bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Subvalvular Mitral Pseudoaneurysm Evaluated by Three‐Dimensional Echo
Authors: Hotta Viviane T. , Cruz Cecília B.B.V. , Rassi Daniela do C. , Vieira Marcelo L.C. , Mathias Jr Wilson , De Avila Luiz Francisco R. , Pommerantzeff Pablo M.A.
Published: April 2010

(Echocardiography 2010;27:473‐475)
Cervical Aortic Arch: Echocardiographic and Three‐Dimensional Computed Tomography View
Authors: Caputo Salvatore , Villanacci Raffaele , Ciampi Quirino , Villari Bruno
Published: April 2010

(Echocardiography 2010;27:E44‐E45)
Regulation of secretory granule size by the precise generation and fusion of unit granules
Authors: Hammel Ilan , Lagunoff David , Galli Stephen J.
Published: April 2010

Introduction

The ‘unit granule’ and evidence of granule–granule fusion

Evidence for two models of secretory granule formation, unit addition and random fusion

Formation of unit granules: progranule fusion, immature granule maturation and membrane conservation

Functional implications

Conclusions and future directions

Morphometric evidence derived from studies of mast cells, pancreatic acinar cells and other cell types supports a model in which the post‐Golgi processes that generate mature secretory granules can be resolved into three steps: (1) fusion of small, Golgi‐derived progranules to produce immature secretory granules which have a highly constrained volume; (2) transformation of such immature granules into mature secretory granules, a process often associated with a reduction in the maturing granule’s volume, as well as changes in the appearance of its content and (3) fusion of secretory granules of the smallest size, termed ‘unit granules’, forming granules whose volumes are multiples of the unit granule’s volume. Mutations which perturb this process can cause significant pathology. For example, Chediak–Higashi syndrome / lysosomal trafficking regulator (CHS)/(Lyst) mutations result in giant secretory granules in a number of cell types in human beings with the Chediak–Higashi syndrome and in ‘beige’ (Lystbg/Lystbg) mice. Analysis of the secretory granules of mast cells and pancreatic acinar cells in Lyst‐deficient beige mice suggests that beige mouse secretory granules retain the ability to fuse randomly with other secretory granules no matter what the size of the fusion partners. By contrast, in normal mice, the pattern of granule–granule fusion occurs exclusively by the addition of unit granules, either to each other or to larger granules. The normal pattern of fusion is termed unit addition and the fusion evident in cells with CHS/Lyst mutations is called random addition. The proposed model of secretory granule formation has several implications. For example, in neurosecretory cells, the secretion of small amounts of cargo in granules constrained to a very narrow size increases the precision of the information conveyed by secretion. By contrast, in pancreatic acinar cells and mast cells, large granules composed of multiple unit granules permit the cells to store large amounts of material without requiring the amount of membrane necessary to package the same amount of cargo into small granules. In addition, the formation of mature secretory granules that are multimers of unit granules provides a mechanism for mixing in large granules the contents of unit granules which differ in their content of cargo.
Complexin2 null mutation requires a ‘second hit’ for induction of phenotypic changes relevant to schizophrenia
Authors: Radyushkin K. , El‐Kordi A. , Boretius S. , Castaneda S. , Ronnenberg A. , Reim K. , Bickeböller H. , Frahm J. , Brose N. , Ehrenreich H.
Published: April 2010

Schizophrenia is a devastating disease that affects approximately 1% of the population across cultures. Its neurobiological underpinnings are still unknown. Accordingly, animal models of schizophrenia often lack construct validity. As concordance rate in monozygotic twins amounts to only 50%, environmental risk factors (e.g. neurotrauma, drug abuse, psychotrauma) likely act as necessary ‘second hit' to trigger/drive the disease process in a genetically predisposed individual. Valid animal models would have to consider this genetic–environmental interaction. Based on this concept, we designed an experimental approach for modeling a schizophrenia‐like phenotype in mice. As dysfunction in synaptic transmission plays a key role in schizophrenia, and complexin2 (CPLX2) gene expression is reduced in hippocampus of schizophrenic patients, we developed a mouse model with Cplx2 null mutation as genetic risk factor and a mild parietal neurotrauma, applied during puberty, as environmental ‘second hit'. Several months after lesion, Cplx2 null mutants showed reduced pre‐pulse inhibition, deficit of spatial learning and loss of inhibition after MK‐801 challenge. These abnormalities were largely absent in lesioned wild‐type mice and non‐lesioned Cplx2 null mutants. Forced alternation in T‐maze, object recognition, social interaction and elevated plus maze tests were unaltered in all groups. The previously reported mild motor phenotype of Cplx2 null mutants was accentuated upon lesion. MRI volumetrical analysis showed a decrease of hippocampal volume exclusively in lesioned Cplx2 null mutants. These findings provide suggestive evidence for the ‘second hit' hypothesis of schizophrenia and may offer new tools for the development of advanced treatment strategies.
Role of disturbed vegetation in mapping the boreal zone in northern Eurasia
Authors: Hofgaard Annika , Rees Gareth , Tømmervik Hans , Tutubalina Olga , Golubeva Elena , Lukina Natalia , Høgda Kjell Arild , Karlsen Stein Rune , Isaeva Ludmila , Kharuk Viacheslav
Published: April 2010

Question: Is there a need for disturbance mapping integrated in the CircumBoreal Vegetation Mapping Program?

Location: Eurasian boreal forest.

Disturbance and mapping: The boreal zone is characterized by a multitude of natural and anthropogenic disturbance agents with importance over a wide range of spatial and temporal scales. Disturbance is a prime driver of succession in most of the boreal zone, producing landscape diversity characterized by a large‐scale vegetation mosaic of early to late succession states. When mapping the circumboreal vegetation, spatial extent, time involved from disturbance to recovered condition and likelihood of interacting disturbance types are crucial for how current vegetation is interpreted and subsequently included as map characteristics. In this paper we present examples from the boreal zone where natural and/or anthropogenic disturbance regimes dominate the state and distribution of vegetation, and possibilities for assessing the nature and extent of the disturbed regions using remotely sensed data.

Conclusion: Disturbed vegetation occupies large areas in the boreal zone and related vegetation successions should be adequately represented when mapping the zone. In regions where the ‘potential natural vegetation’ is a hypothetical reconstruction from remnants of ‘natural’ vegetation it would be preferable to use the concept of ‘actual real vegetation’ for which remote sensing at coarse, medium and fine resolution is an efficient tool. The Land Cover Classification System (LCCS) may offer sufficient flexibility to incorporate information about the disturbance of circumboreal vegetation.
Structural basis for the interaction between dynein light chain 1 and the glutamate channel homolog GRINL1A
Authors: García‐Mayoral María F. , Martínez‐Moreno Mónica , Albar Juan P. , Rodríguez‐Crespo Ignacio , Bruix Marta
Published: April 2010

Human dynein light chain 1 (DYNLL1) is a dimeric 89‐residue protein that is known to be involved in cargo binding within the dynein multiprotein complex. Over 20 protein targets, of both cellular and viral origin, have been shown to interact with DYNLL1, and some of them are transported in a retrograde manner along microtubules. Using DYNLL1 as bait in a yeast two‐hybrid screen with a human heart library, we identified GRINL1A (ionotropic glutamate receptor N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate‐like 1A), a homolog of the ionotropic glutamate receptor N‐methyl d‐aspartate, as a DYNLL1 binding partner. Binding of DYNLL1 to GRINL1A was also demonstrated using GST fusion proteins and pepscan membranes. Progressive deletions allowed us to narrow the DYNLL1 binding region of GRINL1A to the sequence REIGVGCDL. Combining these results with NMR data, we have modelled the structure of the GRINL1A–DYNLL1 complex. By analogy with known structures of DYNLL1 bound to BCL‐2‐interacting mediator (BIM) or neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), the GRINL1A peptide also adopts an extended β‐strand conformation that expands the central β‐sheet within DYNLL1. Structural comparison with the nNOS–DYNLL1 complex reveals that a glycine residue of GRINL1A occupies the conserved glutamine site within the DYNLL1 binding groove. Hence, our data identify a novel membrane‐associated DYNLL1 binding partner and suggest that additional DYNLL1‐binding partners are present near this glutamate channel homolog.

Structured digital abstract

MINT‐7713396: DYNLL1 (uniprotkb:P63167) and GRINL1A (uniprotkb:P0CAP1) bind (MI:0407)by nuclear magnetic resonance (MI:0077)

MINT‐7713280, MINT‐7713382: DYNLL1, (uniprotkb:P63167) physically interacts (MI:0915) with GRINL1A (uniprotkb:P0CAP1) by two hybrid (MI:0018)

MINT‐7713416, MINT‐7713439: GRINL1A (uniprotkb:P0CAP1) binds (MI:0407) to DYNLL1 (uniprotkb:P63167) by peptide array (MI:0081)

MINT‐7713307: GRINL1A (uniprotkb:P0CAP1) binds (MI:0407) to DYNLL1 (uniprotkb:P63167) by pull down (MI:0096)
Inhibitory activity of double‐sequence analogues of trypsin inhibitor SFTI‐1 from sunflower seeds: an example of peptide splicing
Authors: Łęgowska Anna , Lesner Adam , Bulak Elżbieta , Jaśkiewicz Anna , Sieradzan Adam , Cydzik Marzena , Stefanowicz Piotr , Szewczuk Zbigniew , Rolka Krzysztof
Published: April 2010

Four 28‐amino acid peptides were synthesized whose sequences comprised two molecules of trypsin inhibitor sunflower trypsin inhibitor 1 (SFTI‐1) bound through a peptide bond. The peptides in their reactive positions (5 and 19 of the peptide chain) contain two Lys ([KK]BiSFTI‐1) and two Phe ([FF]BiSFTI‐1) residues, along with a combination of the amino acid residues named thereafter [KF]BiSFTI‐1 and [FK]BiSFTI‐1. Association constants of the analogues determined with trypsin and chymotrypsin, respectively, indicated that they were potent inhibitors of cognate proteinases. An MS study of the associates revealed that incubation of the compounds with the proteinases resulted in cutting out a fragment of the peptide chain to restore the native monocyclic molecule of SFTI‐1 or its analogue [Phe5]SFTI‐1. This process, analogous to that of the DNA and protein splicing, can be referred to as ‘peptide splicing’.
Vacuum‐assisted closure instill as a method of sterilizing massive venous stasis wounds prior to split thickness skin graft placement
Authors: Raad Wissam , Lantis John C , Tyrie Leslie , Gendics Cynthia , Todd George
Published: April 2010

Patients with massive venous stasis ulcers that have very high bacterial burdens represent some of the most difficult wounds to manage. The vacuum‐assisted closure (VAC) device is known to optimise wound bed preparation; however, these patients have too high a bacterial burden for simple VAC application to facilitate this function. We present the application of the VAC with instillation of dilute Dakins solution as a way of bacterial eradication in these patients. Five patients with venous stasis ulcers greater than 200 cm2 that were colonised with greater than 105 bacteria were treated with the VAC instill for 10 days with 12·5% Dakins solution, instilled for 10 minutes every hour. Two patients had multi‐drug‐resistant pseudomonas, three with MRSA. All the five had negative quantitative cultures, prior to split thickness skin graft with 100% take and complete healing at 1 year. Adequate delivery of bactericidal agents to the infected tissue can be very difficult, especially while promoting tissue growth. By providing a single delivery system for a bactericidal agent for a short period of time followed by a growth stimulating therapy, the VAC instill provides a unique combination that appears to maximise wound bed preparation.
Cachexia – an intrinsic factor in wound healing
Authors: Michael FY Ng
Published: April 2010

Systemic diseases are intrinsic factors that alter and may impair the wound healing process. Cachexia is a manifestation of systemic, often chronic, diseases and is characterised by systemic inflammation, appetite suppression and skeletal muscle wasting. Anorexia in cachectic states is commonly associated with malnutrition. Malnutrition may cause impaired healing. Therefore, it would follow that cachexia could influence wound healing because of reduced food intake. However, the lack of response to measures to reverse cachexia, such as supported nutrition, would suggest that a direct causal link between anorexia and weight loss in cachexia is too simple a model. To date, there is no published literature that examines the role of cachexia in human wound healing specifically. This article aims to demonstrate that cachexia is an intrinsic factor in wound healing. The role of the common mediators in wound healing and in cachexia are compared – specifically inflammation, including the nitric oxide synthase pathway, collagen deposition and reepithelialisation.
Changes in cardiac pumping efficiency and intra‐thoracic organ volume during negative pressure wound therapy of sternotomy wounds, assessment using magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Torbrand Christian , Ugander Martin , Engblom Henrik , Olivecrona Göran K , Gålne Olof , Arheden Håkan , Ingemansson Richard , Malmsjö Malin
Published: April 2010

Knowledge on the effects of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) on the intra‐thoracic organs is limited. The present study was performed to investigate the effects of NPWT on the volume of the intra‐thoracic organs, using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), in a porcine sternotomy wound model. Six pigs underwent median sternotomy followed by NPWT at −75, −125 and −175 mmHg. Six pigs were not sternotomised. MR images covering the thorax and heart were acquired. The volumes of the thoracic cavity, lungs, wound fluid and heart were then determined. The volumes of the thoracic cavity and intra‐thoracic organs increased after sternotomy and decreased upon NPWT application. The total heart volume variation, which is a measure of cardiac pumping efficiency, was higher after sternotomy and decreased during NPWT. NPWT did not result in the evacuation of wound fluid from the bottom of the wound. NPWT largely closes and restores the thoracic cavity. Cardiac pumping efficiency returns to pre‐sternotomy levels during NPWT. This may contribute to the clinical benefits of NPWT over open‐chest care, including the stabilizing effects and the reduced need for mechanical ventilation.
Retrospective review of extra‐pulmonary small cell carcinoma at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital cases during 1998–2005
Authors: CHALERMCHAI Thep , SUWANRUSME Harit , CHANTRANUWAT Poonchavis , VORAVUD Narin , SRIURANPONG Virote
Published: April 2010

Objective: The aim of this study was to review cases of extra‐pulmonary small cell carcinoma (EPSCC), including their clinical manifestations and treatment outcomes.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records and pathological reports of patients who were diagnosed with EPSCC from 1998 to 2005.

Results: Overall 21 EPSCC patients were eligible for this study. The most common primary sites were the gastrointestinal organs and the nasal cavity. Eleven patients (52.3%) had limited disease (LD) and 10 patients (47.7%) had extensive disease (ED). Nine patients underwent radical surgery alone, four received only radical radiation and two received only palliative chemotherapy. Two patients received adjuvant radiation or chemotherapy following surgical resection and one received a combination of all three treatment modalities. Three patients declined specific treatment and were treated with best supportive care. The median overall survival in the ED group was only 3 months (range 1–16 months), compared to 30 months (range 20–61 months) for LD. EPSCC of pancreas demonstrated a favorable clinical outcome with treatment, whereas primary EPSCC of the liver, esophagus and rectum had an aggressive natural history and a poor response to treatment.

Conclusion: Our report suggests that EPSCC may have a different biology from that of pulmonary small cell carcinoma. When detected at an early stage, EPSCC may have an excellent prognosis with treatment. Additional studies involving more patients with EPSCC are warranted to further define the optimal roles of each treatment modality.
Sequential chemoradiotherapy in advanced laryngeal cancer: An institutional experience
Authors: LARIZADEH Mohammad Hasan , DAMGHANI Mohammad Ali
Published: April 2010

Aim:  The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of sequential chemoradiation for larynx preservation.

Methods:  Between October 2002 and December 2007, 76 patients with T3, T4 and N+ laryngeal cancer who had refused a laryngectomy or had unresectable disease (medically or surgically) enrolled in this study. The chemotherapy consisted of three cycles of docetaxel (75 mg/m2 on day 1), cisplatin (75 mg/m2 on day 1) and 5‐flurouracil (5‐FU) (750 mg/m2 by infusion on days 1–3). All patients were assigned to receive radiotherapy (70 Gy to primary site). The Kaplan–Meier method was used to obtain survival outcomes.

Results:  The median follow up was 36 months. A chemotherapy clinical response (complete and partial) was observed in 51 patients (67.1%). The 2‐year laryngeal preservation rate was 75%. Actuarial progression‐free survival rates of 71% and 67% were observed at 2 and 3 years, respectively. Actuarial overall survival rates were 83% and 71% at 2 and 3 years, respectively. Disease progression was seen in 26 patients (34.2%). Grade 3 and 4 neutropenia occurred in 39 (51.3%) patients.

Conclusion:  Sequential chemotherapy with docetaxel, cisplatin and 5‐flurouracil followed by radiation may be an alternative to a laryngectomy in patients with advanced laryngeal cancer.
Pathological Role of Aminolevulinate in Uremic Patients
Authors: Hasuike Yukiko , Nonoguchi Hiroshi , Tokuyama Masanori , Hata Reiko , Kitamura Rie , Hori Kahori , Nanami Masayoshi , Otaki Yoshinaga , Kuragano Takahiro , Nakanishi Takeshi
Published: April 2010

Previous reports have demonstrated that δ‐aminolevulinate (ALA) can promote iron release from horse spleen ferritin under conditions of high serum ALA levels in uremia; therefore, we speculated that the accumulated ALA in uremic patients would stimulate iron release from ferritin, resulting in accelerated oxidative stress and uremic complications. We measured the plasma ALA of uremic patients and examined the ALA‐induced iron release from human ferritin. The participants consisted of 30 hemodialysis patients and 14 healthy subjects. Plasma malondialdehyde was measured as a surrogate marker of lipid peroxidation. The plasma exchange effluent from two patients who had undergone plasma exchange (for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus and acute myeloblastic leukemia) was collected and treated to obtain the human ferritin‐rich fraction. Iron release from ferritin was examined using bathophenanthroline sulfate. The influence of antioxidants and different pH levels on iron release were investigated. Plasma ALA and malondialdehyde concentration in the hemodialysis patient was significantly higher than that in healthy subjects. ALA was positively correlated with malondialdehyde. The abundance of iron release was dependent on the ALA concentration and incubation time. Iron release at the high pH of 7.6 was decreased compared with that at pH 7.4. Citrate increased iron release at pH 7.4, but citrate‐stimulated iron release was totally abolished at pH 7.6. Our study suggests that ALA accumulation may have a role to play in certain complications in uremic patients, such as oxidative stress, by releasing iron from ferritin.
EFFECT OF FLAVOR ON PERCEIVED TEXTURE OF WHEY PROTEIN ISOLATE GELS
Authors: BARDEN L.M. , ÇAKIR E. , LEKSRISOMPONG P.N. , RYAN K.N. , FOEGEDING E.A. , DRAKE M.A.
Published: April 2010

This study investigated the role of flavor on trained panelist and consumer perception of texture properties. Whey protein isolate (WPI) gels were prepared with sodium chloride (25 mM) at different pH (pH 6.0 or 7.0), and calcium chloride concentrations (0 or 10 mM). The same gel treatments were produced with and without added flavor. Instrumental torsion analysis showed that flavor addition had no impact (P > 0.05) on fracture stress and strain. Texture properties of gels were evaluated by a trained descriptive panel and untrained consumers (n = 60) for their perception of gel firmness, fracturability, juiciness, mouth coating and overall disliking. Distinct texture properties among the gels were documented by both trained panelists and consumers (P < 0.05). Flavor addition did not influence (P > 0.05) texture perception. Therefore, flavor addition does not impact panelist (trained or untrained) ability to evaluate textural differences in WPI gels.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Much current work is focused on understanding oral processing and the sensory perception of texture. Many studies have evaluated the influence of texture on flavor perception, and many of those that have looked at the effect of flavor on texture perception have not controlled for rheological differences in texture. As such, the influence of flavor on texture perception by trained panelists and/or untrained consumers is not well documented. A better understanding of these effects would (1) help researchers studying mastication behaviors and/or food texture to create more palatable, flavorful samples without compromising the textural integrity of their samples, and (2) help commercial food manufacturers more easily understand drivers of consumer liking when pursuing new product development or line extensions.
CROSS‐CULTURAL COMPARISON OF ACCEPTANCE OF SOY‐BASED EXTRUDED SNACK FOODS BY U.S. AND INDIAN CONSUMERS
Authors: NEELY ERIKA A. , LEE YOUNGSOO , LEE SOO‐YEUN
Published: April 2010

This study aims to compare the acceptance of a soy‐based extruded snack food by Indian consumers residing in India with surrogate consumers residing in the U.S.A. Soy‐based snacks were extruded and contained varying levels of soy flour and grits. Seventy‐two participants in the U.S.A. who frequently consume Indian snacks, as well as 67 Indian consumers in Bangalore, India, evaluated the samples. Based on the high degree of acceptance for many of the formulations tested, there is strong potential for the commercialization of this type of snack product. Analysis of variance showed significant liking differences across the samples for the U.S. group, but not for the Indian group. Internal preference mapping highlighted that individual taste differences were more dominant than cultural factors in determining preferences. Although testing of the actual target consumers is still preferred, cautious use of surrogate consumers may be useful for initial stages of product development.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Although India is among the top five soybean‐producing countries in the world, consumption rates are well below the global average. Because traditional Indian legume snacks typically contain more fat and less protein than the snack studied here, replacing them with soy‐based products would improve the nutritional quality of the diet. Despite the fact that soy foods have previously faced challenges in consumer acceptance, this research describes a food product that delivers a high level of soy ingredients in a form shown to be acceptable by consumer testing methodology, and may therefore be of interest to producers of soy‐containing foods. This study also demonstrates the usage of surrogate consumer groups to mimic the responses of consumers who may be difficult for product developers to access because of geographical distance, and suggests that developers must use caution if using surrogates to determine potential for novel products by consumers living abroad.
DESCRIBING FLAVOR USING FEWER AND SIMPLER “HITS” (HIGH IDENTITY TRAITS) PROFILING: AN EXAMPLE WITH CHEESE
Authors: TALAVERA‐BIANCHI MARTIN , CHAMBERS IV EDGAR , CHAMBERS DELORES H.
Published: April 2010

Sensory descriptive analysis often requires a large set of attributes that needs to be defined and referenced to make the results replicable. The resulting data are important and necessary for research and development purposes but may be excessively complex for management, marketing, consumer purposes or culinary applications, such as restaurants. This study examined the use of a simplified lexicon, high identity traits (HITS), generated by trained panelists to determine if an understanding of the overall differences and similarities between samples could be achieved with fewer and more user‐friendly attributes than in traditional descriptive sensory testing. Ten trained sensory panelists participated in this pilot study with cheese. The number of attributes was reduced from more than 20 for each cheese to include only one to five terms that described the main flavor characteristics or HITS of each cheese. For example, in the flavor profiles, Brie cheese scored at low to moderate intensities for 20+attributes. In this study, Brie was described only as buttery, earthy and mold‐ripened, terms that can be understood quickly and by many different people. This study suggests that the HITS method is a fast procedure that adds additional, general, user‐friendly information to traditional descriptive analysis techniques.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

This study provides a methodology that can be used by trained sensory panels to evaluate the high identity traits or HITS of products. Those HITS provide a general understanding of the product category and the differences among products in order to help management, marketing or consumers better understand product traits.
A COMPARISON OF BASIC TASTE MODALITIES, USING A DESCRIPTIVE ANALYSIS TECHNIQUE, FOR VARYING LEVELS OF SODIUM AND KCl IN TWO MODEL SOUP SYSTEMS
Authors: HOOGE S. , CHAMBERS D.
Published: April 2010

This study examined the basic taste intensities in samples with varying levels of sodium and potassium chloride (KCl) in model soup systems in order to understand the impact of sodium reduction and KCl addition. Understanding the impact of different sodium and KCl levels may give insight into the potential interaction of KCl on the perceived saltiness of NaCl and a better understanding of the degree to which KCl can be used in reducing sodium without adversely affecting the basic taste sensory properties.

These results suggest that a 48% sodium reduction is possible in chicken broth and tomato soup with the addition of 0.6 or 0.75% KCl and 0, 0.45, 0.6, or 0.75% KCl, respectively, without significant impact to basic taste sensory perceptions.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

KCl in literature is described as bitter or metallic, and these attributes are considered limiting to KCl's potential as a sodium chloride replacement. This research shows that there is potential to reduce sodium by close to 50% with KCl without significantly impacting the saltiness or bitterness intensity in tomato soup or chicken broth. Higher sodium reductions with KCl additions may be possible in other food systems, resulting in acceptable flavor with a healthier nutrition profile.
Night‐to‐night variation in snoring sound severity: one night studies are not reliable
Authors: Cathcart R.A. , Hamilton D.W. , Drinnan M.J. , Gibson G.J. , Wilson J.A.
Published: April 2010

Clin. Otolaryngol. 2010, 35, 198–203

Objectives:  To quantify the night‐to‐night variation in snoring severity; to compare this with inter‐subject variation in snoring intensity: to compare multinight mean snoring scores with self‐reported subjective scores.

Design:  Prospective observational study.

Setting:  Subjects were recorded during sleep at their own homes.

Participants:  Twenty patients with socially disruptive snoring awaiting surgery.

Main outcome measures:  Over four consecutive nights using a solid‐state sound recording device, the mean, standard deviation and intra‐class correlation coefficient were calculated for (a) the loudest 1% of sound, (b) snore frequency and (c) total snore duration. Results were correlated with Snoring Symptom Inventory scores assessed immediately prior to these recordings.

Results:  Overall mean and intrasubject standard deviation for the loudest 1% of sound was 65.0 (±4.1) dB, for snore frequency was 245 (±104) per hour and for total snore duration was 4.3% (±2.1). Intraclass correlation coefficients were 0.78, 0.74 and 0.67, respectively, suggesting only moderate reliability of these outcome measures. No significant correlation was found between objective and subjective scores for either endpoint.

Conclusion:  Natural night‐to‐night variation in snoring severity represents a significant proportion of overall snoring variance, thus one night studies of snoring are not reliable. The random error associated with one‐night studies exceeds the expected effect size of snoring interventions and so multi‐night studies of at least four nights are recommended to reduce the error. However, even multi‐night objective measurements correlate poorly with subjective scores of snoring.
Exposure of Africa's freshwater biodiversity to a changing climate
Authors: Thieme Michele L. , Lehner Bernhard , Abell Robin , Matthews John
Published: April 2010

Anthropogenic climate change and increased human water use are widely expected to place great stress on available water resources across Africa and Madagascar, but the effects of these changes on freshwater biodiversity have only begun to be considered. We used a comprehensive species database and a global hydrologic model to examine the exposure of freshwater biodiversity to discharge and runoff alterations across Africa and Madagascar. Our results show that by the 2050s, ecoregions containing over 80% of freshwater fish species and several outstanding ecological and evolutionary phenomena are likely to experience hydrologic conditions substantially different from the present, with alterations in annual discharge or runoff of more than 10%. We recommend early action to buffer these species and systems from the expected changes, including reducing nonclimate stresses and implementing measures that buy species time to adjust to novel ecosystem characteristics.
NOTES: past, present and future
Authors: Dallemagne B , Marescaux J
Published: April 2010

Once in a few decades in science or medicine, an idea emerges that is so powerful that it changes forever how we think about that field. Natural Orifices Translumenal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES) has the potential to break the physical barrier between bodily trauma and surgery.

At the dawn of surgery, excellence was associated with big incisions: “big scar ‐ big surgeon”.

In the 80s, minimally invasive surgery was born representing one of the greatest surgical evolutions of the 20th century. After Kalloo's first report in 2004 on transgastric peritoneoscopy in a porcine model, the interest in natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) has blossomed. Theoretically the same operation performed laparoscopically could be carried out through natural orifices without any abdominal incision avoiding pain and scarring. The lesson learned from the advent of laparoscopic surgery, thought us that we could be witnessing the birth of another surgical revolution.

Since 2004 many abdominal procedures that use a NOTES approach have been successfully performed in animal models. However, the initial excitement for NOTES has been somewhat tempered by the reality that a NOTES procedure in human without laparoscopic assistance has not been performed by most groups. Indeed, a major issue is the lack of stable operative platform and flexible instruments that allow retraction and exposure of the organs, such as appendix or gallbladder. Will this issue change the future of NOTES?
Helping Students Come to Grips With the Meaning of Division
Authors: Aubrecht Gordon J.
Published: April 2010

Many years ago, Arons pointed out the incomprehension science students exhibit of the basic mathematical operations multiplication and division and the need to address the problem in physics classes to assure student understanding of the physical world. McDermott et al.'s Physics by Inquiry program does address this need directly and in detail (by defining two meanings for division). However, in the author's classes many students had relatively low scores (ranging from 60–80%) when trying to explain simple operations. Reported in this paper are ways to supplement the text that force students to address the actual meaning of division by stressing the relation between a “whole” and a “package,” and connect that meaning with previously learned operational definitions for area and volume.
The Effects of Self‐Regulation, Motivation, Anxiety, and Attributions on Mathematics Achievement for Fifth and Sixth Grade Students
Authors: Shores Melanie L. , Shannon David M.
Published: April 2010

For this quantitative study, a total of n = 761 students (58.1% female) from selected fifth‐ and sixth‐grade mathematics classrooms in Alabama were surveyed in order to investigate the relationships between self‐regulated learning, motivation, anxiety, attributions and achievement in mathematics. Data analyses revealed that significant contributions are made by motivation and anxiety on both test score and mathematics grade for fifth grade students. Specific factors (e.g., self‐efficacy, worry, other, and failure) were related to academic performance while failure attribution was significantly related to mathematics grade. As for sixth grade students, data analyses showed relationships exist between motivation, anxiety and academic performance with specific factors (i.e., self‐efficacy, intrinsic value, and worry) significantly predicting both test score and mathematics grade for sixth graders. The findings underlie the importance of motivation and anxiety for students and how these constructs interact to facilitate self‐regulation over the course of developing expertise in a domain, such as mathematics.
Development of a Geometric Spatial Visualization Tool
Authors: Ganesh Bibi , Wilhelm Jennifer , Sherrod Sonya
Published: April 2010

This paper documents the development of the Geometric Spatial Assessment. We detail the development of this instrument which was designed to identify middle school students' strategies and advancement in understanding of four geometric concept domains (geometric spatial visualization, spatial projection, cardinal directions, and periodic patterns) after experiencing a carefully designed integrated lunar unit. Previous research with students using this lunar unit showed students making significant gains on lunar‐related concepts (both scientific and mathematical) on a Lunar Phases Concept Inventory (LPCI) (Lindell & Olsen, 2002). Following the administration of single domain assessments, clinical interviews were conducted to ascertain students' problem solving strategies. Results allowed us to select four suitable multiple‐choice items per domain.
The Flow Lab: A Simple Activity for Generating NOS Principles
Authors: Meyer Daniel Z. , Avery Leanne M.
Published: April 2010

While there is near universal agreement within the science education community that a strong understanding of nature of science (NOS) ‐ both as a student goal and a teacher attribute ‐ is critical, we still struggle with how to achieve these aims. Barriers range from pragmatic logistics to fundamental curricular tensions. In this paper, we share a classroom activity designed to aid in the learning of key NOS principles that we have found constructive. We discuss the basic activity, connections to science studies literature, and opportunities for explicit reflection on nature of science.
Management recommendations for short‐lived weeds depend on model structure and explicit characterization of density dependence
Authors: Ramula Satu , Buckley Yvonne M.
Published: April 2010

1. Multiple modelling techniques are currently used to describe population dynamics of established invasions, where intraspecific competition is likely to reduce survival, growth and/or fecundity, suppressing population growth rate. To date, it remains unanswered whether these modelling techniques produce similar management recommendations for density‐dependent weed populations and how to model density dependence to better inform management.

2. We constructed demographic models for a short‐lived weed based on data on multiple manipulated densities in a glasshouse and data from the literature using three germination strategies. We compared management recommendations produced by two main modelling techniques for density‐dependent weed populations and examined whether periodic matrix population models constructed from different densities without characterization of density‐dependent processes (implicit models) produce management recommendations similar to that of the same models with density dependence explicitly characterized and simulated (explicit models). The use of a periodic matrix population model enabled us to target simulated management on either vital rates or entire life stages, and to examine the role of a weed’s germination strategy on model outcomes.

3. Management recommendations differed depending on how density dependence was included in demographic models. Explicit models showed that management conducted after the density‐dependent process driving population dynamics best curbed density‐regulated weed populations, with reductions in seed production having a negligible effect regardless of a germination strategy. By contrast, implicit models constructed from multiple densities produced similar management recommendations for sparse and dense populations, with reductions in survival to a flowering stage, juvenile establishment or seed production leading to the greatest predicted declines in weed density.

4. Our results emphasize the importance of model structure when modelling dynamics of density‐dependent weed populations, suggesting that explicit characterization and inclusion of density dependence in population models is often necessary to inform management. As a weed’s germination strategy had a minor effect on model outcomes, our findings about explicit and implicit modelling techniques can be generalized across annual plants with non‐overlapping generations.
Experimentally testing the role of foundation species in forests: the Harvard Forest Hemlock Removal Experiment
Authors: Ellison Aaron M. , Barker‐Plotkin Audrey A. , Foster David R. , Orwig David A.
Published: April 2010

1. Problem statement– Foundation species define and structure ecological systems. In forests around the world, foundation tree species are declining due to overexploitation, pests and pathogens. Eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis), a foundation tree species in eastern North America, is threatened by an exotic insect, the hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae). The loss of hemlock is hypothesized to result in dramatic changes in assemblages of associated species with cascading impacts on food webs and fluxes of energy and nutrients. We describe the setting, design and analytical framework of the Harvard Forest Hemlock Removal Experiment (HF‐HeRE), a multi‐hectare, long‐term experiment that overcomes many of the major logistical and analytical challenges of studying system‐wide consequences of foundation species loss.

2. Study design– HF‐HeRE is a replicated and blocked Before‐After‐Control‐Impact experiment that includes two hemlock removal treatments: girdling all hemlocks to simulate death by adelgid and logging all hemlocks >20 cm diameter and other merchantable trees to simulate pre‐emptive salvage operations. These treatments are paired with two control treatments: hemlock controls that are beginning to be infested in 2010 by the adelgid and hardwood controls that represent future conditions of most hemlock stands in eastern North America.

3. Ongoing measurements and monitoring– Ongoing long‐term measurements to quantify the magnitude and direction of forest ecosystem change as hemlock declines include: air and soil temperature, light availability, leaf area and canopy closure; changes in species composition and abundance of the soil seed‐bank, understorey vegetation, and soil‐dwelling invertebrates; dynamics of coarse woody debris; soil nitrogen availability and net nitrogen mineralization; and soil carbon flux. Short‐term or one‐time‐only measurements include initial tree ages, hemlock‐decomposing fungi, wood‐boring beetles and throughfall chemistry. Additional within‐plot, replicated experiments include effects of ants and litter‐dwelling microarthoropods on ecosystem functioning, and responses of salamanders to canopy change.

4. Future directions and collaborations– HF‐HeRE is part of an evolving network of retrospective studies, natural experiments, large manipulations and modelling efforts focused on identifying and understanding the role of single foundation species on ecological processes and dynamics. We invite colleagues from around the world who are interested in exploring complementary questions to take advantage of the HF‐HeRE research infrastructure.
Dorsal displacement of the soft palate and palatal instability
Authors: Barakzai S. Z. , Hawkes C. S.
Published: April 2010

Palatal dysfunction is very common in performance horses. At present, relatively little is known about its aetiology and pathogenesis, although several theories have been proposed. As a result, a multitude of treatments, both conservative and surgical, have been advocated for dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP). This tutorial article aims to provide a comprehensive review of the disorder, discussing aetiopathogenesis, diagnosis and management in turn.
Anaesthesia and ventilation strategy in a horse undergoing pulmonectomy
Authors: Bauquier S. H. , Dusavage S. , Driessen B.
Published: April 2010

A 7‐year‐old, 430 kg Standardbred gelding was presented to the hospital with severe bilateral purulent pleuropneumonia requiring partial pulmonectomy. Prior to surgery the trachea was intubated through a tracheotomy site using a customised tube (10 mm internal diameter)‐in‐tube (26 mm internal diameter) endotracheal tube, similar to a bronchial blocker tube in design. The left lung was selectively mechanically ventilated. Thoracotomy was performed and a major lung abscess and surrounding lung tissue were resected. Arterial PO2 and PCO2 remained 79–305 and 43–72 mmHg, respectively, and haemodynamic variables within a range acceptable for general anaesthesia in the horse. A 5 month follow‐up revealed complete resolution of the pleuropneumonia without signs of recurrence.
Nonclassical Linearization Criteria in Nonlinear Stochastic
Dynamics
Authors: Elishakoff Isaac , Andriamasy Lova
Published: April 2010

In classical stochastic linearization method, the nonlinear force is replaced by an equivalent linear one. Several nonclassical schemes were suggested in recent years, based on potential or complementary energy criteria. Here, these criteria are compared with each other, and the classical stochastic linearization scheme, to determine their efficacy.
Mechanics of Quantum-Dot Self-Organization by Epitaxial Growth on Small Areas
Authors: Kukta Robert V.
Published: April 2010

Energetic arguments are used to understand the mechanics of Stranski–Krastanow epitaxial systems constrained to grow on a finite area of a substrate. Examples include selective area epitaxy and growth on patterned substrate features as raised mesa and etched pits. Accounting only for strain energy, (isotropic) surface energy, wetting layer potential energy, and geometric constraints, a rich behavior is obtained, whereby equilibrium configurations consist of a single island, multiple islands, or no islands, depending on the size of the growth area. It is shown that island formation is completely suppressed in the case of growth on a sufficiently small area. These behaviors are in stark contrast to growth on an indefinitely large area, where the same model suggests that the minimum free energy configuration of systems beyond the wetting layer transition thickness is a single island atop a wetting layer. The constraint of growing on a finite area can suppress island coarsening and produce minimum energy configurations with multiple self-organized islands of uniform size and shape.
Multitask Constrained Motion Control Using a Mass-Weighted Orthogonal Decomposition
Authors: De Sapio Vincent , Park Jaeheung
Published: April 2010

This paper presents an approach to formulating task-level motion-control for holonomically constrained multibody systems based on a mass-weighted orthogonal decomposition. The basis for this approach involves the formation of a recursive null space for constraints and motion-control tasks onto which subsequent motion-control tasks are projected. The recursive null space arises out of the process of orthogonalizing individual task Jacobian matrices. This orthogonalization process is analogous to the Gram–Schmidt process used for orthogonalizing a vector basis. Based on this mass-weighted orthogonal decomposition, recursive algorithms are developed for formulating the overall motion-control equations. The natural symmetry between task-level dynamics and the dynamics of constrained systems is exploited in this approach. An example is presented to illustrate the practical application of this methodology.
Nonlocal Shear Deformable Shell Model for Post-Buckling of Axially Compressed Double-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Embedded in an Elastic Matrix
Authors: Shen Hui-Shen , Zhang Chen-Li
Published: April 2010

Buckling and post-buckling analysis is presented for axially compressed double-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) embedded in an elastic matrix in thermal environments. The double-walled carbon nanotube is modeled as a nonlocal shear deformable cylindrical shell, which contains small scale effects and van der Waals interaction forces. The surrounding elastic medium is modeled as a tensionless Pasternak foundation. The post-buckling analysis is based on a higher order shear deformation shell theory with the von Kármán–Donnell-type of kinematic nonlinearity. The thermal effects are also included and the material properties are assumed to be temperature-dependent and are obtained from molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The nonlinear prebuckling deformations of the shell and the initial local point defect, which is simulated as a dimple on the tube wall, are both taken into account. A singular perturbation technique is employed to determine the post-buckling response of the tubes and an iterative scheme is developed to obtain numerical results without using any assumption on the shape of the contact region between the tube and the elastic medium. The small scale parameter e0a is estimated by matching the buckling loads of CNTs observed from the MD simulation results with the numerical results obtained from the nonlocal shear deformable shell model. Numerical solutions are presented to show the post-buckling behavior of CNTs surrounded by an elastic medium of conventional and tensionless Pasternak foundations. The results show that buckling and post-buckling behavior of CNTs is very sensitive to the small scale parameter e0a. The results reveal that the unilateral constraint has a significant effect on the post-buckling response of CNTs when the foundation stiffness is sufficiently large.