bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An approach to evaluate lift generated by an annular-Coanda-wing for vertical/short take-off and landing applications
Authors: Saeed B , Gratton G B
Published: November 2011

This article explores, theoretically and experimentally, Coanda effect and upper surface blowing over an annular wing. Also, presented are a simple mathematical/empirical model and an experimental strategy to evaluate lift generated by a blown-annular wing. It has been shown that the wing is capable of deflecting the flow by ∼90° with an efficiency of ∼61 per cent with reference to the undeflected horizontal thrust from the source. The analytical review and experimental data presented will enable an aircraft designer to deduce this particular powered-lift system for V/STOL applications at the preliminary design stage.
An expected-mode augmentation-based approach for multiple-fault detection and diagnosis in flight control systems
Authors: Liu Z-J , Li Q , Liu X-H , Lan J , Mu C-D
Published: November 2011

Aircraft fault detection and diagnosis (FDD) is a key technology to ensure flight safety. However, multiple simultaneous fault detection is still a difficult problem. To deal with it, a new FDD approach is proposed in this article, in which the expected-mode augmentation (EMA) approach is applied for the variable-structure interacting multiple model (VSIMM) estimation. The EMA approach is used for online model set adaption. In the EMA–VSIMM FDD approach, the failure model set is composed of a basic fixed model set and an adaptive EMA set. The EMA set is generated based on the basic fixed model set according to their predicted probabilities. Single or multiple simultaneous faults can be detected and diagnosed by applying the EMA set properly. The simulation results show that the EMA–VSIMM method is effective in detecting faults of various types and estimating unknown fault parameters.
Efficient global optimization incorporating feasibility criterion for the design of a supersonic inlet
Authors: Lee C-H , Ahn J-K , Bae H-G , Kwon J-H
Published: November 2011

The optimal design of a supersonic inlet is generally performed with expensive computer analysis such as the computational fluid dynamics. Thus, the feasibility criterion was incorporated into efficient global optimization (EGO) in order to efficiently perform optimal design of a supersonic inlet in this study. The strategy of EGO incorporating feasibility criterion is to improve computational efficiency by skipping unessential updation of the Kriging surrogate model of constraint function. The surrogate model is not updated when a new sample is expected to be feasible by feasibility criterion. The efficiency of EGO incorporating feasibility criterion was demonstrated by the test functions. Then, this method was applied to the optimal design of a supersonic inlet. The objective function is the coefficient of cowl drag. The constraint functions are the pressure recovery and mass flowrate. As a result, the EGO incorporating feasibility criterion for the design of a supersonic inlet was effectively performed with lower computational cost.
Explicit Memory for Unattended Words
Authors: Hoffman Yaakov , Bein Oded , Maril Anat
Published: November 2011

Recognition tests in which participants indicate whether they recognize items using binary yes/no response options have typically yielded “yes” responses at equal rates for unattended old items and new items. Because most responses to unattended stimuli in such tests are “no” responses, we reasoned that a closer examination of “no” responses might reveal memory for unattended items. We modified a classic paradigm to allow participants to indicate high and low levels of confidence in their responses. As in earlier studies, the overall proportion of “yes” responses did not differ between unattended old items and new items. However, there was a crossover effect in the “no” responses: More high-confidence “no” responses were given for new items than for unattended old items, whereas more low-confidence “no” responses were given for unattended old items than for new items. These results indicate explicit memory for unattended material presented under high perceptual load. Our findings suggest that the null effects obtained in previous studies may not have stemmed from failures of perception or memory, but rather may have been due to insufficiently sensitive memory assessment.
Robust finite-time H∞ control for uncertain switched neutral systems with mixed delays
Authors: Sun Ya-Nan , Liu Shilong , Xiang Zhengrong
Published: November 2011

This paper investigates the problem of robust finite-time [Formula: see text] control for a class of uncertain switched neutral systems with time-varying mixed delays and unknown time-varying disturbance. First, a sufficient condition for finite-time bounding of switched neutral systems is derived using the average dwell time approach. Then, a finite-time [Formula: see text] performance analysis for switched neutral systems is developed, and a robust finite-time [Formula: see text] state feedback controller is proposed that guarantees that the closed-loop system is finite-time bounded. All the results are formulated in terms of linear matrix inequalities. Finally, two numerical examples are provided to show the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Professional Development in Early Childhood Intervention
Authors: Snyder Patricia , Hemmeter Mary Louise , McLaughlin Tara
Published: November 2011

We describe historical foundations of professional development (PD) in early childhood intervention (ECI) and where we stand on the silver anniversary of PL 99-457. To advance its scientific basis, we assert that it is important to define what is meant by PD; identify structural and process features of PD hypothesized to be effective for supporting improvements in intervention quality and effectiveness; specify theories of action or change related to how specific features of PD are assumed to affect practitioner behaviors and, in turn, child or family outcomes; and conduct experimental studies that provide evidence to support or refute specified theories of action. We describe progress being made in each of these areas and discuss several challenges and future directions related to advancing the scientific basis of PD in ECI.
Disability and Victimization in a National Sample of Children and Youth
Authors: Turner Heather A. , Vanderminden Jennifer , Finkelhor David , Hamby Sherry , Shattuck Anne
Published: November 2011

Although past research has found higher rates of violence, crime, and abuse among children with disabilities, most studies combine diverse forms of disability into one measure and assess exposure to only one particular type of victimization. Based on a representative national sample of 4,046 children aged 2–17 from the 2008 National Survey of Children’s Exposure to Violence, the present study examines the associations between several different types of disability and past-year exposure to multiple forms of child victimization. Results suggest that attention-deficit disorder/attention-deficit with hyperactivity disorder elevates the risk for peer victimization and property crime, internalizing psychological disorders increase risk for both child maltreatment and sexual victimization, and developmental/learning disorders heighten risk only for property crime. In contrast, physical disability did not increase the risk for any type of victimization once confounding factors and co-occurring disabilities were controlled. It appears that disabilities associated with interpersonal and behavioral difficulties are most strongly associated with victimization risks.
A Contextual Consideration of Culture and School-Wide Positive Behavior Support
Authors: Sugai George , O’Keeffe Breda V. , Fallon Lindsay M.
Published: November 2011

Students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds have historically experienced poor outcomes related to academic achievement, special education, school discipline and climate, and juvenile justice. Differences between home and school cultures likely contribute to these outcomes. Evidence-based practices in schools are promoted to improve the academic and social outcomes for all students, but attention must be paid to cultural factors when implementing practices. School-wide positive behavior supports (SWPBS) is a systems approach to promoting evidence-based practices to affect important social and academic outcomes for all students. The purpose of this article is to consider culture within the implementation context of SWPBS. To achieve this purpose, we adopt and describe a contextual perspective on culture that is based on behavioral theory and principles of behavior analysis, and incorporate findings from a review of the literature related to culture and student behavior.
The influence of concave dimples on the metallic counterface on the wear of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene
Authors: Zhou Xincong , Galvin Alison L , Jin Zhongmin , Yan Xinping , Fisher J
Published: November 2011

The aims of this study were to investigate how the dimples on a metallic counterface affect the wear rate of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) in a multi-directional reciprocating pin-on-plate machine. The plates were high nitrogen stainless steel, representing the femoral head material. The pins used in this study were of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene GUR 1120, which represents the material used in an acetabular cup. Three different cases were investigated: a smooth surface without dimples as a reference case, a surface with medium dimples with an average valley of 2.3 µm and a surface with large dimples with an average valley of 5.9 µm. It was found that all the dimples investigated did not improve the lubrication, but instead increased the surface roughness; consequently, the wear of UHWMPE was slightly increased.
Congress and the Railroads
Authors: Callen Zachary
Published: November 2011

This article argues that American federalism led both to a greater national role in rail promotion and more centralized railroads in the antebellum period. Local competition among states led Congressional representatives from state unable to build local railroads to turn to federal assistance. Early support for railroads came from representatives in the South and frontier, who were primarily drawn into rail coalitions because of their own inability to build local rail networks. However, over time, competition among states within the coalition as well as concerns about federal power led many initial members of the coalition to drop out. In their place, states that favored a stronger federal state stepped into the coalition and subsequently built a more nationally oriented rail system. This analysis argues that the shifting of policies from local control to national oversight due to local resource shortages is an important aspect of American states building.
Sequential mutations in Notch1, Fbxw7, and Tp53 in radiation-induced mouse thymic lymphomas
Authors: Jen Kuang-Yu , Song Ihn Young , Banta Karl Luke , Wu Di , Mao Jian-Hua , Balmain Allan
Published: November 2011

T-cell acute lymphoblastic lymphomas commonly demonstrate activating Notch1 mutations as well as mutations or deletions in Fbxw7. However, because Fbxw7 targets Notch1 for degradation, genetic alterations in these genes are expected to be mutually exclusive events in lymphomagenesis. Previously, by using a radiation-induced Tp53-deficient mouse model for T-cell acute lymphoblastic lymphoma, we reported that loss of heterozygosity at the Fbxw7 locus occurs frequently in a Tp53-dependent manner. In the current study, we show that these thymic lymphomas also commonly exhibit activating Notch1 mutations in the proline-glutamic acid-serine-threonine (PEST) domain. Moreover, concurrent activating Notch1 PEST domain mutations and single-copy deletions at the Fbxw7 locus occur with high frequency in the same individual tumors, indicating that these changes are not mutually exclusive events. We further demonstrate that although Notch1 PEST domain mutations are independent of Tp53 status, they are completely abolished in mice with germline Fbxw7 haploinsufficiency. Therefore, Notch1 PEST domain mutations only occur when Fbxw7 expression levels are intact. These data suggest a temporal sequence of mutational events involving these important cancer-related genes, with Notch1 PEST domain mutations occurring first, followed by Fbxw7 deletion, and eventually by complete loss of Tp53.
A novel lentiviral vector targets gene transfer into human hematopoietic stem cells in marrow from patients with bone marrow failure syndrome and in vivo in humanized mice
Authors: Frecha Cecilia , Costa Caroline , Nègre Didier , Amirache Fouzia , Trono Didier , Rio Paula , Bueren Juan , Cosset François-Loïc , Verhoeyen Els
Published: November 2011

In vivo lentiviral vector (LV)–mediated gene delivery would represent a great step forward in the field of gene therapy. Therefore, we have engineered a novel LV displaying SCF and a mutant cat endogenous retroviral glycoprotein, RDTR. These RDTR/SCF-LVs outperformed RDTR-LVs for transduction of human CD34+ cells (hCD34+). For in vivo gene therapy, these novel RDTR/SCF-displaying LVs can distinguish between the target hCD34+ cells of interest and nontarget cells. Indeed, they selectively targeted transduction to 30%-40% of the hCD34+ cells in cord blood mononuclear cells and in the unfractionated BM of healthy and Fanconi anemia donors, resulting in the correction of CD34+ cells in the patients. Moreover, RDTR/SCF-LVs targeted transduction to CD34+ cells with 95-fold selectivity compared with T cells in total cord blood. Remarkably, in vivo injection of the RDTR/SCF-LVs into the BM cavity of humanized mice resulted in the highly selective transduction of candidate hCD34+Lin− HSCs. In conclusion, this new LV will facilitate HSC-based gene therapy by directly targeting these primitive cells in BM aspirates or total cord blood. Most importantly, in the future, RDTR/SCF-LVs might completely obviate ex vivo handling and simplify gene therapy for many hematopoietic defects because of their applicability to direct in vivo inoculation.
CCR7-mediated LFA-1 functions in T cells are regulated by 2 independent ADAP/SKAP55 modules
Authors: Kliche Stefanie , Worbs Tim , Wang Xiaoqian , Degen Janine , Patzak Irene , Meineke Bernhard , Togni Mauro , Moser Markus , Reinhold Annegret , Kiefer Friedemann , Freund Christian , Förster Reinhold , Schraven Burkhart
Published: November 2011

The β2-integrin lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) plays a crucial role within the immune system. It regulates the interaction between T cells and antigen-presenting cells and facilitates T-cell adhesion to the endothelium, a process that is important for lymphocyte extravasation and homing. Signals mediated via the T-cell receptor and the chemokine receptor CCR7 activate LFA-1 through processes known as inside-out signaling. The molecular mechanisms underlying inside-out signaling are not completely understood. Here, we have assessed the role of the ADAP/SKAP55 module for CCR7-mediated signaling. We show that loss of the module delays homing and reduces intranodal T-cell motility in vivo. This is probably because of a defect in CCR7-mediated adhesion that affects both affinity and avidity regulation of LFA-1. Further analysis of how the ADAP/SKAP55 module regulates CCR7-induced integrin activation revealed that 2 independent pools of the module are expressed in T cells. One pool interacts with a RAPL/Mst1 complex, whereas the other pool is linked to a RIAM/Mst1/Kindlin-3 complex. Importantly, both the RAPL/Mst1 and the RIAM/Mst1/Kindlin-3 complexes require ADAP/SKAP55 for binding to LFA-1 upon CCR7 stimulation. Hence, 2 independent ADAP/SKAP55 modules are essential components of the signaling machinery that regulates affinity and avidity of LFA-1 in response to CCR7.
Inhibition of histone methylation arrests ongoing graft-versus-host disease in mice by selectively inducing apoptosis of alloreactive effector T cells
Authors: He Shan , Wang Jina , Kato Koji , Xie Fang , Varambally Sooryanarayana , Mineishi Shin , Kuick Rork , Mochizuki Kazuhiro , Liu Yongnian , Nieves Evelyn , Mani Ram-Shankar , Chinnaiyan Arul M. , Marquez Victor E. , Zhang Yi
Published: November 2011

Histone methylation is thought to be important for regulating Ag-driven T-cell responses. However, little is known about the effect of modulating histone methylation on inflammatory T-cell responses. We demonstrate that in vivo administration of the histone methylation inhibitor 3-deazaneplanocin A (DZNep) arrests ongoing GVHD in mice after allogeneic BM transplantation. DZNep caused selective apoptosis in alloantigen-activated T cells mediating host tissue injury. This effect was associated with the ability of DZNep to selectively reduce trimethylation of histone H3 lysine 27, deplete the histone methyltransferase Ezh2 specific to trimethylation of histone H3 lysine 27, and activate proapoptotic gene Bim repressed by Ezh2 in antigenic-activated T cells. In contrast, DZNep did not affect the survival of alloantigen-unresponsive T cells in vivo and naive T cells stimulated by IL-2 or IL-7 in vitro. Importantly, inhibition of histone methylation by DZNep treatment in vivo preserved the antileukemia activity of donor T cells and did not impair the recovery of hematopoiesis and lymphocytes, leading to significantly improved survival of recipients after allogeneic BM transplantation. Our findings indicate that modulation of histone methylation may have significant implications in the development of novel approaches to treat ongoing GVHD and other T cell–mediated inflammatory disorders in a broad context.
Planning combinatorial disulfide cross-links for protein fold determination
Authors: Xiong Fei , Friedman Alan M , Bailey-Kellogg Chris
Published: November 2011

Background

Fold recognition techniques take advantage of the limited number of overall structural organizations, and have become increasingly effective at identifying the fold of a given target sequence. However, in the absence of sufficient sequence identity, it remains difficult for fold recognition methods to always select the correct model. While a native-like model is often among a pool of highly ranked models, it is not necessarily the highest-ranked one, and the model rankings depend sensitively on the scoring function used.Structure elucidationmethods can then be employed to decide among the models based on relatively rapid biochemical/biophysical experiments.

Results

This paper presents an integrated computational-experimental method to determine the fold of a target protein by probing it with a set of planned disulfide cross-links. We start with predicted structural models obtained by standard fold recognition techniques. In a first stage, we characterize the fold-level differences between the models in terms of topological (contact) patterns of secondary structure elements (SSEs), and select a small set of SSE pairs that differentiate the folds. In a second stage, we determine a set of residue-level cross-links to probe the selected SSE pairs. Each stage employs an information-theoretic planning algorithm to maximize information gain while minimizing experimental complexity, along with a Bayes error plan assessment framework to characterize the probability of making a correct decision once data for the plan are collected. By focusing on overall topological differences and planning cross-linking experiments to probe them, ourfold determinationapproach is robust to noise and uncertainty in the models (e.g., threading misalignment) and in the actual structure (e.g., flexibility). We demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach in case studies for a number of CASP targets, showing that the optimized plans have low risk of error while testing only a small portion of the quadratic number of possible cross-link candidates. Simulation studies with these plans further show that they do a very good job of selecting the correct model, according to cross-links simulated from the actual crystal structures.

Conclusions

Fold determination can overcome scoring limitations in purely computational fold recognition methods, while requiring less experimental effort than traditional protein structure determination approaches.
Prevalence and clinical management of cytomegalovirus retinitis in AIDS patients in shanghai, china
Authors: Shi Ying , Lu Hongzhou , He Taiwen , Yang Yalin , Liu Li , Zhang Renfang , Zheng Yufang , Shen Yinzhong , Zhang Yunzhi , Zhang Zhiyong
Published: November 2011

Background

Cytomegalovirus retinitis is a common AIDS-associated illness, leading to blindness in up to 30% of patients. This study was to investigate the prevalence and clinical management of the cytomegalovirus retinitis associated with AIDS in a large municipality of China.

Methods

Clinical and laboratory data from 23 cytomegalovirus retinitis patients (35 eyes) out of 303 hospitalized AIDS individuals in a single medical center were analyzed retrospectively. Two of 23 patients were diagnosed cytomegalovirus retinitis just before hospitalization without anti-CMV therapy. Ganciclovir combined with the high active anti-retroviral therapy was installed for treatment of cytomegalovirus retinitis after diagnosis was confirmed. The data were analyzed by specialists and statistics was also applied.

Results

The prevalence of cytomegalovirus retinitis in hospitalized AIDS patients was 7.6% in this study. The level of CD4
+ T lymphocytes was correlated well with the occurrence of cytomegalovirus retinitis, showing 16.8% (19/113) (95% confidence interval: 10.4,25.0), 5.4% (3/56) (95% confidence interval: 1.1,14.9), and 1.4% (1/69) (95% confidence interval: 0.0,7.8) occurrence in the patients with CD4
+ T lymphocyte counts < 50, 50~99, and 100~199 cells/μl, respectively. The mean CD4
+ T lymphocyte counts was 31.7 ± 38.6 cells/μl in 23 AIDS patients with cytomegalovirus retinitis. Median CD4
+ T lymphocyte count is 20 cells/μl with inter-quartile range as (5, 36). Seven patients died (11 eyes) and 16 patients (24 eyes) survived. The proportion of blindness and low vision in eyes infected with cytomegalovirus retinitis respectively was 20.8% (5/24) and 29.2% (7/24) when they were diagnosed in survivors. The ganciclovir therapy was effective in 16 patients (24 eyes). Clinical recovery of cytomegalovirus retinitis was 41.7% (10/24) and clinical improvement 58.3% (14/24). After anti-CMV treatment, the proportion of blindness or low vision was 16.7% (4/24).

Conclusions

The AIDS patients with CD4
+ T lymphocyte < 50 cells/μl had increased susceptibility to cytomegalovirus associated retinitis. Cytomegalovirus retinitis is a serious disease causing blindness. The cytomegalovirus retinitis in the AIDS patients was response well to ganciclovir therapy. We should check their eyes routinely such as dilated fundus examination with an indirect ophthalmoscope in the AIDS patients with CD4
+ T lymphocyte counts < 50 cells/μl.
Association between chronic viral hepatitis infection and breast cancer risk: a nationwide population-based case-control study
Authors: Su Fu-Hsiung , Chang Shih-Ni , Chen Pei-Chun , Sung Fung-Chang , Su Chien-Tien , Yeh Chih-Ching
Published: November 2011

Background

In Taiwan, there is a high incidence of breast cancer and a high prevalence of viral hepatitis. In this case-control study, we used a population-based insurance dataset to evaluate whether breast cancer in women is associated with chronic viral hepatitis infection.

Methods

From the claims data, we identified 1,958 patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer during the period 2000-2008. A randomly selected, age-matched cohort of 7,832 subjects without cancer was selected for comparison. Multivariable logistic regression models were constructed to calculate odds ratios of breast cancer associated with viral hepatitis after adjustment for age, residential area, occupation, urbanization, and income. The age-specific (<50 years and ≥50 years) risk of breast cancer was also evaluated.

Results

There were no significant differences in the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, hepatitis B virus (HBV), or the prevalence of combined HBC/HBV infection between breast cancer patients and control subjects (p= 0.48). Multivariable logistic regression analysis, however, revealed that age <50 years was associated with a 2-fold greater risk of developing breast cancer (OR = 2.03, 95% CI = 1.23-3.34).

Conclusions

HCV infection, but not HBV infection, appears to be associated with early onset risk of breast cancer in areas endemic for HCV and HBV. This finding needs to be replicated in further studies.
Impact of meteorological variation on hospital visits of patients with tree pollen allergy
Authors: Kim Si-Heon , Park Hae-Sim , Jang Jae-Yeon
Published: November 2011

Background

Climate change could affect allergic diseases, especially due to pollen. However, there has been no epidemiologic study to demonstrate the relationship between meteorological factors, pollen, and allergic patients. We aimed to investigate the association between meteorological variations and hospital visits of patients with tree pollen allergy.

Methods

The study subjects were adult patients who received skin prick tests between April and July from 1999 to 2008. We reviewed the medical records for the test results of 4,715 patients. Patients with tree pollen allergy were defined as those sensitized to more than 1 of 12 tree pollen allergens. We used monthly means of airborne tree pollen counts and meteorological factors: maximum/average/minimum temperature, relative humidity, and precipitation. We analyzed the correlations between meteorological variations, tree pollen counts, and the patient numbers. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the associations between meteorological factors and hospital visits of patients.

Results

The minimum temperature in March was significantly and positively correlated with tree pollen counts in March/April and patient numbers from April through July. Pollen counts in March/April were also correlated with patient numbers from April through July. After adjusting for confounders, including air pollutants, there was a positive association between the minimum temperature in March and hospital visits of patients with tree pollen allergy from April to July(odds ratio, 1.14; 95% CI 1.03 to 1.25).

Conclusions

Higher temperatures could increase tree pollen counts, affecting the symptoms of patients with tree pollen allergy, thereby increasing the number of patients visiting hospitals.
Isolation and functional characterization of a cotton ubiquitination-related promoter and 5'UTR that drives high levels of expression in root and flower tissues
Authors: Viana Antonio AB , Fragoso Rodrigo R , Guimarães Luciane M , Pontes Naiara , Oliveira-Neto Osmundo B , Artico Sinara , Nardeli Sarah M , Alves-Ferreira Marcio , Batista João AN , Silva Maria CM , Grossi-de-Sa Maria F
Published: November 2011

Background

Cotton (Gossypium spp.) is an important crop worldwide that provides raw material to 40% of the textile fiber industry. Important traits have been studied aiming the development of genetically modified crops including resistance to insect and diseases, and tolerance to drought, cold and herbicide. Therefore, the characterization of promoters and regulatory regions is also important to achieve high gene expression and/or a specific expression pattern. Commonly, genes involved in ubiquitination pathways are highly and differentially expressed. In this study, we analyzed the expression of a cotton ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme (E2) family member with no previous characterization.

Results

Nucleotide analysis revealed high identity with cotton E2 homologues. Multiple alignment showed a premature stop codon, which prevents the encoding of the conserved cysteine residue at the E2 active site, and an intron that is spliced in E2 homologues, but not in GhGDRP85. The GhGDRP85 gene is highly expressed in different organs of cotton plants, and has high transcript levels in roots. Its promoter (uceApro2) and the 5'UTR compose a regulatory region named uceA1.7, and were isolated from cotton and studied in Arabidopsis thaliana. uceA1.7 shows strong expression levels, equaling or surpassing the expression levels of CaMV35S. The uceA1.7 regulatory sequence drives GUS expression 7-fold higher in flowers, 2-fold in roots and at similar levels in leaves and stems. GUS expression levels are decreased 7- to 15-fold when its 5'UTR is absent in uceApro2.

Conclusions

uceA1.7 is a strong constitutive regulatory sequence composed of a promoter (uceApro2) and its 5'UTR that will be useful in genetic transformation of dicots, having high potential to drive high levels of transgene expression in crops, particularly for traits desirable in flower and root tissues.
Factors associated with self-reported number of teeth in a large national cohort of Thai adults
Authors: Yiengprugsawan Vasoontara , Somkotra Tewarit , Kelly Matthew , Seubsman Sam-ang , Sleigh Adrian C ,   the Thai Cohort Study Team
Published: November 2011

Background

Oral health in later life results from individual's lifelong accumulation of experiences at the personal, community and societal levels. There is little information relating the oral health outcomes to risk factors in Asian middle-income settings such as Thailand today.

Methods

Data derived from a cohort of 87,134 adults enrolled in Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University who completed self-administered questionnaires in 2005. Cohort members are aged between 15 and 87 years and resided throughout Thailand. This is a large study of self-reported number of teeth among Thai adults. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to analyse factors associated with self-reported number of teeth.

Results

After adjusting for covariates, being female (OR = 1.28), older age (OR = 10.6), having low income (OR = 1.45), having lower education (OR = 1.33), and being a lifetime urban resident (OR = 1.37) were statistically associated (p < 0.0001) with having less than 20 teeth. In addition, daily soft drink consumptions (OR = 1.41), current regular smoking (OR = 1.39), a history of not being breastfed as a child (OR = 1.34), and mother's lack of education (OR = 1.20) contributed significantly to self-reported number of teeth in fully adjusted analyses.

Conclusions

This study addresses the gap in knowledge on factors associated with self-reported number of teeth. The promotion of healthy childhoods and adult lifestyles are important public health interventions to increase tooth retention in middle and older age.
Mortality associated with timing of admission to and discharge from ICU: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Laupland Kevin B , Misset Benoit , Souweine Bertrand , Tabah Alexis , Azoulay Elie , Goldgran-Toledano Dany , Dumenil Anne-Sylvie , Vésin Aurélien , Jamali Samir , Kallel Hatem , Clec'h Christophe , Darmon Michael , Schwebel Carole , Timsit Jean-Francois
Published: November 2011

Background

Although the association between mortality and admission to intensive care units (ICU) in the "after hours" (weekends and nights) has been the topic of extensive investigation, the timing of discharge from ICU and outcome has been less well investigated. The objective of this study was to assess effect of timing of admission to and discharge from ICUs and subsequent risk for death.

Methods

Adults (≥18 years) admitted to French ICUs participating in Outcomerea between January 2006 and November 2010 were included.

Results

Among the 7,380 patients included, 61% (4,481) were male, the median age was 62 (IQR, 49-75) years, and the median SAPS II score was 40 (IQR, 28-56). Admissions to ICU occurred during weekends (Saturday and Sunday) in 1,708 (23%) cases, during the night (18:00-07:59) in 3,855 (52%), and on nights and/or weekends in 4,659 (63%) cases. Among 5,992 survivors to ICU discharge, 903 (15%) were discharged on weekends, 659 (11%) at night, and 1,434 (24%) on nights and/or weekends. After controlling for a number of co-variates using logistic regression analysis, admission during the after hours was not associated with an increased risk for death. However, patients discharged from ICU on nights were at higher adjusted risk (odds ratio, 1.54; 95% confidence interval, 1.12-2.11) for death.

Conclusions

In this study, ICU discharge at night but not admission was associated with a significant increased risk for death. Further studies are needed to examine whether minimizing night time discharges from ICU may improve outcome.
Noxious gas detection using carbon nanotubes with Pd nanoparticles
Authors: Choi Hyang Hee , Lee Junmin , Dong Ki-Young , Ju Byeong-Kwon , Lee Wooyoung
Published: November 2011

Noxious gas sensors were fabricated using carbon nanotubes [CNTs] with palladium nanoparticles [Pd NPs]. An increase in the resistance was observed under ammonia for both CNTs and CNT-Pd sensors. Under carbon monoxide [CO], the two sensors exhibited different behaviors: for CNT sensors, their resistance decreased slightly with CO exposure, whereas CNT-Pd sensors showed an increase in resistance. The sensing properties and effect of Pd NPs were demonstrated, and CNT-Pd sensors with good repeatability and fast responses over a range of concentrations may be used as a simple and effective noxious gas sensor at room temperature.
Rac deletion in osteoclasts causes severe osteopetrosis
Authors: Croke Monica , Ross F. Patrick , Korhonen Matti , Williams David A. , Zou Wei , Teitelbaum Steven L.
Published: November 2011

Cdc42 mediates bone resorption principally by stimulating osteoclastogenesis. Whether its sister GTPase, Rac, meaningfully impacts upon the osteoclast and, if so, by what means, is unclear. We find that whereas deletion of Rac1 or Rac2 alone has no effect, variable reduction of Rac1 in osteoclastic cells of Rac2−/− mice causes severe osteopetrosis. Osteoclasts lacking Rac1 and Rac2 in combination (Rac double-knockout, RacDKO), fail to effectively resorb bone. By contrast, osteoclasts are abundant in RacDKO osteopetrotic mice and, unlike those deficient in Cdc42, express the maturation markers of the cells normally. Hence, the osteopetrotic lesion of RacDKO mice largely reflects impaired function, and not arrested differentiation, of the resorptive polykaryon. The dysfunction of RacDKO osteoclasts represents failed cytoskeleton organization as evidenced by reduced motility of the cells and their inability to spread or generate the key resorptive organelles (i.e. actin rings and ruffled borders), which is accompanied by abnormal Arp3 distribution. The cytoskeleton-organizing capacity of Rac1 is mediated through its 20-amino-acid effector domain. Thus, Rac1 and Rac2 are mutually compensatory. Unlike Cdc42 deficiency, their combined absence does not impact upon differentiation but promotes severe osteopetrosis by dysregulating the osteoclast cytoskeleton.
Perfusion MRI (dynamic susceptibility contrast imaging) with different measurement approaches for the evaluation of blood flow and blood volume in human gliomas
Authors: Thomsen H , Steffensen E , Larsson E-M
Published: November 2011

Background

Perfusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is increasingly used in the evaluation of brain tumors. Relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) is usually obtained by dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC) MRI using normal appearing white matter as reference region. The emerging perfusion technique arterial spin labelling (ASL) presently provides measurement only of cerebral blood flow (CBF), which has not been widely used in human brain tumor studies.

Purpose

To assess if measurement of blood flow is comparable with measurement of blood volume in human biopsy-proven gliomas obtained by DSC-MRI using two different regions for normalization and two different measurement approaches.

Material and Methods

Retrospective study of 61 patients with different types of gliomas examined with DSC perfusion MRI. Regions of interest (ROIs) were placed in tumor portions with maximum perfusion on rCBF and rCBV maps, with contralateral normal appearing white matter and cerebellum as reference regions. Larger ROIs were drawn for histogram analyses. The type and grade of the gliomas were obtained by histopathology. Statistical comparison was made between diffuse astrocytomas, anaplastic astrocytomas, and glioblastomas.

Results

rCBF and rCBV measurements obtained with the maximum perfusion method were correlated when normalized to white matter (r = 0.60) and to the cerebellum (r = 0.49). Histogram analyses of rCBF and rCBV showed that mean and median values as well as skewness and peak position were correlated (0.61 < r < 0.93), whereas for kurtosis and peak height, the correlation coefficient was about 0.3 when comparing rCBF and rCBV values for the same reference region. Neither rCBF nor rCBV quantification provided a statistically significant difference between the three types of gliomas. However, both rCBF and rCBV tended to increase with tumor grade and to be lower in patients who had undergone resection/treatment.

Conclusion

rCBF measurements normalized to white matter or cerebellum are comparable with the established rCBV measurements used for the clinical evaluation of cerebral gliomas.
Low agreement of visual rating for detailed quantification of pulmonary emphysema in whole-lung CT
Authors: Mascalchi Mario , Diciotti Stefano , Sverzellati Nicola , Camiciottoli Gianna , Ciccotosto Cesareo , Falaschi Fabio , Zompatori Maurizio
Published: November 2011

Background

Multidetector spiral computed tomography (CT) has opened the possibility of quantitative evaluation of emphysema extent in the whole lung. Visual assessment can be used for such a purpose, but its reproducibility has not been established.

Purpose

To assess agreement of detailed assessment of pulmonary emphysema on whole-lung CT using a visual scale.

Material and Methods

Thirty patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease underwent whole-lung inspiratory CT. Four chest radiologists rated the same 22 ± 2 thin sections using a visual scale which defines a range of emphysema extent between 0 and 100. Two of them repeated the rating two months later. Inter- and intra-operator agreement was evaluated with the Bland and Altman method. In addition, the percentage of emphysema at –950 Hounsfield units in the whole lung was determined using fully automated commercially available software for 3D densitometry.

Results

In three of six operator pairs and in one of two intra-operator pairs the Kendall τ test showed a significant correlation between the difference and the average magnitude of visual scores. Among different operators the half-width of 95% limits of agreement (95% LoA) was wide ranging between a score of 14.2–27.7 for an average visual score of 20 and between 18.5–36.8 for an average visual score of 80. Within the same operator the half-width of 95% LoA ranged between a score of 10.9–21.0 for an average visual score of 20 and between 25.1–30.1 for an average visual score of 80. The visual scores of the four radiologists were correlated with the results of densitometry ( P < 0.001; r = 0.65–0.81).

Conclusion

The inter- and intra-operator agreement of detailed assessment of emphysema in the whole lung using a visual scale is low and decreases with increasing emphysema extent.
A política externa brasileira e a "circunstância democrática": do silêncio respeitoso à politização ruidosa
Authors: Lopes Dawisson Belém
Published: November 2011

O artigo busca examinar, desde a realização da primeira eleição direta para a Presidência da República após a redemocratização (1989) até o último ano do segundo termo presidencial de Lula da Silva (2010), a progressiva politização da Política Externa Brasileira (PEB), sob a égide das instituições democráticas no plano doméstico e a renovada influência jogada por atores e processos internacionais.
Para além da paz liberal? respostas ao "retrocesso"
Authors: Richmond Oliver P
Published: November 2011

A ortodoxia familiar de construção da paz liberal depende da transplantação e da exportação de condicionalidade e dependência, com vistas a consolidar um contrato social entre populações, seus governos e o Estado, em que repouse uma paz liberal legítima e consensual. O que, com frequência, ocorre, é uma forma híbrida de paz liberal, sujeita a críticas locais poderosas, à resistência, por vezes, e à percepção de que a construção da paz internacional está fracassando em corresponder às expectativas. Em termos kantianos, os problemas com que a paz liberal tem se deparado e a crise pela qual está hoje passando podem ser denominados "retrocesso". Tem sido particularmente notável que a construção da paz liberal não vem sendo capaz de construir políticas unidas a partir de fragmentos territoriais no Kosovo, na Bósnia, no Afeganistão, no Iraque, no Sri Lanka e mesmo na Irlanda do Norte, onde alguns ou todos de seus elementos estão em desenvolvimento. Isso indica uma necessidade ou de reforma do modelo liberal para a paz, ou de estabelecimento de uma capacidade de coexistência desse modelo com alternativas, ou de substituição do modelo. Este artigo examina uma gama de questões inerentes ao paradigma de construção da paz liberal, algumas causas de "retrocesso" e o que pode ser feito no que tange a tais causas, no sentido de utilizar a construção da paz para criar um novo contrato social e atingir o que se poderia muito bem ser uma forma "híbrida liberal-local" de paz.
Distanciamento versus engajamento: alguns aportes conceituais para a análise da inserção do multilateralismo brasileiro (1945-1990)
Authors: Lessa Antônio Carlos , Couto Leandro Freitas , Farias Rogério de Souza
Published: November 2011

Nos últimos anos, criaram-se diferentes marcos analíticos com o propósito de auxiliar analistas na compreensão das transições da política externa brasileira desde o fim da Guerra Fria, muitos trabalhando com pares conceituais dicotômicos, como distância/participação e distância/integração. O objetivo deste trabalho é apresentar quatro estudos de caso, no âmbito da atuação multilateral brasileira, nos quais a tese de distanciamento será examinada, confrontando-a com uma base empírica inédita ou ainda pouco utilizada. Em três casos há dissonância clara com a categorização sob exame. Em outro, será problematizada a utilização da Guerra Fria como marco central na periodização da política externa brasileira. Argumentar-se-á, com a apresentação desses casos, que não se pode englobar toda a ação multilateral brasileira no período da Guerra Fria dentro do marco conceitual de distância, mesmo considerando as diferenciações apresentadas pela literatura. Além disso, os casos também esclarecerão que o Brasil esteve longe de manter sistemática distância, ausência ou isolacionismo; e, mesmo quando foram a resultante da posição brasileira, muitas vezes ela não derivava de uma opção tática da diplomacia do país.
A implementação do consenso: Itamaraty, Ministério da Fazenda e a liberalização brasileira
Authors: Castelan Daniel Ricardo
Published: November 2011

Este artigo trata da política comercial brasileira nos governos de José Sarney (1985-1990), Fernando Collor de Mello (1990-1992) e Itamar Franco (19921994), analisando como, ao longo desse período, o Brasil deixou de buscar derrogações dos princípios do GATT de liberalização progressiva e não discriminação e passou a incorporá-los na formulação da política comercial sob responsabilidade tanto do Ministério das Relações Exteriores quanto dos ministérios econômicos do governo. Explico a convergência de políticas nessas distintas burocracias do Estado pela gradual ocupação das instâncias decisórias por grupos com concepções convergentes sobre a funcionalidade do comércio exterior na promoção do desenvolvimento econômico, o que contribuiu para a evolução da posição brasileira na Rodada Uruguai do GATT e para a reforma do regime de importações. Para sustentar esta hipótese, procurei verificar a relação entre a evolução do pensamento econômico dos grupos responsáveis pela formulação da política comercial e a redefinição de políticas nessa área.
Effect of transparent covers for collection chambers of urine-diverting dry toilets on dehydration of faecal waste
Authors: Germer Jörn
Published: November 2011

Urine-diverting dry toilets save water, reduce the demand for wastewater treatment and provide plant nutrients. The conditions in the collection chambers and the interlinked hygienic safety of subsequent faecal matter use in crop production are affected by the building design. Comparative experiments were carried out to evaluate the potential of transparent chamber covers in comparison with non-transparent chamber covers to increase temperature and ventilation in order to enhance faecal matter dehydration and sanitation. The air temperature in the chambers with transparent covers (TC) was 1.1–1.5 °C higher and the relative air humidity about 5–7% lower than in chambers with non-transparent covers. The advantage of TCs on temperature and humidity prevailed throughout the year, but was most pronounced in months with more sunshine hours and higher irradiation. Furthermore, the airflow out of the chambers through the ventilation pipes was increased by 60% in the TCs. During two-month collection and dehydration cycles the improved drying conditions in the TCs resulted in 7% lower faecal matter moisture. A trend towards an enhanced pathogen inactivation in the faecal material was observed. The results demonstrate that in the semi-arid tropics transparent covers for collection chamber of urine diverting dry toilets improve the dehydration of faecal matter.
Effect of electrolysis parameters on the morphologies of copper powder obtained at high current densities
Authors: Orhan Gökhan , Gezgin Güzey
Published: November 2011

The effects of copper ion concentrations and electrolyte temperature on the
morphologies and on the apparent densities of electrolytic copper powders at
high current densities under galvanostatic regime were examined. These
parameters were evaluated by the current efficiency of hydrogen evolution. In
addition, scanning electron microscopy was used for analyzing the morphology
of the copper powders. It was found that the morphology was dependent over
the copper ion concentration and electrolyte temperature under same current
density (CD) conditions. At 150 mA cm-2 and the potential of 1000?20 mV (vs.
SCE), porous and disperse copper powders were obtained at low concentrations
of Cu ions (0.120 M Cu2+ in 0.50 M H2SO4). Under this condition, high rate of
hydrogen evolution reaction took place parallel to copper electrodeposition.
The morphology was changed from porous, disperse and cauliflower-like to
coral-like, shrub-like and stalk-stock like morphology with the increasing of
Cu ion concentrations towards 0.120 M, 0.155 M, 0.315 M, 0.475 M and 0.630 M
Cu2+ in 0.5 M H2SO4 respectively at the same CD. Similarly, as the
temperature was increased, powder morphology and apparent density were
observed to be changed. The apparent density values of copper powders were
found to be suitable for many of the powder metallurgy applications.