bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ambulant betreute Wohngemeinschaften für alte, pflegebedürftige Menschen - Merkmale, Entwicklung und Einflussfaktoren
Authors: Fischer Thomas , Worch Andreas , Nordheim Johanna , Wulff Ines , Gräske Johannes , Meye Sandra , Wolf-Ostermann Karin
Published: April 2011

Ambulant betreute Wohngemeinschaften (WG) für pflegebedürftige, alte Menschen nehmen als pflegerische Versorgungsform an Zahl und Beliebtheit in Deutschland zu. Dieser Beitrag geht den Fragen nach, welche konstituierenden Merkmale WGs aufweisen, welche Entwicklungsphasen sich identifizieren lassen, welche Zielsetzungen die Initiator/innen der WGs verfolgen sowie welche bestimmenden Faktoren auf diese pflegerische Versorgungsform einwirken. Zur Beantwortung wurde eine systematische Literaturreview als Methode gewählt, in die 73 Beiträge eingingen. Als Ergebnis zeigte sich, dass die Entwicklung der WGs sich in die Phasen «Betroffeneninitiativen», «Schritte in die Regelversorgung» und «Etablierung am Markt» unterteilen lässt. Die zeitliche Dimension des Versorgungsangebots und die Art und Weise, wie Dienste vertraglich für die Pflege in der WG beauftragt werden, bestimmen die Ausgestaltung der einzelnen WGs. Wichtige Zielsetzungen von WGs sind die Schaffung familienähnlicher Strukturen, der Einbezug von Angehörigen, der Stadtteilbezug, die Versorgungssicherheit sowie der Erhalt von Selbstbestimmung. Speziell zugeschnittene finanzielle und ordnungspolitische Regelungen unterstützen die Ausweitung des WG-Angebots. Kritisch zu diskutieren ist, dass bislang nur unzureichend Konsens über die inhaltliche Ausgestaltung sowie über organisatorische Aspekte der WGs herrscht. Auch Forschungsergebnisse zum Erreichen der Zielsetzungen sowie zu möglichen gesundheitlichen Outcomes fehlen bisher weitgehend. Zudem stellen sich Fragen in Zusammenhang mit der postulierten Selbstbestimmung der Bewohner/innen der WGs und der tatsächlich erreichten Versorgungsergebnisse.
Die Vorhersage postoperativer Schmerzen - ein Nutzen für das perioperative Schmerzmanagement?
Authors: Schadewaldt Verena , Nielsen Gunnar H.
Published: April 2011

Die schmerztherapeutische Versorgung von chirurgischen Patienten ist trotz vorhandener Möglichkeiten sowohl von pflegerischer als auch ärztlicher Seite mangelhaft. Ziel dieser Arbeit ist es, durch Identifikation und Berücksichtigung von Schmerzprädiktoren Patienten mit einem erhöhten Risiko für starke postoperative Schmerzen frühzeitig zu erkennen und damit das pflegerische Schmerzmanagement zu verbessern. Neben der Identifizierung von Prädiktoren in der Literatur wurden mittels Querschnittstudie in einer Gelegenheitsstichprobe von 84 chirurgischen Patienten Variablen erhoben, die als Prädiktoren wirksam werden können. Die Erhebung erfolgte anhand eines präoperativ auszufüllenden Fragebogens sowie der persönlichen Befragung zur Schmerzintensität nach der Operation. Patientenvariablen und Operationsparameter wurden in einer Korrelationsanalyse auf ihre Vorhersagequalität für starke postoperative Schmerzen überprüft. Von den 14 Variablen zeigte sich lediglich der präoperative Schmerz als Prädiktor von starken postoperativen Schmerzen. Ein Vergleich mit anderen Studien lässt ein Schmerzmanagement, das auf Schmerzprädiktoren beruht, fragwürdig erscheinen, da keine einheitlichen Ergebnisse über Prädiktoren gefunden werden konnten.
Das verlorene Paradies - Reflexion der Frühgeburt aus Anlass eines Schädel-Hirn-Traumas. Eine Fallstudie
Authors: Cignacco Eva , Zuñiga Franziska , Kurth Elisabeth
Published: April 2011

Herr C. kam 1942 als Frühgeburt ungefähr in der 28. Gestationswoche mit einer damaligen perinatalen Überlebenschance von 2 bis 3% in Zürich zur Welt. In diesem Jahr wurden in der Schweiz die ersten Inkubatoren in Betrieb genommen. Herr C. überlebte die frühe Geburt dank dieser neuen Inkubatorentherapie. Sein Leben wurde durch diese Frühgeburt geprägt. Eine Sehbehinderung sowie motorische und kognitive Einschränkungen galt es zu überwinden. Im Laufe der Jahre entwickelte Herr C. individuelle Mechanismen der Anpassung, die ihm dazu verhalfen, den Alltag zu bewältigen und die bestehenden Defizite zu kompensieren. Er hat sich zum Physiotherapeuten und zum Sozialarbeiter ausbilden lassen. Im Alter von 63 Jahren erlitt Herr C. ein unfallbedingtes schweres Schädel-Hirn-Trauma (SHT). In der anschließenden Rehabilitation litt er zunehmend unter motorischen Beeinträchtigungen. Er betrachtete sie als nicht mehr leistbare Kompensation seiner frühgeburtlich bedingten Beeinträchtigungen. Zusätzlich zu den Folgen des SHT manifestierten sich erneut auch die Folgen der Frühgeburt. Vier Jahre nach dem SHT nahm Herr C. aus eigener Initiative Kontakt mit der Erstautorin auf, als er hörte, dass sie sich mit dem Thema der Frühgeburt beschäftigt. Er äußerte den Wunsch, seine Lebenserfahrungen mitzuteilen. Da es bisher kaum Literatur zum Einbezug der Frühgeburt in die Verarbeitung von Krankheitserlebnissen im späteren Leben gibt, beschloßen die Erstautorin und Herr C., aus seiner Lebensgeschichte eine «Fallstudie» zu erarbeiten, womit auch erstmalig ein Betroffener eine Stimme erhält.
Channel dynamics and habitat development in a meandering, gravel bed river
Authors: Harrison L. R. , Legleiter C. J. , Wydzga M. A. , Dunne T.
Published: April 2011

We investigated how channel morphology, flow complexity, and habitat characteristics in a meandering gravel bed river evolved over time from a simple, reconfigured initial condition. Using a time series of topographic data, we measured rates of channel migration and morphologic change, documented patterns of sediment storage, and estimated rates of sediment supply. We constructed, calibrated, and validated hydrodynamic models to quantify how the evolving morphology influenced hydraulic conditions, flow complexity, and habitat suitability for Chinook salmon spawning and rearing. For a series of meander bends with constant curvature, similar bank materials, and an identical flow history, sediment supply and bar storage directly influenced channel migration rates. Habitat modeling indicated that the availability of Chinook salmon spawning habitat increased over time, whereas the majority of the reach continues to provide only low‐ to medium‐quality rearing habitat for juvenile salmonids, primarily because of a lack of low‐velocity refuge zones. However, other metrics of flow complexity indicate that areas of favorable flow conditions gradually expanded as point bars developed along the inner bank of each bend. These results indicate that although sediment supply can stimulate channel change and diversify river morphology, which acts to promote flow complexity and provide spawning habitat, these sediment‐driven morphological changes might not create bioenergetically favorable habitat for juvenile salmonids.
Mammalian EGF receptor activation by the rhomboid protease RHBDL2
Authors: Adrain Colin , Strisovsky Kvido , Zettl Markus , Hu Landian , Lemberg Marius K , Freeman Matthew
Published: April 2011

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has several functions in mammalian development and disease, particularly cancer. Most EGF ligands are synthesized as membrane‐tethered precursors, and their proteolytic release activates signalling. In Drosophila, rhomboid intramembrane proteases catalyse the release of EGF‐family ligands; however, in mammals this seems to be primarily achieved by ADAM‐family metalloproteases. We report here that EGF is an efficient substrate of the mammalian rhomboid RHBDL2. RHBDL2 cleaves EGF just outside its transmembrane domain, thereby facilitating its secretion and triggering activation of the EGFR. We have identified endogenous RHBDL2 activity in several tumour cell lines.
Recognising ignorance in decision‐making
Authors: Rivera‐Ferre Marta G , Ortega‐Cerdà Miquel
Published: April 2011

Establishing a sustainable agricultural system able to feed the growing human population requires a careful and profound analysis of uncertainties and unknown hazards.
The forgotten face of regular physical exercise: a ‘natural’ anti-atherogenic activity
Authors: Szostak Justyna , Laurant Pascal
Published: April 2011

Humans are not programmed to be inactive. The combination of both accelerated sedentary lifestyle and constant food availability disturbs ancient metabolic processes leading to excessive storage of energy in tissue, dyslipidaemia and insulin resistance. As a consequence, the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes, obesity and the metabolic syndrome has increased significantly over the last 30 years. A low level of physical activity and decreased daily energy expenditure contribute to the increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality following atherosclerotic vascular damage. Physical inactivity leads to the accumulation of visceral fat and consequently the activation of the oxidative stress/inflammation cascade, which promotes the development of atherosclerosis. Considering physical activity as a ‘natural’ programmed state, it is assumed that it possesses atheroprotective properties. Exercise prevents plaque development and induces the regression of coronary stenosis. Furthermore, experimental studies have revealed that exercise prevents the conversion of plaques into a vulnerable phenotype, thus preventing the appearance of fatal lesions. Exercise promotes atheroprotection possibly by reducing or preventing oxidative stress and inflammation through at least two distinct pathways. Exercise, through laminar shear stress activation, down-regulates endothelial AT1R (angiotensin II type 1 receptor) expression, leading to decreases in NADPH oxidase activity and superoxide anion production, which in turn decreases ROS (reactive oxygen species) generation, and preserves endothelial NO bioavailability and its protective anti-atherogenic effects. Contracting skeletal muscle now emerges as a new organ that releases anti-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6 (interleukin-6). IL-6 inhibits TNF-α (tumour necrosis factor-α) production in adipose tissue and macrophages. The down-regulation of TNF-α induced by skeletal-muscle-derived IL-6 may also participate in mediating the atheroprotective effect of physical activity.
Effective electromagnetic parameters of left-handed coplanar waveguide transmission lines
Authors: Fu Jia-Hui , Wu Qun , Yang Guo-Hui , Meng Fan-Yi , Lee Jong-Chul
Published: April 2011

This paper presents a kind of wideband, low-loss left handed transmission line (LHTL). It is composed of a parallel meander inductance and a serial cutting capacitor based on the coplanar waveguide (CPW) transmission line (TL). A better method of parameter extraction is formulated based on a more accurate Nicolson–Ross–Weir (NRW) approach. According to medium theory, the complex effective parameters of permittivity and permeability have been extracted from transmission and reflection scattering matrix. Through extracting the β parameter of the CPW TL, the characteristics of LHTL have been verified. The effective bandwidth is about 100% from 11 GHz to 21 GHz with low loss.
Improved formulation for Faraday rotation characterization
Authors: Tioh Jin-Wei , Weber Robert J. , Mina Mani
Published: April 2011

The analysis of complex structures consisting of fibers, films, birefringent, and magnetic materials is greatly aided by the availability of an analysis structure. Jones calculus is typically utilized in the course of such analyses. However, standard Jones calculus does not account for the effect of reflections. An improved formulation for the characterization of Faraday rotation that alleviates this shortcoming is reported here and is integral for the proper analysis of devices employing magneto-optic effects.
Finite-element simulations of hysteretic ac losses in a bilayer superconductor/ferromagnet heterostructure subject to an oscillating transverse magnetic field
Authors: Genenko Y. A. , Rauh H. , Krüger P.
Published: April 2011

Numerical simulations of hysteretic ac losses in a bilayer superconductor/ferromagnet heterostructure subject to an oscillating transverse magnetic field are performed within the quasistatic approach, calling upon the ANSYS finite-element software program and exploiting magnetostatic-electrostatic analogs. It is shown that one-sided magnetic shielding of a thin, type-II superconductor strip can lead to an enhancement or, respectively, a reduction of hysteretic ac losses as compared to those for a nonmagnetic support, depending on the amplitude of the applied magnetic field.
Bulk nanocomposite LaCo5/LaCo13 magnets
Authors: Shen Y. , Turgut Z. , Horwath J. , Huang M.
Published: April 2011

The effects of processing parameters and composition on the magnetic properties and microstructure of nanocrystalline La-Co based hard magnetic materials were investigated. Bulk nanocomposite LaCo5/LaCo13 magnets were fabricated by mechanical alloying of LaCo5 and La2Co7 powder mixtures and subsequent hot pressing at 580–810 °C. A high coercive field (Hc) of over 16 kOe with a smooth demagnetization curve was obtained in a composition range of 25–30 wt. % La2Co7 when hot-pressed at 660–760 °C. Microstructural investigations indicated that the magnets consist of a primary LaCo5 phase with grain sizes of 200–400 nm, coexisting with 20–100 nm grains of LaCo13 located both at the grain boundaries and within the hard LaCo5 grains.
Electroplating hard magnetic SmCo for magnetic microactuator applications
Authors: Chen Jue , Rissing Lutz
Published: April 2011

Patterned SmCo thin films were electroplated from an aqueous solute containing glycine by using dc and pulse dc current on the beaker level. Micromolds prepared by photolithography allow an accurate pattern transfer for patterned deposition of the material. A flux guide of a magnetic microactuator was chosen as a pattern, and Al2O3 was used as the substrate. Au and Cr were investigated as seed layer materials. The content of Sm in the SmCo films is strongly dependent on the applied cathodic current density. A relative Sm content of up to 13.8 at. % could be determined by energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) spectroscopy. The SmCo thin films were annealed at 560 °C in a vacuum oven. Vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) measurements were applied to characterize the magnetic properties. This film features hard magnetic properties with an intrinsic coercivity Hci of up to 44 kA/m. Electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) measurements showed that up to 40 at. % of O may be integrated in these films. The phases in the deposited films were determined by applying X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements. These films consist of a mixture of SmCo alloy, Sm oxide, and Co.
Zinc oxide for electronic, photovoltaic and optoelectronic applications
Authors: Godlewski M. , Guziewicz E. , Kopalko K. , Łuka G. , Łukasiewicz M. I. , Krajewski T. , Witkowski B. S. , Gierałtowska S.
Published: April 2011

We show that the atomic layer deposition (ALD) technique has great potential for widespread use in the production of ZnO films for applications in electronic, photovoltaic (PV), and optoelectronic devices. The low growth temperature makes ALD-grown ZnO films suitable for fabrication of various semiconductor/organic hybrid structures. This opens up the possibility of novel devices based on very cheap organic materials, including organic light emitting diodes and third-generation PV cells.
Study of the magnetic transition and large magnetocaloric effect in DyCo3B2 compound
Authors: Li Lingwei , Igawa Hiroto , Nishimura Katsuhiko , Huo Dexuan
Published: April 2011

A single-phased DyCo3B2 compound has been prepared by an arc-melting method. The magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effect (MCE) have been studied by the magnetization and heat capacity measurements. The compound undergoes a magnetic Co-Co sublattice ordering at ∼150 K, and a second magnetic Dy-Dy sublattice ordering transition at 22 K. Magnetization and modified Arrott plots indicate that DyCo3B2 compound undergoes a second-order phase transition at ∼22 K. A large reversible magnetocaloric effect has been observed around Dy-Dy sublattice ordering temperature. The values of maximum magnetic entropy change (−ΔSMmax) reach 7.4 and 15.1 J kg−1 K−1 for the field change of 2 and 7 T with no obvious hysteresis loss around 25 K; the corresponding values of maximum adiabatic temperature changes (ΔTadmax) are evaluated to be 6.4 and 13.8 K, respectively. The large reversible ΔSMmax and ΔTadmax, as well as considerable relative cooling power, make DyCo3B2 compound a suitable candidate for low temperature magnetic refrigeration.
Coulomb effects and sub-band tunneling in quantum wells
Authors: Cruz H. , Luis D.
Published: April 2011

We have solved, in space and time, the effective-mass nonlinear Schrödinger equation for two electron gases in a semiconductor structure. Considering a Coulomb interaction between the electron densities of each sub-band, we have obtained two time-varying moments in the heterostructure with two different frequencies. If the carrier densities are large enough, we have obtained important nonlinear effects in the carrier dynamics. In this way, we have shown the possibility of having another kind of terahertz electromagnetic radiation emerging from a double quantum well device.
Two-dimensional semimetal in HgTe-based quantum wells
Authors: Kvon Z. D. , Olshanetsky E. B. , Kozlov D. A. , Novik E. , Mikhailov N. N. , Dvoretsky S. A.
Published: April 2011

The first results are reported from a study of a new two-dimensional electron system, a two-dimensional semimetal, that is observed in wide quantum wells based on mercury telluride, which have an inverted band spectrum. Magnetotransport experiments confirm the existence of a semimetal state in quantum wells with (013) and (112) orientations and thicknesses of 18–21nm. These experiments show that the band overlap Δ=3–5meV. A comparison of the experimentally determined Δ with a theoretical calculation of the energy spectrum reveals the fundamental role of strain effects in the formation of the semimetal state. Scattering processes in the two-dimensional semimetal are studied and it is found that the jump in the electron mobility during electronic metal-two-dimensional semimetal transitions is caused by shielding of electron scattering on impurities by holes. The substantial, anomalous rise in the resistivity of the two-dimensional semimetal with increasing temperature is caused by electron-hole scattering. This is the first observation of the direct effect of interparticle scattering (Landau mechanism) on the resistivity of metals. The properties of two-dimensional semimetals in the quantum Hall effect regime are examined. Primary attention is devoted to the observed suppression of strong localization under the conditions of the quantum Hall effect. It is shown that in a strong magnetic field the two-component electron-hole plasma has fundamentally different topological properties from those of an ordinary single-component (electron or hole) plasma. It is proposed that these lead to the appearance of an infinite set of conducting current states and to the suppression of localization.
Disproportionation and comproportionation reactions of resistive switching in polycrystalline NiOx films
Authors: Chien F. S.-S. , Wu Y. T. , Lai G. L. , Lai Y. H.
Published: April 2011

NiO x thin film exhibited excellent bistable unipolar resistive switching (RS), which has a high potential in nanoscale nonvolatile-memory applications. The underlying reaction of RS in NiOx is still in debate. We studied the chemical bonding states of Ni 2p and O 1s at high/low resistance spots using focused x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The disproportionation and comproportionation reactions of 3NiO↔Ni+Ni2O3 accounted for the RS of NiOx. The calculated Gibbs energy of the reaction interpreted its reversibility in thermodynamics. The expansion and contraction of the filaments with switching were observed by conducting atomic force microscopy.
Growth kinetics of GaAs nanoneedles on silicon and sapphire substrates
Authors: Dubrovskii Vladimir G. , Nazarenko Maxim V. , Chuang Linus C. , Ko Wai Son , Ng Kar Wei , Chang-Hasnain Connie
Published: April 2011

We study theoretically and experimentally the time evolution of GaAs nanoneedles grown by metal organic chemical vapor deposition on silicon and sapphire substrates. A theoretical model is presented which provides explicitly the nanoneedle length as a function of growth time under the assumption of a fixed aspect ratio. Experimental data confirms that the aspect ratio remains approximately constant during the growth. From fitting the experimental length-time dependences, we estimate the effective arrival rates and the Ga diffusion lengths as being 3.5 nm/min and 80 nm on the silicon and 2.9 nm/min and 400 nm on the sapphire substrates, respectively.
Theoretical prediction of new dipole-bound singlet states for anions of interstellar interest
Authors: Fortenberry Ryan C. , Crawford T. Daniel
Published: April 2011

Anions that exhibit dipole-bound singlet states have been proposed as a potential class of molecules that may be identified in the interstellar medium. Using high-level coupled cluster theory, we have computed the dipole moments, electron binding energies, and excited states of 14 neutral radicals and their corresponding closed-shell anions. We have calibrated our methods against experimental data for CH2CN− and CH2CHO− and demonstrated that coupled cluster theory can closely reproduce experimental dipole moments, electron binding energies, and excitation energies. Using these same methods, we predict the existence of dipole-bound excited states for six of the 14 previously unknown anions, including CH2SiN−, SiH2CN−, CH2SiHO−, SiN−, CCOH−, and HCCO−. In addition, we predict the existence of a valence-bound excited state of CH2SiN− with an excitation wavelength near 589 nm.
Critical composition of reduced pure-LiNbO3 crystals: A sudden change in optical properties
Authors: Yan W. , Minzioni P. , Nava G. , Galinetto P. , Shi L. , Degiorgio V.
Published: April 2011

We investigated the composition dependence of photorefractivity, beam distortion, Raman lines, and birefringence in reduced pure lithium niobate. When lithium content reaches the value of 49.4 mol %, abrupt changes were observed for all these optical properties except birefringence. We suggest that such a behavior may be due to a change in the phonon spectrum occurring around the critical composition.
Spin and momentum filtering of electrons on the surface of a topological insulator
Authors: Wu Zhenhua , Peeters F. M. , Chang Kai
Published: April 2011

We investigate theoretically the transport properties of Dirac fermions on the surface of a three-dimensional topological insulator. Dirac electrons can be totally reflected in front of a magnetic/electric p-n junction. For a p-n-p structure, multiple total internal reflections at the interfaces result in the bound states in the channel, which behaves like an electronic waveguide. This p-n-p like structure exhibits spin and momentum filtering features and could be used as a spin and/or charge diode.
Fine tuning of phase qubit parameters for optimization of fast single-pulse readout
Authors: Revin Leonid S. , Pankratov Andrey L.
Published: April 2011

We analyze a two-level quantum system, describing the phase qubit, during a single-pulse readout process by a numerical solution of the time-dependent Schroedinger equation. It has been demonstrated that the readout error has a minimum for certain values of the system’s basic parameters. In particular, the optimization of the qubit capacitance and the readout pulse shape leads to significant reduction in the readout error. It is shown that in an ideal case the fidelity can be increased to almost 97% for 2 ns pulse duration and to 96% for 1 ns pulse duration.
Cyclohexane-1,3-dione Oxime Ether Grass-Specific Herbicides and the Discovery of Butroxydim
Authors: Watson Keith G.
Published: April 2011

The cyclohexanedione oxime ether herbicides are an important and widely used class of weed-control agents that selectively kill grass species. Since 1975, eight cyclohexanedione herbicides have been commercialized, including six compounds for grass weed control in broad-leaf crops such as cotton, soybeans and vegetables. One cyclohexanedione has been developed for wild oat control in wheat and also one compound for selective removal of barnyard grass in rice. A brief overview of the cyclohexanedione herbicide field is given, together with a more detailed account of the discovery and development of the herbicide butroxydim.
Athelstan L. J. Beckwith and the Flowering of Hex-5-enyl Radical Cyclization Chemistry. The Adelaide Years
Authors: Serelis Algirdas K.
Published: April 2011

Athel Beckwith chose to embark on a career in free radical chemistry at a time when it was largely ignored by all but a small coterie within the broader Organic Chemistry community. Of his many contributions in this area, the mechanistic clarification and exploitation of the cyclization of hex-5-enyl radical-containing systems is undoubtedly the most significant, leading to what is now, in a multitude of variants, a universally-used, powerful, sophisticated, selective, general synthetic methodology. This account revisits and highlights the early studies carried out by the Beckwith group at The University of Adelaide from the late-1960s to 1980, a period when the main breakthroughs in kinetic and mechanistic understanding were made, and the implications for wider synthetic utility in more complex hex-5enyl systems became apparent.
Aptitude testing over the years
Authors: Russo Mariachiara
Published: April 2011

In the present paper I review the existing literature on aptitude testing with a view to highlighting the main emerging themes: which qualities indicate an aptitude in a prospective interpreter, how these qualities may be measured and which types of test should be administered, the issue of valid and reliable testing, proposals for test designs, and, finally, description of aptitude tests which have identified statistically significant predictors. The focus is on spoken language, but signed-language aptitude testing is also partially covered. Available results so far appear to show that interpreting-related cognitive skills and verbal fluency may be measured and may be predictive both for spoken-language and for signed-language interpreting candidates. In particular, the production of synonyms appears to be a strong aptitude predictor from several independent research projects.
Learning styles, motivation and cognitive flexibility in interpreter training
Authors: Timarová Šárka , Salaets Heidi
Published: April 2011

Admission testing for conference interpreter training programmes traditionally focuses on skills directly related to the interpreting skills, and while soft skills, such as motivation, are recognised as important, they are not systematically tested or researched. The present study attempts to address this gap by exploring three traits and abilities, namely learning styles, motivation and cognitive flexibility, and to relate them to students’ self-selection for interpreting and to their success on final exams. Three tests were used to compare a group of self-selected interpreting students and applicants (n = 32) and a subgroup of conference interpreting students (n = 14) to a control group of undergraduate students (n = 104), from among whom the majority of Lessius University College interpreting students are recruited: the Inventory of Learning Styles (Vermunt & Rijswijk 1987), the Achievement Motivation Test (Hermans 1968/2004) and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (Grant & Berg 1948). The results show that self-selected interpreting students are cognitively more flexible and are less negatively affected by anxiety. Compared to the control group, successful conference interpreting students, but not unsuccessful students, are cognitively more flexible and benefit more from some level of anxiety. Moreover, all conference interpreting students are less affected by stress than the control group and seem to have more clearly developed learning preferences.
Domain-general cognitive abilities and simultaneous interpreting skill
Authors: Macnamara Brooke N. , Moore Adam B. , Kegl Judy A. , Conway Andrew R.A.
Published: April 2011

This exploratory study examined domain-general cognitive abilities that may serve as aptitudes for interpreting skill by comparing highly skilled sign language interpreters (those considered competent in most interpreting situations) and less skilled sign language interpreters (those considered less than competent in most interpreting situations) on various measures. Specifically, the current study examined the feasibility of predicting interpreter skill level based only on a variety of cognitive abilities and personality traits. We collected data on several cognitive measures, including processing speed, psychomotor speed, cognitive control and task switching ability, fluid intelligence, working memory capacity, and mental flexibility, as well as several personality measures, including risk-taking orientation and emotion-cognition integration style, and intrinsic motivation to engage in complex cognitive tasks. Significant differences emerged between the two groups on both cognitive and personality measures suggesting that a combination of stable domain-general cognitive abilities and personality traits may be responsible for differentiating highly skilled from less skilled interpreters and may therefore be predictive of individuals’ future interpreting effectiveness and skill level.
miR-22 represses cancer progression by inducing cellular senescence
Authors: Xu Dan , Takeshita Fumitaka , Hino Yumiko , Fukunaga Saori , Kudo Yasusei , Tamaki Aya , Matsunaga Junko , Takahashi Ryou-u , Takata Takashi , Shimamoto Akira , Ochiya Takahiro , Tahara Hidetoshi
Published: April 2011

Cellular senescence acts as a barrier to cancer progression, and microRNAs (miRNAs) are thought to be potential senescence regulators. However, whether senescence-associated miRNAs (SA-miRNAs) contribute to tumor suppression remains unknown. Here, we report that miR-22, a novel SA-miRNA, has an impact on tumorigenesis. miR-22 is up-regulated in human senescent fibroblasts and epithelial cells but down-regulated in various cancer cell lines. miR-22 overexpression induces growth suppression and acquisition of a senescent phenotype in human normal and cancer cells. miR-22 knockdown in presenescent fibroblasts decreased cell size, and cells became more compact. miR-22–induced senescence also decreases cell motility and inhibits cell invasion in vitro. Synthetic miR-22 delivery suppresses tumor growth and metastasis in vivo by inducing cellular senescence in a mouse model of breast carcinoma. We confirmed that CDK6, SIRT1, and Sp1, genes involved in the senescence program, are direct targets of miR-22. Our study provides the first evidence that miR-22 restores the cellular senescence program in cancer cells and acts as a tumor suppressor.
Proteins without 3D structure: definition, detection and beyond
Authors: Orosz Ferenc , Ovádi Judit
Published: April 2011

Motivation: Predictions, and experiments to a lesser extent, following the decoding of the human genome showed that a significant fraction of gene products do not have well-defined 3D structures. While the presence of structured domains traditionally suggested function, it was not clear what the absence of structure implied. These and many other findings initiated the extensive theoretical and experimental research into these types of proteins, commonly known as intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs). Crucial to understanding IDPs is the evaluation of structural predictors based on different principles and trained on various datasets, which is currently the subject of active research. The view is emerging that structural disorder can be considered as a separate structural category and not simply as absence of secondary and/or tertiary structure. IDPs perform essential functions and their improper functioning is responsible for human diseases such as neurodegenerative disorders.

Contact:  ovadi@enzim.hu

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
An optimal peak alignment for comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography mass spectrometry using mixture similarity measure
Authors: Kim Seongho , Fang Aiqin , Wang Bing , Jeong Jaesik , Zhang Xiang
Published: April 2011

Motivation: Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC × GC–MS) brings much increased separation capacity, chemical selectivity and sensitivity for metabolomics and provides more accurate information about metabolite retention times and mass spectra. However, there is always a shift of retention times in the two columns that makes it difficult to compare metabolic profiles obtained from multiple samples exposed to different experimental conditions.

Results: The existing peak alignment algorithms for GC × GC–MS data use the peak distance and the spectra similarity sequentially and require predefined either distance-based window and/or spectral similarity-based window. To overcome the limitations of the current alignment methods, we developed an optimal peak alignment using a novel mixture similarity by employing the peak distance and the spectral similarity measures simultaneously without any variation windows. In addition, we examined the effect of the four different distance measures such as Euclidean, Maximum, Manhattan and Canberra distances on the peak alignment. The performance of our proposed peak alignment algorithm was compared with the existing alignment methods on the two sets of GC × GC–MS data. Our analysis showed that Canberra distance performed better than other distances and the proposed mixture similarity peak alignment algorithm prevailed against all literature reported methods.

Availability: The data and software mSPA are available at http://stage.louisville.edu/faculty/x0zhan17/software/software-development.

Contact:  s0kim023@louisville.edu; xiang.zhang@louisville.edu

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Services for prediction of drug susceptibility for HIV proteases and reverse transcriptases at the HIV drug research centre
Authors: Spjuth Ola , Eklund Martin , Lapins Maris , Junaid Muhammad , Wikberg Jarl E. S.
Published: April 2011

Summary: The HIV Drug Research Centre (HIVDRC) has established Web services for prediction of drug susceptibility for HIV proteases and reverse transcriptases. The services are based on two proteochemometric models which accepts a protease or reverse transcriptase sequence in amino acid form, and outputs the predicted drug susceptibility values. The predictions are based on a comprehensive analysis where all the relevant inhibitors are included, resulting in models with excellent predictive capabilities.

Availability and Implementation: The services are implemented as interoperable Web services (REST and XMPP), with supporting web pages to allow for individual analyses. A set of plugins were also developed which make the services available from the Bioclipse workbench for life science. Services are available at http://www.hivdrc.org/services.

Contact:  ola.spjuth@farmbio.uu.se
RuleBender: a visual interface for rule-based modeling
Authors: Xu Wen , Smith Adam M. , Faeder James R. , Marai G. Elisabeta
Published: April 2011

Summary: Rule-based modeling (RBM) is a powerful and increasingly popular approach to modeling intracellular biochemistry. Current interfaces for RBM are predominantly text-based and command-line driven. Better visual tools are needed to make RBM accessible to a broad range of users, to make specification of models less error prone and to improve workflows. We present RULEBENDER, an open-source visual interface that facilitates interactive debugging, simulation and analysis of RBMs.

Availability: RULEBENDER is freely available for Mac, Windows and Linux at http://rulebender.org.

Contact:  faeder@pitt.edu; marai@cs.pitt.edu

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
The Total Carbon Column Observing Network
Authors: Wunch Debra , Toon Geoffrey C. , Blavier Jean-François L. , Washenfelder Rebecca A. , Notholt Justus , Connor Brian J. , Griffith David W. T. , Sherlock Vanessa , Wennberg Paul O.
Published: April 2011

A global network of ground-based Fourier transform spectrometers has been founded to remotely measure column abundances of CO2, CO, CH4, N2O and other molecules that absorb in the near-infrared. These measurements are directly comparable with the near-infrared total column measurements from space-based instruments. With stringent requirements on the instrumentation, acquisition procedures, data processing and calibration, the Total Carbon Column Observing Network (TCCON) achieves an accuracy and precision in total column measurements that is unprecedented for remote-sensing observations (better than 0.25% for CO2). This has enabled carbon-cycle science investigations using the TCCON dataset, and allows the TCCON to provide a link between satellite measurements and the extensive ground-basedin situnetwork.
The challenge of estimating regional trace gas emissions from atmospheric observations
Authors: Manning Alistair J.
Published: April 2011

This paper discusses some of the major issues that surround estimating regional emissions of trace gases from atmospheric observations through inversion modelling. Inversion methods use modelled knowledge of how emissions dilute in the atmosphere as they travel from their source to an observation point, together with the observations, to calculate a grid of emissions. The problem is one of minimizing the mismatch between a modelled and observed time series of concentration. There are many methods of comparing time series, some involving
a priori
knowledge others without. The location, terrain and height of the observation station can also be very significant in determining how well a model can represent the dilution from emission source to receptor. The inversion solution (emission map) will assign some of the sources incorrectly for a variety of reasons, e.g. local sources, intermittent releases, errors in the modelled transport or observation, and the choice of the spatial and temporal resolution of the emission map. The reasons for uncertainty in the modelled emissions are discussed along with suggestions as to how some of these can be minimized. Using multiple stations to further constrain the inversion should reduce the uncertainty; however, care is needed if the potential improvements are to be realized.
Warming up, turning sour, losing breath: ocean biogeochemistry under global change
Authors: Gruber Nicolas
Published: April 2011

In the coming decades and centuries, the ocean’s biogeochemical cycles and ecosystems will become increasingly stressed by at least three independent factors. Rising temperatures, ocean acidification and ocean deoxygenation will cause substantial changes in the physical, chemical and biological environment, which will then affect the ocean’s biogeochemical cycles and ecosystems in ways that we are only beginning to fathom. Ocean warming will not only affect organisms and biogeochemical cycles directly, but will also increase upper ocean stratification. The changes in the ocean’s carbonate chemistry induced by the uptake of anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO
2
) (i.e. ocean acidification) will probably affect many organisms and processes, although in ways that are currently not well understood. Ocean deoxygenation, i.e. the loss of dissolved oxygen (O
2
) from the ocean, is bound to occur in a warming and more stratified ocean, causing stress to macro-organisms that critically depend on sufficient levels of oxygen. These three stressors—warming, acidification and deoxygenation—will tend to operate globally, although with distinct regional differences. The impacts of ocean acidification tend to be strongest in the high latitudes, whereas the low-oxygen regions of the low latitudes are most vulnerable to ocean deoxygenation. Specific regions, such as the eastern boundary upwelling systems, will be strongly affected by all three stressors, making them potential hotspots for change. Of additional concern are synergistic effects, such as ocean acidification-induced changes in the type and magnitude of the organic matter exported to the ocean’s interior, which then might cause substantial changes in the oxygen concentration there. Ocean warming, acidification and deoxygenation are essentially irreversible on centennial time scales, i.e. once these changes have occurred, it will take centuries for the ocean to recover. With the emission of CO
2
being the primary driver behind all three stressors, the primary mitigation strategy is to reduce these emissions.
Quantifying greenhouse-gas emissions from atmospheric measurements: a critical reality check for climate legislation
Authors: Weiss Ray F. , Prinn Ronald G.
Published: April 2011

Emissions reduction legislation relies upon ‘bottom-up’ accounting of industrial and biogenic greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions at their sources. Yet, even for relatively well-constrained industrial GHGs, global emissions based on ‘top-down’ methods that use atmospheric measurements often agree poorly with the reported bottom-up emissions. For emissions reduction legislation to be effective, it is essential that these discrepancies be resolved. Because emissions are regulated nationally or regionally, not globally, top-down estimates must also be determined at these scales. High-frequency atmospheric GHG measurements at well-chosen station locations record ‘pollution events’ above the background values that result from regional emissions. By combining such measurements with inverse methods and atmospheric transport and chemistry models, it is possible to map and quantify regional emissions. Even with the sparse current network of measurement stations and current inverse-modelling techniques, it is possible to rival the accuracies of regional ‘bottom-up’ emission estimates for some GHGs. But meeting the verification goals of emissions reduction legislation will require major increases in the density and types of atmospheric observations, as well as expanded inverse-modelling capabilities. The cost of this effort would be minor when compared with current investments in carbon-equivalent trading, and would reduce the volatility of that market and increase investment in emissions reduction.
Skeletal muscle design to meet functional demands
Authors: Lieber Richard L. , Ward Samuel R.
Published: April 2011

Skeletal muscles are length- and velocity-sensitive force producers, constructed of a vast array of sarcomeres. Muscles come in a variety of sizes and shapes to accomplish a wide variety of tasks. How does muscle design match task performance? In this review, we outline muscle's basic properties and strategies that are used to produce movement. Several examples are provided, primarily for human muscles, in which skeletal muscle architecture and moment arms are tailored to a particular performance requirement. In addition, the concept that muscles may have a preferred sarcomere length operating range is also introduced. Taken together, the case is made that muscles can be fine-tuned to perform specific tasks that require actuators with a wide range of properties.
Functional and architectural complexity within and between muscles: regional variation and intermuscular force transmission
Authors: Higham Timothy E. , Biewener Andrew A.
Published: April 2011

Over the past 30 years, studies of single muscles have revealed complex patterns of regional variation in muscle architecture, activation, strain and force. In addition, muscles are often functionally integrated with other muscles in parallel or in series. Understanding the extent of this complexity and the interactions between muscles will profoundly influence how we think of muscles in relation to organismal function, and will allow us to address questions regarding the functional benefits (or lack thereof) and dynamics of this complexity underin vivoconditions. This paper has two main objectives. First, we present a cohesive and integrative review of regional variation in function within muscles, and discuss the functional ramifications that can stem from this variation. This involves splitting regional variation into passive and active components. Second, we assess the functional integration of muscles between different limb segments by presenting new data involvingin vivomeasurements of activation and strain from the medial gastrocnemius, iliotibialis cranialis and iliotibialis lateralis pars preacetabularis of the helmeted guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) during level running on a motorized treadmill. Future research directions for both of these objectives are presented.
A single muscle's multifunctional control potential of body dynamics for postural control and running
Authors: Sponberg Simon , Spence Andrew J. , Mullens Chris H. , Full Robert J.
Published: April 2011

A neuromechanical approach to control requires understanding how mechanics alters the potential of neural feedback to control body dynamics. Here, we rewrite activation of individual motor units of a behaving animal to mimic the effects of neural feedback without concomitant changes in other muscles. We target a putative control muscle in the cockroach,Blaberus discoidalis(L.), and simultaneously capture limb and body dynamics through high-speed videography and a micro-accelerometer backpack. We test four neuromechanical control hypotheses. We supported the hypothesis that mechanics linearly translates neural feedback into accelerations and rotations during static postural control. However, during running, the same neural feedback produced a nonlinear acceleration control potential restricted to the vertical plane. Using this, we reject the hypothesis from previous work that this muscle acts primarily to absorb energy from the body. The conversion of the control potential is paralleled by nonlinear changes in limb kinematics, supporting the hypothesis that significant mechanical feedback filters the graded neural feedback for running control. Finally, we insert the same neural feedback signal but at different phases in the dynamics. In this context, mechanical feedback enables turning by changing the timing and direction of the accelerations produced by the graded neural feedback.
Shifts in a single muscle's control potential of body dynamics are determined by mechanical feedback
Authors: Sponberg Simon , Libby Thomas , Mullens Chris H. , Full Robert J.
Published: April 2011

Muscles are multi-functional structures that interface neural and mechanical systems. Muscle work depends on a large multi-dimensional space of stimulus (neural) and strain (mechanical) parameters. In our companion paper, we rewrote activation to individual muscles in intact, behaving cockroaches (Blaberus discoidalisL.), revealing a specific muscle's potential to control body dynamics in different behaviours. Here, we use those results to provide the biologically relevant parameters forin situwork measurements. We test four hypotheses about how muscle function changes to provide mechanisms for the observed control responses. Under isometric conditions, a graded increase in muscle stress underlies its linear actuation during standing behaviours. Despite typically absorbing energy, this muscle can recruit two separate periods of positive work when controlling running. This functional change arises from mechanical feedback filtering a linear increase in neural activation into nonlinear work output. Changing activation phase again led to positive work recruitment, but at different times, consistent with the muscle's ability to also produce a turn. Changes in muscle work required considering the natural sequence of strides and separating swing and stance contributions of work. Bothin vivocontrol potentials andin situwork loops were necessary to discover the neuromechanical coupling enabling control.