée. Republican-era governors lacked the resources to do the same. They struggled to develop other ways of controlling the corvée, and attempted to create alternative state transport organizations. Changes in the sources of county government revenue also had important effects on Chinese officials' approach to what they considered to be “wasteland.”
Non-planar dust-acoustic solitary waves and double layers in a four-component dusty plasma with super thermal electrons
Authors: CHATTERJEE PRASANTA , GHOSH DEB KUMAR , GHOSH UDAY NARAYAN , SAHU BISWAJIT
Published: March 2013

The properties of non-planar (cylindrical and spherical) dust-acoustic solitary waves (DA SWs) and double layers (DLs) in an unmagnetised collisionless four-component dusty plasma, whose constituents are positively and negatively charged dust grains, super thermal electrons and Boltzmannian ions are investigated by deriving the modified Gardner (MG) equation. The well known reductive perturbation method is employed to derive the MG equation and solve it numerically to study the nonlinear features of the finite amplitude non-planar DA Gardner solitons (GSs) and DLs, which are shown to exist for κ around its critical value κc (where, κ is the super thermal parameter and κc is the value of κ corresponding to the vanishing of the nonlinear coefficient of the Korteweg-de Vries (K-dV) equation). It is seen that the properties of non-planar DA SWs and DLs are significantly differs in non-planar geometry from planar geometry. It is also found that the magnitude of the amplitude of positive and negative GSs decreases with κ and the width of positive and negative GSs increases with the increase of κ.