bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structural differences between thermophilic and mesophilic membrane proteins
Authors: Meruelo Alejandro D. , Han Seong Kyu , Kim Sanguk , Bowie James U.
Published: September 2012

The evolutionary adaptations of thermophilic water‐soluble proteins required for maintaining stability at high temperature have been extensively investigated. Little is known about the adaptations in membrane proteins, however. Here, we compare many properties of mesophilic and thermophilic membrane protein structures, including side‐chain burial, packing, hydrogen bonding, transmembrane kinks, loop lengths, hydrophobicity, and other sequence features. Most of these properties are quite similar between mesophiles and thermophiles although we observe a slight increase in side‐chain burial and possibly a slight decrease in the frequency of transmembrane kinks in thermophilic membrane protein structures. The most striking difference is the increased hydrophobicity of thermophilic transmembrane helices, possibly reflecting more stringent hydrophobicity requirements for membrane partitioning at high temperature. In agreement with prior work examining transmembrane sequences, we find that thermophiles have an increase in small residues (Gly, Ala, Ser, and Val) and a strong suppression of Cys. We also find a relative dearth of most strongly polar residues (Asp, Asn, Glu, Gln, and Arg). These results suggest that in thermophiles, there is significant evolutionary pressure to offload destabilizing polar amino acids, to decrease the entropy cost of side chain burial, and to eliminate thermally sensitive amino acids.
Structural basis for proton conduction and inhibition by the influenza M2 protein
Authors: Hong Mei , DeGrado William F.
Published: September 2012

The influenza M2 protein forms an acid‐activated and drug‐sensitive proton channel in the virus envelope that is important for the virus lifecycle. The functional properties and high‐resolution structures of this proton channel have been extensively studied to understand the mechanisms of proton conduction and drug inhibition. We review biochemical and electrophysiological studies of M2 and discuss how high‐resolution structures have transformed our understanding of this proton channel. Comparison of structures obtained in different membrane‐mimetic solvents and under different pH using X‐ray crystallography, solution NMR, and solid‐state NMR spectroscopy revealed how the M2 structure depends on the environment and showed that the pharmacologically relevant drug‐binding site lies in the transmembrane (TM) pore. Competing models of proton conduction have been evaluated using biochemical experiments, high‐resolution structural methods, and computational modeling. These results are converging to a model in which a histidine residue in the TM domain mediates proton relay with water, aided by microsecond conformational dynamics of the imidazole ring. These mechanistic insights are guiding the design of new inhibitors that target drug‐resistant M2 variants and may be relevant for other proton channels.
Comparison of Lorenz and Charney–Phillips vertical discretisations for dynamics–boundary layer coupling. Part I: Steady states
Authors: Holdaway D. , Thuburn J. , Wood N.
Published: September 2012

Accurate coupling between the resolved‐scale dynamics and the parametrised physics is essential for accurate modelling of the atmosphere. Previous emphasis has been on the temporal aspects of this so‐called physics–dynamics coupling problem, with little attention on the spatial aspects. When designing a model for numerical weather prediction there is a choice for how to vertically arrange the predicted variables, namely the Lorenz and Charney–Phillips grids, and there is ongoing debate as to which is the optimal. The Charney–Phillips grid is considered good for capturing the potential vorticity dynamics and wave propagation, whereas the Lorenz grid is more suitable for conservation. However the Lorenz grid supports a computational mode. It is argued here that the Lorenz grid is preferred for modelling the stably stratified boundary layer. This presents the question: which grid will produce more accurate results when coupling the large‐scale dynamics to the stably stratified planetary boundary layer? The question is addressed by examining the ability of both the Lorenz and Charney–Phillips grids to capture the steady state of a set of equations that simultaneously represents both large‐scale dynamics and the planetary boundary layer. The results show that the Charney–Phillips grid is able to capture accurately the steady boundary‐layer solution provided the Richardson number is calculated without vertically averaging the shear. Averaging the shear suppresses the negative feedback of the shear on the diffusion coefficient; the positive feedback, via the vertical gradient of potential temperature, then leads to the formation of unrealistic step‐like features. Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society
A Bayesian model for misclassified binary outcomes and correlated survival data with applications to breast cancer
Authors: Luo Sheng , Yi Min , Huang Xuelin , Hunt Kelly K.
Published: September 2012

Breast cancer patients may experience ipsilateral breast tumor relapse (IBTR) after breast conservation therapy. IBTR is classified as either true local recurrence or new ipsilateral primary tumor. The correct classification of IBTR status has significant implications in therapeutic decision‐making and patient management. However, the diagnostic tests to classify IBTR are imperfect and prone to misclassification. In addition, some observed survival data (e.g., time to relapse, time from relapse to death) are strongly correlated with IBTR status. We present a Bayesian approach to model the potentially misclassified IBTR status and the correlated survival information. We conduct the inference using a Bayesian framework via Markov chain Monte Carlo simulation implemented in WinBUGS. Extensive simulation shows that the proposed method corrects biases and provides more efficient estimates for the covariate effects on the probability of IBTR and the diagnostic test accuracy. Moreover, our method provides useful subject‐specific patient prognostic information. Our method is motivated by, and applied to, a dataset of 397 breast cancer patients. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simultaneous confidence intervals on multivariate non‐inferiority
Authors: Hasler M. , Hothorn L. A.
Published: September 2012

We discuss the analysis of non‐inferiority trials based on a multi‐armed design with multiple correlated endpoints. We consider five different scenarios: (1) global non‐inferiority; (2) non‐inferiority for subsets of comparisons; (3) global non‐inferiority for a treatment group; (4) global non‐inferiority for an endpoint; and (5) local non‐inferiority. We describe and compare related approaches, which are based on the union‐intersection and intersection‐union test principles – alone and in combination. Because non‐inferiority thresholds for many differently scaled endpoints are rarely available in practice, the approaches described focus on the estimation of simultaneous confidence limits and their post hoc interpretation on non‐inferiority. We discuss and demonstrate pros and cons by means of a real data example. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Shag‐Band Menace: Tracing the Spread of a Contemporary Legend
Authors: Best Joel , Bogle Kathleen A. , Johnstone Chelsea
Published: September 2012

The internet enables analysts to better track rumors and contemporary legends through time and space. Comments about sex bracelets reveal waves of concentrated attention; the spread of particular variants display a similar pattern. The diffusion of such stories reflects constructions of childhood and adolescent sexuality as social problems.
Chinese College English Teachers' Research Engagement
Authors: Borg Simon , Liu Yi (Daphne)
Published: September 2012

This mixed methods study adds to a growing international literature on the nature of language teachers' engagement with and in research by examining such engagement in the context of college English teaching in China. Questionnaire responses from 725 college English teachers and interviews with 20 of these teachers indicate that, although they were expected to be research‐active, their reported levels of reading and doing research were moderate. An analysis of the factors behind this level of engagement reveals unproductive linear and instrumental conceptions among teachers of the relationship between research knowledge and classroom practice. A perceived discrepancy was also found between teachers' views about the research activity expected of them and the support they received from their institutions to facilitate such work. The uncertainty teachers experienced in relation to research engagement was also shaped by tensions between their views of research and its purpose and the criteria for recognizing research employed by their institutions. This study problematizes the notion of teacher as researcher by highlighting many interactive personal, interpersonal, and institutional factors which shape the extent to which teachers can be research‐engaged. The article concludes by suggesting key questions that language teaching organizations wanting to promote teacher research engagement must ask.
Nondestructive analyses of carbonate rocks: applications and potentiality for museum materials
Authors: Barbera Giovanni , Barone Germana , Crupi Vincenza , Longo Francesca , Majolino Domenico , Mazzoleni Paolo , Venuti Valentina
Published: September 2012

The preciousness of historical artifacts leads to the performance of nondestructive and/or microdestructive analyses, especially when the archeological finds are stored in museums. The PXRF spectrometry represents a powerful technique for the chemometric study of the materials, in alternative to the more usual destructive X‐ray‐based methods. A large set of limestones belonging to several formations cropping out in the Hyblean area (south‐eastern Sicily, Italy) was analyzed by means of a PXRF instrument. The main goal was to test the PXRF potentiality for the discrimination of rocks with similar features and to create a chemical database of carbonate rocks, which were commonly used in the past in the manufacturing of sculptures and stone artifacts. Fluorescence data were processed by means of multivariate statistical analysis. In particular, principal components analysis and linear discriminant analysis were applied. The results allowed us to classify the samples belonging to different formations and to distinguish different rock typologies within each formation.

Finally, the investigation showed that the analytical PXRF data can be suitable for a substantial characterization of stone materials and this could be extended to museum materials belonging to cultural heritage. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effective field theory of cosmological large scale structures
Authors: Carrasco John Joseph M. , Hertzberg Mark P. , Senatore Leonardo
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Large scale structure surveys will likely become the next leading cosmological probe. In our universe, matter perturbations are large on short distances and small at long scales, i.e. strongly coupled in the UV and weakly coupled in the IR. To make precise analytical predictions on large scales, we develop an effective field theory formulated in terms of an IR effective fluid characterized by several parameters, such as speed of sound and viscosity. These parameters, determined by the UV physics described by the Boltzmann equation, are measured from N-body simulations. We find that the speed of sound of the effective fluid is
$ c_s^2 \approx {1}{0^{{ - {6}}}}{c^{2}} $
and that the viscosity contributions are of the same order. The fluid describes all the relevant physics at long scales k and permits a manifestly convergent perturbative expansion in the size of the matter perturbations δ(k) for all the observables. As an example, we calculate the correction to the power spectrum at order δ(k)4. The predictions of the effective field theory are found to be in much better agreement with observation than standard cosmological perturbation theory, already reaching percent precision at this order up to a relatively short scale k ⋍ 0.24h Mpc−1.
Gas embolism in laparoscopic hepatectomy: what is the optimal pneumoperitoneal pressure for laparoscopic major hepatectomy?
Authors: Otsuka Yuichiro , Katagiri Toshio , Ishii Jun , Maeda Tetsuya , Kubota Yoshihisa , Tamura Akira , Tsuchiya Masaru , Kaneko Hironori
Published: September 2012

Laparoscopic hepatectomy (LH) has become popular as a surgical treatment for liver diseases, and numerous recent studies indicate that it is safe and has advantages in selected patients. Because of the magnified view offered by the laparoscope under pneumoperitoneal pressure, LH results in less bleeding than open laparotomy. However, gas embolism is an important concern that has been discussed in the literature, and experimental studies have shown that LH is associated with a high incidence of gas embolism. Major hepatectomies are done laparoscopically in some centers, even though the risk of gas embolism is believed to be higher than for minor hepatectomy due to the wide transection plane with dissection of major hepatic veins and long operative time. At many high‐volume centers, LH is performed at a pneumoperitoneal pressure less than 12 mmHg, and reports indicate that the rate of clinically severe gas embolism is low. However, more studies will be necessary to elucidate the optimal pneumoperitoneal pressure and the incidence of gas embolism during LH.
The Heterogeneous P-Median Problem for Categorization Based Clustering
Authors: Blanchard Simon J. , Aloise Daniel , DeSarbo Wayne S.
Published: September 2012

The p-median offers an alternative to centroid-based clustering algorithms for identifying unobserved categories. However, existing p-median formulations typically require data aggregation into a single proximity matrix, resulting in masked respondent heterogeneity. A proposed three-way formulation of the p-median problem explicitly considers heterogeneity by identifying groups of individual respondents that perceive similar category structures. Three proposed heuristics for the heterogeneous p-median (HPM) are developed and then illustrated in a consumer psychology context using a sample of undergraduate students who performed a sorting task of major U.S. retailers, as well as a through Monte Carlo analysis.
Marital Sorting and Parental Wealth
Authors: Charles Kerwin Kofi , Hurst Erik , Killewald Alexandra
Published: September 2012

The extent of marital sorting by socioeconomic background has implications for the intergenerational transmission of inequality, the role of marriage as a mechanism for social mobility, and the extent of cross-group interactions within a society. However, studies of assortative mating have disproportionately focused on spouses’ education, rather than their social origins. Using data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID), and exploiting the unique genealogical design of the data set, we study the degree to which spouses sort on the basis of parental wealth. We find that the estimated correlation in parental wealth among married spouses, after controlling for race and age, is about .4. Importantly, we show that controlling for spousal education explains only one-quarter of sorting based on parental wealth. We show that our results are robust to accounting for measurement error in spousal reports of parental wealth and for selection into and out of marriage.
Giving from a distance: Putting the charitable organization at the center of the donation appeal
Authors: Ein‐Gar Danit , Levontin Liat
Published: September 2012

Past research has shown repeatedly that people prefer donating to a single identified human victim rather than to unidentified or abstract donation targets. In the current research we show results countering the identifiable victim effect, wherein people prefer to donate to charitable organizations rather than to an identifiable victim. In a series of five studies, we manipulate temporal and social distance, examine a variety of donation targets, and measure intention to donate time or money as well as actual donations of money. We show that people are more willing to donate to a charitable organization when they are temporally or socially distant from the population in need. Willingness to donate to a specific person in need is higher when donors are temporally or socially close to the donation target. Furthermore, we demonstrate that (a) empathy mediates donations to a single victim, yet does not mediate donations to charitable organizations; (b) that donation giving to charitable organizations is unique and is not similar to donations to a group of victims. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Forcing of oceanic mean flows by dissipating internal tides
Authors: Grisouard Nicolas , Bühler Oliver
Published: September 2012

We present a theoretical and numerical study of the effective mean force exerted on an oceanic mean flow due to the presence of small-amplitude internal waves that are forced by the oscillatory flow of a barotropic tide over undulating topography and are also subject to dissipation. This extends the classic lee-wave drag problem of atmospheric wave–mean interaction theory to a more complicated oceanographic setting, because now the steady lee waves are replaced by oscillatory internal tides and, most importantly, because now the three-dimensional oceanic mean flow is defined by time averaging over the fast tidal cycles rather than by the zonal averaging familiar from atmospheric theory. Although the details of our computation are quite different, we recover the main action-at-a-distance result from the atmospheric setting, namely that the effective mean force that is felt by the mean flow is located in regions of wave dissipation, and not necessarily near the topographic wave source. Specifically, we derive an explicit expression for the effective mean force at leading order using a perturbation series in small wave amplitude within the framework of generalized Lagrangian-mean theory, discuss in detail the range of situations in which a strong, secularly growing mean-flow response can be expected, and then compute the effective mean force numerically in a number of idealized examples with simple topographies.
Bifurcating flows of plunging aerofoils at high Strouhal numbers
Authors: Cleaver D. J. , Wang Z. , Gursul I.
Published: September 2012

Force and particle image velocimetry measurements were conducted on a NACA 0012 aerofoil undergoing small-amplitude high-frequency plunging oscillation at low Reynolds numbers and angles of attack in the range 0–$2{0}^{\ensuremath{\circ} } $. For angles of attack less than or equal to the stall angle, at high Strouhal numbers, significant bifurcations are observed in the time-averaged lift coefficient resulting in two lift-coefficient branches. The upper branch is associated with an upwards deflected jet, and the lower branch is associated with a downwards deflected jet. These branches are stable and highly repeatable, and are achieved by increasing or decreasing the frequency in the experiments. Increasing frequency refers to starting from stationary and increasing the frequency very slowly (while waiting for the flow to reach an asymptotic state after each change in frequency); decreasing frequency refers to impulsively starting at the maximum frequency and decreasing the frequency very slowly. For the latter case, angle of attack, starting position and initial acceleration rate are also parameters in determining which branch is selected. The bifurcation behaviour is closely related to the properties of the trailing-edge vortices. The bifurcation was therefore not observed for very small plunge amplitudes or frequencies due to insufficient trailing-edge vortex strength, nor at larger angles of attack due to greater asymmetry in the strength of the trailing-edge vortices, which creates a preference for a downward deflected jet. Vortex strength and asymmetry parameters are derived from the circulation measurements. It is shown that the most appropriate strength parameter in determining the onset of deflected jets is the circulation normalized by the plunge velocity.
A finite element approach to incompressible two-phase flow on manifolds
Authors: Nitschke I. , Voigt A. , Wensch J.
Published: September 2012

A two-phase Newtonian surface fluid is modelled as a surface Cahn–Hilliard–Navier–Stokes equation using a stream function formulation. This allows one to circumvent the subtleties in describing vectorial second-order partial differential equations on curved surfaces and allows for an efficient numerical treatment using parametric finite elements. The approach is validated for various test cases, including a vortex-trapping surface demonstrating the strong interplay of the surface morphology and the flow. Finally the approach is applied to a Rayleigh–Taylor instability and coarsening scenarios on various surfaces.
On the Kelvin–Helmholtz route to turbulence
Authors: Thorpe S. A.
Published: September 2012

In their transition from a laminar state to turbulence, some unstable flows pass through a set of well-defined stages involving different and distinct processes. This is so, in particular, for Kelvin–Helmholtz instability, although details of its transition still retain many mysterious aspects. Billows develop in the primary stage of this stratified shear flow instability, separated by thin braids in which the shear is relatively high. Fluid is statically unstable within the billows and consequently potentially prone to convective instability. Numerical studies by Mashayek & Peltier (J. Fluid Mech., this issue, vol 708, 2012a,b, pp. 5–44 and 45–70) have discovered several new types of secondary instability in the braids and billow cores that may hasten the eventual transition to turbulence. The instabilities are illustrated by the authors in colour figures, remarkable for their beauty and (recalling William Blake’s ‘The Tyger’) ‘fearful symmetry’. But are they helpful in establishing the subsequent turbulence in the natural environment?
On the effects of frontogenetic strain on symmetric instability and inertia–gravity waves
Authors: Thomas Leif N.
Published: September 2012

The dynamics of symmetric instability and two-dimensional inertia–gravity waves in a baroclinic geostrophic flow undergoing frontogenesis is analysed. A frontogenetic strain associated with a balanced deformation field drives an ageostrophic circulation and temporal variations in the basic state that significantly affect the properties of perturbations to the background flow. For stable stratification, perturbations to the basic state result in symmetric instability or inertia–gravity waves, depending on the sign of the Ertel potential vorticity and the magnitude of the Richardson number of the geostrophic flow. The kinetic energy (KE) of both types of motion is suppressed by frontogenetic strain due to the vertical shear in the ageostrophic circulation. This is because the perturbation streamlines tilt with the ageostrophic shear causing the disturbances to lose KE via shear production. The effect can completely dampen symmetric instability for sufficiently strong strain even though the source of KE for the instability (the vertical shear in the geostrophic flow) increases with time. Inertia–gravity waves in a baroclinic flow undergoing frontogenesis simultaneously lose KE and extract KE from the deformation field as they decay. This is because the horizontal velocity of the waves becomes rectilinear, resulting in a Reynolds stress that draws energy from the balanced flow. The process is most effective for waves of low frequency and for a geostrophic flow with low Richardson number. However, even in a background flow that is initially strongly stratified, frontogenesis leads to an exponentially fast reduction in the Richardson number, facilitating a rapid energy extraction by the waves. The KE transferred from the deformation field is ultimately lost to the unbalanced ageostrophic circulation through shear production, hence the inertia–gravity waves play a catalytic role in loss of balance. Given the large amount of KE in low-frequency inertia–gravity waves and the ubiquitous combination of strain and baroclinic geostrophic currents in the ocean, it is estimated that this mechanism could play a significant role in the removal of KE from both the internal wave and mesoscale eddy fields.
AN ECONOMIC MODEL OF SCHOOL-BASED BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS TO PREVENT SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS
Authors: Cooper Keith , Shepherd Jonathan , Picot Jo , Jones Jeremy , Kavanagh Josephine , Harden Angela , Barnett-Page Elaine , Clegg Andrew , Hartwell Debbie , Frampton Geoff , Price Alison
Published: September 2012

Objectives: Reducing sexually transmitted infections (STI) and teenage pregnancy through effective health education is a high priority for health policy. Behavioral interventions which teach skills to practice safer sex may reduce the incidence of STIs. We evaluated the cost-effectiveness of school-based behavioral interventions in young people.

Methods: We developed an economic model to estimate the total number of STI cases averted, consequent gain in health related quality of life (HRQoL) and savings in medical costs, based on changes in sexual behavior. The parameters for the model were derived from a systematic literature search on the intervention effectiveness, epidemiology of STIs, sexual behavior and lifestyles, HRQoL and health service costs.

Results: The costs of providing teacher-led and peer-led behavioral interventions were €5.16 and €18 per pupil, respectively. For a cohort of 1000 boys and 1000 girls aged 15 years, the model estimated that the behavioral interventions would avert two STI cases and save 0.35 Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALYs). Compared to standard education, the incremental cost-effectiveness of the teacher-led and peer-led interventions was €24,268 and €96,938 per QALY gained, respectively.

Conclusions: School-based behavioral interventions which provide information and teach young people sexual health skills can bring about improvements in knowledge and increased self-efficacy, though these may be limited in terms of impact on sexual behavior. There was uncertainty around the results due to the limited effect of the intervention on behavioral outcomes and paucity of data for other input parameters.
IMPLEMENTATION OF LOCAL/HOSPITAL-BASED HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT INITIATIVES IN LOW- AND MIDDLE-INCOME COUNTRIES
Authors: Attieh Randa , Gagnon Marie-Pierre
Published: September 2012

Objectives:The objective of this study is to review the implementation of health technology assessment (HTA) at the local and hospital levels in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). This review will provide a starting point for identifying the conditions for HTA implementation in hospitals in LMIC through the analysis of experiments conducted in these countries.

Methods:A systematic review of the literature was conducted to document the local-/hospital-level HTA experiments performed in LMIC.

Results:This systematic review showed that few experiments of local HTA in LMIC have been published to date, with only five articles found in our survey. These documents report studies of clinical effectiveness and economic evaluation at the local level in certain Asian and Latin American countries. In addition, pharmaceuticals and medical devices were the most common topics covered by HTA at the local level in these countries.

Conclusions:Currently, HTA plays an increasingly important role in healthcare systems in supporting decision making for healthcare policies and practices. This systematic review contributes to identify priorities in the process and methodology of HTA implementation at the local/hospital level in LMIC. The paucity of HTA in LMIC is often assumed to be due to the lack of formally tasked HTA agencies, to politics and to shortage of resources.
A multi-state spatio-temporal Markov model for categorized incidence of meningitis in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: AGIER L. , STANTON M. , SOGA G. , DIGGLE P. J.
Published: September 2012

Meningococcal meningitis is a major public health problem in the African Belt. Despite the obvious seasonality of epidemics, the factors driving them are still poorly understood. Here, we provide a first attempt to predict epidemics at the spatio-temporal scale required for in-year response, using a purely empirical approach. District-level weekly incidence rates for Niger (1986–2007) were discretized into latent, alert and epidemic states according to pre-specified epidemiological thresholds. We modelled the probabilities of transition between states, accounting for seasonality and spatio-temporal dependence. One-week-ahead predictions for entering the epidemic state were generated with specificity and negative predictive value >99%, sensitivity and positive predictive value >72%. On the annual scale, we predict the first entry of a district into the epidemic state with sensitivity 65·0%, positive predictive value 49·0%, and an average time gained of 4·6 weeks. These results could inform decisions on preparatory actions.
Two-phase flow equations with a dynamic capillary pressure
Authors: KOCH JAN , RÄTZ ANDREAS , SCHWEIZER BEN
Published: September 2012

We investigate the motion of two immiscible fluids in a porous medium described by a two-phase flow system. In the capillary pressure relation, we include static and dynamic hysteresis. The model is well established in the context of the Richards equation, which is obtained by assuming a constant pressure for one of the two phases. We derive an existence result for this hysteresis two-phase model for non-degenerate permeability and capillary pressure curves. A discretization scheme is introduced and numerical results for fingering experiments are obtained. The main analytical tool is a compactness result for two variables that are coupled by a hysteresis relation.
Observation of freshBos indicusembryos comparing stereoscopic and phase contrast microscopy
Authors: Gutiérrez M.E. , Galina C.S. , Moreno-Mendoza N. , Alarcón M.A. , Godínez B. , Lammoglia M.A.
Published: September 2012

The precision of embryo evaluation using stereoscopic microscopy (SM) and inverted phase contrast microscopy (PCM) was compared in 20Bos indicuscows superovulated at two different times of the year. In total, 118 embryos were collected and classified according to their developmental stage and quality by two independent evaluators using SM and inverted PCM. Cohen's kappa coefficient was used to determine concordance between SM and PCM observations. A good level of agreement (k= 0.616) was found for quality level, and a moderate one (k= 0.464) for developmental stage, particularly at the morula stage. Using the TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labelling) technique, concordance level was deemed to be low with the SM (k= 0.169), and poor with the PCM (k= 0.217). Differences in concordance levels were also found between observations made at the two times of year, 78 embryos were evaluated in the rainy season when concordance level was good (k= 0.68), in contrast to the 40 embryos evaluated in the dry season when agreement was found to be poor (k= 0.24). In conclusion, inverted PCM was somewhat more effective for evaluating embryos, particularly at the morula stage. However, considering the high cost of an inverted PCM, the differences observed do not justify its purchase for routine embryo evaluation.
Behaviour problems in adolescents with cardiac disease: an exploratory study in a paediatric cardiology outpatient clinic
Authors: da Silva Maria M. , Schoen-Ferreira Teresa H. , Diógenes Maria S. B. , Carvalho Antonio C.
Published: September 2012

Aims

To assess behavioural problems in adolescents with congenital and acquired heart disease in comparison with healthy controls. The perception of behavioural problems by the patients’ parents was also assessed and compared.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was carried out in 130 adolescents with congenital and acquired heart disease and 246 healthy controls. The second part of the Youth Self-Report was applied to the patients and controls, and the Child Behavior Checklist to the patients’ parents.

Results

Male patients showed significantly fewer behavioural problems compared with male controls. No significant difference was found in the female gender. Healthy male adolescents scored significantly higher in the Internalising, Externalising, and in the Total Problems scales. Patients scored significantly higher only on the Social Problems subscale. Female patients in middle and late adolescence and male patients in early adolescence displayed more problems. No significant difference was found between the diagnostic groups. Operated patients did not differ from the non-operated ones. Patients scored significantly lower than did their parents.

Conclusions

Male adolescents with cardiac disease reported fewer behavioural problems when compared with healthy controls, but no difference was observed in the female gender. Patients also reported fewer behavioural problems than did their parents. Adolescents with cardiac disease scored higher than did controls only on the Social Problems subscale. Analysing the patients’ behavioural profile, female patients in middle and late adolescence and male patients in early adolescence were the most problematic ones. No difference was observed between the diagnostic groups, nor between operated and non-operated patients.
Cognitive advantage in children enrolled in a second-language immersion elementary school program for three years
Authors: NICOLAY ANNE-CATHERINE , PONCELET MARTINE
Published: September 2012

Early bilingualism acquired from home or community is generally considered to positively influence cognitive development. The purpose of the present study was to determine to what extent bilingualism acquired through a second-language immersion education has a similar effect. Participants included a total of 106 French-speaking eight-year-old children drawn from two language groups: 53 children enrolled in English immersion classes since the age of five years (the immersion group) and 53 children enrolled in monolingual French-speaking classes (the monolingual group). The two groups were matched for verbal and nonverbal intelligence and socioeconomic status (SES). They were administered a battery of tasks assessing attentional and executive skills. The immersion group's reaction times were significantly faster than those of the monolingual group on tasks assessing alerting, auditory selective attention, divided attention and mental flexibility, but not interference inhibition. These results show that, after only three years, a second-language immersion school experience also produces some of the cognitive benefits associated with early bilingualism.
Intelligibility of American English vowels of native and non-native speakers in quiet and speech-shaped noise
Authors: LIU CHANG , JIN SU-HYUN
Published: September 2012

This study examined intelligibility of twelve American English vowels produced by English, Chinese, and Korean native speakers in quiet and speech-shaped noise in which vowels were presented at six sensation levels from 0 dB to 10 dB. The slopes of vowel intelligibility functions and the processing time for listeners to identify vowels were dependent on speakers’ language backgrounds and non-native speakers’ vowel intelligibility in quiet. These results indicated that noise background affected non-native speakers’ vowel intelligibility more greatly than native speakers, possibly due to the acoustic deviations in non-native speech and lack of listeners’ experience to non-native produced speech.
Micronutrient intake and status in Central and Eastern Europe compared with other European countries, results from the EURRECA network
Authors: Novaković Romana , Cavelaars Adrienne EJM , Bekkering Geertruida E , Roman-Viñas Blanca , Ngo Joy , Gurinović Mirjana , Glibetić Maria , Nikolić Marina , Golesorkhi Mana , Medina Marisol Warthon , Šatalić Zvonimir , Geelen Anouk , Majem Lluis Serra , van't Veer Pieter , de Groot Lisette CPGM
Published: September 2012

Objective

To compare micronutrient intakes and status in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) with those in other European countries and with reference values.

Design

Review of the micronutrient intake/status data from open access and grey literature sources from CEE.

Setting

Micronutrients studied were folate, iodine, Fe, vitamin B12and Zn (for intake and status) and Ca, Cu, Se, vitamin C and vitamin D (for intake). Intake data were based on validated dietary assessment methods; mean intakes were compared with average nutrient requirements set by the Nordic countries or the US Institute of Medicine. Nutritional status was assessed using the status biomarkers and cut-off levels recommended primarily by the WHO.

Subjects

For all population groups in CEE, the mean intake and mean/median status levels were compared between countries and regions: CEE, Scandinavia, Western Europe and Mediterranean.

Results

Mean micronutrient intakes of adults in the CEE region were in the same range as those from other European regions, with exception of Ca (lower in CEE). CEE children and adolescents had poorer iodine status, and intakes of Ca, folate and vitamin D were below the reference values.

Conclusions

CEE countries are lacking comparable studies on micronutrient intake/status across all age ranges, especially in children. Available evidence showed no differences in micronutrient intake/status in CEE populations in comparison with other European regions, except for Ca intake in adults and iodine and Fe status in children. The identified knowledge gaps urge further research on micronutrient intake/status of CEE populations to make a basis for evidence-based nutrition policy.
Family- and school-based predictors of energy balance-related behaviours in children: a 6-year longitudinal study
Authors: Verloigne Maïté , Van Lippevelde Wendy , Maes Lea , Brug Johannes , De Bourdeaudhuij Ilse
Published: September 2012

Objective

To examine family- and school-based predictors of breakfast consumption, soft drink consumption and physical activity (PA) and moderating effects of gender and socio-economic status (SES).

Design

Longitudinal study (6-year follow-up), including a questionnaire about dietary and activity behaviour.

Setting

Fifty-nine Flemish elementary schools.

Subjects

Seven hundred and twenty-seven children (51·9 % girls, 51·9 % high SES, mean age 9·9 (sd 0·4) years at baseline).

Results

Having breakfast together with parents (P < 0·001) at age 10 years related to more days of eating breakfast at age 16 years. More parental soft drink consumption (P = 0·04), less soft drink availability at home (P < 0·001) and less parental permissiveness (children received soft drinks from their parents whenever they asked for it and children could take soft drinks whenever they wanted; P = 0·02 and P = 0·001, respectively) at age 10 years related to less soft drink consumption at age 16 years. A more positive parental attitude towards PA (P = 0·009), more parental encouragement (P = 0·002) and a higher rating of PA's benefit ‘relaxing’ (P < 0·001) at age 10 years related to more PA at age 16 years. Gender and SES did not significantly moderate any of the associations.

Conclusions

Only parental factors at age 10 years were associated with breakfast consumption, soft drink consumption and PA at age 16 years. An intervention programme at age 10 years with a strong focus on the modifiable parental factors might lead to healthy behaviour in the long term.
‘Anglocostalism’ in Nigeria: Neo-Pentecostalism and Obstacles to Anglican Unity
Authors: Zink Jesse
Published: September 2012

In the last several decades, the religious landscape in Nigeria has been transformed by the rise of neo-Pentecostal or ‘new generation’ churches. These churches teach a gospel of prosperity, advance an oppositional view of the world, focus on a supernatural arena of spiritual forces, accord a unique weight to the Bible, and practice a charismatic worship style. One result of the presence of these churches has been to change the face of Anglicanism in Nigeria. Concerned about the possibility of diminished influence and prestige, the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has responded to neo-Pentecostal churches by adopting more of its rivals’ beliefs and practices. This paper argues that this changing environment explains, in part, Nigerian opposition to efforts at global Anglican unity and argues that it is impossible to address the future of the Anglican Communion without first understanding the on-the-ground religious context in Nigeria.
Calcium tips the balance: a microtubule plus end to lattice binding switch operates in the carboxyl terminus of BPAG1n4
Authors: Kapur Mridu , Wang Wei , Maloney Michael T , Millan Ivan , Lundin Victor F , Tran Thuy‐An , Yang Yanmin
Published: September 2012

Microtubules (MTs) are integral to numerous cellular functions, such as cell adhesion, differentiation and intracellular transport. Their dynamics are largely controlled by diverse MT‐interacting proteins, but the signalling mechanisms that regulate these interactions remain elusive. In this report, we identify a rapid, calcium‐regulated switch between MT plus end interaction and lattice binding within the carboxyl terminus of BPAG1n4. This switch is EF‐hand dependent, and mutations of the EF‐hands abolish this dynamic behaviour. Our study thus uncovers a new, calcium‐dependent regulatory mechanism for a spectraplakin, BPAG1n4, at the MT plus end.
The resolution estimation of wedge and strip anodes
Authors: Yang Hao , Zhao Baosheng , Liu Yong'an , Yan Qiurong , Hu Huijun
Published: September 2012

A new resolution estimation method for wedge and strip anode based on the single photon imaging configuration is provided. The limiting resolution estimation equation is deduced theoretically according to the threshold principle. The relation between the charge cloud and the covered electrodes is discussed, and the equivalent diameter number is calculated. The resolution equation for the position deviation amplitude or FWHM is provided if noise exists. The relation between the position deviation amplitude and the total charge deviation amplitudes is discussed. The constancy of the position deviation amplitudes versus positions is provided. The results calculated from these equations are discussed. According to the equations, it is indicated that the spatial resolution is affected by the detection system configuration and noise. These conclusions may be useful for the designing and performance improvement of future photon imagers.
Invited Review Article: Physics and Monte Carlo techniques as relevant to cryogenic, phonon, and ionization readout of Cryogenic Dark Matter Search radiation detectors
Authors: Leman Steven W.
Published: September 2012

This review discusses detector physics and Monte Carlo techniques for cryogenic, radiation detectors that utilize combined phonon and ionization readout. A general review of cryogenic phonon and charge transport is provided along with specific details of the Cryogenic Dark Matter Search detector instrumentation. In particular, this review covers quasidiffusive phonon transport, which includes phonon focusing, anharmonic decay, and isotope scattering. The interaction of phonons in the detector surface is discussed along with the downconversion of phonons in superconducting films. The charge transport physics include a mass tensor which results from the crystal band structure and is modeled with a Herring-Vogt transformation. Charge scattering processes involve the creation of Neganov-Luke phonons. Transition-edge-sensor (TES) simulations include a full electric circuit description and all thermal processes including Joule heating, cooling to the substrate, and thermal diffusion within the TES, the latter of which is necessary to model normal-superconducting phase separation. Relevant numerical constants are provided for these physical processes in germanium, silicon, aluminum, and tungsten. Random number sampling methods including inverse cumulative distribution function (CDF) and rejection techniques are reviewed. To improve the efficiency of charge transport modeling, an additional second order inverse CDF method is developed here along with an efficient barycentric coordinate sampling method of electric fields. Results are provided in a manner that is convenient for use in Monte Carlo and references are provided for validation of these models.
The discharge condition to enhance electron density of capacitively coupled plasma with multi-holed electrode
Authors: Lee HunSu , Lee YunSeong , Chang HongYoung
Published: September 2012

The multi-holed electrode that has been reported to enhance the electron density of the capacitively coupled plasma is now being adopted to speed up the processes. However, the discharge condition when the multi-holed electrode enhances the electron density of the discharge at fixed power is not studied. At low pressure, the multi-holed electrode increased the electron density of the plasma at fixed power. However, the multi-holed electrode is experimentally revealed to lower the electron density at high pressure. In this paper, the different roles of the multi-holed electrode are experimentally studied.
Quantum interference visibility in an oscillating macroscopic mirror
Authors: Zhang Klaus K. , Puri Ashok
Published: September 2012

This paper studies the problem of quantum entanglement in an oscillating macroscopic mirror consisting of a modified Michelson interferometer in which one of the mirrors is free to oscillate about its center of mass. Previous works determined the interference visibility and the decoherence rate, among other things, assuming that the mirror starts in a normally distributed thermal state. Recommendations for design parameters were made based on their results. However, the initial thermal state could be non-Gaussian. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the interference visibility for initial thermal states of the mirror described by modified Gaussian distributions. This information was used to qualitatively determine the decoherence rate. The results of this study could be useful in quantum error correction to accurately determine the amount of environmentally induced decoherence, which negatively affects the computational results of quantum computers.
Resonance plasmon linewidth oscillations in spheroidal metallic nanoparticle embedded in a dielectric matrix
Authors: Grigorchuk Nicolas I.
Published: September 2012

The kinetic approach is applied to calculate oscillations of a surface plasmon linewidth in a spheroidal metal nanoparticle embedded in any dielectric media. The principal attention is focused on the case, when the free electron path is much greater than the particle size. The linewidth of the plasmon resonance as a function of the particle radius, shape, dielectric constant of the surrounding medium, and the light frequency is studied in detail. It is found that the resonance plasmon linewidth oscillates with increasing both the particle size and the dielectric constant of surrounding medium. The main attention is paid to the electron surface-scattering contribution to the plasmon decay. All calculations of the plasmon resonance linewidth are illustrated by the example of the Na nanoparticles with different radii. The results obtained in the kinetic approach are compared with the known ones from other models. The role of the radiative damping is discussed as well.