bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spanish/English Bilingual Listeners on Clinical Word Recognition Tests: What to Expect and How to Predict
Authors: Shi Lu-Feng , Sánchez Diana
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The current study was an attempt to provide initial evidence on how to predict the optimal language in which to conduct speech perception testing for Spanish/English (S/E) bilingual listeners.

Method

Thirty normal-hearing S/E listeners differing in age of language acquisition, length of immersion, daily language use, self-rated listening proficiency, and language dominance were evaluated on the English and Spanish word recognition tests in quiet and in speech-spectrum noise.

Results

Performance on the English and Spanish tests was not correlated for any conditions. English word recognition was most significantly correlated with age of English acquisition. Logistic regression analyses further demonstrated age of English acquisition to be a good predictor of listeners' relative success on the 2 tests in quiet and at +6 dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). At 0 dB SNR, language dominance had the highest predictive specificity, whereas the combination of age of English acquisition and Spanish listening proficiency had the highest sensitivity.

Conclusions

A Spanish word recognition test would likely yield more favorable results for S/E bilingual listeners who were Spanish-dominant or who acquired English at 10 years of age or older. It may be necessary for listeners who acquired English at 7–10 years of age to be evaluated in both English and Spanish.
Dichotic Word Recognition in Noise and the Right-Ear Advantage
Authors: Roup Christina M.
Published: August 2010

Purpose

This study sought to compare dichotic right-ear advantages (REAs) of young adults to older adult data (C. M. Roup, T. L. Wiley, & R. H. Wilson, 2006) after matching for overall levels of recognition performance. Specifically, speech-spectrum noise was introduced in order to reduce dichotic recognition performance of young adults to a level consistent with that of older adults with hearing loss.

Method

Dichotic word-recognition performance was evaluated in the free-recall response paradigm across 2 conditions: (a) quiet and (b) noise (+11 dB signal-to-noise ratio). Participants included a group of right-handed young adults (n= 32) with normal hearing.

Results

The introduction of noise resulted in significantly poorer dichotic word-recognition performance than in the quiet condition for the young adults. REAs, however, did not differ between the 2 conditions. Relative to the Roup et al. (2006) older adult data, performance of the young adults in the noise condition resulted in (a) similar levels of overall recognition performance and (b) significantly smaller REAs.

Conclusions

Results suggest that the magnitude of the REA is not dependent upon the difficulty of the dichotic task. Rather, the large REAs exhibited by older adults are more likely related to age-related deficits in auditory processing.
Effects of Aging and Noise on Real-Time Spoken Word Recognition: Evidence From Eye Movements
Authors: Ben-David Boaz M. , Chambers Craig G. , Daneman Meredyth , Pichora-Fuller M. Kathleen , Reingold Eyal M. , Schneider Bruce A.
Published: August 2010

Purpose

To use eye tracking to investigate age differences in real-time lexical processing in quiet and in noise in light of the fact that older adults find it more difficult than younger adults to understand conversations in noisy situations.

Method

Twenty-four younger and 24 older adults followed spoken instructions referring to depicted objects, for example, “Look at the candle.” Eye movements captured listeners' ability to differentiate the target noun (candle) from a similar-sounding phonological competitor (e.g.,candyorsandal). Manipulations included the presence/absence of noise, the type of phonological overlap in target–competitor pairs, and the number of syllables.

Results

Having controlled for age-related differences in word recognition accuracy (by tailoring noise levels), similar online processing profiles were found for younger and older adults when targets were discriminated from competitors that shared onset sounds. Age-related differences were found when target words were differentiated from rhyming competitors and were more extensive in noise.

Conclusions

Real-time spoken word recognition processes appear similar for younger and older adults in most conditions; however, age-related differences may be found in the discrimination of rhyming words (especially in noise), even when there are no age differences in word recognition accuracy. These results highlight the utility of eye movement methodologies for studying speech processing across the life span.
The Relationship Between Brainstem Temporal Processing and Performance on Tests of Central Auditory Function in Children With Reading Disorders
Authors: Billiet Cassandra R. , Bellis Teri James
Published: August 2010

Purpose

Studies using speech stimuli to elicit electrophysiologic responses have found approximately 30% of children with language-based learning problems demonstrate abnormal brainstem timing. Research is needed regarding how these responses relate to performance on behavioral tests of central auditory function. The purpose of the study was to investigate performance of children with dyslexia with and without abnormal brainstem timing and children with no history of learning or related disorders on behavioral tests of central auditory function.

Method

Performance of 30 school-age children on behavioral central auditory tests in common clinical use was examined: Group 1 (n= 10): dyslexia, abnormal brainstem timing; Group 2 (n= 10): dyslexia, normal brainstem timing; Group 3 (n= 10): typical controls.

Results

Results indicated that all participants in Group 2 met diagnostic criteria for (central) auditory processing disorder [(C)APD], whereas only 4 participants in Group 1 met criteria. The Biological Marker of Auditory Processing (BioMARK) identified 6 children in Group 1 who did not meet diagnostic criteria for (C)APD but displayed abnormal brainstem timing.

Conclusions

Results underscore the importance of central auditory assessment for children with dyslexia. Furthermore, the BioMARK may be useful in identifying children with central auditory dysfunction who would not have been identified using behavioral methods of (C)APD assessment.
Use of Acoustic Cues by Children With Cochlear Implants
Authors: Giezen Marcel R. , Escudero Paola , Baker Anne
Published: August 2010

Purpose

This study examined the use of different acoustic cues in auditory perception of consonant and vowel contrasts by profoundly deaf children with a cochlear implant (CI) in comparison to age-matched children and young adults with normal hearing.

Method

A speech sound categorization task in an XAB format was administered to 15 children ages 5–6 with a CI (mean age at implant: 1;8 [years;months]), 20 normal-hearing age-matched children, and 21 normal-hearing adults. Four contrasts were examined: /ɑ/–/a/, /
i
/–/i/, /bu/–/pu/, and /fu/–/su/. Measures included phoneme endpoint identification, individual cue reliance, cue weighting, and classification slope.

Results

The children with a CI used the spectral cues in the /fu/–/su/ contrast less effectively than the children with normal hearing, resulting in poorer phoneme endpoint identification and a shallower classification slope. Performance on the other 3 contrasts did not differ significantly. Adults consistently showed steeper classification slopes than the children, but similar cue-weighting patterns were observed in all 3 groups.

Conclusions

Despite their different auditory input, children with a CI appear to be able to use many acoustic cues effectively in speech perception. Most importantly, children with a CI and normal-hearing children were observed to use similar cue-weighting patterns.
Noise Exposure Estimates of Urban MP3 Player Users
Authors: Levey Sandra , Levey Tania , Fligor Brian J.
Published: August 2010

Purpose

To examine the sound level and duration of use of personal listening devices (PLDs) by 189 college students, ages 18–53 years, as they entered a New York City college campus, to determine whether noise exposure from PLDs was in excess of recommended exposure limits and what factors might influence exposure.

Method

Free-field equivalent sound levels from PLD headphones were measured on a mannequin with a calibrated sound level meter. Participants reported demographic information, whether they had just come off the subway, the type of PLD and earphones used, and duration per day and days per week they used their PLDs.

Results

Based on measured free-field equivalent sound levels from PLD headphones and the reported PLD use, per day 58.2% of participants exceeded 85 dB A-weighted 8-hr equivalent sound levels (LAeq), and per week 51.9% exceeded 85 dB A-weighted 40-hr equivalent continuous sound levels (LAwkn).

Conclusions

The majority of PLD users exceeded recommended sound exposure limits, suggesting that they were at increased risk for noise-induced hearing loss. Analyses of the demographics of these participants and mode of transportation to campus failed to indicate any particular gender differences in PLD use or in mode of transportation influencing sound exposure.
Effect of intravalley acoustic phonon scattering on quantum transport in multigate silicon nanowire metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors
Authors: Akhavan Nima Dehdashti , Afzalian Aryan , Lee Chi-Woo , Yan Ran , Ferain Isabelle , Razavi Pedram , Yu Ran , Fagas Giorgos , Colinge Jean-Pierre
Published: August 2010

In this paper we investigate the effects of intravalley acoustic phonon scattering on the quantum transport and on the electrical characteristics of multigate silicon nanowire metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors. We show that acoustic phonons cause a shift and broadening of the local DOS in the nanowire, which modifies the electrical characteristics of the device. The influence of scattering on off-state and on-state currents is investigated for different values of channel length. In the ballistic transport regime, source-to-drain tunneling current is predominant, whereas in the presence of acoustic phonons, diffusion becomes the dominant current transport mechanism. A three-dimensional quantum mechanical device simulator based on the nonequilibrium Green’s function formalism in uncoupled-mode space has been developed to extract device parameters in the presence of electron–phonon interactions. Electron–phonon scattering is accounted for by adopting the self-consistent Born approximation and using the deformation potential theory.
Nonvolatile memories by using charge traps in silicon-rich oxides
Authors: Lim Keun Yong , Kim Min Choul , Hong Seung Hui , Choi Suk-Ho , Kim Kyung Joong
Published: August 2010

The nonvolatile memory characteristics of silicon-rich oxide (SRO, SiOx) grown at room temperature for charge-trapping layer are first reported and shown to exhibit a strong dependence on oxygen content (x). The memory window that is estimated by capacitance-voltage curves monotonically decreases with increasing x from 1.0 to 1.8, possibly resulting from the x-dependent variation in the Si suboxide states responsible for the charge traps, as evidenced by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The density of the charge traps is estimated to be (3.9–8.8)×1012 cm−2 for x=1.0–1.4. The charge-loss rate sharply decreases at x=1.2, but by further increase in x above 1.2, it gradually increases, which can be explained by the lowered SRO/SiO2 barrier due to the increased optical band gap of SRO at larger x
Lattice, elastic, polarization, and electrostrictive properties of BaTiO3 from first-principles
Authors: Wang J. J. , Meng F. Y. , Ma X. Q. , Xu M. X. , Chen L. Q.
Published: August 2010

Predicting the domain structures and properties in both bulk single crystal and thin film ferroelectrics using the phase-field approach requires the knowledge of fundamental mechanical, electrical, and electromechanical coupling properties of a single-domain state. In this work, the elastic properties and structural parameters of cubic single crystals as well as tetragonal, orthorhombic, and rhombohedral BaTiO3 single domain states are obtained using first-principles calculations under the local density approximation. The calculated lattice constants, bulk modulus, and elastic constants are in good agreement with experiments for both the cubic paraelectric phase and the low-temperature ferroelectric phases. Spontaneous polarizations for all three ferroelectric phases and the electrostrictive coefficients of cubic BaTiO3 are also computed using the Berry’s phase approach, and the results agree well with existing experimentally measured values.
In situ infrared spectroscopic and density-functional studies of the cross-linked structure of one-dimensional C60 polymer
Authors: Takashima A. , Onoe J. , Nishii T.
Published: August 2010

We have examined the infrared (IR) spectra of electron-beam (EB) irradiated C60 films, using in situ IR spectroscopy in the temperature range of 60–300 K. The irradiation-time evolution of the IR spectra shows that two highly intense new peaks finally appear around 565 and 1340 cm−1 when the EB-induced C60 polymerization was saturated. To determine the cross-linked structure of the polymer explicitly, we have compared the IR spectra with theoretical spectra obtained from the cross-linked structure of all C120 stable isomers derived from the general Stone–Wales (GSW) rearrangement, using first-principles density-functional calculations. Since each C120 isomer has the same cross-linked structure as that of its corresponding one-dimensional (1D) C60 polymer, the IR modes obtained from the cross-linked structure of C120 are close to those obtained from the corresponding 1D polymer. Comparison between the experimental and theoretical IR spectra suggests that the 1D peanut-shaped C60 polymer has a cross-linked structure roughly similar to that of the P08 peanut-shaped C120 isomer.
Linear plasmon ruler with tunable measurement range and sensitivity
Authors: Liu Shao-Ding , Cheng Mu-Tian
Published: August 2010

The multiple localized surface plasmon resonances of nanorod dimers are theoretically investigated. The dark plasmon resonance of nanorod dimer aligned side-by-side is highly distance dependent. Based on this property, nanospheres are used to modify surface plasmon coupling between the two nanorods. The resonant wavelength shift increases approximately linearly with the increasing of nanospheres interparticle separations. This property makes such structure useful as plasmon ruler with homogeneous measurement sensitivity. The measurement range is increased to more than 100 nm, the resonant frequency is extended to the near-infrared region, and one can modify the structure size and nanorod aspect ratio freely to get the desired measurement range and sensitivity.
Domain-wall solutions and reversal in finite-sized exchange-coupled composite media
Authors: Mukherjee Sonali , Berger Luc
Published: August 2010

We search for all equilibrium domain-wall solutions in finite-size magnetic composite media. We find that the critical fields and the reversal mechanism are determined by the structure of these solutions. The domain-wall propagation field retains its infinite-length value as long as the soft-phase wall solution E1 remains a complete wall. As soft-phase length l1 is reduced below the hard-phase domain-wall width ε2, soft wall solution E1 loses its wall structure or vanishes abruptly. Consequently, reversal by wall propagation is not possible or becomes indistinguishable from nucleation. We also find that the finite system size introduces a new unstable surface solution Es. This is in addition to the unstable hard-phase wall solution E2, and the stable soft-phase wall solution E1 which were present in the infinite system. The nucleation field Hn and reversal by nucleation are shown to be related to Es. Finally, energy landscapes are described where the energy barriers and energy well are determined from wall energies and wall spatial locations. The vanishing of the barriers corresponds to the critical fields. The predictions of the calculations are compared with experiment.
Neutron tomography using an elliptic focusing guide
Authors: Kardjilov N. , Hilger A. , Dawson M. , Manke I. , Banhart J. , Strobl M. , Böni P.
Published: August 2010

An elliptic focusing neutron guide was combined with a cold neutron imaging instrument to produce a cone-beam, whose parameters were then characterized both at the focal point and at the detector position. This point source geometry provides improved experimental conditions for tomographic applications, providing a larger beam cross-section and enabling geometric magnification. The experimental data were compared with Monte Carlo simulations and both experiments and simulations demonstrate superior spectral and geometric homogeneity of the cone-beam setup compared to the conventional pinhole geometry.
Griffiths-like behavior in Ge-rich magnetocaloric compounds Gd5(SixGe1−x)4
Authors: Ouyang Z. W.
Published: August 2010

The unusual low field magnetic behavior is revealed in the dc and ac magnetic susceptibility measurements of Gd5(SixGe1−x)4 (x<∼0.5). These anomalies can be ascribed to the presence of short range ferromagnetic correlations and ferromagnetic clustering in both antiferromagnetic and paramagnetic states. As a result, a novel triangular regime is discovered in the low field magnetic and crystallographic temperature-composition (T-x) phase diagram. The nature of paramagnetic state in this regime can be understood within the framework of Griffiths-like model, which not only originates from the disorder and the modification of competing interslab and intraslab magnetic exchange interactions induced by orthorhombic-monoclinic structural distortion but also correlates with the thermal history or initial magnetic disordering.
Application of the rigorous method to x-ray and neutron beam scattering on rough surfaces
Authors: Goray Leonid I.
Published: August 2010

The paper presents a comprehensive numerical analysis of x-ray and neutron scattering from finite-conducting rough surfaces which is performed in the frame of the boundary integral equation method in a rigorous formulation for high ratios of characteristic dimension to wavelength. The single integral equation obtained involves boundary integrals of the single and double layer potentials. A more general treatment of the energy conservation law applicable to absorption gratings and rough mirrors is considered. In order to compute the scattering intensity of rough surfaces using the forward electromagnetic solver, Monte Carlo simulation is employed to average the deterministic diffraction grating efficiency due to individual surfaces over an ensemble of realizations. Some rules appropriate for numerical implementation of the theory at small wavelength-to-period ratios are presented. The difference between the rigorous approach and approximations can be clearly seen in specular reflectances of Au mirrors with different roughness parameters at wavelengths where grazing incidence occurs at close to or larger than the critical angle. This difference may give rise to wrong estimates of rms roughness and correlation length if they are obtained by comparing experimental data with calculations. Besides, the rigorous approach permits taking into account any known roughness statistics and allows exact computation of diffuse scattering.
Shunt-capacitor-assisted synchronization of oscillations in intrinsic Josephson junctions stack
Authors: Martin I. , Halász Gábor B. , Bulaevskii L. N. , Koshelev A. E.
Published: August 2010

We show that a shunt capacitor, by coupling each Josephson junction to all the other junctions, stabilizes synchronized oscillations in an intrinsic Josephson junction stack biased by a dc current. This synchronization mechanism is similar to the previously discussed radiative coupling between junctions, however, it is not defined by the geometry of the stack. It is particularly important in crystals with smaller numbers of junctions (where the radiation coupling is weak), and is comparable with the effect of strong super-radiation in crystals with many junctions. The shunt also helps to enter the phase-locked regime in the beginning of the oscillations, after switching on the bias current. Furthermore, it may be used to tune radiation power, which drops as the shunt capacitance increases.
Measurement and estimation of land-use effects on soil carbon and related properties for soil monitoring: a study on a basalt landscape of northern New South Wales, Australia
Authors: Wilson Brian R. , Barnes Phoebe , Koen Terry B. , Ghosh Subhadip , King Dacre
Published: August 2010

There is a growing need for information relating to soil condition, its current status, and the nature and direction of change in response to management pressures. Monitoring is therefore being promoted regionally, nationally, and internationally to assess and evaluate soil condition for the purposes of reporting and prioritisation of funding for natural resource management. Several technical and methodological obstacles remain that impede the broad-scale implementation of measurement and monitoring schemes, and we present a dataset designed to (i) assess the optimum size of sample site for soil monitoring, (ii) determine optimum sample numbers required across a site to estimate soil properties to known levels of precision and confidence, and (iii) assess differences in the selected soil properties between a range of land-use types across a basalt landscape of northern NSW. Sample site size was found to be arbitrary and a sample area 25 by 25 m provided a suitable estimate of soil properties at each site. Calculated optimum sample numbers differed between soil property, depth, and land use. Soil pH had a relatively low variability across the sites studied, whereas carbon, nitrogen, and bulk density had large variability. Variability was particularly high for woodland soils and in the deeper soil layers. A sampling intensity of 10 samples across a sampling area 25 by 25 m was found to yield adequate precision and confidence in the soil data generated. Clear and significant differences were detected between land-use types for the various soil properties determined but these effects were restricted to the near-surface soil layers (0–50 and 50–100 mm). Land use has a profound impact on soil properties near to the soil surface, and woodland soils at these depths had significantly higher carbon, nitrogen, and pH and lower bulk density than the other land uses. Soil properties between the other non-woodland land-use types were largely similar, apart from a modestly higher carbon content and higher soil acidity under improved pasture. Data for soil carbon assessment should account for equivalent mass, since this significantly modified carbon densities, particularly for the lighter woodland soils. Woodland soils had larger quantities of carbon (T/ha corrected for equivalent mass) than any other land-use type, and in order to maintain the largest quantity of carbon in this landscape, retaining trees and woodland is the most effective option. Results from this work are being used to inform further development the NSW Statewide Soil Monitoring Program.
Effectiveness of artificial zeolite amendment in improving the physicochemical properties of saline-sodic soils characterised by different clay mineralogies
Authors: Moritani S. , Yamamoto T. , Andry H. , Inoue M. , Yuya A. , Kaneuchi T.
Published: August 2010

The use of artificial zeolite (AZ) derived from recycled material as a soil amendment has recently received much attention. The effectiveness of AZ in controlling soil loss, sediment concentration, and runoff water quality in artificial sodic soils is discussed in this study. Soils containing 3 different types of clay mineralogies (kaolinitic, smectic, and allophanic) were tested. Aggregate fractions with sizes >2000 μm and saturated hydraulic conductivity were considerably decreased due to aggregate dispersion after soil sodification, although the sodic KS soil was most stable. The addition of 10% AZ to sodic soil improved the mean weight diameter (MWD) and saturated hydraulic conductivity due to a decrease in exchangeable sodium percentage, resulting in a reduction in soil aggregate dispersion. This improvement of sodic soil with AZ had a beneficial effect on erodibility (soil loss and runoff water). This is attributed to the increment in soil infiltration as a result of the suppression of seal formation on the soil surface. The suppression of erodibility effectively controlled the salt concentration of runoff water. A beneficial effect of MWD and AZ contents on sediment concentration was observed, and a negative influence of electrical conductivity. These findings complement the role of AZ in controlling soil erosion.
Application of the Groenevelt - Grant soil water retention model to predict the hydraulic conductivity
Authors: Grant C. D. , Groenevelt P. H. , Robinson N. I.
Published: August 2010

We outline several formulations of the Groenevelt–Grant water retention model of 2004 to show how it can be anchored at different points. The model is highly flexible and easy to perform multiple differentiations and integrations on. Among many possible formulations of the model we choose one anchored solely at the saturated water content, θs, to facilitate comparison with the van Genuchten model of 1980 and to obtain a hydraulic conductivity function through analytical integration:

where, k0, k1, and n are fitting parameters. We divided this formulation by θs to obtain the relative water content, θr(h), and inverted the function to produce a form required for integration, namely:

in which the parameter β is introduced to accommodate both the ‘Burdine’ and ‘Mualem’ models. The integrals are identified as incomplete gamma functions and are distinctly different from the incomplete beta functions embodied in the van Genuchten–Mualem models.
Rijtema’s data from 1969 for 20 Dutch soils are used to demonstrate the procedures involved. The water retention curves produced by our Groenevelt–Grant model are virtually indistinguishable from those produced by the van Genuchten model. Relative hydraulic conductivities produced by our Mualem and Burdine models produced closer estimates of Rijtema’s measured values than those produced by the van Genuchten–Mualem model for 19 of his 20 soils. This work provides an alternative to the widely used van Genuchten–Mualem approach and represents a preamble for the, as yet unsatisfactory, treatment of the tortuosity component of the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity function.
Symmetry and dynamics of molecular rotors in amphidynamic molecular crystals
Authors: Karlen Steven D. , Reyes Horacio , Taylor R. E. , Khan Saeed I. , Hawthorne M. Frederick , Garcia-Garibay Miguel A.
Published: August 2010

Rotary biomolecular machines rely on highly symmetric supramolecular structures with rotating units that operate within a densely packed frame of reference, stator, embedded within relatively rigid membranes. The most notable examples are the enzyme FoF1 ATP synthase and the bacterial flagellum, which undergo rotation in steps determined by the symmetries of their rotators and rotating units. Speculating that a precise control of rotational dynamics in rigid environments will be essential for the development of artificial molecular machines, we analyzed the relation between rotational symmetry order and equilibrium rotational dynamics in a set of crystalline molecular gyroscopes with rotators having axial symmetry that ranges from two- to fivefold. The site exchange frequency for these molecules in their closely related crystals at ambient temperature varies by several orders of magnitude, up to
ca.
4.46 × 10
8
 s
-1
.
Human origin recognition complex is essential for HP1 binding to chromatin and heterochromatin organization
Authors: Prasanth Supriya G. , Shen Zhen , Prasanth Kannanganattu V. , Stillman Bruce
Published: August 2010

The origin recognition complex (ORC) is a DNA replication initiator protein also known to be involved in diverse cellular functions including gene silencing, sister chromatid cohesion, telomere biology, heterochromatin localization, centromere and centrosome activity, and cytokinesis. We show that, in human cells, multiple ORC subunits associate with hetereochromatin protein 1 (HP1) α- and HP1β-containing heterochromatic foci. Fluorescent bleaching studies indicate that multiple subcomplexes of ORC exist at heterochromatin, with Orc1 stably associating with heterochromatin in G1 phase, whereas other ORC subunits have transient interactions throughout the cell-division cycle. Both Orc1 and Orc3 directly bind to HP1α, and two domains of Orc3, a coiled-coil domain and a mod-interacting region domain, can independently bind to HP1α; however, both are essential for in vivo localization of Orc3 to heterochromatic foci. Direct binding of both Orc1 and Orc3 to HP1 suggests that, after the degradation of Orc1 at the G1/S boundary, Orc3 facilitates assembly of ORC/HP1 proteins to chromatin. Although depletion of Orc2 and Orc3 subunits by siRNA caused loss of HP1α association to heterochromatin, loss of Orc1 and Orc5 caused aberrant HP1α distribution only to pericentric heterochromatin-surrounding nucleoli. Depletion of HP1α from human cells also shows loss of Orc2 binding to heterochromatin, suggesting that ORC and HP1 proteins are mutually required for each other to bind to heterochromatin. Similar to HP1α-depleted cells, Orc2 and Orc3 siRNA-treated cells also show loss of compaction at satellite repeats, suggesting that ORC together with HP1 proteins may be involved in organizing higher-order chromatin structure and centromere function.
The contribution of spirituality to the process of retirement
Authors: Earl Joanne K.
Published: August 2010

The process of withdrawing from the full‐time workforce to pursue other interests is traditionally known as retirement. As governments and individuals strive for self‐sufficiency, the role of retirement planning becomes very relevant. Spirituality has an important role to play in retirement planning at an organizational and individual level. At an organizational level, we recognize the relationship between workplace spirituality and work outcomes, which in turn predicts retirement intentions. We acknowledge the importance of workplace spirituality in recognizing the “whole person” in the career development process and easing the transition from work to retirement. Organizations play a role in preparing and supporting employees in making decisions and implementing plans. At an individual level, there are three important ways that spirituality contributes to retirement: individual spirituality and its relationship to workability, coping with unexpected changes and the issue of time perspective (i.e. where the future ends). Recommendations for future research and practical implications are presented.
Spirituality, religion, and career development: implications for the workplace
Authors: Duffy Ryan D. , Reid Laura , Dik Bryan J.
Published: August 2010

This article discusses the various ways religion and spirituality may relate to one’s career development and how religion and spirituality may be incorporated into the workplace, and presents several research and practice directions within this area of inquiry. We propose that
religion and spirituality may relate to what individuals value from their work, feelings of support throughout the career development process, and the potential to view one’s career as a calling. Employers are advised to respect the religious and spiritual beliefs of employees and to
consider encouraging and facilitating opportunities for bridging work and faith. Finally, researchers are urged to continue studying the popular construct of calling as well as the various other ways religion and spirituality may interact with career development.
A framework for oligonucleotide microarray preprocessing
Authors: Carvalho Benilton S. , Irizarry Rafael A.
Published: August 2010

Motivation: The availability of flexible open source software for the analysis of gene expression raw level data has greatly facilitated the development of widely used preprocessing methods for these technologies. However, the expansion of microarray applications has exposed the limitation of existing tools.

Results: We developed the oligo package to provide a more general solution that supports a wide range of applications. The package is based on the BioConductor principles of transparency, reproducibility and efficiency of development. It extends the existing tools and leverages existing code for visualization, accessing data and widely used preprocessing routines. The oligo package implements a unified paradigm for preprocessing data and interfaces with other BioConductor tools for downstream analysis. Our infrastructure is general and can be used by other BioConductor packages.

Availability: The oligo package is freely available through BioConductor, http://www.bioconductor.org.

Contact:  benilton.carvalho@cancer.org.uk; rafa@jhu.edu

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
A digital temperature atlas for the Norwegian Sea
Authors: Ottersen Geir
Published: August 2010

Ottersen, G. 2010. A digital temperature atlas for the Norwegian Sea. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 67: 1525–1537. The first digital temperature atlas for the Norwegian Sea (Nordic Seas/GIN Sea) is described and examples of applications given. The atlas is intended mainly to make historical temperature values available to fisheries oceanographers, fisheries biologists, and stock assessment scientists in a structured, uniform format. It should also be of interest to physical oceanographers, climate researchers, and numerical modellers, and will be of relevance to remote-sensing analyses. The atlas, made freely available for scientific non-commercial purposes, is based on interpolation from 59 496 mainly Norwegian, Faroese, and Icelandic hydrographic stations. It consists of gridded temperature fields for the area 20°W–20°E 60–80°N, with a spatial resolution of 1/2° longitude by 1/3° latitude. It covers the quarters January–March, April–June, July–September, and October–December for each year from 1990 to 2007 at 28 depth levels from 0 to 500 m. Two versions of the atlas were produced, one based solely on actual data and one where cells with “missing” values were filled from World Ocean Atlas 05 climatology. Suggested applications include the mapping of horizontal fields and vertical sections, initiation or verification of numerical models, comparisons with SST values from remote sensing, calculations within any chosen latitude–longitude–depth box, and the estimation of the ambient temperatures fish experience when the atlas is used in conjunction with information on fish distribution.
An Update on the Pathophysiology of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
Authors: Bruehl Stephen , Warner David S.
Published: August 2010

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a neuropathic pain disorder with significant autonomic features. Few treatments have proven effective, in part, because of a historically poor understanding of the mechanisms underlying the disorder. CRPS research largely conducted during the past decade has substantially increased knowledge regarding its pathophysiologic mechanisms, indicating that they are multifactorial. Both peripheral and central nervous system mechanisms are involved. These include peripheral and central sensitization, inflammation, altered sympathetic and catecholaminergic function, altered somatosensory representation in the brain, genetic factors, and psychophysiologic interactions. Relative contributions of the mechanisms underlying CRPS may differ across patients and even within a patient over time, particularly in the transition from "warm CRPS" (acute) to "cold CRPS" (chronic). Enhanced knowledge regarding the pathophysiology of CRPS increases the possibility of eventually achieving the goal of mechanism-based CRPS diagnosis and treatment.
Pregnancy Does Not Enhance Volatile Anesthetic Sensitivity on the Brain
Authors: Ueyama Hiroshi , Hagihira Satoshi , Takashina Masaki , Nakae Aya , Mashimo Takashi
Published: August 2010

Backgrounds

Parturients are thought to be more sensitive to inhalational anesthetics because their minimum alveolar concentration is decreased. However, this conventional theory may be wrong, because, according to recent animal studies, minimum alveolar concentration indicates anesthetic effect on the spinal cord but not on the brain. The aim of this electroencephalographic study was to investigate the differences in the hypnotic effect of sevoflurane on parturients and nonpregnant patients.

Methods

Fifteen parturients undergoing cesarean section and 15 patients undergoing elective gynecologic surgery were enrolled. Anesthesia was induced with 4 mg/kg thiopental, 2 microg/kg fentanyl, and 2 mg/kg suxamethonium or 0.15 mg/kg vecuronium. Anesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane and fentanyl. The electroencephalographic signals, obtained from the bispectral index monitor, were recorded on a computer. We calculated 95% spectral edge frequency, amplitude, and bicoherence using custom software (Bispectrum Analyzer for bispectral index). After confirming that end-tidal sevoflurane had reached equilibrium, we measured electroencephalographic parameters of sevoflurane at 2.0 and 1.5% during surgery and at 1.0 and 0.5% after surgery.

Results

With the decrease of end-tidal sevoflurane concentration from 2.0 to 0.5%, 95% spectral edge frequency, amplitude, bispectral index, and bicoherence values changed dose-dependently in pregnant and nonpregnant women (P<0.0001). However, there were no significant differences in those electroencephalographic parameters in pregnant and nonpregnant women.

Conclusions

This electroencephalographic study has shown that pregnancy does not enhance hypnotic effect of sevoflurane. These results suggested that the decrease in minimum alveolar concentration during pregnancy does not mean an enhanced volatile anesthetic effect on the brain.
Sevoflurane Binds and Allosterically Blocks Integrin Lymphocyte Function-associated Antigen-1
Authors: Yuki Koichi , Astrof Nathan S. , Bracken Clay , Soriano Sulpicio G. , Shimaoka Motomu
Published: August 2010

Background

Volatile anesthetics have been shown to modify immune cell functions via several mechanisms, some of which have been only partially elucidated. We demonstrated that isoflurane inhibits primary leukocyte integrin lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) by binding to the allosteric cavity critical for conformational activation to its high-affinity form. It remains to be determined whether the allosteric inhibition of LFA-1 by isoflurane can be generalized to other anesthetics such as sevoflurane.

Methods

The effects of sevoflurane on the ability of LFA-1 to bind to its counter-ligand, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, was studied in leukocytes by flow cytometry. To examine whether sevoflurane acts directly on LFA-1, we measured ligand-binding using beads coated with purified LFA-1 protein. To distinguish between competitive versus allosteric inhibition, we analyzed the effects of sevoflurane on both wild-type and mutant-locked high-affinity LFA-1. One-way analysis of variance was employed for statistical analysis of the data. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to identify sevoflurane binding site(s).

Results

Sevoflurane at clinically relevant concentrations inhibited the ligand-binding function of LFA-1 in leukocytes as well as in cell-free assays (P<0.05). Sevoflurane blocked wild-type but not locked high-affinity LFA-1, thereby demonstrating an allosteric mode of inhibition. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy revealed that sevoflurane bound to the allosteric cavity, to which LFA-1 allosteric antagonists and isoflurane also bind.

Conclusions

This study suggests that sevoflurane also blocks the activation-dependent conformational changes of LFA-1 to the high-affinity form. The allosteric mode of action exemplified by sevoflurane and isoflurane via LFA-1 might represent one of the underlying mechanisms of anesthetic-mediated immunomodulation.
Block of Neuronal Na+Channels by Antidepressant Duloxetine in a State-dependent Manner
Authors: Wang Sho-Ya , Calderon Joanna , Kuo Wang Ging
Published: August 2010

Background

Duloxetine is a mixed serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor used for major depressive disorder. Duloxetine is also beneficial for patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy and with fibromyalgia, but how it works remains unclear.

Methods

We used the whole cell, patch clamp technique to test whether duloxetine interacts with the neuronal Nav1.7 Na+ channel as a potential target. Resting and inactivated Nav1.7 Na+ channel block by duloxetine were measured by conventional pulse protocols in transfected human embryonic kidney cells. The open-channel block was determined directly using inactivation-deficient mutant Nav1.7 Na+ channels.

Results

The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of duloxetine for the resting and inactivated wild-type hNav1.7 Na+ channel were 22.1+/-0.4 and 1.79+/-0.10 microM, respectively (mean+/-SE, n=5). The IC50 for the open Na+ channel was 0.25+/-0.02 microM (n=5), as determined by the block of persistent late Nav1.7 Na+ currents. Similar open-channel block by duloxetine was found in the muscle Nav1.4 isoform (IC50=0.51+/-0.05 microM; n=5). Block by duloxetine appeared via the conserved local anesthetic receptor as determined by site-directed mutagenesis. Finally, duloxetine elicited strong use-dependent block of neuronal transient Nav1.7 Na+ currents during repetitive stimulations.

Conclusions

Duloxetine blocks persistent late Nav1.7 Na+ currents preferentially, which may in part account for its analgesic action.
Influence of Tidal Volume on Pulse Pressure Variations in Hypovolemic Ventilated Pigs with Acute Respiratory Distress-like Syndrome
Authors: Wiklund Claes U. , Morel Denis R. , Orbring-Wiklund Hélène , Romand Jacques-Andre , Piriou Vincent , Teboul Jean-Louis , Bendjelid Karim
Published: August 2010

Background

Sensitivity and specificity of respiratory change in pulse pressure (DeltaPP) to predict preload dependency has been questioned at small tidal volumes (VT) in critically ill patients suffering from acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We studied DeltaPP in pigs with ARDS-like syndrome during reversible hemorrhagic shock.

Methods

Prospective, observational animal study in a Laboratory Investigation Unit. Sixteen deeply sedated mechanically ventilated pigs were successively ventilated with VT of 10 ml/kg at a respiratory rate of 15 breaths/min (RR15) and VT of 6 ml/kg at RR15 and RR25. ARDS-like syndrome was produced by lung lavage in eight pigs (ARDS group). Severe hemorrhagic shock was induced by removal of 40% of total blood volume followed by restoration.

Results

After bleeding, in the control group ventilated with a VT of 10 ml/kg, DeltaPP increased from 8.5 (95% confidence interval [CI], 7.1 to 9.9%) to 18.5% (CI, 15.3 to 21.7%; P<0.05). In the ARDS group, this index increased similarly, from 7.1% (95% CI, 5.3 to 9.0%) to 20.1% (CI, 15.3 to 24.9%; P<0.05). In control lungs, reduction in VT from 10 to 6 ml/kg reduced the DeltaPP reaction by 40%, although it remained a statistically valid indicator of hypovolemia regardless of the RR value. In contrast, in the ARDS group, DeltaPP was an unreliable hypovolemia marker at low VT ventilation, regardless of the RR value (p=not statistically significant).

Conclusions

The present study suggests that DeltaPP is a reliable indicator of severe hypovolemia in pigs with healthy lungs regardless of VT or RR. In contrast, in pigs with ARDS-like syndrome ventilated with small VT, DeltaPP is not a good indicator of severe hemorrhage. However, in this setting, indexing DeltaPP to respiratory changes in transpulmonary pressure allows this marker to significantly indicate the occurrence of hypovolemia.
Intraoperative Ketamine Reduces Perioperative Opiate Consumption in Opiate-dependent Patients with Chronic Back Pain Undergoing Back Surgery
Authors: Loftus Randy W. , Yeager Mark P. , Clark Jeffrey A. , Brown Jeremiah R. , Abdu William A. , Sengupta Dilip K. , Beach Michael L.
Published: August 2010

Background

Ketamine is an N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antagonist that has been shown to be useful in the reduction of acute postoperative pain and analgesic consumption in a variety of surgical interventions with variable routes of administration. Little is known regarding its efficacy in opiate-dependent patients with a history of chronic pain. We hypothesized that ketamine would reduce postoperative opiate consumption in this patient population.

Methods

This was a randomized, prospective, double-blinded, and placebo-controlled trial involving opiate-dependent patients undergoing major lumbar spine surgery. Fifty-two patients in the treatment group were administered 0.5 mg/kg intravenous ketamine on induction of anesthesia, and a continuous infusion at 10 microg kg(-1) min(-1) was begun on induction and terminated at wound closure. Fifty patients in the placebo group received saline of equivalent volume. Patients were observed for 48 h postoperatively and followed up at 6 weeks. The primary outcome was 48-h morphine consumption.

Results

Total morphine consumption (morphine equivalents) was significantly reduced in the treatment group 48 h after the procedure. It was also reduced at 24 h and at 6 weeks. The average reported pain intensity was significantly reduced in the postanesthesia care unit and at 6 weeks. The groups had no differences in known ketamine- or opiate-related side effects.

Conclusions

Intraoperative ketamine reduces opiate consumption in the 48-h postoperative period in opiate-dependent patients with chronic pain. Ketamine may also reduce opioid consumption and pain intensity throughout the postoperative period in this patient population. This benefit is without an increase in side effects.
A Role for Acid-sensing Ion Channel 3, but Not Acid-sensing Ion Channel 2, in Sensing Dynamic Mechanical Stimuli
Authors: Borzan Jasenka , Zhao Chengshui , Meyer Richard A. , Raja Srinivasa N.
Published: August 2010

Background

Acid-sensing ion channels 2 and 3 (ASIC2 and ASIC3, respectively) have been implicated as putative mechanotransducers. Because mechanical hyperalgesia is a prominent consequence of nerve injury, we tested whether male and female ASIC2 or ASIC3 knockout mice have altered responses to mechanical and heat stimuli at baseline and during the 5 weeks after spinal nerve ligation.

Methods

Age-matched, adult male and female ASIC2 knockout (n=21) and wild-type (WT; n=24) mice or ASIC3 knockout (n=20) and WT (n=19) mice were tested for sensitivity to natural stimuli before and after spinal nerve ligation surgery. All animals were first tested for baseline sensitivity to mechanical and heat stimuli and in a novel dynamic mechanical stimulation test. The same testing procedures were then repeated weekly after spinal nerve injury.

Results

Compared with their respective WT counterparts, ASIC2 and ASIC3 knockout mice had normal baseline sensitivity to standard mechanical and heat stimuli. However, when exposed to a novel stroking stimulus to test sensitivity to dynamic mechanical stimulation, ASIC3 knockout mice were significantly more sensitive than were WT mice. After spinal nerve ligation, ASIC2 and ASIC3 knockout mice developed mechanical and heat hyperalgesia comparable with that of their respective WT controls. In addition, in both experiments, female mice were more sensitive than male mice to heat at baseline and after the nerve injury.

Conclusions

We conclude that ASIC2 and ASIC3 channels are not directly involved in the development or maintenance of neuropathic pain after spinal nerve ligation. However, the ASIC3 channel significantly modulates the sensing of dynamic mechanical stimuli in physiologic condition.