bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of Chlorhexidine Varnish for the Prevention of Adult Caries
Authors: Papas A.S. , Vollmer W.M. , Gullion C.M. , Bader J. , Laws R. , Fellows J. , Hollis J.F. , Maupomé G. , Singh M.L. , Snyder J. , Blanchard P. ,   for the PACS Collaborative Group, White Alex , Blanchard Peter , Deane Joy-Ann , Hamburger Keith , Johnson Joanne , Johnson Kristen , Marangi-Marsden Rosemary , Molina Nydia , O’Connor Kimberly , Tavano Joanne , Torresyap Gay , Maupome Gerardo , Begay Marilyn , Goldtooth Tracy , Haskie Jacqueline , Honanie Eric , Masaquaptewa Adrinne , Oh Junhie , Peaches Rantreva , Phipps Kathy , Robertson L.D. , Ryczek Shelli , Talayumptewa Corina ,   TCRHCC officers and staff,   NNHRRB officers and staff, Papas Athena , Arkema Elizabeth , Brown Ashley , Burns Virginia , Casey Moira , Corrado Pamela , Douglas Mark , Ganda Kachan , Gulati Harish , Harrington Dorothy , Krizova Lucie , Lee Karen , O’Connor Julie , Ragone Lauren , Russell David , Singh Medha , Singh Mabi , Soter John Cleeve , Stevens George , Sundaralingam Shankeertha , Tzavaras Elizabeth , Snyder John , Bernel Diane , Brittan John , Brooks Leah , Carlston Jennifer , Cheek Paul , Clark Donna , Downing Joyce , Farrell Kelsie , Gleason Donna , Hankins Janet , Hollis Jack , Johnson Cheryl , LaFerriere Dan , Little Sally Jo , Massinger Lisa , Muessig Kristin , Olson Ora Lee , Richards Kim , Snyder Craig , Strong Barbara , Vollmer William M. , Bader James , Bardsley Jeanette , Booker Kristina , Chen Chuhe , Chen Ping , Dixon Arthor , Donald Judy , Elder Charles , Fellows Jeffrey , Funkhouser Kimberly , Giullion Christina , Kirk Kelly , Laws Reesa , Machen Celeste , Meltesen Gayle , Rasathurai Sumithran , Reck Deborah
Published: December 2011

The Prevention of Adult Caries Study, an NIDCR-funded multicenter, double-blind, randomized clinical trial, enrolled 983 adults (aged 18-80 yrs) at high risk for developing caries (20 or more intact teeth and 2 or more lesions at screening) to test the efficacy of a chlorhexidine diacetate 10% weight per volume (w/v) dental coating (CHX). We excluded participants for whom the study treatment was contraindicated or whose health might affect outcomes or ability to complete the study. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either the CHX coating (n = 490) or a placebo control (n = 493). Coatings were applied weekly for 4 weeks and a fifth time 6 months later. The primary outcome (total net D1-2FS increment) was the sum of weighted counts of changes in tooth surface status over 13 months. We observed no significant difference between the two treatment arms in either the intention-to-treat or per-protocol analyses. Analysis of 3 protocol-specified secondary outcomes produced similar findings. This trial failed to find that 10% (w/v) chlorhexidine diacetate coating was superior to placebo coating for the prevention of new caries ( Clinicaltrials.gov registration number NCT00357877).
A Comparison of Empirical Ranking Methods of Frequency and Severity Ratings of Clinical Presentations
Authors: Smith Sara D. , Beran Tanya N.
Published: December 2011

This study compares five methods of ranking Likert ratings on frequency and severity scales. Data were drawn from an international online survey conducted as part of a practice analysis with 91 diplomates of the American Chiropractic Board of Radiology. A total of 129 clinical presentations had been rated on two scales. The frequency scale specifies how often each condition is seen in practice from 1 ( never) to 5 ( daily). The severity scale indicates how severe each condition is to the patient from 1 ( no risk) to 5 ( severe risk). These ratings were used in five methods of ranking to identify the 10 most important conditions reported by chiropractic radiologists. The similarity of ranks across the five methods was then analyzed with Spearman’s rank correlations. The results of the study indicate that the Rasch model provides the most precise results about the importance of conditions seen in practice.
Childhood Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy Associated With Acquired Scoliosis
Authors: Nirupam Nilay , Sharma Suvasini , Aneja Satinder , Kumar Atin
Published: December 2011

An 11-year-old boy presented with progressive proximal muscle weakness and areflexia. He also had scoliosis with right convexity in the thoracic spine. Nerve conduction studies showed demyelination with conduction blocks. The level of protein in the cerebrospinal fluid was elevated. Magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbosacral spine showed enhancement and hypertrophy of the nerve roots. The patient responded well to steroids. The association of acquired scoliosis with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy has not been reported before.
Child Neurology Residency
Authors: Heiser Karen
Published: December 2011

From limitations on residents’ duty hours, to ways in which outcomes are measured, changes to graduate medical education are sweeping the nation. In this issue of the journal, Gilbert and Greenwood present thoughtful, if somewhat disparate, opinions on ways to improve the educational experience of child neurology trainees. As the Designated Institutional Officer of a large children’s hospital, I have focused my commentary on “the big picture.” That is, what systemwide impact can changes in child neurology trainees’ education have.
Secondary Erythromelalgia Successfully Treated With Intravenous Immunoglobulin
Authors: Moody Shadé , Pacheco Susan , Butler Ian J. , Koenig Mary Kay
Published: December 2011

Erythromelalgia is a rare condition characterized by episodic painful erythema and warmth often affecting, but not limited to, the distal extremities. This condition is notoriously difficult to treat. We report a young female patient with seronegative polyarthritis who presented with a 6-year history of recurrent bouts of painful erythema and swelling often triggered by minor trauma. An extensive evaluation was unremarkable. Several medical therapies provided limited and inconsistent relief of her symptoms over many years. Treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin significantly decreased the frequency and severity of her symptoms.
Tolerance of Minor Setbacks in a Challenging Reentry Experience
Authors: Taylor Caitlin J.
Published: December 2011

The Federal Probation Office and the Board of Judges for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania initiated a pilot reentry court program, called the Supervision to Aid Reentry (STAR) program in 2007. The impact evaluation used a quasi-experimental research design to compare the reentry success of the first 60 STAR participants to a matched comparison group of 60 probationers in the 18 months postrelease. While logistic regression results indicated that STAR participants were no less likely to be arrested than the comparison group, STAR participation was associated with a significant reduction in the likelihood of supervision revocation. With insight from a previous process evaluation of the STAR program, implications of these findings for the STAR program and other reentry programs are discussed.
Children having children? Religion, psychology and the birth of the teenage pregnancy problem
Authors: Koffman Ofra
Published: December 2011

This article presents a genealogical examination of the emergence of governmental concern with ‘children having children’, focusing on the work of the London County Council and local voluntary organizations in the 1950s and 1960s. The article explores the moral-Christian discourse shaping governmental work with ‘unwed mothers’ and identifies the discursive shifts associated with the ascent of the problematization of ‘teenage motherhood’. It is argued that within the moral-Christian discourse, a woman’s subjectivity was delineated primarily according to her ‘character’ not her age or her ‘maturity’. Furthermore, the prospect that a young unwed mother will raise her child was viewed positively as it was seen to contribute to the desired transformation of her character. The shift to a concern with ‘children having children’ was linked with a rise in the influence of psychological discourse on government work. Two psychological notions were particularly important: the proposition that teenagers are emotionally immature and the assertion that inadequate mothering has a lasting effect on the health of a child. The article concludes that unless contemporary scientific claims regarding young people’s psychological and physiological maturity are challenged, the ‘problem’ of teenage parenthood will persist in the years to come.
Free vibration of rotating axially functionally graded tapered beams
Authors: Zarrinzadeh H , Attarnejad R , Shahba A
Published: December 2011

In this article, free vibration characteristics of rotating axially functionally graded tapered beams with six different boundary conditions are studied through a finite-element approach. The beam element employed in this study is a two-noded element whose shape functions are obtained in terms of special functions namely basic displacement functions. Application of this beam element provides good results as the shape functions take the effects of variable centrifugal force, cross-sectional area, and mechanical properties of the material. In this study, the effects of material non-homogeneity, taper ratio, rotating speed parameter, hub radius, and tip mass are investigated. The results are given in tabular form so that they could be used as a means of comparison for future studies in this field.
Improving transient performance in computationally simple gyro-corrected satellite attitude determination
Authors: Ruiter A de
Published: December 2011

This article extends a previously presented Kalman-like filter for fusing gyro measurements with attitude measurements obtained from external sensors such as star-trackers, magnetometers, and sun-sensors. The simplicity of this approach is useful for applications such as micro/nano-satellites where computational power is limited. The previously presented filter uses constant filter gains. It was shown that by appropriately choosing the constant gains, near- optimal steady-state performance is obtained. A drawback of using constant gains is that optimal transient filter performance is lost, meaning that convergence is slower. In this article, a computationally simple analytical approximation to the transient part of the Kalman filter gain is derived, allowing the transient performance to be recovered. The transient approximation of the gain is then applied for a predetermined fixed period of time, after which the gain is switched to the previously presented constant steady-state Kalman gain. A simple expression for a suitable time to switch from transient to steady-state filter operation is derived. Simulation results demonstrate the efficacy of this approach.
Influence of material and geometrical parameters on stress field of composite plates with insert
Authors: Mazraehshahi H Talebi , Zakeri A A
Published: December 2011

Reduction of stress concentrations in the area of pin-loaded holes is one of the greatest challenges in the design of multilayered fibre-reinforced composite structures. Among many approaches to decrease concentration effects, putting metallic inserts in the holes is a convenient method. In this research, finite element analysis is applied to assess the effects of manufacturing parameters on stress concentration in the vicinity of the holes in composite plates with inserts. Edge and pitch distance, thickness and materials of insert, clearance between insert and composite part, and stiffness of the adhesive filling the gap are studied in this article. Investigations show that the optimum ratio of edge distance of insert to hole’s diameter is between 2 and 3. Results also show that the changes of the ratio of hole diameter to the width of plate do not have a considerable effect on the bearing concentration factor. Thicker insert reduces stress on the hole contour and higher clearance increases stress near the holes. Finally, increase of adhesive stiffness reduces the stress concentration caused by the clearance.
Time perspective and autobiographical memory: Individual and gender differences in experiencing time and remembering the past
Authors: Ely Richard , Mercurio Andrea
Published: December 2011

This study examined the degree to which time perspectives were associated with the processes and content of autobiographical memory. A sample of 230 young adults (118 women) completed the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (ZTPI; Zimbardo and Boyd, 1999 ), the Big Five Inventory (BFI; John and Srivastava, 1999 ), and responded in writing to seven memory prompts as well as to items from the Autobiographical Memory Questionnaire (AMQ; Rubin et al., 2003 ). The Past Positive and Future subscales of the ZTPI predicted many aspects of memory even when controlling for BFI traits. There were gender differences in time perspectives and gender moderated a number of the correlations between time perspectives and autobiographical memory.
Time is an abstract entity
Authors: Radovan Mario
Published: December 2011

The common discourse about the flow of time is wrong; the sophisticated discourse about the relativity of time is also wrong, but for different reasons. Time does not flow because it does not exist in the objective sense, as an ingredient of the physical reality. The physical reality constantly changes its manifest shapes: things are becoming and vanishing. People project their experience of change onto the coordinate of their space of discourse, called time. Time is the abstract means by which people express and measure the amount and intensity of change. The assumption that the coordinates of the space of discourse are parts of the physical reality and that they are ‘malleable’, is structurally wrong and it leads to inconsistent discourse. Some devoted adherents of ‘Einstein's revolution’ describe it as ‘frustratingly unfinished’. I argue that this revolution is structurally and logically flawed, so that it cannot be finished; it should better be abandoned.
Time perspective, emotional intelligence and discounting of delayed awards
Authors: Stolarski Maciej , Bitner Joanna , Zimbardo Philip G.
Published: December 2011

Although the tendency to delay gratification is by definition the core feature of twoincreasingly popular—within the scope of individual differences at least—constructs: emotional intelligence (EI) and time perspective (TP), the role of the latter two in its development has never been investigated before. Moreover, none of existing research reports consider mutual relationships between EI and TP. Our research investigated relationships between TP, EI and the rate of discounting of delayed awards, understood as one of the forms of gratification delay. We also applied a new method of assessing balanced time perspective—the Deviation from the Balanced Time Perspective (DBTP). 126 university students participated in the study. The results obtained suggest the existence of several important connections between TP and EI and moderate impact of DBTP on the process of discounting. Future studies on temporal orientation could be enriched by utilizing this integrative measure of balanced time perspective (the DBTP coefficient) and by partitioning award delays into stages when analyzing temporal discounting strategies.
Delamination detection in composites using wave modulation spectroscopy with a novel active nonlinear acousto-ultrasonic piezoelectric sensor
Authors: Chrysochoidis Nikolaos A. , Barouni Antigoni K. , Saravanos Dimitris A.
Published: December 2011

A novel structural health monitoring (SHM) methodology, based on nonlinear wave modulation spectroscopy, is presented for the detection of delamination cracks in composites. The basic element is a novel active nonlinear acousto-ultrasonic piezoelectric sensor enabling low-cost and wide-frequency operational bandwidth. The active sensor configuration involves two piezoceramic wafer actuators, each one excited with a low- and high-frequency signal respectively, and a piezoceramic sensor, all permanently bonded on the tested structure. Experiments are conducted on two sets of composite strips containing delamination cracks of different sizes. Measured results illustrate first the efficiency of the nonlinear ultrasonics methodology to detect delamination cracks, as well as, the potential and benefits of the new active sensor. The sensitivity of the active sensor response to the crack size and the applied high-frequency carrier signals at the actuators, vary at various frequency and voltage levels indicating the appropriate testing setup. Additionally repeatability of proposed SHM methodology is studied.
The Structure of Women’s Mood in the Early Postpartum
Authors: Buttner Melissa M. , O’Hara Michael W. , Watson David
Published: December 2011

The “postpartum blues” is a mild, predictable mood disturbance occurring within the first several days following childbirth. Previous analyses of the “blues” symptom structure yielded inconclusive findings, making reliable assessment a significant methodological limitation. The current study aimed to explicate the symptom structure of women’s mood following childbirth, and to examine psychometric properties of the Daily Experiences Questionnaire (DEQ), an adapted version of the Kennerley Blues Questionnaire that included additional items from the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule. Mothers who recently delivered ( N = 216) were recruited from a university hospital and asked to complete mood ratings on six consecutive days using the DEQ. Exploratory factor analysis yielded an interpretable two-factor solution identified as Negative Affect and Positive Affect. Scale reliability indices were excellent, with a high level of agreement in factor structure over time. This two-factor model provides reliable assessment of women’s mood in the early postpartum, informing the study of reproductive-related mood disorders.
Construct Validity of the Anxiety Sensitivity Index–3 in Clinical Samples
Authors: Kemper Christoph J. , Lutz Johannes , Bähr Tobias , Rüddel Heinz , Hock Michael
Published: December 2011

Using two clinical samples of patients, the presented studies examined the construct validity of the recently revised Anxiety Sensitivity Index–3 (ASI-3). Confirmatory factor analyses established a clear three-factor structure that corresponds to the postulated subdivision of the construct into correlated somatic, social, and cognitive components. Participants with different primary clinical diagnoses differed from each other on the ASI-3 subscales in theoretically meaningful ways. Specifically, the ASI-3 successfully discriminated patients with anxiety disorders from patients with nonanxiety disorders. Moreover, patients with panic disorder or agoraphobia manifested more somatic concerns than patients with other anxiety disorders and patients with nonanxiety disorders. Finally, correlations of the ASI-3 scales with other measures of clinical symptoms and negative affect substantiated convergent and discriminant validity. Substantial positive correlations were found between the ASI-3 Somatic Concerns and body vigilance, between Social Concerns and fear of negative evaluation and socially inhibited behavior, and between Cognitive Concerns and depression symptoms, anxiety, fear of negative evaluation, and subjective complaints. Moreover, Social Concerns correlated negatively with dominant and intrusive behavior. Results are discussed with respect to the contribution of the ASI-3 to the assessment of anxiety-related disorders.
Association of polymorphisms in angiotensin and aldosterone synthase genes of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system with high-altitude pulmonary edema
Authors: Srivastava Swati , Bhagi Shuchi , Kumari Babita , Chandra Khem , Sarkar Soma , Ashraf Mohammad Z
Published: December 2011

Studies on different populations have suggested variability in individual susceptibility to altitude sickness depending on genetic makeup. The renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) pathway plays a key role in regulation of vascular tone and circulatory homeostasis. The present study was undertaken to investigate the possible association of the RAAS in the development of high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) in lowlanders exposed to high altitude. Three categories of subjects were selected: individuals who developed HAPE on acute induction to high altitude ( HAPE); individuals tolerant to high-altitude exposure who showed no symptoms of HAPE (resistant controls; rCON); and natives of high altitude ( HAN). Genetic variants in the genes of the RAAS such as renin ( REN), angiotensin ( AGT), angiotensin-converting enzyme ( ACE), aldosterone synthase ( CYP11B2) and angiotensin II receptor type 1 ( AGTR1) have been investigated. The T174M polymorphism in AGT showed a significant difference in HAPE and HAN and also HAN and controls. Also, genotyping in the CYP11B2 T-344C promoter region resulted in a significant difference between HAPE and HAN both at genotypic and allelic levels. The genotypic difference was statistically insignificant for the AGTR1 A1166C 3’ UTR. The present investigation demonstrates a possible association between the polymorphisms existing in the RAAS pathway T174M and CYP11B2 C-344T and sensitivity of an individual to develop HAPE. The results also indicate the existence of ethnic variation between the HAN and the other two groups comprising lowlanders.
A Cognitive Approach to Work Intention
Authors: Zigarmi Drea , Nimon Kim
Published: December 2011

The Problem.

The measurement of intention has not been used enough in employee engagement and work passion research

The Solution.

Using a social cognitive process model for employee work passion, the authors (a) define and describe the term work intention, (b) present three reasons why work intention should be measured, (c) summarize relevant research, and (d) suggest three recommendations for human resource development (HRD) professionals to consider.

The Stakeholders.

Stakeholders include human resource development scholars, practitioners, and scholar–practitioners concerned with the consequences of employee engagement.
An Experimental Investigation of the Effects of Celebrity Support for Political Parties in the United States
Authors: Nownes Anthony J.
Published: December 2011

In this study, I report the results of a pretest-posttest, control group experiment in which some of my more than 500 respondents were exposed to factual information about celebrity support for political parties and some were not. I proceed from the assumption that celebrity political activity is more likely to influence citizens’ views of political parties than it is to affect either citizens’ vote choices or views of individual candidates. I make this assumption based on the work of Green, Palmquist, and Schickler, who posit that party identification is a social identity. The results provide support for this notion. Specifically, they show that celebrity political activity can indeed influence some citizens’ views of political parties. The results show also that celebrity political activity can affect citizens’ views of politically active celebrities.
Public Opinion on Juvenile Blended Sentencing
Authors: Garland Brett , Melton Melissa , Hass Aida
Published: December 2011

Juvenile blended sentencing statutes enable juvenile courts to impose sanctions in the adult correctional system without the youth being processed by adult courts. The current study examines levels of public support for juvenile courts having the option to consider applying this new blended sentencing policy, and it analyzes the impact of various predictor variables, such as the perceived nature of juveniles and expected consequences of adult-level sanctions, on supportiveness. In 2009, a survey was mailed to a random sample of 1,000 Missouri residents, and through a series of follow ups, a 51% response rate was achieved. In general, respondents favored juvenile courts possessing the option to use juvenile blended sentencing. OLS regression analyses determined that the expected consequences of adult sanctions on youths were the strongest predictors of support. Attitudes about the respectfulness of youth and perceived importance of incapacitation in responding to youth crime also influenced attitudes toward the blended policy. Future directions for research along with policy and legal implications are discussed.
Comparative Genomics of Helicobacter pylori and the human-derived Helicobacter bizzozeronii CIII-1 strain reveal the molecular basis of the zoonotic nature of non-pylori gastric Helicobacter infections in humans
Authors: Schott Thomas , Kondadi Pradeep K , Hänninen Marja-Liisa , Rossi Mirko
Published: December 2011

Background

The canine Gram-negativeHelicobacter bizzozeroniiis one of seven species inHelicobacter heilmanniisensu lato that are detected in 0.17-2.3% of the gastric biopsies of human patients with gastric symptoms. At the present,H. bizzozeroniiis the only non-pylori gastricHelicobactersp. cultivated from human patients and is therefore a good alternative model of human gastricHelicobacterdisease. We recently sequenced the genome of theH. bizzozeroniihuman strain CIII-1, isolated in 2008 from a 47-year old Finnish woman suffering from severe dyspeptic symptoms. In this study, we performed a detailed comparative genome analysis withH. pylori, providing new insights into non-pyloriHelicobacterinfections and the mechanisms of transmission between the primary animal host and humans.

Results

H. bizzozeroniipossesses all the genes necessary for its specialised life in the stomach. However,H. bizzozeroniidiffers fromH. pyloriby having a wider metabolic flexibility in terms of its energy sources and electron transport chain. Moreover,H. bizzozeroniiharbours a higher number of methyl-accepting chemotaxis proteins, allowing it to respond to a wider spectrum of environmental signals. In this study,H. bizzozeroniihas been shown to have high level of genome plasticity. We were able to identify a total of 43 contingency genes, 5 insertion sequences (ISs), 22 mini-IS elements, 1 genomic island and a putative prophage. AlthoughH. bizzozeroniilacks homologues of some of the majorH. pylorivirulence genes, other candidate virulence factors are present. In particular, we identified a polysaccharide lyase (HBZC1_15820) as a potential new virulence factor ofH. bizzozeronii.

Conclusions

The comparative genome analysis performed in this study increased the knowledge of the biology of gastricHelicobacterspecies. In particular, we propose the hypothesis that the high metabolic versatility and the ability to react to a range of environmental signals, factors which differentiateH. bizzozeroniias well asH. felisandH. suisfromH. pylori, are the molecular basis of the of the zoonotic nature ofH. heilmanniisensu lato infection in humans.
A longitudinal study on BIO14.6 hamsters with dilated cardiomyopathy: micro-echocardiographic evaluation
Authors: Belfiore Maria Paola , Berritto Daniela , Iacobellis Francesca , Rossi Claudia , Nigro Gerardo , Rotundo Ida Luisa , Cozzolino Santolo , Cappabianca Salvatore , Rotondo Antonio , Grassi Roberto
Published: December 2011

Background

In recent years, several new technologies for small-animal imaging have been developed. In particular, the use of ultrasound in animal imaging has focused on the investigation of accessible biological structures such as the heart, of which it provides a morphological and functional assessment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of micro-ultrasonography (μ-US) in a longitudinal study on BIO14.6 cardiomyopathic hamsters treated with gene therapy.

Methods

Thirty hamsters were divided into three groups (n = 10): Group I, untreated BIO 14.6 hamsters; Group II, BIO 14.6 hamsters treated with gene therapy; Group III, untreated wild type (WT) hamsters. All hamsters underwent serial μ-US sessions and were sacrificed at predetermined time points.

Results

μ-US revealed: in Group I, progressive dilation of the left ventricle with a change in heart morphology from an elliptical to a more spherical shape, altered configuration of the mitral valve and subvalvular apparatus, and severe reduction in ejection fraction; in Group II, mild decrease in contractile function and ejection fraction; in Group III, normal cardiac chamber morphology and function. There was a negative correlation between the percentage of fibrosis observed at histology and the ejection fraction obtained on μ-echocardiography (Spearman r: -0.839; p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Although histological examination remains indispensable for a conclusive diagnosis, high-frequency μ-echocardiography, thanks to the high spatial and contrast resolution, can be considered sufficient for monitoring therapeutic efficacy and/or the progression of dilated cardiomyopathy, providing an alternative tool for repeatable and noninvasive evaluation.
Efficiency, error and yield in light-directed maskless synthesis of DNA microarrays
Authors: Agbavwe Christy , Kim Changhan , Hong DongGee , Heinrich Kurt , Wang Tao , Somoza Mark M
Published: December 2011

Background

Light-directed in situ synthesis of DNA microarrays using computer-controlled projection from a digital micromirror device--maskless array synthesis (MAS)--has proved to be successful at both commercial and laboratory scales. The chemical synthetic cycle in MAS is quite similar to that of conventional solid-phase synthesis of oligonucleotides, but the complexity of microarrays and unique synthesis kinetics on the glass substrate require a careful tuning of parameters and unique modifications to the synthesis cycle to obtain optimal deprotection and phosphoramidite coupling. In addition, unintended deprotection due to scattering and diffraction introduce insertion errors that contribute significantly to the overall error rate.

Results

Stepwise phosphoramidite coupling yields have been greatly improved and are now comparable to those obtained in solid phase synthesis of oligonucleotides. Extended chemical exposure in the synthesis of complex, long oligonucleotide arrays result in lower--but still high--final average yields which approach 99%. The new synthesis chemistry includes elimination of the standard oxidation until the final step, and improved coupling and light deprotection. Coupling Insertions due to stray light are the limiting factor in sequence quality for oligonucleotide synthesis for gene assembly. Diffraction and local flare are by far the largest contributors to loss of optical contrast.

Conclusions

Maskless array synthesis is an efficient and versatile method for synthesizing high density arrays of long oligonucleotides for hybridization- and other molecular binding-based experiments. For applications requiring high sequence purity, such as gene assembly, diffraction and flare remain significant obstacles, but can be significantly reduced with straightforward experimental strategies.
Systematic mapping of two component response regulators to gene targets in a model sulfate reducing bacterium
Authors: Rajeev Lara , Luning Eric G , Dehal Paramvir S , Price Morgan N , Arkin Adam P , Mukhopadhyay Aindrila
Published: December 2011

Background

Two component regulatory systems are the primary form of signal transduction in bacteria. Although genomic binding sites have been determined for several eukaryotic and bacterial transcription factors, comprehensive identification of gene targets of two component response regulators remains challenging due to the lack of knowledge of the signals required for their activation. We focused our study on Desulfovibrio vulgaris Hildenborough, a sulfate reducing bacterium that encodes unusually diverse and largely uncharacterized two component signal transduction systems.

Results

We report the first systematic mapping of the genes regulated by all transcriptionally acting response regulators in a single bacterium. Our results enabled functional predictions for several response regulators and include key processes of carbon, nitrogen and energy metabolism, cell motility and biofilm formation, and responses to stresses such as nitrite, low potassium and phosphate starvation. Our study also led to the prediction of new genes and regulatory networks, which found corroboration in a compendium of transcriptome data available for D. vulgaris. For several regulators we predicted and experimentally verified the binding site motifs, most of which were discovered as part of this study.

Conclusions

The gene targets identified for the response regulators allowed strong functional predictions to be made for the corresponding two component systems. By tracking the D. vulgaris regulators and their motifs outside the Desulfovibrio spp. we provide testable hypotheses regarding the functions of orthologous regulators in other organisms. The in vitro array based method optimized here is generally applicable for the study of such systems in all organisms.
Plagiarizing Sir Walter Scott: The Afterlife of Kenilworth in Victorian Quebec
Authors: Cabajsky Andrea
Published: December 2011

In 1880, the French Canadian journalist and politician Frédéric Houde published his only novel, Le manoir mystérieux, ou les victimes de l'ambition, in the Montreal daily newspaper Le nouveau monde. Then Houde's novel seems to have disappeared from the public eye until 1913, when it was recovered, published in book form, and lauded as an original and meritorious text. One year later, a front-page article in the weekly Le nationaliste (Montreal, 1904–24) revealed that Le manoir mystérieux was a plagiarism of Sir Walter Scott's Kenilworth (1821). Since then, few literary historians have examined Le manoir mystérieux in the wider context of novelistic production in Quebec in the late nineteenth century. Drawing from recent scholarship in the fields of book history and print culture, this article proposes that a close examination of Le manoir mystérieux's contents, together with the material conditions that surrounded its publication in 1880, exposes a wider range of approaches to literary authorship and acceptable literary practice in nineteenth-century Quebec than literary historians have heretofore considered appropriate. The author shifts attention away from the Romantic conceptions of literary originality that have narrowed the range of critical responses to Le manoir mystérieux largely to questions about the ethical repercussions of Houde's literary theft. Instead, she argues that Le manoir mystérieux is metonymous of a larger embattled, albeit creative, mode through which the historical novel developed in Quebec.
Painting as a Reading Practice
Authors: Corrigan Paul T.
Published: December 2011

This article shows how and why one might teach painting as a reading practice in a literature course. Painting in response to a literary text can deepen the impact that the text has on a reader/painter and can develop her or his ability to read well. Such an activity taps into contemplative dynamics such as attentiveness, presence, dialogue, and community, and it contributes to students' appreciation of literature. Painting in response to a text causes students to linger with the text and provides occasion for rereading.
Balancing of ephrin/Eph forward and reverse signaling as the driving force of adaptive topographic mapping
Authors: Gebhardt Christoph , Bastmeyer Martin , Weth Franco
Published: December 2011

The retinotectal projection, which topographically maps retinal axons onto the tectum of the midbrain, is an ideal model system with which to investigate the molecular genetics of embryonic brain wiring. Corroborating Sperry's seminal hypothesis, ephrin/Eph counter-gradients on both retina and tectum were found to represent matching chemospecificity markers. Intriguingly, however, it has never been possible to reconstitute topographically appropriate fiber growth in vitro with these cues. Moreover, experimentally derived molecular mechanisms have failed to provide explanations as to why the mapping adapts to grossly diverse targets in some experiments, while displaying strict point-to-point specificity in others. In vitro, ephrin-A/EphA forward, as well as reverse, signaling mediate differential repulsion to retinal fibers, instead of providing topographic guidance. We argue that those responses are indicative of ephrin-A and EphA being members of a guidance system that requires two counteracting cues per axis. Experimentally, we demonstrate by introducing novel double-cue stripe assays that the simultaneous presence of both cues indeed suffices to elicit topographically appropriate guidance. The peculiar mechanism, which uses forward and reverse signaling through a single receptor/ligand combination, entails fiber/fiber interactions. We therefore propose to extend Sperry's model to include ephrin-A/EphA-based fiber/fiber chemospecificity, eventually out-competing fiber/target interactions. By computational simulation, we show that our model is consistent with stripe assay results. More importantly, however, it not only accounts for classical in vivo evidence of point-to-point and adaptive topographic mapping, but also for the map duplication found in retinal EphA knock-in mice. Nonetheless, it is based on a single constraint of topographic growth cone navigation: the balancing of ephrin-A/EphA forward and reverse signaling.
Canonical BMP7 activity is required for the generation of discrete neuronal populations in the dorsal spinal cord
Authors: Le Dréau Gwenvael , Garcia-Campmany Lidia , Rabadán M. Angeles , Ferronha Tiago , Tozer Samuel , Briscoe James , Martí Elisa
Published: December 2011

BMP activity is essential for many steps of neural development, including the initial role in neural induction and the control of progenitor identities along the dorsal-ventral axis of the neural tube. Taking advantage of chick in ovo electroporation, we show a novel role for BMP7 at the time of neurogenesis initiation in the spinal cord. Using in vivo loss-of-function experiments, we show that BMP7 activity is required for the generation of three discrete subpopulations of dorsal interneurons: dI1-dI3-dI5. Analysis of the BMP7 mouse mutant shows the conservation of this activity in mammals. Furthermore, this BMP7 activity appears to be mediated by the canonical Smad pathway, as we demonstrate that Smad1 and Smad5 activities are similarly required for the generation of dI1-dI3-dI5. Moreover, we show that this role is independent of the patterned expression of progenitor proteins in the dorsal spinal cord, but depends on the BMP/Smad regulation of specific proneural proteins, thus narrowing this BMP7 activity to the time of neurogenesis. Together, these data establish a novel role for BMP7 in primary neurogenesis, the process by which a neural progenitor exits the cell cycle and enters the terminal differentiation pathway.
Comparison of radiological measures for diagnosing flatfoot
Authors: Lo Huan-Chu , Chu Wen-Cheng , Wu Wei-Kai , Hsieh Hsin , Chou Chieh-Ping , Sun Shao-En , Chou Pin-Ya , Liao Chen-Hui , Guan Xiao-Yun , Li Shu-Chee
Published: December 2011

Background

In the Taiwanese military, flatfoot is indicated by a calcaneal-fifth metatarsal angle (arch angle) ≥165°. However, the arch angle is not always easily defined.

Purpose

To assess correlations between the arch angle and other radiographic measures and thus identify an alternative radiographic measure for diagnosing flatfoot.

Material and Methods

Eighty-seven male Taiwanese military recruits were studied (median age 22 years, interquartile range 20–23 years). Lateral, weight-bearing radiographs were taken. Five radiographic measurements, including the calcaneal-fifth metatarsal angle (arch angle), medial arch angle (MAA), calcaneal pitch angle (CP), talus angle (TA), and talar-first metatarsal angle (TFM) were made. Correlations between the arch angle and all other measures were determined. A cut-off value for predicting flatfoot (arch angle ≥165°) was determined for each measure using the Youden index and receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated for each measure to assess diagnostic accuracy.

Results

All measures were significantly correlated with arch angle ( P < 0.05); however, the strongest correlation was for CP (ρ = –0.905, P < 0.001). CP was associated with the highest area under the ROC (0.988 vs. 0.711–0.912 for the other measures). Further, CP (cut-off <12.3°) had the highest sensitivity (92.0%), positive predictive value (76.7%), and negative predictive value (96.5%). TFM (>9.5°) had the highest specificity (90.3% vs. 88.75 for CP <12.3°).

Conclusion

CP is inversely correlated with arch angle in Taiwanese male military recruits. CP < 12.3° is a significant predictor of flatfoot. Assessment of CP may be used as an alternative means of diagnosing flatfoot when the arch angle is not easily defined.
Examination of ten fractured Oxford unicompartmental knee bearings
Authors: Pegg E. , Pandit H. , Gill H. S. , Keys G. W. , Svard U. G. C. , O’Connor J. J. , Murray D. W.
Published: December 2011

Since the Oxford knee was first used unicompartmentally in 1982, a small number of bearings have fractured. Of 14 retrieved bearings, we examined ten samples with known durations in situ (four Phase 1, four Phase 2 and two Phase 3). Evidence of impingement and associated abnormally high wear (> 0.05 mm per year) as well as oxidation was observed in all bearings. In four samples the fracture was associated with the posterior radio-opaque wire. Fracture surfaces indicated fatigue failure, and scanning electron microscopy suggested that the crack initiated in the thinnest region. The estimated incidence of fracture was 3.20% for Phase 1, 0.74% for Phase 2, 0.35% for Phase 3, and 0% for Phase 3 without the posterior marker wire. The important aetiological factors for bearing fracture are impingement leading to high wear, oxidation, and the posterior marker wire. With improved surgical technique, impingement and high wear should be prevented and modern polyethylene may reduce the oxidation risk. A posterior marker wire is no longer used in the polyethylene meniscus. Therefore, the rate of fracture, which is now very low, should be reduced to a negligible level.
Heterotopic ossification in Dupuytren’s disease
Authors: Sadideen H. , Athanasou N. , Ashmore A. , McNab I.
Published: December 2011

We report the case of an 82-year-old man who underwent fasciectomy for a severe Dupuytren’s contracture, during which an ossified lesion was encountered within the contracture and surrounding the neurovascular bundle. The abnormal tissue was removed with difficulty and heterotopic ossification was confirmed histologically. We believe this is the first report of heterotopic ossification in Dupuytren’s disease.
Corrigenda/Errata
Authors: Scott J.
Published: December 2011

A. R. Nguyen, J. Ling, B. Gomes, G. Antoniou, L. M. Sutherland, P. J. Cundy. Slipped capital femoral epiphysis: rising rates with obesity and aboriginality in South Australia. J Bone Joint Surg Br 2011 93-B: 1416-1423.
Does Treating Insomnia With Cognitive–Behavioural Therapy Influence Comorbid Anxiety and Depression? An Exploratory Multiple Baseline Design With Four Patients
Authors: Maroti Daniel , Folkeson Pär , Jansson-Fröjmark Markus , Linton Steven J.
Published: December 2011

Objectives:Although cognitive–behaviour therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) has been shown to be effective for primary insomnia, the impact of CBT-I on insomnia comorbid with psychiatric conditions is largely unknown.

Design:A multiple baseline design with 2–3 weeks of baseline, 6 weeks of CBT-I, and a 3-week follow-up was employed.

Methods:Four patients with insomnia comorbid with both anxiety and depressive disorders participated. Sleep onset latency (SOL), wake time after sleep onset (WASO), total sleep time (TST), the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) were used as outcome measures.

Results:Improvements in SOL, WASO, and TST were observed for all the four patients. Based on ISI, there were reductions for all the patients (32–92%), three patients responded to treatment, and two patients remitted. Based on BAI, reductions on anxiety were observed for all the patients (40–76%), three patients were treatment responders, and two patients remitted. Based on BDI-II, all the patients experienced reductions in depression (36–53%), three patients responded to treatment, and one patient remitted.

Conclusions:CBT-I was able to reduce insomnia and co-morbid anxiety and depression, thus providing preliminary evidence for using CBT-I on insomnia co-morbid with psychiatric conditions.
Homework Compliance in a Brief Cognitive-Behavioural and Pharmacological Intervention for Smoking
Authors: Funk Ann P. , Zvolensky Michael J. , Schmidt Norman B.
Published: December 2011

Homework assignments have been a key component of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for decades, but very few studies examined the effect of compliance on outcome in regard to smoking behaviour. To fill this gap in the existing literature, the present report evaluated the role of homework compliance on short-term outcome in the context of evidence-based care for smoking cessation. Compliance with out-of-session assignments was assessed in a four-session CBT-nicotine replacement therapy protocol for smoking cessation among adult daily smokers (n= 94). Consistent with expectation, homework compliance was associated with better short-term outcomes, including amount of cigarettes consumed as well as abstinence. Importantly, these effects remained after controlling for a wide range of potentially confounding variables (e.g., motivation to quit, nicotine dependence at intake, attendance problems, and in-session participation). Estimates of quantity versus quality of homework compliance did not differentially predict outcomes. Out-of-session homework assignments incrementally predict short-term smoking abstinence in the context of evidence-based care for smoking cessation.
Buchbesprechung
Authors: Bruns Thomas
Published: December 2011

Riehl, Claudia Maria, Sprachkontaktforschung. Eine Einführung. Tübingen: Gunter Narr Verlag, 2009. 234 S. ISBN 978-3823364696
Endoscopy in elderly and in patients with severe co-morbidities
Authors: Hudák János
Published: December 2011

Besides the technical equipment, the endoscopic team’s theoretical and practical skills, the success of endoscopic intervention is influenced by the patient’s general condition. Advanced age, severe co-morbidities may increase the risk, especially in case of operative endoscopy. The decision is more complicated when alarm symptoms urge the examination. The endoscopic examination of digestive system, biliary track and pancreas in advanced age can safely be performed as alternatives of surgical intervention. It is important to know the exact stage of cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases, besides, in case of stroke the patient’s cooperation is very important. In everyday practice the most common problems are the endoscopic examination of the patient in oral anticoagulant and/or thrombocyte aggregation inhibition therapy and the question of suspending, modifying or restarting the therapy. Examining the patients with implanted electronic device as well as antibiotic prophylaxis in expanding range of indications are special issues. The gastroenterologist makes the decision based on the knowledge of the endoscopic intervention, the patient’s risk classification, the indications, the contradictions and the alternative diagnostic possibilities. This review attempts to give an overview with some practical aspects. Orv. Hetil., 2011, 152, 2078–2085.