bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Validation of commercial computerised systems using a single life cycle document (integrated validation document)
Authors: McDowall R. D.
Published: September 2009

A risk‐based approach to the validation of low risk commercially available computerised systems is described. To determine if validation is required, the business process automated by the system is assessed to see if it is regulated. If validation is required, then the Good Automated Manufacturing Practice (GAMP) software category is mapped against the impact of the records generated by the system to determine if full or reduced validation is required. If reduced validation is indicated, the use of a single integrated validation document is proposed and illustrated with two case study examples. The use of a Validation Master Plan (VMP) to facilitate this validation process is also presented and described. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dissociation constants of 2‐azidoethanamines in aqueous solution
Authors: Stevenson William H. , McQuaid Michael J.
Published: September 2009

Aqueous‐phase dissociation constants (Ka) for the conjugate acids of a series of 2‐azidoethanamine bases: R1N(R2)CH2CH2N3 (1, R1 = CH3, R2 = H; 2, R1 = CH3, R2 = CH3; 3, R1 = CH2CH3, R2 = CH2CH3; 4, R1/R2 = CH2CH2CH2CH2; 5, R1/R2 = CH2CH2OCH2CH2; 6, R1 = CH2CH3, R2 = CH2CH2N3) were measured and found to fall between those for analogous unfunctionalized and cyano‐functionalized ethanamines. To explore the possibility of a relationship existing between the constants and molecular geometry, a theoretically based study was conducted. In it, the Gibbs free energies of aqueous‐phase (equilibrium) conformers of the bases and their conjugate acids were determined via a density functional theory/polarizable continuum model method. The results indicate that an attractive interaction between the amine and azide groups that underlies the lowest‐energy gas‐phase conformer of 2 is negated in an aqueous environment by solvent–solute interactions. The magnitudes of the free energy changes of solvation and −TS (entropic) energies of the conformers of the 2‐azidoethanamines and their conjugate acids are observed to correlate with the magnitude of the separation between the conformers' amine and azide groups. However, those correlations are not by themselves sufficient to predict the relative free energies of a molecule's conformers in an aqueous environment. That insufficiency is due to the influence of the correlations being mitigated by three other parameters that arise within the thermodynamic framework employed to compute the observable. The nature of those parameters is discussed. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2010
Density functional theory study of the oxidative dehydrogenation of propane on the (001) surface of V2O5
Authors: Nguyen Ngoc Ha , Tran Thanh Hue , Nguyen Minh Tho , Le Minh Cam
Published: September 2009

The density functional theory using a plane‐waves basis set and pseudopotential has been used to study the reaction pathways for ODH of propane on the V2O5(001) surface. The calculations indicated that propane adsoprtion step was initiated by the insertion of vanadyl oxygen O (1) into methylene CH bond forming an iso‐propanol structure. This step is the rate‐determining step with an activation energy of 23.3 kcal/mol. The subsequent step involved the abstraction of the second hydrogen by O (1) site leading the formation of propene. This process had an activation energy of 22.5 kcal/mol. The elimination of surface bound water molecule at the O (1) was a barrierless process. The energy required for this process was compensated from O2 dissociative adsorption. Finally, the electronic density of state has been applied to prove the reality of the calculated results. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2010
Acute effects of microcystins on the transcription of 14 glutathione S‐transferase isoforms in Wistar rat
Authors: Li Guangyu , Xie Ping , Li Huiying , Hao Le , Xiong Qian , Qiu Tong , Liu Ying
Published: September 2009

The glutathione S‐transferases (GST) play important roles in the detoxification of microcystins (MCs). For better understanding of the responses of GST isforms to MCs exposure, informations about the effects of MCs on GSTs are necessary. In this experiment, we cloned the full length cDNA of 14 GST isoforms (GST alpha, kappa, mu, omega, pi, theta, zeta, and microsomal GST) from Wistar rat. The mRNA abundance of each rat GST isoform in the liver, kidney, and testis was analyzed by real time quantitative PCR. Multiple GST isoforms were constitutively expressed in all examined organs, but some isoforms were expressed at higher level in one organ than in others. The relative changes of the mRNA abundance in the liver, kidney, and testis of Wiatar rat i.v. injected with crude MCs extract at dose of 1LD50 were also analyzed. Generally, the expression of most GSTs in the liver and testis was suppressed while that in kidney was induced after being injected with MCs. It is suggested that the transcription of GST isoforms varied in different ways within an organ and between organs of Wistar rat exposed to MCs. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 26: 187–194, 2011.
Adnexal torsion in a postmenopausal woman on tamoxifen
Authors: Matiluko Adebimpe F. , Crystal Alan M.
Published: September 2009

The authors describe the case of a postmenopausal woman who presented with sudden‐onset abdominal pain and vomiting, found to be caused by a torted haemorrhagic ovarian cyst. The case highlights the occurrence of ovarian cyst formation and endometrial stimulation in patients treated with tamoxifen. Copyright © 2009 Wiley Interface Ltd
Antenatal detection of cleft lip with or without cleft palate: incidence of associated chromosomal and structural anomalies
Authors: Gillham J. C. , Anand S. , Bullen P. J.
Published: September 2009

Objective

To ascertain how many fetuses with prenatally diagnosed cleft lip with or without cleft palate have associated congenital structural and/or chromosomal abnormalities and whether there is an association with the anatomical type of cleft lip or palate.

Methods

This was a retrospective review of infants referred to the North‐West England Regional Cleft Lip and Palate (CLAP) team between January 2000 and January 2006. Referrals made to the Regional Fetal Management Unit (FMU) in the same time period were investigated to identify the corresponding antenatal ultrasound findings and data on termination of pregnancy and intrauterine fetal death.

Results

Over the 6‐year period investigated, 570 infants were referred to the FMU and/or CLAP team. Among these, there were 24 terminations of pregnancy, two intrauterine fetal deaths and one early neonatal death identified. Data on 69 of the 543 patients that survived were incomplete. Of 188 cases with unilateral and 34 cases with bilateral cleft lip ± palate there were no karyotypical abnormalities without other structural abnormalities. The incidence of associated structural abnormalities varied with the anatomical type of cleft: that of unilateral cleft lip ± palate was 9.8% (19/194), that of bilateral cleft lip and palate was 25% (11/44) and that of midline cleft lip and palate was 100% (11/11). None of 252 cases with isolated cleft palate was identified antenatally; of these, 5.6% (n = 14) had either karyotypical or associated structural abnormalities and 21.0% (n = 53) had a genetic syndrome as an underlying diagnosis.

Conclusions

It is essential to tailor the antenatal counseling of patients to the specific scan diagnosis, considering both the anatomical type of cleft and the presence or absence of associated abnormalities. It is inappropriate to offer invasive testing to all patients. The use of three‐dimensional ultrasound as an adjunct should be considered in these patients to improve the accuracy of prenatal diagnosis. Copyright © 2009 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Contribution of the myocardial performance index and aortic isthmus blood flow index to predicting mortality in preterm growth‐restricted fetuses
Authors: Hernandez‐Andrade E. , Crispi F. , Benavides‐Serralde J. A. , Plasencia W. , Diesel H. F. , Eixarch E. , Acosta‐Rojas R. , Figueras F. , Nicolaides K. , Gratacós E.
Published: September 2009

Objectives

To evaluate the predictive value for perinatal death of the myocardial performance index (MPI) and aortic isthmus flow index (IFI), as isolated parameters and in a combined model including currently used Doppler indices, in preterm growth restricted (IUGR) fetuses.

Methods

Umbilical artery, fetal middle cerebral artery (MCA) and ductus venosus (DV) pulsatility indices (PIs) were recorded, along with IFI and MPI, in a cohort of 97 preterm (delivered at between 24 and 34 weeks) IUGR fetuses. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify those variables that were independently associated with perinatal mortality, and an algorithm to estimate probability of death was constructed including the best combination of parameters.

Results

With the exception of MCA, all Doppler indices were significantly associated with perinatal death as isolated parameters, but only DV‐PI and MPI were found to be independent predictors on multivariate analysis. An algorithm combining DV atrial flow (positive or absent/reversed) and MPI (normal or above 95th percentile) had a better predictive accuracy than did any single parameter. The risk for death in IUGR fetuses below 28 weeks' gestation with present atrial flow in the DV and normal MPI was 18%, with either characteristic abnormal it was 70–73%, and with both abnormal it was 97%. The risk for death in IUGR fetuses above 28 weeks with present atrial flow in the DV and normal MPI was 0.1%, with either abnormal it was 6–7%, and with both abnormal it was 45%.

Conclusions

MPI is an independent predictor of perinatal death in preterm IUGR fetuses with accuracy similar to that of DV flow. A combination of DV flow with MPI may better stratify the estimated probability of death. IFI does not add to the prediction of perinatal death when used in combination with DV flow. Copyright © 2009 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The network as the target
Authors: Baggs Julie E. , Hughes Michael E. , Hogenesch John B.
Published: September 2009

The conventional target centric model of drug discovery is pinned under the weight of prior success and the traditional problems of safety and efficacy for new molecules. An alternative to target centric drug development is to shift focus to the pathways that mediate both biology and pathophysiology. This method has the advantage of not requiring a priori knowledge of the small molecule target, but also comes with it several challenges including target determination. We suggest extending this notion more broadly across the drug discovery process using quantitative network structure‐activity relationships (QNSAR), and discuss the steps necessary to test the hypothesis that systems biology approaches can be used to improve the drug discovery process. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

This article is categorized under:

Translational, Genomic, and Systems Medicine > Therapeutic Methods
Increasing Detection and Increasing Incidence in Thyroid Cancer
Authors: Hall Stephen F. , Walker Hugh , Siemens Robert , Schneeberg Amy
Published: September 2009

Background

It has been proposed that the increasing incidence of thyroid cancer is due to increasing detection.

Methods

Using administrative data, we compare by year from 1993 to 2006, the rates of diagnostic imaging tests of the neck (computed axial tomography—CT, magnetic resonance imaging—MRI, and non‐obstetrical ultrasound—US) to the incidence of thyroid cancer for the population of the Province of Ontario Canada.

Results

Women and men have different rates of tests, and those rates reflect the rates of new diagnoses of thyroid cancer.

Conclusions

The rising incidence of thyroid disease in women is associated with increasing numbers of diagnostic imaging tests.
Is distribution of hydraulic constraints within tree crowns reflected in photosynthetic water‐use efficiency? An example of Betula pendula
Authors: Sellin Arne , Eensalu Eve , Niglas Aigar
Published: September 2009

Spatial and daily variation in photosynthetic water‐use efficiency was examined in leaves of Betula pendula Roth with respect to distribution of hydraulic conductance within the crown, morphological properties of stomata, and water availability. Intrinsic water‐use efficiency (An/gs) was determined from gas‐exchange measurements performed both in situ in a natural forest stand and on detached shoots under laboratory conditions. In intact foliage, sun leaves demonstrated significantly higher (P < 0.001) An/gs than shade leaves, as photosynthesis in the lower canopy was chronically limited by low light availability. However, this difference reversed in the mid‐day period under sufficient irradiance (I > 800 µmol m−2 s−1): An/gs averaged 28.8 and 24.0 µmol mol−1 (P < 0.01) for shade and sun leaves, respectively. This last finding coincided with the data obtained in laboratory conditions: under equivalent leaf water supply and light, An/gs in shade foliage was greater (P < 0.001) than in sun foliage across a wide range of irradiance. Thus, shade foliage of B. pendula is characterized by inherently higher An/gs than sun foliage, associated with more conservative stomatal behavior, and lower soil‐to‐leaf (KT) and leaf hydraulic conductances. Under unlimited light conditions, a within‐crown trade‐off between An/gs and KT becomes apparent. Differences in stomatal conductance between the detached shoots from sunlit and shaded canopy layers were largely attributable to the variation in stomatal morphology; significant relationships were established with characteristics combining stomatal size and density (relative stomatal surface, stomatal pore area index). Stomatal morphology is very likely involved in long‐term adjustment of photosynthetic WUE.
Secondary succession of plant communities in a subtropical mountainous region of SW China
Authors: Tang Cindy Q. , Zhao Mei‐Hua , Li Xiao‐Shuang , Ohsawa Masahiko , Ou Xiao‐Kun
Published: September 2009

Since 1985, originally forested mountainous areas of China have been allowed to return to their natural state after years of exploitation including agriculture, development, and logging. The reforms began earlier in less accessible locations, so that today the successional process is more advanced there. The vegetation in Luquan, Qiongzhusi, and Xishan near Kunming, central Yunnan, exhibits, in a limited area, a range of stages of plant succession that are widely encountered throughout the broader region, and thus affords a special opportunity for a comprehensive study. We analyzed the successional sequence of these various plant communities. They ranged from pioneer coniferous and/or pioneer deciduous broad‐leaved stands to pre‐mature semi‐humid evergreen broad‐leaved stands, through mixed coniferous and broad‐leaved or mixed deciduous and evergreen broad‐leaved stands. The succession proceeded from pioneer coniferous Pinus and Keteleeria, and deciduous Platycarya and Alnus, to late‐successional evergreen broad‐leaved Cyclobalanopsis and Castanopsis. Two regeneration types of woody species in either the early successional (15–50 years), the mid‐successional (40–80 years), or the late‐successional (80–180 years) stage were classified. Relatively high species diversity was found in the seral phase at the three study sites. The late‐successional stage was commonest where human disturbance was least evident. Poor soil chemical properties under pioneer Pinus were seen as a limitation to plant growth, while the abundance of Alnus at the early stage led to an improved level of organic matter and nitrogen.
Effects of Weight Loss on Lipid Transfer Proteins in Morbidly Obese Women
Authors: Laimer Markus W. , Engl Julia , Tschoner Alexander , Kaser Susanne , Ritsch Andreas , Tatarczyk Tobias , Rauchenzauner Markus , Weiss Helmut , Aigner Franz , Patsch Josef R. , Ebenbichler Christoph F.
Published: September 2009

Obesity is associated with lipid abnormalities leading to an increased morbidity and mortality from atherosclerotic disease. Lipid transfer proteins such as Cholesteryl Ester Transfer Protein (CETP) and Phospholipid Transfer Protein (PLTP), and lipases such as lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and hepatic lipase (HL) are involved in the pathogenesis of the obesity associated proatherogenic dyslipidemia. Nineteen severely obese female subjects undergoing laparosopic gastric banding participated in this prospective study. Subjects were examined with respect to body composition, lipid profile, CETP, PLTP, LPL and HL before and 1 year after surgical treatment. Mean weight loss was 22.2 kg, mainly due to losses in the fat depots. Triglycerides decreased and HDL2‐C increased significantly. In respect to transfer proteins mean CETP mass decreased from 1.82 to 1.71 μg mL−1 (P = 0.043) and mean PLTP activity was reduced from 7.15 to 6.12 μmol mL−1 h−1 (P = 0.002), in parallel. In addition, both mean LPL activity and mean HL activity tended to decrease from 297 to 248 nmol mL−1 h−1 for LPL (P = 0.139) and from 371 to 319 nmol mL−1 h−1 for HL (P = 0.170), respectively. We conclude that weight loss induced by bariatric surgery is associated with the amelioration of the obesity‐associated dyslipidemic state. This improvement may be attributable to decreased mass and action of the adipocyte tissue derived lipid transfer proteins CETP and PLTP.
New Bioactive Oxylipins Formed by Non‐Enzymatic Free‐Radical‐Catalyzed Pathways: the Phytoprostanes
Authors: Durand Thierry , Bultel‐Poncé Valérie , Guy Alexandre , Berger Susanne , Mueller Martin J. , Galano Jean‐Marie
Published: September 2009

In animals and plants, fatty acids with at least three double bonds can be oxidized to prostaglandin‐like compounds via enzymatic and non‐enzymatic pathways. The most common fatty acid precursor in mammals is arachidonic acid (C20:4) (AA) which can be converted through the cyclooxygenase pathway to a series of prostaglandins (PG). Non‐enzymatic cyclization of arachidonate yields a series of isoprostanes (IsoP) which comprises all PG (minor compounds) as well as PG isomers that cannot be formed enzymatically. In contrast, in plants, α‐linolenic acid (C18:3) (ALA) is the most common substrate for the allene oxide synthase pathway leading to the jasmonate (JA) family of lipid mediators. Non‐enzymatic oxidation of linolenate leads to a series of C18‐IsoPs termed dinor IsoP or phytoprostanes (PP). PP structurally resemble JA but cannot be formed enzymatically. We will give an overview of the biological activity of the different classes of PP and also discuss their analytical applications and the strategies developed so far for the total synthesis of PP, depending on the synthetic approaches according to the targets and which key steps serve to access the natural products.
Association of polymorphisms in exons 2 and 10 of the insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) gene with milk production traits in Polish Holstein-Friesian cattle
Authors: Bagnicka Emilia , Siadkowska Eulalia , Strzałkowska Nina , Żelazowska Beata , Flisikowski Krzysztof , Krzyżewski Józef , Zwierzchowski Lech
Published: September 2009

Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) is considered to be a regulator of post-natal growth and differentiation of the mammary gland. In the present work, associations of two single nucleotide polymorphisms in the bovineIGF2gene with milk production traits were studied in dairy Holstein-Friesian cows: the already described g.8656C>T transition in exon 2 (RFLP-BsrI) and the newly found g.24507G>T transversion in exon 10 (RFLP-HaeIII), found by sequencing 273-bp exon 10 of theIGF2gene in six individuals. Associations were analysed individually and in combination with the multi-trait repeatability test-day animal model. The CT/GT haplotype appeared to be associated with most of the milk traits studied (differences were significant atP⩽0·001). The most frequent CT/GG haplotype seemed inferior to others in fat and protein content and daily yield of fat and protein but superior (together with the TT/GG genotype) when the daily milk yield is considered.
Lactobacillus plantarumbacteriophages isolated from Kefir grains: phenotypic and molecular characterization
Authors: De Antoni Graciela , Zago Miriam , Vasek Olga , Giraffa Giorgio , Carminati Domenico , Marcó Mariángeles Briggiler , Reinheimer Jorge , Suárez Viviana
Published: September 2009

Two greatly relatedLactobacillus plantarumbacteriophages (named FAGK1 and FAGK2) were isolated from Kefir grains of different origins. Both phages belonged to theSiphoviridaefamily (morphotype B1) and showed similar dimensions for head and tail sizes. The host range of the two phages, using 36 strains as potential host strains, differed only in the phage reactivity against one of them. The phages showed latent periods of 30 min, burst periods of 80±10 min and burst size values of 11·0±1·0 PFU per infected cell as mean value. Identical DNA restriction patterns were obtained for both phages withPvuI,SalI,HindIII andMluI. The viral DNA apparently did not present extremescosand the structural protein patterns presented four major bands (32·9, 35·7, 43·0 and 66·2 kDa). This study reports the first isolation of bacteriophages ofLb. plantarumfrom Kefir grains and adds further knowledge regarding the complex microbial community of this fermented milk.
Milk emission and udder health status in primiparous dairy cows during lactation
Authors: Tamburini Alberto , Bava Luciana , Piccinini Renata , Zecconi Alfonso , Zucali Maddalena , Sandrucci Anna
Published: September 2009

To investigate the relationships between milk flow traits and udder health status in primiparous cows, 74 primiparous Holstein cows were randomly selected in 5 herds and monitored monthly throughout the whole lactation. A total of 2902 quarter milk samples were collected for bacteriological analyses and the determination of lysozyme, N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase (NAGase) and somatic cell count (SCC). Milk flow curves of the whole udder of each cow were registered with continuous electronic milk flow meters. Teat conditions and teat thickness changes during milking were assessed monthly. Quarters, udders and cows were classified as healthy, latent, inflamed and subclinical depending on SCC and the results of bacteriological analyses. Lysozyme in milk, teat apex score and teat thickness change did not vary with udder health status while NAGase in milk significantly increased as udder health status worsened (P<0·001). Milk production (P<0·001) and time of plateau phase (P<0·05) were significantly lower in subclinical cows in comparison with the others. Animals with a high frequency of bimodal curves in the first 100 days in milk showed the worst udder health status during the whole lactation (P<0·01). Moreover, cows classified as subclinical in the first 3 months of lactation had higher peak milk flow than healthy cows (3·81 v. 3·48 kg/min; P<0·05) and shorter duration of plateau phase, expressed both as minutes and as percentage of time of milk flow (pTPL; P<0·001). Multivariate logistic analysis showed udder health status to be associated with duration of plateau phase, time of milk flow, bimodality and duration of overmilking phase. With short time of plateau phase (pTPL <25%), short time of milk flow (<5 min), presence of bimodality and long overmilking phase (>0·8 min) there was an increased risk of poor udder health status. These milk flow traits can be predictive indicators of udder health status; time of plateau phase, expressed as percentage of time of milk flow, can also be a useful parameter for animal selection.
Retinol binding protein 4 in dairy cows: its presence in colostrum and alteration in plasma during fasting, inflammation, and the peripartum period
Authors: Abd Eldaim Mabrouk A , Kamikawa Akihiro , Soliman Mohamed M , Ahmed Mohamed M , Okamatsu-Ogura Yuko , Terao Akira , Miyamoto Toru , Kimura Kazuhiro
Published: September 2009

Retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) is a plasma protein involved in retinol transportation, and recent evidence in rodents suggests that RBP4 is also a metabolic regulator that modifies insulin sensitivity. To assess how RBP4 levels are regulated in ruminants, we determined the RBP4 concentrations in bovine plasma and milk using Western blot analysis. Plasma RBP4 levels in non-pregnant non-lactating (control) cows were around 45 μg/ml, which were sustained during 60-h fasting, but decreased significantly 4 h after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration. Basal plasma retinol concentration was around 30 μg/dl, but this decreased to approximately one-third and one-half of these values during fasting and 8 h after LPS challenge, respectively. Plasma RBP4 and retinol levels in cows 3–6 d before parturition were comparable to those of the controls. However, on the day of parturition both were significantly decreased and had returned to basal levels by two weeks after calving. Interestingly, RBP4 was clearly detected in colostrum (16·4±5·6 μg/ml) but was only faintly detected in milk from cows at 7 d and 15 d after calving. Retinol concentrations in colostrum were almost 10-fold higher than those in plasma, while those in milk were comparable to those in plasma. These results suggest that RBP4 and retinol levels are independently regulated under physiological and pathophysiological conditions and that RBP4, like retinol, is transferred from maternal stores to calves through colostrum.
The equatorial counterpart of the quasi-geostrophic model
Authors: THEISS JÜRGEN , MOHEBALHOJEH ALI R.
Published: September 2009

A uniformly valid balanced model that represents the quasi-geostrophic model's counterpart in the equatorial region is derived. The quasi-geostrophic model itself fails in the equatorial region because it is only valid where the dominant balance is geostrophic, i.e. where the Rossby number is small. The smallness of the Rossby number is assumed in the quasi-geostrophic model's standard derivation and therefore this derivation cannot be repeated for the equatorial region. An alternative derivation of the quasi-geostrophic model that is independent of the Rossby number was presented by Leith in 1980, using the geometric framework of nonlinear normal mode initialization. Its independence of the Rossby number allows it to be repeated for the equatorial region, leading to an equatorial balanced model that thus represents the equatorial counterpart of the quasi-geostrophic model. As such it also coincides with the quasi-geostrophic model sufficiently far away from the equator. Its dispersion relation can be expressed in an explicit analytic form and, compared to that of other balanced models of similar simplicity, approximates that of the shallow water equations strikingly well.
Head rotation evoked tinnitus due to superior semicircular canal dehiscence
Authors: Nam E-C , Lewis R , Nakajima H H , Merchant S N , Levine R A
Published: September 2009

Introduction:

Superior semicircular canal dehiscence affects the auditory and vestibular systems due to a partial defect in the canal's bony wall. In most cases, sound- and pressure-induced vertigo are present, and are sometimes accompanied by pulse-synchronous tinnitus.

Case presentation:

We describe a 50-year-old man with superior semicircular canal dehiscence whose only complaints were head rotation induced tinnitus and autophony. Head rotation in the plane of the right semicircular canal with an angular velocity exceeding 600°/second repeatedly induced a ‘cricket’ sound in the patient's right ear. High resolution temporal bone computed tomography changes, and an elevated umbo velocity, supported the diagnosis of superior semicircular canal dehiscence.

Conclusion:

In addition to pulse-synchronous or continuous tinnitus, head rotation induced tinnitus can be the only presenting symptom of superior semicircular canal dehiscence without vestibular complaints. We suggest that, in our patient, the bony defect of the superior semicircular canal (‘third window’) might have enhanced the flow of inner ear fluid, possibly producing tinnitus.
Facial reanimation with end-to-end hypoglossofacial anastomosis: 20 years’ experience
Authors: Catli T , Bayazit Y A , Gokdogan O , Goksu N
Published: September 2009

Objective:

This study aimed to evaluate retrospectively the results of experience with end-to-end anastomosis of cranial nerves VII and XII, performed due to transection of the facial nerve during acoustic neuroma removal.

Methods:

We assessed the facial reanimation results of 33 patients whose facial nerves had been transected during acoustic neuroma excision via a retrosigmoid approach, between 1985 and 2006, and who underwent end-to-end hypoglossofacial anastomosis. We compared the facial nerve functions of patients receiving short term (two to three years) and long term (more than three years) follow up, and we assessed any complications of the anastomosis.

Results:

A House–Brackmann grade III facial function was achieved in 46.2 and 86.4 per cent of the patients in the short and long term, respectively. House–Brackmann grade IV facial function was achieved in 53.8 and 13.6 per cent of the patients in the short and long term, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between the facial recovery results, comparing the short and long term follow-up periods (p = 0.03). Disarticulation was the most common complication, seen in 19 (57.6 per cent) patients; numbness of the tongue was the next commonest (10 (30.3 per cent) patients). None of the patients developed dysphagia.

Conclusion:

Despite such morbidities as disarticulation and tongue numbness, end-to-end hypoglossofacial anastomosis is still an effective procedure for the surgical rehabilitation of static and dynamic facial nerve functions. Significant improvement in facial nerve function can occur more than three years post-operatively.
Syntactic doubling and the structure ofwh-chains
Authors: BARBIERS SJEF , KOENEMAN OLAF , LEKAKOU MARIKA
Published: September 2009

This paper discusses cases of syntactic doubling inwh-dependencies attested in dialects of Dutch, where more than one member of the same chain is spelled out. We focus on cases of non-identical doubling, in which the chain links spelled out have different forms. We demonstrate that the order of elements in a chain is fixed: the first (or syntactically higher) one is less specific that the second one. We argue that this generalization follows from partial copying, a process that copies a proper sub-constituent and remerges it higher in the structure. This naturally excludes the ungrammatical orders, as these would involve full copying plus the addition of features, in violation of the inclusiveness condition. The proposal requires pronouns to be spell-outs of phrases, and it is in combination with this hypothesis that the full set of data is accounted for in a uniform way. Advantages over alternative accounts of syntactic doubling are discussed.
Anticipated Benefits of Care (ABC): psychometrics and predictive value in psychiatric disorders
Authors: Warden D. , Trivedi M. H. , Carmody T. J. , Gollan J. K. , Kashner T. M. , Lind L. , Crismon M. L. , Rush A. J.
Published: September 2009

Background

Attitudes and expectations about treatment have been associated with symptomatic outcomes, adherence and utilization in patients with psychiatric disorders. No measure of patients' anticipated benefits of treatment on domains of everyday functioning has previously been available.

Method

The Anticipated Benefits of Care (ABC) is a new, 10-item questionnaire used to measure patient expectations about the impact of treatment on domains of everyday functioning. The ABC was collected at baseline in adult out-patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) (n=528), bipolar disorder (n=395) and schizophrenia (n=447) in the Texas Medication Algorithm Project (TMAP). Psychometric properties of the ABC were assessed, and the association of ABC scores with treatment response at 3 months was evaluated.

Results

Evaluation of the ABC's internal consistency yielded Cronbach's α of 0.90–0.92 for patients across disorders. Factor analysis showed that the ABC was unidimensional for all patients and for patients with each disorder. For patients with MDD, lower anticipated benefits of treatment was associated with less symptom improvement and lower odds of treatment response [odds ratio (OR) 0.72, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.57–0.87, p=0.0011]. There was no association between ABC and symptom improvement or treatment response for patients with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, possibly because these patients had modest benefits with treatment.

Conclusions

The ABC is the first self-report that measures patient expectations about the benefits of treatment on everyday functioning, filling an important gap in available assessments of attitudes and expectations about treatment. The ABC is simple, easy to use, and has acceptable psychometric properties for use in research or clinical settings.
Experimental investigation of fast electron transport in solid density matter: Recent results from a new technique of X-ray energy-encoded 2D imaging
Authors: Labate L. , Förster E. , Giulietti A. , Giulietti D. , Höfer S. , Kämpfer T. , Köster P. , Kozlova M. , Levato T. , Lötzsch R. , Lübcke A. , Mocek T. , Polan J. , Rus B. , Uschmann I. , Zamponi F. , Gizzi L.A.
Published: September 2009

The development activity of a new experimental technique for the study of the fast electron transport in high density matter is reported. This new diagnostic tool enables the X-ray 2D imaging of ultrahigh intensity laser plasmas with simultaneous spectral resolution in a very large energy range to be obtained. Results from recent experiments are discussed, in which the electron propagation in multilayer targets was studied by using the Kα. In particular, results highlighting the role of anisotropic Bremsstrahlung are reported, for the sake of the explanation of the capabilities of the new diagnostics. A discussion of a test experiment conceived to extend the technique to a single-shot operation is finally given.
‘Political Religion’ and the Totalitarian Departures of Inter-war Europe: On the Uses and Disadvantages of an Analytical Category
Authors: ROBERTS DAVID D.
Published: September 2009

This article seeks to clarify the uses and disadvantages of the concept of ‘political religion’, which has recently returned to currency, especially to account for the liturgy and the sense of world-historical mission central to Italian fascism, German Nazism and Soviet communism. But the category leads us to inflate abiding, suprahistorical impulses at the expense of historical specificity and novelty. And by making the phenomena in question seem relatively familiar, it diverts us from the deeper challenge they constitute. Still, the objections of critics often miss dimensions that ‘political religion’ at least approximates. Essential to the requisite synthesis is a recast notion of totalitarianism, understood as a novel frame of mind leading to a new mode of collective action.
Frustrated of Islington
Authors: LEVY CARL
Published: September 2009

David Roberts has published widely on Italian fascism and more recently a significant comparative study of totalitarianism in Fascist Italy, Nazi Germany and the Stalinist Soviet Union. The short essay published here is a useful compression of the arguments presented in the longer work. Unfortunately, this piece represents all that is problematic and frustrating in totalitarian/political religion studies. Roberts gives us a useful review of the growth and evolution of totalitarianism and political religion from the inter-war period through the Cold War until we reach the sunny postmodern uplands of the cultural turn. A review of the arguments of Gentile, Griffin, Morgan, Kershaw, Eatwell, Payne, Burrin and Voegelin is helpful to the reader who is unfamiliar with a series of complex arguments, which straddle decades.
‘The Continuation of Politics by Other Means’: Britain, the Two Germanys and the Olympic Games, 1949–1972
Authors: HUGHES R. GERALD , OWEN RACHEL J.
Published: September 2009

This article evaluates the interplay between international sport and international politics during the cold war through an examination of the two Germanys and the Olympics from a British perspective. Germany was at the centre of Olympic and cold war politics between 1945 and the early 1970s, and the two German states competed fiercely over questions of national legitimacy. West Germany was initially successful in denying international recognition to the ‘other’ German state. East Germany countered this by developing a strategy that utilised international sport, particularly the Olympic Games, to further its claims for statehood. While recognising the flaws in the West German case against East Germany, British policy was constrained by the need to accommodate Bonn's sensibilities, given that the Federal Republic was a major ally. An examination of this ‘Olympian’ struggle from a British perspective tells us much about the West's cold war strategy and casts new light on this arena of East–West competition.
Selling Social Democracy in the Netherlands: Activism and its Sources of Inspiration during the 1930s
Authors: RULOF BERNARD
Published: September 2009

During the 1930s the Dutch social democratic party changed into a party which sought to reform rather than to abolish capitalism. This transformation was accompanied by a change in tactics and strategy intended to meet the challenges of economic and political crises. Henceforth, the Sociaal-Democratische Arbeiderspartij tried to establish co-operation with social groupings well beyond its traditional rank and file of industrial labourers. A new generation of voluntarist politicians proposed to adopt the methods of propaganda, and turned for inspiration to activities undertaken by Belgian and German socialists, as well as the world of commercial advertising.
NG2-positive glia in the human central nervous system
Authors: Staugaitis Susan M. , Trapp Bruce D.
Published: September 2009

Cells that express the NG2 chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan and platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (NG2 glia) are widespread in the adult human cerebral cortex and white matter and represent 10–15% of non-neuronal cells. The morphology and distribution of NG2 glia are similar to, but distinct from, both microglia and astrocytes. They are present as early as 17 weeks gestation and persist throughout life. NG2 glia can be detected in a variety of human central nervous system (CNS) diseases, of which multiple sclerosis is the best studied. NG2 glia show morphological changes in the presence of pathology and can show expression of the Ki-67 proliferation antigen. The antigenic profile and morphology of NG2 glia in human tissues are consistent with an oligodendrocyte progenitor function that has been well established in rodent models. Most antibodies to NG2 do not stain formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues. Advances in our understanding of NG2 glia in human tissues will require the development of more robust markers for their detection in routinely processed human specimens.
Personale und organisationale Prädiktoren von Kundenorientierung und Kundenzufriedenheit
Authors: Egold Nikolai W. , van Dick Rolf , Zapf Dieter
Published: September 2009

Zusammenfassung. Da der Mitarbeiter eine Grenzposition zwischen Organisation und Kunden einnimmt, wird angenommen, dass Kundenorientierung von Mitarbeitern entscheidend zur Kundenzufriedenheit beiträgt. Die Kundenorientierung des Mitarbeiters wiederum wird Schneider, Ehrhart, Mayer, Saltz, und Niles-Jolly, (2005) zufolge maßgeblich vom internen Dienstleistungsklima beeinflusst, das mit zwei bedeutenden Faktoren im sozialen Gefüge von Organisationen zusammenhängen sollte: Der Einstellung von Vorgesetzten zur Kundenorientierung und dem affektiven organisationalen Commitment von Mitarbeitern. Zur Überprüfung wurden Ärzte und Therapeuten niedergelassener Praxen und Kliniken sowie ihre Kunden (die Patienten) befragt. Es wurden 681 Kunden 166 Mitarbeitern sowie 30 Vorgesetzte 116 Mitarbeitern zugeordnet. Die Ergebnisse der Untersuchung stützen die Hypothesen: Personale Kundenorientierung von Mitarbeitern korreliert mit Kundenzufriedenheit, internes Dienstleistungsklima korreliert mit personaler Kundenorientierung von Mitarbeitern. Der stärkste Zusammenhang zum internen Dienstleistungsklima zeigt die Kundenorientierung des Vorgesetzten. Weiterhin mediiert das interne Dienstleistungsklima partiell den Zusammenhang zwischen der Kundenorientierung von Vorgesetzten und Kundenzufriedenheit sowie den Zusammenhang zwischen Commitment und Kundenzufriedenheit.
HR Management for an Aging Workforce
Authors: Korff Jörg , Biemann Torsten , Voelpel Sven , Kearney Eric , Roßnagel Christian Stamov
Published: September 2009

Abstract. Strategic human resource management (SHRM) research has provided evidence for a positive association between HR practices and organizational performance. However, theory-building has not considered developmental dynamics across the working life and its implications for the association between HR practices and organizational outcomes. We call for an extension of current SHRM approaches and suggest adopting a life-span psychology perspective on age-related changes of cognitive capabilities, personality, and affect. Integrating the constructs of job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and work motivation establishes a conceptual framework that helps to explain the association of HR practices with performance in an age-differentiated manner. Pertinent propositions address essential facets of the framework for the age-related alignment of HR practices. We discuss directions for further research.
Estimates of meridional overturning circulation variability in the North Atlantic from surface density flux fields
Authors: Josey Simon A. , Grist Jeremy P. , Marsh Robert
Published: September 2009

A method developed recently by Grist et al. (2009) is used to obtain estimates of variability in the strength of the meridional overturning circulation (MOC) at various latitudes in the North Atlantic. The method employs water mass transformation theory to determine the surface buoyancy forced overturning circulation (SFOC) using surface density flux fields from both the Hadley Centre Coupled Model version 3 (HadCM3) and National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP)/National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) reanalysis observational data set. The previous application of the method was at 48°N using 100 years of model output, and here we show from a longer 400 year data set that it can be extended to provide useful estimates of the MOC variability in the range 35–65°N. The method relies on averaging of the SFOC over an interval prior to that at which the MOC estimate is required. The length of this interval increases as the latitude decreases from about 6 years at 65°N to 15 years at 36°N. Values for the correlation coefficient between the HadCM3 SFOC and MOC time series of 0.60, 0.64, and 0.39 are obtained at 60°N, 48°N, and 36°N. Thus, the SFOC approach may provide valuable complementary information about MOC variability in the middle‐high‐latitude North Atlantic to that determined from the Rapid array at 26°N but it becomes less useful as latitude decreases. The method is then applied using the NCEP/NCAR reanalysis to estimate MOC variability in the middle‐high‐latitude North Atlantic for the past 50 years.
Analysis of thickness‐profiled gratings for oblique incidence using approximate modeling by plane gratings with surface resistance
Authors: Wakabayashi Hideaki , Yamakita Jiro
Published: September 2009

In this paper, we demonstrate that thickness‐profiled metallic gratings placed in a conical mounting can be approximated by a plane grating with surface resistance as a function of the position parameter. As for the method of analysis of thickness‐profiled metallic gratings, we apply the multilayered step method, in which the grating region is partitioned into a set of stratified layers having rectangular‐profiled gratings, and the flux densities expansion approach. As for the method of analysis for plane gratings with a thickness of zero, a spectral Galerkin method based on the mixed form of current expansions in the spectral and spatial domains is applied to the resistive boundary condition. Both methods are formulated for the three‐dimensional scattering problem by linearly and circularly polarized incidence. From a comparison of the numerical results of thickness‐profiled and plane metallic gratings for oblique incidence, the limit of the thickness is investigated.
Cosmic ray intensity increases detected by Aragats Space Environmental Center monitors during the 23rd solar activity cycle in correlation with geomagnetic storms
Authors: Chilingarian A. , Bostanjyan N.
Published: September 2009

Interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs) dominate the intense geomagnetic storm (GMS) occurrences, and simultaneously, they are correlated with the variations of the spectra of particles, ranging from the isothermal solar wind ions to GeV energy protons and fully stripped nuclei. The aim of this paper is to get more insight in the correlations of the ICME parameters with geospace parameters, including the Dst index and the secondary cosmic ray flux. Our observations of GMS occurring during the 23rd solar activity cycle demonstrate that the count rate increase during GMS occurs coherently (or up to 1 h in advance) with Dst changes. We show that the ratio between the increases of neutron and charged fluxes is approximately constant in a large range of the GMS severity (−470 to 20 nT). The neutron flux always undergoes larger changes compared to the charged component. The difference in peak amplitude can be explained by the fact that lower‐energy primary particles produce neutrons compared to the primaries that generate electrons and muons reaching the Earth's surface. We also illustrate that the main driver of GMS is the southward Bz component of the magnetic field of the ICME. Thus the information on the flux changes for different secondary particles helps to “test” the models of the interplanetary magnetic field and the magnetosphere for understanding of the level of disturbance and the specific mechanisms leading to cutoff rigidity reduction.
Collisionless relaxation of ion distributions downstream of laminar quasi‐perpendicular shocks
Authors: Ofman L. , Balikhin M. , Russell C. T. , Gedalin M.
Published: September 2009

Directed flow of incident ions provides the free energy which is redistributed in a shock among heated ions and electrons, accelerated particles, and magnetic compression. In low Mach number laminar shock the main channel of conversion is into downstream gyrating ions. Just behind the shock transition the ion distribution is substantially nongyrotropic, which results in spatially periodic variations of the ion pressure and, consequently, in time stationary downstream oscillations of the magnetic field. In the absence of significant level of nonstationarity, gyrotropization is due to the gyrophase mixing and slow. Theoretical analysis of the phenomenon and supporting hybrid simulations are presented. It is shown that these oscillations are more likely to be observed at low Mach number low β shocks, while at higher Mach numbers or higher β they may be obscured by waves crossing the shocks.