bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factors Contributing to Weight Misperception in Obese Children Presenting for Intervention
Authors: Zeller Meg H. , Ingerski Lisa M. , Wilson Lindsay , Modi Avani C.
Published: January 2010

Objective.To assess weight stigma, self-perception of weight status, and factors contributing to accurate self-perception of weight status in obese youth presenting for treatment at a hospital-based multidisciplinary weight management program. Methods. Participants (N = 97; mean age = 8.56 ± 1.66 years) used a figural rating scale to assess weight stigma and their current and ideal body type, and Sizing Me Up, a measure of obesity-specific health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Results. The majority endorsed negative/stereotypical attributes toward an obese body type, chose an average or underweight figure as their ideal, and 39% misperceived their weight status. Older child age and greater HRQOL impairment were significant predictors ( P < .01) of correct self-perception. Conclusion. Pediatricians may find that talking with the elementary school—aged patient and family about whether weight/size affects their day-to-day life will prove to be a salient and neutral opening to discussing the child’s obesity and need for intervention.
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: A 30-Year Population-Based Incidence Study
Authors: Dooley Joseph , Gordon Kevin E. , Dodds Linda , MacSween Judith
Published: January 2010

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is among the most common lethal genetic diseases. It has been proposed that genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis have begun to lower the incidence. We reviewed the records of all patients with confirmed DMD who were born between 1969 and 2008. Statistics Canada data on annual male births in Nova Scotia were obtained for each year.The overall incidence of 1 per 4700 male births remained stable during the 30-year period of the study. Similarly, the age at diagnosis did not change during that time.
Necrotizing Enterocolitis in 20 822 Infants: Analysis of Medical and Surgical Treatments
Authors: Abdullah Fizan , Zhang Yiyi , Camp Melissa , Mukherjee Debraj , Gabre-Kidan Alodia , Colombani Paul M. , Chang David C.
Published: January 2010

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the most common gastrointestinal emergency of the neonate. Previous information about this disease has largely been gathered from limited series. We analyzed 13 years of the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) and 3 years of the Kids’ Inpatient Database (KID; 1997, 2000, 2003) to generate the most comprehensive profile of outcomes to date of medically versus surgically treated NEC. We identified 20 822 infants with NEC, of whom 15 419 (74.1%) and 5403 (25.9%) were undergoing medical and surgical management, respectively. Overall, surgical patients had greater length of stay, total hospital charges, and mortality. Among infants dying during admission, there was no significant difference in length of stay or charges between the medical and surgical groups. These findings highlight the need for developing a clinically relevant risk stratification tool to identify NEC patients at high risk for death.
Portfolio Assessment as a Tool for Promoting Professional Development of School Principals: A South African Perspective
Authors: Mestry Raj , Schmidt Michèle
Published: January 2010

Poor matriculation results in South African urban schools have resulted in the implementation of professional development programs for principals who wish to improve their qualifications and practice. This article studies principals’ perceptions of the efficacy of using portfolios to assess their professional growth. Using a poststructural lens to theorize portfolio use, interview data were examined to discern what themes consistently evolved when principals were engaged in self-evaluating their own professional practice through a methodological framework of portfolio development. The findings revealed insights into the efficacy of the use of professional portfolios in the professional development of principals.
Estimation of hourly averaged solar irradiation: evaluation of models
Authors: Tham Y. , Muneer T. , Davison B.
Published: January 2010

Hourly solar radiation data are required in many building services applications. These are also reported in the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers Guides A & J. Data from 16 locations in the UK were used to evaluate the so called Liu and Jordan model1 for monthly averaged hourly solar irradiation. Individual data sets spanned periods from 12 to 26 years between 1968 and 1994, and overall, provided data from practically the full range of latitude of the UK (50.22°N—58.13°N). For hourly estimation, the model only slightly underestimated both global and diffuse radiation before noon and overestimated, again only slightly, after noon. In addition, a discrepancy was observed between the measured data and the model’s predictions at low sunset angles. Following earlier research work, an attempt was made to further improve the Liu and Jordan model. However, it was found that at least for the UK data set, any such attempts were futile. This behaviour was attributed to the highly random nature of UK’s solar climate.

Practical applications: Most meteorological stations report solar radiation data on a daily averaged basis. However, most building energy simulation software requires hourly radiation. Research studies have confirmed that the well-known Liu and Jordan model, which enables the above conversion, performs well for locations in the US. This paper evaluates the above model for locations in the UK and compares it with previously studied Indian locations. According to the evaluation, the average accuracy of the model to estimate hourly radiation from its daily counterpart is 85%.
Factors in Sustaining Professional Learning Community
Authors: Kilbane James F.
Published: January 2010

School change efforts to develop schools as learning communities result in schools that are constantly learning and thus changing. This collective case study of four schools involved in a 4-year reform effort begins to examine the ongoing sustainability of a learning community. The study draws insights about the sustainability of learning communities in these schools as involving issues of change, loss, and hope. After offering a description for each of these themes, a discussion is offered that draws connections to the environmental factors of administrative support, collaborative structures, relational integrity, enablers, and coherence that operated to perpetuate reform in these schools.
Incidence, Mechanisms, and Severity of Game-Related College Football Injuries on FieldTurf versus Natural Grass
Authors: Meyers Michael C.
Published: January 2010

Background

Numerous injuries have been attributed to playing on artificial turf. More recently, FieldTurf was developed to duplicate the playing characteristics of natural grass. No long-term studies have been conducted comparing game-related collegiate football injuries between the 2 playing surfaces.

Hypothesis

Collegiate athletes do not experience any difference in the incidence, mechanisms, and severity of game-related injuries between FieldTurf and natural grass.

Study Design

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.

Methods

Twenty-four universities were evaluated over 3 competitive seasons for injury incidence, injury category, time of injury, injury time loss, player position, injury mechanism, primary type of injury, grade and anatomical location of injury, type of tissue injured, trauma (head, knee, and shoulder), and environmental factors.

Results

In sum, 465 collegiate games were evaluated for game-related football injuries sustained on FieldTurf or natural grass during 3 seasons. Overall, 230 team games (49.5%) were played on FieldTurf versus 235 team games (50.5%) played on natural grass. A total of 2253 injuries were documented, with 1050 (46.6%) occurring during play on FieldTurf, and 1203 (53.4%) on natural grass. Multivariate analysis per 10 team games indicated significantly lower total injury incidence rates, F(3, 2249) = 3.468, P = .016, n — β =0.778, on FieldTurf, 45.7 (95% confidence interval [CI], 44.2-46.3), versus natural grass, 51.2 (95% CI, 49.8-51.7). Significantly lower minor injury incidence rates, 38.0 (95% CI, 36.9-38.5) versus 39.9 (95% CI, 39.1-40.0, P = .001), substantial injury incidence rates, 5.0 (95% CI, 4.3-5.6) versus 7.2 (95% CI, 6.6-7.7, P = .020), and severe injury incidence rates, 2.7 (95% CI, 2.1-3.3) versus 4.1 (95% CI, 3.5-4.1; P = .049), were documented on FieldTurf versus natural grass, respectively. Multivariate analyses also indicated significantly less trauma on FieldTurf when comparing injury time loss, injury situation, grade of injury, injuries under various field conditions, and temperature. No significant differences in head, knee, or shoulder trauma were observed between playing surfaces.

Conclusion

FieldTurf is in many cases safer than natural grass. It must be reiterated, however, that the findings of this study may be generalizable to only this level of competition. Because this study is still in the early stages, investigation is ongoing.
Intelligence and the Core Executive
Authors: Smith Martin J.
Published: January 2010

Much of the analysis of intelligence and security in British government has treated it as a separate and distinct sphere. This article argues that the core executive framework provides a useful mechanism for integrating security policy making with other aspects of the domestic policy process. The article analyses the changing nature of the core executive and its impact on decision-making. The article argues that if we look at intelligence through the core executive framework we can analyse intelligence as a particular form of knowledge that can provide the Prime Minister with considerable influence on policy outcomes. This is not, however, to suggest that the Prime Minister is presidential.
A Chaos that Worked
Authors: Grey Christopher , Sturdy Andrew
Published: January 2010

Drawing on a major historical study of the organization of Bletchley Park, the site of British and Allied codebreaking during the Second World War, this article shows that it was characterized by ‘chaos’ in terms of a lack of clear formal structures. It is argued that the success of Bletchley Park can be explained in terms of various factors including shared social capital of some employees, organizational hybridity, centralization, knowledge-sharing and organizational porosity. These factors may be understood to be the reasons why Bletchley Park was successful despite its organizational chaos, but the paper seeks to advance the stronger claim that it was successful because of its organizational chaos.
Command, Rather than Consultation
Authors: Murphy Christopher J.
Published: January 2010

This article explores the lack of a collegial organizational ethos within the Special Operations Executive (SOE) during the Second World War. It charts the development of a decentralized body that placed its operational Country Sections in a position of dominance within the organization. The sections responsible for providing operational support — intelligence, special devices, etc. — were expected to carry out instructions issued by the Country Sections, and given little opportunity to contribute their own expertise in a collaborative manner during the operational process. The article goes on to explore the difficulties these sections faced in carrying out their respective roles, and the strategies they adopted to help facilitate their support work. The article concludes by considering why SOE chose to adopt, and maintain, such a formal, strict organizational structure over a more fluid one.
High-Level Face Adaptation Without Awareness
Authors: Adams Wendy J. , Gray Katie L.H. , Garner Matthew , Graf Erich W.
Published: January 2010

When a visual stimulus is suppressed from awareness, processing of the suppressed image is necessarily reduced. Although adaptation to simple image properties such as orientation still occurs, adaptation to high-level properties such as face identity is eliminated. Here we show that emotional facial expression continues to be processed even under complete suppression, as indexed by substantial facial expression aftereffects.
Why the Parts Are Better (or Worse) Than the Whole
Authors: Chambers John R.
Published: January 2010

People tend to rate members of a positive group (e.g., best friends) as superior to the average of that group and members of a negative group (e.g., worst enemies) as inferior to the average of that group. Five experiments tested a new theoretical account of these nonselective superiority and inferiority biases. According to this account, a member’s unique attribute (the dimension distinguishing that member positively or negatively from other group members) is used as the standard for comparing that member with other group members. The experimental results supported this hypothesis. When participants compared a randomly selected popular or unpopular vacation destination with other destinations, the target destination’s unique attribute was more accessible than its nonunique attributes (Experiments 1–4), and a popular destination was judged less above average if one of its nonunique attributes was the salient comparison standard (Experiment 4). In addition, the unique attribute was used as the comparison standard for evaluating novel stimuli (Experiment 5). Alternative accounts and implications for general comparison processes are discussed.
The Blues Broaden, but the Nasty Narrows
Authors: Gable Philip , Harmon-Jones Eddie
Published: January 2010

Positive and negative affects high in motivational intensity cause a narrowing of attentional focus. In contrast, positive affects low in motivational intensity cause a broadening of attentional focus. The attentional consequences of negative affects low in motivational intensity have not been experimentally investigated. Experiment 1 compared the attentional consequences of negative affect low in motivational intensity (sadness) relative to a neutral affective state. Results indicated that low-motivation negative affect caused attentional broadening. Experiment 2 found that disgust, a high-motivation negative affect not previously investigated in attentional studies, narrowed attentional focus. These experiments support the conceptual model linking high-motivation affective states to narrowed attention and low-motivation affective states to broadened attention.
Do Good Recruits Make Good Cops? Problems Predicting and Measuring Academy and Street-Level Success
Authors: Henson Billy , Reyns Bradford W. , Klahm Charles F. , Frank James
Published: January 2010

The purpose of this study is to extend White’s analysis predicting successful police recruit performance during academy training. Using police personnel data collected on 486 officers hired between 1996 and 2006 by a Midwestern police department, the authors examine characteristics related to academy success as well as active police service. The results show that most demographic and experience variables did not predict academy or active service success. However, White recruits and those scoring higher on the civil service exam consistently performed better on multiple academy outcome measures than their counterparts. In addition, those scoring higher on the overall academy success measure generally received better evaluations from their superiors. The results also show that higher education is not related to any of the measures of academy or on the job success used in these analyses.
Brazilian Football League Technical Efficiency: A Simar and Wilson Approach
Authors: Pestana Barros Carlos , Assaf Albert , Sá-Earp Fabio
Published: January 2010

This article introduces the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) bootstrap procedure to analyze the technical efficiency of Brazilian first league football clubs. For comparison purpose the study also estimates the efficiency scores with the traditional DEA model. From the results, it is clear that there is a significant difference between the efficiency scores derived from the traditional DEA and the bootstrap DEA models. In terms of the average performance of the Brazilian league, both methods indicate that the Brazilian clubs operate at a high level of inefficiency. Factors that contributed to these results as well as other policy implications are provided.
High- and low-level pressure support during walking in people with severe kyphoscoliosis
Authors: Menadue C. , Alison J.A. , Piper A.J. , Wong K.K. , Hollier C. , Ellis E.R.
Published: January 2010

To determine whether the level of pressure support (PS) provided during exercise influences endurance time in people with severe kyphoscoliosis, a double-blind randomised crossover study was performed. We hypothesised that high-level PS would be required to enhance endurance time in this population with high impedance to inflation.

13 participants with severe kyphoscoliosis performed four endurance treadmill tests in random order: unassisted; with sham PS; low-level PS of 10 cmH2O (PS 10); and high-level PS of 20 cmH2O (PS 20). Participants and assessors were blinded to the level of PS delivered during exercise.

Endurance time was greater with PS 20 (median (interquartile range) 217 (168–424) s) compared with unassisted exercise (139 (111–189) s), sham PS (103 (88–155) s) and PS 10 (159 (131–206) s). In addition, isotime respiratory rate was decreased by 8 breaths·min−1(95% CI -11– -5 breaths·min−1) and isotime oxygen saturation increased by 4% (95% CI 1–7%) with PS 20 compared with unassisted exercise.

People with severe kyphoscoliosis require high-level PS during walking to improve exercise performance. Investigation of high-level PS as an adjunct to exercise training or to assist in the performance of daily activities is warranted.
Long-term exposure to close-proximity air pollution and asthma and allergies in urban children
Authors: Pénard-Morand C. , Raherison C. , Charpin D. , Kopferschmitt C. , Lavaud F. , Caillaud D. , Annesi-Maesano I.
Published: January 2010

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of urban air pollution, assessed through reliable indicators of exposure, on asthma and allergies in schoolchildren.

A validated dispersion model combining data on traffic conditions, topography, meteorology and background pollution was used to relate 3-yrs averaged concentrations of major urban pollutants at the sites of schools to skin prick tests, exercise-induced asthma and reported asthma and allergies in 6,683 children (9–11 yrs) attending 108 schools randomly selected in six French communities.

For the 4,907 children who had resided at their current address for the past 3 yrs, asthma (exercise induced, past year and lifetime) was significantly positively associated with benzene, SO2, particles with a 50% cut-off aerodynamic diameter of 10 μm (PM10), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and CO. In the same children, eczema (lifetime and past year) was significantly positively associated with benzene, PM10, NO2, NOxand CO, lifetime allergic rhinitis with PM10and sensitisation to pollens with benzene and PM10. Among the 2,213 children residing at their current address since birth, the associations persisted for lifetime asthma with benzene (adjusted OR per interquartile range (95% CI) 1.3 (1.0–1.9)) and PM10(1.4 (1.0–2.0)), and for sensitisation to pollens with volatile organic compounds (1.3 (1.0–1.9)) and PM10(1.2 (1.0–1.9)).

Accurately modelled urban air pollution was associated with some measures of childhood asthma and allergies.
Confirmation of asthma in an era of overdiagnosis
Authors: Luks V.P. , Vandemheen K.L. , Aaron S.D.
Published: January 2010

It was recently shown that 30% of adults with a physician diagnosis of asthma did not have asthma when objectively assessed using a four-step algorithm involving serial spirometry, bronchial challenge testing and subsequent tapering of asthma medications. The objective of the present study was to determine how many steps in the algorithm were required in order to confirm asthma, and whether any patient-related variables were associated with earlier asthma confirmation.

A total of 540 subjects with a previous physician diagnosis of asthma were randomly recruited from the community. The number of subjects confirmed with asthma at each study visit was calculated. Regression analysis was used to determine variables associated with earlier asthma confirmation.

Of the 499 subjects who completed the diagnostic algorithm, 346 (69%) had asthma confirmed and 150 (30%) had asthma excluded. Of subjects in whom asthma was confirmed, including those using regular asthma controlling medications, >90% were confirmed with only one or two study visits, by either pre- and post-bronchodilator spirometry or a single bronchial challenge test. Only 46 (9%) out of 499 subjects required tapering of asthma medications and repeated bronchial challenge tests for exclusion or confirmation of asthma. Lower forced expiratory volume in 1 s and younger age were associated with earlier asthma confirmation.

For the majority with a previous physician diagnosis of asthma, only pre- and post-bronchodilator spirometry and a single methacholine challenge test are required in order to confirm asthma.
Enhanced diagnosis of HIV-1-associated tuberculosis by relating T-SPOT.TBand CD4 counts
Authors: Oni T. , Patel J. , Gideon H.P. , Seldon R. , Wood K. , Hlombe Y. , Wilkinson K.A. , Rangaka M.X. , Mendelson M. , Wilkinson R.J.
Published: January 2010

The sensitivity of the tuberculin skin test is impaired in HIV-1-infected persons. Enzyme-linked immunospot-based detection of immune sensitisation may be less affected. Furthermore, the quantitative response can be related to the CD4 count, potentially improving specificity for active disease.

The T-SPOT.TBassay was performed on HIV-1-infected participants, 85 with active tuberculosis (TB) and 81 healthy patients (non-TB). The ratio of the sum of the 6-kDa early secretory antigenic target and culture filtrate protein 10 response to the CD4 count (spot-forming cell (SFC)/CD4) was calculated.

Using the manufacturer's guidelines, active TB was diagnosed with 76% sensitivity and 53% specificity. Using an SFC/CD4 ratio of 0.12, sensitivity (80%) and specificity (62%) improved. The quantitative T-cell response increased with increasing smear-positivity in the active TB group (p = 0.0008). In the non-TB group, the proportion of persons scored positive by T-SPOT.TBassay was lower in the group with a CD4 count of <200 cells·mm−3(p = 0.029).

The ratio of the summed T-cell response to CD4 count improved the diagnostic accuracy of the T-SPOT.TBassay in HIV-1-infected persons, and a ratio of SFC/CD4 of >0.12 should prompt investigation for active disease. A strong association between the degree of sputum positivity and T-SPOT.TBscore was found. The sensitivity of the T-SPOT.TBassay in active disease may be less impaired by advanced immunosuppression.
Clinical COPD phenotypes: a novel approach using principal component and cluster analyses
Authors: Burgel P-R. , Paillasseur J-L. , Caillaud D. , Tillie-Leblond I. , Chanez P. , Escamilla R. , Court-Fortune I. , Perez T. , Carré P. , Roche N.
Published: January 2010

Classification of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is usually based on the severity of airflow limitation, which may not reflect phenotypic heterogeneity. Here, we sought to identify COPD phenotypes using multiple clinical variables.

COPD subjects recruited in a French multicentre cohort were characterised using a standardised process. Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed using eight variables selected for their relevance to COPD: age, cumulative smoking, forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) (% predicted), body mass index, exacerbations, dyspnoea (modified Medical Research Council scale), health status (St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire) and depressive symptoms (hospital anxiety and depression scale). Patient classification was performed using cluster analysis based on PCA-transformed data.

322 COPD subjects were analysed: 77% were male; median (interquartile range) age was 65.0 (58.0–73.0) yrs; FEV1was 48.9 (34.1–66.3)% pred; and 21, 135, 107 and 59 subjects were classified in Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) stages 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. PCA showed that three independent components accounted for 61% of variance. PCA-based cluster analysis resulted in the classification of subjects into four clinical phenotypes that could not be identified using GOLD classification. Importantly, subjects with comparable airflow limitation (FEV1) belonged to different phenotypes and had marked differences in age, symptoms, comorbidities and predicted mortality.

These analyses underscore the need for novel multidimensional COPD classification for improving patient care and quality of clinical trials.
Modulatory effects of cAMP and PKC activation on gap junctional intercellular communication among thymic epithelial cells
Authors: Nihei Oscar K , Fonseca Paula C , Rubim Nara M , Bonavita Andre G , Lyra Jurandy SPO , Neves-dos-Santos Sandra , de Carvalho Antonio C Campos , Spray David C , Savino Wilson , Alves Luiz A
Published: January 2010

Background

We investigated the effects of the signaling molecules, cyclic AMP (cAMP) and protein-kinase C (PKC), on gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) between thymic epithelial cells (TEC).

Results

Treatment with 8-Br-cAMP, a cAMP analog; or forskolin, which stimulates cAMP production, resulted in an increase in dye transfer between adjacent TEC, inducing a three-fold enhancement in the mean fluorescence of coupled cells, ascertained by flow cytometry after calcein transfer. These treatments also increased Cx43 mRNA expression, and stimulated Cx43 protein accumulation in regions of intercellular contacts. VIP, adenosine, and epinephrine which may also signal through cyclic nucleotides were tested. The first two molecules did not mimic the effects of 8-Br-cAMP, however epinephrine was able to increase GJIC suggesting that this molecule functions as an endogenous inter-TEC GJIC modulators. Stimulation of PKC by phorbol-myristate-acetate inhibited inter-TEC GJIC. Importantly, both the enhancing and the decreasing effects, respectively induced by cAMP and PKC, were observed in both mouse and human TEC preparations. Lastly, experiments using mouse thymocyte/TEC heterocellular co-cultures suggested that the presence of thymocytes does not affect the degree of inter-TEC GJIC.

Conclusions

Overall, our data indicate that cAMP and PKC intracellular pathways are involved in the homeostatic control of the gap junction-mediated communication in the thymic epithelium, exerting respectively a positive and negative role upon cell coupling. This control is phylogenetically conserved in the thymus, since it was seen in both mouse and human TEC preparations. Lastly, our work provides new clues for a better understanding of how the thymic epithelial network can work as a physiological syncytium.
Developmental cues and persistent neurogenic potential within an in vitro neural niche
Authors: Pierret Chris , Morrison Jason A , Rath Prakash , Zigler Rachel E , Engel Laura A , Fairchild Corinne L , Shi Huidong , Maruniak Joel A , Kirk Mark D
Published: January 2010

Background

Neurogenesis, the production of neural cell-types from neural stem cells (NSCs), occurs during development as well as within select regions of the adult brain. NSCs in the adult subependymal zone (SEZ) exist in a well-categorized niche microenvironment established by surrounding cells and their molecular products. The components of this niche maintain the NSCs and their definitive properties, including the ability to self-renew and multipotency (neuronal and glial differentiation).

Results

We describe a model in vitro NSC niche, derived from embryonic stem cells, that produces many of the cells and products of the developing subventricular zone (SVZ) and adult SEZ NSC niche. We demonstrate a possible role for apoptosis and for components of the extracellular matrix in the maintenance of the NSC population within our niche cultures. We characterize expression of genes relevant to NSC self-renewal and the process of neurogenesis and compare these findings to gene expression produced by an established neural-induction protocol employing retinoic acid.

Conclusions

The in vitro NSC niche shows an identity that is distinct from the neurally induced embryonic cells that were used to derive it. Molecular and cellular components found in our in vitro NSC niche include NSCs, neural progeny, and ECM components and their receptors. Establishment of the in vitro NSC niche occurs in conjunction with apoptosis. Applications of this culture system range from studies of signaling events fundamental to niche formation and maintenance as well as development of unique NSC transplant platforms to treat disease or injury.
Halogenated imidazole derivatives block RNA polymerase II elongation along mitogen inducible genes
Authors: Mikula Michal , Hanusek Karolina , Paziewska Agnieszka , Dzwonek Artur , Rubel Tymon , Bomsztyk Karol , Ostrowski Jerzy
Published: January 2010

Background

Aberrant activation of protein kinases is one of the essential oncogenic driving forces inherent to the process of tumorigenesis. The protein kinase CK2 plays an important role in diverse biological processes, including cell growth and proliferation as well as in the governing and transduction of prosurvival signals. Increased expression of CK2 is a hallmark of some cancers, hence its antiapoptotic properties may be relevant to cancer onset. Thus, the designing and synthesis of the CK2 inhibitors has become an important pursuit in the search for cancer therapies.

Results

Using a high-throughput microarray approach, we demonstrate that two potent inhibitors of CK2, 4,5,6,7-tetrabromo-benzimidazole (TBBz) and 2-Dimethyloamino-4,5,6,7-tetrabromo-1H-benzimidazole (DMAT), blocked mitogen induced mRNA expression of immediate early genes. Given the impact of these inhibitors on the process of transcription, we investigated their effects on RNA Polymerase II (RNAPII) elongation along the mitogen inducible gene, EGR1 (early growth response 1), using chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay. ChIP analysis demonstrated that both drugs arrest RNAPII elongation. Finally, we show that CDK9 kinase activity, essential for the triggering of RNAPII elongation, was blocked by TBBz and to lesser degree by DMAT.

Conclusions

Our approach revealed that small molecules derived from halogenated imidazole compounds may decrease cell proliferation, in part, by inhibiting pathways that regulate transcription elongation.
Polymorphisms in monolignol biosynthetic genes are associated with biomass yield and agronomic traits in European maize (Zea mays L.)
Authors: Chen Yongsheng , Zein Imad , Brenner Everton Alen , Andersen Jeppe Reitan , Landbeck Mathias , Ouzunova Milena , Lübberstedt Thomas
Published: January 2010

Background

Reduced lignin content leads to higher cell wall digestibility and, therefore, better forage quality and increased conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into ethanol. However, reduced lignin content might lead to weaker stalks, lodging, and reduced biomass yield. Genes encoding enzymes involved in cell wall lignification have been shown to influence both cell wall digestibility and yield traits.

Results

In this study, associations between monolignol biosynthetic genes and plant height (PHT), days to silking (DTS), dry matter content (DMC), and dry matter yield (DMY) were identified by using a panel of 39 European elite maize lines. In total, 10 associations were detected between polymorphisms or tight linkage disequilibrium (LD) groups within theCOMT,CCoAOMT2,4CL1,4CL2,F5H, andPALgenomic fragments, respectively, and the above mentioned traits. The phenotypic variation explained by these polymorphisms or tight LD groups ranged from 6% to 25.8% in our line collection. Only4CL1andF5Hwere found to have polymorphisms associated with both yield and forage quality related characters. However, no pleiotropic polymorphisms affecting both digestibility of neutral detergent fiber (DNDF), and PHT or DMY were discovered, even under less stringent statistical conditions.

Conclusion

Due to absence of pleiotropic polymorphisms affecting both forage yield and quality traits, identification of optimal monolignol biosynthetic gene haplotype(s) combining beneficial quantitative trait polymorphism (QTP) alleles for both quality and yield traits appears possible within monolignol biosynthetic genes. This is beneficial to maximize forage and bioethanol yield per unit land area.
Numbers of Alkanes and Monosubstituted Alkanes. A Long-Standing Interdisciplinary Problem over 130 Years
Authors: Fujita Shinsaku
Published: January 2010

Enumeration of alkanes and monosubstituted alkanes with given carbon contents has been investigated by chemists and mathematicians over 130 years and solved recently by the present author in agreement with stereochemical and mathematical requirements. In the present account, the advances of the methodologies for solving the problem are discussed from an interdisciplinary point of view between chemistry and mathematics. Historical backgrounds of the interdisciplinary problem are introduced by emphasizing three epochs, i.e., the first epoch marked by Cayley, a mathematician (the 1870s), the second epoch by Pólya, a mathematician (the 1930s), and the third epoch by Fujita, an organic chemist (the first decade of this century). Among them, the accomplishments of the second epoch and those of the third epoch are compared in detail, where graphs (trees, rooted trees, or planted trees) and three-dimensional (3D) objects as mathematical terms are correlated to constitutions (two-dimensional structures) and 3D structures as chemical terms. After an introduction to terminology on isomerism and stereoisomerism, alkanes and monosubstituted alkanes are enumerated as graphs or constitutional isomers by Pólya’s theorem, while they are alternatively enumerated as 3D objects or 3D-structural isomers by Fujita’s proligand method. The present account of the long-standing problem would provide readers with a hint or a motivation for pursuing a concrete route to “the Heavens of Fujita,” which have caricatured stereochemical and mathematical barriers lying in wait for them.
Shape Changes from Polygonal Gold Nanocrystals to Spherical Nanoparticles Induced by Bubbling N2 or O2 Gas in Polyol Synthesis of Gold Nanostructures
Authors: Alam Md Jahangir , Tsuji Masaharu , Matsunaga Mika
Published: January 2010

Effects of gas bubbling in the polyol synthesis of Au nanostructures through reducing HAuCl4 have been studied in an oil-bath heating at 150 °C. Under bubbling N2, mixtures of polyhedral particles such as octahedra, triangular or hexagonal plates, and decahedra were major products (99%), besides a small amount of spherical nanoparticles (1%). Polyhedral particles were slowly transformed to monodispersed spherical particles with an average diameter of 245 ± 21 nm with increasing the heating time and the yield of spherical particles increased to 40% after heating for 60 min. When the bubbling gas was switched from N2 to O2, polygonal particles prepared under bubbling N2 were rapidly etched and converted efficiently to spherical particles (96%) with an average size of 119 ± 40 nm. It was found that not only O2 dissolved in ethylene glycol but also by-products like Cl− anions produced in the supernatant participate in the shape changes of Au nanocrystals. The transformation of Au nanostructures under bubbling N2 or O2 was discussed in terms of gas bubbling induced Ostwald ripening, shape-selective oxidative etching by O2/Cl−, and grain-rotation-induced grain coalescence (GRIGC) and fusion mechanisms.
Gas-Phase Acidities of Acetophenone Oximes. Substituent Effect and Solvent Effects
Authors: Badal Md Mizanur Rahman , Mishima Masaaki
Published: January 2010

Gas-phase acidities (GA) of ring-substituted (E)-acetophenone oximes, XC6H4C(CH3)=NOH, were determined by measuring proton-transfer equilibria using an FT-ICR mass spectrometer. The magnitude of the substituent effect on the acidity was found to be smaller than that of corresponding phenols by a factor of 0.70. The effects of strong para π-acceptors such as p-NO2 and p-CN are somewhat enhanced compared with those of phenols, indicating that the negative charge on oxygen atom of the conjugate anion of the oxime is significantly delocalized into the aromatic π-system. In addition, it was found that there is a good linear relationship between acidities in gas phase and in DMSO with a slope of 0.26, indicating that the solvation stabilization reduces consistently the effects of substituents without any significant specific solvent effect on a particular substituent. This is in contrast to the phenol acidities in which the effects of electron-rich para +R substituents in DMSO and water were enhanced significantly due to the substituent solvation-assisted resonance (SSAR) effects. These results were consistent with computational studies at the B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) level of theory.
Electroabsorption and Electrophotoluminescence Spectra of Porphyrin Supramolecules in a Polymer Film
Authors: Nakabayashi Takakazu , Yotsutsuji Takefumi , Ogawa Kazuya , Kobuke Yoshiaki , Ohta Nobuhiro
Published: January 2010

Electroabsorption and electrophotoluminescence spectra of supramolecular porphyrin dimers in a solid film of poly(methyl methacrylate), PMMA, have been examined. The electroabsorption spectra in the Soret band region are fitted by the deconvolution of the corresponding absorption spectrum into four components, indicating that electroabsorption measurements are useful to identify bands that are hard to distinguish in absorption spectra. The values of the changes in molecular polarizability and dipole moment following photoexcitation are evaluated at each absorption band.
Dyslipidaemia and hypertension among adults with diabetes in rural Uganda
Authors: Kamara Nicholas Thadeus , Asiimwe Stephen
Published: January 2010

Dyslipidaemia and hypertension in patients with diabetes increase the risk of macrovascular and microvascular complications. We took anthropometric measurements, lipids, blood pressure and fasting blood sugar of 150 diabetics and 151 non-diabetics. Among the diabetics, 17 (11.3%) had total cholesterol (TC) ≥200 mg/dL, 70 (46.6%) had triglycerides (TG) ≥150 mg/dL, 78 (52%) had high density lipoprotein (HDL) ≤40 mg/dL and 26 (17.3%) had low density lipoprotein (LDL) ≥100 mg/dL. Diabetics were more likely to have raised TG, OR = 1.88 (95% CI 1.17 – 3.00), P = 0.01; high systolic blood pressure (SBP), OR= 3.22 (95% CI 1.86 – 5.59), P = 0.01; and high diastolic blood pressure (DBP) OR = 4.11(95% CI 1.86 – 5.59), P = 0.01. The prevalence of HDL and TG dyslipidaemia among the diabetics in Uganda is significantly higher than in non-diabetics, as is the prevalence of systolic and diastolic hypertension. Other studies need to be done to assess the effect of lipids on cardiovascular disease, mortality and morbidity in diabetic patients in Uganda.
A rare presentation of a common disease: orificial tuberculosis
Authors: Wilkinson Emily , Wilkinson Alexander , Mhezi Masanja Philemon
Published: January 2010

Tuberculosis is a common condition with increasing incidence worldwide. Clinicians should be aware of cutaneous manifestations, even though these are uncommon, as recognition can lead to early diagnosis. Here, we present a case of orificial tuberculosis in a young HIV-negative man.
Grid-Connection of Large Offshore Windfarms Utilizing VSC-HVDC: Modeling and Grid Impact
Authors: Xue Yijing , Akhmatov Vladislav
Published: January 2010

Utilization of Voltage Source Converter (VSC) – High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) systems for grid-connection of large offshore windfarms becomes relevant as installed power capacities as well as distances to the connection points of the on-land transmission systems increase. At the same time, the grid code requirements of the Transmission System Operators (TSO), including ancillary system services and Low-Voltage Fault-Ride-Through (LVFRT) capability of large offshore windfarms, become more demanding. This paper presents a general-level model of and a LVFRT solution for a VSC-HVDC system for grid-connection of large offshore windfarms. The VSC-HVDC model is implemented using a general approach of independent control of active and reactive power in normal operation situations. The on-land VSC inverter, which is also called a grid-side inverter, provides voltage support to the transmission system and comprises a LVFRT solution in short-circuit faults. The presented model, LVFRT solution and impact on the system stability are investigated as a case study of a 1,000 MW offshore windfarm grid-connected through four parallel VSC-HVDC systems each with a 280 MVA power rating. The investigation is carried out on a complete, validated model of the west Danish, with some elements of the north German, 400 kV, 220 kV and 150 kV transmission systems stage 2005–2006 using the DIgSILENT PowerFactory simulation program. The use of such a complete, validated power system model is among novelties of this work on utilization of VSC-HVDC systems for grid-connection of large offshore windfarms. In the investigation, a thermal power plant just south to the Danish border has been substituted by the 1,000 MW offshore windfarm with the VSC-HVDC system. The investigation has shown that the substitution of a thermal power plant by a VSC-HVDC connected large offshore windfarm should not have any negative impact on the short-term stability of the west Danish transmission system. It is proposed to repeat the investigation applying updated system model stages and offshore wind power commissioning schedules in the North and Baltic Seas.
Wind Shear and Uncertainties in Power Curve Measurement and Wind Resources
Authors: Antoniou Ioannis , Pedersen Søren Markilde , Enevoldsen Peder Bay
Published: January 2010

Power curve measurements are encumbered with large uncertainty as wind measurements take place only at hub height. The wind profile over the turbine rotor is an expression of the kinetic energy available to the wind turbine and the evolution of large rotors prohibits the assumption that the hub height wind speed is representative of the wind speed over the whole rotor. Even in the case where measurements cover the lower half of the turbine rotor and extrapolations are attempted, the uncertainties remain considerable.

We argue for that the measurement of the wind speed over the whole rotor height should be the future preferred approach. Such a measurement will minimize the uncertainty in estimating the wind potential of a site and the uncertainty in the power curve measurement method and the AEP calculation of wind turbines. To document this, we present wind speed and power curve results from wind and power measurement campaigns, one in flat terrain suffering an energy deficit and one in complex terrain presenting a surplus. Common for both is the inadequacy of the hub height wind speed measurement to describe the energy contents of the flow.

In the flat terrain campaign we use one-year period of data in order to study the wind shear profiles at heights which correspond to an assumed rotor area of a modern multi-MW turbine. The energy flux through the “turbine rotor” is seen to be subject to seasonal variations caused by differences in atmospheric stability which influence the shear profile shape. Considerable deviations occur relative to the flux measured when only the cup anemometer at hub height is used.

In the complex terrain campaign, a wind turbine power curve has been measured for a period of eight months in a Midwest (US) site following a site calibration. Wind shear measurements over the lower rotor part were taken throughout this period at three heights (hub, lower tip and midway between the two). Considerable wind shear during nights and well-mixed profiles during days were observed. Large differences in the power curve and the AEP between day and night periods were observed, the power curve and the AEP being better during the night. The data analysis was combined with in-house aeroelastic simulations, over a wide range of wind shear and turbulence intensities values, in order to verify the analysis findings. The combined simulations and data analysis results made it clear that the upper turbine rotor part was influenced by the presence of a low level jet during nighttime. This caused considerable deviations from the expected power curve and AEP, which were not detected either by the site calibration or the lower rotor part rotor speed measurements.

We conclude the paper by presenting results from combined cup and LIDAR power curve measurements, and suggest a method which compensates for the wind shear influence on the power curve.
Forecasting Wind Generation, Uncertainty and Reserve Requirement on the Irish Power System Using an Ensemble Prediction System
Authors: Lang Steven J. , McKeogh Eamon J.
Published: January 2010

The ability to quantify forecast uncertainty is critical to safe, efficient and economical operation of the power system, given the rapidly increasing wind penetration into the relatively small synchronous Irish system (over 1.5 GW of wind in an all-island system with a peak demand of less than only 7 GW). An ensemble prediction system has been employed for the forecasting of generation for wind farms in the Republic of Ireland, as well as for the quantification of the forecast uncertainty at each farm. Results indicate the forecast (mean absolute) error for the total wind generation capacity (over the 51 wind farms studied) was less than 7% (normalised to installed capacity). Single-site forecast errors are typically almost twice as much as this, which highlights the benefits of regional, aggregated wind generation forecasting for safe and efficient power system operations.
Prediction of Breakout Noise from Acoustically Lagged Rectangular HVAC Ducts
Authors: Venkatesham B. , Munjal M. L. , Tiwari Mayank
Published: January 2010

Heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) ducts are often lagged on the outside of the duct wall with a highly porous material, covered in turn with a thin impervious jacket. This arrangement is used to provide thermal insulation as well as the breakout noise reduction. In this paper, a prediction method based on the four-pole parameters is discussed to evaluate the lagged duct performance in terms of the breakout noise reduction in the plane-wave frequency range. Transfer matrix of the inner and outer duct walls in the transverse direction is calculated using the wall admittance as a function of the axial wave number. Assuming a common axial wave number ensures coupling between the acoustic waves and structural waves. It is a function of the wall admittance. Considerable difference between common axial wave number and the air acoustic wave number is observed near the coupling frequency region of the duct wall. The overall transfer matrix is developed in order to relate the inside plane wave pressure to the outer acoustic particle velocity. This is combined with the radiation impedance of the duct to predict the transverse transmission loss. Net Insertion loss of the lagged duct is calculated using the difference of the transverse transmission loss of the lagged duct and the corresponding bare duct. Predicted values of the insertion loss are compared with the measured values from literature. Finally, results of parametric studies are presented.
Long Reverberation Time Decreases Recall of Spoken Information
Authors: Ljung Robert , Kjellberg Anders
Published: January 2010

The aim of the study was to explore if a long reverberation time has the same effect on recall of spoken words as background noise was shown to have in a previous study. A further aim was to study the influence of working memory capacity on performance in these conditions. Thirty-two subjects performed a word recall and a sentence recognition test. They repeated each word to ensure correct identification. A reading span test measured their working memory capacity. Performance of the word recall task was impaired by the long reverberation time. The effect was most evident in the primacy part of the word list. No correlation was found between reading span score and recall performance.