bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unified analyses for P‐V‐T equation of state of MgO: A solution for pressure‐scale problems in high P‐T experiments
Authors: Tange Yoshinori , Nishihara Yu , Tsuchiya Taku
Published: March 2009

In order to determine an accurate and reliable high‐pressure and high‐temperature equation of state (EOS) of MgO, unified analyses were carried out for various pressure‐scale‐free experimental data sets measured at 1 atm to 196 GPa and 300–3700 K, which are zero‐pressure thermal expansion data, zero‐pressure and high‐temperature adiabatic bulk modulus (KS) data, room temperature and high‐pressure KS data, and shock compression data. After testing several EOS models based on the Mie‐Grüneisen‐Debye description for the thermal pressures with the Vinet and the third‐order Birch‐Murnaghan equations for the 300‐K isothermal compression, we determined the K′T0 and γ(V) using a new functional form γ = γ0{1 + a[(V/V0)b − 1]} to express the volume dependence of the Grüneisen parameter. Through least squares analyses with prerequisite zero‐pressure and room temperature properties of V0, KS0, α0, and CP0, we simultaneously optimized a set of parameters of K′T0, γ0, a, and b required to represent the P‐V‐T EOS. Determined new EOS models of MgO successfully reproduced all the analyzed P‐V‐T‐KS data up to 196 GPa and 3700 K within the uncertainties, and the total residuals between calculated and observed pressures were found to be 0.8 GPa in root mean squares. These EOS models, even though very simple, are able to reproduce available data quite accurately in the wide pressure‐temperature range and completely independent from other pressure scales. We propose these models for primary pressure calibration standards applicable to quantitative high‐pressure and high‐temperature experiments.
Direct and indirect impacts of Saharan dust acting as cloud condensation nuclei on tropical cyclone eyewall development
Authors: Zhang Henian , McFarquhar Greg M. , Cotton William R. , Deng Yi
Published: March 2009

The mechanisms by which Saharan dust acting as cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) impact tropical cyclone (TC) evolution were examined by conducting numerical simulations of a mature TC with CCN added from lateral boundaries. CCN can affect eyewall development directly through release of latent heat when activated and subsequent growth of cloud droplets and indirectly through modulating rainband development. Convection in the rainbands was negatively correlated with that in the eyewall in all simulations. The development of rainbands tended to promote latent heat release away from the eyewall, block the surface inflow and enhance cold pools. The maximum impact of rainbands on the eyewall (or vice versa) occurred with a time lag of 3.5 to 5.5 hr. The convection in the eyewall and rainbands did not show a monotonic relationship to input CCN due to the non‐linear feedback of heating from a myriad of microphysical processes on storm dynamics.
Orienting Attention Based on Long-Term Memory Improves Perceptual Discriminations
Authors: Patai E. Zita , Summerfield Jennifer , Rao Anling , Nobre Anna
Published: March 2009

The role of attentional orienting in daily life is to selectively deploy both behavioural and neural resources towards events, based on continually changing task goals and expectations, in order to optimize performance. In the following experiment, we show that attentional orienting is influenced by long-term memories in a perceptual discrimination task. In the learning phase, participants were trained on 120 ecologically valid natural scenes, of which 80 contained a target. Their task was to locate the target (a small key) on the screen by clicking on it with the mouse. One or two days later, participants completed a cued perceptual discrimination task. The same scenes that were studied before, but without any targets, were presented as cues (50 ms duration), followed, after a delay (450ms), by the scene again with or without the target (200ms). Participants discriminated covertly whether the key was present or absent from the second scene. There were three conditions: valid (key in learning and discrimination task was in same location), invalid (key in learning and discrimination task were in different location) and neutral (there was no key in learning phase). Behavioural results indicated that memory-guided attention benefits both the sensitivity (d’) and speed of target identification within natural scenes. A replication of the study is being carried out with event-related potentials to chart the neural modulations that accompany the perceptual enhancements observed behaviourally.
The Obesity Epidemic and Future Emergency Responders
Authors: Tsismenakis Antonios J. , Christophi Costas A. , Burress John W. , Kinney Aaron M. , Kim Min , Kales Stefanos N.
Published: March 2009

Emergency responders should be fit to safely perform strenuous duties. In particular, young recruits are expected to be at or near peak career fitness. We studied the prevalence and health associations of excess weight among 370 consecutive emergency responder candidates for fire and ambulance services in Massachusetts. The mean age and BMI of the recruits were 26.3 (3.8) years and 28.5 (4.9) kg/m2, respectively. Seventy‐seven percent had BMI ≥25 kg/m2, and 33% were obese (BMI ≥30 kg/m2). After multivariate adjustment, both higher BMI categories and unit increases in BMI were significantly associated with higher blood pressures, worse metabolic profiles, and lower exercise tolerance. Excess weight is highly prevalent and associated with elevated cardiovascular risk among future emergency responders. These findings in a population expected to perform demanding duties supporting public safety merit prompt public health intervention.
A Rare Variant in the Visfatin Gene (NAMPT/PBEF1) Is Associated With Protection From Obesity
Authors: Blakemore Alexandra I.F. , Meyre David , Delplanque Jerome , Vatin Vincent , Lecoeur Cecile , Marre Michel , Tichet Jean , Balkau Beverley , Froguel Philippe , Walley Andrew J.
Published: March 2009

Visfatin was recently reported as a novel adipokine encoded by the NAMPT (PBEF1) gene. This study was aimed at investigation of the possibility that single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the visfatin gene are associated with either obesity or type 2 diabetes (T2D). A set of eight “tag‐SNPs” were selected and ABI SNPlex assays designed for genotyping purposes. A total of 1,709 severely obese subjects were typed (896 class III obese adults and 813 children) together with 2,367 T2D individuals and 2,850 controls. For quantitative trait analysis, an additional 2,362 subjects were typed for rs10487818 from a general population sample. One rare SNP, rs10487818, located in intron 4 of NAMPT was associated with severe obesity, with a minor allele frequency of 1.6% in controls, 0.4% in the class III obese adults and, remarkably, 0% in the severely obese children. A highly significant association was observed for the presence or absence of the rare allele, i.e., (A,A) vs. (A,T + T,T) genotypes, in children (P = 6 × 10−9) and in adults (P = 8 × 10−5). No other significant (P < 0.05) association was observed with obesity or T2D for this or any other SNP. No association with BMI or waist‐to‐hip ratio was observed in a general population sample (n = 5,212). This is one of the first rare SNPs shown to be protective against a common polygenic disease and provides further evidence that rare alleles of strong effect can contribute to complex diseases such as severe obesity.
Stress‐related Development of Obesity and Cortisol in Women
Authors: Vicennati Valentina , Pasqui Francesca , Cavazza Carla , Pagotto Uberto , Pasquali Renato
Published: March 2009

Chronic exposure to environmental stress may play a role in the development of obesity, through hyperactivation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenocortical (HPA) axis. This study investigated the dynamics of weight gain and the activity of the HPA axis in women who developed weight gain after a stressful event. This is a case–control retrospective study. Two groups of age‐matched premenopausal women were selected. One (n = 14) included women characterized by a rapid weight gain following a stressful event, defined as the “stress‐related obesity” (SRO) group, and the other (n = 21) women with nonstress‐related development of obesity, defined as the “nonstress‐related obesity” (NSRO) group. Twenty‐one healthy premenopausal women served as normal‐weight controls. Baseline hormonal and metabolic parameters, and 24‐h urinary free cortisol (UFC/24 h) excretion rate (as a measure of HPA‐axis activity) were measured in all women. Anthropometry, diet, and physical activity were similar in both obese groups. Both obese groups showed similar metabolic and hormonal profiles, but the SRO group had UFC/24 h values (41.1 ± 14.3 µg) significantly higher (P < 0.001) with respect to the NSRO (26.6 ± 17.6 µg) or the normal‐weight control groups (21.1 ± 9.8 µg). Moreover, time (years) to achieve maximum Δweight gain (kg) and the Δweight gain/time ratio were significantly shorter (P < 0.001) and higher (P < 0.001) in the SRO group with respect to the NSRO group, respectively. In the SRO group, there was a tendency to a significant correlation between UFC/24 h and the Δweight gain/time ratio. These findings support the concept that SRO has distinct pathophysiological mechanisms, including hyperactivity of the HPA axis.
Complications of Rigid Internal Fixation
Authors: Campbell Chris A. , Lin Kant Y.
Published: March 2009

Over the past 20 years, there have been many advances in the development of bone fixation systems used in the practice of craniomaxillofacial surgery. As surgical practices have evolved, the complications of each technologic advance have changed accordingly. Interfragmentary instability of interosseous wiring has been replaced by the risk of exposure, infection, and palpability of plate and screw fixation systems. The improved rigidity of plate fixation requires anatomic alignment of fracture fragments. Failure to obtain proper alignment has led to the phenomenon known as “open internal fixation” of fracture fragments without proper reduction. The size of the plates has decreased to minimize palpability and exposure. However limitations in their application have been encountered due to the physiologic forces of the muscles of mastication and bone healing. In the pediatric population, the long-standing presence of plates in the cranial vault resulted in reports of transcranial migration and growth restriction. These findings led to the development of resorbable plating systems, which are associated with self-limited plate palpability and soft tissue inflammatory reactions. Any rigid system including these produces growth restriction in varying amounts. In this discussion, we review the reported complication rates of miniplating and microplating systems as well as absorptive plating systems in elective and traumatic craniofacial surgery.
Complications of Frontal Sinus Fractures
Authors: Metzinger Stephen E. , Metzinger Rebecca C.
Published: March 2009

Frontal sinus fracture represents 5 to 12% of all maxillofacial fractures. Because of the anatomic position of the frontal sinus and the enormous amount of force required to create a fracture in this area, these injuries are often devastating and associated with other trauma. Associated injuries include skull base, intracranial, ophthalmologic, and maxillofacial. Complications should be categorized to address these four areas as well as the skin—soft tissue envelope, muscle, and bone. Other variables that should be examined are age of the patient, gender, mechanism of injury, fracture pattern, method of repair, and associated injuries. Management of frontal sinus fractures is so controversial that the indications, timing, method of repair, and surveillance remain disputable among several surgical specialties. The one universal truth that is agreed upon is that all patients undergoing reconstructive surgery of the frontal sinus have a lifelong risk for delayed complications. It is hoped that when patients do experience the first symptoms of a complication, they seek immediate medical attention and avoid potentially life-threatening situations and the need for crippling or disfiguring surgery. The best way to facilitate this is through long-term follow-up and routine surveillance.
Nd
2
Fe
14
B
/soft magnetic wires nanocomposite magnets with enhanced properties
Authors: Lupu N. , Grigoras M. , Lostun M. , Chiriac H.
Published: March 2009

Composite magnets were obtained by spark plasma sintering (SPS) consolidation of a mixture of ball-milled powders prepared from nonstoichiometric Nd15Fe79B6 and Nd16Fe78B6 nanocrystalline melt-spun ribbons, and, respectively, Fe77.5Si7.5B15 and Co68.25Fe4.5Si12.25B15 amorphous wires of 100–125 μm in diameter prepared by in-rotating water quenching method. The powders have been mixed in different weight ratios and the consolidation was done at pressures of 50 and 70 MPa, respectively. The addition of FeSiB and CoFeSiB soft magnetic powders increases the remanent magnetization of the SPS magnets from 4.8–5 to 6.2–6.5 kG, while the estimated maximum energy product is also increased from 24–25 to 27–29 MGOe. The Nd-rich melt-spun ribbons exhibit very large intrinsic coercive fields of over 20 kOe, whereas for the SPS magnets Hic decreases slightly. The profile of the demagnetizing curves is smoother for SPS nanocomposite magnets compared with ball-milled powders, being an indication of a cooperative process in which both exchange coupling between grains and magnetostatic interactions between the powders of hard and soft magnetic materials are present.
Capped bit patterned media for high density magnetic recording
Authors: Li Shaojing , Livshitz Boris , Bertram H. Neal , Inomata Akihiro , Fullerton Eric E. , Lomakin Vitaliy
Published: March 2009

A capped composite patterned medium design is described which comprises an array of hard elements exchange coupled to a continuous cap layer. The role of the cap layer is to lower the write field of the individual hard element and introduce ferromagnetic exchange interactions between hard elements to compensate the magnetostatic interactions. Modeling results show significant reduction in the reversal field distributions caused by the magnetization states in the array which is important to prevent bit errors and increase achievable recording densities.
Long range magnetic ordering with giant magnetic moments in Pt doped NiMn thin films
Authors: Öner Y. , Özdemir M. , Basaran A. C. , Aktas B. , Sato T.
Published: March 2009

Magnetization and electron spin resonance (ESR) measurements have been carried out on a 1.2 at. % Pt doped NiMn thin film (100 Å) in the temperature range of 5–150 K for both parallel (magnetic field parallel to the film surface) and perpendicular configurations. M versus H loops were recorded for each configuration at 5, 40, and 120 K. We have observed a number of differences between M versus H loops: for the perpendicular configuration, the hysteresis loops shift as a whole along the negative field axis (22 Oe at 5 K and 15 Oe at 120 K) for the field cooling case as a manifestation of the rigid component of the unidirectional anisotropy field, while no shift was observed for the parallel configuration. In addition, for the perpendicular configuration, M goes to the technical saturation value at a field much less than the corresponding demagnetization field (∼4πMs), indicating that this sample has a large bulk uniaxial anisotropy perpendicular to the film surface. It is also interesting that the observed saturation magnetization is much larger than the value (∼10.2 kOe) corresponding to the full alignments of Ni and Mn moments, exceeding the experimental uncertainty, leading us to suggest that orbital magnetism may be responsible for the enhanced saturation magnetization. Furthermore, the exchange stiffness constant (D), bulk anisotropy constant, and surface anisotropy constant were deduced from ESR data analysis. Based on magnetization and ESR results, we conclude that the magnetic behavior is compatible with the ESR fitting parameters. We also show that the competing asymmetric surface effects due to magnetostatic interactions play a crucial role in the overall magnetic behavior of this film.
Micro-Raman imaging of Te precipitates in CdZnTe (Zn∼4%) crystals
Authors: Kulkarni Gururaj Anand , Sathe V. G. , Rao K. S. R. K. , Muthu D. V. S. , Sharma R. K.
Published: March 2009

Micro-Raman imaging of the distribution of Te precipitates in CdZnTe crystals in different phases is reported. For the normal phase of Te precipitates, the Raman modes appear centered around 121(A1), 141(E)/TO(CdTe) cm−1 and a weak mode around 92(E) cm−1 in CdZnTe indicating the presence of trigonal lattice of Te. Under high pressure phase, the volume of Te precipitates collapses, giving more bond energy resulting in the blueshift of the corresponding Raman bands. Also, the spatial distribution of the area ratio of 121 to 141 cm−1 Raman modes is used to quantify Te precipitates. Further, near-infrared microscopy images support these results.
Mechanism study of deformation and mass transfer for binary droplet collisions with particle method
Authors: Sun Zhongguo , Xi Guang , Chen Xi
Published: March 2009

The binary collision of two identical liquid droplets is simulated using the moving particle semi-implicit method. We focus on various coalescence and separation mechanisms and the accompanying mass transfer characteristics. A modified surface-tension model is implemented in three-dimensional numerical simulations to study the large deformation processes. Both head-on collision and eccentric impact are investigated, and a mechanism map is established to qualitatively distinguish different regimes of impact. Mass transfer properties are obtained by tracking the movement of particles, which are useful for identifying the mixing rate of the droplets after coalescence or separation as well as the source of the newly formed satellite droplets. A mixing map (in terms of impact speed and impact number) is also established to provide guidelines of pursuing higher efficiency of mixing two liquids using collision. The results qualitatively agree with previous experiments and the versatile numerical protocol may also find applications in studying the free surface flows and interface deformation.
Gyrokinetic turbulence under near-separatrix or nonaxisymmetric conditions
Authors: Jenko F. , Told D. , Xanthopoulos P. , Merz F. , Horton L. D.
Published: March 2009

Linear and nonlinear gyrokinetic simulations with the GENE code [F. Jenko et al., Phys. Plasmas 7, 1904 (2000)] for tokamak edge plasmas as well as for stellarator core plasmas are presented, shedding light on the behavior of plasma microturbulence under near-separatrix or nonaxisymmetric conditions. To this aim, the required geometric coefficients are inferred directly from the magnetohydrodynamic equilibria of three different devices via the newly developed GIST code. It is found that the residual electron heat transport level in the H-mode edge can be explained in terms of high-wave-number fluctuations driven by electron temperature gradient modes. Moreover, the study of adiabatic ion temperature gradient turbulence in optimized stellarators points to the possibility of a systematic geometric optimization with respect to anomalous transport in nonaxisymmetric devices.
Intra-protein hydrogen bonding is dynamically stabilized by electronic polarization
Authors: Duan Li L. , Mei Ye , Zhang Qing G. , Zhang John Z. H.
Published: March 2009

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation has been carried out to study dynamical stability of intra-protein hydrogen bonds based on two set of atomic charges, the standard AMBER charge and the polarized protein-specific charge (PPC). The latter is derived from quantum mechanical calculation for protein in solution using a recently developed molecular fractionation with conjugate caps-Poisson-Boltzmann (MFCC-PB) approach and therefore includes electronic polarization effect of the protein at native structure. MD simulations are performed for a number of benchmark proteins containing helix and/or beta sheet secondary structures. The computational result shows that occupancy percentage of hydrogen bonds averaged over simulation time, as well as the number of hydrogen bonds as a function of simulation time, is consistently higher under PPC than AMBER charge. In particular, some intra-protein hydrogen bonds are found broken during MD simulation using AMBER charge but they are stable using PPC. The breaking of some intra-protein hydrogen bonds in AMBER simulation is responsible for deformation or denaturing of some local structures of proteins during MD simulation. The current study provides strong evidence that hydrogen bonding is dynamically more stable using PPC than AMBER charge, highlighting the stabilizing effect of electronic polarization on protein structure.
Direct and ultrasonic measurements of macroscopic piezoelectricity in sintered hydroxyapatite
Authors: Tofail S. A. M. , Haverty D. , Cox F. , Erhart J. , Hána P. , Ryzhenko V.
Published: March 2009

Macroscopic piezoelectricity in hydroxyapatite (HA) ceramic was measured by a direct quasistatic method and an ultrasonic interference technique. The effective symmetry of polycrystalline aggregate was established and a detailed theoretical analysis was carried out to determine by these two methods the shear piezoelectric coefficient, d14, of HA. Piezoelectric nature of HA was proved qualitatively although a specific quantitative value for the d14 coefficient could not be established. Ultrasound method was also employed to anisotropic elastic constants, which agreed well with those measured from the first principles.
Photoluminescence and band gap modulation in graphene oxide
Authors: Luo Zhengtang , Vora Patrick M. , Mele Eugene J. , Johnson A. T. Charlie , Kikkawa James M.
Published: March 2009

We report broadband visible photoluminescence from solid graphene oxide, and modifications of the emission spectrum by progressive chemical reduction. The data suggest a gapping of the two-dimensional electronic system by removal of π-electrons. We discuss possible gapping mechanisms, and propose that a Kekule pattern of bond distortions may account for the observed behavior.
Conformational characteristics of β-glucan in laminarin probed by terahertz spectroscopy
Authors: Shin Hee Jun , Oh Seung Jae , Kim Sung In , Won Kim Ha , Son Joo-Hiuk
Published: March 2009

We measured the binding-state-dependent power absorptions, refractive indices, and dielectric constants of triple-stranded helices (TSHs) and single-stranded helices (SSHs) β-glucans in laminarin using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (TDS). The SSH β-glucan was obtained from a TSH β-glucan laminarin by a chemical treatment with NaOH solution. The power absorption of TSH β-glucan increased more rapidly than that of the SSH β-glucan with the frequency increment. The refractive index and dielectric constants of TSH β-glucan were also larger than those of the SSH β-glucan. This result implies that terahertz-TDS is a very effective method in classifying the conformational state of β-glucans.
ASSEMBLAGES, TRANSLATION, AND INTERMEDIARIES IN SOUTH EAST EUROPE
Authors: Lendvai Noémi , Stubbs Paul
Published: March 2009

International and transnational processes pose distinctive challenges to the traditional boundaries and conceptual frameworks of the discipline of social policy. International actors can no longer simply be ‘added on’ to traditional national studies. Rather, a new vocabulary and epistemology is needed to capture the complexity and liminality of the encounters between actors, sites, discourses, scales and contexts. In this text, based on empirical insights from South East Europe, we interrogate the ways in which various kinds of network-based organisations, and new intermediaries have effectively depoliticised social policy, whilst emphasising the possibilities of a new internationalisation of political struggles and mobilisations.
Maternal Sensitivity and the Learning‐Promoting Effects of Depressed and Nondepressed Mothers' Infant‐Directed Speech
Authors: Kaplan Peter S. , Burgess Aaron P. , Sliter Jessica K. , Moreno Amanda J.
Published: March 2009

The hypothesis that aspects of current mother‐infant interactions predict an infant's response to maternal infant‐directed speech (IDS) was tested. Relative to infants of nondepressed mothers, those of depressed mothers acquired weaker voice‐face associations in response to their own mothers' IDS in a conditioned‐attention paradigm, although this was partially attributable to demographic differences between the 2 groups. The extent of fundamental frequency modulation (ΔF0) in maternal IDS was smaller for infants of depressed than nondepressed mothers, but did not predict infant learning. However, Emotional Availability Scale ratings of maternal sensitivity, coded from videotapes of mothers and infants engaged in a brief play interaction, were significant predictors of infant learning, even after maternal depression, its demographic correlates, and antidepressant medication use had been taken into account. These findings are consistent with a role for experience‐dependent processes in determining the effects of IDS on infant learning.
TetrahymenaMeiotic Nuclear Reorganization Is Induced by a Checkpoint Kinase–dependent Response to DNA Damage
Authors: Loidl Josef , Mochizuki Kazufumi
Published: March 2009

In the ciliate Tetrahymena, meiotic micronuclei (MICs) undergo extreme elongation, and meiotic pairing and recombination take place within these elongated nuclei (the “crescents”). We have previously shown that elongation does not occur in the absence of Spo11p-induced DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). Here we show that elongation is restored in spo11Δ mutants by various DNA-damaging agents including ones that may not cause DSBs to a notable extent. MIC elongation following Spo11p-induced DSBs or artificially induced DNA lesions is probably a DNA-damage response mediated by a phosphokinase signal transduction pathway, since it is suppressed by the ATM/ATR kinase inhibitors caffeine and wortmannin and by knocking out Tetrahymena's ATR orthologue. MIC elongation occurs concomitantly with the movement of centromeres away from the telomeric pole of the MIC. This DNA damage–dependent reorganization of the MIC helps to arrange homologous chromosomes alongside each other but is not sufficient for exact pairing. Thus, Spo11p contributes to bivalent formation in two ways: by creating a favorable spatial disposition of homologues and by stabilizing pairing by crossovers. The polarized chromosome orientation inside the crescent resembles the conserved meiotic bouquet, and crescent and bouquet also share the putative function of aiding meiotic pairing. However, they are regulated differently because in Tetrahymena, DSBs are required for entering rather than exiting this stage.
Does horizontal transmission invalidate cultural phylogenies?
Authors: Greenhill Simon J. , Currie Thomas E. , Gray Russell D.
Published: March 2009

Phylogenetic methods have recently been applied to studies of cultural evolution. However, it has been claimed that the large amount of horizontal transmission that sometimes occurs between cultural groups invalidates the use of these methods. Here, we use a natural model of linguistic evolution to simulate borrowing between languages. The results show that tree topologies constructed with Bayesian phylogenetic methods are robust to realistic levels of borrowing. Inferences about divergence dates are slightly less robust and show a tendency to underestimate dates. Our results demonstrate that realistic levels of reticulation between cultures do not invalidate a phylogenetic approach to cultural and linguistic evolution.
Cellular and humoral immunodepression in vultures feeding upon medicated livestock carrion
Authors: Lemus Jesús A. , Blanco Guillermo
Published: March 2009

Veterinary pharmaceuticals contained in dead livestock may be ingested by avian scavengers and negatively affect their health and consequently their population dynamics and conservation. We evaluated the potential role of antibiotics as immunodepressors using multiple parameters measuring the condition of the cellular and humoral immune system in griffon (
Gyps fulvus
), cinereous (
Aegypius monachus
) and Egyptian vultures (
Neophron percnopterus
). We confirmed the presence of circulating antimicrobial residues, especially quinolones, in nestlings of the three vulture species breeding in central Spain. Individuals ingesting antibiotics showed clearly depressed cellular and humoral immune systems compared with nestlings from the control areas, which did not ingest antibiotics. Within central Spain, we found that individuals with circulating antibiotics showed depressed cellular (especially CD4
+
and CD8
+
T-lymphocyte subsets) and humoral (especially acellular APV complement and IL8-like) immune systems compared with nestlings without circulating antibiotics. This suggests that ingestion of antibiotics together with food may depress the immune system of developing nestlings, temporarily reducing their resistance to opportunistic pathogens, which require experimental confirmation. Medicated livestock carrion should be considered inadequate food for vultures due to their detrimental consequences on health derived from the ingestion and potential effects of the veterinary drugs contained in them and for this reason rejected as a management tool in conservation programmes.
Going to great lengths: selection for long corolla tubes in an extremely specialized bat–flower mutualism
Authors: Muchhala Nathan , Thomson James D.
Published: March 2009

In a hypothesis that has remained controversial since its inception, Darwin suggested that long-tubed flowers and long-tongued pollinators evolved together in a coevolutionary race, with each selecting for increasing length in the other. Although the selective pressures that flowers impose on tongue length are relatively straightforward, in that longer tongues allow access to more nectar, selective pressures that pollinators impose on flower length are less clear. Here, we test for such selective pressures in the highly specialized mutualism between the nectar bat
Anoura fistulata
, which can extend its tongue twice as far as other nectar bats, and
Centropogon nigricans
, which has flowers of a similar length (8–9 cm). We used flight cage experiments to examine the effects of artificially manipulated flower lengths on (i) bat behaviour and (ii) pollen transfer. Increased length produced longer visits, but did not affect the force bats applied during visits. In the second experiment, flower length increased both the male and female components of flower function: long male flowers delivered more pollen grains and long female flowers received more pollen grains. However, pollen transfer was not correlated with visit duration, so the mechanism behind differences in pollen transfer remains unclear. By demonstrating that bats select for increasing flower length, these results are consistent with the hypothesis that
A. fistulata
evolved its remarkable tongue in a coevolutionary race with long-tubed flowers similar to that envisioned by Darwin.
Cooperative NCoR/SMRT interactions establish a corepressor-based strategy for integration of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory signaling pathways
Authors: Ghisletti Serena , Huang Wendy , Jepsen Kristen , Benner Chris , Hardiman Gary , Rosenfeld Michael G. , Glass Christopher K.
Published: March 2009

Innate immune responses to bacterial or viral infection require rapid transition of large cohorts of inflammatory response genes from poised/repressed to actively transcribed states, but the underlying repression/derepression mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we report that, while the nuclear receptor corepressor (NCoR) and silencing mediator of retinoic acid and thyroid hormone receptor (SMRT) corepressors establish repression checkpoints on broad sets of inflammatory response genes in macrophages and are required for nearly all of the transrepression activities of liver X receptors (LXRs), they can be selectively recruited via c-Jun or the Ets repressor Tel, respectively, establishing NCoR-specific, SMRT-specific, and NCoR/SMRT-dependent promoters. Unexpectedly, the binding of NCoR and SMRT to NCoR/SMRT-dependent promoters is frequently mutually dependent, establishing a requirement for both proteins for LXR transrepression and enabling inflammatory signaling pathways that selectively target NCoR or SMRT to also derepress/activate NCoR/SMRT-dependent genes. These findings reveal a combinatorial, corepressor-based strategy for integration of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory signals that play essential roles in immunity and homeostasis.
Bladder cancer: modeling and translation: Table 1.
Authors: Rosenberg Jonathan E. , Hahn William C.
Published: March 2009

Transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder is a common malignancy worldwide that is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Although superficial tumors can often be treated effectively, invasive cancers not only require invasive surgery, but are also refractory to aggressive chemotherapy and radiotherapy. In this issue of Genes & Development, Puzio-Kuter and colleagues (pp. 675–680) describe an elegant genetically engineered murine model of bladder cancer that recapitulates many of the cardinal features of the human disease. The development of such models together with the application of new approaches to enumerate the complement of genetic alterations in bladder will provide new insights into the molecular nature of this disease. Moreover, the anatomy of this urinary malignancy provides a unique opportunity for innovative translational studies.
A large-scale functional RNAi screen reveals a role for CK2 in the mammalian circadian clock
Authors: Maier Bert , Wendt Sabrina , Vanselow Jens T. , Wallach Thomas , Reischl Silke , Oehmke Stefanie , Schlosser Andreas , Kramer Achim
Published: March 2009

Post-translational processes are essential for the generation and dynamics of mammalian circadian rhythms. In particular, phosphorylation of the key circadian protein PER2 precisely controls the period and phase of circadian oscillations. However, the mechanisms underlying that control are poorly understood. Here, we identified in a high-throughput RNAi-based genetic screen casein kinase 2 (CK2) as a PER2-phosphorylating kinase and novel component of the mammalian circadian clock. When CK2 subunits are silenced by RNAi or when CK2 activity is inhibited pharmacologically, circadian rhythms are disrupted. CK2 binds to PER2 in vivo, phosphorylates PER2 specifically at N-terminal residues in vitro, and supports normal nuclear PER2 accumulation. Mutation of CK2 phosphorylation sites decreases PER2 stability and copies CK2 inhibition regarding oscillation dynamics. We propose a new concept of how PER2 phosphorylation and stabilization can set the clock speed in opposite directions, dependent on the phase of action.
Rice Virescent3 and Stripe1 Encoding the Large and Small Subunits of Ribonucleotide Reductase Are Required for Chloroplast Biogenesis during Early Leaf Development
Authors: Yoo Soo-Cheul , Cho Sung-Hwan , Sugimoto Hiroki , Li Jinjie , Kusumi Kensuke , Koh Hee-Jong , Iba Koh , Paek Nam-Chon
Published: March 2009

The virescent3 (v3) and stripe1 (st1) mutants in rice (Oryza sativa) produce chlorotic leaves in a growth stage-dependent manner under field conditions. They are temperature-conditional mutants that produce bleached leaves at a constant 20°C or 30°C but almost green leaves under diurnal 30°C/20°C conditions. Here, we show V3 and St1, which encode the large and small subunits of ribonucleotide reductase (RNR), RNRL1, and RNRS1, respectively. RNR regulates the rate of deoxyribonucleotide production for DNA synthesis and repair. RNRL1 and RNRS1 are highly expressed in the shoot base and in young leaves, and the expression of the genes that function in plastid transcription/translation and in photosynthesis is altered in v3 and st1 mutants, indicating that a threshold activity of RNR is required for chloroplast biogenesis in developing leaves. There are additional RNR homologs in rice, RNRL2 and RNRS2, and eukaryotic RNRs comprise α  2  β  2 heterodimers. In yeast, RNRL1 interacts with RNRS1 (RNRL1:RNRS1) and RNRL2:RNRS2, but no interaction occurs between other combinations of the large and small subunits. The interacting activities are RNRL1:RNRS1 > RNRL1:rnrs1(st1) > rnrl1(v3):RNRS1 > rnrl1(v3):rnrs1(st1), which correlate with the degree of chlorosis for each genotype. This suggests that missense mutations in rnrl1(v3) and rnrs1(st1) attenuate the first αβ dimerization. Moreover, wild-type plants exposed to a low concentration of an RNR inhibitor, hydroxyurea, produce chlorotic leaves without growth retardation, reminiscent of v3 and st1 mutants. We thus propose that upon insufficient activity of RNR, plastid DNA synthesis is preferentially arrested to allow nuclear genome replication in developing leaves, leading to continuous plant growth.
Unusual mid‐shaft fractures during long‐term bisphosphonate therapy
Authors: Odvina Clarita V. , Levy Shiri , Rao Sudhir , Zerwekh Joseph E. , Rao D. S.
Published: March 2009

Background  Bisphosphonates are the most commonly prescribed medications for the treatment of osteoporosis. Although existing evidence supports a good safety profile, there is concern that chronic administration of these agents could result in severe suppression of bone turnover with increased risk of nonvertebral fractures.

Objective  The objective of this study was to report the clinical presentation, selected bone histomorphometry and X‐ray images of patients who developed mid‐shaft long bone fractures during bisphosphonate therapy, six of whom had bone biopsy for histomorphometery.

Results  Of the 13 patients who sustained atraumatic mid‐shaft fractures, 10 were on alendronate and three were on risedronate therapy before the fractures. In addition to bisphosphonates, three patients were on oestrogen and two on tamoxifen concomitantly. Four patients with glucocorticoid‐induced osteoporosis were on alendronate for 3–11 years along with glucocorticoid therapy. Bone histomorphometry showed severe suppression of bone turnover in five patients and low bone turnover in one patient.

Conclusion  Long‐term bisphosphonate therapy may increase the risk of unusual long bone mid‐shaft fractures. This is probably due to prolonged suppression of bone turnover, which could lead to accumulation of microdamage and development of hypermineralized bone. At present, the scope of this complication in the larger context of patients receiving bisphosphonate therapy remains unknown, but appears to be small.
Comparison of three doses of leuprolide acetate in the treatment of central precocious puberty: preliminary results
Authors: Mericq Verónica , Lammoglia Juan Javier , Unanue Nancy , Villaroel Claudio , Hernández María Isabel , Ávila Alejandra , Iñiguez Germán , Klein Karen Oerter
Published: March 2009

Objective  Depot luteinizing‐hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist have been widely used for the treatment of central precocious puberty (CPP), but the optimal doses to obtain hormonal suppression are still unknown, especially in patients with higher weights. The goal of our study was to compare the efficacy of three leuprolide acetate (LA) preparations, suppressing gonadotropin secretion in patients with CPP.

Design  In an open 12‐month protocol, we evaluated LA 7·5 mg/month, 11·25 and 22·5 every 3 months.

Patients  Fourteen girls with CPP and weights over 30 kg.

Measurements: Clinical, radiological and laboratory follow‐up: GnRH test plus LH, FSH 40 min post analogue was performed periodically.

Results  Pretreatment basal and LHRH stimulated LH levels between groups were not different. Basal and LHRH stimulated LH levels decreased significantly between baseline and from 3 up to 12 months of therapy in all groups (P = 0·001). GnRH stimulated LH peak <2 IU/l, the main efficacy criterion was met in 80, 75 and 100% of the children at 6 months in the 7·5, 11·25, 22·5 mg doses respectively. By 12 months, 100% of patients had LH suppressed to <2 IU/l.

Conclusions  These results affirm that 3‐month injections may be a satisfactory alternative for the therapy of children with CPP to avoid monthly injections. In addition, suppression of LH occurs sooner in the 3‐month 22·5 mg LA dose compared to the 3‐month 11·5 mg; therefore, adequate dosing may be important for optimal outcome. Further investigation is needed in more patients over 30 kg, with longer treatment duration, and ultimately final height consideration.
Assessing user satisfaction and hospital pharmacy practice: application to an individualized dispensing system in a French military teaching hospital
Authors: Dussart Claude , Dussart Sophie , Almeras David , Camal Isabelle , Grelaud Gilles
Published: March 2009

Rationale and aims  Hospital pharmacy aims at optimizing pharmaceutical care practice. Classically, assessing patient's satisfaction is required. Same manner, for a service provider such as a hospital pharmacy, it is necessary to evaluate the satisfaction of its customers: physicians, nurses and pharmacy staff. The aim of this paper was to assess user satisfaction with an individualized dispensing system.

Method  A survey including 14 close‐ended and 1 open‐ended questions was repeated at several years' distance in a French military teaching hospital. Questionnaires were administered anonymously to the different actors involved: physicians, nurses, pharmacy staff.

Results  Fifty‐seven users of an individualized dispensing system (29 nurses, 18 physicians and 10 pharmacy staff) were included in the survey. At the level of the establishment, users' opinion about the system was positive. None of the dimensions studied concerning the pharmaceutical service was rated negatively. Overall user opinion about the computer system was the only parameter rated negatively. In total, most dimensions were judged satisfactory: confidence in the individualized dispensing system, time of delivery at the care unit, impact on cost control, quality of the presentation of unit doses and performance of respondents. The benefit for the patients was judged very satisfactory. The workload involved, the frequency and severity of errors, the serviceability of the information processing system and its impact on patient safety were judged fairly satisfactory. Finally, the quality of pharmaceutical information was rated average.

Conclusions  An evaluation of a service or a practice should include an assessment of how well the service meets the needs of the user and how well the service is provided. A comprehensive, reliable and valid instrument for assessing user's satisfaction with individualized dispensing system is then available in our hospital. This paper demonstrated the interest of using simple and robust tools in professional practice.
Occupational therapy in emergency departments: Australian practice
Authors: Cusick Anne , Johnson Lucinda , Bissett Michelle
Published: March 2009

Background  Some emergency departments (EDs) in the UK, North America and Australia have provided occupational therapy (OT) services for over 10 years; however, little is known about practice patterns as previous literature has focussed on single programmes or the generic contribution of allied health multidisciplinary teams to ED throughput and safe discharge.

Aim  To describe practice patterns of OT services in Australian EDs.

Method  Of 129 Australian public hospital EDs, 41 were identified to have offered OT services in the past 5 years (32%). Using snowball sampling an investigator designed survey was sent to 51 occupational therapists who were identified to have worked in these EDs in the past 5 years.

Findings  30 subjects (58% response rate) from 21 sites participated. Mean age 30.4, 29 females, one male and an average of 9‐year clinical experience. OT service was usually provided within multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary teams by full‐time employed staff and patients were overwhelmingly Australian Triage Scale level 4 or 5 and were over 65 years. Few standardized assessment or outcome measures were used. The OT role was consistently focussed on functional assessment and provision of interventions such as equipment prescription, patient education and referral to community and support services to ensure safe discharge or inform inpatient admission decisions.
Analysing the SF‐36 in population‐based research. A comparison of methods of statistical approaches using chronic pain as an example
Authors: Torrance Nicola , Smith Blair H. , Lee Amanda J. , Aucott Lorna , Cardy Amanda , Bennett Michael I.
Published: March 2009

Background  The Medical Outcomes Study 36 Item Short‐Form (SF‐36) questionnaire is one of the most widely used measures of health related quality of life in medical research, including studies on pain‐related conditions. Although scores in each of its eight domains rarely conform to a normal distribution, it is most widely analysed using simple parametric statistical techniques. Some have suggested a need for more complex or non‐parametric analytical approaches, and this quandary faces researchers recurrently when using the SF‐36. In this study of chronic pain, we compared results arising from the SF‐36 between three study sub‐samples, using conventional parametric, non‐parametric, bootstrapping and log transforming methods.

Methods  Respondents to a postal survey conducted in Aberdeen, Leeds and London (n = 3002, response rate 52%) were categorized in three groups according to previously validated questionnaires: those with chronic pain of predominantly neuropathic origin (POPNO, n = 241), those with chronic pain (non‐POPNO, n = 1179), and those with no chronic pain (n = 1537). SF‐36 scores were compared between these groups, using: ANOVA and t‐tests; Kruskall–Wallis and Mann–Whitney U‐tests; bootstrapping methods; and log transformation with ANOVA.

Results  There were highly significant differences between the three groups, with lower scores in all SF‐36 domains found those with chronic pain (P < 0.001). Those with chronic POPNO had lower scores in all domains than those with chronic pain (non‐POPNO) (P < 0.001). These results were the same after applying each statistical method

Conclusions  In this study, the choice of statistical approach had no influence on the results. We conclude that the conventional approach, using straightforward parametric tests, is both simplest and the best for allowing comparison with other studies. We are likely to adopt this in future studies.
Management of urinary incontinence in general practice: data from the Second Dutch National Survey
Authors: Van Gerwen Maaike A.G. , Schellevis Francois G. , Lagro‐Janssen Antoine L.M.
Published: March 2009

Objective  The aim of this study was to provide insight into the referral pattern of newly diagnosed patients with urinary incontinence in general practice and into the prescription of medication and incontinence pads by general practitioners (GPs). We also examined the influence of gender and age of patient/GP on these patterns.

Methods  Data were obtained from the Second Dutch National Survey of General Practice. We used registered new episodes for urinary incontinence of patients of 25 years and older in the year 2001 and examined the initial management.

Results  Twelve per cent of the patients were referred to a physiotherapist, 2.4% to a gynaecologist and 2.9% to a urologist. Medication was prescribed to 9.8% and 12.7% received incontinence pads. The number of female patients referred decreased significantly after 60 years of age and the number of incontinence pads and medication prescribed was higher in this age patient group. Gender of the GP did not influence the prescription or referral rate. Male patients were significantly less frequently referred than female patients.

Conclusion  The lower referral rate and higher prescription rate of incontinence pads and medication at older age indicate that GPs are not sufficiently aware of the benefits of pelvic floor muscle training and bladder training at older age.

We did not find an influence of gender of the GP on management of urinary incontinence, unlike previous research. GPs were reluctant in prescribing medication, which is in agreement with national and international guidelines.