bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intravesikale Elektrostimulation zur Behandlung von Blasenfunktionsstörungen
Authors: KÖlle D. , Madersbacher H. , Kiss G. , Mair D.
Published: December 2009

Fragestellung: Wir untersuchten die Wirksamkeit der intravesikalen Elektrostimulation zur Behandlung von BlasenfunktionsstÖrungen nach gynÄkologischen Operationen. Methoden: 19 Patientinnen mit postoperativen BlasenfunktionsstÖrungen (sensorisch und/oder motorisch) wurden elektrostimuliert. Die Patientinnen wurden vor und nach der Therapie urodynamisch untersucht und Über einen Zeitraum von 6-24 Monaten nachbeobachtet. Ergebnisse: Unter intravesikaler Elektrostimulation besserte sich in alien Fallen eine sensorische BlasenfunktionsstÖrung. Die Restharnmengen (Mittelwert 274 vs. 53 ml; p = 0,0003) und der maximale Detrusordruck bei Miktion (Mittelwert 6 vs. 27 cm H2O; p = 0,0007) verbesserten sich signifikant. Patientinnen, bei denen frÜhzeitig (innerhalb von 6 Wochen nach der Operation) mit der Therapie begonnen wurde, zeigten deutlich gÜnstigere Ergebnisse. Schlussfolgerungen: Die intravesikale Elektrostimulation ist eine zeitaufwendige, aber in vielen Fallen effektive Alternativmethode zur Behandlung von BlasenfunktionsstÖrungen auch nach gynÄkologischen Eingriffen.
,,Wenn ich nur sein Kleid möchte anrühren“ Die Frau mit dem Blutfluss in der frühmittelalterlichen Ikonographie (Mark 5:24b-34parr)
Authors: Baert Barbara
Published: December 2009

Since early-Christian time an iconography has developed around the Haemorrhoïssa which is related to the conventions of Christ's miracles of healing. In the transition from word into image, an intense energy is released with regards to touching, the gaze and space. These iconographical characteristics become sensors of a far broader range of topics, for in the Middle Ages the Haemorrhoïssa was also the bearer of patterns of sensitivity for uterine taboos which were connected to magic, textile and types of stones.
Is Increased Thrombin Activation in Patients With Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms Dependent on Area or Volume of Aneurysm Thrombus Mass?
Authors: Kölbel Tilo , Donath Tobias , Strandberg Karin , Flondell-Sité Despina , Kühme Tobias , Gottsäter Anders , Lindblad Bengt
Published: December 2009

Objectives: Does thrombin activation seen in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) relate to the thrombus surface area or volume within the aneurysm? Patients and methods: A total of 130 patients with AAA were analyzed regarding levels of the complex between activated protein C—protein C inhibitor (APC-PCI) and AAA morphology. Analysis of APC-PCI complex was made using a sandwich immunofluorometric method. Results: Increased APC-PCI concentrations were seen in patients with AAA (0.44 μg/L; P < .001 compared with controls). The correlations of APC-PCI values were r = .13, P = .13 for aneurysm size, r = .08, P = .35 for thrombus surface area, and r = .13, P = .14 for thrombus volume. APC-PCI values elevated to 0.45 μg/L in 10 patients with AAA having no or very little thrombus mass. Conclusion: Disappointingly, no correlation was found between thrombus surface area or volume and levels of the APC-PCI complex. Mechanisms other than the AAA-sac thrombus must be evaluated as cause of thrombin activation in patients with AAA.
Arthrofibrosis after Surgical Fixation of Tibial Eminence Fractures in Children and Adolescents
Authors: Vander Have Kelly L. , Ganley Theodore J. , Kocher Mininder S. , Price Charles T. , Herrera-Soto Jose A.
Published: December 2009

Background

Tibial eminence fractures are rare injuries in children and adolescents. Displaced fractures require reduction and fixation. Operative stabilization can be accomplished with either open or arthroscopic reduction and fixation. Whereas loss of extension has been reported, there are no reports in the literature that quantify loss of motion or provide guidance for treatment.

Purpose

To report a series of patients who developed knee stiffness after operative treatment for displaced tibial eminence fractures.

Study Design

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods

Review of medical records and imaging studies of pediatric patients with displaced tibial eminence fractures who developed arthrofibrosis after surgical intervention.

Results

Thirty-two patients were identified. Twenty-four required reoperation for loss of flexion (n = 9), loss of extension (n = 4), or both (n = 11). Manipulation under anesthesia resulted in distal femoral fractures and subsequent growth arrest in 3 patients. Twenty-nine patients were able to achieve near full knee motion at final follow-up.

Conclusions

Children with tibial spine fractures are at risk for arthrofibrosis. Stabilization of the fracture is important to allow early postoperative rehabilitation. Should stiffness occur, manipulation of the knee should be performed only in conjunction with lysis of adhesions.
Rural-Urban Differences in Breastfeeding Initiation in the United States
Authors: Sparks P. Johnelle
Published: December 2009

Research has noted a rural disadvantage in breastfeeding initiation; however, most previous research has been based on nonrepresentative samples and has been limited in its ability to compare racial/ethnic differences in breastfeeding initiation based on residential location. This research fills this gap by examining a nationally representative sample of births using the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study—Birth Cohort (ECLS—B) to explore associations between rural-urban residence and maternal race/ethnicity on breastfeeding initiation. Results indicate that associations observed for rural-urban breastfeeding initiation differ based on maternal race/ethnicity and poverty status. These patterns likely reflect differences in economic resources, work environments, and social support among rural minority postpartum women. J Hum Lact. 26(2):118-129
Legitimating Leadership in Southern Thai Schools: Considering Local Responses to Neoliberal Reforms
Authors: Maxcy Brendan , Sungtong Ekkarin , Nguyen Thu Suong Thi
Published: December 2009

Mounting religious-ethnic tensions and broad-scale reform have precipitated reconsideration of the mission, traditions, operations and institutional positions of government schools in southern Thailand. The authors report on a study of a dozen schools located in four border provinces adapting to national reforms and regional unrest. The authors find emergent strategies conditioned by reform policies whereby school leaders seek to reorganize, reestablish, and reposition schools in their respective communities. Through a critical analysis of leadership, the authors explore the interplay of local strategies and broader neoliberal reform logics oriented to relegitimate the Thai state. Drawing on work by Robertson and Dale, and James Conroy, we discuss near-term displacement of legitimation crises through neoliberal localization that may prove problematic over the long haul.
Sites of Refuge: Refugees, Religiosity, and Public Schools in the United States
Authors: Collet Bruce A.
Published: December 2009

In this article the author examines public schools in the United States as sites where immigrants and refugees express their religious identities as part of their integration processes. In particular, the author examines the schools as “sites of refuge” for refugee students. Although public schools provide refugees with opportunity for study without regard to race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion (areas of potential persecution under the 1951 UN Convention Regarding the Status of Refugees), owing to their liberal and secular nature they necessarily put constraints on the degree to which students may exercise their particularistic cultural identities. Religion is an area in which such constraints are often most apparent. The article analyzes Will Kymlicka’s theory of polyethnic group rights as a possible framework for both understanding migrant ethnic cultures and integration processes generally, as well as a defense for providing accommodations for the religious identities and religious expressions of immigrant and refugee students. With conditions, the author believes that, by guaranteeing the right to refugee students’ societal culture, polyethnic rights comprise a viable framework for supporting immigrants and refugees in their integration into the United States. However, the framework works only to the degree that it is consistent with and advances liberal ends, including student autonomy and freedom.
From Refuge to Polis: Shifting the Rationale for Religiosity in Schools
Authors: Dippo Don
Published: December 2009

This article responds to Bruce Collet’s article From Refuge to Polis: Shifting the Rationale for Religiosity in Schools.” In this rejoinder my intention is to shift the discussion from school-as-refuge to school-as-polis and to ask whether the integration interests of recent immigrants and refugees might not be better served by a more inclusive approach to religiosity in schools that is less about collective exception and more about social transformation.
Providing reviews of evidence to COPD patients: qualitative study of barriers and facilitating factors to patient-mediated practice change
Authors: Harris Melanie , Wildgoose Deborah , Veale Antony J , Smith Brian J
Published: December 2009

This study aimed to identify barriers and facilitating factors to people with COPD performing the following actions: (a) reading a manual that contained summaries of evidence on treatments used in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and (b) at a medical consultation, asking questions that were provided in the manual and were designed to prompt doctors to review current treatments in the light of evidence. The manual was developed using current best practice and was designed to facilitate reading and discussion with doctors. In-depth interviews were held with patients who had received the manual. Of 125 intervention participants from a controlled clinical trial of the manual, 16 were interviewed in their homes in and around Adelaide, South Australia. Plain language writing and a simple layout facilitated reading of the manual by participants. Where the content matched the interests of participants this also facilitated reading. On the other hand, some participants showed limited interest in the evidence summaries. Participant comments indicated that they did not see it as possible or acceptable for patients to master research evidence or initiate discussions of evidence with doctors. These appeared to be the main barriers to effectiveness of the manual. If evidence summaries for patients are to be used in disease management, they should be understandable and relevant to patients and provide a basis for discussion between patients and doctors. Work is now needed so that we can both present evidence summaries in a way that is relevant to patients and reduce the barriers to patient-initiated discussions of evidence.
Adapted Metacognitive Interpersonal Therapy for Improving Adherence to Intersubjective Contexts in a Person With Schizophrenia
Authors: Salvatore Giampaolo , Procacci Michele , Popolo Raffaele , Nicolò Giuseppe , Carcione Antonino , Semerari Antonio , Dimaggio Giancarlo
Published: December 2009

Deficits in the ability to make sense of mental states both of oneself and others, which we term metacognition, is a key difficulty in persons with schizophrenia and psychotherapy needs to address this deficit in order to be effective. We describe here the steps in the treatment of a young woman meeting the criteria for paranoid schizophrenia. Treatment was aimed at helping her to progressively improve her ability to comprehend mental states in order to reduce the intensity of her delusional beliefs and social withdrawal. She was treated with an adapted version of Metacognitive Interpersonal Therapy, the aims of which were to (a) encourage the reconstruction of autobiographical episodes in order to place symptoms in the context of life episodes; (b) stimulate an understanding of the link between problematic feelings and onset of symptoms; (c) build up psychological links between feelings, inability to understand others’ intentions and delusional reasoning; and (d) prevent social withdrawal. Implications for considering poor metacognition a key target of psychotherapy of schizophrenia are discussed.
Choosing Surgical Lighting in the LED Era
Authors: Knulst Arjan J. , Stassen Laurents P. S. , Grimbergen Cornelis A. , Dankelman Jenny
Published: December 2009

Background. The aim of this study is to evaluate the illumination characteristics of LED lights objectively to ease the selection of surgical lighting. Methods. The illuminance distributions of 5 main and 4 auxiliary lights were measured in 8 clinically relevant scenarios. For each light and scenario, the maximum illuminance Ec (klux) and the size of the light field d10 (mm) were computed. Results. The results showed: that large variations for both Ec (25-160 klux) and d10 (109-300 mm) existed; that using auxiliary lights reduced both Ec and d10 by up to 80% and 30%; that with segmented lights, uneven light distributions occurred; and that with colored LED lights shadow edges on the surgical field became colored. Conclusions. Objective illuminance measurements show a wide variation between lights and a superiority of main over auxiliary lights. Uneven light distributions and colored shadows indicate that LED lights still need to converge to an optimal design.
Gender Differences in Dual Task Gait Performance in Older Adults
Authors: Hollman John H. , Youdas James W. , Lanzino Desiree J.
Published: December 2009

Although attention-dividing dual tasks hinder gait performance in older persons, gender differences in gait have not been examined. The purpose of this study was to examine whether gait performance differs between older men and women during dual task walking. A total of 44 healthy adults (20 men and 24 women) aged 65 years or older participated in the study. Participants walked under normal and dual task (backward spelling) conditions at self-selected speeds. Mean gait speed and stride-to-stride variability in gait speed were quantified with GAITRite ® instrumentation. Whereas gait speed decreased and variability in gait speed increased in both groups during dual task walking, men walked with greater variability during dual task walking than did women. The magnitude of the increase in variability in gait speed observed in men indicates that stride-to-stride variability in gait speed during dual task walking requires more investigation as a potential risk factor for falls in older men.
Use of a medication control officer to reduce bias in a clinical trial: lessons learned from the scleroderma lung study
Authors: Hsu Vivien M , Khanna Dinesh , Smith Edwin , Filemon Tan , Whelton Sean , Lopata Mel , Davis John C , Polito Albert , Heck Louis , Molitor Jerry , Abeles Micha , Granda Jose , Korn Joseph , Clements Philip ,   Scleroderma Lung Study Group
Published: December 2009

Background Scleroderma Lung Study (SLS) was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral cyclophosphamide (CYC) versus placebo taken for 1 year for scleroderma-associated interstitial lung disease. An independent medication control officer (MCO), usually a physician, at each center was assigned to monitor laboratory and clinical toxicity of study medication and regulate its dosing based on these results. By having an MCO who watched and managed toxicity, the study investigators were free to care for study patients and to assess study outcomes without the potential bias of knowing toxicity data (toxicity from cyclophosphamide is distinctive — cytopenias and hematuria in particular).

Purpose To assess the usefulness of an MCO, whose chief role was to maintain safety while retaining the blinding in the clinical trial.

Methods Patients had safety laboratory testing every 2—4 weeks and results were sent directly to the MCO within 2 days of the test. Other clinical adverse events (AEs) were reported by the patient to a nurse coordinator who reported them to the MCO who then managed the AEs to preserve the blinding of investigators caring for the patients. The MCO was provided pre-determined algorithms for dose adjustments of test medication based on the presence and severity of laboratory abnormalities.

Results Safety monitoring by the MCO was effective in the early detection of drug toxicity with provision of appropriate medical intervention on a timely basis. At the same time, investigator blinding appeared to be maintained.

Limitations The testing of MCO effectiveness in maintaining blinding and consistency was not defined as an a priori hypothesis and thus complete data relating to the efficacy of the MCO were not collected in a prospective fashion.

Conclusion An MCO and pre-specified monitoring and dosing guidelines, coupled with uniform pre-specified responses to AEs, may be used effectively to preserve investigator blinding and provide consistency in response to AEs in a clinical trial setting, even when AEs of the test medication are distinctive. Clinical Trials 2010; 7: 85—89. http://ctj.sagepub.com
Capitolunate arthrodesis maintaining carpal height for the treatment of SNAC wrist
Authors: Dimitrios G. , Athanasios K. , Ageliki K. , Spiridon S.
Published: December 2009

The clinical and radiological results of a modified midcarpal fusion technique for scaphoid nonunion advance collapse were retrospectively studied in eight patients. All had partial resection of the proximal part of the fractured scaphoid, limited radial styloidectomy, scaphocapitate and lunocapitate arthrodesis, using a block of iliac crest graft to maintain carpal height. All united without complications and wrist motion, grip strength and carpal height were improved postoperatively. The modified Mayo wrist score at follow-up was 70%. Three patients continued to have some pain and one patient had a poor result.
Long-Term Outcomes of Corrective Osteotomy for the Treatment of Distal Radius Malunion
Authors: Lozano-Calderón S.A. , Brouwer K.M. , Doornberg J.N. , Carel Goslings J. , Kloen P. , Jupiter J.B.
Published: December 2009

Corrective osteotomy is an established but challenging treatment for distal radius malunion. Short- and intermediate-term results have been previously published while long-term results have not. The long-term results of 22 patients treated with corrective osteotomy for symptomatic distal radius malunion are presented (range 6—24 years, mean 13 years). All patients completed the DASH questionnaire and the modified Gartland and Werley, and Green and O’Brien scores postoperatively. Wrist alignment was assessed through standard wrist radiographs. Average wrist flexion—extension was 72.5% of the contralateral limb. Grip strength averaged 71%. The DASH score averaged 16 points corresponding to mild perceived disability. Results were categorized as fair on both the Gartland and Werley score (average 9 points) and the modified Green and O’Brien score (average 67 points). Wrist alignment was maintained over time but 13 patients presented mild to moderate symptomatic wrist arthritis. The outcome presented may be a reflection of the use of stricter evaluation instruments or reflect the development of post-traumatic arthritis.
The Translation of Shareholder Value in the German Business System: A Comparative Study of DaimlerChrysler and Volkswagen AG
Authors: Goutas Lazaros , Lane Christel
Published: December 2009

This article examines the introduction of shareholder value in the German business system. Its main argument is that the idea of shareholder value has been introduced and adopted in different ways by German firms. Divergences are identified both at the discursive level and at the level of organisational structures and practices of corporate governance. They can be understood by applying translation theory to the adoption process. The main tenet of translation theory is that ideas are constantly being modified when they enter new contexts, mainly due to the diversity of actors involved in the process of translation. Translation theory therefore goes beyond traditional diffusion studies, which tend to assume a linear and homogeneous transmission of ideas. The analysis of two German firms, DaimlerChrysler and Volkswagen AG, lends support to the explanatory potency of translation theory.
Identification of novel susceptibility genes in ozone-induced inflammation in mice
Authors: Bauer A.K. , Travis E.L. , Malhotra S.S. , Rondini E.A. , Walker C. , Cho H−Y. , Trivedi S. , Gladwell W. , Reddy S. , Kleeberger S.R.
Published: December 2009

Ozone (O3) remains a prevalent air pollutant and public health concern.Inf2is a significant quantitative trait locus on murine chromosome 17 that contributes to susceptibility to O3-induced infiltration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) into the lung, but the mechanisms of susceptibility remain unclear. The study objectives were to confirm and restrictInf2, and to identify and test novel candidate susceptibility gene(s).

Congenic strains of mice that contained overlapping regions ofInf2and their controls, and mice deficient in either major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II genes or theTnfcluster, were exposed to air or O3. Lung inflammation and gene expression were assessed.

Inf2was restricted from 16.42 Mbp to 0.96 Mbp, and bioinformatic analysis identified MHC class II, theTnfcluster and other genes in this region that contain potentially informative single nucleotide polymorphisms between the susceptible and resistant mice. Furthermore, O3-induced inflammation was significantly reduced in mice deficient in MHC class II genes or theTnfcluster genes, compared with wild-type controls. Gene expression differences were also observed in MHC class II andTnfcluster genes.

This integrative genetic analysis ofInf2led to identification of novel O3susceptibility genes that may provide important, new therapeutic targets in susceptible individuals.
Are smokers with acute cough in primary care prescribed antibiotics more often, and to what benefit? An observational study in 13 European countries
Authors: Stanton N. , Hood K. , Kelly M. J. , Nuttall J. , Gillespie D. , Verheij T. , Little P. , Godycki-Cwirko M. , Goossens H. , Butler C. C.
Published: December 2009

Little is known about actual clinical practice regarding management of smokers compared with ex-smokers and nonsmokers presenting with acute cough in primary care, and whether a lower threshold for prescribing antibiotics benefits smokers.

This was a multicentre 13-country European prospective observational study of primary care clinician management of acute cough in consecutive immunocompetent adults presenting with an acute cough of ≤28 days duration.

There was complete smoking status data for 2,549 out of 3,402 participants. 28% were smokers, 24% ex-smokers and 48% nonsmokers. Smokers and ex-smokers had more chronic respiratory conditions (18.5% and 20.5%versus12.5%). Median symptom severity scores were similar. Smokers were prescribed antibiotics more frequently (60%) than ex-smokers (51%) and nonsmokers (53%). After adjusting for clinical presentation and patient characteristics, the odds ratio of being prescribed antibiotics for smokers compared with nonsmokers was 1.44 (95% CI 1.12–1.86; p = 0.005). Patient recovery was not significantly different for smokers and nonsmokers, after adjusting for clinical presentation and patient characteristics.

Smoking status was used as an independent factor to determine whether or not to prescribe an antibiotic. Being prescribed an antibiotic was not associated with recovery in smokers.
Increased liver regeneration rate and decreased liver function after synchronous liver and colon resection in rats
Authors: Sasanuma Hideki , Mortensen Frank Viborg , Knudsen Anders Riegels , Funch-Jensen Peter , Okada Masaki , Nagai Hideo , Yasuda Yoshikazu
Published: December 2009

Background

The surgical strategy for the treatment of colorectal cancer and synchronous liver metastases remains controversial. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of colonic resection on liver function and regeneration in a rat model.

Methods

Ninety-six Sprague-Dawley rats were block-randomized into six groups: Group I had a laparotomy performed. Group II had 1 cm colon resected and anastomosed. Group III and V had 40% or 70% of the liver resected, respectively. Additionally Group IV and VI had 1 cm colon resected and anastomosed, respectively. Body weight was recorded on postoperative day 0, 3, 5 and 7. Rats were sacrificed on postoperative day 7 by rapid collection of blood from the inferior vena cava, and endotoxin levels were measured. Remnant liver function was evaluated by means of branched amino acids to tyrosine ratio. Liver regeneration was calculated by (liver weight per 100 g of the body weight at sacrifice/preoperative projected liver weight per 100 g of the body weight) × 100.

Results

The total number of complications was significantly higher in Group VI than Group I, III, IV, and V. Body weight and branched amino acids to tyrosine ratio were both significantly lower in rats that had simultaneous colonic and liver resection performed. Hepatic regeneration rate was significantly higher in the simultaneous colectomy group. Systemic endotoxin levels were unaffected by simultaneous colectomy on postoperative day 7.

Conclusions

In our model morbidity seems to be related to the extent of hepatic resection. In rats undergoing liver resection, simultaneous colectomy induced a higher degree of hepatic regeneration rate. Body weight changes and branched amino acids to tyrosine ratio were negatively affected by simultaneous colectomy.
Regular Pacemaker Activity Characterizes Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone 2 Neurons Recorded from Green Fluorescent Protein-Transgenic Medaka
Authors: Kanda Shinji , Nishikawa Kei , Karigo Tomomi , Okubo Kataaki , Isomae Shoko , Abe Hideki , Kobayashi Daisuke , Oka Yoshitaka
Published: December 2009

GnRH2 is a molecule conserved from fish to humans, suggesting its important functions. However, recent studies have shown that GnRH2 neurons project widely in the brain but not to the pituitary, which suggests their functions other than stimulation of gonadotropin secretion. In contrast to the wealth of knowledge in GnRH1 and GnRH3 neuronal systems, the GnRH2 neuronal system remains to be studied, and there has been no single cell approach so far, partly because of the lack of GnRH2 system in rodents. Here, we generated GnRH2-green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgenic medaka for the first single cell electrophysiological recording from GnRH2 neurons in vertebrates. Whole-cell and on-cell patch clamp analyses revealed their regular pacemaker activities that are intrinsic to the GnRH2 neurons. Pacemaker activities of GnRH2 neurons were not peculiar to medaka because dwarf gourami GnRH2 neurons also showed similar pacemaker activities. By comparing with spontaneous action currents from GFP-expressing GnRH1 and GnRH3 neurons in the adult transgenic medaka, which were already in our hands, we have demonstrated that GnRH2 neurons show pacemaker activity similar to nonhypophysiotropic GnRH3 neurons but not to hypophysiotropic GnRH1 neurons. Thus, by taking advantage of medaka brain, which has all three GnRH neuronal systems with different axonal projection patterns and thus different functions, we have gained insights into the close relationship between the pattern of spontaneous electrical activity and the functions of the three. Moreover, the three types of GnRH-GFP transgenic medaka will provide useful models for studying multifunctional GnRH systems in future.
Geometric Convergence of Genetic Algorithms Under Tempered Random Restart
Authors: Mendivil F. , Shonkwiler R. , Spruill M. C.
Published: December 2009

Geometric convergence to 0 of the probability that the goal has not been encountered by the nth generation is established for a class of genetic algorithms. These algorithms employ a quickly decreasing mutation rate and a crossover which restarts the algorithm in a controlled way depending on the current population and restricts execution of this crossover to occasions when progress of the algorithm is too slow. It is shown that without the crossover studied here, which amounts to a tempered restart of the algorithm, the asserted geometric convergence need not hold.
Gaps in Discrete Random Samples
Authors: Grübel Rudolf , Hitczenko Paweł
Published: December 2009

Let (Xi)i∈ℕ be a sequence of independent and identically distributed random variables with values in the set ℕ0
of nonnegative integers. Motivated by applications in enumerative combinatorics and analysis of algorithms we investigate the number of gaps and the length of the longest gap in the set {X1,…,Xn} of the first n values. We obtain necessary and sufficient conditions in terms of the tail sequence (qk)k∈ℕ0,
qk=P(X1≥ k), for the gaps to vanish asymptotically as n→∞: these are ∑k=0∞qk+1/qk <∞ and limk→∞qk+1/qk=0 for convergence almost surely and convergence in probability, respectively. We further show that the length of the longest gap tends to ∞ in probability if qk+1/qk→ 1. For the family of geometric distributions, which can be regarded as the borderline case between the light-tailed and the heavy-tailed situations and which is also of particular interest in applications, we study the distribution of the length of the longest gap, using a construction based on the Sukhatme–Rényi representation of exponential order statistics to resolve the asymptotic distributional periodicities.
Space–Time Duality for Fractional Diffusion
Authors: Baeumer Boris , Meerschaert Mark M. , Nane Erkan
Published: December 2009

Zolotarev (1961) proved a duality result that relates stable densities with different indices. In this paper we show how Zolotarev's duality leads to some interesting results on fractional diffusion. Fractional diffusion equations employ fractional derivatives in place of the usual integer-order derivatives. They govern scaling limits of random walk models, with power-law jumps leading to fractional derivatives in space, and power-law waiting times between the jumps leading to fractional derivatives in time. The limit process is a stable Lévy motion that models the jumps, subordinated to an inverse stable process that models the waiting times. Using duality, we relate the density of a spectrally negative stable process with index 1<α<2 to the density of the hitting time of a stable subordinator with index 1/α, and thereby unify some recent results in the literature. These results provide a concrete interpretation of Zolotarev's duality in terms of the fractional diffusion model. They also illuminate a current controversy in hydrology, regarding the appropriate use of space- and time-fractional derivatives to model contaminant transport in river flows.
Perceived vulnerability as a common basis of moral emotions
Authors: Dijker Anton J. M.
Published: December 2009

It is theorized that many moral emotions are triggered when a mechanism for (parental) care is activated by perceived vulnerability, and changes in the care object's well‐being are subsequently evaluated and causally attributed. Participants reported different moral emotions (tenderness, concern, sympathy, guilt, and moral anger) in relation to different photographs of males and females widely differing in age. Using variation between emotion objects, it was shown that emotional reactions were highly intercorrelated and strongly related to perceived vulnerability and aroused protective tendency; with children and elderly arousing the strongest, and adult males the weakest, emotions. Moreover, these intercorrelations largely disappeared when vulnerability and protective tendency were statistically controlled. Theoretical implications are discussed.
Accelerating materials development for photoelectrochemical hydrogen production: Standards for methods, definitions, and reporting protocols
Authors: Chen Zhebo , Jaramillo Thomas F. , Deutsch Todd G. , Kleiman-Shwarsctein Alan , Forman Arnold J. , Gaillard Nicolas , Garland Roxanne , Takanabe Kazuhiro , Heske Clemens , Sunkara Mahendra , McFarland Eric W. , Domen Kazunari , Miller Eric L. , Turner John A. , Dinh Huyen N.
Published: December 2009

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting for hydrogen production is a promising technology that uses sunlight and water to produce renewable hydrogen with oxygen as a by-product. In the expanding field of PEC hydrogen production, the use of standardized screening methods and reporting has emerged as a necessity. This article is intended to provide guidance on key practices in characterization of PEC materials and proper reporting of efficiencies. Presented here are the definitions of various efficiency values that pertain to PEC, with an emphasis on the importance of solar-to-hydrogen efficiency, as well as a flow chart with standard procedures for PEC characterization techniques for planar photoelectrode materials (i.e., not suspensions of particles) with a focus on single band gap absorbers. These guidelines serve as a foundation and prelude to a much more complete and in-depth discussion of PEC techniques and procedures presented elsewhere.
The effect of annealing temperature on the structural, optical, and electrical properties of CdS films
Authors: Metin Hulya , Ari Mehmet , Erat Selma , Durmuş Semra , Bozoklu Mehmet , Braun Artur
Published: December 2009

Cadmium sulfide (CdS) photocatalyst films were grown on glass by chemical bath deposition (pH 9.4, 70 °C) and then annealed in nitrogen from 423 K to 823 K in steps of 100 K. The XRD crystallite size increases in a sigmoidal manner from 60 nm to 100 nm while the optical band gap energy decreases from 2.42 eV to 2.28 eV. This trend is paralleled by the decreasing Urbach energy, but only up to 623 K, where it increases again. This is the temperature where the Cd effectively surpasses the phase transformation from cubic to hexagonal, and the activation energy for electronic transport drops by a factor of nearly two.
New Goodness-of-Fit Tests for Pareto Distributions
Authors: Rizzo Maria L.
Published: December 2009

A new approach to goodness-of-fit for Pareto distributions is introduced. Based on Euclidean distances between sample elements, the family of statistics and tests is indexed by an exponent in (0,2) on Euclidean distance. The corresponding tests are statistically consistent and have excellent performance when applied to heavy-tailed distributions. The exponent can be tailored to the particular Pareto distribution. The goodness-of-fit statistic measures all types of differences between distributions, hence it is also applicable as a minimum distance estimator. Implementation of the test statistics is developed and applied to estimation of the tail index in three well known examples of claims data, and compared with the classical EDF statistics.
Subjects With Early-Onset Type 2 Diabetes Show Defective Activation of the Skeletal Muscle PGC-1α/Mitofusin-2 Regulatory Pathway in Response to Physical Activity
Authors: Hernández-Alvarez María Isabel , Thabit Hood , Burns Nicole , Shah Syed , Brema Imad , Hatunic Mensud , Finucane Francis , Liesa Marc , Chiellini Chiara , Naon Deborah , Zorzano Antonio , Nolan John J.
Published: December 2009

OBJECTIVE

Type 2 diabetes is associated with insulin resistance and skeletal muscle mitochondrial dysfunction. We have found that subjects with early-onset type 2 diabetes show incapacity to increase Vo2max in response to chronic exercise. This suggests a defect in muscle mitochondrial response to exercise. Here, we have explored the nature of the mechanisms involved.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Muscle biopsies were collected from young type 2 diabetic subjects and obese control subjects before and after acute or chronic exercise protocols, and the expression of genes and/or proteins relevant to mitochondrial function was measured. In particular, the regulatory pathway peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor γ coactivator (PGC)-1α/mitofusin-2 (Mfn2) was analyzed.

RESULTS

At baseline, subjects with diabetes showed reduced expression (by 26%) of the mitochondrial fusion protein Mfn2 and a 39% reduction of the α-subunit of ATP synthase. Porin expression was unchanged, consistent with normal mitochondrial mass. Chronic exercise led to a 2.8-fold increase in Mfn2, as well as increases in porin, and the α-subunit of ATP synthase in muscle from control subjects. However, Mfn2 was unchanged after chronic exercise in individuals with diabetes, whereas porin and α-subunit of ATP synthase were increased. Acute exercise caused a fourfold increase in PGC-1α expression in muscle from control subjects but not in subjects with diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrate alterations in the regulatory pathway that controls PGC-1α expression and induction of Mfn2 in muscle from patients with early-onset type 2 diabetes. Patients with early-onset type 2 diabetes display abnormalities in the exercise-dependent pathway that regulates the expression of PGC-1α and Mfn2.
Missed Insulin Boluses for Snacks in Youth With Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: VanderWel Brandon W. , Messer Laurel H. , Horton Lauren A. , McNair Bryan , Cobry Erin C. , McFann Kim K. , Chase H. Peter
Published: December 2009

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of missed insulin boluses for snacks in youth with type 1 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Three months of simultaneous continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion and continuous glucose monitoring data from nine subjects were retrospectively evaluated. Glucose excursions between 1330 and 1700 h were defined as relating to snacks with insulin or snacks with no insulin administered. Area under the curve >180 mg/dl (AUC >180), average Δ glucose, and rate of change were analyzed and compared within and between groups.

RESULTS

A total of 94 snacks without insulin and 101 snacks with insulin were analyzed. Snacks without insulin had significantly higher log (AUC >180 + 1) (1.26 vs. 0.44 mg/dl per event; P < 0.001), Δ glucose (114 vs. 52 mg/dl; P < 0.001), and average rate of change (1.3 vs. 1.1 mg/dl per minute; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that afternoon snacks without insulin boluses are common and result in significantly higher glucose excursions than snacks with insulin administration.
Synthesis of novel phenyl substituted dibenzonaphthyridines
Authors: Manoj Manickam , Prasad Karnam Jayaramapillai Rajendra
Published: December 2009

The reaction of 2,4-dichloroquinolines with 2-amino-5-chlorobenzophenone yielded 2-[(2-benzoyl-4-chlorophenyl) amino]-4-chloroquinolines which with sodium methoxide afforded 2-[(2-benzoyl-4-chlorophenyl)amino]-4-methoxyquinolines. These on PPA-catalysed cyclisation gave 2-chloro-12-phenyldibenzo[ b,g][1,8]naphthyridin-11(6 H)-ones. Temperature differences for the formation of the final products were due to the in situ formation of the 2-[(2-benzoyl-4-chlorophenyl)amino]quinolin-4-ones from the chloro and methoxy intermediates. The dibenzonaphthyridin-11-ones were N-methylated at N(6); a methyl group at C(7) was found to hinder the methylation reaction sterically, when a considerably longer reaction time was needed.
α-Enones in heterocyclic synthesis of indazole, thiazine, chromene and quinoline derivatives with their antimicrobial activities
Authors: Sayed Galal H. , Hemdan Magdy M. , Abd-Elhalim Mohamed S. , Sayed Fatma Elzahra M.
Published: December 2009

α-Enones 1a,b react additively with hydrazine hydrate, thiourea, diethyl malonate, malononitrile, as well as ethyl cyanoacetate. Simultaneous cyclisation of the resulting 1:1 adducts yields indazole, thiazine, chromene and quinoline derivatives. The structures of all the synthesised compounds were confirmed by micro analytical and spectral data. The antimicrobial activity of some of the synthesised compounds were tested.
An efficient and reusable polymer-supported palladium catalyst for the Suzuki cross-coupling reactions of aryl halides
Authors: Islam S.M. , Mondal P. , Roy A. Singha , Mondal S. , Mobarak M.
Published: December 2009

A reusable, air-stable polymer-anchored palladium (II) Schiff base complex catalyst, P-[{(NCH)C6H4}Pd(OAc)]2 was prepared and was found to be highly active in Suzuki cross-coupling reactions of aryl halides with phenyl boronic acid in an aqueous medium to give biaryl products in high yields.
Association ofARTS1Gene Polymorphisms with Ankylosing Spondylitis in the Hungarian Population: The rs27044 Variant Is Associated with HLA-B*2705 Subtype in Hungarian Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis
Authors: PAZÁR BORBÁLA , SÁFRÁNY ENIKO , GERGELY PÉTER , SZÁNTÓ SÁNDOR , SZEKANECZ ZOLTÁN , POÓR GYULA
Published: December 2009

Objective.

Associations have been found between ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and polymorphisms in the aminopeptidase regulator of TNFR1 shedding (ARTS1) gene. We studied the association of 5 polymorphisms within theARTS1gene with AS in Hungarian patients. We also investigated the prevalence of HLA-B27 subtypes in the Hungarian population.

Methods.

A case-control study including 297 patients with AS and 200 sex and ethnically matched healthy controls was performed. Patients and controls were genotyped for rs27044, rs17482078, rs10050860, rs30187, and rs2287987 single-nucleotide polymorphisms using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) allelic discrimination. HLA-B27 subtypes were determined with PCR sequence-specific primer (PCR-SSP) technique.

Results.

We observed a significant increase in the minor allele frequency of rs27044 (p = 0.001) in the AS group compared to controls. The minor allele frequencies of rs10050860 (p = 0.006) and rs2287987 (p = 0.002) showed a significant decrease in AS patients compared to controls. Haplotype analysis revealed association of 2 ARTS1 haplotypes with AS in the Hungarian population. We found that HLA-B*2705 was the predominant subtype in Hungarians with AS. Carriage of the G allele of rs27044 was significantly associated with the HLA-B*2705 subtype (p = 0.009) in AS patients.

Conclusion.

We confirmed reported associations ofARTS1gene polymorphisms with AS in a Hungarian cohort study. We found HLA-B*2705 as the predominant subtype in Hungarian AS patients in accord with other studies on Caucasian populations. Our results suggest that theARTS1gene variants together with HLA-B27 strongly contribute to disease susceptibility in patients with AS.
Safety, Tolerability, and Clinical Outcomes after Intraarticular Injection of a Recombinant Adeno-associated Vector Containing a Tumor Necrosis Factor Antagonist Gene: Results of a Phase 1/2 Study
Authors: MEASE PHILIP J. , WEI NATHAN , FUDMAN EDWARD J. , KIVITZ ALAN J. , SCHECHTMAN JOY , TRAPP ROBERT G. , HOBBS KATHRYN F. , GREENWALD MARIA , HOU ANTONY , BOOKBINDER STEPHEN A. , GRAHAM GALEN E. , WIESENHUTTER CRAIG W. , WILLIS LARRY , RUDERMAN ERIC M. , FORSTOT JOSEPH Z. , MARICIC MICHAEL J. , DAO KATHRYN H. , PRITCHARD CHARLES H. , FISKE DARRELL N. , BURCH FRANCIS X. , PRUPAS H. MALIN , ANKLESARIA PERVIN , HEALD ALISON E.
Published: December 2009

Objective.

To assess safety and clinical outcomes in patients with inflammatory arthritis after intraarticular (IA) injection of rAAV2-TNFR:Fc, a recombinant adeno-associated viral vector containing the human tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-immunoglobulin (IgG1) Fc fusion (TNFR:Fc) gene.

Methods.

In this phase 1/2 randomized study, adults with persistent moderate or severe inflammation in a target joint, being treated with or without systemic anti-TNF therapy, received a single IA injection of either rAAV2-TNFR:Fc (1 × 1011, 1 × 1012, or 1 × 1013DNase-resistant particles/ml joint volume) or placebo, followed by open-label rAAV2-TNFR:Fc 12–30 weeks later, depending on when the target joint met predetermined criteria for reinjection.

Results.

127 subjects received the first injection of blinded study drug; 95 subjects received open-label rAAV2-TNFR:Fc. Administration site reactions, consisting of transient mild to moderate increases in tenderness and swelling of the injected joint, occurred after 23/191 (12%) rAAV2-TNFR:Fc injections and were dose-dependent. Rates of other adverse events were not dose-dependent. Notable serious adverse events (SAE) included culture-negative septic arthritis in a subject receiving leflunomide and fatal disseminated histoplasmosis considered unrelated to rAAV2-TNFR:Fc in a subject receiving adalimumab. In the phase 2 portion of the study, a 30% decrease in target joint global visual analog scale was observed in 21/50 (42%) rAAV2-TNFR:Fc subjects and 3/16 (19%) placebo subjects 12 weeks after first injection (p = 0.14).

Conclusion.

IA rAAV2-TNFR:Fc resulted in administration site reactions after 12% of injections. A fatal SAE, disseminated histoplasmosis, was considered not related to study agent. Patient-reported outcome measures of clinical response showed greater improvement in treated patients than placebo patients.
An elementary approach to the location of the maximum Stirling number(s) of the second kind
Authors: Wegner Horst
Published: December 2009

Auf wie viele Weisen lässt sich eine Menge von

n

Elementen in

k

nicht-leere Teilmengen zerlegen? Die Antwort hierauf liefern die Stirlingschen Zahlen

S(n, k)

zweiter Art, wobei der Zusatz
zweiter Art
historische Gründe hat. Betrachtet man für fest gewähltes

n

die Abhängigkeit der

S(n, k)

von

k

, stellt man fest, dass die

S(n, k)

zunächst zunehmen, ein Maximum erreichen und dann wieder abnehmen. Dabei kann bisher nicht ausgeschlossen werden, dass das Maximum für zwei benachbarte

k

angenommen wird. Die Frage, wo die

S(n, k)

ihr Maximum annehmen, wurde von verschiedenen Autoren mittels asymptotischer Aussagen behandelt. In der vorliegenden Arbeit werden mit elementaren Mitteln exakte Aussagen über die Lage des Maximums gewonnen.
Influence of hysterectomy on fistula formation in women with diverticulitis
Authors: Altman D , Forsgren C , Hjern F , Lundholm C , Cnattingius S , Johansson A L V
Published: December 2009

Background

Diverticulitis is a risk factor for fistula formation but little is known about the influence of hysterectomy in this association. A population-based nationwide matched cohort study was performed to determine the risk of fistula formation in hysterectomized women with, and without, diverticulitis.

Methods

Women who had a hysterectomy between 1973 and 2003, and a matched control cohort, were identified from the Swedish Inpatient Register. Incidence of diverticulitis and fistula surgery was determined by cross-linkage to the Register, and risk was estimated using a Cox regression model.

Results

In a cohort of 168 563 hysterectomized and 614 682 non-hysterectomized women (mean follow-up 11·0 and 11·5 years respectively), there were 14 051 cases of diverticulitis and 851 fistulas. Compared with women who had neither hysterectomy nor diverticulitis, the risk of fistula surgery increased fourfold in hysterectomized women without diverticulitis (hazard ratio (HR) 4·0 (95 per cent confidence interval (c.i.) 3·5 to 4·7)), sevenfold in non-hysterectomized women with diverticulitis (HR 7·6 (4·8 to 12·1)) and 25-fold in hysterectomized women with diverticulitis (HR 25·2 (15·5 to 41·2)).

Conclusion

Diverticulitis, and to a lesser extent hysterectomy, is strongly associated with the risk of fistula formation. Hysterectomized women with diverticulitis have the highest risk of developing surgically managed fistula.