bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Role of Physical Context, Verbal Skills, Non‐parental Care, Social Support, and Type of Parental Discipline in the Development of ToM Capacity in Five‐Year‐Old Children
Authors: Galende Nuria , de Miguel Manuel Sánchez , Arranz Enrique
Published: September 2011

The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of family context on the performance of 5‐year‐old children (N = 70) in theory of mind (ToM) tasks. The children's performances were assessed during individual sessions held at school. Children's verbal skills were assessed using the Peabody picture vocabulary test (PPVT). Interviews were also conducted with parents in the family home in order to gather sociodemographic data and to assess diverse variables of the family context. In addition to confirming the important role played by children's verbal skills in ToM, the results also supported a potential influence of family context in ToM development through variables, such as quality of non‐parental care or level of social contact and support. The educational implications of these results are discussed in relation to family intervention.
Electrophysiological correlates of decision‐making in high‐risk versus low‐risk conditions of a gambling game
Authors: Yang Juan , Zhang Qinglin
Published: September 2011

The majority of studies investigating risky decision making focus on the high‐conflict condition, and very few consider the low‐conflict condition in which there is either a very high or a very low probability of risk. Even though the high‐risk condition and low‐risk condition are both considered low‐conflict decision scenarios and both behavioral outcomes are highly predictable, these conditions still differ in terms of the probabilities of reward and punishment. In the following study, we investigated both behavioral and electrophysiological correlates associated with high‐ and low‐risk conditions within the low‐conflict scenario, as well as high‐conflict condition, in a modified gambling game. The behavioral results showed that, within the low‐conflict scenario, the participants took more time to make the decision in the high‐risk condition compared to the low‐risk condition. The event‐related potentials (ERP) data showed that, during the decision making, the high‐risk condition evoked a more negative ERP deflection than did the low‐risk condition in the time window of 300–500 ms (N400), which had a frontocentral focus of scalp distribution. The results suggested that the high‐risk condition was associated with a higher conflict between the participants' “motivationally based” tendency to want to receive cards and the task instructions, which stated that the face value of the first two cards will strongly predict a low probability of success. It was further speculated that the N400 in the present study might be associated with anticipation of negative rewards, which was functionally equivalent to the FRN (feedback‐related negativity) to negative outcomes.
Gadolinium and Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis: Have We Overreacted?
Authors: Penfield Jeffrey G. , Reilly Robert F.
Published: September 2011

Imaging is an increasingly important part of clinical medicine and contrast enhancement adds valuable diagnostic information. Prior to 2006 gadolinium based contrast agents (GBCA) were used in patients with kidney disease in an attempt to avoid the adverse consequences of iodinated contrast agents. The amount administered often exceeded the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA)‐recommended dosing. After the association between GBCA and nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) was reported, usage of GBCA was markedly reduced in patients with kidney disease. As a result, iodinated contrast was often used in place of GBCA. Recently, several studies showed that the risk of NSF using GBCA with increased thermodynamic and kinetic stability or increased relaxivity along with a restricted use policy has dramatically reduced NSF risk in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We discuss the risks of GBCA and iodinated contrast use in different stages of CKD and suggest that in some situations GBCA use may pose less overall risk to the patient with advanced kidney disease.
Evaluation of Age‐Related White Matter Changes Using Transcranial Doppler Ultrasonography
Authors: Xiong Yun Yun , Mok Vincent , Wong Adrian , Leung Thomas , Chen Xiang Yan , Chu Winnie C.W. , Soo Yannie , Fu Jian Hui , Ding Ding , Hong Zhen , Wong Ka Sing
Published: September 2011

BACKGROUND

Age‐related white matter changes (WMC) increase risk of cognitive and functional decline. They are considered as target for preventive trials. However, using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to screen for subclinical WMC is not cost‐effective. We explored the clinical utility of transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD) in the evaluation of WMC. We hypothesized that the pulsatility index (PI) of TCD correlates with severity of WMC.

METHODS

Among 100 stroke patients with WMC, we obtained the mean PI of middle cerebral artery (MCA) and vertebral basilar artery (VB). We investigated the association between PI and WMC volume. We also obtained PI of 50 subjects who had no WMC on MRI and explored the ability of PI values in differentiating subjects with and without WMC.

RESULTS

Multivariate linear regressions found that mean MCA PI and mean VB PI were independent predictors for total WMC volume (beta = .43, P < .001 and beta = .37, P < .001, respectively). Mean MCA PI significantly differentiated patients with WMC from those without WMC (area under curve [AUC] .85 [95% confidence interval .78‐.91]) with an optimal cut‐off value at 1.15 that yielded sensitivity and specificity of 73.7% and 82%, respectively. AUC for mean VB PI was .81 (95% confidence interval .74‐.88) with cut‐off value at 1.06 that yielded sensitivity and specificity of 70% and 75%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

PI correlates with volume of WMC. It may help to differentiate those with and without WMC in stroke patients. Further study evaluating the clinical utility of TCD in screening for subclinical WMC among community elderly is warranted.
Cognitive impairment, the Mini‐Mental State Examination and socio‐demographic and dental variables in the elderly in Brazil
Authors: de Paula Miranda Leonardo , Silveira Marise F. , Oliveira Thatiane L. , Alves Sâmia F. F. , Júnior Hercílio M. , Batista André U. D. , Bonan Paulo R. F.
Published: September 2011

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2011.00541.x

Cognitive impairment, the Mini‐Mental State Examination and socio‐demographic and dental variables in the elderly in Brazil

Background:  Dementia, a syndrome characterised by multiple cognitive impairments, is an increasing medical and social problem across the world. The Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE) is the instrument most often used in the evaluation of cognitive compromise and dementia in elderly individuals. It is noteworthy that there is a scarcity of works in the literature on the dimensions of the MMSE and its relation to dental variables in the elderly.

Objectives:  To evaluate the condition of cognitive impairment, the dimensions of the MMSE, and the latter’s relation to socio‐demographic and dental variables in elderly individuals of Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Material and methods:  This is a cross‐sectional descriptive study, whereby 218 elderly users of the system were evaluated at the Sistema Único de Saúde (Brazilian health service) in Montes Claros. The collection of data involved the realisation of structured interviews and clinical dentistry examinations. The screening of cognitive impairment was carried out with the Portuguese version of MMSE. The data were subjected to descriptive and bivariate analyses.

Results:  The prevalence of cognitive impairment found was 6.4%. A statistically significant association was observed between cognitive decline and age, marital status and use of dental prostheses. An association was also noted between several dimensions of MMSE and edentulism (time orientation, attention and calculation, and final score) and use of prostheses (except evocation memory and language).

Conclusions:  It was noticed that those who were 80 years old or more, not married and using prostheses were more likely to manifest cognitive impairment. Associations between some MMSE dimensions were established, including the final score, with edentulism and the use of prostheses.
Prevalence of lymphoedema and quality of life among patients attending a hospital‐based wound management and vascular clinic
Authors: Gethin Georgina , Byrne Danielle , Tierney Sean , Strapp Helen , Cowman Seamus
Published: September 2011

Lymphoedema is a chronic, incurable, debilitating condition, usually affecting a limb and causes discomfort, pain, heaviness, limited motion, unsatisfactory appearance and impacts on quality of life. However, there is a paucity of prevalence data on this condition. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of lymphoedema among persons attending wound management and vascular clinics in an acute tertiary referral hospital. Four hundred and eighteen patients meeting the inclusion criteria were assessed. A prevalence rate of 2.63% (n = 11) was recorded. Thirty‐six percent (n = 4) had history of cellulitis and broken skin, 64% (n = 7) had history of broken skin and 36% (n = 4) had undergone treatment for venous leg ulcers. The most common co‐morbidities were hypertension 55% (n = 6), deep vein thrombosis (DVT) 27% (n = 3), hypercholesterolemia 36% (n = 4) and type 2 diabetes 27% (n = 3). Quality of life scores identified that physical functioning was the domain most affected among this group. This study has identified the need to raise awareness of this condition among clinicians working in the area of wound management.
Inhibitory Activity of Asian Spices on Heterocyclic Amines Formation in Cooked Beef Patties
Authors: Puangsombat Kanithaporn , Jirapakkul Wannee , Smith J. Scott
Published: September 2011

Abstract:  Heterocyclic amines (HCAs) are mutagenic compounds formed when foods are cooked at high temperatures. Numerous reports have shown that natural antioxidants from spices, fruits, chocolate, and tea can inhibit formation. In this study, we evaluated HCA formation in the presence of 5 of Asian spices: galangal (Alpinia galangal), fingerroot (Boesenbergia pandurata), turmeric (Curcuma longa), cumin (Cuminum cyminum), and coriander seeds (Coriandrum sativum). HCA levels were compared to patties containing rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), of which the inhibitory effect is well documented. Inhibition of HCA formation by the spices was evaluated in beef patties cooked at 204 °C (400 °F) for 10 min. All spices were mixed into patties at 0.2% before cooking, and HCAs levels were measured in the final product. All patties, including the control, contained 2‐amino‐3,8‐dimethylimidazo [4,5‐f]quinoxaline (MeIQx) and 2‐amino‐1‐methyl ‐6‐phenylimidazo [4,5‐b]pyridine (PhIP). The average HCA content of the control patties was 7 ng/g MeIQx and 6.53 ng/g PhIP. Turmeric (39.2% inhibition), fingerroot (33.5% inhibition), and galangal (18.4% inhibition) significantly decreased HCAs compared with the control. But, only turmeric and fingerroot were as effective as rosemary in preventing HCA formation. The HCA inhibition in patties containing spices was significantly correlated to the total phenolic content (R2= 0.80) and the scavenging activity (R2= 0.84) of the spices as measured by the 2,2‐diphenyl‐β‐picrylhydrazyl assay. Results of this study suggest that addition of Asian spices can be an important factor in decreasing the levels of HCAs in fried beef patties.
Antistaphylococcal Activities of the New Fluoroquinolone JNJ-Q2
Authors: Morrow Brian J. , Abbanat Darren , Baum Ellen Z. , Crespo-Carbone Steven M. , Davies Todd A. , He Wenping , Shang Wenchi , Queenan Anne Marie , Lynch A. Simon
Published: September 2011

The new broad-spectrum fluoroquinolone JNJ-Q2 displaysin vitroactivity against Gram-negative and Gram-positive organisms, including methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) and ciprofloxacin-resistant MRSA isolates. Tested with isogenic methicillin-susceptibleS. aureus(MSSA) and MRSA strains bearing quinolone-resistant target mutations, JNJ-Q2 displayed MICs ≤ 0.12 μg/ml, values 16- to 32-fold lower than those determined for moxifloxacin. Overexpression of the NorA efflux pump did not impact JNJ-Q2 MICs. Inhibition ofS. aureusDNA gyrase and DNA topoisomerase IV enzymes demonstrated that JNJ-Q2 was more potent than comparators against wild-type enzymes and enzymes carrying quinolone-resistant amino acid substitutions, and JNJ-Q2 displayed equipotent activity against both enzymes. In serial-passage studies comparing resistance selection in parallel MRSA cultures by ciprofloxacin and JNJ-Q2, ciprofloxacin readily selected for mutants displaying MIC values of 128 to 512 μg/ml, which were observed within 18 to 24 days of passage. In contrast, cultures passaged in the presence of JNJ-Q2 displayed MICs ≤ 1 μg/ml for a minimum of 27 days of serial passage. A mutant displaying a JNJ-Q2 MIC of 4 μg/ml was not observed until after 33 days of passage. Mutant characterization revealed that ciprofloxacin-passaged cultures with MICs of 256 to 512 μg/ml carried only 2 or 3 quinolone resistance-determining region (QRDR) mutations. Cultures passaged with JNJ-Q2 selection for up to 51 days displayed MICs of 1 to 64 μg/ml and carried between 4 and 9 target mutations. Establishedin vitrobiofilms of wild-type or ciprofloxacin-resistant MRSA exposed to JNJ-Q2 displayed greater decreases in bacterial counts (7 days of exposure produced 4.5 to >7 log10CFU decreases) than biofilms exposed to ciprofloxacin, moxifloxacin, rifampin, or vancomycin.
Proposal of a Pharmacokinetically Optimized Dosage Regimen of Antibiotics in Patients Receiving Continuous Hemodiafiltration
Authors: Yamamoto Takehito , Yasuno Nobuhiro , Katada Shoichi , Hisaka Akihiro , Hanafusa Norio , Noiri Eisei , Yahagi Naoki , Fujita Toshiro , Suzuki Hiroshi
Published: September 2011

The aim of the study was to quantitatively predict the clearance of three antibiotics, amikacin, vancomycin, and teicoplanin, during continuous hemodiafiltration (CHDF) and to propose their optimal dosage in patients receiving CHDF. For this goal,
in vitro
CHDF experiments with a polyacrylonitrile (PAN) membrane were first performed using these antibiotics, and then the clearances were compared with
in vivo
CHDF situations determined in 16 critically ill patients. The
in vitro
CHDF clearances were described as the product of the outflow rate of a drain (
Q
outflow
) and the drug unbound fraction in artificial plasma, indicating that drug adsorption to the PAN membrane has minor effect on drug clearance in our settings. The observed
in vivo
clearances also agreed very well with the predicted values, with a product of
Q
outflow
and plasma unbound fraction, when residual creatinine clearance (CL
CR
) was taken into account (within a range of 0.67- to 1.5-fold for 15 of 16 patients). Based on these results, a nomogram of the optimized dosages of amikacin, vancomycin, and teicoplanin was proposed, and it was evident that
Q
outflow
and residual CL
CR
are major determinants of the dosage and dosing interval for these antibiotics. Although the applicability needs to be confirmed with another type of membrane or higher
Q
outflow
, our nomogram can help determine the dosage setting in critically ill patients receiving CHDF.
Genome of a Novel Isolate of Paracoccus denitrificans Capable of Degrading
N
,
N
-Dimethylformamide
Authors: Siddavattam Dayananda , Karegoudar Timmanagouda B. , Mudde Santosh Kumar , Kumar Narender , Baddam Ramani , Avasthi Tiruvayipati Suma , Ahmed Niyaz
Published: September 2011

The bacterial genus
Paracoccus
is comprised of metabolically versatile organisms having diverse degradative capabilities and potential industrial and environmental applications for bioremediation in particular. We report a
de novo
-assembled sequence and annotation of the genome of a novel isolate of
Paracoccus denitrificans
originally sourced from coal mine tailings in India. The isolate was capable of utilizing
N
,
N
-dimethylformamide (DMF) as a source of carbon and nitrogen and therefore holds potential for bioremediation and mineralization of industrial pollutants. The genome sequence and biological circuitry revealed thereupon will be invaluable in understanding the metabolic capabilities, functioning, and evolution of this important bacterial organism.
Complete Genome Sequence of Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus Strain ATCC 35246
Authors: Ma Zhe , Geng Jianing , Zhang Hui , Yu Haiying , Yi Li , Lei Meng , Lu Cheng-ping , Fan Hong-jie , Hu Songnian
Published: September 2011

Streptococcus equi
subsp.
zooepidemicus
is an opportunistic pathogen. It has caused a very large economic loss in the swine industry of China and has become a threat to human health. We announce the complete genome sequence of
S. equi
subsp.
zooepidemicus
strain ATCC 35246, which provides opportunities to understand its pathogenesis mechanism and genetic basis.
Intraspecific genotypic diversity in plants
Authors: Ceccarelli M. , Sarri V. , Caceres M.E. , Cionini P.G.
Published: September 2011

Variations in the nuclear DNA, mainly as a result of quantitative modulations of DNA repeats belonging to different sequence families of satellite DNA and to the activity of transposable elements, have been assessed within several angiosperm species. These variations alter the amount and organization of the DNA and therefore the genotype, rather than the genome proper. They take place on an evolutionary time scale as the result of selection processes after the occurrence of uncontrolled events in the genome or may be due to direct responses of plant genomes to environmental stimuli that occur under plant-level control within a short developmental period of a single generation. These DNA changes are correlated to changes in the developmental dynamics and phenotypic characteristics of the plants, and the capability to carry out genotypic variation is an evolutionary trait that allows plant species to adapt to different environmental conditions, as well as to the variability of conditions in a given environment. The link between developmental and environmental stimuli and repetitive DNA that elicits the intraspecific diversity of plant genotypes may provide models of evolutionary change that extend beyond the conventional view of evolution by allelic substitution and take into account epigenetic effects of the genome structure.
OPTICAL LIMITING IN TeO2–ZnO GLASS FROM Z-SCAN TECHNIQUE
Authors: THOMAS ROSE LEENA , VASUJA  , HARI MISHA , NITHYAJA B. , MATHEW S. , REJEENA I. , THOMAS SHEENU , NAMPOORI V. P. N. , RADHAKRISHNAN P.
Published: September 2011

TeO 2– ZnO glasses were prepared by conventional melting procedure, and their optical properties were determined. In the present work, we measured the optical non-linearity of the glass. The measurement was carried out using a single beam z-scan technique given by Sheike Bahe et al. We could observe that the material exhibits reverse saturable absorption, and the effective nonlinear absorption coefficients are numerically evaluated. This study is important in identifying the nonlinear material as a Reverse Saturable Absorption (RSA) based optical limiter.
RAMAN PERTURBATION AND SPATIAL SOLITON PROPAGATION IN AN OPTICAL LATTICE
Authors: AGARWAL PREETI , CHOWDHURY A. ROY
Published: September 2011

A new approach recently developed by one of the authors has been utilised to study the effect of Raman perturbation on the propagation characteristics of spatial soliton in an optical lattice. The time-dependent nature of perturbation effectively induces a spatio-temporal behaviour of the pulse. The variation of the amplitude, width, chirp and frequency of the pulse are obtained through the projection operator technique. Important consequences are seen to follow due to the mutual influence of the periodicity of the lattice and the strength of Raman perturbations. Optimum configurations are sorted out with the help of an external pumping at fixed spatial interval. It is observed that in the absence of any dispersion management, it is possible to restore the profile of the pulse by pumping at regular series of intervals.
Using Sublexical Translations to Handle the OOV Problem in Machine Translation
Authors: Huang Chung-Chi , Yen Ho-Ching , Yang Ping-Che , Huang Shih-Ting , Chang Jason S.
Published: September 2011

We introduce a method for learning to translate out-of-vocabulary (OOV) words. The method focuses on combining sublexical/constituent translations of an OOV to generate its translation candidates. In our approach, wildcard searches are formulated based on our OOV analysis, aimed at maximizing the probability of retrieving OOVs’ sublexical translations from existing resources of Machine Translation (MT) systems. At run-time, translation candidates of the unknown words are generated from their suitable sublexical translations and ranked based on monolingual and bilingual information. We have incorporated the OOV model into a state-of-the-art machine translation system and experimental results show that our model indeed helps to ease the impact of OOVs on translation quality, especially for sentences containing more OOVs (significant improvement).
Mapping and Surgical Ablation of Focal Epicardial Left Ventricular Tachycardia
Authors: Elvan Arif , Sie Hauw T. , Ramdat Misier Anand R. , Linnenbank Andre C. , Delnoy Peter Paul H. M. , de Bakker Jacques M. T.
Published: September 2011

We describe a technical challenge in a 17-year-old patient with incessant epicardial focal ventricular arrhythmia and diminished LV function. Failure of ablation at the earliest activated endocardial site during ectopy suggested an epicardial origin, which was supported by specific electrocardiographic criteria. Epicardial ablation was not possible due to the localization of the origin of the ventricular tachycardia adjacent to the phrenic nerve. Minimal invasive surgical multielectrode high-density epicardial mapping was performed to localize the arrhythmia focus. Epicardial surgical RF ablation resulted in the termination of ventricular ectopy. After 2 years, the patient is still free from arrhythmias.
Use of Continuous Electronic Fetal Monitoring in a Preterm Fetus: Clinical Dilemmas and Recommendations for Practice
Authors: Afors Karolina , Chandraharan Edwin
Published: September 2011

The aim of intrapartum continuous electronic fetal monitoring using a cardiotocograph (CTG) is to identify a fetus exposed to intrapartum hypoxic insults so that timely and appropriate action could be instituted to improve perinatal outcome. Features observed on a CTG trace reflect the functioning of somatic and autonomic nervous systems and the fetal response to hypoxic or mechanical insults during labour. Although, National Guidelines on electronic fetal monitoring exist for term fetuses, there is paucity of recommendations based on scientific evidence for monitoring preterm fetuses during labour. Lack of evidence-based recommendations may pose a clinical dilemma as preterm births account for nearly 8% (1 in 13) live births in England and Wales. 93% of these preterm births occur after 28 weeks, 6% between 22–27 weeks, and 1% before 22 weeks. Physiological control of fetal heart rate and the resultant features observed on the CTG trace differs in the preterm fetus as compared to a fetus at term making interpretation difficult. This review describes the features of normal fetal heart rate patterns at different gestations and the physiological responses of a preterm fetus compared to a fetus at term. We have proposed an algorithm “ACUTE” to aid management.
Reducing selection bias in case-control studies from rare disease registries
Authors: Cole J Alexander , Taylor John S , Hangartner Thomas N , Weinreb Neal J , Mistry Pramod K , Khan Aneal
Published: September 2011

Background

In clinical research of rare diseases, where small patient numbers and disease heterogeneity limit study design options, registries are a valuable resource for demographic and outcome information. However, in contrast to prospective, randomized clinical trials, the observational design of registries is prone to introduce selection bias and negatively impact the validity of data analyses.

The objective of the study was to demonstrate the utility of case-control matching and the risk-set method in order to control bias in data from a rare disease registry. Data from the International Collaborative Gaucher Group (ICGG) Gaucher Registry were used as an example.

Methods

A case-control matching analysis using the risk-set method was conducted to identify two groups of patients with type 1 Gaucher disease in the ICGG Gaucher Registry: patients with avascular osteonecrosis (AVN) and those without AVN. The frequency distributions of gender, decade of birth, treatment status, and splenectomy status were presented for cases and controls before and after matching. Odds ratios (and 95% confidence intervals) were calculated for each variable before and after matching.

Results

The application of case-control matching methodology results in cohorts of cases (i.e., patients with AVN) and controls (i.e., patients without AVN) who have comparable distributions for four common parameters used in subject selection: gender, year of birth (age), treatment status, and splenectomy status. Matching resulted in odds ratios of approximately 1.00, indicating no bias.

Conclusions

We demonstrated bias in case-control selection in subjects from a prototype rare disease registry and used case-control matching to minimize this bias. Therefore, this approach appears useful to study cohorts of heterogeneous patients in rare disease registries.
Phase III Study of Doxorubicin/Cyclophosphamide With Concomitant Versus Sequential Docetaxel As Adjuvant Treatment in Patients With Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2–Normal, Node-Positive Breast Cancer: BCIRG-005 Trial
Authors: Eiermann Wolfgang , Pienkowski Tadeusz , Crown John , Sadeghi Saeed , Martin Miguel , Chan Arlene , Saleh Mansoor , Sehdev Sandeep , Provencher Louise , Semiglazov Vladimir , Press Michael , Sauter Guido , Lindsay Mary-Ann , Riva Alessandro , Buyse Marc , Drevot Philippe , Taupin Henry , Mackey John R.
Published: September 2011

Purpose

Anthracyclines, taxanes, and alkylating agents are among the most active agents in treatment of adjuvant breast cancer (BC), but the optimal schedule for their administration is unknown. We performed an adjuvant trial to compare the sequential regimen of doxorubicin with cyclophosphamide (AC) followed by docetaxel (ie, AC>T) with the combination regimen of TAC.

Patients and Methods

Women with node-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2–nonamplified, operable BC were stratified by number of axillary nodes and hormone receptor status and were randomly assigned to adjuvant chemotherapy with six cycles of TAC (75/50/500 mg/m2 every 3 weeks) or four cycles of AC (60/600 mg/m2 every 3 weeks) followed by four doses of docetaxel at 100 mg/m2 every 3 weeks (AC>T). After completion of chemotherapy, radiation therapy was given as indicated, and patients with hormone receptor (HR) –positive disease received adjuvant hormonal therapy with tamoxifen and/or aromatase inhibitors.

Results

In 30 months, 3,298 patients were enrolled (n = 1,649 in each arm). The major baseline characteristics were well balanced between the groups. At a median follow-up of 65 months, estimated 5-year disease-free survival rates were 79% in both groups (log-rank P = .98; hazard ratio [HR], 1.0; 95%CI, 0.86 to 1.16), and 5-year overall survival rates for both arms were 88% and 89%, respectively (log-rank P = .37; HR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.75 to 1.11). TAC was associated with more febrile neutropenia and thrombocytopenia, and AC>T was associated with more sensory neuropathy, nail changes, and myalgia. The incidence of neutropenic infection was similar in both groups.

Conclusion

The sequential and combination regimens incorporating three drugs were equally effective but differed in toxicity profile.
Use of Ferrochromium Slag as an Artificial Aggregate in Pavement Layers
Authors: Yılmaz A. , Karaşahin M.
Published: September 2011

This paper reports the results of experiments aiming to identify the properties of ferrochromium slag when it is used as an artificial aggregate for preparation of granular layers of flexible pavements. The experimental program consisted of three stages: (1) study of the physical and chemical properties of slag, (2) leaching of heavy elements of slag in terms of environmental impact, (3) study of the mechanical properties of specimens made with ferrochromium slag and limestone as aggregate. In the laboratory, cylindrically prepared specimens were tested in a repeated load triaxial (RLT) test apparatus. In addition, particle size analysis, abrasion, frost resistance, compaction, CA bearing ratio, and leaching tests were performed on the materials prior to RLT testing. The results indicate that the physical and mechanical properties of air-cooled ferrochromium slag are as good as those of natural aggregates. It can be used as a base or sub-base material in highway pavements and as an embankment material. Furthermore, the use of the slag as aggregate in pavement layers reduces the requirement for natural aggregates and saves the existing natural resources.
Hypersensitivity to Total Parenteral Nutrition Fat-Emulsion Component in an Egg-Allergic Child
Authors: Lunn Michael , Fausnight Tracy
Published: September 2011

Immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated food allergies affect 6% to 8% of children in the United States with symptoms ranging from localized hives to life-threatening anaphylaxis. Intravenous fat emulsions (IFEs) are a vital component of total parental nutrition, because they provide essential fatty acids. IFE is a sterile fat emulsion that contains egg-yolk phospholipids. Although egg allergy is listed as a contraindication, adverse reactions are uncommon. We report here the case of a hypersensitivity to IFE in a 2-year-old patient with previously undocumented egg allergy. Our patient was placed on total parental nutrition and a 20% IFE postoperatively and developed diffuse pruritus 14 days after initiation of therapy. She showed transient improvement with intravenous antihistamine, but her symptoms did not resolve until the IFE was stopped. On the basis of clinical history, including aversion to egg, we performed skin-prick testing, the results of which were positive for egg white allergy. Serum testing confirmed allergy to both egg yolk and egg white. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a pediatric patient with a history suggestive of egg allergy, positive skin-prick and serum testing to egg, and reaction to IFE infusion. Although ingestion of egg lecithin in cooked food is generally tolerated by egg-allergic people, administration of intravenous egg-containing lipid emulsions may cause significant adverse reactions.
Evaluation of the importance of various operating and sludge property parameters to the fouling of membrane bioreactors
Authors: Sun F. Y. , Li X. Y.
Published: September 2011

A single-fibre microfiltration system was employed to investigate the importance of various operating and sludge property parameters to the membrane fouling during sludge filtration. The sludge was obtained from a submerged membrane bioreactor (SMBR). A series of comparative and correlative filtration and fouling tests were conducted on the influence of the operating variables, sludge properties and the liquid-phase organic substances on the membrane fouling development. The test results were analysed statistically with Pearson's correlation coefficients and the stepwise multi-variable linear regression. According to the statistical evaluation, the membrane fouling rate has a positive correlation with the biopolymer cluster (BPC) concentration, sludge concentration (mixed liquor suspended solids, MLSS), filtration flux and viscosity, a negative correlation with the cross-flow velocity, and a weak correlation with the extracellular polymeric substances and soluble microbial products. BPC appear to be the most important factor to membrane fouling development during the sludge filtration, followed by the filtration flux and MLSS concentration. The cross-flow rate also is important to the fouling control. It is argued that, during membrane filtration of SMBR sludge, BPC interact with sludge flocs at the membrane surface to facilitate the deposition of the sludge cake layer, leading to serious membrane fouling.
Considerations for the mitigation of nitrate contamination: stable isotopes and insights into the importance of soil processes
Authors: Somers George H. , Savard Martine M.
Published: September 2011

Nutrient management is widely promoted to minimize the impact of intensive fertilizer use on groundwater quality, however watershed-scale stable isotope studies in eastern North America suggest nitrogen transport to groundwater is dominated by non-growing season fluxes derived principally from the mineralization and nitrification of soil organic matter. In the current field scale study, δ15N ratios of nitrate in tile drain effluents from experimental potato plots treated with 300 kg/ha ammonia nitrate and those with no fertilizer both average +4.7‰, close to the +4.0‰ ratios observed in soils of the same plots, and distinct from values near 0‰ for inorganic fertilizer. A source apportionment model using δ15N and δ18O in nitrate suggests that even with heavy fertilizer application, less than 10% of non-growing season N flux is derived from direct leaching of fertilizer, the remainder representing N from various sources, including residual fertilizer that has been assimilated into the broader soil organic matter pool and subsequently released via mineralization and nitrification. Factors controlling these losses could be as closely related to cropping practices as initial N application rates, providing potential opportunities for more efficiently utilizing N available in the soil profile and reducing initial N application rates.
Maternal and Cord Blood Adiponectin Multimeric Forms in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Ballesteros Mónica , Simón Inmaculada , Vendrell Joan , Ceperuelo-Mallafré Victoria , Miralles Ramon M. , Albaiges Gerard , Tinahones Francisco , Megia Ana
Published: September 2011

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the relationship between maternal adiponectin (mAdiponectin) and cord blood adiponectin (cbAdiponectin) multimeric forms (high molecular weight [HMW], medium molecular weight [MMW], and low molecular weight [LMW]) in a cohort of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and normal glucose–tolerant (NGT) pregnant women.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A total of 212 women with a singleton pregnancy, 132 with NGT and 80 with GDM, and their offspring were studied. Maternal blood was obtained in the early third trimester and cord blood was obtained at delivery. Total adiponectin and the multimeric forms of adiponectin were determined in cord blood and maternal serum. Spearman rank correlation and stepwise linear correlation analysis were used to assess the relationship between cbAdiponectin levels and clinical and analytical parameters.

RESULTS

No differences in cbAdiponectin concentration or its multimeric forms were observed in the offspring of diabetic mothers compared with NGT mothers. The HMW-to-total adiponectin ratio was higher in cord blood than in maternal serum, whereas the MMW- and LMW-to-total adiponectin ratio was lower. Cord blood total and HMW adiponectin levels were positively correlated with birth weight and the ponderal index (PI), whereas cord blood MMW adiponectin was negatively correlated with the PI. In addition, cbAdiponectin and its multimeric forms were correlated with mAdiponectin concentrations. In the multivariate analysis, maternal multimeric forms of adiponectin emerged as independent predictors of cbAdiponectin, its multimers, and their distribution.

CONCLUSIONS

cbAdiponectin concentrations are independently related to mAdiponectin levels and unrelated to the diagnosis of GDM. Maternal multimeric forms of adiponectin are independent predictors of the concentrations of cbAdiponectin and its multimeric forms at delivery.
Implications of Nocturnal Hypertension in Children and Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Lee Sun Hee , Kim Jae Hyun , Kang Min Jae , Lee Young Ah , Won Yang Sei , Shin Choong Ho
Published: September 2011

OBJECTIVE

Diabetes is associated with atherogenic risk factors. Hypertension has a major influence on cardiovascular disease in diabetic patients. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) is useful for identifying nocturnal hypertension. Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) is a good measure for identifying subclinical atherosclerosis. This study aimed to evaluate whether nocturnal hypertension affects atherosclerosis in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes and to investigate the relationship between atherogenic risk factors and cIMT.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

ABPM and cIMT were measured in 82 diabetic children and adolescents. We reviewed the hemoglobin A1c levels, 24-h urine microalbumin excretion, lipid profiles, and duration of diabetes. Nocturnal hypertension was defined as hypertension observed only at night.

RESULTS

Forty-three (52%) subjects were hypertensive, and 30 subjects were classified as having nocturnal hypertension. cIMT was higher in the nocturnal hypertensive group than in the normotensive group (0.44 ± 0.03 vs. 0.42 ± 0.04 mm, P = 0.026). Among children and adolescents with nonhypertensive blood pressure levels in clinic blood pressure monitoring, cIMT and daytime blood pressure were higher in the nocturnal hypertensive group. All ABPM parameters were significantly related to cIMT in multiple linear regression analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed significantly increased cIMT and daytime blood pressure in diabetic children and adolescents with nocturnal hypertension. ABPM may be a useful method for detecting the macrovascular complications of type 1 diabetes. Longitudinal studies are needed to find the causes of nocturnal hypertension and to evaluate the effect of nocturnal hypertension on atherosclerosis in type 1 diabetes.
Knowledge Management
Authors: Gottschalk P.
Published: September 2011

In an outsourcing relationship, the vendor and its clients need to transfer knowledge on a continuous basis. Relevant approaches to outsourcing relationships from the knowledge management literature include intellectual capital management and business process management, as presented in this chapter. According to Quinn (1999), executives increasingly understand that outsourcing for short-term cost cutting does not yield nearly as much as outsourcing for longer-term knowledge-based system or strategic benefits such as greater intellectual depth and access, opportunity scanning, innovation, reliability, quality, value-added solutions, or worldwide outreach.
Resonant Diaphragm Liquid Density Sensor
Authors: Zhang Yu Xiao , Zeng Xian Quan , Wang Xin Jie
Published: September 2011

This paper designs a resonant diaphragm liquid density sensor. From the reality, a resonant diaphragm is designed and manufactured. Processing technology on resonant diaphragm is studied and improved through compensating elastic error, and eliminating residual stress. Incentive coil is designed using the eddy current effect.
A Hierarchical Structure of Service-Oriented Manufacturing Mode
Authors: Yang Ming Shun , Gao Xin Qin , Liu Yong , Li Yan
Published: September 2011

With fiercer competition and more complex manufacturing environment, as a new manufacturing mode, service-oriented manufacture integrating manufacturing and service is used to mine new value source for manufacturing enterprises. The characteristics of the new manufacturing mode are analyzed, then a conceptual mode of the service-oriented manufacturing is concluded, and the features of the conceptual model are summarized from three different stages of the upstream, midstream and downstream. Based on these, a hierarchical architecture of service-oriented manufacturing mode is presented, and the different layers are described, which will provide good guideline to study the key technologies of service-oriented manufacturing.
The Analysis and Prevent in Traffic Accidents Based on Bayesian Network
Authors: Xu Zhu Xiang , Jiang Yi , Lin Fan , Dai Long
Published: September 2011

The development of the city has led to the frequent occurrence of traffic accidents. Whether we can analyze those accidents which had happened correctly will directly affect the avoidance of future ones of the similar kind. In this paper, we will establish Bayesian Networks traffic accident analysis model by K2 algorithm, which can make accident probability prediction and accident diagnosis.K2 algorithm is known to all with high efficiency and accuracy, but it requires to obtain order first, so to get the reasonable node order, first use clustering algorithm to divide the nodes into groups, in groups the similarity is high with each other. The probability of parent child relationship is larger, then reorder the nodes in every group by the expert experience finally determine the node sequence. Base on this, we can find the system weak links and adopt corresponding effective measures.
A Hierarchical Key Management Scheme in Mobile Ad hoc Networks
Authors: Wu Jun , Shi Run Hua , Zhong Hong
Published: September 2011

This paper proposes a hierarchical key management scheme in the mobile Ad hoc networks. In this scheme, there are two kinds of server nodes: the special server nodes and the ordinary server nodes, such that only when two kinds of server nodes collaborate can they provide a certificate service. In order to satisfy this special application, we design a new secret sharing scheme for splitting the system private key, in which it generates two different kinds of shares of the system private key: the special share and the ordinary share, where it needs at least one special share and t ordinary shares to recover the system private key, thus we call it threshold scheme. Furthermore, we present a distributed signature scheme for a user’s certificate in the mobile Ad hoc networks based on this secret sharing.
Indexing Associated Knowledge Flow on the Web
Authors: Chen Xue , Tao Fang , Chao Wu
Published: September 2011

The Associated Knowledge Flow (AKF) on the Web is an ordered sequence of Web pages that have associated relation. The associated relation from page A to page B indicates that users who have browsed page A is likely to also browse page B. The motivation of this paper is to index the AKFs on the Web and provide users AKFs instead of discrete resources. We build a scalable P2P-based Web resource-sharing system and design two kinds of ID spaces (hash ID space and semantic ID space) on it to index resources and facilitate AKF discovery. Theoretical analysis and simulations show that such a system can achieve logarithmic performance and cost.
Monitoring Dissolved Oxygen Concentration (DOC) in Prawn Aquiculture Water Environment Based on Biological Behavior Characteristics
Authors: Yang Hai Qing , Cai Jing Bo , Zeng Guo Quan , Wu Hong Xi
Published: September 2011

Biological early warning system using physiological and behavioral responses of living organisms to water quality has been given much attention during past years. This study applied a digital video recording system to monitor prawn behavior under different water quality parameters. Three groups of prawn were used for calibration set while one group was for the validation of calibration results. A special water container was built for this experiment. The targeted water quality parameters, e.g. water salinity, pH and dissolved oxygen concentration (DOC), were adjusted by adding different chemicals in the water container. The calibration result shows that water salinity and pH have no significant impact on prawn behavior while changing DOC in water makes great influence on moving speed of prawns. When DOC is above 3.0 mg/l, prawns move about 80 pixels/s; when DOC is between 2.6 and 1.74 mg/l, prawns move at 120 pixels/s; and when DOC is below 1.2 mg/l, prawns move up to 1000-1200 pixels/s. The validation set of prawns under changing DOC from 1.82 to 0.54 mg/l confirms the calibration results. This proposed method is worthy of being further investigated for practically monitoring aquiculture environment.
Synthesis of Fe-Co Nanobars Using Sodium Sulfite Assisted Polyol Process and their Structural and Magnetic Studies
Authors: Suresh G. , Saravanan P. , Rajan Babu D.
Published: September 2011

We report the synthesis of soft magnetic Fe-Co nanobars by an improved polyol process using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as stabilizer. The synthesized samples were studied by using Transmission Electron Microscopy. The Fe-Co nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction, UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Vibrating Sample Magnetometer. The Fe-Co nanobars showed prominent UV-VIS absorption at 371 nm. This report discusses the effect of sodium sulfite and CTAB on the synthesis of Fe-Co nanoparticles.
Spatial and seasonal variability of PM2.5 acidity at two Chinese megacities: insights into the formation of secondary inorganic aerosols
Authors: He K. , Zhao Q. , Ma Y. , Duan F. , Yang F.
Published: September 2011

Abstract. Aerosol acidity is one of the most important parameters influencing atmospheric chemistry and physics. Based on continuous field observation from January 2005 to May 2006, both spatial and seasonal variation in PM2.5 acidity was investigated at Beijing and Chongqing, two megacities in northern and southwestern China, respectively. PM2.5 was generally more acidic at urban and rural sites in Chongqing than Beijing, but a reverse spatial pattern was found within the two cities, with more acidic PM2.5 at urban Beijing and rural Chongqing comparing to their rural and urban sites, respectively. PM2.5 was more acidic in summer and fall than in winter, while large inter-annual variations were evident during the springs of 2005 and 2006, with Beijing and Chongqing exhibiting opposite trends, however. The higher acidity of PM2.5 in the spring of 2006 in Beijing was attributed to the influence of Asian desert dust which significantly enhanced the formation of nitrate relative to sulfate; in contrast, the more acidic aerosols found during the spring of 2005 in Chongqing was mainly due to the greater wet deposition of ammonium, and precipitation was probably one of the key factors that controlled the partition of ammonium in PM2.5 and rain water over the surrounding region. Meanwhile, PM2.5 became more acidic at both cities from spring into early summer of 2005. The synoptic-scale evolution of its acidity was found to be closely associated with the greater contribution of air masses from between the Northern China Plain to the south of Beijing, and from central China to the east of Chongqing, and was ended by the northward movement of a subtropical high over the northwestern Pacific, a major element of the Asian summer monsoon. Under conditions of high aerosol acidity, heterogeneous reactions may become one of the major pathways for the formation of nitrate at both cities. These findings may also explain the significant variation in inter-annual aerosol acidity observed during other seasons at Beijing, Chongqing and many other cities in China, as reported in previous studies.