bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aiming for Efficiency Rather than Proficiency
Authors: Neal Derek
Published: August 2010

The No Child Left Behind law is flawed for many reasons, but the most important is that it is built around proficiency targets. Proficiency rates are not useful metrics of school performance because universal proficiency is not a socially efficient goal for principals and teachers. Further, the variation in proficiency rates among schools reflects, in large part, interschool differences in student background characteristics. The designers of accountability systems must move away from systems designed around a one-size-fits-all standard and begin designing systems that organize and promote competition among schools. Well-organized competition among schools is the best vehicle for making sure that schools use public funds efficiently. If education officials pursue this paradigm, they must develop relative performance measures that assess the outcomes of these contests while making reasonable allowance for differences in student populations served by public schools. I will discuss a method for deriving context-specific measures of school performance. A percentile performance index tells public officials how often the students in a particular school or classroom perform better than students in other schools who began the year in similar circumstances with respect to their prior achievements, the compositions of their classmates, and their family backgrounds. This index of relative performance provides the information policymakers need to make preliminary judgments concerning when to reorganize a given school and give a new staff the opportunity to prove they can do better.
Uneven Growth: A Framework for Research in Development Economics
Authors: Ray Debraj
Published: August 2010

The textbook paradigm of economywide development rests on the premise of “balanced growth”: that is, on the presumption that all sectors will grow in unison over time as a country gets richer. Of course, we would all agree that balanced growth is an abstraction. In many developing countries, economic growth has been fundamentally uneven. The question really is not whether growth is balanced—it isn't—but whether the abstraction is a useful one. For many important development questions, I believe the answer is no. This is why I would like to take the reality of “uneven growth” seriously and use it as an organizing device for a research program. I divide my research agenda into roughly two parts: the sources and nature of uneven growth, and the reactions to uneven growth—how forces are set in motion to restore balance or perhaps even to thwart the growth process. To help us think about the effects of uneven growth, I present a version of Albert Hirschmann's tunnel parable: You're in a multi-lane tunnel, all lanes in the same direction, and you're caught in a serious traffic jam. After a while, the cars in the other lane begin to move. Do you feel better or worse? At first, movement in the other lane may seem like a good sign: you hope that your turn to move will come soon, and indeed that might happen. However, if the other lane keeps whizzing by, with no gaps to enter and with no change on your lane, your reactions may well become quite negative. Unevenness without corresponding redistribution can be tolerated or even welcomed if it raises expectations everywhere, but it will be tolerated for only so long. Thus, uneven growth will set forces in motion to restore a greater degree of balance, even (in some cases) actions that may thwart the growth process itself.
Sublingual and submandibular blood collection in mice: a comparison of effects on body weight, food consumption and tissue damage
Authors: Heimann Maike , Roth Daniel Robert , Ledieu David , Pfister Rudolf , Classen Werner
Published: August 2010

In a large number of animal experiments, blood collection is crucial for achieving the study aim. Requirements on sampling techniques used include their practicability, their effectiveness in terms of obtaining the desired blood volume, sample quality and low impact on animal's wellbeing. Numerous methods for blood collection from mice have been published. For large blood volumes, submandibular and sublingual bleeding was developed as alternatives to the retrobulbar bleeding method, which is considered controversial as it results in severe tissue damage. Only a few studies report the use of submandibular and sublingual techniques in mice. In particular, the degree of tissue damage or influence on animal's wellbeing due to submandibular bleeding in conscious mice has not yet been clearly assessed. This gap in the knowledge base has been filled by our exploratory study that revealed clear differences between both techniques. Defence movements during submandibular blood collection in conscious mice resulted in more complications and revealed insufficient blood sample quality due to the prolonged duration of blood collection. In addition, it is likely that these movements may have caused lesions to be more pronounced. Changes in red blood cell parameters (red blood cell count, haemoglobin and haematocrit), in glucose and in total protein concentrations observed in anaesthetized animals were most likely related to anaesthesia. Sublingually punctured mice gained significantly more body weight than submandibularly punctured mice, likely due to less severe tissue lesions and improved healing processes. Based on these results, we recommend the sublingual blood collection technique to be used in mice. However, if the submandibular bleeding technique is used, it should be performed in anaesthetized mice only.
Multiple personality and the discourse of the multiple in Hollywood cinema
Authors: Trifonova Temenuga
Published: August 2010

Hollywood has been instrumental in the de-pathologization of madness and mental illness through the appropriation of the symptomatic language of one particular mental illness, multiple personality, to create a new genre I call the multiple film: films dealing with multiple stolen,
assumed or mistaken identities, realities or temporalities. Within the old illness model the multiple was the result of trauma; in these films, however, the multiple is both the result of trauma (or of another more mundane problem) and the solution to the trauma/problem. In this article
I suggest some possible reasons for our current fascination with the multiple and for the depathologization of madness, sketch out the characteristics of the new genre of the multiple film, provide some representative examples of the genre and, finally, inquire into possible reasons for the
Hollywood epidemic of the multiple. I argue that in an increasingly mediated culture, narratives involving multiple realities provide an outlet for the anxiety we feel over our passivity and powerlessness. They redeem the negative connotations of multiplicity instability, groundlessness and
relativism by treating multiplicity as a reassuring surplus of possibilities.
Analytical Behaviors of Steel and CFRP Reinforced Concrete Beams in Fire
Authors: Rafi Muhammad Masood , Nadjai Ali
Published: August 2010

The study of thermal behaviors of concrete structures has been an area of great interest to researchers over a long period of time. This paper presents the details of analytical studies, which were carried out in order to investigate high temperature performance of steel or carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) bar reinforced concrete (RC) beams. This performance is considered to be highly dependent on elevated temperature properties of employed materials (i.e., concrete, steel, and FRP), concrete cracking model, and temperature related strain components. The effects of these parameters in relation to the experimental data were studied in order to establish those that are critical for the prediction of fire resistance of steel or FRP RC beams. Constitutive models for temperature dependent thermal expansion coefficient of concrete and steel have been proposed and validated against the recorded beam behaviors. The effects of transient creep strain were found insignificant in the studies presented in this paper. Non-orthogonal and orthogonal crack formations were found to be suitable for steel and CFRP reinforced beams, respectively. A highly non-linear rebar stress distribution was observed at the mid-span of the beam. Compressive stresses were produced in the steel bars, owing to their restrained thermal dilatation during heating.
Designing Stormwater Chambers to Meet AASHTO Specifications
Authors: McGrath Timothy J. , Mailhot David
Published: August 2010

Thermoplastic stormwater chambers have been successfully used on many projects to meet current federal regulations controlling discharges from newly developed sites. These structures are commonly located under parking lots or roadways and subjected to vehicular loads on a regular basis. Given this application, it is logical to design these structures for loads specified in the AASHTO LRFD Specifications for Highway Bridges, which provide design procedures for thermoplastic culvert pipe for use under roadways. However, experience has shown that many drainage engineers are not familiar with the AASHTO Specifications and have difficulty evaluating product manufacturer’s claims relative to AASHTO requirements. This paper presents the key aspects of the AASHTO specifications that should be applied to stormwater chamber design, such as determining applicable loads, load factors, design of profile sections, and consideration of time dependent properties. Also addressed are design matters for chambers not directly addressed by AASHTO. Of particular importance in developing unique structures is the validation of designs and chamber safety levels through full scale testing.
Changes in coagulation indexes and occurrence of venous thromboembolism in patients with Cushing's syndrome: results from a prospective study before and after surgery
Authors: Manetti Luca , Bogazzi Fausto , Giovannetti Clara , Raffaelli Valentina , Genovesi Maura , Pellegrini Giovanni , Ruocco Lucia , Iannelli Aldo , Martino Enio
Published: August 2010

Objectives

To evaluate whether patients with Cushing's syndrome (CS) had i) changes in coagulative and fibrinolytic parameters associated with CS activity and ii) higher prevalence of venous thromboembolic events (VTE).

Design

Prospective study conducted on patients with CS evaluated at diagnosis and 12 months after surgery.

Patients and methods

Forty patients with active CS (36 with Cushing's disease (CD) and 4 with an adrenal adenoma) were evaluated. Forty normal subjects and 70 patients with non-ACTH-secreting pituitary adenomas served as controls. All patients and controls underwent an assessment of coagulation and fibrinolysis indexes before and after surgery.

Results

CS patients at baseline had a hypercoagulative phenotype when compared with normal subjects (activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), fibrinogen, D-Dimer, von Willebrand factor (VWF), plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1 or SERPINE1), antithrombin III (ATIII or SERPINC1),P<0.0001, α2antiplasmin,P=0.0004, thrombin–antithrombin complex (TAT),P=0.01, factor IX (F9),P=0.03). Patients with still active disease after surgery had higher coagulative parameters than those in remission (VWF (P<0.0001), PAI-1 (P=0.004), TAT (P=0.0001), ATIII (P=0.0002) and α2antiplasmin (or SERPINF2;P=0.006)), whereas aPTT levels (P=0.007) were significantly reduced. VTE occurred in three patients with CD (7.5%): one had a pulmonary embolism and two patients had a deep venous thrombosis; no patients submitted to transsphenoidal surgery for non-Cushing's pituitary adenoma had VTE (P=0.04).

Conclusions

Patients with CS have a procoagulative phenotype due to cortisol-associated changes in haemostatic and fibrinolytic markers, leading to increased incidence of VTE. Thromboprophylaxis seems to be appropriated in patients with active disease, particularly in the postoperative period.
Selectivity in the transport of spermatozoa to oviductal reservoirs in the menstruating fruit bat, Carollia perspicillata
Authors: Rasweiler John J , Badwaik Nilima K , Mechineni Kiranmayi V
Published: August 2010

To better document the timing of ovulation and fertilization, female reproductive tracts were collected every 12 h from captive-bred fruit bats (Carollia perspicillata) on days 1–3 postcoitum and examined histologically. This also permitted observations on sperm transport, storage, and disposition. As the animals had previously been sexually segregated, most had been cycling and possessed menstrual uteri at the time of collection. Menstruation is periovulatory in this species. A widespread, headfirst orientation of spermatozoa to the uterine mucosa was observed in specimens apparently collected soon after insemination. Thereafter, however, this relationship was limited in most cases to the area around the entrance of each uterotubal junction (UTJ). A small number of spermatozoa also colonized the UTJs, which functioned as temporary sperm reservoirs on days 1–2. AlthoughC. perspicillatais monovular, no consistent differences were observed between the two oviducts in the pattern of sperm storage and release. Very few sperm were ever observed in the isthmus or ampulla (the site of fertilization). Menstrual debris (including fine particulate matter) and leukocytes present in the uterine cavity in most tracts did not gain access to the UTJ with the spermatozoa. Smooth muscle and abundant elastic fibers in the wall of the intramural UTJ, as well as receptors on its luminal epithelial cells, may play roles in the selective transport of spermatozoa to the fertilization site. While some spermatozoa are phagocytosed in the uterine lumen or by epithelial cells in the UTJ, the fate of most is probably expulsion into the vagina.
Feeding Dysfunction in Children With Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Diseases
Authors: Mukkada Vincent A. , Haas Angela , Maune Nancy Creskoff , Capocelli Kelley E. , Henry Michelle , Gilman Nicholas , Petersburg Stephanie , Moore Wendy , Lovell Mark A. , Fleischer David M. , Furuta Glenn T. , Atkins Dan
Published: August 2010

OBJECTIVES:

Feeding dysfunction (FD) seen in younger children with eosinophilic gastrointestinal disease (EGID) has not been well described. Thus, our aim was to further characterize FD in children with EGIDs.

METHODS:

A retrospective medical record analysis of 200 children seen over 12 months in a multidisciplinary Gastrointestinal Eosinophilic Diseases Program was performed. The clinical data of 33 children identified as also having FD were examined, including information obtained by history, physical examination, feeding evaluation, review of nutritional data, allergy testing and histologic assessment of mucosal biopsies.

RESULTS:

Of 200 children with EGIDs, 16.5% had significant FD. The median age of this group was 34 months (range: 14–113 months). A variety of learned maladaptive feeding behaviors were reported in 93.9%. Frequent gagging or vomiting occurred in 84.8%. Food sensitivity was documented in 88% while 52% had other allergic disease. Twenty one percent were diagnosed with failure to thrive and 69.7% required individual or group feeding therapy. Forty-two percent had residual eosinophilia of >15 per HPF on esophageal biopsies performed at the time of symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS:

FD is prevalent in children with EGIDs often presenting as maladaptive learned feeding behaviors with altered mealtime dynamics and physical difficulties in eating mechanics. FD can persist even after eosinophilic inflammation is successfully treated. Awareness of the increased prevalence of FD in children with EGIDs with enable earlier recognition of this problem, resulting in a comprehensive, individualized treatment plan with the desired outcome of improving the development, feeding, and nutrition of these children.
Pragmatic Scoring System for Pharyngitis in Low-Resource Settings
Authors: Joachim Laure , Campos Dioclecio , Smeesters Pierre R.
Published: August 2010

OBJECTIVE:

Our objective was to develop an easy, safe, pragmatic, clinical scoring system that would allow decreases in unnecessary treatment with antimicrobial agents in low-resource settings.

METHODS:

Children with pharyngitis were enrolled prospectively from 2 public hospitals and 1 medical unit in Brasilia, Brazil, over 17 months. Attending clinicians completed a questionnaire and a previously published scoring system for pharyngitis before performing throat swabs and group A streptococcus (GAS) rapid antigen-detection tests. Data from this study were added to those collected in 2004, to assess the performance of each item of the scoring system. The performance of the new clinical decision rule was determined with a receiver operating characteristic curve. The final outcome of the model was assessed on the basis of sensitivity, specificity, and positive likelihood ratio for non-GAS infections with the clinical approach, compared with throat culture or rapid antigen-detection test results.

RESULTS:

A total of 576 children were included, among whom 400 had non-GAS pharyngitis. The use of our new clinical decision rule would allow for 35% to 55% antibiotic reduction, with 88% specificity.

CONCLUSIONS:

This clinical decision rule could reduce unnecessary antibiotic treatment significantly in low-resource settings.
Biomineralization of Vivianite on the Carbon Steel Surface Attacked by the Iron Reducing Bacteria
Authors: Lee So Yeon , Yoshikawa Hideki , Matsui Toshiya
Published: August 2010

Iron remains show the corrosion behavior of metal materials over a long term while buried in the soil. The data provide useful information in the study of the stability of overpack (carbon steel) under geological disposal conditions. And they also provide important information for the conservation science of important items of cultural heritage. There are two major microbial influences on the metal material surface : corrosion caused by microbes (microbially influenced corrosion, MIC) ; and mineralization by microbes (biomineralization). To observe these two roles, an iron reducing bacteria was cultured in a liquid medium with carbon steel and detection of corroded products were carried out by XRD method in this study.

Iron reducing bacteria was cultured under static conditions for 41 days with carbon steel. The result showed that a complex (biofilm, bacteria, etc.) was generated by the bacteria and covered the surface of the carbon steel. By using a microscope, the corrosion product was revealed to be formed of green and white crystal, or needle-shaped product and lozenge crystal by SEM observation. The green crystal was vivianite (Fe2+3(PO4)2・8H2O) measuring 50˜250 μm. In a corrosion process of an iron material surface, iron ion Fe2+ is dissolved from the iron in a cathode reaction, and generates Fe3+ oxide as corrosion product. It appears that vivianite can be also generated as corrosion product in an environment rich in Fe2+ and phosphate by activity of an iron reducing bacteria. Some data on the morphological feature of these corrosion products were obtained.
The association of the angiopoietin/Tie-2 system with the development of metastasis and leukocyte migration in neuroendocrine tumors
Authors: Figueroa-Vega Nicté , Díaz Ángel , Adrados Magdalena , Álvarez-Escolá Cristina , Paniagua Amalia , Aragonés Julián , Martín-Pérez Elena , Leskela Susanna , Moreno-Otero Ricardo , González-Amaro Roberto , Marazuela Mónica
Published: August 2010

The aim of this study was to explore the possible involvement of the angiopoietin (Ang)-1, -2/Tie-2 system in the development, growth, and metastases evolution of gastroenteropancreatic-neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs). We prospectively examined the serum levels of Tie-2, Ang-1, and Ang-2 by ELISA in 42 patients with proven GEP-NETs and 27 controls. We also determined the expression of the Ang/Tie-2 system in freshly isolated peripheral blood monocytes and in tumor cells from malignant primary tumors and/or liver metastases samples from GEP-NET patients by flow cytometry and/or RT-PCR. Furthermore, the function of the Ang/Tie-2 system in monocytes from controls and patients was assessed by a chemotaxis assay. GEP-NET patients showed enhanced serum levels of soluble form of Tie-2 (sTie-2), Ang-1, and Ang-2 (P<0.05 in all cases), compared to controls. sTie-2 and Ang-2 levels were significantly higher in GEP-NETs with metastases compared to those with no metastases. In addition, a significant correlation was detected between Ang-2 levels and chromogranin A or sTie-2 concentrations or 5-hydroxy-indole acetic acid excretion (r=0.71, r=0.60, and r=0.81 respectively, P<0.01 in all cases). Furthermore, we observed an enhanced expression of Ang-1, Ang-2, and Tie-2 in freshly isolated tumor cells from GEP-NET both by immunohistochemistry and by RT-PCR. Interestingly, an enhanced expression and function of Tie-2 was detected in monocytes from GEP-NET patients. Our data suggest that the Ang/Tie-2 system is involved in the growth and development of metastases of GEP-NETs, and that favors the recruitment of Tie-2+ monocytes to the tumor site, where they can promote inflammation and angiogenesis.
Novel pharmacological MC4R agonists can efficiently activate mutated MC4R from obese patient with impaired endogenous agonist response
Authors: Roubert Pierre , Dubern Béatrice , Plas Pascale , Lubrano-Berthelier Cécile , Alihi Rohia , Auger Florence , Deoliveira Daniel B , Dong Jesse Z , Basdevant Arnaud , Thurieau Christophe , Clément Karine
Published: August 2010

Human melanocortin 4 receptor (hMC4R) mutations with in vitro functional effects are responsible for 0.5–2.5% of severe obesity. Designing ligands that are able to counteract this in vitro-associated molecular defect is crucial to develop specific anti-obesity drugs in these genetically associated cases. We analyzed the in vitro effect of two novel melanocortin agonists, IRC-022493 and IRC-022511, on typical hMC4R mutations chosen based on the nature of their functional alterations, i.e. intracytoplasmic retention and/or reduced basal activity and/or reduced α-MSH potency. We assessed the in vitro ability of IRC-022493 and IRC-022511 to bind and activate hMC4R mutants. These mutations were found earlier in 11 obese French patients (median age (range) was 17.6 years (5.7–48.0) and body mass index (BMI)-Z-score 4.2 s.d. (1.5–5.5). The MC4R agonists were responsible for a significant activation of mutated hMC4R depending on the functional characteristics of the mutations. Both agonists were able to activate mutated hMC4R with decreased α-MSH potency, associated with or without decreased basal activity, to the same extent than α-MSH in wild-type MC4R. This result suggests that those mutations would be the best targets for the MC4R agonists among MC4R mutation-bearing obese patients. No specific clinical phenotype was associated with the differential response to pharmacological agonists. We identified two novel melanocortin agonists that were able in vitro to efficiently activate mutated hMC4R with impaired endogenous agonist functional response. These results stimulate interest in the development of these drugs for hMC4R mutations-associated obesity.
Growth hormone and memory
Authors: Wass John A H , Reddy Raghava
Published: August 2010

Growth hormone (GH) replacement unequivocally benefits growth, body composition, cardiovascular risk factors and quality of life. Less is known about the effects of GH on learning and memory. The recent paper on ‘early onset – GH deficiency (GHD) results in spatial memory impairment in mid life – and is prevented by GH supplementation’ by Nieves-Martinez importantly adds to this literature. Other data suggest that GH beneficially affects cognitive function in rats. In man, treatment of GHD has been associated with improvements in measures of memory and attention. There are also differences in verbal memory of patients with childhood onset GHD. Further questions remain, and the beneficial effects or otherwise of treating GHD in different age groups remain to be better defined. Certainly for reasons of maturation of neural connections and their development to young adulthood contemporaneous with rises in GH and IGF1 make these important areas for further study in man. Lastly because of what we already know in terms of cognitive effects of GHD, it is important to replace GH when studying other potential causes of adverse effects on cognition, for example, with radiotherapy.
Evaluation of Antimicrobial-Antibiofilm Activity of a Hydrogen Peroxide Decontaminating System Used in Dental Unit Water Lines
Authors: Orrù Germano , Del Nero Susanna , Tuveri Enrica , Laura Ciusa Maria , Pilia Francesca , Erriu Matteo , Orrù Ginevra , Liciardi Manuele , Piras Vincenzo , Denotti Gloria
Published: August 2010

A dental unit water line (DUWL) equipped with a device designed to automatically and continually flush a bacteriostatic solution of hydrogen peroxide (WHE) and a discontinuous disinfecting system (BIOSTER) was evaluated. In the first instance a preliminary sensitivity test on a large number of microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) was tried with a H2O2 range from 100 to 800 ppm. The bacteria frequently reported in DUWL (including Pseudomonas spp, Streptococcus spp., Staphylococcus spp., E. coli) and some periodontal pathogens showed a minimum inhibitory concentration from 100 to 300 H2O2 ppm (also including M. marinum and C. albicans). However, H2O2 did not show any inhibitory effects against: A. actinomycetemcomitans, C. glabrata C. parapsilos, F. nucleatum, M. micros. In a second step, the DUWL was experimentally infected with S. faecalis, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus. After disinfection steps with 3% H2O2, the inhibitory effect on planktonic forms and on sessile biofilm was measured. In a third step, the count of 16S rRNA gene copies by real time PCR at different points of the DUWL described an accrue of bacterial slime in “hot spot” regions characterized by irregular/slow water flux (valves, elbows). However these results suggest that hydrogen peroxide is not only able to inhibit bursts of planktonic bacteria inside the DUWL, but that it could also be effective against sessile biofilm containing heterotrophic microorganisms derived from domestic water line contamination. In addition some oral pathogens could be contaminating and surviving in DUWL.
Pursuit of Whose Happiness? Executive Leaders' Transformational Behaviors and Personal Values
Authors: Fu Ping Ping , Tsui Anne S. , Liu Jun , Li Lan
Published: August 2010

This paper theorizes and tests how chief executive officers' (CEOs') transformational leadership behaviors, which motivate followers to do more than expected and act for the good of the collective, influence followers' commitment. We theorize that CEOs' values may either enhance or attenuate the effect of transformational behaviors on followers, depending on followers' reactions to the congruence or incongruence between leaders' internal values and their outward transformational behaviors. Self-enhancement values—focusing on the leader's own happiness—would attenuate the effect, whereas self-transcendent values—focusing on others' happiness—would accentuate the effect of CEOs' transformational behaviors on followers' commitment. Using a sample of 45 managers in two companies in China, we validated a Q-sort method of measuring personal values. Results of a second study using cross-sectional and longitudinal surveys as well as interview data from a sample of Chinese CEOs, top managers, and middle managers supported both the attenuation and the accentuation effects and validated the idea that middle managers can detect their CEOs' values.
The in vitro effects of 2-methoxyestradiol-bis-sulphamate on cell numbers, membrane integrity and cell morphology, and the possible induction of apoptosis and autophagy in a non-tumorigenic breast epithelial cell line
Authors: Visagie Michelle , Joubert Annie
Published: August 2010

2-methoxyestradiol (2ME2) exerts estrogen receptor-independent anti-proliferative, anti-angiogenic and anti-tumor activity in vitro and in vivo. Due to its low bioavailability and rapid metabolic degradation, several analogues have been developed in recent years. 2-methoxyestradiol-bis-sulphamate (2-MeOE2bisMATE) is a bis-sulphamoylated derivative of 2ME2 with anti-proliferative activity. The aim of this study was to investigate cell signaling events induced by 2-MeOE2bisMATE in a non-tumorigenic cell line (MCF-12A) by analysing its influence on cell number, morphology and membrane integrity, and the possible induction of apoptosis and autophagy. Dose- and time-dependent studies revealed that 48 h exposure to 2-MeOE2bisMATE (0.4 μM) resulted in a decrease in cell numbers to 79%. A slight increase in the level of lactate dehydrogenase production was observed in the 2-MeOE2bisMATE-treated cells. Morphological studies revealed an increase in the number of cells in metaphase. Hallmarks of apoptosis were also found, namely nuclear fragmentation and apoptotic bodies. In addition, increased lysosomal staining was observed via fluorescent microscopy, suggesting the induction of another type of cell death, namely autophagy. Since 2-MeOE2bisMATE is regarded as a potential anti-cancer agent, it is also imperative to investigate the susceptibility of non-tumorigenic cells to its influence. The data generated from this study contributes to the understanding of the action that 2-MeOE2bisMATE exerts on the non-tumorigenic MCF-12A breast epithelial cell line.
Temperature dependence of the plastic flow of high-purity tungsten single crystals
Authors: Brunner Dieter
Published: August 2010

The influence of temperature on the plastic deformation of high-purity tungsten single crystals with an orientation favouring single slip on the (110) or (112) planes, has been studied using tensile tests in the temperature range 26 K to 800 K with emphasis on temperatures below 400 K. The crystals were deformed with an initial applied plastic strain rate of γa= 8.5 · 10−4s−1either isothermally until fracture or necking terminated the experiment (called isothermal straining tests) or in small straining intervals at different decreasing temperatures (called isothermal-straining – temperature- lowering tests). After initial plastic deformation at high enough temperatures (T ≥ 650 K; γ ≍ 0.08) tests at lower temperatures (T ≤ 400 K) reveal that the workhardening behaviour changes completely if compared with work-hardening behaviour of tests at the lower temperatures. A combination of tests suggests that work hardening of tungsten cannot be interpreted solely in terms of an increase in the athermal component of the flow stress or an exhaustion of non-screw dislocations. Rather, the results suggest that the different mobilities of screw and non-screw dislocations and their dependence on temperature and strain rate contribute essentially to work hardening at the beginning of plastic flow. Additionally, this is strongly influenced by changes of the slip systems towards the low-temperature regime below about 230 K. Consequences of these features for work hardening and its dependence on temperature, flow stress, critical resolved shear stress are analysed and discussed.
Efficiency of IPNS-based chemical fertilizer application in wet land rice
Authors: Saha PK , Miah MAM
Published: August 2010

A field trial was conducted to validate some fertilizer application approaches for Boro-Green manure (GM) -T. Aman cropping system at the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) Farm, Gazipur (AEZ-28: high land) during the period from Boro 1999-2000 to T. Arnan 2000. Five different application approaches of inorganic and organic fertilizers along with their residual values were evaluated. A positive effect of GM on the yield of T. Aman rice was observed. Application of cowdung (CD) @ 6 t/ha (at 15 % moisture) along with integrated plant nutrient system (IPNS) based chemical fertilizer in Boro season followed by green manuring with dhaincha (in Kharif-l season) and then growing T. Aman rice (in Kharif-ll season) with reduced doses of chemical fertilizer (60% N, 50% P, 50% K, and 50% S) substantially increased grain yield and narrowed down the N, P, and K balance in soil. This fertilizer application approach may be practiced for sustainable crop production. No appreciable yield loss in T. Arnan rice (2nd crop) occurred due to the application of reduced doses of P, K, S, and Zn indicating the beneficial residual effect of fertilizer applied to the first crop (Boro rice) of the cropping pattern. The N uptake was in excess of the N added as fertilizer. An improved balance of P, S, and Zn was observed. But the K balance was negative. However, application of cowdung and incorporation of dhaincha slightly improved the K balance of the soil. The highest gross return of Tk. 86,270 was obtained with the above practice (treatment T4)Key Words: Chemical fertilizer; application; wet land rice.DOI: 10.3329/bjar.v34i1.5747Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 34(1) : 5-13, March 2009
Performances of French bean as influenced by plant density and nitrogen application
Authors: Moniruzzaman M , Halim GMA , Firoz ZA
Published: August 2010

Field experiments with French bean comprising two varieties (BARI bush bean-1 and BARI bush bean-2), three plant densities (500 x 103, 333 x 103, and 250 x 103 plants/ha as maintained by 20 x 10, 30 x 10, and 40 x 10 cm spacings, respectively) and three levels of N (0, 60, and 120 kg/ha) were conducted at the Agricultural Research Station, Raikhali in the district of Rangamati during the winter (rabi) seasons of 2004-05 and 2005-06. BARI bush bean-1 outyielded BARI bush bean-2. The lowest plant density (250 x 10 plants/ha) recorded significantly higher values of growth and yield attributes, except plant height which was the maximum with the highest plant density of 500 x 103 plants/ha. The highest plant density of (500 x 103 plants/ha) resulted in the highest pod yield in comparison with the lower and medium plant densities. Application of 120 kg N/ha coupled with the highest plant density (500 x l03 plants/ha) gave the maximum pod yield of 34.3 t/ha and 30.2 t/ha in BARI bush bean-I and BARI bush bean-2, respectively. Key Words: French bean; plant density; nitrogen.  DOI: 10.3329/bjar.v34i1.5760Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 34(1) : 105-111, March 2009
Geriatric Health Problems and Health Care Seeking Practice Among Elderly People Attending One Selected Geriatric Hospital
Authors: Begum Mahjabeen Sultana
Published: August 2010

A vast majority of the elderly Bangladeshi people is suffering from various health problems, however, health care services are insufficient to cope with the problem. This study tried to find out about the geriatric health problems and health care seeking practice attending a selected hospital in Dhaka city. The information collected may help provide adequate guideline to help the elderly to overcome old age health problems.This was a cross sectional study and included 107 respondents aged 60 years and above. The study was carried out during March June, 2001, at Prabin Hitayishi Hospital, Bangladesh Association of Aged and Institute of Geriatric Medicine (BAAIGM), Agargaon, Sher e Bangla Nagar, Dhaka.Out of 107 respondents, 46.7% were aged 65 years or above, 67.3% were married, 14% were living with spouse, 23.4% were employed, 46.7% had self income and 19.6% were living in families with 9 or more members. Knowledge about old age diseases were limited to diabetes (57.9%), high blood pressure (53.3%), heart diseases (50.4%), respiratory diseases (31.8%), and orthopaedic diseases (3.7%), and 41.1% had no knowledge. Regarding health care knowledge, 67.3% had knowledge about self health care, 29.9% were on regular check up and 78.5% attended hospital. Morbidity pattern showed that most of the respondents (23.4%) had orthopaedic problems, followed by eye (21.5%), dental (12.4%), ENT (12.1%), respiratory (9.3%), gastrointestinal (7.5%), diabetes (2.8%) and neurological (2.8%). Six respondents had multiple diseases. Specific diseases in orthopaedic group (n=25) were spondylitis (60%), rheumatoid arthritis (20%) and osteoporosis, osteomyelitis, backpain and frozen shoulder (20%); in eye disease group (n=23) were refractory error (34.8%), conjunctivitis (30.4%), cataract (17.4%) and presbyopia (17.4%); in dental disease group (n=14) were loose teeth (78.5%) and dental caries (21.4%); in ENT disease group (n=14) were CSOM (57%), tinnitus (35%) and vertigo and hearing loss (7.1%); in cardiovascular group (n=13) were hypertension (84%) and old myocardial infarction and ischaemic heart disease (15.3%); and in respiratory disease group (n=10) were pharyngitis sinusitis (60%), bronchial asthma (20%) and bronchitis (20%). Health care seeking pattern was orthopaedic 40% (n=25), eye 13% (n=23), dental 14.3% (n=14), ENT 21.4% (n=14), cardiovascular 38.5% (n=13), respiratory 40% (n=10), gastrointestinal 25% (n=8), endocrine 66.7% (n=3) and neurological 33.3 (n=3). Most of the elderly did not seek health care from hospital or clinic. Key words: Health care; Elderly DOI: 10.3329/bjpp.v23i1.5727Bangladesh J Physiol Pharmacol 2007; 23(1&2) : 20-24
The Global Challenge of Antimicrobial Resistance: Insights from Economic Analysis
Authors: Eggleston Karen , Zhang Ruifang , Zeckhauser Richard J.
Published: August 2010

The prevalence of antimicrobial resistance (AR) limits the therapeutic options for treatment of infections, and increases the social benefit from disease prevention. Like an environmental resource, antimicrobials require stewardship. The effectiveness of an antimicrobial agent is a global public good. We argue for greater use of economic analysis as an input to policy discussion about AR, including for understanding the incentives underlying health behaviors that spawn AR, and to supplement other methods of tracing the evolution of AR internationally. We also discuss integrating antimicrobial stewardship into global health governance.The prevalence of antimicrobial resistance (AR) limits the therapeutic options for treatment of infections, and increases the social benefit from disease prevention. Like an environmental resource, antimicrobials require stewardship. The effectiveness of an antimicrobial agent is a global public good. We argue for greater use of economic analysis as an input to policy discussion about AR, including for understanding the incentives underlying health behaviors that spawn AR, and to supplement other methods of tracing the evolution of AR internationally. We also discuss integrating antimicrobial stewardship into global health governance.
Construction of Cardiac Tissue Rings Using a Magnetic Tissue Fabrication Technique
Authors: Akiyama Hirokazu , Ito Akira , Sato Masanori , Kawabe Yoshinori , Kamihira Masamichi
Published: August 2010

Here we applied a magnetic force-based tissue engineering technique to cardiac tissue fabrication. A mixture of extracellular matrix precursor and cardiomyocytes labeled with magnetic nanoparticles was added into a well containing a central polycarbonate cylinder. With the use of a magnet, the cells were attracted to the bottom of the well and allowed to form a cell layer. During cultivation, the cell layer shrank towards the cylinder, leading to the formation of a ring-shaped tissue that possessed a multilayered cell structure and contractile properties. These results indicate that magnetic tissue fabrication is a promising approach for cardiac tissue engineering.
Brain CB2 Receptors: Implications for Neuropsychiatric Disorders
Authors: Roche Michelle , Finn David P
Published: August 2010

Although previously thought of as the peripheral cannabinoid receptor, it is now accepted that the CB2 receptor is expressed in the central nervous system on microglia, astrocytes and subpopulations of neurons. Expression of the CB2 receptor in the brain is significantly lower than that of the CB1 receptor. Conflicting findings have been reported on the neurological effects of pharmacological agents targeting the CB2 receptor under normal conditions. Under inflammatory conditions, CB2 receptor expression in the brain is enhanced and CB2 receptor agonists exhibit potent anti-inflammatory effects. These findings have prompted research into the CB2 receptor as a possible target for the treatment of neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative disorders. Neuroinflammatory alterations are also associated with neuropsychiatric disorders and polymorphisms in the CB2 gene have been reported in depression, eating disorders and schizophrenia. This review will examine the evidence to date for a role of brain CB2 receptors in neuropsychiatric disorders.
Ochratoxin A Contamination of Food from Croatia
Authors: Peraica Maja , Flajs Dubravka , Domijan Ana-Marija , Ivić Dario , Cvjetković Bogdan
Published: August 2010

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin with nephrotoxic, genotoxic and carcinogenic properties produced by Penicillium and Aspergillus moulds under different climatic conditions. Humans and animals are exposed to this compound mainly via ingestion of contaminated food. In Croatia, research on mycotoxins focused on OTA when the mycotoxin theory of endemic nephropathy (EN) was postulated. Ochratoxin A was more frequent and at higher concentration in foods from EN than those from the control regions. Subsequently, OTA concentrations were determined in some commodities intended for human consumption such as maize, wheat, beans and wine. Samples from all parts of Croatia were analyzed and OTA was found in all types of commodities. It was frequently found together with other mycotoxins (fumonisin B1, fumonisin B2 and zearalenone). In general, OTA concentration in foods from Croatia is low, but the frequency of positive samples shows considerable variations from year to year depending also on sampling location. Although low levels of OTA were found in a large proportion of analyzed food samples, its persistent co-occurrence with other significant mycotoxins should raise serious public health concerns as there interactions may be synergistic or additive in causing toxicity in humans and animals. There is need to establish control measures through which such contaminations in foods can be managed.
Maternal MHC Regulates Generation of Pathogenic Antibodies and Fetal MHC-Encoded Genes Determine Susceptibility in Congenital Heart Block
Authors: Strandberg Linn S. , Ambrosi Aurelie , Jagodic Maja , Dzikaite Vijole , Janson Peter , Khademi Mohsen , Salomonsson Stina , Ottosson Lars , Klauninger Robert , Ådén Ulrika , Sonesson Sven-Erik , Sunnerhagen Maria , de Graaf Katrien L. , Kuchroo Vijay K. , Achour Adnane , Winqvist Ola , Olsson Tomas , Wahren-Herlenius Marie
Published: August 2010

Congenital heart block develops in fetuses of anti-Ro52 Ab-positive women. A recurrence rate of 20%, despite the persistence of maternal autoantibodies, indicates that there are additional, yet unidentified, factors critical for development of congenital heart block. In this study, we demonstrate that besides the maternal MHC controlling Ab specificity, fetal MHC-encoded genes influence fetal susceptibility to congenital heart block. Using MHC congenic rat strains, we show that heart block develops in rat pups of three strains carrying MHC haplotype RT1av1 (DA, PVG.AV1, and LEW.AV1) after maternal Ro52 immunization, but not in LEW rats (RT1l). Different anti-Ro52 Ab fine specificities were generated in RT1av1 versus RT1l animals. Maternal and fetal influence was determined in an F2 cross between LEW.AV1 and LEW strains, which revealed higher susceptibility in RT1l than RT1av1 pups once pathogenic Ro52 Abs were present. This was further confirmed in that RT1l pups more frequently developed heart block than RT1av1 pups after passive transfer of RT1av1 anti-Ro52 sera. Our findings show that generation of pathogenic Ro52 Abs is restricted by maternal MHC, whereas the fetal MHC locus regulates susceptibility and determines the fetal disease outcome in anti-Ro52–positive pregnancies.
Campos elétricos e magnéticos aplicados à regeneração nervosa periférica
Authors: Krueger Beck Eddy K , Scheeren Eduardo Eduardo , Nogueira Neto Guilherme Nunes , Nohama Percy
Published: August 2010

Introdução. campos eletromagnéticos (CEM) são utilizados com objetivos reabilitacionais no corpo humano. A lesão no tecido nervoso periférico diferencia-se da lesão no sistema nervoso central por apresentar grande potencial de regeneração axonal. Uma série de efeitos fisiológicos é associada à exposição de CEM, como analgesia, vasodilatação, contração muscular e, principalmente, regeneração de tecidos. Objetivo. apresentar aplicações dos CEM para a viabilidade na reabilitação do tecido nervoso periférico. Método. pesquisa bibliográfica realizada nas bases Springer, ScienceDirect, Pubmed, Google Acadêmico, portal de periódicos da CAPES entre os anos 1972 a 2009, empregando os termos: Magnetic fields; Nerve regeneration; Peripheral nerve; Axonal regeneration; Electrical regeneration; Peripheral nerve regeneration. Resultados. os parâmetros selecionados para os CEM variam amplamente: campos elétricos utilizam duração do pulso (período ativo) de 65 µs a 100 µs, frequência entre 0 a 250 Hz e amplitude entre 0,1 V/m a 4 V/m. Para campos magnéticos, a intensidade varia entre 4,35 µT e 8 T e a frequência entre 0 a 54 GHz. Conclusão. resultados da aplicação de CEM em tecido animal estão relacionados ao alongamento e direcionamento axonal, incremento protéico, alteração genética e redução do tempo total de regeneração. A aplicação de CEM não produz danos físicos, com poucos efeitos colaterais transitórios quando utilizados com magnitudes consideradas seguras
An Optimized Perfectly Matched Layer for the Schrödinger Equation
Authors: Nissen Anna , Kreiss Gunilla
Published: August 2010

We derive a perfectly matched layer (PML) for the Schrödinger equation using a modal ansatz. We derive approximate error formulas for the modeling error from the outer boundary of the PML and the error from the discretization in the layer and show how to choose layer parameters so that these errors are matched and optimal performance of the PML is obtained. Numerical computations in 1D and 2D demonstrate that the optimized PML works efficiently at a prescribed accuracy for the zero potential case, with a layer of width less than a third of the de Broglie wavelength corresponding to the dominating frequency.
Dirichlet-to-Neumann Map Method with Boundary Cells for Photonic Crystals Devices
Authors: Yuan Jianhua , Lu Ya Yan
Published: August 2010

In a two-dimensional (2D) photonic crystal (PhC) composed of circular cylinders (dielectric rods or air holes) on a square or triangular lattice, various PhC devices can be created by removing or modifying some cylinders. Most existing numerical methods for PhC devices give rise to large sparse or smaller but dense linear systems, all of which are expensive to solve if the device is large. In a previous work [Z. Hu et al., Optics Express, 16 (2008), 17383-17399], an efficient Dirichlet-to-Neumann (DtN) map method was developed for general 2D PhC devices with an infinite background PhC to take full advantage of the underlying lattice structure. The DtN map of a unit cell is an operator that maps the wave field to its normal derivative on the cell boundary and it allows one to avoid computing the wave field in the interior of the unit cell. In this paper, we extend the DtN map method to PhC devices with a finite background PhC. Since there is no bandgap effect to confine the light in a finite PhC, a different technique for truncating the domain is needed. We enclose the finite structure with a layer of empty boundary and corner unit cells, and approximate the DtN maps of these cells based on expanding the scattered wave in outgoing plane waves. Our method gives rise to a relatively small and sparse linear systems that are particularly easy to solve.