bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acrodermatitis continua of Hallopeau: evolution of treatment options
Authors: Sehgal Virendra N. , Verma Prashant , Sharma Sonal , Srivastava Govind , Aggarwal Ashok K. , Rasool Farhan , Chatterjee Kingsuk
Published: September 2011

Ever since its inception, acrodermatitis continua of Hallopeau, has been recognized as an uncommon clinical entity which has been sparingly reported from across the globe. The attempt to have cumulative information on prevalent nomenclature, definition, reminiscences, and clinical overtures has brought differential diagnosis and diagnosis in sharp focus, the highlights of which are outlined. Hence, it was considered important to review the evolution of treatment options available thus far including use of biologics.
Successful long‐term treatment with the bradykinin B2 receptor antagonist icatibant in a patient with hereditary angioedema
Authors: Greve Jens , Hoffmann Thomas K. , Schuler Patrick , Lang Stephan , Chaker Adam , Bas Murat
Published: September 2011

Background  Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare, autosomal dominant disorder caused by a C1‐esterase inhibitor (C1‐INH) deficiency (type 1) or qualitative defect (type 2). It is characterized by recurrent subcutaneous or submucosal edema attacks in various organs with a frequency from a few attacks to over one hundred attacks per year.

Methods  We report on the treatment of 141 attacks in a patient with hereditary angioedema with the bradykinin B2 receptor antagonist icatibant.

Results  During the entire observation period, efficacy of icatibant was maintained and not altered due to repeated administrations. No systemic or cardiovascular side affects were observed.

Conclusions  In the present case, icatibant proved to be an effective and safe drug for the symptomatic treatment of acute HAE attacks. Its efficacy was not impaired by repeated administrations over a three‐year period in this patient.
Identification of a novel HLA‐DRB1 allele through sequence‐based typing of an Italian patient candidate for kidney transplant
Authors: Barbuti S. , Fornaciari S. , Curcio M. , Scatena F. , Mariotti M. L.
Published: September 2011

In this report, we describe the identification of the novel HLA‐DRB1*13:120 that differs from the closest matching allele HLA‐DRB1*13:65 at two nucleotidic position in the exon 2.
Validity of the Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire in Polish children
Authors: Stelmach Iwona , Podlecka Daniela , Majak Paweł , Jerzyńska Joanna , Stelmach Rafał , Janas Anna , Krakowiak Jan , Stelmach Włodzimierz
Published: September 2011

To cite this article: Stelmach I, Podlecka D, Majak P, Jerzyńska J, Stelmach R, Janas A, Krakowiak J, Stelmach W. Validity of the Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire in Polish children. Pediatric Allergy Immunology 2011; 22: 660–666.

Background:  Although the Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAQLQ) was translated for use in Polish asthmatic children, it is necessary to confirm that its validity, reliability, and the accuracy of the responses are not influenced by culture difference. Therefore, the objective of this study was to validate the Polish version of the Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire.

Methods:  This was a 9‐week period cohort study. The patients were interviewed using the PAQLQ on four occasions: at baseline, 1 wk after inclusion, and after 5 and 9 wk. At each clinic visit, lung functions test and NO measurements were performed. Asthma control (according to GINA) was assessed throughout the study.

Results:  One hundred and one patients completed the study. At all visits, moderate correlations (from r = −0.51 to −0.68) between all PAQLQ domains and the asthma diary were observed. We noticed a significant improvement in the understanding of the questions during the last visit compared to baseline. The gradient of correlation coefficients between the symptoms domain of PAQLQ and asthma diary was observed across study visits. The standards of reliability defined by Cronbach’s α‐coefficient (from 0.75 to 0.91) were fulfilled in all domains of the questionnaire, at all visits. We found a higher increase in PAQLQ score in patients who obtained asthma control compared to those who lost control during the study. There was no relation between PAQLQ and FeNO. At all visits, moderate correlations (from r = −0.51 to −0.68) were shown between all PAQLQ domains and the asthma diary.

Conclusions:  We showed that Polish version of PAQLQ is valid and reliable among our study group. Moreover, as far as clinical practice is concerned, PAQLQ seems to be a useful tool for monitoring asthma in children especially based on the physician’s grading of asthma severity according to GINA guidelines.
Development and validation of a nighttime sleep diary in asthmatic children
Authors: Yoshihara Shigemi , Kanno Noriko , Fukuda Hironobu , Yamada Yumi , Fukuda Norimasa , Tsuchiya Takayoshi , Arisaka Osamu
Published: September 2011

To cite this article: Yoshihara S, Kanno N, Fukuda H, Yamada Y, Fukuda N, Tsuchiya T, Arisaka O. Development and validation of a nighttime sleep diary in asthmatic children. Pediatric Allergy Immunology 2011; 22: 667–670.

The aim of this study was to derive a shorter version of the asthma diary, ‘a nighttime sleep diary’ from the traditional asthma diary (original version). The nighttime sleep diary mainly consisted of nighttime awakening that met the criteria of validity and practicality necessary for monitoring clinical control in infants and young children with asthma symptoms. Validation of the diary was performed in a 6‐week prospective study of 40 children aged 6 months to 6 years treated with nebulized budesonide inhalation suspension or cromolyn sodium nebulized solution. The nighttime awakening score was significantly and positively associated with the nighttime asthma symptom score and daytime asthma symptom score along with the number of days with a cough. Therefore, the nighttime sleep diary is a simple and useful instrument to monitor day‐to‐day fluctuations in young children with asthma.
Pediatric allergy and immunology in Spain
Authors: Nieto Antonio , Mazon Angel , Martin‐Mateos Maria Anunciacion , Plaza Ana‐Maria , Garde Jesus , Alonso Elena , Martorell Antonio , Boquete Manuel , Lorente Felix , Ibero Marcel , Bone Javier , Pamies Rafael , Garcia Juan Miguel , Echeverria Luis , Nevot Santiago , Martinez‐Cañavate Ana , Fernandez‐Benitez Margarita , Garcia‐Marcos Luis
Published: September 2011

To cite this article: Nieto A, Mazon A, Martin‐Mateos MA, Plaza A‐M, Garde J, Alonso E, Martorell A, Boquete M, Lorente F, Ibero M, Bone J, Pamies R, Garcia JM, Echeverria L, Nevot S, Martinez‐Cañavate A, Fernandez‐Benitez M, Garcia‐Marcos L. Pediatric allergy and immunology in Spain. Pediatric Allergy Immunology 2011; 22: 742–750.

The data of the ISAAC project in Spain show a prevalence of childhood asthma ranging from 7.1% to 15.3%, with regional differences; a higher prevalence, 22.6% to 35.8%, is described for rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis is found in 4.1% to 7.6% of children. The prevalence of food allergy is 3%. All children in Spain have the right to be visited in the National Health System. The medical care at the primary level is provided by pediatricians, who have obtained their titles through a 4‐yr medical residency training program. The education on pediatric allergy during that period is not compulsory and thus very variable. There are currently 112 certified European pediatric allergists in Spain, who have obtained the accreditation of the European Union of Medical Specialist for proven skills and experience in pediatric allergy. Future specialists in pediatric allergy should obtain their titles through a specific education program to be developed in one of the four accredited training units on pediatric allergy, after obtaining the title on pediatrics. The Spanish Society of Pediatric Allergy and Clinical Immunology (SEICAP) gathers over 350 pediatric allergists and pediatricians working in this field. SEICAP has a growing activity including yearly congresses, continued education courses, elaboration of technical clinical documents and protocols, education of patients, and collaboration with other scientific societies and associations of patients. The official journal of SEICAP is Allergologia et Immunophatologia, published every 2 months since 1972. The web site of SEICAP, http://www.seicap.es, open since 2004, offers information for professionals and extensive information on pediatric allergic and immunologic disorders for the lay public; the web site is receiving 750 daily visits during 2011. The pediatric allergy units are very active in clinical work, procedures as immunotherapy or induction of oral tolerance in food allergy, contribution to scientific literature, and collaboration in international projects.
Pre‐ and post‐release quality of sterile Ceratitis capitata males released by an improved automated ground release machine
Authors: Bjeliš M. , Radunić D. , Bulić P.
Published: September 2011

A prototype of an improved automated ground release machine was assessed and found, with further improvements, to have the potential to be a promising tool for the release of quality sterile Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) flies in small‐ and medium‐scale SIT control programmes. The following quality parameters of sterile flies were assessed: (i) flight ability, (ii) physical damage caused by the ground release machine, (iii) survival under stress conditions without food and water and (iv) water condensation on flies, after 0.5 and 2 h under the automatically controlled abiotic conditions of 16 ± 0.8°C and ∼58% relative humidity. A total number of seven different treatments, five involving flies held inside the ground release machine and two control treatments of chilled and non‐chilled flies not held inside the ground release machine, were evaluated to assess sterile male quality. Flight ability was as high as 97% in the control treatment (no ground release), compared with the lowest value of 92.5% when a 1‐m‐long screw‐auger, as part of the ground release machine, was tested. Use of a 1‐m‐long screw‐auger significantly increased the percentage of damaged flies up to 7.2%, compared with ≤1.7% in the control treatments. It is confirmed that the length of the screw‐auger is the most important factor affecting quality of the released flies in the ground release system tested. Also, interaction of duration of time inside the machine, screw‐auger rotation and the effect of the directional discharge blower significantly increases the percentage of damaged flies. Evaluation of sterile fly survival under stress conditions, without food and water, confirms that movement or handling of the flies inside the ground release machine drastically decreases percentage of live insects from ≤ 4.5% after 24 h and 0.0% after 48 h, compared with 18.67–21.67% after 24 h and 3.50–5.83% after 48 h in the control treatments. The most important factors affecting sterile fly quality, such as condensation, compaction and damage, from moving mechanical parts are demonstrated to be minimized or eliminated by making adaptations to the ground release machine construction.
Hybrid carrot seed crop pollination by the fly Calliphora vicina (Diptera: Calliphoridae)
Authors: Howlett B. G.
Published: September 2011

Many insect species can contribute to crop pollination; however, most growers remain highly dependent on the managed honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) for this service. The European Blue Blow Fly Calliphora vicina Robineau‐Desvoidy, 1830 is one species with potential use as a pollinator. It occurs worldwide and is easy to rear. Caged trials conducted within a hybrid carrot (Daucus carota L.) seed crop found C. vicina to be an effective pollinator. Seed yield (number and weight) from field‐grown carrot plants caged with C. vicina, but excluding all other large flower visitors (body width > 3 mm), was similar to seed yield from uncaged plants in the presence of honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) and other insects. In contrast, caged plants without C. vicina produced 10‐fold less seed. Under open field conditions, C. vicina spent an average of 71.0 s per umbel compared to 54.4 s for honey bees; however, under caged conditions, C. vicina spent more time on average per umbel (128.9 s). Counts of C. vicina and honey bees on umbels outside of cages and C. vicina inside cages found that honey bees were most abundant on days with maximum temperature > 25°C, while C. vicina was more abundant on cooler days around 20°C. C. vicina may therefore be a useful pollinator of crops grown in isolation cages for plant breeding purposes as well as in open fields when climatic conditions are less favourable for optimal honey bee activity.
Influence of methoprene and dietary protein on maturation and sexual performance of sterile Anastrepha ludens (Diptera:Tephritidae)
Authors: Pereira R. , Teal P. E. A. , Conway H. , Worley J. , Sivinski J.
Published: September 2011

The success of the sterile insect technique (SIT) requires the release of males that can compete with wild males. Elevated juvenile hormone (JH) levels and hydrolysed yeast‐enriched adult diets improve the sexual attractiveness and competitiveness of sterile male Anastrepha ludens (Loew; Mexican fruit fly), used in large‐scale SIT programmes in Mexico and Texas. We applied methoprene (a JH analogue) to A. ludens using two methods, topically on individual sterile adults and mass‐ immersion of pupae after irradiation. Hydrolysed yeast was either used dry or in agar blocks. Laboratory and field cage experiments were conducted to compare male maturation and sexual performance when males exposed to four different treatments competed for females: (M+P+) application of methoprene and sugar plus hydrolysed yeast as adult food; (M+P−) application of methoprene and sugar only as adult food; (M−P+) no application of methoprene and sugar plus hydrolysed yeast as adult food; and (M−P−) no application of methoprene and sugar only as adult food. Methoprene and hydrolysed yeast accelerated the male sexual maturation from 9 to 5 days after the emergence. Combined application of methoprene and hydrolysed yeast had a significant effect on increased male sexual performance in both laboratory and field cage tests. Methoprene application also accelerates female maturation, although less than in males. The substantial improvements in male sexual performance and sexual maturation that can be obtained by incorporating the use of JH analogue and hydrolysed protein, and the development of techniques for their practical application on a large scale, can contribute to a more cost‐effective deployment of sterile male Mexican fruit flies in SIT programmes.
Isolation and Partial Characterization of Pelargonium leaf curl virus, Moroccan pepper virus and Eggplant mottled crinkle virus from Plant and Soil in Iran
Authors: Rasoulpour Rasoul , Izadpanah Keramat
Published: September 2011

The experimental host range and the coat protein gene sequences of Pelargonium leaf curl virus (PLCV) from geranium and Moroccan pepper virus (MPV) isolated from soil were determined. PLCV was trapped from infested soil by Jimson weed (Datura stramonium), maize (Zea mays) and cucumber (Cucumis sativus). Results of virus trapping and detection revealed the presence of PLCV, MPV and Eggplant mottled crinkle virus in soil and plants. Sequence data showed variation in the populations of these viruses. Analysis of the coat protein amino acid sequence showed 97–99% homology between these virus isolates and corresponding sequences in the GenBank. The study also showed the association of Olpidium sp. with plants infected by these viruses.
A Pilot Comparison of Laser‐Assisted vs Piezo Drill ICSI for theIn VitroProduction of Horse Embryos
Authors: Smits K , Govaere J , Hoogewijs M , Piepers S , Van Soom A
Published: September 2011

Contents

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is the method of choice for thein vitroproduction (IVP) of equine embryos. However, conventional ICSI has been associated with mechanical damage to the oocyte caused by the deformation of the zona pellucida (ZP) and exposure of the oolemma to negative pressure during injection. Introduction of the less traumatic and more efficient piezo drill‐assisted ICSI (PDAI) yielded higher cleavage rates and more consistent results. Nevertheless, PDAI is also associated with disadvantages such as the use of mercury and possible DNA damage. This led us to explore an alternative method avoiding oocyte trauma, namely laser‐assisted ICSI (LAI), which involves creating a hole in the ZP prior to ICSI. In this pilot study, PDAI and LAI were compared for ICSI in the horse. No significant influences on subsequent embryonic development were observed.
Effect of Vitrification of Feline Ovarian Cortex on Follicular and Oocyte Quality and Competence
Authors: Luvoni GC , Tessaro I , Apparício M , Ruggeri E , Luciano AM , Modina SC
Published: September 2011

Contents

Cryopreservation of ovarian cortex has important implications in the preservation of fertility and biodiversity in animal species. Slow freezing of cat ovarian tissue resulted in the preservation of follicular morphology and in the follicular development after xenografting. Vitrification has been recently applied to ovarian tissues of different species, but no information is available on the effect of this method on feline ovarian cortex. Moreover, meiotic competence of fully grown oocytes isolated from cryopreserved tissue has not been reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of vitrification of feline ovarian cortex on follicular morphology and oocyte integrity, as well as meiotic competence. A total of 352 fragments (1.5–2 mm3) were obtained from ovarian cortical tissues: 176 were vitrified and 176 were used fresh as control. Histological evaluation of fresh and vitrified fragments showed intact follicles after cryopreservation procedures with no statistically significant destructive effect from primordial to antral follicles. After IVM, oocytes collected from vitrified ovarian fragment showed a higher proportion of gametes arrested at germinal vesicle (GV) stage compared to those isolated from fresh control tissue (33.8% vs 2.9%; p < 0.001). However, oocytes isolated from vitrified tissues were able to resume meiosis, albeit at lower rate than those collected from fresh tissues (39.8% vs 85.9%; p < 0.00001). Vitrification induced changes in the organization of cytoskeletal elements (actin microfilaments and microtubules) of oocytes, but significantly only for actin network (p < 0.001). Finally, chromatin configuration within the GV was not affected by the cryopreservation procedure. Our study demonstrated that vitrification preserves the integrity of ovarian follicles and that oocytes retrieved from cryopreserved tissue maintain the capability of resuming meiosis. To our knowledge, this has not previously been reported in the cat.
Wire‐guided cannulation for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography: Now is the time to teach trainees a standardized technique
Authors: Park Do Hyun
Published: September 2011

See article in J. Gastroenterol. Hepatol. 2011; 26: 1552–1558.
The ethics of paediatric research
Authors: Spriggs Merle , Caldwell Patrina HY
Published: September 2011

Paediatric research is essential for improving health outcomes of children. Waiting for adult studies before conducting paediatric studies will prolong the denial of effective treatment for children. If we rely on information from adult studies rather than conducting studies with children, we risk causing harm to children. In this paper, we identify and examine ethical issues unique to conducting research with children. These include the function and the value of a child's assent and the criteria that should guide a proxy in making decisions about a child's involvement in research, offering payment to children for research participation and acceptable levels of risk for paediatric research. Justice demands that children not be denied the benefits of research, and it is the role of the paediatric medical community to advocate not only for more research for children but also to ensure that the research conducted is of the highest quality.
Monitoring air pollution: Use of early warning systems for public health
Authors: KELLY FRANK J. , FULLER GARY W. , WALTON HEATHER A. , FUSSELL JULIA C.
Published: September 2011

Research confirming the detrimental impact poor ambient air quality and episodes of abnormally high pollutants has on public health, plus differential susceptibility, calls for improved understanding of this complex topic among all walks of society. The public and particularly, vulnerable groups, should be aware of their quality of air, enabling action to be taken in the event of increased pollution. Policy makers must have a sound awareness of current air quality and future trends, to identify issues, guide policies and monitor their effectiveness. These attitudes are dependent upon air pollution monitoring, forecasting and reporting, serving all interested parties. Apart from the underlying national regulatory obligation a country has in reporting air quality information, data output serves several purposes. This review focuses on provision of real‐time data and advanced warnings of potentially health‐damaging events, in the form of national air quality indices and proactive alert services. Some of the challenges associated with designing these systems include technical issues associated with the complexity of air pollution and its science. These include inability to provide precise exposure concentrations or guidance on long‐term/cumulative exposures or effects from pollutant combinations. Other issues relate to the degree to which people are aware and positively respond to these services. Looking to the future, mobile devices such as cellular phones, equipped with sensing applications have potential to provide dynamic, temporally and spatially precise exposure measures for the mass population. The ultimate aim should be to empower people to modify behaviour—for example, when to increase medication, the route/mode of transport taken to school or work or the appropriate time to pursue outdoor activities—in a way that protects their health as well as the quality of the air they breathe.
A NOD2 gene polymorphism is associated with the prevalence and severity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a Japanese population
Authors: KINOSE DAISUKE , OGAWA EMIKO , HIROTA TOMOMITSU , ITO ISAO , KUDO MEGUMI , HARUNA AKANE , MARUMO SATOSHI , HOSHINO YUMA , MURO SHIGEO , HIRAI TOYOHIRO , SAKAI HIROAKI , DATE HIROSHI , TAMARI MAYUMI , MISHIMA MICHIAKI
Published: September 2011

Background and objective:  Genetic background is thought to be one of the risk factors for development of COPD. Recently, it has been proposed that the innate immune system is involved in the pathophysiology of COPD. We hypothesized that polymorphisms in the nucleotide‐binding and oligomerization domain (NOD)1 and NOD2 genes would be associated with the pathogenesis of COPD. In addition, the associations between these single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and phenotypes of COPD were analysed.

Methods:  Japanese COPD patients (n = 228) and non‐COPD smokers (n = 101) were recruited from the outpatient clinic at Kyoto University Hospital, Kyoto, Japan. At entry into the study, a blood sample was taken and a pulmonary function test was performed. Genotyping was performed for 6 selected tag SNPs of NOD1 and 5 tag SNPs of NOD2. Further investigations were performed for SNP that were associated with COPD, including baseline gene expression, the relative proportions of splicing variants in whole blood, responses to ligand and enhancement of gene expression in peripheral blood neutrophils stimulated with pro‐inflammatory cytokines.

Results:  The distribution of NOD2 rs1077861 genotypes differed between Japanese COPD patients and non‐COPD smokers (P = 0.036). This SNP was also associated with a lower FEV1 % predicted (57.2 ± 1.8 for TT vs 50.8 ± 2.3 for TA/AA, P = 0.03) and DLCO/VA (2.89 ± 0.1 in TT vs 2.53 ± 0.14 in TA/AA, P = 0.036) in COPD patients. NOD2 gene expression after stimulation with 10 ng/mL of tumour necrosis factor‐α for 4 h, was increased to a greater extent in TA/AA genotype than in TT genotype peripheral blood neutrophils (P = 0.015).

Conclusions:  The NOD2 rs1077861 SNP may influence the development and progression of COPD in Japanese subjects.
Calibration of a probabilistic cohesive zone model for generating a fracture nomograph
Authors: SHANMUGAM V , PENMETSA R , TUEGEL E
Published: September 2011

In the recent years, Cohesive Zone Models (CZMs) have gained increasing popularity for modelling the fracture process [1] and also in other applications like composite de‐lamination [2] solder failures [3] in circuits, etc. This can be attributed to the ability of the CZM to adapt to the nonlinearities in the process it represents by adjusting the model parameters. These parameters that are selected to represent the material behaviour in the vicinity of the crack or a damage zone are non‐deterministic in nature resulting in random fracture strength estimates. Currently, there are no standardized tests for measuring the CZM parameters and their random scatter. Numerous researchers in the literature suggest values for the CZM parameters based on their experience from limited test data. Traditionally, fracture toughness is determined through coupon tests for any material system that is being analysed using Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics to determine the fracture strength of a specimen. Since data for fracture toughness are available, this research is aimed at determining the probability density functions (PDFs) for the cohesive zone parameters that would give the same scatter in fracture strength as that obtained from the test statistics. Correlations between the model parameters were introduced to improve the accuracy of the fracture strength PDF. A finite width cracked plate was selected as a test case to demonstrate the process. This paper also presents evidence that material scatter can be isolated from the geometric effects to determine a normalized PDF of fracture strength for a given material. This normalized PDF can then be scaled, using mean fracture strength, to any crack configuration to develop a nomograph that can be used to rapidly assess risk without the need for a probabilistic fracture analysis.
Computation of Plane Crack Stress Intensity Factors Using Trigonometric Wavelet Finite Element Method
Authors: HE W.‐Y. , REN W.‐X. , YANG Z.‐J.
Published: September 2011

The trigonometric wavelet has both good approximation characteristics of trigonometric function and multi‐resolution, local characteristics of wavelet. It is used in this study as interpolation functions in the finite element (FE) method. FE formulations for elastic plane problems are derived based on the principle of minimum potential energy. Stress intensity factors of plane stress problems with cracks are computed based on the displacement extrapolation technique. The wavelet hierarchical and multi‐resolution approaches are also used to improve accuracy of calculations. Numerical examples have shown that the proposed trigonometric wavelet finite element formulations are effective for computing the stress intensity factors with a small number of elements. Both wavelet hierarchical and wavelet multi‐resolution methods lead to improved computational accuracy. They can be selected according to the problems to be solved.
Fracture toughness and growth of short and long fatigue cracks in ductile cast iron EN‐GJS‐400‐18‐LT
Authors: ZAMBRANO H. R. , HÄRKEGÅRD G. , STÄRK K. F.
Published: September 2011

Heavy components of ductile cast iron frequently exhibit metallurgical defects that behave like cracks under cyclic loading. Thus, in order to decide whether a given defect is permissible, it is important to establish the fatigue crack growth properties of the material. In this paper, results from a comprehensive study of ductile cast iron EN‐GJS‐400‐18‐LT have been reported. Growth rates of fatigue cracks ranging from a few tenths of a millimetre (‘short’ cracks) to several millimetres (‘long’ cracks) have been measured for load ratios R=−1, R= 0 and R= 0.5 using a highly sensitive potential‐drop technique. Short cracks were observed to grow faster than long cracks. The threshold stress intensity range, ΔKth, as a function of the load ratio was fitted to a simple crack closure model. Fatigue crack growth data were compared with data from other laboratories. Single plain fatigue tests at R=−1 and R= 0 were also carried out. Fracture toughness was measured at temperatures ranging from −40 °C to room temperature.
Pulmonary function over 2 years in diabetic patients treated with prandial inhaled Technosphere Insulin or usual antidiabetes treatment: a randomized trial
Authors: Raskin P. , Heller S. , Honka M. , Chang P.‐C. , Boss A. H. , Richardson P. C. , Amin N.
Published: September 2011

Aims: Development of inhaled insulin has increased the need to understand its pulmonary safety. This study evaluated pulmonary function changes in diabetes patients receiving inhaled Technosphere Insulin (TI) or usual antidiabetes treatment (usual care).

Methods: This randomized, open‐label study was conducted at 220 sites (25 July 2005 to 29 August 2008). Pulmonary function tests [forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), total lung capacity (TLC) and lung diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO)] were prospectively followed over 2 years in patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes receiving TI (n = 730) or usual care (n = 824), along with a cohort without diabetes not receiving any specific therapy (n = 145).

Results: Baseline demographics and pulmonary function were similar between diabetes treatment groups. Lung function declined from baseline in all groups. TI was non‐inferior to usual care for mean change in FEV1 from baseline to month 24 [mean (s.e.m.) 0.037 (0.0119) l; 95% CI 0.014 to 0.060] using mixed‐model repeated‐measure with a pre‐specified non‐inferiority margin of 50 ml/year. After a greater initial decline at month 3 with TI, rate of change (slope) in FEV1, FVC and DLCO (months 3–24) was not statistically different between treatment groups. TI was well tolerated; no serious safety concerns emerged. The most common respiratory event associated with TI was mild, transient cough, occurring within minutes of inhalation.

Conclusions: Observed changes in lung function with TI were small, occurred early after therapy initiation, remained non‐progressive over 2 years and were unlikely to be clinically meaningful.
Phylogeny and systematic revision of the family Pseudokeronopsidae (Protista, Ciliophora, Hypotricha), with description of a new estuarine species of Pseudokeronopsis
Authors: Chen Xumiao , Clamp John C. , Song Weibo
Published: September 2011

Chen, X., Clamp, J. C. & Song, W. (2011). Phylogeny and systematic revision of the family Pseudokeronopsidae (Protista, Ciliophora, Hypotricha), with description of a new estuarine species of Pseudokeronopsis. —Zoologica Scripta, 40, 659–671.

The family Pseudokeronopsidae is a taxon of hypotrich ciliates with a history of uncertainty regarding its systematic and phylogenetic relationships to other members of the order Urostylida. Phylogenetic analyses of pseudokeronopsids were made using all available molecular and morphological information, and the patterns of morphogenesis of the group were reinvestigated. Results clearly demonstrated that the genera Thigmokeronopsis and Apokeronopsis are not confamilial with Pseudokeronopsis and Nothoholosticha but, instead, must be transferred to the family Urostylidae. A new estuarine species, Pseudokeronopsis erythrina sp. n. was discovered and described using a combination of morphological and molecular characters. Species of Pseudokeronopsis are difficult to characterize but can be distinguished from one another by a combination of morphological and morphogenetic characters. Pseudokeronopsis similis is a freshwater species that has significant morphogenetic differences with other members of the genus and may not be congeneric with them.
Molecular phylogeny endorses the relationship between carnivorous and filter‐feeding tunicates (Tunicata, Ascidiacea)
Authors: Tatián Marcos , Lagger Cristian , Demarchi Milagros , Mattoni Camilo
Published: September 2011

Tatián, M., Lagger, C., Demarchi, M. & Mattoni, C. (2011). Molecular phylogeny endorses the relationship between carnivorous and filter‐feeding tunicates (Tunicata, Ascidiacea).—Zoologica Scripta, 40, 603–612.

The phylogeny of the tunicates (animals considered the closest relatives to the vertebrates) is not yet completely defined, especially the evolutionary relationships within the class. Molecular studies do not include particular benthic deep‐sea species that show morphological changes in the evolution from filter feeding into a carnivorous‐feeding habit. According only to morphological features, these animals are considered as a part of the Class Ascidiacea (Family Hexacrobylidae), but also as a different class, Sorberacea, belonging to the Phylum Tunicata. In this study, we present a phylogenetic analysis based on 18S rDNA sequences, which clearly included these animals in Ascidiacea but in the Family Molgulidae, faster‐evolving ascidians with a high evolution rate. This finding supports the idea that carnivory in Molgulidae represents a more recent adaptation to life in the ocean deep bottoms, where organisms have to adapt themselves to a less plentiful particulate organic carbon supply. Based on molecular and morphological evidence, we propose the following new synonymy: Hexacrobylidae Seeliger 1906 = Molgulidae Lacaze‐Duthiers, 1877.
Phylogeny of a trans‐Wallacean radiation (Squamata, Gekkonidae,Gehyra) supports a single early colonization of Australia
Authors: Heinicke Matthew P. , Greenbaum Eli , Jackman Todd R. , Bauer Aaron M.
Published: September 2011

Heinicke, M. P., Greenbaum, E., Jackman, T. R. & Bauer, A. M. Phylogeny of a trans‐Wallacean radiation (Squamata, Gekkonidae,Gehyra) supports a single early colonization of Australia. —Zoologica Scripta, 40, 584–602.

The genusGehyra(34 species) is rare among squamate reptile radiations in spanning continents, extending from southeast Asia to Australia and Polynesia. Among the family Gekkonidae sensu stricto,Gehyrais the only genus that is species rich in Australia. We performed molecular phylogenetic, divergence timing, and ancestral area analyses to investigate the evolutionary and biogeographic history ofGehyra. Phylogenetic analyses resolveHemiphyllodactylusas the closest relative ofGehyra. Some data also linkPerochirusto this group, but previously suggested relationships with other morphologically similar genera of geckos are not supported. WithinGehyra, three geographically discrete clades are recovered, respectively, concentrated in Asia, the Pacific islands and Australia. Ancestral area analyses suggest thatGehyraoriginated in Asia, with a single colonization of Australia occurring in the mid‐Cenozoic. This date places the time ofGehyracolonization prior to those of other Australian gekkonid geckos, but after the near‐endemic pygopodoid geckos, a Gondwanan relictual group. Based on these dates, times of origin may best explain relative differences in species diversity among Australian gekkotans. In contrast, although originating earlier,Gehyrais less diverse in Asia than in Australia. This pattern may be explained by the long‐term presence of many competing, ecologically similar genera in Asia (e.g.Gekko,Hemidactylus,Lepidodactylus), whereas nearly all pygopodoids in Australia (the only gekkotans present at the time of colonization of Australia byGehyra) are ecologically distinct.
HOW DOES GLOBALIZATION AFFECT THE IMPLICIT TAX RATES ON LABOR INCOME, CAPITAL INCOME, AND CONSUMPTION IN THE EUROPEAN UNION?
Authors: ONARAN OZLEM , BOESCH VALERIE , LEIBRECHT MARKUS
Published: September 2011

This article analyzes the effects of globalization on implicit tax rates (ITRs) on labor income, capital income, and consumption in the EU15 and Central and Eastern European New Member States (CEE NMS). We find supportive evidence for an increase in the ITR on labor income in the EU15, but no effect on the ITR on capital income. There is evidence of convergence in terms of the ITR on consumption, as countries with higher than average ITR on consumption respond to globalization by decreasing their tax rates. There are important differences among the welfare regimes within the EU15. Social‐democratic countries have decreased the tax burden on capital, but increased that on labor due to globalization. Globalization exerts a pressure to increase taxes on labor income in the conservative and liberal regimes as well. Taxes on consumption decrease in response to globalization in the conservative and social‐democratic regimes. In the CEE NMS, there is no effect of globalization on the ITR on labor and capital income, but we find a negative impact on the ITR on consumption in the CEE NMS with higher than average ITR on consumption. (JEL H23, H24, H25, F19, F21)
Glycoproteins are species‐specific markers and major IgE reactants in grass pollens
Authors: Manduzio Hélène , Fitchette Anne‐Catherine , Hrabina Maud , Chabre Henri , Batard Thierry , Nony Emmanuel , Faye Loïc , Moingeon Philippe , Gomord Véronique
Published: September 2011

Grass pollen allergic patients are concomitantly exposed and sensitized to pollens from multiple Pooideae (i.e. common grass) species. As such, they are currently desensitized by allergen‐specific immunotherapy using extracts made from mixes of pollens from Anthoxanthum odoratum, Dactylis glomerata, Lolium perenne, Phleum pratense and Poa pratensis. Herein, we demonstrate that species‐specific glycoprotein patterns are documented by 1D and 2D electrophoresis and Western blotting analysis, which can be used as an identity test for such pollens. Most allergens are glycoproteins bearing complex N‐glycans encompassing β1,2 xylose and α1,3 fucose glycoepitopes. Glycoepitope destruction using periodate oxidation has no impact on seric IgE reactivity in 75% atopic patients (n = 24). The latter have thus no significant IgE responses to carbohydrate‐containing epitopes. In contrast, periodate treatment strongly impairs IgE recognition of glycoallergens in 25% of patients tested, demonstrating the presence of carbohydrate‐specific IgE in those patients. While the clinical impact of carbohydrate‐specific IgE is still a matter of controversy, the presence of these IgE in the serum of many allergic patients illustrates the need for cross‐reacting carbohydrate epitope‐free recombinant allergens to develop relevant diagnostic tests. These data also support the pertinence of mixing multiple grass pollens to desensitize atopic patients, with the aim to broaden the repertoire of glycoepitopes in the vaccine, thus mimicking natural exposure conditions.
Factors regulating fat oxidation in human skeletal muscle
Authors: Kiens B. , Alsted T. J. , Jeppesen J.
Published: September 2011

In modern societies, oversupply of calories leads to obesity and chronic metabolic stress, which may lead to development of disease. Oversupply of calories is often associated with elevated plasma lipid concentrations and accumulation of lipids in skeletal muscle leading to decreased insulin sensitivity. Consequently, enhanced fat oxidation might be beneficial in counteracting lipid accumulation. Exercise is the most effective way to increase fat oxidation, because it increases metabolic rate. Lipid metabolism can also be altered by dietary manipulations. Thus, a fat rich diet leads to increased potential for fat oxidation by increasing the content of several of the proteins in the fat oxidative pathway. The regulation of both exercise and diet induced lipid oxidation will be discussed in this review.
The search for compounds that stimulate thermogenesis in obesity management: from pharmaceuticals to functional food ingredients
Authors: Dulloo A. G.
Published: September 2011

The concept of managing obesity through the stimulation of thermogenesis is currently a focus of considerable attention by the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and functional food industries. This paper first reviews the landmark discoveries that have fuelled the search for thermogenic anti‐obesity products that range from single‐target drugs to multi‐target functional foods. It subsequently analyses the thermogenic and fat‐oxidizing potentials of a wide array of bioactive food ingredients which are categorized under methylxanthines, polyphenols, capsaicinoids/capsinoids, minerals, proteins/amino acids, carbohydrates/sugars and fats/fatty acids. The main outcome of this analysis is that the compounds or combination of compounds with thermogenic and fat‐oxidizing potentials are those that possess both sympathomimetic stimulatory activity and acetyl‐coA carboxylase inhibitory property, and are capable of targeting both skeletal muscle and brown adipose tissue. The thermogenic potentials of products so far tested in humans range from marginal to modest, i.e. 2–5% above daily energy expenditure. With an increasing number of bioactive food ingredients awaiting screening in humans, there is hope that this thermogenic potential could be safely increased to 10–15% above daily energy expenditure – which would have clinically significant impact on weight management, particularly in the prevention of obesity and in improving the long‐term prognosis of post‐slimming weight maintenance.
Hybrid Time‐Frequency Blind Source Separation Towards Ambient System Identification of Structures
Authors: Hazra B. , Sadhu A. , Roffel A. J. , Narasimhan S.
Published: September 2011

Abstract:  Ambient system identification in noisy environments, in the presence of low‐energy modes or closely‐spaced modes, is a challenging task. Conventional blind source separation techniques such as second‐order blind identification (SOBI) and Independent Component Analysis (ICA) do not perform satisfactorily under these conditions. Furthermore, structural system identification for flexible structures require the extraction of more modes than the available number of independent sensor measurements. This results in the estimation of a non‐square modal matrix that is spatially sparse. To overcome these challenges, methods that integrate blind identification with time‐frequency decomposition of signals have been previously presented. The basic idea of these methods is to exploit the resolution and sparsity provided by time‐frequency decomposition of signals, while retaining the advantages of second‐order source separation methods. These hybrid methods integrate two powerful time‐frequency decompositions—wavelet transforms and empirical mode decomposition—into the framework of SOBI. In the first case, the measurements are transformed into the time‐frequency domain, followed by the identification using a SOBI‐based method in the transformed domain. In the second case, a subset of the operations are performed in the transformed domain, while the remaining procedure is conducted using the traditional SOBI method. A new method to address the under‐determined case arising from sparse measurements is proposed. Each of these methods serve to address a particular situation: closely‐spaced modes or low‐energy modes. The proposed methods are verified by applying them to extract the modal information of an airport control tower structure located near Toronto in Canada.
Network‐Level Road Pavement Maintenance and Rehabilitation Scheduling for Optimal Performance Improvement and Budget Utilization
Authors: Gao Lu , Xie Chi , Zhang Zhanmin , Waller S. Travis
Published: September 2011

Abstract:  This article discusses how to efficiently and completely solve a bi‐objective pavement maintenance and rehabilitation‐scheduling problem, which aims at optimizing two objectives of pavement condition improvement and budget utilization in a simultaneous manner. This problem may be addressed by the weighting method, constraint method, ranking method, and various metaheuristic methods. However, none of these methods can guarantee the complete Pareto‐optimal solution set, which would potentially lead to suboptimal decisions. In this article, a parametric method is suggested to solve the bi‐objective pavement maintenance and rehabilitation‐scheduling problem. The effectiveness and efficiency of the parametric method is investigated and demonstrated through a case study using the real‐world data set from the Dallas District's Pavement Management Information System. A performance comparison between the widely used weighting method and the parametric method clearly justifies the computational advantages of the parametric method.
Crack Detection from the Slope of the Mode Shape Using Complex Continuous Wavelet Transform
Authors: Jiang Xin , Ma Zhongguo John , Ren Wei‐Xin
Published: September 2011

Abstract:  A new method for cracks detection in beams is proposed by using the slope of the mode shape to detect cracks, and by introducing the angle coefficients of complex continuous wavelet transform. This study is aimed at detecting the location of the nonpropagating transverse crack. A series of beams with cracks that are simulated by rotational springs with equivalent stiffness are analyzed. The mode shape and the slope of this lumped crack model are calculated. Through complex continuous wavelet transform of the slope of the mode shape using Complex Gaus1 wavelet (CGau1), the locations of cracks are detected from the modulus line and the angle line of wavelet coefficients. By comparison, the singularity is much more apparent from the angle line of complex continuous wavelet transform. This demonstrates that the proposed method outperforms the existing method of wavelet transform of the mode shape with real wavelets. Also, this method can detect cracks in beams with different boundary conditions. The influence of crack locations and crack depth on crack detection is discussed. Finally, the noise effect is studied. Through the multiscale analysis, the locations of cracks may be detected from the angle of wavelet coefficients.
Automatic Road Defect Detection by Textural Pattern Recognition Based on AdaBoost
Authors: Cord Aurélien , Chambon Sylvie
Published: September 2011

Abstract:  The state of roads is continuously degrading due to meteorological conditions, ground movements, and traffic, leading to the formation of defects, such as grabbing, holes, and cracks. In this article, a method to automatically distinguish images of road surfaces with defects from road surfaces without defects is presented. This method, based on supervised learning, is generic and may be applied to all type of defects present in those images. They typically present strong textural information with patterns that show fluctuations at small scales and some uniformity at larger scales. The textural information is described by applying a large set of linear and nonlinear filters. To select the most pertinent ones for the current application, a supervised learning based on AdaBoost is performed. The whole process is tested both on a textural recognition task based on the VisTex image database and on road images collected by a dedicated road imaging system. A comparison with a recent cracks detection algorithm from Oliveira and Correia demonstrates the proposed method's efficiency.
The Force of Truth1
Authors: Blum Alex
Published: September 2011

The theme of the paper is that what is true cannot be false and conversely. This position was anticipated by Aristotle in De Interpretatione and by G. H. von Wright. The latter calls it “a truth of the logic of relative modalities.”

Aristotle has been taken to task by Susan Haack and others for arguing fallaciously from the Principle of Bivalence, that every statement is either true or false, to fatalism. The implication holds, but we show that it is unreasonable to assume that Aristotle grounded his argument on this implication rather than on what we call the force of truth.
A Brilliant Perspective: Diamondian Ethics
Authors: Crary Alice
Published: September 2011

The aims of this paper are twofold: (i) to bring out how Cora Diamond's essays on ethics represent a shift in perspective when considered against the backdrop of dominant trends in contemporary moral philosophy and thereby (ii) to shed light on and indicate strategies for combating sources of philosophical resistance to her ethical project.