bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biomechanical and Morphological Differences between the Sclera Canal Ring and a Peripheral Sclera Ring in the Porcine Eye
Authors: Terai Naim , Schlötzer-Schrehardt Ursula , Spoerl Eberhard , Hornykewycz Karin , Haentzschel Janek , Haustein Michael , Pillunat Lutz E.
Published: June 2011

Aim: To investigate a possible association between the biomechanical load and unload behaviour and the elastin content of the sclera canal ring (SCR) and a superiorly localized sclera ring (SPS) in the porcine eye. Methods: Two sclera rings were trephined from each of 40 porcine eyes, one containing the SCR and the other an SPS. The load and the unload curves were measured in the extension range of 0–2.0 mm by a biomaterial tester. Hysteresis was determined from the area enclosed by the loading and unloading curve. Histochemical staining with resorcin-fuchsin and morphometric analysis of paraffin-embedded sections of both rings were performed to detect the area occupied by elastin fibres. Results: At 1 mm extension, the mean load of the SCR was 0.89 ± 0.22 N and that of the SPS 1.13 ± 0.19 N, which was not significantly different between both rings (p > 0.05). Mean hysteresis in the SCR was 1.55 ± 0.30 N × mm and 1.90 ± 0.18 N × mm in the SPS, which was significantly different between both rings (p = 0.01). Mean sclera thickness was 986 µm in the SCR (range: 900–1,060 µm) and 971 µm in the SPS (range: 800–1,200 µm) without a statistically significant difference between both sclera rings (p = 0.78). The area occupied by elastin fibres was 15.5 ± 3.4% in the SCR and 4.5 ± 1.5% in the SPS, which was significantly different between both rings (p = 0.0001). Conclusion: Hysteresis in the SCR was significantly lower than in the SPS, indicating a higher elasticity of the SCR in the porcine eye. This effect could be explained by a higher content of elastin in the surrounding ring of the peripapillary optic nerve head providing reversible contraction in cases of intra-ocular pressure variations.
Venous thromboembolism in pregnant and puerperal women in Denmark 1995–2005
Authors: Virkus Rie Adser , Løkkegaard Ellen Christine Leth , Bergholt Thomas , Mogensen Ulla , Langhoff-Roos Jens , Lidegaard øjvind
Published: June 2011

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is the leading cause of maternal death in the Western world, and the risk increases during pregnancy and puerperal period. It was the objective of the present study to estimate the absolute and the relative risk of VTE at different weeks of gestation and in the postnatal period as compared to non-pregnant women. This was a historical controlled national cohort study. The National Registry of Patients identified relevant diagnoses. These data were linked to The National Registry of Medical Products Statistics for information about current use of oral contraceptives. Danish women 15 to 49 years old during the period January 1995 through December 2005 were included in the study. In total 819,751 pregnant women were identified of whom 727 had a diagnosis of VTE. The absolute risk of VTE per 10,000 pregnancy-years increased from 4.1 (95% CI, 3.2 to 5.2) during week 1–11 up to 59.0 (95% CI: 46.1 to 76.4) in week 40 and decreased in the puerperal period from 60.0 (95% CI:47.2–76.4) during the first week after birth to 2.1 (95% CI:1.1 to 4.2) during week 9–12 after birth. Compared with non-pregnant women, the incidence rate ratio rose from 1.5 (95% CI:1.1 to1.9) in week 1–11, to 21.0 (95%CI16.7 to 27.4) in week 40 and 21.5 (95% CI:16.8 to 27.6) in the first week after delivery, declining to 3.8 (95% CI:2.5 to 5.8) 5–6 weeks after delivery. In conclusion, the risk of VTE increases almost exponentially through pregnancy and reaches maximum just after delivery and is no longer significantly increased six weeks after delivery.
Changes in Left Main Bifurcation Geometry After a Single-Stent Crossover Technique
Authors: Kang Soo-Jin , Mintz Gary S. , Kim Won-Jang , Lee Jong-Young , Oh Jun-Hyok , Park Duk-Woo , Lee Seung-Whan , Kim Young-Hak , Lee Cheol Whan , Park Seong-Wook , Park Seung-Jung
Published: June 2011

Background—

We assessed geometric changes responsible for acute lumen loss at the left circumflex coronary artery (LCX) ostium after crossover stenting from the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) to the left main artery.

Methods and Results—

Twenty-three left main artery bifurcation lesions with a preprocedural angiographic diameter stenosis <50% at the LCX ostium were evaluated using prestenting and poststenting intravascular ultrasound pullbacks from both the LAD and the LCX. At the minimal lumen area (MLA) sites within the LCX ostium and at the LCX carina, the lumen, stent, plaque+media (P+M), and external elastic membrane (EEM) areas were measured; the EEM eccentricity was calculated at the LCX carina. The change in MLA within the LCX ostium (ΔL), the change in EEM area at the MLA site (ΔV), and the change in P+M area at the MLA site (ΔP) were calculated. The MLA within the LCX ostium significantly decreased from 5.4 mm
2
(first and third quartiles, 4.3 mm
2
, 7.2 mm
2
) prestenting to 4.0 mm
2
(3.0 mm
2
, 4.8 mm
2
) poststenting (
P
<0.001). The percent change in MLA within the LCX ostium correlated with changes in EEM eccentricity (
r
=−0.414,
P
=0.049) and percent change in EEM area at the MLA site (
r
=0.626,
P
=0.001). A smaller distal carina angle between the LAD and the LCX before stenting was associated with a greater percent reduction in lumen (
r
=0.472,
P
=0.023) and EEM (
r
=0.402,
P
=0.048) after stenting. In 18 lesions with >10% reduction of MLA within the LCX ostium despite the lack of direct relationship between ΔL and ΔP at the MLA site, ΔP closely correlated with the ratio of ΔV to ΔL (
r
=−0.953,
P
<0.001), suggesting that an increase in plaque at the LCX ostium contributed to the MLA loss relative to the decrease in EEM area.

Conclusions—

Lumen loss at the LCX ostium frequently occurred after crossover stenting from the distal LM to the LAD. The main mechanism was carina shift that was associated with a narrow angle between the LAD and LCX.
Temporal Trends in Cardiogenic Shock Treatment and Outcomes Among Ontario Patients With Myocardial Infarction Between 1992 and 2008
Authors: Abdel-Qadir Husam M. , Ivanov Joan , Austin Peter C. , Tu Jack V. , Džavík Vladimír
Published: June 2011

Background—

Clinical trials have demonstrated that emergent revascularization improves survival of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) complicated by cardiogenic shock (CS). However, rates of uptake and impact on outcomes remain uncertain.

Methods and Results—

We identified 9750 patients (3.1%) with CS among 311 183 AMI patients in the Ontario Myocardial Infarction Database between 1992 and 2008 (55.8% men; mean age, 73 years). CS incidence, mortality, revascularization, and transfers from nonrevascularization sites were studied over 3 periods: period 1, before the 1999 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association AMI guidelines recommending urgent revascularization for patients <75 years; period 2 (1999 to 2004); and period 3, after 2004 guideline revisions suggesting revascularization for patients ≥75 years. Compared with period 1, period 3 was marked by significantly lower CS incidence (3.4% versus 2.6%), increase in transfers from nonrevascularization sites (10.6% versus 23.9%), and adjusted 1-year mortality rates (81.9% versus 71.5%; all comparisons statistically significant). Admission to nonrevascularization sites was associated with lower revascularization rates (8.6% versus 46.6%,
P
<0.001) and higher adjusted 1-year mortality rates (78.8% [95% confidence interval, 77.4 to 80.2] versus 71.9% [95% confidence interval, 69.8 to 74.1]). Patients ≥75 years of age were less likely to be revascularized or transferred. The greatest increase in transfers from nonrevascularization sites occurred between periods 1 and 2 for patients <75 years (16.5% to 31.4%;
P
<0.001) and between periods 2 and 3 for patients ≥75 years (6.7% to 12.8%;
P
<0.001).

Conclusions—

Publication of American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines was followed by increased revascularization and transfer rates, along with declining mortality rates among Ontario AMI patients with CS. These results highlight possibilities for further improvement, particularly among patients eligible for transfer from nonrevascularization sites.
Mesocirculation Associated with Summer Convection over the Central Antilles
Authors: Jury Mark R. , Chiao Sen
Published: June 2011

The mesoscale structure of the circulation and convection over central Caribbean Antilles islands in midsummer is analyzed. Afternoon thunderstorms are frequent over islands such as Hispaniola and Jamaica as confluent trade winds circulate over heated mountainous topography. Observational data from a rain gauge network, profiles from aircraft and radiosonde, satellite estimates of rainfall, and mesoscale reanalysis fields are studied with a focus on July 2007. A statistical decomposition of 3-hourly high-resolution satellite rainfall reveals an “island mode” with afternoon convection. Trade winds pass over the mountains of Hispaniola and Jamaica with a Froude number <1, leading to a long meandering wake. The Weather Research and Forecasting model is used to simulate climatic conditions during July 2007. The model correctly locates areas of diurnal rainfall that develop because of island heat fluxes, confluent sea breezes, and mountain wakes.
Climatology of a Summer Coastal Boundary Layer with 1290-MHz Wind Profiler Radar and a WRF Simulation
Authors: Levi Yoav , Shilo Elad , Setter Ilan
Published: June 2011

A study of the Israeli summer coastal boundary layer (BL) with a 1290-MHz wind profiler located 3.5 km from the coastline has revealed four main features associated with the sea-breeze onset: 1) by midday the boundary layer height drops by an average value of 250 m, 2) a sea-breeze calm zone (SBCZ) develops near the top of the onshore BL, 3) persistent strong downdrafts, with average values of 0.35 m s−1, invigorate from the BL top downward, and 4) a combination of the SBCZ and strong downdrafts may cause an elevated plume released from 250–300-m-tall coastal stacks to reach the ground only 3.5 km downwind. Results from the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) numerical weather model confirmed the development of a sea-breeze downdraft zone up to 4 km onshore. Such a zone, which was observed as a cloudless strip in satellite images [Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS)], may be a result of persistent large BL eddies that develop to horizontal transverse rolls. Because the WRF-simulated downdraft magnitude is weaker by a factor of more than 5 than the profiler measurements, the magnitude of the downdrafts is inconclusive.
Committee Specialization in U.S. State Legislatures during the 20th Century: Do Legislatures Tap the Talents of Their Members?
Authors: Hamm Keith E. , Hedlund Ronald D. , Post Stephanie Shirley
Published: June 2011

The authors use an informational-theoretical perspective to examine the appointment of legislative committees, using new measures of knowledge and expertise as well as a unique database. While competing theories (distributive and partisan) do not deny that legislative committees are a source of vital knowledge and expertise necessary for legislative policy making, information theory places the wisdom and expertise needs of collective decision making—that is, specialization—on very complex topics by legislative generalists as the raison d'être for a committee system. Thus, the authors investigate one of the fundamental arguments of information theory—that committees are formed to meet the basic knowledge and expertise needs of a legislative body. The findings from U.S. state legislative data indicate that significant member differences regarding prior knowledge and expertise exist by committee jurisdiction, state, and session, reinforcing the applicability of information theory while also suggesting the impact of setting and organizational factors. The authors also explore implications of these findings.
acDCs enhance human antigen–specific T-cell responses
Authors: Martinuzzi Emanuela , Afonso Georgia , Gagnerault Marie-Claude , Naselli Gaetano , Mittag Diana , Combadière Béhazine , Boitard Christian , Chaput Nathalie , Zitvogel Laurence , Harrison Leonard C. , Mallone Roberto
Published: June 2011

Detection of human Ag-specific T cells is limited by sensitivity and blood requirements. As dendritic cells (DCs) can potently stimulate T cells, we hypothesized that their induction in PBMCs in situ could link Ag processing and presentation to Ag-specific T-cell activation. To this end, unfractionated PBMCs (fresh or frozen) or whole blood were incubated for 48 hours with protein or peptide Ag together with different DC-activating agents to rapidly and sequentially induce, pulse, and mature DCs. DC activation was therefore lined up with Ag recognition by neighboring T cells, thus telescoping the sequential steps of T-cell activation. Efficient processing of protein Ags made prior knowledge of epitopes and HLA restrictions dispensable. While reducing stimulation time, manipulation and blood requirements, in situ DC induction specifically amplified Ag-specific T-cell responses (cytokine secretion, proliferation, CD137/CD154 up-regulation, and binding of peptide-HLA multimers). IL-1β, although released by DCs, was also secreted in an Ag-specific fashion, thus providing an indirect biomarker of T-cell responses. These accelerated cocultured DC (acDC) assays offered a sensitive means with which to evaluate T-cell responses to viral and melanoma Ag vaccination, and may therefore find application for immune monitoring in viral, tumor, autoimmune, and transplantation settings.
AF1q/MLLT11 regulates the emergence of human prothymocytes through cooperative interaction with the Notch signaling pathway
Authors: Parcelier Aude , Maharzi Nesrine , Delord Marc , Robledo-Sarmiento Macarena , Nelson Elisabeth , Belakhdar-Mekid Halima , Pla Marika , Kuranda Klaudia , Parietti Veronique , Goodhardt Michele , Legrand Nicolas , Bernstein Irwin D. , Gluckman Jean Claude , Sigaux François , Canque Bruno
Published: June 2011

The mechanisms regulating the emergence of BM prothymocytes remain poorly characterized. Genome-wide transcriptome analyses looking for genes expressed in human prothymocytes led to the identification of AF1q/MLLT11 as a candidate gene conceivably involved in this process. Analysis of AF1q protein subcellular localization and intracellular trafficking showed that despite pronounced karyophily, it was subjected to constitutive nuclear export followed by ubiquitin-mediated degradation in the centrosomal area. Using in vitro assays based on either forced expression or shRNA-mediated silencing of AF1q, we provide evidence that the protein promotes T- over B-cell differentiation in multipotent hematopoietic progenitors. At the molecular level, AF1q confers to multipotent progenitors an increased susceptibility to Delta-like/Notch-mediated signaling. Consistent with these findings, enforced AF1q expression in humanized mice fosters the emergence of BM CD34+CD7+ prothymocytes, enhances subsequent thymus colonization, and accelerates intrathymic T-cell development. In contrast, AF1q silencing provokes a global shift of BM lymphopoiesis toward the B-cell lineage, hinders prothymocyte development, inhibits thymus colonization, and leads to intrathymic accumulation of B cells. Our results indicate that AF1q cooperates with the Notch signaling pathway to foster the emergence of BM prothymocytes and drive subsequent intrathymic specification toward the T-cell lineage.
Reduced-intensity conditioning therapy with busulfan, fludarabine, and antithymocyte globulin for HLA-haploidentical hematopoietic cell transplantation in acute leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome
Authors: Lee Kyoo-Hyung , Lee Je-Hwan , Lee Jung-Hee , Kim Dae-Young , Seol Miee , Lee Young-Shin , Kang Young-Ah , Jeon Mijin , Hwang Hyun-Ju , Jung Ah-Rang , Kim Sung-Han , Yun Sung-Cheol , Shin Ho-Jin
Published: June 2011

Any role for reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) before hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) from a human leukocyte antigen (HLA)–haploidentical donor remains to be defined. We therefore assessed 83 patients (age, 16-70 years): 68 with acute leukemia (including 34 in remission and 34 with refractory disease) and 15 patients with myelodysplastic syndrome, in HCT trials using RIC with busulfan, fludarabine, and antithymocyte globulin. The HLA-haploidentical donors, offspring (n = 38), mothers (n = 24), or siblings (n = 21) of patients, underwent leukapheresis after receiving granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, and donated cells were transplanted without further manipulation. Cyclosporine and methotrexate were given for GVHD prophylaxis. The cumulative incidences of neutrophil engraftment, grade 2 to 4 acute GVHD, chronic GVHD, and transplantation-related mortality after HCT, were 92%, 20%, 34%, and 18%, respectively. After a median follow-up time of 26.6 months (range, 16.8-78.8 months), the event-free and overall survival rates were 56% and 45%, respectively, for patients with acute leukemia in remission; 9% and 9%, respectively, for patients with refractory acute leukemia; and 53% and 53%, respectively, for patients with myelodysplastic syndrome. HCT from an HLA-haploidentical family member resulted in favorable outcomes when RIC containing antithymocyte globulin was performed. This study is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT00521430 and #NCT00732316.
Systems analysis of multiple regulator perturbations allows discovery of virulence factors in Salmonella
Authors: Yoon Hyunjin , Ansong Charles , McDermott Jason E , Gritsenko Marina , Smith Richard D , Heffron Fred , Adkins Joshua N
Published: June 2011

Background

Systemic bacterial infections are highly regulated and complex processes that are orchestrated by numerous virulence factors. Genes that are coordinately controlled by the set of regulators required for systemic infection are potentially required for pathogenicity.

Results

In this study we present a systems biology approach in which sample-matched multi-omic measurements of fourteen virulence-essential regulator mutants were coupled with computational network analysis to efficiently identify Salmonella virulence factors. Immunoblot experiments verified network-predicted virulence factors and a subset was determined to be secreted into the host cytoplasm, suggesting that they are virulence factors directly interacting with host cellular components. Two of these, SrfN and PagK2, were required for full mouse virulence and were shown to be translocated independent of either of the type III secretion systems in Salmonella or the type III injectisome-related flagellar mechanism.

Conclusions

Integrating multi-omic datasets from Salmonella mutants lacking virulence regulators not only identified novel virulence factors but also defined a new class of translocated effectors involved in pathogenesis. The success of this strategy at discovery of known and novel virulence factors suggests that the approach may have applicability for other bacterial pathogens.
Are there any changes in burden and management of communicable diseases in areas affected by Cyclone Nargis?
Authors: Myint Nyan Win , Kaewkungwal Jaranit , Singhasivanon Pratap , Chaisiri Kamron , Panjapiyakul Pornpet , Siriwan Pichit , Mallik Arun K , Nyein Soe Lwin , Mu Thet Thet
Published: June 2011

Background

This study aims to assess the situation of communicable diseases under national surveillance in the Cyclone Nargis-affected areas in Myanmar (Burma) before and after the incident.

Methods

Monthly data during 2007, 2008 and 2009 from the routine reporting system for disease surveillance of the Myanmar Ministry of Health (MMOH) were reviewed and compared with weekly reporting from the Early Warning and Rapid Response (EWAR) system. Data from some UN agencies, NGOs and Tri-Partite Core Group (TCG) periodic reviews were also extracted for comparisons with indicators from Sphere and the Inter-Agency Standing Committee.

Results

Compared to 2007 and 2009, large and atypical increases in diarrheal disease and especially dysentery cases occurred in 2008 following Cyclone Nargis. A seasonal increase in ARI reached levels higher than usual in the months of 2008 post-Nargis. The number of malaria cases post-Nargis also increased, but it was less clear if this reflected normal seasonal patterns or was specifically associated with the disaster event. There was no significant change in the occurrence of other communicable diseases in Nargis-affected areas. Except for a small decrease in mortality for diarrheal diseases and ARI in 2008 in Nargis-affected areas, population-based mortality rates for all other communicable diseases showed no significant change in 2008 in these areas, compared to 2007 and 2009. Tuberculosis control programs reached their targets of 70% case detection and 85% treatment success rates in 2007 and 2008. Vaccination coverage rates for DPT 3rd dose and measles remained at high though measles coverage still did not reach the Sphere target of 95% even by 2009. Sanitary latrine coverage in the Nargis-affected area dropped sharply to 50% in the months of 2008 following the incident but then rose to 72% in 2009.

Conclusion

While the incidence of diarrhea, dysentery and ARI increased post-Nargis in areas affected by the incident, the incidence rate for other diseases and mortality rates did not increase, and normal disease patterns resumed by 2009. This suggests that health services as well as prevention and control measures provided to the Nargis-affected population mitigated what could have been a far more severe health impact.
Interoperabilität auf Feldebene
Authors: John Dirk , Jasperneite Jürgen
Published: June 2011

Die Feldebene ist die dem technischen Prozess am nächsten gelegene Ebene der Automatisierungspyramide. Bedingt durch Fortschritte in der Mikroelektronik und der Informations- und Kommunikationstechnologien werden die vernetzten Feldgeräte immer “intelligenter” und übernehmen zunehmend auch Automatisierungsfunktionen, die bisher anderen Ebenen zugeordnet waren. In dem Beitrag werden die beiden Interoperabilitätsaspekte Kommunikation und Anwendung von Feldgeräten betrachtet.
Diabetic neovascularisation and secondary glaucoma
Authors: Holló Gábor
Published: June 2011

Neovascular glaucoma develops from intraocular neovascularisation in diabetes mellitus. Neovascularisation is a consequence of hypoxia-induced production of vascular endothelial growth factor-A. Neovascular glaucoma is one of the most serious, sight-threatening late complications of diabetes. Several intraocular pressure lowering drugs, surgical and adjunctive laser treatments have been used to treat this disease, but the efficacy of the interventions is limited. The role of vascular endothelial growth factor-A blocking therapy in the treatment of neovascular glaucoma remains to be determined. Development of neovascularisation, however, can be prevented with adequate long-term glycemic and lipid control, effective treatment of arterial hypertension and optimal timing of adequate panretinal photocoagulation, in the majority of the cases. Unfortunately, in clinical practice diabetic neovascular glaucoma is more frequently experienced in Hungary than would be expected based on the variety of available therapeutic possibilities. In order to increase the success of prevention both cooperation of general practitioners, diabetologists, dietitians and ophthalmologists, and compliance of diabetic patients need to be improved. Orv. Hetil., 2011, 152, 1167–1170.
A View of Education Reform from across the Pond
Authors: Sargent Sandie
Published: June 2011

This response to Poole's article (preceding) offers a comparative view of K-12 education in England and Wales, suggesting that the issues there are similar to those in the United States, involving politics and a performative culture that will be hard to change.
Corrosion in RC construction under chloride and hot weather
Authors: Hussain Raja Rizwan , Ishida Tetsuya , Wasim Muhammad
Published: June 2011

The electro-chemical reaction of corrosion in reinforced concrete (RC) under the effect of varying chloride and temperature is influenced by several construction material parameters, some of which have been overlooked in past research studies. Furthermore, there exists a difference of opinion between various researchers and there is limited data for high temperatures up to 60°C and high chloride concentration up to 10% total chlorides. The objective of the present research was to investigate the severe effects of chloride and temperature on the corrosion of RC material by developing realistic construction material models and performing actual field condition experiments. The experiments consisted of 24 specimens using Portland cement concrete mixed with 0·0, 0·025, 0·25, 0·6, 1·0, 1·82, 3·65, 6·0, 8·0 and 10·0% chloride (NaCl: 0–16.5% by mass of cement) and three temperature conditions of 20, 40 and 60°C, respectively. The concrete material durability model ‘DuCOM’ developed by the authors' research group was used as a computational platform on which the corrosion-based RC material performance and technology was examined in both space and time domains. The experimental results were found to be in close agreement with the material model developed in the present study.
Front-end specifications and construction claims
Authors: Hymes Sidney J.
Published: June 2011

A survey of 150 construction professionals in the United States of America documented that commonly encountered front-end specifications (also known as general conditions) lead to construction claims and disputes as frequently as defective drawings, deficient technical specifications and jurisdictional disputes. Claims and disputes from scheduling, co-ordination and scope of work have the greatest potential impact to a project. Although this result was not unexpected, what proved surprising was how these individuals viewed the complexity of those same specifications. Implications and suggestions for utilising the results of this study are provided as well as additional research possibilities.
Design and access statements: north-east England case study
Authors: Paterson Elaine
Published: June 2011

Since August 2006, UK planning regulations require developers to submit a design and access statement with most applications. A design and access statement is intended to assist design decision making in the planning application process by clarifying the design approach of the applicant from the outset. The aim is to facilitate greater common understanding by all concerned by making the process and outcome of decision making more open, rigorous and sustainable. This paper seeks to investigate the background of government intervention in design decision making through planning. It then specifically investigates whether design and access statements are in fact perceived as improving decision making from the local planning authority perspective, as well as the developer perspective, using primary data from north-east England. Comparisons are made with a recent national study by the Planning Advisory Service on design and access statements. This reveals different viewpoints on the extent to which the introduction of design and access statements is helping the design decision making process. Developers are more critical than local planning authorities, but all perceive some value in the process and offer views on potential improvements.
Review of Beyond the Crash: Overcoming the First Crisis of Globalization
Authors: Singh Navin K
Published: June 2011

This is a review of Gordon Brown (2010), Beyond the crash: Overcoming the first crisis of globalization. It presents the author's view towards the global crisis of 2008 and its impact on every nook corner of the world, from the richest to the poorest.
Review of Both Hands Tied: Welfare Reform and the Race to the Bottom of the Low‐Wage Labor Market
Authors: Gunderson Melissa A
Published: June 2011

Melissa A. Gunderson reviews Both Hands Tied: Race to the Bottom of the Low‐Wage Labor Market by Jane L. Collins and Victoria Mayer. The authors examine the results of welfare “reform” through the eyes of thirty‐three women who participated in PRWORA programs in the state of Wisconsin.
Review of Launching the War on Poverty: An Oral History
Authors: Skidmore Max J.
Published: June 2011

An oral history presents special characteristics. These require the author/editor (and any reviewer, as well) to adapt accordingly. There inevitably are many voices: in this instance, the voices of dozens of important officials who were intimately involved in the beginnings of the “war on poverty” and its development. The task is always to avoid a rambling and unfocused discourse. The author must select and secure the cooperation of the most valuable subjects, begin with carefully crafted questions to elicit the most important information and provide continuity, and then blend the voices sufficiently to produce a coherent work. Michael Gillette has succeeded brilliantly. His Launching The War on Poverty is an insightful look into the heart of what was one of the most energetic and broad‐ranging efforts in American history to deal sincerely with poverty.
Assessment of atmospheric distribution of polychlorinated biphenyls and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons using polyparameter model
Authors: Turk-Sekulic Maja , Radonic Jelena , Vojinovic-Miloradov Mirjana , Senk Nevena , Okuka Marija
Published: June 2011

Results of partial or total destruction of industrial plants, military
targets, infrastructure, uncontrolled fires and explosions during the
conflict period from 1991 to 1999, at the area of Western Balkans, were large
amounts of hazardous organic matter that have been generated and emitted in
the environment. In order to assess gas/particle partition of seven EPA
polychlorinated biphenyls and sixteen EPA polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons,
twenty air samples have been collected at six urban, industrial and highly
contaminated localities in Vojvodina. Hi-Vol methodology has been used for
collecting ambiental air samples, that simultaneously collects gaseous and
particulate phase with polyurethane foam filters (PUF) and glass fiber
filters (GFF). PUF and GFF filters have been analyzed, and concentration
levels of gaseous PCBs and PAHs molecules in gaseous and particulate phase
were obtained, converted and expressed through fraction of individual
compounds sorbed onto particulate phase of the sample, in total detected
quantity. Experimentally gained gas/particle partitioning values of PCBs and
PAHs molecules have been compared with PP-LFER model estimated values.
Significant deviation has been noticed during comparative analysis of
estimated polyparameter model values for complete set of seven PCBs
congeners. Much better agreement of experimental and estimated values is for
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, especially for molecules with four rings.
These results are in a good correlation with literature data where
polyparameter model has been used for predicting gas/particle partition of
studied group of organic molecules.
Cervical Ribs Are More Prevalent in Stillborn Fetuses than in Live-Born Infants and Are Strongly Associated with Fetal Aneuploidy
Authors: Furtado Larissa V. , Thaker Harshwardhan M. , Erickson Lance K. , Shirts Brian H. , Opitz John M.
Published: June 2011

This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of cervical ribs in stillborn fetuses undergoing autopsy at our institution and to search for significant associations with cervical ribs. European studies have reported an increased prevalence of cervical ribs in patients with childhood cancer and in stillborn fetuses. We reviewed data from autopsies performed at Primary Children's Medical Center, Utah, between 2006 and 2009 on 225 stillborns (≥20 weeks) and 93 deceased live-born infants (<1 year). Digital fetal radiographs in anterior-posterior and lateral views had been taken of each subject. Chi-square analysis and general linear models were used for statistical analysis of the data. The overall prevalence of cervical ribs was higher in stillborns than in live-borns who died in the first year (43.1% vs 11.8%). Karyotypes were available for 93 (41.3%) of the stillborns. Of those, cervical ribs were present in 33 of 76 (43.4%) stillborns with normal karyotype and in 13 of 17 (76.4%) stillborns with aneuploidy. Females with unavailable karyotypes were more likely to have cervical ribs than those with normal karyotypes ( P = 0.0002). This greater likelihood was not observed in males. Among the stillborns with normal karyotypes, we found no statistically significant association with gender or gestational age at fetal death. There was also no statistically significant association between congenital anomalies and the presence of cervical ribs. Our findings support the hypothesis that cervical ribs are markers for disadvantageous developmental events occurring during blastogenesis and have been subject to strong negative selection during evolution.
A Composite Renal Tumor: Metanephric Adenofibroma, Wilms Tumor, and Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Missing Link?
Authors: Galluzzo Maria Laura , de Davila Maria T. Garcia , Vujanić Gordan M.
Published: June 2011

A coexistence of different renal tumors has rarely been reported. The most commonly described association is of Wilms tumor and renal cell carcinoma. Metanephric adenofibroma has also been associated with Wilms tumor or papillary renal cell carcinoma. Another reported association is metanephric adenoma and papillary renal cell carcinoma with sarcomatoid dedifferentiation. Herein we describe a complex renal tumor containing areas of metanephric adenofibroma, Wilms tumor, and undifferentiated renal cell carcinoma in a previously healthy 18-year-old boy. The tumor showed histologic and immunohistochemical features of these 3 different tumors, offering additional support to the view that these 3 tumors are related.
Literature Search Strategies to Comply with Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee Review Requirements
Authors: Nesdill Daureen , Adams Kristina M.
Published: June 2011

Under the US Animal Welfare Act, principal investigators who propose to use animals in their research must demonstrate that they have considered alternatives to potentially painful or distressful procedures when submitting applications to Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUCs). IACUCs requires that applicants conduct a current literature search to determine if alternatives are available to substitute the proposed animal use and, if the proposed study involves pain or distress, that more humane procedures, as they are described in the literature, be considered. This paper suggests literature search strategies that can be considered for use in order to comply with this IACUC requirement.
Teaching Veterinary Internal Medicine in China
Authors: Li Jiakui , Guo Dingzong , Zhou Donghai , Wu Xiaoxiong
Published: June 2011

Veterinary internal medicine (VIM) is a core subject and important clinical discipline for undergraduate students of veterinary science. The present paper reviews current information about the teaching of VIM, presents a description of the veterinary science curriculum, suggests methods to improve the quality of VIM teaching in China, and describes difficulties, problems, and trends in veterinary education in China.
A Holarctic Biogeographical Analysis of the Collembola (Arthropoda, Hexapoda) Unravels Recent Post-Glacial Colonization Patterns
Authors: Ávila-Jiménez María Luisa , Coulson Stephen James
Published: June 2011

We aimed to describe the main Arctic biogeographical patterns of the Collembola, and analyze historical factors and current climatic regimes determining Arctic collembolan species distribution. Furthermore, we aimed to identify possible dispersal routes, colonization sources and glacial refugia for Arctic collembola. We implemented a Gaussian Mixture Clustering method on species distribution ranges and applied a distance-based parametric bootstrap test on presence-absence collembolan species distribution data. Additionally, multivariate analysis was performed considering species distributions, biodiversity, cluster distribution and environmental factors (temperature and precipitation). No clear relation was found between current climatic regimes and species distribution in the Arctic. Gaussian Mixture Clustering found common elements within Siberian areas, Atlantic areas, the Canadian Arctic, a mid-Siberian cluster and specific Beringian elements, following the same pattern previously described, using a variety of molecular methods, for Arctic plants. Species distribution hence indicate the influence of recent glacial history, as LGM glacial refugia (mid-Siberia, and Beringia) and major dispersal routes to high Arctic island groups can be identified. Endemic species are found in the high Arctic, but no specific biogeographical pattern can be clearly identified as a sign of high Arctic glacial refugia. Ocean currents patterns are suggested as being an important factor shaping the distribution of Arctic Collembola, which is consistent with Antarctic studies in collembolan biogeography. The clear relations between cluster distribution and geographical areas considering their recent glacial history, lack of relationship of species distribution with current climatic regimes, and consistency with previously described Arctic patterns in a series of organisms inferred using a variety of methods, suggest that historical phenomena shaping contemporary collembolan distribution can be inferred through biogeographical analysis.
Absorbable Phenylpropenoyl Sucroses from Polygala tenuifolia
Authors: She Gaimei , Ba Yinying , Liu Yang , Lv Hang , Wang Wei , Shi Renbing
Published: June 2011

Three phenylpropenoyl sucroses – sibiricose A5 (1), A6 (2) and 3′,6-disinapoyl sucrose (3) – were isolated from the 30% EtOH extract of Polygala tenuifolia, which displayed antidepressant-like action. HPLC analysis indicated that the three phenylpropenoyl sucroses could be absorbed into serum. From the serum pharmacochemistry point of view, these three phenylpropenoyl sucroses might prevent or relieve depression.
An Electrochemical Synthesis of Functionalized Arylpyrimidines from 4-Amino-6-Chloropyrimidines and Aryl Halides
Authors: Sengmany Stéphane , Le Gall Erwan , Léonel Eric
Published: June 2011

A range of novel 4-amino-6-arylpyrimidines has been prepared under mild conditions by an electrochemical reductive cross-coupling between 4-amino-6-chloro-pyrimidines and functionalized aryl halides. The process, which employs a sacrificial iron anode in conjunction with a nickel(II) catalyst, allows the formation of coupling products in moderate to high yields.
An Innovations-Based Noise Cancelling Technique on Inverse Kepstrum Whitening Filter and Adaptive FIR Filter in Beamforming Structure
Authors: Jeong Jinsoo
Published: June 2011

This paper presents an acoustic noise cancelling technique using an inverse kepstrum system as an innovations-based whitening application for an adaptive finite impulse response (FIR) filter in beamforming structure. The inverse kepstrum method uses an innovations-whitened form from one acoustic path transfer function between a reference microphone sensor and a noise source so that the rear-end reference signal will then be a whitened sequence to a cascaded adaptive FIR filter in the beamforming structure. By using an inverse kepstrum filter as a whitening filter with the use of a delay filter, the cascaded adaptive FIR filter estimates only the numerator of the polynomial part from the ratio of overall combined transfer functions. The test results have shown that the adaptive FIR filter is more effective in beamforming structure than an adaptive noise cancelling (ANC) structure in terms of signal distortion in the desired signal and noise reduction in noise with nonminimum phase components. In addition, the inverse kepstrum method shows almost the same convergence level in estimate of noise statistics with the use of a smaller amount of adaptive FIR filter weights than the kepstrum method, hence it could provide better computational simplicity in processing. Furthermore, the rear-end inverse kepstrum method in beamforming structure has shown less signal distortion in the desired signal than the front-end kepstrum method and the front-end inverse kepstrum method in beamforming structure.
Ribavirin Priming Improves the Virological Response to Antiviral Treatment in Transplanted Patients with Recurrent Hepatitis C: A Pilot Study
Authors: Merli Manuela , Giannelli Valerio , Gentili Federica , Giusto Michela , Simmaco Maurizio , Lionetto Luana , Corradini Stefano G , Biliotti Elisa , Attili Adolfo F , Rossi Massimo , Taliani Gloria
Published: June 2011

Introduction

Patients with hepatitis C recurrence after liver transplantation represent a clinical challenge. Antiviral treatment in transplant patients has usually poor tolerability and limited efficacy, with a mean sustained virological response (SVR) of 30%. Our pilot study was aimed at evaluating whether 8-week ribavirin pre-treatment could increase either adherence or antiviral effect of a 48-week combination therapy.

Methods

Ribavirin pre-treatment (8 weeks) was started with 600 mg daily and increased to 10.4 mg/ kg/day. After pre-treatment, 1.5 μg/kg/week pegylated interferon-α2b was added for 48 additional weeks of combination therapy. Blood count, liver function tests and plasma HCV-RNA were examined monthly. Ribavirin plasma concentrations were determined by HPLC.

Results

Thirteen patients (mean age 53 ±2 years, 11 males) were treated: eight were HCV genotype 1/4; five were genotype 2/3. The median baseline HCV RNA level was 6.5 log10 (range 5.84–7.42 log10). During ribavirin pre-treatment the median HCV RNA levels decreased significantly (5.7 log10; P=0.023). During combination therapy 6/13 (46%) patients exhibited a rapid virological response (RVR) and 10/13 (77%) patients a complete early virological response, two were non-responders. A decline of 0.5 log10 HCV RNA during pre-treatment predicted RVR. SVR occurred in six patients (46%): four were genotype 2/3. Stable ribavirin dose reduction was required in only two patients (15%) in whom transient interferon reduction was also required.

Conclusion

This proof-of-concept study indicates that ribavirin pre-treatment increased the tolerability of the antiviral treatment, and improved its efficacy in liver transplant patients. Moreover, the degree of HCV RNA decline during pre-treatment allowed one to predict on-treatment response.
La fin de l'aide publique au développement : mort et renaissance d'une politique publique globale
Authors: Severino Jean-Michel , Ray Olivier
Published: June 2011

Résumé Le monde de l’aide internationale au développement fait face à trois révolutions concomitantes, qui concourent à l’émergence d’une politique véritablement mondiale. En premier lieu, cela se caractérise par un élargissement des objectifs qu’on lui demande de mener : aux objectifs traditionnels, qui sont de favoriser la convergence des nations en développement avec les économies industrialisées, se sont progressivement ajoutés ceux de financer l’accès aux services de base pour tous et de protéger les biens publics mondiaux. En second, face à cette nouvelle gamme de défis, le monde de l’aide au développement a montré sa capacité impressionnante à accroître le nombre et la diversité de ses acteurs. Troisièmement, les instruments utilisés se sont eux-mêmes multipliés, dans le sillage des innovations réalisées sur les marchés financiers dominants. Cependant, de façon surprenante, cette triple révolution des objectifs, des acteurs et des instruments n’a pas encore eu d’impact sur les méthodes de mesure des volumes financiers consacrés à cette politique publique mondiale émergente, ni sur les répercussions concrètes qu’elle vise à obtenir. L’article souligne le besoin de passer d’une mesure traditionnelle de l’aide publique au développement à la construction d’indicateurs plus clairs pour ce qui compte finalement : le financement et les résultats du développement mondial du XXI e siècle. Classification JEL : O10
Croissance pro-pauvres dans des pays du Moyen-Orient et de l'Afrique du Nord
Authors: Mokaddem Lamia , Boulila Ghazi
Published: June 2011

Résumé L’article analyse l’impact de la croissance économique sur la pauvreté monétaire de neuf pays de la région du Moyen-Orient et de l’Afrique du Nord (la Tunisie, l’Algérie, le Maroc, l’Égypte, l’Iran, la Turquie, la Jordanie, la Mauritanie et le Yémen) entre 1990-2004. Pour caractériser la nature de la croissance et formuler les politiques et les stratégies appropriées qui permettraient de réduire la pauvreté, nous avons construit pour ces neufs pays les indicateurs de croissance et de politiques pro-pauvres de Kakwani et Pernia (2000) et de Kakwani (1993, 2001). Les résultats empiriques montrent que les estimations ponctuelles de ces indicateurs sont peu précises. Les intervalles de confiance ne permettent pas de se prononcer clairement sur la nature de la croissance, notamment dans le cas du Yémen, du Maroc et de l’Égypte. En outre, l’incertitude sur l’estimation ponctuelle de l’IGTI est grande dans le cas de la Tunisie, de l’Iran et de la Turquie, puisque l’intervalle de confiance à 95 % de l’IGTI est de [2 ; 4.6]. Ce qui rend difficile de recommander à ces pays la politique économique à adopter pour réduire la pauvreté. Classification JEL : D63, O2, C19, C33
Approximation of Holomorphic Solutions of a System of Real Analytic Equations
Authors: Hickel M. , Rond G.
Published: June 2011

We prove the existence of an approximation function for holomorphic solutions of a system of real analytic equations. For this we use ultraproducts andWeierstrass systems introduced by J. Denef and L. Lipshitz. We also prove a version of the Płoski smoothing theorem in this case.
Application of SCIAMACHY and MOPITT CO total column measurements to evaluate model results over biomass burning regions and Eastern China
Authors: Liu C. , Beirle S. , Butler T. , Liu J. , Hoor P. , Jöckel P. , Penning de Vries M. , Pozzer A. , Frankenberg C. , Lawrence M. G. , Lelieveld J. , Platt U. , Wagner T.
Published: June 2011

Abstract. We developed a new CO vertical column density product from near IR observations of the SCIAMACHY instrument onboard ENVISAT. For the correction of a temporally and spatially variable offset of the CO vertical column densities we apply a normalisation procedure based on coincident MOPITT (version 4) observations over the oceans. The resulting normalised SCIAMACHY CO data is well suited for the investigation of the CO distribution over continents, where important emission sources are located. We use only SCIAMACHY observations for effective cloud fractions below 20 %. Since the remaining effects of clouds can still be large (up to 100 %), we applied a cloud correction scheme which explicitly considers the cloud fraction, cloud top height and surface albedo of individual observations. The normalisation procedure using MOPITT data and the cloud correction substantially improve the agreement with independent data sets. We compared our new SCIAMACHY CO data set, and also observations from the MOPITT instrument, to the results from three global atmospheric chemistry models (MATCH, EMAC at low and high resolution, and GEOS-Chem); the focus of this comparison is on regions with strong CO emissions (from biomass burning or anthropogenic sources). The comparison indicates that over most of these regions the seasonal cycle is generally captured well but the simulated CO vertical column densities are systematically smaller than those from the satellite observations, in particular with respect to SCIAMACHY observations. Because SCIAMACHY is more sensitive to the lowest part of the atmosphere compared to MOPITT, this indicates that especially close to the surface the model simulations systematically underestimate the true atmospheric CO concentrations, probably caused by an underestimation of CO emissions by current emission inventories. For some biomass burning regions, however, such as Central Africa in July–August, model results are also found to be higher than the satellite observations.