bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using Concept Mapping for Needs Analysis for a Social Support System in Learning Network
Authors: Nadeem Danish , Stoyanov Slavi , Koper Rob
Published: January 2011

This paper describes the needs analysis of tool for connecting people in a Learning Network using Group Concept Mapping method. We conducted an empirical study to identify the most relevant features of such a tool. There were 11 experts from 7 different countries with technical and non-technical background who participated in the study. Each of the participants were invited by email and given a brief description about the scenario for the need of a tool in an online Learning Network to find people for help (social support system). This tool can be developed on mobile devices to search for peer learners. The participants generated 153 unique ideas about the need for social support system in Learning Network. These ideas were sorted and rated, and further analysis with Concept Mapping produced ten relevant clusters of interest. These clusters (concepts) suggest the features which are relevant for a tool that would support learners in connecting with others in a Learning Network. The concept mapping methodology described in this paper has also been applied in other projects; one of them is about the â??investigation of pedagogic areas in which mobile learning is an appropriate solution
Somatic Diversity in CDR3 Loops Allows Single V-Genes To Encode Innate Immunological Memories for Multiple Pathogens
Authors: Thomson Christy A. , Little Ken Q. , Reason Donald C. , Schrader John W.
Published: January 2011

The human Ab response to many common pathogens is oligoclonal, with restricted usage of Ig V-genes. Intriguingly, the IGVK3-11 and IGVH3-30 V-genes are repeatedly paired in protective Abs against the 23F polysaccharide of Streptococcus pneumoniae, as well as against the gB envelope protein of human CMV, where germline-encoded amino acids make key contacts with the gB protein. We constructed IgGs encoded by the germline IGVK3-11 and IGVH3-30 V-genes together with DNA encoding the respective CDR3 regions of the L chain and H chain found in a hypermutated anti-23F Ab. These IgGs encoded by germline V-genes bound specifically to 23F pneumococcal capsular polysaccharides with no reactivity to other serotypes of pneumococcal capsular polysaccharides or arrayed glycans and recognized l-rhamnose, a component of the 23F repeating subunit. IgGs encoded by this pair of germline V-genes mediated complement-dependent phagocytosis of encapsulated 23F S. pneumoniae by human neutrophils. Mutations in CDRL3 and CDRH3 had significant effects on binding. Thus, IGKV3-11 and IGHV3-30, depending on with which distinct DNA sequences encoding CDR3 they are recombined, can encode binding sites for protective Abs against chemically distinct Ags and thus, may encode innate immunological memory against human CMV and S. pneumoniae.
Bronchial Epithelial Cell-Derived Prostaglandin E2 Dampens the Reactivity of Dendritic Cells
Authors: Schmidt Lotte M. , Belvisi Maria G. , Bode Konrad A. , Bauer Judith , Schmidt Claudia , Suchy Maria-Theresia , Tsikas Dimitrios , Scheuerer Jutta , Lasitschka Felix , Gröne Herman-Josef , Dalpke Alexander H.
Published: January 2011

Airway epithelial cells regulate immune reactivity of local dendritic cells (DCs), thus contributing to microenvironment homeostasis. In this study, we set out to identify factors that mediate this regulatory interaction. We show that tracheal epithelial cells secrete soluble factors that downregulate TNF-α and IL-12p40 secretion by bone marrow-derived DCs but upregulate IL-10 and arginase-1. Size exclusion chromatography identified small secreted molecules having high modulatory activity on DCs. We observed that airway tracheal epithelial cells constitutively release the lipid mediator PGE2. Blocking the synthesis of PGs within airway epithelial cells relieved DCs from inhibition. Cyclooxygenase-2 was found to be expressed in primary tracheal epithelial cell cultures in vitro and in vivo as shown by microdissection of epithelial cells followed by real-time PCR. Paralleling these findings we observed that DCs treated with an antagonist for E-prostanoid 4 receptor as well as DCs lacking E-prostanoid 4 receptor showed reduced inhibition by airway epithelial cells with respect to secretion of proinflammatory cytokines measured by ELISA. Furthermore, PGE2 mimicked the effects of epithelial cells on DCs. The results indicate that airway epithelial cell-derived PGE2 contributes to the modulation of DCs under homeostatic conditions.
Apurinic/Apyrimidinic Endonuclease 2 Is Necessary for Normal B Cell Development and Recovery of Lymphoid Progenitors after Chemotherapeutic Challenge
Authors: Guikema Jeroen E. J. , Gerstein Rachel M. , Linehan Erin K. , Cloherty Erin K. , Evan-Browning Eric , Tsuchimoto Daisuke , Nakabeppu Yusaku , Schrader Carol E.
Published: January 2011

B cell development involves rapid cellular proliferation, gene rearrangements, selection, and differentiation, and it provides a powerful model to study DNA repair processes in vivo. Analysis of the contribution of the base excision repair pathway in lymphocyte development has been lacking primarily owing to the essential nature of this repair pathway. However, mice deficient for the base excision repair enzyme, apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 2 (APE2) protein develop relatively normally, but they display defects in lymphopoiesis. In this study, we present an extensive analysis of bone marrow hematopoiesis in mice nullizygous for APE2 and find an inhibition of the pro-B to pre-B cell transition. We find that APE2 is not required for V(D)J recombination and that the turnover rate of APE2-deficient progenitor B cells is nearly normal. However, the production rate of pro- and pre-B cells is reduced due to a p53-dependent DNA damage response. FACS-purified progenitors from APE2-deficient mice differentiate normally in response to IL-7 in in vitro stromal cell cocultures, but pro-B cells show defective expansion. Interestingly, APE2-deficient mice show a delay in recovery of B lymphocyte progenitors following bone marrow depletion by 5-fluorouracil, with the pro-B and pre-B cell pools still markedly decreased 2 wk after a single treatment. Our data demonstrate that APE2 has an important role in providing protection from DNA damage during lymphoid development, which is independent from its ubiquitous and essential homolog APE1.
Nonmotor Symptoms in Patients withPARK2Mutations
Authors: Yoritaka Asako , Shimo Yumi , Shimo Yasushi , Inoue Yuichi , Yoshino Hiroyo , Hattori Nobutaka
Published: January 2011

Decreased123I-meta-iodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) uptake in MIBG myocardial scintigraphy, olfactory dysfunction, and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (RBD) are considered useful early indicators of Parkinson disease. We investigated whether patients withPARK2mutations exhibited myocardial sympathetic abnormalities using MIBG scintigraphy, olfactory dysfunction using the Sniffin’ Sticks olfactory test, and RBD using polysomnography. None of the examined patients had RBD, and all except 1 patient exhibited an increase in the olfactory threshold. Moreover, one of the oldest patients exhibited impairment in identification and discrimination. Of 12 patients withPARK2mutations, 4 patients, who were older than patients without abnormal uptake, exhibited decreased MIBG uptake. The results obtained in this study suggest that some patients withPARK2mutations have increased thresholds of olfactory function and myocardial sympathetic dysfunction as nonmotor symptoms.
Intervening on the Side Effects of Hormone-Dependent Cancer Treatment: The Role of Strength Training
Authors: Hanson Erik D. , Hurley Ben F.
Published: January 2011

While prostate and breast cancers are both highly prevalent and treatable using hormone suppression therapy, a constellation of side effects ensue, which mimic typical aging effects but at an accelerated pace. Because strength training is considered to be an intervention of choice for addressing the musculoskeletal and metabolic consequences of normal aging in older adults, it may be an effective intervention to attenuate or reverse the side effects of hormone-dependent cancer treatment. This paper provides an overview of the independent effects of strength training on common musculoskeletal and metabolic side effects of hormone-dependent therapy used for prostate and breast cancers. Strength training appears to be an effective complementary therapy for some of the adverse effects of prostate and breast treatment. Future research needs to address potential mechanisms to explain recent findings and to explore the role of strength training in addressing specific risk factors resulting from cancer treatment.
Lapatinib, a Dual-Targeted Small Molecule Inhibitor of EGFR and HER2, in HER2-Amplified Breast Cancer: From Bench to Bedside
Authors: Tsang Roger Y. , Sadeghi Saeed , Finn Richard S.
Published: January 2011

The HER-2/neu gene product is a 185 kDa Type I receptor tyrosine kinase which consists of an extracellular domain, transmembrane domain, kinase domain, and cytoplasmic tail. The initial discovery that amplification and subsequent overexpression of the HER-2/neu oncogene plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of 20%–25% of breast cancers has since led to significant clinical advances in the management of this subtype of breast cancer. The first approved HER2-targeted therapy, trastuzumab, is a humanized monoclonal antibody against the extracellular domain of HER2 and has demonstrated survival benefits in both the metastatic and adjuvant settings. Lapatinib, a small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor of both the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and HER2 is now also approved for advanced HER2-amplified breast cancer and is currently being evaluated in the adjuvant setting. Importantly, lapatinib has been shown to have activity in women with HER2-amplified breast cancer that is refractory to trastuzumab. In addition, it has been shown to extend survival in the front-line setting in combination with letrozole for estrogen receptor (ER) positive, HER2-positive breast cancer. Here we will review the biologic rationale and pre-clinical data that drove its initial clinical development as well as current clinical data and ongoing studies.
Differentiating Dementias in Long-Term Care Patients
Authors: Zanni Guido , Wick Jeannette
Published: January 2011

Many long-term care residents are diagnosed with dementia, but dementia appears in many forms. Alzheimer's disease, the most common, is typified by a slow onset and relentless progression to complete incapacitation. Vascular dementia usually appears somewhat abruptly, is associated
with vascular comorbidities, and has an unpredictable progression pattern. Lewy body dementia shares features of both Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease; its hallmarks include fluctuating cognitive performance, visual hallucinations, and extrapyramidal motor symptoms. Frontotemporal dementias
are associated less with memory disorders and more with behavioral and language aberrations. Mixed dementia covers those patients who do not have an apparent singular cause of dementia. Pseudodementia is a dementia resulting from underlying causes and is reversible, unlike the aforementioned
dementias.
Use of Statins and Gemfibrozil in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Cardiovascular Risk Factors Attending Adult Day Health Care Centers: An Opportunity for Pharmacists Research and Reports
Authors: Rosenberg Jack , Zerilli Tina , Nathan Joseph , Mcguire Howard
Published: January 2011

Objective: Identify the extent of statin use for primary prevention of macrovascular complications, the extent of statin or gemfibrozil use for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and the statin doses used in patients with type 2 diabetes and other
cardiovascular risk factors.Design: Retrospective chart review.Setting: Three adult day health care centers in Brooklyn and Queens, New York.Patients: Patients with a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and either a history of coronary artery disease or at least one
other significant cardiovascular risk factor as defined by the American College of Physicians guidelines (i.e., age greater than 55 years, hypertension, left-ventricular hypertrophy, previous cerebrovascular disease, or peripheral arterial disease).Main Outcome Measures: Percentage
of patients prescribed a statin for primary prevention of macrovascular complications of type 2 diabetes, percentage of patients prescribed a statin or gemfibrozil for secondary prevention of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity, and the percentage of patients on at least moderate doses
of statins.Results: Ninety-three patients were evaluated—51 in the primary-prevention group and 42 in the secondary-prevention group. In the primary-prevention group, 33 (64.7%) patients were prescribed a statin, while in the secondary-prevention group, 26 (61.9%) patients
were on statins, a nonsignificant difference (P = 0.8308). No patients were prescribed gemfibrozil. Of all patients prescribed statins, 63.2% were at least on moderate doses.Conclusion: This study demonstrates suboptimal treatment with statins in patients with type 2 diabetes
and cardiovascular risk factors.
New Therapeutic Options for the Management of Diabetes
Authors: Sicat Brigitte , Morgan Laura
Published: January 2011

Objective: To review new hypoglycemic and antihyperglycemic agents recently approved for the treatment of type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus.Data Sources: A MEDLINE search of articles published from 1966 to March 2006 was conducted to identify English-language literature
available on the newer therapies approved for the treatment of diabetes. Search terms used were: Byetta, exenatide, insulin detemir, NN304, Exubera inhaled insulin, Levemir, pramlintide, Symlin, AC137, AC0137, and Tripro-Amylin. These articles, abstracts, and data provided by the pharmaceutical
manufacturers were reviewed to identify pertinent data. Additional references were obtained from the bibliographies of these publications.Study Selection: Randomized, English-language studies investigating safety or efficacy data on these newer agents with a focus on human studies.Data
Extraction: These hypoglycemic and antihyperglycemic agents were reviewed with regard to background information, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data, relevant clinical studies, U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved indications, dosing and administration, contraindications, drug
interactions, adverse effects, storage, cost, availability, and role in therapy.Data Synthesis: Over the last decade, management options for the treatment of diabetes have exploded. Among these are the incretin mimetics, amylin analogs, insulin analogs, and inhaled insulin. Short-term
studies demonstrate that each of these therapies may offer specific advantages such as improved glycemia, convenience, and/or weight loss. Continued study of the incretin mimetics, amylin analogs, and inhaled insulin will be needed to verify long-term safety and efficacy of these agents.Conclusions:
These agents with novel mechanisms of action and a new insulin-delivery device offer patients and clinicians additional options that improve glycemic and nonglycemic factors while addressing some of the concerns of older agents. Longerterm studies will help providers weigh the benefits, adverse
effects, cost, and unknown long-term risks of these medications.
ANÁLISIS ESPACIAL DE LA OCURRENCIA DE INCENDIOS FORESTALES EN EL ESTADO DE DURANGO
Authors: Ávila-Flores D. Y. , Pompa-García M. , Vargas-Pérez E.
Published: January 2011

Se realizó un análisis exploratorio del patrón de distribución espacial de los incendios forestales para el estado de Durango, teniendo como hipótesis que los incendios presentan un patrón espacial no aleatorio. Se usaron los reportes semanales de incendios de la Comisión Nacional Forestal (CONAFOR) para un periodo de cinco años, analizados mediante el coeficiente de Moran. Se incluyó un análisis gráfico mediante el diagrama de dispersión y el indicador local de asociación espacial. Los resultados muestran una elevada autocorrelación espacial entre las superficies con registro de incendios, donde el estadístico de Moran reúne en un 98.3 % la estructura global de asociación longitudinal y altitudinal.
MARCADORES RAPDs ASOCIADOS A LA EXPRESIÓN DEL SEXO EN Ceratozamia Mexicana Brongniart (Zamiaceae)
Authors: Iglesias-Andreu L. , Luna-Rodríguez M. , Durán-Vázquez M. , Rivera-Fernández A. , Sánchez-Coello N.
Published: January 2011

Ceratozamia mexicana Brongniart es una especie estrictamente dioica con un largo estadio juvenil. Con el fin de detectar marcadores moleculares asociados al azar (RAPD) y al análisis masal segregante (BSA), se trabajó con muestras de tejido foliar de individuos maduros de la población de esta especie en Coacoatzintla, Veracruz, México. Se usaron cinco iniciadores para amplificar tres mezclas de ADN de individuos de sexo conocido. Se produjeron un total de 37 bandas de las cuales el 63 % fueron polimórficas. Los iniciadores OPB08 y OPK10 generaron bandas distintivas al sexo. Con el iniciador OPK10 se observó una banda de 500 pb en dos de las tres mezclas de machos analizados, mientras que con el iniciador OPB08 se detectaron 2 bandas (1,400 y 1,100 pb) presentes en dos de las tres mezclas de machos examinados. Aunque es necesario validar los resultados obtenidos, pueden abrir una nueva alternativa para determinar tempranamente el sexo en C. mexicana.
Atmospheric correction of thermal-infrared imagery of the 3-D urban environment acquired in oblique viewing geometry
Authors: Meier F. , Scherer D. , Richters J. , Christen A.
Published: January 2011

Abstract. This research quantifies and discusses atmospheric effects that alter the radiance observed by a ground-based thermal-infrared (TIR) camera mounted on top of a high-rise building in the city of Berlin, Germany. The study shows that atmospheric correction of ground-based TIR imagery of the three-dimensional (3-D) urban environment acquired in oblique viewing geometry has to account for spatial variability of line-of-sight (LOS) geometry. We present an atmospheric correction procedure that uses these spatially distributed LOS geometry parameters, the radiative transfer model MODTRAN 5.2 and atmospheric profile data derived from meteorological measurements in the field of view (FOV) of the TIR camera. The magnitude of atmospheric effects varies during the analysed 24-hourly period (8 August 2009) and is particularly notable for surfaces showing a strong surface-to-air temperature difference. The differences between uncorrected and corrected TIR imagery reach up to 7.7 K at 12:00. Atmospheric effects are biased up to 4.3 K at 12:00 and up to 0.6 K at 24:00, if non-spatially distributed LOS parameters are used.
An improved NO2 retrieval for the GOME-2 satellite instrument
Authors: Richter A. , Begoin M. , Hilboll A. , Burrows J. P.
Published: January 2011

Abstract. Satellite observations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) provide valuable information on both stratospheric and tropospheric composition. Nadir measurements from GOME, SCIAMACHY, OMI, and GOME-2 have been used in many studies on tropospheric NO2 burdens, the importance of different NOx emissions sources and their change over time. The observations made by the three GOME-2 instruments will extend the existing data set by more than a decade, and a high quality of the data as well as their good consistency with existing time series is of high importance. In this paper, an improved GOME-2 NO2 retrieval is described which reduces the scatter of the individual NO2 columns globally but in particular in the region of the Southern Atlantic Anomaly. This is achieved by using a larger fitting window including more spectral points, and by applying a two step spike removal algorithm in the fit. The new GOME-2 data set is shown to have good consistency with SCIAMACHY NO2 columns. Remaining small differences are shown to be linked to changes in the daily solar irradiance measurements used in both GOME-2 and SCIAMACHY retrievals. In the large retrieval window, a not previously identified spectral signature was found which is linked to deserts and other regions with bare soil. Inclusion of this empirically derived pseudo cross-section significantly improves the retrievals and potentially provides information on surface properties and desert aerosols. Using the new GOME-2 NO2 data set, a long-term average of tropospheric columns was computed and high-pass filtered. The resulting map shows evidence for pollution from several additional shipping lanes, not previously identified in satellite observations. This illustrates the excellent signal to noise ratio achievable with the improved GOME-2 retrievals.
Drastic shrinking of the Hadley circulation during the mid-Cretaceous supergreenhouse
Authors: Hasegawa H. , Tada R. , Jiang X. , Suganuma Y. , Imsamut S. , Charusiri P. , Ichinnorov N. , Khand Y.
Published: January 2011

Abstract. Understanding the behaviour of the global climate system during extremely warm periods is one of the major themes of paleoclimatology. Proxy data demonstrate that the equator-to-pole temperature gradient was much lower during the mid-Cretaceous "supergreenhouse" period than at present, implying larger meridional heat transport by atmospheric and/or oceanic circulation. However, reconstructions of atmospheric circulation during the Cretaceous have been hampered by a lack of appropriate data sets based on reliable proxies. Desert distribution directly reflects the position of the subtropical high-pressure belt, and the prevailing surface-wind pattern preserved in desert deposits reveals the exact position of its divergence axis, which marks the poleward margin of the Hadley circulation. We reconstructed temporal changes in the latitude of the subtropical high-pressure belt and its divergence axis during the Cretaceous based on spatio-temporal changes in the latitudinal distribution of deserts and prevailing surface-wind patterns in the Asian interior. We found a poleward shift in the subtropical high-pressure belt during the early and late Cretaceous, suggesting a poleward expansion of the Hadley circulation. In contrast, an equatorward shift of the belt was found during the mid-Cretaceous "supergreenhouse" period, suggesting drastic shrinking of the Hadley circulation. These results, in conjunction with recent observations, suggest the existence of a threshold in atmospheric CO2 level and/or global temperature, beyond which the Hadley circulation shrinks drastically.
Strategies for Genotyping
Authors: Crawford Dana C. , Dilks Holli Hutcheson
Published: January 2011

The identification of genomic loci linked to or associated with human disease has been greatly facilitated by the evolution of genotyping strategies and techniques. The success of these strategies continues to be based upon clear clinical assessment, accurate sample handling, and careful data management, but also increasingly upon experimental design. Technological advances in the field of genotyping have permitted increasingly complex and large population studies to be performed. An understanding of publicly available genetic variation databases, including an awareness of the limitations of these data, and an appreciation of the strategic approaches that should be used to exploit this information will provide tremendous insight for researchers are aiming to utilize this accessible technology. As genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) and Next Generation (NextGen) sequencing become the mainstays of genetic analyses, it is important that their technical strengths and limitations, as well as their impact on study design, be understood before use in a linkage or genetic association study. Curr. Protoc. Hum. Genet. 68:1.3.1‐1.3.22 © 2011 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Pulmonary Effects of Inhaled Mineral Dusts
Authors: Fishwick David
Published: January 2011

Workers are still dying from the respiratory diseases caused by exposures to mineral dusts such as asbestos, coal dust, and silica. This chapter provides background information regarding the anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system, its defense mechanisms, assessment and response of the lungs to injury and specifics of the lung diseases caused by exposures to some of the mineral dusts.
Administrative Controls
Authors: Barnes Lisa Simkins
Published: January 2011

The present study addresses about the occupational health and safety risks in the jobs that require the use of hazardous materials or processes. Various methods of control of risk have been listed. The study finds that administrative controls can be effectively used to reduce the risk of injury or illness if they are properly implemented and often used in conjunction with other control methods to further reduce health and safety risks. Effective use of administrative controls requires a concerted team effort between employees, managers, engineers and occupational health and safety professionals.
Nonionizing Radiation: Lasers
Authors: Sliney David H.
Published: January 2011

Lasers have been used in industry, science and medicine. Lasers emit radiant energy which is accessible, and may pose potential hazards to the eye and skin. The laser classification system groups them into hazard classes according to their output power or energy and their ability to cause harm. This chapter discusses the special properties of lasers, hazard evaluation measurements, their control and delivery systems, and the special protective measures and the current safety standards and guidelines required for their safe use.
Product Stewardship: A Viable Practice for the Industrial Hygienist
Authors: Agopsowicz Daniel E. , Grumbles Thomas G.
Published: January 2011

The article summarizes the principles and practice of Product Stewardship to give the reader a working understanding of this growing professional niche. Product Stewardship is a significant regulatory and health protection activity required for all commercial entities, which create, market, transport, import or dispose of hazardous materials. Many of the major chemical manufacturing, processing, and distribution companies are committed to performance programs through their trade associations All of these programs define elements and expectations for Product Stewardship. The number and complexity of PS regulations continues to grow globally with the implementation of REACH, GHS, expanded EPA Inventory requirements and a growing list of participating countries. The typical qualifications and capabilities of a professional industrial hygienist compare well with the competency requirements for the practice of PS. Also, the involvement of government agencies and private advocacy groups and institutions in Product Stewardship activities have been addressed.
Work Site Health Promotion
Authors: Olmstead, Gary
Published: January 2011

Health promotion at the worksite has become increasingly more popular and these programs are sometime also called “workplace health programs” or “worksite wellness programs” or “workplace wellness programs”. These workplace health promotion initiatives can help to improve the health of employees and, correspondingly, healthy employees are thought to be more productive and have less absenteeism. It is believed that this program facilitate to create a culture of health. Historically, worksite health promotion has focused on promoting worker health through reduction of risk‐related behaviors and lack of exercise. This may be coordinated with Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), clinical prevention services, or disease management programs, etc.

Today, health promotion in the workplace is being led by multinational companies and the insurance industry. Several organizations have been presented for practicing wellness program for their employees, such as the voluntary PSP program by WalMart. An integrated holistic approach combines health promotion with medical benefits and disease management.
Similar model reference adaptive control with bounded control effort
Authors: Balaguer P.
Published: January 2011

In this article, we propose an indirect similar model reference adaptive control scheme (SMRAC) in which the reference model is no longer constrained to be fixed but may be time varying in order to assure a bounded control effort, measured as the shift from the plant poles to the reference model poles. The reference model may be time varying, but its dimensionless description is kept constant; hence, the reference output, in a dimensional analysis sense, is similar. The similarity property guarantees that the dimensionless output properties of the reference model, such as the % overshoot, are kept unmodified during operation. The ideas presented in the paper allow the user to set a control effort level and the SMARC scheme maintains the control effort bounded while keeping the dimensionless properties of the reference output unaltered. This property is interesting because due to error parameter estimation and/or time‐varying system parameters, the use of a fixed reference model can lead to either problems on actuator saturation or loss in achievable performance. The proposed scheme keeps the control effort bounded, while the dimensionless output properties are kept constant. The ideas presented may be extended to other adaptive control schemes. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Active fault‐tolerant control for switched systems with time delay
Authors: Du Dongsheng , Jiang Bin , Shi Peng
Published: January 2011

This paper focuses on the problem of active fault‐tolerant control for switched systems with time delay. By utilizing the fault diagnosis observer, an adaptive fault estimate algorithm is proposed, which can estimate the fault signal fast and exactly. Meanwhile, a delay‐dependent criterion is obtained with the purpose of reducing the conservatism of the adaptive observer design. Based on the fault estimation information, an observer‐based fault‐tolerant controller is designed to guarantee the stability of the closed‐loop system. In terms of linear matrix inequality, sufficient conditions are derived for the existence of the adaptive observer and fault‐tolerant controller. Finally, a numerical example is included to illustrate the efficiency of the proposed approach. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Clinical follow‐up of young adults affected by Williams syndrome: Experience of 45 Italian patients
Authors: Bedeschi Maria Francesca , Bianchi Vera , Colli Anna Maria , Natacci Federica , Cereda Anna , Milani Donatella , Maitz Silvia , Lalatta Faustina , Selicorni Angelo
Published: January 2011

Williams–Beuren syndrome (WBS) is a multisystem disorder that requires ongoing management by a primary care physician familiar with the natural history and specific medical problems associated with the condition. While the natural history of the disease during infancy is well known, data about the adult WBS population have been published only in the last few years, and show a wide range of medical, neurological, and psychiatric problems. We investigated 45 young adult WBS patients (mean age 23 years, range 17–39 years) using a well‐coordinated team which included a cardiologist, a nephrologist, an ophthalmologist, an endocrinologist, a gastroenterologist, orthodontist, and orthopedist. Here we describe the clinical features and medical complications in this cohort of patients. Most patients demonstrated a high frequency of multiple organ systems complications, in particular, abnormal body habitus; cardiovascular disease, and hypertension; sensorineural hearing loss; gastrointestinal symptoms including diverticular disease and abnormal glucose tolerance. We offer some suggestions for clinical monitoring which we propose will be useful in the overall care of adults with WBS. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Microdeletion of 17q22q23.2 encompassing TBX2 and TBX4 in a patient with congenital microcephaly, thyroid duct cyst, sensorineural hearing loss, and pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Nimmakayalu Manjunath , Major Heather , Sheffield Val , Solomon Donald H. , Smith Richard J. , Patil Shivanand R. , Shchelochkov Oleg A.
Published: January 2011

Microdeletions of the long arm of chromosome 17 are being reported with increasing frequency. Deletions of 17q22q23.2 may represent a genetically recognizable phenotype although its spectrum of genomic abnormalities, clinical manifestations, and critical regions are not fully delineated. Isolated reports and small case series suggest that deletions of 17q22q23.2 result in haploinsufficiency of dosage sensitive genes NOG, TBX2, and TBX4, which may be responsible for many aspects of the phenotype. Shared clinical features in this group of patients include microcephaly, prenatal onset growth restriction, heart defects, tracheoesophageal fistula, and esophageal atresia (TEF/EA), skeletal anomalies, and moderate to severe global developmental delay. We describe a female patient who presented with severe congenital microcephaly, thyroglossal duct cyst, sensorineural hearing loss, mild tracheomalacia, abnormal auricles, pulmonary hypertension, developmental delay, and postnatal onset growth delay. She had no TEF/EA or heart defects. Using a high density oligonucleotide microarray, we identified a microdeletion at 17q22q23.2, resulting in the heterozygous loss of several genes, including TBX2 and TBX4 but not NOG. The breakpoints did not lie within known segmental duplications. This case helps to further delineate the critical region for TEF/EA, which is likely confined to the chromosomal region proximal to 17q23.1, and suggests that genes in 17q23.1q23.2 may be associated with thyroglossal duct cysts. The role of TBX2 and TBX4 in pulmonary hypertension warrants investigation. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The severe end of the spectrum: Hypoplastic left heart in Potocki‐Lupski syndrome
Authors: Sanchez‐Valle Amarilis , Pierpont Mary Ella , Potocki Lorraine
Published: January 2011

Potocki‐Lupski syndrome (PTLS) is a recently described microduplication syndrome associated with duplication 17p11.2, including the RAI1 gene. Features of PTLS include hypotonia, feeding difficulties, failure to thrive, developmental delay and behavioral abnormalities including autistic spectrum disorder, anxiety, and inattention. Cardiovascular anomalies were not recognized as a feature of duplication 17p11.2 until 2007 when noted in over 50% of a clinically characterized cohort. We report a patient with hypoplastic left heart syndrome whose diagnosis of PTLS was delayed until a genetic evaluation at age 4 years because of severe expressive language impairment. We suggest that array comparative genomic hybridization be performed in infants with severe congenital heart defects. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Autism spectrum disorders and autistic traits: A decade of new twin studies
Authors: Ronald Angelica , Hoekstra Rosa A.
Published: January 2011

Researchers continue to pursue a better understanding of the symptoms, comorbidities, and causes of autism spectrum disorders. In this article we review more than 30 twin studies of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and autistic traits published in the last decade that have contributed to this endeavor. These twin studies have reported on the heritability of autism spectrum disorders and autistic traits in different populations and using different measurement and age groups. These studies have also stimulated debate and new hypotheses regarding why ASDs show substantial symptom heterogeneity, and what causes their comorbidity with intellectual disability, language delay, and other psychiatric disorders such as ADHD. These studies also reveal that the etiology of autism and autistic traits assessed in the general population is more similar than different, which contributes to the question of where the boundary lies between autism and typical development. Recent findings regarding molecular genetic and environmental causes of autism are discussed in the relation to these twin studies. Lastly, methodological assumptions of the twin design are given consideration, as well as issues of measurement. Future research directions are suggested to ensure that this decade is as productive as the last in attempting to disentangle the causes of autism spectrum disorders. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Association of ANK3 with bipolar disorder confirmed in East Asia
Authors: Takata Atsushi , Kim Se Hyun , Ozaki Norio , Iwata Nakao , Kunugi Hiroshi , Inada Toshiya , Ujike Hiroshi , Nakamura Kazuhiko , Mori Norio , Ahn Yong Min , Joo Eun‐Jeong , Song Joo Yun , Kanba Shigenobu , Yoshikawa Takeo , Kim Yong Sik , Kato Tadafumi
Published: January 2011

Results of genome‐wide association studies (GWASs) for bipolar disorder (BD) have indicated ANK3 as one of the most promising candidates for a susceptibility gene. In this study, we performed genetic association analysis of two single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in ANK3 (rs1938526 and rs10994336), whose genome‐wide significant associations were reported in a previous meta‐analysis of GWASs, using genotyping data of Korean and Japanese case–control samples and a part of data from a GWAS in Han‐Chinese from Taiwan. The total number of participants was 2,212 cases (352 from Korea, 860 from Japan, and 1,000 from Taiwan) and 2,244 controls (349 from Korea, 895 from Japan, and 1,000 from Taiwan). We could not detect any significant difference of allele frequency in individual analyses using each of the three populations. However, when we combined the three data sets and performed a meta‐analysis, rs1938526 showed nominally significant association (P = 0.048, odds ratio = 1.09). The over‐represented allele in BD was same as that reported in Caucasian GWASs. On the other hand, any significant association was not detected in rs10994336. This discrepancy between two SNPs may be explained by the different degree of linkage disequilibrium between Asian and Caucasian. These findings further supported the association between ANK3 and BD, and also suggested the genomic region around rs1938526 as a common risk locus across ethnicities. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Glucocorticoid receptor haplotype is associated with a decreased risk of delirium in the elderly
Authors: Manenschijn L. , van Rossum E.F.C. , Jetten A.M. , de Rooij S.E. , van Munster B.C.
Published: January 2011

Delirium is the most common mental disorder at older age in hospitals after acute admission. The pathogenesis of delirium is largely unknown. Hyperactivity of the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal axis, leading to increased cortisol levels, has been suggested to play a role in the development of delirium. The effects of cortisol, the most important glucocorticoid (GC) in humans, are mainly mediated by the GC receptor (GR). Several polymorphisms in the GR gene that alter the GC sensitivity are known. The aim of this study was to study the role of these GR polymorphisms in delirium in elderly patients. Patients aged 65 years and older admitted to the medical department or scheduled for hip surgery were included. Delirium was diagnosed using the Confusion Assessment Method. Five single nucleotide polymorphisms in the GC receptor gene were genotyped and haplotypes were constructed. Delirium was associated with impaired cognitive (P < 0.001) and functional function (P < 0.001), as well as with older age (P < 0.001). Homozygous carriers of haplotype 4, characterized by the presence of the BclI and TthIIII minor alleles, had a 92% decreased risk of developing delirium (P = 0.02), independent of age, cognitive, and functional state. Homozygous carriage of the BclI‐TthIIII haplotype of the GR gene is related to a reduced risk of developing delirium. This suggests that altered GC signaling may be involved in the pathogenesis and development of delirium in the elderly. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A phenotype‐based genetic association study reveals the contribution of neuregulin1 gene variants to age of onset and positive symptom severity in schizophrenia
Authors: Papiol Sergi , Begemann Martin , Rosenberger Albert , Friedrichs Heidi , Ribbe Katja , Grube Sabrina , Schwab Markus H. , Jahn Henriette , Gunkel Stefan , Benseler Fritz , Nave Klaus‐Armin , Ehrenreich Hannelore
Published: January 2011

By pure endpoint diagnosis of the disease, the risk of developing schizophrenia has been repeatedly associated with specific variants of the neuregulin1 (NRG1) gene. However, the role of NRG1 in the etiology of schizophrenia has remained unclear. Since Nrg1 serves vital functions in early brain development of mice, we hypothesized that human NRG1 alleles codetermine developmentally influenced readouts of the disease: age of onset and positive symptom severity. We analyzed 1,071 comprehensively phenotyped schizophrenic/schizoaffective patients, diagnosed according to DSM‐IV‐TR, from the GRAS (Göttingen Research Association for Schizophrenia) Data Collection for genetic variability in the Icelandic region of risk in the NRG1 gene. For the case‐control analysis part of the study, we included 1,056 healthy individuals with comparable ethnicity. The phenotype‐based genetic association study (PGAS) was performed on the GRAS sample. Instead of a risk constellation, we detected that several haplotypic variants of NRG1 were, unexpectedly, less frequent in the schizophrenic than in the control sample (mean OR = 0.78, range between 0.68 and 0.85). In the PGAS we found that these “protective” NRG1 variants are specifically underrepresented in subgroups of schizophrenic subjects with early age of onset and high positive symptom load. The GRAS Data Collection as a prerequisite for PGAS has enabled us to associate protective NRG1 genotypes with later onset and milder course of schizophrenia. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Pallidal dysfunction drives a cerebellothalamic circuit into Parkinson tremor
Authors: Helmich Rick C. , Janssen Marcel J. R. , Oyen Wim J. G. , Bloem Bastiaan R. , Toni Ivan
Published: January 2011

Objective:

Parkinson disease (PD) is characterized by striatal dopamine depletion, which explains clinical symptoms such as bradykinesia and rigidity, but not resting tremor. Instead, resting tremor is associated with increased activity in a distinct cerebellothalamic circuit. To date, it remains unknown how the interplay between basal ganglia and the cerebellothalamic circuit can result in resting tremor.

Methods:

We studied 21 tremor‐dominant PD patients, 23 nontremor PD patients, and 36 controls. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we measured functional connectivity between basal ganglia nuclei (globus pallidus internus [GPi], globus pallidus externus [GPe], putamen, caudate) and the cerebellothalamic circuit. Using electromyography during scanning, we measured tremor‐related activity in the basal ganglia and cerebellothalamic circuit. We also quantified striatopallidal dopamine depletion using iodine‐123‐N‐omega‐fluoropropyl‐2β‐carbomethoxy‐3β‐(4‐iodophenyl)tropane [[I‐123]FP‐CIT] single photon emission computed tomography.

Results:

Pallidal (but not striatal) dopamine depletion correlated with clinical tremor severity. The GPi, GPe, and putamen were transiently activated at the onset of tremor episodes, whereas activity in the cerebellothalamic circuit cofluctuated with tremor amplitude. The GPi and putamen of tremor‐dominant PD patients had increased functional connectivity with the cerebellothalamic circuit, which was relegated through the motor cortex.

Interpretation:

Resting tremor may result from a pathological interaction between the basal ganglia and the cerebellothalamic circuit. The cerebellothalamic circuit, which controls tremor amplitude, appears to be driven into tremor generation when receiving transient signals from the dopamine‐depleted basal ganglia. This may explain why basal ganglia dysfunction is required for developing resting tremor, although a cerebellothalamic circuit produces it. Our model also clarifies why neurosurgical interventions targeted at either the basal ganglia or the cerebellothalamic circuit can both suppress tremor. Ann Neurol 2011
Preparation of amphiphilic acrylic acid copolymer and its application in humidity‐sensitive coatings
Authors: Wang Rongmin , Wang Junfeng , Lv Weihua , Guo Junfeng , He Yufeng , Jiang Menglan
Published: January 2011

A new kind of water‐dispersed resin, amphiphilic acrylic acid copolymer resin was prepared by hydrophilic monomer, hydrophobic monomer, and functional monomer (diacetone acrylamide). The effect of acid value and diacetone acrylamide concentration on water solubility was investigated. It showed that the acid value should be greater than 100 mg KOH/g. The coating properties of the amphiphilic acrylic acid copolymer resin and its film were measured, which showed excellent properties in hardness, gloss, and water resistance. It was applied to prepare the humidity‐sensitive coatings. The water absorption of humidity‐sensitive coatings was 260%. It could increase indoor humidity or dehumidify in dry or moist environment. On the basis of scanning electron microscopy images, the mechanism of humidity‐sensitive activity was also discussed. The humidity‐sensitive exhibited humidity sensitivity and excellent humidity retention because fillers of porous structure combined with amphiphilic copolymer. It could be widely applied in indoor coating for controlling humidity. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Early‐Transition‐Metal Catalysts with Phenoxy–Imine‐Type Ligands for the Oligomerization of Ethylene
Authors: Kinoshita Shinsuke , Kawamura Kazumori , Fujita Terunori
Published: January 2011

Early‐transition‐metal complexes incorporating phenoxy–imine‐type bidentate and tridentate ligands, after activation, can achieve selective as well as nonselective ethylene oligomerization to produce 1‐hexene, linear α‐olefins, and vinyl‐terminated low‐molecular‐weight polyethylenes, all with high efficiency.
Effect of supplementation of micronutrients and phytochemicals to fructooligosaccharides on growth response of probiotics and E. coli
Authors: Yadav Supriya , Gite Snehal , Nilegaonkar Smita , Agte Vaishali
Published: January 2011

Probiotics and prebiotics, which can change the colonic microenvironment, are the areas of current interest. Unutilizable fractions of the foods and fortificants, which reach the colon can affect the profile of probiotics. Effects of eight such factors viz. zinc sulphate, zinc carbonate, ferrous sulphate, ferric citrate, quercetin, gallic acid, phytic acid, and oxalic acid were, therefore, investigated on 24 H growth of Lactobacillus acidophilus (L1) and Lactobacillus plantarum (L2), two isolates of bifidobacteria (longum (L3) and bifidum (L4)) and a marketed consortium (L5) of eight probiotic cultures. MRS medium with marketed fructooligosaccharide as the only source of carbon was used for study of dose response curves. Quercetin and zinc sulphate showed significant positive effect for L1 and L5 (P < 0.01), whereas there was slight positive effect or no effect on growth of other probiotics. Phytic acid showed a significant inhibitory effect for L2 and a slight inhibitory effect on L3 and L4 whereas L5 were able to tolerate phytic acid. Oxalic acid had slight positive effect for L1 (P < 0.05) and L5 and no effect on growth of other probiotics (P > 0.05). Further, zinc sulphate, ferrous sulphate, quercetin, and oxalic acid significantly inhibited growth of E. coli (P < 0.05) © 2011 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.