bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Postural variables in girls practicing volleyball
Authors: Grabara Małgorzata , Hadzik Andrzej
Published: October 2009

Postural variables in girls practicing volleyball

Study aim: To assess body posture of young female volleyball players in relation to their untrained mates.

Material and methods: A group of 42 volleyball players and another of 43 untrained girls, all aged 13 - 16 years were studied with respect to their body posture indices by using computer posturography. Spinal angles and curvatures were measured, and asymmetry and body posture type were assessed. Body height and mass, BMI and body fat content (by bioimpedance technique) were determined.

Results: As compared with untrained girls, the volleyball players were more slender, the positions of shoulders and pelvis being more symmetrical, and shoulder blades and waist triangles were more asymmetrical. Volleyball players were predominantly kyphotic, their lumbar lordosis was flattened and head protruded, especially in those having longer training experience.

Conclusions: The observed asymmetries brought about by unilateral training loads and progressing thoracic kyphosis call for applying corrective and/or yoga exercises to adolescent female volleyball players.
Long-time storage effect on the seed health of spring barley grains
Authors: Wiewióra Barbara
Published: October 2009

Long-time storage effect on the seed health of spring barley grains

Seeds of 5 cultivars of spring barley, originated from field experiments conducted in 2000 at Radzików, were tested immediately after harvest and after three, four and five years of storage in uncontrolled conditions, for incidence of seed-borne fungi with special regard to "field fungi" (Bipolaris sorokiniana and Fusarium spp.) and "storage fungi" (species of Penicillium and Aspergillus). The studies showed that barley seeds were infected before storage by numerous fungi as well as the saprophytes: Alternaria alternata, Acremonium spp,Acremoniella atra and the pathogens: Bipolaris sorokiniana and ten Fusarium species. The analysis after storage showed that the frequency of fungal infection had changed. The occurrence of some fungi was significantly affected by the period of storage. An increase of infection by species of Penicillium and Aspergillus known as "storage fungi" was detected on seeds after storage, especially after four years. At the same time, isolation of species of Fusarium and Bipolaris sorokiniana from these seeds decreased. Differences in number of ‘field’ and ‘storage’ fungi were found in dependence on period of storage, also. The smallest infection by Bipolaris sorokiniana and Fusarium was observed on seed after five years of storage.
Study Involvement of Academic and Vocational Students: Does Between-School Tracking Sharpen the Difference?
Authors: Van Houtte Mieke , Stevens Peter A. J.
Published: October 2009

Although a rich tradition of mainly U.S. and U.K. research focuses on the nature and effects of tracking students within schools, little research has investigated the importance of tracking students in the same or in separate schools. The authors used data from a unique, representative survey in Flanders (Belgium) to examine how students’ study involvement varied between multilateral schools (in which all different tracks are offered) and categorial schools (in which only particular tracks are offered) and whether the relation between track and study involvement varied between these school types. Multilevel analyses of data gathered in 2004 and 2005 from academic and vocational third and fifth grade students in a sample of Flemish secondary schools showed that vocational students had slightly lower study involvement in multilateral schools. Although academic students were more study involved than vocational students, this difference was larger in multilateral schools than in categorial schools. The data suggest that in multilateral schools, vocational students compared themselves with academic-track students, consistent with the hypothesis of increased status deprivation, resulting in even stronger antischool attitudes. The implications of these findings for further research and social policy are discussed.
Pattern of Liver Diseases
Authors: Mishra AK , Shrestha P , Bista NR , Bhurtel P , Bhattarai S , Thakali K , Pathak SR
Published: October 2009

Background: The knowledge of distribution and pattern of liver disease in a tertiary care center provides an overview of disease pattern in a community. It also helps in planning and prioritizing strategies to treat the diseases and reduce their burden in the community. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted among patients admitted to the Liver unit, Bir Hospital from April 13, 2008 to October 16, 2008. Demographic profile and disease pattern was studied. Descriptive analysis was used to calculate frequencies and percentage and their relations. Results: Male to female ratio was 2.3:1. The mean age was 41.9 (SD 14.8). Median hospital stay was 8.0 days (Q25-75 6.0-12.0). The top three diseases were alcoholic liver disease 50 (38.5%), viral hepatitis 44 (33.8%), and liver abscess 11 (8.5%). Fifty (38.5%) patients had acute, 74 (56.9%) had chronic liver disease and 6 (4.6%) were malignancy. The main cause of acute disease were infections 41 (82.0%) especially Hepatitis E Virus (HEV). HEV was associated with acute liver failure and pregnancy which was 4 (18.2%) and 2 (12.5%) respectively. Chronic diseases were caused by alcohol 45 (60.8%) followed by infection of hepatitis B and C viruses 11 (14.8%). Cirrhosis was diagnosed in 37 (28.5%) with alcohol as the main cause. Conclusions: Majority had chronic liver disease (CLD), mostly due to alcohol, HBV and HCV. Alcohol was the leading cause of cirrhosis. Prevalence of Hepatitis E was found to be high in acute illness. Therefore, an initiative needs to be taken to decrease alcohol consumption along with HEV, HBV and HCV transmission through community health program. Key words: Alcohol, cirrhosis, hepatitis, liver disease   DOI: 10.3126/jnhrc.v7i1.2273 Journal of Nepal Health Research Council Vol. 7, No. 1, 2009 April 14-18
Serodiagnosis of Dengue by Particle Agglutination Assay
Authors: Sah OP , Subedi S , Morita K , Pandey BD
Published: October 2009

Background: Dengue is an emerging public health problem in Tarai Region of Nepal. The most affected are among the poorest populations living in remote, rural areas and urban slums who have even no access for medical treatment. This study was carried out with the objective of the determining the serodiagnosis of dengue in symptomatic individuals and comparing it to IgM ELISA. Methods: One hundred eighty three samples were collected from the suspected cases having clinical symptoms of dengue in the Tarai region of Nepal during September to October 2007. Particle Agglutination (PA) assays was performed and it was compared with IgM capture ELISA.  Results: Out of the total of 183 serum samples that 55(30%) samples were positive by PA assay. When compared with IgM-capture ELISA, a 50 of 55 were positive (sensitivity of 98% and specificity of 96%; a positive prediction value of 90% and negative prediction value of 99%). Conclusions: The finding of this study showed that dengue is firmly established in low endemic Tarai region of Nepal. The sensitivity and specificity of PA assay is acceptably high and will be useful in rural areas of Nepal. Key words: Dengue, Tarai region, Particle agglutination test, IgM capture ELISA   DOI: 10.3126/jnhrc.v7i1.2276 Journal of Nepal Health Research Council Vol. 7, No. 1, 2009 April 29-32
Gall Bladder Perforation by Typhoid Complication
Authors: Bhandari RS , Singh KP
Published: October 2009

Surgical complications of typhoid fever are uncommon and usually when it occurs, it commonly involves gut than the gallbladder. We present a case report of 20years old gentleman who presented with ten days duration of fever and one day history of sudden severe generalized pain abdomen. Patient was evaluated and investigated and undergone laparotomy in the line of peritonitis. Operative finding was gallbladder perforation and he underwent cholecystectomy. Other investigations were supportive of typhoid fever. Patient improved and was discharged after seven days. Key words: gallbladder, perforation, typhoid   DOI: 10.3126/jnhrc.v7i1.2295 Journal of Nepal Health Research Council Vol. 7, No. 1, 2009 April 52-53
Authorship Renounced
Authors: Henige David
Published: October 2009

Most often, authorship is a prized status, sometimes to the point of being claimed by those who have no right to it. Conversely, throughout history many works have appeared in which authorship to credited to someone other than the person(s) who brought to it public attention. Often these individuals masquerade as ‘editors,’ purporting to have discovered a work that they actually wrote themselves. When this claim is accepted, the record of the past becomes distorted because false claims are accepted as true.
Generating Internationally Comparable Figures on Long-Distance Travel for Europe
Authors: Kuhnimhof Tobias , Collet Roger , Armoogum Jimmy , Madre Jean-Loup
Published: October 2009

This paper discusses available household survey data on long-distance travel (LDT) and presents harmonized figures on LDT in Europe. First, there is a comparison of the results of different household travel surveys about LDT. The findings of this comparison have important implications for the methodology of surveying LDT: conventional mobility diary surveys are better than LDT surveys in capturing journeys up to 200 km. LDT surveys perform better in capturing travel only beyond 400 km. Second, the paper presents the first internationally comparable figures on LDT demand for Europe. These figures have been compiled by using different sources of information, avoiding the drawbacks of the different surveys. The results indicate that in northern and central Europe there is higher demand for LDT than in the south. Moreover, the results illustrate how policies and public-transport supply affect the modal split in LDT: in countries with a high-quality railroad supply, such as Switzerland, the railroad share is significantly higher than in other countries. Countries with a liberalized, interurban bus market, in contrast, have a significantly higher bus mode share.
A Semidirective Interview Method to Analyze Behavioral Changes
Authors: Rocci Anaïs
Published: October 2009

The surveying of travel behavior changes toward more sustainable mobility practices raises many methodological questions. First is the choice of method, determining how to analyze these behavioral changes via their contextual, temporal, and multifactor dynamics, while attempting to control possible biases. This paper proposes an examination of the use of qualitative methods through two empirical research projects and finds that the order and content of the interview protocol questions can potentially bias the responses. This behavior can be observed specifically with respect to the weight of the dominant social norm (the phenomenon of “social desirability”) and the production of justifications when discrepancies appear between practices described and stated environmental beliefs. One particularity of the qualitative method, reinterviewing the subjects, provides many advantages for analyzing both the process of change and the effects of the interview. Indeed, the interview itself may play a part in modifying subjects’ attitudes and behaviors: it can provoke changes in individuals’ responses and can modify their attitudes toward a topic, causing them to think about the interview. In fact, the interview itself can transmit information and thus encourage a change of practices. Finally, the results are discussed with reference to experimental programs for voluntary travel behavior change.
Efficiency and Effectiveness of Cell Phone Samples in Transportation Surveys
Authors: Sen Sudeshna , Zmud Johanna , Arce Carlos
Published: October 2009

Ensuring coverage of cell phone–only respondents in survey samples is becoming more important in transportation surveys. Various sampling approaches are available to accommodate this requirement. This paper compares and contrasts the efficiencies and outcomes associated with two of them: ( a) the active contact method using a sample of cell phone numbers and ( b) passive contact method using a sample of postal service addresses. The efficiency of the samples was evaluated on measures such as data collection efforts, response rates, and cost per interview. The characteristics of respondents reached via each of the sample types based on telephone ownership patterns were contrasted with demographic characteristics of cell-only respondents. Sizes of both samples were quite large and provided significant methodological insights. These insights have important implications for transportation surveys that use either sampling approach to ensure coverage of cell-only respondents.
Measuring and Estimating Suppressed Travel with Enhanced Activity–Travel Diaries
Authors: Bellemans Tom , van Bladel Kelly , Janssens Davy , Wets Geert , Timmermans Harry J. P.
Published: October 2009

Suppressed travel and the related phenomenon of latent transportation demand are important from the point of view of the implementation of traffic–demand management strategies. However, the measurement and estimation of suppressed travel is a nontrivial task that cannot be achieved with the commonly used activity–travel diaries of executed activity and travel episodes. This paper develops an empirical approach for investigating suppressed travel that uses enhanced activity–travel diaries consisting of both a planning and an execution phase. This methodology is applied to data from a 7-day survey in Flanders, Belgium. First, suppressed travel is investigated by observing trip episodes that were planned but not executed. Next, a mixed logit model is built to estimate the probability that a previously planned trip is discarded (i.e., not executed). By means of this model, the household, individual, schedule, activity, and trip attributes that significantly contribute to travel suppression (i.e., the nonexecution of previously planned travel episodes) are identified. The presence of suppressed trips is an indication of the presence of latent transportation demand. Hence, the previously identified attributes can also be interpreted as contributing to latent transportation demand. In addition, the study illustrates that, by considering the special case of suppressed travel corresponding to nonsuppressed activities, the clustering of activities at geographic locations can be investigated. This phenomenon is identified as a special case of trip chaining and, as such, the attributes that significantly influence this form of trip chaining can also be identified by means of the proposed approach.
Vehicle Detection from Satellite Images
Authors: Chi Hongbo , Lu Chenxi , Zhao Fang , Shen David L.
Published: October 2009

Hurricanes or other natural disasters often result in damage to and disruption of transportation systems that are critical to relief and recovery efforts. For this reason, it is important for the general public and elected officials to know the operating conditions of a transportation system as soon as possible after a disaster. The goal of this study was to develop methods for rapidly determining the operating conditions of roadways from satellite images by detecting the presence of debris and the blockage of roads as well as vehicle flows. This paper describes efforts for automatically delineating traffic lanes, a prerequisite for determining blockages by debris, and for detecting vehicles from satellite images. Instead of relying on pixel intensity alone, this study attempted to seek additional information to improve vehicle detection rates by combining information on traffic lane locations and the color tones of vehicles. The results show that the proposed method performs well in automatic traffic lane delineation and vehicle detection.
Distributed Approach for Estimation of Dynamic Origin–Destination Demand
Authors: Etemadnia Hamideh , Abdelghany Khaled
Published: October 2009

The problem of dynamic origin–destination (O-D) demand estimation aims at estimating the unknown demand values for all O-D pairs and departure times with the use of available time-varying link flow observations. This paper presents a distributed algorithm for estimating the dynamic O-D tables for urban transportation networks. The new algorithm supports the deployment of systems for real-time traffic network management that adopt dynamic traffic assignment methodology for network state estimation and prediction. It encapsulates available link information and reduces the data size required by conventional algorithms for O-D demand estimation. The algorithm adopts a two-stage approach. In the first stage, the study area under consideration is divided into a number of subareas, and an O-D demand table is estimated independently for each subarea. These local O-D tables are then integrated to construct an O-D table for the entire study area. An application of the new algorithm for a typical freeway network is presented as an example.
1,3,5-Tris{[N-(1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methylene]-4-aminophenyl}benzene
Authors: Veettil Sandhya , Haridas Karickal
Published: October 2009

1,3,5-Tris{[N-(1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methylene]-4-aminophenyl}-benzene was synthesised from N-(4-bromophenyl)-N-[(1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-methylene]amine and 1,3,5-tribromobenzene by an Ullman coupling reaction. The synthesized compound was charecterised by NMR, IR, MS and elemental analysis.
3,4,5,6,7,8,9-Heptachlorophenaleno[1,9-bc]pyrazole
Authors: Demetriadou Polina , Koutentis Panayiotis
Published: October 2009

Treatment of perchloro-7H-cyclopropano[a]acenaphthylene 1 with hydrazine hydrate in DMF at ca. 80 °C gives the new 3,4,5,6,7,8,9-heptachlorophenaleno[1,9-bc]pyrazole 2 in 69% yield. This compound is the first example of a phenalene fused pyrazole.
Novel banana-discotic hybrid architectures
Authors: Bisoyi Hari Krishna , Srinivasa H T , Kumar Sandeep
Published: October 2009

Here we present the design and synthesis of novel banana-discotic dimers and banana-bridged discotic dimers. The chemical structures have been characterized by spectral techniques and elemental analysis. The thermal behaviors of the compounds have been investigated by polarizing optical microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. None of these synthesized compounds exhibit any liquid crystalline property probably because of the incompatibility of the bent-core with the discotic core.
Survival and metabolic activity of the GanedenBC30 strain of Bacillus coagulans in a dynamic in vitro model of the stomach and small intestine
Authors: Maathuis A. , Keller D. , Farmer S.
Published: October 2009

We have investigated the survival and activity of GanedenBC30 during passage through the upper gastro-intestinal tract. GanedenBC30 was tested in a dynamic, validated, in vitro model of the stomach and small intestine (TIM-1) on survival and its potential to aid in digestion of milk protein, lactose and fructose. The survival of GanedenBC30 was high (70%), although germination of the spores was minimal (<10%) under the conditions tested. Survival of the strain in the presence of lactose and fructose was markedly lower (56-59%) than in the absence of the sugars. The amount of digested milk protein available for absorption was somewhat higher (+0.2 g) when GanedenBC30 was added to the milk. When GanedenBC30 was tested with lactose or fructose added to the meal, the cumulative amount of lactate produced was slightly higher (+0.12-0.18 mmol) compared to the GanedenBC30 alone. In conclusion, although the differences in survival of GanedenBC30 are small, these results show the potential of GanedenBC30 to aid in protein digestion and in the digestion of lactose and fructose. If a larger fraction of the Bacillus coagulans cells had germinated, the influence on protein and carbohydrate digestion would probably have been much greater. Importance of the findings: the potential of GanedenBC30 to aid in the digestion of lactose and fructose could be used to prevent occurrence of intestinal symptoms in individuals sensitive to these carbohydrates.
Probiotic lactic acid bacteria in the gastro-intestinal tract: health benefits, safety and mode of action
Authors: Dicks L. , Botes M.
Published: October 2009

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have received considerable attention as probiotics over the past few years. This concept has grown from traditional dairy products to a profitable market of probiotic health supplements and functional foods. Extensive research is done on novel potential probiotic strains, with specific emphasis on their health benefits and mode of action. Criteria for the selection of probiotic strains have only recently been formulated by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Health Organization (FAO/WHO). Several in vitro techniques have been developed to evaluate the probiotic properties of strains. In many cases, this is followed by in vivo tests. Safety studies are also obligatory, as a few cases of bacteremia caused by LAB have been reported. This review focuses on the health benefits and safety of LAB probiotics, the criteria used to select a probiotic, mode of action and the impact these organisms have on natural microbiota in the gastro-intestinal tract.
Xylo-oligosaccharides enhance the growth of bifidobacteria and Bifidobacterium lactis in a simulated colon model
Authors: Mäkeläinen H. , Forssten S. , Saarinen M. , Stowell J. , Rautonen N. , Ouwehand A.
Published: October 2009

A semi-continuous, anaerobic colon simulator, with four vessels mimicking the conditions of the human large intestine, was used to study the fermentation of xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS). Three XOS compounds and a xylan preparation were fermented for 48 hours by human colonic microbes. Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) were used as a prebiotic reference. As a result of the fermentation, the numbers of Bifidobacterium increased in all XOS and xylan simulations when compared to the growth observed in the baseline simulations, and increased levels of Bifidobacterium lactis were measured with the two XOS compounds that had larger distribution of the degree of polymerisation. Fermentation of XOS and xylan increased the microbial production of short chain fatty acids in the simulator vessels; especially the amounts of butyrate and acetate were increased. XOS was more efficient than FOS in increasing the numbers of B. lactis in the colonic model, whereas FOS increased the Bifidobacterium longum numbers more. The selective fermentation of XOS by B. lactis has been demonstrated in pure culture studies, and these results further indicate that the combination of B. lactis and XOS would form a successful, selective synbiotic combination.
The Development of Evidence-Based Clinical Simulation Scenarios: Guidelines for Nurse Educators
Authors: Waxman K.T.
Published: October 2009

Clinical simulation has been recognized as a teaching method using learning exercises that closely mimic real-life situations. The development of evidence-based clinical simulation scenarios and guidelines for nurses is an important step in redesigning nursing education. These scenarios are created for students to learn in a safe environment. Simulated clinical experience requires immersing students in a representative patient-care scenario, a setting that mimics the actual environment with sufficient realism to allow learners to suspend disbelief. The purpose of this article is to discuss the Bay Area Simulation Collaborative's development of guidelines for effective evidence-based scenarios for use in hospitals and nursing schools. Six scholarly articles were reviewed and evaluated to determine whether evidence-based guidelines for scenario development exist and whether consensus in the literature regarding best practice is evident.
Benefits of Using Undergraduate Teaching Assistants Throughout a Baccalaureate Nursing Curriculum
Authors: Herrman Judith W. , Waterhouse Julie K.
Published: October 2009

The Residency Model of Nursing Education was put into practice at our institution to provide more active teaching-learning strategies, make use of innovative clinical approaches, and accommodate more students. A unique aspect of this creative curricular change is the use of undergraduate teaching assistants (UTAs) to provide mentor and mentee opportunities for nursing students and assist faculty with course logistics. This article describes the development, challenges, and benefits of implementing a UTA program in a baccalaureate school of nursing.
Promoting Empathy Through a Creative Reflective Teaching Strategy: A Mixed-Method Study
Authors: Webster Debra
Published: October 2009

The effects of a creative reflective clinical experience on psychiatric nursing students' empathy was examined using a mixed-method approach. The Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) was used to measure empathy in students (
N
= 73) in a baccalaureate nursing program. The control group (
n
= 44) completed a conventional 14-week clinical experience, whereas the comparison group (
n
= 29) experienced a community psychosocial program for 4 of the weeks. Comparison group participants completed a creative reflective assignment to represent the life experience of a client with mental illness. To further understand empathy, a constructivist approach with purposive sampling was used to examine students' perceptions. Four themes emerged: having expectations, building relationships, changing perceptions, and gaining understanding through creative expression. Trends were noted, although no statistically significant differences in IRI scores were found for either group. However, this article argues that the use of a creative reflective assignment reduces stigma and promotes empathy.
Using Simulation to Teach Patient Safety Behaviors in Undergraduate Nursing Education
Authors: Gantt Laura T. , Webb-Corbett Robin
Published: October 2009

The purpose of this article is to describe how our college of nursing began to integrate patient safety instruction into simulation experiences for undergraduate nursing students. A system for evaluating and grading students was developed. Data on student safety behaviors were collected before and after implementation of instruction designed to improve adherence to hand washing and patient identification procedures. In the first semester in which data were collected, students did not demonstrate satisfactory performance of either hand hygiene or patient identification 61% of the time. After instruction, students still did not perform these procedures consistently 38% of the time. Lessons learned and future plans for addressing these problems with basic patient safety behaviors are discussed.
The Relationship Between Simulation in Nursing Education and Medication Safety
Authors: Sears Kimberley , Goldsworthy Sandra , Goodman William M.
Published: October 2009

This experimental study examined whether the use of clinical simulation in nursing education could help reduce medication errors. Fifty-four student volunteers were randomly assigned to an experimental (treatment) group (24 students) or a clinical control group (30 students). The treatment replaced some early-term clinical placement hours with a simulated clinical experience. The control group had all normally scheduled clinical hours. Treatment occurred prior to opportunities for medication administration.
Intraocular Straylight and Contrast Sensitivity After Contralateral Wavefront-Guided LASIK and Wavefront-Guided PRK for Myopia
Authors: Barreto Jackson , Barboni Mirella T.S. , Feitosa-Santana Claudia , Sato João R. , Bechara Samir J. , Ventura Dora F. , Alves Milton Ruiz
Published: October 2009

Purpose:

To compare intraocular straylight measurements and contrast sensitivity after wavefront-guided LASIK (WFG LASIK) in one eye and wavefront-guided photorefractive keratectomy (WFG PRK) in the fellow eye for myopia and myopic astigmatism correction.

Methods:

A prospective, randomized study of 22 eyes of 11 patients who underwent simultaneous WFG LASIK and WFG PRK (contralateral eye). Both groups were treated with the NIDEK Advanced Vision Excimer Laser System, and a microkeratome was used for flap creation in the WFG LASIK group. High and low contrast visual acuity, wavefront analysis, contrast sensitivity, and retinal straylight measurements were performed preoperatively and at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. A third-generation straylight meter, C-Quant (Oculus Optikgeräte GmbH), was used for measuring intraocular straylight.

Results:

Twelve months postoperatively, mean uncorrected distance visual acuity was −0.06±0.07 logMAR in the WFG LASIK group and −0.10±0.10 logMAR in the WFG PRK group. Mean preoperative intraocular straylight was 0.94±0.12 log
s
for the WFG LASIK group and 0.96±0.11 log
s
for the WFG PRK group. After 12 months, the mean straylight value was 1.01±0.1 log
s
for the WFG LASIK group and 0.97±0.12 log
s
for the WFG PRK group. No difference was found between techniques after 12 months (
P
=.306). No significant difference in photopic and mesopic contrast sensitivity between groups was noted.

Conclusions:

Intraocular straylight showed no statistically significant increase 1 year after WFG LASIK and WFG PRK. Higher order aberrations increased significantly after surgery for both groups. Nevertheless, WFG LASIK and WFG PRK yielded excellent visual acuity and contrast sensitivity performance without significant differences between techniques.
Time Use of Women with Children Living in an Emergency Homeless Shelter for Survivors of Domestic Violence
Authors: McNulty Martina C. , Crowe Terry K. , Kroening Christine , VanLeit Betsy , Good Rebecca
Published: October 2009

Time use patterns were systematically assessed in a sample of women with children living in a domestic violence shelter. A convenience sample of 23 women residing in a homeless shelter for women escaping domestic violence participated in this study. Time use patterns were obtained by the participants verbally reviewing a previous weekday and weekend day with the research team members. While staying at an emergency shelter for women fleeing violence, the women in this study spent significant amounts of time in sleep and rest activities, passive recreation, and socializing with other shelter residents. The daily activities engaged in by women with children living in an emergency shelter for survivors of domestic violence reflect the complex housing and personal transitions they face. Their activity patterns reflect the prevalence of psychiatric symptoms and conditions in this population and the crisis nature of surviving without stable housing in a shelter.
Die ontwikkeling van die menslike bewussyn: Teorieë oor die ontwikkeling van menslike bewussyn – die ontdekking van die ‘misterie van die siel’
Authors: Ferreira Ignatius W.
Published: October 2009

The development of the human consciousness: Theories of the development of human consciousness – discovering the ‘mystery of the soul’A number of theories on the development of human consciousness have tried to incorporate all views on the subject into one integral theory. However, Ken Wilber is the first philosopher who managed to combine the external with the internal fields of study. Using Wilber’s integral theory, a number of researchers developed their own theories in their field of speciality. Jim Marion used Wilber’s development theory to show the evolution of consciousness from a Christian perspective. Steve McIntosh, an integral philosopher, takes Wilber’s ideas further, and even criticises him on a few points. Another important researcher following Wilber is Andre Marquis, who developed an integral questionnaire to help pastors gauge clients’ problems. James Fowler, Clare Graves and Bill Plotkin also researched the evolution of human consciousness. This article examines each of these researchers, and concludes with a glance at several viewpoints on the soul and the mystical union with God.
Withdrawal of antiepileptic drugs after neocortical epilepsy surgery
Authors: Park Kyung‐Il , Lee Sang Kun , Chu Kon , Jung Keun‐Hwa , Bae Eun‐Kee , Kim Jin‐Soo , Lee Jung Ju , Lee Seo‐Young , Chung Chun Kee
Published: October 2009

Objective

This study investigated the prevalence of successful antiepileptic drug withdrawal and identified predictors of seizure recurrence after antiepileptic drug reduction following resectional operation for intractable neocortical epilepsy.

Methods

We retrospectively assessed 223 patients (100 with neocortical temporal lobe epilepsy, 69 with frontal lobe epilepsy, 23 with parietal lobe epilepsy, 25 with occipital lobe epilepsy, and 6 with multifocal epilepsy) who underwent surgery. The mean period of observation was 84.4 months (range, 24–152 months) after surgery and 72.6 months (range, 12–138 months) after initial reduction. Clinical characteristics, magnetic resonance imaging, and surgical parameters were evaluated for their potential to predict recurrence associated with antiepileptic drug withdrawal.

Results

Antiepileptic drug reduction was attempted in 147 patients (65.9%), 78 (53.1%) of whom had seizure recurrence after initial reduction. Discontinuation was achieved in 73 patients (32.7%), and 59 (80.8%) of these remained seizure free until final assessment. Multivariate analysis revealed that early drug tapering, normal magnetic resonance imaging results, seizure before reduction, and longer epilepsy duration were associated with recurrence. Finally, 27.4% of patients were seizure free without drugs, and 26.9% were seizure free with drugs. Compared with preoperative status, the number of antiepileptic drugs needed decreased in 50.7% of patients, did not change in 19.3%, and increased in 30.0% after surgery.

Interpretation

The complete‐cure rate of intractable neocortical epilepsy by resectional surgery was 27.4%. When patients undertake early tapering, and have normal magnetic resonance imaging results, seizure before reduction, and longer disease duration, further withdrawal should be done cautiously because of the high risk of relapse. ANN NEUROL 2010;67:230–238
Neuroprotective effects of zonisamide target astrocyte
Authors: Asanuma Masato , Miyazaki Ikuko , Diaz‐Corrales Francisco J. , Kimoto Naotaka , Kikkawa Yuri , Takeshima Mika , Miyoshi Ko , Murata Miho
Published: October 2009

Objective

Recent double‐blind, controlled trials in Japan showed that the antiepileptic agent zonisamide (ZNS) improves the cardinal symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Glutathione (GSH) exerts antioxidative activity through quenching reactive oxygen species and dopamine quinone. GSH depletion within dopaminergic neurons impairs mitochondrial complex I activity, followed by age‐dependent nigrostriatal neurodegeneration. This study examined changes in GSH and GSH synthesis‐related molecules, and the neuroprotective effects of ZNS on dopaminergic neurodegeneration using 6‐hydroxydopamine–injected hemiparkinsonian mice brain and cultured neurons or astrocytes.

Methods and Results

ZNS increased both the cell number and GSH levels in astroglial C6 cells, but not in dopaminergic neuronal CATH.a cells. Repeated injections of ZNS (30mg/kg intraperitoneally) for 14 days also significantly increased GSH levels and S100β‐positive astrocytes in mouse basal ganglia. Repeated ZNS injections (30mg/kg) for 7 days in the hemiparkinsonian mice increased the expression of cystine/glutamate exchange transporter xCT in activated astrocytes, which supply cysteine to neurons for GSH synthesis. Treatment of these mice with ZNS also increased GSH levels and completely suppressed striatal levodopa–induced quinone formation. Reduction of nigrostriatal dopamine neurons in the lesioned side of hemiparkinsonian mice was significantly abrogated by repeated injections of ZNS with or without adjunctive levodopa starting 3 weeks after 6‐hydroxydopamine lesioning.

Interpretation

These results provide new pharmacological evidence for the effects of ZNS. ZNS markedly increased GSH levels by enhancing the astroglial cystine transport system and/or astroglial proliferation via S100β production or secretion. ZNS acts as a neuroprotectant against oxidative stress and progressive dopaminergic neurodegeneration. ANN NEUROL 2010;67:239–249
Characterization of four esterase genes and esterase activity from the gut of the termite Reticulitermes flavipes
Authors: Wheeler Marsha M. , Tarver Matthew R. , Coy Monique R. , Scharf Michael E.
Published: October 2009

Four esterase genes and general esterase activity were investigated in the gut of the termite Reticulitermes flavipes. Two genes (RfEst1 and RfEst2) share significant translated identity with a number of insect JH esterases. The two remaining genes (RfEst3 and RfEst4) apparently code for much shorter proteins with similarity to fungal phenolic acid esterases involved in hemicellulose solubilization. All four genes showed consistently high midgut expression. This result was further supported by colorimetric activity assays and Native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, which showed significant esterase activity and a number of isoforms in the midgut. The greatest esterase activity and isoform composition were detected when α‐naphthyl propionate was used as a substrate. Moreover, esterase activity and diverse isoforms were present in gut mitochondrial, microsomal, and cytosolic sub‐cellular protein fractions, as well as in the hindgut lumen. These findings reveal an agreement between gut esterase gene expression and activity distributions, and support the idea that R. flavipes gut esterase activity is host (not symbiont)‐derived. In addition, these findings support the hypotheses that termite gut esterases may play important roles in lignocellulose digestion and caste differentiation. This study provides important baseline data that will assist ongoing functional‐genomic efforts to identify novel genes with roles in semiochemical, hormone, and lignocellulose processing in the termite gut. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
20‐hydroxyecdysone and juvenile hormone influence tyrosine hydroxylase activity in Drosophila females under normal and heat stress conditions
Authors: Gruntenko N. E. , Karpova E. K. , Chentsova N. A. , Adonyeva N. V. , Rauschenbach I. Y.
Published: October 2009

The effects of exogenous 20‐hydroxyecdysone (20E) and the juvenile hormone (JH) on the activity of the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the first and rate‐limiting DA biosynthetic enzyme, has been studied in young females of wild type D. virilis and D. melanogaster under normal conditions and under heat stress (38°C). Both 20E feeding of the flies and JH application led to a substantial rise in TH activity. A rise in JH and 20E levels was found not to prevent the response of TH to heat stress, but to change the intensity of its response to the stress exposure. Putative mechanisms of regulation of DA level by 20E and JH in Drosophila females are discussed. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Consumer health information on the Web: The relationship of visual design and perceptions of credibility
Authors: Robins David , Holmes Jason , Stansbury Mary
Published: October 2009

Consumer health information has proliferated on the Web. However, because virtually anyone can publish this type of information on the Web, consumers cannot always rely on traditional credibility cues such as reputation of a journal. Instead, they must rely on a variety of cues, including visual presentation, to determine the veracity of information. This study is an examination of the relationship of people's visual design preferences to judgments of credibility of information on consumer health information sites. Subjects were asked to rate their preferences for visual designs of 31 health information sites after a very brief viewing. The sites were then reordered and subjects rated them according to the extent to which they thought the information on the sites was credible. Visual design judgments bore a statistically significant similarity to credibility ratings. Sites with known brands were also highly rated for both credibility and visual design. Theoretical implications are discussed.
Amphiphilic Counterion Activators for DNA: Stimuli‐Responsive Cation Transporters and Biosensors in Bulk and Lipid Bilayer Membranes
Authors: Takeuchi Toshihide , Bagnacani Valentina , Sansone Francesco , Matile Stefan
Published: October 2009

We report that amphiphilic counterions can enable DNA to act as cation carrier, enzyme detector and biosensor. Calf thymus DNA is used as example throughout the study. Evaluation of a series of counterion activators suggests that strong amphiphilicity, alkyl or calix[4]arene tails and guanidinium cations give best results, whereas weak amphiphilicity, bola‐amphiphilicity, planar aryl tails and ammonium cations are less satisfactory for various reasons. In the U‐tube, DNA–counterion complexes can carry cations such as safranin O or p‐xylene‐bis‐pyridinium bromide (DPX) across bulk chloroform membranes, whereas anions such as carboxyfluorescein (CF) and (8‐Hydroxy‐1,3,6‐pyrenetrisulfonate (HPTS) are not transported. Uptake of DNA–counterion complexes into intact vesicles is demonstrated by DNA trapping experiments with internal polylysine. Comparison of results from different assays suggests that DNA–counterion complexes act as cation carriers under mild conditions, whereas pore formation and lysis dominate at higher concentrations. Applicability of DNA–counterion transporters for the detection of enzyme activity is demonstrated with phytate as an inactivating substrate and phytase as a reactivating enzyme. Compatibility with biosensing is exemplified with the fluorometric monitoring of phytate levels in almond extracts. The conceptual significance of these findings is briefly discussed, as are promising perspectives such as the application of DNA chemistry to multianalyte sensing in fluorogenic vesicles.
Modeling multiple‐response categorical data from complex surveys
Authors: Bilder Christopher R. , Loughin Thomas M.
Published: October 2009

Although “choose all that apply” questions are common in modern surveys, methods for analyzing associations among responses to such questions have only recently been developed. These methods are generally valid only for simple random sampling, but these types of questions often appear in surveys conducted under more complex sampling plans. The purpose of this article is to provide statistical analysis methods that can be applied to “choose all that apply” questions in complex survey sampling situations. Loglinear models are developed to incorporate the multiple responses inherent in these types of questions. Statistics to compare models and to measure association are proposed and their asymptotic distributions are derived. Monte Carlo simulations show that tests based on adjusted Pearson statistics generally hold their correct size when comparing models. These simulations also show that confidence intervals for odds ratios estimated from loglinear models have good coverage properties, while being shorter than those constructed using empirical estimates. Furthermore, the methods are shown to be applicable to more general problems of modeling associations between elements of two or more binary vectors. The proposed analysis methods are applied to data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The Canadian Journal of Statistics © 2009 Statistical Society of Canada
Change detection in linear regression with time series errors
Authors: Gombay Edit
Published: October 2009

A new test for detecting a change in linear regression parameters assuming a general weakly dependent error structure is given. It extends earlier methods based on cumulative sums assuming independent errors. The novelty is in the new standardization method and in smoothing when the time series is dominated by high frequencies. Simulations show the excellent performance of the test. Examples are taken from environmental applications. The algorithm is easy to implement. Testing for multiple changes can be done by segmentation. The Canadian Journal of Statistics 38:65–79; 2010 © 2009 Statistical Society of Canada
3,5‐Bis(benzylidene)‐4‐oxo‐1‐phosphonopiperidines and Related Diethyl Esters: Potent Cytotoxins with Multi‐Drug‐Resistance Reverting Properties
Authors: Das Swagatika , Das Umashankar , Selvakumar Ponniah , Sharma Rajendra K. , Balzarini Jan , De Clercq Erik , Molnár Joseph , Serly Julianna , Baráth Zoltán , Schatte Gabriele , Bandy Brian , Gorecki Dennis K. J. , Dimmock Jonathan R.
Published: October 2009

A series of 3,5‐bis(benzylidene)‐4‐piperidones3were converted into the corresponding 3,5‐bis(benzylidene)‐1‐phosphono‐4‐piperidones5via diethyl esters4. The analogues in series4and5displayed marked growth inhibitory properties toward human Molt 4/C8 and CEM T‐lymphocytes as well as murine leukemia L1210 cells. In general, theN‐phosphono compounds5, which are more hydrophilic than the analogues in series3and4, were the most potent cluster of cytotoxins, and, in particular, 3,5‐bis‐(2‐nitrobenzylidene)‐1‐phosphono‐4‐piperidone5 ghad an average IC50value of 34 nMtoward the two T‐lymphocyte cell lines. Four of the compounds displayed potent cytotoxicity toward a panel of nearly 60 human tumor cell lines, and nanomolar IC50values were observed in a number of cases. The mode of action of5 gincludes the induction of apoptosis and inhibition of cellular respiration. Most of the members of series4as well as several analogues in series5are potent multi‐drug resistance (MDR) reverting compounds. Various correlations were noted between certain molecular features of series4and5and cytotoxic properties, affording some guidelines in expanding this study.
Spallative Ablation of Metals and Dielectrics
Authors: Inogamov N.A. , Faenov A.Ya. , Khokhlov V.A. , Zhakhovskii V.V. , Petrov Yu.V. , Skobelev I.Yu. , Nishihara K. , Kato Y. , Tanaka M. , Pikuz T.A. , Kishimoto M. , Ishino M. , Nishikino M. , Fukuda Y. , Bulanov S.V. , Kawachi T. , Anisimov S.I. , Fortov V.E.
Published: October 2009

The results of theoretical and experimental studies of ablation of LiF crystal by X‐ray beam having photons with 89.3 eV and very short duration of pulse τ = 7 ps are presented. It is found that the crater is formed for fluences above the threshold Fabl ≈ 10mJ/cm2. Such a small threshold is one order of magnitude less than the one obtained for X‐ray ablation by longer (nanoseconds) pulses. The theory explains this dramatic difference as a transition from more energy‐consuming evaporative ablation to spallative ablation, when the pulse duration decreases from ns tops time ranges. Previously, the spallative mechanism of ablation was exclusively attributed to removal of target materials of metal and semiconductor by the short laser pulses with optical photons ∼ 1eV. We demonstrate that tensile stress created in dielectrics by short X‐ray pulse can produce spallative ablation of target even for drastically small X‐ray fluences (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Microfields, Kinetic Equations and Fusion Rates in Exploding Ion Clusters
Authors: Ebeling W. , Romanovsky M.Yu.
Published: October 2009

The fusion of light nuclei is the main source of valuable energy. Recent experiments with intense, ultrafast laser pulses acting on deuterium clusters have shown that these clusters can explode with sufficient kinetic energy to produce DD nuclear fusion. In earlier work (2004) we discussed already the effect of microfields on fusion processes in ion clusters. In view of the relevance of the problem we take up the problem again and discuss enhancement effects due to nonequilibrium velocity distributions with long tails and their influence on the relative motions on the ions. In particlular we discuss fractional kinetic equations including the influence of plasma microfields and finite size effects. We study the influence of nonequilibrium effects in the velocity distribution due to the Coulomb explosion of the clusters. The role of Cauchy‐Lorentz nonequilibrium distributions of the velocity including long tails is discussed and their influence on the fusion rates is estimated (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)