bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distinct protein degradation profiles are induced by different disuse models of skeletal muscle atrophy
Authors: Bialek Peter , Morris Carl , Parkington Jascha , St. Andre Michael , Owens Jane , Yaworsky Paul , Seeherman Howard , Jelinsky Scott A.
Published: July 2011

Skeletal muscle atrophy can be a consequence of many diseases, environmental insults, inactivity, age, and injury. Atrophy is characterized by active degradation, removal of contractile proteins, and a reduction in muscle fiber size. Animal models have been extensively used to identify pathways that lead to atrophic conditions. We used genome-wide expression profiling analyses and quantitative PCR to identify the molecular changes that occur in two clinically relevant mouse models of muscle atrophy: hindlimb casting and Achilles tendon laceration (tenotomy). Gastrocnemius muscle samples were collected 2, 7, and 14 days after casting or injury. The total amount of muscle loss, as measured by wet weight and muscle fiber size, was equivalent between models on day 14, although tenotomy resulted in a more rapid induction of muscle atrophy. Furthermore, tenotomy resulted in the regulation of significantly more mRNA transcripts then did casting. Analysis of the regulated genes and pathways suggest that the mechanisms of atrophy are distinct between these models. The degradation following casting was ubiquitin-proteasome mediated, while degradation following tenotomy was lysosomal and matrix-metalloproteinase mediated, suggesting a possible role for autophagy. These data suggest that there are multiple mechanisms leading to muscle atrophy and that specific therapeutic agents may be necessary to combat atrophy resulting from different conditions.
A Review on Assessment and Treatment for Depression in Malaysia
Authors: Mukhtar Firdaus , Oei Tian P. S.
Published: July 2011

This paper aimed to review the literature on depression that focused on its assessment and treatment in Malaysia. PsycINFO, Medline, local journals were searched, and 18 published articles were included in this paper. Results indicate that research on depression in Malaysia, particularly validation studies and psychotherapy research, was weak and fragmented, with minimal empirical evidence available. Pharmacotherapy still dominated the treatment for depression, and, in terms of psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) was recently practiced, but only a few studies have reported on the treatment efficacy of CBT. Major limitations of studies were noted, and, consequently, the problems that are associated with the implementation and future direction of clinical and research on depression in Malaysia were discussed. In short, the contribution of empirical research on the assessment and treatment for depression remained inconsistent and fragmented and urgently in need of further empirical investigation.
Metals and Breast Cancer: Risk Factors or Healing Agents?
Authors: Florea Ana-Maria , Büsselberg Dietrich
Published: July 2011

Metals and metal compounds are part of our environment. Several metals are essential for physiological functions (e.g., zinc or magnesium); while the beneficial effects of others are uncertain (e.g., manganese), some metals are proven to be toxic (e.g., mercury, lead). Additionally there are organic metal compounds; some of them are extremely toxic (e.g., trimethyltin, methylmercury), but there is very little knowledge available how they are handled by organisms. Scientific evidence indicates that long-term exposure to (some) metallic compounds induces different forms of cancer, including breast cancer. On the other side, several metal compounds have clinical use in treating life-threatening diseases such as cancer. In this paper we discuss the recent literature that shows a correlation between metal exposure and breast cancer.
Organic-Ruthenium(II) Polypyridyl Complex Based Sensitizer for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Applications
Authors: Giribabu Lingamallu , Singh Varun Kumar , Vijay Kumar Challuri , Soujanya Yarasi , Gopal Reddy Veerannagari , Yella Reddy Paidi
Published: July 2011

A new high molar extinction coefficient organic-ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complex sensitizer (RD-Cou) that contains 2,,6,-tetramethyl-9-thiophene-2-yl-2,3,5,6,6a,11c-hexahydro1H,4H-11oxa-3a-aza-benzoanthracene-10-one as extended -conjugation of ancillary bipyridine ligand, 4,-dicaboxy-2, ,-bipyridine, and a thiocyanate ligand in its molecular structure has been synthesized and completely characterized by CHN, Mass, 1H-NMR, UV-Vis, and fluorescence spectroscopies as well as cyclic voltammetry. The new sensitizer was tested in dye-sensitized solar cells using a durable redox electrolyte and compared its performance to that of standard sensitizer Z-907.
Requirements for Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Glycoproteins in Assembly and Egress from Infected Cells
Authors: Batonick Melissa , Wertz Gail W.
Published: July 2011

Human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) is an enveloped RNA virus that assembles and buds from the plasma membrane of infected cells. The ribonucleoprotein complex (RNP) must associate with the viral matrix protein and glycoproteins to form newly infectious particles prior to budding. The viral proteins involved in HRSV assembly and egress are mostly unexplored. We investigated whether the glycoproteins of HRSV were involved in the late stages of viral replication by utilizing recombinant viruses where each individual glycoprotein gene was deleted and replaced with a reporter gene to maintain wild-type levels of gene expression. These engineered viruses allowed us to study the roles of the glycoproteins in assembly and budding in the context of infectious virus. Microscopy data showed that the F glycoprotein was involved in the localization of the glycoproteins with the other viral proteins at the plasma membrane. Biochemical analyses showed that deletion of the F and G proteins affected incorporation of the other viral proteins into budded virions. However, efficient viral release was unaffected by the deletion of any of the glycoproteins individually or in concert. These studies attribute a novel role to the F and G proteins in viral protein localization and assembly.
On the Reducibility for a Class of Quasi‐Periodic Hamiltonian Systems with Small Perturbation Parameter
Authors: Li Jia , Xu Junxiang
Published: July 2011

We consider the following real two‐dimensional nonlinear analytic quasi‐periodic Hamiltonian system , where with β ≠ 0, ∂xF(0, t, ε) = O(ε) and ∂xxF(0, t, ε) = O(ε) as ε → 0. Without any nondegeneracy condition with respect to ε, we prove that for most of the sufficiently small ε, by a quasi‐periodic symplectic transformation, it can be reduced to a quasi‐periodic Hamiltonian system with an equilibrium.
Effect of Glycine on Lead Mobilization, Lead-Induced Oxidative Stress, and Hepatic Toxicity in Rats
Authors: Alcaraz-Contreras Yolanda , Garza-Ocañas Lourdes , Carcaño-Díaz Katya , Ramírez-Gómez Xóchitl Sofía
Published: July 2011

The effectiveness of glycine in treating experimental lead intoxication was examined in rats. Male Wistar rats were exposed to 3 g/L lead acetate in drinking water for 5 weeks and treated thereafter with glycine (100 and 500 mg/kg, orally) once daily for 5 days or glycine (1000 mg/kg, orally) once daily for 28 days. The effect of these treatments on parameters indicative of oxidative stress (glutathione and malondialdehyde levels), the activity of blood -aminolevulinic acid dehydratase, and lead concentration in blood, liver, kidney, brain, and bone were investigated. Liver samples were observed for histopathological changes. Glycine was found to be effective in (1) increasing glutathione levels; (2) reducing malondialdehyde levels; (3) decreasing lead levels in bone with the highest dose. However, glycine had no effect on lead mobilization when 100 and 500 mg/kg glycine were administered. In microscopic examination, glycine showed a protective effect against lead intoxication.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Angels or Demons?
Authors: Wong Rebecca S. Y.
Published: July 2011

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been used in cell‐based therapy in various disease conditions such as graft‐versus‐host and heart diseases, osteogenesis imperfecta, and spinal cord injuries, and the results have been encouraging. However, as MSC therapy gains popularity among practitioners and researchers, there have been reports on the adverse effects of MSCs especially in the context of tumour modulation and malignant transformation. These cells have been found to enhance tumour growth and metastasis in some studies and have been related to anticancer‐drug resistance in other instances. In addition, various studies have also reported spontaneous malignant transformation of MSCs. The mechanism of the modulatory behaviour and the tumorigenic potential of MSCs, warrant urgent exploration, and the use of MSCs in patients with cancer awaits further evaluation. However, if MSCs truly play a role in tumour modulation, they can also be potential targets of cancer treatment.
The Multiscale Pore Connectivity Network via Scaling Relationship Derived from a Sandstone Image
Authors: Lian Teo Lay
Published: July 2011

This paper presents a study on a multiscale pore connectivity network derived from a sandstone image. We first convert a grayscale sandstone image into pore and grain regions. The binary pore‐grain image is transformed into multiscale pore by performing morphological opening operations with increasing structuring element size. A pore connectivity network (PCN), which is a skeleton network that describes the structure of pore space from multiscale pore‐grain images, is extracted. The PCN can be computed by using morphological transformations with reference to three different probing rules (in the form of octagon, square, and rhombus). It is observed that the length of multiscale PCN varies with the number of opening transformations. This is due to the fact that the intricacy of the pore image is reduced with the increasing cycle of opening transformations. Next, we estimate the fractal dimensions of these multiscale PCNs using box‐counting method. The values obtained follow universal power‐law relationships. We further analyze the relationship of multidimensional opening in quantitative manner. A rescaled formula based on the linearity of decreasing fractal dimension values of pore space is proposed. This technique is applied to estimate the fractal dimensions of a sequence of multi‐dimensional sandstone image generated by morphological opening.
An Integrated Framework to Achieve Interoperability in Person-Centric Health Management
Authors: Vergari Fabio , Salmon Cinotti Tullio , D'Elia Alfredo , Roffia Luca , Zamagni Guido , Lamberti Claudio
Published: July 2011

The need for high-quality out-of-hospital healthcare is a known socioeconomic problem. Exploiting ICT's evolution, ad-hoc telemedicine solutions have been proposed in the past. Integrating such ad-hoc solutions in order to cost-effectively support the entire healthcare cycle is still a research challenge. In order to handle the heterogeneity of relevant information and to overcome the fragmentation of out-of-hospital instrumentation in person-centric healthcare systems, a shared and open source interoperability component can be adopted, which is ontology driven and based on the semantic web data model. The feasibility and the advantages of the proposed approach are demonstrated by presenting the use case of real-time monitoring of patients' health and their environmental context.
Suppression of Intramolecular Vibrational Energy Redistribution by Intense CW‐Laser Fields
Authors: Sugawara M.
Published: July 2011

We present a quantum control scheme which realizes suppression of the intramolecular vibrational energy redistribution (IVR). In this scheme, we utilize effective decomposition brought by intense CW‐laser fields, which enables to exclude
the doorway state coupled to background manifolds. In doing so, we introduce a helper state and make it optically coupled with the doorway state through the intense CW‐laser field. We have applied the present scheme to both the Bixon‐Jortner model and the
SCCl2 model system.
On Three Competing Maintenance Actions and the Related Condition Control
Authors: Hagmark Per-Erik
Published: July 2011

This paper considers three competing maintenance actions: corrective after failure, condition‐based preventive to avoid failure, and scheduled. A stochastic model is set for the time relationship between corrective and preventive maintenance. This model defines a version of the so‐called random signs censoring, and it leads to natural goodness measures for condition control. The effect of condition control on important observable and unobservable indicators is studied. The latter half of the paper considers static Weibull models for the time to failure and the effect of condition control; the main contribution is a calculation method that derives the four model parameters from four figures of input data. Corresponding parameter experimentation is demonstrated on maintenance cost analysis and condition control design.
Feature Selection for Interpatient Supervised Heart Beat Classification
Authors: Doquire G. , de Lannoy G. , François D. , Verleysen M.
Published: July 2011

Supervised and interpatient classification of heart beats is primordial in many applications requiring long-term monitoring of the cardiac function. Several classification models able to cope with the strong class unbalance and a large variety of feature sets have been proposed for this task. In practice, over 200 features are often considered, and the features retained in the final model are either chosen using domain knowledge or an exhaustive search in the feature sets without evaluating the relevance of each individual feature included in the classifier. As a consequence, the results obtained by these models can be suboptimal and difficult to interpret. In this work, feature selection techniques are considered to extract optimal feature subsets for state-of-the-art ECG classification models. The performances are evaluated on real ambulatory recordings and compared to previously reported feature choices using the same models. Results indicate that a small number of individual features actually serve the classification and that better performances can be achieved by removing useless features.
An Organic Acid-induced Synthesis and Characterization of Selenium Nanoparticles
Authors: Dwivedi Charu , Shah Chetan P. , Singh Krishankant , Kumar Manmohan , Bajaj Parma Nand
Published: July 2011

A simple wet chemical method has been developed to synthesize selenium nanoparticles (size 40–100 nm), by the reaction of sodium selenosulphate precursor with different organic acids in aqueous medium, under ambient conditions. Polyvinyl alcohol has been used to stabilize the selenium nanoparticles. The synthesized nanoparticles can be separated from its sol by using a high-speed centrifuge and can be redispersed in aqueous medium with a sonicator. UV-visible optical absorption spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-rays, differential scanning calorimetry, atomic force microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy techniques have been employed to characterize the synthesized selenium nanoparticles.
Effect of Nano-ZnO Particle Suspension on Growth of Mung (Vigna radiata) and Gram (Cicer arietinum) Seedlings Using Plant Agar Method
Authors: Mahajan Pramod , Dhoke S. K. , Khanna A. S.
Published: July 2011

The present study demonstrates an effect of nano-ZnO particles on the growth of plant seedlings of mung (Vigna radiate) and gram (Cicer arietinum). The study was carried out in plant agar media to prevent precipitation of water-insoluble nanoparticles in the test units. Various concentrations of nano-ZnO particles in suspension form were introduced to the agar media, and their effect on the root and shoot growth of the seedlings was examined. The main experimental approach, using correlative light and scanning electron microscopy provided evidence of adsorption of nanoparticles on the root surface. Absorption of nanoparticles by seedlings root was also detected by inductive coupled plasma/atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). It was found that at certain optimum concentration, the seedlings displayed good growth over control, and beyond that, retardation in growth was observed.
Dielectric and Microwave Properties of Siloxane Rubber/Carbon Black Nanocomposites and Their Correlation
Authors: Al-Hartomy Omar A. , Al-Solamy Falleh , Al-Ghamdi Ahmed , Dishovsky Nikolay , Iliev Vladimir , El-Tantawy Farid
Published: July 2011

In this paper, the dielectric and microwave properties of carbon black/siloxane rubber-based nanocomposites have been investigated in the frequency range from 1 GHz till 12 GHz according to the content of carbon black and the frequency. It has been established that the increasing frequency and filler content lead to an increase in the relative permittivity and tangent of dielectric loss angle. At higher filler content, the effects become more pronounced, especially those upon dielectric loss. It has been also established that there are two well-distinguished areas in all dependences of microwave properties on frequency and filler content increasing. The first is between 1 and 8 GHz wherein the reflection and attenuation of microwaves do not change considerably with frequency and filler content alternation while shielding effectiveness worsens. The second area is between 8 and 12 GHz wherein the reflection and attenuation of microwaves increase drastically with the increasing frequency and filler content. Shielding effectiveness improves, too. It has been established that in all cases the degree of correlation between dielectric and microwave properties evaluated on the basis of the coefficients of correlation calculation is perfect.
In Vitro Culture Conditions for Maintaining a Complex Population of Human Gastrointestinal Tract Microbiota
Authors: Kim Bong-Soo , Kim Jong Nam , Cerniglia Carl E.
Published: July 2011

A stable intestinal microbiota is important in maintaining human physiology and health. Although there have been a number of studies using in vitro and in vivo approaches to determine the impact of diet and xenobiotics on intestinal microbiota, there is no consensus for the best in vitro culture conditions for growth of the human gastrointestinal microbiota. To investigate the dynamics and activities of intestinal microbiota, it is important for the culture conditions to support the growth of a wide range of intestinal bacteria and maintain a complex microbial community representative of the human gastrointestinal tract. Here, we compared the bacterial community in three culture media: brain heart infusion broth and high‐ and low‐carbohydrate medium with different growth supplements. The bacterial community was analyzed using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), pyrosequencing and real‐time PCR. Based on the molecular analysis, this study indicated that the 3% fecal inoculum in low‐concentration carbohydrate medium with 1% autoclaved fecal supernatant provided enhanced growth conditions to conduct in vitro studies representative of the human intestinal microbiota.
Failure to Detect XMRV-Specific Antibodies in the Plasma of CFS Patients Using Highly Sensitive Chemiluminescence Immunoassays
Authors: Oakes Brendan , Qiu Xiaoxing , Levine Susan , Hackett John , Huber Brigitte T.
Published: July 2011

In 2009, Lombardi et al. reported their startling finding that the gammaretrovirus xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related retrovirus (XMRV) is present in 67% of blood samples of patients suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), as opposed to only 3.7% of samples from healthy individuals. However, we and others could not confirm these results, using a nested PCR assay. An alternative to this highly sensitive, but contamination-prone, technique is to measure the serological response to XMRV. Thus, we tested the plasma samples from our cohorts of CFS patients and healthy controls for the presence of XMRV-specific antibodies. Using two novel chemiluminescence immunoassays (CMIAs), we show that none of our samples have any XMRV-reactive antibodies. Taken together with our previous findings, we conclude that XMRV is not present in any human individual tested by us, regardless of CFS or healthy control.
Corrosion Inhibition of the Galvanic Couple Copper-Carbon Steel in Reverse Osmosis Water
Authors: Carrillo Irene , Valdez Benjamín , Zlatev Roumen , Stoycheva Margarita , Schorr Michael , Carrillo Mónica
Published: July 2011

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the electrochemical behaviour of corrosion inhibition of the copper-carbon steel galvanic couple (Cu-CS), exposed to reverse osmosis water (RO) used for rinsing of heat exchangers for heavy duty machinery, during manufacture. Molybdate and nitrite salts were utilized to evaluate the inhibition behaviour under galvanic couple conditions. Cu-CS couple was used as working electrodes to measure open circuit potential (OCP), potentiodynamic polarization (PP), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The surface conditions were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The most effective concentration ratio between molybdate and nitrite corrosion inhibitors was determined. The morphological study indicated molybdate deposition on the anodic sites of the galvanic couple. The design of molybdate-based corrosion inhibitor developed in the present work should be applied to control galvanic corrosion of the Cu-CS couple during cleaning in the manufacture of heat exchangers.
Gender and Vascular Complications in the JAK2 V617F-Positive Myeloproliferative Neoplasms
Authors: Stein Brady L. , Rademaker Alfred , Spivak Jerry L. , Moliterno Alison R.
Published: July 2011

We previously found that gender influenced the JAK2 V617F allele burden, but it is unknown whether this gender difference in molecular epidemiology influences complications in the myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). Historically, vascular complications represented the most common cause of mortality in polycythemia vera and essential thrombocytosis and contributed to morbidity in primary myelofibrosis. To determine the influence of gender on vascular complications, we retrospectively analyzed associations between gender and vascular complications. Despite their younger age, less prevalent dyslipidemia or smoking history, lower white blood counts, and lower JAK2 V617F allele burden, women had higher rates of abdominal venous thrombosis and comparable rates of all vascular complications. Vascular risk is currently not easily stratified by MPN-disease burden or traditional risk factors. Our analysis contributes to growing literature emphasizing gender differences in the MPN and further supports the important impact of individual and host variation on MPN clinical manifestations, and especially vascular risk.
Toolkit for Monitoring and Evaluation of Indoor Residual Spraying for Visceral Leishmaniasis Control in the Indian Subcontinent: Application and Results
Authors: Huda M. Mamun , Mondal Dinesh , Kumar Vijay , Das Pradeep , Sharma S. N. , Das Murari Lal , Roy Lolita , Gurung Chitra Kumar , Banjara Megha Raj , Akhter Shireen , Maheswary Narayan Prosad , Kroeger Axel , Chowdhury Rajib
Published: July 2011

Background. We field tested and validated a newly developed monitoring and evaluation (M&E) toolkit for indoor residual spraying to be used by the supervisors at different levels of the national kala-azar elimination programs in Bangladesh, India and Nepal.Methods. Methods included document analysis, in-depth interviews, direct observation of spraying squads, and entomological-chemical assessments (bioassay, susceptibility test, chemical analysis of insecticide residues on sprayed surfaces, vector density measurements at baseline, and three follow-up surveys).Results. We found that the documentation at district offices was fairly complete; important shortcomings included insufficient training of spraying squads and supervisors, deficient spray equipment, poor spraying performance, lack of protective clothing, limited coverage of houses resulting in low bioavailability of the insecticide on sprayed surfaces, and reduced vector susceptibility to DDT in India, which limited the impact on vector densities.Conclusion. The M&E toolkit is a useful instrument for detecting constraints in IRS operations and to trigger timely response.
The Jaw Adductor Resultant and Estimated Bite Force in Primates
Authors: Perry Jonathan M. G. , Hartstone-Rose Adam , Logan Rachel L.
Published: July 2011

We reconstructed the jaw adductor resultant in 34 primate species using new data on muscle physiological cross-sectional area (PCSA) and data on skull landmarks. Based on predictions by Greaves, the resultant should (1) cross the jaw at 30% of its length, (2) lie directly posterior to the last molar, and (3) incline more anteriorly in primates that need not resist large anteriorly-directed forces. We found that the resultant lies significantly posterior to its predicted location, is significantly posterior to the last molar, and is significantly more anteriorly inclined in folivores than in frugivores. Perhaps primates emphasize avoiding temporomandibular joint distraction and/or wide gapes at the expense of bite force. Our exploration of trends in the data revealed that estimated bite force varies with body mass (but not diet) and is significantly greater in strepsirrhines than in anthropoids. This might be related to greater contribution from the balancing-side jaw adductors in anthropoids.
Essential Norm of Operators into Weighted‐Type Spaces on the Unit Ball
Authors: Galindo Pablo , Lindström Mikael , Stević Stevo
Published: July 2011

The essential norm of any operator from a general Banach space
of holomorphic functions on the unit ball in ℂn
into the little weighted‐type
space is calculated. Some applications of the formula are given.
Stochastic BEM for the Vibroacoustic Analysis of Three‐Dimensional Structures
Authors: D′Amico R. , Pratellesi A. , Pierini M. , Baldanzini N.
Published: July 2011

Nowadays, extending the NVH prediction reliability to the whole frequency range is an attractive goal of vibroacoustics. Deterministic methodologies are well established for the low‐frequency range, but, decreasing the wavelength, energy‐based methods are necessary. In such a range, a crucial role is played by small perturbations which highly influence the response sensitivity. Moreover, taking into account these variations allows to make the product design more robust and even quicker. Introducing geometrical uncertainties within the classic BEM formulation allows to obtain the so‐called stochastic BEM. As a result, the solution shows deterministic behaviour at low frequencies; decreasing the wavelength, the effect of the uncertainties smooths the response. Consequently, it is possible to obtain an averaged trend over the whole frequency range which asymptotically tends to the deterministic one. In this paper, we deal with three‐dimensional acoustic SBEM. First, the formulation and its basic assumptions are presented. Secondly, they are applied to academic cases to show its potentialities in predicting vibroacoustic behaviour over a wide frequency range.
Sexual Transmission of XMRV: A Potential Infection Route
Authors: Sharma Prachi , Rogers Kenneth A. , Suppiah Suganthi , Molinaro Ross J. , Onlamoon Nattawat , Hackett John , Schochetman Gerald , Klein Eric A. , Silverman Robert H. , Villinger François
Published: July 2011

Although XMRV dissemination in humans is a matter of debate, the prostate of select patients seem to harbor XMRV, which raises questions about its potential route of transmission. We established a model of infection in rhesus macaques inoculated with XMRV. In spite of the intravenous inoculation, all infected macaques exhibited readily detectable XMRV signal in the reproductive tract of all 4 males and 1 female during both acute and chronic infection stages. XMRV showed explosive growth in the acini of prostate during acute but not chronic infection. In seminal vesicles, epididymis, and testes, XMRV protein production was detected throughout infection in interstitial or epithelial cells. In the female monkey, epithelial cells in the cervix and vagina were also positive for XMRV gag. The ready detection of XMRV in the reproductive tract of male and female macaques infected intravenously suggests the potential for sexual transmission for XMRV.
Management of Obstetric Perineal Tears: Do Obstetrics and Gynaecology Residents Receive Adequate Training? Results of an Anonymous Survey
Authors: Cornet A. , Porta O. , Piñeiro L. , Ferriols E. , Gich I. , Calaf J.
Published: July 2011

Background/Aim. To evaluate the obstetrics and gynaecology residents' perspective of their training and experience in the management of perineal tears that occur during assisted vaginal delivery. We hypothesised that residents would perceive room for improvement in their knowledge of pelvic floor anatomy and the training received in tears repair.Design. Descriptive cross-sectional study.Population/Setting. Seventy-two major residents from all teaching hospitals in Catalonia.Methods. A questionnaire was designed to evaluate experience, perception of the training and supervision provided.Results. The questionnaire was sent to all residents (), receiving 46 responses (64%). The participants represented 15 out of the 16 teaching hospitals included in the study (94% of the hospitals represented). Approximately, 52% of residents were in their third year while 48% were in their fourth. The majority of them thought that their knowledge of pelvic floor anatomy was poor (62%), although 98% felt confident that they would know when an episiotomy was correctly indicated. The survey found that they lacked experience in the repair of major degree tears (70% had repaired fewer than ten), and most did not carry out followup procedures.Conclusion. The majority of them indicated that more training in this specific area is necessary (98%).
First Steps towards Evidence-Based Preventive Home Visits: Experiences Gathered in a Swedish Municipality
Authors: Löfqvist Charlotte , Eriksson Staffan , Svensson Torbjörn , Iwarsson Susanne
Published: July 2011

The purpose of preventive home visits is to promote overall health and wellbeing in old age. The aim of this paper was to describe the process of the development of evidence-based preventive home visits, targeting independent community-living older persons. The evidence base was generated from published studies and practical experiences. The results demonstrate that preventive home visits should be directed to persons 80 years old and older and involve various professional competences. The visits should be personalized, lead to concrete interventions, and be followed up. The health areas assessed should derive from a broad perspective and include social, psychological, and medical aspects. Core components in the protocol developed in this study captured physical, medical, psychosocial, and environmental aspects. Results of a pilot study showed that the protocol validly identified health risks among older people with different levels of ADL dependence.
A Review of Different Behavior Modification Strategies Designed to Reduce Sedentary Screen Behaviors in Children
Authors: Steeves Jeremy A. , Thompson Dixie L. , Bassett David R. , Fitzhugh Eugene C. , Raynor Hollie A.
Published: July 2011

Previous research suggests that reducing sedentary screen behaviors may be a strategy for preventing and treating obesity in children. This systematic review describes strategies used in interventions designed to either solely target sedentary screen behaviors or multiple health behaviors, including sedentary screen behaviors. Eighteen studies were included in this paper; eight targeting sedentary screen behaviors only, and ten targeting multiple health behaviors. All studies used behavior modification strategies for reducing sedentary screen behaviors in children (aged 1–12 years). Nine studies only used behavior modification strategies, and nine studies supplemented behavior modification strategies with an electronic device to enhance sedentary screen behaviors reductions. Many interventions (50%) significantly reduced sedentary screen behaviors; however the magnitude of the significant reductions varied greatly (−0.44 to −3.1 h/day) and may have been influenced by the primary focus of the intervention, number of behavior modification strategies used, and other tools used to limit sedentary screen behaviors.
Preoperative Thyrotropin Serum Concentrations Gradually Increase from Benign Thyroid Nodules to Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinomas Then to Papillary Thyroid Cancers of Larger Size
Authors: Zafon Carles , Obiols Gabriel , Baena Juan Antonio , Castellví Josep , Dalama Belen , Mesa Jordi
Published: July 2011

We evaluated the preoperative serum thyrotropin (TSH) levels in 386 patients operated on for nodular thyroid disease (NTD). TSH levels for cases with final benign disease and differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) were compared. No evidence of cancer was detected in 310 patients (80.3%), whereas malignancy was present in 76 cases (19.7%). Mean TSH concentration was  mU/L in benign patients and in cases with malignant lesions (). The group of malignancy was subdivided in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTMC) versus thyroid cancer of larger size (TCLS). Mean TSH was in PTMC and in TCLS. Significant differences were found when all groups (benign, PTMC and TCLS) were compared (). However, pairwise comparisons between them showed that differences were only significant between benign and TCLS groups (). In conclusion, TSH levels were higher in patients with a final diagnosis of DTC. Moreover, it appears that there exists an increment in tumor size as a function of increment in the TSH level.
Genetically ModifiedLactococcus lactisfor Delivery of Human Interleukin-10 to Dendritic Cells
Authors: Huibregtse Inge L. , Zaat Sebatian A. , Kapsenberg Martien L. , Sartori da Silva Maria A. , Peppelenbosch Maikel P. , van Deventer Sander J. H. , Braat Henri
Published: July 2011

Interleukin-10 (IL-10) plays an indispensable role in mucosal tolerance by programming dendritic cells (DCs) to induce suppressor Th-cells. We have tested the modulating effect ofL. lactissecreting human IL-10 (L.  lactisIL-10) on DC function in vitro. Monocyte-derived DC incubated withL.  lactisIL-10induced effector Th-cells that markedly suppressed the proliferation of allogenic Th-cells as compared toL. lactis. This suppressive effect was only seen when DC showed increased CD83 and CD86 expression. Furthermore, enhanced production of IL-10 was measured in bothL.  lactisIL-10-derived DC and Th-cells compared toL. lactis-derived DC and Th-cells. Neutralizing IL-10 during DC-Th-cell interaction and coculturingL.  lactisIL-10-derived suppressor Th-cells with allogenic Th-cells in a transwell system prevented the induction of suppressor Th-cells. Only 130 pg/mL of bacterial-derived IL-10 and 40 times more exogenously added recombinant human IL-10 were needed during DC priming for the generation of suppressor Th-cells. The spatially restricted delivery of IL-10 by food-grade bacteria is a promising strategy to induce suppressor Th-cellsin vivoand to treat inflammatory diseases.
Fatigue after Stroke: The Patient's Perspective
Authors: Barbour Victoria Louise , Mead Gillian Elizabeth
Published: July 2011

Background. Fatigue after stroke is common and distressing to patients.Aims. Our aims were to explore patients' perceptions of post-stroke fatigue, including the causes of fatigue and the factors that alleviate fatigue, in a mixed methods study.Results. We interviewed 15 patients who had had a stroke and were inpatients on stroke rehabilitation wards. A substantial proportion of patients reported that their fatigue started at the time of their stroke. Various different factors were reported to improve fatigue, including exercise, good sleep, rehabilitation and rest. Fatigue influences patients' sense of “control” after their stroke.Conclusion. Our results are consistent with the possibility that poststroke fatigue might be triggered by factors that occur at the time of the stroke (e.g., the stroke lesion itself, or admission to hospital) and then exacerbated by poor sleep and boredom. These factors should be considered when developing complex interventions to improve post-stroke fatigue.
Polarimetric Radar–Based Estimates of Spatial Variability in Characteristic Sizes of Raindrops in Stratiform Rainfall
Authors: Matrosov Sergey Y.
Published: July 2011

Polarimetric X-band radar measurements of differential reflectivity ZDR in stratiform rainfall were used for retrieving mean mass-weighted raindrop diameters Dm and estimating their spatial variability δDm at different scales. The ZDR data were calibrated and corrected for differential attenuation. The results revealed greater variability in Dm for larger spatial scales. Mean values of δDm were respectively around 0.32–0.34, 0.28–0.30, and 0.24–0.26 mm at scales of 20, 10, and 4.5 km, which are representative of footprints of various spaceborne sensors. For a given spatial scale, δDm decreases when the mean value of Dm increases. At the 20-km scale the decreasing trend exhibits a factor-of-1.7 decrease of δDm when the average Dm changes from 1 to 2 mm. Estimation data suggest that this trend diminishes as the spatial scale decreases. Measurement noise and other uncertainties preclude accurate estimations of Dm variability at smaller spatial scales because for many data points estimated variability values are equal to or less than the expected retrieval errors. Even though they are important for retrievals of absolute values of Dm, the details of the drop shape–size relation did not significantly affect estimates of size spatial variability. The polarization cross coupling in simultaneous transmission–simultaneous receiving measurement mode presents another limiting factor for accurate estimations of Dm. This factor, however, was not too severe in estimations of the size variability. There are indications that tuning the differential attenuation correction scheme might balance off some possible cross-coupling ZDR bias if differential phase accumulation is less than approximately 40°.
Foucauldian Power and Schmittian Politics
Authors: Newswander Chad B.
Published: July 2011

A political pattern of power focused on defining enemies of the state permits administrative agencies to be grounded in framework that allows them to create meaning. In an effort to better understand how agencies act as political players in a web of power relationships, this article suggests a framework based jointly on Foucault’s concept of power and Schmitt’s understanding of the political. Although these models may at first appear to be incompatible, Foucault and Schmitt’s ideas on power and politics are in fact complementary, and together can enrich an understanding of how administration is deeply constitutive.
Conceptualization and Measurement of Criminal Thinking
Authors: Mitchell Damon , Tafrate Raymond Chip
Published: July 2011

This article describes two studies concerning the development of a new measure of criminal thinking, the CriminogenicThinking Profile (CTP), influenced by the construct of psychopathy, and traditional models of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). An experimental item pool based on verbalizations from offenders served as the pilot version of the instrument. Principal components analysis of the items resulted in a 62-item, eight-factor scale that was internally consistent. In terms of content, six of the resulting factors were conceptually related to psychopathy, one to CBT, and one to neutralization theory. The factor structure and internal reliability was supported by a subsequent confirmatory factor analysis. Initial support for the CTP’s convergent validity was indicated by its positive correlations with psychopathy and personality disorders associated with criminal, aggressive, and impulsive behaviors. The CTP’s divergent validity was supported by its inverse correlations with indices of healthy personality functioning. The CTP offers a somewhat different constellation of thinking patterns than those found on previously published criminal thinking instruments. The utility of the CTP to identify relevant cognitive targets for offender treatment is a recommended area of future research.
Comparison of Clinical Results of Anatomic Posterolateral Corner Reconstruction for Posterolateral Rotatory Instability of the Knee With or Without Popliteal Tendon Reconstruction
Authors: Yoon Kyoung Ho , Lee Jung Hwan , Bae Dae Kyung , Song Sang Jun , Chung Kee Yun , Park Yang Woo
Published: July 2011

Background: It is unknown whether popliteal tendon reconstruction is necessary in anatomic posterolateral corner reconstruction, although the tendon has function in the varus and rotatory stability of the knee joint.

Hypothesis: Anatomic reconstructions of the posterolateral corner with the popliteal tendon reconstructed will present better clinical and radiographic results than cases with the popliteal tendon not reconstructed.

Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods: The authors retrospectively analyzed 32 cases of anatomic posterolateral corner reconstruction with a minimum 2-year follow-up. There were 17 cases of anatomic reconstruction with popliteal tendon reconstruction and 15 cases without popliteal tendon reconstruction. The authors compared preoperative and postoperative range of motion, varus instability by varus stress test, lateral joint opening on varus stress radiographs, posterolateral rotatory instability by dial test, Tegner activity score, Lysholm score, and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective knee evaluation form and knee examination form between the 2 groups. They also compared posterior translation on posterior stress radiographs in cases with posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Results: There was no difference in range of motion, varus stress test, dial test, Tegner score, Lysholm score, or the score by IKDC subjective knee evaluation form. The side-to-side difference in lateral joint opening on the varus stress radiographs significantly improved after anatomic reconstruction in both groups ( P < .001, P = .001), but there was no preoperative or postoperative differences between the groups. No difference was found in the grade distribution on the IKDC examination form. In the cases with posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, there was also no difference in posterior translation between the groups on posterior stress radiographs at the last follow-up.

Conclusion: No effect of popliteal tendon reconstruction was found in anatomic posterolateral corner reconstruction on the stability and clinical results.
Preaching to the converted? An analysis of the UK public for space exploration
Authors: Entradas Marta , Miller Steve , Peters Hans Peter
Published: July 2011

This article presents the results of a survey carried out at two space outreach events in the UK aimed at characterising “the public for space exploration” and measuring public support for space exploration. Attitude towards space exploration and policy preferences were used as measures of public support. The sample involved 744 respondents and was mainly composed of adults between 25 and 45 years old, with men slightly over-represented compared with women. Findings revealed that males appeared to be stronger supporters than females – men had a more positive attitude towards space exploration and stronger space policy preferences. Because mixed groups tend to come together to such events we argue that male respondents would be more likely to be part of the “attentive” and “interested” public who come to outreach activities and bring a less interested public with them.
Bargaining in the crisis - a comparison of the 2010 collective bargaining round in the Danish and Swedish manufacturing sectors
Authors: Lyhne Ibsen Christian , Andersen Søren Kaj , Due Jesper , Madsen Jørgen Steen
Published: July 2011

The economic crisis weighed heavily on the 2010 collective bargaining rounds in the Danish and Swedish manufacturing sectors — the pattern-setting sectors in both countries. This article analyses and compares the bargaining rounds from agenda-setting to signing, pointing to the significant differences in bargaining structures, processes and output. On the whole, the crisis seems to have had little effect on the Danish bargaining system due to a strong centralization on the employer side through the Confederation of Danish Industries, union moderation and the coordination of bargaining areas by Denmark’s mediation institution. Conversely, the bargaining round in Sweden puts a question-mark over the viability of the whole Swedish bargaining system. Union coordination was shattered when the white-collar unions broke ranks and concluded agreements before the LO unions. But more importantly, Teknikföretagen — the biggest employers’ federation — quit the Industrial Agreement after the negotiations and, once again, Swedish social partners are being forced to readjust the procedural framework for collective bargaining.
Negotiating epistemic rights to information in Korean conversation: An examination of the Korean evidential marker –tamye
Authors: Shin Kim Mary
Published: July 2011

This study uses conversation analysis to investigate how participants in Korean conversations negotiate their epistemic rights to information by deploying alternate evidential markers. The participants mutually monitor each other’s different or changing epistemic rights to the information and routinely shift their choice of evidential markers to — tamye (‘I hear, isn’t it true?’) to redistribute their epistemic rights. By manipulating the turn-taking and sequence organizations which underlie the — tamye evidential marker, the participants can claim or downgrade their epistemic rights to the information. The findings of this study contribute to research on evidentiality by providing an interactional perspective which takes the orientation of the participants in actual interactions as the starting point of analysis. The study illustrates how evidential markers serve to negotiate the relationships among the speaker, the hearer, and the information in the course of the interaction rather than merely function to reflect an implicit contract or territory between the speaker’s and the hearer’s information.
Taking global crises in the news seriously: Notes from the dark side of globalization
Authors: Cottle Simon
Published: July 2011

From climate change to the war on terror, from financial meltdowns to forced migrations, from pandemics to world poverty and from humanitarian disasters to the denial of human rights, these and other global crises represent the dark side of our global age. They are spawned by it. When represented within today’s world news ecology such ‘global crises’ can also shape processes of globalization — deepening our sense of globality and, possibly, contributing to what Ulrich Beck’s discerns as a ‘cosmopolitan outlook’ (Beck, 2006). With too few exceptions, however, researchers have yet to theorize and examine today’s endemic, interpenetrating and proliferating global crises or their complex dependencies on the world’s news media and emergent forms of global journalism. This article elaborates on these claims and sets out the case for taking global crises seriously, both ontologically and epistemologically, and how they can variously become enacted within the complex flows and formations of global news.