bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Operationalizing diagnostic criteria for Alzheimer's disease and other age‐related cognitive impairment—Part 2
Authors: Seshadri Sudha , Beiser Alexa , Au Rhoda , Wolf Philip A. , Evans Denis A. , Wilson Robert S. , Petersen Ronald C. , Knopman David S. , Rocca Walter A. , Kawas Claudia H. , Corrada Maria M. , Plassman Brenda L. , Langa Kenneth M. , Chui Helena C.
Published: January 2011

This article focuses on the effects of operational differences in case ascertainment on estimates of prevalence and incidence of cognitive impairment and/or dementia of the Alzheimer type. Experience and insights are discussed by investigators from the Framingham Heart Study, the East Boston Senior Health Project, the Chicago Health and Aging Project, the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging, the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging, and the Aging, Demographics, and Memory Study. There is a general consensus that the single most important factor determining prevalence estimates of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the severity of cognitive impairment used as a threshold to define cases. Studies that require a level of cognitive impairment in which persons are unable to provide self‐care will have much lower estimates than the studies aimed at identifying persons in the earliest stages of AD. There are limited autopsy data from the aforementioned epidemiological studies to address accuracy in the diagnosis of etiological subtype, namely the specification of AD alone or in combination with other types of pathology. However, other community‐based cohort studies show that many persons with mild cognitive impairment and also some persons without dementia or mild cognitive impairment meet pathological criteria for AD, thereby suggesting that the number of persons who would benefit from an effective secondary prevention intervention is probably higher than the published prevalence estimates. Improved accuracy in the clinical diagnosis of AD is anticipated with the addition of molecular and structural biomarkers in the next generation of epidemiological studies.
Congenital diaphragmatic eventration in two closely related British Shorthair cats
Authors: Gombač Mitja , Vrecl Milka , Švara Tanja
Published: January 2011

Two closely related British Shorthair cats, which died after surgery performed in the dorsal position, were presented for dissection. In both, a thin, flaccid, enlarged transparent tendinous diaphragmatic portion protruded cranially into the thoracic cavity, forming a cupola in which left, right medial and quadrate hepatic lobes were encased in both cats and the stomach in one cat. Microscopically, no muscle fibres were observed in the membrane, but numerous hepatocytes and bile ducts were incorporated in its central part. The anomaly was diagnosed as a congenital diaphragmatic eventration.
Diagnosis and surgical management of a fractured atlas in a cat
Authors: Bali Monty S.
Published: January 2011

A 6-month-old male-castrated domestic shorthair cat was presented shortly after being bitten on the neck by a large breed dog. On presentation the cat was non-ambulatory tetraparetic with preserved deep pain perception. Plain radiographs of the neck did not show any abnormalities. Computed tomography was performed and showed a right-sided depressed fracture of the dorsal lamina of the atlas. A partial dorsal laminectomy was performed to alleviate the spinal cord compression. The cat made a full recovery within 12 weeks of surgery.
Ronidazole pharmacokinetics after intravenous and oral immediate-release capsule administration in healthy cats
Authors: LeVine Dana N. , Papich Mark G. , Gookin Jody L. , Davidson Gigi S. , Davis Jennifer L. , Hayes Rebecca B.
Published: January 2011

Ronidazole (RDZ) is an effective treatment for feline Tritrichomonas foetus infection, but has produced neurotoxicity in some cats. An understanding of the disposition of RDZ in cats is needed in order to make precise dosing recommendations. Single-dose pharmacokinetics of intravenous (IV) RDZ and immediate-release RDZ capsules were evaluated. A single dose of IV RDZ (mean 9.2 mg/kg) and a 95 mg immediate-release RDZ capsule (mean 28.2 mg/kg) were administered to six healthy cats in a randomized crossover design. Plasma samples were collected for 48 h and assayed for RDZ using high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Systemic absorption of oral RDZ was rapid and complete, with detection in the plasma of all cats by 10 min after dosing and a bioavailability of 99.64 (±16.54)%. The clearance of RDZ following IV administration was 0.82 (±0.07) ml/kg/min. The terminal half-life was 9.80 (±0.35) and 10.50 (±0.82) h after IV and oral administration, respectively, with drug detectable in all cats 48 h after both administrations. The high oral bioavailability of RDZ and slow elimination may predispose cats to neurotoxicity with twice-daily administration. Less frequent administration should be considered for further study of effective treatment of T foetus-infected cats.
Still budgeting by muddling through: Why disjointed incrementalism lasts
Authors: Good David A
Published: January 2011

This paper examines Charles Lindblom’s ‘science of muddling through’ and its transport and transformation to budgeting through the work of Aaron Wildavsky by analyzing its impact on budget theory and assessing its continued relevance to the practice of budgeting in the context of the Canadian federal government. We find that: the concept is of fundamental importance and yet considerably elastic to capture key features of political, economic, and organizational life; the criticisms of it have been overstated although, perhaps surprisingly, with the exception of budgeting, little empirical testing of the concept has been undertaken; the impact on budget theory and practice has been considerable especially since much of the initial application was undertaken at a time of relative economic and political stability in government and in budgeting; and yet even today, in a more turbulent world, the concept remains surprisingly relevant, although not complete, for understanding and explaining some of the most central and enduring features of budgetary behaviour. It is a key to our understanding of how budget participants deal with complexity and manage conflict.
Charles Lindblom is alive and well and living in punctuated equilibrium land
Authors: Howlett Michael , Migone Andrea
Published: January 2011

Incrementalism enjoyed an almost uninterrupted 40 year run as the dominant model of policy change from the publication of Lindblom and Dahl's first mention of the subject in 1953. In the mid-1990s, however, the elements of a new orthodoxy of policy dynamics began to appear in the form of various models of ‘punctuated equilibrium’, most notably in the works of Peter Hall, Frank Baumgartner and Bryan Jones. It is important to note, that the new orthodoxy did not replace the old, but rather supplemented it through the addition of notions of ‘atypical’ or ‘paradigmatic’ change to the pattern of marginal or incremental change put forward by Lindblom and his colleagues in the 1950s and 1960s. Contemporary models thus owe a great debt to incrementalism, attempting to incorporate its strengths while overcoming its weaknesses. This article discusses this evolution in theories of policy dynamics and the research agenda currently found in this area of policy studies.
Stress Hormone Responses to an Ultraendurance Race in the Cold
Authors: Stuempfle Kristin J. , Nindl Bradley C. , Kamimori Gary H.
Published: January 2011

Objective

Physical stress (exercise and/or environmental) activates the sympathetic-adrenal-medullary (SAM) and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axes. The combination of ultraendurance exercise in the cold presents a unique summated stress to the body. The purpose of this study was to assess the stress hormone response in runners, cyclists, and skiers participating in a 161-km ultraendurance race on a snow-packed course in the Alaskan wilderness.

Methods

Forty-four athletes (20 runners, 17 cyclists, 7 skiers) competed on the same course of snow-machine trails and ice roads with each athlete carrying 7 kg of mandatory equipment. Prerace weight and blood samples were collected 2 days prior to the race start. Postrace measurements were made within 15 minutes of race finish. Hematocrit was measured, and blood samples were analyzed for levels of norepinephrine, epinephrine, adrenocorticotropic hormone, and cortisol.

Results

Runners lost significant weight (−1.74 kg ± 1.29) prerace to postrace. Hematocrit was maintained, and plasma volume increased minimally. Norepinephrine increased significantly prerace (279.9 pg/mL ± 356.9) to postrace (691.7 pg/mL ± 422.6) with no difference among divisions. Epinephrine did not change significantly during the race. Adrenocorticotropic hormone (2.40 pg/mL ± 2.40 to 19.04 pg/mL ± 45.38) increased significantly with no difference among divisions. Cortisol increased significantly prerace (12.03 μg/dL ± 5.66) to postrace (26.69 μg/dL ± 5.77), and postrace cortisol was significantly higher in runners vs skiers.

Conclusions

These data suggest activation of both the SAM and HPA axes from an ultraendurance race in the cold and reveal the degree of stress hormone responses to this exhausting bout of exercise.
Plasma proANP1-98 Response During High Altitude Stress: Effect of Age and Ethnicity
Authors: Sachidhanandam Meenakshi , Singh Som Nath , Sharma Yogendra Kumar , Salhan Ashok Kumar , Ray Uday Sankar
Published: January 2011

Objective

Acclimatization to high altitude (HA) is accompanied by decrease in plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). On the other hand, circulating levels of the hormone are known to be influenced by age and ethnicity. The impact of these factors on ANP response during prolonged HA exposure remains unexplored. Hence, this study was conducted to examine possible age and ethnic variation in plasma proANP1-98 levels in men after 3 to 4 weeks at HA.

Methods

Lowlanders (LL) were studied at sea level (SL) and after 3 to 4 weeks at an altitude of ∼4500 m. The LL group comprised Rajput ( n = 48), Gorkha ( n = 40), and South Indian ( n = 43) ethnicities. Another group of HA natives (Ladakhi, n = 40) were studied at ∼4500 m only. Subjects were between 20 and 50 years of age. Estimation of plasma proANP1-98 and biochemical, hematologic, and physiologic evaluation was done.

Results

In LL at HA, proANP1-98 levels decreased ( P < .001); plasma arginine vasopressin decreased ( P < .05 in Rajputs and South Indians); and total protein, hemoglobin, and hematocrit increased ( P < .05). Heart rate increased ( P < .05), whereas arterial oxygen saturation decreased ( P < .05) in all LL at HA. Ethnicity but not age variation in proANP1-98 was observed under HA stress. In HA natives, plasma proANP1-98 was higher than LL at HA and did not exhibit any age variation.

Conclusions

Plasma proANP1-98 levels, reflecting medium-term ANP secretion, decrease during prolonged exposure to HA in LL. This is due to diuresis leading to plasma volume reduction that occurs during the acclimatization process. Ethnicity but not age variation is associated with plasma proANP1-98 under HA stress.
Search and Rescue Activity on Denali, 1990 to 2008
Authors: McIntosh Scott E. , Brillhart Aaron , Dow Jennifer , Grissom Colin K.
Published: January 2011

Objective

To describe search and rescue activity performed by the National Park Service (NPS) on Denali, the highest point in North America.

Methods

A retrospective review was performed of all search and rescue (SAR) operations by the NPS from 1990 to 2008. Descriptive analysis was used to describe these cases as well as chi-square and logistic regression analysis to determine which mountaineers were more likely to require a rescue.

Results

During the study period, 1.16% of all Denali climbers required NPS SAR response. The majority of medical cases (68.9%) were due to high altitude and cold injuries, and the majority of traumatic cases (76.2%) resulted from a fall. Mountaineers that attempt routes other than the standard West Buttress route are more likely to require rescue. Climbers are 3% more likely to require a rescue with each year of advancing age. Similarly, mountaineers from Asia are more likely to require a rescue (odds ratio = 4.1), although this trend has diminished in the past decade.

Conclusions

Mountaineers and rescuers should educate themselves on the environmental, logistical, and medical origins of Denali rescues. Certain demographic groups on certain routes are more likely to require a rescue on Denali. Rescuers should be aware of these groups and have the knowledge and capabilities to care for the medical issues that are common on SAR responses.
The Ultrasound Identification of Simulated Long Bone Fractures by Prehospital Providers
Authors: Heiner Jason D. , McArthur Todd J.
Published: January 2011

Objective

In austere environments, patient management decisions are often limited by obtainable resources. Portable ultrasound may allow for the detection of fractures when imaging modalities such as radiography are unavailable. We used a simulation training model in a pilot study to examine the ability of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) to detect the presence or absence of a variety of simulated fracture patterns with portable ultrasound.

Methods

The fracture simulation model is composed of a mechanically fractured bare turkey leg bone housed in a shallow container within a completely opaque gelatin solution. Five different fracture patterns were created. Twenty EMTs sonographically evaluated these models with a portable ultrasound device to determine the presence or absence of a fracture.

Results

EMTs correctly identified the presence or absence of a fracture in the no fracture, transverse fracture, and oblique fracture models 95% of the time. They always correctly identified the presence of a fractured model when assessing the comminuted and segmental fracture models. Across all fracture patterns, a final detection sensitivity of 97.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 94.1%–100.0%) and a specificity of 95.0% (95% CI: 85.4%–100.0%) were observed.

Conclusions

Using portable ultrasound, EMTs correctly detected the presence or absence of simulated long bone fractures with a high degree of sensitivity and specificity. Future studies may evaluate the ability of other groups to use ultrasound to assist in the diagnosis of fractures and examine the clinical impact of this skill in environments where conventional imaging modalities are limited or unavailable.
Bites Caused by Giant Water Bugs Belonging to Belostomatidae Family (Hemiptera, Heteroptera) in Humans: A Report of Seven Cases
Authors: Haddad Vidal , Schwartz Elisabeth F. , Schwartz Carlos Alberto , Carvalho Lucélia Nobre
Published: January 2011

We report 7 cases of patients bitten by giant water bugs, large predatory insects belonging to the Belostomatidae family (Hemiptera, Heteroptera). These insects have toxic saliva capable of provoking intense pain and paralysis in vertebrates. Victims experienced intense, excruciating pain and 1 manifested hypoesthesia in the forearm. Bites by Belostomatidae are often reported by clinicians working in areas where these insects live, but there are no detailed case reports in the medical literature. There are no specific treatment modalities known to be effective, making prevention an important strategy.
Vipera berus Bites in the Region of Southwest Poland—A Clinical Analysis of 26 Cases
Authors: Magdalan Jan , Trocha Małgorzata , Merwid-Ląd Anna , Sozański Tomasz , Zawadzki Marcin
Published: January 2011

Objective

Vipera berus is the only naturally occurring venomous snake in Poland. Its venom is primarily vasculotoxic and evokes both local and systemic findings. The aim of the study was to review a series of clinical cases of V berus bites occurring in southwest Poland.

Methods

The charts of 26 patients (age range, 16–66 years; mean, 42 years) hospitalized with V berus bites were retrospectively analyzed using a data collection tool. Demographic and clinical data were extracted.

Results

The most common local findings of envenomation were edema of the bitten limb with associated extravasations observed in 24 (92.3%) patients, but in only 1 (3.8%) case did the edema spread to the trunk. In 22 (84.6%) cases edema disappeared within 2 weeks after the bite. Systemic disturbances observed in the patients were: shock (1 case), mild transient hypotension (1 case), prolonged hypotension (3 cases), bronchospasm and laryngeal edema (1 case), diarrhea (1 case), transient supraventricular arrhythmias (2 cases), neutrophilic hyperleukocytosis (2 cases), and thrombocytopenia below 50 000 cells/μL (5 cases). In 16 patients (61.5%) the envenomation was classified as moderate and this type was predominant. Six cases were classified as severe. No fatal case was reported. Treatment included the administration of specific antivenom in 14 cases (in all severe and half of moderate cases) and symptomatic treatment applied in all cases.

Conclusions

Moderate envenomation prevailed among the patients analyzed in the study. Antivenom treatment is primarily necessary in cases of severe (grade 3) and in some cases of moderate (grade 2) envenomation, especially in patients with persistent or recurring hypotension.
Extensor Hood Syndrome—Osteophytic Irritation of Digital Extensor Tendons in Rock Climbers
Authors: Schöffl Volker , Hochholzer Thomas , Schöffl Isabelle
Published: January 2011

Objective

Injuries to the flexor tendons and flexor tendon pulleys are frequently reported in rock climbers. Osteoarthritic changes with bone spurs are also well known. We report on the less commonly described extensor tendon irritation caused by such osteophytes.

Methods

Thirteen high-level rock climbers (12 men, 1 woman; average age 33.8 years [range 17–55]; average years of climbing experience 19 [range 5–30]; average climbing level 10.2) with extensor hood irritation caused by dorsally located osteophytes of proximal interphalangeal (n = 10) or distal interphalangeal joints (n = 3) were evaluated and managed. Twelve climbers received conservative therapy and 1 climber was treated surgically.

Results

Before treatment, the climbers were unable to achieve their normal climbing ability due to extensor tendon irritations with resultant effusion noted in the ultrasound examinations. After conservative treatment, and in 1 case surgery, all patients achieved their previous climbing ability.

Conclusion

While all climbers were able to achieve their former climbing level after treatment, the condition is progressive and the osteoarthritic changes will likely cause further problems for these idividuals in the future. Extensor hood irritation must be considered in the differential diagnosis of finger pain in rock climbers.
Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for Assessment of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) on Aconcagua
Authors: Van Roo Jon D. , Lazio Matthew P. , Pesce Carlos , Malik Sanjeev , Courtney D. Mark
Published: January 2011

Objective

The Lake Louise AMS Self-Report Score (LLSelf) is a commonly used, validated assessment of acute mountain sickness (AMS). We compared LLSelf and visual analog scales (VAS) to quantify AMS on Aconcagua (6962 m).

Methods

Prospective observational cohort study at Plaza de Mulas base camp (4365m), Aconcagua Provincial Park, Argentina. Volunteers climbing in January 2009 were enrolled at base camp and ascended at their own pace. They completed the LLSelf, an overall VAS [VAS(o)], and 5 individual VAS [VAS(i)] corresponding to the items of the LLSelf when symptoms were maximal. Composite VAS [VAS(c)] was calculated as the sum of the 5 VAS(i).

Results

A total of 127 volunteers consented to the study. Response rate was 52.0%. AMS occurred in 77.3% of volunteers, while 48.5% developed severe AMS. Median (interquartile range, IQR) LLSelf was 4 (3–7). Median (IQR) VAS(o) was 36mm (23–59). VAS(o) was linear and correlated with LLSelf: slope = 6.7 (95% CI: 4.4–9.0), intercept = 3.0 (95% CI: −10.0–16.1), ρ = 0.71, τ = 0.55, R2 = 0.45, p < 0.001. Median (IQR) VAS(c) was 29 (13–44). VAS(c) was also linear and correlated with LLSelf: slope = 5.9 (95% CI: 4.9–6.9), intercept = −0.6 (95% CI: −6.3–5.1), ρ = 0.83, τ = 0.68, R2 = 0.73, p < 0.001. The relationship between the 5 VAS(i) and LLSelf(i) was less significant and less linear than that between VAS(o), VAS(c), and LLSelf.

Conclusions

While both VAS(o) and VAS(c) for assessment of AMS appear to be linear with respect to LLSelf, the amount of scatter within the VAS is considerable. The LLSelf remains the gold standard for the diagnosis of AMS.
Analysis of Lifeguard-Recorded Data at Hanauma Bay, Hawaii
Authors: Harada Scott Y. , Goto Ralph S. , Nathanson Andrew T.
Published: January 2011

Objective

To describe rescue events at Hanauma Bay using data collected by lifeguards stationed at the bay.

Methods

Lifeguard collected data documenting estimates of daily beach attendance, and characteristics of rescue victims and events were analyzed for the period 2000 to 2007.

Results

A total of 4888 Logsheets spanning 2000 to 2007 and 1567 Incident Reports spanning 2000 to 2002 and 2006 to 2007 documenting 1249 rescues were available for analyses. Lifeguard estimates of attendance summing tallies made at 12, 2, and 4 pm overestimated actual attendance by a factor of 1.78 (SD = 0.08) while estimates summing 12 and 4 pm tallies underestimated actual attendance by a factor of 0.91 (SD = 0.04). Both estimates were strongly correlated with actual attendance values ( R = 0.98 and R = 0.98, respectively). The average rescue rate for the study period was 7 rescues per 10,000 bathers. Nonresidents accounted for 88% of all visitors to the bay and accounted for a disproportionate percentage of the rescue population (96%, p-value = 0.04). A majority of rescues (63.2%) occurred at a single location called “The Slot.” Following rescues, 91.4% of rescue victims were released to the beach, 5.9% were released to their parents or guardians, and 1.4% required transfer to a hospital via ambulance.

Conclusion

Lifeguard estimates of attendance at Hanauma were precise, and summing 12 and 4 pm attendance tallies provided the most accurate estimate of actual attendance. Rescues at Hanauma Bay occurred predominantly among nonresidents and were concentrated to a single location called “The Slot.”
A derived equivalence for a degree 6 del Pezzo surface over an arbitrary field
Authors: Blunk M. , Sierra S.J. , Smith S. Paul
Published: January 2011

LetSbe a degree six del Pezzo surface over an arbitrary fieldF. Motivated by the first author's classification of all suchSup to isomorphism [3] in terms of a separableF-algebraB×Q×F, and by his K-theory isomorphismKn(S) ≅Kn(B×Q×F) forn≥ 0, we prove an equivalence of derived categories

whereAis an explicitly given finite dimensionalF-algebra whose semisimple part isB×Q×F.
Cubic graphs admitting transitive non-abelian characteristically simple groups
Authors: Hua Xiao-Hui , Feng Yan-Quan
Published: January 2011

Let Γ be a graph and let G be a vertex-transitive subgroup of the full automorphism group Aut(Γ) of Γ. The graph Γ is called G-normal if G is normal in Aut(Γ). In particular, a Cayley graph Cay(G, S) on a group G with respect to S is normal if the Cayley graph is R(G)-normal, where R(G) is the right regular representation of G. Let T be a non-abelian simple group and let G = Tℓ with ℓ ≥ 1. We prove that if every connected T-vertex-transitive cubic symmetric graph is T-normal, then every connected G-vertex-transitive cubic symmetric graph is G-normal. This result, among others, implies that a connected cubic symmetric Cayley graph on G is normal except for T ≅ A47 and a connected cubic G-symmetric graph is G-normal except for T ≅ A7, A15 or PSL(4, 2).
Neighbourhood social environment and depressive symptoms in mid-life and beyond
Authors: STAFFORD MAI , MCMUNN ANNE , DE VOGLI ROBERTO
Published: January 2011

This prospective study examines the relationship between aspects of the neighbourhood social environment and subsequent depressive symptoms in over 7,500 participants of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA). Neighbourhood social environment at baseline was operationalised using four items capturing social cohesion and three items capturing perceived safety and associations with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) at two-year follow-up were assessed. Friendship quality and personal sense of control were tested as mediators of this relationship using structural equation modelling. Neighbourhood social cohesion was found to be associated with reporting fewer depressive symptoms independent of demographic and socioeconomic factors and baseline depressive symptoms. Friendship quality and sense of control mediated this association. The study highlights that greater personal sense of control, higher quality friendships and fewer depressive symptoms are found in neighbourhoods seen to be characterised by higher social cohesion.
Older adults' concerns about cognitive health: commonalities and differences among six United States ethnic groups
Authors: LADITKA JAMES N. , LADITKA SARAH B. , LIU RUI , PRICE ANNA E. , WU BEI , FRIEDMAN DANIELA B. , CORWIN SARA J. , SHARKEY JOSEPH R. , TSENG WINSTON , HUNTER REBECCA , LOGSDON REBECCA G.
Published: January 2011

We studied concerns about cognitive health among ethnically diverse groups of older adults. The study was grounded in theories of health behaviour and the representation of health and illness. We conducted 42 focus groups (N=396, ages 50+) in four languages, with African Americans, American Indians, Chinese Americans, Latinos, Whites other than Latinos (hereafter, Whites) and Vietnamese Americans, in nine United States locations. Participants discussed concerns about keeping their memory or ability to think as they age. Audio recordings were transcribed verbatim. Constant comparison methods identified themes. In findings, all ethnic groups expressed concern and fear about memory loss, losing independence, and becoming ‘a burden’. Knowing someone with Alzheimer's disease increased concern. American Indians, Chinese Americans, Latinos and Vietnamese Americans expected memory loss. American Indians, Chinese Americans and Vietnamese Americans were concerned about stigma associated with Alzheimer's disease. Only African Americans, Chinese and Whites expressed concern about genetic risks. Only African Americans and Whites expressed concern about behaviour changes. Although we asked participants for their thoughts about their ability to think as they age, they focused almost exclusively on memory. This suggests that health education promoting cognitive health should focus on memory, but should also educate the public about the importance of maintaining all aspects of cognitive health.
ONE GIANT LEAP IN THE STUDY OF THE CHINESE CRESCENT: A SUPERB ANNOTATED TRANSLATION OF LIU ZHI'S NATURE AND PRINCIPLE IN ISLAM
Authors: Nakanishi Tatsuya
Published: January 2011

Islamic writings by Chinese Muslim scholars first attracted the attention of European researchers in the nineteenth century. Intermittently since then, the Islamic thought in these writings, expressed in the terminology and phrases of Chinese traditional thought, has been studied not only by European and American researchers but also Chinese and Japanese ones. The focus of such studies has generally been on elucidating the substantial influence of Chinese traditional thought on the Islamic thought of Chinese Muslim scholars, or on the relationship between Islam and Chinese traditional thought in Chinese Islamic writings, investigated either out of a historiographical concern for how Islam became established in China, or else from a philosophical concern to investigate an example of the “dialogue of civilizations”.
Binge Eating Disorder and the Outcome of Bariatric Surgery at One Year: A Prospective, Observational Study
Authors: Wadden Thomas A. , Faulconbridge Lucy F. , Jones‐Corneille LaShanda R. , Sarwer David B. , Fabricatore Anthony N. , Thomas J. Graham , Wilson G. Terence , Alexander Madeline G. , Pulcini Melissa E. , Webb Victoria L. , Williams Noel N.
Published: January 2011

Previous studies have suggested that binge eating disorder (BED) impairs weight loss following bariatric surgery, leading some investigators to recommend that patients receive behavioral treatment for this condition before surgery. However, many of these investigations had significant methodological limitations. The present observational study used a modified intention‐to‐treat (ITT) population to compare 1‐year changes in weight in 59 surgically treated participants, determined preoperatively to be free of a current eating disorder, with changes in 36 individuals judged to have BED. Changes in weight and binge eating in the latter group were compared with those in 49 obese individuals with BED who sought lifestyle modification for weight loss. BED was assessed using criteria proposed for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) 5. At 1 year, surgically treated participants without BED lost 24.2% of initial weight, compared with 22.1% for those with BED (P > 0.309). Both groups achieved clinically significant improvements in several cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. Participants with BED who received lifestyle modification lost 10.3% at 1 year, significantly (P < 0.001) less than surgically treated BED participants. The mean number of binge eating days (in the prior 28 days) fell sharply in both BED groups at 1 year. These two groups did not differ significantly in BED remission rates or in improvements in CVD risk factors. The present results, obtained in carefully studied participants, indicate that the preoperative presence of BED does not attenuate weight loss or improvements in CVD risk factors at 1 year in surgically treated patients. Longer follow‐up of participants is required.
Abdominal Fat Mass Is Associated With Adaptive Immune Activation: The CODAM Study
Authors: Thewissen Marielle M. , Damoiseaux Jan G. , Duijvestijn Adriaan M. , van Greevenbroek Marleen M. , van der Kallen Carla J. , Feskens Edith J. , Blaak Ellen E. , Schalkwijk Casper G. , Stehouwer Coen D. , Tervaert Jan W. Cohen , Ferreira Isabel
Published: January 2011

Abdominal fat‐related activation of the innate immune system and insulin resistance (IR) are implicated in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. Recent data support an important role of the adaptive immune system as well. In this study, we investigate the association between waist circumference and markers of systemic adaptive immune activation, and the potential mediating role of innate immune activation and/or IR herein. The study population consisted of 477 (304 men) individuals (mean age: 59.4 ± 7.0 years) in whom waist circumference, HOMA2‐IR (IR derived from homeostasis model assessment), and markers of innate (C‐reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)‐6, serum amyloid A (SAA)) and adaptive (neopterin, soluble CD25 (sCD25)) immune activation were measured. These markers were compiled into an adaptive and innate immune activation score by averaging the respective z‐scores. After adjustments for age, sex, glucose metabolism, smoking status, prior cardiovascular disease, and other risk factors, waist circumference was associated with the adaptive (standardized regression coefficient β = 0.12 (95% confidence intervals: 0.04–0.20)) and the innate immune activation scores (β = 0.24 (0.17–0.31)), and with HOMA2‐IR (β = 0.49 (0.42–0.56)). The innate immune activation score and HOMA2‐IR were also positively associated with the adaptive immune activation score (β = 0.31 (0.21–0.40) and β = 0.11 (0.02–0.21), respectively). The association between waist circumference and the adaptive immune activation score was completely abolished when further adjusted for innate immune activation and HOMA2‐IR (to β = −0.01 (−0.10–0.08)), and the specific mediation “effects” attributable to each of these variables were 58% and 42%, respectively. We conclude that abdominal obesity is associated with systemic adaptive immune activation and that innate immune activation and IR constitute independent and equally important pathways explaining this association.
Sugar Beet
Authors: May Mike
Published: January 2011

Beet was first developed as a sugar producing crop in the late 16th century. During the Napoleonic wars the naval blockade of France forced European countries to develop the crop. However, it was not until the 19th century that beet was finally established for sugar production in areas such as Europe, Scandinavia and North America. Sugar beet factories are generally efficient at produce a wide range of products as well as sugar. These include animal feed, medical products, foods and agricultural fertilisers. Sucrose production from sugar beet has always been subject to political influences and most countries operate under production quota systems. The fermentation of ethanol in beet factories helps to provide a partial solution to the problem of what to do with any excess sugar production. Sugar beet can also be a good substrate for biogas. The energy used per hectare to produce beet for biofuel is less than that for wheat or corn, but the main problem with beet is the difficulty of storage of the roots and, hence, provision of all-year-round substrate for biofuel production. A limited amount of research is being undertaken to improve the opportunities for beet as a biofuel crop.
Soybeans
Authors: Kinney Anthony J. , Clemente Tom E.
Published: January 2011

For most of their 300 year domesticated history soybeans have been grown to feed humans and animals. In the last decade there has been increasing use of soybean oil (which constitutes about 20% of the seed) for energy, in the form of methyl ester biodiesel. Soybean biodiesel, while more expensive to produce than petroleum diesel, offers a number of advantages over all petrochemical fuels, including increased fuel performance, lower carbon emissions and biodegradability. Soybean biodiesel use is limited by the functional properties of soybean oil, cost and oil supply. The oxidative instability of soybean oil will compromise ignition performance. Saturated fatty acids reduce the cold flow properties of soybean biodiesel and limit its use in cold environments. High oleic, low palmitic acid soybean oil addresses these functional limitations. Efforts by plant breeders over a 30 year period has resulted in high oleic, low palmitic acid soybean lines but they have not been commercialized due to the breeding challenges associated with pyramiding multigenic factors, required for full penetration of the target trait and the observed instability of the phenotype across environments, as well as poor agronomic performance of the crop. On the other hand, using the tools of biotechnology, single locus, environmentally stable, high oleic, low palmitic acid soybean lines have been produced in high performing elite varieties. These varieties are being commercialized by major seed companies. The methyl ester biodiesel from these lines has improved functional properties including cold flow characteristics similar to petroleum diesel. Future biotechnology efforts will be directed towards improving the oil yield of the soybean crop.
Palm Oil as an Energy Crop
Authors: Lee Keat Teong , Tan Kok Tat
Published: January 2011

Palm oil is known as a versatile vegetable oil with numerous applications ranging from food ingredients to non-edible products. At present, with the price of fossil fuels remains volatile in the world market, palm oil has emerged as a potential energy crop which can provide a renewable and sustainable energy source owing to its high productivity and low cost production. In this chapter, the potential of palm oil as energy crop was discussed thoroughly which includes a comprehensive economic analysis. In addition, issues and challenges surrounding palm oil as an energy crop were elaborated in details. Furthermore, the current research and development of palm oil which aims to enhance its prospective as a sustainable and productive energy crop were highlighted as well. Hence, it can be concluded that palm oil has a huge potential to be developed as a sustainable energy crop to solve the issue of energy crisis.
Subtropical and Tropical Reeds for Biomass
Authors: Czakó Mihály , Márton László
Published: January 2011

Various large perennial rhizomatous grasses have been considered for energy crops because they produce cheap lignocellulosic biomass and they have good adaptability to a wide range of environments and climates from temperate to tropical. This review focuses of giant reed (Arundo donax) although its congeneric and more distant relatives such as broom grass (Thysanolaena latifolia) and caña brava (Gynerium sagittatum) are also briefly described. Giant reed is a low maintenance, very high yielding multipurpose crop providing biomass for energy, fiber, pulp and other raw materials. The highest multiyear biomass accumulation in natural stands is 400.0 tonnes of dry matter per hectare and highest sustainable annual yield reaches 63 odt ha−1 year−1 in warm temperate and can be even higher in tropical regions. It is not suffering from pests and maintains high yields without nitrogen fertilization, but it does benefit from fertilization at the expense of energy output/input ratio. Its cultivation has a positive energy balance and compares favorably to other biomass crops, including C4 species, because of its exceptionally high water utilization efficiency and high photosynthetic activity at high temperature despite its C3 anatomy. The high yields, adaptability to high water, salinity and nutrient inputs, and tolerance to pollutants, allow phytoremediation applications combined with biomass production. There is absolutely no seed production therefore the spreading is limited to mechanical dispersal; its potential invasiveness reputation originated from human error (planting near waterways for erosion control). With proper agrotechnology and buffer zones large scale cultivation is possible with minimal danger to the environment. Rhizome or cane cutting-based propagation is available; however, it is best propagated by micropropagation.
Switchgrass
Authors: Vogel Kenneth P. , Sarath Gautam , Saathoff Aaron J. , Mitchell Robert B.
Published: January 2011

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) is a warm-season grass that is native to the prairies of North America that is being developed into a biomass energy crop. It has been used in the Great Plains and Midwest USA as a forage and pasture grass for over 50 years and since the early 1990s research has been conducted on it for bioenergy because of several principal attributes. Switchgrass can be grown on marginal land that is not suitable for intensive cultivation on which it can produce high biomass yields with good management. It is a long lived perennial that has low establishment and production costs and it can harvested and handled with conventional forage equipment. There is substantial potential for genetic improvement of switchgrass for biomass energy production by increasing biomass yield and altering cell wall composition to increase liquid energy yields in biorefineries.
Grain size effect on the phase transformation temperature of nanostructured CuFe2O4
Authors: Prabhu D. , Narayanasamy A. , Shinoda K. , Jeyadeven B. , Greneche J.-M. , Chattopadhyay K.
Published: January 2011

We report a large decrease in tetragonal to cubic phase transformation temperature when grain size of bulk CuFe2O4 is reduced by mechanical ball milling. The change in phase transformation temperature was inferred from in situ high temperature conductivity and x-ray diffraction measurements. The decrease in conductivity with grain size suggests that ball milling has not induced any oxygen vacancy while the role of cation distribution in the observed decrease in phase transformation temperature is ruled out from in-field F57e Mössbauer and extended x-ray absorption fine structure measurements. The reduction in the phase transformation temperature is attributed to the stability of structures with higher crystal symmetry at lower grain sizes due to negative pressure effect.
Ion source for tests of ion behavior in the Karlsruhe tritium neutrino experiment beam line
Authors: Lukic S. , Bornschein B. , Drexlin G. , Glück F. , Kazachenko O. , Schöppner M. , Weinheimer Ch. , Zoll M. C. R.
Published: January 2011

An electron-impact ion source based on photoelectron emission was developed for ionization of gases at pressures below \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\begin{document}$10^{-4} \mbox{\ mbar}$\end{document}10−4mbar in an axial magnetic field in the order of 5 T. The ion source applies only dc fields, which makes it suitable for use in the presence of equipment sensitive to radio-frequency (RF) fields. The ion source was successfully tested under varying conditions regarding pressure, magnetic field, and magnetic-field gradient, and the results were studied with the help of simulations. The processes in the ion source are well understood, and possibilities for further optimization of generated ion currents are clarified.
Strain relaxation mechanisms in compressively strained thin SiGe-on-insulator films grown by selective Si oxidation
Authors: Gunji Marika , Marshall Ann F. , McIntyre Paul C.
Published: January 2011

We report on strain relaxation mechanisms in highly compressive-strained (0.67%–2.33% biaxial strain), thin SiGe-on-insulator (SGOI) structures with Ge atomic fraction ranging from 0.18 to 0.81. SGOI layers (8.7–75 nm thickness) were fabricated by selective oxidization of Si from compressively strained SiGe films epitaxially grown on single crystalline Si-on-insulator (SOI) layers. During high temperature oxidation annealing, strain relaxation occurred due to both intrinsic stacking fault (SF) formation and biaxial stress-driven buckling of the SiGe layers through viscous flow of the overlying and underlying SiO2 layers. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and x-ray diffraction were performed to confirm the simultaneous occurrence of these two strain relaxation mechanisms. The results indicate that ∼30% of the observed strain relaxation can be attributed to formation of intrinsic SFs and the remaining strain relaxation to stress-driven buckling of the SiGe layers. In addition, cross-sectional TEM images show that some of the SFs and layer buckling roughness appears to be spatially correlated.
Linear axial scattering of an acoustical high-order Bessel trigonometric beam by compressible soft fluid spheres
Authors: Mitri F. G.
Published: January 2011

The acoustic scattering properties of nondiffracting high-order Bessel trigonometric beams (HOBTBs) by fluid spheres are investigated. The three-dimensional directivity acoustic scattering patterns of hexane, red blood, and mercury soft spheres immersed in water and centered on the beam axis of wave propagation are presented and discussed. HOBTBs belong to the family of nondiffracting beams and are proper solutions of the homogeneous (source-free) Helmholtz equation. Closed-form analytical solutions for the incident and scattered pressure fields are provided. The far-field acoustic scattering field is expressed as a partial wave series involving the scattering angle relative to the beam axis, the order, and the half-conical angle of the wave number components of the HOBTB. The properties of the acoustic scattering by fluid spheres are discussed and numerical computations with animated graphics show exciting scattering phenomena that are especially useful in applications related to particle entrapment and manipulation of soft matter using acoustic HOBTBs. Other potential applications may include medical or nondestructive ultrasound imaging with contrast agents, or monitoring of the manufacturing processes of sample soft matter systems with HOBTBs.
Relative stability of the open and closed conformations of the active site loop of streptavidin
Authors: General Ignacio J. , Meirovitch Hagai
Published: January 2011

The eight-residue surface loop, 45–52 (Ser, Ala, Val, Gly, Asn, Ala, Glu, Ser), of the homotetrameric protein streptavidin has a “closed” conformation in the streptavidin-biotin complex, where the corresponding binding affinity is one of the strongest found in nature (ΔG ∼ –18 kcal/mol). However, in most of the crystal structures of apo (unbound) streptavidin, the loop conformation is “open” and typically exhibits partial disorder and high B-factors. Thus, it is plausible to assume that the loop structure is changed from open to closed upon binding of biotin, and the corresponding difference in free energy, ΔF = Fopen – Fclosed in the unbound protein, should therefore be considered in the total absolute free energy of binding. ΔF (which has generally been neglected) is calculated here using our “hypothetical scanning molecular-dynamics” (HSMD) method. We use a protein model in which only the atoms closest to the loop are considered (the “template”) and they are fixed in the x-ray coordinates of the free protein; the x-ray conformation of the closed loop is attached to the same (unbound) template and both systems are capped with the same sphere of TIP3P water. Using the force field of the assisted model building with energy refinement (AMBER), we carry out two separate MD simulations (at temperature T = 300 K), starting from the open and closed conformations, where only the atoms of the loop and water are allowed to move (the template-water and template-loop interactions are considered). The absolute Fopen and Fclosed (of loop + water) are calculated from these trajectories, where the loop and water contributions are obtained by HSMD and a thermodynamic integration (TI) process, respectively. The combined HSMD-TI procedure leads to total (loop + water) ΔF = −27.1 ± 2.0 kcal/mol, where the entropy TΔS constitutes 34% of ΔF, meaning that the effect of S is significant and should not be ignored. Also, ΔS is positive, in accord with the high flexibility of the open loop observed in crystal structures, while the energy ΔE is unexpectedly negative, thus also adding to the stability of the open loop. The loop and the 250 capped water molecules are the largest system studied thus far, which constitutes a test for the efficiency of HSMD-TI; this efficiency and technical issues related to the implementation of the method are also discussed. Finally, the result for ΔF is a prediction that will be considered in the calculation of the absolute free energy of binding of biotin to streptavidin, which constitutes our next project.
Langevin dynamics for the transport of flexible biological macromolecules in confined geometries
Authors: Peters Michael H.
Published: January 2011

The transport of flexible biological macromolecules in confined geometries is found in a variety of important biophysical systems including biomolecular movements through pores in cell walls, vesicle walls, and synthetic nanopores for sequencing methods. In this study, we extend our previous analysis of the Fokker–Planck and Langevin dynamics for describing the coupled translational and rotational motions of single structured macromolecules near structured external surfaces or walls [M. H. Peters, J. Chem. Phys. 110, 528 (1999); 112, 5488 (2000)] to the problem of many interacting macromolecules in the presence of structured external surfaces representing the confining geometry. Overall macromolecular flexibility is modeled through specified interaction potentials between the structured Brownian subunits (B-particles), as already demonstrated for protein and DNA molecules briefly reviewed here. We derive the Fokker–Planck equation using a formal multiple time scale perturbation expansion of the Liouville equation for the entire system, i.e., solvent, macromolecules, and external surface. A configurational–orientational Langevin displacement equation is also obtained for use in Brownian dynamics applications. We demonstrate important effects of the external surface on implicit solvent forces through formal descriptions of the grand friction tensor and equilibrium average force of the solvent on the B-particles. The formal analysis provides both transparency of all terms of the Langevin displacement equation as well as a prescription for their determination. As an example, application of the methods developed, the real-time movement of an α-helix protein through a carbon nanotube is simulated.