bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Explaining the Early Development and Health of Teen Mothers’ Children1
Authors: Mollborn Stefanie , Dennis Jeff A.
Published: November 2012

The transmission of social disadvantage from teenage mothers to their children is well established, but when and why do these disparities emerge in the early life course? Using nationally representative data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study‐Birth Cohort, this study investigated the relationship between teen childbearing and children’s cognition, behavior, and health from infancy through preschool. Developmental disparities between teenage mothers’ children and others were largely nonexistent at nine months but accumulated with age. Having a teenage mother predicted compromised development across several domains by age four and a half. Our conceptual model expected preexisting disadvantage, ongoing resource disadvantage, and compromised parenting quality to explain the association between teen childbearing and child outcomes. Preexisting social disadvantage accounted for much of this relationship. Financial, social, and material resources in the child’s household partially or fully explained each of the remaining significant relationships between teenage childbearing and child outcomes. Parenting quality explained a smaller proportion of these relationships than did resources, and these factors’ influences were largely independent. Because children of teenage mothers with a modest set of resources were not predicted to have compromised development, resources provided in early childhood may have the potential to reduce developmental disparities for teenage mothers’ children.
How Good are Multinationality–Performance (M‐P) Empirical Studies?
Authors: Verbeke Alain , Forootan M. Zaman
Published: November 2012

We critically evaluate strong views in the scholarly literature that suggest a linkage between multinationality (M) and performance (P). Building upon this critical analysis, we propose a new M‐P conceptual approach as well as a testing framework, consisting of 12 subtests, to assess the quality of the M‐P empirical literature to date. We observe that many of the most cited studies were poorly conceived and simply cannot lead to reasonable conclusions on possible M‐P linkages. The single most important flaw is the neglect of the multinational enterprise's firm‐specific advantages as the main driving force behind internationalization strategies and related effects on performance.
Evaluating a combined (frequency and percentage) risk expression to communicate information on medicine side effects to patients
Authors: Knapp Peter , Gardner Peter , McMillan Brian , Raynor David K , Woolf Elizabeth
Published: November 2012

Objectives

The study evaluated the interpretation of, and preferences for, numerical information on side-effect incidence when presented in three different formats.

Methods

It used a controlled design, with participants allocated at random to receive one of the three formats. Participants were recruited via a pop-up window on the CancerHelp UK website. The sample comprised 129 website users, of whom 96% were women and 86% had cancer, who received frequency information on four side effects of tamoxifen, using one of three risk expressions (percentages, e.g. ‘affects 25% of people’; frequencies, e.g. ‘affects 1 in 4 people’; combined, e.g. ‘affects 1 in 4 people (25%)’). They then interpreted information on tamoxifen and its effect on health, and estimates of side-effect frequency, and then stated a preference from the three risk expression formats.

Key findings

The results showed that the three formats did not influence participants’ ratings of the information or their side-effect estimates. However, more than half (53%) the participants preferred the combined (frequency and percentage) format. In conclusion, a combined risk expression format performed no worse than percentages or frequencies alone and was preferred by a majority.

Conclusions

The three risk expression formats did not differ in their effect on participants’ interpretations. However, the preferred format was the combined (frequency and percentage) risk expression.
Efficiency Enhancement of Bredigite‐Structure Ca14Mg2[SiO4]8:Eu2+ Phosphor via Partial Nitridation for Solid‐State Lighting Applications
Authors: Lee Kyoung Hwa , Im Won Bin
Published: November 2012

We have synthesized a partially nitridated Ca13.7Eu0.3Mg2Si8O32 (CMSN:Eu2+) using Si3N4 with a conventional solid‐state reaction and successfully determined the structural parameters by a combined Rietveld refinement method. The partial nitridation of Ca13.7Eu0.3Mg2Si8O32 (CMS:Eu2+) led to a large enhancement in the luminescence intensity, as much as 148%. From the Rietveld refinement results, the anisotropic changes of the lattice parameters were observed for the partially nitridated samples. By incorporating this phosphor + red phosphor with an encapsulant on an InGaN light‐emitting diode (LED) (λmax = 395 nm), white light with a color rendering index of 92 and a color temperature of 5320 K under 20 mA was obtained.
Catheter Ablation of Left Ventricular Tachycardia Through Internal Jugular Vein: Refining the Continuous Line
Authors: HAN SEONGWOOK , PARK HYUNG‐WOOK , LEE YOUNG SOO , WANG DAVID C. , HWANG CHUN
Published: November 2012

VT Ablation Through Internal Jugular Vein

A retrograde approach to the left ventricle (LV) from the femoral artery is most commonly used for left ventricular tachycardia (VT) ablation. However, as the patient population gets older, the prevalence of peripheral vascular disease and aortic valve disease increases, hampering the retrograde access to the LV, which may result in significant technical difficulties. The transseptal approach from the femoral vein is an alternative access to the LV. This approach has been effective for addressing LV VT originating from the posterior and posteroseptal region. However, the transseptal approach from the femoral vein is impossible if there are any obstacles in the inferior vena cava. There are also significant limitations in approaching the basal‐lateral region of the LV from this approach. We demonstrated the safety and feasibility of catheter ablation of LV VT via the transseptal approach from the right internal jugular vein. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 24, pp. 596–599, May 2013)
Prolonged Atrium Electromechanical Interval Is Associated with Stroke in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation After Catheter Ablation
Authors: CHAO TZE‐FAN , LIN YENN‐JIANG , TSAO HSUAN‐MING , CHANG SHIH‐LIN , LO LI‐WEI , HU YU‐FENG , TUAN TA‐CHUAN , LI CHENG‐HUNG , CHANG HUNG‐YU , WU TSU‐JUEY , YU WEN‐CHUNG , CHEN SHIH‐ANN
Published: November 2012

Electromechanical Interval and Strokes After Ablations of AF. Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with increased risk of embolic stroke. Catheter ablation of AF provides an effective therapy for patients with symptomatic and drug‐refractory AF. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the atrial electromechanical interval is useful in identifying patients at risk of stroke after successful catheter ablation.

Methods and Results:
A total of 279 AF patients who received catheter ablation and showed no evidence of recurrences were enrolled. Electromechanical interval (PA–PDI) was determined as the time interval from the initiation of P wave deflection to the peak of mitral inflow A wave on pulse wave Doppler imaging. The PA–PDI interval was measured for each patient after the 3‐month blanking period of catheter ablation. The clinical endpoint was the occurrence of ischemic stroke. During the follow‐up of 46.5 ± 17.2 months, 6 patients suffered from ischemic strokes. Patients with strokes had higher CHA2DS2–VASc scores and longer PA–PDI intervals (138.7 ± 12.4 ms vs 161.2 ± 7.7 ms, P value < 0.001) compared to those without strokes. At a cutoff point of 150 ms identified by ROC curve, the positive and negative predictive values of the PA–PDI interval to predict stroke were 86.7% and 100%, respectively. The PA–PDI interval improved the predictive performance of the CHA2DS2–VASc score, and the area under the ROC curve increased from 0.75 to 0.85.

Conclusions:
Our results suggest that the PA–PDI interval is a useful tool to identify patients with high risk of stroke after successful catheter ablation of AF. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 24, pp. 375‐380, April 2013)
Latent tuberculosis infection and active tuberculosis in patients with psoriasis: a study on the incidence of tuberculosis and the prevalence of latent tuberculosis disease in patients with moderate–severe psoriasis in Spain. BIOBADADERM registry
Authors: Sánchez‐Moya A.I. , García‐Doval I. , Carretero G. , Sánchez‐Carazo J. , Ferrandiz C. , Herrera Ceballos E. , Alsina M. , Ferrán M. , López‐Estebaranz J.‐L. , Gómez‐García F. , De la Cueva Dobao P. , Carrascosa J.‐M. , Vanaclocha F. , Belinchón I. , Peral F. , Dauden E. ,   the BIOBADADERM Study Group
Published: November 2012

Introduction  The incidence of tuberculosis (TB) or the prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in psoriasis patients has not been described in the Spanish population. We carried out a study with the objectives: (i) To describe the incidence of TB in patients with psoriasis on systemic treatment in the Spanish population; (ii) To determine the prevalence of LTBI in patients who are candidates for biological treatment; and (iii) To investigate the level of compliance with current recommendations for LTBI and TB screening.

Methods  Data were obtained from BIOBADADERM (Spanish registry for systemic biological and non‐biological treatments in psoriasis). An analysis was performed of the exposed cohort to determine the prevalence of LTBI and to describe compliance with the screening guidelines.

Results  A total of 1425 patients were registered in BIOBADADERM. They included 793 (56%) patients exposed to biological treatment and 632 (44%) treated with conventional systemic drug. Overall follow‐up was 3720 person‐years. Of the 793, 20.5% (163) were diagnosed with LTBI before starting biological treatment. The rate of active TB for the exposed cohort was 145 cases × 100 000 patient‐years (95% CI 54–389). No case of TB was found in the control group. Screening for LTBI was performed in 83% of the exposed sample.

Conclusion  Patients with psoriasis who are exposed to biological treatment appear to be at greater risk for tuberculosis. In Spain, up to 20% of patients with psoriasis who are candidates for biological therapy have LTBI. There continues to be a significant percentage of errors in compliance with clinical guidelines.
Clinical practice guideline for an integrated approach to comorbidity in patients with psoriasis
Authors: Daudén E. , Castañeda S. , Suárez C. , García‐Campayo J. , Blasco A.J. , Aguilar M.D. , Ferrándiz C. , Puig L. , Sánchez‐Carazo J.L. ,   on behalf of the Working Group on Comorbidity in Psoriasis
Published: November 2012

Background  The relationship between psoriasis and associated diseases has drawn particular interest in recent years. To provide appropriate management of psoriasis from an early stage, it is necessary to include prompt diagnosis of concomitant disease and to prevent and treat any comorbidity found. Such an integrated approach also serves to ensure that the drugs used to treat associated diseases do not interfere with the management of psoriasis, and vice versa.

Objective  To provide the dermatologist a guide focuses specifically on the diagnosis and management of the diseases most often found in patients with psoriasis.

Methods  The selection of the diseases, and corresponding supporting research, to be included was based on a systematic review of the literature. The recommendations on diagnostic criteria are based on the main clinical practice guidelines for each of the diseases discussed as well as on the recommendations of a clinical expert advisory group. The information regarding the repercussions of psoriasis treatments on associated comorbid diseases was obtained from the summary of product characteristics of each drug. In turn, the statements concerning the impact of the associated diseases, and their treatment, on psoriasis are based on the review of the literature.

Results  This guide is a precise, easy‐to‐use tool for systematizing the diagnosis of comorbidity in patients with psoriasis and facilitate decision making regarding referral and treatment of patients diagnosed with an associated disease.

Conclusion  The application of this guide not only will benefit psoriasis patients’ health and quality of life but it will also optimize available resources.
Melt infiltration into quartzite during partial melting in the Little Cottonwood Contact Aureole (UT, USA): implication for xenocryst formation
Authors: WOHLERS A. , BAUMGARTNER L. P.
Published: November 2012

Melt infiltration into quartzite took place due to generation and migration of partial melts within the high‐grade metamorphic rocks of the Big Cottonwood (BC) formation in the Little Cottonwood contact aureole (UT, USA). Melt was produced by muscovite and biotite dehydration melting reactions in the BC formation, which contains pelite and quartzite interlayered on a centimetre to decimetre scale. In the migmatite zone, melt extraction from the pelites resulted in restitic schollen surrounded byK‐feldspar‐enriched quartzite. Melt accumulation occurred in extensional or transpressional domains such as boudin necks, veins and ductile shear zones, during intrusion‐related deformation in the contact aureole. The transition between the quartzofeldspathic segregations and quartzite shows a gradual change in texture. Here, thinK‐feldspar rims surround single, round quartz grains. The textures are interpreted as melt infiltration texture. Pervasive melt infiltration into the quartzite induced widening of the quartz–quartz grain boundaries, and led to progressive isolation of quartz grains. First as clusters of grains, and with increasing infiltration as single quartz grains in theK‐feldspar‐rich matrix of the melt segregation. A 3D–μCT reconstruction showed that melt formed an interconnected network in the quartzites. Despite abundant macroscopic evidence for deformation in the migmatite zone, individual quartz grains found in quartzofeldspathic segregations have a rounded crystal shape and lack quartz crystallographic orientation, as documented with electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). Water‐rich melts, similar to pegmatitic melts documented in this field study, were able to infiltrate the quartz network and disaggregate grain coherency of the quartzites. The proposed mechanism can serve as a model to explain abundant xenocrysts found in magmatic systems.
Fluid record of rock exhumation across the brittle–ductile transition during formation of a Metamorphic Core Complex (Naxos Island, Cyclades, Greece)
Authors: SIEBENALLER L. , BOIRON M. ‐C. , VANDERHAEGHE O. , HIBSCH C. , JESSELL M. W. , ANDRE‐MAYER A. ‐S. , FRANCE‐LANORD C. , PHOTIADES A.
Published: November 2012

Fluid inclusions trapped in quartz veins hosted by a leucogneiss from the southern part of the Naxos Metamorphic Core Complex (Attic‐Cycladic‐Massif, Greece) were studied to determine the evolution of the fluid record of metamorphic rocks during their exhumation across the ductile/brittle transition. Three sets of quartz veins (V‐M2, V‐BD & V‐B) are distinguished. The V‐M2 and V‐BD are totally or, respectively, partially transposed into the foliation of the leucogneiss. They formed by hydrofracturing alternating with ductile deformation accommodated by crystal‐plastic deformation. The V‐B is discordant to the foliation and formed by fracturing during exhumation without subsequent ductile transposition. Fluids trapped during crystal–plastic deformation comprise two very distinct fluid types, namely a CO2‐rich fluid and a high‐salinity brine, that are interpreted to represent immiscible fluids generated from metamorphic reactions and the crystallization of magmas respectively. They were initially trapped at ∼625 °C and 400 MPa and then remobilized during subsequent ductile deformation resulting in various degrees of mixing of the two end‐members with later trapping conditions of ∼350 °C and 140 MPa. In contrast, brittle microcracks contain aqueous fluids trapped at 250 °C and 80 MPa. All veins display a similar δ13C pointing to carbon that was trapped at depth and then preserved in the fluid inclusions throughout the exhumation history. In contrast, the δD signature is marked by a drastic difference between (i) V‐M2 and V‐BD veins that are dominated by carbonic, aqueous‐carbonic and high‐salinity fluids of metamorphic and magmatic origin characterized by δD between −56‰ and −66‰, and (ii) V‐B veins that are dominated by aqueous fluids of meteoric origin characterized by δD between −40‰ and −46‰. The retrograde P–T pathway implies that the brittle/ductile transition separates two structurally, chemically and thermally distinct fluid reservoirs, namely (i) the ductile crust into which fluids originating from crystallizing magmas and fluids in equilibrium with metamorphic rocks circulate through a geothermal gradient of 30 °C km−1 at lithostatic pressure, and (ii) the brittle upper crust through which meteoric fluids percolate through a high geothermal gradient of 55 °C km−1 at hydrostatic pressure.
Identification of Colletotrichum Species Causing Bitter Rot of Apple and Pear in Croatia
Authors: Ivic Dario , Voncina Darko , Sever Zdravka , Simon Silvio , Pejic Ivan
Published: November 2012

Symptoms of bitter rot were observed on apple and pear fruits in the field and in storage in Croatia between 2009 and 2011. Fifteen Colletotrichum isolates from apple and two from pear were collected and identified by sequencing of the ITS1 and ITS2 regions of the ribosomal DNA. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that ten isolates from apple and two isolates from pear could be identified as Colletotrichum fioriniae, five isolates from apple were clustered in Colletotrichum clavatum, while one isolate was in the Colletotrichum acutatum A7 group. All isolates caused typical bitter rot symptoms when inoculated on apple and pear fruits.
Daytime course of sleepiness in de novo Parkinson's disease patients
Authors: Giganti Fiorenza , Ramat Silvia , Zilli Iole , Guidi Sara , Raglione Laura Maria , Sorbi Sandro , Salzarulo Piero
Published: November 2012

Normal subjects show an increase of sleepiness in the morning, early afternoon and before sleep. In the advanced stages of Parkinson's disease (PD) the mean level of sleepiness is quite high, while with respect to healthy subjects it seems to be unchanged in the early stages. The aim of this study was to evaluate the time–course of the sleepiness level during the wakefulness period in untreated patients with early‐stage Parkinson's disease. Eighteen Parkinson's disease patients who had never been treated before with dopaminergic drugs (male = 9, female = 9, age: 68.39 ± 1.89, mean ± standard error) and 18 healthy subjects (male = 9, female = 9, age: 67.22 ± 1.98) were recruited for this study. All subjects underwent continuous actigraphic recording for three consecutive days, during which they also completed the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS) once an hour throughout wakefulness. Our results showed a higher level of sleepiness in the patients than the controls in the hours following awakening and in the early afternoon, specifically at 08:00 and 14:00 hours (08:00 hours, PD patients, KSS: 3 ± 0.3 versus healthy subjects, KSS: 2 ± 0.2, P < 0.05; 14:00 hours, PD patients, KSS: 4.4 ± 0.5 versus healthy subjects, KSS: 3 ± 0.3, P < 0.05). We suggest that some daytime hours are sensitive windows showing the first increase of sleepiness which will spread later to the whole daytime.
Shiftworkers report worse sleep than day workers, even in retirement
Authors: Monk Timothy H. , Buysse Daniel J. , Billy Bart D. , Fletcher Mary E. , Kennedy Kathy S. , Begley Amy E. , Schlarb Janet E. , Beach Scott R.
Published: November 2012

The aim of this study was to explore how the level of shiftwork exposure during an individual's working life might be related to subjectively reported sleep quality and timing during retirement. Telephone interviews regarding past employment and sleep timing and quality (among other variables) were conducted using a pseudo‐random age‐targeted sampling process. Subjective sleep quality was assessed using a telephone version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Timing of reported habitual bedtimes and rise‐times were assessed using the Sleep Timing Questionnaire. Questions measuring morningness and subjective health were also given. Retired seniors (aged >65 years, n = 1113) were studied. Analysis was by analysis of variance, with shiftwork exposure in three bins [0 (n = 387), 1–15 (n = 371) and >15 years (n = 355)], gender (n = 634 male, 479 female) and former occupation [in two broad categories, ‘managerial’ (n = 437) versus ‘other’ (n = 676)] as factors. In retired shiftworkers, relative to retired day workers, past exposure to shiftwork was associated with higher (worse) PSQI scores by 1.0 units (1–15 years) and 0.6 units (>15 years) (main effect P = 0.005). There were also main effects of gender and former occupation (males and managerials reporting better sleep), but neither variable interacted with shiftwork exposure. The timing of current mean habitual bedtimes and rise‐times (and also the variance around them) were very similar for the three shiftwork exposure groups. The shiftwork exposure effect did not appear to be mediated by either morningness or current health. Prior exposure to shiftwork would appear to be related to currently reported sleep problems during retirement.
Cirrhosis is associated with development of tolerance to cardiac chronotropic effect of endotoxin in rats
Authors: Jazaeri Farahnaz , Tavangar Seyed M. , Ghazi‐Khansari Mahmoud , Khorramizadeh Mohammad R. , Mani Ali R. , Dehpour Ahmad R.
Published: November 2012

Background/Aims

Sepsis is a common complication of cirrhosis with a high mortality. Cirrhosis is associated with cardiac chronotropic and inotropic dysfunction, which is known as cirrhotic cardiomyopathy and might be linked to endotoxaemia. This study was aimed to explore the hypothesis that the inflammatory response induced by administration of low dose of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exacerbates cardiac chronotropic dysfunction in cirrhotic rats; and if so, whether this is associated with altered cardiac toll‐like receptor expression.

Methods

Cirrhosis was induced by surgical ligation of the bile duct in male Wister rats. Four weeks after bile duct ligation or sham surgery, the subjects were given intraperitoneal injection of either saline or LPS (0.1 mg/kg). Five hours after LPS injection, the atria were isolated and spontaneously beating rate and chronotropic responsiveness to β‐adrenergic stimulation was assessed using standard organ bath. The expression of toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) was assessed the atria using immunohistochemistry as well as quantitative RT‐PCR.

Results

LPS injection could induce a significant hypo‐responsiveness to adrenergic stimulation in sham‐operated rats. However, in cirrhotic rats, the chronotropic responses did not change after acute injection of LPS. Immunohistochemical study showed that TLR4 is mainly expressed in the myocardium in control atria and its expression is markedly decreased in myocardial layer following chronic bile duct ligation.

Conclusion

Our data showed that cirrhosis is associated with development of tolerance to cardiac chronotropic effect of LPS in rats and this might be caused by altered localization of TLR4 in myocardium.
A 24‐week dietary and physical activity lifestyle intervention reduces hepatic insulin resistance in the obese with chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Pattullo Venessa , Duarte‐Rojo Andres , Soliman Wael , Vargas‐Vorackova Florencia , Sockalingam Sanjeev , Fantus Ivan G. , Allard Johane , Heathcote Jenny
Published: November 2012

Background/Aims

Obesity‐ and virus‐mediated insulin resistance (IR) are associated with adverse hepatic and metabolic outcomes in chronic hepatitis C (CHC). This study evaluates the tolerability and effects of a dietary and physical activity (PA) intervention in obese patients with insulin‐resistant CHC.

Methods

Obese patients (body mass index, BMI ≥30 kg/m2) with CHC were recruited prospectively. Non‐diabetic patients with IR (homeostasis model assessment of IR, HOMA‐IR >2.0) proceeded to a 24‐week lifestyle intervention comprising pedometer monitored increase in PA (≥10 000 steps/day) and an individualised dietary plan.

Results

Ten non‐cirrhotic and six cirrhotic patients [age 52 ± 8.5 years, BMI 35.9 (31.46–38.21)kg/m2] were recruited, of whom all 16 (100%) completed the 24‐week protocol. Increase in PA from 6853 (2440–9533) to 10 697 (7959–13566) steps/day (P = 0.001) and reduction in caloric intake from 2263 (1805.4–2697.0) to 1281 (1099.5–1856.3) kcal/day (equivalent to reduction of median 33% (25.3–49.8%), P < 0.001) were achieved. These behaviour changes led to a BMI reduction to 31.21 (28.72–36.10) (P < 0.001) and the HOMA‐IR fell from 3.62 (2.75–4.87) to 2.08 (1.82–3.59) (P = 0.002). The hepatic insulin sensitivity index (ISI) improved significantly, but the skeletal muscle ISI did not. At week 24, 8/16 (50%) patients were no longer insulin‐resistant (P = 0.008).

Conclusions

This 24‐week intervention reduced BMI and reversed IR in significant proportion of patients. Such adjunctive therapy may improve hepatic and metabolic status in obese insulin‐resistant CHC.
Shock experiments in range of 10–45 GPa with small multidomain magnetite in porous targets
Authors: KOHOUT Tomas , PESONEN Lauri J. , DEUTSCH Alexander , WÜNNEMANN Kai , NOWKA Daniela , HORNEMANN Ulrich , HEIKINHEIMO Erkki
Published: November 2012

Abstract– Physical properties of multidomain magnetite‐bearing porous pellets shocked up to 45 GPa were measured. The results show general magnetic softening as a result of shock. However, a relative magnetic hardening trend and slight magnetic susceptibility decrease is observed with increasing pressure among shocked samples. Initially, the shock also seems to cause a slight decrease in porosity, but at higher shock pressures macroscopic porosity increases progressively in our pellets. The microscopic porosity remains almost unchanged. Since our samples have distinctly higher initial porosity compared with samples used in previous studies, our results may be representative for impacts into highly porous magnetite‐bearing sedimentary or volcanic rocks and are relevant to impacts into such target rocks on Earth and Mars.
A family of secreted pathogenesis‐related proteins in Candida albicans
Authors: Röhm M. , Lindemann E. , Hiller E. , Ermert D. , Lemuth K. , Trkulja D. , Sogukpinar O. , Brunner H. , Rupp S. , Urban C. F. , Sohn K.
Published: November 2012

Analysing culture supernatants of yeast and hyphal cells of Candida albicans, we found two close homologues of pathogenesis‐related (PR‐) 1 proteins, Rbe1p and Rbt4p, in the secretome. Due to sequence homology, three additional, yet not characterized open reading frames, ORF19.6200, ORF19.2787 and ORF19.2336, together with RBE1 and RBT4 were assigned to a novel family of CaPRY proteins. In a Δrbe1/Δrbt4 deletion strain, genome‐wide transcriptional analysis revealed differential transcription of only a limited set of genes implicated in virulence and oxidative stress response. Single deletion of RBE1 or RBT4 in a clinical C. albicans isolate resulted in a moderate but significant attenuation in virulence in a mouse model for disseminated candidiasis. However, a synergistic effect was observed in a Δrbe1/Δrbt4 double deletion strain, where virulence was strongly affected. Remarkably, transcription of RBT4 and RBE1 was each upregulated in blastospores of Δrbe1 or hyphae of Δrbt4 deletion strains respectively, indicating functional complementation thereby compensating a potential virulence defect in the single deletion strains. Furthermore, the double deletion strain showed increased sensitivity to attack by polymorphonuclear leucocytes. Therefore, the crucial contribution of both C. albicans pathogenesis‐related proteins to virulence might be vested in protection against phagocyte attack.
Family‐based models for childhood‐obesity intervention: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Sung‐Chan P. , Sung Y. W. , Zhao X. , Brownson R. C.
Published: November 2012

Effective interventions are needed to address the growing epidemic of childhood obesity. In the past 35 years, family‐based approach has gradually developed as a preferred intervention. This review aimed to examine the methodological rigour and treatment effectiveness of family‐based interventions according to intervention types and theoretical orientations. A total of 15 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of family‐based lifestyle interventions for children and adolescents aged 2–19 years were included. The adapted Methodological Quality Rating Scales (MQRS) and a four‐grade qualitative scoring scheme were adopted to evaluate the methodological rigour and the effectiveness of treatment, respectively. The average MQRS score was 7.93 out of 14 points. Ten of the 15 RCTs had well aligned their research questions with appropriate research methods. The overall short‐term outcome of the15 RCTs were satisfactory with an average score of 3.1. Family‐based interventions rooted in behaviour theory achieved better results than those theoretically connected to family systems theory in terms of treatment effectiveness. Results suggest future studies to improve the methodological design and continue to explore the potential of the family systems approach.
Effect of short‐term propofol administration on pancreatic enzymes and lipid biochemistry in children between 1 month and 36 months
Authors: Chauhan Munish , Garg Ashish , Bharadwaj Avnish
Published: November 2012

Background

Use of propofol in pediatric age group has been marred by reports of its adverse effects like hypertriglyceridemia and acute pancreatitis, although a causal relation has not yet been established.

Objectives

This prospective, clinical trial was carried out to evaluate the effects of short‐term propofol administration on serum lipid profile and serum pancreatic enzymes in children of ASA physical status I and II aged between 1 month and 36 months.

Methods

Anesthesia was induced with Propofol (1%) in the dose of 3 mg·kg−1 intravenously and was maintained by propofol infusion (0.5%) at the rate of 12 mg·kg−1·h−1 for the first 20 min and at 8 mg·kg−1·h−1 thereafter. The mean dose of propofol administered was 12.02 ± 2.75 mg·kg−1 (fat load of 120.2 ± 27.5 mg·kg−1). Lipid profile, serum amylase, and lipase were measured before induction of anesthesia, at 90 min, 4 h, and finally 24 h after induction.

Results

Serum lipase levels (P < 0.05), serum triglyceride levels (P < 0.05), and serum very low‐density lipoproteins VLDL levels (P < 0.05) were raised significantly after propofol administration from baseline although remained within normal limits. Serum cholesterol levels and serum low‐density lipoproteins LDL levels showed a statistically significant fall over 24 h. No significant changes in serum pancreatic amylase levels were seen (P > 0.05). None of the patients developed any clinical features of pancreatitis in the postoperative period.

Conclusion

We conclude that despite a small, transient increase in serum triglycerides and pancreatic enzymes, short‐term propofol administration in recommended dosages in children of ASA status I and II aged between 1 month and 36 months does not produce any clinically significant effect on serum lipids and pancreatic enzymes.
Association of specific pectin methylesterases with Al‐induced root elongation inhibition in rice
Authors: Yang Xiao Ying , Zeng Zhang Hui , Yan Jing Ying , Fan Wei , Bian Hong Wu , Zhu Mu Yuan , Yang Jian Li , Zheng Shao Jian
Published: November 2012

The negative charges of cell wall pectin molecules attributed by pectin methylesterase (PME, EC 3.1.1.11) contribute to Al binding capacity. We examined the expression profiles of 35 members of the PME gene family in the root apex of an Al‐sensitive rice ‘Zhefu802’ under Al stress. While root elongation was inhibited by 40% after 3‐h exposure to 25 µM Al, cell wall PME activity and the abundance of eight PME genes transcripts were increased. The same Al treatment which had almost no effect on root elongation of an Al‐resistant rice ssp. japonica ‘Nipponbare’ did not change the expression patterns of these eight PME genes. However, when Al concentration was increased to 50 µM, by which the root elongation of ‘Nipponbare’ was inhibited by 40% too, the expression of these PME genes were also upregulated except two genes with no signal. These suggest a possible correlation between the upregulated genes and Al‐induced inhibition of root elongation in rice. Furthermore, these eight PME genes behaved differently when subjected to CdCl2 and LaCl3 treatments, implying the specificity of different PME genes in response to different metal toxicities. The transgenic rice overexpressing one of these eight PME genes OsPME14 showed higher PME activity and Al content in root tip cell wall, and became more sensitive to Al stress, verifying the involvement of the specific PME gene in Al toxicity. Therefore, our results provided the molecular evidence to connect the expression of specific PME genes with the Al‐induced inhibition of root elongation in rice.
GPA Combined with the Hole‐Drilling Method Applied for Curved Surface Strain Measurement
Authors: Liu Z. W. , Zhou J. F. , Wu C. L. , Xie H. M.
Published: November 2012

Abstract:  This paper describes three methods that were modified and combined to investigate the residual strain of a curved surface. First, the traditional grating transfer method previously only applied to a flat surface was extended to a curved surface using a new fabrication and transition approach. Second, the GPA method previously only applied in the nanoscopic field was extended to the macroscopic field. Third, both of the above methods were combined with the hole‐drilling method to obtain deformation information on the plane analysing grating. The data obtained were used to analyse the in‐plane residual strain by the GPA method, and an algorithm that can use the plane analysing grating data was used to calculate the curved specimen grating deformation. The feasibility and reliability of these methods were verified by using them to measure and analyse the residual strain of a welded joint on a stainless steel tube.
Response of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) to coffee waste application on a humid tropical sandy soil
Authors: Kasongo R. K. , Verdoodt A. , Kanyankogote P. , Baert G. , Van Ranst E.
Published: November 2012

A greenhouse experiment was conducted to study the effect of coffee waste (CW) application on growth and mineral nutrition of Italian ryegrass in a tropical Arenosol. Dry CW was applied at three rates (5, 10, 20 t/ha) and thoroughly mixed with topsoil (0–25 cm), placed in pots and seeded with Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) according to a completely randomized design with six replicates. The application of CW greatly stimulated uptake of Ca, Mg, K, N and P, resulting in a significantly increased dry matter (DM) production over three consecutive cropping cycles. DM increases of at least 52, 87 and 81% compared with the unamended controls were obtained for the first, second and third cuts, respectively. Soil analysis after cultivation found that all CW‐amended soils still contained available macronutrients (Ca, Mg, K, N), which could produce residual effects in subsequent crops. Furthermore, CW application increased soil pH owing to its liming effect. This brought about an increase in cation exchange capacity with substantial reduction in phytotoxic Al and a decrease in availability of a number of metals (Cu, Zn, Mn and Fe) and significantly reduced their uptake by ryegrass. The study reveals a high potential of CW to improve the fertility of sandy soils in the humid tropics.
Donation by donors with an atypical pulse rate does not increase the risk of cardiac ischaemic events
Authors: Germain M. , Delage G. , Grégoire Y. , Robillard P.
Published: November 2012

Background and Objectives  In many jurisdictions, blood donors who have an atypical pulse rate are temporarily deferred. This practice is not supported by evidence. We evaluated whether accepting donors with an atypical pulse rate increases their risk of cardiac ischaemic events.

Methods  We measured the cumulative incidence of hospitalizations and deaths for coronary heart disease within 1 year of follow‐up among donors who, between 2002 and 2006, were temporarily deferred because of an atypical pulse (<50 beats/min, >100 beats/min, or irregular). We compared this incidence to that observed among donors who also had an atypical pulse but who were allowed to donate, following a change in our deferral policy in 2007. The occurrence of cardiac events was determined through hospital discharge and death registries.

Results  Among 6076 donors who were temporarily deferred for an atypical pulse, the 1‐year rate of hospitalization or death for cardiac ischaemic events was 3·5/1000, compared to 2·4 in donors who had an atypical pulse but who were allowed to donate (n = 10 671), for an adjusted odds ratio of 1·7 (95% CI, 0·9–3·0, P = 0·08).

Conclusion  Regardless of the clinical significance of an atypical pulse rate, our data show that accepting donors with this condition does not increase the occurrence of serious cardiac ischaemic events. We conclude that pulse rate measurement in prospective donors is not warranted.
Experimental Measurements of Ingestion Through Turbine Rim Seals—Part II: Rotationally Induced Ingress
Authors: Sangan Carl M. , Pountney Oliver J. , Zhou Kunyuan , Owen J. Michael , Wilson Mike , Lock Gary D.
Published: November 2012

Part I of this two-part paper presented experimental results for externally-induced (EI) ingress, where the ingestion of hot gas through the rim seal into the wheel-space of a gas turbine is controlled by the circumferential variation of pressure in the external annulus. In Part II, experimental results are presented for rotationally-induced (RI) ingress, where the ingestion is controlled by the pressure generated by the rotating fluid in the wheel-space. Although EI ingress is the common form of ingestion through turbine rim seals, RI ingress or combined ingress (where EI and RI ingress are both significant) is particularly important for double seals, where the pressure asymmetries are attenuated in the annular space between the inner and outer seals. In this paper, the sealing effectiveness was determined from concentration measurements, and the variation of effectiveness with sealing flow rate was compared with theoretical curves for RI ingress obtained from an orifice model. Using a nondimensional sealing parameter Φ0 the data could be collapsed onto a single curve, and the theoretical variation of effectiveness with Φ0 was in very good agreement with the data for a wide range of flow rates and rotational speeds. It was shown that the sealing flow required to prevent RI ingress was much less than that needed for EI ingress, and it was also shown that the effectiveness of a radial-clearance seal is significantly better than that for an axial-clearance seal for both EI and RI ingress.
Blade Loading and Its Application in the Mean-Line Design of Low Pressure Turbines
Authors: Coull John D. , Hodson Howard P.
Published: November 2012

In order to minimize the number of iterations to a turbine design, reasonable choices of the key parameters must be made at the preliminary design stage. The choice of blade loading is of particular concern in the low pressure (LP) turbine of civil aero engines, where the use of high-lift blades is widespread. This paper considers how blade loading should be measured, compares the performance of various loss correlations, and explores the impact of blade lift on performance and lapse rates. To these ends, an analytical design study is presented for a repeating-stage, axial-flow LP turbine. It is demonstrated that the long-established Zweifel lift coefficient (Zweifel, 1945, “The Spacing of Turbomachine Blading, Especially with Large Angular Deflection” Brown Boveri Rev., 32(1), pp. 436–444) is flawed because it does not account for the blade camber. As a result the Zweifel coefficient is only meaningful for a fixed set of flow angles and cannot be used as an absolute measure of blade loading. A lift coefficient based on circulation is instead proposed that accounts for the blade curvature and is independent of the flow angles. Various existing profile and secondary loss correlations are examined for their suitability to preliminary design. A largely qualitative comparison demonstrates that the loss correlations based on Ainley and Mathieson (Ainley and Mathieson, 1957, “A Method of Performance Estimation for Axial-Flow Turbines,” ARC Reports and Memoranda No. 2974; Dunham and Came, 1970, “Improvements to the Ainley-Mathieson Method of Turbine Performance Prediction,” Trans. ASME: J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power, July, pp. 252–256; Kacker and Okapuu, 1982, “A Mean Line Performance Method for Axial Flow Turbine Efficiency,” J. Eng. Power, 104, pp. 111–119). are not realistic, while the profile loss model of Coull and Hodson (Coull and Hodson, 2011, “Predicting the Profile Loss of High-Lift Low Pressure Turbines,” J. Turbomach., 134(2), pp. 021002) and the secondary loss model of (Traupel, W, 1977, Thermische Turbomaschinen, Springer-Verlag, Berlin) are arguably the most reasonable. A quantitative comparison with multistage rig data indicates that, together, these methods over-predict lapse rates by around 30%, highlighting the need for improved loss models and a better understanding of the multistage environment. By examining the influence of blade lift across the Smith efficiency chart, the analysis demonstrates that designs with higher flow turning will tend to be less sensitive to increases in blade loading.
Effect of Bend Geometry on Heat Transfer and Pressure Drop in a Two-Pass Coolant Square Channel for a Turbine
Authors: Saha Krishnendu , Acharya Sumanta
Published: November 2012

This paper presents a comparative numerical study of turbulent flow inside a two-pass internal cooling channel with different bend geometries. The goal is to find a geometry that reduces the bend related pressure loss and enhances overall heat transfer coefficient. A square channel with a round U-bend is taken as a baseline case and the heat transfer and pressure drop for nine different bend geometries are compared with the baseline. Modifications for the bend geometry are made along the channel divider wall and at the end wall of the 180 deg bend. The bend geometries studied include: (1) a turning vane geometry, (2) an asymmetrical bulb, (3) three different symmetrical bulbs, (4) two different bow shaped geometries at the end wall, (5) a bend with an array of dimples in the bend region, and (6) finally a combination of bow geometry and dimples. The solution procedure is based on a commercial finite volume solver using the Reynolds averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) equation and a turbulence model. A two equation realizable k-ɛ model with enhanced wall treatment is used to model the turbulent flow. It was found that the bend geometry can have a significant effect on the overall performance of a two-pass channel. The modified bend geometries are compared with the baseline using Nusselt number ratios, friction factor ratios, and thermal performance factors (TPF) as the metrics. All the modified bend geometries show increase in the TPF with the symmetrical bulb configuration showing nearly a 40% reduction in friction factor ratio and a 30% increase in thermal performance. The highest TPF (41% increase over baseline) is observed for the symmetrical bulb combined with a bow along the outer walls and surface dimples.
Heat Transfer for the Film-Cooled Vane of a 1-1/2 Stage High-Pressure Transonic Turbine—Part II: Effect of Cooling Variation on the Vane Airfoil and Inner End Wall
Authors: Kahveci Harika S. , Haldeman Charles W. , Mathison Randall M. , Dunn Michael G.
Published: November 2012

The impact of film cooling on heat transfer is investigated for the high-pressure vane of a 1-1/2 stage high-pressure turbine operating at design corrected conditions. Cooling is supplied through three independently controllable circuits to holes in the inner and outer end wall, vane leading edge showerhead, and the pressure and suction surfaces of the airfoil, in addition to vane trailing edge slots. Four different overall cooling flow rates are investigated and one cooling circuit is varied independently. All results reported in this part of the paper are for a radial inlet temperature profile, one of the four profiles reported in part I of this paper. Part I describes the experimental setup, data quality, influence of inlet temperature profile, and influence of cooling when compared to a solid vane. This part of the paper shows that the addition of coolant reduces airfoil Stanton number by up to 60%. The largest reductions due to cooling are observed close to the inner end wall because the coolant to the majority of the vane is supplied by a plenum at the inside diameter. While the introduction of cooling has a significant impact on Stanton number, the impact of changing coolant flow rates is only observed for gauges near 5% span and on the inner end wall. This indicates that very little of the increased coolant mass flow reaches all the way to 90% span and the majority of the additional mass flow is injected into the core flow near the plenum. Turning off the vane outer cooling circuit that supplies coolant to the outer end wall holes, vane trailing edge slots, and three rows of holes on the pressure surface of the airfoil, has a local impact on Stanton number. Changes downstream of the holes on the airfoil pressure surface indicate that internal heat transfer from the coolant flowing inside the vane is important to the external heat transfer, suggesting that a conjugate heat-transfer solution may be required to achieve good external heat-transfer predictions in this area. Measurements on the inner end wall show that temperature reduction in the vane wake due to the trailing edge cooling is important to many points downstream of the vane.
Parameter-Dependent ℋ∞ Filtering for Linear Time-Varying Systems
Authors: Zhang Hui , Shi Yang
Published: November 2012

In this paper, we investigate the filter design problem for linear continuous-time systems with parameter variations in system matrices. The parameter variations are assumed to belong to a polytope with finite and known vertices. The designed filter parameters and the constructed Lyapunov function are both dependent on the online measured variations. A new sufficient condition for the existence of parameter-dependent filters is established and it can guarantee that the filtering error dynamic system is asymptotically stable and can satisfy the prescribed ℋ∞ norm bound. Then, the design of the filter is proposed by solving a set of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). Simulation studies and comparison examples are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Neural Network Adaptive Output Feedback Control of Flexible Link Manipulators
Authors: Farmanbordar A. , Hoseini S. M.
Published: November 2012

This paper presents an adaptive output-feedback control method based on neural networks for flexible link manipulator which is a nonlinear nonminimum phase system. The proposed controller comprises a linear, a neuro-adaptive, and an adaptive robustifying parts. The neural network is designed to approximate the matched uncertainty of the system. The inputs of the neural network are the tapped delays of the system input–output signals. In addition, an appropriate reference signal is proposed to compensate the unmatched uncertainty inherent in the internal system dynamics. The adaptation laws for the neural network weights and adaptive gains are obtained using the Lyapunov’s direct method. These adaptation laws employ a linear observer of system dynamics that is realizable. The ultimate boundedness of the error signals are analytically shown using Lyapunov's method.