bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Outcomes in Patients With Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic Devices and Bacteremia Caused by Gram-Positive Cocci Other Than Staphylococcus Aureus
Authors: Madhavan Malini , Sohail Muhammad R. , Friedman Paul A. , Hayes David L. , Steckelberg James M. , Wilson Walter R. , Baddour Larry M. ,   for the Mayo Cardiovascular Infections Study Group
Published: September 2010

Background—

Infection is a serious complication of cardiovascular implantable electronic device (CIED) placement and requires device removal for attempted cure.

Methods and Results—

We studied the rate, risk factors, and outcomes of CIED infection in 74 consecutive patients with bacteremia caused by Gram-positive cocci (GPC) other than
Staphylococcus aureus
between 2001 and 2007. CIED infection was defined as the presence of signs of infection at the generator site, lead vegetations seen on echocardiography, or microbiological growth from device cultures. Twenty-two (30%) of 74 patients with non–
S aureus
GPC bacteremia had CIED infections. Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) accounted for 73% of CIED infections. The rate of CIED infection in patients with CoNS bacteremia was almost 2-fold that of non-CoNS GPC bacteremia (36% versus 20%,
P
=0.13). The number of leads, the presence of abandoned leads, and prior generator replacement were associated with CIED infection. Among 33 patients without identifiable CIED infection at initial evaluation who did not undergo device removal, 5 (15%) had relapsing bacteremia within 12 weeks of completing antibiotic therapy. CoNS accounted for all relapses, and none had evidence of CIED infection at relapse.

Conclusions—

Patients with a CIED and bacteremia caused by GPC other than
S aureus
frequently had evidence of underlying CIED infection on clinical evaluation that included transesophageal echocardiography. This was particularly true among those with CoNS bacteremia. No evidence of underlying CIED infections was identified in the subgroup of patients who did not have manifestations of CIED infection on initial evaluation but subsequently had relapsing bacteremia caused by CoNS.
Association of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms on Chromosome 9p21.3 With Platelet Reactivity
Authors: Musunuru Kiran , Post Wendy S. , Herzog William , Shen Haiqing , O'Connell Jeffrey R. , McArdle Patrick F. , Ryan Kathleen A. , Gibson Quince , Cheng Yu-Ching , Clearfield Elizabeth , Johnson Andrew D. , Tofler Geoffrey , Yang Qiong , O'Donnell Christopher J. , Becker Diane M. , Yanek Lisa R. , Becker Lewis C. , Faraday Nauder , Bielak Lawrence F. , Peyser Patricia A. , Shuldiner Alan R. , Mitchell Braxton D.
Published: September 2010

Background—

Genome-wide association studies have identified a locus on chromosome 9p21.3 to be strongly associated with myocardial infarction/coronary artery disease and ischemic stroke. To gain insights into the mechanisms underlying these associations, we hypothesized that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in this region would be associated with platelet reactivity across multiple populations.

Methods and Results—

Subjects in the initial population included 1402 asymptomatic Amish adults in whom we measured platelet reactivity (n=788) and coronary artery calcification (CAC) (n=939). Platelet reactivity on agonist stimulation was measured by impedance aggregometry, and CAC was measured by electron beam CT. Twenty-nine SNPs at the 9p21.3 locus were genotyped using the Affymetrix 500K array. Twelve correlated SNPs in the locus were significantly associated with platelet reactivity (all
P
≤0.001). The SNP most strongly associated with platelet reactivity, rs10965219 (
P
=0.0002), also was associated with CAC (
P
=0.002) along with 9 other SNPs (all
P
<0.004). Association of rs10965219 with platelet reactivity persisted after adjustment for CAC, a measure of underlying atherosclerotic burden known to affect platelet reactivity. We then tested rs10965219 for association with platelet function in 2364 subjects from the Framingham Heart Study and 1169 subjects from the Genetic Study of Aspirin Responsiveness. The rs10965219 G allele (frequency ≈51% across all 3 populations) was significantly associated with higher platelet reactivity in the Framingham Heart Study (
P
=0.001) and trended toward higher reactivity in the Genetic Study of Aspirin Responsiveness (
P
=0.087); the combined
P
value for metaanalysis was 0.0002.

Conclusions—

These results suggest that risk alleles at 9p21.3 locus may have pleiotropic effects on myocardial infarction/coronary artery disease and stroke risk, possibly through their influence on platelet reactivity.
Encounters between Christian and Muslim Women in the Netherlands
Authors: Speelman Dr. Gé M.
Published: September 2010

In this article, I want to explore the different types of encounter that take place between Christian and Muslim women. I will give an example of each type, drawing on my own experience and on the accounts of others. I will subsequently place these encounters in a threefold framework. I want to look at the dialogue between Christian and Muslim women from an organisational, a social political, and a theological framework.
Christian-Muslim Experiences in Poland
Authors: Grodź Stanisław
Published: September 2010

The reality of Christian-Muslim encounters in Eastern Europe is often overlooked because problems that states and societies of Western Europe face in relation to Muslim presence tend to be placed in the focal positions of contemporary debates on Christian-Muslim relations. Refection given in this article is presented from a Polish perspective marked by the dominance of one religious tradition, namely Roman Catholic. The Muslim population of Poland is tiny at present — estimated at 0.04-0.08% of the total population. The argument presented here is that even in such an imbalanced situation interreligious contacts can effectively contribute to rethinking, renewing and strengthening of the identities of those involved in the contacts. For the RC Church it is an opportunity of learning to “make space for the others” without a feeling of giving in under pressure. After giving some attention to a question whether Poland is “multicultural”, brief characteristics of Muslim communities in Poland will be given with some attention devoted to the problem whether they are marginal or involved in the main stream of the Polish society. This will form a framework for acquaintance with examples of interreligious experiences/ encounters, and with their results and significance. The article was written before the outbursts of controversies around the construction of a mosque in Warsaw in March 2010.
Nowcasting Convective Storm Initiation Using Satellite-Based Box-Averaged Cloud-Top Cooling and Cloud-Type Trends
Authors: Sieglaff Justin M. , Cronce Lee M. , Feltz Wayne F. , Bedka Kristopher M. , Pavolonis Michael J. , Heidinger Andrew K.
Published: September 2010

Short-term (0–1 h) convective storm nowcasting remains a problem for operational weather forecasting, and convective storms pose a significant monetary sink for the aviation industry. Numerical weather prediction models, traditional meteorological observations, and radar are all useful for short-term convective forecasting, but all have shortcomings. Geostationary imagers, while having their own shortcomings, are valuable assets for addressing the convective initiation nowcast problem. The University of Wisconsin Convective Initiation (UWCI) nowcasting algorithm is introduced for use as an objective, satellite-based decision support tool. The UWCI algorithm computes Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) Imager infrared window channel box-averaged cloud-top cooling rates and creates convective initiation nowcasts based on a combination of cloud-top cooling rates and satellite-derived cloud-top type–phase trends. The UWCI approach offers advantages over existing techniques, such as increased computational efficiency (decreased runtime) and day–night independence. A validation of the UWCI algorithm relative to cloud-to-ground lightning initiation events is also presented for 23 convective afternoons and 11 convective nights over the central United States during April–June and 1 night of July during 2008 and 2009. The mean probability of detection and false-alarm ratio are 56.3% (47.0%) and 25.5% (34.8%), respectively, for regions within a Storm Prediction Center severe storm risk area (entire validation domain). The UWCI algorithm is shown to perform 1) better in regimes with storms developing in previously clear to partly cloudy skies and along sharp boundaries and 2) poorer in other regimes such as scenes covered with cirrus shields, existing convective anvils, and fast cloud motion.
Impact of Bathythermograph Temperature Bias Models on an Ocean Reanalysis
Authors: Giese Benjamin S. , Chepurin Gennady A. , Carton James A. , Boyer Tim P. , Seidel Howard F.
Published: September 2010

Historical bathythermograph datasets are known to be biased, and there have been several efforts to model this bias. Three different correction models of temperature bias in the historical bathythermograph dataset are compared here: the steady model of Hanawa et al. and the time-dependent models of Levitus et al. and Wijffels et al. The impact of these different models is examined in the context of global analysis experiments using the Simple Ocean Data Assimilation system. The results show that the two time-dependent bias models significantly reduce warm bias in global heat content, notably in the 10 years starting in the early 1970s and again in the early 1990s. Overall, the Levitus et al. model has its greatest impact near the surface and the Wijffels et al. model has its greatest impact at subtropical thermocline depths. Examination of the vertical structure of temperature error shows that at thermocline depths the Wijffels et al. model overcompensates, leading to a slight cool bias, while at shallow levels the same model causes a slight warm bias in the central and eastern subtropics and at thermocline depths on the equator in the Pacific Ocean as a result of reduced vertical entrainment. The results also show that the bias-correction models may alter the representation of interannual variability. During the 1997/98 El Niño and the subsequent La Niña the Levitus et al. model, which has its main impact at shallow depths, reduces the 50-m temperature anomalies in the eastern equatorial Pacific by 10%–20% and strengthens the zonal currents by up to 50%. The Wijffels et al. correction, which has its main impact at deeper levels, has much less effect on the oceanic expression of ENSO.
Tropical Cyclone Count Forecasting Using a Dynamical Seasonal Prediction System: Sensitivity to Improved Ocean Initialization
Authors: Alessandri Andrea , Borrelli Andrea , Gualdi Silvio , Scoccimarro Enrico , Masina Simona
Published: September 2010

This study investigates the predictability of tropical cyclone (TC) seasonal count anomalies using the Centro Euro-Mediterraneo per i Cambiamenti Climatici–Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (CMCC-INGV) Seasonal Prediction System (SPS). To this aim, nine-member ensemble forecasts for the period 1992–2001 for two starting dates per year were performed. The skill in reproducing the observed TC counts has been evaluated after the application of a TC location and tracking detection method to the retrospective forecasts. The SPS displays good skill in predicting the observed TC count anomalies, particularly over the tropical Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. The simulated TC activity exhibits realistic geographical distribution and interannual variability, thus indicating that the model is able to reproduce the major basic mechanisms that link the TCs’ occurrence with the large-scale circulation. TC count anomalies prediction has been found to be sensitive to the subsurface assimilation in the ocean for initialization. Comparing the results with control simulations performed without assimilated initial conditions, the results indicate that the assimilation significantly improves the prediction of the TC count anomalies over the eastern North Pacific Ocean (ENP) and northern Indian Ocean (NI) during boreal summer. During the austral counterpart, significant progresses over the area surrounding Australia (AUS) and in terms of the probabilistic quality of the predictions also over the southern Indian Ocean (SI) were evidenced. The analysis shows that the improvement in the prediction of anomalous TC counts follows the enhancement in forecasting daily anomalies in sea surface temperature due to subsurface ocean initialization. Furthermore, the skill changes appear to be in part related to forecast differences in convective available potential energy (CAPE) over the ENP and the North Atlantic Ocean (ATL), in wind shear over the NI, and in both CAPE and wind shear over the SI.
A Climatology of Arabian Sea Cyclonic Storms
Authors: Evan Amato T. , Camargo Suzana J.
Published: September 2010

On average 1–2 tropical cyclones form over the Arabian Sea each year, and few of these storms are intense enough to be classified as very severe or super cyclonic storms. As such, few studies have explicitly identified the seasonal to interannual changes in environmental conditions that are associated with Arabian Sea tropical cyclogenesis. However, over the last 30 yr several intense Arabian storms did form and make landfall, with large impacts, which motivates this new study of the basin. The conclusions of earlier studies are visited by utilizing modern observational and reanalysis data to identify the large-scale features associated with Arabian tropical cyclone variability on seasonal time scales. Then year-to-year changes in environmental conditions that are related to interannual variability in Arabian storms during the pre- and postmonsoon periods are elucidated. The analysis of the relationship between large-scale environmental variables and seasonal storm frequency supports conclusions from work completed more than 40 yr prior. Investigation of the year-to-year changes in premonsoon storm frequency suggests that May (June) storms are associated with an early (late) onset of the southwest monsoon. The findings also demonstrate that November cyclones (the month when the majority of postmonsoon cyclogenesis occurs) primarily form during periods when the Bay of Bengal experiences a broad region of high sea level pressure, implying that November storms form in either the Arabian Sea or the Bay of Bengal but not in both during the same year. Finally, the analysis of changes in a genesis potential index suggests that long-term variability in the potential for a storm to form is dictated by changes in midlevel moisture.
Simulation of the Direct Radiative Effect of Mineral Dust Aerosol on the Climate at the Last Glacial Maximum
Authors: Yue Xu , Wang Huijun , Liao Hong , Jiang Dabang
Published: September 2010

The climatic responses to the direct radiative effect of dust aerosol at the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) are examined using a general circulation model with online simulation of dust. The predicted global dust emission at the LGM is 2.3 times as large as the present-day value, which is the combined effect of the expansion of dust sources and the favorable meteorological parameters (MPs; e.g., the strong surface wind and the low air humidity) under the LGM climate. Simulated global dust emission is 1966 Tg yr−1 with present-day dust sources and MPs, 2820 Tg yr−1 with LGM dust sources and current MPs, 2599 Tg yr−1 with present-day dust sources and LGM MPs, and 4579 Tg yr−1 with LGM sources and MPs. The simulated percentage increases of dust concentrations are the largest at high latitudes in both hemispheres, which are consistent with the deposition data from geological records. The LGM dust is estimated to exert global annual-mean shortwave (SW) and longwave (LW) radiative forcing (RF) of −4.69 and +1.70 W m−2 at the surface, respectively, and −0.58 and +0.68 W m−2 at the top of the atmosphere, respectively. On a global- and annual-mean basis, surface air temperature (SAT) is predicted to be reduced by 0.18 K and precipitation is reduced by 0.06 mm day−1, as a result of the net (SW and LW) radiative effect of dust at the LGM. Two sensitivity studies are performed to identify the uncertainties in simulated climatic effect of LGM dust that arise from the assumed LW and/or SW absorption by dust: 1) in the absence of dust LW radiative effect, the LGM global- and annual-mean SAT is predicted to be further reduced by 0.19 K; and 2) when the single scattering albedo of the Saharan dust at 0.55 μm is increased from 0.89 to 0.98 in the LGM climate simulation, the LGM dust-induced annual- and global-mean surface cooling increases from 0.18 to 0.63 K even with both SW and LW radiative effects of dust. In these two sensitivity studies, the LGM dust is predicted to induce an average cooling of 0.42 and 0.72 K in SAT, respectively, over the tropical oceans.
Mixed Layer Lateral Eddy Fluxes Mediated by Air–Sea Interaction
Authors: Shuckburgh Emily , Maze Guillaume , Ferreira David , Marshall John , Jones Helen , Hill Chris
Published: September 2010

The modulation of air–sea heat fluxes by geostrophic eddies due to the stirring of temperature at the sea surface is discussed and quantified. It is argued that the damping of eddy temperature variance by such air–sea fluxes enhances the dissipation of surface temperature fields. Depending on the time scale of damping relative to that of the eddying motions, surface eddy diffusivities can be significantly enhanced over interior values. The issues are explored and quantified in a controlled setting by driving a tracer field, a proxy for sea surface temperature, with surface altimetric observations in the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) of the Southern Ocean. A new, tracer-based diagnostic of eddy diffusivity is introduced, which is related to the Nakamura effective diffusivity. Using this, the mixed layer lateral eddy diffusivities associated with (i) eddy stirring and small-scale mixing and (ii) surface damping by air–sea interaction is quantified. In the ACC, a diffusivity associated with surface damping of a comparable magnitude to that associated with eddy stirring (∼500 m2 s−1) is found. In frontal regions prevalent in the ACC, an augmentation of surface lateral eddy diffusivities of this magnitude is equivalent to an air–sea flux of 100 W m−2 acting over a mixed layer depth of 100 m, a very significant effect. Finally, the implications for other tracer fields such as salinity, dissolved gases, and chlorophyll are discussed. Different tracers are found to have surface eddy diffusivities that differ significantly in magnitude.
Diapycnal Transport and Mixing Efficiency in Stratified Boundary Layers near Sloping Topography
Authors: Umlauf Lars , Burchard Hans
Published: September 2010

The interaction of shear, stratification, and turbulence in boundary layers on sloping topography is investigated with the help of an idealized theoretical model, assuming uniform bottom slope and homogeneity in the upslope direction. It is shown theoretically that the irreversible vertical buoyancy flux generated in the boundary layer is directly proportional to the molecular destruction rate of small-scale buoyancy variance, which can be inferred, for example, from microstructure observations. Dimensional analysis of the equations shows that, for harmonic boundary layer forcing and no rotation, the problem is governed by three nondimensional parameters (slope angle, roughness number, and ratio of forcing and buoyancy frequencies). Solution of the equations with a second-moment closure model for the turbulent fluxes reveals the periodic generation of gravitationally unstable boundary layers during upslope flow, consistent with available observations. Investigation of the nondimensional parameter space with the help of this model illustrates a systematic increase of the bulk mixing efficiencies for (i) steep slopes and (ii) low-frequency forcing. Except for very steep slopes, mixing efficiencies are substantially smaller than the classical value of Γ = 0.2.
Student Personal Perception of Classroom Climate: Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analyses
Authors: Rowe Ellen W. , Kim Sangwon , Baker Jean A. , Kamphaus Randy W. , Horne Arthur M.
Published: September 2010

The purpose of this study was to examine the factor structure of an instrument developed to assess elementary students’ individual perceptions of their classroom environments. The Student Personal Perception of Classroom Climate (SPPCC) originally consisted of six subscales adapted from previously published scales. Exploratory factor analysis identified the underlying dimensions of the SPPCC. The authors subsequently tested the four-factor model against the six-factor model using confirmatory factor analyses with an independent sample of students. The four-factor model appeared to be a more tenable solution because of its equally adequate fit indexes, parsimony, exploratory factor analytic support, and the high correlations between some factors. Future research and potential limitations of the study are discussed.
Sources of Validity Evidence for Educational and Psychological Tests: A Follow-Up Study
Authors: Cizek Gregory J. , Bowen Daniel , Church Keri
Published: September 2010

This study followed up on previous work that examined the incidence of reporting evidence based on test consequences in Mental Measurements Yearbook. In the present study, additional possible outlets for what has been called ‘‘consequential validity’’ evidence were investigated, including all articles published in the past 10 years in several applied journals devoted to educational assessment and educational policy, and all presentations at recent annual meetings for the three organizations that sponsor the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing (American Educational Research Association, American Psychological Association, and National Council on Measurement in Education). Consistent with previous findings, consequences of testing as a source of validity evidence is essentially nonexistent in the professional literature and applied measurement and policy work. The article concludes with implications of these findings for extending and refining current validity theory and validation practice.
Accuracy of NHANES Periodontal Examination Protocols
Authors: Eke P.I. , Thornton-Evans G.O. , Wei L. , Borgnakke W.S. , Dye B.A.
Published: September 2010

This study evaluates the accuracy of periodontitis prevalence determined by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) partial-mouth periodontal examination protocols. True periodontitis prevalence was determined in a new convenience sample of 454 adults ≥ 35 years old, by a full-mouth “gold standard” periodontal examination. This actual prevalence was compared with prevalence resulting from analysis of the data according to the protocols of NHANES III and NHANES 2001-2004, respectively. Both NHANES protocols substantially underestimated the prevalence of periodontitis by 50% or more, depending on the periodontitis case definition used, and thus performed below threshold levels for moderate-to-high levels of validity for surveillance. Adding measurements from lingual or interproximal sites to the NHANES 2001-2004 protocol did not improve the accuracy sufficiently to reach acceptable sensitivity thresholds. These findings suggest that NHANES protocols produce high levels of misclassification of periodontitis cases and thus have low validity for surveillance and research.
Taste Genes Associated with Dental Caries
Authors: Wendell S. , Wang X. , Brown M. , Cooper M.E. , DeSensi R.S. , Weyant R.J. , Crout R. , McNeil D.W. , Marazita M.L.
Published: September 2010

Dental caries is influenced by a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors, including dietary habits. Previous reports have characterized the influence of genetic variation on taste preferences and dietary habits. We therefore hypothesized that genetic variation in taste pathway genes (TAS2R38, TAS1R2, GNAT3) may be associated with dental caries risk and/or protection. Families were recruited by the Center for Oral Health Research in Appalachia (COHRA) for collection of biological samples, demographic data, and clinical assessment of oral health, including caries scores. Multiple single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) assays for each gene were performed and analyzed by transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) analysis (FBAT software) for three dentition groups: primary, mixed, and permanent. Statistically significant associations were seen in TAS2R38 and TAS1R2 for caries risk and/or protection.
Acute toxicity and mutagenesis of three metabolites mixture of nitrobenzene in mice
Authors: Guixia Wang  , Xiuying Zhang  , Chunzhu Yao  , Meizhan Tian
Published: September 2010

Nitrobenzene is a synthetic compound, more than 95% of which is used in the production of aniline. Nitrobenzene has been demonstrated to be substantially metabolized to p-Nitrophenol, p-Aminophenol and p-Nitroaniline in food animals (e.g., bovines, fowls). There have been no studies on the acute toxicity and the mutagenesis of the mixture of the three metabolites mentioned above. The aim of the present study is to testify the acute toxicity and the mutagenesis of the three metabolites mixture. Seventy Kunming mice (half male, half female) received an intragastric administration exposure to metabolites-containing suspension of 750, 638, 542, 461, 392, 333 mg kg-1 body weight and 0.5% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (control), followed by a 14-day observation. The medial lethal dose (LD 50) concentration for nitrobenzene metabolites mixture in this study was 499.92 mg/kg. Their mutagenic toxicology was studied through micronucleus and sperm abnormality test. Kunming mice were twice intragastrically exposed to 1/5 LD50, 1/10 LD50, 1/20 LD50 mg kg -1 nitrobenzene metabolites-containing suspension spaced 24-h apart. Cyclophosphamide, pure water and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose served as doses of the positive group, the negative group and the solvent control group, respectively. The incidence of micronucleus and sperm abnormality increased significantly in the 1/5 LD50 and 1/10 LD50 group compared with the negative and solvent control group. A dose-related increase in the incidence of micronucleus and sperm abnormality was noted. In conclusion, the three metabolites mixture of nitrobenzene was secondary toxicity and mutagenic substances in mice.
Mapping the Australian Networked Public Sphere
Authors: Bruns Axel , Burgess Jean , Highfield Tim , Kirchhoff Lars , Nicolai Thomas
Published: September 2010

This article reports on a research program that has developed new methodologies for mapping the Australian blogosphere and tracking how information is disseminated across it. The authors improve on conventional web crawling methodologies in a number of significant ways: First, the authors track blogging activity as it occurs, by scraping new blog posts when such posts are announced through Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds. Second, the authors use custom-made tools that distinguish between the different types of content and thus allow us to analyze only the salient discursive content provided by bloggers. Finally, the authors are able to examine these better quality data using both link network mapping and textual analysis tools, to produce both cumulative longer term maps of interlinkages and themes, and specific shorter term snapshots of current activity that indicate current clusters of heavy interlinkage and highlight their key themes. In this article, the authors discuss findings from a yearlong observation of the Australian political blogosphere, suggesting that Australian political bloggers consistently address current affairs, but interpret them differently from mainstream news outlets. The article also discusses the next stage of the project, which extends this approach to an examination of other social networks used by Australians, including Twitter, YouTube, and Flickr. This adaptation of our methodology moves away from narrow models of political communication, and toward an investigation of everyday and popular communication, providing a more inclusive and detailed picture of the Australian networked public sphere.
Business Strategy versus Performance Trade-offs
Authors: Ramakrishnan K.
Published: September 2010

The tea industry in India is facing turbulent weather, both literally and figuratively. This study has mapped out competitive strategy in the Indian tea industry based on a sample of the 14 largest players. It is found that important trade-offs between the business-level strategy adopted and the performance objective may help the firms in this industry move ahead in a more focused manner. It appears that the simultaneous pursuance of profitability and growth/market position in this industry may be counter-productive. But, aiming for growth may also help attain market position. Profitability appears to stem from enhanced scope (higher distribution and international presence) and increased differentiation (higher advertising). Higher levels of efficiency and a lower level of asset parsimony too seem to favour higher profitability. The strategy of differentiation appears to be helping achieve both growth and market position. Cost leadership measures may also lead to growth, though not to a very high degree of market position.
On the Fundamentals of the Three-dimensional Translation Gauge Theory of Dislocations
Authors: Lazar M.
Published: September 2010

We propose a dynamical version of the three-dimensional translation gauge theory of dislocations. In our approach, we use the notions of dislocation density and dislocation current tensors as the translational field strengths and define corresponding response quantities (pseudomoment stress and dislocation momentum flux). For the equations of motion for dislocations, we derive a closed system of field equations in an elegant quasi-Maxwellian form. The dynamical Peach— Koehler force density is derived in this framework as well. Finally, we discuss the similarities and differences between Maxwell field theory and the dislocation gauge theory developed here.
Organization outside organizations: the significance of partial organization
Authors: Ahrne Göran , Brunsson Nils
Published: September 2010

It is common practice in organizational research to restrict the concept of organization to formal organizations, and to describe the world outside these entities by such other concepts as institutions or networks. It is argued in this article that the concept of organization can be fruitfully broadened to include some aspects of the order that exists outside and among organizations. A broader concept includes not only complete, formal organization, but also ‘partial organization’. Both types of organization are based on decisions, but whereas complete organizations have access to all elements of organization, partial organization is based on only one or a few of these elements. Like complete organization, partial organization is a common phenomenon that not least characterizes much of the contemporary global order. The authors discuss how partial organization arises, how and why institutions and networks sometimes become organized, and the consequences of organization for change, transparency and accountability.
Idiopathic acute transverse myelitis in children: an analysis and discussion of MRI findings
Authors: Alper Gulay , Petropoulou Kalliopi A , Fitz Charles R , Kim Yeonhee
Published: September 2010

Background:There is lack of reported magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies of idiopathic acute transverse myelitis (ATM) in children.

Objective:To describe the imaging features of idiopathic ATM in children.

Methods:We retrospectively analyzed the spinal MRI findings of children diagnosed with ATM. The anatomic regions, vertebral segmental length, gray or white matter involvement, cord expansion and gadolinium enhancement were examined.

Results:A total of 27 children were diagnosed with isolated monophasic ATM with a mean follow-up of 5.2 years. Two children later diagnosed with neuromyelitis optica were excluded from the pediatric ATM cohort. None of the patients had a subsequent diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. The mean age of onset was 9.5 years (0.5–16.9 years). Spinal MRIs were abnormal in 21 (78%). The mean interval between symptom onset and the MRI was 1.7 days (0–19 days). Central cord hyperintensity involving gray matter was seen in all patients. A majority (67%) of the patients demonstrated long segment lesions with a mean segment length of 6.4.

Conclusions:We conclude that central cord inflammation extending over three or more segments is the most common finding of idiopathic monophasic transverse myelitis in children. The risk of multiple sclerosis in children who experience isolated transverse myelitis as a first demyelinating event is low.
Parents as prisoners: A study of parent–child relationships in the Children’s Court of Victoria
Authors: Sheehan Rosemary
Published: September 2010

• Summary: This article reports on a study funded by the Criminology Research Council, Australia, investigating the intersection between the child protection and criminal justice systems and the extent to which children before the Melbourne Children’s Court on child protection matters, during the study period June to December 2006, had a parent currently in prison, awaiting sentencing or previously in prison. This article focuses on what associations there might be between parental imprisonment and its impact on family life and the care of children.

• Findings: Magistrates identified 156 children as meeting these criteria during the study period for whom there were concerns about physical and emotional harm, child development, or the parent’s incapacity to provide care for the child; concerns about parental substance abuse, mental health, family violence and transience. The instability in these children’s lives was linked to the parents’ offending and was reflected in the reasons why the children came to the attention of the court, and the child protection concerns expressed about them. Yet, there was no co-ordinated response by the child protection and justice systems to managing these children’s situations.

• Application: Early intervention for children affected by parental offending, and the development of child protection service protocols with the corrections system about children when their parents enter prison is essential, to better address the instability and disruption in care these children experience, their vulnerability as adults to mental health and relationship problems, and their reduced education and employment outcomes.
A novel evolutionary algorithm for identifying multiple alternative solutions in model updating
Authors: Caicedo Juan M , GunJin Yun
Published: September 2010

This article proposes an evolutionary algorithm that is able to identify both global and local minima. This is accomplished by including two new operators to a traditional steady-state genetic algorithm. The proposed algorithm uses a single population in contrast to other evolutionary algorithms available in the literature. The algorithm is used to update a model of a structural system and provide the analyst with different plausible solutions for the updated models. Model updating techniques are used to enhance the behavior of numerical models of existing structures based on experimental data. Although the optimal updated model corresponds to the global minimum of the objective function, the model with the best physical representation of the structure could be a local minimum because of modeling errors, noise in the experimental data, errors in the extraction of system features from the experimental data and limited number sensors, among other factors. The evolutionary algorithm proposed in this article identifies global and local minima of the objective function, giving the analyst the option to choose the updated model from a set of plausible models. These models are specially designed to be as physically different as possible from each other providing the analyst with significantly different alternatives. The proposed methodology is validated with two numerical examples. The first example shows the capabilities of the technique with a mathematical function. A model updating problem using the American Society of Civil Engineering Structural Health Monitoring Benchmark structure is used for the second numerical example.
Conducting Interviews with People Who Are Deafblind: Issues in Recording and Transcription
Authors: Arndt Katrina
Published: September 2010

For my doctoral research, I conducted interviews in signed language with college students who are deafblind. This qualitative research project included many challenges, including selecting the best process for recording interviews and creating written transcripts in English from these interviews. In this article, I describe the background for the study, briefly review literature in Deaf culture and deafblindness, and examine decisions I made in videotaping and transcription. Finally, I review four rules I developed to guide my translation process, using the seven rules established by Halai (2007) in her translations from Urdu to English as a starting point.
Glenohumeral Range of Motion in Major League Pitchers
Authors: Freehill Michael T. , Ebel Brian G. , Archer Kristin R. , Bancells Richard L. , Wilckens John H. , McFarland Edward G. , Cosgarea Andrew J.
Published: September 2010

Background:

Although overhead throwing athletes may develop unique glenohumeral range of motion characteristics, to our knowledge these characteristics have not been studied longitudinally in major league pitchers.

Hypothesis:

Major league pitchers (starters and relievers) experience an increase in glenohumeral external rotation and a decrease in internal rotation and total range of motion. Glenohumeral internal rotation deficit worsens over a regular playing season.

Study Design:

Retrospective cohort study.

Methods:

In 21 major league baseball pitchers (29 individual playing seasons), glenohumeral range of motion was measured in external and internal rotation for the throwing and nonthrowing shoulders before and at the conclusion of the regular season. The total range of motion (the sum of external rotation and internal rotation) and the glenohumeral internal rotation deficit were calculated (the difference between internal rotation of the nonthrowing shoulder minus that of the throwing shoulder), and data were compared between starting and relief pitchers.

Results:

The overall mean changes in external rotation (+1.5°), internal rotation (+2.7°), and total range of motion (+3.3°) were not statistically significant. However, starting pitchers showed statistically significant increases in internal rotation (+6.5°, P = 0.01) and total range of motion (+7.9°, P = 0.04), whereas relief pitchers had significant worsening of glenohumeral internal rotation deficit (+5.3°, P = 0.04).

Conclusions:

The characteristics of glenohumeral range of motion in major league pitchers did not differ significantly from the beginning to the end of a season, but significant changes did occur between starting and relief pitchers.

Clinical Relevance:

Adaptations to the daily routines of starter and reliever pitchers may be warranted on the basis of these findings.
An accompanying genetic severe deficiency of tissue factor protects mice with a protein C deficiency from lethal endotoxemia
Authors: Castellino Francis J. , Donahue Deborah L. , Navari Rudolph M. , Ploplis Victoria A. , Walsh Mark
Published: September 2010

Mice with a severe genetic deficiency of protein C (PC), PC−/−PC(tg4), display enhanced susceptibility to lethal effects of gram-negative endotoxemia induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), whereas mice severely deficient in tissue factor (TF), TF−/−hTF(tg), are protected from LPS-mediated lethality. In this study, we show that a simultaneous severe deficiency of TF protected low-PC mice from LPS-induced death, resulting in a survival profile similar to that experienced by wild-type (WT) mice. Plasma and whole blood coagulation assays, the latter measured by thromboelastography, demonstrated development of coagulopathies in LPS-treated mice, which were more severe in the case of the doubly deficient TF−/−hTF(tg)/PC−/−PC(tg4) mice, mainly reflecting earlier signs of disseminated intravascular coagulation in this latter cohort. Markers of inflammation were also elevated in response to LPS in both groups of mice at times just preceding death. We conclude that whereas coagulopathies are more exacerbated in LPS-treated TF−/−hTF(tg)/PC−/−PC(tg4) mice, the lowering of TF levels in mice with an accompanying severe PC deficiency confers protection against death compared with mice with a single severe PC deficiency. This suggests that proteases generated as a result of factor VIIa/TF–mediated thrombin generation play a mechanistic role in the enhanced lethality seen under very low PC conditions in an endotoxemia model in mice.
Similar patterns of rDNA evolution in synthetic and recently formed natural populations of Tragopogon(Asteraceae) allotetraploids
Authors: Malinska Hana , Tate Jennifer A , Matyasek Roman , Leitch Andrew R , Soltis Douglas E , Soltis Pamela S , Kovarik Ales
Published: September 2010

Background

Tragopogon mirusandT. miscellusare allotetraploids (2n= 24) that formed repeatedly during the past 80 years in eastern Washington and adjacent Idaho (USA) following the introduction of the diploidsT. dubius,T. porrifolius, andT. pratensis(2n= 12) from Europe. In most natural populations ofT. mirusandT. miscellus, there are far fewer 35S rRNA genes (rDNA) ofT. dubiusthan there are of the other diploid parent (T. porrifoliusorT. pratensis). We studied the inheritance of parental rDNA loci in allotetraploids resynthesized from diploid accessions. We investigate the dynamics and directionality of these rDNA losses, as well as the contribution of gene copy number variation in the parental diploids to rDNA variation in the derived tetraploids.

Results

Using Southern blot hybridization and fluorescentin situhybridization (FISH), we analyzed copy numbers and distribution of these highly reiterated genes in seven lines of syntheticT. mirus(110 individuals) and four lines of syntheticT. miscellus(71 individuals). Variation among diploid parents accounted for most of the observed gene imbalances detected in F1hybrids but cannot explain frequent deviations from repeat additivity seen in the allotetraploid lines. Polyploid lineages involving the same diploid parents differed in rDNA genotype, indicating that conditions immediately following genome doubling are crucial for rDNA changes. About 19% of the resynthesized allotetraploid individuals had equal rDNA contributions from the diploid parents, 74% were skewed towards eitherT. porrifoliusorT. pratensis-type units, and only 7% had more rDNA copies ofT. dubius-origin compared to the other two parents. Similar genotype frequencies were observed among natural populations. Despite directional reduction of units, the additivity of 35S rDNA locus number is maintained in 82% of the synthetic lines and in all natural allotetraploids.

Conclusions

Uniparental reductions of homeologous rRNA gene copies occurred in both synthetic and natural populations ofTragopogonallopolyploids. The extent of these rDNA changes was generally higher in natural populations than in the synthetic lines. We hypothesize that locus-specific and chromosomal changes in early generations of allopolyploids may influence patterns of rDNA evolution in later generations.
Transcriptome and expression profiling analysis revealed changes of multiple signaling pathways involved in immunity in the large yellow croaker during Aeromonas hydrophila infection
Authors: Mu Yinnan , Ding Feng , Cui Peng , Ao Jingqun , Hu Songnian , Chen Xinhua
Published: September 2010

Background

The large yellow croaker (Pseudosciaena crocea) is an economically important marine fish in China suffering from severe outbreaks of infectious disease caused by marine bacteria such as Aeromonas hydrophila (A. hydrophila), resulting in great economic losses. However, the mechanisms involved in the immune response of this fish to bacterial infection are not fully understood. To understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the immune response to such pathogenic bacteria, we used high-throughput deep sequencing technology to investigate the transcriptome and comparative expression profiles of the large yellow croaker infected with A. hydrophila.

Results

A total of 13,611,340 reads were obtained and assembled into 26,313 scaffolds in transcriptional responses of the A. hydrophila-infected large yellow croaker. Via annotation to the NCBI database, we obtained 8216 identified unigenes. In total, 5590 (68%) unigenes were classified into Gene Ontology, and 3094 unigenes were found in 20 KEGG categories. These genes included representatives from almost all functional categories. By using Solexa/Illumina's DeepSAGE, 1996 differentially expressed genes (P value < 0.05) were detected in comparative analysis of the expression profiles between A. hydrophila-infected fish and control fish, including 727 remarkably upregulated genes and 489 remarkably downregulated genes. Dramatic differences were observed in genes involved in the inflammatory response. Bacterial infection affected the gene expression of many components of signaling cascades, including the Toll-like receptor, JAK-STAT, and MAPK pathways. Genes encoding factors involved in T cell receptor (TCR) signaling were also revealed to be regulated by infection in these fish.

Conclusion

Based on our results, we conclude that the inflammatory response may play an important role in the early stages of infection. The signaling cascades such as the Toll-like receptor, JAK-STAT, and MAPK pathways are regulated by A. hydrophila infection. Interestingly, genes encoding factors involved in TCR signaling were revealed to be downregulated by infection, indicating that TCR signaling was suppressed at this early period. These results revealed changes of multiple signaling pathways involved in immunity during A. hydrophila infection, which will facilitate our comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms involved in the immune response to bacterial infection in the large yellow croaker.
The epidemiology of infectious gastroenteritis related reactive arthritis in U.S. military personnel: a case-control study
Authors: Curry Jennifer A , Riddle Mark S , Gormley Robert P , Tribble David R , Porter Chad K
Published: September 2010

Background

Reactive arthritis (ReA) is a recognized sequela of infectious gastroenteritis (IGE). However, the population-based incidence of IGE-related ReA is poorly defined, and the risk of disease has not previously been characterized in a military population. The intent of this study was to provide estimates of the incidence and morbidity associated with IGE-related ReA in the U.S. military population.

Methods

Using active duty US military medical encounter data from the Defense Medical Surveillance System, we conducted a matched case-control study to assess the risk of ReA following IGE. Both specific and nonspecific case definitions were utilized to address ICD-9 coding limitations; these included specific ReA (Reiter's Disease or postdysenteric arthritis) and nonspecific arthritis/arthralgia (N.A.A) (which included several related arthropathy and arthralgia diagnoses). Incidence was estimated using events and the total number of active duty personnel for each year.

Results

506 cases of specific ReA were identified in active duty personnel between 1999 and 2007. Another 16,365 cases of N.A.A. were identified. Overall incidence was 4.1 (95% CI: 3.7, 4.5) and 132.0 (95% CI, 130.0-134.0) per 100,000 for specific ReA and N.A.A, respectively. Compared to the youngest age category, the incidence of both outcomes increased 7-fold with a concurrent increase in symptom duration for cases over the age of 40. Specific IGE exposures were documented in 1.4% of subjects. After adjusting for potential confounders, there was a significant association between IGE and ReA (specific reactive arthritis OR: 4.42, 95% CI: 2.24, 8.73; N.A.A OR: 1.76, 95% CI: 1.49, 2.07).

Conclusions

Reactive arthritis may be more common in military populations than previously described. The burden of ReA and strong association with antecedent IGE warrants continued IGE prevention efforts.