bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SUPINE POSITION ENDOSCOPIC RETROGRADE CHOLANGIOPANCREATOGRAPHY IN A PATIENT WITH SITUS AMBIGUOUS WITH POLYSPLENIA
Authors: Byun Jeong Rae , Jahng Jae Hoon , Song Jae Chun , Yu Jeong Sik , Lee Dong Ki
Published: September 2010

A 58‐year‐old woman complained of painless jaundice. The serology showed total bilirubin 10.6 mg/dL with direct bilirubin of 7.0 mg/dL. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan disclosed an abnormal arrangement of the abdominal viscera and dilation of the biliary tree. A nearly 1.4 cm‐sized periampullary mass was seen. These findings are compatible with situs ambiguous with polysplenia and were suggestive of a periampullary tumor. Due to her unusual anatomical features, the patient underwent an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in the supine position instead of in the conventional prone position. ERCP showed that the common bile duct (CBD) diameter was increased to 20 mm. Microscopic findings of the biopsy specimen of papillary mass were compatible with an adenocarcinoma of the ampulla of Vater. The clinical stage was stage IA (T1N0M0). Eight days later, a papillectomy was carried out by endoscopic snare resection. Six months later, follow‐up studies, including ERCP, abdominal CT and 18‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18‐FDG PET)‐CT scan, showed no evidence of recurrence. Although the success rate of supine position ERCP may be influenced by the extent of the intestinal malrotation and the position of the duodenum, we conclude that supine position ERCP can be carried out effectively in a patient with situs anomaly.
SPLENIC RUPTURE FOLLOWING ROUTINE COLONOSCOPY
Authors: Rasul Tabraze , Leung Edmund , McArdle Kirsten , Pathak Rajiv , Dalmia Sanjay
Published: September 2010

Splenic rupture is a life‐threatening condition characterized by internal hemorrhage, often difficult to diagnose. Colonoscopy is a gold standard routine diagnostic test to investigate patients with gastrointestinal symptoms as well as to those on the screening program for colorectal cancer. Splenic injury is seldomly discussed during consent for colonoscopy, as opposed to colonic perforation, as its prevalence accounts for less than 0.1%. A 66‐year‐old Caucasian woman with no history of collagen disorder was electively admitted for routine colonoscopy for surveillance of adenoma. She was admitted following the procedure for re‐dosing of warfarin, which was stopped prior to the colonoscopy. The patient was found collapsed on the ward the following day with clinical shock and anemia. Computed tomography demonstrated grade 4 splenic rupture. Immediate blood transfusion and splenectomy was required. Splenic rupture following routine colonoscopy is extremely rare. Awareness of it on this occasion saved the patient's life. Despite it being a rare association, the seriousness warrants inclusion in all information leaflets concerning colonoscopy and during its consent.
ULTRATHIN ENDOSCOPE‐ASSISTED ERCP FOR INACCESSIBLE PERIDIVERTICULAR PAPILLA BY A SINGLE‐BALLOON ENTEROSCOPE IN A PATIENT WITH ROUX‐EN‐Y ANASTOMOSIS
Authors: Itoi Takao , Ishii Kentaro , Sofuni Atsushi , Itokawa Fumihide , Kurihara Toshio , Tsuchiya Takayoshi , Tsuji Shujiro , Ikeuchi Nobuhito , Moriyasu Fuminori , Sakai Yoshihiro
Published: September 2010

We describe a case of successful endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) using an ultrathin endoscope for inaccessible peridiverticular papilla by a single balloon enteroscopy (SBE) in a patient with Roux‐en Y (R‐Y). A 73‐year‐old man who had total gastrectomy with R‐Y for gastric cancer was admitted for acute cholangitis. Although the SBE could be advanced to the end of the afferent loop, we could not identify a major papilla, although a duodenal diverticula could be observed. The enteroscope was replaced with an ultrathin endoscope. The ultrathin endoscope allowed the papilla to be detected distal to the side of the diverticula. After pre‐cutting, the ultraslim endoscope was replaced with a conventional forward‐viewing endoscope. Eventually, the stones were completely removed using a balloon catheter and basket without procedure‐related complication.
CONGENITAL HEPATIC FIBROSIS WITHOUT ANY SYMPTOMS AS DIAGNOSED BY LAPAROSCOPY
Authors: Kisaka Yoshiyasu , Abe Masanori , Tokumoto Yoshio , Hirooka Masashi , Shigematsu Shuichiro , Koizumi Yohei , Murakami Hidehiro , Matsuura Bunzo , Hiasa Yoichi , Onji Morikazu
Published: September 2010

The present report represents the case of a 36‐year‐old woman with congenital hepatic fibrosis (CHF). She was admitted to our hospital because of gastric varices. She was asymptomatic and her liver function tests were within normal limits. Computed tomography showed hepatomegaly, splenomegaly and collateral circulation, but no evidence of liver cirrhosis. Real‐time tissue elastography suggested severe fibrosis of the liver. Laparoscopy showed wide and discrete white markings on the surface of the liver and she was diagnosed with CHF based on the histological examination. The findings obtained from elastography and laparoscopy were useful for making the diagnosis of CHF.
Using host associations to predict spatial patterns in the species richness of the parasites of North American carnivores
Authors: Harris Nyeema C. , Dunn Robert R.
Published: September 2010

Ecology Letters (2010) 13: 1411–1418

Despite the central theme in ecology of evaluating determinants of species richness, little effort has been focused on parasites. Here, we developed a parasite diversity model based on known host associations with 29 North American carnivores to investigate the spatial heterogeneity of parasite richness, its relationship to carnivore richness, and how host composition and specificity influenced these patterns. Patterns in parasite species richness closely tracked carnivore species richness across space and this relationship was robust to deviations from the assumption that parasites match the distribution of their hosts. Because wide‐ranging hosts disproportionately contributed to total and specialist parasite species richness, conservation programmes that focus on these common hosts may capture not only much of biological diversity, but also unwittingly sources of human diseases. We supply the first parasite diversity model to understand broad‐scale patterns in species richness patterns for North American carnivores, which can inform both future parasite conservation and disease management.
Bromocriptine: old drug, new formulation and new indication
Authors: Holt R. I. G. , Barnett A. H. , Bailey C. J.
Published: September 2010

Bromocriptine is an ergot alkaloid dopamine D2 receptor agonist that has been used extensively in the past to treat hyperprolactinaemia, galactorrhoea and Parkinsonism. It is known that hypothalamic hypodopaminergic states and disturbed circadian rhythm are associated with the development of insulin resistance, obesity and diabetes in animals and humans. When administered in the early morning at the start of the light phase, a new quick release (QR) formulation of bromocriptine appears to act centrally to reset circadian rhythms of hypothalamic dopamine and serotonin and improve insulin resistance and other metabolic abnormalities. Phase II and III clinical studies show that QR‐bromocriptine lowers glycated haemoglobin by 0.6–1.2% (7–13 mmol/mol) either as monotherapy or in combination with other antidiabetes medications. Apart from nausea, the drug is well tolerated. The doses used to treat diabetes (up to 4.8 mg daily) are much lower than those used to treat Parkinson's disease and have not been associated with retroperitoneal fibrosis or heart valve abnormalities. QR‐bromocriptine (Cycloset™) has recently been approved in the USA for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Thus, a QR formulation of bromocriptine timed for peak delivery in the early morning may provide a novel neurally mediated approach to the control of hyperglycaemia in T2DM.
Six weeks' sebacic acid supplementation improves fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c and glucose tolerance in db/db mice
Authors: Membrez M. , Chou C. J. , Raymond F. , Mansourian R. , Moser M. , Monnard I. , Ammon‐Zufferey C. , Mace K. , Mingrone G. , Binnert C.
Published: September 2010

Aim: To investigate the impact of chronic ingestion of sebacic acid (SA), a 10‐carbon medium‐chain dicarboxylic acid, on glycaemic control in a mouse model of type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods: Three groups of 15 db/db mice were fed for 6 weeks either a chow diet (Ctrl) or a chow diet supplemented with 1.5 or 15% (SA1.5% and SA15%, respectively) energy from SA. Fasting glycaemia was measured once a week and HbA1c before and after supplementation. An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed at the end of the supplementation. Gene expression was determined by transcriptomic analysis on the liver of the Ctrl and SA15% groups.

Results: After 42 days of supplementation, fasting glycaemia and HbA1c were ∼70 and 25% lower in the SA15% group compared with the other groups showing a beneficial effect of SA on hyperglycaemia. During OGTT, plasma glucose area under the curve was reduced after SA15% compared with the other groups. This effect was associated with a tendency for an improved insulin response. In the liver, Pck1 and FBP mRNA were statistically decreased in the SA15% compared with Ctrl suggesting a reduced hepatic glucose output induced by SA.

Conclusion: Dietary supplementation of SA largely improves glycaemic control in a mouse model of T2D. This beneficial effect may be due to (i) an improved glucose‐induced insulin secretion and (ii) a reduced hepatic glucose output.
Ontogeny and phylogeny of Metaurostylopsis cheni sp. n. (Protozoa, Ciliophora), with estimating the systematic position of Metaurostylopsis
Authors: Chen Xumiao , Huang Jie , Song Weibo
Published: September 2010

Chen, X., Huang, J. & Song, W. (2010). Ontogeny and phylogeny of Metaurostylopsis cheni sp. n. (Protozoa, Ciliophora), with estimating the systematic position of Metaurostylopsis. —Zoologica Scripta, 40, 99–111.

The ciliate genus Metaurostylopsis seems to be a highly divergent marine‐habiting group, of which neither systematic position nor the variation of their ontogeny has been critically checked. In the present work, the morphology and morphogenesis during asexual division of a new form, Metaurostylopsis cheni sp. n., isolated from the Yellow Sea, China, were investigated and comparison among known congeners was performed. The new species has two types of cortical granules, the larger ones of which are flattened and oval or circular in outline with a longitudinal groove, yellow–green in colour, and arranged along the cirral rows and dorsal kineties, whereas the smaller ones are colourless or grayish and sparsely distributed. The main morphogenetic features are: (i) the entire parental ciliature, including the old oral apparatus, is renewed, (ii) the oral primordium of the proter originates de novo and beneath the surface of the buccal cavity, that is, sub‐apokinetally, (iii) the anlagen of the marginal rows and of the dorsal kineties are formed intrakinetally and (iv) fusion of the macronuclear nodules results in an irregular mass with only few branches. The small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene of M. cheni was sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis based on SSU rRNA gene sequence data shows that M. cheni clusters with all other Metaurostylopsis spp. sequenced to date indicating that the genus is monophyletic and is probably closely related to the Apokeronopsis–Thigmokeronopsis‐group, within the order Urostylida.
Environmental factors determining invasibility of urban waters for exotic macroinvertebrates
Authors: Vermonden Kim , Leuven Rob S. E. W. , Van Der Velde Gerard
Published: September 2010

Aim  Urbanization usually leads to biotic homogenization with a decrease in native species and increase in exotic species. We investigated whether local environmental factors in urban water bodies, such as water quality, habitat structure and biotic interactions, influenced the invasion of these systems by exotic macroinvertebrate species.

Location  Urban surface water systems in lowlands of the Rhine‐Meuse delta.

Methods  Presence and abundance of native and exotic macroinvertebrate species were compared between different urban water types and related to environmental variables with multivariate analysis and spearman’s correlations. Moreover, co‐existence of related native and exotic species was studied.

Results  In total nine exotic species were found in the following taxa: Tricladida (1), Crustacea (5), Bivalvia (1) and Gastropoda (2). Taxonomically related native and exotic crustacean species did not seem to be influenced by competition in nutrient‐rich urban waters; most species showed high abundances. Nevertheless, two exotic crustacean species were much more abundant in waters where other crustacean species were absent, possibly filling empty niches. Native species richness and abundance was positively related to environmental heterogeneity in the form of submerged vegetation. The occurrence and abundance of most exotic species were positively related to several eutrophication indicators, such as nitrate, sludge layer and lemnid vegetation.

Main conclusions  Exotic species in urban waters were mostly detritivorous or omnivorous and therefore dependent on leaf breakdown. In nutrient‐rich water systems, where food availability was high, exotic crustacean species co‐existed with native crustacean species, while in nutrient‐poor, richly vegetated systems, native Asellidae dominated exotic Asellidae. In the turbid water bodies with very little vegetation, native species richness was low and two exotic crustacean species were relatively abundant in these water systems. Invasibility of urban water systems could be reduced by stimulating the development of submerged and nymphaeid vegetation and decreasing nutrient levels.
Spatial capital, gentrification and mobility: evidence from Swiss core cities
Authors: Rérat Patrick , Lees Loretta
Published: September 2010

In this paper we are critical of the fact that the gentrification literature has moved away from discussions about the reclaiming of locational advantage as a marker of gentrifiers’ social distinction within the middle classes. We begin the process of re/theorising locational advantage as ‘spatial capital’ focusing on the mobility practices of new‐build gentrifiers in Swiss core cities. Gentrification is a relatively new process in Swiss cities and is dominated by new‐build developments in central city areas. We focus on two case studies: Neuchâtel and the Zurich West area of Zurich. We show that Swiss new‐build gentrifiers have sought locational advantage in the central city, and in so doing have gained the ‘spatial capital’ that they need to negotiate and cope with dual career households and the restrictive job markets of Swiss cities. The mobility practices of these gentrifiers show how they are both hyper‐mobile and hyper‐fixed, they are mobile and rooted/fixed.
Ranolazine selectively blocks persistent current evoked by epilepsy‐associated NaV1.1 mutations
Authors: Kahlig Kristopher M , Lepist Irene , Leung Kwan , Rajamani Sridharan , George Alfred L
Published: September 2010

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Mutations of SCN1A, the gene encoding the pore‐forming subunit of the voltage‐gated sodium channel NaV1.1, have been associated with a spectrum of genetic epilepsies and a familial form of migraine. Several mutant NaV1.1 channels exhibit increased persistent current due to incomplete inactivation and this biophysical defect may contribute to altered neuronal excitability in these disorders. Here, we investigated the ability of ranolazine to preferentially inhibit increased persistent current evoked by mutant NaV1.1 channels.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Human wild‐type (WT) and mutant NaV1.1 channels were expressed heterologously in human tsA201 cells and whole‐cell patch clamp recording was used to assess tonic and use‐dependent ranolazine block.

KEY RESULTS Ranolazine (30 µM) did not affect WT NaV1.1 channel current density, activation or steady‐state fast inactivation but did produce mild slowing of recovery from inactivation. Ranolazine blocked persistent current with 16‐fold selectivity over tonic block of peak current and 3.6‐fold selectivity over use‐dependent block of peak current. Similar selectivity was observed for ranolazine block of increased persistent current exhibited by NaV1.1 channel mutations representing three distinct clinical syndromes, generalized epilepsy with febrile seizures plus (R1648H, T875M), severe myoclonic epilepsy of infancy (R1648C, F1661S) and familial hemiplegic migraine type 3 (L263V, Q1489K). In vitro application of achievable brain concentrations (1, 3 µM) to cells expressing R1648H channels was sufficient to suppress channel activation during slow voltage ramps, consistent with inhibition of persistent current.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Our findings support the feasibility of using selective suppression of increased persistent current as a potential new therapeutic strategy for familial neurological disorders associated with certain sodium channel mutations.
Slotting Allowances and Scarce Shelf Space
Authors: Marx Leslie M. , Shaffer Greg
Published: September 2010

Slotting allowances are payments made by manufacturers to obtain retail shelf space. They are widespread in the grocery industry and a concern to antitrust authorities. A popular view is that slotting allowances arise because there are more products than retailers can profitably carry given their shelf space. We show that the causality can also go the other way: the scarcity of shelf space may in part be due to the feasibility of slotting allowances. It follows that slotting allowances can be anticompetitive even if they have no effect on retail prices.
Estimating the Impacts of Outlet Rationalization on Retail Prices, Industry Concentration, and Sales: Empirical Evidence from Canadian Gasoline Markets
Authors: Sen Anindya , Townley Peter G.C.
Published: September 2010

The retail gasoline industry in both Canada and the United States experienced a significant rationalization of outlets from the late 1970s through the 1990s. We estimate the impacts of reduced outlet density by exploiting the 27% decline in retail gasoline outlets across 10 Canadian cities between 1991 and 1997. Ordinary least squares and instrumental variables estimates suggest that rationalization resulted in a significant increase in retail prices, market concentration, and average outlet sales. The decline in retail outlets led to a 9% increase in retail prices, a rise in market concentration between 16% and 22%, and a 22% increase in average outlet sales.
Introduction to the Symposium on Tournaments, Contests, and Relative Performance Evaluation
Authors: Tsoulouhas Theofanis
Published: September 2010

The papers in this symposium reflect several of the directions taken by current research on tournaments, contests and relative performance evaluation. The papers help us understand the implications of agent heterogeneity on the incentives of agents to perform or self‐select the offers designed for them. They encompass various issues such as career concerns and promotion incentives, interim disclosure of information obtained by the principal about agent performance, exposure to risk choices, and competing for talent.
Efficient Contests
Authors: Riis Christian
Published: September 2010

In their seminal contribution, Lazear and Rosen (1981) show that wages based upon rank induce the same efficient effort as incentive‐based reward schemes. They also show that this equivalence result is not robust toward heterogeneity in worker ability, as long as ability is private information because it is not possible to structure contests to simultaneously satisfy self‐selection constraints and first‐best incentives.

 This paper demonstrates that efficiency can be achieved by a simple modification of the prize scheme in a mixed (heterogenous) contest where contestants learn their type after entry. If contestants know their type before entering the contest, rent extraction becomes an issue. Implications for optimal contest design are also explored. Finally, the relationship between effort maximizing contests and profit maximizing contests are discussed.
Career Tournaments
Authors: Casas‐Arce Pablo
Published: September 2010

This paper studies a model of career concerns where (besides agents having different ability levels) principals are heterogeneous. Two types of heterogeneity are considered: principals can differ in their productivities, and in the visibility of the agents working for them. Productivity differences result in convex wage profiles and generate assortative matching between principals and agents. Visibility differences, on the other hand, affect the mobility and career prospects of agents, and can generate nonassortative matching. We characterize the equilibrium in this market, derive implications for the behavior of agents, and examine the incentives to invest in increasing productivity and visibility.
Promotion Tournaments and Individual Performance Pay
Authors: Schöttner Anja , Thiele Veikko
Published: September 2010

We analyze the optimal combination of promotion tournaments and linear individual performance pay in an employment relationship. An agent's effort is nonobservable and he has private information about his suitability for promotion. Thus, the two incentive schemes need to be combined to serve both incentive and selection purposes. If harder working agents respond less to intensified effort incentives, we find that the principal puts less emphasis on individual performance pay when selection becomes more important. Thus, we provide a possible explanation as to why, in practice, individual performance pay is less prevalent than promotion‐based incentives.
Feedback and Motivation in Dynamic Tournaments
Authors: Ederer Florian
Published: September 2010

We investigate the choice to conduct interim performance evaluations in a dynamic tournament. When a worker's ability does not influence the marginal benefit of effort, the choice depends on the shape of the cost of effort function. When effort and ability are complementary, feedback has several competing effects: it informs workers about their relative position in the tournament (evaluation effect) as well as their relative productivity (motivation effect) and it creates signal‐jamming incentives to exert effort prior to the performance evaluation. These effects suggest a tradeoff of performance feedback between evaluation and motivation which is in accordance with organizational behavior research and performance appraisal practices.
On the Choice of Risk and Effort in Tournaments—Experimental Evidence
Authors: Nieken Petra
Published: September 2010

We investigate a simple two‐person tournament in a controlled laboratory experiment. Each player chooses between two distributions of random shocks. After observing the overall risk, both players decide simultaneously on their effort. Theory predicts both players should choose the distribution with the higher variance of random shock, as this minimizes equilibrium effort. We show that the effort exerted is sensitive towards risk. The agents exert less effort if the random shock is high. However, agents do not learn to commit themselves by choosing a high risk in our experiment.
A split‐mouth comparative study up to 16 years of two screw‐shaped titanium implant systems
Authors: Jacobs Reinhilde , Pittayapat Pisha , Van Steenberghe Daniel , De Mars Greet , Gijbels Frieda , Van Der Donck Annelies , Li Limin , Liang Xin , Van Assche Nele , Quirynen Marc , Naert Ignace
Published: September 2010

Jacobs R, Pittayapat P, van Steenberghe D, De Mars G, Gijbels F, Van Der Donck A, Li L, Liang X, Van Assche N, Quirynen M, Naert I. A split‐mouth comparative study up to 16 years of two screw‐shaped titanium implant systems. J Clin Periodontol 2010; doi: 10.1111/j.1600‐051X.2010.01626.x.

Introduction: Many studies have dealt with the clinical outcome of oral implants, yet none applied a randomized split‐mouth design for a long‐term follow‐up of similar implant systems.

Aim: To evaluate two oral implant systems with different surface characteristics in a randomized split‐mouth design and to radiologically analyse peri‐implant bone level and density over an up to 16‐year period.

Materials and Methods: The study comprised clinical and radiographic records of 18 partially edentulous patients treated with both implant types randomly placed in either left or right jaw sides. Outcome was evaluated over time.

Results: Clinical and radiographic parameters showed no significant differences over time for both systems. Ten years after implant placement, a significantly increasing peri‐implant bone density was noted, while Periotest values were found to be significantly decreasing. Fifteen years after implant loading, mean bone loss was 0.02 mm (range −1.15 to 1.51; SD 0.45) for Astra Tech® implants (n=24) and 0.31 mm (range −0.98 to 2.31; SD 0.69) for Brånemark® implants (n=23).

Conclusions: The study failed to demonstrate significant differences in the outcome of the peri‐implant bone for two implant systems with different surface characteristics. The marginal bone level around oral implants changed <0.5 mm after 15 years of loading.
Identification of DeltaEF1 as a novel target that is negatively regulated by LMO2 in T‐cell leukemia
Authors: Sun Wei , Yang Shuang , Shen Wenwen , Li Huihui , Gao Yang , Zhu Tian‐Hui
Published: September 2010

The lmo2 gene is a specific oncogene in T‐cell leukemia, for its ectopic expression causes both increased pro‐T‐cell proliferation and differentiation arrest, leading to the onset of leukemia. Notably, DeltaEF1 (also known as ZEB1), a member of zinc finger‐homeodomain family transcription factor, also exhibits crucial function in promoting T‐cell differentiation. In this study, we found that DeltaEF1 was positively regulated by T‐lineage‐specific transcriptional regulator GATA3, while ectopically expressed LMO2 targeted to DeltaEF1 promoter by interaction with GATA3 and inhibited DeltaEF1 expression in transcriptional level. Moreover, LMO2 interacted with the N‐terminal zinc finger domain of DeltaEF1 protein and inhibited its positive transcriptional regulatory function by this interaction. Taken together, our findings revealed that ectopically expressed LMO2 impaired the function of DeltaEF1 in both transcriptional and protein levels and identified DeltaEF1 as a novel pathogenic target of LMO2 in T‐cell leukemia.
Injury epidemiology in a national football team of the Middle East
Authors: Eirale C. , Hamilton B. , Bisciotti G. , Grantham J. , Chalabi H.
Published: September 2010

Many football epidemiological studies have been performed but only two of them have investigated injury risk in a national football team. In the present study, the senior male Qatar national football team was followed prospectively for two seasons. All injuries that were incurred during training and matches were recorded, together with match and training exposure time. Principal findings were (i) a higher injury incidence during matches than during training, (65.9 vs 4.3/1000 h, P<0.001), (ii) a high incidence of muscular strain during matches (23.2/1000 h) and (iii) a greater severity of injury in games than in regular training or camp situations (19.5 vs 8.4 vs 6.7 days, P<0.05). Despite the unique environmental, social and cultural setting in the Middle East, these findings are consistent with previous data from European football, suggesting that international guidelines on injury prevention and management may be applied in this region.
Assembly and Solution Structure of the Core Retromer Protein Complex
Authors: Norwood Suzanne J. , Shaw Daniel J. , Cowieson Nathan P. , Owen David J. , Teasdale Rohan D. , Collins Brett M.
Published: September 2010

Retromer is a peripheral membrane protein complex that has pleiotropic roles in endosomal membrane trafficking. The core of retromer possesses three subunits, VPS35, VPS29 and VPS26, that play different roles in binding to cargo, regulatory proteins and complex stabilization. We have performed an investigation of the thermodynamics of core retromer assembly using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) demonstrating that VPS35 acts as the central subunit to which VPS29 and VPS26 bind independently. Furthermore, we confirm that the conserved PRLYL motif of the large VPS35 subunit is critical for direct VPS26 interaction. Heat capacity measurements of VPS29 and VPS26 binding to VPS35 indicate extensive binding interfaces and suggest conformational alterations in VPS29 or VPS35 upon complex formation. Solution studies of the retromer core using small‐angle X‐ray scattering allow us to propose a model whereby VPS35 forms an extended platform with VPS29 and VPS26 bound at distal ends, with the potential for forming dimeric assemblies.
Intra‐Household Conflicts in Migration Decisionmaking: Return and Pendulum Migration in Morocco
Authors: De Haas Hein , Fokkema Tineke
Published: September 2010

By analyzing the migration behavior and transnational residential strategies of first‐generation, aging migrants from a particular Moroccan sending region, this study contributes to a conceptual critique of migration theories that identify the household as the most relevant decisionmaking unit. It highlights the role of intra‐household power inequalities and conflicts in migration decisionmaking as well as the effects of migration decisions for intra‐household power relations. Many labor migrants who left Morocco to work in Europe in the 1960s and 1970s did not realize their wish to return but instead ended up reunifying their families at the destination. An increasing proportion adopts a pendulum migration strategy to reconcile their own wish to retain strong ties with Morocco with the reluctance of children and spouses to return. Migrants who unilaterally decided not to reunify their families usually return after their active working life. However, this unilateral decision also blocks legal entry into Europe for their children, which has generated considerable intergenerational tensions.
East Asian Childbearing Patterns and Policy Developments
Authors: Frejka Tomas , Jones Gavin W. , Sardon Jean‐Paul
Published: September 2010

Childbearing behavior in East Asian countries has changed rapidly during the past half century from an average of five to seven children per family, to replacement‐level fertility, and subsequently to unprecedentedly low levels, the lowest in the world. This article analyzes fertility trends in Hong Kong, Japan, singapore, south Korea, and Taiwan using cohort fertility data and methods, then examines social and economic causes of the childbearing trends, and surveys policies pursued to reverse the fertility trends. Postponement of childbearing started in the 1970s with continuously fewer delayed births being “recuperated,” which resulted in ultra‐low fertility. A rapid expansion of education and employment among women in a patriarchal environment has generated a stark dilemma for women who would like to combine childbearing with a career. Policy responses have been slow, with a more serious attempt to address issues in recent years. Thus far public and private institutions are not devoting sufficient attention to generating broad social change supportive of parenting.
New evidence on the effects of international migration on the risk of low birthweight in Mexico
Authors: Sunil Thankam S. , Flores Miguel , Garcia Ginny E.
Published: September 2010

The purpose of this article is to provide new empirical evidence linking migration of Mexican households to the USA with infant health outcomes. By using new data for Mexico, the Encuesta Nacional de la Dinamica Demografica 2006, this research focuses on the effect of migration on birth weight. Multivariate logistic regression methods are used to model low birth weight (LBW) as a function of a set of proximate, intermediate and socioeconomic determinants. In analyzing the channels through which migration affects birth outcomes, the findings provide no conclusive evidence for remittances as the only mechanism associated with lowering the odds of LBW. Given the limitations of the data, the study results showed new empirical evidence explaining the significance of both financial and social remittances associated with international migration and infant health outcomes in Mexico.
Structure and function of human α‐lactalbumin made lethal to tumor cells (HAMLET)‐type complexes
Authors: Mossberg Ann‐Kristin , Hun Mok Kenneth , Morozova‐Roche Ludmilla A. , Svanborg Catharina
Published: September 2010

Human α‐lactalbumin made lethal to tumor cells (HAMLET) and equine lysozyme with oleic acid (ELOA) are complexes consisting of protein and fatty acid that exhibit cytotoxic activities, drastically differing from the activity of their respective proteinaceous compounds. Since the discovery of HAMLET in the 1990s, a wealth of information has been accumulated, illuminating the structural, functional and therapeutic properties of protein complexes with oleic acid, which is summarized in this review. In vitro, both HAMLET and ELOA are produced by using ion‐exchange columns preconditioned with oleic acid. However, the complex of human α‐lactalbumin with oleic acid with the antitumor activity of HAMLET was found to be naturally present in the acidic fraction of human milk, where it was discovered by serendipity. Structural studies have shown that α‐lactalbumin in HAMLET and lysozyme in ELOA are partially unfolded, ‘molten‐globule’‐like, thereby rendering the complexes dynamic and in conformational exchange. HAMLET exists in the monomeric form, whereas ELOA mostly exists as oligomers and the fatty acid stoichiometry varies, with HAMLET holding an average of approximately five oleic acid molecules, whereas ELOA contains a considerably larger number (11– 48). Potent tumoricidal activity is found in both HAMLET and ELOA, and HAMLET has also shown strong potential as an antitumor drug in different in vivo animal models and clinical studies. The gain of new, beneficial function upon partial protein unfolding and fatty acid binding is a remarkable phenomenon, and may reflect a significant generic route of functional diversification of proteins via varying their conformational states and associated ligands.
Stress testing before discharge is not required for patients with low and intermediate risk of acute coronary syndrome after emergency department short stay assessment
Authors: Rahman Fatima , Mitra Biswadev , Cameron Peter A , Coleridge John
Published: September 2010

Objective:  To investigate the usefulness of stress testing before discharge in patients assessed low to intermediate risk of acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Methods:  A prospective observational study was undertaken of patients presenting to the ED with suspected myocardial ischaemia. After negative initial electrocardiogram (ECG) and serum troponin testing, patients were admitted to the emergency short stay unit (ESSU) for further evaluation using a chest pain protocol that included stress testing as the final risk stratification tool. The primary outcome measure was evidence of myocardial ischaemia at stress testing.

Results:  Of the 300 patients enrolled and followed up, there were no deaths at 30 days and no myocardial infarcts in patients discharged from the short stay. Two patients (0.67%) had positive serum troponin levels at 6 h after the onset of chest pain and were diagnosed with non‐ST segment elevation myocardial infarctions. Three patients (1%) had abnormal stress testing and were admitted to hospital from ESSU. On review, all three patients were high risk, according to The National Heart Foundation of Australia/Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand guidelines.

Conclusion:  The present study showed that an ED short stay unit can effectively evaluate and manage patients with low and intermediate risk of ACS. The study suggests that patients with low and intermediate risk for ACS might safely be discharged after normal serial ECG and cardiac biomarkers, with a view to early outpatient stress testing. With strict adherence to admission criteria, there does not appear to be any benefit of stress testing before discharge.
Review article: Paediatric supracondylar humeral fractures: Emergency assessment and management
Authors: Allen Stephen R , Hang Jacqueline R , Hau Raphael C
Published: September 2010

Supracondylar humeral fractures in children are common presentations to the ED but might be challenging to both diagnose and assess clinically. The ED has a critical role in accurately assessing the child, the limb's neurovascular status and initiating treatment. A specific approach to the clinical assessment of such a child is required as failure to detect neurovascular compromise can delay appropriate treatment and result in serious consequences. Most children can be investigated with X‐ray radiograph alone with further treatment directed by severity of the fracture, commonly described using the Gartland classification. Our review article provides an overview of supracondylar humeral fractures and a suggested clinical approach to leave the emergency physician better equipped to assess and manage these fractures.
Expansion of the alveolar bone crest in two stages: two clinical cases
Authors: Cano J. , Campo J. , Ewers R.
Published: September 2010

Alveolar crest expansion is a surgical approach used to remedy width defects and represents a predictable alternative procedure to guided tissue regeneration and autologous onlay grafts. Clinical and experimental results underscore the benefits of non‐mechanical implant bed preparation in bones with very low density. We report two clinical cases in which crest expansion was conducted in two stages: corticotomies in alveolar crest and then, after a 28‐day interval, crest expansion and implant placement, permitting revascularisation of the buccal cortical bone.
Phylogeographic inferences from chloroplast DNA: quantifying the effects of mutations in repetitive and non‐repetitive sequences
Authors: VACHON NICOLE , FREELAND JOANNA R.
Published: September 2010

Phylogeographic inference can be a powerful tool in reconstructing species’ evolutionary histories; however, although inferred phylogeographic patterns should depend in part on the underlying types and rates of mutations, the effects of different types of mutations have seldom been quantified. In this study we identified two chloroplast minisatellites in the common reed Phragmites australis, and showed that these are more variable than chloroplast microsatellites. We then recreated parsimony networks of the global phylogeography of P. australis based on data that either included or excluded repetitive sequences (minisatellites and microsatellites), thereby illustrating the influence that these repetitive sequences can have on large‐scale phylogeographic inference. The resulting networks differed in the numbers of mutational steps, degrees of uncertainty, and total numbers of haplotypes. In addition, the suggested ancestor‐descendant relationships among lineages changed substantially depending on whether repetitive sequences were included. We therefore caution against the inclusion of repetitive sequences in large‐scale networks because of their high potential for homoplasy. Nevertheless, we advocate the inclusion of repetitive sequences in other analyses: specifically, we show that the ratio of mutations in repetitive vs. non‐repetitive regions can provide insight into the relative ages of lineages.
The Multiplicity of Action of Cannabinoids: Implications for Treating Neurodegeneration
Authors: Gowran Aoife , Noonan Janis , Campbell Veronica A.
Published: September 2010

The cannabinoid (CB) system is widespread in the central nervous system and is crucial for controlling a range of neurophysiological processes such as pain, appetite, and cognition. The endogenous CB molecules, anandamide, and 2‐arachidonoyl glycerol, interact with the G‐protein coupled CB receptors, CB1and CB2. These receptors are also targets for the phytocannabinoids isolated from the cannabis plant and synthetic CB receptor ligands. The CB system is emerging as a key regulator of neuronal cell fate and is capable of conferring neuroprotection by the direct engagement of prosurvival pathways and the control of neurogenesis. Many neurological conditions feature a neurodegenerative component that is associated with excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation, and certain CB molecules have been demonstrated to inhibit these events to halt the progression of neurodegeneration. Such properties are attractive in the development of new strategies to treat neurodegenerative conditions of diverse etiology, such as Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, and cerebral ischemia. This article will discuss the experimental and clinical evidence supporting a potential role for CB‐based therapies in the treatment of certain neurological diseases that feature a neurodegenerative component.
Instrumentation in single‐access laparoscopic surgery
Authors: Mori T , Aoki H , Sugiyama M , Atomi Y
Published: September 2010

Single‐access laparoscopic surgery is gaining wide acceptance from surgeons. Multiple instruments and the scope are inserted in a restricted area, specifically a small incision. However, the ports, instrument handles, light guide, and camera head tend to clash outside the abdomen. The rule of triangular formation is violated, causing problems that do not occur in standard laparoscopic surgery. To cope with these issues, progress has been made in the design of scopes, instruments and access devices. The aim of this article is to provide an overview of these new methods and tools, so that single‐access laparoscopic surgery becomes safer for patients and less demanding for surgeons.
NONLINEAR OPTIMAL CONTROL: A CONTROL LYAPUNOV FUNCTION AND RECEDING HORIZON PERSPECTIVE
Authors: Primbs James A. , Nevistić Vesna , Doyle John C.
Published: September 2010

Two well known approaches to nonlinear control involve the use of control Lyapunov functions (CLFs) and receding horizon control (RHC), also known as model predictive control (MPC). The on‐line Euler‐Lagrange computation of receding horizon control is naturally viewed in terms of optimal control, whereas researchers in CLF methods have emphasized such notions as inverse optimality. We focus on a CLF variation of Sontag's formula, which also results from a special choice of parameters in the so‐called pointwise minnorm formulation. Viewed this way, CLF methods have direct connections with the Hamilton‐Jacobi‐Bellman formulation of optimal control. A single example is used to illustrate the various limitations of each approach. Finally, we contrast the CLF and receding horizon points of view, arguing that their strengths are complementary and suggestive of new ideas and opportunities for control design. The presentation is tutorial, emphasizing concepts and connections over details and technicalities.
CONTROL SYSTEM DESIGN CONSIDERING A TRADEOFF BETWEEN EVALUATED UNCERTAINTY RANGES AND CONTROL PERFORMANCE
Authors: Wakasa Y. , Yamamoto Y.
Published: September 2010

This paper presents a design method of control systems such that a designer can flexibly take account of tradeoffs between evaluated uncertainty ranges and the level of control performance. The problem is reduced to a BMI problem and approximately solved by LMIs. The convergence of the proposed approximation is proved in a modified sense. A numerical example shows the effectiveness of the proposed method in comparison with the standard robust control.
MODELING OF A THREE‐PHASE STEP UP/DOWN AC/DC CONVERTER
Authors: Chen Jeng‐Yue , Pan Ching‐Tsai , Huang Yi‐Shuo
Published: September 2010

In this paper, analytic duty cycle control laws for a three‐phase step up/down converter containing seven active switches are first derived to achieve a clean sinusoidal input current, adjustable power factor, bidirectional power flow capability and clean output DC voltage. Then a DC model and a small signal model are derived by means of coordinate transformation, perturbation and linearization. Finally, some simulation results are also presented to verify the validity of the theoretical results.
ADAPTIVE CONTROL AND SYNCHRONIZATION OF CHUA'S CIRCUITS
Authors: Liao Teh‐Lu , Lin Sheng‐Hung
Published: September 2010

In this work, we address the adaptive control and synchronization problems of Chua's circuits with unknown system parameters. Adaptive controllers with single state feedback are derived such that the trajectory of the Chua's circuit is globally stabilized to an equilibrium point of the uncontrolled system. In addition, the proposed adaptive control schemes are then applied to achieve state synchronization of two identical Chua's circuits. Furthermore, based on the Lyapunov approach, the closed‐loop systems are proved to be globally exponentially or asymptotically stable. Numerical results and Pspice simulations demonstrate the proposed control scheme's effectiveness.
ON THE CONTROLLER SYNTHESIS FOR LINEAR HYBRID SYSTEMS
Authors: De la Sen M.
Published: September 2010

This paper deals with the control of a class of perfectly modelled linear hybrid systems which consist of two, in general coupled, subsystems one being continuous‐time while the second one is digital. Both subsystems are driven by continuous time and sampled values of a control input. The description of the overall system is given through an extended hybrid system, which is purely discrete at sampling instants, which has two, in general, coupled continuous‐time and discrete‐time substates. The discrete‐time substate is jointly defined by the digital substate and the samples of the continuous substate while being driven by the sampled input. The control objective has a double nature and it consists of the achievement of separate continuous‐time and discrete‐time model‐matching objectives with respect to two predefined stable reference models. It is achieved by synthesizing a dynamic hybrid controller consisting of a continuous subcontroller and a discrete one. Each of those controllers has its own control objective, namely, the achievement of closed‐loop model‐following of a prescribed continuous‐time or sampled‐time reference model. The discrete reference dynamics could potentially be run at slow sampling periods and used for periodic re‐adjustment of the continuous one in terms of variations of high‐frequency gains, set points or inputs to the continuous reference model.
INDIRECT ADAPTIVE CONTROL FOR NONLINEAR SYSTEMS WITH SYSTEM PERTURBATION
Authors: Chang Kuo‐Ming
Published: September 2010

This paper presents an indirect adaptive control scheme for a class of input‐output linearizable nonlinear systems subjected to system perturbations. System parameters are unknown and estimated recursively by a parameter estimator to obtain approximate system output and output derivatives, and then to derive an adaptive control law. In the parameter estimator, a dead‐zone approach is used to avoid the parameter drift problem. A positive switching gain is also set to decrease the dead‐zone value to obtain better output tracking performance. Under some assumptions, the indirect adaptive control scheme is proved to be stable.
DUAL STROKE AND PHASE CONTROL AND SYSTEM IDENTIFICATION OF LINEAR COMPRESSOR OF A SPLIT‐STIRLING CRYOCOOLER
Authors: Yang Yee‐Pien , Chen Wei‐Ting
Published: September 2010

A new dual control scheme is proposed for stroke and phase compensation for the displacement of a linear compressor in a split‐Stirling cryocooler. This dual controller has two connected stroke and phase control loops, whose dynamic models are identified experimentally. These loops individually provide corrections which enable the stroke and phase of the compressor displacement to follow a sinusoidal command. Experimental results show that the dual stroke and phase control system is robust to parameter changes and external disturbances.