bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Community Characteristics and Tort Law: The Importance of County Demographic Composition and Inequality to Tort Trial Outcomes
Authors: Kohler‐Hausmann Issa
Published: May 2011

Long‐standing trial folklore holds that those counties with higher proportions of low‐income and minority residents are places where tort plaintiffs are more likely to prevail in establishing the defendant's liability and to recover high damages. Although a handful of empirical legal studies have looked at this question, none have considered the possible role of a community effect of county income inequality. This article tests these propositions with hierarchical linear models of two types of tort trial outcomes—plaintiff success in establishing defendant liability and damage award—using a number of county‐level predictors. The results show that no county‐level variables measuring jury pool demographic composition or income inequality are associated with the odds of plaintiff success. However, both county poverty rate and income inequality are associated with increased levels of expected damages. The final section of this article offers a substantive theoretical discussion of why we might observe a relationship between community characteristics and tort trial outcomes.
Effect of pre‐processing methods on bond strength between acrylic resin teeth and acrylic denture base resin
Authors: Kurt Murat , Saraç Yakup Şinasi , Ural Çağrı , Saraç Duygu
Published: May 2011

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2011.00480.x
 
Effect of pre‐processing methods on bond strength between acrylic resin teeth and acrylic denture base resin

Objectives:  This study evaluated the effects of various pre‐processing methods on the bond strength between resin and denture teeth.

Backgrounds:  Debonding of acrylic resin teeth from denture base material is a problem for patients wearing complete dentures.

Materials and Methods:  Four experimental groups (n = 30) were investigated by subjecting tooth–resin bonding to tensile loading. Specimens were prepared and tested according to the methods of the International Standards Organization (ISO 22112:2005) using a special assembly. Four pre‐processing surface treatments of teeth were applied: (i) ST1, no treatment applied (control); (ii) ST2, wax solvent (Dewaks, Faber Kimya & Ilaç, Turkey); (iii) ST3, boiling water followed by conditioning with methyl methacrylate (MMA) monomer (Meliodent, Bayer Dental, Germany); (iv) ST4, boiling water followed by wax solvent agent and finally MMA monomer application. Bond strength test was performed using a universal testing machine.

Results:  All the strength values of the test groups were within clinically acceptable limits. The lowest values were from the ST1 group and the highest values were in the ST4 group.

Conclusions:  Wax elimination methods affected bonding strength. Application of wax solvent and MMA monomer to the ridge lap surfaces of the teeth gave the best results. In clinical practice, this application procedure may decrease the bonding failure of denture teeth.
Rare case of isolated levocardia with polysplenia including normally structured lung without cardiac anomaly
Authors: Imamura Takashi , Momoi Nobuo , Go Hayato , Ogasawara Kei , Sato Maki , Hosoya Mitsuaki
Published: May 2011

Isolated levocardia (IL) is a rare type of situs inversus in which the heart is in the normal left‐side position, but the abdominal viscera are in the dextroposition. Polysplenia is a congenital disorder affecting the asymmetric organs, including the heart, lungs, bronchi, liver, stomach, intestines, and spleen. In this report, we present a rare type satisfying the characteristics of both IL and polysplenia, confirmed by several imaging investigations, which revealed normally structured lungs and heart and the existence of the inferior vena cava (IVC), which runs on the left side, returns to the anterior‐right side at the liver, and returns to the right atrium directly. Anatomical investigation and careful observation will make it possible to improve the prognosis of IL.
Re‐engineering the discrimination between the oxidized coenzymes NAD+ and NADP+ in clostridial glutamate dehydrogenase and a thorough reappraisal of the coenzyme specificity of the wild‐type enzyme
Authors: Capone Marina , Scanlon David , Griffin Joanna , Engel Paul C.
Published: May 2011

Clostridial glutamate dehydrogenase mutants, designed to accommodate the 2′‐phosphate of disfavoured NADPH, showed the expected large specificity shifts with NAD(P)H. Puzzlingly, similar assays with oxidized cofactors initially revealed little improvement with NADP+, although rates with NAD+ were markedly diminished. This article reveals that the enzyme’s discrimination in favour of NAD+ and against NADP+ had been greatly underestimated and has indeed been abated by a factor of > 16 000 by the mutagenesis. Initially, stopped‐flow studies of the wild‐type enzyme showed a burst increase of A340 with NADP+ but not NAD+, with amplitude depending on the concentration of the coenzyme, rather than enzyme. Amplitude also varied with the commercial source of the NADP+. FPLC, HPLC and mass spectrometry identified NAD+ contamination ranging from 0.04 to 0.37% in different commercial samples. It is now clear that apparent rates of NADP+ utilization mainly reflected the reduction of contaminating NAD+, creating an entirely false view of the initial coenzyme specificity and also of the effects of mutagenesis. Purification of the NADP+ eliminated the burst. With freshly purified NADP+, the NAD+ : NADP+ activity ratio under standard conditions, previously estimated as 300 : 1, is 11 000. The catalytic efficiency ratio is even higher at 80 000. Retested with pure cofactor, mutants showed marked specificity shifts in the expected direction, for example, 16 200 fold change in catalytic efficiency ratio for the mutant F238S/P262S, confirming that the key structural determinants of specificity have been successfully identified. Of wider significance, these results underline that, without purification, even the best commercial coenzyme preparations are inadequate for such studies.
Regulation of Meristem Size by Cytokinin SignalingF
Authors: Skylar Anna , Wu Xuelin
Published: May 2011

Xuelin Wu (Corresponding author)

The plant meristems possess unique features that involve maintaining the stem cell populations while providing cells for continued development. Although both the primary shoot apical meristem (SAM) and the root apical meristem (RAM) are specified during embryogenesis, post‐embryonic tissue proliferation is required for their full establishment and maintenance throughout a plants' life. The phytohormone cytokinin (CK) interacts with other systemic signals and is a key regulator of meristem size and functions. The SAM and the RAM respond to CK stimulations in different manners: CK promotes tissue proliferation in the SAM through pathways dominated by homeobox transcription factors, including the class I KNOX genes, STIP, and WUS; and curiously, it favors proliferation at low levels and differentiation at a slightly higher concentration in the RAM instead. Here we review the current understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying CK actions in regulating meristematic tissue proliferation.
A Gain‐of‐Function Mutation in IAA7/AXR2 Confers Late Flowering under Short‐day Light in ArabidopsisF
Authors: Mai Yan‐Xia , Wang Long , Yang Hong‐Quan
Published: May 2011

Floral initiation is a major step in the life cycle of plants, which is influenced by photoperiod, temperature, and phytohormones, such as gibberellins (GAs). It is known that GAs promote floral initiation under short‐day light conditions (SDs) by regulating the floral meristem‐identity gene LEAFY (LFY) and the flowering‐time gene SUPPRESSOR OF OVEREXPRESSION OF CO 1 (SOC1). We have defined the role of the auxin signaling component INDOLE‐3‐ACETIC ACID 7 (IAA7)/AUXIN RESISTANT 2 (AXR2) in the regulation of flowering time in Arabidopsis thaliana. We demonstrate that the gain‐of‐function mutant of IAA7/AXR2, axr2‐1, flowers late under SDs. The exogenous application of GAs rescued the late flowering phenotype of axr2‐1 plants. The expression of the GA20 oxidase (GA20ox) genes, GA20ox1 and GA20ox2, was reduced in axr2‐1 plants, and the levels of both LFY and SOC1 transcripts were reduced in axr2‐1 mutants under SDs. Furthermore, the overexpression of SOC1 or LFY in axr2‐1 mutants rescued the late flowering phenotype under SDs. Our results suggest that IAA7/AXR2 might act to inhibit the timing of floral transition under SDs, at least in part, by negatively regulating the expressions of the GA20ox1 and GA20ox2 genes.
Assessing the short‐term impact of an insecticide (Deltamethrin) on predator and herbivore abundance in soybean Glycine max using a replicated small‐plot field experiment
Authors: Macfadyen Sarina , Zalucki Myron P.
Published: May 2011

Abstract  A greater understanding of the relative impact of insecticide use on non‐target species is critical for the incorporation of natural enemies into integrated pest management strategies. Here we use a small‐plot field trial to examine the relative impact of an insecticide on herbivores and predators found in soybean (Glycine max L.), and to highlight the issues associated with calculating impact factors from these studies. The pyrethroid insecticide (Deltamethrin) caused a significant reduction in invertebrate abundance in the treated plots, and populations did not recover to pre‐treatment levels even 20 days after spraying. To assess the relative impact of the spray on arthropods we first examined the mean difference in abundance in each plot before and after spraying. All herbivores decreased in abundance in the sprayed plots but increased in the control plots after spraying. Most predators (excluding hemipterans) showed a decrease in the control plots but a proportionally greater decrease in the sprayed plots. Next we examined the corrected percentage population reduction calculated using Abbott's formula. All predators (including Araneae) experienced a greater reduction (mean 87% ± 3.54 SE) than herbivores (mean 56% ± 4.37 SE) and Araneae alone (mean 71% ± 8.12 SE). The range in values across the plots varied and made categorising overall impact subjective for some taxa. Despite the constraints associated with small‐plot trials, by using a combination of impact factors and examining community‐level response across time, we did get some indication of the likely impact of this insecticide if used in a commercial situation.
Further Sunyaev-Zel’dovich observations of two Planck ERCSC clusters with the Arcminute Microkelvin Imager
Authors:   AMI Consortium, Hurley-Walker Natasha , Brown Michael L. , Davies Matthew L. , Feroz Farhan , Franzen Thomas M. O. , Grainge Keith , Hobson Michael P. , Lasenby Anthony , Olamaie Malak , Pooley Guy , Rodríguez-Gonzálvez Carmen , Saunders Richard D. E. , Schammel Michel P. , Scaife Anna M. M. , Scott Paul F. , Shimwell Timothy , Titterington David , Waldram Elizabeth
Published: May 2011

We present follow-up observations of two galaxy clusters detected blindly via the Sunyaev-Zel’dovich (SZ) effect and released in the Planck Early Release Compact Source Catalogue. We use the Arcminute Microkelvin Imager, a dual-array 14–18 GHz radio interferometer. After radio source subtraction, we find a SZ decrement of integrated flux density -1.08 ± 0.10 mJy towards PLCKESZ G121.11+57.01, and improve the position measurement of the cluster, finding the centre to be RA 12th59m36s.4, Dec +60°04′46″.8, to an accuracy of 20 arcsec. The region of PLCKESZ G115.71+17.52 contains strong extended emission, so we are unable to confirm the presence of this cluster via the SZ effect.
Swift detection of an intermediately long X-ray burst from the very faint X-ray binary XMMU J174716.1-281048
Authors: Degenaar N. , Wijnands R. , Kaur R.
Published: May 2011

We report on the Swift detection of a thermonuclear X-ray burst from the very-faint quasi-persistent neutron star X-ray binary XMMU J174716.1-281048, which triggered the satellite’s Burst Alert Telescope (BAT) on 2010 August 13. Analysis of the BAT spectrum yields an observed bolometric peak flux of ≃4.5 × 10-8 erg cm-2 s-1, from which we infer a source distance of ≲8.4 kpc. Follow-up observations with Swift’s X-ray Telescope (XRT) suggest that the event had a duration of ≃3 h and a total radiated energy of ≃9 × 1040 erg, which classify it as an intermediately long X-ray burst. This is only the second X-ray burst ever reported from this source. Inspection of Swift/XRT observations performed between 2007 and 2010 suggests that the 2–10 keV accretion luminosity of the system is ≃5 × 1034 erg s-1 for an assumed distance of 8.4 kpc. Despite being transient, XMMU J174716.1-281048 appears to have been continuously active since its discovery in 2003.
Rapid Detection of Fish Major Allergen Parvalbumin by Surface Plasmon Resonance Biosensor
Authors: Lu Y. , Ohshima T. , Ushio H.
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACT: Seafood allergy is a common and major cause of food allergy in adults. In recent years, seafood allergy has become a serious problem with the increase of seafood consumption. To develop a rapid allergen detection method based on the affinity of antigen‐antibody interaction, fish major allergen, parvalbumin, was used for kinetic analysis by a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor. Anti‐parvalbumin murine monoclonal antibody (MAb) EG8 was immobilized onto a carboxymethyl dextran (CMD) surface. By the injection of various concentrations of purified carp parvalbumin (CPa), a standard curve and the affinity constants (KD and k*) for the MAb EG8‐CPa model system were determined. In addition, kinetic data were also obtained by the injection of serial dilutions of extracts from seafood products: sardine fish cake (tsumire) and dried skipjack tuna (katsuonut). Sardine tsumire and katsuonut contained 0.11 mg/kg and 0.39 mg/kg parvalbumins, respectively, where affinity constants KD and k* were almost similar among paralbumins from different sources. In the SPR system, the allergen can be detected only for 5 min according to the allergen‐MAb binding interaction. Consequently, by the use of a SPR biosensor, kinetic analysis based on the allergen specific MAb would be a rapid and powerful tool for allergen detection and quantification.
Classification of Fresh and Frozen‐thawed Fish by Near‐infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Uddin M. , Okazaki E.
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACT: Frozen fish usually have a much lower market price than fresh fish; therefore, adulteration could occur. This article focuses on the use of near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy to detect whether fish has been frozen‐thawed because NIR spectroscopy has demonstrated the potential for addressing some authenticity issue in foods and is known to be a nondestructive rapid technique. Horse mackerel (n = 162) were evaluated as fresh and frozen‐thawed fish sample. Dry extract spectroscopy by infrared reflection (DESIR) of fresh and frozen‐thawed fish samples was performed on the meat juices then discriminated by principal component analysis (PCA) and multiple linear regressions (MLR). In DESIR spectra, the overall absorbance level was found to decrease in frozen‐thawed samples, indicating the different chemical composition of juice, amount of dry matter, particle size, and their scattering properties. The spectral changes that take place between fresh and frozen‐thawed samples are clearly seen in the 1920‐ to 2350‐nm region. The spectra are dominated by peaks attributed to proteins, in particular, peaks at 1510, 1700, 1738, 2056, 2176, 2298, and 2346 nm. It was found that fresh and frozen‐thawed fish could be separated 100% correctly by DESIR technique.
Effects of Thermal Sensitivity of Fish Proteins from Various Species on Rheological Properties of Gels
Authors: Esturk O. , Park J.W. , Thawornchinsombut S.
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACT: Thermal sensitivity of myofibrillar proteins from various fish species were compared at various preincubation (setting) treatments and chopping temperatures. There was a significant species effect on gel texture by both pre‐incubation and chopping temperatures. Whereas Alaska pollock had the highest shear stress values at 5 °C or lower temperatures, big eye, lizardfish, and threadfin bream had higher fracture shear stress values at 25 °C or higher temperatures. Decreased intensity of myosin heavy chain (MHC) for warm‐water species set at 40 °C clearly revealed higher thermal stability of these particular species.
Detection of Listeria monocytogenes in Fresh Produce Using Molecular Beacon—Real‐time PCR Technology
Authors: Liming S.H. , Zhang Y. , Meng J. , Bhagwat A.A.
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACT: The capability of an assay to detect Listeria monocytogenes from artificially inoculated fresh‐cut produce such as cantaloupe and mixed salad was demonstrated. An oligonucleotide probe that becomes fluorescent upon hybridization to the target DNA (Molecular Beacon, MB) was used in a real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. As few as 4 to 7 colony‐forming units (CFU) of L. monocytogenes per 25 g of artificially contaminated produce could be detected. A comparison of 2 commercially available kits using MB‐PCR (iQ‐Check, Bio‐Rad Laboratories) and conventional PCR (BAX, Dupont Qualicon) was performed on artificially inoculated produce. The time required to detect L. monocytogenes (from produce to PCR) was considerably shorter for the iQ‐Check protocol (approximately 26 h) compared with the BAX‐PCR (approximately 52 h). The iQ‐Check protocol was also used to confirm the identity of the L. monocytogenes isolates obtained during a microbiological screen of conventional and organic leaf lettuce and alfalfa sprout samples from local supermarkets. The iQ check protocol was successful in differentiating L. monocytogenes isolates from other Listeria spp. such as L. welshimeri, L. innocua, and L. ivanovii. This is the 1st report of the application of the MB probe being used for real‐time detection of L. monocytogenes in whole and fresh‐cut produce.
Fish Allergy: Fish and Products Thereof
Authors: Taylor S.L. , Kabourek J.L. , Hefle S.L.
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACT: Allergy to fish is a common cause of IgE‐mediated food allergic reactions especially in geographic regions where fish is an important dietary component. Fish allergy is estimated to affect 0.4% of the total population in the United States. All species of fish are believed to be allergenic, but allergic reactions to fish reported in the medical literature are most commonly caused by cod and salmon. The major allergen in fish is a naturally occurring muscle protein called parvalbumin. Some evidence exists of allergic reactions to other fish proteins including collagen. This review addresses fish allergy and fish‐derived ingredients, namely gelatin, isinglass, fish maws, ice‐structuring protein, fish oil, and Worcestershire sauce.
Effect of Volatiles and their Concentration on Perception of Tomato Descriptors
Authors: Baldwin E.A. , Goodner K. , Plotto A. , Pritchett K. , Einstein M.
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACT: Coarse chop partially deodorized tomato puree was spiked with 1 to 3 levels of individual food‐grade volatiles, reported to contribute to tomato flavor or volatile mixes and presented to a trained descriptive panel for flavor analysis in 2 different years. Six to eight panelists rated 9 aroma, 8 taste, and 1 aftertaste descriptors on a 15‐cm unstructured line scale. Panelists detected significant differences (P ≤ 0.15) in concentration for various individual aroma compounds for a range of descriptors. Various descriptors also had correlations with levels of individual volatiles, including acetaldehyde, linalool, citral, trans‐2‐trans‐4‐decadienal, furaneol, 1‐octen‐3‐one, and benzaldehyde. Of the combined volatile mixes in either year 2000 or 2001, spiked levels of the “green” mix (including with isobutylthiazole) resulted in increased perception of overall green and vine aromas as well as decreased perception of floral aroma, sweet taste, and overall aftertaste. The “earthy” mix resulted in increased perception of vine, earthy, and musty aromas as well as sweet taste, and decreased perception of overall and sour tastes. The “fruity” mix increased perception of overall, sweet tomato, tropical, and floral aromas as well as sweet, tropical, fruity, and overall aftertastes. The “fruity” mix also decreased green and musty aromas as well as sour and ripe tomato tastes. Principle component analysis (PCA) revealed that spiking with “earthy” and “green” mixes and 1‐penten‐3‐one were drivers for high loadings on the earthy and green descriptors, whereas the “fruity” mixes, furaneol, β‐ionone, benzaldehyde, and 2‐phenylethanol were drivers for high loadings on sweet tomato and floral aromas.
Heat‐Killed Lactic Acid Bacteria Enhance Immunomodulatory Potential by Skewing the Immune Response toward Th1 Polarization
Authors: Ou Chu‐Chyn , Lin Shiao‐Lin , Tsai Jaw‐Ji , Lin Meei‐Yn
Published: May 2011

Abstract:  Heat‐killed lactic acid bacteria not only possess immunomodulatory functions but also provide the advantages of longer product shelf life, easier storage, and more convenient transportation. To establish appropriate heat treatments for the industrial preparation of probiotics with immunomodulatory effects, 4 different heat treatments were used to kill 11 strains of lactic acid bacteria. Comparisons among the strains and with viable forms were carried out in terms of immunomodulatory activity and adhesion to Caco‐2 cells. Field‐emission scanning electron microscope (FE‐SEM) was employed to observe morphological changes in bacteria after heating. Among the 11 viable strains, Lactobacillus gasseri AI‐88 was the strongest inducer of interferon‐gamma (IFN)‐γ and interleukin (IL)‐12p70 production. However, after heat treatments its stimulatory ability was attenuated. Heat‐killed Enterococcus faecalis YM‐73 and Lactobacillus salivarius AP‐32 strains showed enhanced stimulation of IFN‐γ and IL‐12p70 secretion and coincidental decrease in IL‐13 production. The adhesion of lactic acid bacteria to Caco‐2 cells decreased with increases in temperature. However, heat exposure did not influence immunomodulatory activity. With rising temperature, roughness and unevenness of bacterial cell surfaces increased significantly. The results indicated that heat‐killed E. faecalis YM‐73 and L. salivarius AP‐32 have immunomodulatory ability via increased Th1‐associated cytokines and reduced Th2‐associated cytokines, switching the immune response from a Th2 toward a Th1 response. These 2 heat‐killed strains have the potential for development as commercial products.
Quality, Bioactive Compounds, and Antioxidant Activity of New Flat‐Type Peach and Nectarine Cultivars: A Comparative Study
Authors: Legua Pilar , Hernández Francisca , Díaz‐Mula Huertas M. , Valero Daniel , Serrano María
Published: May 2011

Abstract:  In this work, some organoleptic and nutritive parameters related to fruit quality (color, firmness, total soluble solids, and total acidity), the content of bioactive compounds (total phenolics and total carotenoids) as well as the total antioxidant activity (TAA) due to hydrophilic (H‐TAA) and lipophilic (L‐TAA) compounds have been determined in both skin and flesh of 10 flat peach and nectarine genotypes (7 peaches and 3 nectarines). Results showed that genotype plays an important role in determining the organoleptic and nutritive quality, as well as the concentration of bioactive compounds and the related TAA, since these parameters differed largely among cultivars. Overall data suggest that for commercial purposes and consumer's acceptability (based on color, firmness, acidity, and bioactive compounds), the flat nectarine “ASF‐06‐83” and the flat peaches “Sweet Cap” and “ASF‐06‐91” could be considered as the best cultivars. Additionally, it is suggested that the content of bioactive compounds should be included as an important factor in future breeding program to obtain new genotypes with enhanced bioactive compounds.

Practical Application:  Genotype of flat peaches and nectarines plays an important role in determining the organoleptic and nutritive quality, as well as the content of bioactive compounds. Given the differences on bioactive compounds concentration and antioxidant activity among peaches and nectarines flat cultivars, these parameters should be included as an important factor in future breeding program to obtain new genotypes with enhanced bioactive compounds.
The role of HIF‐1, angiopoietin‐2, Dll4 and Notch1 in bleeding gastrointestinal vascular malformations and thalidomide‐associated actions: A pilot in vivo study
Authors: TAN Hong Hong , GE Zhi Zheng , GAO Yun Jie , CHEN Hui Min , FANG Jing Yuan , CHEN Hai Ying , LIU Wen Zhong , XIAO Shu Dong
Published: May 2011

OBJECTIVE:  To investigate plasma levels of hypoxia inducible factor‐1 (HIF‐1), angiopoietin‐2 (Ang‐2), Delta‐like ligand 4 (Dll4) and Notch1 in patients with recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding due to gastrointestinal vascular malformation (GIVM) with or without thalidomide treatment.

METHODS:  Ten eligible patients with recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding due to GIVM, who received thalidomide 100 mg/d for 4 months, were followed up for 1 year. The effective response was the proportions of patients with yearly bleeding episodes reduced by ≥50% at 1 year after treatment. Plasma levels of HIF‐1, Ang‐2, Dll4 and Notch1 were measured using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay in the GIVM thalidomide treatment group before and after treatment (10 patients), the GIVM non‐thalidomide treatment group (25 patients) and the control group (18 participants).

RESULTS:  In the GIVM thalidomide treatment group, eight patients (8/10) achieved effective response and five (5/10) displayed complete cessation of bleeding. Mean plasma levels of HIF‐1, Ang‐2, Dll4 and Notch1 were all higher in the GIVM thalidomide and non‐thalidomide treatment groups than in the control group (all P < 0.001). However, Ang‐2 decreased more significantly in the effective subgroups (P = 0.003) and no‐bleeding patients (P = 0.008).

CONCLUSIONS:  HIF‐1, Ang‐2, Dll4 and Notch1 might participate in the formation of GIVM. Thalidomide is an effective and safe treatment agent for GIVM and its associated bleeding. The reduction degree of Ang‐2 after a 4‐month treatment of thalidomide may offer values for evaluating its prognosis and efficacy.
Interpersonal Relatedness and Psychological Functioning following Traumatic Brain Injury: Implications for Marital and Family Therapists
Authors: Bay Esther H. , Blow Adrian J. , Yan Xie (Emily)
Published: May 2011

Recovery from a mild‐to‐moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a challenging process for injured persons and their families. Guided by attachment theory, we investigated whether relationship conflict, social support, or sense of belonging were associated with psychological functioning. Community‐dwelling persons with TBI (N = 75) and their relatives/significant others (N = 74) were surveyed on relationship variables, functional status, and TBI symptom severity. Results from this cross‐sectional study revealed that only sense of belonging was a significant predictor of postinjury psychological functioning, although interpersonal conflict approached significance. No relevant preinjury or injury‐related variables impacted these relationships, except marital status. Our findings suggest that interventions targeting strengthening the injured persons’ sense of belonging and lowering interpersonal conflict may benefit those living with TBI.
Anatomical changes of the mandibular canal, displaced root fragment and neurosensory deficit after removal of a mandibular third molar: report of a case
Authors: Ninkov P. , Svanæs D. , Bjørnland T.
Published: May 2011

We report an unusual case of anatomical changes of the mandibular canal, displacement of a tooth fragment and post‐operative inferior alveolar nerve neurosensory deficits after removal of a mandibular third molar. This article analyses the possible cause of anatomical changes of the mandible canal, and makes a contribution to studies in the literature about non‐surgical treatment of displaced tooth fragment and low‐level laser therapy of post‐operative inferior alveolar nerve neurosensory deficits after removal of a mandibular third molar.
Obesity and Psychotropics
Authors: Nihalani Nikhil , Schwartz Thomas L. , Siddiqui Umar A. , Megna James L.
Published: May 2011

Weight gain is on the rise in the United States as is the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. These two phenomena are distinctly separate but tend to overlap in that most psychotropic agents approved for use in the United States are associated with the potential to induce weight gain. Metabolic disorders such as diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertension are also on the rise and often associated with weight gain and clearly associated with certain psychotropic medications. This article serves to provide a succinct review regarding the epidemiology, etiology, and treatment options for psychotropic‐induced obesity.
Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase by dibenamine and dibenzyline
Authors: BEDDOE (MISS) F , SMITH H J
Published: May 2011

Dibenamine and dibenzyline are irreversible inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Kinetic studies show that at pH 9.5 a fast reaction occurs between a group on the enzyme with pKa 9.1 and the ethyleniminium ion derived from the inhibitor. Either the ε-amino-group of a lysine residue is alkylated or else a lysine residue catalyses the alkylation of a non-ionisable group (e.g. hydroxyl). At pH 6.5 there is a slow reaction between a carboxyl anion on the enzyme and the ethyleniminium ion. Studies of the alkylation reactions in the presence of the reversible competitive inhibitor of the enzyme, tetramethylammonium ion, show that alkylation occurs at some distance from the anionic site and probably on the borders of the active site.
Can yoga and climbing improve symptoms of multiple sclerosis?
Authors: Stevinson C , Ozura A , Jazbec SS
Published: May 2011

Velikonja O, Čurić K, Ozura A, Jazbec SS.

Influence of sports climbing and yoga on spasticity, cognitive function, mood and fatigue in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2010; 112: 587–601.
Yoga improves mood and anxiety in healthy subjects
Authors: Posadzki P , Streeter C
Published: May 2011

Streeter CC, Whitfield TH, Owen L, Rein T, Karri SK, Yakhkind A, Perlmutter R, Prescot A, Renshaw PF, Ciraulo DA, Jensen JE.

Effects of yoga versus walking on mood, anxiety, and brain GABA levels: a randomized controlled MRS study.

J Altern Complement Med 2010; 16: 1145–52.
Acupuncture for chronic neck myofascial pain syndrome?
Authors: Zhang J , Shang H
Published: May 2011

Sun MY, Hsieh CL, Cheng YY, Hung HC, Li TC, Yen SM, Huang IS.

The therapeutic effects of acupuncture on patients with chronic neck myofascial pain syndrome: a single‐blind randomized controlled trial.

Am J Chin Med 2010; 38: 849–59.
Does long‐term use of soy isoflavones place women at increased risk for endometrial hyperplasia or endometrial cancer?
Authors: Cohen P , Palacios S
Published: May 2011

Palacios S, Pornel B, Vázquez F, Aubert L, Chantre P, Marès P.

Long‐term endometrial and breast safety of a specific, standardized soy extract.

Climacteric 2010; 13: 368–75.
Cautioning against widespread and medically uncontrolled use of vitamin E supplements
Authors: Bender DA , Schürks M , Kurth T
Published: May 2011

Schürks M, Glynn RJ, Rist PM, Tzourio C, Kurth T.

Effects of vitamin E on stroke subtypes: meta‐analysis of randomised controlled trials.

BMJ 2010; 341: c5702.
Acupuncture may improve exercise tolerance in patients with heart failure
Authors: Gamus D
Published: May 2011

Kristen AV, Schumacher B, Strych K, Lossnitzer D, Friederich HC, Hilbel T, Haass M, Katus HA, Schneider A, Streitberger KM, Backs J.

Acupuncture improves exercise tolerance of patients with heart failure: a placebo‐controlled pilot study.

Heart 2010; 96: 1396–1400.
Affective variability predicts suicidal ideation in individuals at ultra‐high risk of developing psychosis: An experience sampling study
Authors: Palmier‐Claus J. E. , Taylor P. J. , Gooding P. , Dunn G. , Lewis S.W.
Published: May 2011

Objective. There is a suggestion in the literature that more variable affect increases suicidal ideation through the repeated re‐activation of latent suicidal cognitions. The hypothesis that affective variability would be a better predictor of suicidal ideation and related behaviour than affect level was tested in individuals at ultra‐high risk of developing psychosis. This study also examined the prediction that affective variability is a suicide‐specific mechanism and would not predict levels of attenuated psychotic phenomena.

Method. Twenty‐seven ultra‐high risk individuals were required to complete ambulant ratings of their affect when prompted by an electronic wristwatch for six days (the experience sampling method). In the debriefing session, participants were assessed with a semi‐structured interview (the Comprehensive Assessment of At‐Risk Mental State), which assessed the severity and frequency of suicidality and psychosis‐related phenomena.

Results. The variability of negative and positive affect was predictive of the frequency of suicidal thoughts and behaviour. More variable negative, but not positive affect, was also associated with more severe suicidal ideation and related behaviour. Affect variability was not significantly related to the severity of attenuated psychotic phenomena.

Conclusion. Affective variability appears to be a specific risk factor for suicidal ideation in individuals at ultra‐high risk of developing psychosis. Early intervention should focus on providing individuals with skills for regulating their own affect.
Reasoning bias and belief conviction in obsessive‐compulsive disorder and delusions: Jumping to conclusions across disorders?
Authors: Jacobsen Pamela , Freeman Daniel , Salkovskis Paul
Published: May 2011

Objectives. This study investigated whether a reasoning bias (‘jumping to conclusions’; JTC) found to be associated with higher levels of conviction in delusions is also associated with high‐conviction beliefs in obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD).

Design. The experimental design was mixed‐effects, with one between‐subjects factor of group and one within‐subjects factor of task.

Methods. Participants were 16 people with high‐conviction OCD (≥50%), 16 people with low‐conviction OCD (<50%), 16 people with delusions (≥50% conviction), and 16 non‐clinical controls. JTC was assessed using a neutral probabilistic reasoning task (beads task) and a version involving words of differing emotional salience (words task).

Results. There was no statistically significant difference in draws to decision on the beads task between the high‐conviction OCD group, the low‐conviction OCD group, and the non‐clinical controls. The delusions group made significantly fewer draws to decision compared to the non‐clinical controls on the words task but not the beads task and significantly fewer draws on both tasks compared with the combined OCD group. Emotionally salient material (words task) did not affect draws to decision in any group.

Conclusions. JTC is associated with delusions but not high‐conviction beliefs in OCD. The cognitive processes associated with high‐conviction beliefs in OCD and psychosis may not be trans‐diagnostic. This is consistent with the view that high‐conviction OCD should not be classified as a psychotic disorder.
Nitric oxide regulation of colonic epithelial ion transport: a novel role for enteric glia in the myenteric plexus
Authors: MacEachern Sarah J. , Patel Bhavik A. , McKay Derek M. , Sharkey Keith A.
Published: May 2011

Non‐technical summary  The enteric nervous system of the gastrointestinal tract regulates all the functions of the gut. Enteric neurons are surrounded and outnumbered by enteric glial cells, whose functions are not well understood. Digestive and defensive functions of the gut require the secretion of fluid into the lumen in a regulated manner. Fluid is controlled by the secretion or absorption of ions across the epithelium. Here we have identified a physiological role for enteric glia of the colon in the regulation of fluid balance, through the production of the gaseous mediator nitric oxide. Enteric glia work in concert with enteric nerves by using nitric oxide to regulate the movement of ions across the wall of the colon, thereby affecting water movement and hence digestion and host defence.
Analysis of the piezoelectric properties of tangentially polarized, stripe-electroded cylinders
Authors: Aronov Boris , Bachand Corey , Brown David A.
Published: May 2011

The electromechanical properties of thin tangentially polarized, stripe-electroded piezoceramic elements are considered. Theoretical analysis is made based on a piecewise linear approximation of the actual nonuniform electric field in the volume of the stripe-electroded cylinder design. Analytical expressions are derived for the electromechanical properties (including the effective coupling coefficient) of the tangentially polarized elements as a function of the geometry and electrode configuration (i.e., electrode width and spacing). The properties of stripe-electroded cylinders are calculated and compared with the ideal case of a uniform circumferential electric field, which may be realized in practice with segmented cylinders comprised of 33-polarized bar elements. The reasons for the reduction in the effective coupling coefficient of tangentially polarized stripe-electroded cylinders compared to the ideal coupling coefficient k33 achievable with the segmented cylinder designs are discussed. The results of calculations of the electromechanical properties are in good agreement with experimentally obtained data on a variety of samples.
Estimation of signal coherence threshold and concealed spectral lines applied to detection of turbofan engine combustion noise
Authors: Miles Jeffrey Hilton
Published: May 2011

Combustion noise from turbofan engines has become important, as the noise from sources like the fan and jet are reduced. An aligned and un-aligned coherence technique has been developed to determine a threshold level for the coherence and thereby help to separate the coherent combustion noise source from other noise sources measured with far-field microphones. This method is compared with a statistics based coherence threshold estimation method. In addition, the un-aligned coherence procedure at the same time also reveals periodicities, spectral lines, and undamped sinusoids hidden by broadband turbofan engine noise. In calculating the coherence threshold using a statistical method, one may use either the number of independent records or a larger number corresponding to the number of overlapped records used to create the average. Using data from a turbofan engine and a simulation this paper shows that applying the Fisher z-transform to the un-aligned coherence can aid in making the proper selection of samples and produce a reasonable statistics based coherence threshold. Examples are presented showing that the underlying tonal and coherent broad band structure which is buried under random broadband noise and jet noise can be determined. The method also shows the possible presence of indirect combustion noise.
On the estimation of backscatter coefficients using single-element focused transducers
Authors: Lavarello Roberto J. , Ghoshal Goutam , Oelze Michael L.
Published: May 2011

The ultimate goal of quantitative ultrasound (QUS) imaging methods based on backscatter coefficient (BSC) estimates is to obtain system-independent structural information about samples. In the current study, three BSC estimation methods were compared and evaluated using the same backscattered pressure datasets in order to assess their consistency. BSC estimates were obtained from two phantoms with embedded glass spheres and compared to theoretical BSCs calculated using size distributions estimated using optical microscopy. Effective scatterer diameter and concentration estimates of the glass spheres were also obtained from the estimated BSCs. One estimation method needed to be compensated by more than an order of magnitude in amplitude in order to produce BSCs comparable to the other two methods. All calibration methods introduced different frequency-dependent effects, which could have noticeable effects on the bias of QUS estimates derived from experimental BSCs. Although in most cases the experimental QUS estimates obtained with all three methods were observed to differ by less than 10%, larger differences are expected depending on both the pressure focusing gain of the transducer (proportional to the ratio of the square of the aperture radius to the product of the wavelength and focal length) and ka range used in the estimation.
Pseudo interface waves observed at the fluid/porous-medium interface. A comparison of two methods
Authors: van Dalen K. N. , Drijkoningen G. G. , Smeulders D. M. J.
Published: May 2011

At the fluid/porous-medium interface the pseudo-Rayleigh (pR) and pseudo-Stoneley (pSt) waves exist. The relation with the corresponding poles in the slowness plane is not unambiguous, depending on the choice of branch cuts. For a point-force excitation, the far-field Green’s functions are computed using vertical branch cuts (method I) implying that the pR- and pSt-poles obey the radiation condition. Then, a separate pseudo interface wave is entirely captured by the corresponding pole residue because the loop integral along a branch cut contributes to a body wave only. When hyperbolic branch cuts are used (method II) the poles lie on the “principal” Riemann sheet. Then, also the loop integrals necessarily contribute to the pR-wave because the pR-pole is different from that in method I. They do not contribute to the pSt-wave when the pSt-pole lies on the principal Riemann sheet because the pole is identical to that in method I. When the pSt-pole has migrated to another Riemann sheet, however, the pSt-wave is fully captured by the loop integrals. In conclusion, the phase velocity and attenuation of a separate pseudo interface wave can be computed from the pole location in method I, but should be extracted from the full response in method II.
On the elasticity of transverse isotropic soft tissues (L)
Authors: Royer Daniel , Gennisson Jean-Luc , Deffieux Thomas , Tanter Mickaël
Published: May 2011

Quantitative elastography techniques have recently been developed to estimate the shear modulus μ of soft tissues in vivo. In the case of isotropic and quasi-incompressible media, the Young’s modulus E is close to 3μ, which is not true in transverse anisotropic tissues such as muscles. In this letter, the transverse isotropic model established for hexagonal crystals is revisited in the case of soft solids. Relationships between elastic constants and Young’s moduli are derived and validated on experimental data found in the literature. It is shown that 3μ⊥≤E⊥≤4μ⊥ and that E// cannot only be determined from the measurements of μ// and μ⊥
Forced wave propagation and energy distribution in anisotropic laminate composites
Authors: Glushkov Evgeny , Glushkova Natalia , Eremin Artem
Published: May 2011

Elastodynamic response of anisotropic laminate composite structures subjected to a force loading is evaluated based on the integral representations in terms of Green’s matrices. Explicit and asymptotic expressions for guided waves generated by a given source are then obtained from those integrals by means of series expansions and the residue technique. Unlike to conventional modal expansions, such representations keep information about the source, giving an opportunity for a quantitative near- and far-field analysis of generated waves. An effective computer implementation is achieved by the use of fast and stable algorithms for the Green matrix, pole, and residue calculations. The potential of the model is demonstrated by examples of anisotropy manifestation in the directivity of radiated waves. The effect of main energy outflow in the direction of either upper- or inner-ply orientation depending on the source size and frequency is discussed.
A three-dimensional model for T-shaped acoustic resonators with sound absorption materials
Authors: Yu Ganghua , Cheng Li , Li Deyu
Published: May 2011

Recent development in noise control using T-shaped acoustic resonators calls for the development of more reliable and accurate models to predict their acoustic characteristics, which is unfortunately lacking in the literature. This paper attempts to establish such a model based on three-dimensional theory for T-shaped acoustic resonators containing sound absorption materials. The model is validated by experiments using various configurations. Predictions on fundamental and high-order resonance frequencies are compared with those obtained from the one-dimensional model and finite element analyses, and the effects of the physical and geometric parameters of the absorption materials on the resonance frequencies and Q-factor are also investigated numerically and experimentally. Limitations and applicability of existing one-dimensional models are assessed. The proposed general three-dimensional model proved to be able to provide an accurate and reliable prediction on the resonance frequencies for T-shaped acoustic resonators with or without absorption materials. This can eventually meet the requirement for resonator array design in terms of accuracy.
Fast compressional wave attenuation and dispersion due to conversion scattering into slow shear waves in randomly heterogeneous porous media
Authors: Müller Tobias M. , Sahay Pratap N.
Published: May 2011

Within the viscosity-extended Biot framework of wave propagation in porous media, the existence of a slow shear wave mode with non-vanishing velocity is predicted. It is a highly diffusive shear mode wherein the two constituent phases essentially undergo out-of-phase shear motions (slow shear wave). In order to elucidate the interaction of this wave mode with propagating wave fields in an inhomogeneous medium the process of conversion scattering from fast compressional waves into slow shear waves is analyzed using the method of statistical smoothing in randomly heterogeneous poroelastic media. The result is a complex wave number of a coherent plane compressional wave propagating in a dynamic-equivalent homogeneous medium. Analysis of the results shows that the conversion scattering process draws energy from the propagating wave and therefore leads to attenuation and phase velocity dispersion. Attenuation and dispersion characteristics are typical for a relaxation process, in this case shear stress relaxation. The mechanism of conversion scattering into the slow shear wave is associated with the development of viscous boundary layers in the transition from the viscosity-dominated to inertial regime in a macroscopically homogeneous poroelastic solid.
Passive structural health monitoring of a high-speed naval ship from ambient vibrations
Authors: Sabra Karim G. , Huston Steven
Published: May 2011

Previous studies have used the cross-correlation of ambient vibrations (CAV) technique to estimate the impulse response (or Green’s function) between passive sensors for passive imaging purposes in various engineering applications. The technique (CAV) relies on extracting deterministic coherent time signatures from the noise cross-correlation function computed between passive sensors, without the use of controlled active sources. Provided that the ambient structure-borne noise field remains stable, these resulting coherent waveforms obtained from CAV can then be used for structural monitoring even if they differ from the actual impulse response between the passive sensors. This article presents experimental CAV results using low-frequency random vibration data (<50 Hz) collected on an all-aluminum naval vessel (the HSV-2 Swift) operating at high speed (up to 40 knots) during high sea states. The primary excitation sources were strong wave impact loadings and rotating machinery vibrations. The consistency of the CAV results is established by extracting similar coherent arrivals from ambient vibrations between the pairs of strain gages, symmetrically located across the ship’s centerline. The influence of the ship’s operating conditions on the stability of the peak coherent arrival time, during the 7 days trial, is also discussed.