bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ockham's razor gone blunt: coenzyme Q adaptation and redox balance in tropical reef fishes
Authors: Gagliano Monica , Dunlap Walter C. , de Nys Rocky , Depczynski Martial
Published: April 2009

The ubiquitous coenzyme Q (CoQ) is a powerful antioxidant defence against cellular oxidative damage. In fishes, differences in the isoprenoid length of CoQ and its associated antioxidant efficacy have been proposed as an adaptation to different thermal environments. Here, we examine this broad contention by a comparison of the CoQ composition and its redox status in a range of coral reef fishes. Contrary to expectations, most species possessed CoQ
8
and their hepatic redox balance was mostly found in the reduced form. These elevated concentrations of the ubiquinol antioxidant are indicative of a high level of protection required against oxidative stress. We propose that, in contrast to the current paradigm, CoQ variation in coral reef fishes is not a generalized adaptation to thermal conditions, but reflects species-specific ecological habits and physiological constraints associated with oxygen demand.
Effect of magnetic fields on cryptochrome-dependent responses in
Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Harris Sue-Re , Henbest Kevin B. , Maeda Kiminori , Pannell John R. , Timmel Christiane R. , Hore P.J. , Okamoto Haruko
Published: April 2009

The scientific literature describing the effects of weak magnetic fields on living systems contains a plethora of contradictory reports, few successful independent replication studies and a dearth of plausible biophysical interaction mechanisms. Most such investigations have been unsystematic, devoid of testable theoretical predictions and, ultimately, unconvincing. A recent study, of magnetic responses in the model plant
Arabidopsis thaliana
, however, stands out; it has a clear hypothesis—that seedling growth is magnetically sensitive as a result of photoinduced radical-pair reactions in cryptochrome photoreceptors—tested by measuring several cryptochrome-dependent responses, all of which proved to be enhanced in a magnetic field of intensity 500 μT. The potential importance of this study in the debate on putative effects of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields on human health prompted us to subject it to the ‘gold standard’ of independent replication. With experimental conditions chosen to match those of the original study, we have measured hypocotyl lengths and anthocyanin accumulation for
Arabidopsis
seedlings grown in a 500 μT magnetic field, with simultaneous control experiments at 50 μT. Additionally, we have determined hypocotyl lengths of plants grown in 50 μT, 1 mT and approximately 100 mT magnetic fields (with zero-field controls), measured gene (
CHS
,
HY5
and
GST
) expression levels, investigated blue-light intensity effects and explored the influence of sucrose in the growth medium. In no case were consistent, statistically significant magnetic field responses detected.
Avian orientation: the pulse effect is mediated by the magnetite receptors in the upper beak
Authors: Wiltschko Wolfgang , Munro Ursula , Ford Hugh , Wiltschko Roswitha
Published: April 2009

Migratory silvereyes treated with a strong magnetic pulse shift their headings by approximately 90°, indicating an involvement of magnetite-based receptors in the orientation process. Structures containing superparamagnetic magnetite have been described in the inner skin at the edges of the upper beak of birds, while single-domain magnetite particles are indicated in the nasal cavity. To test which of these structures mediate the pulse effect, we subjected migratory silvereyes,Zosterops l. lateralis, to a strong pulse, and then tested their orientation, while the skin of their upper beak was anaesthetized with a local anaesthetic to temporarily deactivate the magnetite-containing structures there. After the pulse, birds without anaesthesia showed the typical shift, whereas when their beak was anaesthetized, they maintained their original headings. This indicates that the superparamagnetic magnetite-containing structures in the skin of the upper beak are most likely the magnetoreceptors that cause the change in headings observed after pulse treatment.
Is there an adverse effect of sons on maternal longevity?
Authors: Cesarini David , Lindqvist Erik , Wallace Björn
Published: April 2009

Recent years have witnessed the emergence of a literature examining the effects of giving birth to sons on postmenopausal longevity in pre-industrial mothers. The original paper in this lineage used a sample (
n
=375) of Sami mothers from northern Finland and found that, relative to daughters, giving birth to sons substantially reduced maternal longevity. We examine this hypothesis using a similar and a much larger sample (
n
=930) of pre-industrial Sami women from northern Sweden, who in terms of their demographic, sociocultural and biological conditions, closely resemble the original study population. In contrast to the previously reported results for the Sami, we find no evidence of a negative effect of sons on maternal longevity. Thus, we provide the most compelling evidence to date that the leading result in the literature must be approached with scepticism.
Concealed by conspicuousness: distractive prey markings and backgrounds
Authors: Dimitrova Marina , Stobbe Nina , Schaefer H. Martin , Merilaita Sami
Published: April 2009

High-contrast markings, called distractive or dazzle markings, have been suggested to draw and hold the attention of a viewer, thus hindering detection or recognition of revealing prey characteristics, such as the body outline. We tested this hypothesis in a predation experiment with blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus) and artificial prey. We also tested whether this idea can be extrapolated to the background appearance and whether high-contrast markings in the background would improve prey concealment. We compared search times for a high-contrast range prey (HC-P) and a low-contrast range prey (LC-P) in a high-contrast range background (HC-B) and a low-contrast range background (LC-B). The HC-P was more difficult to detect in both backgrounds, although it did not match the LC-B. Also, both prey types were more difficult to find in the HC-B than in the LC-B, in spite of the mismatch of the LC-P. In addition, the HC-P was more difficult to detect, in both backgrounds, when compared with a generalist prey, not mismatching either background. Thus, we conclude that distractive prey pattern markings and selection of microhabitats with distractive features may provide an effective way to improve camouflage. Importantly, high-contrast markings, both as part of the prey coloration and in the background, can indeed increase prey concealment.
Immunotherapy improves health‐related quality of life of adult patients with dermal reactions following yellow jacket stings
Authors: Oude Elberink J. N.G. , Van Der Heide S. , Guyatt G. H. , Dubois A. E. J.
Published: April 2009

Background
In many European centers insect venom allergic patients with a reaction confined to the skin are only offered an epinephrine auto‐injector and not venom immunotherapy (VIT). Previously we showed that VIT improves health‐related quality of life (HRQL) of yellow jacket allergic patients with more than dermal reactions.

Objective
To examine whether HRQL of dermal reactors is impaired and to examine the influence of VIT on HRQL in comparison with the EpiPen®.

Methods
Patients with solely dermal reactions were asked if they were willing to be randomized either to VIT or EpiPen®, after receiving patient information. Before and 1 year after enrollment, patients completed the Vespid allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire (VQLQ), Burden of Treatment and Expectation of Outcome.

Results
Of 55 patients eligible for the study, 29 consented to randomization: 15 to VIT, 14 to EpiPen®. The remaining 26 patients preferred to choose their treatment: 11 VIT and 15 EpiPen®. The VQLQ score of patients randomized to VIT improved (mean change 0.83 (SD 0.87), in contrast to patients randomized to the EpiPen® whose scores deteriorated (mean change −0.42 (SD 0.64), P<0.0001), resulting in an overall difference of 1.25 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.63–1.87]. With a minimal important difference of 0.5 indicating a clinically significant improvement, VIT generated an number needed to treat (NNT) of 1.7. Dermal reactors did not consider VIT burdensome and rated this treatment as being superior to the EpiPen®.

Conclusion
VIT results in a clinically significant improvement of HRQL in most patients with reactions limited to the skin following yellow jacket stings. Prescription of an EpiPen® in patients not choosing this treatment is associated with deterioration in HRQL and should therefore be avoided as definitive treatment in these patients.
When to worry about the weather: role of tidal cycle in determining patterns of risk in intertidal ecosystems
Authors: MISLAN K. A. S. , WETHEY DAVID S. , HELMUTH BRIAN
Published: April 2009

Species range boundaries are determined by a variety of factors of which climate is one of the most influential. As a result, climate change is expected to have a profound effect on organisms and ecosystems. However, the impacts of weather and climate are frequently modified by multiple nonclimatic factors. Therefore, the role of these nonclimatic factors needs to be examined in order to understand and predict future change. Marine intertidal ecosystems are exposed to heat extremes during warm, sunny, midday low tides. Thus, the timing of low tide, a nonclimatic factor, determines the potential contact intertidal invertebrates and algae have with heat extremes. We developed a method that quantifies the daily risk of high temperature extremes in the marine intertidal using solar elevations and spatially continuous tidal predictions. The frequency of ‘risky days’ is variable over time and space along the Pacific Coast of North America. Results show that at some sites the percentage of risky days in June can vary by 30% across years. In order to do a detailed analysis, we selected San Francisco as a study site. In San Francisco, May is the month with the greatest frequency of risky days, even though September is the month with the greatest frequency of high air temperature, ≥30 °C. These results indicate that marine intertidal organisms can be protected from high temperature extremes due to the timing of tides and local weather patterns. In addition, annual fluctuations in tides influence the frequency of intertidal zone exposures to high temperature extremes. Peaks in risk for heat extremes in the intertidal zone occur every 18 years, the length of the tidal epoch. These results suggest that nonclimatic variables can complicate predictions of shifts in species ranges due to climate change, but that mechanistic approaches can be used to produce predictions that include these factors.
Assessment of transparency of cost estimates in economic evaluations of patient safety programmes
Authors: Fukuda Haruhisa , Imanaka Yuichi
Published: April 2009

Objectives Transparency of costing is essential for decision‐makers who require information on the efficiency of a health care programme, because effective decisions depend largely on applicability to their settings. The main objectives of this study were to assess published studies for transparency of cost estimates.

Methods We first developed criteria with two axes by reviewing publications dealing with economic evaluations and cost accounting studies: clarification of the scope of costing and accuracy of method evaluating costs. We then performed systematic searches of the literature for studies which estimated prevention costs and assessed the transparency and accuracy of costing based on our criteria.

Results Forty studies met the inclusion criteria. Half of the studies reported data for both the quantity and unit price of programmes in regard to prevention costs. Although 30 studies estimated costs of adverse events, 19 of these described the scope of costing only, and just five studies used a micro‐costing method. Among 30 studies that estimated ‘gross cost savings’ and ‘net cost savings’, there was a huge discrepancy in labels.

Conclusions Even if a cost study was conducted in accordance with existing techniques of economic evaluation which mostly paid attention to internal validity of cost estimates, without adequate explanation of the process of costing, reproducibility cannot be assured and the study may lose its value as scientific information. This study found that there is tremendous room for improvement.
How do Dutch general practitioners diagnose children's urinary tract infections?
Authors: Harmsen Mirjam , Wolters René J. , Van Der Wouden Johannes C. , Grol Richard P. T. M. , Wensing Michel
Published: April 2009

Objective  To study which tests general practitioners used to diagnose a urinary tract infection (UTI) in children and which patient characteristics were associated with test choice.

Design  Retrospective chart review on the diagnosis of UTIs in children in Dutch general practices who were diagnosed as having a UTI. A total of 49 general practices participated in the study, and provided information on 148 children aged 0–12 years old.

Results  The nitrite test, which is recommended as first step, was performed in 87% of the children during the first contact. Less than 30% of the children had a dipslide and 37% a cultured urine. About half of all children with a UTI diagnosis had a follow‐up contact in general practice, and an average of 83% of these children had their urine tested. The recommended test, a dipslide, was performed in 26% of the children with a follow‐up contact. Patient age and UTI history were associated with choice of test.

Conclusions  The diagnostic procedures for UTIs in children in general practices could be improved, with focus on the importance of an accurate UTI diagnosis in all children, and explaining which tests should be performed and what the test results mean.
Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery patients in a clinical pathway gained less in health‐related quality of life as compared with patients who undergo CABG in a conventional‐care plan
Authors: El Baz Noha , Middel Berrie , Van Dijk Jitse P. , Boonstra Piet W. , Reijneveld Sijmen A.
Published: April 2009

Aims and objectives  The aim of this study is to determine the difference between clinical pathway (CP) and conventional care in terms of health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) domains, depression and anxiety, as well as to determine the relative contribution of CP towards an improved HRQoL after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG).

Method  A longitudinal quasi‐experimental pre‐test/post‐test design was used to study and compare clinical outcome, HRQoL depression and anxiety for CP versus conventional‐care patients after CABG. HRQoL was measured by using Sf‐36, while depression and anxiety were measured by using hospital anxiety and depression scale. Length of stay and patient complications were derived from the hospital database.

Results  We found that implementing a CP decreased hospital delay from 2.50 (±7.19) to 1.80 (±1.60), which was statistically significant P = 0.002. We also found that patients in the conventional‐care plan improved more than patients in the CP in HRQoL. Outcomes in favour of patients in the conventional‐care trajectory were based on the difference between small effect sizes (ES) (≥0.20 <0.50) for pathway patients and moderate ES (≥0.50 <0.80) for conventional‐care patients, except for the domain of physical functioning and physical component summary, where the ES for conventional care was large (>0.80).

Conclusion  The aim of designing and implementing pathways is to decrease length of stay and costs, while maintaining quality of care and improving patient outcomes. Our findings suggest that these aims were not fulfilled in this CABG pathway. We recommend that when designing a CP, all patient‐related characteristics, risk indicators, along with physiological status, be taken into consideration.
Carbon monoxide promotes root hair development in tomato
Authors: GUO KAI , KONG WIE WEI , YANG ZHI MIN
Published: April 2009

This study identified the role of CO in regulating the tomato root hair development. Exogenous CO promoted the root hair density and elongation in a concentration‐dependent manner. Analysis of cross sections of primary roots also indicated that CO induced the formation of root hairs. Genetic analysis reveals that tomato mutant yg‐2 (defective in haem oxygenase‐1 activity and intracellular CO generation) displayed a phenotype of delayed root hair development, which however could be reversed by exogenous CO. Further, we analysed LeExt1::β‐glucuronidase reporter gene for root hair formation and found increasing expression of LeExt1 in the CO‐exposed root hairs. Finally, CO was able to act synergistically with auxin, ethylene and NO. It is shown that the effect of CO could be blocked by NPA (auxin transport inhibitor), AVG (ethylene biosynthesis inhibitor), Ag+ (ethylene action inhibitor) or cPTIO (NO scavenger). Exposure of tomato roots to CO also enhanced intracellular NO and reactive oxygen species generation in root hairs. Our results suggest that CO would be required for root hair development and may play a critical role in controlling architectural development of plant roots by a putative mechanism of cross‐talk with auxin, ethylene and nitric oxide.
“I would do anything for my child, even quit tobacco”: Bonus effects from an intervention that targets adolescent tobacco use
Authors: NILSSON MARIA , STENLUND HANS , WEINEHALL LARS , BERGSTRÖM ERIK , JANLERT URBAN
Published: April 2009

This paper aims to assess program bonus effects on adult tobacco use from a long‐term intervention that targeted adolescent tobacco use. The school‐based community intervention started in Västerbotten County in Sweden in 1993 and adults were invited to support adolescents to stay tobacco‐free. It was combined with repeated cross‐sectional surveys in schools annually 1994–99 among grades 7–9 and after 1999 every second year. Participating schools were randomly selected before the first survey representing both rural and urban settings. Out of 4,055 students, 1,008 (24.8%) reported that their supporting adult had been a tobacco user who quit tobacco in order to be allowed to participate. Out of these, 13.2% used tobacco daily before joining. The remaining 2,997 students’ adult partners were not tobacco users. Engaging tobacco using adults as partners in interventions targeting adolescent tobacco use seem to have a considerable tobacco‐reducing bonus effect in the adults.
THE IMPACT OF POLITICAL INTERESTS UPON THE FORMULATION OF PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENTS: THE NHS STAR RATING SYSTEM
Authors: Chang Li‐cheng
Published: April 2009

This study examines the impact of political interests of the Blair Government on the development of the NHS star rating system. It argues that the use of performance measurements (PMs) is not detached from its political context but influenced by institutional interests including in particular those of the Government. The analysis indicates that the formulation of the specifics of PM, and of performance information within the NHS star rating system, was skewed to reflect the political objectives of the Blair Government. PMs are not merely neutral instruments, but, suffused with institutional interests, serve as a coercive mechanism to impose pressures upon the NHS as well as seeking to create a public perception of performance improvement. This study concludes that PMs in the public sector are influenced by the need to serve the political interests of the Government.
EFFECT OF REMOVABLE PARTIAL DENTURES REPLACING PRIMARY MOLARS ON MASTICATION OF FOODS WITH VARIABLE TEXTURE
Authors: GAMBARELI FLÁVIA RIQUETO , SERRA MARCIA DIAZ , GAVIÃO MARIA BEATRIZ DUARTE
Published: April 2009

This study investigated the effects of a prosthetic appliance on the chewing function, evaluating the electrical activity of masseter and temporal muscles to characterize the chewing process using an artificial test material. Moreover, the chewing behavior with foods of different textures (chewing gum, raw carrot, cheese, banana and industrialized toast) was evaluated. Twenty‐three partially edentulous children (12 girls and 11 boys, 7.10 ± 0.74 year‐old) participated. Electromyography and chewing behavior were determined before and 6 months after the appliance placement. During habitual chewing, the muscle activity values after the 6 months were higher (P < 0.001). Electromyographic recording (EMG) values were not correlated with body variables. At the two evaluations, significant differences occurred in the number of cycles, swallowing threshold and amount of food ingested for soft and hard foods. The increase in EMG values and the improvement in chewing natural foods were able to demonstrate the influence possibility of the partial removable denture on the muscles and masticatory functions in children.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Masticatory muscles respond to the stimulus received. Chewing is a complex neuromuscular task, in which an extrinsic stimulus, such as food, provokes an intrinsic response involving the oral structures. Apart from the subject‐related variables, food consistency, texture and volume seem to be particularly significant in determining the characteristics of chewing in oral partial or total denture wearers to enable the outcome on the masticatory system function to be verified. In children, these considerations are important, since the oral sensorimotor pathway matures throughout childhood in concert with the continued acquisition of complex motor skills. Thus, it is expected that partial removable denture with good occlusal relations and good retention can not only restore mastication, but also help to maintain the health of the masticatory system since the motor system could be exercised properly.
Nonpharmacological approaches in the management of hypertension
Authors: DeSimone M. Elayne , Crowe Amanda
Published: April 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to discuss the holistic evaluation of the hypertensive patient and review evidence‐based nonpharmacological treatments to help patients achieve maximum therapeutic benefits with minimal side effects.

Data sources: Health sciences literature was reviewed using the following databases: Medline, PubMed, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature.

Conclusions: Hypertension remains a major public health problem, affecting 65 million Americans and contributing to excess morbidity, mortality, and indirect and direct healthcare costs. Improving clinical outcomes will reduce human suffering as well as the economic burden associated with this disease. Nonpharmacological strategies are recommended as successful primary and adjunctive treatment options for lowering blood pressure. Moreover, the benefits of many of these approaches extend to and promote overall health and well‐being.

Implications for practice: Nurse practitioners who incorporate nonpharmacological options in the management of hypertension can improve clinical outcomes.
Pelagodictyon Clarke, a newly recorded nanodiatom genus for China
Authors: LI Yang , GAO Ya‐Hui
Published: April 2009

Marine nanoplanktonic diatoms have been frequently either underestimated or overlooked in phyto‐plankton investigations due to their small size (2–20 μm), which allows most of them to pass through a regular phytoplankton net of 70‐μm pore size. For nanoplanktonic diatom classification, water samples (each 2000 mL) were collected from several representative sea areas of Chinese coast from May 2002 to May 2006. Pelagodictyon Clarke was identified as a newly recorded nanodiatom genus for China under transmission electron microscope (TEM). This genus is characterized by the delicate structure of the valve face. The striae are seen to be formed by ribs with cross‐ribs (frets) and the intervening spaces are occupied by polygonal cribra situated much close to the exterior face of the valve. Just one species was found, i.e., P. tenue Clarke. Detailed description of the taxonomic characteristics with TEM photographs of this species and its ecological habitat and distribution are given in this paper. Morphological characteristics comparisons among several resembling genera were discussed.
Flexural-torsional resonance mode of a chip cantilever system: Applications to nanomachining
Authors: Voigt Felix , Krohs Florian , Gerbach Ronny
Published: April 2009

Cantilever vibration modes beyond the first harmonic of the standard flexural vibration mode were intensely explored in atomic force microscopy (AFM) during the past years. One example for this development is the usage of the torsional resonance mode. Further, the lateral bending mode was investigated and applied in AFM imaging and measurement. Here, the authors report on an extraordinary resonance mode of a cantilever chip system. In this mode the cantilever performs flexural as well as torsional movements. The mode was investigated in detail by scanning laser-Doppler vibrometry. It was found that there exists an intermediate stripelike region between the cantilever and the chip, which significantly contributes to the mechanical vibrations. In addition simulations using the finite-element method were performed to explore possible natural modes of the chip cantilever system. Nanomachining was performed on samples in a highly efficient manner with help of the above described resonance mode. The atomic force microscope could be specialized for material processing tasks on the micro- and nanometer scales utilizing this resonance mode.
Relevance of Stroke Code, Stroke Unit and Stroke Networks in Organization of Acute Stroke Care – The Madrid Acute Stroke Care Program
Authors: Alonso de Leciñana-Cases María , Gil-Núñez Antonio , Díez-Tejedor Exuperio
Published: April 2009

Stroke is a neurological emergency. The early administration of specific treatment improves the prognosis of the patients. Emergency care systems with early warning for the hospital regarding patients who are candidates for this treatment (stroke code) increases the number of patients treated. Currently, reperfusion via thrombolysis for ischemic stroke and attention in stroke units are the bases of treatment. Healthcare professionals and health provision authorities need to work together to organize systems that ensure continuous quality care for the patients during the whole process of their disease. To implement this, there needs to be an appropriate analysis of the requirements and resources with the objective of their adjustment for efficient use. It is necessary to provide adequate information and continuous training for all professionals who are involved in stroke care, including primary care physicians, extrahospital emergency teams and all physicians involved in the care of stroke patients within the hospital. The neurologist has the function of coordinating the protocols of intrahospital care. These organizational plans should also take into account the process beyond the acute phase, to ensure the appropriate application of measures of secondary prevention, rehabilitation, and chronic care of the patients that remain in a dependent state. We describe here the stroke care program in the Community of Madrid (Spain).
Ternary Deictic System in Aromanian
Authors: Nevaci Manuela
Published: April 2009

Ternary deictic system in Aromanian Adverbs of place of the type here, there, which form a binary system met in many languages, can be considered as local or spatial deictic elements. In Ibero-Romance languages (Spanish, Portuguese, and Catalan) a ternary deictic system appears which, regionally, can be found in dialects of the Romanian language, i.e. Aromanian and Dacoromanian. This paper deals with the spatial deictic system using three terms in Aromanian and comparing them to the Romance and Balkan (Albanian) languages; this information is compared with the situation observed in another local dialect. The presence of the ternary deictic system in some Romance languages, as well as in Slavic ones and in Albanian, around which Aromanian developed (especially the Fãrşerot local dialect), proves that there is a Romance tendency developed within the Balkan context in Aromanian, too.
Estudo genético de bacia orgânica do Vale do Paraíba
Authors: Verdade Francisco da Costa , Hungria Luiz Soares
Published: April 2009

Através de sondagens, fotointerpretação do relêvo e altimetria, foi estudada a formação duma bacia orgânica situada entre São José dos Campos e Caçapava. Esta bacia teve sua origem provável em um lento abatimento por acomodação de camadas no substrato terciário da planície aluvial. Êste fenômeno propiciou o acúmulo orgânico abaixo do nível atual do rio. A preservação da bacia, situada ao sul do rio, sem destruição pela oscilação meândrica, deve-se à tendência do leito em se deslocar para o norte, conforme comprovam os terraços. Estas condições devem prevalecer em outras áreas do mesmo rio e que possuam espêssas camadas orgânicas.
Adubação da soja: V - Efeitos da inoculação das sementes com Rhizobiume da subseqüente "peletização" com pasta de carbonato de cálcio na ausência e na presença da calagem e da adubação nitrogenada
Authors: Mascarenhas H. A. A. , Miyasaka Shiro , Freire E. S. , Di Sordi Guido , Lopes Eli S.
Published: April 2009

Para estudar os efeitos dos tratamentos indicados sôbre a soja, foram conduzidas experiências em solos ácidos de Ipuã, numa área recém-desbravada, e de Ribeirão Prêto, em solo repetidamente cultivado. Enquanto a calagem aumentou consideravelmente a produção nas duas localidades, a adubação nitrogenada e a inoculação, usadas na ausência uma da outra, só a aumentaram em Ribeirão Prêto. Nas duas experiências, a "peletização" reduziu os "stands" e as produções. Os autores também estudaram a influência dos tratamentos sôbre a nodulação.
Absorção de nutrientes pela cultura do feijoeiro
Authors: Haag H. P. , Malavolta E. , Gargantini H. , Garcia Blanco H.
Published: April 2009

Foi determinada a marcha de absorção dos macronutrientes essenciais pela cultura do feijoeiro (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) em casa de vegetação. O máximo de crescimento foi atingido ao completar a planta 50 dias de idade. Os elementos N, K e Ca foram absorvidos até aos 50 dias da germinação. O Mg e S, até aos 70 e 60 dias, respectivamente. O fósforo foi absorvido durante todo o ciclo. Uma população correspondentemente a um hectare absorveria 201,2 kg de N, 17,5 kg de P, 200,7 kg de K, 116 kg de Ca, 36 kg de Mg e 36 kg de S. Para uma produção de 500 kg de grãos, a exportação de nutrientes seria de 14,3 kg de N, 1,1 kg de P, 10,2 kg de K, 1,8 kg de Ca, 1,0 kg de Mg e 2,2 kg de S.
Influência do crescimento intrauterino restrito sobre a evolução nutricional e crescimento de recém-nascidos pré-termo até a alta hospitalar
Authors: Costa Igor Tadeu da , Leone Cléa Rodrigues
Published: April 2009

OBJETIVO: Analisar o crescimento de recém-nascidos pré-termo (RNPT) com crescimento intrauterino restrito (CIUR) do nascimento até a alta hospitalar. MÉTODOS: Coorte de RNPT provenientes de gestação única, com idade gestacional (IG) de 30 a 34 semanas, Apgar de cinco minutos >6, sem risco infeccioso perinatal e sem malformações. Grupos de estudo: I: CIUR (índice de Kramer=peso ao nascer/peso P50<0,85); II: sem CIUR. Analisaram-se: peso (P), comprimento (C), perímetro cefálico (PC) e índice de massa corpórea (IMC) ao nascimento e à alta ou com 40 semanas de IG corrigida. Análise estatística: comparação de médias (teste t de Student e t pareado), teste do qui-quadrado, correlação de Pearson e regressão linear, sendo significante p<0,05. RESULTADOS: Ao nascimento, houve diferença (p<0,0001) da antropometria entre os 24 RNPT do Grupo I (P=1192g, E=37,7cm, PC=26,9cm) e os 27 do Grupo II (P=2081g, E=43,2cm, PC=30,9cm). À alta, o peso no Grupo II era mais elevado (p=0,03), enquanto C, PC e IMC não diferiram. Do nascimento à alta, P, C e PC aumentaram nos dois grupos. O IMC aumentou de forma significante entre o nascimento e o termo apenas no Grupo I (p<0,0001). Obteve-se correlação inversa entre IMC ao nascimento e diferença do IMC (alta-nascimento): r=-0,79 (p<0,0001) no grupo com CIUR. CONCLUSÕES: CIUR ao nascimento associou-se à elevação do IMC até a alta, que se correlacionou inversamente com o IMC ao nascer, o que sugere um risco maior de obesidade futura nos RNPT com maiores déficits de peso em relação ao comprimento ao nascimento, se essa tendência se mantiver.
Rendimento de feijão e alterações no pH e na matéria orgânica do solo em função de doses de composto de resíduo de algodão
Authors: Ramos Sílvio Júnio , Alves Daniel Soares , Fernandes Luiz Arnaldo , Costa Candido Alves da
Published: April 2009

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar o rendimento de feijão e as alterações no pH e na matéria orgânica do solo após a aplicação do composto de resíduo de algodão. Para tanto, instalou-se o experimento em condições de campo, em um Argissolo Vermelho-Amarelo. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso com cinco tratamentos constituídos por doses (0, 20, 40, 60, 80t ha-1) de resíduo de algodão compostado oriundo da indústria têxtil, com cinco repetições. Verificou-se que a aplicação do resíduo de algodão compostado promoveu melhoria nas características produtivas do feijoeiro submetido ao manejo orgânico e elevou os valores de pH e matéria orgânica do solo. Desse modo, o composto utilizado mostrou-se como uma alternativa para a adubação da cultura.
Post-acquisition changes beyond the dyad: power at the net level in cross-border acquisitions
Authors: Rezende Sérgio Fernando Loureiro , Duarte Roberto Gonzalez
Published: April 2009

A common feature of the literature on post-acquisition changes is its dyadic feature, i.e. the emphasis is placed on the actors directly involved in the acquisition, often represented by the acquiree and the acquirer. Accordingly, actors outside the dyad, such as suppliers and buyers, are usually disregarded. There is, however, a relevant exception in this literature. Recently, some Nordic authors have claimed that if actors other than the acquiree and the acquirer are not taken into account, the existing literature may only present a partial view of changes following acquisitions. Consequently, they have suggested that changes following this type of operation can be analysed fruitfully at the network level. Our article adds to the efforts of these scholars to understand post-acquisition changes at a broader level by bringing to the fore two issues that have received scarce attention in the literature: i) nets rather than the network level appears to be the locus where post-acquisition changes beyond the dyad take place; ii) relational power can be regarded as an independent variable in post-acquisition changes beyond the dyad. These arguments are illustrated by three brief case studies of cross-border acquisitions.
Early Results of Combined and Staged Coronary Bypass and Carotid Endarterectomy in Advanced Age Patients in Single Centre
Authors: Iyem Hikmet , Buket Suat
Published: April 2009

Aim:

In present study, we aimed to compare the staged and combined surgery in patients with severe carotid stenosis and coronary atherosclerosis and detect the factors affecting mortality and morbidity.

Material and method:

Between 2004 and 2008, 120 patients with predominant ischemic heart disease were enrolled to study. Patients were divided into three groups on basis surgery procedure. Group 1 (n=40) includeed patients had coronary artery disease without carotid disease underwent coronary artery by-pass graft (CABG) operation. Group 2 (n=40): included patients underwent combined surgery procedure including CABG and carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Patients underwent staged CABG and CEA were enrolled to Group 3 (n=40). All patients were in advanced aged and were had the same risk factors atributable atherosclerosis

Results:

Mean age of the patients in all groups were 68±6, 69±3, 71±2 respectively, and 83% were male. Eight patients died in all groups at follow-up(seven in group 2 and 3, and one in group 1) and the difference between both groups was statistically significant (p<0.001). The follow-up period in the intensive care unit, and hospitalization period were not statistically different between CABG group and combined CEA plus CABG group.

Conclusion:

We think that the results of staged or combined CABG plus CEA surgery are satisfactory in patients with severe carotid disease and advanced coronary artery disease. However, the mortality and morbidity in both procedures are higher than those of alone.
CloudSat and A-Train Observations of Tropical Cyclones
Authors: Durden Stephen L. , Tanelli Simone , Dobrowalski Gregg
Published: April 2009

The CloudSat 94-GHz Cloud Profiling Radar was designed to provide global information on the vertical structure of clouds. It was launched in April 2006, joining the A-Train of earth science satellites. Although primarily focused on clouds and climate, the CloudSat radar also provides a unique view of the vertical structure of clouds in tropical cyclones. The authors use data from CloudSat and other A-Train satellite constellation missions to examine tropical cyclone cloud properties. They consider several case studies and then examine cloud statistics based on seventeen tropical cyclone overpasses. In addition to the new qualitative view of cloud structure provided by CloudSat, the CloudSat and other ATrain products also contain quantitative estimates of cloud properties. Although the accuracy of these products in tropical cyclones is not validated by direct comparison, the authors do find reasonable agreement with previous in situ measurements.
PERCEIVED PARENTING STYLES AND DISORDERED PERSONALITY TRAITS IN ADOLESCENT AND ADULT STUDENTS AND IN PERSONALITY DISORDER PATIENTS
Authors: Yu Rongrong , Wang Zhi , Qian Fuyong , Jang Kerry L. , Livesley W. John , Paris Joel , Shen Mowei , Wang Wei
Published: April 2009

To examine the relationship between perceptions of parenting and personality, the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI; Parker, Tupling, & Brown, 1979) and the Dimensional Assessment of Personality Pathology – Basic Questionnaire (DAPP; Livesley & Jackson, in press) were administered
to 167 adolescent and 422 adult students, as well as to 198 patients with personality disorders. Principal component analysis of the PBI yielded 3 factors in all three samples: Care, Freedom Control, and Autonomy Denial. Chinese personality disorder patients perceived less parental Care than
did adolescent and adult students, more paternal Freedom Control than did adults, and more paternal Autonomy Denial than did adolescents. Most regression coefficients between PBI and DAPP scales were moderate, but consistent with previous literature. These findings are similar to those found
in the non-Chinese samples, suggesting that parental bonding is important in the development of personality disorders across different nations.
ADOLESCENT EGOCENTRISM AND THEORY OF MIND: IN THE CONTEXT OF FAMILY RELATIONS
Authors: Artar Müge
Published: April 2009

While dealing with the issues of theory of mind (ToM) and false belief, the author realized that adolescents have similar false beliefs to those of children, but in a more complex manner. These false beliefs seem to be related to a typical developmental issue called “egocentrism.”
Participants in this study were 11 adolescents (ages 16–18) and their families from a middle SES high school. ToM stories and new imaginary audience and personal fable categories were examined. Every adolescent was interviewed about his or her family relationships. To observe them all
together, the author wanted to analyze adolescents' most sophisticated relations: family relations. The results seemed to indicate that in the context of their family, adolescents have more emotional inference than social inference or intentions – that is, they have more thoughts
about their parents' feelings. If they have to describe their parents' relations, they seem to have more ToM (overall inference).
Item description in translated tests: Cultural effects on factor structure of the Chinese Version of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator-G
Authors: Chen Jing , Tian Jian-Quan , Miao Danmin , Chia Rosina C.
Published: April 2009

Construct validity is a core issue in the design of a standard psychological instrument. There are many contrasting arguments about the factor structure of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI, Myers, 1962). A variety of methods and sample sizes used in prior studies has created these
differences. Therefore, this study explored factor structure of the Chinese version MBTI, Form G based on two samples with roughly equal sample sizes, using the same method. Results supported construct validity of the Chinese version of the MBTI-G (Miao, Huangfu, Chia, & Ren, 2004), for
there were four factors extracted based on the two samples respectively. However, factor analysis results raised questions about the nature of the Sensation-Intuition scale. This study provided evidence that, for a collectivist culture, the description of items related to the individual's
own preference and attitude or other people's value and attitude would affect the results of the Chinese version MBTI-G in construct validity evaluation.
Time to Engage? Texting to Support and Enhance First Year Undergraduate Learning
Authors: Jones Geraldine , Edwards G.
Published: April 2009

In this paper we discuss a case study investigating how the academic and personal development of first year students on an undergraduate sports education degree can be supported and enhanced with mobile SMS communication. SMS-based technologies were introduced in response to studentsâ?? particular needs (in transition to Higher Education) and characteristics (â??digital nativesâ??). Despite being unaccustomed to using their mobile phones for academic study, students willingly participated in SMS communication with their tutor via a texting management service. Drawing on evidence from two student surveys, focus groups and a tutorâ??s journal, we illustrate the potential that mobile SMS communication has to link and establish continuity between face to face teaching sessions and online learning activities in the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). Many students perceived the SMS communication to have had a positive impact on their management of study time. We link our findings with the existing literature and argue that mobile text based communication has the potential to support the development of time management skills, an important component of self regulatory learning, a skill which has been shown to be key in making a successful transition.
Etude theorique de la premiere protonation de la proflavine
Authors: Rayez J. C. , Chalvet O.
Published: April 2009

Une étude comparée théorique et expérimentale a permis d'obtenir des résultats cohérents sur la différence de comportement acido‐basique de la proflavine dans l'état fondamental et dans les états excités singulet et triplet. On montre notamment une séquence inhabituelle de pK de l'équilibre acido‐basique ptripletK < pfondamentalK < psinguletK, un changement de configuration électronique du plus bas triplet de cette molécule sous l'influence de la protonation ainsi que le rǒle important de la variation de l'énergie de solvatation au cours de l'absorption fondamental‐premier singulet excité.
The crystal and molecular structure of 6‐oxadihydrouracil
Authors: Venkatasubramian K. , Majeste R. J. , Trefonas L. M.
Published: April 2009

The crystal and molecular structure of 6‐oxadihydrouracil (C3H4N2O3) has been determined by single crystal x‐ray diffraction techniques. The compound crystallizes in the space group P21 21 21 with four molecules in a unit cell of dimensions: a = 5.106(1)Å, b = 12.461(2)Å and c = 7.112(1)Å. The structure was solved by direct methods and refined to a final value of R = 0.052. The oxauracil ring is non‐planar with the C5 atom assuming tetrahedral geometry and the ring oxygen having oxazinal distances and angle (C‐O = 1.432Å, N‐O = 1.408Å, and CON angle of 109.0°). The usual hydrogen bonding patterns associated with the uracil ring are absent in this compound.
Regulation of bovine oocyte‐specific transcripts during in vitro oocyte maturation and after maternal–embryonic transition analyzed using a transcriptomic approach
Authors: Thelie Aurore , Papillier Pascal , Perreau Christine , Uzbekova Svetlana , Hennequet‐Antier Christelle , Dalbies‐Tran Rozenn
Published: April 2009

Oocyte/embryo genomics in mammals faces specific challenges due to limited biological material, to the comparison of models with different total RNA contents, and to expression of a specific set of genes often absent from commercially available microarrays. Here, we report experimental validation of a RNA amplification protocol for bovine oocytes and blastocysts. Using real‐time PCR, we have confirmed that the profile of both abundant and scarce polyadenylated transcripts was conserved after RNA amplification. Next, amplified probes generated from immature oocytes, in vitro matured oocytes, and in vitro produced hatched blastocysts were hybridized onto a macroarray that included oocyte‐specific genes. Following an original approach, we have compared two normalization procedures, based on the median signal or an exogenous standard. We have evidenced the expected difference in sets of differential genes depending on the normalization procedure. Using a 1.5‐fold threshold, no transcript was found to be upregulated when data were normalized to an exogenous standard, which reflects the absence of transcription during in vitro oocyte maturation. In blastocysts, the majority of oocyte‐preferentially expressed genes were not activated, as previously observed in mouse. Finally, microarray data were validated by real‐time PCR on a random subset of genes. Our study sheds new light on and complements previous transcriptomic analyses of bovine oocyte to embryo transition using commercial platforms. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 76: 773–782, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An infant with self‐healing cutaneous Langerhans cell histiocytosis followed by isolated thymic relapse
Authors: Hatakeyama Naoki , Hori Tsukasa , Yamamoto Masaki , Sogawa Ineko , Inazawa Natsuko , Tsutsumi Hiroyuki , Suzuki Nobuhiro
Published: April 2009

Thymic involvement with Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) typically occurs in children as part of multi‐system (M‐S) LCH. Patients who develop skin‐only LCH during infancy may either follow a self‐healing course with spontaneous regression or may progress to M‐S involvement. We describe a male infant who developed isolated thymic LCH after spontaneous complete regression of isolated cutaneous lesions. His erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C‐reactive protein increased temporarily during the skin‐only stage of LCH, and increased again considerably during the thymic relapse. Even for patients with skin‐only LCH, these laboratory data might indicate possible relapse or late progression of the disease. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;53:229–231. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.