bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pregnancy Outcomes Among HIV-Infected Women Undergoing Antiretroviral Therapy
Authors: Areechokchai Darin , Bowonwatanuwong Chureeratana , Phonrat Benjaluck , Pitisuttithum Punnee , Maek-a-Nantawat Wirach
Published: March 2009

Background

The use of antiretroviral drugs (ARV) to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT) promises to be effective. However, limited data on the adverse effects of ARV among pregnant women and pregnancy outcomes have been reported in clinical practice.

Objectives

This study aimed to assess adverse effects and outcomes among pregnant HIV-infected women receiving antiretroviral drugs for either antiretroviral therapy (ART) or PMTCT.

Study Design

This cohort study was at Chonburi Hospital, Thailand, in 2002-2006.

Results

A total of 246 pregnant HIV-infected women with the median age (range) of 27 (16-41) years were included in this study. ART was initiated in 16.3% for treatment during ANC, 66.7% for PMTCT during ANC, and 17.1% for PMTCT in labor. Adverse effects, especially anemia, were significantly associated with continuing combined ART in pregnancy (p<0.001). 88.9% delivered normal-term neonates. The prevalence of pre-term delivery was 10.2%. Overall, 24 adverse events from 21 pregnant women (8.5%) were noted. A significantly higher prevalence of pre-term delivery was noted in the groups continuing combined ART, or initiating of PMTCT during labor rather than ANC (p=0.02). The incidence of low Apgar scores was 3.6%, and these were associated with initiation of PMTCT during labor (p=0.004).

Conclusion

Adverse ARV events were more numerous among the pregnant women who needed ART than PMTCT. ANC is beneficial and strongly recommended for all pregnant HIV-infected women for better pregnancy outcomes.
Serum Neuregulin-1β as a Biomarker of Cardiovascular Fitness
Authors: Moondra Vaibhav , Sarma Satyam , Buxton Tracy , Safa Radwan , Cote Gregory , Storer Thomas , K LeBrasseur Nathan , B Sawyer Douglas
Published: March 2009

Purpose:

Neuregulins (NRG) are growth factors that bind to receptors of the erbB family, and are known to mediate a number of processes involved in diverse tissues. Neuregulin-1β is expressed in skeletal muscle and is activated by exercise. We hypothesized that NRG-1β might circulate in the bloodstream and increase as a consequence of physical activity. A study was conducted in healthy subjects to determine if NRG-1β is immunodetectable in human serum, and if so whether levels relate acutely or chronically to exercise.

Methods:

Nine healthy men underwent three bouts of exercise of varying degrees of intensity on a bicycle ergometer over a period of three weeks. Cardio-respiratory fitness was determined by measurement of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). Serum was sampled prior to and immediately after each session (up to 30 minutes post) and serum NRG-1ß was quantified utilizing an indirect sandwich ELISA assay developed in our lab.

Results:

Across subjects, mean serum NRG-1β levels ranged from 32 ng/mL to 473 ng/mL. Individual subjects showed relatively stable levels during the study period that did not change acutely after exercise. Serum NRG-1β demonstrated a positive correlation with VO2max (r2=0.49, p =.044).

Conclusions:

These preliminary observations suggest that at least in healthy men, serum NRG-1β is an indicator of cardio- respiratory fitness and does not change acutely with exercise.
Quantitative Analysis of the Expression of Human N-myristoyltransferase 1 (hNMT-1) in Cancers
Authors: Chen Lifeng , Ling Binbing , Alcorn Jane , Yang Jian
Published: March 2009

Human N-myristoyltransferase 1 (hNMT-1) catalyzes the covalent attachment of myristic acid to N-terminal
glycine residues (myristoylation) of numerous protein substrates. Overexpression of hNMT-1 in colorectal and gallbladder
cancers makes it a potential biomarker and drug design target for such cancers. In this study, we investigated hNMT-1
expression during the progression of eight different human cancers using quantitative RT-PCR. The study results showed
that hNMT-1 was up-regulated in breast, colon, lung and ovarian cancers but not kidney, liver, prostate and thyroid cancers.
This suggests a role for hNMT-1 as a biomarker for detection of breast, colon, lung and ovarian cancers. This study
also suggests the available hNMT-1 inhibitors may be potential therapeutic agents against breast and lung cancers through
all disease stages, although their use would likely be limited to early stage colon and ovarian cancers.
The Value of a First-Year Seminar: International Students' Insights in Retrospect
Authors: Andrade Maureen S.
Published: March 2009

Higher education institutions in the United States commonly offer first-year seminars to assist students with their transition to college. Seminars are one of several types of first-year interventions based on findings from persistence research identifying variables affecting student success. Diverse student populations such as international students or ethnic, cultural, and linguistic minorities have unique adjustment needs that may not be met by conventional retention programming. An important element of first-year programming is monitoring and collecting data to assess outcomes and inform program improvements. Gathering information about student experiences after the first year and the long-term impacts of first-year programs is also critical. This study describes a first-year seminar for international students and examines its influence on students beyond the first year. Findings indicate the seminar had a positive impact on various aspects of student adjustment within and after the first year.
Area Specific Self-Esteem, Values, and Adolescent Substance Use
Authors: Donnelly Joseph , Young Michael , Pearson Rebecca , Penhollow Tina M. , Hernandez Aida
Published: March 2009

The use of illicit and licit drugs continues to be a major public health concern. Many prevention and drug education programs address this issue by attempting to enhance self-esteem. The idea is that increased levels of self-esteem will serve as a protective factor in decreasing the motivation and increasing the resistance to use drugs. This study explored the relationship between area specific self-esteem and adolescent substance use. Participants ( n = 700) completed a self-report questionnaire which included items measuring the use and expected use of selected substances. Results indicated significant differences in home and school self-esteem scores between users/expected users and non-users of a given substance for all 14 behavioral measures. Additionally, the peer, home, and school sub-scales as a set were found to distinguish between users and non-users for all 14 behavioral measures. Results should be of value to those designing prevention programming.
Technology Adoption into Teaching and Learning by Mainstream University Faculty: A Mixed Methodology Study Revealing the “How, When, Why, and Why Not”
Authors: Nicolle Pam S. , Lou Yiping
Published: March 2009

This mixed methodology study was designed to examine the factors and the process by which mainstream university faculty members adopt and implement technology in teaching and learning. Data were collected through a survey administered to faculty from 3 academic colleges ( N = 117) and interviews of selected survey respondents ( N = 9). Path analysis of survey data resulted in path coefficients indicating relationships between variables and significant direct effects to variables. Interview data were analyzed through constant comparative analyses. Patterns of perceptions and usage among participants emerged, providing rich data that triangulates with survey and path analysis findings. The results suggest that peer interactions and collegiality are significant direct effects in helping faculty members learn new innovations and strategies. The findings have important implications for informing the design of professional development for faculty adoption of technology.
Racism and Black-White Relationships in End-of-Life Care in the United States: A Speculative Analysis
Authors: Rosenblatt Paul C.
Published: March 2009

Despite the almost sacred nature of end-of-life care in hospitals, hospice programs, and nursing homes, there is every reason to think that racism and the racial system are often present in black-white relationships in end-of-life care in the United States. This speculative essay explores expressions of the racial system that might occur in end-of-life care, from the perspectives of Euro-Americans and African Americans as patients, family members of patients, and care providers. The racial system operates in ways that bruise some people and that make it difficult for those who are advantaged by the system to understand the system and their place in it; and so, ideally one way for end-of-life care facilities to deal with potential difficulties in black-white relationships is to provide contexts for dealing with bruises and obliviousness. Even at the end-of-life, there are possibilities for healing and personal growth.
An Exploration of Ageism and Sexism in Obituary Photographs: 1967–1997
Authors: Anderson Keith A. , Han Jina
Published: March 2009

Newspaper obituaries are important mourning rituals that announce the deaths of individuals and share their life stories with others. Obituaries also provide insight into the societal values and attitudes of the day. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether factors such as gender and age were related to age-inaccuracy in obituary photographs and whether the level of age-inaccurate photographs has increased over time. Obituary photographs were analyzed from The Cleveland Plain Dealer for the years 1967, 1977, 1987, and 1997 ( N = 400). Results indicated that obituary photographs of women ( p < 0.001) and of older adults ( p < 0.001) were much more likely to be age-inaccurate. Analysis also revealed a consistent upward trend in age-inaccurate photographs over time ( p < 0.05). The findings from this study indicate that society's bias toward youthful appearance has persisted and grown over time, particularly in the case of older women.
Discrete Hilbert type inequality with non-homogeneous kernel
Authors: Drascic Ban , Pogány T.K.
Published: March 2009

A new version of discrete Hilbert type inequality is given where the kernel function is non-homogeneous. The main mathematical tools are the representation of the Dirichlet series by means of the Laplace integral, and the H?lder inequality with non-conjugated parameters. Numerous special cases are treated and conditional best constants are discussed.
Chromatic zeros and the golden ratio
Authors: Alikhani Saeid , Peng Yee-Hock
Published: March 2009

In this note, we investigate ?n , where ?=1+2?5 is the golden ratio as chromatic roots. Using some properties of Fibonacci numbers, we prove that ? n (n ? N), cannot be roots of any chromatic polynomial.
Western blot analysis of glucocorticoid receptor phosphoisoforms by one- and two-dimensional electrophoretic assays
Authors: Popovic Natasa , Niciforovic Ana , Adzic Miroslav , Radojcic Marija , Demonacos Constantinos , Krstic-Demonacos Marija
Published: March 2009

The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) protein is a cytosolic ligand-dependent transcription factor with numerous functions regulated by post-translational modifications, including phosphorylation/dephosphorylation. Among the functions most extensively affected by GR phosphorylation are the modulation of its transcriptional activity, alterations in its interaction pattern with cofactors, nuclear translocation and selective gene transactivation. Intensive analysis of the intracellular distribution of GR phosphoisoforms and their interaction with proteins of other cellular signalling networks required the use of [?-32P]ATP as a phosphate donor, and special laboratory protection measures to avoid external irradiation and contamination. In the present study, simple and easy-to-use non-radioactive protein mobility shift assays (NMS assays) were developed using one- and/or two-dimensional gel electrophoresis based on differences in the pI and molecular mass of GR phosphoisoforms. The GR isoforms were immunodetected with specific monoclonal or polyclonal anti-GR antibodies by Western blot in three diverse systems, namely yeast BJ2168 cells expressing wild-type rat GR, rat hepatoma GRH2 cells grown in culture and brain tissue from Wistar rat experimental animals. The results obtained using the NMS assay were similar to previous results obtained with the [?-32P] ATP standard assay.
The monoclonal antibody 26 raised against tetanus toxoid also recognizes tetanus toxin and β2-glycoprotein I - its binding properties in vitro and potential applications
Authors: Inic-Kanada Aleksandra , Stojanovic Marijana , Zivkovic Irena , Petrusic Vladimir , Dimitrijevic Ljiljana
Published: March 2009

A murine monoclonal IgG1 antibody, marked as MAb26, specific for tetanus toxoid has been immunochemically characterized. By performing enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) and western blot analyses, it was demonstrated that MAb26 reacted with tetanus toxoid, tetanus toxin and ?2-glycoprotein I (?2GPI). According to the results, MAb26 recognized the sequential epitope on the tetanus heavy chain. The affinity constant, calculated from Scatchard plots of MAb26 binding to tetanus toxoid, was 1.145?108 M-1 and the measurement of the relative affinity of MAb26 by ELISA using thiocyanate elution showed a significantly higher affinity of MAb26 to the toxoid (p = 0.0012) in comparison to the toxin. Additionally, the reactivity of MAb26 toward the toxoid forms increased when the tetanus toxin was detoxified using 8 mM and higher formaldehyde concentrations. The similarity of the tetanus toxoid to several sera proteins, either at the level of its conformation (IL-1?) or at the level of peptide sequences (?2GPI, laminin) favors its role in autoimmunity by the mechanism of molecular mimicry. As the induction of an autoimmune disease is dependent on the breakdown of tolerance, which could be the result of an overt hyperstimulation, the control of the presence and concentration of self-reactive epitopes in vaccine preparations is a prerequisite. In this study, it was shown that MAb26 can: 1) discriminate between the tetanus toxin and different toxoid forms, which makes it a good candidate for antibody control during vaccine preparation; 2) due to its cross-reactivity with ?2GPI, it could provide information on the presence of a potentially dangerous sequential epitope expressed at the protein surface.
Density, viscosity and refractive index of the dimethyl sulfoxide + o-xylene system
Authors: Ciocirlan Oana , Iulian Olga
Published: March 2009

This work reports the experimental results of the densities, viscosities and refractive indices between 298.15 and 323.15 K of the dimethyl sulfoxide + o-xylene system over the entire composition range of the mixtures. The excess molar volumes (VE), viscosity deviations (?v), excess Gibbs energy of activation of viscous flow (G*E) and deviations in the refraction (?R) were calculated from the experimental data; all the computed quantities were fitted to the Redlich-Kister equation. The system exhibits moderate negative values for the investigated excess properties. The resulting excess functions were interpreted in structural and interactional terms. From the experimental data, the thermodynamic functions of the activation of viscous flow were estimated. The viscosity data were correlated with several semi-empirical equations. The two-parameter McAllister equation can give very good results.
Who's Afraid of Critical Race Theory in Education? A Reply to Mike Cole's ‘the Color-Line and the Class Struggle’
Authors: Gillborn David
Published: March 2009

This article replies to Mike Cole's article, in this issue of the journal, on critical race theory (CRT) in general and my application of the approach in particular. The article briefly outlines the central tenets of CRT and then reflects on the character of some of the exchanges between critical race theorists and Marxists on either side of the Atlantic. Although Marxism is a broad and varied perspective, there is a strand of reductionist Marxist analysis that has generated critiques of CRT characterised by over-simplification, misunderstandings and misrepresentations of the approach.
Barack Obama and the Power of Critical Personal Narrative
Authors: Holley Shante's , Miskovic Maja
Published: March 2009

This article contextualizes the narrative of the US President Barack Obama to provide an understanding of critical personal narrative (CPN) and its use in mainstream curricula. The authors contend that Barack Obama's narrative serves as a means to understand racial hegemony and the politics of representation in a curricular setting. Through providing an understanding of CPN it is suggested that educational opportunities exist for African American students to rewrite their own educational narratives and for educational practitioners to facilitate this process. In so doing, they are documenting the unfolding present, looking onward to the future yet to be realized.
The Power of Emotional Factors in English Teaching
Authors: Cole David R.
Published: March 2009

One of the most prevalent ways in which power works in education is by separating out and segmenting knowledge areas so that their corresponding synergies and connective augmentations are nullified. This article takes secondary English teaching as an example of these complex social processes, and presents research that brings disparate fields of investigation together. On the one hand, teachers may be polarised and challenged by curriculum changes and governmental mandates that could infringe upon their everyday practice. On the other, every teacher in the profession will bring their interior and emotional life to bear on their ways of working, and this aspect of teaching has not been connected to curriculum change. This research proposes a conjunction of educational emotion and discursive identities, through an analysis of the ways in which teachers perceive curriculum change and their personal teaching and learning realities. This investigation has also been worked into the teacher training of pre-service (or trainee) secondary English teachers, so that they may realise how such concerns may be understood conjointly.
Invisibility and In/di/Visuality: The Relevance of Art Education in Curriculum Theorizing
Authors: Rolling James Haywood
Published: March 2009

This article investigates how representation attaches meaning to bodies, how certain bodies are categorically misrepresented and masked from normativity, and proposes a curriculum theory affording the agency of the misrepresented to de-mask invisibility. Brief historical narratives of three kinds of invisibility are presented as they are manifested in educational practice and visual culture – masking those deemed to occupy lesser physical bodies, lesser bodies of knowledge, and bodies lesser-than-normal. The author argues the relevance of art education as a transformative pedagogical practice that can inform and promote social significance, or what the author terms as in/di/visuality, the agency to reinterpret misrepresented physical or conceptual bodies. In the face of masking practices that unleash the squalls of invisibility and inequity throughout sites of curriculum practice and contemporary visual culture, the exercise of in/di/visuality acts as a watershed, displacing invisibility and affording a greater breadth of inclusion in educational concerns.
Investigation of nonlinear absorption in YAP and YAG single crystals doped with Co and co-doped with Si
Authors: Bajor A. , Kisielewski J. , Kopczyński K. , Łukasiewicz T. , Mierczyk J. , Mierczyk Z. , Młyńczak J. , Pawlak D. , Świrkowicz M.
Published: March 2009

Since our attempts to grow YAP:Co,Si non-linear absorbers have failed, we switched to Czochralski grown YAGs doped with the same ions. This time, however, the new material was found to exhibit excellent, non-linear absorption, which can be used directly in Q-switching elements in laser systems. In this work we report on technology of YAG single crystals doped with Co and Si, their optical properties, and, finally, on their non-linear absorption. An explanation on why the YAPs were found to be inefficient in non-linear absorption was also provided.
Identification of inherent noise components of semiconductor devices on an example of optocouplers
Authors: Stawarz-Graczyk B. , Szewczyk A. , Konczakowska A.
Published: March 2009

In the paper, a method of estimation of parameters of Gaussian and non-Gaussian components in the noise signal of semiconductor devices in a frequency domain is proposed. The method is based on composing estimators of two spectra, corresponding to 1/fα noise (Gaussian component) and two-level RTS noise (non-Gaussian component). The proposed method can be applied for precise evaluation of the corner RTS frequency fRTS in the noise spectrum.
Liquid crystalline polymer networks based on a nematic epoxy resin with azoxy group
Authors: Włodarska M. , Mossety-Leszczak B. , Bąk G. , Galina H. , Ledzion R.
Published: March 2009

The paper presents research results on curing two recently synthesized liquid crystalline epoxy materials with selected amines. The process of cross-linking, the final product of curing, and the pure monomers were examined using polarizing optical microscopy (POM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and dielectric spectroscopy (DS). Chemical structure of the products was confirmed using spectroscopic methods. The authors attempted to demonstrate how selection of curing conditions (such as the amine used as curing agent, the curing temperature or preparation of the surface in contact with the sample) influences optical properties of the cured product.
The Copyright Act of 1889: A Canadian Declaration of Independence
Authors: Nair Meera
Published: March 2009

Difficulties stemming from the Imperial Copyright Act of 1842 led to Canada's Copyright Act of 1889. This innovation of the existing model of copyright law was an attempt to enact compulsory licensing, with recompense, of British copyrighted work. However, Canada's legislation was denied royal assent. The British government's desire for harmony with the United States, its conformity to international regulations of the day, and its penchant for uniformity throughout the Empire, took precedence over any legislation designed to meet Canada's particular needs. Sir John Thompson (1845–94) laboured for years to implement a Canadian copyright law that would adhere in principle to international cooperation while respecting the uniqueness of Canada's independent existence – an existence wedged between the geographical proximity of the United States and the cultural affinity to an imperial power. Examining some of the nineteenth-century correspondence pertaining to Canadian copyright makes a complex history much clearer. Embodying the social, technological, economic, geographic, and political elements of a society, the law is as capable of expressing innovative thought as it is of being bound by stagnation.
Colonial Categories and Familial Responses to Treaty and Metis Scrip Policy: The ‘Edmonton and District Stragglers,’ 1870–88
Authors: Niemi-Bohun Melanie
Published: March 2009

Constructed by colonial agents to resolve administrative problems unanticipated by the entrance of Metis individuals without band affiliation into treaty, the ‘straggler’ category was a reflection of the fluid nature of Aboriginal identities during a period of harsh economic and environmental realities on the Plains in the mid to late nineteenth century. This paper argues that Metis women and their families used the ‘straggler’ category in ways unexpected by colonial agents in Treaty Six – they continued to participate in the fur trade economy, refused to settle on reserves, and thus explicitly challenged boundaries of racial classification. This Native agency in turn forced the government to rethink and reformulate status categories.
Stereotactic radiosurgery for metastatic brain tumors: a comprehensive review of complications
Authors: Williams Brian J. , Suki Dima , Fox Benjamin D. , Pelloski Christopher E. , Maldaun Marcos V. C. , Sawaya Raymond E. , Lang Frederick F. , Rao Ganesh
Published: March 2009

Object

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is commonly used to treat brain metastases. Complications associated with this treatment are underreported. The authors reviewed a large series of patients who underwent SRS for brain metastases to identify complications and factors predicting their occurrence.

Methods

Prospectively collected clinical data from 273 patients undergoing SRS for 1 or 2 brain metastases at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center between June 1993 and December 2004 were reviewed. Patients who had received prior treatment for their tumor, including whole-brain radiation, SRS, or surgery, were excluded from the study. Data on adverse neurological and nonneurological outcomes following treatment were collected.

Results

Three hundred sixteen lesions were treated. Complications were associated with 127 (40%) of 316 treated lesions. New neurological complications were associated with 101 (32%) of 316 lesions. The onset of seizure was the most common complication, occurring in 41 (13%) of 316 SRS cases. On multivariate analysis, progressing primary cancer (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.4, 95% CI 1.6–3.6, p < 0.001), tumor location in eloquent cortex (HR = 2.3, 95% CI 1.6–3.4, p < 0.001), and lower (< 15 Gy) SRS dose (HR = 2.1, 95% CI 1.1–4.2, p = 0.04) were significantly associated with new complications. On multivariate analysis, a tumor location in the eloquent cortex (HR = 2.5, 95% CI 1.6–3.8, p < 0.001) and progressing primary cancer (HR = 1.6, 95% CI 1.1–2.5, p = 0.03) were significantly associated with new neurological complications.

Conclusions

The authors showed that new neurological and nonneurological complications were associated with 40% of SRS treatments for brain metastases. Patients with lesions in functional brain regions have a significantly increased risk of treatment-related complications.
Combined transarterial and percutaneous coiling of a spontaneous vertebrovertebral fistula associated with neurofibromatosis Type 1
Authors: Patro Satya Narayna , Gupta Arun Kumar , Arvinda Hanumanthapura Ramlingaiah , Jolapara Milan babulal , Saini Jitender
Published: March 2009

The authors report a rare case of spontaneous left vertebrovertebral fistula associated with neurofibromatosis Type 1 in a young woman. The patient had undergone previous failed surgical attempts to close the fistula and presented to the authors with recurrence of the fistula and neurological deterioration. Successful obliteration of the fistula with combined transarterial and percutaneous coiling with Guglielmi detachable coils resulted in disappearance of the fistula and significant neurological improvement.
Assessing the microlesion effect of subthalamic deep brain stimulation surgery with FDG PET
Authors: Pourfar Michael , Tang Chengke , Lin Tanya , Dhawan Vijay , Kaplitt Michael G. , Eidelberg David
Published: March 2009

Object

The authors investigated whether the insertion of deep brain stimulation electrodes into the subthalamic nucleus can alter regional brain metabolism in the absence of stimulation.

Methods

Six patients with Parkinson disease (PD) underwent preoperative FDG PET scanning, and again after STN electrode implantation with stimulation turned off.

Results

Compared with baseline values, glucose utilization was reduced in the postoperative off-stimulation scans in the putamen/globus pallidus and in the ventral thalamus (p < 0.01), and there was increased metabolism in the sensorimotor cortex and cerebellum (p < 0.005). The expression of a specific PD-related spatial covariance pattern measured in the FDG PET data did not change after electrode implantation (p = 0.36), nor was there a significant change in clinical motor ratings (p = 0.44). Differences in PD-related spatial covariance pattern expression among the patients after electrode implantation did, however, correlate with the number of microelectrode recording trajectories placed during surgery (r = –0.82, p < 0.05).

Conclusions

These findings suggest that electrode implantation can impart a microlesion effect on regional brain function. Nonetheless, these local changes did not cross the threshold of network modulation needed to achieve clinical benefit.
Smoking Enhances Risk for New External Genital Warts in Men
Authors: Wiley Dorothy J. , Elashoff David , Masongsong Emmanuel V. , Harper Diane M. , Gylys Karen H. , Silverberg Michael J. , Cook Robert L. , Johnson-Hill Lisette M.
Published: March 2009

Repeat episodes of HPV-related external genital warts reflect recurring or new infections. No study before has been sufficiently powered to delineate how tobacco use, prior history of EGWs and HIV infection affect the risk for new EGWs. Behavioral, laboratory and examination data for 2,835 Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study participants examined at 21,519 semi-annual visits were evaluated. Fourteen percent (391/2835) of men reported or were diagnosed with EGWs at 3% (675/21,519) of study visits. Multivariate analyses showed smoking, prior episodes of EGWs, HIV infection and CD4+ T-lymphocyte count among the infected, each differentially influenced the risk for new EGWs.
How the Mid-Victorians Worked, Ate and Died
Authors: Clayton Paul , Rowbotham Judith
Published: March 2009

Analysis of the mid-Victorian period in the U.K. reveals that life expectancy at age 5 was as good or better than exists today, and the incidence of degenerative disease was 10% of ours. Their levels of physical activity and hence calorific intakes were approximately twice ours. They had relatively little access to alcohol and tobacco; and due to their correspondingly high intake of fruits, whole grains, oily fish and vegetables, they consumed levels of micro- and phytonutrients at approximately ten times the levels considered normal today. This paper relates the nutritional status of the mid-Victorians to their freedom from degenerative disease; and extrapolates recommendations for the cost-effective improvement of public health today.
Mechanism of Suppression of Protein Aggregation by α-Crystallin
Authors: Markossian Kira A. , Yudin Igor K. , Kurganov Boris I.
Published: March 2009

This review summarizes experimental data illuminating the mechanism of suppression of heat-induced protein aggregation by a-crystallin, one of the small heat shock proteins. The dynamic light scattering data show that the initial stage of thermal aggregation of proteins is the formation of the initial aggregates involving hundreds of molecules of the denatured protein. Further sticking of the starting aggregates proceeds in a regime of diffusion-limited cluster-cluster aggregation. The protective effect of a-crystallin is due to transition of the aggregation process to the regime of reaction-limited cluster-cluster aggregation, wherein the sticking probability for the colliding particles becomes lower than unity.
Protein Dynamics: From Molecules, to Interactions, to Biology
Authors: Gruebele Martin
Published: March 2009

Proteins have a remarkably rich diversity of dynamical behaviors, and the articles in this issue of the International Journal of Molecular Sciences are a testament to that fact. From the picosecond motions of single sidechains probed by NMR or fluorescence spectroscopy, to aggregation processes at interfaces that take months, all time scales play a role. Proteins are functional molecules, so by their nature they always interact with their environment. This environment includes water, other biomolecules, or larger cellular structures. In a sense, it also includes the protein molecule itself: proteins are large enough to fold and interact with themselves. These interactions have been honed by evolution to produce behaviors completely different from those of random polymers.
Synthesis of novel 3-Hydrazino-3-oxo-N-(4-sulfamoylphenyl)-propanamide
Authors: Naqvi Arshi , Shahnawaaz Mohd. , Rao Arikatla V. , Seth Daya S. , Sharma Nawal K.
Published: March 2009

Novel 3-hydrazino-3-oxo-N-(4-sulfamoylphenyl)propanamide has been efficiently synthesized from DEM and hydrazine hydrate. The synthesized hydrazide was screened for anti-tubercular activity.
Synthesis of (2E)-2-(2,4,6-Trimethoxybenzylidene)indan-1-one
Authors: Asiri Abdullah Mohamed , Rasul Mohammed Golam
Published: March 2009

Donor-acceptor (D-p-A) dyestuff and colorants represent a vast majority of organic chromogens
Synthesis of (2R,3S)-((1R,2S,5R)-2-isopropyl-5-methylcyclohexyl) 2-(4-bromophenyl)-3-(tert-butoxy-carbonylamino)-tetrahydrofuran-3-carboxylate and (2S,3R)-((1R,2S,5R)-2-isopropyl- 5-methylcyclohexyl)2-(4- bromophenyl)-3-(tert-butoxycarbonylamino)-tetrahydrofuran-3-carboxylate
Authors: Grauer Andreas , König Burkhard
Published: March 2009

Two new Cα-tetrasubstituted α-amino acids (2R,3S)-((1R,2S,5R)-2-isopropyl-5-methylcyclohexyl) 2-(4-bromophenyl)-3-(tert-butoxycarbonylamino)-tetrahydrofuran-3-carboxylate and (2S,3R)-((1R,2S,5R)-2-isopropyl-5-methylcyclohexyl) 2-(4-bromophenyl)-3-(tert-butoxycarbonylamino)-tetrahydrofuran-3-carboxylate were synthesized and characterized by NMR, MS, elemental analysis and X-ray.
Synthesis of 1-[(2-Oxonaphthalen-1(2H)-ylidene)methyl]urea
Authors: Xu Jiehua , Chen Anjun , Liu Qingjian
Published: March 2009

An unexpected product, 1-[(2-oxonaphthalen-1(2H)-ylidene)methyl]urea 4 of the condensation reaction of 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde with or without ethyl benzoylacetate and urea under hydrochloric acid-catalyzed and solvent-free conditions is reported.
Availability and End-to-end Reliability in Low Duty Cycle MultihopWireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Suhonen Jukka , Hämäläinen Timo D. , Hännikäinen Marko
Published: March 2009

A wireless sensor network (WSN) is an ad-hoc technology that may even consist of thousands of nodes, which necessitates autonomic, self-organizing and multihop operations. A typical WSN node is battery powered, which makes the network lifetime the primary concern. The highest energy efficiency is achieved with low duty cycle operation, however, this alone is not enough. WSNs are deployed for different uses, each requiring acceptable Quality of Service (QoS). Due to the unique characteristics of WSNs, such as dynamic wireless multihop routing and resource constraints, the legacy QoS metrics are not feasible as such. We give a new definition to measure and implement QoS in low duty cycle WSNs, namely availability and reliability. Then, we analyze the effect of duty cycling for reaching the availability and reliability. The results are obtained by simulations with ZigBee and proprietary TUTWSN protocols. Based on the results, we also propose a data forwarding algorithm suitable for resource constrained WSNs that guarantees end-to-end reliability while adding a small overhead that is relative to the packet error rate (PER). The forwarding algorithm guarantees reliability up to 30% PER.
On the Way to Improve the Environmental Benignity of Chemical Processes: Novel Catalysts for a Polymerization Process
Authors: Rach Silvana  F. , Kühn Fritz  E.
Published: March 2009

An example for a process that can, in principle, be improved by the application of a catalyst is the synthesis of poly(2-methyl-propene)s (“polyisobutenes”), which are important for numerous industrial applications. Each year several 100,000 t are produced. The production of low-molecular weight polyisobutenes by means of cationic initiation by an excess of Lewis acids is well established. Typically, these initiators require the usage of solvents like chloroform, dichloromethane and ethylene and temperatures far below 0 °C (–100 °C in the case of ethylene as solvent). Solvent stabilized transition metal complexes with weakly coordinating counter anions overcome these drawbacks and thus are not only more efficient, but also more environmentally benign: they can be applied at ambient temperature and in non chlorinated solvents at low concentrations.
CONTROL SYSTEM FOR MEDIUM‐SIZED FLYING TARGET
Authors: Dołęga Bogusław , Rogalski Tomasz
Published: March 2009

The research team from Control and Avionics Department of Rzeszow University of Technology (RUT) has been working on control systems for many types of flying objects for years. Experiences the team has had during their activity have helped create the control algorithms for a medium‐size flying target (MSFT). Researchers from RUT, together with the small aviation company EUROTECH, have been working on a flying target for artillery. This paper gives a generic view of the system, including airborne and on‐ground parts. But this paper mainly presents the control system that is mounted on the MSFT. The paper describes the generic conception of the control system of the flying target, including control laws used in the control system of the MSFT. Results of simulations and real flight data are also presented.

Santrauka

Ržešovo technologijos universiteto Valdymo ir kontroles departamento tyreju grupe keleta metu dirba su ivairi u tip u orlaivi u valdymo sistemomis. Turimas grupes patyrimas panaudotas kuriant valdymo sistemas vidutinio dydžio taikiniams. RUT tyrejai kartu su maža aviacijos imone EUROTECH dirba su skraidančiais taikiniais artilerijai. Straipsnyje pateikiama bendra sistemos apžvalga, iskaitant skrendančias ir žemeje esančias dalis. Pagrindinis demesys straipsnyje skiriamas valdymo sistemai, sumontuotai skrendančiame taikinyje. Pateikiama bendra skrendančio taikinio valdymo sistemos koncepcija, iskaitant valdymo desnius, taikomus skrendančio taikinio valdymo sistemoje. Taip pat pateikiami modeliavimo ir reali u skrydžiu rezultatai.
Éléments pour une analyse des coalitions contestataires
Authors: Mathieu Lilian
Published: March 2009

Résumé L’article se penche sur les conditions de formation des coalitions entre mouvements sociaux à partir de l’étude de l’alliance qui s’est tissée entre deux organisations de mouvement social actives sur des terrains de lutte distincts : Act Up et Agir ensemble contre le chômage (AC !). Cette coalition s’est exprimée au cours de deux épisodes contestataires de l’année 1997, tout d’abord par le ralliement de militants d’AC ! à l’appel « Nous sommes la gauche » lancé par Act Up au moment de la dissolution de l’Assemblée nationale, puis par la participation en décembre d’Act Up au mouvement des chômeurs. Si l’alliance s’est cristallisée autour de la revendication, portée par certaines fractions d’AC ! d’un revenu minimum garanti, celle-ci ne revêtait pas le même sens ni ne répondait aux mêmes enjeux pour les deux groupes, ce qui invite l’analyse des coalitions à s’intéresser davantage à ce qui distingue les unités coalisées qu’à ce qui semble, mais en apparence seulement, les rapprocher.
Les opérations « Robin des bois » au sein de la CGT Énergie
Authors: Béroud Sophie
Published: March 2009

Résumé Le mouvement de protestation que la CGT Énergie a mené au printemps 2004 contre le projet de loi modifiant le statut d’EDF et de GDF témoigne d’un renouvellement des pratiques syndicales. D’une stratégie tournée vers la défense du statut des agents, la direction du syndicat a fait évoluer la mobilisation vers une lutte en faveur du droit à l’énergie, en particulier pour les ménages en difficulté. Les opérations « Robin des bois » de remise du courant à des ménages privés d’électricité sont emblématiques de cette orientation née de la participation de syndicalistes à des mouvements de défense des sans-emploi. Pour autant, elles ne font pas l’unanimité au sein de la CGT Énergie et ne débouchent pas sur le développement d’un mouvement d’action durable entre syndicalistes et militants chômeurs. Ces difficultés éclairent le caractère non linéaire, et parfois contradictoire, des tentatives de redéfinition des marges de l’action syndicale.
ICT Projects and Planning: From Equipments to Activities
Authors: Alves Sónia Santos , Simões Ana Paula , Gomes Cristina Azevedo , Lima Fernando Jorge
Published: March 2009

Our study is based on a comparative analysis of two institutional documents, produced in public primary and secondary Portuguese schools, meant to enhance the use of ICT resources: an application to the Iniciativa Escolas, Professores e Computadores Portáteis (â??Schools, Teachers and Laptops Initiativeâ??), which aimed at equipping schools with ICT equipment, and the ICT Plan, a biannual plan of action for the integration of ICT in educational activities involving all the members of the educative community.

The analysis focused on the typologies of activities planned for each school in both documents. As these documents were produced in consecutive school years, it was possible to recognize a continuity and evolution relationship towards the activation of ICT resources when conceiving, planning and developing learning activities.
Tandem Affinity Purification of Protein Complexes in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells Using In Vivo Biotinylation
Authors: Wang Jianlong , Cantor Alan B. , Orkin Stuart H.
Published: March 2009

In dissecting the pluripotent state in mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells, we have employed in vivo biotinylation of critical transcription factors for streptavidin affinity purification of protein complexes and constructed a protein‐protein interaction network. This has facilitated discovery of novel pluripotency factors and a better understanding of stem cell pluripotency. Here we describe detailed procedures for in vivo biotinylation system setup in mouse ES cells, and affinity purification of multi‐protein complexes using in vivo biotinylation. In addition, we present a protocol employing SDS‐PAGE fractionation to reduce sample complexity prior to submission for mass spectrometry (MS) protein identification. Curr. Protoc. Stem Cell Biol. 8:1B.5.1‐1B.5.17. © 2009 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Imaging Neural Stem Cell Fate in Mouse Model of Glioma
Authors: Shah Khalid
Published: March 2009

This unit describes a protocol for following the fate of stem cells in real time in a mouse model of glioma. Stem cells and tumor cells can be transduced with lentiviral vectors bearing two different luciferases, firefly luciferase (Fluc) and Renilla (Rluc) luciferase, respectively. With the cells labeled in this manner, bioluminescence imaging can be used to study the fate of stem cells in glioma‐bearing brains in vivo. Curr. Protoc. Stem Cell Biol. 8:5A.1.1‐5A.1.11. © 2009 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Effect of epilepsy magnetic source imaging on intracranial electrode placement
Authors: Knowlton Robert C. , Razdan Shantanu N. , Limdi Nita , Elgavish Rotem A. , Killen Jeff , Blount Jeffrey , Burneo Jorge G. , Ver Hoef Lawrence , Paige Lebron , Faught Edward , Kankirawatana Pongkiat , Bartolucci Al , Riley Kristen , Kuzniecky Ruben
Published: March 2009

Objective

Intracranial electroencephalography (ICEEG) with chronically implanted electrodes is a costly invasive diagnostic procedure that remains necessary for a large proportion of patients who undergo evaluation for epilepsy surgery. This study was designed to evaluate whether magnetic source imaging (MSI), a noninvasive test based on magnetoencephalography source localization, can supplement ICEEG by affecting electrode placement to improve sampling of the seizure onset zone(s).

Methods

Of 298 consecutive epilepsy surgery candidates (between 2001 and 2006), 160 patients were prospectively enrolled by insufficient localization from seizure monitoring and magnetic resonance imaging results. Before presenting MSI results, decisions were made whether to proceed with ICEEG, and if so, where to place electrodes such that the hypothetical seizure‐onset zone would be sampled. MSI results were then provided with allowance of changes to the original plan.

Results

MSI indicated additional electrode coverage in 18 of 77 (23%) ICEEG cases. In 39% (95% confidence interval, 16.4–61.4), seizure‐onset ICEEG patterns involved the additional electrodes indicated by MSI. Sixty‐two patients underwent surgical resection based on ICEEG recording of seizures. Highly localized MSI was significantly associated with seizure‐free outcome (mean, 3.4 years; minimum, >1 year) for the entire surgical population (n = 62).

Interpretation

MSI spike localization increases the chance that the seizure‐onset zone is sampled when patients undergo ICEEG for presurgical epilepsy evaluations. The clinical impact of this effect, improving diagnostic yield of ICEEG, should be considered in surgery candidates who do not have satisfactory indication of epilepsy localization from seizure semiology, electroencephalogram, and magnetic resonance imaging. Ann Neurol 2009;65:716–723
Eastchester clapping sign: A novel test of parietal neglect
Authors: Ostrow Lyle W. , Llinás Rafael H.
Published: March 2009

Hand clapping is a motor program mastered in infancy. Inspired by a question posed by an Eastchester High School AP Psychology class, we present a case series of 14 patients with hemispatial neglect who, when asked to clap, repeatedly performed one‐handed motions stopping abruptly at the midline of the visual hemispace, as if pantomiming slapping an invisible board. In contrast, hemiplegic patients without neglect will reach across and clap against their plegic hands. This phenomenon provides an easy, rapid, and unambiguous test for neglect, applicable to patients of any ethnicity or age. Ann Neurol 2009;66:114–117
Lack of evidence of monomer/misfolded superoxide dismutase‐1 in sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Liu Hsueh‐Ning , Sanelli Teresa , Horne Patrick , Pioro Erik P. , Strong Michael J. , Rogaeva Ekaterina , Bilbao Juan , Zinman Lorne , Robertson Janice
Published: March 2009

Objective

In familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (fALS) harboring superoxide dismutase (SOD1) mutations (fALS1), SOD1 toxicity has been linked to its propensity to misfold and aggregate. It has recently been proposed that misfolded SOD1 may be causative of all types of ALS, including sporadic cases (sALS). In the present study, we have used a specific antibody to test for the presence of monomer/misfolded SOD1 in sALS.

Methods

Sections from lumbar spinal cords of 5 fALS1 cases, 13 sALS cases, and 1 non‐SOD1 fALS case were labeled immunocytochemically using SOD1‐exposed‐dimer‐interface (SEDI) antibody, which we have previously validated as being specific for pathological monomer/misfolded forms of SOD1.

Results

Monomer/misfolded SOD1 was detected with SEDI antibody in all 5 of the fALS1 cases, localizing predominantly to hyaline conglomerate inclusions, a specific pathological feature of fALS1. In contrast, monomer/misfolded SOD1 was not detected in any of the 13 sALS cases or in the non‐SOD1 fALS cases. These results were confirmed by immunoprecipitation.

Interpretation

Although SEDI antibody does not necessarily label all misfolded forms of SOD1, these findings show a distinct difference between fALS1 and sALS, and do not support that monomer/misfolded SOD1 is a common disease entity linking all types of ALS. This is important to our understanding of ALS disease pathogenesis and to considerations of the applicability of using therapeutics that target misfolded SOD1 to non‐SOD1‐related cases. Ann Neurol 2009;66:75–80