bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Test of the replicability of Cattell's HSPQ factor structure using item parcels
Authors: Friel John C. , Nesselroade John R.
Published: May 2024

HSPQ responses of 1836 male and female adolescents were grouped to produce 42 marker variables, three for each of the 14 factors contained in the HSPQ. Subjects were divided into two randomly equivalent subsamples of males and two of females. The four data sets were separately factored using a multiple group solution. Resulting factor loading pattern and factor intercorrelation matrices were highly similar among subject groups. The general outcome was interpreted as supporting the factorial structure upon which the HSPQ is based. Implications of these results for current issues in test construction are briefly discussed.
Alignment and identification of factors in the Early School and Preschool Personality Questionnaires
Authors: Cattell Raymond B. , Dreger Ralph Mason
Published: May 2024

Both the Early School Personality Questionnaire and the Preschool Personality Questionnaire were administered to 950 first-grade children, with full protocols for 584 of them, in a "boundry study" designed to compare factors of personality at ages 4-6 and 6-8. Factors derived from Varimax and Promax rotations were subjected to Rotoplot. Nine factors were substantially matched in both age groups. One (B, the intelligence factor) is missing from the PSPQ since no intelligence items per se are included in the PSPQ, another (C, the ego strength factor) does not appear, and two others are only partially matched. Two factors showed up on the PSPQ with no counterparts in the ESPQ. And two appear to be error factors.
Second order factors of the CAQ in a normal population
Authors: Schwartz S.A.
Published: May 2024

The purpose of the study was to determine how pathological and personality source traits would align in data obtained from a normal sample. The Clinical Analysis Questionnaire (CAQ) was administered to 251 undergraduates and the data subjected to an oblique factor analysis. Ten interpretable second order factors were extracted, yielding a moderate relationship with a previous analysis (Cattell, 1973). It was concluded that a relatively different factor structure was necessary for a normal population than was found for the prior mixed normal-pathological sample.
Some differential ability patterns in children and their relationship to environmental and personality dimensions
Authors: Barton Keith
Published: May 2024

First, evidence is presented to show that children with discrepant ability patterns tend to differ consistently on several personality dimensions and in their environmental experiences. Second, a theoretical model, linking ability patterns to personality and environmental variables is suggested based on the empirical evidence. Finally, ways of testing this model are discussed and some possible implications detailed.
A discriminant analysis of perceptions of women in a tenured business role
Authors: Rappaport A. , Hackett D. W.
Published: May 2024

This study explores the effect of long term holding on stereotypes which are believed to block the advancement of women into male dominated work areas. A mail questionnaire survey produced seven-point semantic differential scale data from 60 male and 51 female respondents in Real Estate sales. Stepwise discriminant analysis was applied to perceptions of salesmen by male and female respondents and perceptions of saleswomen by male and female respondents. No significant differences in perceptions of salesmen by both groups were found. When compared with female respondents, male respondents perceived saleswomen as: a) more emotional, b) more apprehensive, c) having weaker sales technique, and d) more reserved.
Relations between diagnostic-demographic variables and thought-disorder symptomatology among process schizophrenics
Authors: Neufeld Richard W. J. , Broga Mary I.
Published: May 2024

The interrelationships between a selection of diagnostic and demographic measures of schizophrenic clinical status and a selection of cognitive-deficit indices were assessed using canonical correlation and redundancy analyses. Two highly significant canonical correlations emerged; however, the redundancy analyses each set of measures relative to the opposite set was only moderate. The structure of the significant canonical correlations was unique relative to past findings inasmuch as cognitive efficiency in the form of semantic abstracting ability was associated with nonparanoid rather than paranoid symptomatology. The result was qualified according to the behaviors of other contributors to this dimension and relevant characteristics of the present sample.
Topological classification in early childhood
Authors: Edelson Allan L. , Sanders Huie Karen
Published: May 2024

Mathematically precise definitions of various topological properties were given. To investigate Piaget's theory that topological relationships are mastered before certain Euclidean ones, 58 subjects of 3 to 7 years old were asked to divide 14 items depicting topological and Euclidean properties into groups of "things they felt were alike." Younger children used significantly stronger topological classification techniques while older ones used significantly stronger Euclidean classification techniques. The suggestion was made that the topological intuition of 3-year-olds may be superseded by strongly reinforced Euclidean notions.
Psychological mood states in children related to performance on a perceptual motor task
Authors: Barton Keith
Published: May 2024

In order to assess the validity properties of Curran's Eight State Questionnaire (8SQ), 7th, 8th and 9th grade students were asked to perform on a perceptual motor task immediately after completing the state battery. Depending how they scored on each of the state scales (anxiety, regression, arousal, fatigue, introversion, stress and depression), the children were divided into High and Low groups. Performance measures consisted of distance completed in the task, number of errors made and an estimate of efficiency (errors per unit distance). In general, evidence of concrete validity for the pencil and paper state measures was found although it did not take the form originally hypothesized. Specifically, it was found that in many cases the High groups made significantly more errors than the Low groups (e.g. High anxiety vs. Low anxiety) but that usually no differences in efficiency were noted.
A factor analysis of community satisfaction variables in a midwestern city
Authors: Bardo John W. , Hughey Joseph
Published: May 2024

Community satisfaction in a midwestern city was examined through factor analysis; an oblique solution with nine factors resulted. Unlike previous research employing the same instruments and analytic techniques, distinctions between physical and social dimensions of community were unclear. However, certain conceptually similar physical and social dimensions of community were obtained in these studies. These data suggest that some dimensions of community satisfaction may be generalizable, while other are more situationally specific. Some implications of these findings, especially for the fields of urban planning and environmental social psychology are also discussed.
Second-order relations between different modalities of personality trait organization
Authors: Gillis John S. , Lee D. C.
Published: May 2024

Tests from what have been termed the temperament and motivation modalities of personality trait organization, the 16 PF and MAT, were given to 151 high school students. The 36 primary scales from these tests were factor analyzed, and the results 16 second-order factors were rotated to a position of maximum simple structure. It was concluded that the results supported the notion of cross-modality factors, particularly with respect to self-sentiment and superego structures.
Psychology of Change
Authors: Awad Sarah , Zittoun Tania
Published: May 2024

This interview is a slightly modified transcript from the second Psyche Talk, hosted at the Department of Communication and Psychology at Aalborg University, February 15, 2024. Psyche Talks are hosted as biannual events, where prominent psychological researchers are invited to discuss fundamental questions about the nature and subject matter of psychology through an interview-based format. The focus of this interview is on how people make sense of change on the personal, social and environmental level and the role of symbolic resources in making meaning of and transitioning through rupturing changes. In this interview, Professor of Sociocultural Psychology, Tania Zittoun, is interviewed by Associate Professor of Sociocultural Psychology, Sarah Awad.
Capsaicin acts as a novel NRF2 agonist to suppress ethanol induced gastric mucosa oxidative damage by directly disrupting the KEAP1-NRF2 interaction
Authors: Gao Xiaoning , Guo WuYan , Liu Peiyuan , Yuwen Mingyue , Liu Zixiang , Tan Ruyang , Liu Kairui , Yang Zhiru , Ba Junli , Bai Xue , Shama Shiti , Tang Cong , Miao Kai , Pei Haozhi , Liu Liren , Zhu Cheng , Wang Tao , Zhang Bo , Kang Jun
Published: May 2024

Excessive drinking poses serious health risks and is closely associated with oxidative damage. The KEAP1-NRF2-ARE axis serves as the primary antioxidant system. However, the existing small molecule inhibitors are all covalently bound to KEAP1, meaning that once bound, they are not easily dissociated, while continuous inhibition of KEAP1 exhibits severe side effects. In this study, BLI, CETSA, Pull-down, Co-IP and HDX-MS assay analysis were conducted to detect the KEAP1 binding behavior of natural product, capsaicin (CAP), both
in vitro
and in GES1 cells. The ethanol-induced acute gastric mucosal damage rat model was also established to determine the therapeutic effect of CAP. We demonstrated that CAP ameliorated mitochondrial damage, facilitated the nuclear translocation of NRF2, thereby promoting the expression of downstream antioxidant response elements, HO-1, Trx, GSS and NQO1 in GES1 cells. Subsequently, CAP could directly bind to KEAP1 and inhibit the interaction between KEAP1 and NRF2. While in the KEAP1-knockout 293T cells, CAP failed to activate NRF2 expression. It was also found that CAP non-covalently bound to Kelch domain and allosterically regulated three regions of KEAP1: L342-L355, D394-G423 and N482-N495. To enhance drug solubility and delivery efficiency, we designed IR-Dye800 modified albumin coated CAP nanoparticle. The nanoparticles significantly alleviated the gastric mucosal inflammation and activated the NRF2 downstream genes
in vivo
. Our work provided new insights that CAP is a safe and novel NRF2 agonist by allosterically regulating KEAP1, which may contribute to the development of lead drugs for oxidative stress-related illness, e.g. aging, cancer, neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases.
An autoregressive integrated moving average and long short-term memory (ARIM-LSTM) hybrid model for multi-source epidemic data prediction
Authors: Wang Benfeng , Shen Yuqi , Yan Xiaoran , Kong Xiangjie
Published: May 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic has far-reaching impacts on the global economy and public health. To prevent the recurrence of pandemic outbreaks, the development of short-term prediction models is of paramount importance. We propose an ARIMA-LSTM (autoregressive integrated moving average and long short-term memory) model for predicting future cases and utilize multi-source data to enhance prediction performance. Firstly, we employ the ARIMA-LSTM model to forecast the developmental trends of multi-source data separately. Subsequently, we introduce a Bayes-Attention mechanism to integrate the prediction outcomes from auxiliary data sources into the case data. Finally, experiments are conducted based on real datasets. The results demonstrate a close correlation between predicted and actual case numbers, with superior prediction performance of this model compared to baseline and other state-of-the-art methods.
Aprendizado de máquina sem matemática e programação: um relato de experiência de uma abordagem utilizando o software Orange Data Mining para alunos de administração
Authors: Goncalves Samuel Pinheiro , Silveira Júnior Landulfo , Silva Filho João Inácio da
Published: May 2024

Este artigo é um relato de experiência no ensino de aprendizado de máquina (AM) com alunos de graduação em Administração de empresas, sem precisarem ter conhecimentos avançados de matemática e algoritmos de programação. Utilizando o software Orange Data Mining, os alunos aprenderam conceitos de AM e aplicaram algoritmos de classificação e regressão para resolver problemas aplicados à sua área de formação. A abordagem centrada no software Orange facilitou a compreensão dos alunos, com sua interface predominantemente visual e bem amigável para experimentação em AM e com facilidade de interpretação de resultados. O relato destaca a eficácia do software Orange como uma ferramenta educacional, promovendo uma compreensão prática dos conceitos de AM contribuindo assim para uma formação mais completa e atualizada dos futuros profissionais de Administração.
Medical Negligence with Special Reference to Act of Commission and Omission: A Narrative Review
Authors: Nagpure Devesh , Asutkar Sheetal , Biswas Shubham , Yadav Yogesh , Wanjari Anita
Published: May 2024

A doctor’s failure to uphold the standards of his profession, causing the death of a patient whom the doctor hoped to save, is known as medical negligence. The most embarrassing act one can commit is medical negligence, which usually results in the patient’s death. Legally, medical negligence is a breach of the duty of care leading to harm. Lack of clinical competence can be interpreted as negligence. Indian courts decide cases of medical negligence based on the Bolam test. According to Black’s Law Dictionary, negligence is defined as “conduct, action, or omission, which may be declared as negligence without any argument or proof as it violates the dictates of common prudence”. The three cardinal elements in negligence are duty of care failure, failure to exercise duty of care (Dereliction), and causation of damage to the patient on account of dereliction. References to medical negligence can be found in classical texts such as Manusmriti, Kotilya Arthashastra, Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, and others. To mitigate medical negligence, various measures can be taken, such as improved communication, strengthening training and education, emphasising quality assurance, and legal reforms. The rapid development of medical science and technology has proven to be a powerful tool for doctors to better diagnose and treat patients, but it has also become a tool to exploit people for profit. Accurate information about negligence and its laws is needed as there is not enough data in this regard. To avoid medical negligence, practitioners should show strict adherence to modern surgical ethics, which also include concepts like the importance of informed consent, doctor-doctor relationship, doctor-patient relationship, doctor-state relationship, doctor-attendant relationship, attendantpatient relationship, and patient autonomy.
Assessment of Njaba River Quality Using Physico-Chemical Parameters
Authors: T.E. Ebe, , R.F. Njoku-Tony, , L.U. Mgbeahuruike, , I.M. Osondu, , D.H Ogbuagu, , C.P. Alozie, , C.G. Ukwuoma , O. Iheme, Patricia
Published: May 2024

The study analyzed the physico-chemical parameters of Njaba River in Imo State, Nigeria. Triplicate water samples were collected in May, 2023 at five sampling points for physico-chemical analysis using standard methods. Mean concentrations of turbidity (15.60±2.86 NTU), TSS (83.48±7.26 mg/L), Pb (0.078±0.030 mg/L), Zn (0.225±0.054 mg/L) and Ni (0.254±0.012 mg/L) exceeded the Federal Ministry of Environment’s maximum permissible limits. Narrow variation was recorded for temperature while wide variations were recorded for turbidity, TS, TSS and Pb. These were a clear indication of human activities such as sand excavation runoff, agricultural runoff as well as effluent discharge from a brewery into the river. The One-Way ANOVA test revealed that mean concentrations of DO, BOD, COD, turbidity, TS, TDS, TSS, NO3-, PO43, Pb, Zn and Ni ions (Sig.values=0.000 each), as well as those of water temperature (Sig.value=0.003) all differed significantly across the sampling locations at p<0.05. Post-hoc Duncan Multiple Range test revealed that the difference in concentrations of BOD, TS, TSS, Zn and Ni occurred mainly between the impacted and control locations. It was observed that the water was slightly polluted giving the high levels of turbidity and total suspended solids, as well as those of heavy metals (Zn and Ni) resulting from discharge of brewery effluent, sand excavation, solid waste dumping and agricultural practices in and around the water body.
New Insights in the Treatment of Sickle Cell Disease in Childhood
Authors: Bittmann Stefan , Luchter Elisabeth , Moschüring-Alieva Elena
Published: May 2024

Sickle cell disease encompasses diseases that are pathophysiologically caused by hemoglobin S. The HbS component of total hemoglobin in SCD is normally over 50%. HbS is based on an amino acid substitution at position 6 of the β-globin chain, where glutamic acid is replaced by valine. This substitution replaces a hydrophilic amino acid with a hydrophobic amino acid at an outward-facing position in the h molecule, explaining the reduced water solubility and altered molecular organization of HbS compared to normal hemoglobin. Diseases caused by HbS include homozygous SCD, where both alleles are affected by the sickle cell mutation (SCD-S/S), HbSC disease, where one allele is affected by the sickle cell mutation and the other by the HbC mutation (SCD-S/C), and sickle cell β-thalassemia with mixed heterozygosity for the sickle cell mutation and a β-thalassemia mutation (SCD-S/β-thalassemia). In SCD-S/β-thalassemia, forms are distinguished where the β-thalassemia mutation completely inactivates the affected gene (SCD-S/β0-thalassemia) and forms where the allele with the thalassemia mutation still has residual activity (SCD-S/β+-thalassemia). Rarely, the sickle cell mutation can also be combined with other hemoglobin variants (SCD-S/D, SCD-S/OArab, SCD-S/Lepore). The carrier status for the sickle cell mutation generally has no clinical significance except in extreme situations (e.g., eye trauma or surgeries involving cardiopulmonary bypass). Carriers have a normal life expectancy. However, there are individual reports of complications in heterozygous carriers of the sickle cell mutation under common circumstances such as pregnancy, mountain sports, intense physical activity, or air travel. It is also unclear whether the carrier status is associated with an increased rate of kidney complications. Nevertheless, it is not appropriate to indicate specific medical care needs based on these individual case reports given the frequency of carrier status. However, the familial risk of developing SCD should be considered in adult carriers. This manuscript focus on new targets to treat sickle cell anemia in children.
Antibiogram and Molecular Detection of Aflatoxigenic Gene from some Species of Aspergillus in Cereal Grains
Authors: Ihechu S. C. , Akani N. P. , Sampson T.
Published: May 2024

Aflatoxins are potent mycotoxins produced by certain strains of Aspergillus, which pose significant threats to human and animal health due to their carcinogenic and mutagenic properties. The study therefore targeted the antibiogram and molecular detection of aflatoxigenic gene from some species of Aspergillus in Cereal grains. Seventy-two samples of maize, rice, wheat and millet were bought from different vendors in Mile 3, Mile 1 and Rumuokoro Market in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. The molecular characterization and detection of the aflatoxin regulatory gene was achieved using a PCR-based technique. The disc diffusion method was used in determining the antibiogram of the isolates. Data showed that the species were closely related to Aspergillus flavus strain HBF576, Aspergillus flavus strain AS25, Aspergillus niger strain A40, Aspergillus flavus strain 64-A1, Aspergillus flavus, A1S6_8 and Aspergillus flavus strain AKF-10. More so, thirteen (86.7%) of the fungal isolates had the aflatoxin regulatory gene. The antibiogram showed that 100% of A. flavus and A. niger were completely susceptible to nystatin while 95.45% of A. flavus and 100% of A. niger were susceptible to itraconazole. Fluconazole was however, the least potent antifungal agent. The presence of aflatoxin-producing Aspergillus bearing the aflatoxin regulatory gene could be a concern to the public, especially with the documented effect of aflatoxin on human health. The study indicated a high in vitro growth inhibition activity of nystatin, which could therefore serve as a potent antifungal agent in the control and management of infections associated with these fungal isolates in cereal grains.
Effect of Maize (Zea mays) Substitution by Sprouted Off-season Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) on the Growth and Physiological Response of Broiler Chickens (Gallus gallus) in Maroua, Far North, Cameroon
Authors: Narcisse Ledang Tebou , D’Alex Tadondjou Tchingo Cyrille , Roland Ziebe , Lazard Vondou , Armand Abdou Bouba
Published: May 2024

With a view to finding an alternative to maize in the composition of poultry feed, a study was carried out to assess the effect of replacing maize with sprouted off-season sorghum on the growth performance and physiological response of broiler chickens at start-up. To achieve this, 180, one day-old chicks of the "Cobb 500" strain with a live weight of 34±3.26 g were randomly divided into 09 batches corresponding to 03 treatments with 3 replicates of 20 subjects. The batches were fed one of 03 rations : 100 % maize (R0), 50 % maize and 50 % sprouted off-season sorghum (R1) and 100 % sprouted off-season sorghum (R2). Every week, feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion ratio were evaluated. At 21 and 42 days of age, carcass characteristics and some haematological and biochemical parameters were assessed. Results showed that feed intake, feed conversion ratio and carcass yield were not significantly affected by the substitution of 50% and 100 % corn by sprouted off-season sorghum. Average daily gain was significantly affected by the substitution of 50 % maize by sprouted off-season sorghum. However, compared with the control ration (100 % maize), the ration containing 100 % germinated off-season sorghum significantly increased the relative weights of the pancreas and proventriculus. Serum levels of transaminase, glucose, total protein, albumin and globulin were not statistically modified when 50 % and 100 % corn were replaced by germinated off-season sorghum. Analysis of haematological parameters showed that the ration containing 50 % maize and 50 % germinated off-season sorghum significantly reduced (p<0.05) red blood cell concentration and significantly increased (p<0.01) mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin content (MCHC). It can therefore be concluded that corn can be 100 % substituted by sprouted off-season sorghum, without any deterioration in broiler growth performance.
Mitigating Fruit Cracking and Premature Dropping in Bael (Aegle marmelos) cv. NB-9 under Subtropical Conditions: Evaluating the Effects of Bio-formulations and Boric Acid
Authors: Jain Shubham , Pratap Bhanu , Sonkar Abhishek , Hassanzai Rahmat Gul
Published: May 2024

The present investigation entitled “Mitigating Fruit Cracking and Premature Dropping in Bael (Aegle marmelos) cv. NB-9 under Subtropical Conditions: Evaluating the Effects of Bio-formulations and Boric Acid” was carried out during the year 2022-2023 at Main Experimental Station, Department of Fruit Science, College of Horticulture & Forestry, A.N.D.U.A.&T., Narendra Nagar (Kumarganj), Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, India (Lat 26.540849° Long 81.830421°). Application of various bio-formulations and boric acid with eco-friendly materials to study the various vegetative properties, cracking, fruit drop and effect on the vegetative growth of fruit. The experiment was laid down in randomized block design (RBD) with (12) treatments and (03) replications. The experiment consists of 12 treatments including control, T1 (Control), T2 (FYM 50 Kg), T3 (FYM 100 Kg), T4 (Boric acid 200g), T5 (Boric acid 400g), T6 (Biofertilizer 250g/plant [100g Azotobacter + 100g Biovita + 50g PSB]), T7 (FYM 50Kg + Boric acid 200g), T8 (FYM 50Kg + Boric acid 400g), T9 (FYM 50Kg +Biofertilizer 250g/plant [100g Azotobacter + 100g Biovita + 50g PSB]), T10 (FYM 100Kg + Boric acid 200g), T11 (FYM 100 Kg + Boric acid 400g) and T12 (FYM 100Kg +Biofertilizer 250g/plant [100g Azotobacter + 100g Biovita + 50g PSB]) was used for this study. The results revealed that treatment T7 outperformed the rest with minimum fruit cracking (1.53%), fruit drop (76.20%), the maximum number of flowers per plant (171.19), day-to-flowering (31.38) and yield (181.69 q/ha) was most effective in a vegetative quality and yield point of view. Thus, the treatment combination T7 is therefore recommended for application to Bael trees in subtropical conditions to obtain high yields with better quality fruits.
Role of Nutritional Factors, Mitochondrial Dysfunction, Altered Body Composition and Various Biological Factors in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Authors: Chianeh Yousef Rezaei , Mehrabani Ali Mansouri , Kharazi Alireza Akhavan , Ghaffari Mahsa , Asgari Faride
Published: May 2024

Fatigue is a prevalent complaint among individuals, characterized by a decline in energy levels, mental and physical fatigue, reduced stamina, and longer recovery time following exertion. While the root cause of tiredness remains unclear, it is typically associated with illness. Although tiredness is not exclusively linked to a particular condition, mitochondrial malfunction is a common contributor to exhaustion, indicating that mitochondrial dysfunction may be a biological factor that causes fatigue. Additionally, factors such as mitochondrial energy metabolism, immunological response, and genetics can also play a role. However, the absence of a standard methodology for assessing fatigue and a limited understanding of its pathophysiology pose challenges for diagnosing fatigue in clinical settings but a detailed studies suggests a number of marginal nutritional deficiencies may have etiologic relevance. Throughout life, significant changes in body composition occur, with the most notable being a decrease in lean body mass and an increase in body fat as we age. These changes have a profound impact on the development of frailty in older adults. Frailty is a complex condition that reduces patient’s homoeostatic reserves, making them more susceptible to shocks.
In this review, we present an overview on the mechanisms that may mediate fatigue levels, with a special focus on nutritional and vitamin supplement.
Examining the Radiological Health Risks Associated with Water Sourced from the Ogwashi-Uku Earth Dam in Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State, Nigeria
Authors: Okeoghene Ijabor Blessing , Onyema Nwabuoku Augustine , Charles Oduah Emeka , Favour Oduje
Published: May 2024

Given the increased human activities and population growth in Ogwashi-Uku, there is a possibility of potential contamination of the water in the dam with elevated levels of alpha and beta radiation. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the radiological health risks associated with water obtained from the Ogwashi-Uku Earth dam by analyzing the concentrations of gross alpha and gross beta activity in the water. The results indicate that the measured activity concentrations of gross alpha and gross beta in the water samples are below the permissible limits of 0.1 Bq/l and 1.0 Bq/l respectively. Additionally, the average annual effective dose equivalent calculated for all the water samples is lower than the recommended dose limit of 0.1 mSv for radionuclides in water. These findings suggest that the assessed life cancer risk associated with the water consumption is low, indicating that the water from the Ogwashi-Uku Earth dam is safe for consumption.
Artificial Intelligence: Fuzzy Reasoning
Authors: López de MÁntaras Ramon
Published: October 2009

The Notion of Fuzzy Set

From Fuzzy Sets to Fuzzy Logic: The Logic of Fuzzy Reasoning
Artificial Intelligence: Genetic Algorithms and Evolutionary Computing
Authors: Whitley Darrell
Published: October 2009

Encodings, Operators and Evaluation

Beyond Simple Genetic Algorithms
Microgravity and Materials Processing
Authors: Santandrea Robert P.
Published: October 2009

Representative Microgravity Experiments
Microscope (Traditional‐Optical)
Authors: Havemann W.G.
Published: October 2009

Optical Microscope

Special Microscopes
Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Iacono R.P.
Published: October 2009

Pathology

Neurochemistry

Epidemiology

Clinical Expression, Symptoms, Course and Prognosis

Treatment

Pathophysiology

Stereotactic Surgical Interventions

Research and Cure
Radiation Thermometry
Authors: Peacock R.
Published: October 2009

Types of Radiation Thermometers
Radio Astronomy
Authors: Shore Steven N.
Published: October 2009

Types of Radio Telescopes

Types of Radio Emission
Retina
Authors:   Vision Rx, Inc.
Published: October 2009

Congenital Disorders of the Retina

Other Retinal Diseases and Disorders
Skin Cancer
Authors: Vickery R.C.
Published: October 2009

Protection from the Sun
Universe (The)
Authors:   NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Published: October 2009

Timeline of the Universe

The Big Bang

Element Formation in Stars

Planetary System Formation

Forming Jupiter‐ and Earth‐like Planets

Chemistry of Life
Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers
Authors:   Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Published: October 2009

Treatment
Viscosity corrections for concentrated suspension in capillary flow with wall slip
Authors: Wang Z. Y. , Lam Y. C. , Chen X. , Joshi S. C.
Published: October 2009

Corrections for viscosity measurements of concentrated suspension with capillary rheometer experiments were investigated. These corrections include end effects, Rabinowitsch effect, and wall slip. The effects of temperature, particle concentration, and contraction ratio on the end effects were studied and their effects were accounted for using an entrance and exit losses model. The non‐Newtonian effect and the nonlinearity of slip velocity against wall shear stress were described using a slip model. The true viscosity of a concentrated suspension with glass powder suspended in a non‐Newtonian binder system was calculated as a function of shear rate and effective particle concentration, taking into consideration particle migration, which is calculated by a diffusive numerical model. Particle size was found to affect significantly the viscosity of the suspension with viscosity decreasing with increasing particle size, which can be reflected by a decrease in the value of the power‐law index in the Krieger model. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2010
Clinical and molecular features of Joubert syndrome and related disorders
Authors: Parisi Melissa A.
Published: October 2009

Joubert syndrome (JBTS; OMIM 213300) is a rare, autosomal recessive disorder characterized by a specific congenital malformation of the hindbrain and a broad spectrum of other phenotypic findings that is now known to be caused by defects in the structure and/or function of the primary cilium. The complex hindbrain malformation that is characteristic of JBTS can be identified on axial magnetic resonance imaging and is known as the molar tooth sign (MTS); other diagnostic criteria include intellectual disability, hypotonia, and often, abnormal respiratory pattern and/or abnormal eye movements. In addition, a broad spectrum of other anomalies characterize Joubert syndrome and related disorders (JSRD), and may include retinal dystrophy, ocular coloboma, oral frenulae and tongue tumors, polydactyly, cystic renal disease (including cystic dysplasia or juvenile nephronophthisis), and congenital hepatic fibrosis. The clinical course can be variable, but most children with this condition survive infancy to reach adulthood. At least eight genes cause JSRD, with some genotype–phenotype correlations emerging, including the association between mutations in the MKS3 gene and hepatic fibrosis characteristic of the JSRD subtype known as COACH syndrome. Several of the causative genes for JSRD are implicated in other ciliary disorders, such as juvenile nephronophthisis and Meckel syndrome, illustrating the close association between these conditions and their overlapping clinical features that reflect a shared etiology involving the primary cilium. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
High‐Oxidation‐State Palladium Catalysis: New Reactivity for Organic Synthesis
Authors: Muñiz Kilian
Published: October 2009

Recent years have seen the rapid development of a new field of palladium catalysis in organic synthesis. This chemistry takes place outside the usually encountered Pd0/PdIIcycles. It is characterized by the presence of strong oxidants, which prevent further palladium(II)‐promoted reactions at a given point of the catalytic cycle by selective metal oxidation. The resulting higher‐oxidation‐state palladium complexes have been used to develop a series of new synthetic transformations that cannnot be realized within conventional palladium catalysis. This type of catalysis by palladium in a higher oxidation state is of significant synthetic potential.
Kinetics of methyl methacrylate grafting polymerization onto flaky aluminum powder
Authors: Liu Hui , Sun Rui , Yi Jianhong , Ye Hongqi , Tang Xinde , Li Youfeng
Published: October 2009

With ammonium persulfate (APS) as the initiator, the kinetics of methyl methacrylate (MMA) grafting polymerization onto flaky aluminum powder (Al) was studied. It was found that the experimental apparent grafting polymerization rate, Rg = KC × C × C, was basically consistent with the theoretical result based on the theory of stable polymerization and equivalent activity, Rg = KC × C × CMMA. The activation energy of grafting, homogenous, and total polymerization rate was calculated as 65.1, 35.4, and 37.5 kJ mol−1, respectively. It could be validated that the relationship among these activation energies accorded with the theoretical result of parallel reactions. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Preparation, characterization, and optical properties of a chitosan–anthraldehyde crosslinkable film
Authors: Kumar Santosh , Nigam Nidhi , Ghosh T. , Dutta P. K. , Yadav R. S. , Pandey A. C.
Published: October 2009

A novel chitosan–anthraldehyde derivative film was prepared by the reaction of 79% deacetylated chitosan with 9‐anthraldehyde with a hydrogel by a solution casting method. The prepared chitosan derivative film was confirmed by ultraviolet–visible absorption spectroscopy of the absorption peak at 266 nm due to the presence of an anthracene ring. The crosslinking reaction showed significant changes in the Fourier transform infrared spectrum of the chitosan derivative film. The characteristic peak of CHN stretching bands at 1610 cm−1 confirmed the formation of a Schiff base after the reaction of chitosan with 9‐anthraldehyde. The film was evaluated by X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy, and second harmonic generation (SHG). The nature of the crystallinity of the chitosan derivative from X‐ray diffraction analysis confirmed that the film may have had nonlinear optical properties. The chitosan derivative showed a redshifted emission maximum because of the electron‐rich polymer main chain. No reabsorption of the second harmonic signal and no resonance enhancements were noticed during the SHG study; this indicated that the chitosan derivative possessed SHG ability. Overall, the chitosan derivative film opens new perspectives for optical material for biomedical applications. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Does rheumatoid arthritis equal diabetes mellitus as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease? A prospective study
Authors: Peters Mike J. L. , van Halm Vokko P. , Voskuyl Alexandre E. , Smulders Yvo M. , Boers Maarten , Lems Willem F. , Visser Marjolein , Stehouwer Coen D. A. , Dekker Jacqueline M. , Nijpels Giel , Heine Rob , Dijkmans Ben A. C. , Nurmohamed Michael T.
Published: October 2009

Objective

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), but longitudinal observations are limited and the precise magnitude is unknown. We prospectively assessed the incidence of CVD in patients with RA compared with patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and the general population.

Methods

The 3‐year incidence rate of CVD was determined in a prospective cohort (the Cardiovascular Research and Rheumatoid Arthritis Study) of 353 outpatients with RA, and was compared with that in 1,852 population‐based cohort study participants (155 had type 2 DM). We investigated fatal and nonfatal CVD (according to International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision criteria) and used Cox proportional hazards models to assess the incidence of CVD in RA, type 2 DM, and the general population.

Results

The 3‐year incidence of CVD was 9.0% in patients with RA and 4.3% in the general population, corresponding with an incidence rate of 3.30 per 100 patient‐years (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 2.08–4.25) and 1.51 per 100 person‐years (95% CI 1.18–1.84), respectively. Compared with the general population, the age‐ and sex‐adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for RA was 1.94 (95% CI 1.24–3.05, P = 0.004). Neither exclusion of patients with prior CVD at baseline nor adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors significantly influenced this. Compared with the nondiabetic population, nondiabetic patients with RA and those with type 2 DM had comparable HRs, 2.16 (95% CI 1.28–3.63, P = 0.004) and 2.04 (95% CI 1.12–3.67, P = 0.019), respectively.

Conclusion

The risk of CVD in RA was significantly elevated compared with the general population, and comparable with the magnitude of risk in type 2 DM.
Classification, presentation, and initial treatment of Wegener's granulomatosis in childhood
Authors: Cabral David A. , Uribe América G. , Benseler Susanne , O'Neil Kathleen M. , Hashkes Philip J. , Higgins Gloria , Zeft Andrew S. , Lovell Daniel J. , Kingsbury Daniel J. , Stevens Anne , McCurdy Deborah , Chira Peter , Abramson Leslie , Arkachaisri Thaschawee , Campillo Sarah , Eberhard Anne , Hersh Aimee O. , Huber Adam M. , Kim Susan , Klein‐Gitelman Marisa , Levy Deborah M. , Li Suzanne C. , Mason Thomas , DeWitt Esi Morgan , Muscal Eyal , Nassi Lorien , Reiff Andreas , Schikler Kenneth , Singer Nora G. , Wahezi Dawn , Woodward Amy
Published: October 2009

Objective

To compare the criteria for Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) with those of the European League Against Rheumatism/Pediatric Rheumatology European Society (EULAR/PRES) in a cohort of children with WG and other antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)–associated vasculitides (AAVs), and to describe the interval to diagnosis, presenting features, and initial treatment for WG.

Methods

Eligible patients had been diagnosed by site rheumatologists (termed the “MD diagnosis”) since 2004. This diagnosis was used as a reference standard for sensitivity and specificity testing of the 2 WG classification criteria. Descriptive analyses were confined to ACR‐classified WG patients.

Results

MD diagnoses of 117 patients (82 of whom were female) were WG (n = 76), microscopic polyangiitis (n = 17), ANCA‐positive pauci‐immune glomerulonephritis (n = 5), Churg‐Strauss syndrome (n = 2), and unclassified vasculitis (n = 17). The sensitivities of the ACR and EULAR/PRES classification criteria for WG among the spectrum of AAVs were 68.4% and 73.6%, respectively, and the specificities were 68.3% and 73.2%, respectively. Two more children were identified as having WG by the EULAR/PRES criteria than by the ACR criteria. For the 65 ACR‐classified WG patients, the median age at diagnosis was 14.2 years (range 4–17 years), and the median interval from symptom onset to diagnosis was 2.7 months (range 0–49 months). The most frequent presenting features by organ system were constitutional (89.2%), pulmonary (80.0%), ear, nose, and throat (80.0%), and renal (75.4%). Fifty‐four patients (83.1%) commenced treatment with the combination of corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide, with widely varying regimens; the remainder received methotrexate alone (n = 1), corticosteroids alone (n = 4), or a combination (n = 6).

Conclusion

The EULAR/PRES criteria minimally improved diagnostic sensitivity and specificity for WG among a narrow spectrum of children with AAVs. Diagnostic delays may result from poor characterization of childhood WG. Initial therapy varied considerably among participating centers.
DNA demethylation at specific CpG sites in the IL1B promoter in response to inflammatory cytokines in human articular chondrocytes
Authors: Hashimoto Ko , Oreffo Richard O. C. , Gibson Marc B. , Goldring Mary B. , Roach Helmtrud I.
Published: October 2009

Objective

To determine whether changes in the DNA methylation status in the promoter region of the gene encoding interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) account for expression of IL1B messenger RNA (mRNA) after long‐term treatment of human articular chondrocytes with inflammatory cytokines.

Methods

IL‐1β, tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) plus oncostatin M (OSM), or 5‐azadeoxycytidine (5‐aza‐dC) was added twice weekly for 4–5 weeks to primary cultures of normal human articular chondrocytes derived from the femoral head cartilage of patients with a fracture of the femoral neck. Expression of MMP13, IL1B, TNFA, and DNMT1 was determined by SYBR Green–based quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) analysis of genomic DNA and total RNA extracted from the same sample before and after culture. Bisulfite modification was used to identify which CpG sites in the IL1B promoter showed differential methylation between IL1B‐expressing and IL1B‐nonexpressing cells. The percentages of cells that were methylated at that critical CpG site (–299 bp) were quantified by a method that depended on methylation‐sensitive restriction enzymes and real‐time RT‐PCR. Secretion of IL‐1β into the culture media was assessed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

Healthy chondrocytes did not express IL1B mRNA, but the levels were increased 5‐fold by treatment with 5‐aza‐dC and were increased 100–1,000‐fold by treatment with TNFα/OSM. The percentage CpG methylation was decreased by 5‐aza‐dC treatment but was reduced considerably more by IL‐1β and was almost abolished by TNFα/OSM. The mRNA was translated into protein in cytokine‐treated chondrocytes.

Conclusion

These novel findings indicate that inflammatory cytokines can change the DNA methylation status at key CpG sites, resulting in long‐term induction of IL1B in human articular chondrocytes.
Macrophage activation syndrome in juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus: A multinational multicenter study of thirty‐eight patients
Authors: Parodi Alessandro , Davì Sergio , Pringe Alejandra Beatriz , Pistorio Angela , Ruperto Nicolino , Magni‐Manzoni Silvia , Miettunen Paivi , Bader‐Meunier Brigitte , Espada Graciela , Sterba Gary , Ozen Seza , Wright Dowain , Magalhães Claudia Saad , Khubchandani Raju , Michels Hartmut , Woo Patricia , Iglesias Antonio , Guseinova Dinara , Bracaglia Claudia , Hayward Kristen , Wouters Carine , Grom Alexei , Vivarelli Marina , Fischer Alberto , Breda Luciana , Martini Alberto , Ravelli Angelo
Published: October 2009

Objective

To describe the clinical and laboratory features of macrophage activation syndrome as a complication of juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods

Cases of juvenile SLE–associated macrophage activation syndrome were provided by investigators belonging to 3 pediatric rheumatology networks or were found in the literature. Patients who had evidence of macrophage hemophagocytosis on bone marrow aspiration were considered to have definite macrophage activation syndrome, and those who did not have such evidence were considered to have probable macrophage activation syndrome. Clinical and laboratory findings in patients with macrophage activation syndrome were contrasted with those of 2 control groups composed of patients with active juvenile SLE without macrophage activation syndrome. The ability of each feature to discriminate macrophage activation syndrome from active disease was evaluated by calculating sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve.

Results

The study included 38 patients (20 with definite macrophage activation syndrome and 18 with probable macrophage activation syndrome). Patients with definite and probable macrophage activation syndrome were comparable with regard to all clinical and laboratory features of the syndrome, except for a greater frequency of lymphadenopathy, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia in patients with definite macrophage activation syndrome. Overall, clinical features had better specificity than sensitivity, except for fever, which was highly sensitive but had low specificity. Among laboratory features, the best sensitivity and specificity was achieved using hyperferritinemia, followed by increased levels of lactate dehydrogenase, hypertriglyceridemia, and hypofibrinogenemia. Based on the results of statistical analysis, preliminary diagnostic guidelines for macrophage activation syndrome in juvenile SLE were developed.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that the occurrence of unexplained fever and cytopenia, when associated with hyperferritinemia, in a patient with juvenile SLE should raise the suspicion of macrophage activation syndrome. We propose preliminary guidelines for this syndrome in juvenile SLE to facilitate timely diagnosis and correct classification of patients.
Integrated cardiac and vascular assessment in Takayasu arteritis by cardiovascular magnetic resonance
Authors: Keenan Niall G. , Mason Justin C. , Maceira Alicia , Assomull Ravi , O'Hanlon Rory , Chan Cheuk , Roughton Michael , Andrews Jacqueline , Gatehouse Peter D. , Firmin David N. , Pennell Dudley J.
Published: October 2009

Objective

This study was undertaken to evaluate the value of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) in the assessment of patients with Takayasu arteritis (TA).

Methods

Sixteen patients with TA and 2 populations comprising 110 normal volunteers were prospectively recruited. All patients with TA underwent a CMR protocol including measurement of carotid artery wall volume, assessment of left ventricular (LV) volumes and function, and late gadolinium enhancement for the detection of myocardial scarring.

Results

Carotid artery wall volume, total vessel volume, and the wall:outer wall ratio were elevated in TA patients compared with controls (wall volume 1,045 mm3 in TA patients versus 640 mm3 in controls, P < 0.001; total vessel volume 2,268 mm3 in TA patients versus 2,037 mm3 in controls, P < 0.05; wall:outer wall ratio 48% in TA patients versus 32% in controls, P < 0.001). The lumen volume was reduced in TA (1,224 mm3 versus 1,398 mm3 in controls, P < 0.05). In TA, LV function was more dynamic, with reduced end‐systolic volume (mean ± 95% confidence interval ejection fraction 74 ± 3% versus 67 ± 1% in controls, P < 0.001; LV end‐systolic volume 19 ± 4 ml/m2 versus 25 ± 1 ml/m2 in controls, P < 0.001). Myocardial late gadolinium enhancement was present in 4 (27%) of 15 patients, indicating previously unrecognized myocardial damage.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that an integrated method of cardiovascular assessment by CMR in TA not only provides good delineation of vessel wall thickening, but has also demonstrated dynamic ventricular function, myocardial scarring, and silent myocardial infarction. CMR has benefits compared with other approaches for the assessment and followup of patients with TA, and has potential to identify patients most at risk of complications, allowing early preventative therapy.