bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Special issue: overview reports from the Fusion Energy Conference (FEC) (Daejeon, South Korea, 2010)
Authors: Paul Thomas
Published: September 2011

The group of 27 papers published in this special issue of Nuclear Fusion aims to monitor the worldwide progress made in the period 2008–2010 in the field of thermonuclear fusion. Of these papers, 22 are based on overview reports presented at the 23rd Fusion Energy Conference (FEC 2010) and five are summary reports. The conference was hosted by the Republic of Korea and organized by the IAEA in cooperation with the National Fusion Research Institute and the Daejeon Metropolitan City. It took place in Daejeon on 11–16 October 2010. The overviews presented at the conference have been rewritten and extended for the purpose of this special issue and submitted to the standard double-referee peer-review of Nuclear Fusion. The articles are placed in the following sequence:

Conference summaries of the sessions devoted to:

Tokamak and stellarator experiments, experimental divertor physics and plasma wall interaction experiments, stability experiments and waves and fast particles;

ITER activities, fusion technology, safety and economics;

Magnetic confinement theory and modelling;

Inertial confinement fusion;

Innovative confinement concepts, operational scenarios and confinement.

Overview articles, presented in programme order, are as follows:

Tokamaks

Overview of KSTAR initial experiments;

Recent progress in RF heating and long-pulse experiments on EAST;

Overview of JET results;

DIII-D contributions toward the scientific basis for sustained burning plasmas;

Overview of JT-60U results toward the resolution of key physics and engineering issues in ITER and JT-60SA;

Overview of physics results from NSTX;

Overview of ASDEX Upgrade results;

Overview of physics results from MAST;

Contribution of Tore Supra in preparation of ITER;

Overview of FTU results;

Overview of experimental results on the HL-2A tokamak;

Progress and scientific results in the TCV tokamak;

Overview of the JT-60SA project;

Recent results of the T-10 tokamak;

The reconstruction and research progress of the TEXT-U tokamak in China.

Other MCF

Overview of results from the Large Helical Device;

Overview of TJ-II experiments;

Overview of the RFX fusion science program.

ICF

Progress toward ignition on the National Ignition Facility;

Studying ignition schemes on European laser facilities;

Cross device or cross programme topical overviews

Effects of 3D magnetic perturbations on toroidal plasmas;

Toroidal momentum transport.

We trust that, as usual, this issue will be a useful resource for the community and we thank all of the authors and referees for their hard work in preparing the papers for publication. Whilst the number of overview reports is the same as for the Geneva FEC special issue (2009 Nucl. Fusion

49 100201), we are pleased to note that we have a complete set of summaries in this issue.
ITER project and fusion technology
Authors: Takatsu H.
Published: September 2011

In the sessions of ITR, FTP and SEE of the 23rd IAEA Fusion Energy Conference, 159 papers were presented in total, highlighted by the remarkable progress of the ITER project: ITER baseline has been established and procurement activities have been started as planned with a target of realizing the first plasma in 2019; ITER physics basis is sound and operation scenarios and operational issues have been extensively studied in close collaboration with the worldwide physics community; the test blanket module programme has been incorporated into the ITER programme and extensive R&D works are ongoing in the member countries with a view to delivering their own modules in a timely manner according to the ITER master schedule. Good progress was also reported in the areas of a variety of complementary activities to DEMO, including Broader Approach activities and long-term technology. This paper summarizes the highlights of the papers presented in the ITR, FTP and SEE sessions with a minimum set of background information.
Overview of experimental results on the HL-2A tokamak
Authors: Yan L.W. , Duan X.R. , Ding X.T. , Dong J.Q. , Yang Q.W. , Liu Yi , Zou X.L. , Liu D.Q. , Xuan W.M. , Chen L.Y. , Rao J. , Song X.M. , Huang Y. , Mao W.C. , Wang Q.M. , Li Q. , Cao Z. , Li B. , Cao J.Y. , Lei G.J. , Zhang J.H. , Li X.D. , Chen W. , Cheng J. , Cui C.H. , Cui Z.Y. , Deng Z.C. , Dong Y.B. , Feng B.B. , Gao Q.D. , Han X.Y. , Hong W.Y. , Huang M. , Ji X.Q. , Kang Z.H. , Kong D.F. , Lan T. , Li G.S. , Li H.J. , Li Qing , Li W. , Li Y.G. , Liu A.D. , Liu Z.T. , Luo C.W. , Mao X.H. , Pan Y.D. , Peng J.F. , Shi Z.B. , Song S.D. , Song X.Y. , Sun H.J. , Wang A.K. , Wang M.X. , Wang Y.Q. , Xiao W.W. , Xie Y.F. , Yao L.H. , Yao L.Y. , Yu D.L. , Yuan B.S. , Zhao K.J. , Zhong G.W. , Zhou J. , Zhou Y. , Yan J.C. , Yu C.X. , Pan C.H. , Liu Yong
Published: September 2011

The physics experiments on the HL-2A tokamak have been focused on confinement improvement, particle and thermal transport, zonal flow and turbulence, filament characteristics, energetic particle induced modes and plasma fuelling efficiency since 2008. ELMy H-mode discharges are achieved in a lower density regime using a combination of NBI heating with ECRH. The power threshold is found to increase with a decrease in density, almost independent of the launching order of the ECRH and NBI heating power. The pedestal density profiles in the H-mode discharges are measured. The particle outward convection is observed during the pump-out transient phase with ECRH. The negative density perturbation (pump-out) is observed to propagate much faster than the positive one caused by out-gassing. The core electron thermal transport reduction triggered by far off-axis ECRH switch-off is investigated. The coexistence of low frequency zonal flow (LFZF) and geodesic acoustic mode (GAM) is observed. The dependence of the intensities of LFZFs and GAMs on the safety factor and ECRH power is identified. The 3D spatial structures of plasma filaments are measured in the boundary plasma and large-scale structures along a magnetic field line analysed for the first time. The beta-induced Alfvén eigenmodes (BAEs), excited by large magnetic islands (m-BAE) and by energetic electrons (e-BAE), are observed. The results for the study of fuelling efficiency and penetration characteristics of supersonic molecular beam injection (SMBI) are described.
Progress and scientific results in the TCV tokamak
Authors: Coda S.
Published: September 2011

The TCV tokamak has the dual mission of supporting ITER and exploring alternative paths to a fusion reactor. Its most unique tools are a 4.5 MW electron cyclotron resonance heating system with seven real-time controllable launchers and a plasma control system with 16 independent shaping coils. Recent upgrades in temperature, density and rotation diagnostics are being followed by new turbulence and suprathermal electron diagnostics, and a new digital real-time network has been commissioned. The shape control flexibility of TCV has enabled the generation and control of the first ‘snowflake’ divertor, characterized by a null point in which both the poloidal field and its gradient vanish. The predicted increases in flux expansion and edge magnetic shear have been verified experimentally, and stable EC-heated snowflake ELMy H-modes have been obtained and characterized. ECCD modulation techniques have been used to study the role of the current profile in energy transport, and simulations reproduce the results robustly. The relation between impurity and electron density gradients in L-mode is explained in terms of neoclassical and turbulent drives. Studies of torqueless plasma rotation have continued, highlighting the important role of MHD and sawtooth relaxations in determining the rotation profiles. A newly predicted mechanism for turbulent momentum transport associated with up–down plasma asymmetry has been verified in TCV. Sawtooth period control, neoclassical tearing mode control and soft x-ray emission profile control have been demonstrated in TCV using the new digital control hardware, as a step on the way to more complex applications.
Overview of the JT-60SA project
Authors: Ishida S. , Barabaschi P. , Kamada Y.
Published: September 2011

This paper overviews the achievements and plans of the JT-60SA project which has been implemented jointly by Europe and Japan since 2007, covering the objectives, performance, schedule, design and procurement activities and on-site preparations. Re-baselining of the project was completed in late 2008. All of the scientific missions are preserved with the newly designed machine to meet the cost objectives. The construction of the JT-60SA has begun with procurement activities for components of the toroidal field magnet, poloidal field magnet, vacuum vessel, in-vessel components, cryostat, power supplies in parallel with dismantling the JT-60 facilities, at the end of which the first plasma is foreseen in 2016. For exploitation, development of the JT-60SA research plan has been started jointly between Japan and Europe.
A Bayesian model for the common effects of multiple predictors on mixed outcomes
Authors: Weiss Robert E. , Jia Juan , Suchard Marc A.
Published: September 2011

We propose a Bayesian multivariate model in which a single linear combination of the covariates predict multiple outcomes simultaneously. The single linear combination is a data-derived score along the lines of the Apache or Charlson index scores for critically ill patients, the Karnofsky or Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score for cancer patients or Euro-score for cardiac patients that may be used to predict multiple outcomes. Outcomes may be discrete or continuous and we use a composition of generalized linear models for the marginal distribution for each outcome. We explain how to set the prior distribution and we use Markov chain Monte Carlo methods to calculate the posterior distribution. We propose two types of expanded models to diagnose whether each outcome indeed has predictor effects common with the other outcomes, and whether a particular predictor is commonly predictive for all outcomes. We determine a final model based on the diagnostic models. The method is applied to a study yielding multiple psychometric outcomes of mixed type measured in young people living with human immunodeficiency virus.
A systems approach to model the relationship between aflatoxin gene cluster expression, environmental factors, growth and toxin production by
Aspergillus flavus
Authors: Abdel-Hadi Ahmed , Schmidt-Heydt Markus , Parra Roberto , Geisen Rolf , Magan Naresh
Published: September 2011

A microarray analysis was used to examine the effect of combinations of water activity (
a
w
, 0.995–0.90) and temperature (20–42°C) on the activation of aflatoxin biosynthetic genes (30 genes) in
Aspergillus flavus
grown on a conducive YES (20 g yeast extract, 150 g sucrose, 1 g MgSO
4
·7H
2
O) medium. The relative expression of 10 key genes (
aflF
,
aflD
,
aflE
,
aflM
,
aflO
,
aflP
,
aflQ
,
aflX
,
aflR
and
aflS
) in the biosynthetic pathway was examined in relation to different environmental factors and phenotypic aflatoxin B
1
(AFB
1
) production. These data, plus data on relative growth rates and AFB
1
production under different
a
w
× temperature conditions were used to develop a mixed-growth-associated product formation model. The gene expression data were normalized and then used as a linear combination of the data for all 10 genes and combined with the physical model. This was used to relate gene expression to
a
w
and temperature conditions to predict AFB
1
production. The relationship between the observed AFB
1
production provided a good linear regression fit to the predicted production based in the model. The model was then validated by examining datasets outside the model fitting conditions used (37°C, 40°C and different
a
w
levels). The relationship between structural genes (
aflD
,
aflM
) in the biosynthetic pathway and the regulatory genes (
aflS
,
aflJ
) was examined in relation to
a
w
and temperature by developing ternary diagrams of relative expression. These findings are important in developing a more integrated systems approach by combining gene expression, ecophysiological influences and growth data to predict mycotoxin production. This could help in developing a more targeted approach to develop prevention strategies to control such carcinogenic natural metabolites that are prevalent in many staple food products. The model could also be used to predict the impact of climate change on toxin production.
Detection of plum pox potyviral protein–protein interactions in planta using an optimized mRFP-based bimolecular fluorescence complementation system
Authors: Zilian Eva , Maiss Edgar
Published: September 2011

In previous studies, protein interaction maps of different potyviruses have been generated using yeast two-hybrid (YTH) systems, and these maps have demonstrated a high diversity of interactions of potyviral proteins. Using an optimized bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) system, a complete interaction matrix for proteins of a potyvirus was developed for the first time underin plantaconditions with ten proteins from plum pox virus (PPV). In total, 52 of 100 possible interactions were detected, including the self-interactions of CI, 6K2, VPg, NIa-Pro, NIb and CP, which is more interactions than have ever been detected for any other potyvirus in a YTH approach. Moreover, the BiFC system was shown to be able to localize the protein interactions, which was typified for the protein self-interactions indicated above. Additionally, experiments were carried out with the P3N-PIPO protein, revealing an interaction with CI but not with CP and supporting the involvement of P3N-PIPO in the cell-to-cell movement of potyviruses. No self-interaction of the PPV helper component–proteinase (HC-Pro) was detected using BiFCin planta. Therefore, additional experiments with turnip mosaic virus (TuMV) HC-Pro, PPV_HC-Pro and their mutants were conducted. The self-interaction of TuMV_HCpro, as recently demonstrated, and the self-interaction of the TuMV_ and PPV_HC-Pro mutants were shown by BiFCin planta, indicating that HC-Pro self-interactions may be species-specific. BiFC is a very useful and reliable method for the detection and localization of protein interactionsin planta, thus enabling investigations under more natural conditions than studies in yeast cells.
Efficient cross-species capture hybridization and next-generation sequencing of mitochondrial genomes from noninvasively sampled museum specimens
Authors: Mason Victor C. , Li Gang , Helgen Kristofer M. , Murphy William J.
Published: September 2011

The ability to uncover the phylogenetic history of recently extinct species and other species known only from archived museum material has rapidly improved due to the reduced cost and increased sequence capacity of next-generation sequencing technologies. One limitation of these approaches is the difficulty of isolating and sequencing large, orthologous DNA regions across multiple divergent species, which is exacerbated for museum specimens, where DNA quality varies greatly between samples and contamination levels are often high. Here we describe the use of cross-species DNA capture hybridization techniques and next-generation sequencing to selectively isolate and sequence partial to full-length mitochondrial DNA genomes from the degraded DNA of museum specimens, using probes generated from the DNA of a single extant species. We demonstrate our approach on specimens from an enigmatic gliding mammal, the Sunda colugo, which is widely distributed throughout Southeast Asia. We isolated DNA from 13 colugo specimens collected 47–170 years ago, and successfully captured and sequenced mitochondrial DNA from every specimen, frequently recovering fragments with 10%–13% sequence divergence from the capture probe sequence. Phylogenetic results reveal deep genetic divergence among colugos, both within and between the islands of Borneo and Java, as well as between the Malay Peninsula and different Sundaic islands. Our method is based on noninvasive sampling of minute amounts of soft tissue material from museum specimens, leaving the original specimen essentially undamaged. This approach represents a paradigm shift away from standard PCR-based approaches for accessing population genetic and phylogenomic information from poorly known and difficult-to-study species.
Key Proliferative Activity in the Junction between the Leaf Blade and Leaf Petiole of Arabidopsis
Authors: Ichihashi Yasunori , Kawade Kensuke , Usami Takeshi , Horiguchi Gorou , Takahashi Taku , Tsukaya Hirokazu
Published: September 2011

Leaves are the most important, fundamental units of organogenesis in plants. Although the basic form of a leaf is clearly divided into the leaf blade and leaf petiole, no study has yet revealed how these are differentiated from a leaf primordium. We analyzed the spatiotemporal pattern of mitotic activity in leaf primordia of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) in detail using molecular markers in combination with clonal analysis. We found that the proliferative zone is established after a short interval following the occurrence of a rod-shaped early leaf primordium; it is separated spatially from the shoot apical meristem and seen at the junction region between the leaf blade and leaf petiole and produces both leaf-blade and leaf-petiole cells. This proliferative region in leaf primordia is marked by activity of the ANGUSTIFOLIA3 (AN3) promoter as a whole and seems to be differentiated into several spatial compartments: activities of the CYCLIN D4;2 promoter and SPATULA enhancer mark parts of it specifically. Detailed analyses of the an3 and blade-on-petiole mutations further support the idea that organogenesis of the leaf blade and leaf petiole is critically dependent on the correct spatial regulation of the proliferative region of leaf primordia. Thus, the proliferative zone of leaf primordia is spatially differentiated and supplies both the leaf-blade and leaf-petiole cells.
Body iron stores and breast cancer risk in female atomic bomb survivors
Authors: Stevens Richard G. , Cologne John B. , Nakachi Kei , Grant Eric J. , Neriishi Kazuo
Published: September 2011

Iron can be a potent pro‐oxidant and, on this basis, elevated body iron may increase the risk of cancer. Although epidemiological evidence is mixed, there is overall support for this possibility. In addition, because of this same oxidative capacity, body iron levels may alter radiation sensitivity. In the present study, a nested case‐control study of breast cancer was conducted in Japanese atomic bomb survivors. Stored serum samples from the Adult Health Study cohort were assayed for ferritin levels and joint statistical analyses were conducted of ferritin and radiation dose on the risk of breast cancer. Serum ferritin is the best feasible indicator of body iron levels in otherwise healthy people. A total of 107 cases and 212 controls were available for analysis. The relative risk (RR) of breast cancer for a 1 log unit increase in ferritin was 1.4 (95% confidence interval 1.1–1.8). This translates to an RR of 1.64 comparing high and low values of the interquartile range among controls (58 and 13.2 ng/mL, respectively). The results support the hypothesis that elevated body iron stores increase the risk of breast cancer. However, the study was inconclusive regarding the question of whether body iron alters radiation‐induced breast cancer risk. (Cancer Sci 2011; 102: 2236–2240)
Species' identification and microarray‐based comparative genome analysis of Streptomyces species isolated from potato scab lesions in Norway
Authors: DEES MERETE W. , SOMERVUO PANU , LYSØE ERIK , AITTAMAA MARJA , VALKONEN JARI P. T.
Published: September 2011

Streptomyces strains were isolated from scab lesions on potatoes collected from different parts of Norway. Twenty‐eight plant‐pathogenic strains, as tested on seedlings of radish and on potato, were identified on the basis of physiological and molecular criteria. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis, using species‐specific primers, and sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene identified 14 nonmelanin‐producing strains to S. turgidiscabies. Fourteen melanin‐producing strains were detected with primers specific to S. scabies, but whole‐genome microarray analysis, based on 12 766 probes designed for 8848 predicted open reading frames (ORFs) of S. scabies, showed that the 14 strains were different from S. scabies. They were subsequently identified to be S. europaeiscabiei based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences of the rRNA genes. This is the first report of the occurrence of S. turgidiscabies and S. europaeiscabiei in Norway. The putative 762 genes exhibiting the highest sequence differences between strains of S. europaeiscabiei and S. scabies according to microarray analysis were concentrated in relatively few gene ontology (GO) categories, including ‘symbiosis and mutualism through parasitism’, ‘cell death’ and ‘responses to biotic stimulus’, whereas genes related to primary metabolism appeared to be more conserved. Microarray data and 16S rRNA gene phylogeny showed, consistently, that there were two genetically distinguishable groups of S. europaeiscabiei on the basis of differences in 131 genes. The results provide novel information about the genetic variability of S. europaeiscabiei and the gene‐specific variability between the genomes of S. europaeiscabiei and S. scabies. The usefulness of a custom‐designed, whole‐genome oligonucleotide microarray in a survey of bacterial plant pathogens was demonstrated.
Insertion of six different supraglottic airway devices whilst wearing chemical, biological, radiation, nuclear‐personal protective equipment: a manikin study
Authors: Castle N. , Pillay Y. , Spencer N.
Published: September 2011

Six different supraglottic airway devices: Combitube™, laryngeal mask airway, intubating laryngeal mask airway (Fastrach™), i‐gel™, Laryngeal Tube™ and Pro‐Seal™ laryngeal mask airway were assessed by 58 paramedic students for speed and ease of insertion in a manikin, whilst wearing either chemical, biological, radiation, nuclear‐personal protective equipment (CBRN‐PPE) or a standard uniform. All devices took significantly longer to insert when wearing CBRN‐PPE compared with standard uniform (p < 0.001). In standard uniform, insertion time was shorter than 45 s in 90% of attempts for all devices except the Combitube, for which 90% of attempts were completed by 53 s. Whilst wearing CBRN‐PPE the i‐gel was the fastest device to insert with a mean (SD (95% CI)) insertion time of 19 (8 (17–21))s, p < 0.001, with the Combitube the slowest with mean (65 (23 (59–71))s. Wearing of CBRN‐PPE has a negative impact on supraglottic airway insertion time.

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Evolving Insights in the Pathogenesis and Therapy of Cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma (Mycosis Fungoides and Sezary Syndrome)
Authors: Wong Henry K. , Mishra Anjali , Hake Timothy , Porcu Pierluigi
Published: September 2011

Cutaneous T‐cell lymphomas (CTCL) are a heterogeneous group of malignancies derived from skin‐homing T cells. The most common forms of CTCL are Mycosis Fungoides (MF) and Sezary Syndrome (SS). Accurate diagnosis remains a challenge due to the heterogeneity of presentation and the lack of highly characteristic immunophenotypical and genetic markers. Over the past decade molecular studies have improved our understanding of the biology of CTCL. The identification of gene expression differences between normal and malignant T‐cells has led to promising new diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers that now need validation to be incorporated into clinical practice. These biomarkers may also provide insight into the mechanism of development of CTCL. Additionally, treatment options have expanded with the approval of new agents, such as histone deacetylase inhibitors. A better understanding of the cell biology, immunology and genetics underlying the development and progression of CTCL will allow the design of more rational treatment strategies for these malignancies. This review summarizes the clinical epidemiology, staging and natural history of MF and SS; discusses the immunopathogenesis of MF and the functional role of the malignant T‐cells; and reviews the latest advances in MF and SS treatment.
The financial and psychological impacts on mothers of children with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS/ME)
Authors: Missen A. , Hollingworth W. , Eaton N. , Crawley E.
Published: September 2011

Background  Paediatric chronic fatigue syndrome or myalgic encephalopathy (CFS/ME) is relatively common and children can be severely affected attending little or no school for extended periods. There are no studies quantifying the financial impact of having a child with CFS/ME and there is little information of the impact on parental mood.

Methods  Forty mothers of children with CFS/ME from a regional specialist CFS/ME service completed inventories to assess their psychological well‐being (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, General Health Questionnaire‐12) loss of earnings and increased expenditure. In addition, eight mothers took part in a semi‐structured qualitative interview.

Results  Most parents of children with CFS/ME experience loss of monthly income (mean =£247) and increase in monthly expenditure (mean =£206). Twenty‐eight (72%) mothers were above the cut‐off for the General Health Questionnaire‐12 compared with 20% in the healthy population (95% CI 55, 85, P < 0.001) suggesting they probably have a mental health problem. This may be explained by the qualitative interviews where mothers described five areas contributing to poor parental health: lack of understanding from others; marital tension; concern about their child's distress; concern about the impact on siblings and emotional distress causing physical symptoms.

Conclusions  The majority of families of children with CFS/ME experience decreased income and increased expenditure with a marked impact on maternal psychological health. Clinicians need to be aware of this to provide appropriate support to families who care for children with CFS/ME.
Antioxidant status in patients with lichen planus
Authors: Barikbin B. , Yousefi M. , Rahimi H. , Hedayati M. , Razavi S. M. , Lotfi S.
Published: September 2011

Background. Lichen planus (LP) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease of the mucocutaneous tissue, whose exact pathological course is not yet understood. Many studies have implicated the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the protective role of antioxidants in several autoimmune skin disorders. In this study, serum levels of antioxidants in patients with LP were determined and compared with those of healthy controls.

Methods. In total, 30 patients with LP (mean ± SD age 41.63 ± 13.03), who had never received treatment for their disease, were enrolled; 30 healthy people (aged 41.17 ± 13.24) were recruited as the control group. Serum levels of glutathione peroxidase (GPX), vitamin C, selenium, bilirubin and uric acid were determined.

Results. The mean plasma level of vitamin C was significantly lower (P < 0.001) in patients compared with controls. A significant positive correlation was found between selenium and GPX in both patients (Spearman ρ = 0.99, P < 0.001) and controls (ρ = 0.10, P < 0.001).

Conclusions. Lower serum levels of vitamin C in patients with LP indicates that free radicals and the resulting oxidative damage may be important in the pathogenesis of LP lesions.
Vasoactive intestinal peptide/vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor relative expression in salivary glands as one endogenous modulator of acinar cell apoptosis in a murine model of Sjögren's syndrome
Authors: Hauk V , Calafat M , Larocca L , Fraccaroli L , Grasso E , Ramhorst R , Leirós C Pérez
Published: September 2011

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by a progressive oral and ocular dryness that correlates poorly with the autoimmune damage of the glands. It has been proposed that a loss of homeostatic equilibrium in the glands is partly responsible for salivary dysfunction with acinar cells involved actively in the pathogenesis of SS. The non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse model of Sjögren's syndrome develops secretory dysfunction and early loss of glandular homeostatic mechanisms, with mild infiltration of the glands. Based on the vasodilator, prosecretory and trophic effects of the vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) on acini as well as its anti-inflammatory properties we hypothesized that the local expression of VIP/vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor (VPAC) system in salivary glands could have a role in acinar cell apoptosis and macrophage function thus influencing gland homeostasis. Here we show a progressive decline of VIP expression in submandibular glands of NOD mice with no changes in VPAC receptor expression compared with normal mice. The deep loss of endogenous VIP was associated with a loss of acinar cells through apoptotic mechanisms that could be induced further by tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and reversed by VIP through a cyclic adenosine-5′-monophosphate (cAMP)/protein kinase A (PKA)-mediated pathway. The clearance of apoptotic acinar cells by macrophages was impaired for NOD macrophages but a shift from inflammatory to regulatory phenotype was induced in macrophages during phagocytosis of apoptotic acinar cells. These results support that the decline in endogenous VIP/VPAC local levels might influence the survival/apoptosis intracellular set point in NOD acinar cells and their clearance, thus contributing to gland homeostasis loss.
Decision‐making processes by small‐scale fishermen on the southeast coast of Brazil
Authors: LOPES P. F. M. , BEGOSSI A.
Published: September 2011

Abstract  Brazilian shrimp trawlers and gillnetters were compared regarding their decisions concerning effort, processing of fish, time spent fishing and how they are affected by environmental, cultural and economic factors. Landings were recorded over 13 months (n = 424) and comprised mainly sea bob shrimp ‐Xyphopenaeus kroyeri (Heller) (95% of the trawler catch) and weakfish, Cynoscion jamaicensis (Vaillant & Bocourt) (30% of the gillnet catch). Catch per Unit of Effort varied across months, and the number of fishing trips per day was explained by wave height for both fisheries (trawlers: r2 = 0.4; gillnetters: r2 = 0.18). Trawlers spent more time fishing in the winter (H = 11.6; P < 0.05) and gillnetters in the summer (F = 4.1; P < 0.001), a decision that depended on the monetary profit they estimated beforehand or on the loss they had during the closed season. Cultural and economic variables (qualitatively addressed), such as how tedious they considered processing the catch or how much money they needed to make, affected their choice of processing it or not. Trawlers were subjected to taking risky actions, fishing on days when the return is highly variable (rkg = 0.72; P < 0.001; r$ = 0.65; P < 0.001). Understanding such processes underpinning fishermen’s actions is essential for management.
Knowledge of medical hospital emergency physicians about the first‐aid management of traumatic tooth avulsion
Authors: ULUSOY AYÇA T. , ÖNDER HASAN , ÇETIN BENGI , KAYA ŞENAY
Published: September 2011

International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry 2012; 22: 211–216

Objective.  The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge of emergency medical physicians employed in hospital emergency rooms as to their potential role in the treatment for traumatic teeth avulsion injuries (TTAI).

Methods.  A 15‐item questionnaire was distributed to the emergency rooms of one university and 10 public hospitals. The questionnaire gathered data on the respondents’ professional profiles and self‐assessed perceived knowledge and actual knowledge of the emergency management of TTAIs.

Results.  The study was implemented with 69 emergency physicians present at their workplaces during the time of data collection. Of these, 55 (79.7%) were employed at public hospitals and 14 (20.3%) at a university hospital. The professional profiles indicated that 47 (68.1%) of the participants were general practitioners and the remaining 22 (31.9%) were distributed among various other medical specialties. Overall, 28 respondents (40.6%) assessed their knowledge regarding medical treatment for TTAI as insufficient, and the majority (78.3%) stated that they would like further education. Importantly, a large majority of practitioners could not provide correct answers to questions related to the emergency management of TTAI.

Conclusion.  There is a need to improve the knowledge of emergency medical physicians regarding the emergency treatment for TTAI.
Niche breadth, rarity and ecological characteristics within a regional flora spanning large environmental gradients
Authors: Boulangeat Isabelle , Lavergne Sébastien , Van Es Jérémie , Garraud Luc , Thuiller Wilfried
Published: September 2011

Aim  Species specialization, which plays a fundamental role in niche differentiation and species coexistence, is a key biological trait in relation to the responses of populations to changing environments. Species with a limited niche breadth are considered to experience a higher risk of extinction than generalist species. This work aims to measure the degree of specialization in the regional flora of the French Alps and test whether species specialization is related to species rarity and ecological characteristics.

Location  This study was conducted in the French Alps region, which encompasses a large elevational gradient over a relatively limited area (26,000 km2).

Methods  Specialization was estimated for approximately 1200 plant species found in the region. Given the inherent difficulty of pinpointing the critical environmental niche axes for each individual species, we used a co‐occurrence‐based index to estimate species niche breadths (specialization index). This comprehensive measurement included crucial undetermined limiting niche factors, acting on both local and regional scales, and related to both biotic and abiotic interactions. The specialization index for each species was then related to a selection of plant typologies such as Grime strategies and Raunkiaer life‐forms, and to two measurements of plant rarity, namely regional area of occupancy and local abundance.

Results  Specialist species were mainly found in specific and harsh environments such as wetlands, cold alpine habitats and dry heathlands. These species were usually geographically restricted but relatively dominant in their local communities. Although none of the selected traits were sufficient predictors of specialization, pure competitors were over‐represented amongst generalist species, whereas stress‐tolerant species tended to be more specialized.

Main conclusions  Our results suggest that co‐occurrence‐based indices of niche breadth are a satisfactory method for inferring plant specialization using large species samples across very heterogeneous environments. Our results are an empirical validation of the tolerance–dominance trade‐off and also provide interesting insights into the long‐standing question of which biological properties characterize species with narrow niche breadth that are potentially threatened by global changes in the environment.
The influence of heart failure on longitudinal changes in cognition among individuals 80 years of age and older
Authors: Hjelm Carina , Dahl Anna , Broström Anders , Mårtensson Jan , Johansson Boo , Strömberg Anna
Published: September 2011

Aim.  The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between heart failure and specific cognitive abilities in octogenarians with regard to level and change over time.

Background.  Cognitive impairment is influenced by many factors, and the impact of heart failure is debated. Intact cognitive ability is crucial for successful self‐care in patients with heart failure. Middle‐aged patients with heart failure seem to have an increased risk of cognitive impairment. No studies have examined the association between heart failure and longitudinal cognitive changes in octogenarians (individuals 80 years and older).

Design.  A prospective longitudinal design.

Methods.  Cognitive tests were carried out five times (1991–2002) in 702 octogenarians from the Swedish Twin Registry, including same‐sex twin pairs. The test battery included the measurement of processing speed, visuospatial ability, short‐term, episodic and semantic memory. Latent growth curve modelling was employed to measure change and performance over time and compares the group diagnosed with heart failure to individuals without a heart failure diagnosis.

Results.  At baseline, the participants’ mean age was 83·5 years, 67% were women and 13% suffered from heart failure. Individuals diagnosed with heart failure scored significantly lower in spatial abilities and episodic memory than participants not diagnosed with heart failure. Moreover, measures of episodic memory declined more over time in individuals diagnosed with heart failure. There were no significant differences between the groups in other cognitive tests.

Conclusion.  Spatial problems and episodic memory have implications for everyday life. This might contribute to decreased adherence to prescribed therapy and self‐care management and lead to socio‐behavioural problems because of an impaired capacity to drive, read and write.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Nurses should take into account in their assessment that cognitive impairment may restrain elderly heart failure patient’s ability to make decisions and perform self‐care actions. Patient education strategies should also be adapted to cognitive ability.
A randomised trial on pubertal development and health in China
Authors: Zang Yuli , Zhao Yong , Yang Qing , Pan Yaoyun , Li Na , Liu Ting
Published: September 2011

Background.  Puberty signifies noticeable physical, psychosocial and sexual development. It is crucial to help adolescents reach an understanding about puberty and related health issues. Considering the sexually conservative culture in some areas, to explore appropriate ways to address sexuality and health‐related concerns during puberty is of interest to all stakeholders.

Aims.  This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of the ecological approach to improve adolescents’ understanding about puberty and related health risks.

Design.  Modified Solomon four group design.

Methods.  Two Grade7 classes were randomly selected to form experiment and control group, respectively. A two‐hour seminar and a brochure about health and development during puberty were provided, and some students, parents and instructors in the experimental group commented on the intervention. Pre‐ and post‐tests were conducted to measure students’ pubertal development status and their knowledge, attitudes and behaviours related to puberty.

Results.  Students (n = 228) were aged 13·0 years (SD 0·45). The majority was categorised at the stage of mid‐puberty or later, and approximately 11·2% of 116 girls and 22·3% of 112 boys were classified as overweight or obese according to body mass index. No significant changes were identified within or between groups about knowledge, attitudes and behaviours related to puberty and health before and after the intervention. The invention was considered helpful, and an enriched delivery was required.

Conclusions.  Although the overall feedback was positive, this ecological approach to adolescent health and development targeting at Grade7 students failed to generate significant effects on students’ knowledge, attitudes and behaviours surrounding puberty and health.

Relevance to clinical practice.  This study reveals that sexuality, particularly romantic relationships during puberty, may be perceived negatively in the local society. There is a need for school nurses to help all relevant people to understand and respond to sexuality‐related concerns in a cultural appropriate way.
Cost analysis of adding pregabalin or gabapentin to the management of community‐treated patients with peripheral neuropathic pain
Authors: Sicras‐Mainar Antoni , Rejas‐Gutiérrez Javier , Navarro‐Artieda Ruth , Planas‐Comes Albert
Published: September 2011

Objective  To compare the cost of adding either pregabalin or gabapentin to the management of community‐treated patients with peripheral neuropathic pain (PNP).

Methods  A retrospective observational study was conducted using medical records from a Spanish health care provider claims database. Patients receiving health care for PNP, above 18 years and for which either pregabalin or gabapentin was initiated between 2006 and 2008 were included. Economic evaluation included health care resource utilization costs and costs due to sick leave.

Results  A total of 1163 patients with PNP were eligible for analysis: 764 were prescribed pregabalin and 399 gabapentin in addition to current pain therapy. Mean age was 59.2 years and 62.2% were female. Concomitant use of analgesics was higher in the gabapentin cohort (3.2 vs. 2.7; P = 0.003), mainly due to non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (74.9% vs. 69.5%; P = 0.018) and opioids (27.7% vs. 17.9%; P = 0.031). Adjusted total costs per patient was lower in pregabalin‐treated patients (€2514 vs. €3241; P = 0.003), due to less sick leave (€1067 vs. €1633; P = 0.018) and lower health care costs (€1447 vs. €1609; P = 0.004). The higher acquisition cost of pregabalin (€351 vs. €191; P < 0.001) was largely compensated with lower costs in medical visits, physiotherapy, hospital stays and concomitant analgesics.

Conclusions  In community‐treated patients with PNP, total costs were considerably less for those patients initiated with pregabalin therapy than for those patients starting gabapentin add‐on therapy. The relatively higher treatment acquisition cost of pregabalin was largely compensated by the overall lower costs for the other components of health care resources and sick leave, thus reducing the economic impact on the health care provider's budget and society.
Relationship between individual quality of life and family quality of life for people with intellectual disability living in Italy
Authors: Bertelli M. , Bianco A. , Rossi M. , Scuticchio D. , Brown I.
Published: September 2011

Background  There is substantial literature investigating quality of life (QoL) of individuals with intellectual disability (ID). QoL of families of people with ID is emerging as an important field of research. Despite this, there is a lack of studies regarding their relationship.

Aim  The present paper aimed to study the relationship between QoL scores of individuals with ID and members of their families.

Methods  Twenty‐seven parents or relatives of 27 adults with ID were recruited by four different research centres across Tuscany (Italy) to be interviewed through the Italian adaptation of the Family Quality of Life Survey – 2006 (FQoLS‐2006), a tool developed for use in a multiple‐country study on family QoL. The FQoLS‐2006 was translated and adapted to Italian through three revisions. The last was submitted to the authors of the original version, who also maintain an electronic data file and data archive for statistical evaluations in various countries. QoL of persons with ID was assessed through the administration of the Quality of Life – Instrument Package. QoL scores were analysed to describe population characteristics and to examine the relationships among measures of individual and family QoL using correlations (Pearson and Spearman).

Results  Findings showed that family ratings of QoL were generally low. Families interviewed reported a low level of QoL in ‘Support from Others’ and ‘Community Interaction’, while ‘Family Relationships’ and ‘Health of the Family’ rated higher. For individual QoL, individuals had the lowest scores in the area of ‘Spiritual being’ and higher scores in the area of ‘Physical being’. Correlations examining possible relationships among Importance, Satisfaction and Opportunities found some statistically significant correlation coefficients between some aspects of the three main areas of individual QoL (Being, Belonging and Becoming) and the nine family domains. Most of these correlations regarded family ‘Financial Well‐Being’, ‘Family Relationships, ‘Support from Service’ and ‘Support from Others’ areas.

Conclusions  The results of this study suggest that QoL is perceived somewhat differently by individuals with ID and by members of their families. This difference could negatively impact QoL of people with ID, if their views are not taken into account when planning for family support. The relationships between individual and family QoL appear to be quite complex, and such complexity needs to be clarified in future research.
Social skills and associated psychopathology in children with chromosome 22q11.2 deletion syndrome: implications for interventions
Authors: Shashi V. , Veerapandiyan A. , Schoch K. , Kwapil T. , Keshavan M. , Ip E. , Hooper S.
Published: September 2011

Background  Although distinctive neuropsychological impairments have been delineated in children with chromosome 22q11 deletion syndrome (22q11DS), social skills and social cognition remain less well‐characterised.

Objective  To examine social skills and social cognition and their relationship with neuropsychological function/behaviour and psychiatric diagnoses in children with 22q11DS.

Methods  Sixty‐six children with 22q11DS and 54 control participants underwent neuropsychological testing and were administered the Diagnostic Analysis of Non‐Verbal Accuracy (DANVA) for face and auditory emotion recognition, a measure of social cognition: their parents/guardians were administered the Social Skills Rating System (SSRS) – parent version, Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) – parent version and the Computerised Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children (C‐DISC).

Results  The 22q11DS group exhibited significantly lower social skills total score and more problem social behaviours, lower neurocognitive functioning, higher rates of anxiety disorders and more internalising symptoms than the control group. Participants with 22q11DS also exhibited significant deficits in their ability to read facial expressions compared with the control group, but performed no differently than the control participants in the processing of emotions by tone of voice. Within the 22q11DS group, higher social competency was correlated with higher global assessment of functioning and parental socio‐economic status. Social competency was worse in those with anxiety disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, more than two psychiatric diagnoses on the C‐DISC and higher internalising symptoms. No significant correlations of SSRS scores were seen with IQ, executive functions, attention, or verbal learning and memory. No correlations were found between social cognition and social skill scores.

Conclusion  Our results indicate that social skills in children with 22q11DS are associated with behaviour/emotional functioning and not with neurocognition. Thus, treating the behaviour or emotional problems such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and anxiety disorders may provide a pathway for improving social skills in these children.